I breastfeed my children. I’m sure that doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Breastfeeding is something very special to me. It’s more than a way to feed my child. It’s nourishing, bonding, communicating, and comforting. When my nursling is at the breast, we make eye contact. We hold hands. So much more is going on beyond giving my baby milk. I don’t feel like this is something that should be done behind closed doors or covered up. If my baby is hungry sitting at a restaurant, I’m going to feed her. It doesn’t matter where we are – I will breastfeed my baby. We don’t use a cover because we shouldn’t have to. In fact, in the state of Pennsylvania, there are laws protecting us saying we don’t have to.
That said, I understand some women like to be covered. I just really don’t like the covers available. Even their names are offensive, as if to suggest something needs to be hidden. There was not a single cover I knew of that I would have recommended to clients. Breastfeeding needs to be seen – That doesn’t mean your breast has to be exposed. However, until more people see it on a regular basis, breastfeeding will continue to be seen as taboo. It’s up to us to make it “normal”. And then I found it. The perfect nursing cover. Baby Bond. Even the name is wonderful!
Baby Bond Nursing Covers are worn like a sash. Separate two layers of fabric to expose the nipple and let baby attach. The breast is completely covered and baby is out for the world to see! No more hot covers to obstruct your view. There are three styles available and I chose the Couture. It can be worn two ways – As a sash to cover your breast if nursing opening is on your top, or around the belly to cover your exposed tummy if you must lift your shirt to nurse. So versatile! They roll up into an attached pouch and you can toss it right in the diaper bag and come in several great colors.
This is such a great alternative to those “other” covers. If covering is what it will take to get more women breastfeeding, cover away! Please give the Baby Bond a try. While keeping modesty, breastfeeding is still visible to all. Women can nurse in public, baby can make eye-contact and bond and people are exposed to breastfeeding. Everyone wins!
Baby Bond has very generously offered a 25% discount to my readers! Enter code TLCP at checkout to redeem.
February 15, 2011
Let’s talk baby carriers. There are so many options out there, where does a mom start? A good place to start is material. Most carriers are made of a cotton base fabric. Some have stretch, others are woven and have little to no give. I love a stretchy carrier for the first few weeks; They keep a new baby snuggled close in soft fabric. However, I tend to have larger babies and they quickly become too heavy for my comfort in a stretchy carrier. While they can be rated up to 45lbs, there is no way I see carrying a child that heavy. A woven wrap is much more supportive and look quite beautiful on. You can wrap them in so many ways, you are bound to find something you love. However, the wrap I have is long and cumbersome to wrap – the ends drag on the ground and I hate to get it dirty!
So, what’s a lady to do? Something supportive and easy to use are the two main things I look for when getting a carrier. Hands down, my favorite carrier is the Performance ERGObaby. So simple to use – secure around your waist, put baby in, pull the shoulder straps up, clip the chest strap and off you go! All the straps are fully adjustable. Both my husband and I can wear the ERGO with comfort. I use it every day. Doing dishes, vacuuming, going on walks, grocery shopping. You get the idea. My baby is quite comfortable in it too. There is an attached hood you can use for privacy during breastfeeding or to keep a sleeping baby’s head from bobbing all over. Two zip pockets (one houses the hood) to sow your wallet or keys on excursions. The Performance has less padded shoulder straps than the Original carrier. I actually like it better. They lay more flush to the body, thus creating a better fit. The only gripe I have is the elastic bands to keep the slack in the straps up. The older model I have uses hook/loop closures to secure them and works great. The elastic has a tendency to slip off and the slack unravels leaving it flying in the breeze. That said, ERGObaby is the perfect carrier to wear newborns through toddler years on front, back or hip.
There are endless benefits to babywearing. Keeping your newborn close regulates body temperature, respiratory rate and heart beat. Babies who are worn cry less and sleep more. Often times putting a fussy baby in his carrier and wearing him around the house will put him right to sleep. It’s also thought babies who are worn learn more quickly because they are at the level of conversation. With your hands free, housework is much easier. Babies love being held, using a carrier keeps them close and gives your arms a break!
Go check out ERGObaby. They have a few different carriers to suit everyone. In addition, there are some great accessories that can be purchased separately (like a backpack, fanny-pack sized bag and teething pads baby can chew and suck on).
February 7, 2011
When you having a baby, there are so many things you need to get. On the other hand, so many things really aren’t necessary. I’m a minimalist when it comes to most things. It creates less waste and I like that. When it comes to babies, they don’t need much. However, one thing you cannot have too many of is blankets. Blankets serve many, many purposes. From keeping baby warm to changing pads to propping baby up. I’m not one to swaddle, I prefer skin-to-skin contact (and it’s very important to get that contact). But a nice, soft blanket to keep you and baby warm during feeding is lovely. I’ve had many a blanket and have found a few that rank high. Among them are those by Swaddle Designs.
Founded in 2002 by an R.N., Swaddle Designs has a lot to offer. They make everything from burp cloths to adult-sized snuggle blankets. Among my favorite items are the Ultimate Swaddle Blanket, the Marquisette Swaddle Blanket and the Baby Lovie. I literally could not pick just one! The Ultimate Swaddle Blanket is generously sized at 42″x42″ and is made of super soft 100% cotton flannel. It comes in a variety of beautiful colors and patterns and is available in organic cotton. If you’re looking for a lighter blanket, the Marquisette Swaddle Blanket is where you can stop the search! It’s a bit larger than the Ultimate Swaddle, at 46″x46″ and made from lightweight, open-weave cotton (think muslin). Each swaddle blanket comes with a tag sewn on with directions on how to swaddle. Every baby loves a security blanket! The perfect gift for the new baby in your life is the Baby Lovie. Absolutely adorable and so, so soft! Sized perfectly at 14″x14″ and washed up in a snap. Get a couple so baby will never go without!
When you visit Swaddle Designs you will see the huge variety of what they offer. Beautiful products at a great price. They offer a Deal of the Day – A featured product (or two) at up to 50% savings! You will also find other deals linked in the Deal of the Day section, where other products are up to 40% off. Signing up for emails will get you 10% off savings and additional saving to be sent periodically. You really can’t beat it. They also support many charitable causes, which are all listed on their website. Support a great company that gives back. I love Swaddle Designs and all they have to offer!
January 31, 2011
Okay. I admit it. I’m a little obsessed with cloth diapers. I love them. Everything about them, really. How they look, the cost savings (well, if you aren’t buying them up like some do….), how they feel. If babies must wear diapers, isn’t it nice to have soft, natural fibers against their skin, instead of plastic and chemicals? It just makes sense to me! So, I’m delighted to be able to review EWies (U-eez) Diapers for you!
EWies pocket diapers are awesome. They are available in a rainbow of colors, made very well, wash up nicely, trim and have 100% cotton interiors. The insert is also 100% cotton. You know how I enjoy natural fibers! Wash the insert 5 times to get it wear-ready, stuff the diaper and you’re set! I was pretty happy with how absorbent the diaper is. The cotton lining actually kept my baby’s skin fairly dry. I have a heavy-wetter and have found I can’t use the included insert very long. Alternatively, I’ve been tri-folding a prefold and using it for overnight. I couldn’t be happier!
EWies come in sizes. Newborn for babies 5-10lbs, small is for babies 8-15lbs, medium fits 16-35lbs and large fits 33-45lbs. The medium fits my 22 pounder very nicely, with room to grow. Up to 35lbs may be a stretch. Let’s hope for toilet learning by then. Since they are so easy to use (just pre-load them!), daddy or the babysitter should have no issues with using them. Just wrap around baby like a disposable diaper and off you go! You can also feel good about supporting work-at-home-moms when you use EWies, too! A great diaper that works hard to keep your baby dry and trim. EWies definitely gets my Seal of Approval!
January 24, 2011
Sage Diapers has paved the way in the cloth diaper industry – They were the first company to use PUL as waterproof barrier, the first to use leg gussets and have an umbilical cut-out. Sage Diapers was also the first cloth diaper to be sold in national stores (JCPenney) in 1988. The company has several diaper options available, including a One-Step diaper, fitted, doublers and liners. I was able to try the One-Step system and this is what I found.
The One-Step is simple to use – You just snap in the insert (choose from hemp/organic cotton or micro terry) and wrap the cover around baby and you’re done! Simple enough. I chose the hemp/organic cotton insert because I prefer only natural fibers against my baby’s skin. The hemp/cotton insert needs to be washed a minimum of five times before use to rid it of the natural oils, which are water-resistant. It will reach full absorbency after eight washes. I prepped mine with the five wash/dry cycles and put it to use. Leak. After only 30 minutes of wear. I wash and dried a few more times and tried again – it still leaks. In addition to leaking very quickly, the insert is flat and has no shape to it, so breastfed baby poop runneth over.
The cover seemed nice at first, then I noticed a few flaws. After my initial wash, one of the seams came apart, although the diaper was still usable. The hook and loop on the tabs doesn’t extend to the tip of the tab, so when you overlap them closed, the hook and loop pulls on the PUL of the diaper. Again, only a cosmetic flaw. I use the cover with prefolds and like it just fine, although it is one of the last I reach for. The lining isn’t wet-resistant, so if urine saturates through the insert or prefold, it needs changed because it’s wet. It does wash up nicely and dries quickly.
Everyone I dealt with with at Sage Diapers was lovely and very pleasant to work with. I wish I loved the One-Step a little more. If you can catch them on sale, I would suggest getting one to try. If anything, you’ll get a decent cover to add to your stash! Personally, I would not get another One-Step. I would certainly try other Sage Diapers, especially the fitted. Natural fiber diapers are hard to come by and Sage Diapers has a few good offerings.
January 3, 2011
I love the Earth. That is a well-known fact. I do whatever I can to make my family’s footprint smaller. Which leads me to – I love reuseit.com. They offer a huge range of products from reusable shopping bags and lunch bags to glass straws and reusable menstrual products. It’s your one-stop-shop for eco-friendly, affordable, reusable products. I was able to review three reuseit brand products! They sent me recycled, biodegradable trash bags, cloth napkins and a spray bottle – to make your own cleaners. It doesn’t get more exciting than this! I couldn’t wait to put everything to use.
The trash bags are pretty cool. If you’ve ever used biodegradable trash bags, you know they can be pretty lame. Thin, weak and tear very easily. I was interested to see how the reuseit bags would hold up. Even better than your typical biodegradable bags, these are made with recycled plastic in Chicago (local to reuseit.com). They contain an additive that allows them to completely compost and biodegrade – even in landfills (full degrade in 12-24 months). I was impressed that they actually feel substantial, not cheap and flimsy. The bags held all our kitchen trash (in a 13 gallon can) well, without tearing. There are a couple improvements I would make. I would give the bags handles for ease of removal and tying and I would make them a little deeper. Our bags keep falling into the trash can and were hard to tie when filled completely.
Onto the spray bottle. I’ve been wanting to make my own cleaners. I use natural cleaners, or the old faithful vinegar, but I want to do something a little different. The reuseit bottle is built to last and completely recyclable when you are done with it. They best part about it is that it has recipes for basic cleaners printed right on the bottle, with easy to use gradations for measurements. The nozzle has two spray settings – mist and stream and two “off” settings. For just over the price you’d pay for a bottle of natural cleaner, this bottle gives you much more bang for your buck!
Paper napkins and towels. How wasteful! And when you have a toddler, you go through napkins! Cloth napkins are one more thing I’ve been wanting to switch to and just haven’t made the plunge. Que reuseit “I’m Not a Paper Towel” cloths! A multipurpose, reusable napkin/tissue/drool catch. Hemp/organic cotton blend and nice and soft! Logo embroidered for an elegant touch – these are dinner party worthy! Machine wash and dry. It doesn’t get any easier to make the switch!
All-in-all, awesome, high-quality products I’d expect from reuseit. Head on over to reuseit and take a look around. There’s still time to get in an order before the holidays and there is something for everyone on your list!
December 10, 2010
Teething. It’s one of the unpleasant parts of growing up. Tiny wee-folk shouldn’t be so miserable. The drool. The rashes. The pain. What are the options to help them? When a family doesn’t feel comfortable using over-the-counter medications (who isn’t with all the recalls?), one is pretty limited.
I started looking around for alternative healing and comfort for teething pain. Amber teething necklaces seemed to keep popping up. Amber contains Succinic acid that is absorbed when the skin warms the necklace. Succinic acid is a natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. In Europe, Baltic Amber has been used as a natural remedy for centuries.
I received my amber necklace from Inspired by Finn and thought it is beautiful! The necklace is handmade and knotted between each stone for safety. I started using it on my cranky baby immediately. She has been teething and absolutely miserable. Crying, chewing, drooling and refusing to be put down. The necklace has made a notable difference. She is much less upset and the drooling seems to have lessened, too. The rash on her face has cleared up. And the necklace just looks too darn cute!
Stop over at Inspired by Finn and check out their beautiful jewelry. Also, click here to see how you can get up to 20% off your purchase.
To enter the giveaway please comment here, only once, which necklace you would choose. You may choose any in stock necklace 16 inches or shorter. A winner will be chosen at random on 11/19/10 at 12:00pm EST.
November 14, 2010
I had seen these bracelets around the internet and thought they looked pretty neat. It’s a great idea – A bracelet mom can wear, that baby can chew on. Oh Plah! (which means “Here you go” in French) bracelets, from Roundhouse Design Collaborative, are made of thermoplastic and are non-toxic, resist bacteria and free of lead, PVC, latex, phthalates and BPA. They are also 100% recyclable. And made right here in the USA. But, are they practical? Is it fashionable? It is a plastic bracelet, after all.
The answer is a resounding “YES!” I was pleasantly surprised. From the photos, the bracelets look like an ordinary bracelet. What you can’t see, is the wonderful, slight iridescence in them. Just enough sparkle to make them beautiful and sophisticated. The fit is great (even on my “big boned” wrist) and the feel is wonderful. And the material is substantial; not flimsy at all, yet flexible. Very lightweight and smooth, so it doesn’t snag clothing.
The true test came when I gave it to my three month old. She has been exploring lately and doing a lot of finger chewing. I thought we’d give those fingers a rest and let the Oh Plah! take a beating. She took to it immediately and was able to grasp it well, because there is a handy finger hole that allows for easy holding (or for attaching it to a paci-holder to keep it from falling to the ground). Since the bracelet is toxin-free and doesn’t have any small parts, I feel absolutely confident in letting my baby put it in her mouth. It kept her satisfied and occupied while I made dinner.
The bracelets are made with one continuous piece of thermoplastic, so they clean up quickly with soap and water and air-dry in no time. Along with being a trendy fashion statement and invaluable toy and teether for your child, you can alternate wrists easily and use it as a nursing reminder. When you are finished with the Oh Plah! bracelet, you can ship it back to the company (on them!) and they will recycle it for you.
Just in case you aren’t 100% sold, here are a couple more reasons to go buy an Oh Plah! right now. They come in six amazing colors (try picking just one). And, this is the part I love, Roundhouse donates a portion of all their sales to Healthy Child Healthy World. High environmental standards and giving back to a worthy cause are reason enough to pick Roundhouse Design Collaborative, their great products seal the deal.
November 5, 2010
Conventional mattresses are loaded with chemicals. Many of which have been banned in Europe, and even California, yet the States still use them in children’s toys and mattresses. I will highlight some of them here and you can decide for yourself what you think.
Pesticides – Residues from pesticides used to grow materials in the mattress
Adhesives – Adhesives in mattresses contain methylene chloride, benzene and formaldehyde. These chemicals are known carcinogens and skin and eye irritants. Solvents in the adhesives can also do damage to the Central Nervous System.
Polyurethane Foam – Mattresses contain a large amount of polyurethane foam, a petroleum product, that emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are known for decreasing immune and nervous systems and are linked to autoimmune disorders.
PVC – PVC coating comes on most children’s mattresses to keep them waterproof. PVC contains phthalates. We can thank phthalates for asthma, reproductive issues and cancer.
Chemical Flame Retardants – Antimony and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, cause cancer, hyperactivity and neurological disorders. Flame retardants can be found in high levels in breastmilk.
There are studies linking these chemicals to SIDS. Other studies “disprove” that. With toxins on the rise (in our food, mattresses, vaccinations, etc) and the rise of SIDS, it only makes sense the two are somehow related.
The United States does not regulate labeling on mattresses. So, buyer has to beware of what they are buying. Even “organic” mattresses can contain chemical flame retardants. The mattress may be free of pesticides, but that is where it stops. Mainstream manufacturers (like Sealy and Simmons) will not disclose what they use for flame retardants. They can’t let those “trade secrets” to go the lay shopper.
So, the question is – Where to buy a safe mattress? We go with White Lotus. White Lotus has been around since 1981. They hand make mattress, pillows and sheets out of organic materials (they even do custom orders!). You can get a completely untreated mattress, with no flame retardant, but you’ll need a doctor’s note (we got one with no problem from our doctor).
These mattresses smell amazing and are so comfortable! You can see the workmanship in them and can tell they are made with love. While you will pay a bit more than the mainstream mattress, White Lotus mattresses last an average of 10 years, with proper care.
My clients are able to take advantage of a special discount for White Lotus products. Please let me know if you are interested and I will let you how you can redeem it!
October 5, 2010
It has been brought to my attention that babywearing in the United States may be in danger. The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), seems to think all soft-structured carriers are hazardous due to infant death linked to a few carriers. They are working on getting carriers recalled because of this and are considering this “the beginning of the end” of babywearing in the US. Let me say – I am deeply saddened by the deaths of these children. I cannot imagine the pain that it would bring to lose a child.
That said, babywearing is not dangerous. In fact, it is safer to wear your baby. Kangaroo care (the act of caring for the newborn by keeping baby close to chest in a skin-to-skin manner) regulates body temperature, heartbeat, respiration and keeps baby close to the food source. You can be more aware of baby’s needs and act on them before he gets upset. A baby that is worn cries less often and sleeps better. This can help with mothers coping with PPD. You can clean your house. You can go for walks and keep your hands free to hold other little hands or, our favorite, eat an ice cream cone.
Being a mother gives me a feeling I cannot express in words. In fact, trying to now is making my eyes well with tears. Our babies are small for such a short time and wearing my baby helps me hold them a bit longer. Being a mother is my greatest accomplishment. I don’t want anyone to take something away from me, or future mothers, that is such a powerful tool that contributes to our success.
Please visit Adventures in Babywearing and join in her Call to Action.
Also visit the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance and become a friend. Help them save babywearing in the United States.
October 5, 2010
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