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Breastfeeding rates on the rise in the U.S.

How is the U.S. doing in terms of breastfeeding ratess? At least when comparing to itself, we are on the rise! A recent report published by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, 54 percent of babies were breastfed between 1986-1988, a number which rose to 74.2 percent between 2008 and 2010 (referring to babies who were breastfed at least once). Sure, some may say “one time” doesn’t count, but even better is that the percentage of babies fed over three months or longer climbed from 34.6 percent to 49.9 percent. [Forbes article here.]

U.S. Breastfeeding Rates Continue To Rise

 

New gadget for breastfeeding moms: Momsense

MomSense is the new breastfeeding gadget created to help mothers stick with their natural feeding plan. What appears to look just like a regular pair of headphones, has a patch in the middle of the wire that attaches to baby’s earlobe. Mom can better tell if the baby is actually getting milk from her breast because the patch amplifies the baby’s sound as she swallows. Additionally, a mom can download the Momsense app. Moms can check their breastfeeding activity on the app to see the baby’s feeding patterns. It even logs how much milk the babe has drank.

 

Antibodies in breast milk help shape newborns’ immune systems

A new study from UC Berkley reports that a mother’s breastmilk supports the immune system of a newborn baby. How so, exactly? The research discovered newly identified antibodies in the milk that helps the baby’s gut` become a healthy home to a mix of bacterial species.

“The new study sheds light on how immune antibodies from breast milk interact with the just-forming immune system of the newborn to help shape lifelong immune responses that are key for establishing boundaries and balance between gut microbes and the mammalian host. If this balance fails to become established or later falters, chronic inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, may result.” [Read full article here.]

 

Nike joins list of employers who are improving parental leave

Nike employees who give birth are now eligible for a minimum of 14 paid weeks of leave with more paid leave allowable if medically necessary according to a doctor. The world’s largest sportswear company previously allowed six weeks to mothers ant their newborns. The new policies are not just for mothers, though. Fathers and adoptive parents can now take up to eight weeks of paid leave.

 

What a true partner does for a breastfeeding mama

It’s a lot of pressure being a breastfeeding mom and knowing that there are times only you can console your baby, even if other people want to help. On top of that, most babies are pretty eager to eat-eat-eat when newborns. But what many non-moms do not realize is that the breastfeeding job can be done so much better if it’s a three-person job: mom, baby and a partner.

From having true support and encouragement (even words of gratitude for breastfeeding) to actually putting in physical effort and support, the stress level of nursing can be (at least somewhat) relieved when you have right-hand man. From doing his own research to bringing you endless glasses of water, it all adds up to a lot. This blog post shares 12 things a man can do his for partner to play a large and supportive role in breastfeeding.

 

Chrissy Teigen takes breastfeeding timeout during photoshoot

Model Chrissy Teigen gained extra attention last week when she posted a shot of herself breastfeeding daughter, Luna, to Snapchat during a photoshoot. The new mom joins the list of celebrity moms who do not just choose to breastfeed, but choose to advocate it by sharing their moments on social media. Gisele Bundchen, Gwen Stefani, and Alyssa Milano are among other advocates for nursing and doing so on the job. [Read more here.]

Chrissy Teigen breastfeeding snapchat

 



 

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