Wrap Review! Didymos India Holi

Manufacturer: Didymos
Name: India Holi
Weave: Twill
Weight: 255 g/m2 (60/40 weight was the only weight listed on the database)
Blend: There are two different versions, 50% Linen 50% Cotton, and 40% Linen 60% Cotton, I had 50/50

I got my Holi in the dead of summer. Linen is perfect for the heat. The pattern is pleasing to the eye. I used the "wrong" side more often than the "right" because I liked it best. I purchased this wrap brand new and it came to me like cardboard. One hot wash/iron and it softened right up. A double hammock is my go to, and even with all those passes over me and Emmalee, it was still very breathable and wearable in the Nevada summer heat. The cush on the shoulders was perfect, without being too bulky of a wrap. Holi didn't live here long, because it was the slipperiest wrap I've ever tried. It would slip right into place when I did my passes, but it also slipped right out of place. 

It's GIVEAWAY time!

It's time for a giveaway! Thank you so much to all my readers and followers. 

There are TWO prizes this time! This fabulous cross-body babywearing bag was handmade by Mimiz Marketplace. It's the perfect length to cross your and your baby in a carrier. The strap is cushy and won't dig into your neck. It's just the right size for a couple fluffy diapers and the rest of your necessities. Bags (and more!) are available for purchase through Etsy!

The second prize is a 2 oz bottle of hand made Stink Away Diaper Pail Spray! A special blend of essential oils that ELIMINATES odors, it doesn't just cover them up. All natural, non toxic, good for the planet, and good for your nose! Stink Away Diaper Pail Spray is available for purchase through Life As Dallas Knows It.

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Wrap Review! Lenny Lamb Sunrise Rainbow

I'm starting a new series! I'll be reviewing all the wraps I've tried so far, and I'll review any new wraps that come in. Starting with Lenny Lamb Sunrise Rainbow, the first real wrap I owned! 

Manufacturer: Lenny Lamb
Name: Sunrise Rainbow
Weave: Twill
Blend: 50% Cotton 50% Bamboo

This wrap is the absolute softest wrap I have ever tried. It's soft and floppy straight out of the bag. One wash and it was perfect. The colors are vibrant, but not blinding. I found it to be a bit slippery. My passes would glide easily, but my knots also slipped a lot. When E hit 20lbs (around 4 months!), this wrap lost all its support. Every carry I did would slip and pull. I was sad to see it go!

Happy Birthday, Emmalee!

I can't even believe its been a whole year already! My sweet angel baby isn't such a little baby anymore.

Emmalee is not my rainbow baby in the typical sense, but she came to me during a particularly stormy time in my life. She has brightened every day since she arrived. I am so grateful I was chosen to be her mommy.

We had a snowstorm early early the day of E's party, so the guest list was cut down quite a bit, but we still had so much fun! I wanted the food to stick with the rainbow theme, so we had rainbow goldfish, gummy bears, a rainbow veggie tray (cherry tomatoes, carrots, yellow bell peppers, cucumbers, blue corn chips, and ranch dressing clouds), multi colored tortilla chips with salsa, and rainbow fruit kebobs (strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, kiwi/honey dew melon, grape).

We had a little drama while I was frosting the cake (choking/fainting drama--yikes!) so it didn't turn out perfect, but I'm happy with the results! What would a rainbow birthday be without a rainbow cake?

Happy birthday to my sweet baby girl!

Sizing of woven wraps

Woven wraps come in a variety of sizes, the most common being 2-7. Woven wraps are always sized in meters.

2: 2.6m (8.5ft)
3: 3.1m (10.2ft)
4: 3.6m (11.8ft)
5: 4.2m (13.7ft)
6: 4.6m (15.1ft)
7: 5.2m (17.1)

Why so many different sizes?

The length of the wrap will determine what carry you can do. Multi-pass carries require a longer wrap. Single-pass carries require a shorter wrap.

So how do I know what size to get?

Before purchasing your wrap, you need to determine your base size. Your base size is the size you can do every carry with, including carries with many passes, such as a front wrap cross carry (FWCC) or a double hammock (DH). The "average" person has a base size of a 6. If you consider yourself petite, your base is probably a 5. If you consider yourself to be plus size, then your base is probably a 7.

What about a "shorty"?

A shorty a term used for a short wrap. Short wraps are great for quick carries, such as a ruck, when you don't want long tails. The typical shorty is a size 2 or 3. My base is a 6 and I like using a size 3 as my shorty, because it gives me a little bit more versatility with my carries. Depending on your size (plus/petite) your shorty might be a 2 or a 4.

What about all the other sizes?

There are a few of  you might see that you need "one size up from your base", but for the most part when you are moving one size up or down from your base, the main difference is the way you tie off. For example, a DH carry in a size smaller than your base, you can tie at the shoulder instead of in front.

Here is a list of a few carries the averaged sized person can do with each size wrap. Each carry is linked to a YouTube tutorial. Many of these carries can be done in multiple sizes. If you see a carry listed under a size 3, that means it can also be done in a size 4, or 5, and so on.  Keep in mind, this changes whether you are petite or plus sized. There are many more carries than the ones I've listed. For a more comprehensive list, click here.

2

Rebozo,No Sew Ring Sling, Ruck Tied Under Bum

3

Rebozo, No Sew Ring Sling, Ruck Tied in Front, Robin's Hip Carry, Half Jordan's Back Carry 

4

Short Cross Carry, Kangaroo, Poppin's Hip Carry, Double Hammock (tied at the shoulder)

5

Petite base size carries

6

Average base size carries

Front Wrap Cross Carry, Back Wrap Cross Carry, Secure High Back Carry, Double Hammock, Front Cross Carry, Coolest Hip Cross Carry

7

Plus size base carries

Breastfeeding a newborn: My tips and tricks

My breastfeeding journey has not been an easy one. It was a lot of work for me to breastfeed my daughter, and I am very proud to have come this far. I had no help, so I had to figure things out on my own. I poured over tons of research and finally came out on top. Here's a little advice for breastfeeding your new baby.

The first few weeks are so hard. A newborn's stomach is teeny, and breast milk is digested quickly, so you nurse a lot. Embrace it. You are forming a wonderful bond with you new baby, and these first weeks are crucial to your breastfeeding experience. Avoid using a pacifier (if you can stand it) and absolutely avoid bottles until at least 6 weeks. I introduced a bottle at 3 weeks, and it was the cause of our downfall.

But I'm worried I'm not making enough milk. My baby constantly wants to nurse! That's good! Remember, newborns have teeny tiny stomachs, they need to nurse often. Your baby is also working on building up your milk supply. Breastfeeding is supply and demand. Your baby needs to nurse in order for you to make enough milk! If you are truly concerned, get in touch with a local lactation consultant (NOT your pediatrician), or WIC office. Ask to see someone with a baby scale. You can weigh your baby, feed them, then weigh again to see how many ounces they've taken. Reno locals, I highly recommend contacting someone at The Nurturing Nest. They are a great resource for you! (no, they didn't pay to me to say that, I just like them!)

My partner wants to bond with the baby also, so they need to give a bottle.
There are so many ways to bond with a new baby that don't involve sabotaging your nursing relationship. Have your partner take their shirt off, strip baby down to a diaper, and they can snuggle up on the comfy couch together under a blanket, basking in each other's newness. Assist your partner in a bath with the new babe: have them get in the bath first while you hand baby over. Let your partner have little squish snuggles in your carrier. All those are far more intimate than a bottle, anyway.

I'm tired! I want to sleep for a feeding during the night.
This is completely understandable. Hang in there mama. In a couple weeks, this will get so much easier. If you just stick it out a little while longer, you'll be far better off than a bottle feeding mama! Sitting up in bed to feed your little one takes far less effort than getting up to prepare a bottle in the middle of the night. You can do it! Practice side lying nursing, once your baby is a few weeks old (I felt comfortable at four weeks). You can relax when you are side lying, and you might even be able to fall asleep! Don't worry, breastfeeding moms have an acute awareness of their child. Be sure to follow the guidelines for safe co sleeping.

Have a basket or a bag you can easily bring with you anywhere in your house stocked with a few essentials:

• A water bottle (partner:this is your responsibility! Keep this full of icy cold water!) Breast milk is comprised almost completely of water! You should be used to drinking tons of water from your pregnancy, anyway, but staying hydrated is very important. 
• Non perishable snacks (granola bars, almonds, apples, beef jerky) Breastfeeding gives you a hunger you have not known before! Eating a good, solid meal may not happen as often as you'd like, so be sure to keep your strength up with healthy snacks. 
• Book/phone/tablet/eReader (and the charger!) Something to keep you entertained while you sit on your sore bum for hours on end. 
• Children's books (if you have other children) Your older child(ren) will likely be feeling a bit miffed at mommy spending so much time with the new baby. Having books handy to read to them, while you're nursing the baby will help everyone settle into the new routine better. 
• A pen and paper, or app on your phone, to keep track of which side you last nursed from. Keeping track of feedings themselves is not important. It's not important to nurse at a certain time for a certain number of minutes. It is important to switch back and forth between breasts (somewhat) equally, so your supply is built on both sides. It will be hard for your sleep deprived brain to remember which side was last. This paper or app would also be a good place to track wet/dirty diapers (a great way to tell if your baby is getting enough milk!) 
• Unrefined coconut oil For those sore nips, coconut oil does wonders. It is safe to apply as much as you want, and does not need to be washed off before baby nurses. 
• Nursing padsI recommend soft, cushy, re usable pads like these. Or, you could make them yourself, its easy! The disposable pads always stuck to my nipples when I leaked! It was like pulling off a band aid. Ouch!

Whew! That was a lot of information, but I hope that has helped you in some way.

Breastfeeding is hard work. You are an awesome mom for working so hard for your baby! Thank you for breastfeeding.