Lifestyle

Breastfeeding Is Challenging – But There Are Ways To Make It Easier

Published

3 years ago

April 13, 2021

Experts recommend breastfeeding for the first year of life, including exclusively for the first six months, but according to the CDC, only about 35% of infants are still breastfeeding by their first birthday, and only 25% are breastfed exclusively until age 6 months. That’s no surprise, though, when we consider how challenging breastfeeding is on its own, and how much more difficult society makes it. In fact, hitting any of these landmarks is an achievement, but the good news is that there are also ways to make breastfeeding easier.

Don’t Wait

It’s a myth that you’ll only be able to breastfeed if you start immediately after birth, but doing so can make it easier. That’s because your infant’s nervous system is actually wired to seek out the breast in the hours after birth. Attempting a first feeding during this time, then, can encourage a natural latch and make subsequent feedings easier.

Invest In A Pump

Just because you’re breastfeeding, that doesn’t mean that you have to handle every feeding on your own. In fact, you shouldn’t. Instead, look into getting an insurance-covered breast pump and choose a storage system that lets you keep extra milk on hand. This will be particularly handy if you’re going back to work, but can also help you manage engorgement without wasting milk. If you really find yourself overrun with extra ounces, there are milk banks where you can donate excess breastmilk.

Buy Some Bottles

If you’ve got a breast pump, you’re obviously also going to need some bottles, and there are many different kinds on the market, but what kind you choose isn’t as important as you might think. Though some doctors recommend particular bottle designs for breastfed infants, the reality is that every baby is different and, since nipple confusion is a myth, you don’t have to worry about your bottle choice conflicting with breastfeeding. Plus, as any new mother can tell you, the most important thing about choosing bottles is that it means your spouse can take a few nighttime feedings and you can get a little sleep.

Develop A Routine

It’s important to develop a pumping routine if you’re going back to work while breastfeeding, but even if you’re staying at home, having a schedule can make things easier on your body. Many experts recommend beginning to pump around week 2 or 3 after birth and introducing a bottle around the same time. This will ensure that your baby is comfortable taking a bottle even if it’s not necessary yet – that way they won’t go on hunger strike for daycare or grandma or whoever takes over childcare when you’re away.

Know Your Rights

It’s important to know your rights as a breastfeeding mom, especially when pumping at work, but this also applies in other settings. Not only do you have a right to a private, non-bathroom place to pump at work, but you also have a right to feed your baby anywhere your baby has a right to be. That includes everywhere from restaurants and playgrounds to places of worship, and no one should tell you otherwise.

Breastfeeding is a serious commitment, but it’s also a beneficial and worthwhile one that contributes to your baby’s health and your relationship, so it’s worth considering what steps will help you navigate the process. Often, that means ensuring you have the right tools to help you navigate the process.

Breastfeeding can be complicated, yes, but at least the solutions for making it more manageable are simple.

Lifestyle

Gutiérrez F Studio Masters the Art of Unforgettable Events

Published

1 week ago

September 24, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo Credit: Gutiérrez F Studio

Byline: Katreen David

Every great love story deserves a walk down the aisle straight out of a fairytale. From the conceptualization to the perfect centerpiece, boutique event planning companies like Gutiérrez F Studio can puzzle the details together to craft an event that tells the bride and groom’s story.

Today, where wedding ideas are beautiful yet veer toward feeling recycled, Gutiérrez F Studio imparts a sense of uniqueness, identity, and human connection to every event it brings to life.

“Everyone has access to the same Pinterest boards, but our mission is to create events that are truly unique. We aim to make every detail tell a part of our clients’ stories,” shares Fernando Gutiérrez, the founder and lead creative of Gutiérrez F Studio.

Knot Your Average I Do: Crafting Experiences

From the very first consultation, it is clear that the Mexico-based event studio is anything but run-of-the-mill. Each project is a culmination of a deeply personal journey, guided by a commitment to crafting experiences that are both visually elegant and emotionally reverberant.

At Gutiérrez F Studio, the magic of a well-crafted event is not just about grand visuals; it is about creating experiences that age gracefully into core memories over time.

The nuptials designed by Gutiérrez F Studio are out to resonate deeply with the people they celebrate. As a full-service event design and production studio, Gutiérrez F Studio specializes in transforming visions into reality through custom architectural design and art. It comprises a team of warm, reliable, and innovative creatives.

What truly speaks volumes about its signature brand is the dedication to delivering seamless, end-to-end service that covers every aspect of the event. The team meticulously plans and manages every detail, collaborating exclusively with top-tier suppliers for quality that is second to none. This encompasses aspects that engage all the senses, such as top-tier audiovisual elements and menus curated by world-renowned chefs.

The studio has put its name on the map as a master of storytelling, a notion that is evident in even the minutest of details. “We don’t just follow trends. Instead, we create atmospheres that blend romance, elegance, and innovation, tailored to reflect each couple’s unique love story,” notes Fernando Gutiérrez. “Our aesthetic is concept-driven, meaning every event we design is a one-of-a-kind narrative brought to life in creatively curated spaces.”

From 2017 to Forever

Over the next 12 months, Gutiérrez and his team will actively explore opportunities to expand their target locations, aiming to bring their bespoke event design and production services to new international markets. So far, they have been the go-to brand across Mexico and Europe.

Since its founding in 2017, Fernando Gutiérrez’s company has completed over 320 projects, earning clients’ trust locally and globally. From the beaches of Mexico to its rapid expansion into the scapes of Spain and Italy, Gutiérrez F Studio has been rendering exceptional events worldwide, proving that the celebration of love is a universal language.

“Whether we’re planning events in Mexico or across the ocean, we hope to create moments that our clients will look back on fondly,” shares Fernando Gutiérrez.

For every bride and groom that the team works with, Gutiérrez F Studio promises that each walk down the aisle is the start of a new fairytale that is entirely their own.