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You are here: Home / Archives for nursing

Breastfeeding Take Two

February 24, 2014 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 1 Comment

I remember when I was preparing to breastfeed for the first time I kind of expected it to be easy. I soon found out it wasn’t and this time I went into it fully expecting it to be difficult and to have to fight to get her to feed at all – after all it took Izzy 5 days to latch on and she was never easy to feed.

Chloe latched on within minutes of being born. She seemed to instantly love it and it was more of a fight to get her off than on.

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Because of how easy and naturally she fed straightaway I thought wahey this is going to be a breeze but of course it isn’t.

Breastfeeding is rarely easy. Cheaper? Yes. Less hassle than bottles? Yes for the most part. But easy? No.

Lets start with the ouch factor. Yes it really really hurts sometimes. Most feeds are fine but when you have days and nights of cluster feeding every latch will make your toes curl. Don’t get me started on the teething.

Mastitis? This is common in breastfeeding mums and I’ve had it three times this time around. It’s painful and in most circumstances you will need antibiotics to clear it. It doesn’t just hurt your boobs it makes you feel like absolute rubbish. You feel like you have flu at the same time as having incredibly painful nipples and the way to help it the most is to feed..arrrrhhhh. You will feel like giving up.

Being tied to your baby. If you choose to exclusively breastfeed you can’t really do anything without your baby for at least the first 6 months. Unless you express (which takes time and effort) and your baby will accept a bottle.

The weight loss. Initially your breastfeeding will help you to lose your baby weight. It uses up around 500 calories a day and it helps your uterus contract back to its normal size so your bump will shrink a lot quicker. BUT your body is designed to hold onto fat stores to produce the milk so until your baby starts on solids and feeds less or your wean off the breast you may find that the final stone is the hardest one to shift.

So why do we do it? Because in spite of all the negatives the positive aspects are incredible. You will look back on the times that you spent feeding as incredibly special moments. When your baby stops feeding midway just to smile up at you the feeling makes your heart melt. As do the swollen cheek, slightly milk drunk faces they have afterwards.

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You can dash out of the house with just nappies, wipes and spare clothes without worrying about a flask of water or sterile bottles and it saves you a fortune. The health benefits for both you and your baby are massive.

When I fed Izzy I found it awkward at times and always worried about being hidden. This time I feed anywhere, I am mostly covered up with a muslin or nursing shawl but we have fed everywhere. In restaurants, while shopping, on the bus, on the train, at the beach – even at a Christmas parade.

And yes being unable to book a haircut in case your baby can’t last that length of time or not being able to drink more than one glass of wine is a pain but its really not for a long time. In fact it goes by in the blink of an eye.

You could say I’m pro breastfeeding and I’d agree – this doesn’t make me anti formula.

Choose what suits you. Forcing yourself to breastfeed won’t make you or your child any happier. If you choose to do it then great but if you don’t then that’s great too. The best way to feed your baby is your way. Breastfeeding is my way but I’m realistic enough to know it may not be for 2 whole years. I’d like it to be but if I choose to stop at anytime I’m not going to feel guilty for that. I will however be forever glad for this time that I have done it. Every week is a bonus in my eyes. We are 13 weeks in and I don’t see us stopping anytime soon. I do plan to start expressing regularly so that if I need an hour or two away from home that will be ok. More on my expressing journey to come.

What was your experience of breastfeeding? Did you enjoy it?

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Filed Under: Breastfeeding, Parenting/baby, Uncategorized · Tagged: breastfeeding, latch, mastitis, newborn, nursing, second time

Sumptuous Style from Seraphine – Nursing Shawl Review

January 18, 2014 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

Some nursing products are practical, others are pretty but it’s rare to get both and add to that a drop of luxury.

Seraphine have managed it with their truly gorgeous nursing shawl:

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I used this so much in my last month of pregnancy when it started to get cold and none of my coats fit around my enormous bump and it was just so comfortable, soft against my skin whilst somehow managing to make me feel stylish at a time when I felt a bit like a beached whale.

I took it into hospital with me and I wore it on our journey home, it makes discreet breastfeeding so simple whilst being incredibly gentle on my baby’s soft face. She loves to cwtch (welsh word which more or less means to snuggle or cuddle up) up in it after a feed and I’ve used it as an extra blanket when out and about.

It’s so versatile that I would recommend it to every pregnant or breastfeeding mama.

Seraphine have also recently launched an online video guide to nursing clothes which is really helpful for new mums who are unsure about what to buy. You can see the video here

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* I received this item free of charge for review purposes.

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Filed Under: Breastfeeding, Parenting/baby, Pregnancy · Tagged: breastfeeding, discreet, maternity, nursing, Nursing shawl, Seraphine

Little Bird Told Me – Nursing cushion review

December 17, 2013 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

After I had Izzy I used a breastfeeding cushion but it wasn’t particularly great and ended up being used more as a neck support for me while reading in bed! This time around I was offered a nursing cushion from Little Bird Told Me which also doubles up a prop for tummy time for the baby.

When it arrived just before I gave birth I was really impressed with the quality and style of the product. Since giving birth I have used it for hours every day – saving my poor arms from anymore strain, it holds Chloe in just the right position for feeding and we have also begun using it for tummy time which she loves.

The cover is machine washable and yes we have already had to wash it a few times ( milky vomit ) and it still looks great and more importantly is easy to put back on the cushion.

It comes with two cute toys attached:

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Izzy instantly removed these to play with but I will try to steal them back at some point.

Chilling out having some tummy time..

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And just relaxing after a feed..

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At the moment she prefers to lean on the lovely fluffy side – who can blame her?

I can see us getting a lot more use out of this item so definitely an essential purchase for anyone expecting a baby..even if you aren’t planning to breastfeed I imagine it would help with bottle feeding too.

Lots of gorgeous items on the Little Bird Told Me website including the most beautiful rocking horses. Worth a browse!

* I was sent this item for free in exchange for a review.

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Filed Under: Parenting/baby · Tagged: breastfeeding, Little bird told me, nursing, tummy time

Envie De Fraises Maternity and Nursing Wear – Review

December 13, 2013 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 5 Comments

In the final month of my pregnancy I was contacted by a maternity and nursing brand called Envie De Fraises – I hadn’t heard of the brand before and immediately had a nose at their site – worth a look if you are pregnant, nursing or planning to be as they have some really lovely pieces. They are a leading French maternity brand who have just launched in the UK. I was asked if I would like to review a few items from the site ( of course I said yes) and this is what I chose:

3 piece nursing/maternity essentials

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Pregnancy and Nursing wrap top

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And this Wrap over dress:

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The items were sent to me promptly and I was really impressed by the quality of the clothing. My immediate favourites were the 3 piece loungewear set. I planned to keep this until the baby arrived but ended up using it in the week prior as I was desperate for comfortable clothing especially in the days prior to the birth in hospital. It was also what I dressed in immediately after giving birth:

Chloe loved being tucked up against my skin for the journey from the labour ward to the postnatal ward:

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I love that it looks a little more stylish than plain pjs and that there is nothing that could irritate a newbies sensitive skin – no buttons, catches or zips.

The pregnancy and nursing wrap top has been worn to death. It’s been washed at least 10 times already and still is in great shape and colour. It’s so useful for feeding but still looks smart enough to wear out and about.

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I am hoping to wear the dress to some Christmas events as its a lovely wintery colour and it will make it easy to nurse Chloe.

I’ve been really impressed with all three items and would definitely recommend the brand. I can see me purchasing some more nursing tops over the coming months.

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Filed Under: Parenting/baby, Pregnancy, Reviews · Tagged: dress, loungewear, maternity, nursing, pyjamas, top

Newborn essentials

November 14, 2013 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

In the first few weeks of having a newborn life is kind of a haze. Nothing can really prepare you for it. The combined pressures of being responsible for this tiny human and feeling more tired than you have ever felt in your life. There were a few things that really helped us in that stage last time and this time around I’ve also found some new products which I think will be a massive support to us at this time.

Swaddles/swaddle muslins – Swaddling is all over the news at the moment and a lot of people are avoiding it due to worries about hip problems. I believe if you swaddle safely there isn’t any risk. Always allow for some movement in hip and leg. There are lots of useful videos and tips to show you how to swaddle correctly. We have been sent some gorgeous Cozio swaddling muslins from Faye and Lou and we are really looking forwards to using them. Swaddling saved our sanity last time.

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Sensor Monitor
– I know Sensor Monitors aren’t for everyone but I think it really helped ease our worries with our first and I know we will want to use one again. We are currently using a Tommee Tippee monitor which is amazing!

Snuggles/comforter etc – I didn’t really appreciate how useful a comforter/snuggly toy was until Izzy was about 6 months old. For Izzy we use a pink square of fleece with a small teddy attached from one of the main supermarkets. We have about 5 and I rotate them so they don’t get too grubby, they were only £4 each and they are still a sleep cue for her. As soon as she sees it at naptime or night time she rubs it on her face and starts to wind down. We haven’t chosen one for the new baby yet but I intend to use it earlier and definitely always buy back ups!

Nursing pillow – My Theraline pillow has been amazing throughout my pregnancy and I’m looking forward to using it for nursing too. I’m planning to keep this upstairs for nighttime feeds and then use a 3 in 1 nursing cushion from Little Bird Told Me as I can also use that for tummy time with the baby.


Musical toy/white noise
– we used a Fisher Price soothe and glow seahorse with Izzy, placing it just under her Moses basket and pressing it when she tried during the night.. We also played white noise videos from YouTube when she was particularly unsettled via our phones. We did contemplate a white noise machine but we found they were a little expensive. Hoping to use Izzys seahorse again this time and just giving it a good wash now.

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Muslins – You will need a lot of muslins. They really are so handy for mopping up milky spit up or draping over your shoulder for winding. We have some leftover from last time, some really pretty ones from Faye and Lou which we will use for days out and some cheap new ones from Aldi.

Vests – Lots of vests. On days when there are poo explosions..and there will be many you will need so many vests.

Sleepsuits – As above.

Sleeping bags – We didn’t use these at newborn as we swaddled but as soon as Izzy outgrew the swaddle we used Gro Bags or similar ones from our favourite shops.

Cellular blankets
– handy for when you need an extra layer on your baby but they can still breathe through the blanket due to the little holes.

Buggy – we are going to be using a Jane Trider, we are lucky enough to act as ambassadors for Jane. A really fantastic brand with safe, luxurious products.

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Car seat – we have our old car seat from when we had Izzy but I am getting more and more swayed by the idea of getting this one:

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Jane Matrix Light 2
Along with a recent Mother and Baby nomination, the system has won a raft of prestigious industry awards. Its patented Isofix system, which is a world first, means that it is extremely safe and parents can lock and unlock it with just one movement. It’s the healthiest way for a baby to travel – especially on long journeys.

Sling– I am determined to make more use of slings/carriers this time around. We have a gorgeous sling from Mamaway UK which I am really excited to use. Click here to take a look.

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Transitional clothes
– I remember a few weeks after Izzy was born eagerly trying to slip into a pair of my pre baby jeans – it didn’t happen and just made me rather depressed. This time around I’m being more realistic. It takes a while for the baby weight to go and I’m not going to worry over it. I have some gorgeous maternity/nursing clothes which I’m going to wear – in particular these jeans from Mamaway UK:

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Sorry for the terrible pic but they are supremely comfortable and you can buy them here

They are designed to be worn both during pregnancy and post natal so don’t feel bad about still being in maternity jeans.

I also have a beautiful pair of bamboo lounge pyjamas from Seraphine along with a gorgeous grey nursing shawl which I have already worn about a million times.

I’ve also got some bits which I’m saving specifically for when baby arrives including this lovely 3 piece set from Envie de Fraises which looks so comfy but also more stylish than a simple leggings and tee.

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A snack box/table:

If you plan to breastfeed (or even if you don’t ;-)) you will need snack supplies.. You can get really hungry and thirsty while breast feeding so be prepared before you start. A funky water bottle would be a good purchase and some appealing snacks. I used to find that I found the first morning feeds the hardest as my body was crying out for calories so starting keeping snacks upstairs too.

Breastpads/sanitary towels:

You will need a LOT more of these than you think. When your milk first comes in your cup literally runneth over and breastpads were for me an essential. Likewise for maternity or sanitary pads – you bleed a lot after a vaginal delivery for a few weeks.

iPad/kindle/books – sometimes you can be feeding for a long time and I found having something to read or watch was a nice way for some me time. Maybe buy some new books or get a Netflix subscription for your tablet?

Luxury bath products and lavender oil:

A few drops of lavender oil in your bath can help with healing of stitches and is also relaxing and smells good. Bath time was MY time when I had a newborn and I think you really need it. Treat yourself to some lovely bath bits. I had a gorgeous Laura Ashley gift set from my family at my (kinda) baby shower meal so I look forward to indulging.

Those are my newborn essentials.. What are yours?

I’m sure I’m forgetting some things so expect this to be updated again soon!

* please note some products in this list were received for free in exchange for a review.

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Filed Under: Parenting/baby, Pregnancy · Tagged: feeding, Newborn baby essentials, nursing, Pregnant, products

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