Sleep Number Maternity Pillow Review & Giveaway

A big thanks to A Mother's Boutique for sponsoring the Baby-Mama Shower Event!

Sleep Number Maternity Pillow Review & Giveaway

Sleep and pregnancy just don't go together. You get about half way into the second trimester and you're either plauged by charlie horses, having to pee, or the dreaded "I-can't-get-comfortable" feeling due to your large belly and unsupported back. The comfort factor has been the biggest frustration for me through both of my pregnancies (and somehow, this time I've managed to still make it through a night without using the bathroom and I haven't had to jump out of bed with a calf ache yet!). For LoveBug, I had an array of pillows and stuffed animals that I would place in strategic locations around and under my body to support all of my new bumps. This was okay, but it was time consuming, a pain if something fell out of place, and I could forget about moving to a different position during the night.

I've lustfully looked at maternity and body pillows during the last two years and just about jumped out of my skin when Sleep Number agreed to participate in the Baby-Mama Shower. Immediately upon receiving their maternity pillow, LoveBug and I both layed down on it to "try it out" on our living room floor. Comparing it to other pillows I've seen and read about, this one has some unique features that I noticed right away:

1) It's made of two separate identical pieces that come together with velcro for an adjustable fit resembling butterfly wings. Instead of laying beside the pillow like other maternity ones I've seen, you actually lay in the middle of the "butterfly," creating a cushion for your belly AND your back!

2) It's completely machine washable.

3) There are ribbon handles on the outside of each pillow to allow for easy breezy carrying.

I've been using it for around a week now and can honestly say that I have slept a LOT better with it than my stuffed animal/bed pillow arrangement. I can't believe I didn't have one of these before and that there are other pregnant women out there who still don't have one! Mamas, sleep is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family right now. Don't underestimate the power of a supportive, properly placed pillow system for your changing body. It could make all of the difference in the world for you.

The only downside I've experienced with this pillow is that having to bring the pieces close together (I'm a smaller sort of person) can expose just the edge of the aplix/velcro which can rub against me if I'm not carefuly to smooth it down before I lay down on it. This could easily be remedied by just placing a piece of fabric over the pillow, but the rubbing hasn't bothered me enough to do anything about it.

Things I'd like to see Sleep Number further develop with this pillow would be an organic option, a cover option, and a pillow for between the legs or to elevate feet when lying on the back.

I love that the pillow is soft, I can roll around any direction I please without having to readjust it, and with one hand I can tuck it more under my belly or wherever if I want a little extra support! I've even been able to lay almost entirely on my belly to sleep with this pillow!!!! If you've never been pregnant, you'll need to trust me that belly-sleeping becomes a big deal towards the end of a pregnancy.

Sleep Number provided me with some awesome information and sleeping tips for pregnant women. I'll be sharing this through my blog and through Facebook, so be sure to become a Life More Simply Facebook fan to read these tips and also to find out how to earn an extra entry into this contest!

Buy It! You can purchase this pillow from http://www.selectcomfort.com/ for $39.99.

Win It! Please read the following carefully to enter.
One winner will be provided with her own Maternity Pillow from Sleep Number! To enter, you first need to put your full name and email address into the form below. This will put you on Sleep Number's mailing list and will not be shared with anyone else. AFTER you've done that, you can earn extra entries by commenting as usual through the Blogger form. Contest ends May 7, 2010 at noon, EST.

Extra Entries:
* Follow or subscribe to me; every different way = 1 entry!
* Fav me on Technorati

* Blog about this contest (3 entries)

* Tell others about this contest on a parenting or pregnancy forum (1 entry per post, leave the link)

* Tweet about this contest with a link and @lifemoresimply (2 tweets per day, each for one entry)

* Grab my Baby-Mama Shower Button or regular button (1 entry/each)

* Leave your best sleep tip below

*Follow Sleep Number on Facebook (click button on left)

*AND...become a Facebook fan of Life More Simply and visit our page to find out an additional way to enter!