The longer I nurse the more I start longing for the days of wearing beautiful, lacy, SEXY bras again.  I know part of this is tied to wanting to feel sexy again, and part is getting over the hump of the after pregnancy/birth lack of *ahem* desire for certain things.  Once that desire is back I would like to start looking more desirable and less “sweatpants.”

Usually nursing and sexy bras don’t go together.  There are many brands offering cozy and comfortable nursing bras.  I should know, I own many of them and wear them on a daily basis.  However, when I get all dressed up I would like to have a bra that matches that feeling.  Something sexy, lacy, feminine, and that still gives me access to nurse my baby.

Enter the Cake Lingerie line of nursing bras.  Out of the “sexy” brands now offered for nursing bras I feel this brand is the sexiest!  I was fortunate enough to get to see their line in person at ABC Kids Expo.  These bras are made better and designed better than the bras I wore before having kids.

Cake Lingerie does make the popular nursing bra option of the “smooth cup” for under T-Shirts, and more day to day wear bras.  For my review I was able to try one of the bras in their Fashion line.  I was sent Coconut Ice (Plunge).  This bra has a lot of details- lace all the way around, pretty pink and black striped fabric on the bust, decorative straps, a oretty black bow in the center, and a multitude of settings on the back for the ever changing pregnant and nursing figure.

After doing some playing around with the straps and adjusting it to my size, I was happy to find a different kind of silhouette than my every day nursing bras achieved.   It wasn’t something I would wear under my everyday tight T-Shirts, but would look pretty awesome under my nice dresses.  It was more of a “bombshell” shape.

It was a challenge for me to decide on a size.  The company uses a different sizing system and I was torn as to what would fit best.  After some translating from the European sizes and talking with Ashleigh from Cake Lingerie, I decided on a 32 D and it was a bit too big in the cup.  I used some padded inserts from a bikini I had laying around in order to test the shape better.  In most other brands from the US I am usually a 32 D- 32 DD.

I loved everything about the bra when it came to the shape, the appearance, the quality, and the attention to details.  The only thing was that my skin didn’t like the lace!  Insert sad face here.  I just couldn’t wear this bra all day.  By the late afternoon I was one of those women who walk in from a day out at work/ running errands, who immediately unclasp and throw off their bra. It was kind of funny because I have been wearing shapeless and plain cotton nursing bras for so long I forgot what wearing something “pretty” actually felt like before having babies.  The band with the lace trim caused some itching.  It wasn’t the FIT that made it uncomfortable.  I would like to try their Toffee bra in the future; with no lace I expect it would be much more comfortable for longer periods of time.  It is also the ONLY nursing bra with a convertible strap option!

One thing that is nice about the shape of this bra is the wide set straps.  Often, with nursing bras your straps are more centered to the cup.  Certain shirts require wider straps or else they will be visible.  I like to wear this bra with my Toni Top, and even though that top is so wide set they somtimes sneak out, this is a bra that works with it.  Plus the straps are pretty, black, and lacy, so it works.

I was so impressed with the company and I’m thrilled that I met them at ABC Kids.  They really understand what goes into making a maternity and nursing bra.  They offer a huge variety of sizes, including Plus Sizes, and styles.  I’ve never talked to a man who knows more about nursing bras than Keith, who was at the booth during ABC Kids.

I’m going to be stalking Zulily and hope that Cake Lingerie comes back so that I can try one of their other bras.  Admittedly, their price is high at around 59.00 per bra.  After you have tried a lot of cheaper bras and realize how quickly they wear out their welcome and lose shape you start thinking of more expensive bras as an investment.  It has been a gradual shift in my thinking.  But, I still prefer saving money when I can, which is why I try catching good brands like Cake Lingerie on sale.

You can also find Cake Lingerie at A Mother’s Boutique here in the US in select styles.  If you are unsure of your size I know Judy will answer your questions.

*some links are affiliate links.

{Email subscribers should click over to see the embedded video} I love spending time with my family during the Holidays.  This means there are get togethers and maybe even a party or two.  These events, at least in my family, are LOUD and packed with people you see only once or twice a year and some people you see often.

As much as I advocate for women to nurse in public I will admit that I am nervous about nursing in front of my own family.  I haven’t put my finger on the reason.  Part of it could be that I am not very comfortable around some of my family members to begin with, and part could be the fear of slipping and showing more of my breast than I would like to.

I do not use covers and don’t plan to start now.  Everett wouldn’t have it either.  He is also a very distracted nurser so I have to either find a quiet place to nurse him, or come armed with items that make it easier for him to nurse without popping off every 5 seconds and exposing my nipple.

When I went to the ABC Kids Expo I was fortunate enough to find a few things (and came home with them too!) that do just that.  I show them off on my video embedded above, but I’ve also written more about them.

The first is the Toni Top designed by the same woman who masterminded the (uh-ma-zing) Pumpease Handsfree Nursing Bra.  The Toni Top is meant to be worn by women who are pregnant, nursing, or not nursing.  It doesn’t look like a maternity or breastfeeding top.  In fact, it is one of the most stylish tops in my wardrobe right now.  The criss-crossed panels move up or down to allow you to nurse discreetly.  I demo-ed the top at ABC and was able to easily keep myself covered whenever Ev decided, on a whim, to pop off.  It makes nursing a distracted toddler easy.  I will say that you have to find just the right nursing bra to work with the top since it is cut in a diamond shape.  Your bra will need straps that are wider set.  I have found my HOTMilk and Cake Lingerie to be the best fit, however they still can show.  I do usually just  put a black tank top with 1 inch straps on under.  These will cover my straps.  I would also love for it to come in an XS and more colors, perhaps a goldenrod yellow or avocado green?! (I just saw that Smoke is the next color and they will have a pencil skirt to match.  I need them BOTH!)

My second “MUST HAVE” for nursing in public and keeping Everett happy and contained is my Mommy Necklace.  I’ve been a fan since I discovered them early in my first son’s life, so almost 3 years ago now.  I only have a couple but I could easily buy more if my wallet let me.  Mommy Necklaces are designed to be handled by babies but look stylish.  They have various styles, lengths, and pendant choices.  I prefer the dangling donut myself.

When you really need a baby to be entertained you will want to bring out the big guns…. the Nourish.  Nourish is the classier cousin of the Snazzy.  I used to use the Snazzy when I was flying and needed to keep the little hands occupied.  Nourish is a more toned down version of  Snazzy.  It still has a lot of color to it, but it keeps to a jewel tone family and not primary colors and rainbows.  The beads are more rounded in case you are babywearing (the Snazzy had a few square beads and Raelynn explained her reason for changing this was for babywearing in case the baby was laying on it) but it is still a fun necklace for the baby to explore.

Another option in the necklace department would be Teething Bling.  It is more simple than a Mommy Necklace but provides something for the babies to nibble on and the large donut is easily palmed.  They offer a variety of colors and some patterns.  I have a bronze and black and wear them both; they happen to match most of my wardrobe.

A Mother’s Boutique saw my post of me nursing my son in the Toni Top and said I was so pretty in it (Judy, I had to tell someone!) that she would love me to review it and would love to sponsor a giveaway.  I had planned on posting about the top at some point anyways since I love it so much, so a giveaway in conjunction is just icing on the cake!  In case you aren’t aware, Judy is the Boobie Whisperer and can help any of you find the perfect nursing bra.  She offers virtual fittings too.

Now for the Giveaway!!!  I will be giving a Toni Top away to one lucky DDL reader.  I also have a Nourish Necklace that I was given at ABC Kids to give to one of my readers!  Enter on the Rafflecopter below.  You will need Javascript enabled to enter.

Select links included in this post are affiliate links.  I will receive a small percentage of any purchases made through them , so thank you!

Wasting breast milk should be a crime punishable by the Iron Maiden.  Breast Milk is the most amazing liquid on the planet.  It hydrates, it nourishes, it heals, it comforts, it is pure awesomesauce.

So when I decided to leave my son with his father while I attended BlogHer ’11 in San Diego I was immediately hit with the prospect of pumping milk for 4 days.  My first thought would be to bring it home with me because simply dumping it was out of the question!  Then I realized what an ordeal that would be.  Even if I somehow procured Dry Ice to pack it into a cooler for the 8+ hour trip home I would face the TSA.  Would I get an educated agent who understood how to handle breastmilk?  Or an agent who demanded I taste my milk or scan it in an X Ray machine?

Then it hit me: Donate it!  Yes! I would find a mother local to San Diego who had a baby in need of breast milk.  Even if I only had 50 ounces isn’t that something?  Of course it is!  And lightning struck again when I decided to blog about my donation plans to enlist other lactating mothers!  It was brilliant (in my humble opinion.)

For any of you unaware, there are various ways a person can donate breast milk.

One would be donating to a Milk Bank. A Milk Bank would screen the donor through blood tests and the milk is then pasterurized or otherwise turned into other forms of milk for babies.  Even though donors are not getting paid for the milk the banks do charge a (hefty) price for human milk.  A great read regarding Milk Banks and the human milk business is on JWOC {Swindled: The Ugly Side of Milk Donation} I would recommend reading this if you are considering donating to a Milk Bank in order to be informed about what happens to your milk in many cases.

Peer Milk Sharing involves direct person to person donations.  Utilizing online or in person connections women can donate milk to one another for various reasons.  It is really up to the donor and recipient to be honest and up front regarding health concerns or medications being taken. Reasons for peer milk donations range from intolerance to formula, adoptive parents, and help for cancer patients.

BlogHer Milk Recipient. CUTE!

I knew a Peer to Peer Milk Share would be the best in my situation. I was staying at a hotel so I would need to the recipient to pick up the milk.  I chose Eats on Feets and after a quick search, found their Facebook Page for Southern California.  After posting my plans on the page I quickly got an email from a mother who needed the milk.  Her son had been tongue tied and he was clipped but she pumped and was having supply issues.  The baby wasn’t doing well on formula and tolerated breast milk much better.

I responded that I would at least have my own milk but potentially the milk from a few other moms.

Word spread through the internet about my plan. I had comments on my blog post, tweets from other attendees, and emails asking to be involved.  Another mom created a Facebook Group for moms pumping at BlogHer (regardless of donating) and we kept in touch in this way.

At BlogHer I found even more moms!  Purely by coincidence I chatted with a mother at a party who was pumping and boy am I glad I did!  Molly of Milwaukee Mamas.com turned out to be our biggest “producer” and needs an award for her amazing supply!  Her milk was a large percentage of the total we donated!  Other attendees also spread the word in person.

I want to send a HUGE THANK YOU to all of the moms who donated. We had 1 time pumpers who were away from older nurslings and others like myself who had babies under a year old and lots of milk was still flowing!  1 oz or 100 ounces, these women took time to save their milk instead of the easy path of dumping it down the drain.  They have my gratitude!

In no particular order here are the moms I know who donated:

That is a grand total of 14 (including myself)

All I can say is Wow. I have tears in my eyes just typing out the list of Moms involved.  I am so amazed at the hugeness of this donation, the willingness of so many women to donate, and the overall positive outcome.  Most people don’t even know that breast milk donation is an option, so to have so many involved is truly amazing and such a testament to the caliber of women who attend BlogHer!

Just 1 of 2 Bags

In order to collect every possible drop of breastmilk I was able to wrangle Jill (Baby Rabies) to meet up with our milk recipient on Sunday morning.  I had to leave our hotel at 4:15 am so having anyone meet that early would have been crazy.  Instead, I collected as much milk as possible the night before (and ran back and forth from the North and South Towers of the hotel about 5 times!) then dropped it off to Jill at 12:30 am (after I pumped for the last time) where her fridge was already stocked with milk.  I have a feeling our baby recipient is going to gain a few pounds- let’s just say that Jill and Suzanne both make milk with extra cream!  It resembled yogurt- no lie!  And in case you are curious, we all wrote our names on our own bags of milk.  If Sam shows any sort of negative reaction to the milk hopefully it will be possible to trace to one mother and they can discontinue using those bags.

Jill met with Jen (Life with Levi) in the morning for her milk and the milk we pumped at the party.  They delivered the milk to our mom (I hate that I couldn’t be there myself but getting more milk was more important!) on Sunday morning and it all went smoothly.  I am so relieved!

In total we had 70 bags of milk.  Most had 4 ounces (or more) in each bag.  My guess is we had 350 ounces at least but to be safe let’s say 300 ounces were donated.

300 Ounces.

Suddenly, the inconvenience of pumping was replaced with a warm fuzzy feeling.  Sam, our little donor baby, has been drinking the breastmilk and Mom says his tummy is already acting better compared to the formula.  Luckily they had lots of room in the freezer!

Blissed out and in a Breastmilk Coma.

So next year, New York City, if you are going to be pumping at BlogHer ’12, just let me know!  We’ll be doing the same through Eats on Feets in August 2012.  I may not be breastfeeding by then (who knows) but I will be happy to coordinate another BlogHer Breast Milk Donation.

Anyone can donate breastmilk at any time!  If you have a freezer overflowing with milk, or have an oversupply, or just want to donate, locate an Eats on Feets or Human Milk for Human Babies Chapter in your area!

I returned home Sunday evening from attending BlogHer ’11, the largest female blogging conference around.  My goal was to learn new things at the numerous sessions that were held by leading bloggers and to network with/ get fan-girly over the many bloggers I follow or converse with.

I was able to do all of those things (and more) but this post has nothing to do with that and everything to do with the thing that hung over my trip like a {leaking} black cloud: My Lactating Boobs.

I chose to leave both of my children, including the nursing one, at home with their dad.  I pumped every day for a month and saved 140 ounces of breastmilk for him (my original goal was 100).  Then I had to leave him.  Unfortunately there is no such thing as a temporary “Shut Off”  valve for boobs.  They are on until the baby is finished.

I have said it before: I despise pumping. There is never a convenient time to pump.  At home it required the attendance of my husband to watch the kids so they didn’t get into trouble or the voo-doo magic of television.  Without kids, pumping is quite a bit easier in many ways but at a hectic and overbooked conference who wants to run to a hotel room and sit stationary while being milked?

I didn’t want to but that is what I did.

The journey began on Thursday.  I left for the airport at 3:30 am for a 5:40 am flight.  I made sure to nurse my son on both sides when he woke up at about 2:40 am.  I packed my Hygeia Enjoye in a purse along with clear plastic bags for parts, bags for milk, and the bottles and flanges in another bag.

Luckily the Hygeia Enjoye, when charged, can be used without being plugged in!

My first flight was only 45 minutes and by the time it was over I was so ready to pump!  The problem was that I only had half an hour between flights.  My next flight was in another terminal and required being shuttled over.  I rushed to the gate and it had just started boarding.  I had an important decision to make: Skip pumping and risk exploding all over the plane and/or trying to either hand express or pump in an airplane bathroom, or, pump in a small window of 20 minutes and risk missing my flight!

I made a rash decision and bumped my way to the gate attendants.

A quick glance of the airport let me know that it was too busy to attempt pumping in a secluded corner so I went to the bathroom.  I have only nursed in a bathroom once in my life but pumping is not as discreet.

I packed myself, a rolling suitcase, and a giant purse into the stall and set about trying to screw in bottles, insert tubing, put on my Hands Free Nursing Bra from Pumpease, and keep the pump balanced on my suitcase.  I turned the dial to ON and relied on the quiet pump coupled with the busting bathroom to disguise what was going on.

That experience turned me into a permanent believer in, and cheerleader of, the Pumpease.  I actually stood there and was pumped while Tweeting and taking photos of myself since I wanted to share the hilarity.

Right as I began squeezing Lefty to get the rest out since he is a bad pumper I heard the intercom announce that everyone on flight blah blah needed to be on board bound for San Diego.  Shit.

I put my parts back in the bags, threw myself back together, washed my hands and ran!  The male attendant and I smiled at one another and the next leg of travel began.

I strongly considered trying to pump on the plane since my seatmate was snoozing and I had a pleasant position in the bulkhead but I held off until landing.

Once on the ground I booked it to the nearest bathroom to relieve myself.  This time I saved my milk since freshly expressed breastmilk can stay out before being refrigerated/frozen for 4 hours.

The rest of the weekend and conference I had the luxury of pumping in my hotel room.  I even took my pump to another attendee’s room (Jenn of Life With Levi) who held a Pumping Party in her room.  many of the participants also donated their breast milk along with me (more on this tomorrow, but read more about my initial plans here).  I will admit to missing out on quite a few things due to the pumping.  I don’t regret it but it is part of the package.

Admittedly, I was a bad pumper.  On my busiest days I only pumped 4 times when I should have gotten to it at least 5 times.  The first full day and night in San Diego I woke at 5 am totally engorged since my son nurses at night.  I hand expressed in the bathroom enough to let me go back to sleep until a more reasonable hour to pump!

The biggest lessons I learned from being an EP (Exclusively Pumping) Mom for 4 days:

• Breastfeeding is Way Easier.
• Pumping takes more Prep Time and Clean-up time.
• Working Moms who Pump have a ton of logistical challenges, especially when faced with nowhere to pump.
• Traveling and Flying Moms who pump have it even harder.  There is no telling where your layover will be and what facilities you will have to pump in.
• To avoid washing parts all of the time store them in a freezer bag in your fridge between sessions (reader tip)
• Hand compressing your breast while pumping is helpful if you have a stubborn boob that doesn’t want to drain.
• A great Double Electric Pump is needed and a battery powered one is worth every penny.
• A hands free nursing bra will save your life.
• Keep a dribble cloth handy.

Pumping is HARD work when you consider the alternative of either breastfeeding a baby directly, or bottle feeding a baby formula.  In the earliest days of my first son’s life a pediatrician told me that it was OK to give up, some babies just don’t ever latch properly.  I could do as his wife did and just pump and bottle feed.  (Yes, a Pediatrician actually told me this!)

I thought hard about his statement.  My baby would still be geting breastmilk afterall, and I could skip the torturous nursing sessions that were leaving me shaking and crying from the pain.  Instead, I decided I would work with the Lactation Consultant and use a Nipple Shield until we had this thing figured out.

Even though I was about to breastfeed successfully there are certainly warranted cases of mothers who need to pump full time, and those who pump while working or away.  I already knew how admirable that was (seriously, pumpin’ mamas get my respect) but after experiencing EP first hand for 4 days I admire them even more!  Pumping gives the baby the benefit of breastmilk but requires so much more work.  It also made me understand a little more why some mothers end up switching to formula after they return to work.  I am so lucky to get to stay home with my boys and that makes breastfeeding so easy.  I honestly don’t know what would happen if I had to work for it.

Tomorrow’s Post will be about the 300+ Ounces of Breastmilk collected from over 10 moms at BlogHer to be donated.  Rock on.

Even though I’m being sponsored by these companies in some way I am telling the truth when I say that I love them!  Thanks again to Swaddlebees and Boba for their generous sponsorship that got me to BlogHer and to the other companies that made my boobies weigh less, look perkier, and be more productive!

When this post publishes I will probably be a few thousand feet in the *hopefully* blue sky on the way to San Diego for BlogHer ’11.  The irony for me during this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is that for half of it I’ll be on the other side of the country and away from my nursling.

140.25 Ounces of Blood, Sweat, and Tears

As a psuedo Attached Parent this is a logistical and emotional nightmare. I pumped virtually every single day for 30 days to make sure my baby would have enough of my milkshake for 4 days.  I was aiming for the low number of 100 but I made it to 140.25 ounces of liquid gold.  It would have been 144.25 ounces but one of my bags mysteriously leaked out.  I may have cried.  I seperated my milk into freezer bags with about 29 ounces in each bag, one per day.  And then there is another bag with 25 ounces extra in case he needs it.  I got that tip from a Twitter user and it is a fabulous one!

Everett has always taken a bottle so thankfully that is not an issue.  My first son never took a bottle, ever.  This meant I was never away from him more than 2 hours at a time for the entire first year and beyond).  Still I have never left Fletcher for more than 8 hours and I’ve really never left him overnight either.  I even gave birth at home to avoid that for crying outloud!

I trust that my chunky monkey will take his bottles and even eat solids to stay alive.  Thank Goodness for small miracles.

My heart

But here is the kicker: he sleeps in bed with me every night and has since he was born.  Sure he spent a few hours here and there in his hammock, Mamaroo, or crib- but the majority of his nights are in the crook of my arm.  He has slept wonderfully since day one.  He sleeps all night starting at 7:30- 8:30 pm until 6:30- 8:00 am.  He wakes to eat then turns his head and falls back asleep.  I can count the number of times I’ve had to get out of bed to get him back to sleep on my fingers and toes (he is a baby afterall).  If it weren’t for co-sleeping I know I would have lost a lot more sleep.  That is all well and good until you take me out of the equation.

I need your help! What have you done when you leave your co-sleeping, Exclusively Breastfed baby home with Daddy? Did Daddy sleep with the baby in your bed?  Did he rock the baby back to sleep each time they woke and put them back in the crib?  Did the baby demand a middle of the night bottle?  I am so clueless…

My husband is a deep sleeper and refuses to sleep with Everett since he is so young.  He will sleep with Fletcher when the rarity occurs that he ends up in our bed.

I’m hoping you, my wonderful and knowledgable readers, will offer your nuggets of wisdom to my husband.  I have instructed him to read this post and comment/ ask questions if he needs to. A part of me thinks he has no idea what he is getting into but the other part is confident he can handle it.  He has really grown into a wonderful father.  I don’t think I would have considered this when my first son was 9 months old even if he did take a bottle.  That is probably more to do with my first time mom jitters than anything but I definitely see how much hubby has grown in the 2.5 years he has been a dad.

I’m leaving him with a long list of cloth diaper washing instructions, breastmilk storage, heating, and handling instructions, the boy’s (general) nap and bedtime schedule, and a house full of clean clothes/diapers.  I’ll also be leaving him with my Boba for Everett.  It is my manliest and best fitting carrier for him.

If there is any silver lining to being away from a nursing baby for 4 days during World Breastfeeding Week it is that I will be able to donate my pumped milk to another mother through Eats on Feets.  I’ve never donated milk before but I am thrilled that my liquid gold won’t be going down a drain.

Wish me luck on my first trip away from my family (and hopefully last for a long time.)

A HUGE THANK YOU to Swaddlebees and Boba for their generous sponsorship that is getting me to BlogHer and to the other companies making my boobies weigh less, look perkier, and be more productive!  Much love coming at ya!

{RSS and Mobile Readers will need to click over to see the video}

Trying to choose between the three most popular and well known brands of Soft Structure Carriers (also known as Buckle Carriers) on the market?  As I see it, the ERGOBaby, the Beco Butterfly II, and the Boba are the most compared and inquired about SSC’s on the market today. Since I have used all three with both of my children I have decided to film videos comparing each carrier in different aspects of usage.  The videos will be a visual reference for my written comparisons.

A Soft Structure Carrier is easier to use than Wrap, Mei Tei’s, and Ring Slings in most ways.  Even though they take practice the learning curve is lower.

You can nurse any age baby in the three carriers in the video (Boba weight limit is 15 lbs +) but the adjustments will vary based on the height of your baby and your own build.  Those with larger busts or taller babies might need to loosen their waist belt and push it lower so that the baby can reach the breast.  At times I need to do this with the Boba.

My tips for successful and easy breastfeeding in a SSC.

1. Find the right SSC. Out of the three carriers I use my ERGObaby and Boba the most for front carries.  If I know I will be nursing I definitely skip my Beco.  The ERGO works great for infants up.  You can purchase the infant insert to wear your baby from day one in the ERGO.  The Boba is built for larger babies over 15 pounds or above a year.  Ev can still be nursed in the Boba but he sits low since the back panel is higher than the Ergo.
2. Ensure your straps are adjusted properly. I have found the perfect balace on my SSC’s with my back strap, position and tightness of my waist belt, and arm straps.  With a front carry you have to be able to reach your back clip (unless you clip ahead of time and do the one arm on, squeeze in method.)  You ca tighten the back once you have the baby inside the carrier also.  Incorrect adjustments will be an uncomfortable experience for you and nobody wants that!
3. Getting  instructions and hands on help from another- more experienced- babywearing mama can really speed up the learning curve for any carrier hold and/or trick.  Find a Babywearing International or other trustworthy group to join.  Not only will you enjoy the meetings and learn a lot, you will probably be with your “tribe.”
4. Dress for Success(ful Boob Access).  Breastfeeding in a SSC or any other carrier is far easier when you can pull up and out of your top.  Pulling a shirt up while wearing your baby in a ring sling is not only hard to do but it can be less than flattering to show your stomach openly.  Usually the carrier squishes things down in all the wrong places.  Deep V necks, stretchy tank tops, button-up shirts, nursing tanks, shirts designed for nursing with a lift up or slit opening, anything that can be undone or give access to one boob from the top is perfect.  If you are worried about showing too much remember that the straps cover most of what can be seen. More ideas for dressing to nurse in public in my “How to Nurse in Public” post.
5. Practice makes perfect. Trying this at a crowded fair for the first time isn’t going to work well.  You will be nervous, you may be clumsy, and your baby will be hungry and impatient.  If that hungry baby starts crying they might be harder to latch when you do get them into position.  Try nursing in your SSC in your home and when the baby isn’t hungry yet (and in a good mood).

I have nursed both of my children in the ERGO and Boba (only a few times in the Beco) out in public in about as many places as I have visited.  On Paddle Boats, Subways, Museums, Fairs, Malls, Outdoor Walks, and so on.  I can guarantee you the general public had no clue that I was nursing my baby.  Even though I find it easier to nurse in a ring sling when making adjustments, once I did it a few (billion) times in my SSC I became just as fast when making adjustments.  When I first started it took a while.  Another point to make is that that straps do get more pliable over time so that does affect how well the buckle slides and affects how easy it is to adjust.

I’ll be continuing this series of ERGObaby/ BBII/ Boba videos in the coming weeks.  You can view all of the posts and videos in the series by following the ERGObaby/BBII/Boba Series.

If you are looking for an ERGObaby, Beco Butterfly II, or Boba they can all be found at my affiliate- Granola Babies! Shop at Granola Babies & use code NEW4147 for $7 off $75 first time order.

Please share your own experience with nursing in your SSC (even if it isn’t an ERGO/BBII/Boba) and the fun places you have nursed at!

{Mobile browsers and RSS subscribers may need to click over to see the video.}

Nursing Newborn Ev in an Elevator while Pushing a Stroller. Win.

One of the most valuable tools in my parenting tool belt is nursing while babywearing. I wasn’t always an expert but once I mastered the skill it became essential to me as a parent.  With my second baby it became even more important; I am able to nurse and comfort my youngest while holding the hand and walking with my oldest.  There have been many situations since having my second baby where I wondered “What would I do without this skill?”

This video will show you how to put on your ring sling, double check that it is threaded correctly (CRUCIAL to using a ring sling and making the proper adjustments for breastfeeding), put baby in the sling, tighten, then loosen, latch the baby, and re-tighten the carrier to a safe setting.

My tips for successful and easy breastfeeding in a Ring Sling.

1. Find the right sling. In my case that would be a quality linen ring sling.  Thicker linen slings like the Maya Wrap are supportive and easy to adjust.  My Sakura Bloom Pure Linen Sling is lightweight and the linen glides through the rings like butter.  If your sling is hard to adjust  then mastering breastfeeding on the go will prove near impossible.
2. Ensure your sling is threaded properly. This one is a biggie. I THOUGHT I was using my ring sling correctly but the threading would always get a little screwy.  I shurgged it off and still used it that way.  Yes, it totally worked but adjusting the sling took longer.  Longer adjustments= cranky and impatient baby.  It can really put you off to ring slings.  I watched a million videos and followed the directions that came with a sling to re-thread..  Only after seeing a real live person swiftly thread a sling (and make it look like it was second nature) did the lightbulb go off.
3. Speaking of “Real People,” getting instructions and hands on help from another- more experienced- babywearing mama can really speed up the learning curve for any carrier hold and/or trick.  Find a Babywearing International or other trustworthy group to join.  Not only will you enjoy the meetings and learn a lot, you will probably be with your “tribe.”
4. Dress for Success(ful Boob Access).  Breastfeeding in a ring sling or any other carrier is far easier when you can pull up and out of your top.  Pulling a shirt up while wearing your baby in a ring sling is not only hard to do but it can be less than flattering to show your stomach openly.  Usually the carrier squishes things down in all the wrong places.  Deep V necks, stretchy tank tops, button-up shirts, nursing tanks, shirts designed for nursing with a lift up or slit opening, anything that can be undone or give access to one boob from the top is perfect.  If you are worried about showing too much you can add a scarf ot use the ring sling tail to cover up.  More ideas for dressing to nurse in public in my “How to Nurse in Public” post.
5. Practice makes perfect. Trying this at a crowded fair for the first time isn’t going to work well.  You will be nervous, you may be clumsy, and your baby will be hungry and impatient.  If that hungry baby starts crying they might be harder to latch when you do get them into position.  Try nursing in your ring sling in your home and when the baby isn’t hungry yet (and in a good mood).

Once you have this skill mastered you will wonder how on Earth you ever lived without it. I especially loved nursing in a ring sling in the early days when Everett was a newborn up until he was 4-5 months old.  We do still use it but we have moved to our Ergo for our longer trips. You can also breastfeed in the Ergo.

The sling shown in the video is a Sakura Bloom Pure Linen {in Wheat} and the most affordable in their line.  Link is an affiliate link.

The secret is out: I am a MEGA Procrastinator. I had 0 ounces of milk stored in my freezer as of Friday, June 24 after my sitter used my last 5 ounces to feed my son while Hubby and I went out for a date.  (gasp!)

To give you an idea of how much of a procrastinator I am, in college I used to skip school (a lot.)  My freshman year I was enrolled in a 9 am (way too early for me then) Psych class.  I rarely made it.  The day before the exam I realized I knew nothing about psychology and had no notes.  I took my text book to the library and read THE ENTIRE 900 page text book in one session. Coincidentally I made an A on that exam.

I’ve been avoiding pumping because it is one of my least favorite activities (much like Psych Class!).  Since my son latches well and I rarely leave him there has never been a need for a stash of milk in my freezer.  I have a sitter who comes every Friday and I leave the house for 4 hours and work from Starbusk or another location.  If I haven’t pumped any milk I stay home and work.  If we know we are going out I pump a bit.  I have never had more than 15-20 ounces of milk in my freezer at a time, and usually I have closer to 0-10.

I guess I am lucky that I don’t have to pump and I get to stay home and nurse my baby when he needs it.

Let me explain WHY I avoid pumping and maybe you’ll know what a big deal it is when people say they have a 100+ ounce stash of breastmilk.

First, I have to make sure pumping is going to be worth it. There is nothing more depressing than geting everything aligned to pump and coming up with less than one ounce.  So far I have acheived this by either pumping in the morning (on the breast that I nurse from the least) or “block feeding” (feeding on one side more than once in a row, then pumping on the other side after storing up milk for a bit).

Next, my Flange (the part than goes on your breast) has to be clean.  If I were a better woman I would wash it as soon as it has been used and put it back on my pumping table.  Alas, I am not.  Often times I find an opportune moment to pump only to realize my Flange is buried under some glasses in my sink and needs to be washed.  That often makes me say “nevermind.”

Clean Flange- Check.  Boob(s) full- check.  Kids asleep/husband home to watch kids/ or kids entertained for 10 minutes?  eh………….?!?

Damn kids. They are always crashing my pumping parties.  If the stars have aligned and I am READY to pump, usually the kids aren’t in agreeance (thank you Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit fame).  I keep my Hygeia Enjoye in my room for the serious pumping sessions and my old Medela Swing Single can roam to wherever I need it.  Currently it is on my couch.  The Hygeia is going to be a Godsend at BlogHer when a double pump is a must, and it is ridiculously quiet.

So what’s a girl (with engorged) boobs to do?

It depends on  the day and the mood of the kids.  Often I let the toddler amuse himself in whatever activity will hold his attention for at least 10 minutes.  The baby is trickier.  I prefer to have my husband watch both kids but if he isn’t around I put the baby on the bed with me and play with him or leave him on the floor of my room so I can keep an eye on him while he plays.  It is about to get more interesting since he started crawling this week.

*CRASH*  *SCREAM* *CRYING*

What was that?!

Occasionally a loud bang or crash will cause me to hastily disconnect from the pump (and squirt milk in all directions).  This blows.  My biggest fear is that I will have a few ounces in my bag or bottle and will have to rush to attend to the scary noise or screaming child and the milk will spill.

Take this morning (please! badum ching). I was pumping and the kids were on the floor in front of me.  Toddler whacked the baby with a plastic hanger.  Baby screams.  Then toddler tried to help by hugging him, which knocked him to the ground.  Cue more crying.  I disconnected and ran over while my left breast was still squirting milk.  Jealous yet?

See what an ordeal pumping can be?!  Pumping at work or while kids are away must be easier than while kids ARE around.  I definitely respect the pumping mamas out there.

I have to pump every single day between now and when I leave for BlogHer on August 4.  I have exactly 30 ounces stashed away since I started pumping daily on the 24th.  The past 2 days I have added a second afternoon session and I hope to continue this in case something prevents a daily session from happening.

If I only pump once a day and get an average of 3.25 ounces it will take another 22 days to get to 100.  Of course, I would love more than 100 ounces just in case but I HAVE to hit that goal.  I will be gone for 4 whole days including travel.  If my son drinks 1 ounce an hour that is 96 hours away from him!  I will definitely aim to have more than 100 but that is certainly the smallest I could leave. (I don’t want to consider supplementing at this point but I realize it is a possibility.  I would rather my husband give him formula in the event that my milk runs out early than him starve.)

Now maybe you can see why the women who lose 100 ounces to a delivery mishap, a TSA Agent, or a husband who left the freezer door open (yikes…) would potentially go postal.  I know the hell I would.

I WILL reach my goal because that is the kinda person I am.  I thrive under pressure.  I haven’t missed a day and in just 6 days I have 30 ounces now.  BlogHer and 100 ounces or Bust!

See also- Pumping at BlogHer?  Consider Donating Breastmilk!

A HUGE thanks to my BlogHer Sponsors. Swaddlebees (makers of the fabulous and trim Simplex cloth diaper), Boba (makers of my favorite SSC for toddlers that is so comfy) and Hygeia (who sent a pump for me to use in getting milk ready for BlogHer and to pump while I’m gone)

Twitter has changed my life in so many ways for the better.  I can’t tell you how many amazing women I have met by being involved with the many interests in my life.  #breastfeeding or #bfing folks on Twitter have also played a huge role in my nursing experience.  When I was lamenting about finding a good fitting nursing bra Judy, owner of A Mother’s Boutique and Nursing Bra Expert, chimed in to help.  She wasn’t out to “sell” me on anything, or even her store.  I could tell that more than anything she wanted me to find the bra that worked for me.  She offered her opinion on a few, and based on her recommendations I chose a brand to try.  Ever since I have always suggested her store to my friends and have shopped there myself.  She really knows her stuff and she carries a huge selection of nursing bras.  In fact, she has the best selection of bras for the “bustier” crowd than any other store I have come across.

She is a cheerleader too! Judy loves breastfeeding and watching mothers hit milestones with their babies.  She nursed her own son for quite a while.

When Judy wrote to me and asked if I would be interested in hosting a “Virtual” Bra Fitting on my blog I didn’t hesitate.  ”YES!”  I was wearing the wrong size before I was virtually fitted, and I can bet that most of you are as well.

At A Mother’s Boutique you can find a few DDL favorites. Pumping mamas can find the Pumpease, an amazing bra that lets you pump hands free.  Ginni reviewed this bra for us and said it changed her life!  I wear a Glamourmom tank and love the easy, one handed access and the excellent support it provides.  Bamboobies are another fav here; they provide nursing mothers with super soft bamboo reusable breast pads backed with a waterproof layer to keep those letdowns from showing on your top!  And before writing this I had no idea they carry one of my favorite ring sling brands, Maya Wrap! I lurve my Maya Sling and it is very affordable too!

Here is what is being given away, and I hope you are as excited as I am!

Winner #1 will get a free nursing bra (up to a $55 value)
Winner #2 will get a free nursing bra (up to a $30 value)
Winner #3 will get a free nursing bra (up to a $25 value)
Winner #4 will get a free nursing bra (up to a $15 value)
Winner #5 will get a free nursing bra (up to a $15 value)

Judy will help each winner be fitted and I guarantee she will help you find the right size!  She is the booby whisperer!  A Mother’s Boutique has a gazzilion nursing bra brands, ranging from Fully Supportive to Sexy!  Yeah, you heard correctly, there ARE sexy nursing bras you just have to know where to look!

So let A Mother’s Boutique help you find the perfect nursing bra!

I am simplifying all of my giveaways for this week.

Mandatory Entry:

(1 Entry) Visit A Mother’s Boutique and browse the extensive selection of nursing apparel, bras, and other goodies for lactating mamas!  Come back and tell me which nursing bra you would choose if you won!  Leave an email for me to reach you or sign in to leave your comment.

Not Mandatory, but encouraged entry

(1 Entry) We would also love for you to “like” A Mother’s Boutique on Facebook and say “Hi!” on the wall!  Their Facebook page is a wonderful place to be.  Amy, a CLC, and Judy, the Booby Whisperer, are there to help with your breastfeeding and nursingwear questions.

Extra Entries:

(1 Entry) Do any of these: Follow @KimRosas on Twitter, follow @MommyNews on Twitter, “Like” Dirty Diaper Laundry on Facebook.   Let me know that you did.  You can only do one, or do all.  Tell me which one(s) you did as well.

(1 Entry) Do any of these: Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, Subscribe to my Monthly Newsletter, Subscribe to Mommy News Blog by email, Subscribe to my blog by email, subscribe to the A Mother’s Boutique newsletter.  Let me know you did at least one, but hopefully you will choose a few more ways to show you care!  Leave it as a comment.

(1 Entry) Tweet about this giveaway and reply to @KimRosas and @MommyNews and link it. You can tweet one time a day until the contest ends.

The fine print: Open to US and Canadian Residents.  If you have won something from A Mother’s Boutique in the last 6 months you are not eligible, sorry!  I use “and the winner is…” to randomly draw winners.  Giveaway is open until April 30.  Prizes will be drawn and given in order: First draw gets prize #1, second #2, etc.  I am an affiliate of A Mother’s Boutique and some links provided are affiliates.

Wendy, inventor of  PumpEase, contacted me about doing a review.  I really wanted to work with her because I know they are a fabulous company but frankly, I don’t pump very often.  If you follow me on Twitter you know that I only have a single pump and when I do get around to it I tweet the entire time about how much I despise pumping.  But I have a friend who pumps, and pumps, and pumps.  I knew she could give this a real work out, and she did!  Read about her experience with the Pumpease and how it saved her back and her sanity!  Plus keep scrolling for a coupon code and giveaway!

Organic PumpEase

I was recently asked to review the Pumpease Organic Pumping Bra for Dirty Diaper Laundry. I’ll start with my favorite thing about it….I’m using it right now. Right this second I am double pumping as I type this review. THAT, is my favorite thing. Let me backtrack and give you and idea of who I am and why I like that so much. My name is Ginni, I am a SAHM/doula/nursing mom/milk donating mom with 4 kiddos. I pump 2-8 times in each 24 hour period, typically 5-6 times a day/night. I have a 7 month old nursling and I also pump for a 6 month old that was born via surrogacy and cannot be nursed by mom, but through donation is exclusively breastfed.

I stay home with my kiddos every day, and 3 nights a week I am an overnight in-home baby nurse/postpartum doula for newborn twins. I pump a couple of times during my shift when the babies allow, usually twice between midnight and 8am. I have to have milk on hand for if my son wakes during the night and I’m not there. I also attend births and have to always have a minimum of 24 hours worth of milk for him for if I get called to a birth. I have various workshops, training courses, client interviews/prenatal appointments, commitments and occasionally even…. *gasp*…..SOCIAL EVENTS! Some of those require (or are just better!) not bringing my 7 month old with me. Oh look! My bottles are full! I can turn off my pump and continue! Didn’t even notice.

So as you’ve probably noticed, my schedule is a little full, and multi-tasking is crucial to my family and career balancing and thriving like it is. Kim specifically spoke to me about this product and said “If anybody needs this, it’s you!” and she was absolutely right. This bra….I love this bra. It has taken the frustration out of pumping really. I hate pumping. It’s not fun, it’s not comfortable, it’s time consuming and well….unattractive. I feel very awkward sitting on my couch with both boobs hanging out hunched over trying to be at least SOMEWHAT discreet while answering my 8 year old son’s question about where his baseball glove is. I don’t mind nursing in front of them, I don’t mind nursing in front of anyone really. But pumping is different…it looks weird and I feel very exposed when I do it around anyone. I mean…I have to take both boobs out and basically sit there with them hanging out, and this machine that’s making them look strange and making a bunch of noise for 10-15 minutes, several times a day. Who wouldn’t love that?

One of the things that I love about the Pumpease is that it eliminates some of that lack of discretion for me. I am basically wearing what from the front looks like a sports bra/tube top. I am quite covered up. I have used it with and without a nursing bra underneath, and it functions efficiently either way.

The next thing I love about the Pumpease is that my back has stopped hurting. I realized that instead of just sitting and holding the pumps with my hands and waiting to be done, I was multi-tasking and using my hands anyway….just not very well. I would answer the phone, wipe my 2 year old’s nose, type an email one handed, try to eat, etc, while pumping. Do you know how to do that? You know, you get everything out of your lap, lean over and hold the bottle part of the pump on one side between your thighs and have that hand free! While bent in half slightly turned to the side….for 15 minutes. Yeah…..functional, but quite painful after doing it several times a day. This bra has taken that away. I actually forgot to put it in my pump bag the other night going to work and was NOT very happy when I sat down to pump without it. Amazing how quickly we get spoiled!

In short, the Pumpease is very simple, very comfortable, very modest and has given me back a couple hours a day of functional time…and I didn’t have those couple of hours to spare. I would highly reccommend it to any mom that is regularly pumping and doesn’t have the time to waste. Thank you to Pumpease and to Dirty Diaper Laundry for providing me with this opportunity to review something that I wouldn’t have thought I would want to buy, but now can’t live without!
Ginni is a mom to 4 kiddos, a doula, and an all around busy lady!  If you are in the San Antonio area she is also helping coordinate The Great Cloth Diaper Change there.  Her website:
www.lovingbeginning.com

Your PumpEase hands-free pumping support will hold your breast pump in place as securely and comfortably for your 1000th pumping session as it did for your 1st. Our patent pending, ‘no-stitch’ horn openings accommodate ALL makes and models of pumps guaranteed.

If you decided after that amazing testimonial that you need a PumpEase too, use the coupon code: DIRTYDIAPER15 for 15% off on Pumpease.com.  And did you know that 2.00 from every PumpEase sold on their website goes to Best For Babes?! Love it!

Oh, and I get to give one away!

One lucky DDL Reader will win their own PumpEase Hands Free Nursing Bra in their choice of size/color/style!

Mandatory Entry:

(1 entry) Tell me your favorite color or style of Pumpease available.   Leave it as a comment along with your contact email.

For extra entries do any or all of the following.  Leave a comment for each you do.

(1 entry) Follow @KimRosas on twitter and tweet this giveaway. Please tweet, “Free up your hands to tweet this while pumping!  Enter to win a @Pumpease from @KimRosas!  http://d28gc.th8.us Ends March 21.”Leave a comment with a link to your status.

You can tweet once a day for the duration of the contest. Leave a comment with your status for each tweet. 1 entry per day.

(3 Entries!)  Sign up for my Monthly Newsletter. Leave a comment saying you did.

(1 Entry) Follow @PumpEase and/or @Snugabell on Twitter. Leave a comment.

(1 entry) Subscribe to my blog via email through feedburner. Leave a comment.

(1 entry) Follow me through Google Friend Connect or via a reader. Leave a comment.

(1 entry) Grab my button and post it on your blog. Leave a comment.

(2 entries) Blog about this giveaway and link to it. Post a link in the comment.

(2 entries) Get Creative: Post about this giveaway on a messageboard or forum. Leave a comment with a link.

(1 Entry) Click “Share this” and share this giveaway on your Facebook page. Leave a comment.

(1 Entry) “Like” PumpEase on Facebook. Leave a comment.

(1 Entry) “Like” Dirty Diaper Laundry on Facebook.  Leave a comment.

(1 Entry) Go to Dirty Diaper Laundry on Facebook and start a discussion or reply to a discussion.  Tell me what you did. Just leave your comment

(1 Entry) Subscribe to my YouTube Channel. Leave a comment.

(1 Entry) Subscribe to the PumpEase YouTube Channel. Leave a comment.

Giveaway ends on March 21. Winner will be chosen using And the winner is…. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn. *Open to US and Canada*

Ginni was sent a PumpEase for the purposes of the review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% genuine and her own.