Mom takes a nap when baby naps after the next feeding and wakes up feeling a bit more rested and rational. Baby fusses and mom nurses and mom calls the Leader while she is nursing. Mom is greeted by a friendly voice who listens to mom’s concerns. Leader reassures mom that her body is capable of sustaining her child and offers helpful suggestions to empower mom to succeed. Leader also invites mom to a meeting. Mom smiles (for the first time in days). (more…)

baby, feeding, nurses

Scenario: New mom, week old nursling. Baby crying. Mom exhausted. Mom wonders “maybe I just don’t have enough milk.” Mom calls her best friend who tells her, “well I didn’t have enough milk and so-and-so didn’t have enough milk.” Mom is now really concerned. (more…)

baby, new mom, nurse

The “antioxidant” nutrients — vitamins C and E and beta-carotene — have been credited with being important in preventing diseases such as heart disease, some cancers and stroke. To reap such benefits, many take high-dose antioxidant supplements. (more…)

antioxidant supplements, beta-carotene, stroke

Arsenic has been considered a teratogen, a cause of fetal malformations and birth defects, if pregnant women were exposed to it through environmental sources, such as drinking water. A new study, however, indicates that typical human arsenic exposure is a highly unlikely cause of these teratogenic effects.

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birth defects, newborn, toxicity