From Breasts to Boobs and Back Again

From Breasts to Boobs and Back Again

" I was breastfed as a baby. Honestly, I feel squirmy even typing “breast.”  Twelve years after I stopped nursing, breasts became boobs, and then in high school they became tits (and a plethora of other names), and now, as a husband and father, they’re back to breasts. I’ve come full circle. I see them as a means of nourishing children, and as sexual objects. I’m not sure how I feel about that. The fact that I sexualize the one piece of female anatomy from which I once fed, makes me feel grotesquely simple.  I think that feeling is at the heart of why people are uncomfortable with the recent image on the cover of Time Magazine."

"Reflections of Breastfeeding"

Top 10 Pregnancy Procedures to Reject - Consumer Reports

Top 10 Pregnancy Procedures to Reject - Consumer Reports

 Despite a health-care system that outspends those in the rest of the world, infants and mothers fare worse in the U.S. than in many other industrialized nations. The infant mortality rate in Canada is 25 percent lower than it is in the U.S.; the Japanese rate, more than 60 percent lower. According to the World Health Organization, America ranks behind 41 other countries in preventing mothers from dying during childbirth.

Baby of Mine

Life as a mom is always challenging and changing.  Yesterday was our firstborn's 27th birthday, where does the time go?  Weren't we just 15 and falling in love at PHS?  Now our 4th will be graduating from PHS in a few weeks.

27 years ago today, we brought Alexa home from the hospital and today she left home again, but this time so far away.  She is on her way to Seattle where she will be a reporter.  We are proud of her and want her to do really well so she can get a job back in California!  Can't believe we have TWO kids who live out of state.

You want to them to grow up and move out and do the things they should do, only it should be close to home!

Boy, my arms feel empty. . . but my heart is ever so full.

Lansinoh: Cancer-fighting protein found in breastmilk

Lansinoh: Cancer-fighting protein found in breastmilk

Informed Beginnings

http://informedbeginnings.org/

I am so very happy to finally announce that the Informed Beginnings website is up and running.  So very proud to be working with these women and men!

What is Informed Beginnings?

Healthy Pregnancy

Safe and healthy birth begins with a healthy pregnancy. Excellent nutrition, appropriate exercise, prenatal care and education, and avoidance of harmful substances and situations put a mother and baby in the best position to have a healthy labor and birth. 

Informed Beginnings educators teach and promote a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy as an integral part of preparation for birth.

Healthy Childbirth

For most mothers and babies, natural childbirth — unmedicated labor and birth with no unnecessary medical interventions — is the safest, healthiest way to give birth. Informed Beginnings encourages natural childbirth in a location of the mother’s choice, while remaining sensitive to families whose needs and desires require more technologically assisted births.

Informed Beginnings educators teach mothers and supportive birth partners natural, effective techniques to avoid unnecessary discomfort. The loving support of a birth partner does more for a birthing mother than any amount of medication. 

Healthy Feeding

Breastfeeding is the natural and normal mode of feeding infants. Research affirms that artificial feeding is a choice best reserved for situations of necessity. Most mothers and babies can have a successful, healthy, and rewarding breastfeeding experience when they have the proper education and support. 

Informed Beginnings educators champion breastfeeding for the health of babies and mothers by educating and supporting families during pregnancy and postpartum. 

Healthy Families

Informed Beginnings educators promote connected families and responsive parenting. We emphasize the importance of an active and loving support team in the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. This leads to bonding at birth that affects a family’s relationship for life.

Parental Responsibility

The health and welfare of a child are the ultimate responsibility of his or her parents. Informed Beginnings encourages parents to take responsibility and advocate for the health of their child through education and informed decision making in all aspects of their child’s care. Parents should be educated on their options and take care in selecting their birth place and care provider. Parents should also be prepared for unexpected situations such as unplanned unattended childbirth, complications, and the need for medical intervention including Cesarean section.

Consumerism and Informed Decision Making

Childbearing mothers are consumers of health care services and they have a right to make the best choices for their care based on complete and accurate evidence-based information. 

Informed Beginnings educators promote clear and respectful communication between mothers and birth partners; maternity care providers; labor support; and educators. Mothers and partners are taught to advocate for themselves and their babies in a manner that asserts their choices and respects their birth team. 

Building Community

Parents that have taken Informed Beginnings classes together have shared in an experience of learning, growing, and sharing that forms a unique bond between them. This builds local communities of supportive, like-minded families who are able to journey further together as their families grow. Informed Beginnings families are also part of a greater community, sharing resources and information in person and online

Take Your Time