October 13, 2016December 15, 2016 - Ashley

Personal Online Shopping For Your Baby

Hey mamas!

I can hardly wait to tell you about this awesome service I was recently introduced to, Baby Bin. It’s convenient, useful and simply fun. This is the perfect service for busy mamas who value usefulness, relevance and quality yet don’t have the time to run around to a million stores – we’d rather be spending that time snuggling our babies, am I right? As a busy new, working mom, I’m all about online shopping and time saving services (hello Instacart, Door Dash, Amazon Prime, etc.) and Baby Bin fits the bill. Baby Bin is a personalized online shopping service wherein a personal shopper (a real life, experienced mama) selects age/developmentally appropriate products for your baby that are shipped directly to your doorstep. It’s like Stitch Fix for mamas + babies. I’m absolutely LOVING this concept right now.

How It Works:

To get started, you enter some information about your baby so that your personal shopper can select items that would be particularly useful for his or her age and stage. You will be sent an electronic preview of the items selected, and get to decide what you want sent directly to your home and what you could do without. You only pay for the items you choose to keep! If you end up deciding that you don’t want to keep anything that is sent to you, Baby Bin has a FREE shipping and return policy for 30 days.

What I Kept:

Of the many recommended items in my online preview, I chose to have the following six shipped to us:

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash – $8
Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment – $9
Guess How Much I Love You Board book – $5
Goodnight Moon Board book – $6
Munchkin Arm and Hammer Disposable Changing Pads– $7
Munchkin Baby Food Feeder – $6

My favorite item and one wish for next time:

My favorite item so far has been the Munchkin baby food feeder – I had never seen this product before, and the timing was spot on as I began introducing solids to Taylor two weeks ago. I put a piece of banana into the feeder the other morning and she seemed to really enjoy gumming it. The only thing I thing negative I can say about my experience with Baby Bin was that I wish that there had been some toy/activity options presented – hopefully next time!

I look forward to our Baby Bin personal shopper introducing us to other useful brands and products, as well as sending practical items I would need to buy anyway – all without having to give up any of my precious time with sweet T. I can’t wait for next month’s Baby Bin!

Want to give Baby Bin a try this month? Click this link to get started!

If you order a bin, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

This post contains affiliate links. All views and opinions are, as alway, 100% mine.

October 1, 2016June 13, 2020 - Ashley 4 Comments

The BEST Lactation Cookie Recipe (gluten free!)

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. The products linked are ones I use and enjoy!

Do you want to increase your milk supply? Are you worried about a dip in your milk production when you return to work after maternity leave, or when your monthly friend finally returns? I know I was!

About a month and a half before I returned to work, I started trying toÂ build up a freezer stash of breastmilk in anticipation of an inevitable dip in my supply. My goal is to breastfeed Taylor up to her 1st birthday, but I knew that wouldn’t be easy with going back to work and I needed a game plan. I would pump once in the evening after I put Taylor to bed, and another time in the early morning, after her 3-4AM feed (find out exactly what I stock in my pumping bag in this post). I noticed I really wasn’t producing much extra, so I started researching ingredients that would give me a needed lactation boost. I came across a recipe that I modified to be almost gluten free (oat flour- yum!) and low sugar, since the concept of intentionally eating cookies all day long was appealing but also not part of my postpartum fitness plan. Exclusively nursing mom’s do need to consume between 300-500 additional calories a day to keep up their milk supply, so make those extra calories work for you and your baby by munching on these cookies.

Even my hubby agrees that they’re DELISH!

Now that I’m back at work, I make a batch of my trusty cookies every few weeks to provide the added milk supply I need to keep up with pumping enough at work to meet Taylor’s needs. Read more about my working mama pumping/feeding schedule in this post. I notice a 3-4 ounce difference between the days I eat the cookies, and the days I do not. So far, I’ve only had to dip into my freezer stash a couple of times, usually during the weeks when I haven’t taken the time to make a batch. [update as of 1/7/16: I am still breastfeeding and successfully pumping at work, and now take this Honest Co. Lactation Supplement, 2 pills once per day, in addition to eating these cookies when I’ve noticed a dip].

increasing breastmilk supply — This is 5 ounces more than I was able to pump pre-cookies.

The key to the cookie’s effectiveness is in their super lactation boosting ingredients. Almost all of these ingredients can be purchased through Amazon Prime Pantry, which is an AMAZING resource for us busy mamas with limited time to get into the actual grocery store. You’ll only need to buy most of the ingredients once (i.e. Brewer’s yeast, Fenugreek tablets, oat flour, etc.) because you only use a bit per batch – well worth the initial investment!

Make sure to check out all of my posts related to breastfeeding and weaning HERE! I truly hope you find inspiration, strategies, and encouragement to keep you going on your breastfeeding journey.

Other Taylor-made Mama posts you may be interested in:

The Best Lactation Cookie Recipe:

Ingredients

1 cup butter softened

1 cup sugar (I substitute this Truvia baking sugar or coconut sugar)

1 cup brown sugar (I substitute this Splenda brown sugar blend)

4 tbsp of water

2 tbsp flaxseed meal

2 large, omega 3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups oat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3 cups of thick cut oats

1 cup of raisins

4 tbsp of brewer’s yeast (NOT ALL Brewer’s Yeast is GLUTEN FREE – the brand linked is!)

9 fenugreek capsules (empty capsules and throw away casings)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Mix flaxseed meal and water, set aside.
Sift together dry ingredients (flour, brewer’s yeast, salt, soda and fenugreek), set aside.
Blend butter and sugars well.
Blend in eggs, one at a time.
Stir in flaxseed mix and vanilla, mix well.
Add dry mixture in three equal parts.
Stir in oats and raisins.
Drop on baking sheet 1 inch apart.
Bake for 10 – 15 minutes.

Ideally, you would space out your cookie consumption throughout the day; when I’m trying to up my milk supply I’ll eat one in the morning, another as a snack at work, and then another in the evening. I always throw a cookie (or two!) in a Ziploc into my pumping bag as a pump sesh snack.

If you find yourself needing a boost in your milk supply like I did, whip up a batch of these and give them 24-48 hours to help you out. Happy snacking/lactating!

September 20, 2016June 14, 2020 - Ashley

Working Mama’s Fall Style (Featuring: JORD Wood Watches)

As fall approaches, I’ve been working on adding in some transitional pieces and accessories to my work wardrobe. I need to dress professionally and conservatively, but many days it’s still hot enough around here that sleeveless is the only way to go. I found three tanks fit the the bill perfectly – this ruffled one, this cowl neck one and this flattering black one. I typically throw a blazer or cardigan over the sleeveless top in case of a cooler morning or blasting AC in the office.

img_5497-2 — Yes, I’m fake checking the time but you get the idea…

<br /><br /> No matter what I’m wearing at work or on the weekend, I always accessorize with a watch. It’s really important to me to be able to easily keep time at work or home. Plus, I think a watch adds an element of refinement & class to a woman’s ensemble. Being a working mom makes me constantly aware of time; I’m regularly checking my wrist to make sure I accurately time my pumping sessions, or to make sure I leave my office in time for my next meeting. At home and on the weekends, I still reference my watch quite often to make sure I’m sticking to Taylor’s feeding/napping schedule, or that we’re not heading home from a date night too late.

My new wear-with-everything watch for Fall and beyond is this gorgeous JORD Wood Watch:

A few weeks ago JORD sent me this elegant and unique wood watch, and I instantly fell in love with it as well as this high quality brand. It is the perfect transitional timepiece that I can wear into any season, both at work and on the weekends. I can pretty much wear it with every outfit I come up with, and it looks great layered or as a stand alone statement piece [my go-to!]. I chose the Frankie in Ebony 7 Gold, but there are so many other awesome styles and colors of JORD women’s watches to choose from. They have SO many beautiful styles, you are bound to find your favorite! Their men’s watches are super cool too and would make a PERFECT fall birthday, Christmas or just because gift for a man in your life [hopefully AJ isn’t reading this…]

If you love the look and quality of these watches as much as I do, then click THIS LINK to enter for a chance to win $75 toward your very own JORD Wood Watch. Only one person will be the $75 winner, but JORD will send you a $20 code to shop their site JUST for entering!

To enter all you have to do is click THIS LINK and enter yourÂ name, email and favorite watch.

How easy is that?!

Happy entering and GOOD LUCK, Mama!

This post was sponsored by JORD Wood Watches.

September 8, 2016June 14, 2020 - Ashley

Teething In Style (featuring Happybébé)

I was quite surprised to discover that Taylor already had two teeth buds popping through at only 3.5 months old! The perma-spit soaked onesieÂ and St. Bernardesque drool definitely clued me in that teething was right around the corner.

If your babe drools as much as my lil early teether does, then you know they can easily require 3-4 soaked top changes a day. Not the end of the world, obviously, but it’s definitely a hassle to change out an entire outfit.

A better solution? BIBDANAS!

Somebody is excited about her new accessory!

Bibdanas are much easier to swap out than going through multiple shirt/outfit changes – simply snap on and off. Plus, I feel they add a little bit of flare to even the simplest of outfits. Throw one of these over a plain onesie and, voil¡, your babe is stylin’! These are definitely a must-have baby item.

Happybebe makes SUPER soft and absorbent bandana bibs that also happen to come in incredibly cute patterns for boys and girls. They’re by far my favorite bibdanas I’ve come across! Bonus – they are also very reasonably priced. I highly recommend picking up a 4 pack for your babe, or as a gift for someone else’s. Happybebe bib bandanas would also be a unique, fun add-on to a baby shower gift for a mama-to-be.

Our babies are gonna drool, so why not let them do it in style?!

Starting today, you can receive 10% off all Happybebe products on Amazon using the promo code MYBEBE10.

Thank you to Happybebe for sending us these adorable bibdanas, just in time for my early teether –

We LOVE them!

Taylor’s headband: Hello Kait

Onesies and Shorts: Gap/Old Navy

Shoes: Old Navy

Stuffed animals: Jellycat {see below}

September 5, 2016June 14, 2020 - Ashley

Toy & Gift Ideas for Baby

This post may contain affiliate links. You can trust that views are 100% mine.

If you are anything like me, the plethora of baby toys out there is completely overwhelming; the potential of wasted money and unused toys laying around the house seems inevitable. In this post I will share the developmentally appropriate toys that Taylor actually engaged with from 0-4 months old, and at which month I introduced them to her. Hopefully this will help you narrow down the field if you are in the market for your own babe, or a gift for someone else’s. Of course, every baby is different and will gravitate toward certain toys according to their individual interests, but I’d bet that most of these are universal baby favs!

In choosing toys for Taylor I asked three main questions:

Based on research, which toys are best for development?
Which toys will my baby actually engage with at what month/age?
Which toy are not so completely obnoxious that I won’t be able to stand having them around?

A great source to answer the first question is a blog written by a Mama/Occupational Therapist:
Mama OT. She has great toy and gift guides that list items that will support the development of little ones at various ages and stages. I definitely bought Taylor several toys based on her advice. I also work with Occupational Therapists and School Psychologists regularly in my line of work, and the gifts they gave Taylor are also included in this list – I’d say they are pretty trustworthy sources for developmentally appropriate toys as well!

Month 1

During the first month of life newborns are sleepy little blobs of cuteness that can’t do a whole lot else but eat/poop/sleep, but it’s still important to introduce sensory stimulation – auditory, tactile, and visual. They can see objects 8-10 inches away but can’t make out details or the full color spectrum just yet. They also like to look at faces, especially Mommy and Daddy’s! I bought Taylor several black, white and red high contrast items that she was really into (she was particularly taken with the beaver on the Â crib bumper shown below!).

Below are the 5 items she focussed on most during her first month:

Black and white crib bumper

Baby Faces board book:

Black and white board books like this one:

Skip Hop Alphabet Zoo Activity Mirror:

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy:

Month 2

At 2 months old, colors and high contrast items are still super important to stimulate a baby’s visual senses. They’re starting to figure out the world a bit more by this point. This is a great time to introduce a play gym – you can rotate the hanging toys every few days or change your babies position to open up a whole new visual world. Play gyms, like the one I linked below, are also perfect for tummy time as there is plenty to look at and touch on the mat itself.

HereÂ are some of items that we used a ton during Taylor’s 2nd month:

Set of rings (we use these to dangle toys from her stroller bar or bring objects on the play gym nearer to her vision/reach. She also just liked to watch a chain of rings dangled in front of her.):

High contrast books (ones with repetition, colorful pictures, bath books, or indestructible/board books for teething later on are best):

Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball (she loves this ball even more now that she can grab and not just stare at it!):

Skip Hop play gym:

Month 3

At 3 months your baby will likely begin to touch, bat at, or even grab everything within reach. I tried to find toys I could place in her hands that she could hold onto as she developed this new physical skill. Here are a few toys that Taylor enjoyed and could easily grasp at this age:

Oball and Oball rattle:

Lamaze MusicalÂ Inchworm (this was her BFF for several weeks.):

Are You My MotherÂ cloth book (T LOVES to pull the little stuffed bird out of the nest!):

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Activity Toy:

Month 4

During month 4 you’ll probably notice your baby’s improved hand-eye coordination, closer attention to the books you’re reading him/her, and the beginnings of understanding cause and effect. Your baby might even begin teething like Taylor did! As I write this, Taylor is in the tail end of her 4th month.

Here are the toys we added into the rotation this month that she has enjoyed playing with:

Lamaze Firefly Freddie (this is seriously the toy to replace all toys for her right now – it even has a teething piece attached! We hook this up to the center of her play mat and she goes to town !):

Sassy Rattling Ring (we dangle this from her play gym using a few of the rings for easier access. Also great for early teethers):

Sophie the Giraffe (another awesome teether, plus there are cute board books to go along with her!):

Ring stacker:

Well, there you have it – our list of developmentally appropriate, engaging toys that aren’t too tacky : )

Up next in my developmental toy “to-buy” queue are a Play Cube and Play Table. I have my eye on these:

What toys did your baby like best? Help me get ahead of the game – what toys did your baby and toddler really like from 4 months and older? Thank you!

August 30, 2016April 20, 2017 - Ashley 17 Comments

How To Be Confident In Your Postpartum Body

Have you lost all the weight you gained during pregnancy, or maybe none at all? Maybe you’ve even gained a few extra pounds? Is your skin looser, your belly softer? What about stretch marks? Are your muscles less defined? How about finding cellulite in places you don’t remember having it? Do you wake with heavy, dark-rimmed eyes from lack of sleep?

Well, I have something to tell you and I want you to really hear it – you are BEAUTIFUL.

Society puts so much expectation and value on “getting your body back” or keeping up with a certain standard of postpartum put-togetherness. But the truth is that your post baby body and self really is beautiful, in the very truest sense of the word.

When you get down onto the floor to play and interact with your little one even though your knees and back ache, you are beautiful.

When you wake in the middle of the night – eyes half closed in delirium – to nurse or warm a bottle for your sweet baby, you are beautiful.

When you hold your little one after they’ve fallen asleep until your arms ache and burn, just so you can savor the closeness for even a few minutes longer, you are beautiful.

When leggings are all that fits comfortably over your new, softer shape as you get ready in the morning for your 24/7 shift of mommyhood, you are beautiful.

When the muscle you worked so hard to build has dwindled away, but the extra hours you once spent lifting in the gym are now spent lifting and nurturing your babe, you are beautiful.

When you sacrifice your sleep, your time, your figure, your career, and even your sanity sometimes, all for the benefit of that precious gift you’ve been given, you are so very beautiful.

You held and sustained a life within you for 9+ months, and you give your all to nurture that same life now. Eventually the weight will come off, the bags under your eyes will lighten up as you’re able to get more sleep, the stretch marks will fade, and some day {when your little one isn’t so demanding} you’ll have the time to “get your body back” if you choose to. You may also decide that goal is not as important as you thought it would be, if at all.

You are a different woman now; you’ve changed from the inside out, just as your body has. You are more compassionate toward yourself and able to see more clearly what truly matters. You appreciate what your body was able to accomplish and are in love with the product of your labor, quite literally. Your priorities and perspectives have shifted and you know in your bones that you are beautiful just as you are, physical reminders and all. If you can’t feel this right now, allow yourself to start to. It’s the truth and a foundation for confidence worth cultivating.

You are beautiful, Mama. Believe it.

August 23, 2016June 14, 2020 - Ashley

10 Breastfeeding Must-Haves For New Mamas

This page may contain affiliate links. Views are 100% mine.

First of all, let me start this post by saying that however you feed your baby – be it exclusively pumping, breast or bottle feeding – is awesome. I have no opinion on what is “best” and I don’t think that’s something for anyone to judge. I know many women who wanted to breastfeed their baby but couldn’t, and others who could have but chose not to. All of their babes are growing and thriving because they are being FED. So, to each mama their own!

If you are able and choose to breastfeed like I have, it really helps to know which of the MILLIONS of products out there are actually useful, since there are so many on the market. The list below includes the exact items I have used, liked and had success with. Some of these items I also included on my baby registry essentials post as well. I hope this list is helpful to new mamas who are going the breastfeeding route!

1. Burp cloths

We use Gerber disposable cloth diapers in lieu of burp cloths. I swear at one point I had one of these hanging off every couch arm, chair and bedpost in our home. Taylor had reflux so we may have used more than the average family. I bought three pack of 10 which makes it so that I’m never without several on hand, even if I haven’t done laundry in a while. They are cheap, soft, super absorbent, and I don’t care if I have to throw one away occasionally. You can also place one under your baby’s head for side-lying nursing, so that you don’t get any spills from their little mouth onto your sheets! I think cloth diapers are a pretty good substitute for their oftentimes more expensive burp cloth counterparts, even though these are really, really cute!

2. Breastfeeding pillow

The designer of the My Brest Friend nursing pillow is seriously a genius. As a new mom, you and your baby both are trying to figure out this whole breastfeeding thing. It’s not easy by any means, so at least you can be as comfortable as possible during something you’ll spend A LOT of time doing in those first weeks and months. The adjustable, noiseless release {trust me, this comes in handy} buckle allows the pillow to wrap around you to provide nice lumbar support. Unlike a Boppy or other nursing pillow, the surface is very sturdy – I called it my baby tray – that your babe won’t sink down into which really helps you keep good posture.Lastly, the pocket is perfect for storing items you’ll want handy (i.e. TV remote, cell phone, baby nail clipper/file, nipple cream, natural hand sanitizer, mini lotion, etc.). I do recommend having an extra slipcover for it for when you have to change it due to the inevitable spit up, blow out, et. al. They even make a My Brest Friend for nursing twins!!

3. Bra pads

Protect your bras/camis {and your dignity if you’re leaving the house} by throwing a pair of these in. If you don’t, especially in the first few months of breastfeeding when leaks are bound to happen, the milk can leave stains on your clothes. It’s a good idea to keep a couple spares in your diaper bag and/or pump bag just in case you’re out and about and have forgotten to pop them in before leaving. These disposable nursing pads by Hey Mama are soft,absorbent, reasonably priced, and can we talk about the adorable packaging? They also make a cute tin of all natural, nice-smelling nipple salve!

4. Breastmilk storage bags

I recommend these storage bags for any pumped breast milk you will not be feeding your baby right away. I store them in 2-3 oz increments and lay the bags flat in the freezer union they are frozen, which is a big space saver. When it’s time to use the milk, you can easily defrost it under some warm water, pour into the bottle and voila! These are great if you want to create a stash of your breastmilk for when you go back to work.

5. Nipple shields

These look a little bizarre when they’re in your bra, but I swear you will not regret having these for those first few weeks while your body is still getting used to breastfeeding. Trust me, having raw skin rubbing on the inside of your bra and shirt has to be one of the most uncomfortable feelings ever, and these were the only way I was able to alleviate that discomfort. Even if you only need to use them a couple weeks, they’re worth the small investment. I didn’t know about them until one of my best girlfriends clued me in, so I’m hoping I can pay that forward!

6. Lanolin Cream

That same girlfriend of mine once compared the feeling you have the first few weeks of nursing to a thousand fire ants. Need I say more? The Lactation Consultant at the hospital gave me a sample tube of this Lansinoh cream and told me to use it before and after every feeding, which at the time I thought seemed unnecessary/overkill.Some women have better or worse experiences than I did, but all I can tell you is that using this cream before and after every nursing session was the only way I was able to persevere through the initial discomfort. Don’t get discouraged if it’s painful for several weeks – it was for me. Stick with it, because it truly does get better. If your pain seems greater than normal I would definitely suggest talking to a Lactation Consultant if you can, as soon as you can – they can help with latch and/or positioning issues that could make the difference.

7. Extra storage bottles

If you plan to pump, you will definitely need extra bottles to go with your pump. I store 4 empty Medela bottles/lids in my pump bag every day, as well as a couple extra lids just in case I forget. You can pop these in the freezer or transfer the pumped milk into storage bags. You can see the rest of what I pack in the pump bag I carry back and forth to work in this post.

8. Nursing Tanks/Bras

A nursing cami and yoga pants was my uniform for the first month after Taylor was born. It just makes life easier – who wants to fuss with anything else when you have a hungry, screaming newborn in your arms?

There are so many out there but here are the tanks, bras and sports bras I actually like that have held up to many, many wears and washings. The Cake bras are by far the most comfortable, in my opinion : )

{I bought some cheapy ones early on but they were not supportive or functional enough. It’s worth the investment, especially if you plan to nurse for a while}:

9. Nursing cover/scarf

There are all different styles to choose from, many of which can be disguised as just another part of your outfit. I have several different nursing covers; I store one in my pump bag, one in my diaper bag and one in my car just in case. I love wearing my black infinite nursing scarf for travel days – super convenient. And, hey, if you don’t want to cover up at all then don’t. I’m all for normalizing breastfeeding in public if that’s your comfort level!

Below are 4 different styles to consider:

10. Water bottle

Last but not least, a good water bottle WITH a straw. One of the most important things you need to do while you’re breastfeeding is to stay hydrated! You will be especially thirsty in the first few weeks as your supply is coming in. If you become dehydrated, your supply may dry up as well. So yeah, water {and lots of it!} is pretty darn important. Just when you thought you’d get a break from the pregnancy induced 20 bathroom trips a day…. The straw piece just makes it easier to hands-free, lean over and sip on while nursing or especially if you have to pump (i.e. when/if you return to work.). I have two of these, and plan to order two more to keep at work so I can cut down on one thing to schlep back and forth.

There are my top 10 breastfeeding must-haves for new mamas! Enjoy the special bonding time of feeding your babe, however you choose to : )

August 12, 2016September 13, 2017 - Ashley

How To Pack For Travel With a Baby (featuring EZPacking)

Last weekend AJ and I took Taylor down to San Diego for a 4 day mini-vacation, her first ever trip away from home. We attended the beautiful, heartfelt wedding of some of our very best friends – AJ was actually the officiant! My parents graciously flew down so that we could attend the wedding and related festivities, and I know Taylor had a blast spending special time with her Grammy and Grandad. It was a fantastic trip and Taylor, per usual, was a rockstar!

I have to admit that I was pretty nervous about the whole traveling with an infant process beforehand: from how to pack all the things she needs day to day, to hauling around all our baby gear, to how she’d sleep in an unfamiliar hotel room, and how on earth to pack all of her things in my suitcase in a way that wouldn’t be a complete mess.

I want to share a product I found that made the process of packing and accessing Taylor’s things SO much more organized and enjoyable – EZ PACKING CUBES. These packing cubes made packing all the many baby things and accessing them upon arriving at our destination so simple (hence the” EZ”!).

I purchased the Starter Set, which is one cube in each of the four sizes. The company was gracious enough to also send me a laundry bag to go with the set which ended up being crucial for all those dirty onesies and burp cloths throughout the weekend!

Here are 4 reasons why I’ll never pack without the EZPacking cubes again:

They are transparent. I was able to easily find the things that I packed for Taylor and keep everything organized as I didn’t have to rumple through all her clothing looking for a particular item.

2. The cubes can be packed to utilize the entire height of the suitcase – so, no wasted space! I was able to pack ALL of my things + Taylor’s easily, as you can see here:

3. They come in several different colors (black, green, pink, blue and gray), which would be perfect for mamas packing for more than one little and sharing a suitcase. If/when we have another addition to the family, I know this will make packing for/vacationing with two so much easier. Seriously, an organized mama’s dream:
4 colors 4. I was able to quickly set up an organized, little makeshift changing station in our room, then pack it and all her other cubes up in about a minute when it was time to leave: