Karleen Gribble, Naomi Hull and Nina Jane Chad report that it’s sooner than you think! Parents are often faced with well-meaning opinions and conflicting advice about what to feed their babies. The latest guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends formula-fed babies can switch to cow’s...
Some women’s breasts can’t make enough milk, and the effects can be devastating. Researchers Renee Kam and Lisa Amir explain why. Many new mothers worry about their milk supply. For some, support from a breastfeeding counsellor or lactation consultant helps. Others cannot make enough milk no matter how...
It’s rare for a significant period of time to pass before another debate about breastfeeding takes place in the media, writes Alison Bartlett The latest is about Comedian Arj Barker. Some of the highest authorities have said breastfeeding is okay, even in the Sistine Chapel, as...
‘Free birthing’ and planned home births might sound similar, says Hannah Dahlen, but the risks are very different. The death of premature twins in Byron Bay in an apparent “wild birth”, or free birth, last week has prompted fresh concerns about giving birth without a midwife...
'Mother’s little helper': interviews with Australian women show a complex relationship with alcohol by Maree Patsouras, Cassandra Wright, Emmanuel Kuntsche, Gabriel Caluzzi and Sandra Kuntsche Men have historically, and still do, drink more than women. But in recent years there has been an uptick in women’s drinking,...
News for New Parents: Australian Government Calls for Stronger Regulation of Infant Formula Marketing The government released a report about how infant formula is marketed here, and it’s a big deal for families with babies and toddlers. You might not have heard of it, but there’s a...
Tamara Heath wonders if liberation equals hyphenation – or is it just more complication? For want of a better solution, my daughters have a hyphenated surname. And I am the first to admit the ‘double banger’ name can be more than a little annoying. It takes careful...
The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is poised to mark a significant milestone in 2024. It is celebrating 60 years of dedicated support for breastfeeding mothers and families across the nation. Ms Marshall-Cerins, the Executive Officer of ABA, emphasized the importance of reflecting on the evolving societal landscape...
Hazel Keedle and Hannah Dahlen look at which model women would prefer? In theory, pregnant women in Australia can choose the type of health provider they see during pregnancy, labour and after they give birth. But this is often dependent on where you live and how much...
Paul Glasziou and Jenny Doust look at why this diagnosis may not benefit them or their babies. When Sophie was pregnant with her first baby, she had an oral glucose tolerance blood test. A few days later, the hospital phoned telling her she had gestational diabetes. Despite...
