Friday, August 27th, 2010

One thing no one ever told me about breastfeeding was how messy it would be. I assumed my baby and I would sit there serenely. He would happily and discreetly guzzle away while I would perhaps use my free hand to read a book. Instead, I found myself pinned to the sofa, surrounded by pillows and naked from the waist up, while my son flailed about, kicking out and scratching me – and making embarrassingly loud slurping noises – and milk sprayed wildly from my other boob.
Things only improved when I got myself a proper feeding pillow. The Boppy pillow is “hug-shaped” to help you find the best position and we have one to give away. To be in with a chance of winning it, simply write a post on your own blog about a favorite or funny parenting moment, mentioning and linking to this post. We will choose a winner at random. The closing date is Friday 3rd September. Good luck!
Tags: baby products, breastfeeding, competition
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Monday, July 12th, 2010

Have you tried breastfeeding? I was stunned the first time I picked up my new baby girl and tried to feed her just how heavy she was. I found that it was hard to hold her in position and my arms just weren’t up to the lengthy feeding sessions.
That breastfeeding experience was tricky, but I became more confident with my second and third child. I got the phone number for the local NCT breastfeeding counsellor before DS1 was born and just knowing I had someone on hand if I needed made an enormous difference. Over the last couple of years I’ve been working with our local NCT editing the newsletter and helping raise the profile of our Breast Friends Breastfeeding support group.
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Sunday, June 27th, 2010
Lifft™ baby slings and Bras4Mums are offering an exclusive discount in celebration of National Breastfeeding Awareness Week. (more…)
Tags: baby equipment, baby products, bras, breastfeeding, maternity wear, slings
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Saturday, June 26th, 2010
Www.lactivist.co.uk has a whopping 30 % off for Breastfeeding Awareness week so you can buy 3 times as many slogan t-shirts, bags or badges that promote breastfeeding and gentle parenting by just quoting bfaw10 at the checkout. This offer ends on the 27th June 2010.
Tags: discount, special offer
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Friday, June 25th, 2010
If you need help at any time with breastfeeding you can contact the NCT or La Leche League for help. They have trained counsellors available to answer calls. Many areas have breastfeeding support groups or breastfeeding cafes run by Health Visitors and Breastfeeding Counsellors where you can drop in for help or advice. Your Midwife or Health Visitor will also be able to help you with any problems.
Breastfeeding isn’t always easy but it is extremely rewarding and the best start you can give your baby. Good luck!
Advice from breastfeeding mum and founder of Mamascarf, Keira O’Mara
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Friday, June 25th, 2010
This week you can win LOADS of exciting goodies over at www.lactivist.net. Enter the draw to win T shirts, pyjamas, a Mamascarf, nursing bra, BoobieBuddies dolls, vouchers and more.
Go to www.lactivist.net and comment below the relevant draw. Enter by 30th June.
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Thursday, June 24th, 2010
There are several different positions for breastfeeding, you need to make sure that you choose the most comfortable one for you and that gives your baby the best access to your breast.
You could try holding your baby across your lap and positioning her on a pillow or cushion to get the right height. You can use either arm to hold her and ensure she is in the right position.
An alternative position is lying down with your bodies parallel to each other. This is good for the early days or if you are lying in bed.
Another position for breastfeeding is to hold your baby underarm. This is particularly recommended post caesarean.
Advice from breastfeeding mum and founder of Mamascarf, Keira O’Mara
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Thursday, June 24th, 2010
As a mum to a baby born in March, breastfeeding is a subject that is close to my heart and I can rant and rave with the best of them about this topic that seems to be far more controversial than it should be! (more…)
Tags: breastfeeding, breastfeeding in public
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
How can I prepare for breastfeeding?
You can attend an ante natal class, where you will be able to get some advice on breastfeeding techniques and meet some other mums to be. You should try to include your partner, and encourage them to be supportive of your decision to breastfeed. You can read up on breastfeeding and again, encourage your partner to do some reading. The more informed you are, the more likely that you will succeed.
Advice from breastfeeding mum and founder of Mamascarf, Keira O’Mara
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
I had to return to work when babies were 5 months old, and I wanted to carry on breastfeeding. My eldest, (now 8), went onto solids at 14 weeks (WHO guidelines were different then), so I was only feeding about 4 times a day when he was 5 months old. (more…)
Tags: breastfeeding, business mums, return to work, working mums
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
Breast milk is the best possible food for your baby. It will build your babies immune system as well as giving them the best possible start in life. It protects babies against ear infections, gastro-intestinal infections, chest infections, urine infections, childhood diabetes, eczema, obesity, asthma. Breastfeeding protects mums against ovarian cancer, breast cancer and weak bones later in life. (source: National Health Service, 2009). What’s more breast milk is free, on tap and is always the right temperature. Breastfeeding is also great for bonding with your baby.
Advice from breastfeeding mum and founder of Mamascarf, Keira O’Mara
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Monday, June 21st, 2010
As part of Breastfeeding Awareness Week you can visit Family Friendly Working every day for tips and advice from breastfeeding mum and founder of Mamascarf, Keira O’Mara. Keira writes, “I had the idea for Mamascarf when breastfeeding my first baby Sam. I was always trying to cover up but found that nothing did the job properly. Blankets, pashminas, muslins… He would get too hot, they would block my view of him, he would pull them off or I would have to take them down during the feed to latch him back on. Nothing worked! Also I would always get arm ache without my support cushion. I realised that if I could create something that would cover while feeding but also provide you with additional support, a type of scarf that couldn’t fall off would be perfect. So Mamascarf was born! (more…)
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