Our Story
Best Fed Baby, LLC was founded by Debbie Stone, RN, IBCLC. Debbie spent a majority of her Nursing career in a prominent New York hospital where she started in Pediatrics and then transitioned to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Eventually, as her career evolved Debbie turned her attention towards healthy newborns in the postpartum unit. Focusing on promoting healthy habits directly from birth, breastfeeding became the forefront of this effort.
Having learned early on that Nurses are problem solvers by nature and by necessity, Debbie saw there were many questions about breastfeeding that were being asked but not answered, “Why is breastfeeding so difficult?” “Why aren’t more of us doing it?” “Why do so many women give up so quickly?” “How do I know if he (or she) is getting enough?” The answer to some of those questions can be found in our history and in our culture.
By history, it seems, we never get to write our own breastfeeding story. We are reliant on our mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers and great grandmothers to be the family historians. And if one didn’t have milk, then no one has milk. But there is also culture, not the culture that history creates but one we manufacture out of self-doubt. The “I don’t have milk” Culture. “If I cannot see it, then it must not be there.” “If the baby cries, I must not have enough.” “If the baby doesn’t latch it must mean, ‘He doesn’t want it.’”
Fulfilling the basic needs of a newborn is the quickest way to bond and build trust. For an infant that’s the act (and art) of feeding. Once an infant is confident that “no matter what, I will get fed” he or she is more likely to become willing participants in developing their own breastfeeding skills. But when a child asks for the entire birthday cake, the typical answer is “No, you can have a slice of cake” and when they ask for a second or third slice of cake, the appropriate answer is “No, you can have a fruit or a vegetable.” This messaging starts with breastfeeding, where the volumes are lower and the ingredients are of much higher quality.
Herein lies the origin of the Spoobie. The tongue’s role in breastfeeding has long been established. By providing a direct unobstructed path to milk and providing an instant reward, the infant is encouraged to continue the effort of licking or sipping. The Spoobie is a breastfeeding friendly supplemental feeder that is specifically designed to facilitate and coordinate the movements of the infant tongue. The Spoobie combines the benefits of cup and spoonfeeding, while minimizing spillage and maximizing control. However, the singular feature of the Spoobie that stands out beyond all other supplemental feeders is the unique lip that conforms to the natural curvature of the infant mouth. The patent-pending, grooved edge allows the tongue to extend unimpeded as far as the infant is capable. Thereby calming, rewarding and supplementing in a manner that protects the basic skills of breastfeeding.
