Mother Tucker and Other Postpartum Compression Garments

Christina Applegate likes wearing the postpartum compression garment by Mother Tucker.  Here's a link to her interview with Jay Leno:
http://www.lilsugar.com/Christina-Applegate-Reveals-Postpartum-Body-Secret-19054275
We not only offer the Mother Tucker, but we also offer The Cinch, UpSpring Shrinkx Hips and the Belly Bandit in Original, Bamboo and BFF!  Here's the link to see color and size availability.
http://www.phoebenursingwear.com/Postpartum_s/118.htm

Why Choosing a Careprovider is (almost) Everything: a doula's perspective

Rachael Cail is a birth doula in the Atlanta area.  She wrote this blog for Lumina Birth and wanted to share it with you too! http://www.luminabirth.com/?page_id=14

Nursing Tanks

Have you thought about a nursing tank as an alternative to a nursing bra?  They are great to wear with yoga pants around the house.  They cover the belly while nursing and come in several colors.  Order soon, while color options are still available!

What Bra Size are You?

What Size Bra Do I Need?

The most important part of finding the best nursing bra for you is making sure you have the correct fit.To determine your current size, let's take some measurements. If your top is thin you can leave it on (but take off any thick layers). Measure yourself with your (unpadded) bra on. Stand straight, relaxed, with your arms down, breathing normally. If you can, measure yourself in front of a mirror, so you can make sure the measuring tape isn't twisted and that it's parallel to the floor all the way around.

STEP 1: Take 3 measurements

1) Take Your Chest Measurement - Around your chest, right under your arms. This as a snug measurement.

To illustrate, Jen is late in her third trimester, and wear they are helping to fit her into a nursing bra (if you can, it's often easier to have a friend measure you). Taking her chest measurement, we get 37 inches.

      

2)  Take Your Rib Cage Measurement - Just below your breasts. If you have someone helping measure you, and you are wearing a bra that your breasts are sagging in even a little bit, take your straps and pull up so that your breasts are lifted to where you would like them to be, and then have your friend measure your rib cage. This is also a snug measurement.

For this second step, we take Jen's rib cage measurement and get 38 inches.

   

3) Take Your Bust Measurement - Across the fullest part of your breasts. As with the previous measurement, if you are wearing a bra that doesn't position your breasts exactly where you'd like them to be, then hold your bra straps up so your breasts are lifted to their ideal spot, and measure across the fullest part (usually across the nipples). This is a loose measurement.

Measuring Jen, we get a bust measurement of 42 inches.

  

STEP 2: Now, we are ready to determine your current size

1) Take the larger of your chest measurement and rib cage measurements. If you get an odd number, round up. This is your rib band size.

2) Subtract that rib band size from your bust measurement. Every inch is one cup size, so you can count up (1=A, 2=B, 3=C and so on) or use the chart below to find that difference to determine your cup size.

Difference Between Rib Band and Bust Measurement:	Cup Size:
1 inch	A cup
2 inches	B cup
3 inches	C cup
4 inches	D cup
5 inches	E (or DD) cup
6 inches	F (or DDD) cup
7 inches	G cup
8 inches	H cup

For Jen, we take the larger of her chest measurement (37) and rib cage measurement (38) to get a rib band size of 38.  We then subtract that from her bust measurement (42) to get a difference of 4 inches. From the chart above, we know that is equal to a D cup.  So, Jen measures to be a 38D.

Here are some other examples:

What you Measured			Rib Band Size	Cup Size	Current Bra Size
Chest	Rib Cage	Bust	Larger of Chest & Rib Cage. Round Up if Odd #.	Bust Minus Rib Band Size, Check Chart for Difference
36	35	38	36	38 - 36 = 2.  2 = B	36B
38	36	42	38	42 - 38 = 4.  4 = D	38D
40	41	48	41. Round up to 42	48 - 42 = 6.  6 = F	42F
34	33	35	34	35 - 34 = 1.  1 = A	34A

Now that we have a good idea about current size, let's look at what stage of pregnancy or nursing you are in right now, and what you are buying the bra for to make sure it will work for your current and future needs. First, let's talk breast changes over pregnancy and nursing

1 In the Oven Giveaway

Enter to win a 1 In the Oven Striped Henley Nursing Top! Make a post on our Facebook Page. Look out for our weekly giveaways on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-GA/phoebe-nursingwear/300893942618?ref=ts

Breastfeeding Magazines Top Ten Nursing Supplies

Need lots of nursing supplies? Not really. One of the greatest benefits of breastfeeding is that you don’t need a lot of stuff. God gave you everything you need to provide optimum nutrition to your baby.

However, there are some great breastfeeding supplies that I couldn’t do it without.

Here’s our Top Ten List:

1. Nursing tanks
Nursing PJs Stylish, yet very practical, nursing tanks are a must have! They can replace a boring nursing bra because it can be worn underneath or on their own. They are also cut to flatter most post-pregnancy bodies.

2. Nursing Covers
Nursing covers help even the most bashful moms feel comfortable breastfeeding without needing to leave the room. With such stylish covers available...moms can go out in public, discreetly nurse their little ones and look great!

3. Nursing pajamas
Since newborns do a lot of eating, you will want easy access breastfeeding at night. This is true whether you are co-sleeping or not. Fortunately, there are so super cute choices out there now.


4. Nursing bras
Purchase nursing bras at the end of your pregnancy to get a better idea of the size you will need. Some women don’t change size very much. Others (like me!) get enormous compared to my normal size.

Just remember...just because nursing bras are needed nursing supplies, doesn't mean they can't also look fabulous!

5. Nursing pads
These are like insurance for the breastfeeding mother (especially working mothers who are away from home!) They guarantee that you won’t have an unfortunate wet spot on your cute tops!


Or to try LilyPadz (a revolutionary new kind of nursing pad you can even swim in!)
6. Breast pump
Don't be fooled. Not all breast pumps are created equal! Invest in a good one and you will never regret it!

7. Nursing pillow
These are awesome helps in positioning newborns to nurse! I never had a pillow with my first baby. I received one as a birthday gift when I had my second child. Then I could hardly remember how I lived without it.

8. Baby carrier (sling or baby wrap)
Earthly Birthy Mama Slings I had very high maintenance babies. They would not just sit or lay. They wanted mommy! So…I learned about baby-wearing first hand before I even knew what was. All I knew is that it was a necessity for my kiddos. I loved them. I couldn’t have survived their babyhood without my favorite slings!

They also are great breastfeeding cover-ups to help you discretely breastfeed in public.

9. Diaper bag
One of the coolest things about breastfeeding mothers is that they can choose their diaper bags based on style not just necessity...because we don’t have to fit big cans of formula and tons of bottles. We just need the diapers and wipes and we are good to go!

10. Nursing Necklace
If you have ever tried to breastfeeding a teething baby or a distracted toddler, you will understand this one.
Nursing Necklace Nursing necklaces are a stylish solution for moms to engage easily distracted little ones while they nurse. These necklaces appeal to your child's senses and are designed to be fun, intriguing, tactile, and stimulating! There are even teething necklaces that are safe for babies to chew!

for more great information check out http://www.breastfeeding-magazine.com/nursing-supplies.html

My Snowy Valentine

It's Valentine's weekend and love is in the air... can you feel it? And if that weren't romantic enough... it's snowing... everywhere!
Take time out this weekend for 2 things...
1. Bundle your baby (or your belly), go outside and take a picture! Your baby book or scrap book or facebook will thank you.
2. Take time out to snuggle with your Valentine! I know sometimes our husbands aren't as perfect as we are... I mean, as we want them to be, but keep in mind that he's new at this parent thing too and he's learning just like you are. And besides, he's 1/2 the reason you're a parent anyway... that's reason enough to smooch on him! How lucky are we? A husband and a baby to love this Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!! Stay warm...