13 October 2012

Breastfeeding & Contraception

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Today we have a lovely interview with Caroline Cooper. Dr Caroline Cooper is a Women’s Health Specialist working in Contraception and Sexual Health clinics in Cambridge. She is a member of The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health and of the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine, and is actively involved in the education and training of other health care professionals in all aspects of sexual and reproductive health.


So first things first Caroline, tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
Hi Laura- I'm a specialist in sexual and reproductive health and have many years of experience working in general practice looking after new breastfeeding mums.
What do you think about Breastfeeding & Contraception, is it a hard subject to approach with new Breastfeeding mums?
Not at all, I think that women expect their doctor or midwife to discuss contraception with them, and are often surprised if we don't. In fact this should ideally be discussed with a woman before her baby is born so that she has time to consider what method will be right for her, as it may be a change from her previous contraception. 
How long should you wait after the birth of your baby before taking contraception if Breastfeeding?
The earliest any woman needs to start using contraception after having a baby is 3 weeks.
What are the best contraceptives to use when you are Breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding mums are advised to avoid combined hormonal contraceptives containing oestrogen hormones for the first 6 months of breastfeeding. This is found in many of the commonly used contraceptive pills, the patch and the vaginal ring. The progesterone only pill or mini pill that you take every day can safely be started at any time after delivery. Breastfeeding mums may want to consider long-acting reversible contraception so that they don't need to remember to take a Pill every day. A copper IUD or hormone containing IUS can be fitted from 4 weeks after your baby is born, and an implant can be fitted from 3 weeks. All these methods are rapidly reversible if you decide to try for another baby. The progestogen only injection can be used from 3 weeks, but some women may get troublesome bleeding, so it is often started at 6 weeks.
Don’t forget barrier methods will be safe for breastfeeding Mums and a diaphragm or cap can be fitted when your baby is six weeks old. Condoms can be used at any time, but breastfeeding Mums can sometimes get vaginal dryness so may need to use a non-oil based lubricant with them.
Do these have any effects on milk production?
There is no evidence that progestogen only contraception affects breast milk volume.
Would any of the hormones in these contraceptives affect the baby in any way?
Progestogen only contraception has been shown to have no effect on infant growth.
As an alternative is Breastfeeding enough of a contraceptive on its own?
Yes many breastfeeding mums may be unaware that  breastfeeding is an effective contraceptive, and this can often be forgotten by healthcare professionals too. For a baby up to six months oId, if a woman is fully breastfeeding, and her periods have not yet returned she only has a 2% chance of pregnancy. This is comparable to many other types of contraception. It is important that the woman is feeding her baby on demand, and not giving any supplementary feeds. Use of pacifiers can also make this method less effective. Once night feeds stop or weaning starts this method can no longer be relied on.
Is there anything else you think would like to tell us?
Don't worry if you have forgotten to start a regular method of contraception and need emergency contraception  - this can still be used. It is not needed in the first 3 weeks after your baby is born or if the conditions are met for breastfeeding itself to be a contraceptive. Otherwise you can still safely take the progestogen emergency contraceptive pill or have a copper IUD fitted whilst breastfeeding.
Remember that breastfeeding Mums still have a huge choice of contraception, and its important to find time to have a chat with your doctor or midwife to find the method that suits you best!


12 October 2012

Review: Superman Pyjamas

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Superman is one of those superhero's that will truly live forever and one which many Dads will fondly remember watching on TV when they were little. Now thanks to Fabric Flavours every Dad (and Mum) can share their fond memories of Superman at bedtime with their kids using these fab new superhero pyjamas.

As with all of Fabric Flavours products these pyjamas were delivered loving wrapped with superman logo tissue paper and a clear plastic bag to keep them clean whilst in transit. The quality of these pyjamas is off the highest standard, super soft with a lovely stretch to them which helps keep their shape after washing. Lefts face it no one wants saggy pj's, not even your toddler!


On these pyjamas Superman can be seen showing his yummy muscles and shear strength by ripping apart a steel chain which is a distressed print of the original Marvel artwork on red marl and the caption ‘Man Of Steel’ in bright yellow text at the bottom with ‘Superman’ printed above. These are seriously super cool and my son loves them.

Logan didn't know who Superman was until he received these pyjamas and now he can't get enough of them, he loves the soft feel of the pj's against his skin and ofcourse the muscle ripped Superman himself. We now hum the theme tune of Superman when my son puts these pyjamas on for bedtime!


You can get these pyjamas in sizes: 3 to 4 years, 5 to 6 years and 7 to 8 years. We received the 3 to 4 years and they're a lovely size with plenty of room for growth. The elasticated blue trim around the top and bottoms help to keep the pj's in place so no tripping or messy sleeves when eating porridge before bed. These pyjamas cost £22.00 to purchase and there's a few different designs if Superman doesn't tickle your fancy. You could have Batman, Darth Vader, Yoda or Spiderman. All great for little boys but also little girls.

Overall great pj's, easy to wash and they keep their shape, super soft for little ones skin and they have some really cool designs with 5 different characters to choose from. Yes they are expensive for pyjamas but the quality speaks for itself and I can see them lasting a full year if taken care of properly.

Mummies's rating - 8/10
Logan's rating - 10/10

Please visit www.fabricflavours.com for more products and information. You can also see what Fabric Flavours get up to on Facebook and Twitter so why not pop over and say hello! Remember to tell the The Breastest News sent you.

11 October 2012

Halloween Is Coming...

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So you better get your skates on and head to Poundworld for some truly scaretastic bargains! I was lucky enough to be sent a box chocked full of Halloween goodies from Poundworld and can happily say I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. Here are a few photos of my hoard.





As you can see Poundworld have quite the selection and the quality is really good. My favourite item has to be the holographic glasses, which have holograms of reptile eyes on them. The cute little Witches Hat Head Band is also fab and I'll definitely be wearing it when I answer the door to all the guisers. There's window decorations as well which is a pack of 6 spooky see through images with a sucker attached so it's easy to stick on your window and peel off when finished. It's good you'll be able to use these again and again so can be saved away for next year. There's lots more great products so please visit your local Poundworld for your Halloween bargains and much more!


 

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