Breastfeeding 1-2-3 » medela

The Medela Breast Milk Commercial

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:36:30 +0000

After I posted about the Advertising of Infant Milk, two commenters mentioned how much they liked the Medela commercial that has been running on the Discovery Health Channel. Curious to see the “breast milk commercial” myself, I found the 31-second ad on Medela’s website. (Go on, watch it. I’ll wait. Then come back and let me know what you think please!)

What do you think of the ad? My first thought was, “Way to go Medela! You actually showed actual breastfeeding, on television!” (Yes, actually, that is how I actually thought it LOL). Apparently though this version of the ad is a revision from a previous version that received complaints from the lactation community, and still the ad has received criticism for implying that a pump and bottles are necessary for breastfeeding, and for showing breast milk as a commodity in a grocery store, in a newspaper ad with coupons, and on a billboard. The whole point of the ad is that you will not find breast milk that way, but then there is still the impression at the end of the ad that a breastfeeding mother will need a pump to remove the milk from her breasts and need bottles to feed the baby. I don’t know. Medela is already in hot water with some in the lactation community for marketing bottles and nipples (teats) as a feeding system apart from a breast pump in violation of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. That marketing definitely bothers me. But this ad? I guess I am easily swayed by any portrayal of breastfeeding on television and by a cute smiling baby. I didn’t find the ad so troubling, and some breastfeeding women do need pumps and bottles.

So, what do you think of the ad? Is it a great promotion for breastfeeding or a devious undermining of breastfeeding? A little of both?

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Medela Sleep Nursing Bra: a Breastfeeding Product Review

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:58:28 +0000

Welcome Carnival of Breastfeeding readers! This month’s participants each review one or more breastfeeding products (see the links at the end of this post).

Medela Sleep Nursing Bra Review

I ordered a Medela Sleep Nursing Bra when I was pregnant because I was looking for a soft, comfortable nursing bra without hooks or snaps. I was not disappointed! The fabric is 95% cotton, 5% spandex, and it comes in nude or white. The cups cross slightly in front, allowing for easy opening by pulling one cup to the side to reveal the breast. The ultra-lazy (me!) can pull up from the bottom rather than to the side. It has a racerback style and wide shoulder straps (which do leave a mark but are not uncomfortable) and pulls easily over the head. The bra is designed as a sleep nursing bra for holding in nursing pads. While it only offers minimal support, I am comfortable wearing it during the day at home and even under some shirts when I go out (others might prefer more support in a regular nursing bra but I like the comfortable fit and light coverage). At U.S. $19.99 the price is right too!

If you do get a Medela Sleep Nursing Bra, consider the sizing carefully. I tried on a medium during pregnancy, thinking I normally am a 36C. The medium was too small, and I thought I’d grow even bigger when my milk came in so I ordered an extra-large. In the end I fit best in the large.

Other Product Reviews for the Carnival of Breastfeeding (updates throughout the day)

Breastfeeding Mums: The Food of Love book by Kate Evans
Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog: Breastfeeding and Pumping CDs, including a giveaway
Mama Knows Breast: Utterly Yours Breast Pillow and Pregnancy Pillow
Blacktating: Products intended to boost milk supply
Babyfingers: Bravado Essential Nursing Bra Tank
Half Pint Pixie: Gorgeous nursing bras
Mama’s Magic: Breastfeeding Basics and Bling!
Layla Beth Munk: Medela Nipple Shields, Lansinoh, Gilligan & O’Malley nursing bras, and So That’s What They’re For
Hobo Mama: Cloth nursing pads

Other Product Reviews at Breastfeeding 1-2-3

~ Compilation of breastfeeding product reviews from many breastfeeding bloggers
~ Soothies Gel Pads
~ Medela Nipple Shields
~ Traditional Medicinals Mother’s Milk Tea

Leave a Comment

Have you tried the Medela Sleep Nursing Bra or any of the other products mentioned? Leave a comment!

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Breastfeeding Product Reviews: Medela Nipple Shields

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:06:34 +0000

There are many breastfeeding products I have never tried. Over the next few weeks I will be featuring three different products in the hopes that readers will contribute their reviews in the comments section. So please do leave a comment — long, short, positive, negative — I want to hear your input on what worked and didn’t work for you. First up are Medela Standard Nipple Shields (16mm). For a long time women were discouraged from using nipple shields (particularly the rubber variety). Now there are improved versions made of silicone, but still women are cautioned against using them unless there is a clear need and an understanding how to use them properly and how to wean from nipple shields to the breast.

Did you use nipple shields? Were they helpful or a hindrance? How did you get the proper size? Did you try the Medela brand and would you use it again? Were you able to wean from the nipple shields to the breast?

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Inspiration for Lactation Consultants

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:42:04 +0000

Medela put together a video in honor of the field of lactation consultants. Lactation consultants who need a pick-me-up, or candidates striving to become lactation consultants, could get a lot of affirmation and inspiration from this thoughtful tribute. Watch “One Mother at a Time” (click on your choice of media player: QuickTime or Flash).

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How Do You Pronounce “Medela”?

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:57:31 +0000

It’s hard enough trying to pronounce “La Leche League.” Add in the name of the popular breast pump maker “Medela” and it’s no wonder some of us get confused. Worry no more: Medela is pronounced “meh-DEE-la.”

Medela is a Swiss company founded in 1961. It makes the personal use pumps the Medela New Pump In Style Original Breast Pump and the Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump. It also makes hospital-grade pumps designed for multiple users: the Symphony, Lactina and Classic. I used the Medela Lactina when my second child was hospitalized with a high fever at six weeks (thank goodness she turned out to be fine and I continued to breastfeed her as much as she was able and pumped only occasionally for my comfort). I was shocked how much milk I could pump in such a short time with the Lactina. I’m a hand-express kind of a girl but if I ever needed a pump temporarily I would not hesitate to rent a hospital grade Medela pump (especially now that I know how to pronounce the name!)

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