The Biz Buzz

Resident Hopes to Empower Expectant Families In New Business Venture

Richfield native and current resident Erin Stertz-Follett is behind new business, Flutterby Birth Services.

After the hospital birth of her first daughter, Richfield native and current resident Erin Stertz-Follett decided she wanted the birth of her second to happen at home. "I was inspired to do [a home birth] by my sister and others I knew who had done the same," Stertz-Follett explained to Richfield Patch. "[And] my husband and I took Lamaze classes to refresh ourselves, as our oldest had been born five years prior." Stertz-Follett said the experience of her second daughter's birth and the recent death of her mother made her realize she wanted to help other women through this major life event and the idea for her new business, Flutterby Birth Services, was born. "My home birth made me feel incredibly empowered—transformed, really—and I …

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Moms Talk: Is it Safe to Share Breast Milk?

Patch's Mom Council weighs in on the idea of feeding infants breast milk from another woman.

Mothers are using social media sites, such as the Facebook page Human Milk 4 Human Babies—Minnesota, to find or share their breast milk with other mothers. While the FDA issued a warning against mothers sharing milk via the Internet—stating that the milk was likely not screened properly for diseases and contamination or properly collected and stored—many mothers do so anyway. Many times those who seek breast milk from others believe in its great benefits, but are unable to breast-feed or produce enough milk to sustain their baby. Patch asked its Moms Council to weigh in on whether or not it was safe in their eyes to share breast milk with other mothers: Sarah Schweitzer, Richfield/Edina "As an expectant mom, I understand the benefits of …

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