5 Essentials for the breast feeding Mommy

The Boppy Pillow

This helps hold your baby while you're breastfeeding.  I couldn't use it for the first couple of weeks because my stomach was more of a ski slop, but after that this pillow became my best friend.

 

Tip: Get a pillow that matches your bedroom so you can just put it in with your other pillows on your bed.You can also use your Boppy to help your little one sit.

Breast feeding tank tops
These are SO much easier to wear than regular shirts because of the easy access.  Target has a great selection and I suggest getting basic colors.  I have one in white, black and gray so they match most of my clothes.

Feeding app. for your smart phone


By using this app, you can track what time and how long you feed your baby for.  This was my saving grace at 3 am feedings because I was so tired at first. 

Feed Baby-FREE

Other feeding apps: Baby Feeding Tracker by Sprout $2.99

Tip: If you don't have a smart phone you can put a hair tie on your wrist and switch it to which breast you last fed from.



Electric Breast Pump
I own a Medela Advanced Breastpump Starter Set.  Trust me on this one...HAVE IT READY!  When my milk came in I looked like Pamela Anderson in her Baywatch days (sorry, I'm not posting a pic of this one) and felt like she did the day after she married Kid Rock!  It's painful, and one of the only ways to relieve the pain is to feed your new born baby and to pump.

Through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) most insurance companies will now give you a free breast pump!   Here are the steps you need to take to get one:

1.) Get a prescription from your doctor.

2.) Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. 

3.) Tell them that you are (fill in the blank) weeks pregnant and you need to order your breast pump.  I ordered mine a month before I was due.  Also, make sure you know ahead of time how much they are going to cover.  Mine was 100%

4.) My insurance company then provided me with a phone number to a separate company called Edgepark.  Here is a link to their website. Edgepark

5.) Call them and order your pump.  You can look at their website before you call and decide which one you are going to order.  They will not offer any opinion, so do your research.

6.) You will have to email/mail them your doctors signed prescription, and they will send you any further paper work in the mail.

Medela hands free pumping bra
Yep!  Go right ahead and try to convince yourself that you wouldn't be caught DEAD wearing this!  Let me tell you, this bra is a game changer!  You can thank me later ;)  I purchased mine at Target for $34.99 and use it every day.  Medela Hands Free Pumping Bra

I hope this helps you ladies!  If you have any questions please feel free to email us at theeinspiredmommy@gmail.com

XOXO,

Thee Inspired Mommy

Sucker for Seersucker

      We visited the Historical Williamsburg this weekend and stopped into one of my favorite childrens's clothing stores called The Carousel.  From living in the South I now ADORE seersucker and smocked clothing.  It took a while to convince me on the smocked clothing because some of the boy stuff looks like girls stuff but whatever, it's so stinking precious I can NOT resist it any longer.

XOXO,

Thee Inspired Mommy

Summer Time Dinner Party

  One of my favorite things to do is to host dinner parties with our friends.  If you can't tell I've become obsessed with blue and white and have started a little collection from the Raleigh Flea Market and other consignment shops around town.  At the end of the night one of my girlfriends introduced us to a hysterical game called Headsup.  You can download it on to your smart phone and it will be the best dollar you've ever spent.  I've also included my go-to salad recipe that is super easy to make and very yummy.

Strawberry Fields Forever Salad:

Two heads of boston or romaine lettuce

One 1/2 quart of strawberries cut into four pieces.

6 oz. of monterey jack chesse.  Shread fresh at home.

4 oz. of pecans.  Cook for 6 minutes at 350.

Dressing: BRIANNAS' Home style Blush Wine Vinaigrette Dressing

Pour dressing into a measuring cup and add 5 shakes of paprika and 1/4 cup of vegetable oil.

  Stir and then pour on top of salad.

Enjoy! XOXO TheeInspiredMommy