World Breastfeeding Week...& A Review!

Breastfeeding has been one of the most exhausting, challenging and rewarding things that I have been able to do since becoming a mother. My breastfeeding journey has been going on now for 2 years and 28 days. We have overcome postpartum depression, a tongue and lip tie, mastitis, pumping at work, nursing through pregnancy, and now tandem nursing. As hard at it has been at times, I wouldn't take it back for the world. I have never been so proud of myself for sticking with anything in my whole life. I take great pride in the lifelong benefits that I am providing for my children (and even myself!)

I want to say Happy World Breastfeeding Week to all the momma's who have given breastfeeding a chance. Whether it was for one day, one month, one year or even more!

As some of you may have read, I recently worked with Fairhaven Health to try out their Sitting Pretty Soothing Spray for postpartum pain and healing. They also let me work with them to try out two of their products for nursing moms! I got to try out the Milkie's Milk Saver! I have seen this thing everywhere. It's been on Pinterest, shown up on my Facebook feed, it's been posted in the breastfeeding groups I belong to...and I couldn't wait to try it!

Let me explain. It is a storage device that holds up to 2 ounces of "Liquid Gold" that would otherwise be wasted while you are nursing on the other side. You just slip it in your shirt over the nipple of the breast you are not going to be feeding on. (I recommend getting yourself situated for nursing first so that you don't knock the container loose while trying to get access to the breast you will be nursing on). If you are a mom who leaks a lot while nursing, this thing is going to be your best friend. I typically get anywhere from 1/2 ounce to a little over 1 ounce when I use this. If I have an extra hand, I find I get more out if I massage my breast while my letdown is happening. As a bonus, it saves your nursing pad from getting soaked so you can put it back in!

(Milkies Milk Saver is ON SALE NOW for $27.95)

It gets better....Fairhaven Health also allowed me to try out their Milkies Milk Trays. These are  perfect to pair with the Milk Saver! The Milk Trays look like ice cube trays, but for your milk! They allow you to freeze your milk in 1 ounce "Milk Sticks" that fit through ALL bottle openings and allow you to thaw just the right amount of milk for each feeding. I find that I don't use these much when I do my normal pumping session when I pump 10 ounces or so, but I almost always pour the milk I saved with the Milk Saver into these. Not only do you not waste your milk, but it also saves storage bags from only having 1 ounce in each (which get expensive!)

(Milkies Milk Trays are ON SALE NOW for $19.95)

I have to admit, it's really nice having products in the home that are designed for breastfeeding. I never really felt like breastfeeding was something that anyone could ever "help" with. I use these two products together to allow myself to take "mommy breaks". My little guy is 6 weeks old and drinks about 5 ounces at a time. That means, that for every 5 times I remember to use the Milk Saver and freeze my milk into the 1 ounce sticks.....I get to take a break. Daddy can throw a couple sticks in the bottle, warm it up, and I can go take a walk outside, alone. I love being a mom, but I also love my very short...and very rare...mom-breaks. And for that, I thank you Fairhaven Health!