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Valentine’s Day Giveaway from Rumina

February 14, 2013 by
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Rumina, TLB sponsor from way back, would like to make this day a little more fun by giving you a chance to win one of their muli-function tops: the Rumina Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tank.  In a brief interview below, the sisters behind Rumina, Amanda and Dawn, one expecting her first baby, the other 3 months post-partum, share with our readers some thoughts on how babies change your life, and in honor of the Holiday, they describe both their ideal night out and their favorite cheap date.  Enter for your chance to enter the giveaway below.  

Three women of Rumina

TLB:  Amanda, with expecting your first little one, what aspects of becoming a mother make you nervous?

Amanda:   It would probably be the planning for the unexpected, and how can you really plan for that? I’ve been a planner with set time frames and goals for a lot of big aspects of my life, school, my previous career, finances but the one thing my fiancé and I were not planning at the time was a baby. Now I find myself switching gears and trying to create a plan for our baby and I know that the ideas and expectations I have will probably go out the window as soon as the little guy arrives. I hear they have an amazing ability to completely change your life. As a planner, not knowing what that change will look like makes me a little nervous but I’m also really excited. I know I’ll have a lot of help and support around me to take care of the little guy, and I’m so excited to be a mom. So if there’s time to learn to embrace living in the moment, it’ll be when he arrives.

TLB:  Dawn, three months into adding a little one to your family, how does big brother show affection to his new little sister?

Dawn:  This has been a big change for Bryce.  He has had 5 years of undivided attention from my husband and I.  At first, he would just look at her and ask each day, “is she big yet” as he wants to play!  Now, 3 months in, Bryce has to hug and kiss her before he goes to bed each night and is upset if this is missed.  We have also caught him lightly tickling her and say, “who’s the cutest baby” in a baby voice.  My son has a very good heart.  I know that as the days pass, the bond with them will continue to deepen.

TLB:  Dawn and Amanda, describe your ideal romantic date.

Amanda:  Right now, being 6 months and still childless, I think I would have to stretch the ideal romantic date into an ideal romantic weekend. My fiancé and I live in the Pacific Northwest right on the border of Washington and Idaho, we have beautiful  resorts overlooking the mountains and lakes. I think it would be great to have a nice dinner and splurge on a overnight stay in a room with a view. Then before we jumped in the car for the drive home he would “surprise” me with a pregnancy massage in the resorts spa. Now that sounds ideal.

Dawn:  LOL, date?  what is a date?  I used to fantasize about places like Fiji and my husband and I used to travel all over and dance Argentine Tango… man those were the days.  Now I just fantasize about drinking coffee on a Sunday morning without anyone saying my name for 2 hours.  🙂  Ok, if I was to really think hard, my ideal date would be to go wine tasting either at our local wineries or up in Napa like we used to.

TLB:  Dawn and Amanda, describe your favorite cheap date night in.

Amanda:   Our cheap date night, which doesn’t happen very often even for a cheap date, is usually an outing at the dollar movie theatre. In our area we have a dollar theatre that shows movies usually already available for rental but still cheaper than renting. We usually pick up a few candies and sneak them into the theatre too, we’re those kind of people. It’s nice feeling like its still a date without spending $30.00 just to watch a movie.

Dawn –  Our cheap date night was really a date afternoon.  This was before Beth was born and we just had our son.  When our son was at school, we would steal away to the movies for an afternoon show.  Matinees are much cheaper and less crowded!  (of course, I had to play hooky from my day job)!

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 Dawn and Amanda are giving away one Rumina Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tank to 3 lucky Leakies! 
Winners choose the style, size and color of their choice!

Here’s what you’re getting in the Rumina Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tank: 

One Tank. Three Essential Functions. The perfect layer for a busy mom’s lifestyle, Rumina Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tanks have a built-in bra that allows for effortless pumping and nursing without sacrificing shape and support. No longer do moms have to remember an extra garment to change into to pump, Rumina’s tanks offer all day support under your favorite blouses or shirts. With extra length for fashion and layering, Rumina’s tanks provide complete coverage and the soft knit blend of 90% Cotton and 10% Lycra, stretches and recovers to adjust to a new mom’s changing body. Rumina’s Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tanks take the extra steps and time out of pumping!  Retail Value: $48.00

Styles Full Coverage and Classic Coverage Tanks

Currently Leakies can find Rumina’s Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tanks, in both Classic Coverage and Full Coverage styles at www.ruminaformoms.com.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from Feb. 14th 2013 through Feb. 20 2013.  A big thanks to Dawn and Amanda and Rumina Nursingwear for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page  or follow them on twitter  (@RuminaAmanda on Twitter) and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is restricted to U.S. residents only.

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Rumina Breastfeeding Gift Basket Giveaway

October 25, 2012 by
Rumina does one thing and does it very, very well.  Sisters Amanda and Dawn, the women behind Rumina, have created perhaps the most simple and versatile piece of clothing for any nursing mother’s wardrobe: the Nursingwear Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tank.  The tank appears to be just another typical staple in many women’s closet.  Unassuming and classic, it is also a nursing top for easy breastfeeding, as well as a support for hands-free pumping – but it looks like a regular tank!  Brand new Mom for the second time, Dawn has taken some time to answer some questions about what her experience has been like so far since the birth, and shares some exciting news about an award Rumina has recently received.  AND, Amanda and Dawn are offering a substantial giveaway to one lucky Leaky!  See below…

 

TLB:  Dawn, as a new mom again, what are the best ways those that love you have shown their encouragement and support and help in this time of transition?

Dawn:  My family instantly being there when needed even though each has a very busy life has allowed me to enjoy this last pregnancy and our little girl so fully.  The timing for this child coming into this world was not ideal. My husband and I have two businesses as well as a full time job so having Beth come 3 weeks early really threw off our ability to meet our obligations.  Luckily my family was a god send.  My mom and sister really took the lead with Rumina so I can enjoy this last pregnancy and delivery.  They also flew to Kentucky for a big tradeshow we had to attend.

Also, we do not live near any family, which makes “surprises” such a challenge.  I was admitted to the hospital for 4 days to be monitored and get fluids then bed rest for another 3 days while they tried to hold off delivery until the 37th week.  My family really came through; while my sister and mom were at the tradeshow, my aunt rearranged her busy schedule as an attorney and came down to be with my son when I was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital.  Since we didn’t know from day to day if we were going to have the c-section, my cousin came up to be with Bryce for the actual delivery.  She has four kids at home and owns a business as well.  I am so blessed to have so many loving and supportive women in my life!

TLB:  How is the experience with your second child different then the first with regards to nursing?

Dawn:  What a difference experience and education make!  As you know, my story on why I created Rumina stems from my son and I not having very successful nursing experience.  This led me to exclusively pump and there was not a hands-free pumping garment on the market that worked for my body.   This time around I am much more confident and comfortable with having a newborn.  Plus, I am a member of the International Lactation Consultant Association.  This invaluable education set me up for breastfeeding success. Especially with the evidence-based research on skin-to-skin contact in the Operating Room.  The hospital I delivered at is Baby Friendly but the one thing they do not practice is having c-section moms have skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth.  They usually  take the baby away to the nursery while the mom finishes surgery and recovery.   Using evidence-based research and having conversations with the Labor & Delivery Nurses, Lacatation Consultants, the OB, Pediatrician, and Anesthesiologist, I was the first person at CHOMP to be allowed to have my baby girl to be put on me immediately following birth!!!!  It was amazing to see my little girl who was not quite 37 weeks actually scoot around my chest and root for my breast!  I have seen that with vaginal births but not c-sections at 37 weeks!  I am happy to report that I had my little girl skin-to-skin for 12 hours with only a few minutes away from me in all that time.  I attribute this skin-to-skin and my confidence in myself to our breastfeeding experience being so good this time around!

TLB:  After you have a new baby, when do you start pumping to build up a freezer stash for when you’re back in the office?

Dawn:  I have to admit, I’m very fortunate and have it a little easier than most when juggling work and nursing.  Even though I travel up to Palo Alto, which is about 1 hour and 1/2 from home, regularly for meetings, I primarily work from my home office.  This will give me much more flexibility for nursing and pumping.  I will start pumping at the end of November and introduce the bottle at that point, keeping my fingers crossed everything goes well with nursing.

TLB: Any new news with Rumina you would like to share with Leakies?

Dawn:  Yes! We are so excited to share that this week Rumina’s Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tank received the Mom’s Choice Award for Honoring Excellence! We are thrilled about this award! We know moms look for distinguished awards, like the Mom’s Choice Award, when looking at which quality and reputable products to purchase. Moving forward, Rumina’s packaging will proudly display the Mom’s Choice Award Honoring Excellence seal!

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Rumina is giving away one loaded Breastfeeding Gift Basket to one very lucky winner.

Rumina’s Breastfeeding Gift Basket includes 4 great breastfeeding items!   Retail value $186.48 

One Rumina Nursingwear Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tank: $48.00

One Tank. Three Essential Functions. The perfect layer for a busy mom’s lifestyle, Rumina’s Hands-Free Pump and Nurse tanks have a built-in bra that allows for effortless pumping and nursing without sacrificing shape and support. Rumina’s tanks provide complete coverage for pumping moms; no longer do moms need to find somewhere to disrobe, potentially feeling exposed while pumping. Rumina’s soft knit blend of 90% Cotton and 10% Lycra stretches and recovers to adjust to a new mom’s changing body. Both the Full Coverage and Classic Coverage styles can be purchased at www.ruminaformoms.com. Winner will be able to choose style, color and size preference.

One Bamboobies® Cute Little Nursing Cover:  $44.00

Born out of creator of Bamboobies® Kerry Gilmartin’s frustration with the unflattering apron-style nursing covers in bright prints. Bamboobies® Cute Little Nursing Cover is made from an Organic Eco-Soy Fabric: certified organic cotton 57%, soy fiber from soybean manufacturing 37%, spandex 6%. The Cute Little Nursing Cover was created out of a need for fashion + discretion and is the solution for women who want to nurse their baby privately and stylishly. Bamboobies® Cute Little Nursing Covers and washable nursing pads can be purchased at www.buybamboobies.com. Winner will be able to choose color and size preference.

Milkin’ Cookies 30 day gift certificate: $49.99

Milkin’ Cookies are made with wholesome and healthy ingredients that include whole wheat flour, flaxseed, wheat germ, and oats. Each cookie has just 190 calories and 10 grams of fat but 3 grams of fiber. Milkin’ Cookies were created by two physician moms, Lennox and Cheri, who were struggling to produce enough breast milk while working full time. There are currently two flavors: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Almond. Our cookies are baked fresh to order and shipped all over the US. Milkin’ Cookies can be purchased on-line at www.milkin-cookies.com.

WarmZe Starter Kit Small and Large with Refill Kit: $44.49

WarmZe is the first truly portable bottle warmer that frees parents from being tethered to a car outlet or trapped in a kitchen when heating milk. WarmZe system consists of air-activated warmers and a fabric BottleSoc. To warm a bottle, you simply slide the BottleSoc onto your breast milk bottle, pull up the outer layer of the BottleSoc and attach a warmer, then pull the outer layer of the BottleSoc back down into place. Each WarmZe can be used multiple times a day and stays warm for up to 10 hours, making it easy for busy parents to plan ahead and warm bottles well in advance of feeding time. WarmZe can be purchased at www.ontheflybottle.com.

Currently Leakies can find these and other great pregnancy and nursing products on the Rumina website and in some local retail stores and boutiques.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered, and check out ruminaformoms.com for more information on their fantastic nursing tanks.  The giveaway is open from October 25, 2012 through October 31, 2012.  A big thanks to Dawn, Amanda, and Rumina for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women, please be sure to visit their Facebook page  or follow them on twitter (@todaysrumina on Twitter) and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is open to US entries only.

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Rumina Give-away

August 16, 2012 by

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 and her sister Amanda.  I love this company and had the pleasure of meeting Dawn and Amanda last 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.  Their tanks are high quality products, I have both styles and love both.  Their new full coverage tank is so comfortable and a new staple in my wardrobe and with its classic design I’ll be wearing it long after weaning even.

 

 

 

TLB: What would you like readers to know about your company?

Amanda: Rumina’s been busy these past few months establishing a strong connection with our community and helping more moms reach their breastfeeding goals. We’ve been working on building long term relationships with WIC organizations both in our Northern California area as well as outside Rumina’s home state. We’re so proud to be able to share with you that through RuminaMoms, part of our proceeds goes to donating resources to help support various WIC programs.  A great success story is our continuous work with our local Monterey County WIC office in Salinas CA. Monterey County is a heavy agricultural based area with many moms working long hours out in the fields. We’ve been able to donate Rumina tanks to these WIC moms to help with pumping while they sit in their trucks or cars on their lunch breaks. The picture attached shows a mom starting to pump while she’s on her lunch break from working in the fields. They love being able to wear the tank while they work and not stress about where to pump in a very public area. We’re so happy to be supporting our local community and we’re so excited to start working with other WIC programs, especially the Peer Counseling Program.

TLB: What inspires your design process?

Amanda: It’s truly the needs of moms. Our first Rumina design, the all-in-one Hands-Free Pumping Bra and Nursing Tank was inspired by my personal struggle with breastfeeding and pumping. There was nothing at the time that worked for my body that allowed me to pump hands-free when I had to return to work. Now as we look at designing other styles, we really listen to what moms need, to inspire us to make a new garment to meet that need. So many moms have amazing ideas and suggestions on how products can be designed or improved to better fit every unique woman’s postpartum body. It’s our hope to have more forums and open discussions to hear what those needs are, ideas how to create and design new products and to see if we can develop garments that help breastfeeding moms to reach their breastfeeding goals.

TLB: How do you balance being a mom and running your own company?

Amanda: Good question!  This is something that I struggle with but feel very lucky to have an incredible support system in my husband and family.  As the sole financial provider for my family and the main financial contributor to the company I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for my husband’s commitment to the family, I could not have been successful in starting Rumina. His commitment and support along with my sister working full time for Rumina allow me to be engaged with my son and be fully present when he’s home. It’s important to disconnect from work when he’s home and on the weekends as much as possible so I can be the mom I want to be for him. At times it’s harder than others and it’s something I have to constantly work at but again, without the great support system I have, I wouldn’t nearly be as successful as I am.

TLB: What are your favorite breastfeeding memories as a mom?

Amanda: As I mentioned, I struggled with breastfeeding.  With returning back to work, I ended up exclusively pumping for 4+ months.  It’s in retrospect that I realize my most precious breastfeeding moment was the last time I nursed.  It was between Christmas and New Year’s and it’s still the most wonderful gift he could have given me.  Now with my second child on the way, I look forward to having many more breastfeeding memories.

TLB: What is one tip that helped you in your breastfeeding journey that you’d like to pass on to other moms?

Amanda: I would have to say it’s drink lots of water and relax. In today’s society, we measure everything. I think many moms (myself included) feel anxious that our babies are not “getting enough” because we can’t see to measure it. We have been conditioned to look at the ounces on the bottle and feel success when our little ones drink the “correct” amount. Our bodies are amazing! It knows what your baby needs and will provide it (of course, supplementing will change this dynamic) but consult with your lactation consultant and pediatrician to determine what weight is healthy for your baby.

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Rumina is giving away a fabulous prize for the TLB community :

Their brand new all-in-one Full Coverage Hands-Free Pumping Bra & Nursing Tank. Rumina’s Full Coverage Pump&Nurse tank has a scooped neckline for more modest coverage and with a size range from C-H to accommodate larger cup sizes, it’s great for the larger busted mom! Retail Value: $48.00

Currently Leakies can find this and other great products on the Rumina website.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered and have fun browsing www.ruminaformoms.com.  The giveaway is open from August 16, 2012 to August 24, 2012.  A big thanks to Amanda and Dawn for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women, please be sure to visit their Facebook page and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is open to US entries only.

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