Wordless Wednesday: Water Beads

Melted Crayon Artwork

I had seen this awesome looking idea and pinned it to my Pinterest boards awhile back. I was just waiting for the right day to try it out! This summer has been sooo toasty with many days spiking to 100-109 degrees. Blech! That's just a little too toasty to be playing outside in the sun! So on a day that was, oh, just about 102 degrees, I thought of this craft! It would be a perfect time to do something super colorful with little man! 

The original link that I had pinned was just a link to an Etsy page and wasn't much help for directions. Thank goodness for Google searches! I found some tutorials HERE, HERE and HERE that gave me a good idea of what to do. The only problem was that they all involved using a hair dryer and I wanted to use the power of the sun to create our artwork. 

So, little man and I sat down at his craft table with a canvas I had leftover from a previous craft project, 3 boxes of 24 count crayons and some super glue. *Sorry I don't have any pictures of our "creating" process! We were so involved in creating that I forgot to take pictures!* We lined up the crayons in the order we wanted to glue them down. It was fun to let little man decide if he wanted more of one color vs another and help me arrange each color from dark to light. Then, once we were ready, I had little man hand the crayons to me one by one as I glued them down. (Side note: I used Gorilla Glue instead of a glue gun, because I thought that hot glue + little man might = a bad idea and also that the heat of the sun might re-melt the glue. But then I later read the back of the Gorilla Glue bottle and found that it is pretty toxic. :( Not that little man or I ingested it, but still, if I did this again, I would look for a different gluing solution)

After the crayons were all glued down, we let them sit while we had lunch to dry onto the canvas. Then I set the canvas up outside on an old box, to catch any drips. We kept coming back to the slider door to check on the progress of our artwork. After about an hour, the crayons just looked "sweaty". Hmmm... I was worried that our project might not work out. Maybe it wasn't hot enough to melt the crayons?

Another hour or so went by and I walked by the slider door and glanced outside and saw ... the most amazing wax rainbow ever! 

Gah! We had missed watching it melt! Bummer! Oh well, it was still pretty awesome to see what the heat of the sun is able to do! I brought it inside and we let it sit to dry before I let little man hold his artwork. He absolutely loves it! Whenever he sees it, he still proudly proclaims, "That's your artwork!". We are definitely going to be hanging it in his room on his newly designated art wall over his bed! I love how unique it is and the idea that if he did it again it could look completely different. This was a perfect, one-of-a-kind project for little man and he is so proud of it!

 

Quinoa Pancakes

"Good morning mama! Can you make pancakes?" said little man in a bright and chipper voice.

How can I resist when I am woken up with such a cute and cheerful request from my little man?!? Well, if I am going to make pancakes and just happen to have some extra prepared quinoa in the fridge that is just waiting to be used...this is the perfect recipe! Hubby and I both love quinoa pancakes and I especially like that there is the added bonus of protein and fiber from the quinoa. These pancakes definitely have more substance to them and (I think) they are super filling! I can usually only eat 2!

I got the recipe from good ol' Martha Stewart and here is the ingredient list and directions below!

Quinoa Cakes (via Martha Stewart)

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice (I use Trader Joe's Organic Multi-Colored Quinoa or organic quinoa from the bulk section at our local health food grocery store, Sprout's)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 large egg, plus 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, plus more for skillet
• 1/4 cup low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, plus more for serving
• *I also add about 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract*
• I also use coconut oil on the griddle vs butter or oil

Directions

• In a medium bowl, whisk together quinoa, flour, baking powder, and salt. 

Little man is a great helper in the kitchen!

• In another medium bowl, whisk together egg, egg white, butter, milk, (vanilla extract, if using) and syrup until smooth. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and whisk to combine.

 

Once mixed, you batter will be thick and really fluffy!

• Lightly coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with butter (or coconut oil, which hubby and I think adds an extra yummy "oomph" of flavor) and heat over medium-high. Drop batter by heaping spoonfuls into skillet. 

Cooking in coconut oil

• Cook until bubbles appear on top, 2 minutes. Flip cakes and cook until golden brown on underside, 2 minutes. 

Perfect!

• Repeat with more melted butter (or coconut oil) and remaining batter (reduce heat if over-browning). 

• Serve with maple syrup or fresh fruit or preserves.

 Enjoy your tasty breakfast!

 

My Pregnancy Journal: 26 Weeks

 

I've been linking up with the “My Pregnancy Journal” meme over at Happenings of the Harper Household. She has since had her little girl (Yay!), but I still wanted to continue to keep a pregnancy journal. I'm excited to keep  sharing and journaling some of my weekly symptoms and photographing my growing belly!

  26 Weeks!

This week our little boy measures about 13.6 to 14.8 inches and is somewhere in the1.5 to 2.5 pound range. His eyes are still forming and lashes have appeared - soon he will be able to open his eyes! Little guy's immune system is also developing and he is soaking up my antibodies. He is also practicing for life on the outside by taking breaths of amniotic fluid. My belly has also been practicing for labor, even though it is still a ways away, by tightening with some early contractions. Sounds like everything is working together to grow and get ready for the day we get to hold our little boy in our arms!  

 About me & baby boy this week….

Symptoms:  I've been getting headaches that can last for most of the day or just a few hours. Over the last week, it has been pretty consistent, unfortunately. I read that it can be a normal part of pregnancy and stress... but it's still no fun! My lower back is also continuing to ache. I am sleeping with a pillow between my legs, which helps a little and the weekly trip to the chiropractor also helps me feel way better. Baby boy is as active as ever, especially at night! He kicks and rolls and jabs. I am so amazed at how much he moves and how strong he is! At this point I can see my belly move (it looks like quick, jumpy movements). Also at night, when I am on my side, I can feel him roll around and sometimes it actually kind of tickles and makes me laugh. :) 

Weight Gain: I am up to 151.2lbs. I have definitely slowed on my weight gain (phew!). I started at 125lbs and have gained 26.2lbs so far. 

Cravings! I have been craving sushi! It sounds so yummy! Baked Spider Rolls are one of my favorites!  Makes me wonder what little man would think of sushi. I actually can't believe we've never taken him out for sushi! I think he would at least have fun with the chopsticks! :) I still have been wanting sweets and hubby surprised me with a super tasty old-fashioned, maple doughnut the other day! Mmmm... Then, the last time we were at Trader Joe's, hubby "snuck" some vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup into our cart. Sneaky man! ;) A bowl of vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup and walnuts is the perfect way to relax while watching a tv show at the end of the day! 

beer for hubby and ice cream for me at Disneyland!

Food Aversions: No food aversions. I don't usually feel like eating lunch in the afternoons. That could be because of the heat though, since it has been 90-100+ degrees here lately! I would much rather eat breakfast, have late afternoon snacks, have dinner and dessert, of course! So, yeah...I think that means I don't have any food aversions and I'm eating plenty, haha!

What made me cry this week:  Nothing - I've been pretty happy!

Medical Stuff: Nothing going on! I still have appointments every 4 weeks, so nothing new to report. Weight gain has slowed and other than that, I really just have an achy back to complain about. ;)

Thoughts from little man:  Little man has been enjoying using my belly as a pillow these days. He still doesn't seem to notice that I have a beach ball growing on my belly and still likes to be picked up as often as ever. He will talk about baby boy sometimes and that he will be tiny and use his crib. He has decided that he wants his crib back now, instead of his big boy bed. :) I have the feeling once his old things start coming back out from the garage to go into the new baby's room, that he will suddenly start wanting all of his old things back. Any of you who have welcomed a second baby (or more) into your family, how did you help your first child transition or get used to a new baby coming?

Something I am excited about: Getting closer and closer to the third trimester and then delivery! I know it's still a little ways away, but I just can't wait! 

Wordless Wednesday: Is It a Belly or a Pillow?

Natural Newborn Giveaway Hop! #NaturalNewborn

Welcome to the Natural Newborn Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering, Going Green with the Grizls and Ashley Suzanne through the Green Moms Network! For this wonderful event, there are over 20 bloggers who have prize packages valued at $15 or more! The list of participating bloggers is located under my Rafflecopter form.

Grand Prize Info: 
Our hosts have also put together an awesome grand prize valued at more than $500! The grand prize includes a:

• Lullaby Earth 2-Stage Crib Mattress
• Green Babies Body Care Set
• Boba Baby Wrap
• Balboa Baby Adjustable Sling
• 4-Pack of Imse Vimse Newborn Cloth Diapers (sponsored by Pure & Simple Baby)
• Holistic Baby Sleep System

You can gain extra entries into the grand prize by entering all of the giveaways on blogs participating in the Natural Newborn event. Click here to access the grand prize entry form! 

In my excitement as I prepare for baby boy #2, I have been on the hunt for stores that offer natural and eco-friendly goodies. I am so happy that I have discovered the Ribbon N Stitches store and website! Not only do they offer a great selection of cloth diapers, accessories and goodies for mama, but they also have partnered with two charities, Fluffy Wishes Diaper Closet and Sweet Cheeks Diaper Kits, that offer support and cloth diapers to families in need!

I am also pleased to offer my readers the opportunity to win a great natural newborn prize package, with help from Ribbon N Stitches! The prize package that includes A FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diapers in XS, a pair of Baby Legs NB leg warmers and The Balm Nipple Soother! The FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper is an ultra trim diaper that can fit your newborn from day 1! Newborn Baby Legs have got to be the cutest cloth diaper accessory every! Not only do they protect your sweet baby's knees, but they are just perfect for diaper changes! Also, as a new mama, breastfeeding can definitely lead to some sore and tender breasts as you and your new little one are learning the ropes! That is where The Balm Nipple Soother will come in handy! It is made with healing herbs and organic olive oil to help soothe and relieve. Another wonderful bonus is that it is safe for baby and there is no need to wipe clean before nursing your little one! These are definitely the perfect goodies for a mama and a new little one! Good luck as you enter and a big thank you to Ribbon N Stitches for providing this wonderful prize package!

Natural Newborn Prize Package includes:

Ribbon N Stitches {Sponsor Spotlight}
Prize: A FuzziBunz size XS, a pair of Baby Legs NB leg warmers and The Balm Nipple Soother!

ARV of the Natural Newborn Prize Package on The Little Hedgehog Blog = $37.94!


This event is going to be open from 12:01am EST Friday, August 17 , 2012 through 11:59pm EST Friday, August 31, 2012.

 ***Giveaway is open Worldwide, but if the winner is outside of the Continental US, they are responsible for paying shipping. Entrants must be 18+ years old. One winner will be chosen randomly. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.*** 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Thank you to Ribbon N Stitches for providing me with the opportunity to host this giveaway at no cost to myself. This has not influenced my opinion. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Thank you again to Ribbon N Stitches!

Natural Newborn Sponsor Spotlight: Ribbon N Stitches #NaturalNewborn

Ribbon N Stitches is a wonderful cloth diaper store and website that was started by Linda, in an effort to educate local families about cloth diapers and provide them with a local place to shop. 

Linda has been a military wife since 2002, a military mom starting four years ago in 2007, is a disabled veteran herself and is now a cloth diaper educator for the small military post of Fort Polk, LA and its surrounding areas.  As a WAHM mother of two boys, she combined her love of finances and cloth diapering and set up a site that teaches about the world of cloth diapering and shows all families, regardless of rank or income status, how to be able to cloth diaper their children without finances being a barrier. 

Ribbon N Stitches is the place to shop for your cloth diapering needs and Linda has taken great care to stock both her store and website with a variety of the big name brands as well as some of the smaller WAHM brands! The goal at Ribbon N Stitches is to be present and available in their local community of Louisiana as well as nationwide, through the website, in an effort to help families realize that finances do not need to be barrier to cloth diapering. Linda has worked hard to connect with families and provide a much needed service. Her work though education about cloth diapers, financial advice about the affordability of cloth diapering and her willingness to be available and helpful is invaluable to families!

Here is a little bit about how Linda's shop Ribbon N Stitches got started:

I started as just doing cloth diapering education.  Just enabling families to know that they had choices opened them up to being able to make educated decisions for their families.  There was such a huge need in the community that I opened up a physical store.  I wanted to ensure that this store stayed true to its roots of helping families so I determined that my business model would act like a not for profit.  All proceeds from the sales goes to one of three places; Fluffy Wishes, Sweet Cheeks or subsidized baskets for families in the local community (there is no official 501c here, just me).  I determined that I needed to not be an official 501c since then I would only be able to help those in economic distress and I wanted the education and inventory available to everyone.  (Only those in economic distress have access to the subsidized baskets, but everyone has access to the education and store.)  As we are a military community, my families started PCSing (moving) to other locations around the world and they still wanted to support the work I have been accomplishing, so I set up a website on line – which is what you are seeing today.

Linda has set up a great website that offers both products and advice. If you are new to cloth diapering, you can check out her Cloth Diaper 101 page for some advice and help with all the new terms and choices. Also, if you aren't sure about which cloth diaper or product would be just right for your little one, you can contact Linda and she would love to help you! Linda is so easy to chat with and she is more than happy to help you with whatever questions you may have!

Ribbon N Stitches also has a wonderful selection to shop from! You can shop for cloth diapers & covers, trainers, accessories, items for mama and more! Ribbon N Stitches also carries some of my favorite brands, like Cotton Babies, FuzziBunz, Thirsties, Planet Wise...and the list goes on! So many goodies ot shop for!  

One of my favorite things that Ribbon N Stitches offers is their Surprise Box! I think that it is one of the most unique ideas that I have heard of from a cloth diaper store! Linda has put together a package called the Ribbon's Surprise Box. The Ribbon's Surprise Box is a special item that not only benefits you, when you purchase it, but it also benefits one of two charities and the proceeds directly benefit that charity! The Surprise Box is a package (you get to choose the size you want) with a random assortment of goodies for your little one! It could be filled with items like cloth diapers, diaper creams, wet bags, items for mama and more! Part of the fun is that you get a package filled with goodies that is a complete mystery until you open it! Who doesn't love a good fluffy surprise?! The boxes are made up of multiple, brand new items with a value of up to 20% more than what you paid. What's even better is that with every Surprise Box purchase, you will be helping another at the same time! A portion of the proceeds from the sales of these items will go to Fluffy Wishes Diaper Closet or Sweet Cheeks Diaper Kits (you get to choose the charity when you make your purchase). What a wonderful idea! I love that through a purchase of fun, surprise items for yourself, you can also help other families in need! What a wonderful and amazing benefit to others that you haven't even met! I love that this surprise box blesses other families with cloth diapers that are reusable and can hopefully help to lessen their financial difficulties. I think that Linda has set up a great resource and benefit to others through this charity and I would love to see more cloth diaper stores doing the same thing!

Ribbon N Stitches is a wonderful site to shop from - not only can you find all kinds of cloth diapering goodies, accessories and other fun treats, but you can also use your dollar power to bless others in need through the Surprise Box! I also really appreciate how willing Linda is to work with and help with any questions you might have. Great customer service like that is invaluable, especially when you are first learning about cloth diapers! I am so glad that I found Ribbon N Stitches and am so pleased to find so many great, natural goodies that are perfect for any newborn or little one! 

Ribbon N Stitches is the sponsor for the Natural Newborn Giveaway Hop (happening August 17-31) and has generously offered one winner a wonderful prize package that includes: A FuzziBunz size XS , a pair of Baby Legs NB leg warmers and The Balm Nipple Soother

*Photo from Ribbon N Stitches*

This prize is up for grabs on my blog during the Natural Newborn Giveaway Hop! Be sure to enter come back and enter starting August 17th for a chance to WIN this awesome prize!

 

You can connect with Ribbon N Stitches on Facebook, Twitter and you can shop through their website! 

*Thank you to Ribbon N Stitches for the above mentioned items for a giveaway at no cost to myself. I will receive store credit to put toward a Surprise Box, in exchange for my honest review of the Ribbon N Stitches website. I was not compensated in any other way.* 

Wordless Wednesday: CA Adventures

Winner!

Congratulations to Beth, the winner of the Motherlove Pregnant Belly Salve Giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who entered and a big thank you to Motherlove for generously sponsoring this review and giveaway.

My Pregnancy Journal: 24 Weeks

 

I'm linking up with the “My Pregnancy Journal” meme over at Happenings of the Harper Household. I'm excited to be sharing and journaling some of my weekly symptoms and photographing my growing belly!

  24 Weeks!

This week our little boy measures about 10.5-to-11.8-inches and weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces. At week 24, our little boy’s progress isn’t just about internal stuff, it’s about looks too. With pinker, more opaque skin, he’s looking more and more like a baby. I, on the other hand, am experiencing some of the discomforts of the later months of pregnancy -- like backaches! Also, all the rolling and kicking I’ve been feeling are getting stronger every week.  

 

About me & baby boy this week….

Symptoms:  My lower back has started being consistently achy in the evenings. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that little man still wants mommy to hold him, especially when we are on walks or out and about for the day. Luckily, I have been able to go to the chiropractor pretty often and the adjustments are helping. I know I overdo it some days with carrying little man and I'm sure that my posture isn't always the best! I really need to get back into doing yoga! Baby boy #2 is still kicking away, although it does seem a bit "gentler". He still prefers to kick most often in the evenings and when I'm trying to sleep. :) 

Weight Gain: I am up to 150.2lbs. So, all-in-all, I've gained 25.2lbs since becoming pregnant. My weight gain has definitely slowed down from the big jumps I was experiencing week to week. 

Cravings! Oh, well, all I really want are cookies, brownies, ice cream, doughnuts, and other treats! Thankfully (for my waistline), I don't keep those things in the house. So, if I want something I have to make it or go out for a treat. This last week I made these super yummy cookies with almonds, sunflower seeds and chia seeds in it - they are actually pretty healthy too! I also made some banana bread - which although there was no chocolate in it, it was really tasty! Other than that, I am just trying to eat lots of fruit when I have the urge to eat sweets. Oh, I also get super, super hungry in the evenings! Usually shortly before bedtime or when I am in bed. Sometimes I make a snack and sometimes I skip it...it just depends on how close to midnight it is!  

Food Aversions: Still no food aversions. I haven't felt like eating as much lately though. Maybe it's because baby boy is taking up more room in my belly. Either way, I've been grazing and snacking throughout the day, rather than making big meals for myself. 

What made me cry this week:  Nothing - I've been pretty happy!

Little man is my big helper at the midwife's appointment! He loves to listen to the stethoscope and work the doppler!

Medical Stuff:  I had my appointment with my midwife on Monday and everything is going well. I was able to talk with her about having a doula at the birth. Thankfully, the birthing center has a group of doulas that are finishing up their training and have to attend births before they are finished being certified, so it is free to have one of them assist at your birth. Yay! (Finally, something that is free! Haha!) Other than that, they let me know that at my next appointment, I would be having the glucose blood test. (boo!) Luckily, they have a list of foods that I can eat an hour before the test, rather than drinking the icky sugar drink! (yay!) I didn't have gestational diabetes with little man and I highly doubt that I have it this time either. I will definitely have to have hubby go with me - last time they drew blood, I passed out. I needed the smelling salts and everything! Ugh! I hate blood-work! 

Thoughts from little man:  Little man has been asking questions like "what's that?" as he points at my belly button. He will occasionally rest his hand on my belly (awww!). He wants to know where the baby is, where the baby will live when he is born, what car he will drive in and more! He thinks that the baby will live in his own house! Haha! We try explaining that his little brother will live with us. :) He definitely concerned that the baby will cry and that seems to make him sad. We've talked about why babies cry and that it's their way of telling us that they need something, because they don't have words to use yet. That seems to help and then he'll talk about how the baby will cry to let his mommy know that he is sleepy. :) 

Something I am excited about: Finding out that we would be able to have a doula at baby boy's birth and that it would be free! 

Leading Lady Review + Discount Code!

As World Breastfeeding Week (Aug 1-7, 2012) has come to an end, I thought that this would be the perfect time to share with all of my readers about one very important aspect of breastfeeding - a good nursing bra!  I was able to breastfeed little man for 6 months - 6 difficult months that involved nursing, pumping and supplementing. I wasn't prepared for all of the things that went into breastfeeding and I had a hard time justifying spending money on a lot of good nursing bras and clothes. Looking back, I can see the great benefit to investing in bras and clothes that make nursing a seamless and easy experience. I only bought one "good" bra and the rest were cheap in price and I learned that it wasn't worth it! I was frustrated with how the clips worked and they were so very awkward to use! Now as I am looking ahead to nursing baby #2, I see the value in having the right tools. One of those tools that I truly see the value in is a good, comfortable, supportive nursing bra! 

I have been needing new bras since becoming pregnant and I also want to prepare for baby #2 (even though we still have until November for his arrival!). With little man, I waited until he was born to get the bras I needed. My size didn't change much, so I wish that I had invested in some nursing bras that I could use right away, rather than trying to make it to a store to snag some bras off the shelf with newborn in tow! This time around, I am getting ready earlier! When I started to look for new bras, I was having a hard time finding well made bras in stores that fit me. I have always been on the smaller side and there aren't that many companies that make many varieties of smaller nursing bras. As I was looking around and trying to decide what to do, Leading Lady contacted me about reviewing one of their nursing bras! Perfect timing!

 

Leading Lady is a premiere intimate apparel company dedicated to creating comfortably functional, remarkably affordable, stylish and easy-to-wear bras, camis and sleepwear. A family owned and operated business, Leading Lady has been expertly tailoring nursing and full figure bras for top brands and retailers across North America for more than 70 years. Leading Lady’s comprehensive line of nursing and full figure intimates– including sexy stretch lace wire-free and underwire bras, supportiveand seamless sport and yoga bras, and cozy sleep and leisure bras – can be purchased directly on LeadingLady.com. --from Leading Lady

I chose to review their Molded Seamless Wirefree Nursing Bra. While I am not nursing, yet, I still have been able to put this bra to the test. I have been wearing it, in between washings, and I love the fit! The bra so comfortable to wear! I can wear it all day and into the evening and I hardly notice that it is there. I also really like that it is lightly lined and has a molded shape. This gives it a natural and flattering look under my tops. I have practiced using the clips and have found that they are easy to undo and re-clip one handed! Definitely a plus! One thing that I really like is that the bra seems to have a bit of stretch or give to it. It fits me nicely right now, but I also feel that if I do "grow" once baby arrives and my milk comes in, that the bra will be able to accommodate some growth and remain comfy. The overall fit is comfortable, supportive and I think that it will be an excellent bra to use on my breastfeeding journey with baby #2!

One thing that I was nervous about was ordering a bra online without trying it on first. Leading Lady is a very informative website and they have a great fit calculator that helped me be sure of my correct size. I was also able to talk with Erin at Leading Lady about her recommendations for my size. It was so nice to have some personal recommendations from someone who had tried all of the bras that I was asking about! I really appreciate having her help and it made me feel like I was really choosing the right bra for my body. I was so happy that the bra fit me so well when it arrived and the quality is great too! I have been very pleased with my bra from Leading Lady and I am already looking forward to using them as a place to shop from for more nursing bras! Another thing that I also really like is that they have a really nice variety of bras in my size! So often, when I find my size of bras, my only option is nude, black or white. On the Leading Lady site, they have pretty lace bras as well as organic options! Yay!

Leading Lady is proud to celebrate“Leading Ladies” everywhere through its products, programs and philanthropic activities. Leading Lady is dedicated to arming new moms with the support – physically, intellectually and emotionally – they need to nurture their babies through breastfeeding and committed to supporting avariety of organizations and issues relevant to women across the country. --from Leading Lady

You can follow Leading Lady on Facebook, Twitter and  Google+.

Leading Lady has offered my readers a wonderful discount code: LLBLOG9390 to use for a 15% off site-wide discount! Thank you Leading Lady! If you are looking for some new nursing bras, I definitely recommend taking a look to see the variety of styles that Leading Lady offers. The code cannot be combined with any other offer and expires August 30. Happy Shopping!

I thought that I would leave you with some fun, interesting and useful facts about breastfeeding and nursing bras from Leading Lady. Whether you are currently breastfeeding, plan to, or have nursed your babies, read on!

Did you know…

1)     As early as your second trimester, your breasts are capable of producing milk. This is why many women feel their breasts are heavier and larger during pregnancy.

2)     You can wear nursing bras during pregnancy. By the third trimester you should shop for nursing bras to be prepared for the baby. But don’t be shy about wearing your new bras during pregnancy since they should be comfortable and support your current size.Look for stretchy leisure styles with give-and-take. Nursing camis are also a great choice once the baby arrives because they allow easy nursing access while still covering your post-bump belly.

3)     Studies show that moms who breastfeed within the first hour of giving birth are more likely to have long-term success. So bring your nursing bras to the hospital because you will need them right away! If you experience any difficulty, ask to see the hospital’s lactation consultant. And hang in there – you are giving your baby a wonderful gift!

4)     Your milk levels will stabilize about 4 to 6 weeks after delivery. You should re-measure yourself for nursing bras around this time, and you may be able to transition into more structured styles

5)     Your bra size may continue to fluctuate somewhat throughout the course of breastfeeding. Bra styles with 4 hook-and-eye closures in back and adjustable straps allow for these common differentiations.

6)     You should not be afraid to try underwire nursing bras if that is the style you find most supportive. Just as you would with all other bras, you should ensure a proper fit. A proper fitting bra will allow your breasts to sit upright and centered on your chest, and the straps will remain in place while you are moving.

7)     Your breasts will need constant support while breastfeeding, and you will likely want to sleep in a bra while nursing. Sleep bras, leisure bras, nursing camis or a nursing chemise made of soft, stretchable fabrics will keep you supported day and night, and make night time feedings easier.

8)     Nursing bras can be cute and sexy too! You (and your partner) will be pleased to know that nursing bras are not all plain and matronly. From lace cup to lace trim, your nursing bras can be just as flirty as your regular bras!

9)     Accessibility is one of the most important factors in a nursing bra. There are a variety of closure styles including cup clasps and hook-and-eye front closures. Play around with which style best suits your needs.

10)You should replace your nursing bras about every six months or when they have lost their shape and support.

For more information about finding just the right nursing bra fit, breastfeeding tips & advice from Leading Lady’s lactation consultant, a downloadable breastfeeding handbook and our nursing blog, visit Leading Lady.com. 

*Thank you to Leading Lady for providing me with the above mentioned bra for review in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. Thank you again to Leading Lady for providing me with a bra for review and a discount code for my readers!*