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For Moms ~ Maternity and Postpartum Support

Snuggle Pillows , Maternity Support and Postpartum support products can make your pregnancy a little more comfortable. The Snoogle is a full-body pillow that is uniquely designed to follow the natural contours of your whole body. The horseshoe shaped upper section of the pillow supports your head and can be curved in or out to adjust to the desired pillow height. The long midsection of the Snoogle supports your back and tummy.

For Moms Tips on Breastfeeding We have everything nursing moms need, from the best selection of breast pumpsand accessories to helpful Breast Feeding Articles and advice. Shop now and get free shipping on all Medela breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies. Did you know that breast milk may be refrigerated for three to five days and frozen breast milk will keep for six months in the right conditions? Q: How long can you store pumped breast milk? A: Breast milk may be refrigerated for three to five days. Frozen breast milk will keep for six months, provided you have a frost-free freezer. With older model refrigerators that have small freezers within them, the milk should only be frozen for two weeks. When freezing breast milk, always chill it for several hours in the fridge before placing it in the freezer. And since breast milk separates when frozen, forcing the cream to rise to the top, simply shake the bottle to evenly distribute the milk properties. Q: I've just started nursing and my nipples are sore and cracked, and sometimes bleed after a feeding. How can I prevent and relieve the pain? A: Many new mothers experience some mild to moderate nipple soreness during the first few weeks of nursing. But cracked and bleeding nipples are definitely not normal, and usually result from incorrect latch-on and positioning. Since these are learned skills and require a lot of practice, a lactation professional can help you assess and correct the problem. In the meantime, home remedies such as pure lanolin, breast pads, and air exposure can help heal the skin. Here are a few suggestions for better positioning and latch-on: Use a nursing pillow to support the weight of your baby. It will help bring the baby up to breast level. With the cradle position, the baby's head and neck are in the crook of the cradling arm. Position your baby's tummy against yours, close to your body. The baby's face should be facing your breast. Next, tickle your baby's lips with the tip of your nipple to help stimulate the rooting reflex. As soon as your baby's mouth is wide open, quickly bring the baby up to you to latch on. Approximately 1 inch of your nipple and breast should be in the baby's mouth. Q:: I've decided to nurse and give my baby formula. What's the best way to introduce formula so that my milk supply doesn't diminish too much? A: Before introducing formula, it is best to establish exclusive breastfeeding as long as possible. Once you have decided to use formula, introduce it slowly by offering one to two feedings a day. Remember that your breast milk production is based on the law of supply and demand. The more you breastfeed, the more milk you will produce. If you offer more feedings by bottle and less nursing, your milk production will decrease. Q:: What advice do you have for weaning? A: When mother or baby decides to wean, I encourage mothers to do this gradually to prevent severe engorgement, plugged ducts, and/or infections. Sometimes, however, even though a mother may follow a gradual weaning process, she may still become engorged. The best way to treat this sudden engorgement is to use a breast pump for several minutes to decrease the engorgement--just enough pumping to relieve some of the pressure. Then apply ice packs or old cabbage leaves to the breast(s) for 10 to 15 minutes to decrease the swelling. Q: I'm nursing my 1-month-old son, and plan on going back to work in about two months. When do you suggest I introduce a bottle so my caregiver can feed him my expressed breast milk? A: The best time to offer a bottle is after 4 weeks, once a day, provided breastfeeding is going well. If you are having some difficulty, especially with latch-on, you should wait until the problem has been resolved. Premature introduction of the bottle can cause further problems, including the baby preferring the bottle to the breast. The flow of a bottle is faster and does not require the sophisticated tongue movement required for breastfeeding.