Nursing Baskets

A nursing basket is a nice idea for a second (or third!) time mom IF you know they are going to be nursing.  I like this for a Baby Sprinkle gift.

Breastfeeding can be a challenge for a number of reasons--- but one of them that is EASILY solved is that you inevitably settle in and forget something... you get it, settle in, and have forgotten something else.  In a fragile postpartum state, this can be enough to send you into tears.

For other breastfeeding challenges-- bookmark this site: www.kellymom.com

Please know that SO many of us have been there and it doesn't always come "naturally" like we think it should, but it is so worth it.  For me, especially with my first, those first 6 weeks were filled with SO many tears, but then things got much better!

But... ON TO THE BASKETS!

Two of my oldest friends who are pregnant with #1 liked the idea when I was mentioning it, so this post is for them so they can set up their own (since they, sadly, live 2,440 and 892 miles away from where I live).  Shout out to Mimi and Rachel due just weeks apart from me, yippee!

Cost of project:
Depending on how much you want to deck out your basket, you can make a pretty simple one for $10-15 including the basket.  The trick for me was starting 2 months ahead so you can stock up on sales.  (Luna bars, lotions, chapsticks, etc.)

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves--and this is the note I laminate and tuck inside:

In your nursing basket…

This nursing basket can be kept in any place you regularly nurse, it’s nice to have one by the couch and one by your bed.  I am one of those moms whose babies have looooooooooong nursing sessions and I’m always forgetting—or wishing I had—one of these things over the 45 minute session, so I love having a portable “nursing station”. I hope you find this basket useful! Happy nursing!  -Emily

1.  Coconut oil*

2.  Disposable nursing pads (in case all your cloth ones are all drip-drying!)

3.  Burp cloth for wiping spills

4.  Water

5.  Lotion & chapstick

6.  Hair ties

7.  Snacks

8.  Bracelet (for remembering which side you last nursed on)

9.  Pen & paper

add on your own:

1.  Book/magazine

2.  TV remote

4.  Phone

5.  Swaddle blanket (doubles as a cover)

6.  Laptop/iPad

Tips:  Let your older “baby” help you keep this stocked. Keep this checklist tucked at the bottom.

My favorite lactation consultant in town:  Kristin Gartner: 904.568.0581

*Coconut oil is safe for baby to eat and is a natural anti-fungal, so it prevents thrush.  It’s slippery, so helps prevent cracking or sore nipples.  It must be 100% virgin coconut oil.  Coconut oil is also great for infant massage, and take a tablespoon to increase your milk supply.  You can read more about coconut oil by Googling “coconut oil & breastfeeding”.

All the items listed for 2 nursing baskets

Small cup to hold the tiny stuff:  Pen, Lactation Consultant business card, Coconut  Oil, Chapstick

Also-- for the bracelet, if you want to splurge, I do like these.  
(I just had my 5 year old make the ones pictured below.)

Completed nursing basket!

A simpler version of the basket I made as my upstairs basket

Coconut Oil... make your own dispenser

***Please talk to your lactation consultant before following my advice.  (Although, question it if they say something that conflicts with  the below info!)

I learned about coconut oil in 2010 after having my second baby.
 I HATED using lanolin on my nipples for breastfeeding with my first baby and WISH I'd known about coconut oil!  My lactation consultant for baby #2 told me about it when baby was just 48 hours old, and it's my mission to pass the info along to as many nursing moms as I can!

First--- let me post just a little about the uses and benefits.  But-- just a LITTLE-- because this post is more about how to make your own dropper bottle full of coconut oil.

Click here to read WAY more about coconut oil.

• Safe for baby and easy to digest
• Helps make nipples more slippery which makes it hard for baby to damage your nipple (this is my #1 reason I use it, no more cracked, bleeding nipples!)
• Coconut oil is anti-bacterial--prevents thrush
• 3.5 tbsp per day increases milk supply!
• Great for baby massage
• Great to prevent diaper rash

Coconut oil is (obviously) very oily and pretty much only comes in a jar.  I decided to use an empty infant Tylenol bottle (well-rinsed) back in 2010 to drop it directly onto my nipples to avoid it all over my hands--it was also quicker, more discreet, and I could even just pull my bra cup out a little any time and drop it on there.  TIP-- Only use with nursing pads, or you may oil stain your shirt or bra.

A smaller bottle also makes it easier to quickly warm up.  (Sometimes I'd go to dip my finger in the jar and it would be solid-- coconut oil solidifies at 75 degrees!)  Because I have huge boobs, esp when nursing-- I actually warm it UNDER my breast in a bout 30 seconds.  But you could warm it between your legs.  :)

I am pregnant with #3 and wanted to make a few more dropper bottles... and it seems infant Tylenol now no longer has a dropper, but a syringe.  BLERG!

But-- turned out to be a good thing, because I found these awesome glass droppers on Amazon.

Needs/ cost for project:
$12.71/ 12 glass bottles, 1oz each
$9/ jar of virgin unrefined coconut oil (must be unrefined) usually sold in 14 oz bottle
Labels, funnel,  & contact paper I had around the house

So-- these bottles are great because they are only about $1 a bottle, they are glass, so you don't have any "leachy" plastic, they are brown so the oil stays less damaged by light.

 1 oz bottles

 Just to give you a scale--AA battery next to the bottle for size

Shipping labels, 2" x 4", cut about 1/2 centimeter off the top before sticking them on the bottles 

 I tried ModPodge first, but contact paper seemed like the better choice.  You can't quite see it here, but it ModPodge made it pucker a bit and didn't seem as water-tight.  It might get oily no matter what you do, but contact paper should cut down on a gross outer bottle.

 Finished bottles!

Showing you north/east/west/south of the bottles.  :)

GOOD LUCK!

Shared sibling bedroom: 2 older girls + baby boy

Well, it's the third trimester... and if I learned anything from the first two pregnancies, it's that if the urge strikes to knock an item off your to-do list, DO IT.  The urge will likely not strike again.

So- the toddler bed has been converted, Rainforest mobile dusted off, hand-me-downs (such sweet ones, too!) from older cousins sorted and put away...

and I'll allow myself to feel gloriously on top of everything for the 5 minutes it all stays organized.

Here are the pictures:

We live in a  2 bedroom, so these three sibs will share a room (though we co-sleep, so perhaps not for awhile--and by that point we hope to be moved to a bigger place anyway--but that's an entirely different post!)...

This little crib/highchair set was a Hanukkah present for my 2 yr old and she LOVES it.  Hoping it comes in handy when she wants to "do" everything I'm doing.  $20!  (And made in the USA, which floored me.)

The changing table is in the hallway (not pictured) --it just seemed more practical.  It's right at the top of the steps, so just as easy to access from  downstairs and upstairs.

Diaper Bag for newborn, 3 yr old (and 6 yr old)

So, I am pregnant with #3, in my 3rd trimester and figured I should document my diaper bag "prowess" now before I forget.  PACKING YOUR DIAPER BAG IS YOUR OWN PERSONAL THING, but hopefully this is a good jumping off point for you.  (This bag is packed for an exclusively breastfed baby, so if you're doing formula, you'll want bottles, formula, etc.)

Disclaimer:  I have never gotten my diaper bag to stay organized for more than 10 days straight.  One pee accident during potty training, one poopy blowout (poop-splosion), one extra long doctor visit that depletes all the snacks-- and I'm back to having to restock, clean, and re-organize--but here is the base:

My bag is set up for a newborn + my 3 year old daughter (just when I stopped taking a diaper bag!), and my 6 year old, though not much in there for her besides snacks and crayons.

I don't know when you ever stop having one of these bags... I think you just abandon it for a big purse once the youngest is 3, that's what I did with my last two--tho if it's a longer outing I still kept it in the car, I just didn't lug it everywhere like you do the first 18 mos.  I cannot imagine not having wipes and a snack no matter how old ANYONE is at this point-- those 2 are the "lip gloss & mascara" of your baby bag.  :)

Please comment below with other stuff you keep in your bag!

Contents:
-3 extra diapers in a  Ziploc (somehow everything gets damp now and then)
-1 package wipes (and once it's less than half full, I swap it out at home for a fuller package)
-Pens, paper, and contact cards
-2 pads (postpartum or just in case of unexpected period, tho Diva Cup is my preference)
-Thin coloring book
-1-2 children's books for reading
-1 teething toy
-1 other toy
-1 swaddle blanket--Aden & Anais brand (doubles as a nursing cover when tucked into bra strap)
-1 receiving blanket (I use this to lay on the floor as a changing pad OR to let the baby have a play area-- I prefer it to a bulky changing pad)
-Water bottle, mommy
-Water bottle, 3 yr old
-Snacks: granola or nuts for mom, fruit strips, raisins, etc for toddler--things that won't go bad
-Roll of baggies for pee-pee accident clothes or poopy diapers
-Crayons (Crayola Twistables so they don't break)
-Print-out of your routine
-Hand sanitizer in caribbeaner off the handle
-Change of clothes for each kid in a  ziploc (if you have girls and it isn't cold, sundresses are the easiest)
-Emergency $5 hidden in a side pocket
-Newborn hat
-Disp. nursing pads (6)
-Tissues
-Moby Wrap
-Bib
-Brush
-Burp cloth
-Sewing kit (not really nec. but this one is so tiny, I keep it in there)
-Purse---- once my oldest was about a year old, I realized how much I missed having my own purse and how annoying it was to keep transferring items-- so I got a small enough purse to hold my wallet, phone, calendar, mints, and a very tiny makeup bag and I just plop it in the top of the diaper bag.  Then I either take just the purse if I am going out alone, or take the entire thing if I have one of my kids with me.

My favorite diaper bag is the Skip Hop Jump.

Pencil pouch containing:  first aid kit with band-aids & Neosporin, straws, 2 baby spoons, nail clippers, sunscreen, comb, hair ties, fork/spoon, natural bug repellant, chapstick, lotion.

How to swaddle a newborn

I just YouTubed "How to swaddle a baby" and was disappointed by the videos for a variety of reasons.  (The #1 reason was almost all of them were swaddled WAY too loose to "count" as swaddling.)

Check definition #3:
swad·dle  (swdl)

tr.v. swad·dled, swad·dling, swad·dles

1. To wrap or bind in bandages; swathe.

2. To wrap (a baby) in swaddling clothes.

3. To restrain or restrict.

Anyway--- as I sit here pregnant with #3, I realize for the amount of friends I showed my version of swaddling to we should have a made a video by now.  

We swaddled baby #1 til 7 mos and baby #2 til 9 mos.  We swear by it, and while we know everyone has different things that work, hope this video helps you swaddle if you're planning on it!

Here it is!

To-Do List for Baby #3

To-Do List before Baby #3 arrives:
Here is my list which includes preparing the transition from family of four to family of five.
I hope it's useful to you!  Click the "to do" items that have links for a guide to that item.
(Z= my almost 6 year old, T= my almost 3 year old)

Ideally before 37 weeks:

• Install carseat behind driver, move Z to 3rd row of minivan, move T to Z's old spot for easy carpool pickup✓
• Convert toddler bed back to a crib/raise mattress/ put on mobile ✓
• Put swing together and bring downstairs  ✓
• Figure out a Plan A, B, C for where the girls will go during labor AND add "pick-up" names to the school list  ✓
• Collect hand-me-downs!  ✓
• Purge girls' clothes they've outgrown  ✓
• Pack bag for birth center/shop for the supplies I need to bring there✓
• Re-pack diaper bag for a newborn/3yr old/6 yr old  ✓
• Write thank you notes as gifts come ✓
• Buy 2 more nursing bras (diff sizes) + at least 1 new sleep bra  ✓ 
• Buy a new nursing pillow ✓
• Stockpile things like: crackers, pretzels, granola bars, etc.
• Make 2 nursing baskets (1 for upstairs, 1 for downstairs) ✓
• Get BIG SISTER gifts:  For Z ✓  For T  ✓
• Take family maternity pictures ✓
• Prepare an activity basket for Z&T for when I'm nursing
• Pack a "labor" bag for Z+T ✓ and put instructions inside✓
• Make labels of everyone we'll send a baby annc. to ✓
• Create baby annc/thank you notes, etc on Vistaprint, then just insert a pic once he's born and mail!  ✓
• Buy stamps, 3 books ✓
• Buy contact paper, put a large piece in baby book (to cover inky footprints) ✓  put baby book in labor bag  ✓
• Take each girl on a mommy date/daddy date
• Call the mohel to confirm we're on his calendar  ✓
• Get supplies on mohel's list for brit milah (circumcision)✓
• Prepare a few meals and freeze
• Arrange menu for brit and ask for help if needed✓
• Update Family Manual ✓ and print 3 copies ✓
• Stock the stockpile so that I don't have to buy any non-food items for at least 8 weeks (shampoo✓, razors✓, toilet paper, toothpaste, diapers✓, wipes, etc.)
• Make "Labor Playlist"✓, sync with iPod ✓

During Spring Break:

• Steam clean carpets✓
• Pay bills ahead if possible, clear all paperwork from desk
• Carseats✓

Week before due date:

• Charge cameras
• Dust/Vacuum ✓
• Buy a small birthday cake at Publix, freeze
• Shave!
• Do a fun date with the family
• Celebrate T's 3rd birthday, low key (on bday)

After baby arrives:

• Have a birthday party!
• Add to insurance
• Call the mohel, figure out date of brit milah
• Send announcements
• Put annc. in paper
• Thank you notes
• Make an appt with the pediatrician
• Take newborn pics 7-10 days postpartum
• Update Family Manual
• Update will/ open savings acct, etc.

Food Prepping for the Week

I can't tell you how many things I have looked up on Pinterest to try to get my food situation for my family of 4 (soon to be 5) organized, budget-trimmed, and non-food-wasting by Jan. 1, 2013.

Well, here are my first efforts.

My inspiration comes from this blog:
http://www.greenplaterule.com/health-nutrition/sunday-night-prep-to-eat-clean-all-week/
(You can also find her various Mason Jar Salad recipes there.)

I do think of all the things I have read, the most important is to PREP everything before you put your groceries away right when you get home.  So-- if you buy a bag of carrots--- wash and cut them up before they ever enter the fridge.

I also bought a bunch of square and rectangle storage in different sizes for easier fits (than circles).  I wish they were ALL glass, but the plastic was under $1 each compared to $9 for the glass Versaware I covet (and own 3 pieces of).  My hope is to slowly replace these and meanwhile ONLY use them to store and organize fresh foods (never anything hot, etc).  I am thinking of them as organizational bins.  The size I used the most of were the 64 oz rectangular bins.

First-- I tried all sorts of "The Perfect Grocery List", but in the end, I  used this list, which I love-- I hope that link has longevity-- it's: http://www.grocerylists.org/ultimatest/
I use the vegetarian one.

So-- my prep this week consisted of:

-Cleaning out the entire fridge and freezer and labeling shelves
-5 smoothies
-24 applesauce oatmeal muffins
-Cut veggies: cauli, broccoli, carrots, peppers
-1 mason jar salad (want to see how we like it first)
-Grapes
-2 school lunches
-Hard boiling 8 eggs
-Prepping 1 bag dry black beans
-Prepping 1 cup (dry) steel cut oats

It wasn't terribly exhaustive-- the hardest part as I'm sure many of you moms know-- was doing this with my 5 and 2 yr olds running around.  (Last day of Winter Break can be rough.)  It took me 3 hours including all interruptions, but I wasn't terribly efficient this time.

Here are some pictures that I hope help you kickstart your own prep.  I'd like to have done more, but am 6 mos pregnant and figured I'd start slow.  My goal is to be in the swing of this by the time baby comes, otherwise, it'll for sure be another thing I pinned the crap out of and only did once.  ;)  Most blogs I saw said it takes them just 60-90 minutes now to prep for the week.

Definitely worth it to me for the two biggest reasons:
1.  Waste less money
2.  Waste less time during the week
(I know healthy snacks for weight loss are many peoples top reason, but right now I want to save time and money!)

Good luck!

#1 Applesauce Muffins

Applesauce Muffin recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Applesauce-Cinnamon-Oat-Muffins

These will be my go-to breakfast item-- for the entire family.

NO butter in these!  :)

I followed the recipe exactly, except I doubled it, used 2 whole eggs, and used an entire jar of organic applesauce--24 oz.  (Which is just a few extra tbsps applesauce).  

These are DENSE, but pretty healthy, and go great with a cup of tea.

#2 Smoothies

5 ziplocs-- in each one:

1 cut up banana, 4 frozen strawbs, 1 tbsp flax meal, 2-3 spinach leaves

FREEZE

Grab one, dump in blender & add 1 cup almond milk for a smoothie

#3 Veggies

 Cut up carrots (I don't peel, I like the skin, but peel now if you are a peeler.)  Cut up broccoli, celery, cauli, red and green peppers, etc-- put a small amount of fresh water at the bottom of the containers of celery & carrot.

 #4 Mason Jar Salad-- 

on the site I reference above, she has tons of different mason jar salads-- they stay good for 5 days and you just put dressing in and shake it up!

 Applesauce muffins are cooled and going into storage-- the 64 oz container fits 12 muffins.  12 into the freezer, and 12 on the counter.

 2 school lunches (adult and 5 yr old)-- I just kept taking leftovers and putting them into their lunches as I prepped.

 12 muffins and the 5 smoothies in the freezer-- sectioned off in their bins  :)

My two "prep shelves"-- food prepped & ready to be added to something...
 Cut up veggies, hardboiled eggs, beans, grapes, cooked steel cut oats all on my "prep" shelf.

Fridge cleaned out!!!!
Shelves:
Top- Drinks, yogurt, eggs
Next 2- Prep shelves
Drawer- Cheeses/Dairy
Shelf under dairy drawer- Leftovers
Top drawer- Salad Veggies
Bottom drawer- Other Veggies (broc, etc), Fruit

 My girls (2 and 5 yrs) washed and pulled all the grapes off the stems for better storage and easier grabbing/packing while I cut veggies