peekabooby! (a GIVEAWAY)

Why is it that a word like "booby" can stop a grown person in their tracks? And why is it that men and boys seem to like that word so much?

Several weeks back my husband and I were laying in bed on a Saturday morning and Levi (our 15-month-old) was bouncing around, climbing on top of us, and generally just being cute. We were practicing naming body parts (like eye, ear, and nose) when he pointed to my husband's chest.

"Booby!" Ryan exclaimed.

"Not so fast Ryan," I chimed right back. (I could just imagine our little son walking around pointing to people's chests and exclaiming "booby!"

"Can you please use another word?" I asked him. Ever since then Ryan has been calling them his "chest buttons" (inspired by the belly button). Classic. I'm not sure "chest button" is any better of a term, but whatever. Hopefully I can at least prevent my son from learning the word "booby" for a few more years.

Seriously. Men and boobies. Unbelievable.

But... speaking of boobies, I do want to introduce you to Peekabooby! breastfeeding covers:

I was given one of these by a good friend of mine when I was expecting and it turned out to be one of my staple baby items. I now buy them as baby shower gifts for nearly every expecting mom I know.

Here's a few things I like about them:

They are great for nursing in public. The neck strap helps to secure the cover in place. The gape at the neck allows you to "peek in" at your "boobies" to make sure everything is happening correctly and leaves you hands free to help your baby attach or position just right. You can fold it up into a very small square, which takes up minimal amount of space in your diaper bag or purse. You can throw it over the stroller to block out sunlight when baby is sleeping or you're on a walk. You can wear it around your neck when babe's snoozing on your chest in a baby carrier to block out sunlight and other stimuli. The come in very pretty fabrics.

And, they are hand-made by a small business owner in Colorado. (I love supporting women's small business!)

this is the one i have... "samurai" because i love all things asian.

In honor of the Memos birthday, we will be giving away two of these nursing covers. (Valued at $39.00 each.)

The first will be chosen randomly and the second will be chosen by Katie Pollock (owner of Peekabooby!) and I according to what we deem as the most creative, convincing, memorable, or funny comment.

There are several ways you can enter. Choose one or all of the following:

1. Minimum entry: Visit Peekabooby! and choose your favorite design, then tell us which one you'd choose in a comment here. It's that easy. No mandatory follow required. :)

Additional entries:

1. Follow the Memos through GFC or RSS or email subscription. (See links on the sidebar.)
2. “Like” the Memos on our new facebook fan page.
3. “Like” Peekabooby! on facebook. 
4. Blog about this give-away. (Make sure to leave me the link in a comment so I can visit.)
5. Tweet about this give-away, including @mommyhoodmemos and @peekabooby twitter handles and the link to this post up to once per day. (Make sure to leave a comment here telling me that you've tweeted to count as your entry.)

For each of the above entries, you MUST leave a separate comment. 

Giveaway extended to May 25, 2011. I will announce the winner the following week.

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. My own Peekabooby! nursing cover came as a gift from a friend. All opinions expressed are genuine and my own. 

Dear friends, I seriously love my Peekabooby! nursing cover. I know you will too.

good luck,


Important update 5/14: Due to the disruption of Blogger this past week, my original Peekabooby nursing cover giveaway post and your comments/entries have disappeared. To-date they have not reappeared. I'm so sorry for your inconvenience. Please enter again below.

Enter to win The Pregnancy Companion. 
Win it for yourself or to give as a gift to an expecting friend.
(Giveaway closes May 20, 2011.)

Yay! YOU get presents in honor of MY birthday!

Are you an expecting mama? Link up with

the Bloggin' Babes and Babies of 2011.

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
do not reproduce without written permission

follow-up to the "waning about weaning" post

For those of you that may have commented earlier on my post waning about weaning (when did you stop breastfeeding?) I wanted to encourage you to visit again and read all of the comments that have since come in. There is a gold mine of experience and wisdom there among the feedback.

And for those who have asked, I also wanted to give a quick update with regards to where we're up to in the mommy's milk verses cow's milk dilemma.

I've decided to continue to nurse Levi first thing in the morning and at bed time for the time being, but during the day he's now drinking cow's milk.

One day a few weeks back I just tried giving him diluted cow's milk in a sippy instead of nursing him when he woke up from his nap... and he hasn't asked for mommy's milk during the day since! We were really lucky to have a smooth and easy transition when I introduced cow's milk (which reassured me he was ready).

He loves his sippy cup milk... and he still loves his mommy's milk to start and finish the day, so it's working out great for us! I love the freedom of not nursing during the days, it's not seemed to effect my supply for the other feedings (which I was a bit concerned about), he's still getting the benefits of breast milk for the time being, and I continue have my brief (very brief) moments of stillness with him in my arms that would otherwise be impossible to get with my busy little go-er!

I feel like it's a win-win-win-win. Yup, an all around win.

The other factor in my equation is that I'm not keen on breastfeeding two babies at once. For moms who choose to nurse a toddler and an infant at the same time - good for you! I think that's great if that's your thing. Personally I think it's just too much for me as I already struggle to keep the pounds on as is. (Breastfeeding has caused me to revert back to my 16-year old body size which is underweight for my height and quite honestly makes me feel waify* and unhealthy!) I know the body is an amazing and adaptable thing, but I already feel stretched to my capacity just nursing one child. I don't want to attempt two, thankyouverymuch.

So... this is where we're up to and I'm very pleased with our arrangement for the time being. It's a balance that's working really well for all of us, and I feel it will lend itself to a natural progression of weaning the last two feeds when Levi and I are both ready.

Dear friends, thanks to each one of you who took the time to comment on the original "waning about weaning" post last month. You gave some great food for thought - on a lot of levels. I'm so grateful.

love,

* Waify - pretty sure I just made that word up. But you get it... right? ;)

P.S. We're camping at the moment, so if I don't respond to comments and emails right away... that's why. No phones or internet for me!

waning about weaning (when did you stop breastfeeding?)

I was one of the lucky ones.

Long before having Levi I had decided that I wanted to try breastfeeding. I had done a bit of reading about it and talked to a lot of other moms about their experiences. I would have considered myself pretty well-informed on the subject, and I was very well-prepared for the fact that it might be extremely difficult… and painful. 

Actually, I had heard so many horror stories that I thought there was no way around it.

I thought to myself, “If I can just make it through the first six weeks it will get easier and it will be so worth all of the pain and trouble.” I would prepare for the worst and then grit my teeth with sheer determination until it got easier. (I know, I know. You’re already snickering here… Classic first-time-mom response right?)

And then I gave birth… And tried breastfeeding… And from the first moment it was…

Easy.

Imagine my shock! 

Imagine my relief! 

Imagine my joy!

I know that my experience is not the “norm” unfortunately, but for me breastfeeding was as natural and easy as anyone could ever hope for. (And after my unexpected c-section, I think it was grace to me… I'm not sure if I could have emotionally handled breastfeeding dramas at that point in time.)

And aside from the standard clogged duct here and there (yeah, that’s painful!) it has continued to be easy and hassle-free up until this day.

My plan has always been to breastfeed until Levi is twelve months old so that I wouldn’t need to wean to formula and then over to cow’s milk. I figured that if I could make it to his first birthday then I could easily wean straight over to cow’s milk and that would be that. Easy peasy.

It is now 24 days until Levi's first birthday and I’m faced with decision-time. 

And--although I'm normally an incredibly decisive person--I find myself... waffling on this one.

Do I really want to wean? Is this the right time? If I do, will I regret it? If I don’t will I resent it?

I’ve loved the convenience and ease and experience of breastfeeding and there’s a small part of me that wants to hang on. (Oh, the simplicity when traveling and the unrivaled ability to quickly comfort a sick or teething baby!!!)

And yet there’s another part of me that is more than ready to say good-bye to sharing my body in that way (yes, I sometimes feel like it’s “milking time” at mama’s bar *moooooo*). And I’m also ready for the freedom of not being bound to feeding times. (I still nurse at wake-up and bedtime and 1-2 times during the day… and have never really gotten into the swing of pumping much.) And then there’s the wanting to have my hormonal balance back to normal… for many reasons.

I’ve read what the experts say – there’s really no ideal time to wean… other than when mom and bub are both ready (and when there’s no major changes or sickness happening).

So the question is, am I ready? Is Levi ready?

Never mind cultural norms. Never mind convenience. Never mind what I thought I “should” do. Never mind age or months or measured out food.

Are we ready? And if we are, then how long do I give us to go through the process? A week? A month? A couple of months?

I’m not expecting anyone to answer these questions for me. It’s our decision, it’s personal, and I’m more than comfortable with that.

But what I am wondering is how you experienced weaning? Did you lead? Did you let your baby lead? Was it a combination? What it for medical reasons or going back to work reasons or emotional reasons?

Did you just know when it was time?

Would you go back and do it differently if you could?

Dear friends, I’d love to hear your experiences with weaning? Did you waiver a little like me? Or was it a cut-and-dry decision for you?

waning just a little,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

10 tips and tricks for breastfeeding in public

my little peanut at about two weeks old

Ah, breastfeeding. I'm an advocate... but I don't have my head in the sand either. I realize that not every woman who desires to is able to breastfeed. There are many things that can factor into whether or not it will work like we hope for it to. And just like I'm a member of the Moms Who Give Birth Club, I'm also a member of the Moms Who Feed Their Babies Club. There's no judging here... as long as we're all feeding our babies.

But this post is for the breastfeeding chapter of the Moms Who Feed Their Babies Club... So if that's you, read on!

Does the thought of breastfeeding in public make you self-conscious?

If so, don’t worry, you are not alone! Many women deal with fears and anxieties related to the assumed perception of others’ opinions. It not only prevents them from feeding their sweet babes on-the-go, it robs them of their confidence to do what they desire.

But the reality is we eat out… So is there any reason bub shouldn’t be "allowed" to as well?

If you’ve been hesitant about breastfeeding in public (and you desire to), I hope these simple tips will help you find some confidence.

1. Be informed. In countries like the US and Australia, it is illegal to be discriminated against as a breastfeeding mom in public. (Unless of course you’re trying to do it in places like a bar or a taxi… but common sense and safety would prevent you from doing that anyway.)

2. Practice at home. Some mom-and-baby pairs struggle with latch more than others. There’s nothing wrong with that. Any mom knows that breastfeeding, as natural as it is, is a learned skill for both of you. Adding to that the art of arranging yourself “just right” in public the first few times can be tricky. The good news is that with some practice it can soon become second nature! When first starting out, practice a couple of times at home in "public mode" just as you would if people were watching. 

3. Wear something easy to nurse in. I like to wear nursing tank-tops (with built-in bras) under my clothes. This turns almost any top into a breastfeeding-friendly top. Just lift your outer shirt up and unhook the fastener of the nursing tank-top/bra. The undershirt can stay tucked in so that you don’t have to expose your boob or your belly, while just enough of your breast is free for bubs to latch onto.

4. Use a nursing cover or a blanket. Especially when you’re first beginning, try using a nursing cover. This gives you more freedom to fumble without flashing the world if you and bubs are still getting the hang of things. Once your baby is older he may not like to be covered, but while he’s tiny it won’t make a difference to him at all. My nursing cover helped me build lots of confidence my first few months.

5. Start in a non-threatening place. Don’t make your first attempt at nursing in public in a crowded mall food court or in the grandstands of a baseball game. Start with someplace quieter and less chaotic – a park bench or a mellow café or a “mothers room” in the mall. Once you get the hang of it, you can nurse in line at Disneyland. Until then, cut yourself some slack and start off someplace that’s low-stress.

6. Stay out of the toilet stall. You wouldn’t eat your lunch while sitting on a toilet, so why should your darling bub? Keep it clean, mama. If you feel you need more privacy than you can find, then try the backseat of your car. (Just make sure your car is parked someplace safe and well-lit.)

7. Take a deep breath and relax. Although there are still a few people “out there” that may not understand why you think it’s appropriate to nurse in public, know that they are the minority. (And yeah, I’m writing this with a specific audience in mind, knowing that in some cultures public breastfeeding would be totally inappropriate.)

8. If people stare at you, smile back. Don’t assume they are starting in disapproval. Instead, assume they are staring in admiration {grin} or even just curiosity. Smile and go about your business. You have nothing to be ashamed of and your confidence will deflect most—if not all—gawkers.

9. If you still get nervous, look at your baby. Nothing brings more peace than looking at your newborn baby while he nurses and seeing how happy and contented he is as you’re both doing what you were designed to do. (Zero in on his bliss and enjoy it while you can, because at five or so months he'll have the attention span of a nat while nursing... Dealing with this is a whole separate post!) 

10. Try using a sling. I loved when my babe was a newborn and could easily fit into my sling. Even if roaming the isles of Target with a friend or on an evening walk with my hubs, I could nurse on-the-go in my sling and no one would be the wiser. I think hammock-style slings work best for this, but other moms also nurse in wraps and front carriers. 

I hope these tips are helpful in instilling you with confidence! Breastfeeding is something to be proud of (if that's the choice you've made and your body allows) and it's a wonderful built-in companion for a mom and baby duo on-the-go! 

Dear mommy-friends, was is difficult for you to nurse in public? If so, and you overcame your nerves, what helped you the most? Can you think of anything I've not considered?

Have you registered your blog here yet?

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

i gots me some mama badges

Today I was reading of Melissa’s adventures in NYC on Dear Baby and how she has earned a new “badge for her sash” by changing her precious little pumpkin on her lap in a restaurant bathroom. It got me thinking about what badges I’ve earned in the last six months…

1.         The I-Can-Make-Dinner-While-Breast-Feeding Badge. It had been one of those days… and I was behind on absolutely everything, including making dinner for the friends that were about to come around. But when I pulled out “my breast friend” and a kitchen barstool, I found out that I do have the mommy-multi-tasking talent that I always dreamed of. {And I did it without burning down the house.}

2.           The I-Can-Go-To-The-Bathroom-With-An-Infant-Strapped-To-My-Chest Badge. When my son was seven weeks old I traveled from Australia to America without my husband to show Levi off to my family. (Hubs had to work.) I did my best to limit my fluids in transit and time my bathroom breaks just right, but when it takes you four flights to get from point A to point B over a 20+ hour period, there are some things you just can’t control. Rather than pass my little babe to a stranger—or pee my pants for that matter—I strapped him up on my chest in the Moby Wrap and did what I needed to do. {Also worth mentioning here is the I-Can-Manage-Shuttle-Busses-And-Check-In-And-Security-With-A-Diaper-Bag-Stroller-And-Large-Suitcase-By-Myself-Without-Waking-My-Baby Badge. I proudly earned that one too.}

3.           The I-Can-Live-Off-Of-Three-Hours-Of-Sleep Badge. Every mommy knows about this badge… but that doesn’t make it any easier to earn. I count myself among the proud who is still awake after a long time of being… awake.

4.           The I-Can-Drive-My-Manual-Car-With-One-Hand-While-Holding-A-Paci-In-My-Screaming-Baby’s-Mouth-With-The-Other-Hand Badge. Do you have this one? I bet you do. I’m told this one is a precursor to earning the I-Can-Drive-With-One-Hand-While-Breaking-Up-A-Fight-In-The-Backseat Badge. {We’re not there yet.}

5.           The I-Can-Interpret-Different-Colors-And-Textures-And-Consistencies-Of-Poo Badge. Black? Green? Yellow? Brown? Thin? Thick? I know what they mean and I’m a better mom for it. In fact, I would say that I am a poo expert.

6.           The-I-Can-Pull-A-Song-Out-Of-Nowhere-About-Anything-At-Any-Time Badge. Songs for bath time? Songs for diaper changes? Songs for owies? Songs for washing the dishes? Songs for sleepy time? I know ‘em all… because as of six months I became a very specialized songwriter.

7.           The I-Can-Beat-My-Baby-At-A-Wrestling-Match-I-Mean-Nail-Clipping-Session Badge. This one took some time to perfect, but I’ve found the perfect pin position now. {It should be noted here that this is the only time Levi gets bribed with the “secret weapon” aka the television. Works like a charm.}

8.           The I’ve-Learned-How-To-Pack-Way-More-In-The-Car-For-A-Family-Vacation-Than-I-Ever-Thought-Possible-Or-Necessary Badge. Weekend camping trip. Need I say more?

9.           The I-Pick-Other-Peoples-Noses-So-What Badge. This badge comes with immense satisfaction… because a crusty nose on a clean baby just doesn’t sit right with me.

10.      The Do-Ya-Wanna-See-My-Boobs-Cause-I-Just-Don’t-Care-Who-Does-Anymore Badge. Truth be told, my boobs just don’t feel much different than my fabulous ankles these days. I do try to keep the girls covered though… but that’s for your sake, not mine.

Dear Mommy-Friends, I think I've actually earned a few more... but I'm gonna cut it off at ten. What mama badges have you earned that you're most proud of?

Love us? Vote here!

these are a few of my favorite things {sweet, sweet baby}

Five months old. As tough an age as this is in some ways (can anyone say teething, developmental leaps, and nap time dramas?), this is by far the best age yet. SO. MUCH. FUN. 

Here are just a few of the reasons why:

1.            Pulling off for a moment while nursing just to look up at me and smile before continuing on with business as usual.
{OhMeltMyHeart.}

2.            Being able to toss baby in the air during playtime.
{WeeeItsSuperbaby!}

3.            Helping momma by putting his legs up in the air and lifting his bum while getting a diaper change.
{SoFreakingCute.}

4.            Toes in the mouth!
{EnoughSaid.}

5.            When being held by someone else in a crowded room… turning his head to make eye contact with me when he hears my voice.
{NewMommyGushing.}

6.            Uncontrollable baby giggles when I say anything with an excited expression and raised eyebrows.
{WhyHelloTherePoopyPants!}

7.            That look of wonder and awe when he watches mommy and daddy eating “big boy food.”
{PleaseLetMeHaveSomeNowMomma!}

8.            The “drunken sailor wobbling hula” when he practices standing up while holding onto my hands.
{DontGainYourBalanceTooQuicklyCauseMommasLovingThis.}

9.            Thirty-second 360’s on his tummy.
{WhenTheHeckDidYouGetSoFast?!}

10.        Screams of delight when being mildly (deliberately) startled.
{WhoKnewPeekabooCouldBeSoHilarious?}

11.        The frustrated arm-waiving when throwing a fit.
{FunnyExceptForThoseTimesWhenMommyIsSuperTiredAndOverIt.}

12.        Having his arms stretched out to me when he wants to be picked up.
{IsItWrongThatISometimesPutHimDownJustSoHeCanDoItAgain?}

13.        Head resting on my shoulder and super sweet cuddles when he first wakes up from naptime.
{GetsMeEveryTime.}

14.        The skin… oh, the skin.
{ICantStopTouchingYourChubbyLittleThighs.}

15.        That little baby sigh of relief and pleasure that comes about thirty seconds after nursing has begun.
{TooCuteForYourOwnGood.}

16.        The after-bath hair styles.
{ThankYouDaddy.}

17.        That priceless look of “I-just-accomplished-an-incredible-trick-did-you-see-that?” while making splashes in the bath and saturating daddy.
{YesSweetPeaMommysProudOfYou.}

18.        Being able to sing baby to sleep in five minutes tops if he’s crying in the car due to over-tiredness.
{IKnewIShouldHaveBeenARecordingArtist...ButWhyDoesntThisWorkAtBedtime?}

19.        You know those sneezes that start and then stop mid-sneeze? Baby’s getting those.
{LittleManIsSoFunny.}

20.          When babe sticks his thumb in his mouth while nursing... thinking more is better?
{YouKnowThatIKnowYoureDoneEatingWhenYouDoThatRightSon?}

21.          The paci is no longer for sucking and calming but for chewing and playing.
{SoothieTurnedTeether2For1Deal.}

22.           Those precious moments while nursing that babe reaches up to touch my face or to stroke my chest.

         {PleaseBurnTheseIntoMyMemoryForever.}

Dear mommy friends, I could have gone on and on with this list! Don’t we have so much to enjoy and be thankful for? What are your favorite things about your child at his/her current age?

P.S. For any of you following me that read Dear Nap Time, I've just gotta report back. Two days of perfect naps since then. Can't believe I'm doing this but... kudos to the postal system! That letter was received! {*grin*} I'll keep that in mind for next time.

Love us? Vote here!

clicking my way to be a better mom: the kelly mom (part 3 of 3)

Look at this sweet photo of my son and I, taken just a few hours after he was born. I was totally in love... And--like all first time mommas--I was at the beginning of a very steep learning curve!

As I said in part 1 (the baby whisperer) and part 2 (the babywise mom) of this series, I have used the internet tirelessly for help in knowing how to care for my precious baby, as well as how to understand the changes within my own body, both during pregnancy and in the first weeks post-partum. Not only have I found practical advice, but also lots of encouragement as I’ve begun to navigate the (often confusing) realm of mommyhood.

In light of that I wanted to share with you my top three favourite mommyhood resource sites at the moment. (If you missed my first two posts, you should read them as well: the Baby Whisperer message boards and the Chronicles of a Babywise Mom.)

And before I go on, I must say here that I realize parenting philosophies are so controversial! I had no idea how much so until becoming a mom for myself. (And this was hit home again on my last post in this series about the Babywise Mom where I only got two comments… and the rest in emails! Touchy subject… but I do sincerely appreciate the feedback! *smile*)

So yeah… parenting philosophies are all over the shop! Things like feeding schedules, demand feeding, sleep training, co-sleeping, cry-it-out… There is such a vast spectrum of opinion, and I think that’s great! My intention with these particular posts is not to debate which of them are better than the others - I've seen parents with hugely differing philosophies raise well-adjusted, happy, healthy kids and I'm of the firm belief that each family needs to decide what's best for them.

I personally believe you should do research on a bunch of different philosophies and then piece together what fits with your values, personality, circumstances, etc! I think you can find incredible truth and practical help from an array of angles. 

So, now that that's all "out there"... onto part 3 of clicking my way to be a better mom!

My third favourite resource site: The Kelly Mom.

The Kelly Mom is a site authored by a mom of three kids who follows the Attachment Parenting philosophy advocated by Dr. Sears. This is the best site I’ve found for information on the ins and outs of breastfeeding.

She has taken the time and researched all the information from the top organizations such as La Leche League, World Health Organization, American Paediatrics Association, etc. and has written on everything you can possibly imagine in relation to breast-feeding.

Although I wouldn’t call myself an AP-er (if we want to get into labelling our parenting *eck*), I do love this website. (And besides, I think that term is crazy… because what parent doesn’t want to be “attached” with their child!) Anyway, back to my review on the Kelly Mom site! 

First of all, it’s clear, easy to navigate, very professional, and (from what I can tell) sound in its documentation. In addition to all things surrounding breast feeding, Kelly Mom also writes on other parenting and life-with-baby topics. But since I haven’t read much of those other areas in her site I will limit my comments to the information on breastfeeding.

The Kelly Mom’s articles on breast feeding are wonderful! I’ve used her site for finding advice on things such as getting rid of a plugged duct, tips on pumping, identifying foods to eat for increasing supply, what to do when baby fusses at the breast, how to handle a distracted eater, introducing bottle-feeding, and many other breastfeeding topics.

If you’re a breastfeeding mom, I would highly recommend that you bookmark Kelly Mom as a resource go-to!

In closing this series (for now at least!), I hope you’ve found some helpful resources, and that we can keep sharing information that’s mutually beneficial.

I’m sure as my son gets older I will find other sites that are age-appropriate on things like discipline, creative play and learning activities, etc., but for now these are my top three visits on the world wide web for practical help in caring for my baby:

• The Baby Whisperer Message Boards (See that review here.)
• The Chronicles of a Babywise Mom (See that review here.)
• The Kelly Mom

Dear mommy-friends, what are your favourite online resources that have helped you care for your little one(s)?

Love us? Vote here!

baby faves: peekabooby nursing cover

I love to play peekabooby!

Ok, not really… But I do love my Peekabooby nursing cover!

Let me explain.

Early on in my pregnancy I emailed a bunch of my trusty mommy-friends to ask them what products they thought were “must haves”. There are a bazillion things out there to grab your attention. You know the ones? They’re either too handy, too cute, too time-saving, or too perfect to pass up. And yet, I didn’t want to be suckered in by the allure of this whole new world of spending opportunities. Add to that the fact that my husband and I both work as full-time volunteers for a non-profit organization and so you can appreciate that I’m always looking to make my pennies count! (Not that we have pennies in Australia!)

But yes, I sent out my email soliciting advice, and within minutes my inbox was beginning to fill up. I loved my quick responses from these wonder-mommies! (I’ve since learned that moms LOVE swapping tips – so fun!)

Several of my American friends recommended breast-feeding covers. Now, being in Australia I had never seen these. (They are just starting to catch on here – I’ve seen them sold in one store and have yet to see anyone else in public using one.) When my friends described them to me I immediately thought “gimmick!” I wondered what could possibly be so great about a piece of fabric specially designed to cover up my boobs from accidental public exposure. (I mean, isn’t that what receiving blankets are for?!) I reasoned that surely this wasn’t something I needed to be spending money on.

My friends not only disagreed, but two of them sent me covers before I even knew what hit me.

And now let me just publicly say I was wrong!

I looooooove my Peekabooby Fashion nursing cover in particular! It never falls off, I can keep an eye on my little one to make sure he isn’t falling asleep, and I don’t have to worry about flashing unsuspecting Sunday strollers (until my babe gets a bit older and wants to lift it up himself I suppose!). Oh yeah, and let’s not forget they come in such cute and stylish fabrics. (Being obsessed with all things Asian, I absolutely adore my "Samurai" model - here it is pictured below!)

I also use the cover to slip over the pram (stroller) as an extra sunshield, as well as to hang around my neck and cover over bubs when he's in my front carrier. It both blocks out the sun as well as cuts back on visual stimulation when I'm trying to get him to sleep (and I still get my little peek-hole to keep an eye on him and admire him as he snoozes, which I love).

And one other thing, it gives me a great conversation-starter with other Aussie mums when they stare with wonder at my clever American-made mommy's-helper. :)

So yes, I stand corrected! This is no gimmick.

I not only love my nursing cover but have now recommended them to several friends – both mommies that have bubs older than mine (oooooh, can I really give advice to more experienced mums?!) and also to my friends who are glowing moms-to-be. In fact, I recently purchased four of these during a Baby Steals sale to have on hand as gifts. (Unfortunately it was another brand... but a deal too good to pass up.)

I am now a nursing cover evangelist – buy one of these and it will save your [breast-feeding] life! (grin.)

Yes, I love my Peekabooby... and I don't leave home without it.