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Products, Reviews

New Mama Toolkit- Sponsored Post

The first few weeks post partum are bliss, unconditional love, joy, wonder, and awe combined with exhaustion, anxiety and discomfort.The reason behind the bliss, love and joy needs no explanation, but as for the others:

Exhaustion due to recovering from giving birth, the constant demands of new tiny human and the infamous sleepless nights-I remember my mom saying, “Don’t worry, he’ll start sleeping better in about four months.” What? Did I really have it in me to make it four more months without sleeping through the night? Yet somehow we all adapt and discover how much we actually can function on no sleep. Here I am almost five years after the birth of my first child, and I have not had a full 8 hours straight since then.

Anxiety because I wondered if I was doing everything right or if I was doing anything right. Where was this supposed maternal instinct? And then I was constantly watching to make sure the baby was breathing…every time he was asleep- also a contributing factor to my exhaustion- and I still find myself doing it!

Discomfort from nine months of a changing, stretching, growing body, going into labor, giving birth, learning how to breastfeed a new creature, and the hormone surges and dips that can lead to sluggish bowels.

So I’ve created a New Mama Toolkit- things to have on hand at the hospital and for the first few weeks at home that can help alleviate some of these discomforts.

A great breastfeeding pillow that can double as a body pillow- one you can put behind your back, between your legs, or even to prop up your own head. Then, when the baby comes, you’re prepared with a pillow you can nurse him on. This will take some of the strain off of your already aching body.

A comfortable nightgown and robe- one that makes you feel good. I chose black so I didn’t have to worry about any possible stains.

Nipple cream, booby tubes, cabbage leaves, a water bottle and a supportive nursing bra to prevent any possible issues with breastfeeding.

As for the constipation, I try to do everything as naturally as I can, and there are ways to relieve constipation during pregnancy and after delivery through nutrition. However I will gladly integrate conventional medicine whenever going the natural route just doesn’t work. (Integrative Mom!)

A few things you can do for sluggish bowels-

1) Take short walks as soon as you can- any movement will help get the bowels moving

2) Eat foods high in fiber

3)Drink plenty of fluids

4) Ask your doctor about taking a stool softener (Absolutely imperative if you are pregnant or breast feeding) a great one to try is DulcoEase® Pink™

DulcoEase® Pink™ Stool Softener contains the #1 OB/GYN recommended stool softener ingredient* ducosate sodium. It Prevents and Relieves constipation, is stimulant free, and provides comfortable relief within 12-72 hours.

stool softener during pregnancy

If you are interested in trying it, click here for $1.50 off a box.

Every new mother’s toolkit should include DulcoEase® Pink™, the #1 OB/GYN recommended ingredient* for going #2. So if you are pregnant or breast feeding, ask your doctor if you should think Pink. Find savings on DulcoEase® Pink™ at www.MomsTalkDulcoEase.com!

*Among stool softener ingredients

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of DulcoEase® Pink™. The opinions and text are all mine.

Products, Recommendations

Balance Bike

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I am not ready for the heartbreak that come with other kids teasing my kids. I could barely handle it when I was young (who can?). And I know it’s just a part of childhood, but WHY? Why does it have to be? How does it start? What’s the difference between those who tease and those who don’t? Where does it come from? I really can’t stand it.

Today as my 4 year old rode past some older boys on his scoot bike, which he has recently mastered and is very proud of, I heard one of the boys say- “that’s a cool bike!!!” I saw my boy beam with the satisfaction of an old-year-old noticing his bike and thinking it cool, until one of the others sneered, “that’s a training bike.”
“Well it’s still cool.” Said the first boy.

I was so hopeful he had only heard the positive.

We went down the path a bit and he said to me- “That old-year-old said this was a training bike and it’s not.” And I could see the wind had been knocked out of his 4 year old sails.

So minor, so the tip of the ice berg, so not important, so only the beginning.

I know I won’t be there to carefully walk him through the insensitive things others say to him, nor will I be there to make sure he isn’t one of the ones saying those things. However I am thankful my worldview is such that I don’t measure my worth by what others think of me. That doesn’t help much in the fragility of childhood and adolescence, but I hope and pray I instill in my boys the self confidence that comes from knowing they were created to be on this earth for a purpose.

But enough about that, let’s talk about the bike.

My son is learning to ride on a scoot bike, or balance bike. It has no pedals, no gears or chains. The point is to teach balance on two wheels and let kids skip training wheels altogether to go right to riding a bike.

balance bike stryder bike

Within the first few days of riding this bike, he was already going down ramps and balancing for long distances. We plan to put him on his bike with pedals and take his training wheels off this week. The only difference is now he will pedal for momentum instead of “running” with his feet.

We have the Balance Bike made by Smart Gear because of the renewable birch wood construction and non-toxic building materials.

Baby Gear, Products, Recommendations

PVC Free Rain Boots!

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The famous i play rubber rainboots that were so worn and loved by my first son have been passed down to his younger brother, and they are just as adored by this child. They are also in remarkably good condition for the amount they’ve been worn.

i play rubber rain boots

 
At the first sign of rain he drags them out, and tries to wear them even when it’s not raining. Of course many times I let him- they’re great for playing in snow and mud, too.

They must be super comfortable, and I’m relieved knowing they are not off gassing any harmful chemicals.

 

Products

Tea Collection Sale Alert!

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Fabulous sale alert! Tea Collection’s semi-annual sale starts today, December 26th, and their entire fall collection is on sale with discounts of up to 50% off! No promo code required. Browse Tea’s fall styles to find adorable outfits! Stock up on comfortable and durable pants for boys. Mix and match girls’ tops and bottoms for endless outfit combinations. Hurry, don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this great sale from Tea Collection! Happy Shopping!