MAM Baby Essentials

Full Disclosure: The products in this post have been provided to me at no cost. However, all words and opinions are my own. 

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I had my fist overnight trip away from the baby recently, and while this may not sound like a big deal it is for our household. My parenting style naturally leans toward attachment parenting, on top of that,  the baby still nurses. Like with my others, the plan is to take her lead and let her decide when she wants to wean. Welp, she still hasn't weaned herself so here we are, 20 months strong with nursing. And so proud. I realize not everyone is able to do that so we are grateful we can.

Here's where the overnight trip away from the babe gets tricky - 1. she nurses on demand, always has. 2. she's only taken my milk from a bottle a handful of times (we're talking like three or so times in 20 months) 3. Not only does she rely on it for its nutritive purposes but its also a huge source of comfort to her as well (think of a kid that MUST have their pacifier, that's her with nursing whether it be when she's hurt, tired, in a new environment, etc). So I knew I needed to make this transition of being apart from her for a few nights as smooth as possible.

That's where the MAM Soft Baby Bottle Brush comes in - while she typically uses a cup or sippy cup  for water I knew it'd probably be best for her to use an actual bottle to drink my milk from while I was gone. My theory was that it mimicked me better than a cup. And with bottles comes the cleaning! And the big difference between this bottle brush and most others I've seen? The bristles. They're silicone and that immediately struck me as more hygienic then the sponge-type bristles other bottle brushes have. Also, opposite the bristles is another silicone piece and its the perfect size for cleaning the nipple of the bottle.

The bristles also don't scratch the bottle which I imagine would be a concern if you are someone that uses bottles on a regular basis. And the hook in the handle is nice for hanging it up to dry.

I'm told Avery ended up protesting the bottles the first day but the next two days they said she clung to them like a security blanket at nap time and bedtime. And now that I'm home we can store those pesky bottles away for a while, but the next time I hit the skies sans baby I'll make sure to leave plenty of milk, bottles, and the MAM Bottle Brush behind. Expecting or know someone who is? Check 'em out - you'll be able to tell a difference. Scout's honor. 

Mealtime Help

Full Disclosure: As a Nuby Parent Blogger I receive products at no cost, however all words and opinions are my own.

So at mealtime, Sam is like a ninja - a large dog ninja that observes every member of her pack (AKA us) and decides who is likely to give her (whether willingly or due to not having perfected their utensil-using skills) the most food. That person is typically Avery because, well, she's 14 months old and has a tendency to be buck wild regardless of if she's eating or not. So Sam sits watch and waits ever so patiently for my little girlfriend to drop her bowl or plate from her highchair. But guess what, ya'll? Little Sammy is a little sadder these days and I'm a little happier because the Nuby Miracle Mat suctions to the highchair. Hallelujah Amen.

We use it every. single. day. And have ever since receiving it about a month ago and let me tell you, she rarely even tries to pull her bowls and plates off the table or highchair tray now. So I think of it as a learning tool as well, between the suction preventing her from lifting it and me reinforcing a "Keep your plate on the tray until you're done eating, please" we've been able to teach her some proper table manners. We still have a little work to do in other areas though.

Another learning tool has been Nuby's 

Clik-It™ FlipN'Sip™ Cup with 360° Weighted Straw. When kids are first learning to use sippy cups, they don't understand to tilt ones that needs sucked from, and to keep a straw cup upright, so this 360 cup is perfect because no matter the angle the cup is being held at your child will get the liquid due to the weighted straw. Confused? I didn't understand it either until I physically opened the cup and saw how it was made. And for older babes that have been drinking from sippys for a while like Avery that understand the concept, this 360 cup is still handy during situations like snuggling on mama's lap while watching TV. When she's partially laying and drinking from it the last thing on her mind is to hold it at the proper angle so again, even if she gets lazy and holds it at a less than ideal angle she'll still get liquid from it. And it doesn't leak, just ensure you here the CLICK when putting the lid on and you're all set!

So while I don't have an au pair or a personal chef I do have help at mealtime in the form of some convenient Nuby products. And since I know my fellow parents can also use a little help head on over to my Instagram to find out how you can win Nuby's Miracle Mat!

Happy weekend, friends. Xx