Did you think we were only going to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week? Of course not! In many countries around the globe, breasfeeding is celebrated during the whole month of August, and sometimes September too, and other odd weeks here and there. We say, let’s celebrate them all! Our Mom-Made Wonderfood is truly worthy of celebration, every day. Whether it comes straight from the tap, the bottle, or via a human milk bank, its a superpower that fights diseases in mom and baby, and helps to clean up the planet – all in a single bound. Even Clark Kent would be jealous.
We’ve seen a lot of breastfeeding companies doing giveaways and promotions this last week—and in tough economic times, a freebie or a discount is a good thing! But how many of those companies are truly investing in changing our breastfeeding culture and beating the booby traps? When only 3% of hospitals are designated baby-friendly; when too few doctors are educated on the basics of lactation management; when women can are still being harrassed, and even abused, for breastfeeding in public; and when ours is one of the only industrialized countries without paid maternity leave—and the list goes on—moms need more than a coupon or some helpful information on a website. Building the “mother of all causes” takes some serious cash.
That is why we are extremely pleased to present the “Ultimate Giveaway that Gives Back” that not only celebrates breastfeeding but also showcases some wonderful companies that are going above and beyond to help moms and babies. Everyone of the sponsors represented in the baskets below is committed to working with Best for Babes to change the breastfeeding landscape for our sisters, our friends, and our daughters, and really for all of us, because when moms are no longer prevented from achieving their personal breastfeeding goals, everyone benefits. These companies also happen to make some of the best products on the market, because while all you really need to breastfeed is at least one boob and a baby, there are a lot of things that can make breastfeeding more comfortable, appealing and convenient. After all, if some cute workout gear can motivate you to go to the gym, then certainly a sexy nursing top can boost your confidence, make you feel fabulous, and empower you reach your breastfeeding goal! We say, whatever works for you, babe!
How to Win: Here’s the special twist on our giveaway. In the spirit of giving back, we are asking you to nominate someone else for the gift basket, someone whom you really think could benefit from this extravaganza: for example, a mom who really wants to breastfeeding but can’t afford a top-quality breastpump to go back to work, or for whom babywearing (and the multi-tasking that goes with it) would make a world of difference. First, leave a comment describing the person you would like to see win basket (1–Expecting Mom) or basket (2–Working Mom) below, and then, make sure you “Like” our facebook page. At the end of the month, everybody will vote on the nominations, and we will check and make sure that the winner is legit before shipping the gift baskets in beginning of September. The generous-minded person who nominates the winner will get a lovely gift too–A Belabumbum Lily Sleepwear set (see the Expecting Babe Basket) and a Best for Babes T-shirt!! Total value of the giveaway is a mind-blowing $1,500 smackeroos.
#1. Ultimate Best for Babes Giveaway Basket for the Expecting Babe
My Brest Friend Deluxe Breastfeeding Pillow has a wrap-around design with a silent, quick-release strap, back support and a firm, flat cushion that keeps baby from rolling and promotes the optimum latch; with soft, washable cover.- Earth Mama Angel Baby Breastfeeding Support Kit includes Milkmaid Tea to support healthy breast milk production, lanolin-free nipple cream to prevent or heal sore, cracked nipples, gel- and toxin-free breast packs ease breasts sore from engorgement or mastitis, and organic, herbal breast compresses provide extra nipple and engorgement care.
Evenflo Comfort Select Performance™ Dual Breastpump with autocycling vacuum is newly improved and perfect for occasional pumping; it runs on batteries or can be plugged in for traveling convenience. Two pumps can used simultaneously for greater efficiency, or leave a spare where you are likely to need it, comes in carry case.
Posh Pads are ultra fashionable, reusable, earth-friendly organic cotton and bamboo nursing pads that are so gorgeous, you can use them as coasters when you are done nursing. In outrageous colors and patterns to suit every bra and boob.
Moby Wrap Custom Best for Babes Carrier is made of the softest of cotton fabrics, is extremely comfortable, and is one of the safest baby carriers available today. It distributes weight evenly from parent’s shoulders to hips and aligns baby’s center of gravity as close to the parent’s body as possible. Svelte black with the signature Best for Babes logo on it!
Mother’s Boutique Sweet Embrace Necklace is a gorgeous sterling silver pendant on a leather cord, designed by Judy Masucci, owner of the Mother’s Boutique. It symbolizes the love between a mother and child and represents a breastfeeding mother or any mother holding and loving her child.
Belabumbum Lily Sleepwear Set comes with a robe, cami and pants perfect for snoozing and lounging and feeling fabulous! Belabumbum believes that women grow more beautiful while expecting and while nursing, so their lingerie confections encourage women to feel pampered, sexy, and hip — during and after pregnancy.
Hadley Stilwell Sleeveless Crossover Shirt is ultra-luxe and stylish, perfect for date night or a meeting with the executive committee. HadleyStilwell designs are meant to be clothes you want to wear – that just happen to accommodate nursing and pumping – and many moms keep them as long-term staples of their wardrobe. Gift certificate so you can choose the color and size.
Breastfeeding with Comfort and Joy Book is a stunning coffee table quality book with evocative photos of breastfeeding and parenting combined with clear, expert guidance on how to start and continue a breastfeeding relationship with ease and prevent and solve any problems.
Sweet Knee Gift Bag includes an adorable, reusable cloth bag filled with splendidly all-natural bubbly soap, oatmeal cookie bath, bun glaze for tender tushies, 3.2 oz rubbit oil for massaging or moisturizing, and a 3.75 oz hulababy bar soap.
Be Nice Prenatal Vitamin Drink Mix allows you to get your essential prenatal vitamins and minerals, in easy to take and carry portions for better nutrient absorption and hydration throughout the day. Doctor approved, it comes in two delicious, naturally sweetened flavors.
#2. Ultimate Best for Babes Giveaway Basket for the Working Babe
Ameda Purely Yours Ultra Breastpump is a top-of-the-line electric breastpump that is preferred by lactation consultants and doctors and can be converted for one-handed manual use. Cycles per minute and suction can be adjusted to maximize milk output. The patented diaphragm ensures no milk or bacteria can enter the tubing or motor, and no contaminants from the pump can enter your collected milk. Comes with a stylish, sophisticated pebble-grained tailored tote, cooler (holds 6 bottles–included), a car lighter adapter, 3 different sizes breast flanges (with more available), and various pump accessories.- Pumpease Bra Supports make pumping at work or home much easier because it allows you to pump hands-free. The 6″ wide pumping supports feature patent pending, ‘no-stitch’ horn openings, guaranteed to accommodate any breast pump on the market, in a variety of gorgeous prints that allow you to “express” your personal style and fashion sense.
Motherlove More Milk Plus capsules contain a special blend of safe and effective herbs designed to quickly increase breast milk for breastfeeding mothers, created by one of the leading companies in the holistic body care industry. 
Pure, natural and organic–use under the care of a lactation specialist. Not for use during pregnancy.- Breastpumps and Briefcases Audio CD contains valuable information to ease your transition back to work, including how to maintain your milk supply, how to create a pumping schedule, make arrangements with your employer, and store your milk. Shari Criso’s reassuring manner and tips for succeeding with breastfeeding have helped thousands of moms achieve their personal breastfeeding goals.
Hotslings pouches allow you carry your baby in fabulous style, safety and comfort. So pretty they can be worn to coordinate with your designer suit for the boardroom if your employer allows babies at work! Can be exchanged for a size and print you prefer. 
Created by one of the leaders in the industry who also actively writes American safety standards for sling-style baby carriers. 
Mother’s Boutique Sweet Embrace Necklace is a gorgeous sterling silver pendant on a leather cord, designed by Judy Masucci, owner of the Mother’s Boutique. It symbolizes the love between a mother and child and represents a breastfeeding mother or any mother holding and loving her child.- Hadley Stilwell Sleeveless Crossover Shirt is ultra-luxe and stylish, perfect for date night or a meeting with the executive committee. HadleyStilwell designs are meant to be clothes you want to wear – that just happen to accommodate nursing and pumping – and many moms keep them as long-term staples of their wardrobe. Gift certificate so you can choose the color and size.
Breastfeeding with Comfort and Joy Book is a stunning coffee table quality book with evocative photos of breastfeeding and parenting combined with clear, expert guidance on how to start and continue a breastfeeding relationship with ease and prevent and solve any problems.- Sweet Knee Gift Bag includes an adorable, reusable cloth bag filled with deliciously all-natural bubbly soap, oatmeal cookie bath, bun glaze for tender tushies, 3.2 oz rubbit oil for massaging or moisturizing, and a 3.75 oz hulababy bar soap.
Our deepest gratitude to all these great companies that support moms and babies and Best for Babes with their generous donations! Leave a comment below nominating a person you would like to see win a gift basket, and make sure to say which one: “#1-Expecting” or “#2-Working” and why, and jump over and “Like” our facebook page too! Thank you for giving back, and for helping us make sure that the gift goes to someone who could genuinely use it and for whom it would make a difference in achieving their personal breastfeeding goals.
I want to nominate my sister in law for #1. She is expecting her 3rd baby, a little boy! We are very excited since she already has 2 little girls! With both girls she tried to breastfeed. She has inverted nipples and didn’t have much support at all. She eventually went to pumping for a few weeks for each. Thankfully the girls got colostrum and breastmilk for a short time. This time she is determined to breastfeed. She has seen my success and is really excited. unfortunately she lives half way across the country now, thanks to the US Army, and I won’t be able to help her. She is delivering in a non-baby-friendly hospital and will be facing numerous Booby Traps! I would love to help her get off on the right foot with this basket! I am already sending her links and tips, but this would really top the cake! Thanks for doing this!
I would like to nominate my cousin for #2. A little over a year ago, she lost her first baby, a beautiful little girl, due to incompetant cervix and an infection. Just a month later, she became pregnant with her second, a boy. She was on bedrest for most of her pregnancy and was a true warrior, doing all that she could to keep her little one safe and healthy. When she gave birth to her son, she had some trouble breastfeeding–but she refused to give up! She has flat nipples, and has to use a nipple sheild or else breastfeeding is very painful for her. Despite the pain she had at the beginning, she pressed on, knowing that she was giving her baby the absolute best. She kept going, even through sleepless nights of 3-hour cluster feeds, and now colic. In a month, she will be returning to work. Though she loves her job, she also has a hard time being apart from her baby, just like any mother would. Her employer, a pumping mother herself, is extremely supportive of her decision to pump at work. I believe my cousin deserves this because she has worked so hard to overcome obstacles that would have caused most women to give up and give in to formula feeding. But she presses on, as she always does. Having come from a difficult home life in childhood, she has learned to stand firm and press on, even when others tell her to give up, and even when it seems impossible. She’s a real breastfeeding hero, and she deserves these gifts to help her in her breastfeeding journey.
I would like to nominate my older sister for basket #2. She and her husband are expecting their first baby in October. She’s always wanted to the a stay-at-home mom but due to finances she’ll have to return to work. But she is very committed to wanting to breastfeed– so much so that last year she left her previous teaching job and went to another position that meant a severe pay cut, but allows her more flexibility including the ability to pump at work once she goes back after the baby’s born. I would love for her to have the best chance at success as possible, and am sure winning this gift basket would be a huge help to her! Thanks =)
I’d like to recommend my friend Tana Sykes. She is both a working mom & expecting #3 in January. Tana is a medical marketing clerk. She works really long hours & I’m not sure how that’ll factor into her breastfeeding her LO but she is planning to breast feed once her baby arrives. Her #1 had bad colic & #2 had really bad reflux so it was a big challenge to nurse both of her big boys. With two boys and #3 on the way, she’s got an uphill battle on the nursing front & would love to be able to help encourage her with this one.
I’d like to nominate my friend for #2. She is expecting her first baby. Because of abuse in her husband’s extended family, she stepped up this last year and adopted a teenager less than fifteen years younger than her. He is troubled, and she needs all the help she can to be able to breastfeed her surprise baby successfully! (I can’t think of a situation more ripe with Traps than trying to learn to breastfeed while raising an older child with a history of abuse.) Unfortunately, she will not be able to afford all these fancy accouterments on her own, so winning this set would _really_ help!
I want to nominate my friend Karen, who is expecting twins. She’s got a challenge coming up to breastfeed two little sweet peas. She is very worried that after a C-section she will have a slow start and I think, she will need all the help and support she can get to keep up with pumping and breastfeeding. I know so many pregnant women, it is hard to nominate only one of them! All are planning to breastfeed, Hooray!!!!
I would like to nominate my BFF, Jessica for #2. she struggled with PPD, severe anxiety & chronic insomnia in the days/weeks after her son was born in May. Even with family and friends at your side, sometimes you need more help and I’m so thankful she got it. Today she’s going back to work and dealing with all those feelings in addition to trouble breastfeeding and having supply issues. The reason I’d like to nominate her is that through all this she has been incredibly brave and loving mother to her son and never gives up. She deserves something good!
I want to nominate one of my best friends for #2. She’s an awesome mom to her three year old daughter and newborn boy. With her daughter she struggled some with breastfeeding. Because of a small tumour in her brain that affects her endocrine system, she has an excess of prolactin. She also had a baby that never slept and had almost no latch (because of the excess even at the start, the baby didn’t need to latch and would often pull off the latch never properly developed). But she did it, breastfeeding for almost a year, even when she returned to her work as a pharmacist when her daughter was just 6 months old and couldn’t pump at work because she has no breaks. Now she’s breastfeeding her little boy but looking at an even earlier return to work (she’s basically the sole income earner). The breastpump alone will help her soooo much! And, as a pharmacist, the info she gets from the audio cd will be shared with all of her nursing mom clients!
She’s been an amazing friend to me since we were young and even though we live far apart now, to be able to send her this package would make me feel like I can give her the support I wish I could give in person.
I would like to notimate my sweet friend Kelly. Her son was born on July 4th and she goes back to work in just a couple weeks.
Her son was a C-sect and she had some definite breastfeeding challenges. When he was around 3 weeks she came to a La Leche Meeting with me and our awesome lactation consultant confirmed that he is very tongue tied- something the dr’s said wasn’t that big of a deal. Well, no wonder she was nursing for 1 1/2 hours at a time, having to pump all the time, and he wasn’t gaining weight! It was like a weight was lifted off of her that it wasn’t her fault and there truly was an issue. She got his tongue clipped 2 days later and has since been working on teaching him to use his tongue. She will be pumping at work each day while her mom watches her son.
For anyone that’s been through challenges, you know how exhausting and defeating it can feel. I’m so proud of Kelly for pushing through, seeking out help, and not giving up on doing what’s best for her baby.
I want to nominate my best friend, Cari. She just had her second daughter last week. She faced many challenges in breastfeeding her older daughter, and suffered from an unsupportive pediatrician, who referred her to his incompetent office LC. After a week of pumping around the clock, her LC told her she should just give up and hope for the best with her next child. Despite not being able to get her older daughter to the breast, she continued pumping to provide her with breastmilk for a full year. Thankfully, her new baby is doing great at breastfeeding! She deserves some recognition for not only taking the hard path for her first daughter, but being brave enough to try again with her second after everything that she struggled through with her first.
I want to nominate my sister for number 2. She is going to be a first time mom and she just turned 21. She is currently living with my parents and the father isn’t involved in the pregnancy at all. I just had my first baby a month ago so she can talk to me about breastfeeding but she is looking forward to having her baby. She doesn’t have a lot of money for everything so she needs all the help she can get. My husband and I are going to help her out as much as possible but this would be so helpful for her since she will have to return to work after the baby is born and she will need a good breast pump. Thank you for doing this and I hope she will be successful at breastfeeding.
I’d like to nominate a friend of mine for 1. She is newly pregnant and hoping to breastfeed and I want her to succeed more than anything. She really wants to try but she is nervous about breastfeeding and I’m afraid the booby traps may snag her from the get go like it does so many first time moms. I want to promote breastfeeding among my friends and know how important getting the right start is (I formula fed one due to booby traps, but am on month 15 with number two because I knew the booby traps to look for). So please, consider Libby for basket number one and help a new mom get the right start!!
I have a co-worker who’s wife is expecting their first child. I always offer my BFing support to any expecting moms. She works full time so it would be great to present her with basket #2 to encourage her to BF as she returns to work! Great giveaway!
I would like to nominate my step sister. She just gave birth this weekend to her first. A long labor ended in a c-section gone really bad. A mishap with pain medication left her with no feeling in her entire body. She had to be put completely under when her son was born. She really wants to breastfeed but I know she is struggling right now. She is in a lot of pain and doesn’t have a lot of support. Because she was unconcious, her son was bottle fed and now she is struggling to get him to latch. Unfortunately, we’re not that close and I feel like there’s not much I can do to help her. This basket would go a long way at letting her know that I do care about her!
I would like to nominate my friend and coworket Caryn for the Working Mom basket #2. She is currently on maternity leave and will be back to work mid-September after only 8 weeks of her FMLA leave (due to only partial pay of 60% of salaryfor 5 weeks and no other compensation). She breastfed her first baby for almost 4 months but due to supply issues once she came back to work she ended up supplenmenting with and eventually switching to formula. Currently she is EPing for baby #2 and needs a GOOD pump especially once the stress of being back to work and juggle her work and mom duties come into play. I think this package will be a GREAT thing for keeping her going when the going gets tough.
I want to nominate my sister in law for #1 she is expecting her first baby in March. I am a HUGE breastfeeding advocate (currently tandem nursing my 3 year old and 18 month old) and I know first hand that breastfeeding isn’t always the easiest thing. I think the products you are giving away would help her get a head start in her breastfeeding success!
I would like to nominate my friend for #2. She is due in October with her first (it’s a girl), and has already made the decision to go back to work. I have really encouraged her to breastfeed and continue to breastfeed/pump once back at work. All the products in #2 gift basket are wonderful, but I know how important it is to have a nice pump. I didn’t have to work and pump, but I pumped and donated extra milk for another friend who found out while she pregnant that she had thyroid cancer and was advised to not breastfeed. So the breast pump, along with all the other items would be so wonderful for my friend to start off breastfeeding journey.
I want to nominate my sister in law, Michelle, for #1. She just got to bring home her premature twin baby girls from the hospital and has a true committment to breastfeeding and really inspired me not to fall for booby traps with both of my boys. She could use the extra help and pampering! She had her son after years of trying and treatments and then ended up unexpectedly expecting the twins! He son is only 15 months old and now she has newborn twins . . . there’s a lot on her plate and she is truly committed to doing the very best for her babies! I know this could really help her out. Thanks!
Basket #1
They are expecting they’re first baby in January. They are going to be fabulous parents. My brother is a blue collar guy with a great heart. He is always willing to help people out even at the expense of his down time. Janet is a full time employee with Walgreens but that is just her day job. She is crazy creative and artistic. They are both a little stressed with a new one on the way, not knowing how they will financially pull it off. This basket would be a huge blessing for them. It would be great to remove any breast feeding related stressors and focus on other things. Thank you for this opportunity! 
I’m nominating my fabulous Sister in Law, Janet Hamater. After years of being adamant about having no kids my brother and his wife changed their minds
I would like to nominate my friend Stephanie. She is expecting babe #2 and has had a difficult road to this point in her life. She was successful in nursing babe 1 until 18 months, but had to stop cold turkey. She plans on nursing babe 2 just as long if not longer! Our job is a major booby trap – as we have to fight just to get 3 months to be home with a babe after birth. She has faced much adversity in her life, changing her dreams and plans with each babe. She truly deserves a chance to nurse babe 2 after having such a shock by having to immediately stop nursing babe 1. Down with the booby traps!! I hope she gets basket 1 because she deserves this a trillion times over.
I would like to nominate my sister-in-law for #2. She just had twin girls at 33 weeks. They are both healthy, but had to stay in the NICU for two weeks before they came home, yesterday! They already have a fifteen month old, so life is a little crazy. My sister-in-law has had to pump for the past couple weeks and will have to continue, but since they don’t have a breast pump and can’t afford one with all the hospital bills, they are having to rent one from a place about fifteen minutes away. She is a fabulous Mom and is trying to do her best for these sweet children. Thanks!
I would like like to nominate my daughter in law to be Angela Decastro, she is expecting in November 2010 she is 40 years old with her third child, she is also a grandma of a 8 month old whom she watches all the time to help her daughter and a full time teacher of Autistic children. She is a beautiful soul and a great mom, grandma and a wonderful friend. I love her so much and think she deserves a little help and this would be great..
#1 Working Mom
I’d like to nominate 2 of my wonderful friends who are expecting in February. I’ve given her some breastfeeding support already, but she’s young and worried about needing work once the baby is born and being unable to nurse, to produce enough milk, to pump, etc. She’s lacking the confidence and the reassurance. I think this prize pack would get her excited about it and make the experience that much better for her so is able to give her babe the best! Her and her fiancé are also in the middle of planning a wedding and could never afford a nice pump and all the other great products she truly needs to be successful at being a working, breastfeeding mom. This gift would mean a lot! Thanks so much.
I would like to nominate all the moms who want to breastfeed that are afraid or trapped by Booby Traps. I would donate either basket to my local Pregnancy Resource Center so the items could be given to moms in need. These centers let moms earn points or fake money to buy (very very cheapy) like marternity clothes, baby clothes, diapers or formula. How great wouold it be for them to be able to “buy” products than can help them learn about breastfeeding and overcome the barriers out there. I volunteered for a center in FL and help teach many moms about breastfeeding. Being able to spread this wealth of information would have a huge impact on my community!
I would like to nominate my sister for basket #1. She is expecting her first child March 2010. I’m so very happy for her and her husband! They are going to be a wonderful family. I can’t wait to be a first time aunt! My sister is very excited about breastfeeding, already trying to get as much information as possible. I’m excited to help her along the way.
I nominate Karen, her pump just burned out and she is struggling through with a hand-me-down pump that isn’t of the best quality. A giving woman, Karen offers lots of support to other moms along the way while balancing work, family and generous care of others. She has gone through hell and back for her babies thanks to the pregnancy disease of hyperemesis gravidarum, her body has suffered so much and yet she continues to give. I’m proud to call her my friend.
I would like to nominate one of my best friends for #2. They were doing great, decided to have a baby and one month to the day before the new baby arrived she was fired (to keep from having to deal with a nursing mom at work). She now has a new job and works her tail off to support her family. She has her own business as a wedding planner, her husbands DJ business, her husbands side business as a project manager for a Design Firm and two kids at home. She does all of the promoting for all three businesses, babysits, takes care of her two kids and does everything she can to help her family. She really deserves a few nice things as she has so few. They literally live paycheck to paycheck if you can even call it that. She has not bought one nice thing for herself since before the baby was born. She has a sling and a crotch dangler and badly wants a better carrier to keep baby near. The baby is nine months old and has never had anything but breastmilk and never a bottle. I think she is doing great but some help would be awesome for her! Thanks!
For the Expectant Mom package I have to nominate my friend Jenny. She just found out she’s expecting twins in her first pregnancy. Excited but rather overwhelmed, I’d love to see her get off to a good start. During my last high risk pregnancy she was over at my house helping clean, cook, bring meals and watch my big girls when I was going in and out of the hospital. A life-saver I am so excited for her and her husband as they expect their babies and begin a family of their own. She is a such a giving person and has been preparing for this pregnancy in so many ways. I love too that she is willing to be someone young, cool and fun for my pre-teen daughter to spend time with, she is a role-model and I am blessed she’s in my life.
I am interested in nominating my friend, Holly, for basket #2. She is an awesome mother who sacrifices herself for her children and husband. She has done so much for the breastfeeding movement and is a huge encouragement to all breastfeeding mothers that she comes across. I wish she was able to afford some of the nice things on this list of items but she just can’t. It would be awesome for her to be pampered for just a bit with these items!!!
I would like to nominate my sister in-law for #2. After a difficult delivery of her first child, emergency c-section and an even more difficult time trying to breastfeed him (he had a cyst under his tongue and couldn’t latch), a year later she gave birth to my beautiful niece and decided to give breastfeeding a second chance. She’s successful this time and has become one of the biggest lactivists I know! I’m proud of her for sticking through it, especially with the horrible experience she had the first time. She’s always been a workaholic and now she’s going back to school to ultimately aid other women in their decision to breastfeed. I know she will do great in that field because she’s been on the good and bad side of breastfeeding and with her mother-hen like personality, I know she’ll make women feel comfortable and confident in giving their babies the best food a mother could give her child!
She currently does not have a breast pump because she’s struggling financially … to say the least. I know lately times have been especially tough and she’s having a hard time even putting food on the table. God bless her, she always keeps chugging along with a sweet smile and caring attitude like nothing can get her down … not even an empty stomach. I know that she would greatly benefit from this package. She doesn’t know I’m nominating her for anything so this would be such a sweet surprise! Potty training one and teaching the other crawl, all before packing up for class to do what she loves … talk about the almighty breastmilk! Help me help her!
I’d like to Nominate my friend, Melissa Allen, for package number 1. She is currently living in Germany where her husband is stationed. They are expecting their first child (a boy!!). Having lived there myself with young kids (my daughter was born there) I know how hard it is to get baby items unless you spend extra money (the Euro exchange rate is ridiculous) going into town.
I would like to nominate a girl in my class for basket number 1. She is already falling into Booby traps and has not even delivered. I think I am the only person she has heard talk positively about breastfeeding. But is fearful she is genetically doomed not to be able too. ( her mother and sister fell to the traps and tell her she will too) She is fearful about having to return to work/ school in just a few weeks post baby. I think this might just make it a lot easier for her. And maybe stop looking at me like I am crazy.
I would like to nominate my bestfriend, Melissa Allen who is currently expecting her first baby in Germany where her & her husband are stationed. It’s hard on her being stationed in a foreign country without the family support she needs with her first baby on the way. They tryed for 2 years before they finally got pregnant with this little miracle! I think this prize package number one would really help this military family out. It’d be nice to be able to give back to a military family for all they sacrafice!
I’d like to nominate my friend Melyssa for basket 1. She moved to the US from Peru to be with her husband. She is currently expecting her first baby and is very excited! The only sad part is that all of her family and most of her friends are still in Peru.
She isn’t even having a baby shower because she doesn’t know many people here in the states. I would LOVE to be able to give her something special like this so she knows she still has friends here in the US who care about her. Also, she’s having a home birth, which I think is just freaking awesome!! 
I would like to nominate my daughter, Melissa Farnworth, for basket #1. Melissa is a proud Army wife that is surrently living in Germany, where her husband, Scott, is stationed with the US Army. She has an expected due date of 9/15/10 and is handling this prgnancy (her first) tremendously. SHer and Scott tried a couple of years to get pregnant and things just didn’t work. I guess there was a plan. She possible could have come home to have the baby but shes’s going to have the baby in Germany. Although she will have no family around, she knows her place is there with her husband, supporting him while he supports our country. Melissa was a breast fed child and realizes the importance of breastmilk. She has researched all aspects and and would not have it any other way. She is looking forward the bonding experience that breastfeeding develops and is the perfect example of todays modern day “green mom”. She so deserves this!
i just ‘met’ a mommy to preemie twins online. basket #2 would be awesome for her. she’s still struggling and in the nicu with her babies. i remember being in the nicu with my babies and i would have loved some breastfeeding bling to give me encouragement to keep going. some days, i wanted to bash my pump with a hammer. i didn’t get any pampering. maybe this mom can.
I want to nominate my sister. For as long as I’ve known her, she’s always wanted to be a mommmy. She married her high school sweetheart when she was 19, and even though they wanted kids right away, her and her husband patiently waited until they give their children everything they could. At 24, she just had their first baby, my niece named Maggie. She decided to have the baby at home with their midwives so that the baby would be born at home, without any help from drugs. There aren’t as many women I know today, who would sacrifice that epidural during labor. She also uses only cloth diapers, and is a firm believer in breast feeding verses formula. If there were a award for the “working father” I would nominate my brother-in-law too. My brother-in-law works hard so my sister can stay at home with my niece and spend as much quality time with her as she can. Even though she doesn’t really need to work, my sister still cleans a few houses two/three days a week to give Maggie extra money in her “piggy bank.” It’s so amazing to see the love in my sister’s eyes when she looks down at her perfect, little miracle. I know without a doubt that Maggie will be loved, protected and cared for with all that my sister has in her. I know my sister sacrifices her wants, for Maggie’s, which is the true test of an unconditionally loving mom. I would love for her to win the “The Ultimate Best of Babes Giveaway Basket for Babes.” She truely deserves it and it could not be put to better use. (She plans on having many more kids down the road.)
I would like to nominate my friend Sarah Degroff, and her (Well Rounded Birth Prep Classess.) She is a stay at home Mom of 4 who has breastfed all of her children into toddlerhood and is still nursing now. She is a La Leche League Leader and is currently teaching Childbirth Education Classes. She has already made a difference in the birth experiences and breastfeeding experiences of many women. Her classes offer evidence based information to help women make informed decisions that will increase their chances of positive birth experiences. As the name of her class is Well Rounded Birth Prep, so is the teaching, educating women that Breast is Best, along with babywearing and more. She has been giving Kits to parents who take her classes and these items who be really helpful especially seeing how she is doing this all on her own. She has purchased everything out of pocket all in hopes to help others.
I would like to nominate my college pal Dawn Harrington for #2. Her baby is 3 days older than mine and we just reconnected at a lactation group. She has had to go back to work but was having trouble with her milk supply before that. She’s still pumping and trying everything and now our babies are 5 months old. I have been fortunate to have an oversupply (my baby was in the NICU for a month so I got a head start). I have donated milk to her 3 times now so her baby is getting a supply from 2 mamas! This is also her 3rd child so she really wanted to get the breastfeeding going this time. I’m amazed at how she just keeps trying after all these months!
I would like to nominate my sister for either basket. She is currently pregnant (EDD 10/18/10) and is really struggling. The baby’s father abandoned her and their 3 year old right after my sister found out she is pregnant with their 2nd baby. She struggled to bf with her first child and is determined to give it a try with the 2nd baby. Unfortunately she is struggling to survive on her own and will be a single mother to both children. She doesn’t have any support with bfing as she cannot afford a private LC and does not qualify for WIC so will not be able to receive bfing support from there. Her biggest concern is how she is going to continue to bf when she returns to work and cannot afford to purchase a breast pump. She is an amazing mother and the best sister anyone could ever ask for. I want to do all I can to help support her, but all I can offer her is the advice I have received (I’m currently bfing my 5 month old). I won’t be able to let her use my breast pump as I use it to pump at work (I work full time as well). Please pick my sister! She deserves to have something positive as she is really struggling with all the negative she is surrounded by. I want bfing to be a very positive experience for her!
Just in case I have to chose so I don’t get disqualified, I chose basket #1 as my sister is pregnant. But either one would be awesome! (Kristie Rider)
I would like to nominate my friend Halley Patten. She is a young working mom-to-be who was in a car accident shortly before she found out she was pregnant. She has suffered from severe pain through her pregnancy, was on medical leave from work. She will be the first person in her family to breastfeed her child, thanks to support from friends who breastfeed and love it. I would like to nominate her for #1.
Basket #1
Nitara is giving birth to her first baby, a little girl, in October. Unfortunately her blossoming family is not in the best situation financially, like many others they bought their house during the boom and and are now utterly upside down and cannot afford their house due to job loss. They are currently facing foreclosure. Their situation with the baby coming is going to be so uncertain and I worry about them everyday.
I think back to my ordeals with starting breastfeeding and two of the items in that basket made me able to keep breastfeeding. If I had not had them I think I would have given up. I would buy them for her if I had the money, but unfortunately I am a pauper as well. I really hope I can get this basket for her so money doesn’t get in the way of her giving her child the food nature intended.
I’d like to nominate my friend for #2-Working. She hasn’t returned to work yet but will soon. Before maternity leave, she worked very long hours and I swear was at the office more than at home. I have a feeling that it will be the same once she returns to work. Having a good pump would allow her to continue to give her baby breast milk after she returns to work. Thanks for the chance.
I would like to nominate my friend Crystal. She is a stay at home Mother of 3, pregnant with her 4th baby. She has lost a few babies over the years. Every baby of hers is a miracle. She has to go in for a special procedure to help her carry her babies full term. For her last baby she had to be on bed rest through much of her pregnancy.
She homeschools her children, leads worship at her church, and is CONSTANTLY giving to other people. I really respect her, because she has so much on her plate, but is always giving endlessly to others.
She is such a good mother and so nurturing. Her and her husband don’t have a lot of money, and sacrifice a lot for their kids.
Crystal always shines, and is always smiling, even when she is surrounded by heartache and rough times, she is always pouring herself out for others. She is a real jewel of a woman!
Basket #1
I would like to nominate My best friend Courtney. She recently had Twins and is having a really hard time nursing the both of them. One had to spend a short time in the NICU and didnt get to Latch until a day later, he is having the roughest time. She is such a huge support in my nursing as well. She helped me learn to breastfeed before she ever had a child herself. She even nursed her adopted son through an sns. To someone who had this down so well, seeing her struggle to nurse the twins is hard.
I would like to nominate my wife Melissa Allen for package #1. She only wants what is best for our son, EDD 9/15/10 Clark, and she feels that natural is the best way to go. She will accept no less than the best for first born child so I feel that her tenacity should be met with the unparalleled quality of such a package. We are stationed overseas in Germany away from family and have been for some time. In this 4 year period we have tried numerous times to conceive until this little miracle hit us. It is hard for her being away from her family but I know she does it to support me. This is why I would like to show my support for her (in this nomination) because she will be providing our child with the best mother nature has to offer.
I would like to nominate my friend, Risa for the #1 gift basket. She’s a first-time, single mom-to-be in her 40s and she needs all the support she can get to get this baby and herself off to a great start. Support and the means to keep her and her daughter-to-be focused on a positive path are essential in maintaining a booby-trap free attitude, especially with the stresses of being a first-time single parent! I’m trying to help out, having a 4 1/2 mo daughter, and I’m giving her all my clothes that I don’t need and trying to maintain a positive attitude for her too! Best of luck to everyone!
I want to nominate my step-sister. She is expecting her first baby and is due the early part of September. I have been one of the few sources of positive information about breastfeeding for her and her doctor is already sabotaging her (from comments he has said in her prenatal visits).
I want to nominate her for the 2nd prize as she has to return to work post baby and will really need a pump! Thanks for doing this babes!
As a side note, I am currently expecting my third baby due in January! Yay another nursling!
I would like to nominate my friend Tara for basket #2- she is having #2, a girl, and is a dedicated mom to a young toddler and preschool teacher for some of our areas neediest children. I would like to be able to support her in nursing her newest babe for longer than she was able to with her first. She could use all the help she can get!