Tag Archives: Breastfeeding Tips

Start your breastfeeding journey right with one of these 8 great nursing pillows.

Article & Photos courtesy of Well Rounded NY

The benefits of nursing your baby are countless, from nutrition to bonding to fighting off disease. While the process isn’t always easy, the right breastfeeding support can make all the difference. Sometimes literally. Investing in a nursing pillow, which is specifically designed to help you feed your baby, can be a game-changer from your first feed. Pack one of these 8 great nursing pillow options in your hospital bag now.

Boppy

If you know anyone with a baby, then you’ve probably seen this versitile nursing pillow, either wrapped around mom while she’s comfortably feeding her little one, or accessorized with an adorable baby propped up, doing tummy time or even learning to sit. We love this new silky slipcover, but Boppy’s got enough design options for you to switch up your style on a weekly (or even daily!) basis. Buy it now.

My Brest Friend

It’s easy to spend baby’s first few weeks with My Brest Friend’s Original Nursing Pillow as your only piece of “clothing.” The wrap-around design and adjustable latch keeps this pillow secured in place, while the a back rest helps you to maintain good posture while nursing. It’s also got a convenient pocket to keep all your nursing accessories (ahem, phone) within reach. Buy it now.

Dr. Brown's

Leave it to feeding expert Dr. Browns to come up with a nursing pillow design that will last through your breastfeeding journey: the Gia Nursing Pillow's thick end is perfect to support your newborns while the thin end is ideal for feeding older babies. Buy it now.

Simmons Kids Beautyrest Studio

Gel memory foam in a nursing pillow? Why didn’t we think of that? Mattress expert Simmons Kids Beautyrest Studio did, of course, and their Gel Memory Foam Nursing Positioner is one of the comfiest out there. The memory foam also helps keep mom and baby cool and reduces pressure points. Buy it now.

Nook

Nook’s signature pebble fabric is as distinctive looking as it is comfortable. The Niche Feeding pillow is organic on the inside and out, and its square shape makes it not only ideal for nursing, but also for propping baby in a seated position. Buy it now.

Candide

Pick up this 3-in-1 MultiRelax pillow while you’re pregnant to support that growing belly while you’re sleeping, then transition it to help prop up baby when you’re breastfeeding. It’s also a super soft spot to rest baby, with an adjustable security nest that's hidden in the pocket. Buy it now.

This article is by Jessica Pallay, courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

5 Beauty Ingredients To Avoid During Pregnancy

A growing number of studies show that common chemicals in everyday personal care products, such as shampoo, makeup and moisturizers, are associated with developmental, reproductive and behavioral disorders, hormone disruption and cancer. That is why, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, women should especially avoiding synthetic chemicals. Here is our list of top 5 most harmful agents:

Parabens are the most widely used preservative in cosmetics. Intended to stop the growth of bacteria in your products, they disrupt your endocrine system—chemicals that act like hormones and disrupt the reproductive system. They can build up in the body over time and have been associated with reproductive disorders in babies. That is why all Nine Naturals products are free of Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates.

Sulfates are cleansing agents used to create soaps that foam and lather. Nitrosamines and 1.4-dioxane are the two primary culprits present within sulfates and have been labeled carcinogenic. Sulfates have also been shown to disrupt hormonal balance, incite reproductive and developmental problems and seriously pollute the environment. At Nine Naturals, we use a variety of citrus juice and oils--like those in our shampoos and conditioners--because they are natural cleansers that not only maintain your body’s natural balance, but helps improve move and reduce inflammation.

Phthalates are found in a wide variety of personal care products, such as shampoos, conditioners and perfumes, and are often a component of fragrance in products. Exposure to phthalates is associated with hormone disruption, birth defects and endometriosis. Our Citrus + Geranium Soothing Body Wash will fill your shower with a fresh, floral aroma that not only calms you, but may even help alleviate pregnancy nausea!

BPA is a chemical commonly found in plastics mostly used for containers. Recent studies have shown BPA to cause developmental disorders, such as cancer, ADHD and asthma, in fetuses when pregnant women interact with the substance. Make sure you look for bottles that are BPA-free, as these chemicals can seep into the products the bottles were intended to hold.

Petrochemicals are made from natural gas liquid and crude oil often used in the manufacturing of plastics. What many people don’t realize is that petrochemicals are widely added to food, personal care products and household products. Because petrochemicals are known hormone disrupters and have been linked to causing many health problems, such as cancer, Nine Naturals’ moisturizing bodycare products only use non-toxic essential oils naturally-derived from plants.

The prevalence of these toxic chemicals may be overwhelming, but don’t worry! Staying educated on what to avoid and what natural ingredients are better substitutes will make the journey to a healthier lifestyle much easier. Whether it’s upgrading your beauty routine--try 7-free nail polish and all-natural mascara--or simply switching to glass from plastic, feel at ease knowing that you are creating a healthier, safer environment for mommy and baby.

Think you’re all done growing your baby once they’re born? Not quite! If you chose to nurse you will continue to be responsible for every delicious ounce of baby fat on those chubby thighs! Watching your baby grow on your milk alone is an amazingly powerful experience, but it’s not always easy. In order to produce an adequate supply of milk for your growing baby your body needs a little bit of help and extra care. Breast milk takes about 500 calories a day to make so this is not a time to diet! These milk-making tips will help ensure both you and your baby are well taken care of.

Water

Breast milk is composed of mostly water. Remember how thirsty you were when you were pregnant? Expect the constant desire for a drink (not that kind!) to stick around as long as you are nursing. Keep a full water bottle with you at all times to make sure you are staying adequately hydrated. If you don’t flood your body with hydration your milk supply will soon suffer.

Healthy Fats

Your body needs a good supply of healthy fat to make milk for your baby. Plant based fat sources such as nuts, seeds and avocados are great foods for nursing mamas. A handful of almonds is not only a super healthy nursing snack but can also be eaten with one hand! As a nursing mom one-handed foods will quickly become your friend, especially in the early weeks when it feels like you are constantly nursing your baby.

Green Smoothies

Just like when you were pregnant, it is still important for a nursing mom to eat plenty of dark, leafy greens. Spinach and other dark leafy greens contain tons of phytoestrogens, which promote healthy breast tissue and lactation. Ask your partner to make you a green smoothie with spinach, avocado, almond milk and banana while you nurse the baby. Green smoothies are not only delicious and nutrient dense but can also be consumed with one hand!

Special Tea

Certain herbs are known galactagogues aka milk makers. This Nourishment Tea is packed with milk promoting herbs and is quite easy to make. You can order all of the loose herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs for about $20. Then simply mix all the herbs in the right proportions in a big jar or other sealed container. A cup or two of this tea each day will not only help your milk production but will also help balance out those post-partum hormones!

• 2 parts Red Raspberry Leaf
• 2 parts Nettle
• 1 part Oatstraw
• 1/2 part Alfalfa
• 1/2 part Rose Hips
• 1/4 Red Clover
• 1/4 part Spearmint Leaf

1. Place 1/4 cup of mixture in a sealable 1 quart jar (such as a Ball Jar).

2. Fill jar with boiling water.

3. Steep for 30 mins.

4. Store jar in fridge and drink 1-2 cups per day.

Nurse on Demand

By far the most important tip for healthy nursing is to nurse your baby on demand, especially in the first few weeks. If you allow your baby to nurse whenever they desire your body will get in tune with how much milk your baby needs. Do not be tempted to try and stretch out your baby’s feedings in the beginning. The more milk your baby drinks, the more you will make. So, if you are concerned about your milk supply snuggle up with your baby for a nursing marathon!

Sara Jane Mercer is a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach, Vegetarian Chef and Food Writer and the vibrant, creative spirit behind her eponymous blog that is the go- to source for Clean, Pure and Simple living. After countless hours developing healthy recipes in her own kitchen and sharing them with friends around the world Sara realized that all people needed were the right tools, simple steps to follow and easy, quick recipes. Her mission was to educate and to simplify and thus the Clean, Pure and Simple way of life was born. Sara lives in New York City with her husband, baby daughter and dog and enjoys exploring all of the healthy hidden treasures the city has to offer from local food markets and vegetarian restaurants to natural beauty finds and fun new fitness classes. All of her favorites can be found on her website www.sarajanemercer.com.