TLB sponsor, Bamboobies, would like to wish you a very happy Valentine’s Day!

In a recent conversation with Kerry, creator of Bamboobies, we both admitted to having a soft spot for this particular Holiday, and with her staple heart-shaped breast pads, what better way for Bamboobies to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a giveaway!  And if their heart-shape isn’t enough to inspire you, consider this: Bamboobies are manufactured by women in the US and are fair-trade to boot.  That’s enough to warm my heart.  Kerry shares with us about her breastfeeding journey in a short interview below, followed by your chance to enter this heart-filled giveaway.

TLB:  When did you start Bamboobies and why?

Kerry:    When I had my first baby, I was a BIG leaker – and was quite frustrated with the pad options available but didn’t think to do anything about it for several years…  I was very frustrated by the bulkiness of washable pads  – and I often leaked through them. I used disposables when I really wanted to be sure I didn’t leak but hated the scratchiness, chemicals, and what a waste of money they were.

When I had my second child three years ago I discovered the amazing softness of bamboo fabric in her cloth diapers. Strange as it sounds – and it was – I began stuffing some washable bamboo velour wipes in my shirt!  They were super soft and didn’t have have the cold and clammy feeling of cotton when wet.  My “A-HA” moment came when I thought of the funny name for a better bamboo pad – I trademarked the name Bamboobies at midnight after thinking of it!

The name came easily but it took many months of trial and error to create a really good product.  I wanted to source locally and make something that wouldn’t leak or show through – all big challenges, but I persevered!  I didn’t want to build a company around a gimmick – I wanted to help other women like me and  to create a great product.

Three years ago this March we sold our first pads in a local retailer here in Boulder and our product line has now grown to 5 products and our pads and nipple balm are sold in over 800 stores, primarily in the US and Canada including all US Babies R Us Stores.  We still run our business out of my basement and garage and Bamboobies pads, nipple balm, bras and nursing shawls are all made here in Colorado in fair-trade facilities.

It’s been a really fun and creative process building the business, products and team to this point and getting so many great notes from women all over about their love of our products.

TLB:  Every year you do a freebies giveaway that just costs shipping, that must cost you a lot, why is this so important to you?

Kerry:  It’s fun – and it’s important to get our samples to women who need them.  Our products are expensive because they’re made of very high quality fabrics that are certified organic or sustainable and they’re made in the US in fair-trade women-run facilities.  They also just ‘seem’ expensive because they’re being compared with yucky disposable paper and chemical-filled disposables. When women see and feel for themselves how much better our products are, we hope they’ll do the math and see that buying a high-quality reusable product over a disposable one makes economic sense…  We’ve just launched our products in Babies R Us across the US and so we’re making this month’s giveaway twice as big as we’ve done in the past to try to create more brand awareness.  We typically process 10 retail orders per day – we’ve gotten over 4000 orders in 3 days – Wild Times!

TLB:  The heart shape is fitting for this month of love but it’s also a wonderful design for your breast pads (I wear mine upside down), how did you come to that?

Kerry:  A clothing designer friend suggested it – the dip in the top of the heart acts as a dart to dynamically cup your changing boobie size.  It’s cute but functional too: I didn’t like the lumpiness and circles visible through my shirt when I wore the thick cotton washable pads. We also don’t use a thick edge stitch in an effort to avoid having hearts show through your shirt!

TLB:  You’re so laid back and easygoing, Kerry, how does that carry over into your business?  How about your parenting?

Kerry:  My low blood pressure is genetic but I do generally have a very positive outlook on life. I also try to blow a lot of things off – I choose my battles.  I’m very very lucky – that’s a fact but also a belief that I work to manifest.  Sound too hippie? It is – but it’s also true.  I’m a very determined person and I’m focused on the underlying goodness of people and I think this helps in business and with kiddos.  I have 3 children aged five and under so my patience gets pushed to its limits pretty often, but I try to focus on the good and the things I can change.

TLB:  What do you <3 about breastfeeding?

Kerry:  I love that it’s an amazing discovery that women have to look forward to – a surprise they didn’t know was coming when they were getting close to their due date. Some parts of this new experience can be painful physically and emotionally in the beginning but the sweet, close and bonding parts are amazing.

After I had my first I had a lot of difficulties getting started nursing because I had enormous supply and overactive letdown. I didn’t think I’d last a week but I’ve nursed through two pregnancies and next month will start my seventh year straight. I hadn’t changed a diaper before having my first baby – I knew there was a lot to learn about children.  I’d certainly never nursed but I didn’t even think about the alternative until it was difficult.

I’ve learned so much about my children as individuals through nursing – and about myself.  This has been a big surprise – and a wonderful one to embrace.

For the giveaway, Kerry would like to offer one of three special prizes to seven lucky Leakies! ~ winner’s choice!

Giveaway winners will be able to choose one of the following $30-$40 prizes:

1. Bamboobies Brahhh! It’s a really comfy lounge bra.

2. Multipack of Bamboobies Breastpads and organic Nipple Balm.

3. Chic Nursing Shawl.  

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Bamboobies products are now available at their website, at 250 great  locally-owned boutiques in the US, Canada and Australia, AND Babies R Us stores (all stores in the US).

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from February 12, 2013 through February 18, 2013.  A big thanks to Kerry and Bamboobies for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page  or follow them on twitter  (@bamboobies) and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is restricted to U.S. & Canada residents only ~ sorry: our website can’t process other shipping.

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