Sex and Breastfeeding: An Educational Perspective

Expectant and new parents have many concerns regarding the relationship between sexuality and breastfeeding. How is a new mother''s libido affected by breastfeeding? Why do some women get sexually excited when breastfeeding? Is this frequent or normal? How does the partner feel about breasts full of milk? Why do breasts leak during a woman''s orgasm? Perinatal educators are in a privileged position to reassure these parents about this relationship while promoting the breastfeeding bond between the mother and child and the intimacy bond between the parents.     

A lending library on parenting

Conclusions The kinds of materials that we would include in a lending library on parenting will displace some of the mystery or uncertainty about the raising of children. In doing so, the materials will help parents to raise their children better and make the experience of parenting more joyful and rewarding. Providing useful knowledge through a lending library is one aspect of a comprehensive and coordinated effort by educators to work with parents in behalf of children. Charles D. Cary is an independent researcher.     

Helping hospitals change: part 1: what childbirth educators can do

Childbirth educators need to take the lead in helping hospitals change by teaching women what the evidence says. When women, one by one and collectively, start insisting on their right to have normal birth options, more bonding time, and better support of breastfeeding, hospitals and care providers will respond and change will happen. This article suggests strategies childbirth educators can use to advocate for women and help hospitals improve their maternity-care practices.     

New Resources for Childbirth Educators and Parents

In this column, reviewers offer perspectives and comments on a variety of new media resources for childbirth educators and for expectant and new parents. From audio CDs on building one''s birthing business endeavor to books for expectant parents focusing on breastfeeding, calming babies, cosleeping, and supplementing what is learned in a childbirth class, the marketplace always has new resources to offer.     

New Resources for Childbirth Educators and Parents

In this column, reviewers offer perspectives and comments on a variety of new media resources for childbirth educators and expectant and new parents. The books, CDs, DVDs, and kits reviewed in this issue''s column include the following topics: the birth experiences of mothers who survived childhood sexual abuse; lively teaching techniques and ideas to help energize and enhance childbirth education classes; breastfeeding in the workplace; expectant fathers; perspectives on motherhood; unique, helpful tools for childbirth educators to use in designing their class content, addressing the stages of labor, and discussing planned cesarean birth; exercises for pregnant women on bedrest; and a compilation of presentations featured at Birthing the Future''s international symposiums.     

New Resources for Childbirth Educators and Parents

In this column, reviewers offer perspectives and comments on a variety of new media resources for childbirth educators and for expectant and new parents. The topics of DVDs and books reviewed here include fatherhood, labor-support techniques, optimal labor positions, infant massage, breastfeeding, healthy nutrition during the childbearing year, understanding a newborn''s cues, personal viewpoints on cesarean birth, and postpartum massage.     

A web-based breastfeeding education program

Two Web-based breastfeeding programs were developed to provide new parents with necessary information on proper breastfeeding techniques. One version was plain text and the other version combined text with graphics. The computer was viewed as a valuable learning tool. The breastfeeding program that contained graphics was preferred over the text-only program. Educators are encouraged to use Web-based graphic programs to provide breastfeeding education to new parents.     

The history of lamaze continues: an interview with elisabeth bing

Elisabeth Bing-physiotherapist, childbirth educator, and cofounder of the American Society for Psychoprophylaxis in Obstetrics (now Lamaze International)-is well known to most childbirth educators in the United States. She has been a true pioneer in the education of parents for pregnancy and birth. Her book, Six Practical Lessons for an Easier Childbirth, served to guide many parents and childbirth educators in the use of the Lamaze Method for labor and birth. She has prepared a countless number of parents for their birth experience in both her hospital classes in the 1950s and 1960s and in her private classes in the "studio" of her New York City apartment building, where she began teaching in the 1960s and continues to teach today. Elisabeth is beloved by all those who have had the opportunity to meet her or work with her. She has created a legacy that will continue for decades to come.     

Communication Between Early Educators and Parents who Speak English as a Second Language A Semantic and Pragmatic Perspective

In this article, we discuss communication between early educators speaking their native language and parents who speak English as a second language. Parents who may have a limited proficiency in the second language face challenges to understanding semantic and pragmatic aspects of English. Actual early childhood conference talk in which parents were speaking English as a second language will illustrate potential difficulties to listening comprehension and communication. Additionally, semantics and pragmatics will be used as a framework for recommending strategies to facilitate these parents?? ability to comprehend and communicate during discussions with early educators.     

Confidentiality in childbirth education

Protecting the confidentiality of the personal information that childbirth educators receive from their clients is crucial. Without this respect for privacy, educators will not be able to get the information essential to meeting their objectives. Childbirth educators who work in schools may come under federal law that protects individual student records (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA). Childbirth educators who are employed in a health-care facility may come under federal law that protects individual health information (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA). All childbirth educators must be thoughtful advocates of the rights to privacy and self-determination of expectant parents.     

New Resources for Childbirth Educators and Parents

In this column, reviewers offer perspectives and comments on a variety of new media resources for childbirth educators and for expectant and new parents. The books, CD, and DVDs reviewed in this issue''s column address the following topics: natural, safe, and healthy birth practices; doula care; breastfeeding; empowering women to make healthy lifestyle choices during pregnancy; encouraging mothers to bond with their babies before birth; and fathers'' and partners'' supportive role during labor and birth.     

Toward more evidence-based practice

Childbirth educators are responsible for providing expectant parents with evidence-based information. In this column, the author suggests resources where educators can find evidence-based research for best practices. Additionally, the author describes techniques for childbirth educators to use in presenting research-based information in their classes. A sample of Web sites and books that offer evidence-based resources for expectant parents is provided.     

‘Parents don’t want their children to speak their home language’: how do educators negotiate partnerships with Chinese parents regarding their children’s use of home language and English in early childhood settings?

This study investigated five Australian early childhood educators’ negotiation of the complex terrain of working in partnership with Chinese parents regarding their children’s language usage in early childhood settings. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken to explore educators’ views on children’s language usage in early childhood settings, their perception of Chinese parents’ language expectations and their strategies in resolving the tension between parental expectation and educator views on children’s language usage under the current regulatory frameworks. Educators reported that many Chinese parents expected their children to use only English in early childhood settings. Such a practice would not align with educators’ views of permitting children to use languages freely. The educators developed different strategies to address the tension between their desire to achieve positive outcomes for children and their need to work in partnership with families. Implications for the further preparation of educators are discussed.     

Meeting the Needs of Multiracial and Multiethnic Children in Early Childhood Settings

Early childhood programs have been in the forefront of implementing a multiracial curriculum. Early childhood educators need to extend these approaches to support and embrace multiracial and multiethnic children. These are children whose biological parents crossed traditional U.S. Census categories to have children. To meet the unique needs of these children and their families, early childhood educators need to engage in staff training, provide classroom materials, work closely with parents, and challenge the single race approach to multicultural education.     

新修订的《义务教育法》实施背景下"两童"教育问题的研究

新修订的《义务教育法》于2006年9月1日开始实施,深入领会其精神,解决好流动儿童和留守儿童的教育问题是当前基础教育工作的重中之重,本文结合新修订义务教育法,探讨如何解决流动儿童和留守儿童的教育问题。     

中小型外资企业保持竞争优势之采购策略

采购工作的好坏对中小型外资企业的成本控制影响巨大。随着采购流程的日趋繁杂,物料品种的日新月异,供货渠道的变化不定,企业应当全面采用TQCS的采购策略,加强采购过程的诚信管理与控制,并结合一些采购方法的灵活运用,以期实现采购工作对企业利润贡献的最大化。     

New Resources for Childbirth Educators and Parents

In this column, reviewers offer perspectives and comments on a variety of new media resources for childbirth educators and for expectant and new parents. The books and DVDs reviewed in this issue''s column address the following topics: new directions for childbirth education classes; pregnancy tips for expectant mothers; empowering women to give birth naturally; midwifery care; breastfeeding; labyrinths and “laborinths” (an alternative approach to preparing for birth); preterm labor; understanding newborns'' language cues; and exercise programs during pregnancy and the postnatal period, as well as exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor and help new mothers deal with incontinence.     

Every change needs a champion

Lamaze International is pleased to launch the newly revised and updated (as of May 2007) six care practice papers that synthesize best practices that promote, support, and protect normal birth, bonding, and breastfeeding for pregnant women and their support teams. The updated six care practice papers are available as resource materials to start and support conversations of change. Childbirth educators are encouraged to be change champions and to incorporate the six care practices into the maternity care that women receive in their communities.     

Listening to Mothers II as a Catalyst

The Listening to Mothers II report is not only a document; it is a tool that is accessible to childbirth educators. By becoming familiar with its contents, educators can use the information to help expectant parents think about options available to them and inspire them to use evidence-based information as they make choices for the birth of their child.     

Continuing education module-lamaze parents magazine: more than a giveaway

The Lamaze Parents magazine is an annual publication produced by Lamaze International to inform parents and childbirth educators on issues related to healthy birth preparation, normal birth, and parenting. The author of this column introduces teaching strategies for childbirth educators and doulas to use in tandem with the magazine's content in order to enhance their efforts in sharing current, evidence-based information with expectant parents.