Today, America is mourning the deaths of over 30 people following a week of mass shooters in California, Texas & Ohio
A mother and father shopping for school supplies died shielding their 2-month-old baby at Saturday’s deadly mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, according to reports.
Per The Guardian:
Jordan and Andre Anchondo were shot while trying to protect their two-month-old son, when a gunman opened fire in America crowded El Paso shopping area.
The baby was injured, and almost certainly had his life saved by his parents’ heroic efforts.
“Her husband was in front of the gunman to protect Jordan, and Jordan was protecting her baby,” Monique Terry, Jordan Anchondo’s 21-year-old cousin, told the Guardian. “That explains who she was as a person – she gave everything for her baby”, Terry said about her cousin.
Jordan and Andre Anchonda were among the 20 people killed in Saturday’s rampage.
Breastfeeding and pumping away from home comes with many challenges, not the least of which is finding time and a clean, private place to do it (no, a bathroom stall does not count as a lactation room). But, according to new research highlighting the need for more workplace protections for nursing moms, it can even lead to job loss.
An eye-opening new study conducted by Pregnant At Work, an initiative from the Center for Work Life Law, has revealed that over the last ten years two-thirds of cases that allege breastfeeding discrimination in the workplace have resulted in a mom losing her job through firing or being forced to resign.
I really love that celebrity women who are very influential people in culture are being open and transparent about their journey to parenthood and beyond!
From trying to conceive, IVF struggles, pregnancy loss, woes and all the good and the bad.
The same can be said of Breastfeeding challenges.
This January, PEOPLE mag did a slideshow review of celeb women who have opened up about their frustration with breastfeeding in social media or mag or news features or interviews.
You should take a look at it again for this World Breastfeeding Week.
Kelly Rowland’s stood out to me:
“All that gnawing at your nipples will take its toll!” the R&B singer — mom to son Titan Jewell — wrote in her parenting guide, Whoa, Baby! “In those early days, I was fascinated (my polite way of saying ‘horrified’) by the transformation of the boobs.” When it came time to breastfeed her child, Rowland was shocked by the physical changes her body immediately underwent. “My nipples were HUGE — we are talking the size of Frisbees — and sometimes I could see these veins bulging out while I was nursing,” she shared. “My boobs themselves were so long and stretchy that I sometimes felt like I could’ve swung them over my shoulders.”
Breastfeeding, believe it or not, is a controversial topic when it comes to discussing women’s rights to perform the act in public and the level of covering up society requires of them.
It is also contentious when images of breastfeeding is banned by social media algorithms that equate the flesh of a women’s breast with a sexual image and blocks it.
It comes with all sorts of myths and women who face diffuculty are vulnerable to quit too soon, especially when they are not supported by their partner, culture, home or work.
It is nature’s way of providing for a newborn but it is not easy for everyone.
If you are having trouble, ask for a lactation consultant to help while you are still in the hospital and before discharge. This service is usually complimentary or covered by many insurances including socialize forms of insurance like Medicaid in the US.
They can help you with issues related to latching, increasing supply, sore nipples, and any other questions you have.
Also, when you are discharge, you will hear lots of advice and opinion. Not all of it will be supportive. Take in the words but trust your own gut and desires and if all else fails, Google or YouTube to see if you can find online voices for support.
When I was expecting my first child, I got tons of support and encouragement from mom groups online. I am still friends with many 18 years later as our babies we were all expecting at the time prepare for their senior year in high school and to vote in the next election.
You are not the first mom to have difficulty. Getting help when you need it doesn’t make you worse at breastfeeding than others.
Among a long list of myths women have about breastfeeding is the notion that If You’re Sick, You Shouldn’t Breastfeed.
Just because you’re feeling under the weather doesn’t mean you can’t naturally feed your child, notes the site which boasts the best rated nursing covers.
In fact, “There are very few illnesses that require a mother to stop nursing,” explains the site, breastfeeding.
The site explains that your baby has likely already been exposed to the virus that is making you ill, and breastfeeding will actually help fortify your baby’s response to the virus through antibodies from your system.
Even being HIV positive is not a reason to stop breastfeeding, notes other sources (although antiretroviral drugs will likely be prescribed during the first year of breastfeeding).
Hopefully, knowing the truth bout when to get help and not falling prey to myths that prevent you from giving up too soon.
Keyshia Cole is a mom for the second time! The “Love” singer and her boyfriend Niko Khale welcomed a baby boy on August 1 at 11:11pm…the same time mom was born! Cole and Khale made the joyous announcement on Instagram, sharing precious family moments leading up to the baby’s arrival.
“My beautiful family,” Khale wrote under a family portrait of himself, Cole and her son Daniel, Jr. “Baby boy almost here! I’m nervous, excited, & impatient. We welcome him to the world TOMORROW.” The mommy-to-be looked gorgeous and ready to pop in a mint green two-piece lace set with her baby bump on full display. The fellas look dapper in all white.
One topic of concern to some mothers with breast implants is whether they present any health risk to their baby through possible contamination of their breast milk. In particular, they ask about whether silicon, silicone gel or platinum used in implants can leak into their breast milk.
Silicon and Silicone
Moms should know that silicon occurs naturally. It is the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust. It is thought to be essential for connective tissues and is found in tendons, bone, skin, hair and nails. Silicon is used as an anti-foaming agent in fruit juice and is found in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and proshtheses. The only known health hazard results from inhaling crystalline silica dust into the lungs causing silicosis. Silica dust is never used in implants.
Breast implants contain silicone gel, a synthetic polymer made up of silicon, oxygen and other elements, most typically carbon and hydrogen.
Research has reported cases of esophageal dysmotility (slow movement through the esophagus) in infants that were nursing from mothers with silicone implant). Another study reported “rheumatoid-like symptoms” transferred to a child from a breastfeeding mother with silicone implants). However, this study examined only two children.
A larger study did not show any adverse outcomes in infants of breastfeeding mothers with silicone implants. Another study found that there were actually higher levels of silicon in cow’s milk infant formulas than in human milk. (It should be noted that this study was funded by the plastic surgery industry.)
The silicon-containing anti-colic agent simethicone has been widely used for decades and there have not been shown to have any toxic side effects to infants.The American Academy of Pediatrics therefore recommends that mothers with silicone breast implants should breastfeed if they choose to.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs does not feel that the evidence currently justifies classifying silicone implants as a contraindication to breastfeeding.
Bottom line: There is very little reliable data about breastfeeding with implants. Given that silicon is so abundant in our environment, and that there are overwhelming advantages of breastfeeding we strongly encourage women with breast implants to breastfeed if they wish to.
PLATINUM
While the limited evidence available suggests there is little risk from silicon, this may not be the case with platinum, which is used in silicone and saline implants. Platinum is a toxic metal that is especially damaging to early development.
There have been some studies showing significant levels of platinum in silicone breast implant gel and envelopes. Platinum has also been shown to leak out of the implant and accumulate in the tissues of women exposed to silicone breast implants . The question then becomes should women with saline or silicone breast implants be concerned about platinum?
Our research has found only one study to date that looked at platinum in breast milk in mothers that had silicone breast implants. It included 18 women with silicone breast implants and 5 women without ( the control group). The authors examined blood, urine, hair, nails, sweat and the breast milk of these women.
The concentration of platinum in blood did not differ between mothers with exposure to silicone through implants and those without. Both groups did have detectable levels of platinum thought to be related to environmental exposure. Similarly the concentration of platinum in urine did not differ between mothers with exposure to silicone through implants and those without.
However, there was a significant difference in platinum concentration in the hair, nails, sweat and breast milk in the implant group versus the control group, where no platinum was detected.
The study concluded that women with silicone breast implants had much higher levels of platinum than women without implants whereas saline implants did not contain any platinum. However, the methodology of the study has been questioned.
Bottom Line: Due to the small sample size, more research needs to be done to replicate these findings. However, it does raise some questions about platinum in breast milk. If mothers are concerned about platinum or silicone in their breast milk, Lactation Lab offer custom test kits to measure the levels of the components of their milk, along with recommendations for how to address any concerns.
America’s Next Top Model Cycle 3 winner, actress and model Eva Marcille is coasting into her third pregnancy and looking chic in body con while doing it.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta Bravo TV franchise star is usually known for her flowy Bohemian, carefree looks and faux locs and ultra long braids, but recently, she’s pulled it all in and gone more polished while attending formal and red carpet events this pregnancy.
And most recently, the Girlfriend Confidential: LA alum attended the launch of co-star Cynthia Bailey‘s new wine shop,The Bailey Wine Cellar (the same event where Bailey’s boyfriend, ESPN sports commentator Mike Hill proposed), in a brown off the shoulder dress.
Even though we are well into Back to School season, a lot of families, like mine, are still in summer vacation mode and going to the beach for the last bit of fun before school starts.
I’m heading to the beach soon myself and have a fitness and summer Tank top and momkini goals.
Just in time, I got an order (complimentary) of Naked Nutrition’s “Naked Pea” supplement (retail: $54 for 5lb Jar) to help me on the journey.
I do not believe in a liquid only diet and think it is important for digestive health that we chew our foods, but that being said, for short term fitness goals, I think liquid and smoothie and shake meal supplements or substitutes are fine.
Also, for energy, times when you cannot have a full meal, they are also perfect.
The Naked Pea is perfect for me because I am pescaterean and it only has three ingredients: Yellow Split Pea, Natural Coconut Sugars and Natural Vanilla flavor!
That’s It! Talk about totally, naked eh?
It’s free of Dairy, Gluten, Soy and GMO ingredients. So it’s not likely to upset my stomach like supplements that contain whey. I’m also lactose intolerant and I cannot do whey either which has dairy.
I tried it out with fruit and almold milk starting Monday and loved it because it was yummy, filling, didn’t leave me hungry (I sipped it throughout the day) and gave me energy!
I have a few days left to see if it works.
I did not do a before shot but I did step on the scale and took my measurements.
I’ll update this post on Sunday to include the difference but in the meantime, here is my video of Day One!
disclaimer: I was compensated for this review but as those of you who follow my blog know, I make sure my opinions and feedback are neutral and unbiased and based on my personal opinions. No sugar coating over here!
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was quite busy making history while pregnant with her first child, son Archie, with husband Prince Harry.
The American Royal, starting at 5-months pregnant, became the first ever “guest editor’ of British Vogue, for its coveted September issue, the most important edition in magazines’ yearly calendar.
Rather than be the cover model, the former Suits star chose to instead spotlight the work of 15 change maker women who are doing big things for other women in the world including Jane Goodall (who was interviewed by her husband) and former US First Lady Michelle Obama (interviewed by Meghan), Laverne Cox, Greta Thunberg, Jacinda Ardern, Adwoa Aboah and Jameela Jamil, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi and others shot by legendary photographer Peter Lindbergh.
The group gives client one-on-one interview prep and an interview outfit. Once they land the job, the women can come back and collect 5 additional pieces of clothing to get them thru their first paycheck!
Love Love it!!
Source: Instagram/SussexRoyal
“The reason why I was drawn to Smart Works is that it reframed the idea of charity as community…..it’s a network of women supporting and empowering other women in their professional pursuits,” Markle wrote in the magazine of her interest in that organization.
Yesterday, the Duchess released via the @SussexRoyal Instagram page a series of behind the scenes photo from her work with the organization, helping women select pieces of clothing for their job while herself donned a fierce tweed Gucci suit.
All around America, families are noticing that the price of food, and groceries, in particular is rising. In my neighborhood, low cost stores like Aldi’s and Lidls are a hit among even middle to upper income households. In other words, the struggle is real.
If you’ve ever wondered if there is a place in the country where you can go to get a cart of groceries for a reasonable total, then you might want to look west to Texas!
“Whether you call it a supermarket, grocery store, bodega, food mart or the corner shop, shopping for groceries is one of the biggest lines on any family budget. But prices for core grocery products fluctuate widely depending on where you live and what’s for dinner.
Factors like distance from distribution centers, cost of living, transportation and population help determine where a meal is pricey and where it’s quite affordable.”
The methodology includes a review on the most common items: steak, eggs, milk, cheese, margarine, bread, potatoes, cereal, orange juice and bananas.
Here is a snippet of the top 10 and go here to check out more deets and learn about a few others that were right behind the tops:
And if you’re curious, here is the top 10 most expensive:
