The future of exclusivelypumping.comWell, my son will turn nine years old next month. That means it has been nine years since I started to EP, eight years since I weaned from the pump, and seven years since this site has been on the internet. The website has seen a few changes over the years and I’m hoping to give it another facelift in 2012. I have a few other things I’d like to do over the next year, but those will have to stay under wraps for the time being. I would love, however, to hear your ideas for the site. What’s working for you and what’s not? What would you like to see here and what would you like to see gone? Up to this point, I’ve made a concious choice to keep out all advertising and biased information. Is this something that matters to you? Would you like advertising? Would you like links to sources to buy pumps and supplies? The site has been a means to advertise my book, but even this has seemed to be secondary to the life the site has taken on. Dream with me a bit and let me know what you’d like to see when you type www.exclusivelypumping.com into your browser. Perhaps more interaction, perhaps more support, perhaps more advocacy? Feel free to contact me directly via email or leave a comment here. Exclusively Pumping on Facebook!Okay, I’ll admit it’s taken me a while to do this, but I’ve finally starting a Facebook page for Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk. Now that I have my new book, Breastfeeding, Take Two, in print, I’m hoping to have some more time to put towards this website and my original book. I have some big plans for the upcoming year including changes to this website (needs an update, don’t you agree!). Join me on Facebook and spread the news to other people you know. I’m looking forward to establishing a more interactive community! ~ Stephanie One World Birth–an exciting new projectIn order to “fix” breastfeeding, we need to “fix” birth. Women have largely lost faith in their bodies’ ability to do what they are intended to do. By medicalizing birth, we have taken the power away from women. And by medicalizing birth, we have greatly affected breastfeeding and the continuum of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and mothering. One World Birth is an exciting new project by two British filmmakers. They are amassing an amazing resource and I’m excited to see where it leads. Take a look at their trailer and if you like what you see, consider sharing it with those you know. Will You Like Me?Breastfeeding, Take Two: Successful Breastfeeding the Second Time Around is moving forward and it’s time to bring it out publically. So in order to begin sharing information about the book and hopefully get input from you, the potential reader of the book, I have set up a Facebook page. I plan on adding content over the next few weeks, including chapter summaries, excerpts, table of contents, and such. For now, you can view a cover work up. Nothing is for sure at this point, but it’s taking shape. Won’t you consider “liking me”? As always, I’d love your feedback on the book. Breastfeeding Supplies and Tax Write-offs in the USGreat news for those of you living in the United States. It seems as though the IRS has decided to allow breastfeeding expenses to be used as a tax deductions. Here’s a link to an article on the topic: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/14/irs-says-breastfeeding-expenses-are-tax-write-offs-finally/ It would also seem that the decision is not without criticism. Why is breastfeeding such a hot-button topic! Here’s a link to one article about the controversy: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11052/1126906-84.stm Are you ready for the truth?I have come across another fabulous blog post, this time by Gina at The Feminist Breeder. Her article, “When It Comes to Breastfeeding, We Can’t Handle the Truth” is a great discussion about what is really wrong with breastfeeding in our society. I’ve always encouraged women not to feel guilty about not breastfeeding, but instead to be angry at a society and medical system that devalues breastfeeding and fails to support moms and babies. Read More… EPing in the NewsThere has recently been more and more attention paid to the option of exclusively pumping. Time.com ran an article recently called Mothers Who Opt for Breast Milk, Not Breastfeeding and Pumping it Up was recently played on some local ABC affiliates. Read More… An oldie but a goodie- why keep going?Here is an article by Diane Wiessinger that I came across a number of years ago. Diane highlights the many gifts of breast milk as your baby ages. Sometimes this is just the boost and motivation you need to continue on; and sometimes it is the reassurance you need to allow yourself to wean knowing you have provided a special gift to your little one. “How to Make Breastfeeding Difficult”There are many things in our society which serve to make breastfeeding difficult for a new mom. Here’s an article from Linda Smith sharing her ideas on How to Make Breastfeeding Difficult. Be sure to avoid them! Do you have any of your own to add to the list? Kiss Your BabySo much we do as mothers goes far beyond our culture and societal norms. Many of our behaviours are grounded firmly in centuries and millenia of biological behaviours. Kissing and cuddling our babies are one such behaviour that serves as much more than a way to show our love. Read… Next Page » |
 
 
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