Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts
Breakfast for Breastfeeding Moms
Favorite Spring Nursing Tops from BellyMoms
The flowers are blooming and the birds are chirping, Spring is HERE!
You may have been hidden away all winter with your newborn, infant, or toddler, but now is the time to get out of the stuffy house and breathe in some fresh air! Ditch those sweatshirts and get yourself one of these cute, functional tops. You can leave your nursing cover at home, because these provide total discretion when nursing in public!
Here are my favorite spring nursing tops from BellyMoms Maternity and Nursingwear (you can tell they are my favorites since I've been wearing them non-stop for the past two and a half years!)
Why it's OK to "Baby" your baby
MOMS LOVE Motherlove
Having a new baby is hard, but Motherlove makes it easier. No worries about toxic chemicals.
In fact, you could probably spread a little bit of this nipple cream onto a baguette and enjoy it with some bruschetta and roasted garlic.
WEANING FROM THE PUMP
Originally Posted: Apr 10, 2015
This week I stopped pumping at work (at 17 months, I had been pumping since about 9 months). I was so nervous that I would feel terrible about it but I definitely enjoy not pumping! Keira nurses in the morning and as soon as we get home. I try to leave a little earlier now too, which is easier now that I'm not trying to fit the pump time into my day.
This week I stopped pumping at work (at 17 months, I had been pumping since about 9 months). I was so nervous that I would feel terrible about it but I definitely enjoy not pumping! Keira nurses in the morning and as soon as we get home. I try to leave a little earlier now too, which is easier now that I'm not trying to fit the pump time into my day.
Great article about weaning from the pump, while continuing to breastfeed:
Here's a good question and answer about weaning from the pump:
The point is:
You can absolutely stop pumping and still keep breastfeeding!!!
You can absolutely stop pumping and still keep breastfeeding!!!
STORING AND SCALDING LIPASE BREASTMILK
I discovered (by a bottle-refusing baby, vomit-smelling milk, and my breastfeeding support group) that I have an excess lipase issue. Due to this, my milk changes smell and taste much faster than normal. To stop this process, I have to scald my milk before it can be frozen. Freezing milk does not stop the process. I've found that my milk lasts a little less than 2 hours unrefrigerated, and about 24 hours refrigerated. I've only frozen scalded milk.
The scalding process does slightly reduce the nutritional benefits of the milk, but as long as baby only gets scalded milk occasionally it is not a problem. This is why I did not have a big stash of milk and was not away from my baby very often or for long periods of time.
To scald breastmilk, you must heat it to 163F and keep it at that temperature for 15 seconds. or you can just let it hit a temperature of 180F and immediately start cooling. I typically let mine go past 163F and then it would keep rising a few degrees during those 15 seconds before I dunked it into ice.
Source: Lawrence R, Lawrence R. Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession, 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Mosby, 2005: 156-158, 203-205, 771, 781.
Having the right tools makes this scalding process much easier. If you have high lipase levels in your Breastmilk, I highly recommend the supplies listed below to treat your milk before storing it. Most warmers will not get the temperature high enough due to having an automatic shut-off.
The RIGHT Tools:
The process is SO MUCH EASIER with the bottle warmer and taller thermometer. The stainless steel bottle is KEY. Plastic bottles take much longer to warm the milk. Who has time to wait for that???
Before I purchased these items I was warming my milk on the stove. IN A POT. It was terrible. My hands were burning with steam, the top-heavy thermometer would threaten to tip over the bottle, and it took forever.
The ExpectingHappiness Lipase Breastmilk Scalding Instructions:
1) Combine milk into
one bottle, write measurement of volume on the storage bag you plan to use
(bottle measurements are more accurate than the bags).
 |
| These would actually add up to 4.75oz |
2) Place stainless steel bottle of milk in the bottle warmer- set the time to 2:00-3:00 minutes, fill with water according to directions. Watch the thermometer to see what time you get to the 163F mark. This is a bit of a learning curve, but you’ll start to know how long each amount takes to scald (my typical 4oz batches took around 2 minutes). Or heat milk to about 180 F (82 C) and immediately remove bottle from the warmer.
3) Remove bottle and
put in a bath of cool water.
4) Once milk has
reached room temperature (doesn’t feel warm to the touch), funnel milk into
a breastmilk storage bag. I find breastshields to be the perfect size funnel!
5) Put freezer bags
into larger gallon storage bag (just in case of leaks) to keep all the milk
organized (Always store milk in the BACK of the freezer away from the
varying temperatures of the door, lay flat on side so the milk freezes flat).
6) When it is time to use your frozen milk, I recommend defrosting overnight in the fridge, just put it in a large bowl in case your bag leaks (my bags NEVER leaked, but I am paranoid!). Pour into a bottle, and tell your baby to enjoy!
Here’s
some more information on the Stainless Steel Bottle; and the Bottle Warmer.
The following information on Lipase is from KellyMom:
Source: http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/lipase-expressedmilk/
Does your milk smell or taste soapy?
A few mothers find that their refrigerated or frozen milk begins to smell or taste soapy, even though all storage guidelines have been followed closely. Per Lawrence & Lawrence (p. 781), the speculation is that these mothers have an excess of the enzyme lipase in their milk, which begins to break down the milk fat soon after the milk is expressed. Most babies do not mind a mild change in taste, and the milk is not harmful, but the stronger the taste the more likely that baby will reject it.
Lipase is an enzyme that is normally present in human milk and has several known beneficial functions:
- Lipases help keep milk fat well-mixed (emulsified) with the “whey” portion of the milk, and also keep the fat globules small so that they are easily digestible (Lawrence & Lawrence, p. 156).
- Lipases also help to break down fats in the milk, so that fat soluble nutrients (vitamins A & D, for example) and free fatty acids (which help to protect baby from illness) are easily available to baby (Lawrence & Lawrence, p. 156).
- The primary lipase in human milk, bile salt-stimulated lipase (BSSL), “has been found to be the major factor inactivating protozoans” (Lawrence & Lawrence, p. 203).
- Per Lawrence & Lawrence (p. 158), the amount of BSSL in a particular mother’s milk does not vary during a feed, and is not different at different times of day or different stages of lactation.
- There is evidence that there may be a decrease in lipase activity over time in mothers who are malnourished.
- Many mothers who need to store their expressed milk but have problems with excess lipase sometimes wonder whether changing their diets may help.
KellyMom discusses other options for scaling here: http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/lipase-expressedmilk/
If you have frozen milk in your freezer that your child refuses, here are some options:
- Try mixing the “rejected” frozen milk with fresh milk. Start with half frozen, half fresh and adjust the amount of frozen milk up or down depending on your child’s preferences.
- Consider donating your frozen milk to a milk bank. Lipase and other taste issues are not typically an problem for milk banks. Visit HMBANA for more information and to find your closest milk bank.
If you have any questions about scalding your milk, feel free to email me:
Making the lives of busy moms easier!
REVIEW OF MAMA'S MILKBOX #3
Oh how I love my Mama's MilkBox deliveries... Functional, comfortable clothes are MY THING.
Mama's MilkBox is
A nursing apparel subscription service
for Moms who love to look good, feel good and breastfeed their babies
http://www.mamasmilkbox.com
My first item was one I have had my eye on for a while. It's a blue and black cowl neck top. I would recommend sizing up in this one. I am wearing a Medium below and if it were a Large, I probably would have kept it.
My second top was a lovely heather grey sleeveless top by Loyal Hana. It has hidden zipper openings and a very cool back gathering detail.
Cluster F...
Cluster Feeding.
(what did you think I was going to say?)
Originally Posted: 12/09/2013
I did not know much about this special thing until recently.
Cluster feeding (as explained by KellyMom http://kellymom.com/parenting/parenting-faq/fussy-evening/) is:
Cluster feeding, also called bunch feeding, is when babies space feeding closer together at certain times of the day and go longer between feedings at other times. This is very common, and often occurs in the evenings. It’s often -but not always- followed by a longer sleep period than usual: baby may be “tanking up” before a long sleep. For example, your baby may nurse every hour (or even constantly) between 6 and 10 PM, then have a longish stretch of sleep at night – baby may even sleep all night.
Cluster feeding often coincides with your baby’s fussy time. Baby will nurse a few minutes, pull off, fuss/cry, nurse a few minutes, pull off, fuss/cry… on and on… for hours. This can be VERY frustrating, and mom starts wondering if baby is getting enough milk, if something she is eating is bothering baby, if EVERYTHING she is doing is bothering baby… It can really ruin your confidence, particularly if there is someone else around asking the same questions (your mother, your husband, your mother-in-law).
Last night, Keira fed from around 5:30 to 11:30, with no more than 10 minute breaks for mom. I quickly ran to the bathroom and scarfed down dinner while Mike and my SIL, Molly, tried to console Keira while she cried until I returned (with her food!)
At around hour 5.5, I sat in bed crying and reading articles on "how to survive cluster feeding". There's no way to explain or prepare for how insane you start feeling when there is a baby attached to you for 6 hours straight. Eating dinner is no longer feasible and guests who visit in the evenings will only get to see my nursing cover:
KellyMom continues to explain that:
This behavior is NORMAL! It has nothing to do with your breastmilk or your mothering. If baby is happy the rest of the day, and baby doesn’t seem to be in pain (as with colic) during the fussy time – just keep trying to soothe your baby and don’t beat yourself up about the cause. Let baby nurse as long and as often as he will. Recruit dad (or another helper) to bring you food/drink and fetch things (book/remote/phone/etc.) while you are nursing and holding baby.
Does this mean that baby needs more milk than I can provide?
No. Don’t give baby a bottle — supplementation will only tell your body that you need LESS milk at this time, and that will not help matters. Also, keep in mind that formula fed babies experience fussy periods in the evening, too — fussy evenings are common for all young babies, no matter how they are fed.
So it's all normal and we know she is getting plenty of food, so I just have to survive it! I started attending Breastfeeding Support Group and that helps to just talk it out. For you future mommies out there, remember that breast is best and it will get frustrating but remember that there is all sorts of support out there. For now, I will keep reminding myself!
THE BAG THAT (ALMOST) MAKES ME WISH I WAS STILL PUMPING
I just keep asking myself "why did I not have one of these
gorgeous Sarah Wells Breast Pump Bags
months ago, when I was still pumping"?
[Fine Print: This post contains Affiliate Links to the Amazon website.]
Pumping moms-
Do you often carry multiple bags to work every day?
Are you pumping on the go?
Will you be traveling for work?
Have you found it difficult to find an outfit that matches your ugly black Medela pump bag?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need a Sarah Wells bag!
Your daily routine can be beautifully simplified by having everything you need for your work day wrapped up in this strikingly stylish tote.
And boy do I have a treat for you- this week we are GIVING AWAY the preppy and adorable Lizzy ($89.99) breast pump bag to one lucky reader!
We can only have one winner of the giveaway but consider you should still consider yourself lucky because you can order yours now at a 15% off discount!
Use code AFKS92O8 for 15% off, (valid now through July 31 at 11:59pm ET)
Sarah is a mom who wanted more from her pump bag and launched a business around that idea. Her bags have special pockets to get your pump clean and separate from your pens, lip gloss and melted gum. She knows what moms need. Sarah is a DC-area native and an awesome working mom.
Sarah Wells Breast Pump Bags are also available for sale on Amazon:
The "Lizzie" ($89.99)
The "Annie" (black) ($165.00)
The "Annie" (dazzling blue) ($165.00)
You can follow Sarah on Facebook for the latest on her breast pump bags.
Check out the bags in action!
LAST TIME I OVULATED, I GOT PREGNANT
Am I pregnant now? No!
That picture taken was back in February 2013
http://www.expectinghappiness.com/2013/05/getting-pregnant.html
Do the math for yourself, that is 28 months of glorious period-free living. It's no secret that we aren't in a rush to have a second, so this has been great. This wonderful phenomenon is called Natural Child Spacing and "Ecological Breastfeeding".
That picture taken was back in February 2013
http://www.expectinghappiness.com/2013/05/getting-pregnant.html
Review: Milk Nursingwear (and $35 Gift Card Giveaway!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hanging out with your inlaws? No problem! Milk Nursing tops are comfortable, stylish, and discreet. You can feel relaxed around friends without kids or your old fashioned grandma knowing that they won't see anything besides the back of your sweet baby's head.
These are all being worn by me, in real life. I love that I am always ready to feed my baby!
Sleek pink striped scoop neck nursing top
(shown in Small)
You can easily dress up or dress down this adorable striped top. The fabric is soft and the nursing access is so easy. This is the perfect summer shirt.
(shown in Small)
You can easily dress up or dress down this adorable striped top. The fabric is soft and the nursing access is so easy. This is the perfect summer shirt.
Article: Perceived Insufficient Milk
I posted this article on my Facebook page a year ago and I still think it's one of the most important issues regarding beginner breast feeders. I've heard so many people tell me they stopped breastfeeding because they had low supply. Cluster feeding plays a big part too, if a mom doesn't understand that it's normal for baby to want to just keep suckling, she may think that baby is starving and she may supplement or totally give up.
Check out this article from the always helpful KellyMom website:
What do you think?
Review: Mama's MilkBox #2
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My second Mama's MilkBox just arrived and I couldn't wait to try this stuff on! It is packed full of awesome brands- boob, milk, and Loyal Hana. My only complaint with this box is that I wish I could keep everything, I want it all!
Video: Growing a First Food Movement
My favorite Lactation Consultant sent out this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhx-R6p1xAQ
The video explains the history of breastfeeding, and how formula was developed only for those babies who cannot breastfeed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhx-R6p1xAQ
The video explains the history of breastfeeding, and how formula was developed only for those babies who cannot breastfeed.
Milk Nursingwear: Take $10 off $50
My favorite nursing clothing store is offering $10 off your $50 purchase from now until next Wed, 5/20/15.
Here are my favorite summer pieces from Milk:
Review: Mama's MilkBox
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My Mama's MilkBox arrived last Saturday and I had so much fun trying on all the comfortable, practical clothes!
The box arrived to my house last Saturday and opening it was like a burst of color. Such a nice experience to have a little box full of happiness delivered right to my door, instead of digging through racks of clothes or doing endless internet searches.
Mama's Milk Box (Review Coming Soon!)
I stumbled upon this awesome website via Instagram and I was so excited to talk to Elena, the owner of Mama's MilkBox- the clothing delivery service for Nursing moms! What a great idea!
I filled out the survey and my MilkBox is being shipped in the next day or two. I am really looking forward to sharing all the wonderful fun, colorful, functional nursing clothing options with you all.
Sign up for your own MilkBox HERE!
http://www.mamasmilkbox.com
I filled out the survey and my MilkBox is being shipped in the next day or two. I am really looking forward to sharing all the wonderful fun, colorful, functional nursing clothing options with you all.
Sign up for your own MilkBox HERE!
http://www.mamasmilkbox.com
Article: The Business Case for Breastfeeding
Attention Managers!
Please read this important message and make sure to support your breastfeeding employees!
Article: 9 Things I Wish I Knew...
I love The Milk Meg and this post didn't disappoint, give it a read!
All mom lose their shit! No kidding!
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