La Leche League International (LLLI) has added 11 new podcasts to its library. The recordings actually date from the LLLI conference in Chicago in July 2007 but the topics are still quite relevant.f you’ve never been to a conference then it’s worth checking out one or more of these talks to see what kinds of things you can learn at one. If you have been to a conference then you know how valuable the information is! Among the new 11 podcasts you can hear LLLI founder Marian Tompson, pediatrician and author Dr. Bill Sears, author Nancy Mohrbacher, and lawyer Jake …read more

The new Bebe Gloton breastfeeding doll has some people up in arms although I do not quite understand all the fuss. I heard the concern expressed that young girls might play with the doll, decide they like breastfeeding (yay!) and then — here’s the inexplicable leap — suddenly decide they want to have a baby! Yet somehow we let our little girls play with dolls with baby bottles, and there’s no concern there? Does that mean that breastfeeding is sexual or that a breastfeeding doll sexualizes the young girl who plays with it? Give me a break!

I suppose I …read more

Lactation consultants and medical professionals should bookmark a fantastic resource for finding continuing education opportunities: www.breastfeedingconferences.com. As Pamela K. Murphy prepared for the IBCLC exam, she recognized the need for a one-stop site for health care professionals to access worldwide breastfeeding education opportunities.
She created a site that lists upcoming breastfeeding education events including conferences and classroom, at-home, and online education courses. Educators can click a button on the site to list events, and those seeking continuing education credits can search the site by state, region or type of continuing education credit. Because the site depends on conference organizers to list …read more

Breastfeeding conferences provide a wonderful experience for nursing mothers and lactation professionals alike! I attended my first conference when my nursling was just over a year old. At the opening session, I sighed with relief when the speaker started off her talk by saying, “Throughout the presentation, please feel free to nurse your babies as needed, move around the room, and play on the floor quietly.” Here was the perfect opportunity to commune with like-minded mothers and learn about a wide variety of breastfeeding, parenting and health topics, all in a supportive environment with baby in tow! For lactation professionals …read more

Welcome to the September Carnival of Breastfeeding! This round the topic is breastfeeding education. First, let’s start with a little breastfeeding education humor. The two adorable handmade Waldorf dolls shown in the photo were given to my daughters by their great aunt Sue. During yet another game of midwife, my three-year-old stuck these dolls together and said, “She’s breastmilking her baby. Breastmilking her!” Perhaps the term “breastmilking” should be added to the lactation lexicon!
Back to the question at hand. What is the best way to educate mothers about breastfeeding? What is the best way to educate the general community …read more