Pumping: Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump

The Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump

Purpose: Milk expression

Price: $39 at Target & $32 on Amazon

I know what you're thinking, a hand pump?! Aren't those from the old days of pumping? Me too. I was highly skeptical of this. I started out using an electric Medela hospital grade pump (see past posts), and I would pump for 30-40 minutes when I couldn't feed Henry----which I thought was normal and I didn't have any issue with it---UNTIL I purchased the Medela hand pump!  This thing has changed my life. I pump for 10 minutes and get the same, if not MORE, milk out!!! It's insane.

So the hand pump has 2 directions to press the lever, one way to get your milk to letdown, short quick pulses.  And the other way is longer pulses once your milk has letdown. The kit comes with a flange, the filter piece, a bottle, stand, and the lever. 

I CAN'T stress enough how simple and easy this has made pumping for me. Now, I must say I'm a part-time pumper so it may not be ideal if you're a dull time pumper. But for me, it's perfect. I'm even thinking about selling my Medela Lactina Select!!

I bought mine at target for $39 but I just saw it on amazon for $32. Although I have it pictured below with the small 2.5oz container, it fits a 5 oz bottle and all medela bottles.

**Please let me know what you think of this product and/or my review!! Leave me a comment and let me know if you want me to review a specific parenting product!!

~jh

Inglesina Fast Table Chair Review (an alternative to the high chair)

Inglesina Fast Table Chair
Max Weight: 37 lbs
Purpose: To attach to dinning table at home and/or out at restaurants
Price: $47.45 on Amazon

We were introduced to this seat by my husband's cousin, who owned one for her then 11 month old. The had the lime green one, and we loved how convenient it looked. Once we started thinking about solid foods for Henry (around 6 months) we watched the video and decided to get one (in red---Go Buckeyes).

The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is a padded seat with internal straps that can be screwed on to most tables, and folded up into a drawstring bag for easy carry. Henry was only about 15 lbs when we first put him in this seat, and we had no issues with him slipping or sliding. The internal straps are great for "leaner" babies. The arms have grips on the bottom to aid in security. The chair screws on with the gray arms underneath which really anchor the seat to your table. Now, we have a lip underneath our table so we really have to unscrew the arms all the way to get it on and off, which is a little time consuming. But we bring this with us whenever we go out to a restaurant or to the grandparents so there is a good secure place to feed baby.

I'm not sure if I would call this chair "fast" but it is a table chair and it is very fitting for my now 18lb baby. I will be interested to see how this grows with my son and if he can really stay in it until 37lbs. I'll update this review as he gets bigger.

I give this product 4.5 STARS!

This product is a MUST HAVE!!!

**Please let me know what you think of this product and/or my review!! Leave me a comment and let me know if you want me to review a specific parenting product!!

UPDATE:  As we have started Henry on finger foods, things have gotten messy! The entire fabric part of this seat is machine washable (we throw it in the dryer too). It isn't terribly hard to get on and off, but it is a task. I love how cushiony this seat is, but I see the advantage in a high chair that can be easily wiped down. I'm changing my rating to 4.0 stars. 

~jh

Back of seat

Internal Straps

Nuby The Nibbler Review

Nuby, The Nibbler
Ages: 6 months +
Purpose: Fill with fruits/veggies and baby can feed themselves
Price: 2 pack is $7.99 on Amazon


We received this product as a gift and didn't try it out until Henry was about 7 months. Henry has always been good at feedings. He keeps his arms down and likes to be fed like a king, so we were in search of something to get him inspired to do some work with eating. My sister had used this and gave us two Nuby Nibblers.

 It takes apart into 3 pieces; the mesh bucket (2-3 ounce size), the ring, and the handle. This baby hand held feeder is the perfect size and shape for baby's hand.  Henry took to it immediately. We put bananas in it, and it was the perfect consistency to mush through the mesh part of the feeder. This has been such a great tool for keeping baby occupied while preparing dinner, etc.

The one con I would give The Nibbler is ease of cleaning. It is next to IMPOSSIBLE to get the mesh part clean on this feeder. Now we've only used banana in it, tried hand washing, tried the dishwasher and it's still not clean.

I give this product 3 STARS! There is a major design flaw in the mesh being difficult to clean, but it gets the seal of approval for occupying baby and allowing him to feed himself!

I do consider this product a MUST HAVE for helping babies stay occupied!

**Please let me know what you think of this product and/or my review!! Leave me a comment and let me know if you want me to review a specific parenting product!!

~jh

Mesh bucket, ring, and handle

Contoured grip