I Am A Lactivist
I am a lactivist. It's not because I think women should be forced to breastfeed. It's because I think women ought to have choice and support.
“Overselling Breast-Feeding” Misses the Mark
Are we "overselling" breastfeeding? Are advocates trying to force women to breastfeed? Or are we looking for changes to a system that have only ever provided the illusion of choice?
Breastfeeding and IQ: No, Breast Milk Is Not a Magical Elixir (But It’s Still Amazing!)
New headlines suggest that there is no link between breastfeeding and IQ, but a closer look at the research suggests this isn't what can be said. It seems we're no further along in answering this question than before.
The Big, Bad Lactivist
There is a myth out there that most people who support breastfeeding are bad, bad people out to shame you. Here I examine this in a bit more detail with women's stories and experiences as a backdrop.
“Fed Is Best”
"Fed is Best"... Somewhere along the line, people have decided that simply showing up and doing the very bare minimum is enough to celebrate. I say, "Fuck that."
Chemicals Found in Breast Milk: Is It Enough to Negate the “Benefits”?
More backlash against breastfeeding hits the news with a study looking at contaminants in breast milk. Should we really reconsider promoting breastfeeding? Could formula be superior?
Elimination Diets: Food Sensitivities in the Breastfed Baby
The idea of an "elimination diet" scares many women and prevents them from making changes that can make their and their baby's lives much easier. However, it doesn't have to be forever or all bad and here is some advice on how to approach it and what you may get out of it.
New Research Supports Including Evolutionary Breastfeeding in Health Comparisons
Two new pieces of research support the idea that we need to be including evolutionary breastfeeding when looking at feeding outcomes. Without that, we fail to get the whole picture.
Understanding the Important Relationship Between Sleep and Feeding Method
Two new pieces of research highlight the intricate relationship between feeding method and sleep in infants, notably how parents perceive their child's sleep. Importantly, there are implications for the idea of building "bad habits" and sleep training.
The Role of Early Diagnosis of Tongue-Ties on Breastfeeding Success
A sizeable number of infants are born with a tongue-tie which can negatively affect breastfeeding. Research shows the importance of identifying and releasing tongue-ties early to aid in breastfeeding success.