The Baby List - Your Titties and Their Substitutes - the First Three Months

Everyone knows about breastfeeding in theory.  "The breast is best!!" yes thank Mother Goose.  The votes are in and have been tabulated.  These are the points For breastfeeding taken from the Breast Feeding Association of Australia (yes, our breasts have their own association, that's where they were those nights when your husband couldn't find them):-

1. breastfeeding protects your baby from illness and infection
2. provides the correct food for your growing baby
3. aids the development of your baby's eyesight, speech and intelligence
4. promotes a special loving bond between mother and baby (until they get teeth and you have to rethink the whole bonding thing)

And here's the threatening bit....If you DON'T Breastfeed your baby they:

• have a higher risk of cot death
• have an increased likelihood of allergy
• cost more money - you need to buy expensive infant formulas and feeding equipment. Non-breastfed babies are more likely to fall ill, costing more to the family and the community in medical bills (there's a cheerful thought)
• are less environmentally friendly - in terms of fuel, energy and resources needed for artificial feeding (personally I think have babies full stop is not very environmentally friendly - the amount of Methane they contribute to the world is second only to the cow, who may I add also drinks milk...)

Well in all seriousness, breastfeeding 'can be' a wonderful experience when it works, it gives your bubba a fantastic start in life, and may I add is THE MOST CONVENIENT food you will ever have to carry with you.  Cost efficient, always warm and ready to go!

Don't let the old ducks fool ya - it is NOT the most natural thing in the world for most women.  It is awkward, uncomfortable, weird and lord does it hurt a lot of people.

I had an awesome pre-birth educator named Julia Clarke who gave me the most invaluable piece of breastfeeding advice.

She said that THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS ATTACHMENT.  THE ATTACHMENT HAS TO BE RIGHT.  IT SHOULDN'T HURT, IT SHOULDN'T BE UNCOMFORTABLE AND IF IT IS, SLIDE YOUR LITTLE FINGER IN THE SIDE OF THEIR MOUTH AND BREAK SUCTION AND TRY AGAIN.  DO IT AS MANY TIMES AS YOU HAVE TO UNTIL IT IS COMFORTABLE.  IF YOU DON'T, THAT IS WHEN YOU END UP WITH CRACKED NIPPLES ETC ETC.

Paying absolute attention to this advice has led to successful breastfeeding of two children with no cracked nipple, mastitis or any other complication.  And my advice is make sure you do it every time, even from the first feed.  You'll be a pro in no time. 

So that brings us to the stuff for feeding.... (yes there is stuff for EVERYTHING).

Fertile Minds Milk Bar Breastfeeding Pillow

The Breastfeeding Pillow

The breastfeeding pillow is gods gift to woman (that and chocolate).  If you're asking what do I need this pillow for?  Or can't I just use a normal pillow?  The answer is yes you can just use a normal pillow (or three).  The breastfeeding pillow is a firm, extra high profile pillow that is curvy in shape so that it hugs your body.  

The idea is that you can place the baby on your breast, (attaching properly of course) and lay your arm and the baby on top of the pillow, helping your posture, and the stress on your arms, back, neck and shoulders is relieved.  Doesn't that sound good?

Note to J: Don't worry about buying this, please borrow mine, it works a treat.

There are many many models on the market as everyone tries to cash in on this new necessity.  THIS IS NOT A PLACE TO SPEND MONEY as all these pillows work the same.  The one pictured to the left is very popular, it is Fertile Minds Milk Bar and retails for around $65.  It is really nice looking and comfy and has the great added feature of the zip of cover, which means if there's ever and little 'accidents' on the pillow it is easy fixed. 

Note: This is a great item to take to hospital with you if you have space!

Stuff Cabbage Leaves in your bra!

Cabbage

Yes I said cabbage.  Between day 1 and 3 you will experience "engorgement" that is, your breast will go into factory line production of milk overdrive.  You see they've been waiting all your life for this chance and now they have it.

Apparently engorgement is VERY painful and your breasts are as hard as rocks, so to ease the pain, send someone out for a cabbage and put it in the refrigerator.  After each feed you can apply cold cabbage leaves to ease engorgement, bruise them slightly before applying.

The other thing that is good is a hot shower and just gently massage the engorged glands with your finger until the pain eases.  But, women for thousands of years have used cabbage leaves.

Here's a good information page on the different techniques of uses of cabbage leaves in engorgement.

Bottles

If you are breastfeeding I recommend that you only buy two for first 3 months.  You only need the small ones 120mls.  My personal favourite brand is Avent.  Avent has a great feeding system and I've used them for both babies.  There is a valve system that allows air to flow back into the bottle, so I found it reduced the amount of gas that ended up in the babies tummy.

the beautiful glass WeeGo Baby Bottles

In my attempt to be as chemical free as possible I attempted to go back to glass bottles with my last baby.  I love these glass Weego Baby Bottles that I purchased from Ecobabe.  They have these great Silicone covers that are in all these cool different shades.  

I love the concept of them, I just could get used to the bottle not having a valve that releases air back into the bottle, I tried out a few different teats and it still didn't work to my satisfaction.  So I went back to the trusty Avent bottles, yes they are plastic, but they're now BPA free and my babies drank easier from them.

Note to J: I have these for you, you just have to buys the teats (which should be replaced regularly anyway).

To Be Continued....