There are many companies out there that make a line of breastfeeding/breastpumping supplies for moms.  One of those companies is Simplisse.  Simplisse is a company that is partnered by both industry-leading lactation consultants and moms to try to design nursing products that improve the lives of nursing moms.  They carry a line of breastpumps, supplies for expressing milk (storage containers/bags/sterilization bags),  as well as all the breast care (breast pads, skin products, nipple shields) and nursing products that a nursing mom might need.

I was given the opportunity to review the new Gia Angled Breastfeeding Pillow and a sample pack containing milk freezer bags, disposable breast pads, and nipple cream. 

Gia-Angled Breastfeeding Pillow Review

For a new breastfeeding mom one of the biggest challenges may be figuring out the best way to hold your infant and encourage them to latch on during feedings.  I know I was so thankful to have the help of my postpartum nurses and lactation consultants when I first attempted feedings with my first born.  It didn’t take long to realize that with such an itty-bitty baby, something extra to help support the baby while I tried to get the hang of breastfeeding was essential.  I only wish I had been lucky enough to have the Simplisse Gia Angled breastfeeding pillow available for me back then!

While there are several different breastfeeding pillows on the market, the Gia is a patented, non-flat design that actually helps position the baby at an incline to help with breastfeeding.   This angled feeding may help with digestion and prevent reflux and other feeding issues.  It also helps prevent the baby from rolling down.  As they state at Simplisse, this pillow makes an optimal feeding experience take shape!

I was given the opportunity to review the Simplisse Gia Angled pillow.  As soon as it arrived, I could tell that it was not like any other feeding pillow I had tried in the past.  Obviously I didn’t get to try it hands-on with feeding yet (so excited to bring it to the hospital with me though!), but I did bring it over to a friend of mine’s house who just had a baby last month for her to test it out.  She was so happy with the comfort that the pillow gave both her and her new little one.  She is a first-time nursing mom and said that even though she thought she had finally figured out a comfortable and successful nursing position for she and her infant, that it was nothing compared to what she was able to achieve using the Gia Angled Pillow.  I am pretty sure that it is something on her list of things to purchase now that she has used it!

Simplisse Breastfeeding Sample Pack

DISPOSABLE PADS:   I’ll be honest.  I have tried several different brands of breastpads over the course of nursing two other children, and I have not seen any disposable pads quite like the ones that Simplisse sent me to review.  I, sadly, am not one of those moms that just needs the pads for the first few weeks after delivery.  I leak the ENTIRE time of nursing (which for me is a year after my little one is born since I breastfeed until at least 12 months) and require pads 24 hours a day.   It really puts a damper at times on what I can and cannot wear when I have a heavy breastpad affecting the way a shirt looks on me.  I loved that the Simplisse disposable pads were super thin and adhesive-free.  I swear no matter how hard you try, having the pad not bunch up when it is stuck down to your bra just never seems possible to avoid.  I wore the pads for a few hours one day to give them a comfort test, and I love the way they feel!  I completely forgot I was wearing them (or maybe I didn’t because they were almost more comfortable than the fabric of my bra).   The pads contain an ultra-absorbent micro layer to prevent leakage too!  I can’t wait to give them a try when I really need them to see how great that layer is!

SIMPLISSE LANOLIN-FREE NIPPLE CREAM:   Many new nursing moms have issues with cracking nipples or just some discomfort from the newly latching newborn (especially if the newborn latches incorrectly at times).  That’s when nipple cream comes in quite handy!  I can’t say I have had to use this very often in my nursing history to date, but I have had a tube or two of nipple cream in the past.  I honestly didn’t like it too much.  It was always thick and greasy and left me feeling like I needed a shower asap.  The Simplisse Lanolin-Free Nipple Cream is super thin and easy to rub on though!  I didn’t notice any scent to it, and it is safe for both mother and baby while nursing.   I can’t attest to it healing yet, but I can say that if I need any this time around, I’ll be grabbing my bottle from Simplisse rather than the greasy stuff I used before!

SIMPLISSE BREASTMILK STORAGE BAGS:   One of the most aggravating things about breastmilk bags is when you spend all that time pumping the milk, store the breastmilk, and go to pull it out of the freezer only to discover that your “liquid gold” has leaked out of the storage bag and all over your freezer.  Yes, I’ve been there and it’s no fun!  That’s why I loved that the Simplisse bags have an extra-durable design with double zip seals!   As an extra bonus, they are BPA free!

Win it!

Prize:   One winner will win the following items:

• (1) Gia Angled Pillow
• (1) Gia Pillow Cover
• (1) Simplisse Sample Breastfeeding Pack (contains freezer bags, cream, and disposable breast pads)

Number of Winners: 1

Giveaway End Date: June 9th, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM EDT

Eligibility: This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry.

Random Selection:One winner will randomly be chosen by the WordPress plugin “and the winner is…” and will be notified via email. Those winners will have 48 hours to respond to that email or another winner will be chosen.

Mandatory Entry!

Visit Simplisse and tell us what breastfeeding product you hope to try yourself.

Additional Entries: (just in case you want them)

(Complete the Mandatory Entry and the Additional Entries for seven total entries and seven total comments. The mandatory entry must be completed before the optional entries count).

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Disclaimer: I received a free product sample for the purpose of the review in this post.  Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment.