The Breastfeeding Mom's Arsenal

As a new mother, I had a lot of questions. As a new mother who had never breastfed before, I had even more. I diligently scoured the internet for solutions, help and tips for the first few days, looking for things that would help me be the best breastfeeder I could be.
Lets face it, breastfeeding isn't easy. Luckily, there are a plethora of products out there designed to make nursing less dificult and help mothers reach their breastfeeding goals.

I was infinitely lucky that Buggy seemed to catch on easily. I mean, she came out rooting for the boob, so I knew that she would be okay nursing. I just wasn't sure if I would be. So, I added these few products as part of my breastfeeding arsenal, and let me tell you, they all helped tremendously! I thought I'd share.

One of the first items I acquired for my arsenal was the Boppy pillow. My best friend B had used it with her little girl, so she handed it down to me, like passing the Olympic torch. I accepted it, thinking that it probably wouldn't get much use, but boy was I wrong. I use this thing all the time. Honestly, it's probably the best thing I own.

The second and third items I used right off the bat were my Lansinoh nursing pads and the lanolin cream. Let me tell ya, the nursing pads saved many a shirt in the early days of engorgement and leaking. Honestly, I didn't even know the amount of milk that would seep out. I'd remove the pads and they would be soaked. I like the Lansinoh pads the best becuase they suck the moisture away from your skin, so you stay dry. Other pads, I found, didn't do it as well.

Also, the lanolin was a lifesaver. About 2 weeks after I had Buggy, I noticed that I was really dry and starting to crack. While I was lucky and didn't have any super bad cracking and bleeding, the cream did help to soothe my poor battered and bruised nips and whats even better, Buggy didn't seem to mind it. Bonus.

The final items that every breastfeeding mom should have in their arsenal are a good nursing bra and several nursing tanks. I'll admit, I'm pretty well endowed, so I had to go to an old lady shop and have my bras helicoptered in from the land of the large boobed, but soooo worth it. A good fitting bra is a MUST. You don't want one with underwire, because that can cause clogged ducts which can turn into mastitis, and you don't want to have that. Also, the nursing tanks are all so super comfy and honestly, I will probably wear them even after I wean Buggy off the boob. I love them, and I live in them. I have so many in several different colors. My favorite and preferred are the Gilligan and O'Malley Tanks from Target. They are a little longer, and seem to fit the best. The other's all kind of rode up on my belly, which well, with a post partum belly, you don't want anything riding up. Trust me.

What else is in your breastfeeding arsenal?

...and the winner is!

Nikki Fudgestick, come on down!
Congratulations, you've won your very own customized set of jewelry from the Living Vine!

Everyone be on the lookout for some fun and exciting upcoming giveaways! We've got a lot of exciting things starting to happen around here and I can't wait to show them to you all!

Again, congrats Nikki!

Reminder: The Living Vine Giveaway!

Remember everyone, our first giveaway ends tomorrow at noon est. If you want in, click The Living Vine Giveaway and enter! Don't miss out on this super awesome giveaway!

Happy 8 months, Buggy!

That's right folks. 8 months ago today was the hardest but best day of my life. The day Buggy popped out.

So, as you all know, each month, I take pictures of Buggy being cute, so I can document her growth. Also, I just have to be an attention whore and show off some of the cute photos I took. I really think I *might* be getting better at portraiture. What do you think?

It's fun being 8 months!

Well hello there, Mommy.

You make me happy, Mommy! Seriously, this face never ceases to bring a smile to mine!

Check her out...up and trying to crawl! She'll be crawling before I know it.

I love baby feet!

Buggy gave GG a bouquet

and Mommy had to take some pictures of it too. Seriously, I'm becoming obsessed with my camera. I thought they were a great subject to practice my macro and focus.

Floral pics!

I told you they were coming.

As you know, I've been working on my photography skillz, and while I'm still completely lacking in the super awesome department, I think these all turned out really well. So, I will now subject you to all the photos I took at my grandmothers house of all of her beautiful flowers and grounds.

So there.

I'd love to know what you think, and any constructive criticism. Like I said, I'm far from professional, but I do want to improve. Any suggestions? Comments? Criticisms?

I LOVED these red flowers that were hanging up on my grandmothers front porch. Seriously, they photographed so beautifully. That's why you'll see a bunch of shots of them.

I also thought these berries were really pretty.

Her beautiful tulip tree. Spring is almost here!

Working on my focus. These two trees were perfect for that.

Working on my macro.

...and my toggle focus.

Okay, let me have it. Please give me your thoughts.

.

Over the river and through the woods

to GG's house we went!

Today, we went with my mom and dad over to my grandmother's house. Buggy loves her GG and enjoys any chance she has to spend with her. We went over to help my grandma clean her garage out a bit. It's been a little cluttered since my granddaddy passed away in December 08, and if you knew my grandma, you would know cluttered is not how she rolls. She's neat as a pin, and even that isn't descriptive enough. She's 83 years old and still scrubs her floors everyday and her house is spotless. Spot. Less. Fo realz.

Anyway, we had a great time. I took my camera and took a TON (234) pictures of the random flora around her house, as well as some pics of the Hubster and Buggy. So be prepared for an onslaught of pictures. There will be a lot. A lot, a lot.

Anyway, a few pictures of our visit from today.

Buggy fell asleep on the way. She reached over and grabbed my dad's hand, pulled it to her and laid her head on it, and fell asleep. My dad was in heaven.

Then, she hung out with GG for a while. She'd just woken up, notice the telltale far off gaze of sleepiness?

Then we headed outside and played for a few minutes before we got down to the cleaning business.

Apparently, Buggy does not appreciate all the kisses we give her. I think this photo is by far, my favorite, don't you agree?

Yes, that's my baby, rocking the shamrock.

A rare and albeit terrible photo of me, but I needed a new one.

 I don't often get to be in the pictures with my girl.

The Sunshine Award

I'm totally honored to have received another award. Many thanks to Jenn from Three Pugs and a Baby. You are too sweet.

The rules:
1. Put the logo in my post or within my blog.
2. Pass the award onto 12 fellow bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within my post.
4. Let the nominees know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blogs.
5. Share the love and link to the person who gave you the award!


12 blogs, huh? Let me see if I can rustle up some for you guys.

1. http://blog.mrsbeth.com/
2. Once a Mom, Always a Mom *note this blog is now private*
3. With Roots and Wings
4. 3 Peas in a Pod *and an early congrats!*
5. The Magic of Mama
6. One+One=Three
7. Happy is What Happens
8. Rocky Mountain Mama

And thats all I got. 8 out of 12 aint bad, right?