The BumbleWee Nursing Wear Breastfeeding or Newborn Photo Contest is now closed. Please visit the main contest page to see the winning submission: Breastfeeding and Newborn Photo Contest.
]]>Congratulations to Abbey for winning the BumbleWee Nursing Wear Breastfeeding & Newborn Photo Contest with the following submission:
Abbey’s prize package includes:
- 2 Maternity & Breastfeeding Tops
- 1 Maternity & Breastfeeding PJ
- 1 Nursing Bra
- 1 Pumpease - Pumping Support
- 1 Breastfeeding Bonnet
- 1 Nursing Cover
- 1 Photo Book
The contest closed Wednesday Sept 21, 2011. Thanks to all who entered and participated in the voting.
You can see all the pictures that were submitted in our our new galleries:
]]>As you are aware, breastfeeding is agreed to be the best possible nutrition for your baby. Additionally, it also provides huge benefits to the mother. These are well documented facts. But did you know that breastfeeding is also green? Not only is it good for you and your baby, but it is the most organic and environmentally friendly way to feed your baby!
Breastfeeding is Good for the Environment
First, think about formula… its production, transport and packaging. The production of formula requires the raising of cows to produce the milk. Raising cows to produce milk usually involves hormones and antibiotics, leads to deforestation and contamination of water due to manure. Once the milk is harvested from the cows it needs to be processed into powder in a production facility. This uses a vast amount of energy, water, and releases harmful gases into our air. Once the formula is ready it is packaged into cans and transported to many locations. As everyone knows, transportation uses fuel and releases yet more pollutants into the air. Once the formula reaches the household and is consumed, the cans holding the formula are discarded producing yet more waste.
Now, let’s think about the production of breast milk. The mother’s breasts produce milk, simple as that. There are no harmful emissions during the production, no transport required, and of course, no discarded or wasted cans.
Back to formula… how do you feed that formula to your baby? You use nipples and bottles. These need to be sanitized each time using energy and water, and eventually these bottles and nipples are discarded as waste. According to an article in Mothering Magazine “Plastic feeding bottles, nipples, and pacifiers take 200 to 450 years to break down when disposed of in landfills sites”.
With breastfeeding there is no need to sanitize (saving energy and water), and again, no waste to be discarded.
Breastfeeding is Organic
Another problem with formula is that there are many ingredients other than the powdered milk that are added to the formula during the production process. Mother’s milk is 100% natural and perfectly fitted to baby. There are no potential contaminates such as pesticides, fertilizers or antibiotics involved in the production of mothers milk. However, all of these contaminates are usually involved in the production of the cow’s milk or soya used in formula.
See – breastfeeding is green!
Organic and Environmentally Friendly Breastfeeding Products
In addition to the actual act of breastfeeding, there are many organic and environmentally friendly products that can be used to support the breastfeeding mother.
Look for products that are made with organic cotton. “Organic cotton is cotton that is grown without pesticides from plants which are not genetically modified.” [wikipedia] For example, BumbleWee Nursing Wear carry’s a nursing bra made from organically grown cotton, the Organic Easy Bra.
Also, you can look out for clothing and accessories made from bamboo. Bamboo is the fastest growing renewable fabric source in the world. Also, it is generally grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides. And for an added benefit, it is naturally anti bacterial and wicks away body odor! BumbleWee Nursing Wear carry’s the Nursing Button Top which is made from bamboo. Also, they carry Breastfeeding Bonnets for your baby that are made from bamboo.
So, just in case there weren’t enough reasons already, going green is yet one more reason to breastfeed your baby!
I remember when my son was born – being up at night, trying to catch a few hours of sleep during the day, breastfeeding every few hours, learning to cope on little sleep and the demands of suddenly being on call 24/7. New moms are tired! Also, you’re on maternity leave and you’re home all day with your kids. Why bother getting all prettied up, right? I used to spend those days in my PJs… I felt frumpy and rundown.
At one point I decided I needed to get out of the rut I was in. Being a mom is the most fabulous experience of your life and I wanted to feel fabulous about doing it.
First order of business – get off my butt and exercise. During the summer I popped my son in the stroller and went for a walk, during the winter I got a gym membership at a gym that had a daycare.
Second step – get some nice clothes – no more living in my PJs! I went out in search of some fabulous clothes that would allow me to easily breastfeed and still look fabulous doing it. Really, I had a hard time finding anything I liked, so, I started up my own store, BumbleWee Nursing Wear, and ordered all of the nicest breastfeeding clothing I could find!
As new moms, we are so focused on our baby that we sometimes forget to pamper ourselves in the little ways that we deserve. I found that between getting out, exercising and dressing my best, I started to feel human again. Don’t overlook yourself in your daily activities, taking that extra time will help you to feel good about yourself and be the best mom that you can be for your children.
Having a hard time getting that workout in? Try to involve your baby in your workout. Check out a mom and baby yoga or swim class. Go for a walk with baby in the stroller in a mall or outdoors. There’s many ways to include your child in your workout.
Having a hard time finding some fabulous clothes that will allow you to breastfeed? Check out BumbleWee Nursing Wear at https://bumbleweenursing.ca
]]>Comfy Mama Nursing Pack
Includes:
- 1 Nursing/Maternity PJ: The Lace Sleep Set
- 1 Nursing/Maternity Top: Double Layer Henley
- 1 Nursing Bra: The Organic Easy Bra
In the coming weeks your nursing mama will be spending a lot of time nursing. The Comfy Mama Nursing Pack will be sure to make her feel comfortable and will provide for easy breastfeeding access. PJs are essential for easy nursing at night and a comfy nursing top is great for nursing around the house during the day. And of course, a nursing bra is a must-have and will be used with both the PJs and the nursing top.
Out and About Mama Nursing Pack #1
- 2 Nursing/Maternity Tops: The Nusing Bubble Top and The Emerald Top
- 1 Nursing Cover
Are you an on the go mama? If so you’ll want some hot nursing tops to wear out and about. Our nursing tops allow easy and discreet access to the breast.
Also included is a nursing cover to keep you feeling comfortable nursing in public.
Out and About Mama Nursing Pack #2
- 2 Nursing/Maternity Tops: The Uganda Top and The Discretion Top
- 1 Breastfeeding Bonnet
Are you an on the go mama? If so you’ll want some hot nursing tops to wear out and about. Our nursing tops allow easy and discreet access to the breast.
Also included is a breastfeeding bonnet to keep you feeling comfortable nursing in public.
Christmas Celebration Nursing Pack
Includes:
- 1 Nursing Dress: The Flamenco Dress
- 1 Nursing Top: Nursing Pearl Edge
- 1 Nursing Cover
Going out for Christmas this year? With so many celebrations you’ll need a hot new dress and top! Most conventional dresses don’t allow you to nurse without pulling off the entire dress. Our specialized nursing dresses & tops allow easy and discreet access to the breast.
Also included is a nursing cover to keep you feeling comfortable nursing in public.
]]>Recently they have suffered a loss of funding and are in danger of closing. For more details see this CityTV story.
So get yourself some breastfeeding clothing at www.bumbleweenursing.ca and support Dr. Jack Newman’s Breastfeeding Clinic.
]]>I’m getting some good nursing tops and sweaters that will keep that extra skin covered while breastfeeding. The great thing about a good nursing top is that, unlike a regular top, you don’t have to lift up your shirt and expose your belly and back to the chilly winter air. A nursing top has special openings that only expose the part of the breast required for breastfeeding keeping your belly and back warm and cozy.
Here is my favorite nursing top/sweater combo so far – the Double Layer Henley, then for added warmth I am wearing the Ruched Strip Hoodie over top.
For night time I am just using regular nursing pajamas, my favorite is the Lacey MJ, and then again I am wearing the Ruched Strip Hoodie over top.
As an added bonus, all of these items are good for maternity as well as for nursing so if you have a bun in the oven, you can use thse tops as well. Then when the wee one is born you can continue to use the same tops for breastfeeding.
So far I’m warm and cozy! How about you?
]]>The answer is… it depends. I know, don’t you hate those kinds of answers? The good news is, it can be great! My experience was wonderful. In the beginning, yes there were some pains – mostly in the form of dry flaky skin and a slight burning sensation from dry nipples. All in all though, it didn’t hurt that much. The first time baby latched it felt different, I wasn’t expecting that kind of suction, but again, not painful I don’t think. Any initial discomfort passed with time.
The bad news is, yes it can be quite painful for some people. If all goes well, breastfeeding shouldn’t be painful. If it is, then something is probably wrong. One of my girlfriends suffered through thrush on her nipples, had two bouts of mastitis and had three large scabs on her nipples. Needless to say, breastfeeding did hurt for her, but she was so determined that she fought through it and came out the other side still breatfeeding – what a trooper!!
Another common horror story is troubles learning to breastfeed. It can be a challenge or it can be easy as pie! With my first baby it was a learning experience. In the beginning I remember spending 20 minutes each feeding just trying to get him to latch! After a few weeks though, we were both pros. Then with my second, within minutes after birth she was latched no problem, had crazy suction, and didn’t let go for 45 minutes! One of my friends, on the other hand, had a sleepy baby who wouldn’t stay awake during feedings. The nurses in the hospital suggested that undressing her baby for feedings would make her cold and more wakeful. When that didn’t work she was told to get an ice cube and rub it on baby’s back when she wold try to fall asleep. Needless to say she wasn’t too fond of this approach.
So what’s my point you ask? Breastfeeding is different for everyone. Don’t listen to horror stories from your friends, mothers or neighbors because you can be guaranteed your experience will be different (for better or worse). If you want to breastfeed when your baby is born then just give it a shot and you’ll figure it out from there. If it’s easy, great! If it’s not then you can battle through. If you decide it’s not for you then you can switch to the bottle, but at least you can say you tried!
]]>I first new something was wrong when I was breastfeeding and she would continuously pop off the breast and cry or fuss. It got the point where I could barely get her to eat and sometimes just offering her the breast would cause her to turn away and cry. It was sad that the thought of breastfeeding was so upsetting to her. I took her to the doctor and public health nurse to see if she had acid reflux. They both said that she did not since she was not spitting up at all. Surprisingly, neither suggested that it could be thrush.
For the next month she continued to fuss and cry while eating. I knew something was wrong, but I just didn’t know what. I saw that she had a white tongue but I just thought it was milk residue. Finally I decided to look more into thrush just in case and sure enough, that’s exactly what it was.
For the next 10 days we treated my daughter with the medicine the doctor prescribed. After only a day she was already eating better. She still had the white tongue for over a week though, that took a bit longer to go away.
She’s eating so much better since we got rid of the thrush! And lucky for me, I never got it. She’s a new baby now, so much more cheery and alert!
]]>Since my son was born he has always demanded that we stand while holding him. Even as a newborn he would cry every time we tried to sit down with him. To this day he still expects us to stand while we’re holding him, of couse we can’t always comply since he is getting bigger by the day!
The other day I tried to sit down with him and he said “No sit down.” He was finally able to express this desire in words for the first time! So cute. Of course I sat down anyway since we are trying to teach him that he can’t have his own way all the time. He wasn’t impressed, as usual.
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