Here is your chance to win a Moby Wrap Baby Carrier!   This soft baby wrap is perfect for newborns to babies up to 35 pounds.   The material from the Moby Wrap Baby Carrier wraps around your torso and shoulders so that the baby’s weight is evenly distributed and your back, neck and shoulders don’t get fatigued.  I used the Moby Wrap with my youngest son and I loved it.  This is such a soft baby wrap and is perfect if you prefer an unstructured baby wrap.  In fact, I used to put it on before I even got in the car (of course, without the baby in it!) so that when we arrived at our destination we would be good to go and I would not have to wrap it onto me  in the parking lot.  I would drive with it on because it is not bulky at all.   When we arrived,  I would take the baby from his car seat, secure him in the Moby Wrap and go!  I loved it and so did my son.  Twin mamas, be sure you get in on this too as the Moby Wrap Baby Carrier can be used with twins and is a great baby carrier to keep twins snuggled up and secure.  The Moby Wrap retails for $39.95 at Madre Gear.

The winner gets to choose the color of their choice provided it is in stock.  Here’s more about the Moby Wrap Baby Carrier:

The design of the Moby Wrap uses your entire back, as well as your shoulders, to carry the weight of your baby. Unlike other carriers, which have narrow straps or go across one shoulder, the Moby Wrap is a wide piece of fabric that is wrapped over both shoulders. It is amazingly comfortable and easy to wear. There are no buckles, snaps or other fasteners. It is easy to adjust the fit of your Moby Wrap by varying how tightly you wrap yourself and your baby.

The Moby Wrap comes with an easy to follow instructional guide.  With the single stretch cotton and the width of the Moby Wrap, your baby is wrapped close and tight, ensuring a secure hold. Your baby’s head can also be secured under the stretchy cotton fabric for added safety. You can finally have both hands free and know your baby is safe and secure.

There is not a lot of extra material or bulky padding between you and your baby. Your baby can hear your heartbeat and finds comfort in the warmth of your body,and sound of your heartbeat within the cuddly confines of the Moby Wrap.

Be comfortable
The design of the Moby Wrap uses your entire back, as well as your shoulders, to carry the weight of your baby. Unlike other carriers, which have narrow straps or go across one shoulder, the Moby™Wrap is a wide piece of fabric that is wrapped over both shoulders. It is amazingly comfortable and easy to wear. There are no buckles, snaps or other fasteners. It is easy to adjust the fit of your Moby™ Wrap by varying how tightly you wrap yourself and your baby.

Be secure
The Moby Wrap comes with an easy to follow instructional guide.  With the single stretch cotton and the width of the Moby Wrap, your baby is wrapped close and tight, ensuring a secure hold. Your baby’s head can also be secured under the stretchy cotton fabric for added safety. You can finally have both hands free and know your baby is safe and secure.

Be uniquely close to your baby
There is not a lot of extra material or bulky padding between you and your baby. Your baby can hear your heartbeat and finds comfort in the warmth of your body,and sound of your heartbeat within the cuddly confines of the Moby Wrap.

Preemie to 35 lbs.
The Moby Wrap is an optimal baby carrier for premature infants. Preemies are often prescribed to practice “kangaroo care” and this skin-to-skin practice used to increase birth weight can be easily achieved while wearing the Moby Wrap. The Moby Wrap is long enough to adapt to your growing baby. The fabric can hold up to 45 lbs, and most people feel comfortable carrying up to 35 lbs.

Soothes fussy babies
It is amazing how quickly a baby will settle down once wrapped in the Moby Wrap. Experts like Dr. Sears, stress the importance of holding your baby often and close. The Moby Wrap allows you to do this with ease. The style of the wrap insures your baby is uniquely close, while providing ultimate comfort and support. No more aching backs or tired arms! Now your baby can be kept close and happy for as long as he or she desires.

Versatile
There are many ways to wear your Moby Wrap. Your can wear your baby facing you, facing the world, sideways or on your back. When not being used as a carrier, the Moby can be used as blanket, pillow or anything else that comes to mind.

Machine washable
The Moby Wrap is easy to clean. You can machine wash your Moby in cold water and tumble dry low. Slight shrinkage after washing may occur. Once you start wearing your Moby again, it will stretch out.

To Enter:

Please leave me a comment here telling me which Moby Wrap color is your favorite or which color you would like to win.  As always, but completely optional, gain more entries by:

following me on Twitter

subscribing to the Madre Gear newsletter

subscribing to the blog via RSS or email

becoming a fan on our Facebook page

Please leave additional comments letting me know you have subscribed to add your extra entries – leave a comment for each entry.  Also, those of you who are already subscribed please leave your additional comments letting me know that you are a subscriber and you are commenting for your extra entries.

You may also gain three additional entries by tweeting about the giveaway on Twitter, just use @MadreGear in your update and let me know about your tweet.

The giveaway deadline is February 9, 2010 at 11:59 pm PST.  The winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on February 10, 2009.  The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in our Teething Bling giveaway!  We have a winner…

#47 Angela G.  Congratulations Angela!  I will be sending Angela an email so that she can claim her prize.

For everyone else, please enjoy 10% off of all Teething Bling Teething Jewelry by Smart Moms until 11/18/09.

Win some bling!  This week we are giving away a Teething Bling Pendant by Smart Mom, along with the matching teething bling bangle of your choice.  I must say I love this product!  I have used this with my youngest son and he absolutely loved chewing on the pendant and on the bangle.  They were so popular at my house that I had to give a set to my sister and my daughter, so that they would have their very own Teething Bling for the baby to play with when they were holding him.  I also loved the fact that Teething Bling is made from food safe, phthalate-free, federally approved silicone, so I never had to worry about my son teething on something filled with chemicals.

More about Teething Bling:

Teething Bling was inspired by babies who like to tug on our jewelry.  It is the original patent-pending teething jewelry.

Made from the same material as many teething toys, Teething Bling looks great on Moms, Grandmas, Aunts and Caregivers but is safe for curious babies to handle and chew.

Teething Bling  products are non-toxic, phthalate, BPA, PVC and lead free and all pendants come with a breakaway clasp.  CE marking approved.

This is a 2×2 solid colored donut shaped pendant and hangs on a black silk cord with a breakaway clasp.  Dishwasher safe.

Safety-reminder:  These pendants are intended for adults to wear.  Please do not place the pendants ON your child.

Please visit Madre Gear to learn more about Teething Bling and view available Teething Bling colors.

Celebrities love their Teething Bling® too, check out these celebrities sporting their Teething Bling®!

Ali Landry	Ming Na
Chris Noth	Holly Robinson Peete
Angela Bassett	Tori Spelling

To Enter:

Please leave me a comment here telling me which Teething Bling color is your favorite or which color you would like to win.  As always, but  completely optional, gain more entries by:

following me on Twitter

subscribing to the Madre Gear newsletter

subscribing to the blog via RSS or email

becoming a fan on our new Facebook page

Please leave additional comments letting me know you have subscribed to add your extra entries – leave a comment for each entry.  Also, those of you who are already subscribed please leave your additional comments letting me know that you are a subscriber and you are commenting for your extra entries.

You may also gain three additional entries by tweeting about the giveaway on Twitter, just use @MadreGear in your update to let me know about your tweet.

The giveaway deadline is November 10, 2009 at 11:59 pm PST.  The winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on November 11, 2009.  The giveaway is open to the U.S. and Canada.

Thanks so much to all who participated in the Tiny Tales giveaway.  We have a winner!  The winner is ….

…#16 Elaine R

Congratulations Elaine!  I will be contacting Elaine by email to get her prize shipped out to her ASAP.  For everyone else, please enjoy 10% off of all Tiny Tales Memory Kits until 10/28/09.

I have four kids.  Anyone that knows me, knows that I am always on a pretty tight schedule with the kids.  There is not a lot of free time in my life.  I am usually busy at every moment – doctor’s appointments, errands, cooking, laundry, running my business – you name it!  Never one for keeping meticulously written accounts of my kid’s milestones, I had my mother hold onto my oldest son’s baby book for safe keeping and I would call her when I wanted to make an entry into his baby book.  I would have her write everything I said onto paper and she would graciously take notes and tuck it into the book so that I could write all about it later.  I was a young mother and this method worked for me.  I did the same thing when my daughter was born.  Again, it worked like a charm.  By the time I got to baby #3, my Mom was all done with the keeping of the baby books for me.  And she was right – I was the one who should have been making entries on my own!  Unfortunately, Baby #3 got the short end of the stick and his baby book is pretty bare.  I have little papers tucked into a non-baby, regular old journal that I kept so that I could make entries later.  I guess I wanted to have the time to write in his book, with the perfect pen, the perfect handwriting…and so it has not gotten done yet.  Baby #4 – let’s not even talk about his book.    All of this has a point, I promise.  I want to let you know about a great product that I wish I had for my kids – Tiny Tales memory kits.

Tiny Tales are a great idea for busy moms.  Tiny Tales are memory kits that come packaged in a clear acrylic box.  Inside the box are two 4×6 notepads that are pre-printed with prompts and spaces to write things down about the baby.  The kit also comes with four themed dividers to organize baby’s memorable milestones – one for each of the following time frames: 0-3mos., 3-6mos., 6-9mos., and 9-12mos.  So, you can spend less time making huge entries and more time making memories with your baby.

Tiny Tales memory kits are also available for expectant moms, and for toddlers who are ages one to four.  Learn more about Tiny Tales by visiting Madre Gear.

We are giving away the Tiny Tales memory kit of your choice.  Choose from the Expectant Tales, Baby Tales, or Toddler Tales.  Please leave me a comment telling me which memory kit you would prefer and how it would help you.   Completely optional, gain more entries by:

following me on Twitter

subscribing to the Madre Gear newsletter

subscribing to the blog via RSS or email

becoming a fan on our new Facebook page

Please leave additional comments letting me know you have subscribed to add your extra entries – leave a comment for each entry.  Also, those of you who are already subscribed please leave your additional comments letting me know that you are a subscriber and you are commenting for your extra entries.

You may also gain two additional entries by tweeting about the giveaway on Twitter, just leave your twitter user name to let me know about it.

The giveaway deadline is October 20, 2009 at 11:59 pm PST.  The winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on October 21, 2009.  The giveaway is open to the U.S. and Canada.

Good luck!

Thank you all so much for participating in my giveaway!  I really appreciate you taking the time to leave your comments.  I do have one lucky winner.   And the winner is….

…#12 Melissa!

Congratulations, Melissa!  I will be contacting Melissa by email to send her Belly Bandit on its way.  I really hope you enjoy it Melissa!  For everyone else, please enjoy 10% off of the Belly Bandit Original, Belly Bandit Couture and Belly Bandit Bamboo until 10/21/09.

I will be posting a new giveaway tomorrow, so please visit again to check it out and see what you could win.

I have been majorly slacking in the giveaway department lately so I thought there is no better way to head into the Fall season, than with the start of some new giveaways!

This giveaway is for a Belly Bandit Original in Nude.  This is the perfect item for any new mom trying to flatten her postpartum belly.  Even if you have not just given birth in the last few months, you will still love the support that the Belly Bandit offers.  My youngest child is 2 years old and I still throw on my Belly Bandit from time to time.  I just love the way it makes my back and torso area feel so much more supported!  Do keep in mind that in order to see maximum benefits, the Belly Bandit is designed to be worn as soon as possible after delivery.  Here is some more information about the Belly Bandit:

Hey diddle diddle, you’re unhappy with your middle? Well, you’re about to be over the moon!  For this little band, will give you a hand, to get back in your skinny jeans soon!

Ok…Let’s get serious. Your questions and our answers:

WHAT is this miracle-working, belly banding goodness all about?
The Belly Bandit™ is an abdominal compression wrap designed to assist you in bringing your body back to its former beauty and proportion after child birth. Postpartum wraps have been known to help reduce the swelling of the uterus, decrease bloating caused by water retention, support your legs & back and provide additional comfort and support for you breast feeding moms. Ultimately the Belly Bandit™ will aid in getting you back to your pre-pregnancy bod faster than ever!

WHY haven’t I heard of the Belly Bandit™ before?
That’s what we said when we found out about postpartum wrapping of the belly! Who knew? Smart women around the world that’s who! The binding of a woman’s abdomen post delivery has been used therapeutically for centuries all over the globe. It is believed that increased and constant pressure against the abdominal area has benefits such as, flattening the belly and redefining the waistline while helping you keep your back straight minimizing associated pain and fatigue. We’ve just perfected a comfy garment that is tailored to your body after giving birth..

WHEN can I start sportin’ my Belly Bandit™?
You can start using it as soon as the day after you give birth (even after a c-section)! Wearing the Belly Bandit™ after a c-section may help to decrease post-op recovery time by minimizing associated incision pain, which allows greater mobility post-surgery! We recommend prior to use that you consult your physician.

WHO will know I’m wearing a Belly Bandit™?
Only those who you want to know! Relax ladies, first of all this is NOT a girdle. This is simply a breathable and comfy exclusively tailored belly wrap to assist your body in regaining its former beauty and proportion after child birth. The Belly Bandit™ provides strong support to relieve discomfort and give you the extra confidence you deserve post partum. Our smooth lightweight construction is designed for you to wear comfortably under all of your clothes and our tagless design won’t irritate your skin. We may be biased, but we actually think it’s kinda cute.

HOW do I wash My Belly Bandit™?
Your Belly Bandit should be hand washed. Please make sure to wash it in cold water and air or line-dry. Do not wring this in order to remove excess water as it may damage the strength of the piece. Washing in hot water or drying with an electric or gas dryer may also damage the product and cause shrinkage. The drying process can take up to 12 hours. Due to the continuous periods of time you are advised to wear the Belly Bandit it is recommended to purchase two. Having two will enable you to always have a freshly clean one available while the other is being washed.

FOR MAXIMUM RESULTS
We suggest you wear the Belly Bandit™ snuggly around your waist day and night, (if discomfort occurs remove and consult with your doctor). Just take it off to shower…then wrap yourself right back up again! The Belly Bandit™ should be worn at least 6-8 weeks post delivery to reach maximum benefits. The Belly Bandit™ should fit snug with constant pressure on the belly, but without any impact on breathing, circulation or discomfort in your ribs. As always diet and exercise play an integral part when trying to reach your pre-pregnancy size.

Here’s what makes our Belly Bandit™ Collection oh so special….

Goldilocks has nothing on us. We’ve scrutinized and tested every last detail to make you the most comfortable and fabulous looking postpartum mommy ever.

• Elastic. Don’t really think about it much, do you? Well, you don’t have to, because we did! Belly Bandit’s™ elastic has the perfect amount of tension to straighten out your back without tightly squeezing you or loosely rolling down your body.

• Material. Instead of sewing pieces of material together, which breaks down the strength of the elastic, we chose to use only one piece of material for our Belly Bandit™. Our design wears better over time because the durability of the elastic isn’t compromised.

• Customized. We have a Beverly Hills OB/GYN on board who helped create and finalize the Belly Bandit™ specifically with the postpartum woman in mind. But don’t worry, we also had the hippest team of hotties in town making sure the Belly Bandit™ is not only functional, but ridiculously cute. From our Basic to Couture to Bamboo, all of our styles are designed to make you smile!

• Comfort. Our rounded soft edges were created so that you don’t have excess material that digs, cuts or jabs your skin. After countless trials of textiles from around the world, we found the perfect materials that don’t bunch under your clothing. Also, our tag-less design won’t irritate your skin.

• Earth-friendly. Our bamboo line is not only environmentally friendly, it’s one of the most natural fibers out there. It’s also three times more durable than cotton. Fabric made from Bamboo is one of the softest, GREENEST, fabrics around. Remember, going green even in the smallest ways will help the planet!

• Economy-friendly. Our Belly Bandit™ Collection is exclusively made in the USA.

Q & A with Dr. Jay

What’ll the ‘ole doc have to say about all of this?
‘Ole doc’ll tell you that wrapping the abdomen after a c-section actually helps decrease post-op recovery time by minimizing associated incision pain, which allows for greater mobility post-surgery. While the Belly Bandit™ wrap is not medically necessary, our Mommy clients love the feel of everything being pulled-in and woven tightly together. The best part is that you can start using it as soon as the day after you give birth. Since everyone’s body is a little different if you have concerns or discomfort occurs please consult your physician (aka ‘Ole doc).

Here is what our top Beverly Hills OB/GYN, Dr. Jay Goldberg had to say to our questions…

Why should a new mother use the Belly Bandit™?
Abdominal compression wraps provide additional back support and expedite the rate at which the abdomen returns to its pre-pregnancy state.

How does the Belly Bandit™ work?
It compresses the portion of the body it’s wrapped around, forcing the lower back to straighten and taking tension off this area. By constricting the abdomen, the Belly Bandit™ provides better support and more confidence for the new mom recovering from her obstetrical experience.

How quickly after birth can you use the Belly Bandit™?
The Belly Bandit™ can be worn within 24 hours of delivery.

Can I use the Belly Bandit™ after a c-section?
Absolutely. Wearing an abdominal compression wrap after a c-section may actually decrease the post-op recovery time by minimizing associated incision pain, which allows greater mobility post-surgery. Of course, consult with your physician before you do so.

Who do you recommend the Belly Bandit™ for?
I recommend the Belly Bandit™ to any patient in the postpartum period, whether recovering from a vaginal delivery or a c-section.

How long would you suggest that a patient use the Belly Bandit™?
Everybody’s different. 4-6 weeks after delivery seems sensible.

When you can wear the Belly Bandit™?
The Belly Bandit™ can be worn all day long, and even while you sleep. It’s most important that you feel comfortable while wearing the Belly Bandit™, but there are no restrictions as to how long throughout the day it can be worn. It’s not meant to be worn in water and therefore should be removed for baths and showers.

Does the Belly Bandit™ take the place of diet & exercise?
Absolutely not. In fact, I would hope it would make new mothers more aware of their bodies and encourage them to eat a well-balanced, healthy diet, and exercise on a regular basis.

Why are you on board?
I’m on board because I believe the postpartum period is a transition into a new lifestyle that doesn’t necessarily focus on the new mom and her well-being. Mothers, more often than not, sacrifice their self-care for that of their newborn. The Belly Bandit™ encourages better posture, abdominal support, and self-confidence. It’s something easy new moms can do to take care of themselves as their focus shifts to caring for the new person in their lives.

Can or should I wear this during my workouts?
Absolutely. This is great for back support and encouraging a stronger core.

Is this still advantageous to wear even if I don’t put it on right after delivering?
Although we recommend wearing your Belly Bandit™ right after you deliver for 6-8 weeks, there is no reason why you shouldn’t wear it whenever you can or want to. Other benefits of the product (such as additional back support help with better posture etc.), may lead to more movement and in turn may help women get back to their pre-pregnancy weight quicker. Any additional confidence this may add can only be a benefit the customer. I hear all the time how clothes are not fitting or the weight is not falling off fast enough, so even if you didn’t wear it immediately after birth, every little bit helps.

Learn more about Belly Bandit sizing information.

The Belly Bandit Original retails for $45.95.  Please look for other Belly Bandit styles and colors in our boutique, Madre Gear.

Leave a comment here to be entered into the drawing.  The giveaway will close on October 13, 2009 at 11:59 p.m.  The winner will be chosen on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 via Random.org.  The winner will be notified by email and I will ask what size the winner would like.  Completely optional, you can gain more entries by signing up for the Madre Gear Newsletter, becoming our fan on our brand new Madre Gear Facebook page (still under construction but I promise to add more soon!), follow me on Twitter, or subscribe to the blog feed by email or RSS.  Please leave additional comments as your extra entries.

Thank you for participating and good luck!

This week we will be giving away a Ritzy Sitzy High Chair and Shopping Cart Cover by Itzy Ritzy.  The winner will choose from the patterns listed at the bottom of this post.

• To enter, please leave a comment telling us which style is your favorite. (1 entry)
• Tweet about the giveaway and be sure to leave your Twitter ID here. (2 entries)
• Subscribe to the RSS feed or blog newsletter. (2 entries)
• Subscribe to the Madre Gear boutique newsletter. (2 entries)
• Do a quick blog post on your blog about my giveaway.  Please be sure to leave your URL here. (2 entries)
• Prize is open to the US only.
• Please be sure to add extra comment(s) as you earn entries.
• Winner will be selecting by using Random.org
• Ends April 11, 2009 at 11:59 pm EST.
• Winner will be contacted via email so please be sure to enter your email address (will not be shown) in your comment submission.

We are giving away a mama necklace by MaStyle in honor of The Ultimate Blog Party 2009 hosted by 5 Minutes For Mom! We hope that there will be a lot of great mamas stopping by here.  We hope to grace one of you with this great necklace.

The Necklace Details
You can also view the details of this necklace at the Madre Gear boutique site.

Celebrate being a mama and let the world know your status with this trendy mama necklace by MaStyle. This necklace puts your status on shout with an urban edge! Every mama deserves to have one of these fabulous necklaces.

Silver, with a brushed finish

16″ cable chain attached from the sides with a lobster clasp closure

Pendant measurements: 1 in. x 0.2 in. (26mm x 6mm)

Here’s how it works:

-Add a comment letting me know which product at the Madre Gear boutique you would like to see featured as the next giveaway. (1 entry)
-Tweet about the giveaway and be sure to leave your Twitter ID here. (2 entries)
-Subscribe to the blog newsletter. (2 entries)
-Subscribe to the Madre Gear boutique newsletter. (2 entries)
-Do a quick blog post on your blog about my giveaway.  Please be sure to leave your URL here. (5 entries)
-Prize is open to the US and Canada.
-Please be sure to add each extra comment as you earn entries.
-Winner will be selecting by using Random.org
-Ends March 27, 2009 at 11:59 pm EST.
-Winner will be contacted via email so please be sure to enter your email address (will not be shown) in your comment submission.

Good luck!!

Sponsors: Day Five Blog Party Question is Brought to you by Baby Pop and Chic Covers

VIP BLOGS to visit are Parent Reviewers , Mom Most Traveled, Mommy Zabs, MomStart, HipposToes, Run DMT

DAY FIVE QUESTION

Today, make a blog post about what you do to give back during the holidays.  Do you volunteer your time?  If so, please tell us where.  What do you do to teach your children the true meaning of the holidays?

I have not participated in any holiday volunteering other than at my chuch.  I have been involved in collecting cans for the hungry and needy.  I have also always purchased gifts and clothing to donate to families who are less fortunate.  There is usually someone at my church that coordinates these programs.  I wish I was involved in more programs though.  My children have also been involved in picking out gifts for other children as well.  I do try to teach my kids the true meaning of the holidays.  I do tell them that it is more blessed to give than receive.