One Stop For Breastfeeding...

Hi, I’m Frances, the founder and manager of Breastmates. My business is an online store that focuses on breastfeeding products – to make life a little more comfortable for new mums. I have a huge range of “booby products” available, many of which are new and exclusive, modern products to aid a mother's breastfeeding time. Plus I have the gorgeous HOTmilk bras which are a fabulous way for mums to feel sexy and glamorous again while also breastfeeding. (Has it really taken this long for such a product to be designed?!!)

I created this business when I developed reusable wool and hemp breast pads. This product came about because I wanted to use natural products, but also ones that were affordable. When I couldn’t find what I was looking for, I created my own (with a lot of development, engineering and testing along the way). These pads have fantastic natural healing properties, absorb leaks, are easy to care for, etc etc.

The breast pads were the start, and I now have over 40 different products. I decided to make this a specialty breastfeeding store after receiving so much BAD advice from baby shops – one particular experience stands out, when I was served by a bored teenager who really had no idea what I wanted. But now after 2.5 years I am in a position where I can run this from home, I learn about all the products that I sell (and use them) so that I can give independent and informed advice to mothers that need some help. I am also working on loads of PR campaigns and am proud to be promoting breastfeeding in a positive and modern way, for today’s women.

I never envisaged that I would create a breastfeeding business, and that my life would take this path, but it works for me and I LOVE it. I was lucky that I was able to breastfeed my son. It was a bit of learning curve in those first two weeks, but after that it was a dream. I loved just talking those quiet minutes to sit and watch him, and count all his eyelashes!

Thanks Frances for taking the time to tell us about your unique business. It's great to hear that you're working to support breastfeeders and promote it to the general public. To visit France's great store go to http://www.breastmates.co.nz/

Lactivism

My daughters face remains the same

as the day she was born

She is larger,

Hairier,

Longer limbed.

But when she is sleeping, her mouth still suckles,

lips and tongue dreaming of my breast.

When I look at her

I am back there

The smell of hospital, of that day, that week,

When we met.

That precious babyhood.

Already faded and Elusive.

I find it hiding in my daughters face.

Meme.

This gorgeous poem was inspired by the breastfeeding experience of Meme, the mother of three girls, all of whom she breastfed for at least three years (number three is still going). Meme joined the Australian Breastfeeding Association around the time she was pregnant with herfirst baby and simply never stopped going to their group meetings. She is active in her group now, giving as much back to the association, as what she feels they gave to her.

Meme became passionate about breastfeeding as an issue while her first daughter was a baby, when she read the classic book 'The Politics of Breastfeeding' and now considers herself a luscious lactavist.

Thanks Meme for sharing your beautiful poem with us. Breastfeeding has inspired so many good things in so many people... this month I have more artists sharing their breastfeeding inspired work, so keep checking back!

If you consider yourself a lactivist, please comment in the comments section on this post! I'd love to hear about any acts of lactivism you've been involved in.

Don't forget, if you've got a poem, story, photo or work of art to share, simply email me.

The photos on this page are photos from the book!

Even Royalty Breastfeeds...

Yes, yes, I have a winner… but before we get to that, just wanted to share with you my thoughts on where I see this blog going and hopefully hear back from you with any other ideas.

I’d like to make this site:

*A Celebration of breastfeeding – sharing of photos, stories, good news.

*A Place to keep up to date on new breastfeeding products – books, pillows, nursing clothes, etc.

*A Place to find out about all things breastfeeding – mums send in their breastfeeding questions, and I’ll find an expert to answer them (or do my best too). For example, I’m currently on the hunt for information about how breastfeeding affects the shape and feel of ones breasts and whether women who are breastfeeding can still do efficient self-breast examinations. I’m currently talking to a doctor about this and hope to have a post in the next month.

If any of you have any other questions (however weird or wacky) about breastfeeding, please email them to info@breastfeedersanonymous.com and I’ll do my best to find an answer.

This list is continually evolving and I’d really like to hear from you about how I can make Breastfeeders Anonymous Online more friendly and helpful to all of you. Any ideas, please comment on this post or email me.

And while I’m on the call, I’m looking for photos and stories of people’s breastfeeding experiences to feature over the next few months. If you’d like to be a guest blogger on this site, please email me. You can tell your breastfeeding story or talk about anything breastfeeding related! If you are the creator of a breastfeeding product, I'd also love to hear from you.

Now for what you’re all waiting for…

A winner.

I have to say trawling through the sites posted for this contest was a lot of fun!! And so great to see so many high profile people breastfeeding. I've posted a couple of the pics that people sent me and I'm sure you'll agree they all make ya wanna go ''Ahhhhhh.'' I wanted to give everyone who made the effort to enter a book because you all came up with so much, but alas, I can’t afford to do that… so as promised… Hamish picked a winner from a hat…

Congratulations to Jacqui - please email me your details and I'll pop the book in the post!

Super Boobies

I have to apologise to all those unfortunate people that were in my line of fire when I was breastfeeding. Frequently it was my hubby, on one memorable occasion my mother-in-law and even more unforgettable was the group of young men at a shopping centre eating their lunch.
Oh yes.

You see I had an oversupply of milk combined with a let-down that had both my babies gagging and if left un-controlled could easily travel meters. Yup metres. We have the marks on the wall to prove it! It makes me grin now to remember it, but at the time it was the bane of my life. Endlessly leaky boobs. I single-handedly kept breast pad companies in business for the six months I breastfed each of my children. Out in public was probably the worst, I just had to hear a child, any small child would do, my boobs are not fussy, and off they’d go. Milk everywhere. But at night it was difficult too, I could only sleep on my back, and had to have several towels under the sheet and on top of the mattress protector.

Several of my friends have struggled with the heartbreak of no milk, and, ironically, my sister is dealing with it at the moment. I thank goodness that I was never in that situation. My friends joke that I could easily have been the local nursemaid and fed all the kids, and to be honest I wouldn’t have minded. Having too much milk was difficult and uncomfortable, but at the end of the day I had an abundance of milk for my babies, which was a blessing – albeit in disguise!

Because I was dealing with constantly engorged breasts and blocked ducts I overlooked a lump in my breast. I decided that I had a permanently blocked duct and thought no more about it, there’s no breast cancer in my family and I have to say the idea that it was something sinister simply didn’t occur to me. Until earlier this year, six months after weaning my youngest daughter, I mentioned to my husband that I still had the lump. He just stared at me. “You have a lump and you didn’t get it checked?” At that moment I realised how stupid I’d been.

An hour later I was sitting in the doctor’s office, and when I said that I’d been aware of the lump for nearly three years he just gave me the same shocked stare that my husband had. I had a mammogram and ultrasound the next day, and was instantly given the news that there was nothing to worry about. I have to say that I cried at that point.

I’d also like to say that mammogram DID NOT HURT. Just felt more like a pinch on my rib cage, wasn’t even really uncomfortable. I’d always been terrified of mammograms, all anyone could ever tell me was that they hurt. Well they don’t. Just to be sure they did a needle biopsy the following week – that also wasn’t even nearly as painful as I’d have thought and the following day the news came from specialist that I had the all clear. He rang me himself. “I have to tell two women today that they have breast cancer,” he said. “And I just wanted to call and give someone some good news.”

Caitlyn Nicholas; mum and author (http://www.caitlynnicholas.com/) Her latest release is Running Scared.

Thanks Caitlyn for your story about having an abundance of milk... so often do people talk about apparent insufficient milk supply that we sometimes forget that having too much milk can be a big problem also! I have some interesting leaking/squirting stories myself.

Would love to hear from anyone out there about their oversupply stories/issues... please comment!

*Also don't forget the second contest to win a copy of Breastfeeders Anonymous is still running! See post of a few days ago...

Easy feeding...

Hi everyone, my name is Bree Tinecheff and I'm the Director of Easy Feed Pty Ltd & The Breastfeeding Blanket™ Pty Ltd.

Breastfeeding my first two children was one of the most satisfying and rewarding things I have ever done. However, I found that in certain situations, breastfeeding in public was not always easy. Initially, I felt uncomfortable breastfeeding in public. I wasn’t coordinated at all and did have some discomfort breastfeeding; initially learning how to attach my baby properly to the breast. Nevertheless, I was certain from the start that I was definitely going to breastfeed my babies because of the benefits to their health and development.

In public, although feeding rooms were usually a common facility, I did not find them convenient or desirable. I personally felt very lonely sitting in a feeding room with my new baby for at least an hour by myself. Because of these feelings, I manufactured a wrap which I used to breastfeed in public. The wrap was the best tool during my nursing period and allowed me to incorporate breastfeeding into my lifestyle.

I was so passionate about assisting other women, confronted with these same obstacles, that I refined my wrap and invented what I now call EasyFeed - The Breastfeeding Blanket. Nearly a mother of three, I have put my heart and soul into The Breastfeeding Blanket and therefore helping other women to breastfeed confidently and comfortably. I hope that, through my product, many breastfeeding Mum’s may enjoy the experience and bonding time as much as I have.

Bree (Bree is a mum of two, with another one on the way; she is also an inventor; http://www.easyfeed.com.au/).

Thanks Bree for sharing your story.

If you haven't seen the Easy Feed, check out the pics on this post- it's fantastic for those a little shy of feeding in public and it looks so luxurious. The EasyFeed Breastfeeding Blanket wraps around the feeding mother, covering the breast, stomach and back area that are usually exposed while feeding. It's the only blanket in world to cover the entire upper torso (including the breast, back and stomach) whilst simultaneously allowing eye contact to be maintained whilst feeding your baby.

Speaking of feeding in public, I'd love to hear from any readers about any aspect of feeding in public... so comment away!

*Contest 2 - don't forget I'm running another contest to win a copy of Breastfeeders Anonymous. See post below for details...

WIN A BOOK Take 2!

The response to my first contest to WIN A BOOK was amazing and I’d like to thank all who entered. To continue the launch celebrations, I’m running a second contest to win another copy of Breastfeeders Anonymous.

I ummed and ahhed for ages about a question, because I wanted another one that both pregnant women and those already mums could answer, so in the end, I decided to go for a fun one… but I’m afraid it might take a little effort.

Breastfeeders Anonymous was HUGE when I first wrote it and gathered all the compilations – came in at about 500 pages, which was just way TOO LONG for a book of this sort. So, unfortunately I had to cut some of the chapters. One of those that got the old HEAVE HO was ‘Celebrity Milk Machines,’ so I decided to give that chapter it’s fame today. Below is the discarded chapter on breastfeeding celebrities (well part of it).

And how is it related to the contest??? Well, I challenge you lot to find a celebrity who isn’t on here that breastfed or was breastfed as a baby. Leave their name in the comments section and if possible, leave a link to the proof (i.e. where you found out the info).

CELEBRITY MILK MACHINES
It’s sometimes hard to believe that celebrities are actually normal people, especially celebrity mums. Without doubt, a few months or even weeks after the initial piccie in glossy magazines of mum and baby, there are shocking and depressing photos of said celebrity mum’s post-baby body. Usually she’s far thinner than she was before she popped out the baby. Perhaps it’s these images that lead us to the assumption that most celebrity mums bottle feed – I mean how can they produce milk when they haven’t an ounce of fat on their skeletons? I know I myself never pictured Pamela Anderson with a baby attached to her humungous bosom, but my assumption was wrong. Pamela Anderson, along with many famous mummies, breastfed her children. Here’s a list of other celebrities who publicly admitted to breastfeeding their babies:

Tori Amos
Christie Brinkley
Hilary Clinton
Cindy Crawford
Celine Dion
Gloria Estevan
Jodie Foster
Jennie Garth
Jerry Hall
Faith Hill
Madonna
Joan Lunden
Andie McDowell
Elle McPherson
Demi Moore
Sarah Jessica Parker
Jane Seymour
Kelly Preston
Jada Pinkett Smith
Meryl Streep
Uma Thurman
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Roseanne
Princess Diana
Queen Elizabeth 2nd
Princess Mary
Bec Hewitt (nee Cartright)
And lots, lots more.

Celebrities that were breastfed:
· All the members of The Hanson’s band.
· Michael Jordan

I’ll announce the winner on August 19th and it’ll be a lucky dip – I’ll put all entrants name’s into a hat and get my son to pick a winner!

She Says...

Decision making comes with being a parent. However, choosing the best for your new baby—during the fog of those early days as a new Mum—can be hard. I knew I’d breastfeed my baby; I hadn’t really considered there was another option. Sure I’d seen Mums offer their newborn a bottle. But it was with a judgemental heart that I internally questioned why they would deny their precious baby natures milk.

One decision I did make (prior to pregnancy/baby brain) was to keep a journal. It’s encouraging to see all the choices I’ve had to make, and those that I seemed to have little control over.

Breastfeeding, for me, can be described as a rocky road; I travelled it, I enjoyed parts of the journey, but it was mostly very hard work.

My early preparations included attending a pre-birth breastfeeding class at my hospital, buying an appropriate feeding chair and wearing maternity bras. Things started reasonably well; good attachment and a sucking baby. Fast forward three months, and I’m giving my daughter her first bottle of supplemented formulae.

What went wrong? Sometimes I ask myself that. But here’s were the journal helps. The lovely nurse at Ngala had recommended I write down my reasons for giving her the bottle. One decision I did make was not to give up too easily. When the concern over my young daughters declining weight was raised, I tried more feeds, longer feeds, expressing to increase supply, then medication…

I got hold of an electric breast pump; dream fed her, offered her extra milk I expressed before going to bed, while reading every piece of available literature I could get my hands on. Over the three months I visited my GP, health nurse, lactation consultant, KEMH, joined the Australian Breastfeeding Association and took part in a UWA breastfeeding study (where samples are taken to test quality and quantity of milk). While other babies were sucking contently, mine was squirming and pounding at the breast. Her sucking was getting lighter and my supply dwindling.

On her 3 month birthday I drove to the paediatrician, determined to act on whatever advice he said. My head was swimming with recommendations, but his was a simple instruction. “You have to supplement now, her weight is just too low.” I now had peace in my decision to offer her a bottle.

But what went wrong? Well, I have questioned whether it’s related to her emergency caesarean, whether she was just a light sucker (despite a good attachment), whether giving her an expressed bottle got her used to the fast flow, whether she was just too tired to eat, whether my milk was poor quality or if I was too active to have repeated let-downs…

I had tried. I have since felt the stares of breastfeeding mothers as I’ve offered her a bottle; but I know I did my best.

Amanda (Amanda is a mother, journalist, photographer and author. Her new release She Says will be out soon, for more information see her website).

She Says is not a parenting manual of do’s and don’ts or a formula to follow. Rather, it is twenty-two conversations with real mothers. If we listen, we’ll glean wisdom from each of their lives and the journeys they’ve travelled. She Says come from those who aren’t nnormally given a stage to share their wisdom.

Thanks Amanda, it is sad to hear your journey of breastfeeding your daughter wasn't a positive one. I hope that if you have more children and want to breastfeed, you have a more fulfilling experience.