Remember to Enter the Eco Mom Giveaway!

This giveaway has low entries right now. I haven't had a lot of giveaways, so enter it please! It's to win a $15 gift card to Eco Mom. This giveaway ends December 6 at 10 pm.

Eco Mom is giving my readers a 15% discount code that can be used now until December 31, 2010!

The code is SBBL694. You can make a mom or baby very happy by getting them a holiday gift at Eco Mom.

Eco Mom is a great company they have had a 33% site wide sale and are surprising people through today with free orders. That's right, random people will get free orders!

How Much Water Should You Drink When You Are Nursing a New Baby?

I always wondered when I was nursing, "How much water should I be drinking"?

It's the same rule for everyone, breastfeeding or not: Drink enough to satisfy thirst. The current recommendation is to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.

Sometimes I needed to drink more then that during allergy season or when I had a cold. On a day I felt good, drinking 6 glasses was plenty.

If you are exercising, you may need to drink more then the daily 6 to 8 glasses. Again drink enough to satisfy your thirst. 

Usually I would drink a glass of water during the night feedings. It just kept me awake, and put fluids in me at the same time as fluids were being sucked out of me.

One thing to think about: There is water in Milkmaid Tea, in fruits, veggies and soup that you eat. All the liquids in your foods count as your recommended water count.

I would put water in a covered container the night before; this way it was ready for me to drink.

The company Otterbottle has some really cool water bottles! My Organized Chaos is hosting a giveaway where one reader will win an Otterbottle thermos, food container or a tote bag {depending on what's in stock}.

Eco Mom Review and Giveaway!

Eco Mom is giving one of my readers a $15 gift certificate!

Their choices of baby and mother products are phenomenal.

Eco Mom wanted me to tell you about their great new program called EcoPass. This allows readers to purchase a $99 annual membership, which provides for a 15% discount on every order, as well as free shipping with no $50 minimum requirement. EcoPass pays for itself in as few as four orders and costs only $8.25 a month.

I had a chance to review two products.

The first product I tested out is Milkmaid Tea. I had a friend of mine test it out that is breastfeeding. She told me that it really helped build up her milk supply. I had a cup myself and it smells and tastes wonderful!

It's blended with herbal galactagogues, including fennel, fenugreek, anise seed and caraway seed, and mineral packed nettle and red raspberry leaf.

When I was in a class called Baby and Me, milk supply was one of the main concerns I heard among the other new mothers. 

The second product I reviewed is called Bamboobies. These nursing pads are so soft! My pack came with 3 regular Bamboobies and 1 pair of overnights. The regular pairs are heart shaped nursing pads. 

Although I'm not nursing, I still did do a few product tests. I washed them over and over again in the laundry bag the product was packaged in. They are still so soft. I also compared them to my other nursing pads. They are not as soft as my others, and they absorbed more water over the sink.

Packaging is GREAT!

3 Regular Bamboobies

 1 Pair of Overnights

 Look How Soft They Are!

Eco Mom is giving my readers a 15% discount code that can be used now until December 31, 2010!

The code is SBBL694. You can make a mom or baby very happy by getting them a holiday gift at Eco Mom.

Now for the giveaway. Again it is for a $15 gift certificate to Eco Mom.
Include your email address if you do not have it public in your profile. You can enter if you are not a blogger. Leave a separate entry for each. Make sure the first mandatory entry is filled out before all others. This is open to US and Canadian readers. You can not enter if you have won something from Eco Mom in the past 45 days.

1. For your first mandatory entry, check out Eco-friendly Baby products - Eco Mom and tell me what you'd pick out with your gift certificate if you win!
2. Google Friend this blog.
3. Add my Milking the Issue button to your site. Leave me your site link.
4. {Like} Eco Mom on Facebook. Leave your Facebook name in your entry.
5. {Connect up} with Eco Mom on Twitter.
6. Leave a comment on a non giveaway post. Let me know the title of the post you comment on. You are free to leave many comments, but only one entry for this giveaway.
7. Blog about this giveaway. Link back to Milking the Issue and Eco Mom. Leave a link. Leave five separate entries. 
8. Vote for me on We're on the Fence! Just click on the button to the side to vote.

You do not need to enter all of the entries to be qualified, just the first mandatory entry.

Remember to leave your email address if it is not public in your profile.

This contest closes in 2 weeks, December 6 at 10 pm.

The winner will be chosen using random.org.

Disclaimer: The opinions on this post are my personal take on the products. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. If you have questions about this post please contact me at: alissa4illustration@hotmail.com

Do Your Kids Like to Pack?

My two year old Isaak loves to pack. He packs for no particular occasion. For Christmas we were thinking of getting him a piece of children's luggage from CSN|Stores.

We're not travelers, but trust me Isaak is.

Is your little one a packer?

My Tot Clock

A Giveaway Addicted Mommy is giving away a very cool clock called My Tot Clock! It switches colors for different things.

Blue light means night night.
Yellow light means good morning.
Red light is a time out.
Green light is positive time. Like be patient while mommy is on the phone.

Onesies, Tees or Button Down Shirts?

With our oldest child I just had no idea what to get when it came to clothing. 

Here's my take:

Onesies work the best for infants. If they soil their diaper, usually the onesie will catch the soil before it gets to their cute pants. Their shirt also stays tucked in because it is in fact a bodysuit. If you get sick of buttoning the snaps; you can always get fashionable BabyLegs to put on their legs. Then you do not need pants. BabyLegs work great when they get older for their arms.

Tees work well for older babies/young toddlers. They move around too much for onesis. All the snapping just wasn't happening with an older baby/toddler that likes to flip around during a diaper change. We started potty training early, so onesis did not work well for us at this age. I bought too many onesies for older babies/toddlers. They really didn't get used.

 

Button down shirts are so stylish for older toddlers/preschool age. They have the patience to sit through the buttoning of the shirt. There is no need for a shirt to be tucked in like a onesis because they are up right running around most of the time. During the preschool years button up shirts are a must in their wardrobe because they learn to dress themselves. The children that learn to button up their own shirt early are building hand eye coordination.

Tip:

With button up shirts, button up the bottom three button's for the child the night before. That way they can slip it over their head. They will only have to button the top one or two. For a child that's learning to dress themselves they can get frustrated easily, but they feel accomplished when they get the job done.

Where can you find the cute clothing above:
Positively Organic is the place to get cute clothing that is all USA made. My Baby's Green is hosting a giveaway to win $75 worth of clothing for Positively Organic!

A Cute Hat for a Cold Season

If you need a nice hat for this cold season, go to Zooni! Your little one will stay warm and be stylish. They will also want to leave their hat on.

My Wee View is giving one of these cute hats away along with a pair of their 3D socks!

'Tis the Season for Baby Eczema

'Tis the season for baby eczema on Isaak's scalp. If anyone knows of any products that they've used that works I'm game to try it!

So far the only thing I've tried that works is putting Culturelle in his yogurt or milk.

Shampoos do not seem to do a thing. Lotions are kind of difficult because it is on his scalp. he looks like a grease monkey. Sometimes I'll put some lotion on his head when I know I'm going to give him a bath soon.

Both of my boy's have had problems with this. My five year old Mica outgrew it. I'm waiting for my 2 year old to do the same.

Baby GoGo by Little Sib

If you read my last post you would know that I believe every kid should have a doll. I really like Baby GoGo! Kiddies Corner Deals is hosting a give away to give away one of these sweet dolls.

This doll is one of my top picks for little hands to hold. It's for either gender.

This is how my 2 year old views babies and dolls:
 I told him this week, "Isaak you're so cute!" He said, "No I not Mommy! Babies and puppies are cute. Not Isaak." I convinced him otherwise. He is so cute! I love that he thinks babies and puppies are cute too. He'll make a great daddy someday.

The picture below is not my son. The photo belongs to:  Baby GoGo.

Every Kid Should Have a Doll

In my opinion, I feel that every young kid should have a doll. We have two son's. We bought our oldest a doll when I was pregnant with his brother. It really helped him to role play. We taught how to treat a baby before his brother was born.

My youngest has taken on a love for babies, dolls and puppies. He asks me to help him change his baby's diaper. He used to rock his doll and sing lullabies. He didn't know all the words, it was so cute to watch.

My Organized Chaos is hosting a giveaway to win Lola from JC Toys! I told my husband that if we were not going to have another child {he's officially done}, that someday he'll have to buy me a baby from this company for me to have! LOL Part of me was serious. I love dolls and babies!

One of the Most Important Things When You're a Mom is Having More Time on Your Hands!

I remember the days of pumping and eating breakfast at the same time. I want to thank whomever came up with a double electronic pump!

I look back not knowing how in the heck I did things a few years ago. Nursing and pumping takes up a lot of time. Now I don't do those things, and we're still pressed from time! Mostly because our two and a half year old wants to try and dress himself, but his coordination isn't there all the way yet. We're working on it.

Now I find myself saying:
Boy's it's time to get up!
Boy's it's time to get dressed!
Isaak come here so Mommy can help you get you dressed!
It's time to go potty!
It's time to eat!
It's time to get coats on!
It's time to leave!

What I need is for my kid's to understand time! I try to do things early by:
Setting their clothes out the night before. 
Giving baths at night.
Unloading the dishwasher at night. 
Putting all the things we need to take with us in the morning by the front door. 

Shibley Smiles is hosting a giveaway for a winner to receive a Timebuddy! 

This is something I totally needed when I was little. They found out in later elementary school that I got through the system not knowing how to tell time. At the time I just figured, "Why do I need to know time when the teacher's and my parents told me when to do things." Plus all the clocks in our house growing up were digital. The numbers were right there.

Timebuddy helps you and your kids to be more organized!

"Long term benefit: TimeBuddy helps children have a structured routine that they understand (since they can visually see the series of activities to be performed). Structure in kid’s lives provide security. Children that feel secure have a tendency to be self-confident, independent and responsible; and thus, happy children. Additionally, today’s society, whether we agree or not, is highly active. The demand of work, children’s activities, doctor’s appointments, errands, and personal time continues to increase. Successful adults are often those who have good time management skills; and time management is a habit. Thus, helping children develop this habit at an early age will help them increase their chances to master this skill as adults." 
 

MamaRoo

The MamaRoo is not only stylish, it has five different motions to choose from:

1. Car Ride, Kangaroo
2. Tree Swing
3. Rock-a-Bye
4. Ocean Wave

 It leaves out the cheesy music and plays nature sounds. It also has a spot for you to plug in a MP3 player.

A dream product for a new mom! Go Graham Go is giving away one of these!

 The best time to use one of these devices:

1. When you are cooking in the kitchen.
2. When you are taking a shower. I always left the door open, so I could see and hear my baby. Just set the MamaRoo right outside the bathroom door.
3. When your are writing out bills. It's just too hard to hold a baby and do paper work at the same time.
4. When you are cleaning house.
5. When you are drinking Organic Mother's Milk Tea or Organic Milkmaid Tea. Do not try holding a baby when you are drinking anything hot!
6. When you are pumping.

Scentsy Buddies

A tip on Motherhood: Do you know that if your child is having a problem sleeping on their own, you can take a night shirt that you wore, lay it in with them and it will sooth them!

One of babies first senses to develop is the sense of smell.

My sister moved her son from a cradle that was in their room to his own crib in the nursery. While some kids respond well to a move, others do not. She put her night shirt in with him, and he slept like a baby!

Jolly Mom is hosting a great giveaway going on right now! One winner is going to get one of these cute stuffed animals from Scentsy {see below}. Since babies are so tuned in with smell, this product is great for them! It will last all through childhood!

There are six different Scentsy Buddies and 15 Scent Packs to choose from. Each Scentsy Buddy also comes with their own story.

My favorite Scentsy Buddy is Mollie the Monkey.
My favorite Scent Pack is Vanilla Cream.

My Baby's Green

I have something to share: My Baby's Green is having a huge sale, 40% off almost everything from Black Friday all the way though Cyber Monday if they get  2500 Facebook followers by November 22.

You can check out their blog that has great giveaways here.

I Went to the Dentist and We Talked About Breastfeeding

I went to the dentist yesterday. The lady who cleaned my teeth told me that it was her first day back from maternity leave. I said, "I know what that is like."

I'm glad we started talking because she looked at my chart and started to say my kid's name and age. Trouble is, is that she only said one kid's name and age. It was the wrong name and age. She had the wrong chart. She had someone named Alyssa when my name is Alissa. Alyssa's kid was named Landon. My kid's names are Mica and Isaak. Mica has 3 Landon's in his preschool class. Apparently it's a very popular name right now.

She got the right chart, and I asked if her baby was doing ok without her? She said, "Yes." I went on to tell her about the first time my husband watched our nephew. He would not take a bottle for the full 8 hours that he had him. It was miserable for him and my husband! This went on for a few weeks! Yep the boy was addicted to breasts and breasts only.

My hygienist said that she too is nursing. Her first one didn't want to take a bottle, but her new baby does ok with one.

A message to the mother's that have to go back to work, try a bottle out earlier on. Not so early that you compromise your latch. Not so late that you have to go back to work and they won't have anything to do with a bottle. 

My sister felt like she was pumping for no reason. Then her little guy was starving when she finally got home. He had concentrated urine, which lead to red parts.

Winners!

This is round two of winners. I did not hear back from the first winners within 48 hours, so I've picked new ones.

Sowing Dandelion Seeds won the Snugfits giveaway.

Betsy won the CSN|Stores giveaway.

Julie won the Smoke Alarm and 2-Pack of 9 volt Energizer Max Batteries.

Congrats goes out to everyone who won!

Winners!

Congrats to the winners of two giveaways on this site!

Megan won the CSN|Stores Giveaway.
Baby Gear Today won the Snugfits Giveaway.

Both were picked through Random.org

Last Day to Enter a Few Low Entry Giveaway's

• I have 2 CSN | Stores giveaways that end tonight at 10 pm. They are both for a $35 gift card. You can find them here and here.
• I have a Snugfits giveaway that also ends tonight at 10 pm. This is to win 2 baby or toddler's tee's. Their choices are awesome! Please enter this giveaway here.
• This giveaway ends on November 6. It's to win an Energizer smoke alarm and batteries. Right before day light savings hits! You can enter this giveaway here.

Peatoes

• My Organized Chaos is hosting a giveaway to Peatoes. They are giving away a $50 gift certificate.
• I've never seen or heard of this store before. When I first stopped in, the prices were a bit high. I did really like some of their toys. These are great for a cute little baby:

Dog on Hill Stacking Rings

Folmer Dog

Don't Forget to Enter My Giveaways!

I have two CSN|Stores giveaways. Both are for $35. They can be found here and here.
There is a Snugfits giveaway to win 2 baby to toddler tees here.
Then there is a Energizer giveaway to win a smoke alarm and batteries here.

Ways to Prevent Mastitis

1. A key factor to preventing Mastitis is to nurse frequently. I would not go for a long time without nursing. If you are away from your baby pump often. I had to pump often when my babies were sick to not only keep up my supply, but also to prevent Mastitis.
2. Try not to sleep on your stomach. This is for long periods of time. It put pressure on your breasts.
3. Avoid tight clothes. They can push on milk ducts, causing a blockage.
4. If you feel like your breasts are full or engorged pump or nurse. Try feeding your baby even if they don't appear to be giving you signs of being hungry. When weaning this is really hard. I had to pump because I cut my youngest son off. He wouldn't quit any other way.
5. Stress, sickness and being tired can put you at risk for developing mastitis. Take care of yourself!

Read more about this subject here.

Energizer Smoke Alarm Giveaway!

This Giveaway has closed. Thank you to those that have entered!
 protecting your family becomes extremely important once you have a baby. I tried so hard to do everything right.

That's it's important to have a fire safety plan. We've talked with our 5 year old about where to meet if there is a fire. We even showed him how to open his window.

If you can it's really fun for kids to visit the fire station. My brother-in-law is a firefighter, so the kid's have been to see their Uncle Eric a few times.

I worry about my grandparent's if a fire were to occur. My grandpa is a deep sleeper and my grandma has Alzheimer's disease.

Fire Facts:

• Daylight savings time is November 7. This is a time to change your batteries.
• Forty percent of fatal fire injuries occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
• 23 percent occur in homes in which at least one smoke alarm is present but fails to operate.
• Over the past 22 years, Energizer has donated more than four million batteries to local fire departments.

For 23 years, Energizer, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and thousands of fire departments nationwide have worked together to encourage everyone to adopt the life-saving Change Your Clock Change Your Battery habit of changing and testing smoke alarm batteries with each fall time change. Having a working smoke alarm can cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.

Energizer has offered for me to review and give to one of my readers: A First Alert smoke alarm, along with a 2-pack of 9volt Energizer_® Max_® batteries!

Include your email address if you do not have it public in your profile. You can enter if you are not a blogger. Leave a separate entry for each. Make sure the first mandatory entry is filled out before all others.

1. For your first mandatory entry, Like Energizer Bunny on Facebook and tell them Milking the Issue sent you! Leave your Facebook name.
2. Google Friend this blog.
3. Add my Milking the Issue button to your site. Leave me your site link.
4. Leave a comment on a non giveaway post. Let me know the title of the post you comment on. You are free to leave many comments, but only one entry for this giveaway.
5. Blog about this giveaway. Link back to Energizer on Facebook and Milking the Issue. Leave a link. Leave five separate entries. 
6. Vote for me on We're on the Fence! Just click on the button to vote.
7. Enter my SnugFits giveway here. 

You do not need to enter all of the entries to be qualified, just the first mandatory entry.

Remember to leave your email address if it is not public in your profile.

This contest closes November 6 at 10 pm.

The winner will be chosen using random.org.

Disclaimer: The opinions on this post are my personal take on the products. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. If you have questions about this post please contact me at: alissa4illustration@hotmail.com

Fun Follow Friday

It's Fun Follow Friday!
Click on the link above and add your blog. Other people will check out your blog and you can check out many blogs too!
When you visit a blog that you like and want to follow, leave them a comment with your link telling them you are following from the Fun Follow Friday. Of course, they would love for you to follow both hostesses blogs, Simply Stacie and My Wee View, but it isn’t mandatory. If you do follow them, just leave them a comment and they will follow you back.
The main goal is to have fun and follow the blogs that interest you!
If you like this blog you might like one of my other blogs as well: The Apel's and Cookie Art.
Please enter my two giveaways below this post here and here! 
Cookie Art also has a giveaway here!

CSN | Stores Giveaway!

This Giveaway has closed. Thank you to those that have entered!

CSN | Stores is giving one of my readers a $35 gift certificate.
CSN | Stores has so many things to choose from with their 200 + stores.
I had a chance to do a review for them on my family site, The Apel's.
I picked out a Melissa and Doug stuffed dog.

• CSN | Stores has most anything you can think of! They have a great selection of baby items, lighting and rocking chairs.

 CSN | Stores is giving away to one lucky reader a $35 gift certificate! 

Include your email address if you do not have it public in your profile. You can enter if you are not a blogger. Leave a separate entry for each. Make sure the first mandatory entry is filled out before all others.

1. For your first mandatory entry, check out CSN | Stores and tell me what you'd pick out with your gift certificate if you won!
2. Google Friend this blog.
3. Add my Milking the Issue button to your site. Leave me your site link.
4. {Like} CSN | Stores on Facebook. Leave your Facebook name in your entry.
5. Leave a comment on a non giveaway post. Let me know the title of the post you comment on. You are free to leave many comments, but only one entry for this giveaway.
6. Blog about this giveaway. Link back to me and CSN | Stores. Leave a link. Leave five separate entries. 
7. Vote for me on We're on the Fence! Just click on the button to vote.
8. Enter my SnugFits giveway here. 
9. Enter my other CSN | Stores giveaway here.

You do not need to enter all of the entries to be qualified, just the first mandatory entry.

Remember to leave your email address if it is not public in your profile.

This contest closes in 2 weeks, November 4 at 10 pm.

The winner will be chosen using random.org.

Disclaimer: The opinions on this post are my personal take on the products. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. If you have questions about this post please contact me at: alissa4illustration@hotmail.com

Snugfits Giveaway!

This Giveaway has closed. Thank you to those that have entered!

I'm so excited because Sara from Snugfits has offered to giveaway two of their fabulous shirts!
I really love their t-shirts because they are witty and designed well. The shirts come in a variety of colors. You can see their color options below.

I won two shirts from Snugfits when my son Isaak was a little younger. I was so excited to win these! The fabric is soft and durable. I never had a problem with them shrinking. Their sizes go from newborn all the way up to 24 months. They also carry BabyLegs, Infant Caps and Knit Pants.

Since this blog is supportive of breastfeeding, I have to include pictures of these pro breastfeeding shirts that they carry.

Snugfits is giving away to one lucky reader two t-shirts of your choice!

Include your email address if you do not have it public in your profile. You can enter if you are not a blogger. Leave a separate entry for each. Make sure the first mandatory entry is filled out before all others.

1. For your first mandatory entry, check out Snugfits and tell me one of the shirts you want to win! Include colors, saying and what style of shirt.
2. Check out Snugfits and tell me the other shirt you want to win! Include colors, saying and what style of shirt.
3. Google Friend this blog.
4. Add my Milking the Issue button to your site. Leave me your site link.
5. {Like} Snugfits on Facebook. Leave your Facebook name in your entry.
6. Leave a comment on a non giveaway post. Let me know the title of the post you comment on. You are free to leave many comments, but only one entry for this giveaway.
7. Blog about this giveaway. Link back to me and Snugfits. Leave a link. Leave five separate entries. 
8. Vote for me on We're on the Fence! Just click on the button to the side to vote. 
9. Enter my CSN | Stores giveaways here and here. Two separate entries.

You do not need to enter all of the entries to be qualified, just the first mandatory entry.

Remember to leave your email address if it is not public in your profile.

This contest closes in 2 weeks, November 4 at 10 pm.

The winner will be chosen using random.org.

Disclaimer: The opinions on this post are my personal take on the products. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. If you have questions about this post please contact me at: alissa4illustration@hotmail.com

I'm a Sucker for Cute Baby/Toddler Shoes!

• Fesity Frugal and Fabulous is hosting a giveaway to win a pair of shoes from Pickle Shoes.
• I'm in love with these shoes for Isaak!
• My little puppy lover would be in heaven!

Coffee Tables

Do you have a coffee table? I know getting a coffee table when you have a baby or toddler can be concern. What if they fall and hit their head on it? Our youngest son hit his head on my sister's coffee table, and had to get stitches last year. We have a coffee table. My husband and I have it pushed up against the wall, so the kids have room to play. We won't let the kids play on it with toys. We've never had a problem with our kids and our coffee table. CSN | Stores has a great selection of contemporary coffee tables! I think in a few years we'll have to get one through CSN | Stores for our downstairs.

I love the coffee table above called Jofran Viejo Lift - Top Cocktail Table in Brown Mission Oak. It has drawers for bedtime stories, and a shelf underneath for cuddly blankets.

Browse through CSN | Stores to see what contemporary coffee tables you like.

Cora Carolina Part Two

Cora Carolina was kind to email me. They loved the post featuring their company. Please go check them out! Check out the post they put up of this site here.

They have great handmade products! Toys that you just can't find anywhere.

These plush animals would be awesome in a nursery:

OrganicKidz Stainless Steel Bottle

My Baby's Green is hosting a giveaway for one reader to win a OrganicKidz Stainless Steel Bottle.

My son's always used plastic Playtex bottles. I didn't see any stainless steel bottles when I went baby shopping.

Advantages of using stainless steel:

1. They are more durable and last longer. When exposed to heat or cold, they will not break down or become brittle.
2. With normal use, they won't shatter or scratch. Some plastics will.
3. This is my favorite reason why: They are scratch resistant. That means no bacteria or food can hide cracks. I had two boy's get sick as babies with infectious diseases. Anything to keep clean!
4. Because they are so clean, stainless steel is the number one material used in kitchen products and hospitals.
5. The material is fully recyclable.

Cora Carolina

My Green Baby is hosting an awesome giveaway! The company Cora Carolina is giving away a $50 Visa card. 

If you haven't seen the store Cora Carolina you have got to check them out! They have all kinds of handmade toys. I love their selection of dolls! I was a huge doll collector growing up. Here are a few from their collection:

The boy doll reminds me of the young Mr. Fredrickson from the movie Up! Full of imagination and life!