Some of our favorite ways to use the Nesting Pillow and Nest Egg

The following post was written by Code Name: Mama. Thank you ladies for sharing how much you love our Nesting Pillow!

I am in love with the Nesting Pillow from Blessed Nest. I received it in the second trimester of my pregnancy with Ailia, and it has been used nightly - and now daily - ever since. It's not only a phenomenal nursing pillow, it also provides wonderful support during pregnancy. I decided to share some of our favorite ways to use the Nesting Pillow and Nest Egg (the smaller pillow available from Blessed Nest). Be sure to visit Code Name: Mama and Natural Parent Network this Saturday, January 7 - we'll be opening up a giveaway so that you can win your own Nesting Pillow from Blessed Nest! Enjoy the pictures! And feel free to share your own favorite Nesting Pillow or Nest Egg positions in the comments.

17. Nursing Support (Cradle Hold)

Of course! Use this pillow the same way you'd use any nursing pillow, but this one is even better since you can reposition the pillow thanks to the insides full of buckwheat hulls. Read more at Blessed Nest's website.

Cradle Hold

16. Knee Relief and Back Support

Tuck the Nesting Pillow behind your back and put the Nest Egg in between your knees for support during pregnancy.

Knee support and back relief

15. Squatting Support

Practice your squats with the Nesting Pillow underneath your tush for support. Why squat? "Squatting stretches the calves of your legs so that getting into a good pushing position will be easier. . . . In contrast to lying on her back, a woman in a squatting position allows gravity to help move the baby through the birth canal." There are many more reasons to practice squatting every day - pregnant or not - read about them at Birthing Naturally, and find out how at Aligned and Well.

Squatting support

14.  Nap Time for Baby

We wedge the Nesting Pillow behind Ailia's back during her naps. Like Kieran, Ailia does not like to sleep on her back, she prefers to sleep on her side. This gives her support and lets us tilt her somewhat backwards while lying on her side.

Naptime for baby

13. Big Pillow

If you're stuck in bed with lots of pillows behind your head, use this one!

Big pillow

12. Massage Support

Prenatal massage is so relaxing, but you'll need plenty of support on either side of your growing belly. Check out Prenatal Massage Techniques for tips, and use the Nesting Pillow for support.

Massage Support

11. Knee Relief

Put the pillow squarely between your knees for back and leg relief.

knee and leg relief

10. Newborn Nursing

The Nesting Pillow is great to use with newborns, see instructions at the Blessed Nest Perch.

Newborn nursing

9. Yoga Help

There are several yoga positions you might appreciate some soft support for - this is a picture of me using the Nesting Pillow to help me in Child's Pose.

Yoga Help

8. Child Pillow- Nest Egg

The Nest Egg makes a perfect pillow for your little one!

Nest Egg Child Pillow

7. Front Support and Knee Relief

If you'd rather have support on your belly side, you can either use the Nesting Pillow between your knees and curve it up in front of your belly, or use the Nest Egg for your knees and the Nesting Pillow for your stomach.

Front Supporrt and Knee relief 

6. Naptime for Baby + Beanbag Prop

Reminder: Never leave a baby unattended with anything loose such as blankets or pillows until they are over the age of two.

When I was a baby, my mama had a frog beanbag that she would slowly set on my back in place of her hand as I drifted off to sleep. With Ailia, if we can manage to lay her on her side, we attempt to slip the Nest Egg against her belly so that she doesn't realize that we're not lying right next to her. Obviously we are careful not to put it near her face, and we're vigilant while she is sleeping that she does not pull it up.

Nap time for baby and bean bag prop

5. Hugs for a Sleeping Child

Give some back support to the big brother or sister by hugging them with the Nesting Pillow during naptime or nighttime.

Hugs for a sleeping child

4. Nursing (Football Hold)

The Nesting Pillow makes nursing in the football hold incredibly easy!

Footbal Hold

3. Arm Support for Older Sibling

Big brothers and sisters always want to hold baby, but they may need a little help. Use the Nesting Pillow as a way to prop up little arms so that baby heads are held up properly.

Arm support for older sibling

2. Co-Sleeping

Ailia, like Kieran, sleeps cuddled up on my chest. In order to keep her up there, I have to prop my arm on a pillow - the Nesting Pillow is ideal!

co-sleeping support

1. Awesome Baby Photo Prop

And my favorite way to use the Nesting Pillow? Well, it's my favorite way for posterity's sake anyway - use the pillow for super sweet baby pictures. Check out Miss Ailia when she was only a week old! How do you use your Nesting Pillow? _________________________ Dionna is a lawyer turned work at home mama of her amazing son, Kieran, and a beautiful new daughter, Ailia. You can normally find Dionna over at Code Name: Mama where she shares information, resources, and her thoughts on natural parenting and life with a little one.

YoBaby ~Mom knows best

We love companies who listen; companies that value the idea of true customer care. We're fans of YoBaby by Stonyfield Farms. Below is a recent release from the wonderful people at Stonyfield.

Moms Know Best -- YoBaby Meals Now ‘Just Right’
Parents asked for multipack for on-the-go nutrition in a new size

Londonderry, NH – January 26, 2010 – Organic yogurt maker Stonyfield Farm has followed moms’ advice and introduced its unique YoBaby 3-in-1 Meals in handy 4-ounce multipacks.

“We trust our moms, and while they love our new YoBaby Meals, they wanted these delicious, nutritious 3-in-1 meals a little smaller,” says Stonyfield Farm President and CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg. “The four-ounce size now means babies and toddlers can easily gobble up the entire cup, while the multipack format offers more convenience for moms on the go.”

YoBaby Meals’ combination of yogurt + fruit + veggie purée helps moms give their babies and toddlers a trio of important food groups at every meal.

Three delicious flavors -- Pear & Green Bean, Peach & Squash, Apple & Sweet Potato – are just right for baby’s growing appetite.

YoBaby Meals multipacks are available in natural food stores and select grocery nationwide. Suggested retail price is $2.99.

YoBaby Meals are part of the YoBaby line of organic yogurts available in a wide range of varieties and flavors, and now including Vitamin D and Zinc. They include YoBaby original, in six variety packs; YoBaby Plus Fruit & Cereal with DHA; YoBaby Plus Fruit & Cereal with Iron; YoBaby Simply Plain, "Baby's First Yogurt;” and YoBaby Drinkables. Visit www.yobabyyogurt.com to learn more. 

This is not a sponsored post..we just LOVE this company and want to spread the word and support what they are doing.

Love to the moon and back,

,

 

Posh Mama~Support & community for women

Posh Mama is a hip hang out for Haute Mama's! Posh mama's is a  exclusive community for women from all walks of life, all around he world! You don't have to be a Mama to be a Posh Mama!

I love that Holly and the other ladies over at Posh Mama's have created such a fun community. They are so supportive. Holly at Posh Mama's sent out a newsletter saying first come, first serve on free advertising for a year over at The Posh Avenue~a shopping resource! Blessed Nest made the cut and we are excited to be listed in Oh Mama, Gifts, & Trendy Baby!

Thank you ladies for supporting us and other women in business!

Love to the moon and back,

,

 

Blessed Nest Neighbor~ Anthony's Beehive

As you may know by now, we moved our production ( including Heather) to Lawrence,KS last year. Heather is loving it there and I get to visit every now and again! Lawrence is really wonderful. It's a lot country and enough city to make it just perfect. We are discovering more and more amazing businesses  located in and around this area daily. We are taking a day each week here on the perch to highlight the beauty in our own backyard.

Anthony's Beehive has over 200 hives located in Douglas, Franklin, and Leavenworth Counties in Kansas. What makes this business unique is that Anthony was born with developmental disabilities.

Heather and I love a good story. It was a child's dream which started Anthony's Beehive.com and parents who believed in his dream!

Their business philosophy is based on "exceptional service and belief in serving the community, whether it is providing education about bees, supporting other small businesses, or offering quality natural products from the "Heart of the Hive".  We could all take a lesson from Anthony's diligence, and from the bees that he watches intently as they harvest nectar from the flowers of Northeast Kansas."

Visit Anthony's Beehive.com to read the dream, vision and business philosophy which birthed from the heart of a little boy!

Love to the moon and back,

,

 

Toy Info.org~ All about safety

After the CPSIA craziness last year and all the toy recalls, it's wonderful to find a site that is totally focused on Toy safety! ToyInfo.org has all the information you need to choose the right toys for your family; and insure safe and fun play in your home. This site is all inclusive. Picture a visual library of resources about child safety including videos fee downloadable play guides including a guide on Intergenerational Play, recall and safety information, discussion boards and so much more!

Another interesting and helpful site....

The TOTYs are the "Oscars" of the toy industry … the "best of the best" as selected by industry experts Visit  this site to find out more about this season's most creative and innovative toys and games.

This site offers a free downloadable gift shopping list which parents and caregivers can take with them to the store to help guide them in selecting the most innovative and desirable toys this holiday season!

Visitors can register for one ( or more) of the 11 prize packages and can also vote for their favorite toys!

I took a look at the shopping list of favorite toys of the year. I have to say that there are a few on the list that are not on MY favorite list yet it's nice to see what other parents are saying and what they like.

Love to the moon and back,

,

 

Donna partners with Team Mom to review products/services made and or based in the USA or practicing fair trade. It's important to know what toys in the mainstream market place fit our high standards. At Blessed Nest we work hard to provide you with the best and we enjoy telling you about other companies who are doing the same~