Author Archive
Posted February 23rd, 2012 by Sahira Long
Recently MedStar Georgetown University Hospital became the first maternity facility in the nation’s capital (in fact the entire Washington Metropolitan area) to achieve elite designation as a Baby Friendly Hospital. As president of the D.C. Breastfeeding Coalition, I applaud this achievement. I personally witnessed the tremendous work and dedication it took for all involved including [...]
Posted August 3rd, 2011 by Sahira Long
As a physician, I have had many opportunities to see how important the support I provide is to mothers’ feeding decision. I deal with many women for whom public nursing is difficult because of the disapproving looks and comments they receive. From letting them know of their rights to breastfeed anywhere, to sharing some of [...]
Posted July 13th, 2011 by Sahira Long
Recently, it came to light that a number of female Washington, DC police officers have faced work conditions that make it difficult for them to continue nursing their children after returning from maternity leave. One of the women, Officer Sashay Brown, came forward to share her experience. After returning to work two months after giving [...]
Posted February 24th, 2011 by Sahira Long
As a pediatrician, mother, and an African American woman, I celebrated as both First Lady Michelle Obama and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin recently lent their voices to encourage strong support for breastfeeding. It’s inspiring to have prominent, influential African American women issuing a call to action to support breastfeeding. African American women, in particular, need support [...]
