About Sara

My first child is due Feb. 8th 2012. As I wait with anticipation for my breastfeeding adventure to begin, I feel so lucky to be able to be a part of the breastfeeding blog world. For more about me read the About Us section of the blog! This blog is intended to be a place of inspiration and information. It is a place to share stories and ideas. I love hearing from you!

Momzelle Nursing News

Archive for the ‘Nursing anywhere, naturally.’ Category

Happy New Year – My Breastfeeding Resolutions

Monday, January 9th, 2012

I have never been much of a resolution maker.  I tend to contemplate the year ahead, but I rarely commit to anything!

This year I do have something that I am determined to commit to.  I am four weeks away from my due date with my first baby.  It isn’t losing the baby weight or getting the babe to sleep through the night by X month.  It isn’t to purée my own organic baby food or become a super famous mommy blogger:)  My resolution is to breastfeed.


To be sure to attain this goal, here are my specific resolutions:

– Have immediate skin to skin after delivery

– Join my local La Leche League.  I want to be surrounded by supportive, knowledgeable women.

– Seek help.  I know this most natural and instinctive relationship can have quite the learning curve at the beginning and I want to be ready to tackle any hurdle that comes our way.  I have a list of lactation consultants already on hand.

– Breastfeed exclusively for the first six months.

Embrace this new relationship, even when it seems consuming and overwhelming (and possibly painful).  I want to remember to take a deep breath and look down at my little one when it all seems too much.  I am nurturing a human being.  We are building a relationship of trust and comfort.

– When I am comfortable and confident, breastfeed in public.  I don’t imagine I will be going anywhere to soon, having a baby in February in Montreal, but as soon as we start to thaw I want to be out and about!  Rather than schedule my life around a feed, I want to embrace the mobility of breastfeeding and get out there.

– Follow my child’s lead in regards to weaning.  Reference WHO recommendations and breastfeed as long as is mutually beneficial (this is more of a resolution for 2013!)

What are your breastfeeding resolutions or goals this year?

Holiday Photo Contest Winner!

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

And the winner is…

Roxane Picard nursing in the Momzelle Fancy Top.  Congratulations!  The festive lights and the loving look in Roxane’s eyes were definitely deciding factors:)

Thank you to all the entries.  We just love seeing the Momzelle shirt in action!

 

Breastfeeding Slogan

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

I love this!  It would make a great onesie! Check out the other fun breastfeeding slogans at www.lactivist.co.uk

What’s your favourite breastfeeding slogan?

Momzelle Holiday Photo Contest!

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Where will you be breastfeeding this holiday season?

We are starting a new tradition this year!  The Momzelle Holiday Photo Contest!

Here’s how it works:

1.  Take a photo of you nursing your little one in any of your fabulous Momzelle tops or dresses in a holiday setting.  Show us how you celebrate the holiday season!  It could be at a New Year’s party, while eating turkey, or any other family/religious tradition you enjoy.  Get creative!!

2.  Upload the photo to our facebook page or email it to sara@momzelle.com.  By entering your photo, you agree that it may be posted on the momzelle blog and website and/or facebook page.

The contest will be open until Wednesday January 2nd at midnight (EST), 2012.  The winner will be announced here on the blog on Wednesday January 4th, 2012.  The winning photo will be selected by us based on creativity!

The winner will receive the Momzelle top of their choice! (dresses excluded)

Happy Breastfeeding!

 

Momzelle Holiday Sale!

Friday, December 16th, 2011

 

Happy Holidays!

On until December 25th, take advantage of our excellent sale!

The more you buy, the more you save!  Buy one, get one at 50% off.  Buy four tops and get two at 50% off!

Wishing you the very best this holiday season,

~ The Momzelle team

 

 


Momzelle Holiday Guide 2011!

Friday, December 9th, 2011

What will you be wearing this holiday season? Don’t forget to put a few things on the wish list for yourself!

Here are a few ideas from the new Momzelle collection:

Flamenco Nursing Dress – Look gorgeous in this stylish, yet practical dress.

Nursing Turtle Neck – One of our most popular tops, versatile and flattering.  It can be paired with jeans or dressed up with a skirt.  It comes in four fabulous colours, perfect for the fall/winter season.

Fancy Top with Long Sleeves – Dress to impress this season and still be functional in this great top that no one would guess is for nursing! With four classic colours to choose from, look and feel your best at those holiday functions and feasts.

 

 

 

 

Don’t forget to order before December 13th (according to Canada Post delivery).  The post office is getting busy!!

 

 

How to find a breastfeeding-friendly pediatrician

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

I am on the hunt for a pediatrician.  As per usual I am a bit ahead of myself, I don’t have a baby just yet!  But when I give birth in February I want to have a good idea of who will be my child’s regular care giver.  I am new to this city and as I’ve been navigating through the obstetrician and hospital world, I am learning how important it is to be vocal and informed when making these kinds of decisions.


Before becoming so involved in the breastfeeding world, I wasn’t aware of how a doctor could in fact be a booby trap“.  This is a person of authority that we turn to when we are concerned about the most precious thing in our lives.  It is natural that we would listen to their advice without questioning.  This survey of members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a decade old but is shocking nonetheless!  “Although the AAP statement extensively documents the superiority of human milk, a startling 45% of surveyed pediatricians view breastfeeding and formula-feeding as equally acceptable methods of feeding. Another 17% aren’t sure.”

So how can we make sure our pediatrician or family doctor is going to be on the same breastfeeding page?

Here are a few things to do that can get us going in the right direction:

  • Figure out what your breastfeeding beliefs and goals are – How important is it to you to breastfeed and for how long?  Do you want to follow the WHO code to a tee or do you want to supplement and breastfeed from the get go?
  • Get Referrals – Ask your ob/gyn, midwife, lactation consultant, La Leche League, friends and family.  Ask people that will give you an honest opinion and who know what you are seeking in a doctor.
  • Do Research and Prepare Questions to Ask the Doctor - Arm yourself with the WHO code and other information that supports your beliefs.  Here are some questions to ask (for more questions see resources below):
    1) Whose breastfeeding recommendations do you subscribe to? Do you know the recommendations of health organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Department of Health, and UNICEF?
    2)  In what sort of circumstances would you recommend supplemental feedings, interruptions of breastfeeding and weaning from the breast?
    3)  Have you or anyone in your office had specific training in counseling breastfeeding mothers?
  • Have confidence and a positive attitude – Be respectful and responsive when conversing with your doctor.  It should feel like you are a team in the management of your child’s care.


I look forward to creating a bond with my child’s doctor.  I imagine that they will be a big part of our lives, especially in the first few years! 
How impacting was your family doctor or pediatrician on your breastfeeding adventure?

Here are some great resources (and the sources of my research):

iVillage

Baby Center

La Leche League International

 

5 best tips and resources for plugged ducts

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Breastfeeding is one of the many things I am hugely anticipating with my impending motherhood (due in Feb!).  It is also one of the only things I witnessed up close that kind of scared the crap out of me.  Let’s be clear, I witnessed my sister breastfeeding and it was beautiful and inspiring.  Her nasty case of mastitis is what traumatized me (let alone her!) just a tad.  She had a rare and severe version that turned into an abscess and required surgery.

A plugged milk duct is a very common breastfeeding obstacle.  To reach our goals and make breastfeeding a pleasurable experience for all, I wanted to gather what the experts say so we can be prepared and overcome this hurdle!

Top tips for curing plugged ducts (taken from the resources below):

1) Eating a nutritious diet to boost the immune system

2) Plenty of rest and fluids

3) Nurse regularly, especially on affected side.  As Dr. Sears says ” by any means, get the milk out” to prevent engorgement.

4) Apply a warm compress before nursing.

5) Nurse affected breast first, ensuring a good, strong latch.  Baby can help dislodge the plug with his strong sucking.

These are some of the most  common remedies and suggestions.  I’ve also read wearing loose clothing, massage, different nursing positions, and a slice of potato can help.  Don’t let a plugged duct get worse or stop you from breastfeeding (I tell myself, over and over:)!

If you’ve experienced a plugged or blocked duct, I consider you an expert too!  What helped you clear a plugged duct?

Here are some great resources:

KellyMom

Dr. Sears

Breastfeeding.com

The Momzelle resources page (find answers to many other breastfeeding questions here as well!)

The Leaky Boob facebook page (an amazing community of moms helping moms)

Baby signs and breastfeeding

Friday, October 21st, 2011

I read a very interesting blog post on bestforbabes.org today.  A mother was describing how communicating with her children through baby signs enriched their breastfeeding relationship, click here to read the article.  She was able to discover the different reasons her child wanted to breastfeed.  Having insight into how her child viewed breastfeeding, the mother was able to adapt to her child’s needs.

I was introduced to the idea of baby signs when I worked in a daycare center.  One of our infants had a very large “vocabulary” of signs.  It was quite amazing (once his teachers learned the signs!) how easy it was to communicate with a child that wasn’t speaking yet.  This boy was able to tell us exactly what he wanted.  He even created his own signs.  He would point to his shoes, which had school buses on them and we would know he was requesting a sing-along of “wheels on the bus”!

from the book Baby Signs®

I became very curious about how the signing relationship worked and had many talks with his mother.  She explained that she integrated signs with her words.  Every time she would say “milk” or “all done” for example, she would simultaneously do the sign for that word.  Her son began signing back to her when he was around eight months old.  I would guess this little guy knew at least fifty different signs.  His mother advocated how much easier it was to deal with any fussiness because she could narrow down exactly what it was her son wanted or needed.

A concern among some of the staff at the daycare was that this boy may be delaying his speech development.  He was over one year old and seemed to rely on his signs instead of learning to say the words.  His mother was not concerned and when he moved into the toddler room just before he was eighteen months old, he was nearly speaking full sentences!  As far as I can find, there is no research to say that signing impedes speech.

Here are some of the benefits of signing according to babysignlanguage.com

  • Bonding.  Baby Sign Language gives you an sneak peak into the head of your baby. It allows your baby to show you some of the things she is thinking and let you share some of your thoughts with her.
  • Reduced Fussiness.  When your baby can’t communicate, he gets frustrated and has little fussy spells. This can leave you frustrated because you want to help but don’t know what to do. When your baby can tell you when they are hungry, thirsty, need a diaper change, or are hurt you can help. Even when there is nothing you can do – like if your baby’s leg hurts – it seems to soothe their pain if they can just share it with you.
  • Development.  Baby sign language is a good structured activity to help babies develop mentally.  Studies shows that babies who have early exposure to signing, have larger speaking vocabularies earlier.

Did you communicate with your child through sign language?  Did it impact your breastfeeding relationship?


https://www.babysigns.com/

Who is your biggest supporter?

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

When it comes to breastfeeding, it seems that a woman is on her own.  She is solely responsible for feeding and nourishing the baby.  It is her breast milk that will ensure her child grows and flourishes through infancy.  That’s a bit of pressure!

Of course, if it goes swimmingly, breastfeeding is one of the most satisfying, calming, and loving parts of motherhood.  I am preparing for the birth of my first child in February.  I am so excited to breastfeed.  I want it to be the magical bond I have read about, heard my sister talk about, and can imagine it to be.

But what if it doesn’t go so smoothly?  In my research, I have also heard of the many, many things that can be obstacles to successful breastfeeding.  Things such as blocked ducts, cracked nipples, mastitis (which I witnessed my sister endure, she had a rare case that involved pus, an abscess and surgery, yikes!), poor latch, low supply.  The list seems long and intimidating.

Luckily, I am surrounding myself now with people I can call on if trouble comes.  I want to be sure I try everything possible and that I am ready to ask for help because I am not on my own in this.

Here is my (ever growing) circle of support:

  • My husband – he’s a big believer in breastfeeding and I know he will be there for me every step of the way.
  • My sister and mother – It’s always good to have experience to call on.
  • My sister-in-law – She has been trained in lactation management.
  • My local La Leche League - I plan to attend at least a meeting or two before I have this baby.
  • Online communities – It is amazing the support and information I have found already on facebook and twitter, forums and blogs.  Of course, it is my responsibility to discern facts from opinions, but there is definitely support out there!
  • A lactation consultant – I haven’t found them yet, but I imagine I will have their phone number memorized by the time my milk comes in!
  • Prenatal classes – We haven’t started them yet and it is only one of the six classes that discusses breastfeeding but I plan to have lots of questions and my notebook ready.  There is also a breastfeeding workshop offered at my hospital which I plan to attend.

Who or what else should be on my list?  Where do you turn for breastfeeding support?

This post was written as a part of a blog hop! Check out the other blogs listed below that are on the same topic of breastfeeding support.

Life With Levi