Table of contents:
1. History of breastfeeding
2. Breastfeeding - why not?
3. Breastfeeding bra and what comes next?
4. Mamatu breastfeeding clothes
5. Breastfeeding sweatshirts
6. Smart breastfeeding blouses
7. Breastfeeding dresses
8. Clothes for daily feeding
History of breastfeeding
The beginning of time
In prehistoric times breastfeeding followed primary, instinctive reflexes. Mother continued feeding as long as the living conditions were making it difficult for the child to absorb other food. As scientific research indicates, in the stone age children were using their mother's milk until the age of 4 or even 6 – so up to the point when they developed molar teeth and were able to absorb regular, hard food. It had probably changed along with the transformation of people's lifestyle. The departure from the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and rapid development of agriculture have significantly reduced the time when babies were exclusively breastfed. Women started to have more and more obligations, taking care of everyday agricultural activities. This effectively detracted them from raising children, allowing babies to become independent in terms of nutrition.
Antiquity
First recorded scripts on breastfeeding come from The Middle East and are dated to around 3000 BC. Their main suggestion is for the child to have access to milk until the 2nd-3rd year of life.
Funny, as it may seem, in the ancient period men were the ones making rules and dictating the breastfeeding conditions. For example Plutarch of Chaeronea claimed that only mothers should breastfeed their children, Caesar Antoninus Pius encouraged natural feeding by giving mothers lavish payments and Lycurgus, the legendary lawgiver of Sparta, made breastfeeding a decree-supported civic duty.
In time, a new tendency appeared – rich upper-crust women or egyptian members of royal families as well as roman patricians started to use the institution of wet-nursing. There could be truly a great deal of reasons for that – an eager to live a full social life, a desire to stay sexually attractive or possibly men actively opposing to the constant presence of kids around. In ancient Mesopotamia the legal issues concerning contracts between mothers and wet-nurses were regulated by The Code of Hammurabi.
Medieval times
In medieval Europe a wet-nurse could find employment in every rich family's home.
The main task of a noble woman was to give birth to as many potential heirs as possible. That involved the need to stop lactation, otherwise the time between offsprings would be too long, and this could negatively influence opinion of the whole family. At the time, there was also a popular opinion that colostrum, or mother's first milk, was a substance that was unclean and harmful to children. Usualy after birth mother waited a few first hours (or even days) of the infants's life before starting proper breastfeeding. This didn't bring medieval children anything good for the first portion of mother's milk contains the highest dose of immune antibodies and during that time, there was a tremendous viral and bacterial mortality. If children survived to the point of being separated from milk, women encountered huge problems with breaking this habit. To effectively discourage children they wiped their bosom with wormwood.
Modern era
It was only the age of enlightment that brought about changes in the upper-crust way of thinking. Queen Marie Antoinette broke an order of her mother, Maria Theresa, and stoped a, hundrets of years old, tradition of the french court, deciding on natural feeding of her own children.
Over the centuries, there have also been attempts of artifficial feeding, however this mostly concerned orphans and often ended prematurily with infants' death. For this purpose, a mixture of water, flour and cow or goat milk was used.
XIX century and contemporary times
In the second half of the XIX century first milk powder was produced. The invention coincided with the invention of a teat and a bottle, which saved lives of children who did not tolerate their mother's milk. Simultainiously an unlimited access to imperishable supplies of food for infants has caused propagation of artificial feeding all over the world. Modified milk was concidered more valuable and better balanced than maternal and was recommended in hospitals worldwide. In Poland in the 70's and 80's natural breastfeeding was concidered a sign of backwardness and women were prescribed lactose-depleting medications and encouraged to feed their babies with a bottle.
Presently, however, the impotance of human immune complexes, that enhance the natural immunity of infants, is of great importance. Knowing that the most important nutrients are accuired with mother's milk effectively pulls women away from the powder and bottle.
Breastfeeding – why not?
According to the data from the Central Statistical Office from 2014, 98% of polish mothers feed their babies in hospital, but only 46% continue to breastfeed when the baby is 6 weeks old. Why is this happening? Polish women give different answers. First of all – they return to work and don't have enough milk. Also often the case is that the toddler refuses to continue receiving milk. But some women also declare lack of support from their families and midwifes and mental resistance, which may be associated with social condemnation for mothers daring to feed their children in public.
The controversy associated with this is mainly due to the association of feminine breasts with the intimate, erotic, and the moment in which they are presented in a completely different, though original role for them, makes it impossible to know how to behave. People at the sight of exposed bust react very differently. Some frown and look away, others secretly glance with a stupid smile, others are outraged and ready to approach and loudly give them a piece of their mind... Or even to call the city guard! Of course, mainly due to social campaigns and the rise of awareness regarding the beneficence of natural feeding, there are also warm and cordial voices. Passers-by praise moms for their courage, stop to look at the children and cheerfully greet them. The social pressure for a mother to stay at home or to breastfeed while sitting on a toilet in a tight cubicle in a mall makes some moms permanently discouraged from natural feeding. Well, they should not be! Certainly not for reasons like this. All they need to do is do it discreetly and practically.
Breastfeeding bra and what comes next?
For the unkind to leave a breastfeeding mother alone, it is enough to separate them from the views that cause such unhealthy emotions. That is why it's essential to have a functional outfit while strolling and shopping. Essential in this case will definitely be a practical and comfortable breastfeeding bra. On the market there are dosens of different models and cuts for bras with removable fabric around the nipple, which gives the baby easy access to the breast and the mom does not have any difficulty removing, fastening and improving the entire bra. All right, the first step is already behind us. We are further rescued by specially designed Mamatu clothing for easy breastfeeding. This is a revolutionary invention that will improve life of any fully living, active and breastfeeding woman. No pulling sweatshirts through the head, unbuttoning the endless number of buttons on a shirt or struggling with an old top. Even if the baby is about to ask for a meal every half of an hour, there is nothing easier than to unzip the hidden zipper of a sweatshirt and comfortably put the baby to the breast.
Mamatu breastfeeding clothes : 8 reasons why you will fall in love with the quality
Our breastfeeding clothes are a guarantee of the highest quality. It consists of a dozen or so factors that make Mamatu clothing an absolute must have in every young mom's closet. These are most of all:
Convenience
Maternity clothing is meant to serve mothers in their day to day functioning and to make them feel comfortable in any situation. Mamatu's clothes are extremely soft and flexible, perfectly suited to your silhouette and they do not squeeze any part of your body. It's just fun to have them on!Excellent appearance
A breastfeeding mom also wants to look good. Enough with the image of a young mother in a loose tracksuit and with untidy hair. Even when a woman does not part with her ever-hungry baby, her outfit can still make the right impression. The times when pregnancy clothes and clothes for young moms looked like tent sheets have been over for long. Our style and color designs are a real feast for any fashion lover out there!Functions for easy feeding
From now on, we put an end to putting a sweater on your head, showing your belly or demonstrating to everyone the color of your bra. Properly placed zippers or double layers of fabric will make feeding a simple and relaxing activity.Unlimited time to wear
You have stopped feeding? No worries. Our clothes look so discreet that they will serve you for a long time. Zippers that make breastfeeding easy also have a decorative value, and some unaware surely will not find out their real purpose.Native products
All Mamatu clothes are made in Poland and we use only Polish fabrics of the highest quality for their sewing. There's no place like home!Clothes with a tad of individualism
During the making process, we work with our tailors, so every thing is a result of manual work and personal involvement in the project. If you need clothes with a soul, you found the right place.Our care for the environment
Our fabrics have all the necessary ecological certificates, so we protect the environment and the health of our customers.Durable and reliable knitwear
Our clothes do not deform while being worn. The fabric does not pill and the elbows do not wear out. Laundry also does not adversely affect the quality and durability of our knitwear, so Mamatu clothing is a purchase valuable for years.
Special breastfeeding clothes for you
No matter your lifestyle, daily schedule or preferred fashion, in the product range of our store you can find breastfeeding clothing for various occasions:
Breastfeeding sweatshirts – look trendy during shopping
If you are going on an all-day hunt to the mall and need some comfortable and urban style clothes, Mamatu's sweatshirts are exactly what you need. They are comfortable, soft and pleasant to touch with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 environmental certificate, which guarantees safety for both the mother and the baby. Each of the sweatshirts has large zippers locks that make it easy to breastfeed at any time - just unzip the sweatshirt from the top and put the baby to the breast. In addition, the zippeers a perfect decoration and give the sweats a fresh, youthful look.
Mamatu sweatshirts come in a great amount of colors. Here you can find the classic and universal black hoodies, as well as expressive and colorful sweatshirts with cheerful designs. Furthermore, we have lots and lots of grey shades - all with neon accents in the form of zippers and inside of hoods that create a sporty look.
An interesting modification of the classic breastfeeding sweatshirt is a blouse-dress: practically knee-length, soft, loose and very comfortable version for ladies who have gained a few additional kilograms after the pregnancy or do not like to wear trousers (warm leggings are great for this option). The blouse is also perfectly suited as an extra piece of clothing for cooler days.
Smart breastfeeding blouses - Don't give up on style
There is far more to mom's life than just obligations, that's why Mamatu also has something for women who do not want to give up afternoon meetings with friends or a restaurant dinner. Especially for them we have created smart envelope blouses in delicate shades of beige or gray. They are perfectly suited for suit trousers and high heels as well as for a simple black skirt. And most importantly, their cut allowes a discreet spread of fabric and comfortable breastfeeding in a public place without the presence of malicious whispers or irritated looks sent from passers-by. This is an option that will be perfect also for family holidays. The uncles and aunts at the table wouldn't even notice that you are feeding your baby!
Breastfeeding dresses - how to act?
Your summer wardrobe is undeniably associated with dresses. However, every breastfeeding mom knows that this is not the best choice for a comfortable access to breasts and thus puts away a lovely dress until the next holidays (and even later, for as we know lactation can last for a really long time!). From now on she will no longer have to do this, because all she needs is a Mamatu breastfeeding dress! We offer wonderfully cut outfits with unnoticible inserts for breasts, which, after opening of microscopic zippers allow the child to enjoy a meal and the mom to finally feel comfortable while breastfeeding. Our dresses come in a straight and frilled version, in a variety of colors: a classic black version is available (a breastfeeding little black dress! :)), as well as an intense raspberry version, in other words there is everything for everyone's taste.
Clothes for daily feeding
For everyday walks we also have for you a line of t-shirts and long sleeve shirts. These breastfeeding clothes are distinguished by a dubble layer of fabric, so that a mom, after rolling up her shirt, still has a flexible top on, wchich effectively hides everything we don't really want to show to the world. The T-shirts are available in pleasant, pastel colors, and this combined with their modern style and original design puts them among the latest fashion trends.
