Parenting

Where to buy a nursing bra ~ 7 tips to find the perfect nursing bra

10/07/2016 8:00 am · 0 comments

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Where to buy a nursing bra ~ 7 tips to find the perfect nursing bra

As a mother of 5 kids, I have spent almost 8 years wearing nursing bras. I have breastfed most my kids till they were 18 months. That being said I have worn out a few and know which nursing bras I personally prefer. I also know that finding a nursing bra can be REALLY HARD. So I have put together seven tips to find the perfect nursing bra. In the past few years more retailers carry them, but they tend to have limited selection.

I can not tell you have many times I have walked into a nice department store, gone to the underwear/ lingerie section and asked where their nursing bras are… only to have them get a disgusted look on their face and promptly tell me, “We do not sell those here”. They act so offend that I use my boobs to feed my child. One time the lady was so rude about it, I started to cry. I am pretty sure it was all the new baby hormones and lack of sleep, but still who knew buying a nursing bra could be so tricky.

The Style I Like

I have found I really like the bras that have the clip on the TOP, those seem to be easiest for me to use and less likely to pop open. The ones that hook on top are my favorite, the ones that snap together tend to wear out faster. Also as the baby gets a little older, and if she pulls on your bra and it is a snap open/ close one, they can pop it open. The hook or clip is easy for mom to open but withstands tugging from the baby.

I am a small framed person, yet I put on about 50+ lbs with each pregnancy. I loose it each time but start out much heaver in the being of breastfeeding my baby. For that reason I like to try ad find a bra that can shrink or grow with me a bit. A back strap that has more than 3 sets of clasps in the back is great for when I start to loose the baby weight, the bra can be adjusted and still be used.

Nursing Pads?

Normally I am small chested, and feeling good if I can fill out an A-cup, so I love a good padded bra. But while breast feeding I am normally a C-cup so I tend to stay away from the padding. The first few months of nursing I use nursing pads too, so a padded bra plus pads is just to bulky. Less is more in this case. You can get 10 FREE sets of nursing pads here. After 3-5 months my body is more in check and I no longer need breast pads I will then switch to a lightly padded bra. I am not switching for the extra size, instead just to help hide the “nipple” that a thin bra does not always hide. After all these Idaho winters can be rather cold, but I do not want to show that to all my friends thru my shirt ;).

Wire or NO Wire? I normally wear an under-wire, but that was not always the best option for me while breast feeding. With one of my kids my I had over sensitive breasts and would get lumps and sore spots (due to clogged milk ducts) I found the under-wire made this worse. So I had to pick another option, but each persons experience will be much different so feel free to try both options.

Cute Bras?

CUTE does not always mean functional. I know polk-a-dots and lace can be a fun option. But not if it means a screaming baby that can not get to her food fast enough due to tricky clasps. Comfort and function is more important so shop with comfort in mind not style. I am not very “risky” when it comes to my underclothing. I tend to stick with white or nude, yet my last pregnancy the best, most comfortable nursing bra I found was BRIGHT pink with polka dots. Totally not something I would normally purchase, but it was the best fit…. so that is what I bought.

While nursing I always have to wear a bra at night, to help restrict them from “filling up”. Not everyone has to do this, but must most do. If you let them be “free” they can be rather engorged and painful in the morning. I personally just sleep in the same bra I wore during the day. But I know many of my friends switch to a sleep or nighttime bra, they find it more comfortable but still does the job.

Some of the perfect nursing bra s I like:

La Isla Women’s Cotton Lace Trim Underwire Non-Padded Maternity Nursing Bra34B-42DD plus free return options.

96%Cotton,4%Spandex
Cotton material,soft and healthy,best choice for breastfeeding
Easy nursing with one-hand release clasp
Wide,padded,adjustable straps prevent straps dig-in
Underwire gives you more support
Rear hook fastening

La Isla Women’s Lace Full Figure Wire Free Nursing Breastfeeding Maternity Bra 34C- 42F

92%Polyester, 8%Spandex
Drop down clips ideal for nursing
Full figured maternity bra good to support chest
Non-wired soft cup bra for maximum comfort and support
6 rows of hook & eyes provide extra support and ensure the perfect fit
Feminine and beautiful

CooShco Women’s Seamless Maternity Nursing Bras Bralette

92% nylon +8% Spandex
Imported
Hook & Eye closure
A Designs That Melts Onto And Molds To Your Body, Supporting Your Unique Shape In A Uniquely Perfect Way
Comfortable To Wear, And Virtually Invisible Under Clothing. A Designs That Melts Onto And Molds To Your Body, Supporting Your Unique Shape In A Uniquely Perfect Way
Nursing clips allow you to fully drop down the cup making breastfeeding access easy for mom and baby
No Underwire,Seamless Soft, Washable Cups That Drop Fully Away From The Breast, As Recommended By Health Care Professionals,Easy To Use And Discrete Nursing Clips, Featuring One handed Access
Breathable, ribbed gore stretches to accommodate the normal bust size fluctuations nursing moms experience

Motherhood Sports Clip Down Nursing Bra

NYLON / SPANDEX
NURSING BRA
SHELF BRA
CLIP DOWN, WIRELESS
FULL SUPPORT

Motherhood Seamless Clip Down Nursing Bra 5 colors to pick from

Motherhood Wrap Nursing Sleep Bra (2 Pack)

COTTON / SPANDEX
NURSING SLEEP BRA
LACE TRIM, 2-PACK
WRAP
LIGHT SUPPORT

Motherhood Plus Size Seamless Clip Down Nursing Bra

NYLON / SPANDEX
NURSING BRA
PATENT PENDING
CLIP DOWN, LIGHTLY LINED, FULL COVERAGE
LIGHT SUPPORT

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Medela Pump Style, what is the best Breast Pump to use.... I highly recomend this one. I have had it 12 years and it lasted for 5 kids #BreastPump The best Breast Pump ever!

Other Freebies you might want to check out

Free Belly Band, Maternity Bands

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Why I can’t buy Lucky Charms – I have FAILED that 5 year old child inside myself

08/25/2016 11:00 am · 0 comments

by Sarah A Thrifty Mom

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Remember when you were a kid and you would say, “Some day when I am older.” That sentence could have ended with, stay up all night, eat candy for dinner, drive a sports car, lay on the beach all day…. or maybe it ended with, buy Lucky Charms for breakfast and eat them every day for the rest of my life. As a five year old child, I ended that sentence with, eating Lucky Charms every day.

Let me give you a little bit of history, I am one of 6 kids. We lived on a farm and worked hard together, daily chores were just part of life. My Mom cooked all our meals, mostly from scratch. Boxed cereal, bags of chips or things from a carton were not part of our menu. This was long before organic or gluten free was a trend, instead it was just learning to live off the farm and what it provided.

That being said, once a year at Christmas time each child would get their own box of cereal. Yes in today’s world kids are asking Santa for the latest Xbox, cell phone or iPad. I was writing Santa and asking him for a dolly and my very own box of Lucky Charms. I can tell you as Christmas morning came, I was just as excited about my box of cereal as I was about my toy. I would get a sharpie marker and write my name on the top of that box, and proudly claim it as my own.

Fast forward a few years… well maybe more than a few, maybe more like 30 years. I am now an adult, a wife, and a mother. The question is, have I been true to my 5 year old self… do I happily dance down the stairs each morning, tie on my apron and pour my 5 beautiful children a bowl of Lucky Charms for breakfast? Not a huge surprise, the answer is NO. Sure they get them every now and then, but only as a treat.

I have FAILED that 5 year old child inside myself…. why you ask. Because every stinking time I buy a box, these little humans that live in my house only eat the marshmallows. I tell ya if there is a marshmallow inside that box they are going to find it, with lightning speed. Often to get to those marshmallows they just dump the whole box of cereal out on the floor, or the couch or outside. Don’t get me wrong, we eat our meals in the kitchen like civilized people… but a box of Lucky Charms turns my kids to heathens that break all the rules. So as I sit here and eat my bowl of Lucky Charms, that is no longer LUCKY because all the charms are gone, thanks to my children. I tell myself, I can no longer buy Lucky Charms (unless I hide them from my children, and only eat it late at night, in an over sized bowl, with ice cold milk, in front of the TV…. because after all I am an adult now and I can do what I want, sometimes.) Please tell me I am not the only one?

Pretty sure if my kids send Santa a letter they will be asking for a bag like this, JUST MARSHMALLOWS! Oh how time changes every thing, lol.

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Cloud Clay recipe, only need two things to make this NO COOK recipe. The fastest and softest clay you will ever make #Playdough, #Clay, #DIY, #Kids Cloud Clay Recipe

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5 foolproof tips getting your child to go to school with a smile

08/15/2016 12:00 pm · 3 comments

by A Thrifty Mom

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In a Nutshell: Here’s a couple of tips that may help reduce the drama as homebodies go to school.

A decade ago, my first child walked into his Kindergarten classroom with a nonchalant “Bye, Mom” and a quick wave. I was the one biting my lip until I could sob in the privacy of my car. Other partings have been a little more…well…let’s just say it’s a shame Kindergarteners can’t register for classes in the drama department. I’ve had one kid who would become near-hysterical, and another who would cry so pathetically in the back of the car that I felt I was sending him in to be eaten by wolves. I’ve decided there is a very elite club of Those-Who-Do-Not-Go. You didn’t do anything wrong if you have one–I’m convinced some kids come out of the womb as card-carrying members. If you happen to be parenting a member of this club, here are a couple tips that may help get them through that door.

1) Watch your own emotions.

Having already admitted that I cry when my kids go to school, the first suggestion is to mind your own emotions. Parents are powerful social transmitters of emotion to their children, and kids often look to us to see when they should be anxious, excited, or scared. Be careful about saying things like, “What am I going to do without you?” or “I’m going to miss you so much!” A child may internalize that you won’t be okay without them. Be cheerful, upbeat, relaxed, and excited for your child’s new experience…and save your tears for the car.

2) Talk it out.

Don’t fall in the “suck it up” trap. School is a big step for shy kids, and they are having very real emotions even if it doesn’t make sense to us. Talk through their concerns. Maybe they are worried about using the bathroom at school, or they may be concerned that you won’t be there to pick them up on time. Take time to dig a bit. Sometimes children just need to verbalize their fears and get reassurance.

3) Practice, Practice, Practice

Consider practicing saying goodbye. This may seem silly but it is a winner for kids who do fine once you are gone, but have a hard time separating. When one of mine was refusing to get out of the car at the drop-off, we drove back to school later that evening. We had decided that big boys who go to school deserve a Chuck-E-Cheese token each morning. I had already picked up the tokens, and told him when he had 5, we could go play. We practiced giving one hug and two kisses (what he decided he needed) and saying goodbye. He walked to the school doors and waved. At home, I pretended to give him the token. If there was a day we had a scene at the drop-off, I took him back later that evening to practice again. It was a rough for a few days, but he never had another hard separation after that first trip to Chuck-E-Cheese.

4) Enlist help.

To solve my daughter’s shyness, it took a nice helper at the school who offered to walk her to her classroom. My son had a sweet guidance counselor at his school that let him come visit her in her office first, before going on to his classroom. If you communicate the problem to your child’s teacher, they may have a special job your child can help with before the other kids come in from the playground, or another great idea to help your child transition more easily. I promise–they’ve seen it before.

5) Be creative!

Whether it is Chuck-E-Cheese tokens, hair bows, a special lovey tucked in their backpack, extra kisses to save for later, or a heart in their lunch, you can find something that will work for your child. Brainstorm with your spouse, ask friends, or ask your child. He may have a great idea.

As I write this, my now 12-year-old is standing by me, laughing at our recollections of his oh-so-sad Kindergarten self. He said that he kept, and still has, one of those Chuck-E-Cheese tokens from his Kindergarten year. So, if your mornings are spent prying a little one off your leg at the classroom door, don’t worry too much. I have it on good authority that your little homebody is probably going to turn out to be one marvelous kid.

What have you done to help children adjust to school?

Here is a little poem I wrote a few years back as I was feeling sentimental about sending off of my Emma for her first day of school.

One Week Before Kindergarten

By: Alison Moulton

I see you from the window

As I do dishes

Again—

Sunshine soaking your hair

Mud soaking your dress

As you pet the cat and eat garden peas.

Crack

Peel

Chew

Pet

Again and again

For an hour or more.

You know your letters

And how to write your name.

You know what to do if someone tries

To take your lunch

Or pull you from a swing.

We’ve practiced all this.

But bells will soon ring

And lines will form.

You will try to find your place

And kids will laugh and cut

In front

Before the teacher sees.

So stay outside, love,

Soak up another hour of light

And garden

And mud.

Cross-contaminate your little hands

With peas and cat hair.

The sanitizer dispenser

Will be posted

By your classroom door

Next week.

So soon.

Too soon.

Falling in love with your family by Alison

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12 Ideas to make Valentines Day fun for the whole family ~ A Thrifty Family Valentines Party!

02/05/2015 11:00 am · 0 comments

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Updated: 12 ideas to make Valentines Day Fun for the Whole Family, Family game ideas, Family reunion ideas, Family Valentines tradidtions

One of the most important characteristics of a happy family is the ability to play together. Any holiday is a good excuse for a party, but Valentines Day is an especially appropriate time to put a little effort into making your family feel special. Sometime in February, have a fun party for the whole family. Here are some ideas for a super-thrifty Valentines Day Celebration!

Food

You don’t have to spend any more money on a Valentines Day meal, just think pink and heart-shaped.

Breakfast: Make a pink strawberry smoothie, French Toast cut with a heart cookie cutter, or heart-shaped biscuits.

Lunch: Cut out sandwiches with heart cookie cutters. If you have different sizes, cut the bread with a large heart, ham or turkey with a medium heart, and cheese with a small heart. Stack them together for a fun, open-face sandwich.

Dinner: Try your favorite meatloaf recipe on a cookie sheet, shaped like a heart. Or, make a homemade pizza with heart-shaped dough. Even a dinner of canned tomato soup can be dressed up with homemade or store-bought breadstick dough shaped like a heart.

Dessert: Anything looks fancy layered in tall glasses! Try alternating layers of brownie bits, French Vanilla pudding, and cherry pie filling; yogurt, granola, and strawberries; or angel food cake, real whipped cream, and raspberries.

Put on a tablecloth, sprinkle conversation hearts around the table, and light some candles. I love how little eyes sparkle in candlelight!

Games

(For younger kids)

Heart Attack: Cut out paper hearts from colorful Valentines paper or cardstock, then cut them in half with zigzags, curvy lines, etc. Mix up all the halves and let them put the heart puzzles together.

Love Bag: Glue or decoupage small pictures of family members on cardboard, foam board, or heavy paper. Laminate them if you have access to a machine. Put them in a bag and take turns picking a picture. Tell something you love about each person as their picture is drawn.

Make Pink Butter: Before dinner, put 1 cup of cream and a couple drops of red food coloring in a pint jar. Screw the lid on tight. Then take turns shaking it. After several minutes, solid butter will form, surrounded by liquid. Discard the liquid and empty the butter into a dish. Salt lightly and enjoy on your heart-shaped biscuits or breadsticks. This is a great way to keep little hands busy while you cook!

(For older kids)

Girl’s Name, Boy’s Name: Each person is given a paper. On the top of the page, write the name of any girl (it works best if the people playing all know who she is). Fold the paper down so the name is covered. Pass the paper to the left. Without peeking under the first fold of your new paper, write any boy’s name below the first fold. Fold over the boy’s name and pass the paper. Repeat for these categories: Where they were, What they were doing, What she said, What he said, How it all ended.

After everyone writes each answer, pass one more time, then take turns unfolding the papers and reading the crazy stories. (As the paper gets passed around, you just may end up with Vanna White and Justin Bieber at Yellowstone National Park, knitting. “How much are snow cones?” she asks. “I think I’ll cut my toenails tomorrow, ” he replies. They end up buying a pig farm and become amateur photographers.) We loved to play this when we were little!

Poor Kitty: This quick game is a favorite around our house when we need a good laugh. Sit in a circle, one person in the middle. He is the Kitty. The Kitty goes up to one person in the circle and mews, three times, and tries to make the person laugh. After each mew, the person has to pat Kitty on the head and say, “Poor Kitty” without laughing. The others in the circle are the judges. If the person laughs, they are the Kitty. If they don’t laugh, the Kitty chooses another person to mew to. Here are some of the Kitty faces some of my kids (and a couple cousins) came up with the last time we played. (Warning: Objects in this picture are much cuter than they appear!)

Poor Kitties, Indeed!

Hopefully this will help jump-start your plans for a wonderfully thrifty Valentines Party for your whole family! Add your comments below and share your plans to make Valentines Day fun!

If you like this idea be sure to check out our list of OVER 25 Valenitnes crafts, DIY, Recipes and ideas.