Early on in my first breastfeeding journey, I realized that I had to find a long sleeve nursing shirt that I could wear around the house AND sleep in. Covert public nursing is the main goal of most of the nursing shirt. Which is fine, but that often means that there is a fair amount of fabric to maneuver around while feeding baby. But, that just was not what I needed for at home nursing sessions.
My criteria for a long sleeve nursing shirt was fairly simple BUT apparently I was looking for a unicorn:
Long Sleeve (obvs.)
Able to sleep in it comfortably
No buttons to fumble with
Doesn’t have fabric that would have to be held while baby nurses
Milk stains are able to be washed out of fabric easily
Long enough to be worn with leggings
Loose enough that my postpartum fluff is not highlighted
Must have more than one color available
Ideally, not too expensive so I could get a few
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I wear these over a basic nursing camisole and they are so comfortable. There are a few different brands selling these type of tops on Amazon. I have bought from most of them and they are all pretty much the same. Lightweight material, criss cross drape in the front and above all, it provides SUPER easy nursing access. The biggest difference between sellers is the colors each has available. I started with the three pack from Free to Live in 2015 when my first baby was born and I am STILL wearing the original three. They are the best. In conclusion, if you are breastfeeding or are planning on breastfeeding, you need these long sleeve nursing shirts in your life.
When I was pregnant for the first time, I quickly registered for a humidifier that had good reviews and seemed to be well liked by parents everywhere. My son was born in December and immediately slept in our room. We didn’t use the humidifier until months later. Very quickly I decided that what we had was absolute CRAP. It left the ground around it soaking wet. It ran out of water within a few hours. The tank molded and was impossible to clean.
I knew I needed a different humidifier but was weary of making another poor purchasing decision. My criteria for a humidifier was pretty reasonable:
Large enough tank to run overnight without running out
Easy to clean parts
No mold
Doesn’t soak the ground around it
Ideally, no filter would be needed
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I searched and searched for another humidifier. A mom in one of my FB mom groups wrote a raving review about her humidifier. It did have a filter, but she was so happy with it, that I decided to take a leap of faith and try it out. Y’all- this humidifier is the BEST!
The opening of the tank is huge, making cleaning easy. PLUS, it is dishwasher safe.
It uses evaporation to humidify the air. This means it blows moisture off a wicking filter, helping it evaporative into the air quickly.
**Major Selling Point** There is a UV light inside that sanitizes the water before it reaches the filter. It kills up to 99.9% of bacteria, mold, fungus, and virus that could be present in the water.
I ordered my first unit in February of 2018 and another a year later. They run for a majority of the year in both of my kids’ rooms. I have never seen mold on either humidifier. It can run on high overnight for 12+ hours before running out of water (depending on how dry the air is). I replace the filter monthly, but using this off brand replacement filter keeps the cost very reasonable. The Honeywell Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier is now one of my main recommend items for all my pregnant friends.
Whether you are a month into your breastfeeding journey or are a seasoned pro, the search for breastfeeding clothing is a challenge. Finding the best nursing friendly shirts is not easy. Many tops that are cute are expensive, or they are unflattering on most postpartum bodies. Other tops look weird in order to be able to accommodate breastfeeding access. Who wants to spend money on clothing that will be discarded after nursing is over.
I am a SAHM of three littles, so finding nursing friendly clothing is important since I wear it every moment of my life. My standards are high.
This post contains affiliate links. See affiliate disclosure here.
My requirements when looking were:
Easy access for nursing
Easy to keep shirt out of the way so it doesn’t get wet with milk
Does not get milk stains that don’t wash out
Long enough to hit below the waist
Loose enough that my postpartum curves are not highlighted
Attractive colors
BONUS: Available in a long and short sleeve option
The fabric is so freaking soft. The waffle material makes it look so much nicer and dressier than it is. The buttons are easy to unbutton one handed. The shirt opens wide enough to get out of the way so it doesn’t get soaked with milk. IT. IS. THE. BEST. The cut makes it loose and flowy without looking frumpy. Can you tell I love this top? I have five of them and another four are on their way to me this week! I wear them with leggings or with jeans (okay, jeggings).
There are so many color and pattern options available. 35 options to be exact. And there is a long-sleeve version that is just as flattering. I wear this shirt in size small and it fits well on my 5’7″ size 6 frame. I have had some of my tops for over 2 years and they still look great. For the two months that I had in between breastfeeding my second baby and my third pregnant belly popping out, I wore these shirts. Even when I don’t need the nursing feature, they are still a favorite. Plus, you can Amazon PRIME them to your house with free 2 day shipping!!!
Still looking for more nursing friendly clothes? Check out my other blogs:
Boxy Charm reached out to me in April. I was very pregnant. They asked if I would like to sample a beauty box. OF COURSE I would! I mean, who doesn’t like to try out new beauty products?
This post contains affiliate links. See affiliate disclosure here.
What’s Included with Boxy Charm?
Every month you receive 5 FULL-sized beauty products. These items can be make-up, beauty tools, skin care products or even hair products. Every box has an average value of $175. This means that the products that are included are luxury brands. You are unlikely to be able to buy these things at your local drug store.
I am not usually one to spend money on new products. However, I also love to try out new things. THIS is why Boxy Charm is so awesome. For a fraction of the value, you can try out new things every month. Talk about Happy Mail! Sign up for you own Boxy Charm Box here!
My Favorite Finds?
I have received SIX boxes so far, complements of Boxy Charm (thankkkkk you!). I have found a bunch of products that I love. It’s hard to pick which are my favorites. These are some of the items that I will likely purchase on my own once the one included in my box runs out:
Glamglow Berryglow Probiotic Recovery Mask 2.5 Oz Unisex, 2.5 Oz
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub Exfoliant for Keratosis Pilaris with 10% AHA
SOL DE JANEIRO-Brazilian Kiss Tinted Cupuaçu Butter Lip Balm in Teeny Bikini
Studio Make Up EASE TO WEAR PALETTE– Boxy Charm Exclusive
Least Favorite Finds?
I am all about transparency. So I feel like it is only fair to mention that I do not love every single item I have received. Some items have had scents that are not my favorite. Some items have been a little dark for my very pale skin. I have received an eye shadow palette every single month. I have LOVED two of those palettes. But some of the others have had very vibrant colors that I probably will not wear on a regular basis. But, getting to trial out items that you might love or might not love is the charm of these boxes! (See what I did there!)
Why is Boxy Charm worth it?
For $22.92-$25 dollars a month (the more you subscribe to, the lower the cost), you receive FIVE awesome items. Every month, I look up the value of my favorite finds. I discover that it is generally well over the 25 dollar mark. So even if I would have found the item in a store (which I never would have taken the time to do), I would have spent more than $25 on it. And I wouldn’t have gotten to try out the other FOUR items.
Luxe Box- Every 3rd month you receive the upgraded box. It includes 8 full sized beauty and lifestyle items. Box average value is $395. The Luxe Box upgrade costs an additional $24.99
Premium Box- Every month you receive an upgraded box. For $35 you receive 6-7 full sized items each month. The premium box average value is $215.
I have had pregnancy anemia for all three of my pregnancies. I have tried dozens of different brands of iron supplements. It was frustrating to find that SO MANY of the supplements available came with varying GI side effects. While many caused severe constipation, others caused “sulfur burps”, complete with bloating, vomiting and diarrhea. You never want to have to deal with GI side effects on top of being exhausted from pregnancy anemia.
I wasted A LOT of money on lots of different iron supplements. I was never able to take any supplements long enough to alleviate my pregnancy anemia. But still, I persisted and kept trying different types of supplements in hopes that I would find one that worked.
This iron supplement comes in liquid form. It is formulated for easy absorption and is gentle on the digestive tract due to use of ferrous gluconate, a highly soluble compound. It is a vegan product!
You take 10ml twice a day for a total dosing of 20mg. It is a liquid so you can easily adjust the dosing to match whatever recommendation your doctor makes for your pregnancy anemia.
Besides Iron, the supplement has Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and also Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B1, and B2.
The liquid can stain your teeth so it is recommended that you wash your mouth out with water after taking it.
Individual wrapped cherry-flavored Iron Soft Chews contain 45mg of Iron as Ferrous Fumarate with 60mg of Vitamin C. The 45mg of Iron is a lot more than most other supplements provide.
Dosing is 1 chew per day, so each bottle will last for 2 months. It is sugar free, gluten free and is made in the USA. It is also dairy free!
These chews utilize a unique formula that was originally designed by a bariatric surgical team to benefit weight loss patients and those with pregnancy anemia.
My hemoglobin levels have started to RISE on my blood work results for the first time ever. It is amazing what a good supplement can do. I am not a walking zombie that is always cold anymore. Totally life changing!
Goodbye, pregnancy anemia. See ya never!
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It has been a little over a year since Amazon first rolled out their Mama Bear line of products. Their line includes diapers. After using the Mama Bear diapers for two babies in multiple sizes, I feel like I can confidently review them.
Major Selling Points
When I first started my search that ultimately lead me to the Mama Bear Diapers, I was looking for diapers that would limit the amount of chemicals and unnatural products that would be coming in contact with my baby’s skin. The Mama Bear diapers are hypoallergenic; free of fragrances, elemental chlorine, and natural rubber latex. There are very few diapers that meet those requirements.
It is important to point out that these diapers are not in the same category as basic Pampers or Huggies. These are non-toxic! It’s really sad that as moms we we have to specifically look for this!! They are in line with the Seventh Generation, Honest Co. and Earth Best Diapers.
Along with her Mama Bear diaper, Adalyn is wearing her Snuza
The biggest selling point for me on the Mama Bear diapers was the price. They are much less expensive than the other non-toxic diapers on the market. Amazon allows Prime members to Subscribe & Save (with Subscribe & Save you place a monthly recurring order for an item) which allows you to save up to 20% off the base price.
The Feel of Mama Bear diapers
These diapers feel very similar to Pampers or Huggies. They are soft on the inside and on the outside. We had a lot of issues with Seventh Generation and Earth’s Best causing chafing rashes on my son’s inner thighs. With the Mama Bear diapers, this is not an issue we have experienced.
The Fit of Mama Bear diapers
Mama Bear Diapers have soft and stretchy sides that allow for a snug and secure fit. The diapers come in sizes NB-6, so you will likely be switching to Pull-Ups long before your child sizes out of these diapers. Each diaper size has a posted weight range that should fit in the diapers. I find that the diapers run a little small and my babies need to size up long before they reach the upper range of the listed size range.
The diapers claim to have 12 hour leak protection, which allows baby to sleep through the night without needing to be changed. I find that this is definitely true, except when we need to size up. In the past year, my daughter has only woken up with wet clothing on 5 occasions. That is WAY less than when my son was the same age and wearing diapers specifically made for night time.
The Look of Mama Bear diapers
The diapers are available in a blue bear print or in a plain white. Both options include a wetness indicator line to help show when it is time for a change. I prefer the white design for my kids so that the print does not show through their clothing.
Happiness Guarantee
Amazon offers their happiness guarantee on their Mama Bear diapers. If for any reason you are unhappy with your purchase, they will offer a full return without having to return the product to them. I can attest that this is legit. When Adalyn started leaking through her size 4 diapers, even though she was still well within the weight range, I was fully refunded for the size 4 diapers.
All in all, these diapers are amazing. We will be using them for our new baby in June. I just hope they come out with their own line of pull-ups soon so that Adalyn can continue using Mama Bear brand as she growns into a big girl (sniffle sniffle).
This post contains affiliate links. See affiliate disclosure here.
This post was sponsored by Smile Brilliant. I was provided with their Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening System and offered an extra kit to giveaway in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.
One of the very first things that I notice about people is their teeth.
I had braces for over 4 years, so I really appreciate a great smile. A brilliant white smile makes everyone look better (and younger!!). It’s been longer than I care to admit since my braces came off and my teeth were bleached to a brilliant white perfection by my orthodontist. Despite my continual use of whitening toothpaste, all the different drinks that I consume were starting to turn my teeth yellow. When taking pictures with my kids, I realized that my teeth were the first thing I was looking at when deciding whether or not I liked the photo. Crazy, I know but I did not endure 4 years of braces to have a smile that I was not proud of.
I knew that I needed to step up my game but I was unsure of where to turn. Whitening my teeth through my dentist fell way out of my price range. I had tried other popular teeth whitening products in the past and didn’t feel like they would give me the results I was looking for. I’ve found that the spaces between my teeth didn’t always end up really white and my teeth would literally ache after each whitening session with whitening strips. I’ve even tried both the baking soda and activated charcoal methods but neither give the lasting results I wanted.
Smile Brilliant Saves the Day
Smile Brilliant contacted me about trying their tooth whitening system and I jumped at the opportunity. I have seen other reviews about the product and I knew that it was different from what I had already tried. They even offer a separate kit specifically for people like me with sensitive teeth. Plus, not only would I get to try their product at no cost, they offered a FREE kit for one of you!
Within a few days, I received a package containing the Smile Brilliant teeth whitening system for sensitive teeth. It contained step-by step instruction cards, individual sealed packets containing sealed syringes of teeth whitening gel and desensitizing gel, and everything that I needed to create the impressions for making your custom trays fitted to my teeth. Riley was VERY interested to see what Mommy had gotten so I had to wait until he was asleep to really dig into the package. I was really impressed with the entire kit setup. It was organized with color coding and the step by step instructions included a ton of information to help you through the entire process. The first part of the process is to create your custom fit teeth whitening trays.
Making Your Impressions
The kit includes the materials to make the putty that you will then use to make the impressions. To do this, you mix the contents of two separate little containers, you then place the putty into the form and press it into your upper teeth. Wait 3 minutes and remove. Repeat on lower teeth. The instructions for this entire process are extremely detailed and includes tips to help avoid mistakes. They even give you a third set of the putty mixture just in case you make a mistake. I found this entire process to be really simple. Once you’ve created your molds, you rinse them and let them dry. Once they are dry, you ship them back in the provided postage paid envelope. The Smile Brilliant lab will use your molds to create your custom trays. In 3-5 business days you’ll get your custom fit dental trays back.
Whitening Your Teeth
You can start whitening your teeth once your custom dental trays arrive. Before you begin, brush your teeth with water to remove any food particles. Squeeze a thin ribbon of the tooth whitening gel (which is 22% carbamide peroxide) into the front of trays. Before putting on the trays, make sure that your teeth are dry. Apply the trays and check the clock. Whiten for 45 minutes for your first session. If you have ever whitened your teeth before, you know that the process makes you salivate. I don’t like spitting that much so I just stuff a couple of cotton balls between my teeth and gums.
After Whitening Desensitizing- Sensitive Kit
After whitening, brush with toothpaste to remove all of the whitening gel. If you have the sensitive kit, like I did, there’s one last step. Clean and dry the whitening trays. Pro tip- to really dry the trays out, q-tips are your best friend! Once they are dry, squeeze a thin ribbon of the desensitizing gel into the trays and reapply the trays for another 15-20 minutes. After removing the trays, you do not re-brush your teeth and you avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes.
My impression?
I eased into using the Smile Brilliant teeth whitening system to avoid any sensitivity. So, I started with the minimum 45 minutes for my first 4 sessions. It wasn’t until after my 4th session that I experienced sensitivity. I took a day off of whitening and didn’t have sensitivity the next time around. Instead of upping the session length, I stuck to the 45 minute time frame to avoid any additional sensitivity.
Most of my sensitivity was around my gum line. Smile Brilliant recommends that if you are experiencing any gum or tooth sensitivity issues, you can apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your gums before whitening to protect them and whiten every other day instead of daily. Doing both of these, eliminated all of my sensitivity.
I started seeing results after my first session, and after a week and a half of daily 45 minute sessions, my teeth look significantly whiter. I still wanted my teeth to be a little brighter so after giving my teeth a week break, I did a 3 hour long whitening session. That final session really helped whiten my teeth to pearly perfection! As you can see from these unedited images, my teeth are definitely whiter now!
Everyone’s teeth will reach a different whiteness level. The whiteness level that I achieved makes me happy and much more confident! I’m smiling more and not self-conscious about how my smile looks in pictures. I plan to keep using Smile Brilliant to maintain my results.
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
My takeaway. If you have been looking for a great and effective home teeth whitening system, Smile Brilliant is well worth the cost. It’s more effective than the popular products you can find at other retail stores. It is also less expensive than what you would pay at a dental office. They offer both sensitive and non-sensitive kits for light, average and heavy stains. After your initial whitening, you can purchase more tooth whitening gel and desensitizing gel from their website.
I’m seriously excited to share that Smile Brilliant is offering a 15% discount to my readers using the code thebravelittlemama15 AND one of you can win a full kit! (Open to US, UK, Canada, and Australia only) The retail value of this kit is $149.00!
Disclaimer: Jord Watch sent me this unique wooden timepiece in exchange for this blog post and review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% mine.
After months and months of planning, our European vacation is finally upon us. Packing for two small children while trying to minimize the amount of things that you pack, is no joke. There is nothing quite like quality time with family, seeing the world and making memories.
As we were making our travel plans, I was given the opportunity to check out one of these unique wooden timepieces from JORD Watches. Let’s just say I am in LOVE with it! I have been stalking JORD (pronounced Yode) for a long time on social media. Their unique wooden timepieces are so eye catching and stylish. I am thrilled that I received my timepiece before we left so that I can wear it throughout our trip. Travel can make you feel anything but glamorous, but this watch makes me feel like a million bucks. Not only does the watch make me feel great but it is incredibly lightweight which makes it perfect for travel.
Meet Cassia
The timepiece I selected was a beautiful watch in theCassia series. Made from ebony wood, which is known for its durability and hardness, this watch features a beautiful sable face. The wooden band integrates seamlessly into the face of the watch which allows it to be an uninterrupted circular design. I have never seen another wooden timepiece with such an innovative design.
Strikingly bold and beautiful, this unique wooden timepiece has a domed sapphire crystal glass. Sapphire glass is nearly twice as hard as normal glass and almost as hard as diamond. This means that it is almost impossible to scratch. Finally a watch that can handle it all, from vacationing in Europe with my kids, to surviving the normal challenges in the day in the life of a SAHM, without becoming scratched. I have ruined quite a few watches over the years from normal daily wear so I am thrilled that this unique wooden timepiece was built to last.
My JORD Watch came with a polishing cloth and a cleaning pen. The pen contains 4 applications of a custom-formulated cleaning oil created specifically for the care of wood watches.
Besides the fact that JORD Watches make the perfect travel and life accessory due to how durable and lightweight they are, another thing that makes the Cassia perfect for travel is that she will match so well with a variety of clothing options. The dark wood tones and neutral sable face will compliment my dressed down sightseeing attire. Just as easily as it will compliment my date night dress.
More Reasons to Love JORD Watches
Most watch backplates and all Cedar humidor presentation boxes are engravable.
The watches may be sized for the recipient.
Most watches have additional options for customization — mixing and matching faces and woods!
JORD offers free worldwide standard shipping!
Every watch comes with a one year warranty and options for return & exchange
JORD Wood Watches Giveaway
JORD is a St. Louis based company that offers many unique men’s and women’s watches, so you’re sure to find the perfect watch! Everyone who enters will receive 10% off AND the chance to win a $100 discount code towards a JORD watch of their own!
Maybe it is the nerd in me, but every time I go somewhere busy with my kids, I think of the quote from Lord of the Rings “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” My toddler is a mad man who loves to explore everywhere, to pet strange dogs and to see ALL the things there are to see when we are out and about. He generally leaves his listening skills in the car, which can make going places stressful.
My husband and I take the divide and conquer approach with our two kids. I usually have our youngest and he takes the lead with our toddler. I have always felt like I could, like I should, do more to ensure the safety of my child. Specifically, the toddler since he is the one on the move. This feeling lead me to discover My Buddy Tag. It is a tag that is wearable as a wristband that connects to your phone through Bluetooth.
My Buddy Tag offers three main functions:
Helps keep your kid close: an alert will be sent to your phone if your child ventures out of your proximity
Allows your kid to alert you if they need your assistance: My Buddy Tag has a panic button your child can press
Helps avoid drowning: A Water Safety Alert that will send you an alert if the wristband is submerged in water
We have taken My Buddy Tag along on a few adventures and overall we like it. At a $39.99 price point, it is extremely affordable. There is no monthly service fee. Because the device is waterproof, you do have to send your tag in for a replacement battery (~$15). The company states that the battery should last for a year, so even with the additional cost to replace a battery, this GPS tracker is still much more affordable than other options on the market.
My son loves wearing a watch like daddy. Once on, it cannot be removed without the use of a screwdriver. This means a stranger cannot easily remove it. The app is easy to use and allows you to adjust the distance your child can wander before an alarm is sent.
The wristband is available in multiple colors. You can purchase your own My Buddy Tag, here!
Overall, we love our My Buddy Tag wristband. It is easy to use and gives this mama extra peace of mind when we venture out into the world.
