Baby Gear

One of the things I was never good at during my pregnancies were counting kicks. I would always forget to do it, or I could never remember when was the last time I felt a kick. I would try to keep track of it on paper, but I would loose the paper, or my kids would move it. I was not a model kick counter by any means.

If I had known about the KickTrak by babykick to help keep track of my baby’s movements, I may have purchased it. It is simple, it is a small remote that tracks your pregnancy progress and stores recent kicking sessions. The product seems easy to use and does exactly what it’s sold to do. I think my doctor recommended that I make sure I feel 10 movements within 2 hours. For someone like me this may be useful because I have the worst short term memory.

The kickTrak also can keep previous sessions (10 in total) in memory so that you can see of there are changes in your kick counts. This may be a great thing for timing and tracking contractions. I have never gone into labor so I asked my sister if she would have liked this to help her with timing her contractions and she said she would have loved it, but not at $39.95.

This does basically, what a pen and paper can do for you, but hey! people love gadgets. If you have money to burn and feel the need to count your baby’s kicks electronically, then this is perfect for you, otherwise save your money.

pregnancy, third trimester, kick counting, KickTrak, counting baby’s kicks

When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. I had tried to breastfeed the twins but with having two babies coupled with complications after my C-section, I didn’t go longer then a few days. This time I wanted to be prepared and that meant a new breast pump, so I went out and researched all the pumps and I chose what I hoped was the best one for my needs, the Medela Swing pump.

The Swing is a great compact pump, I love how small and efficient it is! It operates in two modes, using a patented 2 Phase Expression technology designed to mimic the way babies feed naturally. The first phase is a let down mode like how the baby “nibbles” on the breast, and the second is a nursing mode that uses slower, longer and stronger pulses of suction. It has two buttons that let you easily control how strong the suction is.
One of the things I was looking for was a pump that was Bisphenol A-free and the Medela Swing Pump is one of the only ones that are Bisphenol A- free on the market today.
It comes with a great little carrying bag and two bottles for your expressed milk. This swing is so quiet and compact I used it on the NJ turnpike last weekend while three kids slept in the back!
Don’t worry, I wasn’t driving!

This is a great pump with a great price tag, $125.00, (check Amazon often I have seen it go even lower!). It has great reviews on Amazon, and it is so easy to use.

baby registry, baby shower gifts, baby gifts, breast pumps, medela breast pumps, medela swing pump, breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has been a little challenging to say the least. The baby and I have had to work at it. Getting comfortable for me was one of the hardest things to do. I would find myself with backaches and tension in my shoulders from feeding him improperly. Enter the appropriately named My Brest Friend deluxe pillow and all of that is gone.

Every parent has a boppy and the boppy has its place, to help hold the baby or for the baby who is new to sitting up alone, but the Brest Friend pillow is specially designed for breastfeeding. It has a wrap around design that helped to support me and my aching back so much, especially when I nurse at night in bed. It has a velcro adjustable strap that you can adjust with one hand and arm rests for your arms. The pocket is wonderful to keep my utterly yours breast pillow and a burp cloth handy.

Don’t get me started on the fabric, it is soft and wonderful! There are so many fabric types and patterns to chose from. If it gets dirty just take off the slip cover and throw it into the wash it will come out as good as when you put it in. I love this pillow and I credit it and the web site support on breastfeeding with really helping me with nursing. If you know someone who is breastfeeding or you are planning on it, I highly recommend this great pillow.
You, your baby and your back will thank me!

breastfeeding, nursing, breastfeeding pillows, my brest friend, nursing support, breastfeeding support. baby gifts, baby gear, baby gear reviews, new moms

Breastfeeding has been, well, difficult for me. The baby had a tight frenulum, is a sleepy nurser and my breasts were sore from feeding number one! Trying to find great products to help me and my son breastfeed better and longer has been my new mission. I have found a new product that helps moms with just that, the Shower Hug.

The mom invented Shower Hug is a quality knit terry velour stretchy bandeau worn around your bust line. It is made to help support and protect your very sore breasts. You can wear it in the shower to protect your breasts from chemicals in your shampoos and cleansers. It is absorbent but doesn’t get heavy on your body. It also eases engorgement and is supportive for engorged breasts.

It doesn’t only have to be used in the shower, you can use it before you give birth to provide support, for night time so you don’t have to wear a bra to bed but still have absorbency for leaks or like I did, use it on my stomach after my c-section because I didn’t want to get my bandage wet. It really provided the support I needed in my abdomen after the c-section so I didn’t have to carry a pillow around on my stomach when I walked around!

The shower hug comes in white with pink or blue trim. It fits every woman from bra sizes 32A to 42F. Check out testimonials an how to wear the shower hug .

breastfeeding, the shower hug, engorgment, painful nipples, pregnancy, pregnant, nursing

My baby was not ready to come out on his own so my son was born via c-section last week. Kevin Eric was 9 lbs 2 oz 19.25 inches long and is an amazing baby. He is a good eater and since I am breastfeeding that is even more important because I am a novice at it. I can see how many women give up on breastfeeding because it can be a frustrating, tiring experience. I can use any help I can get with breastfeeding and I have found some products that are very helpful and some that are not so helpful.

The Utterly Yours Breast pillow is one of the great products. The breast pillow is designed for women with larger breasts (who doesn’t have large breasts while breastfeeding?!) for support while nursing. The utterly yours breast pillow is a comfortable, wedge-shaped piece of memory foam that holds your breast in position so you can use your hands to position baby properly. It is so easy to use and it has a cover that is machine washable. It comes in cup sizes C to I.

Not only do I love it because it is a mom invented product, but because it really does work. I love mine so much I want to get an additional one, so I can have one upstairs and downstairs! It is so great it even won an iparenting media award! This really is an amazing product for all new moms, and it makes a great shower or new baby gift!

breastfeeding, utterly yours, breast pillow, breast positioners, infants, feeding baby

If I don’t go into labor sooner, I will be having this baby via c-section this morning. Since I won’t be around for a while, while I take care of my newborn and five year old twins, I decided to share with you some of my favorite baby gear. Here are some reviews on things that I cannot live without and things I know you will enjoy:

I love this monitor and will use it for years, they are not just for newborns!

There is nothing like a good swaddling baby blanket.

This nest egg has helped me sleep at night which is a luxury when you are nine months pregnant. I think it will be a great help with breastfeeding too. Go get your own with the coupon, even if you are not pregnant this is great for kids or for travel!

We are trying to be more green in our house and what better timing then when a new baby comes!?

I love these products for Mom. The names and packaging are so cute that I would buy them for that alone! They really smell good too.

I think this is great for the summer. I know I would have to get it if I lived in a state that was hot all year round.

I love this thermometer and couldn’t live without it. Plus it is so much cheaper then it was new to the market and I bought it!

baby gear, reviewing baby gear, toys, swaddling blankets, green baby products, nesting egg, breastfeeding, shower gifts, new baby, infants, toddler gear, toddlers, pregnancy

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There are not many things I needed this pregnancy. I saved all the twin’s old things and gear and besides a few things that couldn’t be saved, I have most everything I need. One thing I didn’t have last pregnancy and I wish I did, was a pregnancy planner. I had so many doctor’s appointments, ultrasounds and testing plus I was working full time, it would have come in very handy. I got one now though, and I couldn’t love it more.

The nice people at Braelynbountybug.com sent me one of their terrific pregnancy planners for my pregnancy. The prego planner is loaded with great tools and is organizing heaven for a person like me. It has a twelve month undated calendar, space for all of your doctor’s business cards, space for notes you need to make for yourself, and space for all of the information you need for forty weeks of pregnancy.
I especially love the sections, they have sections for all of your OB/Midwife information, pediatrician, labor and delivery including a space for notes from your birthing class. They also have a handy checklist of everything you need for your little one’s arrival, and even a space for you to write down what gifts you received and from whom. It even has a pocket in the back which I love for all of my lab forms that I have to carry around until my appointments!

The planner comes in three different styles and is only $38.00. I can’t think of any way I could improve this product! You may want to also check out their tot tags. I think this is an amazing resource for all expecting moms and I will be using it even for the first few moments of the baby’s life with pediatrician appointments, checkups etc. I will suggest this for all newly pregnant moms.

pregnancy, pregnancy planner, prego planner, infants, new moms, new mom gifts, expecting moms, expectant moms, planners, planners for moms