Breastfeeding Gear – Suck It Up!

Mommylicious

It all starts with the question at your OB/GYN’s – Are you going to breastfeed? As you circle around ‘Yes’, little do you know what a special journey you will embark on with your little one.

Having exclusively breastfed my son for 6 months (and still going strong at 14 months) , all I can say is breastfeeding is the most fulfilling aspect of motherhood. It is hassle-free, easy and economic. But if you are a first-time mom, you need to gear up for it.

Must-Have Breastfeeding Gear:

A few things to invest in to make breastfeeding more enjoyable:

·        Breastfeeding Attire:

If there is one thing that will make nursing easy, it is your clothes. The pre-pregnancy bras will not fit anymore. So quit purchasing all those Victoria Secret bras when you get pregnant. A regular bra will only cause more pain to your engorged breasts. Having nursing bras, nursing tanks and a few button-down shirts will give you one less thing to stress about while tending to a hungry baby. I lived in nursing tanks for the first one year after my son was born. It is comfortable, easy to unclasp and all tired nipples need. 

 

·        Nursing Pillow:

Breastfeeding can be back-breaking too (as if pregnancy was not enough!). Getting a nursing pillow will ensure you do not strain your back while breastfeeding every few hours. Not only will you be comfortable, but so will your baby. With a nursing pillow, it is just so much easier to give support to your arms and the baby. I loved the Boppy Pillow as it can be used for propping up the baby by the second month and helping the baby sit later on. 

·        Nursing Pads:

Truth be told, breastmilk will leak and stain your clothes. When my baby would feed on one side, my other side would leak all the time. For 11 months, I could not stay a day without nursing pads. I had extras stuffed into the diaper bag and my purse just so I am not caught with milk stained clothes. Nursing pads will keep you dry and save your pretty dress. They come in a few varieties but my nursing pad of choice is the disposable one with adhesives. 

·        Nursing Cover:

When your newborn needs to be fed, it needs to be fed. If you are anything like me and are not comfortable with breastfeeding in public, a nursing cover is the answer. Nursing covers come in a wide array of colors and patterns, and they are breathable. The one I used by Boppy had a way of marking the side I fed my baby. It also prevents the baby from getting distracted when you are trying to feed him in a mall (or aquarium, like me). This one by Boppy folds into a little pouch and is so easy to carry around. 

  

·        Nipple Cream:

It is the only solution to cracked and sore nipples. As harsh as it sounds, as a new mom you will experience sore nipples (and maybe cracked too, in some cases); what with feeding the baby every 3 hours for months. Nipple creams will soothe and heal sore nipples. Some nipple creams are harmless if consumed by the baby at the time of breastfeeding. So, lap it up. I loved Lansinoh as it does not have scent or color and is completely safe for the baby. 

While most people will say how breastfeeding saves you a ton of money, it needs some investment. Breastfeeding is good not just for the baby but also for the mom. If you can breastfeed and get the chance to do it, embrace it. It is a blessing. 


This is not a sponsored post. 

5 reasons to attend MommyCon

Mommylicious

MommyCon is coming to San Jose on October 29th, 2016. Here are 5 reasons why you should be there.


1. Connect with the other Moms

MommyCon is that one place where all moms gather. Apart from all the friends you have made at the park and your local Mommy and Me Meetups, this is the chance to make new mom friends in your city. MommyCon encourages moms to exchange contact information so that they can meet time and again. It is a great chance to bond with other moms who have a similar journey in the parenting world and bask in the joy of motherhood. Who knows, you might end up meeting your new bestie here (and maybe, your little one too)? 

 2. Experience all things Baby

MommyCon is an event where you will spend almost 8 hours (or more) being surrounded by all things baby. If you are expecting, you will get hands-on (literally) experience of all the stuff you need for your baby. You can try stuff on and test them before purchasing them like baby carriers, car seats, breast pumps, teething jewelry etc. These are premium brands that you will not find at the regular baby stores. If you are a mom already, be ready to enter mommy paradise. You will get a great chance to shop around for your little one. 

3. Shop till you drop

Are you one of those moms who loves shopping for their babies? I sure do. There are over 50 vendors who will have their products on display. Most of the brands are eco-friendly and want to make moms and their babies feel special. You are sure to stumble upon brands that adhere to your style of parenting. Some of the brands are pretty exclusive to MommyCon and can be hard to come by at the regular supermarkets. So, don't miss this chance.

4. Make it a fun family outing

It is a convention for moms and moms-to-be. But dads are welcome too. You can get your family along (kids below 12 go free) and have a fun-filled day. There is something for everybody. There are workshops and seminars on car-seat safety, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, childbirth, baby wearing, sleep consultation etc. Your little ones can get busy at the Crafts and Coloring Corner. You can head to the Baby Food Court when you need to feed your baby or toddler. Come together as a family and frolic.  

5.Giveaways and Freebies galore

Do you like free stuff? Who doesn't? If you are like me, you know the value of freebies. You will actually get to sample these amazing products for free before you actually decide to invest in them. It is the best way to try out new products while not spending your hard earned money on it. Anyone attending MommyCon goes home with a Swag bag packed with goodies from sponsors. You also get to participate in all the giveaways throughout the event and win awesome prizes.



Event Details: Mommy Con San Jose
At the San Jose Convention Center
On October 29th, 2016, Saturday
Tickets- $45 - $100





This post is not sponsored. 

Mommy Lifesaver - Quick Tuscani Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Mommylicious

Italian is my favorite cuisine. I love my pizzas and pastas. Every now and then during my trips to Target, I stop by at the Pizza Hut in it to grab a quick bite. More often than not, that happens to be the Tuscani Chicken Alfredo Pasta. As much as I love having this pasta, I hate how little I get for the money. So I decided to recreate this pasta dish at home.

As with everything else, I did my research and came up with at quick and easy mommy version of the Tuscani Chicken Alfredo Pasta. Most of the cooking happens in the oven so mommies can give all the attention to your little ones. 

Ingredients:

Pasta (any kind)
Alfredo Pasta Sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Chicken Breasts
Cheese (Mozzarella and Parmesan)
Olive Oil
Crushed Red Pepper (optional)

Method:

1. Boil the pasta according to the package instructions. You can use any kind of pasta you have on hand. I used spaghetti on this particular day. Drain the pasta and keep aside. 

2. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. 

3. Heat up some olive oil and grill the chicken breast. Season the chicken with some salt, pepper and crushed red peppers for some heat. Once cooked on both sides, let it cool and slice the chicken up. 

4. In a baking dish, pour the pasta. Generously pour the Alfredo sauce on the pasta. Sprinkle the sliced grilled chicken. Top it with lots of Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. 

4. Bake it at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

Before getting into the oven.

After it comes out of the oven.

This Tuscani Chicken Alfredo pasta is a dish you can play around with depending on the time you have on hand. You can use different types of pasta each time you make it. You can add minced garlic to the chicken or in the Alfredo sauce, if you are a garlic-fanatic like me. And if you have time or are in the mood, make your own Alfredo sauce. I resort to store bought pasta sauce since becoming a mom. 

This Tuscani Chicken Alfredo Pasta will be ready in no time. All the ingredients are sitting in the pantry or refrigerator all the time. It is perfect for days when you are in a rush to get done with dinner, or want to have something delicious without having to go to a restaurant; or if you are just feeling lazy but don't want your family dinner to reflect that. Your family will love this pasta dish and you will be flooded with requests to make it again. 

It is a go-to pasta dinner in my house. I prefer having my go-to recipes rather than having to-go from a restaurant. 



This is not a sponsored post. I love Pizza Hut and let me just say that imitation is the best form of flattery.