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Nursing Necklaces

October 9, 2007

Here is an idea I stumbled upon while looking around for “sputnik” inspired jewelry. No wonder I loose so much time on the web – one idea just leads to another and another and another….

Anyway, the idea behind nursing necklaces is to give little, awe inspiring, hands something to hold, pinch and explore while nursing – all the while also feeding the visual system of those developing minds. Actually, I think these would be welcome during bottle feeding just as much.

In reality, probably any necklace that is safe for a baby to handle would do, but here are some ideas if you want to tailor your selling / gift giving approach.

Here is one for those babies that love to experience texture, letting the beads and metal run through their palms then tickle the back of their hands.
I think this one would be good for those babies that have a grip that just doesn’t quit and who want to do pull-ups on everything they get their hands on!

And finally, what better way to have a baby grow to love the earth and all things natural than to have them fondle a necklace made with clay and leather.

When designing nursing necklaces, keep in mind the pulling and tugging they will need to endure. Make them strong and durable. Imagine the softness of the skin that will touch the necklaces and avoid all sharp or rough edges. Provide interesting textures to inspect along with beauty to see. If planning these as a gift – think of Mom’s personality. Would she like jewelry with a “baby” theme, a “I’m still jazzy” theme, or “even if I do have spit up on me 24 hours a day, I will still wear stunning jewelry!” theme?

I want to direct you to the two web sights that really inspired me to look into nursing necklaces. First is Laughing Starfish. Not only does Dorota have beautiful nursing necklaces for your purchase, she also offers a wonderful page of links which guide you to many handmade baby and toddler products, parenting blogs, jewelry links and some very talented lampwork bead artists.

The second web site was Breast Feeding 123, which to my surprised, linked to a post 12-1-2006 post from our beading buddy Tammy Powley. Its a small world after all…….

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6 Comment

  1. Angela
    October 9, 2007 at 2:34 pm

    Beautiful nursing necklaces! Thanks for the mention of Breastfeeding 1-2-3!

  2. Amanda
    October 9, 2007 at 3:45 pm

    After being told that I should attempt these I created one myself. You can see it here:
    http://www.wahmania.com/product.php?VP=2471

  3. Barbara Forbes-Lyons
    October 9, 2007 at 6:35 pm

    I’ve done several nursing necklaces over the years, too. Strength and safety are paramount. But you can also have fun with it, too:

    http://www.penguintrax.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=319

  4. Elaine Ray
    October 10, 2007 at 12:10 am

    Amanda and Barbara,

    Thanks for sharing your necklaces! It is fun to see the unique styles.

    – Elaine

  5. Maggie R
    October 10, 2007 at 5:41 am

    Well for goodness sakes…. I guess I am really out of the loop! I hadn’t heard of “Nursing Necklaces” but what a great idea, Sure beats having them latch onto a lock of hait and won’t let go! VBG
    Nice work, I enjoyed my visit,
    ((((hugs))))
    Maggie

  6. paolo
    October 30, 2008 at 9:21 am

    My baby is so noisy. When I nurse him any little sound and he suctioning himself off and back on over and over and over and over again. I have tried singing, wearing a nursing necklace and nursing in a quite place but he stills gets easily distracted.

    Jewelry

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