Especially now that I am a mom. Especially, especially during the holidays.

One stop shopping:

I need a place where I can buy something for everyone. The idea of going to multiple stores when they are all packed out with people, with two kids in tow, while nearly 8 months pregnant… in the snow and cold, is literally the most miserable thing in the universe. While I love shopping for a special gift for every special person in my life, I also like my sanity. So, if I can go to one place and get everyone a gift; that is now my new favorite place.

Personal, special gifts:

So, remember how I said I like my sanity? Well, I am totally about to contradict myself. I love me a one stop shop, but the desire to give someone special, something special to show them that I love and care about them, wins, more often then not. Naturally, I find myself going to the end of the Earth to get that extra special perfect gift.

Online shopping:

Many times, I find myself solving my personal, special gifts desire (problem is probably a better word here), with online shopping. My Etsy recent orders list is a mile long, pretty much at all times. But, it is not always easy to shop on Etsy, especially when you are short on time.

Okay. But, what about a place that combines all of these?

Can that be so!?

Recently, we did some giveaways here at Breastfeeding World, for our Week of Thanks. It was so incredibly fun and I was given the opportunity to try out one of our giveaway prizes.

Our Green House gave me a $50 credit to make my own gift basket.

Make my own gift basket, which sounds pretty awesome, perfect for the perfectionist that I am!

So, remember that list from above? Yeah, that is basically My Green House.

They have pre-done gift baskets for everyone in your life! While, their focus is welcoming a new baby, they have not forgotten the important art of taking care of everyone. The pre-done gift baskets are awesome and so diverse; there really is something for everyone.

As I created my own gift basket…

I found an incredible range of items that I could choose from. Now, while I am very interested in giving gifts to others, I definitely wanted these goodies for myself! Hey, I am allowed, I am welcoming a new little in February. Don’t judge me.

Organic clothing, soaps, baby toys, nursery décor, I could go on! And, you were able to choose what to send all of the goodies in, a cute basket, tote, or a simple box. I was blown away at the idea that I could make a special, personal gift basket with such variety. You choose your price point, you choose the basket, you choose what goes inside, you even choose the ribbon. And then… they put it together for you. Mail it for you. It is everything that a busy momma like me, who still has that desire to give something special to someone special, needs in life.

Seriously, I loved it!

With a super user friendly website, I was able to browse different categories, based on size, color, décor style, theme, or type of item. But, even though it was user friendly, it was not easy to narrow down what I wanted because everything was SO CUTE. Which is a good problem to have. You literally could give a hundred gifts and never gift the same one twice. I mean really, that is awesome.

Babies have this way of just showing up whenever they want (I mean, don’t they take us planners into consideration!?). Which makes it difficult to give a personal gift in a timely fashion without paying your salary in rush charges. Just another reason I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. I took my time, decided on what I wanted, despite many interruptions from my little darlings, and really put care into choosing each piece for my sweet new arrival, all to have it appear within a few days, beautifully packaged for a flat $4.95 shipping rate (YES! To flat rate shipping!).

When I was given this $50 credit, I was not sure what to expect, as I had not heard of Our Green House before. I was beyond pleasantly surprised and Our Green House has just gained a loyal customer in me. They are the perfect place to find that special gift any time of the year and I am thrilled to be able to share them with all of you in the busiest time of year. Sit down momma, put your feet up and choose the perfect gift for a special family in your life.

Or… spend some money on yourself, you deserve it!

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Breastfeeding World is a self-funded project. Sponsored posts like this one give us the funds to continue spreading the Breastfeeding love.

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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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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post Our Green House: Making My Own Gift Basket appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

A nurse sat by me and told me that she was sorry. I grabbed her crying asking her what happened. She just stared at me. 

Even though I begged for a C-section, they told me I had to deliver her naturally and would begin the process of inducing me. I just kept telling my husband how scared I was.

Would I hold her?

Would I be strong enough to see her face? And, would she look normal?

A few hours later my OB came in. She held my hand and cried and said, I too lost a baby. Please hold her and spend time with her.

Two days later, it was time to deliver my daughter, who we had already named.

Violet Ann

When she was delivered, there was only the sound of my loud cries. My father told me that the doctor had been crying too. I asked the nurse if she looked normal so I could prepare myself. They wheeled her out wrapped in a handmade knitted hat and blanket. She had a small bear next to her. My family and I took turns holding her. She was warm, with the most beautiful and peaceful face. I could only bear to hold her for a few minutes, and when I asked if she could bring her back they told me that it wouldn’t be a good idea. 

The feelings following, were something beyond description

Being wheeled out of that hospital, in a wheelchair with no baby to a house where the only screams and cries are your own. When you wake up and feel like your heart is being ripped out of your chest and you just beg that this is all a dream. That first Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, all the firsts. One was more gut wrenching then the other.

I was pregnant again, 4 months after burying my first born

I hated that everyone just thought I would be happy again or when a stranger would ask if this was my first. How could I pretend she didn’t exist?

No, this is not my first. My first is in heaven.

The looks of pity and discomfort from my response. I cried at every single sonogram appointment with my subsequent pregnancies. Until I saw that heartbeat on the screen, I felt like I was going to be sick. When my son Logan was born, I thought things would be different. But, at night when I would nurse him to sleep in the dark, I would sometimes get confused or pretend it was her. I would look in to his eyes and wonder if that is how she would look at me.

Two years later, I was blessed with a daughter

She looks exactly like Violet. For three years, I was unable to look at girly dresses or go down an aisle in a store with pink blankets and bows. But, after my daughter Teagan was born, something healed inside of me. It is almost as if Violet sent her down to me. You see, my husband and I were told we could never have children on our own, yet here she was, our blessing. 

 

When I was pregnant with Violet, I was so excited to teach her everything about the world but, it was her who has taught me

She has taught me how to be grateful, compassionate, and to love and appreciate every moment of this life, good or bad. Every step I take, is for the ones that she never could. Even though parenting after loss is complicated; a balance of a world filled with joy, followed by just as much sadness. If I had to do it all over again, I would still choose her. As long as I live, I will speak her name proudly.

For she is part of me, and I am part of her.

I will tell my story, and I will not be silent. Through it all, I will help the women that are new to this club that no one wants to be a part of. 

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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post Violet Ann – Break The Silence, Nicole Heinze’s Story appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

As we arrived at the park on October 15th, I knew that it would be an emotional, beautiful and love-filled day. But, I did not expect the strength and the immediate bond between everyone there. It was incredible to watch, as each mother stood together, how interwoven they each were. They were bound together in an indescribable way. It was the most beautiful thing I could ever witness. 

Each mother was different, each story was different, every experience was different, and yet something felt the same. As they looked at their rainbow children, the beautiful little lights of hope, you could see all of the love among them. You could feel their angels there with us, watching over them. And, you could see on the face of every mother, that they were always carrying their precious babies; even when the world wasn’t. 

Mini Sessions with each of our mommas

We wanted each and every mom to have a special experience on this day. To remember and honor their babies gone too soon and acknowledge the special place their rainbow baby has in their hearts. 

As they came together….

Everything about this shoot was natural and beautiful. Bound together in loss, love and motherhood, each mom radiated an incredible strength that I deeply admire.

October 15th ~ Remembrance Day

As the day of remembrance, we participated in the wave of light together. We went around and spoke each baby’s name or due date. In the darkness, we sat, looking into each glowing light, remembering the lives that each flickering candle represented. We, at Breastfeeding World, are honored to be able to participate in something so incredibly moving. 

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank each of the wonderful mothers who offered their time, their stories and their hearts to us on this day. It means the world to be able to share this with our community and to honor your children and all of the children gone too soon. I would also like to thank Kim from Kim Max Photography for donating her time and talent to our shoot. Finally, Te-Ana Souffrant of Gem2Gen Doula services, who provided us the guidance and space to speak about loss openly and honestly. It was so wonderful to have all of you. 

I also would like to show appreciate to the following small businesses who generously donated their beautiful work for our moms and their families to use as props:

Mova-Light Maternity for the beautiful Dresses

Laura Costarella, Blue Stone Sky for the Rainbow Gauze

Jena Glasgow, Lilac Blossom Boutique for the Rainbow Maternity Sash

Jen at The Ritzy Rose for the Rainbow Baby Sign

Amanda Stinnet, Pretty Girl Bow Shop for the Felt Flower Headbands

Annie Edwards, My Little Itch, Rainbow Bow Tie 

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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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post New York City’s Rainbow Photo Shoot with Kim Max Photography appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

“When a child loses a parent, they are called an orphan, when a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. But, when a parent loses a child, there isn’t a world to describe that. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the word.” – President Ronald Reagan, as he proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

October – National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Through the years, and across the world, October has become dedicated to remembering and honoring the angel babies that have been lost. It has also become a time to raise awareness around miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death. A time to discuss, educate, provide resources and support for the family members surrounding grieving parents and those who have lost a child themselves.

When a child dies, no matter when or how it occurred, no matter the age of the child when it happened; it is a devastating loss. Regardless of the amount of time a child spent in their mother’s womb, or in their family’s arms, that sweet baby is, and will always be, a child that is greatly missed.

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Last year,

Breastfeeding World opened the blog as a platform for mothers to share the moving stories of their loss. The memories of their babies forever live on in these stories, every time their names are spoken, we remember. We were honored, touched and deeply moved, that so many moms allowed us so deeply into their hearts for a brief moment.

This year,

We would like to shine light on hope. Because, after every storm, there is a calm, there is a Rainbow. Such a heavy loss leaves fear in its wake. We have heard time and time again, from mothers that they feared pregnancy, that they felt they could not truly enjoy the beauty of it all because that fear lingered like a cloud overhead. But there is hope; there is hope in the face of every child that has come after. We would like a chance to explore these feelings of fear and hope, to learn for ourselves and help families on this incredibly difficult journey.

Too many families grieve in silence, many not coming to terms with their loss. The moms of Breastfeeding World hear you; we want to honor your children gone too soon and celebrate your beautiful Rainbows. We hope that in projects like these, we are breaking the silence, so that we may help families live with their loss.

Join us in Central Indiana and New York City for the Rainbow Photo Session

We are welcoming moms from all walks of life to participate in this shoot. Your Rainbow can be of any age and does NOT have to have been breastfed (yes, your Rainbow can be an adult!). Also, you may join us if you are currently pregnant with your rainbow baby!

It is very important to us that ALL moms feel welcome to participate in this shoot if they would like.

This photo session is free to all attendees. Moms will be given access to the group shot, along with 1-3 watermarked and professionally edited photos. You will have the option to purchase unwatermarked photos from the photographer if you wish.

Moms will be wearing a solid color of the rainbow. You will be able to leave your preference when you register; but if the preference is already taken, we will work with you to choose another color. If you are pregnant with your rainbow, please bring a white shirt in addition to your designated color.

Rainbow children will be dressed in white.

We have many different Rainbow inspired set ups for the day of the shoot. One of which will get a little messy; we promise that will be the very last thing we do before we go home! But if you have something in mind, please feel free to share with us!

Individual Location Details & Registration

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October 15th 2017
5:45PM at Nassau County Museum of Art with Kim Max Photography
If you would like to participate, please register here
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October 19th 2017
6PM at Holiday Park featuring Rogue Art Photography
If you would like to participate, please register here
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Due to the sensitive nature of this shoot, and our strong pledge to do this project justice, we do request that this be seen as a commitment. If you are not sure that you can participate on the date of the event, please do not take a spot of another mother who would like to participate. 

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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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post Rainbow Photo Session: Central Indiana & New York City appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

How, in motherhood, do we do it all?

Well, we don’t.

I am “writing” this using Siri while I cut strawberries for my 2-year-old, as I think about all of the things that I need to do today.

On that list:

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• bake 48 cupcakes
• create a newsletter for my job
• do expenses for my job
• clean the bathroom
• make the beds
• edit for Breastfeeding World
• search for donations for our Big Latch On this year
• feed the kids at least 100 times in between each of those things

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• put my daughter down for a nap (hopefully)
• cook dinner
• straighten the toys
• give baths
• wipe the counters
• do the dishes (by hand, mind you, I don’t have a dishwasher)
• wrap a present for Sunday
• ice 48 cupcakes

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At some point, I need to take a shower because this weekend is filled with parties and such, and I wont have time tomorrow morning. All while my husband works 16 hours a day for the next 4 days.

You may see this list and say, well that’s impossible. You’re right, it is impossible.

But isn’t your list just as long?

Aren’t the expectations on you just as high? As we look at our own lists, we say to ourselves, we should be able to do this. These are just general things that need to get done everyday. This is what it takes to simply run a home. Why can’t we do this?? But, when we look at someone else’s list, we realize how impossible it is. We realize the pressure is mounting on us like the way the Earth creates a diamond. But, I don’t want to be a diamond. I don’t want to be hard or shiny or perfect. I don’t want my life to be desirable to others.

I want my life to be desirable to me, my husband and my family.

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I don’t want my only interaction with my children to be yelling at them to stop fighting because I need to concentrate. I’m tired of scheduling play into my day so that they aren’t left to their own devices, or to drown in front of the TV all day, instead of it just coming naturally. I have had enough of the constant pressure to keep up with the mom next to me, to be the best, to have a house, a new car, money in the bank, my kids in best designer clothes, all while I play June Cleaver in my perfectly in order home. Enough.

I will embrace being human. My mistakes, my shortcomings, the absence of perfection.

I will embrace all of it.

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Because that is reality. And I’m tired of living in a fantasy world that doesn’t exist. I’m sure that I will continue to make these lists, these never-ending, countless lists. But, when I only finish half, I will be okay with that. No, I will be happy with that.

When my kids come to me and ask to play, I won’t say, in one minute. When I see them playing together, I will stop what I’m doing and join in. I won’t rush from one thing to the next.

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I’ll stop.

I’ll appreciate the world and all of its beauty, all it has to offer me, if I just slow down. I will smile more because I have so much to smile about.

It’s time to take a deep breath. Bow out of the race and enjoy the simple beauty of my life. I’m so busy striving to be the mom that does it all, that I sometimes forget, I already have it all.

And that is how, in motherhood, you do it all. You simply remember, that you already have it all.

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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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post Motherhood: How To Do It All appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

With the rain looming overhead, we hunkered down and packed the car full of this year’s hard work for New York City’s Third Annual Big Latch On. Despite the weather, which thankfully cleared up in time for our latch and picnic, we watched as an incredible group of families gathered before the red TKTS steps to make history again. Every year, we are blown away by the support and love we feel at Breastfeeding World’s Big Latch On.

And this year, was one for the record in support. With over 223 breastfeeding supporters, the diversity of our families was incredible. Fathers, Grandmothers, Grandfathers, siblings, cousins, all came together to support the breastfeeding mother in their life. It was that moment that I thought to myself, this is what it is about. THIS is normalizing breastfeeding. Over the years, we have watched as our attendees go from mother and baby, to whole families and it brings tears to my eyes.

76 babies latched with love in Times Square on August 5th 2017

Why is normalizing breastfeeding so important?

Normalizing breastfeeding is so much more than breastfeeding. It is about motherhood, about our choices as a family in how we care for our children. Normalizing breastfeeding provides support to all mothers in how they choose to feed their child. Whether that be through generational knowledge, lactation consultants, properly educated medical professionals and so much more. No mother should face this journey alone, as it is the most difficult and yet most rewarding thing we do in our lives. Any way in which you feed your child is normal, because it is your normal. That is what normalizing breastfeeding is all about. 

How Does the Global Big Latch on & Breastfeeding World help normalize breastfeeding?

First, the more breastfeeding is seen in day to day life, the more normal it becomes. The Global Big Latch On works to do just that. This year, the Global Big Latch On registered 725 locations across 23 countries. That is a tremendous impact around the world, uniting families across the globe for one whole minute.

17,790 children breastfed during the one-minute count

18,036 breastfeeding women attended

Breastfeeding World participates in the Global Big Latch On, for that unity. To bring mothers in our local community, and across the country, together in unison in the name of motherhood and breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding can be hard, motherhood can be hard, and we all should have the support we crave! But, we don’t just stop there. Throughout the year, we connect mothers with the information they need to be successful in their personal breastfeeding goals. We work to provide the network that we all need to recognize as many of the struggles of feeding as a new mother can, and get her to the point of comfort, love and bonding. 

How Does The Breastfeeding World Big Latch On Impact Our Community?

There is something special – indescribable – about being surrounded by a tribe of women who feel empowered by their ability to nourish their children through breastfeeding. I knew maybe four women there, but we all “knew” each other.  -Tara Woebbe Alcaraz

We met on the red steps in NYC’s Times Square, where we all gathered to nurse our babies for exactly one minute together. What an empowering moment, to be able to join together, worry-free, not focusing on anyone looking or wondering what anyone was thinking – just feeding our babies. -Jessica Speer 

At first, breastfeeding was the most challenging part of motherhood for me. Now, it is my absolute favorite. Meeting all of these wonderful moms at this event made me feel so supported; knowing I wasn’t the only one, as cliche as that sounds. Breastfeeding World made me feel like I was a part of something that will benefit my son forever. And I thank everyone for such a wonderful learning experience. -Evelyn Helena

Thank you for giving us a space to celebrate and unite over breastfeeding -Labella Siciliana

It was such an eye opening experience for me. When I first started my breastfeeding journey after having my daughter, I struggled alone and felt judged when I had to nurse out in public. Being there, with a village of like minded warriors on those red steps that day made me feel undefeatable. I did not need to worry for one second about someone who might approach with something rude to say about me nursing my baby. I wish everyday could be so easy. -Lyssa Tsao

I was happy to be able to volunteer as I attended my first Big Latch On. I’m not currently breastfeeding myself, but continuing to promote this natural practice is as important to me now as when I was nursing. One of my favorite things was seeing how many Dads came to be a part of the event. Support of our partners is so important, and they were right there along side the moms, cheering them on. Standing directing in from of the stands, listening to the countdown to latch, seeing the triumph on all of the faces of the participants… these are the images that will always stand out to me. I was just on the sidelines, but you could feel how beautiful the moment was. I teared up! -Jacquie Rossi

What spoke volumes to me was the amount of spouses there to support their breastfeeding wives – that says A LOT about the character of our spouses, but also the mutual respect and support that is necessary in a partnership, that is so critical to the success of breastfeeding. -Tara Woebbe Alcaraz

Big Latch On #3 was a blast as always. So much support and love. -Lissette

We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You!

As we reach out to our community each year, we are blown away by the generosity we find among us. From our donors & contributors, to our volunteers, everyone works tirelessly to make this event possible for each and every one of our attendees. It is no doubt, that everyone who contributes, whether it be goodies or their time, does it out of love for breastfeeding, our communities and our families.

Thank You

Baltic Essentials provided every family with an amber necklace. Kindred Bravely gave incredible bamboo breast pads to every family plus a gift card to one lucky winner. Mommycon donated awesome swag bags to our Central Indiana location AND tickets to Mommycon NYC (I’ll see ya there) for our families here in NYC. Soul Slings donated the most beautiful carrier to one lucky family. I could go on! We were amazed at the generosity of our donors and all of the incredible goodies we were able to giveaway to our families.

A tremendous thank you to Phoenix Medical Equipment, for providing us with a Ameda Breast pump that we were honored to gift to a very special mother. Having experienced a loss, now blessed with a miracle baby, she faced a diagnosis that she was not prepared for. The Breast pump with give this mother and her baby the best possible start. She explained to us all of the research in favor of breastmilk for a baby diagnosed with Down Syndrome, but the difficulties that they will likely face with latching. This gift will provide this sweet family the peace of mind and allow her to provide breastmilk to her precious babe. Stayed tuned for a video dedication from this sweet momma!

We cannot thank you enough for the incredible generosity

That Baltic Essentials Necklace & Bessie’s Best Stuffed Face

What Is To Come?

Throughout the year, we will continue to strengthen our online community, bringing you information on breastfeeding, motherhood, childhood development and more on our blog, as well as some reviews of awesome breastfeeding goodies. We will continue to do breastfeeding photoshoots around the country. Because, like we said, the more breastfeeding is seen in day to day life, the more normal it will become. Plus, aren’t they just gorgeous?!

It is also very important to all of us to work closely with our community throughout the year. In NYC, I have been working closely with one of our wonderful contributors, Wild Was Mama, to bring some smaller, focused, support group style events to our community in their beautiful location in Brooklyn. 

Family Resources in New York City

Birth Professionals

• Renee Pizzuto of Tribe of Mine – Prenatal & Post Partum Doula
• Corazon Gambino of The Growing Caterpillar & Expecting Parents & Baby – Doula, Placenta Encapsulation & Childbirth Educator
• Simone Toomer of Wise Womban Doula & By My Side Birth Support – Prenatal & Post Partum Doula
• Kathleen Garcia at KG Doula & Babywearing Services & Pregnancy After Loss Support – Prenatal, Post Partum & Bereavement Doula
• Marta Ginter of M for Moms – Prenatal & Post Partum Doula
• Tanya Wills of Manhattan Birth – Certified Nurse Midwife
• Shar La Porte of Midwifery Care NYC – Certified Nurse Midwife
• Carol Bues of Midwifery Care NYC – Certified Nurse Midwife

Breastfeeding Professionals

• Renee Pizzuto of Tribe of Mine – Certified Lactation Counselor
• Simone Toomer of Wise Womban Doula & By My Side Birth Support – Certified Lactation Counselor
• Marta Ginter of M for Moms – Certified Lactation Counselor
• Leigh Anne O’Connor of Leigh Anne O’Conner IBCLC – Lactation Consultant

Babywearing Professionals

• Kathleen Garcia at KG Doula & Babywearing Services & Pregnancy After Loss Support – Certified Babywearing Educator
• Marta Ginter of M for Moms – Certified Babywearing Consultant

Thank You. Each And Every One Of You

Thank you for coming, for showing support for breastfeeding. Each one of our families are incredibly important to us. We are so thankful to each and every one of you for making these events so beautiful. 

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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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post Our Journey Together – NYC’s Third Annual Big Latch On appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Latch On Participant

Are you a Breastfeeding or Pumping Parent with a nursling? Let us know to expect you, get a free raffle ticket and swag bag by Pre-Registering Here! Then all you have to do is join us the day of and check in!

Sponsor

Would you like to support our local Breastfeeding community while marketing your brand to our participants? Email me at ssykula@breastfeedingworld.org for more details, and Register Here

Volunteer

Everyone at Breastfeeding World volunteers our time and love because of our passion for the breastfeeding community. Are you interested in helping to make this event possible? Please email Samantha Sykula at ssykula@breastfeedingworld.org

Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post Join The Third Annual Times Square, NYC Big Latch On! appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Whether you are welcoming your first baby or third baby into your family, the nursery is an important room to consider. It can be a quiet escape where you and your little one get to know each other while spending countless hours bonding. If you are like me, at some point you might have thought that a fully equipped nursery was silly. For at least the first year, I co-sleep; I thought I never wanted to be confined to one room with my baby; I really believed that this fully furnished and fancy nursery would become the untouched room with the perfect lines in the carpet. Those thoughts changed as I welcomed my son (and my daughter after that) and realized how important a quiet, soothing space can be.

As such, it’s necessary to create a space that both you and your baby will love. If you’re in need of some ideas, Shutterfly put together an interactive that shares 75 baby room themes with filters to help you narrow down your search based on ideas for a girl, boy or neutral room. And, you guys, it is SO much fun. I browsed for countless hours, and found some incredible inspiration.

Ultimately, you should design a space that creates a warm and welcoming environment for both you and your baby. When it comes to breastfeeding, while you create routine, this room will be your haven! Creating a nursing nook is a great way to bring the functionality of a nursery to the next level!

Check out 5 things you need for the perfect nursing nook in your nursery!

A Comfy Chair!

Shutterfly Interactive via My Domaine

Everyone’s tastes are different, in décor AND comfort. A comfortable chair can be a rocker to some, a fluffy armchair or a nice firm chair that holds the body pleasantly. Personally, I see the merit in all of the chairs. Literally, all of them. Every chair in my home, I bought in different styles to accommodate my different needs! I have a rocker in my nursery, a fluffy slipper chair in my bedroom and firm chairs in my dining room. All have been utilized for breastfeeding at some point in this journey. I chose the rocker for my nursery for those specific times of overstimulation.

Like I mentioned before, I didn’t want to be confined to one room with my baby, but there are times when I needed (and wanted) to retreat to this quiet sanctuary. This was especially true after my daughter was born, having an older child and a dog was constant noise and distractions for her. But, when we would go to our rocker in the nursery, nursing, gentle rocking and light shushing made her fall asleep like a dream!

An Ottoman

Shutterfly Interactive Photo by Sissy and Marley

A place to put your feet up. This is quite underrated, I will be honest. I will admit that I am vertically challenged and often times my feet do not comfortably reach the floor when I am sitting up straight in normal people chairs. Because of this, I am often slouching and scooting my hips forward to be more comfortable, NOT good for breastfeeding. When I had my daughter, the first thing my lactation consultant did, was utilize my son’s cute little armchair as a stool for my feet. I was able to sit up tall and the various nursing positions she taught me were so much easier. After this, all of my favorite chairs adorned a little stool or ottoman, trust me, you will definitely want one!

An End Table

Shutterfly Interactive via Brit and Co

WATER! If you are a breastfeeding mother, you already know what I mean. But, if you haven’t had your baby yet, you don’t know what a camel you will become. Breastfeeding has this way of making you insanely thirsty. Really, it is constant. An end table is the perfect addition to your nursery, you can put your water on it, your phone, your book, your nipple cream, anything you may want or need close by while you are nursing your little.

Soft Lighting

Shutterfly Interactive Photo by Lauren McBride Blog

I will be honest; this one didn’t strike me until my son was born. But, alas, we live and we learn. There were so many occasions when I found our overhead lighting to be too harsh. But, then it was turned off and it was too stinking dark. A soft lamp helped me to achieve the perfect serene environment for baby (and myself). I keep this lamp on the end table! That way I am able to reach it when I decide it is time to turn it off.

Your Style

Ultimately, you need a room that is going to make you happy when you are in it. A room that is going to be soothing to both you and your baby. It doesn’t matter the colors, the era, the panache, what matters, is that YOU love it! If this becomes the nursing nook to which you retreat when the World becomes too overwhelming for the both of you, wouldn’t you want it to be a room that makes you smile? I know I did!

And now, as my children are older and we nurse in the room less and less, I find myself walking in there, just for that little slice of serenity. Even still, It is still my calm space. In the hectic-ness of toddlers, dogs, chores, cooking, life, I retreat to their rooms and remember the way I have always felt in there. I retreat and I am at peace in our nursing nook.

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to 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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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post 5 Things You Need In Your Nursery’s Nursing Nook appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

No matter how hard you try to sustain the spark in your relationship, life seems to get in the way. There’s the responsibility of running the household, work, and of course your children, who gobble up almost every ounce of your energy each and every day.

For me, days can pass with my husband being no more than a fleeting gust of wind in and out of the front door. I reach for him in the middle of the night, just to make sure that he made it home safely.

Date nights aren’t always attainable and they’re a lot easier to talk about than to actually do. Still, there are lots of other ways to get closer to your spouse. So, I came up with five ways that you can connect with your spouse and turn those precious date nights into something even more exciting.

Hurray for a post that isn’t about the kids! (What!? there is such a thing?)

1. A Little Goes A Long Way

Not that the days of grand romantic gestures, like whisking away for a weekend, are totally gone, but they are undoubtedly few and far between. And certainly less spontaneous. The good news is, you don’t need a grand romantic gesture to make your spouse feel loved. There is something to be said about feeling cared for, feeling that your spouse does the little things that you like. Brew his coffee, make her dinner, the little things go a long way.

For me, it’s the general chores. I go crazy in an even remotely untidy house, when my husband does the dishes or vacuums before I get to it, (because I am crazy and on top of these things like white on rice) it is so awesome. I know there are things that he would rather be doing, I know there are things he needs to do for himself, instead he jumped on something silly and small before I could, and it makes all the difference.

When he does something just for me, just because, it is sexy as hell.

2. Branch Out

On those glorious days that you get to have a date night, do something different! Research shows that doing something different and engaging in a new experience together helps couples feel more connected.

I tend to be a creature of habit; I go to the same places and do the same things, but that level of complacency can get so boring. We need to break out of the routine! Everything we do is routine with children. So, on your time with your spouse, expand and do something you haven’t done before. Connect through a new and exciting experience.

3. Put The Phone Down

Seriously. Do it.

There is nothing like looking each other in the eye and having an uninterrupted conversation. We are all busy, we are all doing a million things, and we are all guilty of it. But there is nothing more important than the person you love, standing in front of you, trying to reach you. Emotional connection is just as much about talking face to face as it is about intimacy.

Not only will this help you feel more connected, but you are modeling great behavior for your children (I know, I know, we aren’t supposed to be talking about them right now, but really, we are parents, can we help it!?). In this crazy age of technology, I know it is so important to me, to teach my children that real intimate connection doesn’t happen over Facebook or email.

4. Be A Giver

Stop worrying about what you are getting out of the relationship and start thinking about what you can give. No happy relationship was ever focused around selfishness. Instead of concentrating on what your spouse isn’t doing, give attention to what you can do. I know this sounds silly to some, especially those struggling in their relationship. It is easy to say, well I feel unsupported, I feel I do everything and I get nothing, but think beyond the house, the chores. You have to remember that you are on the same team and that if one of you loses, you both lose. Instead think, what can I do to make my relationship better?

I struggle with this. I tend to think of all of the things that I do and expect the same kind of resolve from all members of my household. But, that isn’t fair. I cannot expect everyone to hit my standard, who made me the bar setter? I did, and that was the problem. Not that the standards are unattainable, they aren’t, but they are unreasonable in that they do not allow for the people that I love to just be. Becoming a giver has changed my relationship with everyone. It has also changed my relationship with myself. I feel good about the things I do for other people, whether I feel they are appreciated or not, because I know they came from a place of pure virtue. It feels so good to be that unselfish. Feeling good about yourself is the first and biggest step to feeling good in your relationship.

I am married to a great man, so being a giver, made him a giver as well. It has made my children givers and there is just so much love in this house.

5. Don’t Give Up

Marriage is not a past promise. Marriage is a choice that you make everyday. Everyday, you decide to forgive, to learn and grow together. Marriage is the hardest thing that we will ever face in our lives, but it is also, by far, the most rewarding. There is nothing in this world that is more worthy of your every effort. Love diminishes when we stop giving it. So never stop giving love.

Go now, connect, be in love. Love is the most important thing in our lives. Your chores, your work, it all can wait. Your love cannot and should not wait for a better time. We need to make ourselves and our relationships (with everyone) a priority. At the end of the day, when the house is a mess and the work isn’t done, it won’t matter, because no one has ever found happiness in an empty sink. But they sure as hell can find it with the person navigating life beside them.

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to 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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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post Fall In Love Again: 5 Ways To Strengthen Your Marriage appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Not sure what I mean?

Picture a well-paid professional mother working for “Awesome Expensive Coffee Business” Corporate Headquarters. We will call her Linda. Whenever Linda decides that it is time to pump, she leaves her desk and heads to a space with the beautiful label “Lactation Room.” She sits, behind a closed door, on a comfortable loveseat, plugs in her company provided breast pump and goes to work collecting her liquid gold for her baby. After she is finished, she packages her breastmilk and stores it in the office refrigerator to be carted home later for her baby to enjoy. Sounds pretty great right? You would definitely say that Linda has a choice to continue breastfeeding her baby AND work.

Is pumping at work still inconvenient? Sure, leaking bottles in your briefcase, leaving your work for many periods throughout the day and toting precious cargo back home is definitely no walk in the park, but it is doable.

What About This?

But, let’s think about the woman who staffs “Awesome Expensive Coffee Business’” counter. Melissa, that’s what we will call her, is told that she is only allowed to pump on her breaks. So, instead of eating and drinking on her breaks to keep up her breastmilk supply, she is found barricading herself in a small bathroom envisioned for customers, hoping that she may pump enough milk for her baby at home. Hoping that there may be a place to store her milk so that she does not need to dump it later on.

Would you say that Melissa has a choice? Along with the normal inconveniences of being a working, pumping mother, Melissa has so much working against her. So much so, that many mothers in Melissa’s same situation choose not to breastfeed at all. They decide against what is paramount for their baby because they feel that they need to choose between making a living and doing what is best for their child. Disadvantage begets disadvantage.

It is so important to normalize breastfeeding because,

This cycle continues everyday.

In 2010, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act added on a protective clause to the Fair Labor Standards Act for working nursing mothers. This clause states that an employer must provide time and an adequate space (a room other than the bathroom that is free from intrusion by other workers and the public) for a nursing mother to pump.

I bet that sounds like it solves all of our problems. Well, unfortunately it doesn’t.

Beyond the fact that it is difficult to enforce and that a lot of businesses are unaware of these laws; there is an additional clause that states that an employer does not need to compensate a worker for the adequate time that they have allotted the mother to pump. So, our friend Melissa, even if you are provided an adequate space where you may feel comfortable and the proper time that you deserve to be able to pump breastmilk for your baby; your employer can decide not to compensate you for the time that it takes to pump. Here we are again, a mother is put in a position to choose between making a living and breastfeeding her child.

Everyday that I nurse in public, every time that I share a brelfie, every Big Latch On we coordinate is working towards bringing rights and awareness for the women who have had to choose supporting her family over breastfeeding.

Whatever your choice may be, you should feel that you have a choice; that you have a voice for your family and your desires as a mother. No one should feel as though they need to decide between breastfeeding their child or earning a living. Breastfeeding should not be reserved for the wealthy and well-being; the stay at home mothers or the mothers who alter their work schedule to accommodate their new role. Breastfeeding should be for every mother who chooses it for their child, for their family. Nursing should be a right, not a privilege.

Together we stand up for the mothers who find themselves without this right.

Join our social media accounts to 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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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post Nursing Should Be A Right, Not A Privilege appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

On July 5^th 2016, Killian was born sleeping at just 19 weeks gestation. Wendy and her family had to face the unthinkable, mourning the loss of their sweet boy gone too soon. As you can imagine, everything moves so quickly and time with your baby is fleeting. Breastfeeding World shared Wendy’s moving and harrowing story after meeting her at the 2016 Big Latch On in NYC. We listened to the amazing things that Wendy had done up to that point and all of her big plans for the future, and we were inspired. We felt compelled to share her story and her project: bringing Cuddle Cots to New York Methodist Hospital.

Wendy and Killian

Congratulations!

The Team at Breastfeeding World is proud and honored to congratulate Wendy on all of her hard work, strength and perseverance in such a difficult time for her and her family. Her dedication to her project and the memory of her son, Killian, has given an indescribable gift to future families experiencing such a heavy loss at New York Methodist Hospital. Because of Wendy, along with the amazing contributors to her fund, a Cuddle Cot is now at New York Methodist Hospital.

She keeps going!

But Wendy is not stopping there! Motivated by the beautiful outpouring of love and support, Wendy and her family is moving forward in the collection and bringing Cuddle Cots to more hospitals in the New York Area. Breastfeeding World and I, are honored to have been able to contribute to such an amazing cause.

Wendy Says

“I feel so humbled and grateful to those who have shown their support, generosity and understanding of the importance of CuddleCots. When I began this campaign, I had no expections. I did not think that I would be able to reach my goal of a Cuddle Cot within 3 months! It made me feel a sense of personal accomplishment for my son. Killian was born still on July 5th 2016. To know that so many people know his name; To see the impact he has had around the world, just proved to me that his memory and legacy lives on. Because of that, I will continue on to raise more funds for more CuddleCots to be place in hospitals throughout NYC where it’s needed the most. I know that I cannot prevent a stillbirth or an infant loss, but at least I can give the families the gift of time. Time that I never had with Killian.”

Thank you, from all of us

We would also like to extend official congratulations, thank you and ‘you are amazing’ to Wendy . You have donated over 2,000 ounces of breastmilk to six different babies. You have done an amazing service to the breastfeeding community. Wendy, you have touched so many lives in the most extraordinary fashion. You have inspired us all in an indescribable way.

Thank you Wendy, for all that you have done and continue to do for our community.

If you would like to donate and help Wendy bring a Cuddle Cot to hospitals all over NYC, click here!

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

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld

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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post A Cuddle Cot For NY Methodist Hospital appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

The Tree of Life Movement

The normalize breastfeeding campaign has extended and reached far beyond what many could have imagined. Over time, it has grown and transformed into a movement that countless mothers have become a part of. Now, we welcome, The Tree of Life. Mothers from around the world have taken to social media with their beautifully edited images, showcasing their breastfeeding photos overlaid with the tree of life. These images have taken #normalizebreastfeeding by storm.

Keep reading for instructions on how to create your own Tree of Life image!

Why the Tree of Life?

The Tree of Life is so much more than a beautiful image, it is more than a clever depiction of the scientific view of the mammary blood vessels. The Tree of Life is a mystical and magical symbol that has transcended time, cultures and religions. It is called by many names, but all with a similar symbolic significance, it is the source of life.

The roots are profoundly embedded within us, to deliver us the aptitude to give our children a piece of who we are. The trunk establishes a foundation, the connection between our children and us. Our bond is passionate, it is powerful. The branches reach out for sustenance, to provide nourishment from that thoughtful, unfathomable place within ourselves. With that, they are the fruit, the piece of us that we have given to the world. There is a further power that we bestow onto them, a sense of themselves. They have the freedom to be the bird fleetingly landing on that tree, so they may, one-day, place roots of their own.

Just like the Tree of Life, each photo holds a special meaning to the mother who created this bond. This mother laid the roots, built the trunk, spread her branches so her child may be given to the world.

Do you want to create your own Tree of Life image?

Here’s how!

• Download the picsart app.
• Google “transparent tree”, “transparent tree with roots”, “tree of roots” etc. choose a tree that you like and save the tree to your phone.
• Upload the breastfeeding image that you would like to edit.
• Scroll over to “add photo” on the bottom of the screen.
• For an image with a white background, click “blend” then select “multiply”. If the background doesn’t remove, choose another image. For an image that is already transparent (which is ideal), click “blend” then “overlay”.
• Manipulate your tree until it encompasses your breast and baby’s head. Make the image bigger, smaller, rotate, play until you get a look that you’re happy with.
• You can edit and crop pieces of the tree with the eraser tool on the top of the screen.
• When you are happy with the placement, now comes the magic!
• Click the “magic” button and choose a filter that you like. You can use multiple filters by clicking apply and then returning back into the “magic” menu to choose another filter.

Join us with #BFWtreeoflife

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

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post Breastfeeding Tree of Life Images Take Over The Internet appeared first on Breastfeeding World.