Feel Free To Feed campaign!

As many of you know, I chose this month to launch Breastfeeders Anonymous because the first week of August is World Breastfeeding Week. It’s been great to see breastfeeding receiving media attention all over the globe.

As part of World Breastfeeding Week, My Child magazine in partnership with the Australian Breastfeeding Association, Mothers Direct and Nursingwear, have launched the Feel Free to Feed campaign.

The whole goal behind the campaign is to bring breastfeeding into the public eye in an aim to make everyone feel that they can comfortably and happily breastfeed wherever they are – be it work, out and about in a shopping centre, restaurant, anywhere!

Like me, the organizers of this brilliant campaign want to hear about your breastfeeding experiences and they’re offering loads of good prizes to those who write in.

To learn more about the campaign and competition visit: http://mychildmagazine.com.au/HOME/feelfreetofeed/tabid/167/Default.aspx

Feel Free to Feed was the brainchild of Tracey Campbell who owns Nursingwear, an online store specialising in stylish nursing wear and breastfeeding clothes. Breastfeeding clothes are garments with hidden openings that allow easy and discreet access to the breast. Nursingwear has breastfeeding tops, dresses, loungewear, pajamas and swimwear.

Tracey says: “Breastfeeding clothes are especially great for making it comfortable to breastfeed in public. Knowing that there is community support for breastfeeding will surely also be comforting to many new mums.”

In her business Tracey comes into contact with many mums who find breastfeeding in public to be a bit of a mental hurdle, because they wonder how others will accept it. Many mums also find the prospect of having to express breast milk at work (or in other public places) quite daunting. She knows from experience what a large part of a new mum’s life revolves around breastfeeding. It is really quite inconvenient and limiting to have to find a hiding place every time you need to breastfeed!

Tracey is delighted to, through Feel Free to Feed, be playing a part in helping to raise the public profile of breastfeeding and creating awareness of the needs of breastfeeding mums. If you would like to visit Tracey’s online store to have a look at their range of breastfeeding clothes, please click http://www.nursingwear.com.au/ They also have a a general information site for breastfeeding clothes http://www.breastfeedingclothes.com.au/

I stumbled upon this campaign last week when I picked up my first ever issue of My Child magazine! And I have to say, I’m IMPRESSED! My Child is classy and offers interesting, unique articles and I suggest you take a look for yourself.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you if you’ve been part of any celebrations for World Breastfeeding Week… please tell me all about it in the comments section.

Rach!

Joy talks about HOT MILK...

Today Joy Anderson, lactation consultant from Breastfeeders Anonymous reports a bit about her time at HOT MILK (the conference of the Australian Breastfeeding Association), which was held in Melbourne last weekend.


There were many speakers at the HOT MILK conference providing interesting and stimulating information on breastfeeding and topics related to breastfeeding, such as parenting styles and practices. Several presenters spoke about fathers, helping us to understand today's dads and the importance of helping them to be more involvedwith their children - but not by bottle-feeding!


A few snippets from some of the speakers were:-


Ros Escott spoke about the effects of infant feeding on every organ system of the body, quoting peer-reviewed research to demonstrate that artificial feeding results in less-healthy individuals. A few of the many, many facts were that some artificially-fed babies studied had damaged DNA in their lymphocytes; 50% of breastfed babies infected with rotavirus showed no symptoms; and coeliac disease is more common in artificially-fed babies, especially if there is no breastmilk in the diet at the time gluten is introduced.


Psychologist Robin Grille spoke about attachment (bonding) and how early experiences, from the third trimester of pregnancy in fact, shape how the individual parents their own children in the future. He spoke about how very few of today's parents had their own attachmentneeds fully met as infants, due to cultural practices of separation, solitary sleep, methods of discipline, etc, and therefore have trouble fully meeting the emotional needs of their own babies. He talked about how human populations evolved over time to become more aggressive, by wiping out the peaceful (and well-attached) populations, as the latter didn't fight back. Aggression in a population correlated with the level of disturbance of the mother-infant bond following birth. Therefore these people were more successful in wars, so today's peoples are descended from them and have inherited practices that are not conducive to good attachment.


Helen Ball, from the UK, spoke about bedsharing. She pointed out that breastfeeding babies are positioned at the mother's breast level, and the mother instinctively protects the baby's space by facing the baby, with her elbow above the baby's head and her knees bent below the baby. The baby is not near the pillows. On the other hand, bottle-feeding mothers sleep with their babies like they would with another adult, with the baby's head level with or on a pillow,close to the mother's head. They may also face away from their babies. This difference in position in the bed influences the risk of smothering. It would be almost impossible for the breastfed baby in this normal position to be overlain or have their face covered by apillow.


Ted Greiner, a nutrition expert from Sweden, stated that paid maternity leave is a human right in any society, and it should not be considered an issue of economics at all. The proximity of the mother and child is what is important, not only for breastfeeding, but for normal attachment and emotional development of all humans. He described the situation in Sweden, where parents receive a government-provided year of paid leave between them after a baby is born. This is still cost-effective in comparison to large subsidies provided for child-care.


Thanks Joy for your news flash on some of the speakers at HOT MILK! Wish I could have been there.


If you WERE at HOT MILK, please leave a comment telling us all what you learnt or found most informative about the sessions...

We have a WINNER!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the competition to WIN A COPY of Breastfeeders Anonymous.

I think the genuine consensus is that one of the best things about breastfeeding is the amazing opportunity it gives to bond with your baby. Not surprisingly it was hard to choose a winner but in the end, I had to go with Oscar’s Mum who posted this gorgeous poem:

With their mouth open wide;
they begin to dive;
straight for that breast;
there's no stopping their quest.

Their aim is always quite precise;
their mouth on the nipple like a vice;
sucking ferociously, don't distract;
if you want your nipple left intact!

The time comes and off they fall;
across your lap they do sprawl;
they look up at you with a drunky smile;
and i makes breastfeeding so worthwhile!!

Oscar’s Mum can you please email me at info@breastfeedersanonymous.com with your address and full name, so that I can send you your prize.

I agreed with all answers, but here’s a few that really made me nod!

That ferocious suckling when first attached, slowing down to a contented suckle when the edge was off their hunger. Jakaluma.

I especially love the "drunk" look once they have completed a feed and dozed on it also. Maria.

Oh, and the poos, breastfed baby poos are so much easier on the nose than toddler poos. Caitlyn.

The second is when I'm feeding and I glance at my husband and I find he's sitting watching us and going "awwwwww". A lovely family moment. Lucy.

I’m really loving blogging about breastfeeding and ‘meeting’ more breastfeeders or people that want to breastfeed and have decided that I want to continue this blog long after the launch month is up.

I’m hoping to make Breastfeeders Anonymous Online a place where breastfeeders (and those want to) can come to share stories, learn about new breastfeeding products and find up to date news/research about breastfeeding. If you have any more ideas about how to make this blog better for readers, please leave a comment.

If you have a story or photo you’d like to share or are the creator of a breastfeeding related product, I’d love to have you as a guest blogger – please email me at info@breastfeedersanonymous.com Even photos that are a little left of the middle, such as this gorgeous one of a dog breastfeeding kittens are welcome - anything that shows the specialness of breastfeeding...

‘Til next time,
Rach!

Cover Star!

Hi, I'm Fay and its my baby (and nipple :) ) that appears on the front coverof this wonderful book.

I have had a lots of experiences breastfeeding my three children. They were all unique and sometimes frustrating but always very wonderful and fulfilling. When my first baby was born, it was totally normal for me to put her to the breast. No one had told me about it or what I should do, but luckily she felt the same way I did and we just got on with it.This however was not to last as she started breast aversion at about four months. I had no idea what was going on because we had had no problems up until that point. She would attach pull back and scream!!

I went to see anumber of people and unfortunately got some bad advice. I was told my childwas using me as a dummy and I should put her on a strict schedule, so thatshe was hungry when I fed her. She would not refuse then.

Well, as you can imagine this did not help one bit and only served to reduce my milk flow to zero. After two months of fighting her every feed she was eventually out onto formula full time. But I had learnt a valuable lesson. Sometimes you need to trust your own instinct over a professional opinion.

My second fed like a fiend. He was a big boy and wanted to feed or screamall day. (Haven’t we all been there?) I got exhausted but we persisted andwith the help of ABA, I stuck with it and we continued to breastfeed until hewas a year old. Another lesson learnt: a 1 hour feed may be exhausting but a5 minute feed stresses you out :) go with the flow.

By baby three, I thought I knew it all. He again was a fabulous feeder but a lot more placid compared to my second. However, I developed thrush on my nipples and he in his mouth. The pain was so excruciating, I contemplated giving up feeding a number of times. Thank goodness some good advice and the right treatment and we were away. We breastfed for nearly two whole years before we mutually decided it was time to move on. During that time we took part in university trials and did school demostrations. It was a wonderful time and I truely learnt to trust my body and my baby.

Now with baby number 4 due to arrive a couple of months and with the knowledge and support I have obtained through the years I reckon we could feed for years :) But you know everyday has its challenges but I am open to them and ready to fight them.

I love to breastfeed and I love seeing others do it to. It is such a natural process for me and I feel blessed that I have provided all my children with its love and nourishment.

Fay; mother of the beautiful baby on the cover of Breastfeeders Anonymous!

Thanks Fay for providing your story and your wonderful photo! I wish you well with baby number four and hope you find breastfeeding a thoroughly amazing experience for the both of you!

*LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE CONTEST - see post August 2nd! Tell your friends.*

Bare Breasts and proud of it!

As a romance author I’m used to hearing the occasional wisecrack about heaving bosoms. It goes with the territory of writing terrific sex scenes!

However, after the recent birth of my second child, about the only heaving bosoms for this author are my own!

Once again I’m breastfeeding, the most amazing experience in the world.

I breastfed my first child for 16 months and felt strangely bereft when I finished. Now I’m lucky enough to get another chance at it and I’m savouring every precious moment. When the little darling looks up at me while gently placing an open palm on my breast it’s a wonderful bonding time for us both.

Of course, everyone doesn’t feel the same way considering the odd looks I get when feeding out in public. And what’s even stranger, most of the strange looks come from women! Men don’t seem to blink an eye. Not that you can see much beneath a discreetly draped shawl but for some bizarre reason breastfeeding makes some people uncomfortable.

Personally, I don’t get it.

It’s the most natural thing in the world.
It benefits bub and mum for a multitude of reasons.
It’s easy and convenient.
Quite simply, breastfeeding is the best!

Now, I must run. Baby is screaming for a feed and after that, the heroine in my current novel wants to give me a severe talking-to as the hero I’ve matched her with is ever so slightly fixated on her breasts!!

Nicola

Nicola Marsh is a mother of two beautiful boys and a romance writer for Harlequin Mills & Boon; her current title is Princess Australia.
http://www.nicolamarsh.com/
http://www.nicolamarsh.blogspot.com/

Thanks Nic for taking the time to share your views on breastfeeding!! If anyone out there has a 'tainted' image of M&Bs, believing all sorts of stereotypes then I dare you to open up your horizons, and grab a copy of Nicola's latest book... guaranteed you won't be disappointed.

*** CONTEST: don't forget, you have two more days to comment on my August 2nd post and win a copy of Breastfeedes Anonymous***

Breastfeeding Angels

I began my journey into parenthood in 1998. After an amazing experience of giving birth to our first child, our beautiful son, the time came to breastfeed him. I was very fortunate that I had been exposed to women breastfeeding, in particular one lady who I worked for in her home, and I already knew I would breastfeed my child/ren. There was never any doubt and I assumed I would feed my baby until about 8 months of age and then I would see how we were going.

Within a half an hour of him being born, I put him to my breast as I lay on my side and allowed him to suckle, although he was very sleepy and didn’t work too hard at it. A few hours later, it was dawn and I wanted to feed my baby, so a midwife was sent into my room to ‘help’ me. It was a complete disaster - the midwife took a hold of my baby in one arm and with her other hand she pulled my breast to meet my baby’s face. I was half sitting and very uncomfortable and she continued, with force, to try and make my breast meet my baby’s mouth. He started screaming, I was crying and the midwife got cranky.

Up until that point I had only had wonderful relations with the midwives in the hospital - they were supportive and kind and had allowed me my own space and freedom during labour. I was confused and upset and asked the midwife to leave us and I would try on my own. At this point I was feeling gutted. I really needed some help and support to start this thing called breastfeeding. I lay in that bed, with my baby son tucked in with me, wondering what we were going to do and feeling frightened that my baby would starve if I didn’t feed him soon. Then I heard a quiet knock on the door and a sweet voice saying knock, knock, can I come in?

An angel had arrived.

I learned that this midwife was also a lactation consultant and was actually filling in for another midwife who was ill that day. She sat on the end of the bed and spoke with me about how I was feeling. She asked a few questions about my BF experiences up until then and at that point I cried and told her what had happened. She held my hand and without judgment of the other midwife, told me she would help me. Something that she mentioned during this time became of great importance to me - she was still breastfeeding her 3yo daughter. I was very impressed and right in that moment, I made the decision that I would breastfeed my babies for as long as they would breastfeed.

This lady, my angel, spent about ½ an hour with me, one-on-one, guiding my baby son and myself into the beginning of a beautiful breastfeeding relationship. Twice during that time, the matron poked her head into the room to remind my midwife that she had other mums to see to and she should hurry up. To which my midwife replied, “I will come when I am sure Sally is ready for me to leave her.” Wow-how special did I feel!

I left that hospital confident in the knowledge that I had someone who believed in me and my abilities to breastfeed and I continued to breastfeed my son for another 14 months. I never did recall my angel’s name but I will always remember her kindness and devotion to both me and breastfeeding.

Sally.

Thanks Sal for contributing your inspirational story! I too had a breastfeeding angel who I contribute my success at feeding my first son to... withouth her, I honestly don't think my experience of breastfeeding would have been what it was.

I'd love to hear any other stories of breastfeeding angels... so please feel free to email them to info@breastfeedersanonymous.com or comment on this post!

***CONTEST - see previous blog post! Still running! Winner announced August 6th!***

WIN A COPY OF Breastfeeders Anonymous

One of the most enjoyable things about researching and writing Breastfeeders Anonymous was ‘meeting’ wonderful people and ‘hearing’ their breastfeeding stories – the good, the bad and the downright ugly…

As a result, I’m always interested to hear how people feel about breastfeeding, so I thought that was a great place to kick off my first contest.

To enter the contest to win a copy of Breastfeeders Anonymous answer the question below by posting a comment to this blog post… as you’ll see there’s one question for mums who have breastfed and another for women who are hoping to breastfeed someday.

Question: What do you most enjoy about breastfeeding?
What do you most look forward to about breastfeeding?

I look forward to reading your comments.

The winner will be announced on Monday 6th August – so tell everyone you know to enter.

The photo above is one of the beautiful pics you'll find in the book.