Pregnancy: Battling Morning Sickness

Battling Morning Sickness

Morning Sickness. I don't even know why they call it "Morning" sickness, because I know I'm not alone when I say it is Afternoon, Evening, & all Night long sickness as well.

Pregnancy is an exciting time...but the nausea really puts a damper on the situation.

For me Morning Sickness, is one of the hardest parts of pregnancy.  It gets old so fast.  But in the attempts to find a cure and make the best of it.  Here are some tips and tricks I have found through my last two and my current pregnancy.  BUT since pregnancy is so different for everyone and even for each pregnancy...please give me any ideas you might have.  As none of these have solved ALL of my problems.  And there is the alternative of a prescription.  Which I will discuss more below.

Things that help EASE the Nausea:

-Preggo Pops

-Sucking on Mints

-Popcicles

-Flavored Water

-Sucking on Hard Candy

-Mint/Peppermint Gum

-Tea (Especially Peppermint or Fennel)

If none of these or any other great ideas you have found work, there is always the option of a prescription.  With my current pregnancy as well as my last I have had to resort to a prescription for different periods of the pregnancy.  Personally, I try to avoid them.  It is always a little nerve racking taking medication when pregnant and I don't always like the side effects.  But if you do end up needing a prescription, I definitely suggest finding one that DISSOLVES in your mouth/under your tongue.  I find them much easier to take and more effective.  Too many times, I just found myself throwing up the pill I just swallowed.  So dissolvable tablets saved me!

Another random trick, but it really works for me....Mentholatum!
I use a generic Mentholatum Ointment as "Chapstick" on my lips.  The smell totally calms my stomach.  Random I know.  It also keeps me from smelling the random unwanted smells that make me nauseous. Plus, Pregnancy is known to cause congestion/stuffy nose and this clears me up immediately.  A little moisture on my lips is an added bonus.
(TIP: Vick's Brand, says not to use on chapped lips, so look for a brand that specifies.  Mine was Walgreens brand and says it is for chapped lips and chapped skin.)

For Meals & Snacks...
I say, go with what your stomach tells you.
But there is always the fall back plan of: Crackers, Fruit, or good old fashioned Peanut Butter & Jelly.

I find the trick is to eat in small portions and sip drinks throughout day. Too much water or food can trigger the gag reflex.

And of course, Plenty of Sleep!
A rested body can make such a difference.

Well, this is what works for me.  Or at least works has worked for me at some point, depending on each pregnancy...But, what works for you.  I could really use any suggestions!

More to come on Maternity and Preparing for a new Baby!

Simple Burp Rags

Kid's Hot & Cold Pack

So I loved the Kids Cold Pack Idea from Just Another Hang Up. It is filled with rice, so it can be kept in the freezer until needed.  Or heat it in the microwave and it can be a little warming pad.

I just know, my son wont use an ice pack when he gets hurt.  They are too cold and hard.

So this was the perfect solution.

Although the chick cold packs @ Just Another Hang Up are much cuter in my opinion.  I just simplified it.  And used the scraps from our Halloween Monkey Costumes.  So it was basically free to make.

Below is the pattern I made. 

You can enlarge or shrink it to make any size.

And I suggest using flannel...soft on the skin.

Free Template Printable & Download found here:

Monkey Template 1

Monkey Template 2

Baby Tie & Toddler Tie

I wanted cute ties for my boys for Easter, but shopping around and there wasn't a great selection.  Baby ties particularly were hard to find.  So I looked around and found a perfect tutorial for a little kid or toddler tie at: Equal Opportunity Crafter. I used this to make the bigger tie.

But I wanted a simple clip on for my baby.  Trying to tie an actual tie was asking a bit much. 

 I looked and didn't find any great tutorials.  So I made a simple tutorial below.

It can be used for a baby or toddler and the size is easy to adjust. 

Just cut any extra length off of top of tie.

 

Baby or Toddler Tie Template and Patter. Free Printable and Download: click here and here

Supplies Needed for Baby Tie:

15 in x 15 in piece of fabric (I used the scraps left over from the Toddler tie)

Interfacing (optional: I didn't bother)

Hinged Pin

Baby Tie Directions:

Cut out material to match pattern. (Does not need to be cut on bias.)

Cut twice for tie material and cut one of interfacing.

Main Tie:

Match fronts of fabric face to face. Place interfacing  on top and pin all three layers together.

Sew as dotted lines on pattern show.

Turn right side out.

Fold outer corners of tie in and tack with a few small stitches.  As seen in picture.

Decide on length of tie then: gather top of tie and stitch.

Knot of Tie:

Cut one. No interface needed for knot.

Fold in half, so fronts of fabric are facing. Stitch up the one side as shown in diagram.

Turn right side out, creating long tube.

Fold into knot as shown in pictures.

Put all together. 

Tuck the top of main tie into the knot. 

Covering the gathered area. Stitch to secure.

Add pin for securing to child's shirt.

Free Nursing Cover and Free Baby Sling

Right Now Udder Covers has a coupon code for a free Nursing Cover. Type in: VALPAK, then You just pay $9 Shipping.

AND when you purchase it, they are doing a promotional for Seven Slings, where they give you a new code to get a free Sling. Again you pay Shipping.

But both are limited time and limited quantity, so hurry!

*FYI, if it says the item is on back order...that doesn't mean it has hit its "limited quantity", you can still order it for free.

Free Formula & Formula Coupons

Formula adds up fast.  So why not get some for free and coupons to help with the costs?

Before I had my first baby I signed up for free samples and coupons with both Similac and Enfamil.  They were offered at my doctor's office.  Even though I breastfed it was great to have the samples on hand for emergencies or even to add to my night feedings, just to hold over the baby's appetite as long as possible.  Both companies also sent other free things, bottles, formula containers, and coupons for other baby items.

And what they send is geared to your babies age. So as they grow, they send coupons and samples for the appropriate needs.

So with my second, I didn't have the little subscription paper to send in, but you can sign up on the websites as well.  Here are a few I signed up for:

Similac: sign up here

Enfamil: sign up here

Gerber: sign up here

Members Mark/ Sam's Club: sign up here

Parent's Choice: sign up here

Fenugreek

Need to increase your milk supply?

Fenugreek is a great suppliment for increasing the amount of breastmilk you produce.

Great Price too. Between $5-$10 depending on where you buy it.

So due to a recent change in diet, calorie intake, and excersize...I lost my milk supply practically over night.  And I have always had a strong supply.  So I started taking this and with in 24 hrs I noticed a difference and by 48 hrs I had my full supply back.

You can use this just to increase your supply and then stop taking it.  Or if you struggle to keep a strong supply of milk, you can take it throughout the months you are nursing.  The only complaint I have is, it smells strongly of Maple Syrup. But, I guess it could smell worse. Either way, definately worth it!

Here is a great website with more information, on dosage, side effects, etc.

Kelly Mom