A Week in the News - 14th March 2014

The news this week has been dominated by the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370. The story behind the missing plane seems to change day by day and get stranger and stranger. Obviously this means that there are plenty of conspiracy theories popping up in the press and also on the Internet - some are bizarre, some seem interesting, some are just absolutely crazy! Whatever has happened, our thoughts must be with the people who are missing and their families. Back in the UK and there was the news today that Tony Benn has passed away aged 88. We have some interesting articles to bring you this week though, and our focus now turns to them.

Shared Maternity Leave, Midwives and Obesity

Recent changes in legislation have allowed fathers to share maternity leave with their partners, but a report in the Telegraph suggests that only one in 50 are taking up this opportunity. Is this something that you have experienced? Did you make the decision that you wouldn't share maternity leave with your partner, or did you decide that you would actually take advantage of the new legislation? It seems that most men decide not to take up the opportunity due to fears of career damage and experiencing a lower income. Obviously this is something that needs to be taken into consideration, but were the new rules not invented because it seemed to be a popular change? It seems that perhaps in most cases the changes that have been made wont make a different to families.

What is it like to be a midwife today? That was the question posed to 'Midwife of the Year' Caroline Burton after all the headlines that midwifery has faced this year. Whilst the 'Call the Midwife' life might seem to be a bit pie in the sky, Caroline seems to love her job, and I'm sure many more midwives love their job too. Her interview is an interesting insight into the life of a modern midwife, and although she may be constantly busy her love for the job shines through. Despite that it is clear that more needs to be done to help, and more midwives are needed. Will that be possible though, it seems that midwives have been asking for support for a long time now.

If you are overweight and pregnant you might be costing the NHS over a third more in order to treat you. This is alongside the fact that being obese and pregnant could affect your health and the health of your unborn child. Clearly stories like this are out there in order for people to feel as if they should make a change before they fall pregnant, but do you feel that something like this is appropriate? I'm sure there are doctors across the country telling parents-to-be that perhaps losing a bit of weight might be beneficial, but I'd be surprised if telling someone that they might cost the taxpayer a bit more money would make a difference. A balanced diet and lifestyle is extremely important though, and hopefully parents-to-be realise that.

Breastfeeding in Public and Laughing Babies

Have you ever breastfed in public? One woman in Staffordshire did this week, and was branded a tramp for having the gall to do such a thing in public - absolutely shocking. In the report you can see the photo which was snapped by a keen amateur paparazzi, and lets be honest whilst we all know what is happening all it looks like is a mum eating a sandwich with a baby resting across her lap. I have never understood the perception some people have that feeding a baby in public is wrong. Perhaps if a mum decided that she was going to strip half naked, and then feed her baby, then yes I'd get people thinking it was a bit odd. But when you can barely tell the difference between a baby simply lying on a mothers lap, and one that is feeding, why do some people see it as disgusting? Bizarre.

Finally this week, why do babies laugh? Well a report in the Daily Mail looks at the study which has set out to find the answer. Whilst it is in the early stages, it already seems that baby boys laugh more than baby girls, and some babies laugh at a very early age, whilst others don't laugh until they may be a year old. What did you find, and what makes or made your baby laugh? Was it tickling, or a funny face? There are a few case studies in the article with some interesting answers!

See you next week for another round up of the news!

About the author

James Brighton

Since 2011 James has been in charge of working with and organising all our writers to put together Pregnancy.co.uk and Babies.co.uk. Anna, his girlfriend, knows he will be an encyclopaedia of knowledge if she ever falls pregnant!

Click here to read my full biography.

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