• Last updated 8/9/12 by Melanie Mayo

Thank you to Jennifer Margulis for the contribution of this excerpt from her newest blog post, Women Who Don’t Breastfeed Shouldn’t Feel Guilty, They Should Feel Angry. I have an op-ed in today’s Newsday about New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Latch On New York Initiative. If you haven’t heard, Bloomberg announced that, come September 3, New York City hospitals are being asked to voluntarily keep formula under lock and key, just like other medications. If nurses need it for new moms, they would have to sign it out. Many feminists, like Slate.com’s Hanna Rosin, have... read more

• Last updated 8/8/12 by Keya Chatterjee

Last week NASA scientist Jim Hansen released a scientific paper confirming that some extreme weather events would not be happening without climate change.  The bad news is that we aren’t investing in renewable energy fast enough to slow this down yet.  The good news is that this increase in extreme weather provides yet another benefit to breastfeeding– you can still feed your baby if the lights go out or the water gets contaminated. Increased electricity demand during heatwaves, drought-induced shortages in hydropower, and heavy downpours can all cause power outages.  As... read more

• Last updated 8/6/12 by Melanie Mayo

Most American mothers do not get the breastfeeding help and support they need, and many give up before they reach their goals. Three-quarters of women begin breastfeeding at birth, but by 6 months only about 44% are breastfeeding at all, and only 24% make it to the recommended one year mark. Enter Breastfeeding USA, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide free, evidence-based information and support to women and families through its growing national network of volunteer accredited Breastfeeding Counselors. Breastfeeding USA needs your help to grow. Consider... read more

• Last updated 8/5/12 by LisaCoffee

Yes, I’m talking about pumping breast milk. In public. Well not really in public, but in a public place. This week my days are spent at a professional development conference at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, which means I’m away from my nursling for many hours every day. This also means I need a private place to pump so that Nana has milk for my daughter while I’m away. I began querying the organization hosting my conference on Monday. The three reps I spoke with looked at me like I was a crazy woman, as I inquired about “a private place to pump breast milk”, and all... read more

• Last updated 8/10/12 by SavvyHomeschool

So Beckie and I initially thought…well we’re past breastfeeding age (our youngest are 6 and 7), and since breastfeeding really has nothing to do with homeschooling, per se, we don’t really have anything to contribute to World Breastfeeding Week, right? But then we thought about it some more. We were both extended nursers…Beckie figures that between her 3 kids she nursed a total of like 96 months! And for my 2, I was right about 78 months…so I suppose we do have something to contribute on the subject! Tina: So Beckie, how old were each of your kids... read more

• Last updated 8/2/12 by Ruxandra Looft

Our daughter enjoying a view of Germany from the sky. I met her eye across the crowded terminal shuttle taking us to our airplane. She was another young mom, cradling a squirmy baby under one arm while keeping a tight grip on her stroller and carry-on with the other. We exchanged pleasantries and I detected a faint accent in her Romanian. She revealed that she was traveling back to her native Paris after visiting her husband’s family in Romania and I explained that we had come from a similar family visit with my relatives. On the flight, we found ourselves sitting in... read more

• Last updated 8/1/12 by Melanie Mayo

A humorous look at breastfeeding that was inspired  by the Sh*t Crunchy Mamas Say video from Mama Natural. Written by Pam Diamond of First Daze & Nightzzz, LLC and friends who have been there heard that!!! Inspired by “Sh*t Crunchy Mamas Say” and “Sh*t New Moms Say.” Filmed by Nathan Diamond. Music by Zach Diamond. About Melanie Mayo-Laakso is the Content Manager for Mothering.com. Mothering is the birthplace of natural family living and attachment parenting. We celebrate the experience of parenthood as worthy of one's best efforts and are at once fierce advocates... read more

• Last updated 8/1/12 by Sarah Clark

There are all kinds of facts and figures and studies on the benefits of breastfeeding.  But let’s be real, this is a subject that is about far more than studies.  It is emotional (you can even prove that with science!) sacred, yet every day.  Here are  few things about breastfeeding that are awesome and that you deserve to know about. 1.  Looking in your babies eyes. 2.  Holding your sweet little one. 3.  Getting a BREAK to sit down with a super good excuse. 4.  Makes you feel relaxed. 5.  It really is easier in the long run. 6.  Even after a busy, crazy, day with a... read more

• Last updated 8/1/12 by Melanie Mayo

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, Aug 1st-7th, we have put together a list of some of Mothering’s articles, blog posts and resources for you to enjoy and share. Please feel free to post your own favorite breastfeeding resources in the comments. Keep your eye on Mothering’s Facebook page for information about our upcoming Community Breastfeeding Event and our Breastfeeding Photo Contest!     Mothering Community General Breastfeeding Forums Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy Child-Led Weaning Breastfeeding Challenges Lactivism Forum Community Wikis:... read more

• Last updated 7/23/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Liz LaingIssue 133, November/December 2005 Mother's milk is the perfect panacea for a whole host of ailments - from pinkeye to acne. Just a squirt will do the trick! Most people know about the health benefits of breastfeeding, but few know about breastmilk's medicinal benefits. Breastmilk is sterile, antibacterial, and has many healing properties. It can be used to treat a variety of ailments and can be applied topically for eye and ear infections, minor skin injuries, sore or cracked nipples, diaper rash, sore throats, and stuffy noses. Is breastmilk an everyday... read more