Stop the attitudes about breastfeeding

I still remember, quite vividly, the day when my family doctor handed me literature at my firstborn's 9-month checkup. It was a photocopied group of papers dated in the 70's, and it was about breastfeeding. What is said about breastfeeding, was that if my child was still nursing by the time she was a year, then I was doing her psychological harm. Oh, yes.

I found a new doctor (after pointing out the problems with that literature, supported by today's current research, of course), and then left the facility completely when a different doctor told me that I was not allowed to get any more vaccinations for my children until I started bringing them for well-child visits again. (Oh, ok, sure, Doc, I'll get right on that!)

Then there was my husband at the time. I had to always cover the baby entirely with a blanket or something else while nursing in public. It was terrible. My baby was sweating, I couldn't see what was going on...sometimes, he was so uncomfortable that I had to leave the room while nursing our baby. He wasn't the only one, though. There were times when I would be nursing my beautiful baby in public (well, if you consider a comfortable chair tucked into a semi-private room in a department store "public") and a passerby would "politely" let me know that there was a restroom a little further down the hallway.

And then (oh no!), my daughter kept nursing after she was a year old! The audacity of me, right? You would think that this was a disgusting, abnormal, non-human practice the way that some people spoke to me about it. And you know what? I sometimes adapted the "it's my business, not yours, so don't talk to me about it" attitude. After all, it's not anyone else's business but my own, and it's not worth my time or effort to defend myself to everyone. I can nurse my child until any age I please. I can even do it without a blanket over her head.



But what if, instead of daring people to look our way while breastfeeding in public, we invited it? I'm not saying that we flash the girls at anyone. I'm not saying that we shouldn't be respectful of our bodies and other people's eyes when out in public. I'm not saying that we should force our breastfeeding ways upon anyone.

Woman nursing her child while talking to the president of Venezuala

What I am saying, is that if we want breastfeeding in public to be considered normal, we should treat it like it is normal. We should not go into any separate areas unless that helps us our babies nurse. We should not be so concerned about keeping our nipples from showing that we will cover our babies heads, hold blankets up with our teeth, and make our older children stand in front of us to create a human wall. Who says our breasts can't be both beautiful and functional? And anyone who looks at my breasts and finds them sexual while my baby is latched on has bigger problems than I am causing.

We need to be willing to discuss why we do what we do, and to not feel intimidated by those who "dare" speak to us about it. Greet them with gladness, because you are making a gigantic step in "normalizing" public breastfeeding to that person. Just think of all of the horrible fashions that have come out in the last few years. Interestingly, with enough exposure to them, most of us will start thinking those "horrible" fashions aren't so bad any more, and will often even start liking them! It's a fact of social psychology: when we are exposed to something new and told it's "normal," with time, we will accept it as "normal".

Stop the attitudes about breastfeeding. We don't need to picket, have "nurse-ins", and so on and so forth. We don't need to pass out breastfeeding symbol pins, or have designated breastfeeding areas. We just need to treat it like it's normal, because, well, breastfeeding is normal. And nursing in public is normal, too.

Medela Breastmilk Labeling & Storage System Review & GIVEAWAY!

Medela has a new Breastmilk Labeling & Storage System that is designed to make the whole "what bag do I use?" part of pumping and breastfeeding less complicated. Here's what they have to say about it from http://medela.com:

A new Breastmilk Labeling and Storage System — one that helps parents and caregivers track, label and organize breastmilk bottles in the refrigerator or freezer — is now available from Medela.

The all-in-one system includes one organizer tray, two labeling lids and two 5-ounce breastmilk bottles. The organizer tray provides dedicated space to protect up to six breastmilk bottles or storage bags, and keeps them organized and upright in the refrigerator or freezer. It also features a convenient handle that allows parents and caregivers to easily move the tray around or remove it for cleaning.
To help parents identify the freshest breastmilk and avoid waste, clearly marked “in” and “out” arrows identify which breastmilk bottle is “next in line” for a feeding. Twist-and-lock labeling lids — also available separately in a pack of six — allow parents to select a day of the week and time of day (a.m., p.m. or midday) to track when milk was pumped, or a “feed by” day for other caregivers.

“For moms who are separated from baby and pump frequently, it can be difficult to properly store and keep track of breastmilk bottles to make sure baby is getting the freshest breastmilk,” said Brian Warren, new business development manager at Medela. “The Breastmilk Labeling and Storage System helps mom, dad or a caregiver keep breastmilk bottles in one place, with clear indicators of when breastmilk was pumped for more organized feedings later.”

The organizer tray and labeling lids are compatible with all Medela polypropylene breastmilk bottles (not for use with glass bottles). Like all Medela products that come into contact with breastmilk, the bottles and the tray are Bisphenol A-free. The organizer tray is also compatible with Medela’s Pump & Save breastmilk bags (sold separately). It is 100 percent reusable and dishwasher safe.

The Breastmilk Labeling and Storage System will be available in independent and mass retailers starting in January 2011 at a retail price of $15.99. Breastmilk labeling lids (a pack of six) are also available separately at a retail price of $9.49. To find Medela retail stores visit http://medela.findlocation.com/. 

My Thoughts...
I was pretty excited about this concept when I first heard about it. I always have the problem of my family not knowing which bag of frozen or fresh milk to start with, and something always ends up going bad before it gets used. :( Even if you date bags, people don't always have the time to read them before pulling one. The tray that Medela designed has an "in" and "out" section so that you will in theory just move the bottles around the ring from "in" to "out" as they get used and you put more in. This will always keep the oldest milk moving forward.

It would be a better system if the "in" section was raised slightly so that the milk actually slid down towards the "out" section and you didn't have to physically push the bottles around. Medela says you can also use this with the bags instead of bottles, but when I put frozen bags of my milk into the organizer tray (I use the Lansinoh brand, but they are the same size as the Medela pumping bags), it didn't actually function so well because the bags didn't fit too well. I thought about solving this problem by letting the milk freeze in the bag as it sits IN the tray instead of it laying flat in the freezer before I move it, but then you may still have a problem moving it around and taking it out since the shape would remain the same as when you first put the milk bag into the tray. So plan on using bottles. :)

The bottles themselves are pretty cool. I don't like that they're a soft plastic, but the lids are great in that you can snap up the top part and spin it around to designate which day of the week and what time of day you pumped that particular milk. No sharpies needed, and the bottles should screw on to any standard pump so you can pump right into them. They're also big enough to express into by hand, which is what I did last night since I was too lazy to hook my pump all up.

Overall, I think it's a good concept but still needs a little more work to make it worth the money. Maybe I should contact Medela about being an inventor for them...

Win it!
Medela and BSM Media are giving away one of these Breastmilk Labeling & Storage Systems to a reader. Here's how we're going to do it...the first person to comment here and email me her name and mailing address (lifemoresimply at yahoo.com) wins! Don't forget to do both steps: comment, email. If someone has already left a comment below, feel free to also do the same because you never know if that person really did complete the second step. Good luck!

Nursing Mamas Can Be Sexy, Too!

One of the biggest things new mothers have to combat after giving birth is their new body image. For 9 months, your body changed and developed into something entirely different than it was before. Beautifully encasing a growing baby, your body is (for most) easy to cherish during that time. Then the baby comes and it's as though your body morphed into something not-so-desirable in the snap of a finger. All of the sudden, you realize that you're overweight, have a very flabby belly, your thighs and butt are larger than they were before, and your boobs aren't nearly as perky.

While I am the first to say that mother's bodies are beautiful and the media has it totally wrong to consider the only form of beauty to be unhealthily thin models with large curves in very defined places (and forget stretch marks, or puffy eyes, right?), I am also the first to understand how hard it is to accept our new bodies once we become mothers. It's pretty tough to be sleep deprived, give of yourself so much in every way to those around you 24-hours a day, and somehow still feel beautiful.

After LoveBug's birth, it wasn't an option for me to do anything but breastfeed. I was so committed to it that I practically lived with my breast pump at all times since I had to work full time +. With breastfeeding also came the nursing bras...and boy, are they ugly! What is it with frumpy looking old-lady-beige colored nursing bras? Why didn't it occur to someone that us nursing moms need an extra boost of self confidence? I once heard a male coworker state "why would you need to wear a sexy bra after you're married? No one will see it..." I rolled my eyes.

It took me a very, very long time to find sexy nursing bras on the market that fit me (size 32huge--how would it make YOU feel if even Victoria's Secret didn't even carry your size?). Most of them are very expensive (at least to the cheapskate that I am), but I think they are totally worth it. So ladies, throw out your frumpy beige bolder holders, and stock your drawers full of these:

Hot Milk Lingerie

http://www.hotmilklingerie.com

From New Zealand, they sell matching bra and panty sets, include 3/4 cup size for pregnant and nursing mamas. Not only this, but they also have a few lingerie "nightie" selections, some pj's, and a camisole.  Bras average around $60.00 and sport dramatic names like "Her Midnight Charm Was Striking" and "Tamed By Her Sensuality." Oh, yes. I snagged an "Awakened By Her Desire" bra over Black Friday and am happy to report that the fit is pretty good, and it's a very sturdy bra. I thought the lace overlay was cheesier in real life than in the photo, but it's still 100x better than the beige. The nursing enclosure, like most nursing bras, leaves a strap in place where the cup would be when you open the nursing flap.

Cake Lingerie

http://www.cakelingerie.com

From their website: "Cake was born in 2008 when its founder; Tracey Montford yearned for beautiful lingerie during her pregnancy. All she could find was matronly, high cupped, uninspiring and unflattering product which did nothing for her self esteem and pride, during this period of vulnerability" ...Can it be said any better than this? This company is one that really gets it. In fact, they began a "Real Mums, Real Fit" campaign, using NO models and doing NO touch ups for stock photos. How much closer to awesome can a company get?! Their bras also retail for around $60 and matching panties are also available with 2 styles to choose from per bra. One exciting thing is that they're just about to launch a new line, and it looks pretty delicious (yes, pun intended).

My husband got me their "Plum Pudding" bra for Christmas and I have to say that it is the BEST fit in a bra that I have EVER had. I only wish that I had gotten a larger band size, but the cups are awesome! They're actually round and hold their shape which I can't say for most other bras (it seems that most are oblong one way or another). I also love that when you drop the nursing flap/cup, there is no strap that crosses your breast. It's just like a regular bra that will drop the cup on your command. Super comfy, very well made, and cute as all get out. I am hoping for another one come Valentine's Day and our anniversary. ;-)

Making Milk At A Meth Lab

Working mamas push the limits of where, when, and how to pump milk for their babies every day. A few months ago, I began to think of all the crazy places I've had to express milk for my children. Here was the list I could remember:

1. Public restrooms EVERYWHERE, including while sitting on the floor of stalls because my pump-outlet cord wasn't long enough for me to at least sit on the edge of the toilet seat.
2. In the car while traveling.
3. On the floor of a car in a mall's parking lot with a coat over my head. The mall's restroom was closed, the stores not open yet, and I had no batteries for my pump so I had to sit there and express by hand with a coat over my head, hoping that people walking by wouldn't notice me and call Security.
4. In the "on track" ambulance at the busiest location during a NASCAR race.
5. In the back of an ambulance going to and from calls.
6. Into public restroom sinks because I had no other option (you know, the bathrooms that have everything in one room so you can lock the door!).
7. In an office cubicle.
8. While discussing EMS related things with 5 male coworkers. In person. Thank God for nursing covers--they work great for pump covers, too!
9. And also the "normal" places like my living room couch.

 While some of these places seem appalling and shocking to some, I'm sure, it all comes down to this: you do what you have to do. I thought I had reached the climax of best, worst, and most ridiculous places to have to pump at. And then there was last Tuesday.

My partner and I were attempting to grab a quick lunch when our tones went off and dispatch requested that "the on duty crew call the control center." This generally means a suicide attempt, domestic dispute, or drug bust. I called and was told that we needed to move to standby at a meth lab take down about half an hour from our station. With no time to call in another crew, I grabbed my backpack and we jumped in our ambulance.

We arrived at a nice home with a well manicured lawn that also now included 15 state trooper SUV's, a handful of expensive other "private" law enforcement related cars, and a few fire trucks, a decontamination trailer, and dozens of people in suits, turnout gear, space like suits (decon), uniforms, and camouflage (apparently the Special Op's team from a few hours away). Not knowing what to really expect at such a shin-dig, my partner and I were surprised to learn that this would be an all day event. So, I threw my nursing cover on, plugged in my pump, and made milk for my baby while watching the take down of a meth lab.

No one got shot, no booby traps hurt anyone, and I eventually left unscathed to call in a different crew to cover the remaining hours of standby. And with all that said, I'm pretty sure I have now pumped everywhere possible.

When Your Birth Doesn't Go According to Plan

When I found out my husband and I were going to have a baby, I got ready! I sought what I felt would be the best prenatal care with an excellent midwife, read a small library of books, prepared the nursery, took amazing care of myself, ate well, rested, did yoga, practiced hypnobirthing… I was prepared for my baby, so prepared. I was not prepared, however, for the way I would feel after the birth. The way I would feel when everything went “wrong”. I believed to the very core of my being that everything I worked for would happen just the way I envisioned it simply because I believed it. It didn’t.

I did not expect to reach 43 weeks of pregnancy and have a hospital induction. I did not expect the have a scarred cervix that would refuse to dilate for the better part of three days. Even after 43 weeks of pregnancy I did not expect a 9 lb, 6 oz baby or cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD)(http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/cephalopelvicdisproportion.html) or a c-section. I was so convinced I would be having a med-free natural water birth that I only skimmed those other sections in my pregnancy books. I did not expect my perfect pregnancy to have such a dramatic climax. I believed wholeheartedly that all the things I worked so hard for would come to fruition. I mean, I had a plan, a birth plan!

As it turns out, it's hard to plan nature. My cervix did eventually dilate to a full 10 cm and I pushed. I pushed for hours. I pushed until I lost consciousness, only to wake up with the next contraction and push again. When the decision for a c-section was finally made, I knew in my heart, it was time. The doctor that performed our surgical birth informed me that I had a true case of CPD, and I never would have birthed my son naturally. Yet, through all this, my boy never faltered. His heart rate remained steady, his breathing was excellent, and his apgar score was perfect.

And then, we amended our "plan". I was immediately allowed to touch and kiss my baby. He went directly to my husband who cared for him while I was being stitched up. Our baby was never without one of his parents. My husband brought him to me as soon as I was out of the operating room, before I even made it to our hospital room, where we continued with rooming-in as planned.

When we returned home, I struggled with a lot of negative feelings about our birth and the disappointment I felt at having "failed". We also had breastfeeding complications that only compounded the feeling of failure. Then, I started reaching out. I sought support and began to heal, but simply being with my son and keeping him close has had the most healing effect of all.

If your birth does not go according to "plan", do not despair, be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with compassion. Natural parenting is not an "all or nothing" concept. The "plan" can be amended.

A big thanks to Carrie L McClain from Oh, Baby O! for writing this guest blog! Have an article you think would be interesting to Life More Simply's readers? Email it to lifemoresimply @ yahoo.com with the subject of "Guest Blog".

Check out Carrie's Blog to read more about her mothering, crafting, baking, and homemaking pursuits: http://ohbabyo.wordpress.com/

Evita Dress Review & Giveaway from A Mother's Boutique!

A big thanks to A Mother's Boutique for being a big sponsor of the Baby Mama Shower!

You've probably noticed (and hopefully clicked on) me mentioning A Mother's Boutique throughout this month. Not only have they played a big part in me being able to bring this Baby Mama Shower event to you, but they are also playing a big part in the daily life of mothers through providing a place to find high quality clothing and breastfeeding accessories for pregnant and nursing mothers as well as some cute breastfeeding advocacy wear for babies. :-) Everything from underwear and bras to swim and eveningwear for every stage of early motherhood can be found at A Mother's Boutique with free ground shipping for orders over $60.00!

Some of my favorite items include:

The Organic Nursing Hoodie for $79.00 that comes in three different colors and doesn't even look like a nursing shirt. If you've ever tried to nurse while wearing a traditional hoodie, you too know that it becomes cumbersome very easily thanks to the bulk. I'd LOVE to have a hoodie made for nursing!

The Cichlid top on sale for $47.00. It's good for both pregnancy and nursing which is a huge bonus in my eyes, and it's fun as all get out. I don't know if it'd look as good on me in real life as it does the model, but it's fun to dream. :-)

 

Another super fun item is the breastfeeding advocacy wear that sports slogans like "The Milk Factory" for moms and "Born to Nurse" for babies. :-) Click here to check it out.

Their Front Twist Tankini by Anne Matthew for $63.00. I was tempted to snag this for the product review, but Judy, the owner of A Mother's Boutique, asked for a photo of me wearing whatever it was I chose to review. Well, I'm thinking that me in a swimsuit right now would NOT help make people want to buy anything from her store, so as much as I want the suit, I passed it up to spare you the image. ;-) So enjoy it on Anne Matthew to the side there. She looks great in it, doesn't she?

 

It comes in two colors and choices of bottoms...and you just lift the empire waist part of the top to nurse! I haven't ever tried to nurse when we've gone swimming simply because my chest is always too big so my suits are too tight and, well, getting the suit on to begin with is enough trouble without tryint to nurse on top of it. Since I've never tried a nursing swimsuit, I can't tell you how well it works, but I can definitely tell you that I want to find out!

What I did get a chance to review is also made by Anne Matthew: the Evita dress in crimson. It's a simple yet elegant dress that works for both the office and a night out--and it looks beautiful both during pregnancy and after with the ability to easily nurse your baby while wearing it! All you have to do is push the V-neck part aside and whola--nursing is easy while helping to keep you covered and without stretching your dress out. I've found it very easy to get on and off (important when you're 30-weeks pregnant and have a toddler who sticks to you like glue), falls around your figure nicely, and is easy to nurse from. I would recommend choosing a size larger than you think you'll need if you're a "lumpy" sort of lady. I've managed to sprout some love handles during this pregnancy (with my daughter it was the thighs and butt, this time it's the waist...what's a woman to do?) and notice that you can definitely see them when I wear this dress. I've modeled it for my sisters and husband who swear it is really just fine, but self concious me, I would just suggest that you go with a size bigger if you don't want all of the curves highlighted. :-) That picture to the side is of me wearing the dress at 29-weeks pregnant. Cute basketball-belly, right? I really like how the dress makes the bump look cute!

The dress is made of rayon spandex but is as soft as organic cotton, so the feel is great. I find that it can work for both chilly and warm weather and drapes very nicely over a pregnant belly. For $99.00, I think it's a decent price too, considering that you can wear it during pregnancy, nursing, and afterward--and look and feel great in it at any stage! I've even worn it with a dressy pair of pants underneath and have loved that look as well. We all know how important and difficult it can be to feel pretty during pregnancy and nursing, so don't underestimate the power of a nice dress. Five colors and a wide range of sizes ensure a good fit AND a flattering color to you as well.

A Mother's Boutique also offer a selection of "sale" items including all sorts of both regular and imperfect items that you'll want to check out, as well as a nice and informative blog which I've enjoyed going through. When you place an order, please expect great customer service. Judy was a joy to work with--quick shipping, great with answering sizing questions, and just all around pleasant and knowledgable!

Buy It! Visit http://mothersboutique.com/ and use the code "BABIES" for $5.00 off your $50.00 order.

Win It! A Mother's Boutique is giving away TWO $25.00 gift certificates to their store! Each will be chosen by random.org, so if you enter more than once, you might win both. :-) To enter, please visit http://mothersboutique.com/ and tell me what one of your favorite items in the store is and why. Be sure to leave an email address and separate comment for each entry! The winners will be chosen on or after May 7th, 2010.

Extra Entries:

• Follow A Mother's Boutique on Twitter  or Facebook (one entry each)
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• Blog about this contest! Tell your friends on a parenting forum! Just spread the word and tell me how you did! (1 entry per way)
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Note: A Mother's Boutique provided me with the Evita dress to write this review. No other compensation was received for this review and I was under no obligation to write anything positive. The opinions are all mine!

Blush Topless Undershirt Review & Giveaway!

A big thanks to A Mother's Boutique for being a big sponsor of the Baby Mama Shower!

Blush Topless Undershirt Review & Giveaway

Blush Accessories is a company formed by two women who had a problem once-upon-a-time: their shirts just didn't cover their bellies. Their solution? A Topless Undershirt that's like a tube top but worn around the waist. The narrower top and widening bottom allows you to place the shirt wherever you need to on your abdomen without having it fall down around your hips, and the variety of colors and prints they offer make it so you can match any wardrobe with the "layered" look that I'm so fond of. Made of a poly/rayon/spandex blend, there's a lot of room for stretching and support regardless of your body shape. My favorite thing about the company, though, is the slogan that I just saw on their Facebook page:

Be Bold. Wear Blush.

Cause there is only one set of cheeks we want to see.

What Blush Says...

FOR EVERYONE If you love the look of layering without adding the extra bulk and straps, this is a product for you. Unlike a tank top or long shirt, it does not have straps which cause your undershirt to constantly ride up. It stays put without having to always readjust. Without straps, you are not limited to where the length of your shirt falls. You can adjust to any length, whether you want it to go just over the top of your pants or all the way down to your thigh. For all your favorite shirts that have shrunk in the dryer, don't throw them away! Just add a {topless undershirt} and you still have the length of the shirt you bought it as.

My Thoughts...

I was sent a chocolate colored top to review and have worn it quite a bit since receiving it a few months ago (yeah, this review is waaaaaaaay overdue...). Having worn it during the last few months though has really allowed me to see how it'll work on a regular body changing into a pregnant body (30 weeks today, baby!) which is important since you can use this as a way to simply lengthen your shirts, as a way to cover your abdomen and back during nursing, or to help cover a pregnant belly when those maternity shirts just aren't long enough anymore (who decides the length of maternity shirts, anyway?). Versatility is very important to me when I buy a piece of clothing, especially with being pregnant, nursing, and knowing that eventually I will be normal again. :-) So my first thought about this shirt is that it really serves many purposes, making it worth the money. Nursing? No problem! I found this was a great way to provide warmth AND modesty while nursing my daughter and without the hassel of moving, unsnapping, or putting something on to do so. I do think that late in pregnancy you'll want the next size up from what you normally wear, though, as you can't just pull it down as far as you need to cover the watermelon-belly look.

I love the selection of colors, prints, and textures they have for their shirts (two have a lacey bottom)! As a person who doesn't believe in having a ton of clothes, the Topless Undershirt is a great way to expand your wardrobe by mix-and-matching the undershirt with different "regular" shirts but without having to buy more clothing. Even though this shirt has a lot of stretch, I was actually surprised to read the "ingredients" in the makeup because it feels just like a soft cotton shirt feels.

Obviously, I've washed this shirt many times by now. Regardless of that, I've seen no fading, stretching, or other signs of wear. The only thing I'd actually want to see Blush offer is an even longer shirt that one could put under her arm pits rather than under her chest. I'm a cold person and it'd be nice to have that little extra layer around the "nursers," as my daughter calls them. ;-)

Buy It! Blush Accessories is offering a 20% discount when you buy 2 or more undershirts from them. So pick your favorites or order with a friend! Just enter the code "welovebloggers" on their website at http://www.toplessundershirt.com/

Win It! Blush Accessories will be giving one of my readers a Topless Undershirt in the size of her choice (sorry, can't pick the color)! To enter, you need to do two things: become a Twitter follower and Facebook friend of Blush. Yes, two things, but the shirt is great, so get on it and then tell me you did so here! Be sure to leave an email address and separate comment for each entry. Contest ends May 7th, 2010.

Become a friend of Blush on Facebook: Blush Undershirts

Follow Blush on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BlushUndershirt (they have a lot of deals they disclose on Twitter, I noticed!)

Extra Entries:

• Visit their website at http://toplessundershirt.com/ and tell me your favorite color/print
• Follow Life More Simply through Blogger/Google Friend Connect
• Subscribe to me in a reader/Feedburner
• Subscribe to me through email
• Tweet about this contest with a link @LifeMoreSimply and @BlushUndershirt. Tweet 1x/day!
• Follow @LifeMoreSimply on Twitter (check the sidebar link) (2 entries)
• Become a Facebook fan of Life More Simply (check the sidebar link)
• Blog about this contest! Tell your friends on a parenting forum! Just spread the word and tell me how you did! (1 entry per way)
• Grab any of my buttons and put them on your blog (1 entry/each).

Note: Blush Accessories provided me with the sample to do this review. No other compensation was received and I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

Medela Tender Care Lanolin and Hydro Gel pads Review & Giveaway!

A big thanks to A Mother's Boutique for being a big sponsor of the Baby Mama Shower!

Medela Tender Care Lanolin and Tender Care HydroGel Pads Review & Giveaway!

Pregnant and new mothers: prepare for breastfeeding or pumping. Either way, providing mama's milk is the BEST thing you could possibly give to your developing child. Knowing this, many women plan to nurse and then give up after only a short amount of time because they weren't prepared. There are four major things you need if you plan to breastfeed your child:

1) someone who has done it before and can help teach you and your baby how to do it (yes, your baby AND you both have to learn!)

2) nipple cream

3) a good bra

4) breast pads

My daughter, LoveBug,  is almost 18-months-old and I had the privilage of exclusively breast feeding her for the first 6 weeks of her life. After I returned to work, I became a 7:30am-3:30pm pumper (unless I was working an ambulance shift, in which case I could pump instead of nurse for over 12 hours straight!) and nurser the rest of the time. Around one year of age (and after I was pregnant with our second child),  LoveBug refused to take a bottle and so I was able to end my pumping routine. She still nurses around once a day now, even though I'm 29 weeks pregnant. Will I be nursing my second baby? ABSOLUTELY!

Medela sent me samples of their Tender Care Lanolin cream and Tender Care HydroGel Pads to try out for this review. I've used lanolin creams from other companies (only pure lanolin) and reusable nursing pads, but never a nursing cream with anything other than lanolin in it or pads for anything other than absorbing milk. In comparison to the pure lanolin creams I've used, this one was a lot easier to apply since it's of a thinner consistency than lanolin itself. The ingredients in Medela's Tender Care Lanolin are USP Modified Lanolin, C8/C10 Triglycerides, and Beta Glucan. They do claim that these are all natural and do not need to be removed from the nipple before nursing. Other than being easy to apply, I found that it was definitely soothing to me as I have found that the hormonal changes during pregnancy are causing my nipples to be dry and more painful (similar to what you may experience when you first start nursing). This cream did soothe and moisturize them and was so easy to apply (no rubbing between the fingers here)! The only thing I didn't like about it is that it's not clear and so could stain clothing; be sure to wear a set of nursing pads to avoid staining anything important.

The Tender Care HydroGel Pads are a pretty interesting concept. There are two sets in a box (so four total) and are basically meant to put into your bra against your skin as a regular set of "nursing" pads. These pads, though, instead of just absorbing leaking milk, actually become cool to the touch after you wet them. They can be rinsed out and reused for 24-hours before loosing their coolness. I would have never thought to apply something cool to soothe any soreness (come on, wouldn't that just make it hurt WORSE?), but it's actually really good for engorgement (meaning, REALLY full milkers) and I imagine also for mastitus (inflamation of the milk ducts), though I haven't personally experienced that (thank you, God). I do think the pricing is a little high considering that these get thrown out, so I'd love to see Medela come up with a system similar to a bluebandoo product so that we could reuse it. Until then, I say it could be helpful to get a box of these and then save them for when you really need them, like when your milk first comes in and you are heavy and achy. :-)

Buy It! Medela has a "where to buy" location finder on their website, but there products are readily available at many retail and parenting stores, as well as on Amazon.

Win It! Medela will be sending one of my readers her own Tender Care Lanolin and Tender Care HydroGel Pads ($20.00+ value)! To enter, please visit htp://www.medela.com and pick a DIFFERENT product of theirs that you are interested in trying out, then tell me why here. Be sure to leave an email address and separate comment for each entry! Contest will end on May 7th, 2010 at noon, EST. *NOTE: Medela only ships to the US*

Extra Entries:

*Blog about this contest or tell people about it through a parenting forum (2 entries)
*Subscribe to or follow me (each different way = 2 entries; Blogger, Google Reader, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
*Fav me on Technorati or otherwise vote me up somewhere (1 entry each)
*Grab the Baby-Mama Shower button (2 entries)
*Grab my regular button (2 entries)
*Have another great idea to spread the word? Do it and tell me what you did!

This review is based on sample products provided by Medela. No other compensation was received and I was under no obligation to give a positive review. The opinions expressed are all mine!

BabyBond Nursing Cover Review, Giveaway, & Discount Code

BabyBond Nursing Covers were designed by Missy, a mother who understood the importance of eye contact and communication with her children while she was nursing them. Frustrated by the available nursing covers that covered the baby's face while nursing, she developed the BabyBond Nursing Cover. Made in the USA and of 100% cotton fabric, these nursing covers come in three different styles and in a variety of colors.

What BabyBond Has To Say...

BabyBond™ nursing accessories cover mom, not her baby. Mom is able to maintain her modesty. Baby remains uncovered benefiting from the infinite opportunity to make eye contact, interact, and communicate. After all, dining is social.

Original Style

                                                                                                

BabyBond Original™ is worn like a sash, functioning like a nursing top. Nurse from the top of your shirt. Separate the layers of fabric to achieve latch on. Double panel keeps breast covered above & below. Belly & back remain covered with your own shirt. Built-in 9 x 12″ double layer terry velour burp cloth. Stores in matching pouch.

Couture Style

BabyBond Couture™ is adjustable creating a custom fit as your body changes after baby arrives. A hybrid between nursing top and belly band, it can be worn to nurse from the top or the bottom of your shirt so it works with your entire wardrobe. When worn like a sash, it functions like a nursing top. When worn like a belt, it functions like a belly band. Rolls up into self-storing pouch.

Flex Style

BabyBond Flex™ is worn like a sash, functioning like a nursing top. Nurse from the top of your shirt. Separate the layers of fabric to achieve latch on. Double panel keeps breast covered above & below. Belly & back remain covered with your own shirt. Removable 9 x 12″ double layer terry velour burp cloth. Able to attach any cloth or wear without cloth attached. Stores in matching pouch.

"I believe every experience is a learning experience and that breastfeeding offers infinite opportunity to interact and communicate with your baby."

(Missy Reder, owner and designer of BabyBond)

My Thoughts...

The two things that struck me most about the Couture BabyBond Nursing Cover I tried were that it was elegant in packaging and that it rolls up very small (each cover comes with a matching pouch). The portable size makes this the cover that I now keep in our diaper bag--it takes up hardly any room and is easy to find when I need it! I found that this was really any easy cover to nurse from and that my daughter much prefers it over our regular nursing covers that hide her face. It's nice to not have to juggle nursing and a little person's hands trying to pull the cover away at the same time!

I would definitely suggest that you practice with your BabyBond before trying it for the first time in public. The Couture style can be worn as either a belly band to cover your abdomen and back while lifting your shirt to nurse, or as a sash that you wear over your shirt and just separate the two layers of the BabyBond to nurse through. The belly band way is easy to manage, but to figure out exactly how to use it in the nursing way is a little tricker. Thankfully, there's a picture instruction guide sewn right into the BabyBond so you never have to wonder if you're doing it right! Once I got the hang of putting it on the correct way, I found that it's quick and easy to do.

Being able to see my baby while she's nursing is huge. Let's face it--other nursing covers, even though they have that "peep hole" in top, are tricky to really look in to, and also tricky to even keep in place once your baby doesn't want to be covered any more. My daughter is particularly social and covering her up is a real chore, so I was thrilled when I discovered BabyBond's website and they agreed to a review. Due with my second child on June 30th, I plan to use my Couture cover from the start instead of a usual nursing cover. It will be much easier to teach a newborn to nurse when I can really interact with him without a piece of fabric in the way!

Buy It!

Each cover is $35.00 but you can enter code "simply" for 25% off of your order until 4/17/2010. Visit http://www.babybondnursing.com/.

Win It!

BabyBond is giving one of my readers a FREE nursing cover in the style and color of her choice! To enter, please visit http://www.babybondnursing.com/ and let me know the style, color, and SIZE of the cover you'd like. Be sure to leave your email address and a separate comment for each entry. Contest ends April 14, 2010 at noon, EST.

Extra Entries

Follow me on Blogger or Google Friend Connect

Subscribe to me via email

Fan be on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Tweet about this contest with a link and @lifemoresimply (1 entry/tweet per day)

Blog about this contest (2 entries)

Grab the Baby-Mama Shower button (2 entries)

Grab my regular button

Otherwise spread the word and tell me how you did!

Good luck and be blessed!

A sample nursing cover was provided to me by BabyBond for this review. No other compensation was received and the opinions are all mine.

Undercover Mama Review, Giveaway, & Discount

Undercover Mama provides a unique solution for nursing moms: the ability to turn any nursing bra into a nursing shirt. This may seem to good to be true, but it does work and I can vouch for the inginuity of this product after having tried it for myself! I received a Undercover Mama shirt to review a few months ago and it's become a main staple in my wardrobe since then. Living on a budget and in a cold climate, I need nursing shirts that will cover me, keep me warm, and be affordable. We all know how expensive and uncomfortable some nursing tops can be, but with this shirt, I've been able to wear all of my "regular" shirts and still nurse without becoming exposed in the process. AND it's comfortable--even at 26 weeks pregnant!

What the company says...

Undercover Mama functions as an undershirt, keeping your back, sides and belly covered as you nurse. It has no straps and attaches directly to the outer flaps of any top-opening nursing bra. Undercover Mama remains attached while in use. You will feel like you are wearing a regular cami under you shirt, but when you need to nurse you still just have to undo the flap on your bra and Undercover Mama opens with it- No extra flaps or hooks to deal with each time. Undercover Mama's generous length make them great to layer under your shirts and allow you to nurse comfortably.

More of my thoughts...
I really have nothing negative to say about this product, nor can I think of a way to improve upon it other than to keep making the shirts and add some more colors and fabric selections for us to choose from! :-) I tested a white shirt for this review and found that it's not see-through, hasn't pilled, stretched, or become "worn" looking during the last few months. It's also very easy to attach to your bra and doesn't come undone on its own. This product is quite obviously the invention of a real life nursing mother who got sick of cutting holes into her under shirt and of buying over priced nursing shirts. Here's how it works:

Buy It!

Visit http://www.undercovermama.com/ and use discount code SIMPLY for a 10% discount good through April 30, 2010. This can be combined with the free shipping promotion when you buy more than one shirt! The shirts are $20.00 each which I think is a great deal considering that it allows you to turn your already-made wardrobe into nursing wardrobe without having to make any additional purchases.

Win It! Undercover Mama is generously offering for one of my winners to receive an Undercover Mama shirt for only the cost of shipping ($5.00 for the US or Canada)! To enter, please visit their site and tell me the color and size of the shirt you'd like to receive if you won. Be sure to include your email address and a separate comment for EACH entry. Contest ends April 14th, 2010 at noon, EST.

Extra Entries:

Grab the Baby-Mama Shower button for 4 extra entries

Grab my regular Life More Simply button for 3 extra entries

Follow me on Facebook or Twitter for 2 extra entries each

Subscribe to me (1 entry)

Follow me on Blogger/Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
Tell some friends about this contest and let me know (include address or whatever) (1 entry)
Tweet about this contest with a link (@LifeMoreSimply) (1 entry/day)

Good luck and be blessed!

Thanks to Undercover Mama for providing me with a shirt for this review. Opinions are all mine and I received no compensation for this post.

America's Next Top Model Contestant Drinks Her Own Breast Milk

Everyone who works in my department (and some who don't) know that I pump milk for my breastfeeding daughter. I have a screen that sits in front of my cubicle while I "exercise" two or three times a day while I'm at my office in an organization that provides day programming for adults with developmental disabilities.The "exercise" explanation came out of a consumer asking about what I was doing behind the curtain. Ha.

At first, coworkers don't really know what to say when they find out. Soon after though, one is bound to start finding cow and milk paraphernalia posted around work spaces. I have a collection of "Got Milk?" ads, cow magnets, and other incidentals that have been used to decorate the door of bathrooms I've pumped in (thank God for my privacy screen now!). Another interesting think about breast pumping culture is the stories and questions (not to mention the sign language and occasional offers to "help"--oh wait, that'd be my ambulance job) that arise.

Recently, some of my fellow employees were telling me about an America's Next Top Model episode they watched that included a contestant who admittedly drank her own breast milk. Shocked at first, I quickly cleared the air that no, I do not sit behind my screen and drink my own milk. My next move? YouTube the video!

24-year-old Cover Girl of the week Claire Unabia explained to judges during Cycle 10, Episode 1 that she was finding it terribly difficult to be apart from her baby girl who was still breastfeeding. She went on to explain that she was pumping her breast milk during the competition so that she could continue to nurse her daughter when they were reunited. The judges asked her if she was mailing her milk back home but her response shocked them all: Claire was drinking her expressed milk. "It tastes kind of like light soy milk," Claire shared. "I drank my breast milk only during audition week because I did not want to waste it after putting all my effort into making and extracting it. Dumping milk just seems wrong. A mother's milk is like liquid gold, so I also wanted the nutritional value back and to keep my immunity up."

The judges then went on to make a joke about it and are seen drinking glasses of milk (while one judge shouts "thanks, Claire!") before the scene changes. Wild? Crazy? Normal compared to the fact that we drink milk from cows?

What do you think?

Go to 7:33 to see the part about Claire and her milk.
Blessings,

Free Udder Covers Nursing Cover!

Udder Covers is committed to making the "most dependable nursing covers on the market." With six gorgeous prints to choose from, mamas can choose either just the nursing cover or a nursing cover/milk band/nursing pad gift pack.





...and the best news of all is that it's you can get an Udder Cover for FREE right now! My dear friend (who is ten-ish weeks pregnant with her first baby!) emailed me with a discount code that will take $32.00 off of your order (and a cover only costs $32.00). I don't know how long this will last, so snag a few of these while you can. To take advantage of this offer, enter "backorder" into the Enter your "limited time only" promo code here:** box on the checkout/order information part of the page. http://www.uddercovers.com/

Thanks, Michele! She'll be receiving an extra entry into the contest of her choice for letting me know about this offer to share on Life More Simply.

Blessings,

Help! I can't make milk!

For working mamas, there are only a few things worse than not being able to pump enough breast milk for your baby. I mean, really, not only do we have to entrust someone else with our children each day (my mother-in-law actually took my almost-9-month-old daughter SWIMMING in an in-ground pool with no adult in the pool (she was held by other children) last week. This was after we had already asked her to not do such a thing. So I missed my daughter's first pool experience, she wasn't wearing the special UV-protective swimming clothes that I have from her (from UV Skinz--I'll be doing a giveaway from them here shortly!), and I'm left worrying about her safety because I really think it's not unreasonable to want an adult in the pool with a non-swimming baby!), but we also have to swallow the fact that we don't really know what goes on in our precious baby's life, don't get to make all of the decisions, and that other people get to spend more waking hours with our babies than we do! On top of all of these every day realities, if that milk supply is down, so is my mental stability.

I had a mental breakdown last week after the swimming incident. It took me all of Friday, Saturday, and half of Sunday to recover. Here we are on Monday now, and I only got three hard earned ounces out when pumping. My daughter will probably drink 6-8oz in a feeding, but for about a week now I've been really low in supply. I'm lucky to get 4 ounces out at one time! For any mom who doesn't pump (working or stay-at-home), you may not understand the mental importance of producing enough milk for your baby. If I can't be with my daughter, I at least want to be able to provide nourishment for her. I feel like if I can't even do that, then what good am I as a mother? *sigh* So I will spend today in my windowless cubicle chugging water and drinking "Mother's Milk" tea, praying that I can make enough milk for my beautiful baby to drink tomorrow.

Research on how to produce more milk come later if I have time (I know about resting and nursing a lot--we did that all weekend!), but can anyone help me in the mean time? Please leave me any tips that you have on how to make more milk!

Much love and blessings.

Social Appropriateness While Pumping

The unbelievable just happened to me not ten minutes ago... When I first came back to work after having my daughter, Amara, I would sit in a restroom to pump breastmilk for her twice a day. Sometimes I would have a chair to sit on, sometimes I'd have to stand or sit on the floor (hygienic, I know). There was no lock on the door, and the bathroom was commonly used by both staff members and the people we serve who have developmental disabilities. I would tape an "occupied" sign on the door, but there would always be someone who didn't look and would start to open the door. Met with complete embarrassment when they heard a voice shout "I'm in here!", the door would immediately close before the person even got his or her head in the door. I would be met with an apology later, even though the person knew I was pumping and probably not all that exposed.

After a while, the three coworkers in my office (2 males, 1 female) suggested that I just put a privacy screen up in front of my cubicle and pump here instead of in the bathroom. I was elated to know that they wouldn't be uncomfortable hearing the "whish-whoosh" of the pump and spray of the milk! Since that time, I've been pumping in my cubicle with no problem. Until today, that is.

Prior to today, people have just spoken to me through the screen or handed papers over it if they need to give me something while I'm busy. Today, though, I actually just had a woman enter my cubicle while I was pumping. She said my name when she came into the office, and I thought we'd have a conversation between the screen as usual. Then I notice that she's moving the screen while talking. I immediately say "I'm pumping in here," just in case she didn't understand the concept of a privacy screen (she already knows that I pump at work and that's what I'm doing when I have the screen up, but I thought I'd remind her in case she really was just naive). She continued to enter while I frantically tried to cover my completely exposed top, replying "oh, I'm not going to let the screen fall down. I just thought if you had the list of names that I need then you could give it to me." Dumbfounded and concerned that my coworkers could now see in too (I don't think they could, though), I replied that I wasn't sure where it was and wasn't going to look for it right now, so I would print it for her. Then she stayed in my cubicle while I brought up the document on my computer and hit print! (All the while trying to hold my jacket closed, balance an open bottle of milk, and prevent myself from leaking everywhere with my other hand). After leaving, she placed the screen back but managed to leave a gap that would have allowed someone to see in without even trying should he or she be standing in the right location.

Come on, isn't it obvious that a privacy screen is there for a reason, like that you want to be private? Should I be any less outraged at this than if it had been a man? I don't mind breastfeeding in public, but pumping is a completely different thing to me. Where does the line cross from cluelessness about social norms and appropriateness to sexual harassment? I'm a big advocate that nursing breasts should not be considered sexual, but what about in the environment of pumping at work?

Oh, what to do. *sigh*

How Much Milk?!

I think every breastfeeding-working mama experiences a little anxiety before going back to work for the first time. Questions abought the practicality of pumping run through our minds: will I be able to keep my milk supply up? What if pumping doesn't work out? And the big one... How much milk do I need in my freezer stash?!

Being women who want the best for our babies, we're determined to stay up late at night to get an extra pumping in before bed because we just aren't sure there will be enough milk back at home for when that fateful back-to-work day arrives. Some women aim for two extra bottle's worth (about six ounces in the beginning) while other women are still concerned that they'll run out at 8o ounces. What is the answer, then, and how does one prepare?

The answer is simple: you probably don't need as much stocked up as you think. With that said, it is still important to have something on hand in case of emergencies. When your baby is about 4 weeks old, pump once after you're done nursing. When you're not in sight, have someone else feed that milk in a bottle to your baby at the next feeding. You will need to pump since you're not nursing during that feeding (to keep your milk supply up). Store that milk in the fridge (or freezer) and go back to nursing the next time. Gradually increase the bottle/pumpings, sometimes doing an extra one after the baby nurses, until you start having some "extra" to stash in the freezer.

Aim to have two day's worth of feedings in the freezer. Too many more than that and you'll risk it all going bad before you can use it. Honestly, you may never even need to use the two day's worth! The day before you go back to work, make sure that there's enough milk in the fridge for the next day and no more. Each day when you come back, pop the milk that you pumped that day into the fridge so it can be used the next day. With this method, you will only need the freezer stash for emergencies. Seeing as how you'll probably throw it out every three months (unless you have a deep freezer that's separate), you don't want a whole lot stocked up.

Learn more about breastmilk storage here.

Now that was a lot easier than you thought, right?