Medela Tender Care Hydrogel Pads and Lanolin (Review & Giveaway)

As you probably know if you've been around this blog for a while, I am very much a breastfeeding advocate. I nursed Katie until she was 16 months (when she self-weaned), and Benjamin hasn't had a drop of anything in his little belly besides his mama's milk. As I've said before, I do understand there are some {rare} circumstances that prevent mothers from nursing their babies, but the vast majority of women can and should nurse their babies as long as possible, for at least a year. The health benefits of breast milk are amazing, and most formula is really junk food (nonfat milk powder, rancid, GMO soybean oil, and corn syrup solids? No thanks.). But, I digress.

I've also mentioned before how much I *love* Medela products. As a first time mama when Katie was born, many of their products were so helpful when we got off to a slightly difficult start with breast feeding--and many of their products (like nursing bras and camisoles, and my pump of course) I continued to use until she weaned. When Medela offered to send me some products before I had Benjamin to review after he was born, I was thrilled! A couple weeks before his birth, my package arrived in the mail with some Tender Care Lanolin and Tender Care Hydrogel Pads.

Thankfully, we didn't have a rough start to breast feeding this time around--I was slightly sore for about a week--and during that time, the Lanolin was absolutely wonderful. It definitely soothes sore nipples, and it's safe for baby so there's no need to wipe it off before nursing (which is so nice when a newborn is nursing around the clock!).

In the days immediately following Benjamin's birth, I never felt a need to use the Hydrogel Pads because I really just wasn't very sore. However, from the time he was about 6 weeks old until just a couple weeks ago, I struggled with plugged ducts and my nipple was really, really, really sore for several days (the kind of sore where you hesitate to latch Baby on and then wince for the first few minutes of nursing--yeeouch!). During that time, the hydrogel pads were heavenly. They have a moist, cooling effect that quickly eases the pain like nothing else. You do need to wipe off your breast before nursing again, but it is so worth it.

You can buy Medela products on their website (also on their website there are a lot of great resources for breastfeeding mothers, including an "Ask the LC section" which have used and received a quick response!), as well as at many retailers around the country. They're really a great company--they make high quality products that help nursing mamas as well as products that allow babies in difficult circumstances (preemies in a NICU,  babies whose mommies work and aren't around to nurse them during the day) to still have their mommy's milk to nourish them. For those of you expecting babies, I highly recommend having some Lanolin and Hydrogel pads in your breastfeeding supply stash (and if you can--grab a couple of their nursing bras. They are so comfy.)

I'm really excited because Medela has also offered to give one of you some of their great Lanolin and Hydrogel Pads! I know several of you are expecting babies--and if you're not, you probably know someone who is and this would make a great gift. 

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post about breastfeeding. :)

For additional entries:
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::Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post and leave a link to your post in your comment.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry! The giveaway will close Tuesday evening, April 5. Please note: This giveaway is only open to readers with a US mailing address.


Disclosure: Medela sent me free products to review. All opinions are mine and I was not compensated in any other way.