Best for Babes

Reality TV star and former Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson is successfully breastfeeding, despite her initial fears.  (You may remember that US magazine reported that both Kendra Wilkinson and Kourtney Kardashian were concerned they would not be able to nurse their babies because of breast implants received at a young age.)  While the full story in the  December 17 issue of OK! magazine does not mention breastfeeding (and states that husband Hank gave baby the first feed), we’ve been told by a spokesperson that Ms. Wilkinson started breastfeeding on the second day and is very happy to be nursing her baby.

Ms. Wilkinson got quite a bit of publicity for sharing about her fears.   We wrote about it, offered some breastfeeding advice and a shopping list, and extended our cheers to Wilkinson, Kourtney Kardashian and US magazine for helping to change the public perception of breastfeeding and making it more mainstream.   Soon after, we noticed an increase in the number of articles talking about implants and breastfeeding, which is wonderful!   More surgeons who are performing breast augmentation and reduction surgeries need to know about procedures that preserve the milk ducts, and it should be standard protocol to discuss those options with patients in their childbearing years.   More mothers who are planning to breastfeed deserve access to evidence-based information about breastfeeding with implants so they can prepare and plan accordingly.

Congratulations to Ms. Wilkinson for overcoming one of the earliest “booby-traps”–fear of breastfeeding due to misinformation.   On behalf of all the moms and babies we serve, we thank her for raising awareness of this important health issue.   Celebrities who share their personal breastfeeding stories, like Kelly Rutherford and Gabrielle Reece, help us cheer on, coach and celebrate moms to achieve their personal breastfeeding goals without pressure, judgment and guilt, and to get evidence-based and inspiring information into the hands of more moms.    This is an exciting and wonderful time in a new mother’s life and we want all mothers who decide to breastfeed to have a positive breastfeeding experience!

Last Tuesday (October 6th) I attended the Big City Moms‘ Biggest Baby Shower Ever, held at the American Girl Place in New York City.     It was an awesome event and the line to get in went down the block.   All three floors were chock full of vendors, delicious treats, and fabulous moms-to-be chatting, checking out the goods, and asking questions about baby car, safety and sleep habits.

Seminars on a variety of topics were held on the first floor every twenty minutes or so.   I thought Big City Moms did a great job addressing subjects that moms are interested in; including sleep, feeding, and safety.    As fun as it is to shop and prepare the nursury it is so important the new mothers have the information they need to make healthy decisions!

The first seminar that I did not want to miss was Dr. Alan Greene speaking about “Feeding Baby Green:  Teaching Your Baby to Love Healthy Foods.”   Boy is this guy excited about babies eating!!   He talked about how babies’ tastebuds are actually most sensitive in utero, and that they practice swallowing before they are born, drinking up to 3 cups of amniotic fluid per day!   Dr. Greene explained that not all nutrients pass through the umbilical cord, and that the baby is actually bonding with and getting to know his mother.    I really appreciated his non-judgmental style of speaking that addressed the concerns of mothers who were planning to breastfeed as well as those who were not.   He talked about “imprinting” and how babies who are breastfed get thousands of different flavors from mothers’ milk, exposing their tastebuds early on, and suggested that formula feeding moms switch brands a few times to change things up.   Dr. Greene doesn’t go for a lot of the standard feeding advice given by many pediatricians, especially as far as allergies and feeding schedules, and he explains why in his book, which was included in the gift bags.   I found his lecture to be super interesting and informative and well, really intuitive!   As a mom I always wondered why introducing solids had to be this highly controlled experiment, when really, babies have been reaching out of the sling for millenia to grab a bit of what’s going into mama’s mouth.

Me and Dr. Alan Greene at the Big City Moms Event

I was fortunate to get a chance to speak with Dr. Greene before his talk . . . I knew about his great work with Healthy Child, Healthy World and was excited to meet him.   I told him about what Best for Babes was doing and right off the bat he bubbled over with enthusiasm and fired off some recent breastfeeding research studies.   It was clear that he is very pro-breastfeeding and very knowledgeable about lactation science.   I told him I thought it was great that the Born Free bottles were BPA-free and hoped that the company would become WHO Code Compliant.  Dr. Greene shared that his wife is a breast cancer survivor (like my business partner, Danielle Rigg), and we talked about how strange it was that the big breast cancer organizations didn’t jump with joy over a recent study showing that women with a family history of breast cancer can reduce their risk by 60% — yes, 60% — if they breastfeed their babies.  We see eye to eye on a number of things and I was thrilled to meet him.

Kelly Rutherford & Me (Bettina Forbes, Co-Founder, Best for Babes)

The last seminar of the evening was actress Kelly Rutherford speaking about “Socially Conscious Mothering.”   She is incredibly down to earth and warm and spent most of the time answering questions from the floor.    She has a very nurturing style and made me feel like we’re all in this together, trying to do our best as parents, picking ourselves and each other up when we fall.   She talked about some of the personal decisions she had made, including tandem nursing (see our interview with her) and her choice not to vaccinate.   I appreciated that she was very open as a mother who is trying to parent in a socially conscious way, and shared her own experience.   I think she is an awesome role model and all the expecting moms really enjoyed talking to her.  Best for Babes is very lucky to have her as a Champion for Moms!

All in all it was a great evening and a great resource for moms-to-be.   Everyone left with a huge gift bag filled with gorgeous items, and better prepared for motherhood!

In 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 successfully 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. This 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.

2) 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. Tender 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.

Lots of new breastfeeding moms have the burning question . . . can I drink (alcohol) even though I am breastfeeding?    Given that it’s New Year’s Eve, we thought it would be a fine time to give you the low-down on booze and boobs. 

Here’s the short answer:   Yes, absolutely!   And moderation is good for your mama mojo.

One of the reasons moms give up breastfeeding is because of the astounding myth that you can’t drink and breastfeed.  It’s obvious that this myth was set in motion to convince moms that breastfeeding was restrictive when clearly the opposite is true:   once you get the hang of it, breastfeeding is incredibly convenient and unrestrictive!  It boggles our minds that this myth really took hold and still lingers, considering that booze and breastfeeding have coexisted over the millenia.

So yes, you can have an occasional glass of wine, or a beer, or even a little nightcap and continue to nurse provided you don’t get drunk.  Here’s the shorthand for how to drink alcohol safely while breastfeeding:  

• The rule of thumb is that if you feel drunk, your milk will be drunk too.  Remember, although some moms may be able to handle 2 ounces of liquor, or 8 ounces of wine, or 2 cans of beer, every one’s tolerance is different.  Since most of you haven’t had a drink in about 9 months, you should go slow!   
• Ideally, breastfeed shortly before having a drink so you can give your blood alcohol level a chance to come down before nursing again.
• If you get a little carried away, feed your baby some stored breastmilk instead.  Your blood alcohol level will be present in your breastmilk, so, if you really overdid it, it might be a good idea to have a stash of frozen pumped breastmilk on hand to feed your baby.  If your boobs start to get uncomfortably full, you should pump and dump.  Don’t have a stash of frozen breast milk?   Here’s some big news: you are still better off nursing your baby!  In the Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers, author and famed pediatrician Dr. Jack Newman is unequivocal: “the formula the baby would receive–while the mother is throwing away her milk because it has a tiny amount of alcohol in it–is known to put the baby at greater risk for a host of illnesses and problems.”  If you have further questions, talk to your breastfeeding-friendly pediatrician.  
• You can resume breastfeeding once you no longer feel drunk; as the alcohol level in your blood decreases, it will decrease in your breastmilk.     

The bottomline is that the risks of not breastfeeding are so large, that even if you drink, or smoke, or even get stoned on occasion, you and your baby are still better off breastfeeding.   We are not advocating any of those things, we are simply trying to keep you from chucking breastfeeding because you are afraid it will interfere with your lifestyle, or from enjoying a glass of wine.   Chronic drinking or smoking or drug use is another matter, and we urge you to get help if that is the case.   You owe it to yourself and your baby.

Okay, now on to having some fun!   We came across Gabby Reece’s Holiday Partying Tips and think they are awesome.   Not only does she give smart advice on how to avoid putting on extra calories, she also makes you feel like she’s your fellow mom-girlfriend who’s got your back.   The most important thing, whether you have a drink or not, or whether you go out or not, is to connect with the people you love, get your groove on, and shake your booty!  

Happy New Year to you, Babe!

When we tell people we are in the boob business this is what we hear:   

1)   What’s the big deal?   Aren’t most moms breastfeeding? 

No.  Although 64% of new mothers try breastfeeding, only 14% make it to the minimum six months exclusive breastfeeding recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Worse, most throw in the towel in the first few weeks.  Compare that to Sweden’s rates of 99% initiating and 79% nursing at 6 months, respectively, no wonder the U.S. has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding among all industrialized nations.   Thousands of needless deaths, and billions in health care costs in the U.S. could be prevented by raising our national breastfeeding rate.  

Especially shocking is that breastfeeding rates actually declined from 70% in 2002 to 63.6% in 2006 following the Government’s $40 million ad campaign highlighting the risks of not breastfeeding.  This nearly invisible campaign was botched under powerful lobbying pressure from the formula companies–who increased their own advertising budgets from $30 million to $50 million while the ads ran.  To top it off, the government buckled to pressure and held back a press release on a major meta-study underscoring the risks of not breastfeeding (see below)–information that prospective parents DESERVE to have. 

2)  I wasn’t breastfed and I turned out fine.  

Another way of looking at this statement is to compare it to statements like “I didn’t wear a seatbelt when I was a kid and I turned out fine” or “I didn’t wear sunscreen as a kid and I don’t have skin cancer.” 

For the first example,  seatbelts, we all know by now that seatbelts save lives, mostly because of a brilliant ad campaign that drummed it into our heads, and statistics on crash fatalities involving seatbelts or lack thereof.  Luckily for the seatbelt campaign, there were various industries that benefitted from seatbelt laws: automakers that installed them meaning new cars had to be purchased, and law enforcement that could fine if people were not wearing seatbelts!    Most importantly, there were no industries that were lobbying against or advertising against wearing seatbelts, as it would be really bad public relations.   Not so for breastfeeding.   It gets lobbied against and combined marketing budgets total in the billions. 

In the second example, skin cancer, it’s somewhat like the first; we know frying in the sun without sunscreen increases the risk of skin cancer, and effective advertising campaigns combined with industries that stand to benefit made for a great combination in educating the public. 

But what if you add “yet” to the end of the sunscreen sentence?  “I didn’t wear sunscreen, and I don’t have skin cancer, yet”.   That’s really what we should hear when someone says “I wasn’t breastfed, and I turned out fine.”   You may be fine for now.  And we don’t want to scare anyone, but everybody is working really hard to sweep the risks of formula under the rug, and that is not right, or ethical.   Parents deserve to know what the risks are, so they can make the best decision for themselves and their families.   

So why do so many people seem “fine”?   Well, for one thing, most people are not aware of the risks of not breastfeeding, so they are not thinking, I have digestive problems, or allergies, or diabetes, and it could be because I wasn’t breastfed.   So when people say, “I turned out fine,” we try not to debate on an individual basis, because every person is different!   Some people we know smoked like a chimney their whole lives and never got cancer, but nobody would dream of saying “smoking is fine.”  

One thing people might want to consider is that times have changed.  Our immune systems need all the help they can get given an increase in environmental stress, overuse of antibiotics, increase in vaccines (and the autoimmune diseases that may be related to that).  While the previous generation may have turned out fine not so for this generation, that has drastically increased rates of obesity, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, allergies and autism, to name a few.   Our view is that babies nowadays especially need all the help they can get, and that means breastmilk, either from the mother, or screened, pasteurized, donated human milk.  

Here is an excellent summary* of the news release that was withheld under the influence of formula lobbyists: 

Breastfeeding reduces babies’ risk of these diseases by:

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS):  36% 
• Type 1 Diabetes:  19-27%
• Type 2 Diabetes:  39%
• Leukemia (acute lymphocytic) :  19%
• Leukemia (acute myelogenous):  15%
• Asthma:  27%
• Gastrointestinal infections:  64%
• Lower respiratory tract diseases:  72% 
• Atopic dermatitis:  42%
• Acute otitis media:  50%

And breastfeeding reduces mothers‘ risk of these diseases by:

• Type 2 Diabetes:  4-12%
• Ovarian cancer:  21%
• Breast cancer:  28%  

*(from Motherwear’s breastfeeding blog,    “This information comes from a new meta-analysis (study of studies) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.   This study looked over 9,000 studies on breastfeeding from developed countries, weeded out the ones with poor methodology, and came up with an overall percentage for each one.  This is harder than it sounds because “breastfeeding” is defined differently in each study.”)