HOTmilk Lingerie Review and Giveaway

One thing no one warned me about when I got pregnant was that my breasts would grow as big as melons and that I would put as much effort into finding a bra that fits, as the athletes do into training for the Olympics! Nursing bras are hard to find in my area and to even begin to hope for a bra that is sexy and supportive is impossible around here! (Yeah, mid-Missouri, sometimes you suck!) I finally found a couple of bra's at Motherhood Maternity but they never fit quite right.  The only ones they carry for my size are underwire which caused me considerable doubt because I had read tons of things about NOT using a underwire bra when breastfeeding.  I finally gave in and bought a couple different styles.  A couple of months later I was back buying another set of bras because I had lost enough weight the old ones didn't fit right.  Both of the bra's I purchased were ugly! I hated their fit and always went around adjusting myself like a teenage boy because the dreaded "third boob" would pop up every time I shifted.  I kept searching and searching for a better solution until I found HOTmilk. 

HOTmilk is actually based out of New Zealand but they sell in the United States too!  They specialize in providing SEXY and supportive nursing and maternity lingerie.  I received their "Awakened by Her Desire" bra and panty set for review.  When I opened the package I thought they had sent the wrong thing because at first glance I couldn't even tell it was a nursing bra! I wondered how supportive it would be since it wasn't an underwire and I was pleasantly surprised to find it was very comfortable and supportive.  I did find that it seemed to run just a tiny bit small so I wish I would have opted to order one size bigger in the band and cup.  One very unusual (but awesome) thing about the HOTmilk nursing bra is that it has 6 rows of snaps on the bra band to allow for lots of flexibility in the band sizing as you lose your pregnancy weight.  I'll save you the details of exactly what my husband thought, but I'll just say that the mere sight of it hanging up in the bathroom had him calling me at school asking when I was coming home to model!

HOTmilk has also launched a line of camisoles.  I am very happy (and a little jealous) to announce that one lucky winner will win the "Sweet Reminiscence" camisole and brief (as featured in the February issue of Pregnancy and Newborn magazine).

Mandatory Entry: To enter to win this set you must first visit the HOTmilk website and then come back here and leave me a comment telling me your favorite item (cami set, bra, men's wear, etc).

Additional Entries:

Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect (1 extra entry)

Follow my blog via RSS Feed (1 extra entry)

Follow HOTmilk on twitter @HOTmilkLingerie (1 extra entry)

Follow me on twitter @diapermom and tweet any unique tweet about this giveaway (1 entry per tweet up to twice per day, leave the permalink of your tweet in your comment)

Follow HOTmilk on Facebook (1 extra entry)

Contest is open to US residents only ages 18 and older.  Contest ends June 30, 2010 at 11:00 PM.  One comment = one entry.  Please make sure you leave your email in your comment so I can contact you if you win.  One winner will be selected via Random.org. 

milk Nursing Night Gown Review and Giveaway!

Night nursing was something I gave a lot of thought to before Avin was born.  I knew that in the hospital and at home I would want some comfortable pajamas and gowns to wear to sleep in but that I would have to be able to easily access my breasts for feedings.  I looked high and low for pajamas and gowns that would easily accommodate breastfeeding and it seemed like I could only find two kinds--- skimpy lingerie like nightgowns that would not cover or support me or pajamas that I am pretty sure came out of my grandma's closet.  When I found milk nursing wear and their organic cotton night gowns I went wild! 

I contacted them about a review and received the Crossover Maternity and Nursing Nightgown in black.  It was the perfect combination for me.  It is cute and comfy without being too revealing or granny like.  The gown comes down to my knees so I can wear it without fear of exposing my bottom half when I sit down.  The top is a wrap design that allows you to simply pull the material to the side for quick and easy nursing.  I like the empire waist line because it provides some support for my breasts.  The top also fits snugly enough I can wear nursing pads without them falling out.  The cleavage I show in it turns my husband but is mild enough that with a robe I don't feel too exposed when we stay with family.  The hem and sleeves have some ruffle to them so I don't just feel like a milk cow, I feel pretty and feminine.  The cut is flattering for my still flabby belly so it helps me to feel attractive as well.

I love this nightgown because it not only makes me look and feel attractive but also gives me peace of mind because it is made from organic cotton.  When my son is snuggled close to me I like knowing that he's not cuddling a bunch of nasty chemicals. 


milk is giving away a Crossover Maternity and Nursing Nightgown to one of my {very lucky} readers!  Mandatory Entry: To enter you must either follow milk on facebook or twitter and leave a comment letting them know Avinsmomma sent you.  (Make sure you leave me a comment with a link to your comment)

Additional Entries:

Follow milk on either facebook or twitter (whichever you did not do for your mandatory entry) (1 entry)

Follow my blog via google friend connect (on the right hand side) (1 entry)

Subscribe to my blog via RSS feed (on the left hand side)  (1 entry)

Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (comment and leave me the permalink to your tweet) -  
               Tweet up to twice per day, one entry per tweet

Contest open to US residents, 18 and older, void where prohibited.  Please make sure you leave your email address in your comments so I can contact you if you win.  One comment = one entry.  Contest will end June 29, 2010 at 11:00 PM CST.  Winner will be chosen using random.org.

Izzy Belle's Trendy Tots Nursing Pad Review

Although Avin is almost a year old we are still formula free and nursing about about 8-10 times per day.  Breastfeeding started out as somewhat of a bumpy road for us because we went through lots of issues including oversupply, over active letdown, and nipple aversion just to name a few.  Since about 4 months our breastfeeding has been smooth sailing.  We worked out all our problems and I became a pro at getting a wiggling baby latched on to the nipple without exposing myself to the world.  The only problem that we still deal with is leaking.  I can't tell you the number of times I've heard Avin cry or picked him up and carried him pressed to my chest only to find within minutes that my shirt was soaked with milk.  Nothing is more embarrassing than being in public in a shirt clingy wetly to your flabby belly! Try feeling beautiful in that situation!  I was so excited to try out the cloth nursing pads from Izzy Belle's Trendy Tots!

After Avin was born I tried several different kinds of disposable nursing pads to help absorb the leaking milk but I just didn't like any of them.  The thin ones didn't seem to absorb anything.  The ones with sticky tape on the back (meant to hold them in place) always ended up stuck to my breast instead of my bra.  The thicker ones absorbed good but they made unsightly lumps in my bra that embarrassed me almost as much as wearing my wet t-shirt in public!  When we made the switch to cloth diapers I also was clued in to reusable cloth nursing pads. 

Cloth nursing pads can just be tossed into the washer with your other laundry and reused over and over again. In order to prolong the life of the nursing pads, they should be washed in cold water on gentle cycle (preferably in a lingerie or hosiery bag), and should be allowed to air dry. I have found that washing their pads along with baby's laundry in a gentle detergent is an easy way to care for them. Never use fabric softener with the nursing pads, because doing so will take away from their ability to wick moisture away from the body (just like in cloth diapers). 

I love the cloth nursing pads from Izzy Belle's for several reasons.  One they eliminate my wet shirt issue.  Two they are Eco-friendly because they are reusable and made from a bottom layer of soft organic flannel, layers of natural antibacterial bamboo and organic cotton fabric, and a top layer in a fun design. Last but definitely not least I like that they have cute designs on them.  No one but me knows that my nursing pads are pirate themed but it's a fun design and it makes me laugh inside because each time I get ready to nurse Avin I always think of another corny pirate joke.  :)

Make sure you stop by Izzy Belle's and check out all their fun themed nursing pads! They also carry a variety of organic and eco-friendly products for both Mom and Baby!  You can find them on facebook and twitter too! Use coupon code MM10 for 15% off your entire purchase.