September 30th #BfCafe with MamaPear Designs

Sharing is caring, right?

I'd say MamaPear Designs thinks so too!
Lara believes that sharing with the world that you are a breastfeeding mama means that you care enough to help spread that love!

I bought a bumper sticker from her store that I can't wait to add to my car.
Her items are unique as well as adorable!

Her items are a way to express just how you feel about the thing that means the most for you and your little nursling.
With bumper stickers, t-shirts, mugs, hats and MORE!

As always any topic and question is up for discussion during #BfCafe....
just ask away!

This week I want to bring into light some important breastfeeding milestones.

I will tweet some facts on how breastfeeding has made an impact in our history.

I will share some information about breastfeeding in our country and others with statistics and averages....as well as some trivia!

I would love for you to do some research and bring some findings to the party as well!



As always our wonderful sponsor will have some amazing prizes so RSVP to win!

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
Follow @mamapeardesigns on twitter
Buy something from MamaPear Designs' shop
Write a letter for her "Breastfeeding Blitz" (see her site for details)
Fan MamaPear Designs on facebook
GFC this blog
FB fan #BfCafe
subscribe to this blog via email

Mama Pear Designs Guest Post on Public Displays of Affection

I'm still copying and pasting ALL the wonderful advice you mamas gave to future our breastfeeding generation!

SO.....Since Lara from Mama Pear Designs will be our amazing sponsor this week, I thought I would start the week off with a personal post she wrote for us about Public Displays of Affection!

Thank you Lara!
*Make sure you check out her GREAT site for lactivist wear before I write all about it tomorrow!

PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION
By Lara Audelo
www.mamapearsdesigns.com

I can do it just about anywhere. In a car, in a park, on an airplane, on a bed, on the couch, at a pool, on the beach, standing up, sitting down, while cooking dinner, while eating dinner, really the possibilities are endless. What am I talking about? Breastfeeding of course. I never imagined that when I started breastfeeding my oldest son in January of 2007, that I would be feeding him in so many various places, and positions for that matter. I am now breastfeeding my second son, I have been nursing for 40 months and counting, and I am still amazed at how wonderful this part of motherhood is.

Breastfeeding is the best relationship; it always feels even, not as if one person is taking without giving. I have gotten, and still am getting, so much from breastfeeding my children. For me, it makes the toughest part of motherhood, the feeling like I am being pulled in a million different directions, bearable. Personally for me, motherhood requires more emotional stamina than physical strength, and the calming chemical reactions that take place when I breastfeed, make the job doable. Without fail, every time I feed my baby, I utter the words, “Oh I love you so much” and snuggle him for a smooch on the head. I cannot help it, it is involuntary, and I love it!

As I mentioned I have been breastfeeding for a long time, and I have pretty much committed the act everywhere possible. What I do not understand, and never will, is how feeding my baby can be offensive to anyone. Unfortunately, I have been laughed, sneered, and pointed at while breastfeeding in public. It has never stopped me from feeding my child, obviously his needs come first, but it certainly has made me think and wonder, why women who breastfeed in public are sometimes shamed for doing so. For me breastfeeding is not just about giving my child a meal, it is about affection, the two are inseparable. Breastfeeding is intimate, and not because it involves a breast, but because it is ultimately a display of affection. If you have breastfed your baby, you know that when you look at that sweet face as they are latched on, or as they give you a little smile between swallows, you as a mother melt a little bit, and at that moment really little else matters. Is this intimacy between mother and child what bothers people? I know that some say they are offended by a breast being partially bare in public, but is that really all that bothers them? Or does breastfeeding make them feel uncomfortable, as seeing two people kissing in deep passionate manner, does. I have to think that the discomfort and negative attitudes are about more than just a slight show of skin because we are surrounded by half naked women at all times through the media and in public.

I would love to see the discrimination toward breastfeeding moms disappear, and for no mother to ever feel that she should have to cover up or hide while breastfeeding her baby, all in an effort to make others comfortable. We as a society need to re-evaluate our social norms, and start accepting and embracing one of the most natural displays of human affection there is: breastfeeding.

This week's Motherlove RSVP linky

I gave ya'll a couple days to send some words of encouragement, advice and do-wells.....but I only have 2 comments!

SO......this week if you wanna chance at winning some great prizes from Motherlove....you're gonna have to work for it!

Motherlove is ALL about support. They have amazing resources on their website & they are always available for support, so let's follow in their footsteps and do the same

Before you RSVP:
Go the post below titled "What to expect when you're nursing"
Leave words of wisdom to future moms of breastfeeding

THEN

put in your twitter ID & link

If you are a preggo mama or gathering information for the future...simply go the comments below in the same post & write "preggo" or "info" or something like that!

We are here to share love and information to the world!
You, each and every one of you, that comes and chats shares your experiences across hundreds of thousands of twitter computer screens. I have YOU to thank for continuing to show up and chat! See ya Thursday at 10 EST use the hash #BfCafe

FOR ADDITIONAL ENTRIES TO WIN:
GFC this blog
Fan #BfCafe on Facebook
Follow me on twitter
Follow @motherloveherb on twitter
Fan Motherlove Herbal Company on Facebook


*Winners must have a US address*

What to expect when you're nursing

This week we are linking up with our monthly sponsor Motherlove.

In celebration of Birth Month.....this month has the highest percentage of births
we wanna give out advice to the mamas to be about what to expect.

Advice, concerns, helpful thoughts ALL wanted!
Please take the time to write out your love to the mamas who need the support!

I will bookmark and sidebar this post with the AMAZING comments I am sure you will write so that all the future breastfeeding moms can peruse and learn!

Motherlove will have great prizes again and I will set up an RSVP linky tomorrow night with extra chances to enter for fans/subscribers and those who gave advice!

Tupperware recap and storing your breastmilk

We talked about storing this past week.
Lots of mamas have lots of ways they do things.
I prefer my method....well simply cause it's my method!
I used ice cube trays and then emptied the ice cubes into freezer bags(which I re-used upon consumption of the bag).
I was able to defrost EXACTLY what I needed as each cube is one ounce!
No mess. No waste. No trash.
A totally green way to store milk!
With the Tupperware ice cube trays, they have a seal tight lid, keeping the freezer yuck out of the milk.
Once frozen, we believe that if the cubes were then transferred into a Freezer Mate made by Tupperware that the life of the cubes would prolong the life they normally have!
Regardless of if you cube or not, if you bag...you can simply store your bags inside a Freezer Mate to keep the milk fresher!
*If you're interested in these AMAZING ice cube trays....you will need to email Angela as they are on a super secret sale not available through her website even. They're $12.75 for TWO!*

Moving on to how long:
Do the smell test.
Your baby won't take a sour bottle.
Trust me when I say: YOU'LL KNOW!
You will totally know if your milk is bad...totally.
YUCK.
Here is the kellymom.com link on storing

We talked about SHAKING and MICROWAVING!
Both are no-nos.
Shaking and microwaving causes damage to the live cells in the breastmilk.
Just don't do it...kay?
Swirl the bottle.
I liked to cup the bottle in the palms of my hands to warm the fat deposits that stuck to the sides.
Between the warmth and the swirling, give it 30 seconds and you'll be good to go.

My lactation consultant gave me amazing advice.
She told me not to warm my bottles.
If a baby never has a warmed bottle, they will never long for a warmed bottle.
Isn't one of the great reasons to breastfeed, the simplicity of it?
Just thaw the milk out on the counter for an hour before a feeding and voila'!

Catch us this week with MotherLove again!

New kellogg's Rice Krispies 'Love Letters' Wrapper

Bologna.
There are only 2 things I really remember about the days when my mom packed my lunch.
One was bologna.

I assume at one point I loved it. So....my mom kept packing it. I think she must have packed me a bologna sandwich every day for 5 years.
I now hate bologna.

The other thing I remember is how my mom would write love letters to me on the napkins packed along side my lunch.
I never, remember being embarrassed and I don't remember even saying anything to
my fellow friends but
I'll never forget the comfort and words of encouragement written on my napkins.

I felt so strongly about the 'love letters' that I now write them to my husband!

Funny enough on his 1st day of macho Sheriff's training....I snuck in a love letter.
And wouldn't you know ANOTHER man at his lunch table had a lover letter in his lunch box too!

Well, the next day I did not add a letter and while he was "searching" through his box for his letter the other man was searching for his letter too!

My husband says "I didn't get one today....did you?"

As if they were saddened to not have one!
My husband the 33 year old child.

Needless to say, we now pack re-usable napkins so it's great that I found the new
Kelloog's Rice Krispies with their write on packaging....so I can sneak my letters in more often.

We can have less waste this way and I can still send my daily words of affection.
*If I can manage not to eat them all before I get them packed in his lunch!*
(Maybe I'll just use the write on label to mark which ones are MINE!)

What will you write on your Rice Krispies package?
Any fun or new ideas?

Disclaimer: I was compensated for my time writing this post
and Kellogg's sent me a package of Rice Krispies for review

Tupperware as this week's #BfCafe Sponsor

I have stored pumped milk in MANY ways.

I have screwed on bottles & froze directly in the bottles..... and ran out of bottles by doing so.
I have pumped into milk storage bags....that I thought to be SUPER messy when pouring back into the bottle.
I have pumped into ziplock bags, when I forgot to bring containers to pump into...
which was just as awful as it sounds.
I have pumped into bottles and poured the milk into "breastmilk trays".....only to have them warp and be useless after a few rounds in the dishwasher.
I have pumped and poured into ice trays and then placed the cubes into ziplocks....which I have some well over a year old, still in my deep freeze.



So, lets talk storing.
Let's talk pumping and storing and how many ounces to store in a single container and how long milk should be left in freezer, in fridge or on counter.

Tupperware has some amazing ice cube trays (BPA free) that have a virtually seal tight lid!
***Meaning no stinkiness getting into your precious milk***
These trays are only available until mid-September and you can only get them directly through the representative, they are not available online.

These trays are on sale for a set of two for $12.75...originally $25.50

Dish washer SAFE AND....
these have a warranty!
You really get quality when you buy Tupperware and I will never go back to unsustainable products again!

Speaking of storing, I use the Ideal Lit'l Bowl Set to store our snacks on the road, the Sandwich Keeper Set for our crackers and cheese and PB&Js, the Bell Tumbler Set...which the lids also fit our eco-tumblers for a larger sippy!

We just bought the complete Freezer Mates Set, which is how I would store my milk once it was cubed from their ice cube trays.
Since I no longer pump, we store our meats and leftovers!



And lastly, I wanna show you the pie press I bought to make my very own healthy "un-crustables".
I roll out the healthy whole grain bread and put in organic peanut butter and jelly!
I've also made egg and cheese sandwiches and tacos!



SO.....RSVP to prizes from Angela our Tupperware rep.
Must be present to win & tweet at least once during chat.
Must ship winnings to a US address.



For additional entries:
Book a virtual online party with Angela-5 extra entries
Make a purchase through Angela-5 extra entries
Fan #BfCafe on facebook-1 entry
Subscribe via email to this blog-1 entry
Google friend this blog-1 entry

These are a few of my favorite things!

For now, I've been wanting to tell all the mamas that are new and have been around this past year with me SOME of the TOP items I have reviewed or purchased for my babies! I would love for you to do the same on your blog and we can linky them up!!

I'll start with a list of 10....in no particular order:)

1. Bravado Nursing Tank (well, come on! You knew that was coming!)
2. Baby K'tan (amazing for 1st 6 months of babywearing)
3. Kaboost (loved the product SO much, I purchased another!)
4. Bow Baby Bow (My very first review!)
5. Active Ion (We now have 2 & even DH loves to use it!)
6. Green Acre Designs (Our one true love in cloth diapers)
7. Livie and Luca leather shoes (Amazing quality & workmanship we now have 2 pairs)
8. The Boy's Store clothing (Where the cool moms of boys shop!)
9. Tupperware (EVERYTHING! I love the kids collection & that they have warranties!)
10. Inspired by Finn Baltic Amber Necklace (My lifesaver a MUST for every baby)


Now link your post:

My lack on posts

Hi mamas.

I am so sorry for my lack of posts and the lack of attention I have been giving to #BfCafe.

My sister is going through a crisis and therefore I, too am going through a crisis.

My sister needs me and I need to be ready for her.

I have asked for guest posts and have some ready to go!

I will work hard on getting a few more sponsors lined up!

Be on the lookout for MamaPear Designs and MotherLove again this month.a

BabyBond Review and Giveaway...CLOSED

BabyBond sent me a BabyBond flex to review and give one away!

We've talked about nursing in public numerous times and how being confident in yourself can really be a deal breaker.

The BabyBond is soft. Softer than the "normal" nursing cover of a more scratchy cotton.

The BabyBond fits over your head like a sash. The sash consists of two cotton pieces. One piece you put under your breast and the other is placed over your breast making a peek-a-boo for your nipple!

Your breast is completely covered, no matter what kind of top you are wearing! You can still pull your shirt down or if you have a tank on, you can pull your top up!

I know that I always wear a tank, so little breast shows.....BUT Kingsley has been in this mood where she has been pushing my shirt clear up to my neck exposing my breast. I always keep my hand on constant stand-by to cover my nipple when she abruptly pulls off.
However, with the BabyBond, only a sliver shows and only a person who was in a deep staring contest with your nipple would see what you have been trying to avoid them to see.

There is a "loop" that is on the BabyBond right at the shoulder that holds a burp cloth for last second wipes or dribbles.

The BabyBond comes in 3 different styles and within those styles is a plethora of colors!

The only downside I have encountered with the BabyBond is that when nursing a toddler who is quick, efficient AND VOCAL...is that when Kingsley is done with one side she loudly expresses her need for "other side"....So I have to quickly un-sash and re-sash.
With that being said Kingsley would NEVER stand for any cover being placed over her head so the BabyBond really is an INCREDIBLE option and the only non-covering of baby option other than no cover at all....which there is nothing wrong with that, in my opinion either!

BUY ONE:
Check out the online retailers ALL over the WORLD to see where you can buy your own BabyBond!

WIN ONE:
Mandatory entry: Visit BabyBond and tell me WHICH version AND which color you would chose if you won.
(Winner will receive a size 2 turquoise BabyBond)
Follow BabyBond on twitter
Fan BabyBond on Facebook
Sign up for BabyBond's promotions and updates
Follow #BfCafe on Facebook
TWEET! Include @BabyBond and @zealandsmom (1 entry per day)