Skeptical OB’s last two posts are pertinent to issues we’ve discussed on this blog. Yesterday she posted an elementary primer on how vaccines work.  I understand that Amy Tuteur isn’t everyone’s favorite blogger, but this is just your basic science, so it probably won’t offend.  I was pretty familiar with how vaccines work, but if you’re not, or you want a refresher, this is a good piece: » Continue reading “Two from Amy”

A manufacturer is creating a doll that realistically simulates breastfeeding. The doll comes with a special halter top for the young girl to wear, with flowers placed where nipples would be. The doll is put in position to “latch” on, and suckling noises and motions are then simulated.

Videos of the toy in use can already be seen on YouTube. From the article:

Even pediatricians, child development and toy experts can’t agree on whether the nod to support breast-feeding in the Bebe Gloton (loosely translated as baby glutton) would be healthy for young girls.

“My take is that anything which reminds young girls that their bodies are something other, and more, than sex objects, is a very good thing,” said Dr. Ronald Cohen, medical director of the Mothers’ Milk Bank in San Jose, Calif.

“On the other hand, encouraging young girls to want to have babies at a very young age may not be so great,” said Cohen, who is also the director of the intermediate intensive care nursery at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University.

Breastfeeding is natural and should be encouraged. I know many children imitate breastfeeding on their dolls while watching mommy nurse a sibling. But, do we really need our four and five-year old girls simulating it so realistically? I’m not sure how I feel about this product. I’m curious to hear what other rational parents have to say.

I read about this a while ago and didn’t post a link.  But Science Based Parenting linked to this article today about PCBs in breast milk, so I guess it’s on my brain again.

Apparently a study shows that PCBs can cause developmental abnormalities in rats that are quite similar to autism.  And PCBs do show up in breast milk and are passed on to nursing babies.  This does not mean that nursing necessarily causes autism, but it does mean that more studies should be done on the effect of PCBs on human populations.  Happy reading.

I was surprised by this recent report from a mother who visited an IKEA in Brooklyn, NY. While nursing her six-month old child in the store, the woman–who was fully covered–was asked rudely by the staff to move to the restroom instead. Shamed, she obeyed. Mother and daughter waited for a stall, but eventually gave up and left the store. (For the record, to force a breastfeeding mother into the restroom is illegal in New York.)

I thought IKEA was a fairly family-friendly store. They have great monitored play areas for kids that allow parents a child-free shopping experience (and really, what’s better than that?!). The offended staff member also involved the security guards, so we know it’s not a renegade employee with the naked-mommy-boob heebie-jeebies. But, this incident smacks of a bygone era. Are some people still so freaked out by the thought of breastfeeding (remember, she was covered) that they can’t tolerate someone quietly nursing nearby?

I never experienced any kind of discrimination while nursing my daughters in public. But, I’m curious what other Rational Moms think about this incident, or if they have experienced any breastfeeding discrimination themselves. Discuss….

One short year ago

My son turned one June 10th!  He is walking like a pro and can say six words:  mommy, daddy, ball, bubble, water, and, “Wow.”  (I don’t think he really understands what he’s saying with that last one, but it’s adorable.)

I have looked forward to this milestone for many reasons, and I can’t deny that one big reason was the promised end of nursing, as the AAP recommends breast feeding for one year.  I don’t know if I 100% buy this recommendation, but hey, I made it a year, which is something of an accomplishment.  So I’d like my certificate and my prize money, please, and then I’d like my old bras back. » Continue reading “To wean or not to wean?”

I’m at 33 weeks pregnant and am in the middle of the maternity class gauntlet. Jodi’s earlier post about Birthing Classes inspired me write up some of my experiences. 

Lamaze Class at A Local Hospital 

My husband and I signed up for a four week Lamaze class taught through a local hospital. We barely made it through the first class and never went back. Our problem was really with the teacher and not the class, but oh what a big problem it was! 

Right off the bat, the instructor had an unfortunate voice. Loud, nasal… annoying. My willingness to ignore the voice and concentrate on the message may have been a mistake. It turns out that when a screechy harpy voice is mixed with condescension, unsubstantiated claims, anti-doctor paranoia and anti-vaccination messages, the voice quickly becomes intolerable.  » Continue reading “Birthing and Parenting Classes – My Experiences So Far”

There was a very rational, science-influenced article on the debate between breast-feeding and bottle feeding recently in The Atlantic.

The Case Against Breast-Feeding

» Continue reading “Article on Breast-Feeding vs. Bottle Feeding”

When my daughter caught her first cold in the daycare at the YMCA, people told me that it was, in the long run, a good thing. Getting sick now, they said, would build her immune system and make her stronger. If it didn’t happen in daycare, then it’d happen in preschool. No matter how much I wanted to protect her, she would eventually have to go through a period of illness. Getting sick was a right of passage into the world of immunity. Was this an old wives’ tale, I wondered, or was there any truth to it?

» Continue reading “Fact or Fiction? “Building” Your Child’s Immunity Through Illness”

I must admit I’ve had a lot of trouble approaching this post. So maybe it’s best to just come right to the point: I’m a diehard breast feeder myself, but I dislike the way formula is demonized.

I love nursing, and I’ve really enjoyed that aspect of being a mom. I have not had any trouble with pain, latch, or supply, and I’ve been able to maintain nursing after returning to work by pumping in the supply closet at my job. It’s not the most cozy location, but it allows for privacy. My son was born big, and he’s now grown to a whopping 20 pounds at only five months. I’m proud that I’ve been able to put this weight on him with almost 100% exclusive breast feeding. There were only four times in his life he had formula. Once, in the hospital, he lost almost 10% of his body weight on day three of his life, and our pediatrician insisted in supplementation before my milk came in. And the other times were the result of logistical errors—frozen milk at daycare, Daddy at home, Mommy at work—but now we’ve got our system down and the boy only gets breast milk. I experienced a strange guilt when we had to give formula, and I think this is a negative aspect of the current breast feeding culture.
» Continue reading “In Defense of Formula”