Dear Breastfeeding Mom

Dear Breastfeeding Mom:

Wow. You amaze me. There's a special type of dedication required for breastfeeding a newborn. As if housing a tiny stowaway in your womb for nine months and pushing it out like a rocket wasn't enough, you've signed on for another tour of sacrificing your body.

There are certain aspects of breastfeeding that you probably didn't hear about beforehand. The truth is, they may have discouraged you from trying. On the other hand, maybe you read all about them and decided to push forward anyway. In any case, I tip my hat to you.

The first few weeks of nursing were the most difficult as you were both still learning. Maybe your baby had killer instincts and knew exactly what to do. Maybe he needed some help. Maybe she favored the left boob and wouldn't touch the right. Do your local lactation consultants recognize your number? Yeah, you're a dedicated mom.

You probably have a love/hate relationship with your breast pump. I know you feel like a cow constantly being milked. Do your home videos have a soundtrack of that telltale mechanical sucking noise? I hear you.

Nursing in public can be rough. If you do it, you have to deal with judgment, stares, or outright comments from onlookers. If you don't, you may find yourself spending a good bit of time in the backseat of the car while your baby snacks.

If you've gone back to work (or even if you haven't), you may be familiar with fenugreek, nursing tea, and blessed thistle. Maybe you wonder if one of these days you'll turn into a pill from taking so many.

You know better than anyone how much a woman sacrifices to breastfeed her child. Your body. Your time. Your rest. Your independence.

Then again, you understand better than anyone how much you gain from it. Nobody has the same bond with your child that you do. The look in her eyes as she studies your face is precious. She feels safest in your arms. She reaches for you when others hold her. You look at her and see her unconditional love. (Plus, losing that baby weight quickly is a great bonus.)

Whether you breastfed for a week or a year, whether you're still nursing or you've made the switch to formula or milk, you're amazing. It's difficult and requires a lot of work, but the benefits are insurmountable. One look at those big blue eyes or the realization that your child has never been sick reminds you that it's all worth it.

Your child may not thank you now. He may never thank you. But I do. I know what you're going through, what you've been through, and what's on the other side. Don't forget to take the time to recognize your hard work and dedication. You're a wonderful mom. You've done an incredible job so be proud of yourself!

What did you find was the most rewarding part of nursing? What was the most annoying?

Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow Review

There comes a time in every pregnancy when a woman realizes she just can't get comfortable in bed. That ever-growing belly makes it difficult to find a position where falling asleep is possible. Back? Doctor says that's a no-go. Side? Not with the new pressure from a tiny stowaway. Stomach? Not unless you want to squish your hitchhiker. What's an exhausted girl to do? Get used to it! Just kidding.

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For me, my answer came in the form of a large 'C' shaped body pillow called the Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow. After trying regular pillows and makeshift sleep wedges formed from cut up Tempur-Pedic material, I finally gave in and decided to spend a little cash. My sister had recommended this noodle-like cushion and I figured she, as an experienced mom, would know best.

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Oh, Snoogle; I applaud you. This versatile cloud worked wonders for my sheep counting. Total Body Pillow, indeed - stretched out, it's longer than I am. Used against my back, it usually did a good job of preventing me from rolling over. Likewise, it comfortably alleviated the pressure on my belly when I snuggled up from behind. The 'C' shaped top is meant to be used as a head cushion, but I'm fond of my regular, fluffy pillows from the neck up. 


Personally, I found it a bit uncomfortable used that way, but discovered if I turned the top portion away from me while I slept, it was perfect. Whether my husband appreciated a worm-like poke in the face while he slept is up for debate (he says not so much, but I say I grew a person inside me... rock beats scissors).

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Another fun thing about the Snoogle is that it can be used for more than just sleeping. Easily twisted, it also makes for a comfortable back support when wrapped around you during the latest episode of "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant" (and it doesn't hinder you from throwing french fries at the TV when a 115 lb woman has a nearly painless delivery on the bathroom floor of a convenience store).

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The Snoogle can also be used as a nursing pillow once the baby arrives, although I never tried that function. I had a Boppy Nursing Pillow and my Snoogle was immediately retired to the garage to make room for my husband in bed. He was glad to be back after nine months of wondering whether I was actually on the other side.


All in all, I was impressed and satisfied with this pillow. It was a bit pricey when I bought it (around $70 if I'm not mistaken), but I'd say it was well worth it. My latest Google search showed it on sale from Amazon for just under $50. I would recommend this pillow to any expectant mom in need of a good night's sleep.



Dear Expectant Mom

Dear Expectant Mom: 

You're beautiful. You're not fat; you're making room for one more. You're tired, achy, and irritable because you have a tiny person kicking you all day. On the other hand, you have a tiny person kicking you all day. You pee every ten minutes and you can't climb off the couch without help. Even though you've never slept on your belly or back, those are suddenly the only positions that seem comfortable; and, of course, you can't do that (can you say, "Don't push the red button"?). It sometimes takes an hour before you fall asleep and when you do, you have dreams of dropping the baby. You worry about money and whether you'll be a good enough mom and whether you're gaining too much/not enough weight. Strangers want to rub your stomach and that's the last thing you want to think about since you can't keep any food in it. You have to sleep in a sports bra and you can't even remember the last time you wore cute underwear. Breathe.

You're amazing. What you're doing is remarkable. You're sacrificing so much already for the sake of someone you haven't even seen. Pregnancy isn't just a phase you have to pass through before having a child. It's an involved route on your journey into parenthood. Pregnancy prepares you for the sacrifices, inconveniences, and difficult times ahead. But it also readies you for the wonderful changes that are coming. You don't expect motherhood to be easy, so how could carrying a child be any different?

You're deserving of all good things. You're having nightmares of being an inadequate parent because you care so much about being enough for your child. Good enough. Patient enough. Smart enough. Strong enough. You will be. Motherhood has a learning curve; don't worry. Every mother who ever came before you had the same fears and anxieties. You're doing a great job as a mom already - you're taking your vitamins; you're talking to your baby (even if others think you're crazy); and you're loving your unborn child.

You're strong. Waddling around all day isn't easy. Your hormones are racing in every direction and your husband is afraid to stand too close sometimes. That's okay. He knows you're strong, too (that's why he's hiding the frying pans and baseball bats for the next nine months).

You're going to be a great mom. It's okay to plop down on the couch because you're tired. It's okay to cry because that Chevy commercial was so touching. It's okay to scream into your pillow because you're feeling overwhelmed. It's okay to eat mac 'n cheese every night for a month because it's the only thing that doesn't make you puke. It's okay. Whatever you have to do to cope with stress/worries/fears is okay. 

You're beautiful, amazing, deserving, and strong. Your baby may not be here just yet, but you are already a great mom. And that little stowaway already loves you more than you know.

Here's My Baby Bump! Where's My Wallet?

Who knew pregnancy was so costly? Sure, we've all heard it before: "Kids are expensive." We know that. What we didn't know was how much cash it takes preparing for, and finally entering, pregnancy. Apparently, those adorably sticky fingers start pick-pocketing in utero. No matter how many books I read, I didn't expect that.

If yours is a planned pregnancy, get ready to drop some cash. And depending how long it takes the stork to meander to your door, you might just fork out enough cash to pay the salaries of a few EPT executives.

That's right - the pregnancy test. Who knew you could actually master the art of peeing on a plastic stick? I believe the saying goes, "She who never dribbled on her hand has earned the right to proudly stand." Okay, so maybe it's not a widely known saying, but it doesn't make it any less true. I'll bet you didn't expect those pretty, pink predictors to take such a big chunk of your earnings. A box or two might not phase you; after all, only $10 gets you a two-pack. Feeling fancy? Go ahead and splurge on the digital ones. They'll only run you another five bucks. But when that second, third, and fourth month roll around, you'll start to feel your debit card receding into places unknown. Especially when you just know you're going to get that second line this month.

Ovulation predictor kits are another staple of the Fingers Crossed Society. Ranging from an average of $15 for seven to nearly $50 for a one month supply, you'll almost expect them to throw the baby in with the sticks.

It's happened! You got the plus sign or the smiley face (aren't you sophisticated?). Congratulations! Now that you're finished with the pre-pregnancy add-ons, that pittance of a salary might begin to climb again, right? Ha. Welcome to the exciting world of the expanding gut. Now that you can toss out the soggy sticks, along with the stop watch, it's time to add pre-natal vitamins (if you haven't already) and maternity clothes to your budget. Big deal; a few pairs of stretchy pants and some big t-shirts. Well, that's not all. 

Get ready to hit intimate apparel in a whole new way. Gone (for now, anyway) are the days of frolicking in Victoria's Secret to find that sexy, lace number or the newest, heavenly push-up. Instead you'll be running to the nearest Target for some cotton grannies. You may fight it at first, but your increased appetite isn't limited to your stomach. That ever growing derriere will quickly have you turning pro in the world of Ultimate Wedgie. Don't forget the twins 6 inches below your chin. They'll double in size and scream for a more comfortable bra.

It's no surprise daycare will consume a large portion of what's left of your paycheck. What may surprise you is the price of adding your first kid to your health insurance plan. Premiums ranging from $400 to $600 per month for a healthy newborn seem pretty standard, if jaw-dropping. On the other hand, learning that mere weeks before your due date is a great way to induce labor.

While it's true your wallet will shrink as quickly as your belly will swell, there will be some pretty invaluable perks along the way. Ice cream for dinner and your boss hijacking garbage duties are great, but it's that first flutter that really hits you. Despite the multitude of unexpected and pricey odds and ends, the first time you hear your baby's heartbeat is absolutely priceless.