• Last updated 8/1/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Lisa Johnson Issue 116, Jan/Feb 2003 My son, Izzy, was not quite ready to succumb to the nap sandman this morning, so I did what any intelligent breastfeeding mom would do: I shoved a boob in his mouth. Grabbing the nearest magazine soaked with baby drool, I found an article I'd meant to finish two months ago. We had 20 minutes before I had to leave the house. If Izzy fell asleep, I could tuck him into the car seat and avoid a wrestling match. No such luck. You know that bridge between sleeping and waking, when babies seem totally peaceful and... read more

• Last updated 10/24/12 by emilyfrischmann

The New York Times reported today that the FDA has banned bisphenol A, otherwise known as BPA, from infant bottles and sippy cups–despite its reluctance to admit to any safety hazards associated with the chemical. Manufacturers have already stopped using the chemical in baby bottles and sippy cups, and the F.D.A. said that its decision was a response to a request by the American Chemistry Council, the chemical industry’s main trade association, that rules allowing BPA in those products be phased out, in part to boost consumer confidence. But the... read more

• Last updated 7/10/12 by Melanie Mayo

A new reality TV show titled Extreme Parenting is likely to hit the airwaves this Fall. The show is being developed by Jeff Collins, creator of such sensational programs as The Pregnant Man and Bridezillas, and will showcase the “extreme” lives of attachment parents–including at least one mom from the well-known TIME feature. Collins is quoted as saying: Breastfeeding beyond infancy is just one of the topics we plan to cover. We’ve discovered people are raising kids in all kinds of un-traditional ways these days and some people find their methods to be extreme. I’m... read more

• Last updated 7/6/12 by Hoyamum

Having my first baby rocked my world.  Used to controlling my own life, my own mealtimes, shower times, working space and appointments, suddenly my life was turned upside down.  The question was not when I could shower, but if I could shower.  I no longer had the satisfaction of writing appointments in my diary, and being on time to them.  Nothing was predictable, and this in itself was a huge change.  I often look back and reflect on how hard I found it because my baby and I seemed to be working at cross purposes.  Why, I wondered, was she on a different team? We often... read more

• Last updated 10/18/12 by Melanie Mayo

By Christine Gross-Loh Issue 113, July/August 2002 My son Benjamin, almost eight months old, has ridden in a stroller perhaps only five times in his life. Instead, he has spent his days snuggled up to me in a variety of baby carriers. When he was just 12 hours old, we put him in a New Native Baby Carrier. As Benjamin grew bigger, we tried a number of things-adjustable slings, a Japanese hip carrier, the ubiquitous Baby Bjorn, a Baby Trekker soft backpack, a fleece sling, the Sara's Ride hip carrier, a Tough Traveler frame backpack, and a Korean blanket carrier... read more

• Last updated 9/10/12 by Melanie Mayo

A new study in the journal of Pediatrics confirms that baby-friendly hospital practices help new moms reach their breastfeeding goals. The study looked at six baby-friendly hospital practices—breastfeeding within one hour of birth, giving only breast milk to baby, rooming in, breastfeeding on demand, no pacifier use, and information on breastfeeding support—and concluded that “Increased Baby-Friendly hospital practices, particularly giving only breast milk in the hospital, may help more mothers achieve their exclusive breastfeeding intentions.” The study also found that... read more

• Last updated 7/5/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Elizabeth N. Baldwin, JD, and Kenneth A. Friedman, JD Issue 93 March/April 1999 Breastfeeding should be so easy and so widely supported. It's natural, inexpensive, requires no special equipment, and lulls even the fussiest infants to sleep. For the practical minded, it is also staggeringly cost-effective. Individual households can save nearly $1,000 in healthcare costs during their baby's first year if the mother nurses. Nationwide, up to $4 billion a year could be saved in healthcare costs, and $93 million a month in lower food-package costs if all women nursed... read more

• Last updated 7/5/12 by Mothering Editorial

Breastfeeding Molly: My Special Needs DaughterBy Melissa Sokulski Issue 112 May/June 2002 My daughter Molly was born at home, as planned, with a direct- entry midwife. Soon after the delivery, I noticed that Molly was very warm. She remained lethargic and silent and did not open her eyes. We took her temperature; her fever of 101 alarmed the midwife, who insisted we transfer Molly to a hospital. Against all my instincts, we finally agreed, taking her to the very place we had wanted so much to avoid. At the hospital, after blood draws, spinal taps, chest... read more

• Last updated 6/26/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Sundae HornIssue 109, November/December 2001 Recently I read a sweet little how-to article about nursing discreetly in public. It offered all manner of well-meaning and socially acceptable advice, the gist of which was to make sure the breast never sees the light of day. The key to success is keeping covered. If all is done carefully, the article suggested, no one except mother and baby need know that breastfeeding is taking place. This seemingly reasonable advice is offensive to me. I want people to know that breastfeeding is happening. I'm proud to say I have... read more

• Last updated 10/18/12 by AdinaL

The author and daughter navigating San Francisco's Chinatown streets with a stroller. I’ve visited the Bay Area before, but never with a child. Along with a yoga mat (I planned on attending yoga on the labyrinth in Grace Cathedral), I also packed onesies, sippy cups, and our stroller. As my daughter is nearing her first birthday, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to “wear” her for longer periods of time before needing to give my back a break. This saddens me, as I enjoyed the many days spent with her strapped to my chest while walking all around... read more