Blog

Stop Separating Birthing Families!

Several hospitals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are routinely separating pregnant people from their partners or labor support person, for hours, days and even weeks--find out why this is happening and why it should never be happening! And then sign our petition to tell Governor Baker to sign an Executive Order to stop this practice of separation. To read more and sign the petition, see: moveon.org. Read more

STOP Pumping & Dumping!

"Pumping and dumping" is something  Read more

But They Said the Latch Looked Good (updated)

When someone tells you that your baby's latch looks good but you feel pain or baby isn't transferring milk, then maybe the latch isn't so good after all? It's important to consider several aspects of the latch and get help until you find it's better for you and effective for baby! Read more

Feeding Support Groups Update for 2018

author: Jeanette Mesite Frem   I’ve been thinking about changing up how I schedule my groups for a while now, listening to group members and those who wish they could come but haven’t yet...so, after lots of feedback, I’m excited to announce some changes to my Breastmilk & Conversation groups and my More Milk Mamas groups.    The update:  RSVP? Nope, not anymore.  Just drop-in.  I am… Read more

World Breastfeeding Week: Hope & Frustration

author: Jeanette Mesite Frem It was World Breastfeeding Week last week. World Breastfeeding Week was created to encourage global organizations and community organizations work together to improve sustainable development through the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. I meant to post something last week but got busy helping babies with breastfeeding and watching and reading of all… Read more

Nurturing for Those with a New Baby

author: Jeanette Mesite Frem Congratulations on the arrival of your new child! As a new parent, your body, heart and mind are undergoing changes. If you gave birth to a baby, your body just grew a human and is now healing after releasing the baby and placenta. For any parent, your heart is growing as you get to know your new child. Your mind is changing with your new sleep rhythms, new role, new… Read more

Dad vs. Nurse: Advocacy in the Labor Room (part two)

GUEST POST by Melissa DuBois If you haven’t already, please read DAD VS NURSE: Advocacy in the labor room, Part 1 In part 1 of this blog, I discussed factors that influence the relationship between a partner (especially a male partner) and a labor nurse. I also discussed why some approaches and gender dynamics can create a defensive and adversarial relationship between dad and nurse when a dad… Read more

Dad vs. Nurse: Advocacy in the Labor Room (part one)

GUEST POST by Melissa DuBois Jeanette Mesite Frem, owner/director and executive momma of Babies in Common (BinC) recently posed a question to a group of current and former labor & delivery nurse friends (me included). The question was: How can partners (especially male partners) best interact with a labor nurse when advocating for the laboring mother’s birth plan without causing the nurse to get… Read more

"Natural" is Now a Bad Word, says AAP Journal Article

author: Jeanette Mesite Frem   In an article in the journal Pediatrics (April 2016, released late March), Jessica Martucci and Anne Barnhill discuss the "Unintended Consequences of Invoking the "Natural" in Breastfeeding Promotion". As parents and professionals around the US balk at this, I just wanted to illustrate how preposterous this really is by using the authors words but with a twist… Read more

How to be the perfect parent: Let go of any notion of being perfect.

  GUEST BLOG POST by Jessica Curtis   In those first few years of parenting, I focused my energy on being the best parent that I could be. I set high expectations for myself and for others. I worked hard to create a safe and engaging environment that would help my kids to flourish. I provided social opportunities and activities to enhance their experiences. I read Dr. Sears and Dr. Brazelton.… Read more