Storage Bags for Breastmilk

Last month I spoke at an event for new moms and moms-to-be on the topic of pumping. Some were planning to nurse as well as pump while others were planning to primarily or exclusively pump. While there are different issues to address with both approaches, any pumping mom needs to have the right products that make pumping and storing milk a little easier.

Preparing my notes for this event prompted me to go back and look at a list I shared last year of 5 must-have products for exclusively pumping moms. These five products were truly life savers for me during my own pumping experience. But of course, there are more than five products that you really need, and I did not include a major essential on my list -- storage bags for the breastmilk!

When I was pumping, I used Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags. They have a color-change zipper seal so you can make sure they are securely closed. And they are easy to lay flat to maximize storage in your freezer. They worked well for me and I recommend them.

After I had completed my own pumping journey, Simple Wishes launched a new breastmilk storage bag called the Honeysuckle bag. I am a huge fan of Simple Wishes (the Simple Wishes hands-free pumping bra is on my list of 5 must-haves!). The Honeysuckle bags have a double zipper to ensure closure, can lay flat in your freezer, and (this is the cool part!) are basically bio-degradable. After disposal if exposed to UV light, oxygen and heat the bag will break down much faster than other breastmilk storage bags. Simple Wishes sent me some samples last month and the bags seem really sturdy. I'll have a full review to share after baby #2 arrives this fall!

There are other storage bags options available, but based on my own experiences and from talking with fellow moms, I would recommend checking out the two I've mentioned above.

Babies Tots 'n More Consignment Sale, April 25-27 {Chicago}

If you live in Chicago (or know of a mom or mom-to-be who does), mark your calendar! The spring Babies Tots n More Consignment Sale is coming up next week: April 25 - 27. I'll admit, I booked a sitter for next week back in January in anticipation of this sale. Yes, it is that good!

Here's the skinny: The Babies Tots 'n More Consignment Sale is a mom-founded sale that takes place a few times a year in Chicago. Families from across the city can consign their very gently used clothing, toys, and gear for babies and kids as well as maternity items. You can also shop the sale. The sale is unbelievably well-run and the shopping experience is similar to being in a store - with clothing sorted and hung by age and gender, with gear organized by type, with books all in one place, etc. While there is more clothing and gear for babies than for older kids (they outgrow things so fast!), there is a nice selection for kids all the way up to youth size 16.

This will be my fourth time shopping the sale and I have definitely learned a few little "tricks" I'm happy to share if you're a newbie to this event:

LaLaLounger Floor Pillow {Review}

Last fall we teamed up with the creator of LaLaLounger to host the first-ever giveaway of this cool new floor pillow for kids. The product had just launched and there was a lot of excitement about this handy product, but it was so new we could only write about - we had not yet tried it out.

LaLaLounger recently sent my daughter one to try out and I now have some first-hand thoughts to share with you about it! 

It is huge. It's one thing to say it's 35 inches square and it's another thing to actually see this enormous floor pillow in-person! My daughter loves it and there is plenty of space for her to sit comfortably as a 1.5 year old with room to grow. The middle of the pillow is indented as a sitting area making the sides of the pillow a comfortable place to lean or rest your head.

Janod Toys

A few of my daughter's favorite toys at the moment are from Janod, a French brand defined by high-quality materials and design. Our first Janod product was a gift, and once I discovered the brand I sought out more from the line.

We absolutely love the compact Janod play kitchen, pictured above. It is a wooden kitchen and comes with pots, utensils and an oven mitt. The details are beautiful and the size works well for a smaller space, which has enabled us to move the kitchen into a variety of rooms with ease.

Do you own any Janod products? Let me know if there are any you love!

Favorites: Baby Walkers

When my kids were beginning to walk, I could see the joy on their faces with every step they took. Our kids adored their baby walkers, gifted to us from generous friends.There are lots of baby walkers out there, and you don't have to spend a lot on them, whether you are looking at the primary-colored plastic kind with built-in toys or the wooden mod design. Does your baby have a walker they love(d)?

From left to right:
LeapFrog Learning Band Walker $34.99
Wonderworld Wonder Blue Walker $55.99
Ekorre Wagon from IKEA $19.99

Custom Family Glassware

We love some of the unconventional and creative products at Uncommon Goods, we have featured their unique block sets for toddlers before.  We love the create your own custom family glassware by from a New Jersey glassware company. You can pick a glass for each member of the family from the available cup selections of: man, woman, children and pets, so that everyone at the table can see themselves reflected in their own special glass.

Printing is done using organic inks that are 100% free of heavy metals. Each glass is $12.

White Pearl Hairpins

With the lack of time most of us have, accessories are a mom's best friend! Sometimes the smallest dash of style and whimsy is all it takes to properly accessorize an outfit. When I came across these Pearl Hairpins, I adored their simplicity and timelessness, which are sure to add that unique and glamorous touch to any outfit.

You can find the hairpins on Amazon for $5.99.

Our Five Favorite Board Books

We are constantly reading in our house and try to have books stashed all over the house to allow our kids the opportunity to pick up a book whenever they want. But there are several favorites we keep coming back to, and since they are board books, they have held up well to the sometimes rough handling of small hands. One of our favorite authors, Sandra Boynton writes wonderfully cheerful books that rhyme and have fantastic illustrations, we have her "The Going-To-Bed Book" featured in this roundup, but any of her books would be great additions to a home library or as a gift.

Top Row, left to right:
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes ($4)
The Going-To-Bed Book ($5)
Little Blue Truck Board Book ($6)

Bottom row, left to right:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar ($6)
BabyLit Pride & Prejudice ($9)

Maternity Dresses: Bold Prints from ASOS and Isabella Oliver

There is no reason not to draw attention to the bump while pregnant, it is an accessory that people will look at no matter how you play it up or down. So we selected some great printed dresses with personality from Isabella Oliver and ASOS, both great resources for maternity clothes. 

From left to right:
Maternity Shift Dress In Animal Print ($60)
Vivien Print Maternity T Shirt Dress ($199)
Dress In Blocked Scarf Print ($76)
Tilly Maternity Dress ($299)

Lucky Linkup! February 23 - March 1

Welcome to our weekly Lucky Linkup featuring family-friendly giveaways from across the web.

We happy to promote Moxie Jean's $150 gift certificate giveaway that runs through March 21 (check out our review of Moxie Jean). You can enter through the Moxie Jean Facebook promotion page.