Real Nappies Cloth Diaper Review

I love cloth diapers.  I've saved about a thousand dollars so far, but we also don't buy paper diapers unless we are travelling somewhere, which isn't often.  I have enough diapers for three days, so I wash every three days, though less often recently since she has started potty learning on her own.

We've used cloth diapers since our youngest was born 15 months ago.  I started with covers and prefolds, and as she grew and became mobile at about four months old, pockets with prefolds became our standard.  Nights have always been a struggle for us, since she would sleep on her side or stomach, and by morning she would be sopping wet with leaks and a lot of times end up with the start of a rash.

I received the Real Nappies Cloth Diaper Top Up Pack to review, which has been an incredible addition to our collection.  It came with two Velcro covers and six Indian Cotton prefolds.  My daughter is on the smaller side, just barely over 19 pounds, but their crawler size from 18-31 pounds fits beautifully!

We use these diapers for night wear.  They're bigger than the prefolds we were using, so we don't need to double up anymore, and they are so absorbent.  I prepped the prefolds and diapers before using, and I have been so impressed with how they've held up and how much moisture they hold.

At first, I was nervous at how long they are, but we have also been using the infant size from cottonbabies, so we should have upgraded awhile ago to a longer and bigger prefold.  She is smaller, so we fold it in half after trifolding, but this makes it perfect for her since she is a stomach and side sleeper and we have trouble with leaking.

I'm not a fan of Velcro on cloth diapers because it does wear out faster, and my daughter learned to peel those off at six months old so Velcro has only been for night use with full pajamas for awhile, so that didn't need to be changed.  The cover is designed really well, and they fit better than a lot of other covers we tried.  Not only does she not leak, but the diapers don't move very much while she is sleeping, which was a problem with other Velcro diapers for us.

We haven't had these as long as our other prefolds, but we also haven't had the rash problems yet with these prefolds, which is a big plus.  I'm sure over time they will need to be stripped and washed, but for now, they are much easier to use than our current night set up.

Real Nappies come in four sizes - 6-13 pounds, 11-19 pounds, 18-31 pounds, and 29-40 pounds. I like one size diapers because they grow with the baby, but my kids grow slower so they are in sizes like this for a lot longer, so we aren't spending a lot of money upgrading sizes.  I like how their sizes are set up.  They're big enough gaps that you will use a diaper for more than a month, but small enough so as your baby grows and wets more, the next size up is around the size you would need.

The company also has other baby and kid products, not just cloth, so take a look at their site to see.  A lot of their products are green and all are safe for kids and babies, and shipping was so fast.  Overall, just a great company to work with!

The Mother Magazine Review and Giveaway

I have been trying to find a new natural living and parenting magazine since Motherhood stopped their print issues, and so many of my friends in this community rave about The Mother Magazine.  I kept putting off reading it, though their facebook page is loaded with information.

I was sent three issues of the magazine from this year, and as soon as I opened the envelope and saw what was written in each issue had me hooked.  However, what really sold me was an article in the May/June 2012 issue.

We are, for now, following a more unschooling program than actual homeschooling and doubts creep in regularly whether we are doing the right thing and if she will ever "catch up" to other children her age.  She is teaching herself to read and is very interested in it, but she just isn't there yet.

The article in the May/June issue is titled Unschooling: inspired thinking or educational neglect? by Chaley-Ann Scott.  The title drew me.  The same thoughts had run through my head.  She writes about how unschooling works in her home, how her children thrive at their own pace, and how unschooling has grown in many countries, including the US.  She discusses both sides of the unschooling 'debate' and explains why there is such a huge divide between homeschoolers and unschoolers.

Though I will say for me, the best part of the entire article was her discussing when her children learned to read.  Her daughter learned at six, in almost the same way that my daughter is learning, but her son didn't have any interest until he was eight.  She discusses how she felt during the long wait for her late reader, but that she knew to wait for him.

I thumbed through the rest of the issue and was blown away by the amount of information on so many diverse topics.  One issues goes from Vitamin K information to barefoot babies.  Another discusses The Red Tent Movement to maternal health in Nigeria.  There are beautiful pictures within, whether they're babywearing, nursing, birthing, or families interacting.  Every issue contains healthy recipes, which I have yet to try, but they look delicious and simple.

This magazine is everything I have been looking for since Motherhood stopped.  I actually think it is better than Motherhood ever was.  The topics are real questions parents and families ask themselves, and they're written by people that have been there and researched this for months.

If you have anything you want to write about, you can send in submissions to them, and be published in the magazine, which is one of my favorite parts.  You aren't hearing from random big shot sources like other parenting magazines, you're hearing from real people.

The very best part?  The Mother Magazine is giving away ten free issues to ten lucky families!  This magazine is one that you truly want in your library, even if just for the recipes, pictures, or to have on hand in case you ever need a bit of advice.

Just complete the form and you can get 10 easy entries for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Simple Boxcar: Bring Nick Home

When Ani of The Simple Boxcar asked us if we would be interested in hosting a feature post for her I jumped at the chance. For anyone not familiar with Ani’s story; she is single, naturally minded, home-schooling mom to Nick. Nick has been removed from his mother’s care on false allegations and kept through loopholes in state law because of Ani's 'alternative' lifestyle and parenting choices. You can read all about what is happening in Ani’s own words HERE.  

I started following Ani on twitter just about two years ago, I felt there were a number of things we connected over, what originally drew me was our mutual interest in the art of living simply. I also appreciated Ani’s wit and her willingness to share, discuss, and defend her political and/or spiritual views in a way that both challenges and delights me. I was awed and inspired by her ability to create the life she wanted, to stay at home to educate her son, Nick, to follow her passions, to live simply and harmoniously without the support of a partner or extended family.

Her strength is simply magic. Despite the absolute nightmare she is living through she is still working and creating, still fighting for little things-small details to bring Nick as much joy as she can during the limited visitations they have. She has not forgotten her faith, she has not deterred in her commitment to doing what’s right for her family. I am so happy to be supporting her as much as I can, I am proud to call her a friend.

Currently Ani is raising funds to hire a private attorney who will be able to give Nick’s case the attention it deserves. Part of her plan to do that is her Etsy shop, The Simple Boxcar, here you can find all manner of lovely knitted items from scarves and hats to washcloths to dolls to yoga bags and, my personal favourite, these fabulous barefoot sandals (I like to call them festival footies because they are absolutely perfect for the grassy dance floors of outdoor music festivals):

The yarn Ani crafted these out of is so soft and the colours are so beautiful and vibrant and perfect I literally squealed when they arrived in my mail box. I love that there is a lot of extra material in the ties to give you a few style options, and the quality of the yarn makes them so comfortable even if (like me) you don’t always like the feeling of fabric around your toes. If you’re not really into going barefoot these can be used to fancy up plain ballet flats or worn on your hands.

This is what happens when you try to do a photo-shoot at nap time

Ani sent me this pair free of charge so that I could tell you all about them and I think the highest praise I can give is to say that I just placed another order for a beautiful cowl for fall and winter.

As well as supporting Ani’s shop I have also sent her a small donation through the paypal buttons on her blog, and I’ve signed the change.org petition that has been set up urging the state to right the wrong that has been done here. All parents deserve the right to make decisions for their children without the threat of actions like these and all families, no matter what size, shape, or colour, deserve to be supported in whatever decisions they make. 

Please Support Ani to bring Nick home in whatever way you can, shop her Etsy store, send a donation, send her kind words and prayers, share her story with your networks. Thank you!

Loveybums Review/Giveaway!!!

As a devoted cloth diaper user, I felt like I’d tried just about every style and every brand out there, until I discovered the wonderful world of small, family owned and wahm-based diaper companies.  I first found Loveybums while looking for wool.  They are a family owned and operated business in Massachusetts, and all of their products are made in New England with eco-friendly fabrics produced in the US.  They make incredible wool wraps, that are exceptionally trim under clothing.  I decided to give the jersey and crepe covers a try, and I was not disappointed.  After receiving my first package, I quickly realized that the only thing that topped my love for Loveybums wool wraps was my love for their velour fitted diapers.  After trying multiple brands, these had everything I had been looking for!  I was so in love, in fact, that I volunteered to write the review based on my experience with the products I’ve previously purchased. 

[*Note: All photos are of my personal washed and worn Loveybums diaper, and unfortunately I was unable to fully capture the vibrant color, or the squishiness!]

The velour fitteds are constructed of the softest, squishiest organic velour, with hidden layers of organic interlock and fleece.  But don’t let the squish fool you – they are also one of the trimmest fitteds I own.  There is no sacrifice in absorbency though, as they are also crowned as my favorite in that department as well!  They are so beautifully made in vibrant, hand-dyed organic velour, and the fit is outstanding.  Three snaps on each side prevent wing droop, and the stretchy, well crafted elastic gussets offer the snuggest of fits.  My daughter is 33 inches and 27 lbs and still fits into her larges on the smallest settings (without using the crossover snap).  The rise fits her beautifully without any lower belly sagging.  My first ones have been in heavy use for four months and show little signs of wear.

There is a snap in soaker that generally stays completely attached in the wash, that goes right up to the edge of the gussets.  I particularly like this feature when it comes to poop.  As many of you may have experienced, some diapers have skinnier inserts where poop can get trapped beneath them, or in the case of multiple layer soakers - sandwiched throughout, and it can be difficult to track it all down if you use a diaper sprayer as I do.  These are by far the easiest fitteds I own to spray clean, and the stretchy gussets hold in the biggest of messes.  The simple one piece, hourglass-shaped soaker is fully absorbent and does the job in spades.   There are doublers available if you’re looking for more holding power.  In fact, I have found that a doubler paired with a fleece topped hemp doubler was all I needed to make my loveybums fitted last 12 hours through the night!

In all, my only tiniest of tiny desire for something more with these diapers would be a stay-dry option.  I fully understand the need for many mamas to keep their fibers natural, but some of us have little ones with tender, sensitive tushies, and I get awfully tired of dealing with skimpy stay-dry fleece liners.  In my fantasy dream world I wish there were a stay-dry option so I would have one less piece of diaper laundry to tangle with.

Overall, Loveybums offers many beautifully crafted products that are worth consideration.  Some are periodically offered at deep discounts to facebook fans, and with coupon offers as well as seconds and overstock sales, there are always great deals to be had.  But these products are worth every penny.  And certainly, one of the best aspects of the company is not only its commitment to selling products manufactured entirely in the US, but Pam of Loveybums has always given stellar customer service.  She promptly answered all of my questions prior to purchases and has been a pleasure to deal with.  I am always happy to give my business to amazing companies such as this. 

For your chance to win your very own Loveybums Velour Fitted in the gorgeous Aquamarine color with your choice of size make sure to leave a comment on the blog post with your choice of diaper size and tell us your favorite loveybums product! 

For this and additional entries,if the entry box does not automatically appear, please CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

Breastfeeding, Take Two

I successfully nursed my daughter for nine months, and then again 29 months later for a month.  And yet, I still feel like I failed her the first time.  I was able to have that re-do with her, but I will never get that first time back.

There is a lot of guilt spread around on mothers that tried their hardest and yet still couldn't reach the personal goals they had set for themselves when nursing their children.  A lot of the guilt, especially in the United States, is that they shouldn't have tried so hard since it didn't work anyway.  So women wonder what they are doing wrong when they are upset about their lost nursing relationship.

So when you get pregnant again, or if you are even just thinking about another child after a bad nursing experience the first time, do you want to nurse in spite (or because) of that, or has it completely changed your perspective on nursing and it isn't even worth trying the second time?

Stephanie Casemore has written and released a new book, Breastfeeding, Take Two.  This book is all about working through the issues of previous nursing experiences and learning how to change them the second time.  A lot of what happened in previous nursing experiences can be changed.  The issues you had, maybe not so much, but even just having the right support and information can make the world of difference when you are tired and wondering if you can go on.

Trying to make sure I got as much out of this book as I could, and so that I could give a quality review, I read the book three times, with a few days in between each reading so that the information would seem fresh and not rushed.  Every time I read this book, the introduction had me in tears.

"Where did I come from?" the baby asked its mother.  She answered, half-crying, half-laughing, and clasping the baby to her breast, "You were hidden in my heart as its desire, my darling.  You were in the dolls of my childhood games.  In all my hopes and my loves, in my life, in the life of my mother, and in her mother before her, you have lived.  In the lap of the eternal spirit you have been nursed and nurtured for ages." (page 12)

What a beautiful start to this book.  This quote resonated with me like nothing I have heard.  I do come to this in a different way, and a lot of this information I felt mirrored infertility and wanting another child.  Some of the parts were so beautiful, but none more than this quote.

The biggest feelings of guilt from a mother that felt she had failed herself and her baby when breastfeeding didn't work out how she dreamed just don't go away.  These last from one child to the next.  Every breastfeeding relationship is new and different, even if you have successfully nursed before, but one of the major pitfalls is thinking that you did something wrong.

However, having looked at the subject from every angle, I've come to one conclusion:  there is no such thing as breastfeeding failure.  In truth, the only differentiation that is valid is "did" and "did not".  The reasons for not meeting your breastfeeding goals are varied, but if you attempted to breastfeed - regardless of how long you actually breastfed - then you were a breastfeeding mom. 

The real issue is one of satisfaction.  Success and failure is far to black and white for such a complex activity.  You either did or did not breastfeed and within that black and white division there is a range of satisfaction. 

If you are ultimately unsatisfied with your experience, then it is likely that you feel as though you didn't achieve success with breastfeeding:  you failed.  But this ignores all you did do and the knowledge you gained - knowledge you will take with you to breastfeed the second time around.  Life is merely an accumulation of experiences and growing in them is all we can hope to do.  Even one day of nursing your newborn makes you a breastfeeding mom.  Although it isn't likely what you intended and as a result therefore not a satisfying experience.  (page 15-16)

This topic is said many times throughout the book.  As a mother that feels she failed at breastfeeding, I really needed to be told multiple times that I didn't fail.  Normally repetition becomes stale, but in this book, and for mothers that had issues previously, need to be told over and over that they did nothing wrong.  For most women that "failed" at breastfeeding, they tried for a very long time to keep it going.  Pumping, herbs, every tiny thing that could help their milk supply or the issues they had, most have tried them all.  How, in any sense of the word, does that make you a failure?  If you try everything and it still doesn't work, you tried harder than most.  Be proud of yourself, you really and truly did everything you could.

Another thing she really talks about through most of the book is how society has failed nursing mothers in every step and in every sense.  We are caught between what is socially accepted (formula) and what is frowned upon and looked at as abnormal (breastfeeding).  Everywhere you look, baby symbols point to staying away from the breast.  Invitations to baby showers and gift bags all have bottles and pacifiers.  Bottles and formula are handed out like candy on Halloween at the hospital and at baby showers.  When a woman has issues breastfeeding, one of the biggest pieces of advice she gets is to "just switch to formula, don't try so hard."  We are told to go against our biology and physiology and accept societies view without comment.  This is not natural nor normal.  So many women end up feeling like failures because of this struggle between their natural instincts and society's expectations.

One of the biggest issues I have had with with the slogan "Breast Is Best" is completely addressed in this book.  By saying that breastmilk is best, you are in effect saying that formula is okay in comparison.  Breastmilk is the best thing for a baby, but it is also the most natural thing for a baby.  Breast isn't best.  It is the biological normal.  Formula is and always will be an artificial substance, and by putting breastmilk in the running, formula seems like a normal alternative, as if it is a completely normal option to take.  "Breast Is Best" is an amazing slogan, but with just this slogan, we are giving no information to help new mothers breastfeed.

With breastfeeding comes so many issues, mostly from the outside.  The lack of information, lack of support, and the social pressure and influence all make breastfeeding so much harder.  Most go into their first nursing relationship thinking it will be such a natural thing and there won't be a learning curve.  This is very far from the majority of stories.  Breastfeeding takes time, patience, and a lot of information and help.

Stephanie discusses how most providers and nurses are not trained in breastfeeding.  Yes, they understand how it works, but they are not prepared for any of the issues encountered, and a lot don't even know how to help achieve a good latch.  When 99% of the women in the United States are having their babies in the hospital with illtrained or untrained providers, no wonder only 33% are still breastfed at 3 months, and 13% are exclusively breastfed at six months!

She discusses how being prepared with a provider that can help with breastfeeding after birth can be one of the biggest factors in choosing your provider for pregnancy.  That is one thing I had never thought about before.  When you interview providers, everything with how pregnancy and birth is handled and discussed, bur nursing is passed over.  The truth is that nursing is just an extension of pregnancy and birth!  Every intervention in birth has an outcome with your nursing relationship.  Drugs, medications, induction, vaginal vs cesarean, if your baby is bathed before birth or a hat put on their head, all of these have a way of interfering with your nursing relationship.

In ways, it goes more than finding a good provider.  You need to find support before you even have your baby from those around you.  Find a lactation consultant that you trust and that is truly able to help you before pregnancy.  Find other mothers that have breastfed and know what they are talking about.  Find someone you can call in the middle of the night when you are exhausted and need help.  Don't settle.  This is your relationship with your baby, no one else's.  If someone isn't helping or didn't fully help in the past, you do not have to go back to them.  Proper support is crucial to a breastfeeding relationship, so find it before you are even nursing.

One other big thing in this book is how wanting an outcome doesn't guarantee this outcome.  Now, I do have issue with this in some ways because hope can make you keep trying and finding more information.  You should always go into a situation with hope as a shield, even if that means you will get hurt from it.  When you lose your hope, you lose what you wanted to feel.  But, I do believe that having only hope can be detrimental, and you need to arm yourself with education and preparation.  You need to be completely educated and prepared, especially if you have had a bad nursing experience previously.

Part One of this book is all about causes, ways it has shaped you, society's impact, and our conscious effort.  Part Two is about how we can make our next experience better.  There is a lot of overlap between the two sections, but that is how it should be.

When you have exhausted your resources, and done all you can do, there is no reason to feel guilty.  As new mothers, we do what we believe is right at the time.  There is no guilt in that.  (page 109)

As mothers, we judge ourselves too harshly.  It is just what we do.  We try so hard to be perfect and do what is perfect for our children.  There is nothing wrong with this.  However, we need to cut ourselves some slack.  Being a mother is hard, harder than I ever thought it would be.

Every child is different, as is every situation.  Having a bad experience doesn't mean they will all be that way.  There are so many factors that influence every bit of a situation, and realizing that you have done nothing wrong is a step we all need to take.  Nursing again is something to be strived for, sought after, and I really believe that women that have had a bad experience previously can truly benefit from this book.

I was able to let go of some of my feelings of failure just from reading this book.  There are so many tips in this book, and I wish I could write them all down.  This post is already so long, but I leave with one final word.

One experience does not foreshadow the next.  Believe in yourself and your ability.  Believe that breastfeeding is the biological normal for mothers and babies.  Arm yourself with information and support prior to pregnancy.  Find women that can help you before you even have issues.  Be prepared.

The views in this review are my own, mixed with information from the book.

Next Tuesday, I will be posting a Q&A with Stephanie, and a giveaway for one lucky person to be able to win this book.

Boba 3G Review And A Chance To Win!

Oliver on my back in the Boba 3G

I was recently sent a Boba 3G baby carrier to review! Isn’t that exciting? Boba sent me the sample free of charge but I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

 

Preconceived ideas:

To be perfectly honest while I was incredibly excited about the chance to try one out, I never really considered buying a Boba carrier for myself. I mean, I’d seen them in stores and even tried one on that I really liked but I usually swear by my woven wrap and ring sling so I never really thought that a structured carrier would be the one for me, or at least not the top of my must-have carrier list. The Boba 3G has certainly changed my outlook.

My past experience with structured carriers involved quite a bit of annoying pinching and a lot of back pain, not to mention one very uncomfortable little baby. I knew that the two structured carriers I had tried were cheep and poorly made but still I had it in my mind that all structured carriers would have the same issues.

However, as my son Oliver turns two and is suddenly growing taller at an alarming rate I found my mind opening. I was concerned that my son’s legs had gotten so long I was having difficulty making sure the fabric of my woven wrap went from knee to knee to properly support his legs in every carry. It had been mentioned to me quite a few times that a Boba would solve this problem.

First Impressions:

The first thing I noticed about the Boba is that it certainly is not even remotely like any of the other structured carriers I had used in the past. Every part of it seems to have been made with comfort in mind. The fabric is soft and flexible, the straps and clips are well made, padded, and fully adjustable to make sure that the weight of your child is evenly spread over your shoulders and back. Baby is kept comfortable with a nice high back for head and neck support and proper support for baby’s bum and legs.

At the fabric store in the Boba!

The Boba is not only comfortable but also incredibly easy to use. Where as both my ring sling and wraps were a bit of a learning curve and it took a few days or weeks to feel comfortable with each new carry or variation, the Boba was fitted, secure, and ready for our first excursion within minutes of being pulled from the box. That first excursion was to the fabric store; Oliver felt light as a feather and he stayed content on my back the whole trip. (Note: When toddler is on your back and they grab something off a shelf it is incredibly hard to get it back!)

That same outing my Husband was able to try out the Boba. He didn’t let me take any pictures because he doesn't like it when I post pictures of him on the internet, but you’ll just have to take my word for it that it looked great and even though my husband and I are drastically different sizes and shapes it was really fast and easy for us to adjust the Boba to swap back and forth. This easy use and adjustability makes it a great carrier for sharing between parents and also with babysitters or other caregivers!

Impressive features:

As I mentioned before, my son’s legs have gotten quite long and I worry about making sure they remain properly supported when I carry him. A good carrier should always support your baby in a position where their bum sits at the same level as their knees or lower with the fabric of the carrier stretched from knee to knee in a position similar to if they were seated in a chair. This position promotes proper hip joint and back development. The Boba comes with adjustable straps that hook onto the waist band and support the child’s feet so that they do not dangle in an uncomfortable position even after they grow too big for the fabric to reach from knee to knee. Meaning I can continue to comfortably and properly carry my toddler no matter how long his legs get!

I should mention that this carrier is good for babies and toddlers of all ages from 7-45 pounds, but I feel like it was MADE for toddler wearing. And because I know that toddlers sometimes end up with siblings before they out grow being worn I thought I’d test it out in a tandem situation. Of coarse, my son does not yet have a sibling so I tried it with the boy I was babysitting and ended up with over 50lbs of toddler trapped to me while I grocery shopped.

Tandem wearing with the Boba 3G: A self portrait

That’s a woven wrap on the front in a torso carry with Oliver as he’s the lighter of the two, and the Boba on my back with our friend, Charlie, who is the same age as Oliver but quite a bit heavier. It was surprisingly comfortable and definitely a show stopper. I got many questions and comments about it, one man even slammed on his breaks in the parking lot and ask if I needed him to donate a stroller. But I digress; the point is that I would definitely suggest this carrier to anyone thinking about tandem wearing.

We also tried Breastfeeding in the Boba. It wasn’t overly comfortable for us because, like I have mentioned, Oliver is quite tall but I am finding that this is becoming a problem in all of our carriers. I had some luck loosening the shoulder straps to feed to that Oliver had room to lean forward and latch, it worked, but at an angle that made his latch sore for me to put up with for very long. Even a few months ago breastfeeding in the Boba would have been a breeze and I could see the removable hood feature being really helpful to mothers who choose to cover while nursing. Unlike other carriers with similar hoods that I’ve tried this hood stays securely in place without slipping or bunching, I can see myself getting some use out of it this winter as an extra bit of protection from the wind. 

Last but not least, my favourite features of the Boba are the pockets. I feel like I am constantly trying to figure out how to carry Oliver AND everything else I need to carry. While baby wearing allows my hands to be free it often restricts the use of my shoulders and makes carrying a backpack or purse difficult or uncomfortable. But not only does the Boba have pocket room enough for my wallet, phone, and keys it also has this really fantastic snap on each shoulder that I can use to secure my purse or grocery bag straps so they aren’t sliding and falling all over the place.

Is there anything the Boba can’t do!?

There are only two things about the Boba that I was not totally happy with (and they are by no means deal breakers for me)

The first is that because Oliver is so tall, if I try to sit down with him in a front carry his head ends up where my head should be, and we either need to hug the whole time (fine with me!) or sit cheek to cheek while he leans into me. Of coarse this isn’t a problem most of the time because when Oliver is in a carrier we are usually walking around and he prefers to be on my back, but in the case of taking public transit anywhere it can be quite awkward depending how long the ride is. I have had some success taking the bus with the Boba on my back, but that can be awkward if there isn’t a bench seat available that I can sit sideways in. I also managed a short bus ride while standing but I would not exactly recomend it as the extra weight of your child can put your balance off. This would certainly not be a problem at all for a smaller baby; if I had this carrier when Oliver was younger I think it very well may have been my go-to bus carrier.

The second is that when I am not wearing it the Boba is quite bulky. Where as a ring sling or wrap can be folded into my bag if we end up at a park or other public area where I want to let Oliver run around I either have to keep wearing the empty Boba which I peronally find kinf of awkward, find some place to put it down and hope no one walks off with it, or make my husband carry it around which makes him grumpy. This of coarse is not at all a problem when I am anywhere else, Oliver is content to sit in the Boba for long periods so it’s great for long walks, concerts, art galleries and museums, shopping trips and other errand running, and pretty much anything else you can think of!

I am so happy that I got this opportunity to try out the Boba for myself. I honestly couldn’t be happier with it. The Boba is certainly not any of the things I assumed a structured carrier would be and I was so glad to be proved wrong. 

Boba Inc. is hosting a giveaway to celebrate the launch of the new Boba Carrier 3G and their new brand image!  Enter to win a $500 travel voucher and a Boba Carrier 3G. With the new 3G it is easier than ever toto put it to use in a destination of your choice. To enter to win, “Like” them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boba), follow them on Twitter (www.twitter.com/boba) and tweet about them! Also, make sure to check out Boba’s new website – www.bobafamily.com.

 

Raw Organic Dryer Ball Review and Giveaway!!

Dryer balls.  Most in the natural community have heard about these, but not many have tried them.  They're cleaner than dryer sheets, they leave no waste, and they can help dry your clothes faster so you use less energy.

A few months ago, I got an amazing deal on six organic wool dryer balls from Raw Organic.  I will admit, I was skeptical at first that they could help dry my clothes faster, but not having to buy dryer sheets won me out.  Dryer sheets, even the sensitive kind, would make my skin itchy and nothing I did made it better, but I had to have something or my clothes were static mine fields.

I ordered the six dryer balls, and they arrived within 2 days!  She lives on the other side of the country, and I was shocked they came that fast.  I couldn't wait to use them, so I did a load of laundry just to see.

The difference in my clothes was amazing!  They dried thirty minutes faster, came out without smelling of anything, and there was no static.  My shirts felt softer, and I was instantly sold.

Since, I have used them in every load of laundry I have done, and they are still working like they are brand new.  I do laundry once a week, with 6-8 loads, and I am still so impressed with these dryer balls.  Nothing I have ever used has made me this happy with my clothes.

From her page specifically about the organic dryer balls:

These are solid wool dryer balls, no artificial acrylic core. Its a labor intensive process that requires felting a core, then adding a second and sometimes a third layer. They will weigh between 2 and 3 ounces each and depending on how they felt be about the size of a baseball or tennis ball, with some larger.

Why wool? Wool is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. It can absorb up to ONE THIRD of its weight in water before feeing wet. It has natural anti-static properties. Gently bouncing dryer balls will soften your laundry without dryer sheets or chemical fabric softeners. Wool is mostly non-allergic. For those with sensitive skin, wool is a great choice. Wool is an easily renewable natural resource and is biodegradable. Each dryer ball should last a year or more, saving you money with each load!

This was by far the best investment I have ever made.  My energy bill has dropped because each load dries faster, my clothes are softer, and there are no chemicals in my clothes from dryer sheets.

Special for you readers, in case you would like to buy from her if you don't win or want your dryer balls sooner than 2 1/2 weeks from now, use the code "heartsandhandss" at checkout from her etsy store (remember, two s's or it won't work) to get 15% off your total order!  This code will run until the first of October, so get your orders in before then for the discount!  There is also a free shipping coupon, "freeship", but you can only use one or the other, and shipping is normally under $5.00.

My favorite part, she is giving away four organic wool dryer balls to one lucky winner, a $40 value!!!

Basic Rules:

• This giveaway is open only to US and Canada (So sorry to the readers in other parts of the world!)
• You *must* complete the mandatory entry or the other entries don't count
• Each entry must be its own comment
• As always, please make sure to leave your email address, or have your email on your public profile so we have a way to contact you if you win

Entries (each number is ONE entry):

1. (Mandatory entry) Go to Raw Organic's Etsy Store and check out her items. Let me know what you thought of it or which one you would want :)
2. Follow @theconnectedmom and @Raw_Organics and tweet about the giveaway. You can use: "I'm trying to win organic wool dryer balls from @Raw_Organics and @theconnectedmom! http://bit.ly/nqcAk9" (Limit 2 entries per day.  Make sure to put both twitter handles in the tweet so it counts)
3. "Like" The Connected Mom on Facebook (If you already like us, it still counts)
4. "Like" Raw Organics on Facebook (If you already like her, it still counts)
5. Subscribe to The Connected Mom's monthly email newsletter (coming soon!). You can find the subscription box on the right sidebar
6. Follow us publicly through Google Friend Connect

This giveaway will be open until September 13th at 11:59pm.  The winner will be drawn on September 14th via random.org.  I will email the winner, and you have 48 hours to get back to me or I will choose another winner.  Good luck, and hope you win!

I bought the dryer balls on my own a few months ago, and she is giving the dryer balls to the winner for free, with no other compensation.  This review is my own.

Love Songs and Lullabies Review and Giveaway!

My family loves music, but love anything that we can sing to.  My daughter is getting to the age where she loves musicals and remembers most songs after hearing them only once.  I had been looking for a lullaby CD that we could listen to while going to sleep that was both calm and songs my daughter would love, and finally, we found it!

Emma Wallace has released a new Lullaby CD and it is absolutely amazing!!

Filled with songs that most people already know and a few written by Emma herself, sung by Emma, whose voice is beautiful (and I don't enjoy many female singers because they are too airy), and my daughter was able to fall asleep to calming music that she had heard and enjoyed before.

The songs are both the classics, yet changed so that they fit the style of the CD and the beauty of Emma's voice. Most nights that this CD played, I found myself drifting off with my daughter because they melted the stress away and led to such relaxing sleep.

There are 11 tracks, seven of which are written by Emma, and they are my favorite.  Beautiful songs to help sooth hurts, calm fears, and help with an amazing night of sleep.

The best party, I received an extra CD to give to one of you!

Basic Rules:

• This giveaway is open only to US and Canada (So sorry to the readers in other parts of the world!)
• You *must* complete the mandatory entry or the other entries don't count
• Each entry must be its own comment
• As always, please make sure to leave your email address, or have your email on your public profile so we have a way to contact you if you win

Entries (each number is ONE entry):

1. (Mandatory entry) Go to Emma's site and listen to one of the previews. Let me know what you thought of it :)
2. Follow @theconnectedmom and @iamemmamusic and tweet about the giveaway.  (Limit 2 entries per day.  Make sure to put both twitter handles in the tweet so it counts)
3. "Like" The Connected Mom on Facebook (If you already like us, it still counts)
4. "Like" Emma Wallace on Facebook (If you already like her, it still counts)
5. Subscribe to The Connected Mom's monthly email newsletter (coming soon!). You can find the subscription box on the right sidebar
6. Follow us publicly through Google Friend Connect

This giveaway will be open until July 25th at 11:59pm.  The winner will be drawn on July 26th via random.org.  I will email the winner, and you have 48 hours to get back to me or I will choose another winner.  Good luck, and hope you win!

I received this Lullaby CD to review, the views expressed are my own, and no other compensation was given

Pulling Down the Moon Review

Just after hitting my one year mark trying to conceive, I started toying with the idea of talking to a doctor. In moments of weakness, I was willing to do whatever it took to achieve a pregnancy. "Put me on Clomid! I'll do the tests, the treatments, whatever it takes!" When I hit these low points emotionally I would occasionally have these thoughts. My rational mind would eventually take over, calm me down, and help me realize that while there can be medical benefits to these procedures, it's not an option I am ready to explore. I then came across Pulling Down the Moon which is is a holistic approach to improving fertility. This is exactly what I needed. I wasn't emotionally ready to approach a doctor/midwife about trying to conceive. I'm still not ready for testing, diagnosis, or treatment. I'm not trying to be in denial about possible issues that could be preventing me from achieving a pregnancy. I just don't feel like there is a problem. I may feel differently after a while and choose to seek help from medical professionals. Until that time, and even if I make that choice, during that time, I will utilize the amazing resources and products from Pulling Down the Moon.

Pulling Down the Moon was kind enough to send me their Fully Fertile gift package for for review.  In the basket I received: the book Fully Fertile, by Tami Quinn, Beth Heller, and Jeanie Lee Bussell; their DVD Yoga Practices for Fertility: Techniques To Calm Body, Mind and Spirit; as well as Full Fertile ARTeas in Nourish; and tea filters. For more details on this incredible package check out their online store!  Upon receiving the gift basket I went for the tea first.  It smelled wonderful and I new I wanted a cup right away.  White it tastes great on its own my favorite way to drink it was when I added a drop of honey (I have such a sweet tooth). The particular tea I was sent is meant to "..nourish and prepare the body prior to beginning a fertility cycle." This is not a tea you want to drink during a fertility cycle, especially if you are receiving medical treatment for fertility. (I chose to drink this tea at the beginning of my cycle up until I was close to ovulation.) I really loved the tea and the idea that it is nourishing my body to prepare for achieving a pregnancy.

I sat down with my cup of tea and began to look through the Fully Fertile Book.  Reading the personal stores of all three authors made me feel an instant connection to all three inspiring women. The book lays out a Holistic 12 week plan for optimal fertility. This includes yoga, meditation, acupuncture, nutrition, relaxation and spirituality. Trying to conceive is stressful and I was so excited to find a calm and natural approach to encouraging fertility.

The book is broken up into 3 sections: The Physical Practices, A Fertile Mind, and The Esoteric Tools (Spirit). In the Physical Practices section it starts out by introducing a Yoga program for fertility. While I enjoy yoga, I am not very flexible and just not very good at it. My concerns were immediately laid to rest when I read:

"Keep in mind the goal of your hatha yoga practice is not to be the most flexible, strongest or physically adept. Your goal is to learn to calm the body enough to be able to sit quietly for 30 uninterrupted minutes, thinking of nothing. When this becomes enjoyable, your yoga is starting to work. .... We just wanted to point out that the overall goal of true yoga is not physical fitness, it is mental peace and clarity."

OK that sounds like something I can do. I don't think my flexibility is going to change drastically no matter how much yoga I do. It will improve, sure. But when you've never even been able to touch your toes (even when I was a kid) it's just not looking promising. But the mental peace and clarity is exactly what I'm looking for, so I will give it a try. I really love how the book explains each yoga pose and has a picture beside it. When I used the DVD, I referred back to the book often to make sure I was executing each pose correctly. I'll get more into that later.

The book goes on to explain the benefits of acupuncture, which I had been interested in before, but have never tried. I am definitely going to look more into finding an acupuncturist and the costs associated. The benefits of acupuncture regarding fertility are: regulating your period, regulating hormones, increasing uterine lining, improving sperm count and motility, and more.

I am not going to go into detail about each section of this book because I could go on and on! There is just so much great information. From alleviating stress to adequate sleep and how to achieve it, this book really gives a plethora of great information to help optimize fertility naturally. I especially enjoyed the section on identifying and alleviating stress. Stress is something that I didn't think I had trouble with until reading this book. I learned how to identify stress in my life and the best part: get rid of it! I really have come to love meditation and positive affirmations in part because of the things I learned from this book. There are some great ideas and tips to reducing the stress involved in trying to conceive. I am especially excited about the tips I learned to better handle negative comments regarding my fertility.

On to the DVD. Again, I was sent Pulling Down the Moon's own DVD: Yoga Practices for Fertility: Techniques to Calm Body, Mind and Spirit.This was such a god-send! As instructed, the first time I viewed the DVD, I just watched it start to finish. I was immediately hooked. Just the breathing techniques made me feel so peaceful and relaxed. It was as though my entire world was quiet for once! Once I actually tried the yoga poses, I was surprised to find them to be doable for an inflexible girl like me! I certainly didn't look as relaxed or poised as the people featured in the yoga class, but I was able to keep up and with practice, I began to see the positive results yoga had in my life. I experienced reduced neck pain (recurring from a car accident), more energy, a calm, yet positive outlook on life and of coarse, I did improve flexibility (slightly). I loved the yoga poses as well as the quiet meditative visualization exercises. I think the visualization part was my favorite. I loved the Lake of the Mind visualization exercise. It really helped me feel connected to nature, and more importantly, my own mind.

I can't thank Pulling Down the Moon enough for sending me their product to try. I was at an emotional low and this came just when I needed it most. I am happy to say that I have reduced stress in my life and have a renewed interest and energy in trying to conceive. I definitely recommend this product to anyone trying to conceive or even as a gift.

NOTE: I received no compensation for this review and all opinions expressed are my own. Thanks again to Pulling Down the Moon for donating this great fertility package.

Review: Circle + Bloom's Happy Mind and Healthy Body

I'm writing the final in the trilogy of our reviews of our sponsor, Circle + Bloom's, programs. Like Kayce and Mandi before me, I was excited by the opportunity to try out the meditation program. However, this was not my first experience with meditation programs. When I was pregnant with my son, I took hypnobirthing classes. I knew from that personal experience the potential for longevity the ideas of meditation programs have. (I STILL find the affirmations about birth and motherhood I heard during those sessions bubbling up in my head from time to time!) So, I was eager to experience what circle + bloom had to offer with their Happy Mind and Healthy Body program and I was not disappointed.

I have briefly mentioned that I do have depression. The truth is that I have been struggling with it a lot since my move. The rough part of depression is that it often becomes harder to fight in times of transition . . .no matter how happy the transition. So, I struggled with it when I finished college, I struggled with it when we got married, I struggled with it after my son is born, and now that we have moved cross country, I've been struggling with it again. It feels like you are treading a powerful current that keeps trying to suck you down. One morning, I found myself crying five times before lunch and it can be difficult to explain to others exactly what is wrong when it literally is all in your head! It can be especially difficult when cognitively, you know that your life is good, but emotionally, you still feel depressed. This has been my life for the last month or so since we moved, although many people I know will be surprised to read this as I have kept my struggle fairly private. So, when offered a chance to review a product that gave a chance at a "Happy mind." I thought, "Yes!"

Happy Mind and Healthy body is a called a "21 day program," but with four "weeks" of sessions and a bonus session, it could be used for a much longer period if you wanted to (and I intend to). Like the programs Kayce and Mandi reviewed, this one tackles a different aspect of health every week and you listen to the same session everyday for a few days or a week period.

Honestly, my favorite sessions were the first and the last of the regular sessions. These were the sessions that dealt directly with the "Happy Mind" portion of the program. The sessions in the middle were focused on the healthy body and involved very, very deep physical relaxation exercises that were difficult for me to completely participate in given that my son (much like his fetal self during my hypnobirthing sessions who used to kick me incessantly and do flips) seemed to have a sixth sense for when I would be attempting to do the program with my headphones and would nearly always wake up/cry/ask to nurse at some point during the session no matter how asleep he should have been during nap or after bedtime.

The first session was an overview that emphasized the power of the mind over the body and what one can accomplish when one engages oneself fully. It also laid the basis for how to adapt the program to whatever health goals you want it to accomplish. The last week was entitled "Positive Thinking/Mindfulness" and I found that after just two days of listening to the program, I felt less like crying and more in charge of my emotions again. It was a little like being able to come home to myself once more instead of constantly fighting with the crazy person who sometimes tries to take charge of my body. I've tried journaling for my depression, going to counseling for my depression, listening to uplifting music for my depression, and changing my diet for my depression, but this is the first time that it's only taken two days for something to make me feel better. It was awesome. I can't say it would work this way for everyone, but it certainly did for me and since I finished that week, I've found I have more energy and am struggling significantly less with my depression!

The mp3 program can be downloaded from their website here and only costs $24.00 with a 100% money-back guarantee. Isn't it worth a try?

Review: OvaCue Fertility Monitor and FertilAid

I have charted my cycle for two and a half years.  (For a quick rundown of how to chart your cycle to conceive or avoid, check out my post from last week).  Most the time I don't do my basal body temperature, only because I don't need it.  If I was charting to try to not get pregnant, I would absolutely use it to make sure I was in the clear and had already ovulated before doing the deed again without protection.  Since we are trying, it is much easier to monitor ovulation since I really only need it to tell me when I will either start my period or when to test for pregnancy.

This is where the Ovacue Fertility Monitor becomes so much more than a useful tool for charting and changes into the perfect companion for anyone trying to get pregnant or even those trying not to get pregnant.

Many women have heard about Fertility Microscopes, where you test your saliva every morning to see if you are ferning as another indication of fertility.  (You can find information on that HERE).  But, I have found something better!


The OvaCue Fertility Monitor has an oral sensor that you place on your tongue first thing in the morning and it tests the electrolytes in your saliva.  Depending on the time in your cycle, you have different levels of electrolytes (ie potassium, sodium, etc) which help the OvaCue pinpoint your peak days before you are even fertile.

Each morning, you wake up, then stick the oral sensor on your tongue.  It takes maybe three seconds to get a reading, it records it, and then you shut it off.  That's it!  About a week before you ovulate, the OvaCue will have a higher reading with the oral sensor and then the next day it will drop back down.  This indicates that you will be fertile soon and you should ovulate soon.

The idea that I could know when I might become fertile was huge for me.  Just going by the classic signs of fertility (cervical mucus/cervical position) I only have a couple days before I ovulate.  With the OvaCue, I was able to better plan my fertile days because I had a heads up.

Another fantastic part about the OvaCue is that it uses a color code to let you know your peak fertile days.  On the home screen of the OvaCue, it has your calendar.  Each day is given a color based on the oral/vaginal reading you get.  White is your non-fertile days, light blue is possibly fertile, medium blue is high fertility, dark blue is highest fertility, and pink is the confirmation of ovulation (to get the confirmation, you have to use the optional vaginal sensor, which I will talk about in a second).

Just looking at my chart on the OvaCue, I loved how I could know what my readings were just by the color.  It made my cycle come alive, and I didn't have to worry as much about completely charting my cervix and mucus, though I did anyway.

This cycle I also took FertilAid, a fertility supplement for women also by the same company as the OvaCue.  It contains all of the herbs and vitamins I currently take but in a single pill.  The only things I take in addition to this is a little bit of extra vitamin B6 and D.  I had more energy, I slept better, and with my cycle, and I ovulated earlier!  I haven't had reactions to the supplement like I sometimes do with different herbs, especially vitex, and I absolutely love taking it.  Three pills a day, and it enters my system fairly quickly.

Since I try to live more naturally, I have trouble going to the doctor for simple things I can do myself that have more effect than medications and tests I would get there.  Which is another reason why I absolutely love my OvaCue.  I received the optional Vaginal Sensor, which sounds a bit weird and looks a bit intimidating at first (the black probe looking thing in the picture above), but the information I was able to get with just a three second vaginal reading every day was priceless.

Unlike the oral sensor, with the vaginal sensor you need to be up and about for a few hours before you take a reading, and it needs to be taken at least eight hours after having sex.  You insert the vaginal sensor until you feel it hit your cervix, then you pull back 1/4 to 1/2 an inch and then push the tip of the sensor towards your tailbone, so the handle you are holding is more towards your front than your back.  Here, it sits in a pool of mucus and secretions and is able to get the best readings.

The vaginal sensor can completely confirm ovulation based on the change from estrogen to progesterone that happens the day you ovulate.  A few days before ovulation occurs, your mucus and electrolytes go from progesterone dominance to an estrogen dominance and your numbers on the OvaCue will drop.  As soon as ovulation happens, you will have a spike which will remain higher and level throughout your luteal phase, if your hormones are balanced and your body is working like it should.  This is handy for any woman whether they are trying to get pregnant or trying not to get pregnant.  Knowing when your fertile period ends helps you know if you cycle is balanced, it can help you know if you have any issues with hormones or your luteal phase (from ovulation to your period), and for those avoiding pregnancy, you know exactly when your fertile period ends so you know you can't get pregnant anymore.

The vaginal sensor also does something else that I absolutely fell in love with.  The vaginal sensor can tell how your progesterone levels are doing after ovulation.  For someone like me that has progesterone issues and a luteal phase defect, knowing if my levels were dipping, knowing each day what was going on, gave me peace of mind.  It gave me one more levels of knowledge that I needed to know for not only peace of mind, but information I could take to the doctor when and if I decided to go in for testing.  Being armed with this information has made me even more knowledgeable about my own body and has helped me become more informed on issues surrounding my trouble getting and staying pregnant.

Also, for those that want to chart their OvaCue graphs, they have an amazing service, OvaGraph!  If you want to see sample charts, you can use OvaCue's sample graphs, or you can views my chart here as an example.

For a one month's supply of FertilAid, it is $28.95, but it has a very good balance of vitamins and herbs which are perfect for fertility.  They are able to give your body a supplement that is necessary for a healthy cycle and healthy start to a pregnancy.  Plus, considering how much money a lot of us in the natural community spend on vitamins and herbs, $28.95 for most of what you take in three pills a day can actually cut your budget by a little bit.

Now, the OvaCue is a little bit more pricey.  For just the OvaCue and oral sensor, it is $249 with free shipping.  If you get the bundle with the OvaCue, oral sensor, and vaginal sensor, it is $329 with free shipping.  The price is a bit steep when you first look at it, but think of it this way.  The knowledge gleamed from the OvaCue can help not only with a natural cycle and give you more information on how your body works, but it can help with a medicated cycle too.  Through the course of our three years trying to get and stay pregnant, I have probably spent more than that on vitamins and herbs and tests.  Having the extra bit of information that the OvaCue is able to give you can make you more prepared to take control of your care should you need testing, and can help your provider know what tests you might need more than others.  Paying $250 or $329 now could save you a lot of money on unnecessary testing because you will be armed with even more information about your body.  Plus, if you don't want, you can use the OvaCue to help with your own home care, like I am doing for now.  The more information, the better your chances of understanding your body and getting pregnant.

Both of these products are absolutely amazing for those trying to get pregnant (and the OvaCue is amazing for those trying not to!).  Charting can seem like a little bit of a hard thing to do and seems a bit complicated at first, and the OvaCue is a perfect alternative, and even an aid, for those that want to know more about their own bodies.

Fairhaven Health sent me the OvaCue and FertilAid to review, no other compensation was given, and the views expressed are my own.

Review: Nursies When the Sun Shines

I have been very candid in the past about my son's nighttime sleep habits (or, unfortunately, lack there of). I believe very strongly that sleep decisions are very personal decisions made by families based on both the parents' needs and their children's needs. I also believe that there is a balance to be struck between the two. Too often, we are told that the only way to approach sleep is all or nothing. Sometimes it seems like our choice is between make them cry it out in a bed by themselves or night nurse them forever in the family bed. I think in our hearts we know that we should (and do) have other choices, but sometimes we are afraid to "make it up on our own." It's always a wonderful and refreshing opportunity to receive help in the form of materials that support you in your effort to forge your sleep balance in your family.

Gentle night weaning is an idea that we've been considering in our house (now that our son is experiencing a lull in teething and is approaching his second birthday in two months). I've read websites that have gentle night weaning ideas. But when when offered the chance to review a children's book on the topic, Nursies When the Sun Shines, I practically jumped for joy!

Not to judge a book by its cover, but my first impression was that the book (by Katherine Havener and illustrated by Sara Burrier) is absolutely beautiful. And I wasn't the only one to notice it, my son, as soon as I opened the box containing the book, took it from me and hugged it! I think its soothing blue and purple tones set the perfect stage for this sweet little story about a dear little nursling who learns that while mama will always be there to "hold you and love you while you drift back to sleep," nursies happen when the sun shines.

The language itself is rhythmic and it lulls young listeners with its repetition. "Baby" always comes first in this story, followed by "Mommy," and then "Nursies" to underscore the primacy of the mother/child relationship that will continue long after "nursies" end. (I also enjoyed how the pictures themselves provided repetitions of a pet cat, which my son also enjoyed pointing to on almost every page.) Refreshingly, the book was not focused on the fact that the nursies were going to change or go away, but rather that nursies are something special for the daytime. Instead of focusing on the separation, this book builds to a reunion. The last image features a happy nursling latched on as the whole family snuggles together (even the cat looks pleased).

Despite its subject matter, my son loved the book and insisted I read it again and again. He also enjoyed pointing out that mommy, daddy, and baby were in the bed together. An image, alas, that he does not have in any of his other bed time books. While we are not ready to begin night weaning quite yet in our household (we figure our recent cross country move is probably enough excitement for this month), I am confident that if/when we do decide to night wean, this book will be a very useful tool in making the transition from all day nurser to just day nurser that much more smoothly, besides at just $9.99 it is steal! (You can even get a hand signed copy for just $12.99.) They are available for purchase from the book's website!

Interested in finding out more about night weaning? Check out the Nursies When The Sun Shines resources page.

Thanks for reading!
Shawna

Circle+Bloom's Natural Cycle for Fertility

Having tried to get and stay pregnant for three years, I had tried things all over the map.  From charting to not charting, from relaxation to actually trying, from acupuncture to seeing a doctor and having 8 ultrasounds in 8 weeks.  My energy has gotten better with different things, but nothing has had that "edge" that I have been looking for.  Nothing was really working to keep me pregnant.  And the stress of it was getting worse every cycle.

A few of my friends in the infertility circle had tried Circle+Bloom's meditation tracks and absolutely raved about them.  A few got pregnant and stayed pregnant, a few didn't but still swore by the program.

I was at the point where it didn't matter what I would try, I wasn't so much trying to get pregnant, but relax and release the stress I was building up with each day and cycle that passed.

Circle+Bloom has been absolutely amazing and sent me the download to their Natural Cycle for Fertility Program.  I was already on cycle day 19, but that didn't matter.  Their tracks are made so you can listen to and start on the day you are on, you don't have to wait for a new cycle, which is a huge plus since you never know when you need to start listening and waiting for another cycle can be stressful in and of itself.

The first time I listened to one of the tracks, my best friend and I were at acupuncture.  I put the track on my Kindle and made it loud enough for both of us to listen since she is trying to get pregnant also, and I wanted her opinion on it.

The beginning of all the tracks start with relaxing.  I am still amazed, even after doing this for 5 days, that I can get to such an incredible state of relaxation within minutes.  Except that first day, I have done them all right before bed so I can relax the day away and get ready to fall asleep.  Each track is about 15 minutes long, so enough time to relax without staying up too late, and then because you are so relaxed, it is easy to shut off the track and fall asleep.

I have a lot of trouble trusting my body after what I have been through, and the day 19 track talked about how negative thoughts and feelings won't hurt your baby, but keeping those thoughts and feelings in will cause stress which isn't good for trying to get pregnant and while pregnant.  Everyone always tells me to think positively, and to let go of the negative energy, which is great advice, but after six losses and three years of trying, it is so much harder to do than they believe.  Having a mind body connection knowing that my negative thoughts on my body won't hurt the growing egg was absolutely invaluable.  It was so refreshing to know that it is okay to be worried and scared.

Another one of the best days was one completely concentrated on my circulatory system and getting fresh oxygenated blood to my uterus and growing baby.  When you concentrate on certain parts of your body, you can feel them getting stronger, and for myself, they feel energized.

For fifteen minutes a day, I was able to relax deeply, focus just on myself, and work with my body rather than against it.  I was able to feel focused and exhilarated after just the fifteen minutes.

I'm still in the two week wait, but already this cycle is so much different than the others.  I am more relaxed, I am listening to my body more, and I am able to let the stresses wash away better.  I am still worried about getting and staying pregnant, but that is something that I need to work on for more than 15 minutes a day, and slowly I am getting there.  I do think that the meditation tracks are working, and that in and of itself is huge.  I have a lot of fear to let go of, and anything that helps is amazing in my book.

This program is $59.00 for the download right to your computer, and $69.00 for the CDs sent to you.  It does feel a little bit pricey, but considering how much money a lot of people spend on Ovulation Prediction Tests, Pregnancy Tests, and other trying to conceive products, this is just one more expense, and one I believe is so much more worth it than other things you can buy.

There is nothing like the feeling you will get when you listen to this program, and the relaxation is just one part.  The Mind-Body connection is so powerful and using that while trying to get pregnant can be invaluable.

I received the Circle+Bloom Natural Cycle for Fertility Program to review, no other compensation was given, and the views expressed are my own.