Your Rights as a Breastfeeding Mother

Breastfeeding Discrimination is NOT LEGAL

If you are treated unfairly because you are breastfeeding or expressing breast milk, it is a form of sex discrimination under the Human Rights Act. The Human Rights Act says it is illegal for someone to stop you breastfeeding at work, where you are studying, on public transport, in government departments, in public places and in restaurants and shops.

Stopping a woman from breastfeeding at work is against the law. You have the right to breastfeed your child or express breast milk at work. Your employer and you should find ways you can do your job and have regular breaks to express milk or breastfeed. There is no law in New Zealand that says your employer has to pay for breastfeeding breaks, but international labour standards say breastfeeding breaks at work should be paid.

What you can do if you have been discriminated against:

• Write down the time, place, and the name of the person who discriminated against you because you were breastfeeding or expressing milk


• Talk it over with someone that you trust, to help you decide what to do


• Explain that it is your right to breastfeeding your child and to express breast milk.


• If it happened at work, discuss the problem with your manager, a human resources person, your union delegate or someone else who can help solve the problem.


• Suggest ways that your employer can support you to do your job while you are breastfeeding.


• Read the Department of Labour's guidelines for employers. You can get a copy on http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/ or by phoning 0800 800 863


• Contact the Human Rights Commission to get more information about your rights and to make a complaint about discrimination. Human Rights Commission Infoline: 0800 496 877 or visit http://www.hrc.co.nz/

How the Human Rights Commission Can Help If you decide to make a complaint of discrimination with the Human Rights Commission, you will be offered free help which may include advice on how to resolve the situation yourself, information about your rights, informal intervention, mediation - this may involve letters, phone calls, or meetings. This support may help to solve the problem. For example, the person you discriminated against you may agree to:

• apologise


• not discriminate against people because of breastfeeding in the future


• complete a training or education programme


• compensate you for hurt feelings and/or losses


• provide a reference


• develop, or review, workplace policy and practice to support breastfeeding at work.
  

**Disclaimer: While we have tried to make this information as complete and legally accurate as possible, it should not be regarded as legal advice. Please contact a lawyer for specific legal advice.

** Information source:
http://www.hrc.co.nz/hrc_new/hrc/cms/files/documents/14-Dec-2005_16-09-38_breastfeeding_flyer_English.pdf

WAHM and Home Business

I just wanted to take a minute from telling you about the new breastfeeding products and sexy maternity bras that I write about on this blog to remind readers that this is a home-based business. I run this business while looking after my two gorgeous boys from my home in Auckland. Well, actually I try and do as much on the computer while they are napping, and I dont get much sleep at night as that is when I try and get all the work done and lingerie orders packed.

My eldest son is nearly 4. I started this Breastmates business when I was pregnant with him.

My new son was born in April, and he is just a scrummy yummy baby.

My husband is a great help with my Breast Feeding business too. No - he doesnt help with the maternity bra fittings or breast pump questions! He sorts out all my IT and gadgets so that i can do this work. Well he likes those things, and its a good excuse for him to research and shop for them! He helps with forecasting, business plans, and is overall a sounding board for my ideas. He is also FAB at handing out pamphlets at Parent and Child shows. Thanks B.

This is a family shot of us going to Nick's 30th Birthday. It was a fancy dress, so we are Fred and Wilma Flintstone, with spider man son. It was a cold winter night, hence the black thermals with the costumes. YES i did make the costumes a long time ago, so was recycling them.

Earth Mama Angel Baby

I'm so glad that I know stock the Earth Mama Angel baby products for breastfeeding.

Breast feeding can be so painful to begin with. The feeling of milk let down and breast engorgement is big OUCHIES!!

We now stock these new Booby Tubes™ made by American company Earth Mama Angel Baby.

These are a natural, safe, gel-free breast pack made with a 100% organic cotton shell and filled with all-natural flax seed. Use warm or cold, depending on your nursing needs.

Wear them inside your maternity bra to help:

• Reduce the swelling and tenderness of engorgement
• Comfort breasts during weaning
  

These little beauties safely deliver warm, moist heat to tender breasts. They have a unique gel-free construction designed to help reduce the risk of burns. About 5 minutes before each feeding, warm them in the microwave to

• encourage milk flow
• maintain open milk ducts to prevent clogged ducts
• promote let-down
• comfort the symptoms of infection or mastitis

We also have the Earth Mama Angel Baby herbal poutice, called Bosum Buddies, which you mix up and apply to your boob. Heavenly!

Breast Milk Storage - freeze defrost heat - some Tips

Make sure your hands are clean and dry before handling pumped breast milk. If your breast pump does not collect milk in a clean storage container, begin by pouring your milk into a container designed for storing milk in the refrigerator or freezer. Try not to touch the insides of the storage container.

You may want to store milk in single-serving sizes of 2 to 4 ounces. Seal the container with a solid lid and label each container with the date the milk was pumped.

Breast milk that will be frozen should have at least one inch between the milk and the container lid. Frozen milk expands as it freezes.

Store milk in the main refrigerator or freezer compartment, away from the door, to avoid changes in temperature that may compromise the milk.

Use milk that has been in the refrigerator or freezer the longest first.

Always make sure to check the date on the milk's container before using.

Do not use undated milk, or milk that has been stored too long.

Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator or under cool, running water.

Heat the milk under warm, running water and gently swirl the container to mix the milk. If warm water is not available, heat a pan of water on the stove or in a Bottle Warmer.

Once the water is warm, not boiling, remove the pan from the stove and place the milk container in the pan.

Never warm the milk container directly on the stove.

Never microwave breast milk because microwaves can cause dangerous hot spots that could burn you or a baby.

Always test the temperature of the milk on the inside of your wrist before feeding it to a baby.

The milk should feel warm, not hot.

After thawing, milk should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours.

Never refreeze thawed milk.

Throw away previously frozen milk that is not used within 24 hours.

Sexy Pregnancy Lingerie Shocked NZ

Sometime last year, I sent out a newsletter to my Breastmates Newsletter subscribers (people who had requested to receive a newsletter from me about our website's freebies, sales, giveaways etc). That edition of the newsletter was informing customers about the gorgeous range of Hotmilk sexy pregnancy lingerie and sexy maternity lingerie that we had started to sell.

The email I sent included pictures of the pretty maternity lingerie and sexy maternity photos. Shame on me!
I was really surprised to receive a few complaints from customers - saying the images were "inappropriate" and "verging on soft porn". Oh my goodness - what pregnant or new mother wouldnt want to be notified about this new lingerie we were selling? Its such a huge improvement on the old boring granny-style of black, white or beige. What do you think of these shots?

The people that received the newsletter were either pregnant, or new baby. My target market. I wasnt sending SPAM, and I wasnt sending the email to granny's or a non-relevant auidence.

Mothers these days want a bit of glamour (myself included!)

So we asked the question - was it because the lingerie models were pregnant that people couldnt handle the marketing shots? I guess so. Thats the only thing that differs with these shots compared to department store junk mail. I have included the maternity lingerie photos in this blog post - these sexy lingerie for Yummy Mummy's styles were from the first season.
The story then featured on newspapers around New Zealand and finally the manufacturers were interviewd on the John Campbell news show on TV3. Several blog writers around the world also have mentioned this news story and its links to Breastmates! Of course we loved this fantastic exposure of this gorgeous range of maternity lingerie!
Bare in mind that it was only a few people that complained - not the whole nation. So dont think all New Zealanders are such prudes!

Since the story hit the news, we have had two new ranges of nursing lingerie for the summer and winter season, including breastfeeding sleepwear and maternity PJs. There are lots of styles on our website of really sexy maternity underwear to choose from!

We even have more new styles coming. These are expected to be available soon so check the Breastmates website for more information.

Our Breastmates product's are now world famous. We can send to any location around the world, just order online.

To view all the sexy lingerie styles that we have available now, check this page http://www.breastmates.co.nz/lingerie.htm

Currency conversion makes these a great deal!

Competition for the new face of Philips Avent

My lovely breastfeeding suppliers of Philips Avent Breast Pumps Bottles and Sterilizing equipment contacted me today, about a great competition they are running.

They are looking for a New Face for NZ Philips Avent. You and your baby could be the NZ Face of Philips Avent and win a fabulous prize pack.

Five lucky fi nalists will receive:
• A fl ight to Auckland with their partner and child
• A night at the Hilton hotel for Mum, Dad and baby to coincide with the Auckland Parent and Child Show
• Professional photo shoot
• Indulgent spa treatment
• Dinner at White restaurant and Poppetts babysitting

Each fi nalist will also receive Tickets to the Auckland Parent and Child Show on November 2nd where the winner will be announced and presented with their fabulous prize pack of Philips AVENT products.

You can download an entry form from here

http://www.breastmates.co.nz/Face%20of%20Philips%20AVENT%20ad.pdf

Nursing Covers for Discrete Breastfeeding in Public

Good morning!

This morning I have unloaded our new delivery of Baby Hideaway's Nursing Covers, which arrived by the courier. They are unloaded from the box and I am displaying them at the Breastmates Breastfeeding shop.
These Nursing Covers are a nifty little product, made from gorgeously delightful designer fabrics too! They fold up small (into their own carry case) so you can easily keep them in your nappy bag or buggy.

Then when you need to breastfeed baby, you can just pop this nursing cover on. You can breastfeed baby discretely in public!!

With this Nursing Cover, you don't need to purchase special breast feeding clothing or nursing tops.

Very practical!

Breastfeeding and Expressing: Choosing the Right Breast Pump

If you need to express breast milk, the type of breast pump that you purchase really depends on how often you plan to use it.

Say for occasional use – like once per week, if you are going out for a night and will be away from baby, or to relieve breast engorgement and mastitis symptoms, then a manual pump would probably be best. For this I’d recommend the Avent Isis Manual Breast Pump

For medium use, say 3-4 times per week, once or twice a day, the occasional feed, or to build up your supply, then I’d recommend a mini-electric breast pump (medela)

For heavy or frequent use, such as returning to work, or being away from your baby for 8 hours per day and expressing all their feeds, then I’d recommend either the Avent Uno Electric Breast Pump or the Medela Swing electric breast pump which are both more powerful breast pumps.
if you need to express the majority of your baby's feeds, then you will need to look at either the Avent Duo Double Electric Breast Pump, or the Medela Pump in Style advanced system.

For a little more detail I have elaborated below:

The Avent Uno Electric Breast Pump is a fantastic pump because you can set the speed by starting the pump off manually, push the button, and then it continues at that speed that you started. It can also be used as a manual pump (in case of power cut), or with batteries and mains. The Avent Uno Electric Breast Pump comes with additional items such as the carry case, cooler packs, and a couple of baby bottles and avent bottle teats. (Which you’d need to purchase separately if you go for the medela brand).

Comparatively the medela mini electric breast pump only has 3 suction levels, so you just choose which level suits you for comfort. The Medela Swing Electric Breast Pump (with more closely resembles the avent uno) has the unique patented milk let down which more closely resembles breastfeeding. All of the medela pumps can only be used with batteries or mains power, they don’t have the ability to go manually like the Avent Uno does.

The difference between the medela mini electric, and the medela swing is really just the frequency that you are planning to use it.

The medela swing breast pump and the avent uno electric breast pump are more suited if you are needed to express for least 3 feed per day

All our breast pumps have a 1 year warranty also.

Now as for bottles: all Medela breast pumps come with one bottle that attaches to the pump. They don't make their own brand of teats, but we do sell Green To Grow narrow neck teats which fit the medela bottles. But you could also buy the avent bottles or the Adiri Natural Nurser and then pour/store the milk in those bottles. With the avent starter set you get 4 bottles, and 6 teats, and a brush. The good thing about all the avent bottles, is that the bottles, toddler cups, sipper cups everything, teats, etc they are all interchangeable, which makes them really useful if you are short on bottles at any time.

I would also recommend that you purchase the Avent Microwave Sterilizer or the medela microwave sterilization bags .

The microwave sterilising method method is a lot easier to use than boiling parts on the saucepan (and so many people contact me needing spare parts after they melt their stuff on the saucepan). The avent sterilizer also comes with some bottles and teats too.

Okay, well I hope that has answered your questions, I know it can get very confusing.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Bras - Fitting

It is important to wear a maternity bra during pregnancy, to ensure correct development of milk ducts and glands. Underwire bras can impede this. Plus pregnant mothers may find that they are more comfortable anyway, rather than wearing underwire bras, as their rib cage is expanding and belly swells during pregnancy, standard bras can get uncomfortable. So many woman purchase a maternity bra to wear throughout their pregnancy.

For nursing, the best time to have a maternity breastfeeding bra fitted is around 36 to 38 weeks.
There are online bra size calculators that show you how to measure yourself and work out your bra size. Different brands of bras have different sizings, so use the guide suggested.

Bras purchased during the last weeks of pregnancy should have enough room both in the cup and around the ribcage to allow for slightly larger breasts when the milk flow comes in. Though the amount of "breast size increase" does vary between women, we can't just make a general suggestion to go up X cup sizes. A bra that is too tight, either around the ribs or in the cup, can cause a plugged milk duct or breast infection.

Breastfeeding bras have a drop down clip, which you can open with one hand (while holding the baby with the other hand). You will also need to purchase washable breast pads or disposable nursing pads or the new style of Lily Padz which fit inside your bra and absorb the milk that may leak from the nipples between feedings.

We have a large variety of maternity lingerie available on our specialty breastfeeding site. Our most popular items are the Hotmilk Lingerie which have four different bra styles each season.



Our current season has a gorgeous black and white lacy bra style with matching knickers, a simple white breast feeding bra with floral pattern, a gorgeous pink lacy tshirt moulded cup style nursing bra, and a stunning blue satin moulded cup feeding bra.

These bras are available in sizes 10B to 18G which provides great selection for fuller cup sizes. These are really sexy maternity bras to ensure that you feel like a Yummy Mummy!

You will most likely need to wear a bra 24 hours a day, so for a comfortable sleeping bra we suggested the Rocket Bra by Womama. This is super comfortable to sleep in. There is also the Glamourmom Nursing Singlet which has a built in shelf bra, also comfortable for night time wear.

A Little background about my WAHM business

I am Frances, the founder and manager of Breastmates. I run this business from my home in Auckland, New Zealand while looking after my two sons.

I created Breastmates Specialty Breastfeeding Store in 2004 when I had my baby son Angus and was looking for natural products to use. I decided that I would use washable wool breast pads to absorb any milk leaks when breastfeeding him, and that I could use my own fibre skills to make my own. After lots of research and development (thanks to my engineering background) I created pure merino breast pads. We then developed Hemp Breast Pads which are an easy-care and high performance alternative.

We started to realise that very few stores focused on breastfeeding in New Zealand, and some of the advice I received from other chain stores was really bad.

So with a lot of work we slowly set about developing our own Breastmates online store - and here we are today with a whole range of products especially for new mums including sexy hotmilk lingerie, breastfeeding clothing, breast pumps, nursing pillows, baby gear plus heaps more! And we give proper advice based on the product training, actual product usage, and being a mum too!

Breastfeeding is such a lovely bonding time with baby, and those quiet times don't last very long! I know that breastfeeding is not always possible, and it is the family's choice on how baby gets fed - so we do have bottle products aswell.

Life as a WAHM is very busy with looking after my children and running my business from home. Things can get pretty hectic, but we all get along great!

Some other time I will elaborate on this blog how we actually started our Breastmates business with only $50 - and look at where we are now!

Marketing of breastfeeding

Well as you all know, I am a WAHM (Work at home mum) running this website and business specialising in breastfeeding products online, from my home in Auckland New Zealand.

I've recently had my second child, and thought he would be ideal to use in a photograph for my marketing campaigns nationwide.


I was a bit hesitant about using the photo in print and digital media (its me in there after all), so I posted a question on a popular Parenting Forum that I belong to.

So 118 people voted, and this is what they said:

• like it 92 78%


• don't like it 9 8%


• neither like or dislike 15 13%


• arrrrgh i feel indecently exposed please don't flash your boobs at me 2 2%

Now I am sorry to the people that thought i flashed my boobs at them. Maybe there was just a bit too much skin showing in the photo. And maybe the photo depicted breastfeeding to be toooooo "special and precious". (That's what someone thought) But just for the record - i don't walk around naked feeding my baby all day!

The photo is special and precious - because b/f is a special time!!

And the picture is now being used in our marketing.

Special thanks to baby, and to hubby for taking the photo. And to my graphic designer who cropped out the testicles, and wee wee puddle patch that got sprayed on my jeans.....

Breast Feeding After C-Section

Of course you can breastfeed your baby after a c-section delivery!!

But you will probably start of slower start depending on your choice of anesthetic.
general anesthetic will make you unconscious for the birth and drowsy afterwards, and your baby may be sleepy also.

A spinal or epidural allows you to be conscious so you can hold and feed baby very soon after they are born.

It is really important to breastfeed your baby very soon after delivery, and have initial skin-to-skin contact. Breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract and return to normal size more quickly. Plus the early feeding helps with bonding and recognition.

It can be difficult to breastfeed your baby while you are in the recovery room, as your body may still be numb, well it might feel like lead actually and if you are like me you will be surprised and frustrated at not being able to move!! Ask your midwife and specialist for assistance in positioning, and ensure that baby is well supported.

It is very easy to get nipple damage during these first feeds, so do make sure you are persistent in asking for the correct latching position.

It will be easier to breastfeed while lying down for the first day or so, as you may still find it difficult to move your body due to the anesthetic.

Breastfeed Laying Down With the bed in flat position, raise the side rails of your bed and place extra pillows behind your back for support. Carefully roll to one side while grasping the rail and relax your tummy muscles!! Place the baby on their side facing you, so that you are positioned chest to chest. Baby's head may need to rest in your arm to bring their mouth up to the level of your nipple.

Foot Ball Hold: is an excellent position to feed, especially while your caesarean wound is still sore. While sitting in an upright position, tuck a pillow or breastfeeding cushion under your arm. Place baby's head close to your breast facing toward you, with his body tucked under your arm. Baby's body should be bent at the hips, with their bottom against the back of the chair you are sitting on.

Feeding while sitting up: place the head of your bed upright. Prop a pillow or breastfeeding cushion under the arm that will support the baby' s head, and place baby on a breastfeeding cushion over your wound. This raises baby to your nipple, and also protects your sore tummy. Hold baby close to you, with their whole body facing yours.

A c-section delivery can be a very stressful and worrying time, but it should not prevent you from having a great breastfeeding experience.

Good luck with your new baby

Breastfeeding Discretely in Public

Mothers often worry about breastfeeding in public, and they are worried about showing their post-partum jelly belly, or people seeing their breasts or nipples. Mothers can often feel very awkward, and so can people around them. Its silly though - breast feeding a baby is the most natural thing in the world.

But I agree, it can be very awkward manoeuvring a baby, lifting top, opening the drop down clip on nursing bras, removing breast pads, and then finally latching a baby. But give it a few weeks and you will get this down pact!

To feel more comfortable, we have a range of breastfeeding clothing available. These nursing tops are just like wearing regular tops but they have openings for you to access your breast. There are several styles available, such as singlet feeding tops with built in shelf support bra (the glamourmom range is extremely popular).

We also have more casual style feeding tops which have generous sizings to allow for the extra baby weight. This style has a zip that opens across the front.

Some of the more discrete nursing tops for breastfeeding we have, are so gorgeous that you wouldn't even know they are for breastfeeding. These styles feature a ruched layer, great for a smarter look, for funky mums, or even if you are returning to work, or going to a wedding.
This year we also introduced some winter breastfeeding tops in a hoodie style, and some long sleeve nursing tops made from a divine bamboo fabric. These have been very popular.

If you don't want to purchase a whole new wardrobe just for the time you are feeding baby, then have a look at some Tummy Wraps which are just used for layering over jeans and underneath a t-shirt, so that you don't show your belly. A merino poncho is also a good idea, and can be kept in the wardrobe for all occasions.

Breastfeeding & How to Latch Your Baby

How to Latch your Baby

1. Position Yourself Properly.
Sit up in bed or in a comfortable armchair. You should be relaxed with no muscles straining.

2. Position Your Baby Properly.
Your baby should be lying on his side with his whole body facing you and his head reasting on your forearm or in the crook of your elbow. His back should be supported by your forearm and you can hold his bottom or upper thigh with your hand. His ear, shoulder, and hips should be in a straight line.

3. Offer Your Breast to Baby.
Cup your breast with your free hand, supporting it with your fingers underneath and your thumb on top. When the baby opens his mouth very wide, centre your nipple in his mouth and quickly pull baby toward you. Its important to pull him in very close to you, rather than you moving toward him.

4. Effective Sucking Techniques.
To suck effectively, your baby must get a large portion of the breast tissue into his mouth along with your nipple. His gums should completely bypass the nipple to take in the breast tissue. The bottom lip should be turned out, the upper lip should not be sucked in. Poor positioning can cause nipple damage or pain, so its worth getting it right from the start.

For more advice and help on breastfeeding, have a look our our Specialty Store.

How to Preserve and Store Breast Milk

It is best to put breast milk in plastic feeding bottles with secure tops to seal in freshness. You can also use plastic bags made especially for storing milk. You can also use your breast pump to express breast milk, and store the milk directly in the bottle.
Remember to write the date on the bottle or bag before putting it in the refrigerator or freezer so you'll know how fresh it is.

Use fresh, refrigerated milk within three to five days, and keep it at the back of the fridge, away from the door, at a temperature of 4 degrees centigrade or lower.

Frozen milk lasts at week in the ice box of a fridge, and three to six months if kept in a freezer set no higher minus 18 degrees Centigrade (and then up to 12 hours, refrigerated, after thawing).

The process of freezing destroys some of the antibodies in milk, so don't freeze any that you plan to use within the time limits.

But frozen breastmilk is still much healthier and offers more protection from disease than formula milk does.

To thaw frozen milk, place the bottle or bag in a bowl of warm water, run it under warm tap water, or defrost it in the refrigerator overnight. Don't use the microwave for defrosting or warming - it kills the nutrients in breast milk. And don't ever save partially drunk portions for later use - health professionals recommend throwing out any milk that's left in the baby's bottle.

More information on breast milk preservation and storage guidelines is available here. We have also prepared a guide for expressing and how to express breast milk for customers at our Specialty Breastfeeding Store.

How To Express Breast Milk

There are two ways to express breast milk. Though they are certainly not a glamorous mothering role!

HAND EXPRESSING If you only need to express breast milk every once in a while, for comfort or a rare bottle-feed, you may be able to get by with expressing by hand. This is the cheapest way to express breast milk because it requires no equipment, but it can be time-consuming and takes practice. Wash your hands before you start. Then, place your thumb 4-5cm away from your nipple and your fingers below so they form a "C" around the areola, and squeeze your finger and thumb together, pushing your hand back against the chest wall, continuing this process in a circular motion around your areola. If your finger and thumb are too close to the nipple, the "squeeze" will hurt and be ineffective. Use a sterile, wide-rimmed breast milk container or baby bottle to collect the milk. Electric and manual breast pumps may be faster and more efficient to express breast milk.

BREAST PUMPS To use an electric pump, you put a suction cup over your breast, turn the breast pump machine on, and let it do the work of extracting milk into an attached container. Manual breast pumps also use a suction cup, but you extract the milk by using a squeeze mechanism or operating some other device rather than relying on a motor powered by electricity. On average it takes 15 to 45 minutes to pump both breasts. Good breast pumps try to mimic the sucking action of a baby, stimulating your let down reflex, and don't cause pain.


Knowing which breast pump is right for you depends on how often you plan to use one and how much time you can spare for expressing. If you work full-time and have to find time to use a breast pump during a busy day, you might want to choose an ultrafast hospital-grade electric pump. But if you only need to express the odd feed occasionally so your partner can feed the baby when you're out, a cheaper manual breast pump may be sufficient, and some women prefer them to electric breast pumps.

Lactation Boosting Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip & Flaxseed Cookies

Want to try our Lactation Boosting Cookies?  Oatmeal and flaxseed (add your own chocolate chips).   We now have this amazing recipe available as a premix baking mix, on our website here:



Booster Biscuit Mix

This recipe has been loved, and munched on, by hundreds of kiwi mums

How to Spot Mastitis

Mastitis symptoms for breastfeeding moms are mainly a combination of the following:

• Flu like symptoms


• Sore breasts, swollen breasts and/or redness


• Fever, Chills and/or Sweats

Mastitis often progresses rapidly over hours, and it is common for breastfeeding mothers to try to fight of the fever. But the fever can rapidly progress to more severe symptoms such a high fever, chills, nausea. Early treatment of mastitis is desirable.

Short Term Treatments when you first notice the symptoms include hot showers, Heat Packs or Breast Packs, Lactagogue Massage Oil, Vitamin C

What to Do:
Continue to feed your baby through the pain. If the pain continues you must seek help from your doctor. They may prescribe a course of antibiotics.

What to Pack in a Hospital Bag for Labour....?

Preparing for a new baby is such an exciting time, however it can be overwhelming trying to think of everything you need before baby comes along and what items you'll need to pack in your hospital bag.

Pack your bag at least 4 weeks before your due date!


Here are a few ideas of things you may need:

• A comfortable, loose fitting nightie or T-shirt that you can wear through labour and give birth in. You should expect that this may get covered in the fluids from delivery.
• Water bottle/sweets/glucose tablets.
• Snacks or drinks you would like to have on hand.
• Birth plan
• Lip balm
• Warm socks (your feet may get very cold during labour)
• Massage equipment – oils, creams.
• Heat pack to relieve back pain
• Camera and video camera of course!!
• CD’s to play during the birth of your baby
• Phone cards and coins for making calls
• Take your mobile and pre-pare a distribution list so you can text everyone at once

For your Hospital Stay

Most women stay in hospital for around 3 days after a vaginal delivery and 5-6 days after a caesarean section. Some hospitals and Birth Centres supply all of baby’s needs while you are there. Check if they have any requirements before you arrive.

• 3 easy to open night clothes for breastfeeding or breastfeeding singlets
• 3 nursing bras
• Breast pads
• Dressing gown or robe
• Slippers
• Toiletries
• Plenty of underwear, (think big black granny knickers)
• 2-3 packs of maternity sanitary pads

Plus don't forget to take snacks for you to nibble on while in hospital - otherwise you will be waiting for hospital food. And take some magazines to read - your baby might sleep alot.

You will also need day clothes and an outfit for leaving the hospital. (You will probably still be fitting your maternity clothes due to the jelly belly, so don't expect a miraculous weight loss after your bump is gone).

You will also need to have an outfit for your baby to leave hospital. This should include a singlet, socks or bootees, outer garment, cardigan (dependent on the weather) and a blanket for in the car. Usually size 000 for baby.

Good luck!!

Tigers Milk Recipe to Boost Milk Supply

This "tigers milk" recipe is a great way for breastfeeding moms to boost their breast milk supply:

1 cup full cream milk
1/2 cup acidophyllis yoghurt
1 Tablespoon complan powder (or milk powder)
1 banana
honey
1 tsp yeast flakes
+/- ice cream

Mix in a blender makes 3-4 cups. Drink over the day.

The yeast flakes are what increase the "supply" but for anyone out there who wants to increase the "quality" of their milk then use the recipe without the yeast.

See some of our other tips on boosting you milk. There are also nursing teas and fenugreek capsules that can help improve breast milk supply problems.

Essential Purchases for New Born Baby

I often get asked for advice by pregnant mothers, on what products are the absolute essentials that they need to purchase, in preparation for the new baby, and coming home with a new baby.

I'm also a mum, so I give advice based on my knowledge, and what I did when my children were born. (My second son was just born recently too!)

Okay, the basics:

Boobs Will Leak: so you'll need some type of breast pad to absorb leaks so that you dont wet all your t-shirts. This can be embarrasing, annoying, and a real hassle. Here at Breastmates Specialty Breastfeeding Store, wool breast pads were our founding product. Then we developed some hemp breast pads which have a slightly higher absorbency and are easier to wash and dry. So these would be essentials. But you might not be into the "reusable washable" thing, so then you could try some disposable breast pads.

Boobs are Going to Get Bigger. So you'll need to get some maternity bras. These are special bras designed for breastfeeding, where the cup drops down so that you can give baby the boob, but you don't have to remove your bra. Just measure yourself to determine your size, and order one or two bras. (and if you really want to indulge yourself we have matching knickers too). It's easy to measure yourself to determine your bra size, you just need a tape measure, and our online bra size calculator. (Bra sizes do change between different brands).

You Dont Want to Flash Everyone: when Breastfeeding your new baby, so you might want to consider looking at some of our nursing tops which are designed to help you discretely breastfeed baby. We have several styles, from singlet nursing tops, casual breast feeding tops, PJ's, and more dressy-smart type breastfeeding clothing. If you don't want to purchase a whole new wardrobe, then you might like to look at Belly Bands which just cover flabby bellies so at least that is not all on display when you lift up your clothing to feed baby. Merino wrap ponchos are also a handy wardrobe accessory.

Nip's Might Get a Bit Sore: yes, nipples can get a thrashing with a baby latching on them. So you will defintely need some nipple cream. Nipple cream should be applied after every feed, and can help to prevent cracks, grazes and sores.

Nappy Brain: Yes it is true you will really loose some brain cells and memory! the handiest little thing, inexpensive, that i have come across is the Mothers Minder Nursing Bracelet. Its a silicone wristband with a sliding time scale. You can use it to keep track of the times that you fed baby. Sure some people will laugh at this post and say "i know when the baby is hungry, they will be crying", but trust me! This little gadget gives you one less thing to worry about and remember!! Its also a great baby shower gift.

Okay, so those are the absolute essentials.... But it does depend on your family and your activities.

I've started

hello!

Well, I thought it was about time that I started a blog . To keep all my peeps updated on our new maternity and breastfeeding products that we have in our specialty breastfeeding online store. I will try and update this blog as soon as any new stock is unloaded when we get yummy new deliveries.

We will have lots of exciting new products for breastfeeding mums with new maternity and nursing lingerie styles coming really soon. I have tried the samples and these are just gorgeous!

Plus because I have a new baby in my home too, I have been doing a lot of research into all sorts of goodies like maternity clothing, breast pumps and expressing, and boobie baby bottles free of BPA!

Plus I will probably add some of my ramblings to this blog, about my life as a mum and running a business from home. And notes to self - things I must remember!!

Check back soon