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There seem to be a lot of breastfeeding- and pumping-related products that I either didn’t know about when my son was a baby or that just weren’t around back then. Here’s one: a “milk saver” to use when you’re nursing your baby (or if you pump on only one side) that keeps you from losing any milk from the breast your baby isn’t feeding from. It fits in your bra and collects up to 2 oz. of milk that you can then transfer to a bottle or storage bag. It’s dishwasher-safe and free of BPA and phthalates, and it has a lid to keep milk from spilling out. The Milk-Saver is $29.95 at Amazon, which isn’t exactly cheap, but the price doesn’t seem so high when you think about how many times you’ll end up using it. Also, there’s a 10%-off online coupon right now, and it’s eligible for Prime and free returns. Milk-Saver Breast Milk Collector
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Sales of note for 3.28.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – Up to 40% off your full-price purchase; extra 50% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything plus extra 20% off purchase
- Eloquii – 50% off 2+ items; 40% off 1
- J.Crew – 50% off select styles
- Lands’ End – 10% off your order
- Loft – 50% off everything
- Nordstrom: Give $150 in gift cards, earn a $25 promo card (ends 3/31)
- Talbots – 40% off 1 item; 25% off everything else
- Zappos – 37,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – 50% off entire site
- Hanna Andersson – 30% off all swim; up to 30% off HannaJams
- J.Crew Crewcuts – 40% off sitewide; 50% off select swim; 50% off kids’ styles
- Old Navy – 50% off Easter deals
- Target – 20% off Easter styles for all; up to 30% off kitchen & dining; BOGO 50% off shoes & slippers for the family;
See some of our latest articles on CorporetteMoms:
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
TK says
I used and loved this product. It’s my go-to gift for first-time bre*st-feeding moms.
Pogo says
I used the silicone grenade-looking pump instead of these. They seemed like too much work to deal with getting in and out of the bra?
NewMomAnon says
I used this every feeding during maternity leave, because I leaked like crazy. I wore pretty much only nursing tanks, not bras, during maternity leave, so didn’t have a problem fitting this inside. Mine was also soft silicone, so it molded to my body.
One thing I discovered though; I tended to leak only foremilk, so I mixed the milk I caught with these with pumped milk to get a better foremilk/hindmilk ratio. Foremilk alone just ran straight through kiddo’s digestive system. Also, mine didn’t stand up on its own, so I needed to have a vessel on hand to pour it into immediately.
Carine says
I wondered about that – the composition and whether it would actually be usable. Good idea to mix in with other pumped reserves.
GCA says
+1 I appreciated having these in the early stages when random dual letdown was still an issue! I just stuffed them into my bra, no big deal. Other friends have preferred the silicone grenade-looking version, ie. the Haakaa.
Anonymous says
I bought this recently and really don’t like it. When I just hold a bottle under the other side of my nursing, I can collect 2 oz of milk. When I use this, I get a couple drops. I think the far side/wall of the container blocks the milk that would otherwise be leaking out and it just stops leaking? And annoying that it doesn’t stand on its own.
Turtle - Glider Suggestions? says
Anyone have a glider they were incredibly happy with? Three comments from friends have me unsure of which route to go:
1. One has a Stork Craft model from Babies R Us. It’s incredibly narrow – boppy barely fits in it, can’t tuck her leg up if she wanted to sit on one leg. Could just be the particular model, but has me questioning that brand.
2. Another friend had one that was very cheaply made, purchased from Target, and fell apart by baby #3. I’d like something that would last.
3. Another told me it’s worth spending money for something “nice” a la PB Kids. They’re $650-$1,100, based on today’s sales.
Is it worth the bigger money for PB Kids? If it’s from Target or Babies R Us I could register for it, but if from PB Kids I’d just buy it myself. Only request is that it comes with an ottoman or it reclines. Thanks!
Anonymous says
People sell used gliders very frequently in my neighborhood. If price is a major consideration I’d look into getting one used. We have a Dutalier we got for free, which was fine, but the ottoman is very tippy. It glides too and is very light, so if you sit down on it you may tip over. If I had infinite money I would have gotten something more plush and a little more comfortable, and ideally big enough for an older kid (preschool age) to sit in next to me rather than on my lap. I think you need to test them out while holding a nursing pillow and see how comfortable they are for you, particularly the arm height, which is key for baby positioning for nursing.
EB0220 says
I spent so many hours in chairs nursing babies. I feel like an expert on chairs! With my first, I used #1 Ikea Poang and ottoman – OK while she was small but ultimately narrow and armrests were uncomfortable. #2 Inexpensive glider – held up OK but again – too narrow and armrests were uncomfortable. For my 2nd, I got a chair and a half rocker + storage ottoman from WalMart. It was WONDERFUL. If I had it to do again I’d get a more expensive version because the chair wasn’t the most comfortable ever…but maybe its firmness kept me from falling asleep. I highly recommend the chair and half (plenty of room for baby to spread out + boppy), chair with completely upholstered arms, & storage ottoman (keep diapers/wipes/burp cloths in there, change baby on top of the ottoman).
OP says
Was #3 a more traditional looking chair or a wood-framed glider? Those seem to be the two major categories in terms of style. Did the ottoman also glide, or was it stationary?
EB0220 says
#3 is traditional looking – Baby Relax Hadley Double Rocker. It doesn’t rock that well on carpet but that didn’t bother me too much and it slides around, so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this specific one. The ottoman doesn’t rock. It worked well for me. My main requirement was NO WOOD ARMS!
Pogo says
I actually love the Poang in our nursery, but I have a pillow I use under my arm. And yeah, its IKEA so I’m not expecting it to last forever. Gliders just take up SO much space, and I don’t love the way they look.
JTX says
I didn’t get an expensive version, and I regret it. You spend SO MUCH time in the chair that it’s really worth it.
I’d recommend going to try the chairs out if possible. Arm height is very important for comfort while nursing. Also consider the footprint – the PBK chairs seem pretty large (which may be fine depending on the room).
Clementine says
After much rationalizing, we ended up getting the Graham glider from West Elm. We looked at less expensive gliders and used gliders and ultimately decided to splurge on this nice one.
I’ve spent so much time in it. For us, it’s been totally worth the splurge. We wanted something with a higher back and also something that would fit in the living room after we were out of the nursery phase and this has been excellent.
HSAL says
We ended up with a LaZBoy recliner/glider/rocker that has been amazing. Roomy and so comfortable on nights I slept in the baby’s room. It’s significantly more expensive than some other options – we bought one that went with our living room furniture intending it would end up there, but at this point (with a toddler and one on the way) I’m guessing it’ll probably spend the next several years in a child’s room. I’m still really happy with the decision, though.
HSAL says
Didn’t see JTX’s response before I posted, but I definitely second the advice to try out the chairs first – some have different seat depths or height, and the salesperson was really helpful about what size would be best for me + baby.
Anonymous says
We did the same thing – LaZBoy recliner and I don’t regret it for one minute. Will be using it for #2 and we bought it in a neutral pattern so we can incorporate it into our living room furniture eventually. So worth it to have a piece you can sleep in if necessary!
avocado says
I wouldn’t spend PB Kids $$$ on anything that glides. We had a Dutalier glider in the nursery and a stationary armchair in our bedroom, both with ottomans. The glider almost never got used, while the armchair got tons of use and is still going strong now that our kid is 11. We got rid of the glider when our kid became mobile because she had a couple of near misses where she almost pinched her fingers in it even though we were right there. The glider is one of my most-regretted baby gear purchases.
Em says
I went to Buy Buy Baby and sat in every single model they had. The most comfortable one happened to be one of their cheapest models, and we were able to customize wood choice, fabric type, and color. They also accept their 20% off coupons on furniture. I think we paid around $350 for it. We were very happy with it and it worked great for nursing. My son is two and it is still in his room, although now we use it just for sitting and reading books. I think the fabric parts come off and can be thrown in the wash, but we were able to easily spot clean it (and I had a very spitty baby, so it needed lots of spot cleaning). It still looks great and has held up very well.
avocado says
No idea why my response got eaten, but short version: If you are going to spend that much money on a chair, I would get a stationary chair instead of a glider. We had to get rid of our glider very early because baby kept trying to get her fingers pinched in it.
CPA Lady says
ME! I got a swivel glider recliner thingy and it is so great.
It’s a “Best Chair Storytime Series” and the model is “Bilana” I got it at our local frou frou children’s furniture store, for $600 if I’m remembering correctly. I got to pick the fabric. It’s like sitting on a cloud. I spent so many hours rocking and nursing in that chair, or holding my daughter during nap time when she was a baby, and we still use it to read books at bedtime. It has held up great with 3+ years of daily use.
JEB says
I have a swivel glider recliner from the Best Storytime Series as well. I love it! We’re going on 3.5 years, and it still looks and feels as good as it did when we got it. I think ours was about $900 total with the matching ottoman. If I recall correctly, the price can vary based upon which fabric you choose. We got it at a local baby furniture store.
Anon in NYC says
I got a Dutalier glider. It’s nice, and it has a good height to it (i.e., supports my neck). I probably wouldn’t purchase it again. For seating in a nursery, I’d look for something 1) wider. Now that my kid is bigger, it’s difficult to sit side by side in it. Not sure if that is a feature that can be found in a glider. 2) if you want a reclining feature for sleeping, make sure that it reclines flat enough for you. Our glider doesn’t really recline as much as I would like.
TBH, my kid never liked being held and rocked in the glider. She wanted us to be standing/swaying.
Spirograph says
I have one of these and it’s lasted through almost 5 years of daily use over 3 kids. I would say it’s best for the under 2 set, but I can comfortably sit with one older kid in my lap, too.
Anon in NYC says
It is still comfortable with my daughter on my lap… but she insists on sitting next to me. lol
Anonymous says
I have the West Elm Graham also. It is still used daily, almost 3 years later. It still looks great. The only thing that I would have liked better was one that also reclined for the nights I spent sleeping in the nursery. At the time that I was deciding, I chose style over reclining. A friend recently purchased a beautiful glider that also reclines, so they now exist
anon says
I’m late to the conversation, but does anyone have a glider they liked for twins? or if you don’t have twins if you have a baby + toddler – any ideas for something that will fit mom + 2 small humans?
Anonymous says
I didn’t get a glider for our twins, I got a chair-and-a-half rocker, and we LOVE it. Twins are almost 2 and there is enough room for them both to be in my lap (each straddling a leg) while we read at night. But as a disclaimer, I did not nurse them, I exclusively pumped– still, I think something chair-and-a-half width would work best for those crazy twin nursing pillows.
Ms B says
Eh, I used a cushy rocking recliner that The Hubs had from his bachelor days. It was more than wide enough and really did recline so that an adult actually could sleep/doze in it when The Kid was sick and we wanted to be in his room. The Kid is now over 4 feet tall and over 60 pounds and he fits in there side by side for nightly reading with an adult just fine, so it has made it the long term, although one of the arms may be nearing the end of its useful life. I expect you could find something similar at a furniture warehouse for under $400.
Bonus feature: we did not worry about vomit on the chair; it already had been through much worse with The Hubs’s friends before it was cleaned and converted to baby-related use. And when we are done with it, it will be dragged out to the curb, where I expect it will find a new life courtesy of our neighborhood “upcyclers”.
RR says
We had (have) a Dutalier glider. I’m actually surprised by how much use that thing has gotten. My youngest is 4 now, and it still gets used for books, sitting in to fold laundry, etc. I’ve been really happy with it as a purchase, and it’s still working great 10 years and 3 kids after we bought it!
FTMinMA says
Disclaimer: baby hasn’t arrived yet! But we are very happy with this purchase in terms of both looks and third-trimester mama comfort. Also were worried about pinching fingers with glider/recliner mechanisms and it’s all covered for this one. It’s quite wide – definitely also recommend checking them out in store (sadly not all models on the website were available at our local store) because I was surprised by how much the different models even in the same line varied in seat depth and width. Lots of fabric options too – we’re hoping this one is just busy enough to hide spots! We were able to use a 20% off coupon and then paid for shipping it to our doorstep for $40 so it was $550 total.
https://www.toysrus.com/buy/gliders/best-chairs-dakota-swivel-glider-recliner-marble-5ni75-35259-125699786
Tag says Best Chairs Storytime series even though the website doesn’t list it that way
Cb says
I had my first day back at work and baby was home with grandpa. I stupidly tried to work a full day and ended up having to come home early. He did well in the am but wouldn’t sleep or take a bottle from midday. The weather was quite bad today and honestly, I chickened out, not wanting to put Dad and baby through that stress. Any tips? I’ve arranged for a half day tomorrow and can easily do half days for a bit. I guess I’d feel differently if I was dropping him off at nursery but with family, you don’t want to lump them with a screaming baby.
Pogo says
Hugs. I actually felt the opposite – that my mom can handle my little guy going nuts but I worried about daycare managing him.
I did half days for a week, and it did help me mentally but I’m not sure it really mattered to kiddo. My mom and husband experimented with different ways to get LO to take the bottle; each found their own methods. By day 2 he was definitely not there yet, so don’t worry!
It helped me not to have them tell me if he was having a rough day – and if I asked, they were neutral unless he was doing great. Focus on enjoying your work (if you can!) and on having a coffee or lunch in peace.
Cb says
That’s helpful! I think I just went into a stress spiral over whether my dad could handle it and what I would do if he couldn’t. He said “he’s so tired, why doesn’t he fall asleep?” Need to remember that he offered to do it and he’s perfectly capable. Was slightly annoyed to get home and see his computer on the table – baby is 5 months, you can’t really expect to get work done with him present. Slightly more awkward when it is family, isn’t it?
Pogo says
Yeah, I basically gave my mom permission to let him nap in his swing, even though we’re trying to get him to nap in his crib more consistently.
I also read the archives on here when I was feeling overwhelmed – knowing that so many other women have managed to go back to work and their kids all survived really helped. Sounds ridiculous, but the stress spiral is REAL. Reading all the reminders about how short the infant time really is, how the kiddo doesn’t remember it, your baby WILL sleep one day… it helped.
Cb says
Thanks! He’s sleeping so well at night (8-8 with One wake up last night), his naps are just crap and he gets crabby.
Marilla says
At 5 months I would TOTALLY use the swing for naps when you need to.
Ms B says
+1. Swing, bouncer, pumpkin seat set on top of running clothes dryer, whatever works at that age.
Anon says
I accidentally vented about my snow day problems on the main site rather than this one and now everyone over there has just made me feel terrible :(
People are supposed to stay off the streets in my city today due to weather so no way to get backup sitters and my infant and toddler are not at the movie watching age yet! I already used up some sick days on flu and need to hoard more for the next daycare sickness I catch! It’s a lose lose.
Mama Llama says
I was just reading that and thought the responses were unnecessarily hostile. Sorry, it’s a tough situation!
Redux says
Oh wow. I never post/read that site anymore, mostly because the volume is too much for me but also because of the vibe. Yikes!
Pogo says
omg, I just peeked at the responses. The vibe over there is SO different. I pretty much exclusively post here now and I remember why…
Also, there were definitely kids in the background of a call I was on yesterday due to MLK day and no one cared. The only time I am really careful about not being interrupted (by baby, pets or other adult humans who are oblivious) is on external calls.
I’ve found Europeans to be super chill about their kids being on calls, tho. One time the CEO of a company was like, “sorry, I have the kids in the back, we’re on a ski holiday, driving through the alps – say hi kids!”.
OP says
That’s amazing. I definitely phrased things wrong, I was trying to do a moms site vent, not a real corporette post!
I’ve managed to get enough done I think? I definitely don’t want to give working moms a bad name!
Amelia Bedelia says
I read over there, too. I think it was anger over phrasing. People without kids get annoyed about these types of posts. I know because I was one for 10 years!
I think do the calls. Just note in the beginning “So sorry, but backup childcare couldn’t make it due to the roads. I’ll be mute whenever I’m not talking to minimize interference. thanks for understanding!” I’d keep it upbeat and *mildly* apologetic. That’s good enough and people who are annoyed after that should just get over themselves.
That being said, if you absolutely cannot participate at all because the kids are too demanding (because babies are miniature tyrants!!!), I agree you have to take a sick day. It’s awful, but we working mothers are unfortunately used to the awful . . .
Pogo says
Unless you’re leading the call I doubt you really even have to say anything. Just mute unless you have to chime in for a quick second.
For the baby, husband and I have found wearing baby is the best way to guarantee silence during a call. Of course then their little head is very close to the microphone if they do decide to shriek. I got no dice on the toddler, though. That’s tough.
OP says
No, totally my bad. I meant to post here! And I was being facetious. My current supervisor is annoyingly a child-free 29 year old who has way less work experience than me but can work whenever she needs to – I think I’m a little bitter about that on a day like today too!
One of the calls is setting my goals for 2018 with her.
Anon, come on. says
Gently, your bitterness really showed through on your comment. You specifically said that you wanted to “just let them feel the chaos” of your home life. No one cares about noise on the background of a call for a snow emergency. You clearly have frustrations but this call is not the right forum to express those frustrations – your child free supervisor and coworkers did not cause your current problem. It’s not annoying that she’s 29 and childfree.
Anon says
+1. I’m a working mom who didn’t read your comment as facetious, I read it as bitter. I think that’s why you got the responses you got. And this response doesn’t change my impression. Being honest but realizing I don’t have the full story, you sound like you’re trying to pretend you were joking, but in reality you are mad that having kids has impacted your career. Which might be a valid societal complaint, but has nothing to do with your snow day and your supervisor.
Anon says
Yeah, this sounds like when someone makes fun of someone and then is like oh, I was just joking to cover up the mean thing they said. It sounds like you have no respect for your boss and your bitterness may be affecting your judgement.
Knope says
I saw your post over on the main site – I think the reason people were hostile is because it sounded like you wanted to take your anger out on your childless coworkers, who had nothing to do with the decision to keep your office open. I think if you phrased it differently you would have gotten different responses. As long as you aren’t leading these meetings, I don’t think it would be unreasonable to email your co-workers and say that you are calling in but will be mostly on mute as your kids are home today too and may be a bit noisy. But if you can’t actually participate because of your kids, then yeah, you need to take a sick day. That sucks, but take it up with the person who makes that decision – not your co-workers.
Pogo says
I agree this is how it was interpreted but I definitely thought OP was just being facetious about exposing her coworkers to her loud/crazy children.
avocado says
+1.
Anon, come on. says
Doesn’t seem like it since OP says “My current supervisor is annoyingly a child-free 29 year old who has way less work experience than me but can work whenever she needs to.”
Walnut says
Sure, so the weather didn’t consult me before taking a massive crap on my schedule, but this is part of having kids. People who overused “work from home” while actively parenting have pretty much ruined it for everyone else my department. Don’t be that person.
Carine says
I agree it is a tough situation! I commented over there but more thoughts: I’d have a few busy activities for the toddler lined up if possible (playing in the tupperware cabinet? a big bin of dried beans that he/she can play in with measuring cups? a game of “here, have as many puffs or Cheerios as you want”?), tie the infant on in a moby or ergo and really try to make it through the calls so I don’t have to use my sick time. On days like that, if I’ve tried all that, hell breaks loose and I just can’t manage to work at all, then I call the day a bust, use the time, enjoy it and try not to stress about it. Maybe you can get creative the next time something comes up and it will all even out. Good luck!!
Redux says
Do you have a neighbor kid you could hire as a helper today? A middle or high schooler who could come entertain one or both of the kids while you take your calls?
avocado says
I would gladly lend out my 11-year-old as a mother’s helper just to get her out of the house for a while on snow days.
OP says
I don’t yet but I’m going to get one for the next time! I may go door to door. We have some teenage boys I’ve seen around who might be perfect or might be disaster but I’d be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt!
momofboys says
People do this all the time. I don’t think its a big deal at all
anon says
People over there were terrible to you, and I’m sorry. It was really obvious to me that you were being facetious and weren’t actually trying to punish your coworkers.
OP says
Thank you :)
The mom’s site is the best. My immediate boss also just doesn’t like small children so she would be hilariously horrified by my house most days, but especially on a snow day! I really was joking.
Also not trying to punish other working moms. This no cars on the road thing is hard!
Anon in NYC says
Favorite toddler quilt/blanket? My daughter is outgrowing her baby blanket and wakes up multiple times per night asking for us to re-drape her blanket over her. I’ve convinced myself that a larger blanket will solve this (I realize this is wishful thinking). Or is a weighted blanket the way to go here?
Mama Llama says
We have a crib quilt from Land of Nod that I really like. We use a crib converted into a toddler bed, so this might not work if you have a bigger bed. Kiddo still throws it off, but at least she is well covered while it’s on. It looks like the don’t have the exact quilt any more, but it’s similar to this. https://www.landofnod.com/baja-garden-embroidered-floral-baby-quilt/s349943
Anonymous says
We have twin size blankets in my son’s toddler bed (aka crib), so there is PLENTY of fabric to tuck in. I tuck it in all around one side and the foot of the bed, and that helps him stay under it. we have a light IKEA down comforter for when it is cold and a fleece blanket from Target for warmer days.
Sabba says
My comment just got eaten, but look for larger throws that you can use around the house after your child outgrows them. My favorite was a cozy cotton throw from Coyuchi, but it was pretty expensive.
H says
My son LOVES this really old fleece throw blanket I think I got at Target several years ago. He won’t sleep with anything else. A throw size is perfect for his crib too (the side is off). We’ll have to get a real bedspread when we get him a real bed.
anon says
I’d skip the toddler size because they aren’t useful for very long. Go for a twin size fleece blanket.
Best PackIt for transporting pump parts etc says
The PackIt lunch bags were suggested for storing pump parts and pumped milk at and to/from work, but on Amazon I see there are tons of styles/sizes (“Deluxe Large Lunch Bag” “Freezable Carryall” “Freezable Foldable” plain “Freezable”) – any input on which I need? I can’t order a pump through my insurance for another few weeks, but expect to end up with either the Medela or Spectra unless I have to rent one of the hospital grade ones.
And I’m guessing that I’ll be bringing this, and the pump itself in a separate bag, unless I splurge and get a second to have at home.
Thanks, all!
Knope says
I don’t think you need a PackIt for your pump parts if you have access to a refrigerator at work – just use a diaper wet bag for that, then wash the parts when you get home. I’d use the Deluxe Large one if you are planning on pumping into bottles, or the Classic one (smaller) if you are pumping into bags.
AIMS says
You can also pump into bottles and then just pour into bags. I found that the easiest.
Anon in NYC says
I used the foldable one. I pumped 2x per day at work, so it easily fit 4 bottles on the bottom of the bag and then the pump parts on the top of the bottles. I think you could fit 6 Medela bottles across the bottom of the bag.
AIMS says
I had the “Packit Freezable Foldable 8″ Lunch Bags” and found that sufficient for my purposes. I pumped 3 times a day and transported milk in those plastic milk bags, not in bottles, so the only other thing I had to transport were the pump parts and after a while, I started leaving those at work during the week (I washed them with soap and water in the sink; in the beginning, and then “as needed,” I would sanitize them with boiling water. I basically just bought a basic electric tea kettle and kept it in my office). But I generally had no problem with fitting everything in one pack it. The ones I got came in a set of two, which was nice if I forgot it one day or whatever.
Your experience may be different, but I found that it really wasn’t necessary to carry the pump itself home day to day because I could nurse at home and the milk from the work day was enough for the next day. I had a manual pump for “emergencies” and then a friend gave me her old pump and I just bought new parts for it. I know some people have to carry it home for various reasons but just something to consider.
Pogo says
I have the Freezable Carryall Lunch Bag. It nicely fits four medela bottles and my pump parts in a little wet bag (if you buy a spare set of medela parts, it actually comes with a drawstring wet bag fyi!).
I store everything in the fridge between pumps but use the PackIt for to/from work. Since my commute isn’t long I don’t even freeze the PackIt, but it definitely is still very insulating. I like that the pump parts stay cool because then the milk doesn’t dry on them; makes cleaning easier (otherwise, no reason you need to keep them cool on the way home).
I would definitely try to get two pumps – I have one setup in a Medela bag that’s my “travel/home” pump and one that lives at work.
Best PackIt for transporting pump parts etc says
Thanks all!
Redux says
Girl Scout cookie season is upon us! How do you handle cookie orders? It’s such a different game from even 5 years ago now that parents can take orders via social media. Do you post your kids’ order form on FB? Leave a form in your office breakroom? Send emails? Do any kids still go door-to-door?
I like to order cookies from friends and coworkers to help their kids out, but now that I can order from anyone anywhere in the country it’s a little overwhelming. This year I think I will order a box each from any kid of a coworker who leaves a form in the breakroom, but not from friends via social media. Thoughts?
avocado says
As a veteran Girl Scout mom, my suggestion is to focus on ordering from girls who are handling the cookie sales themselves as opposed to girls whose parents are running the whole thing. This might mean buying at a cookie booth in front of the grocery store or buying from a teen who is posting on social media herself. The girls who sell on their own put significant time and effort into it and get really excited about making their sales goals, earning incentives, and earning money for their troops. The girls whose parents sell for them (my kid in past years) don’t need to get a stuffed animal for their parents’ hard work.
If you choose to order through the parents at work, definitely split your order among all the families even though it’s a pain. Cookie politics can be tricky and no parent wants to be known as the one who hogged all the break room orders. This is one of the many reasons why I quit selling cookies at work. Now my daughter only sells at cookie booths and I just donate some money straight to the troop.
AIMS says
Honestly, I find the whole thing problematic. Who is selling the cookies – the kid or the parent? I know lots of people look forward to getting cookies but I have no sentimental attachment to them so it’s always just a semi-crappy box of dry cookies that I buy out of obligation because someone at work handed me an order form and then I’ll bring it to a book club or a friend’s house or whatever else and hope that someone else might be excited for them. I sympathize with the situation – if everyone’s parent does it, then it puts your kid at a disadvantage to not have you do it, and it’s a good cause (I think), but the whole thing is just off to me.
Redux says
Oh yes, me too, for all the reasons you state (plus an additional one of training tiny capitalist warriors) but I love me some Thin Mints! and I know you can buy an approximation of thin mints and all the other cookies they sell at the grocery store, but there’s a nostalgic joy factor about placing a cookie wish in january that will be fulfilled months later on a random happy day! So, I am very much that sentimental buyer!
Carine says
I’ll be the cookie apologist! At least in our troop, it’s made very clear that the girls must be involved at every step. Even if the parent is taking an order form into the breakroom, her daughter is expected to prepare a letter or sign to accompany the form, introducing herself and explaining how the cookie funds will be used in her troop, to assist with counting money and distributing orders. The lessons that accompany cookie season go over things like what it means to set a goal, the girls all vote to decide how the funds are used – in ours they will help defray the costs of camping and other fun patch activities that include work in STEM fields, volunteering at the local food bank, etc.
I recognize that it can seem off-putting and capitalistic – I was actually dreading this part of my daughter being in Girl Scouts, to be honest, but it’s not what I thought or expected. I think it’s really good for the girls and has an impact in the community in a lot of positive ways.
SC says
Ha! We have an extended family member who’s a Brownie. The mom posted on Facebook on her behalf. It’s just a link to an order form to have the cookies shipped directly to you, for a shipping fee. As far as I can tell, the daughter isn’t participating at all–she’s too young for social media, isn’t reaching out directly, doesn’t take the order, and doesn’t even give you the cookies.
I would still order some Thin Mints, but my husband discouraged it because they’re $4/box.
avocado says
Q: “Do any kids still go door-to-door?”
A: In our area a few do, but it is discouraged.
anon says
Why can’t they go door-to-door with a parent?
avocado says
They can go door-to-door with a parent and older girls can go door-to-door with a buddy, but there are lots of warnings and caveats and it’s clear that the council would prefer girls to sell through other means.
CPA Lady says
My kid has been sleeping in her crib converted to a toddler bed. I’m looking into getting her a big girl bed.
Any thoughts, feelings, pros, cons, or anything you wish you knew when you got your kid’s first big bed? Should I be getting a twin bed? Twin with trundle? Full size? Fun castle bed? Any comments on quality for places like pottery barn vs. rooms to go, etc.? I got her crib off of amazon and was happy with the quality, but the reviews for adult beds are pretty mixed.
NOVA Anon says
Having recently done this, I’ll share my thoughts in case it helps – We have tiny bedrooms, so someday we plan to get a loft bed, but since that’s not feasible now for a toddler, we decided to go cheaper on a bed we’ll use for 4-5 years, and then splurge on the loft. We also had very particular wants – a bookcase headboard, a trundle bed for when cousins come to visit, and ideally drawers. We ended up with a bed that fits this description from Value City (about the only place aside from PB kids-type places) where we could find such a thing. We would be VERY happy with the quality if not for the trundle; for that, I’ll give it a “we’re generally happy with the quality” – with the trundle, the way the bed is designed gets in the way of the drawers opening and closing easily. Also, it didn’t come assembled; we had to assemble it ourselves. We also did not factor in that it would be very difficult to find a bed rail that would work with it – we ended up ordering one of Amazon that works perfectly, but was almost a third the cost of the bed ($310 bed; $80 bed rail). But all in all, kiddo is SO happy with his big boy bed; he loves that he can keep stuff on his bookshelf, he loves the drawers (he’s using one to keep toys in…), and he loves all the space.
Sabba says
We have a full bed for my daughter right now, and I am happy with it. We got a simple white wood platform bed from a local furniture builder. I think things to consider are: (1) how big the room is, (2) if you think you will move the bed often, (3) if you need sleepover space in your daughter’s room. If the room is big, you may get more use out of a bigger full bed. You can lie down on it easily with her when she is sick or to read stories or whatever. Her friends can sleep in it if she has a sleepover. If you will move the bed a lot, you want to get something that is easy to take apart and put together and that can withstand the moves or is so cheap you won’t feel bad if it breaks. If you need sleepover space and can’t fit the full size bed, then you can go for the trundle, but an air mattress is also an option if you don’t like the look of a trundle. I like to use platform beds because you don’t need to buy a box spring, but that might just be me.
In my opinion, it is best to avoid the “fun” frames. They will get outgrown quickly and many are cheaply made. I think bunk beds should be avoided unless you need one due to space.
I also can be a bit crunchy avoid frames that introduce too many toxins. If the frame is made with a lot of MDF or other cheap materials or anything that smells like it will offgas forever, I won’t buy it. This also rules out a lot of the “fun” frames.
If you don’t mind buying the boxspring, most mattress stores sell a cheap and simple metal frame that just holds the mattress and boxpring and can’t be seen once you put a dust ruffle on the boxspring. I think you can also screw a headboard into this type of frame. We have one of these for our guest bedroom and it works fine.
mascot says
I was determined to get our money’s worth out of the expensive convertible crib we picked. So we’ve gone from crib to toddler bed to daybed to full bed. If you have the space, I’d go with full over twin. It’s much easier for snuggling, wild sleepers, guests, whatever. Going from the day bed (crib mattress) to a full mattress/boxspring added some height, but my 2.5 yr old managed to get in and out easily with a small stool.
Momata says
We went straight from a crib to a queen bed at age 3 when my daughter figured out how to climb out. We figured that way we could just buy one bed that would be hers until she moved out, and we could also use her room as an extra guest room. I bought some foam bumpers off Am@z0n that have worked out great. It’s really nice to be able to lie down with her to read books, or to sneak in with her if she is sick or has a bad dream (we never allow the kids in our bed). If you have space I highly recommend it.
anon says
With kiddo No. 1, we bought a twin size bed. He’s 8 and it’s still working fine. The one thing I wish we’d done differently is getting a heavier mattress. The one we bought is so lightweight that it has a tendency to slide. We bought a simple headboard for around $100 and a set of rails. I can’t remember what they cost, but I don’t remember it being a budget breaker.
We’re getting ready to transition kiddo No. 2 to a big kid bed. She may end up with a full size mattress because I’d like to keep using her convertible crib. The downside is that if we go that route, it will take over her entire bedroom. We’d have to get rid of the glider chair, which we’re still using for bedtimes stories. She also likes to curl up in the rocker on her own. I can’t bear the thought of selling it. I’m irrationally attached to our rocker, BTW. It has so much sentimental value and has held up great. (The brand is Best and it’s not even a tiny bit wobbly. My sis bought a cheap rocker from Target and that thing is falling apart after 2 kids.)
That’s a long-winded way of saying that we need to move our 3-year-old into a bigger bed and I’m also not sure what to do. :)
Anonymous says
My step-son has a “fun” bed at our house, and let me tell you, it is EXHAUSTING to change the darn sheets. I feel like I’m doing acrobatics just to make his bed. It’s really annoying. So, consider that.
Anonymous says
I have my eye on the Ikea Kura for a first “real” bed. It’s a half-height loft and can be positioned so the mattress is near the floor and you get a canopy-esque frame or so that the mattress is lofted and there is a cozy reading/play space underneath.
We’re in a tiny apartment, so not losing any floor space by age six or so is extremely appealing.
Anonymous says
My 5.5 year old is still fitting into his crib/toddler bed. We’re going to need a larger one in the next year though.
Anonymous says
I’m the anonymous at 2:09 pm. My step-son has the Ikea Kura bed. It’s the worst. The underneath part is too low (he’s 6) and the bed is too high (he makes SO MUCH NOISE when he thumps down the ladder in the middle of the night; separately, it is so difficult to change the sheets). I can’t discourage it enough. I mean you do you, but I have not been happy.
Ms B says
Late to this post, but we have the Kura and have been happy with it. We started using it for The Kid at 3 1/2 when we transitioned him out of his crib (he stayed in it a LONG time) in the “low bed” mode. Later this year we will be flipping it to use in “half loft” mode until we get him a bigger bed in a few years. I do not anticipate the sheet issues being too bad; The Kid is 6 now and already does about half the work associated with changing sheets and I plan to transition that to him more or less completely when we flip the bed.
On beds says
Our oldest (now 4.5) moved from a crib right to a full sized bed at 20 months. We have a *lot* of house guests (family), so we often bump her from her bed so grandma or grandpa or auntie can sleep in a big bed if the guest room is already occupied. She gets an air mattress in our room.
We have a second, who is 20 months and nowhere near ready for a big kid bed. We are moving both girls into a shared room and are buying two twin beds. Toddler will stay in her crib but have the big kid bed available for inspiration ;-). We are getting a $100 headboard, $30 metal rails, box spring and mattress, all from amazon.
Full bed is going into the nursery for #3, along with a second crib (unless toddler moves out of it on her own in the next 5 months). That way we can still have a back-up bed, plus I can nap/sleep in there when the baby is tiny.
As the kids (all girls) get older, we will have 2 twins, a full, and a Queen (now our guest bed) to play with for rooms. And we have a nice air mattress for sleepovers/temp sleeping arrangements as well.