All Aboard the Boob Wagon

It’s carnival time at Glowstars.net with all proceeds going to National Breastfeeding Awareness Week.  Well ok, there might not be any actual funds crossing this blog but the by the time you’re done with all these fab posts you’ll definitely be aware of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding can be really tough in the beginning but A Year On and Laura has found it’s all been worth it.  Having breastfed two babies and now breastfeeding her third, Emily’s a pro.  In 10 Things I’d Forgotten About Breastfeeding she tells us how easy it is to forget all those little details.  That’s right, the ones you’ve managed to push from your mind.  Superfiona can’t give her son off-street parking, an iPhone or quite as much time as she deserves but she Breastfed him and she knows she gave him that.

It’s a Mummy’s Life knows that Breast Might Not Be Best.  Unfortunately it’s a truth that some women just don’t understand.  Breastfeeding can be tough enough as it is without the constant debate over whether breast or formula feeding is best.  We need to focus less on what method of feeding is used and start thinking that Best is Best.   Regardless of which option is best, we still need to consider Women’s Rights; Kathryn discusses whether breastfeeding should be a choice.

Emma had a really rough time trying to breastfeed her son and began Bottle Feeding.  She hasn’t let it discourage her though and when she convinces her other half it’s the right time for another baby she’s going to try again.  To Boob or Not to Boob, that is the question and one that still doesn’t have an easy answer for Amanda now she’s expecting her fourth baby.

Being a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter has been very rewarding for Aly Bean; she’s active in supporting breastfeeding women in her local community.  Lisa tells us all about her breastfeeding experience with her first child in Hooray for Boobies and how it’s encouraged her to become a breastfeeding peer supporter.  Muddling Along Mummy has trained as a mother supporter and set up her local breastfeeding support group.  She’d like people to know that she’s Not a Member of the Breastapo.  Solveig may have breastfed both her kids for a year but she’s not a member either.  In Breastfeeding she tells us about her struggles on the breastfeeding journey, one which was ultimately a success.

Unless we want our kids to be shouting “bitty!” well into their 30s then breastfeeding must eventually come to an end.  In Shutting Up Shop Deer Baby shows us what a sense of loss it can bring.  In Writing Workshop #4 Not Such a Yummy Mummy talks about her sense of loss when breastfeeding came to an end.  She conveys her feelings of devastation so well that I was drawn to tears when I read her post.

Of course breastfeeding doesn’t have to end when you return to work.  You can become a Pumping Mama.  It’s not an easy option (and not one restricted just to working mothers either) but it is worth it.  The trouble with pumping is that you have to leave your baby with someone.  If that someone happens to be your other half, you might find the man talking About Boobs and Milk.

Single Mummy has some interesting facts in her take on Young Mums and Breastfeeding.  She was lucky enough to get support and information on breastfeeding as a young mum; many other young mums aren’t.

In For the Love of Breasts Luschka tells us about some of the reasons she loves breastfeeding and what it means for her and her daughter Kyra.  She’s also been great in her support of NBAW and in aid of the week has also given us recipes for Lactation Biscuits and Breastmilk Smoothies and told us a few things It Would Have Been Nice to Know about breastfeeding and Five Great Things About Breastmilk.  Luschka’s also the woman with all the smart Comebacks for Breastfeeding Comments, those things you always wish you had the guts to say.

The celebration of breastfeeding isn’t just restricted to memories and experiences.  Us breastfeeding mamas have been checking out some great breastfeeding accessories as well. In celebration of NBAW there are some great breastfeeding giveaways out there; check out the posts marked * for more details.

Both Tiddlyompompom and I have reviewed the FreedomBabe Breastfeeding Cover.   It appears that, like me, Tiddly isn’t afraid of whipping her boob out for the sake of her baby but we’re both aware that not everybody is comfortable with us doing so.

Bras4Mums* is the best bra fitting service around and perfect for new mums.  They’re even Supporting the Biggest Bazongas on the Internet.  If you’re looking for support whilst breastfeeding discreetly Mamascarf* is for you.  Of course if you just want the Perfect Pillow to support you whilst feeding, Theraline have the answer.

Mr A messes around whilst feeding and a BabyBeads Breastfeeding Necklace* seems like the perfect solution although it’s not on the Breastfeeding Mum’s Guide to Accessorising with Philips Avent.  Another accessory that’s not in all the books is a Breastfeeding Reminder Bracelet* – helpful in those first months to remind you which breast to offer baby first.

If you need to combine breastfeeding and work all the necklaces and supports in the world won’t help.  In that case you might try Milking the Cow, Electronically.  If you’d like to win an Avent breast pump head over to Baby Budgeting where you’ll find a Fab Avent Giveaway* with the chance to win an Avent manual breast pump and newborn starter set.