BEST OF 2009: Pregnancy Products

I spent 2 1/2 months of 2009 pregnant with my second daughter. January, February, and 13 days of March. What a beautiful relief it was when our sweet little bundle of beauty and joy made her debut at 8:30pm in the quiet of the birth center.

Instantly, we were in love. Instantly, we couldn’t imagine life without her. Such is the wonder of becoming a parent.

I reviewed my fair share of pregnancy/L&D products this past year and quite a few of them were really wonderful, but I narrowed down my picks to three OUTSTANDING, AMAZING, YOU-WON’T-REGRET-BUYING-THEM products.

Here goes…

Melinda G Maternity & Nursing Bras

Is it just me or are good nursing bras reeaalllyyy hard to find? I tried some from Target, but they were so blah…and not quite supportive enough. And I have one from Motherhood Maternity, but I tend to avoid it because it has underwire and tends to “dig” in all the wrong places. Hands-down, my Melinda G nursing bras are my favorite. I reach for them first every single time. They are comfortable, supportive, easy to unclasp, and so, so pretty.

Style #2115 (Tee-Shirt Soft-Cup Nursing Bra) is probably my favorite because the comfort is unmatched. There is no underwire (hallelujah!), yet it’s surprisingly supportive.

Style #2160 (Glorious Contour Tee-Shirt Soft-Cup Nursing Bra) is another favorite. It features the same great clips and wonderful support, but it dives down for deep cleavage. Makes me feel pretty at nighttime.

Melinda G nursing bras retail for between $35-$45 and are sold at a variety of baby boutiques – both online and at retail locations throughout the US.  (P.S. The Breastchester is going out of business and is currently selling style #2115 for $22.80 and style #2160 for $24.60…that’s the cheapest I’ve ever seen them anywhere! Get ’em while they’re hot! My size is all sold out, but yours might still be there! If not, you can get style #2115 on Amazon for $38 and style #2160 at Amazon for $44)

My one piece of advice to Melinda G would be to take their already-perfected designs and make them in bright colors and pretty patterns. I recommend ruby red, pumpkin orange, and mischievous magenta, for starters. For now, though I’ll settle with black and nude (it’s actually more like champagne…).

Majamas Lace Sleep Set from Better Mommy Fashions

At the end of the day, I want to slip into something silky soft, ultra-comfortable, and super pretty…with easy peasy nursing access for when I’m “dazed and confused” at 2am. Enter the Majamas Lace Sleep Set from Better Mommy Fashions. It is GORGEOUS and flattering and so perfectly functional.

Truth be told, I wear it almost every other night. The sleeveless, no-fuss, pull-over style is exactly my cup of tea. I actually sort-of wish that it was sold without the robe because I personally don’t have much use for it, but others may beg to differ.

Priced at $82, it’s a bit on the expensy side, but it’s worth it. You can wear it throughout your pregnancy, right after baby is born, and for months/years afterward.

Better Mommy Fashions is owned and operated by Ruby, a former international model and current mommy who has great fashion sense. If you buy now, you’ll support her…plus get free shipping!

Original Shower Hug

When I first saw this product, I thought, “Cheesy…infomercialish...” Then, I tried it…and oh-my-goodness…I want to give one to every pregnant and new mama I know! It’s like a miracle product or something (now *I* sound like an infomercial, but – seriously – it is everything it claims to be).

You’re probably wondering exactly what it is. Well, it’s this luxuriously soft piece of fabric with a velcro fastener that you wear in the shower when your breasts are particularly tender (I’m putting that mildly).

The website puts it like this, “The Hug is made of the softest, most luxurious knit terry velour to provide expectant and new moms with gentle bust line support and to soothe sensitive nipples and breasts associated with pregnancy and breastfeeding.”

At $29.99, it makes a fabulous gift or you can buy it for yourself. I know you might be thinking, “It’s just a little piece of fabric – Big Deal!” Um…actually, yes…it IS a Big Deal. I wouldn’t shower without it for the first few weeks postpartum. True story. All of this raving reminds me that I need to get that little piece of magic back from my little sister (I let her borrow it and she totally LOVED it)…in case I need it in the future.

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WIN IT! One winner will receive ALL of the above-listed products:

• A Style #2115 Tee-Shirt Soft-Cup Nursing Bra by Melinda G
• A Style #2160 Glorious Contour Tee-Shirt Soft-Cup Nursing Bra by Melinda G
• A Majamas Lace Sleep Set from Better Mommy Fashions
• An Original Shower Hug from Belmama & Cherub

ESTIMATED RETAIL VALUE OF PRIZE PACK: $195!

To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, January 10th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

FOR A SECOND ENTRY: Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about my Best of 2009 series (or about this giveaway)…and leave a second comment telling me that you did.

* UPDATE* The winner is #5 Amy @ Finer Things. Congratulations!