Tips FOR Nursing Bras

By Jane Bear

A baby's cries for milk can come at any time and breastfeeding clothes can make the whole experience easier. One of the most necessary pieces of breastfeeding clothes that a nursing mother requires is a good quality nursing bra.

Making certain a nursing bra fits correctly is important. You should not buy your bra too early in your pregnancy as your breasts will be nearing their full size prior to breastfeeding your baby, buy during the last months instead. The best people to consult about the perfect bra for nursing are the experts.

A nursing bra that does not fit correctly will fail to support your breasts and can block your milk duct causing milk production to decrease, and in extreme cases blocked ducts caused by a badly fitted one can lead to mastitis.

One of the more popular types of nursing bras are those that have under wires. Under wires provide extra support, especially to those who have bigger bust lines. However, these bras, particularly if they are too small or tight, can dig into your breast tissue and clog a milk duct, which can lead to mastitis. If you do opt for an under wire bra, make certain that the bra fits properly and that the wire is not pressing on any part of your breast.

For mothers who want a quick and comfortable nursing experience, an option is to choose nursing bras that have flaps. Bras with flaps allow for just the breast-area material to be removed instead of the entire bra during feeding time. This is very useful, because it makes for discreet, convenient breastfeeding for mothers who nurse in public. Choose the one that is easiest for you to fasten and unfasten with one hand.

But there are also bras that have no flaps and under wire, which some mothers prefer strictly based on comfort. However, these kinds of nursing bras are not especially comfortable for women who have larger breasts, as they find it does not give them as much support as those nursing bras with an under wire.

You should invest in a number of nursing bras because you'll need a clean one each day. Look for bras that are made of cotton or materials such as micro fiber that allow you to breathe and move in comfort. Also, go for wide, comfortable shoulder straps to support the extra weight.

Don't be fooled into thinking that nursing bras have to be unflattering. There are various styles and colors to choose from, and they are every bit as sexy as the bras you wore before you were pregnant. There is no such thing as the best nursing bra. Buy the one that gives you the best support, is easy for you to use and gives you the greatest confidence. The Internet is a great place to find the maternity clothing that is right for you.

About the Author:

About the author: Jane Bear is the best writer since Shakespeare. See more of her stuff at Free Maternity Clothing Guide Get your free report on Maternity Clothes and Apparel

Mom's Fail-Safe Checklist for Traveling with Kids

by Karyn Zielinski, Fun Places to Go With Kids.com
You've finally planned that big day out with the kids. You've got the destination. You've got the
kids. You've got the car keys. You're about to head out the door􀂫but wait! Are you really
prepared? Diapers, wipes, sun screen, blankies􀂫you hope you remembered everything! Why leave yourself open to chance? You need an easy way to make sure you really are prepared. You need Mom's Fail-Safe Checklist!
This checklist includes the basic travel items you'll need to ensure you are prepared for most trips with your kids, as well as some ideas for maximizing safety and enhancing your day. Just print out this list and hang it on your refrigerator so that you can refer to it whenever you are planning a special day out with your kids. Remember the Essentials
l Maps and directions
l Money/tickets
l Walkie-talkies
l Bus/train schedules
l Diaper bag
l Diapers or Pull-Ups
l Baby wipes
l Hand sanitizer
l Medications such as Baby or Children's Tylenol or Motrin
l Thermometer
l Change of clothes
l Pacifiers, blankies, dolls, or favorite stuffed animal
l Baby food, bowl, and 2 spoons
l Lunch, including sandwiches and fruit
l Kids' snacks in bagged individual portions
l Water bottles filled with water, juice, or milk
l Thermal carrier with ice pack to hold food and drinks
l Paper towels/napkins/tissues
l Sunglasses
l Hats
l Sunscreen
l Lip balm
l Insect repellent
Put Safety First
l Car seat, booster seat, baby carrier, stroller
l Cell phone and list of emergency numbers
l First Aid Kit that includes bandages, antiseptics, cotton balls, antibiotic ointment, and
doctors' phone numbers
l Bee sting kit if allergic
l Allergy/asthma medicines and inhalers
l Blanket, flashlight, and roadside emergency kit
l Spare tire and jack Maximize Comfort For All Seasons
l Swimsuits, towels, goggles, flotation devices (Summer)

So Many Carseats, Only One Kid

Perhaps the most important baby/toddler/child product you will ever purchase is a car seat. A good car seat will protect your most valued treasure 􀂲 your child. This purchase should not be taken lightly. You want a car seat that is safe, user-friendly and comfortable. Now is not the time to skimp on quality to save a few bucks. Thanks to online shopping, you can find great car seats at even better prices. But before you start clicking, you need to know what you are looking for. Here are some key tips you should keep in mind when purchasing a car seat:
Infant Car Seats These seats are meant for infants only, up to 20 to 22 pounds. Nowadays, most of these seats come off of the base that stays in your car, and acts as infant carriers. Most have sophisticated handles, and many will even attach to shopping carts rather easily. These seats are only to be used with the baby facing the rear of the car. Many believe that using infant car seats (as opposed to using a convertible car seat that can be used with infants) is safest, and I agree. Infant car seats are designed for itty-bitty bodies. They are smaller in size so your baby isn't flopping around the seat. The reclining position they are in is safest for babies while driving too. And, who wants to wake a sleeping baby to get him out of a car seat and into the grocery cart? With infant car seats, you just snap the seat off the base and off you go! Prices generally run about $40 on up, and you can only use them for a year at most (when your baby becomes too heavy for the seat and too tall), but this is chump change when you consider it is the safest bet for your baby. Convertible Car Seats These seats are the traditional ones you see in all the stores. They are called convertible because they can be rear facing for babies less then one year old and 20 pounds (baby must be both), and then switched to forward facing for toddlers. Generally, these seats can be used until your child is about 40 pounds and at least 3 years old, preferably 4 years old (child must be both). Convertible car seats start at about $45 and can go up to $150, depending on model and features. Here's where manufacturers have had fun with options. Many offer reclining, extra padding for little tikes, removable and washable fabrics and several harness options. If you can, get a seat that has a recline option, extra padding and removable/washable fabric. As far as harness types go, there are two main types nowadays: the 5-point harness and the shield harness. the shield harness is very common 􀂲 a big padded bar swings over the child's head and locks at the waist. Usually, the safety belt that accompanies the shield harness is a 3-point harness 􀂲 it goes over the child's head and buckles between his legs, with the plastic connector at the child's armpits, connecting the two together (just like infant car seats). The 5-point harness does not have a shield. Instead, one strap goes over each shoulder, the plastic connector connects the two at the armpit level, and each strap is buckled into the strap between the legs. Experts believe (and again, I agree) that the 5-point harness is the safest for children, and if you think about it, this makes sense. The 5-point harness is designed to evenly distribute the impact of an accident. The same accident with a shield harness will distribute the impact mainly to the abdominal area. Play it safe, get a seat with a 5-point harness.