Nanny to Mommy

In preparation for World Breastfeeding Week next week, MAM’s #MyBFStory is celebrating breastfeeding and the triumphs and challenges that come along with it. MAM is inviting moms to share their breastfeeding experiences with as much candor as possible and to offer words of encouragement and advice for expectant moms as they look to begin nursing themselves.

 

 

Breastfeeding is natural, beautiful and healthy; what breastfeeding is not is easy for all moms like most of the conversations online would have you believe! MAM believes that we all can benefit from honest, candid dialogue about breastfeeding between real moms so please share your personal story and your advice for new/expectant moms at http://bit.ly/MAM_MyBFStory with #MyBFStory. MAM will choose their three favorite stories to win a $100 gift card! Contest ends 8/7.

I received a complimentary box to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

 

Celebrate breastfeeding all summer long with 16 Minute Club's newest Limited Edition Sun & Fun Breastfeeding Subscription Box.

 

Curated by co-founders Chris Burdick (busy dad of three) and Wendy Wright (lactation consultant and mother of two) to meet all of your warm weather needs. 16 Minute Club is a breastfeeding subscription box curated to your stage of breastfeeding. Subscriptions start as low as $31.50 per box.

I was never very good at pumping. I think it was pump, specifically my nipple shields, but that is another story all together. But when I did need to pump, the number one thing I hated (besides actually pumping) was warming up the bottles for baby.

 

So when I was asked to review the "Intel-A-Temp" Digital Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer, I thought this would be a great product to share with my awesome Power Pumping sister-in-law. She just started a job and has been relying on others to care for her two year old and six month old daughters. Her six month old is exclusively fed breast milk, whether pumped or from the tap. But she does eat a little home made baby food as well. With Maxx Elite's "Intel-A-Temp" Bottle and Sterilizer, you can quickly heat different size bottles and baby food jars quickly and evenly. This is perfect for her and the different care givers in her life.

I received complimentary products to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

I received complimentary products to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

BeliBea is a new innovative maternity bra line designed by mothers for mothers, developed to help women focus on the joy of their new babies by making nursing more comfortable and less stressful. The line combines the best of traditional maternity bras with an improved feminine shape and custom fit for better comfort.

I received this product complimentary to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

My breastfeeding journey has been a long one. I was very uneducated when I first started my journey and of course inexperienced. I had read very little about breastfeeding because I was more worried about giving birth and everything, I did read was either hard to follow or very discouraging. When I announced my decision to try breastfeeding when I was pregnant, it was returned with very little support.



When my daughter first latched, something felt off. I couldn't explain it. I also thought no one would be allowed in the delivery room, so I didn't let her nurse as long as she wanted so we could rush upstairs to post-partum so everyone could see her.

The day following her delivery she was very sleepy and had trouble attaching for feedings. I talked to the lactation consultant who wanted me to use a nipple shield and the football hold, both of which I could never figure out. I also didn't know I should wake her to nurse every 2-3 hours so my milk could come in. Her first night home was rough. She wanted to stay cuddled right next to me, so I didn't sleep a wink. Those first few days home were the worst. I had read that a good latch would hurt initially but shouldn't continue to hurt during feedings. But hers did, a sharp wincing pain that was so bad I was to the point where I would dread feeding her. I found that lying down to nurse helped her latch in a way that wasn't painful for me.

When you are a new mom, the main thing you need is support. But it doesn't come naturally for some. But finding a support system is one of the most important things you can do for yourself as a new mom.

 

When I was a first time pregnant mom, I thought I knew everything about being a mom because I had worked at a day care, been a nanny for five years, and taken countless child care classes. I certainly learned after those first few days that I really had no clue what I was doing. I had read book after book about pregnancy and labor, but I didn't think to read about what to do when the baby got here.

Thanks to NursingBraExpress.com for sponsoring the products for this giveaway.

We just rang in 2015 and with a New Year comes the chance to develop a new YOU!

Welcome to the [3rd Annual] Mama’s Got a New Look Giveaway Hop Event. A fabulous group of bloggers have come together to give all you special, deserving Mamas a chance at a New Look for the New Year so be sure to hop around to all the blogs participating at the bottom of this post.

 

I am so excited to offer one very lucky Nanny to Mommy reader the opportunity to win a Satin Trim Cotton Sleep Bra by Nursing Bra Express™ and Molded Seamless Washable Nursing Pads by Baby Nip™, total retail value $33.50. This giveaway is sponsored by Nursing Bra Express.

This is a sponsored review brought to you by AVASIA Prenatal Vitamins. All opinions are my own.

When should you start taking a prenatal?
You should start taking them before you are pregnant, like when you are trying to conceive. But if this isn't an option, start taking them as soon as you find out you are pregnant. The folic acid element is particularly important at this stage and in your first trimester.

 

I have always been shy about nursing in public. I have large breasts and I don't want a whole lot of skin showing. It's a personal preference. I would never judge the way someone else chooses to feed their baby, this is just for my body. I know that I SHOULD be able to feed my baby whenever he needs to be fed, including out in public. But the reality is that I don’t want unwelcome attention.

When is a nursing cover not a nursing cover? Answer ... when it's a Boho Mama Breastfeeding Wrap. You can literally wear it straight out of its stylish packaging. It's easy to wash and dry and it keeps its shape. You can carry this wrap in your purse or diaper bag because it folds up really small and does not crease. My sister-in-law is due with her second baby this month and I'm making a breastfeeding care package for her. I have decided to include this beautiful wrap in it.

This giveaway is sponsored by ComfyLicious and hosted by Mommy By Nurture.

One lucky winner will get their color choice as shown in the photos above for one 100% rayon infinity scarf from ComfyLicious. To see how fashionable this piece is when worn, how to use it while breastfeeding for some fashionable modesty, or to learn more about the sponsor please see a FULL REVIEW ON THE INFINITY SCARF HERE.  

I received complimentary products from NursingBraExpress.com to provide this review and giveaway. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions are my own.

 

 

I'm a nursing mama right now. 4 Months breastfeeding milestone! :D
So if Christmas was in July, what I would REALLY want is a great nursing bra at a great price. And NursingBraExpress.com has all the go to things a breastfeeding mom needs.


I received a Molded Cotton Nursing Bra by QT Intimates for review.
This is NBE's best selling nursing bra. It's comfortable, supportive, and very soft. I wear this nursing bra almost every day! It is perfect for any occasion and keeps me cool with the breathable cotton/spandex material. It has quick-release one-hand nursing clasps on each cup which is VERY important so you can have access to the girls when you are in a hurry. I wear a larger size and so it has wider straps to help support the girls as well. You can wear this bra through both maternity and nursing. There's no underwire which is a plus for me, because I HATE underwire. It's also not padded, which is also great for me.

NursingBraExpress.com was amazing to work with and made sure I got exactly what I needed. Shipping was quick as well. They have so many other cute things to choose from as well, including super cute nipple hats for the littles and reusable nursing pads.

Make sure to follow NursingBraExpress.com on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more product info and fun giveaways!

Although I received free products to provide this review, all opinions are my own. I also only recommend products that I feel would be a good fit for my readers. If you would like to see your baby product reviewed or featured on Nanny to Mommy, please contact Diana.n.chastain@gmail.com.

Disclosure: I received this product as part of an advertorial.

I was never a fan of nursing canopies (or covers) with my daughter. We never really used one because we were at home so much, so she never got use to it. So I was always very uncomfortable about nursing in public. I still prefer a good nursing shirt and that's it, but what if you aren't wearing a proper nursing shirt?

 

I am all for if you are comfortable not covering yourself. You shouldn't have to! You are just feeding your baby. I wish I had that confidence. I feel the need to make others around me feel comfortable and when they are people who you are with, that need is probably greater. It shouldn't be this way, but this is my issue. Hopefully one day I'll get over it.