My Daily Supplement Routine

Listed in the order I take them in.

Daily Aminos from MD Logic Health

Amino acids help with protein synthesis (important as we age) and energy. My good friend, Liz Wolfe, developed these aminos specifically for women 35+ and I trust her — and the formulation — completely.

Oliveda I70 The Beauty Molecule

This is packed with antioxidants to help prevent signs of aging and to help with inflammation, which I’ve really struggled with since having my second baby. Today was the first time I’ve run postpartum without intense joint pain and this is the only thing I’ve changed in the last few weeks!!

Seed Probiotics

I’ve taken these for years! Although there is some new research that shows that short-term use of probiotics is better than long-term so I may stop taking them once I run out. We’ll see. (Use code TERI for 15% off your first month. Read my Seed review here.

Sertraline

I had horrible postpartum depression and anxiety with my first baby. I feel so much better this go-around (I made the choice to stay on my medication during pregnancy as well) and I’m so grateful for this medication. It changed my life.

Perelel Daily Iron Ease

I take this both AM and PM. Use code TERILYN20 for 20% off. I’ve had chronically low iron for years and years (which my InsideTracker bloodwork and monthly bloodwork at my OBGYN during pregnancy showed). My body seems to absorb this particular iron very well because my iron has actually been in the ideal range for the first time EVER since I started this brand.

Sunflower Lecithin from Legendairy Milk

To help prevent clogged ducts while breastfeeding, which I’m very prone to. (More of my breastfeeding essentials here.)

Nutrafol Hair Growth Supplement

Not 100% convinced it’s helping since I’m still losing hair like crazy postpartum but my hair doesn’t feel as thin as last time, so I think I’m losing less hair and my hairline seems to be maintaining rather than receding!

NOW Foods Vitamin D3 + MK-7

My bloodwork has always shown I’m low in Vitamin D so I pop this daily.

Coffee Flavored Protein Powder from Arbonne

I don’t follow a high protein diet (or track macros) but I often am rushing between working out, getting ready, breastfeeding, working and appointments so I have a protein shake most days to make sure I’m getting some protein in the mornings.

I’ve tried dozens (literally dozens) of protein powders over the years (I used to get a ton sent to e during my running/health blogging days) and this is still the one I go back to. I like the Meal Replacement version texture best, but I don’t actually use it as a meal replacement. I LOVE the coffee flavor, and linked the vanilla I use in smoothies. I love that they don’t use stevia or monk fruit sweeteners. Use code ARBONNE10 for 10% off.

Arbonne Greens Powder

I’ve also tried lots of greens powders but like the taste of these best. I’m not convinced they help with anything groundbreaking, but I view them kind of as a multivitamin. A little insurance for some vitamins and minerals and I like the taste, so why not.

LMNT Electrolytes

The best ever and the only thing that quenches my thirst. Read my LMNT review here.

Magnesium Citrate from Natural Vitality Calm

I take this at bedtime to help things move along the next morning. Ahem.

Perelel Mom Multi Support Pack

I like this brand and like this little pack has multiple supplements that are especially beneficial for postpartum moms. (More of my postpartum must-haves here.) Use code TERILYN20 for 20% off.

The post My Daily Supplement Routine appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

So, I’m drafting this sharing all the details and honestly, I may delete some of them since it’s all pretty raw but writing is how I process emotions (writing and running and therapy).

Letter from TeriLyn – May 2024

LIFE

The biggest thing that happened in 2024 is that I had Charles!!! He is truly such an angel baby. It’s wild how I could feel the difference in his demeanor right away. Thomas was intense (and still is) and Charles is sweet. Not that Thomas wasn’t a cute baby and I was just as obsessed with him, but he was just HARD. And honestly, he’s still hard. I think he is going through some major developments right now because he is feeling some big emotions and gosh, he fights back on things. But that’s normal at his age so at least I know he’s developing the way he’s supposed to. He’s not a chill kid but that’s also what makes him so special. Charles is much more chill, so we’ll see if that stays his demeanor.

Thomas has also started loving school (most days) and has even told us he wants to sleep at school. We’ve come so far from the beginning of the year. I still love the idea of homeschool but as my friends say, “Evaluate school for every kid, every year.” So, I signed him up for 5 days of preschool (still just half days) this fall since he has loved it so much.

Charles was born at the end of January and the last month of pregnancy was absolutely miserable. My entire pregnancy was hard but it just got worse and worse as time passed. I was sick the entire time and threw up most days of the week, every week. I had severe insomnia and only slept 3-4 hours a night and there were many nights where I didn’t sleep at all – literally zero hours. The doctors prescribed everything they could and nothing helped. So while I loved being pregnant with Thomas and even fought induction, I was very ready to be done with my second pregnancy.

We were going to attempt a version procedure to turn Charles since he was breech the entire pregnancy but decided it was too risky given two factors. I had an extra piece of placenta they were concerned may detach while turning and if they turned the other way, they weren’t certain the umbilical cord was long enough since I had an marginal cord insertion. And gosh that was the right decision – we later found out when my doula was encapsulating my placenta that the cord was barely attached. She simply lifted it up and it came off — that should not happen. It should be attached as firmly as tendon on muscle.

I’m so thankful for the doctor who made the recommendation not to attempt an ECV and that I was at peace with the decision. I was so anxious about a c-section and I really wanted a “do over” since Thomas’ birth was pretty bad too (I was in the hospital for 5 days) but once I knew it wasn’t safe to turn Charles, I was completely fine with the c-section.

The c-section itself was really, truly lovely. Everyone in the room was so kind and happy and I could tell they really cared about making me comfortable. It was such a joyful experience and I’m beyond grateful for the medical team I had that day. I especially loved that I got to hold Charles within minutes after birth which I don’t think is always common with cesareans.

I started to write more detail about what happened in the next 24 hours after birth that but it’s causing some pretty severe anxiety so I’m not going to share that today. I am getting counseling for PTSD so I’m hopeful that someday that I can share more, if I decide it’s the right thing. At the very least, I’m hopeful I can write and talk about it without fighting off a panic attack.

One thing is for sure – the Lord had put the right people in my life to support me through it. Two years ago, we joined a community group at our church and they are now some of my very close friends. And wow, did they show up for Tommy and me when we needed them most, both at the hospital and when I got home.

WORK

I took a pretty solid maternity leave when I had Charles and only worked when I wanted to, which was so nice. I originally planned not to take any sponsored content since I didn’t want any work with a deadline but I got a campaign with Target that I ended up taking since it was such a perfect fit. And, I was so lucky to have a dear friend visit me on the day I needed to take photos and she took my photos for me (and they turned out beautifully). God puts people in our lives when we need them, even in little moments like that.

I didn’t have a firm end date in mind for maternity but just said I’d ease back into work when I felt like it and it was a pretty natural ramp up. I started working more regularly around 3 months. I also hired a number of additional people (part-time) to help while I was on maternity leave and when I started working again. I hired someone new to help me with SEO since that’s something I’ve wanted to bring in house for a while, another person to help me in-person once a week with photos and inventory management, and another person to help me with Beautycounter since I wasn’t always replying to people as quickly as I liked.

And then, boom Beautycounter disappeared. (Here’s my post about what happened to Beautycounter.) It’s always been a hefty portion of my income, but thankfully, I started to really diversify about two years ago since I just had a gut feeling it wouldn’t be around forever. I saw some writing on the wall that concerned me about the company and as much as I loved the brand, I didn’t want most of my eggs in one basket. (Plus, fashion content is really fun and my audience likes it too!)

I got lucky that I had tried a new-to-me brand — Oliveda — a few weeks before Beautycounter closed and really liked it. I was in the middle of trying to figure out how to share it without getting terminated at Beautycounter (I was a senior enough leader at BC that I had some restrictions on sharing other beauty brands… which I may write about at some point…) So then Beautycounter closed, I had another brand to jump right into. As much as I love Colleen Rothschild, I don’t view it as a perfect replacement for Beautycounter. But Oliveda felt like a much better fit (full Oliveda review here). And, since I’d spent years building out strategic automations for Beautycounter, I knew exactly what steps I needed to take with Oliveda. (Now let’s just hope stuff comes back in stock soon. They had a few products go viral earlier this year and then with the influx of Beautycounter customers, they keep selling out. But the company is ramping up production to fix the inventory issues.)

And I kind of hate to admit it, but I like (almost) all of the Oliveda products I’ve tried better than Beautycounter. They feel amazing, they are insanely hydrating and I love the smell (which is very light but feels very natural). My Beautycounter products smell almost musty by comparison now, which is very odd since none of them are old. It’s really, truly strange. So we’ll see how I feel about Beautycounter when (if) it comes back later this fall. I still think the products are good but I’ve been very impressed by Oliveda and it seems like a particularly good fit for people with aging and/or sensitive skin. (You can read more about Olvida in this post.)

On the fashion front, I had recently joined a new affiliate program called ShopMy since my monthly partnership with LAKE started requiring it. And then a friend pointed out that a lot of their commission rates are higher than LTK. While I’m definitely an LTK girl (I like the app better and my rep there is truly amazing and my biggest advocate), I tested a few things with ShopMy since I like to be up-to-date on new affiliate programs so I can educate the members of Let Me Pick Your Brain on new options.

One of the things I tested was switching all my LTK links in my Tuckernuck blog post to ShopMy links and within two weeks, Tuckernuck reached out. I’ve been sharing Tuckernuck for close to five years and was never on their radar, despite it being one of my top-selling brands on LTK, so it was wild — and beyond exciting — to have a contact there. I have a few thoughts on why it happened that I’ll share with my members since I think there is a lot to learn from it but that’s a whole different topic.

But a common theme I’m noticing from today’s work section that I think is important for anyone growing their own business is simply that you need to try new things — even when it seems like something is working well. If I hadn’t diversified my income streams, if I hadn’t tested multiple platforms beyond blogging and LTK, if I hadn’t built out automations — my business would be in a much worse spot today after the whirlwind of 2024.

HEALTH

My recovery was rough rough rough. On top of the c-section, I had other complications that made things even harder. And then there were complications specifically related to breastfeeding (Charles couldn’t latch for a couple reasons and we eventually did a tongue tie release, which resolved most but not all of the problems). I was triple feeding for about 12 weeks which was exhausting. I’m so thankful for our doula team; because of them, I have been sleeping 5-7 hours a night (double what I was getting in my last trimester!). And that’s amazing with a newborn — and essential for my recovery.

My c-section scar has improved so much and doesn’t bother me most days. I resumed pelvic floor PT at six weeks and my PT has helped so much with scar mobilization (cupping on the scar is a game changer).

At 14 weeks, I attempted running for the first time (mostly walking with 2-3 minutes of running interspersed) and it felt pretty good. But, when I tried to run again yesterday, I literally couldn’t. My ankles really hurt and felt like they couldn’t support my body. I’m hoping it’s just related to dry needling I had earlier in the week at PT plus lifting heavy the day before, but I need to email my PT to get her thoughts. It’s so frustrating since I just want to run, but I also know enough about running to not be dumb about getting back into it. I plan to share more about my running journey on my running instagram account since I’ve always loved sharing my running journey (it’s how this blog started 15 years ago!)

Thank you

Okay that’s probably long enough for today! Thank you for being here and reading and following along. I absolutely love my job — especially since it allows me to have work flexibility to be with my boys — and it’s never lost on me that this gets to be my job because you read my blog, follow me on instagram, and click my links. I always tell people that I have the best online friends and I mean it – the love and support I get is always touching and somewhat surprising. So thank you.

The post Letter from TeriLyn – the first in 2024 appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

I first got hooked on Daily Harvest when I was training for the Boston Marathon and working 80 hours a week. During that time, I was fried and didn’t always feel like meal prepping to have healthy lunch options. And oftentimes, I was eating two breakfasts since I was so hungry after a mid-week 10 miler. Meal delivery services sounded great in theory, but I’m a snob about my food being both healthy AND tasty, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I LOVED Daily Harvest.

These days, I’m not running like I used to, but my weeks are just as busy (maybe more?) as a working mom of two. I’m usually really good about chopping veggies and cooking things for the week but that doesn’t always happen, especially because I’m nursing my newborn and running a business! This is why I love Daily Harvest so much. It makes healthy meals SO simple when I have a busy day. The Daily Harvest smoothies are our #1 favorite item. We’re smoothie lovers in our house (and sometimes they’re the easiest way I can get fruits and veggies in my 3-year-old).

Sure, I can definitely make my own smoothies, but the convenience of having smoothies prepped for me is a game-changer. Not only does it save me time, but it also ensures that I’m getting ingredients in my diet that I might not get otherwise. Daily Harvest’s smoothie menu has so many unique combinations (are you really going to buy the ingredients for a Passion Fruit + Greens smoothie at your grocery store?) that we love trying. While I still like to cook dinners, breakfast (and sometimes lunch) is so much simpler with a few Daily Harvest smoothies a week.

Originally, this post was sponsored by Daily Harvest, but I wanted to update and re-share it now that I’ve been buying Daily Harvest on my own dime for my family for a few years. It’s become an essential in our household, and I hope this review answers all of your questions! Let’s jump in.

(BTW, how cute is baby Thomas?)

Daily Harvest Smoothie Review after using it for 10 years

So, what is Daily Harvest?

Daily Harvest is a meal delivery service that makes it easy to eat more fruits and vegetables every day. Everything is shipped to your door, completely frozen and ready to eat with just a few minutes of prep. Everything comes packed with dry ice in a large box (it sits at the bottom of the packaging). I do have to note that over the last 10 years, the packaging has changed, and now they’ll sometimes arrive defrosted but rarely. Customer service is always good to refund.

Is Daily Harvest actually good for you?

All of their items are gluten free, dairy-free, plant-based and 95% of their ingredients are organic. They never use gums, fillers, preservatives or artificial anything. And you can also filter your options to meet other requirements like vegan, keto, low-carb, etc.

Is Daily Harvest a subscription?

Yes. You can choose a plan of 9, 14, or 24 items that come weekly or monthly for your first Daily Harvest box, and then anywhere between 6-26 items per box following that initial box. Daily Harvest is extremely flexible though. You can skip deliveries whenever you want, add or remove items, and change box sizes. Their app makes it super easy to manage and ensure you don’t get anything you don’t want!

How does Daily Harvest work?

You pick out your food from all of their collections online, choosing how many items you want to get in your order (9, 12, or 24 items) and how often you want them (weekly, monthly). They ship frozen (packed with lots of dry ice) directly to your door. Just pop them in the freezer until you’re ready to make them.

You can change each delivery and even skip weeks, which is nice for when you want variety or things come up in life. Since they’re shipped frozen, you can keep them for a WHILE. This video shows an unboxing and what the smoothies are like.

How many calories are in Daily Harvest Smoothies?

They really vary; smoothies can range from 100-600+ calories. So, if you are trying to lose weight and are using Daily Harvest as a tool to do so, pay attention to that. They also have varying amounts of protein.

How much does Daily Harvest cost?

Each item is between $5.99-11.99 each. And there are certain things in life that I’ll pay a little more for, for convenience’s sake. Yes, it may seem expensive, but so is your time. Especially when it comes to getting healthy foods in my diet while taking care of two little ones.

But really, when you compare it to eating out, it’s definitely cheaper. Most smoothies in my town cost $8-$10. And if you live in a bigger city, you’re likely paying even more than that. You’re also getting them brought straight to your door, which makes it EASY as a busy mom.

Daily Harvest Smoothies

I first tried the Daily Harvest smoothies years ago when I was living in Charlotte. And I remember being completely shocked by just how good they were. I didn’t have them again until I started ordering them during marathon training, and I had the same reaction then that I did the first go-around: They are SO FREAKING GOOD. And I consider myself pretty adept at making a good smoothie!

I usually just make up my smoothies as I go, but there must really be something to measuring your ingredients or having a specific recipe. Shocking. (I do have a few tried and true smoothie recipes!)

With Daily Harvest, you just take the cup of fruits and veggies, fill it to the top with the recommended liquid noted on the container (water, coconut water, almond milk, etc.) and pour it into the blender. Blend, pour it back into the cup, and you’re done. We’re talking like 60 seconds.

I typically add protein powder and Wink Well Collagen to mine. Most of the smoothies are not naturally high protein, so keep that in mind. And if you add a protein powder, you’ll need to add more liquid.

My husband also loves these smoothies. Tommy typically just grabs a protein bar as he runs out the door to work so this is a great way to get some fruits and veggies in him to start his day. And let me be clear – Tommy definitely doesn’t crave healthy food the way I do. So if he didn’t like a smoothie, he’d tell me. He loves the Mint Cacao smoothie, which has banana, spinach, cacao, cashew, chlorella, and peppermint in it. It tastes so fresh.

The most impressive thing about Daily Harvest Smoothies is that our 3 year old loves them! Thomas is a very picky eater, so getting fruits and veggies in his diet can be a challenge. Thankfully he’ll always drink a Daily Harvest smoothie! One of Thomas’ favorite flavors is Banana + Almond–– which contains banana, parsnip, almond, dark chocolate, cashew, and flaxseed; SO good and has 15 grams of protein! Don’t let the parsnip scare you! It gives it great texture and filling power. He also loves the Strawberry Cashew smoothie, which is one of my favorites too. He likes to eat the little frozen squares off the top, which is frozen coconut milk, I believe.

Our favorite flavors

We placed an order a few weeks ago, so I’ll share what we got.

Mint + Cacao

The Mint + Cacao smoothie tastes like mint chocolate chip. It’s made with bananas, spinach, cacao nibs, cashew butter, chlorella powder, vanilla bean powder, and peppermint extract.

Strawberry + Cashew

We LOVE the Strawberry + Cashew flavor. It tastes like strawberries and cream and is made with strawberries, strawberry puree, water, dates (organic dates, organic coconut flour), carrots, cashew butter, almond powder, and coconut cream.

Strawberry + Peach

Another favorite in our house is the Strawberry + Peach flavor, especially in the summer. It tastes like you’d expect: fruity and bright, like sorbet. This one is made with strawberries, bananas, peaches (organic peaches, ascorbic acid, & citric acid), raspberries, gluten-free whole grain oats, flax seeds, and goji berries.

Tart Cherry + Raspberry

Finally (but not really because we like SO many of them), we like the Tart Cherry + Raspberry flavor. It’s such a fresh berry flavor and has a brightness kind of like sorbet. It’s made with cauliflower rice, tart cherries, mission figs, raspberries, and blueberries.

What else can you order from Daily Harvest?

While I’ve tried a ton of the items from Daily Harvest, the only think that WOWs me is the smoothies. The texture of the flatbreads and harvest bowls isn’t my favorite, and I think the Bites are too expensive for what they are. I do like their soups, but the packaging isn’t great. So the smoothies are the only thing we order these days. I’ll share the rest of their menu options below.

Harvest Bowls

Harvest Bowls have decent flavor and cook in about 5 minutes, but I always felt like the texture was icky. It all became mush, even if I cooked them in a skillet instead of the microwave.

Bites

These are a little bit like my homemade energy balls, but they’re really expensive for what they are. They’re a combo of superfood and sweetness rolled into a ball. They’re all gluten-free. I much prefer to make my own energy balls.

Daily Harvest Soups

I’ve loved all the soups I’ve tried! Lentil + Cremini is a favorite. I just wish the packaging was different. The bowls were so flimsy that I always felt like they would disintegrate in my hand.

Forager Bowls

The only one I’ve tried is the Blackberry + Majik; I wasn’t a fan, but Thomas was! You have to remember 6+ hours in advance to prepare it, so it can soak in the fridge overnight.

Flatbreads

These make a great lunch option if you work from home since you have to factor in time for preheating the oven and baking, but they only take 20-25 minutes in the oven(Or use an air fryer).

My favorite so far is the Kale + Sweet Potato. It has sweet potato, red cabbage, kale, cauliflower, spinach and coriander. I tried the Kabocha + Sage and it was fine, but I wouldn’t order it again. I will say, they are not protein heavy so I really like to add an egg or leftover grilled chicken on top. They have SO much flavor, they just need a little protein if you are like me :). Again, they’re decent, but I don’t LOVE them.

Mylk

I haven’t tried their Mylk yet.

Scoops

Dairy-free, plant-based ice cream is always a treat for me. None of their ingredient lists are complicated – just clean, simple food. Again, just not worth the price since it was all rock hard and not super flavorful. I have other non-dairy ice cream I like better.

Bottom line: is Daily Harvest worth it, and would I pay for it myself?

For the smoothies, yes. For everything else, no.

I’ve partnered with Daily Harvest twice in the past, and both times have received free items to try, but I’ve been buying my own smoothies for years. I wouldn’t spend my own money on other items.

If you want to try Daily Harvest for yourself, use this link and promo code TERI to get up to $65 off your first box.

The post Daily Harvest Smoothie Review: Are they worth the cost? appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

When I was breastfeeding my first son, I was SO thirsty and struggling with supply issues. So, one of my friends sent me a pack of LMNT Electrolytes to try. At the time, I had been putting Nuun tablets in my water whenever I remembered. I’d use Nuun for all of my marathon training and even used it during the Boston Marathon.

The Best Electrolytes for Breastfeeding

As a runner, I knew electrolytes were important. However, I never felt like Nuun was making a huge difference, and I definitely didn’t notice an improvement in my supply or my thirst. But that first LMNT packet made such a difference. I immediately felt like my thirst was finally quenched (cliche to say but true). I ended up breastfeeding for two years, so it’s safe to say supply improved!

So, I fell in love and put LMNT on subscription soon after. So, I stopped feeling thirsty all day (which was honestly shocking because I was the person who was thirsty no matter how much water I drank). I even noticed an uptick in my supply. Also, I wish I’d discovered LMNT sooner because I know my years of marathon training would have looked and felt different!

Now I’m breastfeeding my second baby and to my surprise, I have an oversupply. I know that an oversupply is not only because I’m regularly taking LMNT. But proper hydration does contribute to adequate supply, so I have to believe it’s helping. It certainly isn’t hurting and I don’t feel chronically thirsty like I did at this stage with my first.

Use this link to get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any drink mix purchase, and get a free box when you order 3.

I went down the rabbit hole about taking LMNT during my first breastfeeding journey and if it was safe, so I wanted to share what I learned. Hopefully it helps answer any questions you may have too! 

Let’s jump in!

You can watch the below video for more details or just keep reading!

Electrolytes for Breastfeeding

The short answer: LMNT.

The longer answer is below.

First, are electrolytes important for breastfeeding?

First, let’s focus on your baby’s needs. Yes, babies need electrolytes. They get electrolytes  through breast milk (or formula – if you’re using formula, make sure it has electrolytes in it!). Your sodium intake directly connects to the amount of electrolytes the baby gets.  

In fact, in the very early stages of breastfeeding when your milk comes in as colostrum, the sodium concentration is elevated and this helps the baby’s immune system. There’s actually research that suggests that a child’s health could be negatively impacted with inadequate breast milk electrolytes.

Sodium is also correlated with cognitive function as your baby grows. It can even help with better motor function, memory, and IQ! Read this study on sodium and premature babies. So interesting. Your salt status is also connected to milk production volume. This study shows that farmers have been adding sodium to dairy cow’s diets to increase milk production for a while! While there’s not enough research to concretely say this is true on the human front, I feel confident that taking LMNT increased my  supply (with my first, and definitely now with my second).

Unfortunately, because many people believe that restricting sodium helps expecting mothers avoid preeclampsia, lots of moms limit salt both during and after pregnancy.

However this 2018 study found that there’s “no convincing evidence” that salt intake influences hypertension or preeclampsia risk. Additionally, women with preeclampsia are also more likely to have low blood sodium levels compared to others. Low sodium can result in hormonal changes that actually raise blood pressure. So, increasing sodium intake can actually help LOWER blood pressure.

All this to say, since there’s actually evidence that low-sodium diets can negatively affect your health and since we know sodium is important for baby’s growth and development, I did not decrease my salt intake when pregnant or breastfeeding. I actually increased it. I was getting regular bloodwork. Also, I knew my sodium was low – even with LMNT. So, there were no concerns with me continuing with it. However, every pregnancy is different. So, talk to your doctor about your specific situation – your health, your thirst, your bloodwork, everything.

How much sodium do breastfeeding moms need?

The answer is more than you think, especially if you’re a breastfeeding mom. While the FDA recommends 2,300 mg a day (which is about 2.3 grams) for people 14 years and older, to help reduce high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease and deaths, there’s new science that shows that 4-6 grams of sodium a day is actually optimal (granted, this is dependent on diet and lifestyle). And this study actually found that people who consumed lower than 2.5g per day of sodium had higher blood pressure than those who consumed larger amounts. Obviously, talking to your doctor is important since everyone’s health is different, so take this all with a grain of salt (heh) but read LMNTs take on why they recommend so much sodium here.

Since nursing moms are also providing sodium to their babies, more sodium is likely best. Nursing moms may actually find that they need a little more than that to help replace what’s given to their baby.

How much sodium is in LMNT?

LMNT electrolyte drink mix has the optimal ratio of electrolytes – 1000 mg of sodium, 200 mg of potassium, and 60 mg of magnesium –  to support hydration. It has zero sugar, no artificial ingredients or fillers, and no preservatives. Many (most, actually) electrolyte drink mixes are full of sugar; and while sugar can help you absorb sodium and fluids, it’s not essential for hydration. So, LMNT doesn’t include sugar. It doesn’t taste like chemicals or medicine, which I’ve found other similar, salty options too (like Liquid IV).

LMNT is super salty (which I love) but you can add more or less water to your preference if it’s too salty for you. I like a full packet in my 24 oz water bottle, but my nanny uses only half a packet each time she drinks LMNT, and saves the other half for next time. You could also just add more water to your water bottle to help dilute it. 

It’s a small thing, but I appreciate that it’s a powder so I don’t have to wait for a tablet to dissolve, like I did with Nuun.

Other important electrolytes for breastfeeding

Potassium

Potassium is important  because it balances the effects of sodium and helps women maintain healthy blood pressure during pregnancy. Shooting for 3.5–5 grams of potassium per day is a good goal. Pregnant and nursing moms should aim for the higher end of that range. LMNT contains 200 mg of potassium, which won’t get you to that mark alone. So, be sure to prioritize potassium rich foods in your diet, like bananas, avocado, spinach, and kale. 

Magnesium

Magnesium is an important electrolyte at all stages of life, but especially pregnancy and postpartum. Also, magnesium is involved in bone formation and density which makes it important for a baby’s development. 400–600 mg of magnesium daily is a good target, and LMNT contains 60 mg, so it’s important to eat magnesium-rich foods to help keep your magnesium level optimal. I also take this Natural Calm magnesium supplement at night.

How many packs of LMNT should you drink per day?

Everyone’s electrolyte needs will vary so the answer depends on the person, and there’s not a one-size-fits-all answer (especially as a breastfeeding mom). However, LMNT shouldn’t be your sole source of electrolytes each day. Clinical data shows that around 5-7g of sodium, 1-3g of potassium, and 250-500mg of magnesium throughout the day is ideal, and it’s great if those are from various sources (ideally from predominantly whole foods). That equates to 1-2 packets a day depending on your activity level and if you’re exclusively breastfeeding 1 one packet contains 1000 mg of sodium, 200 mg of potassium, and 60 mg of magnesium. (Source) I have 2, sometimes 3, packets a day since I have low sodium, have resumed working out and I’m exclusively breastfeeding.  

LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix Flavors

There are a lots of LMNT flavors:

• Citrus salt
• Grapefruit
• Orange salt
• Watermelon salt
• Raw unflavored
• Raspberry Salt
• Lemon Habanero
• Mango Chili
• Chocolate Salt

My favorite flavor of LMNT is watermelon or raspberry. Citrus and grapefruit are pretty good too. I do not like the spicy ones unless I’m using them in my favorite virgin margarita. You can also try a few different ones in a variety pack, which you get for free with my referral link. They also have seasonal flavors, like chocolate caramel and chocolate mint in the winter. Note that the chocolate ones are meant to be mixed with HOT water and consumed like a hot cocoa powder inspired drink. I didn’t realize that for about 6 months and was so confused by the chunky texture and thought it was so nasty. Once I tried it hot, it was a game changer and I loved having it after my cold winter runs.

I did not like the raw unflavored but if you have a different recovery drink you like (perhaps a protein shake or something that has carbs and calories) and want to up the electrolytes in it without impacting the flavor, that may be a good option for you.

Ingredients

Each flavor has one or two different ingredients (the natural watermelon flavor has Malic Acid and the orange flavor uses Citric Acid, for example). Here’s the general breakdown for the Citrus Salt packet. Again, each packet has the perfect balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

• Salt (Sodium Chloride)
• Citric Acid
• Magnesium Malate
• Potassium Chloride
• Natural Flavors
• Stevia Leaf Extract 

I typically hate the taste of stevia but it doesn’t bother me in these! You can find a full list of ingredients for each flavor online here.

Pricing / Packages

One time purchase

The most basic way to purchase LMNT is ordering boxes individually. A box of LMNT comes with 30 packets, and it costs $45 per box, which breaks down to $1.50 per packet.

This is a great way to try LMNT the first time to make sure you like it.

Subscribe and save

The other option is to set up your LMNT as a subscription and save money. When you subscribe, each box is $39, making each packet $1.30. Since I use 3-5 packets a day, this is by FAR the most economical option for me.

Free sample pack

After ordering LMNT a few times, I reached out to them to see if they’d be willing to offer a promo to my readers. They were super generous and gave me a shopping link that gets you a FREE sample pack with ANY drink mix order. And to top it off, if you end up buying 3 boxes, you’ll also get a 4th for free! I believe you can use my link with every order – not only the first – to get a free box or sample pack! 

LMNT Electrolytes Pros and Cons

Pros

• Tastes amazing
• Super salty (but can be diluted with more water)
• NO SUGAR! (Great for low carb diets if that’s your jam but that’s NOT my jam.)
• A perfect ratio! Most popular electrolyte drinks contain sugar and unhealthy ingredients, along with low amounts of electrolytes. LMNT has more electrolytes in the ratio that our body needs: 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium.
• Keto friendly for folks following a keto diet
• Paleo friendly for those following a paleo diet
• Simple ingredients
• Comes in a powder form instead of a tablet that has to dissolve
• Free shipping
• No-questions-asked return policy (seriously! They send new boxes and refund immediately. They have amazing customer service.)
• Can be ordered on Amazon – if you’re running low and want to place a quick order, you can do it with Prime shipping.

Cons

• Pricey. There’s no denying that LMNT is pricey, but it’s worth it. Nuun is about $30 for 30 tablets, which is slightly more affordable than LMNT. But LMNT simply works better!

That’s the only con I can think of!

Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any drink mix order you place through this link.

The post The Best Electrolytes for Breastfeeding & How it Impacted My Supply appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

I didn’t want a C-section for a few reasons, but it ended up being a much more beautiful and joyful experience than I expected. So if you’re in the same boat, know that it can be a very special experience! And knowing I was going to have a C-section a week ahead of time gave me ample time to prepare, which was also a blessing. I asked my followers on Instagram for their C-section tips, and packed my hospital bag accordingly. I’m sharing everything I packed below since there are some key differences between what I packed in my hospital bag for my first birth and this second time. And if you’re looking for my postpartum essentials, I have a blog post on that topic too.

I hope this list is helpful for you if you’re packing for a planned C-section, or even if you’re doing a little research just in case you end up having an unplanned C-section!

What to Pack for a C-section

When packing for the hospital, I used one large weekender bag. For my first delivery, I packed in two bags (one for labor and one for post-delivery), but this time, I decided that one larger bag would be easier to pack and transport. I used my ShortyLOVE Weekender Bag, which is the only weekender bag I’ve ever had that can actually fit what I need for a weekend. It’s BIG and that is great for a hospital bag.

My C-section Essentials

There are a ton of things you’ll want to pack for the hospital regardless of your birth plan, so those are all listed below, but I’ll start with my C-section specific must-haves since that’s why you are reading this post!

• LAKE Cotton Tank Night Gown – A short nightgown with a stretchy top and straps that can easily pull down is necessary. It made nursing so much easier and didn’t put any pressure on my incision. I wish I had 2-3 of these in the hospital. I love LAKE Pajamas – I shared all of the sets I have and sizing details in this post.
• Wedge Pillow – A MUST. Maybe bring two. This made laying on my side to rest much more comfortable.
• Water bottle without a straw – You’ll be advised not to use a straw for a while post C-section since it can cause you to swallow more air.
• This LAKE lounge dress – This was my going home outfit since even high waistbands didn’t feel great on my incision yet. Any comfortable lounge dress will do, but skip anything with a fitted waistband.
• Frida C-section disposable boyshort undies – I used the hospital undies for the first few days, then switched to these. (Buy the boyshorts, not the briefs, even if you typically don’t like boyshorts. The briefs are NOT as comfortable as the boyshorts.)

After wearing the Frida C-section underwear for a few days, I tried switching switched to Baobei bloomers and C-panty undies with a silicone patch. I did NOT find these comfortable since they irritated my incision/scar more than it protected but I know most people love them so I wanted to note them in this section.

I ended up preferring the same large undies I wore when postpartum with my first delivery. They have a seam that hit near my incision but it somehow didn’t bother it.

Toiletries

All of these items went in my beloved Amazon Toiletry bag. It holds SO MUCH STUFF.

• Nipple butter
• Colleen Rothschild Vitamin E Lip Balm
• Prenatal vitamins
• Hair brush
• travel-sized shampoo & conditioner, body wash & body lotion – Multiple people told me not to worry about packing body stuff since you won’t feel like showering after a c-section but I couldn’t WAIT to shower, and I didn’t have my shower toiletries and had my husband go home to get it.
• Glasses
• Ursa Major face wipes
• Face wash, facial oil and moisturizer
• Contacts + contact solution
• Toothbrush, floss + my favorite toothpaste
• Scrunchies + claw clips 
• Deodorant 
• Makeup
• Mouth guard 

Miscellaneous

• Drivers license and insurance card 
• Birth goals document 
• Charging block + long changing cord (I used the charging block more)
• Blanket and pillow from home (not white so it doesn’t get mixed up with hospital laundry)
• Brestfriend pillow for breastfeeding
• Snacks 
• My favorite electrolytes
• BabyBub pillow
• Eye mask
• Ear plugs

Hospital Bag Checklist for Baby

• Diaper bag 
• Portable sound machine
• Going home outfit (two different sizes)
• Pacifiers 
• Pump 
• Cozy blanket 
• Car seat 

C-section Packing Tips

When to Pack Your C-section Hospital Bag

I’m not a great example of this because I didn’t pack my hospital bag until the week of my C-section. I recommend packing your bag much earlier, just in case! And the great news about this packing list is that everything can be used for a vaginal delivery too, so you’ll be ready for either (maybe throw a pair of cozy joggers and a tank into the bag in case you delivery vaginally since you’ll be able to wear them. I prefer Vouri joggers for this). Pack your hospital bag as early as you want to, but definitely by 37 weeks since that’s when you’re considered full-term.

If you are having a C-section because your baby is breech like mine was, and you are having an ECV to try to flip your baby, make sure your bag is packed for the day of the procedure, just in case it puts you into labor. (We ended up not doing an ECV because it was too risky in our situation.)

What Should I Wear on the Day of my C-section

You’ll have to change into a gown that they will give you for surgery, so you can wear whatever you want on the way to the hospital. I wore joggers and a pullover to the hospital but didn’t have them on long before I changed into the gown.

Afterwards you’ll be able to put on your own clothes for the rest of your hospital stay, which is when I recommend the LAKE Pima Cotton Nightgown for comfort and easy nursing. And it’s feminine and cute, so if you do have any visitors, you’ll feel somewhat put together.

How to Prepare for a C-section

1. Don’t eat anything for 8 hours ahead of time. My C-section was scheduled for 7am, so I ate dinner early the night before and had a very small cup of black coffee the morning-of. (Ask your providers if coffee is okay. My nurses said yes.)
   
2. Don’t shave or wax close to the day. If your C-section is planned, skip shaving or waxing down there since it can cause irritation that could potentially cause infection post-surgery. (I got waxed about two weeks before.)
   
3. Discuss pain management. Be sure to communicate if there’s anything your team should know ahead of time.
   
4. Bring a phone or camera. If you want to snap a photo in the operating room as you meet your baby, just ask the staff. They will typically allow this if you don’t take photos of the medical team. And most hospitals don’t allow videos.

Final Thoughts

As someone who was adamantly against having a C-section if at all possible, it was so much more beautiful than I anticipated. I hope that this packing list makes your preparation a bit easier!

Shop The Post

The post What to Pack for a C-section appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

When you buy Seed, use this link with promo code TERI to get 15% off your first month of a subscription!

A handful of years ago, I was listening to a Rich Roll podcast about a probiotics company named Seed. I’ve been taking probiotics for years, but have always blindly shopped and brand hopped, never really sure if I was getting a “good” probiotic. After listening to the podcast, I immediately signed up for Seed monthly shipments. What struck me the most is how much research and data they have around their specific probiotic strains, something lacking with other brands.

I feel very confident that Seed is the best probiotic for me and it’s the same one I’ve been taking for 4 years. I’ll go into details about what a probiotic is, why you need one, and why I’m loyal to Seed. The video below gives you a quick overview as well.

Introducing Seed Probiotics Daily Synbiotic

Seed’s probiotic is called the Daily Synbiotic. The science is complex, but essentially, most of the bacteria we carry around actually helps keep our bodies healthy. We’ve been told so much that we need to sanitize, bleach, and get germs off of everything. And yes, it’s wise to wash your hands and clean surfaces.

But, there are also many good strains of bacteria. Good bacteria help foster a healthy gut, microbiome, digestive system and immune system. And that’s where probiotics come into play.

Seed Probiotics Review

The Daily Synbiotic is a 2-in-1 capsule. It contains probiotic strains that deliver benefits to the gastrointestinal system which influences overall health.

• The inner capsule contains 24 clinically-studied strains of probiotics. These are strains not found in yogurt, most supplements or fermented foods and beverages. These strains are selected for strain-specific benefits.
• The outer capsule is a Prebiotic. It contains punicalagins, which comes from Indian pomegranate. The gut transforms the prebiotic outer capsule into powerful “metabolites” for the human body. The outer capsule contains the inner probiotic capsule.

What are metabolites? Basically, metabolites are like bacterial poop: the end product of what they metabolize. As bacteria do what they need to sustain themselves (e.g. their version of “eating”) they take bigger compounds and turn them into smaller compounds. So metabolites are simply small molecules and naturally formed as substances are broken down.

The Seed Probiotics Daily Synbiotic formula was developed by the Seed team in conjunction with scientists and doctors who are experts in the field of probiotics. Their Chief Scientist is Dr Gregor Reid, Ph.D., a world-renowned specialist in beneficial microbes. He serves as the Chair of the United Nations World Health Organization Expert Panel on Probiotics. And he led the group that authored the globally accepted definition of ‘probiotics’. Additionally, Seed has a Scientific Advisory Board, made up of male and female MDs and Ph.Ds. All of that to say, these are experts with serious backgrounds.

If you really want to dive deep into probiotics and the science behind them, read about Seed’s approach here.

What Is A Synbiotic?

A Synbiotic is defined as a “combination of prebiotics and probiotics that together, promote gastrointestinal health by improving survival and adherence of live microbial dietary supplements”. In simpler terms, the idea behind synbiotics is that adding prebiotics to a probiotic supplement can help ensure the digestion-friendly microorganisms arrive in the gut alive and well.

2-in-1 Capsule Technology

The 2-in-1 probiotic capsule technology is resistant to stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and bile salts. In addition, it has a Chlorophyllin exterior to protect the strains from light. And the powder prebiotic suspension helps protect it from oxygen, moisture, and heat (all of which bacteria are sensitive to).

Can you believe how much science goes into all of this? So fascinating!

What are the benefits of Seed Daily Synbiotic?

Note: all of this information comes directly from Seed. I shared my personal experience below!

Gastrointestinal Health

• Supports digestive health
• Helps maintain regularity, ease bloating, and can alleviate occasional constipation
• Improves stool hydration, making bowel movements easier

Gut Barrier Integrity

• Helps maintain gut health barrier function and integrity

Gut Immune Function

• Supports healthy gut immune function and ‘cross-talk’ between immune and intestinal cells
• Increases production of short-chain fatty acids

Cardiovascular Health

• Promotes heart health
• Helps maintain blood cholesterol levels already in the normal range
• Supports healthy intestinal recycling of cholesterol and bile

Micronutrient Synthesis

• Supports folate (vitamin B9) production
• Supports intestinal synthesis of vitamin B12

Seed probiotics also support skin health.

The Science Behind Seed Daily Synbiotic

Seed Daily Synbiotic Formulation

Seed ds-01 daily synbiotic is made up of different probiotic blends to support different functions in the body:

• Digestive Health / Gastrointestinal Immunity / Gut Barrier Integrity Probiotic Blend – 37.0 Billion AFU
• Dermatological Health Probiotic Blend – 3.3 Billion AFU
• Cardiovascular Health Probiotic Blend – 5.25 Billion AFU
• Micronutrient Synthesis Probiotic Blend – 8.05 Billion AFU
• Microbiota-Accessible Prebiotic [MAP] Blend – 400 mg

The other ingredients included are:

• Acid-Resistant Vegan Outer (chlorophyllin) and Inner Capsules (hypromellose, fermented gellan gum, water)
• Organic rice fiber 
• Organic rice extract blend

Seed is a vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free probiotic and doesn’t contain soy, binders, or preservatives. It’s also free of the 14 classes of allergens identified by the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies.

Note: A few years ago (May 2020), they made a minor update to the prebiotic blend in the Daily Synbiotic. Scandinavian chaga and pine bark were removed to allow for a higher dose of the primary prebiotic, punicalagin. I didn’t notice a difference at all in how my gut felt after that change.

My Honest Review of the Seed’s Daily Synbiotic

Like I mentioned in the intro, I’ve tried dozens and dozens of probiotics over the years. I first started taking probiotics about 7 years ago but never exactly knew how to buy a “good” one. So I’d go to the probiotics section at Whole Foods and buy whatever sounded like it had the “most” strains. Or, whatever was expensive. Or whatever happened to be on sale. Not exactly the most scientific approach, ha!

After learning more about Seed, I switched and haven’t gone back to any others. In fact, I’ve taken Seed probiotics for about 4 years now. I take two capsules a day on an empty stomach, so usually right as I wake up. So when someone asked, “is Seed Probiotic actually good?” I always say yes. It has been SO good, in my experience. 

Here’s what I noticed after taking the Seed Probiotics Daily Synbiotic

Regular bowel movements and more quality BMs

Sorry, perhaps TMI but poop is super important y’all! And as someone who has struggled with digestive issues for over 20 years, this is a HUGE win in my book. Over time, things have improved even more. Seed can’t treat or cure any disease, but it’s certainly helped my irritable bowel, which is amazing.

Where’s what I noticed when I stopped taking them

After about a year, I stopped taking Seed because we moved (long story, but in short, we moved out of our old house and moved into our mountain condo while our new house was being finished) and I wasn’t sure where to ship my subscription since timing was so up in the air so I just cancelled it.

After just a couple weeks without it, I noticed that I had more gas, was more constipated and when I was able to go to the bathroom, I had loose stools. So, I quickly signed back up for Seed and just dealt with all the address woes. Within a few weeks, things were back to normal.

Seed Probiotics Daily Synbiotic FAQs

How long does Seed take to work?

Most people notice benefits (less bloating or more frequent bowel movements) within about 24-48 hours, since it has localized benefits. Some of the other benefits will take longer to “notice” and you may not notice any changes at all in terms of the benefits for cardiovascular health.

Seed Probiotic Side Effects

While I didn’t experience any negative side effects when I started taking Seed, some people have noted that they had some bloating, increased gas, loose stool, and headaches when they first started taking Seed. Typically, those things resolved after a short period, but it’s worth noting in case you experience the same thing.

How much does Seed cost?

You can only buy Seed probiotics online, but that’s a major perk for me. I like that the probiotics ship to me monthly so I don’t have to think to re-order. And I like their approach to sustainability, where they send refills for a green glass jar rather than entirely new containers each month. All of the packaging is compostable. It’s actually really cool – some of their packaging is made from mushrooms. Oh, and it’s completely shelf stable, so you don’t have to worry about that.

Your initial order comes in a box with with a glass jar to hold your monthly refills. They also include a travel jar, which I love! While your order only includes a one months supply, they are shelf-stable for 18 months at temperatures up to 78 degrees.

The cost is $49.99 a month, which breaks down to about $1.60 a day.

A little pricey, yes, but to me, your gut health far out ways a Starbucks coffee run. Since you purchase Seed as a monthly subscription, it’s also great to note that you can skip a month or cancel altogether at any time. I highly doubt you’ll want to, but if you do, it’s not an issue at all!

Oh, and shipping is free!

And then you just dump the refills into your jar! They come in a 30-day supply.

Where to buy Seed Probiotics

You can only buy Seed from Seed.com. They are only available as a monthly subscription, which provides a 30 day supply each month. The shipping is free, which is a great bonus.

Is Seed Probiotics FDA approved?

The FDA actually recently authorized an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for DS-01 (the Daily Synbiotic). This is an important milestone because it grants permission to begin clinical trials to investigate the safety and efficacy of a drug, food, or dietary supplement.

Is Seed safe for kids?

Fun fact, Seed actually has a Prebiotic made specifically for kids! The PDS-08® Pediatric Daily Synbiotic for Kids + Teens is great for ages 3-17. Thomas hasn’t tried this yet, so I don’t have a personal experience to share, but if your child struggles with digestive woes and tummy aches, you may want to read into Seed’s Kid’s Prebiotic.

Is Seed pregnancy safe?

Quick note regarding pregnancy and Seed probiotics, since you can see my 24-week bump in the below photos. The Daily Synbiotic is safe to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. But they suggest you always check with your doctor before taking anything new, which I will second. It’s ALWAYS best to talk to you doctor before changing anything when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. You’re always better safe that sorry.

Fun company fact: Seed Co-Founders Ara Katz and Raja Dhir were introduced when Ara was pregnant. Her journey through pregnancy and breastfeeding is part of what inspired their vision for Seed.

And as with pregnancy and breastfeeding, Seed is also safe to take with any other medications, whether prescription or over the counter. But it’s always best to check with a doctor if you’re unsure.

You can purchase Seed here! Use promo code TERI to get 15% off your first month!

All opinions are my own and I do receive an affiliate commission if you purchase Seed through my links. Before I was approved an affiliate, I completed an educational course on the science behind their probiotics. Also, I spent my own money buying Seed long before I applied to become an affiliate. Thank you for supporting my blog through the brands I support! 

The post Seed Probiotic Review: What I noticed when I started using it AND stopped using it appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

It’s so hard to believe that we brought our second baby home almost a month ago! Time has absolutely flown. We are SO in love with our two boys, and I’m soaking in lots of newborn snuggles between triple feeding, lots of doctors appointments (for Charles and myself), and trying to sleep when I can. My recovery from this delivery has differed a good bit from my first because I had Charles via C-section, and while it’s been difficult in some ways (especially not being able to hold Thomas), all things considered, we’re all doing well.

While it’s fresh in my mind, I wanted to share my postpartum must-haves. I hope this is helpful for any expecting or new moms or those trying to support them!

I’m including things I loved after my first delivery (vaginal) along with items I’m loving currently, and I’ll write a cesarean section-specific blog post soon where I’ll outline specific must-haves if you have a caesarean delivery. The items below are my favorite postpartum essentials in general.

If you’re looking for details about what I packed in my hospital bag, you’ll find that info here, and I also have a C-section hospital bag packing list post here.

My Early Postpartum Must-Haves

Water bottle

I’m so thirsty ALL THE TIME, especially when nursing and staying hydrated is so important for milk supply. I was not able to use a straw for the first bit after my C-section, so I ordered this Owala water bottle. It’s perfect since it has an internal straw (which I’m using now), but it also has an opening where you can chug water normally. You can order Owala water bottles from Amazon.

I have 1-2 LMNT electrolyte packets a day so sometimes that goes in my water bottle too. (Read my review of LMNT here.)

Face Oil + Overnight Face Mask x

My skin has been SO dry since having Charles (it’s always dry, but it’s significantly more dry these days), so every time I get up to nurse throughout the night, I put on a layer of the Colleen Rothschild No 9 Face Oil and then a layer of their Intense Hydrating Mask. I reapply 3-4 times a night, and my skin looks great!

Use code TERILYN20 if you order from Colleen Rothschild, and read this post for more details on why I love the No. 9 Facial Oil.

Lip balm

Along with my face, my lips are so dry. I use the Colleen Rothschild Butter Lip Mask every time I get up to nurse, and I keep the Colleen Rothschild Vitamin E lip moisturizer next to my glider since it’s easier to apply with one hand.

You can get the lip mask and lip moisturizer in a set along with a lip scrub in this lip trio for a great discount here. And use code TERILYN20 at checkout as well.

Frida Baby 3-in-1 Cool Mist Humidifier

I’ve also been using the Frida Humidifier every night to help with my dry skin in the winter. Both my boys also have dry skin, so I ended up buying 3 total– one for my room, one for Thomas’ room, and one in Charles’ nursery. Not only is it a great humidifier, but it also has a built-in nightlight that is the perfect amount of light. Not too dark or too bright, just right! I have the XL size and love that I don’t have to refill it every single day.

Perelel Postnatal Vitamins and Supplements

I used Perelel prenatal vitamins when I was pregnant with Charles and fell in love with the brand (see a reel I filmed for Perelel here). They make trimester specific support packs so it takes the guesswork out of what vitamins/supplements you need each trimester…brilliant), and so I knew immediately that I’d use Perelel for my postnatal support too.

I’ve been taking the supplements and vitamins in the Mom Multi Support Pack for the last few weeks and I love it. The pack is designed specifically for postpartum, breastfeeding, and early motherhood and contains a full-spectrum multivitamin, omega DHA + EPA, a beauty blend, and an anti-stress blend. It’s super comprehensive, as outlined below.

• Mom Multi Provides Optimal Nutrition
• Mom Multi Provides Immune Support
• Omega DHA + EPA Supports Heart & Brain Health
• Omega DHA + EPA Provides Mood Support
• Beauty Blend Supports Hair, Skin & Nail Health
• Stress Support Blend Supports Emotional Balance
• Stress Support Blend Provides Antioxidants

I appreciate that Perelel was founded by an OB/GYN and two moms. I wish I had known about this brand when I had Thomas! You can see all of my Perelel favorites linked here.

Lots of PJs

I sweat through 3 pairs of pajamas a night. Like they’re SOAKED. So having multiple pairs of clean PJs is essential. I prefer LAKE Pajamas, specifically the Pima Ruffle Nightgown because you can pull the straps down easily to nurse and it puts no pressure on my incision. I also like this pair of PJs from Joy Street since the pants are a little more comfortable with an incision and the button front makes nursing and pumping easy. Whichever route you go for PJs, get a lot of them.

I have a full review of LAKE Pajamas linked here.

Full size towels by the bed

I keep two full-size towels next to my bed to swap out in the middle of the night to avoid soaking my fitted sheet. When I get up to nurse, I pull the wet towel off, change into dry PJs, nurse and then put a dry towel down when getting back in bed.

Treat yourself to nice towels for this since you’ll want something soft and fluffy to sleep on. My favorite bath towels are these by Serena & Lily.

Multiples of your favorite pillow

Again, I sweat through everything at night, including my pillows. Go ahead and grab another one of your favorite pillows to swap out in the middle of the night. My all-time favorite are Lagoon Pillows. I like the Fox pillow but the Chinchilla is good if you like a softer option.

ANYA Recovery Drops with Vitamin C

I add ANYA Recovery Drops to a glass of water every morning to help with recovery. It contains 100% of your daily value of vitamin C which is critical for repairing tissue internally, producing collagen for skin repair, and supporting immunity. Vitamin C is also great because it also helps boost iron absorption. Be sure to use code TERILYN15 for 15% off your order.

Iron Supplement

Replenishing iron stores are really important after birth, especially if you’ve lost a lot of blood. I take Perelel’s Daily Iron Ease which also supports muscle health and energy production.

Frida Disposable Boy Shorts

I’ve been loving this Frida disposable underwear post C-section, but now that I’ve tried them, I’d imagine they’d be perfect for a regular delivery as well. I love that they’re very soft and breathable, but have a lot of room for layering recovery-must-haves. They’re also very thin so you can easily wear them under joggers, leggings or jeans without much showing. (Still, nothing tops my favorite Natori thongs but no one wants to wear those immediately postpartum.)

If you want to skip the disposable underwear, opt for big, soft undies. You’ll want to skip ANYTHING that rubs (see ya, lace), or anything that digs into your sensitive parts. Get big undies. Size up. Trust me, you won’t want anything that rubs (see ya lace) or anything that digs into your sensitive parts. Get big undies. Size up. Make sure they’re full coverage. I purchased these full-coverage briefs from Amazon, in a size Large. I still prefer the Frida option at this point postpartum, but they are pricey so these are a more economical option.

While we’re on the topic, your doctor might also recommend that you do a sitz bath. This is where you soak your bottom half, where you’re likely a little swollen or sore, in warm water. I didn’t know much about these prior to hearing about them while pregnant with Thomas, and they can help reduce swelling. You can order a sitz bath online here.

Care for down there

When I had Thomas, I liked the Frida mom angled spray peri bottle better than the straight shot bottle from the hospital. Don’t worry about buying pads… the hospital will send you home with plenty. For pain relief, I liked the Tucks pads and Dermoplast the hospital provided and this Frida foam that a friend gave me. I didn’t need any of these for my c-section recovery.

Nursing and Pumping bra

I have more breastfeeding must-haves in a separate blog post, but I wanted to highlight my favorite nursing and pumping bra right now. I love the Kindred Bravely Sublime Wireless Comfort Sleep Pumping Bra. It’s super soft, comfortable, makes nursing easy and comes in a busty-size, which has been great for me. (This post has more of my favorite nursing bras.)

Comfy slippers 

I live in them. I was gifted a pair of Shearling slippers from Jenni Kayne two years ago and I’ve still never gotten over it. Nicest gift EVER. They’re the most luxurious slippers I’ve ever owned and would make a wonderful gift for a new mom.

Postpartum doula hours

Give yourself the gift of a postpartum doula, ESPECIALLY if you don’t have family close by. Heck, even if you do have family close by, a postpartum doula is there to support YOU, with whatever you need. If you’re local, I could not recommend Margo from Born with Margo enough. She was our doula for Thomas and she was the first person I called when I found I was pregnant with Charles.

She comes a few nights a week and stays with Charles in his nursery so I can sleep between feeds. She wakes me up when it’s time to feed Charles, and then changes his diaper and helps him back to sleep after he nurses. It’s life-changing and the best money you could spend. We absolutely adore Margo – she’s like family to us.

Small table at your nursing station

I keep snacks, lip balm, water, and a little lamp by the glider so that I have everything I need beside me when I nurse. Since I’m nursing so often, I practically live in my glider, so I love having a little set-up beside me.

Portable charger

My phone dies all the time these days so I keep one of these near the places I nurse most often.  This portable charger is my favorite because it’s cordless, so you can walk around and use your phone while it’s charging.

Sleep Consultant

One of the best things we did when we had Thomas was hire a sleep consultant. We used Molly from Sleep Shore and love her so much. She changed our lives! Use code “Terilyn” for $20 off any sleep service. Read Molly’s sleep tips in this post about Thomas’ first nursery too!

Solly Baby Wrap

Thomas loved the Solly Baby wrap and Charles does too! It’s my favorite way to carry Charles and one of my favorite early postpartum must-haves.

Smooth stroller

Thomas hated the stroller for a few months but finally turned a corner and started to love them when he was a little older. I’m hoping Charles will like riding in the stroller from the jump, but we’ll see! We have a few strollers, but the UppaBaby Vista 2 is the smoothest ride and is adaptable for two kids, so that’s what we’ll start with when we put Charles in a stroller. It has a bassinet attachment which makes it perfect for newborns. Read my full review of the UppaBaby Vista 2 on the blog here.

Shop The Post

The post My Early Postpartum Must Haves – as a second time mom appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

Walking is probably my all-time favorite thing to do with Thomas. We try go on family walks in the evening when Tommy gets home from work, and when Thomas was younger, I ran with him in the Thule jogging stroller a couple times a week too. We also have a compact Zoe Tour+ stroller that we use for travel (we tried the Cybex first but didn’t like it); I actually just keep it in my trunk since I use it when we’re out on adventures throughout the week and it doesn’t take up much space. (See how easily it collapses here.) Use this link for 15% off the Zoe stroller.

While we do have 3 strollers, the stroller that has gotten the very most use in 2.5 years is definitely the Uppababy Vista. When I was pregnant, my husband was skeptical of a $900+ stroller. Yeah, the Uppababy Vista stroller is pricey. But now, he and I both agree that it’s worth every penny. And today, I’m sharing why.

You can find the rest of my postpartum essentials linked in this blog post!

Uppababy Vista Stroller Review

I’ll share a quick overview of the stroller as well as some pros/cons below. The Uppababy Vista V2 stroller is our most-used baby item and was the first thing I put on my baby registry. If you want a high-end stroller that has a very smooth ride both for your little one and for you to push (I promise it does make a difference for the moms and dads too), you’ll love it. I don’t know anyone who regrets buying it and a lot of my friends own it too.

The Uppababy Vista is a convertible stroller, meaning it will grow with your child. It has a bassinet attachment for when your little one is tiny and also has car seat compatibility (we have the Uppababy Mesa car seat which can be used with this stroller base with the proper adapter). You can also buy car seat adapters for a handful of other car seats.  As your little one grows, there is a reversible rumble seat so your little guy or girl can face you or face out. All the different options mean that you can use it from the moment you bring your child home all the way until he/she wants to walk alongside you.

It has a SUPER easy locking system to make sure the seat is in correctly and has one-handed recline for your child’s seat. You can also adjust the footrest as your child grows to support their legs. The telescoping handle bar will allow you to adjust the handle height easily (one-handed, actually) and that option is great for Tommy and me since we’re such different heights, with almost a 12″ difference! )

We also love the massive storage basket underneath the stroller. We love the ventilation that the fact that it has super easy access from all sides, so there’s no end to what you could put in there.

Pros

Easy to find in lots of colors

I appreciate that you can get this stroller from so many different retailers. We got ours from Nordstrom (it’s included in the Anniversary sale!), but you can grab it from Pottery Barn, , Bloomingdales, etc. It’s easy to re-sell too once you’re finished using it. It also comes in lots of colors, which I appreciate. We have the “Gregory” color-way that has a blue mélange seat and shade and silver frame.

Adjustable Handle

This is super important for Tommy and I. We’re both very different heights (he’s 6′ and I’m 5’1″), and the stroller handle adjusts easily with one hand. This is a feature I really miss when I’m using my other strollers so if you’re short and/or your husband is tall, you’ll appreciate this. The tallest the handle will get is 44″.

Peek-a-boo window

I LOVE this. It’s a little window with a magnetic closure on the top of the sunshade. Thomas likes to sit facing outward and look around, so I use this little window to look at him without having to stop, put the break locks on, and walk around to look at him. It’s super convenient and cute.

Front or rear facing seat

When Thomas was smaller, we’d face him towards us. Now that he’s bigger, we face him outward so he can look around. Having the ability to do both is essential if you’re going to make a significant investment in a stroller like this and this is the only stroller I’ve seen that can do it. (If you know of others, please share in the comments!) I also love that the Vista stroller has 6 seat recline positions, so he could nap while we walked and I could also adjust how upright he is as he grows.

Bassinet

We used the bassinet right when we brought Thomas home, but he didn’t like the stroller much. This didn’t get a ton of use for us with him, but for other babies that love to go on walks as infants, this is amazing (we’ll see what Charles thinks soon). It fits children from birth to 20 lbs or 20″. It also includes a perforated mattress pad and vented base (great for breathability and comfort). You can even buy a bassinet stand for your house that fits this exact bassinet.

This was on our first-ever stroller walk with him, a few days after I got home from the hospital! I went half a block and was wiped out!

Compatible with the MESA Car Seat

If you’re getting the Uppababy MESA infant car seat, you’ll appreciate the compatibility with this stroller. It clicks right in, so you can put your baby in the car, put the stroller in the trunk, and then use them together wherever you go. The Vista stroller has lots of accessories that you can buy as well. These are sold separately, which is a con since other strollers (namely, the Zoe stroller) has so many accessories included or built-in (like a snack cup, water bottle holder, phone holder, etc.)

Expandable for 2 children

I think this is a huge selling point, especially as a mom of two. This stroller fits two children which makes the investment that much easier! The VISTA fits two infant car seats, two Bassinets, two seats – or a combination of those to make it a great double stroller (although Uppababy does have a traditional umbrella double stroller here that would be great for twins as another stroller option). It gave me peace of mind knowing that I would be able to use this if we had a second (and now we do).

This photo is from Vista’s website, showing how you can use it with up to THREE children! There isn’t room for three seats, but if you have an older child, they can stand on the back with this piggyback ride along board.

Photo Source

Smooth ride

It may sound crazy if you haven’t pushed many strollers, but the way this stroller feels is unlike any others. It’s a very smooth ride, easy to push on uneven terrain, easy to maneuver with one hand, etc.

I took the way that it glides for granted since I thought it was normal until I pushed other strollers with average or below-average wheel suspension. The Vista stroller has all-wheel suspension and independent shocks which makes it incredibly comfortable. It’s the best in its class. You can also use the front wheel lock to keep the stroller aligned and steady on uneven terrain.

The UppaBaby Vista stroller feels like a Lexus: smooth, sturdy, well-made, etc. And considering how much you’ll use a stroller, this is a really nice perk for the parents!

Brakes

The foot pedal parking brake is convenient and easy to use. Nothing fancy but it is easier to use than my other strollers’ lock brakes, which you have to push up on with your toe to unlock. On the Uppababy, you push down to lock and push again to release.

Uppababy Vista Accessories

You can find all sorts of accessories for this stroller like this snack tray, foot pedestal for a third older kid, a stroller caddy basket organizer, etc. We got the waterproof leather handlebar cover and it looks so nice. Since all of these are sold separately, you may want to add a few to your registry since it gets pricey with all the add-ons.

Uppababy Vista Storage

The bottom of the stroller has SO MUCH SPACE, and is easy to access, which is amazing for a diaper bag, snacks, or whatever else you need. The bottom is a vented base so it is breathable if you were to put groceries in the bottom. The storage basket hold up to 30 lbs, so there’s no end to what you could put down there.

Easy to fold and pack

It’s definitely not a travel stroller but it easy to break down. First, you remove the seat, and then the base collapses and folds. It takes up a lot of space and it’s not one handed like other strollers. So this is more of a stroller you’d keep at home, not one you’d want to take around town too often. It’s not too heavy, but it does just take a couple extra steps and is larger than compact strollers. It fits in the back of my small SUV and since the seat takes up so much space, I end up packing things into the seat itself. (I took this pic as part of a Justin’s partnership but it really is what I do with the seat storage if I am taking it somewhere.)

Cons

Price

The price is a significant investment at $999.99. But because you can use it for so long AND with multiple kids, I think it’s a worthwhile purchase. You can also buy it used if you keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace, but they go quickly so you have to act fast. Or snag it right now during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale!

Size

Now that I’ve had other strollers that are more compact, this feels enormous by comparison. But as long as I’m not trying to take it around town too often, I don’t mind at all since it just stays in my garage.

How to Clean Uppababy Vista

To clean the frame, I typically use a damp cloth and wipe everything down. I will use Force of Nature cleaner for this in most cases. When the seat itself is super grimy, I will take it off the frame and  hand wash it or spot treat it with Force of Nature cleaner or sometimes a mild laundry detergent. Then I lay it all flat to dry outside in the sun.

I love that the fabric all removable and washable. While I don’t wash it too often (I should probably wash it more!), it’s never a real pain when I do.

Uppababy Vista Stroller Specs

What’s included?

• Frame
• Four wheels
• Bassinet with bug shield and storage bag
• Toddler seat with rain and bug shield canopy + sun shade (UPF 50+!)
• Bumper bar

Dimensions

Stroller Weight: 26.6 lbs (frame + toddler seat)

Weight Limit:  50 lbs (toddler seat)

Stroller Dimensions: 25.7″ x 36″ x 39.5″ (WxLxH)

Fold Dimensions:  25.7″ x 17.3″ x 33″ (WxLxH)

Handlebar Height:  39.5″ – 42.5″

Where to buy

• Nordstrom
• Pottery Barn Kids
• Bloomingdales
• Amazon

Bottom line: Is Uppababy Worth It?

I LOVE this stroller. My husband and I both agree it’s one of the best things we got as first-time parents. We truly love how smooth the ride is, the extending handlebar that allows for both my tall husband and and me to push it with ease, the front wheel lock that makes it easier to steer, and the ability to use it with two kids, God willing we have a second. I truly can’t say better things about this stroller…the hype is indeed real.

Shop the Post

The post Uppababy Vista Stroller Review and is it worth it? appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

Nursing wasn’t without its challenges though, especially at first (read this post for my breastfeeding must-haves). And the same has been true this go ’round. We’re constantly trying to figure it all out, and I know it takes some time. But one thing has been true of both breastfeeding experiences: the right bra matters.

People have strong opinions on which nursing bras they like best, and I am part of that club. I’m pretty passionate about my finds, both from my first pregnancy and now my second. (If you’re looking for my favorite maternity bra, it’s NEIWAI. I shared all of my NEIWAI favorites in this post. )

Below I’m rounding up my favorite nursing bras, why I love them, and where to buy them. I linked all of my other postpartum must-haves in this blog post too.

The Best Nursing Bras for Every Shape, Size & Activity

Best Nursing bra for large chests: Kindred Bravely

I ordered the Kindred Bravely pumping bra and it’s absolutely my favorite. The fabric is super soft and stretchy (you could even sleep in it), and the front panels allow for hands-free pumping, which is great. While this bra is designed specifically for hands-free pumping, it’s also super easy to pull down for nursing. Since this one works for hands-free pumping AND nursing, it is the winner in my book.

I won’t lie to you and say this gives you amazing shape or lift, but that’s not what we care about the weeks after we bring our babies home. When my friends ask for my favorite nursing bra, this is what I send them. And since I’m wearing mostly cardigans and sweaters right now, shape isn’t as important. Plus, I’m not really going anywhere yet!

There is another Kindred Bravely bra that is designed to work for nursing AND pumping that I purchased, but I find the hooks are a bit difficult to use, so I prefer the one I linked above.

This comes in two sizes, so there’s an option for larger and smaller busts. Size up if you’re on the fence. I first ordered a medium, but with the additional ones I ordered, I found the Large in the Busty cup size was best. I’m rather petite with a usual 32 band size, although my cup size is large right now (at least an E).

Best Nursing Bra for Small Chests: NEIWAI Barely Zero Spaghetti Strap Wireless Bra

While the The Barely Zero Spaghetti Strap Wireless Bra by NEIWAI is not technically a true nursing bra, the straps pull down super easily and it’s wildly comfortable, so I’m deeming it a nursing bra for the sake of this post. I first tried NEWAI when I was pregnant and couldn’t get over how comfortable their bras were. I loved them throughout my entire pregnancy, and now I’m loving them, specifically this Barely There Spaghetti Strap one, for nursing. I can’t wear it now since I’m hovering around an E cup, but if you have a smaller chest, you’ll love this one.

I think of this as a perfect “around the house” bra because while shape and support aren’t the main focus, comfort is. And if you’re wearing something that’s looser fitting, then this is great out-of-the-house bra too. Read my full review of NEIWAI on the blog here.

Best Nursing Bra for sleep: Pink Blush Beige Seamless Wrap Front Maternity/Nursing Bra

I absolutely LOVE this seamless wrap front nursing bra. It’s very comfortable and looks cute! Size up if you’re on the fence. This is the one I packed in my hospital bag since of all the ones I tried on before my son arrived, it was the most comfortable.

Best Underwire Nursing Bra: ThirdLove 24/7® Classic Nursing Bra

If you prefer underwire for a little lift and shape, you’ll love the 24/7® Classic Nursing Bra by ThirdLove. Underwire sounds downright miserable to me right now, but to be fair, I had a baby less than a month ago. If Charles nurses as long as Thomas did, I know I’ll be wearing this ThirdLove bra again down the road since this gives the best lift and shape of all of the nursing bras.

I’ve had a ton of bras from ThirdLove and they’re all flattering and the fit is great. The only downside about the 24/7 Classic Nursing Bra is that it’s pricey. But again, if you’re nursing for a while, invest in a bra that you LOVE.

Best Sports Bra for Running: SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra

I love the SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra for nursing and pregnancy. It’s by far the most supportive sports bra I’ve ever worn (too supportive to wear when I’m not nursing or pregnant). You can adjust the fit from the straps and band in the back, and the bra zips from the front which makes it nursing-friendly and easier to put on. I have a full SheFit sports bra review on the blog.

(You can read about my my experience running while breastfeeding here.)

I ordered mine directly from the SheFit website, but Amazon also carries it.

Best Affordable Sports Bra for Nursing: SYROKAN from Amazon

While the SheFit Ultimate Bra is the best in terms of support, it’s also pricey. And if you’re not doing high impact workouts like running, you may not need something as supportive as the SheFit. In that case, I love this SYROKAN sports bra from Amazon. The straps are adjustable which makes the support customizable and makes nursing easy. I wore this for months before I found the SheFit bra and loved it.

That’s all I have today. If I find another nursing bra that I love, I’ll be sure to add it to this post!

Shop The Post

The post The Best Nursing Bras for Every Shape, Size & Activity appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.