Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

(Maternity Monday) LilyPadz: Discreet, Unique, Reusable Breast Pads (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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This may sound really strange, but the issue of breast pads is one of the reasons why I decided to start blogging in the first place. I was so struck by the vast difference in quality of different products on the market and I wasted quite a bit of money trying to find something that wasn’t bulky and just all-around awful to wear. I really wanted to share my thoughts on the topic with other women (and I had a million other blog post topics, as well). And so, a post on disposable breast pad comparison was one of my first!

Since that time, I’ve learned SO much about all the different options out there for breastfeeding women. We aren’t limited to what we can find in the aisles of Target, ladies! And just like I now know that reusable diapers are an awesome option for babies, I’ve been intrigued by reusable options for breast pads, as well. Anything I can do to save some money and be a bit more eco-friendly is worth checking out!

Today I’m featuring a breast pad that is really and truly unlike anything else on the market, and after having seen it for myself up close and personal, I simply must sing its praises. I will be recommending LilyPadz to every single expecting and breastfeeding mama I know, for sure!

LilyPadz are reusable breast pads, but they are not made of any sort of cloth. They are made of silicone, which as you know, does NOT absorb any liquid. Scratching your head about how in the heck this could work as a breast pad? They are actually designed to keep your breasts from leaking at all in between feedings! AMAZING! They have a slightly tacky side that, when applied correctly, keeps pressure on the nipple and keeps you leak free until it is time to remove them and feed the baby. Now, I don’t think they can work a miracle and keep you leak-free for 8 hours when you have a newborn, or anything, but when used properly, women report great success with them.

I do think that this will not be the product I use for the first few weeks of breastfeeding, as I recall that being a time when my milk was sort of out of control. It was also a time when I needed to make frequent use of lanolin products. While you can use lanolin with LilyPadz, you are advised to use it sparingly and be extra careful to wash them well each day. I think that I’ll just turn to these once my hormones get a bit more under control and breastfeeding becomes slightly more predictable.

While I can’t yet speak to their effectiveness at preventing leaks, I have practiced applying LilyPadz and I can say that they are easy to apply. I’m also happy to report that they are SUPER DUPER THIN. Like, so thin I couldn’t really believe it. I may have actually squealed a little bit at the thought of getting to wear something so discreet this time around. Joy of joys!

LilyPadz do require an oil-cutting soap to be used on the pads daily in order to keep the tacky side working properly. I received a starter kit, which is what I would recommend to anyone interested in this product. It comes with one pair of LilyPadz, one bottle of LilyWash (a silicone cleanser) and one box of LilyWipes, which are great to use if you are away from home and need to clean the pads.

LilyPadz are a fabulous product, and I would highly recommend them to anyone! You can purchase a starter kit for $36.95, and can purchase them online here or check out the store locator for your nearest retail option.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a LilyPadz starter kit!

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Maternity Monday: Mimijumi Bottle Review

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As we prepare for baby #2, one thing I’m starting to give some thought to is my breastfeeding strategy. With Darah, breastfeeding was a bit of a struggle. I went back to work full-time after 3 months of leave and pumped in my office. I also went to see her at lunch time at her daycare to feed her then. I also took Fenugreek (even though it made me smell like maple syrup, true story). Even with these accommodations, I had supply issues and Darah quickly started to prefer the bottle to the breast. She weaned herself at 10 months, which was sooner than I hoped, but it was what she truly wanted.

I’m proud of the work she and I did to breastfeed. It was hard and we tried our very best. I have to tell you, though, that I’m hoping for even greater success this go around. Hopefully the fact that I will be home full-time will make a positive difference. I’m also hoping to try to keep my overall stress level lower (that may be wishful thinking since there will be two little ones around!). She shouldn’t need a bottle nearly as often, so hopefully that will help, too.

With that said, I also remember one of the big psychological difficulties for me with breastfeeding, and that was how chained I felt to the house and to my infant, especially in the first few months. I couldn’t leave the house for more than 1 1/2 hours without her in the beginning, which was barely enough time to buy groceries, let alone get to do anything remotely leisurely like wander the aisles of Target (don’t act like you don’t enjoy doing that in your time away from the kids!). So I know that I do want to use bottles from time to time and use my pump to build up a milk bank in our freezer.

But I want to be VERY careful about the bottle this little one gets to use. I want it to be as close to the breast as possible, and I’ve found a company that has worked really hard to mimic that experience and to actually help prolong the breastfeeding experience, not take over for it.

The company is called Mimijumi, and they are based out of Nashville (shout out!). I received the “Very Hungry” baby bottle (which holds 8 oz), and I’m really impressed with the look of it. To be frank, it looks like a breast! But if you think about it, that’s a very good thing. It’s one important piece of avoiding nipple confusion.

Even more important than how the bottle looks, though, is how it works. The baby must latch onto the nipple of the bottle as they would latch onto a breast, or else it won’t express any milk!  I cannot help but think that one piece of our struggle to find complete success with breastfeeding Darah was that she knew feeding from her bottle was easier. I’m so excited to have the Mimijumi bottle on hand now, and to hear that it doesn’t let babies escape the work of eating just because they are using a bottle!

Mimijumi bottles are BPA free, easy to clean and just have a one piece nipple (our other bottles have 50,000 parts….at least that’s what it always felt like!). They also have a non-skid base. All-around, this is a genius design and I hope that it will be a truly ally in our breastfeeding journey!  The bottle I reviewed retails for $14.99 and can be purchased here.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Maternity Monday: Noodle and Boo Lotion Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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One thing I wish I had taken the time to do more often with Darah when she was a baby was infant massage. There’s so much research out there indicating that this is such a great bonding activity for baby and parent. I was always so worried about whether or not she was cold that I didn’t massage her as often as I would have liked. I’m going to be more intentional about giving my little one lots of touch and ski-to-skin contact this time around.

I know this is a great thing for babies, and it is also a great thing for toddlers! Darah likes to “do lotion” after her bath or really most any time that I mention it as an option. She’s actually not an overly touchy child, but she loves a massage!

I try to make sure that I have high quality, hypo-allergenic and all natural products to put on her skin, and I’ll be even more diligent about that with the baby in its first year. Right now we are testing a product that we are really enjoying. It’s called Super Soft Lotion by Noodle & Boo. It smells fantastic; like a baby! It’s made with sweet almond oil and contains natural antioxidants. I find that it moisturizes Darah’s skin without leaving a greasy residue. I appreciate that because in the winter months, I do want to get her dressed quickly after her lotion time, and I don’t worry that this lotion will get all over her clothes.

Noodle & Boo products are made to be used on newborns and babies with sensitive skin, so there is no need to worry about potential reactions. Their baby skin care products are also formulated to comply with some of the most stringent consumer production standards in the entire world (those set by the European Union and Japan). I appreciate that a U.S.-based company goes above and beyond what our own country’s regulations require. That shows a true dedication to providing the very best and safest products possible.

One other great thing about Noodle & Boo is that they aspire to help children in need by donating a significant portion of their profits to different children’s charities. I love an organization that really gives back.

Noodle & Boo has a fantastic line of products that you and your baby are sure to enjoy. I highly recommend the baby lotion as a gift for your little one, or as an extra special baby shower gift.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need winner will win a Noodle & Boo Super Soft Lotion!
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Maternity Monday: Boppy Cuddle Pillow Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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When I was pregnant with Darah, I tried a few different things to stay comfortable at night with my growing belly. First, my mother-in-law sent me a Boppy Wedge, which is a really fabulous and quite compact pillow that you place under your belly while sleeping on your side (starting around 20 weeks, you really have to start sleeping that way for the safety of the baby). It worked great for most of the pregnancy, although toward the end I found that I really needed something to wrap my legs around, as well. We purchased the cheapest body pillow we could find, and it worked ok. Tim definitely felt the loss of the space, though, as that thing took up, well, about as much space as another body!

Recently, I started to feel the need for extra tummy AND leg support again. Both of us groaned at the thought of using the body pillow for this long (22 more weeks!). Fortunately, the same company that makes the wedge I enjoyed using has a mid-size pillow option, as well. It’s called the Boppy Cuddle Pillow, and it is helping me quickly escape to dream land each and every night!

The Boppy Cuddle Pillow is a terrific option for any expecting lady who is having some trouble sleeping (I have yet to meet one who never has sleep problems!). But it also doesn’t take up the whole bed, which is nice for your partner. We have a queen size bed and want to keep it that way!

When I first took the pillow out of its packaging, I laid down on the bed just to try it out. I really and truly almost fell asleep while I was giving it a test! I intended to initially lay down with it for 2 minutes, and it turned into 20. My tummy felt supported, and so did my legs, which helps the pain in the sciatic nerve that I have been getting. I love that the pillow really hugs your body, and in all the right places. This is a big contrast to a standard body pillow which just lays flat and you have to contort in order to make it helpful. And of course, once you move, it messes up and you have to do it all over again. With the Boppy Cuddle, I haven’t had to wake up and readjust the positioning of the pillow once!

Buy it!: The Boppy Cuddle Pillow gets high praise from this pregnant lady. It can be purchased online for $42.99.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a Boppy Cuddle Pillow! Get ready to sleep tight!

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Maternity Monday: Miracle Ball for Pregnancy Review and GIVEAWAY!!

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Oh my aching….EVERYTHING! I remember with my first pregnancy that I started having aches and pains, particularly with my sciatic nerve, around 25 weeks, and those pains came and went, seemingly randomly, for the remainder of my pregnancy.

This time around, I started getting those pains around 13 weeks. Yeah…that would be 12 weeks (3 months!) sooner than the first time around. Let me break this down for you…when I was 13 weeks pregnant, I still had 27 weeks standing in between me and the pregnancy finish line. THAT IS SO LONG when you are experiencing discomfort and even pain. I knew I needed to find some sort of help and fast.

And I did! I found The Miracle  Ball Method for Pregnancy, and it has been a really tremendous tool that I use every day to help alleviate my pains and discomforts.

This product was designed by Elaine Petrone, who was seeking relief from her own chronic pain. The equipment is very simple: just two flexible balls with just the right amount of give that you can place under your body in various places to relax your muscles.

Using The Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy reminds me of meditation in a few ways. First, much of the focus is actually on being aware of your breathing. This is not something I usually take the time to do in my daily life, and I am seeing a great deal of improvement in my body simply from making this change.

The second way it reminds me of meditation is that results will not be instant, and the harder you “try” to get it right, the further you get from actually doing it right! This method requires your presence, your mindfulness and your surrender. You won’t see better results by doing 6 or 7 different exercises in one day. It is far better to just do 1 or 2, but to actually give them the amount of time they require for your muscles to get truly relaxed. Less is more with this method. It sounds easy, but when you are a busy-body like me who struggles to be still, it will take some time!

Buy it!: The Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy is a very effective tool and very safe. It can be purchased on Amazon for $14.44 right now, which is a great buy!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win your very own Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy set! Woo hoo!

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Maternity Monday: Earth Mama Angel Baby Happy Mama Spray (GIVEAWAY!!!)

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Earth Mama Angel Baby is a company I have really come to love over the past 2 years. They offer a wide variety of organic products that provide comfort to expecting mamas and to babies. When you use an EMAB product, you can rest assured that you are not putting any harmful chemicals in or on your body or your baby’s body. Hooray!

If you’d like to see my reviews on a few other Earth Mama Angel Baby products and hear why I recommend them, check out the scoop on their Angel Baby  Shampoo & Body Wash, Angel Baby Lotion and Happy Mama Head to Toe Wash.

Today I’m featuring a product that is such a nice treat for the expecting mom, and it is also quite useful after delivery. It is called Happy Mama Spray, and it is specially designed to naturally bring you a moment of peace and bliss in the midst of a bout of nausea, or even anxiety. As you know, I have been dealing with nausea for the majority of this pregnancy, and while it is tapering off, that doesn’t mean it has totally gone away. I’m so glad to have this spray to help me relax when I start to feel sick. That really goes a long way toward helping me not toss my cookies! 🙂

I am also feeling a little bit worried about the transition from having 1 kid to 2 in the house. I think it is going to be a tough adjustment, and I fear that I will feel overwhelmed and in over my head at times. I like having something very safe and natural on hand that I can spray, smell and that will remind me to take a deep breath and let some stuff go. The smell is light and very refreshing, containing lime and ginger. It’s even recommended to use on the kids if they battle car sickness. That’s a great idea…I suspect we might deal with that issue with Darah, as she did randomly throw up in the car when we were on a 4 hour trip this summer.

Earth Mama Angel Baby is an excellent resource for all your bath and body needs, both during and after pregnancy. I highly recommend the company, as I have been extremely impressed with the quality of every product I have used. You can purchase EMAB products onlineor find your nearest retailer here.The Happy Mama Spray I reviewed retails for $14.95.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win Happy Mama Spray for yourself or someone you know who could use it!

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Maternity Bra Nirvana: Cake Lingerie Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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Welcome to the next installment of Maternity Monday! Today I’m tackling bras. Yes, you most definitely need some new bras when you are pregnant, as your breasts are going to grow a bit! The majority of your growth actually happens in your first trimester, so even before you might need maternity tops and pants, you probably are going to be shopping for new bras.

When I was pregnant the first time, I got some very practical advice about buying bigger bras. Since I was planning to breastfeed once I had the baby, it was recommend that I just go ahead and purchase some nursing bras, and it would be fine to also wear them during my pregnancy. Sounded smart to me. I always appreciate an opportunity make a purchase last as long as possible.

And then I went nursing bra shopping. At which point I gasped in horror, and if I recall correctly, actually cried. I’m not a bra snob by any stretch, and even by the time I was expecting my first, I was beyond the stage of my life where underwear could be cute at any cost (meaning that it was ridiculous to try to wear in public…you know what I’m talking about). I valued comfort and functionality. But oh my lord. When I saw “maternity” bras, I could not believe the degree of ugly that was waiting for me. It blew me away. I also found that the nursing bras looked strange under my clothes, what with all those extra hooks and with fabric that wasn’t all sewn together in one unit. It was awful, and I decided that I’d just fork over more money to get non-nursing bras for pregnancy, and I’d wear those  horrible contraptions not a moment before I had to once Darah was born.

Did anyone else have a similar experience to me? I’m curious!

This time around, I’m a bit more savvy. I know that there are other options, and I was determined to find some nursing bras that wouldn’t want to make me gag at the site of them. Not only did I find that, but I also found some maternity and nursing bras that are downright GORGEOUS. No, really! Check this out!

Can you even believe that the model is wearing a nursing bra???? She totally is! And, ladies, it gets even better….the bra is designed to beautifully support those of us who have fuller busts WITHOUT UNDERWIRE. Say what???!!! Yes! I swear it!I will not keep this company a secret from you one minute longer. They are called Cake Lingerie, and they are revolutionizing the world of maternity underwear (check out the New York Times article on them!). Thank goodness! I was sent the set above, which is called Cheesecake (cute, right?!). I was nervous about it. I mean, come on…I think we’ve all gotten our hopes up over wireless bras before, only to be quickly reminded that gravity wins and we need some extra support up there. But we also know that when you are pregnant, and ESPECIALLY when you are nursing, the last thing you need is a wire digging into you. This bra really and truly gives you the support you need. It is so comfortable.It is also so unbelievably beautiful. Pregnancy is such a vulnerable time, and in my experience, it can be a real challenge to feel pretty as you watch your belly expand and your body take an overall different shape. It adds insult to injury to have to wear a bulky, awkward nursing bra on top of it all. Cake Lingerie has an entire line of exquisite pieces that you will swoon over, and that will make you feel as lovely as you really are!This bra is also a nursing bra, so it will come in handy after the baby is born. But it doesn’t wear the way most nursing bras wear. You cannot tell that you are wearing a nursing bra. The hooks are discreet! This is the first nursing bra I have ever owned that I don’t worry about wearing out in public.My only wish for this bra would be that it had a way to add some extra lining to it. Perhaps something removable since I can see where it would be in the way once you started nursing. I do prefer my bras to have some light padding, just for modesty. But other than that, this bra is a home run, all the way.

And don’t get me started on the joy of having matching underwear to go with it. The set is so pretty and makes me feel so feminine and just beautiful. It’s a great feeling to have, especially right now!

So, if you are expecting or thinking about getting pregnant, now I can give the same practical advice that others gave to me. Go ahead and buy your nursing bras now to wear during pregnancy. But head straight to Cake Lingerie to make your purchases. You won’t regret it for a moment, and you’ll never have to even contemplate wearing those awful maternity bras that they sell everywhere else!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a Cheesecake bra and panty set from Cake Lingerie! SQUEAL!!!!

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Affordable, Fashion-Forward Maternity Wear: Kiki’s Fashions Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

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Welcome to Maternity Monday, where I highlight products and services for the expecting mom and family.

Today I want to talk about maternity clothes. My thought on them is that I don’t want to spend a lot of money on something that will only be worn for a few seasons (if you don’t outgrow them before the end of the pregnancy!). But since I don’t want to spend a lot of money, I also find that my maternity wardrobe tends to be quite sparse, especially as compared with my typical wardrobe. So, I learned the hard way last time around that even though I am budget-conscious about my clothing, I need to balance that with being fashion-conscious. If you have to wear something constantly, it had better be cute! With my first pregnancy, it was price alone that drove my purchase decisions, and as a result, I had clothes that I genuinely wanted to burn by the time I was 9 months pregnant. They were ugly, falling apart and I had no choice but to keep on wearing them.

This time around, I’m taking a more balanced approach. Inexpensive is very good, but if it is cheap and not cute, then it’s a waste of money, no matter how little it costs! Fortunately, thanks to other fabulous bloggers, I have learned about a wonderful online shop called Kiki’s Fashions. This is a store that offers very trendy maternity clothes, and the price tags are very much in line with what you would find at places like Old Navy or Target. Woo hoo!

I had the opportunity to try a long-sleeve maternity top from their fall line and it is, without question, my very favorite top to wear. I love that it has stripes on the top, which are so hot this fall, but that the stripes draw your attention away from the bump and the lower part of the shirt is in a slimming black. Yes, I know, there will come a point in the pregnancy where all the black in the world won’t help, but for now, I really appreciate having my bump not emphasized. The top is also very comfy to wear, and I’ve found it to be a piece that I can dress up with jewelry and black pants, or dress down with a pair of jeans. Basically, it’s perfect! The price tag is also perfect, at $22.99. That’s FANTASTIC!

Kiki’s Fashions is currently offering 25% off store-wide for all orders over $75. That makes it a great time to get stocked up on super cute cheap maternity clothes! I’m thinking about ordering this maternity coat. It’s super cute and only $35.99!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a $25 gift certificate to Kiki’s Fashions so that you can pick out the perfect pregnancy look for yourself or an expecting friend!

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