Tag: formula fed

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Breastfeeding is Picking Up Traction

On any given day you might sit at your laptop, type in breastfeeding, because why not, and you’ll see a whole range of posts dated 2017, 2014, 2012!

However, in 2018 breastfeeding seems to be gaining traction in the UK media. Which is just fabulous!

I have given GAP my standing ovation for their new breastfeeding advert. I have joined in the conversation with the Loose Women Ladies and thanked ITV news for picking up the conversation on breastfeeding, all while creating some unique breastfeeding clothes for my beautiful customers!

I’m happy 😃

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You Do Have Enough Milk…

Let’s learn how to increase that milk supply when it’s low!

If you are a mama who wants to breastfeed her baby (and I think this should apply to every mother capable of breastfeeding – controversial?🤷🏾‍♀️) and you’re worried that you’re not producing enough milk, fear not… read on and learn how to be enough, because you are enough.

As you may, or may not, already know breastfeeding works via supply and demand, which means the more milk is called for, the more it will flow, the less often milk is called the less milk you will produce.

And that there is the key to boosting your supply! 🔑

The moment you use a formula replacement there is no demand being met and therefore your breast will not produce milk. So supplements are not the answer!

So it’s better to be patient, dedicate yourself to the process, let baby suckle for as long as he need, heck – even though they tell you not to, let him suckle while he falls asleep, this will help to produce an abundance of milk which you can pump/express.

There are also a range of recipes; cookies and brownies (YUM), designed to help boost your milk supply. Check out @themilkbooster_ on Instagram or at http://www.themilkbooster.eu.

It’s important to know and understand the different ways that baby’s feed. It’s normal for baby’s to feed, and be fussy after a feed. They seem to want to feed all the time: they’re not starving, they’re cluster feeding. I’ll write a post about this soon, but for now, simply Google it.

It is also a good idea to contact a lactation consultant. They will be able to assess you situation and give you advice specific to you and your baby.

Finally, get support – ask for it, demand it, find it! There’s such a wealth of breastfeeding support on line and via several organisations. Ask your GP for a list of your local organisations. We have a guide called Breastfeeding for Dada, which explains why support is so important and how Dad and other family members can be supportive, especially when you may face situations when you feel anxious about your milk supply! Download it here.

Get in touch, I will be happy to get behind you and cheer you on @chicanddiscreet!

All the best, Mama, all the best!

Chaneen x

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To Breastfeed or not to Breastfeed?

Not every mum has access to information about the importance of breastfeeding. To be frank, the information most readily available to most of us is utter pish-posh. I say this because some doctors say breastfeed, and others say, all too freely, your baby needs cows milk.

Only in a few cases does a baby ‘need’ cows milk. Now, I don’t claim to be an expert but I’ve done my share of research and I have read over and over again that there are a few medical scenarios in which a baby ‘needs’ cows milk, (that’s formula by the way):

– if the mother has HIV/AIDS

– if the mother has had a double mastectomy

– if the mother is seriously ill and/or is on any medication that could be toxic to the baby through the breastmilk

– if the mother is undergoing radiation treatment, which can affect the breastmilk

– if the baby was born before 32 weeks (this is a temporary need, the mother can mix feed and then breastfeed exclusively if she wishes)

– if the baby has Galactosemia, a rare metabolic genetic disorder (in this case all forms of milk are to be avoided)

If none of the above are applicable, then breast is best, any difficulties can be smoothed out with patience and perseverance.

Formula milk does not and cannot replace the benefits of breastmilk. I mean, a baby will be full up instead of hungry, but they are not protected from illnesses and diseases like they would be if they were breastfed.

Seek advice and further information before you decide to move on to formula.

I leave you with this… formula cows milk is an artificial milk created to support families with the problems mentioned above. Formula was designed to be used when it is medically needed.

In you case, is it? Is it medically needed?

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How to Breastfeed Discreetly in Normal Clothes

So you’ve had a look around the internet and your local high street stores, and for the life of you, you cannot find anything to wear. Now, it’s not because you’re fussy and it’s not because the dress code for an event is too specific, it’s because you’re a mama to a new baby and you’re committed to breastfeeding that little bundle of joy!

There are no clothes available for you, none that are reasonably priced or beautiful enough for your style.

We get it, that’s why we started Chic + Discreet. Go check out our shop to see our inexpensive breastfeeding tees.

To tired to keep shopping right now? That’s fine, the shop will be there when you perk up a little bit. Keep reading though because we are sharing a super simple tip to turn your normal clothes into your best breastfeeding pieces.

You’re going to have at least two layers on at any point so this advice is best for cooler climates.

You will need:

  • Underwear – your breastfeeding bra
  • Underlayer – a camisole or vest with stretchy straps or a tube top / boob tube.
  • Outer layer – t-shirt, blouse or jumper

Put everything on in the order suggested above.

When you’re ready to breastfeed, pull the under layer down below your breasts.

Pull the outer layer up above your breast.

Flip down your bra.

And tah dah- you’re now able to feed freely.

This is great in the cooler months because you can layer up. This method of feeding works similar to our I’m Still A Tees t-shirts.

✨

Did you find this helpful? Let us know in the comments below and send us a pic: @chicanddiscreet (Instagram)

hello@chicanddiscreet (email)

We can’t wait to hear from you.

All the best x

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How to Breastfeed Like a Pro from Day One

So you’re about to have a new baby, or you’ve already done that. You’ve decided that you want to breastfeed because why wouldn’t you and now you just need to figure out how to do this thing.

Breastfeeding is a journey, somewhat like pregnancy and it’s something that you’ll have to learn to do well.

“It’s all about the latch”

The Breast Crawl

Did you know that a newborn baby, who is placed on his mother’s abdomen right after birth, can crawl up to his mother’s breast and latch on himself?

Don’t believe me? Check out this video: https://youtu.be/0OYXd-mMSVU

Wow! Exactly. Unfortunately however, most newborns and mothers aren’t given the chance to experience this practice here in the UK.

But the point is, if a baby can do that right right out of the womb, breastfeeding is one of the most natural and instinctual things on this planet.

It’s all about the latch, get that right early on and the rest will fall into place.

The best way to get a good latch is to ensure that baby’s nose is in line with your nipple. That way baby can smell and sense where the food is and it means that he has to open his mouth really really wide before he gets what he wants.

Don’t feel tempted to ‘help him out’.

As tempting as in may be to ‘help baby out’ it can actually do more harm than good. As I’ve already said, newborns are more than capable of crawling and climbing to their source of food. (If you still don’t believe me, you haven’t watched the video and I really think you should!)

Similarly, a baby is more than capable to open his mouth wide wide wide enough to get the food.

The problem with helping them out is that you may place your nipple inside their mouth which is not open wide enough. This is what causes many women pain because their nipple is caught under the hard roof of baby’s mouth instead of the soft part at the back.

Once baby latches on properly, it should be pain free and you should be able to see and /or hear baby swallowing. This often follows a rhythmic pattern (suck suck suck swallow- suck suck suck swallow).

If it is painful or it appears baby is suck suck suck – suck suck sucking without swallowing, you will have to try again.

Practice this from day one with the support of your friends and family, which is vital for oxytocin and building up milk supply. Click here to check out our Breastfeeding for Dada: a guide to breastfeeding for fathers for more info on this topic.

Most importantly, don’t worry if you don’t get the right straight away, it can take weeks to get a good latch. Just do not give up in a hurry! Because even though you might experience frustration and discomfort your perseverance will be the best thing you can do for you baby and the great effect can last up to 14 years of not longer.

Knowledge is key!

Do lots of research online and with real life cases (women you know who are qualified or who have had children), it helps.

Here are some well respected sources:

http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/breastfeeding-first-days/

https://www.babycenter.com/breastfeeding

http://m.kidshealth.org/en/parents/breast-bottle-feeding.html?WT.ac=

You, like billions and trillions of women before you, are well equipped to do this!

All the best.