Parenting
If for whatever reason you can’t breastfeed, remember fed is best! Also, all the information below is advice, please do your research, or better yet seek out a lactation consultant!
Hey new mom! I have been exactly where you are, scourging the interent looking for answers to anything and everything about breastfeeding. Being a new mom is tough. You feel like nothing you do is right and all you want is the best for your baby! I have been breastfeeding for the last 18 months, and I wanted to share my killer breastfeeding knowledge. Starting with the basics!
Breast Feeding Essentials
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Having a Boppy was a complete life saver! It made me be able to breastfeed my son hands free. My son would be laying on the pillow, breastfeeding away, and I had full use of my hands to play on my phone, or drink my large water. If I was lucky I would be able to eat, and some of my food may or may not have ended up on my sons head. Sorry, not sorry!
I cannot tell you how many times I had to change the Boppy Cover! You don’t realize how many bodily functions can be expelled from your baby until you see it yourself. If I was lucky my Boppy only had to have a new cover every few days. From Baby Spit Up, to poop explosion. Or Maybe you accidentally dropped some salsa on the Boppy. Which is better than on your babies head right?
Nipple Cream is a must for at least the first month! And longer if you plan to pump. In the beginning your nipples will crack, they will feel like they are on fire. My only saving grace was the relief I got from nipple cream.
Also ice packs didn’t hurt.
You will need a HUGE water bottle. Did anyone tell you how thirsty you get when you breast-feed? Well if they did not, ill tell you. You will be extremely thirsty. Think Sahara Dessert Thirsty.
Imagine you have your baby positioned on the boppy all cozy like and you realize your drink is just out of reach. The world will seem like it has ended lol
Breastfeeding In the Beginning. . .
Starting out breastfeeding I remember having all these worrisome questions. How will I know my baby is getting enough? Does the Nipple Pain get any better? When should I worry about my milk supply? What is cluster feeding? When can I start pumping?
I could go on, but I think you get the point.

Milk Supply
Cluster Feeding
Nipple Pain
First off I want to say please trust your body! It was made for supplying your little one with delicious milk! Milk Supply is based off of well supply and demand. Empty the tank to fill it back up!
The best advice I can give you is count the wet diapers and look at weight gain as an indicator that your milk is doing its job. And if for whatever reason you have to give formula, hand express to maintain supply.
What exactly is cluster feeding? Cluster feeding is exactly what it sounds like, it is when your baby eats closer together, multiple times. It will seem like this happens way too often.
This usually happens when your baby is going through a growth spurt and is increasing your milk supply for the days to come!
Grab the poppy, turn on Netflix and camp out on the couch.
The first month is the hardest part of breastfeeding! I can recall crying when my husband would bring my son to me because I just knew it was going to be painful.
This passes, your nipples will adjust and get used to being sucked on.
Other reasons you could still be experiencing nipple pain: Is baby latching correctly? Does s/he have a tongue tie?
See a certified lactation consultant! They can help!

When Can I Start Pumping?
A lot of new moms, myself included, wanted to know when to start pumping after giving birth. The recommendation is to wait at least 3-4 weeks, 6 weeks is optimal. The reason behind this is your body has not regulated milk supply yet. Pumping too soon will send signals to your body to make more milk, which yes sounds like a good thing BUT it can lead to an oversupply and that is something you do not want.
An oversupply can lead to mastitis and/or clogged ducts. The first and only clogged duct I ever had woke me for a deep sleep. It was super painful, I took my electric toothbrush to my boob to try and vibrate the clogged duct out, filled one of my sons diapers with hot water and placed it over my breast as a hot pack, and dangle fed my son. I believe it took 24 hours to get the clog out.
Facebook Groups and Breastfeeding
When I was just starting out I joined a ton of breastfeeding groups on facebook. I recommend looking some up and joining! It is a wonderful thing to have a community of people to ask questions to when you are just unsure. Yes google exists ,but sometimes its just nice hearing from another mom.
Hunger Cues
Be on the lookout for hunger Cues! Looking at your babies hand is a great indicator. An open hand means your baby is content, while a closed hand can mean that they are hungry. But When in doubt whip it out! <- Best Advice! This also helps regulate your supply!

The Reality of Breast Feeding

There are going to be ups and downs. There will be times you want to give up, and call it quits because in all honesty breastfeeding can be mentally and IS physically exhausting.
You GOT this momma. You definitely got this.

If you are anything like me, you are already started your Christmas Gift List. Or you have been writing it since Christmas ended last year. Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. I love the fact that families get together, and there is laughing that can be heard for miles. Oh and don’t get me started on the food.
When my son Ronald’s first Christmas came about, I was stumped on what to get him. Literally, I could not think of what a 6-month-old needs. *obviously he didn’t really need much or care* BUT I did. So This list is compiled in a way that hopefully helps you and the mental block that comes with gift ideas!
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By Clicking on the Images Below, they will take you to the toy description and reviews directly from amazon ❤️
Gifts 0-6 Months
When your baby is this young, there really isn’t much in all honesty that they need. You could use this opportunity though to buy them stuff that they will eventually use! Or things they need!
- Play Mats – My son absolutely adored this when he was young, he really loved playing with the textured areas.
- Marvel Outfits – Because Let Me tell you, your baby will look super cute as the HULK
- Bibs – What I really Like about these bibgs are the fact that there is a pocket that catches any food that misses the mouth!
- Blocks – Stack Them Up and Knock em Down
- Dr. Seuss Board Books – I have literally memorized the ABC Dr. Suess Board Book, and have already had to buy another one d/t wear and tear.
- Blankets – I Do Not Think You Can Have Enough Blankets!!
- Hooded Towels – For one, these towels look super cute on your kid, and for two the hoods keep my babes head warm from the bathroom to his room
- Rubber Ducky Temperature Gauge – This saved my anxiety when giving my baby a bath! Worried mom brain asking questions like “is this too hot?” On the bottom there is a blue circle that turns white when too hot. Some people don’t like the way the duck looks, but I didn’t necessarily buy it for its looks lol
9. I called this thing a thingamajig but it is really called a Manhattan Toy Rattle and I loved how easy this was for my son to grip onto and how much he loved chewing on it.
10. A Mirror for the Back Seat – I don’t Know about you, but I NEEDED this. I Needed to be able to glance in my rearview mirror and make sure my child was okay.
Gifts 6-12 Months
11. V-Tech Busy Learners – I know I keep saying “My Son”, but he is all I have to go off of lol He loved playing with this!
12. Smart Stages Puppy – This has 3 different levels, with lots of songs, and cuteness galore. Some Days My son is really into this toy, other days he sits all by his lonesome in the toy bin lol
13. Baby Activity Cube – I don’t actually own this one, but anytime I go to the public library with Ronald, he always goes to this first.
14. V-Tech Baby Rattle and Sing Puppy – All I can say is great car seat toy
15. The First Years Stack Up Cups – I started playing with these cups when Ronald was about 6 months old, and he still plays with them today. (He is 15 months)
16. Leap Frog Toys Little Office Center – This helped Ronald have something to stand up at and play once he got to the pulling himself up part. Still currently in the living room, getting daily use
17. Baby Einstein Neptune’s Ocean Discovery Jumper – Do you need to do the dishes? LOL I used this in the kitchen with me when I needed to clean for 5-15 minutes. Life Saver, and on the plus side build them leg muscles
18. Little Tykes Bath Letters and Numbers – Great for early learning, and play. Ronald enjoys being able to stick them to the wall.
19. Fisher-Price Corn Popper – So Cute Story, anytime I pull out the Vacuum to well Vacuum. My son grabs his Corn Popper Vacuum and follows me around “Helping”
20. Fisher-Price Basic Boppin’ Activity Bugs – This was actually one of my sons first Christmas Gifts, and it took him a while to figure It out, but once he did he had a blast with it.
Gifts 12-18 Months
21. Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Tablet – AMAZING Car seat Toy! This one actually NEVER leaves my car. He will play on it till his little heart is content.
22. Fisher-Prices Rock a Stack and Block Bundle – I actually got these things for my son before he was born, didn’t realize at the time he wouldn’t quite grasp how to play with these till later. BUT now that he is 15 months he is starting to get the hang of it ♥
23. Little Tikes First Slide – At 15 months old, my son can climb up the back and slide down on his own [Giving Mommy a Heart Attack] He is super independent.
24. Little Tikes High Back Toddler Swing – I do not know any kid that does not like swinging (:
The Rest are Gift Ideas I plan on Getting Ronald That I Have Not Currently Bought
25. Picasso Tiles – I really think My son will like playing with these, watching his expression when they stick together and pull apart *this mom is excited*
26. Spike the Fine Motor HedgeHog – I am wanting to work with Ronald on his fine motor skills and thought this would be a great way to do that
27. First Builders Big Building Bag – The Fact Ronald already loves to build things well, I think this will be a Success
28. Little Engineer Multifunctional Kid’s Musical Learning Tool Workbench – I really just want to get this so Ronalds Dad and him can look cute “working” together in the garage lol
29. Sesame Streets “Lets Dance” Elmo – My kid is obsessed with Elmo lol If I don’t have to watch another episode of Sesame Street it’ll be too soon
30. Little Tikes Rocking Horse – I’m Really Hoping He Will Like This Too
31. Sesame Street Sofa – Like I said Before my son loves Elmo, soo I am betting he would love his own Elmo Couch
Don’t Stress about What to Buy though! Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones more than anything! Yes, gifts are fun, but there is more to it than that.
♥
The Radically Adorkable Sarah
Another useful list is The Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist

So my husband was talking to me the other day and said “Hey I really like your blog, but why don’t you also give mom advice. At first, I was like wait what? I responded with “I want to focus on Mental Health”. Then I had an epiphany; Mental health and being a mom so go hand in hand. So often being a mom you put yourself on the back burner. I wasn’t sure where I should start. Then the obvious hit me, start at the beginning, start when Ronald (My Son) was born. Think about what you wish you would have brought to the hospital. That is when I decided to create the Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist.
The average stay in the hospital for a vaginal delivery is 48 hours, while the average stay for a c-section is 96 hours. NOT INCLUDING THE day of delivery. (I Got My Information Here ) Knowing this information should give you a rough idea of how many outfits you need to pack for the start of your journey. What you don’t need to bring are diapers and wipes! (Unless you want to of course) The hospital supplied these things for my husband and me.
Moms Hospital Bag Checklist
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Towels – Hospital Towels are tiny, you are already uncomfortable no need to make it worse with too small towels barely covering your behind.
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Phone Charger – More Than Likely You’ll need this
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Pillows – Up to you, but hospital pillows are not that great.
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Pajamas – Have you ever been in a hospital gown? There is a slit up your backside that makes you feel every breeze possible known to man.
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Robe – Want to take a stroll in the middle of the night to the coffee station? You will need something quick to get into, so you don’t have to get dressed.
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Slippers/Non-Skid Socks – I was considered a fall risk because I had fallen at home (one of my dogs tripped me) The nurses were real sticklers about walking on my own and what not. *insert eye roll here* But hey if you don’t bring your own slippers/non-skid sock, you get a rocking free pair from the hospital. Let me tell you, they are stylish! [;
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Underwear – I am not talking cute panties. I am talking too big for you panties. Ones that you can wear comfortably with a humungous pad.
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Toiletries – Shampoo/Conditioner/Chapstick/deodorant/glasses/contacts/contact solution/hair ties/bobby pins
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Breast pump – If you are going the breastfeeding route, and plan on pumping it is a good idea to bring your pump to the hospital. There are Lactation specialists that can show you how to use the pump. It is recommended to not pump the first 6 weeks as you can create an oversupply.
Dads Hospital Bag Checklist
So Now that we have covered a lot of the basics for mom, let us go over what the dad should bring.
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Pillows – Dad should also bring a pillow because he is going to get the worst end of the deal. Mom gets the hospital bed, while dad gets the couch (If one is available), or chair that turns into a pull-out chair/bed thing.
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Entertainment – iPad/Books/Magazine/Phone/Card Game [In my experience the wifi in hospitals suck along with cell service] and you are going to be there a while.
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Snacks/Drinks/Vending Machine Money – Mom is going to get 3 meals a day with her hospital stay. Dad is going to get squat (maybe if you are lucky, he will get a coupon for the cafe or something.) Just be prepared.
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Camera/Batteries – If you are old school and have a legit camera don’t forget batteries!
Babies Checklist
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Car Seat – Don’t forget the car seat to take your precious baby home in! Also if you can I would play around with it before getting to the hospital. My husband and I had no idea how to work the car seat once we went to leave. Guess What? The hospital cannot let you leave without making sure that you know how to properly use the car seat! (This is Honestly a Good Thing)

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Picture Outfit – Plan on a photographer stopping by the room to take pictures of your little peanut. If you are anything like me you will be like yes take all of the pictures! I didn’t even have a picture outfit planned! Luckily my son had the cutest outfit on.
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Going Home Outfit – I didn’t really care what My son was wearing by the time it was time to go home. I was just READY to leave the hospital. But that
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Different Size Outfits – Don’t Make the mistake thinking that your baby is going to come out and be able to wear newborn outfits! Depending on the weight/height I recommend bring outfits ranging from premie to newborn to 0-3 months.
So we covered what mom, dad, and baby are going to need while in the hospital. YAY. I really hope this Hospital Bag Checklist helped you moms out! Let Me Know in the Comments what you think! Or if you think I am missing anything let me know! [:
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The Radically Adorkable Sarah