Von Follies by Dita Von Teese - New Maternity Collection

When breastfeeding our babies, especially in the first stages, moms often if not always feel, tired and anything but glamorous. Well not anymore! While you will most definitely still be exhausted, you can look super sexy with no extra effort thanks to bombshell Ms. Dita Von Teese. The sexy fashion icon just launched a limited edition collection, Von Follies by Dita Von Tesse, in collaboration with Destination Maternity with an aim to help new mom's retain their sexy side. 

“The collection I created with Destination Maternity is designed to capture the spirit of retro glamour, while inspiring confidence and meeting the practical requirements and everyday needs of a new mother.”

The collection features stunning nursing bras (I'm not nursing anymore and I want one!) that are available with and without wire (hallelujah!) and matching panties that even feature a control panel for support. Functional and fabulous! The line ranges from $39 to $55 (US), which is pretty affordable if you ask me. 

“Elegant underpinnings are a simple way to create everyday moments of luxury and beauty, and why wouldn't a new mother enjoy beautiful lingerie, too?” 

Breastfeeding mamas would you wear any of the pieces in this collection? Let us know your comments below :)
And be sure to check out the full collection here.

got milk?

Give milk. Give life.

We are so happy to announce that the Héma-Québec is now accepting donated breast milk! This mother’s milk bank will be reserved for very premature babies (32 weeks or less) who cannot be breastfed by their mothers. Nursing moms who decide to donate their milk will be helping these preemies recover their health and get them on the right track to a happy healthy childhood. I am so, so happy that Quebec has decided to implement this into our society! This is going to make such a huge difference in the lives of the premature babies and their families. Too many preemies die as a result of intestinal disease and being able to receive breast milk will make them three times less prone to developing this type of disease.

The Héma-Québec Mother’s Milk Bank will provide pasteurized human milk and nursing mothers will have to go through a screening process. So ladies, if you are in good health, are nursing, able to produce a surplus of milk and are a non-smoker consider giving milk! Give milk, give life.

Learn more about breast milk donation in Montreal here. 

Pump Up The Volume

As of late, I have been going to see movies with my significant other and have used up my entire supply of frozen breast-milk. The other night, I wanted to go out and realized I never replaced my supply, so tried to pump right before I went out. Well, that wasn't a smart plan, as I could barely get a drop. My friend suggested I just use some formula, since it was just one feeding. I thought ok, why not? Eventually, when I wean him (I believe I will go until he's about 9-10months) he will start drinking formula before he can drink cow's milk. It shouldn't even be an issue, but the entire time I was out I wondered if I had made the wrong decision to supplement with formula. In the end, he fell asleep sans food and only ate when I picked him up. So I basically worried for nothing.

Next week is the Rihanna concert and a much needed girl's night out, and I vowed (since Monday) that I would pump every night up until next Friday, giving me almost 2 weeks of pump time to stock up my freezer. Well, it's already Thursday and I only started pumping last night. I barely got anything as my body is so used to his scheduled feedings, which are every 3-4 hours. I know if I keep pumping every night my body will get used to the demand and eventually I will able to get a good 4 oz. The only thing holding me back is... well... it's absolutely one of the most irritating things to do. It's not the most comfortable feeling and the pump itself is so loud. It really takes only 20 minutes, and I should technically be doing it right now, but I am finding every excuse not to. :/

So my question is, should I just suck it up and pump or simply incorporate some formula to my son's diet for the times I want to go out? Will my supply go down, or stay the same? Any advice is welcome!

Awesome Local Discovery

Yesterday afternoon I decided to take advantage of the nice weather here in Montreal, since the past week has been gloomy and rainy. I knew my mom had an eye doctors appointment in NDG so I tagged along with Kion, my sister and my brother. The second we got on the highway all hell broke loose, instead of the instant nap the car gives my son, he went buck wild and screamed his head off from the West Island all the way to NDG. Half way down Sherbrooke I told my mom to stop the car, I took my son out of the car seat and told my fam I would meet them at the eye doctor place in a few. I thought the air and walk would for sure calm him down, I couldn't have been more wrong! There I was sweating, on the brink of a minor panic attack holding my screaming son as I walked up Sherbrooke street. His meltdown was hard on us both as I wasn't sure what the problem was... was it the heat? New diaper maybe? Is he hungry?? Ahh! I searched for some sort of santuary for us, when I stumbled upon a lovely store with baby gear in the window and a small sign in the front window saying "Don't think of it as a woman's right to breastfeed. Think of it as a baby's right to eat" Perfect.
 

I went in and quietly asked the women working in the store if there was back room I could feed my son discreetly. She said of course with such enthusiasm, which I was confused by at the time, and followed her to a cute little room with A/C and lovely white couches to sit on. I fed my son, he feel asleep and I was beyond relieved. I walked out a little while later with my sleeping baby and looked around. I saw lots of women and babies and I stopped at the cash and said "So what is this place?" She then let me know it was a breastfeeding center. I literally laughed out loud and couldn't believe in my panic stricken search for a good place to feed my son I stumbled upon a breastfeeding center of all places! I spent the remainder of my afternoon snacking on a bagel and juice box, chatting with other new moms while my little munchkin played in a excersaucer. This lovely spot is called Melons & Clementines (hehehe great name).



Owners Renée Boudreau and Marie-Maude Grenier



This is Montreal's first boutique specializing in breastfeeding products, which includes a cafe and play area for the babies. They even host workshops and exercise classes. I couldn't believe what an amazing discovery I found, thanks to my son's meltdown. On their website they say "Their ultimate wish to normalize breastfeeding is to ensure the developmental continuum for a healthier society." I'm down with that! It was such an amazing experience, and the owners Renée and Marie-Maude are the sweetest people you could meet. Check out the website, and if you're breastfeeding your son or daughter, stop by for a coffee, chat with other moms, check out their amazing products, sit back and relax in an environment suited for your breastfeeding needs.

  

5659 Sherbrooke Ouest (between Oxford et Harvard)

Check out the website for more details, or contact them here info@melonsetclementines.com

And don't forget whenever you see this sign, the International Breastfeeding Symbol it means you can to walk in, feed your baby and leave, no hassle no stress. Good to know, because I didn't until yesterday :)