CALL FOR ENTRIES: Little Stinker Brand Ambassador

Brand Ambassador 2012

“No More Stinky Kids” Campaign

At Little Stinker, we believe in creating a community and having fun. We are looking for though leaders in the baby and toddler blog community. You will launch our “No More Stinky Kids” campaign.

By creating a brand ambassador program we hope to: 1) Spread the word about our products; 2) Create loyal product users; 3) Increase Amazon sales.

It’s not just about doing a blog post or giveaway, it’s about incorporating the brand into your day to day life.

As a Little Stinker Brand Ambassador, you’ll be part of a community of moms like you. As a Brand Ambassador you will have access to an exclusive “The Embassy” Facebook group where you will have insider information on contests and promotions.

You’ll be able to brag to your friends with a spiffy “Little Stinker Ambassador button”. You’ll also get your own fancy business cards to pass out at blogger events and conferences.

If this sounds like something you'd like to be apart of, fill out the information below and send it to Kathy.

Sound like something you’d like to be apart of?

1. Send 2-3 paragraph summary or video why you’d like to be a Little Stinker Brand Ambassador to kathy@littlestinkerusa.com

2. Include your stats (ambassadorship is not determined on stats, we’re interested more about community and readership).

a. Name

b. Email

c. Phone

d. Are you expecting or have recently had a baby?

i. Yes or no

ii. Age of Children

e. Have you been a brand ambassador before?

f. Blog URL

g. Twitter Handle & number of followers

h. Facebook Page & number of followers

i. Press Kit (if you have one)

j. Monthly Page Views

k. Monthly Unique visitors

l. Klout score (if you have one)

m. Alexa score

3. Anything else you feel should be considered

The Sunscreen Smokescreen

(via Swiss Miss)

See the Environmental Working Group’s assessment for health sunscreens:http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/

All our data, calculations and references here:
http://www.bit.ly/sunscreensmoke

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RESEARCH & DESIGN: DAVID MCCANDLESS
RESEARCH: MIRIAM QUICK
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH: JAMES KEY, PEARL DOUGHTY-WHITE
ADDITIONAL DESIGN: PIERO ZAGAMI, DEREK GUO, JOE SWAINSON
SOURCES: THE BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL, CANCER RESEARCH UK, WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION, PUBMED, NORWEGIAN INSTITUTE FOR AIR RESEARCH, HEALTH CANADA, SKIN CANCER FOUNDATION, NATURE, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY, NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE, NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF HEALTH & WELFARE, JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP, NEW YORK TIMES, WIKIPEDIA.
DATA & RESEARCH: SEE IT ALL HERE: HTTP://WWW.BIT.LY/SUNSCREENSMOKE

Affiliate Program Beta

Are you looking to earn a little extra money?

Little Stinker would like to support those that love our products by rolling out our Affiliate Program. Right now we are Beta testing the concept and would love to have your feedback.

What kinds of affiliate programs have you used?
What do you like about those programs?
What would make it totally rock?

A Little Stinker Affiliate can offer free shipping to their readers and simply place a button on their blog. This button will have a unique use code that is tied to your account. For every product that someone else buys you can earn between $1.00-$1.50. You might not be able to retire off this but a little extra cash to pay for gas or something fun at Target is always nice!

Email me if you're interested: kathy (at) littlestinkerUSA (dot) com

American Baby Magazine

Have you seen the July issue of American Baby Magazine? Little Stinker's Cooling Breast Cream is featured on page 15 :)

I love getting the mail, especially when there is a nice surprise like this:

The Cooling Breast Cream was developed to help relieve the discomfort associated with sore and tender breasts.

Perhaps the least talked about topic is how uncomfortable nursing can actually be. Often when your milk first comes in or when trying to ween, engorgement can be a real issue. The heat and and discomfort can sometimes make you feel like you're going to burst. Our naturally-inspired Cooling Breast Cream is formulated with a high concentration of cabbage and just a touch of spearmint oil to help quench that fire.

1 fl oz. / 29 ml
Price: $14.95

Awesome Uses
• Massage cream onto each breast as needed in circular motions.

• Store in the refridgerator between uses for an extra cooling sensation with each use.

Ingredients Water, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Vegetable Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Vegetable Stearic Acid, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate. *Certified Organic

Breastfeeding 101: Starting solids

(via Cafe Mom )

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization, to name a couple, all suggest breastfeeding exclusively for at least the first six months of a baby's life. That means no water, formula, or anything else that could mess with the internal flora of baby's sensitive gut.

Eventually, they will start eating solid food called "complementary foods," which aren't there to provide too much for the baby yet, as breast milk is still their MAIN source of nutrition. The WHO says the transition period from breast milk to solids takes place between 6-24 months, meaning this isn't an overnight or quick process -- foods are meant to just be introduced slowly.

But when introducing solids to a breastfed baby, you have tofind a good balance between the solids and breastfeeding, or your supply can take a hit.

Wait until your baby is ready to start solids: some will be ready at 6 months, others aren't yet.Some people think their babies are ready before, but often it's growth spurts or natural curiosity about Mommy's things they're seeing. Babies like to mimic mom and dad, but that doesn't mean their body's ready for food.

If your baby is under 6 months but wants to grab your plate, offer an empty bowl and baby spoon for them to play with (invisible dinner!), or even consider some frozen breast milk in a mesh feeder (great for teething!). Since we can't see into the intestines of every infant to see if the cell lining of the gut has closed up, we have to go by external guidelines.Your baby is ready to start solids if:

• They're 6 months old or more.
• They can sit up unassisted for a period of time.
• They can pick up food and maneuver it into their own mouth.
• They no longer have the tongue-thrust reflex where things put in the front of their mouth are pushed out instantly (putting spoons deeper into their mouth can bypass the tongue thrust, but doesn't mean they're ready).
• You've accounted for growth spurts (common at 6 months) and baby still shows some signs of hunger.

If you've met all that, then go ahead and NURSE YOUR BABY FIRST (always nurse before offering solids) and then try a simple first food like sweet potatoes or avocado. Rice cereal really isn't necessary. If you're going the baby food route, consider making it yourself so you can find textures your baby likes best, or go the baby-led solids route and let baby start out feeding themselves whole, soft pieces with their hands.

Just like with breastfeeding, respect your baby's signals. If they turn their head away, don't open their mouth, or spit food out, just stop. Don't try to play games to get them to open their mouth so you can push food in. They don't NEED foods yet anyway. All food in the first year is really for learning, so the nutrition still is coming from you. Some babies don't want to start solids until they're closer to their birthday, and that's okay.

More than anything, keep up your nursing, always nurse before offering food, and if baby is eating solids well but nursing less, cut back on solids. The breast milk is much more important to their nutrition at this point, and even into the second year, it provides at least half of the nutrition they need, so you've got plenty of time to allow your baby to go at their own pace. Slow down and enjoy it.

How did you introduce solids to your EBF baby?

Little Stinker natural skin care for baby and mom

Little Stinker's natural skin care product for baby and mom relieve the pains of smells of parenthood.



Little Stinker™ Baby Butt Spray

The Baby Butt Spray was developed to de-stinkify your little ones while gently moisturizing their little bums.

In fact, your baby will smell so fresh and clean, you’ll probably want to eat them . . . but you know . . . don’t do that! Let Little Stinker be the perfect answer for your poopy prancer.




Little Stinker™ Natural Nursing Balm

Little Stinker Natural Nursing Balm
Modern science continues to discover amazing health benefits associated with breastfeeding. It is considered to be an intuitive and even spiritual connection between mother and child. That being said,why do your “girls” feel like they have been through a scorching meat grinder after feeding your baby? Stop torturing yourself and enjoy breastfeeding again with our all-natural Nursing Balm.

Little Stinker™ Natural Nursing Balm is a safe and effective solution to cracked, dry skin associated with breastfeeding.



Little Stinker™ Cooling Breast Cream
The Cooling Breast Cream was developed to help relieve the discomfort associated with sore and tender breasts.

Perhaps the least talked about topic is how uncomfortable nursing can actually be. Often when your milk first comes in or when trying to ween, engorgement can be a real issue. The heat and and discomfort can sometimes make you feel like you're going to burst. Our naturally-inspired Cooling Breast Cream is formulated with a high concentration of cabbage and just a touch of spearmint oil to help quench that fire.

Diapering Tip

Do you have a diapering tip or parent advice? Share it with us, we'd love to hear from you!

Here is my little stinker demonstrating how to avoid getting poop in her hair:

Don't be without your Little Stinker

Thanks Jennifer from Little Buns for posting this video!

We met Jennifer in Las Vegas at the ABC Show and she is super sweet in real life, too!

Get Kathy's Slow Cooker Reciepe over at IS THIS REALLY MY LIFE blog

Need a quick meal? Check out Kathy's slow cooker tortilla soup recipe over at IS THIS REALLY MY LIFE blog

http://www.isthisreallymylife.com/2011/03/slow-cooker-anyday-chicken-tortilla-soup/

Zion's Bank features Little Stinker on blog

Little Stinker is featured on the Zion's Bank Blog. You can read the article here:

http://blog.zionsbank.com/community/community-business-spotlight-little-stinker/

Winter Skin Care Tips

During the cold winter months, you might notice that your children gain a “rosy” glow to their faces. The same winter conditions that cause the rosy hue can also bring more serious skin issues, including uncomfortable dryness to their hands, face, and feet. Some adults and children may get skin so dry; it results in flaking or cracking.

In reality, it isn’t just the cold outside that is causing the problem. As soon as you turn homes heating system on, the skin starts to dry out – regardless of how you heat your home (e.g. oil, wood, electricity, gas). So how do you keep you and your children’s skin healthy during the winter? Below are a few simple tricks to keeping skin feeling soft and healthy when it’s cold outside:

1. Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. The skin cannot repair itself properly if the body is dehydrated.
2. Consider a humidifier. Adding moisture back to the air is a good way to keep skin from drying. Good humidifiers can be purchased at any major retailer.
3. Use a natural oil-based moisturizer. This will help protect your skin from moisture loss, by creating a barrier. When choosing a moisturizer that will be applied to your face, look for one that contains non-clogging oils, such as avocado, sweet almond, jojoba, or primrose oil. Also look for one that contains humectants, such as glycerin.
4. Use sunscreen. Just because the summer is over, don’t say goodbye to your sunscreen. Before leaving your house, apply a sunscreen with at least a SPF of 15. Also, try to choose a product that combines a sunscreen with a moisturizer.
5. Wear gloves. Choose a quality pair made of materials that do not irritate the skin. If you or your children are allergic to wool, a cotton mitten can be worn underneath. Not only will it keep your hands warm, it also protects them from the harsh elements.
6. Proper nutrition. Foods rich in omega fatty acids are not just good for your skin, but provide other healthy benefits. Antioxidants, found in fruits and vegetables are also great for skin health.
7. Don’t lick your lips. I know it’s tempting, but you’ll only chap your lips even more. Keep a lip balm in your purse or diaper bag and apply it as necessary. The Little Stinker™ Natural Nursing Balm is also great for chapped, dry lips.

By following the simple suggestions noted above, you and your kids can spend more time enjoying the winter holidays and less time suffering the effects of dry, chapped skin.

The "Take 10, Tell 10, Shift 10" Campaign

During Buy Local First Week, November 26-December 4th, 2010, Local First Utah is kicking off the "Take 10, Tell 10, Shift 10" campaign to encourage shoppers to patronize local businesses this holiday season. The three-faceted campaign works like this:

1. Take 10 - Take 10 minutes to educate yourself on the value of shopping locally. For starters, check out the Top Ten Reasons to Shop Locally in this E-News. When you're thirsty for more, visitwww.localfirst.org for many more informative articles.

2. Tell 10 - Go viral! Tell at least ten of your friends, family members, co-workers or neighbors about what you've learned in regard to shopping locally. Get on Facebook or Twitter, and encourage others to both educate themselves and spread the word.

3. Shift 10 - Here's where the rubber hits the road. After all that you've learned, and what you've shared with the people around you, we ask you to make the "Local Gift Shift." We encourage you to spend at least 10 percent of your holiday shopping budget at local, independent businesses. Already a committed local shopper? Then we encourage you to shift an additional 10 percent of your holiday shopping to local stores. Every dollar counts, and every dollar makes a difference in our community!

In addition to the Take 10, Tell 10, Shift 10 Campaign, the five neighborhood business district of Salt Lake City have joined with Local First offering special discounts to local shoppers. Keep an eye out while you're shopping at the participating businesses of 15th &15th, 9th & 9th, Sugarhouse, Broadway and the West Side, for our Take 10, Tell 10, Shift 10 promotional materials.

Buy Local First Week Calendar of Events

Buy Local First Week kicks into gear on November 26th, the day following Thanksgiving, which is traditionally the busiest shopping season of the year. As the holiday season unfolds, take some time to visit these local, independent retailers, and participate in their events during Buy Local First Week.

Friday, November 26th

• The Old World Christmas Market launches on Friday, November 26th, and will run through December 4th. The Market, which is held at the Union Pacific Depot at The Gateway (400 W. South Temple) is modeled after the Christmas markets of Europe. Visitors can shop for unique, handmade items by local artisans for holiday gift giving. There will be food vendors offering traditional German and Italian flavors of the season including baked goods, candied nuts, spiced cider and hot chocolate. The market is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.

Saturday, November 27th

• American Express is sponosoring Small Business Saturday. As part of its commitment to supporting small businesses, American Express will give you a $25 statement credit when you make a purchase at your favorite local stores and restaurants on Small Business Saturday. Enroll and use your registered American Express Card. Visit www.americanexpress.com for more details.

Wednesday, December 1

• Wasatch Hollow Community Council will host a neighborhood social and pot luck at the 15th Street Gallery, starting at 7 p.m. Local vendors will speak regarding both the history of, and the future vision for, the 15th & 15th neighborhood. For those eager to implement their goal of an additional 10 percent shift in their holiday spending to local business, the 15th Street Gallery, the King’s English Bookshop and the new Caputo’s on 15th will be offering discounts on all purchases made during the evening. For more information, contact Ronda Landa of ICON Design at 801-631-8150 orrondalanda@icondsgn.com.

Thursday, December 2

• Don't miss The King's English Bookshop's Annual Holiday Party from 5-7 p.m, featuring authors, beverages and hors d'oeuvres! Add an additional 10% to the 10% discount for Buy Local First Week to get 20% off purchases. Many favorite local authors will be on hand to sign copies of their books, including Matthew Kirby, Ann Cannon, Kristin Chandler, Gerald Elias, Ann Torrence, Jacob Paul, Sarah DeFord Williams, and more! Call 801-484-9100 or visit www.kingsenglish.com for more information.

• Tea and Fashion Benefit at Beehive Tearoom located at 12 West Broadway. For more information, visit the Tearoom's Web site.

• “Fall into Winter” the Design by Diamond Winter Line Release party will be held at The Holding Company Loft at 600 South 35 East, starting at 6 p.m. “Fall into Winter,” is an evening to exhibit art of all kinds, with a special focus on the wearable art produced by Design by Diamond owner and artist, Nick D’Amico. The night will merge the visual with the audible, featuring the photography of Kaylee Evenson and Mikey Kunde , and the music of Hayden Henderson, Matt Lee and Steele Croswhite. The central focus of the evening is the debut of the 2010 Winter Line of Design by Diamond.

Friday, December 3

• The Cache Valley Winter Market in Logan shows the work of local artisans. With very strict requirements for admission, the show is a wonderful place to see and purchase some of the finest artisan wares available in Northern Utah. Visit the Ellen Eccles Theater at 45 South Main Street, starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, and continuing through the day on Saturday December 4th.

Saturday, December 4

• Stop by The King's English Bookshop at 2 p.m. to celebrate the November 30th publication of "Matched" by Ally Condie. Condie, one of our talented local authors, will read from and sign her new novel for young adults--the first in a highly anticipated trilogy--about Cassia, a 17-year-old girl who's spent her life waiting to learn who "The Society" will select as her ideal mate, only to find herself falling in love with someone else. To arrange an interview, contact Allison Verost at 212-414-3442 orAllison.Verost@us.penguingroup.com.

How to prepare for breastfeeding

* I found this article on my iPhone app from Baby Center and thought I'd share it with you!

Learn as much as you can about breastfeeding even before your baby's born. Talk to nursing moms, read articles to familiarize yourself, and consider calling your local La Leche League International chapter or taking a breastfeeding class (offered by most hospitals) some time in your last trimester. The more you know about how to get started and the benefits of nursing, the better.

Whether you think about it or not, your pregnant body is preparing itself for breastfeeding. That's one reason your breasts get so much bigger during pregnancy – your milk ducts and milk-producing cells are developing, and more blood goes to your breasts than before. (Learn more about how your breasts produce milk.)

But breast size has nothing to do with your ability to nurse successfully: For example, it's not true that smaller-breasted women make less breast milk.

Do I need to toughen my nipples?

No, says Kathleen Huggins, author ofThe Nursing Mother's Companion. The hormonal changes pregnancy brings to your breasts are sufficient preparation for most women. Don't rub or scrub your nipples – this will only hurt you and make breastfeeding difficult. Teaching your baby the right way to latch on to your breast from the beginning is the most effective way to prevent soreness.

What products should I buy?

These products aren't required, by any means, but they can make breastfeeding more comfortable and convenient:

Nursing bras: These bras are comfortable and provide the extra support your larger-than-usual breasts need. They come with flaps that you can easily undo at feeding time.

You may want to wait until the last weeks of pregnancy to shop for nursing bras, when your breasts will be closest to their postpartum size. That said, once your milk comes in your breasts will be bigger. They may even grow another size or two! So keep that in mind when buying nursing bras, and when shopping in person look for a salesperson who's knowledgeable about fitting. (You can wait until after you give birth to make this purchase, but in the early days after delivery you probably won't have the time or energy to go bra shopping.)

Nursing tops and camisoles: These tops have convenient flaps that allow you to breastfeed easily and discreetly. Some of the camisoles are very supportive and can function as a bra and top in one.

Nursing pillows: Specially designed to support your baby while you're nursing, these can help you avoid straining your shoulders or neck during feeding sessions. They're more convenient – and better at keeping your baby in position – than regular pillows.

Breast pads: It's normal for your breasts to leak while you're nursing. Another baby's cry or the sight of an infant can also bring on a gush of milk when you least expect it. Disposable breast pads (or reusable, washable ones) will keep you and your shirts nice and dry.

A breast pump: Even if you're not planning to pump regularly, a breast pump can be a useful tool – to help relieve engorgement, for example. Find out more about buying a breast pump.

Other breastfeeding accessories:Lanolin ointment (available in many drugstores) can help relieve sore nipples. And hot/cold gel packs, which fit inside your bra, can soothe swollen or sore breasts.

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Little Stinker Takes the ‘Un’ out of the Unpleasant Moments of Parenthood

Little Stinker Takes the ‘Un’ out of the Unpleasant Moments of Parenthood

The Blueberry Project combats the toils of raising kids so parents can focus on the joys of parenting

Salt Lake City, UT ( October 1, 2010)-­‐-­‐Parents who are all too familiar with the displeasure of changing odorous diapers, or have struggled through painful breastfeeding or weaning can find
relief with all-­‐natural products launched by The Blueberry Project: Little Stinker Baby Butt Spray, Little Stinker Natural Nursing Balm and Little Stinker Cooling Breast Cream.

Created by parenting trio, Kathy Dalton, Brick Despain and Travis Mackay, The Blueberry Project was founded in 2009 to create products that make child-­‐rearing a better experience. “Let’s face it, raising kids is hard,” shared Brick Despain. “We want to create products that allow
parents to focus on how cool their kids are, rather than the pains and smells of parenthood!”

Little Stinker Butt Spray provides parents with sensory relief during smelly diaper changes while offering a natural, organic product that benefits baby’s skin. Parents can spray the air before changing a diaper to keep odors at bay. The spray may also be used on baby’s bottom after a diaper change to moisturize and protect delicate skin. “There is nothing worse than the
smell after a diaper change. This is a product parents can appreciate,” stated co-­‐founder, Travis
Mackay.

Little Stinker Natural Nursing Balm is formulated from Shea, cocoa and mango, with olive
and rice bran oils to keep nipples soft, healthy and supple during breastfeeding. Balm may be applied liberally after each feeding and does not have to be washed off before nursing. "Breastfeeding is so important to many moms and the ideal way to feed your baby, but nobody really talks about how painful it can be.” Kathy Dalton shared. “With Little Stinker Natural Nursing Balm, we help soothe and calm those sensitive areas with all natural botanicals.”

Little Stinker Cooling Breast Cream helps ease the pain and discomfort of breast engorgement by quickly soothing and cooling breast tissue. Cabbage and spearmint extracts cool
skin on contact. The Blueberry Project encourages use during the initial postpartum period, during weaning or anytime breasts become engorged. Little Stinker products are made in the USA or natural and certified organic ingredients. The company strives for earth, and baby, friendly practices.

The Little Stinker line may be viewed online at http://www.littlestinkerusa.com.
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Little Stinker™ Launches New Product at ABC Kids Expo Show in Las Vegas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Little Stinker™ Launches New Product at ABC Kids Expo Show in Las Vegas

The Utah-Based Company Introduces Cooling Cream for Nursing Mothers

Salt Lake City, UT (October 7, 2010) – Little Stinker™ (www.littlestinkerusa.com), a Utah-based company known for its Baby Butt Spray and Natural Nursing Balm, announces the addition of the Cooling Breast Cream to the company’s list of products. The Cooling Breast Cream will be launched at the ABC Kids Expo Show in Las Vegas on October 10, 2010.

The Cooling Breast Cream is made from natural ingredients, and can be used during initial postpartum or as an adjunct for weaning and suppression. The product is formulated with spearmint oil and cabbage to cool skin on contact and provide relief for engorged breasts.

“We developed the Cooling Breast Cream because we know how important nursing is to mothers, but we also know how painful it can be,” said Kathy Dalton, Chief Marketing Officer of Little Stinker™. “Our mission at Little Stinker™ is, and always will be, to take the ‘un’ out of ‘un-pleasant’ when it comes to parenting.”

The founders of Little Stinker™ will be representing their baby and nursing products at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas October 10-13. The ABC Kids Expo is the premier juvenile products specialty trade show in the nation that focuses on promoting the children’s products industry by providing a place for retailers to create partnerships with children’s product manufacturers.

All Littler Stinker™ products can be purchased from the company website. www.littlestinkerusa.com

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Additional Resources:

About Little Stinker http://www.littlestinkerusa.com/about.html

About ABC Kids Expo Trade Show http://www.theabcshow.com/about.asp

Little Stinker Cooling Cream - Article

What causes breast engorgement and how can it be managed?

Breast engorgement commonly occurs during the first few days after birth, when milk first comes into the breast. When this happens, more blood and fluid flows to the breast and surrounding area causing them to swell. Most women will experience a mild to moderate feeling of breast warmth and heaviness during this process, which is completely normal. However, some women experience true engorgement and find that their breasts have grown rather large, hard, warm, painful, and even lumpy to the touch.

Fortunately, a few days after your milk comes in, your milk supply should naturally adjust to fit your baby’s needs. You can expect relief from the first “normal” engorgement within 24 hours (or a few days if you are not breastfeeding). If these symptoms do not disappear within a few days, or if your breasts do not soften after feeding – home treatment should be initiated.

If you should find that home treatment is necessary – keep in mind that engorgement is very normal and is actually a positive sign. Engorgement simply means that your breasts are realizing their intended purpose and are producing milk to feed your child. And once you get through the initial engorgement, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the unique bond that can be shared between you and your baby. Below are a few tips to help along the way:

• Nurse frequently (every two to three hours) – even if you must wake your baby. This is important because unrelieved breast engorgement can cause a permanent reduction in milk production. Try to get one side as soft as possible. If your baby is satisfied after the first breast, you can offer the other at the next feeding.
• Wear a supportive nursing bra, even at night. However, make sure it isn’t too tight.
• Avoid pumping milk except when you must soften the areola (the dark area around your nipple) or when your baby is unable to latch. Excessive pumping of milk will lead to an overproduction of milk and continual issues with engorgement.
• Avoid having your baby latch when the areola is very hard or firm. To reduce the potential for nipple damage, and to help your baby latch – manually express or pump milk until the areola becomes soft. It might be easier to manually express milk in the shower as the warm water may cause enough leakage to soften the areola.
• To reduce pain and swelling, take ibuprofen or acetaminophen, in accordance with your healthcare provider’s advice.

• If your breasts are still uncomfortable after feeding, apply a cool compress for a short period of time. When used in conjunction with a cool compress, refrigerated Little Stinker™ Cooling Breast Cream will provide additional cooling benefits.
• If you are not breast-feeding, avoid stimulating the nipples and do not apply heat to the breasts – unless it is only to help soften the areola. Heating of the breast may make the condition worse.
• The application of fresh cabbage leaves to the breast has been used traditionally to help relieve discomfort associated with breast engorgement. To do this, strip the main vein from two large, outer leaves and cut a hole in each one for your nipple. Rinse and dry them before placing them on your breasts or into the cups of your bra. As an alternative, the Little Stinker Cooling Breast Cream has been formulated with a high concentration of cabbage leaf extract, which can be gently massaged into each breast.