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This is a common question and concern for new moms! Feeling a let-down does not necessarily have anything to do with milk supply. Some moms have a very tingly feeling when their milk lets-down and others don’t have any sensation at all.

The most important indicator of milk supply is your baby. Do you hear swallowing or gulping while he is nursing? Does he seem content after he nurses? Are you changing plenty of wet and dirty diapers? Is he gaining weight appropriately? If you can answer “yes” to these questions then chances are you are having let-downs. You may not feel them, and that’s okay.

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You’re just getting used to being called “mommy,” and perhaps you feel your life is consumed by motherhood right now.  But last we checked, being a mom does not preclude you from looking and feeling sexy, especially on Valentine’s Day.  In fact, we believe you’ve rightfully earned the new title, “hot mama.”

To keep your look in line with your “hot mama” status, Leading Lady is helping new moms across the country look and feel sexy this Valentine’s Day.  We have a variety of styles that match your personality, including our steamy lace-cup wirefree & underwire nursing bras in black, nude or violet; our sassy peek-a-boo cotton wirefree bras with a floral embellishment; and our flirty lace-trimmed seamless bras and bralette.

Listen up, Hot Mamas: you can save 25% on your favorite Leading Lady styles from February 13-20.  Just use the code LOVEIT at checkout.

Looking for new parent approved and breastfeeding safe ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?  Here are a few simple ideas:

• Snuggle up with your partner and watch a romantic comedy in between feedings while your little one is napping.
• Set the table, light some candles and sip on sparkling juice over order-in Chinese food.
• Take your baby with you on a romantic walk in the park.  Play a little game:  pick an object – flower, squirrel, water fountain – and every time you see one, kiss!
• Put on some music and have a little dance party.  We bet your baby will find it fascinating to see you dance!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

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It’s almost Valentine’s Day and love is in the air!

Valentine’s Day is a fun holiday for children of all ages and it gives us the opportunity to teach our kids some valuable lessons about love, kindness and nurturing others.  If you’re a new mom, you’ve probably discovered a new sense of love – motherly love – since your baby arrived.  You may even wonder how you can have so much love for someone you’ve practically just met.

From a very early age, we can teach our children about love through our actions towards them and our interactions with others.  The Valentine’s season is a great time to consider the ways you want your child to feel loved and express love.  Here are a few things to consider:

Nourishing our babies is one of the most basic and natural ways to begin a loving bond with your child.  Newborns thrive on skin-to-skin contact, especially through breastfeeding.  The warmth of a mother’s skin, beat of her heart and her loving embrace help to calm babies by regulating their heart rates, blood sugar levels and temperatures. Plus, breast milk offers the perfect nutrients for a baby’s growing body.  As your child grows up, mother’s milk will be replaced with other nourishment.  Preparing and sharing healthy meals together, allows us to continue expressing love through wholesome nourishment.

Teach older children how to love and respect others through your own actions.  If they see you lash out from frustration, they will learn to do the same.  If they see you showing kindness to others, they will model your behavior.

Share your passions with your children.  Even if they don’t ultimately love the same activities as you, they will feel more comfortable discovering something they enjoy.

Show your children that they can make a difference.  Supporting a cause – whether it is volunteering in an animal rescue shelter, cleaning up a nature reserve, or serving food at a homeless shelter – will teach your children that caring for others matters.

We all know the saying “time is money” but time is also love.  Spend time together, talking, expressing yourselves and doing activities as a family.  The bond and example you establish at a young age will manifest for a lifetime.  Let this Valentine’s Day, and every day, be an opportunity to show our children how to love.

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Most nursing moms who are trying to get back in shape after having a baby have probably heard the myth that you should not exercise while breastfeeding.  But that myth is, well, simply a myth.  Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle, including that of a nursing mom. 

Many moms fear that lactic acid can build up in the body after exercise and infiltrate the milk supply, which would then be harmful to the baby and cause the milk to taste bad. No recent studies have come to this conclusion and previous ones were discredited due to inconsistent variables.  The truth is that it would take working out above your aerobic threshold – that’s at an extremely high level of intensity – to cause lactic acid to build in your system.  And even then it may affect the taste of the milk but not cause harm to your baby.

Milk supply and discomfort are the other two big concerns for nursing moms who want to workout.  If you remain hydrated, nourished and in good health, your milk supply should not be affected by exercise.  As far as comfort is concerned, many moms try to nurse or pump immediately before high-impact workouts so their breasts will not be feel as heavy when they are moving around. 

You should also ensure your breasts are fully supported with a properly fitting bra that both encapsulates and compresses your breasts to reduce bounce.  Be sure to select a bra that is appropriate for your choice of activity.  Nursing active-wear like Leading Lady’s low-impact Sport Wirefree Nursing Bra or Sport Nursing Bra with Padded Straps may be most convenient for breastfeeding before or after your workout. 

If you’re a nursing mom looking to get back into your exercise routine, all active-wear is 25% off January 24-31.  Use the code MOVEIT at checkout and happy exercising!

*Consult your physician before beginning any new exercise regimen and if you experience pain, trouble breathing or any other physical ailment.

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For most babies it is quite common that evening is their most irritable time. You also may notice that your baby wants to nurse more often throughout the evening, which is called bunch feeding. This rarely correlates to your milk supply. Some babies may feed every hour for three to four hours then have a four to six hour stretch of sleep. Usually the evening fussiness tends to go away by the time babies are three months old.

Try to comfort your baby during his fussy time using the 5 S’s, developed by Dr. Harvey Karp and outlined in his book The Happiest Baby on the Block. Swinging, Swaddling, Shushing sounds, Sucking and placing baby on his Side are techniques that help decrease your baby's crying.

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Just when you feel you’re getting the hang of motherhood and bonding with your little one, it’s time to go back to work. This can be a stressful time but should not mean you have to stop giving your baby the best possible nutrients, your breastmilk.

If you need to pump and store milk quickly, use the following tips:

• If your baby sleeps for a four to six hour stretch at night, you should wake around the four-hour mark to pump a few ounces. If you consistently stick with this plan, within three days you should have one or two 4-ounce bottles.
• If your baby nurses from one breast at a feed, then pump the other breast at the same time.
• Some moms try to pump between nursing as well. You may only get ½ to 1 ounce but even small amounts start to add up.
• If your childcare situation allows for your provider to bring the baby to your place of employment, you can nurse during your break or lunch hour.

If you have further questions or concerns, you may want to contact LaLeche League or a local lactation consultant who can offer more specific advice to your nursing situation.

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The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous, both for baby and mom.  But did you know that breastfeeding can actually make you happier?  Yes, our bodies are quite amazing.  There are three hormones that can evoke happiness from breastfeeding.  Here’s how it works:

The hormone that produces milk in your body is called prolactin and it relieves stress and promotes relaxation.  The hormone that stimulates the release of milk, or let-down, is called oxytocin; this causes calmness plus feelings of love and nurture.  For that reason it is often called the “bonding hormone.”  And finally, breastfeeding releases endorphins, the body’s natural analgesia and feelings of well-being.

Not only can we feel great about providing our babies the healthiest nutrition possible from our breast milk, we can also feel this “natural high” from the hormones breastfeeding produces.  Many researchers believe that nursing moms experience less postpartum depression and are less exhausted in the early months due to the hormone rush from breastfeeding.  And because new moms are more relaxed about their new role in life, they are often more responsive to their babies and find it easier to bond.

Happy breastfeeding!

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The holidays are time to be festive. You’ve picked out a great new outfit, and even fabulous new intimates like our lace cup nursing bra in violet, and you’ll want to celebrate.  It is okay to have an occasional glass of wine (6oz) or beer (12oz) at your holiday celebrations.  If you plan on having more than a few drinks throughout your evening, you should consult a lactation consultant for advice.

However, you can lose the booze and still partake in the festivities. If your family is enjoying red wine with dinner, try a Concord grape fizz. Mix three parts Concord grape juice with one part sparkling water or one part lemon-lime soda. Peppermint Schnapps and hot chocolate for dessert? Substitute a peppermint hot chocolate by adding a touch a peppermint extract to your coca. And, when everyone is toasting with champagne, try “pure” champagne by blending ginger ale with pineapple juice and white grape juice.

Cheers!

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Even if the weather is not, stripes are HOT this season!  Leading Lady’s Shirred-Front Comfort Wirefree Nursing Bra, available in grey & white stripes as part of our limited edition holiday nursing collection, is the ultimate new mom essential.

Featuring a double layered cup and inner sling for extra support, the one-handed clasp is a snap for nursing your little one.  The cotton-spandex blend ensures you are comfortable from the day your baby is born and the stretchy material allows for fluctuations in your milk supply.  Bring this one to the hospital because it is ideal during and after delivery.

We wish you a comfortable and nurturing holiday season!

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If you feel comfortable enough to nurse in public, do not let well-meaning, but not necessarily supportive comments from family members get you down.  Many times people make comments because they really don’t know enough about the benefits of breastfeeding.  Help them understand your choices by sharing your knowledge on the subject.

When my grandparents would make suggestive comments such as “When are you going to start feeding the baby real food?”  I would answer with something like, “Did you know a baby needs nothing but breastmilk for the first six months of his life?  Breastmilk has all of the perfect nutrients for a baby.” Or “This is the way that I have chosen to feed my baby.  I have done a lot of research and it is the best choice for our family right now.”

What they don’t know may surprise them! Often times that can keep satisfy their curiosity and turn their question into an opportunity for better understanding.

If you have chosen to spend the holidays at a relative’s house, dressing for success may be half the battle. Our polka dot chemise layers well under a cozy robe, so you and your little one will be ready to open gifts under the tree in your PJ’s. Even if he wants to nurse, you can do so comfortably while spending time with everyone that you love.