Proposed Law Promotes Breastfeeding in Israeli Hospitals

Likud MK Danny Danon has introduced a law preventing formula companies from advertising in maternity wards. If passed by the full Knesset, hospitals will no longer accept free formula and other gifts from manufacturers. Currently companies compete for the chance to "donate" formula and valuable … [Read more...]

Is the “Breastfeeding Doll” Tznius?

The breastfeeding doll has arrived in the US. First produced in Spain, it has become quite popular in Europe.   The doll is made by Berjuan Toys, a company out of Spain. It comes with a special halter top that has two flowers where nipples would be. When a little girl puts on the top and … [Read more...]

Haredi Public Shortchanged by Formula Freebies

Q: How was the haredi public mekupach (shortchanged)? A: Because Superpharm, the drugstore chain, included only regular dairy infant formula in its giveaway for new parents. Haredi parents require mehadrin formula, produced under a higher level of kashrut supervision. Readers reported this … [Read more...]

Breastfeeding Basics with Christina Smillie

Many years ago I was asked to visit a new mother having trouble breastfeeding her baby. Not having much experience, I called a colleague for advice. The instructions she gave me for the mother went something like this: Sit in a straight-backed chair, with a pillow behind your back. Rest your feet on … [Read more...]

Purim Links, Baby Names and More

Purim is coming soon! Here are links for the holiday and more. I posted about Israeli Baby Names at the Nameberry blog. Our Shiputzim translates the Megillah into Heblish. Jacob Richman has a wonderful collection of videos and websites for Purim. In light of the earthquake in … [Read more...]

Emotional Deficits, Matchmaking, Advocacy and More

I hope you'll enjoy today's collection of links. My good friend Anne, famous for taking the Burka pictures that got me started on the topic of hyper-tzniut, has begun her own blog for Israel advocacy known as Anne's Opinions.  Born in London, Anne has strong feelings about the British … [Read more...]

Breastfeeding in Synagogue Just Fine, Says Rabbi Aviner

I have written about breastfeeding in the synagogue many times, including a guest post on DovBear that earned over 200 comments. One of the main arguments against nursing in shul is that it is somehow improper—even though I've never seen a source prohibiting it. Eating is prohibited in shul … [Read more...]

Extreme Breastfeeding, Extreme Modesty and More

I've collected these links for your reading enjoyment: Almost Eden gives tips for keeping warm in the Israeli winter. Rafi reports about a wedding invitation asking women to dress in “shalim.” Leah Goodman wrote a guest post on making recipes vegetarian or kosher. The government is making … [Read more...]

Tipat Chalav Finally Adopts Growth Charts Based on Breastfed Babies

In 2006 the World Health Organization published growth charts based solely on breastfed babies who received solids at age 4 to 6 months. The Israeli health ministry has finally gotten around to providing them to Tipat Chalav, Israel's well-baby clinics. The babies measured for the new charts were … [Read more...]

In Which I Meet and Talk with the Mom of a Remedia Baby

I was talking with the mother of my daughter's friend the other day. It turns out that her daughter drank Remedia soy formula from the age of 3 to 6 months in 2003, until she learned that the formula lacked Vitamin B1. In the video I describe how the mother chose that particular formula, and the … [Read more...]