Page 5 - Breastfeeding & Nutrition
Breastfeeding Success and Baby Nutrition
Nourish with comfort. Thrive with ease.
From first latch to first foods, we’re here to help you and your baby get the hang of breastfeeding—because your journey should be as easy as it is rewarding.
High expectations. Low milk supply. The two sides of breastfeeding.
Challenging beginnings. Beautiful bonds.
Breastfeeding is a learning curve—for both you and your baby. With thoughtfully designed products, we make it easier for you to feel confident and supported every step of the way.
FAQs: Common Breastfeeding Questions Answered
Breastfeeding, Simplified
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How do I get a good latch?
Ergonomic breastfeeding pillows position your baby for success and reduce strain on you.
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Can I breastfeed in a baby carrier?
Yes! Ergobaby carriers are designed to support discreet feeding on the go. Learn how to breastfeed in a baby carrier here or schedule a free 1:1 consultation with a babywearing expert!
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What clothing makes breastfeeding easier?
Nursing bras from Belly Bandit provide easy access and incredible comfort for every feed.
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When should I wean my baby?
When to wean your baby is all about personal preference. Every baby is different. Some parents might wean as they go back to work. Others may nurse into the toddler years. When you’re ready to wean, here is a helpful guide to starting solids and baby food stages.
Breastfeeding Tips from Experts
From Latch to Letdown
• Position your baby comfortably with a supportive breastfeeding pillow.
• Use a baby carrier to feed hands-free while staying close to your baby.
• Try different nursing positions to see what’s comfortable and helps you get a good latch.
• Get a cozy nursing bra for easy feeding, pumping, and all-day comfort.
• Whether it’s breast milk, formula, or a combo of both, fed is best!
• Take care of your mental health so you can care for baby.
Ergonomic Positioning, Meal Time Success
Products Designed for You and Your Baby
Newborn Advantage
When everything’s new, the Ergobaby Embrace baby carrier helps you and your newborn get into the rhythm of breastfeeding.
Options for Every Budget
Pre-loved and on sale carriers so you don’t have to settle for less.
Ergonomic Support
For stress-free and comfortable feeding sessions and mealtimes.
Complete Confidence
Free shipping, free returns, and a lifetime guarantee.
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Helped me!
The swaddle helped my baby sleep longer stretches, and the bouncer was perfect for soothing her during fussy moments. I finally feel like we’re getting some rest!
– Sarah, first-time mom
Truly a dream!
I have tried several carriers and this one is the best. The lumbar support is great as someone still recovering from giving birth. My favorite thing, though, is how amazing soft the cotton fabric is.
- Madeleine L, On the Omni Dream Baby Carrier
A must have for a newborn!
It is so easy to put on (much faster than the wraps) and my 6-week-old finds it comfortable and soothing - he often falls asleep in it! I also like that my husband and I can both use it!
- Emily, On the Embrace Newborn Carrier
Featured Breastfeeding Essentials and First Food Helpers
Your Feeding Journey Starts Here
Omni Baby Carrier
Nurse discreetly while keeping your baby close.
Natural Curve Nursing Pillow
Comfortable, ergonomic support for a better latch.
Belly Bandit Nursing Bras
Functional, comfortable, and made for every feed.
Evolve High Chair
Grows with your little one - from first foods to toddler chair to helping make dinner themselves.
Featured Products for Better Sleep
Sleep Essentials to Save Your Nights
Make Breastfeeding Easier Today
Comfort, Convenience, Confidence—All in One Place
Whether you're feeding at home or on the go, Ergobaby has the tools you need to nourish your baby and yourself.
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Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
November 07, 2014
International Babywearing Week was October 5-11, 2014 and we definitely kicked it off with a bang; Shannon and I. The sun was blazing, it was super hot inside my house, you know the one that my dad refuses to turn on the central air in? (yeah that one), and I couldn’t have been any more relieved to hurry and rush to Gracefull Birth for their Nurture event – A Celebration of Pregnancy, Childbirth & 4th Trimester. MY KIND OF PARTY! I knew exactly what I wanted to wear and how I wanted to dress Shannon, but I struggled a bit with styling my hair. However, what I didn’t struggle with was my selection of a soft-structured baby carrier (SSC) to complement my vibe and that was my Ergobaby Organic Baby Carrier – Zen. It definitely matched the natural style event and the green lily pads printed on the hood make me happy. I mean nothing matters after that; its green lily pads! I arrived just in time to take a look inside the Babywearing & Breastfeeding Lounge hosted by Ergobaby
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
July 16, 2014
Some days it is a struggle just to feed the kids lunch. Where on your priority list does making a healthy, tasty lunch for you fall? I hear ya.
Here is an easy option, full of super foods and good protein. Have some basic ingredients on hand, and you could be eating in less than five minutes.
About some of the ingredients:
Salmon – Full of healthy fats and omega 3’s. Keep some smoked salmon on hand in the fridge, ready to eat. Lately I have been enjoying “hot smoked” salmon more than lox. I found some wild-caught hot smoked salmon at Trader Joe’s that is almost as good as the salmon my husband smokes at home.
Avocado – A great source of vitamins and fiber. It provides a creamy taste to meals without dairy. Bonus, cut up tiny bits for baby finger food or mush with the back of a spoon. (Why make separate food for them when they can enjoy the same ingredients?)
Pickled Strawberries – Fermented foods provide beneficial probiotics, great for your digestive track. Pickled green strawberries are
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
June 24, 2014
[caption id="attachment_6825" align="aligncenter" width="1262"] PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER EMERLING[/caption]
Earlier this month, we partnered with Erica Chidi from The Mama Circle to work with some first time mamas. Nurturing women into motherhood and helping new parents feel confident as they transition into a new phase of their lives, The Mama Circle is a wonderful support and resource for new parents in the Los Angeles area. Erica opened up her garden to some gorgeous new mamas and babes for a first foods class. Gathered around a beautiful breakfast spread (mama needs nurturing food as well), she talked about how to gently incorporate first foods into a babes diet. Mamas got to try out the new Ergobaby Baby Carriers while Erica demonstrated some recipes for baby's first tastes.
Click on any photo to start slide show with take-aways from the First Foods Class. And be sure to scroll down for the recipes after the photo gallery.
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Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
May 09, 2014
Treat mom or yourself to a bright and festive meal that celebrates spring. Don’t feel like you need to make all the dishes—pick two or three and enjoy with all the special women in your life.
Ruby Sparkler
Makes 1 cocktail 2 ounces (60ml) RHUBARB-PLUM SYRUP (see below) 1 tablespoon ST. GERMAIN LIQUEUR 4 ounces (125ml) chilled PROSECCO or CAVA Pour the rhubarb syrup into a Champagne flute. Add the St. Germain and slowly pour in the prosecco or cava. Toast to Mother’s Day!
Rhubarb Plum Syrup
Makes 2 cups syrup 1 cup (122g) diced RHUBARB (from about 2 stalks) 1 ripe PLUM, pitted and sliced into wedges 1 cup (250ml) light AGAVE NECTAR 1. In a medium saucepan, combine all of the ingredients. Add 11⁄4 cups (300ml) of water and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the syrup is bright red and the fruit has fallen apart, about 5 minutes. 2. Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve, catching the strained syrup in a bowl below. (The fruit can be
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
May 05, 2014
Some women like to clean and organize. I’m more of a cook. But I am human. And cooking at 9 months pregnant and immediately after a baby is not easy. So when nesting hit me at the end of my last pregnancy, I was focused on FOOD! Let me share with you some ideas that helped me stock up my freezer and cupboards with easy to grab snacks and meals.
Easy to eat snacks for energy when breastfeeding:
Apples and Almond Butter
Dates and Almonds
Chocolate Milk!
Instant Oatmeal
Raw Energy Bites (As a bonus, this recipe helps with milk production)
Carrots and Hummus
Cashews and other nuts
When you do cook, make double and freeze the rest.
Buy some disposable foil casserole pans. Make one lasagna (for example) in your regular pan to eat right away and a second in the disposable pan to freeze.
For a round up of dishes that freeze well, please see my recent post “The Best Meals to Freeze Before Baby Arrives” featuring Pomegranate Lamb Moussaka, and other unexpected meals to put up.
Ask for meals instead
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
April 23, 2014
If you've ever bought baby or toddler yogurt you know if can be expensive. At our local store, it ends up being about $1 a serving for the organic baby yogurt. Not only that, but it is loaded with sugar (besides the sugar found naturally in fruit). Our little one is a big fan of yogurt, and I think it can be a healthy part of her meals, but I prefer to make it at home with no added sugar and much, much cheaper.
In order to make baby yogurt you will need a yogurt maker. Also, you will need 10-12 hours from start to finish. Only about 20 minutes of this is actual hands-on time though.
Homemade Baby Yogurt
It takes anywhere from 10-12 hours to make yogurt from start to finish, but only about 20 minutes of it is active time.
Ingredients
4 cups of organic, hormone-free whole milk
1/2 cup whole milk yogurt
Fruit stir-ins: natural applesauce, blueberries*, bananas*, or peaches*
Directions:
1. Make the yogurt. This post from 101 Cookbooks is great on explaining how. It is the one I follow all the
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
August 14, 2013
[youtube]http://youtu.be/uT9dnm8xhl8[/youtube] So did you get a chance to try the Workout with your Baby video in last week’s post? I hope it showed you how easy it can be to get a great workout at home, with just your baby and the Ergobaby Carrier. Don’t forget that you can still sign up to try out Tailored Fitness free for 30 days if you want to try creating your own custom workout video. This week we are going to take a look at the 2nd key to finding your best post-baby body, cooking healthy with your baby in the Ergo. Eating healthy is a MUST for new moms! You need to fuel your body with good foods so that you have the energy you need to care for your family (and yourself). Here are 3 tips for how to master this key to finding your best post baby body: Focus on WHAT you are eating rather than counting calories. When you are newly post-partum, it’s not the best time to start a strict diet. Instead, focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods. My
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
August 01, 2013
I have breastfed all of my babies. When my first born was a year old, I quit nursing her cold turkey. Being 21 and quick to accept advice, I listened when the pediatrician said that I didn't need to nurse her past a year old, and that quitting right after her birthday was best. Truthfully, I snuck in a few extra nursing sessions- sobbing my eyes out thinking that each session was our last. I got terrible mastitis when she was 14 months old, and went through the worst pain. The nursing experience ended on a sad note, and I couldn't wait to have another baby and begin the sweet journey all over again.
We then had Riley.
And another loss after that.
When my next love was born, I soaked it all in. By that time, I had done so much research on babies in general, that I knew long-term breastfeeding was our plan. My first son nursed until he was two and half years old. He weaned himself, and it was the smoothest transition I had ever experienced.
When our second son was born, I had done even more
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
May 28, 2013
I love this time of year, don't you? Everything is coming back to life after the cold dormancy of winter. It's like someone turned on the lights with all the vibrant color returning to the earth. One of the places that color returns to is our plates! We once again have all sorts of beautiful and delicious in season produce to choose from again. The tastiest and freshest produce comes from our own backyard, both figuratively and literally. So strap on your Ergo and take the kids out to find some local, flavorful fruits and vegetables. Below are eight ways to find produce grown locally.
Community Supported Agriculture
Community Supported Agriculture, also known as a CSA, is a wonderful opportunity to get to know some of your local farmers while sharing in their locally grown goodness. I decided to join a CSA one year and really enjoyed it. The way most of them work is you pay up front for a share of what the farm produces and receive weekly offerings of the fruits and vegetables they've grown.
Motherhood
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
December 13, 2012
Dinner. Dishwashing. Christmas cookies. And … cue the chaos!
My days were going something like this:
Hold baby on hip and collect bowls one-handed. Perform world record juggling act that will never be recorded.
Switch baby to other hip and get ingredients from the pantry. Take two trips because I can’t carry them all at once.
Put baby in bouncy seat to rummage through freezer.
Soothe baby’s crying. Back to the freezer. Pick baby back up.
Attempt to hold baby while cracking eggs into bowl. Wipe up spilled egg.
Hold baby and bowl with one hand while stirring with other. Wipe up spilled batter.
Put baby down to spoon doughballs onto cookie sheets. Put baby’s binky back in about eighty-seven times.
And on. And on. Cookie baking was quickly becoming a world-class mess. And dinner prep was taking forever and it was just quesadillas!
I needed a new recipe for cooking with a baby in the house!
I was missing the main ingredient – my baby carrier!
So simple. Put baby in the Ergo.
Use two