Today we have a giveaway from TLB sponsor Rumina Nursingwear. Read on for details on this opportunity and an interview with the company founder Dawn Alva. I love this company and had the pleasure of meeting Dawn and her staff this past fall. Their commitment to supporting moms extends beyond their customers and sales to ongoing support of WIC and Milk Banking. I hope you take the time to get to know this company and consider using their product knowing that doing so helps them help so many other moms.
TLB: Tell us about how Rumina came to be, the inspiration, the meaning of the name, and the vision of the company.
Dawn: Rumina was inspired by my infant son. From the beginning, my son and I struggled with breastfeeding. First we had difficulty with latching then he seemed to just get irritated and frustrated at the breast. Eventually after a few months of trying he decided he preferred the bottle. I didn’t want to give formula because I knew of all the benefits of breast milk but pumping came with its own set of challenges.
As a working mom, I had to return to work. Prior to returning to work I was trying to pump every 2-3 hours for about 30 minutes at a time, trying to build up a supply. I was nervous about getting enough time to pump. I searched for a hands-free solution to help but there was nothing available at that time that worked for my body. My nipples weren’t in the “right” location for the holes or the garment didn’t stay up, defeating the hands-free purpose. Plus I hated undressing at work to pump! Every time I sat there holding the pump, I worried about how I could be the mom I wanted to be and continue my demanding job. I became so overwhelmed that after 2 1/2 months of nursing and 4 months of exclusively pumping, I stopped short of my personal hope of at least a year.
The vision of Rumina started after I emerged from my “mommy fog,” I became dedicated to developing a solution that would meet the needs of breastfeeding moms who pump in one comfortable and supportive garment. Our vision as a company is to help moms reach their own unique breastfeeding goals. While I was not able to reach my own breastfeeding goals, it’s truly amazing to hear when Rumina assists other moms reach theirs!
Rumina is a Roman Goddess of Breastfeeding and Women, the Goddess who causes the milk to flow. Her name is related to an old Latin word for breast, rumis or ruma and translates to “the Nourisher”, “She Who Breastfeeds” or “Mother’s Breast”. Rumina is the protectress of all nursing young. (http://www.thaliatook.com/OGOD/rumina.html)
TLB: What would you like TLB readers to know about Rumina?
Dawn: Rumina is working hard to support our community and establish long term relationships with our local WIC and Milk Banks. We really want to not only support these great resources and amazing organizations but to help increase the awareness and needs of these organizations and offer ways moms can help contribute. Read more about the WIC Peer Counselor program and how we support it here.
TLB: What has been your personal experience with breastfeeding and how has it factored into developing your company?
Dawn: My personal experience with breastfeeding was a struggle. The struggle has been a reminder that as we move forward as a company we want to help moms through their own breastfeeding experience. We want to offer great, quality products that helps support hands-free pumping but we also want be a sounding board for moms who are struggling or have questions. We want to provide resources and connect moms to great communities like The Leaky Boob where they can find support and other moms going through similar experiences. Breastfeeding moms are amazing and we have a lot of offer each other!
TLB: What is your favorite breastfeeding and pumping tip?
Dawn: There are so many great breastfeeding and pumping tips, like hand expressing after pumping to completely drain the breast and help increase your milk production as well as relaxing while breastfeeding and pumping, something I think I personally forgot…often. But my number one favorite breastfeeding and pumping tip I encourage is to drink plenty of water. Sometimes we moms get so busy and so overwhelmed by baby and life we sometimes forget to drink enough water which greatly help with our overall well-being and milk production.
Dawn and her son Bryce
This giveaway is for one mom randomly selected from the entries to receive a free all-in-one Hands-Free Pumping Bra & Nursing Tank in their size and color preference, a $48 value. The Rumina Hands-Free Pumping Bra & Nursing Tank has a built-in bra that is the perfect layer for a busy mom’s active life. Wear it on its own or layered under work and casual tops. The patent pending design is perfect for moms who have to be away from their child but want to continue and give their very best. The tank has all the functions you’ve come to love in a nursing tank plus all the functionality a breastfeeding mom needs throughout the day.
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This giveaway is now closed.
To be entered, please leave a comment on this post. This entry is REQUIRED in order to be entered for a chance at the giveaway. Please be sure head over to the Rumina Nursingwear Facebook page and/or Rumina on Twitter and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity. Let’s be sure to show our appreciation.
For a second entry share this giveaway in some public forum (Facebook, Twitter, parenting forum, etc.) and return with the url of where you shared it and leave that in a comment (and don’t forget to tag them!). Please note, you can share it where you like and as many times as you like, but only one will count for a second entry.
Important: only a possible two entries per person, any additional entries will be deleted and abuse will possibly result in all of an individual’s entries being deleted. Please be patient in waiting for comments to show up as some have to be moderated from the spam filter. Thank you.
That’s it – two simple tasks and you’re entered twice for a chance at a great giveaway. Thanks to Rumina Nursingwear for their generous giveaway and sponsorship of The Leaky Boob, providing support for breastfeeding moms everywhere. This giveaway will remain open through Thursday, March 8, 2012 and is open to international entries. At the close of this giveaway, Rumina will be offering a discount code for all Leakies so even if you aren’t the lucky winner, you can get your own top for 20% off. Good luck and have fun!
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Congratulations to Brianna!
“What a great company! Love the name. I struggled with my first daughter going to school full time and pumping and keeping up my supply. Very hard work. Appreciate anything that makes that job easier.”
Thanks everyone that entered! Rumina has generously offered a 20% off discount code for Leakies this week, it’s good through Thursday, March 15, 2012:
TLB20
Rumina’s support and giveaway is greatly appreciated, it is a pleasure to partner with such a wonderful company.
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