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Mamatini – The Drink for Breastfeeding Moms That Helps Increase Milk Supply

September 2, 2011 By

If you are a mom or a mom-to-be you’re going to want to read this post!

With my first child, I had a really bad experience with breastfeeding. I persevered for 17 months, but ultimately I had to stop due to many factors including low milk supply, plugged ducts, a lot of pain due to poor latch and a couple run-ins with Mastitis to name a few. When I became pregnant with my second, I was terrified I was going to have a horrible experience nursing again. I wasn’t going to give up though…

I was pretty excited when Mamatini contacted me a couple months before my due date and asked me to review their organic herbal tea that promised to increase milk supply. A low milk supply was one of the biggest problems I had last time around, so I was really excited to try Mamatini.

Mamatini™ is an all-natural, organic herbal infusion that was created with your specific needs in mind. You realize that breastfeeding your baby is the best way to ensure that your child receives the most perfect nutrition and immunity-building proteins during his or her first year of life. You know that the experience of breastfeeding will bond you and your baby more than anything else you will do together. Mamatini will help you breastfeed better by boosting milk supply, increasing your energy and increasing your ability to absorb and retain critical nutrients your body is using to produce milk for your baby.

Mamatini was created by a pediatrician to help mothers like you breastfeed better, easier, and for longer. So drink to your baby’s good health, and Drink Mamatini™!

Their proprietary formula:

  • Is pediatrician designed and approved
  • Contains herbs used for centuries to increase milk supply
  • Helps your body absorb and retain vitamins and minerals depleted during pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Can help relieve baby’s colic symptoms
  • Provides the energy you need for motherhood
  • Tastes delicious! Try our all-natural and refreshing lemon flavor made with organic ginger.

I drank my first bottle of Mamatini while I was in labor and my second bottle within 3 hours of giving birth. It was one of the first things I could stomach after my intense and rapid labor and delivery. (4 hours of labor and 2 pushes!) I labored and gave birth at home, in a birthing tub with no medication or drugs. It was a beautiful experience being at home where I was comfortable and with my family. And it was wonderful to have my hubby bring me a nice cold bottle of Mamatini as I laid in our king size bed with our new little muffin. :-)

I love the flavor – ginger lemon. It’s a very mild tea-like flavor that you’ll adore. It tastes so refreshing ice cold!

Anyone with breastfeeding experience knows it usually takes 36-48 hours for your milk to “come in” after giving birth. My milk came in within 24 hours after drinking 3 bottles of Mamatini, which really surprised and delighted me!

It took me about a week to drink the entire case (12 bottles) of Mamatini. I noticed a plentiful supply of breastmilk which made nursing my new baby a completely different experience. He was able to latch on really well and I was able to relax because I knew he was getting nourished. His birth weight was 8.5lbs and he went right back to his birth weight within 4 days of being born and has been gaining a pound a week since then.

Mamatini made a huge difference in my new baby too. He didn’t have any symptoms of colic at all and slept peacefully and for several hours at a time from day one. Just a completely different experience from my first child and I attribute a lot of it to Mamatini.

I believe that Mamatini helped me so much, that I purchased an entire case of it as soon as I finished the first case I was sent to review. I didn’t want to go one day without it!

Mamatini was on backorder for several months and I was unable to order more. I’ll tell ya, I definitely noticed my milk supply decrease and my normally content and peaceful baby was suddenly getting fussy, had occasional indigestion and wasn’t sleeping quite as well anymore. To me, that was proof that Mamatini is absolutely essential and worth every penny….

I was so glad when Mamatini was finally back in stock and I could get more! Hallelujah!!!!

Buy Mamatini™ >>>

Filed Under: Health & Fitness, Home Life, Kids Apparel, Maternity Clothes, Moms On The Go, Nursing Tops, Organic or Eco-Friendly, Recommended, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Review: Simple Wishes Hands-Free Pumping Bustier

July 21, 2011 By

With a twelve-week-old baby, it’s a little early for me to make sweeping pronouncements re: my parenting style, but one thing I’m sure about.  I’m a Minimalist Mama, which– generally speaking — means I avoid snatching up every piece of baby gear that floats my way.  My anti-clutter-and-consumerism approach usually works out, but I’ve quickly learned that some baby products just make life easier.

So I was intrigued when Simple Wishes asked me to review their hands-free breastpumping bustier.  Here’s the description and check out the photo for the skinny on how the “hands-free” part happens:

Simple Wishes is the versatile, practical and essential breastpump accessory that allows busy moms to take a few extra moments to focus on the many things that consume their day. Whether it is a couple minutes to check email, get ready, or even just take a moment to relax, Simple Wishes is functional, comfortable and affordable enough to become your new nursing must have!

A few extra moments?  Sounds like GOLD.  But does Simple Wishes really make a difference?  Well– largely –yes, with a couple of caveats.

The Pros:

  • As promised, it’s given me extra time. I have happily pumped hands-free for half an hour while wearing the bustier, using that time to catch up on my thank you notes.  Once I get to the bottom of my thank you list, I would love to use that half hour to catch up on my trashy reading; Sookie Stackhouse is waiting, after all.
  • It comes in two generous sizes (XS/S/M and L/XL/XXL), which makes the thorny issue of postpartum sizing less complicated.  As your size changes, the bustier easily adjusts with you– as much as 10 inches around the ribcage.
  • It’s pretty modest. So if someone walked in on you pumping, you wouldn’t be that embarrassed (especially considering that delivering your baby probably lowered your modesty threshold quite a bit).

The Less-than-Pro (They’re not significant enough to be actual Cons):

  • It looks a bit intimidating.  In order to achieve its sizing wizardry, the bustier is equipped with a detachable velcro insert and a zipper panel as well as optional straps.  While this allows for great fit flexibility, it’s a bit confusing at first.  Once you’ve got the bustier fitted to you, though, it’s pretty easy to use.
  • The bustier didn’t feel particularly supportive.  Yes, it was sufficient while I pumped, but I couldn’t wear it all day in place of my regular bra.  Of course, if you could just wear it around, pumping would be even easier, and that might work for ladies with smaller bosoms.  But who’s got small bosoms when they’re nursing?

All in all, though, I would recommend this to anyone who pumps a few times a week, and if you’re hoping to increase your pumping regimen, this might be the tool that helps you get there. At $39.00, it’s a reasonable purchase and well worth the extra minutes.

Visit SimpleWishes.com to learn more and purchase.

Fashionable Media Review Policy:  The featured product was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing and review.  Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by compensation, monetary or otherwise.

Filed Under: Moms On The Go, Nursing Tops, Parenting, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Fashionable Baby Carrier – Ergo & Petunia Pickle Bottom Unite!

July 5, 2011 By

Take the most comfortable, versatile and easy to use baby carrier available and combine it with the unmistakable, whimsical prints of Petunia Pickle Bottom and you’ve got the most fashionable baby carrier on the planet!

ERGObaby Baby Carrier with Petunia Pickle Bottom Print

Click To Enlarge

An exclusive Petunia Pickle Bottom pattern updates the convenient, ergonomically designed ERGObaby carrier that can be worn in front, back or hip position for the ultimate baby wearing experience! Strategic and soft padding ensures comfort for both you and baby, and a stowaway sleeping hood protects your slumbering little one from the hot summer sun and light rain.

Fits adults from 5′ to 6.5′, with adjustable shoulder, waist and chest straps. Carries babies from 7lbs up to 45lbs. (Newborn insert required for babies under 12lbs.)

What could be better than the world’s most loved baby-carrier teaming up with the leader in fashionable diaper bags and handbags to create the most unique and exquisite baby carriers EVER?! The three new 100% Organic carriers will be available online, and in stores nationwide, beginning in mid June 2011. This is the first time ERGObaby has collaborated with another juvenile product manufacturer and we are SO glad they did!

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Filed Under: Kids Apparel, Moms On The Go, Nursing Tops, Parenting Tagged With: , , , ,

Review: Just in Case by mini kittour

April 19, 2011 By

When it comes to flying, I used to be a carry-on only type of girl.  I would purposefully underpack, carefully planning my trip wardrobe so that I could bypass baggage claim and avoid lugging heavy suitcases around.

However– as we all know –in recent years, this mode of travel has gotten tougher to pull off.  I officially gave up on carry-on only when TSA started restricting liquids.  I mean, a girl must have her beauty products, and figuring out just how many ounces are okay and in what quantities is just more trouble than it’s worth.

So I was very intrigued by mini kittour’s Just in Case collection of TSA-approved, leak-proof bottles and containers.  Since they’re TSA-friendly, they make carry-on only travel a possibility again, and the part that really caught my attention?  ”LEAK-PROOF!”  After all, travel can be rough-and-tumble, and I can’t count the number of times I’ve arrived at my destination only to find that my toiletries spilled mid-trip.  As a result, I’ve developed a complicated bagging system, which entails stuffing my suitcase with more zippies than an old lady’s purse.  Hardly the chic, sophisticated vibe I like to project when I’m traveling…

So are they truly leak-proof?  Well, in my experience, yes.  The typical, flip-top caps close completely, and even the trickier pump cap and spray cap have unique locking mechanisms that help them stay put.  Plus, all the tops fit the bottles snugly, eliminating under-the-cap leakage. Also, with a variety of sizes and shapes, mini kittour offers something for almost every product.  A few of the options:

3.3 ounce/ 100 ml bottles– best suited for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, makeup remover, nail polish remover, facial cleanser, or moisturizer

Twist ‘n Lock lotion pump

***

2.7 ounce/ 80 ml bottle– best suited for body wash, mouthwash, cleanser, foundation, moisturizer, or hair styling products

Shown with flip-top pump cap, suitable for hairspray, styling products, or fragrance

***

1 ounce/ 30 ml jar– best suited for face cream, serum, specialty face products, body scrub, or body butter

1 ounce/ 30 ml bottle– best suited for shampoo, conditioner, cleaners, body wash, or styling products

0.17 ounce/ 5 ml jar– best suited for moisturizer or night cream

Overall, I give this collection a big thumbs up.  I am curious as to how they would hold up to multiple uses over a longer period of time, but so far I am a big fan.  Each container retails for between $5 and $8, so they’re a reasonable investment for anyone who travels on a semi-regular basis.  I’m very comfortable recommending them for any fashionable housewives on the go. Visit minikittour.com for more info and to check out the cute, convenient pre-assembled train cases and overnight bags.

Fashionable Media Review Policy:  The featured product was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing and review.  Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by compensation, monetary or otherwise.

Filed Under: Beauty, Makeup, Moms On The Go, Personal Care, Reviews, Skin Care, Vacations & Getaways Tagged With: , , , ,

Review: Luxor Pro Style Stix

April 5, 2011 By

We are all looking to streamline and shorten our beauty routines, right?  The trick is managing that without looking like you’re cutting corners.  I recently tried a set of Luxor Pro Style Stix by J&D Beauty. hoping it would trim some minutes from my daily hair regimen.

Basically, Style Stix are long, bendy, foam rods without pins or clasps.  You just twist them in your hair and secure them by folding one end over the other.  The real draw is that you can even put them in wet hair before blow drying, which combines blow drying and styling into one, easy step.  But do they work?

Well, I’d call my results mixed.  J&D Beauty claims that with Style Stix, you can “skip the curling iron… and use (them) like rollers to create curls, waves, and lots of volume.”  From my experience, that’s a big overstatement.  I can’t foresee achieving the smooth volume I get with hot rollers or the defined curl that’s easy with a curling iron.  If there’s a shortcut to those kinds of polished results, I haven’t found it.

However, I give Style Stix a big thumbs-up for their ease of use.  Seriously, you could probably do it one-handed.  And by twisting them into my wet hair before blow drying, I achieved a good bit of volume (certainly more than blow drying alone) and some pretty wave.  One warning, though: unlike heated rollers or curling irons, Style Stix aren’t great at smoothing out hair.  So if you’re prone to frizz, you should definitely use a good anti-frizz product before rolling and drying.

I might particularly recommend Style Stix for (non-business) travel, ie. a vacation.  After all, who wants to spend valuable pool or beach time slaving over her hair?  Since Style Stix are incredibly lightweight and don’t require any pins or other hardware, they would travel very well, and because they only cost a few bucks, you can happily toss them into your suitcase along with that extra dental floss.  Plus, they can realistically achieve the soft, wavy results that work well during a holiday.

Luxor Pro Style Stix are available in packs of six and in seven different diameters– everything from 1/4 inch for tighter curls to 7/8 inch for loose volume.  You can find them at numerous retailers, including Amazon.com.

Fashionable Media Review Policy:  The featured product was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing and review.  Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by compensation, monetary or otherwise.

Filed Under: Beauty, Hair, Moms On The Go, Personal Care, Reviews, Styling Products Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

HELP! Desperately Seeking a Nursing Bra

March 18, 2011 By

Since my husband and I are expecting our first bambino next month, my life is full of changes.  Most of them are exciting, like creating a nursery for this little person we haven’t met yet.  Some of them are funny, like when the fraud department at my credit card company called and asked if I was really the person spending so much money at Wal-Mart and Babies R Us.  (My response?  “Yes, I know.  I miss Nordstrom, too.”)  But some of the upcoming changes are a little scary, and for me, breastfeeding falls in that category. 

I’m definitely planning to breastfeed, and I know it’s a natural process and women have been doing it for eons and blah, blah, blah.  But it’s intimidating!  For example, I only recently learned that newborns eat 8-10 times a day.  Seriously?  That’s more often than I check email.  

This woman looks very happy. She has obviously found a good nursing bra.

If I could just get a handle on the wardrobe issues, though, I’d feel much more confident about the whole thing.  Let’s face it: looking good while nursing is the El Dorado of motherhood.  I could go on all day about the limited variety and questionable style of most nursing clothes, but I don’t have the luxury of worrying about that because I have yet to find a suitable nursing bra.  And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that looking good starts with a great-fitting bra.  

Since I’m naturally “well-endowed”, I’ve been investing in well-made, supportive bras for as long as I can remember.  Wacoal and Chantelle work best for me, and although they cost a pretty penny, I don’t mind spending more for such crucial wardrobe items.  But now I’m fretting because my old stand-bys won’t work for nursing.  

Further complicating the issue is that—of course—my bust has gotten even bigger during the pregnancy.  Something I read said that this is a good sign biologically; it means your body is getting ready for the baby by making sure he can find his food source.  Well, I don’t think that will be a problem.  Helen Keller could find my bosoms these days.  

And now that a supportive bra is even more important than ever, I’m frustrated with the options I’m finding.  So I need HELP in a big way!  Any D or DD women out there who’ve found nursing bras they love?  I’ve heard that underwire styles can be problematic but can’t imagine going without it.  Has anyone found a brand that works?   BareNecessities.com has many options, but I’m not familiar with the brands and have no idea where to start.  Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!   

Filed Under: Body Shapes, Fashion Advice, Kids Apparel, Lingerie & PJ's, Maternity Clothes, Moms On The Go, Nursing Tops Tagged With: , , , ,

Quick, Easy and Delicious Vegetarian Lasagna

January 24, 2011 By

Everyone loves lasagna, and it is the perfect dinner on a cold wintery night, but it can be kind of cumbersome to make.  Here is a great recipe, courtesy of Real Simple (one of my favorite magazines!) that is super easy.  You might already have all the ingredients in your pantry.  

Serves 6| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 45m

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350° F. Coat a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and spoon in a third of the sauce.
  2. Arrange 12 ravioli on top and scatter the spinach over them. Top with half of each cheese. Cover with another layer of ravioli and the remaining sauce and cheese.
  3. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 to 10 minutes more or until bubbly.
Filed Under: Food & Snacks, Home Life, Moms On The Go, Recipes Tagged With: , , ,