Mamma Monday: Nursing Essentials

Nursing. Sigh.  For something that's so 'natural' it's the HARDEST to master.  Master may be a bit strong, how about just get through.

I knew prior to having sweet Vivian Louise that I wanted to nurse her.  I even knew it was challenging but knowing that God made us Mammas to feed our babies this way I was hopeful that it would all work out. I even took a class on it and surprisingly it was very helpful. If you've had a baby in past several years you know that the medical community as well as our society now is very forceful that women do it - basically calling formula the devil's milk.  Listen gals, yes breast is best but how about fed is best?!!! Amen?!!  I'm not happy about all the pressure out there.  Being a mother is hard just do your very best and what's right for you.

So, if you are embarking on the nursing journey here's what helped me survive.  And when I say survive I'm talking enduring hundreds of pumps, cracking, bleeding, mastitis and a preemie that bless her heart was just too tiny to help.  And I'm still trying to figure it out.

 Disposable Nursing Pads - Heating Pads  -  Shield  - Strapless Pump Bra  -  Pillow 

 Coconut Oil  - Lecithin  -  Storage Bags  -  Sanitizing Bags  - Pump Cleaning Wipes

Nursing Pads - These are great as a barrier in your bras so that the coconut oil does get on them and/or if you leak (thank goodness that hasn't happened yet)

Heating Pads - These feel soooo good!  When I developed mastitis I would put these as warm as I could tolerate in my nursing bras for 15 minutes prior to pumping.  

Shield - Baby girl was just too tiny to nurse for the first month but with the help of my angel of a lactation nurse helping me every week and this plastic she can do it.  I was set free from the pump.  It also protected my wounded skin that was cracking and bleeding so I could heal.  I use it every time.  It's a little annoying having to keep up with it but it's a minor inconvenience compared to the pumping tasks. 

Strapless Bra - MUST have!  I even sent Mr home from the hospital the day after she was born to get it.  Thank goodness I had already ordered it. I'm actually wearing it now pumping and writing this post!!

Pillow - Amazing! I don't know how to feed her without it.  Because it goes all the way around it supports my back so I'm not leaning over. It also holds her up so we are both comfortable.

Coconut Oil - Magic in a jar! I've never used it for anything before but have heard it has great properties.  I can attest that it truly does!  I apply it to my skin after every pump and it has made the most impact on my healing.  I also use it on the flanges of my pump and on skin while pumping. 

Lecithin - Magic in a pill!  I take it several times a day.  I would get lemon sized knots / clogged ducts daily and would have to work so hard to massage them.  I haven't had any since taking this!

Storage bags - You work so hard to make this liquid gold you must preserve it - another thing I'm so grateful I had ordered before she was born. I'm on my second box and blessed to have so much supply for her.

Sanitizing Bags - I've had 3 gal pals recommend these. My hands were literally feeling like sand paper from all the washing of pump parts.  Life saver. 

Pump Wipes - these are amazing for pumping on the go.  I've done it in the car several times now.

Bible - Life Essential!!! I keep it by my chair in her nursery.

Iphone / Ipad - I use it for the 20 min timer to pump and to entertain myself while either pumping or nursing.  

I hope this was helpful to you or maybe can be for someone you know.

The biggest lesson I've learned is that it truly takes a village and us Mammas must stick together.

I welcome any wisdom you can share with me :)

Nurse Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Baby, Bows & Monograms Oh My!

One of the sweetest things about having a baby girl is adorning her in bows and monograms!
Like mother like daughter!

When I was pregnant I dreamed of dressing Vivian up (smocking dresses galore ... I should really share her amazing wardrobe/closet) and her newborn pictures were the first major occasion.  I knew she'd be tiny, never did I imagine bringing home a 4lb 11oz tiny, so rather than 'outfits' I wanted to present her as the bundle of joy that she truly is.

I love to support small businesses and entrepreneurs so I often turn to Etsy for unique and handmade items.  This is a great avenue for baby items.  I ordered this pale pink silk sash the day we brought her home because her one month early arrival wasn't in my plan but the shop owner made her sash and shipped the very next day! I simply used a solid white swaddle blanket to wrap her and then tied the bow around her.  This sash is not only a keepsake but could be worn around her dresses when she's several years older.

I found my photographer months in advance and had her on standby because I wanted to capture her brand new.  We took these pictures in her nursery when she was only 12 days old. I made sure she was good a fed prior so that she would sleep peacefully through all the moving around.
As for our outfits I kept them light and bright - see my previous post as I wanted the pictures themselves to be soft.  Her pastel nursery was the perfect backdrop.

Vivian Louise

Monogrammed Silk Sash

Dress Your Baby Beautifully in Monograms & Bows

XOXO Sarah Louise

Lace Tops

As soon as baby girl was born I knew within the first two weeks we would be taking her newborn/family photos. I hadn't picked out exactly what I would wear but I knew I wanted the images to be light and bright.  That meant white, which is what I wear more than any other color anyways.

White gives you a refreshed and lively look. As a brand new Mamma I needed to look like I wasn't as sleep deprived as I really was.  I also wanted to feel pretty and proud to be in these photos so that the joy of our new baby would reflect.  Again a challenge when your figure has gone through such a drastic change.

I chose a feminine lace top.  It did everything I wanted it to and the pictures were absolutely beautiful!

White Lace Top 

Similar Options: 

Bell Sleeve Lace Top 

Sheer Lace Top

Sleeveless Lace Top

Floral Lace Top

Dress Beautifully in a White Lace Top

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Vivian's Nursery

Hello gals!  I know I've been absent from the blog - because I've been 100% present with baby girl.

I fully intended to share her nursery in December and then earlier this month but our sweet blessing has kidnapped all my attention and I don't mind at all. While I miss routine and productivity there's no where I'd rather be than with her.  I'm going to try my best, now that she's 5 weeks old, to get back into the swing of some of my pre-baby activities. (Not going to lie exercising is on the TOP of my list).

I shared her nursery design with you here on this post.  I stuck to the design I had created with only a few exceptions.

I wanted lavender as the base color with accents of soft pink and a touch of tangerine.

Finding the rug tied it all together. 

For the crib bedding, I didn't want a matchy-matchy set so I pieced together the elements separately.

I'm obsessed with Jelly Cat stuffed animals! 

I brought the tangerine color in with the drapes. I special ordered the trim fabric and attached it myself to ivory silk panels. It was nice to make them myself - not that I'm a DIY or crafty gal by any means but it feels special to create her room.

We were gifted so many blankets, perfect for our Winter baby.

I had originally wanted to use my antique sideboard as her changing table for a unique and traditional addition but after renovating our living room it really worked best as it was intended by the dining room.  As most things, it turned out for the best as I decided to use the dresser that was my Mamma's, mine and my little sister's growing up.  All I had to do was give it a fresh coat of paint.  I kept the hardware original.  I love the history it adds to her room.

This chair has been a special place for us both.  When she was still in my belly I would sit and read, talk to her and sing her sweet songs my Mamma used to sing to me.  Now I still do those things but she's snuggled in my arms. It's also roomy and so soft for her feedings.  I love rocking her (and myself) back to sleep.

I added a shelf to hold special things for display and to hold her books because we plan to read to her every day.

The bear was Mr's when he was a little boy.  By adding a lavender ribbon it was a perfect match.

The small canvas was hand painted by a dear friend of mine.

Her baby book is wrapped in silk fabric with her monogram - I plan to start working on it this week.

I also added a photo of us, the two people who love her most in this world.

The Christmas cactus was a gift from my Mamma and I believe all rooms need a plant.

I love the sweet feeling I get when I'm in her room! It's truly my favorite space!

A Nursery Dressed Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise