This weekend (Saturday, Sunday, Monday), sleep is the topic of discussion here at Metropolitan Mama. I'll be highlighting several different products and ideas to help your whole family drift off to sleep more comfortably and quickly. I can't promise any quick fixes...just a few ideas for you to ponder.
One important thing to remember when it comes to sleep is to do what seems right for your family. Don't be scared off by agenda-laden books or pesky relatives and acquaintances who tsk-tsk your choices. Five years from now, it will not matter where your baby slept (bassinet, co-sleeper, mattress on the floor, toddler bed, family bed, etc.) or how often he woke up in the night. In fact, you might find that you actually sort-of miss those midnight nursing sessions and those precious 3 a.m. cuddles.
To kick off the weekend, I thought I'd start with a little "pillow talk" - talking about pillows, that is (pillow covers, to be exact).
You may recall that Protect-A-Bed sells incredible mattress covers that can protect your crib, twin, queen, or king bed from explosive diapers, bouts of throw-up, potty training accidents, and more. Having a mattress cover is likely to help you have a better night's sleep - especially if you have to change sheets in the groggy middle-of-the-night hours.
What you may not know, however, is that Protect-A-Bed also sells pillow protectors that "help create a healthy stain and allergy free sleep zone." You can read all about the Miracle Membrane® design and the features on the Protect-A-Bed site. The protectors retail between 
$19.99 and $22.99, depending on the size you select, and can be purchase at www.myprotectabed.com.
WIN IT! One mama will win a Protect-A-Bed pillow protector. To enter, simply leave a comment (don't forget to read the rules) on this post prior to Tuesday, Mar. 4, at midnight. The winner will be announced and contacted on Wednesday, Mar. 5. * Contest open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.
* UPDATE * The winner is #99 suzie. Congratulations!
Just started to have allergy problems, this would be so helpful!
EEK I am so behind.. hopefully its not too late..
ID LOVE to have one.. I actually have yucky awful allergies but honestly the protection is the best feature as Connor spends many a night with me on my bed as well as "sharing" my pillow.
I blogged you too
http://www.prizeatron.com
Please make the itching stop!
this would be great! thanks!
This would be great, as everyone else has said. I think peoples allergies are getting worse, and worse.
This would be great for me as I sweat alot and have serious allergies. Thanks for the opportunity!
If I win this one too then I'll have a set :)
great contest, thanks.
Pick me please :)
These work great for allergy suffferers. Would love for my son.
I just saw these at bed bath and beyond! I'd love to try it out!!
monakarif at gmail dot com
I have bad allegies ,most of the year and I think this would really
help.Please enter me and thanks
I have allergies and some of my kids have inherited allergies from me, so we could use this.
I would love to give this to my grandson!
This would be great for my dust allergies!
cmoir[at]bmts.com
I've seen mattress protectors before but not a pillow one - I bet it would help with my allergy and sinus problems quite a bit. Interesting! :)
As a co-sleeping family, this type of product would be appreciated both for its allergy protection and its stain protection!
This giveaway is a reminder that I still have not bought pillow protectors after vowing years ago I would. I'm convinced my eldest daughter has allergies and would benefit from a dust mite free (or at least semi-free) environment.
sanna1999 at verizon dot net
Just what the doctor ordered.
I need this. I have one but my other pillow is still a dust mite trap
I would love to win this for my daughter. She has horrible allergies and it's a battle to keep them in check all the time.
Having had asthma since the age of 2 and my kids also having to deal with allergy and sinus problems...anything that helps keep the doctor away is a gift from above.
Aahhh, I love pillow protectors. After reading a little bit on dust mites, none of my family sleeps without them! Thanks for the giveaway. I enjoy reading your reviews.
mccammacks(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
Ah, dust mite allergies. We have them in spades at our house. An extra protective pillow would always come in handy. Count me in!
My mother,my daughter, and I all have terrible year round allergies. All I can say is this will not go to waste with me! Thanks for this great contest!
Please enter me in the drawing.
This would definately come in handy!
I would like this since I am allergic to dust mites.
pick me pleeease.
This is great! DH has allergies - maybe this would help with his snoring!
Love the pillow
God Bless
&
Good Luck
This would be great for every person in teh house and with 7 kids we have a lot of people. one of my daughters has allergies, so if I win I would let her use it. thanks for the opportunity!
This would be wonderful for my husband who is in the military. Who knows what kind of pillow he has to sleep on! This would make me feel better in general.
schwartz(dot)lori(at)gmail.com
PLEASE ENTER ME :)
[email protected]
Another great giveaway! We could definitely use these in our house. I don't know how many pillows I've thrown away due to the kids getting sick on them :( And I like the idea of taking them with you when you travel!
This is such a nice and useful prize!
I could use this my husband constantly gets nose bleeds in the middle of the night, everytime I get new pillows, inevitably they are stained.
I would love to win this great prize.
What a great thing to take when you travel!
Great giveaway.Please enter me.
I just had my down pillows fluffed and had them covered with new ticking. I was too cheap to buy 2 protective covers. I can use this prize!
ooooo this would be great! i'm always waking up and sneezing, this would probably cure me!
i really need something like this
i like it when my pillow wears protection
This looks great!
This sounds great!
Great giveaway! Thanks!
sounds good
cool giveaway
This would be a great addition to our bedroom. Thanks.
Cool prize!
Anything may help my kids with allergy problems.
After having to have three nasal polyp surgeries from dust mite allergies which thrive in your pillows I really need to win this
Great giveaway
Great Giveaway!!
would love this.
This is just what I can use. Will help with allegies.
tesl283 at yahoo dot com
Just what I need! Keeps it clean and allergy-free!
Sounds like a refreshing--as opposed to twisting and turning and plumping and smashing--sleep product.
[email protected]
I could use this because I have such bad allergies.
This would be great to win.
I would love to gift this to my allergy filled daughter. Thanks for the op to win one!
My allergies would really be disappointed if I won this but I would be happy!
Very nice prize.
I had never thought about the importance of this pillow, but the more I think about where our pillows have been, this could not come soon enough.
Great!
Cool prize!
Oh, would I love to win this! My son likes to flip upside down in his bed and he has peed on more than one pillow.
love to win this!
Mine was the last comment and I forgot to give you my e-mail. cookiecutter72 AT hotmail DOT com
i want to win
very nice. would be great to win. thanks.
i am a germ freak, and recently started to fret over bedbugs, etc... i need one of these!!
[email protected]
very nice..
I live in one of the allergy capitals of the US, so this would be wonderful to win. Thanks!
I've been coughing at night lately and wondering if it's an allergic reaction to my pillow....I NEED this!!
I just bought new pillows! I need some new covers!
Great contest thanks! :)
This will also cut down on the need to wash feather pillows which take forever to dry.
Oh this would be great for all the asthmatics in my house (myself included!)
taradawnrobertson at hotmail dot com
OH Enter me please
I'm in
I have looked at these before and they are great. My sister has one for her twins bed and loves it. I am a mom to be in OCtober and would love one.
I've been trying all over the blogosphere to win a Protect-a-bed product for my children who have severe allergies and our budget hasn't allowed us yet to get the entire set for their bedrooms. This would really help. What a great product = thanks so much!
ENTER ME PLEASE
I have allergies and these would help
Thank you for the chance to win:)
This would be great for my family. Thank you so much!
This would be great for my daughter who has allergies and asthma.
great prize, great gift!
This would probably help my grandson who has asthma.
This would be great for me--I have allergies. But I would never drool on my pillow and leave a stain, no, not me, nope!
*glancing around furtively*
this would be so great - thank you!
want to win this great prize
We have allergies in my home, too. Great giveaway!
Sounds good to me!
WOW--WHAT A GREAT CONTEST--PLEASE ENTER ME!!!
I sure could use this - my husband and I both have allergy problems
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
Enter me, please.
very cool.
Sleep! The most important thing!
There is nothing I like better than a good night's sleep. Count me in.
Maybe this can help me sleep better at night
Would love to test one out! Thank you for the chance.
i could realy use this
my son has bad allergies and we're always looking for ways to make our lives as allergen-free as possible!
rosiegirl8 at gmail dot com
I think this a must have for everyone. I find pillows to be hard to maintain, and barring buying new ones every few months, this sounds like a great way to preserve them a little longer.
mkboldin [at] cox dot net
wonderful product...thanks
This is great, I am allergic to dust & mold....great contest!
[email protected]
What a great giveaway. I have allergy problems. This would be great. Thanks Liz [email protected]
Nice prize, Thanks!
I'd love to win this!
This is great, I have allergies and definitely would love to try it!
I actually have been wanting to buy some of these, so this would be a great start!
These are great for the kids!
[email protected]
Sounds like a product I need!
Great product! I hate having to replace pillows that get ruined because of spills or spit up.
please count me in
count me in too!
For my daughter. Great for those with allergies!
This is a great idea for my little girl who has asthma and allergies.
Thank you for the contest.
[email protected]
Count me in!
Alison
nottheplan at gmail dot com
What a wonderfully useful giveaway! Thanks! I, admittedly, am a terrible drooler and my hubby is afflicted with allergies to dust, dust mites, etc. So I would love one of these. Thanks soo much!
This sounds like a wonderful pillow protector for my daughter with Asthma and allergies!
Count me in!
This would be great to win!
Thanks for the chance!
Ooh, I'd love this.
kelli
Awesome! We cosleep with 2 kids, so we need all the Protection we can get!
Danielle
dansan826 at yahoo
I would love to win! Thanks!
Email is sarahw56 (at) gmail (dot) com
I have the worst allergies in the world, and maybe if I get a pillow like the one in the contest that is hypoallergic(sp?)just maybe the suffering won't be as bad.
I have allergies and would love to win this
my pillow will thank you
I have such awful allergies, I could really use this!
These are great to use to protect your family from dust mites and allergens. I have a couple of these on one of my beds currently and love the idea of sleeping cleaner. Eventually, I will get around to outfitting the rest of our bedrooms.
Thank you,
Marissa :)
md-sweeps (at) hotmail (dot) com
This is such a wonderful website! Thank you for all of your hard work. Please enter me in the contest and thanks again!
This would be a great prize! Thank you for having the contest.
Great prize!
My whole family has allergies and my kids have asthma. I've been wanting to try something like this out. Thanks for the great giveaway!
I'd love to win it.
Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have tossed around the idea that my daughter might have slight allergies...so I would love to try this out! thanks so much!
My youngest has severe allergies which cause major nose bleeds. This would be great for him.
Great help!
this looks great! would love to win it.
This is great-I am pre-menopausal and this would be great for my night sweat situation. Great Idea-thanks for the giveaway
These sound like a great idea! Please count me in. :)
My daughter has allergies that kick in every spring. The pillow protector sounds great!
[email protected]
Love this!
[email protected]
my daughter could really use this, thank you for the giveaway
This sounds like a great way to deal with some of those allergies!!
Since everyone is my house has allergies we could really use this! Another great giveaway!
My son has allergies and he is now in college student teaching, this would be great for him.
Chris has pretty severe allergies (but Arizona has been great for them!) and I've got them seasonally, so I think something like this would be good for us and for the girls. I really hope Taylor doesn't get her dad's nose (inside, that is. Well, let's be honest; his nose wouldn't look good on her outside, either...). Thanks! [email protected]
neat concept!
We have had such a problem with allergies in our bedroom that this would be perfect. Thanks!
Great prize, I'd love to win!
this sounds great
I could really use this!
I would like to receive this giveaway.
Nice giveaway!!
Who wouldnt want to win this? Pick me!
[email protected]
Great item that I would love to win
These are great. Hope I win.
oooh,i have the mattress cover and in afew weeks we are having an air purifier installed but i don't have pillow protecters,what a great idea!would love to win!
I would like to win this..please enter me
This is a great product - especially for people who have allergies!
I have yet to win a Prizey.
This I would love to have.......
I have terrible allergies - would love to try this to see if it would help, since bedtime is usually worse.
Thanks for another great contest!
guysrose (at) aol dot com
I would love to have this.
I need this prize to destress.
Nice giveaway. This would be great to have.
Great way to insure a healthy rest
I love down pillows but worry about the allergens. On a different but connected note, I have been increasingly irritated by people asking how Avery is sleeping. He's a baby, he wakes up frequently! argh! And, lovely new pic. ; )
What a nice and healthy giveaway!
What a great and useful giveaway. One of my sons has severe allergies. This would be great. Please enter me. Thanks.
This would be helpful for my allergies. I didn't even know about these. Thanks for enlightening me!
[email protected]
very nice
[email protected]
so cool
I would like this.
cool giveaway :)
This is wonderful! I could definitely use this - and maybe get one for each of the kids!
this would be awesome for Sarah, she has allergys and asthma and this would be great for her
Please enter me-I could really use one of these.
great idea
Having two toddlers I dont get a heck of alot of sleep, having allergies makes it even worse. These pillow protector's look like they might be something to make sleep a bit more comfortable and sneeze-free. Count me in!
I've never heard of these before but will have to look for them now! I would love one for my husband! Please count me in! ~ :) Thanks!
jmagloro[at]ywave.com
What a great giveaway- DH has allergies and Id love to try these products! Thanks
We have the Protect-A-Bed bed protectors, but not for our pillows! Would love to win!
Steph
I currently have a pillow protector on my pillow, but it is not as nice as this one.
I've been meaning to buy covers like these for all of our pillows, as my husband and two stepsons all have asthma. It's well-controlled with great meds, but it never hurts to take every step possible, right. With a baby on the way, we're in nesting mode here, getting the house ready for a new addition, so whether I win this or not, I think I'll finally act on this good instinct. Thanks for the great reminder.
I would love this pillow protector! Thanks for the contest!
[email protected]
Oh your pillow giveaway couldn't have come at a better time. I suffer from allergies and also worry about those pesky dust mites. My current pillow protector is due for a replacement, and winning yours will keep me from having to go out pounding the pavement. It's just what I need. If I am lucky enough to win, you can contact me at dmj53(at)hotmail(dot)com
I so need comfort! Count me in. [email protected]
I think this is great. My oldest daughter has severe acne and she washes her pillow cases often to help keep it under control. This would help her ALOT with that!
Thank you
Need sleep! It sounds heavenly. Please enter me!
This would be great! My entire family suffers from allergies.
I love your blurb on sleeping arrangements. Currently my three year old sleeps in her own room, by her own choice. I sleep with the youngest in my bed, and my husband sleeps in the third bedroom because he wakes up early and snores loudly, and I don't appreciate the wee one waking up fifty times a night because of it. I coslept with my eldest until my son was maybe eight months old. Anyhoo, I've gotten a lot of flack, but eh. They'll be fine, maybe even better off for it.
This sounds lovely!!!!! I would love to have the opportunity to win this one!!
This is great! Count me in.
Love your new picture!
I've suffered from the typical household allergens since I was tiny (dust mites, mold). I'd love to have a product like this to reduce my allergen exposure!
I had allergies all thru my childhood and used one of these... I think my oldest is headed the same direction!
just what i have been loking for i could realy use it
We are an allergy-ridden household and this would be great...thanks!
I'd love to give this a try! Thanks!
Thanks for the entry...from a house full of allergy sufferers!!!
stbaisch[at]yahoo[dot]com
This would be so nice to have. Please enter me in the contest.
[email protected]
You can never have too many of these! :) I have none... so you can see how far I have to go! :D
Thanks for the chance to win!
Lisa
hianded[at]earthlink[dot]net
Hubby and I both have allergy problems, this would be a welcome item in our home!
Thanks for hosting,
nifferjeno at gmail dot com
Boy could I use this now! Anything to help with sleeping :)
BTW - Love the new pic, very sweet
I love the allergy-related products out there. My family needs all the help we can get in this area!
Thanks!
carter.katelyn(at)gmail.com
i love your new pic, your little girl has gotten so big. and yes thanks for another terrific giveaway!
Thanks for another fantastic give away. I suffer from chronic sinus and allergy problems! I am glad you do my homework for m! Please enter me in your contest. I appreciate it.....
Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Dust mites beware!! Please enter me as well...
Nice giveaway!
Enter me please!
I just saw this on TV the other day. I want to say it was on The View? I can't remember which show. I'm not only excited that you're doing a giveaway for it, but that you reminded me where to find it! :) Thanks!
Count me in on this one! :)
~melody~