Taking care of one’s health is always important, but never more so than during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It is easy for expecting and especially new mommies to forget to properly manage their health.
I never thought much about prenatal health before I got pregnant with Honeybun. I new prenatal vitamins were important and all the no-nos (alcohol, caffeine, sushi, etc.) but I didn’t actually think about starting a healthful regime until I got the positive pregnancy test over 6 weeks after hubby and I decided to start our family.
And it wasn’t until I was admitted and discharged from the hospital with pneumonia that I actually began taking regular prenatal vitamins. And I haven’t stopped since. Through four pregnancies and years of breastfeeding without a break, I’ve continued to take prenatal vitamins pretty much without a break.
Back when I was pregnant with Honeybun, the choices weren’t very good. You could get basic over the counter vitamins and add an expensive DHA supplement (they were just starting to promote the benefits at that time) or you could get a prescription.
I’ve pretty much always chosen over the counter for many reasons. 1) I don’t have any interest in running to the pharmacy for a fill-up every 30 days when I can get a buy 1 get 1 free 60 day supply and not have to worry about it for 4 more months. 2) I like seeing what’s in my supplements and reading the labels before I buy them. 3) Moving around here and there and overseas and everywhere, 30-day refills weren’t really a choice. 4) It’s harder to get a prescription when you’re breastfeeding a 2 year old.
So I took a combination of the cheap-o basics and prescription vitamins with Honeybun but by the time Sugarplum came to be and I had to stock up before heading over the ocean, they had finally come out with an all-in-one including DHA and that’s what I’ve been taking ever since.
That is, until I ran out and was offered the chance to try Fairhaven Health’s line of prenatal supplements. At first I was shocked by the slew of vitamins I had to take to get one daily dose: 1 multi, 2 cal-mag and 3 Omega-3!
I’m not a big pill person. I taking medicine very sparingly (AKA, not really at all) and don’t do well with large pills. Even the all-in-one multis I’ve been taking for years were hard at the beginning.
So that first night, I sat there, staring down my pills: all at once or one at a time? I was afraid I’d gag all at once but more afraid I’d never get them all down doing one (or even a few) at a time. So I went for it. I popped them all in my mouth, took a big gulp of water and voila! They were gone. Just like that, easy peasy. And I haven’t had a problem a single time getting all the pills easily down.
Nutritionally, they are very similar to my all-in-ones and now that I’m past the morning sickness stage, I’m feeling really good overall as well (other than still being exhausted by life).
Fairhaven Health has a slew of products for every stage of motherhood from trying to conceive to pregnancy to nursing, their full line includes fertility supplements; ovulation and pregnancy tests; teas; balms and lotions; breastfeeding accessories as well as newborn products and products for dad.
And while I’m still in the pregnancy phase of their line of products, now is your chance to win their Breastfeeding Essentials Bundle which includes their Milkies Nurture Nipple Balm, Nursing Time Tea and Tea Ball, Milkies Milk Saver and Happy Bottom Baby Balm and is valued at $66.95.
This giveaway is open to US Residents aged 18 and over. Family of Melissa Roy are not eligible to enter. Prize will be shipped by Fairhaven Health after winner is confirmed and their mailing address received. By entering this giveaway you are agreeing to receive periodic email updates from Beyond Mommying which include advanced notice of future giveaways. Your email will never be shared or sold and you can subscribe at any time.
Breastfeeding has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. It has brought me much pain, tears, frustrations and finally joy. It still isn’t EASY like so many lead it to be, but I am becoming a semi-pro. Sire, I’m definitely loving the health benefits and bond for me and my little one! However, the biggest thing I think is the ability to say “me too” to my friends who come to me in tears because their experience isn’t going as flawless as the nursing Moms toted in nursing bra ads etc.
There is definitely a stigma about breastfeeding being natural, therefor easy, but oftentimes that is so far from the truth! I know few women who were pro-breastfeeders from the start but I also know TONS of women who pushed through and became super-breastfeeders. It does get easier, it just takes time, patience, love and an undying passion to make it work!
BF my first son for the first 6 months was mentally draining. It was hard and stressful. Thankfully i found a group of women who supported me thru this journey. I went on to BF for 18 months. It gave me joy, closeness with my son, one only i can share with him. Now BF my second son and its going great. I love sharing my experience with other moms and supporting them in their journey too.
I definitely think the key to any successful breastfeeding relationship is support. Just finding a group of women who have done or are doing it or believe in it can make a huge difference in how it goes, especially when you struggle with it!
After EBF 2 preemies (doesn’t happen for a lot of moms…thank goodness I was blessed with a huge supply) and tandem nursing my first two…I’m exhausted! It was a different kind of blessing to have my 3 rd nurse like a charm and not be wrestling a toddler on the other side :) I’m happy to say I’ve been nursing babies for almost 3 years now and the respect I’ve gained for what life I bring my baby through my body has helped me cope with all the ways my body changed from 3 babies. I tell my son I’m like Spider-Man only I make milk instead of webs LOL. Despite the massive amount of energy and stamina BF takes, the joy and well being are unparalleled!
I love your Spider-Man analogy!
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Breastfeeding makes babies smarter and healthier.
Looking forward to breastfeeding my little girl (due in july) as long as possible. With my first I was only able to for 5 months, unfortunately! So glad I have such a great support system!
Good luck with your journey. I’ve always found successful breastfeeding comes down to mind over matter, if you believe you can and really believe in it, you will succeed!
Im expecting my first and have heard such amazing bonding stories that go with breastfeeding and Im really hoping that I can breastfeed for at least the first year.
Breastfeeding with my first baby was so much more meaningful than I could have anticipated. I miss those bonding times now and look forward to having them with future babies. Additionally, I think it’s helped my baby out significantly during this horrible viral respiratory season!
Maddy, I definitely think breastfeeding goes way beyond the long term benefits we often hear about. My babies were always healthier than their friends while I was breastfeeding.
I’m getting ready to start my tenth month of breastfeeding. I’m one of the lucky moms who hasn’t had any real struggles with it – my boy had been a natural from day one. I’ve had quite a hard time choosing prenatal vitamins, though. Most make me throw up. I’ve had some success recently with the natural, plant-based ones you can buy for an arm and a leg at the health food store. But my budget doesn’t like them as much as my belly does…
Congrats on the breastfeeding milestone, Steph! I have to take all vitamins right before bed or they destroy my stomach as well, maybe the Fairhaven Prenatals above would be worth a try since they don’t have the thick coating most have and may be gentler.
I having had the privilege of breastfeeding yet – baby isn’t here yet. I’m looking forward to providing good nourishment to my sweet babe
I would love to win this package! I have breastfed with 2 of my children and plan on breast feeding with the 3rd one that’s arriving in June!
Congrats on #3 and good luck with your next breastfeeding journey, Caitlin!
Breast feeding is so important. My daughter is expecting her third child this year.
Thank you for hosting this giveaway!
Congrats on all the grand-babies and thank you for supporting your daughter’s breastfeeding, many grandmothers are not so supportive!
Breastfeeding means a lot to me because it is good for my baby and for me too!
Thank You for the chance
That’s why it’s important to me, too!
Breastfeeding is the best gift that you can give your baby! It is the best nutrition and best bonding experience that you could ever ask for! I am a huge BF supporter! I nursed my first two and I will be nursing my new one that is coming in 9 weeks! Breast is Best! Thank you for the giveaway! I could use this with my new little one :)
Good luck with baby 3, hope all goes well and check back for lots of advice on life with three!