Update On The Baby Formula Shortage

Parents may be worried about the nationwide baby food shortage. It has been difficult to find baby formula on the shelves at grocery stores and pharmacies. It may feel dire, but steps have been taken to improve the situation. On May 12, 2022, 32 Senate Democrats, led by Senators Patty Murray (D-Washington), and Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania) sent a letter to the Infant Nutrition Council of America. The Democrats wrote, “We are calling on you and your member companies to take immediate action and ensure that infant formula manufacturers are making every effort to mitigate this dangerous shortage and get children … Continue reading →

Friendly Airports for Mothers Act Requires Private Lactation Rooms

Mothers who are breastfeeding may have difficulty while traveling. Some people may complain when a mom breastfeeds her child in public. Many mothers don’t want to breastfeed their baby in a public bathroom. The Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act requires airports to provide lactation rooms. The FAM Act was proposed by Senator Tammy Duckworth (Democrat – Illinois). It was included in the 2018 reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAM Act was co-sponsored by Senator Deb Fischer (Republican – Nebraska) and Senator Claire McCaskill (Democrat – Missouri). The FAM Act requires all large and medium sized airports … Continue reading →

Facts About Breastfeeding

New mothers need to decide if they want to breastfeed their baby or to give their baby formula. Each individual mom will make that chose based on their circumstances and their personal preferences. The World Health Organization (WHO) has some informative facts about breastfeeding. The WHO points out that breastfeeding for the first six months is crucial. They recommend that mothers initiate breastfeeding with one hour after birth. According to the WHO, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development, and health. They also recommend that breastfeeding should continue for up … Continue reading →

AAP: Breastfeeding for 2 Months Lowers Risk of SIDS

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), citing a study, states that breastfeeding for at least two months decreases the risk of SIDS. This information can help lower the rate of infant mortality. SIDS is an acronym for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS is an unexpected death of a seemingly healthy infant that is less than a year old which happens while the baby is sleeping. The syndrome is also called “crib death” because the infants often die in their cribs. The AAP pointed out a study that was titled “Duration of Breastfeeding and Risk of SIDS: An Individual Participant Data … Continue reading →

The First Six Months of Breastfeeding Part II

Usually, when she is hungry she focuses and empties the breast quickly. If she cannot focus on nursing than I figure that she is not very hungry and we try again later. She has also developed signals that she wants to nurse. She will twist herself into nursing position and fuss excitedly. Although she cannot sign yet, it seems like she does recognize the sign for milk. Her response to the sign is to wave her arms and kick her feet while making a very earnest facial expression and excited sounds. Occasionally she will grab at my top in an … Continue reading →

The First Six Months of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding my daughter has been an entirely different experience from breastfeeding my first born. It took her a couple hours after she was born for her rooting reflex to kick into gear. I remember trying to nurse her thirty or forty minutes after she was born and she was not ready to latch. As soon as she was ready to nurse, she latched on really well and seemed to nurse really well. She would only take as much milk as she needed and then she would stop. Unlike, my son, who was a cluster feeder and would nurse for an … Continue reading →

Would You Share Your Breastmilk?

I have finally found peace with the fact that I’m no longer breastfeeding, but at the same time, I have moments where I still feel sad. I’m sure that is perfectly normal. Today at the park, I saw a mom breastfeeding, and couldn’t help but long for that a little. This weekend, we went to a family event, and I saw another mom with a baby just a week older than my own who was nursing. I couldn’t help but look at her and have mixed emotions. On one hand, I was grateful to not feel self conscience about nursing … Continue reading →

Weaning to Formula-Part 4

It was just 2 short weeks ago that I introduced my first bit of formula to my baby. I was hopeful, but shocked when he took right to it. Now, two weeks later, I can say that he is officially weaned. It was a difficult road for me emotionally, but weaning him proved to be not as difficult for him. In fact, my little man has been sleeping in his own bed for the past three nights! That, coupled with the fact that he is also sleeping longer has made me believe even more that my decision to switch him … Continue reading →

Weaning to Formula-Part 3

I’ve always known that my hormones in general were through the roof. I am a woman, and I am hormonal! But, in all seriousness, this last pregnancy, and recent birth of my son have put me through the ups and downs of motherhood like I never thought possible. This experience of deciding whether or not to stop breastfeeding due to the food sensitivities my child is suffering through has been a heart-wrenching one to say the least. I now understand better than ever when people say it is a personal choice. Because, this time around, I did have to make … Continue reading →

Weaning Baby To Formula- Part 2

So, we had what I would consider a very successful week last week in switching my baby to Alimentum ready to feed formula. As the week progressed, I decided to stop nursing completely during the day and just offer the bottle. I watched as during the week, he gradually took more and more each day. I was thrilled. And, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Some changes I have noticed are first and foremost the bowel movements. He slowed down a lot, and by the end of the week, had gone two days without one!! … Continue reading →