I found a really good more environmentally friendly way to store breastmilk in the fridge or freezer. I was using disposable milk bags before but I ran out and couldn’t find any in my local malls so was recommended the Avent VIA Breastmilk Containers by a couple of other mums. They stock them in Les Enfant and are around 150rmb for 10 cups. They are pre sterilized and can be reused up to 4 times (think you can probably use them more times if they are still in good conditions). Then they can be recycled. The good thing is that if you have an avent bottle you cand fit the nipple right on the cup and go ahead and feed you baby without transfering the milk to a bottle, and they also fit on the Avent pump.. I don’t have neither but I am still finding them pretty handy.
Half the sky is a US based charity which works at helping orphaned babies and girls in China to have a more fullfiling and nurtured upbringing.
They run 3 main projects:
Baby sister Infant Nurture Center: HTS employs and trains special “Nannies”, local retired women, to spend their days in the orphanage, each holding and playing with 3-3 babies in a relaxed, family-like environment.
Little Sister Preschools: HTS employs young local teachers and then trains them in an innovative and empowering curriculum which combines the western” Reggio Emilia” approach with the best of contemporary Chinese preschool methods.
Big Sister Project: HTS created this program to give older orphaned girls a chance to make something special of their lives. Tailored to the needs of the individual, they provide the services that have the potential to turn a girl’s life arounds: remedial tutoring, middle school tuition, music, computer , langare and vocational training. The hope is that one day they will teach in the HTS schools and share what they’ve learned with their little sisters.
This is just a little bit of information on what they do I got from their flyer, please check out the website for more info.
Apart from sending a donation you can support this charity by buying your breastfeeding cushion from one of their Shanghai based volonteers, the cost for the cushion with 2 covers is of 150rmb and that also pays for an extra cushion to be made and donated to one of the orphanages.
Local volonteers also make hand made cards. You can find their products at of the charity sales that regularly happen around town or by contacting one the volonteers through the contact below.
For info: htsshanghai@halfthesky.org
Local volonteers who have breastfeeding cushions: Lynn Humphreys: lynnhumphreys(at)hotmail.com
Mhairi Higgings: thehigginsclan(at)hotmail.com
For New and Expectant Mothers.
Bumps and Babes ~ supporting expectant mothers and mothers of newborn + young babies
Sponsored by Shanghai Toy Club (www.shanghaitoyclub.com.cn)
Providing parents with quality & hard to find products for sale & rental
Meetings: 9:45am to 11:45am
2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month
Venue: Paulaner
150 Fenyang Lu (cross street Fuxing Lu) French Concession
请带我去汾阳路150号，近复兴路
Cost: 80RMB covering all-you-can eat breakfast, donation to Baobei foundation and admin fees
This well known international breastfeeding association has an active group here in Shanghai, so if you are having any breastfeeding issues check out this page and drop by to one of their regular meetings. They host talks, have a lending library and have slings for sale.
For information in Chinese please click here
Most expat women giving birth in Shanghai are not able to have their own mothers or other family members present to give extra support when and if things are difficult in the first few months or motherhood. The first few weeks especially can be hard and a little hand from another woman who has gone through the same can bring relief and help to getting on track with breastfeeding and sleeping habits.
If you feel like you are in need of any kind of support or if you just want to sit down with someone and clear all the doubts you might have about breastfeeding and baby issues, get in touch with one of the baby groups or schedule a home visit with either Mhairi Higgings or Melaine Bouvard-Sulzer. Don’t struggle alone, help is available!
Melanie is an Obstetric Nurse, Baby Massage Instructor and Breastfeeding Consultant ( International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). She stocks Medela breastfeeding products and breastfeeding cushions.
She carries out home visits to new mothers in German, English, French, Spanish helping with breastfeeding and giving general support and advice.
Mobile: 137 6457 3772
Email: melsu@gmx.ch
Melanie’s website