I find myself searching for “Mommy Group” friends now that I have a little one. It is funny how my life has changed so much, and now, on top of it all, I feel like I should surround myself with people that I did not know of have a need to know until I had a baby. The normal talks about who is dating who, or a conversation surrounding the longest lasting lip glosses, are lost on me. I would rather talk about smushed bananas or brands of diapers. I guess a baby will let you know where you are at in the world, and I had better catch up, and meet some more “Mommy” friends. The one part of this search that I am liking is that I am asserting who I am finally. Am I a soccer mom or a tree hugger? Do I make clothing for our family, or spend lots of time stroller walking the malls? There are mommy groups out there for everything, and I am excited about trying them!

With the rise of breastfeeding in our culture, we see lots of heated debates involving all sorts of issues on this matter. The one that I find particularly interesting is that some women are enlisting the help of wet nurses. I am sure these are well to do women, that have a career that they just cannot give up. The one question, without knowing too much on the subject, where do these women come from? Do they have a family of their own? In order to have milk you usually need a child. So what do these women do with their babies?

I have to say, though, with the little bit that I know, this is a good thing. As long as the wet nurse can prove that she is healthy, I think that it is important to breastfeed babies. I know that babies can get it from a bottle, but when the child nurses at the breast, it tells the female to produce more milk. I don’t think that a pump can provide this same cause and effect, and definitely not long term. I have held babies that cried so hard with no way to console them, and my friend has held mine. After lots of thought, I think that I would prefer my friend breastfeed my child rather than try to console him to no avail.

Whichever it is for you, if you are pregnant, I am sure you have tried it. I was religious with putting on the oil (Earth Mama Angel Baby Stretch Oil at Baby Blurbs.com) and I luckily didn’t have the dreaded stripes down my abdomen. So many books told me that it was due to heredity, and not because of topical creams and oils. I think that it is a mix of both, though. Either way, pregnancy flies by, so I didn’t want to risk it. I will mention that if you are going put on the slick stuff, then stick with it. You don’t want to give up two weeks before your due date! That is when some women notice the marks popping up!

Do you feed your baby exclusively by the breast? Do you get tons of marketing for formula in the mail? If you answered yes, then why not give your coupons and free formula to moms that need it? Your local adoption agency or mothers clubs can find a use for those items that you would normally throw away. There are many women that cannot breastfeed, and formula is so expensive that every coupon or formula sample will help those in need. Even your OB-GYN would know the local outlets that would gladly take it all off your hands!

Here are some tips from one mom to another.

*Olive oil is okay to use on your breast pump. Pure lanolin is okay to use on your nipples. Nipple Butter by Earth Mama Angel Baby at Baby Blurbs is made from organic olive oil, and doesn’t have to be wiped off. It is safe for baby!

*Mastitis, Yeast/Thrush, and even over active or under active Montgomery glands can lead to latching problems or feeding problems, resulting in pain for mom and too much or too little milk for baby. Make sure you ask your OB-GYN or family doctor about any potential problems.

*There are a million different breast pads out there, and you can write the companies for free samples to try them out. Change your breast pads very frequently so not to develop yeast problems!

*Soothies and Booby Tubes are great help for sore breasts. The Breastfeeding Kit at Baby Blurbs contains Booby Tubes that are cold for easing pain and can be warmed in the microwave for moist heat 5 minutes. before nursing. They can be reused, too. Moist heat helps your let down and is great for engorgement.

*This is the best tip: Use all of your friends and family that are pro-breastfeeding. You will need a clan of help to get you through the hard times. Remember, it is the best for you and baby!

A new site for Baby Blurbs! Yeah! It is the most work I’ve done in a month! Aside from the new baby, we feel like we have another newborn in the house. What is it you ask? The Baby Blurbs webstore newly redesigned looks so great with the new updates, and new product. I really like what the web designer has done with the new site. There are many new updates in the store, so make sure you browse around!

We also have a new promotion. We are offering 10% off of any purchase while we are celebrating the new updates, and the BabyZone advertising.

Visit the site now: Baby Blurbs

I am so excited about all of the new products that Baby Blurbs will carry. I have now included Melissa and Doug “First Play” toys, which are wooden toys for small babies that are nontoxic and are safe for their little mouths. There are the cutest little rattles and pull toys!

I think that the biggest addition is the KidKraft furniture! There are Harley Davidson rockers, Golf Carts, and Fire Truck beds. I would have loved one of the kids’ kitchens when I was little….by the way…isn’t that why we have kids anyway? We want to give them all of the stuff we didn’t have when we were that age? It is funny how overwhelming that urge is!

The baby is here! We are officially first time parents!

So many things come to mind when I think of what a new mom need to survive the first week home with her first child. I think that honestly some of the best advice I have comes from other mothers, and I feel happy to pass it along. So here goes!

~Make sure you get a chance to take a shower everyday. Allow yourself that little bit of time, and it will make a lot of difference!
~Nipple Cream…need I say more?
~Keep the baby swaddled really well and you won’t have those little jerks and jumps that wake baby up.
~Let the family and friends do it! They will ask to help you with anything from dishes to lawnmowing. Always take them up on it, even if you feel guilty. They ask because they want to, and the asking will stop all to quick. Don’t find yourself wishing that you had used the help after 4 weeks of sleepless nights have gone by!
~Baby your baby. In the first weeks pick the baby up anytime he wants it. It will help the bonding process right away.

Well, I am full of tips, so stick around!

Practically all pregnant women have heard of the birth plan. It is a document that tells your healthcare provider what you want during and after your labor and delivery. Most healthcare professionals do not like this “plan” because it puts in writing what most women want, but cannot have certain times. Making the woman all the more upset.

Gone are those days of the dredded birth plan. Continue reading…

Four minutes or less of child safety guidelines is what most parents are getting these days from healthcare professionals. It seems that in a study where 140 people were surveyed what they were trained on at Pediatric Primary Care Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, 75% say that childseat safety was discussed. However less than 25% of parents were told about baby gates and bath thermometers.
Continue reading…