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Your Breastfeeding Headquarters!

This is the spot on our site where we hope for you to be able to find the latest and greatest nursing products and news!  We are starting out small but will be adding many more nursing products throughout the summer!

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Click on the articles below for some great information and resources!


Things every breastfeeding mom should know...

Nursing Products We Love!

Things every breastfeeding mom should know...

  • It doesn’t always “just happen-” for many moms and babies it takes work to learn how to latch on properly.  For me, I found that reading a LOT about latching on and positioning before I gave birth helped a ton!!  I knew what to expect which was great!
  • The lactation consultant is your best friend!!  Lactation consultants are specially trained nurses who focus specifically on helping moms and babies learn to breastfeed successfully.  It is hard for them to come by a mom and baby who have such severe issues that they cannot help them make it work!  The extreme majority of the time lactation consultants no far more about breastfeeding than your or your baby’s doctor.  I would not make ANY big decisions regarding breastfeeding without first talking with a lactation consultant- they can save you from a lot of unnecessary frustration and heartbreak if you just set aside your pride and talk to one!  The best part is that you can talk to one for free at the Sacred Heart Lactation Group and get a lot of moral support from fellow mamas going through the same things too! 
  • When the baby latches on during the first few weeks- IT HURTS!!  It will feel as though someone is literally cutting off your nipple!  Then just after that pain subsides your milk will let down- which basically feels like someone pumped a gallon of milk into your boobs in .02 seconds and they are going to explode any second!!  Okay, but after you hang in there- it is sooooo worth it!  You will be so glad that you put up with all the pain!  I mean what could be better than providing the absolute perfect nutrition for your baby?  And the bond you will form is like none other!
  • It is normal for a newborn to want to nurse all the time!  Roman would literally sometimes nurse every hour in those first weeks.  We thought something was wrong and even called the doctor, but when I spoke with a lactation consultant she let me know that this is totally normal.  The baby knows how much they need and when they are hungry- listening to their needs is the fool proof way to making sure they are gaining the nutrients they need.  Responding to their needs on demand is also the best way to support your milk supply.  In fact, scheduling feedings and sleep can be one of the most detrimental things you can do when trying to have a successful breastfeeding experience.
  • You have never had such a demanding boss before in your life!  I think this was the most shocking thing to me about breastfeeding- there is no “hold on” or “just a minute” with a baby!  They want what they want and they want it NOW!!  Be prepared- your freedom (even to pee when you want) has ended- for the next few months especially!  However, with that said, it does get better.
  • Pumping is a very selective experience- some women have wonderful luck, without any problems and some can hardly get an ounce in an hour!  The best thing is to make sure that you don’t get stressed about it, which will just diminish your milk and make things even more frustrating!  If the pump doesn’t work you can always try hand expressing, which may sound crazy but many women actually have wonderful luck with it!  I was able to get 5-6 ounces in 15 minutes hand expressing when I had a large milk supply.
  • While you are breastfeeding you are basically walking around with a built in medicine chest!  Breast milk is a cure all!  It is the only known substance that has been found to directly attack and kill cancer cells.  In fact, your breast milk will change to meet your individual baby’s needs as they grow and are exposed to the environment.  If you are both exposed to a strain of bacteria or infection your breast milk will form antibodies to prevent your little one from getting sick, which is really crucial when you consider the fact that babies don’t start to develop their own immune systems until they are 11 months old!  you can use breast milk on everything from pimples, to scratches, to cracked nipples and it will speed healing enormously!
  • You can’t get your baby sick through your milk.  Breastfeeding while you are sick is actually the number one thing you can do to help protect them from the sickness you have.
  • The American perspective on breastfeeding is just down right sad!  For some reason we have turned breastfeeding into something gross and shameful, some people even absurdly think of it sexually!  But if you look at the rest of the world you find that breastfeeding is totally normal and accepted- and it rightly should be!  Breast milk is the perfect food for human babies- it isn’t lacking anything and it is not detrimental in any way (as formula can be).  Women have been exclusively breastfeeding their children since the dawn of time and it is your right by law to feed your child whenever and wherever you want!  Don’t be afraid to make a stand and feed your child the way you were designed to- it is the only way we can begin to change peoples’ minds!  A wonderful way to learn to feel more comfortable nursing in public (and it is a learned thing- you probably won’t be comfortable with it right from the start) is to go on outings with other nursing moms and be around as many supportive people as you can!
  • Most people know that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until your child is at least a year old.  However, many moms don’t realize that the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding to at least two years old for the maximum benefits.  Once again, around the world this would be considered entirely normal.  In fact, stopping at two years would be considered early in most countries!  Don’t let cultural perspective taint how long you nurse your child- you have to do what is right for both of you!



Nursing Products We Love!

  • Boppy- really nice when first learning to breastfeed, your arms really do get tired.  I also find the boppy useful for sitting on in those first weeks when your parts are healing or propping Roman up to watch Baby Einstein when he was a few months old!  Make sure you get one with the zip-on cover so you can wash it- it will get pooped or puked on!
  • Nursing tank tops- my favorites are Glamour Mom and Bravado.  They are really nice to wear under things (especially in the winter) and help you feel like you are maintaining your modesty.  Glamour mom is longer, comes in lots of colors and they even have some with lace around the bottom.  Bravado is shorter and has less colors, but the top is gathered so you don’t have uni-boob, which I love!  You can find them at Journey’s (Sacred Heart Main Floor), Mother’s Haven in Coeur d’Alene or online (www.glamourmom.com & www.bravadodesigns.com).
  • Hooter Hiders- these stylish covers tie around your neck and allow you to keep baby covered during nursing while still being able to see her.  You can get them online at www.bebeaulait.com or at Baby Cottage in the Valley Mall.
  • A ring sling- I couldn’t have gotten through the first six months on motherhood without my sling!!  Using a sling is another great way to discreetly nurse in public because people just think you are wearing your baby- they are never the wiser that you are actually nursing!!
  • Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump- GREAT pump for the price!  You can find them at Walmart (which I know sounds sketchy but they really are great!) for about $150.  It has adjustable speed and suction so you can make it feel most like your baby.
  • Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream- a really nice, pure nipple cream that will help prevent and treat drying and cracking.  It available at Walmart and Target.

  • Nighttime nursing bra- I own them in every size!  Nothing makes night time nursing easier (other than co-sleeping) when you can just pull down one side of a comfortable elastic bra.  They aren’t made for a whole lot of support but they are perfect for sweet sleep!  You can find them for about $12 at Motherhood Maternity.