Breatfeeding, Natural ways to boost your milk supply.

You’ve made the decision to breastfeed your baby. You’re minding your own business and everything is fine until one day you notice that your little angel is never satisfied after nursing. Becoming worried and maybe even a little frustrated you drag out your breast pump. Despite waiting three hours to pump your results are less than what you have been able to pump before. Your fear has become a reality: your supply has for some reason taken a dip.

That was me three years ago with my son. At four months my Buggie wanted to eat every hour and a half and was never satisfied after I fed him. Worried, I looked for natural ways to boost my supply.

• First things first – nurse, nurse and more nursing! Your body knows what to do. It works on supply and demand. If you’re able to stay home for a few days and do nothing but nurse your baby. Relax, watch TV and cuddle that little one while she helps boost your supply. This obviously would be easier said than done, especially if you only have one child, but if you can swing it why not give it a try?
• Look at factors that may be contributing to supply. Are you taking any allergy medication? Do you smoke? Is there a lot of stress in your life? Are you eating enough? Are you staying hydrated? Are you supplementing with formula, bottle-fed breast milk or solids? These are all things that can affect milk supply. I realized that the problem with my supply was the allergy medication that I was taking. Allergy medication works by draining the mucus from your cavities (sinuses, etc.), however, the same is true of your milk ducts. At least that’s how my lactation consultant explained it to me. Once we figured that out, I stopped the medication and started using a galactagogue. What is a galactagogue?
• Galactagogues – These pretty puppies can be herbs that naturally increase milk production but should be used as a last resort. I used fenugreek and it definitely helped boost my supply. Reader be warned though – if you take fenugreek your milk and poop will smell like maple syrup; your baby will smell like it too! Other galactagogues are blessed thistle and alfalfa. As always, and even with herbal remedies, consult with a trusted physician or lactation consultant before consuming. The herb, fennel, can be used to aid in letdown which would be good to use if you need to pump more frequently because you’re working.
• Bring on the cookies! The web has a ton of lactation boosting cookie recipes. When looking for a recipe you’ll want to find one that includes the ingredients oatmeal, Brewer’s yeast and flax seed. Do not purchase quick cooking oats; you need the old fashioned kind. And the Brewer’s yeast? A good, hearty dark beer does help boost milk supply and Brewer’s yeast does too. As for the flax seed – buy the milled kind.

Remember, before you start fretting look at your baby: Is he satisfied after a breastfeeding session? Is he gaining weight? If the answer is yes to those questions chances are your supply is fine and there’s no need to worry.

Elizabeth (aka Bert) is a stay-at-home-mom and contributing writer for She Thinks Media. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, Ben, her son Buggie, and daughter Lady Bug.  When she's not trying to convince Buggie to expand his interests beyond Thomas the Train or put his pants back on she's writing about her experiences as a mom on her blog, First Time Mom (FTM). After all, Bert maintains there's a first time for everything, even if you  have more than one child! 

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One mother's journey, Exclusively pumping breastmilk for her three children.

Kelly H. from the Twin Cities made the decision to exclusively pump her breast milk for all three of her children, Jonathon (9 yrs), Jeremiah (7 yrs), and her daughter, Joelle (4 yrs). Kelly is married to Erin who is an electrical engineer. Kelly is a stay at home mom.

Kelly had made the decision to nurse her babies for two reasons – her husband’s asthma and her childhood food allergies would be less likely to be a problem for her children and she didn’t think that her family would be able to afford formula.

Breastfeeding her firstborn son, Jonathon, did not go as she had expected. While Kelly was in the hospital after Jonathon’s birth, the nurse had given her a pump and a cup so that Kelly could feed him. Jonathon was not latching on and the hospital staff had no idea why. After visiting a lactation consultant multiple times, Kelly learned that she was very efficient at producing milk, so her supply was not the problem. Jonathon also had jaundice so to help him gain weight Kelly pumped and Jonathon was bottle-fed.

Even though Jonathon was bottle-fed the feedings could take what felt like forever. After a long week of little to no success, Kelly’s mother discovered the reason why Jonathon was having a difficult time feeding (it could sometimes take up to an hour for Jonathon to drink one ounce). Kelly’s mother noticed that Jonathon was sucking on his tongue which was inhibiting the amount of milk he took in and the length of time it took to do that. After holding his tongue down while he drank he was able to finish the bottle in no time at all. Kelly’s mom told her about this discovery the next morning and Kelly felt like a failure. She was a new mom and had no experience breastfeeding. She didn’t want to give up but she had no idea how she would force Jonathon to be able to suck on her soft nipple when he needed some harder. Her nipple shield was not working either.

After feeling exhausted and like a failure, Kelly decided she had to come up with a new plan. Kelly said her new plan was, “…even if I couldn't nurse like normal I would give my son as much of my own milk as I could.” After making this decision, Kelly discussed it with Jonathon’s pediatrician and he agreed that pumping breastmilk and bottle-feeding was probably the only way Jonathon would be able to eat.

After the birth of her second child, Jeremiah, Kelly again experienced difficulties breastfeeding. This time Kelly’s problem was that one side was not producing as much milk and it was also very painful to feed Jeremiah. She tried for two weeks with no success and returned to what she knew best, exclusively pumping.

With her third and last child, Joelle, Kelly experienced something she hadn’t anticipated. A lactation consultant visited her hospital room and explained to her that she had already had damage to her breasts. If she were to breastfeed successfully with Joelle, Kelly would need to surround herself with several pillows propping her up. That conversation left Kelly feeling like pumping and bottle feeding would be less inconvenient than surrounding her with a wall of pillows.

The only research Kelly did to help her exclusively pump was information on how long the milk could be left out, how to store it and tips on how she should warm up the milk.

While both of Kelly’s sons, Jonathon and Jeremiah, did receive some formula, Joelle, got the most breast milk. Kelly pumped until Joelle was five months old and then she weaned off of pumping. She had month’s worth of milk in her freezer so Joelle still benefitted from her hard work. Kelly’s favorite accessories that helped her successfully pump was an electric pump (Kelly used a Medela Pump in Style), freezer breast milk bags and plenty of bottles. Kelly first started out with a manual pump but after using that for two months she sprung for an electric pump and was very happy with her decision. Kelly also really liked thick flannel burp cloths to have close to her while she was pumping.

Here’s what Kelly said were the pros and cons of exclusively pumping:

Pros
1. It made me feel good to see how much milk I could produce.  Especially at the first few weeks of my babies’ lives, when they weren't eating as much, I could pump almost the whole days worth of milk first thing in the morning and store what I pumped the rest of the day.

2. I would pump for 30 min. first thing in the morning and 20 min. 4-5 other times during the day.  Then pour what I needed in a bottle and either spend a few minutes feeding the baby or hand them to someone else.  A lot of times I would feed them and then just sit and rest with them. I'm pretty sure that the pumping and feeding time was less time than 20 min. per breast each feeding.

3.  I liked that Erin, my husband, got bonding time during the before bed feeding.  We also tag teamed in the middle of the night.

4. My kids were getting the benefits of my milk; I got the convenience of the bottle.  I could go away even over night and it was okay.  I didn't have to worry about the feeding in public thing. Being a bigger chested girl and feeling uncoordinated, that was a big concern for me.

5. I heard that one of the benefits of breastfeeding is that it makes you sit and rest, yet I hear of people who can walk around and do it.  Pumping really does make you sit and rest, several times a day.

Cons
1. You feel like you have to defend yourself every time you pull out a bottle in public.  Breast milk advocates can really make you feel like less of a mom for using a bottle.

2.  Continually having to clean the equipment.  I got so that I would put the pumps in a baggie in the refrigerator between pump times so I didn't have to clean them 6 times a day.

3. You can be somewhat flexible with when you pump but when visiting out of town family it is inconvenient to have to go to a back room to pump instead of enjoying the company.  It is also inconvenient to have to take the extra equipment and make room for it at their house...but I managed.

For more information on exclusively pumping check out kellymom.com (no relation to the Kelly in our story). There is a wealth of information on that site that is helpful and encouraging if you have to make the same decision Kelly did.

Elizabeth (aka Bert) Anderson married her college sweetheart in 2005, and started her journey into motherhood in 2008 with the birth of her son.  She started blogging in 2009 as a way to keep track of her thoughts on being a first time mom, especially her struggle with postpartum depression, and as a way of reaching out to other moms who are struggling with the same things.  This June, Bert had another first in her motherhood travels - a little girl!  Even though she's newly a mother of two, Bert maintains that no matter how many children you have you will always be a "first time mom" because there's a first time for everything!  Visit her blog, at FTM. Bert is a contributor for She Thinks Media.

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Clogged Nipple Pore? It could happen to you too.

Guest Post by Bert

I noticed it a few days ago; that persistent burning feeling whenever I wasn’t breastfeeding my daughter. It wasn’t the twinge that I usually feel in my nipples when my milk lets down, it was different. It was painful and felt like I was just beginning to breastfeed again. As soon as my daughter would latch on and start eating the pain would reside. I knew what this was; after all it had happened almost three years ago with my oldest son.

If you haven’t experienced a clogged nipple pore you should be very thankful. If you have then you know what I’m talking about. And if you’re reading this and wondering if that pain you’re experiencing is a clogged nipple pore then read on, Mama! A clogged nipple pore looks like a white pimple on your nipple. It’s not to be confused with a blood blister that is usually caused by friction from poor latching or positioning. It’s also not thrush, although it does resemble it. Thrush will not feel better after your baby has eaten. It’ll burn. A clogged nipple pore will feel much better after nursing your baby or pumping.

Clogged nipple pores (aka milk blisters or blebs) are usually caused by oversupply, pressure on your breast from a tight bra, changes in feeding schedules (baby skips feedings) or stress. If left unattended the bleb could lead to mastitis so it’s really imperative that you take action to relieve the pressure. It can also reduce your milk supply in the affected breast. I noticed a reduction earlier this week when I was pumping. I thought it was odd. Actually I thought that it might be the pump for some reason. Then the pain came and I instantly knew what was happening with my milk supply – there was a plug somewhere inside.

So what can you do to fix a bleb? It’s really rather simple. Apply a hot (be careful, you don’t want to burn yourself!) damp compress to the breast to loosen things up. You can also use a cotton ball that’s been soaked with olive oil to help loosen the skin. Next you’ll want to apply a hot compress to your nipple before your baby nurses. After a few minutes, take the compress off and allow your baby to nurse. Be sure to nurse frequently as this will unclog the pore and relieve the pressure. My lactation consultant also told me that if I could see the white part’s head I could sterilize a needle by lighting a match and holding the tip of the needle into the flame for a while until I knew it was hot. Then place the needle in rubbing alcohol and soak for ten to 15 minutes. Then lift the skin of the bleb with the sterilized needle. Do not pierce, lift. This should relieve some pressure immediately and then your baby can get working on helping you out!

I think it’s just amazing how the “cure” for this is your baby’s sucking. Our bodies are made wonderfully, don’t you think? Another way of treating a bleb is to do the following: Fill a spray bottle with five drops of grapefruit seed extract, ¼ cup of white vinegar and two cups of water. Apply the solution to your breasts one a day. For more information I highly suggest checking out KellyMom. It’s a great resource for all things breastfeeding! Now I’m off to go and work on getting this bleb to go away…

Elizabeth (aka Bert) Anderson married her college sweetheart in 2005, and started her journey into motherhood in 2008 with the birth of her son.  She started blogging in 2009 as a way to keep track of her thoughts on being a first time mom, especially her struggle with postpartum depression, and as a way of reaching out to other moms who are struggling with the same things.  This June, Bert had another first in her motherhood travels - a little girl!  Even though she's newly a mother of two, Bert maintains that no matter how many children you have you will always be a "first time mom" because there's a first time for everything!  Visit her blog, at FTM. Bert is a contributor for She Thinks Media.

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Breastfeeding Twins, A mother's journey.

Guest Post by Amanda

At just 10 weeks pregnant, I found out I was expecting twins. The hubby and I were shocked but super excited to be blessed with two. My pregnancy, although uncomfortable, went by without a hitch. I was always in perfect health at every doctor’s appointment and the twins were growing perfectly. True to my public health background I had no doubt that I would breastfeed my twins. I read everything I could get my hands on about breastfeeding twins. I bought the My Brest Friend nursing pillow for twins and registered for a double electric breast pump. I was as ready as I was ever going to be.

The twins were delivered via c-section at 36 weeks gestation because they were both in the breech position. I gave birth to identical twin boys who we named Noah and Eli. The excitement of the twins’ arrival was quickly replaced with fear when we found out that Eli was born with a tracheosophageal fistula and esophageal atresia. Basically, his esophagus and trachea formed incorrectly. His esophagus didn’t connect to his stomach and there was a connection between his esophagus and trachea. He underwent surgery to repair his esophagus and trachea when he was just one day old.

After surgery Eli remained in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) for 6 weeks. He had some serious complications following his surgery. He spent 3 long weeks on the ventilator. After coming off the vent I was finally able to hold him for the first time. He also began eating 5 milliliters of breastmilk every 3 hours. I spent a lot of my time pumping so Eli could get as much breastmilk as possible. After being on a ventilator for 3 weeks Eli had a serious oral aversion and hated anything being put in his mouth. It was painstakingly hard to get him to suck and drink even 5mLs of breastmilk. At this point in time, attempting to breastfeed him wasn’t even an option.

 

Noah came home from the hospital after 2 weeks in the NICU. With no serious health complications I was able to begin breastfeeding him while he was in the NICU. However, because he was born early, he wasn’t quite strong enough to latch on and suck well. With all that was going on with Eli, I breastfed Noah when I could, but we ended up having to supplement his diet with formula.

Whenever things seemed to be getting better with Eli, a new problem would emerge. Due to the complications he had following surgery, Eli developed kidney damage. Now it was even more important that he get as much breastmilk as possible. He still refused to latch so I continued to pump and bring bottles to the NICU. It was difficult for me because I wasn’t able to pump enough milk to feed 2 babies. I struggled with depriving Noah of the precious breastmilk in order to give Eli as much as I possibly could.

Eli came home from the hospital when he was 6 weeks old. I tried over and over to get him to latch on and breastfeed, but he would arch his back and scream bloody murder. It was so upsetting to me that he wouldn’t breastfeed. I breastfed Noah during the night and continued to pump every few hours so I could have bottles for Eli. For 6 months I pumped and supplemented the twins’ diet with formula. This was such a trying time in my life, but I did the best I could to get at least some breastmilk into my babies. At 6 months, my mom lost her battle with cancer and pumping became too much for me to handle.

I still wish I was able to breastfeed the twins exclusively.  I  did the best that I could with my circumstances. I am happy that I didn’t give up sooner and that they at least received some breastmilk for the first 6 months of their lives. I know that some breastmilk is better than no breastmilk. They are now thriving 3 year olds, and looking at Eli, you wouldn’t even know he had such a tough beginning. I am also now successfully breastfeeding my 8 month old daughter and loving every minute of it.

Amanda is a stay-at-home mom of 3 year old, identical, twin boys and a beautiful, 8 month old, baby girl. She is a new found cloth diaper addict who also enjoys sewing and crocheting when the kids aren't climbing all over her. She married an amazing man and enjoys living two houses away from her in-laws. Amanda has a degree in Public Health Education from Brigham Young University. She started blogging to keep her family updated on the crazy and cute things her kids are up to.  You find her at The Duke Family blog.

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Breastfeeding Supplies and Accessories you'll need!

Guest Post by Bert

Whether or not you’re new to breastfeeding or you’re looking for some great ideas for a breastfeeding mom, this list is sure to inspire you. Using my own experience and the experience of the fans on my Facebook page I think you’ll see that we have quite the helpful list for you!

1. Nursing Tanks are a must, according to quite a few moms on my fan page. Kelsey said, “…so much easier than shirts!” And Mary Katherine suggests using bikini tops during the summer, “Bathing suit tops were my go – to bra during the summer for nursing. They easily slide, are relatively cheap, can be thrown in the wash, and [they] don’t look bulky under tank tops.” Now, I do have to add that I don’t think I could use a bikini top for my rather full girls but if they were smaller I would totally use Mary Katherine’s tip!
2. 
   Good Nursing Bras is something that I cannot emphasize enough! Your breasts will be heavy and you need good support. Also, you can buy bras to sleep in too if it’s uncomfortable to go unsupported at night.
3. Nursing Pads are on my list of must haves as well as the majority of the breastfeeding fans on my page. I prefer the reusable kind because I don’t really see a need to create more waste when I have to wash clothes anyway. Nursing pads are especially important in those beginning weeks as your milk supply is being established and you will likely be engorged right after your milk comes in.
4. 
   A Nursing Basket is something that my home health nurse suggested to me after my son, Buggie, was born. I loved the idea. Basically what you’ll want to do is put everything that you think you might need in the basket next to your preferred nursing spot so that you won’t have to get up to do anything while you’re feeding your baby. This is so important during the first weeks when it can take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour to nurse. Dena said, “…a good book or magazine – you will spend lots of time sitting! Oooh and a good water bottle, nursing makes you oddly thirsty.” I could agree with her more.
5. Lanolin cream or coconut oil is something that you could put in your nursing basket as you might experience dry, cracked or sore nipples in the beginning. Rebecca, from the fan page, suggested using Soothies, a gel pad that prevents leaks as well as soothes sore nipples.
6. 
   An electric breast pump and/or a manual breast pump were practically unanimously in every suggestion on the page and I couldn’t agree more. You want your baby to receive the best and no one can deny that breast milk is the best thing for your baby. The only wait to ensure this is to buy a pump. Erica also suggested using a bra that promotes hands free pumping. Pumping helps keep infection and mastitis away.
7. Green cabbage keeps mastitis away according to five time breastfeeding mom, Miranda. (I know! I’ve never heard of this but what a great tip!) Miranda said to, “Take a leaf, slice open the veins, and apply directly to your breast inside your bra.” She swears it works.
8. A good support system. You need this. It’s a must. My mom came to my house for two weeks after my first child was born. Why? I didn’t know until I had him but she anticipated that I would need the support, encouragement and extra help because she needed it after she had me. (I’m the firstborn in my family.) Breastfeeding can be really easy or it can be quite the challenge. My son did not know how to breastfeed until he was 12 weeks old. The only reason I stuck it out was because of the people who surrounded me and supported me. An experienced mom, a lactation consultant (I LOVE mine) or a spouse or significant other is a great support system for you during this sometimes trying time. Don’t give up, keep at it and it’ll eventually come naturally. Trust me.

Like I said whether you’re new on this path of breastfeeding or you needed a few ideas on how to help a mother on her breastfeeding path, I hope this has helped you and given you a few tips. Green cabbage. Green cabbage?! Amazing.

Elizabeth (aka Bert) Anderson married her college sweetheart in 2005, and started her journey into motherhood in 2008 with the birth of her son.  She started blogging in 2009 as a way to keep track of her thoughts on being a first time mom, especially her struggle with postpartum depression, and as a way of reaching out to other moms who are struggling with the same things.  This June, Bert had another first in her motherhood travels - a little girl!  Even though she's newly a mother of two, Bert maintains that no matter how many children you have you will always be a "first time mom" because there's a first time for everything!  Visit her blog, at FTM. Bert is a contributor for She Thinks Media.

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The Quest for the Perfect Nursing Bra!

Guest post by Bert

The quest…it took a long time but I think I have finally found a nursing bra to support my rather well endowed chest. That’s right. Well endowed. I have never struggled in that department and it’s a family trait. From an early age and after Oprah aired her bra show featuring bra fittings at Nordstrom’s my mother has been insistent that my sister and I have good supportive bras to lift the girls up!

With my daughter, Lady Bug, I produce more milk than I ever did with my son, and as a result my larger than life breasts now need extra support. Back in May, before Lady Bug was born my mom and I took a trip to our beloved Nordstrom’s lingerie department so that I could get fitted before I started nursing. Now the only reason we did this was because the bras I was wearing were over a year old and stretched out. The woman fitting me did know what she was doing; she gave me a cup size bigger than what I currently was. I, however, didn’t think it was correct so I returned the bra and got a smaller cup size. How was I to know that I’d be a mass milking machine this time around?

I broke Rule #1 – Wait until at least three months before really settling into a nursing bra size. By three months your milk supply is well established so the likelihood that your size will go up is pretty slim.

Rule #2 – Always get professionally fitted. This is essential if you are a larger chest size like I am. I don’t even mess with trying to figure it out on my own.

Rule #3 – Don’t be afraid to buy the expensive bra; it’ll be worth the support in the end. I’m basing this on my own personal experience but when I have a good fitting bra I feel slimmer and my back doesn’t ache as much. I have two bras that I own and yes they are well over $50 but it’s worth the money.

Some Helpful Hints:

• If the band rides up in the back you need a stronger support band to compensate for a heavy load. You may also need to reassess your cup size
• If your straps are falling down your arm and they are on the tightest setting then your cup size is likely too big.
• If your shoulder straps are digging into your shoulders then your cup size is too small and the straps are being forced to do all of the work. You should be able to slide your straps off of your shoulders and your bra should stay in place. Your poor little straps should only support 10% of your breasts’ weight.

On my FB page, FTM, I threw the question out there and asked if any of my fans had a favorite maternity bra that they used. Some of the suggestions were Bestform found at Wal-Mart, Bravados, and nursing sports bras found at Motherhood Maternity. Now you can always get fitted at a specialty store and then look for the bra at a different retailer who has a cheaper price. My favorites? I like Elomi and Anita nursing bras. Elomi is made for larger size breasts and you can definitely tell that they know what they are doing!

Support the girls, get fitted and spend a little extra cash for a good fitting bra. You’ll look better and feel better, I promise!

Luvaboos carries a great selection of Bravado nursing bras.  Stop by and check out the bras in person if you're in Rochester or shop online at Luvaboos.com!

Elizabeth (aka Bert) Anderson married her college sweetheart in 2005, and started her journey into motherhood in 2008 with the birth of her son.  She started blogging in 2009 as a way to keep track of her thoughts on being a first time mom, especially her struggle with postpartum depression, and as a way of reaching out to other moms who are struggling with the same things.  This July, Bert had another first in her motherhood travels - a little girl!  Even though she's newly a mother of two, Bert maintains that no matter how many children you have you will always be a "first time mom" because there's a first time for everything!  Visit her blog, at FTM. Bert is a contributor for She Thinks Media.

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The day I squirted breastmilk in my eye, on purpose!

Just thought I'd share today.  No, this is not about a breastfeeding blooper or accident!

Something I never thought twice about doing for my kids when needed, was squirting breastmilk in their eye, it never occurred to me that I too could benefit from it and need it.

If you nurse your kids then you know the awesome healing power of breastmilk, not just as a nutrient for your growing babes, but as a topical treatment for scrapes.  Beyond scrapes, the real magic happens when you used breastmilk for eye infections.  You know we all have those days when baby wakes up with crusty eyes or they're lid is a little swollen and you think they might get a stye.  Just a few drops of breastmilk worked like magic for my kids.

It wasn't until the day I personally woke up looking like heck, one eye was swollen and sore and I was for sure either getting a painful stye or the dreaded pink eye!  It was gross, embarrassing not to mention when your eye is read people tend to treat you like you have the plague.

Now my breasts were saggy and there was plenty of milk but no way I could aim and get it in my own eye!  So I squirted some into a tiny cup and used an eye dropper.  I applied the breastmilk to my sore eye twice in one day and then next day I was completely cured!

This benefit of breastfeeding is one I miss the most now that my kids are older.  They're all very prone to those awful styes and I wish each time that I had a little breastmilk I could defrost and use (although it would long since be expired).

How about you?  Ever used breastmilk for it's medicinal purposes?

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Breastfeeding Insurance Reimbursement & Tax Benefits

Exciting News for Breastfeeding Mamas!

Via Medela

Thanks to Medela for sharing this great information.  There's always such an overwhelming amount of information out there in regards to health insurance and tax credits that it's very much appreciated when someone broadcasts all the pertinent information and related links so that you don't have to scour the internet for more indormation.

Well Medela has compiled all the information you need to find out if you can benefit from any of the tax benefits for qualifying breastpumps and supplies.

Medela connected with the IRS to learn more, and here is what you should know:

• The IRS guidance is broadly interpreted and covers any supplies that “assist lactation.”
• FSA/HSA benefits providers may differ slightly in what they may cover. For example, some may define a breastpump as an allowable expense, but not other supplies. 
• It is important for you to contact your employer’s benefits provider to determine what is covered under your specific FSA/HSA and the steps needed for reimbursement.
• If you do not have a FSA/HSA account, you may be able to deduct breastfeeding costs if your total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, and if you itemize your tax returns. 

FSA/HSA plans are one of two ways you can explore reimbursement for your breastpump.  Private insurance may also offer coverage.

For more details, please visit this page from Medela.

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The Raspberry Boys, a breastfeeding poem by Peter Waldor

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week I'm sharing with you all my favorite breastfeeding poem!

the raspberry boys 

The nipple huge in the baby's mouth,
like a well gummed butt of an old cigar,
the baby's hands squeeze the flesh,
he pulls off every few seconds to smile
at his mother or turn to see what else
is out here. And then one brother blew
huge raspberries on the baby's belly,
the baby pulled off again, guffawing,
then the other brother blew raspberries
into the air, there being no more room
on the belly, that worked just as well,
child laughter squeaky as old pumps,
young spittle covering the scene,
then, for encore, the holy valve closed
a second late and the baby's face
was sprayed with warm milk, more laughter,
the raspberry boys waving their hands
to feel the spray as if it were a first snow,
boys who lost their privileges at their
mother's breasts not long ago,
though they remember none of it as they
won't even remember this by tomorrow,
and so I take it down for them.

Peter Waldor 

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Why I think the Medela Pump in Style is a must have!

You might have read my post about pumping while at work where I mentioned how much I loved my Medela Pump In Style.  I seriously could not have lived without it.  I'm going to highlight for you the reasons why I loved it so much and the reasons you should consider investing in one.

• It's fast!  With the Pump In Style you can adjust the suction and the speed to get just the right results.  This really helped me make my pumping sessions efficient and make the most of my let-downs when the milk was really flowing.
• It's dual action!  Being able to pump both breasts at the same time was a lifesaver. I can't even imagine having to do it manually one at a time.  That would have meant that I would have needed three times as much time when I went to pump and it's exhausting.  Not to mention, what happens if you're pumping one side and the other starts to letdown?
• It's quality made and a well-known brand.  This means that if a part breaks, you lose it, you need new replacement accessories or pieces then they'll be easy to find.  Not only does Luvaboos carry some of the spare parts, you most likely can find them other places locally and/or online.  If you were using a no-name brand the chances of you finding spare parts in a timely manner are not great.
• It's super easy to  clean.  When you're at work you need to clean your pumps pieces after you pump so it will be ready to go for the next session.  The Pump In Style comes apart easily so you can quickly and thoroughly clean it between pumping sessions.
• You can pump hands free!  Withe regular Pump In Style or the FreeStyle you can pump without using your hands.  This means if you need to, you can tend to baby, answer phones, work on the computer and multi-task in other ways.  Being able to do other things while your're pumping allows you to take your mind off of it and often helps you express more milk, unlike when you feel you're in a hurry or having to watch the clock.
• You can save it for use with future children!  Because they're so well made you can save them and reuse them next time you have a baby!  Worried the parts have gotten old?  Just buy new accessories for it and you'll be good to go!

Overall, yes it's an investment, but if you are going to be pumping at all then I highly recommend you purchase one or register for one.  It's a breastfeeding accessory that is an absolute necessity.  You won't regret having a Medela Pump In Style!

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Breastfeeding and Pumping while at work? It can be done. Read my tips for success!

When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, my daughter, I was employed full-time outside of the home.  My job was the usual 9-5pm variety.  I was on my feet all day and often even missed lunches and other breaks due to the hustle and bustle, multi-tasking that ensued daily.

Having been a child of the 70's, my mom had been a La Leche League leader and I myself was nursed until about age 4.  Nursing was a non-issue, just the way you feed your baby after it's born, and nothing I ever worried about or considered a choice, it just was what I was going to do.

After my daughter was born I made arrangements to return to work part-time, three full days a week, after she reached 6 weeks old.

My Medela Breast Pump became my best friend, co-workers used to see me with it and make jokes about me going to pump, AGAIN!

I pumped 3 days a week, while at work, for a year until I decided to become a stay-at-home-mom.  Here are some things you should consider when taking on pumping while on the job.

• Buy an electric, dual breast-pump!  It's important to remember that you need to pump as often as you can to simulate natural nursing patterns and with the hustle and bustle of being on the job, you may not have time to manually express milk.  Also, depending on the stresses involved your milk might not let down right away.  My electric, dual breast-pump was a lifesaver and allowed me to take more frequent trips to express milk.
• Make sure you have a peaceful place to pump.  The only place I had to pump was the break room and it always seemed like my pumping sessions were inconveniencing someone.  As soon as I began to stress or worry about inconveniencing someone then my milk would take forever to let down.  Having a stress-free zone is important.
• Use a nursing cover when pumping.  I worked in an all female workplace, so I quickly learned that the only way I could nurse without worrying about other co-workers needs was to cover up and pump while still allowing them access to the break room.  Actually, chatting with them while pumping often helped me take my mind off things and make for a faster pumping session.
• Have some photos of your baby in your breastpump bag.  Often looking at photos helped get me i the right frame of mind and helped me relax,etc.
• Consider a special bra like Easy Expression, to allow you to work or eat while pumping.  My job involved answering phones and booking appointments so I was often able to work while pumping in the break room.
• Use Milkies Milk Savers!  I can't tell you how many times, while at work, I got so busy that I literally could not get away to pump.  Next thing I knew I was getting that tingly let-down feeling and just knew all that precious milk was going to waste, getting absorbed by my nursing pads and often my blouse.  Milkies are great for that and will save you from wasting any of that precious breastmilk.
• Have a backup manual pump.  There were a few occasions that my pump would not work or malfunctioned for whatever reason, maybe the outlet didn't work, or I realized I left the power cord at home.  Make sure to have a backup for those emergency situations, like having to pump in the car, etc.

These are just a few of my suggestions.  Pumping at work does have it's issues, depending on the job and workplace atmosphere.  There were days where I couldn't seem to pump a drop and had my husband or mother running the baby up to my work so I could nurse because I hadn't had enough milk to leave for them.  There were also days where I was frazzled and spilled my stored milk at work, forgot to put it in the refrigerator and definitely days where my co-workers were none too thrilled with my constant need to pump while they're eating their lunch in the break room!

Ultimately, it's your right to pump while at work, but it's also most beneficial to you if you can find a comfortable and harmonious way to go about it without causing yourself or your co-workers too much distress.  A stressful environment is counterproductive and could result in less milk production and issues with pumping.

Do you have any suggestions for pumping breastmilk while at work?  We'd love to read them.

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Nursing Covers make the perfect gift for the New Mom-to-be!

If there's one thing I know, it's that new moms can be a little shy when it comes to nursing in public.  It's totally normal to want to be discreet and it's perfectly appropriate, especially when you consider that a new breastfeeding baby can be hard to latch on, squirmy, fussy, and require both your free hands.  The last thing you'll have time to do is try and keep a blanket from falling off your shoulder or make sure your blouse is in just the right position.

That's where the Hooter Hiders and Bebe Au Lait Nursing Covers come in.  They stay put and allow you to nurse comfortably in public without feeling uncomfortable or worrying that you're making anyone else uncomfortable.

You be able to use both hands, adjust your baby, your breasts, and even tandem nurse if needed without feeling exposed.

Nursing Covers are also great for those curious babies who are easily distracted from the breast.  Being covered will help them feel cozy and secure and allow them a more comfortable and peaceful place to nurse.  This is especially handy when you're trying to nurse baby to sleep.

Every mom should own at least one Nursing Cover and they also make the perfect gift for those new moms whom you just don't know what to buy.

They come in a variety of stylish prints and materials and are very affordable.  Visit Luvaboos for a great in-stock selection or put one on your gift registry today! 

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Breastmilk Ice Cream: Would you consider it? Too taboo?

There has been much controversy lately over Baby GaGa, aka Breastmilk Ice Cream.  One London shop can't keep it in stock.  There are many interesting cases both for and against this.

Some say they'd definitely serve it to their kids or toddler but they personally wouldn't eat it.  Others suggest it's unsanitary, can pass diseases and is downright gross.  What are your thoughts on this topic?  Should there be such a thing?  Would you try some?

Personally, if I were still breastfeeding I would certainly attempt to make some on my own.  Purchasing it would be another story completely.  I think I'd have to do a lot of research on the production, their donors, etc. before I'd consider it.

However, we drink cows milk and goats milk and eat all sorts of other dairy so why should this be considered so taboo?  What do you think?

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