sprout

Love Those Seal 'n Go Storage Bags

Somewhere along the way, someone sold me a package of Medela breast milk storage bags since I have a Medela breastpump. I'd been using the Gerber Seal n' Go bags but figured I should give the fancy European bags a try. Everything's designed better in Europe, right? Well, I think I've found the one thing they do worse. First problem: there's no pleat at the bottom of the bag to make it stand (kind of a pain when you're trying to get the extra air out and close the bag). But the best part is that they use twist ties. Yes, those handy paper coated pieces of wire that are also used for trash bags. The whole thing is a mess and pain in the ass. And if the bad design wasn't enough, they also cost about $18 a pack vs. $10 for the same number of Seal 'n Go bags. Besides the fabulous name (I'm really a sucker for anything named with 'n in it), the Gerber bags actually work well - they stand and are easy to seal.

Life is easier with Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags

Bottle sterilizers are probably great if your baby uses lots of bottles. To me, they are just another single use appliance that take up kitchen space and have special cleaning instructions. (Outside of waffle irons, I really hate single use appliances. Does anyone really need a sandwich maker?) For those of us not going through lots of bottles, there's Medela's Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags. These things are great. For about $5, you get a package of 5 reusable bags that come in a nice little box you can keep in your cupboard. Each bag can be used 20 times and each one holds two bottles or the breast shields and valves from your breastpump. So handy, so small and so easy to use.

Medicine + Milk

I've been sick for a few days. It sucks. Just a reminder for other breastfeeding mamas - before taking any cold remedy (or other medicine), you should check with your mini's doctor to make sure it's ok. Baby Center also has a list safe and unsafe drugs.

I love you Ameda ComfortGel Pads

How I love you, Ameda ComfortGel Pads.

Breastfeeding wasn't the easy, oh so natural process that the class I took and Mothering magazine had led me to believe. The nurses in the hospital were anxious to keep my little one from losing ounces and with each shift, attempted to get the whole thing to click. Finally one of the nurses had had enough of my lame attempts at nursing and gave me a nipple shield. That thing worked wonders. I figured baby girl and I would use it for the next year. Well, after a week, I was sore and in agony. I hired a lactation consultant who literally solved our problem in minutes and also introduced me to Ameda ComfortGel pads. Oh the sweet relief. Heavenly. I've used them three times now and each time, when I can barely stand to nurse due to the pain, these little miracles in clear gel form, save the day. When you're hurtin', slap one of these babies on and within hours you'll feel better. If your nipples get cracked like mine did (and by that I mean, literally cracked), you can see the healing power work its magic in days. Bless you Ameda ComfortGel Pads.