droolicious : nursing

Wear White with LilyPadz

elizabeth leach — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:30:00 GMT

With LilyPadz, you can wear white t-shirts again because, unlike the re-usable and disposable nursing pads, LilyPadz won't show through your shirt. That's great news, for me, because I tend to wear a lot of white t-shirts in the summer. The self-adhesive lining sticks to you, not your bra, so you can also go braless at night. (Another nice option in the warm weather.)

LilyPadz are made from thin, soft silicone. Unlike other nursing pads, LilyPadz actually prevent leakage with light pressure which means no more moister and rubbing. Washing and drying your LilyPadz takes only two minutes, so you only need to buy one pair at a time. (They will last up to two months if washed according to instructions.)

Find out more and purchase your own set at LilyPadz.

Be Kind to Big Boobs

Heather Kuldell — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:02:00 GMT

For a culture as obsessed with big boobs as ours, it's surprisingly hard to find properly fitting bras once you get over a D or so. And if you thought the pregnancy boobs were big, wait till the milk kicks in: You'll be searching for cup sizes that were previously inconceivable. DDD?! G?! Yowsa.

Droolicious has given some love to Bravado before, but with the impending warm weather, you should know about the Essential Nursing Bra Tank ($45). Available in six colors, these tanks feature a built-in, full-support bra with nursing clips. And full support means you retain a natural shape, not the uniboob shelf bras can create. Tanks are available in cup sizes from B/C to F/G and band sizes 34 through 40. The flexible cotton and spandex blend and adjustable straps help accommodate changing shapes, which yours will continue to do for while. (But don't worry, at this point, it can mean shrinking.)

Ditch the Nursing Journal, Put on a Milk Band

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:07:00 GMT

Lance Armstrong has the Livestrong band, Stephen Colbert has the Wriststrong, and nursing moms can get their own more functional band. The Milk Band is a silicon band that says “left” on one side and “right” on the other. Simply flip the band inside out to indicate which breast was last used. The band also has two sliders that can move across an hour line and a minute line to indicate what time the last feeding was or, if you prefer, the duration. Assuming it’s worn around the clock — it is flexible and waterproof — there’s no need to scrounge for pens and paper to record late-night feedings. Each band is only $6.95 and is available in pink, baby blue, lilac, apple green or yellow.

What a Sleek Boob...I Mean, Bottle

Cathy Hale — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:00:00 GMT

It's probably pretty obvious why these bottles are preferred by baby. The bright colors, of course. Oh, and the boob shape.

This is the Adiri Natural Nurser, a safe BPA-free plastic bottle. Thanks to input from breast experts like moms, doctors and lactation consultants, this bottle is as close as you can get to the real thing. It's even soft, made of breast-like materials. It features a special twist and feed system that prevents lost parts and assembly hassles. Learn more about Adiri and the Natural Nurser here.

Expecting? Don't Skimp on Sleepwear

Cathy Hale — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:00:00 GMT

When you're preparing for a new baby, it seems like there are tons of things to buy. Sometimes in an effort to save some dough, new moms skimp on things for themselves, like sleepwear. Take it from a mom who knows, if there's anything that brings your life some extra comfort during those last weeks of pregnancy and first weeks of motherhood (and nursing), it's nice sleepwear.

This beautiful Black Lotus Nursing Chemise by Belabumbum is sexy, functional and comfortable. The small lace details are just enough to make you feel feminine, yet not too frilly for your lifestyle. The straps are adjustable and there are nursing clips above each bra cup. Treat yourself. You deserve it! Retails at Tummy Style for $59.

L'ovedbaby Goes Big in the Boom Boom Room

Whit Honea — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:59:00 GMT

Chris Noth of "Sex and the City" and "Law and Order" fame attended the Boom Boom Room with his wife Tara and their baby Orion.

The couple received the 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl from L'ovedbaby which was such a big hit that Tara put it to use on the spot. Here's why:

    * The L'ovedbaby™ nursing shawl offers mom a way to discreetly nurse in public, while protecting the baby from distractions.
    * The shawl travels well and always stays fresh in its matching drawstring pouch.
    * The complete 6oz. package fits neatly in any purse or diaper bag.
    * Machine washable and dryer safe...nothing could be simpler.
    * Extremely lightweight, breathable, and super-soft to the touch and on baby's skin.
    * Roomy neckline for added style and increased visibility between mother and child.
    * Full coverage of mom...both front and back; no special nursing clothing required.
    * L'ovedbaby's™ custom-made fabric complements any outfit...from casual to business to elegant. And, because it's not cotton, it's less likely to harbor bacteria.

See? Those are good reasons, right?

She also used it while waiting in the valet line at the Century Plaza Hotel. It was a long line.

I self-parked.

The Boom Boom Room is an event featuring Hollywood’s most famous families - expecting parents, moms, dads, their offspring and me, Babble's own Whit Honea. It consists of a "gifting suite wonderland built by 83 sponsors. This event draws celebrity families together to support Los Angeles area Foster Children and the Jayneoni Moore Children’s Fund."

Baby stuff and a good cause. We like it.

More Boom Boom Room:

Tim Allen and Jane Hajduk in Little Girl Frillies

Portable Breastfeeding Pillow from gr8x Baby

Erin Behan — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:09:00 GMT

Last time I wrote about a portable breastfeeding pillow, I said I still hadn't gotten the hang of public breastfeeding. Breastfeeding in public is still a chore for us, but now for a totally different reason: Every noise, every flash of light, every anything that is not the status quo of white noise must be investigated with a craned neck or a twist of the body. I'm confident, however, that there are women out there, somewhere, whose babies can quietly, happily nurse in public. And, those women now have another comfortable option in portable breastfeeding pillows. This one from gr8x Baby ($49.99) is self-inflating and comes in a small drawstringed carrying case. Choose from three colors--black, green and pink stripe.

7 Days of Feeding: Burp Armor

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:04:00 GMT

I'll admit to a soft spot for any product designed by an entrepreneurial dad, but in Burp Armor's case, the product in question also has some pretty solid functionality, as well as a longer shelf life than you might expect from a standard-issue burp cloth.

Sure, it's made of organic cotton and hemp, and, yeah, each Burp Armor cloth is pre-washed in organic soap (please), but take it from one who's been there: When your newborn is projectile-vomiting onto your jammies at 3 a.m., you'd be happy enough to throw a @#$% over your shoulder, as long as it meant you could crawl back into bed somewhat dry.

No, the real upside of Burp Armor is the amount of coverage it gives you: Toss it across your shoulders, and you've got around 180 degrees' worth of thoroughly protected clothing -- at least until the next feeding. It's also one of the softest burp cloths you'll ever sling across yourself -- in fact, it's not unreasonable to picture (as the company's website points out) Burp Armor eventually becoming a security blanket for your little one. And at $25 to $27 each, don't worry: You'd be forgiven for forcing the kids to adopt it as their blankie.

Available in multiple styles from Burp Armor.

ABC Kids Expo 2008: L'oved 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl

Chris Ford — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:03:00 GMT

I may not be a mom, but I can appreciate special problems moms might have - especially moms who are nursing. L'ovedbaby Nursing Shawls are made by a mom who realized that women might want to nurse their babies in public, while still maintaining some amount of privacy and style. A tall order to be sure, but the 4 in 1 nursing shawl from L'ovedbaby fits the bill with some bonus applications to boot.

The picture above pretty much shows how it works as a nursing shawl, but it can also serve as a lightweight blanket, a "pregnancy poncho" and my favorite, a canopy for a car seat or stroller (seriously, I know it sounds kind of weird, but it looks pretty cool covering a car seat or stroller). The fabric is machine washable, dryer safe and available in seven colors. To me, if you're looking for a baby shower gift, or just a gift to a newly pregnant friend, you should definitely check it out.

More info about the L'ovedbaby 4-in-1 Nusing Shawl can be found at Lovedbaby.com

ABC Kids Expo 2008: Siliskin Silicone Glass Bottle Covers

Chris Ford — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:04:00 GMT

We've written about Silikids Kneepads before, and the same company that protected crawling baby's knees with silicone is now also making sure your baby has a good grip on their bottle. Siliskin is a universal silicone bottle skin that works on all sizes of glass bottles, with standard (large and small) as well as wide neck sizes. The Siliskin is microwave safe, dishwasher safe, hypo allergenic and might even help prevent the glass bottle from breaking. They can even be washed on the bottle or off and are translucent so you can see measurements.

Personally we were a plastic bottle family. But if you've decided to go with glass bottles for your baby, buying some Siliskins to go with them kind of seems like a no brainer.

Siliskin, $12.00 for an 8oz. version and $8.00 for a 4oz. version from Silikids.com

Bright Idea: Portable Nursing Pillow

Erin Behan — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:38:00 GMT

Truth be told, I still don't totally have the hang of nursing in public, but I've stopped caring if I look awkward or some voyeur gets a sneak peek of a nipple. Still, I appreciate the idea behind Belly Fish's portable nursing pillows ($47.95) with built-in privacy screens--especially since I know that not everyone is as comfy with public boob-flashing as I am. The Belly Fish nursing pillow/ travel system is a bit like a foldable Boppy with privacy wings, and while it's not something you can discreetly tuck into your purse, it will fit in that extra-large diaper bag you bought and now don't know how to properly fill. And don't miss the website's how-to folding guide.

Best Swaddle Wraps for Hiding Your Boobs

Erin Behan — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:39:00 GMT

We've posted about the Aden and Anais swaddle wraps ($29.50 for two, $44 for four) before. Made from an incredibly lightweight cotton muslin, many parents prefer them to other swaddle wraps because they're so light and breathable, especially for the hot days of summer. But it turns out that they also make excellent nursing covers. Several of the new moms I've been meeting up with at an area park use them, and I'm convinced--off to buy a pack today! Better than the thick blankets that I'd been practicing with at home (haven't actually done public breastfeeding yet) and less conspicuous than the tent-like Bebe Au Laits.

First Week Home: The Best Bottle

editors — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:25:00 GMT

As you may have gathered from my previous posts, I’m breastfeeding. But due to weight gain problems, we had to supplement for a while – and now, I occasionally have to leave the house for more than two hours, so my husband bottle-feeds him pumped milk. We tried a number of bottles during those first difficult weeks. Some of them, he wouldn’t take at all. Others, he’d drink from, but it would be a messy, long process with frequent burping.

Until we discovered the Playtex Drop-Ins System. The Playtex website describes this as:

A bottle system with a Nurser holder and pre-formed, pre-sterilized liners. The liner collapses as baby drinks to keep air out of the liquid and out of baby. It is clinically shown to reduce gas and colic, and clinically shown to mimic breastfeeding.

All I know is that they make feedings go three times as fast, with no fussing and minimal burping (and for the record, no nipple confusion). A starter set of bottles and liners is available on Amazon for $19.99.

Agree? Disagree? Tell us in feedback. – Gwynne Watkins

Sexiest Maternity Bra? Part 3!

SunnyChanel — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:46:00 GMT

Okay, I think I may be a wee bit obsessed with my quest for the winner of the Droolicious “Sexiest Maternity Bra” contest. Originally blogger Erin submitted her pick of the retro styled Cupid Bra by Agent Provocateur as the world’s Sexiest Maternity Bra and she boldly challenged anyone to find a sexier one. I countered her selection with the Elle Nursing Bra by Passion Spice. The posts proved to be pretty popular, who doesn’t love some sexy underwear right? A bunch of comments were left about what our readers REALLY want out of a maternity bra, sexy or otherwise. Using this feedback, I searched out a maternity bra that fit their criteria but also possessed the all important sexiness we lust for. So, for part three of the Sexiest Maternity Bra I submit…

The Elle MacPherson La Mere Materntiy Nursing Bra!

Here are some of the comments left and why this one stands up to their feedback:

Elvira’s concern with my last pick was that it was synthetic – this one has soft cotton-lined cups which will be kind to those nipples.
Nicole worried that the “underwire can cause a plugged milk duct” – no worries here, this one has structure but does not include any hard wiring.
Mcglory13 noticed that the last one only went up to 34D. The La Mere goes up to 34DD/E and the largest size available is 38DD.
CDCC was concerned about the materials and that it may be cheaply made (the cost of the last one was a mere $29). The La Mere is priced at $62, so I can only assume (and hope) that it is very well constructed and will last throughout your whole nursing tenure.

The Elle MacPherson La Mere bra has almost everything, but don’t worry I’m on the search for Sexiest Maternity Bra Part 4…coming soon!

Sexiest Maternity Bra?

Erin Behan — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:14:00 GMT

I'm sure it's possible that a sexier maternity/nursing bra exists in the world, but I do issue the challenge for someone else to find it and bring it forth. Most standard nursing bras resemble deconstructed sports bras. But you knew when Agent Provocateur is involved, they'll be some heat ... quite a bit in fact.

Which is why--in my search for maternity bras--I'm falling in love with the Cupid bra ($110), especially in the black and red. Sure, this may not be your everyday around-the-house bra, but doesn't every new mother deserve one sexy bra? And if you're really feeling adventurous, there's the matching control brief ($120), which resembles something out of an S&M video.

From Our Gift Guide: Amuse Me Nursing Covers -- $65

Erin Behan — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:19:00 GMT

Not everyone is a fan of nursing covers. But if your pregnant friend is worried about flashing her boobs – or needing a whole new nursing-friendly wardrobe – then you can't do better than these designer nursing covers. Each cover is two-sided, made of two gorgeously patterned cotton fabrics, plus an adjustable-with-one-hand neck strap. The finishing touch is a series of ribbons sewn on the underside, designed to keep the baby's hands occupied while keeping the mother modest. Get it at Amuse Me. Free shipping for Babble customers through December 31st; just enter the code Holiday2007!

Find this and other great holiday gift ideas in our Babble Holiday Gift Guide.

Brilliant Invention: LaMa Bra Gives Sweet Relief

Kelly Mills — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:03:00 GMT

I'm not one to jump onto the latest invention, but on this one, I gotta say: all aboard. LaMa Bra is a bra with cold packs you can slip on in to help with those super engorged boobs when weaning or just over-producing in the milk department. I'm not even nursing and my boobs feel better just looking at this. The bra is $29.99, and you can get extra cold packs for $4.99. Smart.