Breastfeeding bracelets: Do you need one?

Need help in tracking your breastfeeding schedule? Breastfeeding bracelets can do the trick. See what they do and how you can make your own!

Breastfeeding bracelets

As a new mum, do you find yourself having moments of being slightly more scatterbrained than before pregnancy? Exhale that breath of air you were holding. It's absolutely normal to feel that way!

"Forgetfulness is a natural part of a woman's defense mechanism after the pain and rigors of childbirth," explains gynaecologist Dr. Sharon Phelan of the New Mexico School of Medicine in a Daily Mail article. Although temporary, we know just how pesky it can be having the tiniest of things like feeding time slip your mind. Fortunately, there is a way around this: breastfeeding bracelets.

1. What are breastfeeding bracelets?

Breastfeeding bracelets are a great way to remind yourself when you last nursed baby, and whether you ended with your right or left breast. They work in the most convenient way: each bracelet comes with a charm, which you can use to keep track of the time you last fed your little one by simply sliding the charm over the appropriate numbers.

Lactation experts recommend letting your baby nurse for as long as he wants before changing sides. When you next feed baby, you should start with the breast you last ended with.

2. How useful are breastfeeding bracelets?

If you seem to have contracted a temporary case of mumnesia (mum amnesia!), breastfeeding bracelets could be a great way to combat the problem, particularly when it comes to feeding your little bundle. Newborn babies need to be fed at regular intervals to ensure their growth and development is not affected, so it's essential that a feeding routine be established early on.

3. Where can I get them?

A variety of online stores hawk breastfeeding bracelets and other nursing jewelry at affordable prices so every mum can easily own one. Try these: Mothers Minder I Love My Baby Bracelet, Mummytoon.com, from S$5 International stores: (all prices exclude shipping charges) Mama Jewels, UK, from S$30 Organic Mama's Shop, USA, from S$38

Or learn how to DIY your own bracelet by clicking on Next!

4. DIY: your very own breastfeeding bracelet!

If you can't seem to find what you're looking for online, it might be a good idea to DIY your own breastfeeding bracelet! The best part is, you'll have the freedom to choose the exact colours and style for your nursing bracelet, one you can truly call your own. We've created an easy step-by-step instructional, just for you.

You'll need:

Durable ribbon, elastic or wire, of suitable length so it doesn't catch at your wrist Beads of different colours and shapes, or with numbers on them. Choose what suits your style and would make you feel most comfortable. A clip-on charm. This will be your marker, so choose something you really like!

5. DIY: your very own breastfeeding bracelet!

To make your nursing bracelet:

Knot one end of the string, then string on a starter bead. String your first number bead, or the bead you plan to use to represent the numbers on a clock. This bead represents 1:00pm. Add your next three beads to the string. These beads represent 1:15pm, 1:30pm and 1:45pm respectively. Now string the second number bead for 2:00pm. Follow with another three beads to represent the subsequent timings (2:15, 2:30 and 2:45pm). Repeat process, until you've reached the bead representing 12:45pm. Finish with a bead similar to your starter bead, to indicate the end of the bracelet. Now knot the end of the bracelet. If you're using wire, remember to tuck the ends into the starter and ending beads so they don't poke you or baby! You're done when you've attached the clip-on charm. This should be used as your marker.

Pssst... If you can't find beads with numbers, grab a permanent marker and mark the first bead of each hour. Your nursing bracelet also makes for a lovely keepsake, so don’t throw it out the moment you realise you don’t need it anymore!