KBBF Advent Event - Cherub Chews

 

Cherub Chews are fantastic handmade nursing necklaces made in Exeter, Devon, Uk.

Each necklace is unique and designed to appeal to babies senses vision, touch, sound and allows the baby to safely play while nursing or babywearing. Great care has been taken to create a stylish, functional and versatile nursing necklace made from non toxic, eco friendly materials.

All Cherub Chews necklaces are made with EU sourced unfinished (no colour or varnish non toxic) wooden beads, crochet covered wooden beads made with organic cotton yarn , on an adjustable slip knotted cotton cord, so you can wear the necklace long or short. The beads range between 10 mm to 27 mm and the length is approx 30 cm full length.

The necklaces are designed with nursing and babywearing mothers in mind. They are attractive to little ones, beautiful and safe.

 

Cherub Chews were created out of a need for something for my little boy to be distracted with, while being worn and whilst feeding. I looked around at what there was on the market and couldn’t really find any that were really, me. So what happens when I can’t find something I want, well I make it.

I made myself a few necklaces to match certain outfits (well I like to match) then friends wanted me to make them one and before I knew it people were asking me where they could get one. Not only were nursing mothers wanting them, but grandmas and carers too. After making some ‘official’ prototypes for local babywearing mamas to try out there were few changes here and there Cherub Chews was officially launched in late 2013.

I love being able to be a full time mum and making necklaces when my son sleeps, I love my job(s) and love to see people enjoying my necklaces, each day I sit at my dining room table, in the heart of the countryside in Devon with a bunch of beads and create my lovlies. It’s taken me some time to source everything but I am very happy to have found European wood beads that are sustainably sourced and wooden teethers from the the UK. I hope to expand the business over time, introducing new styles and items although I’m new I plan on being around for a long time.

Cherub Chews has provided a lovely wooden teething ring necklace in gorgeous brown shades as a prize in the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Advent Event 2013.

Enter for a chance to win this lovely necklace by using the Rafflecopter below.  You can also enter by heading over to the Cherub Chews Facebook Page, liking the page and commenting on the Giveaway image highlighted there.

Throughout December there will be lots of lovely breastfeeding prizes up for grabs from lots of lovely companies.  Find out about all the prizes up for grabs here and follow Keep Britain Breastfeeding on Facebook for updates..

All competitions will end at Midday on December 24th and winners will be drawn within 14 days

a Rafflecopter giveaway

KBBF Advent Event - Deal Breastfeeding Group

Deal Breastfeeding Support Group was set up 1998 and had been funded by various sources over the years, when in 2012 the group was set to close when funding was withdrawn. A few mums got together and took over the running of the group. It has since gone from strength to strength, becoming a charity and taking part in community events and activities to raise its profile and fundraising to ‘pay the rent’. The group meets every Monday 1.30pm - 3.30pm at St George's Church in Deal High Street, Kent.

The group’s mission is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for pre/post natal breastfeeding women to meet likeminded people and make friends and connections within the local community, to provide mother to mother support, accurate information and resources, for breastfeeding mothers and their extended families.

The group has unlimited tea, coffee, squash, biscuits, cake and fruit for a suggested donation of £1.50 per adult. It is a non-profit organisation. A group requested by mums, provided by mums who are trained ABM (Association of Breastfeeding Mothers) 'Mother Supporters' 

Candice Roberts who is the main organiser for the group says “At St George’s Church, we have a wonderful venue, with comfy sofas, toys and a play area for toddlers too. Our volunteers have had training and an enhanced disclosure cleared before starting with us. We do, however, like to keep our group informal and relaxed, as if it was like ‘popping to a friends place’. The group can be as simple and as flexible as required by the individual. Mums can come just for a chat, find out about local events, ask where to get professional assistance or information, take training for their own benefit or the benefit of others (inside and outside the group), meet other mums, make friends, have a comfy place to relax and breastfeed their baby. It is all about a friendly face, support, tea and cake!”

Their latest project the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme for Deal, is being launched during their Christmas fundraising and awareness event called the ‘Boobles Bazaar’ on Saturday 14 December at the Town Hall in Deal. They have secured funding from the Kent County Council and will be providing training and information for local businesses and organizatons that want to promote that they go above and beyond to welcome breastfeeding Mothers.  If you would like any information about the group or their events or activities please visit their website.

I've also heard a rumour that Claire from Breast Milk Keepsakes will be making an appearance at the Boobles Bazaar! 

There are 24 breastfeeding related prizes up for grads during December in the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Advent Event.  Visit the main website to find out all about the companies involved and the prizes up for grabs and enter to win on their Facebooke pages and on the posts here throughout the month, so subscribe over on the right so you don't miss any.

KBBF Advent Event - Mama's Cookies

A custom made cookie mix service specialising in lactation cookies that can help to boost the supply of breastfeeding mummys but also good old traditional cookie mixes for you to freshly bake at home.

Tanya is am a mummy of 2 beautiful children, one toddler who loves to help me bake cookies (and eat them) and a baby girl.

I create custom cookie mixes for you to bake fresh at home all you need to add is egg and butter and you can have perfect cookies at home!

We specialise in making yummy lactation cookies that can help boost the supply of breastfeeding mummies but we also make gorgeous melt-in-the-mouth traditional cookie mixes.

Pick your Base -

Lactation or Traditional cookies?

Lactation cookie bases contain the following ingrediants for their milk boosting properties

Oats- A great source of iron and fibre, both really important for milk production.

Brewers Yeast- An excellent source of protein (and still vegetarian). This is thought to be the key ingredient in lactation cookies for boosting milk supply!

Flaxseed- A brilliant source of Omega-3 fatty acids which are important for milk and for baby's developing brain. Also another great source of fibre.

Fats- Use coconut oil instead of butter when you make up your lactation cookies, it is a much healthier fat and is said to enrich the breast milk with these good fats.

Although most women do notice a difference in their milk supply when they introduce 1 or more of these ingredients, it doesn't work for everyone and I cannot guarantee they will increase your milk supply. If you are concerned about milk supply, please seek help from your GP, Midwife, Health Visitor, Breastfeeding support group or Lactation consultant.

Plain

Chocolate

Super-Mother_pumper-Base

Choose your fillings - 

Milk chocolate chunks

White chocolate chunks

Dark chocolate chunks

Marshmallows

Organic Cocoa Nibs

Raisins

Dried cranberries

Dried apricots

Dried blueberries

Banana chips

Glacé cherries

Freeze dried strawberries

Freeze dried blueberries

Freeze dried blackberries

Freeze dried bananas

Freeze dried apple cubes

Freeze dried pineapple

Freeze dried cherries

Freeze dried raspberries

Sun-dried Goji Berries

Mixed Peel

Crystallised Ginger

Coconut

Organic Omega four seeds

Pecan nuts

Almonds

Salted peanuts

Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or mixed spice

You can also buy a selection of handmade organic raw dairy free chocolates

If that doesn't make you drool I don't know what will.

Enter for a chance to win a lovely lactation cookie mix by using the Rafflecopter below.  You can also enter by heading over to the Mama's Cookies Facebook Page, liking the page and commenting on the Giveaway image highlighted there.

Throughout December there will be lots of lovely breastfeeding prizes up for grabs from lots of lovely companies.  Find out about all the prizes up for grabs here and follow Keep Britain Breastfeeding on Facebook for updates..

All competitions will end at Midday on December 24th and winners will be drawn within 14 days

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Advent Event - Breastfeeding Calendar 2014

What could be better for advent, than a calendar!

Gravesham Breast Buddies have put together a breastfeeding calendar for 2014.  The aim is to empower and inspire new mums, giving them confidence to feed wherever they need to. Working with award-winning local photographer Emma Donovan of The Photography Garden, the images are truly beautiful and show how normal, natural and wonderful breastfeeding is.  Each Mum and Baby in the calendar live in and around Kent and enjoyed taking part in the creation of this beautiful calendar.

Every penny raised from the sale of the calendars is going to the local special care baby fund. 

"Due to an increase in births in the area plus the closure of other maternity services, the birth rate at Darent Valley Hospital has exceeded expectations and so in order to offer the best care possible to every mother and baby, the hospital needed to expand its Maternity and Special Care Baby Units. Whilst some of the funding comes from the NHS, Little Buds was set up to help pay for the lifesaving specialist equipment needed to give every baby the chance they deserve." 

The calendar would make a fabulous Christmas gift for nursing mums, healthcare professionals or anyone with an eye for a pretty picture!  

The calendar is available to pre-order from here: www.breastfeedingcalendar.co.uk.  They cost just £8 each plus postage.  Buy your copy and see Karen (aka BoobieMilk) in September!

We have a calendar to give away for free!

Enter for a chance to win this lovely necklace by using the Rafflecopter below.  All entrants must comment on this post answering the question - Where did you/would you turn for breastfeeding support?

Throughout December there will be lots of lovely breastfeeding prizes up for grabs from lots of lovely companies.  Find out about all the prizes up for grabs here and follow Keep Britain Breastfeeding on Facebook for updates..

All competitions will end at Midday on December 24th and winners will be drawn within 14 days

a Rafflecopter giveaway

KBBF Advent Event - BoobieMilk

My name is Karen, and I run the company BoobieMilk from my home in Kent.  The business has been open since June 2011, just a couple of months after my youngest was born.  I work around my family comittments to provide a great nursing bra fitting service in and around Sevenoaks, Kent and I also provide online help and sell nursing bras and breastfeeding accessories through my website.

My background is in nutrition and breastfeeding counseling and support, and I love volunteering once a week as a peer supporter with my daughter to help local women achieve their own breastfeeding goals.  I was very lucky to have a great support network when I had my eldest and I'm now breastfeeding my youngest at the age of 31 months.  I've been wearing nursing bras for over 6 years now and I personally test each and every one before approving it for the website.

I stock a great range of comfortable and seamless nursing bras that are great throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding and are a great value because of this.  I often meet pregnant women who are very uncomfortable in their maternity bras and have found that they dig in under the bust very quickly.  The seamless comfortable bras that I stock all have a wide underband that often leads to women refuding to take them off after the fitting.  The bras are completely seamless so great for sleeping in too, and they have flexible cups which removes the need to keep buying new bras as you grow throughout pregnancy and when your milk volume increases.  They really can be worn from conception to weaning.

For those needing a little bit more support or who are used to a wired bra, the Hotmilk range of nursing bras provide amazing support and go up to a generous H cup.  Carriwell have also just released a seamless and flexible cup nursing bra where they have replaced the metal wire with a channel of gel which is soft on the breast but provides great support.

The best part of my work is getting to visit all the lovely new Mums and Mums-to-be (and babies) in their own home.  I find it such a relaxed shopping experience and I remember trying to shop with a newborn was quite stressful for me so I try to make it as laid back as possible.  If baby needs to feed that's OK.  If you have to force me to snuggle with your newborn baby while you have hands free to try on bras then that's just what I have to do LOL!  My goal is always to find what is most comfortable for you and provide bras that will last you as long as you need them for.

If you wuld like an in-home fitting please contact me at karen.mccully@gmail.com or message me on Facebook.  I can also be contacted at 07951 600777, text is OK if baby is asleep.

Enter for a chance to win these lovely prizes by using the Rafflecopter below.  You can also enter by heading over to the BoobieMilk Facebook Page, liking the page and commenting on the Giveaway image highlighted there.

Throughout December there will be lots of lovely breastfeeding prizes up for grabs from lots of lovely companies.  Find out about all the prizes up for grabs here and follow Keep Britain Breastfeeding on Facebook for updates..

All competitions will end at Midday on December 24th and winners will be drawn within 14 days

a Rafflecopter giveaway

KBBF Advent Event - Coastal Path Creations

Coastal Path Creations – How it all started.

Commute, study, commute, work and repeat. That was my life in a nutshell, until I saw those two pink lines on that little white stick! I fell pregnant at the age of 20 whilst in my third year of my degree at Southampton University, studying for my degree in Music. To say I was completely shocked would be an understatement. I had my daughter, Madison, two weeks after I handed in my final dissertation (I cut it a little close, and wouldn’t recommend it to anybody!).

For the first 10 months of my daughter's life, I enjoyed not having to study or work. Maddy kept me on my toes and I had met a fantastic group of friends who kept my schedule busy. When she reached 10 months, I began to get what my partner called ‘itchy feet’. We agreed that I needed to do something for myself and have a bit of ‘me’ back. Maddy was still breastfeeding during the day and I didn’t want to put her into childcare, so finding something to fit was never going to be easy.

The idea hit me at 2.00am one night whilst I was feeding Maddy. One hand was pinching my waist, a leg was prodding my arm, and there was a finger picking my nose! I needed a distraction for her... on went my Grandma’s necklace - a big, chunky necklace that I had borrowed, and it worked. Within seconds, her hands were out of my nose, her legs had calmed down and she was discovering the different textures on the necklace. Much to my amazement she fell straight back to sleep, holding the necklace. My venture was set – baby-friendly nursing necklaces.

The first products I designed for Coastal Path Creations were necklaces made from natural wood products and beautiful crochet beads. I launched on Facebook and the response was absolutely overwhelming. Before I knew it, necklaces and bracelets were being sent to America and New Zealand. From there, I created the ‘Twiddler’. A circular strung set of crochet beads with a clip, to allow the beads to be attached to a sling or carrier whilst babywearing. I also made bracelets with the wording ‘This Side Next’, which were (and still are) very popular gifts for baby showers. I even had two large trade orders within my first 6 weeks. It was all very exciting! The different textures and colours I selected for my product range were well received by my littlest customers – some only a couple of weeks old.

Recently, I released my ‘Gummy Range’. These necklaces are made from BPA/PVC free silicone, the same material used for dummies and teats. They are proving to be a big hit with teething toddlers and toothless tots! There is even one for daddies to wear, in blacks and greys, which is my first design aimed at dads.

Becoming a work at home mum has allowed me to be myself again, as well as being able to spend every day with Madison. I love working for myself and encourage other crafty mums in my position, to give it a try.

**Save 10% until Christmas Eve on all orders with FREE shipping on orders over £15 (after discount)**

Coastal Path Creations have provided some lovely prizes for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Advent Event 2013.

Enter for a chance to win these lovely prizes by using the Rafflecopter below.  You can also enter by heading over to the Coastal Path Creations Facebook Page, liking the page and commenting on the Giveaway image highlighted there.

Throughout December there will be lots of lovely breastfeeding prizes up for grabs from lots of lovely companies.  Find out about all the prizes up for grabs here and follow Keep Britain Breastfeeding on Facebook for updates..

All competitions will end at Midday on December 24th and winners will be drawn within 14 days

a Rafflecopter giveaway