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One of my favorite brands that comes to mind as a breastfeeding mother is Lansinoh. Lansinoh offers an array of products from nursing pads to lanolin to breast pumps and even some of the best bottles I have ever used to feed my children. Today, I am reviewing the newest breast pump that Lansinoh has to offer and I must be honest-it’s pretty darn cool!

Lansinoh currently offers the Smartpump™  which is the ONLY pump with three pumping styles and eight adjustable suction levels and expression modes, allowing you to select the setting that works best for you. A closed-system design reduces the number of parts cleaned and prevents bacteria and mold growth due to milk backing up into the tubing or the motor.

The Lansinoh® Smartpump™ connects their pump technology to your smartphone via Bluetooth® using the free Lansinoh Baby™ App for tracking, reminders, and more.

Some other features of the pump include:

• 3 Customizable Pumping Styles
• 8 Suction Levels
• Maximizes milk production and comfort
• Innovative technology – mimics baby’s natural feeding pattern
• LCD Screen with timer keeps track of time
• Includes carry tote
• Part of Pump-Store-Feed system
• Compatible with Lansinoh® Simple Wishes™ Hands-Free Pumping Bra
• BPA and BPS free
• Pairs with the Lansinoh Baby App through Bluetooth to track your pumping sessions, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, diapers, growth, and more.

What comes with the pump set:

• Lansinoh® Smartpump™ Double Electric Breast Pump base unit
• 4 5oz Lansinoh® mOmma® Bottles
• 2 Lansinoh® mOmma® NaturalWave™ Slow Flow Nipples, Collars and Caps
• 2 Breast Flange Bodies
• 2 Collars, diaphragms, and sealing discs
• 2 ComfortFit™ flanges (25 mm)
• 2 ComfortFit™ flanges (30.5 mm)
• 4 White valves (2 extra)
• 2 Bottle Stands
• 4 Storage Lids
• 3 Silicon Connection Tubes
• Smartpump™ Tubing Y Connector
• Smartpump™ Pump connector
• AC Adaptor
• Tote Bag
• Cooler bag
• Freezer pack
• Pump manual with everything you need to know to get started

The pump retails for about $199, depending on where you get yours from. That is highly affordable compared to other double electronic breast pumps on the market today! I found the quality to be pretty superior for such a great price. I absolutely love the closed pump system as it was super easy to clean after each use.

The Lansinoh baby app was very easy and nice to use as well. It keeps a log of every ounce that it pumped, time you pumped for, and how many ounces came from which breast even! Not only that, it tracks your breastfeeding and bottle feeding to ensure that you baby gets exactly what he or she needs from you. You can also track your baby’s growth as well! Did I mention that this wonderful app is FREE?

The Verdict

Overall, I was absolutely pleased with the pump! The suction styles were absolutely perfect and did not hurt like some pumps out there. I also loved the screen and the fact it tracked how much time was actually spent pumping. For the price, I would definitely say that this pump is a must have as it is all around wonderful for the breastfeeding mother.

If you are a busy working mama like I am, I would recommend getting the Simple Wishes™ Hands-Free Pumping Bra which works perfectly with this pump. Personally, I type a lot-well, everyday-as it is my job so I normally need two hands to do my best. I also pump A LOT during the day as well so by using this bra, I can do both things at once without really having to think about it.

Another amazing must have, in my opinion, is the Thera°Pearl® 3-in-1 Breast Therapy Packs. Now, I used this after the birth of my firstborn because I was so afraid of engorged, painful breasts! At times, my milk ducts would seem to slow down when I pumped or become a bit clogged so I would throw this little pack in the microwave for a few seconds and then place them on my breast as I pumped which helped to open up any ducts that were getting backed up. By using the warming feature, it helped me to pump faster and easier. Using the hot packs is a wonderful idea for treating Mastitis as well. Additionally, you can freeze these packs if you are dealing with engorgement pain or swelling.

Lanisnoh has been so kind as to partner up with me to offer one of you lucky ladies your very own Smart Pump! To enter, all you must do is follow the directions on the Rafflecopter widget below. Each entry completed equals one entry into the raffle. Good luck and thanks for entering!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Smartpump can be purchased at Babies’R’Us, Bye Bye Baby, and Target.

Disclaimer: I was given a pump to test, at no cost. All opinions are my very own.

My little girl is now over a week old and we are adjusting to round two of doing the whole “newborn stage” again. It is just as exhausting as I remember it being the first time around, but the difference this time is that I am prepared for it and know exactly what to expect. However, for a new parent, it could be mighty overwhelming and hard to deal with emotionally-and physically-as you feel drained 100% of the day. I am here to tell you that this time will pass quick than you might realize even though the nights seem longer than ever.

Here are my tips to surviving the first ten days with a newborn baby:

Forget a clean house for now. Seriously, forget about it. I know you are sitting on the couch feeding your baby and pouting at the mess around you, the dishes piled up, and the unfolded laudry that has been sitting in the basket for days. But you have got to forget about it for now. The chores can wait-you as a mom need to adjust to your new role as a mommy because that is most important right now.

Find your new routine. The key to surviving the newborn stage is finding your new routine. Sure, you had a routine during pregnancy, but that has long gone away and now you need to find new ways to adjust properly to this new role as a mommy. Let me say this-you will not develop a routine over night! It just takes time and going with the flow. While you cannot force your newborn to sleep, you can help them adjust to a routine that they will eventually start following over time. It could be something as simple as going to bed at 8 or 9 or making sure your baby’s feedings are every two hours or so on the hour at the same times every day. Or a nightly bath around 7pm-whatever best suits your schedule and life! If you have a routine, you will feel less stressed.

Get some you time. Even if this means sneaking away to get a 10 minute shower while your husband watches your newborn, DO IT. I made the mistake of now showering for a week after my son was born and I became a mommy. I was scared to miss out on any time with him. “But what if he needs me?” was always a popular question in my mind when I debated if there was something that I needed to do. This time around, I showered the day we got home from the hospital and haven’t missed a shower since because I made it a priority. I needed that little time to escape and to enjoy some peace and quiet. Momma, do not feel guilty. Go take a shower.

Do what you want when baby sleeps. Have you ever been told to sleep when the baby sleeps? Well, that is just about as useful as being told to fold the laundry when baby folds the laundry. What a joke, right? When baby sleeps, sure you can sleep! However, I personally use that time to do things that need to be done such as my work or chores around the house. Hell, sometimes it just means taking time for myself! Don’t listen to what anyone else says and do what you want to do when baby sleeps. A happy momma is key to surviving the newborn stage.

Ask for help. Please do not forget to ask for help. Chances are, there are so many people just waiting for the word, but do not want to bombard you during this precious time. I ask my husband for help all of the time especially at night when I just have zero energy to get up with Evie. If you do not get help, you will get highly overwhelmed and you may get depressed or even feel resentment in your new role as a mom.

Know this too shall pass. When all else fails, know that your newborn won’t be new for long so try to enjoy every moment-even the most overwhelming and exhausting ones. You will look back with regret if you do not take the time to stop and smell the roses. There will come a day when you won’t be able to rock your newborn to sleep, you won’t be able to give them unlimited kisses, and you won’t have them under your roof anymore. If you are lucky, they may drop by once a week to come see you. It’s just life and it’s cruel so try to enjoy every moment.

Being a new parent is hard enough. With having a newborn, you are constantly stressing out about whether or not they are doing well. Take my case for example: with my son, I would wake up every 30 minutes or so to make sure he was still lying on his back or breathing. I barely got any sleep or peace of mind this way and it almost drove me crazy.

Luckily this time around with my daughter, I sleep a lot more soundly and get more done around the house thanks to Levana and their amazing collection of home video baby monitors. There are so many baby monitors out on the market these days so it can get a bit overwhelming to choose one, but I can tell you that Levana delivers good quality and they do it extremely well.

My husband and I have never owned a baby monitor before so we were excited to try the  Willow™ 5” HD Touchscreen PTZ Video Baby Monitor by Levana. We were instantly blown away by how much a baby monitor could actually do these days.

This video monitor features:

• 5” high definition touch screen with an easy to use menu
• 12 hour battery life with full re-charge in 3.5 hours with rapid charging technology
• Convenient USB charging by a micro USB port, so it’s easy for you to charge from your laptop or any USB outlets you already have.
• 50/50 Split Screen View to view two of your little ones side by side
• Private Digital Signal: Encrypted digital proprietary signal and channel hopping ensure that your connection remains private.
• Temperature sensors: Check the temperature in your nursery from anywhere in your home and receive audible or on screen alerts for anything outside of the temperature range you set.
• Talk to Baby or Parent Two-Way Communication
• Invisible LED Night Vision to provide a clear image of your child in the dark up to 12ft away.
• Lullabies: features three classic lullabies, soothing white noise and dynamic nature sounds. Set customizable timers that turn the music off automatically so you can rest too.
• Feeding Timers to alert you when it’s time to feed your baby or put them down for nap. It will even remind you if your last feeding was on the left or right.
• Pan/Tilt/Zoom: See every detail with our silent camera that allows you to pan 300⁰ and tilt 110⁰. When you find what you’re looking for, zoom in with 2x magnification and keep a close eye on baby. Willow lets you check in on the whole room, without making a sound

Sound & Video Quality

The sound and video quality were both amazing for a monitor. My favorite though was the fact that I could talk to my daughter through the monitor as well as hear her. The video was pretty good, but I thought the sound was more superior.

Ease of Use

The monitor was super easy to use! The touch screen menu made life so much easier as far as navigation goes. It was not difficult to learn or figure out and it only took a couple of minutes to get the hang out. Set up and installation was super easy as well!

Reliability & Performance

We have been using our monitor for over a week now and it has been absolutely good to us! It is so nice to be able to work in one room while my daughter sleeps peacefully in the next. Also, it is great being able to check up on her without having to wake her. The monitor never freezes, lags, or gives me issues. The performance is absolutely incredible!

Price

The Willow retails for about $250 and can be purchased straight off Levana’s website with free shipping over $99. The price is about average to a bit on the higher end of the spectrum when compared to others brands on the market. However, I think the price is highly fair considering the fact that it is basically multiple products in one monitor and it truly does so much. Let me ask you this: what price are you willing to pay for the very best safety for your child and some peace of mind?

Verdict

The Willow video baby monitor allows me to worry less while getting more done. I use it whenever my daughter naps so I can check in on her without physically checking in and possibly waking her. This monitor allows me to run my business smoothly from home, get my workouts done, do my chores, and have a little “me” time without having to stress or worry about watching my newborn like a mother hawk. My favorite part of the monitor is the fact that I can zoom in and closely see that my baby is breathing and that I can hear them breath. This is just so reassuring to me!

I firmly believe that every parent should invest in one of these, if not any other video monitor that Levana makes. They offer many different monitors to choose from, but I personally love having the best of the best. After all, my little girl’s safety and my peace of mind are worth it. Right?

Disclaimer: I was given a Willow monitor to test at no cost. All opinions are my own.

Yesterday, I took my little ones out and about and had so many compliments on their shirts. They were wearing sibling shirts, but these were so much cuter than any other ones that you can possibly imagine! The shirts came from Sugar Babies Boutique-a long time favorite shop of mine.  They have the absolute trendiest clothing for babies and toddlers-and even mom!

Sugar Babies Boutique an adorable online boutique that caters to mums to be and children. They also have an in-store boutique in their native Sumner, Washington for those who live near that area!

The Big Brother tee & Little Sister onesie are a must have for your newest and current addition to help announce a birth or celebrate the arrival. The Big Brother tee was so soft on my son and I absolutely loved the v-neck style to it while the Little Sister onesie featured silver glitter-who can’t resist glitter?

The headband featured on my daughter is also from SugarBabies as they have a HUGE collection of the most adorable headbands. Check them all out here!

You cannot go wrong with shopping at Sugar Babies as they not only offer high quality and brand products for your babies and kiddos, but also for you! 

The amount of baby products, tools and supplies on the market is seemingly endless. I am very fortunate to be able to try so many products via this blog. This is a list of the things that I’ve tried and consider my favorites. AKA I would buy them again if I had to start over and know what I know now. Everything you see below we actually used with our baby and I highly recommend each product.

Before you read this post, I have something to share. If you’ve not created a baby registry on Amazon, it’s something I recommend anyone having a baby. They have just about every product, handle returns perfectly and best of all, you get up to 15% off items that you purchase from your own registry!

DockaTot

Ok. There’s a reason why this thing is listed first on here-it is amazing. The Dockatot is the reason why my newborn sleeps for hours at a time and we loved it so much for her that we bought my son a toddler version that he naps in for 2-3 hours per day and goes to sleep in at night. We use our Dock as a safe co-sleeping option, a changing pad, a lounger, a transitioner to a toddler bed, tummy time mat, and for playing. Developed in Sweden, this product allows your baby and toddler to sleep soundly (and safely).

Ju-Ju-Be First Lady BFF Diaper Bag

I have gotten so many questions and compliments on my Jujube First Lady diaper bag. First of all, it looks like a purse. Second of all, it is the best purse I have ever owned-even my husband loves it. All of Jujube’s bags are freaking amazing. It has a ton of different compartments that makes mom’s day a bit easier.

Binxy Baby Shopping Cart Hammock

Ok, this thing is so rad. We used it for my baby girl at Target for the first time and it was so convenient-better than lugging around a carseat, but what’s cool is that an infant carseat actually fits in this hammock, too. I personally just love putting my baby girl in it so when I push the cart, it sort of rocks her a bit and she sleeps soundly as I shop! What a win! It just simply clips to each side and that’s all there is to it.

Owlet Monitor

THIS THING. WOW. If you do not own one, I highly encourage you to do so. I am one of those type of neurotic moms who constantly wakes up in the middle of the night to check and see if my baby’s breathing. Well, I can honestly say that I sleep soundly now thanks to this monitor that constantly watches my baby’s pulse and oxygen levels. You can read my full review of the Owlet Baby Monitor here. Owlet was so sweet to allow me to offer you guys your very own promo offer for reading this post to try their monitor out for yourself! Simply head on over to Owlet’s website and choose a monitor by clicking here.

UPPAbaby Vista Stroller & UPPAbaby Mesa Carseat

This travel system is hands down the best stroller and carseat combo I have ever owned. I actually would purchase the carseat over and over by itself because it takes less than 15 seconds to install thanks to the SmartSecure system it features. Oh and the stroller fits your baby and your toddler and has multiple configurations that will blow your mind! It also comes with a newborn bassinet so you can push your baby as they sleep. Oh, and the bassinet is safety tested so that your baby can actually sleep in it at night! Forget a crib! We would purchase this over and over again. You won’t regret this!

Graco Pack N Play

Its no secret why Pack N Plays are amazing for new parents. It doubles as a changer/napper/crib for your newborn, but also is wonderful for a playpen when they are of older infant & toddler age. You can easily pack it up and take it with you on trips and vacations or use it around the house. My newborn naps in it as I do chores around the house.

Baby Carrier

My husband and I are avid babywearers for life! I have tested over 15 baby carriers so I know just which ones are worth your time and which ones suck. My absolute favorites are Tula and Lillebaby. If you did not want to spend money on a stroller, you can always babywear which can be easier in a lot of different situations. Plus, you get to have your baby snuggle up to you-it is a win/win!

Aden + Anais Swaddles

Out of all swaddles and blankets I have tested, Aden + Anais brand offers the best. They are just the right size and made of the softest, organic cottom muslin. My favorite print is the Meadowlark for my daughter, but there are tons to choose from.

Nursing Pillow

Finding a good nursing pillow is very importnat. I personally love Dr. Brown’s Gia Pillow because the shape of it makes complete sense and allows baby to fit more comfortably, but a lot of moms like the Boppy. To each their own!

4Moms mamaROO

This is the best rocker/bouncer/lounger I have ever used. You can control it using an iPhone app from sitting on your couch. It features motions such as Car Ride, Kangaroo, Side to Side, Wave, and more. It also plays lullabies for your baby and has an MP3 connector so you can play your own music for baby! You can recline the seat or sit it up straight. Definitely worth the money!

Cloth Diapers

I have tried over 25 cloth diaper brands since I became a mommy. Why? I wanted to find the PERECT cloth diaper for my son. So now that my daughter is born, I know exactly what cloth diaper she will be wearing. My favorite, hands down, is Lil Bums Cloth Diapers as they are the softest bamboo cloth diapers, super affordable, and they have lasted me from my son to my daughter and possibly will last until our 3rd baby!

Angelcare Infant Bath

I adore this simple infant bath tub so much. It is cheap and very easy to use! Your baby lays on the bath tub (which is slip resistant by the way) and you wash them. However, it props them up perfectly and can fit even the tiniest little baby.

NoseFrida Snotsucker

This thing is a parent’s BFF. No, seriously! It seems really disgusting, but you insert the snotsucker into your little one’s nostrils and the other end goes in your mouth. What do you do? You manually SUCK out the snot. Sounds gross, but it isn’t-it is actually the best tool on the market to get snot out of your little one’s nose. Forget the bulb which harbors dangerous mold and bacteria and try this!

Levana Baby Monitor

Out of all baby monitors on the market, this one is the best one of all.  It features a 5 inch high def touch-screen display, 12 hour battery life,  50/50 split screen view, USB charging, and allows you to pan around the room and zoom in on your baby. Not only all that, but it allows you to talk to your baby from another room and plays lullabies. The monitor also comes with a temperature sensor which tells you the temp of your baby’s bed and a nursing timer that also keeps track of which boob your babe ate from last. Ummm yeah. It is a must have!

Rock N Play Sleeper

I am so glad I saved my son’s Rock N Play for our daughter because it is now her bed. No crib needed when you have one of these! It stays conveniently beside my bed as I can rock her to sleep or easily grab her when she cries for a feeding or change. The Rock N Play is also great for bonding with baby when you want to sit on the couch or for letting them lounge when you have to go do something real quick.

Babies can also play with their favorite toy in it. We suggest that visit a baby-specialized toy store to get essential play items for your newborn and their proper development.

Crane Humidifier

Ok, I’ll admit I actually did buy this before our son was born, however, I didn’t actually think we would really use it. I only bought it because it was so dang cute. Fast forward to the first time our baby got sick. My doctor and lots of websites all recommended using a humidifier to help keep the air in the room moist for relief from nasal congestion, dry coughs and cold and flu symptoms. I ended up using it every time our son got sick and it really did help him sleep better at night.

Halo Sleepsack

This sleep sack is a miracle! My little girl is so strong and tends to break out of her swaddles at night so for her safety I have invested in one of these to keep her swaddled without having to worry about SIDS or suffocation. Also, this thing keeps her wrapped up and comfortable which equals more sleep for me! It is also easy to change her in as the zipper opens from the bottom up. LOVE IT!

FridaBaby FeverFrida

When baby’s sick, the last thing a parent wants is to wake him or her for a temp check. FeverFrida checks in on your babe every four seconds without waking him or her, thanks to a bitty Bluetooth monitor and patch placed under the arm. The FeverFrida will alert your smart phone when the temp goes above a predetermined threshold and continuously stores data for pediatrician visits and medicine dose reminders. Think thermometer meets very smart baby monitor!

Finn & Emma Play Gym

I love these stylish wooden play gyms so much. I bought my daughter the feather one and it is just too classy and cute. She will lay in her Dockatot and stare up at the little ornaments in amazement. If you are wanting to invest in a good, stable play gym, this is a great one to consider.

Aden + Anais Blankets

Just as with swaddles, Aden + Anais makes the most amazing blankets for babies. We own the Soft & Silky Daydream Blanket and its amazing!

I hope that this list has helped you in your journey to finding the perfect newborn must haves. As a second time mom, I can highly attest that you will want all of these.

Imagine that your husband came home one day and said, “Hi honey, here’s my new wife! She is going to live with the two of us forever and I am going to be married to you both. No worries, I will still love you the same and I will still spend time with you, but now we will have to include her in all of our fun as well.” 

Uhhhh… yeah, hell no.

Unfortunately, this is exactly how things seem the moment you bring your newborn baby home to your toddler. Excitement might set in at first, but then they realize that this new tiny human being is here to stay and is stealing your quality time away from mommy and daddy. Then the tantrums begin and all hell breaks loose.

I thought things would be easier when bringing home our daughter since Greyson did so well with her in the hospital. He loved on her, kissed her, hugged her, and even talked to her. But once we got home and we started having to.. well.. take care of a newborn, our son started acting out. No, not the typical “I-am-2-I-suck-at-this-age” tantrum, I mean REAL frustrating, meaningless outburts. If he sees me feeding my daughter, he will scream at me for boob and hit my Boppy pillow the baby is laying on if he does not get it right away. Then, there comes the punishment and you feel like such a dick. I cannot tell you how many times I have cried in the last few days from frustration, but then one day all of this changed… it got better.

Here are my tips to surviving life with a newborn while having a toddler and getting them to adjust:

Make time for your toddler. This one is HARD as well. I am just gonna say it. I thought it would be a lot easier than this, but boy was I wrong. Newborns require a lot of attention and needs and do not expect your toddler to understand this, ok?? Because no amount of verbal explanations will calm your toddler down when they are screaming to be held after seeing you hold your new baby. It is frustrating as hell, but you have to compromise. Pass over your newborn to your husband or put them down for just a bit, and hold your crazy, screaming toddler. Why? Because they need it too. As they get older and more knowledgable, then you can verbally explain why the baby needs your attention right then and there. But toddlers pay attention to your actions-not your words. If you find yourself spending less time with your toddler, take a break and go read them a book. Play cars or dolls with them for 15 minutes. Hold them and baby while watching a movie. You have got to make the time for them, too.

Allow your toddler to help with your newborn. I actually am so surprised that a lot of parents do not allow their other kids to help out with baby. My son is 2, but we have allowed him to hold his newborn sister (with our assistance), feed her (again, assisted), and even help change diapers-all because he WANTS to. If we say no, he gets mad. So, why not teach the good deed of helping while making your toddler feel included in this new family event? When the toddler is able to help, they automatically feel empowered and good about themselves. It really boosts their self esteem and minimizes the wedge between the two children and jealousy. Your kiddo may or may not be the best helper ever, but allow them to do little things and give them lots and lots of praise for it. Stroke their ego a bit. You will get a happy, helpful, independent toddler in return.

Find your new routine and adjust. Chances are that if you had a solid routine prior to giving birth to baby #2, that same routine is not gonna cut it-at least this time being. Everything you once knew about having just one kid has been thrown out of the window and now it is up to you to struggle to adapt to first adopt this new lifestyle and secondly adjust to it to create a new routine for your now newborn and toddler. Phew. Sounds like a lot of work right? It will all come in time; however, creating a new routine that works for your family is key here. If you used to put Baby 1 to bed at 8pm and Baby #2 cries for a feeding, that might have to wait a bit or you can ask your husband to help out. Trial and error will allow you to find this new amazing routine. Just don’t freak out if you are a control freak like I am. This just cannot be controlled. Once you get your newborn downpat with a feeding and napping schedule, work with your toddler.

Understand this is not easy on your toddler. After seeing my son do so well with his sister, I thought “ok, cool, he loves her and this is going to be a piece of cake.” WRONG. Though he loves her, it is very hard on him to see a newborn in mommy and daddy’s arms. When I breastfeed her, he wants boob right then and there and will scream at me until I whip my other boob out for him. If I don’t or if I tell him no, he lashes out by trying to hit or scream. I cannot tell you how many times I have cried in the last two days from frustration from this, but then I must remember that while this is hard on me, it is very hard on him too. So I try my best to make him feel included as well.

Life with a toddler and newborn is not easy, but know that this too shall pass. Your toddler WILL get used to baby and things WILL get better for you. The prime things you will need here are:

• patience
• calmness
• understanding

Do you have any tips or suggestions for helping toddler adjust to a new sibling? How old was your older child when you brought the new sibling home?