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kendra-kourtney-bIn an exclusive interview, Us Magazine announces that reality stars Kourtney Kardashian and Kendra Wilkinson still want to breastfeed, despite implants!   Here from the joint interview:

“I was so scared that I wasn’t going to be able to nurse that when I saw stuff come out of my nipples the other day, I was like, I can breast-feed?” Wilkinson, 24, tells Us Weekly in an exclusive joint interview with Kardashian, 30. ” And I asked my doctor, who said, ‘That’s fine, but it’s not milk yet!’”

Adds Kardashian (who, like Wilkinson, is also due in December), “They say usually you can [breast-feed with implants]. I want to.”

First of all, hurray for Us Magazine covering a hot topic and drawing attention to an issue that so many moms have questions about, and kudos to Kardashian & Wilkinson for openly sharing their fears.    We need more celebrities to air their feelings about breastfeeding and share their breastfeeding experiences!  Hugely popular magazines like Us can help raise awareness and get info into the hands of more mothers.

Here is our advice and a shopping list  for Ms. Kardashian and Ms. Wilkinson:

The amazing ”stuff coming out of your nipple” is called colostrum! Your body starts to make colostrum before birth and for a few days after birth.  It is incredibly rich in nutrients, antibodies, live cells and  development and immune-building agents.  It looks like raw honey, and contrary to what your doctor told you, it is considered ”the first milk” by health experts and is even referred to as “liquid gold” because it is so precious and valuable to baby!   It coats the baby’s digestive tract and makes it less permeable to infection and disease-breastfed babies’ intestinal linings are 15 times thicker than that of formula fed babies!  Frequent, early feedings of colostrum (8-12 feedings in the first 24 hours) help your baby get rid of excess bilirubin and prevent jaundice.  Latch that baby on in the first hour after birth.

Many women who have had breast augmentation (implants) or reduction have gone on to successfullyLayout 1 and exclusively feed their babies breastmilk.    A great resource for these, and all moms, is the book Making More Milk by Diane West, IBCLC and Lisa Marasco, MA, IBCLC.   You’ll find lots of information on increasing your milk supply.   You’ll be amazed at what your body can do, and what making milk for your precious wee one does for your mama mojo!   Check out and websites lowmilksupply.org and bfar.org (breastfeeding after reduction), and get the help of a recommended IBCLC-International Board Certified Lactation Counselor.   Should you need to supplement, there is nothing better for your babe than donated, screened, pasteurized human milk from a registered milk bank.

Shop! While all you really need to breastfeed is right under your nose, a few items can make the process easier and more enjoyable.   These are our recommendations, based on our and other experts experience in helping new mothers succeed with breastfeeding:

1) Simply Breastfeeding DVD. SBF_DVDCoverThis awesome, full-length breastfeeding class will knock your socks off and you’ll be amazed and empowered with what you learn in the privacy of your home.  Round up your husband, future grandparents, and any caregivers of baby;  pop some popcorn and enjoy the show.

mybrestfriendpillow2) My Brest Friend Breastfeeding Pillow. There are lots of supposed breastfeeding pillows on the market, this one is the silver platter for bringing baby up to the boob bar.  There is simply no better product on the market to help you get a good latch and get breastfeeding off to a good start; it is used in progressive hospitals and by most lactation counselors and comes in soft cozy colors and prints.

3) Earth Mama Angel Baby Breastfeeding Support Kit. milkmaid-teaTender nipples need tender loving care.   Spread on some all natural, toxin-free Nipple Butter and breathe a sigh of relief.   Booby Tubes are better than gel packs because they can be heated or cooled and don’t leak anything dangerous.   Milkmaid Tea boosts production, and Bosom Buddies soothes the swelling.

4) A Foot Stool.   Putting your feet up on a slanted breastfeeding stool will do wonders for your back, belly, boobs and baby.   No mom should be without one.

5) A Good Pump:  Especially for moms with concerns about low milk production, a good breastpump can be a lifesaver.   Our favorites are made by Ameda and Hygeia, and both are BPA free.   Hygeia’s breastpump is new on the market, and we love what we see:  a closed system means it is reusable, it is recyclable (wow!) and it is promising as being one of the best pumps out there.   We have already started to refer to it affectionately as a “lean, green, pumping machine!”

6) Cover Up? For some reason, we’re sure these gals are not too shy, but if modesty is called for, a cute cover-up by Lilabean or Hotslings is just the ticket.   Why not suckle in style?

Our last tip?     Set small realistic goals-commit to the first 6 to 8 week learning curve, and take it a day at a time or a week at a time in that vulnerable postpartum period.   Let your men be your heroes in  protecting you and your babies from the booby traps, and let your family and friends bring you food and nurture YOU until breastfeeding is going smoothly.   Remember that everything worth having is worth working for, and enjoy this precious time!

To win a Breastfeeding Support Kit, courtesy of our fabulous sponsor Earth Mama Angel Baby, leave a comment saying what you think of this post, why you need a kit, and including the word GIVEAWAY.  Winner will be announced.