Post Partum Support Bands By Belly Banit- More Than Just Supportive!

Okay, if you have had a baby then you know that the hour that precious bundle of joy is born your tummy does not instantly flatten to pre-baby days. If you are currently pregnant with your first- Guess what? It can take months to get your old body back!

Now there is help. Belly Bandit has a line of oh-so-cute post partum support bands. From the eco-friendly bamboo fabric to the unique coulture designs they make that extra jiggly roll okay to have! So what exactly is a support band anyway?

  • Helps you to loose inches faster
  • Helps minimize stretch marks
  • Reduces Discomfort
  • Speeds the healing process post partum
  • Improves posture
  • Helps to reduce pressure on back and legs
  • Helps minimize swelling
  • Provides support for breastfeeding
  • Adds abdominal support after a c-section

Many women found it helpful to wear the band post baby as they noticed that not only were they sitting straighter, it also helped support their back and stomach while nursing baby. Because let’s face it after nine months of stretching our muscles need all the support they can get!

It’s not just for post partum! So you had your baby 6-months ago, maybe it’s even been over a year- or maybe you haven’t even had a baby. You can still wear the Belly Bandit. Not only does it help hold you in and give you the support you need. It is also a reminder to keep that good posture and engage in your core.
The Belly Bandit was just voted one of the TOP 100 Best Products in 2009 by Pregnancy Magazine and will be featured in the December 23 issue. Please visit our boutique shop for more information on the Belly Bandit and you can be sporting one like many celebrities (i.e. Jessica Alba)

Local Support Is Essential For Any New Mom

If you decide to breast or bottle feed, work or stay home, or a combo of everything- You need a support system that understand you and can help when you have questions.

Two places that you can check out for a group local to you are La Leche League International or MOPS.

La Leche League is more than just a breastfeeding support group. The group local to the Pittsburgh Airport has always been there for mom for more than just soreness. They have a lending library with books from everything on the art of breastfeeding to babywearing and the ever popular to vax or not to vax debate.  You can call any of the leaders- they are patient and understanding as you describe any problem you may be having- even if you were too afraid to call the doctor first they can listen and answer with personal experience. They are not doctors but personally I’d rather a fellow mom’s advice over a 90 year old man who’s never personally experienced engorged breasts!


The other group I mentioned is Mothers of Preschoolers aka MOPS. What a wonderful way to get out of the house and be around other moms of youngsters that are currently or have recently been in the same situations as you. At the mall with your toddler and baby and no matter how many times you ask he does not have to go potty- until you are half a mile away from a restroom and in a dressing room nakked! You know how it is and if your oldest is still just an infant well you will soon know!

Are you currently or a previous member of one of these great groups?
What was it like for you?
Are you still friends with the mothers now that your children are grown and have minds of their own?

Avoiding Engorgement And Other Over Production Pains

Today’s tips come from one of our readers. Brandy sent in her story and I just had to share with you, because as you know- take the advice from those who have been there! You never know what will work for you.

Maybe I’m just lucky?  Or maybe I have had some GREAT advice over the years?  I’m leaning more towards the great advice because I know that I am far from being a “lucky person”.

I have 3 daughters, all whom I have nursed.  My oldest is 10 and nursed til she was about 18mo.  I was never engorged, I never wore nursing pads. My middle daughter is 4, she nursed til she was about 2 1/2.  I was never engorged, I never wore nursing pads. My youngest is 2 1/2, and she just recently weaned (I nursed through her pregnancy and she Tandem nursed with her sister).  I was never engorged, I never wore nursing pads. Are you seeing a trend here?  I have never had one ailment such as Plugged Ducts or Mastitis.  People said I was lucky, but really I’m not.  I was told when I had my very first daughter to nurse her whenever I needed to.

That’s right “I”.  I think that was the best advice that was ever given to me about nursing.  She told me if I needed to nurse to pick up that sleeping baby and let her latch on.  Let’s face it….most newborns sleep a lot!  Most mothers of newborn babies produce a lot.  So when you feel that tingle, that feverish flush, you know… the feeling right before let down, grab your baby and let them nurse.    I have used this advice with all of my children.  It even works as they get older.  I’m not saying to force feed your children, all I am saying is let them take a little when you need them to.  This makes for a healthier, happier and pain free mama! I hope passing this advice on can help someone else the way it helped me.

Brandy ~ Texas, USA

 

What are your tips for a painless breastfeeding experience?  We would love to hear them! Feel free to leave a comment here- or use our contact form if you’d like to be published here as one of our guest bloggers!

Tantrums, Fussing, and Whinning…Oh My!

If you ask parents to list the most frustrating discipline problems during early childhood, you would find that these three items appear on every list. All children master their own version of these behaviors – every parent has to deal with them!

Controlling their emotions
Most often these behaviors are caused by a child’s inability to express or control his emotions. Tiredness, hunger, boredom, frustration and other causes that ignite The Big Three can frequently be avoided or modified. When your child begins a meltdown, try to determine if you can tell what underlying issue is causing the problem. Solve that problem and you’ll likely have your sweet child back again.

Handling tantrums, fussing and whining
No matter how diligent you are in recognizing trigger causes, your child will still have meltdown moments. Or even meltdown days. The following tips can help you handle those inevitable bumps in the road. Be flexible and practice those solutions that seem to bring the best results.

Offer choices
You may be able to avoid problems by giving your child more of a say in his life. You can do this by offering choices. Instead of saying, “Get ready for bed right now,” which may provoke a tantrum, offer a choice, “What would you like to do first, put on your pajamas or brush your teeth?” Children who are busy deciding things are often happy.

Get eye-to-eye
When you make a request from a distance your child will likely ignore you. Noncompliance creates stress, which leads to fussing and tantrums – from both of you. Instead, get down to your child’s level, look him in the eye and make clear, concise requests. This will catch his full attention.

Tell him what you DO want
Instead of focusing on misbehavior and what you don’t want him to do, explain exactly what you’d like your child to do or say instead. Give him simple instructions to follow.

Validate his feelings
Help your child identify and understand her emotions. Give words to her feelings, “You’re sad. You want to stay here and play. I know.” This doesn’t mean you must give in to her request, but letting her know that you understand her problem may be enough to help her calm down.

Teach the Quiet Bunny
When children get worked up, their physiological symptoms keep them in an agitated state. You can teach your child how to relax and then use this approach when fussing begins.

You can start each morning or end each day with a brief relaxation session. Have your child sit or lie comfortably with eyes closed. Tell a story that he’s a quiet bunny. Name body parts (feet, legs, tummy, etc.) and have your child wiggle it, and then relax it.

Once your child is familiar with this process you can call upon it at times when he is agitated. Crouch down to your child’s level, put your hands on his shoulders, look him in the eye and say, let’s do our Quiet Bunny. And then talk him through the process. Over time, just mentioning it and asking him to close his eyes will bring relaxation.

Distract and involve
Children can easily be distracted when a new activity is suggested. If your child is whining or fussing try viewing it as an “activity” that your child is engaged in. Since children aren’t very good multi-taskers you might be able to end the unpleasant activity with the recommendation of something different to do.

Invoke his imagination
If a child is upset about something, it can help to vocalize his fantasy of what he wishes would happen: “I bet you wish we could buy every single toy in this store.” This can become a fun game.

Use the preventive approach
Review desired behavior prior to leaving the house, or when entering a public building, or before you begin a playdate. This might prevent the whining or tantrum from even beginning. Put your comments in the positive (tell what you want, not what you don’t want) and be specific.

When it’s over, it’s over
After an episode of misbehavior is finished you can let it go and move on. Don’t feel you must teach a lesson by withholding your approval, love or company. Children bounce right back, and it is okay for you to bounce right back, too.

      Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill 2007) by

Elizabeth Pantley

Elizabeth Pantley is a mother, author, and parenting educator. Her books and parenting advice are frequently featured in magazines such as Parents, Parenting, American Baby, and Good Housekeeping.  The following books are authored or co-authored by Elizabeth and recommended by A Mother’s Boutique: The No-Cry Discipline Solution, The No-Cry Sleep Solution, The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Pre-schoolers, The No-Cry Potty Training Solution, Gentle Baby Care, Hidden Messages, Perfect Parenting, Kid Cooperation, and The Successful Child.

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