#mothercraft

[empowasg]

Yep, we've all heard the phrase, but until you're a breastfeeding mum you don't quite understand the significance ... TODAY IS OFFICIALLY "Don't cry over spilt milk day" - yes, that is a real thing pa ha ha but there is so much significance to this for @empowa.sg and @littleredboob followers Spilling breastmilk is one of the most upsetting things that can happen to a pumping mum. Pumping mums work so hard for that breastmilk, like really really hard! YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!!! Not everyone realises that some mums have gone to extreme measures to increase their supply. From not only changing their diet, getting up at awful times of the night, packing and carrying around ice packs but also negotiating with employers and sometimes even hotels, restaurants and airlines to help them store it. There is nothing easy about pumping breastmilk! There are some new products that are making some mums lives a little easier. The @haakaa silicone pump has the suction cap on the bottom, @elvie is fast becoming a game changer in the world of on the go pumping (you seriously need to try it out, it is available in Singapore now). My other top tips are quite simple ones, but can help: ***store breastmilk in small quantities, in the early days I recommend as small as 20-30 mls per storage container ***if using bags, ensure they have double ziplocks ***use a pumping flange to siphon breastmilk into storage bags ***consider glass storage, it is heavier and less likely to tip over ***after pumping, initially chill your milk in the container it was pumped into. Transfer into a different container later in the day when you are more focussed, and less rushed CAN WE PLEASE HAVE A SHOUT OUT FOR ALL THE PUMPING MUMS!!! HIP HIP HORRAY, You are all amazing! #breastpump #dontcryoversplitmilk #newmumssupportservices #mothercraft #postpartumdoula #doula #breastfeeding #newborn #newmum #fourthtrimester #postnatal #postpartum #empoweringmums #empowasg #empowayourmotherhood #ihelpnewmums #postnatalconsultant #firsttimemum #sgnewmum #yourvillageiswaiting #sgmummies #ittakesavillage #littleredboob #thelittleblackbumpbook #sgmummy #expatlivingsg #motherandchildsg #normalizebreastfeeding (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLJLaTGHfjs/?igshid=pl8z3pyhrc7o

[empowasg]

I love my job #newmumssupportservices #mothercraft #postpartumdoula #doula #breastfeeding #newborn #newmum #fourthtrimester #postnatal #postpartum #empoweringmums #empowasg #empowayourmotherhood #ihelpnewmums #postnatalconsultant #firsttimemum #sgnewmum #yourvillageiswaiting #sgmummies #ittakesavillage #littleredboob #thelittleblackbumpbook #sgmummy #expatlivingsg #motherandchildsg (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKA5h0oH6Yy/?igshid=pjy1halfhtpi

[empowasg]

It’s here! We made it! We all got through 2020 to reach Christmas! It’s not what we thought it would be, we aren’t all with the people we hoped to be with, but I know all the new mums and dads I’ve had the pleasure to work with this year will be wrapped up in cuddles and gurgles of fun! MY TOP TIPS for new mums and dads for coping with the next 24 hours: *stick to your normal routine as much as possible *stay hydrated *follow your gut (if you think it’s time to leave the party, leave the party) *🥂? My rule of thumb is 1 glass of wine and you’ll be fine (but always follow your Drs guidelines) Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, and remember to have some fun and see past the dirty nappies and breast pump 😉 🥂 (I’ll still be keeping an eye on my WhatsApp if anyone needs me) #sgchristmas2020 #covidchristmassg #newmumssupportservices #mothercraft #postpartumdoula #doula #breastfeeding #newborn #newmum #fourthtrimester #postnatal #postpartum #empoweringmums #empowasg #empowayourmotherhood #ihelpnewmums #postnatalconsultant #firsttimemum #sgnewmum #yourvillageiswaiting #sgmummies #ittakesavillage #littleredboob #thelittleblackbumpbook #sgmummy #expatlivingsg #motherandchildsg (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJLl13YnyRg/?igshid=1i9l6fhhz5oti

[empowasg]

Doing tough things at tough times is just setting yourself up for a world of ‘new parent’ strife. So if you are trying something new, doing something different or trying to get the hang of something; then for the love of life itself, do it when you have the best chance of success (or at least the best chance of no meltdowns, either from you or your baby) Examples I’ve recently come across: *trying out a new swaddle - try it at the easiest nap time first, not in the middle of the night *trying a new brand of nappies - do it in the day so that you don’t have leaks or poonamis to deal with at night *moving baby into a different room for naps or bedtime - do it for the easiest nap first, don’t go for gold expecting night time to work first time *direct latching after a break - don’t do this when baby is super hungry, it’s a recipe for Edward Scissor Hands boobs. If you are relearning how to latch your baby do it at a time when you are fully awake and when your baby isn’t so hungry (often a little bottle feed first makes the process smother) *trying out a baby carrier - don’t do it as you are rushing out the door, practice around the house, just before a nap time is good, so that both of you get comfortable with it Of course the other option is to have some help and support when you try new or tough changes ... that’s what a postpartum doula is perfect for 😉 #toughthingsateasytimes #newmumssupportservices #mothercraft #postpartumdoula #doula #breastfeeding #newborn #newmum #fourthtrimester #postnatal #postpartum #empoweringmums #empowasg #empowayourmotherhood #ihelpnewmums #postnatalconsultant #firsttimemum #sgnewmum #yourvillageiswaiting #sgmummies #ittakesavillage #littleredboob #thelittleblackbumpbook #sgmummy #expatlivingsg #motherandchildsg (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CI8AGfwHPz7/?igshid=ux8hbtz9azx9

[empowasg]

#imperfecthumans #imperfectworld #lrfrost #newmumssupportservices #mothercraft #postpartumdoula #doula #breastfeeding #newborn #newmum #fourthtrimester #postnatal #postpartum #dona #evidencebased #empoweringmums #empowasg #empowayourmotherhood #ihelpnewmums #postnatalconsultant #firsttimemum #sgnewmum #yourvillageiswaiting #sgmummies #ittakesavillage #littleredboob #thelittleblackbumpbook #sgmummy (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIxudZGntR-/?igshid=re8um1ulrnw9

[empowasg]

Learning about bottle feeding...is there anything to learn? Bottle feeding isn’t a difficult skill to master, but there are some things you can consider to help your baby pace themselves, enabling them to respond when they are full, take breaks and pause for breathing and burps ***Have your baby sitting as upright as possible on your lap, holding them gently behind the shoulders and ears/neck. Hold the bottle almost at a horizontal angle, with milk just filling the end of the teat. Keeping the baby upright and the bottle horizontal means that the baby must suck, and draw, milk from the bottle, thus helping to develop strong sucking muscles and reflexes.*** A bottle will typically take a little longer feeding this way, and a baby often shows when they are full by pausing or pushing the teat out of their mouth, often leaving a little bit not drunk. Don’t force the last bit on them, the point of feeding this way is to help them learn the feeling of satiety. Does the type bottle matter? I think it does, a little. If you plan to breastfeed choose a slow flow teat, that is flat and wide, with a small nipple (not like the one is this picture), @comotomobaby is a good example. This will encourage them to form a flanged lip position when they are feeding (like a fish) and resemble feeding at the breast. In all honesty the muscle action of the tongue and 25 pairs of muscles used for swallowing is different between breastfeeding and bottle feeding, but helping to strengthen their suck by adopting an upright position is going to assist feeding development whether you intend to breastfeed or not, so it’s a good idea regardless. EMPOWA YOUR MOTHERHOOD #bottlefeeding #fedisbest #comotomo #newmumssupportservices #mothercraft #postpartumdoula #doula #breastfeeding #newborn #newmum #fourthtrimester #postnatal #postpartum #lactation #evidencebased #empoweringmums #birth #empowasg #empowayourmotherhood #ihelpnewmums #postnatalconsultant #sgmoms #firsttimemum #firsttimemom #sgnewmum #yourvillageiswaiting #sgmummies #ittakesavillage #littleredboob #thelittleblackbumpbook This post is in no way connected or sponsored by Comotomo. I just happen to like their (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIAxjezHE6L/?igshid=1vm00tuiggfb4

[empowasg]

Winding.... Does you’re little one have wind that sometimes just won’t budge. Often you know that they are still uncomfortable but you don’t know how to help them get the air up. Try “WONKY WINDING”. I’ve been doing it all day today with a little bubba and it worked a treat! If you look at a scan image of our stomachs there is a little bit of our stomach that is higher than the esophagus. This means that air can get trapped right at the top of our stomach, and it can cause discomfort. Adults can wiggle, cough and generally move around to free this air, but babies can’t. So to help them you can tilt them to the left, this levels out this part of the stomach, giving the air a fast lane to the esophagus 😉 The easiest way to do this is to put them on your RIGHT SHOULDER and tilt them slightly across your body (so their head at your right shoulder, their toes at your left waist). You can do a gentle jiggle or pat, but air will often work its way up on its own. Try it tonight and let me know if it worked! #wonkywinding #windingbaby #newmumssupportservices #mothercraft #postpartumdoula #doula #breastfeeding #newborn #newmum #fourthtrimester #postnatal #postpartum #lactation #dona #evidencebased #empoweringmums #birth #empowasg #empowayourmotherhood #ihelpnewmums #postnatalconsultant #sgmoms #firsttimemum #firsttimemom #sgnewmum #yourvillageiswaiting #sgmummies #ittakesavillage #littleredboob #thelittleblackbumpbook (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH7fjfLnK2h/?igshid=4qgkkdxablpw

[empowasg]

New mum. I see you........................... #newmumssupportservices #mothercraft #postpartumdoula #doula #breastfeeding #newborn #newmum #fourthtrimester #postnatal #postpartum #lactation #dona #evidencebased #empoweringmums #birth #empowasg #empowayourmotherhood #ihelpnewmums #postnatalconsultant #sgmoms #firsttimemum #firsttimemom #sgnewmum #yourvillageiswaiting #sgmummies #ittakesavillage #littleredboob #thelittleblackbumpbook (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH1LAyMnqSC/?igshid=1huozbxl559r8