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bllsbailey · 2 months ago

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Biden-Harris admin accused of ‘too little, too late’ to save the people of war-torn, famine-stricken Sudan

JOHANNESBURG – In what is described by some as electioneering and a last-minute attempt to leave a legacy, some observers say President Biden and his administration’s officials are making renewed efforts at trying to end "the largest humanitarian and displacement crisis in the world today," the war in Sudan.

With the United Nations reporting some 25 million in desperate need of aid, and up to 150,000 said to have been killed since fighting broke out last year, and now agencies, including Health Policy Watch reporting that "over half of Sudan’s citizens face acute hunger," some analysts say it’s a classic case of too little, too late.

"The Administration is making an 11th hour attempt to put the situation on a better footing, not least because the humanitarian situation is so desperate," Cameron Hudson told Fox News Digital. Hudson, former director for African affairs at the National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration, and now senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, added, "There could be 2 million Sudanese dead from famine by the time he (Biden) leaves office."

Members of the Sudanese army hold a parade in Karima city on May 19, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images)

"Biden’s promises to Africa about elevating its importance on the global stage will ring even more hollow if he does not quickly take meaningful action to address this calamitous situation before he departs office," Hudson stated.

Each of the 11 million Sudanese said by the U.N. to have been ripped from their homes – in diplomatic speak, to have been displaced – has their own horror story.

Katie Striffolino, director of policy and advocacy for Mercy Corps, told Fox News Digital, "I met a mother who had given birth while she was being displaced in the back of a pickup truck with no medical care. She was with her newborn in an informal displacement site with no food or water. She was unable to breastfeed her infant who was visibly hungry because she didn’t have enough nutrition to produce breastmilk."

Mercy Corps is a global aid agency working in nine of Sudan’s 18 states, but Striffolino added that often aid workers are forced to stand by and watch empty-handed, as aid often can’t get through. "We can physically reach these people – and they are still starving to death. This indicates massive aid blockages that are manmade."

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been fighting the government’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for 18 months, have been accused of blocking or diverting much of the aid coming into the country.

Hundreds of people line up to register for a potential food aid delivery at the Agiri internal displacement camp, in April 2023. (© Guy Peterson for Mercy Corps)

An example of this comes from aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which reported from North Darfur’s Zamzam camp that it "is under a blockade, with no essential supplies or food reaching its residents." Zamzam is home to between 300,000 to 500,000 displaced people.

Sudan researcher Eric Reeves told Fox News Digital, "The people of Zamzam camp are desperate to see the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied Arab militias defeated, thereby creating security conditions that would allow humanitarian convoys to reach them. Children are starving to death now; malnourished mothers have stopped lactating and are much more vulnerable. Older people are also dying from malnutrition and disease."

Last month, while addressing the U.N. General Assembly, President Biden warned "stop blocking aid to the Sudanese people," adding, "The world needs to stop arming the generals, to speak with one voice and tell them: Stop tearing your country apart. End this war now."

Vice President Kamala Harris echoed Biden's words in a statement on X, where she also called for an end to the conflict, noting in part, "We stand with the Sudanese people and their right to a peaceful future."

But the CSIS’s Hudson claims that though these were strong words, Biden had been silent publicly on Sudan for well over a year. He told Fox News Digital "that plea came more than 15 months after the last time he referenced the conflict publicly, hardly a demonstration of consistent engagement with the world’s largest conflict."

A crowd of people wait to receive food cards at the Agiri internal displacement camp, one of the first camps to open in the Nuba Mountains. June 2024. (© Guy Peterson for Mercy Corps)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken taped a video message late last week for the people of Sudan, in which he said, "The whole world has been united in calling for an end to this conflict, and insisting on a negotiated solution. "

"Our support for the Sudanese people is steadfast, as they work to demand an end to conflict and develop a process to resume the stalled political transition," a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "We continue to reiterate that there is no military solution to the crisis in Sudan. We continue to be deeply concerned about the ongoing fighting in Khartoum, El Fasher, and elsewhere between the RSF and the SAF, which continues to kill civilians and destroy civilian infrastructure.

Sudan refugees say attacks leave thousands stranded in Ethiopian forest. People sit by makeshift shelters near Awlala Camp, Amhara region, Ethiopia, May 31, 2024. (Alfatih Alsemari/Handout via Reuters)

The spokesperson concluded, "The United States continues to be the largest donor of humanitarian aid to the Sudan response, providing more than $2 billion in humanitarian assistance, including protection, food aid, and other lifesaving support, since the start of Fiscal Year 2023 for needs in Sudan and neighboring countries."

But with the U.S. clearly still pushing peace talks, which have yet to be effective, Hudson referred to the warring combatants in Sudan and told Fox News Digital, "It is clear that neither side has any interest in political talks right now, as much as we want to have them. The administration would be wise to focus its efforts on increasing humanitarian access and saving as many lives as possible before it leaves office, rather than devoting its precious little attention to talks that are not likely to amount to genuine change on the ground."

SUDANESE PARAMILITARY CARRIES OUT ETHNIC CLEANSING IN DARFUR, RIGHTS GROUP SAYS

Mercy Corps’ Striffolino added there’s a risk of hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths in Sudan: "Children are starving, and they do not have the privilege to wait for the international community to act."

She continued, "People in Sudan are being starved to death, and it's entirely preventable. Conflict parties must stop attacking aid workers, civilians, and vital infrastructure, and allow humanitarian staff to deliver lifesaving aid across the country."

A man walks by a house hit in recent fighting in Khartoum, Sudan, April 25, 2023.

Hudson added, "It’s never too late to have an impact. There are a number of things Biden should do before he leaves office to prevent the parties (in Sudan) from rehabilitating their images so that they can reinvent themselves as legitimate political figures. That means supporting an International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment and sanctioning the leadership of both organizations. These moves would hang around their necks well after Biden is gone."

It’s been nearly two years since Biden stood smiling and making promises with African leaders at a Washington summit to re-engage with the continent, and elevate the partnership between the administration and Africa.

But Hudson concludes, "Ultimately, it is less the Biden administration’s policies toward Africa that will be judged, than the gap between those policies and the expectations the administration set. But the problem with unmet expectations is that they sting more than promises never made. This may be the most important lesson Biden’s successor can apply to Africa."

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bwoahtastic · 3 years ago

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Ok I know it’s probably gonna be Maxiel for the runaways au but I would just like to remind you of this:

Esteban sneaking into mick’s house with a newborn pup just trying to breastfeed it for a few minutes before he has to run again and maybe get some cuddles but he’s so scared and he’s too malnourished so his body isn’t even producing milk at this point.

The door opens and he expects to be attacked or to have his pup taken away but instead there’s an army of dogs and a very very scared alpha (who is also very pretty it must be said)

(I know this is xrabble request and imma defo keep it in mind xoxoxo but just wanted to answer djdjd)

I love this okay!!!!! I still fucking adore thisss (I had been so torn about whether to write the maxiel one first or this sjks) like poor Este hiding in the walk in closet attached to Mick's bedroom and he has been running for sooo long barely having at the time to even look at his one or two day old pup and the little closet is just a sudden oasis of calm and quiet and he gets to look at his pup's little face, thinking it might be the only time he gets to do so because he is so weak...

And then he tries to breastfeed his little baby and even though she tries to drink, his body kust can't produce milk to feed her anymore and his heartbroken cry is what alerts Mick and the dogs 🥺

Esteban being so scared but Mick is really scared too, hiding behind his little army of dogs but the dogs are so happy! All wagging their tails and laying down to protect and sooth Este and the pup in the little nest Este made of Mick's clothes and a very confused Mick softly asks what Esteban needs 😭 Este's little heart just breaking because he needs to ask for formula to feed his pup and he feels like he failed 🥺

Mick getting him literally anything he wants and more and just sitting close to the closet door to keep an eye on the poor thing, telling him softly that it's okay to feed the pup formula until he gains his strength 🥺 (he defo factimes Seb not only for advice on the pup but also for good recipes!)

And omg their moment of shared happiness when Este wakes up one day in his new little bedroom with the pup, and he runs to Mick's room because "look! Look I'm leaking milk!" And Mick just giggles and tells him to go feed hid pup then, him and the dogs there too to watch and Mick is judt in awe over how nice Este smells when he is happy!

#asks #runaway au: baby boom

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yparentingusa · 3 years ago

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Feeding Problem in Newborn Baby

The first month of a newborn's existence is critical. During this phase, a baby's body is rapidly growing and expanding. A newborn's digestive tract is still evolving at this time, and the baby is unable to digest food properly. Food and nutrients cannot be digested by a baby's body.

What are the feeding problems in infants?

Feeding difficulties are common in newborns and babies. There are a variety of elements that can influence how their digestive system functions and how they eat. This includes the following:

Gastric reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a condition in which stomach contents flow back into the esophagus.

Feeding problems, such as difficulties sucking, a lack of appetite, or a habit of spitting up.

Bottle feeding, nursing, and tube feeding are examples of feeding strategies.

What are the symptoms of feeding problems?

Feeding problems aren't always obvious. Infants may refuse to eat or vomit after they have consumed food. It may be tough for them to take the first bite of a bottle or breastfeed. They might be unpleasant, irritated, or lethargic. Feeding problems are more frequent in babies born prematurely or with a low birth weight. Prematurely born babies gain weight at a slower rate and do not have enough time to develop proper eating habits. Feeding problems might arise in newborns who were malnourished in the womb or who were born too small.

Severe Untreated Feeding Problems

Failure to thrive, low weight, poor weight gain, cerebral palsy, cognitive delay, learning issues, and developmental delay can all result in life-threatening consequences if left untreated. The treatment focuses on identifying the causes as quickly as feasible and taking concrete efforts to address them.

Guide About Feeding Problems in Newborns and Infants

New parents commonly express anxiety about their infants' feeding problems. A number of reasons might be to blame for the problem. We'll go through the most frequent causes of a newborn's feeding difficulties, how to cope with them, and some useful advice for new parents in this article. What is the greatest approach to feed a baby that has just been born? Newborn babies should be nursed exclusively for the first six months of their lives. After then, either breast milk or formula milk should be given to the baby. Take a look at the suggestions below for feeding a newborn.

Breast milk or formula are the best options.

Breast milk is the best option. If you are unable to breastfeed, your newborn may be given formula milk instead. Although formula milk is a great alternative for breast milk, it should only be given to a baby for the first six months of life.

Feed your baby when it's time.

When it comes to newborns, they are frequently fed on demand, which means they are fed just when they are hungry. You may either feed them on demand or on a schedule.

Give your baby a bottle or a pacifier to sleep with. Newborns are unable to suckle from their mothers' breasts. They must be fed with a bottle or a pacifier. A nipple with a soft tip is recommended when your baby is less than a week old. As your baby grows, you may gradually increase the amount of milk you give him. Allowing your infant to nurse from your breast is another option.

Vitamin D pills are a good idea. Vitamin D is necessary for the production of bones and teeth. It also helps with calcium absorption. The greatest source of vitamin D, on the other hand, is sun exposure. To avoid vitamin D deficiency, it's vital to get adequate sun exposure throughout pregnancy and the first few months of life.

Expect your newborn's eating habits to change. Every day, your baby will not consume the same amount of food. During growth spurts, which normally occur two to three weeks after birth, your youngster may take more at each feeding or need to be fed more frequently. Rather than obsessing over the clock, pay attention to early signs of hunger.

Trust your instincts – and those of your baby. A baby's "gut instinct" tells them when they are hungry or full after they are born. It's possible that your baby's natural instinct is to suckle for a few minutes and then stop. If this happens, it's probable that your youngster isn't hungry. So, if your baby isn't eating enough on a daily basis, don't worry. Because

During each feeding, consider bonding with your infant.

Newborns are still in the process of learning. At this time, they will be more conscious of their surroundings and the world around them. During feedings, make eye contact with your baby and talk gently to develop a sense of love, care, protection, and security. You'll also need to keep him calm so that he doesn't become overstimulated.

Maintain a regular eating schedule.

A newborn infant should be fed on a regular basis. A newborn infant can't keep up with the pace of a meal. It's critical that you feed him the same food every day at the same time. Every 2-3 hours, the infant should be fed.

Give him food that is appropriate for his age. The food that a newborn baby is given should be soft and easy to digest. You should avoid offering him hard or difficult-to-digest foods. He will experience gas, stomach discomfort, and even diarrhea as a result of it. This will make him feel uneasy.

Expect your newborn's eating habits to change. A newborn infant's feeding requirements will fluctuate from day to day. As the infant becomes older, it depends on his or her age. The infant will demand more feedings as the days pass. As a consequence, if your child is not gaining weight, you should consult a physician. The doctor will be able to guide you in the right direction. Finally, there are a range of techniques to dealing with feeding problems in newborns and babies. One of the most common techniques is to use a formula. Some people are against it because they believe that breastfeeding is the greatest thing for the baby. Others believe that the advantages of nursing are numerous.

#Feeding problems

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healthyeating43-blog · 6 years ago

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Is Your Child’s Diet Affecting Their Sleep?

New Post has been published on https://dietguideto.com/awesome/is-your-childs-diet-affecting-their-sleep/

Is Your Child’s Diet Affecting Their Sleep?

As a responsible mother, you might be worried why your child cannot sleep well despite having bought her the best sleep mattress for kids. Could what she eats be depriving her of a good night sleep?

Right from the day a child is bear, the parents are keen to ensure that the baby feeds well. In other words , no mother would wish to have a malnourished child. That is why, every mama ensures the baby breastfeeds well, and as their own children grows, the mother introduces healthy solids. A well-fed newborn will grow healthy and strong.

However, did you know that the child’s meals and the food selections would also have a significant impact on her sleep? The food that your newborn eats and the time of feeding have an effect on how well the baby will sleep.

In this article, we shall explain what you need to know about the impact of meals on a child’s sleep. Let us get started.

1. Could Be She Feeding on More Caffeine than You Believe

Most mothers will deny that their children are taking more caffeine than the amount the parents are consuming. Caffeine is not only in the energy beverages you are taking. Caffeine is not only in coffee and tea. Chocolate and ice creams contain caffeine! Therefore, if you are treating their own children to chocolates and ice cream, she is already taking more caffeine than you imagine. Caffeine is known to deprive people sleep and therefore it is not good for children too.

2. Fatty Foods Affect Child’s Sleep

Eating fatty foods also affects the quality of sleep in children. Hence, feeding a child with chips or cookies could be the reason why she cannot sleep well even after upgrading her to a hybrid bed with a double foam mattress. Therefore, before bedtime, avoid cookies and chips but instead offer an alternative

3. Avoid the Foods that Trigger Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone that is responsible for stress and plays an important role in the human body. It is responsible for controlling energy production in the human body. It also helps in body muscle building and house resistance to illness. The different levels of Cortisol will rise and reduce within a 24 hours period. If the hormone levels rise at night, the quality of sleep will definitely be affected negatively. The foods with a high level of the glycemic indicator and chiefly the sugars and the refined starches can lead to an increase in the level of this hormone. Hence, do not feed the baby with foods that will have this negative effect.

4. To Control the Cortisol Levels, Space Food Out During the Day

A big dinner before bedtime is not recommended, and this is because of the reasons highlighted above. On the other side, if you miss a snack for more than five hours between the daytime, it might lead to sleeplessness at night. Ensure that the child eats healthy snacks during the day to help avoid sleep problems. For the school-going children, you can pack some snacks for their own children to eat while in school.

5. Avoid the Heavy Dinner Before Bed

Worried about sleeplessness caused by going to bed on an empty stomach, mothers will serve dinner just before bedtime. However, did you know that a child’s body requires time to digest the heavy foods? If your baby feeds on a heavy meal just before bedtime, her body will instead try to digest the food and so affecting the sleep quality. This is because the body is focused on digestion and hence fails to relax, as it should affect sleep quality.

So far, we have discussed the foods that affect sleep patterns in children. So what are some of the best foods that are contributing to good night sleep in children? Let us now discuss the foods that will help your child sleep better.

1. Tryptophan-rich Foods

Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps the body to create brain chemicals like Serotonin. This hormone induces deeper and more restful sleep through the establishment of melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone that is responsible for the sleep-wake cycles. The foods that are rich in tryptophan include milk, cheese, eggs, nuts, fish, as well as beans. These foods are rich in protein and should be easy to remember when you are feeding your child.

2. Carbohydrate-Rich Foods

These foods are known to aid sleep in adults. The foods that are rich in carbohydrates include rice, bread, pasta, potatoes, and dairy products. Carbohydrates are also known to facilitate the production of tryptophan. The foods that are rich in carbohydrates improve the quality s sleep and so taken together with healthy fats, they will encourage their own children to sleep better.

3. Foods Rich in Calcium

The foods that are rich in calcium help children to sleep better. The foods that furnish the human body with the calcium include yogurt, milk, cheese, as well as kale and the other leafy greens. Hence, make sure that your child feeds in the calcium-rich foods.

4. Foods Rich in Melatonin

Pineal gland releases melatonin the hormone that is responsible for signaling the human brain that it is time to sleep. It is made naturally in the body and it is found in the foods like bananas, tomatoes, oats, walnuts as well as cherries. In adults, taking a glass of cherry juice assists sleep and it is recommended for the persons with insomnia.

5. Foods rich in Magnesium

Low levels of magnesium in the body are are connected to insomnia and therefore the insomnia patients are encouraged to eat foods that help to maintain normal levels of magnesium. Foods that are rich in magnesium include whole grains and almonds.

6. Children who Drink Milk Before Bedtime Sleep better

If your mommy gave you a warm glass of milk before bedtime, thank her. She knew that milk aids sleep in infants. It is rich in tryptophan as well as calcium. Tryptophan aids sleep in kids and by maintaining calcium at good levels, helps you sleep better.

Feed your child well and space the dinners well to ensure he or she sleeps well at night. It is important you find a balanced diet for your child always.

Read more: babysleepsite.com

#baby diet #baby feeding #baby food sleep #baby sleep diet #food and sleep

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ungracefulswan-blog · 6 years ago

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How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression

My mom bottle-fed my sister and I when we were babies. This on its own wouldn't be remarkable, but an undiagnosed cornstarch allergy caused my sister to become dangerously ill as an infant. Instead of the nutrients she should have been receiving from formula, the allergy was causing her to lose her hair, break out in rashes, have stomach problems and sleepless nights, and be malnourished. This went on for months before doctors or my parents discovered the culprit. When my parents realized that cornstarch was the common denominator in all the baby formulas they used, my sister stopped drinking them and was was able to improve.

This horror story-and my meager finances-is why I decided to breastfeed once I was pregnant with my first child. I was lucky enough to be gifted a portable breast pump and milk storage equipment from baby shower guests, and I was also incredibly determined to make this work. I had very complicated feelings about motherhood because of my relationship with my own mother, so I couldn't allow any failure on my part. I started off motherhood extremely sleep deprived. Breastfeeding wasn't fun, and-to be real-my nipples were not prepared for the nightmare they were about to endure.

Still, the six weeks I spent at home lazily nursing my sweet, little son were more blissful than anything else. I'd lie in bed with him-tracing his delicate features with the tips of my fingers while he slept-and when he was hungry, out came his food source. I'd let him eat until his tummy was full and then get back to cuddling.

Pumping was simple during this time too. While his dad or grandparents were busy fawning over him, I pumped. I wasn't making as much milk as I hoped, but it was enough to start freezing some to prepare for my return to work. I knew that if I kept at it, it would get easier.

PhotoAlto/Getty Images

I had my pump, I had my milk storage equipment, and I had my plan. As much as I loved being with my kiddo, I was itching to go back to work and was prepared to take breastfeeding to the office. Millions of moms do it every day, so how hard could it be?

Apparently, ridiculously hard. Before my baby was born, I was a workhorse. I dealt with HR issues like hiring and discipline as well as day to day operations. I worked through breaks and lunches. I stayed late and came in early. I multitasked like a pro.

When I returned after my maternity leave, I felt pressure to live up to those same work standards I held before the baby.

I found myself pushing my pumping breaks to later and later in the day. My breasts would swell and become engorged with milk. I started wearing breast shields to prevent leaking through my shirt whenever I heard or saw a baby. There was no dedicated place to pump at my job, so the bathroom or my car had to make do. While there's nothing more natural than feeding my child, it felt totally unnatural to sit in the bathroom stall, listening to the loud, rhythmic suctioning noise of my breast pump as it extracted his next meal.

This less than ideal situation eventually caused my milk to dry up. After nine weeks, my son had to rely heavily on formula. I wasn't anti-formula at all, but I mourned that lost time with my son. The intimate moments, the skin-to-skin contact. Losing these interactions-along with increased sleep deprivation and the stress of returning back to work-threw me into a horrible case of the Baby Blues.

This postpartum depression would go untreated for years.

My second pregnancy wasn't any easier. I felt extra guilt because my doctor ordered light duty and bed rest during a bulk of it. Once my daughter arrived, her birth was followed by the same blissful six weeks and eventual chaotic return to work. I tried hard to redeem the devoted employee reputation I had before pregnancy. I didn't even want to make time for pumping, so when my milk finally dried up, I was both relieved and, once again, guilt-ridden.

My guilt over no longer breastfeeding my daughter added to the depression I'd been ignoring since my first pregnancy. What was a beautiful experience became a burden.

Disgusted by that feeling, I approached breastfeeding my third child with renewed vigor. Our time at home was like a waking dream, and my two older kids were able to share in the experience. The bonding we experienced during that time is irreplaceable.

I also hoped that work might improve, too. With the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, dedicated pumping rooms were now a requirement-I'd no longer have to sneak away to my car . I was even taking my regular breaks to pump. I passed the nine week mark and felt a sense of success. I could do this. It was hard, but I could do this.

But a week later, after a particularly terrible day, I had to push back all of my breaks. I was swollen, sore, sad, and in desperate need of the pumping room. Exhausted, I settled in, set up, and started on my first breast, finally finding relief.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

The pumping room's light switch was outside the door, and someone had turned it off. Defeated, I pumped in the dark, breaking down into tears as the suction continued its rhythm. Shortly after, I decided to stop breastfeeding. I took a prescription medication to help my milk dry up.

Months later, I took a medical leave for extreme anxiety and depression.

TEK IMAGE/Getty Images

Baby's bottle.

When I saw a therapist, she discovered that my untreated postpartum depression was a factor in my mental break. The stress and guilt I felt from failed breastfeeding only added to it.

Breastfeeding is hard. It's emotionally and physically draining. It's time consuming and demanding. It's inconvenient and messy. With the necessary equipment, it can be expensive. Society doesn't always accommodate breastfeeding parents, and mothers are forced to adapt to ridiculous standards.

But it's also fulfilling. It's warmth and bonding. It's love and comfort. It's touch and memory. It's a time that I would not trade for the world, and would give an awful lot to get back.

I'm still working through the depression and anxiety I live with. The mommy guilt will never go away, but when I think back to those breastfeeding days, my thoughts focus less and less on the misery. Instead, I remember sleepy days in bed, cuddling three little babes, and giving them all the love they needed. Breast or bottle, I think any mom can relate to that.

The post How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression appeared first on HelloGiggles.

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theinternetismylyfe-blog · 6 years ago

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How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression

PhotoAlto/Getty Images

When I returned after my maternity leave, I felt pressure to live up to those same work standards I held before the baby.

This postpartum depression would go untreated for years.

My guilt over no longer breastfeeding my daughter added to the depression I'd been ignoring since my first pregnancy. What was a beautiful experience became a burden.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

Months later, I took a medical leave for extreme anxiety and depression.

TEK IMAGE/Getty Images

Baby's bottle.

When I saw a therapist, she discovered that my untreated postpartum depression was a factor in my mental break. The stress and guilt I felt from failed breastfeeding only added to it.

But it's also fulfilling. It's warmth and bonding. It's love and comfort. It's touch and memory. It's a time that I would not trade for the world, and would give an awful lot to get back.

The post How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression appeared first on HelloGiggles.

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gayyogurt-blog · 6 years ago

Text

How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression

PhotoAlto/Getty Images

When I returned after my maternity leave, I felt pressure to live up to those same work standards I held before the baby.

This postpartum depression would go untreated for years.

My guilt over no longer breastfeeding my daughter added to the depression I'd been ignoring since my first pregnancy. What was a beautiful experience became a burden.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

Months later, I took a medical leave for extreme anxiety and depression.

TEK IMAGE/Getty Images

Baby's bottle.

When I saw a therapist, she discovered that my untreated postpartum depression was a factor in my mental break. The stress and guilt I felt from failed breastfeeding only added to it.

But it's also fulfilling. It's warmth and bonding. It's love and comfort. It's touch and memory. It's a time that I would not trade for the world, and would give an awful lot to get back.

The post How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression appeared first on HelloGiggles.

0 notes

inkundu1 · 6 years ago

Text

How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression

PhotoAlto/Getty Images

When I returned after my maternity leave, I felt pressure to live up to those same work standards I held before the baby.

This postpartum depression would go untreated for years.

My guilt over no longer breastfeeding my daughter added to the depression I'd been ignoring since my first pregnancy. What was a beautiful experience became a burden.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

Months later, I took a medical leave for extreme anxiety and depression.

TEK IMAGE/Getty Images

Baby's bottle.

When I saw a therapist, she discovered that my untreated postpartum depression was a factor in my mental break. The stress and guilt I felt from failed breastfeeding only added to it.

But it's also fulfilling. It's warmth and bonding. It's love and comfort. It's touch and memory. It's a time that I would not trade for the world, and would give an awful lot to get back.

The post How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression appeared first on HelloGiggles.

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cowgirluli-blog · 6 years ago

Text

How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression

PhotoAlto/Getty Images

When I returned after my maternity leave, I felt pressure to live up to those same work standards I held before the baby.

This postpartum depression would go untreated for years.

My guilt over no longer breastfeeding my daughter added to the depression I'd been ignoring since my first pregnancy. What was a beautiful experience became a burden.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

Months later, I took a medical leave for extreme anxiety and depression.

TEK IMAGE/Getty Images

Baby's bottle.

When I saw a therapist, she discovered that my untreated postpartum depression was a factor in my mental break. The stress and guilt I felt from failed breastfeeding only added to it.

But it's also fulfilling. It's warmth and bonding. It's love and comfort. It's touch and memory. It's a time that I would not trade for the world, and would give an awful lot to get back.

The post How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression appeared first on HelloGiggles.

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dragons-in-bowties-blog · 6 years ago

Text

How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression

PhotoAlto/Getty Images

When I returned after my maternity leave, I felt pressure to live up to those same work standards I held before the baby.

This postpartum depression would go untreated for years.

My guilt over no longer breastfeeding my daughter added to the depression I'd been ignoring since my first pregnancy. What was a beautiful experience became a burden.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

Months later, I took a medical leave for extreme anxiety and depression.

TEK IMAGE/Getty Images

Baby's bottle.

When I saw a therapist, she discovered that my untreated postpartum depression was a factor in my mental break. The stress and guilt I felt from failed breastfeeding only added to it.

But it's also fulfilling. It's warmth and bonding. It's love and comfort. It's touch and memory. It's a time that I would not trade for the world, and would give an awful lot to get back.

The post How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression appeared first on HelloGiggles.

0 notes

fuckyeahslightlyamusing-blog · 6 years ago

Text

How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression

PhotoAlto/Getty Images

When I returned after my maternity leave, I felt pressure to live up to those same work standards I held before the baby.

This postpartum depression would go untreated for years.

My guilt over no longer breastfeeding my daughter added to the depression I'd been ignoring since my first pregnancy. What was a beautiful experience became a burden.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

Months later, I took a medical leave for extreme anxiety and depression.

TEK IMAGE/Getty Images

Baby's bottle.

When I saw a therapist, she discovered that my untreated postpartum depression was a factor in my mental break. The stress and guilt I felt from failed breastfeeding only added to it.

But it's also fulfilling. It's warmth and bonding. It's love and comfort. It's touch and memory. It's a time that I would not trade for the world, and would give an awful lot to get back.

The post How my breastfeeding struggles contributed to my postpartum depression appeared first on HelloGiggles.

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alamante · 6 years ago

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Ivanka Trump complained in a tweet Monday about “much misinformation” concerning the Trump administration’s opposition earlier this year to a United Nations resolution that encouraged breastfeeding around the world.

Twitter went bonkers.

The first daughter directed her Twitter followers to a “clarifying” opinion piece by federal health officials published Friday in the New York Post. Trump didn’t detail what misinformation she was referring to.

The U.S. delegation’s opposition in May to the resolution at the World Health Assembly, instead backing the interests of infant formula companies, stunned world health officials, The New York Times reported. A Health and Human Services spokesman had told the Times that the resolution created “hurdles” to purchasing infant formula, which is aggressively marketed around the world.

Ecuador, which had planned to introduce the resolution, was threatened with the loss of U.S. military aid and punishing tariffs on its products if it didn’t abandon the measure, government sources told The Times. Russia eventually introduced the resolution, which was passed largely intact, the newspaper said.

U.S. officials insisted they were protecting consumer access to infant formula — which is less healthy for babies and too expensive for many families.

“The administration fully endorses breastfeeding,” said the opinion piece by Brett Giroir, an assistant secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services, and Alma Golden, a deputy assistant administrator at the U.S. Agency for International Development. But the article also confirmed that the U.S. objected to sections of the resolution restricting marketing of infant formula. American infant formula companies spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on lobbying each year. Abbott Laboratories alone, which makes Similac and other formulas, spent $790,000 on lobbying this year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Twitter followers weren’t buying the article — especially because it was pitched by Ivanka Trump, who also acts as a White House adviser, in the wake of her father’s immigration policies separating mothers from their children. Responses were nearly universally negative.

It wasn’t misinformation. This Administration tried to strong arm other countries so that formula companies could make more money!

— Human Being (@dkahn369) July 23, 2018

After reading the article, I can’t help but wonder about the disconnect between a mother malnourished to the point of not being able to breastfeed somehow being able to afford formula.

— Gregory J. Neumann (@neumann_gregory) July 23, 2018

“The Trump administration stands with all mothers” is downright laughable on so many levels.

— Jennifer (@jerseymom473) July 23, 2018

Misinformation???? Is that the new deflection catchword?

— Truth Integrity Logic (@LogicIntegrity) July 23, 2018

Anyone surprised when this Administration gets called out and quietly distance themselves from the unimaginable position they held, its not a mistake they made but misinformation.

What, is #FakeNews not working on your 12% base anymore?

— @telemetrytimes (@telemtimes) July 23, 2018

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document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () { $('body').on('click', function(event) { fbq('track', "Click", data); }); }); }) (); Source link

The post Twitter Attacks Ivanka Trump Over ‘Clarifying’ Op-Ed On Breastfeeding Policy appeared first on MySourceSpot.

#News

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babymilkaction · 7 years ago

Text

IBFAN at the 142nd WHO Executive Board Meeting

142nd session of the Executive Board

22–27 January 2018, Geneva, Switzerland

CLICK HERE for the webcasts of all the meetings.

Elizabeth Sterken, IBFAN Dr Tredos Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General, Maryse Arendt, IBFAN/ILCA and Patti Rundall, Thursday 25th January.

This has been a hectic week once more at the WHO Executive Board (EB)- and we have needed to give interventions every day on one topic or another. Our major concern, as always, alongside the protection of breastfeeding, is to protect WHO’s integrity, trustworthy and independence so that it carries out its constitutional Mandate as the world’s highest health policy setting body.

This year is a reporting year on Infant and Young Child Feeding so there was much to do and it was good to have a small but strong IBFAN team. But there were also many related and cross cutting Agenda items: Climate Change, the Prevention on Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs); Health Emergencies, WHO’s Framework for Engagement with Non State Actors (FENSA), the draft proposals to address Conflicts of Interest in Nutrition and the General Program of Work 2019-2013 (GPW). We made interventions on all these items – see below.

One good thing – two references to breastfeeding were inserted into the GPW- a result of advocacy by IBFAN, other NGOs and Member States. However, the clear differences of opinion between Member States led to some very worrying developments.

All documentation

Click here to watch the live webcast for 142nd WHO Executive Board

Click here for statements from Non State Actors

Elisabeth Sterken, Maryse Arendt, Patti Rundall and Alessia Bigi. IBFAN and ILCA team

IBFAN Interventions

Agenda Item 142/3.1 Draft 13th General Programme of Work 2019-2023 (GPW)

The WHO website has one link CLICK HERE for all 6 days of the EB – so to see the webcast you need to navigate to each agenda item on the correct day.

I delivered the GPW statement during the morning session 23rd January

CLICK HERE for PDF

As one of WHO’s longest-standing public interest partners, IBFAN places great value on WHO’s Core constitutional norm-setting functions and its independence, integrity and trustworthiness.

We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the latest draft of the GWP. While some of the concerns we and others raised in the consultation have been partially addressed, omissions remain, for example the importance of sound nutrition and especially laws to protect breastfeeding. However, most importantly, the plan fails to fully identify the risks of engagement and partnership with the private sector and the threat this poses to WHOs lead role in proposing and building the international Rule of Law.

In relation to undue influence, the GPW relies on the protection afforded by FENSA. Yet FENSA, like the SUN Initiative, uses a faulty concept of Conflict of Interest that needs to be corrected. It confuses conflicts of interest within an institution or person with conflicts between actors who have diverging or fiduciary duties. WHO’s internal conflict between its mandate and prime functions and its secondary interest to be adequately funded should not be ignored. Paragraph 129 recognises that the ‘quality of funds’ is more important than their ‘quantity’ and calls Member states to un-earmark their funding and increase assessed contributions. However the GPW call for private sector funding is clear.

The notion that funding and engagement with the private sector will speed up action in areas such as NCDs is not supported by evidence – indeed such engagement is more likely to slow things down – especially when it comes to regulation. Voluntary promises attract much publicity, but unless backed up by regulation can be little more than diversionary public relations – here today and gone tomorrow. WHO must not allow itself to be used as a cover for corporations whose practices damage health and the environment. The world’s poorest people are the ones who pick up the costs of misleading marketing, deforestation, mono-cropping, land and sea grabbing and risky technologies.

Agenda Item EB 3.3 (142/9) WHO’s work in health emergencies.

I delivered this statement on Health Emergencies in the morning session of Wednesday 24th January Move to 12.38.00 CLICK HERE for PDF

As a global network that protects breastfeeding, IBFAN is pleased to comment on this important topic.

Breastfeeding is a lifeline in emergencies. Babies are born with an undeveloped immune system and are at greatest risk of water-related diseases – with diarrhoeal disease the second biggest killer of under-fives. Breastfeeding provides both food, care and immune support, and protects babies from the worst of emergency conditions.

Despite this, all too often emergency responses are characterized by unsolicited donations of all manner of baby feeding products. Public appeals for funds often make this worse – with starving babies shown alongside the myths used by the baby food industry – that women can’t breastfeed because of stress or malnourishment. Rarely do appeals highlight the resilience of breastfeeding or that artificially fed babies face many more risks to survival.

IBFAN’s World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative assessment of policies and programmes on Infant feeding during emergencies show that implementation of UN recommendations on this is dismal.

WHO can play a key role in reversing this situation by promoting emergency preparedness protocols that protect breastfeeding and improve food security. The new updated Operational Guidance for Emergency Relief Staff and Programme Managers is designed to give all those working in emergencies concise, practical guidance on appropriate infant and young child feeding and ensure that when breastmilk substitutes are required they are purchased, distributed and used according to the UN’s agreed strict criteria.

Emergencies are prime opportunities for commercial exploitation and the Business of Malnutrition is thriving. While the speedy delivery of products can be essential, over-emphasis on fortified products and quick-fix treatments of malnutrition – often traded globally and containing 25% sugar – can undermine breastfeeding and sustainable, local, bio-diverse foods that are more culturally appropriate.

We look forward to working with WHO to ensure that families in emergencies have the support and protection they need.

With Dr Tedros – after breastfeeding was inserted into the General Work Plan – note the Conflict of Interest Coalition statement in my hand.

Agenda Item: 3.5 Health, environment and climate change

IBFAN Chair Elisabeth Sterken delivering the Climate Change intervention

Elisabeth Sterken delivered the IBFAN intervention on Climate Change on Wednesday 24th January

Click here for the PDF

Breastfeeding and Human milk’s contribution to environment sustainability and food security year-round should be considered in climate-smart development goals at national and global level. The promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding has significant impact on mitigating harm to the environment. When women breastfeed their contribution to the reduction of Green House Gasses (GHG) and water conservation is substantial and an unacknowledged contribution that women make to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Breastmilk is a natural, renewable food, environmentally safe and produced and delivered without pollution, unnecessary packaging or waste.Breastmilk substitutes leave a major ecological footprint. Breastmilk substitutes (BMS) need energy to manufacture, materials for packaging, fuel for transport distribution and water, fuel and cleaning agents for daily preparation and use. More than 4000 liters of water are estimated to be needed along the production pathway to produce just 1kg of BMS powder. In the US alone, 550 million cans, 86000 tons of metal and 364000 tons of paper are used annually to package the product, that ends up in landfills. Furthermore, the methane gas emanating from dairy herds is a potent form of GHG.

These effects are all mitigated when women and babies are supported for optimal feeding. Breastfeeding is especially important and protective with the increasing food insecurity and extreme weather conditions that the world’s most vulnerable women and their children face. Policies and practices that implement the International Code and resolutions and support women to breastfeed are unique ways to contribute to meaningful approaches to mitigate the impact of climate change and a cornerstone to global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG13 ) on climate change. IBFAN’s study of the impact of infant formula production on GHG emissions can be found HERE :ibfan.org/docs/Carbon-Footprints-Due-to-Milk-Formula.pdf

Agenda Item EB 3.8. Preparation for the third High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases, to be held in 2018 (EB142/15); Preliminary evaluation of the GCM (EB142/15 Add.1)

I delivered this statement on NCDs (ag 3.8 ) on Thursday 25th January (afternoon /evening)

CLICK HERE FOR PDF

IBFAN has supported WHO’s leadership role in the control of NCDs. We attended the 1st UN General Assembly on NCDs launching the Conflict of Interest Coalition, demonstrating the concern of161 NGOs to keep policy setting free from commercial influence.

Table 5 lists contradictory obstacles to the implementation of WHO’s Best Buys. Section 5 clearly points to industry interference in policymaking while No 3, makes sweeping assumptions that developing countries have no ‘policy backbone…and lack the capacity to find common ground between policy-makers and private sector.” Suggesting partnerships with the private sector as the best way forward, with no evidence of efficacy.

If governments are to be in the drivers seat they need a clear assessment of the national situation based on hard data, with goals, a clear strategy (hopefully including good laws to protect breastfeeding) and careful consideration of whether and what role private sector should play in its implementation. Finding ‘Common ground’ with the private sector – especially on regulatory issues – seems unlikely to us.

Since bad diets are one of the biggest causes of death and disease, WHO should remind Member States there is no time to waste. Incremental changes, self-regulation and monitoring according to industry’s criteria will be simply inadequate.

The power exerted by rich producer nations when global trading standards are set at Codex is evident. Developing countries advocating WHO recommendations are overlooked and WHO is increasingly called on to defend their integration.

Not surprisingly the analysis of WHO’s Global Coordinating Mechanism “finds the effectiveness of the activities and outputs.. to be MODEST.” Similarly, after over 10 years, the European Commission’s Platform for Action on Diet Physical Activity and Health shows no evidence of real effect. Meetings are now reduced from 4 to 2 per year. Is this a sign of disenchantment with multi-stakeholder initiatives involving corporations? Surely better to work with with town planners, small farmers and public health experts.

Agenda Item: 4.6.1 Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition: biennial report CLICK HERE for PDF

Implementing supports for breastfeeding is vital for progress in carrying out the comprehensive plan. Progress remains slow with only 40% of infants under 6 mo exclusively breastfed. Thus 60% are not meeting the recommendations of the WHO GS for IYCF. Additionally we are concerned that sustained breastfeeding to 2 y or beyond is not included in the global target. IBFAN’s World Breastfeedin Trends Initiative which tracks policies and practices in over 84 countries to date reports an average rate of breastfeeding initiation within the 1st hour at just above 50%. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months to be 38%, and the median duration of breastfeeding to be 15.5 months. On policies that are needed to support mothers, IBFAN’s monitoring found that only 21 out of 84 countries have a policy that includes infant feeding in emergencies yet this need is increasing. Of 84 countries only 10% provide more than 26 weeks of maternity leave. Women in the informal sector, which form 90% of the world’s working women, have no maternity protection. Only 46 countries reported having some breastfeeding and child care facilities at work. For the elimination of commercial interference in IYCF through the implementation of the International Code, IBFAN since 2015 has worked with 77 countries on implementing some or all of its provisions and of 2016, 40 countries have implemented most of the Code. We are pleased to have worked with recent entrants – Armenia, Bolivia, Kosovo, Kuwait and Vietnam and have witnessed the opposition from baby food industries in their struggle to achieve this. Additionally another 31 have partially implemented the Code and 56 others, including EU members only some aspects as regulations, while 12 have voluntary measures. IBFAN does have concerns regarding the proposed revisions to the BFHI, however we are pleased that WHO has increased work on Code implementation through NETCODE and to make significant contributions to its independent monitoring work.

Agenda Item EB 4.6 Safeguarding against possible conflicts of interest in nutrition programmes (EB142/23) CLICK HERE for PDF

Since the first WHA resolution on CoI in 1996, IBFAN has worked on preventing and managing conflicts of interest in the nutrition arena.

We maintain that WHO’s CoI guidance is problematic because it is not based on legal definitions of conflicts of interest which refer to conflicts within a person or an institution, between their OBLIGATIONS (e.g. WHO constitutional mandate, roles and functions), and secondary interests (e.g. gaining access to funding). They are NOT conflicts between actors who have diverging interests. If WHO does not correct this definition the institution’s integrity, independence and trustworthiness will be endangered.

The approach also introduces a problematic engagement typology, and folds “integrity” into a cost-benefit analysis. Any concern about integrity is thus likely to be overwhelmed by arguments about potential benefits.

The implementation of the proposed Approach will lead to a harmful redefinition of CoI at national level, an increase of financial CoI, and a weakening of any existing national safeguards. It will promote the development of measures that increase rather than reduce risks of conflicts of interest and undue influences, in particular by commercial corporate actors and venture philanthropies, on policy decisions and programme implementation. It will add to the confusion created by FENSA and the Scaling up Nutrition’s CoI guidance, and undermine government’s efforts to build effective CoI safeguards in the area of nutrition.

IBFAN calls on the EB to request WHO to:

correct the CoI concept, the ‘engagement’ typology and clearly distinguish between CoI assessment and risk assessment;

undertake a thorough review of this Approach by Legal CoI experts and public discussion of the findings;

Finally, IBFAN hopes that the EB will not simply note the Draft Approach

Agenda Item EB 28/29 Engagement with non-State actors (FENSA)

Alessia Bigi reading the IBFAN statement on FENSA at 19.40 Friday 26th January

This is an important agenda item – quite short – so worth listening to the whole thing. – webcast on the debate on Non State Actors (move to 35.00.00) Dr Tedros’ concluding remarks – (move to 35 minutes) mirror the US position that being ‘risk averse’ is dangerous for WHO and that it is better to just manage COI. However he also talks about the need to regulate. The US intervention is at 19.14.00 – urging neither a “risk averse nor cavalier approach” The intervention from India is at 20.00.00. IBFAN at 22.55.00 followed by Medicus Mundi/People’s Health Movement and ThirdWorld Network.

This statement was delivered by Alessia Bigi at the very end of Friday 26th move to 22.50.00 CLICK HERE

IBFAN and many other public interest NGOs have consistently expressed concerns about the unresolved conceptual problems of FENSA, whose COI definitions mirror the flaws in Sun’s Guidance on Conflicts of Interest. SUN confuses conflicts of interest with disagreements and differences, depending on Trust and Collaboration rather than caution.

Not wanting to repeat concerns expressed in other agenda items, we look forward to FENSA being opened up to public and expert input and scrutiny in the initial evaluation due in 2019.

FENSA follows decades – long debates about how WHO should appropriately approach its engagements with the private sector, and in particular with public-private hybrid entities. OECD COI Guidelines describe sponsorships and lobbying as particular “at risk areas” for conflicts of interest – yet these issues are woefully absent.

As we feared, the Non-State Actors (NSA) terminology is creating many problems, as is the lack of due diligence in the approval of NSA Official Relations applications.

Providing different colour badges for NSA types would be at least one step towards transparency. Similarly, all participants, including those with public badges, should be listed. In what appears to be a growing trend, Senior members of ISDI – an NSA that lost its Official Relations status in 2013 – are attending this EB. At the Codex meeting in December – dozens of industry representatives (far more than in the official ISDI delegation) attended with Public Badges and were not listed. We urge Member States to ensure their delegations to WHO and Codex are free from commercial influence.

We welcome the assurances given by Dr Tedros and Dr Axelrod that WHOwill be safeguarded. In order to achieve this, we urgently suggest that WHO enlists COI experts to correct the wrong COi conceptualization in FENSA. If a corrected version could be ready by the forthcoming WHA, MS would then more safely proceed with COI in nutrition.

Statement from Medicus Mundi/People’s Health Movement and Third World Network

Thank you Chair, MMI appreciates this opportunity to speak on agenda 5.5. The statement is supported by TWN and PHM.

We thank the Secretariat for the reports. We would like to underline the importance of making available reports that are both comprehensive and detailed, to facilitate an informed discussion regarding implementation of FENSA. We thank the Secretariat for expanding the amount of information being provided. Nonetheless there is still scope for enhancing the quality of information provided. There is an urgent need to provide detailed information in areas such as the number of engagement in each category of engagements; and the details of secondments — including the rank and position of personnel seconded from NSAs to WHO.

We want to express the concern that Para 13 of FENSA which deals with the identification of NSAs which are not at arm’s length with the private sector, is yet to be implemented. Further, a perusal of the Guide on FENSA developed for WHO staff indicates that a comprehensive policy on Conflict of Interest is yet to be developed by WHO. We call upon the Secretariat to develop a comprehensive COI policy, which is crucial for implementation of FENSA.

Finally, we wish to express our concern on the participation of entities linked to the alcohol industry at WHO’s Global Conference on NCDs in October 2017. Further, we also wish to express similar concerns regarding links to industry, related to the co-chair of the civil society Working Group for the third High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on NCDs in 2018. We call upon the Secretariat to take steps to protect WHO’s integrity and credibility.

IBFAN at the 142nd WHO Executive Board Meeting was originally published on Baby Milk Action

#breastfeeding #infant formula #Nestle

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