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.

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.