Please Note: This post may contain sponsor, affiliate, and/or referral links. Read my full disclosure statement. 

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.


Anna Naturals Holiday Gift Set Giveaway (2 winners!)

With the chill breeze in the air and the Christmas decorations all around, right now seems to be the perfect time to sip on a warm cup of cranberry cinnamon tea... or spiced pumpkin tea... or really any warm tea. We love Anna Naturals tea. We love that it tastes good and that it's organic with all-natural ingredients. We're excited to bring you a giveaway from Anna Naturals Tea. Two lucky individuals will win one of their limited edition gift sets. You can choose from either their Nursing Mama Tea Holiday Gift Set or their Pregnant Mama Tea Holiday Gift Set. These gift sets include three different blends of tea plus your choice of a … [Read more...]

5 Signs That Your Care Provider Does Not Support Breastfeeding

In a perfect world, all medical care providers would be most concerned with what is best for mother and baby in their particular circumstances. They would offer objective advice and evidence-based research. Compassion and kindness would be icing on the cake, and par for the course. Worrying that your care provider does not support breastfeeding would not even be a concern! Unfortunately, we all have our biases. Doctors (and nurses, and midwives, etc), like all the rest of us, sometimes let their personal experiences and opinions inform their priorities when deciding how to counsel a patient. Your care provider may be a wonderful source of … [Read more...]

Can I Drink Caffeine While Breastfeeding?

"Can I really drink caffeine while breastfeeding?" Here, hold on—let me put down my coffee while I answer this. The short and easy answer is yes, you can. The long answer gets a little more involved, and requires you pay attention to your intake and your baby's behavior. Only you will know your and your baby's limits. Many mommies can't imagine starting their morning without a beloved cup of tea or coffee. Perhaps you drink a soda in the afternoon for a quick pick-me-up. Whatever your reason, it's important to know how caffeine may affect your child through you. Factors that affect how your baby handles caffeine while … [Read more...]

Come Celebrate! Eco-Babyz 5-Year Blogiversary Giveaway

Eco-Babyz is celebrating their 5-Year blogiversary!  BreastfeedingPlace is excited to help with the celebrations by bringing the presents to you! Anastasia started writing when she was 8 months pregnant with her first baby back in 2008 and wanted an outlet to share everything she was learning and to connect with other parents. We are helping Eco-Babyz celebrate and together with ten more fabulous bloggers we are giving away some prizes from generous sponsors. It's a way of thanking readers new and old for taking the time to be part of the blogging community through their comments and presence! FIRST PRIZE ($698, US … [Read more...]

Are There Special Breastfeeding Clothes?

Breastfeeding a baby around the clock can prove to be quite difficult if you don't have the proper clothing. Some regular clothing will work fine for breastfeeding, but there is a lot of clothing out there that is made specifically for breastfeeding mothers. If you are wondering what types of breastfeeding clothes you will need, here's a short list of what I consider "must-haves." Types of Breastfeeding Clothes Nursing Bra A nursing bra is pretty essential when breastfeeding. Regular bras are really hard to breastfeed in. I have tried and it just doesn't work. Nursing bras have a clip at the bottom of the shoulder strap that connects … [Read more...]

The Importance of Breastfeeding Immediately After Birth

We all know the importance of breastfeeding because breast milk is the best nutritional option for your baby, if at all possible. But did you know that breastfeeding can play a vital role in mother and child bonding during the first hour of life? Giving birth is such a beautiful, life changing experience. Even through the difficulties, even if it's really hard or traumatic, when all is said and done you are handed this precious little bundle of baby that makes it all worthwhile. Then all you want to do is hold your little one and get those first few minutes of bonding in. It is typical in hospital births, however, for the baby to be … [Read more...]

Know Your Public Breastfeeding Rights: A Tale of One Mother’s Brush With the Law

There are times in our lives when we feel the need to stand up for ourselves, for our children, and for the children around us. Breastfeeding rights is one of those. Breastfeeding in public has been a heated issue in the news. Lately, scheduled nurse-ins at restaurants or clothing stores have occurred, due to some manager with a need to enforce ludicrous rules that are not baby friendly—and certainly not in the best interest of the mother. Never mind that they are unlawful to begin with! Here's a phrase I have mentioned countless times to the mothers I have worked with: "You need to know your breastfeeding rights. In most states, you are … [Read more...]

Breastfeeding Problems: What is a Lip Tie?

Breastfeeding a newborn can be difficult. It is not something that always comes easily. Many mothers of new babies experience several breastfeeding problems on their journeys through early parenthood. Some of these early issues are attributed to latch issues. Poor latches can lead to cracked nipples, thrush, plugged ducts, etc. Fixing bad latches might be easy. Other times it could be pure determination, like when my son was diagnosed with a lip tie. What is a lip tie? A tongue tie is a webbing that exists between the bottom of one's tongue and the soft palate of the floor of your mouth. A lip tie is a similar webbing, but it exists on the … [Read more...]

Tips for Choosing a Breast Pump

Many breastfeeding mothers will find use for a breast pump at some point in their nursing years. Choosing a breast pump can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, though. They all look so similar and use such interestingly descriptive words! Let us help you navigate the breast pump waters. Choosing a Breast Pump Breast pumps, though certainly not necessary, can be great tools for relieving a bit of engorgement, keeping your supply up should you need to go on medication, or having some breast milk stored in the freezer for times you may be away from your baby. There is a huge variety in pumps, though, and it can be overwhelming for a mom to choose … [Read more...]

Breastfeeding and Postpartum Thyroiditis

Many women experience milk supply problems when breastfeeding and postpartum thyroiditis may be to blame. This condition is often overlooked by healthcare providers because it typically resolves itself within a year of onset. I struggled with postpartum thyroiditis after all three of my pregnancies. What is postpartum thyroiditis and how can it affect breastfeeding? Postpartum Thyroiditis Basics Postpartum thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid within the first year after giving birth. It is characterized by the production of thyroid antibodies plus swings between hyperactive and underactive thyroid. It is very similar to Hashimoto's … [Read more...]