From Upper Breast Side to Boobs-'n-Burps

And sometimes I will write in English. The blog will not be translated for the rest. Only Ducth or English. My French speaking friends and customers should not feel offended. I do feel warmly for them and my country’s second language, but it’s not my preferred way of communication.

Most important reason to use English is to give Felina a chance to read my blog. She is the owner of the Upper Breast Side in New York , Manhattan ’s first breastfeeding boutique.  Felina is kind of my breastfeeding godmother. She hired me back in 2004 when I got bored being an expat spouse a few months after arriving in the Big Apple. I was pregnant with my first child but was more familiar with the lactation physiology of Friesian Holsteins then what we women come equipped with. In her own no-nonsense-keep-your-tears-inside style, she initiated me in the world of breastfeeding, its problems, and most importantly the solutions. And so I inhaled her philosophy of “that’s where your breasts are for” and “it’s your damn right to whip your breast out where you want to nurse your child”. You should never argue with Felina, you’ll loose.

And then we have Ruth working at the Upper Breast Side….Mother Rakowski, loving, caring, warm Ruthie “your boobs look gorgeous in that bra - look in the mirror, look!”. She forms the perfect team with her ex-cop (no joke!) daughter Felina.

All pregnant bellies and nursing breasts visiting New York should insert the Upper Breast Side in their shopping tour.  Get your coffee at Muffin’s at  the corner of 70 Street and Columbus Ave at the Upper West Side (so now the name makes sense!) and then go say hello to Felina, with love from Belgium . She started in her apartment ten years ago, so her store is now a luxury I can as for today only dream of. Still it’s packed with stuff and people, only in New York . The picture on top is from the first real store location, from the days I used to work there…The current location is bigger and way better organized.

This to say, I do carry some experience with me. I worked with hundreds of New York customers and their breasts are no different from the European version. And Felina supports this crazy project of opening Belgium ’s first breastfeeding boutique, in fact she is gently insisting since the day I left New York . She recognizes the passion, and the openness to not be conservative and conventional, just follow your dreams!

www.upperbreastside.com

135 West 70 Street, NY