Nursing Bra Express - cotton nursing bra

Nursing Bra Express

I am assuming most of you are like me and absolutely hate the time when you need to buy a new bra. It is such a pain to find a bra that will do the job well, be comfortable and easy to care for(when it comes to washing vs dry cleaning). I find it even harder to shop for a nursing bra. Most likely you are going to be shopping for one while you are pregnant and after that your body changes so much anyway that you can't even fit into the ones you just got! That happened to me. I had bought 4 new bras and after Corbin was born-none of them fit!

When Kristina told me about Nursing Bra Express, I thought we should try them out immediately! They sent me a cotton nursing bra by QT Intimates and a sleep nursing bra by La Leche League International (to be reviewed next week). My first impression of them was "Yay! New clean bras!" Haha. I instantly loved the color of the soft pink sleep bra. Since I had a boy, it was nice to have the little bit of girly for myself. The cotton bra made me really nervous at first because A. It has no underwire. Every bra I have ever owned has had the underwire-even my old nursing bras and B. It was not padded. I prefer a little padding just in case there is a little leakage and the nursing pads don't quite cut it. It turned out ok!

A little about Nursing Bra Express:

"Our mission at Nursing Bra Express is not only to provide nursing moms with the best breastfeeding products on the planet, but also to keep our nursing (or soon-to-be nursing) moms happy and satisfied with her purchases! We greatly appreciate your business and our customers always come first!"

What I love about them is that they have a large selection of brands and sizes-including plus size as well as great customer service. They have a generous return/exchange policy and their prices are great. If you aren't sure what size you need, they have tips on how to measure yourself to get an appropriate fit. They also offer breastfeeding tips, advice and anything else you would need for nursing your little one. Along with the great advice and nursing bras, they also sell nursing tanks, sleepwear, postpartum shapewear and accessories for breastfeeding.

Did you know you should wait until after your baby is born before buying a nursing bra? Here is why!

The Molded Cotton Nursing Bra by QT Intimates is a nude color but also comes in black, pink and white. It is a cotton material making it breathable and comfortable. 

The larger sizes come with a slightly wider strap making it much more comfortable for your back. 

I was nervous at first because I normally wear an underwire bra that is lightly padded. This one had neither but was none the less very comfortable. Since it is molded it didn't need the underwire because it was supportive enough without one. 

There is a light padding along the underside of the cup which also helped with the lack of underwire for me.

 As for the nursing clasps-they were easy to undo and reclasp with one hand. They also had a nice quiet click-seems silly unless that click wakes your sleeping babe up who knows that noise to mean dinner! I do like how this bra has a full "arch" over the breast once the clasp is undone. I found that with my other bras that didn't have this, they tended to stretch out quickly and caused drooping with the material. I have had no issues with that with this bra. 

 The only issue I had with the bra was the back where you hook it. There is a small section that has a different type of stitching and that did cause me to have some redness where it rubbed against my back. I just adjusted the c-hooks and that seems to help. 

Another odd thing for me was when I wear reusable nursing pads-the outline shows through the bra and my shirt if I am not also wearing a nursing tank. Not a big deal but kind of awkward if you are out in public and your 3 year old comments on it because you forgot to throw on your nursing tank. :)

Overall I found this bra extremely comfortable and easy to use. It does say to hand wash in warm water-however I have thrown it in the wash with some other delicates on a light cycle and hung it up to dry with no issues. I liked that this bra was so comfortable and light weight. It is nice to wear on a warm day! 

This bra retails for 22.00 and you can buy it HERE.

Be on the look out next week for our review of the Sleep bra and a little giveaway as well!

Milkin' Cookies - Review

I feel very blessed that I am still able to nurse my 14 month old. With my older two boys, my milk had completely dried up by 9 months (and with my 2nd, he wanted nothing to do with nursing no matter what remedies I tried to get my supply back up to par). I feel like my supply is fairly adequate for where it needs to be, but I definitely notice a drop in supply around that time of the month. It's the only time I strain to hear my little guy actually swallowing milk, it's the only time he gets angry because there isn't enough milk to satisfy him and it's the only time I never feel full enough. Since this only lasts 1-2 days (and he eats whatever we eat), I don't stress too much over it, but I was thrilled when I came across Milkin' Cookies, and even more thrilled at the opportunity to try out just how well they work.The mailman's expression was indeed priceless, hehe!

A little back ground information first. Milkin' Cookies was started by the Mommy Doctors - two physicians who wanted to keep nursing while they worked full-time and needed a little help maintaining their milk supply. The cookies do not include Fenugreek, a well known milk booster, but do contain many food galactogogues (galactogogues are known to increase milk supply) including oatmeal, nutritional yeast, flax seed and wheat germ.All nutritional information is inside of each box of Milkin' Cookies.The cookies come carefully packed...

...and individually wrapped!

So, the cookies. I was interested in the size of the cookies - how big, how thick they would be, especially since they mention that most moms notice a difference after one cookie. As you can see, these cookies do not disappoint! This was enough to tickle my sweet tooth (and I was good and kept my portions to one cookie (per visit to the box where they were well hidden from my kids...and husband! - And YES! Anyone can eat these cookies! They are safe for everyone! Please be mindful of food allergies!)

The taste? Oh the sweet taste!!!! These cookies are delicious! They are not overly sweet, but just enough to make them enjoyable! (If you're wondering about calories and all, each cookie has about 190 calories and 10 grams of fat, they also contain about 3 grams of fiber each as well). I was sent samples of the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies as well as the Cranberry Almond Oatmeal. I'm not a huge cranberry fan, but out of the two, this one ended up being my favorite (if I had to pick). It's just not a taste I go for very often, but it was very good (but trust me, the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip did NOT disappoint!!)So, you know the story, you know about the taste, how well did it work? Amazingly well. I received the cookies RIGHT at that time of the month. And within a day, a day where my brute should have been punching me throughout our attempted nursing session, there was free flowing milk. I just sat in awe! I had high hopes for these cookies, but they seriously went above and beyond my expectations. Whenever I'm feeling 'just not quite full enough', and Caedmon is acting like the supply is low, I grab a cookie and within a day we're back to normal.

If you are interested in purchasing some Milkin' Cookies for yourself or a friend, you can easily do so right here. Cookies come in three supply sizes - a 14-day supply (for $20.99), a 30-day supply (for $44.99) and a 3-month subscription (for $119.99). The cookies are baked in small batches and individually wrapped. Due to the fact that no perservatives are used, if you do not plan on eating the cookies within two weeks, it is ideal to freeze them until ready to use (er, um, eat!)...if they last that long... :)

You can also find Milkin' Cookies on the following social media outlets:
Milkin' Cookies on Facebook
Milkin' Cookies on Twitter

Disclaimer: I received a 6-pack of Milkin' Cookies free for review. All opinions are truthful and my own. You may have a different experience.

Nursing Bra Express: Le Leche League Wrap N Snap Nursing Bra

I was thrilled when Dara contacted me regarding another review of one of the nursing bras she sells at Nursing Bra Express, as she was fantastic to work with the first time. This time she was interested in having the LLLI Wrap N Snap Nursing Bra featured. Let me start by saying this nursing bra is nothing short of awesome.

For starters, I love the most obvious feature - the fact that it is fully adjustable.As you can see, you wrap the bra around and snap at the bottom, allowing the bra to grow with you. When I received the bra, I was battling a mild case of mastitis and didn't want anything touching me, however, that Monday I had to take my guy to preschool and needed to wear something while out in public. My nursing tanks were all to constricting and hurt so much, but this was perfect, I could wrap it loosely, allowing comfortable support.

I would think this bra would be perfect transitioning from pregnancy to having a newborn - knowing how my own ribs expand while pregnant (and how hard it is to get that perfect fit!) and allowing for much adjustment during the time when your milk is coming in and regulates.

I thought that the outer 'wrap' would bug me where it ends:but I don't even notice it (see how it just...ends?) I thought it would be totally noticeable under clothing - it's not!

It hooks just like a traditional nursing bra:and is very easy to do one handed (very important with a squirmy baby!) Also, the cups easily stay out of the way while nursing.

The back is 'solid' (in that it is very similar to a sports bra back). There are no hooks or anything, allowing bra to be very comfortable, even while sleeping. It is very smooth under clothing and incredibly comfortable to wear!

And the colors are fantastic (who doesn't love a bit of color to spruce things up?!) The Wrap N Snap comes in Black Jacquard, Chocolate, White and a fun Print.

My only complaint was that all of my cloth nursing pads would slip around inside the cup and fall out! (and as you can see - the cups are not padded and very thin! Great for breathability, but, I personally need more 'coverage' than this bra offers alone!)I spoke with Dara to see if this slippage was a common problem and she said that she had not encountered this before. She suggested finding disposable nursing pads that have a sticky back to them, such as the Lansinoh Disposable Pads, and see if the problem remained. I tried a different brand of disposable pads and this did resolve the problem. If I'm home, I just use my usual cloth and adjust as needed and save the disposables for outings.

If you're looking for a great transition bra, you should definitely consider the Le Leche League Wrap N Snap. It retails for $22 and comes in two sizes: S/M (which fits 32-34-36 A-B) and L/XL (which fits 36-38-40 C-D). If you have any questions regarding which size you should purchase (or anything else!), contact Dara and she'll help you out!

You can find Nursing Bra Express on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclaimer: I received a Wrap N Snap Nursing bra in Chocolate for this review. All opinions are my own and you may have a different experience.

Nursing Bra Express: Lamaze Intimates Sleep Bra Review

When I started nursing my oldest son when he was born, I went and purchased a handful of nursing bras, only to hate them all. I quickly discovered nursing tanks from Target, and for the past 4 years have pretty much lived in them - breastfeeding, pregnant or none of the above. They are just so comfortable! I often thought about getting a sleep bra but just thought my nursing tank was good enough, so I just stuck with my tanks.

Recently, on a hunt for breastfeeding friendly clothing, I happened upon a fantastic online shop, Nursing Bra Express. Don't be fooled by the name, Nursing Bra Express has anything a nursing mama could need. They have Transitionwear (you know when you've still got the baby belly...and baby is...ahem, no longer a baby), Nursing Bras, Tanks and clothing, as well as a wide selection of slings and breastfeeding accessories. In addition to all the items they offer, they offer help! This was what really caught my eye about Nursing Bra Express. You can look on the left sidebar and see help for all sorts of breastfeeding hot topics, from bra purchasing to latching and engorgement. Not only that, but you can find easily your state laws regarding breastfeeding as well as a lactation consultant!

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to review a Lamaze Intimates Sleep Bra from Nursing Bra Express. And for about a month or so now, I've been kicking myself for not purchasing a sleep bra sooner. This sleep bra is bliss - you hardly know you're wearing it. The material is so soft, and it is sewn perfectly so that no edges are rubbing you. The front is so easy to move out of the way for nursing, and nursing pads stay in place perfectly.
I confess that I didn't like to wear it at night. I typically wear a tank top to bed, but having the tank and the sleep bra was a bit too much to work for my tired brain (I suppose I could have just worn the sleep bra, but I like to be a bit more covered!)

I also love that it doesn't have the gawdy hooks like the nursing tank, so if I wear it under a tank top, the hooks aren't sticking out.

If you're looking for a comfortable option for breastfeeding (I will totally wear it when Caedmon decides he is done too!) I would highly recommend checking out this Sleep Bra.

The Lamaze Intimates Sleep Bra comes in black or white and retails for $16.00.

Disclaimer: I received a Lamaze Intimates Sleep Bra in Black for review. All opinions are my own and you may have a different experience.

Pump-A-Pair Review & Discount

I'm not an avid pumper, but when I do pump, I tend to get annoyed. You see, I'm a multi-tasker at heart. When I nurse Caedmon, I'm constantly reading to my other children, playing games on my phone, checking email, ...doing something! But if I need to pump, I have to sit there and hold the horns or bottles and just wait.

I was so excited when I stumbled across Pump-a-Pair! I've seen specially designed, super expensive pumping bras, but this was so simple and affordable.
These straps (a set includes two straps) hook to any nursing bra or tank. No need to have a special bra just for pumping. Bonus, for just a few more dollars, you can get a double set of straps - one for home and another for on the go. No more forgetting to bring the straps with you!

The straps are so simple to use as well. Just slip the loop over the hook on your tank or bra. Then, slip the hook into the loop. Slip your pump into place and adjust the straps to get a secure fit. Pump away!

You can find a fantastic video tutorial on their website as well.

I was very skeptical on if they would really hold the horns in place, but they worked like a dream! I was able to check my email on my laptop and play games on my phone. The first few times I used it, I made minimal movements, afraid I'd 'lose suction', but after a few tries, I got a bit more daring - I folded laundry while pumping! These amazing little hooks made it a breeze to get stuff done while pumping, making it not such a hindrance to pump.

Not only does it make multi-tasking easier, it helps you to relax. If you are a pumper, you know how critical that is. However, it does nothing to stop small children barging in the room asking questions ;)

Pump-a-Pair has won a number of awards, and it's no surprise - This truly is a nifty idea. This would be a fantastic gift for any new mom as well!

You can stay up to date on Pump-a-Pair by signing up for their newsletter, fanning their Facebook page and following on Twitter. You can purchase a Pump-a-Pair set through Amazon, and if you have to have a set, Lyndsay, the woman behind Pump-a-Pair, has offered a 10% discount (good through June 30, 2011) on Amazon. Just enter the code CDAOFFER at checkout!


disclaimer: I received one set of Pump-a-Pair for review. All opinions are my own and you may have a different experience.

::Abstract:: {Indie Mama} Review

Nursing a 9 month old can sometimes require flexibilty and skill. My little one will hear the car down the street and around the corner and need to see it...There might be a fly landing on the porch outside that must be seen now...Not to mention the noise created by his two big brothers running around! Distractions. Every where! It's a wonder how any eating can take place!

Enter the Nipple Saver:
At first I was a little confused (I mean, say the name and look at the picture...), but quickly figured out what an amazing idea this little gadget was. And not to mention, it's super easy to use.

Clip on shirt, nurse baby, baby plays while he eats, and everyone is happy.
One thing I noticed almost immediately, Caedmon's day time nursing sessions increased in length because he had something to focus on. Previously, he would be too distracted to really eat, but having a focal point made things so much easier and more enjoyable. Not only would Caedmon be distracted, he'd be picking my nose, cleaning my teeth and playing with, ahem, other things - that roaming hand needed to be occupied!

Erica, the awesome mommy behind ::Abstract:: {Indie Mama}, also creates gorgeous nursing necklaces, that can double as teethers since they are completely wooden (save the string).
This has been a lifesaver for our little guy over the past few weeks! Quite often while nursing, I would wear the necklace for him to play with, and, while those mean teeth were cutting through, he'd often have the urge to bite me. Of course, he would act on it! Having this necklace on presented a great opportunity for, "Bite the necklace, not mommy." I'd give him a few minutes to gnaw and get his frustration out, and then he would be ready to nurse again.
Two thumbs up for these fantastic products that are super well made and have withstood the testing of a vivacious 9.5 month old!

If you'd like to see more of Erica's great products, and even purchase for yourself or a new mommy in your life, feel free to visit her Facebook page. Let her know Cloth Diaper Addiction sent you!

Disclaimer: I received one Nipple Saver and one Nursing Necklace free for review from ::Abstract:: {Indie Mama}. All opinions are my own and you may have a different experience.

The Milk Saver Review

Finally.

That was my first thought when I happened upon The Milk Saver by Milkies about 5.5 months ago. My little guy was just born, and while he was the 3rd baby I had nursed, it was the first time I had the thought, "Something needs to be made to collect all this milk that is going to waste when I'm nursing him and my milk lets down."

I was searching for cloth nursing pads that I might like better than the cloth saucers I had previously purchased and somehow in my clicking through the internet I found this beauty.

Oddly shaped, but totally (dare I say utterly, ahem) ingenious. You slip this 'container' into your nursing bra or tank and when your milk lets down, it collects the milk.
It's so simple, it's ridiculous.

When I use it, I typically just leave it until my milk lets down, and then combine the milk collected from a morning or day of nursing, however, I have left it for a full nursing session and collected almost 1.5oz (not quite as much as if I were pumping) but that is a lot of milk that was previously going to waste into a nursing pad!

The website claims that "no one will know you're wearing it" - I will argue with that. While it is slim, I think it is definitely noticeable! However, it is not uncomfortable at all - I barely notice I'm using it, despite the size and shape.

As you can see, you don't stick out much further than normal...(my hand is on The Milk Saver side)
but it does peek out over the top.

I was really worried about leaking around the opening of The Milk Saver, but not once has any milk gone to waste.

The Milk Saver comes with a travel case that doubles as a stand (ie: your always needed "third hand"!) The Milk Saver sits upright in the stand while you switch sides or hand off baby so you can store your milk in a bottle or bag.

Travel Case...

"Third Hand"

If you're worried about plastics, toxins and chemicals - rest assured, The Milk Saver is BPA and phthalate free, and is rigorously tested to ensure there is zero leaching. The Milk Saver is dishwasher safe and 100% recyclable as well (or you can pass along to a friend to use when you are finished with it!)

If you're looking for a way to save a few precious ounces of milk, The Milk Saver is your answer!
Disclaimer: I received The Milk Saver as a Christmas gift. I was not paid or offered anything in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own and you may have a different experience.

Bamboobies: Review

I admit when I heard the name "Bamboobies", I giggled like a middle schooler. But, when I read about Bamboobies, I was pretty amazed!

The quote right in the middle of the home page had me: "Like a cashmere sweater for my boobies..." SOLD!

I loved the "better, better, better" info on their home page as well:

*Better for You:
-super-soft velour soothes chafed nipples
-anti-microbial bamboo may help prevent breast infection**
-bamboo and hemp fabric absorb more than 4x more milk than cotton

*Better Design
-ultra-thin fabrics show less through shirts
-milk-proof: waterproof backing prevents milk stains
-not wrinkly or crinkly like disposables

*Better for the Planet
-bamboo, organic cotton, and hemp fabrics are sustainable and fair trade
-washable pads means no more waste

I received 2 pair of Bamboobies - the regular pair and an overnight pair. They came wrapped in minimal packaging, and my first thoughts were about how incredibly soft they were!

The Bamboobie family of nursing pads

The Overnight Bamboobie

The Overnight Bamboobie compared to a Regular Medela Cotton Nursing Pad


The layers of the Regular Bamboobie

OK, and how cute is the heart shape? I mean, I am boy mom all the way, but small feminine touches are great, especially when they serve a purpose. Bamboobies are heart shape designed to cup the breast better and the dip allows the sides to cup without wrinkling.

I have loved trying out these nursing pads. The regular Bamboobies are super thin. I was very worried that it would be almost too thin to wear in public, but they have performed like a dream every time! During my first nursing session of each day, I use the overnight Bamboobie on the opposite side and it has yet to leak on me. While I love the overnight for that purpose, it's a tad too bulky to wear under a nursing tank out in public (but have used it with a nursing bra with no problem).

These nursing pads are phenomenal and I would highly recommend them, especially to new moms! I can't wait until my next time nursing a newborn when I can really try out these nursing pads (in other words, you think these are nice now, 'ladies', just you wait til the next go 'round!)

**I never had any infections with my first two children, but I have had mastitis twice since Caedmon was born. When I read that these could potentially help with infections I was so excited. There have been a number of times that I felt like I was catching mastitis again, so in addition to my more water, more rest, less 'constriction' and garlic regimen, I would solely wear these nursing pads. I can gladly say that I have not gotten mastitis again! Was it because of my aforementioned regimen, or the nursing pads, or both? I have no idea, but I'm sure glad I've not had to endure that again!

Disclaimer: I was given 2 pair of Bamboobies, a pair of Regular and a pair of Overnight, to review. All opinions are my own. You may have a different experience.

Baby Bond Nursing Cover Review

Many breastfeeding mothers look for a way to cover up while nursing in public, be it due to a nosey, distractable baby or wanting their stomach, back and/or chest to be covered. Some moms dislike 'traditional' nursing covers for a number of reasons either because they are too big, drawing more attention than a nursing baby or the 'distance' it puts between mom and baby. Missy Reder saw the need for something different and came up with the Baby Bond nursing cover which allows baby to maintain eye contact with mom, and mom the chance to stay covered while nursing. You can read more about the Baby Bond Nursing Cover on their website (here are their Facebook and Twitter pages if those are things you are into!)

The Baby Bond nursing cover comes in three styles:

The Original, which is worn like a sash, allowing you to nurse from the top of your shirt and comes with a built-in burp cloth.

The Flex, which comes with a removable burp cloth, still allowing you to nurse from the top of your shirt.

And The Couture, which I received to review. The Couture is the most versatile of the three, allowing you wear the cover in two different ways - around your waist, covering your belly and back and allowing you to nurse from the bottom of your shirt, or as a sash, like the Original or Flex. This is also the only of the three that will change with your post-baby body as it is not a sized cover.

The Baby Bond comes in fantastic colors - Charcoal/Gray, Riviera (turquoise), Espresso/Chocolate (dark brown), Hudson/Night (black), and Classic (navy) - all subtle colors. The material (100% cotton), is so incredibly soft, almost silky. Also, the Couture rolls up into a pouch attached to the cover, making storage a breeze and very convenient.
I confess that I had the most difficult time trying to figure out exactly how to use the Couture. It did come with printed directions as well as a 3-step tag sewn onto to cover, even then, I had to use a video to get it right.

I found that getting the cover on "sash style" took quite some time - very hard to do while holding a ready-to-eat baby, and if I was trying to be discreet about what was happening, it wasn't doable with this cover.
Once I got the cover situated correctly, I found it very awkward to nurse in. I tried countless times to latch Caedmon on without exposing myself (something I have no problem doing while wearing a shirt over a nursing bra or tank).
Also, Caedmon would manage to get the fabric in his mouth while I was trying to keep myself covered. Caedmon all too easily moved the cover around, again exposing me.

I switched things up and tried to use the cover "belt style" and it felt very unnatural (and unnecessary) for me to use it that way.
I have read only raving reviews from moms around the web, so most moms who have tried the Baby Bond must love it! I think for me, it's just a matter that I've grown accustom, after 3 children, to nursing a certain way - there are times my husband has to ask if I'm nursing our son or not. If my husband can't tell, things must be pretty covered!

Have you tried one of the Baby Bond nursing covers? What are your thoughts?

Disclaimer: I was given a Baby Bond Couture Nursing Cover in Riviera for review. All opinions are my own and you may have a completely different experience.