Every once in a while, something comes along that completely changes the way we approach things! These game changing products sometimes deserve their own blog post.
Enter the Willow Breast Pump (and to a lesser degree the Freemie Independence)
The Willow Pump is a revolutionary breast pump with two pumps that you can slip into your bra for on the go pumping! Users say it is imperfect, but very quiet, gets a good amount of milk out and with no wires it is probably the most portable and discreet pump on the market. Willow also syncs with your smart phone to let you keep track of how much breast milk you just pumped. You can purchase (sometimes the $49 price-tag can be waived) a reusable milk container and doughnut shaped milk storage bags that lie pretty flat for easy freezer storage and quick thawing.
Imagine needing to pump during a conference call or while standing in line at Disney Land or while shopping at the grocery store. It seems as though willow might have you covered. One nurse who wrote a review said it was discreet and quiet enough to be able to pump while she attended to her patients. Just slip it in your bra discreetly (like in your car or in the bathroom) and you're good to go!
Pretty much everyone who uses it loves it. (It has really high user ratings) Unfortunately it also comes with a pretty hefty price tag. At $499 it can seem a little overwhelming in the finances department; however, most users say they're glad they purchased it despite the steep price. Willow also has a payment plan that can get you the pump for $47/month.
Check out their website!
(you can thank me later)
The Freemie Independence is pretty similar in the sense that it has two small pumps that you can slip into your bra, but you do have a cord and a little control panel that you clip to your waistband. They're currently running a special for $100 off, putting the total price-tag at $149. Might be worth the cord and control panel to cut the cost by that much!
Check it out!
When it comes to pumping, the first step is picking which pump you're going to pump with. With so many pumps out there, it's hard to know which one will be the best one for you. Let's break it down
I tend to go by amazon reviews when I buy things. I figure one thousand people can't really all be wrong, right? So lets go over the top 3 contenders for larger sized breast pumps that I'd want to leave at home, but would be a work-horse when it comes to pumping.
The two most highly rated pumps on amazon are both made by the same company.
Who wants to lug around a ginormous pump when they go to work? Not me, thank you! I'd rather be a little discreet. So let's look at our top portable picks!
This group was a little harder to stratify. There are more with 4+ star ratings, but they are also based on fewer reviews. Statistics-wise, not quite as sure of a bet as the thousands of reviews for the Spectras. So here we go with the smaller, more portable pumps with ratings over 4.0 (which happen to be less expensive as well).
Planning on breastfeeding but want any situation covered? Any of the On the Go pumps would be a great option for an on-hand pump and several of them are very affordable. The following is a selection of hand pumps (and one electric) that are definitely in the affordable category if you just plan to pump once a week for date night.
Now that we've gone over some different kinds of pumps, lets talk about HOW to pump. Pumping should be uncomfortable, but not painful. I know, fine line; but it has to tug on your breast hard enough to express the milk without ripping off your nipple, right?
The basics are easy. Make sure you're choosing a "horn" that fits all the way over your areola (the dark area of your breast that includes your nipple) and that your nipple is centered in the horn so that it can be pulled into the neck section of the horn. Then turn on your pump and follow the directions for your specific model. I would recommend reading through the directions before you get all set up to pump though.
Pumping is such a great option for moms or babies who struggle with breastfeeding or can't breastfeed because of work or any other reason. However, it can also make you feel like you're stuck and useless. It can occupy both your hands and tie you to a machine that is not portable. OR, you could go with one of the On the Go options and buy one of these babies! It will free you up to move around and use your hands - and it's SO STYLISH!
I like that this version (you can find it HERE on amazon) zips up the front making it easier to get on and off than the sports bra versions. Keeps your hands free for dealing with other kids, cooking dinner, playing candy crush and writing blog posts.
After all that pumping, you'll want to clean your pump (whatever kind you've purchased). Cleaning your pump ensures that your milk is always safe for baby. The CDC has a great web page on how to clean your pump HERE. I'll summarize for you.
Again, you've got some choices here, so pick what works for you. Make sure any choice you pick is BPA-free and you're good to go.
These Avent cups worked well for me with my previous kids
If I was doing it again now, I think I'd go with a system like this:
Or use these:
I like the compactness of the bags and that they can be stored in these different containers, plus heating up a thin bag of breast milk takes a lot less time to warm up than a thick cup of breast milk. For reference, a bottle of breast milk from the fridge will take almost 10 minutes to warm up in the Medela bottle warmer.
Shelf life info adapted from the CDC:
Once you've got your stock all saved and frozen for future use, what's the best way to go about thawing and using it? Good news, the CDC has all you need to know about that topic HERE. Here's the break-down of Dos and Don'ts.
DOS
DON'TS
Your breast milk doesn't have to be warm for baby to drink it. It is perfectly safe for baby to drink cooled breast milk. If you want to warm up milk that has been in the fridge or freezer before baby drinks it, here are some handy - and maybe obvious - tips:
What are your favorite pumping tools? Do you have advice for first-time pumping moms? Comment below!
]]>Whether to breast feed or bottle-feed is a very personal decision. There are a lot of different experiences and factors that go into whether you personally decide to breastfeed your baby and sometimes that decision changes from one baby to the next.
Most of us have heard that breastfeeding is WONDERFUL, but why? Well, there are a lot of health benefits for both mom and baby.
Benefits for baby include protection from a wide range of diseases, including:
There are also a lot of benefits for mom:
Breastfeeding is even good for society and the environment:
Some reasons to definitely NOT breastfeed are:
You can still breastfeed in these conditions:
The above lists do not cover everything. If you have questions about your personal illness and if it is ok to breastfeed, talk to your health care provider. Also talk with your healthcare provider about whether it is safe to breastfeed while taking any medication. Information on safe-to-breastfeed medications can also be found here, or get the app!
Most of the above information was gathered from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
So how do you do this thing? Breastfeeding is "natural", but it also has a learning curve for you and your baby. Some babies come out knowing exactly how to coordinate everything in their mouth for that perfect suck. Others, not so much. So, how can we make it easier on both mom and baby? There are a couple little tips that may help with the basics.
Leche League is an awesome resource for all your breastfeeding problems. They also have trained professionals who can come to your home and help you should you have issues after you get home.
Once again, a very personal decision. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding ONLY for approximately the first 6 months and breastfeeding for at least a year. WHO (World Health Organization) recommends breastfeeding along with appropriate foods for the first 2 years. The research shows that basically the longer you breastfeed, the more protection you gain for you and baby. For example, mom's risk for breast cancer decreases with every year that she breastfeeds.
To learn more about the link between breastfeeding and decreased risk of breast cancer, check out this article from breastcancer.org. To learn more about infant and toddler feeding, visit CDC’s Infant and Toddler Nutrition website.
]]>We all expect our birthing experience to be perfect. We will get to the hospital and put on our comfy jersey-knit flowered non-hospital hospital gown. Our practitioner and nurse will walk in together with beaming smiles and calming presences. We will go over our birthing plan with them and then, 3 hours of pain-free labor later, our beautiful child will be in our arms. We will coo at them and they’ll immediately recognize us and smile up at our face.
Ok, so I’ve NEVER seen a delivery that went that way, but hey, we can dream, right?
Aside from all the little things that don’t go according to your birth plan, there are times when things really go wrong. A broken collarbone is one of them. Commonly, shoulder dystocia (a baby getting wedged into the birth canal by its shoulder) and babies over 8lb 12oz are considered at risk for a broken collarbone. We’ll discuss that more in a future blog, or read more at the Merck Manual website.
So, are there things that we can do to avoid a broken collarbone? Let’s take a look at the research.
This study found that babies were at risk for a fractured clavicle based on gestational age (how far along you are in your pregnancy), birth weight, and shoulder dystocia. All things we don’t really have control over.
A 1999 study done at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center took a look at all babies born between 1996 and 1999 with broken collarbones. They found that the risk factors for a broken clavicle were increased age of the mother, birth weight over 8lb 12oz, meconium (baby’s 1st type of poo) passed during labor and delivery, and genetic problems with bones.
So, the pros and the cons.
The bad part is, there aren’t really things you can do to prevent you baby having a broken collarbone at birth. You don’t have control over your baby’s weight gain or when they are born, or the size of your pelvis relative to your baby’s head.
The good news? You can’t control it. It’s not your fault and it’s not anything you did or didn’t do. Relax, and don’t stress about it because you can’t control it, and if it happens, there is help.
Infant Brace
Helping your baby heal
]]>I decided to consult the go-to store for online shopping, Amazon, to see what they suggested to purchase for a newborn baby*. After consulting through lists of items, the following items came out on top:
Here are some runner ups:
What do you think? Is it essential to have a portable changing pad? How about a wrap swaddle blanket? I don’t think there’s an answer to that, it all depends on the type of mother you are. At the end of the day, we’re all trying our best to raise our little ones into happy, healthy babies. So, who’s to say any of these items are good, bad, needed, or useless?
Author's note: I admit that the list of items above may not be completely accurate. I found them after a quick Google search and thought it would be fun to compile the list.
*The lists used to write this blog are created based on top selected products and reviews, so Amazon isn’t responsible for making the lists – shoppers of Amazon newborn and baby products are. That being said, we tend to buy items that are purchased most often and have the best reviews, so there may be some validity to them.
**All pictures are copyright to the original product being sold on Amazon. We own none of them.
https://www.amazon.com/slp/baby-stuff-for-a-newborn-baby/px4dfaemhaek82g
https://www.amazon.com/slp/newborn-baby-supplies/xvb2mtemnrpm3t3
https://www.amazon.com/slp/baby-department-newborn/8t73j4hccb866zp
https://www.amazon.com/slp/baby-stuff-for-newborn/bba33ntypw523hm
https://www.amazon.com/slp/baby-stuff-for-newborns/yoxcbcsn6h3c8k8
https://www.amazon.com/slp/baby-needs-for-newborn/8pre84kdvgcc692
]]>Just because you have a new adorable baby doesn’t mean that you have to put your life on hold! Traveling with kids can be challenging, but with these 10 tried-and-true tips and a willingness to roll with it, the world is yours!
1. Do your research. Different airlines have different policies regarding how young a child has to be in order to fly. It is generally recommended that you wait until your baby is several months old to avoid leaving them susceptible to germs in a crowded space. Check out the following links if flying with Delta Airlines and Southwest Airlines to view airline specific requirements. If flying with a different airline, a simple google search will get you the information you need.
When traveling with a child under 2 years old, you can have your child share a seat with you and simply have them on your lap, or you can purchase a separate seat for them and be able to use their carseat on the plane. The Federal Aviation Administration has restrictions outlining what qualifies as an approved car seat that can be viewed here.
2. Bring your stroller and car seat to the gate. Depending on the seating process on your plane, you may be able to snag the seat next to yours if the flight isn’t too full. (Thank you Southwest open seating!) If you are lucky enough to get an open seat beside you, try seating your baby as if you were going for a car ride -- this position is something familiar to your baby and might be the most comfortable for them. If the flight is full, they will gate check the seat and stroller at no cost to you, and you can use them in the airports.
3. Change their diaper. Do your best to change their diaper right before the flight to have the least chance of having to try to do that in those teeny tiny airplane bathrooms.
4. Admit you need extra assistance! When boarding, feel free to board the plane when the gate agent calls for anyone needing extra time or assistance. This will give you time to get you and your baby settled without as many people crowding around you.
5. Be prepared to battle air pressure. Young children are especially affected by changes in air pressure. But don’t worry! There are many things you can do to aid in this change. Try to nurse or bottle feed the baby during ascending and descending to minimize effects on their ear pressure. Think about the act of chewing gum and how it helps an adult adjust. If they aren’t wanting to eat, at least give them something to chew or suck on to keep their mouths moving.
6. Be prepared to play and eat. Pack a bag full of a wide variety of toys for your baby to play with. In the days leading up to the flight, notice which toys keep your baby entertained for the longest amount of time. While on the plane, wait to give them something new until they are done using what they currently have. Another huge tip is snacks. Snacks, snacks, snacks! Bring a variety of snacks for your baby (and you) to keep you both going.
7. Pack an extra change of clothes for your baby AND for you. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Hope that you don’t have to do multiple wardrobe changes in the aforementioned teeny tiny bathroom, but be prepared to, just in case you have to!
8. Bring a blanket to snuggle. Do this even in the warmer months, as planes can get cold.
9. It’s ok if they cry a little. If they cry at home, then they’ll cry on an airplane. Don’t panic, just follow your parenting instincts and take care of them as you normally would.
10. You are not the only one. Always remember that you are not the only one who has had to fly with a baby. A lot of people have flown with infants and kids, so don’t think about how you must be annoying others. Of course, you should always try to be courteous. Most people around you will be kind and understanding; strangers will often be willing to help you out because they understand that you are the one doing the heavy lifting!
These are some ideas we had for ways to successfully fly with your baby. What are other must-dos or must-haves for plane rides? We would love to know what you do to keep your baby happy (happier than this baby and passenger) during an airplane flight!
]]>Over time we became close friends (that rarely see each other, but that’s life, right?). I was able to see her a few times after she became pregnant, and later when she’d had her baby – a precious, adorable girl!
A few weeks ago, Emily was telling me that her baby had been coughing nonstop for a couple of days. Knowing nothing about babies, I asked if she’d administered any cough medicine. Emily told me that babies shouldn’t be given cough medicine, which sparked my curiosity. Why can’t you give babies cough medicine?
Perfect topic for a blog post! I figure there are others out there who are like me – clueless and looking for answers. So, I did some research and found answers to why cough medicine shouldn’t be given to babies, as well as alternatives that can be administered.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that “children under two years of age should not be given any kind of cough and cold product. Reported side effects included convulsions, rapid heart rates, and death.” These side effects are rare, yet still serious adverse effects.
“Children under 2 years of age should not be given any kind of cough and cold product that contains a decongestant or antihistamine because serious and possibly life-threatening side effects could occur. … During 2004-2005, an estimated 1,519 children less than 2 years of age were treated in U.S. emergency departments for adverse events, including overdoses, associated with cough and cold medications.”
Summary: The ingredients inside most cough and cold medicines are not safe for newborns and infants, even toddlers, to consume. It’s always important to read the labels on any medications we’ll be administering to our children. Overdosing is also a problem, as most over-the-counter medicines aren’t meant for children under the age of 4. If you have questions concerning over-the-counter medicines and/or cough medicines, seek help from a medical professional.
Options: What can you do for your baby instead? Consider using one of the following cough medicine alternatives from WebMD. They’re drug-free and safe for newborns.
Try Saline Drops
Saline nasal drops can thin the mucus in your baby’s nose and shrink swollen airways. Use them two or three times per day; any more could make your baby’s nose sore.
Saline drops may make it easier to remove mucus from your child's nose. Put a few drops in each nostril and allow to sit for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, use a suction bulb to remove the mucus.
Increase Fluids
When your child isn't feeling well, give more drinks than usual.
Babies under 6 months should only drink breast milk or formula, not water, cow's milk or juice. You can offer more formula or breast milk than usual when your baby has a cough or cold.
Raise Baby's Head
Have you ever slept with extra pillows when you had a stuffy nose to breathe more easily? This trick works for babies too. Simply place a pillow or folded towel under the head of your baby's mattress to create a slight angle. This will raise the head safely and help your baby to breathe.
What are some methods you use? I’m sure there is a multitude of other ways to help mediate a cold or help a baby’s cough. Asking someone experienced is always a good idea, but remember to use your best judgment, follow your instincts on how to help your baby, and consult your medical provider.
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