Written by Fed is Best Co-Founder, Christie del Castillo-Hegyi, M.D.
In the latest issue of The Journal of the American Medical Assocation (JAMA), pediatricians and public health investigators Dr. Valerie Flaherman, M.D., M.P.H. and Dr. Isabelle Von Kohorn, M.D., Ph.D. co-wrote an editorial on the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF)’s updated recommendations for primary care interventions that support breastfeeding. Continue reading
As I begin, let me state plainly – I am an advocate for Perinatal Mental Health, I am not here to be an advocate for Breast Feeding or Formula Feeding. I am “pro” whatever is best for you and your family – only you, and yours, will know the right answer to that.
I have no interest in adding to the debate on “Breast is Best’, as I’m not sure it ever does anything other than draw in those who agree or disagree, firmly, with one side or the other.
My disclaimer is, I formula fed Reuben. For me, it was a lifeline. With that said, I stand for your rights, your hopes, your dream, and for whatever you deem best and most suitable for your circumstances. Continue reading
Written by Fed is Best Foundation Co-Founder Christie del Castillo-Hegyi, M.D.
Not many people know the rest of my breastfeeding story, the part that happened after my son’s hospitalization. People assume that because I spend most of my time advocating for safe infant feeding practices by educating moms on how to breastfeed safely, that I am against breastfeeding or want mothers to feel like exclusive breastfeeding is unsafe. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Clearly if a mother has enough breast milk, exclusive breastfeeding is a wonderful way to feed her child, if that’s how she chooses to feed them. But I had to learn the hard way that being a good mother is not defined by exclusive breastfeeding.
Our co-founder Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi was recently interviewed by Kavin Senapathy of Forbes.com about the Fed Is Best Foundation, The article is being met with an enormous amount of positive feedback, and talks about why our mission is so very important to us, and why we’re determined to spread the word.
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Kavin, she’s a science and health writer, also known for her work with GroundedParents.com, which focuses on evidence-based medicine and health practices for parenting. We think she did a stellar job on this piece – a huge thank you to Kavin for her hard work and for helping us get the word out! Here is a short excerpt, and a link so that you can read the piece in full: Continue reading
A Review of the Literature by Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi
We have received some questions here at the Fed is Best Foundation regarding the science of infant feeding and preventing accidental newborn starvation from insufficient breast milk intake. Some have said there is no evidence that insufficient milk intake in newborns causes brain injury, developmental delays and disabilities. We’d like to take the opportunity to open up a discussion on this very important topic.
The general body of medical and scientific literature largely supports that babies who are not fed enough calories and fluid through breastfeeding can develop excessive jaundice, severe dehydration and hypoglycemia – all complications that can cause brain injury if not corrected. This isn’t exclusive to humans. In fact, the basic rule of nature is that no creature, particularly mammals, can live without food. Continue reading
