Contributors needed for Immediate Family: The Adoption Option:
My name is Julie Sellers and I just signed a contract for publication for my new adoption book, Immediate Family: The Adoption Option.
In 2002 and 2005, when I adopted my children, my friends, following more traditional paths to parenthood, were all passing around The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy. I wanted to shout, “What about me?”
One of the most wonderful things during the adoption process is meeting the amazing parents who have traveled the road before you. They are a tremendous fountain of information and gladly pay forward the kindness shown to them during their own adoption process. In a like effort, Immediate Family: The Adoption Option was born.
Stories about all kinds of adoption, domestic, public, private, foster to adopt and international adoption are welcomed! The deadline for submissions of February 28, 2010, but the sooner the better! I, along with my editor will decide which stories can be used the book.
Visit my website, if you’d like to join me in this effort. To have your story considered, please click on the “Submission” page at www.juliemsellers.com or email, julie@juliemsellers.com for more information.
NPR tackles black motherhood and breastfeeding:
American mothers as a whole do not breast-feed their babies as much as health experts would like, but African-American moms have the lowest rates of all — by some measures, they are half as likely to nurse as whites and Hispanics.
The federal government, some hospitals and nonprofits are trying different strategies to close this nursing gap, though no one seems sure exactly why the disparity exists. Read more and listen to the story…
Also on NPR…
A National Health and Nutrition Examination survey shows that breast-feeding rates have increased among black women from 36 percent in 1993-1994 to 65 percent in 2005-2006. Still, that number is significantly lower than Latina and white women. In this week’s parenting conversation, guest host Jennifer Ludden discusses reasons behind the statistics with Kathi Barber, author of ‘The Black Woman’s Guide to Breastfeeding: The Definitive Guide to Nursing for African-American Mothers.’ Barber is joined by moms Jamila Bey, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist, and Dawn Porter, a television executive. Listen…
I was really surprised at the number of people who asked me how my husband felt about me wanting to breast feed our child. I thought, “why would he be AGAINST it?” I think attitudes and circumstances play a big role in this. And you need family support. Breast feeding can come with its share of challenges, and without access to mothers, aunts, sisters, grandmothers, etc. who have nursed their children, or lactation consultants, it is very easy to give up or not even start.
I’m Nigerian. For me and most of the other Nigerian women I know, breastfeeding is default. So I was really shocked to read the stats on NPR.
That said, with my first child, I could only breastfeed for 5 months. After I returned to work, I just didn’t have the time. And the stress (from work) decreased my supply.
Also, access to a lactation consultant is really helpful. I almost stopped (with my 2nd child) due to oversupply …. which made my child gulp/choke during feedings.
I *rarely* breastfeed outside my home. Instead, I pump milk and give my baby the breastmilk in a bottle. I’m not comfortable feeding and hiding my boob at the same time.