Preggie Pals

breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Twins: Scheduling and Positioning

Episode 53 | May 10th, 2013

Breastfeeding twins can be overwhelming, but with a little planning and some great props, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish. What are some great positions to try with your newborns and how can these positions evolve over time? What about tandem nursing and the challenges of latching and nursing two babies at the same time? Plus, the pros and cons of keeping your babies on a feeding schedule. Listen for our interview with Sandy Clark, creator of the Double Blessings Twin Nursing Pillow! Enter promo code “SAVE15″ and get $15 off any product on their website. (more…)

Breastfeeding After Sexual Abuse

May 5th, 2013 by Emily Pickett

A few weeks ago I had the experience of attending a workshop called When Survivors Give Birth.  The workshop, developed by Penny Simkin, helps birth professionals identify the unique needs of women who have experienced sexual abuse in order to support their pregnancy and postpartum experiences.  While this was fascinating and useful on a professional level as a doula, it also revealed a great deal to me personally because I, myself, am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

One thing that truly stuck with me from the workshop was the idea that much emotional baggage can fall on breastfeeding.  This is true in general, but may be especially true for women with a past history of abuse. For me, it definitely shed light on some of my experiences breastfeeding my first child. (more…)

Breastfeeding and Introducing Solids

Episode 52 | May 3rd, 2013

Many breastfeeding moms wonder how they can introduce solids to their babies without compromising their milk supply. What are the common signs that a baby is ready to start solid foods? What are the best foods to start with and why? And how can you keep up your supply even when your baby isn’t taking as much breastmilk? (more…)

Breastfeeding in Front of Extended Family

April 30th, 2013 by Ericka Pawlowski

Have you ever seen the Luv’s diaper commercial on YouTube? The one where the mom is all covered up to feed the first baby, but when the second one comes along, she lets it all hang out…yeah, that really does happen!

My first child would not latch. In fact she absolutely refused to latch even with a nurse and two lactation consultants! (We literally tried everything. I finally gave up after a week of fighting her, and decided to pump.) Since this was my first child, you can imagine my husband and I had constant visitors. In fact, we were never alone for the first six weeks of my daughter’s life. So, how do you breastfeed in front of family? (more…)

Breastfeeding Support For All!

April 16th, 2013 by Michelle Viquez

My passion for breastfeeding and all things mommy support really began at the tender age of 17. The culture of mommy support really only involved mothers of an “appropriate” age at that time. I’m talking late 90’s and it was probably worse prior to that. I was a young mother and besides my own mother, I was completely alone in any means of parenting or breastfeeding support. The resources just weren’t there. From what I’d learned over the years formula was the thing in my mother’s generation so not many mothers of that era breastfed. Formula was liberating to women and it was more the norm than breastfeeding. In the hospital, at the time of my son’s birth, I don’t recall a visit from any lactation nurse or any offers to try breastfeeding. I got some handouts and I was actually sent home with a few cases of formula. (more…)