Mama Speaks

Medela Nursing Camisole

Sweet & Discreet

Nursing Moms love fast access to nurse their hungry babies, and if you can do that and look cute at the same time, well that's even better. Medela's Nursing Camisole [$45] fits snug in all the right places. I love having a nursing tank to wear beneath another shirt for that layered look and also extra coverage when breastfeeding in public. This camisole is attractive however you prefer to wear it, and the snaps for the openings aren't too obvious. The great support system from an extra layer of fabric between bra shelf and outer layer means no need for a bra underneath. Love that!

The bamboo/cotton fabric actually has anti-bacterial properties and feels fantastic against your skin. Available in white or black- you can have one to go with any outfit or just wear them to bed! In sizes small to extra large, I think they are sized appropriately if you order your post pregnancy size. 

Win it!
We're giving away a black Medela Nursing Camisole (size medium). To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Medela Nursing as your subject. Giveaway ends 12.23.08

-Steph

Momzelle

Fast Food

"Stylish Nursing Top" is sometimes considered an oxymoron, but I was very relieved to stumble upon the classy organic fashion for breastfeeding moms by Momzelle.Whether you wish to nurse discreetly or not, it's such a luxury to have comfort & a flattering fit when wearing any shirt, especially early postpartum. Easy access to feed a hungry baby is a nursing Mom's dream. At least it's mine!

Momzelle's Organic Turtle Neck [$55] updates the classic must-have to accommodate new Moms. The front layered opening is hidden and placed well- this top is just fine worn by itself or under a tee or sweater. One of my favorite things is the length of the shirt- long enough to still keep that tummy hidden and worn well with low-rise pants. So nice when wearing baby- and utterly convenient to nurse in the sling.

Made of 92% organic cotton and 8% spandex, there is just the right amount of stretch and give while keeping a sleek, soft look. Momzelle's styles are fashionably fitted, so you might want to get one size larger if you like a little more room. You'll definitely be far from frumpy while feeding your baby on the go or on your couch no matter what your size.

Want it?
Enter MAMA for $10 off your order through 12.29.08

-Steph

Melba Nursing

Soft, sexy and simply beautiful!

You have probably already given up your favorite bra for a nursing, so if you're anything like me you are holding on to your clothes for all they're worth. But wouldn’t it be nice to have the convenience of easy nursing too?  Melba nursing has combined convenience and style together to make good looking yet still fully functional nursing tops! The fabric is amazingly soft and silky with just the perfect amount of stretch. It leaves you feeling confident, sexy & able to nurse with ease! I love the asymmetric wrap top [$72] and the wrap dress [$105]. And the “Vegas“ print is just stunning in my book. To make it well worth your money, they double as maternity clothes so you can get plenty of use out of these great fashionable pieces.

So look great, feel confident and nurse those babies Melba style!

-Brittany

Milkies

The Milk Bank

I've got a newborn baby and I am a milk machine. A leaky machine. When I nurse on one side, the other side naturally lets down and milk is expressed- up to 4 ounces! To prevent embarrassing leaks and to save that liquid gold (every teeny bit counts!) the Milkies [$40] milk saver literally saves the day.

Like many moms, exclusive breastfeeding is what I've decided is best for my baby, but I do worry about the times that I might need to leave baby for more than a few hours, or if there were ever an emergency. I don't have a breast pump (and to be honest they scare me) and I don't want to give formula if I don't have to. Milkies easily slips inside your bra and the reservoir captures that extra milk from the let down. Then simply empty into a container to use at later date. Store your Milkies in its convenient container and take it with you wherever you go.

No scary pumping. No stains on my shirt.  I seriously think Milkies was made for me. And yes I actually use it, and yes it really works!

Of course I love the idea of not having to use a breast pump for extra milk, but Milkies also has a green inspiration as it was designed to eliminate the need for disposable nursing products, and is BHT and phthalate-free. And what a bonus that it keeps Mom dry and comfortable at the same time.

-Steph

Glow Mama

You're Glowing

I'm parched. Nursing a newborn can feel like you're in a desert sometimes. Water is, of course, my drink of choice. But sometimes a Mama just wants something different and refreshing. Glow Mama is that oasis up ahead.

A healthy alternative to sodas or other sugary drinks, Glow Mama was created with the hydration of expecting and new Mamas in mind. Tasty kiwi and white grape juice accentuate this vitamin-packed drink. It is a great complement and not a replacement to your regular prenatal vitamin.

The bottle is not only a convenient size for keeping available on the go- it also comes in hip and trendy colors. And Glow Mama is earth friendly, too. The bottles are made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which make it easy and relatively cheap to recycle back into goods we use everyday. Soy-based inks can be found on all Glow Mama labels and marketing materials as well.

The flavor is very light and subtle, perfect for those early days of pregnancy. I was excited to experiment with fancy-ing it up as a mocktail. Just because you're staying safe for your baby doesn't mean you still can't have a little fun! Oh what a little lime and mint can do... hello, Mom-ito! That will have you glowing!

Win it!
We're giving away a Two-Week Taster pack of Glow Mama to one lucky reader! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Glow as your subject and let us know which Mocktail recipe has your mouth watering. Giveaway ends 10.10.08 and sorry, this one is open to US residents only.

-Steph

The Shower Hug

  A Hug From One Mom To Another

Mom designed, The Shower Hug [$28] is a wonderfully created necessity for the breast feeding mama. After nursing 6 babes myself and only being 4 weeks into nursing our newborn twins the tender & sometimes painful first few weeks are fresh in my mind. Just thinking of those first few sensitive weeks makes me cringe. The long awaited and oh so deserving warm shower goes from sweet retreat to agony the second the harsh shower spray hits. I can remember standing in the shower, one arm across my chest and the other trying wash & rinse my face... ahhhh, where was the shower hug back then!

The softest, most luxurious knit terry velour wrap was designed with one purpose in mind but as many mamas have discovered, including myself, there are many ways to enjoy the Shower Hug in and out of the shower. In the shower it provides gentle support for full and engorged breasts, acts as a warm compress to soothe and ease engorgement, and protects from harsh sprays and soaps. Out of the shower the Shower Hug provides an alternative to the traditional bra for soft, strap free support. It can be worn at night to prevent nighttime leaks and offers hands-free convenience to hold cold packs and heat packs in place. I found this to be a lifesaver as I was recovering from a broken sternum & engorged breast at the same time. And if that's not enough, other mamas have found ways to use the Shower Hug for more than just the bust line. The Shower Hug can also be wonderful comfort for those recovering from a C-section delivery.

With so many awesome uses you are sure to find yourself loving your Shower Hug & telling all your mama friends about it!

-Brittany

Belly Fish Nursing Pillow

Lactation Coordination

Nursing pillows have made the life of a breastfeeding mother quite a bit easier since their invention. Comfortable for Mom and easier positioning for baby, it's one of those must-haves in baby gear. The Belly Fish Nursing Pillow [$48] allows Mama to be on the go and still nurse with ease & style. Its built-in privacy panels make for modest and discreet nursing, and of course less distraction for baby.

An adjustable neck strap helps hold the pillow in place, and one or both privacy panels can be pulled up and snapped onto the strap. No worries about it falling down and revealing a bit more than you'd like, and the extra security of having the pillow in place lets you relax and nurse in peace.

The fashionable patterns and fabric were first to catch my eye. I plan on using mine, in the fabulous Slate/Morning Glory design, even just around the house. I have a feeling that if I do want some privacy or less busy-ness going on with three other children running around, the easy snap panels will come in handy. Or if I feel like baring all, the pillow works just fine without the panels snapped up. This impressive nursing pillow is definitely cute and convenient- simply fold up for quick get-up-and-go. Throw over your shoulder, into a tote bag, or under a stroller. You can take the Belly Fish most anywhere!

Win it!
We're giving away a Belly Fish Nursing Pillow of winners choice! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Belly Fish as you subject. Let us know which pattern suits you and your where to send it if you win. Giveaway ends 09.03.08

-Steph

The Essential Pregnancy & Baby Organizer

Getting It Together

Whether you are one of those super "with-it" Mamas-to-be armed with lists and plans and all that perfectness that freaks me out, or are more like me--kinda going with the flow and not very put together--once you are pregnant, it's essential to write things down. It could be your first baby or your fourth--each one is special--and with changes in your body and exciting milestones to record, a place to put it all on paper will come in handy. The Essential Pregnancy Organizer [$19.95] is clean and modern and so very un-cheesy like many others on the bookshelves these days.

I love a pretty book and one that looks good at my bedside or in my bag as I go from place to place. I found the inside just as attractive with a fill-in calendar and tabs covering what is most important during the 9 month journey.  From helpful tips on getting started-off the healthy way, to preparing for baby, childbirth, and after baby arrives.

And after baby does arrive, The Essential Baby Organizer: Birth To One Year [$19.95] will guide you through the next adventure of new motherhood (and fatherhood.) It goes by so fast and you will soon find out about the amazing loss of memory that happens after baby comes along... write it down while you can!

-Steph

Japanese Weekend

Hug Your Shape

Have you ever been caught fumbling around trying to un-clip, unsnap or undo your nursing bra quiet and discreetly, only to have your babe start fussing with impatience and your face turning red with frustration as you can't seem to manage your simple nursing bra? I think most of us moms probably have a bad taste in our mouth when it comes to nursing bras. They have been anything but easy, or attractive or supportive.

The Japanese Weekend Hug nursing bra [$38] is one that rivals all others. Its sleek and sexy style will hug your shape and make you forget your wearing a nursing bra at all. The fabric is silky and soft against those sometimes tender, hot commodities. It has a criss cross front with no snaps or clips... a simple double band that lifts up from the bottom for truly easy feeding. Don't be confused by the simple style... the back has a clasp & hook closure and adjustable straps.

If you are looking for a stylish, feel good, no more snaps and clasps nursing bra... this one is for you. And if you just can’t get enough of that silky soft fabric you should try the Hug maternity panty. With this matching pair, you can't go wrong.

-Brittany

boob

Abreast Of The Rest

Maternity and nursing-wear is unfortunately known for not being of the trendiest sort, but every now and then I find a little treasure for those of us that appreciate smart design and luxurious fabrics with distinct functional features.

boob (what a name, I know!) is exactly that and then some, offering a collection of nursing and maternity clothes to suit every shape and style. Dresses and tops that accommodate a growing belly are their specialty, and they also flatter the motherly figure. The concept behind boob’s creation was due to every mother’s right to be able to nurse in comfort and style, and for the expectant mother to also be comfortable in clothes that will last longer than just nine months.

I’m admittedly in love with the Bubbles Tie-Back Dress, originally $125. Anything that looks like "normal" clothes instead of maternity usually has me smitten. The Single Button Hoodie, originally $90, makes me almost wish I had a little bit longer to go in my pregnancy so I could justify buying it for fall. But I have pieces in the breastfeeding collection like the Nursing Dress, originally $115, to look forward to. Go beyond just a nursing tank and plain tee and splurge a little. It's your right!

-Steph