There is a new project underway called The Cultural Differences in Breastfeeding Project. Two IBCLCs are interested in the attitudes, beliefs, and practices of breastfeeding within specific cultures. They are looking for personal stories from mothers and professional experiences of Lactation Consultants or other Health Care Providers who work with moms and babies. They want to get a picture of how breastfeeding is viewed within each particular region, country, and/or religion in the context of the mother, the baby, the husband, extended family, and social issues. They are looking for moms of a distinct cultural group to interview for anecdotal stories. It can be any culture, as they are casting net wide. Do you know any past or current breastfeeding moms with whom you can put them in touch? Are you aware of any providers who work with a particular cultural population? If so leave a comment here or email them directly stacyibclc@gmail.com
I am currently running a Prima Princessa presents Swan Lake DVD Giveaway. Little girls (and boys) aged 3-6 who love to dance will love watching a real professional ballet performance, which is narrated by an animated princess ballerina, as well as learning some basic dance steps. There are only a few entries so far and the contest closes June 23rd at 5:00 PM.
There’s a new blog carnival in town! The Carnival of Nursing in Public. Dionna at Code Name: Mama and Paige at Baby Dust Diaries are your hosts, and if you want to participate, head on over to either of their blogs for post ideas and guidelines. The deadline for original submissions is June 30th at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time. The carnival dates are July 5-9, so you can submit more than one post!
This week is National Breastfeeding Awareness Week in the United Kingdom. Luschka at Diary of a First Child has a week of informative and personal breastfeeding posts planned as well as a Bras4mums nursing bra giveaway. The best thing about this? All you folks who live in The United Kingdom can actually enter to win a giveaway! Visit her regularly this week for something new. You know what I am doing to celebrate? Getting to know UK breastfeeding mum bloggers. So if you are one, say hello and make sure you leave your blog name so I can come and visit you!
Finally, a new study was released in Pediatrics on Monday that supports exclusive breastfeeding for six months. Paging Dr. Gupta shows that this study revealed that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months significantly decreases the risk of lung and gastrointestinal diseases.
“Researchers in the Netherlands looked at data from more than 4000 infants. They found that babies who were exclusively breastfed for more than four months had a “significant reduction of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in infants.” They also found that being breastfed until six months of age seemed to be even more protective and even appeared to reduce the number of infections for the next six months of the child’s life.”
While this is all well and good, I’m not surprised that researchers are finding further benefits of breastfeeding during the infant years. However, I do look forward to the time they start studying the long term benefits of breastfeeding. You know, so members of the scientific community can start telling us the benefits we already know about when it comes to nursing toddlers. (insert cheeky wink here).
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Hi Melodie,
I searched your blog to see if you have any info about when to start solids. My 5 1/2 month old is very interested in what we are eating. I have tried a couple of things with her (squash and pureed rice) but alas, she does eat more than a micro spoonful. Is there a post where you talk about first foods?
Thanks!!
Georgine
georgine´s last [type] ..New Kid Pics
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Regarding the cultural differences project, I am a mother from Spain who breastfeeds a 16 month old. I have done so not only in Spain, but also in China -my husband is Chinese.
Yours is my favourite bfeeding blog in English!
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Thank you so much for the mention, that is so great of you!
Luschka @ Diary of a First Child´s last [type] ..Five Great Things About Breast Milk
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