The Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog

African American moms needed to sign up for the Army of Women

A few weeks ago I wrote about a need for African American moms to participate in a breastmilk study at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  We got a wonderful response, and are on our way to ensuring that this important breast cancer research represents all women.

Now I'm writing to ask that all African American women, whether breastfeeding or not, sign up for the Love/Avon Army of Women. 

What's the Army of Women? It's an effort backed by Dr. Suan Love and the Avon Foundation to focus on breast cancer prevention.  Great strides have been made in treatment of breast cancer, but little progress has been made in preventing women from developing breast cancer.  The Army of Women connects women with researchers so that they can participate in research (if they choose) to help us understand how to prevent breast cancer.

How does it work? You register (note:  please check "breast milk study" when asked how you learned about the Army of Women) and provide very basic information such as your name, email, age, city, and state of residence.  You will then receive email updates from us announcing new research studies looking for volunteers with or without breast cancer, just like you.  If you fit the criteria and you’d like to participate, all you need to do is “RSVP.”  You will be asked to go through an online screening process to confirm you fit the criteria for the study.  Throughout the process, you remain in complete control and you self select what you want to do! You will never be pressured to take part in any study. The decision to take part is yours—and yours alone.

Why are we looking for African American women?  Researchers want to ensure that their findings apply to all women, and to do that they need a diverse pool of particpants for their studies. A good example is the current call for African American moms to participate in the Jewels in our Genes study, which is recruiting African American breast cancer survivors now.

What can you do?  Please go to the Army of Women registration page and please select "breast milk study" when asked how you learned about the Army of Women.  We thank you!

A lot to like in the revised AAP breastfeeding policy

The American Academy of Pediatrics released its revised breastfeeding policy yesterday, updating the prior policy published in six years ago, and there are a number of changes which reflect recent research and policy developments. 

I found a lot to like.  Some highlights of the new policy:

• Describes breastfeeding as a matter of public health, not a lifestyle choice

• Points out the significant disparities in breastfeeding rates by race, income, and age.

• Recommends that pediatricians use the WHO growth charts which use the breastfed baby's growth as the norm

• Hospital policies should be based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, which forms the basis of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative

• States support for the efforts of the Surgeon General, the CDC, and the Joint Commission to support breastfeeding nationally

• States that pediatricians should be "knowledgeable about the health risks of not breastfeeding, the economic benefits to society of breastfeeding, and the techniques for managing and supporting the breastfeeding dyad."

• And...I initially missed the most important one!  The recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding was changed from 4-6 months to 6 months. 

Overall, the new policy contributes to my sense that the world of breastfeeding support is heading in the right direction.

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Authors of workplace pumping law responds to Staples co-founder

A few weeks ago the Tom Stemberg, co-founder and former CEO of Staples made some remarks in the press about the new workplace pumping law. 

Stemberg had used it as an example of what he found over-reaching about the federal health care reform law, criticizing it for requiring "lactation chambers" for nursing employees.

(And while I make it a rule never to read comments left on blogs which aren't breastfeeding-friendly, some of the comments on the story on wonkette.com absolutely cracked me up.  My favorite:  "My next lactation chamber will certainly not be purchased from Staples, you screwed up there Stemberg!"  Read them if you get a chance.)

Last week the authors of the provision wrote in response, stating in part:

These federal requirements are modeled after a state law in Oregon that requires employers, including Staples, to make similar accommodations for their employees.  The Oregon law provides a hardship exemption for businesses that cannot find a way to establish a specific place for mothers to express milk.

It is interesting to note, however, that not a single Oregon business, including Staples, has chosen to take that exemption. All have found a way to make this work for their nursing mother employees.

You can read the full text here.

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Breastfeeding quiz, Oscar edition

As I've mentioned before, I've seen nearly every independent movie released in the last year or so because my local movie theater has a Baby Friendly show twice a week (see my ticket stub collection).

So since it's Oscar season I thought I'd quiz you on a few breastfeeding references in movies in the last year.

Want to see some past quizzes?  They're here and here.  And you can listen to a podcast on breastfeeding in the movies.

Now, then:  In which movie...

1) Is there a band named Nipple Confusion, and is a main character introduced as he's putting pumped breastmilk into freezer storage bags?

2) Does a mother say that she nursed a chimpanzee in the 1970's?  This was a documentary (and a very disturbing one, too).

3) Does a nursing mother get shot in the opening scene? (I know, nice.)

4) Does a mentally ill mother accuse her husband of making her wean because she needed to take medications incompatible with breastfeeding (or it could have been that she didn't take her medications because she was breastfeeding - I'm afraid I can't remember)?  This is a hard one.  I'll give you a hint if no one can get it.

5) Does the narration over a scene in which a tiger mother is nursing her cubs say something like: "She has eaten, and in a few hours she'll make milk"?  (And how ridiculous is that?)  This was a documentary.

I'm sure I missed plenty more.  I didn't see a lot of the big budget movies, so help me out if I missed something!

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The "seven natural laws of breastfeeding"

Here are the "seven natural laws of breastfeeding" which make up the foundation of the book Breastfeeding Made Simple, which I have reviewed (first edition, second revised edition) and like a lot. 

If any of these "laws" are unfamiliar to you, I recommend picking up a copy of the book!

Guest post: The nursing mom's guide to escaping fashion purgatory after having a baby

I'm very pleased to share a guest post today from Ann, a nursing (and working) mama of two - an almost five year old who nursed till age 3, and a currently nursing 20-month old. She blogs about sewing, fashion and thrifty shopping.  

You may remember Ann's prior posts:  How to become a nursing fashionista, and The essential summer packing list for nursing fashionistas.

This time Ann has put together some great ideas on how to navigate the tricky fashion terrain after having a baby - a time the fashion world terms "transitional" but most of us view as "Help, what can I wear?!?"  Read on for her solutions.

You've just had that cute bundle of joy! And then you went back into your closet. Depression set in. In between that tired-of-maternity-wear and can't-fit-in-to-pre-pregnancy lies a no-woman's land of fashion purgatory. Knowing how a few pieces can work extra hard can transition you to your new shape.

First, it is helpful to evaluate where you are - immediately postpartum, your breasts will be quite a bit larger than they were before. I joyfully went from a B to a DD! Of course, we also look five or six months pregnant as well. And you're probably carrying your new babe in a sling or carrier and nursing all the time. So, don't go nuts buying a whole new wardrobe, but I recommend a couple of go-to outfits for spring and summer:

For the chillier days of spring ahead, pair an empire waist nursing hoodie with a drape cardigan in a bright color (Bright colors help camouflage tired appearances), your favorite jeans (and yep, it's ok if they are pregnancy jeans. You may also feel much better going to a thrift store and buying larger size jeans inexpensively). Small stud earrings are baby-safe. Grab your stylish diaper bag and off you go!

 

As the days warm, invest in one nursing cami, two short sleeve nursing tops (or one sleeveless, one short sleeve) with empire or crossover access. Hauling the tail of a tee up through a tight sling is hard, and it's near impossible in a soft wrap like a Moby. The empire or crossover top openings are very easy to use while carrying baby and they keep your tummy covered.

On the bottom, invest in a few skirts - elastic waists or yoga fold over waists are helpful right now. You will continue to lose in the belly area as you recover from pregnancy those first few months. Skirts look more polished than shorts.  A knit cardigan goes well over this if it's still chilly.

Pair this nursing tee and skirt combo with some accessories. At this time in your baby's life, you don't have to worry too much about jewelry being in the reach of grabby hands, so feel free to wear a statement necklace or earrings. Soon, your baby will want to yank on anything you're wearing, so you'll have to switch to some sturdy necklaces. Be careful though, some 'costume jewelry' you may wear regularly could contain even small amounts of substances (lead, cadmium) that are harmful to your baby. There are a number of manufacturers of 'teething' or baby-safe jewelry, and Tanya developed her own nursing necklace using items from a craft store.

Scarves (especially floaty chiffon or gauzy cotton) are wonderful for nursing mothers. It can be draped across your cleavage during nursing for extra cover during nursing. They're stylish, inexpensive (but splurge if you feel you want to - it's an accessory that will never go out of style) and there are a million tutorials floating around on Pinterest for how to tie them in a bunch of different ways.

A great diaper bag is worth the investment. You’ll carry this every day for at least two or three years. Get one you love, that works for your child (or children) and splurge a little for durability, style and features.

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New York Times: "Getting over my embarrassment about pumping at work"

The Motherlode Blog at the New York Times posted a story of hard-earned courage when faced with tough conditions pumping at work.

Novelist Lynn Messina wrote about keeping pumping a secret from her colleagues when nursing her first child, using a manual pump in a public bathroom.

When nursing her second child, and now working at a new business, she was given the run around when searching for the key to the pumping room.

By now I knew I was wasting my time. This wild-goose chase could end only one way: my engorged breasts leaking bodily fluid all over my shirt...

And with that, I felt something inside me break, a timidity I’d carried around my entire adult life. A sense of entitlement surged through me. I marched to the managing editor and requested an office, taped a sign on the door announcing my activity in large red letters, sat on the floor, opened my shirt and took out my breasts.

When I was done, I washed everything in the kitchen sink while an editor microwaved Lean Cuisine. Yes, ma’am, these are breast shields. I put them over my breasts when pumping.

Her next assignment, "a bastion of male power," had 14 lactation rooms.

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African American moms needed for breastmilk study. Can you help?

As I've written before, I sometimes have the privelege of working with Professor Kathleen Arcaro at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, on her groundbreaking breast cancer/breastmilk research. 

Kathleen analyses breastmilk to study DNA changes in breast cells, which are naturally present in breastmilk, and their relationship to breast cancer.  It's very gratifying work because a better understanding of these patterns may one day lead to new early detection, prevention and treatment strategies for breast cancer.  Here's a sampling of some of the recent press coverage about this research.

For a number of years I've worked with her to find mothers to participate in her studies, and I'm very excited to be posting about a new study, funded by the Avon Foundation for Women.  We hope that you can help us find moms willing to donate milk for this important research!

Our goal is to recruit African American mothers to donate milk samples.  Why African American moms?  Because we want to ensure that our findings apply to all women, and to do that we need a diverse sample of mothers participating.  Having African American moms well represented in this research is of particular interest because African American women have different patterns of breast cancer than women of other races.

So, the UMass Breastmilk Lab is seeking:

• African American mothers who are nursing
• Living anywhere in the U.S.
• Willing to donate a *fresh* breastmilk sample (shipped via overnight mail at lab expense)
• Willing to fill our a consent form and questionnaire

Participants will receive $25 in thanks - and the knowledge that they are advancing our understanding of breast cancer!

To participate, or for more information, you can Beth, or call Beth or Eva at (413) 545-0813.  More information is also available at the UMass Breastmilk Lab website.  You can also like us on Facebook!

We need help spreading the word about this study.  Contact me if you'd like me to write a guest post, and link, FB, and Tweet to your heart's content!

And if you're African American (nursing or not), we have another request!  As part of this project we're trying to increase the number of African American women who are  part of the Love/Avon Army of Women.  We hope you'll sign up for the Love/Avon Army of Women.  Please select "Breast milk study" when asked how you heard about the Army of Women. 

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Toxic flame retardants in your nursing pillow?

A few weeks ago the Washington Toxics Coaltion and Safer States relased a report entitled "Hidden Hazards in the Nursery." 

It was based on testing they conducted (sample analysis done at Duke University) of foam in a number of baby products.  They were looking for flame retardants which can pose health risks, particularly to babies.

The Coaltion found:

Popular baby products, including nursing pillows and car seats, contain toxic flame retardants linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and other health effects...Children and families are exposed to the compounds, called Tris chemicals, when they escape from household items and contaminate house dust and indoor air.

The report, Hidden Hazards In the Nursery, found toxic flame retardants in 85% (17 of 20) of new baby and children’s products tested, including bassinet pads, nursing pillows, changing pads, and car seats. The most prevalent flame retardant found was chlorinated Tris (TDCPP), a chemical voluntarily removed from children’s pajamas in the 1970s when it was found to cause adverse health effects. Chlorinated Tris was present in 80% of the products (16 of 20). California recently classified chlorinated Tris as a carcinogen, and evidence links the chemical to neurotoxicity as well as hormone disruption.

According to the report, nursing pillows and baby carriers were recently exempted from flammability standard requirements.

Of the 20 products tested, two were nursing pillows, both purchased in Washington state at major retailers. One, the My Brest Friend Deluxe, tested positive for TDCPP and TDCP; the other, the Balboa nursing pillow did not.  The My Brest Friend website states, "We do not use fire retardants in our foam."

The Baltimore Sun reported that the Boppy nursing pillow is "known to not use Tris flame retardants," and its website states, "The fabric and filling in the Boppy Feeding and Infant Support pillow (and slipcovers for those pillows) meet the requirements without the addition of flame retardant chemicals."

All a little unsettling, no?

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My favorite nursing stories from Motherwear's latest contest

Here are my favorite entries to Motherwear's last nursing story/tip contest.  You can see more here, including the winner Genet, pictured to the left.

Ever think that breastfeeding might help you at a dicey border crossing?  Read on and enjoy.

While nursing my newborn, my 4yr old sat down next to me. She said “Mommy, babies like mommy boobies and not daddy boobies...right?” I said “Right.” She said “Babies like drinking milk from mommy boobies and not hair from daddy boobies.” Then just for more clarification she said, “Babies only drink from boobies and not bottoms...right?” Right. Glad we were able to clear all that up.  - Erin

It was 2:00am and I had been cramped in a car with four other people for well over 12 hours, therefore I was in no mood to deal with the argumentative border guards of Romania. My 13month old son (at the time) and I had been in Romania for well over 6months caring for my ill husband, but due to the fact that I had no Romanian I.D., my stay there was considered illegal. I attempted to explain the situation to the young man who despite his rough speech was quite pleasant compared to others I had dealt with. He took the legal documents I had (marriage license, birth certificate, death certificate - all Romanian) and walked off with them making us wait for a significant amount of time. My cousin who had been driving and was more familiar with their ways said ¨I think they’re waiting for a bribe of some sort... They can wait all they want! They’re not getting anything!¨, was my curt reply. The guard returned and asked my cousin to step out of the car in order to talk to him...They spoke (or rather argued) and we continued to wait. My son, who had been sleeping until then, woke up to all this commotion and started whimpering. That was my cue. Although breastfeeding is quite common in this country (more so than in the US), you will not see most decent women in public doing so. It is considered rather inappropriate and makes most decent men uncomfortable. As I saw the young awkward guard approaching the car again I took my son from his car seat and latched him on. He came to my door and asked me to exit the vehicle. At least he attempted to do so, but stopped mid-sentence when he saw what was happening. He retracted his words and said I could remain in the car. I was already grinning inwardly. I then proceeded to open the window and engage in the discussion I knew was coming. To my delight, it did not last long. He seemed very concerned that the window not remain open for too long lest the child catch a cold and he was having a hard time making eye contact. His tone of voice was more polite than I expected and after briefly explaining a few legal things he said I must quickly close the window and let the ¨Prince¨ rest easy. =) I thanked him politely, closed the window, waited for my cousin to climb back into the car and then I burst into laughter. *Note* I was indeed wearing a Motherwear top and so I wasn’t ¨showing¨ anything. I’m a decent woman :)  - Ella

My favorite nursing story goes all the way back to my first child. She was born in Italy while my husband and I were stationed there with the US Air Force. Upon my return to the US while my husband deployed to Iraq in 2003, I had to go through customs. I had my 5 month old daughter strapped to me in the infant front (Bjorn) carrier, a backpack, and diaper bag on me, while waiting for the luggage at the carousel. A customs officer and his dog came sniffing around me and the dog seemed to be quite interested in me, more than I was comfortable with. The officer asked if I had any organic material with me, like fruits or vegetables. I said, "No." He did not believe me because of the dog's keen interest. It was at this point that I figured it out. I turned to him with as straight a face as I could muster and said, "Well, I do have some breast milk in this backpack, would you care to see it?" He turned many shades of red, couldn't find any words to come out of his mouth, gave me a sheepish, "No, and sorry to bother you ma'am.", while trying to get away as quickly as possible! I was laughing so hard to myself at his uncomfortableness that I nearly missed my luggage coming around on the carousel!  - Robbyn

I am the first one to breastfeed in my family and so my family was a little hesitant at the thought of me nursing my son in the same room as them. I came across your site and quickly ordered several tops. The story that sticks out in my mind was when my husband's cousin came over to visit us. I was feeding my son when he came in, gave a kiss hello to all of us and then sat right next to me on the couch. Time and conversation had passed and I went to burp my son and the discussion of feeding came in to topic... he put two and two together and immediately said "WAIT, you were just feeding him this whole time!!!???" He had NO clue I was feeding the baby because your tops are awesome! No one ever notices or stares because they can't tell. It simply looks as if I am holding a sleeping baby. :) From then on it doesn't matter who is around me when I nurse my 2nd child now, because they all know that I wear a Motherwear top and feel completely comfortable... and most importantly... SO DO I!!! THANK YOU MOTHERWEAR!!! - Marisa