Breastfeeding 1-2-3 » IdeaBlob

Vote Now in Ideablob Finals for Breastfeeding Project

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:30:58 +0000

The “9 Months & Beyond” project by Micky Jones is in the finals! In order for her business to win the $10,000 in funding, you must vote again between October 22 and October 31, 2008!

Here’s a reminder about the project:

Months & Beyond, LLC offers a full doula services, lactation support and parenting education. We combine the best resources of a doula agency and pregnancy/ parenting boutique with a respectful, supportive community. From conception through the first years of parenting, we help birthing families through a range of counseling and educational services and products designed for their special circumstances.
Specialties include:
birth doula support
childbirth education
birth tub & breastpump rental
parent & child classes/play
lactation education and consultation
parenting education
support groups
products that promote attachment and connected parenting (such as slings, books, etc)

What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?

From being an home-based, one woman show to developing a small service inside of a pediatric office, we are tired but excited by our progress. The extra money would help us make that next step in growth including expanding our hours of service and increasing our physical facilities space. We could then offer group classes for mothers/parents and at a variety of times to better serve our clients’ complex schedules. Further, with a bit of success under our belt, we are beginning to entertain investor options. Bringing more money to the table allows us to maintain control and the vision for our service.

So go vote now to support this wonderful idea! Spread the word!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Vote to Support Micky of Mocha Milk

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:49:18 +0000

Micky of the breastfeeding blog Mocha Milk started a thriving business called 9 Months and Beyond, LLC. It offers childbirth and breastfeeding support. She wants to grow the business even more, and has entered the Ideablob $10,000 contest. Here’s what her entry says:

9 Months & Beyond, LLC offers a full doula services, lactation support and parenting education. We combine the best resources of a doula agency and pregnancy/ parenting boutique with a respectful, supportive community. From conception through the first years of parenting, we help birthing families through a range of counseling and educational services and products designed for their special circumstances.
Specialties include:
birth/labor doula services
childbirth education
birth tub rental
breast-pump rental
lactation education and consultation
parenting education
support groups
products that promote attachment and connected parenting (such as slings, books, etc)

What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?

From being an home-based, one woman show to developing a small service inside of a pediatric office, we are tired but excited by our progress. The extra money would help us make that next step in growth including expanding our hours of service and increasing our physical facilities space. We could then offer group classes for mothers/parents and at a variety of times to better serve our clients’ complex schedules. Further, with a bit of success under our belt, we are beginning to entertain investor options. Bringing more money to the table allows us to maintain control and the vision for our service.

If you agree it’s a fantastic idea and you want to support Micky and her business, vote here!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Breastfeeding Advocacy Projects Need Your Vote for Funding

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:37:20 +0000

Remember when the Mothers’ Milk Bank of New England won $10,000 to help fund its new non-profit milk bank? Now there are two more breastfeeding advocacy projects in the running at Ideablob.

The La Leche League of Seattle Toddler Group proposes a children’s book depicting breastfeeding babies and toddlers:

Very few children’s books represent breastfeeding as a normal part of the life of a child. In contrast, hundreds of books portray infants, toddlers, and even baby animals holding bottles. Many publishers forbid illustrators from depicting breastfeeding at all! Only three books discuss nursing by toddlers. Many families would like to own a book portraying breastfeeding as a normal, healthy, and expected part of the life of a child. We will produce a children’s book illustrated with photos of children doing normal kid stuff. Each picture will include a baby or toddler at the breast, emphasizing that breastfeeding is just a part of what we do. Proceeds will benefit LLL of Seattle Toddler group.

Vote for this project here (simple email registration required).

Adrienne hopes to spread the word about the risks of formula feeding and continue her education in lactation:

My Mission: To help parents make an educated decision on how they will feed their babies. Parents research which crib to buy, stroller to get, car seat is safest. You have the right to know which car seats aren’t safe and you have the right to know that there are proven risks to formula feeding. Here is a document that backs up my claims (copy and paste it into your browser): http://www.infactcanada.ca/RisksofFormulaFeeding.pdf

My biggest challenge will be making the campaign sensitive to mothers who have already formula fed, like myself. I always encounter mothers who feel guilty as well as mothers who will argue to the end that formula is perfectly fine and their child came out healthy.

Vote for this project here.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Your Votes Helped the Milk Bank Win $10,000!!!

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:19:46 +0000

When I got an email informing me that there was a ceremony this evening to name the Mothers’ Milk Bank of New England as the official winner of the Ideablob $10,000 giveaway, I almost didn’t believe it! I ran right over to the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog and sure enough, there was the announcement, explaining that the top vote getter had been disqualified and the milk bank had won! Huge congratulations to Tanya and all those working hard to start up the new milk bank, and a huge “thank you” to all of you who voted in the contest! I am so happy for all those involved and impressed yet again by how breastfeeding supporters across the nation pull together to make a difference!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Milk Bank Progresses to Finals: Vote Again for the Win!

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:31:26 +0000

Jennifer and Tanya report that the Mothers’ Milk Bank of New England received enough votes in the IdeaBlob semi-finals to make it to the final round! The Milk Bank is one of eight finalists competing for the $10,000 prize, so your vote is needed in this final round. Vote now!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Your Vote Online Could Help the Mothers’ Milk Bank of New England

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:27:50 +0000

All it takes is a few moments of your time to vote for the funding proposal for the Mothers’ Milk Bank of New England on IdeaBlob. If enough people vote (and it only took 600 votes for last month’s winner), the fledgling milk bank receives $10,000 that will be used to buy processing and storage equipment, establish a “Milk Money” fund to help families whose insurance does not cover the processing fees for donor milk, and develop marketing materials for the milk bank. Need more information? Tanya at the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog is spear-heading the effort, after inspiration from The Lactivist. For information on non-profit donor milk banks in general, visit the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. Keep in mind that in addition to or instead of becoming a milk donor, you can volunteer your time as well.

(How much do you all love the logo for the Mother’s Milk Bank of New England?? Very cool. Don’t forget to vote!)

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3