Motherhood - Joyful Messes

Postpartum Essentials: Postpartum Must-Haves to Get Before Baby Arrives

I’ve had to prepare for birth three times now so I know exactly what postpartum essentials are needed in order to recover and thrive after the baby arrives. I’ll be honest – I’ve learned a bit more about what postpartum must-haves to stock up on with every baby I have. These are the postpartum essentials that I never want to run out of while taking care of a newborn baby and myself. It’s so wonderful to sit at home and just enjoy the baby, and NOT need anyone to run out to grab postpartum items. I recommend grabbing these postpartum items before you’re very pregnant and tired at just the thought of leaving the house. This particular postpartum list is just what mamas need in the first few weeks after birth. The goal is to make sure you are comfortable and happy. Another thing I did to prepare for postpartum…

Breastfeeding

How I Safely Lose the Extra Baby Weight Without Losing My Milk Supply

I’ve had three babies and each time I’ve gained more knowledge about losing the extra baby weight safely and without affecting my breastmilk supply. In fact, I was able to keep up a healthy milk supply while dropping the baby weight fairly fast. Weight loss after baby can be done without a strict, low-calorie diet or lots and lots of intensive exercise. The best (and, sometimes, fastest) way to lose the baby weight is to focus on a few important things that will help you with your postpartum weight loss goals while also protecting your milk supply. I developed a program and app that supports mamas just like you with developing a breastfeeding diet plan that will help you reach your after baby weight loss goals while making sure you’re eating enough nutrients to support a healthy milk supply. Click here to find out more about The Postpartum Cure and…

Breastfeeding

The Best Milk Making Brownie Lactation Smoothie Recipe

If you’re searching for yummy lactation smoothie recipes, my milk-making brownie lactation smoothie recipe is just what you need. This lactation smoothie is amazing for both increasing milk supply as well as helping you lose that baby weight. It’s filled with healthy breastfeeding foods that will allow you to reach your goals while nursing your sweet newborn baby. Did you see that I mentioned this lactation smoothie will boost your milk supply while helping you lose the extra baby weight safely? Yes, it is possible for healthy weight loss while breastfeeding! Lactation smoothies are a key component of my program, The Postpartum Cure because they are full of important nutrients for breastfeeding and weight loss. That really is the trick to keeping your milk supply while losing the baby weight. If you’re struggling to lose the baby weight while breastfeeding because you fear your milk supply will decrease, make sure…

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Diet: The Best Foods for Milk Supply and Weight Loss After Baby

I’m breastfeeding my third baby now and I’ve finally got a handle on how to lose the baby weight without affecting my milk supply. I’ve even had a bout of mastitis from overproducing, while still losing all the baby weight in about 2 months. Your breastfeeding diet is really key to telling your body it’s okay to let go of fat, while also providing the nutrients that produce the liquid gold your baby needs. If you are looking for a quick way to increase your breast milk supply, while not consuming extra calories, I highly recommend Fenugreek. I’ve used it a few ways, but the drinkable versions worked best for me. I also found this resource amazing in helping me understand breastfeeding and how to keep up a healthy supply. I know that a nutrient-dense breastfeeding diet plan is essential for successfully maintaining a good milk supply level while also being able to meet…

Breastfeeding

How To Create a Healthy Breastfeeding Diet Plan

Creating a healthy breastfeeding diet plan is easier than you think! In this post, I’m going to show you how to create a healthy breastfeeding diet that will help your own health as well as your breast milk supply. Creating a breastfeeding diet plan is really important to your health as a new mommy, as well as your milk supply. Successfully creating a diet plan you can follow while breastfeeding means that you can start losing the extra baby weight while nourishing your body. This is what I teach to new mamas in my program. It is entirely possible that you can create your own breastfeeding diet plan to lose weight and keep your milk supply up. I am going to give you the steps to take to help you do just that! What A Healthy Breastfeeding Diet Plan Looks Like And How To Do It Creating a breastfeeding diet plan…

Breastfeeding

The Best Breastfeeding Foods for Lactation Smoothies and Shakes to Increase Milk Supply

Want to learn how to make yummy and healthy lactation shakes and smoothies that will help you build your breast milk supply while nourishing your body? If you’re looking to add some lactation recipes to your rotation, I’m going to give you some of the best ingredients to use in your lactation shakes. Good for you, mama! Taking control of your breastfeeding diet is just plain smart and healthy too! All you need is a blender, some fruits, a liquid of choice, and some other helpful ingredients to taste, you are well on your way to making your tummy super happy while improving your daily milk production supply. Choosing the Right Ingredients for Your Lactation Shakes and Smoothies There are some very nutritious ingredients that you can use to create your very own lactation shakes and smoothies. Make sure to pin this post to refer back to later! The ingredients…

Baby Goods

7 Products That Are Good For Baby and the Environment

Most of us are at least a little environment conscious. However, we tend to become even more so once we start having babies! After all, parents want nothing but the best for their baby. That means not only the things they come in contact with but also things that will affect the world they will grow up in. Let’s help you venture down the increasingly earth-friendly road you may be traveling. We have compiled a list of seven items to get you started with the basics! Burt’s Bees Crib Sheets and Pajamas Babies spend the majority of their time sleeping for a few months. This means a lot of time in pajamas curled up in their bed! Take care of the environment and your baby by selecting one of Burt’s Bees 100% Organic GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified bedding and pajamas. Burt’s Bees has a large variety of organic cotton sheets. There are sure to be…

DIY

15 Best Pregnancy Costume Ideas for Halloween

Halloween is an exciting holiday for many, but it can be stressful for pregnant moms to find the costume that fits their personality as well as their growing pregnancy belly. Pregnant women already have a hard time finding the perfect costume for their baby bump. It is a great idea to get one that is not only unique and creative, but also comfortable for their mid-section carrying their precious cargo. There are plenty of costumes that pregnant mamas can consider. To make this process easier, here are some of the best Halloween costumes we could find for expectant mothers. You want to enjoy the festivities and have a spooktacular time until sweet baby bundle arrives. Check out these ideas for where to start looking for affordable yet fun Halloween costumes for pregnant women! 15 Best Pregnancy Costume Ideas for Halloween The Gumball Machine Maternity Halloween Costume This is easily…

Breastfeeding

Tips for Breast Milk Storage

One of the most bonding things between a mother and baby is breastfeeding. This can be one of the easiest ways to feed your baby. However, many women reach a point where they need to begin pumping their breast milk. Sometimes it is because their body produces more milk than the baby needs. Or they may need to return to work and want to provide the liquid gold for bottle feeding. For some mommas, keeping a stored supply of breast milk is done because they want to resume date nights with the hubby. Whatever your reason for pumping and storing your breast milk, we have compiled a few tips to help you get started. Organizing Your Pumped Breastmilk One of the most important things to remember when you are storing breast milk is to label your milk! There are many different types of storage bags you can purchase. Most of…

Motherhood

The Truth about Pelvic Floor Recovery: Postpartum Tips to Follow

We’ve all heard postpartum horror stories—hair loss, postpartum infections, difficulty breastfeeding, and the infamous “baby blues.” Among these common challenges include pelvic floor disorders (PFD). According to a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, almost half of women suffered symptoms of at least one kind of PFD, including bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction during and after pregnancy. There is a lot to learn about childbirth injury, and this article aims to shed light on pelvic floor dysfunction and how women can overcome it. What Happens to the Pelvic Floor Muscles Postpartum One of the key pelvic floor muscles, called the levator ani, is responsible for supporting and raising the pelvic floor and maintaining urinary and bowel functions. As a woman goes through pregnancy and delivery, this muscle becomes strained to support the process. Since the levator ani holds the pelvic organs together, the…