Cheers to you, Human Buffet! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.
Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts
Friday, May 23, 2014
BURU Online Clothing Boutique for Breast Feeding Moms
Thanks to a great fashion blog called Ain't No Mom Jeans (check it out if you haven't already), I have just learned of a new online boutique for breastfeeding moms. In my early BF days, I struggled to find fashionable clothes that made it easy to whip my boob out in and ended up exclusively wearing button up shirts for a while. This website makes things a lot easier and the price point for most items is not outrageous. I love that they list the function of each top so you know if it's good for pumping, BF or both. Of course you can find similar items at cheaper prices but if you are planning to BF for a while (I'm still doing it 15 months in) I think it's worth it to get some quality items that will stand up to a lot of washing because, trust me, there will be stains. At the very least, the styling on the website gives you great insight on how to dress cute when you are out and about with baby. There is a solution for every difficult social occasion from wedding attire to work to a day at the park. I wish I owned the Waterfall Wrap. It's 1000 times more fashionable than the BF covers I have and would have come in handy when we went to a baseball game for Tuan's work party a few months ago.
Cheers to you, Human Buffet! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.
Cheers to you, Human Buffet! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Consuming Galactagogues
Milk production hit a new low yesterday with my total after 2 pump sessions a measly 1.5 oz. Sometimes it's hard to imagine that I used to pump 12-16 oz a day. To combat my diminishing milk supply, I'm going to start eating more lactation cookies and taking fenugreek pills. Most women see an effect in 24-48 hours. Luckily I am one of those women and was able to pump 3 oz today!
[I've heard that taking fenugreek makes you smell like maple syrup. Weird right? I'm not sure if that would gross me out or make me want to eat pancakes all the time. I'm leaning towards pancakes. ALL. THE. TIME.]
Friday, November 1, 2013
Milk Anxiety + A Lactation Cookie Recipe
Mamas,
I'm suffering from a bit of milk anxiety. Parker is now almost 9 months old and my milk supply has dropped considerably. I went from pumping 16+ oz a day to pumping 5 oz a day at work. I have plenty of milk stored but I really wanted to make it to 1 year and I don't quite have enough yet. AHHHH. I even stopped walking during my lunch hour since that was also affecting my milk supply. Mom problems for sure.
I guess it's time to drink some Mother's Milk tea and bake some lactation cookies! I made these cookies last night with my SIL and they are so good. They don't even taste like special cookies.
Lactation Cookies
Original recipe spotted on allrecipes.com
Ingredients
2 tablespoons flax seed meal
1/4 cup water
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 egg yolks
1 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup brewers yeast
1 tablespoon wheat germ
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup mini chocolate chips
*Note: Don't let unfamiliar ingredients scare you from making these cookies. All the ingredients are readily available at your local Sprouts. I baked a couple dozen and froze the rest of the dough to make at a later date.
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Mix flaxseed with water in small bowl and let soak for 5 mins
3. Beat butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg yolks and vanilla; beat to incorporate. Stir flax seed mixture into the butter mixture.
4. Mix flour, brewer's yeast, wheat germ baking soda, salt and cream of tartar in a seperate bowl. Add to butter mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in oats and chocolate chips.
5. Rill dough into 1.5 inch balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
6. Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Allow cookies to cook on baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
The recipe is good as is but next time I may try to add some other ingredients for variety. I would recommend trying: coconut flakes, cinnamon, peanut butter, raisins. The possibilities are endless!
I'm suffering from a bit of milk anxiety. Parker is now almost 9 months old and my milk supply has dropped considerably. I went from pumping 16+ oz a day to pumping 5 oz a day at work. I have plenty of milk stored but I really wanted to make it to 1 year and I don't quite have enough yet. AHHHH. I even stopped walking during my lunch hour since that was also affecting my milk supply. Mom problems for sure.
I guess it's time to drink some Mother's Milk tea and bake some lactation cookies! I made these cookies last night with my SIL and they are so good. They don't even taste like special cookies.
Lactation Cookies
Original recipe spotted on allrecipes.com
Ingredients
2 tablespoons flax seed meal
1/4 cup water
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 egg yolks
1 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup brewers yeast
1 tablespoon wheat germ
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup mini chocolate chips
*Note: Don't let unfamiliar ingredients scare you from making these cookies. All the ingredients are readily available at your local Sprouts. I baked a couple dozen and froze the rest of the dough to make at a later date.
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Mix flaxseed with water in small bowl and let soak for 5 mins
3. Beat butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg yolks and vanilla; beat to incorporate. Stir flax seed mixture into the butter mixture.
4. Mix flour, brewer's yeast, wheat germ baking soda, salt and cream of tartar in a seperate bowl. Add to butter mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in oats and chocolate chips.
5. Rill dough into 1.5 inch balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
6. Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Allow cookies to cook on baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
The recipe is good as is but next time I may try to add some other ingredients for variety. I would recommend trying: coconut flakes, cinnamon, peanut butter, raisins. The possibilities are endless!
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Milk Friendly and Affordable Stretchy Tee
Mamas, I just bought 3 of these "dressy" tees from Target and I love them. They are dressier than your average tee and super stretchy which makes them perfect for BF. Plus, they come in a ton of different colors and this week they are on sale (3 for $26). Definitely better than paying $40 for a ugly striped nursing tee from Pea in the Pod. Go buy some and thank me later. I'm wearing the blue one below with my boyfriend jeans as I type.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Breastfeeding Essentials
This is me keeping it real for all the new moms out there. After many many hours of breastfeeding, these are the items I can't live without.
1. A smart phone. The first couple of months you will feel like you are constantly BF. That's because you are. You will get bored, you will need something mind numbing to do because you are too tired to concentrate on anything but you have to stay awake (Candy Crush was a great way to kill time). I always have my phone with me so I can text friends, read the news, play games, etc.
2. Water. BF makes you exceptionally thirsty. I have a small mountain of empty water bottles by my rocking chair. Funny that the photo shows a whole pallet of water because that's how much water I feel I drink every week.
3. Breast pads. Whatever boob your baby is not drinking from will leak. Make sure you have a breast pad in place to soak up the mess. You really don't want to get milk stains all over your nursing bras and have to do eatra laundry.
4. A sleeping nursing bra. I lived in these for the first couple of months. The ones at Target are really comfy and come in a pack of two. Target is now my favorite place to shop.
5. A nursing cover. I always make sure to have one in my diaper bag whenever we are out in public because you never know when baby will want to eat. I've nursed Parker in church, at resturants, at the park, etc. It also doubles as a good light blanket in a pinch. Gotta keep the girls covered up.
6. Baby wipes. Keep these handy for when baby decides to unlatch while you are gushing and gets sprayed in the face. Baby wipes are also good for wiping down your boobs, your bursing pillow and just about anything else you can think of.
7. Nipple cream. It's important to keep the milk machine well oiled so your nipples don't crack. One tube will last forever. Six months later, I'm still using the same tube I received at my babyshower. You can also use coconut oil.
8. My BrestFriend Pillow. Dumb name, great item. Our pediatrician recommended this to me after I told her about how much pain I was in trying to support Parker while BF. I had terrible carpal tunnel during my pregnancy and it didn't go away after I gave birth. This pillow saved my life.
9. A nursing bra. Invest in a 3-4 comfortable nursing bras. I like the Target (yay!) ones because they are affordable and wireless. Before giving birth, I also bought some You! lingerie bras and those are nice too when you want to spice things up. I also like the nursing bras available from Elle McPherson.
1. A smart phone. The first couple of months you will feel like you are constantly BF. That's because you are. You will get bored, you will need something mind numbing to do because you are too tired to concentrate on anything but you have to stay awake (Candy Crush was a great way to kill time). I always have my phone with me so I can text friends, read the news, play games, etc.
2. Water. BF makes you exceptionally thirsty. I have a small mountain of empty water bottles by my rocking chair. Funny that the photo shows a whole pallet of water because that's how much water I feel I drink every week.
3. Breast pads. Whatever boob your baby is not drinking from will leak. Make sure you have a breast pad in place to soak up the mess. You really don't want to get milk stains all over your nursing bras and have to do eatra laundry.
4. A sleeping nursing bra. I lived in these for the first couple of months. The ones at Target are really comfy and come in a pack of two. Target is now my favorite place to shop.
5. A nursing cover. I always make sure to have one in my diaper bag whenever we are out in public because you never know when baby will want to eat. I've nursed Parker in church, at resturants, at the park, etc. It also doubles as a good light blanket in a pinch. Gotta keep the girls covered up.
6. Baby wipes. Keep these handy for when baby decides to unlatch while you are gushing and gets sprayed in the face. Baby wipes are also good for wiping down your boobs, your bursing pillow and just about anything else you can think of.
7. Nipple cream. It's important to keep the milk machine well oiled so your nipples don't crack. One tube will last forever. Six months later, I'm still using the same tube I received at my babyshower. You can also use coconut oil.
8. My BrestFriend Pillow. Dumb name, great item. Our pediatrician recommended this to me after I told her about how much pain I was in trying to support Parker while BF. I had terrible carpal tunnel during my pregnancy and it didn't go away after I gave birth. This pillow saved my life.
9. A nursing bra. Invest in a 3-4 comfortable nursing bras. I like the Target (yay!) ones because they are affordable and wireless. Before giving birth, I also bought some You! lingerie bras and those are nice too when you want to spice things up. I also like the nursing bras available from Elle McPherson.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Building Your Milk Supply + A Feel Good Moment
When Parker was born, it took almost 2 full weeks for my milk to come in. For those first two weeks, Tuan and I had to use an SNS (supplemental nursing system) to feed him. The SNS is a tiny tube connected to a syringe, filled with formula or breastmilk, and placed on your nipple. Yes, it was as terrible as it sounds! Once my milk did come in, it wasn't enough and I was breastfeeding and pumping (for 15 minutes each time after breastfeeding) around the clock to build up my supply. It wasn't until Parker was almost 4 months old that I felt my milk supply was well established and started storing milk. Now at 6 months, I have over 800 oz stored. If I should dry up right now, I think I have enough for Parker to survive on for about 3 months or longer (since he's eating solids).
A Few Tips for Pumping at Work and Storing Milk
- It may be tempting but DON'T crash diet to lose the baby weight.
- Do eat healthy meals and snacks. I find that I pump more milk after I eat a good meal.
- In the early days, it helped that I breastfed on each breast for at least 10-15 minutes and then pumped for 15 minutes. I had a c section and it took a while for my milk to come in.
- Do join a lactation support group sooner than later if you are having any trouble. They are usually free and a great opportunity to meet other moms and ask questions.
- Do invest in a good pump (I use the medela pump in style) and learn how to use it BEFORE you give birth.
- Don't buy the medela storage bags. They suck! The Target brand milk bags are 1000% better.
- Do freeze your milk bags FLAT to optimize storage space.
- I like to watch a slideshow of pictures of Parker on my phone when I pump at work. It makes the let down come faster.
**I had the great advantage of having a friend who isstudying to become a certified LC. If you have access to someone like this, definitely take advantage of them. Or message me and I can put you in touch with my friend Christina :)
I have been through the trials of breastfeeding and it is so stressful. A lot of my mom friends have told me about how stressed they have been and how guilty and inadequate they feel when their supplies have dried up or they can't produce enough. So when my friend Christina texted me and told me she was thinking of pumping again to help a friend out, I thought, "Wow! That is crazy" but I understood why she would do it. Her friend has a 3 month old who has completely rejected formula and her supply has dried up. C has a 19 mo old and hasn't been pumping for a while now. I, on the other hand, have tons of milk stored. That was when I decided to donate my milk to a mom I don't know. Is that weird? The decision was easy to make. My SIL has had issues with her milk supply and we've given my milk to her son too. I have more than Parker will probably ever need so I felt comfortable with donating 50+ounces to baby Cedar. Of course for the next day or so I obsessed about the whole situation. Did she drink it? Did she like it? Did I give enough? Breastmilk is very personal! It turns out, she drank it like a champ and I get to know that I helped someone in need. I'll probably start tracking my milk better so that I can donate more if it starts getting "old". You can store breastmilk for 6 months in deep freeze but your milk is composed of things that your baby needs at that age. For this reason, I wouldn't want Parker drinking anything older than 3 months.
I've always believed that you should give if you can. It's good karma :)
A Few Tips for Pumping at Work and Storing Milk
- It may be tempting but DON'T crash diet to lose the baby weight.
- Do eat healthy meals and snacks. I find that I pump more milk after I eat a good meal.
- In the early days, it helped that I breastfed on each breast for at least 10-15 minutes and then pumped for 15 minutes. I had a c section and it took a while for my milk to come in.
- Do join a lactation support group sooner than later if you are having any trouble. They are usually free and a great opportunity to meet other moms and ask questions.
- Do invest in a good pump (I use the medela pump in style) and learn how to use it BEFORE you give birth.
- Don't buy the medela storage bags. They suck! The Target brand milk bags are 1000% better.
- Do freeze your milk bags FLAT to optimize storage space.
- I like to watch a slideshow of pictures of Parker on my phone when I pump at work. It makes the let down come faster.
**I had the great advantage of having a friend who isstudying to become a certified LC. If you have access to someone like this, definitely take advantage of them. Or message me and I can put you in touch with my friend Christina :)
[Now that I am back at work, I average between 12-16 ounces a day. I exclusively breastfeed when I get home and on the weekends.]
I have been through the trials of breastfeeding and it is so stressful. A lot of my mom friends have told me about how stressed they have been and how guilty and inadequate they feel when their supplies have dried up or they can't produce enough. So when my friend Christina texted me and told me she was thinking of pumping again to help a friend out, I thought, "Wow! That is crazy" but I understood why she would do it. Her friend has a 3 month old who has completely rejected formula and her supply has dried up. C has a 19 mo old and hasn't been pumping for a while now. I, on the other hand, have tons of milk stored. That was when I decided to donate my milk to a mom I don't know. Is that weird? The decision was easy to make. My SIL has had issues with her milk supply and we've given my milk to her son too. I have more than Parker will probably ever need so I felt comfortable with donating 50+ounces to baby Cedar. Of course for the next day or so I obsessed about the whole situation. Did she drink it? Did she like it? Did I give enough? Breastmilk is very personal! It turns out, she drank it like a champ and I get to know that I helped someone in need. I'll probably start tracking my milk better so that I can donate more if it starts getting "old". You can store breastmilk for 6 months in deep freeze but your milk is composed of things that your baby needs at that age. For this reason, I wouldn't want Parker drinking anything older than 3 months.
I've always believed that you should give if you can. It's good karma :)
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Don't Sneeze, Mom!
Today, I had to do one of the hardest things since motherhood. P fell asleep on the boob and I had to hold in a sneeze! Hardest.thing.ever. I woke up this morning feeling under the weather, and now, what started as a scratchy throat is a a full blown summer cold. Being sick sucks...being sick while breast feeding is even worse. My super-smart-amazing-baby-expert friend C sent me this link which you should check out if you are BF and sick too! My former boss, an EM doc, suggested Afrin and Tylenol. Ugh. I'm sticking to hot water and lemon and using P's boogie wipes for now.
[Sleep tight, little man.]