Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Pre & Post Natal Nutrition with Peg Moline, Editor-In-Chief of Fit Pregnancy Magazine

Topics will include

Prenatal Nutrition: The 5 Most critical guidelines

- Water
- Folic Acid
- Omega 3/DHAs
- Calcium and small frequent meals

Postnatal Nutrition:

- The Nursing Mom’s Meal Plan
- Nutrient-dense one-handed snacks
- Plus: Can boost your milk production?

Seats are limited. $25 per person.
Register Today! Attend this lecture and receive a Swag Bag!

Stick around and watch Tracy Brown from Stroller Strides give a free demonstration of both prenatal and postnatal exercises.

Those who attend will receive a discount coupon for 15% off any merchandise purchased at the Pump Station & Nurtury on Thursday July 30th.

For more information call 310-998-1981 or go to http://www.pumpstation.com/

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

DOES FOOD REALLY MATTER? A Review of “The N.D.D. Book: How Nutrition Deficit Disorder Affects Your Child's Learning, Behavior..."

A Review of “The N.D.D. Book: How Nutrition Deficit Disorder Affects Your Child's Learning, Behavior, and Health, and What You Can Do About It--Without Drugs”

by Jessica Sacher RN MN IBCLC

What if at your next well baby/toddler check up your pediatrician told you that you could markedly reduce the risk of your child getting ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, bipolar disorders, allergies, reflux, IBD, and a host of other ailments that are now being diagnosed in younger and younger children? Would you sit up and take note? Would you implore him/her for this special vaccine/magic bullet?In Dr. William Sears, new book, The NDD Book, he lays out a comprehensive guideline describing just what parents have to do in order to protect their children from these debilitating and difficult disorders; and all it requires is a change in what and how we feed our children and the rest of our family. Dr. Sears uses language that we can all understand, explaining how nutrition affects almost every aspect of a young child’s life and offering real life solutions that don’t involve drugs. This puts the parent and the child in charge of their health.Dr. Sears also explains why the “typical” American diet is predisposing our children to obesity, diabetes and learning issues, and unravels the complex process of metabolism, teaching the parent how to feed a child real food, which he calls “grow food” and “green light” food. He explains the correct balance of essential fatty acids, how to achieve that balance for our children and, how to get them to eat it. This book is a must read for any new parent who (before they know it) will need to provide, prepare and serve the right food to promote optimal health in their child. The anecdotes Dr Sears includes are based on real-life clinical scenarios, and the suggestions made reflect that he has done this with great success, not only in his pediatric practice but in his home life as well. The recipes are kid pleasing and mom friendly. This book is a win- win for the whole family.

Thanks to everyone that participated and was a part of The Ultimate Healthy Parenting Party!


Thanks to everyone that participated and was a part of The Ultimate Healthy Parenting Party hosted by The Pump Station & Nurtury!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Does Your Nursing Bra Fit? Find the Right Size for Your Body

By Tania Capata, Nursing Bra Buyer, Certified Fitter by Medela and Bravado

Finding the right Bra can be a hassle. Finding the right Nursing Bra can be even more of a hassle. Your cup size is changing. Your band width is changing. You're going to work. You’re staying home. You want something functional. You want something sexy. Your baby is screaming for milk.

What size? What type? And most importantly – when exactly should you be fit for one?

These are the questions we hear from all of our new moms. In the midst of all of this confusion, at the Pump Station & Nurtury™ we have tried our best to bring clarity to the whole Nursing Bra dilemma.

Moms often ask us – “Why do I need a good Nursing Bra?” Our answer simply stated: Before and after pregnancy breasts go through many changes, they are getting fuller, heavier and sensitive. You need to find a bra that is functional, comfortable and makes you feel good about the changes your body is undergoing.

Sleep/Transition bras:
At some point during your last month of pregnancy it is a good time to purchase your first two Sleep/Transition bras. These are great because they have a size range that will accommodate the changes you are going through just before delivery and shortly afterwards. The Bravado Original Nursing Bra is great for maternity and nursing because of its ability to be supportive while flexible with your changing body.

About 2 weeks after delivery, we recommend that you wear a more structured bra that offers better support. Here are some types of bras you might want to consider:

Soft Cup Nursing Bras:
Soft Cup Nursing Bras are a great choice about two weeks postpartum. Because these will be more size specific, they will have a more secure feel and therefore be more comfortable and that is what soft cups are about: Comfort, Comfort & more Comfort!

Full Figured Nursing Bras:
Unparalleled fit, comfort, support and quality! Choose from comfortable functional bras to beautiful and sexy ones from makers such as Bravado, Anita & Medela. Full Figured Nursing Bras provide the additional support that is needed for larger sizes.

Underwire Nursing Bras:
Underwire Nursing Bras are a good choice for the woman who is accustomed to wearing this type of bra and like they way they feel. The most important thing about underwire is the fit, so if you feel any changes, it is time to get your size re-evaluated.

Specialty Bras & Supports:
We highly recommend the Easy Expressions Hands Free Pumping Bra. This is great for the Mom who will be going back to work or for the Mom that will want to pump from home.

Please remember, if you are looking for assistance in determining your correct bra size you can check out our online fitting guide or come into our store and be measured by one of our experienced customer service representatives.

Good luck with your shopping for Nursing Bras!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz. Oh What A Relief It Is -- Relief for Newborns Troubled by Painful Gas


By Wendy Haldeman MN, RN, IBCLC, Co-Founder of The Pump Station & Nurtury™

Newborns and very young infants are often troubled by painful gas. If the baby is distressed, you can bet that the parents are stressed and looking for the perfect remedy.

The truth is that almost all babies under 12 weeks of age will experience some level of gastric upset on a daily basis. The majority of babies will magically recover with time as the leading cause of gas is an immature gut. Babies are also anatomically challenged due to their lack of abdominal muscle tone making it difficult to push out the gas. In addition, infants tend to clinch their anal sphincter, making it more difficult to pass the gas.

Common relief measures include abdominal massage, applying pressure to the abdomen, bicycling the infant’s legs, and performing the “air chair” (hold baby with their back against your chest. Gently bend baby’s knees and press the bent legs into baby’s chest). Breast feeding moms will try eliminating different foods from their diets, while formula feeding moms switch formulas. Parents are also recommended to give their infant oral preparations such as chamomile tea, gripe water and/or simethicone (brand name Mylicon).

There is now a new remedy which is getting attention: probiotics. According to the World Health Organization probiotics are live bacteria which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. What does that mean to you and your baby? The gut requires “good” bacteria for digestion and protects us from infection. As the infant is building his gut flora during the first three months, there is growing evidence that a daily dose of probiotics may boost the number of good bacteria and ease the baby’s digestion, i.e., LESS GAS!

A recent study published in Pediatrics (Vol. 119, No, 1, 2007) compared probiotics with the use of simethicone in the treatment of infantile colic. Infants were given a daily dose of either probiotics or simethicone for 28 days. After seven days, the babies given probiotics cried an average of 18 minutes less per day. At the end of 28 days, the infants on probiotics cried 94 minutes less on average per day than the babies who were treated with simethicone. This is great news for any parents who are desperately trying to calm a fussy, colicky, irritable baby.

Probiotics are available in many health food stores. The preparation appropriate for infants generally comes in a powder and requires reconstituting with water. A great new product available from Sweden is called Biogaia. The advantage of this product is that it in liquid form. Parents are able to simply eye dropper a few drops into their infant’s mouth each day. The only trick to using this preparation is that it must be kept cold.

If you are the parent of a seemingly inconsolable fussy, irritable baby, probiotics may be of great help. Assuming that your health care provider has determined that your baby is healthy, just “fussy, high-needs, colicky”, this remedy is worth considering.