Nursing Essentials

I consider myself a catasphrophist in most situations; I always imagine the worst possible outcome and am usually surprised when it isn't quite as bad as I imagined.  While pregnant, I mentally prepared myself for having absolutely no time to do anything once Kennedy was born.  I had all house projects completed, took the dogs to the vet, stocked up on toiletries (I am still stocked on toiletries), and found babysitters for the times I would inevitably need to duck out for a few minutes.  Luckily, having an infant isn't quite that debilitating, but there is one thing that took considerably more effort than I anticipated: nursing.  During the first three months, I put in approximately 8-10 hours per day simply feeding our baby.  Not being able to leave Kennedy for more than 45 minutes (at first) and the enormous time commitment (usually spent alone) was often overwhelming.  It does, and it did, get better as I now spend less than 1.5 hours a day nursing her, and I sometimes miss the extra time catching up on Teen Mom (horribly guilty pleasure), while feeding her.  I also am very proud to say that I lost 60 pounds in less than 9 months (10 pounds more than I gained during pregnancy), which I almost completely attribute to breast feeding.    I have very mixed feelings about ending nursing, it is sad that this period will be over (and my approximately 600 calorie/day "exercise"plan will be solely at the gym and not quite so easy anymore!).  Breast feeding must absolutely be a commitment and priority to the parents or it will fall to the wayside (only about 12% of moms are still breast feeding at 1 year, which is the time recommended by the AAP).  Below are a few tips to make the year easier so that you can obtain your goals!

1. Invest in a Smart Phone.  I have no idea how moms dealt with midnight or on the go feedings without one.  I feel like I have gained a plethora of knowledge while nursing due to Zite (news app), 7 Little Words, Google, and of course Facebook.  I return emails, blog, tweet, and check Instagram, all while feeding Kennedy, and burning tons of calories; talk about multitasking.

2. Bring a nipple shield to the hospital, just in case.  Nipple shields can be purchased at any lactation store or places that sell lactation supplies.  I really recommend purchasing one from a lactation center at a hospital so that you can be properly "fit.". A nipple shield helps baby to latch on, which is a common nursing problem.  If your baby is having a hard time with latch, a nipple shield will help tremendously!

Medela Contact Nipple Shields

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛

Price: $7-8

Eco Option?: Made of Silicone

Where to Find: From Babies 'R Us, Buy Buy Baby, and most lactation centers

3. A breast pump, in my opinion, is an absolute necessity in this day and age.  I read many articles about nursing beforehand and a common piece of advice was to never skimp on this purchase.  Pumps are expensive, but they help give a nursing mom freedom, and can help establish and keep a plentiful milk supply.  A double electric pump is best (pumps both sides at once), because it cuts pumping time in half.  I have the Medela Freestyle, which I love.  Medela is highly regarded as one of the best (if not the best) brands, and it has not disappointed me.  The Freestyle is great because it is cordless and even has a belt clip (Again...multitasking is key!).  I have no idea what I would do without this option... I can hook myself up to this, albeit absurd looking, milking contraption and walk around my house doing dishes/laundry/my hair/etc.  Fifteen minutes (recommended pumping time per breast) is a very long time to be sedentary as a new mom.  My only complaint is that the valves can, at times, be a little tricky to operate (the rubber pieces can "stick" causing it to lose suction).  However, once you figure this out how to fix the issue, it is a minor bump in the road.  Also, if you purchase a "hands free" pump, you should also purchase a "hands free" pumping bra...the items that come with the pump are not nearly as simple to operate! 

Medela Freestyle Pump

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛

Price: $395

Where to Find: From Buy Buy Baby, Baby Earth, and many online retailers

4. Milk Trays by Sensible Lines are a great way to freeze breast milk.  All pumped breast milk should be refrigerated within 4 hours and frozen within 3 to 7 days.  Many companies make breast milk storage bags, where moms can pour several ounces into a bag and freeze.  The trouble with these is that if you pump 3 ounces, but baby eats 4 or 5 at a normal feeding, you may have to de-thaw multiple bags in order to provide the appropriate amount.  Milk trays are basically like ice cube trays, but they are made of medical-grade plastic and create a shape that easily fits into the mouth of a bottle.  The trays create perfect one-ounce servings allowing you to make bottles "to order."  One tip: they are not dishwasher safe (I learned this the hard way)!

Milk Trays

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛

Price: $20 for a set of 2

Eco Option?: Made of Plastic that is free of BPA, Phthalates, and dye (they also reduce the waste of plastic nursing bags and can be recycled!).

Where to Find: From Buy Buy Baby, many lactation centers, and www.sensiblelines.com

5. Get a nursing cover.  A nursing cover is great for on-the-go feeding.  Blankets are so difficult to throw over yourself when baby is eating, and with a cover, you can easily peek to check on them!

TIP!!:  Go to www.uddercovers.com, select a cover and enter the Promo Code: SEVEN.  The cover retails for $32-34, but with that code you will only pay $11.95 for shipping.  I have one of these and it is a little less substantial that my Petunia Pickle Bottom cover, but it works and is a great deal at $12 :).  You're welcome!

6.  My Breast Friend makes great nursing pillows to help make nursing more comfortable for Mom and Baby.  I used my pillow religiously for the first couple of months, and it helped develop a proper latch.  I purchased this pillow after my fabulous lactation consultant informed me that the "Boppy" is absolutely not a nursing pillow (Sherry Urbane of the Woodlands, Texas is a wonderful consultant!).

My Breast Friend

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛

Price: $36

Eco Option?: Yes, an organic pillow is available ($52)

Where to Find: From Toys 'R Us, BuyBuyBaby, and many online retailers

7. Lilypadz Nursing pads are the best.  Lilypadz are silicone "pads" that adhere to the breast and prevent leaks.  I use these exclusively and cannot say enough great things about them.  I love them because I hate sleeping in a bra and when using disposable or washable pads, a bra is necessary to keep them in place (making it necessary to sleep in a bra!).  Lilypadz stay on through the night, while swimming, and are great underneath any outfit.  I would recommend additionally purchasing the Lilypadz wash to make them last longer (they last about a month if worn 24hrs/day).

Lilypadz

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛

Price: $20-25

Eco Option?: Made of Silicone

Where to Find: From Babies R Us, BuyBuyBaby, Target, and many online retailers

Other Great Products:

Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags- GREAT for quick sterilizing anything from bottles to pacifiers and of course, all breast feeding equipment. $5 for 5 Bags (each bag can be used 20 times).

Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter- Wonderful for sore nipples!  Earth Mama Angel Baby also has a full line of natural products to assist with breastfeeding.  I have tried many of them and they are all wonderful!

Medela Quick Clean Wipes- Great to put in your pump bag for on-the-go cleaning.  I use these all the time when pumping in the car (makes road trips way easier/faster!). $20 for 40 wipes.

Breastfeeding comes with many challenges, but it is totally worth it.  When this first year comes to an end, I know that I will look back on it with a sense of pride in my accomplishment.  Please comment below if you have any great tips or tricks to make your experience a little easier!  Good luck to all of you breastfeeding mamas!

Things I Wouldn't Buy Again Part 1

Negative reviews can sometimes be more helpful than positive ones.  There are many purchasing mistakes I have made, which is why this is "Part 1" of a never ending series of blogs on the subject.  The only problem with unfavorable reviews is that I do not (always) have a great product that I can suggest to replace it with, so if you have a product that you love, please share it with me!

Things I Wouldn't Buy Again #1

Angelcare 3-in-1 Baby Monitor

I registered for this item because it seemed ideal...3 different monitors in one (Video, Audio, & Movement Monitor).  I loved the peace of mind that (I thought) would come with the movement monitor, and this is one of the only 3-in-1 monitors on the market.  For anyone who doesn't know, a movement monitor senses breathing and alerts parents when movement (aka breathing) is not sensed in a certain period of time.  My husband and I have collectively spent hours setting up the video, making sure the cords were tied and out of reach, and positioning and repositioning everything.  I even went to Home Depot and had a masonite board cut to stabilize the movement monitor so that it would work properly.

When Kennedy arrived, I realized immediately that this item was a poor choice.  During her first nap at home I was on hyper-alert (as most new moms are)...nap time is supposed to be "down time" for mom, but at first, it is just a time of worry.  Is she breathing?  Is she cold?  Is she comfortable? How long should she sleep?  Do I need to wake her so she can eat?  The list of worries goes on and on.  After putting her down, I left the room hesitantly, turned on the monitor, and went into the living room.  Ten minutes later, I walked back to her room to realize that she was crying and my monitor had not picked up the sound!  I rushed into her room, picked her up, and exactly 20 seconds later the movement monitor started beeping violently, ensuring that baby would not be going back to sleep anytime soon.  This happened twice within the first 24hrs at home and I subsequently made a mad dash to Wal-Mart and impulsively bought a Sony audio-only monitor (an even more inferior product).  The Sony monitor has a range of approximately 3 feet, and with Kennedy's frequent wakings, I gave up and moved her into our room for the next few months.  When she started sleeping in her room again, I purchased another audio monitor from Summer, which I love and still use.

To recap, at this time, I was using a Summer monitor for audio, and the Angelcare for video only; and they could not be placed close to one another because they would beep due to interference (so annoying).  In my opinion, the video on the Angelcare is no better than the audio (the advertisement photo looks nothing like the actual picture!).  Positioning the monitor has been a nightmare and there have been many nights that I didn't feel confident she was OK by my view on the monitor (leaving me to worry and accidentally wake her when sneaking into the room).  In the past month, I have not turned this monitor on and am now relying solely on audio.

If there is a next baby, I may try the new Owlet baby monitor that is coming out soon.  This is a breathing and heart rate monitor that connects to your iPhone or Android.  The monitor is a bootie (I believe it has a Velcro closure), that uses pulse oximetry (same technology that hospitals use) to measure baby's vitals at all times.  This would eliminate the issue of creating a massive alert at 2am when you were simply trying to feed or console a crying baby.  It could also be great if baby is napping or sleeping in another place other than their crib.  The Owlet baby monitor is due to be available in Late 2013 and can be reserved on their website www.owletcare.com

The Angelcare monitor is one of the most popular choices on the market and there are many disseminating opinions online about the product.  I guess that an All-in-one system, at this point in time is simply too good to be true!

Angelcare 3-in-1 Baby Monitor

Product Rating: ♛

Price: $289

 

"Don't worry, I'm a Certified Bradley Coach" and other tips on Childbirth Classes

What is there to learn about childbirth?  You go to the hospital, pop out a baby, and bring it home... it isn't rocket science, right?  Actually, it is pretty in depth these days due to (what I like to call) the "hospitalization" of L&D (Labor & Delivery).  I have always strived to be an informed patient; knowing exactly what benefits and risks are associated with every even seemingly routine medical task.  In order to be well informed during your pregnancy, labor, & delivery I would highly recommend taking childbirth classes (specifically Bradley Method Classes!).

There are several different methods or techniques that are offered and many instructors use a combination of these.  The top three methods taught currently are:

• Lamaze
• Lamaze is the most popular and widely available type of birth class in the United States, and many hospitals offer them year round.  The classes focus on natural childbirth and are usually done in 5-6 class periods, or some may be offered over a weekend.  This method is famous for the classic "Hee-Hee-Who" breathing that is associated with labor.  Many believe, however, that this type of breathing acts as only a distraction from pain and is not beneficial to the mother or baby.
• Bradley
• The Bradley Method began with Dr. Robert Bradley in 1965 and also focuses on natural childbirth.  These classes center around "Husband-Coached" childbirth and really involves your significant other in the process of L&D.  More on this below!
• Hypnobirthing
• This method uses the practice of hypnosis for pain management during labor.  The Hypnobabies program states that "70% of women who use their program while pregnant experience a pain-free childbirth."  During the program, expectant mothers are highly encouraged to practice self-hynosis daily to prepare for L&D.  These classes are gaining much popularity in recent years and may be something I check into *if* there is a next baby!

As I said above, Cameron and I attended Bradley Method classes and I highly recommend them.  Bradley classes require a lot of time commitment (typically instructors teach one class per week for twelve weeks) however, I left feeling extremely informed and do not feel that the subject material could be covered in a shorter period.  During our not-so-crash course about childbirth, we learned all labor interventions and their subsequent risks, proper diet and exercise for a low risk delivery (and healthy baby!), pain management techniques, and all other "lingo" associated with the process.  I learned a lot, but I think the classes were most helpful to Cameron, who had not done any previous research on the subject.  Unlike most birth classes, I recommend taking Bradley early in pregnancy so that the nutrition and exercise components can be heeded as soon as possible.  I followed the Bradley diet for the last four months of my pregnancy and I had no complications or health issues to speak of (although I cannot be certain that my diet was a direct correlation); delivering a very healthy Kennedy eleven days late (I don't think she ever wanted to leave!).

During our last class, my husband received a card that deemed him an "Official Certified Bradley Coach."  He was incredibly proud of this card (especially because he sat through the entire course), and made sure EVERYONE knew that he was very prepared when it came to delivering Kennedy.  I pasted the card in Kennedy's baby book right next to her hospital bracelets.  One day I will have to tell her how every nurse, doctor, patient, and family member was informed "Don't worry, I've got this... I'm a Certified Bradley Coach."

http://www.bradleybirth.com/

Official Coach Card... Not Cameron's but you get the idea :)

Class Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛

Price: Varies depending on provider 

Where to Find: To find an instructor near you, please visit http://www.bradleybirth.com/Directory.aspx

The Baby Entertainment Center

Baby entertainment centers are a fairly new twist on the classic baby "walkers."  In the past few years, walkers have slowly drifted off of the market because they are deemed as unsafe.  It is estimated that there are over 21,000 injuries to babies under 15 months annually associated with baby walkers.  This piece of information seems like one of many that boggle many of our foremothers... my mother included as I apparently walked a million miles in mine.  In this day, the internet is a wonderful thing that provides mothers with enough information to drive us all to be a little crazy.  After experiencing two different baby entertainment centers, I can say that I enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a stationary activity center.  I can place Kennedy in it, leave the room for a moment, and when I return she is safely in the same place that I left her (bonus: she is usually content!)!  Now that Kennedy is mobile, this center is a lifesaver and has replaced her baby gym as my means for taking a shower every morning.

As I stated above, I have a lot of experience with two entertainment centers; the Fisher Price Step 'n Play Piano and the Evenflo Exersaucer.  These are the two top centers on the market right now and Kennedy has spent ample time in each.  Hands down, I would recommend the Fisher Price Step 'n Play Piano over the Exersaucer.  It is much easier to assemble (10 minutes versus 1 hour), keeps Kennedy's attention much longer, and I think it is more aesthetically pleasing (as pleasing as any toy can be).  I love that the keyboard below her feet encourages her to move (moves back and forth and swivels 360 degrees).  The only feature that I really like about the Exersaucer is that it allows baby to jump as well as swivel (however, it does not allow baby to walk back and forth).  I highly recommend this purchase to any new mom as it will painlessly allow you to shower, cook dinner, or give your arms a needed break!

Fisher Price Little Superstar Step 'n Play Piano

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛

Price: $110

Eco Option?: No

Where to Find: From Toys 'R Us, Target, and many online retailers

Recipes, Tips, & Tricks for Great Baby Food

I have always had a love for cooking and (especially) eating great food.  I am a self proclaimed foodie; my idea of a perfect evening is trying the chef's favorite dish at a great new restaurant.  Before baby, my husband and I spent much of our free time drinking wine (or beer, or margaritas, etcetera) on a patio somewhere while munching on tapas (or antipasti, or many times this was chips and queso).  My love of the culinary arts has always been something that I have aspired to immerse my child in.  Kennedy has another agenda...puffs and applesauce.  While I was pregnant, I read a lot about trying to train baby's palette, however, somewhere between Plum Organics pouches (when I'm too busy to make food) and my child having a mind of her own, this information has been set to the wayside.  I am now *hoping* that exposure (or lack of exposure to certain foods!) will lead to her love of Coq au Vin instead of chicken fingers (here is to wishful thinking!).  Below are a list of tips I have learned while making baby food.

• Baby's tummies are tiny, so I try to fit 3 food groups into every puree. This typically consists of:
• Breakfast- grain, dairy, fruit puree
• Lunch- vegetable, grain, fruit puree
• Dinner- protein, vegetable, fruit puree
• Rice, Oatmeal, and Multigrain baby cereals in a box are AWESOME for thickening any purees that come out a little watery.  This is a great way to get a grain into baby's diet!
• Baby Beaba silicone freezer trays are wonderful for freezing purees.  The mold holds 7- 2oz. portions (ice cube trays typically hold 1 oz.), has a lid. and the silicone mold makes it so much easier to pop the frozen puree out.
• Note:  I like to freeze single ingredient purees so that I can de-thaw them in whatever combination I choose (i.e. one ice cube of broccoli puree plus one apple ice cube equals broccoli-apple puree!)
• Applesauce goes with almost any vegetable or meat, making a healthy way to get baby to eat vegetables and/or meat.
• Kennedy loves: Broccoli & Apples; Spinach & Apples; Chicken, Green Beans, & Apples; Pork & Apples; she will eat almost anything as long as it is mixed with apples!
•  Once baby is old enough for Baby Mum-Mum Crackers or Plum Organics Puffs, this can keep them occupied with making breakfast/lunch/dinner.  Kennedy is slightly obsessed with these, keeping her quiet while I cook.

Applesauce in the Oven:

I love making applesauce in the oven because it is easy and (I think) it tastes better.  

5 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (I love Granny Smith for their tartness)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Arrange sliced apples on a baking sheet.  Bake for 30 minutes, until apple slices are beginning to lose their form.

Puree in a food processor until smooth.  Freeze in a Beaba tray or other ice cube tray for later use.

• I also love to make Apple-Blueberry sauce for use in her breakfast.  Start by making applesauce like above.  While the apples are baking, simmer 1/3 pint of blueberries and 1/4 cup of water on the stove over medium heat for 10 minutes or until blueberries are beginning to burst open.  When all ingredients are done,  puree them together in a food processor.

Baby Breakfast:

As I said above, I try to fit 3 food groups into all of Kennedy's meals (not always possible, but I try).  Kennedy has a variation on this recipe almost every morning.

2 oz. fruit puree (Mango, Apple Blueberry, Kiwi Peach, Apple Strawberry, Apple Prune, etc)

1 oz. Greek Yogurt

1 oz. Oatmeal Cereal Powder (or enough to thicken to baby's chewing ability)

Mix all ingredients together & serve!  Super easy and nutritious!

I have a lot of other recipes that I will share in later blog posts.  Please share any recipes with me that your little one loves!

Beaba Multi Portion Freezing Tray

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛

Price: $19.95-$24.95

Eco Option?: Made from Silicone and BPA Free Plastic

Where to Find: From Buy Buy Baby, Williams & Sonoma, & many online Retailers

Baby Mum-Mum

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛

Price: $3.99

Where to Find: From Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby, and most grocery stores

Plum Organics Super Puffs

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛♛

Price: $2.99

Where to Find: From Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby, and some grocery stores

The Post Baby Happy Pill

First of all, I just have to say that this is by far the strangest thing that I will ever blog about.  I am actually slightly embarrassed to post this on the internet for the entire world to read, but I believe that it is a noteworthy subject.  So here it goes (eek!)...I encapsulated and ingested my placenta after giving birth.  Writing that down looks even more strange than it sounded in my head, but it is actually a rather normal practice in many parts of the world.  Placentophagy (the scientific term for ingesting placenta postpartum) has its basis in Traditional Chinese Medicine dating back to the 1500s, however, it was not until the 1980s that it was brought to the US.  In recent years, January Jones and Holly Madison are two celebrities who have admitted to partaking in the trend, bringing it to the public eye.

I found out about Placentophagy from my Bradley Childbirth Instructor.  Initially, I had the same reaction as I am sure most people are having while reading this...disgust.  Knowing that I shouldn't "knock" something that I know nothing about, I did some research.  For those who don't know, the placenta is an organ in the uterus that nourishes the fetus during pregnancy.  This organ contains:

• Stem cells & Growth Factors
• Iron
• Vitamins B6 & E
• Oxytocin Hormones (facilitates birth & breastfeeding)
• Corticotropin-releasing hormone (reduces stress)
• Cytokins (help heal and replace damaged cells/tissue)

After I read about the nutrients contained in the placenta, I realized that many of the symptoms from which women suffer postpartum could be helped by the properties contained in this organ.  Iron, Vitamins B6 & E, & Cytokins all help with the blood loss and recovery of the body after giving birth.  Oxytocin and Corticotropin help with mood swings as well as helping to establish a plentiful milk supply.  These along with increasing energy are just a few of the benefits experienced by most mothers.  The practice really "clicked" with me when I remembered that humans are actually in the small minority of mammals who do not eat their placenta after birth.

I decided that I was all in (although only a handful of people knew this until now!), but I was definitely not brave enough to handle doing any of this myself.  I wanted someone else to take it, freeze dry it, grind it, encapsulate it, and give it back to me looking like a vitamin (so that I didn't have to think about what it actually was).  I found a few providers in my area and chose the least expensive option.  Three days after Kennedy was born, my husband picked up my "Post Baby Happy Pills" and I proceeded to ingest them as prescribed for about two months until they were all gone.

Were they the "wonder pills" that I researched?  I am not totally sure.  I only have one baby and have only experienced one postpartum period, so I cannot provide an empirical study.  I can say that I was not as physically drained as I imagined.  I had no issues with low milk supply and had a decent amount of extra to create a "reserve."  Most importantly, I was not completely nuts in the weeks following birth...just a tad more weepy (My husband did agree with this statement before I wrote it...As a woman I know that I can drastically underestimate how my hormones affect me at times!).  Bottom line is that I would definitely do it again.  My philosophy is that there is nothing to lose by taking them but there could be a lot to gain.

A helpful piece of advice: If you decide to save your placenta for later use, you will need to notify your Doctor or Midwife before you go into labor.  The placenta is usually thrown away, so everyone involved in delivery will need to be informed and reminded often!  Most Midwives are aware of this practice, however, many Doctors are skeptical and uneducated on the matter (In my opinion, they are typically skeptical because they are uneducated on the practice and it is out of their routine...which many do not like).

You can visit http://placentabenefits.info/index.asp, for more information on the subject.

If you have any experience with Placentophagy, I would love to know your thoughts in a comment below!

Product Rating: ♛♛♛♛

Price: Depends on provider and location, I paid $200

Where to Find: http://placentabenefits.info/specialists.asp