Breast Milk Home Remedies

A friend sent me a link for this site today. Download the list and keep it somewhere handy!

http://www.simplyrealmoms.com/posts/33-uses-for-breast-milk/

Milk Banks in Bristol

There are a few formal and informal milk bank groups in Bristol. Premature or ill babies benefit even more from breast milk, but where this is not possible, donor breast milk from breastfeeding mums with extra to spare can help to give them the best start in life.

If I get enough milk this is definitely something that I would do.

The Precious Drops campaign has raised £75,000 so far for the milk bank which was opened at Southmead hospital in 2011.

Real Baby Milk
To download the Real Baby Milk Essential Guide click the link below. They also have breastfeeding information dvds available to buy and local support phone numbers.

realbabymilk.org/bristol/

* If you would like to know how to donate breast milk to Bristol Milk Bank please contact the infant feeding advisors at Southmead hospital:

marion.copeland@nbt.nhs.uk

katherine.battersby@nbt.nhs.uk

To hire a breast pump, please ask when you contact them.

Human Milk 4 Human Babies

https://hm4hb.net/

A global milksharing network, a virtual village, comprising thousands of people from over fifty countries.

To join Mother Baby Milk Share Hub Bristol on Yahoo Groups go to the website below.

The group helps mothers & babies have the best possible breastfeeding experience.

http://bristoldoulanetwork.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/motherbaby-milk-share-hub.html

Baby Passport Photos

We're starting to plan our summer holiday trip to Greece to visit my father and uncle. My dad is quite old and ill so I'm keen for him to meet his first grandchild this year. As Sam is a teacher, the summer is the only time that we can travel, which will be costly but it will be amazing.  I am looking forward to it so much.

I've been looking into getting Eve a passport.  I've found a really good website for baby passport photos so I thought I would share it. Not quite sure how you'd get a baby to co-operate for passport photos in a booth!

With the help of this website you take a photo of your baby at home (lie them down on a plain background - I'm guessing a piece of card would work well), upload it, then they approve it, print and post a normal sheet of x4 passport photos to you. Only costs £4.95 inc postage which I think is very good.

There are also helpful video tutorials.

Check it out on the link below:

https://www.paspic.com/taking_baby_photo.php

Bristol Children's Hospital

I took Eve to Bristol Children's hospital yesterday morning to have her checked over by a paediatric doctor.  The hospital is just at the bottom of the hill from our flat. It is a specialist hospital and patients go there from all over the south west, so I felt very lucky that I didn't have to push her in the pram too far as it was pouring with rain.

http://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/bristol-royal-hospital-for-children/

The doctor checked her over and said that she looks perfectly healthy, strong and alert. Eve has put on 200g, double that of last week which is great as it proves that the domperidone (along with the tongue tie cut) is doing it's job by increasing my milk supply. I figured this was the case as she has been sleeping so much better these last few days. She now weighs 7lb 2oz. 

We've also started her on formula this evening. This is something I never planned for or wanted to do, but I guess this is the thing about parenthood; plans go out the window. I've been very reluctant to give her formula previously, but feel that I've persevered as much as possible with breastfeeding and expressing, which has been incredibly tiring. I feel like I've been chained to the sofa expressing for the past month, so it was with great joy that I put away the pump last night. I'm going to carry on breastfeeding and will offer her a bottle after every feed. Hopefully not too far down the line I might be able to breastfeed without formula, but we'll see what happens.

I'm really glad that I stuck to my guns this far resisting formula. If it was down to the midwives we'd have been giving it to her from birth. We've almost done 2 months purely breastfeeding. I did check with the midwife and our gp to see if we could obtain milk from Bristol Milk Bank but I was told that milk is in low supply and is only available for premature and ill babies. This is fine, however I've just found out today that this is possibly not true. I shall investigate and come back on another post about this.  I'm quite annoyed that the midwife and health visitor did not inform us of the other avenues to go down until now, we could have looked into all these areas weeks ago. I'm very thankful to friends and family for all their advice, which has kept me sane.

Breastfeeding is wonderful and I really enjoy the bonding experience with Eve, especially when we do skin to skin.

I now have lots of milk which is great, but a bit sore when the ol' boobs are so full. But this is of course a great thing, making me very happy.








Now that she's more content after having a larger quantity of milk, breastfeeding feels easier and is not so much of a chore. I am actually managing to find some time to clean the house, make my own lunch and get out and about. Plus, having a bit of time to relax with Samo-daddy in the evenings is absolute bliss!

Cow & Gate

The midwife informed us of this a while ago, so I checked when I was buying it in Boots yesterday - Cow & Gate and Aptamil below are both made by the same company. 

Cow & Gate was re-branded and marketed into Aptamil for the middle classes and is more expensive.  If you check the ingredients each box is exactly the same - no difference whatsoever, and you'll save about £2 each time by buying Cow & Gate, which they market towards the working class.

Aptamil

Exactly the same as Cow & Gate.

Slightly annoying that when buying formula it is not possible to obtain or use Boots Advantage store points. Apparently this is something to do with Government legislation. I'm guessing perhaps it is linked to Child Benefit in some way?

Promoting Breast Milk

Goat's Rue (Galega officinalis)

Goat's rue (Galega officinalis) has been recommended by the German commission E for its use as a galactagogue (promotes lactation). Its galactagogue properties were first noted to effectively increased milk in goats. It is used by nursing mothers, and by farmers to increase milk production in their livestock. 

Organic Milk Maid Tea

Fennel, Fenugreek, Raspberry leaf, Stinging nettle, Milk Thistle, Orange peel, Star anise, Caraway and Alfalfa

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Earth-Mama-Angel-Baby-Milkmaid/dp/B004WI2QXK




To read the reasons why these herbs are so important for milk supply:

http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/mama-resources/reading-room/herbs-for-healthy-breast-milk-production








Foods that promote Breast milk:
http://www.babycenter.in/a1049926/foods-that-help-increase-breastmilk

Pulses 

Red Lentils in particular are great for increasing milk supply. I'm going to attempt to make a lentil daal tonight - baby permitting!

Sweet potato, carrot and beetroot roasted with garlic and herbs. Garlic goes into pretty much most of the dishes that we eat at home, tastes amazing and is so very good for you.

Porridge - or Muesli

I eat a bowl of muesli every morning whilst feeding Eve (I make the mixture myself out of organic jumbo oats, dates, prunes, nuts, sultanas, linseeds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds).

I change the mix every so often depending on offers on fruit and nuts etc or just for a different taste sensation. I keep the mix in a big jar so it's easy to use each time. Mmmmmm!

Nuts - in particular, Almonds and Cashews

The main bad boy - you need to drink lots of water whilst breastfeeding, don't be without a bottle by your side at all times...

Domperidone
Is an anti-dopaminergic drug, blocking the chemical in our brains called dopamine, which can be used to stimulate and increase milk supply.

Domperidone (Motilium™) is a drug that has, as a side effect, the increase of milk production, probably by increasing prolactin production by the pituitary gland. Prolactin is the hormone that stimulates the cells in the mother's breast to produce milk.

Unfortunately we were never told that our ICSI fertility treatment and factors involved in that might mean that I would have a low milk supply. We've been having issues with Eve's weight since she was a few days old. We've only just found out about this in the past couple of days. I wish someone had mentioned this to us either during our fertility treatment or pregnancy so that we were prepared for it, and more importantly we would have known what we were dealing with straight away. It's annoying that this has only been pinpointed six weeks in, when we could have nailed this at the beginning.

I started taking these pills a few days ago and am already seeing positive signs that this is helping my milk supply.

http://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-DGS

Tongue-tie
On Wednesday Joan Beales, an Ear, Throat and Nose specialist at St Michaels hospital checked Eve for tongue-tie.  Eve had already been checked for this, once when she was born, again at Hampton House and then again by the G.P. They all missed diagnosing it as it is a rarer form of tongue-tie.






Joan was really kind, caring, knowledgeable and helpful. She gave me good advice on breastfeeding/domperidone/expressing situation. She was also on my wave length about my not wanting to give Eve formula, and to give the pills a chance to work. It was nice to speak to someone who is understanding. However, we'll start on formula next week if we have to of course.

Joan did the procedure quickly, cutting underneath Eve's tongue (no anaesthetic), but it was still quite upsetting. I feel that this is already making a big difference to feeding, so that Eve starts gaining weight properly. She weighed in at 6lb 11oz on Tuesday.

We have an appointment at Bristol Children's Hospital in the Paediatric department on monday. We are so lucky that we live close by to this specialist hospital.

Breast Feeding and Baby Changing Facilities in Central Bristol

Sam went back to work at the beginning of the week.  So now that we're getting slightly more mobile, I thought it a good idea to work out where is good for breastfeeding and changing when we're out and about.

Eve has started laughing this week and smiles a lot, especially when she's dreaming.

GLOUCESTER RD 

Horfield Leisure Centre 

Born 

Café Delight 

Café Pronto 

Coffee #1 

La Barrique 

La Ruca 

Planet Pizza 

Spice Route 

Tinto Lounge 

Zest 

STOKES CROFT 

The Bristolian, Picton St 
Café Kino, Ninetree Hill 
Cheltenham Rd Library
Kuvuka Café, Stokes Croft 
Zazu’s Kitchen, Stokes Croft 

CLIFTON 

Primrose Café, Clifon village
Boston Tea party, Clifton village
Coffee # 1, Clifton village
Café Gusto, Clifton Down
The Friary, Clifton Down
Quartier Vert ,Whiteladies Rd

CLIFTON TRIANGLE

Browns, Clifton Triangle
Fresh and Wild, Clifton Triangle
Museum, Queens Rd
Pizza Express, Berkeley Square
Rocotillos, Clifton Triangle
Wagamama, Clifton Triangle

PARK STREET

Boston Tea Party
Bristol Guild
Goldbrick House
Nando’s
The Folk House Café

CABOT CIRCUS
Baby Changing / Family Room facilities on two levels.

All of the restaurants have their own changing facilities. They will also heat up bottles, and are breastfeeding friendly.

List of Restaurants

http://www.cabotcircus.com/food-and-drink/restaurants

COTHAM / KINGSDOWN

Kingsdown Leisure Centre

Blue Juice Cotham Hill

Cake, Cotham Hill

Deco Lounge, Cotham Hill

THE WATERFRONT

Arnolfini, Waterfront

At Bristol,Waterfront

Bordeaux Quay,Waterfront

Firehouse, Waterfront

Ferry Station, Narrow Quay

Grain House,YHA, Narrow Quay

Riverstation,The Grove

Severnshed, The Grove

Watershed, Waterfront

BROADMEAD

Debenhams, Broadmead

Registry Office, Corn Street

Café Amour, Broadmead

Café Nero, Corn St

Useful white noise machines to keep baby asleep

These are both really good. You can open two tabs in Chrome and play both at the same time. Or you can download the apps on your phone or ipad.

They calm Eve down and keep her asleep for longer. Enjoy!

Simply Rain

http://rain.simplynoise.com/

Simply Noise
http://simplynoise.com/

Sagittarius

Sagittarius - November 23 - December 22

Eve was born on the 12th December ,so this makes her Sagittarius.  Sagittarius is symbolised as a Centaur, half man and half horse, wielding a bow. Centaurs were the intellectuals of ancient Roman mythology. The ruling planet of Sagittarius is Jupiter. Sagittarius is one of the three fire signs including Aries and Leo.

Sagittarius, the ninth sign of the zodiac, is the home of the wanderers of the zodiac. It's not a mindless ramble for these folks, either. Sagittarians are truth-seekers, and the best way for them to do this is to hit the road, talk to others and get some answers. Knowledge is key, since it fuels their broad-minded approach to life. The Sagittarian-born are keenly interested in philosophy and religion, and they find that these disciplines aid their internal quest. At the end of the day, what Sagittarius wants most is to know the meaning of life, and to accomplish this while feeling free and easy.

Those born under this sign are clear thinkers, and choose to look at the big picture. 

Sagittarians are enthusiastic consumers of information (and enthusiastic in general), the better to get the answers they need. It's also a good idea to give Sagittarius lots of room to explore their world. Once they start to feel hemmed in, they'll become impatient. 

In ancient Roman times, Jupiter was the King of the Gods (Zeus to the ancient Greeks).  

The Sag-born are generous and just, much like a noble leader. 

They are also expansive in their thoughts, as well as in their approach. Sags are forever reaching for knowledge, understanding and answers. They are outspoken in their beliefs, at times to the point of exaggeration. This may be due to their unflinching optimism. Sags are also a lucky bunch, thanks to Jupiter's golden glow. They're quick to take a gamble on things, feeling both lucky and smart. 

While the process of exploration is what fuels Sagittarians, they need to be aware of their tendency to procrastinate. Those born under this sign can be quite self-indulgent since things come so easily to them (thanks to their charming and sociable nature).

The Element associated with Sagittarius is Fire. 

Just as a fire can move quickly and uncontrollably, so can Sagittarius as they flit from one thing to the next, never looking back. For the Sag-born, it's all about action and adventure. 

They love their physicality and are often athletic, and certainly full of stamina. Life is played full-on, which is why it's chock-full of experiences. Archers are outgoing, and enthusiastic. They can talk fast. Their words serve to inspire others. They are straight and curious, spiritual and true believers. The fact that they attract others with ease should be no surprise, since they have a great sense of fun and enjoy a good time. 

They don't lack confidence or whit. High-spirited Sags love to socialise with an ever-changing crew.

The athleticism of Sags lends itself to challenging sports, and they definitely know they're up to the task. That's why you're likely to find them in an around-the-world solo boat race or climbing up the highest peaks. No stretch is too big. Mental games such as chess or debate also fuel their mood.  They favour rich maroon and navy hues. When it comes to love games, they are flirtatious and always on top. 

The great strength of the Sagittarius-born is their philosophical, wide-open and curious nature. They seek both knowledge and truth, and they are eager to share their explorations with others. Their optimistic and generous spirit makes them a pleasure to have around.

It makes sense and is pretty cool that mine and Sam's star constellations are next to each other in the sky; Capricorn, Sagittarius and Scorpio.

Eve's personalised Birth Chart

Cool things we've found out about Eve this week

Sam and I were watching a Pink Floyd documentary earlier this week, 'Live at Pompeii' (1972).

We were really tired and enjoyed laying back listening to some awesome experimental shizzle , allowing our minds to relax. Amazingly it sent Eve straight to sleep. The following day when Eve was crying Sam played it to her again and it worked it's magic. In particular she likes 'Echoes' Oh yes, The Floyd!

Eve likes to listen to The Carpenters in the morning when she wakes up for her breakfast feed. 

It's really nice having music back in my life, the last few weeks have been a bit of a blur, so listening to music is just what I need. Singing along with The Carpenters whilst Eve feeds is so lovely.

She enjoys being on the play-mat in the mornings, and likes to push Sammy the seahorse. She loves Daddy rapping to her too!  More frequently she will now be awake and content, rather than crying for food which is great. Today she pushed herself along, trying to crawl and also steps one foot in front of the other when we hold her up to walk. Very cute!

The other night after her bath, I was washing up in the kitchen and I could hear basslines coming from the lounge. It turned out that Sam had tried to play Eve baby lullaby's but she was not having any of it. So he put on Wormhole by Ed Rush and Optical and she loved it. Sam says she looked quizzical at first. She fell asleep in a matter of minutes. I then danced with her in my arms until she fell into a deep sleep. We put her in the moses basket in our bedroom and carried on with our mini rinse out session next-door. Drum n Bass within a month of her birth - Yes!

I'm one month old today, yippeee!

Eve with Sammy the Seahorse

Today we mark one of Eve's first milestones - being one month old. We've had a really good week, and things seem to be coming together well. We saw our health visitor Claire for the first time on Tuesday. She came to our home and weighed Eve. Eve had put on 200g in weight since the previous week, and for the first time has gone over her birth weight. She now weighs 6lbs 4oz. Sam and I are both so relieved as her weight has been a bit of an issue over the last few weeks.

This has really spurred me on with breast feeding, which has been hard work. I'm now feeling more confident about it and am enjoying this bonding experience with our beautiful daughter.

Eve blows bubbles already, follows objects with her eyes, often smiles and makes lots of funny noises. She really does sound like she says 'no' and 'hi' sometimes! We have started to use a couple of basic baby sign language  signs with her, even though she's still so young. 'Food?' and 'more?' - both important communications.

Free delivery from The Book Depository
'Sign with your baby' by Joseph Garcia 

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780966836776?redirected=true&gclid=CM3HstCl7rsCFeTLtAodxk0AoA

We've also started trying to get her into a sleep routine. Bathing her at about 6pm and putting her in her Moses basket in our room by herself. We finally got round to hooking up the baby monitor, which works like a dream - though of course we still feel the need to keep checking on her. She wakes up often but we keep putting her back in, fingers crossed that her sleep will increase each time.

Lindam Clarity Baby Monitor - has a built in night light which is useful too. It's simple to set up and works perfectly.


















Amazon often have discounts on this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clarity-Digital-Audio-Monitor-Lindam/dp/B001KC05P2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1389174778&sr=8-2&keywords=lindam+clarity

An app that we are finding really useful is 'Rain Rain' which simulates lots of different white noise patterns via various rain storms. It really helps to keep baby asleep.

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/rain-rain-sleep-sounds/id478687481?mt=8

Our Wedding 13.08.2011 at Bristol Registry Office

On Monday Sam and I took Eve in the pram down to Bristol Registry Office to register her birth. It was pouring with rain but it didn't bother me as any trip in the outside world is such a joy. Registering her birth was very easy. Sam got chatting to another new Mum who had given birth in the same hospital as us during the same week which was nice, whilst I sorted the paper work.

It was lovely for us both to be back in the registry office with our baby girl, two and a half years after we were married there. Oh such fond memories with our family and friends!

Since registering Eve's birth we have now also been able to register her as a patient at The Family Practice Doctors Surgery just across the road from us, so the next step are her immunisations at 8 weeks...

For a list of breastfeeding and baby changing friendly places in Bristol:

http://www.avon.nhs.uk/kris/_Docs/Final%20version%20of%20BF%20Friendly%20places%20for%20mothers.doc

ECOEGG

We've been using the Bum Genius Flip washable nappies for the past week. I had wanted to use them from birth, but Eve was too small to fit in the smallest size. They are still slightly too large for her, but I was keen to get them on her as soon as possible, to get her skin away from the plastic of disposable nappies, and to stop putting so many in landfill sites.

I've been using Ecover eco washing powder for years now but have only recently realised that I should not use it to wash the nappies. Apparently it builds up a residue which can result in skin complaints. I've been advised by Wendy at http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/ to have a look at Ecoegg - 

Ecoegg was born out of the lack of alternatives to chemical laden laundry products that were kind to skin as well as being natural and effective. By harnessing the power of nature Ecoegg hatched their first product, the Ecoegg Laundry Egg and haven’t looked back since.

They sell Detox Tablets that can be used every six months inside your washing machine to give it a deep clean. 

Packs are £3.99 and include x6 tablets - enough for 3 years! 

They also sell Stain Remover which I'm going to buy along with the eggs and detox tablets.

All of their products come with a 10 Year Guarantee, and they even pay for the postage and will send replacements free of charge.

Have a look at their website to see their environmental policies and commitments, eco awards and other information. You can purchase their products easily on Amazon, Ocado, Lakeland and various other stockists in the UK.

http://www.ecoegg.com/