~ The percentage of infants who were ever breastfed increased from 60% among infants who were born in 1993-1994 to 77% among infants who were born in 2005-2006.

~ Breastfeeding rates increased significantly among non-Hispanic black women from 36% in 1993-1994 to 65% in 2005-2006.

~ Breastfeeding rates in 1999-2006 were significantly higher among those with higher income (74%) compared with those who had lower income (57%).

~ Breastfeeding rates among mothers 30 years and older were significantly higher than those of younger mothers. There was no significant change in the rate of breastfeeding at 6 months of age for infants born between 1993 and 2004.

Race and ethnicity factor significantly in breastfeeding initiation rates. “In the 2005-2006 birth cohort group, 65% of non-Hispanic black infants were breastfed compared with 80% of Mexican American and 79% of non-Hispanic white infants.” As reported above, the great news is that the 65% breastfeeding initiation rate for African-Americans has increased from 36% for babies born in 1993-1994.

Of the rise in breastfeeding rates, CDC spokesperson Jeff Lancashire says, “It looks like it is an all-time high” based on CDC surveys since the mid-1980s, according to an Associated Press report.

Where do Americans still need to make the most progress? The Associated Press summarizes the CDC report as indicating that breastfeeding rates were lowest among women who are unmarried, poor, rural, younger than 20, and have a high school education or less.

Click here for the full data brief issued by the CDC/NCHS.

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A news story out of Australia made me think more about taking breastfeeding into account in prison sentencing. A woman stabbed her mother three times during an argument and was originally sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail to be suspended after three months. The Courier Mail reports:

However, the court was re-convened when it was discovered Chong was breast feeding her seventh child who could not go with Chong on the government jet to Brisbane and the Women’s Prison.

The baby was barred from travelling on a government plane.

The judge found Chong had been sentenced without all of the required facts and resentenced Chong to 2 1/2 years jail with immediate parole.

The prosecution appealed that ruling but the Court of Appeal unanimously rejected the appeal, saying that the hardship the children would have gone through if she were jailed would have been exceptional.

How do you all feel about this case? Does it make a difference that this was a violent crime (unlike like Jones’)?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

We already know how breast milk provides for the baby’s nutritional needs, but we are only just beginning to understand that it probably performs many other functions.

Journalist Catherine Madden sums up Dr. Cregan’s theory on the “developmental guidance” that he believes breast milk provides:

He says that, in essence, a new mother’s mammary glands take over from the placenta to provide the development guidance to ensure a baby’s genetic destiny is fulfilled.

Dr. Cregan explains:

The point is that many mothers see milks as identical – formula milk and breast milk look the same so they must be the same. But we know now that they are quite different and a lot of the effects of breast milk versus formula don’t become apparent for decades. Formula companies have focused on matching breast milk’s nutritional qualities but formula can never provide the developmental guidance.

In the coming years scientists will attempt to harvest the stem cells from breast milk for research, thereby avoiding the ethical dilemma of harvesting stem cells from human embryos. Then it will be seen whether the stem cells in breast milk can be “reprogrammed” to form different types of human tissue.

Thanks so much to Kelley for the tip on this amazing story!

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“I absolutely realize the gravity of the offenses I’ve committed, and I am deeply sorry,” [Jones] said. She began to cry as she pleaded with the judge to not separate her from her 4-year-old son and 7-month-old baby, whom she is still nursing.

The case was tried in federal court, and according to the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee:

[M]others in federal prison have the right to breastfeed their babies during regular visitation periods. Also, breastfeeding can be considered as a factor in federal sentencing proceedings.

Unfortunately, the judge felt prison time was necessary to send a message.

U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Karas said that he considered probation or home detention for Jones, who has two young children and has been publicly repentant. Jones voluntarily gave up her five Olympic medals in December after confessing in court in October to using banned drugs.

But the judge decided that her sentence must send a message.

“There is a very strong argument that incarceration may make others think twice and show that no one is above the legal obligation to tell the truth,” Karas said.

Jones has until March 11 to begin serving her sentence.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Lubbock, Texas Nurse-In

Date: Friday, January 4, 2008

Time: 5:45 pm

Place: Buddy Holly Center
1801 Avenue H
Lubbock, TX 79401

Sponsored by: The Lubbock Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union
Birth Without Boundaries, International

Further Assistance provided by: Mothers Acting Up
Dr. Gary Miracle and Tobyn Leigh

For more details, see the full letter from the President of the Lubbock Chapter of the ACLU. Local news coverage including video can be found here.

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I was so upset because I was all alone and I felt everybody was looking at me. When my husband came back I told him ‘we have to go.’ … He thought I was kidding and I started crying hysterically.

After doing a little research on-line, Cummings decided to file a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission against the American-based Flying J truck stop chain.

‘It really affected my self-esteem,’ she said. ‘I’m an educated woman and (the manager) made me feel so vulnerable and powerless. I’m my daughter’s food source and I felt like I couldn’t protect her.’

For Cummings, the complaint wasn’t about seeking money, but rather about her baby’s right to eat. In mediation, she asked for and received CDN $100 (enough to pay for gas to drive back to the restaurant and pay for a replacement meal for the one her family never got to eat), a letter of apology, and promises to put up a poster explaining the rights of nursing mothers and to have the staff receive sensitivity training on breastfeeding in public by early 2008.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

~ Author Sean Taylor refused to accept the prize money for the Nestlé Children’s Book Prize 2007 after he learned about Nestlé’s unethical marketing practices. Thanks to Bliss-Breastfeeding for the heads-up on that story.

The Canadian Press interviewed stand up comic Kate Davis about her new book, Breastfeeding Diaries (Let’s Dish). The article shares a funny incident that took place when Davis went to the gym: “Adhering to the club’s no bathing suit policy, she slipped out of her workout gear and into the crowded hot tub with six other women. ‘I took off all my clothes, jumped in and, literally, I was a little cherub fountain just spraying,’ recalled Davis, laughing. ‘I wasn’t due to nurse or anything. I think it was just the hot water that triggered everything, but the women were not happy – especially when I hit (one).’ ”

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This recall involves velvet and boa slipcovers intended for use with the Boppy® Bare Naked nursing and support pillow.

Slipcovers recalled due to a choking hazard were sold in three color combinations and have the following UPC and date codes found on the California Flammability Law tag. Slipcovers sold in clear vinyl packages are labeled Boppy® Luxe.

Color Combination:

Blue/Green Velvet, UPC Code 769662 30802 1, Date Code 05/2006 and 06/2006
Pink/ Orange Velvet, UPC Code 769662 30801 4, Date Code 05/2006 and 06/2006
Pastel Blue Velvet, UPC Code 769662 30705 5, Date Code 05/2006

Slipcovers recalled due excessive levels of lead paint were sold in four colors and have the following UPC and date codes found on the care instructions label and on the exterior of the packaging. Slipcovers sold in display boxes are labeled Boppy® Soothing.

Color:

Pastel Blue “Boa,” UPC Code 769662 32544 8, Date Code: 07030
Bright Pink Velvet, UPC Code 769662 32542 4, Date Code: 07030
Navy Blue Velvet, UPC Code 769662 32542 4, Date Code 07030
Sage Green Velvet 769662 32709 1 07030

Sold at: Slipcovers recalled due to choking hazard were sold at discount department stores nationwide from July 2006 through September 2007 for about $16. Slipcovers recalled due to lead paint were sold at discount department stores nationwide from February 2007 through September 2007 for between $15 and $17.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these products immediately and contact The Boppy Company for a free replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For information on identifying and/or exchanging the recalled slipcovers, call The Boppy Company at (888) 713-3916 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.boppy.com

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