Lamb & Bear

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Bravado Nursing Bra Review

The one thing that changed about my body when I first fell pregnant with baby number 2 was my boobs. The growing and tenderness happened much earlier this time, which means I was straight back into my old maternity/nursing bras from my first pregnancy.

I was sensible and kept all of my maternity clothing, so dragged everything out of the loft and dug out the bras. With money being so tight right now I really didn’t want to buy any more, especially as I could feel my boobs growing quicker this time. I knew I’d be back not those bras in no time.

Reviewing a Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra was a review I was more than happy to do. I was definitely at the stage of needing extra comfort in the bra area and I’ve heard such great things about Bravado products.

IMG_6491A couple of things that stood out to me about the Bravado Nursing Bra is the super soft fabric and the great fit.

The bras are sold in Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large, which means there is room to grow as your pregnancy progresses, as you’re not stuck buying a more specific size. I’m measuring at a 34 C/D but I don’t think I’m far off a 36, and the size medium fits nicely with room to grow.

I’ve worn a few brands of maternity/nursing bras and Bravado has been, by far, the most comfortable. I actually described it as like “wearing a cloud” to a friend!

IMG_6493IMG_6500Obviously I won’t be breastfeeding for a while (baby due in May) but I tested out the clips and the were really easy to open and close one handed.

IMG_6498I naturally have quite small boobs so most of the time I remove any extra padding as I feel weird wearing it. I’m sure a lot of women keep the padding in to enhance their boobs, but I actually like my small chest! The padded cups in the nursing bra do make my boobs look bigger, and I’d rather remove them, but keeping them in makes the bra fit better, so I’m keeping them in.

I thought long and hard (or maybe for a few seconds) about sharing a photo of me wearing the bra so you can see what it looks like, but I just don’t have the confidence to do that sorry!

The Bravado Body Silk Seamless Bra retails at £30, which may seem a little pricey, but it really is worth it. It’s so comfortable and wearing the right bra when your pregnant and breastfeeding is really important.

Ax

*I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

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Feeding baby number 2 – Breast or Formula?

With the constant debate on breast or formula, I thought I’d write my thoughts on how I’ll be feeding baby number 2. Feeding your baby is a personal choice and shouldn’t be influenced by anyone, unless you’ve asked specifically for their help and advice.

When Lamb was born I absolutely wanted to breastfeed, nothing else crossed my mind. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Breastfeed until around 6 months then move onto formula for 6 months, then cows milk. The thing is, you can never plan how feeding will go and you may face some challenges, I certainly did. I wrote a post on my breastfeeding challenges with Lamb if you want to read it.

The short version is he couldn’t latch. After staying in hospital for 2 nights/3days with plenty of help from midwives, it just wouldn’t happen. Apparently I’ve got ‘inverted nipples’ which basically means they are too small. I never thought I wouldn’t be able to breastfeed due to small nipples!

These stressful few days of Lamb barely getting any milk (because the midwives didn’t want me giving him formula until we had found a solution to help me breastfeed) I eventually decided to buy a breast pump and express. Lamb was fed with expressed breast milk until he was around 6 months. I expressed for 4 1/2 months, but had a huge supply in the freezer which meant I could continue giving him breast milk for a little longer. I, of course, topped him up with formula. There was no way I could keep up with his demand – he fed every 2 hours in the beginning!

This time round I’m more prepared. I now understand that not everyone is blessed with the ability to breastfeed naturally. But that’s ok. There are ways around it. I’ll make sure there are shields in my hospital bag, I’ll ask the midwives for a pump if I’m struggling. As long as my baby gets my milk that’s all that matters.

This may mean I combination feed from the start. Again, that’s ok. I’m not one of these pro breastfeeders who despise formula and think it’s devil juice. I’m also not one of these crazy ‘lactivists’ who attack woman who use formula. My personal opinion is to try breastfeeding, and if it’s not for you then fine, no matter what the reason, but I believe it’s worth a try. At the end of the day breastmilk is free! I’m not going to rant about it being better for the baby, we all know what the doctors say and it’s up to you if you listen. However for me, formula is expensive. We are living on a very low income with another baby on the way, so if I can avoid buying formula for as long as possible I will.

You never know, breastfeeding may come easily with baby boy, he may be able to latch unlike his big brother. The bottles might stay in the cupboard for a while before I need them.

One thing I do know is I’ll be expressing from the beginning. I want a supply in the freezer ready for when I do bottle feed. Or to give myself a break, daddy can do one night feed so I can get an extra couple of hours sleep.

Like I said earlier, feeding a baby can’t really be planned. You just don’t know how things will turn out.

The most important thing is that you are both happy.

A happy mother (and father!) equals a happy baby. If you are struggling and in a bad place, the baby will pick up on those emotions. Feeding your baby is a beautiful thing, whether it’s from a boob or bottle. Make sure you’re using the time to bond. That’s what I’ll be doing.

Ax

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My Top 5 Blog Posts of 2015 – Personal

2015 was a whirlwind of a year, especially from September, so I decided to look back on my top 5 personal blog posts and see what you guys have enjoyed reading. It turns out baby number 2 has been pretty popular!

1. My most read personal blog post was only published last night and it was, of course, baby number 2’s gender reveal! I wanted to do something special to reveal the gender. I’m no good with video, and was totally unorganised in buying coloured balloons etc, so reveal in the form of a poem!

Blue or Pink – What Do You Think?baby number 2 gender reveal

2. Next up is a post I wrote earlier in the year after I came under attack from the ‘lactivists’ on twitter. After an innocent tweet to a fellow blogger looking for tips on what to put into a new baby hamper, I found myself being judged and attacked for suggesting a bottle of pre made formula. Apparently I was discouraging breastfeeding and setting the said new mum up for failure! After several attempts at reassuring them I was a pro breastfeeder, but one who struggled and needed the help of bottler (I fed Lamb with expressed breast milk for 6 months) and the odd bottle of formula when I couldn’t keep up with demand, these narrow minded ‘lactivists’ chose to ignore then fact that every mum is different and should be allowed to make their own choices without being judged.

You can read my reaction here Breast Vs Formula – Bottles come with both!

3. The worst day of 2015 was the day another driver veered into my car and rammed me off the road. I was 6 weeks pregnant at the time so had to be taken to hospital to make sure the baby was ok. Of course you all know he is fine, and the crash has made him that little bit more special to me. Things could of gone a lot worse. The blog post doesn’t mention the baby, because it was too early to tell the world I was pregnant.

I saw smoke and my maternal instinct kicked in.

4. Next up is my blog post about conceiving baby number 2. When I started this blog, Lamb was 10 months old, so I didn’t get to write about pregnancy and baby stuff. I had no idea how popular pregnancy posts are!

Baby Number 2 – Conceiving

5. Finally we have another pregnancy post! This time it’s my 1st trimester update. My second pregnancy has been slightly worse than my first. More nausea, exhaustion, a constant cold, but I’m finally feeling better.

Baby Number 2 – Not an east first trimester

So there you have my top 5 personal blog posts. Stay tuned for my top 5 review blog posts.

Ax

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Blue or Pink – What Do You Think?

Today’s the day, it’s time to share.

Blue or pink, what will you wear?

A gorgeous girl, a beautiful boy,

A sibling for Lamb to annoy.

 

The time was right to start to try,

This made me nervous, I can’t deny.

A planned surprise, you happened so fast,

Happy and shocked, these feelings will last.

IMG_6865

Compared to Lamb, you’re a little tricky.

Exhaustion, flu and a little bit sicky.

But things have settled, I’m starting to glow,

The constant kicks, I’m feeling you grow.

 

I’m 20 weeks, we’ve had our scan.

Daddy said little lady, mummy said man.

Lots of guesses, plenty were right,

It’s time to reveal your gender tonight.

IMG_6897

Introducing our little bundle of joy,

A beautiful, bouncing, baby boy!

Ax

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Shopping for baby number 2 with George at Asda

I was recently contacted by George at Asda (one of my fave supermarket clothing ranges) to look over their baby clothing range and blog about my favourite finds.

I wasn’t sure whether to wait until we found out the gender, but decided to pick my favourite pieces from the boys and girls range to give a little variety to the post. I may throw a couple of unisex items in at the end too as I like to buy a lot of unisex in the early months.

As I’m used to buying for a boy I’ll start with the boys range. Since Lamb was a baby, I’ve found a love for Mickey Mouse baby clothes, which really surprised me as I normally hate gimmicky stuff. The Mickey Mouse clothes by George are not gimmicky at all and really cute. I seem to be drawn to stripes too!

GEORGE1GEORGE3GEORGE2GEORGE4

Now onto the baby girls range. Something I’m not used to shopping for! Who knows, I may need to shop for a baby girl more after our scan on Wednesday! I absolutely love the yellow range, perfect for a May baby girl!

george5george7george8george6

I also love the navy/pink items I’ve chosen. How cute is that Minnie Mouse dress!

Next up are some unisex items I like and some newborn essentials.george9george10

It feels so strange shopping for newborn items again, but also really exciting! This time on Wednesday I’ll know if the baby is pink or blue and if I’ll be buying Mickey or Minnie!

Ax

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