tips

shopping with kids

29: Shopping with Kids

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Parenting Podcast – Episode 29: Shopping with Kids

For the full show notes, visit: https://growingourfamily.com/s02e29/ 

Shopping with kids can cause anxiety in even the most mellow parents. Something about taking your child to a store for an extended period of time and expecting them to behave seems so far fetched. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best tips from other moms on making your shopping experience more enjoyable. 

If you prefer to read instead of listen, check out my blog post on this topic here: https://growingourfamily.com/shopping-with-kids/ 

Show Notes

Facebook Group: “Growing Our Family Podcast -> A Community For Moms”

https://www.facebook.com/groups/434759000779665/?ref=share

1.Create a List

2.Make sure you are prepared

3.Find a store with the “fun” carts

4.Wear your kids

5.Let them walk alongside you

6.Bring a Helper

7.Let your kids help

8.Bring Snacks, Lots and Lots of Snacks

9.Make it a game

10.Let them pick an item not on the list

11.Let your kids ask the questions

12.Pack toys and entertainment

13.Do not EVER shop during naptime

14.Park by the shopping cart return

15.If all else fails, sign up for grocery delivery or pickup!

Where to find the podcast:

Intro Song courtesy of:

I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/grapes/16626 Ft: J Lang, Morusque

shopping with kids

15 Ways to Make Shopping with Kids Enjoyable (Sort Of)

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Shopping with kids can cause anxiety in even the most mellow parents. Something about taking your child to a store for an extended period of time and expecting them to behave seems so far fetched. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best tips from other moms on making your shopping experience more enjoyable. 

Tune in to this week’s podcast episode if you prefer to listen instead of read: Episode 29

My posts may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission from your purchase, with no extra cost to you!

Pin it for Later!

A guide to shopping with kids (and enjoying it) Growing Our Family

Create a List

Making a list before you leave the house will help keep you focused and efficient. Bonus points if you organize the list by section – grocery, frozen, canned, etc. You can have your kids help pick the menu for the week and quiz them on what ingredients they think you will need. This will help keep them interested and engaged while you are shopping for the items that they picked out. 

Make sure you are prepared

Check the diaper bag for snacks, a change of clothes, toys, sippy cups/bottles, and the rest of the necessities. (Check out my full diaper bag packing list) Bring your shopping list, coupons, and whatever else you might need for the actual shopping trip. And finally, make sure your kids are ready – fed, rested, and happy babies make the best shopping companions. 

Find a store with the “fun” carts

Some stores have mini carts for your child to push themselves while others have the little cart buggies for them to sit in. Either option will help keep them entertained while you do your shopping. If you have multiple children, it might be worth finding stores that have a double seat in the cart so more than one kid can sit up front. Figure out what will make your life easier, and find a store that offers those options. 

Wear your kids

This is such a great way to shop with younger kids! Starting from the newborn phase, wearing your baby is the perfect way to prevent strangers from getting too close to them. Plus, babies love being held up against their mom so they get the warmth and comfort. Most babies will sleep or relax the entire time if they are in a baby carrier. Even as kids get older, they love the movement and the feeling of being held. Babywearing is especially great for parents with more than one kid. This way, you only have to worry about the older children while staying hands free. 

For a great soft carrier that easily fits into the diaper bag, check out the k’tan. If you are looking for a more structured carrier with some lumbar support for the longer shopping trips, I love my lillebaby. 

Let them walk alongside you

A lot of parents say they let their kids walk with them instead of being put in the cart. This allows them to feel a bit of freedom and lets them explore a little more. However, almost every parent said that as soon as their kid starts to walk off, they go right back into the cart for the rest of the time. 

Bring a Helper

It might be beneficial to wait until you can bring your significant other, or ask a family member to join you at the store. Have one person in charge of watching the kids while the other is focused on quickly running down aisles or grabbing things down the dangerous isles. (aka: the cereal aisle, ice cream, candy, or anything near the toys). This also allows for one person to step outside to help calm down a fussy child if needed without having to abandon your cart. Some parents say leave your kids home with this helper all together and get some alone time in while you peruse the aisles untouched. Either way works!

Let your kids help

Even if your children are not old enough to help decide which color grapes to purchase, you can still keep them involved. My son is 11 months old and is OBSESSED with putting things inside containers. When I take him shopping, I give him the items and tell him “in” and he will drop it in the cart. It may add a little more time to my overall visit, but it saves me from dealing with a meltdown when he gets bored. 

If your kids are older, you can put them on coupon duty and let them the responsibility of matching coupons to your shopping list. This is a win-win because it not only keeps your kids entertained, but it also saves money! You can also let them hold the list and cross off items that you  have already purchased. 

Bring Snacks, Lots and Lots of Snacks

When I reached out to the Facebook and Twitter community, snacks were the number one item on the “must have while shopping” list. Kids love snacks, therefore parents love snacks. Packing snacks from home can serve multiple purposes. First, you can use it as a distraction if your kids start to get bored or whiny. Having something delicious to fill their bellies usually helps get them through the last part of the store and through the checkout line. Second, you can offer a snack from home if your child decides they want something from the store that you don’t want to buy. Sometimes they will really want that candy bar, but the thought of melted chocolate in your car and a sugar crash doesn’t sound too appealing. Pack a healthier snack like oatmeal cookies to help persuade them to leave the treat on the shelf and go for their homemade food. 

Make it a game

Have them guess the weight on produce or the price on an item you are about to buy. This will keep them engaged and makes the visit more enjoyable. It will be like a home version of the price is right! You can also ask things like “what are three healthy foods we like to eat for snacks” or “name three fruits that are all the same color”. Making a game out of shopping can help make the time go by faster. 

Let them pick an item not on the list

Some parents let their kids pick any item from the store while others give them a category to choose from. Categories allow them to feel like they get a special treat without having to buy an excess of ice cream or sugar. You can allow them to pick out any fruit they want, or give them the option to try out any new veggie, or even a new kind of granola bar for snacks. Some parents rotate the category each shopping trip to mix it up a little bit. 

Let your kids ask the questions

If you have to talk to the butcher or you need lunch meat or cheese cut up, let your children ask for what you need. This will not only keep them entertained, but it will help with their social skills and teach them to use manners. Hopefully it will make them more interested in the food since they helped pick it out. You can also encourage them to ask questions about different types of food, what regions they come from, if they are grown above or below ground, or anything else of that nature. Kids are constantly learning and absorbing the world around them, and their curiosity usually leads to a multitude of questions. You may not be able to answer everything off the top of your head, but this behavior is what leads to independent thinking and smarter kids!

Pack toys and entertainment

A mom on the Growing Our Family Facebook group suggested having a toy specifically for when you are out and about. This makes it special and will hopefully keep your kids entertained for the entire shopping trip. Just keep the toy in the diaper bag or store it in your reusable shopping bags so you always have it with you. The important part of this is to not bring it in the house when you are done. Keeping it hidden away until the shopping trip is what makes this toy so special in your children’s eyes!

Do not EVER shop during naptime

This is a big parenting no-no. Tired kids are cranky kids, and there is nothing you can do to keep them happy once they’ve hit their limit. Plan your shopping trips for after naptime, and after they eat something so they are full and well-rested. This isn’t as big of a deal with a newborn because they will most likely be able to sleep in the baby carrier or in their car seat. However, as your kids get older, try to determine exactly when their naptime is. This will help you avoid scheduling anything for this time. 

Park by the shopping cart return

Before kids, the goal was to always find a spot as close to the entrance as possible. Now, the premium spots are the ones next to the cart return (bonus points if it’s in the shade too). These spots are perfect because you can load your kid in the car and return the cart without having to walk away from your car. Otherwise you would be unloading your cart, walking to the return, then carrying your kid back to the car before buckling them in. 

If all else fails, sign up for grocery delivery or pickup!

If the thought of shopping with your kids gives you anxiety, maybe it’s time to look into grocery delivery or pickup. So many stores are jumping on this bandwagon and offering some sort of option that does not require you to do your own shopping. I personally use instacart and love it (I am not an instacart affiliate, it’s just amazing). There are also plenty of free options out there like Walmart pickup. You just go online and order your groceries, schedule a pickup time starting the next day or beyond, and when you drive up a walmart employee will help load your items into your car! 

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20: Top 10 Newborn Tips

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Pregnancy Podcast – Episode 20: Newborn Tips. 

As an expecting parent, life with a newborn can seem very intimidating. Here are 10 newborn tips and tricks for making it through those first few months with Baby.

If you prefer to read instead of listen, check out my blog post on the subject here: https://growingourfamily.com/newborn-tips/ 

Product Review: 

LILLEbaby All Seasons Carrier: http://growingourfamily.com/lillebaby/  

Check it out on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MdFrzt 

Show Notes:

Midnight Feeding Insomnia: https://growingourfamily.com/midnight-feeding-insomnia/ 

Munchkin Changing Pad Liners: https://amzn.to/32fuUcy 

Liner Review: https://growingourfamily.com/changing-pad-liners/ 

Dreft Stain Remover Spray: https://amzn.to/316Jnq0 

Diaper Dabbler: https://www.diaperdabbler.com/ 

K’Tan Baby Carrier: https://amzn.to/2MwcyNK 

Breastfeeding Tips: https://growingourfamily.com/breastfeeding/ 

Tinybeans App Review: https://growingourfamily.com/tinybeans/ 

Intro Song courtesy of:

I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/grapes/16626 Ft: J Lang, Morusque

Newborn tips growing our family-1

Newborn Tips

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As an expecting parent, life with a newborn can seem very intimidating. Here are 10 newborn tips and tricks for making it through those first few months with Baby. 

My posts may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission from your purchase, with no extra cost to you!

If you prefer to listen instead of read, check out my podcast on this subject HERE. 

Newborn Tips Advice for first time parents on surviving those first few weeks Growing Our Family

1. Sleep when the baby sleeps

You are probably so tired of hearing this piece of advice, but the reason it’s so popular is because it’s true. Obviously, you do not need 17 hours of sleep per day, so I don’t mean sleep every time the baby sleeps, but just use it as a guide. Some moms try to use that time to catch up on laundry, clean the house, or make fancy meals because that is what they are used to doing in their spare time. I’ll give you a piece of advice – nobody cares if your house is a mess. You just birthed a human being, I think you’ve earned a little break from cleaning. Instead, try to get some naps throughout the day so those midnight feedings aren’t as tough on you. Naptime is also a great way to get a few minutes to shower, use the restroom, or anything else you might need for self-care. If you don’t want to do these during naptime, you can always move a swing or portable bassinet into the room to keep an eye on baby while you shower!

2. Split the duties

Sleep can be scarce in those first few weeks and there is no sense in both partners being overly exhausted. Have one person stay up later with the baby while the other goes to bed early. Then in the morning, the person who went to bed early can get up with the baby while the other sleeps in a bit. If you are breastfeeding, it can be a bit harder since you are in charge of most (if not all) of the feedings. If either of you are having a hard time falling back to sleep after those midnight feedings, you can check out my post for tips HERE. 

3. Contain Blow-Outs

Blow-outs do happen, unfortunately, and usually at the most inconvenient times. It’s best to lay down a changing pad liner to contain the mess. I love THESE washable cloth liners by Munchkin (full review HERE) because they are compact, easy to clean, and they come in a 3-pack. Get set up with a changing pad, change of clothes, a new diaper, and plenty of wipes. A normal onesie has the folds on the shoulder; this is so you can pull the outfit down over their shoulders to avoid getting the mess on their face or hair. I normally use Dreft stain remover spray to get the stains out of his clothes and it has worked well for me (as long as I don’t let the clothes sit for too long). 

Newborn Tips: Dreft stain remover

For the middle of the night blowouts, there is a parenting hack that can save you so much time. Purchase 3 crib/bassinet sheets and 3 waterproof liners. Layer them on the crib or bassinet (wherever your child sleeps currently). When your baby spits up or has a blow out in the middle of the night, you can just strip the top layer of sheet and the waterproof liner off and you will have a fresh set underneath. 

4. Understanding Baby Clothes

Some baby clothes come in 0-3 months, 3-6 months, and so on which makes it clear on the size range. However, some clothes just have one size (eg: 3-months, 6 mo, 9 mo…) which will generally fit a baby up to that age. So a 3-month clothing item will fit a standard size baby until about 3 or 4 months. Just like adult clothes, different brands will fit differently. Some will be longer and skinnier, while others might be shorter and wider. If you are trying out a new brand for the first time, don’t rip off all the tags before you know they will fit well. 

5. Understanding Diapers

To go along with the previous tip, diapers are also baby-dependent. Some parents will swear by one brand, while others say their baby leaks and blows out of them every time. This is because they all fit slightly different. I would recommend buying a small pack of a new brand so if they don’t work for your child, you can return them. There are also companies like Diaper Dabbler that specialize in creating packs of different brand diapers so you can try them out and see which ones work best. We were able to try a few different brands through all the registry welcome boxes we received. Additionally, some store brand diapers are made by popular brands and can be a great cost-saving alternative. 

  • Luvs – Target Store Brand. These diapers are made by the Pampers manufacturer Procter & Gamble. These are an older style of diaper without the elastic waistband and are sold at a cheaper cost than Pampers brand name. 
  • Kirkland – Costco Store Brand. These diapers are made by Huggies manufacturer Kimberly Clark. They are an older generation of Huggies diapers sold at a much lower price tag. 
  • Other popular stores like Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Target, and some national grocery stores negotiate with Procter & Gamble and Kimberly Clark for a version of their brand diapers every year. This means that the diapers you buy at these stores might be an older model of the above brands, but the manufacturer and quality of the diapers can change every year. 

6. Take advantage of Baby-wearing

Baby wearing can be so helpful for so many things. First, I always preferred to wear my baby when we went out and about. People are much less likely to try and touch or kiss them when they are pressed up against your boobs. It also keeps them warmer and happier being close to mom or dad. I really love my Lillebaby structured carrier for outings or anytime I have to wear the baby for an extended period of time.

Newborn Tips: Baby wearing Lillebaby

For an easier, more compact carrier, I love my K’Tan carrier. This wrap is different than many other wraps, in the fact that you don’t have to tie it around your body is any complicated fashion. You just slip your arms through and pop baby in. This is my favorite carrier to keep in my diaper bag or to use around the house while I’m trying to get things done. I can do the dishes, cleaning, laundry, vacuum, or anything else while still holding and bonding with the baby. You can also position the carrier lower and breastfeed handsfree after you get the hang of breastfeeding and baby gets a little more head control.

Newborn Tips: K'Tan Baby Wearing

7. Set up Stations throughout the House

Diaper changing, breastfeeding, and bathroom stations can be so helpful. Put a basket with all the essentials in each of the main rooms so you have everything you need without having to search for things. Stock the bathrooms with pads, dermoplast spray, tucks pads, extra underwear, and wipes. For a list of items to include in your breastfeeding stations, you can check out my post on all things related to breastfeeding HERE. 

8. Remember to take care of yourself

If you have time before the baby gets here, try to prep some freezer meals. This will be a lifesaver for when you don’t feel like cooking in those first few weeks. I would also highly suggest taking advantage of grocery delivery or free grocery pickup if you are on a budget. I signed up for Instacart and I am still using it 9 months postpartum. Taking a baby to a grocery store can be hard and unpredictable so I try to avoid it like the plague. If you are looking for free alternatives, many grocery stores are now doing free grocery pickup when you order online. I’ve used the Walmart grocery pickup and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of their produce and with the fact that they bring it out to your car and load it into your car for you. 

You should also invest in a nice water bottle or tumbler with a straw. The straw helps with staying hydrated while breastfeeding or babywearing so you can tip it to the side and take a sip. If guests want to come over and ask to bring something, don’t hesitate to ask for them to bring over dinner! People WANT to help and are more than happy to do so. 

9. Don’t expect too much too soon

The first 8 weeks or so are really on an on-demand basis. Nursing (or feeding) on demand is a great way to keep babies growing and gaining weight at the right amount. Watch for hunger cues and feed them whenever they act hungry. This is great for development, but not so great for schedules. Newborns also get around 16 to 17 hours of sleep per day, but they only sleep for about 2-4 hours at a time. This means it will feel like they are sleeping ALL. THE. TIME. 

Once your baby is about 6 weeks old, you can try to start implementing a schedule if you would like. This drastically helps once you go back to work so you can let the daycare know what time is nap time and when they eat. This will help with crankiness in the evenings. Open windows during the day and turn on all the lights. Don’t worry about sounds, lights, or any other normal daytime stimuli. When bedtime rolls around, turn off the lights, shut the blinds, and keep the house quiet. This will help baby differentiate the difference between day and night so *hopefully* they will start taking longer stretches during the night. 

10. Try to enjoy the time with them.

Hold them, snuggle them, and take way too many pictures. This time goes by so quickly, and soon you will be looking back wondering how they got so big, so quickly. The beginning can be exhausting, but it doesn’t last for long. I love using TinyBeans App to share my photos with friends and family that don’t have social media (full review HERE).

Follow me on Twitter @growingrfamily so you can join in on the conversation!

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Pregnancy myths-3

Pregnancy Myths – Explained

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During pregnancy, you will get so much conflicting information. The best course of action is to take the advice of your medical professional overseeing the pregnancy. However, here are some common wives-tales that have proven to be false to help answer some of those pregnancy questions you may have. 

My posts contain affiliate links; which means that I may earn a small commission from your purchase, with no extra cost to you!

If you prefer to listen instead of read, check out my podcast on this topic here.

Pin it for Later!

Common Pregnancy Myths Explained Growing Our Family Pregnancy Podcast

1. Everybody Gets Morning Sickness

Some women are under the impression that every pregnant woman gets morning sickness. Some expecting moms are even concerned something is wrong when they don’t find themselves hugging the porcelain thrown every morning. Up to 85% of pregnant women get some form of nausea or throwing up, and only 60-70% of those women actually end up throwing up. 

The other common myth that comes with morning sickness is that it only happens in the morning. Morning sickness can happen at any time during the day or night. If you are experiencing bad morning sickness, try switching up the time of day you take your prenatal vitamin, preferably after a meal. Taking it on an empty stomach can make you feel more nauseous. 

2. Your baby will come on its due date

Only about 5% of babies actually come on their due date. Your due date is only an estimate based on your last period. This assumes that you ovulated 2 weeks after your period, which isn’t the case for all women. Full-term is anywhere between 39 and 41 weeks (according to ACOG). 

3. You’re eating for two

This is a common phrase that I heard constantly throughout my pregnancy. Although I knew it wasn’t true, I still used the pregnancy as an excuse to eat whatever and whenever I wanted. I ended up gaining 60 lbs during pregnancy and was lucky to lose it all within the first few months of breastfeeding. However, gaining too much weight can lead to some serious complications like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. If I had to do it over again, I would focus on eating healthier. 

Even if you aren’t “eating for two”, you should be increasing the amount of calories you intake per day to about 300. This may seem like a lot of calories, but it adds up quickly. Some great (and easy) pregnancy snacks to add to your day can include: 

  • Veggie sticks and Hummus
  • Apple Slices and Peanut butter
  • Greek yogurt with berries and granola
  • Homemade trail mix

4. Everybody Loves Pregnancy

You see the movies where women talk about how much they are enjoying their pregnancy and how easy it is. Then you become pregnant and you are miserable THE. ENTIRE. TIME. This makes some women think “what is wrong with me, why aren’t I enjoying this?” and the answer to that is: Nothing. There is nothing wrong with you if you loved every second of your pregnancy and there is absolutely nothing wrong if you hated every second. Every single pregnancy is different, even between your first and second kid. I wish everyone had a blissful pregnancy, but I also wish people would stop making pregnancy out to be this amazing, magical thing. Yes, our bodies are doing something truly incredible, but it’s also OK to not love every second of it. 

5. Breastfeeding makes your boobs saggy

Your boobs get bigger during pregnancy (whether you breastfeed or not) which can stretch out the skin. Research has shown that breastfeeding doesn’t make your boobs any saggier compared to just going through pregnancy. The skin and ligaments around your breasts typically stretch during pregnancy and your boobs will get heavier in preparation for breastfeeding. Whether you end up breastfeeding or not, your breasts will still produce milk in the beginning, and you will likely become engorged. When your breasts shrink back down, the ligaments might not shrink with them which is what can make your boobs saggy. 

6. Labor starts with your water breaking

This is Hollywood’s way of adding a burst of excitement and embarrassment to the beginning of labor. In fact, only about 15% of women have their water break before labor begins. I think it is a worry for most women that their water is going to break somewhere inconvenient (like at work or in the grocery store) but your chances are much higher that it will end up breaking at the hospital while you are in labor. Additionally, it isn’t always a gush of fluid like it shows in the movies either. The fluid CAN gush out, but it can also be a slow leak or trickle. If you are going through a pad per hour, you should give your healthcare provider or labor and delivery a call. 

7. You can tell the gender by the way you carry

“If you are carrying low, it’s a boy. If you’re carrying high, it’s a girl.” I’m sure you’ve heard this statement before. Unfortunately, the way your body carries the baby has nothing to do with genitals and everything to do with the size and position of the baby along with your individual body. You also cannot accurately predict the gender by observing how oily your skin is, which side you typically sleep on, what the heart rate is, or how many times you threw up in the first trimester. Even though these things are fun to predict, I wouldn’t go decorating the nursery based on the shape of your belly. 

8. You can prevent stretch marks 

Unfortunately for me, there isn’t much you can do about stretch marks. It is mostly hereditary and has a lot to do with the elasticity of your skin and how much weight you gain during pregnancy. If your mom got stretch marks during pregnancy, you have a higher chance of getting them as well. Also, if you have ever gotten stretch marks on your hips, thighs, or boobs – you might be more prone to them. 

One thing that IS true about stretch marks is that you can get them all over your body; not just on your belly. I ended up with stretch marks on my belly, hips, thighs, underarms, and boobs. I was applying lotion daily, but I am just prone to getting them. The good news is that they should fade over time. Although the lotion didn’t help with the tiger stripes, it is still a great idea to apply lotion frequently and drink lots of water to help keep your skin hydrated and help prevent itching. 

9. If you have a C-Section, all babies after that have to be Cesarean 

Some women think that if you have a Cesarean Birth, all subsequent births must also be c-sections. In some cases, this may be true to keep both mom and baby safe. But there is a term for not having a c-section the second time around and that is called a VBAC or Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. You can talk to your doctor or midwife about a VBAC and see if you would be a good candidate. Some common things they will look for to see eligibility is if you have a low-transverse (aka a horizontal) incision and if the reason for your first c-section was due to a non-repetitive reason. Non-repetitive reasons are usually things like a breech baby or abnormal heart rate during monitoring. If you had a long or complex labor previously and resulted in a c-section due to failure to progress, you may not be a great candidate. They also don’t recommend it if you’ve had multiple c-sections or have certain health issues. 

11. You cannot eat lunch meat 

This is partially true. Although you should avoid older lunch meat or food that has been sitting out for a while, you do not need to avoid lunch meat altogether. If you plan to eat lunch meat, you should definitely heat until steaming. If it’s steaming, any Listeria bacteria should be killed – which is the main concern in eating deli meat. 

12. You cannot drink coffee

Most people will tell you to avoid coffee altogether during pregnancy, but experts say that may not be necessary. Most experts have concluded that drinking 200 mg or less of caffeine per day is safe. This equates to about one 12-ounce cup of regular coffee. If this still seems like more than you want to consume per day, you can try mixing half regular and half decaf. However, decaf coffee still has about 10 mg in a 12-ounce cup. 

Overall

There is still so much information out there and so many unknowns when it comes to pregnancy. It’s obviously not safe (or ethical) to conduct tests on pregnant women, which is why there are so few studies to pull from for information. As always, work with your doctor or midwife if you have questions or concerns about your pregnancy, as they are the experts in your pregnancy. 

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12 Common Pregnancy Myths Explained Growing Our Family Pregnancy Podcast
Pregnancy Myths Debunked Growing Our Family Pregnancy Podcast
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19: Pregnancy Myths

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Pregnancy Podcast – Episode 19: Pregnancy Myths 

During pregnancy, you will get so much conflicting information. The best course of action is to take the advice of your medical professional overseeing the pregnancy. However, here are some common wives-tales that have proven to be false to help answer some of those pregnancy questions you may have. 

If you prefer to read instead of listen, check out my blog post on the subject here: https://growingourfamily.com/pregnancy-myths/ 

Product Review: 

Jia and Jumbo Swaddle Blankets: https://amzn.to/2n8QuQS  

Review: https://growingourfamily.com/jia-and-jumbo-swaddle-blankets/ 

You can get 15% off through their website https://jiaandjumbo.com/ using the code BABY15

Or you can get 10% off through Amazon using the code GROWING10

Show Notes:

ACOG Full Term Definition: https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/When-Pregnancy-Goes-Past-Your-Due-Date 

Intro Song courtesy of:

I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/grapes/16626 Ft: J Lang, Morusque

find out your pregnant

What to do when you find out you’re Pregnant?

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You’ve taken that first pregnancy test and it comes back positive!! Yippie! But, now what do you do? Pregnancy can be such a foreign concept to those who are experiencing it for the first time, so here is a list of items to tackle, now that you are expecting!

My posts contain affiliate links; which means that I may earn a small commission from your purchase, with no extra cost to you!

I have a Podcast where you can listen to all of this great content while you are driving, at work, or just don’t have time to sit down and read! You can check out my Show Notes on this topic here which includes links to all major podcasting platforms.

If you don’t have time now, Pin it to read later!

15 Things to do when you find out you are pregnant Growing Our Family Pregnancy Blog and Podcast

1. Tell your Husband/Spouse/Boyfriend/etc.

There are so many fun ways to share the news, but it’s important to let them know one way or another! Whether you capture the next viral video, or you just blurt it out, hopefully, they can enjoy this exciting time with you. My husband was in the next room while I was taking the test, and heard “OH MY GOSH!” before he came running in. We were both ecstatic, and a little bit shocked, but it was great having this huge secret just between us.

2. Decide when to announce to family, friends, coworkers, etc. 

You don’t have to announce to everyone all at one time. It is okay to share the secret with certain people first. Some expecting parents decide to wait until the risk goes down after that 12-week mark, while others shout it from the rooftops right away. There is no wrong answer, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to either wait or reveal if you don’t feel comfortable with it. Just make sure you and your significant other are on the same page.

3. Schedule your first appointment. 

Before you can do this, you might have to make some decisions. Do you want a Midwife or OBGYN to oversee your prenatal care? Do you prefer to deliver in a hospital, at home, or in a Birth Center? If you don’t know the answer to these questions, the following posts might help you make that decision! Most doctors can book up quickly so call early and schedule that first appointment. Most practices will want to see you at around 6 to 8 weeks.

Midwife or OBGYN  

Home, Hospital, or Birth Center

4. Start taking prenatal vitamins.

Your body is now in charge of giving your baby all of their vitamins and nutrients. It is possible to get all of the necessary nutrients from your diet, but extremely unlikely. The best thing to do is take a vitamin daily to ensure you are getting everything your baby needs. This is an article by Pharmacy Times on “Recommending Prenatal Vitamins: A Pharmacist’s Guide”. It does a great job of comparing the recommended dosages between four of the top entities: 

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)

The main difference between a prenatal vitamin and a multivitamin is that prenatals usually contain more folic acid (or folate) which prevents neural tube defects and is an important supplement, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. Prenatals also contain more iron, as it is typical for your iron levels to decrease during pregnancy.

If you are feeling nauseous, try changing the time of day that you take your vitamins. I always took mine at night after dinner, and this can help with aiding the nausea. Taking the prenatals in the morning, before food, can make your stomach more unsettled than it already is. Some doctors will prescribe a prenatal vitamin while others will have you pick them up on your own. Check with your prenatal care provider and ask for recommendations on certain brands.

5. Invest in a quality tumbler

It is so important to stay hydrated and drink lots of water not only during pregnancy, but postpartum as well. Becoming dehydrated during pregnancy can cause some discomfort, and can even trigger some false contractions. I purchased a very nice Yeti 30oz tumbler to carry with me everywhere!

what to buy when you find out you're pregnant

I normally hate ice water (my teeth are super sensitive), but even during my winter pregnancy, I was obsessed with ice-cold water. The colder, the better! The Yeti was perfect because my ice would stay frozen all day long, even throughout my summer breastfeeding months this was a must-have.

6. Look into Daycare!

If you are planning on going back to work, you will want to start checking out daycares as soon as possible. Some locations have wait lists that span close to a year; meaning people have signed up before they even get pregnant. It’s never too early to start the search, and you can even make a few calls to find out what the waitlist looks like. If they are not super impacted in your area, it will at least give you an idea of when to get your name on the list.

I have a full post on the different types of daycare, tips for helping you make the decision, and questions to ask during your tour HERE. 

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Free Daycare Questions Printable

7. Start a Pregnancy Journal

I started mine on google docs so I could access it from my phone. At the end of each week, I would log on and write up everything that happened. It is so awesome to be able to look back and see exactly how that first doctor’s appointment, when my son kicked me for the first time, or the first set of hiccups. You can talk about anything you want, and you will definitely appreciate having it later, especially during your next pregnancy (if you want a next)!

8. Take milestone photos

Along with writing in a journal, you should also start taking milestone photos! You can even insert the photo into the journal if you want to get fancy. As you go through pregnancy, you don’t feel much of a difference day-by-day. It’s not until you look back at the previous weeks’ photos that you see the huge changes your body is making. Whether you share these with everyone on social media, or you keep them to yourself, you should at least take the photo and decide what to do with them later.

9. Make some diet changes

Some foods are not recommended during pregnancy due to a few different reasons. The main one being the chance of listeria (aka food poisoning). The following was pulled from the American College of Gynecology (ACOG):

“To help prevent listeriosis, avoid eating the following foods while you are pregnant:

  • Unpasteurized milk and foods made with unpasteurized milk, including soft cheeses
  • Hot dogs and luncheon meats, unless they are heated until steaming hot just before serving
  • Refrigerated pâté and meat spreads
  • Refrigerated smoked seafood
  • Unwashed raw produce such as fruits and vegetables

Avoid all raw and undercooked seafood, eggs, meat, and poultry while you are pregnant. Do not eat sushi made with raw fish (cooked sushi is safe). 

Cooking and pasteurization are the only ways to kill Listeria.”

You can read more about listeria on the ACOG website HERE. For a more comprehensive list of foods to avoid during pregnancy, you can check out the American Pregnancy Association HERE. 

10. Start doing light exercises

If you are feeling a bit nauseous, the last thing on your mind might be exercising. However, doing some light pregnancy exercises, stretches, and yoga can help with how you feel during pregnancy and might improve your labor.

Pregnancy Yoga for Sciatica and Low Back Pain:

Pregnancy Exercises – First Trimester Workout:

You can also research how to do a kegel, which has been shown to improve your pregnancy and birth. Women who did kegels regularly during pregnancy claim to have an easier birth, and have better bladder control during pregnancy. During the third trimester, it is common for women to lose bladder control, resulting in some embarrassing moments. The American Pregnancy Association explains what a kegel is, and how to strengthen that muscle in their article “Kegel Exercises”. 

11. Get a bellaband 

what to buy when you find out you're pregnant

Someday soon, your pants are going to feel a little more snug than normal. There are plenty of hacks like using a hair tie to button your pants or living in yoga pants. However, I loved my bellaband and used it so often throughout my whole pregnancy. Even if you aren’t showing quite yet, your stomach will most likely start to feel bloated, making your jeans a little uncomfortable. I have a full review of the Ingrid & Isabel Bellaband HERE.  

12. Talk to your significant other about sharing

Make sure the two of you are on the same page as to what you want to share with others, and what you want to keep to yourself. Do you want to find out the gender? Will you tell others? Are you going to tell people Baby’s name? It doesn’t matter what you decide, as long as you come to the conclusion together. You don’t want one person sharing the gender with everyone, while the other wanted to keep it a surprise.

If you are impatient (like me), you can check out my full review of the Sneak Peek gender test that you can take as early as 9 weeks pregnant!

13. Download an app to track the development

I loved the what to expect app. It gives daily updates on your Baby’s development, articles for you to read, and a forum where you can connect with other expecting moms with similar due dates. It’s a great way to ask simple questions (leave the important ones to your doctor) and feel a sense of community during this time.

14. Start doing research, reading, and listening to podcasts. 

There is so much that goes into pregnancy and parenting! When you find out you’re pregnant, it’s important to start doing some research so you can make informed decisions about your body and your baby. Here are some great resources for you to check out:

Books: 

A. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth 

books to read when you find out you're pregnant

If you are planning for a natural birth, you should check out this amazing guide. It covers advice, tips, and techniques for achieving an unmedicated birth.

B. The womanly art of breastfeeding 

books to read when you find out you're pregnant

If you are planning on breastfeeding, this book should be your first step. This guide covers everything there is to know about succeeding in your breastfeeding goals.

C. Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

books to read when you find out you're pregnant

This is a great choice for those who want to learn a little more about pregnancy from a trusted source. It also includes a pregnancy calendar and symptom guide.

Podcasts:

  1. The Growing Our Family Podcast – I might be a little biased since this is my podcast, but I feel like there is a lot of great information on there for moms! You can check out the pregnancy edition or listen in to the parenting podcast to see what’s ahead!
  2. The Birth Hour with Bryn Huntpalmer – This is a great podcast full of real labor and delivery stories. Everything from natural home births to scheduled c-sections, and everything in between. It really does a great job of giving you a realistic view on birth. 
  3. The Birthful Podcast with Adriana Lozada – She is a birth doula who interviews other birth experts to inform your intuition. 
  4. Pregnancy Podcast with Vanessa Merten – This podcast focuses on evidence-based information to navigate your way through pregnancy, birth, and being a new parent. 
  5. PregTASTIC Online radio – This podcast is full of information, opinions, different perspectives, and expert advice from pregnancy professionals. 
  6. Preggie Pals on the Parents On Demand network – I love this whole series. In addition to Preggies Pals, they have Twin Talk, Boob Group, Newbies, and Parent Savers. It has a panel of people relevant to that episode and they talk about the issues at hand. 
  7. Bonus** Dad University with Jason Kreidman – A great podcast for dads where he focuses a lot on empathy, supporting moms, and learning how to take care of a baby! 

15. Buy your first baby item!

The last item of the list is to do a little bit of shopping! They have some extremely cute gender neutral outfits that you can purchase or buy your first baby book. This is such an exciting time for expecting parents, so you should take a moment and celebrate a bit!

Although it seems like it will be forever before you get to meet your little one, the day will be here before you know it! Take some time to yourself and make sure not to forget about YOU and your wellbeing. Try to get some extra rest, take that midday nap, and enjoy the good moments while you can! Good luck momma!

If you want to learn more about the 1st trimester, check out my blog post HERE!

Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook @growingrfamily so you can join in on the conversation!

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If you enjoyed this post, check out Pregnancy Myths – Explained or my complete guide on The First Trimester!

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childproofing your home growing our family parenting tips

Childproofing Your Home

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Everything you need to know about childproofing your home! Last weekend my son started crawling for the first time. He had been rolling around and could inch his way forward, but we assumed that we had at least 2 more weeks before the crawling really began. By the end of the weekend, he was up on all fours and getting into everything. We spent the better part of an afternoon frantically trying to baby-proof our house and this is what we learned!

My posts may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission from your purchase, with no extra cost to you!

If you prefer to listen instead of read, you can check out my podcast on this topic HERE.

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Have the items on hand

We decided to purchase all of the baby-proofing necessities when my son first learned to roll. Even though he wasn’t quite mobile, we knew once the day came, we wouldn’t want to run to the store or wait 2 days for Amazon shipping. It’s always best to purchase in advance and have the necessities on hand so you don’t have to spend your time watching your kid like a hawk. 

A Baby’s Viewpoint

Start by getting down on your hands and knees so you can see things from their perspective. This will allow you to see the chords under the tv stand, the hidden choking hazards behind the coffee table, or that hard-to-see electrical outlet. Some items will be easier to baby proof, while others will require some rearranging. 

Basic cleaning

Vacuum, sweep, and maybe even mop throughout your house. Now that your kid is mobile, they will be able to reach that 3 month old cheerio under the couch and they WILL attempt to put it in their mouth. 

Safety Latches

I personally love the no tools safety latches like these ones: 

Make sure to get all cabinets and drawers in the kitchen, bathrooms, living room entertainment centers, book shelves, linen cabinets, etc. My mother-in-law had a great tip, and that is to leave one cabinet open or have a kid-friendly bin in each of the main rooms. For example, many parents will include pots/pans, tupperware, wooden spoons, etc. for the child to play with while you cook or clean in the kitchen. This keeps them entertained and will help prevent them from exploring and getting into other cabinets. 

For cabinets and drawers that don’t get a lot of use, you can try a cheaper alternative and secure with painters tape. This is also a great item to have on hand while traveling, so you can quickly and easily secure toilets, cabinets, drawers, and anything else that might entice a child. 

Outlet Covers

We were able to find a very reasonably-priced set of outlet plugs on Amazon:

They are extremely basic, but do the trick and will not break the bank. Houses built after 2008 will often have a plastic spring that protects the outlet. You have to push in both sides at the same time to work it. You can tell by just looking at the outlet, but when in doubt you can just use the basic outlet covers. The outlet covers above are flat and very difficult to remove for both babies and parents. They might be annoying, but it’s worth it to keep your little one safe. They make more user-friendly outlet plugs and covers, but they will cost significantly more. 

Move everything up

You will want to go through and start moving items up. Babies and toddlers love to pull things off of shelves and this can sometimes be dangerous or destructive. The most common item on shelving units are picture frames, trinkets, and other decorative items. Most of these items are breakable and a broken picture frame can result in shards of glass. It’s best just to move out of reach to prevent any accidental injuries. 

Baby Proof The Crib

Once your baby is crawling or able to stand up, you will want to make sure that the crib is set to the lowest setting. Babies can start to pull themselves up onto the railing and can flip their little bodies over the edge. Aside from that, you still want to avoid using any soft items in the crib like blankets, stuffed animals, or crib bumpers. If you have a used crib, just double check to make sure it is not a drop side and that the bars are spaced close enough. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you cannot fit a standard size soda can through the space. 

Check your Windows

“Pediatrics” which is the official journal of the american academy of pediatrics, published a study on “Pediatric Injuries Related to Window Blinds, Shades, and Chords” which I’ve linked to HERE. This article explains exactly how many blinds-related injuries there are, and what caused them. This was one baby-proofing item that I never would have considered on my own. To learn more about this hazard, and to check if your window coverings are safe, you can check out https://windowcoverings.org/. 

Put up Baby Gates

This is a very common baby-proofing task. Make sure to put one at the top and bottom of each set of stairs you might have. Some people just put them up in doorways to prevent Baby from roaming around the house. You can also purchase long fence-like baby gates that can block off whole areas (like the kitchen or fireplace). This just helps keep baby contained to one area. We already had baby gates up to keep the dogs contained in certain parts of the house. We have 3 of these ones off Amazon: 

They are perfect because they are extra tall. This not only keeps the dogs from being able to jump over it, but once our child is standing, he cannot flip himself over. It is easily adjustable and I love the lever on the top. We also have one of those typical plastic ones (you know the one):

The metal one is well worth the extra money. It can be easily opened and closed with one hand whereas the plastic one usually takes two hands to get it back in place properly. 

Secure Items to the Wall

Most children’s furniture will come with anchors to secure to the wall. This prevents them from toppling forward if your child tries to pull or climb on them. If you don’t have the anchors, or the furniture didn’t come with any, you can purchase them separately. Check out this 10-pack on Amazon.  

Door Knobs

There are some doors in your house that you definitely don’t want your child opening unsupervised. Doors that lead outside, to the garage, or to any staircases can be especially dangerous. You can purchase door knob covers for a standard door knob:

Or you can purchase door handle locks:

Items you probably didn’t think about:

  • Make sure all remotes have the backs so they cannot pull the batteries out
  • Put up all candles and lighters. Kids can choke on the wax if they try to chew on the candle or accidentally light the lighter.
  • Remove plastic bags out of small trash cans around the house as they can pose a suffocation risk
  • Move all chemicals to a location that baby absolutely cannot reach, don’t just put a latch on a lower cabinet. 

Although the list seems long, it shouldn’t take more than a day or two to secure everything that is accessible to Baby. We focused on the main living areas first, and used the baby gates to cordon off any rooms we hadn’t gotten to yet. 

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breastfeeding growing our family

Everything you need to know about Breastfeeding.

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Hey there mommas! Leading up to delivery, you might start hearing stories about people’s breastfeeding journey. Some will be positive, but others will be negative. Here are some breastfeeding tips to help you get through the steep learning curve once your baby is born!

My posts may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission from your purchase, with no extra cost to you!

If you prefer to listen instead of read, check out my podcast on this subject HERE. 

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How to prepare for breastfeeding, tips for before baby arrives Growing Our Family

First, let me just say that I am a strong believer in “fed is best”, this is not a post to shame moms that cannot or choose not to breastfeed. This IS a post to help moms that have decided they want to give breastfeeding a shot. 

Disclaimer: The following information is a combination of my own knowledge and experiences along with information I pulled from a few evidence-based websites (listed below in the ‘references’ section). This is not to be taken as medical advice. If you are experiencing difficulties, it is best to meet with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who can assess and give personalized advice along with more advanced breastfeeding tips. 

Before Delivery

There are some things you can do before delivery to help make your breastfeeding experience a little easier. Here is a list of the tasks you can do and the products I have used that have made a significant positive impact on my breastfeeding journey. 

Create a breastfeeding station, or two!

Choose a spot in your house that you plan on spending most of your time after Baby arrives. For me, this was actually two locations – one upstairs and one downstairs. I chose the end spot on the couch because it has a recline option, a side table, and it has a prime spot in front of the tv. The other spot was my rocking chair in the nursery upstairs where I fed during nighttime feeds. I learned it was important to get up out of bed so I didn’t end up losing the association between bed and sleep, and sitting up in the chair helped keep me awake. You can read more about midnight feeding insomnia HERE. 

These are some of the items I had in my basket:

  • Water for you – Everyone has their favorite water bottle. Mine is the Contigo Autospout Stainless Steel bottle! I used this in labor and love it during breastfeeding because you can tip in to the side (great while reclined) and it doesn’t spill! My standard tumbler and straw kept spilling on Baby’s head when I tipped it; and the stainless steel kept my water nice and cold all day. 
  • Disposable/Reusable nursing pads – I started with the Bamboobies reusable pads but they didn’t absorb enough so the milk would just sit on my breast. This is the best way to end up with an infection, but are perfect for during the day when you don’t leak as much. I found that the Lansinoh disposable pads worked great for overnight!
  • Burp Cloths for burping after feeding. 
  • Haakaa Silicone Pump – You can pop this on the opposite side and collect some extra milk! This is a great way to start a freezer stash before heading back to work or save up for a rainy day. 
  • A phone charger – There isn’t much to do while breastfeeding, so I spent a lot of time on my phone. This drains the battery so fast so it’s nice to have an extra phone cord, a wireless charger, or both!
  • A Breastfeeding Pillow (I love my Boppy)
  • Snacks – You burn about 500 calories a day breastfeeding, so it’s important to keep up on your water and calorie intake! Keep some high energy, healthy snacks on hand like trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, bananas, etc. 
  • Tissues – For leaks, small spit ups, to blow your own nose, etc. We go through so many tissues now with our son, I have a box in every room!
  • Remotes (TV, ceiling fan, portable heater, etc.)
  • Nipple Cream – I used the one by Bamboobies and it was great because it’s organic and you don’t have to wipe it off before feeding! 
  • Heating/Cooling Pads – I have the Medela Cooling Pads
  • Receiving Blankets – Babe will fall asleep while eating so you can just cover them up and enjoy those sweet snuggles while they lay on your chest. I love these huge ones by Jia and Jumbo [Full review HERE].
  • Hair ties – Babies love to aid in postpartum hair loss, so it’s great to have some hair ties on had to throw your hair up and out of reach. 
  • Nursing Cover – For when you have guests over, it’s nice to have an easy cover-up if you want one. I love THIS one and you can read my full review on it HERE! 

Progression of Milk

Your body will start to produce colostrum during pregnancy. Some women start leaking, but don’t worry if you don’t! Colostrum is sticky, thick, and yellow and it contains everything your baby needs after birth. Their belly is only the size of a marble when they are born, so don’t worry if it doesn’t seem like a lot of milk! 

The act of giving birth triggers your body to start producing mature milk. About 2-5 days after birth, your milk becomes a “transitional milk” which is a mixture of colostrum and mature milk. It increases in volume as your baby’s belly gets bigger.

Shortly after that you will most likely wake up engorged with painful breasts. This is when your mature milk has come in. This feeling of engorgement should only last a few days and then your boobs will start to feel normal again. Don’t worry when they start to feel soft again, this doesn’t mean your milk supply went down, it just means that your body is adjusting to this new normal. During this phase of engorgement, you can use a hot compress or hand express in the shower to help relieve some of the discomfort. 

Find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

The term “Lactation Consultant” is not an official title, and therefore does not necessarily mean that all “Lactation Consultants” have the required training and certifications. I’m sure there are some really great Lactation Consultants out there, but you will be better off finding an IBCLC. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (or IBCLC) has to take college level courses, take lactation-specific courses, pass a test, and complete hundreds (sometimes 1,000+) of hours of supervised training. This is no small task, but it does guarantee that your IBCLC is properly trained and equipped to help you in all of your breastfeeding needs. 

So what does an IBCLC do? 

Well, the better question is what DON’T they do. They are trained to handle any difficulty you might experience throughout your breastfeeding journey. They help determine difficulties with Baby such as lip or tongue ties, help mom with perfecting a latch, demonstrate different ways to hold the baby while feeding, monitor and track weight gain, and be there to support you through any other difficulties. 

My son was born 3 weeks early and we had some difficulties with latching in the beginning. He had “uncoordinated sucking” and wasn’t taking enough milk in the beginning. We supplemented with donor milk at the hospital while we tried over and over again to correct our latch. Although nurses and other hospital personnel are so amazing and have had training in breastfeeding, they just can’t match the experience and expertise held by an IBCLC. We were able to latch on our first try with an IBCLC after many failed attempts, and this is when I realized just HOW important they are when you are just starting out. 

My advice to moms is to find an IBCLC or ask for one in the hospital (if your hospital has them on staff). You may not need one, and that’s great; but having one selected with a phone number on hand can really relieve the stress if things aren’t going as planned. You can call your insurance and find out what they cover in terms of breastfeeding support – my insurance fully covered 9 one-on-one appointments. 

Find a Group

I also recommend finding a breastfeeding support group whether breastfeeding is going well or not! You can ask your pediatrician, search on google, talk to the hospital, or even reach out to your local La Leche League (LLL) to find free support groups near you. This will not only help with concerns that come up anytime throughout your journey, but it will also help you connect with other moms and is a great time to get out of the house. 

There were times that our feeding schedule would change and my son was still within his dirty diaper “OK” range. Once, I showed up to our weekly group to find out that my son had LOST weight during that time. He went from gaining 16 oz per week to losing 6, which was a huge swing! I couldn’t imagine having to wait until our next pediatrician well-check to find this out. By then, my supply would have been trashed and it would have been much harder to put the weight back on. Knowledge is power, and keeping track of how a change in your life affects your baby is so important! 

Feeding Schedule

A breastfed baby has to eat between 8 and 12 times per day in the beginning. I found that feeding on demand was the best for not only weight gain, but for our bonding as well. Plan to spend countless hours sitting on the couch and feeding your baby. You will feel like your baby is CONSTANTLY eating, and that is totally normal. We fed every two hours from start to start. Even now, my son is almost 8 months old, and he still eats every two hours, but takes longer stretches during the night. Babies need so many calories within a 24 hour period, so the more they eat during the day, the less they need during the night (theoretically). 

Keep an eye out for hunger cues to know when your baby is hungry. Crying is a late feeding cue and can usually make it harder for them to latch when they are so upset. 

  • Rooting: this is when your baby will turn their head towards anything that touches their cheek, mouth, or face. You might also notice when you are holding them, they try to latch onto your shoulder or skin. 
  • Sucking: either making the movement or sound can be a cue. 
  • Putting things near their mouth: at the beginning, this is usually their hand or arm. 

In the beginning, baby might eat less often during the morning and during the day, but will likely want to eat multiple times in a short period at night. This is called cluster feeding, and it is totally normal. They are ‘stocking up’ on milk during this time, and it usually helps them sleep for a longer period of time. Babies will also take multiple growth spurts and will cluster feed so your body knows that it needs to produce more milk.

Growth Spurts

Common times for a growth spurt is within the first few days, between 1-1.5 weeks, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, and again at 3, 4, 6, and 9 months.  Milk is based on a supply and demand basis, so the more you remove, the more it will make. And typically more stimulations per day is much more effective than less feedings for a longer time. You can read more about cluster feeding HERE at kellymom.com. 

Milk Pumping and Storage

Check with your IBCLC before pumping within the first couple of weeks. This is when your milk is being established, and demanding the extra milk can cause an oversupply. An oversupply sounds great, but it can be a lot of work having to constantly drain the milk to avoid painful clogged ducts or mastitis (a breast infection). 

I am a HUGE supporter of the Haakaa silicone breast pump (read my full review HERE). This pump goes on the opposite side you are feeding baby on and it collects letdown plus a little extra. It is a great way to get a small freezer stash started and doesn’t take any extra time. Fold the top flap down, put up to your breast with your nipple centered in the middle, squeeze the bottom slightly, and fold the top flap back over onto your boob to create a strong connection. 

According to the CDC, milk is good at room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and in the freezer for 6-12 months. Now. this is more conservative than the time limits I was given from my IBCLC. However, I will let your specific consultant help give you more precise time limits, as I am not an expert. You can read more about storage guidelines HERE through the CD

Things I wish I knew before-hand: 

  • The fats in your breastmilk will separate, which is totally fine! Just swirl it around while heating back up for baby and it will mix right back together.
  • Don’t heat up the milk in the microwave. This can create hot spots in the milk and babies have ended up with 3rd degree burns. The best way to heat up is either using a bottle warmer or running it under hot tap water in your sink. I have always just used the tap and it works great!
  • Sometimes milk will vary in color. Breastmilk is amazing and is constantly changing to meet your baby’s needs. My milk has changed from yellow-ish to blue-ish even just overnight! 
  • Your nipples might bleed. Hopefully they will not, and with the correct support and a solid latch your chances are good. Express breastmilk after each feeding session and rub on your nipples to help them heal and to remove the saliva. If they do bleed you might notice some in your milk – but this is okay and will not affect your baby or milk. 
  • When people talk about how often their baby is eating, they are timing it from start to start. If they eat every 2 hours, this means they would nurse at 12, 2, 4, 6, etc. 
  • A great tip I learned from my lactation consultant is to imagine your boob is a huge hamburger. You wouldn’t try to just shove it in your mouth. You would put the bottom of the burger into your mouth and then squish and roll the rest in. Same with your boob. 
  • In the beginning, your nipples will feel sore and uncomfortable. With a good latch, it shouldn’t hurt, but it still isn’t pleasant. Your body will adjust and breastfeeding will help you and baby create an amazing bond. 
  • Take it one day at a time and try not to overwhelm yourself with large expectations. Breastfeeding can be very hard at the beginning – both mentally and physically. It gets so much easier after a few weeks and I actually really enjoy it now!
  • Your letdown can almost feel painful at times or it can just feel tingly. For me, it feels like when your foot falls asleep for just a few seconds and then I am soaked. Also, your milk can literally spray across the room at times – and that is totally normal. 

And finally, try to attend a breastfeeding class. Most hospitals will have one for very little money and they are so informative. They have visuals, demonstrations, and are usually taught by an IBCLC. It’s also great to be able to ask personalized questions. 

I’m sure there is so much more information out there to be shared with new moms! If you have any tips, tricks, or general advice, please leave a comment! 

Resources

  • Kellymom is an IBCLC and has an amazing website that covers all aspects of breastfeeding. She does a great job at providing evidence-based information, so you can make your own informed decisions. Check it out here: www.kellymom.com 
  • March of Dimes has a great article that covers a lot of basics on breastfeeding. You can check it out HERE. 
  • CDC Breastmilk Storage Guidelines

Follow me on Twitter @growingrfamily so you can join in on the conversation!

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Everything you need to know about breastfeeding Growing Our Family Tips

GrowingOurFamily 1000x667 pregnancy

13: Breastfeeding Basics

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Leading up to delivery, you might start hearing stories about people’s breastfeeding journey. Some will be positive, but others will be negative. Here are some tips to help you get through the steep learning curve once your baby is born!

If you prefer to read instead of listen, check out my blog post on the subject here: https://growingourfamily.com/breastfeeding/ 

Product Review: 

This episode ran a little long so I actually ran out of time this week for my product review, but I will be back on track by next week!

Show Notes:

Intro Song courtesy of:

I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/grapes/16626 Ft: J Lang, Morusque

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