Quick Mommy Time Out : FREE Breastfeeding Swag!

A friend of mine (thanks Jen) forwarded the following email to me.

3 Special Offers for Destination Maternity Customers

Free Nursing Covers at UdderCovers.com! Shipping is 9.95
Free Baby Carriers at SevenSlings.com! Shipping is 11.95
Free Breast Pads at UdderCovers.com! Shipping is 9.90

Use Promo Code "DESTINATION" at Both Websites TODAY!

1. Go to SevenSlings.com and/or UdderCovers.com.

2. Click on "Shop Now" and select any baby carrier, nursing cover or breast pads you like.

3. Once you have made your selection, you'll automatically be directed to the shopping bag.

Enter the promo code "DESTINATION" and both companies have agreed to deduct 100% of
the cost of the carrier or nursing cover - all you pay are the shipping fees!

Remember: the promo code is" DESTINATION " and you can order all 3 offers - just open a new browser window each time you do.

Toy Thursday: The Breastfeeding Baby Doll

Have you heard about the breastfeeding baby doll? If not, here's a link.

According to the news reports I've read, the doll comes with a halter top for the mommy with two flower blossoms where nipples would be. When you hold the baby up to the flowers, it makes a suckling noise. The doll has been a best seller in Europe and is now just coming to America.

And some people are furious about this. They claim we're sexualising our young girls with this doll. Really? I've breastfed all three of my boys and there is nothing sexual about breastfeeding.

Secondly, what's more sexualising to young girls? This doll or those Hooker Bratz dolls that show girls how to dress like members of the show "Jersey Shore"? Come on, America. It's time to wake up.

When Liam (now 5) was 2, I bought him a Cabbage Patch Doll. Some family members weren't too pleased that I was buying my boy a doll. My thinking? A boy with a doll teaches him how to be a good father. I'm pretty sure my father in law wanted to melt into the floor when Liam noticed the bottle that came with the baby, tossed it aside and lifted his shirt to feed his baby. That was classic.

The doll says it teaches girls to “express their love and affection in the most natural way possible, just like mommy!” And I don't see anything wrong with that. If more little girls saw more women breastfeeding and had this doll, maybe our dependence on formula would disappear, along with a slew of allergies, medical problems and possibly even childhood obesity.

Now, I probably won't buy this doll for my boys, but if I had a little girl, I'd be the first one in line getting it for her. More girls need to learn to breastfeed so it comes naturally (as it should) when they become mothers.

Tip Tuesday: Don't Eat in the Bathroom

This past week has been a rough one for our family. As you've read, my husband's Grandfather passed away. He'd been failing for some time, so it wasn't a complete shock, but I believe no matter how much time you have to prepare, it's always hard.

Yesterday we traveled to Ottumwa for the funeral. We met the rest of the family at the funeral home first, in order to say a few prayers, view the body and follow the hearse to the Church. It was a two hour drive from our home to the funeral home and I knew the baby would be hungry once we got there.

I saw a few open "office" type rooms at the funeral home. I approached a woman who worked there and asked her if there would be an open office where I could nurse the baby. I was being polite. Rather than just helping myself to the open office, I thought I would ask.

I was very disappointed at her response. "There is a bench in the ladies room. You can nurse in there."

I gave her a shocked look. I said, "No thanks. I won't eat in a bathroom and I don't expect my child to either."

She rolled her eyes at me and went into her office. Conveniently enough, there was a bench right outside of her office. And that's where I chose to nurse. Granted, it was a busy hallway (the bathrooms were across the hall from her office) and there was a lot of family walking around, but I had enough foresight to wear my nursing tank under my black suit.

You couldn't see anything "inappropriate" but the moment she walked out of her office was classic. She turned, saw me nursing and talking to family...gave me a stern grimace and continued on her way.

As my husband said, "She seems to show more compassion to the dead rather than the living."

Know your state's law. In Iowa, I am protected to nurse my child where ever I am allowed to be. I could have nursed him in the main hall, if I wanted to. Don't feel pushed into a bathroom. Nursing your children shouldn't be a thing of shame. You wouldn't eat in the bathroom--you shouldn't expect your child to either.

Tip Tuesday: A Biter While Breastfeeding

Babies get teeth. It's a fact. But it doesn't mean once the teeth poke through your breastfeeding relationship has to end. You can continue to give your baby the milk that is best for them and do what is best for you!

I breastfed my oldest until he was 2.5. That may be longer than most mothers would want to nurse their children, but we had a special situation. My husband was deployed and it was a comfort thing more than a food thing for him. Daddy was gone, he didn't know why and after he turned one, it was just a nap/bedtime thing. He even used to say, "I go ni-ni nurse?"
People even asked me, "Well, since he can ask for it, don't you think he's too old?"
I would respond, "He can also ask for a hug now. Should I stop hugging him?"

That would make them be quiet. But yes, a 2.5 year old has teeth. My 8 month old has two bottom teeth and is getting FOUR top teeth...all at the same time. And he bites. Do I plan to stop nursing? Heck no.

So how do you handle a biter? Well, I've found the best way to do it is to tap them on the nose and firmly say, "NO!" Let them nurse again and if they bite again, take them off of the breast. If they're hungry enough, they'll learn this is not a game and stop biting. After about 30 seconds, put the baby back to the breast. If they bite again, tap the nose and say "No". If they bite one more time, take them off of the breast and put them in the crib to let them know you're business.

The baby will learn soon enough that biting = no nursing and they will quit soon enough. It may take a few times but they will learn. Just because your child gets teeth doesn't mean they should stop benefiting from breastfeeding. The longer you breastfeed the more you benefit as well.

Don't sell your child and yourself short because of a little pain. It is worth it. No one said doing what's best for your child is easy. But it is worth it. 

Tip Tuesday: Breastfeeding Babies!

Talking to my friends with new babies recently has brought back memories of breastfeeding Judah. Not that I am very experienced but that trying time sure taught me a few things about trial, error, and lots of patience along the way, enough to pass onto others.

Judah did not start out breastfeeding very well and of course the struggle with recovering from my C-Section did not help. In spite of my hopes and best efforts put forth, Judah's fed from a bottle the few days of his life. Thankfully an extra day in the hospital resulted in my milk coming in as I went home. Otherwise, attempts of feeding by then would have been that much more hard.

Judah finally settled into breastfeeding but only with a plastic shield since it was like the bottle he was used to. How embarrassing for trying to feed in public. When needed, I would pump during the night to so that Grandma could do a feeding and I could sleep. I almost gave up after four long months of feedings with the plastic shield until finally one day, Judah discovered on his own he would get a lot more without it.

Feedings suddenly got a whole lot easier. And I actually started to enjoy breastfeeding at times, especially the special bond with my child.

And now all those moments of frustration can help encourage a new mom who might be going through a hard time as well.

Perhaps what helped me the most was asking for help. The lactation nurses in the hospital helped me feel comfortable with the basics. They sent me home with an established routine plan and a phone number for any additional questions. Every few weeks, I would attend the Mommy N' Me Breastfeeding class at the hospital. There the same lactation nurses were on hand to assist with tips and answer questions. Weighing in my child before and after eased my fears of him not getting enough to eat. And having other moms nearby made me feel less alone with the unknown. This support system encouraged me to keep going and not feel ashamed.

Next, the right tools made a difference in my experience. Invest in quality nursing bras soon after your milk comes in (you never know beforehand what size to plan). Make sure they fit right, aiding in extra support to carry the extra weight. My back hurt so bad at first that it did make a difference what bras I wore. Invest in appealing, comfortable nursing clothes and blankets as they fit your needs. Judah never nursed very well in public, making a nursing cover a must needed tool. You already feel fat and tired, so pamper yourself with some new clothes. A Boppy certainly helped cradle and hold the baby but next time I would use a similar device that Velcros around your stomach (then it goes above incision). Also, research a breast pump that fits your desired needs. Personally, I bought a Swing Medela Pump to use after my milk supply decreased in the first few weeks since I was not going back to work. For the first two weeks, we rented a double Medela to help with the increase milk production. We bought the bottles new and were able to use them with the used machine. Also, wait to invest in bottles until you see what the lactation nurses recommend as various styles work differently. The baby will also tell you what kind of bottles it needs depending on its needs and preferences.

Finally, taking care of yourself is so crucial. I remember as a new mom, I felt that I needed to have things back to normal as soon as possible. Well, I soon learned that breastfeeding exerts a lot of energy that in turn requires a healthy diet, rest, and lots of water. If you have problems with producing milk, then try to eat oatmeal. Keep taking your prenatal vitamins. Make sure to sleep when baby sleeps (it is encouraged). And lastly, do not be afraid to ask your doctor, pharmacist, and lactation nurse about other drugs that might express themselves in your milk supply.

The bottom line is do not go this alone if you experience problems or frustration. Breastfeeding can be intimidating for a new mom bringing on all sorts of joy, fear, shame, and discouragement. At one time or another, we have all been there and so we can encourage each other along the way. Hang in there and do not give up.

PS. Our own Sarah Bowman is part of the Leche League if you have any further questions.