At 18 weeks, Daisy is still exclusively breast fed so I jumped at the chance to review a new feeding pillow from the lovely Melissa at Thrupenny Bits.
I already had one but it wasn't anything special and was pretty big and bulky. Just one quick peek at this gorgeous website told me these were so much nicer – smaller, lighter and prettier, how could I resist?
I was even more amazed when it arrived. Its beautiful. Not something to hide away – it doesn't look out of place on the sofa or bed. The fabric is gorgeous, the colour vibrant and its perfect for this very girly Mummy. In fact after use as a feeding pillow it can be used as a bag – a very pretty one too…I can't wait to take the filling out and fill it with toddler things instead (not that I want her to grow up though).
* Please note if you want to get your hands on this particular style you will need to be quick as its a limited edition and there's not much material left.
The pillow very simply ties around your back meaning it stays securely in place and baby Daisy seems to like it. It positions her well, she never slips and she has even fallen asleep on it. Later as she gets stronger I could sit her propped up against it too, so lots of uses….oh and did I mention it turns into a bag? 🙂
The first time Daisy threw up on it I was most upset but it has washed up really well. Being quite a Sickly baby, it has now been washed several times yet still looks as good as new. I love it.
Here's a quick look at how Melissa came up with this fabulous idea:
MOTHERHOOD INSPIRED MY BUSINESS…
When embarking on the incredible journey of having my first baby, it was a given that I would breastfeed and the fact that it may pose problems was something that never entered my head. The breastfeeding workshop I was sent on didn’t mention it and neither did any of the midwives I saw.
After I had my first son, whether at home or out and about I seemed to be the most ungainly breast-feeder around. If I did need to go out, I was incapable of simply whipping out a breast when necessary and either had to carry several pillows around with me or express milk in advance. When you first have your baby it’s good to get out the house as often as possible and if you dread breastfeeding in public because you can’t manage without all the props you might need, you’ll be tearing your hair out, stressing about being stuck at home, how your life will never be the same and how you can’t wait to stop breastfeeding!
What I really wanted was some sort of transportable pillow or support, that could be used discreetly anywhere I might need to feed my baby. Something that didn’t scream “this is for breastfeeding!?”
Because I had to support my breast whilst breastfeeding with one hand and support the baby with the other arm a breastfeeding support was essential for me. The only issue I had was the fact that the breast feeding pillows already available seemed far too bulky to carry around and were severely lacking on the style front. They didn’t exactly blend in with the home decor either!
This is when I had my eureka moment and how I came up with Thrupenny Bits.
Necessity being the mother of invention certainly applied here. Designed with my own needs in mind, I could see my bag/pillow helping other style conscious mothers to breastfeed comfortably anywhere, which is why I decided to set up my own company, and begin the arduous road of launching a product and getting it out there, whilst supervising a cheeky toddler and having another baby, oh yes and did I mention my free-lance TV production job! Talk about not making it easy for one-self…
Having my pillows to use as soon as I started to breastfeed my second son made all the difference and I still use my outer Thrupenny Bits bag now when out with the kids 4 years on!
The fact that the cushion converts to a bag came by chance really. I realised that if I lined the outer bag and put pockets into the lining, it could in fact become a bag for continued use, another advantage not offered by my competitors.
Having had loads of fabulous reviews and e mails from customers thanking me, being shortlisted for a Mother and Baby Award and actually winning Gold at the Loved By Parents Awards this year I know that I must doing something right!
With that in mind now that both my sons are finally at school I’m determined to really drive this forwards properly and to help other Mums discover that having a Thrupenny Bits cushion could transform their breastfeeding experience, plus working from home means I can carry on doing all of the Mum stuff that my boys (even if they don’t realise it!) get the benefit of…
If you want to get one yourself or a fabulous pressie for a special new Mum (she will love you forever), enter the code SANTA at the checkout for a generous 15% Christmas discount.
Happy feeding.
Karen x
Please note, I was sent this beautiful feeding pillow for the purpose of review but all words and opinion are my own.