NPR: No Place like Home

No Place like Home

So I'm back. And I have to tell you, this whole being disconnected thing is not all it's cracked-up to be.

I forgot my cell phone (packed the charger, but forgot the phone!...good thing airline security didn't have a hissy fit) and my BlackBerry didn't work (we were out of the country...although my husband's worked -- dammit). I know, I know. Disconnecting is supposed to make you more relaxed. For me, it's the opposite.

Once I got over my rage for having to pay $5 for a day-late NYT, I felt better. But there's a reason some of us are in the news business: BECAUSE WE LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.

Thanks to Cheryl for sitting-in. I hope she enjoyed guest hosting. The bridge tragedy was awful, but kudos to TMM for getting a unique slice of the story -- the way the collapse was affecting the Somali refugee community. If you didn't get a chance to catch it, may I recommend?

Now to this week.

We have some interesting things coming up: we are trying to take advantage of our location here in Washington and the many conferences that come through town. Two of today's segments were based on conferences -- the National Institute of Justice meeting in D.C. and the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association gathering in Philadelphia. I think this offered a way for listeners (and us) to understand subjects from the inside out -- to get the practitioners together and see things from inside their world. Today, you heard from them about the impact television show's like CSI are having on the real criminal justice system, and how youth violence also takes its toll on funeral directors in communities across the United States.

Later in the week, we'll be taking the program on the road to an industry conference of our own. The National Association of Black Journalists is meeting in Las Vegas. We'll have two days of programs from there.

Which leads me to ask...If you work in a field that has an annual or semi annual conference, do you go?
If so, what do you get out of it?

For us, it's not just a chance to meet and greet but also to compare notes on best practices and, frankly, get story ideas. Admittedly, in the Internet age, ideas travel faster and faster, but there's nothing like seeing a city councilman in the flesh -- whom you might otherwise not have a chance to meet -- to get his take on homeland security, immigration or whatever else...

Anyway, now that I'm back, I have to live through you. Travel plans, anyone?

Michel Martin

7:22 PM ET | 08- 6-2007 | permalink

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7:22 PM ET | 08- 6-2007 | permalink

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Breast Feeding

I am very disappointed at the Mocha Moms response to formula being removed from hospital take home bags. Many Moms don't breast feed for very good reasons and even if you do it isn't always what's best for child and/or mother.

Here's my story;

My first daughter was born 4 weeks early (due to no complications)and had not fully developed her sucking reflex as such she could not latch on to my breast for feeding. I continued to try due to pressure by the hospital and was able to pump. But in the mean time she had to be feed with a special bottle for babies for sucking problems. Because she didn't latch on I didn't produce much and had to supplement with formula so she could get enough to eat. Once that was working OK she then developed red rashes around her neck and arms. After drawing 6 vials of blood it was determined that she was allergic to milk, eggs and nuts, all of which the Allergy specialist was too happy to tell me was passed through my breast milk to her. She had to be put on a special formula of soy to prevent the rash.

I explain all this to say that perhaps if I wasn't made to feel like I would detrimentally deprive my child when she was born if I didn't breast feed perhaps I would have gone to soy formula immediately (my first choice)when she was born and could have avoided my 8 month ordeal.

So I think the Mocha Moms should be a little more encouraging of the hospitals use of free formula for new Moms, just in case their baby need it the way mine did.

Sent by Phoenix | 3:19 PM ET | 08-07-2007

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"Nothing is assumed." That's the unofficial motto of Tell Me More, the new Monday-Friday talk show with host Michel Martin. Grounded in lively interviewing and compelling storytelling, the program seeks to present diverse new voices, cross borders, challenge conventional wisdom and discover how other people think.