Bamboobies Review and Giveaway

CLOSED  Winner: Entry #170, Natalie 

Bamboobies were born out of necessity - 'the mother of invention!’ by mom-preneur Kerry Gilmartian who was looking for a nursing pad that did not leak, bunch up, or become visible through a shirt.  Every pad she tried failed this criteria so she decided to create her own pads.  A year into product development and prototyping with different fabrics and designs, she have settled on a couple of unique breast pad designs that mothers absolutely love.  Made from buttery soft, highly absorbent, moisture wicking bamboo velour, both the regular and overnight pads live up to their promises of being the thinnest for daily use and thickest for overnight use with no leaks, guaranteed! 

The following review was written by guest mommy reviewer, Vanessa P:  

"When my daughter was born she went right the breast and very happily settled there.  We were a great nursing pair.  I did very little research about nursing or nursing products.  I just went with the flow and used the products available to me in the big box stores.  This included nursing pads.  I used disposables and, once I discovered them, reusable pads too.  They worked but they weren’t great. The reusable pads were thick and round but the wrong shape for my breasts.  This was very obvious under my nursing tanks and thinner nursing bras.   The disposables were thinner and quicker absorbing when my milk let down at inopportune times but they also made my breasts feel like they were in a sauna.  I guess that’s what happens when you wrap wet boobs in plastic!  We continued this way and thankfully survived.

When my son born 2 years later I expected the same scenario as with my daughter.  After a great labor and birth, my son did go straight to the breast and started to nurse.  I was thrilled!  That was about 11 am.  Then, along comes 2 am and he’s been using me as a pacifier almost all day!  I was already so sore.  I sent my husband to the store for some lanolin and hobbled my way to the nurses station for one of those little green pacifiers.  After we were released, the soreness increased.  I realized my son was a snacker!  Not only that, he didn’t want to open his mouth and would suck my nipple in like a straw.  OWWW!!!!  I was on YouTube at 2, 3 and 4 am watching nursing videos and searching for tips. 

Heart Shaped Regular Bamboobies in black, pink, and fuchsia.   Love the colors! 

                               

Some where along the way I found a review for Bamboobies Nursing Pads.  I already knew how soft bamboo velour was because I had ordered a yard to make “pillowcases” for my daughter’s microfiber inserts when we were having overnight wetting problems with our cloth diapers.  The description of the pads on the Bamboobies website addressed all the issues I had with nursing pads in the past.  The price point made me hem and haw a little, so I slept (or something resembling sleep) on it.  I woke in the morning soaked and sore and decided my boobs were worth it!  So, I ordered the Bamboobies Variety 6 Pair Pack. 

The super soft bamboo velour on the
skin side of a Regular Bamboobie. 

When they arrived I checked out my loot.  I had 3 pairs of daytime hearts (pink, red and black) and 3 pairs of ridiculously soft nighttime pads.  Knowing what I knew about natural fiber cloth diapers, I called to find out if I need to prep these puppies.  Nope, they are good to go right out of the package!  So, I excitedly showed them to my husband and his mom since they were both home.  They smiled politely and probably thought I was crazy.  My daughter, on the other hand, saw soft pink hearts and feel in love.  She just shoved them under her shirt a ran off.  Like mother, like daughter.

I popped a pair of daytime hearts in and sighed.  They are VERY soft. They are VERY thin. And because of the shape they are flexible and mold well around my breast.  Our mail comes in the late afternoon so the initial daytime test was cut short. 

The Overnight Bamboobie. Note it is larger with thicker
bamboo than the regular ones.   

The first overnight with my Bamboobies was great!  I woke up with heavy, full pads but not wet diapers.  Diapers?!!  Yes, I would sleep with prefolds under me so I could just pick them up and wash them without having to keep washing my sheets.  Woohoo!!!  I can sleep on my sheets!!  At this time my son was about 2 to 3 weeks old.  He would wake up to nurse about every 1.5 to 2 hours and my milk would still beat him to the punch.  The cool thing about the Bamboobies overnight pads is that they suck all the milk to the core of the pads so even though they are full and heavy, feel dry to the touch, not wet or soggy. 

When I used the daytime hearts for the second time, I was equally impressed with their absorbency.  They are SO thin!  I have no clue where all the leaked milk goes but I do know it did not get on my bra or shirts.  Just like that, my nursing life became a little easier and more comfortable.  Another great quality of the bamboo velour is the texture.  Yes, it is soft but because it is not smooth it doesn't get stiff (think men’s starched dress shirt).  My old cotton washable pads would get stiff and scratchy when the milk would dry.  Not the best sensation on already tender nipples. 

On a normal day I changed my nursing pads twice, once at nap time and again around dinner time. This became part of my daily routine, making the 6 pack I bought perfect for me.  I did a load of baby + mommy laundry once a day which included anything of his and anything of mine that touched him.  The overnight pads did come out of the dryer still damp.  All I had to do was reshape them and lay them in the sun.  They would be dry and good to go within an hour or so.  With this routine, I aways had pads to get through the next day.  Honestly, not having any extra pads kept me on schedule. If I didn’t do the laundry I would have to use my old cotton pads, which I absolutely did not want to do!  While $40 may seem like a lot of money for a pack of nursing pads, it really isn’t when you consider I had enough nursing pads for 2 to 3 days because these pads are so absorbent.  I highly recommend Bamboobies nursing pads.  To a nursing mom of a newborn, they are truly worth their weight in gold!  Thank you for taking the time to read my review!”  ~Vanessa

To give our fans the opportunity to try these fabulous nursing pads, we are giving away a 2 pair pack of Regular Bamboobies, a $17 value.  If you would like to purchase Bamboobies Nursing Pads, you can find them here.  Good Luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5th Birthday Celebration: Grand Prize Giveaway Beco Gemini Baby Carrier

CLOSED  Winner: Comment #77, Heaventaste

The grand prize in our 5th Birthday Celebration is a Beco Gemini Soft Structured Baby Carrier in the winner’s choice of print or color from our in-stock selection.  These carriers are one of the easiest SSCs to nurse in and will support your baby from newborn up to 35 lbs!  To enter, leave a comment below telling us how you learned about the benefits of babywearing.  We want to thank all of you for being loyal customers and fans.  Your commitment to shopping local and/or supporting small businesses is what got us to the 5th year mark!  We look forward to serving you in the future both online and in the shop.  Happy 5th Birthday to Go, Baby, Go Shop!!!  --Gina

Giveaway Terms:  One comment per person.  Giveaway starts at midnight, October 27th and runs until 1159 pm CST.  Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on the blog.  Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize before another winner is chosen. 

5th Birthday Celebration: Giveaway #5 Aden + Anais Bamboo Muslin Swaddles 3-pk

CLOSED  Winner: Comment #32, Andrea

Want to help your newborn transition from the womb to the world?  Next to babywearing, Aden + Anais Bamboo Muslin Swaddles are a new Mama's saving grace!  

Why swaddle?  Swaddling’s ability to soothe and calm babies has been known to mothers around the world for countless generations.  In 2002, the medical journal Pediatrics published a study that explained why babies who are swaddled sleep more peacefully by preventing spontaneous movements (called reflex motion) from waking them up continually during the night. The same year, the Journal of Applied Physiology wrote that swaddled infants stay in REM sleep (the most restorative, deepest sleep) longer than those who were not swaddled.  Thanks to the generous size of these versatile blankets (47” X 47”), they also
function as a stroller or nursing cover, changing pad cover, burp cloth, tummy time blanket and more. 

Giveaway #5 is a 3 pack of Aden + Anais Bamboo Muslin Swaddles in your choice of prints from our in-stock selection.  To enter, leave a comment below telling us what helped to soothe and comfort your newborn.  Good luck and thank you for sharing our 5th Birthday celebration with us! --Gina
  
Giveaway Terms:  One comment per person.  Giveaway starts at midnight, October 26th and runs until 1159 pm CST.  Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on the blog.  Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize before another winner is chosen. 

5th Birthday Celebration: Giveaway #4 Delish Naturals Gift Set

CLOSED  Winner: Comment #30, Maria Ivey

The name says it all.  These products are truly delish!  Giveaway #4 is a Delish Naturals Gift Set consisting of one each Yum Bum Butter, Delish-ious Shampoo & Body Wash, and Delish-ious Baby & Body Lotion in your choice of yummy scents from our in-stock selections.  To enter, leave a comment below telling us your favorite all natural skin care product!  Just our way of thanking you for being a loyal fan and celebrating our 5th Birthday with us!  Good luck!  --Gina  

Giveaway Terms:  One comment per person.  Giveaway starts at midnight, October 25th and runs until 1159 pm CST.  Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on the blog.  Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize before another winner is chosen.  

5th Birthday Celebration: Giveaway #3 Swaddlebees One Size Simplex AIO

CLOSED  Winner: Comment #43, Stephanie M.

Giveaway #3 is a Swaddlebees One Size Simplex AIO in the winners choice of Elephants or Monsters print!  These are the newest print additions to the Swaddlebees product line.  What separates this AIO from the others on the market is pocket openings on both ends that allows you to increase the diaper's absorbency by adding extra inserts, then allowing the doubler or insert to agitate itself out in the wash.  Hooray!!!  Mama doesn’t have to touch wet, soiled inserts!  To enter, leave a comment below telling us which cloth diaper started you on your cloth diapering journey.  Good Luck and thanks for celebrating our 5th Birthday with us!  --Gina

Giveaway Terms:  One comment per person.  Giveaway starts at midnight, October 24th and runs until 1159 pm CST.  Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on the blog.  Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize before another winner is chosen.  

5th Birthday Celebration: Giveaway #2 SLOOMB Underwoolies Cover

CLOSED  Winner: Comment #22, CadenceK

Want a chance to win a pair of SLOOMB Underwoolies in your choice of color and size (1 or 2)?  Leave a comment below telling us about your first experience with Go, Baby, Go Shop! and you will be eligible to win one of these awesome, trim fitting covers made from all melange yarns that are perfect for daytime use!  Thanks for being a fan and celebrating our 5th Birthday with us!

Giveaway Terms:  One comment per person.  Giveaway starts at midnight, October 23rd and runs until 1159 pm CST.  Winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on the blog.  Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize before another winner is chosen.  Winner may chose any color from our in-stock selection.  Good luck! --Gina

Beachfront Baby Wrap Giveaway

                                             

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Beachfront Baby Wraps, formerly Water Wrap Carriers.com, are the brain child of Diane Turner, a WAHM living on the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas.  Not only are these affordable and functional water wraps made in the USA, they are made locally by Diane and other local WAHMs who assist her with making each "made to order" wrap for specialty retailers and customers.  Each wrap is made from 100% Polyester Jersey fabric that has a 2 way stretch making it perfect for use in and out of the water.  I had the opportunity to try out one of the wraps during a beach trip last summer when my little boy was 10 months old.  Let me just say these wraps are a life saver.  I have no idea what we were thinking bringing so much stuff to the beach but it was really nice having my hands free to help carry bags.  The carrier kept my my son safe and secure both on the beach and in the water during the busy Memorial Day Holiday.  Another plus is it dries REALLY fast so you don’t have to worry about dealing with 15 ft. of wet fabric once you get back to your car or inside your home.  And don’t let the name fool you.  Not only can Beachfront Baby Wraps be used to wear your baby in the shower, at the beach, at the water-park or in the pool, you can also use them as an everyday sport wrap since they support babies from birth to approximately 30 pounds and are highly breathable in scorching South Texas summers.  A busy mama’s saving grace!    

I was curious how Diane got started making these awesome wraps so recently I visited her home/workshop to learn a little more about her business. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.  

I'm a happy mom of 4 wonderful children.  I have been a babywearing momma since the birth of my oldest daughter in 2000, however, I didn't learn about all the wonderful benefits and carrier options until the birth of my 3rd child in 2006.  While I cut and sew most days, my children teach themselves and each other in our unschooling family. We live in the country surrounded by beautiful old oak trees which help to keep our family cool along with our 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, a flock of chickens and occasionally, our 5 goats that we share with my in-laws.  My husband is a fire fighter and a dedicated husband and gardener who grows as much food for our family as he can. I also pursue photography as a hobby.  I mostly take pictures of my children, but I also enjoy taking all my own product photos.  All the product photos you see on my website and Etsy shop are local moms and dads that I photographed myself.  

What got you interested in creating and sewing these wraps? 

Cutting table where 15 ft. of fabric is cut to make the wraps.
This purple color will be available soon.  Isn’t it stunning? 

I come from a family of sewers.  Both my parents sew and taught both my sister and I how to sew when we were young.  My paternal grandparents owned a Singer Store in Nebraska.  My Dad grew up in the store and not only did he learn how to sew there, he also learned the ins and outs of sewing machines.  He later became a sewing machine repairman and still fixes machines to this day.  

In other words, it’s in the blood!  Right, Diane?

How did you come up with the idea for the Beachfront Baby Wrap?

My water wraps were born of necessity in 2009 when my youngest child was 2 months old and we spent every hot summer afternoon in the pool.  I couldn't swim with my 3 other children because I needed both hands to hold my baby in the water. I found myself really missing my Moby Wrap!  That’s when I had the idea to make a wrap to use in the water.  After finding the right fabric, I knew other mothers needed these wraps too so in 2010, I decided to sell them under my former business, Go, Baby, Go!  At that time, my mom made the wraps under my specifications while I ran the business and cared for my 4 children.

The momma behind Beachfront Baby Wraps. 

Has the business grown a lot since you sold your first wrap in 2010?

Has it ever!  In January of 2011, I sold Go, Baby, Go! to a friend and opened my Etsy shop.  A few months later I created my website under the name WaterWrapCarriers.com.  I now have fifteen retailers total, thirteen in the USA including Go, Baby, Go! and one in Mexico, New Zealand, and Dubai!  I’ve gone from offering a one-size wrap that fits most adults up to approximately 5’10” and/or 200 lbs. to offering a petite and extra long size as well.  My newest products include a custom wrap in your choice of color with contrast serging and a “no wrap” water carrier.  Since the name Water Wrap Carriers is more of a description and not really patentable, in September of 2012 I changed the name of my business to Beachfront Baby, LLC so my wraps are now referred to as Beachfront Baby Wraps.

View of Diane’s workspace. Notice the bolts of shiny fabric
 in gorgeous colors just waiting to become a BFB wrap. 

Tell us about your workshop.

It’s a work in progress.  I moved my business from inside my house to a workshop my husband built for me above our garage earlier this year.  It still has a way to go before it’s completely finished since my husband works on it in between his busy schedule as a fire fighter, husband, and father.  This past July, he added air conditioning for which I was eternally grateful.  Prior to having A/C, my work space was truly a “sweat shop”!  Now I have a space large enough to accommodate my growing business.  Everything from cutting to shipping can now be done in one place and I don’t even have to drive to get there! 

Now that’s what I call efficiency!! 

  

Diane had a temp worker helping out the day I visited!

In celebration of International Babywearing Week, Beachfront Baby Wraps is giving away one of their amazing water wraps in the winners choice of size and color.  From now thru Saturday, October 13th, buy any baby carrier from Go, Baby, Go! and receive a $10 store credit on your next order (no code necessary) so if you would like to buy one of these wraps, you can find them here.  I hope you have enjoyed getting to know this local momma and her business. Thank you for taking the time to read this article. --Gina  

a Rafflecopter giveaway