...with Tayè K!

Namastè!

Have you been experiencing copious amounts thereof?

I was going over my posts and realized I did not give much insight as to who I am. I did not even notice it, because this was about stepping out of my comfort zone to do something new. I started this blog to kinda vent out my journey with Baby Namastè. Leading up to his birth and 4th trimester, I had this insane year--a seemingly neverending loop of setbacks, downfalls, breakdowns, losses, and steps backwards. I didn't want to write about those things tbough, because I don't like to seem ungrateful. Baby Namastè's name means Rising Sun, so that's the direction I chose to take. A new day, a new era.

I spent our 4th trimester holed up in our home, loving on the little one and adjusting to our new normal. I truly enjoyed that crazy time frame.

When I came back to social media, I felt like a different person. I'm a nice girl anyway but I gained so much peace by disconnecting. It wasn't entirely by choice, as we relocated for Hubby's work, and our phones got zero reception. Wifi was poopy also, so there I was--reconnecting with life minus the selfie crowd. (I like selfies, by the way. I have many!) I would log in and actually have something to say, versus logging in and having to say something. It's gonna sound hilarious and cliché,  but being in the middle of nowhere helped me reconnect with me. I got back to my roots. My yoga, my namastè, my energy--all that hippie peaceful stuff I so adore.

So who am I?

Well, I'm Tayè. Tay-tay. Lover of animals. BIG BELIEVER IN KARMA. Namastè queen.

I suppose who I am is not as important as what I'm trying to do here. I exist in this blogsphere to entertain and inform. Which is comforting to me, because I'm not extraordinary. I'm not one of those girls who needs to stand out, and I'm absolutely not a lover of controversy. I'm a little shy, so I prefer to work behind the scenes and watch things blossom versus being front and center. I'm a straight shooter. I tell it like it is. I don't sugarcoat and I don't go along to get along. I do my own thing and it's worked for me.

I guess when I began this blog I wanted to share my life but preserve some small amount of anonymity for myself. Hence the scarf on SnapChat and YouTube, and only showing the back or top of my family's heads or watermarks cleverly placed to obscure their faces a bit. I didn't want to be another blog full of snapshots. My WORDS are my snapshots. I panicked a bit when I realized that becoming a serious blogger meant I had to trade some of that behind the scenes work for actual visibility.

I'm becoming ok with the visibility, actually, because I'm so regular. I was told a few days ago that my blog entries are like conversations with a dear friend. That's been my favorite compliment so far.

Who am I?

I'm Tayè. Your new old friend.

Namastè!

- Tayè K.

MAMAVA. Get to know this company, breastfeeding and pumping mamas.

Namastè!

Oh what a lovely evening. I hope you're experiencing copious amounts of namastè, and that your Tuesday was productive and cohesive. I'll sum my excitement up in one funny little word.

Mamava.

I've been doing a lot of research on breastfeeding and what protections the law provides. Normalizing is the action of the day, and companies everywhere are revising their policies to protect moms who simply want to feed their babies.

MAMAVA.

I found Mamava on Facebook and was immediately impressed and intrigued.

Oftentimes a breastfeeding or pumping mother will have anxiety about attending events, concerts, or even going to the airport, because feeding your baby or pumping in a bathroom is at best no fun and at worst, possibly unsanitary. Not all public restrooms are accommodating or have large enough stalls and for pumping moms, there may not be an outlet available.

Mamava, in a show of incredible solidarity and straight out awesomeness, saw this need and filled it beyond measure. They created MAMAVA PODS, which are comfortable, private, climate controlled tents, portable structures, and inflatables that offer nursing and pumping mothers a safe, clean, private place to nurse or pump. (Following images are all property of Mamava and the Mamava Facebook page.)

This company has gone above and beyond to help normalize breastfeeding while accommodating the desire for privacy. The pods and inflatables are popping up all over, and if you visit the website you can actually nominate a location! 

Breastfeeding can be difficult enough at home. The sheer anxiety about feeding in public, coupled with a lack of suitable accomodation, more than adds to the steep drop in women who are able to breastfeed for six months and the even steeper drop in breastfeeding beyond the six month mark. 

Personally, I have pumped and nursed everywhere. I often plug up in the car and pump, but I've done it on the subway in NYC, as well as on ferries and even a cruise ship. I nurse my son without abandon as well. However intrepid I may be, even in all my bold get-it-done'ness, I prefer to nurse or pump in a private, clean space. My baby will eat regardless of where he is,  directly from the mom tap if he prefers, and I refuse to  risk suffering a drop in supply simply due to lack of accomodation--but not all moms have my attitude about it. Not every mother is comfortable enough to just take a spot where one wasn't created. 

Thanks to Mamava, we don't have to. They have given us a safe, comfortable, private space to feed our infants without stares or judgment from the uninformed. The pods and inflatables have seating and a little spot for your bag or pump, as well as a power source. Nurse and charge your phone, or pump using your adaptor and save the battery pack for another time.

Baby Namastè and I endorse it 100%. So much so that he is sporting his Mamava onesie today! 

Namastè!

- Tayè K. 

Kiinde Foodii! **Review Post**

Namastè!

I hope you're experiencing copious amounts thereof this morning!

The other day, the lovely folks at Kiinde sent a great package for Baby Namastè! We received the Kiinde Twist and Kiinde Foodii. Today, let's talk about this Foodii!

The Foodii comes with pouches, two little snack spouts, a silicone spoon and case, and a filler. I am already sold on the Kiinde Twist because Baby Namastè LOVES drinking his milkies from the bottle case! I was excited to try out the second part of our gift.

Baby Namastè's two true food loves are baked sweet potato and his noms from mom. For our Foodii test drive, I baked a sweet potato, creamed that sucker, and put it in the Foodii pouch. 

Baby Namastè adores his taters. (We don't add anything to them.) He does not adore spoons, unless they are soft. The Foodii delivers again, as this little silicone spoon is flexible yet solid. It simply connects to the pouch, just like the nipple for the bottle case. He likes his Twist drinker a lot so...

SUCCESS! Little adorable guy loved it. This was a majorly impressive feat. So far he hasn't accepted any spoon; he eats with his hands. The Foodii spoon feels like a teether, and he liked it. (We let him touch it beforehand and he immediately brought it to his mouth.) 

Our Foodii was put to another test--I had a business meeting and had to eat lunch on the go. I decided this would be a good time to check out the portability of this whole pouch and spoon setup.

I always carry Baby Namastè in his stroller for casual outings, because it's a familiar space for him to sit. While I nosh on my food, he can sit and look around or play with his Turtle toy. If he falls asleep, I recline it. Now...

There is a storage compartment on Baby Namastè's stroll-about. It's too small for my phone (a Note 5) but big enough to hold a couple items. I have the insulated cooler case, but LOOK.

IT FITS!!! I could easily and safely close two twist pouches in there, and the spoon. (Also my license and debit card but that's irrelevant.) This was great for a quick lunch minus the entire diaper bag, and would be epic for a walk to the park!

Kiinde, can I tell you how much you rock my socks!

Ah, the bottom line...

The filler is like a big sippy cup, except you can squeeze it. The spout on the filler fits onto the spout on the Twist pouches, then you just squeeze the puree into the pouch. Its easy and quick. (Also the filler is easy to clean--it has only three pieces: the cup, top, and spout cap.) The spoon is like a teether. The little snack spouts are a bit advanced for Baby Namastè right now, but I let Princess Namastè teeth them out with her yogurt and she gave them a thumbs up. The entire system is sturdy, easy to clean, and thoughtfully designed. 

I recommend this from birth to beyond! I already placed am order for more pouches because I've had the sets for two days and used it religiously since unboxing!

Namastè!

- Tayè K. 

The Kiinde Squeeze Breastmilk Storage and Feeding Set **Review Post**

Namastè!

As always, we wish you copious amounts thereof.

Today has been great here at the House Namastè. Amazon Prime pushed through and several long-awaited goodie boxes arrived!

Most importantly...We received an incredible gift from our friends at Kiinde! (You read that right. THE LOVELY FOLKS AT KIINDE PROVIDED THIS ACCESSORY SET FOR ME TO REVIEW! I am so excited I can hardly deal.)

I have heard so many amazing things about this kit so I was literally checking my UPS tracker every 2 minutes. I really gotta put up more SnapChat videos because unboxings at House Namastè are epic in and of themselves.

Anyway...the big reveal!

The kit included a complete set of pump adaptors to fit every major breast pump on the market. (I use Medela, and they fit perfectly.) Seven different sets of adaptors; 3 nipples with slow, medium, or fast flow; two bottle cases for feeding directly from the pouches; two nipple brushes; and the freezer organizer. (Not pictured, the Kiinde warmer and travel cooler bag for pouches.)

Here's some pics of my pumps, connected to the adaptors. 

The PISA!

The Harmony!

The Freestyle!

The adaptors simply twist onto the pump connector, similar to the Medela bag connectors. Added all of half a second to my usual pump kit assembly. 

Baby Namastè's been exclusively breastfed from day one. We travel, so sometimes feeding and pumping on the go can be...interesting. The first thing that drew me to the Kiinde, before I ever received this wonderful box, was its portability and convenience. These bags effectively eliminate those awkward back-of-car milk transfers. 

Brass tacks, shall we!

Everything in the kit is presterilized, so it's ready to go right out of the box. I received my package around pump time interestingly enough, so I ran the adaptors through my sterilizer and sat down to pump.  (I clean everything before use; just my personal thing.)

The Kiinde bags are impressive. They are thick, sturdy, and well-constructed. They hold 6 ounces, and that's it. The measurements actually match the notcheson my Medela bottles! Bags can be ff, so this was a pleasant surprise within a pleasant surprise. I finished my pump session, using 4 pouches for the liquid gold.

Because I was anxious to see this awesomeness in action, I decided to test out the ultimate purpose: feeding time.

Now, my Baby Namastè is a milkies connoisseur. He generally prefers his noms direct from the tap, especially if I am feeding him. 

HE HAS NEVER TAKEN A BOTTLE FROM ME.

I'll let the pics do the speaking. 

HE. LIKES. THE. BOTTLE.

I'm not sure if it's the shape or the nipple texture, or maybe both, but he liked it! (In the event we weren't so lucky, there are also adaptors for feeding nipples--the folks at Kiinde covered EVERY base.) I gave him the slow flow nipple, because that's what he uses when Hubby Namastè feeds him. 

I'm sold. Completely. This may be my first SEVEN STAR PRODUCT, y'all. 

The freezer organizer is great, also. It holds 12 pouches AND freezes them flat. (Very useful for travel and milk donations.) It doesn't take up a lot of freezer real estate and it's cool looking. You could also use it in the fridge. 

I like the little travel cooler because it has two zippered pockets to hold the cool packs. That's two dedicated spaces for cooling elements, which makes the whole "pack the milkies bag" thing much easier on Hubby Namastè. The pouches fit in perfectly. Slide in and zip shut!

The warmer is actually designed to safely warm breastmilk! That knocked my socks off. It literally warms the precious milkies without getting it too hot, which would destroy the best properties of said milkies. That means a safe temperature for Baby!  (Test it to be sure anyway--always better safe than sorry.)

This system can also be used for formula! There's a funnel available to mix your baby's milkies in the pouches, then cap for later or feed using the Kiinde nipples or an adaptor and your favorite brands. This thing is super universal, y'all. 

I am completely enamored with this system. I like the color scheme too. No cartoons or busy designs, just simple green, blue, and white/clear. 

The Kiinde sets are available at:

Kiinde.com

Amazon.com 

You can purchase them online OR in-store at Babies R'Us, Buy Buy Baby, and Target.

Happy feedings. Namastè!

Northside Hospital, Atlanta GA ❤

Namastè!

I hope you're experiencing copious amounts thereof.

Baby Namastè, quit growing so fast! We are decidedly chuffed but wondering where the time has gone! Our little squish has grown into a mobile little man and turns seven months old tomorrow (September 28th)!

Baby Namastè was born on February 28th, 2016, at Northside Hospital, Atlanta Campus. He would have been born at WellStar Cobb, but a few minor glitches landed us at Northside and our OB decided we couldn't leave without a baby.

Northside is HUGE. The Women's Center is state of the art, and very pretty. There's a big pavilion with a tall, tall atrium and it's all very beautifully designed. Credit Google for this pic:

But brass tacks!

What's it like delivering there?

I don't remember much about our arrival, honestly, other than pain and a nurse giving me a very nice warm blanket and a very soothing hug. They got me back to a room very quickly, and got my IV in. (I was a little dehydrated--my hyperemesis kicked up to its worst the last 4 weeks before delivery.) The nurse asked what I needed, if anything, and I told her I just wanted the lights dim and to have the room.sorta quiet so I could nap til showtime. The Phenergan in my IV was working its magic and I was a tired, tired mama. I wish I had more photos BUT I wasn't really there for photographic exploits. I had a painful delivery and was sick beforehand, so just give me one small pass this time. 

I was lucky, because Baby Namastè was born before shift change. Our nurse Ryan was with me from the moment the IV was started til I went to a regular room. And Ryan was absolutely darling. She made sure I had ice chips and never let my blanket get cold. When Dr. Aspuru checked me (multiple times, as Baby Namastè was frank breech), Ryan held my hand or rubbed my hair. She also kept Dad Namastè abreast of every single thing, from IV bag changes to "HEY IT'S TIME!" They respected my wishes as far as my birth plan (minimal monitoring, no meds unless it got unbearable,  delayed cord clipping, and an uninterrupted Golden Hour with baby) and made a grueling moment, not so bad. Delivery was nowhere near easy, but also not as painful or scary as I'd been led to believe. At 10:05 pm, we met our handsome little Bud!

Once Baby Namastè was born and the cord was snipped, I got my Golden Hour to just snuggle and nurse him. Again, Ryan made sure I had everything I needed. She even got me the candy bar I joked about before push time.

Upstairs, our room was really nice. The bed was about as comfy as hospital beds get, and there was a couch and a rocking chair. We were in a corner room, so we had a decent view. (But seriously, we had Baby Namastè and there's no greater view than your kid!)

The nurses were sweet! They made sure we were settled in, and I finally agreed to some pain relief. I breastfed Baby Namastè, so I asked to see their lactation consultant just for comfort's sake.

That part was a bone of contention. I made it clear that I would be both nursing and bottle feeding expressed milkies for the baby, so his dad could feed him as well. The woman was so hellbent on me nursing that she didn't even check our latch, just droned on about the benefits of breastmilk. Which we had already discussed. She preferred to have me hand express versus pump, but that was a no go for me because it was painful. Plus I hate, hate, hate, and strongly dislike hand expression! She was not interested in showing me how to use the hand pump OR my PISA. Which was weird to me and dismaying, because that was why I wanted to see her!!! She was pleasant, but at that moment I realized just how crappy that spiel must make mommies who exclusively bottle feed with formula, feel!!! Finally I just asked her to leave some pamphlets. After nursing the baby, on my own, I used the hand pump I brought to the hospital. Shouts out to Medela for the Harmony being so easy to use, even for a novice!

Lactation snafu aside, everything went well. We were kept as comfortable as possible. The nurses were more than happy to answer my questions. Baby Namastè got to "room in" with me, so we spent all those valuable first hours with him. He was only taken out for his hearing test.

The hospital uses Pampers. They provide formula if you wish, and they give you lots of tee shirts, caps, and socks for baby. I was really happy to see those cooling pads and witch hazel, because I sustained 4 hairline fractures to my pelvis and a 3rd degree tear during delivery. They also gave us a cute Northside duffel bag (full of those giant pads, those icicle pads, and witch hazel pads for me plus samples of different things for baby) and a keepsake tee for Baby Namastè.(This is Baby Namastè's actual tee shirt. Isn't the hashtag adorbs?!)

My nurses were very knowledgeable about pain relief during nursing, as I was adamant I wouldn't take anything that would harm my little Bud. They made sure to give all the breastfeeding tips they could, and they never once pushed formula. I felt respected and honestly, pampered.

I didn't eat very much hospital food, but it wasn't unappealing. (I had gone through 34 weeks of hyperemesis gravidarium--I wanted to eat all the things I couldn't have during my pregnancy and as yummy as the Northside food looked and smelled, it wasn't for me!) I absolutely adored our dietary aide! She was just wonderful. I also really dug the fact that they don't mind telling you what you're being fed. I'm not a raging health nut BUT I do like to know where my food comes from and how it is prepared. (Canned or fresh, simple stuff like that.)

Should there ever be another baby Namastè, said baby will be born at Northside Hospital, Atlanta Campus. Hopefully I could really bliss out and have Dr. Aspuru and Nurse Ryan deliver again! The care we received was top notch, and everyone there seemed to enjoy their jobs. Also--MAJOR point of reassurance!!! Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite is right across the street from Northside. Had there been a problem, our little Bud would still be closeby. Scottish Rite provides WORLD CLASS  care to children and infants. 

Also, once I was able to move around and have a gander at things, that place is gorgeous. I loved the gift shop. 

I hope this answers some questions for you, if you're delivering at Northside OR scouting a hospital to deliver at in Atlanta.

Namastè!

- Tayè K.

Keep That Unless I Ask For It, Please!

Namastè!

I'm bright-eyed and bushy tailed this morning. (No, really, my ponytail looks like I stuck it in a blender.) I wish you and your hair copious amounts of namastè!

As you know, I'm becoming very active in social media. I love mommy forums most, because that's my ilk right now. Mommy'ing is what I do, and I love reading and chatting with other moms. I live in a rural area and there aren't many neighbors, let alone a mom tribe for me to hang out with, so the forums give me a bit of interaction.

I won't say I don't need advice. I won't say I don't take advice. I won't say I am above getting advice from newer moms or older moms!

I will say this--if I don't ask for it, I don't want it.

Mom groups are tricky to begin with, as there are so many different ways to mommy. (Mommy has become my new gerund. Get into it!) When you're the mom with a young baby, and you're young yourself  (or look it), out come the "I would" and "you should" brigade.

Baby Namastè is almost 7 months old. He's on the cusp of some big developments. I sometimes post about them to make conversation and find other moms with kids his age. Bear in mind, I have a ten-year-old as well! So a lot of the things my baby is doing and experiencing, I've already seen and remember.

BUT...

"I wouldn't give a bottle of he's breastfed."
"I don't think he should have a paci."
"He doesn't sleep 8 hours?!"
"Why don't you put shoes on his feet!"
"He should be eating more solids."
"Put cereal in his bottles!"
"You really should let him cry sometimes."
"I would never let my baby *insert random action*!"

...Namastè doesn't mean ignorant. I am well aware of the things I choose for Baby Namastè. I am also aware of the consequences. I choose what works for US. I don't condemn anyone's choices or pick them apart, so I make sure to align my own words carefully to eliminate any confusion about the intent behind them. If there is no question mark, no inquiring tone, I'm not asking you.

I know most people like to share their own experiences and ideas. There's nothing wrong with that. But it becomes a whole problem when you begin ramming it down others' throats, unsolicited.

It's not polite. It's not nice. It just doesn't wash well.

Namastè!

- Tayè K.

A Twofer: B Baby Floorchestra Mat & B Baby Ten Blocks for One You **Review Post

Namastè!

We've been having so much fun this afternoon! I hope our joy was contagious and you received the normal copious amounts thereof.

Baby Namastè's becoming mobile! This, for us, meant new toys. Things to keep his interest while he's crawling (well, scooting so far) around. His newest entertainment device? His B Baby Floorchestra Playmat and B Baby Ten Blocks for One You set.

He was immediately interested in the Floorchestra (floor orchestra...punny!) Mat. When we put it in front of him he started messing with it. He liked the sounds and I'm sure the colors were engaging as well. It was actually the colorful components that drew us to the toys in the first place. They're not the typical primary colored playthings. The palette is more exciting and bold. 

Onto brass tacks!

Baby Namastè LOVES anything that has animal sounds or music. This toy (the Floorchestra) has both. The real test...could it hold his interest for a pump session?! (I pump for 20 minutes at a time, 8 times a day, and keeping Baby Namastè from tugging the tubing or pushing the buttons is a chore in itself!) One way to find out.

Initially we set him down on the mat with his faithful friend Smidders, his beloved toy elephant. He was content to sit there and listen to the different sounds and songs on the sound block. Big Baby Namastè smiles (and y'all that baby has a gorgeous grin--melts my heart every time) and happy babbles.

We added the blocks. Just to see if he would engage more. We made little block towers for him and gave him a block to hold and chew. (The blocks are chewable, floatable, squeezable, squeakable rubber. No BPA or latex!) IT WAS A HIT!!! He stayed on the Floorchestra mat and played with the blocks even after I finished my pump session. 

The Floorchestra is a really sturdy, quality toy. The B Baby toys are all made with as much recycled/recyclable material as possible (which is important to us) and they use only nontoxic materials. No BPA, lead, or noxious chemicals. I don't cringe when  Baby Namastè decides to nom on the mat. It wipes clean easily. (We clean all Baby Namastè's toys with pure water and Medela breastmilk removal soap, and I imagine that will be plenty sufficient for this one as well.) The sound part has a volume control knob so the music and animals can be turned to either soothing levels or playtime. The sounds aren't obnoxious. 

The blocks are excellent, perfect size for his little hands to grab. Each one is hand designed with a different animal and number from 1 to 10. I can't say enough about the bold colors!!! While they're cubes, they don't have sharp corners and aren't hard enough for him to hurt himself with by throwing or biting them. They go from playroom to bathtime seamlessly. I love how easy they are to clean. When his need washing, they'll get the pure water and Medela soap treatment. 

I absolutely recommend this toy combo. Used together or separately,  your little ones will love it as much as mine do. The toys are made of safe components, which is a major deal. These don't look like regular typical infant toys. This company encourages individuality and fluid play. (Fluid play is engaging in imaginative activities without predefined rules. The kids can make castles or play chef with these blocks.) They suit girls and boys perfectly fine, as they're not gender based. And of course there's the typical benefits of blocks--spatial thinking, cause and effect, early math, color recognition, and these add on animal recognition. Plus they are just plain fun. 

Because Baby Namastè's been playing with this off and on all evening, I rate this toy combo the coveted SEVEN STARS. 

The B Baby Toys collection is available at Target and on their website.

I recommend collecting them all. We will for Baby Namastè!

Namastè!

- Tayè K. ♡

MEDELA FREESTYLE!!! **Review Post**

Namastè!

I'm extra stoked this evening and wishing you all double the typical copious amounts thereof.

As y'all know I'm a dedicated Medela mommy. I have exclusively breastfed Baby Namastè for 7 months strong, and the Medela product family has made this journey so much easier.

Tonight I wanna let y'all know all about the Freestyle pump. This little handheld device has made pumping a bit less tedious. If you know me, you know I hate being forced to sit still. Baby Namastè is actively scooting now, and we spend lots of time on the go. While I love my PISA (Pump In Style Advanced), I hate being tethered to that chair while the Kids Namastè are awake and moving.

*drumroll* *fanfare* *fairies sprinkling joy*

Enter the Medela Freestyle. I had read about it as I was selecting my very first breast pump. I was interested, but the PISA was more appealing at the time because I assumed bigger meant more powerful, and I knew I'd need a very good pump to ensure I could breastfeed and put away a stash for Baby Namastè to benefit from post-weaning. Hubby decided to reward my efforts at the 6 month mark with the Freestyle! I was so excited, because more portability meant I could literally take this thing anywhere. I hate missing pumps, and I hate hand expression, so imagine my delight.

Look!!!

The Freestyle looks, to me, like a music player. The ones kids have. It isn't heavy. It can clip onto your waistband, belt, or in a pouch. Its best features are the backlight...

...and memory button. 

The backlight comes in incredible handy when I'm pumping at night, both at home and in the car. (I have mastered the art of the passenger side stealth sessioms!) 

The memory button is genius!!! I usually use my pumps at low to mid settings, and I alternate strong suction and letdown suction to elicit more letdowns. Pressing the memory button at the beginning of a session actually saves that session's settings and you can press right at startup to repeat that same sequence. I use one particular pump pattern, so my Freestyle truly becomes handsfree.

Speaking of hands free! The Medela Easy Expression bustier is a godsend. (Not pictured--I am a lady and will not be uploading my brassiere! *chuckle*) Using the EEB, I am able to pump while doing whatever else I need my hands for, from cooking to building block towers with the Kiddies Namastè. I just throw on a button-down or my pumping kimono and go about my day.

The pros of this thing? It has equal suction (and at high settings, stronger suction than) the PISA, which was my first concern. I didn't want to trade power for portability. The Freestyle delivers on that front. As I mentioned previously, it isn't heavy. If you're like me and pump around the clock, thirty minutes with the Freestyle during the busiest parts for the day is a godsend versus being tethered to the chair. It also shines in the car, where it takes up a lot less lap space. I often park mine in the cup holder and read a magazine while I pump in traffic. The pump is solid and efficient, and after the 36-hour initial charge I've been able to use it for 2 or 3 days at a clip without recharging. It has a great battery life. It runs pretty quietly, no noisier than the PISA. Packing it up is a breeze; I cannot express enough how incredibly portable this thing is!!! I generally carry it in my PISA bag BUT it fits in my purse--pump, rubes, flanges, and connectors.

The cons. Oh, not many. It sounds a little bit whiny. At letdown suction it sounds like it's saying "bruh, bruhhhh" or "ma, maaaaa" & at regular suction it sounds like "man, mannnnn"! (I don't ever wear it on my waist because I dislike the vibration--I am weird about that; I don't even like when my phone vibes against my skin. Just NO.) I put it in my robe pocket. If you remove the battery, be prepared to charge for 24 to 48 hours. Also that's the initial charge time. (Mine was fully ready in 36!) It takes me about 5 to 10 minutes more per session, but that's because I use very low suction. (I cannot stand pumping at high settings; I always end up with cracked nipples. I'm convinced the coveted nipple callous is a mythical creature I'll never encounter.) You can't bend over while pumping of course...but with other pumps you cannot walk around so it's not a huge deal. ASSEMBLING THE VALVES--you have to get the membranes just right or you get no suction. That took me for a loop because the PISA is literally plug and play. Lastly, the parts for this pump aren't interchangeable except the flanges. They also cost a bit more.

The valves and membranes in this pump are a sight to behold. If not assembled correctly, NO SUCTION. From top to bottom: front cover, back cover,  membrane.

All in all, I like this little pump, gee golly I do! I have it with me all day, and I never leave home without it. It's compact, adorable, and powerful. I rate it 4 and a half stars. I would give it 5 if not for the valve assembly.

I recommend this pump for any mom, whether she's going back to work OR pumping at home. It's a little pricier than the PISA but it's well worth its sticker. 

I hope this helps make your pump choice a bit easier, and that I've provided good info! 

Namastè!

- Tayè K. 

UPCOMING FUN-NESS!!!

Namastè!

As always I hope you are experiencing huge downpour thereof. It has been quite a week for Family Namastè. Our resident Princess had a birthday, and thanks to some very generous companies I will be cranking out some exciting new reviews and information.

All this has left a time crunch for writing, but no fear! It is a simply a chance to pass along some other wonderful blogs and websites for us parents. As such, I'll be compiling and sharing some of my favorite blogs with you! I'm all about spreading good vibes and better information, you know.

Hang tight. I promise you won't be disappointed. Stay tuned to me for exciting updates featuring the Kiinde Twist feeding essentials, the Safety First feeding seat by Baby Disney, and our first Namastè Giveaways!!!

Admittedly I am as jazzed about the giveaways as I am about the new products in the swag box! I have amassed a stash of gift cards and mommy must-haves for you, my dear readers, as I am so thankful for your support. Over 300 of you have viewed my PISA review--in my eyes that's a record!

If you haven't already, check out our other social media! I will be announcing the giveaway details via Facebook. You can find us on Instagram (username @NamasteWithTayeK) and SnapChat (username @NamasTayeK) as well! Instagram and SnapChat will feature unboxing videos and short interviews with moms and kids from everywhere Namastè takes us!

Bear with me as I put the polishing touches on my social media, and thanks again for your support as I get everything up and running!

Namastè!

- Tayè K.

Sanctimommies, EW.

Namastè!

I'm groovy today and hope you are all thriving and experiencing copious amounts of namastè.

*NOTE: I believe motherhood is something to be proud of, an experience to be enjoyed and shared. I do NOT believe it is okay to judge another mom. Sanctimommies make it VERY difficult for regular moms to feel secure and valid, and that's what I'm tackling today--the sanctimommies who martyr themselves in the name of their choices and bash any and all who feel or choose differently.

Mom'ing is tough business. We begin making choices for another person immediately at learning of their existence. Those choices are simple and difficult, fun and frightening, harmless and harrowing. We do what we feel is best, what we feel will effect the best possible scenario for our children.

It's a good.

Enter that darn sanctimommy. She's got perfect children because she and her perfect husband have made all the most perfect choices in their perfect timing. You know her when you see her, in all her maternal perfection. She's staring down her nose at you because in her eyes, you don't measure up.

Online, she takes you to task for your feeding. How could you use formula?! Surely you know you've doomed your child to a life of hard labor and menial pay. Breast is the only suitable option, she scoffs. The sanctimonious momdom doesn't stop there. That wouldn't be a disposable diaper, would it? Landfills, landfills. Cloth or nothing for her little cherubs. Don't even bring out your baby's snack around her unless it was hand picked from the gardens of Heaven by St. Peter himself. Her children have never slept anywhere but in her arms or on an organic bed of unicorn feathers, and shame on you for doing less. She has attended every whimper, alas her children are perfect angels who keep immaculate schedules and never stain their perfect pristine onesies.

Or she is the opposite--how dare you insinuate she give up her body or time to breastfeed when science has given us formula?! She cannot be troubled with cloth diapers because that eclipses her feminist truth. Her children thrive on a diet of Cheetos and chicken nuggets and woe to anyone who tells her she's not 100% correct. Cosleeping? Tuh! Her babies have slept on their own since day one and she swears crying it out is sent from the universal deity of proper momness. Her children self-soothe at only minutes old and yours will be the devoured weaklings because you wiped away a tear or two. She doesn't believe in schedules and it's the schools' job to teach, because she has her hands full bringing home the bacon.

Those are two very extreme scenarios.

But look on the comments in any article about parenting. You'll see the camps raging. Breast is best! Bottles, full throttle! Cosleeps for the win. Crying it out, is in!

I scoff at it all, honestly. Personally, I'm just trying to make it through the day and give Kids Namastè a childhood they won't need therapy to recover from later!

The average mom is doing her very best, with whatever she has available. If she's breastfeeding she's probably not a snob judging your formula--she might legitimately care and want to share with you, what she knows. If she is a formula feeding mom, don't you dare insinuate she isn't giving her baby that same best--you don't know her reasons, and she is doing exactly what mothers do, which is provide for her baby. If you sit a breastfed baby and a formula fed baby side by side and ask a random person to differentiate,  THEY COULD NOT! A fed baby grows, is content, and thrives. Neither mom owes anyone any explanation.

The same goes for crib moms and cosleeping moms, organic moms and junk food loving moms!

WE ARE ALL TRYING TO MAKE IT.

I like talking about my breastfeeding journey. I like the attachment parenting theories I've adopted. I also feel confident in my disciplinary approach (no corporal punishment here). I speak on these things not to force my choices on the next mom BUT to see if there's another mom out there like me, or to learn from another mom who does it differently and gets good results.

That's how we should be. We should respect one another's choices and possibly glean a little understanding and insight from everyone we meet.

I have very utopian hopes.

The sanctimommy stuff is so old, but they aren't going away unless we shove them out. Not by fighting fire with fire, but by KINDLING togetherness in the mom tribe. I have a friend who's a bit of a radical about breastfeeding techniques--so I put her ideas and knowledge to work. We have a small group of moms who met up and talk breastfeeding each month, and she is in charge of helping out with latch issues and feeding holds. Since she had an opportunity to share, we found out that she's only a radical out of defense! Her own breastfeeding journey was stilted by some unsupportive people who did not allow her a choice. She did not get to have her preferred momness, so she lashed out at everyone she saw who she perceived as "not knowledgeable."

Sanctimommies probably won't go away. They're like the mean girls of high school--if they aren't picking on one group, it's because another has their attention. They fade into obscurity until there's another trend to diss, another parenting style to pick apart.

But the easiest way I've found to disable them?

Don't be one.

Namastè!

- Tayè K.

Breastmilk Storage Bags: Which One Works Best for Me?!

Namastè!

I hope you are all thriving and experiencing copious amounts thereof this evening.

Let's talk breastmilk storage. Bottles are great, but sometimes I need something more portable. I'm a milk donor so I use baggies sealed in a larger bag for donations. The price of bottles would add up quickly when I give up donations in 150-ounce increments.

All this led me to an experiment, when I realized I'd only tried one brand of bags. (I'm a Medela momma to my core. My pumps, accessories, cleaning, and storage supplies are all Medela and I've never had an issue.)

I decided to get testy.

I grabbed the keys and told Hubby, let's do a thing. We got, on a blind store run, the following bag brands:

Nuk
Lansinoh
Parents' Choice
HEFTY  (as my wild card)

NOW...my Medela bags are my go-to brand. I generally use 4 to 5 per session, and I can pump directly into them. No bottles or transfers, which is a lifesaver when I'm traveling. I only wish they held more, because it can be tricky to change bags while pumping. They hold 5 ounces, 7 if you push. They are strong and I've never had a leak. They freeze well, although if you prefer to freeze them flat, don't put more than 5 ounces in them. I rate these bags a 5, and I only wish they made an 8 ounce size so I wouldn't have to change my bag mid pump.

The Nuk Seal'n Go bags were a little oops purchase by Hubby Namastè (also known as Dad Namastè). I was out of bags and we were traveling, so he went out and got these. They are solid! Great seal, good storage amount (6 ounces, 10 if you push it), and they come in a bag. I was able to toss the bag and just put the sealed bag of baggies in my pump case. Unfortunately there is no adaptor for these bags, so I had to transfer. No biggie, just inconvenient. I won't use these for donor milk because I prefer not to transfer that milk much, if at all. Less handling means less chance for contamination. I will, however, use them for Baby Namastè's stash. He drinks 8 ounce servings and these would be perfect. I rate them 4 stars overall.

The Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags are quite formidable! They're marketed as the strongest bags available and boast a double zip seal and reinforced sides. They hold 6 ounces, 9 or 10 if you push. I was immediately impressed with their tamper-evident feature--the bags must be opened by tearing away little tabs. This ensures each bag is sterile, which makes them a good candidate for donor milk storage even though I feverishly avoid too many transfers. These bags just seem SOLID. They can be frozen flat, even if you put more than 6 ounces. I give these bags a solid 4 and a half stars. (I wish they had an adaptor for direct pump!!!)

The Parents' Choice Breastmilk Storage Bags were another Hubby Namastè purchase. (Can I seriously tell you how much I love this guy?! He has zero issue going out for breastmilk bags or flanges or even Chick-fil-A--and he's a vegetarian so that is a big thing! I love, love, love him. I digress but that's important.) He went to Walmart and our usual, the Medela bags, was sold out. These bags are good. They're not extra reinforced or double sealed, but they hold a good quantity of liquid gold (6 ounces, 8 or 9 if you push) AND they cost less than  other brands. I also really dug their purple design. I actually used all of these bags, continuing even after my experiment! I give them 5 stars. I just like them, and if they had an adaptor they would be perfect.

The Hefty One-zip Storage Bags were my wild card. I generally do not use these for milk storage... but I was asked to give it a spin for the sake of exploring all the options, for moms everywhere. I pumped about 16 ounces of milk. I used sandwich-size bags for the milk, sealed inside quart size bags with the sliding closure. I was surprised that, provided the smaller bags only hold about 4 ounces of milk each, this was indeed a viable option. I froze the sandwich bags on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (as I do all my milk) then immediately put them into the larger quart size bag. I don't personally endorse this method of milk storage. However if a mom's budget is extremely tight, these bags run maybe $2 for the sandwich bags (50) and $3 for the quarter size sliding zipper bags (25). Store brand is almost certainly a bit less. I already had these on hand.

All in all, I will likely stick with my usual bags, Medela and Lansinoh. I freeze the portions of milk in them and then seal them in the larger Hefty bags labeled with week and total amount.

I hope I've taken some of the guesswork out of choosing your personal favorite bag!

Namastè!

- Tayè K.

What "Namastè" Means To Me

Namastè.

As always, I hope you're experiencing copious amounts of namastè. 

Let's talk about this a moment, this namastè business.

PEACE. HONOR. RESPECT.

Literally translated, it means "I bow to the good in you." It's a gesture of recognition of what is still right and good in the world, and more importantly, what is still right and good in each other.  This is why I open and close my posts with it, why I named the blog as I did, and why I have so steadfastly internalized it. Since I am most likely simply an online presence to you, I'll paint the picture this way:

I don't like everything about everyone. I'm human. There are some who rub me the wrong way simply by doing what they do. In certain forums I have to remind myself that a person's screen name or online persona doesn't define them. Even if they deliberately seek to agitate me, I cannot vibrate low enough to strike out.

I'm human. I fail.

This is where practicing namastè comes into play. I LOOK FOR and BOW TO the good in everyone. Including those I don't particularly gravitate toward. Maybe most importantly, those I don't gravitate toward.

I'm practicing. This means, I am stretching and growing in this principle each day. I am actively behaving, perceiving, and receiving in this PEACEFUL, HONORABLE, RESPECTFUL form. I eat namastè. I breathe namastè. I sleep namastè.

I will never tell you it is easy. People like to pluck at other people, and I am not immune. While my preference is to walk in my namastè,  I'm still learning and growing and sometimes I mess up.

However, it is worth it. I have seen enough change in my emotional maturity and spiritual perception to continue this journey. I feel my growth. I know I am becoming more and more proactive, less and less reactive. My words will hold weight and my voice will be soothing as honey and strong as thunder.

It may sound like some jive hippie talk, but I promise you this--get you some peace. Get you some honor. Get and give some respect.

It's lit.

Namastè!

- Tayè K.

Am I Sorta Crunchy, Maybe?

Namastè!

I hope you're experiencing copious amounts thereof.

Tonight's topic?

I'm kinda crunchy. Maybe. I don't subscribe to any set of rules for Baby Namastè. We just go with the flow.

Babies are born with a certain temperament, a specific set of needs, and a knack for letting us parents know when that temperament is bothered or those needs aren't being met. So when Baby Namastè was born I let him know we were counting on him to be patient as we figured out how to be the best parents for him.

He's always nursed like a champ, but he needs our closeness to sleep. He's always slept in our room, in his nest (his Dream Pod). As he's gotten a bit bigger, he's able to sleep practically anywhere--nest, crib, pack and play.

We've been learning Baby Namastè's language since he was born. He has a mild temperament. Always smiling, always content. He eats well and sleeps well. We couldn't have asked for an easier baby, save the occasional rough wonder week.

But then, perhaps he is not an easy baby, but we've taken the time to learn him. We've figured out the small cues--how he gums his fist when he begins to feel hungry, the way he gets silly right before he falls asleep, the little face he makes when his dad or I feed him. Those small cues have been the building blocks of his trust for us.

We have a two way trust.

That's what it boils down to, trust. I'm not sure which label I can wear as a parent. I'm not sure I need one! I am, however, sure that I trust myself to be what Baby Namastè needs. I trust Baby Namastè's cues, his communication, his reliance on us.

People say we will spoil him. People say he won't be independent. But at six months old, he is doing things and understanding concepts that are a month or two beyond what he should be doing. He's got two teeth. He sleeps 5 hours for his longest stretch, and has gotten himself into a pretty solid routine since he was about a month old. He is able to calm himself (although we neither participate nor endorse crying it out--no judgment but that's not our style) and has mastered his little primitive form of crawling. Through that mutual trust came SECURITY.

We just might be crunchy. We are fine with it. Trusting ourselves, our capability, and our son has made this journey so much easier. That little boy lights up when he sees us, because he knows his needs will be met. NOT because we have spoiled him, but because in our stumble and fumble way we have shown him it's fine to trust us.

A baby will not scream if he knows mama or daddy will come to his aid. He will not howl and yell indiscriminately because he knows they are there to soothe his fears, feed his hunger, or simply give him a cuddle to reassure him when he feels out of sorts. SECURITY.

There are many ways to parent. We like the warm, nurturing approach.

Crunchy? Cool.

Namastè!

SOPHIE LA GIRAFFE **REVIEW POST!!*

Namastè!

I'm really excited about this post. I hope you are enjoying copious amounts of namastè.

Sophie La Giraffe.

I'm sure you know that name. If you have had a baby in the last decade, or followed a blog, or seen a celebrity baby, you have caught a glimpse of this cute little rubber giraffe. She's made of natural rubber and food grade paint. She engages multiple senses, from touch to sight to sound. She's the premier teether, well worth her salt.

Before Baby Namastè was even born I knew we had to have one. Or several. Just look at her... (Photo taken from sophiethegiraffe.com, no copyright infringement intended.)

I ordered our Sophie from her original website. (There have been rumors of fakes on Amazon and for a toy this awesome, and important, I needed to be sure I was getting the real McCoy.) We placed the order for two Sophie toys and a blanket. Excitement built as we tracked our package. When she arrived, we immediately put Sophie in Baby Namastè's little hands. He was interested at once. We even got a sweet snapshot of him holding onto her on the way home. (We live near our post office and often walk there for exercise--and packages. Definitely packages, as ours are generally EPIC.)

Sophie is a simple toy at first glance. She's about 7 inches from the tip of her horns to the bottom of her hooves. She's smooth to the touch, and gives a cute little squeak when squeezed. She's got a gentle palette of colors--cream and soft browns, with black eyes. Her expression is sweet, like a little giraffe-y smile.

To understand why she is a bit pricier than average teethers, you have to know her pedigree. She is not your average teether, no ma'am. Sophie was "born" in France on May 25, 1961--Saint Sophie Day, hence her name. She has been made the same way since that day. Her popularity was instant. A toy, made of 100% natural ingredients, who can soothe teething infants and entertain babies from birth! Parents began snapping her up and her popularity spread like wildfire, a wildfire that still burns to this day. In France, you'll be hard pressed to find a baby who does NOT own at least one Sophie. Because of celebrity influence and parents becoming more interested in providing safer toys, she has gained solid footing on top toy lists around the world.

But enough about all that. Let's get to brass tacks here.

Sophie has been in our home for a long time now. We have taken her everywhere! From Georgia to New York, from South Carolina to Tennessee. She has been a constant companion for my son, and a constant comfort for him as he teethes. He's now got two little teeth, and his Sophie has earned her spots!!!

We own several Sophie toys, but his favorite is the original. To keep her clean and fresh, we wipe her with a warm damp washcloth. (DO NOT SUBMERGE, AS YOU WILL KILL HER SQUEAK. Also, MOLD.)

We give her seven stars, because Sophie is that great. I purchase her for all my expectant friends, and if I have more children of my own, I'll be right back on the website stocking up!

Namastè!

- Tayè K.

THE INFANTINO GROW WITH ME ACTIVITY GYM AND BALL PIT! **REVIEW POST**

Namastè!

I'm groovy today and hope you are as well.

As you know, I love baby gear. Today the baby gear I'm loving is the Infantino Grow With Me activity gym and ball pit. This cute little turtle toy has been in my son's arsenal since he was born and we absolutely love it. (Note: I was NOT compensated by Infantino for the following review. This was a personal purchase, and this is my own actual experience with the toy.)

My son has had play gyms and tummy time mats since he was born, but they were relatively regular and didn't seem to hold his interest. When I saw this Infantino toy, I knew we had to have it. Check out this stock image from Infatino's website:

I went to several stores in search of it. I had no luck. THE ADORABLE TURTLE IS ALSO QUITE A POPULAR TURTLE. After bumming myself out with the brick and mortar search, I got the brilliant idea (insert "duh" face) to check online. There it was, in stock!!!!

I have never clicked "add to cart" so quickly in my life!

Baby Namastè is a curious young grasshopper. He hated tummy time so much that he learned, at about 4 weeks, to roll over to his back. The first set of cool points for the Adorable Turtle--Infantino put collapsible mesh sides on this toy. I could have him lie on the flat mat, or raise the soft sides to keep him gently corralled.

Now...getting to brass tacks.

I took the toy out, assembled it. (It takes like a whole minute to snap the toy bars on. They clip securely yet obscurely to the turtle's feet, which make a satisfying crinkly sound that Baby Namastè LOVES.) Here is a photo of him enjoying his Turtle at roughly 8 weeks old.

He still eschewed tummy time, but he took to this activity gym like a turtle to the sea! It's very colorful, very bright, and very engaging for little ones to study. Baby Namastè got a kick out of "talking" to the toys on the bars. (The toys are removable, and very sensory friendly! There is a mirror crab, a crinkly starfish and crinkly fish fish, and a rattle octopus.) His favorite has always been the crinkly star, but he loves them all. 

We are a traveling family. We are often found all over the US. We took our Turtle on a trip to NYC. Another big point boost for Infantino--the included balls and toys are stored in Turtle's head, and his body is collapsible so it takes up almost NO storage space. At the hotel, the staff complimented us on how cute our "large turtle toy" is. Baby Namastè remained happy as a clam during tummy time and actually spent more time on his Turtle than in his playard. (ALWAYS supervised BTW...while this is an incredible activity gym and tummy mat, it is NOT a babysitter and we must use normal precaution. Babies can and do get into things.) When we were on the go, we let Crinkly Starfish tag along. 

As Baby Namastè grows, he is able to enjoy more features. Namely the BALL PIT!!! The gym comes with 40 colorful, soft plastic balls that are perfect for baby's hands. Baby Namastè liked to just bat at them at first. (We typically only put in one of each color, just for the sensory experience.  The following photo is of him with all the balls, for the first time.)

This activity gym has far exceeded my expectations. It is portable. It is enjoyable for my Baby Namastè. It is downright adorable! It works for a boy or girl, and the child will truly enjoy it for years to come. I am so excited to see how Baby Namastè engages with it as he gets older and more advanced. At 6 months he still does tummy time on it, and he also sits up and plays with the balls. (He likes to take his Topsy-turvy Mirror Palm in there too. That's a different Infantino gem for another post, though.)

This is a great item, period. Five stars. I'd give more than five stars honestly, because I was at my wit's end about tummy time and how to get my son to enjoy it rather than screaming like a banshee. (Oy.) This toy has gotten him over that bad space and now he has namastè in his play.

The gym is available, of course, at Infantino.com. Walmart, Target, and Babies R'Us carry it. (Good luck, they sell quickly!) It's worth every penny, and your little one will enjoy it immensely. There are two color patterns also! We have and love the topsy turvy, but it is also available in the Go GaGa design.

Happy turtle'ing.

Namastè!

- Tayè K.

Baby, Baby, Baby...Namastè ♡

Namastè!

As you may know, Baby Namastè is six months old. That's six months of having a baby after years of rarely being around them!

Things have changed a lot. For one, when Princess Namastè was born, babies spent time in the nursery unless it was specifically declined. (I did.) Baby Namastè was only whisked away for one test, and Dad Namastè was right with him. He was immediately brought back to the room for me to fawn over.

The biggest difference has been in the multitude of different options available--home birth, birthing center, or hospital? Circumcise or no? Breastfeed or bottle? And for every decision a new moon and dad tick off, there will be someone to try and sway you differently.

I'm a studier. I read medical journals and studies. I keep my finger on the pulse of the different parenting trends. I'm in the know, I'm hip.

Alas, everything threw me for a loop with Baby Namastè. As early as my second appointment, I was being blindsided by doctors suggesting different tests and different avenues of treatment for my hyperemesis, followed just a few short appointments later by being offered more testing than I could even consider and setting up my appointments for the rest of the journey WHILE I was still "basking" in the first trimester. Basking in the first trimester is totally a thing by the way--hubby and I were so over the moon & had hyperemesis not reared its cruel head, we probably would have giggled ourselves into the next stratosphere.

I'm not that mama who wants every test. I like ultrasounds but didn't want extra. I did the standard blood work and usual urinalysis, but that was all.

I'm not against the plethora of options and different spins we can have. I just preferred to keep the pokes and prods to a minimum, and let my body do its mysterious work. I wanted to revel in the process workout dissecting it too much. Pregnancy is one of the last bis of magic left.

...but this is my thought. I encourage moms to take advantage of every option that appeals to them!!! YOU are writing this birth story. You only control a small bit, but you have the right to rock and roll that small bit. Happily, I can say I did just that.

Namastè!

- Tayè K.

The Medela PISA **PRODUCT REVIEW POST**

Oh, hey!

I hope you are all thriving and experiencing copious amounts of namastè.

As you know, I'm a product LOVER!!! And the product I'm loving today is the Medela Pump In Style Advanced. (NOTE...I DID NOT RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR THIS REVIEW FROM MEDELA US. This was a personal purchase, of my own volition, with my own money. This is my honest experience.)

The PISA is Medela's popular double electric pump. It comes highly recommended, so right before Baby Namastè was born, I went and got one. (Enter good information--your insurance may cover all or part of the cost for a breast pump! Do look into it.)

... TADA!!! In all its glory, my Medela PISA...

Now...I am a traveling mommy. I like convenient, portable, and uncomplicated gear for my adventures. Naturally, I chose the PISA with the backpack. I love how it doesn't scream, BREAST PUMP BAG!!! It's actually pretty sleek, yet has a good amount of storage. When I'm out with it, it literally becomes my purse. It even has a pouch on the side for a water bottle, and we all know how important hydration is for nursing/pumping moms.

The PISA itself is small but rather solid. It's very straightforward. The motor is inside a canvas like case, with velcro closures and a small strap atop it for carrying. It came with two 5 ounce bottles & caps, a set of 24 mm flanges (I call them horns!), a set of tubing, and a set of valves and connectors.

I have the 9-volt power cord. (I also purchased a battery pack and car charger, as I wanted to get maximum use.)

Note: The flanges come in different sizes. The 24 mm is standard. I use a 27 mm.

Getting down to brass tacks.

I set up, got my drink (I always have a SmartWater or cranberry juice handy when I pump.) & sat down to pump. It took me all of a single minute to get everything ready to go.

This was my first time ever using a breast pump, and my milk was just coming in. I have forceful letdowns and Baby Namastè was nursing like a champ, but I still needed to hand express a bit beforehand so he wouldn't be sprayed.

I. DESPISE. HAND. EXPRESSING.

It's painful and slow.

Anyway...I hooked up to the pump and turned it on. The pump itself is fairly quiet, although mine sounds like it's saying "milk maid, milk maid, milk maid" over and over.

In my first ever session, I got 10 ounces!!!

The PISA became my best friend that day.

But there have been missteps, my own of course. Most women will not need the high setting. (I learned this when after a day or so of overzealous pumping, my nips resembled hamburger meat.)

Alas...I persevered. I got my setting corrected after a chat with one of Medela's lactation specialists. I utilized those free Medela University classes.

I have traveled many times with the PISA. It's not cumbersome. The car adaptor gives the same power as its power cord. And the battery pack has made pumping easy in some of my more interesting sessions (the Circle Line cruise in NYC, Maggiano's restaurant here in Georgia--I could go on but you get the point. I feed my son anywhere, and I pump [almost] anywhere!!!)

Medela has an entire line of accessories and cleaning solutions for their pumps. I literally have them all. My favorites are the TenderCare lanolin (for that week when I didn't recognize the PISA's strength), the Breast Shells (same), and the Medela Quick clean wipes and breastmilk removal soap. I carry them, along with the Quick Steam microwaveable bags, in my pump bag for sanitation.

I GIVE THIS PUMP 5 STARS. 

I like the ease of use. I like how easy it is to find replacement parts. I like how infrequently I need replacement parts, as they are all quite durable!

The only con I can think of for the PISA is that the tubing can gather condensation. Easily fixed, by simply hooking up the power cord and tubes and letting go the pump run for a few minutes. Definitely not a deal breaker. I'm six months strong with my PISA and haven't had any mechanical problems. I honestly feel like it has helped me continue breastfeeding as long as I have. Pumping is time consuming, but with good equipment and quality customer service, it's well worth it to invest in the Medela PISA. 

Namastè!

☆ Tayè