Sunday, January 2, 2011

Udderly, one of my favorite baby gear items



I am a proud nursing mama.  I nursed Charley for almost his entire first year and Henry nursed until he was a little over 1.  Charley did get bottles at daycare so I was a pumping machine too.  Henry pretty much refused bottles and that sucked (literally).  
Admittedly, I wasn't sure if nursing a baby was going to be up my alley.  Before I had Charley, I didn't really give it much thought and then when people started asking I pondered it with hesitation, because the idea of being somewhat like a cow turned me off.  But I did it.  I loved it.  And I got pretty darn good at it - which to me means I could comfortably do it where ever and whenever. 

It is a choice that I made for many reasons...and I am not going to go into those reasons here because frankly, I think choosing to nurse is a personal decision and there is a lot of back and forth between nursing mamas, the public, bottle feeding mamas, etc.  It is a choice you have to be secure with, comfortable with, and content with.  If it is painful, and man oh man did I experience the "want to throw your baby across the room and scream for a good 20 minutes" pain when I got thrush with Henry.   And during this time I related to any woman that had severe pain and gave up.  I think nursing is one of the most stressful parts of having a new born because you don't know if they are getting enough, how much they are getting, if you have them positioned right, and then you have people giving their opinions and telling you that a bottle/formula will help them sleep longer.  If the experience is stressing you out too much your milk production won't be good and you won't be relaxed and it just isn't worth it. 

I will say that having support, good friends to talk through things with, and confidence in demanding a lactation consultant visit several times in the hospital,  breastfeeding can be one of the ultimate mothering experiences.  Oh, and taking a breastfeeding class WITH husband is key!  And if anyone out there ever needs a friend to talk through it with give me a shout out because I am here. 

As baby number three's arrival nears I am busy getting the nursery and all the baby gear ready.  With Charley I just used blankets for discretion when nursing in public.  But with Henry I came across some "hooter hiders" or nursing covers and they became my saving grace.  Having Charley running around, asking for things in the diaper bag, pulling on this and that...it was such a relief to have a nursing cover that was a little more secure...AND CUTE! 

What makes them different than just draping a blanket...well they have this nifty rigid neckline that allows you to make direct eye contact with baby by just looking down.  Love this!  And the fabric is light and breathable so baby doesn't get sooo HOT so fast. 


So, I have in my hands two fresh and fancy Udder Covers that will discreetly allow me to nurse baby number three here, there, and everywhere!  Many didn't notice when I nursed Henry with the nursing cover.  And that, for this conservative mama, is key. 

Udder Covers has given me the opportunity to give away one of their adorable and quaint nursing covers to one of you!  Whether you need one or not...there is probably someone in your life that will come along and what a fabulous baby shower gift. 

So stop by the Udder Cover website and share what pattern you would choose.  (I got the Elsa and Laila!)

And tell me one of the baby gear item(s) that you could not have lived without! 

This giveaway will end on Friday, January 7th at noon.


10 comments:

Goings on at the Glenn's said...

I too have baby #3 on his/her way in just a short couple months and I too am trying to get ready the best I can without knowing what we are having. If I were to choose one nursing cover from the site it would be the 'porter' Black and squiggly would go well with either sex I think. Oh and the baby gear that I couldn't live without would probably be my mai tai baby carrier. Although this time I might try a simple sling too.

Anonymous said...

Oooh! Fun! I like the Jones design. I couldn't have lived (and still use) our video monitor. We have used it a ton for spying and for wishing a good night to our sleeping babe.

Kim K.

April said...

I gave my Hooter Hider away after #2 and need one for #3! I was a terrible in public nurser with my first but it was easy with my second because of the Hooter Hider! Great give away :)
I would choose Laila I think.
There is a lot of gear I think I couldn't live without but probably the snap and go and for me the Lansinoh nursing pads and Lanolin. It's fun we get to do this all again!!

Anonymous said...

I would pick the Maria b/c I love purple. I currently have a black one but that always made it really dark and i couldn't see Eli which caused me anxiety when nursing in public. My next time around (whenever that may be) I hope to be more comfortable with it. Like my big sis!
The item I couldn't live without was the boppy. Dumb I know b/c many don't use it for nursing or don't use it at all. But it was the perfect size for MY size and shape that eli laid perfectly on it for nursing. Whenever we would travel a pillow just didn't do the trick. RR

shellycoulter said...

I love the Jones design. :) Baby item I couldn't live without...Hmmm. A baby carrier/sling. I also love my BOB Revolution stroller. Oh...and Luna Bars and a good water bottle because I always forgot to eat and then would be totally famished when nursing.

Anonymous said...

I would chose the Maria because I like purple and it is light. My sister actually made me one of these for my third baby and it is probably my favorite baby item! I love it! It is kind of dark, so a lighter color would be better, but it is so handy and I haven't heard of them until she made it for me. Jamie Trampe

Goings on at the Glenn's said...

I think I changed my mind. I would pick the Jones cover. I like what you said about it being something that is mommy's style and not babies. I think that is so right! But honestly I'd be happy with any too.

Anonymous said...

i like laila, too! i could not live without the double stroller with baby 2. i would have died without my joovy. came in major handy!!
pw

Lynelle said...

I would pick the Carson. It's been so long, not sure what item I couldn't live without. My girls were/are both blanket girls - we couldn't live without them.

Anonymous said...

The jones-- they are all pretty cute!

I couldn't live without my breast pump. I have a hand me down and the newer ones are even better!! Hands free?? That's amazing!! Amy K

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails