Good for Marina Chavez, mother of four, who is being awarded over $40,000 in lost wages and emotional distress for being fired for breastfeeding while on her meal break at work. A 2002 California law requires employers to provide a reasonable break (and suitable location) for an employee to breastfeed an infant. California also allows a mother to breastfeed her child “ in any location, public or private.”

In Course 102, we have graduates return with their newborn for a Q & A with the expectant parents and a baby bath demo. In yesterday’s class, while telling her birth story, the mom looked at her husband with tears streaming down her face and said “I could never have done this with you.” As the class listened and watched this exchange, you can believe there was not a dry eye in the house…

The old adage: on an airplane- parents put the O2 over their face first-applies to life on the ground as well. Mom’s (in particular) needed to take time out to take care of themselves. An overwhelmed, exhausted, resentful mom is no good to anyone- her family or herself. In order to take care of anyone else-she must start with herself!

Whatever R&R is to you-do it. When you take care of yourself you are making an investment, so that you can keep on giving to the ones you love…

A recent study, conducted by UCSF obstetrician Dr. Aaron Caughey, indicated that inductions do not necessarily lead to an increase in cesarean birth. Rather, “it’s how the induction is managed. Patience is really a virtue in this setting.” The study indicated that inductions actually decreased the cesarean rate when women were past their due date (when complications increase) and when the induction process was given time to be effective.

San Francisco Chronicle

Sam Whiting

Perinatal educator Sarah McMoyler is so dedicated to her distance running that she is moving from Benicia to Sausalito in September to be closer to the trails.

Why: I’ve been running since I was 17 and at 54 I’m running longer and faster than I ever have.

Greatest accomplishment: A year ago, I decided to run the Paris Marathon and wanted to break out of the slow part of my running career. So I hooked up with Kees Tuinzing, who coaches the Tamalpa Runners. He and his amazing group of athletes helped me shave an hour and a half off my marathon time.

Gear you can’t live without: New Balance 1010 running shoes. The key to the perfect shoe: someone who knows how to fit you. My coach, who manages Arch Rival in Greenbrae, and his staff are the best.

Where you train: Marin County, which is why I am moving there. It is running mecca!

Time you get up in the morning: 5 a.m.

Best time to train: Morning, without a doubt. It is a great way to start the day and then it is finished and not niggling at the back of your mind all day.

Most annoying thing people assume about athletes in your sport: That women “of a certain age” can’t reach for and grasp the stars.

Advice you’d give a rookie: At my age, you have a choice: Either get in the rocker or ride the rocket. It’s all about identifying what you will do and then making the commitment (rain or shine), even if it is walking five minutes out your front door and back. The next day, make it six minutes, and so on.

Know someone hooked on a sport? E-mail swhiting@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page E - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle

In the Newborn Care Class, we discuss and practice the benefits to swaddling fussy babies. I’ve had several requests for the instructions on how to do that particular swaddling technique-here goes:
• Oversized, thin blanket (preferably stretchy, waffle weave or thermal material)
• Place baby in the center of the blanket, neck flush with the top edge
• Take one corner and pull firmly across baby’s torso, turn baby to their side, and tuck the corner under their back
• Repeat steps with the opposite corner of the blanket
• At the bottom of the blanket, hold both corners out tight, it will look like a triangle
• Walk hands to the center of the blanket and pull upward towards baby’s face
• Make a fold with extra fabric, right under baby’s chin
• Hold one corner tight, roll baby to their side and tuck the corner under their back
• Repeat that step with the other corner, this time pulling the corner around to the front of the blanket and tucking the last corner into the fold that you made earlier

Sounds like a lot to remember, it is actually very step by step…the key is: always start with the corners…

Last night at the downtown Benicia Farmer’s Market, in addition to nectarines that are as sweet as candy, there were babies, babies, and babies! Tiny newborns, growing 6 monthers riding face forward in their front packs, one year olds in backpacks and toddlers running a bit unsteadily with parents close behind to catch their falls. As I sat listening to a local guy singing Simon and Garfunkel songs, I drank in the families and their fun, and watched the sun set over the Carquinez Straits…