We have quite a selection of larger size bras available at our website, with the HOTmilk brand. How do you prefer this term being called? Full figure, Plus Size, larger size? Whatever you call it, it means all the cup and band sizes above the standard. Alot of people don't realize that the full figure sizes are catered for in gorgeous maternity bras. All bras above a D cup have wider shoulder straps, wider back bands, and reinforcement in the cup. Plus they still look gorgeous too!

Most other brands of lingerie only cater for sizes up to 16F - so the following list shows you the additional plus sizes that HOTmilk manufacture.

You can use these links to quickly find the size that you are looking for, and the items that are in stock, such as:

View the entire HOTmilk lingerie range on our website, and use the Find Bra Size feature at the Store

Continue reading this article here: Plus Size Maternity Bras

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Is my baby getting enough breast milk

Each baby is different too in how they feed.

Some baby’s will take a really long time to feed, some will be quick, some will feed every 2 hours, some every four, whatever the scenario, it’s about what’s ‘normal’ for your baby.

Weight gain is something that gives us all an idea that baby’s are growing and thriving, however there are other factors to consider, like enough wet nappies, fat rolls appearing on the inner thighs, the belly looking rounded and in general ‘bright eyed and busy tailed’!

To continue reading this breastfeeding tip, click here.

Sleeping like a baby

There is so much information out there regarding baby’s sleep, so much of a focus on how much and when a baby should be sleeping, as parents it’s no wonder we become obsessed by the ‘shoulds’ and ‘shouldn’ts.

We all understand that baby’s need sleep, just like adults, and on paper, theoretically, it makes complete sense. However managing your baby’s sleep at your place on a day to day basis is often something quite different. Baby’s will have times, days, even weeks of difficulty going to and staying asleep, that is just the nature of babys.

Sometimes there is something you can do to encourage more sleep, sometimes there isn’t.

You can continue reading this article on baby sleep here

Get baby to sleep...

Getting baby’s into a ‘sleepy’ state (more than drowsy) is sometimes the key to them successfully being able to nod off. So when you see those tired signs you are so well accustomed to, wrap your baby, (if your baby likes being wrapped), and help your tired wee baby slip over into a sleepy state by:

rocking
patting
ssshhhing
singing
white noise
simulating those sounds and experiences of the uterus that work such a treat.

You can read the full article and baby sleeping tips here

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Antenatal Classes and more

Maternal Journey is an education, information and support service working with families through pregnancy, birth and into the first year of life as parents.
They offer a range of services, courses, and even yoga. Including one-on-one sessions for feeding, settling and sleeping your baby.

I have met Simone who runs Maternal Journey and I highly recommend her business.

For more information, check out Maternal Journey

They are based in Hamilton New Zealand.

More info: Antenatal Classes

Monday, December 14, 2009

Don't Judge Other Parents

Don’t Judge other Parents. One mother shares her story with Breastmates about switching to formula

It’s not the end of the world.

You can read the full Breastfeeding / Formula Feeding Story here

Breastfeeding & Expressing milk for bottle

Breastfeeding story shared with Breastmates Maternity Store from a customer. She breastfed for 21 months with a combination of breast & expressing milk into a bottle. I am really glad that she shared the bit about doing bottle top ups, you don’t hear people speak about that much. You can read her full breastfeeding story and tips here.

Breastfeeding on the Couch

Breastfeeding baby while sitting on the couch. Here is a gorgeous photo that a mother has shared with us, and it raises some good points to show you.

· Breastfeeding position on the couch (as most mothers do!)

· Baby in the cradle position.

· Pillow support behind mums back

· Mums arm resting on the arm of the chair.

· Minimal baby weight in your arms.

· Feet flat on the floor

Its really important that you are sitting comfortably with no strain on your back or neck. And minimal baby weight in your arms. If you are still experiencing back or neck pain, check out a Nursing Pillow

More information on breastfeeding positions here.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Breastfeeding in Hospital

Breastfeeding in hospital, and the posters around. Is this the start of the breast/bottle guilt? We've written a blog post about Breastfeeding In Hospital

Read it here

Medela Teats

A common question that I get asked about Medela Teats ….. read the full blog post here

Monday, November 30, 2009

Not getting much milk with breast pump

Breast pumps and expressing... not getting much milk? Read our article about using expressing with a pump and milk you get.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Breast or Bottle - an experience with both

A story about Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding. A heart felt story shared by a gorgeous mama Read here

This is my sister that shared this with us.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Harmony Manual Spare Parts

Customer asked me: The Medela Harmony Pump I have is no longer working...I think there's a tear in the diaphragm (underneath the handle). Would you know if the Pump covered under a warranty or if this part is replaceable.

These parts are not covered by warranty, as it is general wear and tear, but yes replacement parts are available.

I’m not sure which part you need, so have included a few options here.

The little thin white membrane is actually a really really important piece of the equipment, this must have no tears rips or cracks, and no milk residue.

The parts that are under the handle are also available separately, though I would need to order them for you which takes about 4 days. Photo attached.

Handle

Diaphragm with Stem and O-ring

O-ring sold by itself (this is the rubbery part). The stem is the yellow part.

View all our spare parts here

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Baby Rejecting Boob

Baby is rejecting breast and wont feed. Baby rejecting boob and prefers bottle. I just wrote an article about this. Baby Rejecting Breastfeeding

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Second Hand Breast Pumps

Second hand breast pumps and buying them on auction sites Trademe. A strong recommendation not to buy second hand breast pumps. Read more

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Avent BPA Free Breast Pumps

We now have the new range of Avent BPA free breast pumps. Manual or Uno Electric versions. BPA free has the ‘honey tint’ colour.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Pregnant and doing breast pump research

I just wrote a new article about Buying a Breast Pump when Pregnant

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Tongue Tie Op

I just wrote a post about finding a surgeon who will do the Tongue Tie snip for young baby

Friday, November 6, 2009

Large Size Bras

I just wrote a quick article about finding bras in larger sizes.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Prevent Mastitis

Do you have any products that can help with blocked ducks and /or trying to afford Mastitis?

I would recommend the Lactagogue Massage Oil and the heat packs

Also lots and lots of vitamin C every day can really help.

Bouquet for Breastmates

A lady recently sent me this lovely email:

“Hi Frances

Just wanted to drop a note to say thank you for your site, I have just come across it for the first time. My kids are now 5 and nearly 3, but I still have plenty of friends having their ‘firsts’ and see the stress and guilt they go through, and it reminds me of my first time round.

I had a breast reduction when I was 15, and while my understanding is that the procedure is much better now, when I had mine done (ahem, nearly 25yrs ago) the technology wasn’t so flash, and lots of my internal boob bits were just taken out. I was warned at the time that I probably wouldn’t be able to breast feed in the future, but as you can imagine, meaningless advice to a 15yr old!

Subsequently, both my children have been fully bottle fed. In both cases, I gave the boobs a damn good try, but my milk never came in either time. I am a strong, educated Mum who had kids in her 30s, and still I was made to feel incredibly guilty when I couldn’t breastfeed the first time round (by the second time round I was a bit wiser and more bolshy!). And there was no information available – when my husband asked the Waikato hospital midwives what he should look for when buying formula, he was told “you shouldn’t be buying formula and I’m certainly not allowed to give you any advice on it”. Ridiculous! If I was made to feel so guilty and useless, I shudder to think how younger, perhaps less educated Mums who can’t breastfeed for whatever reason must feel after going through ‘the system’.

So well done to you for your website. I can see from a quick browse that it is more focused on breastfeeding, and that’s as it should be. But I love the practical information that is on there about bottle feeding, and the fact that it is non-judgmental.

Cheers

Mum to two robust, healthy, cheeky little monkeys!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Manual Breast Pump Parts

This is a very common question that I get asked, lots of mums melt their breast pump parts.

It does get confusing working out which part is which for the pumps, this lady took the initiative and emailed a photo.

She has the Medela Manual breast Pump, and just needed a new cylinder. We can organize that for her no problem.

More information on Medela Spare Parts

Wineoclock

Although it was exhausting being at the Parent and Child show over the weekend, (and my voice is still lost), it was great to catch up with some other mums. Swapping a few business ideas and having a good ol’ rant. The Oyster Bay Sav went down a treat. I definitely made the most of my weekend away in Auckland (without kids and hubby) and had social engagements every night. Maybe that’s the reason I lost my voice… .hehehe

It was cool to put faces to names with other members of the Mums on Top forum and twitter.

We had Marilynn from Mums On Top – go and join the forum, you will really enjoy it.

Sarah and Shelly from Unido Slings

Jo from Best Blooms

Angela from Bonnie Bee Bag Co

Sarina from NudeyRudey nappies

And Bex and her gorgeous scrummy baby girl, Bexie Lady

There were a few other pikers that didn’t make it.

So go and check out these websites, they are all fabulous sites run by fabulous women.

Plus you also should join up to the Mums On Top website and tell them that Franny from Breastmates referred you!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Starting your baby on solids

A few tips on starting solids…..

Solids Offered before Bottle
Introducing solids
Fingerfood and snacks for toddlers
Starting Solids

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Bottles and Teats

I get asked a lot of questions about bottle and teats. Read full article

Sunday, October 25, 2009

I wish someone had told me before...

some mothers share their thoughts

We asked the question from a group of mothers, to prepare other mums-to-be for the truth about life after baby arrives

Read the full article

Friday, October 23, 2009

Breastfeeding Pics

A customer recently shared these b/f photographs with us. View here cluck cluck

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Warming Infant Formula

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority have provided some key points about warming baby bottles.

Key points and full document can be viewed here: Warming Infant Formula

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Dads & Breastfeeding

A real story from a Dad.

"It shocks me that dads don't want to help out with mum and baby especially in those first few days. Since my wife was hurting I would do all the nappy changes and I would let the new mummy sleep. I loved looking in to my babies eyes and saying I'm your dad and NO ONE can take that away.

Coming home, my wife recovered really well after her C sec, I put that down to a great LMC and myself, I didn't let her do ANYTHING except make milk and sleep.

I joined a Mens Group and was shocked with the amount of guys who didn't think that a baby would change there life. They were complaining about the lack of sex

Monday, October 19, 2009

Breastfeeding & Ministry of Health

I’m involved with the Ministry of Health’s “Breastfeeding Campaign” in New Zealand. You might have seen some of the adverts on TV and in magazines.

The next phase of their project is using social media, and creating a 2-way communication with NZ mothers. The emphasis is that breastfeeding is a normal part of life.

It would be fantastic if you could please spread the word to your contacts, and come and join yourself.

The page has just started (after weeks of discussion and approvals!) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Breastfeeding-NZ/193386893968

(Its nothing commercial though)

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

New Baby Gifts

A few ideas on the perfect baby show gift, read the full article here: http://www.breastmates.co.nz/newborn_baby/Gift_Vouchers.html

Feeding baby with a tube

"My daughter, who is now 18 months old, absolutely refused to latch on when she was a newborn (to my despair). So the first photo shows her at one week old being fed expressed breastmilk via a tube that she sucked from my finger. As you can see in the photo I kept on doing skin to skin contact to hopefully encourage her to latch. After 4 weeks of persevering (and help from my midwife, a lactation consultant and a cranial osteopath!) she finally started to latch on to the breast and we successfully breastfed until she was 12 months old. The second photo shows her having a feed at 20 weeks old."

Words shared by a customer

View baby feeding tubes like the one used in the first photo

View more breastfeeding photos

Read more breastfeeding stories and tips

Sunday, October 11, 2009

BF after CSection

A friend of my recently said she would be willing to share her story on Breastmates Website
"Due to complications, I had my first baby at 37 weeks by way of "elective" (and I say that very loosely as it was not my choice!!) c-section under General Anesthetic followed by a Total Thyroidectomy operation - and so I woke up about 3 hours after my daughter Emily was born. I was determined to breastfeed and stressed for days prior to the operations/birth about how I was going to achieve this when I needed an operation immediately following the c-section.
However I did manage to breastfeed exclusively despite this (with the help of my fabulous midwife) by way of expressing colostrum prior to the double operation (which was fed to Emily via syringe) and then with the midwives help who put Emily on and off my breast for the first day or two ….

Continue reading the breastfeeding story

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Medela BPA

A customer asked me these questions about the Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump:

1. Is the Medela Breast Pump product BPA free? Yes all medela products are BPA free.

2. Seems like the breast pump does not come with a teat for the bottle. Will teats from other bottles fit? Is there a BPA free teat I can buy that will fit the bottle in this set? No medela do not manufacture their own teats in New Zealand, but I always recommend these “Chu Chu” ones. They are BPA free, fit medela bottles, but also are rather unique in that baby has to suck with the same motion as breastfeeding so doesn’t get lazy. Ideal if you are doing both breast and bottle. There is more information about this product here: http://www.breastmates.co.nz/store/Feeding/Teats/chu_chu_teats.html

Boob Size

“How Long Do your boobs Stay Big?”

When women are in their first trimester of pregnancy, they will usually notice a change to their breasts. Some may increase a cup size or two, and other women may just have a feeling of more fullness.

This size usually then stays the same for the majority of your pregnancy. You may also notice that the band on your bra feels tighter, which is because your ribs are expanding to allow room for your baby. This is the reason that nursing bras have 6 rows of hooks around the back, as you can wear them during your pregnancy too.

Lactation Consultants suggest not to wear any underwires during your pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, as this can impede the development of milk ducts. Another reason why you can wear a nursing bra during pregnancy, as none of our HOTmik bras have underwire.

What's the 'best time to asses your bra' is another common question…... You can continue reading the full article here: Breastmates

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Breast Feeding Videos

Here is a collection of Breastfeeding Videos that I’ve been working on.
Ad: Breastfeeding Videos Wanted
Baby Feeding Tube
Breastfeeding Sounds
Crying Baby Milk Squirts
Dream Feed
Extended Breastfeeding
Latching for Feed
Nursing Baby
Waiting for Letdown

Boosting Your Breast Milk

Here are some articles that I’ve written about how to improve your breast milk

Breastfeeding Food Intake
Complan Milkshake
Drinking Alcohol While Breastfeeding
Improve Breast Milk Supply
Lactation Boosting Cookies

Breast Pump Questions

I get a lot of questions about breast pump parts, so I'm compiling a list of common questions. The spare parts for Avent and Medela breast pumps are listed at our store (Breast Pump Parts) but if you are not sure about the parts you need, please contact me.

Avent Spare Parts for Manual Breast Pump
Avent Uno Breast Pump Parts
Breastshield Sizes for Pumps
Medela Breast Pump Parts Diagram
Medela Breast Pump Parts- Harmony Swing Diagram
Medela Power Adapter
Medela Valves
Motor Unit for Medela Pump
Tubing for Breast Pump