Mother Resting Head on Infant's Chest

Marie Biancuzzo, host of “Born to be Breastfed,” announced today that the popular children’s music group the Laurie Berkner Band, will be a guest on her new show “Sing Baby a Song (with the Laurie Berkner Band)“. The show airs from 6 PM to 7 PM ET on the VoiceAmerica Health & Wellness Channel, and it will be available as a free podcast on iTunes and Stitcher. Discussion will focus on children’s music and development.

“The episode is a departure from our usual ‘infant feeding’ focus,” explained Marie Biancuzzo. “but music can have a powerful effect on children’s health and wellness. Laurie and I will discuss her new album, Lullabies, and the role of music in children’s development. Plus, we’ll get to hear some of the songs from the new album.”

“We’ve had a number of excellent guest speakers on the show, but this is our first musical act,” Ms. Biancuzzo said. “It’s going to be a fun show!”

In conjunction with this show, “Born to be Breastfed” will have a CD giveaway from June 23rd through June 30th. Visit the radio show’s Facebook page for contest details and to enter for your chance to win!  Families are invited to tune in at 6 PM ET (3 PM PT) to the VoiceAmerica Health & Wellness channel. The show will also be available as a free podcast through iTunes and on Stitcher.

About Marie Biancuzzo
Marie Biancuzzo, RN, MS, IBCLC is an experienced breastfeeding professional who aims to cut through the misinformation, bust the myths, and help families figure out what science they can trust. A clinical nurse specialist and international board certified lactation consultant, Marie has more than 3 decades of experience in community and teaching hospitals, counseling mothers, and teaching health care providers. From the mother’s bedside to the university classroom to the international continuing education arena, Marie has honed her skills at helping listeners to clarify the facts empower the family. Author of two books and multiple articles, Marie is passionate about helping parents and providers to be good consumers of health care and scientific information. As the Director of Breastfeeding Outlook, Marie helps nurses and other breastfeeding educators learn what they need to know; through her private practice and this show, Marie helps families, too.

About Laurie Berkner
Laurie Berkner has been a professional musician since 1992, but her success as a children’s recording artist and innovator in the “kindie rock” genre was a surprise to her. “The more I started working on material for children,” she explains, “the more I realized that it opened up creativity in me that I never knew I had.” Laurie’s childhood in Princeton, NJ and her college time at Rutgers University was filled with musical activities, including choirs, bands, and musical theater. She worked as a children’s music specialist before becoming a recording artist. Her music was featured on the popular preschool show Jack’s Big Music Show. Laurie’s music is the focus of a short-form animated series Sing It, Laurie! Seven albums of music, four children’s books, and an off-Broadway musical called Wanda’s Monster round out her career to date. Her latest album, Lullabies, was released in May. The Laurie Berkner Band also includes Susie Lampert, Brady Rymer, and Bob Golden.

Every new mother hears that breast is best. Many decide to breastfeed so their baby has the best. But soon after birth, the days are often fraught with sleep deprivation and conflicting messages from peers, family members, and health care professionals. Later, negative messages from the media and critical comments from family members and others may trigger mothers to question their decision. Feelings of inadequacy, intimidation and societal pressure to wean can cause mothers to give up breastfeeding before meeting their goals. The aim of this show is to empower parents to overcome the barriers that keep them from beginning or continuing to breastfeed. Through discussion of hospital practices, milk supply, medications, returning to work, milk storage options, and more, this show will provide an informed and supportive voice for new families and established families, so that they can take charge of their breastfeeding experience from conception through weaning.