Tips & Tricks

What in the World is Wharton’s Jelly?

Written by Sarah, IBCLC, Doula No one ever really talks about the belly button. Its significance, purpose, and overall function is pretty vague. As babies and toddlers, we are taught about it as a body part, “touch your nose…touch your belly button”. Mostly just to see that we know the names a... Continue Reading >

Managing Hemorrhoids During and After Pregnancy

Hemorrhoids are a common but very unwelcome part of pregnancy. So you may be wondering what can you do to prevent them, and what can you do to treat them. What are hemorrhoids, and why are we more likely to get them during pregnancy? Hemorrhoids are a result of increased blood flow in pregnancy... Continue Reading >

9 Tips For Maximizing Your Pumping Output

Written by Wendy, IBCLC Moms who pump for their babies are superheroes, in my book. Pumping isn’t always easy, and it’s normal to run into challenges along the way: finding time to pump, getting adequate support, and balancing breastfeeding and pumping. Yet as moms, we find that one of the most... Continue Reading >

Bringing Your Preterm Baby Home: 8 Tips for Making Breastfeeding or Pumping Work

After a tough and stressful start, your preterm baby is “graduating” from the hospital and you can finally bring her home. Now what? Breastfeeding and breastmilk are even more important for preterm infants than full-term infants, yet many mothers leave the hospital poorly prepared to face the cha... Continue Reading >

Five Tips for Getting Rid of a Painful Bleb (Milk Blister)

If you've ever had a bleb (also known as a milk blister) you know that they can be both painful and difficult to get rid of. They can also lead to plugged ducts because they prevent milk from exiting the breast normally. A bleb is a little white spot on the tip of the nipple that can look lik... Continue Reading >

Drink Up! There is No Need to Limit Your Liquid Intake

Have you ever looked closely at the Suggested Use found on the back of Motherlove’s supplements? If so, you’ll notice that it says, “for maximum effectiveness, avoid taking with more than 1-2 oz. of water.” This language was added to our products years ago because there was a concern that taking... Continue Reading >

How Much Milk Is Really Needed Before Returning to Work?

Written by Tanya, IBCLC Let's face it, going back to work after having a baby is stressful, even under the best of circumstances. For pumping moms, one source of comfort can be a stash of breastmilk in the freezer. Those bags of frozen milk symbolize security - an insurance policy agains... Continue Reading >

Is Pumping Causing You Pain?

Written by Tanya, IBCLC Pumping should not hurt. And since few of us would say we enjoy logging hours with our pumps, painful pumping can feel like adding injury to insult.Unfortunately, discomfort while pumping is fairly common. Research has found that about 27% of mothers found pumping uncomfor... Continue Reading >

Optimal Positions for Labor and Birth

By Sarah, IBCLC, CD, CBE Let’s face it, labor is hard work and requires creativity and instinct to help move the process along. Giving birth is not a sedentary sport. Active involvement can lessen your birth time, reduce pain and decrease the need for medications. Overall satisfaction with th... Continue Reading >

Prolactin and the Importance of Nighttime Nursing or Pumping

Written by Wendy, IBCLC Waking up to nurse your baby can be exhausting. After a while, most of us mamas get used to it, and babies and toddlers do eventually outgrow the need to nurse at night (when that is varies widely!). But when you are in it, it is so easy to feel irritated, defeated … and ... Continue Reading >

How to Navigate the Return to Work as a Breastfeeding Mom

Written by Wendy, IBCLC Returning to work as a breastfeeding mom can be so difficult. Separating from your baby for the first time may be extremely emotional; figuring out how to pump, maintain your milk supply, and ensure sure that your workplace gives you adequate accommodations can be very st... Continue Reading >

Spring has Sprung at the Motherlove Farm & Office!

It is finally starting to feel like spring at Motherlove’s home in Colorado. The trees are budding, our Herb Farmer is tending the land, and even our office staff are getting on board with the change in season. Many of our staff members are preparing their gardens for planting and we even have ... Continue Reading >