Nursing... Part 4 ... Books

4th installment of my "Breast Feeding" Series

I'm a LOVER of books.  I love to own books, I love to read books, I love to look at books, I love to think about books.  That being said, I am trying to tone down my love of books, because I don't get time to read them now with kiddos!!  For Christmas I received a Kindle.  LOVE IT, however, I am still on the very first book.  So, before my first little guy I read a ton of books about babies and people having babies (when I should have been reading my Masters' courses books and doing those projects- still passed with A's).

Here are some of my favorites.

Pregnancy

Your Pregnancy Week By Week -I LOVE this book.  I read it each week with both my pregnancies and enjoyed the quick, but thorough  information.  It does not scare you with every scenario and situation (like another book everyone seems to think they need) and there is just enough information to give you updates.  A MUST have.  Yes, you can get this information on the internet, but it's nice to have that quick reference by your bed at night.  My hubby and I would read it at night- it was a great way to keep him in the pregnancy loop.

Belly Laughs-  This is a super cute book by Jenny McCarthy.  I liked her antidotes and humor.  Fun and quick read.  It helps you to know that you are not the only one going through all that crazy pregnancy stuff!

Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy -  Another fun book that just puts it all into perspective with stories and a little advice.

Breastfeeding

 The Nursing Mother's Companion - I liked this book for the technical help, it's a good reference.  I did not read it page for page, though.

Breast Feeding Sucks - I really liked this book because it gave a lot of good information about breastfeeding in an entertaining format.  Quick read, too... which you need when the baby arrives!

General Baby Books

Your Baby's First Year Week by Week  -  I really liked his as a reference for development and still use it with #2.  you forget what they should be doing and it gives activities to do to further development.  Another great thing to read with the hubby to keep him up-to-date on development.

Your Newborn: Head to Toe - This is a quick medical reference and explains common (and some not so common) aliments of newborns.  I liked it because I could quickly look something up while feeding or in the middle of the night.

Your Toddler:  Head to Toe - Just like Newborn, but for Toddlers.

The Girlfriend's Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood - Funny book to read about all those great and wonderful flubs we make as first time Mommies!! :)

I know there are tons of other books out there, but these were the ones I found most useful  during the last 4 years.  There is also a ton of information out there on the internet, but I find it hard sometimes to determine good info and reliable sources, so I like a book to check with too!

**addition*** 7/22/11


Activities/Learning for Toddlers

I have also found some books that I like to pull out that have good educational learning ideas for little ones.  (with #2 here, this has definitely gone by the wayside, but I will get better- starting in August).  Websites are really GREAT for this though!  I'll share those another time.

 

The Preschooler's Busy Book- There are several different Busy Books, I have really enjoyed looking through them for seasonal activities.  These came in really handy this winter when we just needed to DO something but couldn't get out of the house because it was too cold.  There are learning games, activities, and movement ideas.  Great series.

Do you have any good books you read about pregnancy, newborns, or raising children?  Please share!

Last installment.... breastfeeding last thoughts...

Nursing... Part 3... Pumping Supplies

Third installment in my "Breast feeding" series.

Pumping Supplies

*** #1 Rule of pumping- do it often and on a schedule!! If you don't pump as many times as your baby eats, your supply WILL go down and it WILL be frustrating***

THE PUMP

It is SO tempting to buy a cheap (meaning both inexpensive and made) pump.  I don't suggest it.  I suggest spending the money for the GOOD pump... why, you ask?

1.  Longevity- I used my Medela Pump in Style 5+ times a day for 15 minutes each time for 11 months and have had ZERO problems.  No battery problems, no parts going crazy, it's a good working machine.  I have a friend who pumped solely with both of her children for a year and has had NO problems with her $300 Pump-in-Style.  It's worth it.

2.  Suction - the better pumps get more milk out, plain and simple.

3.  Let-down feature- this is AWESOME and will help you get more milk each time.  I use to use it 2 times during a pumping session to help build up supply.

4.  You only have to buy it once (and maybe your insurance will pay for it)

5.  Resale- many people will purchase a used pump-- it voids ALL manufacturer warranties, but if you buy all  new tubing, shields, bottles, etc.  It should work just fine (the milk doesn't get to the machine really).

Breastmilk Storage

1.  Buy the cheap bags if you are pumping solely... it makes it worth it.

2.  I buy the Medela bags for travel purposes.  When we go somewhere I have them to pump into so that I  can store the milk easier (in a cooler or fridge), plus bottles take up lots of packing space.

3.  Look for sales and stock up- I like the NUK brand sold at Target and the Lansinoh
bags are more sturdy, but more expensive.  Stock up when they go on sale!

4.  Storage Box- I use one of these storage boxes to help keep my frozen milk flatter for storage.  It really helps with storage in the freezer.
5.  We store breastmilk in zip-lock freezer bags in our deep freezer (we had one for food storage before babies).  I can fit 12, 5oz bags in 1 ziplock.  I write on the outside of the bag how many ounces are in the bag and the dates of the milk inside. It helps with rotating milk.

OTHER STUFF

1.  Exta bottles- I have about a dozen bottles between my 2 kids and it comes in handy to store in the fridge and for fast transfer to the fridge.

2.  Extra set of tubing- in case your tubing gets wet (or your 2 year old chooses to suck on it) and then you always have 1 set handy

3.  Extra set of shields- I have 4 sets of shields that I use, that way I can keep them super clean and they dry easily-- I had Mastitis a bunch of times with #1, so I am super paranoid with cleanliness... see my post about it here.

4.  Sanitizing wipes-  I love these things.  Medela sells packages of 24, I use them when we are on the go and I can't clean everything out with running water.  I also use them when we travel so I can clean everything well and only carry 1 set of shields.  See #3 for my reason for using these wipes.

5.  Car Adapter- if you are pumping or ever leave your child- you will want one of these!!!  Medela came out with an actual car adapter so you don't need to have a converter anymore... but a converter works, too!

What is your "can't live without" pumping supply?

Next up... Books...