BABY GEAR 101

INDUSTRY EXPERTS (AND MOMS!) GIVE YOU THE SCOOP ON THE STUFF
YOU NEED TO MAKE PARENTHOOD EASIER, BREEZIER AND MORE FABULOUS

Supper Momm's Superstore logo

When it comes to breast-feeding, there’s a lot to know—and a few key must-own items, not to mention all the mom and baby essentials (everything from a layette to toys to nursery bedding to high chairs and more, more, more). And while plenty of products on the market today look good, how do you really know if they are good?

Enter: Supermommy’s Superstore and its founder, Gina Hagan. With a comprehensive one-stop shop of an online store and a 3,000-square-foot flagship brick-and-mortar in Elizabethtown, Ky., Gina is dedicated to gearing up moms and moms-to-be with the best of the best for themselves in their role as mother and for their little ones. But, she’s also deeply committed to providing women with the knowledge they need to be happy, effective and empowered moms.

Believe us, from the breadth of the items she carries to the super-hot lines she chooses to her commitment to take customer service and make it customer empowerment, Gina’s store lives up to its name.

Here, Gina talks about the long road (literally!) that inspired her to open up her fabulous superstores (online and locally) and gives us the tips we need to make breast-feeding a success on all levels.

When I was breast-feeding my daughters, I looked high and low to find the best products, the ones that I couldn’t live without, and a few extras that I really loved—however, I had to travel 50-plus miles to get them. I quickly learned that traveling with a newborn (or later with a toddler and a newborn) in tow was not the easiest way to shop around for the things that I so urgently needed.

After the birth of my third daughter, I began my venture to serve central Kentucky’s breast-feeding moms with the support and necessities they need, and give them the extras that make breast-feeding easier. So, I opened Supermommy’s Superstore as an online boutique until I was ready to move to my storefront location in Elizabethtown, Ky. I chatted with moms, lactation consultants and doctors to find out about their recommendations and used their advice to open central Kentucky’s premier breast-feeding specialty store. Supermommy’s Superstore now serves local moms as well as moms around the world with breast-feeding, cloth diapering, baby-wearing and natural parenting products, including herbal and organic products. The store staff includes a certified product specialist and certified bra fitters.

Let’s start from the beginning then. Shall we?

What does a breast-feeding mom really need? I hear this question daily in my boutique, and unless your lactation consultant recommends additional products, the list is very short:

1	An Effective Breast Pump Even stay-at-home moms find they need to pump on occasion, whether it be to relieve engorgement, allow Dad to feed Baby or to go out for the evening and pump during a missed feeding. A cheap pump may sound like the option, but it is not always going to render the results a mom needs. Hand (manual) pumps can be very effective if they are designed properly. I offer Avent ISIS and Medela Harmony, and moms say they have been very successful with both of these pumps without spending a lot of money. The next option would be a single electric pump like the Avent ISIS Uno Breast Pump or Medela Swing Single Electric Pump. These pumps offer the suction of an electric pump but are more economical because they only pump one side at a time. I recommend double electric pumps (pumps that express both breasts at the same time) for my moms of multiples or working moms. These pumps include Ameda Purely Yours, Medela Pump In Style and Medela Freestyle. If you are a mom of a preemie or special-needs baby, you will want to consider a hospital-grade breast pump such as the Medela Symphony. These are premium pumps and are quite pricey but can be rented for $60 to $75 per month.
2	Three Supportive Nursing Bras Why three bras? You will have one on, one clean and one backup. If you change and put your next clean one on but fail to immediately wash the one you just took off, you may frequently find yourself without a clean bra. Although I do not offer nursing bras on my website, I have a vast selection in my store from Bravado Designs, Leading Lady, La Leche League Intimates, Medela and Nummies in sizes 32B to 50K. Keep in mind when purchasing bras prior to birth, your breasts are going to go through many changes in the last weeks of pregnancy and the early days of nursing. I do not recommend a fitted bra (one specific to your band and cup size, i.e., 40D) because it may fit today but not tomorrow. Instead, I recommend a bra designed to fit one to two band sizes and one to two cup sizes, like Bravado’s Original Nursing Bra. If you need help choosing a style or size, feel free to come in and talk to my certified bra fitter or give us a call. (Note: Underwire bras should not be worn in the early weeks of breast-feeding and need to be fitted by a certified bra fitter. Poor-fitting bras, especially underwire bras, can constrict milk ducts, leading to clogged ducts or mastitis, a painful breast infection.)
3	Nursing/Breast Pads Nursing pads are available in disposable, washable and nonabsorbent materials. Disposables are available in a variety of thicknesses based on your absorbency needs. These are made by numerous manufacturers. My customers have favored Avent, Lansinoh and Medela brands. Washable nursing pads are most commonly made of cotton and are ideal for everyday use. They are much more economical than disposables and last many months with proper care. Avent offers a lace-covered nursing pad, Medela offers a basic cotton and Bravado offers a terry/cotton mix. Nonabsorbent nursing pads, or LilyPadz, are made of silicone and use compression of the nipple to stop leakage. These can be the perfect solution for nighttime or heavy leakage. They can also be worn under swimwear and, in some cases, without a bra.
4	Nipple Cream Most moms will experience some type of nipple tenderness during the early days of nursing or when they begin pumping on a regular basis. Nipple creams can help ease the soreness and nourish nipples. It is important to choose a nipple cream that is safe for moms and babies. Lansinoh makes a lanolin-based nipple cream, while Motherlove and Earth Mama Angel Baby make lanolin-free nipple creams. The latter two brands are good choices if you prefer an organic product.
5	A Good Support Pillow Moms spend many hours feeding Baby, so a comfortable, supportive nursing pillow is very important. Make sure the nursing pillow supports Mom’s back and arms, plus Baby, for all-around comfort. My Brest Friend does all of these and even comes with a washable cover.

Save 10 percent off a single purchase with the coupon code groove99. Discount available in-store and online.

Here are some of my top sellers:

Medela Pump In Style Breast Pump ($274.95 to $329.95)
This is a personal and professional favorite, as well as my top-selling breast pump. The 2-Phase Expression most closely mimics baby sucking patterns to offer effective letdown and expression for ultimate pumping efficiency and comfort. This pump is available in three types of carrying bags and includes the insulated bottle tote and ice packs for moms on the go. I also carry a full range of accessories like vehicle adapters and breast shields of various sizes to make this pump uniquely yours. (Pictured: Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breastpump Shoulder Bag)

Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter ($9.95 to $14.95)
Keep sore nipples out of mind with Earth Mama Angel Baby’s certified-vegan, all-organic nipple cream. This lanolin-free balm is thin and absorbs almost instantly for immediate protection and nourishment. No more thick salves that further irritate tender nipples! It is safe for moms and babies, so it doesn’t need to be washed off prior to nursing.

My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow ($42.95 to $54.95)
This pillow is designed specifically for nursing moms—not as a baby prop, tummy time mat or other accessory—but as a true support for the baby, as well as Mom’s back and arms, for ultimate nursing comfort. It encourages proper latch, doesn’t allow Baby to roll inward, and the pillow doesn’t slide out when you move. My Brest Friend is available with cotton print, deluxe plush or organic cotton covers.

LilyPadz ($22.95)
LilyPadz are the perfect alternative to absorbent nursing pads. They adhere to your breast and gently compress your nipple to stop you from leaking. Because LilyPadz are silicone, they are virtually invisible under clothing and can even be worn with swimwear. They can be reused and last several weeks with proper care.

Itzy Ritzy Nurser ($49.95)
If you are a mom on the go and are looking for a discrete way to nurse your baby in public, the Itzy Ritzy Nurser is the nursing cover for you. The machine-washable nurser has an adjustable rigid neckline so you can keep an eye on Baby while feeling comfortable among company. The several trendy prints all reverse to natural bamboo, so there’s a style for everyone. Another plus is the bamboo lining, which is a naturally antimicrobial and UV protective material, as well as a soft burp cloth.

Are used breast pumps a good option? NO!

With the exception of hospital-grade pumps (i.e., Medela Symphony, Ameda Elite), the FDA considers breast pumps single-use devices. That means that a breast pump should only be used by one woman because there is no way to guarantee the pump can be cleaned and disinfected between uses by different women.

It is impossible to completely sterilize your breast pump at home. Not even boiling them at home will completely sterilize breast pump parts. Replacing tubing and accessories does not remove bacteria or viruses from the pump. However, you can keep your personal breast pump (not used or shared breast pump) safe and sanitary by effectively washing away germs and bacteria after each use.

The money you may save by sharing or buying a used pump is not worth the health risks to you or your baby. Breast pumps that are reused by different mothers can carry infectious diseases, such as HIV or hepatitis. This includes pumps shared by family members—even sisters, cousins, etc. These mothers may have developed an undetected breast infection, which can be transferred to another mother or baby.

Buying a used breast pump or sharing a breast pump may be a violation of the manufacturer’s warranty, and you may not be able to get help from the manufacturer if you have a problem with the pump.

A portion of this information was obtained from FDA.gov.

For more from Gina, go to www.supermommyssuperstore.com.

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BABY GEAR 101

INDUSTRY EXPERTS (AND MOMS!) GIVE YOU THE SCOOP ON THE STUFF YOU NEED TO MAKE PARENTHOOD EASIER, BREEZIER AND MORE FABULOUS

INDUSTRY EXPERTS (AND MOMS!) GIVE YOU THE SCOOP ON THE STUFF
YOU NEED TO MAKE PARENTHOOD EASIER, BREEZIER AND MORE FABULOUS