gaby rdn.

It all started April 1st, 2018, Easter Sunday.  I was 39 weeks pregnant.  I had what felt like menstrual cramps  starting in the afternoon during Easter brunch at my parent’s house around  2pm.  I had experienced the cramps for many weeks prior to that day , however,  they were happening more often than normal. Around  7pm  my husband Ryan and I went to my mother-in-law’s house to visit. We chatted on the couch with her and her friend  when the cramps stopped and then came a pain that felt a lot different. My first inkling was that they were contractions and I knew it couldn’t be anything else. I felt as though I could plot them on a graph as the pain slowly got increasingly more intense and then the pain would slowly decrease after a peak.  I timed them quietly while everyone chatted but they were inconsistent. I went to the restroom several times to pee. The last time I went to pee, I returned to my husband glaring wide eyed at me as he said, " Are you having contractions?&

After 8 weeks of breastfeeding, I've compiled a list of 6 things that have really helped me with first time breastfeeding. I hope you find the list useful whether you are pregnant with your first baby or nursing your fifth. Haakaa Manual Breast Pump Not only can you hand express your breastmilk into this portable silicone pump, but you can also use it to catch your let down on the breast that you're not nursing the baby on. It's inexpensive!  You can also purchase a lid for it which you should do because I've spilled my breastmilk before and just wanted to die.  Purchase here. Boob-ease Soothing Therapy Pillows These are natural, gel-free bean bag like pillows that are filled with flaxseeds. My favorite thing about them is that they  can be cooled in the freezer or heated in the microwave. They feel GREAT. They easily fit into nursing bra cups and provide relief for sore nipples, engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis. Great investmen