As a uterus owner I’ve grown accustomed to the pain that comes each month during my menstrual cycle. After teenage years spent doubled over in agony, birth control helped control the pain until I had to go off while we worked to conceive. Jokes on me that it took 5 years and brought me right back to the reason I needed to go on birth control in the first place. Now that I don’t particularly want to go back on hormonal birth control I need a better way to manage the pain, without taking handfuls of pain medication.
Enter Tap – a wearable tens device designed specifically for period pain. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. TENS units are small, portable devices that deliver low-level electrical impulses to specific areas of the body through adhesive electrode pads placed on the skin. These electrical pulses stimulate the nerves in the targeted area and can modulate pain perception, providing a natural and non-invasive way to manage pain.
I’ve been curious about how a tens unit might be able to help and was excited to try the device out for myself when they reached out.
After two months of trial, I can confidently say it helps, ALOT. I’ve been told the reason for my severe cramping is related to uterine fibroids, a fairly common condition that causes no other medical challenges. That said, being curled up in a ball for several days each month isn’t an option between work and taking after a toddler.
The device itself is smaller than a compact mirror, and easily charges with a standard USB. You can select from one of two electrode pad configurations and the pads are reusable for several uses if you store them properly. The electrodes connect to the device and a simple button push turns the unit on for one hour at a time.
The feeling itself is not unlike what a woman experiences during pregnancy as the early flutters – which is unsettling at first – but not painful. You can easily select a level of intensity that’s best for you and personally I used the highest setting due to the severity of my cramping. I’ve found it works best with continuous use, even when the pain has somewhat dwelled, because otherwise it might surge back up again without warning.
Each electrode pad is supposed to work for up to 3 months, but I would recommend buying extra sets upfront as mine easily stuck to my clothing meaning the sticky pad was no longer effective sooner then intended. I’m not sure if they will continue to work over several months but I’ll order more and see if I can do a better job of preventing it from getting stuck to fabric.
I personally preferred the butterfly shaped pad, as it was a bit more consistent of a feeling with the electric taps and the unit itself didn’t need to be clipped to anything to stay connected.
Overall when combined with a light heat pad and a low dose of Tylenol I was really pleased with the results. The pain is not entirely gone, but again I have extremely severe cramps so I wouldn’t expect them to disappear like magic. Tap made my period a thousand times more manageable and I wish I had found them earlier!
Disclaimer: I was provided a review unit to facilitate the development of this content. I did not receive any other compensation and all images and opinions are my own.
In today’s fast-paced world, finding high-quality and ethically sourced meat can be quite a challenge. But fear not! Butcher Box is here to make your life easier and your taste buds happier. This blog post will take you on a journey to explore the wonderful benefits of Butcher Box, from the amazing quality of their meats to the sustainability they bring to the table. Get ready to embrace convenience, savor delicious meals, and support a better world!
Let’s talk about flavor! Butcher Box is your gateway to a world of premium-quality meats that will take your taste buds on a joyride. Picture succulent 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, heritage breed pork, and irresistible wild-caught seafood. How do they achieve such amazing flavors? By partnering directly with trusted farmers who raise their animals without antibiotics or added hormones. It’s all about bringing you healthier and more delicious options for your culinary creations.
Life can get hectic, and spending hours at the grocery store is the last thing you want. Butcher Box has your back! With their convenient meat subscription service, you can bid farewell to those long shopping trips. Imagine having top-quality meats delivered right to your doorstep, saving you time and effort. Customize your box to fit your preferences, and enjoy the convenience of regular deliveries. This means more time spent with your loved ones and less time stressing in the aisles. Say goodbye to meal planning headaches and hello to hassle-free cooking!
Butcher Box proves to be a valuable ally for busy parents seeking convenience and wholesome meals for their families. With the demands of parenthood, juggling work, and managing household responsibilities, finding time to shop for high-quality meats can be challenging. Butcher Box steps in to alleviate this burden by delivering top-notch meats directly to your doorstep. As a parent, you can save precious time that would have been spent navigating crowded grocery stores and use it to create nourishing meals for your loved ones. With Butcher Box’s customizable subscription service, you can tailor your meat selections to accommodate your family’s dietary preferences and ensure a steady supply of healthy proteins. From flavorful cuts for delicious family dinners to kid-friendly options like chicken breasts and ground meat for easy meal preparation, Butcher Box makes it easier than ever to provide wholesome, quality meals that both parents and children will savor.
When you choose Butcher Box, you’re not just enjoying delicious meats; you’re supporting a better future. They partner with farmers and suppliers who prioritize animal welfare and environmental stewardship. By opting for their grass-fed beef and free-range chicken, you’re helping promote sustainable farming practices that combat climate change and nurture our planet. Transparency is key for Butcher Box, as they provide information about their sourcing practices and partner standards. Feel good about the origin and quality of the meats you serve your family while actively contributing to a healthier world.
Prepare for culinary excitement! Butcher Box offers a diverse selection of meats and subscription boxes that cater to all tastes and dietary needs. Whether you’re a paleo enthusiast, a keto lover, or just looking to explore new flavors, Butcher Box has you covered. From juicy steaks and mouthwatering roasts to versatile ground meats and specialty items like bacon and sausages, your options are endless. Unleash your creativity in the kitchen and savor a variety of delicious meals that will keep everyone coming back for more.
Say hello to a more convenient and flavorful way of enjoying high-quality meats with Butcher Box. From exceptional taste to time-saving convenience and sustainable sourcing, they have it all. Embrace the joy of cooking with premium-quality meats, spend more precious moments with your loved ones, and feel good about making a positive impact. Butcher Box is your ticket to a world of culinary delights. So, let your taste buds embark on this incredible journey and experience the wonders of Butcher Box, where convenience, flavor, and sustainability blend seamlessly to elevate your meals and your dining experience.
There’s a million things to worry about as a new mom, feeding your baby being the most important. No matter what you choose to feed your baby, having confidence that they are getting what they need is stressful. Thanks to Lactation Lab breastfeeding mama’s can lift some off that stress off by learning more about the quality of their breastmilk through a simple an non-invasive test. By sending my milk off for testing with Lactation Lab I was able to not worry as much about Taylor’s eating habits and feel more confident in my breastfeeding journey, ultimately improving the experience for both us us.
After dealing with infertility for years I wasn’t going to be shocked if my body decided breastfeeding wasn’t something it wanted to do. Luckily despite how long it took to bring Taylor into our lives I’ve been blessed with a relatively easy breastfeeding journey, even having oversupply early on to help make sure that we didn’t need worry about feeding her.
Since Taylor spent time in the NICU a big part of coming home was ensuring she had enough weight gain, and maintaining that weight once she was home. Upon her release from the hospital we were instructed to ‘fortify’ several bottles per day, giving her just a bit of extra calorie count to help support that early weight gain as a premie. After a few weeks were were able to drop the fortification but it didn’t totally lift the worry off my shoulders about being the sole provider of her nutrition.
There are several options for testing your breastmilk, outlined in the chart below, but all involve the same easy process. Within a few days from ordering the kit arrives at your house with everything you need to prepare your milk sample, including a freezer pack for transit back to the testing facility.
Using the sample vial you’ll consolidate expressed breastmilk from pumping sessions throughout the day. If you aren’t pumping yet intentionally you can use milk from Haaka sessions or hand expression as long as you have enough to fill the vial with one ounce of milk.
Toss the vial and your freezer pack into the freezer and you will be ready to send off for testing the following day. Using your prepaid label, ship the frozen milk back off and in just a couple of week’s you’ll receive your results.
I received back my results in just two weeks from when I sent off the sample. Along side the comprehensive report I had a personal email from the founder of Lactation Lab explaining how to interpret my results.
The report itself is super easy to read but it was amazing to have that additional personalized touch. Everything in my testing came back within the optimal ranges [even having a smidge higher calorie count that formula!]. Stephanie (Lactation Lab founder) provided a few additional takeaways for how I could improve a few of the areas like eating a bit more red meat to improve Iron and adding a vitamin C supplement.
Anything that will take a bit of stress of a new mom’s shoulders is amazing, and Lactation Lab is the perfect tool for just that. Getting my personalized ‘Food Label’ gave me the confidence to feel comfortable in my breastfeeding journey. The science of breastfeeding and the human body is truly amazing and seeing the data behind my breastmilk provided peace of mind I didn’t know I needed until I experienced it myself! Being able to intentionally work to improve the quality of your breastmilk by knowing what vitamins or supplements you needs takes a ton of stress off the plate of a new mom. I love that Lactation Lab is covered by your FSA/HSA as a medical expense as well because feeding your baby isn’t something you should have to worry.
As a Lactation Lab partner I’m excited to share 20% off your Breast Milk Test kit using the code ROCKYMTN. If you decide to test your milk I’d love to hear about your experience! Shoot a note in the comments or send a message over on Instagram to tell me how it went!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary Lactation Lab Kit to facilitate the review of this product and am an affiliate partner of Lactation Lab receiving compensation for kits purchased using the link above. All photos and opinions are my own.
As a breastfeeding mom you get bit of ‘free reign’ to enjoy some treats under the logic that it’s for the baby. Lactating mothers require approximately 500 more calories per day and hearty lactation cookies are the perfect treat to enjoy during a late night feeding session.
I’ve been using the Lactation Cookie recipe from One Part Sunshine. Each cookie is packed with galactogogues like oatmeal and flaxseed that are known to increase lactation. The recipe itself takes only 15-20 minutes to pull together and is perfect for getting a batch into the oven during nap time.
With everything that comes with taking care of a new baby, the last thing you need is dealing with cleaning old bakeware or struggling to lift cookies off a cookie sheet that’s lost it’s non-stick.
A new baking set from Wilton is a must have for new mom’s to will help make her day a bit easier. My favorite is the 9 piece diamond-infused non-stick set. A bold and beautiful navy color this set includes two round cake pans [for future birthday cakes], a cookie sheet, muffin tin, rectangle deep pan and silicone injected spatulas.
Wilton has been the leader in bakeware and cake decorating for over 90 years, and it shows. I have been so impressed with how evenly everything bakes as well as perfect non-stick experience.
I’ve been making a ton of lactation cookies as well has working on some meal prep to create good habits for when I head back to the office after my maternity leave is over. The deep rectangle pan with cover is perfect for tossing together a meal that can be stored in the fridge until time for dinner.
Each pan is fully non-stick thanks to the diamond-infused coating and can be tossed into the dishwasher when everything is done for easy clean-up. No new mom needs to deal with more hand washing than necessary.
I’m going to try converting some baked oatmeal into a lactation friendly recipe by adding in brewers yeast and flaxseed next! What other lactation recipes should I test out?
Disclaimer: I received a product sample to facilitate my review of this item. All photography and opinions are my own.
