{swank}review & giveaway: Peek Away Nursing Pillow

CONTEST CLOSED!  Congratulations to #5 Lee-Anne Gin.  Enjoy your Peek Away!

When I was nursing Lil J, nothing would stop me.  Not the time, place or location - as long as my little one was hungry, he would eat.  We were out and about a lot and I noticed that nursing him became very uncomfortable for me {my arms and back would get sore from holding him in a certain position}, and if Mommy was uncomfortable, I can only imagine how Lil J felt.  He took it with a grain of salt but I still felt bad for him.

Fast-forward to present day.  One of my sister-in-laws is currently nursing her 5 month old son and I noticed that she used a cute, stylish pillow with a matching nursing cover.  While inquiring where she got it from, she raved about it and said she doesn't even need a diaper bag anymore.  All of her essentials can fit into the pillow and she was able to use her regular purse for everything else.  Could this be true?  Would this little pillow wonder make diaper bags extinct?  While I can't really answer that question, what I do know is the Peek Away is a fantastic addition that I now incorporate into our everyday lives as a changing pad and diaper & wipes holder for Lil J.

Peek Away was founded by Natalie and Glen who know the benefits of nursing a newborn and strive to make lives easier for new and nursing mothers.  They incorporated a pillow in a variety of stunning designs, with a comfortable foam cushion for baby, and added a built-in wipes compartment and pocket to store diapers together with a matching nursing cover {my Peek Away holds up to four size 5 diapers comfortably - it may have the capacity to hold more diapers depending on the size}.  It's unique folding mechanism allows a 'pocket' to store any extra items {little toys, burp cloths, receiving blankets, Mommy's to-do list, etc.} and can double as a comfortable pillow for older siblings.  Check out Lil J enjoying the Peek Away:

I did find that it was somewhat difficult to get the wipes into the built-in dispenser, as you had to stuff it in through the lid.  This seemed to squish the wipes and prevent it from dispensing properly - when I tried to pull one wipe out, at least five would come out instead.  Perhaps I should have inserted a small amount of wipes at a time but I'm not sure if it would have made much of a difference.  I think a zippered opening of some sort would have helped so that I could slide the wipes into the dispenser without compromising the dispensing mechanism of the wipes.  Also, I believe the fabric is surface wash only.  I would have preferred to be able to throw it in the wash at my convenience, when needed {see below for Peek Away's improved version for Fall 2011!!}.

Since I've been using the Peek Away, I find myself not needing a diaper bag anymore {or a backpack, which Lil J has 'graduated' to}.  I just stuff his toys in my purse along with any other essentials, bring his lunch bag and keep the Peek Away in his stroller.  This makes for more room in my stroller basket for my shopping finds!  Here is what the Peek Away looks like when stuffed with diapers, wipes, and other items:

When unfolded, the Peek Away is still long enough to fit a toddler on it for diaper changes.

The change pad can be wiped clean and is filled with soft foam for comfortable diaper changes {Lil J now has the "time" to lay still during a diaper change.  Must be very comfortable!}, and the diapers and wipes are easily accessible, even when you have a fussy baby or toddler attempting to squirm out of a diaper change.  It takes two seconds to unfold and fold back up again, and I love the fact that Miss S can use the Peek Away as a comfy pillow for herself!

While I didn't get a chance to have my friend {who has a newborn} test out the nursing cover, I tried it on and compared it to my Hooter Hider and found that it worked just the same, if not better!  There is a "window", or built-in wire that you can adjust, so that you can see your baby while nursing and the cover itself is made with a generous amount of material that provides ample coverage so you don't feel like you're going to accidentally "expose" anyone.

I love my Peek Away and know that you will too!  Follow this link to find the closest store that carries the Peek Away or enter to win one in your choice of the four Summer 2011 patterns that Peek Away has to offer!

This Just In!

Peek Away has advised me that they launching a new design for Fall 2011, which will debut in mid-October.  It will be showcased at the ABC Kids Expo in Louisville, Kentucky on September 23 - 26, 2011.  The following are just a few of the updated features:

•  removable wipes case for ease of refilling wipes & washing of the pillow.  The new wipes case will still have a flip lid portion that will pop through the diaper pad, making it easy for accessing the wipes.
• a removable nursing strap on the nursing cover.  The nursing strap can be attached to the pillow, transforming it into a chic handbag / purse, or it can be wrapped around your waist while attached to the nursing pillow, making the pillow hands free in case you need both hands while nursing without the worry of the pillow slipping off your lap.
• more pockets for iPhones, keys, etc.
• washable foam which will increase the thickness of the pillow by 1 inch, making it more supportive than the current version.

Win It!! {$61.95 US Value}

  Please leave a comment below with your email for each entry.  If we cannot verify your email address, another winner will be chosen.  Winner will be picked via random.org.

MANDATORY 1ST ENTRY

Go to Peek Away's website and tell us what feature you like best about the Peek Away Travel Nursing Pillow Kit.

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You can enter this contest until August 26, 2011 at 9:00pm PST.  You must respond by email within 48 hours of being notified by us.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.  This giveaway is open to all US/Canadian residents over the age of 18 years old.


The views expressed in this review are my own and do not represent the opinions or views of Peek Away.  Note that {swank}mama does not accept responsibility for sponsors that do not fulfill their giveaway duties.