Keep Britain Breastfeeding Round-Up Day 2 Top Tips

Here are all the amazing posts from day 2 of the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Internet Scavenger Hunt 2014.  The theme today was sharing your top tips for breastfeeding.  Some great advice right here.

BLOG POSTS & ADDITIONAL COMPETITIONS

Tongue-Ties - Mummy To Boyz

Top Breastfeeding Tips - Mummy Memories + Win £10 to spend at Boobiemilk

Flying vs. Breastfeeding - Mummy is a Gadget Geek

Breastfeeding and Me - Edspire

What You Don't Need For Brestfeeding - Diddle Diddle Dumpling + Win £10 to spend at Boobiemilk

Top Breastfeeding Tips - Keep Up With The Jones Family

Top Breastfeeding Tips - Slugs and Snail

Top 10 Breastfeeding Tips - Belle Du Brighton + Win a Plushy Moon Nursing Pillow from Theraline

Guest Post:  Top Tips For Breastfeeding - Attachment Mummy

Top Breastfeeding Tips - Being Mum

My Breastfeeding Top Tips - PreSchoolMum

Tips for a Good Supply - Like Tomorrow

How To Keep Those Breastfeeding Bangers Top Tips - Visit From The Stork

Crazy Amazing Products I Just Need Forever - Mummies Waiting

Words of Advice and Encouragement for New Parents - Sorry About The Mess

Top Breastfeeding Tips - We're Going On An Adventure

Top Breastfeeding Tips - Attachment Feminism

BoobieMilk Top Tips For Breastfeeding - Breastfeeding in England

6 of the Best Breastfeeding Positions -  Charlotee Keating ENGLAND

Top Tips for Breastfeeding - Snoob

COUPON CODES

Milk & Mummy - 10% off until June 26th

Blazing Needles - 20% off using code KBBF2014

Feed Me Mummy - 20% off using code KBB2014

Blissful Things - 10% off using code KBBF2014 (free delivery if you spend over £50)

BreastVest - Save 20% on their nursing vests by using code KBBF20

ARDO Breastpumps - Save £25 on the Calypso single pump using code CALYPSO100 (I also see on the website they have nipple cream on special offer too)

Monkey Mama Necklaces - 10% off with code KBBF2014

Freeva - 14% off using code KBBF14

The Mother Magazine - 20% off subscriptions using code keepbritainbreastfeeding

BoobieMilk - FLASH Sale with 25% off see details below

BoobieMilk 5 Top Value Tips for Breastfeeding

Of course you do only need a boob and a baby to breastfeed, but here are some great value top tips to make life a little easier – 

1.        1.   The seamless nursing bra – a great value bra that can be worn throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.  Imagine becoming pregnant and those initial changes in breast size and that initial tenderness and being able to wear a comfortable unwired bra that would accommodate changes in breast and band size as well as being the most comfortable bra you’ve ever worn.  Behold – the seamless nursing bra.  Starting at just £10 each they have a wide under band which is comfortable with and without bump.  The fabric is seamless and so does not rub anywhere, great for sleeping in.  The cup is also flexible so that each cup accommodates changes in cup size up and down which is great for when your milk volume increases or when baby takes an extra long nap (lol! It can happen).

2.      2.   The nursing vest has a tonne of uses throughout breastfeeding.  I know I felt a little exposed at the hospital after having my babies, even though I had a private room on both occasions.  A nursing vest gives baby access to the breast and you still feel that you are a little dressed having your belly covered.  At home it’s a great vest to pair with pj bottoms for bed time and to slob around the house in when getting to know your baby.  Wear the vest under a loose fitting top, blouse, cardigan or shawl to give you extra coverage when nursing in public and if the weather is like today (Thursday 19/6/14 and super hot) then you can wear the nursing vest alone to stay cool.  The Emma-Jane nursing vesthas an A-frame which still gives a little coverage above the breast when the cups are open.

3.       3.   There are many breastfeeding covers on the market.  The Snoob breastfeeding scarf is stocked at BoobieMilk for a number of reasons.  It was designed in the town I live in.  The scarf is super flexible with lots of fabric and so you can use it how ever you want to provide as little or as much coverage as you need to feed, the fabric is super soft, and best of all I think, it can be worn before, during and after breastfeeding because it looks amazing on (even my mother wants one for Christmas), and the list goes on for the other ways you could use it when out and about (blanket, table cloth, sun shade, emergency towel, pashmina on a cool night).

4.       4.   Having a baby can be expensive, so there are a number of ways you can save money, washable breast pads are a great solution to leaking breasts.  They can be used time and time again to stop leaks and they are super soft on tender skin.  Throw them in the wash (you’ll be doing a lot with a new baby), they even come in funky colours or just your usual black and white.

5.       5.   The multipurpose nursing necklace.  I love a product with lots of different uses, it saves money and in this case looks amazing.  I guess my top money saving tip for something to distract baby would be an empty crisp packet (kept mine entertained for hours), but for those with more interest in style a nursing necklace or two or three can look great on and can be used for teething, twiddling, fiddling and distracting/attracting babies attention.  There are so many different styles that you are sure to find one you like and they make great gifts too!

BoobieMilk is taking part in the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Internet Scavenger Hunt 2014.  Throughout this week there are 30 bloggers, 2 organizations and over 30 companies taking part so that you can learn about breastfeeding in the real world and share you stories and top tips through Social Media with the chance of winning lots of lovely breastfeeding and baby goodies.

Like the Boobiemilk Facebook Page to be the first to find out about great offers and new products.

During Breastfeeding Week and the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Event BoobieMilk will be having Flash Sales as listed below.

You have found the Keep Britain Breastfeeding 2014 logo!  You will find the rafflecopter for your entries for the Main Prize below.

Here are some other amazing bloggers and companies also involved this week, happy hunting!

Mummy To Boyz

My Thoughts on Things

A Baby On Board

Life With Pink Princesses

PreSchoolMum

Snoob

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep Britain Breastfeeding 2014 Day 1 Round-Up

Here are all the fabulous posts from today around the theme of "Why I Chose To Breastfeed".  Take a few minutes to read through and enter using the rafflecopters at the end.  In some cases the rafflecopters are not showing but you'll find a link to follow which will take you to the rafflecopter.

Blog Posts and Additional Competitions

The Importance of Breastfeeding - Dancing in Wellies

So, Why Did I Decide To Breastfeed? - Keep Up With The Jones Family

The Benefits of Breastfeeding - Mummy Memories

The Benefits of Breastfeeding - Life With Pink Princesses

Why Breastfeeding is Good For Dads - My Thoughts on Things

Why I Chose to Breastfeed - We're Going On An Adventure

My Decision to Breastfeed - PreSchoolMum + a BreastVest nursing vest competition!

Financial Benefits of Breastfeeding - Visit From The Stork

Why I Chose To Breastfeed - Breastfeeding in England

Breastmilk Benefits To My Toddler - Like Tomorrow

Why I Decided To Breastfeed - My Little L

Guest Post - Why I CHose To Breastfeed - Attachment Mummy

The Benefits of Breastfeeding - Being Mum

The Benefits of Breastfeeding - Slugs and Snail + an Emma-Jane nursing T-shirt competition

I'm A Lazy Mummy (Breastfeeding Benefits) - Mummies Waiting

Why I Chose To Breastfeed - Diddle Diddle Dumpling

Why I Chose To Breastfeed - Mixed Bag of All Sorts

My Journey to Breastfeeding - Attachment Feminism

Why I Chose To Breastfeed - Princess Poet's Life Adventures

Is Breastfeeding Really A Choice - Mummy Is A Gadget Geek


Coupon Codes

BreastVest - Save 20% on their nursing vests by using code KBBF20

ARDO Breastpumps - Save £25 on the Calypso single pump using code CALYPSO100 (I also see on the website they have nipple cream on special offer too)

Monkey Mama Necklaces - 10% off with code KBBF2014

Freeva - 14% off using code KBBF14

The Mother Magazine - 20% off subscriptions using code keepbritainbreastfeeding

Why I Chose To Breastfeed

I grew up in a world that didn’t breastfeed.  I have no memories of seeing any child being breastfed before I became an adult.  In fact breastfeeding wasn’t even on my radar until I attended the University of Glasgow do study for a Human Nutrition and Public Health Degree.  It was there that I met Prof. Jane Scott PhD  and learnt about the importance of breastfeeding at a public health level.  It was also at The University of Glasgow where I was introduced to the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and I was lucky enough to write my thesis on the effects of labour pain medication on the success of breastfeeding in an accredited hospital (Yorkhill, Glasgow).

Immediately after I graduated from the University of Glasgow and moved to the US, I discovered that there were more Baby Friendly Hospitals in the UK than there were in the entire USA, I think it was about 29 at the time.  I was gobsmacked!

After living in Baltimore, Maryland for a year I was lucky enough to be employed by the local WIC Program, a nationwide public health program providing nutrition and breastfeeding benefits to low income families.  In the WIC Program I was able to use my passion for nutrition and breastfeeding to help families to improve their knowledge so that they could improve the health of their families.  

It was at WIC that I discovered the wonder that is breastmilk and the importance of breastfeeding.  Yes, I had the educational background and had learnt the science behind it, but at WIC I got to see how it changed lives and created parents.  I saw babies thrive and mothers flourish and empowered by the act of nourishing their baby at the breast.  I worked in an atmosphere where breastfeeding was seen as the normal way to feed and I saw mothers and babies breastfeeding on a daily basis.

It was the strength of these mothers and the knowing that it was the norm and that breastfeeding was being successful around me every day that gave me the confidence to know that I could do it too and that I only wanted to breastfeed and that I wanted to breastfeed as long as my children wanted.  I have felt supported every single day throughout my breastfeeding journey and it’s been one of my proudest achievements.

This post is part of the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Internet Scavenger Hunt 2014.  You have now found the Keep Britain Breastfeeding logo and can enter for your chance to win over £1000 worth of breastfeeding and baby goodies.  To be eligible you need to enter at least 50 times by using the rafflecopters at the bottom of each article by tweeting, liking, commenting and following (entering at least ten rafflecopters should be enough).  I'll also link to some of the other bloggers and companies taking part so you can enter some more.

 Belle Du Brighton

The Princess Poets Life Adventures

Attachment Mummy

Being Mum

Family Fever

Bravado Designs

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep Britain Breastfeeding Internet Scavenger Hunt 2014

It's June in the UK and this can only mean one thing, National Breastfeeding Awareness Week is fast approaching and that means that Keep Britain Breastfeeding is beginning to take shape!

National Breastfeeding Awareness Week in the UK will take place June 20th - 26th in 2014 and everyone can take part in some way.

There are already at least 25 bloggers, 1 organization and almost 30 companies providing over £1000 worth of fabulous prizes for the winner of the Scavenger Hunt.

I hope you are looking forward to taking part and reading blog posts on the following themes throughout the week, there are always amazing posts written so do pop back and tell me your favourites.

The Themes

Friday June 20th - Why I Decided to Breastfeed
Saturday June 21st - Top Tips for breastfeeding
Sunday June 22nd - The Importance of Breastfeeding Support
Monday June 23rd - Positive Nursing In Public Experiences & Funny Breastfeeding Memories
Tuesday June 24th - Breastmilk Pumping
Wednesday June 25th - Breastfeeding Beyond a Year
Thursday June 26th - Exposing Breastfeeding Myths

If you blog and you want to join the hunt through your blog by writing about your breastfeeding experiences, opnions and knowledge then let me know!  You can also ask friends and readers to guest post for you.  If you like running competitions you can partner with breastfeeding friednly companies to run additional competitions throughout the event.

If you are a company and you sell any breastfeeding product or service or you just love breastfeeding and happen to run a company that sells products or services to pregnant and breastfeeding women and their families then get in touch.  We would love you to join us in creating an amazing package of goodies for the event winner.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, love breastfeeding, support breastfeeding or just know others who could benefit for knowing more about breastfeeding then subscribe to this website and Like us on Facebook to hear about more details as the event approaches and to find out what you could win and who will be writing throughout the event.

Throughout the week you will find out about all the posts that have been published by all of our lovely bloggers, as well as additional competitions and special offers taking place with our lovely companies.  Each blog post will have the KBBF logo and a rafflecopter at the bottom of the post for you to use to make your entries for the main prize.  The rafflecopter will be just like the one posted below, so use this as your test run and make your first entry to be eligible for the main competition prize.



 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Come see Me at the Bluewater Baby Show April 25-27

It's my favourite time of year again.  Ellie turns 3 this week, Easter is just around the corner, the sun has put it's hat on and it's time for the Bluewater Baby and Toddler Show!!

Baby and Toddler Show

Glow, Bluewater Shopping Centre (next to cinema)

Greenhithe

DA9 9ST

Friday April 25th 9:30-4:30

Saturday April 26th 9:30-5:00

Sunday April 27th 10:00-5:00

My Mum and I have such a fun time each year meeting all the other exhibitors and the team that puts the show together the day before, then all of the customers that come to see us over the three days of the show.  I've done a few shows, some small and some big but I think Bluewater has a really good balance of benefits and caters for almost every need.

Bravado Essential Embrace Nursing Bra up to a J cup

Bluewater is really easy to get to - Its right off the M25 below the Dartford Tunnel.  Go East on the A2 and it's right there.  Parking is completely free and plentiful.  I usually park behind M&S near the cinema.

Getting around the show - Manduca usually do a carrier loaning programme.  You give them your buggy and they give you a carrier.  It's a great way to try out a soft structured carrier and you can walk around the show without running over anyones ankles (although the carrier is not my friend when I'm fitting bras LOL).  The show is big enough to carry lots of the items you want to see but small enough so that you won't get lost and will always be in sight of the toilets and coffee cart (I also have a chair in my fitting room so just ask if you need a sit down).

We all know each other - Spending so much time with each other every year means that a lot of the stall holders know each other and we are a really friendly bunch sharing blu-tak and scissors etc.  Being local my Mum and I have the chance of getting to know lots of local Mums and Mums to be and because my Mum loves to talk to everyone you'll know my family inside out by the end of the show too.  We absolutely love meeting you all at the show.  Meeting new people, catching up with old friends pregnant with their next baby and hearing how you are getting on.

 Find BoobieMilk at J36 halfway down the far right aisle

We will be bringing a lot of new items this year and you'll be seeing some trusted products we've stocked for years.  As always I'll be taking bookings before the show starts in return for a lovely 15% discount and we will be running a lovely competition throughout the show for some lovely breastfeeding goodies.  I also have a number of free tickets for the show and will be issuing them on a first come, first served basis for those pre-booking appointments.

 Cherub Chews Rainbow Crochet and Wooden Nursing Necklace £17

We will have bras fitting from 32B-42H with bands 34/36 up to a J cup.  Prices will start at just £10 each.  I also have some gorgeous nursing/teething/babywearing necklaces winging their way to me from Monkey Mama and Cherub Chews, so do stop by stand J36 to have a look at all the pretties.

 Monkey Mama Rainbow Teething and Nursing Necklace £19

I hope you all have a fantastic Easter with all this glorious sunshine and we'll see some of you at the show a week on Friday-Sunday.  Do pop by and say Hi to me and my Mum, we'll be at J36 all weekend.  Turn right as you enter the door and half way down the far right aisle you'll find BoobieMilk.  Email me to pre-book your appointment at karen.mccully@gmail.com

The Bravado Essential Embrace™ Nursing Bra (Up to a J cup)

 The Bravado Essential Embrace™ Nursing Bra

If you have a relatively small band size and a large cup size then I'm sure you have been having a hard time finding a great, comfy and supportive nursing bra in your size.  I've always loved the Bravado BodySilk Seamless nursing bra, it's been worn 3 times a week for the last 6 years plus (I own 3).  The BodySilk only fits up to an F so I was so glad when I found out that Bravado had designed an all new nursing bra that fits up to an HH/J cup (that's L/M if you are across the pond).

I've been wearing mine for a couple of months now and I've been fitting them for about a month, so I think now is the right time to talk about them from a user and from a fitters perspective.  Mine is a 34E/F and it's now a staple of my weekly bra wardrobe, and I'm always glad to put it on.

The Fabric - 

44% Cotton, 42% Nylon and 14% Spandex - all the benefits of a cotton fabric with the stretch from the Spandex and feel of microfibre.  This revolutionary patenet pending Bravado Dynatex™ fabric is breathable and seamless for a smooth look under clothing.  It has four-way stretch which helps it to mould to you changing breast shape. 

The Fit - 

This is a full cup nursing bra providing great coverage, keeping everything in its place.  The back panels are designed to be slimming and the wide band helps with this also.  The straps are fully extending and the band has four settings with another 3 on the free extender that comes with every bra.  The side sling allows for maximum skin to skin contact and access for nursing.  From my somewhat limited experience with this nursing bra I am finding that the band is a little snug so you may need to use the extender but this will only extend the life of the bra for you as you shrink back down and as the bra may stretch a little over time (less so if you take care of it really well).

The Support - 

As mentioned previously this nursing bra is designed to fit up to an HH/J cup (in 34/36 band sizes) with some sizes up to a 44 band without the use of wires.  What I love to see when I'm fitting a large cup bra is the band when the bra is on.  This usually means that the breast is being well supported and kept where they should be.  I'll add feedback to the bottom of this review from my customers for you to read about from a larger cup point of view.  You may also feel more at ease to know that Bravado tests their nursing clips to hold at least 60lb in weight.

The Specifics - 

The Bravado Essential Embrace™ Nursing Bra is available in 3 colours Black/Purple, White/Orchid and Chai/Almond with the second colour as piping detail at the edge of the fabric and on diamond details on the straps.  

Black/Purple, White/Orchid, Chai/Almond

The bra should be washed only up to 30 degrees on a gentle cycle and hung dry.  The sizing is a dual cup size (see the chart below) with HH/J cups only available in a 34 and 36 band size.  If you are currently a 30 band size, you may fit well in the 32 band as it comes up a little snug.

Find the Bravado Essential Embrace Nursing Bra for sale at the BoobieMilk website.  I currently stock it in black in the larger sizes, but I have more sizes on their way and I'm happy to take pre-orders for any out of stock colours or sizes as I order regularly.  The RRP is £34 but please use the code  SUPPORT for 10% off your order at checkout.

Independent Reviews - 

Vicki (13/03/14) 34HH/J

"I love it, it is so comfortable and provides really good support. I love the fact that it has a converter kit with it too (just in case it still has life left in it when you have finished breastfeeding)! x"

  "I find it really supportive. i don't feel like my boobs are too low and as the material is strong it seems to hold me in place much better than my other bras.with big boobs i've found it hard to find a bra that looks good without the support from the wire and i would definately recommend this for comfort and support! x"

Rebecca (9/02/14) 36FF/G

"My favourite bra!!"

Claire (3/02/14) 34GG/H

"Thank you so much for sending the Bravado Embrace to me. The sizing was great for me, but as I have been wearing a HH (this was GG/H) it's maybe quite generous in the cup. In saying that, the back was a very snug fit but I was able to use the enclosed extender, which worked brilliantly. This is the most supportive nursing bra I've found so far and I'm really pleased!"