Have you travelled while breastfeeding?  Where is the most interesting place you have nursed your child?

Feel free to share your photos on our facebook page!

I have come up with a list of things that I would certainly appreciate this Sunday.

My daughter is too young, so this list is really for my husband:)

The Best Gifts for New Mom’s this Mother’s Day:

1)  Housekeeping!  I would just love to get a gift certificate to a cleaning service.  It would be such a luxury to get rid of these dust bunnies!  Barely able to keep on top of brushing my teeth these days, house work has gone by the wayside.

2)  Breakfast in bed.  Most mornings I get out of bed quietly to let the working husband catch a little more sleep.  I quickly grab a banana (or anything else I can eat one-handed) and set myself up in my glider in the living room before my little one asks for her breakfast.  I would love to have a tray of pancakes, orange juice, and fresh fruit brought to me as I breastfeed in bed.

3) Call me old fashioned, but I would love a bouquet of flowers!  Spring is in the air and nothing brightens up an apartment like colourful, beautiful flowers.  They are also a nice distraction from the dust bunnies!

4)  A new Momzelle top! A shameless plug, I know, but now that I am a breastfeeding mother it’s all I wear!

What do you want this Mother’s Day?

I was recently sent a book to review.  This Milk Tastes Good! by Chenniah Patrick is a breastfeeding nursery rhyme.  It is a simple and sweet poem written from the child’s perspective.  With lines like “it sometimes tastes like oatmeal and honey, but I just think that it all tastes yummy”, the rhyme is a cute play on the theory that breast milk changes slightly in flavour based on what mom eats.

My favourite part of this book is the illustrations.  As you can see on the cover, mama is nursing on a park bench.  I love promotion of breastfeeding in public!  There are also images of babywearing, the father unfreezing breastmilk (wearing an “I heart bf” t-shirt!), and the family eating nutritious meals.

Images of breastfeeding directed at children are few and far between.  It is great to read a book that incorporates breastfeeding as a normal and natural part of daily life with an infant.  The author explains in the introduction that she created this poem because she couldn’t find anything to read or sing to her baby while she nursed that was relatable.  There are plenty of images of animals feeding their babies, but not humans!

I admit that I am biased to all things that promote and normalize breastfeeding.  This book is great!

Win a copy of This Milk Tastes Good! by leaving a comment below telling us your favourite place to breastfeed!  The winner will be drawn at random Friday May 11th.

Contest is now closed.

To buy This Milk Tastes Good! by Chenniah Patrick visit: http://jhazamoraspub.tripod.com/merchandise.html

- JOB OFFER -

May 1st 2012

Inside sales representative

Momzelle (www.momzelle.com), a business established five years ago, is a nursing wear brand

with a mission: helping mothers feel good about breastfeeding in public. Momzelle has won

numerous awards, including «Best socially-minded business» in 2010 and «Best Young

Entrepreneurs» by Desjardins in 2011. The nursing tops we design are sold through multiple

channels: web, retailers and in our own store. We are now looking to hire someone to help us

grow the business.

Job Description

The inside sales representative provides a high level of service to an existing assigned customer

base and works closely with the direction in order to promote Momzelle’s nursing wear

collection through various online channels. The inside sales representative will be responsible for

maintaining and building strong customer relationships and for growing profitable revenue

through the acquisition of new business.

Duties

• Telephone and email management of territory comprising existing clients (outbound and

inbound calls).

• Determine customer needs through questioning techniques in order to recommend specific

products and solutions

• Recommend alternate products based on cost, availability or specifications

• Evaluate value proposals of «deal websites»

• Support in the development of sales/marketing material for clients

• Assist of merchandising of products online through website revision

• Assist with the implementation of new online sales channels

• Proactively recommend items needed by the customer to increase customer satisfaction and

improve transaction profitability on all inbound calls.

• Educate customers about features and benefits of products in order to improve service related

sales and customer satisfaction.

• Contact customers following sales to ensure ongoing customer satisfaction and resolve any

unexpected issues/concerns.

• Implement sales strategies/call prioritization to achieve revenue targets

• Attend industry-specific trade shows.

• Manage the clients database, prepare and send e-newsletters and promotions

• Write texts and proof-read

Skills and qualifications

• Proficiency in phone sales and rapport building over the phone with excellent phone manner.

• Professional and mature.

• Self-motivated, highly organized & able to work independently and as part of a team.

• Detail oriented with accurate data entry and sales reporting skills.

• Strong relationship building experience.

Diplomas and Required Experience

• Minimum 2 to 4 years of experience in a similar position.

• Experience communicating and selling a product.

• Proven track record of highly effective sales techniques through the phone and email resulting

in consistently exceeding sales objectives.

• Knowledge of the mom market and breastfeeding, an asset.

• Bilingual French and English, oral and written, essential.

To apply for this position, please email your resume and cover letter to

christine@momzelle.com, using “Inside sales representative” as the job title.

This is a full time job at the Momzelle office, located at 1255 Bélanger Street, Montreal.

Competitive salary.

- OFFRE D’EMPLOI -

Le 1er mai 2012

Représentant commercial interne

Momzelle (www.momzelle.com), entreprise établie depuis quatre ans, est une marque de

vêtements d’allaitement qui a pour mission d’aider les mères à se sentir bien avec l’allaitement

en public. Momzelle a été récipiendaire de nombreux prix, dont la «Meilleure entreprise à

l’esprit social» au Canada en 2010 et meilleurs «Jeunes entrepreneurs» Desjardins 2011. Les

vêtements que nous créons sont vendus en ligne, à travers un réseau de détaillants ainsi que dans

notre propre boutique. Nous cherchons à nous adjoindre une personne pour participer à

l’expansion de l’entreprise.

Sommaire du poste

Le (la) représentant(e) commercial(e) interne offre un haut niveau de service à des clients

commerciaux existants et travaille en collaboration avec la direction pour promouvoir la

collection de vêtements d’allaitement Momzelle via plusieurs initiatives de marketing et de vente

en ligne. Le représentant commercial sera responsable de croître les revenus en acquérant de

nouveaux clients.

Description des responsabilités et tâches

• Atteindre les objectifs mensuels de vente et de conservation des clients, ainsi qu’acquérir de

nouveaux clients.

• Établir des relations de qualité avec les clients existants et potentiels par téléphone et par

courriel.

• Recommander activement de nouveaux produits dont les clients ont besoin pour augmenter

leur niveau de satisfaction et augmenter la profitabilité des appels entrants.

• Contacter les clients après les ventes pour s’assurer de leur satisfaction et résoudre tout

problème ou questions inattendus.

• Gérer la base de données clients, rédiger et envoyer des info-lettres et des promotions en

collaboration avec la direction.

• Évaluer les offres des sites de «deals».

• Participer au développement de matériel de vente et de marketing pour les clients

• Rédaction et révision de textes.

• Participer à la mise en valeur des produits en ligne via la révision du site internet

• Participer à la création de nouveaux canaux de vente en ligne

• Participer à des foires commerciales.

Habiletés requises

• Maîtrise des techniques de télévente et excellentes habiletés pour les relations interpersonnelles

et la courtoisie au téléphone.

• Professionnalisme et maturité.

• Motivation personnelle, excellent sens de l’organisation et capacité de travailler de façon

autonome ainsi qu’en équipe.

• Souci du détail pour saisir les données avec exactitude.

• Expérience dans l’établissement de solides relations avec les clients.

• Excellente capacité rédactionnelle, en français comme en anglais.

• Connaissance de l’application de gestion des relations avec la clientèle (CRM), un atout.

• Connaissance du marché de la mère et de l’allaitement, un atout.

Exigences

• Diplôme d’études postsecondaires.

• Bilinguisme français-anglais, essentiel.

• Expérience minimum de 2 à 4 ans dans un poste similaire.

• Expérience en vente d’un produit.

Pour postuler à ce poste, svp envoyer votre cv à christine@momzelle.com, en utilisant

« Représentant(e) commercial interne » dans le titre. Inclure une lettre de motivation.

Emploi à temps plein, au bureau de Momzelle au 1255 rue Bélanger, Montréal. Rémunération

concurrentielle.

Of course, that means I would have to breastfeed in public!  After my daughter and I got comfortable breastfeeding, I jumped right in.  I’ll admit that I was intimidated at first, especially when there seem to be new stories everyday of mothers being harassed and humiliated for such a nurturing and natural act.  I am not the most extroverted person and I was nervous about drawing attention to myself.

As it turns out, I love breastfeeding in public.  Here’s why:

I get to participate.  I have been able to maintain my social life, which was very important to my husband and I.  We had heard so much about losing friends when having a child.  Because I breastfeed in public, I haven’t missed out on the conversations at the weekend barbecue!

I feel powerful. Like the shirt says, I make milk, what’s your superpower?  Being able to meet my child’s need while out and about really makes me a bit giddy.  It’s overwhelming being solely responsible for nourishing this little person, but so empowering to incorporate it into my life and keep living!

It’s just so convenient. A few diapers and my boobs is all my daughter needs on our outings.  I’m glad the number of things I have to pack in the diaper bag is limited.  I already never remember an extra shirt for myself and she always throws up on me!

Freedom and flexibility. My daughter is eight weeks old and feeding on demand.  Trying to schedule outings around feeds would be nearly impossible!  So I just go out.  If she needs food, I feed her.  It’s liberating, I tell ya!

What are your favourite things about breastfeeding in public?

Finding a comfortable position didn’t take me too long.  I have set myself up, almost permanently, on the couch.  I have three pillows propped on one end of the couch, which gives me a nice recline and lets me put my feet up.  Adele and I are tummy to tummy so my arms and back don’t get sore.  Of course, this position doesn’t allow for a lot of function.  I have to make sure I grab my big glass of water, snacks, phone, remote control and current book before I begin.  It’s quite liberating to just allow myself the time and relaxation of nursing in this position.  I will admit that, now that we are in our fourth week, I am starting to feel the pull of obligations.  Entirely self-imposed, I am feeling the need to get things done around the house, get back on Facebook and writing this blog, and getting outside for a daily walk.  Sometimes I get to these things and sometimes I don’t…

Getting comfortable nursing in front of friends and family took me just a bit longer than I thought.  I have been working for Momzelle for a while now and have heard countless stories of how the shirts allow for discreet and easy nursing.  I was quite excited to be able to finally get to use them myself.  And suddenly I was in my living room with a three day old squirmy baby and my husband’s 95 year old grandfather.  I definitely spent the first week of Adele’s life stepping out of the room to get us latched.  But you should see us now!  I have lost all concern about showing a little nipple, mostly because it hardly ever shows.  Adele latches on with expertise and I have figured out all openings in my nursing tops:)  It has been equally liberating to be a part of the conversation and to be included in the get togethers because I am comfortable nursing in front of friends and family.  Along with my comfort and confidence, my friends and family show their support by also being comfortable around us while we nurse.  Their nonchalance is much appreciated!

Next up: Nursing in Public…

What is your most comfortable breastfeeding position?  Were your friends and family comfortable with you breastfeeding around them?

Lots of walking, squatting and two membrane sweeps later and I went into labour at exactly 41 weeks.  I appreciated the amazing, supportive feedback that I received from the Momzelle facebook page and comments on this blog.  Women who could empathize with the pressure to set an induction date and encouragement to stand my ground.

My labour was intense and graciously speedy!  We welcomed our little girl, Adèle on Feb. 16th at 4:25am.  She weighed 8lbs 1oz.  My birth plan was respected and we had the most wonderful labour and delivery nurse.  Sue kept me focused and kept the atmosphere in the room calm.

We were especially pleased with our experience at Montreal’s only Baby Friendly hospital.  Adèle was placed on my chest immediately and we had constant skin to skin contact for the 36 hour hospital stay.  She latched on within an hour.  We were on our way…

I have read and researched so much about breastfeeding!  I am lucky enough that my job introduced me to so many resources.  I scoured Kellymom.com, joined the Leaky Boob facebook page, read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding and yet…

Within the first twelve hours of feeding my sweet little girl, my nipples were cracked and bleeding!  Two days later I was home and crying.  Adèle was losing weight (totally normal, I know, but still stressful!) and I was dreading each feeding.  I knew the latch must be wrong but I didn’t know how to fix it.  My mother, who nursed my sister and I into toddlerhood, didn’t know how to fix it.  The public health nurse had a few tips, but didn’t know how to fix it.

So three days after giving birth, we called a lactation consultant.  It was the best call I’ve ever made.  This wonderful woman came to our house, oozed with expertise and experience and spent two hours observing and talking with us.  She introduced us to the reclining/self-attaching position, in which I recline and place Adèle on my chest and let her initiate the latch.  I can’t say exactly what it was that this LC did that fixed our problem, but I think the confidence she gave me was definitely a big factor.  Now, at three weeks old, my daughter has a double chin and I am so proud:)

Did you get help from a lactation consultant?  How did it impact your breastfeeding journey?

Find a certified lactation consultant near you!

There are photographs, sculptures and paintings.  This is one of my favourites:

Which one is you favourite?  Please add any image that isn’t on this list. We love to see breastfeeding in life and art!

This due date thing has my emotions on a roller coaster.  Suddenly, I’m “post-term”, I’m “overdue”.  Not only does my aching body tell me I’m ready to meet this baby, but my doctor uses phrases that imply I should have already!

I receive weekly pregnancy updates from BabyCenter usually with subject lines like your pregnancy – 40 weeks and this week the subject line was Your baby this week – your newborn.  After three paragraphs of how squishy and adorable my new baby must be it said “Still Pregnant?  If you are like many moms-to-be, your due date may have come and gone without your baby making an appearance yet”.  Exactly!  On average, first time moms go about a week “overdue”. So why am I stressed out?  I’ll tell you…

Yesterday was my 40 weeks doctor’s appointment.  I have discussed thoroughly with my doctor my desire to have a natural birth.  She has been very receptive.  I use words like “accommodating and flexible”, as if I’m surprised that she isn’t trying to force her overly medically trained ideas on me!  Anyway, I really like her and feel comfortable with her.  The appointment wasn’t really surprising.  We had briefly discussed policies on going “overdue”.  At our prenatal classes run by a local doula company, we were told that Montreal had a general policy of inducing at 41 weeks plus 3 days.  They implied that there was little flexibility on this.  My doctor has agreed, compromised really, and given me until 41+5.  Induction booked!

Talk about pressure!  This baby and I now have a deadline.  I’m trying to get a grasp on my hormones and emotions.  This does not have to be bad news.  Obviously the baby may just decide that’s plenty of time to get engaged in the pelvis and kick start this labour.  Artificial labour induction doesn’t have to lead to the cascade of interventions I so often read about.  There are always options and decisions to make.  As long as I am involved in what is going, I can achieve the birth experience I want.  It’s all about perspective!

Meanwhile, I am going to walk, squat, eat spicy food, scrub the kitchen floor, bounce on an exercise ball, have sex, practice relaxation, visualize, eat pineapple and go for a bumpy car ride:)

Did you have an induction booked?  What kind of things did you do to get labour going?

“If I don’t know my options, I don’t have any.”

~ Diana Korte

This quote comes from a blog post of quotes collected by Birth Without Fear. The quotes are about birthing a child, but I feel this one also applies to breastfeeding (and all things mothering, really).

Knowledge is power!  There are so many different ways to do things and it is up to us to find what works for our families.

Click here to read the birth quotes and affirmations.  With the impending birth of my first child (due Feb.8th), I found the quotes very empowering!

What are your favourite motherhood quotes?