Breastfeeding

My breastfeeding hero is…

Published May 11, 2012 | By Julie Kieras

Guess what? It’s not the front cover of TIME magazine. This may shock and anger some of you but read on to understand why:

It’s not about the cover mom’s choice to breastfeed longer than most. Or to breastfeed without a nursing cover. Or be photographed while breastfeeding. It’s not about her, really. It’s about the poor perception of breastfeeding this photo creates.

I don’t believe this photo represents the true concept and reasons for breastfeeding.

I don’t believe it represents how I personally feel as a breastfeeding mama.

I don’t believe it supports moms who breastfeed (no matter how long).

I don’t believe it creates cultural acceptance of breastfeeding in our US culture that sexualizes women’s body parts and cannot see beyond that to the natural, biological purpose of breastfeeding.

I don’t believe it accurately captures how the majority of most women breastfeed (guess what, it’s not with a bold stare and a bared chest!).

I don’t believe it portrays breastfeeding as a natural and normal way to nurture and feed your baby.

In a culture that fails breastfeeding mothers, creating negative and highly sensationalized publicity around breastfeeding will not get you into my Hall of Fame. Sorry.

So… who IS my breastfeeding hero?

…the mom who tries anything to reduce the pain of breastfeeding so she can continue.

…the mom who attempts, even if she fails.

…the mom who suceeds no matter for how long.

…the mom who can’t or isn’t interested in breastfeeding but doesn’t tear down the idea for other people who are.

…the mom who blogs or talks about her breastfeeding experiences with other moms to gain and give support and information.

…the anyone who doesn’t whisper, giggle, blush, look askance at a mother breastfeeding in public (or try to arrest them for public exposure).

…the companies that provide special rooms for nursing moms to pump or feed their child (especially if they are labeled with the global icon for breastfeeding, NOT with a bottle! LOL!).

…the fashion designers who are starting to understand moms would like functional AND fashionable nursingwear for the 6 weeks, 6 months or longer they breastfeed!

…the lactation consultants, nurses, doctors, and breastfeeding specialist who stay well-educated on the topic and dispel common breastfeeding myths.

…the dads, brothers, friends who support moms who breastfeed (whether by keeping other children occupied while she nurses, telling her she’s doing a great job, giving hugs, doing a few chores since breastfeeding takes quantities of time, giving mom some extra time to sleep, making sure she is well-nourished… there are so many ways to support a breastfeeding mama!).

My breastfeeding hero, in fact, just might be YOU! It’s all of us when we come together to positively and purposefully support breastfeeding women!

Who is your breastfeeding hero? Comment or write a post and link up here:

This hop is hosted by Erin of The Slacker Mom and co-hosted by Marah of Happiness Redefined and Lori from The Gnome’s Mom.

Posted in about me, breastfeeding, motherhood, opinion | 10 Comments

Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Calma Baby Bottles by Medela ~ Giveaway *CLOSED

Published April 21, 2012 | By Julie Kieras

One of my great joys in motherhood the first time around was finally reaching a point of successful breastfeeding. It was a long road complicated by differing opinions and advice.

One bit of advice I was constantly given was not to bottle feed because it would cause nipple confusion. I reached a point where I had to, and it made all the difference helping me heal and nurse successfully.

Now, Medela, a world leader in breastfeeding products has introduced Calma bottles. I am interested to try these bottles out myself after our baby is born. Until then, here’s what the Calma bottle is all about!

Calma was designed exclusively for breastmilk feeding, using evidence-based research on babies’ natural feeding behavior. Because the Calma bottle only allows milk to flow if your baby works to create a vacuum, your baby uses the same feeding behavior on this bottle as he does at the breast. Feeding is slowed down and baby has time for natural pauses just like at the breast.

The new Calma bottle from Medela makes switching back and forth from breast to bottle feeding easier!

I took my sample Calma bottle apart and it does not look like any nipple style I have ever seen before. There are several pieces to this nipple, but it only took me about three minutes to inspect and see how they all work together. The nipple is a bit longer than most to simulate real nipple length during feeding. Inside the nipple base is a milk-control valve that only allows milk through when the baby is sucking. And, the Calma bottle set includes two caps – one for the bottle and one for the underside of the nipple when not in use – I thought this was a nice feature for keeping the inside of the nipple clean when separated from the bottle.

I’ll be letting you know later in August how this bottle is working out for me and our new baby! Until then… I’m giving one away to one mama this Mother’s Day!

WIN IT: One lucky mama win a Calma bottle kit from Medela! ARV $24. Enter in the Rafflecopter form below!
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Posted in baby gear, breastfeeding, Giveaways, review | 1 Comment

Bump Ahead! Glamourmom Nursing Tank ~ Giveaway CLOSED

Published April 3, 2012 | By Julie Kieras

This event is brought you by our exclusive event sponsor: A Mother’s Boutique!

I look forward to breastfeeding a second time around, with more understanding, knowledge and experience! I am also breathing a sigh of relief I know where to find great nursingwear!

This time around I am not going to struggle with clothing ill-equipped to give me easy-access for breastfeeding. Or unable to give adequate support to changing bust sizes. Or shirts that reveal tummy when I nurse my baby.

This time, I’ve got a great nursing tank perfect for wearing alone or layered! The Glamourmom Nursing Bra Long Top has a full built-in nursing bra, and keeps your tummy covered! Also the extra length to mid-thigh is great both for fashion, and for smoothing over that post-partum belly! I even wore this tank during my first trimester because it covered my teeny bump!

Just like my oh-so-comfortable Glamourmom Nursing Nightgown, this tank is made from super soft cotton with a touch of Elastane, and has sturdy, wide straps for support along with easy, one-handed hook closures!

We should all thank Line Rothman, a fellow mama who filled a great need for fun and functional nursingwear after realizing such items just did not exist on the market in 2000! Now Glamourmom carries a whole line of tanks, tops, bras, and sleepwear that help breastfeeding mothers nurse discreetly… and yet fashionably! You can find Glamourmom tops online at their website or at select retailers like my Exclusive Event Sponsor A Mother’s Boutique!

Catch up with Glamourmom on Facebook and Twitter!

WIN IT: Glamourmom wants to give one reader a $25 Gift Certificate to their online store! Stock up on some great nursingwear for yourself! You’ll be glad you did! Enter in the Rafflecopter form below!

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Posted in breastfeeding, clothing, fashion, Giveaways, pregnancy, review | 42 Comments

Bump Ahead! Expressiva Nursingwear ~ $30 GC Giveaway CLOSED

Published March 31, 2012 | By Julie Kieras

I love finding clothing I’ll use before, during, and after pregnancy! It makes spending a little money on maternity clothes less painful if I know I can get more than 9 months out of them!

Most of the clothing at Expressiva.com is for breastfeeding moms, but there are a few pieces that go the distance… like this Floral Maternity / Nursing nightgown! The bright print is fun to wear, and the stretchy cotton/spandex fabric allows me to wear it now and later.

The best part is the easy nursing access with the pull aside split-front fabric. No need to forego cute nighties just because you’re nursing! I love the fun print, and the comfortable, silky feeling of this nightgown. And that it’s rather long, reaching all the way to my knees. The length and the full-coverage top make it perfect for packing in my hospital bag for baby’s arrival – better than those hospital gowns for accepting visitors!

BUY IT: Expressiva Nursingwear designs fashionable clothing for breastfeeding mothers. Their clothing does not look like nursing wear at a glance, but each piece offers easy access for nursing. And they have the most diverse prints and styles I’ve seen in one place! Follow Expressiva on Facebook!

You’ll love shopping at Expressiva.com – you’ll find a full line of nursing tops, nursing dresses, sleepwear, bras, and accessories for expectant and breastfeeding moms! Stylish clothing and discreet breastfeeding – what more can you ask for?

WIN IT: Oh, yes, you can ask for more – one lucky winner gets a $30 Gift Card to Expressiva.com – just enter in the Rafflecopter form below!

Do you love it when clothing transitions through pregnancy and beyond? What’s your favorite piece you’ve found worked well for transitional wearing?
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