Category Archives: Baby Guide

A Play-by-Play with the Tiny Love Gymini Move & Play {Giveaway Ends 5/13}

When our little girl reached the 2-month mark, I fell into a common mom trap. I saw my friends’ babies, of similar age, reaching some milestones and I got a little worried because my baby wasn’t doing the same. So I hopped online and started Googling, and that made it even worse. Gross motor skills? Fine motor skills? Hand/eye coordination? Was her development affected because she was born early? Were these things I should be worried about? As it turned out, the answer was no. I put her on her playmat, gave her a little tummy time, and within days she was laughing and playing just as I had hoped.

I promised myself I would put all those “milestones” in their place and remember that every baby is different and develops at her own pace, but I also promised myself that I would make a bigger effort to help her engage in age-appropriate play. The play mat she had was pretty boring, with just 4 clip-on animals dangling down for her to swat. So, I started looking for another option. One with a little more action. And when I found the Gymini® Move & Play, the folks at Tiny Love were kind enough to send one our way!

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Filed under Baby Guide, Family Fun, Product & Restaurant Reviews, Uncategorized

Hygeia Breast Pumps: The Mom-Friendly, Eco-Friendly Choice

Well folks, I return to work in less than 2 weeks. I can hardly believe my baby girl is creeping up on 3 months old, and my maternity leave is coming to a close. And you know what that means: it’s time to break out the breast pump. Am I happy about it? Honestly, no. But I am happy to introduce you to a new friend and the sponsor of this exciting (and pretty intense!) “tandem nursing work-away-from-home mom” leg of my breastfeeding journey: Hygeia!

We all know that breastfeeding is eco-friendly, right? It’s 100% natural, and requires no manufacturing, packaging or transport. But for many of us, breastfeeding requires the use of a breast pump, and that’s where we’re faced with another opportunity to make an eco-friendly choice. After some research, that choice brought me to my new pump, the EnJoy™ LBI Breast Pump with Deluxe Tote Set. Continue reading

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Filed under Baby Guide, Breastfeeding, Green Living, Product & Restaurant Reviews

Celebrating Earth Day with Bamboobies: Review and Giveaway {Ends 5/10}

I have a riddle for you!

What’s shaped like a heart and fabulous enough that I keep it close to my heart all day, every day?

Yup! You got it! These days, I’m never found without my BAMBOOBIES! 

Do you know about Bamboobies? They are, without a doubt, the best washable nursing pads on the market. Besides being a single-use product that ends up in the garbage, disposable pads are filled with a nasty gel (like disposable diapers) that bursts out when it gets too full. One night, I found it on my skin and my son nearly ingested it. From that day forward, I have only used washable fabric pads. I have tried so many, and mark my words: I will never use another brand. My heart belongs to Bamboobies! Continue reading

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Filed under Baby Guide, Breastfeeding, giveaways, Green Living, Product & Restaurant Reviews

That Time My Husband Was Right (featuring Crane Humidifiers)

My husband’s been telling me for a while that we need to run a humidifier. He was all, “Hey, we need a humidifier” and I was all, “Yeah, whatever.” And then I got pregnant and completely freaked out at the thought of a stuffy nose (seriously – congestion sparked panic attacks that would. not. quit.)

So I gave in. And then I was all, “Wow! Why didn’t we do this sooner!?”

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Filed under Baby Guide, Green Living, Health and Fitness, Home & Garden, Product & Restaurant Reviews, Uncategorized

Milk Nursingwear to the Rescue! Review and Giveaway {Ends 4/28}

*Disclosure in accordance with the FTC: I received a sample product to facilitate the following review.

Mark my words. One of these days, I’m absolutely going to answer the front door with my boob out.

I guarantee it.

Poor FedEx guy…Keeping myself together is a challenge these days. I’m still on maternity leave, adjusting to having 2 children, and adjusting even more to meeting the needs of 2 breastfeeding children. Most days, I’m kind of a mess, struggling to “get it together” (whatever that means) before I have to go back to real life at the office. One of the very last things on my mind is how I look.

That said, there are days that I have to muster up the courage to pack both kids up in the Honda and go to a place where there are other people. Like Target. Target is where my sanity lives. It’s also the place where I can’t show up wearing sweatpants and a milk-spotted pajama shirt.

Enter Milk Nursingwear, the freshest nursingwear on the planet!

The folks at Milk heard my cry for help and they sent over their long-sleeved empire scoop neck nursing top in this pretty chocolate brown color. And my husband got happy, and life got just a little bit easier.

Now that is what I’m talkin’ about. This nursing top is so comfortable, and it goes with everything. It’s a total no-brainer. I put it on, I look put-together. The super soft fabric is 60% cotton, 35% poly, 5% spandex and easy to wash in a warm cycle. Then, just hang to dry (you can tumble it on low, but I don’t. I just put it on a hanger and let it dry.) 

Our budget is tight right now, so I can’t go out and buy a whole nursing wardrobe, as much as I’d like to. So, the pieces I have need to be versatile, and this one is. I can pair this easy-to-wear nursing shirt with jeans to go shopping or with nicer pants for work, where it will make pumping a snap. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate pieces that take me from work to weekend. The less complicated, the better, and this shirt fits the bill. And there’s no weird contraption in it like I’ve found in some nursing tops. Just a simple empire seam to access the nursing openings. (Works like a charm with a sling!) When you lift up that seam, it looks a bit like a nursing tank. And when you’re done? It goes right back into shape, without having to fuss with it. Barely anything shows, which is great for NIP. Especially in Target…which I do a lot.

…and while we’re talking about that empire seam, I have to mention how flattering it is. Especially with the slight flare happening around the midsection. I really loathe posting photos of myself around here, and I’ve been especially uncomfortable being photographed since I had Little E. I still have 8 pounds to lose, and the spare baby tire is still hanging around. But you know what? I’m not a model, I’m a real mom, and I’m willing to bet you probably are, too. So here it is. Me, 7 weeks after baby. :)

It really inspires me to lose those 8 pounds because I think once my waist is slimmer, the cut of this top will really show it off. I’ll have to retire it to the back of the closet during the hot weather, but I have no doubt it will be my favorite nursing top again come fall! For now, to get me through the summer, I’m putting the Knotted Nursing Tank Top from Milk on my wish list for Mother’s Day! 

Buy it!

The Empire Scoop Neck Nursing Top in long sleeves is available in berry, brown or deep purple at MilkNursingwear.com for $38.00. You can even earn Milk Money Rewards when you shop and use them to save on future purchases!

Win it!

Milk is offering one lucky ABCGP reader a $35 gift certificate to spend at MilkNursingwear.com! Enter using the easy Rafflecopter form below. (Open to residents of the US, age 18 and older. Ends 4/28.)

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Filed under Baby Guide, Breastfeeding, Maternity Fashion, Product & Restaurant Reviews