Here's my guest blog written for Mommy News & Views' Blogiversary Celebration -- Happy Blogiversary, Judy Masucci, of a Mom's Boutique!
http://mommynewsblog.com/courage-is-the-price-life-exacts-for-granting-peace/
And here's to every woman creating a supporting "village" of her own!!!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Yes, there is a very special bond between breastfeeding mothers!
This morning I received a news feed that caught my eye and my heart. It was written by Melissa Kotlen Nagin who writes for About.com. In her blog, she's talking about the weekly breastfeeding support group she runs in Manhattan:
". . .The moms who attend are absolutely lovely and very warm to one another, whether they are regulars or newbies. There's no question that there is a special camaraderie amongst women who breastfeed. We're all part of a clique (a good one!), worldwide, and I'm sure you would be hard-pressed to find any breastfeeding woman who would disagree."
I have noticed this same thing, a similar special bond, amongst pumping moms. In both cases, we've been (many still are) "in the trenches." As moms, we innately have the sense of compassion and empathy, knowing we're doing everything in our power to provide for our babies. And even if we fall short sometimes, we can rest assured, knowing that our efforts are making a difference in ways we'll never know.
Thank you, Melissa, for this beautiful reminder.
". . .The moms who attend are absolutely lovely and very warm to one another, whether they are regulars or newbies. There's no question that there is a special camaraderie amongst women who breastfeed. We're all part of a clique (a good one!), worldwide, and I'm sure you would be hard-pressed to find any breastfeeding woman who would disagree."
I have noticed this same thing, a similar special bond, amongst pumping moms. In both cases, we've been (many still are) "in the trenches." As moms, we innately have the sense of compassion and empathy, knowing we're doing everything in our power to provide for our babies. And even if we fall short sometimes, we can rest assured, knowing that our efforts are making a difference in ways we'll never know.
Thank you, Melissa, for this beautiful reminder.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thank you to Alejandra in Costa Rica!
I love my job. I just absolutely love my job.
I recently received an email from a mom in Costa Rica, Alejandra Araya, who is studying to become an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactatin Consultant) as well as a La Leche League Leader. She has begun selling breastfeeding-related products and will soon be carrying Pumpin' Pal products as part of her line (www.derdavale.webs.com). Alejandra is a mom like me, committed to helping other moms. Through her own breastfeeding experience, she realized that there are many women in her country who quit breastfeeding when they return to work because they either don't know about pumping and/or simply don't have the tools and support network to help them pump to provide breast milk while they're away from their babies.
Alejandra's email touched me -- I could hear her commitment and warmth in her email.
Thank you, Alejandra. And thank you to all the women out there helping other women breastfeed, pump, and sometimes, just get through a tough day. We need each other. I love being a part of this wonderful circle of women around the world.
I recently received an email from a mom in Costa Rica, Alejandra Araya, who is studying to become an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactatin Consultant) as well as a La Leche League Leader. She has begun selling breastfeeding-related products and will soon be carrying Pumpin' Pal products as part of her line (www.derdavale.webs.com). Alejandra is a mom like me, committed to helping other moms. Through her own breastfeeding experience, she realized that there are many women in her country who quit breastfeeding when they return to work because they either don't know about pumping and/or simply don't have the tools and support network to help them pump to provide breast milk while they're away from their babies.
Alejandra's email touched me -- I could hear her commitment and warmth in her email.
Thank you, Alejandra. And thank you to all the women out there helping other women breastfeed, pump, and sometimes, just get through a tough day. We need each other. I love being a part of this wonderful circle of women around the world.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
World Breastfeeding Week - Supporting Moms Through the Initial Pain of Breastfeeding
It's World Breastfeeding Week. Professionals everywhere are working toward the goal of increasing awareness for moms everywhere of the benefits of breastfeeding and breast milk.
msnbc.com reported that the lives of 1.3 million babies could be saved annually if more moms worldwide would breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their babies' lives (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32234145/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/from/ET)
If I could change one thing I’ve ever read and heard about breastfeeding, it’s what moms are told: “If a baby is latching on correctly, it shouldn’t hurt.” Well, for many women, it hurts a lot, especially in the beginning. At least it did for me!
When I started breastfeeding my first son almost 10 years ago, my nipples were excruciatingly sore for 8 weeks (yes, 8 long, painful weeks!) I went to a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) twice because I was in so much pain and thought he wasn’t latching on correctly, something was wrong, etc. She said he was nursing perfectly, all was well, and I shouldn't be in pain. Sounds good, but I was in pain.
I made it through those difficult first 8 weeks only because of the support of my sister-in-law who had had difficulties breastfeeding her first baby 5 months earlier. I didn't give up and successfully breastfed for 4 years (yes, I know that that's way too long for most people's comfort, especially here in the US).
For most moms, this painful timeframe is a lot shorter – 1-4 weeks – but the pain can still be excruciating. When you have to re-experience it every 2-3 hours for 2-4 weeks and you’re post-partum (i.e., extremely hormonal, tired, and overwhelmed), it feels like a lifetime. And if you have another child (or children) demanding your attention, it’s even more difficult. Many moms give up altogether -- they throw in the towel and give the baby a bottle of formula.
It's important to acknowledge that yes, it can be very painful, even when baby's breastfeeding correctly. Breastfeeding education and ongoing support is essential. Moms may still need help with correct latching, help with plugged ducts, and more.
We need to support women THROUGH the painful, difficult time, reassuring them that the pain will subside completely, rather than make them think that something’s not right – either with them or with their baby. It’s also important to reassure moms that even though for the first 3-4 months they’ll be breastfeeding every 2-3 hours, as the baby gets older, the frequency decreases.
Continually reminding and reassuring moms would help them get through it, rather than give up. It’s also important to focus on the benefits of continued breastfeeding – after 6 months, breastfeeding becomes very easy and it’s pain-free. Plus, it's inexpensive and "green" -- no additional waste in landfills.
The physical and emotional benefits of breastfeeding and breastmilk for both mom and baby are well-documented. We need to support moms through the difficult times so both can receive these benefits.
msnbc.com reported that the lives of 1.3 million babies could be saved annually if more moms worldwide would breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their babies' lives (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32234145/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/from/ET)
If I could change one thing I’ve ever read and heard about breastfeeding, it’s what moms are told: “If a baby is latching on correctly, it shouldn’t hurt.” Well, for many women, it hurts a lot, especially in the beginning. At least it did for me!
When I started breastfeeding my first son almost 10 years ago, my nipples were excruciatingly sore for 8 weeks (yes, 8 long, painful weeks!) I went to a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) twice because I was in so much pain and thought he wasn’t latching on correctly, something was wrong, etc. She said he was nursing perfectly, all was well, and I shouldn't be in pain. Sounds good, but I was in pain.
I made it through those difficult first 8 weeks only because of the support of my sister-in-law who had had difficulties breastfeeding her first baby 5 months earlier. I didn't give up and successfully breastfed for 4 years (yes, I know that that's way too long for most people's comfort, especially here in the US).
For most moms, this painful timeframe is a lot shorter – 1-4 weeks – but the pain can still be excruciating. When you have to re-experience it every 2-3 hours for 2-4 weeks and you’re post-partum (i.e., extremely hormonal, tired, and overwhelmed), it feels like a lifetime. And if you have another child (or children) demanding your attention, it’s even more difficult. Many moms give up altogether -- they throw in the towel and give the baby a bottle of formula.
It's important to acknowledge that yes, it can be very painful, even when baby's breastfeeding correctly. Breastfeeding education and ongoing support is essential. Moms may still need help with correct latching, help with plugged ducts, and more.
We need to support women THROUGH the painful, difficult time, reassuring them that the pain will subside completely, rather than make them think that something’s not right – either with them or with their baby. It’s also important to reassure moms that even though for the first 3-4 months they’ll be breastfeeding every 2-3 hours, as the baby gets older, the frequency decreases.
Continually reminding and reassuring moms would help them get through it, rather than give up. It’s also important to focus on the benefits of continued breastfeeding – after 6 months, breastfeeding becomes very easy and it’s pain-free. Plus, it's inexpensive and "green" -- no additional waste in landfills.
The physical and emotional benefits of breastfeeding and breastmilk for both mom and baby are well-documented. We need to support moms through the difficult times so both can receive these benefits.
Friday, July 31, 2009
"Jennifer" by Pumpin' Pal
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Jennifer, Jen, Jenna, Jena, Jeni . . . all versions of Jennifer.
Turns out, 17% of all Pumpin' Pal website orders are from moms named Jennifer (or a derivative)! Our IT Department actually started a "Jen Meter" because we get so many orders from Jennifers. So, when we decided to create a cartoon character showing how our products can help moms, we simply had to call her "Jennifer". (As it turns out, Jennifer was the name of the woman in the movie "Love Story," starring Ryan O'Neal.)
We now have multiple renditions . . . any way you look at it, Jennifer is more comfortable and happy pumping while using our Pumpin' Pal products. We have now come to realize that our products are breast pumping essentials!
It IS a Small World After All!
Last week we attended the International Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA) annual conference held in Orlando, FL.
After working together via email for the past three and a half years, our Southeast Asia distributors, Valerie Ng and Juliet Chan of Mumsfairy (Singapore), became our friends. We had the opportunity to discuss ways to bring our products to even more breastfeeding/pumping moms throughout Southeast Asia. We also got to see another friend/distributor we met last October at VELB in Vienna -- Kamariah, of Mom's Little Ones.
Jon, Valerie, Juliet, and I spent a fun evening at Downtown Disney. We're all simply an email away, even though we're on opposite sides of the earth. Pretty amazing. I simply couldn't (ok, can't) resist singing, "It's a small world after all." Because it is!
After working together via email for the past three and a half years, our Southeast Asia distributors, Valerie Ng and Juliet Chan of Mumsfairy (Singapore), became our friends. We had the opportunity to discuss ways to bring our products to even more breastfeeding/pumping moms throughout Southeast Asia. We also got to see another friend/distributor we met last October at VELB in Vienna -- Kamariah, of Mom's Little Ones.
Jon, Valerie, Juliet, and I spent a fun evening at Downtown Disney. We're all simply an email away, even though we're on opposite sides of the earth. Pretty amazing. I simply couldn't (ok, can't) resist singing, "It's a small world after all." Because it is!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Pumpin' Pal Super Shields at ILCA - We've come a long way, baby!
Five years ago, we introduced our revolutionary new angled flange, our Super Shield, to the lactation community when we attended the 2004 International Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA) Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. No one had every heard of such a thing! We didn't even have product -- just a prototype, a great idea, and a lot of passion and enthusiasm!
The next year we had product and showed our wares at ILCA in Chicago. Because we weren't one of the "big" pump companies, LCs were skeptical -- they knew moms were uncomfortable leaning forward, but they were reluctant to try our Super Shields.
The following year, ILCA in Philadelphia. Then San Diego. Then Las Vegas. And this year Orlando.
The difference? Each year, more and more LCs learned about our products, tried them and worked with moms who had tremendous success with our innovative design. Lactation consultants now thank us at every ICLA Conference for making great products that help their moms.
We are proud (with appreciation and humility) to say that our Super Shields are now recommended by lactation consultants, including for the relief of plugged ducts.
Super Shields are included in two new breastfeeding-related books:
Selecting and Using Breastfeeding Tools
by Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC
The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk
by Diana West, BA, IBCLC and Lisa Marasco, BA, IBCLC
Thank you, lactation consultants. Thank you moms. Thank you to our retailers and distributors here in the US as well as in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. A particular thanks to Valerie Ng and Juliet Chan of Mumsfairy in Singapore -- your efforts are paying off!
It's been a long haul -- an adventure to say the least. And we've only just begun. So many moms still have yet to learn about our innovative products to help them pump more comfortably.
We truly have come a long way, baby! Yippee!!!!
The next year we had product and showed our wares at ILCA in Chicago. Because we weren't one of the "big" pump companies, LCs were skeptical -- they knew moms were uncomfortable leaning forward, but they were reluctant to try our Super Shields.
The following year, ILCA in Philadelphia. Then San Diego. Then Las Vegas. And this year Orlando.
The difference? Each year, more and more LCs learned about our products, tried them and worked with moms who had tremendous success with our innovative design. Lactation consultants now thank us at every ICLA Conference for making great products that help their moms.
We are proud (with appreciation and humility) to say that our Super Shields are now recommended by lactation consultants, including for the relief of plugged ducts.
Super Shields are included in two new breastfeeding-related books:
Selecting and Using Breastfeeding Tools
by Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC
The Breastfeeding Mother's Guide to Making More Milk
by Diana West, BA, IBCLC and Lisa Marasco, BA, IBCLC
Thank you, lactation consultants. Thank you moms. Thank you to our retailers and distributors here in the US as well as in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. A particular thanks to Valerie Ng and Juliet Chan of Mumsfairy in Singapore -- your efforts are paying off!
It's been a long haul -- an adventure to say the least. And we've only just begun. So many moms still have yet to learn about our innovative products to help them pump more comfortably.
We truly have come a long way, baby! Yippee!!!!
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