After 10 years of writing about this topic, I thought I had heard everything. I was wrong. I recently received an email from a pediatrician who wrote in regard to the local hospital: …Last month they tried to put through a new policy not to weigh babies on the first day of life. The reason […]
Latest News
The 39 week rule has led to an increase in stillbirths
The road to hell is paved with good intentions … such as the intention to prevent complications by banning inductions prior to 39 weeks of pregnancy, also known as the 39 week rule. I’ve been writing about the 39 week rule for years. I’ve argued that: [pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Have we created […]
Marriage advice on Valentine’s Day
I’ve been privileged to be married for nearly 35 years to the most wonderful man in the world. On this Valentine’s Day, I’ve been reflecting on what makes a happy marriage. This is what I’ve learned. Marry someone who is kind: There is no way to know what life will bring, but I always knew, […]
Is there anyone who has less insight into her own actions than Modern Alternative Mama?
Hilarious! You cannot make this stuff up! If it’s possible for a person to have so little insight into her own actions that it can be measured in negative increments, Katie Tietje, Modern Alternative Mama, shows how it’s done. [pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]I can’t parody Modern Alternative Mama; she is a parody.[/pullquote] […]
Muzzling healthcare providers
Special interest groups are often tempted to muzzle healthcare providers and many do. What’s the difference between Catholic hospitals muzzling healthcare providers who want to talk about birth control, the gun lobby muzzling healthcare providers who want to talk about gun safety, and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative muzzling healthcare providers who want to talk […]
What’s the difference between a hospital that won’t inform women about formula feeding and a hospital that won’t inform women about contraception?
Lactivists believe women don’t understand the risks of formula feeding or the benefits of breastfeeding. New mothers aren’t making informed choices about infant feeding because they aren’t fully informed. If women only knew of the myriad risks of formula, they’d never choose it. Lactivists are certain that offering information about formula feeding is tantamount to […]
The big problem with the CDC’s alcohol recommendations — besides the sexism
Many are rightfully upset with the CDC’s heavy handed alcohol recommendations for women of childbearing age. But as big a problem as the obvious sexism in the recommendations is — women (but not men) must not drink alcohol in order to avoid unintended pregnancy, women (but not men) must be using contraception before they take […]
Closing newborn nurseries is unethical
I’m deeply disappointed to learn that the hospitals in my state, Massachusetts, are closing their newborn nurseries. It reflects short sighted capitulation to lactivists, and doesn’t accomplish its stated aim. Most importantly, it’s unethical. As the Boston Globe explained: The shift is part of a national movement designed to promote breastfeeding, bonding, and parenting skills by […]
Soliciting nominations for the Golden Boob Awards
The shaming of mothers who don’t breastfeed has got to stop. Maybe, it’s time to shame the shamers. I hereby solicit nominations for a new set of awards, the Golden Boob Awards! I’m envisioning awards in several categories: Most outrageous breastfeeding “fact” (amateur) Most outrageous breastfeeding “fact” (professional) Most vicious attempt at shaming (amateur) Most […]
Trust your intuition, Mama — unless it tells you your breastfed baby is starving
“Trust your intuition, Mama!” It’s the all purpose battle cry of the natural parenting industries. Want to have a homebirth even though ACOG says it increases the risk of perinatal death? Trust your intuition, Mama! You’re safest where you feel safest! Want to give birth underwater even though the American Academy of Pediatrics says it’s […]
Amy Tuteur, MD
Dr. Amy Tuteur is an obstetrician gynecologist. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College in 1979 and her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine in 1984. Dr. Tuteur is a former clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School. She left the practice of medicine to raise her four children. Her book, Push Back: Guilt in the Age of Natural Parenting (HarperCollins) was published in 2016. She can be reached at DrAmy5 at aol dot com... More
