Mommies With Style

Right before I gave birth, I met some lovely ladies from Lansinoh at BlogHer. They graciously sent some products to test out, including their LatchAssist ® nipple everter ($10.69), Soothies by Lansinoh Gel Pads ($9.00 – $12.99) for a package of 2, and HPA Lanolin ($7- $10). Based on my previous latch issues with my other two children, I was excited to see if  LatchAssist could help. The tool is designed to temporarily draw out the nipple so it so that it is easier for baby to establish a good latch. I started using this as soon as I was in the recovery room and I’m pleased to say it helped me — I’ve had problems with inverted nipples. It came in a small case and can be used with one hand while your baby is waiting to eat. Before this product, I relied on nipple shields or pumping for a few minutes before I nursed. The LatchAssist is BPA free and I’m happy to say that it worked well for me!

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Sometimes a nursing mama needs a little help boosting her milk supply. Why not do it with a delicious cookie like Milkmakers? Basically, they’re healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with a few ingredients added (like brewer’s yeast and flaxseed) to promote milk production. Brewer’s yeast increases the production of breastmilk and provides B-vitamins and amino acids essential for moms and babies. Flaxseed offers omega-3 fatty acids, necessary for brain development, which can be passed from mother to baby through breastmilk. The oats in the cookies help with boosting breastmilk supply and provide whole grains, fiber, iron, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

I recently tested them after I gave birth a few weeks ago. The cookies aren’t cheap (it works out to be around $1.46 a cookie) — but besides being delicious, I was thrilled that the helped my milk supply. Each milkmakers cookie has 230 calories, with 9 g fat (5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 4 g protein, 2 g fiber, and 33 g carbohydrates. The ingredients are oats, flour, butter, sugar, chocolate chips, eggs, brewer’s yeast, ground flax seed, salt, vanilla, water and baking soda. No preservatives are added, so freeze the cookies until you are ready to eat them.

Thank you to Milkmakers for providing a product sample.

My newborn is 11 days old now and exhibiting some strong preferences– like for his NUK Orthodontic Pacifier ($5.99 for a 2 pack). I’ve tried a few other brands, but even at a week old — he knows the difference between NUK and the other brands. He will actually scream if I do not give him his NUK pacifier.

The dentists in my husband’s family approve of NUK,  because of it’s orthodontic design. Benefits, according to the company, are that the “NUK pacifiers are based on the shape of a mother’s nipple and an optimal shape for the baby’s mouth, and it exercises the tongue, palate and jaw and encourages the correct development of your child’s teeth. It also has the NUK® AIR SYSTEM®, which releases air and allows the nipple to remain soft and keep its shape.”

I’m breastfeeding as much as possible and one thing that definitely soothes the soreness  (that I have) is NUK’s Gentle Moisturizing Balm ($4.86 ). Safe for mom and baby,it’s lanolin-Free and hypoallergenic Twist up to use (no need to rub in). You don’t need to wash it off before feeding your baby.

Thank you to NUK USA for providing samples for review purposes.

With baby #3 newly home from the hospital, I’m jumping back into the world of breastfeeding. And trying out some different products than with my past newborns.

With my previous two children, I almost exclusively used Lanisohn’s disposable nursing pads. I think I received my first box as a gift or as a recommendation from another mom and stuck with them because I loved everything about them. Everything that is, except the waste. Yes, they were discrete, absorbent, and convenient, but I’d go through at least two, sometimes three sets of pads a day and with each individually packaged, it felt like a lot going into the landfill. So this go around, I started to look into washable, reusable breast pads and after finding Milk Diapers nursing pads I can’t believe I waited so long.

My biggest concern was that the pads were indeed going to be absorbent. Landfill or not, if the pads leaked through, they weren’t worth it to me. I was most intrigued with Milk Diapers’ waterproof Moisture Guard pads, but the company also generously sent along samples of their  4-Layer and  4-Layer Lace Front pads. I’ve had a chance to try out all three styles and have been completely satisfied with all of them. The pads are absorbent (one pad lasts me all day without a problem), discrete (though thin, unlined bras may show edges and the 5-layer Moisture Guard pads are of course thicker) have held up well in the wash, are affordable and come in a variety of set sizes and colors.

Lanisohn disposables – I still love you, but will be sticking with Milk Diapers for Mother Earth’s sake.

The other breastfeeding product I’ve upgraded is my breast pump. For my last two, I relied on a hand-me-down manual pump that was noisy, uncomfortable and not very effective. But since baby #3 arrived, I’ve had the chance to try out Medela’s Pump In Style Advanced Shoulder Bag.

Wow. To go from a single, manual pump to a double, electric has been life-changing. The Medela Pump In Style Advanced is relatively quiet, convenient to use and very effective. Unlike other pumps that have lots of different buttons and knobs, the Pump In Style has one adjustable speed/vacuum dial to let me find the best suction. Turning this knob begins the Pump In Style’s 2-part expression technology that mimics a baby’s normal nursing patterns.  It starts off with a quicker, stimulation phase and after two minutes, switches to an expression phases. If you don’t need the full two minute stimulation phase, there is a single button to push to automatically switch to expression (this same button also lets you switch back to stimulation phase if needed).

The pump comes with the following pieces – and all of of those that are in contact with milk are BPA-free:

• Shoulder bag
• Battery pack (8AA batteries not included)
• Removable cooler carrier
• 4 – 5 oz breastmilk bottles, lids & travel cap
• Wide base slow-flow nipple
• 2 – 24 mm PersonalFitâ„¢ breastshields
• 2 valves
• 4 membranes
• Ice pack

I especially like this shoulder bag version (you can also buy the Pump In Style as a backpack or a metro bag) – it’s discrete enough to keep out in out living room when company is over and easy to bring along when I have to work out of the house (the battery pack also makes this easier).

Whether you’re expecting your first child or your adding more to your nest, check out Milk Diapers and Medela to see if they are a good fit for you.

As I shift from pregnancy mode to new mommy/nursing mode (baby comes August 12), I’m looking around for things that will make my life easier as a nursing mom. Medela sent me a sample of their Nursing Camisole ($34), which is made of a cotton blend. Even at 9 months pregnant, it fits me beautifully, is comfortable, and is will fit me after baby comes (it’s the perfect amount of stretchy!). The nursing access is a drop-cup and it comes in white and black. I like the hip length and the pretty lace trim. I was also pleased that the Nursing Camisole supported my size DD’s – I’ve never found a camisole with a built in bra that could do that before. In the hot July air, I am loving the cotton blend and it just so comfortable to wear!

Another great benefit of Medela’s Nursing Camisole is that it allows moms to pump hands-free with the Medela Freestyle™, which is the breast pump I will be using. The bra shelf part can separate from the outer layer of the camisole, allowing moms to easily attach the Freestyle’s hands-free kit.

Thank you to Medela for providing a product sample for review purposes.

Some women are confident enough to nurse in public, but I’m not one of them. If I’m in store or park, I prefer to cover up with a Hooter Hider/Bebe au Lait Nursing Cover. It’s the same company, the product has two different names.

I had owned one with baby #2 and given it away when she was done nursing, so I was so excited when Bebe au Lait recently sent me one of their new Hooter Hiders to review. I plan to use it with baby #3 and I absolutely adore the new design features! I checked out the Hooter Hider in Siena ($35). This 100% cotton cover, has a white background with a purple and green leaf pattern. I adore the feminine ruffle detail along the neckline and bottom of cover  and I know even if I am covered in baby spit up, I’ll be able to throw this on as a I nurse my son (and look glam!). Don’t worry — you’ll be able to easily see your baby, the rigid boning in the neckline allows for ventilation and eye contact with baby. The neck strap attaches to a d-ring and is easily adjustable. The nursing cover will easily fit it your diaper bag and can also be used shield baby from the sun, when in a infant car seat or stroller.

Why does the product have two different names? According to the company’s website, “For 2 years the company was called Hooter Hiders. However, as the business grew, owners Ronnie and Claire Ekelund, felt the company needed a more refined name: Bebe au Lait. The loyal following of Hooter Hider fans said, “It will always be the Hooter Hider to us!” For that reason, the Hooter Hider name was kept and now the same nursing covers sell under two brand names: Hooter Hiders for the tongue-in-cheek and Bebe au Lait for mommy chic.”

Bebe au Lait also makes Burp Cloths, Hooded Towels, Gift Sets, Double Reversible Bibs, Family Ties Jewelry, and Organics – an organic line of nursing covers.

Thank you to Bebe au Lait for providing a sample for review purposes.

I’m 34 weeks pregnant with my third child and it’s time to make sure I’m ready for my third hospital stay! My first child came ten days early and I wasn’t ready, so I made it a priority to pack last week. Most of it is packed in a huge tote from Destination Maternity ($34.99), designed by Heidi Klum – unfortunately no longer available on their site. The exclusive tote bag, printed in Heidi’s hand-painted signature floral, includes items that Heidi picked herself, including: black cozy socks, a hair scrunchy–also printed in heidi’s signature floral, toothbrush/toothpaste and a congratulatory tee, awarding you with a gold medal exclaiming, ”
I did it”.  The bag also contains a hand-written letter and checklist from Heidi of what she suggests to also pack in your hospital bag.

I added to her suggestions with the following items (cause I’m not a supermodel, but a product reviewer):

• Luna Lullaby’s Bosom Buddy Nursing Pillow – in my opinion, this is the BEST. NURSING.PILLOW EVER!
• Hat for the baby, aden & anais muslin swaddling blanket – click here to see my recent review, outfit for baby to go home in (provided by my mother)
• 1 bottle of Mamatini – a great-tasting, doctor-designed organic herbal tea bottled drink for nursing moms. Get free shipping on your first order with promo code SHIPFREE.
• Gownies Hospital Gown – click here for my recent review
• Aimee Nursing Nightgown (which I reviewed for another site 2 1/2 years ago. Such a great nursing nightgown and it’s sexy too!)
• Sleepmask
• Motherhood Maternity Nursing Nightgown and robe – Faux wrap style, print no longer available, but here’s a similar nightgown and robe ($24.99).
• Fuzzy slippers
• Binsi Labor and Birth Apparel’s Go Go Top ($38) – snaps open on the side, perfect for wearing under a hospital gown or nightgown. Click here to see my original review, from 2007.
• Bravado Original Nursing Bra in Double Plus ($35) – I sleep in one of these every night, pregnant or not.
• Underwear (still in larger size from Target and Motherhood Maternity) – pre-preg underwear will happen, just not yet.
• Sensitive baby wipes (can’t stand the dry wipes they have in the hospital)
• Changing Pad (from Ju Ju Be’s Be Light Diaper Bag, click here to read my review from last summer)
• Sleepmask
• Small tubes of Triple Paste and Aquaphor.
• NUK Pacifiers and pacifier clips – click here for my recent review
• Toiletries for me
• Toiletries for baby – sensitive skin baby wash, washcloths,
• Outfit for me to go home in (Sleeveless Pull Over Double Opening Nursing Tank ($16.98) from Motherhood Maternity and maternity capris – do not think you’ll be wearing pre-pregnancy clothes home from the hospital. Don’t even pack maternity jeans).
• Small gifts for my4 1/2 year old son and 2 1/2 year old daughter

Disclosure: For this pregnancy series, thank you to Luna Lullaby for providing the Bosom Buddy, Baby Be Mine for providing the Gownies Hospital Gown, Mamatini for providing a sample of their Mamatini tea, NUK USA for providing pacifiers and a pacifier clip. Everything from Motherhood Maternity was purchased by myself, except Heidi  Klum’s Tote, which was provided by Destination Maternity. Items reviewed previously have been linked to past reviews.

I’m really excited to announce my participation with Healthy Child, Healthy World as a Parent Ambassador. I’m in great company along with 18 other bloggers and actress Amy Brenneman (Private Practice, Judging Amy) and I’m thrilled to be a part of this movement.

About: Healthy Child, Healthy World is a non-profit organization devoted to expanding global awareness and understanding about the environmental hazards that are potentially hazardous to children that unfortunately exist in today’s modern world. They aim to increase awareness one parent at a time – so we can make better choices for our children.

To me, it’s about making small, daily changes.  Global change starts with one family, and over the last few years, I’ve been trying to make subtle changes in my family’s living on a daily basis.  The world isn’t what it was when we were once kids.  There are chemicals everywhere and they are harmful to our children.

My hope is that in being a part of this volunteer position, I can not only help to spread the word but help to learn what changes I can make in my own home to make it a safer environment for my children.  Because I’ll be the first to admit that while I’ve made a lot of changes in the last few years (eating more organically, buying all-natural products when I can), I’m still pretty mainstream and I’m looking forward to educating myself and my family towards living a healthier lifestyle.

Some info for you guys.  First off, watch this video.  If it doesn’t move you to want to make a change, then you weren’t paying attention and need to watch again.

A Wake-Up Story from Healthy Child Healthy World on Vimeo.

I could go on and on but we’ll start with this intro post.  In the coming months, I hope to bring you tons of useful information via Healthy Child, Healthy World that will help to educate Mommies with Style readers on ways to have a cleaner and safer home.

Giveaway: Along with this announcement, I have one prize pack available from Healthy Child, Healthy World.  It includes a copy of Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home, and other print materials including a pocket shopping guide (awesome for trips to the store).

To enter, leave a comment below.  Get a second entry but retweeting this post or posting about this giveaway.  Be sure to @mommieswstyle so I know you’ve done it!  One winner will be selected after June 14.

A few weeks ago, Jen from Nursing Mother Supplies asked to send me a new nursing bra to sample. The minute I read that its a Bravado bra, I was in. I’ve been so pleased with all the Bravado bras I have, for their lasting quality, the convenience of their breastfeeding closures and the comfort of the bra.

The Bliss offers everything I love about Bravado, in a full-coverage style. This is the bra to wear when you need full support. Its super comfortable with a large cup, its the bra I prefer to wear during my ‘heavier’ days. And while its not the sports bra I wear to work out usually, I did wear it to the gym the other day. Its that comfortable. I know. Crazy, right? A bra that’s that comfortable and supportive? So I did a little investigating and its Bravado’s Flexi-Fit support system that makes it such a pleasure to wear.

Its way too pretty for the gym. With a little embellishment, the Bravado Bliss lets you feel pretty and comfortable in your nursing bra.

Thanks to Nursing Mother Supplies for providing a sample for this review (and my comfort). Use coupon code NMS10 for 10% off your purchase.

I heard and read lots about how painful nursing could be, but until I experienced it myself I had NO idea.  The first few days were a breeze and I really thought that I was the exception.  I was sorely mistaken (no pun intended).  It took a full 8 weeks to stop wincing each time Gianna latched on.  With a lot of reassurance from friends and my Medela Breast Care Gift Set, I was able to successfully get through those tough days.  That’s why the Medela Breast Care Gift Set is #3 on my top ten list of Newborn Necessities.

Filled with nursing essentials, the gift set is a cute and compact solution to many early breastfeeding troubles.  The set contains 12 disposable bra pads, a 2oz tube of Tender Care Lanolin Advanced Nipple Therapy, 2 Tender Care Hydrogel pads, a Mother’s Minder bracelet, and an info/breastfeeding log.  Having all of these products together in one little bag made traveling super easy – especially since we went out of town for a wedding just 3 short weeks after Gianna arrived.

The breast care set would make an excellent gift for a baby shower or when visiting a new mommy.  Every nursing mother experiences some discomfort and frustration.  Share some relief and a little support with these tools.  The Medela Breast Care Gift Set can be purchased at Motherhood Maternity and Amazon.com from $24.

A sample of the Medela Breast Care Gift Set was provided for review on MWS.