There are definite situations when breast-feeding is not recommended. Breast-feeding is not recommended when the mom uses addictive drugs, when she drinks more than a minimal amount of alcohol, when she is on certain medications, or if she is HIV positive. Otherwise, breast milk is recommended for all infants in the United States under ordinary circumstances for the first twelve months of life.

But lately these accepted standards have been challenged by an article in the April issue of The Atlantic. The article, “The Case Against Breast-Feeding” has stimulated the posting of many opinions and has also asked us to take a look at our own personal attitude toward the topic. Another article, posted at www.babble.com, titled “The Backlash to Breast is Best” is in response to the Atlantic article and challenges us to examine the mixed messages we send to new moms about breast-feeding.

What is your opinion of these articles? What effect do these articles have on new mothers and their decision to breast-feed? Do you feel these articles strike a personal note for you?

Breast milk is recommended for all infants from birth to 12 months. Feeding time should be pleasurable for both infant and mother. Here are some tips to insure success.

• Start nursing within an hour after delivery if possible.
• Wait a week or two before introducing a pacifier or bottle to reduce the risk of confusing the baby.
• Get immediate medical attention if there is any sign of breast infection.
• Newborns need to nurse often, at least every two hours, and not on any strict schedule so nursing on demand is best until the baby settles into a more predictable routine.
• The nursing mother needs about 500 extra calories a day so a balanced diet is very important.
• Consult a nurse, midwife, or lactation consultant for help with proper positioning of the baby, nipple soreness, breast engorgement or any other problem you may encounter.

Going green is often associated with the type of car we drive and our dedication to recycling. What is often overlooked when measuring a personal carbon footprint is the food we eat. In many ways, the environmental impact of our meals is as great as our mode of transportation. A diet consisting of mostly animal product negatively impacts our soil, atmosphere, water, and fossil-fuel use. Raising cattle uses more energy than growing plants.

On the other hand, eating green is good for you. Choosing a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and lean meats positively impacts our waistline, our health, and our environment.

• Foods rich in calcium are an important part of a strong bones diet. Appropriate servings of milk and milk products, fortified soymilk and tofu, and calcium-fortified foods such as cereals and orange juice provide part of the recommended daily amount of 1000 mg of calcium (1200 mg daily if you are over 50).

• Mineral-rich veggies strengthen bones by providing calcium along with magnesium and potassium (bone density boosting minerals). Diets promoting plant-based prevention of osteoporosis include daily servings of Swiss chard, broccoli, collard greens, kale, and mustard and turnip greens.

• Vitamin K abundant green leafy vegetables in combination with vitamin D from vitamin D-fortified milk and cereals preserve bone density. Short periods of exposure on the face, hands and arms to early morning or late afternoon sunshine stimulate the activation of vitamin D under the skin.

• Weight bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, jumping rope, weight-lifting, hiking, stair-climbing, step aerobics, dancing, and racquet sports build denser, stronger bones.

Eating out in today’s world requires planning and the ability to choose carefully from the menu. A few tips help keep your caloric intake within a healthy range and improve the nutrition content of your meals:

• Keep your portions small: choose from the child’s menu; split the meal with your dining partner; ask for a take home container and put half the meal into the container before you start eating.
• Watch the freebies: ask the server not to bring fried tortilla chips, breads and butter, and oils for dipping.
• Avoid high calorie ingredients: request salad dressing on the side and dip the salad ingredients; skip the cheese, oils, creamy sauces, and fatty meats like pepperoni; watch for words like “fried” and “crispy.”
• Don’t drink your calories: free soda refills add hundreds of extra calories; coffee creamers and flavorings, smoothies, and sweetened teas are all calorie rich.
• Plan ahead: check out the menu on line and choose your meal before you leave home; eat at restaurants at which you know the menu and know you can order healthy food happily; stick to your choice when you order and congratulate yourself on your wise choice.