review & giveaway: green eats

As you all know, Baby S has begun her forage into the wide world of solids. At 11 months, she is still quite partial to the breast, but in her quest to put everything known to man into her mouth, she has decided that some food should end up in there as well. At the moment, she favors finger foods (cut up sweet potato, banana, avocado, broccoli), apple cores, raw cucumbers, puffs, little crackers, and small amounts of purees.  She also loves drinking water from a cup.

When Toddler B began to eat solids, we began tackling an issue that many parents face in these days of scary chemicals and toxic materials- what do we feed her with? Plastics scares me, I can never remember what numbers are good and which numbers are bad. We went with ceramics for a bit, but broke every cute little dish.

I started doing some research, and found that one of our favorite companies, Green Toys (their tugboat is the best bath toy EVER), had recently added a tableware line for kids, Green Eats. All of Green Eats and Green Toys products are made from recycled milk jugs. The plastic is high-density polyethylene (HDPE), one of the cleanest, safest plastics around. No melamine, no BPA, no phthalates, no PVC, and has no external coatings.

giveaway: pregnancy mama merit badge

In honor of Toddler B's second (!) birthday, I'm giving away another Mama Merit Badge from Mama Scout.

Two years ago tonight I was sitting in a hospital room wondering about the little girl that was about to come out of my body and watching Las Mananitas being sung to La Virgen on Univision. Little did I know that it would be almost another full 24 hours until I met her!

I had already enjoyed 38 weeks of pregnancy. Yes, there was nausea and uncomfortableness, watching my body stretch to unimaginable proportions, enduring the monotony of a lentil diet as I struggled with gestational diabetes, pains in my legs and sleepless nights. But there was also the beauty of knowing that I was growing a person inside of me. For 9 months, she was all mine, safe and swimming in my womb. I walked around with the constant feeling of having a special secret in me, of carrying something precious. The bond we had during that time was irreplaceable- just her and me, me and her. I will never forget it.

This badge is for all you mamas who have felt this pleasure and pain. The description of this badge puts it nicely:


This badge is for creating, growing and protecting life inside your own body. For enduring strangers that rub on you, invasive doctor's visits, horribly personal questions from everyone you come in contact with, and being treated like helpless child, you are ready to wear this badge. If you have swelled, stretched, vomited, peed yourself or watched your body transform into something barely recognizable, you have earned this!


Ever think, I should get a medal for this?!? Amy Bowers is a mother from Florida who creates them! Reward yourself and fellow mamas with badges for pregnancy, breastfeeding, tantrums, sex and more. Visit her Mama Scout shop on Etsy, buy badges at www.mamameritbadges.com, or follow her blog. Check out her thoughts on breastfeeding and more in our interview with her done in fall 2011.


One lucky Breastfed reader will win the pregnancy merit badge. Enter below with Rafflecopter!

interview and giveaway: faith hope trick print and digital design

What gets you through motherhood? No, not the fun, cuddly times- that's easy. I'm talking about the hard times. The sleepless nights, the crabby fights with the partner, being covered with poop as you're trying to get out of the house to work, the leaky boobs and crying babies. 

Sometimes we need to look at something that inspires us and makes us smile a bit. That's why I'm loving the print designs from the shop Faith Hope Trick Print and Digital Design. Along with birth announcements and party invitations, owner and mother Amy Nucera creates prints that delight the eyes and the mind. I was drawn in by her lovely breastfeeding inspired prints.

Today Amy shares with us her personal experiences with breastfeeding and some advice for mamas who are interested in starting their own businesses. Read on for an interview with Amy and details for how to win a package of her fun and inspiring breastfeeding prints!

What inspired you to create your breastfeeding designs?

Breastfeeding is a cause near and dear to my heart (quite literally, as I am a breastfeeding mother myself). Before I had my daughter, I was only vaguely aware of what breastfeeding entailed, or that there were so many people and places available to me that I could go for help and support. I saw more and more mothers giving up, or not trying at all, because of a lack of education and support. Knowing what a wonderful experience it could be for mother and child I wanted other mothers to have the same opportunity-to educate, encourage and support other women in their breastfeeding journeys. 

When my daughter was about a year old I found a wonderful local organization called the Nursing Mother's Advisory Council (NMAC) that shares these goals. NMAC (www.nursingmoms.net) is a non-profit, volunteer organization serving areas of Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania and is comprised of a group of trained volunteer women who have breastfed their children and who wish to help others have a positive nursing experience. NMAC volunteers offer support and counseling, free of charge, without judgment. They offer a bi-annual training class for new peer counselors, which I completed last May. It seemed a natural extension to combine my two passions-design and breastfeeding advocacy-so I created some materials specifically for nursing mama's.

Share some of your personal breastfeeding experience with us.

Breastfeeding has been a wonderful experience for me and my daughter. Going in, I wasn't what you would call "gung ho" about the whole thing. I figured I would try it but honestly didn't expect to stick with it. No one was more surprised than me that we ended up exclusively breastfeeding with such success. 

When she was about 5 months old, I had to have a mass removed from my right breast (thankfully, benign). Faced with the possibility of having to stop nursing while recovering, I found that I was more determined than ever to continue. My doctor was very supportive and we were able to get through the surgery and recovery while continuing to breastfeed. Now, I'm breastfeeding a toddler and couldn't imagine having done it any other way. My daughter is happy, healthy and well-adjusted, and I have no doubt that this is in no small part to our positive breastfeeding relationship. 

Any advice for new breastfeeding mothers?

Breastfeeding is natural, but it doesn't always come naturally to all mothers and babies (I know it didn't for me). Educate yourself as much as you can beforehand so you know what to expect. Talk to other nursing moms, read books and articles, watch videos, and consider taking a breastfeeding class (offered by most hospitals) some time in your third trimester. Enlist the support of your doctor-make sure he or she knows your intent to breastfeed and that they are supportive. Establish a support system: your baby's father, friends, family, and other nursing mothers. 

Breastfeeding can be challenging and time consuming-especially in the first few weeks-and you'll want to have others around to ask questions and provide emotional support. Don't be shy about seeking help when you need it, whether it be from friends, family, a peer counselor or a lactation consultant. You can seek out a support group in your area-even if breastfeeding is going well, these groups are a wonderful way to connect with other nursing mothers and babies. Lastly, be aware that it does get easier as you and your little one get used to each other and find your rhythm.

Any advice for mamas that want to start their own business?

For me, what worked was going with what I knew (graphic design) and combining it with the things I love. My designs tend to reflect things that I enjoy in my own life: pop culture, family, breastfeeding. I believe this makes my designs more personal, and, in turn, more successful. I did a lot of research and started slow, learning from others and from my own experiences how to fine tune my shop and my products. 

It's a continual learning curve for me. Get yourself out there and advertise yourself, both on the web and in "real life". If people can't find you, they can't buy from you. I enjoy what I do, which for me is the key to not giving up, even when things are slow. To that end I would also say to not be discouraged if things start off slowly. I didn't make my first sale for a few months after I opened my shop, but business has steadily picked up since then. I may not be ready to quit my day job, but there's something immensely satisfying about selling my own original designs.

Thanks Amy! Check out her prints, birth announcements, party invitations and Christmas designs at her Etsy shop: www.faithhopetrick.etsy.com. 

In addition, Faith Hope Trick is offering two Breastfed readers a chance to win one of two amazing breastfeeding print packages:

Package #1

Package #2

Package 1:
One (1) "Start Your Day With Two Jugs of Milk" print, 8x12"

One (1) "Keep Calm and Nurse On" print, 5x7
Twenty (20) "Thank You for Nursing in Public" cards, 2x3.5"

Package 2:
One (1) "Keep Calm and Nurse On" print, 8x12"
One (1) "Breastfeeding is a Mother's Gift" print (pink), 5x7
Twenty (20) "Thank You for Nursing in Public" cards, 2x3.5"

Follow directions on the Rafflecopter to enter. Don't forget to click "I Did This!" after completing a step. Good luck!

review & giveaway: thebabasling baby carrier

theBabaSling in chartreuse green

Up until a couple of weeks ago, I'd always been a wrap or certain type of carrier sort. I love my Moby and my Ergo to death. I had never tried a sling, but I kept seeing people carrying around their babies with them... and I have to admit, I was having some carrier curiosity and envy. I loved the way the side sit looked (something I have never mastered with my Moby or Ergo), and I watched mamas slip their babes down to nurse with ease (again, something I have never mastered the M or E).

So when I had a chance to review theBabaSling baby carrier, I was pumped. Finally, I could see what these slings were all about!

When I got my BabaSling, I quickly figured a couple of things out. One, this was not like other skimpy little slings- no fabric digging into the shoulders here. This is the queen of slings. Soft cotton fabric in gorgeous colors with a perfect amount of padding where the sling lays on the shoulder. The Unique Adjustment System makes it easy to size it for me or my partner in seconds while also being safe enough that I don't have to worry about babies falling out.

my favorite position- side saddle

Another thing I figured out in two seconds? theBabaSling is easy. Slip over head, make sure logo is in correct position, slip baby in, and we're off (note: I read directions thoroughly and practiced in a safe place before getting to this point). This is now my go-to carrier for quick trips and impending emergencies. Baby S can't be put down without blowing a gasket, Toddler B just leaked through her diaper and the beans are boiling over on the stove? No prob. Baba Sling on, Baby S in, Toddler B up and fire turned down. I AM SUPER MAMA.

breastfeeding position

theBabaSling offers 5 different positions and 2 different breastfeeding positions. Again, breastfeeding in a carrier is something that I have not previously been able to master. But with theBabaSling, I was able to get Baby S into position, latched on and feeding within seconds. Seriously. It was that easy. I also need to report that while feeding in theBabaSling, Baby S did not unlatch to play or look at anything. This is huge- as you know, Baby S is a full-on distractor that can't usually feed more than a couple of seconds without unlatching. Score a million points for sling feeding. I also was able to feed her while walking around- and she still didn't unlatch! I am beyond wow-ed.

Overall, I am pretty pleased with my BabaSling. It has become a nice part of our babywearing lives. Check out theBabaSling, drool at all the pretty colors, and get one of these award-winning slings for yourself!

*One lucky Breastfed reader will win a BabaSling of his or her very own! Check out how to enter using the Rafflecopter below. 

I was provided with a product to be reviewed by theBabaSling. I received no other compensation. The opinions are all my own.

giveaway: the posh pea blanket

Navy With White Circles

It's another blankie giveaway!

I know, I know- we just had one. And there are two reasons why we are having another:

Reason #1: Mamas- you can never have enough blankies! Continue to enjoy that skin-on-skin contact time by covering the babe with a warm blankie.

Reason #2: I'm seriously crushing on these blankies from The Posh Pea Boutique. Made of 100% cotton and a soft minky dot or chenille, these blankets are warm enough for a prolonged snuggle. They also come in a variety of fun designer fabrics and are made to last.

Blue Pinwheels

More reason to love them: Catherine, owner of The Posh Pea Boutique:

I want moms & dads to know that there is a beautiful alternative to the commercially made baby items that are plastered with TV icons and characters. I take pride in offering high quality, modern baby & children's items that parents can use with their style in mind. After all, what we put on our children is really a reflection of ourselves, so let's make it beautiful!

Lotus Wall Flower

I couldn't agree more! 


Besides their beautiful blankies, The Posh Pea Boutique also offers loveys, bibs, burp cloths, bodysuits, gift sets and does custom orders. The holidays are coming... order a gift that is beautiful and will last to pass onto their children!

Enter to win one of The Posh Pea Boutique's beautiful blankies below using the Rafflecopter. Ends 11.11.11- Good luck!

giveaway: burp cloths by teenie b stitches

The burp cloth. How many do you have?

Any mama of little babies would tell you, "never enough".

We currently have anywhere between 15 and 50. I can't tell you exactly how many, because they are all over the house- in the diaper bags, the dirty laundry, my nightstand, underneath the couch cushions, in the car, hidden in sock drawers and under the bed, in the tub.. well, you get the idea! These things are used constantly, and not just for spit-up. Spills, throw-up, excessive drool, snot- the burp cloth does it all.

I'm always on the look out for cute burp cloths to stock the diaper bag with- let's face it, would you rather pull out a cute cloth or a spotty gross thing when you're out in public?

That's why I'm loving these adorable burp cloths from Teenie B Stitches! 

Made from 100% designer cottons and super cozy and absorbent chenille. At 19 inches long and 8 inches wide, they're perfect for draping over the shoulder (or anything else you might need to do!).

Teenie B Stitches is a fabulous little shop on Etsy (based in Minnesota!) that specializes in trendy, hip and eco-friendly burp cloths, bibs and more- perfect gifts for the mama-to-be, or the mama in need of a cheery gift! They also do custom orders, so keep them in mind for one-of-a-kind shower and holiday gifts.

This month we are excited to be giving away a burp cloth set from Teenie B. Easy entry with Rafflecopter- good luck!

giveaway: dandelion baby cotton & minky baby blankie

It's a Hoot in natural with sage

It's official. Summer is gone, fall is here, and winter is just around the corner. 

What does that mean in your neck of the woods? For us here in Minnesota, it means the end of naked babies rolling around the house in their diapers. Cue the fleece pullovers, heavy pajamas, and the rolling out of the carpets over those wood floors.

Junebug in hot pink

And blankies. When we were pregnant with Toddler B and people asked us what we wanted, we immediately replied, "blankies." Our mantra? You can never have enough blankies. We repeated it with the coming of Baby S.

For the breastfeeding mother, one piece of advice- keep those blankies handy in the winter! I love skin-to-skin time, and for my winter babies I constantly had a blankie covering their dressed-down bodies during feeding time so that they could stay warm on one side, and soak up some body contact on the other. Every mother should have a couple of great blankies!

I Spy in blue

That's why I'm so excited to offer Breastfed. readers a chance to win one of these cotton and minky baby blankies from Dandelion Baby! All of Dandelion Babies blankets are made from 100% cotton designer fabrics on one side and the softest Minky Bubble Dot fabric on the other. The cotton and minky blankies are 32" x 28", perfect for the stroller, car seat, and a snuggly nursing session.

Bright Owl in orange

And the design choices! Dandelion Baby offers so many cute options, we couldn't pick one, so we are leaving it up to you. The winner will get to pick the blankie design of their choice- 21 super cute options and colors to choose from! Awesome- good luck!

giveaway: custom wipes case

Sixties inspired wipes case- Cool Man!!!

I'll admit it. One of my favorite things about breastfeeding is the lack of crap that I have to lug around when I go out.

I remember when we were using formula with Toddler B- the diaper bag was bursting! The bottles, nipples, container of formula, scoop, bottled water.. there was barely any room for diapers!

Now, when I go out with Baby S for a short jaunt, I don't even bring a diaper bag. In the zippered part of my purse I throw a diaper, small wet bag, and wipes case. Maybe a toy. Barely anything!

In celebration of this, I'm giving away this super-cool sixties inspired wipes case from Kaydees Quilts and More. Creator Dawn Paulson has been a crafter all of her life, and left the corporate world after 32 (!) years to focus on her crafts full time. And I'm glad she did! Check out her Etsy shop for more beautiful hand-crafted heirloom baby wares.

Enter the giveaway using Rafflecopter! Ends October 5, 2011- enter now!

why should girl scouts have all the fun?

Nursing Merit Badge

Today I'm interviewing Amy Bowers, the super mama mastermind behind the Mama Merit Badges. Her nursing merit badge (left) is part of our Breastfeeding Celebration Package giveaway!

What inspired you to create the badges?

When I was a mother to 3 very young children, I kept amazing myself with what I could do. I felt like I was growing and pushing myself  more than ever before. Once, after a solo shopping trip at a big box store with all 3,  I joked, "I deserve a merit badge for this!" Then, I went to search for them and they did not exist, so I decided to create them. They are meant to be funny and irreverent. Little nods for the very hard work of parenting. Like a pint of Ben and Jerry's, but not as fattening.

Any suggestions on where to put them?

They can be sewn on a diaper bag, tote or blanket, used in a journal or scrapbook, made into greeting cards, put into a shadow box, sewn onto a denim jacket or hat, or even worn on a sash. The uses are endless. 

What is your personal breastfeeding experience?

When I had my first child, I wanted to breastfeed but had no support. I did not know anyone who nursed or even thought it was very important. After a big struggle, I eventually gave up. 

giveaway: coral tree bibs

Baby S is ready to eat. Now. 

At six months, she is still exclusively breastfed. But all signs point to go for eating solids- she's past six months, she is extremely interested in our food and watching us eat, she grabs for Toddler B's food. She's ready! Of course, she'll still be breastfeeding for as long as she wants.

Orchard Apples

In celebration of this milestone, we're giving away these awesome bibs by Coral Tree! 

Crossing

These adorable bibs- a pair from Alexander Henry's Farmdale collection, Orchard Apples and Crossing- are soft, absorbent and large enough to keep your little one clean (8.5” W x 12” L).


Coral Tree uses 100% cotton fabric for the front and soft and absorbent terry cloth for the back of these bibs. They have a snap closure that’s easy for you to get the bib on and off, but not so easy for your little one.

Check out more gorgeous bibs, burp cloths, wash cloths, shoes, onesies and baby blankets from Coral Tree now!


How to enter:

giveaway: breastfeeding celebration package

Our first giveaway has grown! Win an amazingly fun breastfeeding celebration package in one easy step. 

The package includes: a boobie beanie for your baby by BitchinStitches, organic nipple soothe ointment from HoneyBee Holistics, the breastfeeding merit badge by MamaScout, and the Nourish Breastfeeding! poster from artist Heather Ault at 4000 Years.

Prize details:

Show your breastfeeding support with this handmade crocheted boobie beanie for your baby, courtesy of BitchinStitches. This beanie is designed to look like a breast while a baby or toddler is nursing! (The beanie is for your babies head- head warmer, not boob warmer....)

Beanies can be made in 3 different colors: light skin with pink nipple, medium skin with brown nipple, or brown skin with dark brown nipple. Beanie can also be made for different head sizes- newborn, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, or 12-24 months.

HoneyBee Holistics ointment is a soothing, organic, natural way for breastfeeding moms to ease sore cracked nipples. It helps them heal as well as providing extra moisturizing protection from excessive dryness. Safe enough for use in between feedings without the need to wash off!

Plus: It is an Organic Vegan option versus the popular lanolin products on the market!
 

Breastfed. is super excited to give away the breastfeeding merit badge from Mama Scout! Show your pride in earning your stripes, or gift this to a mama you know that has overcome some breastfeeding struggle. Breastfeeding is hard work and not as natural as it seems. If you produce milk for another human, you get this badge (and so much more). If you NIP (nurse in public) you get a special nod of admiration. 

Put up this poster from artist Heather Ault of 4000 years above your breastfeeding chair, in the room that you pump in at work, or where ever you want to be inspired to continue breastfeeding. 


This poster is part of a series of visual images celebrating the practice of reproductive control around the world for thousands of years!

Text:  

Since ancient times throughout the world, women have prolonged breastfeeding to prevent new pregnancies. During full-time breastfeeding for six-months after birth, most mothers do not ovulate and do not have menstrual periods. 




How to win your breastfeeding celebration package:


Follow Breastfed through Google Friend Connect (see orange box on right sidebar). When we reach 50 followers we will randomly select one friend as the lucky package winner!

Get extra entries by visiting one of our sponsors sites, then sharing one thing about them in the comments section of this post!

The odds of winning this giveaway are ridiculously great- 1 in 50, and even lower if you visit our sponsors sites! Amazing!

Good luck and good breastfeeding! 

boobie beanie giveaway

It's Breastfed's first giveaway!

Show your breastfeeding support with this handmade crocheted boobie beanie for your baby, courtesy of BitchinStitches.

This beanie is designed to look like a breast while a baby or toddler is nursing! (The beanie is for your babies head- head warmer, not boob warmer....)


Beanies can be made in 3 different colors: light skin with pink nipple, medium skin with brown nipple, or brown skin with dark brown nipple. Beanie can also be made for different head sizes- newborn, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, or 12-24 months.




How to win your free boobie beanie from BitchinStitches:


Follow Breastfed through Google Friend Connect (see orange box on right sidebar). When we reach 50 followers we will randomly select one friend as the lucky beanie winner!


Good luck and good breastfeeding!