Posts filed under ‘Monthly Blog Giveaways’
Winner of Blog Giveaway + Fertility Resources
Congratulations to the winner of our blog giveaway for a set of CycleBeads: Goldie!
Goldie told us that the most helpful resources for becoming educated and informed on her own fertility were: “other women who chart their cycles and reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility.”
Other commentors cited Natural Family Planning, Fertility Awareness, Ecological Breastfeeding, and Charting as their main resources regarding fertility. More articles and links on fertility awareness and breastfeeding can be found on Kellymom.com.
Thanks to all who entered our giveaway and stay tuned for another great giveaway NEXT WEEK!
Winner of Sept Giveaway + Cloth Diaper Seminar Info!
Congratulations to our September Blog Giveaway Winner, who receives a Little gPants gift set from gDiapers:
Julianne Ferguson
We asked readers to tell us why they wanted to win these Little gPants. Here is what Julianne told us:
“I love the look of the g diapers, they sound like a great alternative for day trips.”
Julianne, you are right! gDiapers are a perfect solution for the eco-conscious mama who wants the convenience (but not the environmental impact) of a disposable while running errands or taking day trips! We hope gPants gives you a bit more freedom to enjoy those times!
For hands-on demonstrations and information on the world of cloth diapering, don’t forget to attend our “Birth Blooms in the Desert” conference on October 23rd. Zoolkins employees (formerly Wildflower Diapers) will be hosting a seminar on Cloth Diapering 101 and will have cloth diaper samples on-hand to demonstrate different options and techniques.
Thank you to gDiapers for their generous donation to the Arizona Birth Network!
Winner of Sept Giveaway + Links on Bonding
Congratulations to our August Blog Giveaway Winner, who receives a cuddly Snug & Tug blanket by Go Mama Go Designs:
Amanda McMahon
We asked readers to tell us about their favorite bonding moments with their baby and Amanda responded with:
“I love gazing into my babies’ eyes when they’re nursing.”
Thank you to everyone who responded with your favorite snuggly moments. And thank you to Go Mama Go Designs for their generous donation of the Snug & Tug swaddle blanket.
The power of snuggling and bonding with a baby extends a number of benefits to both baby AND a mother and father. “Bonding is that wonderful connection that happens between parent and child, that wonderful dance that Mother and Father and Baby develop with each other,” says Roni Leiderman, executive director and associate dean of the Family Center at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Leiderman continues with “Bonding sets the stage for future interaction between the parents and the baby and for that wonderful unconditional love that develops.”
A large part of bonding happens unconsciously through the work of hormonal and chemical release. However, there are also simple things that parents can do to strengthen the bonds between them and their precious child. Ideas include:
- Infant Massage
- Singing and reading to your baby
- Breastfeeding or close contact when bottle-feeding
- Talking and gazing at your baby
- Learning and tending to your baby’s cues
Remember to be gentle on yourself as well, as a deep connection to your baby may take time. Getting to know a new person is a unique experience for every parent and baby!
“There’s so much discussion about bonding with a new baby that mothers often feel guilty if they don’t feel some incredible attachment to their new baby immediately,” says Edward Christophersen, a pediatric psychologist in Kansas City, Missouri. “But bonding is truly an individual experience, and it’s just as reasonable to expect the bond to develop over a period of time as it is for it to develop instantaneously.”
Below are some links that discuss developing a strong bond with your baby, both before they are born and after birth.
August Blog Giveaway! Enter by Monday, 8/16.
Keep your baby super cuddly by winning this adorable and cozy Snug & Tug swaddle blanket by Go Mama Go Designs!
Swaddling a baby has documented benefits for both baby AND mama, including reducing colic, fussiness, and the risk of SIDS.
Go Mama Go Designs has also generously donated many other unique products, including a full crib bedding set and Wonder Bumpers, which will be showcased at our raffle during our “Birth Blooms in the Desert” conference in October.
To Enter:
- Comment on this post, with your response to the question: “What have been your favorite bonding/snuggly moments with your baby?” The comment form will prompt you for a valid email address.
- All entries must be received by Monday, August 16th, 2010.
- Winners will be selected randomly on Tuesday, August 17th, and will be notified by email and via this blog.
Did You Know? AZBN Members are Auto-Entered into Raffles!
- AZBN members are automatically entered into each of our monthly blog giveaways? If they also leave a comment on the blog post, that doubles their chances of winning. Become an AZBN member today and NEVER miss out on the opportunity to win awesome prizes. We ♥ our members and we ♥ giving away cool stuff!
June Blog Giveaway: Boon Modern Feeding Line!
Summer is here and it’s time for a groovy blog giveaway!
The AZBN is super excited about this giveaway: We absolutely ADORE Boon! They are not only a local company, but have been so generous and enthusiastic in their donations to us over the years. Their modern products are funky and innovative! Thank you to Boon, Inc for their continual support of the Arizona Birth Network.
For this giveaway, our winner will receive a gift pack of the following three Boon items from their feeding line:
- “Squirt” baby food dispensing spoon
- “Fluid” toddler cup
- “Snack Ball” snack container
To Enter:
- Comment on this post, with your response to the question: “What summer foods or snacks are YOUR favorite or your kids’ favorites?” The comment form will prompt you for a valid email address.
- All entries must be received by Monday, June 7th, 2010.
- Winners will be selected randomly on Tuesday, June 8th, and will be notified by email and via this blog.
Did You Know? AZBN Members are Auto-Entered into Raffles!
- AZBN members are automatically entered into each of our monthly blog giveaways? If they also leave a comment on the blog post, that doubles their chances of winning. Become an AZBN member today and NEVER miss out on the opportunity to win awesome prizes. We ♥ our members and we ♥ giving away cool stuff!
May Blog Giveaway Winners
Congratulations to our most recent Blog Giveaway Winners:
-
Karin Tulloch – winner of the book “Momma Zen” by Karen Maezen Miller
-
Krystle Porter – winner of a gift pack of Baby’s Bliss/Mother’s Bliss products
Here is how Karin and Krystle the question “What mothering moment (either as a mother, or as you think about your own mother) has defined you?”
“I had no idea being a mom would be such a physical job, until I became one. My son (22 mos) was recenly in the hospital for pneumonia. T he poor kid was hooked up to all kinds of tubes, wires, etc and so beyond frustrated that even changing his PJs was an ordeal (more than normal). When it came to any kind of procedure, the only way to get the job done was for me to climb into the hospital crib with him (a big no-no according to the charge nurse) and wrap my body around his while they adjusted, cleaned, poked, etc. It was exhausting for all involved. Thank goodness for the snuggle time – he only wanted to sleep ON us during the day. I haven’t held him so much in 3 days since he was an infant! This was all a reminder that I am strong and I will do whatever I have to do to take care of my baby.”
“I can’t say that there has been just one moment that has defined me as a mother. There would be too many to pinpoint just one. Every day there are sweet times when I look at my little girl & just melt- I think it’s about loving your little person so much, that it doesn’t matter to you if you’ve had a shower that day, food is all over your shirt, you have forgotten to eat because you are just too busy, or times when you are so frustrated. It turns into pure mush because your child gives you a sweet smile or kiss. So, rather than a defining moment, I’d say it’s more about all of the moments that keep you going and loving the way you do.“
Thank you all for participating! Subscribe to our blogs, or become and AZBN member, and never miss out on a chance to WIN in our monthly blog giveaways!
Many thanks to Karen Maezen Miller and Baby Bliss for the generous donations of their products.
Blog Giveaway – Mother’s Day! Ends 5/10/10
Time for another fun blog giveaway!
This giveaway is in honor of all of the mamas and mamas-to-be out there. Your constant love and nurturing of children is the only true way to lead to peace in our world. We appreciate each and every one of you. 
We are giving away two rockin’ gifts, specifically geared towards mothers (and their little ones):
Karen Maezen Miller’s inspirational book “Momma Zen, Walking the Crooked Path of Motherhood”.
From Karen’s website: “The daily challenges of parenthood can become the most profound spiritual journey of our lives. Combining humor, honesty and plainspoken advice, Momma Zen distills the doubts and frustrations of early motherhood into vignettes of Zen wisdom. This compelling and wise memoir follows the timeline of early motherhood from pregnancy through toddlerhood. Miller takes readers on a transformative journey, charting a mother’s growth beyond naive expectations and disorientation to finding fulfillment in ordinary tasks, developing greater self-awareness and self-acceptance – to the gradual discovery of “maternal bliss,” a state of abiding happiness and ease available to us all.”
A gift pack from Baby Bliss, which includes: A travel pack of Baby Bliss Gripe Water, Baby Bliss Diaper Cream, and Mommy’s Bliss Morning Sickness Magic.
“Baby’s Bliss and Mommy’s Bliss is committed to creating quality products made with natural ingredients for the different phases of pregnancy and life.”
To Enter:
- Comment on this post, with your response to the question: “What mothering moment (either as a mother, or as you think about your own mother) has defined you?” The comment form will prompt you for a valid email address.
- All entries must be received by Monday, May 10, 2010.
- Winners will be selected randomly on Tuesday, May 11th, and will be notified by email and via this blog.
Did You Know? AZBN Members are Auto-Entered into Raffles!
- AZBN members are automatically entered into each of our monthly blog giveaways? If they also leave a comment on the blog post, that doubles their chances of winning. Become an AZBN member today and NEVER miss out on the opportunity to win awesome prizes. We ♥ our members and we ♥ giving away cool stuff!
April Blog Giveaway – Business of Being Born DVD
We’ve got more ♥ to give away! Enter by Monday, April 12th.
For April, we are giving away a SIGNED copy of “The Business of Being Born”, autographed by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein! This ground-breaking documentary “interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system.”
Enter to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy!
To enter this contest:
- Leave a comment on this blog post telling us what film, book, or resource has drastically impacted YOUR view of birth. The comment form will prompt you for a valid email address.
- All entries must be received by Monday, April 12, 2010.
- Winner will be selected by our high-tech “blog giveaway randomizer” on Tuesday, April 13th, and will be notified by email and via this blog.
Did You Know? AZBN Members are Auto-Entered into Raffles!
- AZBN members are automatically entered into each of our monthly blog giveaways? If they also leave a comment on the blog post, that doubles their chances of winning. Become an AZBN member today and NEVER miss out on the opportunity to win awesome prizes. We ♥ our members and we ♥ giving away cool stuff!
Giveaway! Ends 3/18
Who Wants Free, Groovy Stuff?
We are sharing the love if you can share love for the AZBN Blog!
And so, we are giving the following prizes to three lucky winners:
- TWO AZ Birth Network personal memberships (valued at $25 + inclusion in Network Perks discount program)
- An amber necklace of your choice (from the four pictured) from our Network Perks Partner “Inspired by Finn”!
How to Win:
- Subscribe to our blog by Thursday, March 18th (see screen shot below). Make sure the email you provide is your valid email address because that is how we will contact you if you win. You can subscribe for email updates or through your blog feeds by clicking “FEEDS”.
- By the way, you don’ t have to reside in AZ to win! Out of state AZBN members can still take advantage of our Network Perks discounts and the amber necklace will be shipped to you.
- Wait to see if you’ve won! Winners will be picked randomly and we will contact winners by Friday, March 19th.
