Flying with Children

A question came in from a friend of mine. Let her know what you all think. Has anyone had to experience this?

"In your opinion, how early would you fly with a baby? Would you buy another ticket for the baby to be safer? What suggestions do you have for flying with an infant?

I am going to be in my friend's wedding. Her wedding is March 29, 2009. My baby is due December 12, so the baby would be around 3 months old to fly with. My husband will be at school, so I wouldn't be able to leave the baby plus I plan on breast feeding.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated! 

Maryanne Nelson"

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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every week with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

What to Wear

As I mentioned in response to a previous post, I've really gotten into wearing my new baby. I loved carrying my older son in a sling or Bjorn when he was a baby, but didn't do it very often because it quickly got uncomfortable. My second son, born in February, has been much more of a challenge. He was very colicky, has acid reflux, and loves to cuddle (which is not a challenge, but does take lots of time!). I found that the only thing that made him happy was being carried or worn. He, like his brother was, is a heavy baby (5 months, 19 lbs.) so the Bjorn and sling I had were not going to work. I also battle carpel tunnel in my wrists while I'm nursing, so just carrying him is very painful. I headed off to the Internet to see what else was out there and oh my goodness, there are a lot of options. I decided to get an ergo baby carrier, and a solarveil sling. I also had my mom make me a sling using some directions I found online. So for I'm very happy with all the carriers I have. The ergo is great for long walks and chores around the house. It can also be worn on my back if I'm willing to let the baby spit up all over my back. I love my solarveil sling for hot days. It keeps both of us cool and protects the baby from the sun. Now that the fabric in my homemade sling is starting to soften I really like it. It is a pretty color and works great at church.

I guess I'm sharing all this because I've found what started as a challenge with my son, has led me to some very enjoyable moments with him. I love that he so close I can kiss his little head all the time. I love that I can quickly get him to sleep if nothing else is working. I love how easy the 3 hour block at church has become when the baby can sleep in the sling and I don't have to wake him up to go to the next class. Mostly I love that I can still get out and do the things my toddler wants to do, even if his brother needs to be held.

If you would like more information on different ways to wear your baby, check out The Baby Wearer website. While I'm pretty new to babywearing, I can try to answer any questions you have as well.

Also I recently came across a contest to win a "stash" of 5 baby carriers. Maybe you'll win, but I'm secretly hoping I will. I'd love to try something new, like a pouch, mei tai or wrap!
Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride (one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap)
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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every week with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Not sure if I'm over exaggerating...

Sorry for the delay in posts. I took advantage of the long weekend and got some much needed rest!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July. It's totally a new experience sharing it with a little one. I feel so blessed to have my family with me!!!

I have another question for you guys. I've noticed over the last little bit that my little girl has started pulling on her ears. I'm slightly worried because my experience says that when a baby toughs on their ears there's usually something going on with them (i.e. ear infections) however, she doesn't fuss anymore than usual (needing to eat, getting tired, or wanting a diaper change). Is she just at that age where she's realized she's got something growing out of the side of her head and she's curious about them or should I make a point to ask the doctor about them when we go in this month? I'm thinking we're not at a ear infection just yet because there's no fever or fussy nature but growing up my little brother never got fevers with his ear infections and it's just making me wonder.

Am I over anxious because she's my first and I'm looking for something to be wrong or should I just be excited that my little baby has discovered a new body part and is excited to explore it through the miracle of touch?

Do any of you expert mothers have any advice? Is this something you've all noticed before?

Thank you for your help!!! I'm really grateful you're all so willing to openly share advice with me.

- Cheris Vreeken
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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every week with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Thoughts on reading

The last few weeks I've been thinking a lot about starting a "library" for my daughter who is only 4 months old. I've been slowly getting books from my mother who gets them from a program through the school that she teaches at and each time I get a new one we sit together and read it. I know that she can't yet comprehend what I'm saying or possibly even make you the pictures but it's fun to just sit together and hope that she's getting something out of it.

I'm wondering what other mom's think about reading to children, like when you started and what you looked for in a book. The books we have now are simple but they are probably more fit for a child that is a little older because it's all paper. I really want to get a few board books but I don't know exactly what to start looking for.

What do you guys think about reading to a baby? Is it too soon to start? Should I start in a specific place? Do any of your know of any good publishers for books in our age groups?

Thank you!!!

Cheris Vreeken


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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every week with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Those Hazy, Lazy, Crazy Days of Summer

courtesy of sxc.hu.com

It's just barely the official start of summer, yet here in Phoenix we have been in triple digits for quite a while.  Too many consecutive days hitting above 110 degrees.  It is physically impossible to enjoy the outdoors.  We are dangerously close to getting too stir crazy at my house.  I smell a mutiny looming in the too near future.  So today I thought it would be fun if we shared fun activities for kids during the summer.  I know I need as many as I get get, before there is an uprising in my house.  You can only play indoor basketball for so long.  Anyway, I'm sure many of you have great ideas.  So don't be shy and leave fun, cool activities that work for you and your kids in the comments.  Or leave ones that don't, maybe they will for someone else.

Happy Summer!

*Using colored tape, make a hopscotch court in your house.  This is lots of fun, even for my boys.

*Make a fort.  This is hours of fun.  Can lead to a big mess, but I'd rather have something to do than listen to, "I'm bored.  I'm bored.  I'm bored.  I'm bored."  

*Visit the library.  Find out when they have storytelling time and take the kids.

*Find a children's water park nearby.  Not only will your kids have fun while cooling down, you cool down a smidge just by being by the water.

*Go in on a zoo membership with a friend.  Then you pay a little more than one trip to the zoo once, and the rest of your visits are free.  Most zoos have children areas, which even include water features.  This is a great place to go to cool off and learn.

Ymonica

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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Questions

I have a friend from work who is pregnant with her first baby and is looking for some advice from the group. She writes:

"So I have some questions for the mommy blog since I'm 15 weeks pregnant and starting have some trouble with some things.

1. What things helped you stay asleep on your side during pregnancy? I was doing well sleeping on my side and now that past week, it's been so hard plus going to the bathroom constantly...I have not been sleeping well. I wake up and find myself sleeping on my back which I know is not good especially later on. I'd appreciate any ideas. I know about those big body pillows, but I don't want to buy one if they're way expensive.

2. Eating for me is difficult, especially trying to eat every 2 hours foods that are healthy. So if anyone could share maybe a whole day's worth of meal ideas that worked and tasted especially well when you were pregnant and that doesn't use a lot of dishes. I'm really interested in more natural foods, not prepackaged meals that are easy too.

- Maryanne Nelson"
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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Green is more than just a color...

   Something I have always been passionate about is making sure I leave this world better than I found it.  At a young age I knew how important recycling and not being wasteful was.  I have always had a love of the outdoors and wildlife.  I considered many times what it meant to be green.  So often we hear how important it is for us to live "green."  Once upon a time, I thought to live green meant one lived a hippie lifestyle out of their VW van and lived off of a diet consisting only of tofu.  More recently than this, I simply thought it was just too expensive and even at at times an inconvenient way of life.  You'd have to buy solar panels, a new car, all new appliances for your house, and convert from gas to vegetable oil which you would have to buy from restaurants all over town, just to name a few expenses and inconveniences you would incur.  While all these things are great, they are not necessary necessities.  

   As a mother with a home of my own, I want to make sure I teach my children to keep this planet beautiful.  So I have done a lot of research and tried a lot of different things out.  I am by no means an expert, but I consider this a hobby of mine.  No matter how you feel about global warming, one thing is for sure, we must take care of this planet.  She is our home, and more importantly, the home of our children.  It is our responsibility to teach our children how to care for the earth.  And there is no better way to do this than by example.

   So for the next few weeks I am going to share some easy and cheap ways you can make your homes "green."  The first one is using white vinegar.  That's right, vinegar.  It's great, and super cheap, too.  The benefits of using vinegar are endless.  Straight 5% vinegar, which you can buy at any grocery store, kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold, and 80% of germs.  And it isn't harmful to breathe in.  What's better than that?  You might be wondering if my house reeks of smelly feet, and I can honestly tell you that it doesn't.  The odor goes away within a few hours, and sometimes does not stick around at all.  So here is a list of all the wonderful things you can use vinegar for;

1.  It actually eliminates odors.  Half a cup of vinegar added to a toilet bowl and left over night will remove odor.  

2.  For cleaning your dishwasher, vinegar frozen into ice cubes, add to the bottom of the dishwasher just prior to a cycle.

3.  Save money on washing pre-spray by spraying neat vinegar on deodorant and other stains on clothes just prior to washing.  (Vinegar even gets out chocolate milk)

4.  Vinegar can be used as a fabric softener by adding half the amount of vinegar as you would have with your usual softening agent.  I just pour it into one of those downey balls and toss it on top of the clothes as the cycle starts.

5.  Use as a glass cleaner.  You can use full strength or mix with water.  I use full strength and I love it.  It makes my mirrors so clear, and doesn't leave behind a filmy residue.

6.  Use full strength vinegar to polish chrome or stainless steel.  I use it on my appliances.  It works better than any stainless steel polish I have tried.

7.  Spray around doorways and other areas to repel ants.  They hate vinegar.

8.  Use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water to clean your iron.  Add the mixture to your iron  and let it steam itself clean.

9.  Revive old paintbrushes by dipping them into heated vinegar for a couple of hours.  Then rinse with soapy water.

10.  If you use cloth diapers, I secretly admire you, simply add half a cup of vinegar to the water

in the cleaning bucket.  

   So there you have it, cheap and easy ways to save the planet, 1/2 cup of white vinegar at a time.

-monica

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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Fun cleaning tips for ALL ages!!!

Just recently I was sent this press release from a blog contributer. In it there are fun ways to get your children interested in cleaning and chores around the house. I hope this helps some of you out as summer starts to come around and all of our kids become a little more active each day.

It comes from THE MAIDS Home Services:

"Summer is here and kids are looking for fun both inside and out. If your home pays the price in kid-sized messes, get the kids involved in cleaning using these fun tips from THE MAIDS Home Services.

* Don’t expect kids to use adult tools to clean, instead create supplies that are kid-friendly. Use an ice-cream pail for mopping chores or shorten an old mop handle or broom to make it kid-sized.
* Fill a squirt gun from a solution of a gallon of water and a drop of dish soap. Let kids squirt windows and mirrors and wipe dry with paper towels. Leaves glass clean and streak free!
* Cover kids’ hands and arms with dad’s old athletic socks then squirt the socks until lightly damp with a safe solution of vinegar and water. Send them off to dust around the house.
* Got a pile of blocks or action figures strewn on the floor? Scoop up toys in a few swoops using a kid-sized leaf rake to form a pile for easy pick-up.
* Make cleaning a game; give young kids grill tongs and challenge them to pick up toys and put them in a toy box or bin only using the utensils. Keep score and see who wins!
* Don’t forget the fun music to help your kids get a groove on as they boogie around the house cleaning."



For more information, visit THE MAIDS Home Services’ web site at www.maids.com or call 1-800-THE-MAIDS, “Nobody Outcleans The Maids.”


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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

I honor of Father's Day

I got this email from chrisblakemusic@yahoo.com today and in honor of Father's Day I thought I would put it up.

"Here's a little playlist for daddies on Father's Day.

1. Still Fighting It - Ben Folds
2. Lullaby - Chris Blake (that's me!)
3. Danny's Song - Kenny Loggins
4. Father and Son - Cat Stevens
5. Just the Two of Us - Will Smith
6. Daddy - Beyonce
7. Father and Daughter - Paul Simon
8. Daddy's Tune - Jackson Browne
9. Daddy - Wyclef Jean
10. Daddy - Red Sovine

I'm offering up Lullaby free for Father's Day at: www.myspace.com/chrisblakemusic.

I just put out a new alternative pop/rock album called WAVE and was a recent finalist in 95.5 KLOS' Battle of the Fans. I write about relationships, global warming and Steve Perry!

Listen.com once wrote, ”Chris Blake doesn't hit you over the head with his acute emotional awareness. Like a good artist, he waits by the door, strumming his guitar faithfully and hoping you'll hear what a sweet, insightful guy he really is.”

Al Bowman of the L.A. Music Awards heard WAVE and said, "Great album. Listened to it several times. Very, very good. Very good."

WAVE is available on CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon, and just about anywhere music is sold or streamed online.

Thanks!"

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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Cool Products - Napkleen

"I thought you might be interested as it is the perfect disposable bib for parents on the go. It was created by Mike Chasan who spilled coffee on his shirt on his way to an important meeting. The gourmet bib -- a patented, oversized napkin/bib called Napkleen-- is the ultimate “bib” for toddlers. The disposable, waterproof product is made of 2-ply tissue and adheres to your shirt – and doesn’t move. Available in sizes for adults (13" x 6"), children (10” x 10”) and infants/toddlers (8” x 10”), Napkleen comes in six colors (made with food safe ink). For more information check out their website at http://www.napkleen.com  

- Deena Greenberg"
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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Kids with ADD and ADHD

I got this email from a cousin of mine when I told her about our blog and I thought I would pass it on. As a kid who grew up with ADD it's nice to know that more is being learned about the disability and there is so much more we can do with our kids today that replaces medication. I wanted to pass this on because I believe that we need to educate ourselves about ADD and ADHD and now we have someone to contact with questions that we may encounter. Here is what she sent me:

"Hello there,

I'm Karie Harmon, in response to your email, I would like to add a topic of : kids with ADHD. My oldest son was DX with ADHD in Feb 2008. It's been a relieve to know what is going on but at the same time it's been a struggle knowing how to help him and how to cope myself.

Let me know if you have any questions,

Thanks,

Karie"

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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Question - Birthday Ideas

This post comes from a friend of mine who's little girl is having a birthday soon. She writes:

"Delaney's first birthday is coming up this month. Her birthday is June 29th and I need some ideas on good gifts and party ideas. Help!"

- Lindsey Mallory

Let her know if you have any ideas!!!
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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Question - Nap Time

My daughter is 15 months old and, up until recently, was taking two 1.5-2 hour naps a day. She would get up at 7:30 and take a nap from 10:00 to 11:30 or noon. She would also take a nap from about 2:30 until 4:00 or 4:30. Then she would go to bed at 8:00. We've started putting her to bed around 8:30 now because of the sun not going down until later, however she's only taking one nap.

Now, she gets up around 8:00 and takes a nap anywhere from 10 to 1:00 and it's usually for about an hour and a half but sometimes goes up to 2 or even 2.5 hours.

Is there anything I should know about nap times around this age? I'm 6 months pregnant and that second nap in the afternoon was really helpful for my own sanity. I just don't want to take her naps away too soon or too late.

Thanks!
Lacey Asher

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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

What kind of day are you having?

I guess I should also start by introducing myself. My name is Casey and I live in Western Washington with my husband of almost six years and my two boys (ages 3 and 4 months). I used to be a middle school science teacher, but gave it up to stay home with my boys and I've never regretted it. Though some days being trapped in a basement room of a 100 year old building with thirty 12 year olds does sound like a vacation. Obviously, there are good days and bad days as a mommy. I thought I would share some of mine.

Good Day: Wearing the same clothes all day without getting any spit, pee or poop on them.
Bad Day: Running of clean clothes for myself due to the above mentioned fluids (yup 4 month old baby poop counts as a fluid).

Good Day: The kids cry occasionally.
Bad Day: We all cry . . . at the same time!

Good Day: I get the laundry done and dinner cooked.
Bad Day: We run out of burp rags half way through the day (we go through 30 in 2 days) and I forget there is such a thing as dinner until 4:30.

Good Day: The 4 month old wears the same outfit for longer than an hour without it being covered in spit-up.
Bad Day: The 4 month old destroys an outfit before I can even get it fully on him.

Good Day: The 3 yr old takes a nap.
Bad Day: The 3 yr old sits up in his bed and plays and sings with his night-night bear during nap. He then proceeds to melt down repeatedly until bedtime.

Good Day: I get 6 hours of continuous sleep in a night.
Bad Day: I only get 6 hours of sleep in a night, but it is in 1 to 2 hour chunks!

Though any bad day can turn good when my 3 yr. old turns to me and says “I want to snuggle you Mommy. I love you sooo much!” or my 4 month old smiles and giggles when he sees me coming.

What are some of your good days and bad days?
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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Slingin' Baby

Before I start my intended post, I thought I should introduce myself. My name is Monica and I live in Phoenix, AZ. In June my husband, Tim, and I will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary. We have two great boys, Matthew - 4 in July, and James - 13 months. I am lucky enough to be able to stay at home with them, and I LOVE my job. I am not an expert on mothering, I just really like what I do.

I thought that I would do a product review for our post today. First, let me warn you, I have never written a product review, let alone any review. I may or may not know what I am doing. So read at your own risk.

Something that I have sworn by as a mother is the HotSling. I received mine as a gift after my second son was born. Let me get the worst part out of the way, these bad boys run about 30 to 60 bucks, most range in the area of $48 to $60. Now take a deep breath and stay with me. I promise it gets better. You can find them used or new at ebay.com at starting bids of $2.25 and new at amazon.com for $38.99. But trust me, whether you spend $60 or $2.25, they are worth the investment.

One of the greatest things about this particular brand is that it offers many sizes, nine to be more precise. I don't know about you, but I tend to get a little busty during and after pregnancy. So to have the choice of 9 different sizes is great. Too many things are one size fits all, so it's refreshing to have several options. And who is this tiny person that they model sizes after anyway? I can guarantee that she is not the average size. I do suggest that you try on the HotSling with your baby before purchasing it. This way you are ensured a comfy fit. How much room your little one takes up matters more than how much room you take up.

Photo courtesy of hotslings.com

This is the exact sling I have, in case you were dying with curiosity. Mine just might be a size or two bigger.

I was a little intimidated at first by how difficult the process of putting-on and putting-in-baby could be. The HotSling comes with an instructional booklet and DVD. Whoo! And once you read the instructions, it is seriously the easiest process. But not everyone is like me, so you might be able to figure it out on your own in like, 2.5 seconds.

The slings come in a great variation of patterns, so you have lots to choose from. They also come in 4 different styles; designer, everyday, reversible, and for the earth friendly mom, organic. I'm considering the organic for my next bundle of joy. And no, that was not an announcement.

I started using my HotSling as soon as I got it. James was about 12 weeks old. If I had had it sooner, I would have used it from his birth. Before I had the sling, James would get upset in any store, and I would always end up leaving well before I had intended. He hated to sit in his car seat, and would let me and everyone else in the vicinity know it. Also, because the car seat took up the seat in the cart, Matthew was left to roam freely. This is something that no 3 year old should be allowed to do, especially in Target. I can barely handle that on my own. So I was pushing a cart, carrying a baby, and chasing a wild child around. Needless to say, my shopping trips became more and more stressful and less enjoyable. Then I received my sling. Cue the hallelujah music. When I went shopping I put the sling on, plopped James into it, Matthew got the seat in the cart, and we were good to go, sanity and all. When we went out to dinner, rather than having to hold James on my lap, I'd sling him. He happily sat there, and I could actually eat. In my church I was in charge of putting on monthly dinners and classes for the women. When James had to tag-a-long, the sling came out. I was able to get everything done that I needed to. I literally used the HotSling for everything; shopping, entertaining, cleaning, cooking, family outings, airports, and so on. It was a sad, sad day when James outgrew it. I squeezed every ounce of use out of it, and it's still just as good as new.

Although I love the HotSling, it might not be for you. Pick what you are comfortable with. Nobody knows you better than... you. There are tons of "baby-wearing" (thanks for the term, Casey) products out there for you to choose from. Make the right choice for you. All I know is that I will for sure be using the HotSling with the rest of my kids. It makes my life easier, and so much less stressful. Any product that does that deserves a hug.

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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are important to you!!!

Question - Diapers

Sorry guys... because of the holiday I'm posting this weeks question today. I hope that you all had a great and stress free weekend. It's always nice to have a few days off!!!

Today's post is a question from a friend of mine who is going to be having her first baby this fall. Let us know what you think!!!

"I would like to start getting some diapers now but really don't know where to start so I thought I would ask what brands other people use and start from there! So let me know your opinion about diapers and even any other suggestions with baby products!!"

- Ally Parker

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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are also important to you!!!

Product Review - LilyPadz

Recently I tried this product called LilyPadz. It's a nursing pad that is non-absorbent and sticks to your skin stopping leaks with pressure. I would have to say I'm disappointed in the product and don't think I will be using them again. I got them on recommendation from a friend who loved them and so it may just be that they aren't for me but I was not impressed by them. I got these because I was told that I could save money by purchasing them as opposed to the absorbent pads I had previously been using because they were reusable. They worked fine through out the day as long as I washed them after every feeding which wasn't convenient while I was out and about. They also took about 10-20 minutes to dry and that left me with no back up during that time. When I applied them they basically inverted my nipple creating what I can only describe as a "moat". When I would start to produce milk after having a letdown sensation, my milk would pool into "the moat" and it would create an even bigger challenge because when it came time for my daughters next feeding I would have to balance my wiggling baby on my lap while trying to stay covered AND not splash the collected milk all over her and myself. It was often frustrating and not worth the struggle.

When it comes to saving money I was told, by the store representative, that the product would last up to 3 months and was guaranteed to do so. I purchased the LilyPadz for about $20 and I figured this probably would save me a decent amount in the long run because I go through a box of 60 regular nursing pad about every 1.5 to 2 months. Those boxes cost me about $5-7 depending on the style and brand and at that rate if I could get an extra month out of these new pads I thought I could be getting a pretty good deal, even if they weren't fantastic. When I got home and read through the instructions on how to use the product I found that they are only guaranteed for 2 months worth of use. This meant I just spent an extra $10 on something that was only going to work for the same amount of time as the much cheaper product I was originally using. That on top of the quality problems really disappointed me.

If I must find one good thing about the product I would have to say they were great for nights when I didn't want to sleep with a bra on. It was great to have a short break but the long hours at night made me leak onto our comforter and sheets and I soon found that I was spending more money on the product and I was increasing my costs even more by having to spend extra money taking my comforter to the laundry mat.

My overall feelings on this product is that if you have something you like don't change. It's not worth the struggle to try to make them work and the maintenance on them is too time consuming especially when we don't have that much in our days already. They aren't a pricey item like some other things out there but they are just expensive enough that the extra $10 every 2 months can be wisely spent on other more usable things.

If you've used this product please tell me what you think. If you think there is something else that better out there please share. I can't wait to hear what you all think.

Cheris Vreeken
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If you have a product review you would like posted or a topic you would like to have discussed please email me at momblogclub@gmail.com. I will be updating the blog every Monday with new topics. Please email me so we can start talking about things that are also important to you!!!

Still figuring things out

Hey I just figured out how you all can post your own comments on the site without having a blogspot account. If you go into the comments section at the bottom of the post. and type in your message and select the "Name/URL" option and you can post your comment under your name. If you want to do it anonymously you can select that option and it will just say anonymous. Sorry it took me so long to figure that out. Now anyone can add their incite without all of the run around. You'll still have to email me if you want a topic added for discussion but now you can control your comments and make them a little more personal.

I'll try to get this stuff figured out sooner so it's not a distraction to all of the messages posted. Thanks guys!!!

Question

I'm in the process of getting ready to go back to work and I would like to keep breast feeding as long as possible. I've been looking at breast pumps because I know that my hand pump wont keep my supply strong enough to keep breast feeding for as long as I'd like to (12 months if I can manage) and I'm finding that breast pumps are not a cheap item to come by. I've found a few at places like Wal-mart or Wal-greens in the $30-$50 range but I don't know if they are just going to be a waste of money. It seems like everyone else sells pumps for $150-$250 and I'm not sure if they are cheaper because they are single pumps or if it's just because they are poorer quality. I don't know if it's something I really need to invest good money into or if a cheaper one will suffice. I'm also looking for one that will potentially last through all of my future children. I don't want to have to replace it each time I get pregnant.

Does anyone know of a good brand or a good way to find one that will do it's job and last a few years but wont cost me a house payment to buy?

Thanks,

Cheris Vreeken

Welcome to the club!!!

Hey guys!!!

So I'm starting this blog because I think it would be fun to have a place where we can all get together and just enjoy the words of each other. I was thinking about doing a facebook group but that limits the access many mothers who don't have facebook accounts have to the group. Because I don't know how to set up a forum just yet, my husband Paul is in the process of learning and I don't want to wait much longer, I felt that a blogspot would be the next easiest option.

I think every mother has something great to share and I'd also like to build a network of great moms to lean on. When I was anticipating the birth of my daughter just 2 months ago I was constantly asking questions and found that the advice that experienced mothers had was invaluable. Now that I've got her here I'm still finding that their experience is getting me through the little worries each and every day. I'm hoping that many of you are finding
the same help from family and friends and would like to join in sharing the advice you have found helpful.

I want this blog to be open to anyone and everyone who wants to contribute. I'm thinking that the easiest way to do this is and keep this site secure is to have you all send me your thoughts and interests by email and I will update the blog regularly. To do that I would love it if you would be willing to email me your thoughts and ideas, things like brag reels and great product info. Also, I love reading blogs that many of the mothers I know already write on for their own families and if you don't mind as I read them and notice things you post about products and advice you give openly I would like to post some of that on the blog so that we can all learn from each other.

I'm going to start sending out the information to my friends who are already mom's, are soon-to-be mothers, or are ladies who want to become a mother but are just waiting for the right time. From there I ask that you pass on the site address as well as the email address to anyone who you think would like to have it. You all know someone who you've learned from and who has helped you get through a rough time because they experienced it too. We are all in a similar spot or have been in the same place at one point or another and I think we all have valuable information to share during some of our most difficult and joyous moments as women.

By doing a blog I can keep the site open for anyone who would like to view it. The benefit behind this is not everyone has to have an account of their own to participate. If you don't have a blogspot but you would also like to contribute ideas and stories you still can. All you have to do is email me what you would like posted and I will put it up. I am more than willing to do anonymous posts if you don't want to leave your name or would like it to stay off of the blog but I wont pass on anything that is distasteful or vulgar. If it's something you disagree on I don't mind forwarding the information because I believe opposition not only helps us grow but it also expands our level of thinking. With that in mind I do feel that there are right ways and wrong ways to express opposite opinions and I will not pass on any thought that doesn't benefit the whole. That being said I will not edit anything that comes my way. Your words are your words and you chose a particular way to put them together. Any contributions that come to my email for the site will be quoted with a name or with the signature - anonymous. There is a lot we will agree on and a lot we wont but because of that I am excited to learn more about myself by better understanding the world around me through your eyes. Parenting is a difficult task and there is no proper way to approach it, that's why I'm hoping we can develop a network that allows us to tackle the challenges that we all face individually and daily.

What I'm also hoping for is to gain better product knowledge from experienced mothers as well... Like a great particular brand of nursing bras or a amazing pair of potty training pants. If you enjoy a particular product that you think we should all know about please let us know to check it out... and send pictures too!!! I don't want to make this solely a marketing site but if you swear by a certain product please let us know so we can try. Also if you have something that you have created or you know a cheaper way to get by and you want to share it, by all means please do. There is sooooo much out there and I personally find it all a little overwhelming sometimes.

We all have a lot to learn from those around us and we all know that we love to brag about our kids so let get going!!! Pictures, questions, and advice are all welcome here!!! Mothers are amazing and we have the most incredible job in the world!!! Let's celebrate the gifts we've been given and help others who are anticipating the journey there.

To start off the blogs I'm stealing a question a friend of mine asked on her blog as she prepares to have her first little baby. She asked...

"I wanted to get some different ideas/opinions from soon-to-be mothers or mothers now of what you did while pregnant or what you wish you would have done while pregnant? Just kind of curious of what others did or are doing?"

Start commenting now. I know we all have a lot of great advice to share!!!!

Thanks guys, let me know if you have any questions!!!

Cheris Vreeken