Product Review - Avent Breastpump

A good breast pump is essential for any mom who decides to nurse their baby. When I was first figuring out which breast pump to buy, I was pregnant with my first. This was 9 years ago now and it was slim pickings. There were not very many affordable choices and the expensive choices were only available through a lactation consultant. There were not many lactation consultants around at that time either.

Medela and Ameda breast pumps have been the preferred choice for many years but they are not that affordable. Something I have found is that most times, expensive does not actually mean better.

As I researched as much as I could about all of the pumps available at that time, I discovered a common thread. The moms I talked to said that they had the best pump around but they also said that it really hurt to pump out. The reviews I read said that the most expensive pumps that you could buy at a store were supposedly the best you could get. So… I knew I needed to either save up some extra money or find a better alternative. I found my pump at Target. I read the box that said it had massaging “petals” that helps stimulate milk flow. The box also said that this manual pump was just as effective at expressing milk as the electric ones. To top it off, it was less than $50! That is why I bought the Avent Isis breast pump. It was new to the US but had been around for a while.

I have to tell you, it is awesome. It is fast, effective and overall comfortable. Also, I have had mine for 4 kids and it still works. I love that you can pump directly into the bottle you want to use. I love that it is compact and easy to figure out.  I also love that it didn't break the bank. I love nursing my little ones and I love that I can pump when I need to without it hurting. I know that many of the more expensive brands have improved tons since my son was born. I have seen many companies try to mimic what Avent has. This tells me that I made the right choice (not that my experience didn't already tell me). 
 If you are a nursing mom or will be a nursing  mom, let me encourage you that nursing is one of the best decisions you can make for your baby.  It is  a lot of fun once you get the hang of it and there are great lactation consultants out there who can help you out when you have problems and questions.

Tips for Summer Outings

With the summer heat here I thought it would be appropriate to list 13 things to help with a summer outing. Whether you are just going to the park for an hour or going to an amusement park for the day, these tips should help you survive your day.

1. Bring a sippy or bottle of water for each little one. If you have a newborn and you are going to be out in the sun/heat, it is okay to let them have a tiny bit of water if they are hot or sweating. Tiny meaning no more than an ounce.
2. Bring extra water if you are going to be out for a long period of time.
3. Snacks! It is important to make sure you have food for your munchkins if you are going to be gone around a normal eating period for them. Mini carrots, apple slices, grapes or raisins if your little one can handle them. If they are too small for those whole grain crackers, bananas, or cheese sticks are also good snack choices.
4. Sunscreen. I like Aveeno sunscreen. Remember to ask your doctor about sunscreen on newborns.
5. Hats or sunglasses. Protect their eyes from the sun and hats help shade the face.
6. Something to cover up the seat in the car. I use a neat sheet for the back bench of the mini van and receiving blankets on the 2 car seats in the middle row. If you don't cover the seats they will be too hot and can actually give your baby a burn.
7. If you are doing a lot of walking, don't forget a stroller. And if you like your baby carrier.
8. Diapers and baby wipes. I love baby wipes and use them for so many more things than just changing diapers.
9. A change of clothes is important in case of accidents.
10. Plastic bags to contain messes.
11. Appropriate shoes. If you are walking or playing at the park, tennis shoes are the best shoes. (It really bothers me when I see kids at the park in flip-flops. That is an accident waiting to happen.) If you are going to the creek, water shoes are a must.
12. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke so if your little one becomes over heated, you will know it. Learn what to do too. (I think I will post on this next.)
13. A squirt bottle with water in it. This is good if you know it is really hot and you need to cool down.
    

Thirteen Uses for a Receiving Blanket

Receiving blankets are so essential to Mommyhood. Many lists for new mommies say you need 4 of these I have at least 12 and have needed more. Even when my munchkins are no longer babies, I still use them and so do they for all sorts of things.

1. Swaddle an infant.
2. Use as a large burp cloth.
3. Substitute as a changing pad.
4. Makes a great sunshade for a stroller or infant carrier
5. Train the baby/toddler to stay on one for a period of time. - Blanket Training
6. Fort and house making.
   
7. Cover the car-seat on a sunny day. - Always cover your car-seat when the baby is not in it so it is not hot when you put the baby in it.
   
8. shield the baby from a dirty cart, car-seat, highchair…
9. It can become a diaper in desperate situations.
10. They make great super hero capes.
11. Use it as a nursing cover.
12. Pin it up over the curtain for extra darkening of a sunlit room.
13. An emergency bath towel.

I am sure I have missed several ways you can use a receiving blanket. What have used yours for?

Nursing Mommy Essentials

I have been inspired to start participating in Thursday Thirteen. It is such a fun little huge meme. My very first edition on this blog is dedicated to every new and aspiring nursing mom. I have nursed everyone of my blessings in fact my 14 month old blessing is showing no desire to ween (however mommy really is ready.) So without further ado Mommyhood Essentials Thursday Thirteen 1st Edition


1. Lansinoh - Lanolin is a nursing mommy’s best friend found in a little purple tube.

2. Nursing pads - I cannot tell you how many times I have been very thankful for these. Leaking all over my shirt is not a good thing.

3. Comfortable Nursing Bras - you need two types. One type for the day and one type for night. I use sports bras at night; they are the most comfortable and are easy to nurse in for those midnight, 2am, 4am, and 6 am… feedings.

4. A Great Breast Pump - I love my Avent breast pump. It is inexpensive and works wonderfully. I have had the same one for all of my kids and it still works great. It is comfortable and was the first pump to have the let-down stimulating feature that many have now.

5. Nursing PJ’s - These are a must for easy nursing at night. I bring my little ones to bed with me and nurse while sleeping. If you cannot afford nursing tops, you can easily make them from oversized nightshirts. Just cut slit where needed, and then sew the top together at the neckline so it is like a giant pleat. Also if you nave button shirts, you can use those by unbuttoning the top buttons.

6. Milk Storage Bags - Lansinoh makes some really good bags. They are great to store in the freezer and have them at the ready whenever you will not be with baby during a feeding. Or if you want Daddy to have a turn.

7. A Pillow - I have used a boppy and I have used a regular pillow for my lap support at the beginning. I actually prefer a normal pillow. But I have to heal from an incision and I think that has a lot to do with it. Boppies have to go around the waist right where I do not want anything near.

8. A Nursing Blanket - I have a great blanket that is just a basic piece of flannel that has edging on it. I have made and used one that has the strap around the neck and found it was not all that much better. In fact, I really hated the strap. Flannel is great because it does not slide very easily and if you have a large 1-yard by 1-yard blanket, and then you have plenty of coverage. The only time flannel does not really work, is when it is over 90 degrees and it is just hot. Then even the lightweight blankets are not very comfortable.

9. Burp Clothes - They make great emergency cover-ups if you do not have your blanket. And of course, you can put them over your shoulder to burp. The key is to have good clothes. I have plan everyday cloth diapers that work great. I have made even better burp cloths that I love so much. They are a little bigger than a cloth diaper and the sides have curves to contour to the neck. They are flannel on top and terry on the bottom. They are also very cute.

10. Comfortable Daily Shirts - With nursing comes the inability to wear some shirts. Usually the cutest of your wardrobe, because of your new chest size. And also, the fact that something you just cannot nurse in. I had to have a bride’s maid top altered so that I could nurse in it once.

11. A Small Heating Pad - You need a small heating pad for those times at the beginning when you become engorged. It helps with let down. You can also use a warm washcloth if you are not that bad.

12. A Support Person - someone who knows about nursing. Weather it is a lactation consultant or a close friend who has nursed more than one kid. (The more experience the better)

13. Your little gift form God. - You cannot nurse without the other person involved in the wonderful journey.

Laundry Trick

Here is a quick little tip for keeping all the baby socks under control. I use a delicates mesh washing bag to keep them all accounted for as they travel through the wash. Just thought I would pass that on for any mom who is tired of searching for those tiny little socks every time you wash them.

Bath Time

Today was a two-bath day for Baby G and I thought about how much I love our little inflatable bathtub. I bout this one when Vincenzo was almost one and I still have it. The only thing that has worn out on it is a slow leak somewhere on the bottom section of it that makes the cushioning on the bottom - no big deal. It has survived three kids and I am confident will survive the fourth. When we first had Vincenzo, we got a bath seat because everyone said to get one and quickly decided we did not like it because it could easily come unsuctioned to the tub, it was difficult to put him in and take him out, and you could not really clean him in it. A friend suggested getting the inflatable tub and I am so glad I took her advice. It is a perfect fit until they are about two then they are big enough for the big tub on their own. In our last home, I was able to give Baby G a bath in the shower because I had this little tub. I use a showerhead that is on a hose so that it is easy to fill the tub and I keep it on the gentle mist so I can easily rinse her hair also. I have found this to be the easiest way bath a little one. No mess, little fuss and Baby G loves her bath time.

Bath time Checklist

• Inflatable tub
• Heat sensing ducky to make sure the water is not hot
• A couple of toys (no more than 3 at a time)
• Hooded Towel (make sure it is a fluffy, soft, bigger one so baby doesn’t get cold)
• Wash Clothes (I always grab 2)
• Baby Shampoo
• Baby Wash (Or you can get the 2 in one, but with curly hair, it does not really work well.)
• Changing station ready with lotion, diaper, and clean clothes.
• A dirty baby - or not so dirty…

Laundry Baskets

Did you know that laundry baskets could be track and field hurdles? I found this out tonight as my munchkins decided to do the hurdles in the hall with the laundry baskets.

So funny, laundry baskets have so many uses in this house from containing laundry or miscellaneous objects both inside and outside the house, to being a baby buggy (Gia loves being pushed around the living room in the basket like she is a race car driver), to being a transportation device for pies, cakes and other yumminess, to track hurdles. The kids worked up a sweat trying to see who could jump them the most. A most amusing night I had to share.

Baby Gear Galore

As Baby G is quickly approaching the 1-year milestone, I have been putting away all the infant gear that we have but do not need for her anymore. I am being reminded again, of how much stuff a baby can need. So, here is probably a partial list of the things we have and how much we actually use it with each kid. Now mind you I am just putting it all away in storage so that if/when the next bundle of delight comes I will be ready. And let’s face it baby stuff is expensive. I think I could have bought a small country with all the money spent by others and myself on all the baby gear we have.

The bassinet. - I love my bassinet we have had it since the Big Boy was born 8 years ago. This one I have actually disassembled and reassembled for each kid. It has been a very important piece of furniture in our house. They only use it for about 3 months but for those first 3 months, we use it all the time.

The front pack. - Okay, I have never found a front pack that I can say I absolutely can’t’ live without. I own 3 and none of them are great only because my babies come out the size of many 1 month olds and I am small framed. I was given a wrap to try with Baby G like a Mei Tai that I found to like a lot.

The Bumbo - I love this thing! It was recently recalled because parents did not use common sense and did not read the warning that said very clearly not to use on a raised surface. Ours stayed on the floor and we used it until just recently. I highly recommend this to every parent.

The floor mat that has an activity bar. - This is only used for such a short time that an expensive one is not worth it at all. I took the toys off the activity bar so she could play with them longer than the mat that she stopped liking as soon as she could roll and scoot around.

The bouncy seat. - I love the bouncy seat! This is so useful for the first 4-6 moths. As soon as babies can sit, by themselves, it is not a good idea to use anymore but it is a great invention with the vibrations and as long as the activity bar is detachable and does not have too much going on, it is a great item. All of my kids loved the bouncy seat.

The activity gym/seat thing. - Okay for all the other kids we had this really cool bouncing car but after Hannah, it was so worn out that we had to get rid of it. The older kids all used it until they were almost 2. This time we had to get a new one. We got the jumperoo that is like a Johnny Jump-up without the doorframe. Unfortunately, Baby G has decided she no longer likes to be in it so I am going to disassemble it also.

Our swing - Believe it or not, but I am still using my swing with Baby G. She loves the swing so much still and because she is still under 20 pounds, I can still use it with her. So that will stay out for a while.

We still use the pack and play, the changing table, and the high chair of course so those will stay out. We also have a portable swing, but we stopped using that with Baby G a while ago because she would climb out of it even with the strap on. Oh and of course, don’t forget about the crib. But, that of course is in use for at least another year.

Very Important Resource

Okay, this is very important. Fisher-Price just recalled so many toys due to lead paint it is really frightening. I can imagine that there is some poor 4 year old somewhere who just had his entire toy collection removed from his room due to this recall. Earlier this summer Thomas The Train toys were recalled due to lead paint. Much to my son's sadness he had to give up one engine out of his collection. Pacifiers were recalled just last week. Okay but these pacifiers should NEVER have been sold in the first place. People are buying normal safe pacifiers and then sticking on the little crystals all over them and then selling them online and at flea marts and craft fairs and such. These are so dangerous! Really what are people thinking? So here is the point of this little rant. You need to be very careful and make wise safe choices when it comes to your kids but even then, something you think would be safe like Fisher Price toys or Thomas the Train can turn out to be not so safe.
I sign up for recall alerts and strongly suggest that every one not just parents do too. So many items get recalled now days it is sickening. It makes me think of what my grandparents say, "They don't make things like they used to." But then again even some really old items are dangerous, like old chests that can automatically close and latch shut while a kids is in it and cribs with slats too far apart that a baby can become trapped.
Here are the links to the recall information sites I use. Sign up for their emails you will not be sorry. Many times you won't have to worry but then there are the recalls you see that you are very thankful you signed up.

http://www.cpsc.gov/index.html

http://www.recalls.gov/

What an Amazing Invention!

Have you ever seen a Bumbo? It is this really cool little invention for babies that I have now had for about 2 months. Whoever came up with this is a genus! It is just a round piece of foam cut out so a baby can sit in it without falling over! There are little cutouts for each leg and a high back. It is the neatest little seat. I use this thing on several occasions every day with Baby G who is now 7 months old. She loves it. Even though she can sit up by herself, she can sit in this thing for long periods of time just playing with her toys. The kids love playing with her while she is sitting in it. And she loves the independence she has in it. Now, I know I can never really leave her alone in it but I really love the fact that I can put her down and know she won't go anywhere while I switch the laundry or quickly inhale my lunch. I have cleaned the kitchen while she happily plays in it and well that right there makes it worth every penny.
The cool part is that it is so portable! We take it everywhere so no matter where she is we can put her down in a safe place and she can sit upright and enjoy everything around her. It is so stable that even when she trys to get out of it, it doesn't tip over. She actually tipped her bouncy seat over when she was about 4 months trying to get out of it. It is so easy to clean too. Just wipe it off. I wish I had this with my other munchkins it would have been really nice to have. But I will enjoy it with this one for many months to come I am sure. Here is a link to the website so you can see for yourself what this little baby seat looks like. -- Bumbo
I have put this on my list of baby essentials right up there with car seats, strollers and highchairs.

I Love This Bottle

I have to blog about my new favorite bottle. Baby G was not taking any bottle we tried very well. Now granted, we only tried two different types but she did not really want either of them. Avent came out with a new type of disposable liner bottle, the Avent Tempo. I love all of the Avent feeding system products. Their type of nipple was the nipple Baby G was taking the best so I decided to try it. She loves this bottle; I love this bottle I cannot say enough about this bottle.

Here is why I like it so much. The liner size is perfect. For any bottle, if you fill up the water to the amount you are supposed to when you are using formula, you will not have enough room for the powder. Not so with this bottle, the liner accounts for the fact that adding a scoop of powder for every 2 oz of water is going to increase the volume of the liquid the bottle needs to hold. There is plenty of room to add water, powder, and then mixing it up! I love this about all types of Avent bottles. Then, there is the nipple system. When our other munchkins were little, Avent disposable bottles had to use a different nipple than their regular bottles. It was a clear blue color instead of all clear, not this one. Therefore, when I am sleep- deprived as I usually am, I am not trying to figure out if the nipple is truly clear or a clear blue color.

Why I love disposable over conventional bottles is because of how they work. It is very simple, if the baby sucks on the nipple, something will come out, if they do not suck on the nipple, there is not a lot of dripping action. Baby G did not like that when she wanted to pause the sucking action, even while using the newborn nipple; the bottle was still delivering the goods. She controls everything with how much she wants and how fast she wants it. The liner works just as mommy does. There also is not any extra air to suck in or a change in air pressure as the liquid leaves the bottle. Some babies have no issue with this, while others do. My baby G already has an extra gassy tummy most of the time and I really do not want to contribute to her tummy discomfort.

We do not use bottles very often but when we do, I do want it to be a pleasurable experience. She prefers to have only mommy’s milk and none of the fake stuff either which means I pump often so I can keep up the supply for her. I have only ever used the Avent Isis Manual pump for all four of my little ones. Because it works well, and is comfortable. It is always fast and easy to take the time out to fill a bottle when I need to. However, more on that… in another blog.