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Yes, breastfeeding is the best nutrition for babies. But breastfeeding has never really been just about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is about rethinking society's rules for infant feeding, overcoming cultural and environmental obstacles, and improving the workplace for breastfeeding women. On top of all this, there are different cultural ideas about breastfeeding for black women, including the historical trauma of wet nursing and the marketing of infant formula in our communities, and the issue gets even trickier. It is no wonder that there have been huge differences in breastfeeding rates between black women and white women for over 40 years.

Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from the MomsRising blog. The original post date was August 12, 2015. Read the original post.

Like other employers, the federal government takes the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law seriously. In recent years federal agencies have worked hard to provide their nursing employees with space, time, and privacy to pump at work. They know that supporting families in this way makes good business sense, increasing productivity and loyalty and decreasing turnover, health care costs, and employee absenteeism. Federal agencies have managed schedules in creative ways so that women can have the time they need to pump. They've also found a variety of permanent and flexible space options, even when space is limited.

I still remember the first time I felt "fat." I was trying on my new bikini that my mom and I bought the week before. I ran over to my mom, looked at her, and sobbed, "Mom, I don't like how this looks on me. I look soooo fat."

Note: In October 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the approved use of the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine is now approved for people ages 9 through 45. Learn more about HPV.

What's one of the biggest hurdles mothers face when breastfeeding? Returning to work.

I know, it's still summer. It's too early to be thinking about back to school! But it's the perfect time to take care of some of your children's health needs, before the pressure of school, sports, and extracurricular activities begin.

I took Bubba to Daddy's Country Kitchen a few Wednesdays back for the all-you-can-eat chicken-n-dumplings special. It also features fried okra, butter beans, fried chicken, and the best peach and pineapple cobbler on the planet — and of course, sweet tea. All are foods to die for, or die from, depending on your diet philosophy. The restaurant itself is set off the main road between Kennesaw and Acworth in Georgia. It's a favorite of Bubba and Rachel's. The plates remind you of your school cafeteria days.

Last week, I took time off work for a routine medical exam. I need assistance with daily activities like dressing and bathing, but I went to the appointment alone. To the average reader, there may be nothing noteworthy about this. But, 50 years ago that would have been nearly impossible for someone with a disability, particularly for women.

June is Men's Health Month. Wait, why are we talking about men's health on a women's health website? Because men's health affects women in some pretty significant ways, and there's a lot you can do to help the men in your life lead longer, healthier lives.