Center for the Childbearing Year, LLC

Breastfeeding and Obesity

Patty Brennan — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:00:12 +0000

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine published an explanation of current research demonstrating the impact of breastfeeding on obesity in their blog post “The Breastfeeding and Obesity Controversy.”

Our bi-weekly Birth & Parenting News Blog highlights the latest news items, research results, consumer alerts, and legislative action alerts of interest to expectant and new parents and the professionals who work them.

Angelina Jolie inspires women to maim themselves.

Patty Brennan — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:27:45 +0000

Angelina Jolie announced yesterday that she had both of her breasts surgically removed even though she had no breast cancer. She carries the BRCA1 gene, and she has been tricked into believing that genetic code is some sort of absolute blueprint to disease expression — which it most certainly is not. Countless millions of women carry the BRCA1 gene and never express breast cancer because they lead healthy, anti-cancer lifestyles based on smart nutrition, exercise, sensible sunlight exposure and avoidance of cancer-causing chemicals.

Jolie, like many other women who have been deluded by cancer quackery, decided the best way to prevent the risk of breast cancer was not to lead a healthy, anti-cancer lifestyle, but rather to surgically remove her breasts in what she describes as “three months of medical procedures.”

…just in case, you know. Because you can never be too careful these days, with the cancer industry scaring women half to death at every opportunity. “My breasts might murder me!” seems to be the slogan of many women these days, all of whom are victims of outrageous cancer industry propaganda and fear mongering.

Let me set the record straight: Your breasts are not your enemy! The cancer industry is far more likely to kill you than your breasts. Learn more.

Toolkit Aids Efforts to Support Families

Patty Brennan — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:00:42 +0000

A Comprehensive Approach for Community-Based Programs to Address Intimate Partner Violence and Perinatal Depression highlights strategies and provides resources to help organizations address intimate partner violence and perinatal depression within their own communities. Topics include making the case, building and sustaining partnerships, raising awareness, developing cultural and linguistic competence, addressing policy, and implementing standards of care guidelines. Pre- and post-program assessment tools and links to national resources are included. The toolkit is available online here.

Postpartum Anxiety and Maternal-Infant Health Outcomes

Patty Brennan — Thu, 09 May 2013 06:00:31 +0000

Doulas working with mothers both pre- and post-childbirth should be aware of the latest article in Pediatrics, the professional journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, explaining the very common phenomenon of postpartum anxiety. Anxiety is more common than postpartum depression and is more predominant in first-time moms, women who underwent cesarean surgeries, those who breastfed for a shorter time, and those who had an unplanned need for health care within the first two weeks after delivery. The article recommends women be screened for anxiety after delivery. Karen Kleinman, Founder and Executive Director of The Postpartum Stress Center, has a terrific website useful for all doulas who want to learn more about postpartum mood and anxiety disorders and how women can self-assess their risk prenatally and after baby arrives.

High Value, Low Price: Building Your Birth Related Business Workshop on May 11

Patty Brennan — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:03:52 +0000

Let’s focus, for one day, on helping YOUR business thrive with this Thought Provoking Success Resource.

You will learn a collection of strategies (money, entrepreneurial, self-management, time management, marketing) to be successful as a self-employed business woman.

It’s time to take it to the next level! Let us help make this effort less daunting.

Workshop includes Implementation Exercises to help structure your post-training efforts. We guarantee you will leave this workshop with your Next 3 Steps outlined or we will refund your money.

Your instructor, Patty Brennan, has been successfully self-employed for over 30 years. She is the author of the acclaimed The Doula Business Guide: Creating a Successful MotherBaby Business. Patty welcomes the opportunity to “doula you” to give birth to the businesswoman within.

SPECIAL OFFER (expires Friday, May 10 at 5pm): We are offering a one-time SUPER LOW PRICE for this workshop of $99.

BONUS #1: Each person who respond to this SPECIAL OFFER will also receive a free listing (one category of your choice) in the Center’s Online Directory, good through August 2014!

BONUS #2: All attendees will also receive a digital copy (e-book) of The Doula Business Guide (400 pages of practical guidance).

BONUS #3: A post-training one-half hour phone consultation with Patty, focused specifically on your business goals and next steps.

I don’t think I can pack any more value into this offer. Just say “YES!” and register now:

http://center4cby.com/register-for-professional-trainings.html (When the Shopping Cart appears, simply type AWESOME for the promotional code to get the $99 price and the rest of this Special Offer.) Offer expires on Friday, May 10, at 5pm.

Saturday, May 11, 8:30am-5:30pm (lunch not included)

Center for the Childbearing Year

Ann Arbor, Michigan

6.5 DONA CEUs Approved!

“This class was money well spent; in fact it’s a bargain for the amount of information and Patty’s personal stories about starting a business.” — Stephanie Bielaska, Ann Arbor, MI

“Patty’s classes ALWAYS leave me feeling more knowledgeable and empowered to employ what I have learned. I have acquired so many useful skills and feel connected to a supportive, like-minded community. Thank you C4CBY!” — Cameron Shaw, Ann Arbor, MI

“Fantastic, thorough training! I feel energized and empowered to launch my business!” — Kim Manchester, Ypsilanti, MI

“Thank you for a great class today! We did a lot of business classes at [massage] school but I finally feel like I can do this after taking your class. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” — Asleigh Cornell, Livonia, MI

“This was a great overview and introduction, and I’m clear on what my next steps will be. Looking forward to getting started ” — Allison McElroy, Ann Arbor, MI

“I really appreciated Patty’s small business class. She is so knowledgeable about the subject and I really loved the presentation of the material. I would recommend it for anyone interested in building a birth-related business and it is well worth the investment in your business and yourself.” — Heather Emerson, Pittsfield Township, MI

“This workshop was very encouraging! It really makes my attempts at business building much more manageable. I came in feeling like it is a complicated process and walked out with a clearer idea of something that can be simple and attainable.” — Gillian McClinsey-Powell, Ann Arbor, MI

“Extremely helpful for me because I knew little about business. Patty Helped me understand what I need to do to become a successful doula. Very informative and fun! This class was very motivational.” — Julienne Floetke, Brownstown, MI

More Parents Starting Solid Foods Too Early

Patty Brennan — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:00:52 +0000

Experts recommend introducing solid foods into infants’ diets no earlier than 6 months of age, but many mothers do so earlier. A study in the April 2013 issue of Pediatrics sheds light on some of the most common reasons for early introduction of solid food as well as differences among formula fed vs. breastfed infants.

The researchers analyzed the data from about 1,300 mothers who introduced solid food to their infants during the first year and reported the reasons for introducing solid food. Overall, 40.4 percent of mothers introduced solid foods before 4 months, with the highest percentage among the formula-fed infants (52.7 percent) and the lowest percentage among the breastfed infants (24.3 percent). Common reasons for introducing solid food earlier than recommended included: “My baby was old enough,” “My baby seemed hungry,” and “It would help my baby sleep longer at night.”

Many of the mothers said their health care provider gave them the go-ahead. The authors noted that many factors influence mothers’ beliefs about infant feeding, including family and friends. Mothers who introduced solid food earlier than recommended were more likely to be younger, unmarried, have a lower level of education, or be participating in the WIC program. Early introduction of solid foods is concerning because babies’ bodies are not yet prepared for these foods, and early introduction may increase the risk of some chronic diseases. It can also mean that the many benefits of breastfeeding are cut short. The authors concluded that this information can help health professionals in working with mothers to improve adherence to infant feeding recommendations.

May’s Birth & Parenting News E-Newsletter

Patty Brennan — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:38:45 +0000

from Center for the Childbearing Year. Coupons and special offers, postpartum anxiety, upcoming business trainings, spring conferences in Michigan, herbal medicine classes, and more! Read now.

Reasons for Earlier than Desired Cessation of Breastfeeding

Patty Brennan — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:00:39 +0000

A study published in the journal Pediatrics examines reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than desired. The authors analyzed data from monthly surveys of 1,177 mothers aged 18 years and older (conducted from pregnancy until their child was one year of age). Sixty percent of those who stopped breastfeeding did so earlier than desired. Reasons included concerns regarding difficulties with lactation; infant nutrition and weight; illness or the need to take medicine; and the effort associated with pumping milk. The study authors conclude that continued professional support may be needed to address these challenges and to help mothers meet their desired breastfeeding duration.

Our bi-weekly Birth & Parenting News blog highlights the latest news items, research results, consumer alerts, and legislative action alerts of interest to expectant and new parents and the professionals who work them.

Breastfeeding Harassment Hotline

Patty Brennan — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:00:25 +0000

Best for Babes is committed to helping moms in the US avoid Booby Traps–cultural and institutional barriers to successful breastfeeding. In an effort to protect the legal, civil and human rights of the breastfeeding pair they have established a breastfeeding harassment hotline where harassment incidents can be reported — 855-NIP-FREE.

On the Vaccine Front …

Patty Brennan — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:00:49 +0000

Flu vaccine causes 1,400 percent increased risk of narcolepsy! Read more. And this one:

Researchers develop vaccine for newborn babies right out of the womb. Learn more.