Gerber is one of the best known companies that makes high quality baby food. Often Gerber is the one choice new parents turn to because of the brand recognition and the quality of Gerber Baby Food. Gerber Good Start Gentle is a great baby formula that also does not interfere with breastfeeding according to many Moms. These Moms also love the cans of Gerber Good Start Gentle because they are the perfect size for on the go. [Read more...]
Nursing Covers
A while ago I wrote about nursing covers for breastfeeding moms. Even though laws protect nursing Moms a lot now, it is still a little (a lot actually) daunting to breastfeed in a public place like a mall or library. While women are less an issue, who likes to have certain type of men looking at you while your little one is getting the nutrition’s she needs. Pediatricians recommend to continue breast feeding as long as possible and anything that makes a Mom feel uncomfortable doing it, is going to reduce her willingness and ability to breastfeed a baby.
My last review about nursing covers is one of the most read articles on this website and so I wanted to grab the opportunity to write about it again and to not let the nursing cover review article slide down too far where nobody can find it.
A great way to do breastfeeding in public is by using nursing covers of some sort. Some Moms opt to just use a blanket or a jacket to give their little ones some privacy. However, how relaxing (so to speak) can breastfeeding be if you do not have hold on to the blanket or the jacket?! Nursing covers are specifically designed to provide you with a cover where it matters and at the same time giving you as much freedom as possible.
First Time Pregnancy recommends the Udder Cover Nursing covers for mommys. These super-stylish nursing covers are extremely easy to use. They are perfect for traveling or for when heading out to the mall or a park to enjoy some afternoon sun. Use the coupon code “onefree” to receive a significant price discount from Udder Cover. You will be surprised how a real nursing cover makes it easier for you to breastfeed your cute little baby.
Click here to get a huge discount on a nursing cover.
Nursing Cover
As you already know, breastfeeding is the best method of feeding your newborn baby. Pediatricians recommend to continue breast feeding as long as possible. Most Moms are able to do nursing up until they have to go back to work. The time frame for that is usually somewhere between 3 and 6 months. Some Moms extend this time by using a breast pump. For this article we want to concentrate on breast feeding or nursing in public though.
However, breast feeding your baby is not always that easy – especially when away from home. Many nursing moms are feeling very uncomfortable when feeding their baby in public. Even though law in most states protects their rights to do so, it still takes a lot of courage to breast feed your baby in a busy public location. But it is as it is and often you do not have a choice – it’s either breast feeding in public or no breast feeding at all.
An “old” but very effective way to do nursing in public is the use of a nursing cover. You might think of an ugly blanket or towel at this point, but you will be surprised that there are baby nursing covers available that a) are easy to carry around and b) look actually pretty cool and nice. However, you will usually not find these at your local Babies R Us store nor are they available at many pregnancy stores at all.
First Time Pregnancy recommends the nursing covers from uddercover.com. Why? Well, that answer is very simple. Use this special promo code and you will receive a Udder Cover Nursing cover. Yes, you heard that right – One FREE nursing cover for you.
How to use this promo code? Once you get to the site click on “Shop Now” it will ask you for the promotional code. Type in “onefree” and it will pull up the ones available. Use promo code “onefree” and it brings the price from $32 down to $0!
Click here to check out what they have available at their store right now.
A breastfeeding cover offers you numerous advantages – giving you the freedom to feed your baby in public no matter how busy your location is with people.
Click to redeem your free nursing cover from Udder Cover.
Breast Pump Review: Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump
Breast pumps are often the most important tool to be able to breast feed your little one for a long time. This becomes especially true if you have to go back to work and somebody else – be it family or daycare – will look after your daughter or son. Today we will review the Lansino Double Electric Breast Pump.
Here is a list of the main features:
- Double Electric Breast Pump
- Moms can set and control different Vacuum strength level and adjust cycle speed
- Patened closed system prevents milk back up into tubing and pump motor
- Easy to Use – comes fully assembled, and with few parts
- Very Easy to Clean – No need to clean tubing because closed system does not allow milk to back flow into tubing
The Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump offers a patented system which prevents milk back up in the tubing and pump. This is a great safety and convenience feature that not all breast pumps have to offer. It is very quiet and very efficient. Some users have reported that it is so quiet that they were able to pump on one side while nursing the little one on the other side. There are only a few parts to connect and cleaning and assembly is very easy. This affordable breast pump runs on A/C power as well as battery power which makes ideal for when being away from home – be it for travel, work, or when visiting friends or family.
Now for all you brand name “junkies” – this pump is actually a Medela Purely Yours and is FDA certified. So, you know you will get a high quality breast pump when you buy this.
CONS
The only negative thing we have noticed is the lack of a good carrying bag / cooler case. But just visit Amazon.com or your local Babies R Us and you should have no problems getting those as well.
Conclusion: The Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump is a very affordable breast pump that comes with an FDA rating and is the same product as a certain Medela Breast Pump. It is very quiet and easy to handle.
Breastfeeding – Handling Criticism
Breastfeeding – Handling Criticism Feelings about how to parent seem to shift with every generation. A new way of parenting, sometimes called attachment parenting, has emerged and it challenges many of the rigid teachings of our mother’s generation. Although breastfeeding is on the rise now, women are still dealing with the repercussions of previous generations. Not too long ago mainstream women did not breastfeed at all and the ones that did were taught to follow strict schedules. Some thought of breastfeeding as primitive. Formula was touted as being equal to or superior to breast milk. Only recently, has the fact that "breast is best" been acknowledged. Other women were in the workforce. They may have felt that breastfeeding was not an option for them. They did not have the modern breast pump available to them. The medical community may not have encouraged breastfeeding at the time. It is not hard to imagine. After all, even with all the knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding there are still many health professionals today that are uneducated and unsupportive of breastfeeding. With all the challenges in the way of breastfeeding, it is understandable why many women of yesterday did not choose to breastfeed. Breastfeeding has come a long way but still many of the old thinking still carries on. Women are more educated on the subject; however, even with the many books and other information available, people are often most influenced by their immediate family and friends. Having the support of friends and family can boost the chances of having a successful breastfeeding experience. On the other hand, having to deal with criticism and misinformation from the people you are close to can sabotage a new mom trying to breastfeed. There are many ways to deal with the negativity of others. One of the best things you can do is to try to understand why the person feels the way they do. Is it because they were taught differently about breastfeeding? Were they indoctrinated with the ideas that breastfeeding is primitive or inferior? Or is it that they feel breasts are a sexual object? Maybe they have never seen someone breastfeed and it makes them uncomfortable. This is the case with a lot of people. Once breastfeeding in public becomes more commonplace, perhaps, this will become less of a problem. Whatever the case, finding out the root of the person’s issues with breastfeeding may help to resolve the tension. Here are some things you can do to deal with criticism. Be positive: It is hard for someone to argue with a happy, positive person. If you are excited and enthusiastic about breastfeeding it can be contagious Try to educate them: Find information on the benefits of breastfeeding to mom and baby and share this with them. You don’t have to "push this down their throat". Just be enthusiastic about your decision to breastfeed and share with them why you decided to. Be sympathetic: A lot of times women are defensive because breastfeeding did not work out for them. If you sit and talk with any woman that really wanted to breastfeed, you can hear the sadness in her story. Try to be sympathetic and non-judgmental. Don’t say things like "you could have or should have". Share your experience, be positive, and let them know you care. Try not to get angry: Breastfeeding conversations can get very heated. Getting angry with someone is not likely to change her feelings. It will just make you and her upset. If you don’t feel like you can talk about breastfeeding with this person change the subject or avoid talking about it. Use your doctor as your advocate: Sometimes the best thing you can do is tell someone that this is what your doctor recommends. What you think means very little to some people but a doctor’s word carries weight. Don’t be sarcastic or insulting: Belittling someone is likely to make someone defensive. It is not a good approach to winning someone over. You may turn an opportunity to educate someone into a personal attack. Stand your ground: Do not let someone else decide how you are going to parent. If they are uncomfortable then they will have to come to terms with it. You do not have to change the way you parent to suit someone else. If nothing is working then you may just let the person know that you do not want to discuss the issue with them any more. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to this. Patty Hone is a wife and mommy to three kids. She is also co-owner of Justmommies.com. Justmommies is a community for mommies to make friends and find support. Please visit Justmommies at http://www.justmommies.com . email@justmommies.com
About The Author
Breast Feeding Problem Solutions and Help
Breast Feeding Problem Solutions and Help
I’m nursing my third baby, and I have had experience with several common breast feeding problems. Some women sail through nursing their kids with ease, having no breast feeding problems at all, and others, well, are not so lucky. Breast feeding is healthy for mothers and babies, though, and there are ways to combat a breast feeding problem you may encounter.
Breast feeding problem #1: Engorgement.
Engorgement is when your breasts swell and feel very hard, even like there are rocks in them. Women who choose not to nurse will experience this after their baby is born. Women who do choose to breast feed may experience this a few days after baby is born when their milk ‘comes in.’ The best solution to this breast feeding problem is to nurse often, and express milk by hand or with a pump if your breasts are stll very full after nursing.
Breast feeding problem #2:
Sore or cracked nipples. This breast feeding problem often occurs within the first few days of nursing and may last a few weeks as you and your baby adjust to nursing. Use a pure lanolin ointment, like lansinoh, and keep your breast clean and dry to prevent infection.
Breast feeding problem #3:
Sore breasts. If your breast is sore, this breast feeding problem may either be a plugged duct or mastitis. Mastitus is an infection that will require antibiotics, usually accompanied by a fever. A blocked duct is best alleviated by frequent nursing. It helps to massage the breast to encourage milk flow through all the ducts, and change nursing positions (cradle hold, football position, side lying position) at least twice in a twenty-four hour period.
Breast feeding problem#4:
Low milk supply. Simple ways to alleviate this breast feeding problem are frequent nursing — every 2 hrs, during the day, and every 3 to 4 hours during the night (wake baby to feed if you need to)., drinking plenty of water and eating healthy food and an adequate calorie intake, using a breast pump in addition to feeding to stimulate milk supply, and taking the herb fenugreek (2 capsules 3 times daily).
Breast feeding problem #5:
Baby not gaining adequate weight. This breast feeding problem is tricky, because doctors, lactation consultants, and nutritionists all seem to say something different. Lactation consultants might say nurse baby more frequently, and doctors might say supplement with formula. Discuss with a health professional you feel most comfortable with. If your baby is under four months old, and you suspect you have a low milk supply, you can use something called a supplemental nutrition system (little tubes that give the baby formula at the same time you are nursing) until your milk supply is adequate. If your baby is over 4 months old, starting cereal/solid foods in addition to breast milk may be the way to solve this breast feeding problem.
Visit a local breast feeding support group (many hospitals and community centers now offer them, free), talk to a lactation consultant, or visit the La Leche League for more information.
Amy Finley is a freelance journalist for Pulse Media International and mother of three. To find out more about Amy Finley, contact her, or find links to more of her articles on Pulse Media, please visit her ‘Best Place for Moms’ blog at http://bestplaceformoms.blogspot.com/.
To read more articles of interest on womens issues, from health to fashion, please visit the ever-growing Pulse Media womens page at http://pulsemed.org/womens-dress-clothing-fashion-etc.htm
Breast Feeding – Frequently Asked Questions
Breast Feeding – Frequently Asked Questions
Breast-feeding is one of the most natural things in the world. Many women have questions about breast-feeding. There are myths and facts about breast-feeding. These will be discussed in the list of questions and answers provided below.
Q. What are some myths about breast-feeding?
There are many myths about breast feeding such, as you cannot take any medication while breastfeeding. Most medications are safe for you but you should check with your doctor first. A breast-feeding mother with an infection should not be breast-feeding. Actually she should continue because her milk provides the baby with help to resist infections. If s/he does become ill, it will not be severe.
Q. What are some problems that can occur with breast-feeding?
Some women may not be able to produce enough milk. Others produce too much milk, too quickly and this can cause engorgement. Expressing some of the milk may relieve some of the pain.
Q. Are there things I should avoid while breastfeeding?
You should avoid alcoholic drinks as the alcohol does pass through to the baby and it can affect the baby’s weight and central nervous system. If you drink only occasionally, make sure you do it after you nurse. This means that alcohol level will be lower or gone before the next feeding. Avoid spicy or gassy foods as these can upset your baby’s delicate tummy.
Q. What is Thrush?
Thrush is a yeast infection in the baby’s mouth that looks like little white patches on their tongue and the inside of the cheeks. Mom can continue to breast feed as long as both she and the baby are treated with a medication.
Q. Can I breast-feed while taking medication?
Yes you can breast feed while taking medication. Be sure before you take anything that you check with your doctor first to be on the safe side. Most medications are safe but it’s better to err on the side of caution.
Q. Can just any woman breast-feed?
Yes any woman can breast feed provided that she hasn’t had breast surgery that has affected the milk ducts. The size of her breasts does not affect breast-feeding.
Q. What is Milk Fever?
This is an outdated term that referred to plugged milk ducts. In fact, if you have a fever you have Mastitis not Milk Fever that is a misnomer.
Q. Can my baby be allergic to my breast milk?
It is highly unlikely that your baby can become allergic to breast milk. Talk to your pediatrician to see what he might suggest. You might need to take your baby to a gastro-enterologist for testing but continue breast-feeding unless you are told to stop.
Q. Can breast feeding mother drink caffeinated beverages?
Yes coffees, teas, and soda are okay but in limited amounts. The caffeine does pass through your milk to the baby. It can make your baby restless and fussy.
Q. Can I drink carbonated beverages while breast-feeding?
In moderation carbonated beverages are okay in limited amounts. Two a day should not affect your baby. The concern is the large amounts of phosphorous that are in carbonated beverage and this is for all women; it may decrease the amount of calcium you will be able to absorb.
Q. What can I do if my baby refuses to breast-feed?
If your baby refuses to breast feed you can try feeding him while he’s asleep or very sleepy. You can try varying positions while you are feeding. You could also try breast feeding your baby while in motion, for example rocking, walking, or riding in the car.
Q. Can I lose weight safely while I am breast-feeding?
While you are breast-feeding don’t worry too much about losing weight. It is important that you east a very healthy diet in order to maintain your milk supply. Check with your doctor as s/he might have helpful hints for you.
Q. Can Diabetic mothers breast-feed their babies?
Yes, Diabetic mothers can breast feed. After birth babies of Diabetic mothers must be monitored for low blood sugar, a high hematocrit, and possibly low calcium. Pumping their breasts as soon after birth as possible to help bring in their milk supply. This will make it easier for their babies to learn how to nurse.
Q. What are some of the benefits of breastfeeding for my baby and me?
The benefits of breast feeding for women is that the risk of breast and ovarian cancer is reduced, it helps you to lose some of the pregnancy weight and may lower the risk of osteoporosis. Another benefit is it saves money on formula and bottles. The benefits of breast feeding for babies is that their mothers milk protects them from allergens and eczema, reduces stomach upset, and lessens the incidence of SIDS. It also protects the baby from such diseases as Spinal Meningitis, Type I Diabetes, and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. There is also some suggestion it may help prevent obesity later in life.
In Conclusion
The information given here is just a fraction of what is available out there. You search the Internet or talk to your doctor and/or hospital for more specific information regarding breast-feeding and options that may be unique for you. The choice is up to you and you know what would be right for you and your baby.
(c) www.1st-babies.com
Reprint Rights feel free to publish this article on your website but you must agree to leave all active links contained within ‘About The Author’ intact and "as is" and NOT hidden behind a java or redirect script.
About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Nursery Bedding which includes Baby strollers, Baby car seats, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.