Stephanie Sheaffer writes about books, babies, travel, food, & philanthropy

Choosing A Nursing Bra

March 1, 2007 By Stephanie 2 Comments

It’s best to wait and shop for nursing bras until the third trimester, preferably in the final month before labor & delivery. At that time, you should plan to purchase 2-3 comfortable bras in order to be prepared for the days and weeks after labor.

Keep the following tips in mind as you shop:
1. Don’t buy a bra with underwire. Underwire is uncomfortable – it pokes and prods in all the wrong places. If you are concerned about finding a bra that has support, you can rest your mind at ease. There are plenty of seamless, stretchy bras out there that also have adequate support.
2. Go for comfort. Yes, feel free to let the well-meaning sales associate size you, but don’t feel obligated to buy the size they recommend. Buy the bra that feels right to you – regardless of size.

I’ve attached a photo of my favorite maternity bra to this blog. It’s from Kohl’s: the Oh Baby! by Motherhood Seamless Nursing Bra. (If only they sold it in black, I’d be oh-so-happy.)

Filed Under: Pregnancy

What to Pack: The Hospital Bag

February 27, 2007 By Stephanie 1 Comment

Pack light and keep it simple. Birth is a whirlwind experience and you need very few items for the journey:

A robe
Slippers
Heating pad
Loose coming home outfit: pajamas (like the cute majamas nursing pj set I found at www.tummystyle.com – see illustration), athletic wear items, etc.
A nursing bra
Toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush, deodorant, hair tie, etc.
A pillow from home
Snacks for your spouse and yourself after the birth
Digital camera and extra batteries
Carseat w/ corresponding head pillow
Layette for baby (see my blog entitled “coming home outfit”)

Please keep in mind that the hospital will most likely provide a hospital gown for L & D, a rocking chair, a birthing ball, a stool, ice chips, popsicles, pads, witch hazel pads, ice packs, big mesh underwear for after birth, a spray bottle, some kind of pain relieving spray, and a tv with a dvd or vhs player.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Children’s Book Spotlight: Green Eggs & Ham

February 27, 2007 By Stephanie Leave a Comment

Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss

Delightful to read.
Delightful to hear.
Fun pictures.
Important message: try things before ruling them out.

5 stars: a must-read for little ones.

PinExt Childrens Book Spotlight: Green Eggs & Ham

Filed Under: Books

Coming Home Outfit

February 25, 2007 By Stephanie Leave a Comment

I remember agonizing a bit over what to bring to the hospital for my baby’s “coming home outfit.” After all, how would I know if it would fit? Should I bring a onesie, a footsie, a frilly dress, a headband, some socks, one of those new onesies with a cut-out hole for the umbilical cord?

In the end, it was much simpler than I imagined it to be. To be honest, all you really need is a onesie in newborn size (or 0-3 month size if you think your baby might be big) and a receiving blanket or two. The hospital will most likely provide you with a hat and a receiving blanket, but call ahead to see if you will need to provide a hat.

Socks and shoes are unecessary due to the fact that the baby will be swaddled in the receiving blanket – and thus will be warm and cozy without any additional clothing items. Cute two-piece outfits and other “special occassion” pieces are adorable, but not very practical. Same goes for the headbands – cute, but they squeeze that soft little head too firmly and look entirely uncomfortable. Boxed “coming home” sets are overpriced and usually of lesser quality than individual items. They typically include a onesie, a hat, socks or booties, and a blanket.

My advice: go simple. Wash a nice onesie and a few receiving blankets. Pack. You’re ready!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Product Review: Boppy Bare Naked

February 24, 2007 By Stephanie Leave a Comment

This is truly one of the best products that I received as a shower gift. I use it every day (multiple times per day).

WHAT IT IS:
In essence, the Boppy pillow makes nursing easier because it allows for the baby to rest comfortably at breast level. In the first week after L & D, I found myself trying to hold the baby while nursing – and my arms and back ached after just a few days. The Boppy was the perfect solution.

When my baby reached five months, we used the Boppy as a little “seat” of sorts. She could kick back in the donut-shaped pillow as she learned to sit.

PROS:
* Boppy pillows are available almost everywhere: Target, Babies-R-Us, the babycenter store, etc.
* Boppy pillows are mashine-washable.
* Boppy pillows are easy on the wallet. Most retailers sell this item for $20-$25.

CONS
* None

OVERALL
5 Stars. Yes, I would buy it again. Yes, I love it. Yes, it’s what I consider an “essential” item.

NOTE:
There are quite a few different varieties of Boppy pillows on the market. I received two at my baby shower – the Boppy Bare Naked (pictured above) and the Boppy Signature Toile de Joie Pink. The Bare Naked was $20, the Boppy Signature was close to $50. I ended up returning the Signature because, as far as I could tell, they were almost identical. The Signature one was pink and slightly bigger – but that didn’t seem to warrant a $20+ increase.

Filed Under: Products I Like

Recipe: Beef & Bean Tostadas

February 23, 2007 By Stephanie Leave a Comment

Beef & Bean Tostadas are quick, easy to make, and delicious.

Ingredients:
* 1 pound ground beef
* 1 can refried beans
* taco seasoning mix
* 8-10 tostada shells
* 1 medium tomato, chopped
* 1 head of lettuce, shredded
* grated cheddar cheese
* sour cream
* salsa

Directions:
1. Preheat oven according to directions on tostada shell box and bake shells (usually only 3-5 minutes).
2. Brown beef over medium-high heat. Drain. Follow directions on taco seasoning mix.
2. Heat refried beans in medium-size pot.
3. Chop tomato. Shred lettuce. Grate cheese.
4. Serve buffet style.

Serves: 4

Filed Under: Food

TrendAlert: Gourmet Food Prepared By You

February 22, 2007 By Stephanie 1 Comment

If you are like most moms, preparing dinner can be an exhausting and overwhelming prospect. With a little one in tow, it’s hard to grocery shop, stir, cut, chop, grate, or do anything. After all, more often than not, moms are one-handed or unable to stay in one place for longer than five minutes (chasing that toddler around the house).

Thus, some brilliant companies now offer the opportunity to prepare 3-12 delicious meals in a group setting. The ingredients, the recipes and the containers are provided – even an apron is part of the program.

Choose from delectable meals like Calypso Coconut Shrimp, Citrus Green Chile Pork, Cheesy Pasta in Paradise, Homestyle Pot Roast, and Greek Chicken Pitas. Once complete, all you have to do is take them home and freeze.

Check out your options at www.simply-dinners.com, https://secure.mygirlfriendskitchen.com, www.letseatdinner.com, www.dinnerafare.com, and www.dinnersdoneright.com.