Natural Nursery Blog

breastfeeding calendar

Celebrating the beauty of breastfeeding, babies and family, this full colour calendar takes you through the twelve months of 2010, November/December 2009 and January/February 2011.

With stunning images selected from thousands of submitted photos, the ABA calendar is an easy to use calendar featuring large squares to keep track of family events and important dates.

By purchasing this calendar, you will support the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

Benefits of breastfeeding

Sharon sent us her breastfeeding story and is happy to share it with other nursing mothers.

Choosing to breastfeed my daughter was the best decision I ever made. Knowing that I am giving her exactly what she needs is most satisfying. The benefits of breastfeeding are immense, it is free, it’s all natural. It is just as nature intended. The composition of breast milk changes throughout the feed and as she grows to give her exactly what she needs. If I get ill, my breast milk also contains the antibodies necessary to help her fight the infection.

Among all the benefits of breastfeeding, there is one that the studies will never be able to measure exactly: it’s the close connection between mother and baby. What makes those moments so special, when it is just me and her, and she is looking into my eyes as she feeds away, in those moments the rush of love I feel is immense.

I know that nursing her has helped me develop a close and loving bond with my baby.

I am glad I made this choice, as nothing comes close to those few minutes we get to share every day in each others company.

Breastfeeding Naturally supports nursing mothers

We would like to introduce the latest addition to the Natural Nursery Family, welcome to Breastfeeding Naturally.

We believe that breastfeeding is natural: all you need are breasts, a baby and tremendous support. Nursing mothers sometimes need more help.  Breastfeeding Naturally offers carefully chosen products, breastfeeding information and great customer service.

From breast pumps, to aids for breastfeeding problems, nursing bras and breastfeeding pillows. We also stock easy to use baby slings. If someone else needs to feed your baby and you’re worried about nipple confusion, we stock feeders and feeding cups. We strongly believe that the benefits of breastfeeding are immense. Mums should be free to breast feed as long as they want, even after going back to work. We hope that you will find everything you need for successful breastfeeding (and stay comfortable too!)

You will also find information, breastfeeding tips and babywearing advice. Read other nursing mothers’ stories, including mums of twins or preemies. You will see that there is one theme that comes back over and over throughout the stories is how trying breastfeeding can be at times. It takes determination, knowledge and support. Prepare while you’re pregnant and tell your breastfeeding friends over and over: in many cases, it doesn’t have to be as hard. Get some help early on. Visit your local breastfeeding support groups, make a note of all the breastfeeding helplines that you can call for advice, support and to talk to another mum who is trained but has also been there.

Breastfeeding Naturally is a family-run business based in Exeter. Founded by Arabella Greatorex who breastfed her daughter and experienced breastfeeding problems at first, it aims to bring support to nursing mothers. It complies with the WHO International Code of Marketing for Breast Milk Substitutes.

Don’t hesitate to contact us, we are here to help.

breastfeeding

Help other mums breastfeed their babies and win a £100 gift voucher! We all take comfort in support from mums around us and knowing that other women have been there before us can make a big difference. Tell us your breastfeeding story and share it with other mums. If you can, send us a photo as well.

We look forward to sharing your experiences. Whether you found it easy or struggled, whether you stayed at home or went back to work and continued breastfeeding, whether you had support from your partner, travelled a lot, had older children to keep happy, breastfed your toddler… Share your stories.

Your breastfeeding stories will be published on our new website Breastfeeding Naturally. Breastfeeding Naturally will launch in a few weeks, bringing mums in the UK everything they need to breastfeed their babies successfully.

Send your stories to competition@naturalnursery.co.uk before November 7th. The winner will be drawn at random among the entries. To be entered, stories will be 150 words minimum and include a note to say you agree to see your story (and photo if applicable) published.

The Mother Magazine

I discovered The Mother magazine after my little girl was born and read it cover to cover without stopping. I was amazed by the thought-provoking views on pregnancy, birthing, breastfeeding, education, home-education, vaccination…

In a world where so many things make us doubt our skills as mothers and parents, where we are supposed to listen to so-called experts, supported by studies which often contradict each other, The Mother magazine brings a refreshing view: trust your instinct as a woman, as a mother, as a parent… Trust that we can follow our instinct to birth our children freely, to breastfeed them as long as they need it, that home education is a real option, that natural parenting and organic living aren’t just dreams …

Each editorial, article, story, recipe pushed me to challenge my preconceived ideas, to think things through for my children and my family. I don’t live by everything the Mother Magazine advocates. My children were born at home and breastfed until they gave up when they were ready, they were carried about in baby slings. Now they are in school, we aren’t vegetarians but what I love about The Mother magazine is being challenged to think more about our choices and to know that there are alternatives that I might want to explore at some point.

The Mother Magazine is in danger of closing, get your subscription now! If you are a business, consider advertising as well, their readers are loyal customers.

LatchAssist for Flat Nipples

Breastfeeding is the best start in life for your baby but sometimes it can be hard to achieve a good latch if you are suffering from flat nipples or engorged breasts.

Both these are temporary conditions but can prevent you from breastfeeding comfortably.

Luckily, Lansinoh have launched the LatchAssist to help.  The LatchAssist gently draws out the nipple, allowing your baby to correctly postion the nipple in their mouth, helping to create a good latch.

The LatchAssist has received very positive feedback from midwives and costs £7.95 from The Natural Nursery.

Luckily, most mothers don’t need to use nipple shields as they and their baby take to breastfeeding naturally.

For some mothers, however, nipple shields are a vital, if temporary, item to help them establish successful breastfeeding.

Nipple shields are used for protection if the nipple becomes sore or cracked.  They slip on over the nipple and the baby sucks through them.  As there is no direct contact between the nipple and the baby’s mouth, this can be less painful for the mother.

It is most important to realise that sore or cracked nipples are NOT the norm and are usually the result of a poor latch so it is vital that the mother receives support from a breastfeeding support worker, midwife or health visitor.  The aim is always to move to breastfeeding without nipple shields as quickly as possible.

I have only just come across the amazing Kate Evans – why didn’t someone tell me about her work sooner?

She has just published a new book call The Food of Love, featuring cartoons on the subjects of breastfeeding, co-sleeping and The Mama Sutra – weird and wonderful breastfeeding positions.

This book will make a wonderful gift for new mothers and will entertain partners and friends too.  You can see previews of the book on Kate’s website at http://www.thefoodoflove.org/index.htm

One the funniest things that Ihave read in ages……

Definately worth a read http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=76332127980&h=LTNzw&u=mbPp8