Fairhaven Health Breastfeeding Products Review & Giveaway {US & Canada}

From the time I found out I was pregnant with my first baby, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. Not only had I heard about the nutritional benefits for the baby, but I had also heard about the bonding aspect of nursing. It was something that I wanted to try and although I had heard numerous horror stories about it, I was willing to take the risks involved in order to give my baby the best start ever. My daughter was an excellent nurser and really, we had very few issues and problems. I firmly believe that if a woman wants to breastfeed badly enough, she will do what it takes and persevere through problems. By problems I mean sore nipples, engorgement, plugged milk ducts, mastitis, and nursing strikes...all of which I have experienced. Thankfully, even though I experienced those issues I still breastfed and continue to do so to this day. My children have been breastfed for their first year and I am working on getting Isaac through his first year now. 

 

When it comes to breastfeeding, I believe that your best tool is the Internet. You can find solutions and products to aid in so many different issues that can arise when breastfeeding. Because I use a breast pump 1-2 times a day, I tend to get sore nipples. I was recently looking online for organic nipple cream and happened upon a company that I immediately loved. Fairhaven Health is a company that is dedicated to providing fertility products, nursing aids and pregnancy products for moms and babies.

Here is a bit more information about Fairhaven Health...

Our product lines follow the natural progression from preconception to pregnancy to nursing. Our preconception products focus on fertility awareness and ovulation prediction, helping couples learn about their fertility and anticipate when they are most likely to conceive. Nutritional fertility supplements like FertilAid & FertileCM provide balance and support enhanced fertility for both women and men. Once couples receive the good news, products like Pregnancy Plus Prenatal and Pregnancy Plus Omega3 promote the prenatal health of a developing baby and help ensure pregnancy wellness for the mother - from the first days of pregnancy through the first years of nursing.

Located in the historic district of Bellingham, Washington, Fairhaven Health unites integrity and quality with sensible pricing - offering an unparalleled tradition of value and success to both our customers and our distributors. Our distribution partners comprise a reputable circle of health product retailers and fertility solution providers, including drugstore.com, BabyCenter, CVS.com, Village Pharmacy and Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com. We also welcome small specialty retailers as well as established medical partners - from the smallest pregnancy boutiques to major fertility clinics and education centers.

I have never had issues conceiving but I know people who have and still do struggle to get pregnant. I think it is really fantastic that Fairhaven Health addresses this issue and offers easy and healthy solutions for infertility. Being a person who highly recommends herbs, I also love that they use herbs in many of their products. You really can't do any better than that when it comes to naturally caring for yourself and your newborn.

So, for this review I was sent several products to try. I was sent Nipple Nurture Balm, Nursing Time Tea and Nursing Blend Breastfeeding Supplement.

Because I am a huge advocate for breastfeeding, I am always looking for new products to share with other new moms out there. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to breastfeed, which is why I look for products like the ones Fairhaven Health carries. The Nurture Nipple Balm is fantastic.

Because it is Lanolin-free and contains no harsh chemicals, it is perfectly safe for mom and for baby. I love this product because it offers relief for nipple pain and soreness that is associated with breastfeeding. This (I think) is the number one reason moms quit nursing...they cannot get past the nipple pain. It looks like an organic salve and smells really nice. You don't need much at all and yes, you can nurse after applying it.

The second reason I believe moms stop nursing is because they don't produce as much milk as they would like to sufficiently satisfy their babies. This is where the Nursing Blend Breastfeeding Supplement comes in. This supplement is designed to quickly increase milk production and quality. This supplement also contains essential vitamins and minerals that lactating mothers can be deficient in...such as vitamins B-6 and B-12.

Another problem that can come as a result of breastfeeding is gassy babies. When I nurse, I cannot eat certain foods because they will sent my baby's tummy reeling. It definitely is inconvenient and something that I hate. Nursing Time Tea is a tremendous product for breastfeeding moms because it contains ingredients to not only help with milk quantity and quality, but also with gas and colic.

This tea comes in loose-leaf form that looks, smells and feels like dried herbs. There is absolutely no junk in this tea!! What is in it that makes it so effective?

• Fennel seed – helps increase milk production for nursing mothers and helps alleviate digestive complaints for both mom and baby.

• Goat's rue - acts to stimulate the production and flow of breast milk.

• Blessed thistle – helps increase milk production and contains an effective bitter to aid digestion and liver function.

• Alfalfa – contains key vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin K, to help enrich breast milk.

• Anise seed – helps increase milk production while alleviating gas, colic and indigestion.

• Lemon verbena – adds its lemony essence to create a delicious flavor.

All of these herbs are organic and wild-crafted...which is sooooooo great! As you can see, all you do is measure out the tea and put it in a tea ball (1 teaspoon per 1 cup of water), add the tea ball to your hot water, cover and steep for 5 minutes.

When you are ready to drink your tea, you can strain out any particles that may be visible (I left them in) and enjoy! This tea tasted very good to me. I typically favor coffee over tea but could easily drink this tea every morning. It is very soothing. I could also see this tea working well if I had a stomach ache. Of course, I could not drink my tea without my other children wanting a sip, so I shared and they loved it! It's also nice to know that this nursing tea is caffeine free...woo hoo! I am very much looking forward to using this tea in the coming weeks...it is so nice to have a product like this to help with my milk production!

Each of these products can be found on Fairhaven Health's website and the retail prices are as follows:
Nursing Blend Breastfeeding Supplement ~ $19.95
Nipple Nurture Balm ~ $11.95
Nursing Time Tea ~ $14.95 (price decreases when you purchase additional bags)

So, in my opinion...Fairhaven Health has been added to my list of favorite pregnancy and nursing companies! I am definitely going to recommend them to moms that I know and share my experience. I am totally sold on these products that I was sent and cannot wait to see my baby thrive and grow happier every day!

Fairhaven Health has offered to give away one of each of the products I received for this review! One lucky person will recieve Nursing Time Tea, Nipple Nurture Balm and Nursing Blend Breastfeeding Supplement! Here are your entry options...

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Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free Fairhaven Health products for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Fairhaven Health website and email. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Baby Shower Gift Guide Event ~ Bebe au Lait Nursing Cover Review & Giveaway

~BABY SHOWER GIFT GUIDE EVENT~

As you have probably noticed, I am a breastfeeding mom. My children both nursed until they were 12 months and from that point on, they weaned themselves. I suppose I could have pushed the issue with them and gone further, but it really didn't seem practical at that point. They weren't nursing for nutrition's sake, but purely for comfort. It was very evident that it was time to quit. At least it was a mutual agreement. :) During the 12 months of breastfeeding my children, I was not ashamed to nurse them in public places. I would nurse in stores, restaurants, airplanes, in front of relatives, etc. It wasn't a big deal to me and the reason for that was because I was always covered. My daughter liked to "flash" people every now and then but the more experienced I became at breastfeeding, the easier it is was to distract people from seeing anything. To me, nursing is an invaluable experience-both for mom and for baby. It is a time of bonding and closeness that rarely comes in any other way. In order to have a successful public nursing experience, I believe that a functional nursing cover is a MUST.

Today, I have a company to introduce to you that I love and that I am so thrilled to have participate in my Baby Shower Gift Guide Event! Bebe au Lait is a company that makes nursing covers and burp cloths. All of their patterns and products are very fashionable and stylish, I can't think of any mom who would not LOVE to receive one of their nursing covers as a gift!

Before I continue on with my review, here is a bit more about this mommy-friendly and nursing supportive company...

Established in 2004 and initially known as "Hooter Hiders," Los Gatos, California-based Bebe au Lait develops superior quality products that pair beautiful prints with luxurious fabrics to meet the needs of modern, active parents.

Bebe au Lait's first and best known product, its award-winning nursing cover, was born out of necessity when co-owner Claire Ekelund found nursing her infant daughter in public challenging. And so, the Hooter Hider was born: an easy-to-use, multi-purpose, machine washable, stylish nursing cover designed with baby and mom in mind. The nursing cover's unique design with its Rigiflex™ neckline promotes bonding between mother and nursing baby and has been the recipient of multiple patents.

The Hooter Hider garnered immediate attention from stylish moms and celebrities across the nation and in media such as US Weekly, People, Fit Pregnancy and VanityFair.com.

Since then, Bebe au Lait has grown into 3 brands: Hooter Hiders, Bebe au Lait, and most recently, Lille. Providing a variety of products to meet the needs of style-conscious, modern families, these products include burp cloths, hooded towels, luxury blankets, and nursing cover gift sets.

Bebe au Lait now distributes its products internationally in more than 60 countries. In the U.S., its products are available through its website at bebeaulait.com, specialty retailers, and national retail chains such as Babies R Us and Nordstrom. 

I actually first heard of Hooter Hiders as a friend of mine was using one of their covers when we were out one day. It looked so comfortable and I really envied her...I wanted one too! That was several years ago now and I cannot remember where I ended up getting my very first nursing cover. 

So, for this review I was sent a Bebe au Lait Nursing Cover in the print of my choice and I chose the Kensington print. I love turquoise, green and blue so this seemed like the most elegant and appropriate choice for me. 

This nursing cover is not bulky or heavy at all and folds up very compactly for discreet carrying. When I first saw it, I was REALLY happy because it has a rigid, yet flexible neckline that allows me to keep an eye on the baby while nursing. This has been something that I have not always had the luxury of having. 

The size of this nursing cover is great as well. It spans across the whole backside of my recliner and is nice and long too. If you have a baby that likes to play "peek-a-boo" then this large cover will make that a bit more challenging for them. ;)

One of my favorite features of the cover is the fact that it has two terry cloth pockets sewn into each corner of the inside of the cover. This makes it easy to store baby's pacifier or a nursing pad while breastfeeding. I love the idea of having storage built right into the cover! Awesome!

When I tried on this nursing cover I loved how light and airy it felt. You cannot see through it and it really covers well. The colors are gorgeous and while it looks like a nursing cover, you definitely feel stylish while wearing it! The ties around the neck are adjustable as well so you can wear it higher or lower, depending on how tall you are. 

Each nursing cover from the Bebe au Lait retails from $35 - $38 dollars depending on the print you want. It is VERY hard to pick one out by the way as there are soo many from which to choose!

So, in my opinion...Bebe au Lait makes one awesome nursing cover! As a mom who advocates public breastfeeding, I am totally sold on their covers. They are modest, practical and very easy to use. Forget being embarrassed to nurse in public...do it in style! I also love how you can use this cover as a changing pad, stroller sun shade and light blanket. Products that allow me to multi-task are my best friend!

Bebe au Lait has generously offered to give one of my readers their very own nursing cover...in winner's choice of print! A huge thank you to them for this amazing giveaway!!! Here are your entry options...

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Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post.I did receive a free Bebe au Lait Nursing Cover for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Bebe au Lait website and email. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Baby Shower Gift Guide Event ~ Covillow Nursing Cover Review & Giveaway (CLOSED)

~BABY SHOWER GIFT GUIDE EVENT~

I am a huge advocate of breastfeeding. Always have been, probably always will be. Not only do I advocate breastfeeding, I also advocate breastfeeding in public. Why? Because you and I eat in public, why shouldn't a baby when they are hungry? Now, I am NOT for just flipping out a breast and showing the whole world your breastfeeding techniques without covering. Modesty while nursing has always been a HUGE deal with me and having breastfed two children, I know how hard it can be to stay modest while breastfeeding. When I stumbled upon this next company, I was thrilled beyond thrilled with how their nursing covers looked. I felt the need to include this company in my baby shower gift guide event because I believe EVERY nursing mom should have one of these covers. As you will see, they are very different from others but also very modest and practical at the same time!

Covillow is a company that makes unique nursing covers that are a cover with a pillow attached for extra comfort for baby! When I first found Covillow my first thought was "WOW! Look at how much of the mom is completely covered!" Pretty astounding and very amazing! Here is a bit more about this company and it's founder, Candice Boehm (a breastfeeding mom herself!)...

Covillow, LLC was established in 2010 by Candice Boehm, a stay at home mom and experienced breastfeeding mother of two, on a mission to change the way the public and mothers perceived breastfeeding in public.  Being a modest mom that still wanted to breastfeed anywhere, anytime, conventional breastfeeding covers on the market inadequately provided privacy for her sides and the small of her back while lifting up her shirt to breastfeed. She also carried a popular nursing pillow with her to make her breastfeeding experience more comfortable for her and her baby while out and about. Bringing multiple breastfeeding items on the go in addition to everything she needed for her and her children for a trip somewhere became cumbersome and frustrating. This is when Candice had the idea to design one item that provided privacy in public, the comforts of nursing at home with the convenience of bringing only one item with you while on the go.

The Covillow, and its patented design, is the first and only of its kind, and gives breastfeeding mothers the privacy, comfort and convenience they need to confidently breastfeed in public. The name Covillow, pronounced cuvillow, combines the words cover and pillow together, and is the first product for Covillow, LLC. We are proud to say our products are handmade with love in the USA.

Candice faced the same problems that I and other nursing mothers face...modesty. I currently have a nursing cover that slings over my head and covers me in the front. But, I have experienced very "busy" babies while nursing that love to fling the cover up and be nosy while eating. If I had a cover that went completely around me and was more secure, how much better that would be for me!

So, for this review I was sent a Covillow and the design I chose was Happy Blossoms. When my Covillow arrived, my first impression was how small it looked. It was in a cylinder shaped bag and looked very compact.

When I pulled the cover out however, it was HUGE!!! In order to give you an idea of how large it really is, I laid it over a chair in my living room. It is not a small piece of cloth, nor is it thin and cheaply made. This cover is THE cover that you are going to want! (The square at the bottom of the cover is the pillow).

This cover is unique in that it has a pillow attached on the underside that your baby can lay on while nursing. This can really come in handy as well because with the baby laying on it, it secures the cover OVER the baby so they cannot pull it off.

I also love this pillow because the pillow itself is removable and you can go with or without it. This feature also makes washing the cover easy. Just pull the pillow out of the cover and you are all set. This also comes in handy if you are really wanting to make the cover less bulky to fit into a purse or tiny diaper bag for small outings.

So, the next thing that I did was to try this cover on! I have a long torso and I am tall, so having enough coverage is important for me and difficult to do. Above, you can see what this cover looks like on me from the front. As you can see, it covers me completely in the front. There is also boning in around the neckline so you can peek in and see your baby.

Now, here is the back view...I love how it goes all the way down my back. No problems with coverage there!

This is what I am most excited about. Look at the sides! The Covillow covers my whole arm and is stitched so it fits over my arms and body. This means that when I nurse, no one will see in my sides, back or front. (The huge bump is the pillow resting on my 36 week pregnant belly...don't I look HUGE with a pillow there too? HA HA!).

The Covillow comes in four different patterns/colors: Happy Blossoms, Peaceful Periwinkle, Tranquil Tangerine and Turquoise Dream. Each cover retails for $59.95.

So, in my opinion...Covillow is by far, my most favorite nursing cover EVER. I love how it covers each and every angle of my upper body while allowing tons of room for a baby. I also love the pillow that is attached and can be removed. This is so convenient! I would (and will...can't wait to show my Covillow to my  Doula!!) and will recommend Covillow to any mom who wants a more private option to public breastfeeding. This would make a pretty awesome baby shower gift for a first-time-mom...what a confidence booster to encourage the most wonderful and bonding time of a new mom's life-breastfeeding. AMAZING product! :)

Candice, the owner of Covillow has very graciously offered to give away one of these fantastic nursing covers to one of my readers...in the winner's choice of color! THANK YOU Candace for this awesome opportunity! Readers, here are your entry options!


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Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a Covillow Nursing Cover for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Covillow website and email. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.