#Maternity – BurritoBuzz

Noodle & Boo Skin Care {Review}

Published on August 6, 2016July 31, 2016 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

If you haven’t noticed (or are a first time reader, in that case – hello!), BurritoBuzz loves finding and sharing new skin care products for baby. I look for products that are hypoallergenic for baby’s delicate skin and with no harmful chemicals. I recently found a fantastic, luxurious skin care line for babies and for mamas that I have to share! Noodle & Boo sent me several samples to try with my four month old and I am in love with every single one of them!

Noodle & Boo is a skin care line designed developed specifically for ultra-sensitive skin. The founder Christine Burger worked with holistic and natural healthcare providers to create products that nourish, protect and replenish delicate and sensitive skin. The ingredients used in Noodle & Boo products are certified organic and derived from natural resources. I love that the products are made in the USA and are manufactured in a pharmaceutical-like environment so the quality is superb. Noodle & Boo also has a complete line just for those with super sensitive skin and eczema.

You can rest easy knowing the products are free from a slew of harmful ingredients:

Parabens
Phthalates
Sulfates
PPG’
Dyes
GMO’s
Triclosan
Formaldehyde Donors
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Essential Oils

The first thing I noticed (and loved) was the smell of the products. It’s the epitome of what a baby smells like. They somehow bottled the smell of a newborn and it is fantastic. I received four amazing samples, Noodle & Boo Newborn 2-in-1 Hair & Bodywash (8oz for $14), Super Soft Lotion (8oz for $14), Ultimate Ointment (2.5oz for $15) and Baby Balm (4.5oz for $16). I love all of the products I got to try. The hair and body wash gets my little babe clean, even in all of her rolls (and there are a lot!) and keeps her smelling great. The lotion keeps her skin hydrated, soft and smooth all day. She’s had a few dry patches on her elbows, I’m really hoping it’s not eczema (it’s not bad, so I don’t know if it is or not) and I applied the Baby Balm which provides long-lasting moisture and comforts irritated skin. I love that it’s super thick and after using for a few days, the dry patches have subsided for the most part! The Ultimate Ointment is perfect for diaper rashes, dry skin or eczema as well. It creates a moisture repellant to promote natural healing of rashes. I use it for the rash on my little one’s neck. Her rolls are trapping moisture and the Ohio heat has caused a heat rash. The ointment has helped tremendously.

I love Noodle & Boo products and I would love to try more, especially products for mama! The only issue, is the price. This is a luxury brand (so many celebrities swear by Noodle & Boo, check out their testimonials and who loves Noodle & Boo here!) so the cost is a little high but totally doable if you want high quality products. Be sure to check out Noodle & Boo’s website here. They seriously have so many awesome products to offer for both baby and mom!

Don’t forget to follow Noodle & Boo on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook for new releases and sales!

– Casey

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of product review. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Baby Spring Float by SwimWays {Review}

Published on July 17, 2016July 14, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

I have been prepping like a mad woman for our end- of-summer vacation! Taking BK#1 &#2 on vacation is not going to be an easy task. I have been diligently researching and trying to make sure we have all the essentials to make this an enjoyable and fun vacation! I might be wound a little tight, but my anxiety kicks in and I kinda loose it thinking about a 10 hour car ride, miles of open play areas, sleeping arrangements, making sure we don’t forget anything, oh and safety!

Obviously, I have been looking into beach safety, but I have really been worried about the pool! We don’t have one at home, so my babies aren’t around them often. Besides that, they are 1 and 2! Rules don’t mean a whole lot to them right now! When I came across the SwimWays Baby Spring Float (Whale), I was so relieved! Most baby floats have a weight limit that my oldest child exceeds and usual pool floaties are only safe when your child is at least 30 pounds, so my toddler can’t use ones like the Puddle Jumper! SwimWays covered that 20-30 lbs gap that most floats don’t.

About the Spring Float:

No weight limit.. within reason. Don’t try and put your 4 year old in it.
Ages 9-24 months
It comes in different color patterns and they are all adorable!
Low seat provides secure center of gravity
It has their patented “inner spring” for better stability in the water.
Flat area around them to put toys on or to splash without flipping into the water.
Folds flat and compact for easy storage and portability – it’s perfect for travel! I was going to wait and post this review in my Beach Babies post, but it’s too awesome not to share now.
Very light and comes with a mesh storage bag.
Some styles comes with removable and adjustable sun canopy.

This float is priced fabulously! Only about $18. The construction of this float is superb and I’m sure it will hold up for a long time! Even though the price point is affordable, they didn’t skimp on quality.

While doing research on it, I found some people were upset because water got on top of the float. I didn’t have this problem, but I did see some photos where people didn’t blow up the little air pockets. It is designed like a pop up kid’s play tent, but you still have to inflate it! Be sure to follow the directions when you use it.

I am very happy with the Spring Float and it is definitely a must-have for summer! Keep a look out for an update on this post. I will probably add some more pictures when we use it at the beach!

– Amanda

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Gun Safety In The Home

Published on July 3, 2016July 3, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

Self-defense is a very big part of my family’s life. My husband is in law enforcement and keeping our family safe is extremely important to us.

There is a lot of debate about gun control right now, but I am not going to get into that here. Owning a gun is your right and your choice. If your family makes that choice, it needs to be an safe and educated choice! BurritoBuzz is not taking a stance on your gun rights. This is merely an informational article.

I am personally not an expert. These safety tips are just from my family’s safety practices, years of education and experiences.

Twelve steps to safely have a gun in your home.

Always use a safe. Your safe should be specifically made for guns and it should only hold guns, you should have a completely different safe for personal belongings. Even if the kids know there are guns in the home, they shouldn’t know where the safe is or have any type of access to it even if they are within age of teaching gun safety. There should always be parental supervision even when teaching.
Gunvault GV1000S Mini Vault Standard Gun Safe This is a simple hand gun safe that we have. I really like it for two reasons. One, you can bolt it anywhere you want to conceal it and two, you don’t have to fumble around for keys. (There is a key provided, but not necessary to open)
Learn how to properly handle a firearm. Whether you take a CCW class or a small class at your local range, you need to learn about your personal gun to ensure proper safety and use make sure you are knowledgeable in your specific firearm.
Practice. You have a gun for emergencies. It is not going to do you any good if you don’t know how to handle it properly. I’m not saying you have to go to the range every weekend, but you should go at least once or twice so you feel comfortable having it in your home and now how to properly handle it.
Ease of access. The gun needs to be secured in a hidden safe but somewhere where you can get to it easily.
Teach everyone in your home about firearm safety. Read up on Project child safe and get here their free firearm safety kit!
Always unload and clean your gun after every use. Any firearm should also be cleaned on a regular basis even, when not in use, to keep it clean from dust and to prevent any rust.
All guns should be treated as if they were loaded. When not actually in use, remember to point it in a safe direction and be sure it is unloaded.
Keep your finger off the trigger.
Always keep your safety in place.
Your children and “Gun play”. It is a very real activity. Even if you don’t have any play guns in your own home, be sure to teach your children the difference between toy guns and real guns, because they may encounter “gun play” when you’re not around.
Talk to your children at a young age about gun safety. Teach them to do the following if they see a gun: “Stop. Don’t Touch. Find an adult to tell.” My husband carries a gun on him at times and my two year old knows not to touch it when it’s attached to daddy (or ever for that matter). Even if you aren’t going to have your gun around your children, please teach them those three steps. It is a simple lesson and it may save a life.
Check state and local laws for storage, transport, and securing requirements. Here is a great overview.

As parents, we are always worrying about our children. We are always worrying if we are doing the right or wrong thing for them. No matter how you do it, I can assure you that if you are taking steps to protect them, you are doing the right thing no matter how you choose to do protect them. If you choose to have a gun in your home, please do it safely! Guns are not toys or collectables. I will be sure to post more about gun safety at the end of this post. The more you educate yourself about this topic, the safer you and your family will be!

– Amanda

Goddess Garden Sunscreen {Review}

Published on June 24, 2016June 26, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

Approximately 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20. source

Melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, will account for about 76,380 cases of skin cancer in 2016. source

Melanoma causes most skin cancer deaths, accounting for more than 10,000 of the more than 13,650 skin cancer deaths each year. source

The vast majority of melanomas are caused by the sun. In fact, one UK study found that about 86 percent of melanomas can be attributed to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. source

Increasing intermittent sun exposure in childhood and during one’s lifetime is associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. source

In 2010, new research found that daily sunscreen use cut the incidence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, in half. source

Cancer is a ridiculously scary disease. I don’t have to tell you that. Do you really know how scary it is? My main question is this: are you doing enough to prevent it? I know I have said it and I hear it all the time, “well, everything causes cancer.” It may feel like that is true, but not everything causes cancer. There are a lot of things we can do to prevent skin cancer in particular. As parents, we should be hyper-vigilant about sunscreen!

I try my hardest to give my children the best they can possibly have. It might put a little dent in our budget, but we do a lot of organic foods and products. Not only organic, but I spend a lot of time trying to find chemical free products. I wish I could say that all of my purchases are all natural, organic, chemical free, grass fed, chopped down by Uncle Bob, but lets face it, to be that crunchy, you have to have money! A lot of money! We just don’t have that kind of money and neither does 90% of America.

Recently, I have realized how much junk is in most sunscreens. Tons of chemicals, perfumes, and additives that are just not necessary. Our skin is our biggest organ and we should be trying to protect it as best as we can, the same way we try to protect our heart by not eating too much greasy food, our lungs by not smoking, our liver by watching our alcohol intake, etc. Shouldn’t we be watching what our skin takes in?

I don’t know all of the research that is behind the latest “all sunscreen is bad for you, unless it’s such and such brand” fad. I don’t think it’s a fad that chemicals are bad for you, but I have had an extremely hard time finding cause and effect research. What does this chemical do? What are the long term effects? We just know that the more natural you can get, the better, right? I’m not saying you’re a bad parent for not using the high end mineral sunscreens. I’m just stating a fact that less chemicals are better! Let’s face it, my kids love Goldfish crackers! I probably shouldn’t have introduced them, but hey, they are quick and yummy. I can barely say half of the ingredients. By no means are they organic and all natural!

Cancer runs in our family and like it or not, sunscreen is a pretty big part of my family’s life. We can all agree that sunscreen is important no matter what brand you buy.

In my search of all natural sunscreens, I found Goddess Garden and they graciously let me try their product.

Goddess Garden sunscreens are all:

Easy to apply, non-whitening and all-natural.
Zinc and titanium are used as active ingredients. I am trying to avoid Oxybenzone, Octinoxate and Retinyl Palmitate, as they seem to be the most common chemical ingredient. You can read more here.
All have Aloe as the first inactive ingredient.
This is a certified organic product
Strong water resistance rated to 40 minutes.
Non-Nano, Reef Safe, Non-GMO, Biodegradable, Vegan, Cruelty Free, Alcohol Free, Paraben and Phthalate Free, and Free from Gluten Ingredients.

Goddess Garden Baby SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen, Lotion, 3.4-Ounce

Their baby sunscreen is a little more whitening on the skin than the others, but it blends in quickly.

I know most people don’t like the whitening that a sunscreen lotion gives, but my children and I have very fair skin, so I like to be able to see the lotion!

It has no perfumes and practically no scent. The bottle says “may stain some fabrics,” but I used it for a week and nothing has been stained.

The only active ingredient is Zinc Oxide 19.0%

Goddess Garden Kids SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen, Lotion, 6-Ounce

Unlike the baby lotion, there is a second active ingredient for the kid’s lotion, Titanium Dioxide. Zinc Oxide 6.0% & Titanium Dioxide 6.4%

The kid’s lotion is definitely not as whitening as the baby lotion.

No scent.

Although it blended in better, it stays wet a little longer. It didn’t seem to run or get in BK#1’s eyes though, which is a plus. Other than the feel, it isn’t a problem.

Goddess Garden Kids SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen, Lotion, 6-Ounce

Looking into the specifics of this lotion confused me. Their “every day” lotion has the exact same ingredients as the kids lotion, but is priced higher.

Goddess Garden Facial SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen, Lotion, 3.4-Ounce

Their facial lotion has the same active ingredients as their baby lotion.The facial lotion is not whitening like the baby lotion, it is sheer like the kid’s lotion.” The facial formula uses a polished form of zinc that rubs on more sheer, and it also has some added ingredients like immortelle essential oil that are great for reducing the appearance of wrinkles.”

Price point is about the same as the baby lotion. Again, just preference, but I wouldn’t buy two bottles if I wanted to get a baby lotion and a facial lotion.

All of the lotions held up great, neither of my babies got a sunburn while using it! I definitely have a new favorite on my list of sunscreens.

My only complaint is the price. In general, all organic products are priced significantly higher than non-organic. Doing some math, I found that Goddess Garden only charges on average $3 more. It’s not great, but it really isn’t bad at all! In my opinion, it’s a good price for a higher end product.

Have a safe and happy Summer!

~Amanda **Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Cake Maternity Nursing Bra {Review}

Published on June 17, 2016June 17, 2016 by AmandaLeave a comment

Maternity and nursing apparel can be fun and exciting to shop for, but I have always found it inevitably frustrating. Nothing I found ever fit the way I really wanted it to or it wasn’t as comfortable as it should have been. I started transitioning into nursing bras about halfway through my pregnancies for a few reasons. My milk came in super early, so I needed something that would clean up easily and with that, I grew very quickly. My bras now needed to be a little more comfortable.

After two babies I have found that nursing bras either are functional or they are cute, never both. I was always frustrated that I could never find a bra that was supportive enough for my surprise DD’s and not frumpy. Anything that was lacy and pretty ended up being too thin and not giving enough support, or had super stiff underwire making it extremely uncomfortable. Some companies have cute “demi” styles which I quickly found out that a leaking nip creeping out the top of your bra is not fun! The comfortable ones are basically rectangle cotton sports bras. But you can’t classify them as sports bras because they are not supportive at all. I found myself buying every nursing bra I saw, in hopes it would be a new favorite.

I have a ridiculously large stash of horrible bras. It’s sad, really.

Cake Maternity and I started working together about a month ago. I was honored when they wanted to collaborate to get some breastfeeding education out there, and even more excited when they wanted me to try out their nursing bra. But I have to admit, I didn’t have high hopes. The bras looked awesome, they have done a lot of research and cater to women so well, but I had been stuck with my comfy-frumpy bra for so long that I didn’t think I would find something.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

You know the phrase “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”? Well you can if you are wearing “Cake”! Happy boobs are making me corny.

I tried the Cake Lingerie Plunge Maternity Nursing Fig Mousse Non-wire Padded Bra,Slate,36D UK/36D US and Cake Lingerie Maternity Nursing Croissant Smoothing Seamfree Flexi-wire Bra,Nude,36F UK/36G US

Pros:

So comfortable while also attractive. Even though they are simple bras, I didn’t feel like I was wearing a nursing bra. My husband even said “If I didn’t see the snaps you would never know if was a nursing bra!”

It’s supportive. You will notice that in the picture of the first bra (wire free), the bottom band is wide to support you, and even though the neckline plunges, the cup still gives you adequate coverage. The is no worry of a nip slip or a nursing pad slipping out because the cups are too small.

Full Coverage. I cannot stand a bra that gives me side boob. I just want them both in there snug, and nothing trying to come out the sides. Cake’s bras have a full coverage cup without looking like you are wearing your grandma’s bra. These are the first bras that I have worn that I am comfortable ALL DAY LONG. At bedtime, I’m not rushing to rip it off because I have a permanent indent.

They’re so soft. Both bras’s fabric are extremely soft and did not rub at all.

The snaps are large and there is a double inside connection instead of just one strap. Believe me, this is worth noting. At 3 am it is extremely frustrating to turn on a light just so you can get your bra situated. I can get baby latched, fed, burped, and back in his bassinet in the pitch black, but I can’t even tell you how many times I have tip -toed to the bathroom to get my bra straps situated. Some bras have one continuous strap that you just unclasp the cup from, but inside it is a triangle shape making it impossible for them to tangle.

There are more adjustments than most bras. Standard hooks are usually 3 or 4 rows, but these have 6! This makes it well worth your money, as it can grow with you.

Flex underwire. Unlike other underwire bras, there was absolutely zero poking or rubbing.

In the underwire bra, the straps had little ridges. The straps helped keep the height adjustment from sliding down the silky strap.

Cons: Not all of the bras have the same design straps. I wish the ridges were on all of them. It would definitely help with comfort.

They aren’t machine washable. You have to wash by hand and line dry. This was a major disappointment. I am a busy mom, and I don’t have time to hand wash my bras. If you have ever had a leak in the middle of the night, you will understand. I do not want to be scrubbing milky bras. Most machines have a delicate setting, and a higher end bra should be durable enough to go through a cold delicate cycle. That brings me to my next point.

It is a little pricey. They all tend to be priced in the $50 range. But you get what you pay for. I really wish I would have found Cake Maternity 2 years ago! I would have much rather purchased a couple higher end nursing bras that actually worked than 20 different bras from maternity stores that didn’t work nearly as well.

Cake only makes maternity so it’s their specialty. The quality is amazing and it really goes above and beyond my Victoria’s Secret bras. I wish they had a sister company for non- maternity undergarments. This isn’t really a downside to the bras, just something I found while learning about the company.

Cake Maternity is a brand I will be definitely recommend to my pregnant and nursing friends and I will be gifting to close friends and family. They have a huge line of clothes and underwear for pregnancy and postpartum. Check out their entire line out here.

Cake also has a lot of helpful education on their website. I found this graphic extremely helpful!

Have fun shopping mamas!

~Amanda

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences and we never guarantee a positive review.**

The Birth you Want

Published on November 6, 2015November 5, 2015 by katiekuceyeski3 Comments

Labor and delivery mostly sucks. Let’s face it, outside of finally meeting your tiny human and snuggling them into your arms, there is nothing very appealing about having your body go through so much pain. I love the movement “Birthing Without Fear” and really, to those women, you are awesome. I am not that woman. Other than wanting to get my son into the world, there was no major motivation for me to “want” the pain of labor and delivery. I’d just rather be… eating Chipotle not in pain. Or like, anything else really.

I was lucky to have the same OB my entire pregnancy, and the same OB at the birth of my son. I told her from the get-go, that she’s the medical expert and I did research on doctors for so long so that I could leave it all in her hands. I didn’t go in with a birth plan, and I had no restrictions. I told my doctor to “do what she needed to do to get my son into the world safely.” (I’m not at all belittling anyone that goes in with a birth plan, but that’s just not me.) I trusted my OB, and that’s the important thing.

Even with that mindset, my birth was NOT what I had planned or envisioned.

I was on restricted activity from 33 weeks on, because I was at risk for preterm labor. Strangely enough, I needed to be induced at 40+6. I went to the hospital prepared at 8AM for them to break my water. I started Pitocin, had my water broken, and shortly after everything got a little crazy. The cord was wrapped around my son’s neck, and after my water broke the cord got much tighter. His heart rate was dropping drastically down from 160BPM to 50BPM. I had a positioning specialist, internal monitors, and saline being injected back into my uterus (it’s about as fun as it sounds.) At one point, they had to stop my labor completely to get his BPM back up. After labor started again I dilated SO quickly from 4-9 in a matter of minutes (which made me throw up for the rest of my labor.) All the while, both anesthesiologists were busy, so I didn’t get my epidural until it was so late in the game that it was barely worth it (and, it wore off within the last few minutes of labor because they didn’t have enough. (Great timing. Thanks guys.) I had so many doctors at one point in that room, as well as students, that I was totally overwhelmed with everything that was happening. (I was in labor 14 hours, and pushed for 3.)

My doctor and nurses were everything I could have wanted. Amazing individuals, and I’ll never forget my L&D nurse. Some of the other personnel I could have done without. My doctor advocated for me the entire time she was there. She is an incredibly, intelligent woman and I couldn’t have possibly had a better OB.

My labor left me feeling intensely traumatized afterwards. I was not prepared, and wish I would have known all of the things that can go wrong. I’m thankful I was in a hospital with the professionals I had, and that my son made it into this world safely. It was just NOT the peaceful day I had envisioned, and I wanted the epidural WAY sooner than I ended up getting it.

My labor was a little out-of-the-ordinary because of the cord circumstances, and I just count myself among the lucky to have my healthy child at home with me. While my labor wasn’t what I wanted, nothing matters other than my healthy son being in this world with me.

Here are some other labor and delivery stories. Thank you to these kind ladies for being willing to share, in hopes that it guides some other soon-to-be momma in the right direction of what is best for her and her child:

Amanda Velain
Neither of my births went like I thought like they were going to, but I think as women we plan for chaos or calm, and you never usually get what you are planning for. With my first I had everything planned for any number of circumstances, down to the minute. I had multiple people on standby, my natural birthplan, bags packed two months in advance, house baby-ready, and all I did was research and take everything in I possibly could so I knew exactly what to do. My first baby came and my plans went out the window. There was water all over the kitchen, my husband was an hour away, my parents thought I was talking about the literal plumbing and didn’t believe that I really needed a ride, the hospital didn’t think my water broke, and during labor I was in and out of a tub and in a million positions. I was in labor for 17 hours! NOT planned! It is an amazing story though. But looking back I would have moved around more. I sat in the tub way too long, and got too comfortable. So second baby, a year later, I didn’t even go into the tub. I walked around target, and was in denial about being in labor for most of the actual labor. It was a good thing I had planned on going natural, because I got to the hospital and there really wasn’t a whole lot of time! I mean I had hours left, but not many! I planned for calm and I got chaos! I wouldn’t have changed anything about my second birth though. It was hard and extremely painful, but I was surrounded by loved ones (husband, mom and midwife), and my little boy came into this world and it was all worth it!

Kiersten Offineer

I would have stayed at home until the pain was unbearable. I went in way too early. I ended up being in labor for 30 hours. Next time I’ll relax and take a bath until I can’t stand the pain. I wanted to go natural. I stuck it out for 24 hours then gave in to the epidural.

Ashley Stoll

Well I have 3 kiddos so this might get a little lengthy, so I apologize.
With my first I was young and dumb and just went into it with zero research. Basically, whatever interventions they wanted to do to were fine with me. They were afraid my baby was going to be too big so they induced me 5 days early. I had an epidural (took him 35+ minutes to put in it correctly,) which literally only made my legs numb and did nothing else. So I felt the labor and everything but I was unable to move, change positions or walk. It was frustrating and made things much more difficult than they needed to be. But I can’t complain too much because after only pushing for a few minutes, my baby boy was born at 2am, healthy and perfect. 8lbs 13oz, 19 1/4in long.

With my second I decided that I would do everything I could to avoid an epidural. So I researched like crazy and decided to do a natural hospital birth. Again they were afraid of me having a huge baby for some reason and convinced me to be induced a few days early. We tried to induce by just breaking my water first, to avoid pitocin, but I didn’t progress fast enough and ended up having to have it anyways. Labor was very intense but was so much more manageable without being restricted by the epidural. And again after only about 5 minutes of pushing, my second perfect, healthy baby boy was born at 9:27pm. 8lbs 14oz 20 1/2in long.
With my third I decided I wasn’t going to be talked into unnecessary interventions. I wanted to go as natural as possible. I found a birth center and midwife in Boardman and after a ton of research we decided to go with them for this birth. I went 9 days past my due date which was 2 weeks longer than I got to go with my first two! I woke up at 4:30am having decent contractions. So I got up and got ready to go. My husband woke up shortly after I did and I told him I was labor. We got ready and were taking the kids to my mom’s on the way to the birth center when all of sudden my contractions started coming really close together and we still had an hour drive. I started to get really worried that I was going to have the baby in the car! Thankfully, we made it to the birth center in time. Though I was 7cm upon arrival, I labored in a tub for a while and then got out when things started getting intense. When I felt the urge to push, my contractions pushed for me and I didn’t feel any need to physically make myself push. After about ten or 15 minutes, my perfect, beautiful baby girl was born, without one single “real push” and en caul, which is when the water doesn’t break and the baby is born inside the intact bag of water! Once her shoulders were out, my midwife broke the bag and lifted her out and into my arms. Pretty awesome! 2:22 pm 8 lbs 14.5oz, 20 1/2 inches long.

Looking back now I wish I would’ve went the birth center route for all three. I know it’s not for everyone but for me, it was perfect. It was just so nice and calm/relaxing but also reassuring because they have all the medical stuff right there, ready to go in case of an emergency. And the hospital is a block away. So I felt like I got the best of both worlds there. I also really regret inducing the boys early and of course I regret that epidural. Looking at how intense the pitocin made my labor with the first two compared to how much easier the third was for me without it, makes me wish I wouldn’t have agreed to getting it at all. Oh well. At the end of the day the only thing that actually matters is getting the baby out safe and sound and into loving arms. I have three gorgeous, happy, healthy babies, so I really have nothing at all to complain about.

Kaylee DiPietro

From the time I got to the hospital to the time he was born was 12 hrs. My plan was to wait as long as I could to get the epidural since I heard it slows dilation. However, it was 1am and the nurse talked me into it so I could get some sleep and I’m glad she did, because within 2 hours I went from 3 cm to 9 and it would have been too late. The hardest part was pushing for 2.5 hours…but as soon as you hear that first cry, you don’t care how long it took or how much pain you are in…it’s the most amazing experience of your life! Also, I was one that didn’t really have a set birth plan and I think that’s good…I know someone that was completely against a c section and ended up having one. She was so upset because it wasn’t her plan, she cried for a week after. It was just too much added stress on her…the first week is hard and she made it harder on herself..

Chelsea Woodruff

I knew I was having a scheduled C-section before I was even pregnant. I have mild to moderate hip dysplasia and the stretch of giving birth was a potential danger to my pelvis. Shockingly, I made it to my scheduled surgery day without so much as a contraction. No water breaking, none of that (I know, some of you want to strangle me right now). However, my surgery was EXTREMELY painful. I was not able to lie flat on my back for the majority of my pregnancy and being strapped down on the table with pressure being placed on my trunk to get the baby out caused me a LOT of pain. I was screaming at the anesthesiologist for more pain meds (this is after my epidural) and he said I already had enough to knock out a 200lb man. I’m sure it didn’t help that my OBGYN, expecting my baby to be between 6-7 lbs, cut a tiny incision and the child was 8lbs 7oz. One of the assisting doctors was standing on the edge of the bed using her full body weight to press the baby out. My OB was literally grabbing drs passing in the hall saying “come look at this tiny incision I just pulled this baby out of!” Umm..could we not?! Needless to say, pain. Pain was all I felt for about the next 3 weeks.

After my baby was born, I felt like I vanished in the eyes of the nurses. My one regret is not speaking up more. My nurses were always behind on my pain meds and I was literally in tears calling them on my radio thing asking when the next round was coming and getting snarky comments back that it was “shift change.” Listen, I’ve worked in a hospital before that would have NEVER flown. Shift change shouldn’t take 45 mins and you have a patient in misery. I left after a day and a half because I knew I would get better care from my family at home. Upon discharge, a different dr from my OB’s practice wrote my orders and DID NOT EVEN CHECK MY INCISION! I don’t even think she knew I had a C-section. I wasn’t given any aftercare instructions, nothing.

Bottom line, speak up. If you are in pain or have a concern, say something. Don’t be afraid to ask a million questions. I wish I would have and it is my one regret during my birthing experience.

So in closing, know your body. Educate yourself (and your partner!) Ask questions, do research, and follow your intuition. There is no WRONG way to bring your baby into this world, but there are ways that you will be more or less comfortable with. Plan and prepare, but know that what you envision might not be what ends up happening.

Good luck Mommas!

-Katie

Lansinoh Breast Therapy Product Review

Published on November 1, 2015November 1, 2015 by AmandaLeave a comment

When Lansinoh provided us with product to review for them we enlisted some moms to help us with the process. We were so happy to get some very honest and thorough surveys about these therapy packs, along with our own opinions.

This product is a mommy favorite by a landslide! The therapy packs help you overcome engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis. You can form the packs all the way around your breast for relief all over, not just in one spot. There are two in a box, and can be used hot or cold! Cold – to help with swelling. Hot for relief from plugged ducts or mastitis, OR as a pump aid to help with let down and pump time.

Pros: Very easy to use! One of our mommy- testers said “I usually don’t respond to the pump very well and have a hard time getting much milk from pumping, but these warm packs really increase the amount of milk I am able to express. I‘m very impressed!” These packs stay warm up to an hour, so way longer than you would ever need them to pump!

These also help you fully empty, while pumping, to get the most out of your pumping session.

Freezing the packs works just as nice, staying cold for about 45 min for relief!

Cons: The only cons that some moms had, was that they get hot spots after being in the microwave. This problem is easily aided by squishing them around a little before applying them.

Also depending on size of breast, they slide around a little while pumping, so you have to get them sitting pretty good before you begin, or you will have a mess.

This product is great, everything that Lansinoh claims that it is and more. All of our moms gave it a 5 star rating and said that they would recommend their friends to purchase this product!

~Amanda

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a postive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences with a product and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Lansinoh Milk Storage Bags Product Review:

Published on November 1, 2015November 1, 2015 by AmandaLeave a comment

Most nursing moms will pump at some point or another. Pumping is not something you HAVE to do, it just makes life easier sometimes. For example: Being able to leave your baby with DH for more than an hour! Generally, nursing moms have some sort of freezer stock of milk, just in case of emergencies, and the easiest way to store mommy milk is in freezer bags.

You want to use something that is specifically made for breast milk! A Ziploc might sound nice in theory, but it is NOT sanitary! {a bag for breast milk has a little perforated plastic strip at the top that you rip off to open it and put milk in.}

We had some outside mommies help us review these storage bags and let us know what they thought!

Pros: These storage bags have a double zip seal to ensure that they are closed completely, and to make sure they don’t leak. They are rounded enough to stand up when you are pouring the milk in, but they have a flat design, allowing to store more milk in a smaller area.

The bags also have a place to write the date, volume, name, and time to ensure freshness when organizing them in the freezer.

Our moms loved that the bags were easy to pour out of instead of having to use a funnel (or pump flange- Don’t judge me)

Cons: Like some pump bags that come with an attachment for your pump, you cannot pump straight into these bags. That may not matter to most, but if you are on a tight schedule at work those few minutes its takes to transfer milk to bottle could be used to do other things. When you are a working mom every break becomes a pump break, a potty break would be nice to add too.

The measurements for ounces are almost a full ounce above what they really are and how they measure on bottles

They are a very thin bag, so I have had a few break open! Which is a disaster, and after happening twice I don’t buy them. (You can see what I do use here) But, none of our mommies had that complaint, they all said they would buy them and recommend them to a friend!

~Amanda

Lansinoh Nursing Pads Product Review:

Published on October 31, 2015November 1, 2015 by AmandaLeave a comment

BurritoBuzz.com received some amazing product from Lansinoh, and we enlisted some loyal followers to review with us! The nursing pads were a hit! We knew that I love them, but we wanted our other bloggers and some mommies to give their opinion also!

Pros: They have two adhesive strips, some pads only have 1 or none. Many of our mommies loved this feature, saying that it helped in keeping them in place over other brands.

The material of these pads are soft and quilted, making them very comfortable

“These pads are thin but are surprisingly absorbent and hold a good amount of leaked milk while still remaining dry to the touch.” Because they remain dry to the touch it prevents you from getting chapped from being wet.

Each pad is wrapped individually. Now, some of our mommies didn’t like that, because ease of use (not being able to get to them as quickly and creating more trash), but most liked it! It made it convenient to only change one pad at a time without contaminating a pad you might not be using at the time.

These are disposable pads, so no clean up or making sure you have clean ones ready to go!

Cons: These are disposable pads, therefore not making them very earth/ budget friendly, but if you are a mom like me the reusable ones don’t even begin to cut it when it comes to absorbency.

One mom said “They get itchy sometimes, and bunch up in your bra after moving cups down for feeding”, so they definitely are not perfect!

Most of the moms wanted them not to be individually wrapped, but none said they would never buy them again. In fact most moms said this was their favorite brand of disposable pad! These are a must- buy, and a must- add to your baby registry!

~Amanda

Back to the Grind

Published on October 30, 2015October 30, 2015 by Megan Desiato - www.BurritoBuzz.comLeave a comment

Back to the Grind

The time has come. You’ve just spent 12 long, often sleepless, but wonderful weeks at home with your new little bundle of joy. You never thought this day would come. There were days when you almost wanted to go back, days you cried because you were just too tired to function and wanted to get away. But deep down, you really would not want to be anywhere else than at home snuggling your babe. Unfortunately, it’s time to go back to the daily grind and return to work. You’re feeling anxious, sad, scared and just plain dread having to leave your little one.

Does this sound familiar?

As a Mommy of two little ones, I’ve felt these emotions and “been there” twice now. For me, going back to my nursing job at an area hospital was inevitable. I knew I would work as far through my pregnancy as I could handle, have my sweet little baby, and then head back to work 12 weeks later. All occupations and individuals are different, but no matter what, returning to work is an adjustment. The fear and stress you may be feeling in the days and weeks leading up to the day could be lessened with some thought and planning.

My hope is that these top 5 tips I have will not only decrease the amount of anxiety you have leading up to the day you’re back on the job, but will also make being at work a little easier.

Make a plan. In the days and weeks leading up to the first day back, start to plan. This can include everything from your childcare provider to the meals on the table. I think planning ahead and being prepared not only makes things easier once the day arrives but it reduces stress all around. We would not have a home cooked meal on the table every night if it wasn’t for the CrockPot. There are so many recipes out there for anything and everything. Most of the time, you can just dump in all of your ingredients before work, turn it on low, and by the time you get home, dinner is served! Best invention ever. Another perk is that there are often leftovers for dinners later in the week and lunches. In our house, we also utilize a calendar that’s right on the refrigerator. This way my husband always knows what shift I’m working and who is watching our kids. We also keep track of when we drop off and pick up our kids here so we know what to pay our sitter. Other appointments and social events are here too that way we can all stay on the same page.

Delegate. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. We all have different people around us supporting us, so use it! Try not to hesitate when it comes to delegating tasks to your spouse or older kids. Don’t be embarrassed to accept help either, especially if someone offers it. My husband and I always refer to ourselves as a Team. We stick together when it comes to decisions and discipline, and we work together when it comes to household chores – we need each other. Our household would not be as “happy” as it is the majority of the time if my husband and I didn’t work together. I know I can always ask him to do something and he will do it. We’re in this together. It’s our family. I cannot wait until our oldest can be more included in this too (she’s 2.5)!

Love your caregiver(s). I know it is not always easy to find good childcare. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for the childcare that we have and my hope is that you all can find someone equally as wonderful. The most important thing is how you’re going to feel while your child is in the hands of these individuals. If you’re not comfortable and at ease when they are there, you will never feel good leaving them. You can’t put a price on that. Don’t be afraid to ask them anything and everything before you make your decision to go with them. Try to have them watch your little one for a short time prior to you going back so you can all feel better with the transition. When I went back to work after my second child, I had my sitter watch both of my kids individually for a few times and then together too. She was used to watching my oldest daughter, but I wanted to make sure she was completely comfortable with them both before a full 9 hour day. Also, see if your care provider is willing to call or text you updates throughout the work day. I know I look forward to photos of my little ones when I’m on a break at work.

Commit to breastfeeding. If this is the route you are going, commit now and don’t look back. Chances are it’s been going relatively well for you up until this point and it still can! Talk to your employer prior to returning so they are aware that you plan to breastfeed and can be accommodating. You guys can discuss where you would pump and how often. Remember to begin using your electric breastpump more and begin building a milk supply as it gets closer to when you will be going back. I found that I was able to freeze about a bottle or two a day by pumping after my little guy’s first two feedings of the day. I also eat oatmeal and drink lots of water. I try to take advantage of the times when I am home and make sure I nurse then. Nothing helps your supply more than that mommy/baby bonding.

There are a few products that have made breastfeeding a success the first time around that I continue to use now with my second child. My Medela double electric breast pump is one of those items. It is still going strong with baby #2 and I was super pumped to learn that my insurance covered a second double electric pump with my second pregnancy. Now I have a pump I can keep at work and one at home. Call your insurance company if you are unsure about your coverage. All insurances should cover at least one pump. It’s going to sound silly, but I also love my Medela hand breastpump. It’s super nice to use if you just need to pump one side and doesn’t take as long to set up/clean up. It’s manual so you also don’t have to worry about plugging it in for power. Finally, I could not live without my breastpump bustier by Medela. It allows you hook up your double electric pump and be hands free. This gives me the freedom to chart, eat lunch, or talk to my family while I’m getting in my work day. At home it comes in handy if I’m brushing my teeth, doing dishes, or making a pot of coffee. My hands are free. It is a lifesaver.

Stay positive. There are going to be moments when you feel guilty. That is normal. It kills us inside when we have to be away from our little ones all day and then when we are home we are just preparing for the next work day. You are not alone. Going back to work is what is best for you and your family. Your little one doesn’t even realize you are gone, and he or she is in good hands. Take advantage of the moments when you and your family are all together. Even though your baby may not understand, he or she will sense any stress or tension you might be having, so do your best to leave that at work.

We can do this!! There are working moms everywhere. The day always arrives where our maternity leave comes to an end and we make the leap back into the workforce. Be patient during the transition back. It’s okay to feel emotional and guilty. There may even be a part of you a little excited to go back, getting back into your old routine, and having adult interaction. That’s okay too! I hope these tips can ease your mind. They have helped me tremendously, especially the second time around.

Is there anything that made going back to work easier for you?

-Megan

TummyGize by Young Living Product review

Published on October 21, 2015October 21, 2015 by Amanda1 Comment

PROS: This is by far one of my favorite essential oils! I have tried many, and have become pretty obsessed, but they don’t always work for what you want them to. TummyGize is spot on though! BK#2 has some pretty rough reflux and tummy issues. He is on prescription medication and it’s somewhat manageable, but there some days when little mister is just miserable. After trying, many different over the counter solutions we decided to try this oil. Let me tell you, it works like a charm!!!! The crying, grunting and flailing stop almost immediately. This oil is safe on kids and babies, and is specifically made for them. It is 100% pure therapeutic grade EO, but it is pre-diluted so you don’t have to waste time mixing with a carrier oil! I take off his shirt and rub a drop or two on his stomach and let it work its magic! This EO is a blend of spearmint, peppermint, tangerine, fennel, anise, ginger, and cardamom.

CONS: The only thing that I don’t like about this oil is that its an orange color and stained a shirt when I didn’t rub in well enough. (The orange color is from the tangerine) That was my own fault though. I like the smell, but it is a little strong and some might not like it.

This is a great product. It makes me feel good that I can instantaneously make my LO feel better! It’s one of the more affordable oils, the best quality and does what it claims

What not to say to a pregnant women!

Published on September 26, 2015October 20, 2015 by AmandaLeave a comment

I know people mean well, but after two pregnancies in two years I can definitely say that there are some things I wish people would never say to pregnant women. Here is a list just to clear up some things you should never say to a pregnant women:

1.“Are you sure it’s not twins?”

2.“Are you sure they have your due date right?”

3.“You’re going to have your hands full!” (As they look at my 1 year old.)

4.“Was it planned?”

5.“You had a natural birth last time? Was that planned? And you seriously want to do it again? Come on–just ask for the epidural! What are you trying to prove?”…..seriously? You want me to answer you?

6.“You look like you are due any day now! Do you really have three more months?!”

7.“I was all belly when I was pregnant. I only gained 15 pounds.” (I definitely gained more than that!)

8.“Wow, you look like you’re going to pop!”

9.“Wow you’re so huge”

10.“Wow you’re so small”

11.“Are you gaining enough weight?” Any other time in a women’s life you NEVER talk about her weight, why is it all of a sudden okay to talk about our size when we are pregnant? Sure “You’re all belly” and “That bump is adorable” makes us feel good. But do NOT make general statements, because Lord knows we are painfully aware!

12.“You don’t look pregnant. Are you sure you are?” (This can be a compliment to a women of multiple children who has gained a lot of weight, but it can be disappointing to the first-time mom who is already nervous and desperately wants to look pregnant!)

13.“I think you’re having a …..”

14.“Can I touch your belly?”

15.“You’re breastfeeding right?”

16.“Will you work after the baby comes?”

17.“It’s about time!”

18.“Are you craving pickles?” (No, but now that you mentioned food, I’m really hungry. Thanks for that now go get me some ice cream!)

19.“You can’t eat/drink that” My personal favorite. I will eat and drink WHATEVER I want, because I am pretty sure that it is MY body and you are NOT my OB!

20.“Will you have more kids?”

21.“I feel pregnant too” …..oh? ummm ….

22.“Enjoy your last few months of freedom.” Why do you assume that I will not have a life or freedom after I have a child? Is your life that boring? Just saying.

23.“Your baby is going to be huge/tiny” Again, are you a doctor?

24.“You look tired”

25.“Anything yet?”

26.“You’re still pregnant”

27.“You know it’s really 10 months.” Gracies. No, seriously. Thanks for that. Because I’m not already praying I can hold my baby any day now, but you have to remind me how long I have to wait.

28.“Well elephants are pregnant for 22 months so you don’t have it that bad” Yeah, thanks for pointing that out.

29.“Good luck my labor was terrible.”

30.“Aren’t you a little young/old to be having a baby?”

31.“Shouldn’t you be resting?”

32.“You’re quite hormonal.” You haven’t seen anything yet…..

33.“I thought your boobs would be bigger”

34.“How are you going to handle two?”

35.“I never had morning sickness”

36.“I was ripped open from end to end.”

37.“Can you even see your feet anymore?”

38.“So, how do you get your shoes on?”…..Good question…..

Pregnancy is a beautiful and also disgusting thing! Please do not make the gorgeous women who are making tiny humans want to rip your tiny peewee little head off by saying any of these statements, or any in their likeness! Haven’t you heard not to mess with a pregnant women? The only acceptable statements are:

“You look FABULOUS!”

“I am so happy for you!”

And, “I can’t wait to meet your beautiful baby!”

Now, where is that ice cream you were supposed to get me?!?!?!?

~Amanda

p.s. We have all been there at least once, and we wanted to show you that we really do feel for you preggie mommas!

The decision to go part time…

Published on August 14, 2015October 15, 2015 by katiekuceyeskiLeave a comment

Priorities. Priorities rule my life; the priority of my child over money, of time with my child over work. My world revolves around how I prioritize each day. I grew up with a very career-oriented drive. I knew I wanted to go to college. I knew I wanted, a minimum, of a bachelor’s degree. I wanted to take care of myself. I did all of that– moved out young, worked hard, graduated with honors, and got hired in full-time at a new company. I quickly worked through three positions into a spot that I felt comfortable in. While I often hated the work, I loved my coworkers (or most of them.) I loathed the nearly hour commute to and from every day on a major highway, but learned to accept it. I worked there for just over 3.5 years.

I had convinced myself that I would put Lucas in a good, reputable child care and stay full-time at my job. How could I not? Student loans are crippling, especially with a mortgage and all of the other day-to-day bills.

As my pregnancy progressed, I continually became more and more apprehensive. Being gone 50 hours a week M-F, plus owning a photography business? Would my child even know us? I thought I had a choice to make, but the choice had already been made (I’m kidding myself if I act like it was even a question.) My gut knew that I’d be going part-time and that we’d make it work. By NO means am I discrediting child care… most of the workers are fantastic, I’m sure. My mom picked up child care for the 3 days a week I’d be working. I would work 25 hours and still run my business, giving me 3-4 days with Lucas. We cut out budget. Lowered our payments on our student loans and mortgage. We did what we had to do to be able to make the decision work. (I know that for some families, the budget couldn’t be cut anymore than it already is. To you parents that don’t have the option: I’m sorry that our system doesn’t work more in favor of new parents. It’s a sad reality, and hopefully something that will change in the future.)

Going part time I still grappled with feeling like I gave up my career. Right before taking my part-time position, I was offered a full time DREAM job as a media specialist. I took a few days to decide, but knew in my heart that it wasn’t what I wanted.

But here’s my point: Our country has such double standards for parents. If women step down to go part time they are treated pretty harshly. I left my job two weeks after my maternity leave. I didn’t plan it out that way, it’s just how it happened. (If we’re being honest here, I started looking for a new job about 2 weeks after starting there. I just hadn’t accepted anything.) And even though I felt like I was a great worker, and constantly was commended on my work there, my boss couldn’t even say “bye, good luck” when I left. I just had a baby. I’m leaving the only thing I’ve known for the last 3.5 years for a whole new world. You can’t even say bye? We won’t even start on the fact that men get no paternity leave half of the time. Come on America… let’s get it together. By the time my maternity leave was over my postpartum hormones hadn’t even settled down yet (like, crying in the aisles of Target, not sure how I’d live with out my own mom postpartum hormones.)

So how about: let’s accept women (and men) for the choices they make. Staying home full time? Great. Working full time? Good for you. A mix of both? Sounds good. Sad that you can’t have the choice? I empathize.

Being a parent is hard. Being a first time parent is REALLY hard. Let’s not add the extra stress.