Mama J's New Mama Must Haves

A few weeks ago Mama Bird posted a great list of her favorite products for traveling with a new baby so I decided to follow suit and post my "must haves" for new and second time moms out there. Lots of these products are breastfeeding related, which was a whole new world to me this time around (as you all have heard me mention 100 times :). So without further ado, where is my list of must-have products for the breastfeeding/new mom:

I don't look this good in it,
but I wear them every day!

1. Glamourmom Nursing Tanks: I wear these most days - either by itself around the house, or under a non-nursing-friendly shirt if I am going out. That way if I have to nurse in public I don't have my jelly roll belly hanging out for all to see. I also sleep in these so I don't have to fumble with another layer when nursing half asleep.

2. Anita Nursing Bras: These are my go-to nursing bras, if not wearing a nursing tank. They are a little pricey but invest in 2 nude colored bras and you will be set. They give amazing support without having any padding. I will definitely wear these after nursing too. I was wearing a size 36D bra before getting pregnant, then I bought 38DD nursing bras without getting fit. I went to a fancy bra shop and found out that I am actually a 36F, and I was amazed at how well these bras fit! Get yourself to a bra fitter before you buy nursing bras that is for sure! And wait until after you have the baby to do so...

3. Mamajama sleep bras: I wear these when I am sick of feeling constricted in a bra, or when my boobs are sore and I want to feel naked but with a little support. So soft and comfy - but definitely not to be worn out in public if you have giant melons like I do!

My Breast Friend Forever!

4. My Breast Friend- Boppy's are baby school when it comes to nursing - and by that I mean a joke. They don't give the baby the support that the My Breast Friend gives them. I love it's firm pillow, with the two contoured areas for baby's head. And the fact that you can strap it to you to keep it raised in places is great. Every nursing mom needs at least one of these.

5. Lansinoh Nursing pads - Every nursing mother knows that if you don't wear nursing pads in your bra you are in for an embarrassing situation. I tried 3 different brands this time around, and found these to be the most absorbent, allowing me to change them fewer times than Johnson & Johnson and Medela brands.

6. Moby Wrap - Val is a baby that spends most of her day in my arms or in the Moby or Ergo carriers. The Moby is my favorite because it holds her so securely right against my body. Sure it takes a couple times to get the actual wrapping down pat, but once you have it down it is second nature and can be done in about 20 seconds.

Julia Roberts uses it, so
should you.

7. Ergo Baby Carrier - I tend to use the Ergo more when I am out and about than when I am at home. I can get it on much easier when standing outside the car (just two clips as opposed to 17 feet of fabric that will most likely touch the ground) than I can the Moby. Now since I first purchased this in 2009, I had the older infant insert (just basically a square piece of quilted fabric). I saw that it had been redesigned so I purchased the newer version (that looks like something an Inuit baby would be wrapped in). It was a total waste of money - in fact I think both are. You can just as easily wrap the baby in a substantial blanket (see #8) and then put her in the Ergo just fine. The idea is to give the baby more neck support and padding, and it isn't necessary to spend an addition $35 on the insert, when you are already spending so much on the carrier itself.

8. Stroller Blanket from PB Kids - I received two of these as gifts when Valerie was born. I never ever thought I would get so much use out of them! And I have yet to actually use them for what they are intended - a stroller blanket. I use them in place of the infant insert in the Ergo, for tummy time, for photo shoots, in the car, at home just as a blanket. They are so amazingly soft and luxurious. Best baby gift we got this time around for sure!

9 .  White Noise App for iPhone: Val hates the car - Hates with a capital H. Earlier this week I wrote a post about how I am like Sandra Bullock in Speed when in the car with her - as soon as I go below 60 she screams... that was until I put on a white noise app with sounds of the ocean the other day! I think at first she was a little scared by it, but she quickly settled and slept the entire 30 minute drive. M loved the white noise when she would sleep when she was first born too...there are a ton to choose from in the app store so check them out before you spend money on a white noise machine!

10. Petunia Picklebottom Diaper Bag: After a rodent got into my Petunia Picklebottom boxy back pack when we were at a music class in Southie last year, I went on a crazy search to find that perfect diaper bag when I found out I was pregnant with Val. I knew I wanted a backpack, as I have a bad back and carrying anything to heavy on one shoulder makes it worse, so I needed even distribution. After reading countless reviews of every backpack (diaper bag and plain old back pack) and trying most out in person, I settled on the same one I had last time. I love the choice of patterns, the size is perfect (but I do find that I fill it to the brim with two kids worth of stuff) and my husband can carry it without feeling like he is carrying a lady-bag (ok, it is pretty feminine, but it isn't one that looks like a ladies purse!).

11. Aden & Anais Muslin Blankets: I purchased these on a whim before I had M as I had to use up money on a gift card, and damn am I glad I got these! We use them for everything and anything - burp cloths, swaddling (when Val was first born, but she doesn't get swaddled now), to keep warm, etc. - one is always in our diaper bag, or on the couch, or in the car. And they wash up really nicely too!

11. A Nap - sleep as much as you can. Sleep when the baby sleeps...no matter if you are tired or not, lay down and try to sleep! I know everyone says that, but it is true, as you won't have any other time to nap during the day in the beginning.

12. A glass of wine - While I would love to polish off a bottle of wine, Val refuses to take a bottle right now so I can't pump and dump. I am stuck having a glass of wine here and there, and boy do I look forward to it and savor every last drop! And every Mama should indulge when they can...

13. An iPad for your toddler - Get one. Load it with educational apps, tv shows, movies. Let your toddler use it sparingly and don't feel guilty about it.

14. Alone time - Being a new mom is draining both emotionally and physically. Recharge yourself by taking some time for yourself, whether it be going for a run (ha - yeah I don't run) or getting a pedicure (more my speed). Don't feel guilty for one second about being away from your kids. You deserve that "you" time. And if you can, get a sitter to watch the kids so you and your husband can have some time to yourselves. We have yet to do this since Val arrived, due to the not taking a bottle fiasco, but I am dying for some adult time with my husband out in the real world!

Infantino Slingrider Recall

by Mama K

I received the SlingRider as a gift when my son was first born and I hated it because I thought I was going to suffocate the little guy. After using it once I bought a replacement sling and this old one just sat around collecting dust, of course I didn't keep the receipt!

Infantino has had a MAJOR recall on a few of their SlingRider Sling. They have made the return process super easy; it is outlined below with links

http://www.infantino.com/

Click on the big PINK box that says "Click here for SlingRider Recall"

Click on USA

Click on Help me to determine my product was recalled

Once confirm click on the red CLICK HERE to return your product.

It tells you what part to cut off the Sling that has to be sent back, down at the bottom you can return that part of the sling at no cost to you and get something to replace it. As these products are running out they are giving other products as choices, the good ones are going fast!

Replacement Products:

Wrap & Tie Khaki/Modern w/Jittery Pal

Wrap & Tie Black/Blueberries w/Jittery Pal

2 in 1 Shopping Cart Cover (Teal Sprockets) w/Jittery Pal

2 in 1 Shopping Cart Cover (Black Lace) w/Jittery Pal

You can print out a return slip toss it in an envelope and toss it in the mail, remember to keep a copy for your records of the documents you print and send back to Infantio too!

This was my first baby recall experience and fortunately they made it much easier than expected.

The Moby vs The Maya

If you asked me a year ago how I felt about the Moby or the Maya I would have obviously thought you were asking my opinion on pop music. And I would have responded with some remark like, "Of course! I used to dance to Moby with glow sticks in my hands, and loved Lady Marmalade as much as the next sassy girl."

But nowadays, as is every moment in my life, I am talking about something baby-related.

I love the idea of having your baby strapped to your body - it allows you much needed freedom to do anything from fixing your hair to folding laundry (or as I probably shouldn't share I cooked dinner with her attached to me last night...don't do that at home!). Plus it calms them down instantly (at least in our case), and gives you some extra bonding time - and I think you look like a cool mom too!

When I registered I had no idea what the difference in baby carriers was, and really had only heard of the Bjorn. As I did more research I heard names like Ergo, Hotsling and Moby, and on the advice of the ladies I polled for this blog, I registered for the Ergo and Moby (let's put the Ergo aside for this posts sake - plus I haven't actually used mine yet :).

Fast forward to our "baby school" classes at Isis, where our lovely instructor told us all about this fabulous product called the Maya Wrap. So easy to put on! All natural fabrics! Easy to adjust! It is the new must have for all cool mamas! Naturally I was sold. It took me a while to commit, but I recently picked up a Maya Wrap after a hectic visit to the doctors office: the fire alarm went off as Marlo was naked on the scale and we had to evacuate ASAP - picture me sweaty, trying to dress a screaming baby as quickly as possible, and then the doctor hoisting my stroller over his shoulder as I carried her in her car seat down the 4 flights of stairs. I felt I (and Mo, as I am calling her now) deserved a present, as it was our first day out and about as mommy and baby, and it was a doozie. I tried it on with Mo at the store - it felt comfortable, was easy to just throw on- picked out a nice green color, and then gasped when I saw the $75 price tag for this piece of material with two rings at the shoulder (see photo). I then said to the sales girl "I can probably make this myself, but I will take it anyway." And home we went...

Before I continue this review, I should mention to all of you that I have terrible back issues. In 2004 I injured myself at the gym, thus herniating my L5. I have had cortisone shots, and physical therapy, but after giving birth the ol' back pain is back with a vengeance (I still have to tell you all the story of the 3 failed epidurals - good times). This is the reason I have leaned more towards products with two shoulder straps and added back support, i.e., the Moby wrap and the Ergo.

Anyhoo...For those that aren't familiar with the Moby it is a giant piece of fabric, that is about 18 feet long, which is folded in half. You do this elaborate (but fairly simple once you get the hang of it) wrapping of the fabric around your body and put your baby over your shoulder and slip her into the pocket and secure her with this other flap...yadda yadda yadda. After about two minutes of fidgeting and flipping fabric all around your body you have a very secure and happy baby, snug as a bug on your chest.

Now, I think it is fabulous - I can't even feel her weight on me (granted is only 7.5 pounds now), I can wear it for hours and my back never hurts, the fabric is really soft so I can just wipe her mouth if need be, and in the future when she is bigger there are about 5 other ways of holding her with the Moby. There are also multiple ways to hold your baby with the Maya, but the Moby offers much more versatility when it comes to position, including a way to hold two babies at once. The Moby also has a higher weight capacity, therefore allowing you to use it longer. See their websites for more details about positioning.

My husband on the other hand thinks it is ridiculous. As I was wrapping it all around him, the one and only time he tried it, he looked at me and said "are you serious with this?". It takes a good minute and a half to get it all situated around you so that you have everything where it needs to be in order to secure the baby. Picture me flitting around my 7 foot husband like he is a maypole with this giant piece of black fabric. Yet another reason I wanted to try the Maya wrap...

The Maya wrap is more of a sling than a baby carrier. This thick piece of material is billed as 100% cotton, but it is definitely not as soft as the Moby (even before one washing), and looks a little burlap-y (or what I like to think of as "crunchy fabric"). It has these giant loops that sit on your shoulder, through which you thread the material like you would a belt through d-rings. Once that is done, there is nothing you have to do again but flip it over your shoulder. Definitely the easiest of the two to assemble. You then, like the Moby, place your baby in the pouch that the folded fabric makes on your chest. A couple of quick pulls of the end of the fabric to tighten and you are good to go. I wore it for a total of two minutes, and the put it back in the plastic bag it came in to be returned the next morning...and here is why:

The first reason is because after 2 short minutes of having my 7.5 pound baby in it, my back was killing me. It put all her weight on my one shoulder and just pulled me down, thus putting way too much pressure on my back. The second reason was that Mo could not get comfortable in it. The pouch was way too big for her little body, and the bulky fabric seemed to suffocate her. I kept having to hoist her up and re-adjust the fabric to get her comfortable, and then she would sink down into the burlap abyss. Thirdly, I felt like it smelled funny. My parents once went to Morocco when I was little and brought me back this camel back that smelled kind of like a petting zoo for years and I feel like this had that same raw/natural smell. I wasn't sold, and didn't think it was worth anywhere near the $75 I paid for it (I got the olive green one with the small pocket).

I am sure there are people out there that love the sling, but mostly because of my back I don't think I will ever be able to pull off the one shoulder baby holster. And I was so hoping I could because I love the way they look.

My only gripe so far with the Moby (which I should mention retails for around $40) is that after washing it, it shrunk a bit. I didn't have as much excess fabric in the front to tie as I did the first time I wrapped it around me before washing. Other than that I love it.

I guess I just have a thing for small, bespectacled, bald, hipster, pop djs.

Baby Carriers/Slings

In this corner, the ever popular Baby Bjorn! The name everyone knows! The one carried by baby superstores! And in the opposite corner, the lesser-known Ergo carrier! Only carried by specialty stores! More expensive than the BB!

Who wins? The Ergo wins in one round – TKO!

After experiencing both of these products, our Mama’s will take the Ergo over the Bjorn any day of the week. While the Bjorn was fine for little newborn babies, the heavier the baby got, the worse the back pain became because of the lack of support. We have also heard that the Bjorn is uncomfortable for baby boys, because of the way the baby is positioned (with all that extra weight on the crochal-area). Because all of the weight with the Bjorn is supported by your back and your shoulders, anything over 10-12 pounds will not be a comfortable ride.

The Ergo on the other hand focuses all of the weight on your hips (hence the more bulky structure) so you can wear it for longer periods of time. It is also big enough that your husband can wear it when you need a break. And you can wear it on the front, back or side of your body (not sure how the side position works, but that is what they advertise). The one complaint is that the baby is not able to face out with the Ergo, like you can with the Bjorn.

Remember that not all babies are partial to carriers like the Bjorn or the Ergo. If you are lucky to have one that is, these are great to strap on for a quick walk, or for shopping when you need your hands free. They can also be worn under big jackets during the winter months to keep your baby close and warm.

*We should also note that the Bjorn has come out with a version with a little more back support, but none of our Mama’s have tried it, as they went straight from the standard model to the Ergo.

Only a few of us were “sling Mamas.” Those of us that did use the slings, loved the Hotsling and the Moby wrap. They found that it soothed their baby better than anything other method. When purchasing a HotSling, we advise you to purchase one size larger than you would normally, as we have found them to run on the small side.