Nursing on the Net

They say it takes a village to raise a child. In this age when many new mothers are separated from our extended families, we turn to the global village that connects online to provide that sense of community and support.

The latest innovation that's come our way is the Virtual Breastfeeding Help Consultation, an online guide that helps new mamas figure out what's meant to be a natural process but can cause many sleepless nights, not to mention sore boobs. All you need is Internet access, a webcam and SKYPE to hook up with a lactation consultant that can provide you with a 'Breastfeeding Care plan' in the comfort of your own home.

So if you're struggling with breastfeeding or just want some refresher tips, check out the Virtual Breastfeeding Help web site to book a slot or browse for advice. Through September you'll get a free Baby Bond Couture nursing cover-up (worth $35) with any consultation or gift certificate.

No whine dining

Breastfeeding is one of motherhood's simplest pleasures. It can also be truly stressful when you're nursing in public and your little one hasn't yet perfected the art of dining al fresco. Cue failed latches, wardrobe malfunctions and misery all round.

Despite having nursed Mr. Cheeks until well into his second year, I've had more than a few unlucky attempts at trying to feed his baby brother while out and about. So I was thrilled to receive a product called the Breastfeeding Butterfly.

Designed by two UK mamas, this is a nursing cover with a twist: instead of a big stiff apron that screams 'look at me, I'm breastfeeding', you get a chic swathe of fabric that you simply tie across your body like a sash. Secure two knots at shoulder and hip, slide your very hungry caterpillar under the 'Butterfly' and it's bombs (or boobs) away.

In theory, that is. I must confess my first outing with the Breastfeeding Butterfly wasn't quite as smooth as the instructional diagram (cloth tied wrong, baby too unsettled).

So I practised at home until we both got comfortable and now the Breastfeeding Butterfly has become one of my baby bag staples. Aside from its portability (each Butterfly comes in its own dinky carry pouch), what I love about this product is that it's light and airy so you don't feel like your little one is suffocating or overheating. Mine comes in discreet black with pretty embroidery but you can snap up Butterflies in a range of gorgeous prints. Visit Faye and Lou's web site for more info.

Mother's help

Every mother dreads it: the non-stop crying, fussy and gassy phase that's known as colic and can make your bundle of joy turn you into a bag of nerves. Nobody can explain what causes colic exactly but when it happens the first thing you'll want to know is how to make it stop.

The First Years Colic Massage Pad, by Learning Curve, is a natural solution that some parents describe as a godsend. This battery-operated pad uses a circular motion, white noise and soothing vibrations to keep baby on an even keel. Spread it across your lap or over your shoulder and lay your little one on his tummy to help ease and maybe even release some of that gassy pain. The First Years Colic Massage Pad is soft, easily washable, portable and available at Babies R Us. More info at the Learning Curve web site.

Water Sport

One of the stands that caught our eye at October's Baby Show in London was selling something called the Baby Sport Water Bottle Teat Adaptor. The name is pretty self-explanatory but we'll break it down anyway: basically it's a little gadget that attaches a standard baby teat to any 'baby-friendly' water bottle. It creates a watertight seal and saves you having to boil and cool your baby's water before you head out the door.

The product is 100% BPA free and will work with almost any brand of low mineral water bottle suitable for babies from 5/6 months e.g. Spa, Aqua Pura, Evian, Highland Spring and Volvic. The BabySport adaptor is ideal for travelling abroad and will help keep your baby safely hydrated in countries where the tap water is dodgy. Find out more at the Baby Sport web site.

We dream of genii

Pregnancy and sleep go together like, well, new babies and sleep. It’s hard enough freeing your mind of the thousand and one thoughts that run through your head as soon as you find out you’re knocked up. But finding a comfortable position as your bump grows proves to be a Herculean task.

What you need is a good maternity pillow like the DreamGenii Pregnancy Pillow. Winner of the Practical Parenting Pregnancy Product of the Year 2007, this pillow manages to support your bump, back and knees without taking up all the space in the bed and enraging your partner. It allows you to lie on your left side encouraging maximum blood flow to your baby and stops you rolling onto your back (not the best position for baby). Even better, after the birth you can use the pillow as a comfy nursing cushion. UK customers can pick one up at Mothercare; for a list of other stockists visit the DreamGenii site.

Butter up

It may not be top of your Christmas list but any new mama who's already cracking up from breastfeeding will be beyond thankful to find a jar of Nipple Butter in her stocking. One of the bestselling products from top store Earth Mama Angel Baby, this nipple salve is the first organic, all-natural, plant-based balm that's lanolin-free (so no hint of pesky pesticides). The cream is made from shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter and healing calendula. And if that sounds pretty edible that's because it's safe for baby to eat so there's no need to wash it off between feeds. Yummy mummy.

Belly-hugging good

The week of August 1-7 marks World Breastfeeding Week, a global campaign to promote the benefits of breast milk as nothing short of the elixir of life for babies everywhere. This year more than 20,000 lactating mamas gathered in more than 400 sites in the Philippines to create the first Guinness World Record on Simultaneous Breastfeeding in Multiple Sites. The action group Children for Breastfeeding is trying to create another world record by getting mums together for a synchronised global boob feast. If you're not quite ready to make history, you can still support the cause simply by continuing to nurse your little one or make a statement by breastfeeding in a public place.

If you're still a little shy about feeding al fresco, there's a range of clothing and accessories that allow you to be more discreet. One fab product for milky mamas is The Belly Hugger, a stretchy piece of fabric that slides over to cover your belly when you lift your top to nurse. This spandex/cotton tube can be worn with your regular clothing and saves on the need to buy an elaborate new nursing wardrobe. The Belly Hugger keeps your post-partum tummy hidden and it can even be worn comfortably by expecting mothers to fill the gap between pre-pregnancy shirts and unbuttoned trousers. Pick one up at Tender Cargo.

Boobs on trial

As I’m now weaning my 15-month-old, I was struck by recent pap shots of brand new mama Maggie Gyllenhaal breastfeeding her 7-month-old. I was amazed once again at just how intrusive the paparazzi can be but even more stunned by the negative feedback. Maybe it shouldn't surprise me after Janet Jackson's Nipplegate that the sight of even part of a woman's bare breast should lead to public hysteria. Some object to her doing it in the open, others insist she should have covered up more. But stroll through any national gallery and you'll see nursing mothers from peasants to the Madonna proudly displayed as art.

If you've ever been out with a hungry breastfeeding baby, you'll realise that discretion is soon tossed to the wind and instinct kicks in. Some new mothers rely on specially designed nursing covers, tops with slits for easy access or even makeshift shawls. But show me a baby happy with wearing a blanket on his head and I'll show you an offspring of Michael Jackson (hey, two Jackson family references in one boobalicious post!) Personally I preferred loose tops I could lift up easily so baby could nurse without any fuss. Most passersby thought we were just cuddling and if I got the occasional funny look I would either focus on my baby or glare right back. After all, it’s rude to stare at people eating no matter how tiny they are.

Photo source: Celebrity Baby Blog

Mamalingual Dictionary: Highchair Five

Highchair Five (noun). 1. the five pounds or more weight gain caused by polishing off your baby's leftovers (origin: BNM 2007)


There are countless guides for parents with toddlers who are picky eaters. But few mention one of the side effects of having a fussy feeder: mum often feels inclined to finish off what her baby hasn’t started. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t bear to see food go to waste. And my hips are paying the price.

Here are my top 10 tips to combat the Highchair Five (or in my case, Highchair Fifteen):-

1. Offer smaller portions – most toddlers eat like birds, not vultures.
2. Share family meals – having your own plate will stop you eyeing baby's.
3. Chew like a baby – savour(or in his case spit) every mouthful and don't stuff.
4. Serve healthier options – swap oven chips for carrot sticks.
5. Add less salt – it's better for baby and less appetising for you.
6. Graze with your toddler – switch huge dinners for 5 to 6 mini-meals a day.
7. Eat his crusts – wholewheat crusts are packed with goodness.
8. Do some strollercise – walk off the baby fat.
9. Have a hot drink – a cup of lemon tea is fat free and keeps your mouth busy.
10. Throw leftovers away – it’s really that simple.

We realise that tip 10 is guilt-inducing for some. But eating every last morsel won’t do anything for starving kids in Africa. In fact, think of your greedy gut as an insult to starving kids everywhere. Toss those scraps.

Pic via Tiny Tums