Posts Tagged "Breastfeeding"

The Big Latch On {August 4th, 2012}

Posted by Karla Bond on Aug 2, 2012 in Upcoming Events

Breastfeeding supporters unite!

Gather to be apart of this very important event.  Breastfeeding is a natural process so gather with these great woman at A Mother’s Boutique for The Big Latch On event on August 4th. Be part of record breaking history during World Breastfeeding Week.

Here is what you need to know!

• When: August 4th at 9:30 AM
• Where: A Mother’s Boutique in Wexford, PA
• Details: Please make sure to arrive early to join in the raffle and to complete the registration.

What is The Big Latch On?

The Big Latch On originated in New Zealand in 2005. Since then, locations around the world have held Latch On events. The record we are looking to break is from 2010, where 9,826 nursing mothers were recorded at 325 sites in 16 countries. To do this, at precisely 10:30 AM (local time), all mothers will latch their babies on and nurse for 1 full minute.

Witnesses will count the number of mothers who are nursing for the full minute. The numbers will then be sent to The Big Latch On for the final tally to see if the record can be broken. All proceeds and donations from the event go to support the breastfeeding support of The Big Latch On Organization.

For more information please contact:

A Mother’s Boutique
145 Lake Drive, Suite 102R
Wexford, PA 15090
724-934-8795
lactchon@mothersboutique.com

Breastfeeding: Getting a Wider Latch

Posted by Alaina Frederick on Jul 2, 2012 in Bringing Up Boys

Breastfeeding while a natural process is not always necessarily easy. There are sometimes obstacles that a mom may have to face; from inverted nipples to tongue-tied infants.

There is help for every obstacle [no matter how high the mountain] and today we are getting help for one of the most common occurrences – a sleepy newborn not opening their mouth wide enough to get a good proper latch.

“Dr Judy Masucci, do you have any tips besides using a nipple shield to help my infant son to open his mouth wider to get a better latch? I’ve tried a nipple shield but I’d like to get away from using it.”

For the latch, do you think he isn’t latching properly because your nipple is sticking far enough into his mouth? Is that why the shield helps? It is important for your nipple to stick far enough into his mouth so that you stimulate his suck reflex. The shield can help with this, but should only be used as a last resort.

The best way to get a wider latch is to have your son approach the breast with his nose perpendicular to your nipple so that his chin hits your breast first. This will enable him to open wide and take the rest of your breast in. It is sometimes hard when babies are little and breasts are large. I also found that rather than trying to “sandwich” the whole breast to get him to take it, try just sandwiching your areola and let him take that in. That way he will be able to get a portion that fits in his mouth and can draw the rest in himself. As he gets larger, he will get better at latching too. It is important to take him off and correct the latch whenever it isn’t right so that you don’t develop bad latch habits. I would avoid using the nipple shield unless you need it. It will just cause nipple confusion and you really don’t want to have to deal with that unless you have to.

If you get him to latch wider and he still isn’t drawing you in enough or sucking efficiently, then his suck reflex may not be stimulated properly. If the shield helps with this, then you can try some other ways to get the same effect without a shield.

• Pump for a few minutes before you try to latch him on, this will draw out your nipple and enable to him latch with better efficiency
• Wear a breast shell in your bra in between nursing sessions – this will also help to draw out your nipple so that he can later easier.

If all else fails, you may have to resort to the shield, but I highly recommend a visit to the Breastfeeding Center of Pittsburgh to meet with a lactation consultant before going that route. They can help diagnose the problem in person and they are covered by most health insurance companies.

Dr. Judy Masucci is a mom to one beautiful boy and a business owner. She lives in Pennsylvania just north of Pittsburgh where she operates A Mother’s Boutique, a maternity and breastfeeding boutique and writes about parenting and breastfeeding on her blog Mommy News and Views.

Breastfeeding in Public: What is Your Opinion?

Posted by Guest Author on May 16, 2012 in Bringing Up Boys

The subject of breastfeeding in public is one that really divides opinion. On one side you have those who see breastfeeding as one of the most natural things in the world, something that no mother should be ashamed or afraid of doing no matter where she is.

On the other side you have those who feel that breastfeeding in public can sometimes be indecent and serves only to make everyone else feel uncomfortable and awkward. In all honestly I think that for the most part people do not have a problem with a mother nursing her baby in public as long as it is done discreetly. However, should a mother have to be discreet and what should she do to tackle pre-conceived prejudices?

An Example

On the 28th December 2011 droves of nursing mothers descended on Target stores to nurse their babies in a public show of protest based on the experience of Michelle Hickman. During November that year Michelle was asked to move from the women’s clothing department and in to a changing room in order to nurse her baby. Her experience it seems was one of many. After she received what she considered as an unsatisfactory response from Target HQ Michelle and her friends used Facebook to organise the Nurse in. It raised a few eyebrows but most people were happy to carry on shopping as normal.

Hopefully it is now apparent exactly what a nurse in is. The Target nurse in was just one of many that have taken place across the world. These nursing mothers want to ‘normalize’ public nursing so that it is no longer an unusual sight in public places. A lot of stores and restaurants state that they support breastfeeding but a lot of mothers are finding that their in store experience does not reflect this. Like the Target nurse in, many are born out of a single experience and soon gather traction when picked up by sympathising mothers, many of whom can relate to these bad experiences.

Can you see both sides?

Whatever your opinion you can probably see the difficulty that arises on both sides. Mothers are out and about and suddenly their child is screaming for a feed. What are the options? To get dirty looks from people because your child is making a noise or to get dirty looks from people because you are breastfeeding. What a choice! On the other side you have the store owners and managers who come under fire from other customers when a mother breastfeeds publicly. They then come under fire again from the nursing mother who does not feel it is right to be asked to move or cover up. Again, not exactly win win.

Whatever your opinion it always helps to try and put yourself in the other persons shoes and retain an open mind no matter what. It is very likely that in 10 years’ time seeing a mother nurse her baby at the supermarket will be as normal as seeing her do her shopping!

Vicky works alongside Lorna Drew Nursing Lingerie who makes patented nursing bras. She enjoys writing about all things relating to parenting and motherhood. 

LacTank Nursing Cover {Review}

Posted by Emily Steves on Apr 2, 2012 in Reviews & Giveaways

As a nursing mother, I was faced with either breastfeeding in public or finding a place sneak away and "hide" to nurse my baby.  I wasn't very comfortable with the idea of whipping out my breast in a public place and it was pretty inconvenient to have to find a restroom, closet, etc. to do this necessary task privately.

I tried a few different nursing covers. Some were difficult to put on, were expensive, and others just plain didn't work. At times, I would resort to simply throwing a big blanket over myself and my baby, but it was hard to tote around a big, bulky blanket with me everywhere I went. 

I received the LacTank in the mail to review. Finally something that looked like it could work for me! I was very excited!!

The LacTank Nursing Cover

The LacTank, a modest tank top for lactating women which provides comfort, coverage, and convenience. All 3 things I was looking for in a nursing cover! They are hand-made by a mother who knows what it’s like to breastfeed in public. She created this wonderful product that every nursing mother should try! 

“Every nursing mother knows how uncomfortable it can feel nursing in public. After having my first child I decided I was done hiding in bathrooms and making myself go to great lengths to somehow find a way to nurse in private.

It seemed to me that there was not yet a solution for nursing modestly when you have an active lifestyle and active child.

This problem inspired me to create the LacTank (the modest tank top for lactating women)

This innovative nursing cover provides comfort, coverage and convenience. What more could you ask for?”
~Rachel Coplin, LacTank Inventor

LacTank Features:

• It is made of a cotton/spandex blend of fabric that breathes (which is great for baby) and stretches.
• It is advertised as wrinkle-free and easy to wash. (Another great thing!) 
• The LacTank is not too bulky and can be folded up to fit in most diaper bags. (This to me was one of the best parts because my diaper bag is already filled up to the max and I really couldn't fit much else in there.) 
•  No other nursing cover allows you to have use of both arms at all times so you can re-adjust or support your baby in a way that is comfortable for both of you.
• One of the best features of this nursing cover is your baby will not be able pull it off or move it while they are nursing (My baby is at the age where he grabs EVERYTHING right now so this was great!)

What I Love About the LacTank

I must say, I absolutely LOVED this nursing cover!  As stated above, the material was very comfortable, It washed easily in my washing machine, and fit nicely in my diaper bag.  My big complaint with other nursing covers was that my baby did not seem comfortable in them.  With the LacTank, he doesn't act "smothered" or sweaty inside of it. He nurses very well.  The best part: It looks VERY stylish!  I loved how this looks on!  Like its name, it looks just like a cute tank top. I also love that it is created by another mom like myself. I would much rather purchase a quality handmade item than something that is mass produced from a large chain store. 

What I Disliked About the LacTank

I have tried a few different covers before getting this one and I have to say that the LacTank is by far my favorite. The one thing that I struggled with (and I quickly learned) was how to get the tank on correctly.  I received no instructions with it.  After a few minutes of my husband and I twisting it over my head (and getting stuck) I got the hang of it. I now have become a pro at putting it on one handed! 

Connect with LacTank Now

• Etsy Shop: Use “DINKERANDGIGGLES” to save 10% off your order!!
• Facebook
• Blog

Win a LacTank

Rachel Coplin the designer and creator of LacTank has generously offered one of you a chance to win your own LacTank to make nursing in public more comfortable for you. Just use the below Rafflecopter form to enter. Winner will be drawn April 17th, 2012.

For a limited time you can use ‘DINKERANDGIGGLES’ in the LacTank Etsy Shop to save 10% off your order!

Increase Breastmilk Supply with ‘Let There Be Milk’

Posted by Emily Steves on Mar 19, 2012 in Reviews & Giveaways

Like many women, after my baby was born I struggled with wondering if I was making enough breast milk to adequately feed my newborn. After a few months of frustration that he just wasn’t getting enough from me, I was forced to resort to supplementing with formula. I was crushed.

I felt like I had failed at breastfeeding. Why wasn’t I producing enough milk to feed my baby?   I couldn’t understand.  I wasn’t ready to give up though. While doing some research to increase breastmilk supply, I came across Birth Song Botanicals and an herbal tincture called "Let There Be Milk"

I will admit, I was a bit skeptical. Could something like this REALLY help me produce more milk?  I was willing to try anything!  "Why not?"   I thought. It can't hurt to try. I was so desperate to get an adequate milk supply to feed my baby without supplementing with formula. 

The package came in the mail and I was eager to begin using it in hopes that I would notice an increase in my supply!

About Birth Song Botanicals

Birth Song Botanicals is owned by Maria Chowdhury, a mother, Licensed Midwife, Massage Therapist, and Master Herbalist.  She created a line of herbal supplements for pregnant, or nursing mothers, and their children. She states that all her products are made with high quality herbs that are organically grown or ethically wild crafted.

Herb Remedies/Supplements Offered For

• Fertility
• Menstrual Health
• Pregnancy
• Postpartum
• Lactation
• Pediatrics
• Immune Health
• Insomnia
• Stress
• Mild Depression
• Digestive Disorders

She literally has something for everyone!!!

Personal Experience With Let There Be Milk

The directions indicate to increase breastmilk supply, take 20-30 drops 1-3 times daily. To me, that seemed like A LOT!  After taking it for the first time, I realized that it wasn’t actually as much as it sounded.  I put the bottle out where I would remember to take it and began a routine of using it daily with hopes that I would soon notice an increase in my milk supply.

Ingredients:

• Blessed Thistle
• Goats Rue
• Marshmallow Root
• Frengreek Seed
• Red Raspberry Leaf
• Alcohol
• Distilled Water

What I Loved About Let There Be Milk

This product is an all natural way for women to help increase their milk supply. Herbs alone will not increase breastmilk supply as you must also offer the breast more often – often referred to nursing on demand.   The cost is very reasonable. I received my product VERY quickly with a nice hand written note of encouragement enclosed.  (I thought that was very thoughtful) She seems like such a sweet, caring lady.   The website is very user friendly with lots of information describing  the company, about the owner, and detailed information about each product available. She offers private consultations if you are unsure what product is best for you at a reasonable rate and follow ups.   (I thought this was a great added bonus that most companies don’t usually offer!) 

Drawback(s) to Let There Be Milk

Over all, I really had no complaints about the product. The one thing that bothered me a bit though was the taste.  It didn’t have a very pleasant taste and left a very bitter after taste in my mouth.    This wasn’t a huge deal because the amount taken at one time isn’t very much at all and if it really bothered me, I could easily just take a sip of water or a bite of a cracker afterwards to get the taste out of my mouth. The directions do say to take with food so no big deal. However, it would have been a little more enjoyable to take if it tasted a little better.  After taking it for a few days, I actually became used to the taste and it didn’t bother me so much.

My Personal Results

I used the entire 1 oz bottle, taking it diligently until it was gone.  I noticed a slight increase in my milk production after a few days.  I didn’t see huge results but every women’s body responds differently, especially to herbal remedies.  Even though I personally didn’t see a dramatic change in breastmilk supply, I would still recommend this product to women who have supply issues. I saw some improvement, which was better than none. Every bit counts when it comes to feeding your infant!   Women have milk supply issues for different reasons. Each woman probably will have slightly different results with this product. My advice is to try it!  Honestly, what do you have to lose? Its an inexpensive, natural, and easy way to try to increase your breastmilk (something SO beneficial to your little one!) 

For more information, to schedule a consultation, or to place an order visit Birth Song Botanicals

Shop Now

For a limited time you can shop with Birth Song Botanicals on Etsy and use BIRTH1234 for 10% off your order! Hurry this is a great time to stock up on those natural remedies and get your digestive system on track for the summer season.

Birth Song Botanicals is sponsoring for one of our readers to try Let There Be Milk for themselves. Simply follow the steps in the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Giveaway is open to anyone in the USA and all entries are verified. Ends March 31st, 2012.