Nursing Essentials

Mommas! It's been too long! I just welcomed my second little girl into the world on Easter Sunday! We feel incredibly blessed to have two healthy children. My little one is already a fabulous nurser and I'm feeling lucky with having a great supply! This being my second time around nursing I feel more prepared! My first time around I was so overwhelmed and my daughter had a poor latch and then also developed a dairy allergy. This was so hard and I ended up dairy free for 8 months in order to keep nursing her and I am really glad I did!
This time around I spent some time getting ready to nurse again.
First thing I did was get out my pump and run it through a little sanitizing cycle and made sure all my membranes and parts were in great shape, I had no idea how important that little white piece is to pumping! Then I went out and purchased some great products! Obviously some most people already know about, nursing bra, nursing tanks and breast pads!
Wait breast pads?! Ok with my first I was given a few things at the hospital and one of those things was disposable paper beast pads? Um I wish someone had thrown them away for me and pointed me into the direction of BAMBOOBIES! These are the bees knees of breast pads! Why? For the most obvious reason they are heart shaped! They are washable! But more importantly they work! I purchased a pair and my first mistake was only buying one pair! My first week home I had a major over supply and my milk came in full force, at night I was constantly leaking, and I expected to wake up soaked. Well I can honestly say I didn't! My BAMBOOBIES were soaked but not my shirt! Amazing! I threw them in the washer and then the dryer and they came out even softer than before! These breast pads are made of an incredibly soft organic cotton and bamboo rayon velour with an inner layer of hemp and organic cotton. They are so absorbent and really truly amazing must have for nursing moms!
Something else nursing moms struggle with is keeping a good supply and making sure they are producing enough for their little one. The most important thing is to stay hydrated and keep up your calories! I have to amazing products that help with both!
First milk maid tea! It's an organic tea that helps promoted healthy lactation. I think it's tasty and I've noticed an increase in supply by just brewing a cup once or twice a day! I also enjoy it iced with a lemon or hot with a little sugar! Earth mama angel baby carries milk maid tea and a whole bunch of other great products for pregnancy nursing and baby!
Second milk makers cookies! Yummy cookies that help increase supply! I'm sure you could look up a recipe and make your own but I for one don't have the time with two kids to run to the store and then bake? They carry a variety of flavors oatmeal raisin and oatmeal chocolate chip! The raves about how well they work are never ending! The two main ingredients that assist in milk production are brewers yeast and flax seed! Did I mention they were cookies?? These are a must try for sure!

Nursing is one of the most amazing experiences I have had as a mother and I feel lucky to be able to do it. Hopefully with these things many more mommas will be able to enjoy nursing their babies!

Customer Service- "what can we help you with today?"

So as a mom I think I have called customer service over 250 times this year. Something broke, something was dirty, something was the wrong color, promo codes don't work, you got the wrong item and the list goes on. Buying baby things is a lot of work and let's be honest it never stops? After you register and have your shower you need to return, exchange or complete your registry. Then after the baby comes there is a bunch of things you don't have you thought you didn't need and then the baby is a toddler and you need sippys and new toys and more diapers. So maybe after all this you simply just don't want to deal with customer service and waiting, explaining or possibly arguing? Have you ever called diapers.com? Have you ever seen the millions of baby products they have available? I want to be the first to apologize and say you have been missing out! I first discovered diapers.com after a web search and started to just scroll through the millions of baby items they carry! And such a variety too! After I saw that over 90% of what I was looking for was here I made a registry! I have to be honest it wasn't a big hit for my shower? But people don't like to buy online... Your grandma and your mom keep it old school and like to go to the big baby store and spend more money than they realize that they have to! Again why is diapers.com so amazing? That I have dedicated an entire post to them! I'll tell you.. Customer service! My first call to them I was so nervous, I had been dealing with the big baby store and trying to get 20% off just one item and get the free shipping I was told and they wanted to give me run around after run around of excluded items and free shipping that really isn't free. Calling diapers.com I waited just a few minutes and a person answered, a real live human! I didn't have to hit 1 and 4 and 10 and 46 to hear a real live person! Before I jumped out a window over this I had to calm down. I was calling because the order we just revived had the wrong color bibs.. They were for boys and we ordered girls ones, I know not a huge deal and maybe not worth calling and waiting and explaining but that didn't happen! Did I mention my order was free shipping? No promo code just over $50 and it was free! It came the next day! It said 2 day shipping and it was on my door the next day! Ok back to my call, I explained to the woman my dilemma and she apologizes and says right away keep the bibs and we will send you out the correct color, I stood up out of my seat and my husband got scared and was prepared with a catchers mitt to catch the phone. "Keep the bibs?!" I was stunned! "Yes ma'am I know your having a girl but hang on to them or give them as a gift" I quickly thanked her and hung up I didn't want to jinx it! I know all this excitement over bibs? No! Great service! Did I mention it was 9:30pm? 24/7 Customer Service! This was the first of many calls to diapers.com and every single one has been a pleasure! Fast forward to almost a year later, we purchased an amazing thermometer you don't even have to stick in your babies bum! We were thrilled it was so easy! Until one day I realized it was reading all over the place? We had no idea which temperature was correct and I was so upset because here I am thinking my baby has a fever and she doesn't. I should have called the manufacturer of the thermometer but I decided to call diapers.com instead. "We are so sorry to hear that, hang on to it or throw it away, and we refunded your account the amount you paid". People c'mon? It as almost a year later?!? And it's not their fault it doesn't work?!? You know why?! Because that's customer service! I could go on all day about all the amazing ways they have made my life easier but I think you see that. I can't tell you the number of times I've hung up upset with many other places just trying to get the item I ordered at the price I was promised and have been so disappointed! Diapers.com not only carries everything but the baby! They care about you getting what you need when you need it at a reasonable price! Sales, promotions, deals always and they have sister sites too for your pet, your house and all your everyday items. After you shop there and get free 2 day shipping, 365 day returns and all from your couch? You will never shop anywhere else again. Thank you diapers.com for making being a mom a little less difficult!

Happy Birthday to you!

Ok so it's happened your baby is a year old! Or another year old! After the initial shock wears off that your little bean is growing up, it's time to think of the perfect gift to celebrate another year of baby! Now I know a lot of mommas are thinking "what's a cool gift?". Lots of mommas also think if their baby is one they won't remember their first gift! But these gifts are ones that they won't forget because they will use them until they run off to kindergarten! (Yes I just gave you a flash photo of your little waving bye! As they walk into their first day of school! Sorry.. ). Ok on to the gifts!
First gift is an adorable inflatable horse named Rody! A Rody is not just a blow up horse it is an awesome toy! Rody hippity hop ride-on Horse! You remember a hippity hop right?! Made of super strong latex free vinyl, inflatable to adjust for the weight of your child! Crazy cool! Great for developing balance and coordination skills. The age ranges from 2-4 but I won't tell?? I don't know about you but my little jumping bean isn't waiting till 2 to climb on! Did I mention they come in every color imaginable! So jump on it!
http://www.rodytoy.com/Rody-Red.htm

Second we have this amazing comfy adorable and functionable anywhere chair! This was my first gift to my daughter and she loves it! She sits in it, climbs on it and drags it all around the house! She also eats snacks in it and its already taken a successful trip into the washing machine!! It came out looking brand new! We also had it personalized for her! It's perfect and will last her a long time! I think what sets it apart from all other chairs is its wide and grows with your child. I love how she feels she has her own seat and a special place just for her, somewhere mommy can't sit and room or her woof woof too! This is a must get for any birthday! It also comes in amazing colors and patterns and usually pbkids has personalization for free and often offers free shipping! They have great customer service and are always willing to help!
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/m/search/results.html?words=anywhere+chair

Third gift I have to share is pretty awesome and may seem like a stretch for a first bday but if your little one is born in the winter you can hold on to this gem until spring when they will be ready to use it! Strider bikes! This bike is also known as a balance bike! At first glance you might be thinking what kind of a joke is this? It has no pedals?! That's right it has no pedals! This bike is for kids 18 months to 5 years and it is supposed to help them transition to a two wheeler without the assist of training wheels! The ST-4 is the most popular of the strider bikes! It teaches your child balance, coordination and develops great confidence! So why a strider over a regular pedaling bike? Well that's just it! When you first take the training wheels off the bike that your child has been so dependent on they don't know how to balance? They need your assistance to keep them steady and they are too focused on pedaling that their first instinct is to look down and pedal. With a strider bike the main goal is balance and learning to focus on staying up! These awesome bikes represent cool sleek motocross bikes! And they have pink ones too for the ladies! So what are you waiting for!?
http://striderbikes.com/

Ok this next gift is pretty amazing! Is your husband or are you interested in inertia? Centrifugal force? Friction? Ok ok how about kid power?! The plasma car is a great addition to your kids ride on toys! It requires no batteries and no pedals but is super fast! It's one of those toys only a kid can show you how to operate! And did I mention its quiet?! Have a basement? Or smooth patio? Or just your driveway will do! It isn't recommend for hardwood floors I'm guessing any kind of dirt or dust will scratch your floor but if you have any other smooth surface this will glide all over it! It also comes in a bunch of different colors and its safe for up to 220lbs so if your little one wants to give it up for a few take it for a spin! http://plasmacar.com/mobile/?page_id=6

Ok this last gift is just too cute to forget! The wheely bug! Is your little just walking? Or maybe climbing already?? Well this fun ride on is perfect for riding all over the house and even outside! It's squishy soft and made of durable polyurethane leatheroid that can be easily wiped clean. The wheely bug goes forwards backwards and wherever your kiddo wants it to go! It's low to the ground and takes a lot of abuse, my daughter used one and unlike other ride ons she couldn't tip it! Who wouldn't want to ride on a cow, a pig or even a tiger!? The wheely bug comes in two sizes the small is for 1-3year olds and the large is for 3+! One for everyone! What sets this ride on from the rest? It spins 360 degrees so their is no getting stuck or having difficulty getting around! This little bug was designed all the way down under in Australia! But is here in the US! Great first bday gift!
http://www.wheelybug.com/index.html

Ok mommas that's it! I know there are also many other gifts out there but for now these are the cool ones I found for you! So after the cake is gone and the balloons are deflated these awesome toys will be around to give your kiddo an awesome time! Enjoy!

Easter Baskets! Time to surprise the little ones with a few fun toys!

Who's ready for an awesome Easter basket this year?? Tired of those plastic toys that break in 5 minutes?? Or peeps the candy you thought would be a good idea?? How about these awesome bath toys by ALEX https://www.alextoys.com/shop/category-landing/bathtime/
This is not your average rubber duck bath toy! Alex makes bath crayons, foam letters and numbers and best of all pirate ships or princess castles and so much more! Your child can have a trip to an imaginative place far far away but never leave the tub! There are so many varieties of bath toys I don't even think I've seen them all! They are colorful durable and fun! It's hilarious to watch your child stick them to the walls of the tub or build their prehistoric dinosaur land! Bath time is already fun but these toys take it to a new level!

What's a bath without bubbles? California baby makes bath bubbles that come with a bubble wand! All their products are made in the USA and allergen free! They are natural and sensitive for every baby or child! My favorite is the names and the aromatherapy that comes with them! I love you smells amazing and so sweet! Light and happy is my second favorite its a fruity citrus blend! California baby didn't just stop at bubbles they make lotion, powder, conditioner and so many more great products for your sweet baby! My daughter is 15 months and we have only been through two bottles of bubble bath! You only need a little and it goes a long way! http://www.californiababy.com/

Is your little one teething? They will love this awesome teether made by jellystone designs! jChews by Jellystone Designs are 100% BPA free, funky silicone teethersthat babies really want to sink their teeth into! The cell phone comes in all different colors and the chocolate bar looks just like the real thing you might even take a bite yourself just to be sure.

Do you have a little girl who thinks she is ready to wear mommies nail polish but your not ready to use your nail remover on her to get it off?? Piggy paints are as natural as mud! These cute paints are non toxic and perfect for your little lady! They come in a variety of colors and you will love how excited she gets to feel like a big girl! Don't be surprised because she will ask you a million times every day to paint them! They also come in cute sets paired with perfect colors for all holidays and seasons! The best part is you wont cringe when she asks if she can paint her nails herself because yes, these will make a mess but c'mon its paint? but it will come clean! So make your little divas day!
http://www.piggypaint.com/

I don't know about you but I'm tired of dark days and ready for sunshine! Bring on the spring! Get your child a pair of the coolest shades to wear at the beach on walks or just because! Babiators! They come in all colors and two sizes one for the littles and one for the little bit biggers! They are flexible and fun! So stylish! http://www.babiators.com/

Is your child using a bowl and plate already? These awesome bowls and plates by skip hop will be a great and fun way to introduce food! They have all animals from dogs, hippos, dinosaurs and even a giraffe! And don't lose it but matching silverware too! I know almost too much cuteness to handle! http://www.skiphop.com/product/zootableware.html

Ok is your child riding a bike? Joining you on a hike? Or maybe just loves to drink water? Camelbak makes these amazing water bottles for your little kiddos! All different designs and colors! The soft bite valve is a soft silicone and its a fun alternative to a regular water bottle or sippy! http://m.camelbak.com/eddy-kids-4l/d/1184_cl_1362

Is your little one crawling? Do you love cute baby clothes? Then you need a pair if these! Babylegs! These adorable leg warmers don't get any cuter! Perfect for any child and one if the sweetest looking things you can put on your baby! They also make leggings and socks too! All different patterns and colors! The chubbier the thighs the better! My daughter came home from the hospital and lived in these! No need to fight with pants during a diaper change and so comfy for those littlest starting to get their move on! My daughter is now 15 months and I can't wait to wear some cute skirts and pair them with their adorable leggings! Don't forget about the boys! Footballs, baseballs and fire truck patterns for the fellas too!
http://www.babylegs.com/Legwarmers.aspx

Ok I hope some of these products end up in your kids Easter baskets along with books, chalk, crayons, bubbles and all those other fun spring things! Oh
what the heck throw in some peeps too! Those poor little marshmallow fluffs only get to be around once a year!

Sophie the Giraffe- what's all the hype about?? And other teething "magic!"

Do you own the worlds greatest teething toy?? We do! Actually we have owned 3! Long story but they are a baby must have! Did you know Sophie has a story and does much more for your little one other than make them drool? http://www.sophiegiraffeusa.com/story.html
Sophie has been around for over 50 years and is made from a rubber tree..No, that's not a typo, I said "rubber tree!". What makes Sophie so great and worth almost $20? Sophie was designed to stimulate your babies 5 senses at the age of 3 months from her spots to her texture to her smell! Still not a believer? They have sold over 30 million Sophie giraffes! All this awesomeness and I didn't get a free Sophie or a dime to brag about this cute little giraffe. I just know my daughter loves it and since she has been cutting molars she has loved having it to chew on!
There are so many other teething toys available for your little ones too. I don't think any of them are magic or have the ability to make teething go completely away but they make it a little bit more interesting and fun to deal with! How about chewing jewelry?? http://store.chewbeads.com/mobile/default.aspx#Home
These stylish necklaces and bracelets make teething fashionable.. No probably not but they are cute! They come in all different colors and fun shapes! They are also made of a natural rubber and safe for baby! Sitting in a restaurant, at the drs office or waiting at the DMV (who brings their kids to the DMV?!) these could come in handy! Another interesting fact about chew beads is they make junior chew beads.... for the older toddler who maybe has all their teeth but is still gnawing on their shirt collar or your couch? Or for the special needs child who bites to relieve stress or frustration. Who knew so many amazing things could come from rubber balls?!
One more amazing teething product is the infamous amber teething necklace! The most common thing I have heard about these is "does the baby chew on it?" Unlike the chew beads, no your baby does not chew it, she or he actually wears it. "What!" "Put a necklace on my baby!" Yes, a necklace for your baby. My daughter is 16 months and has been wearing an amber teething necklace since 4 months when I swore she was cutting teeth! We didn't pop our first until 10 months... They say they can teethe for months before actually cutting a tooth! At least she looked cute?! We purchased our necklace from http://hyenacart.com/stores/inspiredbyfinn/
And we love it! We purchased the sunshine one, its a polished light yellow. They say the lighter the stones the better. We also plan on getting her a bigger one and giving hers to her sister, who will yell at me later for all the hand me downs and I will say the infamous words I heard from my mother- "Money doesn't grow on trees". I will say we have cut all 4 first year molars with minimal sleep loss and a relatively happy girl. I am a believer and many mommas are too! How does it work? I suppose thats important to know.
When baltic amber is worn on the skin, the skin's warmth releases trace amounts of healing oils from the amber. These oils contain succinic acid and are absorbed into the skin.
All of these products are awesome and like I said they aren't magic! Teething still sucks and it will still cause problems and lack of sleep but with any of these it will be less likely you will lose your mind. The products are all natural and safe for your baby!

Who Doesn't Love A Good Baby Product?

We are mommas! Who do we love? Our
kids! What do we want? To buy stuff! The most exciting thing to do after hearing that heartbeat and seeing that blurring image of what will soon be your sweet baby is to start planning! The first thing new mommas love to do is make a list and start their registry! Then they get to the giant store with the one million baby items and they grab a list and then run out of the nearest exit because wow that's overwhelming! So you call your friend and ask her to go with you because let's face it your husband doesn't know what you need for the baby! And if he does go he asks why? And what pregnant hormonal momma-to-be wants to justify needing 3 different kinds of bottle nipples! The standard baby registry list is pretty simple to follow and you will probably get a lot of great things you need! However since the registry list is also 85 items long you may also end up with things you don't know how to use and aren't sure you can sell at a tag sale. So here is a list of the must haves on every baby registry!
- car seat (infant carrier & convertible)
- stroller (lightweight & full size)
- carrier (wrap & buckle)
- baby swing (you don't want to wear your baby all day right?)
- bouncer (because you will need a shower)
- rock n play (trust me just do it and you can thank me later)
- high chair (any one you want clip on, travel, space saver, full size... They will all help you feed or entertain your baby)
- swaddle blankets & regular blankets (you can never ever have too many)
Of course this isn't the only stuff you will register for but if this is the only stuff you do register for you will be all set for baby.. Sure you can register for a tub and toys and bottles and a breast pump and activity jumpers but most likely the bottles you register for your baby won't like, the breast pump could be covered by your ins, you will have ten friends with an activity jumper they used twice, along with a bumbo a play mat and toys. Baby tub? Sure register for a baby tub, but your sink works well and showering and bathing with baby is the only way your getting clean for the first 2 months anyway? As for the must haves now the question becomes which ones are the best! Hopefully I will be able to let you know which ones are the top rated, most liked and safest! But you have plenty of time! Because no new momma-to-be is a procrastinator! Hello Nesting!