Green Options » mother

From Pro-Life Feminist to Pro-Choice Mama: My Change in Beliefs

Cate Nelson — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:29:21 +0000

(Ready, Cate? 1. Open can of worms. 2. Dump on head.)

NPR recently reported that in some Planned Parenthood clinics, the abortion rate is up.

We’ve seen some people who said that they didn’t really think that they would ever be making this decision, but recognize that this is a time when they have to think about taking care of the families that they have.

I’ve mentioned my mama before around here. She’s the home-birthin’, articulate and soft-spoken, intelligent and wonderful mother of 6 girls. Six vocal girls.

She raised me and my sisters to be pro-life feminists. Then, when I was pregnant with my first child, I became pro-choice.

Here’s why.

Mother of Octuplets Breastfeeding all 8 Babies

Jennifer Lance — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:39:49 +0000

I was exhausted while breastfeeding one child, so I can’t imagine what the mother of octuplets, who already has six children previously, must feel like nursing eight babies!

I commend the new mother for making sure her infants received the best nutrition possible through breastmilk. They’ve already survived to be only the second set of octuplets to be born alive in America, rarer than your chances of being struck by lightning.

The unidentified mother gave birth to two girls and six boys, weighing from 1 pound, 8 ounces to 3 pounds, 4 ounces. The mother plans to breastfeed all eight babies, according to Inhabitots.

At present, five of the octuplets are being fed donated breast milk while their mother is pumping to save milk for all of her babies. The medical staff will help the mother learn how to express her milk so that they can store and give it to the infants. Each baby now weighs in at under 3 lbs each, so it is essential that they receive their mother’s breast milk to help their tiny bodies grow in strength, and to build up their digestive and immune systems. Mom and babies will gradually get used to breastfeeding, but will always be allowed to have skin to skin contact while the babies gain their strength. Such contact is another important necessity for their sustained health. (This is the typical recovery breastfeeding system for premature born infants).

Mother’s Milk: Why Breastfeeding Can Be Frustrating for Stay-At-Home Dads

Levi Novey — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:06:29 +0000

There are many challenges that stay-at-home dads face. It should go without saying that one of the major battles is keeping one’s self-esteem and confidence high when societal norms have typically only allowed for women to be the primary caretakers of children. Many people still feel that this is the case.

As one father told me just weeks after my own daughter was born, “You have to realize, Levi, you really aren’t that important in the first year. It’s all about mom.” Of course, it makes sense that the bond between mother and baby should be stronger initially than that between the father and baby. As a father, you have not had your child growing inside you and using your body as his or her source of nourishment and as his or her protective home. But I still wonder, is it really fair to say that the first year is all about mom? And what does this mean for stay-at-home dads?