Tips for Visiting a New Mom

Today I am sharing tips for visits a new mom over at Tampa bay moms blog!  

http://www.tampabaymomsblog.com/2014/01/17/tips-for-visiting-a-new-mom/

Massage During Pregnancy and Labor

Do you really need convincing to get a massage while pregnant? Didn’t think so! In addition to just feeling so darn good, researchers have identified a myriad of health benefits for both mama and baby from a good pregnancy massage. Sweet baby gets more oxygen and a surge of happy hormones (serotonin) from mama. Mama gets a decrease in stress hormones (cortisol). Swelling and muscle tension are reduced, and aches, pains, and restless leg can all be alleviated.

Smiling during active labor while my CST practitioner works on my back and my lumberjack of a husband stands by. No fairy dust or patchouli-encrusted unicorns were involved in this photo.

Here’s something you may not have heard. Under most states’ heading of massage therapy is a modality called CranioSacral Therapy (CST). Developed by Dr. John Upledger in the 1970’s, CST uses a mere 5 grams of pressure, about the weight of a nickel, to assist the body in self correction and healing. Yes… sounds like horse pucky. Trust me, my left-brained accountant self thought this was voodoo medicine when I first heard about it. All I could picture was some patchouli-encrusted hippy dancing around my energetic fields and throwing fairy dust on me, while charging $90 for the hour.

Why did I decide to try it out? To “prove” that it was bogus. I hate when I’m wrong.

My first session was when I was five months pregnant with my first child and had a wicked headache. The CST practitioner had me reclined face up, fully clothed, on her table. She ever so gently rested her hands on my feet, thighs, hips, ribs, shoulders, and then head to get a read on what my body needed. Then she immediately went to work resting one of her hands on my abdomen and the other on my tail-bone (sacrum). I was a little annoyed at this point because I had told her I was there to treat a headache, not have my hips worked on. While it felt like she was doing nothing, I noticed my headache slowly subsiding until it was gone. She then moved up to my head and chest and continued the same light work. Within minutes I was fast asleep only waking occasionally to the sound of my own snoring. When the session was done I didn’t really know what she did, but I did feel better all over and my headache was gone. Huh! Maybe I need to try this again.

Fast-forward to my second pregnancy, I decided make CST a regular part of my self-care. Not for any issue in particular, just because I remembered feeling like a better version of myself and thought I could tackle pregnancy difficulties head on.  I watched in amazement as my son moved from lying transverse to head-down during one session, and rotated from posterior to anterior during another… again with only a nickel’s weight worth of pressure. I had no issues with swelling in my legs, no headaches, and only minimal back pains during the 9 months.

When my CST practitioner asked if I’d be open to her working on me during labor I jumped at the opportunity. Let me just say that CST is the closest thing to an epidural I can imagine, and with no negative side effects to my baby or me. Each time she laid her hands on me, the pain of contractions seemed to be cut in half. Now I won’t talk your ear off about all of the details of my 19 hours of active labor fun, but I will say that my midwife documented that during the few brief hours that my CST practitioner went home to sleep, my labor slowed. As soon as the practitioner returned and started working again, my contractions sped up and labor progressed. CST was doing something.

Now I am not one of those lucky mamas who pops out babies like a Nerf gun. No no. I felt completely physically wrecked and was nearly bedridden for two weeks following my 8-pound daughter’s birth. That’s why I was gobsmacked that just four hours after birthing my 9-pound son, I was cleared to leave the birthing center and was able to walk out on my own with no complications. In the wise words of Keanu Reeves, “Whoa.”

I consider CranioSacral Therapy to be one of the best-kept secrets of the bodywork field and a HUGE benefit to pregnant and laboring women. After my experience I never want to labor again without CST and hope that other women get to experience the same!

FuzziBunz: A Comparison

I recently purchased a new FuzziBunz diaper during the Diaper Junction (aff link) black Friday sale.  I purchased some FuzziBunz last March when I started cloth diapering and for a pocket diaper I really like them (see results of my FuzziBunz Diaper Trial). Imagine my surprise when my new diaper came upon trying it on my daughter I realized that it is HUGE!!! 

I scoured the Internet and even contacted FuzziBunz customer service to see why my diapers were so different.  I was unable to find any type of comparison, so what is a blogger to do except make my own! 

For my girls I have the original One Size Elites (2012) and now a new Elite (2013), but I have a good friend who exclusively uses FuzziBunz so I was able to borrow one of the original One Size Diapers from her that she purchased in 2011.



*Elastic let out to make comparable

The Measurements:
I let the elastic out of each diaper and removed any inserts so that I could get as good of measurements as possible to be able to compare them

Original One Size:
     Wing width: 16.75 inches
     Length: 14 inches
     Crotch width (at narrowest point): 5.25 inches
     Front width: 8 inches

One Size Elite:
      Wing width: 16.75 inches
      Length: 14 inches
      Crotch width (at narrowest point): 4.75 inches
      Front width: 7 inches

New One Size Elite:
      Wing width: 18.75 inches
      Length: 16 inches
      Crotch width (at narrowest point): 6.25 inches
      Front width: 8.25 inches

Based on my measurements the most significant differences are the additional 2 inches in the wings and the additional 2 inches in length.  This is definitely contributing to the look of extra material in the bum.  Laying them side by side the differences aren't as noticeable but laying them on top of each other really shows the differences.

The Fit:
I loved the fit of the Old Elites because I love a really trim diaper and because my girls are relatively skinny (my 2 year old has always been in the 1-2 percentile and my 9 month old is in the 18th percentile).  The new diaper has a little too much excess material for me that just seems unnecessary and I would be concerned how this will fit a newborn (my sister is due with her first baby in 4 weeks so we just may find out!).


9 months, 17 pounds

Why the Changes?
I contacted FuzziBunz customer service to see why the changes were made and if there was anything I could do about this fit and this is the response I received:

"The 2013 Elites were improved based on customer feedback, as well as our own testing of the previous 2012 Elites. While the 2012 Elites were much narrower in the crotch, and trimmer-fitting all around, this ended up working best only for babies and small children for the most part. The narrowness of the crotch proved to be lacking in coverage on older, more mobile children, and the minky inserts did not absorb as much as the microfiber inserts, which come with the new 2013 Elites.

Also, because of the reduced amount of fabric in the 2012 Elites, we found that the rise became too low on older children, and they did not fit older children until potty training, which resulted in some customers having to spend more money on different diapers that did fit."

In relation to the fit:

"Make sure you are adjusting both ends of each leg elastic, as some customers have reported being unaware that this was possible, and they experienced leaks and poor fit until it was brought to light. So - if you haven't already - make sure to turn each diaper completely inside-out so that you can access both the "front" and "back" ends of each leg elastic to get the best fit."

Customer Service also noted in a later e-mail that the inserts that come with the new 2013 Elites (LOT FB-BB-05 and later) are 80% Polyester and 20% Rayon making them more absorbent than both the previous inserts that were either 100% Polyester or Minky.

Overall the new style of FuzziBunz does not fit my skinny girls, but I can see how these would work well for chubbier babies or older/bigger toddlers. While they do not work for me, I am impressed that FuzziBunz provides a money back guarantee, so if you think this diaper might work for you then there is no loss in trying one!!!

https://www.diaperjunction.com/FuzziBunz_bymfg_12-0-1.htmlFuzziBunzhttps://www.diaperjunction.com/FuzziBunz_bymfg_12-0-1.html

Nursing Cover and Burp Pad

Breastfeeding your child in public in the beginning can be very intimidating especially with an inadequate nursing cover.  For my first daughter I purchased a nursing cover and I was just not happy with it so I set out to make my own.  What I love about the ones I have made is that they are wider so cover more easily and also that the stiff part along the top is longer so that it is easier to see my baby.
My sister in law is due with her third boy (!) in about a month and I really wanted to make her something she could use.  I had previously found a yard of University of North Carolina material that I wanted to use for her since she has not only a Bachelors degree but also a Masters and Doctorate from UNC.  I can't believe that she has made it through 2 kids without a nursing cover, so hopefully she finds this one very useful.

Materials Needed:
Cotton Fabric of choice - If you would like just the nursing cover then you need 3/4 yard of 44 inch wide cotton fabric (make sure it isn't see through).  I like to buy a yard of the fabric and then I have enough to make a corresponding burp cloth so that you can coordinate while nursing in public ;).
Set of D- Rings
1/2 yard of boning

To make the Nursing Cover cut your fabric at the 3/4 yard mark if it isn't already cut to this length.  Along the length of the fabric cut off two - 4 inch strips.  If you fabric is 44 inches wide this will leave you with the body of the cover that measures 36x27 and two 4 inch wide strips.

Start with the strips that will be come your straps.  One of the strips you will leave 27 inches long and the other strip you can cut off a 6 inch long piece (so your piece will be 6x4). Fold both pieces lengthwise, right sides together and pin in place.  For the longer (27 inch) piece you will sew along one short side, and then down the length of the strap.  Leave the bottom end open and turn it right side out (this is a tedious process). For the shorter strap you only need to sew along the long side and can leave both ends open, turn right side out.  Once you have both right side out, I like to sew along both sides, this gives it a little bit more body and is a nice decorative feature.  Place to the side for later.

The body of your nursing cover will be 36 inches wide by 27 inches long.  I have a serger, so I like to just serge the edges and then fold over once to create a half inch seam.  If you do not have a serger, you can easily just turn your raw edges under twice creating a half inch seam.  Once you have all edges pinned (you can press them at this point if you want to) determine which end is the top of the cover so that you can place your straps and boning.  

You will want to insert your boning under the seam so that it is centered in the cover, and so that it curves up towards you, pin underneath the boning to keep it in place.  You will then insert the raw edge of the long strap to the left of the boning (with the wrong side of the fabric up) and pin it in place.  

Take your two D rings and thread the short strap piece through the rings, matching up the two raw edges.  Place both raw edges underneath the pinned seam to the right of the boning.  

At this point I like to go ahead and sew my seam all the way around the cover making sure to capture both straps.  Once you have sewn all the way around, turn both straps up so that they stick out of the top of the cover.  You don't want to pull so that the edge of the seam pulls up, just turn it up and pin in place.  Once you have it pinned, sew a square around the pin to keep the strap turned up and in place. You may also want to sew along the top of the boning with a zipper foot so that you casing for the boning is night and tight, this will depend on how wide your boning is but you just don't want it to flip around on you.

 Finally to secure the D-rings in place, use your zipper foot and add a seam right under the D-rings, this will keep them from slipping around and the straps coming undone.

 Your nursing cover is now ready to be used in public!!!  I like to use the scrap from my yard of material to make a burp pad.  I use the cotton on one side and I really like to use terry cloth on the other side as it is very absorbent.  I also make my slightly 8 shaped so that it curves in by your neck, but you can make it however works best for you.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix in Santa Jars

Today I am blogging over at Tampa Bay Moms Blog and sharing my homemade hot chocolate mix as well as a fun Santa jar to put it in.  If you need a last minute gift, this is delicious and is quick and easy (no sewing required)!!!

Review and Giveaway: GlowBug Cloth Diapers

I am very excited to finally post my review and giveaway for GlowBug Cloth Diapers.  I received a diaper from GlowBug Cloth Diapers for my trial and review and I have spent the past month putting it to the test. 
When I first started cloth diapering I did a trial of all of the different diapers I bought and I conducted this trial in a very similar fashion.  The only differences are that this time I used the diaper on both girls (Claire is about 23 pounds and 2 years old and Hadley is 8 months and about 18 pounds).  I also really pushed the diaper to see how long it could really be worn before it leaked.  This means that the overall leak count was higher than before but that's because I had my daughters wear it until it leaked.

Number times of uses: 12
Number of leaks: 5
Longest wear without a leak (one insert): 3 hours, 15 minutes
Big Booty factor – One Insert: 3.5
Big Booty factor – Two Inserts: 5
Best Use: Exclusively breastfed babies, Travel, Naps and Night time
Favorite Features: 360 degree gussets, inserts that snap into the diaper and to each other, openings at the front and back of pocket

Pros:
Inexpensive (A pack of 12 diapers and 18 inserts is $150)
360 degree gussets work great
Snap in inserts and double openings make changing a breeze
Cons:
Can only be bought in packs of 12, no individual diapers
Two inserts are very bulky

When I was looking at GlowBug Cloth Diapers I was really excited to try one, the 360 degree gussets had me very intrigued as I have never seen this feature before.  Upon receiving the diaper I was also pleasantly surprised that the microfiber inserts snap not only into the diaper but also to each other so that you can snap in multiple inserts.  I immediately prepped the diaper but realized that when I was playing with the rise snaps that I had inadvertently pulled one of the snaps through the fabric.  Although I was disappointed that I wouldn't get to put it on my baby immediately I did recognize this as a great opportunity to comment on GlowBug's customer service.  I contacted Customer Service immediately and in no time they had provided me instructions on returning the diaper (they reimburse for shipping) and getting it fixed.  Within a weeks time the diaper was back in my possession and on my oldest daughter, so overall I was very impressed with their Customer Service.

Claire - One Insert

 

Hadley - One Insert

I don't like my diaper to be bulky, so I started with just one insert and would change my girls around the 2-2.5 hour mark, never with any leaks.  Then I started really putting the diaper to the test and would leave it on them until I noticed a leak.  With this approach the average time until a leak was approximately 3 hours.  On the last day of my trial I put my older daughter in the diaper with both inserts and let her go.  She actually went 6 hours without a leak and I only had to change her because she pooped in the diaper, pretty impressive!!!

Claire - Two Inserts

Hadley - Two Inserts

 

Other than the lack of leaks, I really enjoyed the other features of the diaper as well.  I love the 360 degree gussets.  I "got lucky" that my younger daughter got a cold, and so for about 5 days I didn't feed her any solids but only breastfed her.  Since I essentially had a exclusively breastfed baby again, I really got to appreciate the 360 degree gussets and never had a leak (and I had some serious dirty diapers!).  I also really like that there are openings in the front and back of the diaper.  Not nearly enough pocket diapers have this feature, but I love that I can just unsnap the insert and throw it in the wash.  I don't have to worry about pulling out the insert as it will just agitate out in the wash. 

After a month of trials, the only potential downside for me would be that they can not be bought individually and that you don't get to pick your colors.  I really like to sample all sorts of diapers and a huge reason I cloth diaper is the cuteness factor so this would be a big concession for me.  Thankfully all of the diapers I have seen that they make are really cute and I appreciate that they use coordinating snaps (some diaper companies just throw white snaps on everything) so I would probably take a chance and order a dozen or split a pack with a friend.

Overall this is a very solid diaper.  It has a lot of unique features that make it feel very well thought out, and it seems to be really well made. 

Win a GlowBug Cloth Diaper ($12.50 value) of your own!!  Give away is open to US and Canadian Residents and the winner will have a choice of boy, girl or a gender neutral color.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: GlowBug Cloth Diapers provided a diaper for me to try free of charge.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own. 

Elf on the Shelf Accessories

My daughter is 2 years old now, so I figured that she is now old enough that we can have a little fun with the Elf on the Shelf.  She still doesn't completely understand how it works but she has fun finding the elf each morning and showing other people and I had fun dressing our elf up.

To start with, I followed the instructions laid out at Dirty Diaper Laundry to make you elf bendable and grippy.  The instructions are very easy to follow and it maybe took me 30 minutes total to do.

Next because I have a girl elf, and I didn't want to buy a skirt, I decided to make her a skirt.  I made her a circle skirt similar to how I did it for my girls for Halloween.  I cut a piece of white felt 9 inches square so that when it was folded down it was 4.5 inches square.  The cut for the waist I did 1 inch from the center point and then rounded the bottom of the square to get my doughnut.   Measure your elf's waist to determine how long of a piece of elastic you need for the waist and then stretch the elastic to fit the skirt opening and sew it on.  I decorated my skirt with red snowflakes, but you can decorate however you want (super glue is your friend). 

I used braided yarn for the scarf, a friend braided it for another purpose last year and I thought it was perfect for my elf this year.  Lastly I attached a piece of Velcro on the white band of her hat so that I could make changeable bows and head pieces.  Next I will be working on accessories for a boy elf, stay tuned!