Social / Marketing Influences and Nursing

Breasts have become “For adults only.” NOT for babies.

Women with big breast implants are allowed to show them in public. But when a mother nurses in public she may very well hear from a manager or employee:

“A customer just complained, so I need to ask you to leave.” or “Can you please do that in the bathroom?”

Mothers often receive mixed messages from loved ones: Well-meaning friends and family, who say they support breastfeeding, may say things that reflect the greater cultural beliefs about feeding babies.

When someone says: 

• “You’re going to breastfeed? Won’t that hurt?” 
• “Why don’t you give him some formula so you can sleep at night?
• “Don’t be selfish. Let me give a bottle sometimes, so I can bond too!” 
•  “Wow! Your baby eats all the time! Are you sure she’s getting enough?” 
•  “Just one bottle of formula won’t hurt.”

Moms may hear:

• “You’re not good enough!”

The infant formula industry is an $8 BILLION per year business. 

Across the globe, huge advertising budgets are spent to convince women that their breasts are not good enough, that nursing is hard, and that it is better and more convenient to bottle-feed their babies.

According to surveys, over 70% of large U.S. hospitals still hand out infant formula to all infants, a practice opposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and in violation of the WHO Code.

When hospitals give a formula goodie bag to a new nursing mama it is like giving divorce papers to a bride on her wedding day! On the surface it looks like support, but the intention is to sell formula, not to ensure breastfeeding success.

Free formula. – So that you have it on hand for those most vulnerable moments of doubt in the middle of the night.

In a genius ad campaign that spanned the last century, formula companies convinced mothers to trade in their breasts for bottles, and the baby bottle swiftly became the most recognizable symbol of infancy. The phenomenon of the nursing mother has all but disappeared from our culture and the sexual breast has replaced the mothering breast.

Call Joyful Parenting & Breastfeeding Hotline: 6488 0286 (Hotline & Breastfeeding Support Group)

Joyful Parenting is a programme of the Family Life Society in Singapore.

The Birth Shop’s Sarong Carriers for Moms In Mind have been made and sold in Singapore since developed in 1997.

Buy the original baby sarong sling from The Birth Shop which has a wide shoulder band that supports your baby’s weight and discreet breastfeeding!

Check out our baby sling tutorial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJC-XIHEEw8

LIKE us on our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/TheBirthShop.Sg and get a $15 OFFwhen you make a minimum purchase of $120 in a single receipt from our website or at our showroom!

Plus free hand delivery for purchases above $50 (after discount) for the month of June! Check out most of our products on offers during this Great Singapore Sale GSS season 2013!

The Birth Shop is the store for Sarong Baby Carriers, Practical & Good Quality Nursing Wear, Award Winning Nursing Bras!

For more information, visit us at www.thebirthshop.com.sg

What to pack in your hospital bag?

Take a look at this handy check list for all you need for your hospital bag.

You’ll be well advised to have your hospital bags packed and ready to go from around week 34 of pregnancy, just in case your baby puts in an early appearance or you need to be hospitalised for any reason.

Well, it’s a good idea to pack a separate bag for your baby’s things so you don’t have to rummage around too much every time you want something. You may like to print this list off for your next trip to The Birth Shop?

Click here to pick up some of the essentials online at The Birth Shop today.

What to pack for you (Mom-To-Be Hospital Bag):

• Hospital notes and your Birth Plan
• Disposable cotton maternity panties (5 pairs)
• Maternity sanitary pads (one pack of 10 or 12)
• Two to three hospital gowns to wear for labour and hospital stay (front opening is a good idea so you can feed your baby without fuss but may not be discreet enough when you get too many visitors) –
• Socks (cold feet are a common complaint)
• Slippers
• Lip balm to prevent dry lips in labour (another common complaint)
• Facecloth
• Hairbands
• Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
• Cartons of juice or bottles of water
• Healthy snacks
• Toiletries – No Rinse Shampoo & No Rinse Body Wash
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Tissues
• Hairbrush
• Make-up and remover
• Nursing bra and breast pads (The Camisole bra is a great option as a comfortable sleep nursing bra)
• Laundry bag for dirty clothes
• Going home nursing dress
• A Baby Sling Carrier – A wonderful and essential tool for baby bonding and breastfeeding!
• A camera and spare batteries
• A camcorder (if allowed) and film/batteries
• CDs if you want them for the birth (Most labour wards has a CD player – do check first)
• An MP3 player

Things to pack for your baby: 

• A pack of newborn nappies
• 1 to 2 Sleepsuit
• 1 to 2 newborn romper
• 1 newborn bonnet/cap
• 2 sets of mittens & booties
• 1 baby swaddle

Click here to shop online at The Birth Shop for your hospital bag essentials
* Special Promotion for Mom-To-Be Hospital Bag – Order any 5 items or more at our online shop and get a further 15% off the total bill!

Discounted totals will be re-calculated in a separate Invoice. Remember to quote “Mom-To-Be Hospital Bag Promo-15%” at the special request section as you check out!

Your Mom-To-Be Hospital Bag items will be hand delivered to your home or office within Singapore!

Some fuss-free shake recipes you can try!

All you need is a blender and the following healthy foods that you want to add on for one serving:

1) Rice Milk (A healthy alternative to cow’s milk)

2) 1 avocado or 5 strawberries (your choice)

3) Add 1 to 2 tablespoon of Flax seed which is rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

or

4) 1 to 2 tablespoon of All Bran or High Bran Cereals

Blend all with some ice cubes(optional)… into a nice yummy …healthy shake!

Nutrition for Pregnant and Nursing Moms

So much to eat, so little time! With all the excitement, exhaustion and long lists of to-dos, many expectant and nursing moms wonder how they will ever manage to work in all the extra meals, calories and nutrients recommended by the experts. Giving preference to nutrition-packed power foods is one way to help reach your daily quota.

Top 10 Power Foods

The following foods belong at the top of any mom’s priority list because they contain nutrients especially important for pregnant and lactating women—and they also can deliver a powerful nutritional punch to everyone at your dinner table, so now is the time to start incorporating them into your family’s meals for life.

• Yogurt for calcium and probiotics.

  Calcium needs increase during pregnancy. Consume any less than the recommended amount and your body will meet your baby’s calcium needs by pulling from your own supply. In addition to being high in calcium, yogurt is fermented, so it also provides beneficial probiotic bacteria, which promotes intestinal and immune health. In essence, probiotics help to maintain the natural balance of our “intestinal ecosystems.” Other, non-dairy sources of calcium include dark, leafy greens, sardines with bones, calcium-fortified orange juice, sesame seeds, almonds, dried fruit, corn tortillas, tofu and legumes.

• Dark, leafy greens for calcium, fiber, vitamins and folic acid.

  Kale, collards and other dark, leafy greens are rich with calcium, fiber, vitamins A and C, and also rate high on the antioxidant scale. (Note: Due to their oxalic acid content, which decreases the absorption of minerals, spinach and Swiss chard are not thought to be a good source of calcium or iron.) And these dark, leafy greens optimize calcium absorption because of their phosphorous content. They are also an important source of folic acid, which is recommended in higher amounts for all women in their childbearing years to help prevent neural tube defects in their children. Other sources of folic acid include oranges, beans, asparagus, avocados and berries.

• Eggs for vitamin A, iron and protein.

  Eggs contain important nutrients, including vitamin A, iron and protein. Protein needs increase during pregnancy, and adequate protein intake often helps to temper sugar cravings. Note that most of the nutrition in eggs is found in the yolk. For extra nutrition, look for eggs enriched with DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid important for brain development.

• Fatty fish for omega-3s.

  Salmon, sardines, black cod, anchovies, herring and trout provide omega-3 fatty acids, which are the primary components of brain tissue and are vital for brain and visual development. Studies have shown that women who eat fish during pregnancy have children with better visual acuity, higher IQ, better language and communication skills, and decreased rates of allergies and asthma. However, pregnant and lactating women should limit their intake to no more than 12 ounces (2 servings) of low-mercury fish per week, and should also avoid larger, long-lived fish with more dark meat (including tuna, shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish). Fish with dangerous amounts of mercury may harm a baby’s developing nervous system.

• Lamb for B12, iron and zinc.

  Lamb is an excellent source of vitamin B12 and a good source of highly accessible iron and zinc. Zinc is important for growth and development because it is required for cell division, DNA/RNA synthesis and protein synthesis. Adequate zinc levels also ensure optimal bone growth in developing babies and are necessary for immunity. Vegetarian sources of zinc include legumes (especially adzuki, navy beans and split peas), nuts and seeds (especially pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and cashews), whole grains (fortified cereal and wheat germ) and fortified soy foods. It is best to eat calcium-rich foods and zinc-rich foods at different times for optimal absorption of each.

• Berries for antioxidants and fiber.

  These colorful fruits top the charts with their antioxidant content and have been shown to help with brain, eye and vascular health. Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells from free radical damage. Berries also provide fiber, which is beneficial for pregnant women.

• Sweet Potatoes for vitamins A and E.

  This is one comfort food that has an appealing nutritional profile. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A (as colorful beta carotene) and a good source of vitamin E. By eating sweet potatoes with a little fat, you can increase the absorption of these nutrients. Eat the skin for added nutritional benefit.

• Avocados for potassium, folic acid, vitamin C, lutein and “good” fat.

  Nutrient-dense avocados contain healthy monounsaturated fats, as well as significant quantities of the antioxidant lutein, which has been shown to be beneficial for eye health.

• Legumes for vegetarian protein, fiber, iron, folate, magnesium and zinc.

  Legumes (a plant food category that includes certain pods, beans and peas) are a good source of vegetarian protein and are rich in fiber. Many varieties are also an excellent source of iron, folate and magnesium. Legumes (especially adzuki, navy beans and split peas) are also a good alternative source of zinc for vegetarians.

• Nuts for fiber, vitamin E and magnesium.

  Specific types of nuts have their own nutritional advantages. For example, walnuts have omega-3 fatty acids, and almonds provide calcium. Although nuts are high in fat, they contain primarily monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat, and have not been shown to promote weight gain when eaten in moderation (about a small handful five times a week).

Fast Fact

Lactation consultants often advise that breastfed babies may develop a taste for whatever Mom eats because it is known that amniotic fluid and breast milk provide flavor exposure to baby.

One thing you’ll notice about these power foods is that many of them are vibrantly colorful. When faced with unfamiliar choices on a restaurant menu or buffet, an easy way to get a good dose of the recommended nutrients is to decorate your plate with a rainbow. As a general rule, have at least three natural colors on your plate at each meal.

Consumption Cautions

From conception through breastfeeding, remember your baby is getting a share of everything you eat or drink. Your best bet to ensure you are making wise choices is to follow your health practitioner’s advice along with these general guidelines that apply to most pregnant and nursing moms:

• Take a prenatal multivitamin with no artificial additives, colors or flavors, beginning before you conceive if possible and continuing through breastfeeding.
• Drink plenty of water, preferably filtered.
• Avoid or limit caffeine according to the latest guidelines.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Choose organic foods and beverages to reduce exposure to pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and synthetic fertilizers.
• Boost your protein intake with meats, poultry, eggs, dairy products, tofu, beans and nuts.
• Be aware that undercooked meat, poultry and fish, as well as unpasteurized dairy products and juice may contain potentially harmful bacteria.
• Steer clear of  high-mercury seafood. The FDA provides specific guidelines for which species should be avoided or limited.
• Get your DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the essential fatty acid found in fatty fish and fish oil, that is vital for a baby’s brain and nervous system.
• Eliminate hydrogenated fats, which can inhibit the utilization of omega-3 fatty acids vital for brain development.

When exhaustion or morning sickness strike, there are many natural ways to relieve discomfort. Start by eating something—such as crackers—before you get out of bed. Ginger or ginger tea can also help promote a calm stomach. Eating small meals and small sips of fluid all day, including plenty of fiber and water for healthy digestion, can also help sustain your energy and keep many pregnancy symptoms at bay. Be sure to exercise, per your health practitioner’s recommendations, and get plenty of rest and relaxation.

Some herbal teas or supplements, depending on stage of pregnancy or nursing, may also be comforting and helpful for morning sickness and other concerns during pregnancy and lactation, but be sure to consult with your practitioner before consuming any herbal supplements. Some must be used with care and others avoided all together at certain times from conception through breastfeeding.

Tips for Nursing Moms

While breastfeeding, keep the following special suggestions in mind:

• Don’t limit nutrient-rich foods to lose weight. Despite your longing for that pre-pregnancy body, now is not the time to cut calories. Your diet is vitally important to your baby and to rebuilding your nutrient stores.
• Certain foods eaten by moms can disagree with some breastfed babies. If you experience problems, experiment with eliminating: broccoli family veggies (including cabbage and cauliflower), eggs, milk, soy, peanuts, citrus fruits, gluten-containing foods, spicy foods or chocolate.
• Many herbs promote the secretion and flow of breast milk. Look for herb teas specific for nursing mothers.

Natural Choices Inside and Out

During pregnancy and nursing, it’s also wise to scrutinize products you use on your body and in your home. Natural choices are generally the best bet for avoiding potentially harmful substances.

Remember that body care products (skin, hair and oral products) are absorbed into the body at varying concentrations, and your baby may be exposed to them. Choose products that are as natural as possible, avoid synthetic scents, and dilute products containing 100% pure essential oils in equal parts with unscented varieties.

Aromatherapy may also be helpful to relax and relieve pregnancy discomforts, but only 100% pure essential oils provide benefits and synthetic scents may be harmful. Before using essential oils, always consult your practitioner, and research varieties and usage specific to your stage of motherhood. For example, during pregnancy, avoid essential oils of cedarwood, citronella, marjoram, myrrh, rosemary, rose, clary sage, lemon balm and peppermint. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should never be used directly on skin.

Keep in mind that other products you use around the house can also contain toxic ingredients that you may not want to come in contact with during pregnancy. This includes household cleaning products and air fresheners, lawn and garden products, paints, glues, new carpet and cigarette smoke. To play it safe, many parents choose to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals present in many of these products when the baby’s endocrine system is vulnerable and major organ systems are developing. This can be especially important during the first trimester. But don’t stop there! Why expose your child—or yourself—to these things at any age when there are plenty of safer alternatives?

Why is a ring sling useful for parents and best for babies!

My NEWBORN is CRYING, I have to tend to my other young child, I have housework to do! How will I ever handle it all? Use of one of our baby ring slings is an excellent answer to help you snuggle with your baby AND give you the opportunity to do other things…housework, shopping, computer work, breastfeed your little one, etc.

Baby slings (aka: baby carriers slings or baby ring slings) have been used for centuries and helps to calm and soothe a baby. It allows your baby with the remarkable opportunity to feel and hear your familiar and comforting heartbeat just as he/she had for the nine months in your cozy womb.

There are so many reasons why our Baby Slings are useful. The obvious being that you can carry baby with you easily and comfortably. We have done several years worth of research to find out why the ring slings are beneficial to both mom (or dad, grandma, etc.) and to baby.

Here are some of the reasons:

1  It is truly a hands-free way to carry baby. You can carry baby securely against you while doing the laundry, working on your computer, or simply just walking.

2  Promotes a healthy bond between you and baby.

3  Promotes breastfeeding. You can very easily nurse baby discreetly while baby is in the sling.

4  It is very easy to use. Just slip the sling over your head and rest on your shoulder. Put baby in between you and the sling, then just pull the fabric through the rings to tighten and you’re done. That simple!

5  Great for dads, grandparents, and all other caretakers of baby

6  Baby will feel very secure and safe next to you, hearing your comforting heartbeat, just as baby did for the months she/he was inside of you.

7  Great for colicky/fussy babies. These ring slings promote sleep. Most newborns fall asleep within ten minutes in the ring sling.

8 – You can take a sleeping baby out of the ring sling without waking him/her. Just simply loosen the sling at the rings.

9  Some front-style commercial carriers sold in stores, can be stressful to a newborn’s spine. Slings have been tried and tested in most other countries for centuries, and cradles the baby’s back and spine in the correct position.

The bottom-line is that baby needs your contact, warmth and security; our baby slings provide a way for this to happen.

Nursing Hold Position

Put baby in the snuggle hold. Support baby`s weight and loosen the fabric slightly.

Turn baby so that he/she lays tummy-to-tummy with you with their head on the opposite side of the rings, in the nursing position, and flare out the fabric that is under the baby’s head (so the head is supported by the fabric). Tighten sling if needed.

The tail of the fabric can be used as a shield, so that it will be very easy to nurse in public discreetly.

For toddlers or bigger babies, their feet will be hanging out of the sling – Just keep baby’s bump at the lowest point with his thighs alleviating upwards.

When your baby has finished nursing, place him/her back into the snuggle hold

Note: Your baby sling can easily be also used to bottle feed your bundle of joy!

 

Bumwear

Check out Bumwear’s new venue at Marina Square #03-156.

www.bumwear.com

You will find the assortment of Bumwear Cloth diapers,

a great range of baby & Kids wear, mattress protectors and more…

In this new outlet, you will be able to find some great products from The Birth Shop

 Baby Sarong Carriers from The Birth Shop 

(Very experienced ladies will be there to teach you how to wear your sling!)

Award Winning Nursing Bras 

Some of our Bestselling Basic Dual / Nursing Tops….

Mandy Top in Fuchsia Pink (Sizes: S, M, L, XL.)

Nellie Top in Purple (Sizes: S, M, L, XL.)

Belle Top in Black or Golden Beige (Sizes: S, M, L, XL.)

Moms in Mind Sarong Carriers

Moms in Mind Sarong Carriers have been made and sold in Singapore since developed in 1997. Moms in Mind has learned first hand what parents like and dislike about baby carriers. 

• Rings: Moms in Mind uses only heavy-duty fully molded nylon rings. Such rings are durable, can withstand weight, stress and  countless washings in the washing machine & dryer. The rings have been tested to endure pulling & stress tension way beyond 390kg to 570kg forces. Wooden or plastic craft rings, while usable, may not be 100% safe over the long-term.
  
• Padding: Traditional baby carriers are made  without padding and work very well. Keeping in line with such carriers, MIM slings have added just the right amount of lightweight padding around the edges to give that extra touch of comfort for both the parents and the growing baby. This was done through observing how a few babies & children sat in the sling and measuring vital points. Too much padding can be uncomfortable in our weather and makes it cumbersome to store the sling when not in use. Padding used is lightweight closely-woven fibre-fill polyester quilt. This does not disintegrate with washing. Extra Stitching is added to secure so the quilt padding does not get twisted with washing. Padding was strategically placed only where necessary and is light enough to be pulled through the Nylon Rings so that the parent can adjust the baby carrier as snugly as he/she needs to.Baby carriers that use clips or knots tend to dig into the body.   They aren’t made to tighten or loosen to accommodate the many different babywearing positions. Our baby carrier has a wide specially shaped shoulder band that fits snugly around either of your shoulders. This helps distribute weight evenly across your back, reducing the risk of lower back strain.The absence of carrying straps is good for the nursing mother. Thin straps tend to cut into the chest area and increasing the risk of breast infections like blocked ducts.
• WideTail of the baby carrier is made long and left open. This open-tail allows you to adjust each section of the baby carrier independently, so that you can get a snug fit. The longer tail accomodates the needs of larger-framed parents.The open-tail is good for extra coverage that may be needed for discreet breastfeeding and is good also for shielding baby from the hot sun & light rain.Do not tie any accessories or toys to this tail. Having such at this portion of the sling makes it dangerous as there is the possiblity of the toys hitting at your baby when you adjust the sling for the right size and when you unthinkingly use the tail for shielding during breastfeeding or from weather conditions.
  
• Fabric: This does not have to be thick to be durable. To carry a child up to the ages of 2 to 3 years, cloth of dress-weight fabric is strong enough.  You only need the fabric to be able to support a mere 18kg child at most. Having unnecessarily thicker fabric would mean you can carry a baby elephant in the sling – actually even 2 baby elephants. It’s not quite what you want, right?  It also means a heavier baby carrier and a feeling of hotness in our climate. MIM slings use cotton fabric for breathibilty. In any case, to put your mind at ease, our fabric & our sling/ring security system has been tested to hold up to weights of beyond 390kg before any slipping.  Now , that’s quite close to the baby elephant, eh?
  
• Weight of Sling: We want the baby carrier to weigh as little as possible so as not to add more weight than necessary to the already heavy child that we are carrying. Moms in Mind sarong carrier uses lightweight materials and the whole sling weighs in total only 380 grams.
  
• Accessories:  To be truly handsfree, you can put your purse or handphone together with your baby in the pouch of the sling where your baby is sitting. You may also clip your keychain around the rings of the sling. This is convenient and tends to be  a source of entertainment for your child – now you don’t even need to bring what is classified as “toys” out! A note here though – do not hang too many items because if they are hung loosely and not tucked into the pouch,the weight of the hanging items may constantly bang you or the baby.And babies older than 3 months would tend to be more interested in watching the world go by while in the sling than playing with toys. Do take the chance to talk to them as you go about your day.  As they are in the sling, they would be at your level and can hear you better and likewise it will be easier for you to be more responsive. They do tend to learn very quickly as such by being in the sling and participating in their mother’s daily acitivities like marketing & running errands.

Nutrition for Conception and Pregnancy

Get off to a good start   

To encourage you in your endeavour for conception, a radiant pregnancy and a healthy baby, the following information will assist you in getting off to a good start and give you some tips if ‘mum-to-be’ is suffering from some common ailments. So how much thought have you put to this? Many of us have heard that in order to have a healthy pregnancy, a woman and indeed her partner, need to look at diet and other influencing factors even before conception.

Pre-conception nutrition can be as important for baby’s well being, as what a woman eats during and even after her pregnancy. In fact, overall intake of foods, nutrients and toxins greatly influences the early development of the embryo – so much so that scientists now say that one can trace patterns of disease in adults all the way back to infant nutrition and the health of the mother during pregnancy. Since the male partner is responsible in about a third of infertility cases, it’s as important that he follows a healthy nutrition plan pre-conception, as the mother-to-be.

Improving Sperm Quality It takes 100 days for sperm to develop (74 to form and 20-30 to mature), therefore addressing sperm health three to four months before conception is of great benefit. Eating a healthy, wholesome diet including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables – especially dark green vegetables – wholegrains, oily fish, nuts and seeds and organic produce where possible, is vital.

Specific nutrients are discussed below. Firstly – drink more water – semen is made mostly of water (your whole body is in excess of 70% water).

Things to avoid:

Alcohol interferes with the secretion of testosterone, speeds up the conversion of testosterone into oestrogen, lowers sperm count and sex drive. Smoking increases the number of free radicals in the body which damage many cells and reduces sperm count and motility, and increases the number of abnormally shaped sperm. Caffeine may impair sperm production, cause chromosomal abnormalities and effect sperm motility. Toxins and Pollutants Pesticides and heavy metals are terrible for sperm. Since the start of the use of pesticides, male sperm counts have plummeted. Note: pesticides are designed to disrupt the reproductive cycle of the insect, fungus, or weed it is trying to kill! Eat Organic as much as you can! Also watch exposure to X-rays, solvents, paint products, toxic metals and toxic chemicals in your personal care products.

Exercise:

Although exercise is good for you, excessive amounts punish the body, may lower sperm count and temporarily reduce testosterone production. In this instance it’s absolutely essential to supplement the minerals the body is losing and counteracting the free radicals formed through exercise.

 

Sling Demo / Support

If you have our slings and just cannot figure out how to use it, watch our VIDEO here:

You may also come down to our showroom (with your baby) for a live demo and support at:

22 Sin Ming Lane 

#08-81 Midview City

Singapore 573969

Showroom Opening: Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat – 12pm to 5pm

Call 65704681 for appointment (in case we are closed for urgent Post-Partum Home Support or exhibitions)