WHAT I DID
I was not able to nurse my daughter when she was first born because we were both rushed to the hospital after her delivery at the birth center. This caused my supply to be slow to produce. I pumped in the hospital with the hospital grade Amedea pump for two days and nothing was coming out.
I ended up renting the hospital grade pump even though I had the Medela freestyle at home because if the pump is working hard it can run out the battery the nurses said. For another day or two I was still not producing milk when I pumped. Finally it came. Perseverance is key.
Marianna's pediatrician was a lactation consult as well, DR. Soppas with Drexel Hill Pediatrics. It was 35 min. from our house but I wanted a Dr. who supported breast feeding. She was wonderful and just what I needed since I had issues.
I ended up supplementing with 2 oz. Enfamil already mixed formula bottles by putting a thin straw in it and then placing the other end of the straw on my nipple so Marianna could be breast feeding and getting the supplement at the same time. This allowed my supply to increase and Marianna to get enough food all at the same time. I did this for about 2 weeks and then my supply was producing well.
WHAT I LEARNED
Not everything goes as you imagine it. I did not expect Marianna to have a bottle as her first meal. Breast feeding does not come easy to all. It is worth working at it. I love the bonding time you get from it. Marianna is over 7 months and we are still breast feeding. I plan to continue until she is at least 1.
It is so convenient not to have to pack bottles when going out. One less thing I have to worry about.
GREENIST OPTION
Limiting the production of formula which uses energy to make it, containers, etc.
Saves water- no bottles to wash or not as many if pumping.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Save with Second Hand
WHAT I DID:
Before Marianna was born I spent so much money on the GREENIST options out there, at least I thought. I only purchased organic or wooden toys along with organic/bamboo clothing, sheets, towels, socks, etc. I wanted everything she came in contact with to be non toxic and the best for her health.
WHAT I LEARNED:
Now that I am a stay at home mom I need to save money wherever we can. There are many Eco options that are easy on our wallet, such as second hand clothing, toys, and books. Clothing is one area I have cut back my spending on. I started to ease up on the fact that the clothing and toys were not organic because they were washed numerous times so if there were pesticides still in the items it was very minimal. The one thing I still do not give Marianna are plastic toys. That one I am still anal about.
Hand me downs are the greatest! Take them from whoever offers. Whatever you will not use take to a consignment shop. Then you can put the money you make from it towards new (well new to you) clothes, toys, or books at that store! If you have not received hand me downs there are many places to go.
WHERE I GO:
The Nesting House- West Mt. Airy
Worn Yesterday- Manayunk
Kid to Kid- all over the country
Craigslist
Consignment Sales such as Cozy Tots
GREENIST OPTION:
- You are not causing production of new items therefor SAVES on pesticides, energy, packaging, and materials. In all, lower carbon footprint.
- Second hand clothing does not have all the harsh chemicals like new non Eco clothing because most have been washed multiple times.
Before Marianna was born I spent so much money on the GREENIST options out there, at least I thought. I only purchased organic or wooden toys along with organic/bamboo clothing, sheets, towels, socks, etc. I wanted everything she came in contact with to be non toxic and the best for her health.
WHAT I LEARNED:
Now that I am a stay at home mom I need to save money wherever we can. There are many Eco options that are easy on our wallet, such as second hand clothing, toys, and books. Clothing is one area I have cut back my spending on. I started to ease up on the fact that the clothing and toys were not organic because they were washed numerous times so if there were pesticides still in the items it was very minimal. The one thing I still do not give Marianna are plastic toys. That one I am still anal about.
Hand me downs are the greatest! Take them from whoever offers. Whatever you will not use take to a consignment shop. Then you can put the money you make from it towards new (well new to you) clothes, toys, or books at that store! If you have not received hand me downs there are many places to go.
WHERE I GO:
The Nesting House- West Mt. Airy
Worn Yesterday- Manayunk
Kid to Kid- all over the country
Craigslist
Consignment Sales such as Cozy Tots
GREENIST OPTION:
- You are not causing production of new items therefor SAVES on pesticides, energy, packaging, and materials. In all, lower carbon footprint.
- Second hand clothing does not have all the harsh chemicals like new non Eco clothing because most have been washed multiple times.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Cloth Diapers
WHAT I DID-
I researched many of the cloth diapering systems. Me being Ms. Eco Woman, now Eco Mama, wanted the greenist option out there. I purchased the Bummis Bamboozles in size 1 and 2 (12 of each.) I went with these because they are bamboo. It is suppose to be more absorbent than cotton. So that crossed organic cotton off of my list. I did not want polyester so I went with a wool outside cover which needs to be sprayed with Lanolin to keep it more water resistant.
WHAT I LEARNED-
Marianna was born and I planned on starting the cloth diapers around a month old. They were huge on her. I tried again at 2 and 3 months, still huge. Not only did they not really fit, but I would have to put pants on that were a size up because it made her butt so big, a bubble butt. This was not the diapering system I imagined.
So, I ended up buying Perfect Fit FuzziBunz in small from Zulily. I love them! They are not bulky for reusable. Marianna had been wetting through her onsie, pjs, sheets and mattress pad with the disposables- Seventh Generation and Nature Babycare. Yes, we feed a lot at night! Once I started using the FuzziBunz I doubled up before she went to bed and she is fine for 12-13 hours in it!
I got a great deal on them, that is why I went with the perfect fit. I figured I would see if she could get a year out of them. She is petite. Otherwise I would recommend the one size diaper.
GREENIST OPTION-
The FuzziBunz Hemp One Size Diaper. The insert is made of 55% natural hemp and 45% certified organic cotton and is 100% biodegradable! Hemp requires no pesticides to farm. It also has natural anti-microbial properties, which may aid in deterring mold, bacteria and fungus. Going with the One Size will save you money in the long run because you do not need to buy 12 diapers in 2 different sizes. These were not out when I bought mine. If they were I would have snatched them up. I still have to exchange the Bummis Bamboozles though, so I know what I am getting instead!!!
I researched many of the cloth diapering systems. Me being Ms. Eco Woman, now Eco Mama, wanted the greenist option out there. I purchased the Bummis Bamboozles in size 1 and 2 (12 of each.) I went with these because they are bamboo. It is suppose to be more absorbent than cotton. So that crossed organic cotton off of my list. I did not want polyester so I went with a wool outside cover which needs to be sprayed with Lanolin to keep it more water resistant.
WHAT I LEARNED-
Marianna was born and I planned on starting the cloth diapers around a month old. They were huge on her. I tried again at 2 and 3 months, still huge. Not only did they not really fit, but I would have to put pants on that were a size up because it made her butt so big, a bubble butt. This was not the diapering system I imagined.
So, I ended up buying Perfect Fit FuzziBunz in small from Zulily. I love them! They are not bulky for reusable. Marianna had been wetting through her onsie, pjs, sheets and mattress pad with the disposables- Seventh Generation and Nature Babycare. Yes, we feed a lot at night! Once I started using the FuzziBunz I doubled up before she went to bed and she is fine for 12-13 hours in it!
I got a great deal on them, that is why I went with the perfect fit. I figured I would see if she could get a year out of them. She is petite. Otherwise I would recommend the one size diaper.
GREENIST OPTION-
The FuzziBunz Hemp One Size Diaper. The insert is made of 55% natural hemp and 45% certified organic cotton and is 100% biodegradable! Hemp requires no pesticides to farm. It also has natural anti-microbial properties, which may aid in deterring mold, bacteria and fungus. Going with the One Size will save you money in the long run because you do not need to buy 12 diapers in 2 different sizes. These were not out when I bought mine. If they were I would have snatched them up. I still have to exchange the Bummis Bamboozles though, so I know what I am getting instead!!!
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