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BGN interviews the cast and creators of the film A Journal For Jordan.
Featured in the interviews are: Chanté Adams (Dana Canedy), Michael B. Jordan (Charles Monroe King), Denzel Washington (Director), and Dana Canedy (Writer).
Directed by Denzel Washington and starring Michael B. Jordan with a screenplay by Virgil Williams, A Journal For Jordan is based on the true story of First Sergeant Charles Monroe King (Jordan), a soldier deployed to Iraq who begins to keep a journal of love and advice for his infant son. Back at home, senior New York Times editor Dana Canedy (Chanté Adams) revisits the story of her unlikely, life-altering relationship with King and his enduring devotion to her and their child. A sweeping account of a once-in-a-lifetime love, the film is a powerful reminder of the importance of family.
Interviewer: Jeandra LeBeauf
Video Editor: Jamie Broadnax
A Journal For Jordan is in theaters December 25, 2021.
When can a baby have a pillow? Read on for the answer, and for the best baby pillow/lounger recommendations.
I am a total nerd for marine biology, so when I started planning my nursery, I was so excited to get undersea-themed gear. I chose organic sheets printed with blue Acropora coral. And to complete the bedding set, I had a little coral-shaped pillow made.
I knew “sleep positioners” or “baby nests” are unsafe, but I learned another important safety fact: I couldn’t put any kind of pillows in my baby’s crib for a while! This is due to the increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) associated with the use of pillows in the baby’s crib. And while I didn’t love the idea of plopping my new baby down on a mattress with no place to rest his little head, I knew I had to defer to the experts on this one. So I tucked the pillow away and searched the internet for the answer to my burning question: when can baby have a pillow?
The answer: it’s safest to wait until 18 months or older.
That sounds like forever when you have a new baby. But don’t worry, there is one kind of pillow baby can use (while awake and supervised), and you can still deck it out in a cute pillowcase: the Boppy.
The Boppy, also known as the Boppy lounger, is a brand of nursing pillow. It offers ergonomic support to prop your baby up while they breastfeed or take a bottle. But that’s not all a nursing pillow is good for! It also keeps baby positioned comfortably when they’re too small to sit up on their own. For me, this was an essential tool that was used daily, especially since my special needs baby couldn’t sit up well on his own for some time.
So while a nursing pillow can’t be used in the crib, you can still use it for your infant. Plus, you’re bound to leave it lying around in your living room, so it will be on full display instead of hidden away in the nursery. Win/win!
So, with all that in mind, here’s a round-up of our favorite nursing pillows and some great nerdy Boppy covers.
Looking for even more ideas for the nursery? Check out our other articles on baby nursery themes and decor!
Boppy Lounger & Other Nursing Pillows
The original award-winning Boppy is a classic nursing pillow that has been used by countless mamas. It’s machine-washable and recommended for feeding at 0+ months, propping at 3+ months, tummy time at 6+ months, and sitting at 9+ months. This one is the “bare naked” version (just waiting to be customized with your hand-selected cover!), but it’s also available with a cover included.
Boppy Anywhere Travel Nursing Pillow
Just like the original Boppy, but more travel-friendly! This Boppy travel nursing pillow includes a stretch tie that can be tied around your waist while you hold your baby. It’s also more compact than the original, so it’s great to keep as a spare in the car or take on a plane. No need for a cover; just toss the whole thing in the washing machine when it needs cleaning!
My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow
Another popular brand of nursing pillow is the My Brest Friend deluxe pillow. It features a pocket for bottles and burp cloths and an adjustable strap to wrap around you (or secure it to your diaper bag!). The top of the My Brest Friend pillow is flatter than the Boppy, and the strap keeps it in place while feeding your baby. This makes this a great choice for feeding your baby, but makes it less versatile than the Boppy for propping your baby in a sitting position.
Snuggle Me Organic Feeding and Support Pillow
The Snuggle Me crescent-shaped feeding and support pillow is certified organic, sustainable, and ethically made in the USA. It’s also hypoallergenic. The shape of this pillow makes it less bulky than the Boppy, but it’s still great for supporting your baby while sitting up and during tummy time. It’s available in six colors, with covers sold separately.
Nepto the Seahorse Feeding Pillow
Did I already mention I’m obsessed with all things undersea? I did? Oh, my bad. Well, needless to say, I am in love with this seahorse-shaped nursing pillow. It’s a giant velvet seahorse and a functional nursing pillow; what’s not to love?! Oh, and if aquamarine isn’t your color, there are SEVENTEEN other variations available in the seller’s Etsy shop.
Boppy & Other Lounger Covers
This Harry Potter-themed Boppy cover is the intersection of Harry Potter nerds and sports nerds! Inspire your little one to reach for their dreams and catch that golden snitch with this adorable cover. You can even customize with a monogrammed name or initials. I could totally see a whole Quiddich-themed nursery designed around this cover!
Adorable, it is. Baby Yoda, it features. Buy it, you should. This baby Yoda Boppy cover is the epitome of cute. But if you prefer a Boppy cover featuring the whole Star Wars cast, don’t worry, this seller has those too. Just check out their Etsy shop for a plethora of options!
I don’t think you’ll find a more nerdy Boppy cover than this. Covered in science terms and tools, you can ponder STEM concepts while you nurse your baby. Is it possible that early exposure to complex equations will make your baby a genius? Probably not. But, it probably can’t hurt either.
Feel like you’re taking a trip down Route 66 with this retro-style car Boppy cover. Featuring old-school convertibles, 60’s-style signs, and license plates, this cover gives off an unmistakably cool vibe. Plus, it’s available with a customized monogram. This is made to fit the Boppy pillow.
Marvel Superhero Comic Book Boppy Cover
Get your little one into Marvel comic books from the jump with this Boppy cover. It includes all your favorite Marvel Avengers characters, such as the Hulk, Ironman, Captain America, Spiderman, Thor, and Daredevil. Best of all, they’re all splashed over a great retro comic book motif, so you can read comics while you feed your baby!
Love dinosaurs? Love outer space? Either way, we have you(r pillow) covered! This hilarious Boppy cover depicts planets, dinosaurs peering through telescopes, astronaut dinosaurs, and space ships. It’s absurd in the best possible way. It’s also substantially cheaper than other options on our list (without sacrificing on style), so you can order multiples!
If you’re into etymology and love all things creepy and crawly, you have to see this Boppy cover. It includes insects, their scientific name, and pictures of their chrysalises, eggs, and more. This is as nerdy as it gets, and it’s perfect for bug lovers.
A “World’s Best Boss” mug. A stapler in jello. Beets. You can find these and more on this amazing Boppy cover. Featuring some of the memories from The Office, this print even has a pretzel so that you can be reminded of the magic of Pretzel Day while you feed your little one.
Snuggle Me Nursing Pillow Cacti Cover
Available in white and navy, this organic cotton cover is printed with all sorts of cute watercolor cacti for the desert botanist. Just select the “Nurse+support pillow” style to get a cover that fits the Snuggle Me nursing pillow. Best of all, this seller also makes car seat canopies, crib sheets, headbands, and changing pad covers in the same print, so everything will match!
My Brest Friend Pillow Waterproof Cover
Ok, so I know this cover doesn’t have an exciting print, but hear me out: it’s waterproof. That means baby-barf-proof. Which makes it an absolute winner! You’ll spend more time doing the nerdy things you love and less time doing laundry! This is one of the few custom covers that fit the My Brest Friend pillow.
If you really want to get the full nerdy experience, check out the Geek Thread Ultimate Baby Box. It includes one Boppy cover, two onesies, three bibs, one burp cloth, and one pacifier clip. Just choose a Fandom and they’ll send a box full of gear with any of the following themes: Harry Potter, Marvel, DC, Doctor Who, Nintendo, Geeky TV, Disney, My Little Pony, Lord of the Rings, Firefly, or mixed Superheroes.
The post Best Baby Nursing Pillows, Loungers, and More appeared first on Geek Baby Clothes.
Black Nerd Problems had the opportunity to chop it up with Chuck Brown, writer for DC’s Black Manta book, about some of his inspirations, and the future of the character in the ever-expanding Aquaman franchise.
Black Nerd Problems: This Black Manta book is so good. What is it like putting your own stamp of style on such a storied character?
Chuck Brown: It feels unreal at times. I grew up with this character, and now I’m writing the comic. Black Manta has never had his own series before. The book was a great opportunity to give the character some depth.
BNP: With Aquaman: The Becoming, and your Black Manta book, this is without a doubt the Blackest the Aquaman franchise and Atlantis has ever been. How does it feel to know you’re a part of expanding a world that has been so traditionally white? And what goes into your process in widening that scope?
CB: First, I just want to say I love this question! Well, it feels fantastic! Brandon Thomas is killing it on Aquaman: The Becoming. When I started developing the Black Manta project, I just stayed true to myself and the stories I like to tell. I must admit at times I was worried if white fans would reject the stories I’m trying to tell. But I had to put that out of my mind and just tell the story. With any comic I write, I draw experiences from my own life, and Black Manta was no different.
BNP: Three issues in, it’s looking more and more likely that Black Manta is a descendent of ancient Atlanteans. Despite that being the coolest twist ever, it’s also a very important part of the story you’re telling. What went into the decision to make such a shocking revelation about this character?
CB: It just seemed like a natural evolution of the character. In reality, Black Americans deal with generational trauma. I thought it would be interesting to have Manta’s trauma link to ancient Atlantis. When Atlantis was an island, King Atlan invited people from all over to help build and grow the civilizations. This would have included engineers from African countries. The idea just made sense to have Manta a descendant. Now, he has to deal with the fact he’s connected to people he hates.
BNP: Black Manta is a villain, but he’s the protagonist of this story. How do you balance telling the story through a mad man’s eyes while also giving a reason for the audience to root for him?
CB: It’s that same weird balance you have with other popular main characters like Walter White in Breaking Bad and Joe Goldberg in You. They are terrible people, but they are also just people. I try and bring out the humanity in the character. His co-stars are a big part of that as well. Gallous acts as his moral anchor throughout the series.
BNP: What can you tell me about Devil Ray (who also has the dopest name), and how his motivations lie in opposition to Black Manta’s?
CB: There isn’t a lot I can say without spoilers. But Devil Ray sees Black Manta as his idol. An idol that he feels let him down and betrayed him and his ideologies. The name Devil Ray is from Dwayne McDuffie’s work in DC animation. The character was used as a replacement for Black Manta.
BNP: What’s in store for the future of Black Manta (from what you can tell us)? What can fans look forward to?
CB: Well, it’s already been announced that Brandon Thomas and I will be co-writing Aquamen with illustrations by Sami Basri. So, you will definitely see Black Manta and his crew again. I want to continue to develop the character’s humanity yet have fun with his badass shoot first nature.
Synopsis for Black Manta #4: Devil Ray has his sights set on Atlantis, and he races to put his grand plans into motion before Black Manta can unlock the secrets of the mysterious and deadly orichalcum metal. Meanwhile, Torrid forms an uneasy alliance with Manta and Gallous the Goat following their throwdown in Ethiopian airspace. But perhaps her reticence is not unfounded, as Manta’s villainous nature emerges on their quest for the truth. Black Manta #4 goes on sale Tuesday, December 14th, and we, at BNP, look forward to more good work from Chuck Brown.
Cover image via Amazon.com
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The post The Blackest Aquaman Franchise: An Interview with Chuck Brown appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.