It’s Friday, the sun is shining, the weekend promises to be nice and as an added bonus (and to close out our awesome Five Days of Freebies giveaway series!) we’re giving away this amazing three-piece feeding set from Born Free: the plush Bliss Nursing Pillow (valued at $59.99), the Classic Bottle Gift Set (valued at $64.99) and the Tru-Temp Bottle Warming System (valued at $69.99).

Tired of being uncomfortable while you’re nursing? The Bliss Nursing Pillow is a three-stage pillow that’s totally customizable for your needs. It’s three-stages adjust so that mom, baby (and even dad!) are comfortable throughout the feeding process. With washable slip-covers, you’ll never need to worry about a mess! The Classic Bottle Gift Set comes with every ounce of feeding gear you could ever need, including: 3 5 oz. classic bottles, 3 9 oz. classic bottles, 3 level 3 silicone nipples, 1 formula dispenser and 1 twister bottle brush set (cha-ching!). Last — but certainly not least — is the Tru-Temp Bottle Warming System and I promise, you’re going to love this one. The bottle warming system is made to safely warm breast milk and formula with its easy to ready dial gauge, so you’ll never have to worry about over (or under) heating baby’s milk. The removable, insulated cooler feature also helps keep two bottles cool for up to 8 hours, perfect for your nighttime feeding schedules.

No purchase necessary. See official rules here. Now, here comes the fun part:

TO ENTER, please leave answer the following question by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post. You can sign-in to leave a comment using your Facebook, Twitter, WordPress or email address.

Here’s the question: How did you announce you were expecting?

Ready? Set? Start commenting! Good luck!

Follow @TheBump to be alerted of our giveaways with the hashtag #TBFreebies and make sure to stay in touch with us on Facebook by following The Bump!

Note: Winners will be announced next week.

New to breastfeeding? There are so many rumors, tips and tricks about breastfeeding these days – so we went to our breastfeeding Bumpies on the Breastfeeding board!

“Take time for yourself. If you have hit the wall, it is okay to hand the baby off and take a shower or eat or refill your own water. Relax and don’t doubt yourself.” -Crash Into Me

“Growth spurts happen frequently. Dont think you’re not producing enough. Just keep nursing and you will get through it.” -EmpireMomof3

“Do what works for you. If your baby is growing and you are okay with the process that its taking to get baby the food it needs – then don’t let anyone guilt you into another process.  Find time each day for YOU – if thats a shower, a bath, 30 minutes TV show.  Find a way to hand the baby over (or lay down the baby to sleep in a safe spot) and take the time for you.” -opaque1997

“Don’t be surprised if you are engorged and in pain when your milk comes in after a few days (or it may take up to a week). To help get the milk flowing, apply hot compresses (like hot face cloths) before nursing, nurse baby on demand, and you can also use cold compresses (like cold gel packs or frozen peas) for 10 minutes every hour for 24 hours between nursing sessions to relieve swelling. The best advice I ever received was “‘don’t quit on a bad day!’” -MomIn2013

“ALWAYS go to the bathroom before you start a feeding even if you don’t have to because 5 mins in and you’ll have to go!  It’s ok if baby cries while you take 45 seconds to go to the bathroom.” -cltk12

“Your breasts are two separate entities – one may be faster, bigger, fuller, easier to latch, harder to latch, different size/shape/color nipples, etc.  Unless it’s extreme, in which case see a doctor,  it’s totally normal!  Baby might like one side more, or one position more, just keep offering both and different positions.” -EMO-mamma

“Know that if you have to supplement or baby does get a bottle in the hospital, IT ISNT THE END OF BFing.  Prior to having my LO, it was drilled into me how horrible bottles were and when she needed one at 24 hours old (jaundice and refusal of the tube at my breast), part of me thought it was the end of our BF relationship forever.  Thankfully I was stubborn/determined and we worked through it.” -theresat858

“Soothies gel pads are amazing especially when LO is cluster feeding.” -Meggy T.

“Check out if your insurance will cover a lactation consultant, and if so which ones, prior to delivery. Having the number on hand prior is really helpful.” -shell041783

“Don’t start pumping too early! It is tempting to pump when you are engorged, but you could create an oversupply problem. Try to let your body adjust to what baby is actually eating, and if you really need some relief, express some milk by hand.” -mandy522

“Learn how to nurse side lying! When newborns are up to eat every 1-2 hours those first 2 weeks this was an amazing position.” -PennyLane26

“If it hurts, you’re doing it wrong doesn’t count for the first six weeks. Don’t get down on yourself thinking you aren’t doing it right. See a LC, or several, until you feel comfortable that you are doing it right.” -Ordzbby

“Drink up. Water, lemonade, Gatorade, just do it!” -Brendamndz

“You call the shots when it comes to feeding.  Get your husband on board and have a plan ready- be prepared to adjust your plan as needed.” -ClaryPax

“You can’t overfeed a breastfed baby.  If they want to nurse every hour, for 45 minutes, let them.  That might be what your body needs to get the signal to make more milk.” -TJ1979

“Breastfeeding is hard.  Like really, really hard.  You will probably underestimate how tough it is going to be.  You will have days where you sob wondering how is this ever going to get better.  You will have nights that never seem to end.  And then one day the fog clears and BAM!  You and your baby are breastfeeding, happily and pain free!” -hpoff33

You Tell Us: What are your tips for breastfeeding baby?

More from The Bump:

The decision to breastfeed is a personal one. For some women, it’s a no-brainer, but for others, it’s not a consideration.

I decided from the the beginning that I would breastfeed my baby, but I’m going to share a secret with you: I was a bit weirded out by the idea. It was a quick decision for me for financial reasons at first. Once I saw how expensive formula was and considered the cost of daycare, I knew we could save big. But beyond the savings, I wasn’t so sure. I knew it was best for the baby, too, but I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. What would it be like to feed a baby — my baby — from my breast? As if the thought of meeting my baby for the first time wasn’t profound enough! Something told me, despite my fears about the unknown, that it was right for me. And it was the best decision I ever made. But, it was a struggle in the beginning. Here’s w hat helped:

1. Decide you’re going to commit and do it before birth. I think it really helped that I’d already made the decision. I’d already weighed the options way before the birth, so by the time baby arrived, it was set. I would nurse him. I had done all the research in advance, read several books, and I was familiar with basic latch techniques. Had I still been up in the air when he arrived, I likely would have given up. I even dug out my old Cabbage Patch doll and practiced different nursing holds and nursing covers. Who says a grown woman can’t play with dolls?!

2. Don’t wait until the baby gets here to get help. One of the best things I did before the birth was ask, ask, ask. I wasn’t afraid to bombard anyone (and everyone) I knew who nursed their babies with questions. Did it hurt? (Everyone said yes, in the beginning!) Does it get better? (Yes!) What worked best? I also attended a local La Leche League meeting. I’m so glad I did. There were other pregnant women there and women nursing their babies. Yep, they do it right there! And that’s what I needed. It made breastfeeding a real thing to me — an act of nutrition, not something to be freaked out by. As a bonus, I met women I could call day or night for help if I needed it. Many hospitals and birthing centers also offer weekly meetings for nursing moms.

3. Be patient. The first few times will be difficult! That’s okay. Yeah, nature will take over and… blah, blah, blah. Nature- schmature. It takes work! You’re new at this and so is your baby. He may not latch on perfectly the first few… well, even several times. There’s a boob there. He knows where it goes. He’ll worry about the logistics later. You’re learning together. Your baby won’t just pop out, do a double axle, and gracefully land in a perfect-ten nipple latch. Just like anything, practice makes perfect (and even then, it’s not always perfect!)

4. It will hurt, but not forever. I don’t care what the books say. It’s a-gonna hurt, gals. So many of the things I read said that breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt — it should feel like a gentle tugging sensation. Uh, ya, like after you get the hang of it. I’ll never forget my first night in the hospital. The lactation nurse stopped by to check in.  ”How are your nipples, are they sore?” I explained that I did have one sore nipple that was bleeding (and sticking to my shirt — ouch!), but that the other one was still ship-shape. “Do you mind if I look?”  I proudly unclipped my nursing tank to show my newly minted baby fountains — I was especially proud of my non-obliterated nipple. “Oooh, that one doesn’t look good either, hon.”  Oh. But with the lactation nurse’s help, we tried all sorts of different nursing positions and she really helped with my latch (along with a whole tube of nipple cream). Turns out, baby just wanted to tuck his lip under a bit too much.  Once we corrected that, and found a position that suited us both, the healing began and we were on our way. Soon, the sting became a mild discomfort, that became the gentle tugging sensation all the books promised.

5. Get your partner involved. My husband was so supportive of my decision to nurse. This was great because he helped — a lot. When I couldn’t quite get the baby positioned, he was right there trying to help, offering a pillow for under my arm, a glass of water (which I constantly whined for — nursing makes you thirsty), or whatever I needed.  He was very much part of it all and encouraged me even when I felt discouraged. It was a way for him to be involved in the feeding process, too.

6. Don’t beat yourself up. Breastfeeding works great for some, and not for others. I remember one night when my baby was crying and my milk had not come in yet. Some things I had read said to just keep switching breasts, but keep nursing. Others said to supplement with formula until your milk came in. Some said, that may cause nipple confusion, and some said… well, you get the picture. My baby was crying. He was hungry. And  was freaking out. I shakily (and reluctantly) cracked open a bottle of the formula we got free from the hospital. I felt ashamed. Like I had failed. What a ridiculous notion! Two days later, my milk arrived like high tide, and we were golden. I hate that I stressed myself out like that, and I vow to never do that again. There’s so much pressure on mothers to do this or don’t do that. Our babies can feel that stress! Relax! You’re doing the best you can for your little bean — that’s all that matters at the end of the day (or in the middle of the night). You do what you feel is best for your baby. Sometimes we need to take our books and chuck ‘em out the window. Sometimes nursing just doesn’t work out.  What’s important is the love and care you provide to your baby.

7. It really is amazing. And totally, completely, and utterly (pun intended) worth it. It was a difficult skill to master, but baby and I were a team and we won in the end. Remember how I said I was weirded out, wondering what it was like? Well, there are no words, but I’ll try: Nursing your baby creates a bond like nothing I can describe. You’ll look down and see those rosy little cheeks, little body with baby hands and legs all curled up and snuggled into you, getting his nourishment from your amazing body. As the months go on, he’ll pause in the middle of nursing and look at you with his big eyes and grin with as much adorable toothlessness as he can muster, as if to say, “Remember when we didn’t know how to do this?”

Was breastfeeding difficult for you?  Share your tips!

Plus, more from The Bump:

Top 10 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

10 Reasons to Breastfeed Baby

Worst Breastfeeding Advice — Ever!

Hi Bumpies,

Mark your calendars! Next Tuesday, 9/4 at noon EST, we’ll be hosting a Twitter chat with Rosie Pope (@RosiePope) and Philips AVENT to talk all about feeding. You know Rosie as the star of Bravo TV’s “Pregnant in Heels,” maternity clothing designer, educator, author and a mother of three (all under the age of four!). She’s also a Philips AVENT devotee! Make sure you tune in to the chat with the hashtag #AVENTNatural to get her expert tips.

The best part? There are freebies! We’ll be selecting 7 winners during the chat to receive amazing products from Philips AVENT: a Natural Bottle, Natural Drinking Cup and Day/Night Breast Pad Pack.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Rosie Pope for A Pea in the Pod

Rosie Pope: Pregnant in Heels (And Sometimes Sneakers)

Read The Bump Magazine with Rosie Pope