My “Mom List” — Part II: Pumping & Nursing essentials

Many friends have asked for tips or items I use or used with my pregnancies and my three munchkins. This is part II of my “Mom List” posts. Happy to hear your tips, tricks and must haves!

**Medela Pump In Style Advanced (PISA): http://amzn.to/2kWBejq I used this and no other pump with our first kiddo. I did supplement use by adding Freemies (http://amzn.to/2mc5Vl2), which are on my MUST HAVE list.

 **Spectra S2: http://amzn.to/2kBB0lQ   I used this with the twins to supplement my Medela Symphony rental. However, it requires different connectors for the Freemies (these: http://amzn.to/2lwJg5J).

**Zerlar silicone breastfeeding manual pump: http://amzn.to/2lwEoOj               I learned about this device when I had my twins. It would’ve been way more useful to have with a single child as you use it on the opposite side from the one you’re nursing on to “save” milk from a letdown. Many women build their initial “go back to work” stash using this and only this without having to pump. This, in my opinion, is a MUST HAVE for any Mom who cannot exclusively nurse their baby.

**Medela Lactina hand pump: http://amzn.to/2mctKsP I didn’t use a hand pump with my first kiddo, but with my twins, I used the hand pump when I traveled to conferences. It’s small, and I could fit it and a mini cooler (http://amzn.to/2kXdWKp), Medela bags (http://amzn.to/2lY6p2a), Medela connectors with this set (http://amzn.to/2lx7ey6), Medela cooler pack (http://amzn.to/2mcl7P5), etc. in a handbag that I could easily carry and pump anywhere anytime. It actually helped boost and maintain my supply. My body responded well to a hand pump when needed. I will note here that I prefer not to use the Medela bags full time, but they work for this purpose.

**Milk Storage Bags: http://amzn.to/2lYjett My preference is to use Up&Up brand milk storage bags. We had fewer leaks, tears, rips, spills, etc. with these over Nuk, Lansinoh and Medela brands. In addition to writing the date, ounces and other info on the milk bags, we also established a system where we put a “garage sale” tag in a particular color on each bag based on month (dots: http://amzn.to/2moSgIq). This helped any caregiver (mom, dad, grandparents, sitters, etc.) know which milk to use first (i.e., use all the blue-dot labeled bags before the yellow-dot labeled bags!). We stored the milk bags sideways in 1-gallon plastic bags (http://amzn.to/2mweLdx) in a brick-like configuration with approximately 4 ounces per milk bag and 48 ounces per gallon bag. Then, label the outside of the bag with the amount inside for easy reference. This method makes it easy to store milk in a stand-up freezer, side-by-side freezer or deep freeze.

**Medela Nipple Shield: http://amzn.to/2mcuyhu This was critical to the breastfeeding journey with all three kiddos. When the twins were in the NICU, they were still too immature to latch properly. This, though seemingly large for their mouths, helped both babies practice nursing. We came home needing to use this with only one twin, and graduated it when babies had been home a couple weeks. Then, when the twins were teething, this helped protect mom for a day or two until babies’ teeth broke thru their gums and they weren’t trying to gnaw on mom anymore. This is not something you will need forever, but at certain points, it helps crest a few hurdles.

**Medela to Spectra adapter: http://amzn.to/2kWG2FL This is a tiny item, but it makes using the Freemies and other Medela “hacks” on the Spectra. If you want to use the bottles interchangeably, you will need a threaded bottle top adapter (http://amzn.to/2l9SkNk).

**Pumping bras come in all types and styles. Some of the ones I’ve tried (I think I’ve tried a dozen or so):

—Medela (http://amzn.to/2mcjiBW) is pretty standard; I was initially skeptical because of the cost, but I use/d it when pumping with regular Spectra parts (no Freemies).

–The Rumina (http://amzn.to/2kBLiSU) was recommended on a Mom forum I follow, so I tried it. It’s more of a nursing bra and good for maternity leave, weekends, etc. It’s not really a great one for wear when leaving the house.

–The HOFISH (http://amzn.to/2lwCFbO)… I’ve tried it… not my favorite. It’s comfortable fabric, but the shape isn’t good for on the go. It is designed to fit different pump parts, which was the draw for me. I used it with the Pumping Pals (http://amzn.to/2mc6k78) on the Medela setup. I’m not aware of a setup that allows for use of Pumping Pals with Spectra… but, it just didn’t interest me to try and hack the situation, so it may be easy to do?

–Don’t laugh… but, cloth diapers (http://amzn.to/2kWsQk6) are also a pumping essential for me. It’s vital to have a nice soft cloth to use when you remove your pump flanges or Freemies. These are a must have for any mom—they make good burp cloths, good drool catchers, and good pumping helpers. J Also, in my opinion, a MUST HAVE. I go with the prefolds because they have a cushiony center and are a little more absorbent. NOTE: If you cloth diaper, recommend finding a way to tag some of these for nursing purposes only (maybe a small embroidery?).

**Lanolin/Coconut Oil/Other related products:

—Lansinoh Lanolin: http://amzn.to/2kXihNR I used this after both pregnancies. Preference is to get the smaller tubes so they can be put in more places (purse, pump bag, next to at-home pumping station, etc.).

—Coconut Oil: This was a life saver on many levels… but, yes… it worked for soreness associated with pumping. Any kind that works for you will do. I put a small amount in a small glass jar and kept it in my pumping bag and next to my pumping station at home.

—Waxaline: http://amzn.to/2kBYdEu I used this after my twins were born in place of Lanolin. I found it at Whole Foods, and it doubles as lip balm.

**Supplements/Galactagogues: At any given time, my mind and immune system might need a little boost. I keep/kept a few products on hand to ease my mind when my “supply dips/dipped” (for any number of reasons… growth spurts, Aunt Flo, dehydration, too few calories in a day, etc.). These were some of my “go to” supplements (disclaimer: check with your doctor or an IBCLC for your specific needs):

—Milk Multi (drinkable/powdered multi-vitamin): http://amzn.to/2mcaBaN I used this when I felt a tickle in my throat or sniffles coming on… it worked to stamp out any cough/cold-type illness from the jump!

—Milk Multi (UpSpring Milkflow Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle Powder Berry Drink Mix): http://amzn.to/2lacXJv This was in my arsenal of galactogogues. I park this in the camp of mental support as much or more than anything. While tasty, and items included are on many lists of breast-milk supporting items, the jury is out on whether or not galactogogues/galactagogues actually work. So, for me… taking a packet of this with pineapple juice and water (because it’s delicious that way) was as much a stress relief as it was a physical boost. Did I notice a change in my supply when I took it? Sometimes. But, that could be attributed to any number of things. So, I kept it around and used it when I needed a boost (physically/mentally, lol).

—Mother’s Milk Tea (http://amzn.to/2lwRvPw): Also in the lane of support, I kept this tea on hand. It’s an odd flavor, but not bad. Recommend adding a touch of honey. I used this more with my first kiddo than with the twins, but he was a winter-born baby, so hot tea was soothing in other ways then. This was the first way I found I could tolerate fenugreek since taking the tablets hurt my stomach. I found this version (a coconut flavored lactation tea) with the twins: http://amzn.to/2lY9wY7 It is also delicious.

—Lactation cookies (http://amzn.to/2kBOWwd): These were by far the most delicious galactagogue. Their main components (oats, flax, etc) were the supplements needed, but these do have plenty of calories as well to support nursing moms. They also come individually packaged (http://amzn.to/2lzvP5v) so you can keep one in any bag you go out with. These did seem to assist in boosting my supply, but I think it could’ve been as much the extra calories as anything.

—Milk Drunk Protein Bars (http://amzn.to/2kBHkdi): Let me be honest here… these are gross, in my opinion. I bought a box and kept them around, and yes… I ate them. They travel well. But, in the lane of tasty… they are not.

—Brewer’s Yeast (http://amzn.to/2mc4S4O): This made its way into my daily smoothies.

NOTE: As always, I will update this as needed or as I remember other items. Happy nursing & pumping Moms!

My “Mom List”… Part I

I’m working on a document to send to friends (who’ve asked me a variety of questions) with all kinds of information on what I’ve learned in the short time I’ve been a mom. Mostly, this stuff includes pregnancy support, nursing hacks and supplements, gear for babies and toddlers, learning kits and more.

The first item on my list is no surprise to anyone who knows me… Amazon Prime. A friend said to me, while I was pregnant with my first, that she would put things in her cart when she had time to think about them, and then when she actaully needed them, she would go click “ship”! 🙂 This was a great idea, and I still use this strategy to this day.

So, as a teaser before sharing the list I mentioned above… go get yourself Amazon Prime, folks! You won’t regret it… or you might. Lol.

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Feeding Three Under Two!

It’s been some time since my last update… because life has been cruising along. In 2016, we added twins to our family! Since then, I’ve been nursing (and pumping for) two adorable little ones.

As part of this journey, I get questions frequently from friends and colleagues like “How do you do it?!” Well… here’s a list of my go-to products (affiliate links may be included). These items may keep me sane, may help my milk supply, may keep my kids entertained while I feed another one, or any other number of things to support feeding three kiddos under age two!

I found these cookies some time ago. Full disclosure, these will not help you “lose the baby weight while breastfeeding” if that’s your plan; however, they do seem to help me keep my supply at a twin-tolerant level. Chocolate-chip Oatmeal cookies: http://amzn.to/2ipFhaW

Vitamins! All moms need a little boost occasionally, and I consider having this many munchkins around. This is a powdered product you can dissolve in water or juice. It smells a bit like powdered citrus drink mix, but it’s more bitter when you drink it down. I generally try to get it mostly down in one try or mask the bitterness with a tropical flavored juice like pineapple. 🙂 Milk-multi Postnatal Vitamin: http://amzn.to/2itsBee

By the same company as the vitamin powder, this stuff tastes quite good, in my opinion, and it supports twin-tolerant milk levels from what I’ve experienced. You also mix this with water or juice. I can tolerate this one with water. UpSpring Milk Flow Fenugreek & Blessed Thistle powdered drink mix: http://amzn.to/2jL4lp0

Mother’s Milk Tea is mentioned in nearly every forum I’ve ever been a part of, and I’ve definitely used it. That said, I think there are other products that seem to help me a little more, but I like having a box of this tucked into my desk at work and another next to my single-cup brew machine at home. Mother’s Milk Tea: http://amzn.to/2iym3ya

This is one I wish I would’ve known about with my first child. When you’re nursing a baby on one side, the other side lets down… if this happens and you don’t have a way to collect the milk, you lose out in many ways. This device can be suctioned to the opposite side you nurse on to collect an ounce or two. Many women use this–what may seem like a small amount–to start their “going back to work stockpile” of frozen breast milk. With twins, I still use this on occasion, and it’s a great (inexpensive) item to throw in a gift set for a new mom (provided you KNOW she plans to breastfeed). Zerlar brand Hakaa cup: http://amzn.to/2jkoXYK

As I recall other tools I use, I’ll come back and update this resource list. I’d love to hear what works for you in the comments below!

For all my fellow twin moms, moms of three under two, working moms, frantic, nit-picky, loving, laughing, enjoying life moms… happy twinning, happy momming, and keep rocking it!

Holiday treats for neighbors, teachers

Inspired by my “Mason Jar” gift win from the open house, I found a recipe for a dry apple cider mix recipe and a stove-top spiced pecan recipe. 

I started a little early on this project, so I ordered 4-ounce jars and plastic bags to package everything. 

I assembled the jars and printed a label; I toasted the pecans with the sugar and spices, then let them cool on a mat. I spooned the pecans into small bags after I added a sticker with the ingredients printed on them. Then, in a slightly larger bag, I nestled the apple-cider jar in the bottom and placed the tied bag of pecans on top. Then, I sealed the outer bag. 

I decided this was a great neighbor gift, but for the teachers, I wanted to jazz it up a tiny bit more. I found an Etsy page with hand-sewn pocket, rice hand warmers for $1! I ordered two for each teacher. I also stumbled on ceramic travel mugs with a single serving of hot chocolate and marshmallows included. These extra items fit my “comfort” and “warmth” theme, so I packaged all of it together in gift bags.

Here’s hoping these go over well… still a few days before I’ll be able to deliver them.

As always, these didn’t take forever to assemble, but I feel showing a little time in my gift idea helps show the teachers how much they are appreciated for hanging out with my little one all day!

Happy Holidays!

I finally remembered to snap a pic… 🙂  

 

“Back to school” Teacher gifts

You’ve probably seen elaborate teacher gifts all over the web or in your classroom? 

Well, I saw a note when I picked up my little one that the child center was having their “back to school” open house and figured I needed to not show up empty handed! However, I seriously had a grand sum of five minutes to put something together while Dad distracted the baby, and I had zero time to shop.

Fortunately, I try to stay stocked up on small things that can build a variety of spectacular-looking or sounding things in a snap. 

So… What did I make?

5-minute hand scrub: Coconut oil, raw sugar and lavender oil… That’s it. I used roughly equal parts sugar and coconut oil until I liked the consistency. I evenly portioned the scrub into 4-ounce canning jars, printed a quick label, tied it on… and voila. 

As it turns out, one of my son’s guest teachers is British and loved the lavender. Who knew? 🙂 

My thoughts… These ladies wash their hands a million times a day and might appreciate a luxurious and moisturizing scrub to pamper themselves with. Bonus: I had enough to keep some on my own sink counter!

First day at daycare

I’m so nervous and apprehensive about tomorrow that I truly can’t sleep. It will be our little one’s first day at daycare despite turning eight months old last week. 

We were lucky enough to have a friend look after him for the past five to six months after my extended maternity leave, but she’s going back to teaching this fall since her little one will be a year old. 

Our daycare has all kinds of rules that I keep rolling around in my head. I keep wondering if I packed the right things, why did I have to sign so many forms, and will he cry when we leave him in his new classroom? 

Our daycare somehow convinced us that we had to sign for photos to be taken of our child and we had to sign for him to go on field trips despite our own reservations. They reasoned the photos were mandatory for certain group events, and they added that we must sign for field trips so they’re allowed to take our child out of the building in case of emergency or fire. 

I think tomorrow I’m calling the Bull Shit flag on these two items. No one had a NEED to photograph my child (this from the woman who cut off a family member soon after the baby was born because she re-posted an image to her personal page online and to the public at large). And, if there’s an emergency, I fail to see how they’ll know which kid’s parents signed the form and which ones didn’t? As for field trips, no. He’s eight months old, not eight years old.

What sort of first-day things did you think about? The outfit? What areas of your own parenting you might be judged on? If your baby would pick up social cues easily? Did you pack enough diapers and changes of clothes? 

Does this stuff work?

Our little one is still several months from being too mobile or starting down the “toddler” path, but I see all kinds of ideas, gadgets and thing-a-mabons out there that I wonder if they work. That’s to say, do these things help parents, simplify life at all, or in any way build a more entertaining life for parents and kids?

Here are a few (contains affiliate links); tell me what you think:

*Dinner Winner plate: http://amzn.to/1JfIwnU

*Beaba Babycook Pro for making your own baby food: http://amzn.to/1Ga49IU

Reading list

I read a variety of books, magazine and blogs. I take a little from each to try in my daily life, and I leave some information behind because it doesn’t always fit perfectly. I enjoy reading different perspectives, and I appreciate hearing about the trials and triumphs of other mothers.

This is a non-exhaustive list of some of my favorite sites, books and more. Take a look and share some of your favorites in the comments. I’ll update this as I find new resources Along my journey.

Some of these are also “me” books or ones I read just because I wanted to tackle something for entertainment or historical (vs. parental) learning purposes. 

P.S. As someone who commutes roughly half an hour one way to work daily, I 100% consider audiobooks as “reading.” 🙂 Without audiobooks, I might not be able to consume as much literature! 

Scientific secrets for raising kids who thrive (Great Courses audio series of lectures; affiliate link): http://amzn.to/1NUI31n 

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg (affiliate link): http://amzn.to/1EeMSIe

Undaunted by Tanya Biank (affiliate link): http://amzn.to/18LAbff

The Humbled Homemaker blog: http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/

Six Sister Stuff blog: http://mm.sixsistersstuff.com

Parent Effectiveness Training by Thomas Gordon (affiliate Link): http://amzn.to/1FfUi1P 

Liar, temptress, soldier, spy: Four women undercover in the Civil War by Karen Abbott (affiliate link): http://amzn.to/1HhxEY0 

Traveling with a newborn

For months, I dodged family invites to events that would have us travel during baby boy’s first year. In fact, we took what we thought would be our last trip just three weeks before our preemie arrived. 

Fast forward to nine weeks post partum when my dearest mentor passed away, and we were hustling to figure out the best plan to cross the country and attend the funeral.

Having not returned to work at that point, we didn’t have a hard and fast schedule to adhere to. This led us to choosing a red eye flight out and a late evening return the same day. 

The weather was projected to be freezing rain, and we certainly didn’t want baby boy to be exposed to that, so we started brainstorming ideas and thinking of other friends who lived in the area. 

On a whim, I sent a note to a fellow mom who lived near the funeral site and asked if she would mind helping us out by watching our little one while we attended the funeral. We got way more help than we could’ve imagined! She said “No problem!” and offered us a place to nap and hot meals while in town for only a few hours. This is one of those instances where reaching out to our network of friends was crucial, and they came through in a big way.

That said, we’d heard all the stories of how people handled fellow passengers on airplanes and wondered what it would be like to experience the other side of the “sighs” and glares. I made all arrangements possible to be ready to nurse our little one since I’d read (and heard from friends) that was the way to help him regulate his body and the pressure changes. 

He slept. 

Without any major struggle or coaxing, no excessive nursing or coddling, our little one slept going up and coming down. He only made a few peeps on the flight home (he needed a serious diaper and wardrobe change!), and that was it.

We packed our funeral attire in one carry-on bag, I had what I’d dubbed my “mommy bag,” and we had the diaper bag and a pump bag. That was it. We used a two-piece stroller/car-seat travel system and put the diaper bag and pump bag under the car seat, carried the diaper bag and rolled the carry-on bag. We did not look like the Griswalds, and we checked the carry-on bag for our return flight. 

Somehow, in that little of space, we had five changes of clothes, 20 diapers and more milk and milk storage than we needed. 

While this, by no means, will look like every trip someone (or even us) might take with a newborn, I share it as an example of just taking life in small chunks, if you will. We gathered the basics and added a few comfort items once we had a grasp on space. 

—

Our second trip came in the form of a business trip that hubby took vacation time to join so I could still nurse effectively for the three days away from home. 

The short version of the trip… Germs! Lack of sleep! Inability to pump in due time! Strange fellow passengers on the flight! You probably get the idea.

This travel occurred when our little one was roughly 16 weeks old. He was about five days shy of his four-month vaccines by the time we returned home. This wouldn’t normally bother me except for his early arrival and the odd passenger sitting next to us who’d just returned from Trimidad and insisted on holding our baby. -_- 

Fortunately, we had a repeat performance by baby… He seemed to be a born traveler. 

This time, we packed the play crib for him to sleep in after reading about a mom who’s child died the week prior while sleeping in a hotel bed as they were traveling. 😦 

Breastfeeding, pumping & work

The thing that stressed me out the most about going back to work was whether or not I would still be able to breastfeed my little one.

I pumped from day one so I could provide milk for his NICU stay, and I waited for the “6-week zone” where baby and I would finally get into sync with less pain for me and plenty of supply for him. This didn’t happen until the 10-week point just as I was going back to work, but I give more credit to better pumping supplies. I had the basic “top of the line” Medela pump (affiliate link:  http://amzn.to/1CD3Gb9) recommended by friends, and it did the job, but I had sore, cracked nipples and didn’t care for breastfeeding or pumping in that condition. It was also hard trying to balance feedings and pumping, if I’m being honest.

Around 9 weeks, I read about Freemies, an add-on for any brand pump that eliminates the need for the horn and bottle set up. These things (affiliate link: http://amzn.to/1EGiyb7) worked great for me. I could close my office door and pump while still taking conference calls, answering phones and email. I also recall one chaotic moment when traveling where I had a Freemie hooked to one breast, a baby on the other and a friend’a two-year old little one snuggled under my arm because she needed the same attention as the baby at the moment. I am not generally keen on whipping out my breasts to feed the baby, but this all occurred as the four adults caught up after many years apart.

Ultimately, breastfeeding and pumping after going back to work has been the most challenging of all new mom learning curves for me. There are several ways to tackle this issue, and many resources available to help. The one I didn’t tap into was a lactation consultant. I don’t know if it was stubbornness or pride or what, but if I had it to do over again, I think I’d have the consultant in my labor and delivery room! Lol.

Update: Some women I’ve talked to had difficulties convincing their employers they needed an appropriate space to pump when they returned from having their babies. Here’s the legal basis for employers providing a private, sanitary location for breastfeeding women to pump and store milk: http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Employment/WorkplaceSupport/WorkplaceSupportinFederalLaw/tabid/175/Default.aspx.