via The Broad Side Corporations have a very bad habit of telling moms how to be. Or better yet, co-opting some very common “mom” archetypes for their marketing pursuits. For decades, we were told “Choosy Moms Choose Jif.” More recently, “It Moms” were more likely to choose a particular fabric softener. This week, infant formula [...]
For most expectant moms, breastfeeding is the natural choice. With all the costs that come with having a baby, saving dollars on formula is a welcome change. Plus, breastfeeding decreases a woman’s risk of certain chronic diseases, and breast and ovarian cancer. And, of course, the biggest reason of all: breastfeeding confers many health benefits [...]
As presented at the 8th Breastfeeding and Feminism Symposium: March 21, 2013 “Oh no. It looks like the Death Star.” – WHO Code advocate Last year, the world’s largest infant formula company, Nestle, rolled out a new center for managing its social media, described by Reuters as Nestle’s site for reaching consumers and “engaging with [...]
Good news arrived earlier this month in a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on breastfeeding rates. The CDC found that from 2000 to 2008, the percentage of women overall who initiated breastfeeding increased from 70.3 percent to 74.6 percent. During the same time period, breastfeeding rates at six months and [...]
As I travel the country in my consulting work, I’m always asking everyone and anyone if they knew of any African American IBCLC’s. Sometimes I use my intrepid journalism skills and other times I must use more grapevine and Underground Railroad-like pathways. In some cities, there are stories and urban legends of black IBCLC’s but [...]
Baby Amor was born on February 6, 2012, weighing 1.92 pounds. He had surgery – with many complications – and was held in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Cook County Stroger Jr. Hospital for seven months. In March 2012, with generous support from the VNA Foundation, HealthConnect One and Cook County Stroger Jr. Hospital launched a regular gathering [...]
There’s no doubt about it – public awareness and support for breastfeeding is at an all-time high. In fact, we just may be reaching the “tipping point.” Recent years have seen an unprecedented level of attention and commitment to improving the “landscape of breastfeeding support” and the media has taken notice. Breastfeeding may be a [...]
Reflecting on Black History Month, we have a tendency to hear stories about the Rosa Parks, Mahalia Jackson, Jackie Robinson-type icons who broke through color barriers to lay the foundation of a better future for people of color. As a doctoral student studying public health, I am proud that in the past decades we have [...]
During my pregnancy there was no doubt in my mind that I would breastfeed my daughter, why wouldn’t I? So in my excitement as a first time mother to be I read a number of ‘Mothers & Babies’ magazines and websites on the issue. I prepared myself aptly by purchasing what was said to be [...]
When I decided to become a mother at age 21, I had no idea how to prepare. I just knew in my heart that I wanted to do any and everything most natural and beneficial for my child. My doctors were supportive of me deciding to breastfeed so shortly after giving birth they placed my [...]
MomsRising.org strongly encourages our visitors to post comments in response to blog postings. We value a diverse range of opinions and perspectives. Our goal is for this space to be educational, thought provoking and respectful. To this end, we reserve the right to edit or remove comments that include personal attacks, obscenity, vulgarity or profanity.
