Our Top Posts for Breastfeeding Support

Below you can find a roundup of some of our most popular support posts for the breastfeeding mama. Whether you are new to breastfeeding or maybe you just need a refresher, we have a variety of topics that you can browse through to find the support and answers that you need. 

Click on any of the images to go directly to that article. Find the support you need and drop a comment for further questions or needs. I am happy to help in any way! 

Remember to hang in there, it's a tough journey in the beginning but it sure is one beautiful ride. 

Breastfeeding Essentials for the Hospital

Basics of Breastfeeding

Nursing a Newborn

Common Mishaps to Avoid

Treating Engorgement

Nursing a Newborn

Common Breastfeeding Fears

Basic Facts of Breastfeeding

Lactation Consultants

Lactation Cookies

A Note to the Breastfeeding Mama

Artificial Nipples

Weaning a Toddler

Dark Hole of Weaning

Baby Sleep

If you enjoyed this post or know someone in need, please send this to a breastfeeding buddy who could use the support, encouragement and village that it takes to breastfeed.

Being a Happy Homemaker

What does being a homemaker mean to you? 

For some reason at this season in my life, being a "homemaker" has become sort of a passion of mine. Perhaps it has something to do with having my first home, a home that we can slowly transform into our own little paradise. A home that I can raise my babies in, bake cookies in and celebrate Christmas mornings in. 

There's been times in the past where I've heard the expression, "So you're just a homemaker;" and I won't lie, sometimes that kinda stings. As mothers and homemakers, we aren't "just" anything. We are the glue that holds so much together and for some of us like myself, we run businesses from home, we raise babies and so much more. 

I look at my life most days and can pick out the days where I truly felt fulfilled and happy as a homemaker. The days where there was less chaos, more order and a sense of accomplishment. The days where I felt like June Cleaver and felt pride for my role in our family. 

So what stands out to me about those days to help one be a "Happy Homemaker?" 

Dress for the part. I know, I know...you're already thinking about how heck no you are not wearing an apron and a dress. To be honest I don't even own an apron, but I have been eyeing some cute ones. I have always found that the days I dress in real clothes, with a hint of makeup and semi fixed hair, is the days I feel better. The days where I run to the grocery store in a simple shift dress with white sneakers for a super casual, yet modern look, are the days I feel much more "together." 

Cook real food. Cooking isn't my favorite if we are being honest here. I have more fun cleaning my home than I probably do cooking. Perhaps it is because cooking makes a mess and cooking with little ones can be such a challenge. But there are some easy measures that I have done (and need to do more often) that create a happy mama in a happy kitchen. 

• Crockpot meals. When dinner goes in the crockpot early and simmers all day, I feel like June Cleaver every time I pass by a kitchen with yummy aromas coming through. 
• A big pot simmering. Similar to that of a crockpot meal, a big pot of soup simmering on the stove all day makes me happy. Something about soup is easy and yet so hearty and nutritious. 
• Desserts. Being a modern mom means A) we are busy B) we have boxed cake mixes! Take advantage of these box mixes to spend time baking fresh desserts for your children. Your kids will likely remember the smells of fresh baked cookies on the table more than they will remember if you made them from scratch or relied on Nestle. Bonus points for doing things from scratch, but also bonus points for warm cookies straight out the oven! 
• Dinner prep early. I see this mentioned and done so much, and I can tell you that when it is done - it is such a lifesaver! Prep for your meals earlier in the day so cooking after school pickup is a breeze. 
• Prep produce. I've been more conscious of this lately to prep our produce once getting home from the store. Soak your produce and then store them in glass containers for easy access and quick grabs. You're more likely to eat the berries if they are washed and ready to go. 

Do away with clutter. Clutter drives me crazy. I strive to eliminate piles of clutter to keep the home looking tidy. I can function with a kinda dirty tub or toilet, but I can't function if I look around and just see "stuff." Eliminate stuff from your life and you'll feel so much lighter and have less to overwhelm you. 

Choose your cleaning rhythm. Some people can't do a hardcore cleaning day and others prefer to stretch it out throughout the week. I tend to do main things like dusting, bathrooms and maybe mopping all in one day, on whichever day works for us. I then tend to laundry, tidying and reorganizing things all throughout the week when I can and want to. 

Empty the barrel before the weekend. Empty the hamper, you guys. Try to have all of the laundry and housework done before the weekend so you can enjoy it! Try to do at least one load during the weekend so you don't get too behind, but enjoy your weekends. 

Decorate in a way that feeds your soul. I used to be one that had to get whatever was on clearance somewhere, what ever was handed down to me or gifted to me and or whatever I thought was "in." I have now come to realize that less is more and do it slowly so you get exactly what you want. Our home still doesn't have all of the final touches that I want it to have, but it's because I buy good pieces and search for things that truly feels like ME. Make your home something that represents you and your family. 

Add sunshine. Add sunshine to your day by going outside. Take your morning coffee to the front porch. Take the kids out in the evenings. Take up gardening (believe me I never dreamed I would love it). Keep fresh flowers around the home. Nature is truly therapy. Also, music while cleaning is awesome as well! 

Add Prayer. If you're a praying person, talk about all of your fears, your woes and your weaknesses. Ask for strength, for patience and wisdom to set the right rhythms, moods and days for your family. 

Stop the perfection. I am guilty of always wanting my home to be perfect. But realistically speaking with three little ones, that just isn't the case. As long as my house is semi-decent enough for the surprise visitor, that is good enough for me! 

Have a power hour. Pop a movie in, put the baby in the bouncy seat (or wear hime) and have a power hour of cleaning. I LOVE doing this and find it is most helpful in the evenings right after nap time. 

Realize your worth. I think this is huge. I also think this holds so much more value if your husband realizes your worth. When your significant other realizes the day to day things that you do and appreciates you for it, your job suddenly becomes more meaningful. You begin to realize that you truly are a huge chunk of the glue holding things together, making things happen and keeping your home running smoothly (or as smoothly as children allow it). 

Homemaking doesn't have to be a passion for everyone, and that is okay too. Just because you may not be a fan of cooking and cleaning and keeping a home, doesn't mean anything. But if you're looking for ways to make your days seem a little easier, more joyful and with more pride in what you do, take these tips and tricks and make them work however they can for you. 

You're the keeper of your home. 

“Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.“ (Proverbs 24:3 & 4)

Dear Daughter

You are now a big ole' five year old. You're on the brinks of Kindergarten and entering into "big kid" school and you have a lifetime ahead of you. You don't know it yet, but these years you are experiencing in your childhood and the years ahead in young adulthood, are going to be some of the best years ever. 

I watched you swinging outside tonight and it took me back to my days of swinging in my parent's backyard on the long summer days too. I remembered how it felt to swing while watching the sky turn all shades of pink and orange. I remembered how simple life was. I remembered how beautiful my childhood was. I instantly thought of you, and hoped that in 10 or 20 years you'll look back onto these long summer days with the same sweet emotions. 

I look at how big you're getting and realize how quickly all of this big kid stuff is happening. Soon you'll be starting school, something that I know you will succeed at. However I can't help but feel all sorts of emotions when I picture you, my baby girl, out there in that big world. A world that while beautiful and enchanting, can also be dark. 

I think of how things in our modern lifestyle are always changing. Technology provides portals for things that scare me. Bullying. Comparison. Luring. And so on. I realize that I want nothing more than to shield you from it all. But along with being an overprotective parent, I hope most of all that I can be a teacher for you. I hope that I can pass down things to you that you can walk with daily in life to get you through the hard and scary days out there. 

Love yourself. You're stunningly beautiful and you always will be. Love yourself no matter what any idiot out there says. Never compare yourself to others, because chances are, they are already comparing themselves to you or they may not have it all "together" like you think. Love yourself no matter what size you are, no matter your test score and no matter if you get picked last for dodgeball. Dodgeball kinda sucks anyway. 

Be kind. Be kind to everyone you meet. Be the kid the who talks to all the kids. Be the kid who makes everyone feel important and special. Be the kid that the other kids are never afraid to talk to. 

But be cautious. Always remember to protect yourself. Be cautious of this great big world and some of the people in it. There are people in this world that are not so kind and that are harmful and ugly. Stand up for yourself and always walk your paths with caution. Walk with your head up, not in your cell phone. Always be mindful of your surroundings. And when you're a teenager, a phone call to pick you up from some party if needed is okay. 

Be righteous. Always try and walk with Jesus. He may come and go in your life here and there, and you may rely on him more at different times. But always keep him at the core of it. Live your life with him in mind, I want your little butt in Heaven one day. And don't be afraid to speak about him. 

Be simple and humble. Labels don't mean much. You'll think they do here and there and you'll beg me for whatever designer purse is in style and you may want some outrageously priced tennis shoes, but take it from someone who "thought" she heard angels singing when she purchased her first Coach bag. A few years and a few kids later, and you realize how silly all of that really is. Buy quality for it to last, not for it to be showy. Be simple, be humble and be proud of that. 

Be YOU. Stand up for what you believe in, but only because it's what you believe in and not because you think it is expected of you. Don't be a follower, be a leader. Be the person walking her own path and paving the way for YOU. 

Be wise. Learn what you can, enjoy life and laugh a lot. Find joy in the simple things, because those are what truly matters. 

Be a child for as long as you can. You'll be in a rush to grow up, I can promise you that. You'll be in a rush to have boyfriends and go to prom, to graduate and get your first car. But enjoy being a kid. Your life is carefree, innocent and beautiful. Run through the sunshine and dance through the sprinklers and enjoy this time. Don't rush it. 

Lastly, always come to me. I will be here to hold your hand through it all. The breakups, the makeups, the proms and the trips to the mall. We will laugh, we may cry and we even may yell. But at the end of the day, you'll always be my little girl. And I hope to always be the one you need and the hug you crave. 

Daughter, I could say a million more things. But this is just the basics. I hope you rock this beautiful life ahead of you and I can't wait to watch you do so. 

As you would say, "I love you to the moon and back 180,000 times."