Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mom Essentials

I was so glad to have come across some natural products at Target during a shopping trip way back when I was 6 months pregnant. I recently had a chance to try not only the Prenatal vitamins which is necessary not only during pregnancy but post-partum as well. Also, I read the labels and it's great with breastfeeding too! Just awesome!!

Normally, I wouldn't try a brand that I am not familiar with, especially the new ones because I don't want to be a guinea pig. But since I am leaning on natural ailments and am on a dairy-free diet (at least while I am breastfeeding), this interest me a lot. I actually pushed myself in trying these items and after at least a week of taking/drinking them, here's what I have to say:

First, the most important thing, the prenatal vitamins. I am used to taking a chewable kind and only one capsule. I have to be honest but I had a hard time taking that (Select-OB) during this second pregnancy (I heard they changed something with the ingredients). It just makes me nauseous so I had to take it at night. I should have known about Healthy Mama, it could have been better, besides I'll be paying less (almost 100% lower) even if my insurance handled it. Anyway, the Healthy Mama vitamins comes in two (2) bottles which is good for approximately two (2) months because there's 60 in each. The first one is the prenatal vitamins itself and the other clear orange one is a DHA Supplement. I am used to taking this size of medicines so I didn't have any problem with it. Also, I never tasted anything different. I always take them with a full glass of water. I double-checked and confirmed that this were dairy-free. :)

Second, the Calm the Crazy Herbal Tea. When I had no choice but to go dairy-free, I didn't know what to drink! I can't drink coffee with a creamer and chocolate milk is obviously a no-no! I have to drink something hot in the morning, and this is it! This tastes and smells like green tea (reminds me of Starbucks Tazo green tea actually). I never knew a combination of organic herbs (spearmint, peppermint, chamomile, raspberry leaf, ginger, alfalfa, lemon verbena and rosehips) could be this good!

I have to tell but this only applies to me, I noticed a difference in my milk supply every time I drink this! I think this is one of the reasons I have an abundant supply of milk! Seriously! When I drink this in the morning, I just NEED to pump before lunch, and I produce a lot even if I nurse my daughter! I actually wanted to lower my supply, but since the frozen milk I expressed will be put into good use, I feel the urge to produce more. I donate them to a friend's friend whose mom died the time their baby was born. They said the baby needs breastmilk in order to gain more weight and to boost her immune system. I have been wanting to donate them anyway but nobody replied to my query. Just when I am starting to dislike pumping, I have found a reason to push myself! Thanks to this herbal tea!

Besides taking natural vitamins and all, I also try to consume natural foods for my dairy-free diet (read the story here as to why). The protein energy drink looks so tempting especially after my husband showed me he was drinking a pomegranate juice and said it was so refreshing! This juice is probably like that I can tell, besides the fact that they have almost the same color. Anyway, I saw in the label that it contains milk and it is a no-no for my diet. I do not want anything to happen to my little darling again. I definitely won't put this to waste because I have a few friends to share it with, one who has an 8-month old and is breastfeeding, and the other one is about to give birth I think this month.

You can learn more about Healthy Mama products at their website or visit their Facebook account.

DISCLOSURE

I was given samples of Healthy Mama products to facilitate my review. Nevertheless, everything was based on my own experience and opinion of the products.