Breast Milk Storage With Less Plastic

I thought I had thought of all the ways that plastics might come across baby #2 since most of us MommyBetas have made serious strides to elliminate plastics from our homes. But since my daughter arrived two weeks ago, I realized that there was one thing I had failed to consider: breast milk storage. 

My milk came in the day before I had her and I have had a lot of extra to store. I've been pumping and hoarding it in the freezer but when I went to store it, I realized that the storage bags are plastics that will necessitate heating when it is time to serve - a bit plastic no-no! So I went on the hunt for a better solution. 

I found these: Sensible Lines Milk Trays. I bought them on Amazon for a little over $20. Of course I do know that they too are plastic but they don't necessitate any heating. I pour my milk straight into them and freeze. The frozen milk portions are then stored in food storage bags in the freezer. When it comes time to defrost, the cubes go straight into a glass bottle for heating. No heated plastics along the way! 

Some of the Amazon reviews say that the trays warp over time. That hasn't happened for me but I have to think they might warp in the dishwasher. I don't put plastics in the dishwasher so that isn't an issue. 

So far this has been a pretty good solution but I'm open to 100% plastic-free options too. Any suggestions? 

Win It! Bébé Au Lait Nursing Cover

In honor of World Breastfeeding Awareness Month, we are giving away a Bébé Au Lait nursing cover. 

These things are great! They help you nurse in public without the fear of perverted or prying eyes. Even though I am finished nursing, I still carry mine in my diaper bag. It works great as a quick blanket or towel in a pinch.

The whackiest place I ever used my nursing cover was in The Louvre. I pumped my way through a trip to France with my husband when Baby Mo was 6 months old so that my milk wouldn't dry up. We had to ocassionally stop so that I didn't explode and half way through our visit to the famous museum, I decided to pump on a bench right outside the room that holds the Mona Lisa. A mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do! 

If you would like a Hooter Hider, or know a mommy who would, here is what to do: 

• Like us on Facebook
• Post a comment in the comments section of this post (not on Facebook) about the whackiest place that you have nursed or seen someone nursing. 
• NOTE: you must leave your email when you comment. It will be kept private and not shared with anyone. We need it to alert the winner. Entries without emails will be disqualified.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. EDT, Thursday, August 18. Rules and regulations found here.

My Breastfeeding Report Card

When I was pregnant, I read The Girlfriend's Guide To Pregnancy. The author says something really odd about nursing. She said it "feels good." As in a sexual kind of feel good.

I don't mean to challenge what another woman feels but, What!?

I just finished nursing Baby Mo to his first birthday. In my experience, nursing doesn't feel bad but it certainly never felt good...not like that! I have so many questions for a woman who would say something like that.

August is World Breastfeeding Awareness Month: a time to discuss, promote, and support nursing mommies. I figured I would take this time to share my experience nursing my first baby to my goal of 1 year.

Weaning was difficult for both Baby Mo and myself. Around 11 months, he started to show disinterest in nursing at times, and then seemed like he wanted to nurse at other times. My husband had a hard time understanding why it was so difficult. To him, weaning meant cold turkey. Just cut him off. Why is that so hard?

My milk didn't dry up immediately and Baby Mo seemed confused by the change in routine so we weaned down to 2 feedings per day at 11 months. We went to 1 per day at 11 1/2 months and by his first birthday, he was on grass-fed cow's milk. Our last nursing session was on his 1st birthday. I made it!

I can't exactly say that I miss it. It feels SO liberating that my body is my own again after almost 2 years. Plus, he sits with me while he drinks his bottle of milk so we still have those quiet moments together. I cherish the nursing time we had but I was ready for us both to graduate.

As with any graduation, it is normal to look at your report card. I did have to supplement with formula. I tried to keep track of how often and I would say he averaged about 1 bottle per week when I was away or behind in pumping, starting at 3 months old. My husband estimates that he was 98 percent breastfed but I would estimate it is closer to 93 percent - not to put too fine a point on it.

Sure I wish I wouldn't have had to use formula but I do know that I did the best I can. And 93 percent is still an A! That isn't to say that mommies that don't nurse get an F. On the contrary! We are all doing the best we can! But seeing as it is World Breastfeeding Awareness Month, I thought that I would go ahead and congratulate myself a little. I deserve it! I persevered!

I won't break my own arm patting myself on the back. A lot of women don't nurse and are amazing mothers and a lot of women nurse beyond 1 year. And I shutter to think of nursing multiples for that long! This post is to salute those of you who are fighting the good mammary fight - pumping, hooter hiding, and lactating! Pour a little out in honor of the milkboob, ladies!

Win It! Simplisse Breast Pump

UPDATE: Congratulations to Nicole for winning this pump! Be sure to enter this week's contest for Giddy Snacks!

What a giveaway we have for you this week! A $299 breast pump! Specifically, this is the Simplisse Double Electric Breastfeeding Companion!

Normally we only give away products that we have tested and approved personally . Since we all had our breast pumps when we learned of this Simplisse, we enlisted the help of my sister-in-law Nicole.

Nicole's daughter is 7 weeks old and she only had a manual pump so I asked if I could borrow her boobs to give this a test. And bonus! She gets to keep it! I was grateful that she agreed and also glad that she likes the pump! I would have felt awful if it was painful!

I am not a big fan of my pump so maybe in my next life, I'll choose a Simplisse! Here is Nicole's official review. Read below to see how you can win one too!

How was the set up?

The set up was fairly easy. I was able to watch the included DVD for the instructions on how to clean prior to use and set up the machine. I have to say watching the DVD was helpful, glad they included it.

Was it easy to learn?

The pump is very easy to use. I did not have to go through any crazy assembly or set up. 

How did you feel the first time you used it?

At first I didn't think it was working because I was not expressing any milk. The instructions demonstrated how this pump may take a longer pump session in the beginning. I was thankful to learn that I was not doing anything wrong and my body just had to get ready to this pump.

Is it painful?

The pump is not painful at all, honestly at times I am not sure it is doing anything because it is so comfortable. I am quite pleased with the comfort of this pump and how nicely it works.

Is it loud?

The pump is definitely loud, so I certainly can't pump around my sleeping baby. I need to pump when she is sleeping in another room, which does limit the times that I am able to pump freely.

What would it have been like without it?

I would be miserable if I had to live with only a hand pump. This pump has saved me time and energy!

Would you recommend this pump?

I would recommend this pump to any mother who would like to feel comfortable during pumping! 

Anything you would change?

I do wish this pump was a little bit more quiet and I wish there were not so many pieces to take apart and clean after each pumping session. It is a bit time consuming and I am afraid I am going to lose a piece or not clean it properly as the pieces are very intricate.

Here is how a new Simplisse pump can be yours:

• Like us on Facebook.
• Post a comment in the comments section of this blog post (not on Facebook) about why you’d like to win. You must enter a valid email address in the comment form so that we can notify you if you win.  The email address will not display and we will not spam you. We promise!

Contest rules are here. This contest ends on Thursday, May 18 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck!

6 Misconceptions about Breastfeeding

Before getting pregnant, I never thought I would breastfeed. It just wasn’t something that folks did where I grew up (or the people I knew.) I was a formula baby and to be honest, the only thing I heard about breastfeeding was that it was hard.

California – would you believe it? – is very pro-breastfeeding so after some of my friends gave it a go, I decided to look into it more and boy I’m glad I did. This post isn’t about making anyone feel guilty for choosing formula – a lot of moms don’t have a choice. It’s about clearing up any misconceptions about breastfeeding and spreading the positive word of all it has brought me and my baby.

Here are some misconceptions I’ve heard:

• Breastfeeding isn’t intuitive. It is and it isn’t. Babies are born knowing what to do. We moms just need to help them along. Read up on the topic and, if possible, take a class or two. You would never ace a test without studying. Why would you expect to know everything there is about breastfeeding – and there is a lot to know!

• Your boobs hurt! I realize everyone’s experience is different, but I’m here to tell you not everyone’s do. It all depends on your body and your baby. I personally lucked out and didn’t have much if any discomfort and that was mostly related to engorgement when I went a while without feeding or pumping.

• It’s inconvenient. When the baby is born they are eating a lot – every two hours, but would you rather be making a bottle every two hours or just opening your shirt? Same goes for night feedings. Breastfeeding is much more convenient! No need to have a crying baby in one arm while trying to make and warm a bottle.  And, no need to carry bottles on airplanes so more room in your bag.

• Pumping is painful. I’ve heard it can be on your first go and I might have had a little discomfort during a session or two, but in no way did I experience any pain. Again, this isn’t the case for everyone. Some illnesses related to breastfeeding can cause breast pain.

• I’ll be chained to my child. Not true! With pumping you can leave bottles. Natali even pumped enough to go on a week-long vacation! Breastfeeding gives you peace of mind – they don’t recall breast milk.

• I can’t drink. Not true! I have a glass of wine a couple nights a week after putting the baby down. I just have to wait a few hours after to pump. Even if I didn’t have to worry about it, I wouldn’t be guzzling alcohol; I’ve got a baby to take care of!

I hope I’ve shed a little light on my experience for those considering giving breastfeeding a try. I understand it doesn’t work out for everyone. I resolved to give it a go and if it didn’t work out, I would turn to formula knowing I had tried. Breastfeeding is great if it’s a positive experience for mommy and baby. I’ve seen some mommies wear themselves thin stressing over trying to produce. Do what’s best for you and your baby – mentally and physically. Any other misconceptions you mommies have to share?