Twitter has changed my life in so many ways for the better.  I can’t tell you how many amazing women I have met by being involved with the many interests in my life.  #breastfeeding or #bfing folks on Twitter have also played a huge role in my nursing experience.  When I was lamenting about finding a good fitting nursing bra Judy, owner of A Mother’s Boutique and Nursing Bra Expert, chimed in to help.  She wasn’t out to “sell” me on anything, or even her store.  I could tell that more than anything she wanted me to find the bra that worked for me.  She offered her opinion on a few, and based on her recommendations I chose a brand to try.  Ever since I have always suggested her store to my friends and have shopped there myself.  She really knows her stuff and she carries a huge selection of nursing bras.  In fact, she has the best selection of bras for the “bustier” crowd than any other store I have come across.

She is a cheerleader too! Judy loves breastfeeding and watching mothers hit milestones with their babies.  She nursed her own son for quite a while.

When Judy wrote to me and asked if I would be interested in hosting a “Virtual” Bra Fitting on my blog I didn’t hesitate.  ”YES!”  I was wearing the wrong size before I was virtually fitted, and I can bet that most of you are as well.

At A Mother’s Boutique you can find a few DDL favorites. Pumping mamas can find the Pumpease, an amazing bra that lets you pump hands free.  Ginni reviewed this bra for us and said it changed her life!  I wear a Glamourmom tank and love the easy, one handed access and the excellent support it provides.  Bamboobies are another fav here; they provide nursing mothers with super soft bamboo reusable breast pads backed with a waterproof layer to keep those letdowns from showing on your top!  And before writing this I had no idea they carry one of my favorite ring sling brands, Maya Wrap! I lurve my Maya Sling and it is very affordable too!

Here is what is being given away, and I hope you are as excited as I am!

Winner #1 will get a free nursing bra (up to a $55 value)
Winner #2 will get a free nursing bra (up to a $30 value)
Winner #3 will get a free nursing bra (up to a $25 value)
Winner #4 will get a free nursing bra (up to a $15 value)
Winner #5 will get a free nursing bra (up to a $15 value)

Judy will help each winner be fitted and I guarantee she will help you find the right size!  She is the booby whisperer!  A Mother’s Boutique has a gazzilion nursing bra brands, ranging from Fully Supportive to Sexy!  Yeah, you heard correctly, there ARE sexy nursing bras you just have to know where to look!

So let A Mother’s Boutique help you find the perfect nursing bra!

I am simplifying all of my giveaways for this week.

Mandatory Entry:

(1 Entry) Visit A Mother’s Boutique and browse the extensive selection of nursing apparel, bras, and other goodies for lactating mamas!  Come back and tell me which nursing bra you would choose if you won!  Leave an email for me to reach you or sign in to leave your comment.

Not Mandatory, but encouraged entry

(1 Entry) We would also love for you to “like” A Mother’s Boutique on Facebook and say “Hi!” on the wall!  Their Facebook page is a wonderful place to be.  Amy, a CLC, and Judy, the Booby Whisperer, are there to help with your breastfeeding and nursingwear questions.

Extra Entries:

(1 Entry) Do any of these: Follow @KimRosas on Twitter, follow @MommyNews on Twitter, “Like” Dirty Diaper Laundry on Facebook.   Let me know that you did.  You can only do one, or do all.  Tell me which one(s) you did as well.

(1 Entry) Do any of these: Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, Subscribe to my Monthly Newsletter, Subscribe to Mommy News Blog by email, Subscribe to my blog by email, subscribe to the A Mother’s Boutique newsletter.  Let me know you did at least one, but hopefully you will choose a few more ways to show you care!  Leave it as a comment.

(1 Entry) Tweet about this giveaway and reply to @KimRosas and @MommyNews and link it. You can tweet one time a day until the contest ends.

The fine print: Open to US and Canadian Residents.  If you have won something from A Mother’s Boutique in the last 6 months you are not eligible, sorry!  I use “and the winner is…” to randomly draw winners.  Giveaway is open until April 30.  Prizes will be drawn and given in order: First draw gets prize #1, second #2, etc.  I am an affiliate of A Mother’s Boutique and some links provided are affiliates.

This review and giveaway is part of the New Baby Event Part 2!

It is absolutely no secret that Bravado is my favorite nursing bra company.  I have become an unofficial evangelist to my readers (you guys) and anyone else I meet in person or online looking for advice on a great nursing bra.  In fact, I recently wrote about my quest to find my perfect nursing bra and how many crummy ones I bought before meeting Bravado.  I also took a belly photo every week wearing a bra and bottoms.  It turns out that I am wearing a Bravado bra in every single photo (and the tank top in my 41 weeker!)  You can view my “ad” for Bravado bras here. It seems I have reviewed almost every bra they make, and they are all fabulous, but my favorite is the Bliss.

Up until recently I had never had the pleasure of trying their Essential Nursing Bra Tank. Recently though, Melissa from Bravado was kind enough to send one for me to review.  Having a newborn means nursing very frequently.  It also means you need easy access and full coverage at home and on the go. A good nursing tank is truly an essential for a new mother!!!

What you’ll love about the Essential Nursing Bra Tank:

• Proprietary design gives you a full support (molded) bra on the inside, a beautiful shape and cottony comfort, all in one!
• Perfect to wear every day as you are out and about, around the house, going to yoga class, lounging or as sleepwear.
• Imagine…you’ll look terrific, feel great and it is easy to nurse in public because it provides tummy coverage where you need it.
• Fabric gently stretches while retaining its shape after washing. A two for one value because it is easy to find your tank size while pregnant and then continue to wear it after birth
• Soft, high-quality cotton/spandex outer fabric isn’t see through, even in white
• Cups drop down and away from your body, giving baby complete access and providing you and your baby with skin-to-skin contact
• Discrete nursing clips allow full breastfeeding access and only you will know this is a nursing tank
• Long length gives you a beautiful and flattering shape that’s fitted but not clingy, with a great hip length

What makes the Bravado Essential Nursing tank better than the other nursing tank tops I have tried:

No uniboob! Virtually every other tank top I have tried smooshes my girls together to creat one boob.  Not flattering.

Support! While I am not as well endowed as others, I have D cups so I do need a fair amount of support.  This tank keeps them where they belong, above my belly button and then some!

Quality! Bravado products are made extremely well and it shows.  I have no problems wearing this tank top with an open sweater or jacket.  It is visible but doesn’t scream “hey I am a nursing bra!”

Discretion! The nursing clips are discreet and flat.  No one can tell they are there unless you point them out.

Wearing the Essential Tank while in labor

I started wearing this tank top while I was pregnant, probably around 38 weeks when it came in the mail.  It stretched to fit over my belly.  It was so comfortable I chose to put it on while I was in labor after I got out of the shower!  I labored in it for a couple of hours before I got into the birth tub.  (You can see me “modeling” the Essential Tank in photos featured in my homebirth video)

Since giving birth I have worn the Bravado nursing tank over 2 dozen times at least!  Every time I do laundry I make sure this is included.  It usually gets grabbed out of the dryer or basket to be worn right away.

I prefer this tank top for daytime use.  The discreet nursing clips are a little harder to maneuver at night because they twist in rather then a straight pull on clip.  This allows the clips to be completely flat so wearing the tank top out and about is possible without telling the world you are in a nursing top.  I would rather wear a traditional style nursing tank top at night, or another easy to nurse in top.

My favorite time to wear the Bravado nursing tank has to be when I am babywearing.  I pair the tank top with an open over shirt or a button down sweater, something that leaves my tank top exposed at the top.  While wearing my son I can undo the clips and latch him on easily.  The tank top is also pretty slimming and flattering so that doesn’t hurt!

Another reason I love this tank top is that it is a V neck.  Most nursing tank tops I have seen are scoop neck and not as flattering for my bust.  This also has ruching in the center.

And lastly, Bravado Nursing Tanks come in more colors than you can find with other brands.  Besides the wardrobe staples of black and white, there is chocolate, purple, pink, teal, and green.  I chose the chocolate.  It has matched so many of my tops!

I can’t stress this enough: when it comes to nursing attire, spend the money the first time on a product that works!  I promise, if you buy the Essential Nursing Bra Tank you will wear it twice a week or more for the entirety of your nursing career.  And if you are like me, you are in it for the long haul.  49.00 is nothing for 1-2 years of comfort and quality.  Plus, you can continue wearing if long after nursing thanks to the discreet clips.  If you are having more kids, it is an even better investment piece for your wardrobe.

Bravado always has amazing sweepstakes going on.  Click the image to enter!

Bravado Designs is also sponsoring a giveaway for an Essential Nursing Tank for one lucky DDL Reader!

Mandatory Entry:

(1 entry) Visit Bravadodesigns.com. Take a look around their new website and/or blog.  Tell me an interesting fact or tidbit (can be from either) and leave it as a comment.

For extra entries do any or all of the following.  Leave a comment for each you do.

(1 entry) Follow @KimRosas on twitter and tweet this giveaway. Please tweet, “Every new mom needs an Essential Nursing Bra Tank from @bravadodesigns.  Enter to win from @KimRosas. http://et9n3.th8.us Ends Dec 7.” Leave a comment with a link to your status.

You can tweet once a day for the duration of the contest. Leave a comment with your status for each tweet. 1 entry per day.

(1 Entry) Follow on @Bravadodesigns Twitter. Leave a comment.

(1 Entry) Sign up for the Bravado Newsletter. Leave a comment.

(1 entry) Subscribe to my blog via email through feedburner. Leave a comment.

(1 entry) Follow me through Google Friend Connect or via a reader. Leave a comment.

(1 entry) Grab my button and post it on your blog. Leave a comment.

(2 entries) Blog about this giveaway and link to it. Post a link in the comment.

(2 entries) Get Creative: Post about this giveaway on a messageboard or forum. Leave a comment with a link.

(1 Entry) Click “Share this” and share this giveaway on your Facebook page. Leave a comment.

(1 Entry) “Like” Dirty Diaper Laundry on Facebook.  Leave a comment.

(1 Entry) Go to Dirty Diaper Laundry on Facebook and start a discussion or reply to a discussion.  Tell me what you did. Just leave your comment

(1 Entry) Subscribe to my YouTube Channel. Leave a comment.

An Essential Nursing Bra Tank Top was sent for the purposes of this review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are 100% my own and genuine.  Seriously!  Giveaway ends on Dec 7. Winner will be chosen using random.org. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn. *Open to US and Canada*

Picture it: Syracuse NY, 2008.  The snow is falling and I have a brand new infant in my home who is nursing non stop.  I also only own 1 nursing tank and no nursing bras.  So my husband and I venture out to Walmart in search of an emergency bra and other supplies while my sister watches my son.  It was my first time leaving him (for less than 1 hour, but still) and it was all for a bra.  The store was lacking in nursing bras, but what was I expecting?  I bought another nursing tank and one hideous grey nursing bra in a size that apparently was not mine.  I thought it was though.

Repeat this scenario another 9 times (minus the snow and Walmart) and you see what I am getting at.  I was constantly on the lookout for the perfect nursing bra.  I shopped at Target, A Pea in the Pod, and other department stores.  I tried buying one online.  The sizes varied.  I originally believed I was a 36 C.  I tried others on that “felt” right at the time.  I have other bras in various sizes, going up to 38 D.

While cleaning out my dresser I kept coming across nursing bras from days of yore.  I was shaking my head at the money I wasted and the torture I had put myself through.

My main problem with most of the bra’s I had purchased was cup spillage.  I have never considered myself to have a large chest.  In high school I was a 34 A.  In college I graduated to a 34 B, and by the time I graduated I was a 36 C.  This was probably due to weight gain.  While pregnant with my first son I did notice growth.  After my milk came in things were looking quite a bit larger!  I had no clue what I was, and my choice in bras showed it.

A nursing mother NEEDS a nursing bra.  I refuse to wrangle my breast out of a sports bra and stretch it out, or live in nursing tank tops.  Having graduated to larger boobs meant the nursing tanks left me mostly unsupported and looking like I had one boob, not two.

The retired bras

This is my nursing bra history:

First purchase: Hideous grey sports bra/underwire hybrid thing with removeable wires.  I removed them.  The band underneath was too wide.  While I had no cup spillage, this thing couldn’t turn on a man who had spent his last 20 years in jail.  The straps had padding…… hello?

Next: Pull over style bra from Target.  Clearanced for 5.00.  Probably one size too small, but it was on sale!  Not the worst bra in the world, but decent for sleeping.  Not enough support.  Also, somehow weird tiny balls wound up in between the fabric.  Made it unwearable since you could see those in tight shirts.

Then I went to Target again and found another underwire nursing bra in cotton.  There were tiny rhinestones where the underwire clipped in, and I removed those, leaving weird rhinestone things.  My cups runneth over in these.  I believe it was a 36 C also.  Because nursing gave me larger than average nipples, those were visible in whenever my boobs wanted to pop out.  I am sure I areola slipped some folks as I bent over.

Next came a weird one piece bra in white with lace at the top.  I have no clue where I got it.  No support whatsoever, and also hideous.

In Texas I went to a Maternity store.  My Mother in Law believed I was near the end of my nursing days at this time and questioned why I would want to look at nursing tops and bras.  Little did she know……  I found what I believed to be an awesome bra.  It was quite pricey, it seemed to fit great, and it was beige.  Not gorgeous…..  not ugly.  Just beige.  The fabric felt nice.  I also found a SEXY Elle Macphereson nursing bra in black lace.   This was the prettiest nursing bra I had ever seen.  They only had one, it was on clearance, and I wanted it.  It was SNUG but I was going to make it work.  In the end neither of these worked out for long.  I had cup spillage in the Pea in the Pod beige bra, same for the Elle Macphereson.  Lesson: fitting rooms lie and never buy something on clearance that you think you can make work.  No matter how awesome.  Boobs don’t shrink.

Finally, I bought 2 bras online.  What possesed me to do this?  I still had no clue what size I was.  But they were a great deal…..  The beige lace one I bought was a 38 D.  By now I assumed my cup spillage was due to the cup being too small.  And I figured 34/36/38, what is the big deal about those numbers?  So Wrong!  While D was correct, getting a 38 was a mistake.  This bra made my boobs push so far apart I could fit a basketball in between them!  I wore it once.  The other beige one also gave me cup spillage.

Then Twitter saved me.  I discovered a brand called Bravado. I worked with a Bravado rep who had me size myself, correctly.  She helped me determine that I was a 32 D.  I never would have guessed it.  I had lost a ton of weight after my son (almost 50 pounds).  Still, 32?  and D?  I had been stuffing myself into C’s or wearing 36′s that were too big for my back.  They sent a bra for me to review.  I fell in love.  I finally knew what proper support and coverage felt like.  We established a working relationship and since then I have reviewed several of their bras.  While I did end up growing back up to a 34 and had to retire my 32′s until I lose my baby weight, I have been living in the one 34 D Bravado bra that I own.  Even though I didn’t pay for these bras since they were sent for review, I would.  Over and over.  And I did actually buy more (in 32, so I can’t wear them right now!).  And, if I never lose enough weight to get back in my 32′s I will buy more 34 D’s by Bravado because these bras are amazing.

So why am I telling you this?

I spent about 125.00 on all of those bras, give or take. I could easily have purchased 3 great bras for the same amount.  3 bras is plenty, trust me.  I am wearing one bra every day of the week.  I am only not wearing it while it is being washed.  Then it goes right back on.  I am a deal seeker.  I love saving money.  It took me 10 bras to learn that discount and sale nursing bras suck.  From now on I will spend the money on a good bra when I need one, nursing or not.  The other lesson is that bra fittings are worth it.  Mine was done by my husband using online instructions, and interpreted by a Bravado rep.  You don’t need to go to a department store and have a questionable older lady measuring your boobs!

I was not asked to write this post nor was I paid to.  I just love Bravado!  Full disclosure: in the past I have received free bras for review.

After reviewing a few of Bravado’s nursing bras, I was wondering if they could get any better.  I had great experiences with all of them.  Then the new Bravado Bliss came in my mailbox.  I can’t say it was love at first sight because I was doubtful it would fit.  it looked larger than my other bras and thought I was either sent the wrong size, or I would need a smaller one in this bra.

Turns out I am just not used to seeing a molded cup Bravado Bra.  I tried it on and it fit like a dream!  While the Bliss is not as “sexy” and lacy as the Sublime or Allure, it is practical for under t shirts.  The lines and cups are silky smooth and leave no bra imprints under your shirt.  I tend to wear plain cotton t shirts a lot so this was a wonderful addition to my nursing wardrobe.

In fact, I chose a jersey, low cut dress for Easter.  I wore the Bliss underneath and not only did my boobs look way too hot for Easter thanks to the cleavage, but you couldn’t see any bra lines underneath the dress.  Once again, I wonder how I ever lived without it.

Comfort wise, this bra fits perfectly.  No digging straps or digging in the back, and the cups are fully supportive.  Like I said, it isn’t like sexy lingerie but that doesn’t matter because you need the full support bras in your life too, not just the pretty ones!

I would actually say that if one were to purchase any of the Bravado bras I have reviewed so far as a staple of their wardrobe, it would be Bliss.  It is functional, comfortable, and still prettier than most other nursing bras out there.  You can wear it under almost anything!

More about Bliss:

The Bliss Nursing Bra provides elegant shape and exceptional fit for everyday use with Bravado’s proprietary Flexi-Fit^TM support channel. Featuring smooth, seamless and molded foam cups for discretion and comfort, a low neckline, and a luxurious satiny finish, Bliss disappears under clothing so all they see is your beautiful silhouette, and all you feel is blissfully comfortable and totally fabulous!

Features

•	An innovative firm, but flexible under-breast Flexi-FitTM support system that offers remarkable shape and lift, while maintaing comfort and good breast health.
•	Foam cups that are also seamless, offering discretion to hide nipples and breast pads, as well as having a seamless appearance under even fitted clothing.
•	Satiny fabric that clothing just glides over, a delicate center front detail, and embroidered straps that offer subtle, yet stunning design elements.
•	Gentle stretch in the cups to grow and contract with your changing shape, while maintaining support.
•	Easy nursing features, including cups that drop fully and easily away from the breast for skin-to-skin contact with baby, and signature Bravado B-clips that lie flat under clothing and provide one-handed access.

Bravado is going to give one very lucky DDL reader a Bliss Nursing Bra.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Bravado and tell me which color of the Bliss you prefer. Leave a comment.

For extra entries do any or all of the following.  Leave a comment for each you do.

Follow @KimRosas on twitter and tweet this giveaway. Please tweet, “Treat yourself with Bravado Bliss, seamless nursing bra.  Enter to win from @KimRosas. http://etdsy.th8.us #breastfeeding Ends 5/10″ Leave a comment with a link to your status.

You can tweet once a day for the duration of the contest. Leave a comment with your status for each tweet.

Follow @Bravadodesigns on Twitter. Leave a comment.

Subscribe to my blog via email through feedburner. Leave a comment.

Follow me through Google Friend Connect or via a reader. Leave a comment.

Grab my button and post it on your blog. Leave a comment.

Blog about this giveaway and link to the review. Post a link in the comment.

Get Creative: Post about this giveaway on a messageboard or forum. Leave a comment with a link.

New Entry: Become a fan of Dirty Diaper Laundry on Facebook and get 3 extra entries! Just leave your comment as FB entry 1, FB 2, and FB 3.

Giveaway ends on May 10. Winner will be chosen using random.org. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.

***Open to US and Canada***

Easy Expressions™ is a mom founded product by Gretchen Penny who created this hands free pumping bra to help her efficiently pump at work and allow her to multi task. Pumping can be a complicated process, especially for working mothers who absolutely need to pump both sides at once. You are either stuck holding to flanges for 20 minutes, or you can use the hair tie method. Neither of these are stable or allow your hands true freedom. I am always amazed by the mothers who work full time and pump to nourish their babies. I am lucky to able to stay home with my son so I cannot relate to having to pump at work. I will say that I admire pumping and working mommies the most because they work so hard to balance work and babies and keeping up their supply. This product is for them. I asked Katrina, a friend of mine who happens to work full time and pump, to review this bra. Here is her review:

I am a full time working and breastfeeding mom, to my nine month old son; I breastfeed when I am at home and he gets 2-3 bottles of expressed breast milk while I am away each day.

When I was offered the opportunity to try out the EasyExpressions™ Hands Free Pumping Bra I was very excited, I need to pump three times each day when I am at work and I try to add a fourth session in the evenings to add extra milk to my freezer. As you can imagine sometimes I get a little sick of looking at my pump, and holding the bottles and the whole ordeal.

I selected the Bustier version because it seemed it would be easier to put on and take off, and I chose a size Medium as I currently fluctuate between a 34 B and C bra size.

When I received the Bra I couldn’t help but to giggle, because it does look quite comical and a little scary.

My hopes for the bra would be that it was comfortable and convenient to use, ultimately it needed to work well enough for a new mom to make the purchase.

I was very impressed with the quality of the material and construction on the bra, and the cotton and Lycra blend was comfortable on my skin. The elastic around the bottom of the bra is very similar to that of a sports bra without leaving indentations in my skin.

When I zipped up the bra I was a little worried that my nipples did not line up perfectly with the holes in the bra, but it was not an issue at all. I was able to easily slide the breast flanges from my Lansinoh double electric pump into the holes and pump, HANDS FREE!

Hands Free and able to enjoy time with her son.

The first few times I used the bra I felt like I should still support the bottles because I would never want to risk spilling any “liquid gold” aka breast milk, but I soon realized that the bra supported the flanges perfectly and I did not need to worry.

The holes in the bra makes it a little difficult to wear as your full time bra, especially in a work environment, but you could always slide a nursing pad inside to cover the hole and wear loose fitting clothing if you did not want to carry it as an extra bra. I found that I did not need to take my regular nursing bra entirely off to use the Easy Expression Bustier, I could simply take the straps off my shoulders and attach the bustier over the top.

My favorite experience with the EasyExpressions™ was being able to nurse my son on one side and pump the other without struggling to hold onto him and a pump flange and that I could now pump while playing with him too. In my opinion the Hands Free Pumping Bra is an absolute must for any exclusively pumping mom.

After using the bra for a few weeks I am pleased that it has held up well being washed and look forward to continue using the product.

The only improvement I could see eventually being needed is a heavier duty zipper, the current one is still working for me but it is a thinner zipper that may be problematic with frequent use.

Overall my experience with the EasyExpressions™ Bustier was a very positive one, and I will recommend their products to other pumping mothers.

EasyExpressions™ offers a Bustier ($34USD) and a Halter ($19USD) version that

• Work with all breast pump brands
• Accommodate bra sizes 30AA – 48H
• Made in the USA

Easy Expressions™ has some handy tips for pumping mothers as well.

1.

Practice Pumping. Begin pumping a few weeks prior to returning to work so you can build up your milk supply and get the hang of pumping.

2. Talk to the Boss. Moms returning to work should consult with their bosses prior to their first day back and discuss what quiet and private space (with a door lock) will be a dedicated “lactating” room.

3. Get the Right Tools. A working mom will need to have the right tools in place if she is going to find success in pumping while at work.

Suggested tools include:

• A Good Pump: Working moms need a good, electronic double breast pump so they can quickly pump and return to work.
  

• Hands-Free Pumping Bra. The hands-free pumping bra was invented by a working mom in Houston. It holds the breast pump shields in place, freeing a mom’s hands so she can continue to work and be productive while she simultaneously pumps. It is a lifesaver to many working and busy moms!
  

• Storage Container: Moms should get a roomy cooler to discreetly store breast milk. The cooler should be stored in a fridge at work and it should include plenty of ice packs for on-the-go transporting.
  

• Extra Shirt: Working moms should keep an extra change of clothes at work in case breast milk gets on their work clothes.
  

• Pictures from Home: Moms should also bring along pictures of their babies. Experts say looking at pictures of their baby can aid in milk production and let-down

Giveaway is closed.
Read the full story