Celebrity Baby Blog Reviews

Having a Baby Soon? Bra Advice From a New Mom

After you have a baby, every bra you currently own is suddenly no longer valid. Not only does your cup size wildly increase (if you're like me, you'll soon be moving beyond those first four letters of the alphabet), but if you're breastfeeding you'll need nursing bras for quick and easy access. Though you'll want to go into a bra store for an official fitting once your baby is a few weeks old, there are two nursing bras that may help from day one of your new life as a mom.

The first is the Medela Comfort. This bra was great for those first couple weeks right after giving birth. There are no back clasps so it's comfy enough to sleep in -- and right after you come home from the hospital (or while you're still in there even) that's all you'll care about. It's also kinda cute, in a 1940's retro way.

The second new-nursing mom must-have is a Glamour Mom tank. These things are pretty genius; I wear them as a layer under everything -- breezy tops, low-cut dresses. They are much sexier than the standard nursing bras that I fit into these days. Plus they help me feel less exposed when nursing (tummy stays covered). I have them in four colors, including nautical stripe -- a summer staple!

Are you a new mom? What nursing bras are you loving? Share your new found wisdom!

Playtex Embrace Double Electric Breast Pump: Comfortable, efficient and a great price

by CBB guest reviewer Rachael

I have been using the Playtex Embrace Breast Pump System for the past few weeks and I like it a lot. Like everything in the world it has its pluses and minuses.  The most important plus is that it works well and is comfortable. The biggest minus for me is that it can be a little on the loud side when the speed and the suction are turned up. I am back at work full time. I do not have a very private place to pump so that is why the noise level is a minus for me.  I also have a Medela Pump in Style a friend gave me so I've been able to compare the two. [Note: It is not recommended that you share breast pumps because of bacteria contamination, even if you get new tubes and accessories. Playtex says the Embrace has a closed system which prevents milk from entering the tubing or pumps.]

Click Continue Reading for the review.

The Blessed Nest: Comfort for nursing moms and babies

I'm feeling a little bit like Goldilocks here. 

The first breastfeeding pillow I tried was too firm. My baby rolled right off of it. 

The second breastfeeding pillow I tried was too soft. It flopped right out from under me and my baby rolled into the valley between the pillow and my lap.

But the third breastfeeding pillow, from Blessed Nest ($84) was just right. It draped perfectly around me, conformed to my baby's body as well as it did to mine and gave us both all the support we needed, exactly where and when we needed it most.

Blossumz: Soothing relief from breast pain

Ahhhh....This is the sound you will make when you discover and use Blossumz.

Engorgement, mastitis and sore nipples are just a few of the painful breast issues that we women face when our milk comes in after delivery, and when we are breastfeeding and weaning. Let me tell you. The pain! It's all worth it of course, but it can be excruciating. And in many cases it can make you temporarily want to give up on breastfeeding all together. Don't give up yet! You may find that everyone has a suggestion for you -- from tea bags to frozen peas to cabbage leaves. And you may get some relief from these things. But nothing like the relief you will get from Blossumz.

Placed in the freezer or warmed in the microwave, these handy gel packs ($34.99 for two, with covers) are a girls best breast friend. They can be placed in your bra and come with cute fabric covers that keep the gel pack from sticking to you.  See the lady in the picture? If I had two of these I would look just like her (plus or minus a few pounds!). Since I only have one Blossumz I am walking around lopsided. But I don't care. It's worth it for the sweet relief of boob pain! My girls will just have to take turns.

Exclusively for Celebrity Baby Blog Readers: Save 15% when you use the coupon code CBBpromo at Blossumz. 

CBB's Top Registry Picks: Nancy's 'must-have' baby items!

Looking for some advice on some great baby-buys?  Check out our new series -- CBB Registry -- where our staff fills you in on their 'must-have' baby products.  Fashion, babywearing, strollers, bottles...we cover it all!

Today we're featuring one of our reviewers, Nancy, and her baby essentials.

Click below for Nancy's registry!

CBB's Top Registry Picks: Ciaran's 'must-have' baby items!

Looking for some advice on some great baby-buys?  Check out our new series -- CBB Registry -- where our staff fills you in on their 'must-have' baby products.  Fashion, babywearing, strollers, bottles...we cover it all!

Today we're featuring our Senior Fashion/Gear Contributor, Ciaran, and her baby essentials.

Click below for Ciaran's registry!

Halle Berry's nursing loungewear from Larrivo

by Ciaran

Add Halle Berry to the A-list list of celebrity fans of Larrivo nursing wear.The actress recently contacted the company to tell them how much she loves their comfortable tops and gowns. She specifically told the company, "Thank you for making breastfeeding as sexy as possible."

Other celebrity fans of the Larrivo line include Elisabeth Rohm, Constance Zimmer, Courteney Cox and Rachel Weisz, who said of the line,

 

I wore Larrivo all through my pregnancy and then after my son was born. The designs are fun and funky, and the clever snap tops are so practical for nursing. The tanks and dresses are indispensable, as are the stretchy pants.

Larrivo nursing garments offer serious comfort without sacrificing style. The high quality tops, pants and gowns are comfy enough to sleep in but also presentable as daywear. They are so easy to wear and their styling literally makes nursing in them a snap - just unsnap the hidden snap at the strap. Their camis and gowns are also extremely supportive, allowing even more well endowed nursing mamas to go braless.

I first discovered this line while pregnant and wrote about it in a Celebrity Baby Blog Bedrest Style  article. Larrivo made me feel fabulous while I was expecting and has been my absolute favorite to wear since having my baby. I'm with Halle on this one. If ever there is a time that a woman needs a well fitting and comfortable (and figure-forgiving) garment to feel beautiful in, it is in those first few months post partum when breasts are tender and your shape is changing. Check out all the many gorgeous fabric choices on the Larrivo site.

CBB Deal: Save 10% with coupon code CBBLRV2008. Orders over $75 receive free shipping.

CBB's Top Registry Picks: Reva's 'must-have' baby items!

Looking for some advice on some great baby-buys?  Check out our new series -- CBB Registry -- where our staff fills you in on their 'must-have' baby products.  Fashion, babywearing, strollers, bottles...we cover it all!

Today we're featuring one of our reviewers, Reva, and her baby essentials.

Click below for Reva's registry!

CBB's Top Registry Picks: Anya's 'must-have' baby items!

Every day at CBB we post tons of photos on our main site, along with the occasional fashion and gear information listed below, and great reviews of products that we love and recommend on our Reviews site.  But, in all that, we have yet to tell you our top picks, or rather baby 'must-haves' -- those few items that when our own kids were (or in some cases, still are) babies, we couldn't live without!  And when the sleep deprivation kicks in and the baby won't stop crying, wouldn't it be great to already have a list of great products to help you along? 

Whether it is helpful hints on dealing with babies who are colicky or some great pumps for breastfeeding, with the CBB Registry, hopefully those of you buying baby gifts -- for your kids or for someone else -- will have a better idea about what we consider great baby essentials.  Over the next few days be on the lookout for registries from some of our staff.

Continue reading for Anya's baby registry!

Bravado! Designs: Tanks for the mammaries!

Okay, it’s no surprise that a baby would love a nursing top -- it gives her easy access to the things she loves most. But it is a surprise when she really, truly loves the top. When I wear my gorgeous new Nursing Bra Tank ($45; shown at left) by Bravado! Designs I swear to you my 4-month-old daughter’s eyes light up.

And when you add up the facts, you really can’t blame her -- the new sunset splash color is brilliant and very 'this season,' the cut and design are ridiculously flattering (I really didn’t know I could look this good!), and the full bra inside -- not just a shelf bra -- supports and shapes like you wouldn’t believe. It would seem my wee girl knows a thing or two about function and fashion. She makes her mama proud.

Moboleez Breastfeeding Hats: The Most Clever Cover-Up Ever!

I thought I had seen it all when it came to nursing cover ups. Basically I thought there were only three varieties: the apron, the blanket/shawl and the poncho. But I was wrong! Because a very, very clever mom has come up with a whole new way to cover up when nursing your baby in public. You might even say that she came up with it right off the top of her head ... the MoBoleez ($29.99) is brilliant!

All kidding aside, when I saw this product I had to crack a great big grin. I never would have thought of using a wide brimmed hat to cover my breast while nursing but it makes perfect sense. And it works just perfectly!

Click 'continue reading' for the entire MoBoleez review.

Why you shouldn't share breast pumps

Since it keeps coming up on my local mother's group message board (shout out to Mothers & More SOMA!) and I've seen it mentioned in our Medela Freestyle giveaway entries, I thought it would be a good time to address a key issue with breast pumps - why you should not share them with other women.

Since a breast pump can cost in the $200-400 range, it's very tempting to borrow a friend's breast pump instead of buying a new one. We cannot say this strongly enough- you should not use another woman's breast pump. It's so important that the FDA recommends against it as well.

I've heard two skeptical views from local mothers- that the FDA doesn't conduct independent research - that their recommendations come from the manufacturers who forward the results to the FDA, and that of course the recommendation coming from the manufacturer is self-serving- so they can sell as many pumps as possible. They do have some merit but if you take that stance, you'll never trust anyone or anything!

There are two key issues- contamination and motor strength.

Contamination
Many people think that if they buy new tubing and breast shields that they can safely use another's breast pump. This is true for hospital grade breast pumps, but not for home versions. It's not the tubing you need to worry about- it's the contamination of the motor- the part the tubing plugs into. In order to create suction to simulate the baby's sucking, the motor pulls air (like a vacuum) into itself. Your bacteria is going in and out of the pump every time you use it and you can't sterilize it.

Certain models, like the Amedas and Playtex Embrace, have a filter that prevents bacteria from being sucked into the pump motor mechanism, but with the filter-less Medela models, there is nothing to prevent this. Instead of doubting the veracity of this information about contamination, I would question why Medela refuses to, in the words of a lactation consultant I know, " add a ten cent filter" to prevent this.

(As an aside, I think it's important not to look at this only anecdotally because there are numerous risky behaviors or activities that don't happen to us or people we know personally, yet we still avoid doing them.)

Motor strength
But there's another issue involved- and I think it's probably the more important one- the power of the motor itself. Non-hospital grade breast pumps are meant as single-user, single-use products and are not guaranteed to work for one mom when it's been used by another. (In fact, sharing a pump with another mom voids the warranty.) Especially since double electric pumps are often used 2-3x a day for a year, the motor often burns out or at least is slowed substantially by this usage. That's totally okay though- that's why the pumps are under $400 versus several thousand for a hospital grade pump which is intended to be used by multiple users for an extended period of time (and it has that filter!).

If you've inherited a pump from someone or used yours with multiple kids, it WILL work but it's definitely going to be much slower. Since the power motor is what literally sucks the milk out of you, a pump with a stronger motor (or a newer or less used one) is going to be that much more effective at doing its job. If it's the only pump you've ever used, you have nothing to compare it to. If it's your old pump, at least you know about its history, though you may have forgotten what the suction felt like. A less strong motor is going to affect the amount of milk you can express (or length of time you need to pump per session) and in my mind, may limit the time that a woman breastfeeds her child. If she is not able to pump as much milk as her child needs, she may decide to supplement with formula or abandon breastfeeding altogether.

When you look at it from a cost-perspective, buying a brand new pump is still a bargain compared to the cost of formula.

Medela Freestyle Double Electric Breastpump: Hands-free pumping!

A few weeks ago, I met with some Medela PR folks about their new Freestyle® breastpump — the industry’s first hands-free, double-electric, rechargeable breastpump. I was extremely excited about the prospect of the mobility allowed by a hands-free pump and couldn't wait to test it out. Only problem is, I'm no longer nursing nor will I be anytime soon. I had little trouble finding some willing testers, my neighbors Betty and Marie. Both have previously used Medela's Pump in Style breastpumps so they had something to compare it with. Betty is nursing her third child and Marie has been exclusively pumping for her daughter for the past ten months.

Click Continue Reading for both of their reviews.

Playtex's Embrace Deluxe Double Electric Breast Pump: Express yourself

Looking for a powerful breast pump? Then the new Playtex Embrace Deluxe Double Electric Breast Pump ($199) is for you. It can be used daily, for long term use. The pump system comes with the pump unit, breast cups and storage accessories, and a cute black microfiber tote bag with three smaller bags that fit into it. The three smaller bags make for great organization and include a cooler, an accessories bag and a bag that will hold your wet or used breast cups -- a very smart idea. 

Click continue reading for the entire Playtex Embrace Double Deluxe Electric Breast Pump review.

BOOB Nursing Tops: Stylish nursing mamas rejoice!

Even though I never thought it could be possible, my favorite nursing tops in the world just got even better. 

The Boob Nursing line has been my breastfeeding uniform since I discovered it three years ago after the birth of my son.  With the recent birth of my daughter, I get to wear their beautiful shirts all over again and I couldn’t be more excited.  The fact that there are organic options in their Spring line (only three items now, but Boob plans to have 25% of the line organic by the Fall season) and that the rest of the jersey used is now certified OEKO-Tex Standard 100 (a guarantee that the clothes are completely free from toxins) just makes me even more giddy.

Click Continue Reading for the rest of the Boob review and a coupon code.

My favorite ... nursing bras

I am often asked about my favorite nursing bras but bras are like shoes -- everybody's got a different pair and therefore different needs. For example, I have a high instep and arches that kind of flatten out (but I'm not flat-footed) so shoes that are really comfortable for me might not be for you. So I can tell you what worked for me in the nursing bra department.

I was always well-endowed in the chest department despite my short stature, and after giving birth, my boobs settled down into a 34DD-DDD. Nursing bras are kind of like regular bras -- a huge selection of cute ones for smaller cup sizes but if you are bustier, you're limited to grandma-like styles. However, this IS changing and towards the end of nursing, I started finding a larger selection of prettier bras. (Now I'm down to a smaller size, perhaps 34D-DD.)

Here were my favorites:

Le Mystere Florence Underwire Nursing Bra style 161 (left, $52)
Hands down my favorite nursing bra. Made of lace and cotton, it is very supportive, comfortable and even a little sexy.
Grenier Mater Nursing Bra ($36) 
Cotton underwire with a smidgeon of lace.  My third favorite bra.
Eve Alexander Lycra Nursing Bra ($30-38)
Really supportive for a soft cup bra.
Eve Alexander Lace Nursing Bra ($30-38)
Very pretty, comes in white with pink or black.
Bravado Designs Nursing Bra ($36)
A great comfortable bra for your pregnancy and early nursing days, especially to wear to bed.  I didn't find the larger sizes to be supportive enough for going out of the house but I will wore them at home when my other bras are in the wash.
Elle Macpherson Intimates Maternelle non-underwire drop cup bra ($50)
I really liked this bra but it is cut pretty high in front.
Anita Nursing Bra style 5075 ($39)
I had a whole bunch of these  and loved them.

What are your favorite nursing bras?

Peekaboobaby Nursing Covers: Let your baby dine while dashing

Peekaboobaby's motto is "hip nursing covers for moms on the go". Since I'm always on the go (with a very active toddler and a 3 month old) -- I grabbed the nursing cover that they sent me for review and out we went.

Peekaboobaby sent their nursing cover in the Pom Pom print (pictured to the left). 
I tested it last week at a birthday party -- I slipped it over my head and discreetly nursed on the couch.  The full coverage was great -- I was comfortable and Allegra was happily feeding away.  The cotton was soft and comfortable on my always overheating skin. I also liked being able to "peek" at Allegra as she ate (due to the boning in the neckline). When she was done, I wiped her mouth with the very convenient little terry cloth pocket in the bottom corner.  The adjustable d-ring strap holds the nursing cover on securely.

Click continue reading for the full Peekaboobaby review.

Laughing Starfish Jewelry: Handcrafted beadwork and nursing necklaces

One of the most memorable gifts I received when I first had my daughter was a nursing necklace from my friend Kara. Both of us had been pregnant at the same time (we even had the same due date though she ended up having her daughter the day before me) and both of us spent a lot of time during those nine months sharing our anxieties about nursing, scared that we wouldn't be successful at it. Then our girls were born and Kara's daughter, Ava, was a nursing champ from the start but I had a really difficult time getting Catie to latch on for the first week and a half and when I received the nursing necklace in the mail it really meant the world to me. I ended up wearing it everyday for a year and a half and still wear it from time to time. The nursing necklaces from Laughing Starfish Jewelry reminded me of that gift though the site offers a complete line of jewelry, including bracelets, earrings, sets and other accessories.

 Click continue reading for the entire Laughing Starfish Jewelry review.

Medela's Pump in Style Advanced: Just pump it up!

As a mother to an infant, a good breastpump is very essential to me. Medela recently sent me their Pump in Style Advanced - in the Metro Bag ($329.95) to test out.

I used an older version of the Pump in Style Breastpump when my son was born two years ago. My friend Melissa gave me hers (yes, I know you're not supposed to do that, I bought a new attachment kit and even though the pump was 5 years old, it helped me a lot).  Now, two years later, with a newborn, I knew I wanted to have a good new pump on hand. 

Click continue reading for the rest of the Medela Pump in Style Advanced review.

Mommy's Little Monkey: Breastfeeder in training!

One of the most disappointing moments of my life was in the hospital after giving birth to my daughter when I realized that, despite telling the nurses several thousand times that my daughter was a breastfed baby, they gave her a bottle in the nursery during the few hours that we were forced to be separated. I wish that I had found this set from Mommy's Little Monkey, which not only acts like a note to the nurses, but is also super clever and cute.

The 100% cotton onesie reads: 

To My Wonderful Nurse,
I'm learning how to breastfeed. Please no bottles or pacifiers while I'm in your care. Mommy is waiting for my return to feed me.
(heart),
Baby. 

Such a simple concept yet so brilliant! The matching beanie reads Breastfeeder in Training. I love it and have already recommended it to several pregnant friends.

I also love recommending Mommy's Little Monkey in general because they are self-described enthused advocates of breastfeeding which I always like to support! Also from the company are nursing curtains (cover ups) in the original and simple and sweet designs. And, they also have a complete line of onesies and other "threads" available for your little monkey.

Exclusively for CBB Reviews readers: FREE SHIPPING for purchases over $60 through March 15, 2008! Discount will be taken after checkout. Check out the full selection at www.mommyslittlemonkey.com.

Bebe Au Lait/Hooter Hiders: Cover me!

The mama of all nursing covers is Bebe au Lait, also known as Hooter Hiders. There is no difference between these brands, just a different logo. These fashionable and functional nursing covers (most retail for $35) deserve a spot in your diaper bag and make a great gift for the new mama.  I love using it when people come over to visit (we haven't gotten out of the house much yet with the new baby). Even though I am very modest, it fully covers me and I can feed Miss Allegra comfortably in front of the family and friends.Mira Sorvino was seen out last April sporting Bebe au Lait/Hooter Hiders in Mayfair.

I tested out the Chocolat ($35). It folded up compactly and it really kept me "covered". The rigid neckline also allowed me to peek in on the baby and make sure she was getting more than enough air.  The sides fully covered my "generous assets".  Verdict -- this one's a winner and will be going out with me in public. And at press time, I still haven't bought any nursing shirts yet, so this product is a lifesaver for me!

Why are there two different names for the same product? Originally called Hooter Hiders, the company was started in 2004 by Claire and Ronnie Ekelund. As the company grew more and more successful, they wanted the name to reflect their wonderful product, so they chose Bebe au Lait, but customers still begged them to keep calling it Hooter Hiders. So they decided to offer the same product with two different logos, Hooter Hiders and Bebe au Lait. 

This company also offers the fancy Monaco by Bebe au Lait -- silk nursing covers -- gorgeous, and at $42, very reasonable!! It would work for a wedding or a big event when you still want to nurse, but still want to cover up glamorously. They also have the Simple by Bebe au Lait Line -- which is 100% organic nursing covers. They're currently sold out of the organic linen nursing covers, but they will be offering organic linen and cotton nursing covers in the spring. You can also get coordinating burp cloths for $16.00 (2 to a package which come in a cute little organza bag).


Shop Bebeaulait.com or click here for a store locator.

Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra: The perfect nursing bra to add to your collection

I have long been a fan of Bravado’s nursing bras. I have been pregnant and/or breastfeeding for more than three years now and I have been wearing Bravado from the very start. I started with an Original Basic nursing bra while I was pregnant with my first son and have loved Bravado ever since. Since then I have added several more Originals, basic and plus styles, and Nursing Tanks and they have been my long time favorites. Now, I've added the new Body Silk Seamless nursing bra to that list and I love it. It has the same full drop away cup and great fit that I love in my other Bravado bras plus a few new additions that make it exceptional.

Bravado says that it’s “designed to melt into your body” and it does. I love wearing it because it is so comfortable. The fabric is soft and stretchy and the straps are just wide enough to be comfortable and stay put. It looks nice too. If it didn’t have the clips for the drop away cups, you probably wouldn’t know it’s a nursing bra. And it does have a seamless look too, aided by the removable molded foam pads that give a thicker cup to hide any bumps underneath, even breast pads. The clips really are one handed and easy to open and close. It is also shaped like a regular bra, so it looks good under clothing without showing (like the racer-back of the Original tends to do in some tops). Another thing I really like is that it is sized S- XL, which, like the Original, offers a wider size range per bra as opposed to regular bra sizing. It makes it so much easier to use the bra throughout pregnancy and after, as well as the size variations of nursing.

The new Body Silk Seamless nursing bra is just that -- seamless under clothes, silky soft and a joy to wear.  It’s so comfortable and invisible that nobody, not even you, will know you’re wearing it. Visit www.bravadodesigns.com to see more about this great bra, as well as all of the other wonderful Bravado products.  Also visit the site to enter Bravado’s $1000 prize pack contest through 11 AM  January 31, 2008.

31 Weeks Pregnant: Bumpil On The Way -Maternity Pillow that converts to so much more!

I'm 31 weeks pregnant this week and my leg cramps had been growing steadily worse. The only way I was getting relief from the leg cramps has been to jump onto my feet in the middle of the night. I'm also not sleeping very well. I asked to review the Bumpil On The Way (retails for around $59) to see if it could help me feel better and get some rest. It did and I got an added benefit!

You can use the Bumpil On The Way to cuddle up with, prop your back up or under your legs. One week with the Bumpil On The Way, propping up my legs, and they've basically STOPPED!!  I hate sleeping on my side, so I use pillows to prop my back up (so I'm kind of tilted onto my side).  I am just not comfortable totally sleeping on my side (neck issues). I was using the Bumpil to prop me up also, but once I saw it stopped my leg cramps, I was in heaven and just cannot go back to using it any other way. I'm still not sleeping, but I don't think the Bumpil On The Way can help with that!!

This product is so multi-functional!  After you give birth, use it as a nursing pillow in your lap (its doctor and lactation consultant approved!). When your babe is a little older, use it to prop her up so she can see the world. Then just unzip it and you can make a safe space for tummy time or a portable infant play area (just slide the bumpers into place). A cute little satin tummy pillow is inside also. Just be sure to place the baby on the floor (don't use the bed or table - not secure). I love that you can use it in so many different ways!  The Bumpil is also machine washable!! Which is wonderful after your baby spits up on it!

Anne Dockendorf is the inventor and the head of the Bumpil Company. According to their website, "Beginning with her need for comfort during pr pregnancy and occurring again when she attempted to use a breastfeeding pillow that failed to work as well as she had hoped it would, she was frustrated.  Moreover, when she wanted to lay her infant daughter down nearby and was unable to lug a heavy playpen around with her after having a C-section, she, as many mothers do, placed pillows around her daughter as a barrier.   This method was easily undermined by baby rolling against or pushing the pillows out of the way.  The solution was to fix the pillows in place.  With this, this mom-inventor along with a team of engineers created a lightweight place for baby and folded this special infant area into the maternity and infant nursing pillow now available on the market." 

The company also offers the Bumpil Original Pillow (retails for around $46) - also great for maternity sleep support, as a baby head and neck support and infant play area.  Anne discussed the difference between the two pillows via email, "There is a big difference between the two pillows.  The Original is more like a body pillow or an over-sized bed pillow that opens to become a rectangular infant area.  The On the Way offers many other features such as feeding support, positioning aid for sitting baby at an incline, and tummy-time (all of this can be accomplished by removing the small crescent pillow).   Its ergonomic shape better contours the pregnant belly.  The On the Way can also be opened to become an infant area which is round, whereas the Bumpil Original is rectangular.  Only the On the Way offers the convenient pocket for toys and supplies.  Our customers indicate an 8 to 1 preference for the On the Way."

I think this product is a must-have for pregnant and new mamas and I highly recommend it. You'll be using it from pregnancy to when baby starts crawling!! 

Want to grab the Bumpil On The Way or the Bumpil Original Pillow for yourself or a pregnant/new mom? Shop www.littleinfinity.com. 

Exclusive for CBB Readers: Use coupon code SAVE5 which is good for $5.00 off the purchase of either Bumpil pillows.

50% off select items at Divas N Babes!

DivasNbabes, who we have written about in the past, is showing their breastfeeding pride with a World Breastfeeding Week sale through August 7^th.  

Shop their Breastfeeding Collection designs such as I pump milk, not weights!, Breast friends, Bosom Buddies matching mommy and baby tees, Will work for milk, and their exclusive Drinks on Me Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tank! Also, experience hands-free nursing and discreet breastfeeding on-the-go with their convenient and stylish DivaBabe Couture ring slings and mei tais!

From now through August 7^th, DivasNbabes is offering 50% off on select items.  Enter code FIFTY at checkout and receive 50% off two or more divas shirts, three or more babes shirts and each additional DivaBabe Couture ring sling or mei tai.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1st - August 7th in 120 countries with the goal of supporting and educating women worldwide on the importance of breastfeeding. This year's focus is the "power of one", which emphasizes the importance of nursing in a baby's first hour. The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action says that the "initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth is the first and most vital step towards reducing infant and under-five mortality by reducing the overwhelmingly high neonatal mortality rate."

Slurp & Burp: Nurse Anywhere

Brooklyn mother of four, Missy Reder, recently created the Slurp and Burp ($39.99). It looks like a sling - but it isn't, so do not use it as one!! I loved that you could get one version of it with the burp cloth sewn in. Smart idea!  The Slurp and Burp is worn like a sash over one shoulder and under the opposite arm with the burp cloth resting on the shoulder. The design is simple, but effective.

My friend tested out the product for me, as she is a nursing mom with a 3 month old. She said, "The fabric pattern is adorable, and I love that it contains a built-in generously sized burp cloth attached to the sash. That's a great feature. However, I found it difficult to prepare for nursing once the sash was on. I was wearing a regular tee shirt, and had to lift it of course, and the sash, while covering my breast effectively enough, still left my bare sides exposed. So I am not sure if I was really fooling anyone (the idea is that the slurp and burp makes it look like you are simply cradling your baby, not nursing)...The other drawback was that I found it very tricky to switch sides. I had to take the whole thing off and transfer the sash to the other shoulder. It felt like too much maneuvering. I also kept getting confused as to which loop gets pulled up and which one gets pulled down, but I just probably need more practice with it. According to the pamphlet, a benefit of the Slurp and Burp over other kinds of nursing covers is that it leaves your baby uncovered so that mom and baby can see each other better. Overall, I think the Slurp and Burp is a pretty good product, but it does need some changes to make it easier to switch sides."

The owner Missy Reader responded, "You nurse via the top of your shirt (mom needs to be wearing a shirt that's accessible from the top) so your belly and breast stay completely covered. Also, you don't take it off to switch sides. I have 16 pics on my website and detailed instructions for use. Look at the customer service page. You can access it via the bottom edge of my site "customer service" or on the products page click on "how to wear".

Jenna Elfman recently ordered a Slurp and Burp in the meadow print (grey, white, blue, lime and kelly green stripes) to use for her new son Story Elias, born July 23rd.

To get the Slurp and Burp for yourself, go to slurpburp.com.

Playtex Baby Manual Breast Pump

For a hand pump, I found that the Playtex Baby Manual Breast Pump was easy to use, effective at expressing milk, and easy to put together. I like that they include two types of bottles to use with it (that you can pump right into)- the drop-ins and the Ventaire. The Soft Comfort massaging breast cups are definitely more comfortable than Medela's and the air cushions are nice and soft so I found it gentler on my breasts.  I also appreciated the angled cup neck which prevented milk from dripping out when I put the bottle down.

I did have two issues with it, though.

The way you have to hold the pump doesn't make it very comfortable to pump for more than a minute. It's supposed to be ergonomic, but I didn't find it to be that comfortable. Also, there are a few pieces to take disemble and reassemble to clean. Fewer parts means faster and easier to use. 

For the seldom pumping, I think the Playtex Baby Manual Breast Pump is a good, affordable option.  It retails for $41, but for a few bucks more, you can get the travel bag and a few bottles.

L'ovedbaby 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl: Think You Don’t Need a Nursing Cover-Up? I Didn’t Either…

by CBB Reviewer Reva

I’m not shy about nursing in public.  I nurse any and everywhere, and very proudly.  If I feel the need to cover up, especially if I’m not wearing a nursing top with good coverage, I will grab a receiving blanket or cloth diaper from my bag, or the cloth napkin at a restaurant, throw it over my shoulder and part of the baby’s face, and that will be the extent of my modesty efforts.  When I received L’ovedbaby's 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl, I had thought I would give it a run when out shopping or dining, but that it would be an infrequently used, though nice-to-have accessory.

The shawl arrived in Keen Green (a lovely mossy sage green) in a stylish compact pouch, and is made of super fine micro-suede that matches the shawl itself.  Great packaging, says my marketing sensibility, and it easily folds back into the pouch. I tossed it on and started nursing 3-month old Leo to see how it would feel if I were actually in public. 

The neck opening was plenty generous to see the baby’s positioning, I was comfortably and lightly covered up, and the whole thing was so soft and airy that it was non-intrusive.  Since it was a particularly hot day, and has been many days since then, I decided to slide some of the shawl between the baby’s head and my arm to reduce the stickiness, yet the air conditioning was making his legs cool, so I covered him up with the other end of the shawl fabric.  It also multi-tasked as a burp cloth when the baby was finished nursing, and was a buttery lightweight blanket to wrap him in as he fell asleep.

While I love a good sturdy cotton receiving blanket, this material was far more luxe and much more compact in my diaper bag, which has to haul stuff for both a toddler and a baby.  On a walk for some local home made ice cream, I used it as a poncho as the night cooled off, and anyone would swear it’s just a fashionable cover up.  (Unlike most nursing tops, which seem to shout “Yes, I’m breastfeeding!”)  This is now a necessity that I look forward to using whenever the time is right.

Choose this multifunctional nursing shawl as a well-priced gift for your nursing friends ($29.95 at www.lovedbaby.com) no matter where they live, and buy one for yourself.  I’ll be using its season-less practicality through the summer in New England, and happily into the winter months ahead.

The shawl comes in 6 lovely muted tones.  Their newest color is Clay Gray (it's only been out in stores since last month). Other very popular colors this season are the Grand Sand and Out-on-the-Town Brown.

Exclusively for Celebrity Baby Blog Readers: Use coupon code CELEB-BABY for FREE SHIPPING on domestic orders of $75 or more, now through 7/20.

L’oved Baby: A nursing shawl you’ll l’ove

If you are a modest nursing mom who likes the idea of nursing in public but can’t bring yourself to do it, a nursing shawl is always a wise investment. This particular one from L’oved Baby is great because it multi-tasks.

The 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl by L’oved Baby can serve as a pre-pregnancy poncho and as transition wear afterwards when you want to hide that post-baby pooch. The shawl also doubles as a canopy for the carseat/stroller, can be used as a lightweight blankie, and can function as a cover-up while pumping. Best of all, its matching drawstring carrying pouch can also carry a diaper and some wipes.

The shawl also comes in an array of colors and is thin, breathable and really soft to the touch. It is also machine washable and dryer safe. It’s no wonder Brooke Shields loves this nursing shawl. Brooke even wrote the company to tell them that she wishes she’d had it sooner!

Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angela Bassett, Leah Rimini, Ming Na, Joely Fisher and Heidi Klum count themselves among moms who are proud owners of L’oved Baby products which also includes a line of cotton basics clothing.

A portion of all of L’oved Baby’s proceeds go directory to fund breast cancer research. For more information, check out the A Product Is Born page.

L’oved Baby products retail at 250 locations throughout the world and you can always buy them online at www.lovedbaby.com.

Medela Swing: Portable efficient breast pump

If you breastfeed, even if you don't work full-time, there will be some occasion for someone else to feed your baby.  Hand expression is always possible, but like manual pumps, they can be tedious and cause hand fatigue.  That's why the Medela Swing single electric pump breast is a great option for moms who need to pump just once or twice per day, or a few times per week.

Similar to the more expensive Pump In Style Advanced, the Swing has 2-Phase Expression® technology for maximum milk flow.  The stimulation mode simulates baby's initial rapid sucking, which causes your milk to let down.  Then after two minutes, or when you press the button, the expression mode mimics baby's slower deeper sucks.  It also has adjustable speed, which is important for finding what works best for you.  Unlike the Pump in Style models, you have to set it each time.

One of the key features of the Swing is its portability because it can operate both on batteries or AC power.  It means that you can pump anywhere.  Even if you don't need to pump in your car, or a place without an outlet, it's great because you can easily move around with it- it has a shoulder/neck strap and a clip to clip it to your pants.  Of course, it's not meant for serious multi-tasking but if the phone rings, you can go answer it. (But note that it's not completely hands-free.)  I also  like that you're not tied down or tangled up in electrical cords.  It's also very small so you can easily fit it in your purse or briefcase.

I found the Swing to be almost as efficient as my Pump in Style Advanced model, which is notable considering that the Swing costs half as much.  The Swing retails for $150, while the Pump In Style Advanced sells for $300 or more (depending where you buy it).  Note that the Medela Single Deluxe, $65, does not have the 2-Phase technology.

The Swing includes one SoftFit breastshield which I think should be provided with all Medela pumps (they come with a hard plastic breastshield) and a thin drawstring-close storage bag.

I also highly recommend the Medela Pump & Save Storage Bags.  You can pump directly into the bag and then refridgerate and/or freeze the milk in them.  They are much easier to use than their CSF bags. The Pump & Save bags attach to the breastshield with an adhesive strap and then zipper close, while the CSF bags require you to thread a twist-tie through the bag, then tie it onto the breastshield, and then roll it up to close it.  The CSF bags are not leak-proof or as easy to use as the Pump & Save bags.

Bebe Au Lait: Chic Nursing Covers

When I first started nursing the idea of nursing in public was so foreign to me that I was sure I’d never be able to do it. Cut to almost 20 months later and that seems so laughable now! Still, at the time it was a very real concern, so a nursing cover was something that really appealed to me.

These covers from Bebe Au Lait are as pretty as they are stylish. These covers are also pretty functional as they have