The Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog

Book review: The Essential Breastfeeding Log

Before I start talking about The Essential Breastfeeding Log (Ballantine, 2009) I have to say that I didn't track feedings.  After a few days of logging feedings and diapers, we set aside the chart and never looked back.  Even when I returned to work and felt anxious about my ability to keep up with pumping, I recorded one day's worth of pumping and then let it go.

Fortunately, a number of the mothers at a breastfeeding support group I run do track feedings, so I had them take a look at this book and tell me what they thought.  Their comments are below.

So, all that said, let's talk about The Essential Breastfeeding Log.  It's attractive, with a clean design, and it's spiral bound so it lays flat.  It would be a nice keepsake.  In the introduction there is some encouragement about taking care of ourselves, with particular emphasis on exercise.  This makes sense, given that both authors are health and fitness writers.  There is space for tracking "me" time and "us" time, which is for tracking quality time with your partner.  There are some good statements about not watching the clock.

There are a few things I wasn't as crazy about: there is a lot of emphasis on sleep training.  I'm not sure if that's because both authors are mothers of twins.  I was also disappointed to find that, while the index on sleep includes Ferber and Ezzo, but not Sears or Pantley.  There are many approaches to dealing with sleep issues, and I think it's important to present the full range of options.

There are spaces on each page in the early months for "amount supplemented" and "amount pumped."  This can come in handy for mothers who need to, or choose to, supplement and/or pump.  But I worry just a tad that this might make a few moms think they need to pump or supplement when it's not necessary.  One mom at my breastfeeding group thought it would have been better to include an "other" column instead.  I was also surprised to see that the column for pumping disappears at week 19 - right in the heart of pumping for working moms. 

The moms at my breastfeeding group liked the log in general.  They also thought that it was a little big to fit in a diaper bag, and said that they would have liked one a ribbon bookmark to mark one's place in the book. 

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Motherwear model Sabrina on her nursing experience.

Today I'm happy to share a guest post by Sabrina, Motherwear model for the Summer line.  She's shown in these pictures with her daughter Alexia, 8 months.

What has your breastfeeding experience been like?

Breastfeeding has been a great experience for me, as I feel that not only am I providing for my little one, but it gives her extra sense of security.  I think it gives us a close bonding experience you can't get from feeding from a bottle.  I enjoy feeding my baby skin to skin.  It relaxes her, especially during bedtime. 

Breastfeeding in public was very challenging at first.  I was terribly shy and awkward.  However, after a few times I became super confident.  I realized that no one notices you breastfeeding if you don't make a fuss out of it.  I always use my wrap for privacy reasons, plus I notice that it helps my baby stay more focused.  

What is your favorite thing about nursing?

That I don't have to get up through the middle of the night to make up a bottle.  I just place my baby in a lying down position and nurse her.  Most of the time I fall asleep before she finishes.  It's a beautiful experience waking up to see your baby snuggled up next to you.  I also must add that nursing helped me to get my figure back real quick.  Every time I nursed I felt the pulling sensation in my belly.  That was a great incentive to keep going.

How do you make breastfeeding work given your work schedule?

I'm currently unemployed but when I'm booked for last minute photoshoots I have pumped milk stored for the carer.  In case I ever have to be away from my darling for more the 4-6 hours I carry my breast pump and a cooler bag.

Where have you gotten support and help with breastfeeding?

I attended breastfeeding classes, Lamaze class, and had a consultation with a lactation expert at Coney Island hospital.  I received great support, and I also had a book given to me by a friend for reference.

Is there any advice you could give other nursing moms based on your experience?

Never ever give up breastfeeding in the early stages.  If you feel that your baby is not getting enough milk count the amount of wet diapers s/he goes through.

One of my biggest worries while I was pregnant was little breast milk supply.  Hot showers or heat packs placed on the breasts encouraged let down before feeding.  Also don't get lazy with the pump.  Use it when your baby misses a feeding during the night.  Even pump right after feeding if you're still full. This will keep up the supply as your baby grows and feeds less often.

I occasionally take Indian herbal tablets called Fenugreek to encourage good milk supply, with my doctor's permission.  Nursing clothes, bras and wraps are a must especially when nursing in public.  It makes life easier, believe me.

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Guest post: Ann, on the essential summer packing list for nursing fashionistas.

I'm very happy to share a guest post from Ann on putting together the perfect nursing wardrobe for your summer travels - something I never could have written!  A few months ago Ann also wrote another great post on how to become a nursing fashionista.

My fantasy is to run away for a beach weekend or hotel-spa weekend with a single (designer) bag, with every essential I need tucked inside. Granted, I am a nursing mother of a busy toddler, so my days of traveling with just one bag are decidedly over. But I can still get at least myself packed in one bag with all the nursing essentials needed for a stylish trip.

Swim suit. Essential. Get a nursing swim suit. Yes, a teeny bikini with triangle tops could, conceivably, be pushed aside, but that requires nursing under a cover, or vacationing in the south of France. A one-piece or a tankini that fits and is easy and discreet to nurse in is essential. Tankini swim tops double as camisoles over wrap skirts and drapey pants. If you don't want to get back into a clammy swimsuit after lunch, buy two, in different colors or styles.

A sarong or wrap skirt. This skirt should go over your swimsuit (doesn't need to match, just coordinate - you can even select a contrast fabric), and also be worn as a regular skirt out to dinner. Wrap it on, put on your statement sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat and cute sandals, and you can go from beach to hotel cafe without missing a beat. It can be worn with a regular nursing tank or cami and sandals to dinner, if you pair it with a wrap or a cropped cardigan and sparkly jewelry.

Flip flops are perfect for the beach and pool. But bring a pair of flat sandals in a metallic leather, or ones adorned with details - woven leather, beads, or other details to wear when you're not at the pool. These sandals can take you out to dinner, or shopping with your baby.

Accessories: one short and one long necklace that are sturdy enough to let your baby play with while nursing. A stretchy beaded bracelet or cuff style bracelet. A sun hat, and statement shades. A stylish tote that folds flat, yet can haul all the baby gear to the pool or be used for shopping.

Wide leg trousers. Try a lightweight linen, lightweight silk or rayon - or even a knit - they are flattering to every figure if they're drapey. Pair these with a nursing top with details - ruching, gathers, ruffles, wrap front styles - and long necklace, wide cuff bracelet, flat jeweled sandals and sun hat for afternoon shopping. Dress them up at dinner with a sparkly necklace, nursing cami and carry your baby in a sling in an elegant fabric. You'll never be out of place with your baby nursing in a stylish sling even at a white-tablecloth restaurant.

Shorts. For sightseeing, wear these under a nursing top with details, and paired with your flat leather sandals. If you're going for more than a weekend pack two pairs, one in black, one in white.

A baby sling in a fun print or silk is essential for travel. Silk duppioni is my favorite ring sling fabric, it gets softer with washing and is a gorgeous, practical accessory.

If you wear the pants, tank and cardigan to travel in (car, train or plane), you can save a lot of room in your bag!

My motto is stylish mama = happy mama! Happy travels!

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Summertime at Motherwear.

Motherwear's summer line is here!

Some of my favorite new items are shown here, worn by models Sabrina (to the left), and Gabriela (to the right).  My picks include the Sand Dollar tank, the Margo Sleeveless top, and the Eclectic Lace Trimmed Tunic.

I also like the Mod Top and the Palm Court Dress.

The ever popular halter tankini is back in black, too.

As Dara, buyer for Motherwear, told me recently:

"We have a lot of cute new nursing tanks, and more built-in bra nursing styles than ever before.

We also have a new built-in bra  for our tops that provides more moderate support than our former light support shelf bra.  It also gives you more definition." 

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Shop Motherwear's inventory clearance sale.

Motherwear is making room for it's summer items, and has marked down some great styles, marked down as low as $10.

My picks are shown here. 

To the right is the Cross Wrap Bamboo top.

For a great dress you could wear from spring right into summer, I like the Cadence Dress, shown to the left.

I also like the Lucinda top (shown to the right) and the Koi Print Tee.

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Latch-on DVDs to give away.

Last year I posted about a great new video on latch-on.  I've posted it below, and a better quality version is here.

Latch, as you know, is the heart of the matter when it comes to breastfeeding.  A good latch can make the difference between a painful and painless feeding.  And latch affects babies' ability to get enough milk, too.

But for so many of us it's a real struggle.  That's why I was so happy to see this short video from Ameda.  It's up to date, emphasizes skin to skin and babies' natural reflexes, and does a great job of showing the 'asymmetrical latch.' 

Ameda was kind enough to give me six of these DVDs to give away.  They'd be a great tool in childbirth and breastfeeding classes, and breastfeeding support groups.

To enter to win one, please leave a comment below by May 27th, 2009.  U.S. addresses only, please.  Winners will be chosen using random.org, and announced in the comments section of this post.  

Now your pump really can talk to you.

A while back I wrote a post asking if any of you thought that your pumps were talking to you.  Many of you did indeed have pumps with something to say, including:

"Way to go, way to go"
"Let it go, let it go"
"Winnepeg, Winnepeg"
"Lap dog, lap dog"
"Hoover Dam"
"Holyoke ha-wee-oo"
"I'm so tired! I'm so tired!"
"David Bowie, David Bowie"

See the post for the full list.

Now, believe it or not, there's a pump that actually can talk to you.  The EnDeare pump will take a recording of whatever you want - your baby's cry, music, a 'go team!' cheer - and play it back while you pump.

What's next?  And what would you record on this pump to help your milk let down?

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Summer photo shoot.

It's decidedly spring around here, with a mixture of beautiful sunshine and drizzly days. The daffodils and tulips are finally blooming.

But when I stopped by the Motherwear photo shoot last week and it was all about summer.

Dara, buyer for Motherwear, says:

"We have a lot of cute new nursing tanks, and more built-in bra nursing styles than ever before. 

We also have a new built-in bra for our tops that provides more moderate support than our former light support shelf bra.  It also gives you more definition." 

We also have a lot of items in great summery colors: papaya, aegean, and a pretty turquoise swirl print."

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Motherwear's semi-annual bra sale.

Motherwear's semi-annual bra sale is now through April 17th. 

Most bras are marked down 20%, including the hands free pumping bra and the light support sports nursing bra (at right), and the strapless nursing bra.  Check it out!

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Free breastfeeding management app for your iPhone.

Here's a great resource for breastfeeding support from the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition.

The coalition has put its breastfeeding management software on iTunes for free download to your iPhone or iPod Touch.  There is also a version for Palm operating systems.

You can use the download for evidence-based guidelines for breastfeeding care, to look up medications, get answers to frequently asked questions, and to identify red flags.  It's been a very popular download.

Want to get email updates from the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog?  Subscribe here.  Want an RSS feed? Subscribe here.  Want to subscribe to our breastfeeding podcasts on iTunes?  Click here.