Review: Milk Nursingwear (and $35 Gift Card Giveaway!)

Breastfeeding in public is so much easier when you're wearing one of these great nursing tops or dresses from milk Nursingwear!


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Hanging out with your inlaws? No problem! Milk Nursing tops are comfortable, stylish, and discreet. You can feel relaxed around friends without kids or your old fashioned grandma knowing that they won't see anything besides the back of your sweet baby's head. 

These are all being worn by me, in real life. I love that I am always ready to feed my baby! 

Sleek pink striped scoop neck nursing top
(shown in Small)
You can easily dress up or dress down this adorable striped top. The fabric is soft and the nursing access is so easy. This is the perfect summer shirt.

Milk Nursingwear: Take $10 off $50

My favorite nursing clothing store is offering $10 off your $50 purchase from now until next Wed, 5/20/15.

Here are my favorite summer pieces from Milk:

Review: Mama's MilkBox

My Mama's MilkBox arrived last Saturday and I had so much fun trying on all the comfortable, practical clothes!

The box arrived to my house last Saturday and opening it was like a burst of color. Such a nice experience to have a little box full of happiness delivered right to my door, instead of digging through racks of clothes or doing endless internet searches.

Average Weaning Age in US vs World

Article: Is It Normal to Breastfeed Your Toddler and Beyond?

We are at 15 months and still going strong... I fear the day that we get dirty looks.

The article states:

"The only downside to breast-feeding through toddlerhood is social stigma."

http://m.today.com/parents/it-normal-breast-feed-your-toddler-beyond-science-says-2D80489189

Here's to normalizing toddler breastfeeding for those who choose to do it!

Article: How Do I Get My Kid Out of My Bed

As a cosleeping mom, I hear all the time "if you start cosleeping, you're doomed!". I was so happy when I came across this article from my new favorite blogger, Milk Meg:

http://themilkmeg.com/how-do-i-get-my-kid-out-of-my-bed/

She tells the story of how she transitioned three very different babies out of her and her husbands bed and into their own beds. Enjoy!

My Favorite Mom-Friendly Clothing Brands

A mom's body is different after she has a baby. She also needs clothes that can keep up with her active lifestyle, comfortable and easy to wear. I have a few favorite brands that I have really been into since becoming a mom:

Jag Jeans

This line is slimming, pull-on, high-waisted jeans will keep you from flashing your back while you are bending and crouching playing with or chasing a toddler. They also have have petite, ankle and crop lengths, as well as cords and colored jeans!

Carve Designs

This line of workout inspired clothes feel like pajamas but look pulled together. Love their leggings, Henley tops and striped shirts.

NYDJ (Not Your Daughters Jeans)

Designer feel, super comfort. I loved the way these felt (the jean leggings), but they are pricey. I ended up returning them and keeping the JAG Jeans instead.

Jojo Maman Bebe

Adorable nursing clothes, also can be used for maternity (wish I knew that like 18 months ago!) very comfy and well designed.

Lucy

Wonderfully comfy lounge/activewear. Perfect for long days of playtime and strolling through the neighborhood!

Splendid

Beautiful, soft and colorful clothes. The moment you try on these soft cotton pieces you will never want to wear anything else!

The best part is, all of these brands are available on Amazon!

Originally Posted: 02/12/2015

Breastfeeding - One Year and Beyond

We are still breastfeeding and plan to keep it up for another year. Why not?

It keeps baby happy, it's free and I always have breastmilk with me!

I know a lot of people start to introduce cowmilk at 12 months, but I didn't feel comfortable with that, and this article just reassured my decision-

http://breastfeedingarts.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/whats-the-deal-with-cow-milk-at-12-mos-anyway/

I will keep pumping at work twice a day and on my days off Keira will keep nursing on demand (typically 6-8 times a day).

How could I say no to this sweaty little girl, she looks so peaceful...

Are there benefits of breastfeeding beyond 12 months?

All the health benefits of breastfeeding continue after baby's first birthday, including offering fabulous nutritional content and improved resistance to infections. Children who are still breastfeeding and attend daycare are known to have fewer and less severe infections than non-breastfeeding kids, meaning mama has to take fewer days off work.

Some parents worry that extending breastfeeding could hamper baby's independence, but breastfed toddlers prove the opposite. Children who wean on their own time often seem to gain confidence by taking this step themselves. (And children who are weaned before they’re developmentally ready can sometimes become extra-clingy.)

Breastfeeding can also be a sort of secret weapon for the mom of a toddler; nothing soothes a sick, scared, hurt, or upset child (or their mom) better than nursing. Plus, mom and baby get to continue to enjoy the intimacy of their breastfeeding relationship. As Dr. Jack Newman says in his article, Breastfeeding a Toddler -- Why on Earth?, "Breastfeeding is a life-affirming act of love."

In our culture breastfeeding moms of toddlers sometimes catch some flack, but these policy statements from major health organizations affirm that there are, indeed, benefits to breastfeeding for the long haul:

The World Health Organization says:

"Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to six months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond."

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics:

"Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child....Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother....There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychological or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians:

"Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child and should continue as long as mutually desired….If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2001)

(From: http://m.thebump.com/new-mom-new-dad/breastfeeding/qa/benefits-of-breastfeeding-beyond-one-year.aspx?MsdVisit=1)