BIGGEST BREASTFEEDING BARRIERS

Despite the public consensus on the benefits of breastfeeding, not every nursing mama keeps the milk party going beyond the hospital. From unnecessary birth interventions keeping you from nursing your baby to lack of support adding to the many breastfeeding challenges, discover the top five reasons women do not nurse their babies.

Breastfeeding rates continue to climb with nearly 77 percent of new moms initiating breastfeeding. However, it is the roadblocks within the first 24 hours of your newborn’s life that pose the biggest hurdles. Here are the top five breastfeeding challenges Lamaze International cites when it comes to whether or not you’ll be nursing your baby:

Unnecessary birth interventions

While you cannot control whether or not your bundle of joy is delivered by cesarean section, birth interventions such as C-sections, being confined to your bed or artificially starting or expediting labor can actually delay when your milk comes in. When the decision is in your hands, opt to let Mother Nature take its course and you may increase your chances of successfully nursing your baby.

Interruptions during the golden hour

The precious first hour after your baby makes her grand entrance into the world is not only a vital part of forming a bond with your newborn, but also helps foster successful breastfeeding for the months thereafter. When your youngster is whisked off to the nursery for testing immediately postpartum, you and your baby may not enjoy the full benefits of breastfeeding. Evidence shows that skin-to-skin time between you and your little one for the first hour, or until after the first feeding, increases mommy-confidence, reduces stress and therefore makes breastfeeding easier. Research has also found that babies nurse sooner, longer and more easily, leading to less crying.

Nipple confusion

It may seem like popping a cork into your newborn is the right thing to do if it makes a crying baby happy, but when you introduce pacifiers or artificial nipples before breastfeeding is well established, you may face breastfeeding challenges. Unless medically unavoidable, don’t use the pacifier until after about four weeks when you and your newborn get the hang of nursing.

Supplementing with formula

Lamaze International emphasizes that breast milk is best for babies, and supplementing with formula when not medically necessary could prevent your milk from coming in. Even during the first few days postpartum, your body produces immunity-building colostrum, which is one of the biggest benefits of breastfeeding, even in these small amounts.

Lack of postpartum support

Whether you’re new at the mommy thing or have other offspring to care for, without the right breastfeeding support once you’ve left the hospital you may find yourself succumbing to breastfeeding challenges. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family to pitch in with housework, dinner and baby care, or seek support in the form of lactation consultants, local community breastfeeding resources, breastfeeding support groups or even telephone contact with your postpartum nurse to increase your chances of successfully nursing your baby.

MILK YOUR PREGNANCY FOR ALL IT’S WORTH

10. You have a free pass

If you don’t feel like going to the gym one or two days or really want to have a second scoop of ice cream. Just. This. Once. You can! Pregnancy is a time to focus on you and your body, and while your pregnancy and delivery will likely go much more smoothly if you maintain your doctor-approved exercise routine and healthy eating, skipping the gym or having a bite or two more dessert than you had planned on isn’t going to hurt. Enjoy!

9. You are the center of attention

People – even strangers – love to see a pregnant woman. Expect people to give up their seat for you, open the door for you and generally fawn over you asking about your baby and your pregnancy. Just make sure they know not to touch the belly.

8. Your man will fall even more in love with you

One of the most amazing parts of pregnancy is that you and your husband are not just a couple anymore – you are a family and preparing to welcome your newest member together. Its exciting time for both of you and your man is probably in awe of your amazing ability to grow a little human inside of you. You rock, mama. So revel in it.

7. Foot rubs and shoulder massages

Thanks to your pregnant state, your man is probably going to dote on you more than ever. Get ready for great feet rubs and shoulder massages or a late night drive-thru run from your man to satisfy your current craving. Bonus!

6. Your hair will be full and fabulous

Your hair may seem fuller and thicker during pregnancy. This is a result of a change in hormones causing your hair to fall out at a slower rate. Work that big, sexy hair!

5. Your nails will grow longer and stronger

Once again, thanks to pregnancy hormones, your nails will grow long and strong so pamper your pregnant self with a nice manicure to show off those digits.

4. You’ll have that glow

You’ve heard of the pregnancy glow, right? Well, you’ve got it. Flaunt it. ‘Nuff said.

3. Your skin will look great

Many women experience thirst during pregnancy and quench it with lots of water. Smart move. All that water can help revitalize your skin.

2. You can pretty much get your way in an argument

We’re not suggesting you pull the pregnant card all the time. But, it’s pretty much a given that if you and your man have a tiff while your pregnant, you can pour on the sympathy and he’ll start gushing over you all over again. Use this tactic with caution, ladies.

1. You have a little you growing inside you

Of course the number one best part of being pregnant is that you are making a child. Your child. Talk to it. Nourish it. Bond with baby, even before it’s born. This is an amazing time in your life so be grateful and enjoy each moment of your pregnancy.

A Pink Story: Toddler Meeting Newborn For The First Time 

Pink Newborn Services, Creating A Happy Baby For Your Happily Ever After! We Enjoy all of our clients stories but this one in particular is blog worthy. Take a moment to read Mrs. M’s story about her children meeting for the first time. If you had a story that you would like to share, email our Pink team!

Mrs. M Wrote,

When I gave birth to Selena, the moment I was looking forward to most, was introducing her to our first daughter. I couldn’t wait to show Mia that the “baby who lived in my belly button for nine months was a living breathing little girl we got to take home.

The moment was so special that I relinquished my job as family photographer and trusted everyone else in the room to capture it for me. I even made sure someone videotaped, but thanks to an excellent view of my underwear throughout the entire thing, I cannot share it with you.

What’s so bad about a hospital gown upshot, you wonder? Perhaps you don’t remember that after giving birth, you are given boy shorts made of gauze and told to stuff them with puppy pee pads.

But I digress…

You’re pregnant, and while everyone else is enjoying the holiday festivities, you’re skipping the cocktails, eyeing the cheese platter with suspicion and worrying about salmonella in your eggnog. So we think it fine to ask for some extravagant gifts this year. Add these to your wish list.

Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massage can relieve back pain and improve sleep and mood, as well as decrease stress and reduce labor complications. Prenatal massage is best given while you lie on your side propped up by pillows. Neck and shoulder massage is a safe sitting-up option, as well.

Foot Massage

There is no better way to treat a pregnant woman than to give their sore swollen feet a wonderful foot massage. It also elevates stress on a woman’s body and helps with blood flow.

Nook Body Pillow

As the bump gets bigger, a good night’s sleep gets more and more elusive. A great body pillow can make all the difference. I love this one from Nook because it’s filled with comfy memory foam and protected by Nook’s patented Pebble cover, which is stain resistant and machine-washable.

Chewbeads Perry Necklace

The concept behind Chewbeads is pretty brilliant – babies love to teethe on jewelry, so why not make jewelry that’s designed for teething? Best of all, Chewbeads are so cute you’d wear them even when the baby isn’t around.

Nested Bean Zen Swaddle Blanket

You might think this is a gift for the baby, but you’d be wrong. The new Zen Swaddle is weighted to simulate a parent’s touch and create the sensation of being held, even when the baby is sleeping in a crib or bassinet. This is the gift of a good night’s sleep – priceless for any new mom.

Skip Hop Grand Central Diaper Bag

This is the newest bag from the design geniuses at Skip Hop and it carries a TON of stuff. It’s cute enough to use as an everyday bag, to tote around a laptop and some files. Or you can use it as it was intended, and stuff it with everything you need for a day out with the baby. Like all Skip Hop bags, it can attach to the handles of your stroller.

Sahara Bugaboo Cameleon

This special edition Bugaboo Cameleon stroller has been decked out with gorgeous, luxe fabrics and comes with a beautiful, gray wool blanket that will keep your baby cozy. This is something you’ll enjoy using every day after the baby arrives.

Maamam Towel

When there’s a baby in the bath, all that splishing and splashing often adds up to one soaking wet mama. This towel is especially nice because it doubles as an apron, and will keep you dry and keep the towel close at hand.

7am Stroller Handmuffs

On cold windy days, even nice, thick gloves aren’t enough to keep the chill from permeating, especially when your fingers are wrapped around the handle of a stroller. This set of handmuffs will keep your hands warm and toasty.

Ergo Baby Carrier

This is the gift of free hands. Wearing your baby helps with bonding and makes it easier to navigate simple tasks that require two hands. The Ergo Baby Carrier offers several carry positions and comes in lots of different colors and patterns.

Best Christmas and Holiday Books for Kids

10 children’s holiday books, from timeless reads to newer classics.

The Elf on the Shelf

How exactly does Santa keep tabs on who’s naughty and who’s nice? Turns out he’s got a mole–the elf on the shelf–who comes packaged with a companion book. The elf mysteriously changes locations overnight, and kids love looking for him as soon as they wake up in the morning. Bonus for parents: Since the elf’s always watching, you should be able to milk major good behavior out of your kids.

The Night Before Christmas

We all know the magical, evocative words of Clement C. Moore’s traditional holiday poem. This gorgeously illustrated version, which uses collage papers and oil paints, adds a modern twist: Santa wears funky pants, sports dreadlocks and leaves the children traditional African gifts.

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas

Nancy’s psyched about the holidays until her ultra-fancy tree topper breaks. Can the ultimate girly-girl learn to love plain old DIY tree decorations? As always, the detailed, sparkly illustrations make this a fave among the princess set.

10. Cue Up the Cravings

Go ahead and dig into the occasional gooey, greasy cheeseburger at your friend’s summer BBQ, that fully loaded ice cream sundae, or a fruity virgin cocktail at the beach. After all, you do need a few hundred extra calories each day, and these treats are among the great summer joys — somehow, they just taste better this time of year. And it’s not like anyone expects your belly to look flat in that new maternity bikini you just splurged on. So order up and enjoy!

11. Beat the Bloat

Edema — fluid retention that causes swelling, particularly in your hands, feet, and ankles — can get worse in these scorching months. There’s usually nothing dangerous about it, but it can make you feel a little – ugh – uncomfortably blimpish. To combat it, avoid excess sodium (ditch the salt shaker and processed, packaged foods, which are often high in sodium), stay cool, and drink plenty of fluids. As counterintuitive as it sounds, sipping water actually helps your body rid itself of excess fluid it’s hanging on to. Oh, and prop your feet up as much as possible; elevating them can also lessen swelling.

12. Summer-Proof Your Office Space

Whether you’re trying to work ahead before maternity leave or are secretly registering for your layette online, chances are you’re still clocking some decent hours at work this summer. Make your office more bearable by stocking your desk with heat-beating essentials like a fan, extra water bottles, and comfy shoes for lunchtime strolls. And for those really sticky, sweaty days, it can’t hurt to stow an extra maternity tee or tank.

13. Clear Off Your Social Calendar

Long car trips + pregnant belly= unhappy, uncomfortable mama-to-be. This summer, you may want to scale back on your usually frenetic travel schedule (babymoon aside, natch) in favor of activities closer to home. Know that it’s perfectly okay to turn down plans every now and then, so don’t be afraid to take a rain check on a last-minute invite to a pal’s beach house (since it really means seven sweltering hours stuck in the car) or that second cousin’s wedding two states away. Cramped car rides are even less fun these days than usual — and everyone will understand.

14. Stay Cool

Pregnancy literally does make you one hot mama. Not only is your own metabolic furnace throwing off heat, so is your baby’s. In the winter it was probably no biggie, but by now you may find yourself camped in front of the AC and still boiling. And it’s more than just a comfort thing — the scorching weather combined with your hotter-than-usual body temp makes you more prone to overheating. Be sure to sip that water and dress in lightweight, breathable fabrics. On days when the heat index (which tells you how hot it actually feels outside by factoring in both temperature and humidity) rises above 90, try to spend as much time as possible inside in a nice, cool space. Note: If your heart starts pounding, you feel dizzy, or you stop sweating, you may have heat exhaustion. Rest right away and get something cool to drink. If symptoms don’t subside, call your doctor.

15. Practice Picnic Safety

Summer is all about backyard BBQs, spreading out a blanket and busting open the picnic basket. By all means, eat alfresco whenever you like, just be smart about it. When you fire up the grill, make sure meats are fully cooked to prevent unwittingly noshing harmful bacteria, like salmonella. You might want to invest in a meat thermometer to totally eliminate the “is it done?” guesswork. Steer clear of perishable foods that have been sitting out for a while. “You probably already know to watch out for things like mayonnaise, but really, anything you’d normally store in the fridge — cheese, milk, fresh-squeezed juice, even a well-done hamburger — is worth avoiding if it’s been warming in the sun for a few hours.

16. Enjoy the Lazy, Baby-Free Days

Make it your mission to lounge as much as possible now — and allow plenty of totally guilt-free you-time. We’re not saying you’ll never get to read trashy magazines at the beach, treat yourself to weekly pedicures, or have a standing date night with hubs after the bundle arrives, but the opportunities will be fewer, at least for a while. So live it up!