24 June 2011

Bumper Breastfeeding GIVEAWAY!!

124 comments
Well it wouldn't be Breastfeeding Awareness Week on The Breastest News without a big fat amazing bumper GIVEAWAY!!

So what do we have to offer;

MAM Nipple Shields & Breast Pump



GumiGem Necklace
(may not be colour shown)



LilyPadz - Reusable Non-Absorbant Breast Pads



Mummy Looks Fab £25.00 Gift Voucher (www.mummylooksfab.co.uk)



Breastvest (Black & White)

MamaJewels Breastfeeding Reminder Bracelet
(may not be bracelet shown)



Widgey Pillow
(may not be colour shown)



So I hear you say, how do I enter this competition? Well my lovelies, follow the short steps below to be in with a chance of winning these awesome goodies worth over £150.00!!!!

To be in with a chance of winning:
(You do not have to complete all 4 steps but if you would like to enter please leave a comment and an email address/ twitter ID so that I can contact you if you win, thank you)

1. Follow this blog (or tell me you already are).
2. Follow @BreatestNews on Twitter (or tell me you already are) and tweet '@BreastestNews I've entered to win the amazing bumper breastfeeding GIVEAWAY worth over £150.00 http://bit.ly/m0z4kY '
3. Follow The Breastest News Blog on Facebook (or tell me you already are).
4. Then leave a separate comment here for each step you complete telling me which methods of entry you have chosen. Extra entries will be given to those who complete all 4 steps.


This giveaway will only be running for 1 week so please tell as many people as you can!

This is a UK only giveaway, closing date is 3rd July 2011 at 12 noon.

Winner will be chosen using Random.org

Good Luck everyone!!


Review: Mama Tea Herbal Teas

2 comments
I drink a hell of a lot of tea and to be honest it's not the best thing when you're pregnant (I'm not pregnant btw but just to put into context) because of the caffeine so it's always best to drink decaf or herbal teas during pregnancy. This is where Mama Tea come into their own, Mama Tea is a range of natural caffeine-free herbal tea that has been specifically blended to taste fantastic and is suitable for all, including pregnant and nursing women.

Mama Tea was founded by Anna Louise Simpson who is a busy mum of two young children. She says: "I discovered herbal tea during my first pregnancy. However, I struggled to find tasty herbal teas for the different stages of pregnancy, therefore I wanted to create my own range for others to enjoy."


And what a brilliant range of teas she has created! I've been testing them out over the last month and they are superb. Full of flavour and very tasty you'll probably never go back to your usual tea again! There really is something for everyone in this range from Morning Mama, which contains ginger and camomile to help with morning sickness, to Ready Mama which contains raspberry leaf and rose petal to prepare you for labour. The midwives love to recommend raspberry leaf tea but it can only be used from 38 weeks of pregnancy to help prepare for labour so get a few cups down your neck when you're "ready" - see what I did there!


So what types of tea does Mama Tea have to offer and what is in them? Read on for details;

Morning Mama


About this tea
This is a warming blend to enjoy in the morning (the afternoon and the evening)... We have blended beautiful whole chamomile flower heads with spicy ginger root, lemon balm and finished it off with some lemon peel and orange peel. Delicious. Why keep it just for the morning? Perfect for anyone wanting a gingery tea, including mums-to-be that are suffering from morning sickness.

Tasting notes

Warm ginger bursts into life like a ray of sunshine first thing in the morning, gently coaxed along by gentle chamomile which settles with a hint of citrus. Leaves an after-taste of wellness on the palate.

Drink

Drink this lovely brew hot when it is a bit chilly in the mornings or iced when feeling over-heated and in need of refreshment.
 
Glowing Mama


About this tea
An earthy, all-round blend to enjoy whenever you want a little glow. We have blended the earthy richness of rooibos with the delicate white blossom of elderflowers, boosted with echinacea leaf and dandelion to give a sunny, caffeine-free tea. Rooibos is a traditional South African tea and comes from the leaves of the rooibos plant which is grown in the Cedarburg mountains in South Africa and contains powerful antioxidants. It is very popular in South Africa and has been used by pregnant and nursing women throughout pregnancy.

Tasting notes

Earthy rooibos builds to the dizzy heights of echinacea elderflowers and dandelion, glowing with taste which lingers on the palate.

Drink

Enjoy this tea in the same way as you would black tea, sometimes with milk, a slice of lemon or some honey. As it is a lot less bitter than black tea, the sweet flavour means that those of you with a sweet tooth can enjoy this. It can also be served as an iced drink for warm summer evenings. 

Cool Mama

About this tea
This is a refreshing, minty tea that cools with gentle chamomile flower heads blended with whole spearmint leaves and marshmallow leaves. A gentle tea for anyone who likes minty brews including mums-to-be with a mint craving. Spearmint, chamomile and marshmallow leaves are all very good for pregnancy heartburn. Chamomile is also very good at relaxing the nervous system, so a perfect tea to drink in the evening, before bed.

Tasting notes

A burst of refreshing spearmint, calmed instantly by delicate chamomile, soothing the palate like a gentle breeze. Memories of spearmint are left as a cleansing aftertaste.

Drink

Enjoy this hot after dinner as a caffeine-free alternative to coffee or iced as a summer spritzer.


Ready Mama (Only to be used after 38 weeks of pregnancy)


About this tea

Traditional raspberry leaf and motherwort are blended with fruity hibiscus and rosehip to provide a powerful, fruity blend to prepare you for the day ahead. Great for anyone who likes fruity teas and perfect for pregnant women (after 38 weeks). Raspberry leaf and motherwort are both herbs that stimulate the uterus and help to cause contractions. The main point to make about this tea is that it tastes really lovely. Need we say more? Oh yes... it looks gorgeous as well!

Tasting notes

The fresh, fruitiness of hibiscus blended with rosehip kicks hard to let you know it is there. Then mighty raspberry leaf sweeps a strong wave of flavour over the palate, leaving you with a glimpse of bright pink rose petals.

New Mama (Not to be used during Pregnancy)


About this tea

This gorgeous blend celebrates all things new. We have used liquorice root to sweeten up this lovely tea, so perfect for those of you who have a sweet tooth and normally find herbal teas a bit bitter. This tea is flowing with other goodies such as fennel and fenugreek seeds, lemon balm, red clover and nettle leaf. Perfect to enjoy if you like fennel teas, sweet things or are a new mother (get someone else to make it for you though – you deserve it!) All mums-to-be will have to wait for this one though, as we don’t recommend this one during pregnancy. Fennel, fenugreek and nettle are all galactagogues, which are herbs which help to promote milk production and flow. And if you like liquorice, you will love the taste of this tea!

Tasting notes

Sweet liquorice instantly provides blessed relief, like a nap in the afternoon. This gives way to fennel and fenugreek, which swell to provide a warm, milky taste that leaves the palate full and satisfied.

The tea which I enjoyed the most had to be Cool Mama. It is brilliantly refreshing and full of taste. The smell was amazing too and I have to admit I did have a good sniff every time I took a drink! The only tea which I wasn't too keen on was the New Mama tea. My sense of smell just couldn't take the fennel. I could drink the tea fine as it tasted lovely but the smell of the fennel put me off which is a shame. I guess I'm just not cut out to love fennel!

You can purchase your very own Mama Tea in boxes of 20 or as loose-leaf tea. The boxes of 20 tea bags Retail for £2.95 which is very reasonable for herbal teas plus you can purchase them direct from the Mama Tea online shop
.

Overall I would highly recommend these teas to all expecting mother and new mothers. Great care has been taken to establish could quality tasty tea and if you're a tea-a-holic like me then these are definitely for you. The New Mama tea would also make an excellent gift for a new breastfeeding mother. Pricing is great and very reasonable what more can I say? Just go and buy the stuff, you'll thank me for it later!

Mummies rating - 9.5/10

Please visit
www.mamatea.com for more products and information. You can also see what Mama Tea get up to on Twitter and Facebook so hop on over and say Hello! Remember to tell them The Breastest News sent you!

23 June 2011

Help Aid Your Breastfeeding Journey!

3 comments
So you want to Breastfeed? But what sort of products can you buy that will help breastfeeding run smoothly? Well you've come to the right place! I've pulled together a list of lovely breastfeeding products that will help you in your quest to Breastfeed. Read on for details.


Widgey Nursing Pillow
These little beauties are excellent for helping support your baby or arm whilst breastfeeding makin it more comfortable and they can also be used as a baby nest to help support your baby when they begin to sit up. RRP £29.95 and you can choose from 6 different designs. www.widgey.com


LilyPadz
What an excellent product these are! Reusable non-absorbant breast pads that adhere to you and not your bra. They can be worn without a bra, under your swimming costume, under a strappy dress or even under white clothes. RRP £14.99 for the pads or RRP £24.99 for the starter pack. www.simplylily.co.uk


Emma-Jane Nursing Bras
Luxury comfortable nursing bras brilliant for discreet and easy feeding. I really do recommend a nursing bra when breastfeeding, it made my life so much easier and they lasted ages. I still have them ready for the next baby! Prices range visit www.emma-jane.com for more info.


GumiGem Teething Necklaces
Although these are teething necklaces they are brilliant for baby to play with whilst breastfeeding and it stops them from pulling on your clothes, hair and expensive jewellery! This would have come in so handy when I was breastfeeding Logan, so wish I had discovered these back then. RRP £12.50 - www.gumigem.co.uk


MAM Breast Pump & Nipple Shields
If you're looking to breastfeed you may also want to express milk if you want a little rest or if you would like someone else to care for your baby if you're going out or just to give the father a chance to bond whilst feeding his little one too. This lovely MAM manual breast pump (RRP £35.75) will help you do just that. Also incase your nipples get a little bit sore you might want to invest in these nipple shields from MAM (RRP £6.12). www.mambaby.com


Breastfeeding Dress
These gorgeous breastfeeding dresses from Mummy Looks Fab are the perfect summer dress and their most popular and you can see why! Perfect for looking fab and still being about to feed your little one RRP £50.00 (each) www.mummylooksfab.co.uk


Breastvest
An ingenious little vest that sits under your breasts to cover up your tummy whilst breastfeeding. I love this vest and have reviewed it myself so can definitely vouch for it. No one likes to show their post mummy tummy so I would invest in these if you can. RRP £15.00 www.breastvest.co.uk


Breastfeeding Reminder Bracelet

Extremely handing for remembering which breast to feed your baby on next. Simply swap this gorgeous bracelet from mamajewels from wrist to wrist so you know that whatever wrist this bracelet is on is the side you next feed your baby on, simples! Prices range so please visit www.mamajewels.co.uk for more info and products.


Breastfeeding Clothes
For some very stylish dedicated breastfeeding clothes you need to visit Peaks of London. They have some fab items to help you breastfeed discreetly and also look amazing. www.peaksoflondon.com


So there you have it. Some totally fab breastfeeding products, I'm sure you'll agree, to help aid you in your breastfeeding journey. I really hope you have found this useful, I wish there was something like this available when I was breastfeeding as I hadn't a clue!

Breastfeeding Video

0 comments
Here is a lovely little video of real mums and mums to be discussing breastfeeding, some good tips for mums who haven't breastfed but would like to.


Review: EZ Fort

0 comments
The lovely people from Map Toys have kindly sent Logan their EZ Fort toy to test and review for them. Logan loves to play hide and seek so I thought this would be the perfect toy to build him a den to hide in. Here is what we thought.

Map Toys say: "From the creators of TOOBEEZ, comes the EZ-FORT, 54 piece framework building system. With all the safe, hardwearing fun of it’s bigger brother, EZ-FORT is the perfect size for smaller spaces whether in the house or the garden. Colour coded lengths of robust polycarbonate tube push into the precision engineered connecting spheres to create a vast array of structures."

The EZ Fort comes in a handy cardboard carry box which has a handle on it so perfect for children to take along to their friends or into school on a play day. The box is very brightly coloured and Logan got really excited when I brought it through to our livingroom to play with. He sat patiently on the floor right beside the box waiting for me to open it and oh what a ball he had playing away with the polycarbonate tubes and connecting spheres.
The other half helped Logan build a tent and we threw a spare bed sheet over it so it was like a proper little tent and he loved it. Logan would crawl in and out of it and scream with delight when we played cheek-a-boo with him. He really thought it was great and we all spent ages playing away.

This building toy is designed for children aged 3 - 7 but Logan is only 19 months old and he still loved it. I don't think he got the concept as well as maybe a 3 year old would as he kept trying to destroy the structure but we had fun all the same.


The only real problem we had like I said was Logan trying to destory anything we built after a while and it was very easy for him to do as the tubes were easy to pull from the spheres without any energy required. Ofcourse Logan thought this was hilarious when we gave him a telling off for it and would do it all the more! So if one improvement could be made it would be that the tubes need to fit a bit more snuggly into the spheres so it requires a bit more effort to pull them out. I'm sure Logan will stop this as he gets older though.

You can purchase your very own EZ Fort from Amazon for £39.89 plus free delivery.


Overall a lovely toy that I'm sure will capture your childs imagination. Easy to put up and put away but too easy for toddlers to pull down so maybe best sticking to purchasing for 3 - 7 year olds. Brilliant fun though and something which I would recommend.

Logan's rating - 8/10
Mummies rating - 7/10

Please visit www.maptoys.co.uk for more products and information.

22 June 2011

Nikki's Top Tips For Successful Breastfeeding!

2 comments
The Lovely Nikki Khan, midwife, from advice service Greatvine.com has kindly provided some Top Tips for Successful Breastfeeding. You can view Nikki's profile on www.greatvine.com/nikki-khan and for some extra one to one advise you can call her advice line on: 0905 675 4618 (calls charged at £1.20/min from a BT Landline. Calls from other networks and mobiles may vary. 18+).

As you'll agree a great list of tips to help you through breastfeeding. We'd love to her your comments and if you have any great top tips for breastfeeding!

Recommendations 
The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and from six months, babies need breastmilk alongside their solid food until they are at least a year old. After this time, babies can continue to breastfeed for as long as it suits you both. Breastfeeding gives your baby all the nutrients he/she desires for the first 6 months of life, helping to protect them from infections such as eczema and asthma to name but a few

The Early Days
Probably the best piece of advice in the early days after birth is to let your baby guide you to his/her demands feeding when hungry.  A feed within the first couple of hours of birth is the best time to give the first feed as your baby is often fairly alert after birth
Colostrum
The first milk is called colostrum and is yellow in colour and quite rich but small in amount. For this reason it is usual for babies to lose up to 10 % of their birthweight. The main milk supply will not come in until about the 3rd day postnatal. In those first days before your milk is established your baby may feed every 2- 4 hours
If your baby is premature and cannot breast feed straight away, start expressing as soon as possible to stimulate your supply and the hospital staff will be happy to help you
Expressing & Storing Breast Milk 
  • To maintain lactation by expressing you will need to express at least 6-8 times in 24 hours;
  • Can be by hand or with a hand pump or an electric or battery operated pump
  • Use sterile containers;
  • Milk can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days;
  • Breast milk can also be stored for up to 2 weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge or for up to 6 months in a freezer
How to Breastfeed
  • Ensure you are seated in a comfortable position with a drink nearby as you always get thirsty when breastfeeding!
  • Feed on demand to maintain an adequate milk supply
  • Don’t rush the feed!
  • Changing your baby’s nappy before a feed can make your baby more comfortable when feeding
Positioning  
  • Ensure that your baby’s head and body is in a straight line for feeding and she is well supported so he does not have to reach and have to stretch for his feed.;
  • ‘Nose to breast' – Your baby’s nose should be level with your nipple to achieve a good position for feeding;
  • ‘Rugby hold’ – Baby positioned under your arm, it is how twins are fed and is known as ‘tandem feeding’!
  • The 'Traditional' hold is when your baby is lying across your tummy when feeding. Wait for your baby to have a wide mouth before putting him to the breast, otherwise he could ‘work’ his way on to the breast and make your nipple sore;
  • When correctly positioned the nipple should be  toward the roof of your baby’s mouth
  • Your baby finishes the feed and comes off the breast on his ow
Milk Supply  
Breastfeeding works on a supply and demand so the more you feed the more milk you produce. 
  • Try to maintain the night feeds in the early days as this is when the prolactin levels are highest, so avoid supplementing night feeds with formula feeds s this may suppress your lactation.
  • With breastfeeding, your baby may be slower than bottle fed babies to gain weight but he/she should be gaining weight after the first two weeks.
  • After the first few days following birth, your baby should have at least six wet nappies a day and be passing a minimum of two yellow stools daily. This is called a ‘changing’ stool
Look After Yourself 
  • Drink 1.2 litres of fluid per day when breastfeeding
  • Eat regular as your calorific needs increase when breastfeeding and maintain  a well balanced diet
  • Ensure you get enough sleep, so sleep when your baby does, even during the day!
  • The Food standards Agency recommend taking a daily supplement of Vitamin D 10mcg
Possible Breastfeeding Problems 
Sore nipples 
  • Try different  positions such as alternating between the ‘rugby’ hold and the 'traditional' hold ;
  • Hand express some breast milk/colostrum on to the nipple. It has great healing properties;
  • Check positioning and ask for assistance if necessary
 Engorgement 
  • Occurs when your baby has not adequately emptied the breast;
  • Avoid supplements of formula;
  • Gentle massage of the breast can help
  • If your baby takes only one breast, you can alleviate engorgement of the breast that you are not using to feed by using a breast pump or by hand expressing milk.
  • Warm flannels on the breast can help to aid milk flow and cold compresses/flannels after a feed can be quite soothing
 Mastitis  
  • Mastitis is a condition that causes the breast tissue to become inflamed and usually affects only one breast, causing it to become painful, red and swollen. Symptoms can include such as a fever and flu-like symptoms.
  • More frequent feeding or expressing excess milk after a feed can help.
  • More serious cases of mastitis may need antibiotics.
Nikki's Emergency Tips 
  • Fennel Tea – It really works to stimulate your milk supply!
  • Cabbage leaves – can help engorged breasts after a feed and can be quite soothing if the cabbage leaves have been in the fridge!

Greatvine features many leading parenting experts offering advice by phone.

21 June 2011

Breastfeeding Stories from Around the Blogs

1 comments
Here are some lovely posts of different breastfeeding stories from other blogs. Please email me your link to be added to the list or email me your story and I'll post it up for you. Please send some photos to, we all love to see what you look like :)








Sadie's Breastfeeding Story

2 comments
The lovely Sadie has kindly sent in her breastfeeding story to share with you all. A very harrowing story I'm sure you'll agree. Read on for her tale...

I had my baby boy January this year and was discharged from hospital the day after, more because they were running out of beds than because I felt well enough.

I really struggled to breastfeed and got little support from the hospital, I had diamorphine through labour and my baby was very drowsy from this and didn't latch on, I expressed and used a syringe to feed him but he went from 9lbs 2oz to 8lbs 5oz. I was determined to breastfeed so I really wanted to persevere and eventually got him to latch on. I was very tired as my labour had been 84 hours and I was having severe after pains. I told the midwives about the pains who told me to got to the doctor and the doctor told me to tell the midwives.


My boy was 7 days old and breastfeeding was really hard when I suddenly got a fever and the shakes I was admitted to A&E but was too weak to even hold my baby let alone feed him. It turned out I had a uterine infection which had spread to my kidneys. They put me on a saline drip, antibiotics and parecetomol by drip but my body had gone into shock and my veins had contracted making it difficult to get needles in and the canulars kept coming out. Through this I expressed milk using an electric pump in the hospital and sent the milk back to my son who was at home with my husband and mum.

The infections were treated and I was sent home after 5 days where I began to try to breastfeed again, I went to the doctor who said I still had a water infection which was making it hard to produce the amount of milk my boy was needing but he was putting weight on through expressing and trying to breastfeed. The midwives advised to express more to get my milk supply up which I did. But my temperature and pains came back and after being out of hospital for 10 days I was admitted again but this time I was allowed my son with me where he breastfed constantly.


It was suggested I would need surgery to remove the left over placenta that kept getting infected so I was put on nil by mouth but still continuing to try to breastfeed without food or water until 1 pm when I was due to go into surgery and they changed their mind thinking it would be risky as my womb was inflamed from the infection. I was given tablets to make my womb contract to try to dispell the placenta and sent home again.
Again I wasn't feeling well and the doctor sent me for an ultrasound as the hospital hadn't followed up on this and this showed placenta and membrane was still left in and I was booked in for surgery. Through all of this I continued to express and breastfeed my son.

After the surgery I felt better very quickly but my son was now 6 weeks and I had missed out on that important first weeks from being so ill. The community midwives and health visitors were worried about post natal depression but breastfeeding my baby secured the bond and we were fine.


After that time breastfeeding became much easier and I am still breastfeeding my son at 5 and a half months although we are starting to wean as he is big. I have no intention of stopping breastfeeding soon as I love it and although it was hard through all the problems I had was probably the best thing as I have a strong bond with my baby and stopped me getting post natal depression - the fist time I went into hopital and was just expressing without having him with me I didn't want him so I really believe that breastfeeding helped this feeling and stopped me getting worse.

See what Sadie gets up to on twitter.

Breastfeeding Positions - What's your favourite?

2 comments
So the key to a good latch whilst breastfeeding is often your position and making sure you are comfortable. If you aren't comfortable you won't be able to feed for long enough and this may unsettle your baby making it harder to feed successfully.

My fav position to feed Logan in was the good old front hold position whilst supporting him with the arm on the same side he was feeding from. I found this really comfy and with a pillow propped under my arm for extra support I could sit there for ages. I also found a nursing pillow to be quite handy for that little bit of extra support and something which I would recommend to other breastfeeding mothers.
Courtesy of abc.net
I always found that there was one side Logan prefered to the other and this side was always easier for Logan to latch on to for some reason. So for the first few weeks of breastfeeding I tried the rugby hold (baby tucked under your arm - see diagram) on the side he didn't prefer and this helped a lot.

The easiest position of all for me had to be when you were lying on your side. Your baby needs minimal support and you could prop your head up with a few pillows and just chillax, bliss! This was also the best position for night time feeding as minimal effort is required and after you put your baby back in his cot you can drift back to sleep.
Here is a little diagram of how a baby actually breastfeeds and show a good proper latch. It's called breastfeeding for a reason not nipple feeding so it does give you a good idea of what should be happening.
Courtesy of gomestic.com
Ok so what do you do if you have twins or multiple babies! Well to start with you could be expressing your milk and putting it in a bottle if you need the rest as feeding multiples will be tiring. Or you could feed them at the same time from different breast for twins (see diagram below) or alternative hours, so one baby feeds on even hours the other on odds! I know it sounds like a lot of hard work and no doubt it will be and I have never fed twins etc myself so there's just a few little suggestions there. If anyone has any other great suggestions please do share.
So there we have it, a few different positions to feed your baby in whilst breastfeeding. I really hope this comes in handy for someone and please do share your favourite breastfeedind positions!

Courtesy of breastfeedingplace.com


Review: Feederz Bibs

2 comments
The lovely people from Skibz have kindly sent us some of their Feederz Bibs to test and review for them. They look beautiful so we couldn't wait to try them out. Here is what we thought.

Skibz says; "You can't stop a mucky pup being messy at mealtimes but you can cover up with a groovy Feederz bib and be the envy of all your friends! Feederz are the baby brother of the award winning Skibz dribble bib, designed by a British mum who knows a thing or two about combining funky designer looks with practicality."

We were sent the Star Bright & Cow design Feederz bibs which are very bright and eye catching. You get two bibs in each pack and they are suitable from birth. They are made from the highest quality cotton so soft on babies skin but have a PVC backing to stop liquids and food staining your babies clothes underneath. To fasten the bibs around your babies neck there are 2 ties and we simply just tied them into a loose bow around Logan's neck that way he couldn't pull the bib off or choke himself.


So what did we think? Well we really liked these bibs, they are very absorbent! More so than I thought they would be from looking at them first glance. They have lovely patterns and designs and are nice and soft so don't rub on Logan's next. The PVC backing is great, it stops any of Logan's juice or food from soaking into his clothes however we did think that since Logan is 18 months the bibs were a little small and could have been bigger. Since Logan is beginning to feed himself he just drops the food if it doesn't reach his mouth and often falls onto his lap or if it's fruit rolls off the bib!

I think it would be great if the creators of the Feederz bib could make an all-in-one overall bib that covers the arms and some of the lap. That would be a great seller especially since these Feederz bibs are so absorbent! One for the future I think!


As for the ties on the bib they were long enough that you could comfortably tie a bow but were short enough so that no ends where dangling, they were just tied up nicely. Logan sat quite happily to have this bib tied on him however I could see it being a problem if he was having a bit of a wobbly at meal times.
These Feederz bibs come in 5 different designs. There's the star bright & cow design which we were sent, then there's the star bright & blue spot and the vintage rose & fuchsia circles for the girls. All very beautiful and well presented in their packaging.


You can buy your very own pack of Feederz bibs from the Skibz online store RRP £10.00.

Overall really nice bibs, bright funky colours and designs, very absorbent but could be a little bigger and the ties may be a problem with a moody toddler. Great item to give as a gift and perfect for newborns or mums to be going on maternity leave. The only major problem I have is the price, very expensive for two bibs and more of a luxury item than an essential compared to other bibs on the market.

Logan's rating - 8/10
Mummies rating - 6/10

Please visit www.skibz.co.uk for more products and information. You can also see what Skibz get up to on Facebook and Twitter so why not pop over and say hello and tell them The Breastest News sent you.

20 June 2011

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

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So what are the benefits of breastfeeding? Well there are plenty for both mother and child but lets start with the child. One of the best benefits for your child is that it gives them great immune health meaning it gives their little immune system a boost and helps protect them as antibodies from the mother is passed on to the baby through their "first milk" - the Colostrum. As well as the antibodies the Colostrum is also very rich in proteins and vitamin A, all brilliant for your newborn baby.

It is said that breastfeeding your child helps reduce the risk of developing infections, they have less diarrhoea and vomiting, chest infections, and ear infections on average compared to children who are not breastfed. A few studies carried out over the years seem to suggest this and I do think it is true as Logan has only really had a handle of colds, if that and just the odd high temperature which has cleared up quickly. He did have conjunctivitis at one point but this cleared up within a few days with eye drops from the doctor!

Now here's something I didn't know: "Breastfed babies have better arousal from sleep at 2–3 months. This coincides with the peak incidence of sudden infant death syndrome. A study conducted at the University of Munster found that breastfeeding halved the risk of sudden infant death syndrome in children up to the age of 1."

As well as the above, studies have shown that breastfeeding has also helped to give children higher intelligence, a less likelihood of diabetes and less chance of childhood obesity and being overweight.

For the mother (according to www.patient.co.uk) "various studies have looked at the possible health benefits to women who have breastfed. There is now good evidence that, on average, the following health problems are less common in women who have breastfed one or more babies compared to those who have never breastfed: Breast cancer, Ovarian cancer, Type 2 diabetes, Postnatal depression.

Breastfeeding is also very convenient, there is no need for preparation, the milk is always at the right temperature for baby and it is always available so no problems when out and about. It is also very cheap infact it's Free! So for any mums on a budget breastfeeding is definitely the way to go. It also helps burn a lot of calories so back into those pre-maternity clothes quicker!

All of these breastfeeding things are great but the one which I liked the most was probably the simplest - bonding. I loved that I was the only one would could feed Logan and I feel now we have an amazing bond because of it. The time we shared only the two of us was very special and something which I can treasure forever.


The Boob, courtesy of www.patient.co.uk


Breastfeed​ing Awareness Week - Send Us Your Stories

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This week in Britain it's all about breastfeeding, and it would only be fitting for me to share my breastfeeding story with everyone don't you think? Well the lovely people from Cuddledry have kindly hosted my story on their blog so please pop over and have a read: The Breastest News Breastfeeding Story.

Please do let me know what you think and I'd also like to know how you got on with breastfeeding your little one(s)? Did you struggle from the start or was it a walk in the park? Send me an email about your story with a photo and I shall post it on the blog, you might even get a little gift for taking part!!


Review: Sock Ons & Dribble Ons

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Lost socks and soaking wet clothes from dribbles! Are these problems you're having with your little one? Well I have the solution for you… some amazing products designed by Kezi Levin, a young mother of five little boys and a graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London. Kezi has created the amazing Sock Ons and Dribbles Ons for your little one. Logan was lucky enough to be sent a sample of both to test and review. Here is what we thought.


Sock Ons
These amazing little pieces of elastic really do work. When I first heard of them I really thought "what a load of nonsense" but oh how my opinion has changed! Logan has never managed to keep his socks on longer than half an hour since he was born, he would always kick them off and as he's grown he pulls them off now which is very annoying especially when you're in the car and the socks just seems to vanish! When these Sock Ons are put over Logan's socks he cannot pull them off, hurray! My other half and I can't believe the results of these Sock Ons. Logan does try to pull his socks off but to no avail so he quickly gives up now and goes back to playing happily. These little beauties really are a great invention and something I should have discovered a long time ago. Although the Sock Ons are only in sizes up to 12 months, Logan is almost 19 months and the 6-12 month size fits him fine. It doesn't constrict or hurt his feet in anyway and there is more than enough room. We're really pleased with the results and will continue to use these Sock Ons until he outgrows them.

Sock Ons are made from a softly woven blend of elasticated materials and you'll also be pleased to know that the Sock Ons come in minimal packaging with only a little cardboard so excellent for the environment and less waste for you to recycle.


The Sock Ons come in many a different colour. There is the Bright Collection available in; Red, Orange, Lemon, Lime, Turquoise, Blueberry, Grape, Chocolate and Charcoal. Or you can have the Classic Collection available in 5 plain colours; Baby Pink, fuchsia, Baby Blue, Navy and White. And last but not least there is the very cute sneaker prints available in; Sky Runner, Sailor Blue, Princess Pink and Fairy White. All come in sizes 0-6 months and 6-12 months.


Prices for the Sock Ons start from around £2.75 but prices do vary depending on the stockist. You can purchase these lovely Sock Ons from Mothercare, JoJo Maman Bebe and Amazon.

Dribble Ons
We've all had to change our little one at some point because the amount of dribbles down there top has been saturating and before you know it there top looks drenched and is giving their chin a rash! Well say goodbye to those episodes as Dribble Ons are here to save the day. Dribble Ons are made with a soft terry cotton lining that soaks in the moisture and leaves your little ones clothes dry as well as their chin so no more rashes. They come in one size (0-24 months) and fit Logan quite comfortably, they are held in place by a popper button and there is 2 poppers on the back of the Dribble Ons so you can adjust the size as your baby grows. The colours they come in match the Bright Collection of the Sock Ons so you can get a matching set, brilliant gift idea. Colours available in Red, Orange, Lemon, Lime, Turquoise, Blueberry, Grape, Chocolate and Charcoal.


These Dribble Ons really did work their magic for Logan and his top and chin stayed dry all day which was fantastic and as the Dribble Ons are so soft and look comfy to wear they didn't irritate his skin which was great. They are easy to put on with the poppers and just as easy to take off. As with the Sock Ons, the Dribble Ons come in minimal packaging as well. Only a little bit of cardboard, excellent!

You can purchase your very own Dribble Ons for your little one for around £4.00 from Amazon.

Overall the Sock Ons and Dribble Ons are amazing products and ones which I cannot fault. Their helpfulness quickly became apart in our house and we will continue to use until Logan has outgrown them. These would make fantastic gifts for newborn babies or expecting mums and it's something a bit different which will definitely be appreciated.

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

Please visit www.sockons.co.uk for more products and information. Why not also pop over and say hello to Sock Ons on Facebook? Remember to tell them The Breastest News Sent you.

19 June 2011

Silent Sunday

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Silent Sunday

18 June 2011

Review: GOSH Eyeliner - Extreme Art

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The lovely people from GOSH Cosmetics have sent me their new Extreme Arts liquid Eyeliner to test and review for them. I received the Black colour so here is what I thought.

When I was younger I used to wear liquid eyeliner every day to high school, I wouldn't have left the house without my eyeliner on and it got to the point when my friends teased me about being a goth because of the amount of eyeliner I would apply. I didn't care though, I loved the stuff! But one problem I always had was that my eyeliner would smudge or crack and then I would have to wipe it off and re-apply which took ages and was very frustrating especially when you want to look your best.

I have't really worn eyeliner for a few years now because after having a child I would rather have a long lie than get up and apply make-up and the thought of it smudging or cracking and me having to re-apply was not very appealing as you can imagine but the new GOSH eyeliner is said to be super semi-permanent and shouldn't budge so I had to see for myself.

GOSH Cosmetics say; "Part of the tried and trusted, catwalk-inspired Gosh Cosmetics range, this "must-buy" eyeliner is literally flying off the shelves as customers buy in bulk because it becomes transfer-resistant once dry. Guaranteed to stay put through tears without a smear the only way you can remove it is with a waterproof make-up remover."


So what did I think when applying? Well using liquid eyeliner is like a fine art and you have to have a steady hand or you will be all over the place and because this stuff dries in fast if you make a mistake you have to be quick! It took me a few attempts to get my eyeliner perfect the first time I tried it out as I hadn't worn it for years but what a difference it makes to my eyes. It makes them look more appealing and now I remember why I used to wear it every day.

You'll be glad to know that yes it did stay put all day and yes it never smudged or cracked which I am very pleased with but the only thing that put me off was having to try and remove the eyeliner. It was very hard to remove and to really get rid of it you have to use waterproof make-up remover and it's noot something I reallly have in my make-up bag to be honest. The eyeliner did come off eventually but it did take longer than my usual 2 minutes to remove my make-up at night before bed.

Available in 12 fantastic shades, this soft and light liner comes with a precision brush for accurate application and by adjusting the angle of the brush you can adjust the thickness of the line. Choose from the following amazing shades:- 1 Purple, 7 Black, 10 Deep Sea Blue, 11 Aqua, 17 Light Purple, 18 Multi Glitter, 19 Silver Glitter, 20 Gold Glitter, 25 Metallic Grey & 26 Purple Glitter.

This multi-talented eyeliner can also be used for body art or decorating your nails which I think is fantastic! You can purchase your very own GOSH Eyeliner - Extreme Art for RRP £5.99 exclusively from Superdrug stores nationwide or from www.superdrug.com.

Overall a really lovely liquid eyeliner and one that stays where it should and doesn't look a mess after 12 hours like some do! I think the price is fair for what you get and it will probably last you a long time due to the little you need to put on your eyes. The only thing that put me off, like I said, was how hard it is to take off with make-up remover.

Mummies rating - 7.5/10

Please visit www.goshcosmetics.com for more products and information. Why not also pop over to the GOSH Cosmetics facebook pay and say Hi! Remember to tel them The Breastest News sent you.

17 June 2011

Review: Theraline Kids Animal Neck Pillow

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Now that Logan is getting older it's time to start introducing pillows and duvet covers to him instead of his usual growbag at bed time. The lovely people from Theraline have kindly sent Logan one of their cute animal neck pillows to test and review for them so here is what we thought.

Theraline says; "Theraline animal neck pillows are the ideal combination of a cuddly toy, sleeping and travelling pillow. Your baby can now simply take its cuddly toy with on short or long routes; use as a head support and as a pillow in guest beds."

There are 3 very funky animal neck pillows to choose from; a dragon, sheep or the sun. We chose to try out the Dragon which is very cute and cuddly. You can choose 2 different sizes in these pillows, either baby (small) or toddler (large), to suit the size of your child. Even though Logan is only 18 months old we chose to have the toddler pillow as he's quite a big boy and will be growing fast so this should last him longer. The dimensions of the pillows are as follows: large: approx. 85cm x 15cm, small: approx. 65cm x 10cm so if you are unsure of what size to get atleast you can measure it out and see for yourself. These pillows are filled with a fine sand-like micro-bead filling which will be soft to cuddle but also help support your child's neck with comfort.


So we used this neck pillow in Logan's cot at night for bedtime and I would place him on it to go to sleep. It supported his neck well as the micro-beads moulded to fit his shape but he wouldn't stay on it long as I think he thought it was a toy because it is colourful and has a big smiley face. He normally sits for a little while playing with it before snuggling down to sleep and even then he preferred to lie on his front so the pillow wasn't used much which is a shame. It is big enough to support him comfortably but also not as bulky as some other neck pillows which is good so when he does decide he wants to lie on the pillow it does do its job.

I think these neck pillows would be better suited when travelling with your child, we have a holiday planned for later this year and I will definitely be taking this on the plane with us as Logan has his own seat and this will support his neck if he wants to go for a nap. The design of the Dragon itself is very good, big smiley face, lots of little bits for small hands to explore and it is well made so safe for babies and toddlers. I also like it that the eyes of the dragon are stitched on so no bits that can be pulled off and choked on!


As well as these neck pillows for children Theraline also make maternity and nursing pillows which has won the Mother & Baby and Practical Parenting & Pregnancy Silver Awards and it's definitely something to purchase when pregnant or nursing, I could never have coped without mine!

You can purchase your very own Animal Neck Pillow from Theraline's online shop for RRP £19.90 (large) £18.90 (small).

Overall a lovely neck pillow that is high quality and does it's job. It's a shame that Logan preferred to lay on his front when sleeping but I think this would be best suited to travelling for example car and plane journeys. Logan did like it as a toy however so it hasn't gone to waste and it goes in his cot with him every night. The only thing that puts me off is that it is quite pricey for a children's pillow.

Logan's rating - 7/10
Mummies rating - 7.5/10

Please visit www.theraline.co.uk for more products and information. Why not pop over to Theraline's facebook and twitter pages to say hello! Remember to tell them The Breastest News sent you.

15 June 2011

Review: Sanex Dermo Kids Bodywash & Foam Bath

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The lovely people from Sanex have kindly sent us their new Sanex Dermo Kids Bodywash & Foam Bath to test and review for them. We couldn't wait to try this product out as Logan suffers from dry skin and the odd patch of eczema so here is what we thought.

What Sanex say: "Sanex understands your child’s skin and how it works. That’s why they have created Dermo Kids Bodywash and Foam Bath - a paediatrician approved, hypoallergenic and pH balanced formulation that actively works with your child’s developing skin to gently cleanse and help keep it healthy and nurtured. Sanex Dermo Kids Bodywash and Foam Bath joins a comprehensive family of skin friendly bath and shower products for adults – all designed to actively work with your skin to help keep it healthy and naturally protected."

Following babyhood, your child’s skin becomes plumper, giving it that beautiful, smooth appearance and purity that most of us adults envy. By now, their skin is fully active and well hydrated, and should be at its healthiest. However, according to well-known GP, Dr Sarah Jarvis : “At least one in six children gets eczema, and up to one in 12 GP visits relate to some form of skin condition. That’s over 250 GP hours or 48 days worth of surgery a year”


Children’s lifestyles have also changed with today’s kids spending over 90% of their time indoors, so the environments of their schools and homes have a dramatic impact on their health, including their skin. Seasonal changes, central heating, air conditioning and hot water can all cause discomfort, making your child’s skin more delicate and prone to itchiness. Other factors that can affect the condition of their skin include not drying properly after washing and the use of bar soap.

Follow Dr Sarah Jarvis’s tips to help keep your child’s skin healthy:
1. Heat, cold, too much exposure to water or a dry atmosphere (central heating dries out the air) can all make dry skin worse. So can wind –     be especially careful with hands and faces, which are exposed to the elements.
2. Avoid normal soaps and detergents for all children, but especially if they have dry skin. Both of these can strip the oils from your child’s skin, making it more prone to dryness and itching.
3. Use a hypoallergenic soap substitute approved for children to wash their skin.
4. Get into the habit of applying unscented or hypoallergenic moisturisers regularly. If you start early, your child may rather like having moisturiser massaged in.
5. Your child’s skin is very vulnerable to the sun, and getting burnt hugely increases his risk of skin cancer in later life. It also dries the skin out. Always use a high factor (at least factor 30) sunscreen, and reapply it often, especially after swimming.

As I said Logan suffers from dry skin and eczema (sometimes) and because of this we are unable to use bubble bath and quite a lot of bath products because it intensifies the dry skin so Logan has never really been able to have a proper bubble bath as most of the dry skin products that the doctors give you never foam properly which is a shame. So imagine my detail, and Logan's, when the Sanex Dermo kids bodywash and foam bath created a mass of bubbles for Logan to jump into! And… it didn't leave his skin dry! Infact his skin felt soft and moisturised when we dried him off after his bath so we are all very pleased with the results.

This product has been approved by paediatricians and is hypoallergenic so definitely a product you can put your trust into when washing your child. You get a massive 500ml bottle for only RRP £3.19 and you will find this product in all good supermarkets, chemists and drug stores nationwide (Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's etc).

Overall a brilliant product and one that does actually work. Excellent value for money considering the massive bottle you get for only £3.19 and some supermarkets will have special offers on or will price match etc so you will get a bargain some where.

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

Please visit www.sanex.co.uk for more products and information. Why not pop over and say hello to Sanex on facebook? Remember to tell them The Breastest News sent you!

Review: FlexiBath Toys

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The lovely creators of the FlexiBath have kindly sent us their new bath toys to test and review for them. Logan loves the bath so we jumped at the chance to review these toys. Here is what we thought.

The FlexiBath Toys arrived in a beautifully sleek and excellently presented box which is made from cardboard so nice and environmentally friendly. They come with an ingenious small table which can be attached to all bath tubs by means of the specially designed suction cups. This is fantastic and something which I have never seen before but was very welcome in Logan's bath as he loved to pick up the toys and place them on his little FlexiBath table.

The FlexiBath Toys also consist of a coffee/ tea making set with colourful cups, jug and a funnel. They are very colourful and bold so perfect for capturing the interests of your little one. The toys which are soft and fun to play with, are made from the soft TPE plastic used in the FlexiBath. FlexiBath themselves says: "The FlexiBath Toys are made from PP and TPE and comply with all relevant international standards. Both types of materials are free from PVC, Phthalates, BPA, heavy metals and other harmful and hazardous materials." So to sum up these toys are perfectly safe for your little one to play with.

The toys themselves are very soft so are easy to squish and I was worried that they would lose their shape as Logan liked to chew on them. They will stay squashed if you leave them but if you squeeze them back into shape then they are totally fine. The little cups are just the perfect size for small hands and the funnel has holes in the bottom so you can see the water escaping, something which Logan found hilarious. The funnel also has a little lid so it looks like a tea pot and the jug is perfect for pouring your "tea" into the cups!

These FlexiBath Toys really are very cool and would make the perfect gift for a baby or child on any occasion for example; newborn gift, birthday present, Christmas present, Easter present etc.


You can purchase your very own set of FlexiBath toys for RRP £12.95 from Amazon.

Overall Logan loves these bath toys. I was a bit worried about them becoming out of shape with Logan chewing and squashing them but they survived so a big thumbs up. These toys are definitely a present I would consider purchasing for Logan's little friends and they are bath toys which I will be recommending to anyone who'll listen!

Logan's rating - 10/10
Mummies rating - 9/10

Please visit www.flexibath.co.uk for more products and information. Why not have a nosey at what FlexiBath get up to on facebook? Remember to tell them The Breastest News sent you!

14 June 2011

Alien Cosmolights WINNERS

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ALIEN COSMOLIGHTS WINNERS
 


I bet you've all been waiting in suspence to hear the winners announced!!

Well here we go! The winners of the Alien Cosmolights chosen by ramdom.org are...

@MrsWebster147 - Angela
@wendymcd83 - Wendy
@jessies_online - Helen

Congratulations!

Please email me with the following details and I will have your prizes sent out:

Name:
Home Address:


Thanks to everyone who entered, it is very much appreciated.
Please visit www.ozbozz.co.uk for more products and information.

Review: Born Free Silicone Teether

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Is your little dumpling having teething problems? Well this might be the teether for you! The lovely people from Born Free have kindly sent Logan one of their silicone teethers to test and review for them. Here is what we thought.

Born Free say: "Born Free Teethers range are designed by a Paediatric dentist and are made from medical grade silicone. Designed to stimulate, soothe and even clean baby’s gums, the teethers feature multiple textures that allow your baby to get used to chewing various solid textures and to aid their transition to solid foods and can be chilled or frozen for your baby's comfort."

This teether has a very funky design which enables baby to grip and hold it easily. It has numerous different textures perfect for helping new teeth to emerge and to help soothe painful gums. As it is medical grade silicone it is very safe for baby to use and it is also odour free! It has no nasties either and is free from BPA, Phthalates and PVC. There is a handy built-in cavity which is perfect for apply some teething gel to your little ones gums helping to ease the pain and discomfort.
Logan really likes this teether as it's easy for him to hold and chew on. He loved it when I squeezed some of the teething gel into the built-in cavity and he would happily chew away on it for a good hour. Even though he had teeth when we tested this teether he has not managed to damage it in anyway, shape or form, so it has definitely stood up to the chomp test!

The Born Free silicone teether is designed for babies 4 months and up and is available in pink or blue. You can purchase your little one their very own teether from Born Free's online shop RRP £7.99.

Overall a great teether, plenty of different textures and features to keep baby occupied. Safe to use and free of nasties. I think it is really pricey considering what it is however Logan loved it so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to friends and family or buy another one in future.

Logan's rating - 9/10
Mummies rating - 7.5/10

Please visit www.babybornfree.co.uk got more products and information. Born Free are also on twitter and facebook so why not pop over and say hello! Remember to tell them The Breastest News sent you.
 

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