If I’d known about this amazing product back then, you can bet I’d have been busy writing or blogging or something while I was pumping — the Easy Expression Hands-free Pumping Bra. This little ditty holds the breast pump shields in place while you pump, freeing your hands to do other things. It helps you “milk it for all you’re worth.” (I love that!)

Not surprisingly, this bra was invented by a Mom – Gretchen Penny.  She came up with the idea for a hands-free pumping bra after practicing pumping milk a few weeks before she was to return from her maternity leave from American Airlines. She was determined to provide breast milk for her son because of its proven health benefits, but she was worried that pumping would take too much time and render her unproductive at work.

“I was not going to give up feeding my son breast milk just because I had to return to work. At the same time I knew I had a job to do,” says Penny. “So I invented the Hands-Free Pumping Bra, which has helped thousands of women like me each year to provide the gift of breast milk to their child as well as remain productive and successful at work.

The Easy Expression™ Hands-Free Pumping Bra benefits include:

• It’s easy to use with its convenient front-zip style;
• It enables a woman to be discreet when she pumps because it can easily be slipped on under a blouse;
• It holds the breast pump shields in place so a woman’s hands are free to hold a book or type on her computer;
• It enables a woman to hold her preemie baby while pumping, which many experts say helps with milk production and let-down;
• It allows busy moms of multiples to care for their children or do laundry while simultaneously pumping.

The bra is available and in white and now black, too, and retails for about $34 at these locations  nationwide. But one lucky Lipstick to Crayons reader can win one for free by entering the contest below.

Giveaway Guidelines:

To enter, you MUST  subscribe to my email mailing list by using the button in the right sidebar of this site and then leave a comment below telling me you did so. If you are already a subscriber, leave me a comment telling me so and include the email address to which the subscription is sent.

Receive additional entries by doing any or all of the following, but you must subscribe or be a subscriber first. Leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Blog about this contest.
2. Tell me in a comment why you think nursing a baby is important.
3. Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (you can tweet daily if you want, but make sure you leave a comment each time you do).
4. Favorite Lipstick to Crayons on Technorati.
5. Stumble this post.
6. Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar.
7. Become a fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook.

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time Feb. 9, 2010.  Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. Contest open to United States residents only. Winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If winner does not claim prize by Feb. 11, 2010, she will forfeit the prize to an alternate winner.

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO SUSAN, COMMENT #5.

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Moody Mamas is a hip and stylish maternity designer offering Moms-to-be a solution to keep their sexy, sophisticated style throughout their entire pregnancy. (Moody Mamas boasts celebrity Moms such as Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba, Ashlee Simpson, Tori Spelling and Laila Ali among their fans).

Unlike the moo-moo’s of the past, clothes from Moody Mamas are flattering. Plus, the line really helps you transition to everyday wear after pregnancy. Millions of women spend nearly $1,000 on a maternity wardrobe that, in most cases, they will never wear again. In sharp contrast, Moody Mamas represents a smart investment in this tough economy because so many of the items can become a part of Mom’s permanent wardrobe after baby arrives.

Moody Mamas is the brainchild of two fashion-savvy young women in their 20’s, Marta Abrams and Elise Rosemarin,  who are single and have never had babies! – admittedly an unlikely pair to design a maternity line. That is  is exactly why they have been so successful: they’ve thrown out the rulebook and are shaking up the status quo by creating a bold, daring anti-maternity line that has injected style and fashion flair back into the lives of expectant Moms everywhere. 

Moody Mamas is currently available at Nordstrom.com, Harrod’s and Belk, but as I mentioned above, one of my readers is going to win a Moody Mama’s wardrobe. So,  if you’re pregnant or if you know someone who is, you need to enter the contest below to win this prize, valued at $250, which will include looks that transition from day to night, from work to play and for every aspect of life. If you win, you’ll get to provide your preferred size to Moody Mamas, and they’ll ship you the following pieces:

• Cute Cowl Neck Jersey Dress – $65
• Denim Leggings – $48.50 
• Jersey Turtleneck Shirt – $ 58
• Blissful Box Pleat Shirt – $55
• Sexy Mama Undie – $28.50 
  

Giveaway Guidelines:

Visit the Moody Mamas and come back here and tell me in the comment section what wardrobe piece you like the best.

Receive additional entries by doing any/all of the following, but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Blog about this contest
2. Subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed
3. Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (you can tweet daily if you want, but make sure you leave a comment each time you do).
4. Favorite Lipstick to Crayons on Technorati
5. Stumble this post
6. Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar
7. Become a fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook

Hurry because this giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time Dec. 8.  Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. Contest open to United States residents only. Winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If winner does not claim prize by Dec. 10, 2009, he/she will forfeit the prize to an alternate winner.

This contest is closed. Congratulations to Deborah — comment #32!

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Modest Middles are a fairly new product that makes nursing Moms a little more comfortable in public. Modest Middles are uniquely shaped tank tops that gives Moms the ability to breastfeed- while still covering up their belly, back and sides. The patented u-shape design (starts under the bra), is made of modal/spandex and can be worn under any shirt (tucked in or layered.)  That way, Mom’s stomach, sides and back are completely covered. Plus, it offers a slimming effect.

Modest Middles Owner, Designer and Mom of 4 Amy Maschue says she designed Modest Middles out of necessary. “After each baby, I tried to find a nursing shirt that looked good AND KEPT MY  MIDDLE COVERED, while allowing me to easily access the nursing bra of my choice. I couldn’t find it.”

Modest Middles are available in black, white and nude here for 29.99. But if you buy two or more, the prices go down.

——-

Paci Plushies are another great product for Moms of pacifier-loving babies. We all know the frustration of constantly losing your babies pacifier or searching everywhere for it when baby drops it — especially in the middle of the night.  A Paci Plushy helps solve that problem –  it’s a pacifier with a cute little stuffed animal attached to the end to make it easy to locate.  Depending on what style of Paci Plushies you want, you can buy them for between 11 and 15 dollars on Amazon. I wouldn’t recommend this product, however, until your baby is old enough to safely sleep with a lovey in his/her crib.

—–

Wow Baby is the perfect combination of the softness of a cloth bib and the protection of a plastic bib. Their new line of bibs are not only uniquely functional and stylish but they are completely organic too.  The bib’s feature Wow Baby’s patented DriBaby Bib Liners, which are disposable and ensure that no spills land on baby’s clothes. DriBaby Bib Liners keep your baby dry and their clothes clean and free from food and drink stains that can happen when stuff soaks through the bib. Wowbaby bibs and burp cloth sets come in unique and fun patterns and cost $29.99.

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• Very “Kicky” Nursing Top Giveaway

If you know me, you know I loved nursing my babies. In fact, I had a very hard time giving that up with this last baby and only weaned her a few weeks ago when she hit 21 months.  I wrote about that here. The word “boob” was  used often in our home and it served in several parts of speech:  ”The baby needs a boob” or “Would you please boob the baby” or “The baby is boobing.”  So, I was delighted to discover this line of nursing tops named for one of our favorite words and even more excited to give them a try.

Mia Seipel is the founder of Boob and she conceived the idea for this fashionable line while watching her sister attempt to breastfeed her baby in a park in Stockholm while the cold wind blew across her bare waist. She designed the line to look good on Moms through pregnancy and nursing. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t discover the tops until I was almost ready to wean my baby (okay, my toddler), but the company rep assured me that the tops are so fashionable that I would likely  want to continue to wear them even after I was done nursing. She was right. Check out this picture!

Okay, so I don't look as svelte as the model in the thumbnail above, but the top is adorable.

You can’t tell in this picture, but this amazing  top is fitted through the mid-drift and extends to down to mid-thigh. And you cannot tell it’s a nursing top, so I will absolutely be wearing it in the late weeks of summer and early weeks of fall, probably with a fun pair of black print leggings.

In addition to being fashionable, Boob  tops come with a clever patented overlap that allows  for discreet and comfortable access. The opening is simply pushed aside with one hand, leaving the other free to hold your baby. Don’t sacrifice fashion for function?with Boob Nursing Wear you get both.

So, onto the giveaway. Boob is offering a fabulous Boob nursing top to  three readers of Lipstick to Crayons. Here’s how you enter:

To win, visit Boob and then come back here and tell me in the comment section below which item from the fall/winter  line you like the best.

Receive additional entries by doing any/all of the following, but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Blog about this contest
2. Subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed
3. Tweet this giveaway on Twitter
4. Favorite Lipstick to Crayons on Technorati
5. Stumble this post
6. Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time August 17.  Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. Winners will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If winners do not claim prize by August 20, 2009, they will forfeit the prize to alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

Good luck!

This contest is closed. Congratulations to Alex, Staci A and Emily —  are the winners of a new  Boob Nursing top and will be receiving emails from me shortly.

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Slingaroos are different from traditional store-bought slings in that there is no padding, allowing you to manipulate the fabric tightly and securely around your baby. The long piece of fabric running through the rings allows different size people to use the same sling. One of my favorite features of  the Slingaroo is the sash, which allows you to nurse absolutely discretely. You also will find the sash to be an ideal burp cloth because the Slingaroo launders easily in your washing machine.

I bought my Slingaroo in while I was pregnant with Baby No. 3 in 2007. I began using it as soon as she was born, nursing her in it, carrying her around the house, around the mall and at swim meets (as regular readers will soon learn, I spend a LOT of time at swim meets). I quickly discovered that it was also a great way to keep her happy at restaurants while I was trying to eat or engage in conversation with friends and family. Somehow, she was just happier when I was “wearing” her, and thus she gave me more time to relax and enjoy myself. (Side note: Baby-wearing jumped to the top of the news briefly in late 2008 when Motrin offended a Moms nationwide with this ad campaign).

But back to Slingaroos. They are one of the most versatile baby-wearing gadgets I’ve ever seens because they can be used with a newborn through a preschooler (if you’ve got a preschooler who is still willing to be held.) You can carry your baby in the front in a cradle position our outward facing position, onyour hip or on your back. Kangaroo Kids demonstrates all the carrying positions here and a video demonstration here.

Singaroo’s are made in the United States, sell for $41.95 and come in a host of colors and patterns (if you’re smart like me, you’ll pick a color Dad will wear, too). But one lucky reader is going to win one for free, courtesy of Kangaroo Kids owner Sierra Cortazzo.

Giveaway guidelines

To win, let me know in the comments section below why you want to win the Slingaroo.

Receive additional entries by doing any/all of the following, but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Blog about this contest
2. Subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed
3. Tweet this giveaway on Twitter
4. Favorite Lipstick to Crayons on Technorati
5. Stumble this post
6. Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar

This giveaway closes July 11, 2009 at 11:59 pm central time. Be sure to include a valid email address. Winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If winner does not claim prize by July 15, 2009, she/he will forfeit the prize to alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

USA and Canada residents only please.

Congratulations to Erin. You are the winner of the Slingaroo. I’ve sent you an email and you have until July 15 to respond or another winner will be chosen.

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PumpEase™ hands-free pumping supports

Adorable hands-free pumping supports that every nursing mom will go gaga over! As any breastfeeding mom knows, pumping can be incredibly time consuming. The brand new PumpEase™ enable busy Moms to keep their hands free for other tasks such as checking email, taking phone calls, banking online, writing thank you cards or tending to baby – all while pumping! PumpEase™ are functional, super fashionable supports that can fit over your nursing bra/garment or over nothing at all. They ensure proper alignment which results in excellent suction, are comfortable to wear, easy-to-use, and are designed with a 3-position hook and eye closure that adjusts to your varying breast size. PumpEase™ works with all single or double, battery-powered or electric breast pumps – no attachments required! Retail Price: $29.00 – $34.00 www.pumpease.com

Shower Hug™

Showers should be a time of relaxation, not pain and irritation! Between pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding our bodies go through a lot, especially our breasts and nipples. They deserve a bit of tender loving care and the Shower Hug™ provides it! A multi-use essential for new moms, the Shower Hug™ offers gentle bust line support and relief to sensitive breasts and nipples while mom showers. Made of the most luxurious knit terry velour, the Shower Hug absorbs shower water to act as a soothing and supportive compress while shielding tender breasts from direct contact with harsh shower streams, soap and other chemical residues which can cause irritation. The Shower Hug also offers hands-free convenience to hold cold packs and heat packs in place. It’s also a fabulous alternative to wearing a traditional bra around the house – the strap-free design relieves shoulder and back pressure. Retail Price: $27.95 and up www.showerhug.com

PJ’s Comfort Breast Pump

PJ’s is the more comfortable approach to breastfeeding! PJ’s Comfort® 1 ½ pound hospital grade breast pump is the only 1 ½ lb. pump that goes from hospital to home to work. PJ’s Comfort® Breast Pump was designed smartly by women for women, making this lightweight pump ultra efficient and comfortable. Includes great features like: a one-micron filter between the kit and pump which prevents bacteria, viruses and milk from entering the pump thus preventing cross contamination; Sof touch™ silicone collapsible cups with self-adjusting vacuum and cycle knobs (this combined with the newest technology makes for an extremely comfortable and efficient pumping session); and a built-in timer to track elapsed time helps a mother relax while pumping. PJ’s Comfort Breast Pump comes with either a versatile tote that quickly converts from over-the-shoulder bag to backpack or an executive tote with many extra accessories. Retail Price: $525 – $725 www.limerickinc.com

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