Breastfeeding Favorites

I'm a nursing mom. I'm a breastfeeding mom. I'm an exclusively breastfeeding mom.

Wow. Those are things I wasn't sure I would ever say.

Before I got pregnant, I don't think I ever thought about breastfeeding.

I never thought that I would be able to take the feeling of a baby nursing, and I was so scared of it.

But, as soon as I became pregnant I knew that breastfeeding was something that I was going to at least try to do for sure, and boy am I so happy I did.

I love the bond I have with Emma. I love the way she looks at me when she's nursing, it's just she and I, and no one else. I love that she NEEDS me, and I love that I can always soothe her.

Of course, do I even have to mention all the amazing benefits?

Breastfeeding isn't easy. AT ALL.

And I'm not saying that to scare anyone, I'm saying it because it's the truth.

I'm not going to go into details of WHY it's hard, you can Google it and everyone will say the same things about the soreness and pain, and etc.

But I'm here to tell you to DO IT! It's so worth it, I promise.

I decided to put a list together of my Favorite Breastfeeding Items, hope this helps you mamas who want to breastfeed.

Enjoy!

Medela Pump In Style Pump & Cooler Set- I was so thankful that my insurance was able to cover my breast pump! And I honestly have no complaints with my Medela. It's small and light, and easy to carry around when I have to pump at work. The cooler set is a must have, the ice pack inside is molded so 4 Medela bottles fit perfectly. I'm able to keep a mini fridge in my classroom, but when I have to pack up and take my milk, I put them in the cooler bag and they stay cold for hours.

Medela Nipple Shield- Like I said, breastfeeding is HARD! But this little shield saved me for 3 days! I was so sore, bruised and cracked, but giving up wasn't an option! Emma's pediatrician told me to get a nipple shield, and while it didn't help with the soreness it definitely helped with everything else. Please note that this should be used temporarily!

Medela Soft Shells- So when your "girls" are hurting and wearing a bra is basically unbearable, these soft shells come in and make life so much better haha! They keep your nipples from touching anything, and your breasts from being squished against your bra and shirt.

Lansinoh TheraPearl 3-in-1 Breast Therapy- Pop these in the microwave and put them on your breasts to help with milk flow, or freeze them to help with the soreness. These were awesome in the beginning!

Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads- These were great with helping sore nipples. You might think that there's no way you'll put something super cold on you nipples, ha! Talk to me after you've been breastfeeding for a couple of days. I thought the same thing!!!

Lansinoh Lanolin- Awesome for the cracked nipples. They're safe for babies, but every time before I nursed I made sure to wipe it off. A little bit goes a long way, and I still have basically a full tube. I hear this works great as a lip balm but I haven't had the guts to try it yet, lol.

Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra- This Nursing Bra is super comfy! There is no underwire, the nursing clips have one-hand access. I love it.

Simple Wishes Hands Free Pump Bra- 4 words. HANDS FREE PUMP BRA. You get to pump without having to use your hands!!! Do I need to say more?

Kismet Love Nursing Scarf- These scarves are super cute, well made and when you're not nursing, you just wear them around on a chilly day or as a cute accessory. I have two of these and I like them a lot! They really do a great job covering you and baby for privacy when breastfeeding. They offer a lot of different and fun fabrics to pick from. The maker of these scarves is a mama herself, and you know how much I love to support small businesses and moms.

MilkMakers Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies- I'm obsessed with these. I'm so happy I get to eat a cookie every single day and not feel guilty about it haha. These are great and they help with my milk production. I have a subscription so every month I get 2 bags and 1 box of these. So yummy!

I also received 2 other products after I had already made my flatlay that I love so much so I'm adding on here!

Check out the NursElet™!

The NursElet™ is Mommy invented. I really believe that every product made by a mom is awesome, because who better than an actual mom to come up with something great for other mommies to use?  The NursElet™ is a hands-free solution to make breastfeeding and pumping easier and comfortable for nursing mother. No matter which kind of you are wearing, NursElet™ secures your shirt in no time, and when nursing is done, NursElet™ can become a nursing bracelet to remind which breast to use next. It also easily slides over the shirt if in case of changing a breast position while holding baby. It's adjustable, reversible, machine washable, no metal, no BPA. Each NursElet™ is handmade with quality materials, inside and out. You can also choose from a bunch of different fabrics.

What a simple, but super cool product!

I also received some products from Mrs. Patel's.

I received the Fenugreek Bars Combo, the Chai Spice Tea and the Munch Crunch.

Let me tell you that those bars are MAGICAL! I was told that it would take a few days for me to notice a difference, but I ate one, and right away I noticed a difference in my production!!!

Since I got the combo, I tried all 3 flavors they offer, chocolate, peanut butter and regular.

The Fenugreek Bars are kind of spicy, so I couldn't handle the regular bar, but I put Nutella on it, and it tasted so good! The chocolate has this sweet/bitter taste to it, and the peanut butter one was my favorite, I even added more peanut butter on top of the existing amount haha.

I'm not a fan of tea. Hot Tea, Iced Tea, I never loved tea, but the Chai Spice Tea definitely does its job! I like that it's caffeine free.

And finally the Munch Crunch, I put it in yogurt, and ice cream! I'm a fan!

Now, what are YOUR breastfeeding favorites? Please share! I would love to know!

Emma - 3 Months

My cutie! You are getting sillier by the day!

When you smile, one of you eyes squint more than the other.

You've been pulling Mommy's hair already and you have such a good grip, OUCH!

You gave Mommy such a hard time one weekend, you didn't want to breastfeed, you only wanted a bottle. Mommy was so so sad! My milk production got low, but I just pumped and pumped and fed you as much as I could, switched bottles, oh man, you gave me a run for my money for 3 days! But, I toughened it out, and together we got everything to go back to normal! Now grandma switches off bottles every other day so you don't get used to just one kind! You'll learn really quickly that while you might be clever, Mommy is the cleverest of them all, just ask Daddy! :)

Mondays are the worst, we spend all weekend together and then I have to leave you to go back to work for the week. I know I'm doing what I have to do to be able to give you everything you need and more, but I still feel so guilty. I cannot wait to spend all Winter Break with you.

You are sitting up much better, and you like to keep your head up too! We've been practicing sitting on the Bumbo, and while it's not your favorite, you are a trooper.

I'm also looking forward to your 3 Month photoshoot! It's so crazy to see how much you have grown and changed. I'm so thankful for knowing Auntie Bee, and having her create these beautiful pictures for us. Like she says, one day you'll have the most awesome TBTs! You'll learn about those one day, but I'm sure by the time you would be doing TBTs, something else will be cooler, haha.

You saw Santa for the first time, but you were more worried about the tulle on your shirt than Santa himself. He asked Mommy what she wanted for Christmas, but I told him I already got the best gift of all - YOU!

I love you the most!

- Mommy

Weight: 11.4 lbs

Height: 25 in.

Eye Color: Still Blue! But sometimes they seem gray.

Hair Color: Dark Brown.

Diaper Size: Size 1

Clothes Size: 0-3 Months usually, some 3-6 here and there and PJs are getting tight cause you're getting long, so I've been buying 6 months which are a little roomy, but better to put on.

Sleep: Basically still the same as last month. You sleep in your bassinet and on the weekends when you wake up super early Mommy feeds you and then lets you stay in bed to cuddle! I wake you up at 4:45AM to eat and once you get to Vovó's house you take naps.

Eating: Still every 3-4 hours. I let you sleep through the night or if you're napping during the day for as long as you want, but I don't usually let you go past 4 hours without eating, except over night.

Likes: Minnie Mouse, your car seat toy bar, iPhones and iPads, when people talk to you in a silly voice, when mommy "steals" your nose. BATHS!
Dislikes: Being hungry! When you're sleeping and the dogs bark and scare you.
Milestones: You found your hand, kind of, but you like to eat it when you do find it. You've been getting better at grabbing things, and you are definitely more aware of your surroundings.
Firsts: First Thanksgiving! First time seeing Santa.
Personality: You are still so silly and cute, but your cries are getting louder and more intense. You love being held, but when you are hungry nothing makes you happy except for Mommy's Milk!

And I had to add this one of you and Zoey cause it's just too stinkin' cute!!!!

1 Month & 2 Months Favorites

I've combined my 1 & 2 Months Favorites since they were pretty much the same.

You can find my Newborn Favorites here.

Owlet Monitor- I have written a whole blog post about this baby monitor, and I still love it! Click here to read about it. Also, if you are interested in purchasing it, click here to purchase it,

Bright Starts Carrier Bar- Emma is in love with this little toy bar! She hates car rides when she's alone in the back, but at every red light I click the little owl's heart and it blinks and sings to her and calms her down. She smiles and smiles at it, it's so cute!

HALO Bassinest- I'm including this bassinet again because it's still a favorite. I'm happy I didn't listen to everyone calling me ridiculous for getting it because of it's price tag because I do love it. This bassinet is awesome! It's in my bedroom and right next to me, I love that it swivels and has all these cool little features on it. Emma finally enjoys the vibrating feature and she also likes to listen to the songs it plays.

MamaRoo- Including our MamaRoo again as well because Emma loves it and so do we! She still naps in there all the time. The only complaint is the little mobile on the top, can you say BORING?! It doesn't move, turn, or light up, it's just 3 colorful plush balls. I actually took those balls off and I hang a little colorful toy that Emma likes to look at. For such an expensive, modern item, you'd think they would include a super cool mobile, no?

Aden & Anais Swaddle Blanket Bag- Another repeat because we still use these every night. Emma still startles herself to the point where she wakes herself up, so she wears a blanket bag overnight. Not for naps, just overnight. They're light enough for her to wear on top of her PJs, and they have such adorable prints too!

Tommee Tippee Anti Colic Bottles- I had SUCH a hard time one weekend getting Emma to nurse, she only wanted a bottle! So I got these bottles which are supposed to be great for breastfeeding babies, and Emma loves them! I like the little tube they come with, like the Dr. Browns bottles, which I also use. Now my mom (who watches her) switches between bottles so she doesn't get used to just one haha. Hey it's been working!!!

Lalabu Soothe Shirt- I'm in love with this shirt! Check out my post about it here!

Graco Pack N Play- This is where Emma naps and hangs out while she's at Vovó's house when I'm at work. It's light and super easy to fold up. I really like this little pack and play.

Fisher-Price Soothe and Glow Bunny- This is one of Emma's Christmas Presents but I couldn't resist to at least show it to her and OMG, she was in a trance. She really really liked this bunny! The belly glows on and off and it sings a little song. She was fussy trying to fight sleep and nurse, I turned this bunny on, showed it to her and she instantly stopped crying! I was like whaaatttt! Haha.

I can't believe that in just 10 days I'll have a 3 Month Old and a completely different list of favorite item to share with you all!