Jamberry Review & Special Giveaway

It's so amazing that we are already celebrating a year of this wonderful blog being in existence! We have been honored to have such a fantastic, diverse group of women share their stories with us and our readers. To celebrate our blogiversary, a friend has created some absolutely gorgeous Jamberry nail wraps to support breastfeeding! One lucky reader will win a set, and everyone will have a chance to purchase them if you don't win. The best part is, she is hosting an online Jamberry party and will give 20% of all proceeds to La Leche League! What a great way to get a little something for yourself and give back to a great organization.

If you haven't heard of Jamberry yet, what rock have you been living under?? But seriously, these things are amazing! Have you ever tried to paint your nails with a baby or toddler around? Yeah, me either. I can imagine if you did, it could go something like this:

If someone knows who to credit for this photo, let me know!

My other fear is that I'd get the polish on, and immediately at that moment, my baby would need me. Then I'd have nail polish smudged all over. Sure you can go to the salon, but sometimes you just don't have the time or the money for that. Enter Jamberry nails. These things are amazing! They are high quality nail stickers that can last up to 2 weeks on fingers and 4 weeks on toes. I don't know about you, but when I do get a manicure at the salon, it's a miracle if it lasts more than 24 hours. It will obviously depend on your individual nails, but these have the potential to be a fabulous looking manicure for 14 days. That's amazing! Here are a few of my Jamicures.

Besides the simplicity, one of the things I love best about Jamberry is how natural they are. Even though most nail polish is now available 5 Free, they still have some chemicals. I love that Jamberry is simply an acrylic polymer. There's also no smell, which is perfect if you are pregnant or nursing and can't tolerate the fumes. Jamberry offers a multitude of styles to choose from. There is something for everyone, whether you are a more reserved person or love a pop of color and pattern. One sheet of Jamberry wraps can yield you two manicures and two pedicures, and even some extra left for accent nails. I've even see people take the scraps and use them for French tips.

My friend and fellow breastfeeding mom, Dawn, was generous enough to have these special breastfeeding wraps designed for us. One lucky reader will win a set in their choice of pink or purple. On top of that, we'll be having an online party where you can order any Jamberry wraps your heart desires. 20% of all purchases will be donated to La Leche League, so make sure you stock up! Take advantage of the Buy 3, Get 1 Free deal. That makes the cost of a Jamicure about $3.75. What salon can you go to for that price?!

Win a set of these gorgeous breastfeeding nail wraps

To place your order, visit Dawn's Jamberry site. Shop around, add your items to your cart, and check out. When placing your order, make sure you select a party and choose Adventures in Breastfeeding LLL Fundraiser. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Dawn or any of the AIB admins. We will be happy to help you place your order! Join us on Facebook for all the party fun here. Learn more about Jamberry, see different Jamicures, and more. 

Thank you for joining us this past year on our journey. We look forward to sharing many more stories, tips, and recipes with all of you. 

Thanks to everyone for entering the giveaway! Congrats to Jessica H. on winning the beautiful custom Jams. I hope you'll share a picture with us when you apply them. For everyone else, you can order your own set of pink or purple custom Jams by contacting Dawn at the12thbabyjams@yahoo.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Year in Review: Big Changes FAQ

Today, we continue our look back at a year of tips and nips (see what I did there?) from the Adventures in Breastfeeding team! Monday, Laura covered the most common questions we hear from moms at the beginning of their breastfeeding journeys, so now it's time to talk about what comes after that! Maybe you're still in the newborn phase and wondering what to expect as your nursling grows, or maybe you're a seasoned pro looking for advice on extended breastfeeding. Either way, we have plenty of great answers and personal stories for you fabulous mamas!

I'm going back to work soon and I'm so nervous! Will I still be able to breastfeed?

You can definitely keep nursing even if you work full-time! We have plenty of tips on how to establish a good pumping routine, the best pumping supplies to have on hand, and a VERY IMPORTANT overview of your legal rights as a pumping mom!

Know Your Rights: Pumping in the Workplace

Pumping Counts Too: A Working Mom's Story

Working Mamas Must-Have Pumping Supplies

I've got a handle on breastfeeding and would really like to rejoin normal society. What can I wear? What can I eat? Can I finally have a beer? Am I EVER going to drop this baby weight?!

Breathe, Mama: we've got you covered! There are plenty of cute clothes you can wear that make it easy to nurse your babe, and we have a wildly popular pumpkin spice lactation cookie recipe that even your non-nursing friends will be begging for. YES, you can have that beer, and probably another drink, as well! And definitely bookmark this great post on getting in shape while breastfeeding!

Nursing Wear for the Mama on the Go

Pumpkin Spice Lactation Cookies

Pumping it Up!

You Can Drink That?!

I've decided to nurse beyond a year, but I don't know anyone else who's breastfed for that long. What's it like?

What a wonderful thing to do for your child! Though it may not seem like it, you're in great company! Important things to consider if you're going to practice extended (or "biological") breastfeeding are: how to tell the difference between weaning and a nursing strike, knowing the facts so you can answer the skeptics, setting boundaries with an increasingly communicative and independent toddler, and whether to tandem nurse if another baby is on the way!

Breastfeeding After One

My Baby Isn't Even One.... Is He Weaning?

Boundaries and the Breastfed Toddler

Dinner For Two?

Everyone seems to have an opinion about my decision to breastfeed or nurse in public. I feel so alone sometimes....

We totally get it. That's why we talk about our first experience nursing in public (and later without a cover! GASP!), that time someone reported our beautiful nursing photo, and we highlight some of the amazing breastfeeding art and imagery out there.

5 Awesome Breastfeeding Posters

My First Time Breastfeeding in Public

Someone Reported Your Picture For....

Phew! We've had a busy year with all these boobs and babies! And we have even bigger plans for next year! From the bottoms of our hearts, thank you so much for your interest, support, and incredible feedback! Please stay tuned this month for lots of fresh topics, giveaways, and more exciting changes!

And tell us what topics you'd like to see us cover on the blog, or contact us to become a regular or occasional author! Nurse on, mamas!

A Year in Review: Starting Out FAQ

It's November...and we couldn't be more thrilled that this month marks one year of tears, triumphs, and tatas here at Adventures in Breastfeeding!

To kick off our celebration, we're taking a look back at some of our greatest hits. Today I'll share links to posts that would answer questions moms might have when they are breastfeeding newborns. Later this week Missy will highlight AIB posts that would be more relevant for those who are further along in their breastfeeding adventure. Wherever you are on your journey, we are confident you'll find something informative, inspiring, and empowering as we look back on a year's worth of Adventures in Breastfeeding.

Here are a few of our most popular responses to some common questions new moms have when they begin breastfeeding.

I'm pregnant with my first baby! What can I do now to prepare for my breastfeeding adventure?

Congrats! When it comes to finding success breastfeeding, our contributors have 3 important tips to avoid feeling overwhelmed: educate yourself, trust yourself, and get support.

5 Things You Really Need to Breastfeed

Doing It Wrong

5 Things Every New Mom Wants to Hear

I have a newborn and this is HARD! Does it get better?

The short answer is yes. Whether the barrier you're facing is nipple pain (ouch!), postpartum depression, or anxiety about inverted nipples or augmented breasts, chances are you'll find a way to dig in and get through it. A few of our contributors have shared about these obstacles and how they overcame them.

The Vanishing Finish Line

When Life is on Mute

Do Faulty Breasts = Breastfeeding Failure?

 

Am I making enough milk? Do I need to supplement with formula?

Misinformation about breast milk supply and what constitutes a "normal" breastfeeding relationship has got to be the biggest booby trap out there. If you are concerned about your supply, it may be an issue with baby, or it may be an issue with you. It helps to have realistic expectations about how supply is created, how it's not, and how often baby will feed (especially during a developmental leap or growth spurt). But sometimes there may be another issue at play, like a posterior tongue tie. If you've already begun supplementing and would like to try to scale back, you can find some tips here.

4 Myths Busted

Pumping Output is Not an Indicator of Supply

Surviving a Growth Spurt

Diagnosing a Posterior Tongue Tie

How to Stop Supplementing

I had dreams of breastfeeding my baby, but now he's in the NICU. What now?

Any parent who has had a NICU experience knows that it's difficult to put into words the challenges you'll face. Tiffany has shared her story of nursing in the NICU and Analyn wrote about how nursing helped her little girl during a hospital stay. 

Nursing in the NICU

Breastfeeding and Hospital Stays

As I look back at the blog's first year, I feel so blessed by what I see: dozens of posts by women (and men!) telling their stories about fears faced, lessons learned, and victories celebrated. Stories of support and encouragement for moms in tough breastfeeding situations. I know now, more than ever, that I am not in this alone. Boy am I grateful.

Would you add anything to this FAQ list about breastfeeding a newborn? 

Leave a comment below or on our Facebook page!

And don't forget to check out Missy's post on Thursday about FAQs moms have when they pass the newborn stage.

Feeling Torn

Nora and I have reached that point in our breastfeeding relationship where things are...complicated. I realize each child has different sleep patterns and habits, but Nora's apparent sleep allergy is making for one tired (and often cranky) mama. At 20 months, she's still nursing anywhere from 4-7 times a night. On a good night, it might only be 3 times. On a really rough night, it could be up to 9 or 10. Lately, I've been feeling a bit of resentment that nursing is the only thing that puts her back to sleep. Do you know how nice it would be to have my husband be able to put her back to sleep?! This has prompted us (and by us, I mean more me) to consider some gentle night weaning. We've been looking at Dr. Jay Gordon's method, as well as the No Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers.

I don't want to wean Nora completely, especially now that what I fondly call "sickness season" is upon us. I know she gets so many benefits from nursing. I also know I'd get lots of benefits from waking up less each night :) However, even after making the decision to start night weaning, I've changed my mind a few times. We know we aren't comfortable with any type of traditional cry-it-out methods, but we are realistic in understanding that there will be tears. At least we will be there to comfort her and attend to her needs in ways other than nursing. My husband and I have been geared up to go a few times now, fully prepared that a weekend would allow us to nap with Nora during the day, as we know things will get worse at night before they get better. Yet each time, we've managed to find an excuse as to why this weekend just wouldn't work. I have been feeling some twinges of guilt, because I know parenting is a full time job, no matter what hour of the day or night.

However, I keep reminding myself that it is okay to think of my needs sometimes, and me being a happy mama will ultimately be better for Nora. Besides, judging by this photo, I know she's capable of sleep sometimes!

So tell me, mamas - have you ever night weaned? How did it go and what worked for you? How long did it take before your little one was able to go back to sleep without nursing?

How to Survive a Growth Spurt in 4 Easy Steps

Ah, growth spurts. Those few days that feel like a few years, when you have to double-check to make sure you're nursing a baby and not a piranha, when you forget if you've had a shower in the last week and you KNOW you haven't slept.... Yep, fun times.

But have hope! Growth spurts don't last forever (THANK. GOD.), and in the 21st Century, there are all kinds of resources that can help you come out the other side more or less in one piece, with a slightly fatter baby than you had before. Just follow these steps.....

1. Know what to expect!

Forget the What to Expect books; you're a modern woman and you need the latest information delivered electronically to carry you through this 48-hour hell! There are two resources that will be indispensable to you during these spurts: One is the wonderful Kellymom, with all the answers to the desperate questions that will come up at 3am when you're trying to latch that screaming infant and she's just not having it.

The other is the Wonder Weeks app. This magnificent tool gives insight into what is happening, biologically and developmentally, to that adorable, squishy, screaming, voracious infant of yours. It will tell you when to expect growth spurts so that they don't catch you by surprise!

Pro Tip: Keep a phone charger next to your nursing station so that you can access these lovely resources any time you need to without having to relocate.

2. Keep water and snacks within reach

It always happens: you sit down to nurse the baby and as soon as he's latched, you feel hungry and thirsty. But alas! There is no food or drink in sight and you just KNOW this is going to be one of those 45min sessions.... So make sure you have several gallons of bottled water scattered within arm's reach of all your favorite nursing spots. You need to keep replenishing your body's fluids both for your milk supply and for your own health, so drink up! Also consider the type of bottle that you can open with only one hand, in case the other is occupied with baby.

And as for food, it's whatever you want, mama! A little indulgence never hurt anyone, but that said, it's best to pack as much of a nutritional punch as you can into your snacks, since your little bundle of joy is getting all his nutrients from you right now. I always found I felt best when I ate something with protein, which usually meant cheese, nuts, something with nut butter. Trail mix or a good old-fashioned granola bar worked best, although the bars tended to make less mess since they came wrapped and all in one piece! Again, pile those suckers up right next to your nursing station: you don't want to run out!

3. Fire up that Netflix queue!

This is hands-down the best advice I got from another mommy-friend during those early weeks. Seriously, if your baby is going to be nursing non-stop for several days, this is the time for a marathon. Never seen Scrubs? Well, there are 9 seasons, so now is the time. How I Met Your Mother? The Tudors? Battlestar Galactica? Doctor Who? (Whoops, sorry, my geek is showing....) Queue up those guilty pleasure shows (sorry, anyone who did not recently give birth doesn't get a vote), plunk your butt down on the couch and just nurse the baby. Forget the dishes that need washing, the inlaws that need entertaining, and the pile of mail that needs sorting. Enjoy your show and don't worry about anything, unless of course your 3-year-old appears to be attempting to burn down the house.

4. Get your support system in place

Husbands, boyfriends, mothers, sisters, friends, and assorted other helpmates are indispensable during a growth spurt. As mentioned above, you will have neither the free hands nor the time to be dealing with chores or unruly older siblings, so someone else needs to be prepared to step in and take care of these things for you. They will also need to refill your food and water as needed (it does sound a little bit like caring for a pet, doesn't it?), bring you the remote control, change the baby, hold the baby while you take a few minutes to pee or even (GASP) take a shower, and say "Yes, dear" as you wax poetical about what damned liars everyone was to tell you that this breastfeeding thing was natural and easy.

This helper should also become an expert feeding pillow-adjuster, amateur psychiatrist, and foot-massager. Make sure they understand that payment is to be rendered in baby snuggles and a few screams as a bonus. DO NOT HESITATE to ask for help when you need it, no matter how silly the request may seem. If you don't have access to someone to help you in your home, make sure you have people on speed-dial who don't mind you calling at any time for a little venting session. Oh, and don't forget to include your lactation consultant in that call list!


.... and two big DON'Ts to keep in mind during these spurts, too: DON'T supplement without express direction from a knowledgable pediatrician, and DON'T try to put your growing baby on a feeding schedule. Both of these actions can harm your supply and negatively impact your baby's growth. Trust your body to feed your baby by nursing on demand!

These are the growth spurt survival tips that worked for me, but maybe you have some I didn't mention. Share your ideas here or on our Facebook page, and nurse on, mamas!