Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Made Easy with Pink Blush Maternity

September 24, 2013 by greengrizls Leave a Comment

You know, it’s funny how I thought at one point that my wardrobe was overflowing with clothes. A lot of them clothes I’ve had since high school but nonetheless taking up space hanging there, begging to be worn. When Kaliah was born back in March I quickly realized just how little clothing I really did have. Or, clothing I could actually wear. It’s not that those clothes don’t fit anymore because believe it or not, they do, but virtually none of my tops or dresses are nursing-friendly.

I ~~went~~ am still sorta going through the frumpy postpartum stage where sweatpants and tank tops become your best friends. Breastfeeding at home–no problem. I have a lot less to worry about when it comes to modesty issues in the privacy of my own home, but going out in public is a whole new venture considering I exclusively pumped with my first kiddo. Thankfully, Pink Blush maternity offers trendy maternity clothing that not only works for you expecting mamas out there but for those of us that have delivered and continue to breastfeed.

Now we are heading into what is probably going to turn out to be a short fall here in Idaho and right into winter. No longer will I be able to wear the nursing tanks and maxi dressed I’ve acquired over the summer, and at first I felt like I was going back to square one with my nursing wardrobe. Then I got the opportunity to work with Pink Blush and this dark denim jacket was just screaming my name.

Not only does it wear well over a nursing tank for when I leave the house, but it really compliments other pieces in my wardrobe, including an amazing grey/silver lace dress I found at a local secondhand store. The cropped style is perfect for a growing belly and also helps to add some length to the torso area, which is awesome for us short gals 😉

Breastfeeding Made Easy.

Instead of investing in a ton of specialty maternity clothes that don’t last that long, buy a few pieces that will transition with your changing body. One of the main reasons I love the sweaters and jackets from Pink Blush is that I can wear them while pregnant, while nursing, and even long after baby is becoming a toddler.

All in all, this jacket is my 4th item from Pink Blush, including the items I purchased during my last pregnancy and my other three (a sweater, knit cardigan and a maxi dress) are all holding up and look as nice as they did when they first arrived. I can say with pretty high confidence that I’ll have this jacket for years to come.

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What’s your best tip for stretching your maternity wardrobe?

What the Heck is a Nursing Vest?

August 28, 2013 by greengrizls 2 Comments

Yeah, you read that right, a nursing vest. If you’re like me, it’s a bit intriguing. I mean, I don’t generally wear a vest as is, let alone one that is specifically for nursing. But I’m here to tell you, the nursing vest I have from LOVE MILK is officially a staple in my maternity/nursing wardrobe.

The Emma nursing vest reminds me of my favorite work out clothing. Did anyone else ever cut off the sleeves of a comfortable shirt and extend the opening down the side a bit for optimal comfort? I know I did and the nursing vest falls along the same lines. Rather than having a hidden opening to lift the top of the shirt up and nurse like most breastfeeding tops, the nursing vest is designed to access the breast from the side.

It’s long and stretchy so I don’t have to worry about it riding up as my day goes on and the stretch around the hip area keeps it in place. The sides are ruched to help make the postpartum belly area more flattering and also allows for wearing the vest comfortably while pregnant. For me, it’s a personal favorite for sleeping in or lounging around the house. Then, if I have to run an errand or something I can just grab a light sweater and be on my way.

When I was first chatting with Helena, the mama-extraordinaire behind LOVE MILK, the subject of breastfeeding and nursing pads came up. I had mentioned that during nursing sessions I have a hard time with nursing pads not being absorbent enough for me and even have leakage throughout the day. Helena was confident that her LOVE MILK nursing pads might be just what I needed.

When the package arrived I immediately opened it and couldn’t stop feeling the nursing vest. The bamboo fabric is just heavenly against your skin. The nursing pads were different than others that I have. They have contouring seams to help them really fit the shape of the breast better. The inner fabric touching your skin is a fluffy bamboo fleece. The middle layer is a bamboo terry and they are backed with waterproof PUL fabric.

I have to be honest and say that the first thought I had was that they seemed so thin and flimsy. In actuality, they can last me an entire day. Even then, they don’t leak through but for hygiene reasons I still don’t wear them longer than a day. I was so relieved to see that the flexibility and thinness of the nursing pads were actually more comfortable than the other brands and styles I have and they don’t shift around. So no more nursing pad peeking from your shirt’s neckline. Yeah, that’s happened.. Lol. An added little touch I think is really genius is the small heart tag on one pad from each set. The heart is supposed to be an indicator of the left nursing pad (heart on your heart). The benefit of this is so that if you were to get an infection of some kind you don’t get the nursing pads mixed up and spread it to your other breast.

I’m not so sure about all those nursing tanks out there anymore– I think I’m sold on the nursing vest. How about you?

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Boobie Boost Lactation Cookie {& Recipe}

July 18, 2013 by greengrizls 51 Comments

Making a lactation cookie of my own has been on my to do list for a while now. But, with buying a house and moving and now catching back up with our stores, I finally had to make time to get these cookies made. You see, I woke up the other morning at around 3 am with a stabbing toothache. It prompted me to make a dental appointment only to learn I need to have my wisdom teeth taken out. I knew it would happen sooner or later as it does with most people but this really isn’t the greatest timing. I haven’t pumped a single ounce ahead of time and since I’ll be sedated during the surgery, I have to pump enough milk ahead of time for someone else to feed Kaliah for the 12 hour or so period of time that the sedative is in my system. With a trip to the west coast planned for the first weekend in August, this has to happen quick so I can heal to some degree and not be totally miserable on our trip (or worse, loopy from medication). In an effort to boost my supply a little quicker so I can get my dental work done sooner, I whipped up this yummy lactation cookie recipe.

I came up with this recipe after looking around at the on the internet and not really finding one that I felt would suit my specific lactation cookie preferences. I’m a cookie snob, it’s true. 😉 I used some of the general ratios as an idea and kinda went for a cookie that was packed full of beneficial ingredients aside from boosting milk supply so that they could be a quick energy booster for anyone. Plus, you don’t have to feel guilty snacking on a few either. 😉

Lactation Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons flax seed
4 tablespoons water
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup molasses (Can substitute coconut oil or butter)
1 1/2 cup raw sugar (Can substitute)
2 eggs
2 cups whole wheat flour (Can substitute all-purpose or alternative flours)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 fenugreek tablets
3 cups steel cut oats (NOT instant oats!)
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
3/4 cups dark chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.
Combine the flax seed and water in a small bowl and set aside for 3-5 minutes.
Cream butter, sugar and molasses together.
Add eggs one at a time and mix well.
Mix in flax seed.
In separate bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking soda. Open 12 fenugreek capsules into the mixture and sift together.
Add dry mix to the wet sugar mixture. Mix .
Add in oats and mix.
Add in chocolate chips and pumpkin seeds.
Bonus Options::If you want a cookie that will do double duty to boost your milk supply, add in 3 Tablespoons of Brewer’s Yeast.
Bake for 10 minutes and let cool on a wire rack.

So what about these helps your milk supply?

Oats are great for replacing iron that nursing mothers lose. They’re also kinda filling and act as a comfort food which helps you relax. Relaxing is key to breastfeeding in general, especially if you are stressing about your supply. Flax seed has all kinds of healthy omega 3 fatty acids and the pumpkin seeds, well, they’re just plain tasty. Fenugreek has long been known to aid in lactation and since I had some sitting around, I chose to use that supplement as my main galactagogue. You can also choose to either substitute for Brewer’s Yeast or if you’re brave, you can use both. I say brave because you may just wake up soaked in the middle of the night. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 😉

What’s the verdict?

Well, after eating these the first night I made them, I woke up with completely full feeling. I nursed my hungry baby on both sides and still pumped 8 ounces! If you try out our recipe, please let us know how they work out for you!

Making Mama’s Milk with Lactation Cookies #MamasBabe

April 27, 2013 by greengrizls Leave a Comment

Breastfeeding is hard enough, I don’t want to have additional obstacles like a low supply to keep me from reaching my full breastfeeding potential. Thankfully there are supplements out there like Fenugreek and Blessed Milk Thistle that are said to help keep your supply boosted. If taking vitamins and herbs isn’t for you, or if you just want a more fun way to get a boost, try these yummy lactation cookies from Making Mama’s Milk & More.

This little company is ran by a mother of 5, yes 5! Some days I find myself completely overwhelmed with just 2, I can’t even imagine 5 at this point! All the cookies are organic, dairy-free, and made by hand in this wahm’s home kitchen.

With ingredients like fenugreek, flax seed, brewer’s yeast, whole rolled oats, whole wheat flour and dairy free chocolate chips you can not only get a boost in supply, but you now have a healthier alternative to those crummy snacks you’re usually munching on. Fenugreek is a known galactagogue, meaning it aid in breast milk supply. Flax seed helps raise DHA levels in the breast milk which is important for the development of the brain and eyes. Brewer’s yeast provides you with energy since it’s got a little protein, iron, and vitamin B. The whole rolled oats and whole wheat flour are just to keep things a little healthier than their traditional counterparts. She even makes a chocolate chip raisin version. 😉

I keep my cookies in the freezer and they make a great cold treat for warmer Idaho days. Being in the freezer also helps them to last longer. I just eat a cookie whenever I feel like I need either an energy boost or if Kaliah starts cluster feeding or eating a little more. Growth spurts are great times to have these on hand.

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Making Mama’s Milk make sit even easier by offering a subscription service along with their other ordering options. You can get a 30 day supply automatically sent to you every month. So when you’ve got milk brain and feel like a walking zombie with your newborn, you’ll still get your cookies so you don’t end up having your supply drop if you end up without cookies.

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