With Memorial Day coming up I know many of us are spending more time thinking about the amazing job our US Military does for us and feeling grateful for their service. I recently read this article about Breastfeeding in the Military. I was SHOCKED with what I read. Some military members thought breastfeeding in uniform was "against military etiquette and discipline"! Now, I was a military mom who did breastfeed for a year while I served in the National Guard. I never had to do it in public as I was not deployed during my breastfeeding time BUT it made me remember the great lengths my husband and I went to in order to be discreet; which meant breastfeeding in our car on my lunch breaks and pumping in the bathroom! I think this article is well written so I just had to share! Thoughts??? Any other military moms out there?

Fathers and breastfeeding

I came across this article today and found it quite interesting. Not because of the results their research found but because I was a bit surprised at how they conducted their survey. I have to agree that a father has influence over a mother's decision to initiate and/or sustain breastfeeding. I myself turned to my husband when breastfeeding was not going as easily as I had hoped.

I also agree that "Working with the couple rather than simply with the mother in breastfeeding education is important." It should not surprise me that we have such low breastfeeding rates here in the U.S. compared to other countries because we do not have a great program that does this.

So, this article from the Fatherhood institute (based out of UK I believe) sites research that was conducted by giving fathers extensive classes on breastfeeding (see specifics below). This surprised me initially as I question how many fathers would really participate. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they taught fathers how to prevent and manage the most common lactation difficulties! I think the idea is great though and hope this helps boost breastfeeding success rates. What do you think?? Was your husband a factor in your breastfeeding journey?
Check out some of their results:
• A randomized controlled trial of a two-hour pre-natal intervention with fathers consisting of infant care information as well as encouragement for fathers to advocate for breastfeeding and assist their partner, resulted in 74% v. 41% breastfeeding initiation among women whose partners had attended the class, in comparison with the controls (Wolfberg et al, 2004)

• In Italy Piscane et al (2005) found that teaching fathers how to prevent and manage the most common lactation difficulties had a marked, positive impact on breastfeeding continuation. Only 15% of mothers whose partners had been simply told about the benefits of breastfeeding were still breastfeeding at six months; but when the men were individually coached for just 40 minutes on managing common problems (such as pain and discomfort, fear that baby isn’t ‘getting enough’ and breastfeeding-issues when mum returns to work) the percentage of mothers still breastfeeding at six months was 25%. The impact was particularly strong among women who had reported difficulties with lactation (4.5% v. 24%).

• An established workplace intervention in the US offers fathers either two 45-minute group classes (which include observing positioning and attachment) or a one-hour, one-on-one coaching session (which includes use and care of a breast pump). A book on breastfeeding and other ‘take away’ handouts are supplied. The fathers are also invited to attend a men-only fathering session as part of an ante-natal course for couples. All the interventions result in higher-than-average breastfeeding rates, with the outcomes from the fathering session the most impressive. When fathers had attended the fathering session as well as the breastfeeding instruction,, 69% of the mothers were still breastfeeding at six months post partum,compared with a national average of 21% (Cohen et al, 2002).


Read the full article here: http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/2007/fatherhood-institute-research-summary-fathers-and-breastfeeding/

Treat yourself and boost your milk at the same time!

I just discovered these lactation cookies and they sound delicious! These also make great gifts for those who recently brought home their babe. One tip I read though that may help is to stick with the Brewers yeast. Bakers yeast is great for breads, etc. Brewer’s Yeast has been proven to increase lactation (that’s why some older gen’s mention BFing Mama’s having a beer once in a while. Because it contains Brewers yeast with increases milk production. I don’t not know if Baker’s yeast does the same. But they are completely different kinds of yeast).
Let me know if you make them (and if they are as delicious as they sound)!
Thank you leakyboob!
http://theleakyboob.com/2010/04/lactation-cookies-recipe-2/

Hello Ladies! I recently discovered this amazing breastfeeding product called Pump-a-Pair. It allows you to turn any nursing bra into a hands-free pumping bra so you can multi-task while you pump! Brilliant, huh?! Can it get even better you are asking? Yes, it can. Bonus-it is VERY affordable! Well, Pump-a-Pair and Nizo Wear have decided to raffle off a nursing bra and Pump-a-Pair set to one lucky winner. Enter here to win!

Pump-a-Pair also puts out a monthly newsletter and I am loving the Be Mine card in this one. Check out! here:

Two amazing product giveaways...

I love to support fellow small businesses as I know many of you do. So I thought I would share these two great products and the chance for you to win one!



Dont miss out on entering to win these two great products. Enter here.

Also, you can read about the wonderful inventors behind the products here(Jennifer Watkins Namazi and Dinah Madison Vogel).

Nicole

Every had a mommy brain moment? Check out these:

I love this article I just read. It made me laugh out loud so I thought I would share. Gotta love mommy brain :)


Speaking of mommy brain, a great Madisonian by the name of Shannon Payette Seip wrote a very funny book on this very topic called Momnesia! It is definitely worth the read and makes a great gift to a new mom! In the mean time, I hope this makes you laugh as well....

Runny nose problem solved!

I just discovered a new great must-have product for all you parents out there. It is called Sniffle Buddies. Are you tired of chasing after your child to blow their nose just to have them beat you to it by dragging it across their sleeve?? Well, Sniffle Buddies is the perfect product for you!

I actually think this product is brilliant because it will work for just about anyone. For anyone from my dad while doing yard work to myself while braving those blistery Wisconsin winters as I am traipsing around the dog park! Perfect for any runny nose season! Check them out.

Best,

Nicole
Nizo Wear Nursing Bras

picture taken from sniffle buddies website