You want to encourage her as much as you can, but breastfeeding can be so personal and sometimes products that worked for one mom might not work for another. Here’s a list of just a few breastfeeding-themed gift ideas that you might want to consider to help support a mama-to-be on her breastfeeding journey.

1. Entertainment:

Breastfeeding can be lonely and a bit tedious at times, so consider gifting a new mom a little something to get her through the long hours. If she’s a bookworm she might be interested in a subscription to Audible so she can listen to some audiobooks and keep her hands free. If she’s already a Netflix addict how about a Hulu membership so she can check out some new shows? Just think about the entertainment the mama-to-be currently enjoys and give her a couple new options, she’ll definitely love you for it!

Some delicious cookies!

2. Lactation Cookies:

This is a great gift for those first few days and weeks postpartum when she’s working on figuring out her breastfeeding routine. Deliver a batch of lactation cookies and give the new mama a chance to jump in the shower or take a nap while you entertain the baby. Our recipe is full of ingredients to help stimulate milk production and you can even throw in some chocolate chips to satisfy her sweet tooth.

3. Cute pajamas:

The new mom will definitely appreciate this gorgeous, maternity and nursing friendly pajama set during those first few weeks at home with her newborn. Th is versatile set feels special enough to wear in front of company but relaxed enough to keep her comfy postpartum.

4. Nursing hoodie:

This super soft hoodie is so cute no one will ever be able to tell it’s designed for breastfeeding. The mama-to-be will appreciate being prepared with some breastfeeding friendly clothes on hand before the baby comes and this hoodie is a great multitasker that can go from being out and about to lounging around at home.

Love our The Vintage Honey Shop nursing necklace!

5. Breastfeeding Necklace:

For a sweet and sentimental gift check out this adorable breastfeeding themed necklace from Etsy. This gorgeous piece of jewelry is a great reminder to be proud of her journey as a breastfeeding mama and a perfect conversation starter as well!

6. Pretty Nursing Bra:

Once she gets the hang of nursing and starts spending more time outside of the house, the new mom is probably going to want a nursing bra that actually feels more like her normal bras. ThirdLove’s wired or unwired nursing bras are a great alternative that look and feel like a typical bra but are still plenty comfy thanks to its memory foam cups.

7. A Photography Session:

The gift of a breastfeeding-themed photography session with a little one can be an amazing way to encourage a new mama on her breastfeeding journey. Check out some of the amazing photographers we work with for our Breastfeeding World Photography Project and see if there’s one in your area you can set up a session with.

Thanks for reading, keep checking back to the Breastfeeding World blog for more nursing tips and ideas!

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts and be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post 7 Unique Baby Shower Gifts You Didn’t Know You Needed appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post Power in Imagery: Real Moms Breastfeeding on Instagram appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

As a childcare provider, there are two times of year that I DREAD. Back to School, and the New Year, because it seems like my home is an endless germ fest of children parading in and out, and as much as you clean, there is no way to stop it.

The only comfort I give myself when my family is all out of commission due to nausea or vomiting, is that is that my kids are building super strong immune systems from growing up in a daycare environment.

So as I sit snuggling in bed with two sleeping and sickly kiddos, I thought I’d share my favorite hacks for beating nausea and vomiting

Some of these work great for morning sickness too!

1. Activated Charcoal
2. Essential Oils
3. Pressure Points
4. Elderberry Syrup
5. Humidifier
6. Ginger, Cinnamon, or Mint
7. Take your Vitamins
8. Probiotics, Kefir, and/or Sauerkraut
9. BRAT diet

1. Activated Charcoal

Activated Charcoal is a type of charcoal that is processed to be more porous. It works by trapping toxins and chemicals in your intestinal system, and because it isn’t processed by the body, it carries those toxins straight out of your system through your bowels. (source) It’s recommended to take 2 every hour for adults. For my kiddos, I find it easiest to smuggle it into my kids by breaking open a capsule in a glass or purple grape juice. (There are some trains of thought that think grape juice helps with the nausea and vomiting associated with stomach bugs. It doesn’t, but it doesn’t mean those grapes aren’t good for you!) The activated charcoal doesn’t have a flavor, but the dark juice hides that “yucky” black color.

I SWEAR by this solution (hence why it’s number 1!) because of how effective I’ve found it to be in my own home, and I recommend it to all of my daycare families. Use it to cut sick time in half or prevent it when you’re exposed to others who are sick.

2. Essential Oils

The Hubs makes fun of me for my “witches brews” and essential oils obsession. It’s true. I love the way they smell, but more than that, I love that I can often treat my family’s ailments holistically and in a safe manner. Because I run a family childcare, I refrain from using Thieves around the kids, so I stick diffusing to KidSafe “Germ Destroyer” from Plant Therapy, but any Child safe anti-germ Blend will do.

Using Essential Oils Safely recommends diffusing or applying the following oils for nausea and vomiting:

(These can also help with heartburn & Indigestion)
Diffusing or properly diluting and rubbing on the tummy the following oils may help.
These oils can also be used in a personal aromatherapy inhaler.
* Ginger
* Spearmint
* Citrus oils (Please check for proper topical max and phototoxicity if using topically.)
* Peppermint (Not safe for children under 6.)
* For indigestion you can also try consuming a spoonful or apple cider vinegar or papaya enzyme.

3. Pressure Points

“Acupressure is an ancient healing art that’s based on the traditional Chinese medicine practice of acupuncture. With acupressure, pressure is applied to specific places on your body. These places are called acupoints. Pressing these points can help release muscle tension and promote blood circulation. Research suggests that it can also relieve many common side effects of chemotherapy.” (Source, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

You can do acupressure yourself by using your fingers to apply pressure various points. Check out this video to help find the points to help reduce your child’s nausea or vomiting.

4. Elderberry Syrup

Because of it’s terrific benefits for building a healthy immune system and helping ward off bugs, Elderberry is a lot easier to find at the local drug store, but you can also make it yourself. I love this recipe from Faith at the Little Herbal:

Elderberries are basically virus zapping magic. Ok, that’s nnot ture. But, even better, its scientifically proven to help prevent and shorten Influenza and viruses.

Based on this randomized control trial, the results said:

Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex. We investigated the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry syrup for treating influenza A and B infections. Sixty patients (aged 18-54 years) suffering from influenza-like symptoms for 48 h or less were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study during the influenza season of 1999-2000 in Norway. Patients received 15 ml of elderberry or placebo syrup four times a day for 5 days, and recorded their symptoms using a visual analogue scale. Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger study.

So go buy yourself some gummies, or whip your family up some elderberry syrup a la Hershel from the Walking Dead, but no matter what, you can’t argue that Eldberberries are an imperative stable during this awful stomach bug and flu season.

5. Run a Humidifier

If you or your kiddos are having troubles with nausea and vomiting, or particularly if you are fighting cold and sinus issues, chances are you’re fighting off dehydration, too. Help your body out by making sure there’s plenty of humidity in the air, particularly in the dry winter months. The Mayo Clinic recommends keeping your home at a humidity between 30%-50%. It may not help you overcome the viruses floating around, but it will hep your body’s overall comfort level.

6. Ginger, Cinnamon, and Mint

YEEEEARRS ago, Hubs (then fiance), and I worked waiting tables on a cruise ship in Hawaii (pretty amazing, right?). I get serious motion sickness, so I learned fairly quickly tips and tricks to keep the Nausea at bay. Ginger begged off the sushi chef, bitters and ginger ale (make sure it’s the brand made with real ginger) from the bartender, and peppermint tea with a little honey for shift’s end. I kept a packet of big red cinnamon gum in my apron for the nights we went into open sea, and I was made in the shade.

Want to make a tummy bug triple whammy? Make some homemade popsicles for your kids with chamomile tea, grape juice, and activated charcoal.
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Fast forward 5 years to early pregnancy, and my tried and true nausea and vomiting tricks came in handy, and I still use those go to’s for when my kids start to complain about tummy troubles. While they may not be a cure, they’re an excellent holistic treatment to make flue season a little easier. I adore Tazo Zen Green tea with lemongrass and spearmint, and it’s light enough my kids will drink it too. Want to make a tummy bug triple whammy? Make some homemade popsicles for your kids with chamomile tea, grape juice, and activated charcoal.

7. Take your Vitamins

Around this time of year, it’s best to just make chugging vitamins a habit. I’d love to preach and say healthy eating and a balanced diet, but let’s get real, I ate a Christmas cookie for breakfast. So at the minimum, keep your medicine cabinet stocked with Emergen-C. (Again, another Cruise Ship hack to keep me on my feet for 10 hours surrounded by vacationers possible carrying GI, or as we called it, Code Brown.) airborne works well too, but as a WAHM caring for 7 kids at a time, I like the boost from the extra C and B vitamins. Can’t run to the store? Take your pre-natals. If you’re breastfeeding, chances are you should be taking them anyway.

Because let's get real, moms don't get sick days, so we need to make sure we are taking care of ourselves and staying healthy.
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8. Probiotics

Probiotics are bacteria that line your digestive tract and support your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and fight infection. There are actually 10 times more probiotics in your gut than cells in your body! (source)

Right now, your gut (or your child’s) is a disaster. The best thing your can do for it is to help restore the healthy bacteria in your gut. Introducing probiotics, keifer , and sauerkraut to your diet will go a looooong way in that. But probiotics aren’t just good for recovering from a nasuea and vomiting inducing bug, or restoring healthy gut fauna after a round of antibiotics. Probiotics are an important part of a healthy digestive system (after all, 80% of your immune system resides in your gut). So focusing on a healthy gut for you and your child is one of the best things you can do for your immune system.

9. The Brat Diet

Good luck Mama, caring for a sick family is HARD!

Remember, even when if you or your child is struggling with nausea and vomiting, the immunities and gut healing properties in your breastmilk are the absolute best thing you can do for babe. Breastfeeding while sick is it’s own battle. Remember,  you are a warrior. Sending your love and healthy thoughts.

XOXO,

Lauren and the Breastfeeding World Team.

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts and be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post 8 Home Remedies you need to ease nausea & flu symptoms quickly appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

The Hilarious Breastfeeding “Stuff”  that No One Tells You

1. Let Down

First, let me start with the let down. Picture this.  You’re out with your new baby, she’s sleeping soundly, you’re pushing the strolling and you feel it. That tingling sensation that almost hurts. You can feel your breasts harden and wait for it…Open the flood gates! Insert sheer panic. For myself at least because no one told me there were pads for your boobs. I didn’t figure out nursing pads until late in the game my friends. Too late. Before you can find a jacket, or take down my mom bun to cover those babies, you have Niagara Falls sprouting on your shirt. It’s probably grey shirt too, isn’t it? It was for me. So invest in nursing pads. Buy them in bulk. Trust me.

Related Content You’ll Love: Excuse Me Miss – You Seem to Be Leaking

2. Tater Tot Nipples

I love tater tots. They are delicious. I don’t, however, like my nipples to represent them! I guess if you pull on a nipple long enough, multiple times a day, eventually your nipples are going to look weird. My husband even joked I was gonna take someone’s eye out with them one day. If you look up how far the nipple actually goes in your babies mouth and how the suckling works, you’ll understand why they look like that. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

3. Betty meet Veronica

You’re going to have one side that produces more than the other. Your baby will prefer that one and fuss and refuse the other until you give the dominant boob. See, what happens is when your baby feeds more or less, your body adjusts and your breasts make more or less milk accordingly. I myself had a strong left side (my fault, I side nursed her in bed) and so my right side adjusted to the lesser feeds. What I was left with however was a lopsided chest. Betty on the right, Veronica on the left.

You Have to Read This: Confessions of a Slacker Boob: 4 Fixes to Balance out Your Supply

4. You will wash a disposable nursing pad or ten.

And when you do, you will curse those damn things, or yourself for being too lazy to remove the pad before putting your bra in the hamper. You know when your husband doesn’t empty his pockets, yet again, and you end up washing his phone? Wait, that was me… But seriously, you know those little bits of paper receipts that are left in the pockets, and you accidentally wash? Those little wet bits of paper stick to every piece of clothing in that load and it makes you want to cry, right? Times that by 10,000. Those nursing pads are like mini diapers that absorb fluid into it’s gel base causing it to expand. That gel is thick and grainy. Not to mention the soft tissue the pads are lined with. Trust me when I say this, just put everything in the dryer and run it a couple times, emptying the lint trap in between. You’ll be good!

Twin Peak Fountains anyone?

You’ll be getting undressed, getting ready to hop in the shower and you feel your arm/leg/stomach, some various body part get wet.

Weird” you think. “Where did that come from?”

You continue on, until you’re about to hop in the shower- and you hear it. There is a distinct sound of spray hitting the plastic shower curtain. Yep, that’s you my friend. Those babies are spraying, with some impressive reach may I add, like there is a fire and you got 2 hoses.

As I said, breastfeeding accounts for so many of my fondest memories with my babies.

I truly did love it. I know not everyone has success with it and some women don’t get to experience it. So with all the weird ‘stuff’ that happens with breastfeeding, which you are totally prepared for by the way, embrace the moments of silence as you nurse your littles. They really are little for just a blink of an eye.

About the Author:

Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post 5 Shocking Facts You Wish Your Breastfeeding Mom Friends Told You appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

The princesses we grew up with were beautiful and in love.  They were also victims of circumstance. To play princess meant two things. First, you must be beautiful. Second, you must fall in love with a handsome prince. And the prince didn’t matter. Heck, half of them didn’t have names in my girlhood memories. You see, only the princess mattered. Only the beauty, grace, and passion of love mattered.

As I grew into womanhood, I felt repulsed at the princess image

I hated everything it stood for. To make choices or wait for a man to rescue you is ridiculous. Pretty isn’t everything. I felt determined to raise my daughter differently. No princess fascination. No Barbie’s, whose focus was only shopping and Malibu Ken.  My daughter would be raised to value hard work, compassion, intelligence, and strength.

Posts you May also like: “My Preschool Princess, You are never Merely Pretty” from Breastfeeding World.

I never wanted my children to grow up thinking that “pretty” was important. Forget society. But that’s difficult. Because if you are a “pretty” child, lots of doors open quickly for you. You see, growing up, I was always told how beautiful I was. Poor me, right? The problem arose when I was told how beautiful I was far more often than how smart, how strong, how hard working…

And that’s the problem with the emphasis on complimenting a little girl’s beauty

Between princesses and compliments, the little girls of our era grew up feeling that our worth is wholly wrapped up in how beautiful we are. If we aren’t seen as meek and helpless and beautiful, how can we ever find a handsome prince to sweep us off of our feet? And really, isn’t that all that is important in life? Of course not.

And let us not forget our sons, who also grew up thinking that the ideal woman is this unrealistic version of a timid princess. One who worships at the feet of her love, if only he take care of her financial needs. It’s a stigma and mentality damaging to both sexes.

Our generation of weak, beautiful, in love princesses are pushing back for our daughters. We want more out of them than just beautiful.

“Yes, you are beautiful,” We tell them. “You are also smart, kind, creative, and strong. I love the heart you have, caring for others. See how hard you work, how stubborn and tenacious you are? Beauty isn’t everything. Don’t you see, our amazing daughters? How you treat the world around you means more.”

My creative, tough, thoughtful, passionate, intelligent girl.

The inventors of the meek, beautiful, silent princess- Disney- finally heard our collective motherhood cry- “We want more for our children!”

You see, in the last few years, I’ve noticed a huge shift in the Princess model that our children are growing up with. Of course, these new princesses are still beautiful. That stigma will take much longer to break in our society. However, today’s princesses are so much more.  Let’s look at them:

• The Princess and the Frog: Tiana isn’t looking for love- but she is dreaming. She works hard, cares about others, and fights for what she believes in. Her dreams are bigger than some prince- she is ambitious, intelligent, and won’t stop until her dreams come true.
• Tangled: We are still dealing with “love” themes in this movie- but it doesn’t encompass the plot anymore. Rapunzel is fearless and determined. She learns to stand up for herself and her journey is about self discovery and in her self discovery, she finds love. Which is a lot more realistic. 
• Brave: Merida is strong willed, determined, free-spirited and strong. She doesn’t even have a love interest! It’s about family, self-acceptance, and of course, bravery.
• Frozen: Speaking of self discovery, Frozen is the movie that broke the princess mold. I could go on and on about all the empowerment themes in this movie, but perhaps that’s a post for another day.
• The Live Action Beauty and the Beast: Moving past the Stokholm Syndrome thing- Belle and the Beast fall in love with the other’s personhood. It’s not about the amazing library. Or that she can break the spell cast over his castle. They fall in love in a real, intellectual basis. And let us not forget that Belle, not her father, is the inventor in this version!

Yet with all of this positive Princess paradigm PR Disney was spouting out, I still hesitated

It was still that princess mentality that didn’t sit well with me. I could play with dinosaurs and build blocks and color with my daughter until the cows came home, but it didn’t stop her from entering the “princess phase”. It wasn’t until we were watching Moana, that I realized that the negative mentality towards princesses that I inwardly carried was mine, not my daughters.

We were watching the part where Moana’s grandmother imparts her necklace to Moana, telling her to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save the island. Imp looked at me and said,

“She doesn’t look like a princess until she puts the necklace on. When she puts the necklace on, that’s when she looks like a princess.”

“Oh”, I responded cautiously. “What does a princess look like?”

“A Princess is someone who does good and saves the day. She puts on the necklace and saves the day, that’s why she looks like a princess.”

Out of the Mouths of Babes

A Princess is someone who does good and saves the day. That’s what today’s Disney has done for our daughters. (No wonder Hubs and I love going so much!) It’s shaken up our preconceived notions, and inspired our girls to do good and save the day. Now, as parents, caregivers, nannies, childcare providers, grandparents… we have help inspiring our daughters to build their own greatness. And who would have thought it came from Disney?

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What do you feel about Today’s Princess model vs. the ideal princesses we grew up with? Is it different from you to your daughter?

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts and be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post From Pretty to Powerful: How Today’s Princess Paradigm has Changed Everything for our Kids appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Did you know, that when you were a baby, that I fed you in the bathroom?

It seemed so normal at the time. I thought I was being “respectful” of people eating in the restaurant, or shopping at Target. I wasn’t thinking about my immense respect for your tiny form.  Granted, I never sat in the stall. Instead, I awkwardly held you standing up (Even though we hadn’t quite mastered that skill yet), shirt cocked up, stomach exposed, swaying nervously, as I nursed you. I swayed to comfort you, but in reality, it was to soothe my own unease. Because for some godforsaken reason, even nursing in a disgusting public bathroom was still “nursing in public” to me, and I was afraid of what someone would say. Looking back, I was ashamed to feed you normally, out and about, around people. Ashamed of my huge, milk-laden breasts, afraid your friendly blue eyes would want to greet someone, flashing my nipple for all to see.

I’m so sorry.

I shouldn’t have felt ashamed to feed you in public. Instead, I’m ashamed I nursed you in the bathroom.

Now, my strong willed, brilliant princess, at almost 6 years old, you would look at me like I had two heads if I handed you an apple and shoved you in a public restroom to eat it. Sounds ludicrous, doesn’t it? So why did I think it was okay to nurse you in the bathroom then? How is it that mothers are so determined to raise brilliant, empowered women, yet still be afraid to feed their children in a way that is respectful… to their babies?

Read this: The Importance of Normalizing Breastfeeding by Lauren Lewis

Breastfeeding you was the first best thing I could do for your development

I’ll always be proud that I nourished you for the first 16 months of your life. Watching you grow, smile, coo, and learn at my breast created a bond like nothing else. Together, we struggled and overcame, all for your immune system, your gut, your social-emotional development. What I didn’t anticipate was how much it would change me as a mother.

How
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I didn’t anticipate that choosing to breastfeeding you, would help me find my own power as a woman and mother? That it would teach me to love and embrace my body, what it does, and what I choose to do with it. Those awful moments, breastfeeding, alone, standing awkwardly in a public bathroom, trying not to make eye contact with every woman who walked in- those moments taught me that not only were you better than that, but that I am, too.

Now I know better, and I promise I’ll teach you better, too

Love this article? Help us Spread the Breastfeeding Love, and Share!

You will grow up knowing your body is a temple, and to embrace it in all of its strong, capable glory. My wish for you is that you never feel ashamed to hide its beauty and capabilities in order to make society feel comfortable. May you continue to push boundaries, fight for what’s right… and never feel like you have to nurse your child in the bathroom.

Because really…. gross.

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts and be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post “I fed my baby in the bathroom” appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

An Entire Week of Thanks-Giving Giveaways

We’d love to thank some amazing companies who have partnered with us to sponsor these fabulous giveaways. Each day, the give away will run on a different social media outlet, so stay tuned on our Facebook, Twitter, and IG pages to find out where to go and how participate!

Biiby- The World’s First Ever Breastfeeding Bib

Read more about how Katherine came up with the idea for Biiby, here.

Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post The Ultimate Give Away Party: Breastfeeding World’s Week of Thanks-Giving appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

The Struggle is Real

Recently, an Indianapolis new station, Wish-TV 8, did a story on the breastfeeding rates in Indiana. The findings were surprising. The article states that while the numbers of infants exclusively breastfed by 6 month is low across the country (22.6%), in Indiana, the number is only 16%. (Find out more about the national and state averages on the 2016 CDC breastfeeding report card, here.)

It begs a question. When 81% of infant’s are born with the parents intending to breastfeed, why is it that only 22% (or 16% in Indiana’s case) are still going strong at 6 months of age?

Photo Credit Phosphorus Photography for Breastfeeding World:

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There are many factors at play. Whether the rates are low due to proper support in the hospitals, educated lactation care, mothers returning to work, relying on a pump, societal pressures- it all comes down to one simple answer.

Lack of support.

The Concept is Simple

Our team at Breastfeeding World stewed over how we can help these rates. As a Breastfeeding project geared towards mother support, normalizing breastfeeding, and “Sharing the Breastfeeding Love”, we figured that the best thing we could do is to create an emotional support system for mothers who want to meet those breastfeeding goals.

And so, Milk Mates was born.

The idea behind the Milk Mates Project is simple. Pair an experienced mom (who has nursed 1 or more children for 6 months or more) with a new or struggling nursing mother or pregnant mom, in a “Big Sister, Little Sister” type of format. Our hope is that with more emotional support, mothers will feel more inspired to reach their goals. At minimum the Milk Mates program is an excellent way to connect like-minded women in the community. Motherhood is lonely! Milk Mates can be a solution, particularly for women who feel they don’t have the proper support in their personal environment.

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What Milk Mates is NOT:

Milk Mates is not designed as a substitute for seeking help from a trained medical professional. For lactation-specific questions, Breastfeeding World always recommends seeking help through a local IBCLC or Breastfeeding USA counselor. You can find a working list of Central Indiana lactation counselors, support groups, and IBCLC’s in our Facebook Files.

Interested in Joining Breastfeeding World’s Milk Mate’s Project, Central Indiana?

Find out more details here.

Register to be a “Milk Mate Mentor” or “Milk Mate Sister” here

And don’t forget, Central Indiana Moms; keep up with the latest breastfeeding news in our community by joining our Facebook Group. Central Indiana’s Breastfeeding World.

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts and be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld #LatchingwithLove2017

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Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post The Motherhood Support System You Were Looking For Is Here- The Milk Mates Project appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

On August 5, over 180 mothers and 480 Breastfeeding supporters gathered to nurse their babies, discover resources, and finally, celebrate!

Families came from all over for Central Indiana’s Breastfeeding World 2017 Big Latch On in Central Indiana.

Why a huge event, about something so simple as feeding a child? Breastfeeding moms, feeding babies? What’s the big deal?

Because, even though breastfeeding is natural, it isn’t always simple. And even though motherhood is beautiful, it is also challenging. And messy. And even a little lonely. So yes, the latch, the bond, the breastfeeding, it’s why we gather. It’s why we support one other. But Breastfeeding World’s 2017 Big Latch On Events are more than that. These breastfeeding celebrations are about Unity. Here, we discover we are not alone in our breastfeeding journeys. Together, we are uniting in Motherhood.

After all, our children are the reasons we began this journey to begin with.

I love that once I arrived, my sense of loneliness went away. I felt empowered and supported. My family and my husband love that I breastfeed, but none of them support me nursing wherever, whenever.

I loved that I could feed my former NICU baby without fear of being ridiculed for not finding a bathroom or backseat of a hot uncomfortable car. It felt normal. I felt normal, like how it should feel. Just a regular mom, going about her normal business feeding her baby the “normal” way.” -Jessica Down

Here is the 2017 Big Latch On Final Count!

Central Indiana’s 2107 Big Latch On isn’t the only location working to build community support for breastfeeding. Not only did Breastfeeding World proudly host coast-to-coast Latch On’s. Families joined together in  Martha’s Vineyard, NYC, Central Indiana, and Downtown Seattle. These Breastfeeding World organized events culminated to almost 300 Latches, and over 1000 breastfeeding supporters. Yet, we were part of an even larger movement.

This year The Global Big Latch On registered 725 locations across 23 countries. The final count numbers ended with:

17,790 children breastfeeding during the one-minute count

18,036 breastfeeding women attended

What an amazing feeling, to sit among so many moms in your community, feeding your babies. Then adding to that feeling, knowing that you are joining in unity with families from all over the world! You can find out more about this year’s global events here.

Impacting our Community

I didn’t know why at first, but I drove home with tears. Mainly because I was so proud to be apart of something like this, considering my breastfeeding journey. It was so very difficult in the start. I felt comfortable after a big even though I came alone! I didn’t win any raffles, but I was a part of something bigger than any gift. Cassidy and I have survived almost 6 months of this journey together and I got to share that with 180+ other mothers.” -Andrea Kernodle-McCauley

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Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post Finding Unity at Central Indiana’s 2017 Big Latch On appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Well, perhaps, in this last time moment, he’s not so much my baby anymore. But I still call him my baby. Heck, I call him “my baby” so frequently that HE calls himself “Baby”. Which is probably a pretty good indicator that hes NOT so much a baby.

That face makes me miss his baby squish, though.

The truth is, at 22 months, the semblances of babyhood are racing further and further behind him. The chubby, rolly-polly, mama-milk filled rolls have given way to long gangly arms and strong legs. My milk has made him strong. Gone are the days of long snuggles. And gone are the hours spent, soaking up skin to skin. The quiet dark snuggles in the way too early mornings, which happened way too frequently,  passed even faster.

His helpless baby-teradactyl wail has given way to a strong and powerful will. Baby coos transformed into words, “I want that, Mommy.” Busy, all the time. His little heart and brain and body just zoom from one thing to the next

When did my baby stop being my baby for the last time?

Perhaps long ago, when I wasn’t paying attention. He’s my big boy now. His busy little feet don’t have time to sit still for “Boov” anymore. He has better things to do. And so today, I offered him by breast for the last time.

I knew this last was coming. His feedings became shorter, fewer, with sometimes days in between. His night wakings demanded his “Blue” blanket, his “Packie”, but no longer his “boov”. Today my husband- brave man and awesome daddy that he is- took the kids to go see his Marine brother’s family, now stationed in Florida. They’ll be gone for four days, and I know in my mom-gut, that when they come home, a little boy will be standing in place of my baby, and by his own volition, our boov-snuggle days will be behind him.

I tend to be a more discreet breastfeeder. I have no problem normalizing breastfeeding, nursing in public, feeding him in pictures which capture our bond. But in our day to day life, I am simply more comfortable nursing with a shirt above and a shirt below. It’s my body, too. Anyhow, I was wearing a maxi dress today when I dropped my family off at the airport- and lets just say its not nursing friendly. But I knew this may be it, so threw caution to the wind and nursed my guy facing the window, ginormous boobs and all.

I expected it to be this beautiful moment.

I thought I would stare at his lashes and touch his soft hair and remember our amazing, brilliant, difficult journey as he latched and nursed for the last time.

Did I mention he’s not a baby anymore?

Little guy was having NONE. OF. That. True to his almost-two, toddler form, he nursed for all over 15 seconds before tearing off after his sister, chasing her around the terminal. At first, I sat there awkwardly shoving my boob back in my dress, feeling melancholy about our anti-climatic “last time”.

My baby isn’t a baby, and I don’t know what to do with myself.

Even writing this, my heart hurts

I know that this new phase of toddler-hood will be just as beautiful as his baby-dom. And just like his sister, the good times and trying moments will cause me to wish that it would simultaneously freeze and pass us by faster.

And it does. It does feel like time flies and those few fleeting years that I get to spend with my daughter before she starts school goes way too fast. And those days where she melts down, refuses to clean her room, hangs on me for a million snacks a thousand times a day, will make me wish it would come faster.

Photo Cred: Quite Dandy Photography

Just as O’s giant belly laughs, the way he holds his still-chubby arms up at me while insisting I “Hold me, Mama”, and the tiny dimples in his elbows make me wish that he will stay two forever. While his incoherent demands, climbing on the kitchen table, insistence that he HAS to have a third helping of yogurt make me wonder when HE will start preschool.

Parenting is hard. And beautiful.

If we wish it by too fast, we won’t ever appreciate those simple, quite moments. They may fade over time, but the effect the bond has with my children will last a lifetime.

This is to the last times.

May they stay forever in our hearts.

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Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post Why Do We Hold So Tightly to Our Babies Last Time? appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

This past Spring, the Organizer’s behind Central Indiana’s Breastfeeding World Events, Lauren Lewis and Laranda Colbert, along with Central Indiana Photographer Jenni Effinger (Quite Dandy Photography) had the privilege to host a free breastfeeding shoot in Carmel, Indiana’s beautiful Coxhall Gardens. With the help of Liliana Alvarez, Belissima Salon’s Owner and stylist, our team gave these nursing mothers had the opportunity to feel beautiful, supported, and share their journeys with our Breastfeeding World.

Nicole and Elon’s Journey:

“Elon and I faced quite a steep learning curve in the first few weeks after he came into my life. Luckily, it felt like we had an army of women on our side. We had friends sending books and snacks and galactagogues, lactation consultants offering advice, and doulas lending their support. And most important of all, we had an incredible man – a partner and father – who showed patience and strength and grace and did everything he could to help us through it all.

Elon was born with a tongue tie and so had a frenectomy when he was 10 days old. Before then, he would barely latch at all, so we struggled with pumping and bottle-feeding, along with a few weeks of formula supplementation. The evening of his procedure we had our first successful nursing session. I feel like we owe a lot of that credit to one fabulous lactation consultant whom I’ve described as “The Milk Whisperer”. Soon after Elon’s procedure, he nursed more effortlessly and grew at a fierce rate, and we were encouraged to stop supplementing.

That’s when the clouds lifted and the storm cleared. I focused on finding the joy in feeding my son instead of being preoccupied in the stress of it all. What an incredible gift it is to be able to nourish my son with my own body.”

~ Nicole

About the Photographer:

Jennifer Effinger is the proud mother of Kellan (2 years old). She Currently lives in Greenfield, Indiana. Her Photography Company, Quite Dandy, focuses on Lifestyle, Natural Light photography. She loves capturing genuine interactions, and specializes in children, families, breastfeeding, and births. Jennifer joined our Breastfeeding World Team as a Photographer because she loves capturing the precious moments of childhood. After all, what is more precious than the bond between mother and child? Find out more, or book a session, by emailing her at quitedandyphotography@gmail.com.

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts and be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

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Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post Central Indiana’s Spring Shoot: Nicole & Elon appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

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Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post Come Join Central Indiana’s Big Latch On! appeared first on Breastfeeding World.