by Ashley Reid, ACSM-EP, EIM As we all know exercise has many physical and mental health benefits. We all are also probably somewhat familiar with exercise guidelines and recommendations. So why does beginning an exercise program after having a baby feel so difficult? The answer is that there are many real challenges for new moms. Being a military mom adds another layer of barriers and stressors. Sleep deprivation, lack of time, changed priorities, minimal support from family, fear, birth complications, pain, lack of postpartum exercise and healthcare resources, and pressure to lose weight an ..read more

by Ardo Have you ever heard of power pumping? What is it and what does it do? No, power pumping isn’t getting in reps at the gym to build those biceps! Power pumping is getting reps in on your breast pump to increase your milk supply! Power pumping is a technique that’s designed to mimic cluster feeding, when your baby breastfeeds for short periods frequently throughout the day, which encourages your body to begin producing more milk. Power pumping is a common technique used by many breast pumping mothers, but going about it can be confusing and overwhelming. To power pump correctly, you have ..read more

by Mom2Mom Global On April 19, 2022, the Secretary of the Army signed AD 2022-06, which will have a huge impact on families. Not only does it apply to Active Duty families, it outlines how these policies will be applied to Guard and Reserve components. Longtime Mom2Mom Global volunteer and Army Reserve Nurse LTC Kelly Quinn Bell was there for the signing of this monumental policy. She co-authored a white paper with policy recommendations backed by research. This led to a Department of the Army working group that did a comprehensive review of all parenthood policies. Through that working group ..read more

by Milk N Mamas Baby Milk N Mamas Baby provides new mothers, military spouses, and lactating service members with breast pumps and accessories that are 100% covered by TRICARE. In May of this year, I was absolutely heartbroken to read about Navy spouse, renowned photographer, and nursing mom Shannon O’Hara’s harsh treatment at the hands of Delta Airlines. Forced to gate-check her personal item bag, which contained her pump and expressed milk, Shannon had to wait 14 hours between pumping her milk and breastfeeding owing to a flight delay. The pain of engorgement left Shannon with no recourse b ..read more

by Mom2Mom Global Krystle Wallace, Mom2Mom Global’s Executive Director, spent some time with Tiffany Thomas on Veterans Day. Tiffany Thomas is a military labor and delivery nurse working night shifts in Alaska ..read more

by Military Mommies | Brittany Sandoval, East Regional Manager If you have ever been pregnant, you know the first thing that tends to come after “congratulations” is pregnancy and parenting advice. The people who come at us with this advice mean well and truly think they are doing us a favor, but you need to know what advice is a myth and what advice holds true. We asked our MilitaryMommies Area Partners to share some of the most common advice they were given and have decided to share what our research turned up!  MYTH: “I was definitely told I had to “toughen up” my nipples in pregnancy ..read more

by Military Mommies | Kim Hopkins, Overseas Regional Manager, Area Partner at Colorado Springs, CO I lay in bed, my mind is racing. It was a long day and I am exhausted, but I cannot settle down. “Take a warm bath.”  “Try this lavender essential oil roller.” “It is totally normal, you just had a baby.” Somewhere my thoughts go awry and I feel the panic creeping in. I know the signs, and yet I cannot stop it. In a matter of seconds my hands are clammy, my heart starts racing, I sit up while trying to catch my breath. I try to breathe…box breathing. It does not help. I get up and check on ..read more

By Mom2Mom Global/Breastfeeding in Combat Boots Mom2Mom Jacksonville, 2018 As we enter into World Breastfeeding Week, Mom2Mom Global/Breastfeeding in Combat Boots would like to take a moment to reflect on the significance of its theme: Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility. At its core, our organization understands that breast/chestfeeding outcomes are significantly improved by having supportive networks that reinforce evidence-based best practices. From its inception, Mom2Mom Global/Breastfeeding in Combat Boots has built a lactation support model centered on peer mentorship. As ou ..read more

by Military Mommies | Amanda Glover Am I ready to be a parent? Am I ready to add another to the mix? Have you asked yourself that question lately? Maybe you have asked yourself that in the past. It’s possible you have been asked this question from friends, family, or coworkers who are considering becoming parents and want to know how you made this life-changing decision. Here at Military Mommies, we want to take a deeper look at the start of a family’s parenting journey. How do you decide that it’s the right time to start or grow your family? Is there really a timeline that works for everyone ..read more

by Military Mommies | Maria Batlle Were you aware TRICARE covers breast pumps and ALL supplies for up to 36 months?   As TRICARE beneficiaries we are not always made aware of the full benefits and end up depending on rumors. Military Mommies® is well aware of that realstruggle because WE ARE military families. Military Mommies is made up of current and former military families who strive to offer expectant military families the support in gaining the full TRICARE benefit.  Area Partners are trained on the TRICARE policy and know how to order and process your order with as minim ..read more