TheBreastWay unbuttons..

bionic boobs

2011-02-18T13:35:00.002Z

So we have just landed from a taxi, flight and bus. At risk of sounding like im bragging about my 4 month old im not! Im going to brag about my boobs!! Ok so my little one latched on at the beginning of the 2 hour flight, and stayed exactly that way for 2 hours.. meaning the following:

I read grazia and instyle cover to cover with not a peep from him.. (ok so my 2 other toddlers were entertained by their new erasable pens and colouring books for most (ish) of the flight. But theyre not breastfeeding... I digress...!
He didnt move! For 2 hours! which made me think... he's not really asleep but comfy, calm, has no sore ears, isnt hungry..which means that I am comfy, calm and rather pleased that people havent even noticed that I have a baby on board!
how would the flight have been had I not got my bionic boobs?? What clever little things they are, doing all that at once. And he wasnt feeding, it was for all those other reasons he stayed latched on.
Wow
remind me again why everyone doesnt at least try breastfeeding??

the babes visit ohbaby!!

2011-01-27T12:38:00.001Z

Oh baby fabulous magazine asked us to share some breastfeeding info with them which we gladly did as we loooooove their mag, check out their upcoming fair in Fota wildlife park in april too....

oh baby dublinweb

BMJ

2011-01-26T15:39:00.004Z

Im sure you have heard the latest "haha told u all so" article on breastfeding published by the BMJ...claiming that six months of exclusive breastfeeding ”could harm babies,”. Sadly most of the journalists commenting appear not to have read the article....! The point of the study in the BMJ was to question the timing for the introduction of solid foods, and argue against the widely recommended 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding with no other solids or liquids. Fortunately, the Unicef UK was on the ball, and issued an excellent rebuttal.
The BMJ article was pointing out the lack of data on the subject of early weaning, but a huge issue with their data (as they point out) is that the numbers of babies being fed exclusively until 6 months is so small that they cannot compare and study this group as a group... sadly...
The study was a study of studies per se, and unfortunately the media just love to stir up a controversial issue like breastfeeding, and the title of the BMJ article was right down their alley.. sadly it didnt reflect the content of the research...

Breast Milk cheese on the menu in NYC

2010-06-02T15:53:00.002+01:00

NYC Chef Adds Mother's Milk Cheese To Menu

PETA, who has urged Ben & Jerry's to use human breast milk in the past, is all forchef Daniel Angerer, owner of the New York City restaurant Klee Brasserie, adding "Mommy's Milk" cheese to his menu. The item is made possible by his lactating wife, and he's offered up a host of images and the recipe on his own website—it includes 4 cups mother’s milk, yogurt, rennet and sea salt. The chef admits that he "was concerned... I wondered if it was ethical," but has decided to make it available after some thought and recipe testing; he recently told Grub Street, "It tastes just like really sweet cow’s milk." As for PETA, they say don't knock it til you try it...would you?

Latch Video

2010-05-19T20:27:00.001+01:00

Julie Bowen saves time

2010-05-19T12:52:00.004+01:00

Actress Julie Bowen shows off a photo of how she saves time - by breastfeeding both of her twin babies at the same time.

The American star of comedy show Modern Family lets one-year-old brothers John and Gus suckle from her simultaneously.

Speaking on U.S. late night talk show Lopez Tonight, 40-year-old Bowen quipped: 'It's like two little liposuction machines on you."

Isnt it a shame that more actresses and well known faces dont publicise breastfeeding more? Look at her, stylish, slim, happy... good on her!!

Stressed? Call mama!

2010-05-18T17:16:00.000+01:00

By Daily Mail London-
Put down the chocolate cake and cancel the yoga classes. The easiest way to ease stress is to phone your mother.
Research has found that hearing her voice can quickly calm frayed nerves - and a telephone call often has the same effect as a hug.
The findings could help explain why our mother is often the first person we turn to in tough times - even when we are adults ourselves.
A team of American researchers looked at the role of oxytocin, a hormone involved in sex, sexual attraction, trust and confidence.
Known as the "cuddle chemical", it is released into the blood during labour - triggering the production of breast milk - and floods the brain during breast feeding, helping mother and baby to bond.

It also, it seems, is key to a mother's ability to calm her child, relieving stress when it is released in children.
The researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison made a group of seven to 12-year-old girls perform a speech and solve a series of maths problems in front of a panel of strangers.
That sent the children's hearts racing and levels of cortisol - a hormone associated with stress - soaring. Once stressed, a third of the girls were comforted in person by their mother, a third told to speak to her on the phone and a third given a film to watch.
Levels of oxytocin rose quickly in those who saw or spoke to their mothers, the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B reports.
To the scientists' surprise, within an hour, the girls who phoned their mothers were just as calm as those who were comforted in person.
Researcher Leslie Seltzer said: "It was understood that oxytocin release in the context of social bonding usually required physical contact.
"But it's clear from these results that a mother's voice can have the same effect as a hug."

Ban on Infant Formula in SA?

2010-05-17T17:46:00.000+01:00

Ban infant formula - Motsoaledi

2010-05-13 21:55

Cape Town - Infant milk formula is "no different from skin lightening creams" and should be banned worldwide, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Thursday.

He said at the launch of a Human Sciences Research Council report on children and HIV: "I think throughout the world it was a very good idea to taper down the advertisement of infant feeding formulas.

"I think they must be banned altogether - throughout the whole world," he said, adding that he might propose the idea during discussion of the millennium development goals at the World Health Assembly next week.

One of the goals relates to infant mortality.

"When this is brought (up), because I know it's on the agenda, one would bring (up) these issues of infant feeding, because it's one of the key issues.

"If there's a move to ban infant formulas, I'll be one of the people to support it," he said.

Motsoaledi said there was always argument over the best method of feeding a child.

"But we know that breastfeeding is by far the best - all around the world nothing can ever beat breastfeeding."

If there were exceptions, they should be dealt with.

Boycott

He knew he would shock people with his proposed ban, but formulas are "no different from skin lightening creams", which are banned in South Africa.

He emphasised that he was talking about milk substitute formulas, not other baby foods.

Motsoaledi, who at one time worked as a doctor in rural areas, said he knew that in those areas, women sought the slightest excuse to not breastfeed.

The World Health Organisation recommends that in most cases babies should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months.

In the mid-1970s, advocacy groups launched a worldwide boycott of Swiss formula producer Nestlé, accusing it of using unethical methods of promoting infant formula over breastmilk to poor mothers in developing countries.

The advertising of infant formula has been banned in the UK in recognition of the importance of breastfeeding since 1995.

Gisele wishes all mothers could experience breastfeeding

2010-05-12T12:39:00.001+01:00

In a Mother's Day post, model mom Gisele Bündchen wrote a new message on her official website thanking her mother Vânia for encouraging her to find her own way. The 29-year-old mother of Benjamin, 5 months, and stepson Jack, 2 1/2, also urges new moms to breastfeed, calling it "Nature's blessing."

I’ve always believed that to be a mom is the greatest responsibility a woman could have in her life. I’ve noticed a lot of meaningful changes in my life taking place together with a huge transformation of my priorities. The most important thing to me is to be the best mom ever to my children. I want to love them, to communicate with them, to be patient and teach them all I know. I have no doubt that becoming a mom has been the most rewarding experience in my life. I can say for a fact that I knew unconditional love.

I’ve been blessed with a loving mother who understood we were all unique human beings and we all had our paths to follow. Once she told me “we love you and we’ve raised you the best we could, but you don’t belong to us, you belong to the world, you’ll have to find your own way”.

My mother has been a model to me and I’ll always be grateful to her for that. Thank you, Mom!

On this Mother’s Day I’d also like to talk about a very important issue, which is breastfeeding. It’s essential for the newborn and creates a bond between mother and her child. It’s a unique moment when the body changes to nurture; it’s the Nature’s blessing! Breastfeeding, mainly the first days, poses some challenges, but the reward is sublime. In addition to having all the proteins, fats, and vitamins the baby needs, breastfeeding is an act of love and affection.

It would be great if all the mothers could experience the breastfeeding.

Therefore, on this date, May 9th, I want to wish all the mothers in the world a very special day and may we all be the best we can to our children, who, in turn, will show us their infinite love and brighten every day of our life with laughs (and many sleepless nights as well).

Happy Mother’s Day

Love and light"

Valentines Love

2010-02-11T20:29:00.004Z

Milky whispers in the quiet dawn.
Pudgy hands pull my nose, my hair, my nipples.
Big wet open mouthed kisses that become rasberries on my shoulder and breast.
"Ba ba ba ba."
Soft, silky, delicious hair.
Toothy smiles.
Every morning a glorious one.
You always wake happily--embracing the day to come.
It is infectious.
my love you have taught me to cherish time.
To love the sensuous.
I love waking up next to you.
my sweet beloved child

pertest boobs in town

2009-08-12T09:43:00.004+01:00

So Angelina, Hollywoods mother earth has finally been cast into bronze and immortalised as a breastfeeder!.... personally, I think its a good thing... Ok, so the statue doesnt exactly look like her, but hey, often the photos we prefer of ourselves arent so much of a true representation anyway!! She has been immortalised in the well researched twin method of feeding known as the football hold. Hard to imagine her on the sofa, draped in stained muslin cloths, cup of tea to hand, in her pj's watching the tv, and slightly easier to imagine her naked, breastfeeding, complete with superbly pert gravity defying boobs. Sure we'd all look like this if statues were made, eh?
its just a matter of getting the right sculptor, no?!!!

phew!

2009-08-02T14:22:00.000+01:00

Press twisted my words, says academic in breast-milk row

Mothers who do not breastfeed thought they had a new ally. But he was misinterpreted, he says

By Susie Mesure

Sunday, 2 August 2009

Few topics are more emotive than breastfeeding, that rite of passage into motherhood. Witness the furore that erupted over a story purporting to rubbish claims that breast milk provided newborns with a protective shield against an array of illnesses or allergies.

Mums everywhere entrenched their positions on either side of the breast-milk divide when they leapt on the alleged assertion made by a leading professor of paediatrics and breastfeeding adviser to the World Health Organisation and Unicef. Michael Kramer was reported as saying that much of the evidence used to persuade mothers to breastfeed was either wrong or out of date.

Those in the anti camp were particularly ecstatic. "It was all I could do not to dance around the room whooping with joy.... Thanks for vindicating all the mums who dared to challenge the sanctimonious breastfeeding orthodoxy in 'discussion' forums," wrote TheJasMonster on Mumsnet after reading the article in The Times. Conversely, those pro-breastfeeding, from new mums trying to do the right thing to anti-formula campaigners such as Baby Milk Action, were left devastated that someone as respected as Kramer, who has studied evidence on breastfeeding since 1978, could perform such a massive U-turn. Especially on the eve of World Breastfeeding Week, which kicked off yesterday.

Or did he? Not a bit of it, says the professor, who is renowned for a groundbreaking study that found an IQ advantage to breastfeeding even after you'd stripped out the natural advantages that being the sort of mum who breastfeeds would give her child. Rather, he is spitting tacks at how his comments had been so "grossly misrepresented" for the second time in almost as many months. (The first was in the respected American magazine, The Atlantic, in an article entitled "The case against breastfeeding", which ignited the original media storm on the subject.)

"Journalists certainly have the right to express their own opinions, but not to misquote experts they choose to interview in order to support those opinions. That sort of sensationalist journalist would not surprise me from the tabloids, but I had expected better from The Atlantic and The Times," Kramer said last night.

The Times quoted Kramer, who is based at McGill University, Montreal, as saying there was "very little evidence" breastfeeding reduces the risk of a range of diseases from leukaemia to heart disease. Yet, what he actually said was: "The existing evidence suggests that breastfeeding may protect against the risk of leukaemia, lymphoma, inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure." All he did concede was that we need "more and better studies to pursue these links", a common cry from academics lacking in funding.

As for the article merely casting him "in the camp that believes that breastfeeding will turn out to have a slight effect on brain development", well, that hardly squared with his life's work, he said yesterday. "There is an IQ advantage to breastfeeding by as much as three or four points. It's not the difference between Einstein and a mental retard at an individual level, but it means having a smarter population on average, fewer children with school difficulties, and more gifted children."

He added: "There really isn't any controversy about which mode of feeding is more beneficial for the baby and the mother, but when you read the article in The Times it sounds like there is." Furthermore, he points out: "I'm not aware of any studies that have observed any health benefits of formula feeding. That's important, and any mother weighing the benefits of breastfeeding vs formula feeding needs to know that."

His only note of caution, which was flipped on its head by both publications, was that breastfeeding advocates don't need "to overstate their case for issues that are more controversial", such as the link between breastfeeding and protection against obesity, allergies and asthma. "Public health bodies don't have to exaggerate the benefits in order to be very comfortable about supporting breastfeeding," he added.

Some solace for campaigners such as the WHO, keen to use World Breastfeeding Week to increase global breastfeeding rates and save up to 1.3 million children's lives a year. Worldwide, fewer than 40 per cent of mums breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their baby's life, as recommended: in the UK only 3 per cent are still breastfeeding exclusively at five months.

HSE issues Information and medical advice about influenza A(H1N1) for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding

2009-07-20T09:39:00.002+01:00

HSE
Information and medical advice about influenza A(H1N1) for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding
Version 1.0 : 26.5.09
What is influenza A(H1N1)?
Influenza A(H1N1) is different from the ordinary or seasonal flu that occurs every winter.
• It has spread rapidly in the Americas.
• It could be highly infectious
• It may affect large numbers of people
• It may cause more severe illness than ordinary flu
• It may cause more deaths than ordinary flu
• It may occur in two or more waves several months apart – with each wave possibly lasting weeks or months
Are there people at higher risk of complications?
Some people are at higher risk of complications from flu. They may require
additional treatment or monitoring.
This group includes people with chronic heart or lung disease, diabetes, liver and kidney disease, people receiving cancer treatment and whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment (immunocompromised). It also includes children under 3 years and pregnant women.
What can people do to protect themselves from influenza A(H1N1)?
Preventing the spread of germs is the single most effective way to slow the spread of influenza.
1. Wash your hands often with soap and water, and especially after coughing and sneezing and before eating. Alcohol-based hand cleaners (minimum 60% alcohol) are also effective
2.Avoid unnecessary close contact with people who have influenza
3.Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands – germs spread this way
4.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket.

How will I know if I have got influenza A(H1N1)?
You will have the same symptoms as if you had ordinary flu but they will probably be sudden, and may be severe. They may include:
• Temperature over 38ºC/100.4ºF and some of the following:
• Dry cough • Sore throat
• Headache • Runny nose
• Severe weakness and fatigue • Vomiting / diarrhoea
• Aching muscles and joints
These can lead to complications some of which may be severe.
What should a pregnant woman do if she thinks she may have influenza A(H1N1)?
Anyone who is pregnant needs to have an urgent assessment by their doctor.
•Contact your GP by phone and follow his or her instructions.
•Discourage any visitors
•Take medicines such as paracetamol to reduce the symptoms
•Drink plenty of fluids
•Most people with flu will recover within a few days.
•Stay at home for up to 7 days or until you fully recover (whichever is the longer)
•If you need to go to a doctor’s office or to an emergency room, please telephone before you go and tell them that you think you might have influenza A(H1N1). When you are there cover your mouth and nose with a facemask or a cloth; make yourself known to staff. Do not sit in the waiting area with other patients.
When should a pregnant woman get emergency medical care?
If you have any of these signs, contact your doctor right away:
•Shortness of breath at rest or while doing very little
•Painful or difficult breathing
•Coughing up bloody sputum
•Drowsiness, disorientation or confusion
•Sudden dizziness
•Severe or persistent vomiting
•Decreased or no movement of your baby
•Fever for 4-5 days and not starting to get better (or getting worse)
•Starting to feel better then developing high fever and feeling unwell again
Is there a vaccine against influenza A(H1N1)?
No. There is currently no vaccine for influenza A(H1N1). The vaccine given for seasonal flu does not protect against influenza A(H1N1).
Is there treatment against influenza A(H1N1)?
Yes. The influenza A(H1N1) virus is sensitive to antiviral drugs. These medicines may reduce the severity of the illness. Treatment is most effective if started within 48 hours of symptom onset, but may also be given to very sick or high risk people (like pregnant women) even after 48 hours.
How else should pregnant women prepare for the possibility of spread of the influenza A(H1N1) virus?
Certain pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from flu – these include women with chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, liver and kidney disease, receiving cancer treatment and whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment (immunocompromised).
If you are one of these women you should consult your doctor and make sure all your vaccinations are up-to-date. Seasonal influenza vaccine should be used as advised and when available.The seasonal influenza vaccine is considered very safe in pregnancy.
What if I get this new virus and I am pregnant?
We do know that pregnant women are more likely to get sick than others and have more serious problems with seasonal flu. These problems may include early labour or severe pneumonia. We don’t know if this virus will do the same, but it should be taken very seriously.
Can I take antivirals if I am pregnant?
Your doctor will decide if you need antiviral drugs. There is little information about the effect of antiviral drugs in pregnant women or their babies, but no serious side effects have been reported.

Is it ok to breastfeed my baby if I am sick with this virus?
•A mother’s milk is made to fight diseases in her baby. This is really important in young babies when their immune system is still growing.
•Do not stop breastfeeding if you are ill. Breastfeed early and often. This will help protect your baby from infection.
•Be careful not to cough or sneeze in the baby’s face.
•Wash your hands often with soap and water.
•Your doctor might ask you to wear a mask to keep from spreading this new virus to your baby.
•If you are too sick to breastfeed, pump if possible and have someone give the expressed milk to your baby.
Is it OK to take antivirals while breastfeeding?
There is little information about the effect of antiviral drugs on breastfed babies, but no serious side effects have been reported. Your doctor will decide whether antivirals are right for you.

Telephone
Further Information is available from the HSE Flu Information Line.
The Flu Information Line is available 24 hours a day and is your primary source of information on influenza A(H1N1).
Freephone 1800 94 11 00
Websites
The HSE’s Website will be kept updated every day with latest information and advice. Check it often.
Health Service Executive
www.hse.ie
Department of Health and Children
www.dohc.ie
Information for Health Professionals will be on
www.hpsc.ie

to print this pdf follow this link:http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/EmergencyPlanning/AvianPandemicInfluenza/SwineInfluenza/AdvicefortheGeneralPublic/File,3732,en.pdf

Fearful of breastfeeding in public

2009-07-11T18:10:00.006+01:00

Heres an article that caught our attention subsequent to our previous post on the issue of feeding in public!

Two mothers in three 'fear stares if they breastfeed'

Parliament to debate change in the law to support nursing mothers

Susie Mesure and Brian Brady

Sunday, 5 July 2009

It is as near to the elixir of life as a liquid can get, especially for a newborn baby. But children are still being denied breastmilk by new mums who are too self-conscious to nurse on the go for fear of attracting the opprobrium of a "bottle-fed" nation, according to a new survey that deals a fresh blow to Britain's attempts to improve its pitiful track record on breastfeeding.

Despite decades of initiatives to persuade mothers that "breast is best", most still prefer using infant formula milk because they believe society at large is anti-breastfeeding, a poll for Mother & Baby magazine has found. The survey comes on the eve of World Breastfeeding Week as the Government debates whether to introduce legislation protecting a mother's right to breastfeed.

Nearly two in three mothers believe the UK is "not breastfeeding-friendly", prompting concerns from nursing mums that they would struggle to breastfeed while out and about. Miranda Levy, Mother & Baby's editor, said: "Every mum we questioned understood the health benefits of breastfeeding, but a huge percentage were put off even trying because of the fear of people staring."

She added that many of the 1,200 readers surveyed cited stressful breastfeeding experiences, with one commenting that she was even asked to be more discreet at a "mums and tots" group because the lady running the group had her husband there.

Although the World Health Organisation recommends mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies until they are six months old, barely a third of British babies are still exclusively breastfed at one week and just one-fifth still are by six weeks. By the time babies are four months old, that figure has plunged to 7 per cent, giving Britain one of the worst breastfeeding records in the developed world.

In a first for a mainstream UK publication, Mother & Baby's August cover will feature a nursing mum. In the US, the style tome W showed Angelina Jolie nursing her twins last autumn.

Rosie Dodds, of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), which helped to conduct the poll, said: "Most women stop breastfeeding because they lack support." The NCT is launching a national drive to promote nursing-friendly venues, although campaigners believes women should feel comfortable breastfeeding anywhere.

Michelle Atkin, who set up Little Angels to promote breastfeeding, thinks that "we see breasts primarily as sexual, and to use them for anything else confuses people".

Ilana King, a counsellor for the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, said: "If we saw more women out and about breastfeeding then more mums would start but we live in a bottle-feeding culture." A mother of three, including 11-month-old Saul, she said it tended to be the older generation who cast disapproving looks.

The issue of breastfeeding opened up a split during discussions of the Government's controversial Equality Bill, which is going through Parliament. The proposals would enshrine mothers' rights to breastfeed babies aged six months and under in public places, including shops and cafes, granting them legal protection against overzealous staff who fear they would embarrass other customers.

No-one is imposing anything on you if they breastfeed in public. What exactly are they imposing? Their very presence? If a woman is breastfeeding in your vicinity, all she is doing is tending to a child. It does not impose on others in any way. As we have on our quote this week - "anyone offended by a baby breastfeeding is staring too hard"! If you do look, perhaps it makes you blush, but that's ok. Hopefully she'll be far too busy to notice you gawking!
Here's an interesting comment subsequent to the letter -

"Without babies there would be no "life" and babies are meant to consume human milk from a breast. Sorry but even milk from a bottle is inferior.
Further if breastfeeding is a "lifestyle" then so is "formula feeding" which many find offensive, so no more bottle fed babies or animals in public or on TV if you please. Oh and while we're at it Jews and Muslims find your "lifestyle" choice of uncovered hair, or any skin, offensive -so please stop. FYI even Muslims that wear the full covering that only shows their eyes -breastfeed in public; not breastfeeding is considered religiously offensive to them, so again -no more bottle feeding for you. Also no more eating bottom feeding fish, sea food, pigs, or cows, or any meat as you might offend vegetarians, vegans, Jews, Muslims, and Hindu peoples."

I don't think its even remotely a 'look at me' kind of thing. Its a 'feeding a baby' kind of thing. It does mums good to get out the house and meet friends at a cafe after having a baby, and chances are, when they do, the baby will get hungry and cry. If its bottle fed, well, that's quite a common sight, a baby in a cafe being fed a bottle . Why should a breastfed baby be viewed any differently? Why should that mum and her baby be struggling lonely and isolated indoors because someone might blush, or find this a bit uncomfortable.

Its very rarely noticable anyway. I hope todays new mums are not distressed by the very silly comments being posted by some people today. Its healthy, good for everyone for mums to get out the house and feed their baby wherever they need to, and if they do have to nurse while out, 90% of the public won't realise 90% of the time.

I've yet to see a breastfeeding woman show any more skin than is seen on the average teenager or women at the Academy Awards. Let alone the average bikini!

Actually I've seen more nipples accidentally fall out of ridiculously low cut tops than I've seen mom's miss it when a baby suddenly unlatches. I'm not going to say it doesn't happen, it does, its happened to me -but usually I'm not right in the middle of a store picking something up nor at the cash when it happens.

You almost never see any nipple, rarely see much more than the top inch of breast when a woman is nursing. Actually mostly you see their side more than anything. And while a bit of pudgy abs with stretch marks isn't the top of "hot things people want to see" its not exactly offensive either. And why the heck are men allowed to go around topless and not women!? Hmmm ok so the population of working men would grind to a halt I fear, and land us in even further recession!

Mums need to be brave and inspired about feeding in publice, but so does the general public, to view with awe and admiration the act of breastfeeding. The more mums that feed in public, the more it becomes acceptable, the norm, and inspires the mums with bumps all over our country to think about breastfeeding as the normal "done thing". Society repeats itself and mimics what it sees. If the women who are currently breastfeeding are not seen to do it, nothing changes, and the only feeding babies are seen to do in public is from latex.

I dont think that encouraging mums not to cover up in public is the answer - feeding in public is the answer, bring out your babies, wear just a string vest if you feel up to it (fantastic!!), but if wearing 3 pashminas is what allows you to feed in public, then you go girl, and bring all the cashmere you need. The main thing is, youre doing it, and you'll inspire others around you. The only people that can change our culture is you!

This breastfeeding season's fashion must have - the super, long, stretchy string top !

2009-07-01T22:37:00.006+01:00

Attention all you beautiful Mamas !!
What can I not live without while feeding my little princess ? Why the super, long, stretchy string top of course !
I wear them under everything. I don't have any special nursing tops so I just wear my "normal" tops over them. They are fab. I especially love the maternity ones from H&M. They are perfect for feeding ... and they are cheap! I think all of us babes should save money where possible and treat ourselves to pedicures, facials, SHOES or something equally as fabulous! So all you have to do to discreetly feed your little angel is lift up your normal top and pull the top of the super string top down under the boob from which you are going to feed from and hey presto! - Quick and oh so easy and convenient. No fussing or faffing. Then happily feed away, feel fabulous with not a bit of boob in sight! Your regular top keeps you modest from boob up while the super long stretchy string top hides your tummy and covers the top of your jeans, if like me you are still wearing them kind of ... open!!
If you find that you are too hot a mama in this heat to wear two tops then wear the super long, stretchy string top and drape a pashmina/shawl over your shoulders. When you need to feed simply let the side of the pashmina thats on the side you are going to feed from hang loosely over that shoulder and that will cover you lightly - leaving you to feed comfortably while staying cool, adding a splash of colour to your outfit and looking stylish !

Happy breastfeeding all you beautiful, wonderful babes !

Glittergirlie xx

work and pump - making it all work...

2009-06-29T14:45:00.005+01:00

Written by Kirsten Berggren (PhD, fab scientist and pumping babe!) for us babes,– check out her website : www.workandpump.com - thanks Kirsten!

Kirstens Top FAQs on going back to work:

1.How can I tell my boss I’ll need pumping breaks when I come back?

First, the facts: when employers support breastfeeding mums, they save money. Yes, you’re taking breaks all day for about a year, but here’s what your boss gets: you and your baby cost less in health insurance –you miss less work – because your baby is healthier. You are a better employee – because you feel supported by your boss, and are (statistically, anyway) less likely to quit. So – go into the conversation with these facts in mind. You don’t have to rattle them off, but just knowing that you help the company’s bottom line by breastfeeding can help you feel better about asking.

2.Second, know the law that protects you.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2004/en/si/0654.html

-a copy of this legislation dropped in your boss’ box may be enough! But when it comes down to it, just ask for what you need. A private (non-bathroom) space and a few breaks each day. You can say you need to “express milk to feed the baby” if you don’t care to have your boss and the word “breast” in the same room. Tell your boss it’s a limited time benefit that’s being supported by more and more companies.

3.How much milk do I need to leave for my baby?

It depends. An average baby between the ages of 1 and 6 months takes in about 25 ounces per day. But remember, “average” means some take more, some less, but one ounce per hour is a reasonable starting point. Factor in the time your baby is sleeping and not eating at night, and usually about 12-15 ounces is more than enough for a 9 hour separation. Let your baby help figure it out – the end of a feeding should be determined by the baby, not the amount of milk left in the bottle. And really, the daily amount doesn’t change in the first 6 months – it just seems like it because they sleep longer at night, so need to eat more when they’re awake.

4.How can my childcare provider support my breastfeeding?

Easy, don’t overfeed the kid! If your baby is fed too much while you’re gone, that’s more milk you have to pump or express.

Give them this fabulous handout http://www.ncsl.org/IssuesResearch/Health/BreastfeedingLaws/tabid/14389/Default.aspx from the Australian breastfeeding association – it explains how to pace (i.e. slow down) feedings, and has lots of breastfeeding-supportive information – written just for child care providers.

5.What’s the best kind of bottle for a breastfeeding baby?

Depends on the baby, there’s no one best choice. Go with the one that they’ll accept, but not drink too quickly from. The most important thing is to stick with the lowest flow nipples you can buy. Why? Because if feeding from the bottle is too easy, your baby may begin to prefer the bottle. He may also overeat while you’re away – meaning more pumping and less nursing time for you – not a good deal. Chances are, your baby will be ready for a sippy cup when you go back to work so this is an option too.

6.How often do I need to pump at work?

Again, it depends. The average is every three hours. But some women can store a large amount of milk in their breasts and may be able to pump only twice a day and express all they need. Others can store smaller amounts, and need to pump more often. However, in both cases, these two things are true – when breasts are full of milk, they tell your body to stop making so much. And, when breasts are empty, they make milk much faster. So, frequently emptying them is the best way to make more.

Her book is available on

http://www.ibreastfeeding.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=61

Summertime boobs

2009-06-24T09:14:00.004+01:00

Wondering how youre going to get this feeding thing in public sorted now that half of our lovely little islands nation have stripped down in this heat??

Concerns like pools and leakage, family BBQs, trips to the park and going for a morning jog can have many modest babe cooped up in their home for the whole season. This is not only completely unnecessary, but wasteful! There is no reason to sit out the summer because being in public and breastfeeding are compatible. Promise!

Let's start with the family / friend gatherings and inevitable barbecues. If you are new to breastfeeding in public this is absolutely perfect. Your first time is surrounded by friends and family. Once you are a pro feeding babe you will look back and laugh at how awkward you felt feeding your baby outdoors.

tip for a newly feeding babe at a party in the summer - bring a sling so you can feed sitting on the ground or even standing up - seats tend to be at a premium and you dont really want to collapse on a deck chair while feeding (ok maybe that's just a phobia I have !!)

If the thought of feeding around people still makes you a little uneasy start smaller.

Grab a magazine, a cuppa, your sunnies, a shade, go into your garden this beautiful morning, breathe in that fresh air, breastfeed your little one and listen to the birds sing. That is peace and love, babe.

Relish it. See? A breeze.. we told you!

So now you have the outdoors mastered and are loving it - how about that upcoming holiday - pools and beaches, bikinis,.... hmmm. This setting can be downright terrifying, especially for the newbie. Not only do you worry about modesty options as you eye up your string bikini, but you worry how the hell the breastpads are gonna get in there...

Just remember one thing for starters..people who are out on a beach or at a pool are really not paying attention to you.

You probably feel like a huge spotlight beams directly down on you everytime you go to feed in public, while everybody holds their breath and stares, absolutely appalled at what you are about to do. In reality, the insecurity is yours! it smost likely that nobody around you will notice or care. When you relax, you feel less self conscious and you'll soon notice no-one even notices. Oh, and did I mention the virtues of a string bikini? easy peasy for feeding! So if you are of the small breasted variety of babe, youre sorted. PLUS, breastmilk doesnt make a big stain on a bikini like it does on clothes, so who needs a nursing pad, right?

So when you are at the pool or beach, garden barbecue. wherever you may find yourself in this lovely weather... nurse with pride and if somebody happens to notice all the better. You are helping change our culture for the better. And don't worry about the leakage, you won't be swimming around with a streak of milk in your wake, I swear.

Nursing in the summertime is beautiful, convenient and healthy. You don't have to carry around formula, bottles and sterile water. Food for your baby is always ready, always the perfect temperature and always perfectly mixed. And all this with zero clean up required. So enjoy your summer of breastfeeding babe, a whole world of lovliness awaits you!

And then..........

2009-06-23T15:32:00.002+01:00

The objective was to get the baby latched on and feeding within the first hour – we had read this was the best time to start breastfeeding, baby alert and one plus one equals two. Some babies do not want to nurse in this first hour. A couple of my sons were not interested. I would try and latch them on and they would just not oblige. This doesn’t mean anything. It just means they are not ready to do this.
Imagine you are suddenly placed on a new and bright planet. You need time to acclimatise, squint around and work out what is going on in this new and loud place.
Your baby is the same! A small human being. I have always found that keeping that trying to keep the lines of communication (yes babies do communicate with their bodies) helps us as mothers to understand the cues.
The size factor is always an interesting one, after our baby has arrived we keep looking at them and wondering how that baby was inside us. Then we look down at what was just a pregnant body, look at the slightly (or more than slightly) less than taught remains and loose our body image all over again.
As with any part of our body, it takes a while to go down! Keep up the positive body image – your body is natures best piece of engineering and design.

In The Beginning................

2009-06-23T15:29:00.001+01:00

Every woman has different expectations of labor and birth. No matter what choices you make or what beliefs you have – your baby will be born. Again, there are loads of books about birth so choose the ones that suit you and take out of them what you will. Never feel judged by others’ experiences as yours’ are unique to you.
As the post birth hormones flow through our newly mothered body a lot of primary stuff happens.
The first feeling from a primary perspective is SHOCK. Birth is a trauma which I will define as a life changing experience.
The next item on the agenda is imprinting. I watched with fascination a wildlife programme about zebras, they all looked the same from a striped perspective to me. The narrator then explained that after birth a mother zebra physically shields her baby from the rest of the herd so it can imprint her markings in its brain. WOW.
Well that’s what we want to do too. We check out our baby for the required amount of fingers and toes (yes we do!) and then need some quiet time to imprint. This is my baby, I am your mother. I remember many years ago being told my baby would know my smell so I went off and stocked up on peach smelling products as I wanted him to know that smell – silly me didn’t realise it was my own smell not that of the deodorant I used! Ah well, I lived and learned.
Some mothers, after birth, need some time and space to get to grips with the reality of what they have just experienced.
We have been told that we are supposed to feel immediate love and bonding. Some do but just as many do not. This doesn’t mean that there is anything psychiatrically or psychologically wrong I promise. Its getting over the numbing shock of what you have just experienced. Just look, count those fingers and toes, and very importantly touch. We can see with our fingers and grow love towards our new baby with our hands. The skin is a very important neurological receptor.
Our usually alert new born is a great starting point for our journey through motherhood. Some look upon their baby as gorgeous, others do not. You don’t have to look at your baby and say he is beautiful, you can look at your baby and say he’s mine! Or he’s ours!

TheBreastBabes' blog

2009-06-23T13:26:00.003+01:00

TheBreastWay has a blog! Welcome!
We will be keeping you updated in the world of breastfeeding, beauty, musings, world news and website issues, news and developments here, and welcome your thoughts and comments as always from you bab