Working outside the home and breastfeeding my son means I spend a lot of “quality time” with my breastpump. I spend a good amount of time and effort pumping, so it’s important to me to make sure I take good care of the milk I pump. I was very intrigued when I was offered the chance to review the MilkBank storage system, thanks to the Parent Bloggers Network.

From MilkBank ‘s website:
Clinical tests show that any level of oxygen exposure begins to spoil breast milk. For best nutrition, freshly pumped breast milk should be fed immediately or stored in MilkBank’s vacuum-sealed storage bottles for later feeding. Traditional storage methods, such as bags and bottles, trap harmful oxygen when sealed. This exposure to oxygen not only impacts the nutritional value, but can also distort the flavor, causing babies to reject stored breast milk.

I have had problems with that last part before – more than once, Sam has refused to drink milk that has been frozen. It’s frustrating when that happens, and quite a problem if it happens while I am not going to be with him for a while!

The MilkBank storage system uses a vacuum-sealing method that takes the extra air out of the storage units. This is easy to do, and much more effective than when I tried to just squeeze the air out of the top of my freezer bags!

The bottles are leak-free and are insulated, helping to keep the milk warm the entire time the baby is taking the bottle.

Best of all, the entire system is free of phthalates, PVC and BPA, so you have nothing at all to worry about when you feed your baby.

To learn more about MilkBank products, visit the MilkBank website. I found them here on Amazon.com.

Jenny and I are pretty pumped about the new look here on Reviewin’ It Up… but we are even more excited about the fantastic giveaway we’re celebrating with!

This is, without a doubt, the biggest and best giveaway we’ve ever had. We are so thrilled!

One very lucky winner will receive each of the following prizes:

Mom-and-baby gear from Zoey’s Attic

Looking for a fun way to announce your pregnancy, to get your firstborn excited about being a big brother or sister, or to let your mom show her Grandma pride to the world? Look no further than Zoey’s Attic! I only wish I had had this shirt when I was pregnant with Sam – I would have worn it every time I saw Jenny just to drive her nuts! (she was not happy about us wanting to be ‘surprised’ at the birth!)

Baby MedBasics

Created by a husband/wife (and doctor/nurse) team after a scary choking incident involving their son, MedBasics is an essential what to do guide to infant emergencies. Emergency situations can happen anytime, anywhere, and these books are designed to go everywhere your baby does – they conveniently clip onto a stroller or diaper bag. Baby MedBasics gives you the tools you need to give your infant the care he or she needs while help is on the way. Topics include: CPR, Choking, Fever, Bleeding, Burns and Poison. This is definitely a must-have for every parent!

Breastfeeding with Comfort and Joy

Jenny and I are big advocates of breastfeeding, so we are very happy to be offering this outstanding book in our giveaway. This is another one of those things I wish I had had before my babies were born! Written by Laura Keegan, RN, FNP, this book focuses on what you need to know to get started in establishing a comfortable breastfeeding relationship and to solve problems should they occur (and more than likely, they will). This book can be extremely helpful to you even if you are reading it for the first time in the middle of a crisis. The book is user friendly with over 80 beautiful, full page color and black & white photographs that not only show you how to breastfeed your baby with ease, but also are a timeless celebration of breastfeeding. It is really an outstanding book, and a truly helpful tool.  Check it out at www.TheBreastfeedingBook.com and use the code mommin10 to get $10 off this amazing book!

Glow Mama

Glow Mama is a natural vitamin juice drink developed especially for new and expecting moms. It is completely natural, high in fiber and pre-natal vitamins, low in calories and approved by the American Pregnancy Association. And what I think is super-fun, their website has recipes for using Glow Mama to make mocktails including mom-osas, mom-itos, and strawberry diaperis!

Pig in a Blanket gift set

This little piggy is snuggled in a beautiful, plush blanket! The two-piece baby gift set contains adorable details, from piggy’s belly button to cute, curly tail to the artful gift box. The cream-colored piggy with tan feet, ears and nose, belly button and curly tail measure 14″ tall. The cream-colored blanket has cream, satin trim and “This Little Piggy” nursery rhyme embroidered and appliqued along all four sides. This would make a great baby shower present!

Bebe Au Lait gift set

This beautiful gift set includes one Bebe au Lait nursing cover and three matching burp cloths. The nursing cover is easy to use, machine washable, and multi-purpose. A rigid neckline that allows Mom and baby to maintain eye contact during feeding and other features like a small terry cloth pocket makes it the perfect combination of style and function. It can also be used as a sunshade over a stroller or front-carrier, as a lightweight blanket, or even a changing mat! The premium matching burp cloths are luxurious and ultra-absorbent.

Pregnancy pillow and breast pillow by Utterly Yours

The Utterly Yours breast pillow was specifically designed by a mom to make nursing a simpler and hands-free process. It provides comfortable breast support and the ideal position for nursing, so that moms can relax and focus on the laptop baby while nursing. The Utterly Yours pregnancy pillow is made with memory foam, and has a revolutionary cubic design. When opened, it forms two triangles and conforms to the mother’s belly. Since neither Jenny nor I are currently pregnant, we turned to Jenny’s friend Megan to try out this pillow for us. Here’s what she had to say: ” I want to carry this with me always… it is SO comfortable and gives just the right amount of support without putting pressure on the precious baby oven!” I am ALL for something that gives pregnant moms better rest!

Serta Perfect Balance crib mattress

Let me just say that I can hardly believe we’re giving away a crib mattress, but it’s true! The Serta Perfect Balance is the first environmentally friendly crib mattrees, and it’s the latest in sleep innovation. It’s distributed by LaJobi Industries, Inc, and available exclusively at Babies “R” Us. Made with organic cotton fill, the Serta Perfect Balance crib mattress cradles baby in a healthy, natural environment. Designed with comfort and durability in mind, the mattress features continuous heavy coils, flex mesh support and six-gauge border wire. A heavily laminated cover made without Phthalates protects from dust mites and bacteria, and there are eight air vents to keep the mattress fresh while providing a safe sleeping surface. The crib mattress also fits a toddler bed. Retail value $179.99!!!

And finally… my new very favoritest thing…

Summer Day & Night Color Flat Screen Video Monitor

The Day & Night Color Flat Screen Video Monitor from Summer Infant gives you superior picture quality and reception with 900 MHz technology. It allows parents to monitor baby anywhere from in the home and has a range of 400 feet. I was fortunate to receive one of these monitors for review, and let me tell you – it is wonderful. It is so nice to not only hear Sam, but be able to see him without going in his room and risk waking him up. It helps us to determine if he’s fussing around in his sleep, or if he’s awake and needs us to come in. One great feature is that you can turn the video part of it, while still having the audio on, so we don’t have to sleep with the “tv” on.. and yet, when the baby’s cries wake us up, we can see him with just the press of a button. It is a really great product.

So… can you believe that round-up? Woohoo!!! If you’re pregnant (or planning to get that way!) or just never want to have to buy a baby shower present again, this giveaway is for you!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post telling us which of the above products you’re most excited about. If you’d like an extra entry, tweat a link to the contest on Twitter, and then leave another comment on this post with the link to your tweat. The deadline for entry is Saturday, December 27 at 5:00 p.m. and the winner will be chosen by random.org.

Thanks and good luck!!!

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the great giveaway we’ve got going on at Mommin’ It Up – click here for details!

I have a bad habit of pumping while I’m driving home from work. Desperate times, people. So let’s just say that I was pretty excited to try out PumpEase hands-free pumping supports. After all, I need a hand for my cell phone. Kidding! (Ok, I do that sometimes.)

This picture explains the contraption much better than I could, so here you go:

Yes, that is a picture of me and my flat stomach. Of course it is!

Ok, I am lying about the picture but I am telling the truth when I say that this thing works! It is very easy to use, and it’s quick to put on (because all pumping moms need is another step to lengthen the pumping process). It really helps the cones to stay in place and I have found that it increases my output as well, I guess because everything’s where it’s supposed to be.

The PumpEase was created by a mom, and we all love to support mom-trepreneurs, right? Right! So click here and order one!

Let me tell you about my favorite thing ever. Ever. My very favorite thing. For real.

PJ’s Comfort breast pump.

It is amazing. AMAZING. I can hardly describe how wonderful it is. I am in love.

Ok, so maybe I’m going a little over the top, but this thing is seriously fantastic. It’s made by Limerick Inc, which is a company dedicated to nursing mothers. In addition to the wonderful pump, their Workplace Lactation Program is America’s leading corporate support plan for working mothers.

All of you companies out there, listen to this – a lactation program created by Limerick Inc. and using PJ’s pump would increase my job satisfaction immensely. I truly feel that programs like this would foster employee loyalty, retention and productivity.

Yes, productivity. PJ’s Comfort breast pump would increase productivity simply because it makes pumping so quick. It is an incredibly efficient pump. The first time I used it I pumped nearly 10 ounces in seven minutes. Seven minutes! I really can’t believe how well it works.

My trusty Medela Pump in Style and I are close personal friends. I used it for 11 months when I worked and pumped for Kate, and I have been using it in the six or so weeks I’ve been back to work this time. It’s a good, quality pump. It is.

But PJ’s is just better.

It’s an entirely different method of pumping – the action used to express the milk is very different than the method of the PIS. It doesn’t pull so much as press. That’s the best way I can describe it (although there is a video on their website that I’m sure is much more informative than I am!). So anyway, that means that I don’t have to fold up my nipples and put them back in my bra when I am finished pumping. Amazing!

It is so comfortable. I am not sore at all when I’m pumping or after I am done. It’s extremely lightweight (I’ve been carrying it around in my Vera Bradley tote all week!) and it’s extremely quick to set up.

The only cons that I can see to this fabulous product are these: First, a very minor complaint – the bottles are too small! They are only designed to hold four ounces each and the pump is so freaking awesome that I would love for them to hold twice that much. And secondly, the price. It starts at $525 and goes up from there, depending on the accessory pack that you want.

If you’re looking for the absolute best pump you can get – if insurance will cover it (or a portion of it), if your company will fork over the cash, or if money is no object – this is the one for you. And, in all seriousness, if I were going to pump exclusively, it would be worth it to me to invest in this pump. It is just.that.good.

In case you couldn’t tell, I love PJ’s Comfort Breast Pump. I hesitate to write this review only because I am going to be really, really sad when I have to pack it up and ship it back to the company.