Author: Kristin Stewart

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Tits Up; A book report

First, let me say that I am not affiliated with the author or the publisher of this book. There are no links embedded for you to purchase the book. Neither Healthy Children Project, nor myself receive any sort of compensation for this report. If you choose to purchase the book, I hope you will do so through a local, independent bookstore. If they don’t have the book on hand, most stores will happily order it for you.

As you might imagine, the Center for Breastfeeding has an extensive library of books, research, art and other breast related ephemera. I thought you might like to hear about some of them occasionally. This is the first book report. Notice, I did not call it a review. Who am I to review a book? I just wanted to give you a glimpse into the book and you can decide whether or not it sounds like your cup of tea.

Tits Up is written by Sarah Thornton and is an exploration of breasts and their meaning physically, culturally, and spiritually. As most of us can agree, breasts are kind of a big deal. They attract attention (sometimes wanted, sometimes not), they symbolize femininity and motherhood, and most importantly they feed our children. Without breasts, the human race just simply would not be here.

Sarah wrote this book to explore all of these themes. Having recently undergone a double mastectomy and consequently reconstructive surgery, she started to wonder about this body part that was garnering so much medical attention. She did not feel “at home” in her new implants and wanted to explore why that might be and why breasts are so significant. It is worth noting that the surgeon who did her reconstruction gave her D cups despite her requesting “athletic” B cups. The audacity of a male surgeon deciding, against his patient’s wishes, that a woman needed bigger breasts is truly appalling to me. Unfortunately, Sarah discovered she was not alone in this, dare I say it, abuse.

Sarah divided her book into 5 main categories and chapters. Each chapter looks at a different way in which breasts are used, abused, revered and adored. She also tries to reclaim many of the slang words used to describe breasts. Each chapter takes a slang word and uses it throughout so as to normalize the word.

Hardworking Tits looks at sex workers and how breasts play a crucial role in attracting and keeping clients and work.

Lifesaving Jugs is the chapter about lactation. Sarah chose to focus on milk banking and how donated human milk can save lives. Sarah herself breastfed her children and has many positive and accurate things to say about breastfeeding.

Treasured Chests is all about the plastic surgery industry. I have to say, this one made me the most upset. She discusses how many surgeons (though certainly not all) are predatory in their attempts to maximize both profits and breasts.

Active Apexes examines the oddly fascinating industry of bra engineering and marketing. I learned many things in this chapter, including the fact that nipple is such an awkward word for so many people that in the clothing industry nipples are referred to as apexes. Seems silly to me, but then again, I work in breastfeeding.

Holy Mammaries is a lovely exploration of how breasts have influenced and been represented in religions and spirituality.

There is no big reveal (pardon the pun) in this book. No big shockers. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. I learned a lot of new and interesting facts. It is written with a distinctively feminist view and I appreciated that. I encourage you to take a look. It’s a quick read. Purchase it from your local bookstore. Or better yet, get it from your library. If they don’t have it, most libraries will purchase it. And I just love the idea of libraries across the country purchasing books on breasts, tits, ta-tas, mammaries, jugs, apexes, and titties! It is definitely worth the read. If you choose to read the book, or maybe you’ve already read it, I would love to know your thoughts. Leave a comment or send me a message. I do love to chat about a good book!

As Sarah and Mrs. Maisel are fond of saying, Tits Up my friends! Until next time, may all your ways be Milky Ways!

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Breastfeeding, cruising, and Fall foliage…oh my!

What do breastfeeding and cruising have in common? If you sign up for the Symposium at Sea in October, you’ll see firsthand! But let me give you a little hint and insight into why I personally think a breastfeeding conference on a cruise is the perfect match.Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas

I don’t know about you, but I suffer from decision fatigue. A lot. I am so tired of making the little decisions. When I go to a conference the fatigue is compounded it seems. Where will we eat breakfast? What will we do with our free evening? Where should we stay while we are at the conference? And of course, the dreaded…

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

Ugh, I could go my whole life and be very very happy if I never heard that question again. I don’t even want to think that question!

Part of why I like cruising so much is that those little decisions are not a problem. Accommodations? Taken care of. Where to eat? Taken care of. When you book a cruise, your cabin is all set and the all the food is included. You just have to show up, find your cabin and then enjoy the peace from not having to make the little decisions. Each night (and morning, and midday, and whenever) you go to the dining room and they present you with delicious food. And trust me, they are delicious! The food is top notch. One of my favorites is the beef carpaccio. Or the salmon. Or the pumpkin soup. Or the key lime pie! It’s a little difficult to choose just one. And the best part is, you don’t have to! If you want two pumpkin soups, two entrees, and three desserts, they will bring it all to you! I am sure heaven includes these sorts of indulgences!

But where does the breastfeeding fit in? We carefully schedule our sessions so you can do fun things on the ship as well as attend our sessions presented by some of the world’s preeminent researchers on breastfeeding. Just take a look at these topics!

Ethical Lactation Practices

Skin-to-skin: Clinical skills and techniques

Facilitating System Change

Clinical Skills: Latest on Latch & Nipple Trauma

Mental Health & Lactation

And more…

You can see the full list on our website, or download the flyer here. We have a fantastic mix of research, skills-based presentations, and the latest updates on topics that make a difference to your practice.

Here’s what some of our teaching faculty have to say about cruise conference dynamic:

Dr. Anna Blair says “I really love the combination of the fabulous time in the conference and then more casual conversations with each other. It’s great if you bring a friend but also if you come by yourself – you can make new friends easily at the conference. The time out of the conference is filled with relaxation and a beautiful environment.”  Dr. Blair will be presenting Clinical Skills: Latest on Latch & Nipple Trauma as well as several other sessions.

Melissa Reyes says “I love that after a day of an amazing conference, you get to just relax, eat some great food, and you can even go for a swim or watch a show.  You can´t bet that!!!!” Melissa will also be presenting Clinical Skills: Latest on Latch & Nipple Trauma.

I do hope you will consider joining us in October. Earn continuing education credits, eat amazing food, see beautiful New England and Canada in all their Fall glory, and have the opportunity to get some one-on-one time with experts in the field of lactation. Yes please!

As always, I hope all your ways are Milky Ways!Where to See the Best Fall Leaves in the U.S.

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Newest Research on Skin-to-Skin contact in the first hour

As you may know, here at The Healthy Children Project, Center for Breastfeeding, our focus has 4 main points;

  • Education: Offering lactation training programs for novices and professionals
  • Collaboration: Working together to create meaningful change in the field of maternal and child health care delivery
  • Research: Designing and implementing collaborative inquiry to solve practical dilemmas incorporating evidence-based protocols and solutions
  • Consulting: Developing and implementing community-specific strategies to promote, protect and support breastfeeding

Last year, several of our faculty and staff traveled to Uganda for a project that embodied all four of these focus points. Research based on the work they did was recently published in Scientific Reports. The impact of implementing and sustaining the international guidelines for skin-to-skin contact in the first hour after birth in Uganda.

I was able to sit down with one of the authors of the paper, Dr. Kajsa Brimdyr, to talk about the work and the experiences of the team while in Uganda.

Dr Brimdyr, can you tell us a little about the project?

While the project began in January 2023, planning began a year earlier. We’ve known Scovia Nalugo Mbalinda for many years. She and I worked together in Gulu, Uganda on a skin-to-skin project that resulted in several papers (you can find one here) and the beautiful video Kristin Svensson and I created to educate about skin-to-skin in Gulu. (You can watch it here). Mike was a member of the International Guideline Project workshop that we conducted in Iceland in 2023 (read the guideline here) and it was thrilling to work together again. Our team was interdisciplinary, from the US, Sweden and Uganda, consisting of PhD researchers, an MD, midwives, and breastfeeding specialists along with two Ugandan research assistants. We worked collaboratively with the leadership team at the hospital, including midwives, nursing students and physicians.

When we arrived at the hospital, our team started out by observing births and the newborn behavior. We video recorded newborn behavior starting from birth and continuing for the first hour. This was to get a baseline of what was happening at the facility.

Then, we began to implement the research methodology, PRECESS, which we have used and published about in the past in Egypt (read about it here) and Texas (and here). We began with a training program for staff based on the supplementary material in the International Guideline for Skin to Skin (you can find a copy of the supplementary material here).

True skin-to-skin contact begins immediately after birth and is uninterrupted and continuous, for at least an hour after birth. We also offered guidance for potential challenges. Then, the staff began implementing the guideline: immediate, continuous, uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact for at least an hour after birth for all of the deliveries – every staff member, every shift. It was a change in practice, not just a change for those who were part of the study. The hospital made the decision to change care for all. Then, our research team came back 6 weeks later. Not only were the staff continuing to implement the guideline, but they had also improved their skill with skin to skin.

When staff first see how capable newborns are, as they see the 9 stages for the first time, it’s just so special to me. They can see how much these new babies can do.

There are still challenges ahead. For example, the beds in the labor and delivery are narrow and don’t have side rails, and mothers are worried that the baby might fall off…. and it would be helpful if the unit had beds that are more conducive to skin to skin in the first hour.

 What do you think the key take-aways are from the project?

I love that this intervention is quick and easy to implement, and that it is sustainable. It’s possible to make significant change in a short period of time.

Was there anything that surprised you while you were there?

We were not surprised by this, but we were impressed by the collaborative spirit of the team at the hospital. Our research team was at the hospital 24 hours a day and we worked long shifts to cover the time. It was important for us not to just be there for births of only one shift of staff or another, but covering nights, days and weekends. The staff were so warm and welcoming, teaching us their process, and embracing the changes.

Do you have any favorite stories about your time there?

We loved so many parts of our experience doing this research. One thing that was extra fun was the storks. They have these enormous, 5-foot-tall storks, with a wing span of 12 feet! the storks live in that part of Uganda. The maternity hospital had a tree just outside of it filled with these storks. In many parts of the world, storks are a symbol for babies being born. Our team thought it was so special that the storks like to hang out at the maternity unit!

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about your work in Uganda?

There’s more to come! We’ll let you know when the other articles are published!

Let us know what you think or if you have any questions about the newest research paper. And as always, may all your ways be Milky Ways.

 

 

 

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Allow me to introduce myself

Have you ever noticed that parents always have stories about breastfeeding? When you introduce yourself and they learn that you work in the field of lactation, it seems to me that there is always a story. And parents really want to tell you theirs. Upon reflection, this makes sense to me. Giving birth and the subsequent feeding of an infant is a life changing event. It’s right up there with…well, I think if I’m being honest, it stands alone as a monumental moment in a person’s life.

I love to hear the stories. I love to hear about a parent’s journey through breastfeeding; the struggles, the triumphs, the frustration, the elation. All of it! Bring on the stories!

And that is part of what I hope to do here, at Our Milky Way. My name is Kristin and I am honored to be taking over the blog from Jess. Jess has shepherded this blog from infancy to this point. Her work is incredible, the stories she has shared are inspiring. I hope to do her work justice and continue writing interesting, inspiring, thought provoking work.

The first story I would like to share with you is my own. For those of you that have been around awhile, you have probably heard us say “all roads lead to breastfeeding”. And around here, that is certainly true, though some of our roads were a little windier than others. As with a lot of lactation care providers, my story starts with my own breastfeeding journey.

Imagine, if you will, a bright eyed young 29 year old woman; well educated, strong willed, and dare I say it, over confident. I took the birthing class because…birth seemed well outside my scope of experience. But a breastfeeding class? Nope. Didn’t take that because…breastfeeding, how hard could it be? You put the baby’s mouth on your nipple and they feed, right? Well, the big day arrives and we go through labor, lots of labor, we end up with an emergency C-section and my daughter is whisked away to the NICU for observation. After 4 agonizing hours, they bring her to me, checked, poked, prodded and cleared for action. And she is very, very hungry. And quite frankly, more than a little pissed-off. So I put her mouth next to my nipple and….she’ll have none of it. She is so mad, so frustrated that she will not stop crying. So of course, I start crying, which in turn leads my husband to start crying. I think the only one not crying at this point is the nurse. So, she makes a helpful suggestion that we give the baby “just one bottle” of formula to calm her down and then we can try again.

I know, I know…hindsight is 20-20.

Now, I need to clarify that I do think the nurse was trying to be helpful, but as you can probably guess, after that “one bottle” there was no going back for my stubborn, strong willed (like her mamma) little girl. To make this long story a bit shorter, we wound up pumping for 5 weeks to give her breastmilk from a bottle and then finally threw in the cloth diaper and switched to formula.

Fast forward 2 years and I am pregnant again and this time I am bound and determined to breastfeed. We end up with another C-section after trying for a VBAC and this time they bring my son to me in the recovery room! At which point, my husband turns to the nurse, who happens to be a lactation care provider, and says:

“If we don’t get this baby to breastfeed my life will never be the same!”

While a little self-serving, it worked. The nurse helped me to breastfeed in the recovery room. And we went on to successfully breastfeed for a year. There is more in that story, and I will share more as we get to know each other here. A little peek into the deeper story; cracked nipples, phone help with a CLC, circus (yes, you read that right), community support and a lot of learning.

Fast forward again about 5 years and I am back here on Cape Cod, where I grew up. I meet an old friend who tells me she works for the Healthy Children Project, Center for Breastfeeding. And of course, I tell her my story (see first paragraph above). About a year later I am working for Healthy Children, I’ve taken the Lactation Counselor Training Course, I know everything that went wrong with my own stories and I realize that this! This is what I want to do! I want to help other parents avoid the pitfalls, the mistakes, the misinformation. And well, the rest is history. I am proud to say I have been working with Healthy Children for over 15 years now. I learn constantly. I am inspired often. I am lucky lucky lucky to work with this amazing group of women.

But enough about me! I want to hear about you. For real! I find blogs so much more interesting if folks comment and participate in conversation. Maybe you have or know a good story? Reach out, I’d love to hear it and maybe share it. In the meantime, may all your ways be milky ways!

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