Tag Archives: breastfeeding

Shame on Social Media for Shaming Our Bodies: Instagram and Facebook Censorship Goes too Far

If you want to post a picture of yourself — or someone else — on Facebook or Instagram, you better first make sure you’re not too fat, thin, sexy, or maternal. You can wear a bikini in your photo, but only if you look like a celebrity, or actually are one. Definitely don’t post a picture of yourself breastfeeding unless you’re famous. You also can’t post pictures that show your breasts, no matter the circumstances. Unless they’re covered by an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weenie bikini of the color of your choice.

censorship

Got all that? Don’t worry, we don’t either. That’s because none of those “rules” are mentioned even remotely in the Terms of Service of Instagram or Facebook.

From Instagram’s Terms of Service:
“You may not post violent, nude, partially nude, discriminatory, unlawful, infringing, hateful, pornographic or sexually suggestive photos or other content via the Service [Instagram].”

From Facebook’s Terms of Service:
“Facebook has a strict policy against the sharing of pornographic content and any explicit sexual content where a minor is involved. We also impose limitations on the display of nudity. We aspire to respect people’s right to share content of personal importance, whether those are photos of a sculpture like Michelangelo’s David or family photos of a child breastfeeding.”

Why then, do you think so many women are complaining of their photos or accounts being deleted for posting photos that comply with the rules, or at least comply with them as much as anyone else’s? Here are some of the most recent examples of ridiculous body-shaming by social media sites.

banned selfie

Nineteen-year-old Samm Newman’s Instagram account was deleted after she posted this near full-body selfie. Shortly after the photo was posted, Instagram suspended her account. While Newman is wearing only bra and underwear, she’s hardly posing provocatively or suggestively.

Newman told her local news stations that she felt there was a double standard on Instagram since her account was deleted while other, thinner girls could post even racier photos without consequence. (more…)

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Elizabeth

New Mom Duchess Kate’s Normal, Healthy Approach to Motherhood is Refreshing

The Great Kate Wait may be over, but there’s no less attention turning toward the most famous new mom in the world. The Duchess of Cambridge, or as we commoners like to call her, Kate, delivered the third heir to the English throne in July to global media fascination; but the reality of her postpartum experience has been a quiet one that any new mom would want and, frankly, deserves.

New at Vanity Fair is a four-page, in-depth look at the private life of Kate with Prince William and their new son, His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge. The article is an adaptation taken from author Katie Nicholl’s most recent royal biography.

kate middleton baby

She discloses how Kate has been “cocooned” by her family at their country estate, Bucklebury, outside of London, and that the new mom feels “safer [there] than anywhere else in the world.” Her young family moved in with Kate’s parents just before the baby’s arrival and have stayed there most of the summer, only recently returning to digs of their own.

Most interestingly, the story gives a glimpse at the often coveted information for how Kate cares for herself. While pregnant, she practiced prenatal yoga – benefits of which exist for the mom, baby, and even for postpartum recovery. During one of the hottest summers on record in England, Kate was known to swim in the family’s pool – not only a great low-impact form of exercise to maintain strength during pregnancy, but a fun way to stay cool when hormones meet heat! And on the well-protected grounds, Kate frequently took walks, one of the best ways to ease the nesting jitters and stay active during pregnancy.

Before and after the baby, Kate’s mom made sure she had healthful meals, even whipping up fresh fruit smoothies and keeping plenty of the expecting mom’s favorite muesli snack bars on hand. (more…)

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Natalie K

Moms Petition Similac to Remove GMOs in Infant Formula

“They say that moms with children with food allergies do more research than the CIA, and I think that’s true,” quips Leah Segedie at the opening of a three-minute video she’s using to get the attention of moms and and baby formula giant Similac. She wants the company to get rid of the GMOs they put in their line of formulas, something Similac (Abbott Laboratories) decided not to do at their recent annual shareholder meeting.

To join Leah’s fight and let Similac and its competitors know you won’t stand for this, sign this petition at Change.org. Also, join us on the #SimilacNoGMO Twitter party Wednesday, May 22nd from 8-9:30pm EST, where you’ll join host Leah @BookieBoo and @DietsInReview as a panelist. (more…)

Posted on May 21, 2024 by Natalie K

Kerry Ann King Lost 100 Pounds by Following Her Motherly Instincts

Kerry Ann King of New York City was never a willowy, lanky child, and instead carried a short and stout build. Being involved in ballet where tiny and petite were the norm left her feeling like a square peg in a round hole.

To make matters worse, the ballet school Kerry attended encouraged dieting even at a young age to keep a slim physique. Kerry, now 44, recalls dancing 10-12 hours days on nothing but a few pieces of fruit. But when she quit dancing at age 15, her less active lifestyle and confused metabolism led to quick and steady weight gain. When she ventured into other sports she eventually injured her knee, which led to a cycle of rehab/recovery/re-injury that only further piled on the weight.Kerry Ann King before and after

It wasn’t until Kerry became pregnant that she realized permanent changes to the way she ate and treated her body were necessary. During her first pregnancy Kerry found benefit in reading the classic pregnancy book, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” (more…)

Posted on May 1, 2024 by Dana

The 15 Worst Pieces of Diet Advice We Feed our Kids

We’ve all been fed bad diet advice at some point in our lives, usually with negative consequences. But what about the diet advice we feed our kids? Is it healthy, constructive, inspiring? Are we setting them up for nutritional success or failure?kids-diet-advice

These are questions we should be asking ourselves when raising a child. The diet examples we set for our kids and the words we use to guide them will no doubt affect their relationship with food. Unfortunately, just one poor example or one piece of bad advice can cause a flurry of negative results.

While there’s a descent amount of truth out there regarding kids and diet, there’s also a lot of bogus advice. This is especially sad considering this is such a crucial time for our nation amidst a childhood obesity epidemic.

A recent study suggested that kids should simply eat off smaller plates to avoid obesity. This isn’t terrible advice, per say, but eating off a smaller plate isn’t going to solve the problem. Kids need to develop a healthy understanding of food as nutrition instead of learning little “tricks” to hopefully divert them from health disasters. (more…)

Posted on April 16, 2024 by Dana

Snooki Slims Down Post-Baby with Breastfeeding, Plans to Add Zantrex Soon

Everyone’s favorite pint-sized Jersey Shore star, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, is showing off her slender post-baby body just one month after giving birth to son Lorenzo Dominic LaVelle on August 26.

The star stepped out with friends over the weekend in a figure-hugging black and animal-print dress. Though she was reportedly adverse to breastfeeding at first, she’s now embracing it for the sake of Lorenzo’s health and as a means to slim down.

Snooki, 24, has been active on Twitter about her weight loss since giving birth. On September 21, the star tweeted, “exactly why I’m at the gym right now #postbabyworkout …#FatPig.” Earlier that day she wrote, “can’t wait to start walking again!”

It seems Snooki is enthusiastic about getting her pre-baby body back quickly, and has wasted no time getting back to work as a new mom. The star is currently filming the MTV Jersey Shore spin-off Snooki & JWOWW, which she mentioned on Twitter is the reason she uses a pump now instead of breastfeeding naturally. (more…)

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Dana

Women Who Breastfeed Stay Thinner Later in Life, Study Shows

With countless benefits of breast feeding already widely known in the health community, British researchers have managed to dig up one more: it will keep you thinner over the course of your life. Vanity aside, there may be some truth to this idea.

Researchers have known for decades now that breastfeeding is extremely beneficial for the baby as it provides them with essential nutrients for growth and development. But a growing body of research has now focused on the benefits for mom – especially when it comes to weight management.

The study revealed that breastfeeding was associated a 0.22 drop in BMI among the women in their 50s and early 60s.

(more…)

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Dana

‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’: 5 Lessons Learned

If you’ve ever been pregnant, dreamt about being pregnant, or been slightly terrified about what to expect while being pregnant, then the film “What to Expect While You’re Expecting,” is a must see for you.

With a star-studded cast with such famous names as Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Brooklyn Decker, Dennis Quaid and Chris Rock, this film is sure to be a big hit.

Surprisingly, it’s based on the best-selling book ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting,’ which at first glance seems like a traditional guide to pregnancy. But film producers have managed to bring the pages to life and even poke a little fun at the experience from the standpoint of both mothers- and fathers-to be.

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Posted on May 18, 2024 by Dana

The Benefits of Breastfeeding and the Attachment Parenting Controversy

When it comes to motherhood, everyone has an opinion on how it should be done. So it was no surprise when 26-year-old model Jamie Grumet caused a near-cosmic stir when she posed on the cover of Time Magazine, breastfeeding her nearly 4-year-old son.

Grumet’s approach to motherhood is attachment parenting, which is a concept developed by Dr. William Sears, 72, as outlined in his 1992 book, “The Baby Book.”

Sears, raised by a single mother himself, believes that moms should be in near constant contact with their child, wearing their baby if possible, letting them sleep in the same bed with them, and tending to their every want and need.

Of the many benefits of this practice, Sears argues that attachment parenting produces children who are physically, emotionally and psychologically healthy, stating that children who are a product of this kind of parenting rarely – and possibly even never – turn out to be bullies or have other developmental issues.

One of the other prongs of attachment parenting is breastfeeding until the mother  – and child – feel the time is right to stop, which explains why Grumet still breastfeeds her almost 4-year-old son.

Grumet, who told The Today Show that she knew full well what she was getting into by posing so provocatively on the Time Magazine cover, says she was breast fed herself until she was six years old, and believes 100% in the concepts of attachment parenting. (more…)

Posted on May 11, 2024 by Dana

Breastfeed to Protect Your Baby Against Childhood Obesity

For years we’ve been hearing how “breast is best” for both mom and child. From improved immunity to a better bonding experience between mom and baby, breastfeeding has many benefits that make it worth pursuing. Additionally, breastfeeding provides opportunity for the earliest obesity prevention possible. In fact, breastfeeding has been shown to impact weight throughout an individual’s lifespan, making the decision whether or not to breastfeed even more important as we see childhood obesity rates continue to rise.

Yet, why exactly is breastfeeding so important in preventing childhood obesity? And are there certain guidelines parents need to follow to help their child avoid all of the complications and risks associated with having an increased weight? Tammy Gold, owner of Gold Parent Coaching, answered some of our toughest questions about breastfeeding and the role it plays in preventing childhood obesity.

According to Gold, breastfeeding for as long as possible and knowing when to introduce solid foods are both important strategies in promoting healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

(more…)

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Kati