Review of thebump.com

I’ve seen thebump.com, owned by the popular wedding planning site theknot.com, receive increased attention lately. I decided to see how well breastfeeding was represented and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. Breastfeeding is present on the birth plan pdf they’ve created and it even has an option you can check for a lactation consultant visit. Breastfeeding is mentioned in several key places and in some it is listed first, before formula. I have a couple of suggestions to make this popular stop by expecting mothers even more breastfeeding friendly. It is my belief (and the reason I do everything I do) if expectant mothers can be prepared with realistic expectations, resources, health information and hospital-stay tips they can breastfeed for longer and have a more enjoyable experience.

Good job: 1) Under Newborn and Baby section on the left nav I am happy to see a Breastfeeding Log. It communicates the assumption the new mom will be breastfeeding. 2) In the article Top 10 Breastfeeding Questions, Answered, #7 deals with low milk supply and checking if baby is growing properly. The answer is great! It says to make sure your baby’s growth is being plotted by the WHO’s breastfeeding chart (and not against babies fed formula) and the answer DOES NOT suggest supplementing with formula. Way to go! 3) There are many articles with breastfeeding advice and several breastfeeding experts weigh in on different topics.

Missed Opportunities: 1) Pregnancy Checklist – this lists everything from the tests to schedule to childbirth classes to shopping for maternity clothes but does not mention researching and taking breastfeeding classes, getting a book on breastfeeding or gathering a breastfeeding support group. There is a mention of interviewing a doula but the focus is on having a doula during labor and deliver and only does lip service to the value a doula can offer to a new breastfeeding mom. 2) In the main nav on the left side of the page under Pregnancy I would love to see breastfeeding have it’s own link/section. Again, the sooner an expectant mom can begin thinking and preparing for breastfeeding the more successful she will be. 3) I’m not happy at all about the answer given regarding weaning help at six months. The “breastfeeding” writer for thebump.com includes the statement “studies show that weaning is easiest before age 1” as an encouragement to start weaning at 6 months and advises to replace nursings with bottlefeeding. She DOESN’T include the studies that prove disease prevention (breast cancer, ovarian cancer, diabetes, etc.,) is the highest when breastfeeding is continued past 1 year of age and the studies that show baby is getting customized nutrition from breastmilk still at age 1 and beyond. The author also goes on to say the worst part “you’re saving yourself a major headache later on” by weaning by age 1. How about the headache of increased illness, higher medical bills, more frequent visits to the doctor, etc. 4) The site includes a checklist for Feeding Supplies along with a big picture of bottles. Why not choose a breastfeeding mother and baby instead? The checklist includes lots of supplies first and then a section for nursing moms at the bottom. I’d like to see these sections reversed with the nursing moms section at the top and the supplies for formula feeding at the bottom. 5) Under Q&A, the bump.com answers the question “Am I a bad mommy if I don’t breastfeed”. Questions like this fuel the mommy wars and keep breastfeeding an emotionally charged conversation. The question might have been worded “I want to be the best mommy I can – where can I find an accurate comparison and more information on breastfeeding and formula feeding?” This type of question puts all the burden on the facts and statistics and off of the mommies. 6) I looked for encouragement and articles on breastfeeding multiples but could not locate any. As a multiples mom still nursing 17 month old twins I am passionate about encouraging expectant moms of multiples to know breastfeeding is absolutely possible. Hey, maybe they’ll let me write an article. 7) As contrary as it sounds the hospital can sabotage early efforts at breastfeeding. A good list for moms to review about what to expect and ask for at the hospital to increase breastfeeding success early on would be beneficial. For example, it is important to breastfeed in the first hour. The nursery staff should not give pacifiers, supplemental formula or sugar water to a breastfed baby (unless medically advised in an unusual circumstance). A breastfeeding mom’s wishes should be written down for the nursery staff so they can help support her while she’s establishing breastfeeding.

Extensive review of the site does show they were careful to include lots of breastfeeding information and sought help to ensure they were properly covering this topic. Overall I’d give thebump.com a B minus on its breastfeeding coverage. Adding a link under the Pregnancy nav on the left side (so that breastfeeding is considered well in advance of birth), adding a breastfeeding class or book purchase to the pregnancy checklist, rewriting the 6-month weaning question, a hospital advice piece and an article on breastfeeding multiples would raise the grade to an A.