Surprise Visitors During Lockdown

Lockdown life is strange. However, there is something familiar about it. Time has slowed down and we have been able to breathe a bit, but I’ve also found myself feeling like my home is a prison. My home feeling like a prison is a familiar feeling I've had before. A feeling where my mind has trapped me within the walls of my own home. It’s a crumbling, crushing feeling and it doesn’t help that I am claustrophobic. On top of feeling stuck in my 1200 square foot home, no one is allowed to visit. And if they do, we can't embrace, and we usually talk through the door or a window: I'm a prisoner. However, there are some "visitors" that came as a surprise to me during quarantine, they are old friends, if you can even call them that, their names are Depression and Anxiety.

One cannot predict when Depression and Anxiety will come into your home. They don’t even knock to enter, they just help themselves in, eat your food, sleep in your bed, clutter your home, and fill your head with things you’d never wish on anyone else. Depression and Anxiety usually enter our homes as a total surprise and sometimes we can’t even tell that they are here so we think all of the mess and mental clutter is our own fault, but then we have an outsider who looks into the windows of our home and they see that Depression and Anxiety have taken over our homes and possibly our lives. The outsider kindly lets us know what’s going on and slowly, very slowly, we start to push through the fog to see the tiny sliver of light awaiting us on the other end. 

When Depression and Anxiety rudely entered my home after my firstborn, I thought it was a normal side effect to having a newborn and frequently fluctuating hormones. Then I learned that the thoughts and feelings I was having weren’t normal side effects of having a baby, but of having Depression and/or Anxiety trying to make a permanent mark in my life. If you have never had Depression or Anxiety as your friend here is a taste of what it's like.

It’s like your brain is in the fetal position, everything is dark, numb, and difficult. On the exterior you may seem cheery, bright, and carefree but the mind is not that way. Every thought that comes in is tainted, every word spoken to you is reworded by your dark mind and used against you. Unless you've had many experiences with Depression and Anxiety, you usually don't catch on to what is going on in your brain. So someone else has to not only notice it, but inform you that Depression and Anxiety have settled into your home. Then suddenly your brain starts to loosen up from that fetal position. It looks up through its' tears to see if the person is telling the truth or if it's another hopeful lie. When the brain sees the love and kindness in the eyes of the person pleading with you to give Depression and Anxiety the boot, it begins to sit up. The brain straightens its’ back, takes a look around and sees the chaos that they caused. It starts to pick up after Depression and Anxiety and devise a plan on how to kick them out. Oh, but Depression and Anxiety are stubborn and they make believable arguments. 

"You don't have to kick us out yet, you're not ready to be alone, let us stay a little longer." 

"We promise to clean up after ourselves better, please give us another chance." 

But as the brain begins to exercise its’ agency and push back a little, Depression and Anxiety don’t want to hang around anymore. Don’t you see? Depression and Anxiety prefer to go unnoticed so they can cozy into our homes and lives and get deeply rooted so that when we try to get rid of them it’s very, very difficult. However, the brain is smart and thorough. She picks herself up, opens the blinds to let the sunlight in, then slowly starts figuring out how to permanently clean up the mess Depression and Anxiety made.

She starts by calling a trusted professional. This person evaluates her and says she is lucky because she caught those sneaky, unwanted guests early so it will be easier to get them to leave, it will still take hard work and attention, but it can be done. The brain smiles, not just with her lips, with her heart and soul. There really is light at the end of this cold, dark tunnel. She is told to do a few things that Depression and Anxiety hate. They can’t stand to be around people who frequently sing, move their body, laugh, eat healthy food, and go outside. They hate these things so much that they will nag at us all day long to stop doing them; they try to stop us, tell us that it’s not worth our effort, they lie and say that we aren’t worth it, that we don’t look good dancing or sound good singing, they try to tear us down any way they can. The brain knows better, she knows that them pressing back against these tactics means that the plan is working. She is winning! She isn’t perfect at her new goals, but the brain is now standing, smiling, and ready to take on Depression and Anxiety head on. She approaches them, and she is surprised at how confident she is.

"Depression, Anxiety, it's time for you to go," she bravely states.

"Yeah you said that a few days ago," Depression says while slumping on the couch, bored.

"Well this time I mean it, and I have friends to help carry you out if that's the case. I know you're capable of walking out of here on your own so I will give you time to consider your options." She is amazing herself with her confidence, she walks over to the door and opens it gesturing her hand out the door for Depression and Anxiety.

"Come on Depression, let's just get out of here, I'm anxious to find a new host that won't treat us so rudely anyway," Anxiety rolls her eyes as she verbally abuses her victim. 

"Ugh, fine, I guess we could always sneak back in through the back door if we ever need a home here again," Depression reluctantly and lazily gets off the couch.

 

Depression and Anxiety have slowly begun packing up their bags, dreading the day that has come: move out day. Forced to homelessness, they strategize on how they can get back into this home and stay for good. They plead one last time for mercy. They beg her to give up on her goals and to just let them stay one more day. She knows this devious plan all too well, and she unapologetically tells them no. “The time has come, the time is now, [Depression and Anxiety], will you please go now?” -She quotes Dr. Suess as she slams the door behind them.

While she is latching the lock on the door, she catches herself being grateful that Depression and Anxiety came to her house. Now she knows she is strong. As she contemplates this gratitude she understands how having friends like Depression and Anxiety can be considered good - now she can relate to so many other brains out there that have had Depression and Anxiety visit. She looks back on herself as a curled up ball of hopelessness and realizes how she has so many people in her life that love her and are rooting for her, and she knows that she now has that capability to provide the same love, knowledge, and experience for others.

 

The brain releases a giant sigh of relief and feels the weight of her old "friends" leave her shoulders completely. A few days pass and she sees Depression and Anxiety lurking outside her windows. She makes sure they see her doing well and reaching the majority of her goals: cleaning, going on frequent walks, dancing with her children. But seeing them gets her worried so she tries to reevaluate her goals and make them more attainable. As she continues to reach for healthy goals, keeping Depression and Anxiety out of her home becomes easier and easier. She sees them walking by every now and then and she holds onto hope that she really got rid of them for good, however she knows that every day is a battle to keep them from coming back in uninvited. She has to keep her guard up.

As she fights to keep her goals from consuming her with overwhelming stress or negative thinking, she realizes she is not ashamed or mad at Depression and Anxiety for entering her life. Now she has an amazing army standing by her side. She didn't listen to Depression and Anxiety's advice to deny help. Instead she talked to family, friends, and medical professionals and they each gave her the extra strength she needed and could not provide herself. She has gathered her army and together they are unstoppable.

In summary, Depression and Anxiety may come visit your home, rest assured that when they do, they leave clues behind: clutter, a lack of desire, low motivation, thoughts of self-harm, thoughts of harming others, and suicidal thoughts. The sooner we know they are here, the better. And the sooner we can gather our army, the quicker we can win the battle. Together is how we win. This cannot be done alone. Alone is exactly where they want us to be so they can slowly and silently poison us.

A Note to the Reader:

If you have experienced the symptoms I explained in this article as clues that Depression and Anxiety leave behind, please call a medical professional ASAP. Confide in a loved one. Message me. Tell SOMEONE. Gather your army my friend!

If you are experiencing debilitating thoughts of self-harm or suicide please call this hotline 1-800-273-8255 and get the help you need. 

If you are currently the victim of domestic violence or in a hostile environment, please call 911. If your safety is at risk by calling 911, call them as if you are ordering a pizza, help will come. 

6 Months to Live

Over the last few weeks I have been very impacted by death. No one close to me has died within the last few weeks, but it feels like more and more people are dying. Is this just something that comes with growing up, or are you feeling like there is an unusual amount of deaths occurring with people who are far too young? Honestly, either way it is sort of devastating and earth shattering. 

As I have tried to escape the sadness, I have been watching shows or scrolling Facebook and Instagram. I think God has an important lesson for me to learn because on each of those platforms I have still been being fed all about death and the stark reality of it in each of our lives. As I was watching The Good Doctor there was a man with cancer. He was told he had 6 months left to live. He was trying out chemotherapy as a way to hopefully live past his allotted 6 months and he was miserable. He decided to quit the chemo and start to live. As the episode progressed each main character was faced with the question, "What would you do if you only had 6 more months to live?" 

As they each responded, it caused me to ponder what I might do differently. Then my mind wandered further, what if my son, husband, mom, sister, friend, etc. was given 6 more months to live? How would my attitude change? Would I do things a bit differently? The simple answer is YES things would most definitely change. So, the obvious follow up question: how do I change those things NOW?

I started to list out each person in my mind and figure out what was within my power to change right now. First, I started with the most important person in my life: my husband Levi. We would be going on more regular dates, I would be kissing him a whole lot more, flirting more, laughing more, dancing more, completing more things on our bucket lists, etc. Then it hit me that I can be doing those things RIGHT NOW.

Next on the list were my two sons. There would be a lot less TV, more time outdoors, more laughter, more hugs, more connecting, more forgiveness, etc. 

As I continued to do this exercise I was surprised that there are things I am already doing that I am very proud of (like co sleeping with my 18 month old and still nursing him) and the harsh realization that I can be doing WAY more.

So much of my life I have told myself things like, "I wish she would just call me more often," or, "why did so many of my close relationships come to an end?" Most of the time I am blaming others, but often I am asking those questions to myself to see if there was something I did wrong and how I can improve. The thing I love so much about this exercise is how all of it is in my power. It is an active list of things I can personally do or change. 

For better or worse, none of us have a definite death date. The good news is that we absolutely have the power to control our lives. Please sit down and make a list of things you can change, even if it's just your attitude. Pretend like you were just given the news that you and your loved ones only have 6 more months on earth, make a list, and then live it! Share this idea with your loved ones and challenge them to do the same and then come back and let me know how it goes!

If you're interested in the many things that inspired this idea here are all the links:

-Video on connection and how to Use Your Trials to Help Others (15 min)

-Video on Loneliness (20 min)

-Article about a woman in my church community who just recently passed away and the miracles she left behind

-My amazing cousin who has witnessed far too much heartache, including the loss of her babies and nearly losing her life @tiacelise

-The ever-inspiring woman, Kim, on Instagram (she has since passed away, and her legacy is still living on #godisinthedetails) @kimcankickit

-Motivation to get outdoors by following @1000hoursoutside and @tinkergarten

Picture Credit: My sister in law @miriamvancephotography

Throwing Out Your Tidying Up Trash Properly

Throwing Out Your Tidying Up Trash Properly

One of my favorite things to do is clean. For me picking up, organizing, and deep cleaning is therapeutic and rejuvenating. When my husband first talked to me about the book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up I was thrilled. He initiated the first step that author Marie Kondo suggests by gathering all of your clothes in the entire house and putting it in a big mound. His mountain of clothes was impressive, yet expected. If you don't know him, this means that it was pretty tiny. Then you touch each item and decide if it sparks joy or not. If it does, you keep it. If not, you thank it for what it provided you and then get rid of it.

The clothes you keep are to be folded with care and placed in a drawer so that when you open the drawer each piece of clothing can be seen. And now, for the past five or so months he has stuck to the KonMari Method of folding and hasn't wavered once. He even told me last night, "I used to hate folding with a passion, and now I look forward to it." If that doesn't make you want to read the book, then maybe the new series on Netflix will spark your interest! Tidying Up is a great show that is refreshing and real. The show is based off the teachings in the book and it showcases Marie Kondo herself. Marie goes into different peoples’ homes and guides them through tidying up. It truly is life changing and most certainly magic.

As I have been watching it though, I wanted to remind anyone who is participating in this fabulous cleanse of the proper way to discard your items. Nothing is worse than seeing someone throw out perfectly usable items. Can anyone say pet peeve? Of course you can. Now can you please never be guilty of this? Thanks. Therefore the first item of business is to DONATE.

Donate

The concept of donating clothes, and other items, should be somewhat second nature. I am surprised and saddened to see that it is not. The biggest reason for donating is that it helps the environment. Along with donating clothes to thrift stores, buying clothes from thrift stores helps the environment. Less demand for new clothes means less demand for new textiles, which means a better environment. Another big reason is employment. By donating you are helping to employ someone. If you aren’t sure where to donate, search “donate near me” on Google. There will be something. Other ideas are to donate to organizations, churches, schools, etc. Get creative and more importantly, be proactive!

As I have not yet read the book and my husband has, I have been informed that a key aspect to the KonMari Method is to let go of the things that don’t spark joy as soon as possible so you don’t change your mind. When you decide to take Marie Kondo’s challenge of tidying up, please set time aside to immediately take your items to the nearest donation center rather than throwing them in your trash.

Recycle/Reuse

The phrase from The Grinch comes to mind here, “One mans trash is another mans potpourri,” and I just know that although you have junk that seems completely useless, it is not. Donate this item so others can reuse it. If an item truly is unusable, make sure to recycle it when possible. To read a detailed list on what can be recycled, read this article. The article teaches us what to do with metals, paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, batteries, bulbs, and electronics. Do your research before tossing something. The same website also guides you to where you can go to recycle unwanted items. Click here for quick access. Again, please be proactive and responsible!

Sell

The final option requires some work, but has a direct personal profit. Selling your items is a great option, especially if it cannot be donated or recycled very easily. If you don’t want to go through the hassle yourself, there are companies that will buy your items from you and then sell them. Facebook Marketplace is one in which I have had great success. A similar idea is to post it to your social media.

Be proactive. Get creative. Take Initiative. Be responsible. Do the right thing, and take care of the items in your life that don’t spark joy by donating, recycling, or selling them. Please oh please think about your effect on the world for good and for bad. Just as the picture I took in Betsy Ross' house, our steps have a lasting effect, whether we live to see it or not. Let’s work together to put our trash where it belongs and make a positive mark on the world! 

Date Jar

Before you get married your friends and family like to throw you a bridal shower, right? There are always lots of fun games and cool presents for the bride to be. At mine someone had the genius idea to create a date jar. Next to the jar are blank popsicle sticks that are intended for guests to write date ideas on and then stick them in the jar. That way when the bride and groom receive the jar after they are married they have plenty of date ideas so that they can keep their courtship alive in marriage.

The jar is what we confide in when we are either out of ideas or want something different and fresh! Well in case you would also like a few fresh ideas for a date, keep reading! Our wedding was in December and a lot of these ideas are winter dates, but we decided a while ago that we would get creative with whatever we picked even if it was "build a snowman" and it's the middle of the summer. Also we have had to modify certain dates when we don't have money, or if we don't have a babysitter. Our rule of thumb is to only pick one popsicle stick out at a time and get creative where necessary. You may do what you want with the following list:

-Go go-cart racing

-Take the love languages test and then have chocolate dipped strawberries

-Hike "R" Mountain (Since this is specific to Rexburg, choose a hike near you, make it a new place or go with something sentimental.)

-Play a boardgame and go ice skating

-Go to prom

-Go on a picnic

-Play hide and seek outside

-Build a snowman

-April 27, cause its not too hot and its not too cold all you need is a light jacket

-Have a movie marathon

-Dress up like super heroes and go around town stopping petty crimes

-Read books to the children at Primary's CH (Again this is a specific location, get creative!)

-Play dress-ups

-Make a pie

-Go to dinner

-Go tandem biking

-Go to the temple (Or if you aren't LDS do something pertaining to your religion together. If you are atheist do some self reflecting, meditating, or yoga together. Again be creative!)

-Go to a movie

-Go ice skating

-Hang out with Brandon and Chelsea (This is specific to us, but I had to keep it in here as a keepsake.)

-Have Levi make you food (In this case-have the person who doesn't usually cook do the cooking.)

-McDonalds ice cream

-Go get burritos somewhere

-Go dancing

-Go for a hike and bring a picnic

-Build a fort and sleep in it

-Go to a thrift store with $5 each and see who buys the coolest item(s)

I am aware of the repetitive ideas, but these are just what were on each of my popsicle sticks, the only thing I changed were grammar issues here and there. Enjoy making your own date jar or coming here and pointing at random. And enjoy dating and falling in love!

8 Breastfeeding Tips

**Disclaimer: This is what worked for me and although most of this is research and/or professionally based, I realize this won’t cater to everyone. Please know that I am supportive of your feeding journey no matter what that looks like. Every baby, mom, and situation is vastly different. Do what is right for you and your baby! Fed is best! 

Background story: My mom and sisters had a hard time breastfeeding their babies and when I had my first I tried not to have too many expectations for success, but I think every expecting mother envisions things going perfectly smooth at one point regardless. Well my first baby came in 2015 and my nursing experience was never enjoyable, I had mastitis within the first week, and then again around 3 months. When it came the second time we were in the middle of moving to a new state and I decided that it was time to do part formula and pumping. Oh yeah, did I mention that my son didn’t latch well and that he got frustrated at the breast because the milk isn’t ready right away like it is in a bottle? The pumping life is hard, but some moms love that life. It didn’t feel fair to my newborn or me to feel such dread and resentment so by 4 months old he was completely on formula.

Fast-forward three years and I am about ready to have my second son. This time my expectations are very realistic and I am pretty confident that things will be much better even if he ends up switching to just formula at day one. I can handle that; I know how that life goes. Knowing the benefits of breast milk for mom and baby I don’t give up on learning more and providing myself with tools to succeed. My 2018 baby is now 5 months old and he has never had a bottle or formula and I am so grateful and shocked at the difference in experiences. However, I know that the tools I discovered during my pregnancy are 100% responsible for my breastfeeding success. I am sharing them here for any first time moms, or moms who maybe didn’t have the journey they imagined with their other baby or babies.

8 Breastfeeding Tips

à First and foremost is Lactation Link. No, this is not sponsored. She is qualified and experienced and MUCH better at helping you succeed than the lactation consultants that visit you in the hospital post delivery.  Unfortunately, in my experience the lactation consultants I had did more damage than they did help. If you can’t afford her program, just know that most of my advice comes from things she teaches; I just don’t have the same credentials she does. Plus she goes into a whole lot more detail than I do in these simple tips. 

à Get a big enough bra! I can’t say this enough – just please take this to heart. It will save you the heartache of clogged ducts and mastitis. No one deserves to deal with those things especially when you have a newborn and your body just went through giving birth to said newborn. The bra should be very loose. You do not need the support, just trust me. 5 months in and wearing a tighter bra almost always results in me getting a clogged duct. It’s just not worth it! Here is the bra I love, and another one that I use now that my boobs aren’t engorged every day. One more bra that gives a bit better shape and has padding. 

Tip: size up in band and cup size for how big you are while you’re pregnant. 

Example: I am normally 32A or 32B but while pregnant I was 34B or 34C. I got a medium at first and tried it on while pregnant. It was a bit snug so I returned it and got “medium busty” and it has been great! I think a large would have probably worked, too.

à Melaleuca oil!! You can get it from DoTerra, Walmart, Amazon, or Melaleuca. DoTerra is definitely my top pick, but just get it! Use it every feeding until you are no longer engorged. This prevents infection AKA mastitis. I have had 3 clogged ducts this time around and clogged ducts can turn into mastitis very fast. As soon as the clogged duct comes on I use Melaleuca oil like crazy. I have not had mastitis once! Hallelujah! 

Expert tip: to be used right after baby is done eating - just put the oil on your finger and then put the oil straight onto your nipple. You do not need to wash off your nipple before feeding baby 2-4 hours later. It is safe for baby and the only reason you would have to wash it beforehand is if it is causing irritation to you or baby.

à Milk catchers were my best friend. I leak about 1-2 ounces on the side that baby is not feeding on. I had to dump the milk (into a storage bag to freeze and save) twice per feeding session. Not to mention sore nipples. The milk catcher sits perfectly in your bra and lets your nipple be free from any contact whatsoever. Heaven sent!!

Tip: When you are away from home using the milk catcher you will most likely have to just dump that milk. I also dumped my milk for night feedings so that it was one less thing to do in the middle of the night. When you have enough storage OR when you are sick of using the milk catcher apply pressure to your nipple when your let down comes. This teaches your other breast not to have a let down every time the breast baby feeds on has a let down. But again, 5 months into this and I am still having to press firmly on my opposite side in order to not leak - thank goodness for my amazing breast pads though! PS I love reusable items and tried reusable pads this time around. I leak too much for them to be as reliable. Medela was terrible in catching anything and Kindred Bravely did okay.

àBreast pad ice packs were also my best friend! Being engorged with my first was a miserable experience! This second time I never had the crazy engorgement pain and I give complete credit to the ice packs!

Expert tip: when you are done feeding baby, put your oils and creams on your nipple then go to the freezer and put the ice pack on the side you just fed from. If you switch sides put it on the side you started on. Stick it straight into your bra (should be plenty of space still) and let it sit for 15 min MAX. Do not exceed 15 minutes as it could poorly affect milk supply. After 15 minutes switch it to the other side if necessary. Another 15 minutes max, but the pack will not be as cold, so it’s not as strict. Stick it back in the freezer under the other breast pad ice pack. Rotating packs for best results and cooler packs.

Why does this help? The reason this works so well is because when your milk comes in – it comes in if you know what I mean. It is like a war happening in your boob and there is just so much milk. The ice pack tells your boob to “cool down.” After baby is full your boobs will keep making milk, but the ice pack regulates it and sends the message, “my baby is full with how much milk just came out, slow down, stop producing more on this side – COOL IT!” I brought it to my other side after 15 minutes because I was getting engorged on that side and still had an hour and a half to feed baby. If you’re worried about your supply, do NOT use the ice packs. But know this: my second baby was 15.5 pounds by 2 months. That is double his birth weight. Also DO NOT use ice packs until your boobs are sore and engorged i.e. there is milk coming in.

à Feed your baby! The best way and the only scientifically proven method to increase your milk supply is to feed your baby/stimulate the breast. I pumped from day one with my first baby – huge mistake - but I realize that for some of you it is absolutely necessary for various reasons. With my second I hand expressed if he wasn’t willing to latch or if he was having issues (latching, too sleepy, etc.). I would just hand express onto my finger and stick my finger in his mouth. If your husband is willing and able this is a great chore for him!

Note: baby should be peeing and pooping as many days as they are old until 8 days and then it remains at 8. (Example: day 1=1 pee diaper, 1 poop, day 2=2 pee diapers and 2 poops, etc.)

Expert tip: feed your newborn every 2-3 hours. Always! Wake up baby to feed if they are exceeding 3 hours. When they are a newborn they will probably sleepily eat anyway. Don’t worry about the sleep. Worry about the feeding and the sleep will follow! Once they are 12 weeks old 2.5-3.5 hours is acceptable. (I am getting this information from experts; this is not my opinion. Visit this website to help you figure out sleep.)

à While your mind is on those first few days of baby’s life, skin-to-skin is HUGE. This goes along with breast stimulation i.e. increasing your milk supply! I didn’t feel a close bond to baby #1 until around 9 months. Baby #2 and I bonded within hours. As soon as he was born he was laid on my belly, they sucked out his mouth, cut his cord, put a diaper on him and dabbed him off with a towel. Then for the next 3 hours he was on my chest or in my arms. He did not leave me. When they came to check his heart rate and put bands on him, etc. he stayed with me. This means he didn’t get weighed until he was almost 4 hours old. It is so important to do this granted that circumstances allow it. And then for the first 24 hours (minimum) to keep them within arms reach (this means no nursery) and guess what happens? Better sleeper, calmer baby, more milk supply, well-fed baby, etc. The benefits are worth it!

Side note: I also didn’t bathe baby #2 until he was 2 weeks old. Read this article to see if you want to do the same! Side note: he was so soft and smelt amazing the entire two weeks. I was honestly shocked!

à Realize that if you have to use a nipple shield that is totally okay! My first I felt shameful and determined to get him off the shield and directly on me. This just became another area that was adding stress and robbing me of my love for my baby and our breastfeeding journey. This time, baby is going 5 months strong with loving the shield. We are okay. We are surviving and baby is thriving! No really. He is almost 20 pounds. Every now and then I will offer him the breast without the shield and he can latch, but he quickly pulls off and stares at me with questioning eyes. "Are you my mother? What is this betrayal?" So I laugh and put the shield back on and we go about our day!

Tips if you are using a shield: make sure it is the right size. Keep it clean – I wash it every time I wash my hands. Just rinse with water only and scrub with your freshly cleaned hands. The hotter the water, the better! Air dry. I store the shield right in my bra. It goes everywhere with me! The opening in the shield goes by baby’s chin, not by their nose. This provides more contact for mom and baby to touch and to get the breast stimulated more which means more milk! The nose shouldn’t touch the breast; therefore the opening does not need to be by their nose. This is what the instructions on the box say. Again, it is not my opinion. It can be inconvenient to use a shield, so read this if you want tips on weaning it.

Please feel free to ask me questions at any time during your journey! It takes a village to raise our kids, and in this world that village is sometimes on the other side of the country, your backyard, or your handheld devices. I wouldn’t have had the experience I did if it wasn’t for other moms guiding me and supporting me. I am here to support you in whatever feeding journey you have!

Product list links:

-Bra #1

-Bra #2

-Bra #3

-Melaleuca oil

-Milk catcher

-Ice packs

-Nipple Shield

-Lansinoh Breast pads 

Article links:

-Lactation Link

-Taking Cara Babies

-No Baths For First 48 Hours

-Delaying the Bath: How, When, Why

-Weaning Baby Off Nipple Shield