Keeping a baby happy in the car seat on any length of road trip is a legitimate concern for any parent. Here’s how Rachel Morgan Cautero from TrulyMama.com made it work:
 Photo cred. Kids Health.com Even though breastfeeding is one of the most natural acts in the world, it still takes some practice, especially if you’re nursing your first child. It’s important to learn how to comfortably hold your baby during the process. You’ll need coordination and patience. Like most activities between you and your child, you’ll have to find something that works for the two of you. After all, you will be spending hours a day breastfeeding. Most of these positions are pretty standard and it’s likely that you’ll find one of these to be the most accommodating for you. Check out these best positions for breastfeeding. The Cradle Hold This is a classic position and the one most people try first. Sit in a chair that has supportive armrests, or on a heavily padded bed, and cradle your baby’s head in the crook of your arm. If you can, elevate your feet on a stool or other hard surface to avoid leaning down on your baby. Hold her in your lap so her body is facing you, and tuck her lower arm under yours. Extend your arms down her body to support her neck, spine, and bottom. The Cross-Over Hold Also known as the cross-cradle, in this position you’ll be holding the baby with the opposite arm. It gives you a good view of the baby’s latch. Support the baby with the arm opposite the breast with which you’re feeding. Support your baby’s head by resting his neck on the palm of your hand, with your thumb and fingers at the base of his head. Don’t grab on to her head too hard as this causes some babies to pull away, but of course support her. The Clutch or Football Hold Just like the name suggests, tuck your baby under your arm on the same side you’re nursing, similar to how you’d hold a football. Position her on the side, under your arm, facing you with her nose even with your nipple and feet pointing toward your back. Rest your arm on a pillow in your lap, and use your hand to support her neck and back. Guide her toward your nipple chin first. Be mindful of pushing too much, or she will resist and push back against your hand. This is a good position for babies who have trouble latching, because it allows you to see exactly what is going on and adjust her position accordingly. The Side-Lying Position This is a popular position for night feeding. You may need your partner to help you arrange pillows to form this position. Lie on the side of your body as the breast your baby will be feeding on. Lay your baby on the side so she’s facing you (either on a pillow, or lower arm, or directly on the bed), and her chest against yours. Use your top arm to support her body and the bottom arm to support her head and gently bring her toward your breast. Lean into a pillow behind you so you don’t put weight on the baby.  Written by Nicole Zoellner from Nizo Wear Nursing Bras
Nizo Wear is the first nursing bra to have a unique, patented pocket in the pull-down flap that can hold a warm or cool pack, helping bring moms relief and healing, while being extremely comfortable and super chic. All styles also include removable molded pads that provide discreet coverage when you want it; while giving you the freedom to take them out when you don't. Nizo Wear nursing bras were inspired by the real-life experience of the company’s founder, Nicole Zoellner. After experiencing breastfeeding discomfort, Nicole set out to do for other nursing moms what no-one had been able to do for her: provide a practical, comfortable way to get relief from the soreness breastfeeding mothers often experience. Her design was patented, and Nizo Wear was born. Visit www.nizowear.com for more information. Interested in writing a guest blog for Nizo Wear? Send your topic idea to CustomerService@nizowear.com. All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Nizo Wear makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.  Even though women have been doing it since the beginning of time, breastfeeding can come with its own challenges. It’s important that you get all the information you can before embarking on your wonderful journey with your new baby. Here’s the beginning of everything you need to know about breastfeeding. Use these tips to further your research and ask the right questions.
A - Assistance: Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Some women feel unwomanly or like bad mothers if they need help, but it’s perfectly fine to ask your mom, sister, friend, or lactation consultant. B – Bonding: Nursing is a powerful bonding experience for both mom and baby. C - Colostrum: The first milk your breasts produce during the early days of breastfeeding designed to pass along loads of carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies. D - Ducts: One of the challenges of nursing are plugged milk ducts. They can be painful and prevent you from breastfeeding well. E - Ear infections: Breastfeeding can help prevent ear infections by helping pass immunities along to your baby early in life. F – Football Hold: This is one of the nursing positions lactation consultants recommend for the mom who's had a C-section and also for mothers with large breasts or small babies. This is also popular with mothers of twins who want to feed the babies at the same time. In honor and celebration of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7, 2017), we are so excited to partner with Sarah Wells Bags and present the 4th Annual "Epic" World Breastfeeding Week Giveaway + Facebook Live Party, hosted by Sarah Wells Bags! This year, we've got another $3,000+ in prizes, and three lucky mamas will each take home a prize bundle of their own valued over $1,200 each. For your chance to win, enter using each Prize Bundle's Rafflecopter form below. As always, we’ll also be having a Facebook Live Party on Thursday, August 3rd at 9pm ET to celebrate! Hosted by Sarah Wells of Sarah Wells Bags, join participating brands and other mamas to share mom-to-mom advice, discuss the highs and lows of parenting, and hear back-to-work pumping stories. Our hope in creating this event is to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and breast pumping! It's not an easy job but together we are stronger-- So, let's kick back, relax, support each other, and take home some sweet prizes while we're at it! "See" you Thursday! -- Check out these "epic" prize bundles! From breast pumps to baby carriers and everything in between, each bundle is carefully composed of items to support new and breastfeeding/pumping mothers from the third trimester throughout her breastfeeding journey. Enter to win using the Rafflecopter forms below. By entering, you give permission for each brand to email you once with a discount offer or promotional code following the giveaway. Sponsors have been instructed not to send additional emails without your further opt-in permission. You may enter all prize bundle giveaways, but are only eligible to win once. Prizes will be shipped to domestic U.S. shipping addresses only. Complete rules and regulations can be found on each Rafflecopter entry form. Good luck, mamas! Epic Prize Bundles - Click each bundle to enter Like what you see? Share it!
 If you want to support breastfeeding, you don’t need to donate money or protest in the street; just have a conversation with the women in your life about the benefits (and misconceptions) of breastfeeding. If you know a new mom, here are some do’s and don’ts you can pass along to her. DO make sure that breastfeeding is well established before introducing the bottle nipple. Otherwise you can cause confusion. Wait about four to six weeks. DON’T be the one to introduce the bottle first. Let someone else so baby only identifies you with breastfeeding DO eat a well-balanced diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein. Whatever you eat, your baby eats too. DON’T rush the introduction of solid foods. Breast milk-only diets are safe for the first six months. Introduce solid foods when baby is sitting up and interested in it. Every child is different, but this could be anywhere from four to six months of age. Breast milk changes as your child grows to keep up with nutritional needs. For more information on introducing solids check out this free webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xorGn2eMUPI DON’T accept painful breastfeeding. There’s no award for toughing it out. When done properly, it shouldn’t hurt (aside from some mild soreness the first week). If you are experiencing pain, a cool pack can help provide immediate relief. However, we suggest you seek out the counsel of a lactation consultant. DO breastfeed, not “nipple feed.” As you bring your baby to your breast, compress your breast in your hand into a pointy shape and sending it deep into your baby’s mouth. This will help him get a good latch. But don’t stuff it into his mouth; you want to get him used to the idea of coming to you. DON’T get discouraged. If your baby’s latch is hurting you, allow him to try again. You want him to nurse deeply so it’s a pain-free experience for everyone. DO swiftly bring your baby to your breast when you pick him up. This will help him latch deeply. DON’T allow problems to go on unsolved. Trust your instinct. If you are in pain, you feel your baby isn’t soiling enough diapers, or you’re unsure for any reason, speak to a lactation consultant. DO eat about 300-500 more calories than normal. Also, increase your fluid intake. DON’T smoke, drink, take medications without consulting your doctor, or eat foods that seem to upset your baby. DO start breastfeeding within an half an hour after delivering. This early contact is good for both mom and baby and you get a chance to practice under the watchful eye of a nurse or lactation specialist. DON’T wait for baby to start crying before nursing. It’s very difficult to convince an upset baby to latch properly. If you think it’s time, offer your breast. DO breastfeed whenever baby is hungry, regardless of time or place. Restricting baby’s eating schedule and affect development. If you are feeling nervous about breastfeeding in public invest in a nursing cover to give you and baby a little privacy. Check out our made in the USA scarves here. DON’T switch breasts too early. Let baby finish a breast before moving to the other (and starting on the fuller one next time). If you switch early, baby fills up on foremilk (the watery milk at the start of the feeding) rather than the nutrient-rich hindmilk. DO be patient and confident. No one was an expert on their first day. For more great breastfeeding tips check out our breastfeeding 101 webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlr0l6TRVqI  Written by Nicole Zoellner from Nizo Wear Nursing Bras
Nizo Wear is the first nursing bra to have a unique, patented pocket in the pull-down flap that can hold a warm or cool pack, helping bring moms relief and healing, while being extremely comfortable and super chic. All styles also include removable molded pads that provide discreet coverage when you want it; while giving you the freedom to take them out when you don't. Nizo Wear nursing bras were inspired by the real-life experience of the company’s founder, Nicole Zoellner. After experiencing breastfeeding discomfort, Nicole set out to do for other nursing moms what no-one had been able to do for her: provide a practical, comfortable way to get relief from the soreness breastfeeding mothers often experience. Her design was patented, and Nizo Wear was born. Visit www.nizowear.com for more information. Interested in writing a guest blog for Nizo Wear? Send your topic idea to Customerservice@nizowear.com. All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Nizo Wear makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.  Traveling with babies can be complicated and frustrating, especially if you are breastfeeding. In order to have a comfortable trip, do everything in your power to plan ahead for all contingencies. Use these tips to travel smoothly while nursing. PS. #9 is our favorite! 1. Understand TSA regulations. Moms flying with breast milk are permitted to bring more than three ounces, but it has to be declared for inspection. Tell one of the officers you have it with you and they will instruct on the process. 2. Buy your own water. Don’t use the water from the faucet in a public restroom or out of a water fountain. Who knows where that water originates? Buy a few bottles of water so you know it’s clean. 3. Wear comfortable clothing. Wear some easily accessible clothing that lets you access your breasts for nursing without undressing entirely. Pair your favorite nursing top with a quality nursing bra. You want a bra that’s comfortable and fits well. Nizo Wear nursing bras even come with a pocket in the pull-down flap that holds a nursing pad or warm/cold pack for extra comfort. 4. Bring a nursing cover If you are shy about exposing your breast in public, bring a nursing cover to drape over your shoulder. The Nizo Wear has nursing covers that double as a stylish scarf. Another great, practical product that helps keep your shirt up and out of the way while you navigate nursing under a cover, is Latch Pal. You might want to use it a few times at home to help you and your child become comfortable with the process so you are calm and baby doesn’t protest during the flight/ride. 5. Check the local laws. Just about every state has a law that protects women who choose to breastfeed in public (what's up Idaho?). Check ahead to make sure you are being compliant. 6. Bring your nursing pillow. A quality nursing pillow is great for nursing any time, but especially for traveling. When you’re on the road or cramped in an airplane, it’s tough to get yourself into a comfortable position to feed your baby. Comfort is key! 7. Pump more than you think you will need. If you’re traveling away from your baby, pump enough breast milk for the length of your vacation and then a little more. After that, pump a little more. Play it safe so the caregiver isn’t forced to figure out another option. If you are taking your baby with you, but do not want to breastfeed on the plane or in the car, bring more than you need to account for spoilage (it happens if you can’t keep it cold) or an extra hungry baby. 8. Make sure you have the proper adapters/gear for your pump. If you are traveling to another part of the world, make sure your pump is compatible with the outlets in that region. It’s also great to bring an extra set of accessories just in case. Additionally, if you are looking for an amazing bag to make traveling with your pump easier check out Sarah Wells Breast Pump Bags; they are stylish and AMAZINGLY functional with thermally-lined pockets to keep your precious pumped milk cold! 9. No need to apologize. Some women feel badly about breastfeeding in a public place like an airport, plane, bus, or rest area. However, you should never feel like you have to apologize for feeding your child. It’s your right and duty as a mother. Seriously, most people understand, don’t care and often times don’t even notice if you are nursing. Just to be safe, it wouldn’t hurt to have a prepared comment ready in case someone decides to share their opinion with you about how or where you should feed your baby.  Written by Nicole Zoellner from Nizo Wear Nursing Bras
Nizo Wear is the first nursing bra to have a unique, patented pocket in the pull-down flap that can hold a warm or cool pack, helping bring moms relief and healing, while being extremely comfortable and super chic. All styles also include removable molded pads that provide discreet coverage when you want it; while giving you the freedom to take them out when you don't. Nizo Wear nursing bras were inspired by the real-life experience of the company’s founder, Nicole Zoellner. After experiencing breastfeeding discomfort, Nicole set out to do for other nursing moms what no-one had been able to do for her: provide a practical, comfortable way to get relief from the soreness breastfeeding mothers often experience. Her design was patented, and Nizo Wear was born. Visit www.nizowear.com for more information. Interested in writing a guest blog for Nizo Wear? Send your topic idea to Customerservice@nizowear.com. All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Nizo Wear makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, current-ness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.  You recently gave birth to a beautiful baby and although you are so in love, you’re not so in love with your post-baby body. First off, remember that you just had a baby and it will take a while to get back to your pre-baby body. Secondly, if you are looking to be more active and get back into shape, especially with the holidays right around the corner, doing so with baby is a great way to do it! It not only helps to shed the left over baby weight, but it will also bond the two of you! Here are five ways to get active and fit with baby:
1. Dance What’s more fun than cranking up the music and dancing with your baby? This activity is especially great for rainy days when you can’t get out. Try making a thirty minute play list of you and your baby’s favorite songs and dance your way through them. You will both have fun being silly and you will burn calories! 2. Join a mom and baby exercise class A really great way to get active and fit with your baby is to join a mom and baby exercise class. There are tons out there, and they can be a lot of fun. Not only will you and baby bond, but you will get to meet tons of other moms!If you stay at home with baby, this is a great way to get you out of the house and socializing with other moms, and of course, get you fit! 3. Walk the dog Another great way to get active with baby is to take the dog for walks. Walking is a great way to stay healthy and fit. We recommend you get a routine going, have your morning coffee and then take the dog and baby for a walk around the neighborhood. Try going a little bit farther every day to motivate you! 4. Make tummy time workout time The next time your baby has tummy time, pick up a few weights. While your baby is having fun on their play mat, you can squeeze in a few arm curls. This is great, because you can still talk to and watch baby. You’ll be surprised how toned you can get from lifting weights a few minutes every day. 5. Breastfeed Breastfeeding burns up to 500 calories per day! Make sure you maintain a healthy diet to support a good milk supply and enjoy the fact that you are giving your baby a nutritious meal while you burn calories. Whether you plan to exclusively breastfeed, exclusively pump or somewhere in between like I did; below is some helpful information about the different breast pump companies out there and what services they offer from the folks at Consumer Affairs.
What type of pump should you be looking for: Frequent users- Customers who purchase a breast pump and need to pump more than once a day should invest in a high-quality pump. They need an automatic pump with speed options, multiple flanges, and double-pumping capability. Occasional users- While many mothers breastfeed, some prefer to have the baby drink straight from the breast, rather than pump milk into the bottle. Mothers who primarily feed from the breasts only need to use a breast pump occasionally. These customers can use a manual pump or a less complex pump because it doesn't have to work as efficiently. Users who have trouble feeding- Some mothers have trouble feeding and should use hospital-grade electric breast pumps that can help draw milk from the breast much more quickly, or they should take advantage of specialized pumps designed to deal with medical issues or discomfort. These customers often look for pumps that can also draw milk from both breasts at once to yield more milk. Users who prefer manual pumps- Some customers, whether they are constantly moving around and don't have access to electricity, or they are sensitive to the process or don't like carrying an electric pump, will be in search of a manual pump. They can control the process themselves, and it's easy to transport this kind of pump. What services you should expect: Customer service- Breast pump companies that sell pumps to mothers should provide a high level of customer service in order to make sure customers are happy with their purchases and can get any concerns addressed promptly.
Electric vs. manual- The two main types of breast pumps are electric/battery-powered and manual. Companies often specialize in one type of pump.
Warranties- When purchasing products like breast pumps, it's important to check on the warranties offered that cover damage and wear and tear over time.
Pricing- Breast pumps come in a wide range of prices, from small, affordable manual pumps to more expensive pumps with many features.
Special requirements- Many companies offer products that help moms with special needs.
Variety of products- Some companies specialize in one type of breast pump while others feature a variety for customers to choose from.
Read the full article here While breastfeeding is an intimate way for new mothers to bond with their babies, it doesn’t always come naturally to moms. There is a learning curve involved and moms need any help they can get from hospital staff, doulas, family and friends. Still most women will say that nursing their little ones is one of the most beautiful experiences of motherhood. There are many products out there on the market today that are designed specifically to help guide moms while nursing and provide them with relief, comfort, and security. Melissa LaHann, mom inventor of the LatchPal nursing clip, shares her favorite gear and accessories that make great gifts for new moms.  LatchPal is a breastfeeding shirt clip that holds up a mother’s shirt during breastfeeding. Not only does LatchPal eliminate shirt re-positioning and feeding disruptions but also helps a mother nurse hands-free and in greater comfort to maximize milk flow. The patent-pending breastfeeding clip was designed with moms in mind; the multi-use solution only requires one hand to attach and latch can be used as a nursing reminder clip once your baby’s belly is full. LatchPal is a must-have breastfeeding accessory; it’s a breastfeeding essential that’s perfect for postpartum moms, pumping, and nursing in public! $14.95 www.latchpal.com         October 9, 2015 / 0 CommentsBest Baby and Mom Products – Guest post from The Naptime ReviewerBy nizowear
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags : baby, babydipperbowl, bottle, bras, lebibble, mom, nizowear, nursing, self feeding,swaddle Whether you are shopping for yourself, your baby, or a shower gift, here’s a great selection of baby and mom products that we love! Just for mommy! Solace Nursing Bra from Nizo Wear: It’s very hard to find a nursing bra that is comfortable and fits well. The Solace Nursing Bra is made of ultra soft material and comes with molded pads that are removable (to hide nipples, breast pads or leaks!). The full coverage cups have no seams to show through clothing, with no underwires. A great feature of this bra is that the cups contain “healing” pockets, where you can insert a warm or cool pack when you are experiencing discomfort. The Solace bra is made from 95% cotton for soft comfort and features adjustable back closures. The cups also drop open completely for good skin to skin contact during breastfeeding. Oogiebear: The cutest booger tool and ear cleaner ever! Made of soft silicone rubber, one end is a loop, and the other is a scoop. This is perfect for when boogies are thick or dry, or when an aspirator may just push them further up the nose. It’s also great for ear wax as cotton swabs can just push wax further into the ear canal. Oogiebear’s cute design is safe, so that it cannot be inserted too far into the nose or ear canal. Milkcharm: These charms are an adorable and practical way to keep track of bottles for freshness. Whether it’s a bottle of pumped breast milk or formula, you can use a Milkcharm to note when it was pumped or made, with a double sided dial that marks the day and the time. Perfect to let you know if a milk or formula bottle has been sitting out too long! Milkcharms can also be used on baby food – no more guessing how long baby food has been sitting in the fridge. SipSnap: Don’t leave home without this amazing stretchy lid that will fit any size cup or glass. They come with sippy cup type drinking spouts, or a straw insert version. I absolutely love that you can take these to a restaurant instead of bringing an entire sippy cup, and not worry about embarrassing puddles under your table. SipSnaps are dishwasher safe, chew resistant, and made of food grade silicone. SipSnaps are compact and easy to carry in your purse or diaper bag. They’re perfect for travel, taking the place of bulky plastic cups. Wristy Buddy: Teething babies love to chew on anything and everything! Wristy Buddy attaches easily to babys’ wrist and gives them something to chew on that won’t fall onto the ground and get dirty. If your baby is an early teether, Wristy Buddy is easy for them to bite with their limited hand coordination. Wristy Buddy comes in super cute stuffed animal designs, with a soft, non-toxic, rubbery teether attached. For babies 3 months and up. Baby Dipper: I love the design of this bowl! With its’ triangular shape (with rounded corners) and slanted bottom, all the food falls down to the point of the triangle, making it easy to use the rounded spoon to get every last bite. The bowl also has a great non-slip bottom, making one handed feeding easier and eliminating spills from being knocked off the high chair. This is not your average baby bowl. It has very thick and weighty sides to lessen the chance of spilling. New For Baby: Give baby the softness of 100% cotton clothing from New For Baby. Sleep gowns are soft with elasticized bottom for easy diaper changes, and necks have snap closures. Sizes up to 3 months include fold over hand cuffs to prevent face scratching. Yoga pants are equally as soft with elastic waistband, and colors to match just about any outfit. New For Baby carries clothing for babies 0-12 months in yummy bright colors, with some fantastic gift sets that include gowns, bodysuits and yoga pants for boys and girls. Le bibble: Let’s face it, babies drool and dribble while drinking bottles. Le bibble catches it all with it’s unique design that surrounds the top of the bottle, and works with all bottle sizes. The cute designs keep babies focused, as well as helps them hold onto the bottle. Do you have twins? Buy 2 different designs to eliminate mixing up bottles! Perfect shower gift for the baby who already has everything! Ultimate Swaddle: Don’t know how to swaddle? No worries! The Ultimate Swaddle by SwaddleDesigns has an instructional label showing how to swaddle your baby sewn onto the edge of the blanket! This is a must-have for new parents! These blankets are made of super soft, lightweight cotton and come in really fun prints. I love the large size of these swaddle blankets – 42″ x 42″. Check out SwaddleDesign’s beautiful line of baby apparel, bedding, and bath time products. |
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