So We Finished Breastfeeding

It feels weird to type that... "We finished breastfeeding." I mean, I'm still not entirely convinced we have. It's been a week since David last breastfed but it wasn't a concious decision, more of a 'he hasn't asked and I haven't offered,' situation. But a week is the longest I've not breastfed in the 3.5 years since John was born and it very much seems like David has moved on, thrusting an empty bottle at me as opposed to tugging on my top.

So how do I feel? It's hard to say as I think I'm still very much in denial. I don't know what I expected to be honest. Maybe a, "congratulations on breastfeeding two kids for over 3 years," card or perhaps a, "sorry for your kids growing up and leaving you behind," card would be more appropriate? Either way it feels like the end of an era that is going somewhat unnoticed by everyone but me. Which isn't unreasonable as no one is really aware that we were still breastfeeding; even Iain asked me recently if I still breastfed David as it had become much less frequent and only done whilst settling him for bed, if at all. Even David doesn't seem phased by or to have even noticed the end.

I suppose it was inevitable when I went back to work full time. Most days I'm not there during the day so the opportunity to breastfeed is automatically forfeited. That combined with David now sleeping through most nights and only really having milk before bed, he has less opportunities to even ask to breastfeed. Since the boys started sharing a room we also got into a habit of giving David a little bottle of cows milk on those nights when he doesn't settle after breastfeeding to allow John to get some peace to fall asleep too. And slowly that bottle has taken my place.

I guess I'm glad that David has taken it upon himself to end this journey. John was 3 when he decided he was a 'big boy' and breastfeeding was 'for babies like David,' a conclusion he came to with a bit of encouragement & discussion from myself. I kind of figured David would follow a similar route but this as much as anything shows me just how individual they already are. I've always said I'd like to allow the boys to self-wean and with that you sacrifice a say of your own, whether you too are ready for the end. I guess it was easier with John too as we were tandem breastfeeding, meaning that when he finished it wasn't the end: This time though, there's no more babies, now at least and quite possibly forever.

But it's done. We're finished breastfeeding. Aside from being in denial and a little bit upset at the finality of it, I'm also a little bit relieved. It's been over 4 years now that I've not had my body to myself between pregnancies & breastfeeding; it'll be nice to have that back, regardless of how much I'll miss it. It means I can finally go back on the pill and hopefully once my hormones settle down I can become less reliant on antibiotic treatment for my cystic acne. Plus the addition of under-wired bras to my wardrobe has been welcomed with open arms, even if what they're only holding a shadow of their former selves!





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Cystic Acne

When I was a teenager, I had beautiful skin. It sounds a little big headed to say that but it's genuinely true. I used to receive compliments on my skin above all else. I was obsessed with skincare and having just one spot was devastating. That one big cystic spot would come only once a month though, so I just used to sulk & get on with it. Looking back, I've now come to realise those spots, that only came once a month (clue right there...) were hormonal.

So throw in two, pregnancies, two babies & 2.5 years of breastfeeding and you've got a woman in hormonal overdrive! My skin has suffered the most. Gone are the days of a baby soft face, now it's blackheads, whiteheads & worst of all, Cystic Acne. I don't suppose the fact my skincare ritual slipping through exhausting pregnancies & sleep-deprived newborn days will have helped matters but as my hormones are still all over the joint, my skin is just not settling. In fact, despite trying various cream, lotions, washes & remedies throughout the past year(+), I've given up... Coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, breastmilk, salicylic acid, clay masks, evening primrose oil... Nothing has worked, not even slightly.

To the point that last month I resigned myself to going to the doctors. Since I've yet to find a cure for myself, I was holding out for their being a medical miracle they were keeping a secret, that might just fix my face. Having already exhausted every remedy I'd encountered from hours of Googling, I was dubious there was much they'd actually be able to do, particularly for my hormone induced cystic acne. It seems the best solutions for that included the contraceptive pill but given I'm still breastfeeding, they simply won't even entertain that idea. And since stopping breastfeeding isn't going to happen any time soon, I thought there was little hope.

Thankfully, I encountered a very sympathetic doctor. She agreed that my acne was more than likely down to hormones & not once suggested stopping breastfeeding. We talked about the various other options that avoided hormones as not to interfere with breastfeeding and before going down the route of oral antibiotics, that I'd try a couple of topical creams & solutions. She prescribed me Stiemycin & Acnecide Gel, both to be used twice a day. I was to give it at least 4 weeks and if there was no improvement to go back & discuss starting oral antibiotics (obviously ones safe for use whilst breastfeeding).

It's now been 4 weeks and disappointingly, I'm making another appointment with my doctor. Despite my cystic acne not being quite as widespread, it's by no means improved. There's a few less cystic spots but that could be as much to do with the fact that the previous ones have healed, as although there's not as many, there's still some there regardless; & they're by no means any better than they were before starting the prescribed treatments. I imagine the fact I've also just had my first period in 18 months means perhaps my hormones are going into a whole new overdrive (yay...). Plus there's absolutely no improvement in the blackhead & whiteheads. I won't get an appointment for another couple of weeks yet, which will give the treatment a little more time to work but as there's been no change yet, I'm not holding my breath.

I plan to keep updating throughout my treatments though, as to help anyone going through the same. Because if you're anything like me, obsessively Googling treatments is something that comes with the territory of Cystic Acne. And yes, I do have a some rather high-resolution photos for my face but I'm not quite ready to share that yet - perhaps as a before photo when I have a after one.

Do you have any experience with Cystic Acne? Or any magical cures to share?

I've since written an update on how my Cystic Acne Treatment is going. Click here to read on...

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The Logistics of Tandem Nursing.

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I've been tandem nursing for nearly 8 months now. Crazy, right? I've said before that as with breastfeeding John, tandem nursing was never something I set out to do however, we've found it works well for us. What I have found is that people are curious. It's not something that's often discussed or advocated so of course it's met with questioning. There's obviously some negativity \round it but that aside, people just want to know how it works. So today I bring you, the Logistics of Tandem Nursing...

• • •

Is breastfeeding in pregnancy actually safe?
In short, yes. It is a subject that's lacking in actual scientific research but anecdotal evidence & scientific theory shows that breastfeeding throughout pregnancy will not cause early labour.*
It's an easy assumption to make given that nipple stimulation is one of the recommendations sometimes given to induce labour. This recommendation is based on the fact that oxytocin (the hormone present in labour) is released when breastfeeding. However - like all ways to bring on labour - nipple stimulation is unreliable & thought to be another one of the "it'll only work when baby is ready anyway" recommendations. So basically, unless your baby is about to be born, breastfeeding is likely to have little affect on causing it to happen.
Plus at risk of sounding clichéd, like all things breastfeeding related, the human race has been doing it for centuries & we've made it this far!
*If you have a history of miscarriage or any other health problems, it's always worth a chat with your midwife before committing to breastfeeding through pregnancy.

What happens to your breast milk during pregnancy?
Every woman is different. It's pretty much guaranteed that you'll experience a dip in supply at some point throughout pregnancy, thanks to those lovely hormones. Some women will find that their milk can even dry up but if you're keen to tandem breastfeed it is possible to increase milk supply with the usual natural ways (eating porridge, fenugreek, mothers milk tea...).
In later pregnancy your breast milk will turn to colostrum in preparation for the new arrival. Colostrum is a great immunity boost for your older child but beware of the nappies - colostrum has a laxative affect!

Will I produce enough milk for two?
Yes. Breast milk works on supply & demand. Basically, if there's two mouths wanting fed, your body will produce milk for two. If you do find your supply struggles to keep up though (particularly at times of growth spurts), you can always try some of the natural ways to up your supply for a wee boost.
It's also important to let the baby have first dibs on your milk. Unlike your older child who'll also be eating solids, the baby will solely rely on the nutrition of your milk so it's necessary to make sure they get what they need first & foremost.

Won't it cause jealously with my eldest?
No - quite the opposite in fact! Of course, all babies & children are different but the general belief (& my own experience) is that tandem breastfeeding actually reduces the likelihood of sibling jealousy. Instead of suddenly losing Mummy to this new little baby, they have a new buddy to share the best bit of Mummy with.

How do you physically breastfeed two at the same time?
Well, you don't. Obviously you can and probably will from time-to-time but that doesn't mean that every time you feed the baby that your oldest has to (or even wants) breastfeed at the same time. I can count on one hand the amount of times I've breastfed John & David simultaneously; partly because it's awkward and partly because John never asks to. At present, John only breastfeeds twice a day maximum - once a nap time & once at bedtime. The rest of the time, as he often reminds us ("Day-day's mocks!"), my boobs are for David.

Will my older child revert to constant nursing?
They can but it's not a guarantee. Sometimes, seeing a baby that needs to breastfeed 24/7 can make your older child want to as well. But this behaviour isn't as simple as just wanting to breastfeed as it often occurs in other aspects of your older child's life as well. Areas such a toilet training, sleep & behaviour can all being affected when welcoming a new baby. So your older child may well up their nursing sessions, or like John, they could stop sleeping through the night instead. Don't worry though, it's generally only temporary & will pass with a little time.

• • •

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One Milk Bank for Scotland.

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When John was a wee baby I remember my Health Visitor joking that I had such an abundant supply of milk that I should have had triplets. That's what first prompted me look into becoming a breast milk donor. Unfortunately back then the only milk bank in Scotland which is based in Glasgow couldn't accommodate donors as far as Edinburgh so it just wasn't possible.

Since then however, The One Milk Bank for Scotland has expanded & started to accept donors from all over Scotland, thanks to the help of ScotsEVRS (The Scottish Emergency Rider Volunteer Service) who collect donor milk from breastfeeding mothers & deliver it to the One Milk Bank where it can then be distributed throughout Scotland.

Of course, once I had David I was determined to become a donor. If you're already breastfeeding and have a good supply, it's such a simple thing to do but is hugely rewarding. The difference breast milk can make to a premature or ill baby has the potential to be literally lifesaving. But who can be a breast milk donor and what does it involve? Debbie from the One Milk Bank for Scotland has been kind enough to answer a few questions in regards to breast milk donation for Diddle Diddle Dumpling...

• • •

What do you look for in a donor?
There is a screening criteria including consent form and health and lifestyle questionnaire, as well as blood tests for HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B and C and Syphilis. There are slight differences between milk banks but in general terms baby needs to be under six months when first donating, no smokers in household, limited caffeine and alcohol intake and no or limited medications. I ask donors to commit to expressing on a regular basis usually once a day. Some donors will have surplus milk stored and that may be acceptable for donation as well. You can find out more on the UKAMB website www.ukamb.org.

How do you become a donor?
By contacting the milk bank who will then send out a pack with information, consent form and health and lifestyle questionnaire. Once these are returned the milk bank will provide bottles and labels and organise for blood tests to be done.

What does the process of donating involve?
Committing to expressing regularly, usually once a day and freezing the milk at home. We also ask you to record your freezer temperature once a day.

Where/who does my breast milk go to?
The milk initially comes to the milk bank to be pasteurised and screened. Once the milk is cleared for use it is used to feed sick and pre-term babies in neonatal units throughout Scotland whose own mothers have insufficient milk or are unable to supply their own. We also supply milk for some other babies on request where there is need.

• • •

If you're based in Scotland & interested in becoming a donor, you can have a look at One Milk Bank for Scotland's Facebook page. If you're based elsewhere in the UK, the UKAMB website can point you in the right direction of your closet milk bank.

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Attachment Feminism // My Thoughts On Things // Hex Mum // Circus Queen // Mummies Waiting

And why not have a look at Ardo Breast Pumps who have generously donated a Double Calypso Pump to the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt.

5 Tips For Confidently Breastfeeding In Public.

I remember the first time I got my boobs out in public. John was a few weeks old & in preparation for venturing out more & facing the first public breastfeed, I headed to Mothercare to invest in a proper nursing bra. I came away empty handed. Why? Well, you know when they say your boobs may leak when you hear your baby cry? What they don't tell you is that it isn't just your baby - its any baby! So as I was trying on nursing bras in Mothercare - John sleeping soundly in his buggy beside me - a baby somewhere in the massive shop starting whining. Milk everywhere! I was so mortified & overwhelmed that I basically dropped said nursing bras in the changing room & ran home (where I may have had a wee cry - thanks, post-pregnancy hormones!). Not a great confidence boost for biting the bullet and breastfeeding in public!

I did however start breastfeeding in public not long after. It is a daunting thought - getting your boobs out in the public eye but rest assured it's not as scary a you first think. The biggest thing is to get that first feed out the way and after that you'll feel like an expert! So to help get you started, here's my top 5 tips to get your breastfeeding in public with confidence.

• • •

1. Know your rights. First & foremost, when it comes to breastfeeding in public, the law is in your favour. As it stands, it's a breech in the Equality Act under sexual discrimination to treat a woman unfavourably for breastfeeding. Of course, we've all heard of that one woman who was asked to leave such-&-such business because she was breastfeeding but that is by no means the norm. What you need to remember is that the reason we hear about this is because it's so uncommon & also against the law. So keep in mind, if people don't like your breastfeeding, there's actually nothing they can do about it.

2. Practice at baby groups. Despite knowing you're allowed to breastfeed in public, some women still lack confidence. I found the best way to tackle my nerves & build my confidence was to first practice breastfeeding alongside like-minded women. The ideal place is a Mum & Baby group as not only can you share advice & experience, you can also offer moral support. The first time I breastfed in public was alongside another breastfeeding Mum - safety in numbers, they say! Of course, nothing bad is going to happen but it can be reassuring to know you're not alone.

3. Ditch the cover. I'm not a fan. At all. Don't get me wrong, I get the point of them but I can't help but feel the use of breastfeeding covers is completely contradictory. Firstly, they're not subtle at all. In fact, people are more likely to look at you and a) wonder why you're wearing a giant bib & b) stare long enough to realise what you're doing anyway, so hence defeating the purpose. Instead, embrace your breastfeeding! Be proud of what you're doing for your wee one. And rest assured that you've done your own wee bit in normalising breastfeeding as opposed to reinforcing public opinions that it's something to be hidden by covering you & your wee one up.

4. People notice crying babies. Generally, people are wrapped up in their own little worlds. It's only when something distracts them from their world that they take note & form their opinions. And where a contented baby snuggled into the boob is unlikely to drawn someone's eye away from their daily business, you can be sure that a screaming baby certainly will. In my experience (& other mothers I speak to) it seems that you're more likely to be judged for having a unhappy baby on your hands than you are for breastfeeding one - simply because people notice! So don't hold off feeding your hungry little one - you're both just going to end up upset & flustered - do the deed & get on with your day.

5. Have your comebacks at the ready. Confidence is key. I truly believe that like in all aspects of life, people don't mess with the strong the ones, just the weak. However that being said, we all have off-days; the days when we've been up all night, have sick in our hair & realise we haven't changed our breastpads in a acceptable number of days - you can guarantee this will be the day you're confronted by some small-minded busy-body who is unaware of the law. This is where comebacks are your friend! If Breastfeeding Offends You has a fantastic, extensive list of breastfeeding comebacks that are worth having a read & remember. My favourites being, "If you are offended by me doing this, then you are looking too closely", "If my breastfeeding offends you, I will be happy to ask your waiter to bring you your food in the restroom" and of course, "If breastfeeding offends you, put a blanket over YOUR head!"

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And have a look at Blazing Needles who have kindly donated a Boobie Beanie (perfect for making a statement whilst breastfeeding in public!) to the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt.

Breastfeeding Support in Edinburgh & The Lothians.

It's one of the simplest things you could need, yet so many women still aren't receiving it. Support in Breastfeeding. Be it help in actually getting things established, or simply listening to you as you winge about being engorged again - support is always key. I've decided to keep things local today and list the support available for those of us in Edinburgh & The Lothians.

• • •

Midwives. They're a bit like Marmite - you love them or you hate them! If you're lucky enough to get a good one, grab hold of her from your first pregnancy appointment & don't let her go! I was lucky in that I had the best couple of midwives you could imagine. From answering the phone for the billionth time when John wouldn't latch, to being behind me 100% when I said I planned to tandem breastfeed. In fact, we had such a great relationship when it came to breastfeeding that they even invited me to speak at an antenatal class when John was a few months old.

That being said, my midwives were also the lactation specialists and ran the Breastfeeding Clinic for our area so they were very knowledgeable. If you don't feel like your midwife is much help, ask to be referred on to someone who is. Even if they don't seem clued up on breastfeeding, they'll have the contacts to those who are.

Breastfeeding Clinics. There are Breastfeeding Clinics throughout Edinburgh & The Lothians which are run by the NHS in various hospitals & health centres. Given how great my midwives were, I never had to attend one, however I've heard fantastic things about them. You can ask to be referred by your midwife, health visitor or GP, or you can just drop in. The Breastfeeding Clinics take time to help with the average appointment time being 2 hours, during which they'll take a history of your issues, watch your wee one feed, then identify the issues & work on a plan of action.

For a full list of Breastfeeding Clinics & when they're on, click here.

La Leche League. I was late in discovering the La Leche League [LLL] (when I was pregnant with David) but I'm glad I found them in the end. La Leche League (pronounced la lay-chay) is an international charitable organisation founded to give information and encouragement, mainly through mother-to-mother support, to all women who want to breastfeed their babies. I absolutely love going to the LLL meetings as there's no where else that you'll come across as many women who're happy to breastfeed their children without hesitation & eager to support each other in any way possible. It's the perfect place to not only gain support & advice in any breastfeeding issues but it's also fab for just talking to like-minded Mum's. Plus their meetings have a library of breastfeeding related books that you can borrow out too.

La Leche League Edinburgh meet twice a month for both a Baby Meeting & Toddler Meeting, but I've been welcomed at both with a baby & toddler in tow. And the great thing about LLL is that they have a 24 hour helpline and their group leaders are happy to be contacted between meetings too. The LLL Edinburgh also have a Facebook Group which is brilliant for those times between the groups when you need some moral support or just fancy talking boobs!

Psst! We also featured in the LLL magazine, Breastfeeding Matters in November/December 2013. Click here to see.

Feed Good Factor. There's a lot to be said for the NHS, especially here in Scotland (mine is positive, by the way!) but one thing I personally think they've done extremely well in is their breastfeeding support website, The Feed Good Factor. Not only does it explain the basics, like how to breastfeed, it also has a Myth Buster feature, a Troubleshooter help tool and a postcode search for local support groups a little closer to home. Plus their poster campaigns never fail to get a giggle from me. I highly recommend having a nosey is you're considering or planning to breastfeed, already facing problems or hoping to help some who is looking to breastfeed.

Friends & Family. It may seem like an obvious one but not everyone does get support from their loved ones. The important thing to remember is that generally, people mean well (& if they don't, well, you don't really need me to tell you do not need that negativity in your life!) and it pays to take any advice you're unsure of with a pinch of salt. It may help to make your wishes to breastfeed known before your wee one comes along and ask in advance that they support you in anyway you think will help. These could include, keeping visits brief at first, bringing you easy to cook & eat meals, not asking "when will you be introducing a bottle/dummy"... And make sure you instruct your other half to get you a glass of water & a breakfast bar each time you sit down to feed - breastfeeding is thirst & hunger inducing business! Having the support of those who mean the most to you will always be a step in the right direction.

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See what these other lovely ladies have to say in the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt.

Attachment Feminism // My Thoughts On Things // Hex Mum // Circus Queen // Mummies Waiting

And for the ultimate in breastfeeding support, hop on over to TalkMum who have kindly donated a 3 Month Supply of Pregnacare Breastfeeding Support Supplements to the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt.

Wishing you a supportive breastfeeding journey,

What You DON'T Need For Breastfeeding.

 

Breast pumps, nursing vests, "closet to boob" bottles and even a test to check you breast milk is up to standard (yes - really!!). So much for cheap & easy! Like most things in life however, companies have caught on to the potential money to be made and started producing various breast feeding 'essentials'. The reality? You're really just throwing your money away on the majority of these products. So, to help save you from buying even more baby products that will gather dust (because most end up doing that anyway), here's my guide on what not to spend your money on...

• • •

Breast Pumps. I couldn't be without mine. In fact, without a breast pump I doubt we would have established breast feeding during those awful first weeks with John. Plus it's a must-have in terms of being a Milk Donor. However, it's by no means an essential for breast feeding. Expressing is great...if you can actually do it. Many woman can't. And that is by no means a measure of the amount of milk you produce for your baby. The thing with boobs is that babies are designed to empty them, not a plastic device, so you'll find that a baby will always be more efficient in feeding than your breast pump. Obviously, if you're returning to work or becoming a milk donor, a breast pump can be invaluable but there's still to option to hand express in these situations which some women find is even more effective than said piece of plastic. Basically, don't buy unless you know you're going to need one.

Breast Pads. Ok, so when your milk first comes in, these are pretty essential but that's not to say you'll need them the entire duration for your breast feeding experience. Some woman are lucky enough to never really need them. But for when you do, it pays to know your options. There's the obvious disposable option but you can also invest in some reusable ones which like cloth nappies will last you more than one baby. But if you do decide on disposables, do a little research on the best brands first so you don't find yourself throwing money away! Here's my guide to the best disposable breast pads on the market.

Nursing Vests. Time for a comparison! A standard spaghetti strap vest costs a mere £3.99, add a couple of clips to it and we're miraculously up to £18! Mad, isn't it? Especially when you can buy said clips for just a few pounds. But fear not, if your sewing skills are not up to converting a normal vest into a nursing one, it doesn't really matter. You see that first vest? Well, the straps on it stretch and they stretch more than enough to let you pop your in & out. At first you might convince yourself you need a whole new wardrobe full of nursing friendly clothes but you'll soon find yourself back in your usual clothes & being a master of the one boob escape.

Bottles & Sterilisers. There seems to be this common misbelief that you need to give a breastfed baby a bottle, whether that be to share feeds or avoid future refusal. But unless you're going back to work early or need to spend considerable time away from your baby, this is entirely avoidable. And the thing with bottles is that there is literally hundreds of different ones to choose from; "closest to the boob, the most natural, breast-like flow"... How do you even begin to choose? Well, from my experiences there seems to be a divide of two camps - babies that will take a bottle & babies that won't. And generally, the bottle choice will be irrelevant. So don't spend a fortune on buying one of each bottle; instead give one a go & persevere; or hold out until 4 months & skip bottles completely, instead opting for sippy cups [which are also better long-term]. As for sterilisers; boiling water is free or a Tupperware with some Milton Solution is a long-tried & tested method of keeping your bottles in tip-top shape.

• • •

Now, as for what you actually need - which isn't very much! First & foremost is boobs. And technically, that's it. But I always recommend having some Lansinoh Nipple Cream for sore & cracked nipples in the beginning (plus it the best cream for teething rash when the time comes). Next is a a great support system, which I'll be talking about tomorrow. And finally is a good nursing bra.
Seeing as you'll be likely to be living in said nursing bra for the duration of your breastfeeding journey, it pays to get yourself fitted with a really good one. BoobieMilk is a Mummy run business providing in-home nursing bra fittings in and around Sevenoaks, Kent, as well as stocking nursing bras and accessories for purchase at www.boobiemilk.co.uk to be delivered to the whole of the UK. Having purchased a Hotmilk bra from BoobieMilk earlier this year, I can say with confidence you will not be disappointed with the products or customer service that BoobkieMilk has to offer. And today, as part of the Keep Britian Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt, Diddle Diddle Dumpling has teamed up with Boobiemilk to offer one lucky reader £10 towards purchase at Boobiemilk.co.uk. All you have to do is enter the Rafflecopter below.

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Happy breastfeeding,

Why I Chose to Breastfeed.

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"It protects babies from illness & infections. It lowers the mothers risk of breast & ovarian cancer. It's the most natural way to feed your baby." These are all wonderful things but not one of them is why I chose to breastfeed.

My reasons for breastfeeding are slightly less selfless... I breastfeed because it's free & I'm lazy. There, I said it. Of course, the health benefits are undeniable and obviously a great advantage but they in no way swayed my decision in how I'd feed my boys.

We all know that money makes the world go round and when deciding whether or not to breastfeed, this was a huge factor for us. The fact of the matter is, babies are expensive. From cots & clothes, to life insurance & childcare. Gone are the days of being frivolous with our wages, now it's all about budgeting down to the final penny. So when faced with the decision of feeding John for free or spending up to £40 a month on formula milk, the choice was obvious. In fact, my decision was made back when I thought a tub of formula (RRP £10) would do an entire months worth of bottles (eh, no, Amy...) - imagine my shock when finding out you in fact need around a tub a week!

Then there's the lazy part. Once breastfeeding is established, it really is the easiest option. No sterilising bottles, no warming feeds at 3am, no carrying excess items in an already packed changing bag, no impatient baby protesting in a cafe as you try to prepare a feed. It's as simple as popping a boob into your babies mouth. No sterilising, no preparing, no warming, no impatient baby protests (well...), heck you barely even need to wake up to feed a breastfed baby!

You can leave the house without worrying if you have enough feeds. You can save kitchen space for important things like biscuit tins instead of sterilisers. You can whip out a boob in the park, on the beach, at the zoo...wherever you like and always know it's the perfect temperature for your baby. And like I say, you can even feed through the night without even waking up, if you're happy to co-sleep. What's not to love? Plus, that extra £40 a month is great for buying cake - because, y'know, breastfeeding burns enough calories to justify cake!

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Mummy Is A Gadget Geek // Keep Up With The Jones Family // Attachment Mummy // Life With Pink Princesses // We're Going On A Adventure

And if you're starting out in the breastfeeding world, head on over to the Natural Birthing Company who have kindly donated a Bosom Buddies Breastfeeding Survival Kit to the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt.

Happy breastfeeding,

Reflecting.

When John was around 7 months old, I returned to education. At school, I was a nightmare student. I hated school and made it my aim to everyone show that. As a result, I came away with little qualifications. So in 2012, I decided to start an evening class in Higher English to try and pass one of the (many) exams I failed whilst at school. It was hard work but I loved it - it was something just for me. Unfortunately, when I became pregnant with David and endured a HG pregnancy, I had to drop out weeks before the final exams.

However, part of the course was to write a Reflective Essay on a personal experience of significance. I wrote about our first night home with John. And seeing as it never made it into a final portfolio for a Higher English Qualification, and it seems a shame for it just to remain saved to my hard drive, I thought I'd share it here...

Tandem Nursing - Our Story So Far.

tandem nursing
adjective
Tandem nursing is when a mother is breastfeeding two different-aged children (siblings).

Tandem nursing wasn't something I set out to do, it just kind of happened. Even extended breastfeeding John wasn't on the agenda when he was first born but after months of struggling to establish breastfeeding, I wasn't prepared to pack it in without good reason. And, well, a good reason never really came along. Then I was pregnant with David and suffering Hyperemesis Gravidarum - the last thing on my mind was going through the stress of weaning a toddler when I could barely get out of bed! Finally there was the "we've made it this far, lets get right up to 2 years, as recommended by WHO" attitude that I'd now adopted.

By the time David was ready to make his début, John was (& still is) only breastfeeding twice a day - at nap time & bed time. Given that I'd be breastfeeding David 24/7 in those early days anyway, what was a couple more feeds thrown in? Besides, there was also the fear that if we packed it in with John before David was born, that we'd face the same problems establishing breastfeeding all over again. Not something I wanted to risk!

It made sense to give tandem nursing a go. And so far, it's been easy as pie. My biggest concern when we started was that John wouldn't want to share or that he'd increase his feeds, but it turned out my worries were inane. Aside from the usual obstacles faced in establishing breastfeeding (a little pain, constant feeding, engorgment...) it's been an easy transition to adapt to. John was even a god send in those early days of engrogment, saving me the trouble of having to express so David could latch on to feed. And my supply has kept up beautifully - I've even got enough milk to spare & will be donating to our local Milk Bank soon (more on that later).

There has of course been a few negatives in tandem nursing, although insignificant. I've actually only breastfed both boys simultaneously on several occasions and let me tell you, it's awkward! Breastfeeding John on his own can often resemble a scene from Cirque Du Soleil as it is but when I've got to ensure he's not kicking or climbing on David (whilst also twisting my nipple - ouch!), it makes for a slightly more stressful experience all round. We'll stick to separate nursing sessions for now! Plus there was the poops. John's poops to be specific. When David was first born and I was producing colostrum, John's poops showed it - the nutrition-rich, slightly-laxative milk, not only helped David in the digestive department but John too. But obviously, I was too busy feeding David so Daddy got the pleasure of those nappies! Thankfully though, John showed no real interest in increasing feeds which I believe in very common at the beginning of a tandem breastfeeding relationship.

For every negative though, there's a positive. Right from before David was even born tandem nursing helped me in early labour at home - both regulating my contractions & easing the pain. Isn't oxytocin great stuff? Not to mention how easy & natural breastfeeding was when David did arrive. Unlike with John, the pain was bearable (although still there - boo!) and my supply only took a week or two to settle down, which again was a nice change given the oversupply issues I had with John - seriously, I think I'm meant to be a wet nurse to an orphanage! There's also the fact that John's not been properly ill since David arrived, which again I can only speculate on, as it could be as much down to the fact his immune system has turned a corner after a year of attending nursery, but it could also be down to the immune boosting milk that's tailored to David which he too is benefiting from.

And then there's the emotional side of things, including the final step of John's bedtime routine, when we cuddle up after a story and settle him down for the night - even when David was a newborn needing my attention 24/7, I made a point of keeping this moment of calm between John & I. On even the toughest of days with two under 2, our last breastfeed of the day helps me remember that John's not such a monster after all! He's still just leaving babyhood himself & needs that comfort & closeness from his Mummy, just as much as David, albeit not as often. And it's impossible to know for sure (as obviously I've no comparison) but I do think tandem nursing has brought the boys closer together and taught John to share with his little brother. He's been very accepting that David only has milk so needs to have it lots & there's been no real jealousy or objection - my boobs are even referred to as "Dayday's mocks" (ie. David's milk) these days!

So where do we go from here? Well John's now 2 so we've made it to WHO's recommendation in regards to breastfeeding him and I plan to let him continue for the foreseeable future. Self-weaning is definitely on the agenda but if he's still going strong towards the end of 2014, I may encourage him to start stopping as to ease a little pressure from myself in preparation of returning to work. And as for David, I'd obviously like to continue down the same path as John and do at least 2 years, again followed by self-weaning. But as always with breastfeeding, we'll take it a day at a time.

I think it's fairly obvious I'm passionate about breastfeeding & I can only hope that our breastfeeding journey continues to hold such positive experiences in future. Hooray for boobies!

Getting To Know David.

David is now 3 weeks old and we're quickly getting to know the newest addition to our wee family.

He's a natural when it comes to breastfeeding. He co-sleeps with Mummy & Daddy. He's already in 0-3 months clothes. He is a very snuffly baby & snores like his Daddy. He has the brightest eyes that follow John wherever he goes. He's not keen on using a dummy. He has a great assortment of grumpy faces. He doesn't like being put down or left alone for long periods whilst awake. He can miraculously sleep through his brother's tantrums. He has the cutest little dents in his ear lobes that make it look like he has had pierced ears. He's not a fan of nappy changes. He has his Daddy's nose & his Mummy's toes. He's a little chunk compared to his brother but still seems so small.

He's the perfect addition to our wee family.

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Breastfeeding Matters.

Anyone that reads Diddle Diddle Dumpling will know how passionate I am about breastfeeding. After a tough start in establishing breastfeeding with John we went on to start our extended breastfeeding journey. And with the recent addition of David, we're now embarking on our latest journey of tandem breastfeeding.

So a few months ago when I was put in touch with the La Leche League and asked to tell our breastfeeding story for their bi-monthly magazine, Breastfeeding Matters, I of course jumped at the chance to tell our tale. And now you can read all about it for yourself!

To purchase your very own copy of November/December Breastfeeding Matters, CLICK HERE. Or alternatively you can become a member of the La Leche League & support all the positive work they do in the world of infant feeding, and as a thank-you you'll receive the latest copy of Breastfeeding Matters every two months.

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Birth Plan - The Second Time Around.

As a first time Mum, one of the biggest & most daunting things you have to consider is your birth plan. With so many options available these days and so many things to consider, it can seem like a minefield of epidural's, episiotmoy's and vitamin K. Where do you even start?

With the birth of John, I did vast amounts of research on what pain relief I'd like, what interventions I wanted to avoid and how I'd like things to go after the actual birth. And this is how my Birth Plan panned out;

Birth Companion.
Iain (partner & baby-daddy) and Christine (my Mum).
I would like Iain there at all times.
Pain Relief.
Relaxation & breathing, birth ball, gas & air, TENS machine and birthing pool. Ideally would like to avoid opiates but open to try if really struggling with pain. Do not want epidural unless things become completely unbearable.
Monitoring.
Intermittent monitoring unless otherwise needed.
Interventions.
As few as possible - I really do not want to have an episiotomy or forceps. Avoiding c-section unless completely necessary.
I would like things to run as naturally as possible so would like to avoid induction or breaking of my waters.
Delivery Positions.
Would like freedom to move into comfortable position - like the idea of squatting.
Discovering the Sex.
I would like Iain to reveal the sex to me as opposed to the midwife doing so.
Delivery of Placenta.
I would like a managed 3rd stage labour.
I would like Iain to have the opportunity to cut the umbilical cord, although I'm aware he'll probably decline.
Feeding.
I really want to breastfeed so skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible and would would appreciate assistance in breast feeding if needed.
If for any reason I'm unable to have skin-to-skin contact (eg. emergency c-section) it's important to me that Iain have the opportunity to have skin-to-skin until I'm able to.
I do not wish for my baby to be formula fed.
Vitamin K.
I would like my baby to be given vitamin K as a single injection.

Now, some people will tell you having a Birth Plan is pointless and only sets you up for disappointment, which if you're going to write things such as "I want my baby to be born at 3.09am, after 24 minutes of pushing and exactly two shots of diamorphine", then sure, you're maybe being a bit too specific. But I think with a Birth Plan it's important to be clear on your ideal birth but flexible and open to the fact that things might not go to plan.

For example, with Pain Relief, I was pretty sure that for various reasons I didn't want an epidural. That wasn't to say that if I ended up in labour for 4 days straight and the pain was more unbearable than I thought, that I would want the option to have become unavailable. I made a point of listing my preferred pain relief in steps of willing to try, with epidural being the final option. In the end I had half a shot of diamorphine and otherwise stuck to gas & air. An epidural was briefly mentioned but I really didn't think I was at the stage of needing one.

What I'm trying to say is, with a Birth Plan, be clear but open to change. That way you won't be overly disappointed if things don't go to plan.

So what will I be doing differently this time around? Well, over all I was very happy with the birth of John, however there is a few minor tweaks I'll be making.

 

 Birth Centre. I'll be requesting to give birth in Birth Centre at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as opposed to the Labour Ward. With John we started off in the Birth Centre but unfortunately had to be moved to the Labour Ward for monitoring. The difference in the rooms is phenomenal and I'd much rather stay and birth in the beautiful big rooms of the Birth Centre than be stuck in a poky wee room on the Labour Ward. Of course, there may not be a room available in the Birth Centre but we'll just cross our fingers that there is!

 Pain Relief. If I learnt anything from last time around, it's that I deal with pain quite well. The only moment pain relief was brought up during my first labour was when the midwife said, "I don't want to mention it because you've not asked - like how I wouldn't want to ask if you were ill and not showing symptoms - but do you want to consider pain relief?" Cue my Mum & Iain discussing epidural and diamorphine. At that moment I agreed to try a shot of diamorphine but if I'm perfectly honest, did nothing for the pain (not that I'd ever turn that magical stuff down if offered again!) and I didn't ask for any more - gas & air was sufficient, even if only a distraction.
So this time I think I'll follow a similar route - going as far as I can on as little pain relief interventions as I can. I'll also be prepping myself with positive affirmations & birthing knowledge, inspired by the beautiful Jess at Life With Malakai.

 Water Birth. With John, I never actually made it into the birthing pool before being transferred  to the Labour Ward. This time I would love the opportunity to get into the pool and reap the benefits of water as pain relief. I'm unsure how I'll feel once actually in the water but I do like the idea of a water birth, especially considering I seem to be suffering with SPD this time around.

How have your birth plans varied from pregnancy to pregnancy?

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Diddle Diddle Dumpling featured on Our Baby Blog.

An exciting little post for tonight! Today we have been featured in a Breastfeeding vs Formula Feeding post on the fantastic Our Baby Blog. Jess has taken the bull by the horns and decided to tell both sides of story in the infamous infant feeding debate that's ever on-going in the wonderful world of motherhood.

Pop on over to read a little snippet of our breastfeeding journey, as well as that of another lovely lady called Louise who has also shared her breastfeeding story. And later this week Jess will also be sharing the formula feeding mothers side of the story which, as someone who has never used formula, I'm keen to read as well.

Click here to read this wonderful post!

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My Second Baby Wishlist.

Having already done it all before, we're pretty well prepared for baby number 2. My biggest worry was buying clothes but since I was clever enough to keep hold of all John's old things, we've plenty to start us off. However there's still a few essentials I need to tick off before this little one makes their grand appearance.

 Moby Wrap. With John, I had a cheap own-brand Baby Bjorn inspired baby carrier. It was great for the odd run-around but this time I'll need something designed for longer wear. I plan to baby wear a lot, seeing as I'll need my hands free for John and because John will still need to use the buggy from time-to-time.

 Bugaboo Buggy Board. I want to avoid investing in a double buggy as much as possible. Partly because of the cost and partly because they're never really that practical, especially since I use public transport a lot. John is doing great with walking but I figure one of these would be a nice way to give him a break on those longer journeys when no.2 is using the buggy.

 AVENT Double Comfort Electric Breast Pump. I'll be breastfeeding this little one alongside John and I plan to express for those moments that I can't be around. An electric pump will cut down on the time needed to express, particularly the double version. And seeing as I was so pleased with the manual version of the AVENT Comfort breast pump, I think this would be a positive investment.

 New Cot Mattress. We've kindly been offered to use the cot that one my aunties has stored away but will of course need to invest in a new mattress to keep within current guidelines. Thankfully this is the only big essential purchase we need to worry about and there's a great selection available in our price range.

 Pink Lining Twin Changing Bag. Ok, so this one is just pure indulgence. I don't need a new changing bag but that doesn't stop me from wanting one. I love my current Pink Lining bag (which to be fair is looking a little worn out these days) and would love to invest in one of their twin versions -- perfect for both John and no.2 nappies, wipes, clothes and toys.

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