When I had a breast reduction at the age of eighteen, breastfeeding wasn’t even a thought in my mind. All I wanted was relief from discomfort and negative attention. I didn’t even think about the repercussions until I was pregnant with my first born. And I certainly wasn't aware of this homemade infant formula! Although I had every intention of nursing, I tried not to get my hopes up. Unfortunately, I didn't get much assistance from the nurses or lactation consultants after my son was born. In fact, they had me give him formula in the hospital! Our nursing experience was short and painful. At the two week mark, my son was losing … [Read more...]
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Disclaimer: The information in this post is for educational purposes only. I am not a doctor. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. None of the opinions are meant to diagnose or treat any disease or illness. You should always consult your healthcare provider.
Do I Have Enough Breast Milk? 5 Signs That You Do!
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It's certain that one of the first things most breastfeeding mothers are concerned about is whether or not that precious baby of theirs is really plumping up on mama's milk alone. I mean, it's completely understandable to be concerned about this since our breasts are not transparent, nor do they come with tiny amount markers on each one to let us know how much baby is taking in each feeding. But, is there a way to really know for sure how your baby is faring? If you're curious about whether or not you have enough breast milk for you little one, I'm here to say that you can absolutely know if your baby is thriving by looking at a few key … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding Cover Styles and Options
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While many nursing mothers don't feel the need to utilize a breastfeeding cover, there are many others (like myself) who prefer a little coverage when they are feeding their child. When my first child was born, I only used receiving blankets thrown over one shoulder to cover when I was nursing in public. This worked in the beginning, but once my daughter grew out of the newborn stage and became wigglier, it was more difficult to keep the blanket in place. As she grew even older, her curiosity about what was going on in her surroundings could also make it a challenge to maintain my own personal level of comfortable modesty. I wasn't aware that … [Read more...]
16 Ways to Romance Your Husband, Even When Breastfeeding a Little One
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Let's face it. Sometimes we can get a little caught up with breastfeeding and forget about our hubby from time to time, right? These poor guys end up being our "gophers" - going for this snack, that diaper change, this burp cloth, etc. And when those little ones eat 'round the clock, it can be challenging to actually make time for a little romance (let alone a simple conversation). Coming up with ways to romance your husband might not be top of your priority list - like fixing a poor latch or just getting dinner on the table is. But with just a little extra effort, we can bless these men who are so supportive, helpful, and encouraging. … [Read more...]
Organic Cotton Ring Sling Giveaway!
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Mamas, we're super excited to be giving you a chance to win an organic cotton ring sling! Slings are a great way to keep baby close by and you can even breastfeed your little one in them. Welcome to the TaylorMade Organic Cotton Ring Sling Giveaway, hosted by Viva Veltoro and Thrifty Nifty Mommy, and sponsored by EcoBaby & Home! We are so excited to bring you this great giveaway from EcoBaby & Home! This lovely shop, based out of Naples, Florida is a place where you can find all things natural and eco-friendly. They feature educational toys, cloth diapers and accessories, breastfeeding supplies, nursing bras, baby carriers, as … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Breastfeeding Twins
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Is breastfeeding twins even possible? Yep - it absolutely is! And we're here to help you navigate these sometimes muddy waters. (Don't have twins but know someone who does? Share this with her - she'll be so encouraged!) Congratulations, It's Twins! I'd love to do a survey to find out how many parents hit the floor when finding out there is more than one baby growing inside the womb! I lost all feeling when the doctor announced, "Well, the good news is - it's triplets!" My hubby doesn't even remember sitting down! Then the questions start bubbling out, one on top of the other. You may be thinking: Will I have preemies? Will I … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding Advice for the Struggling Mom
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Breastfeeding may be natural, but it sure ain't easy sometimes. I wish someone had taken the time to give me breastfeeding advice when I was a first-time, struggling mom. And I sure was struggling. In more ways than one. Having a child changes absolutely everything about life. It is a world-rocking experience. The adjustments can be overwhelming, especially when things don't quite go according to plan. As moms, we can be very critical of ourselves. We compare our ability to mother to others. The truth is, no two breastfeeding journeys will be alike. At times we will flourish. At times we will struggle. It's our struggles that make … [Read more...]
How to Express Breast Milk by Hand
Ever wondered how to express breast milk by hand? Does it seem difficult? Are you frustrated by what seems like a fruitless endeavor? Let's take a look at how to express breast milk by hand - with a few adjustments you may soon find you prefer hand expression over an electric pump! Over the fall break we decided to visit my family 8 hours away. We stopped every hour on the way up for the baby's sake. He just hated being back there for so long and he needed things like milk, diaper changes, and happy baby crawling time. My daughter helped keep him occupied, but he just doesn't understand why he can't see mama for the duration of long car … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Produce More Breast Milk
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Breastfeeding, though the most natural way to feed a baby, doesn't always come easily to every mother. There are a myriad of factors that can contribute to a nursing mother experiencing difficulty when she needs to produce more breast milk. Having a low supply can be both frustrating and discouraging, but there are several ways to encourage your body to kick into gear and provide the nutrition that your baby needs. A mother may also merely want to produce more breast milk in order to build up a supply for her freezer for later use. In either of these situations, a woman may need some help getting the boost in production that she is looking … [Read more...]
How to Stop Breast Milk After a Loss
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As a pregnant mother, you never imagine you might need to know how to stop breast milk after your baby is born. Unfortunately, not all babies are born alive and some die shortly after birth. One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. After the baby dies, the mother's milk still comes in. I speak from experience on this topic as our second daughter died at two days old. After a successful and lengthy breastfeeding relationship with my first baby, my milk coming in after Violet's death was one of the most physically and emotionally painful parts of losing her. Whether you read this as a newly grieving … [Read more...]
