Tommee Tippee on Zulily

There are times when I find myself getting so excited over something that I have to drop whatever I'm doing to share a great deal. This is one of those times! Although Zulily always posts fabulous sales on a daily basis, this one in particular is a better find throughout my time as a member. So, without further ado, please don't miss out on this Tommee Tippee deal!

If you're a frequent Target shopper you'd know that the base model Tommee Tippee breast pump sells for about $150. This includes the pump, and one 5 ounce bottle, nipple and base. The deluxe (which I haven't seen at my Target) sells for $250, and includes all the bells and whistles you'd expect with a top of the line double pump set.

Within this sale you'll find the double pump is on sale for only $130, the base electric model for only $74. There is a large box of disposable storage bags for only $12 (originally $18), and Tommee Tippee's electric bottle warmer for only $25 as opposed to $40.

Tommee Tippee Deluxe Electric Breast Pump $130 (normally $250)

Why You Should Avoid Pumping in the Bathroom

At one point in the few weeks of my maternity leave, there were a few conversations regarding the terms of my return to work with our HR rep. After a few messages back and forth, I came to the conclusion that many women in the workplace have little understanding for mothers in the workplace. Here's one big misconception that you really need to take into consideration before agreeing to some off the wall practice.

When you return to the workforce as a mother, everything is different. Your time management has to be altered to suit the baby, and you might even find yourself running to the sitter for a quick nursing session during your lunch hour. But, eventually you'll either have to sacrifice your baby's health in order to supplement formula, change their schedule to fit work or give up the idea of any type of nap or sleep again.

The suggestion of pumping breast milk in the bathroom is the most preposterous idea I have ever heard of.  Not only is the thought of a mother being forced to pump sitting on a toilet the most demeaning thing ever, it also happens to be a rather unsanitary location for collecting someone's food... especially a baby's.

Every time a toilet is flushed, bacteria enters the air, hangs around and sticks to a number of surfaces. Would you really think a baby, someone with an undeveloped immune system, needs to ingest a dose of E coli? This is why infants die from tainted formula! But thankfully, n some states regarding companies with a large number of employees, it's actually illegal for your boss to have you use a bathroom to pump in. Everyone has to make a reasonable exception.

If you are concerned about losing your job and income, don't let yourself be bullied into working and pumping in unhygienic conditions. Stand up for yourself, and don't be afraid to respectfully remind your direct superiors that there are laws in place to protect working mothers.

Tommee Tippee Single Electric Breast Pump

After a second electric breast pump purchase you might think that shopping item can be permanently checked off your list... think again. Mini me and I went through the Lansinoh Affinity Pro after a week, as well as the Medela Swing after a month and now I'm on the Tommee Tippee single electric breast pump. There are major differences between the three models I have used, and I wanted to take some time to explore them.

Unlike the Medela, Lansinoh's Affinity Pro is features a closed pump design (which means there's no chance of backflow). Within a months time my Medela Swing started to pump back up into the pump, regardless of a membrane change (to ensure proper sealing). This gives mold the opportunity to grow in your pump, which is put right into the fresh milk. The old milk hardens and can make it difficult for everything to work properly. Needless to say, I began noticing a weaker suction, and was soon unable to supply my 2 month old with a suitable quantity to get through the day.

One thing I liked about the Tommee Tippee pump is that it's guaranteed (featured right on the box) to have 0% back flow! And, when you take a look at the pump's membrane design, you can easily understand how this pump's assembly provides this guarantee as something you can trust. Another favorite feature is the soft silicone that fits over the plastic breast shield. Not only is it more comfortable, but it mimics baby's sucking and reflexes as they nurse, to provide you with a more relaxing pumping session - yielding more.

After my week of use I have to say I'm rather surprised with the amount of milk I've been able to express, regardless of the fact that I have been sick (which generally affects your supply). Generally I start the week with a strong 5 ounces after my first Monday session, and have a steady 1 ounce drop as each day passes. With the Tommee Tippee I have not only been steady in expressing 5 ounces in my first daily session, but I actually pumped 2 more ounces two days into the week! This pump also allows me to pump more in a shorter amount of time; 40 minutes total time rather than an hour.

The settings on an improved Tommee Tippee single electric pump are user variable, meaning it isn't automatic. Although I originally loved the auto change setting on the Swing pump, I now prefer the changeability Tommee Tippee offers. According the to flow of your milk, you can move up on the scale with the press of a button, or even go back down! There is one button for each setting, so if you need to back off two settings you simply press one button and you're done.

If I were to rate each of my pumps, I'd have to say it's been an improvement with each return. Lansinoh Affinity Pro would receive three stars. Although the closed pump design deserves a five star rating, it loses one star because the pump isn't really strong enough to support two pumps running at once. It loses another due to the fact there were too many pieces to take apart come cleaning time.

Medela Swing would receive two and a half stars. The brand name makes you feel safe, but when you experience a back flow, and read about the potential health dangers to your infant, the overall design loses two stars. Another half star is taken off for not efficiently expressing milk.

Thus far, Tommee Tippee gets four and a half stars. It's more efficient, features a better, simple, design that's easy to take apart and clean, fits my bottles without an adapter and needs one strip of surgical tubing. Tommee Tippee loses half a star from being a lot louder than the other two, and I mean quite a bit louder.

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature

When it comes to purchasing bottles for your little one you would think all products are the same, right? Not exactly. See, it all depends on whether you're breastfeeding or using formula, have special needs or looking to prevent gas.

A previous post took Similac's SmartBottle and compared it to The First Years Breastflow. Although Similac is making great strives to produce a bottle similar to the breast, other companies have come forward with superior products. Let's look at the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature.

The 9 ounce bottle (pictured right) features a mom-like nipple - fully set with vent - on a wide neck bottle. It's BPA free and breast pump compatible (check out the adapter sold here!). Not only does the wider design make it easier to hold, but allows for easier cleaning so you don't have to boil bottles after each use. When your baby is ready to move up in nipple size they can be purchased in 0+, 3+ and 6+ sizes.

If you're concerned with quality and ease of use you don't have to look much further. My baby (who was solely breastfed) latched straight onto her Tommee Tippee without a second thought. She loved the Breastflow, and equally favors the Tommee. She hasn't displayed any problems with gas (as she did with the Similac), and loves the stretchability of the nipple.

You will find Tommee Tippee products are rather affordable (pump adapter is only $5), especially when bottles are purchased in multiples. Target just happens to offer one of the better prices online, a three pack for $18, which calculates out to $6 a pop. However, you can always check eBay for some new bottles throughout the US, or bid on some used sets if you're comfortable sterilizing.

The DL on Breast Pumps

When we first brought Gloria home the last thing I was thinking about was how I'd be able to go back to work, or if I would even have to. Six weeks went by fast and on the Monday of my last week I shot straight out of bed and shouted at my husband, "We have got to get a breast pump!" That didn't given either of us much warning, or much time for preparation (especially if I didn't produce enough milk).
It was Memorial Day, so while we were juggling already made plans with two families, toting around a 5 week old, we knew we would need to make the nearly hour drive to Target to purchase a pump. My initial reaction was to call and verify they would be open, and thankfully they were (keep this in mind!).

When you are shopping for a pump the first thing you should do is read peoples reviews. Skip the angry people who were upset for other reasons (such as bad customer service) and concern yourself with what's important. There are a few things to keep in mind when you're looking.

How often are you planning to pump? My husband jumped straight to manual pumps, simply because that's what his Mother had used - not to mention the hundred dollar savings. However, take note that manual pumps are approved for occasional use, and may not be the best option if you're looking for a daily driver. Check out the electric pumps with one, or maybe two, breast shield possibilities.

Does your designated location feature electrical outlets? This goes back to the manual vs. electric, which might have been ruled out with the previous question. Keep in mind that many electric pumps feature battery capabilities for pumping on the go (such as your car), and invest in some good quality rechargeable batteries (with a car charging kit).

What kind of convenience is required? You can relate this to the two previous questions, or consider that some pumps allow you to stream milk straight into a bag so you can avoid pouring, spilling and possibly contaminating that precious liquid gold.

Once you've decided what features you're looking for, you can begin viewing different models. Brand names are important in this case, but you also have to understand that once in a while you may stumble upon a lemon (even when you've paid for the more expensive name). In my case, I read some great reviews, and laid my hands on the Lansinoh Affinity Pro. Unfortunately I had to return the pump four days later due to a defective motor. It pumped great the first day, and sounded a little stressed the second day... but by the fourth day it wasn't pumping any milk whatsoever.

Comparing brands isn't necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes it's difficult when you're hard for money. The Medela Swing Pump (single pumping design) is just about $50 more than the double pumping Affinity Pro. When I was making my return we were barely able to scrape up the extra money to purchase the much needed Medela. Once I brought it home, and steamed everything to try it out, it worked like a charm! There was no comparison to the Lansinoh! The process was easier, faster and more comfortable, and I produced more milk than before (3oz in the first sitting compared to 1oz).

Busting The Office

Many of us have seen The Office episode where Pam and Jim Halpert welcome baby Cece into the world, after a whirlwind of failed tactics to stay out of the hospital. For my husband, the show was ruined when Pam and Jim started dating, I mean, the whole fun was watching the back and forth. For me, it was Season 3 when Pam says " I mean, it's better than listening to Michael play a conch shell..." where she pronounces conch with a "cha" sound on the end (I'm picky, what can I say).

In Season 6, Episode 16, Pam's Mom Helene returns to the hospital room with hot cups of coffee to which Pam says "I haven't had caffeine in nine months". Going back to saying I'm very picky, and seeing as how Cece was breastfed even after they brought her home, I couldn't help but wonder if there really are women out there who throw all the diet changes they made during pregnancy out the window... I mean, the baby is still relying on you for it's resources!

So, I did a little research (even though I knew I wasn't confusing anything). BabyCenter.com has a great breast milk interactions chart, where you can learn about different herbs and medicines to avoid. But it also goes over caffeine and alcohol consumption. My midwife informed me that drinking caffeine, in drinks such as coffee or sodas, was fine in moderation, as long as I drank a full glass of water before or after it. Everyone else suggests 300mg (a 16oz cup) is fine each day.

It's all about moderation, whether you're pregnant, a new mom, or even a man, it doesn't matter! Everyone should set limits on what they're drinking and eating for their own personal benefits, as well as the benefits of others. And it's a known fact that consuming caffeine while breastfeeding allows less than 1% of caffeine into your breast milk, and straight to little twinkle toes.

But, did you know, that babies can go through caffeine withdrawals during and after pregnancy? My midwife informed me it would be more dangerous to cut out coffee completely during my 16th week of pregnancy, for fear the baby would die from a withdrawal. I was used to drinking 3 or more cups of coffee a day, though. Over time, I trimmed back to a moderate soda or single mug each day.

It's better to allow yourself that 300mg limit everyday than to risk your baby being born with withdrawals, since caffeine addiction is known to be like a drug. Your doctor will most likely be straight forward with you too, and it doesn't hurt to ask now. But you most certainly wouldn't want to cut out caffeine completely, only to start right up again as soon as the baby's born (if you plan to breastfeed or pump).

Buying a Breast Pump

This morning I'm going to go over something a little more serious when it comes to saving money. In my last post I discussed the importance of investing in brand new breast pumps, essentially to avoid the probability of spreading illness. I figured since I didn't really talk much about what to look for, or how to find a good buy online specifically for a breast pump, it might be something a reader could be searching for.

First off, I'm biased when it comes to one specific pump brand. I have read a lot of online reviews, including the good, the bad and especially the ugly. After a lot of research and live forum chats, I have come to the conclusion that the Medela brand itself offers the highest quality and customer satisfaction of all the rest. Of course, this is just my opinion, and you can most certainly decide for yourselves! Now, I haven't purchased one yet, but there are so many styles and lots of ways to upgrade or downgrade when you've made the decision to look at auctions.

Amazon offers a large selection of Medela products from various sellers. These orders may be filled by an Amazon distribution center, or they might come straight from an individual or company. Regardless, this online marketplace has a lot to offer. The model I have decided to pursue is the Medela Swing Pump, retailing for $170 from BabysRUs, or $160 on Amazon. But a quick Google shop search will pull results of $140, with free shipping and no taxes. That's a decent difference, but we can dig a little deeper.

When we head to eBay we need to be super specific about our product (later on I'll discuss how misspellings can be both a blessing a cursing in disguise). I will be searching with the keywords "medela swing", notice I'm not including "pump" or "breast pump", or even selecting a "baby" category. I will also specify that this item is located in the United States (or North America for you Canadians), and that the item is New. At this time I'm not concerned with whether it's a Buy It Now, Auction, or offers Free Shipping. You'll notice that the first results can yield great choices, or you can categorize them by lowest to highest, or auctions that are ending soonest. When I wrote this article, the first auction was selling for about $90 including shipping. That's an $80 savings when compared to the BabysRUs pump!

Keep in mind that Buy It Now lots could be a great option, especially when it features a Best Offer opportunity. Decide on a number you're comfortable with on that exact auction, and go lower on your first offer. Sellers generally come back to you with a counter offer, and if you have gone lower than where you're hoping to be, they may come back with something you can accept. Good luck!