Milkface Nursingwear Inc

Shotguns or Lasers?

2010-04-01T09:33:00.002-06:00

Over the past few years we have used the shotgun approach to sharing our thoughts and ideas and promotions over the new, social media of the internet. This blog, Facebook, Youtube, e-newsletters, Twitter and others I can't even remember. Truth is, as we tried to do it all we put out material less frequently and of lesser quality. Milkface has never been a place for the masses. We serve a very small niche of the population. Shotguns won't work anymore.

This will be our last blog post. We feel that by thrying to share "the word" about breastfeeding and babywearing to all, we are missing opportunities the give important information to those who want and need it. We have long left Twitter (without any announcement) as we felt that there was just too much "noise" there and our messages were being lost in the hoarde.

Moving on, we have decided to increase our use of facebook to get out messages on what's making news in the babywearing and breastfeeding worlds as well as promotions in store. Facebook sems to be a great way to get immediate news out to you while allowing you to share your thoughts - which we encourage. Visit us at our facebook page and become a fan today! In addition, we will continue our twice-monthly email newsletters that we continue to get great feedback on. If you're not receiving our emails, head over to milkface.com and enter your email address in the field at the top of the page and that's it!

Thanks to all who have followed us here and to those who took the time to share with us your thoughts and opinions. Let's continue our relationship, just in a different venue.

Signing off,
The Milkface Mama

It was bound to happen...

2010-01-27T11:36:00.003-06:00

It happened a while ago. A mom was in store with her newborn babe in a car seat carrier. Mom was rushed and moving from one area of the store to another. Baby was peacefully enjoying mom's voice and the milkface decor. There was a crash followed by the baby's cries. The baby had fallen from the car seat and was on the floor. This unfortunate event happens more than we think, but often in the privacy of one's own home, not in front of an audience of other moms and an IBCLC. What would people say? What would they think?

No doubt, mom was feeling embarrassed. Judged. In a moment none of that mattered though, she went into immediate mom mode and responded to her child with soothing words, comfort food in the form of breastmilk and an inspection that only a mom could do - looking for anything that was different than the last time her eyes looked upon her child. Visibly, all was OK. The baby returned to a peaceful state in less than five minutes but mom was in a state that would take longer to calm. The others who were witness to, or aware of the event, came to the aid of their fellow mom in her time of need. Words of assurance were shared. Empathetic responses offered. This mom learned that this horrible thing that had happened - that she blamed herself for - was actually not that uncommon.

Has every mother dropped her baby? No, but it is say to say that many children have found themselves in harm's way as mom or dad was busy, distracted or just in a rush. This mom learned a lot on this day. She'll make mistakes. She'll be forgiven. She be supported. It will be OK in the end.

Days later, mom called the store to offer her thanks and to let us all know that, to ease her mind, a doctor's visit followed the event and the baby was fine. Baby won't ever remember that day at milkface. Mom will never forget.

If you've had a day like this mom, or if your day is yet to come, don't get down on yourself. You're not a bad parent and you're not alone. Be brave to start the conversation with your other mom friends and you'll find we've all had that day in some degree.

The Use of Social Media by Formula Companies

2009-11-17T10:53:00.002-06:00

Annie, at www.phdinparenting.com has been looking deeply into the issue of Nestle's use of social media to reach new moms. She has asked for input on the question "How should Neslte use social media?" We thought we'd add our thoughts. Read them below.

From Mr. Milkface
I believe that Nestle will act in its own best interests and on behalf of shareholders who demand a return on their investments. The benefits of breastfeeding are well known to those who choose to educate themselves, but among those benefits you won't find the word profit. Nestle chooses to associate itself with breastfeeding because it is the socially acceptable thing to do. They continue to violate the WHO code because it is profitable. Their motives are apparent. Their actions reprehensible.

As seen with the H1N1 issue, people will believe some outrageous claims when it comes to health. If they read it, it must be true. The motives for the claim (profit) are rarely considered when judging the veracity of the claim. The qualifications of the claimant aren't scrutinized. If the claim was on a professional looking website it is taken as gospel and a paypal transaction is completed.

Now the good news... I am a publisher, a blogger, a reporter and a marketing department with global reach. Fortunately, the same social media the formula companies employ to get their word out can be used against them. Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, et al allow those of us with no marketing budget to face off on even terms with massive corporations with equally massive marketing budgets. Our comments appear side-by-side with theirs, all around the world. The biggest challenge in this face off is to ensure those who are passionate about educating the benefits of breastfeeding remain passion free in their posts. Logic and consistent messaging will win over new moms seeking answers. Passionate rants make us look like the lunatic fringe. The marketing departments of Nestle understand this too well. For those who want nothing more than to educate new moms of the benefits of breastfeeding, this is one time we need to be just like the formula companies.

You got to know when to fold 'em.

2009-11-17T09:41:00.002-06:00

The City of Ottawa and OC Transpo will start enforcing a rule that requires you to fold strollers on the bus starting April 2010.( http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/11/14/11748021.html )

A year ago the city was left in distress when a transit strike forced us all to seek alternative ways to get around this great city - or stay home. In fall they eliminated a number of popular routes forcing riders to transfer when they used to ride direct. Recently they threatened to remove the student savings benefit from those who were too old - you know, those who lost their jobs and were looking to better themselves by improving their education. Just weeks ago they announced a rate increase for all riders. Now they want to make it harder for new moms. Were OC Transpo not a monopoly, their treatment of their customers would put them out of business.

While we advocate the use of carriers we recognize the value of strollers in certain situations. We'll let OC Transpo know how we feel about their planned treatment of new moms and so should you.

Another Anniversary

2009-10-22T13:11:00.002-06:00

We have passed the 1st anniversary of our winning of the LIVE 88.5 Pimp My Biz marketing prize. We have detailed a great deal of our experiences, especially the early events, here in our blog. Now, 12 months later, we have a review of our overall experience.

The prize was for $50,000 in marketing services. 10K in radio spots at LIVE 88.5FM here in Ottawa, 10K in the Metro News, 10K in graphics for the store and a vehicle wrap from K6 Media, 5K in web spots with Ottawakiosk.com and 15K in marketing consultancy with the Curam Group. We knew a new store was coming and wanted to save the radio, print and graphics for that purpose. All these companies came through, provided services as advertised and were great to work with. The remaining services, the web work, we were ready for immediately. It didn't quite work out that way.

Ottawakiosk, just weeks ago, started to run our classified-style ads. Banner work is still in the draft stage but should be up in a few days. The marketing/web consultancy service from the Curam Group has been a nightmare. After less than 3 hours of meetings, they have abandoned us and their commitment to the prize. Calls and emails do not get returned by Greg, the top dog and contest contact at Curam. Seriously unprofessional service.

Here's our dilemma. Should we be satisfied with a $35,000 win when $50,000 was advertised or should we expect more - the full array of services as announced? Imagine winning the lottery - say $2mil. You spend all day Sunday thinking about the win and how you'll improve yourself and those around you with the winnings. Now, on Monday when you go to cash in your ticket you learn that you were not the only winning number and you have to share money. A win is great but is now slightly tarnished now that you can't do all those things you planned.

Ho would you feel and what would you do? Let us know.

It's Our Anniversary

2009-10-13T14:42:00.002-06:00

Written by Mr. Milkface...

Eight years ago today, my life changed in ways I could never imagine. In a Port Hope B&B, I exchanged marital vows with Britt and continued the journey that started many months earlier when we first met. It has been eight years of love, joy, laughs and hard work. In March, 2008 Britt and I wrote about our relationship as co-workers. Our words of some 18 months ago still ring true so I'll shre them again with you today.

Today's question - What's it like working with your partner?

Andy says:
Hi. My name is Andy and I work with my wife. I left a successful real estate practice with five years of award winning achievements, at the peak of a strong market to do so. Before we start 12 step treatment, I'll tell you why I went where others fear to go.

I have been working with my wife since the day I met her. Our relationship is natural and rewarding but to say it has been effortless would be delusional fantasy - it's been work. Life goals, family planning, household finances, and daily interactions all require effort. It often feels easy because we work well together, employing complimentary skill sets to achieve, and often surpass, our mutual and individual goals. There have been days when it was a challenge but I have never had a day when I woke up without being thankful that I have this job and that I work with the best partner anyone could ask for. When the opportunity to extend our working relationship into the conventional workplace became available it was an easy choice and one without regret. We are early in our new working relationship but it seems to be as fulfilling and rewarding as the one we started the day we met. I like working with my wife and look forward to where this new dynamic will take us.

Britt says:
Andy and I met when we were working together (and I imagine that's the same for many of you!) and in some ways, it feels like we've been working together ever since. Parenting our 3 girls is definitely a labour of love and we are partners in that.

Working together at Milkface was always part of our master plan. Andy's role was always a bit hazy (what will a man do with breastfeeding moms?!) but we're figuring it out. As the business has grown, we've discovered a need for concentration on things like marketing and expansion that Andy can do just as well, if not better, than I. I'm really grateful that we're growing a true family business and hope that the girls will join us in it in time.

Working together means there's never a true seperation of work and home - if one of us has a great idea at midnight, our business partner is right there to discuss it. On the flip side, when we have a rare night out, business talk is hard to shelve!

I would say that working with your spouse is a lot like being married to your spouse - wonderful, frustrating, enjoyable, maddening with lots of up and downs!

Later this week we have another anniversary but that story is far less joyous. Check back next week for all the details.

H1N1 Trumps 2009 Breastfeeding Challenge

2009-10-06T08:10:00.002-06:00

This weekend's Breastfeeding Challenge saw breastfeeding moms and their babes around the world achieve a simultaneous nursing session in the effort to raise awareness of the benefits of breatsfeeding and the rights of those who breastfeed in public. Reports from Ottawa and around the world show a significant decline in attendees this year, a fact that is believed to be attributable to the H1N1 virus and fears of infection at public gatherings. The Montreal Challenge was cancelled specifically for this reason.

We'd like to thank all who attended their local event and all those who were there in spirit and participating at their home our wherever they may have been. Milkface was a sponsor or donor to a number of Canadian Challenges and we were proud to be a part of these efforts. For organizers of 2010 Challenges, let us know how we can help and be a part of your event. Together we're making the world a better, healthier place.

What's New?

2009-09-22T08:52:00.003-06:00

What's new in the ages old practice of breastfeeding and babywearing? Surprisingly, quite a bit. We've recently returned from The All Baby and Child (ABC) Expo in Las Vegas, North America's largest convention of all things baby and child. We met with many of our existing suppliers (Boob, Medela, Bravado, Ergo, Beco, Nummies and more) and we're happy to see your favourite products will still be offered and some new products are coming soon as well. Some even shared some secret products that are in prototype development and we've been asked to comment and possibly test these products before they come to market and no, we can't talk about them!

In addition to new items from old friends, we came across some new items that we're excited to be bringing to milkface and you. Larrivo offers a great line of nursing camisoles and chemises that are being worn but some A-List celeb moms. You'll love the simple design and attractive prints offered by Larrivo. Watch the website for the arrival date. The Sleepy Wrap caught our eye too! Some might see it as just another stretchy wrap but it's use of french terry fabric makes it different and worthy of standing beside our other carriers. Lastly, a new portable nursing pillow from Huggabees will make nursing on the go easier for every mom. This purse-sized pillow slips over your hand, resting on your forearm giving your babe a comfortable place for a quick snack or a marathon feeding. It will take pressure off mom's arm too.

We're anxiously waiting for deliveries to arrive and will let you know about it when they do. Visit www.milkface.com often.

Back to School - Ottawa Parents Beware

2009-08-27T10:50:00.003-06:00

In Ottawa, Your Child is a Speedbump

Renovations are ongoing at the property next to the milkface Westboro store at 385 Danforth Ave. The owners are converting a century home into a daycare facility. To maximize their use of the land they applied to the city of Ottawa to provide less parking than is standard for such a use in this area. The owners hope to have 25-40 kids in this building based on conversations with the owner.

Any such application allows the public to object before a decision is made. Well, Mr. Milkface wrote to the city suggesting the morning and late afternoon traffic during drop-off and pick-up would be an excessive strain on a street that is barely adequate for the existing businesses. The lack of adequate parking would only exacerbate the problem as inconsiderate parents park illegally "just for a second". After a few weeks a response was received.

Seems we were the only objection to the application. Our points were are rebuked and the application was granted. The city gets a cash in lieu of parking fee of about $8000 and likely increased tax revenues given the extra square footage of the new property.

In the justification for the decision, one sentence stood out as particularly outrageous. "Having additional parents with children (walking) in the area could have the beneficial effect of further calming driver behaviour as they navigate across an area that already has significant pedestrian flows."

A speed bump is a traffic calming feature. A speed trap fulfills the same function. A child walking on a street without sidewalks is not and should never been seen as such.

As a parent of three who make the walk to and from school more days than not, I think this view of pedestrians as traffic calming features is unacceptable and extremely dangerous. Too often we say "How many have to die or be hurt before a (specific) change is made?" In this case, we never wanted a change. We only asked that the situation for us, our customers and the users of Danforth Ave. not get worse. I guess the City of Ottawa sees the risk as acceptable and worth $8,547.

The Bizarro World of Breastfeeding

2009-08-10T10:32:00.005-06:00

There are numerous debates about breastfeeding that exist throughout the world - and those are among those of us who are supporters, practitioners and fans. One thing I think we can all agree on is that formula companies need to just shut up.

The WHO Code violations are numerous and well reported outside of the traditional mainstream media but the continuing trend of formula companies offering Breastfeeding Information and Support Kits is just ridiculous. Seriously, why would they do anything that would harm their bottom line? Isn't that against their corporate mandate to make a profit?

Having a formula company offering breastfeeding education is like having a butcher giving tips on a vegan lifestyle. Or, (well you come up with your own.)

Are people falling for this? Can they not see the problem here? I hope, for all our sake, new moms are smarter than the well-funded marketing divisions of these major companies.

August Is Breastfeeding Awareness Month - We Hope You Don't Notice

2009-08-04T08:04:00.004-06:00

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Around the world lactivists, health care practioners and those who care will be raising awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, the nutritional insufficiency of formula and even the World Health Organization (WHO) Code on the marketing of formula and how big-pharma and food producers violate their own agreements to abide by the code. At Milkface we're not going to go that route - at least, not beyond the messages that exist everyday in our stores and on our website. Those who know milkface know all about these important messages. To them, breastfeeding is normal and you don't go waving your flag and shouting from the rooftops about normal things, now do you?

It's true that breastfeeding rates should be higher. It's true that the major advertising budgets of those who sell the alternatives to breastfeeding are having a negative impact on the health of millions of children worldwide and it's true that many doctors and primary care givers are believers and espousers of the "formula is adequate" lie. At milkface we want to correct these injustices but as long as we have a commercial interest in the normal practice of breastfeeding the cynics will see the bias in our words. We will, however, as mothers who have breastfed our children to up to three years of age, share our experiences with those who visit our stores and want to hear about our experiences. As well, we see you, the breastfeeding mother, as the single best voice of breastfeeding and its myriad benefits. One-on-one with other moms and friends on a personal level.

One day there may not be the need for a Breastfeeding Awareness Month. We believe that day will come soon. When that day comes we believe that your involvement will have had a bigger role than any campaign or marketing budget could ever contribute. When breastfeeding is accepted, it won't be noticed. When breastfeeding is accepted, there will be no need for an awareness month. Maybe it's time to stop noticing.

Secret Promotions at milkface.com

2009-07-28T09:38:00.002-06:00

Well, they're not really a secret but they are announced only to our online followers. All our coupons and savings promotions are announced to our e-newsletter subscribers (join at the www.milkface.com homepage) and to our Twitter followers. We send out 2 newsletters a month - a general info message and a new product message. We don't send out too many tweets - just in store events and promotions. Follow us to stay up to date.

And fellow bloggers, if you want to pass on information of our promotions, coupon codes and events to your followers, please feel free to pass them on. They thank you for it.

Mr. Milkface

Pimp My Biz - Submission 10

2009-07-28T08:55:00.002-06:00

Well, it's been a long time since we've talked about the contest and for the most part, that's a good thing.

When we won the prize we knew that we would use certain elements for the new Bank Street store. K6 Media would do the graphics on the exterior windows and add some flair to the inside as well. Metro News would run ads promoting the new store opening. Live 88.5FM would run ads announcing the store opening and would run other ads that would maintain our presence in LIVE's listener land. They also did a remote on grand opening day where they broadcast live from the store. These were all positive experiences and organizations that we would recommend for their professionalism and product/services.

Of note, I'd like to highlight the team at K6 Media www.k6media.ca. Christian and Tristan were a delight to work with. They took our ideas and developed them in a way that surprised and delighted us. They had ideas we had never considered and expanded our view of what visual marketing can be. Without this prize win we would never have done many of the things you see in our store (wall graphics and banners) and we would never do a vehicle wrap - both mistakes as they are attention getting and convesation starters that boost business. For any new business with a vehicle or storefront you need to find the money to get K6 working for you. The payoff will be apparent in no time.

Mr. Milkface

Internal Debate at Milkface

2009-06-25T11:06:00.005-06:00

Every now and then, we at milkface are asked if we carry nursing covers. We don't. We apologize and we cater to any other needs that shopper might have. One day the logical follow up question was asked, "Why not?"

The issue was raised internally and we had a different opinion from each staffer. Some were passionate supporters, claiming that they allow self conscious mothers the tool necessary to breastfeed in public. Others had passions as strong that stated breastfeeding is natural and normal and shouldn't be hidden and doing so suggests it is something that should be hidden. Great arguments were made on both sides and personal experiences were shared - experiences that were enlightening and made the issue less black and white for all of us.

In the end we decided that we would continue to not carry products manufactured with the explicit intent of shielding the act of nursing from others. We would be more proactive in educating milkface visitors that the discretion and privacy some of them seek can be achieved using the tools they already have - breastfeeding clothing and some carrier styles.

We believe that a milkface shopping experience is made an incredible one by virtue of the informational resources that our staffers are and the counsel that they can provide. Each a parent. All babywearers. All mothers experienced with breastfeeding. Twins. Cesarean sections, VBAC experiences. Post partum issues. We, collectively, have experienced them all and are generous to share our experiences. For milkface shoppers or during staff meeting discussions, our experiences set us apart. Visit a store today and see how we can help you.

Mr. Milkface Reports: Babywearing for Dads

2009-06-04T09:42:00.002-06:00

I spend a couple days in each of our stores each week. More and more I see dads coming in (most often with moms) and looking into this "babywearing thing". Some are bored and want to leave quikly. Some are thrifty and can't see the value in a carrier (odd that they have no problem pushing a $700 stroller that only carries a diaper bag while mom carries the baby in her arms). But there are those who have a genuine interest in babywearing.

It's great to see dads trying on slings, mei tais, and soft structured carriers in our store. With an incredible selection of styles, fabrics, colours, prints and organics, we have something for everyone. Personally, I think it's cool when dad chooses the pink Ergo because that what his new little princess would look good in.

Even more encouraging is that we're seeing it more and more on the street. Dads are pround to be seen with their babies. Even more, they're proud to be seen as physically attached and involved with their children via a carrier.

Go dads! Have a Happy Father's Day later this month.

We've been away too long.

2009-05-26T08:22:00.002-06:00

It has been a really long time since our last post. We werepreparing for the opening of the new store and since then a lot has happened. We have been active in other arenas keeping you up to date and hope that you've been following us on Twitter (milkfacedotcom), YouTube (milkfacedotcom) and our regular, twice-a-month e-newsletters.

We'll be making a greater effort to be more regular with our blog, hoping for a posting at least once a week. We'll be doing some new segments and reviving past favourites like our "He Said, She Said" segment where Milkface owners, and spouses, Andy and Britt Pegan give their respective views on various topics. We're always looking for your input as well. We are here to answer your questions and provide content that is of interest to you and other moms like you.

That's all for now. See you soon.

Opportunity for Local Photographer or Artist

2009-01-28T08:40:00.003-06:00

We are looking to showcase a local Ottawa family / baby / pregnancy photographer or artist in our new Milkface Nursingwear store at 1167 Bank street, scheduled for a grand opening in mid March 2009. We are offering wall space throughout our store for 5-8 quality, framed pieces that showcase the bond between mother and child. In addition we allow, of course, you to post business cards or marketing brochures to attract new business.

We have run this programme in our Westboro location for two years and have had incredible feedback from our customers and our two showcased photographers claim that it is a great passive source of new business - one claiming 50% of her business is generated from interested Milface customers.

We invite creativity and offer no restrictive guidelines for your pieces with the exception that the subject of all pieces be family friendly.

Please send JPG samples of your work for consideration by February 15, 2009. We will shortlist 4 artists by staff vote and will ask our newsletter readers to select the winner based on popular vote. The voting will begin with a mailout to email subscribers on February 18, 2009 with votes being tallied February 21, 2009. Anyone can join our email newsletter by simply joining from the lower right corner of the www.milkface.com hompage. Make sure your supporters have joined before The February 18 sendout.

The winner will provide display materials ready for wall display and business card / brochure display holders by March 10, 2009 and maintain the supply of business cards and/or brochures.

Thanks and good luck.

Send submissions to andy@milkface.com
Questions? Call Andy on cell at 762-7444

Who Could Use A Helping Hand Right Now?

2009-01-09T10:11:00.002-06:00

We have too much stock. After an incredible Boxing Week Sale we continue to have a number of items that we just don't have the space to display to try to sell. It is time to give it away.

We are looking for organizations or groups that would benefit from the receipt of brand new, first quality nursing fashions and an assortment of nursing bras.

The recipient organization(s) should be involved in the promotion of breastfeeding, have a financial need for the items, and be able to disseminate the donated goods to those in need at no charge to the recipient mothers.

We have about 75 articles in various sizes (but mostly larges and smalls) and would like to send it out to no more than 3 groups/organizations. These items have a retail value of over $6000.

If you represent or know of such an organization, please let us know how they would benefit from this donation. We will select recipients on January 16, 2009 and hope to get the items out right away.

How can we help you help others?

Pimp My Biz Diary - Submission #9

2008-12-18T14:02:00.000-06:00

It's been about 45 days since we were announced winners of the "Pimp My Biz" contest. We have yet to speak to anyone about concrete plans on how to apply our winnings. A general meeting occurred but no specifics. Waiting....

Metro News was our first contact. Ian came to the milkspace - the training, drop-in and breastfeeding lounge above the milkface store, for a meeting and discussion on what Metro was going to do for us. I came in with a few prejudices about print media advertising having come from the real estate profession and did not expect much from the meeting or this element of the prize package. Ian blew me away and changed my views and made me anxious to put our plans in place. Again, this part of the prize was on hold until we had secured a new location for milkface's second Ottawa store but I was ready to go.

Ian mentioned that he knew of us already. He uses the street parking near our store often and passes by on occasion. He has even been in the store - not as a customer but as someone interested in what was going on in the cute little store with the pink door. He had been playing with marketing ideas for our store too. He never shared then or introduced himself as a marketing rep but, being the creative guy that he is, he was playing "what if I worked with them" and came up with some ideas. His ideas, now exposed to the light of day and our receptive ears, are exciting and impactful. Expectations are high on my end and practicing patience is difficult when I feel this way.

In he end we plan to lay low for the remainder of the year and revisit in January. We are given homework to determine, and document our typical customer and her attributes. Like many things at milkface this already exists but has never been put to paper. Britt and I take 5 minutes and put it down, add some material on business philosophy, business mandate and past marketing examples in an email package and send it off. He's impressed. We show that we know what we want. Now his brain is put to work to develop the campaign to make it happen.

More to come....

PimpMyBiz Contest - Submission #8

2008-12-16T20:20:00.000-06:00

The intent of our first meeting was to be more ceremonial than practical. A meet and greet with the contest sponsors was, in theory, a great idea but never came to fruition as the schedules of too many people never seemed to align. In lieu of this meeting, Mark from Newcap Radio - the parent company of LIVE 88.5 - called us in to discuss what we had won, how they would facilitate our receipt and use of the winnings and gave a brief overview of radio marketing. The meeting was fascinating - well to be fair it would have probably been boring to the majority of the world but as a guy who records, so as not to miss a TV show about advertising (ad persuasion), and who has a direct impact and benefit in how the prize is used I was rapt.

Mark knew his stuff and came across as highly confident and competent - a combination that is essential in the sales game. The "short" meeting lasted 90 minutes. I could only imagine how long we would have been their if we had met with the other marketing execs from the other prize sponsors. In the end Britt and I came away with a better understanding of what we had won and how we would be allowed to apply it to our future goals.

Our intention at this point was to hold the radio and print advertising until our expected opening of a second Milkface store in Ottawa (stay tuned on that one) sometime in Q2 2009. We were ready to put into immediate use the vehicle wrap and web media portions of the prize. Mark was on board with these intentions and concurred that our plan was the best use of the prize. Unfortunately nothing happens fast when so many people are involved.

More to come...

Business Is Good but what if...

2008-12-15T13:00:00.003-06:00

Andy here. Sharing the Milkface board with but off the Pimp my Biz topic today.

I recently came across a blog entry from well known and highly respected (by me anyway) author, inventor and imagineer Seth Godin that I wanted to share for various reasons. His blog mainly covers marketing issues but can often be applied to human nature and why we are who we are (or who marketers want us to be).

The entry that caught my eye was an article on the human characteristic to share the stories of negative experiences, misdeeds and failures while we often keep those things we cherish - like your favourite mom store, Milkface Nursingwear and www.milkface.com, a secret from others. He goes into the reasons for this and also offers some critically acclaimed enterprises that failed financially because they did not have the tools to get the word out - relying heavily on word of mouth marketing from satisfied customers.

We have enjoyed continued success at Milkface Nursingwear but need to be cognizant that our unmatched selection of nursing bras, carriers and nursing fashions, coupled with our compassionate, non-judgemental and down-right fantastic customer service may not always be enough to survive, especially in these financially trying times. For that reason I ask you as a regular milkface blog reader and milkface fan to let just one new mom know about us. We'd really appreciate it and so will she.

Seth's blog entry:
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/11/dont-know-what.html

PimpMyBiz Contest - Submission #7

2008-11-29T11:01:00.001-06:00

We Won!

It is kind of surreal the feelings I am experiencing. I start to doubt what my ears hear hours earlier. Did it really happen or is it just what I wanted to hear? If Britt hadn't heard it too I would have serious doubts.

I sent an email to both Katfish and Kornicky letting them know that we heard the announcement and thanking them. Later in the day we get an email from a rep at the station congratulating us and advising us that a panel meeting would be held in the near future with all the prize suppliers to establish connections and run down what, exactly, we have won and how and when it can be used.

The night before the meeting was to take place we get 15cm of snow. Because of this snow the meeting is canceled. This makes no sense to me. This is Ottawa and 15 cm of snow is not a lot especially after coming off a winter with over 500cm and many days with 20+cm of accumulation. We made a lot of arrangements to ensure both Britt and I could attend this meeting but all for naught. Oh well.

We are presently waiting this meeting to happen. When it does I'll have more to tell you about. More to come.

Toronto mamas - this is for you!

2008-11-28T19:39:00.001-06:00

Breastfeeding Rally at Queen’s Park, Toronto
Wednesday, December 3rd

Dr. Jack Newman, the Toronto doctor known around the world as a leader in breastfeeding education and support, needs your help. The Newman Breastfeeding Clinic and Institute sees more than 2500 mothers and babies each year, but is on the verge of closing its doors unless it receives more funding. The NBCI is requesting donations, but until the government recognizes the importance of institutional breastfeeding support, the clinic will always be in danger.

Supporters of the NBCI are asked to come to Queen’s Park on Wednesday, December 3rd at 10 am for a quiet nurse-in. Demonstrators will be advocating for the provincial government to recognize the importance of breastfeeding and to commit to funding breastfeeding clinics like Dr. Newman’s. The rally is supported by the New Democratic Party, and NDP health critic France Gélinas will be holding a press conference at 10 am. At 10.30 am, question period will take place in parliament, and Gélinas will use the opportunity to call for a provincial breastfeeding strategy and encourage the government to support hospitals going baby friendly.

The objective is to hold a nurse-in in the viewing gallery of Queen’s Park during question period. IMPORTANT: formal protests are not allowed within the building, so it is asked that no one bring signs, placards or banners. The hope is to fill the viewing gallery which will require a huge turn out, so please spread the word. This is an opportunity to change the status of breastfeeding policy in Ontario for years to come.

If you wish to attend please RSVP to Helen or Dani by December 1st. Spaces in the viewing gallery are limited and the NDP are asking anyone wishing to participate to add their names to the list of guests as they will have to go to the security desk to give their names in order to get in.

What: Breastfeeding Rally and Nurse-in
Where: Queen’s Park, Toronto
When: 10 am, Wed. December 3rd

RSVP to:

dani@naturalmothering.ca
or
helen@naturalmothering.ca

Sling article!

2008-11-17T18:39:00.000-06:00

Great new article on baby slings out of the UK. Enjoy while we're off with Mickey and the gang!

The blog rests for a week

2008-11-17T08:46:00.002-06:00

The family is off to Florida for a week at Disney in less than 24 hours. The blog will be dormant for this time. Thanks for checking in and be sure to come back later in the month.

The milkface store and milkface.com will be operating as usual with our great staff manning the helm.

PimpMyBiz Contest - Submission #6

2008-11-16T17:28:00.001-06:00

Saturday morning. "All or some" of the businesses to be profiled.

I turn on the radio at 11:40. I have missed the first 40 minutes. In the next 140 minutes I hear 4 businesses profiled. Ours is absent. Were we one the first 40 minutes? Were we overlooked? Good news, Britt has been at the store since 10:30 and the radio is always playing 88.5. Surely if we were profiled she would have heard it. Unfortunately she didn't because the store was too busy and her focus was on our customers. Jan, who was also at the store was too busy to here us if we were on. Again, I go through what does this mean if we were overlooked. Is this a good thing or a bad thing. Like a great debater I can make up arguments for both sides, each more convincing than the last.

Now we are 45 hours from the winner being announced. Britt is convinced we are not the winner. Surely they would want the winner on air to get a reaction. We have not been contacted so her argument makes some sense. I start to think that our positioning as a MOM STORE, effectively eliminating half of the listener base is what has hurt our bid. Sunday is not a great day.

Late Sunday I am listening to music. Britt calls me to come to bed and I say, "Just one more song and I'll be up." The clock ticks past midnight and of the some 5000 songs that could have been randomly selected by my MP3 played, the song selected is "This Is The Day" by The The. If you've never heard it (It has been used in an M&Ms commercial in 2008) there is a line in the chorus that goes, "This is the day your life will surely change." I'm tired and I go to bed after the song.

Monday morning comes and the girls have to be at school by 8. The winner is supposed to be announced just after the 8am news. At 8:09 we each have an earbud from the headset of my cell phone listening to 88.5 and Milkface Nursingwear is announced the winner of the Pimp My Biz contest. Were are silent as we look at each other trying to process what we just heard. Then excitement takes over.
We walk a few blocks to the store and Britt boots up her laptop with her email. At 7:59 she was sent an e-mail asking how to contact us as they wanted to have the finalists on the phone for a reaction in the event we won. Too bad we missed that email but there was no way we would have got any email after 4pm Saturday. We do our best to separate business from family time.

More to come...

PimpMyBiz Contest - Submission #5

2008-11-14T17:27:00.004-06:00

The longest week.

I was able to review our fellow contestants online to see where we stand. A vacuum shop, a home stager, a unique (and clever) dog sitting service and a store that prepares and sells natural raw foods for pets. No common thread. Where did we fit and how did we stand out against these companies was unclear. Again, we did not know the criteria that would be applied to choose the winner. Still liked our chances, though.

I sent both Katfish and Kornicky a thank you email. They were funny and professional and allowed us the chance to spread the Milkface name on their radio station. In the end, it was the best case scenario if we were not selected a winner. They both replied with their thanks and one message say that they will replay all or most of the spots on the weekend show running from 11-2. "All or most" - seemed odd to me. This one line drove me mad for a week. Why not all? Would they only play the 4 non-winners as a consolation to them? Were some spots deemed not air-worthy? Would they only play the short list of the five finalists? Mad I say.

Over the week I try to hear the other profiles. I don't get them all. Sorry to Bone Voyage - the dog sitting service and Dave's Vacs. The other two I did hear. The home stager is a true business start-up. Having started just months earlier she would be a prime opportunity to show how marketing could launch a new company into a successful operation. On the other hand, new businesses don't always last. The prize could be for naught if the real estate market declined as expected in these new economically troubled times.

Analysis paralysis on my part. Try to relax. Nothing more we can do. It's in the hands of others. These words provide cold comfort and I continue to analyze where we are superior and inferior to our competition. I am consumed. Now for me this is an oddity. I rarely worry about things as I have recognized the absolute waste of energy we humans spend on the things that are out of our hands. Bizarre.

On the last day, the Natural Pet Food company is profiled. Existing business with a storefront and a loyal clientele that exactly fit the demographic of the radio station. These people were, in my mind, our real competition. The business was submitted to the contest not by an owner but by a friend. Seems one owner has a terminal disease that has a prognosis that does not look promising. As a human, I sympathize. As a contestant my jaw drops. I have seen too much reality TV where sympathy goes a long way with judges. It nevers earns the win on its own but it does get you closer to the prize than merit alone would. We're sunk.

More to come.

PimpMyBiz Contest - Submission #4

2008-11-12T10:21:00.003-06:00

Arrangements are made to take care of our 3 girls so we can make it to the radio station for 8:10 am. I have gone over our submission countless times, going over talking points we want to cover. If we weren't going to win we had to use this opportunity as a Milkface Nursingwear commercial and get some bonus exposure. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. "Britt, you want to go over this and decide who will discuss each point?" "Not really," the answer. But we do spend 5 minutes in the van on the way there. Didn't matter in the end. This wasn't our commercial, it was their show and they lead us. It worked out, probably to the betterment of all but it just goes to show that for all you do in life, your fate is often in the hands of others.

The guys are really nice. They have been a part of my life for years, almost every morning. Beyond nice, they are funny and really laid back. They can break away from a conversation in a split second after a song ends, go live on air, and fill the space with the comedic banter and information that I enjoy each morning. Real professionals that make the "magic" of live radio happen every day. This was cool. How would we do?

Rather than go on live they would record us for play later in the morning. We would be one of two business recorded on this day. We did not know who the other business was or if they, too, would be profiled this day. The spot goes well, is well directed by Katfish and Kornicky and we feel good about how we presented Milkface Nursingwear and how we would use the prize. There was more to say - so much more, but not enough time. Did we say enough to win this thing? Didn't know.

Traditionally, when the Start Up crew interview a guest they leave off with "One Final Question" - a question related to the guest or their area of expertise but never something that the guest might expect or prepare for. At the end of our interview I ask jokingly, "What, no final question." Kornicky says, "Nope, not enough time. I express relief as I knew that this would be the place where I stumble if it would happen at all. They smell blood in the water and say that they'll run long and add it. "Britt and Andy, when you first met each other, did you KNOW that (S)he was 'the one?'" Britt, without hesitation gives a "God, No!" exclaiming I was fashioned, both in personality and appearance, as a militaristic person. We laugh together. Next I answer that I did know that something was there that I could not explain. I should have left it there. Nice, sweet, touching. I didn't leave it there. I added, "But my ex-wife hates me saying that." Laughs were shared. True story.

Our spot is run later in the morning and it sounds great. We represented well and now have to wait 6 days for the winner to be announced. It is out of our hands at this point.

More to come..

PimpMyBiz Diary - Submission #3

2008-11-10T14:08:00.001-06:00

Days before the contest closed the morning crew started mentioning the contest. Good for them - bad for us. We waited...

The contest was closed. No more submissions. It was hard but Britt and I made no mention of this contest to our friends and family. It was too good an opportunity to add more potential contestants to the pool. The fewer people who knew about it the better our chances.

Now, after the closing of submissions, a new website surfaced, www.pimpmybiz.com, and Britt was invited to a related facebook page. Word was spreading. Would we be named a finalist? We still did not know how they would select a winner. By what criteria? Who knew? I kept reviewing and dissecting our submission. It was perfect [Sorry for my immodesty ;)]! But was it what THEY were looking for? No way to tell.

Late afternoon, October 10, the phone at the Milkface store, 385 Danforth Ave in Westboro, rang. On the other end a radio station rep telling us we were selected as a top 5 finalist and we were to be at the radio station Tuesday morning to meet the morning crew and go on air to discuss the contest and Milkface Nursingwear. Small problem. The store was closed and the phone rang and rang only to go to voicemail. Now, this was the Thanksgiving weekend. The possibility existed that the message would not be retrieved until after our scheduled time to go on air. Fortunately we did not leave for the weekend and the message was retrieved the next morning along with an email from Lauren Stone who is part of the "Start Up." Britt calls me and tells me the great news. I've never been on the radio before - what should I wear?

More to come...

PimpMy Biz Diary - Submission #2

2008-11-06T11:56:00.002-06:00

The contest was to be open for about 3 weeks. The morning crew, the Live 88.5 Start Up with Katfish and Kornicky, were to be the guys dealing with the finalists and announcing the winner. But for weeks after our submission I heard no mention of the contest on the morning show (maybe they talked about it from 5:30am-7:00am while I slept). I heard spots for the contest at all other times but in the morning - strange. The radio station website mentioned the contest but details on what the prize was, other than a $50,000 business marketing makeover, was unclear. Equally unclear was how the submissions would be judged.

We now know what the prize entails and that our submission alone would be the basis of selecting the prize winner. We did do a spot on the radio introducing ourselves to the the crew and the listeners but nothing new came out of that session. I'll detail that visit in a later post.

The contest close was coming up and the day before we had still not been mentioned as a contestant (no company had) and I had no real confirmation that our submission was received. I feared that maybe they hadn't got our submission. Oddly, on that night that I sent in our submission I also emailed Britt the details of our submission so she would be aware of it - she never received it. Not in SPAM folder (did the word "pimp" scare the filter?), not in inbox, not anywhere. With that in mind I questioned if LIVE 88.5 even received our submission. This contest was too good an opportunity to miss so I resubmitted using the contest form and also sent a separate email to the contest email address. I slept well that night knowing that they now, for sure, know about Milfkace Nursingwear and why we should be considered for the contest.

More to come...

PimpMyBiz Diary - Submission #1

2008-11-03T08:34:00.004-06:00

With the recent win of the LIVE 88.5 FM "Pimp My Biz" contest and the incredible response we have received in the store, in our kids's schoolyard and even on the street, we thought it would be good to share our account of the process and take you on our journey as things progress with the radio station and the prize suppliers. Generally, Andy Pegan will be the author of this "diary."

It was on a late evening, around 11:30pm, when, while lisening to LIVE 88.5 on the radio in our minivan, I first heard about the contest. I had this overwhelming feeling that we, Milkface Nursingwear, would win this contest. Not that we might or could win, but that we WOULD win. I raced home to get more details online. Not much was found. A link on the radio station website, www.livelifelive.fm, had a contest submission form which I filled out after confirming that Milkface Nursingwear met the contst requirements for # of employees and annula revenues.

Here is our submission:
DESCRIBE BUSINESS

Milkface Nursingwear is Ottawa's original "Mom Store." Stylish nursingwear, an unmatched selection of nursing and transition bras up to size K, and the best selection of baby carriers anywhere, we provide mothers of new babies the tools and informational resources to ensure they are equipped to deal with the practical and social challenges of breastfeeding so they can provide the proven benefits of breastfeeding and babywearing to their families.

Milkface is a proud supporter of breastfeeding and babywearing support and advocacy groups and makes available a seminar space located above the store for these groups for free in an effort to spread the word about the benefits of these age-old, yet misunderstood practices.

All staff are parents and most are members and leaders of La Leche League in Ottawa. We know the issues new moms face and can provide counsel and support by providing real-life experience and first hand anecdotes to help moms experience the joys of parenthood.

Milkface has been a bricks and mortar store since DEC 2006. Before that we operated as an appointment-only boutique from our home basement. Britt Pegan, the founder, is a loving wife and mother of 3 daughters including twins who she had many opportunities to wear at the same time and nurse simultaneously.

Like LIVE 88.5FM, we are hip, edgy and are making our presence known to a growing number of Ottawa residents daily. In fact, LIVE 88.5FM is the station of choice for the store, our home and vehicle. 88.5FM was born to the tune, "Lust For Life" by Iggy Pop on a December day several years back. We, too, share that lust for life and wish to spread it to others through our business and charitable work in Ottawa and throughout North America. Aiding others and bringing joy to their lives is the greatest reward we experience at Milkface. We thank you for the opportunity to share our business with your listeners.

HOW WOULD WE BENEFIT FROM PRIZE
NOTE: At this time, prize specifics were not clear (specifics now known in brackets) but prize suppliers were:
Live 88.5FM radio time ($10,000 value)
Metro Daily News print spots ($10,000 value)
Curam Group Web Development ($15,000 value)
K6 Media car wrap and/or storefront design ($10,000 value)
OttawaKiosk.com web mareketing ($5,000 value)

Milkface has been a hit since we opened our doors in Westboro less than 2 years ago. Unfortunately we now find that our space is too limiting to provide all the options available to new parents and the store can be crowded at times. We are looking to open a second store in Q1 2009 and would "pimp out" the clean-slate facade and interior of our new location (not yet determined).

Marketing would promote the new store launch as well as generate awareness of the existing store and why we exist.

Our highly acclaimed e-commerce website, www.milkface.com, would remain largely unchanged because our customers like it – a lot. That said, SEO practices would be applied to get the word out to those looking for breastfeeding and babywearing resources on the web.

Our Honda Odyssey would be a candidate for a vehicle wrap.

Our greatest benefit would be in our ability to further help others through further support and advocacy of breastfeeding and babywearing benefits that the elements of this prize would ultimately allow us to realize.

Again, I felt that we could not lose. We tied in so well with the perceived listener demographic, we had a successful business that offered a clean-slate opportunity to build on with a new store opening propesed and we served the community on many levels including charitable offerings. Worst case scenario was that we would be mentioned on the radio as a contestant - valuable exposure in itself.

I have a few more submissions to get you all caught up today but I'll leave it here for now. Check back soon.

We won! We won!!

2008-10-20T12:37:00.002-06:00

I am so excited I can barely type. Milkface was one of the finalists in a fantastic new contest for $50K worth of advertising and marketing put on by Live 88.5 here in Ottawa and we just found out this morning that we won!! What have we won? A whole lot of good, that's what but if you want details check out the contest website. Yay!

Vancouver Sun piece

2008-10-17T09:23:00.002-06:00

Take a look at this thoughtful piece on the status of breastfeeding in Canada. So frustrating how much lip service is given to "breast is best" without any actual support behind it!

Thanks to Holly for sending the link.

As if I need another reason to love Angelina Jolie...

2008-10-10T14:52:00.003-06:00

And yet here it is. An absolutely stunning and natural photo of her breastfeeding one of her twins on the cover of W magazine.

How can this be happening?!

2008-09-25T09:14:00.002-06:00

Dr. Jack Newman is a world renowned breastfeeding expert who has helped literally thousands of moms breastfeed. The man is tireless - I've personally known him to answer e-mails within hours of receipt, seen him talk and help mom after mom. His clinic in Toronto is an incredible service to the moms of the GTA (and further afield - I've known moms from Ottawa travel to see him), his website is a treasure trove of information and his articles are available to anyone who asks. Dr. Newman has been giving and giving for years - and yet Ontario seems to refuse to acknowledge his contributions to the health of our province. Dr. Newman's clinic is once again in danger of closing because of financial concerns. Please read about it in the Star and donate if you are able.

Wow - CBC archive gem!

2008-09-24T18:35:00.003-06:00

At milkface, we've been on the news lately talking about babywearing and breastfeeding. It was fascinating to find this amazing clip from 1963 on CBC about babywearing! (thanks to Corinne from UpMama for this)

So discouraged today...

2008-08-10T08:17:00.001-06:00

On the heels of the H&M incident in Vancouver, I was saddened and discouraged to read of the flight attendant on WestJet who repeatedly asked a breastfeeding mom to cover up. While it is conceivable that not every front line employee is aware of the laws on breastfeeding in public, WestJet's corporate response is shameful and their contention that the flight attendant's request was "reasonable" shows a deliberate disregard for the laws involved and disrespect for mothers.

As the owner of Canada's first breastfeeding boutique and a proud lactivist, I am further upset by the fact that I recently purchased two non-refundable plane tickets from WestJet for an upcoming business trip. I am ashamed to have money earned from my business in the pockets of a company who feels that the potential discomfort caused to other pasengers by the possibility of a momentary glance of a woman's breast while baby is latching on is more important than the legal and human right of that baby to be fed.

Not a good day in Canada for breastfeeding :(

Got breastmilk? Be careful!

2008-07-31T08:40:00.002-06:00

Apparently, the milk processors in California may come after you with their lawyers if you use the popular lactivist play on "Got milk?"!

My favourite comment on the article (scroll down to the end of the article) - "hey lawyers, got brains?!" - love it!

Now, I own a trademark and I defend it and understand the need to defend your trademark but this borders on the ridiculous. I'm not sure how anyone would confuse the two phrases or think that the milk processors in California have added on a new line of milk produced by lactating women...what do you think?

This is a sad comment on society!

2008-07-28T16:55:00.001-06:00

Victoria moms had trouble finding a place to accomodate the nation wide Breastfeeding Challenge being held later this year. Why are so many malls unwilling to help? Apparently too many of them were worried about offending shoppers! The irony? The event is all about normalizing breastfeeding, not hiding it away.

Oh, Guelph...

2008-07-15T15:06:00.001-06:00

Did Gwen not teach you anything?!?

Summer Fun!

2008-07-15T14:06:00.002-06:00

We've had lots of families in the store recently thrilled with how much smoother their summers are going with the truly comfortable and ergonomic carriers they've found at milkface. Though my children are past the carrying stage, my summer certainly would be a lot harder without my mom (whose 2 day a week childcare allows me to work!). Summer is a fabulous season - beautiful weather, more free time, lots of daylight - but, for many of us, our routines are thrown out the window and the result can be a bit stressful! So what's making your summer great? Tell us about the person, product, service, whatever it is that's allowing you to make the most of this great season with your kids and you'll have a chance to help other moms (and win $20 in milkface money!). So, c'mon, share! I know you've got lots of great ideas, share them by July 25th.

Talk about courage of your convictions!

2008-06-26T10:23:00.002-06:00

Two IBCLC's in Burnaby have had to choose between their jobs and their ethics. I don't see how they could have made a difference choice. What do you think?

Ask Andy and Britt

2008-06-09T08:03:00.001-06:00

Who are we? Britt and Andy (that's our smiling faces in the cheesy picture to the left!)are a married couple living in Ottawa, Ontario with 3 daughters - aged 7, 4 and 4 (yes, twins!). Britt is the founder of Milkface Nursingwear, Andy has recently joined the company. What can you ask us? Well, we've got opinions on everything! Ask us about breastfeeding, ask us about parenting, ask us about running a business, ask us about milkface products, ask us about babywearing - surprise us!

Today's question - What's your favourite baby carrier?

Andy says: The day I grew an extra set of hands occurred when my first child was a few months old but learning to use them took some time. Britt had purchased a Heart2Heart padded sling to carry our daughter, a VERY needy, colicy baby who did not only prefer being held, but insisted on it! It worked and restored sanity to our home and our apartment dwelling neighbours were thankful, too, I'm sure. Our daughter found sleep more easily when carried in the H2H and Britt had her hands free to start a business (www.milkface.com - have you heard of it?) I tried, half-heartedly, to use the sling but never got it. I guess the print and sling style just weren't my thing.

We spent, quite literally, thousand of dollars on strollers but our daughter refused to ride without challenging the Toronto street sounds and the cry of emergency vehicle sirens with her protestations of discontent. She cried - a lot! If she had the ability she would have told us to pick her up, throw the stroller under the next bus and curse us for putting her through the ordeal. Several different strollers, comfort accessories and affixed educational/distraction toys didn't help. Strollers were out. Good news, our one bedroom apartment got bigger when they were gone.

Carrier options were limited. Ring slings were it and a floral print or teddy bears were your options. Hey, I'm a guy and we don't do flowers or bears. I don't need skulls or wheel grease to wear it, just a solid colour or modest print. No dice. A major retailer had the Baby Bjorn as their sole carrier option and we bought one. I loved it. It felt like wearing a sidearm shoulder holster and I was Harrison Ford in Blade Runner. COOL. Now the problem was that our daughter, the vocal malcontent with the lung capacity and vocal projection abilities of an opera singer, wouldn't fall asleep in it. Never did. Hours in it and it was her window to the world. She wouldn't go to sleep. My "cool dad" gear satisfied me but missed the mark on the big picture and that was helping Britt when she was at the end of her rope and our daughter was in dire need of sleep. My contribution was limited by my carrier options and my vanity that eliminated floral prints and teddy bears from my wardrobe accessory options. Britt never liked the Bjorn. "Built for a man." she said. It caused her muscle pain to wear, a complaint we have heard a number of times since.

As our daughter grew, so did the North American baby carrier market. Manufacturers were going back to ancient global carrier designs and modernizing them making them easier to use, and yes, even fashionable. Britt tried and used them all. Our daughter and later our twins, were not fussy if it was a pouch, sling, wrap or structured soft carrier, they were just thrilled to be carried. It was the Mei Tai, a design that Britt used to carry twins at the same time with, that appealed to me for it was easy to use. it could be used by mom, dad, nan, bop, anyone who was watching the girls without adjustment of rings or buckles. It was easy to set a sleeping babe down in bed from it without waking them and the design options were unlimited. Britt got me one with a sports logo on it. Neat, but not really my thing. In the end it was a blue camouflage design that I chose for when I left the house. I win, baby wins and Britt wins. For these reasons my favourite carrier design is the Mei Tai.

There are a number of different design styles offered in our store. Of those styles there are different variations from different manufactures. Of those variations there are different print and colour options available including a skull and cross bone motif). The world of baby carrying has changed, and I with it. My carrying days are over but I do miss them - too bad I never got a picture of me carrying one of my girls. If you carry your babe, make sure you get a picture or two. Your carrying days are ones you'll want to remember.

Britt says: I get asked this question all the time and, to be honest, have such a hard time answering it! The honest answer is that at some point in my babywearing history (3 kids over a combined total of about 7 years), each style of carrier has been my favourite!

With our first, babywearing was all about saving my sanity. She was high needs, to say the least, and I would scour internet forums in the wee hours of the morning or when Andy was at work to try and find some answer to the constant crying. Over and over, I read about baby slings and what a miracle they were. When our bean was about 10 days old, we went to the only store in Toronto that sold baby slings (yes, I'm dating myself...) and tried to make it work. I had no idea what I was doing, the staff had no idea how to help me and Bean cried and cried. I left in frustration, thinking that all these sling devotees were insane. Fast forward another 10 days or so - I was absolutely at my wit's end, I was still constantly reading about life saving slings and I went back to the store and bought the damn thing. It was a Heart to Heart sling in a pretty awful pattern and I didn't know it, but that ugly sling was about to change the direction of my life.

The next day after Andy left for work, I pulled my new sling out with determination and spent the morning figuring it out, sweating and cursing (and crying just a little bit) the whole time. By lunchtime, I had it figured out enough to go out and Bean and I went and triumphantly visited Andy at his office. Later that day, she fell asleep snuggled up to me and I was sold and never looked back. We used the ring sling daily from that point on and I believe it literally saved my sanity.

When we found out that baby #2 was actually babies 2 *and* 3, one of my first concerns was - how am I going to wear them both? We'd developed a style of parenting with Bean that we felt really good about and I was concerned that we would have to make some unwelcome compromises with 2 babies coming at once. Happily, that wasn't the case. From birth, I was able to carry both new babies in a ring sling (we used the Heart to Heart this time as well - though I had gotten an awesome new pattern that I loved!). Baby carriers had evolved since Bean was little and we had more choices this time around and used and loved them all. When the girls got too big to wear in one sling, I often wore two slings (one on each shoulder) and shortly graduated to my favourite way to wear two babies - one on front, one on back. We used many different carriers for this - wrap on front, ergo on back, wrap on front, mei tei on back, ring sling on front, baby trekker on back, etc, etc. My favourite ended up being two mei tei's - Kozy carriers were my best friends for a very long time.

I continue to be awed and inspired by what my babywearing friends around the world are doing in terms of innovation and manufacturing. I truly believe that there is a great carrier out there for everyone and that you can wear your baby - sometimes we need a little hands on help at the beginning - but it is possible for all of us. My favourite carrier changed daily while babywearing, depending on who I was carrying, what we were doing and where we were going. My baby carriers were definitely the best investment I've made in parenting.

Go Sudbury!

2008-05-23T12:14:00.000-06:00

Look at what the moms in Sudbury, Ontario have been up to!

We're on YouTube!

2008-05-02T09:59:00.002-06:00

We had a great time on Monday taping a segment for our local CTV News on babywearing. We had enthusiastic moms, a wide age range of babies (and a set of twins!) and got nice coverage. Want to see? Check us out - it's our very first You Tube clip!

Celebrity Baby Blog blogs milkface!

2008-04-29T10:07:00.002-06:00

It's been a big month for milkface on the internet! Just yesterday, we were featured in the Celebrity Baby Blog reviews as the go-to place for Boob nursing clothing - and of course they choose correctly, our selection and depth is unmatched!

PS Check out our review on CBB and use their coupon code!

More love for milkface!

2008-04-24T07:47:00.002-06:00

Our friend Andrea has sent us another nice comment on milkface that she found online! It's so gratifying to know that our passion for babywearing is being passed on and is helping other parents and babies keep close!

Somebody likes us!

2008-04-02T12:23:00.002-06:00

Wow, were we thrilled to see this lovely shout out to milkface! One of our main goals is to offer excellent customer service and to be a great source of information - let us know how we an help you!

Ask Andy and Britt

2008-03-31T08:27:00.003-06:00

Site coming back soon!

2008-03-09T18:27:00.002-06:00

As you may have noticed, milkface.com has been down today (much to our distress!). We're theorizing that it has something to do with this nasty storm we were just hit with and are confident we'll be back up tomorrow. In the meantime, e-mail is still working - info@milkface.com - and there's always the phone - 1-866-399-7499.

Beco Butterfly Recall

2008-03-08T19:36:00.002-06:00

The Beco is one of our favourite carriers - they recently introduced the Butterfly version with many improvements over the original. Unfortunately, they have had to issue a recall through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on the Butterfly carriers due to concerns with the buckles on the shoulder straps - there have been 10incidents of the straps slipping. There have been no injuries. Please contact us if you have a Butterfly and need help with the recall.

We've been blogged!

2008-02-27T16:06:00.001-06:00

A great local photographer has blogged about us and posted some great pictures of our store - check it out here!

Breastfeeding commercial!

2008-02-13T17:25:00.002-06:00

Down in Virigina, they've developed a pro-breastfeeding commercial with a twist, the focus is on mom losing weight! It's an innovative way to reach moms but does it go too far? For one thing, weight loss is no guarantee with breastfeeding. Though it's a fact that breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day, it doesn't translate into dropping pounds for all women. Some of us hang onto those pounds until our babies are weaned, some of us keep them for the next pregnancy! Secondly, does this play too much into our "thin is best" culture? What's wrong with carrying a little extra weight? Recent studies seem to show that a little extra weight is fine - that it's cardiovascular health that is most important when figuring out health and longevity.

Watch the commercial and let me know what you think!

Celeb scared of breastfeeding?!

2008-01-24T17:00:00.000-06:00

So, apparently Jessica Alba is scared of breastfeeding, she's more concerned about that than about giving birth. So that begs two questions - first of all, how do I know Jessica Alba exactly? I don't remember seeing her in any movies at all... Secondly, is there a general perception that nursing is something to be afraid of? Have we moved so far away from breastfeeding as the norm that we expect it to hurt?

Baby Trekker gets national recognition

2008-01-21T14:42:00.000-06:00

The Canadian made Baby Trekker just got a nice mention in the National Post.

Ask Andy and Britt

2008-01-21T10:22:00.000-06:00

Who are we? Britt and Andy (that's our smiling faces in the cheesy picture to the left!)are a married couple living in Ottawa, Ontario with 3 daughters - aged 6 3/4 (very important the 3/4!), 4 and 4 (yes, twins!). Britt is the founder of Milkface Nursingwear, Andy has recently joined the company. What can you ask us? Well, we've got opinions on everything! Ask us about breastfeeding, ask us about parenting, ask us about running a business, ask us about milkface products, ask us about babywearing - surprise us!

Today's question - Do dads really feel left out when moms breastfeed?

Andy says: No. But there were times when our first wanted nothing to do with me and only wanted Britt. Not a great feeling. Was that a result of breastfeeding? Probably somewhat but also, likely, a reflection of the comforting that Britt, solely, offered during her difficult times - all the time. The same did not occur with our second and third daughters.

Britt says: I'll have to defer to my husband on this one but I've always thought not. The relationship between mom and baby is the primary one for at least the first few months - and breastfeeding is certainly one reason for that. My belief is that dad's role for the first little bit is to support the mom/baby couple. There are so many ways dads can bond with their babies - baths in our house have always been Andy's responsibility, he also shared in diaper changes (don't underestimate the value of the eye contact and littls games you play to keep them entertained!) and did a great deal of the pacing the floor with a colicky baby.

What do you think?

Breastfeeding "bibs"?

2008-01-17T14:59:00.000-06:00

We've commented on nursing covers in this blog before. I just came across this opinion on them from the other side of the world. What do you think?

Jennifer Garner rocks (as always!)

2007-09-24T19:46:00.000-06:00

While reading my guilty pleasure (Marie Claire magazine!) this week, I came across an article on one of my faves, Jennifer Garner. I've always thought she seemed great - she comes across as a nice, normal girl you could have a few glasses of red wine with as you swap parenting stories while laughing uproariously and delving into large amounts of chocolate - you know? At any rate, in this article she speaks in such a loving and open way about breastfeeding and how much it meant to her and her daughter. It's really sweet and also really nice that Marie Claire simply notes that she nursed Violet for 14 months without making any comment on it. Go Jen! Go Marie Claire!

Breastfeeding mom needs support!

2007-09-19T10:15:00.000-06:00

In this crazy world we live in, even those of us who feel secure in our rights as breastfeeding moms (ie us Canadians!) get them trampled on from time to time. This time it happened in Scarborough which is in Ontario where, ironically, for those of you who are not aware, it is legal for women to be topless where a man is allowed to be topless. So, to set the stage, our breastfeeding mom is at a swimming pool (men allowed to be topless there? Check!) in a YMCA (family friendly facility? Check!) where she is minding her own business and nursing her younger child while watching her older kids take swimming lessons when a not so savvy Y staffer comes over to ask our mom to move! Our smart mom knows her rights and stands (err, sits?) her ground but the staffers continue to be obstinate and harass her. After getting nowhere with the Y, she has now filed a Human Rights Complaint and is getting media attention like this great article. She'll be on CTV today at noon and again at 6pm. We're behind you Carolyn!

Vote for Milkface!

2007-07-10T08:36:00.001-06:00

At Milkface, we've been thrilled to grow our business over the past 5 years (and we know from your feedback that lots of you have been pretty happy with us, too!) and now we have a chance to grow it even more. SavvyMom is having a Mompreneur contest and we'd sure appreciate your vote! Vote here for Milkface - we'd use the money to spread the Milkface love....more products, more stores, a better website...oh, the dreams! Help us make them come true :)

Nursing covers?

2007-06-07T15:23:00.001-06:00

Several times a week, I get asked if I carry nursing covers. Almost as often, I get e-mails and phone calls from manufacturers asking if I'll carry their nursing covers. I have consistently said no to both questions and have now come across a product that may be a better solution. I've never carried nursing covers as they go against the philosophy of milkface - one of our goals is to normalize breastfeeding and to make it acceptable for moms to nurse their babies, wherever they happen to be and whomever they happen to be with. Though I certainly support any nursing mom who wants to use a nursing cover and understand that every mom must do what she feels comfortable with, promoting nursing covers is not something I want to do as I think it sends the message that nursing is shameful and should be hidden. So while the covers may be good for individual mothers, I don't think they're great for breastfeeding advocacy.

Yesterday a friend sent me a link to a new product that I still haven't made my mind up about. They're wide brimmed hats for breastfeeding babies! Their slogan is "Hide the breast, not the breastfeeding!". Definitely better than nursing covers in my book, as they don't look like a bib and don't cover the baby (no babies of mine have every tolerated the blanket over the head!). What do you think? You can find out more here.

March Milkface Mom of the Month

2007-03-05T21:51:00.000-06:00

So many M words in that title!

Name – Cheryl Hilborn
City – Ottawa
Kids – 2 great kids. Jenna is 4 1/2 and Evan is 18 months
Job – WAHM - I own Tickled Pink Designs
Best baby/kid product and why – A sling of course - although I like so many diffferent ones I absolutely LOVE my Kozy (mei tei) Carrier. Evan has gone everywhere in it - even Jenna has had a ride or two :) Being able to carry my babies was really important to me. I remember walking through the mall running after Jenna and nursing Evan in the Kozy. I felt like supermom! You couldn't even tell he was nursing and hre I was being able to keep up with Jenna and not have her feeling left out or ignored - and we got our shopping done too!
Favourite thing purchased from milkface and why – Hmm - My BOOB tops are probably my favourite clothes although I am also very fond of the Belly Huggers especailly with the cold weather. The BOOB tops made me feel so good postpartum and they are still the first tops I reach for even now. It makes nursing so discrete when you are out and about. They are the perfect companion to the Kozy carrier -no one even knows when we are nursing.
Favourite quick dinner – Scrambled eggs and toast -total comfort food
Links you love – Where to start :) Here are the latest ones.

candacepert.com/blog/blog.htm I loved her book Molecules of Emotion when I read it about 10 years ago - I just rediscovered her
alfiekohn.com - I love his parenting book - especially Unconditional parenting
enjoyparenting.com - great newsletter called the daily groove - I look forward to it everyday

Best mom tip – Remember that kids are inherently good. They don't do things to get you mad - they just do things so they feel good. I find if we can look at things this way everyone is happier :)
Favourite way to relax – Bubble bath and a book. It alternates between the latest Nora Roberts and the latest parenting book. Alfie Kohn and John Holt are my current favourites.
Favourite game to play with the kids – Right now it is definitely hide-and-seek. Various versions depending on the day
Favourite thing to do on a rainy day with kids – When we've just had too much indoor time we go to Cosmic Adventures - a very fun indoor playground. Our latest cold day fun is to fill up our plastic pool with snow and then paint it with tempra paint/ water. Then we make snow castles and sculptures. So much fun!

We're in the Globe!

2007-02-17T19:37:00.000-06:00

Check us out in Canada's national newspaper where we were interviewed for an article about how nursing has become cool ;)

Very puzzling

2007-02-08T14:45:00.000-06:00

I haven't wrapped my head around this yet - I just heard about a new product called MilkScreen. It's designed to test breastmilk for alcohol. Huh?, you say. Yep, that was my first reaction, too. It seems that North American women are so reckless that they can't tell when they've had too much to drink and it might be better to feed their baby pumped milk. Haven't they heard of the no-cost alternative? If you feel the effects of alcohol, so will your baby. If you don't, they won't so go ahead and nurse.

This product disturbs me on many levels but I think the most upsetting one is this - what message is it sending? That we need to avoid anything less than optimal while nursing? That formula is better than breastmilk after we've had one glass of wine? Breastfeeding is a very human act and humans are imperfect. And the beauty of it is that Mother Nature was well aware of this when she created breastfeeding - the milk of a well-fed, healthy woman does not differ appreciably from that of a malnourished woman in a third world country. Similarly having a few glasses of wine with dinner or a beer on a Sunday afternoon is not going to affect your milk enough to make it a smarter move to use formula for that feeding. It gives too much weight to the idea that mom must be perfect for her breastmilk to have worth, and anything less than perfect may harm her baby. A prime example of how marketing trumps common sense!

Here's some info from www.kellymom.com about the effects of alcohol on breastfeeding:

Breastfeeding and Alcohol
By Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC

Guidelines
Current research says that occasional use of alcohol (1-2 drinks) is not harmful to the nursing baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs classifies alcohol (ethanol) as a “Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding.”
Many experts recommend against drinking more than 1-2 drinks per week.
It is recommended that nursing moms avoid breastfeeding during and for 2-3 hours after drinking (Hale 2002).
There is no need to pump & dump milk after drinking alcohol, other than for mom's comfort -- pumping & dumping does not speed the elimination of alcohol from the milk.
Alcohol does not increase milk production, and has been shown to inhibit let-down and decrease milk production (see below).
If you're away from your baby, try to pump as often as baby usually nurses (this is to maintain milk supply, not because of the alcohol). At the very least, pump or hand express whenever you feel uncomfortably full - this will help you to avoid plugged ducts and mastitis.
In general, if you are sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to breastfeed. Less than 2% of the alcohol consumed by the mother reaches her blood and milk. Alcohol peaks in mom's blood and milk approximately 1/2-1 hour after drinking (but there is considerable variation from person to person, depending upon how much food was eaten in the same time period, mom's body weight and percentage of body fat, etc.). Alcohol does not accumulate in breastmilk, but leaves the milk as it leaves the blood; so when your blood alcohol levels are back down, so are your milk alcohol levels.
Always keep in mind the baby's age when considering the effect of alcohol. A newborn has a very immature liver, so minute amounts of alcohol would be more of a burden. Up until around 3 months of age, infants detoxify alcohol at around half the rate of an adult. An older baby or toddler can metabolize the alcohol more quickly.

Pork steps up to the table...

2007-02-08T14:42:00.000-06:00

and does the right thing! Yay to the National Pork Board - they have dropped the lawsuit about Jenn at the Lactivist and have apologized for insulting breastfeeding moms everywhere. They are also taking up a collection among employees to make a donation to the Mother's Milk Bank in Ohio. Nice to see a big corporation acting so ethically!

Oh my! Big pork takes on WAHM blogger and gets more than they bargained for!

2007-02-02T20:56:00.000-06:00

This fascinating story can be read in full at the Lactivist blog here. Basically, the US National Pork Board is taking issue with the blogger selling a shirt on CafePress with the parody "The Other White Milk." Cute, right?!

As a trademark holder myself, I completely understand why you need to defend your trademark and would have no problem if that was all they were doing...but check out this passage from the c&d letter from the attorneys:

"In addition, your use of this slogan also tarnishes the good reputation of the National Pork Board's mark in light of your apparent attempt to promote the use of breastmilk beyond merely for infant consumption, such as with the following slogans on your website in close proximity to the slogan "The Other White Milk." "Dairy Diva," "Nursing, Nature's Own Breast Enhancement," "Eat at Mom's, fast-fresh-from the breast," and "My Milk is the Breast."

Promote the use of breastmilk beyond merely for infant consumption?!! Tarnish the good reputation of pork?!! Ick. First of all, breastmilk is not only for infant consumption, it's recommended up to a minimum of 2 years and secondly, what exactly are they implying? It's so off-putting and they need to be held accountable for that paragraph. All this to shut down a woman who raises money for breastmilk banks and who raises awareness for breastfeeding in general. Double ick.

Feeling icked out too? Let them know. I am.

Up Mama! Slings rock

2007-01-26T11:07:00.000-06:00

And so does the owner, Corinne. Check out the great publicity Corinne got and the promotion of babywearing here. We're proud to carry such great slings!

Best Christmas story ever!!

2006-12-12T21:13:00.000-06:00

If you haven't seen this, you've been missing out! This adorable and true story comes to us from this blog. Btw, Tesco's is a supermarket chain in Britain.

Joseph: "What are you doing?"
Mary: "I'm feeding our baby"
Shepherd: "Have you got a bottle up there then?"
Mary: "Don't be silly he's having milk from my booby"
Joseph: "That's disgusting"
Mary: "No, that baby milk they have in Tescos is disgusting. My baby's having proper milk"
Shepherd: "What's a booby?"
Mary: "Those sticky out bits ladies have"
Shepherd: "They're not boobies, they're nipples"
Mary: "No they're not, they're boobies"
Joseph: "So why can't Jesus have milk from a bottle then?"
Mary: "Because I haven't got a breast pump with me - you forgot to put it on the donkey"
Shepherd: "Can't you ask the teacher for a bottle to feed Jesus with?"
Mary: "No because this is the best way to feed Jesus. Anyway bottles haven't been invented yet & even if they were I've just had a baby so if you think I'm faffing about round Tescos to buy baby milk when I make proper milk in my boobies you can think again"

I felt a teeny bit sorry for their class teacher - she did try her best to steer them back towards their proper lines but she was laughing so much she didn't really stand a chance. The line about Joseph forgetting the breast pump finished her off - she slid to the floor & couldn't get up for laughing....

I spit my drink all over my monitor the first time I read this...guess I should have warned you too!

Look what I found!

2006-12-07T22:18:00.000-06:00

While I've been busy setting up shop at the new milkface home, I haven't found must time for cruising the internet. Tonight I'm making up for that and I found this great blog - The bOOb Lady's Blog. I love her take on the whole Victoria's Secret vs Baby Talk things (go on over and scroll down, you'll see what I mean!)

And speaking of the new milkface home, it is coming along SO well. We (and by that I mean the royal we!) have painted, gotten rid of carpet, installed new flooring, set up shelves and storage, knocked down a wall, painted some more and today moved all our stuff in! Yay! Tomorrow will be a big set up day and then we'll be ready for business in our new location. Not to worry for all you milkface.com customers - we'll still pay just as much attention to you and as an added bonus, our new location means more efficient processes and a faster, better shipping process!

And so it begins...

2006-12-01T11:56:00.000-06:00

We've got the keys on the store that we've leased - hooray! That's right, milkface is moving on to be an actual retail location. We've got loads of work to do (and much money to spend!) but we hope to be open by December 15th. I'm really looking forward to moving the business out of my house and having actual hours instead of working by appointment. I'm also very excited about having more space and being able to set up properly. We're also going to have a community space for LLL meetings, prenatal classes, CPR classes, etc, etc!

My husband and my brother have already taken up the carpets in the store and the walls have all been taped for painting. Andy (dh) is there right now putting the primer on the walls. Painting commences tomorrow - now I just have to decide what colour! We've got started on the sign and have bought most display/storage stuff that we need. Whew...it's going to be a busy week!

Nursing gives you superpowers!

2006-12-01T11:55:00.000-06:00

So says Gwen Stefani ;) Read all about it here

Support La Leche League Canada

2006-11-29T11:58:00.000-06:00

On December 6th and 7th, milkface will be donating 15% of all profits to La Leche League Canada. Plan your purchases now and come back to support my favourite organization!

Breasts on a Plane

2006-11-29T11:57:00.000-06:00

More on the nursing on a plane story - Read this great article (possibly best title ever!)

Celebrity moms in Bravado...

2006-11-25T19:30:00.000-06:00

Since Us Weekly is my guilty pleasure, I was tickled to see this piece on one of my favourite manufacturers Bravado Designs in Celebrity Baby Blog. I knew about Britney Spears being a fan of the Original Nursing Bra (dubious distinction?! hard to say these days as she reinvents herself!) since the woman practically wears the bra *outside* of her clothing but I hadn't heard the SJP was a fan. Angelina Jolie is reportedly a wearer of the Essential Nursing Bra Tank (in black, natch) while Jennifer Garner prefers the Lifestyle Bra (wonder if she has the Hot Pink?). Just a few random celeb tidbits for the weekend...

Milkface Mom of the Month

2006-11-23T19:20:00.000-06:00

Here's our lastest blog feature - each month we're talking to one mom out there to find out a little bit more about her :)

FYI, Stephanie is wearing 2 great Boob tops in these pictures - the Boob Warmer above and the Boob Nursing Tunic on the left.

Name – Stephanie

City – Toronto

Kids – One son who is, as he says, “pushing two”.

Job – I’m a SAHM, but I dabble in writing when the opportunity arises.

Best baby/kid product and why – A carrier, of course! And not just one… we use wraps, mei tais, ring slings and more with our little guy. As he goes through different stages, we discover new uses for all of them.

Favourite thing purchased from milkface and why – That’s a tie between all the awesome Boob tops I’ve got and our well-loved Ergo. The tops because I’ve got a VERY frequent nurser (yes, still!) and I love the fact that I don’t have to hike up a bulky top. Instead, Boob offers gorgeous, stylish tops that keep me covered and don’t get in the way while my son nurses. And the Ergo because, well, we’ve used it almost every day since my son was about six months old and I just can’t imagine what we’d do without it!

Favourite quick dinner – A trip around the block to my parents’ house!

Links you love –
http://www.thebabywearer.com/
http://www.craigslist.org/
http://www.celebrity-babies.com/ (my guilty pleasure!)

Best mom tip – Never underestimate a child's intelligence, understanding, and importance. Read to a newborn. Converse with a six month old. Brainstorm with a one year old. Defer to a toddler. If there's one thing I've learned in my brief time as a mom, it's that my son often knows a heck of a lot more than I do. (Some days, though, it's just a little harder to remember!)

Favourite way to relax – Curled up on the couch reading… to myself or to my little bibliophile boy.

Favourite game to play with the kids – It changes constantly because my son is at the stage where he’s always inventing something new. Right now I love our tea parties (with lots of pretend salt and pepper shaken into the tea, of course) and when my son breaks into a spontaneous verse of the Hokey Pokey.

Favourite thing to do on a rainy day with kids – A visit to the local train store is a great way to pass some time – there’s the fun of the splashy puddles on the way and the added bonus of train tables when we get there!

Trust Mothering...

2006-11-19T18:52:00.000-06:00

I shouldn't be surprised to see that Mothering magazine (and it's online site - www.mothering.com) has ongoing coverage including this interview with the mom in question. It's interesting to read about the crew's response to the incident which includes an apology but not a reversal of the flight attendant's decision.

Baby Show and more on flight attendant

2006-11-18T21:18:00.000-06:00

Well, spent the better part of the day at the Wee Welcome Mini Baby Show at Dovercourt. Unfortunately, mini was not only indicitive of the number of vendors - there was a seriously "mini" amount of attendees as well! It was very disappointing in that respect. I did enjoy spending time with the other vendors and meeting some that have brand new businesses related to babies/pregnancy/postpartum. I got in some serious hanging out time with my friend Cheryl (and her husband and their kids!) of Tickled Pink Designs. I carry her great nursing necklaces but she's branching out into more grown up looking stuff, including this amazing red necklace I got from her today. I felt very pulled together with my fancy red necklace - nothing like jewelery to make me feel not so momish!

Today I also met the very cool Dale from Wit Knits. Her t-shirts feature brainbuilding designs for your baby - seriously, check them out. I think I may need one even though my kids are past the baby stage! Another brand new business is LivALittle - t-shirts for kids with serious food allergies. Susan has t-shirts with slogans to ensure that kids who can't always speak for themselves get their food allergies acknowledged - very clever! Finally I chatted with Lisa of Stork Baby Boutique who lives around the corner from me and who has great giftable baby items - perfect for when you want to be the original one at a baby shower.

There's been some follow up in the media on the story we discussed a few days ago (see How much does this suck?!). Apparently the flight attendant in question has been disciplined. What this means nobody really knows - though this release from a company spokesman is quite promising - especially the part about this incident being used to ensure proper training with all frontline employees.

How much does this suck?!

2006-11-15T17:07:00.000-06:00

Woman kicked off plane for breast-feeding baby
Files complaint saying she was being discreet, airline disagrees

BURLINGTON, Vt. - A woman who claims she was kicked off an airplane because she was breast-feeding her baby has filed a complaint against two airlines, her attorney said.

Full story here.

The airline spokesperson graciously notes that women have the right to breastfeed in public "providing she is feeding the child in a discreet way." Ummm, the law doesn't work that way. Though admittedly the laws protecting breastfeeding in the States are not as consistent as those in Canada (yay Canada!) I guarantee you that not one of them mentions that a blanket is necessary! I'm sure the mom was trying to be discreet but really, that's not the point. The word discreet does not even belong in a discussion on breastfeeding in public - who comes up with the definition of discreet? What is discreet to me is not to you. What is discreet to a mom nursing twins (yes, I've been there!) is not to a mom of a singleton who likes to cover up with a blanket. The right to breastfeed is just that - a right to breastfeed, there are no "only if" or "as long as" that accompany that right. If we get into that, we get on a slippery slope where others (and if we're talking lawmakers, we're usually talking older white men) define our breastfeeding relationship with our children and the where and the when and the how. And that should be a problem for all women, not just lactating ones.

Jennifer Garner is awesome!

2006-11-14T22:52:00.000-06:00

I have long loved Jennifer Garner as an actress (Alias is one of my all time favourite shows!) and she's always seemed so nice and normal. This little blurb about her post-baby weight loss attitude proves me right!

Garner Is a Healthy Mom
Former "Alias" actress Jennifer Garner says she slimmed down after childbirth by breastfeeding, not crash-dieting.
Garner, who is married to Hollywood heartthrob Ben Affleck, gave birth to Violet in December last year.
The 34-year-old says, "(I lost weight) breastfeeding! That and a moderate exercise and eating plan with the help of my personal trainer.
"I wasn't about to jump on the celebrity mom bandwagon of getting super-skinny, super-quickly.
"I am more concerned about keeping healthy and spending time with Violet than anything else."

From the San Francisco Chronicle

International Breastfeeding Icon Launched

2006-11-13T18:09:00.000-06:00

How great is this?! Mothering magazine recently had a contest to choose an icon to be used internationally to indicate breastfeeding. This awesome graphic, designed by the dad of a breastfed baby was chosen as the winner and is available for use (copyright-free!) in the public domain.

From the press release:

The purpose of an international symbol for breastfeeding is to increase public awareness of breastfeeding, to provide an alternative to the use of a baby bottle image to designate baby friendly areas in public, and to mark breastfeeding friendly facilities.
Of course, breastfeeding does not require a special place and is appropriate—as the Canadian government's slogan says—"anytime, anywhere." The purpose of the symbol is not to segregate breastfeeding, but to help integrate it into society by better accommodating it in public.

Read more here. Thanks to Mothering for spearheading this international venture. Here's to having the Breastfeeding icon become a common site!

Website Woes :(

2006-10-09T14:30:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians! We enjoyed a delicious meal and some much needed down time with family yesterday. With it being Thanksgiving here and Columbus Day in the States (do you say Happy Columbus Day? Probably not....) it's been a slow weekend business wise. Normally that would not be a good thing but I think this weekend it may be a blessing in disguise! We launched a new website on Friday (yes, great timing, the Friday before the long weekend!) and it's beautiful and I love it but, wow, I've been having nothing but trouble with it. I didn't realize you had to wait 24-48 hours for all the ISP's to pick up the new website and my ISP, Rogers, seems to be having particular issues with doing so. It picked up the new website on Saturday, and then the old website all day Sunday and today - nothing...yikes! I know there are some of you out there who have access to the website as I'm getting e-mails and phone calls about it but I can't get to it! I'm trying to remain very zen about this as it's a holiday Monday and there's not much that can be done until tomorrow but I'm discovering I'm not so great about being zen!

Working hard...

2006-09-09T15:06:00.000-06:00

We're in the middle of updating our website - getting a brand spankin' new shopping cart, some extra features and some better funtionality for me. I'm hoping to have it up by next weekend - can't wait! Those of you who have just visited a few times may not notice the difference as the look is the same - we've just made it even better!

In other news, Fall nursing clothing is starting to arrive - and it's flying out the door! We're expecting our Boob collection in the next 10 days and we've already got a shipment from Blissful Babes and are expecting more. Everything looks great - the designers keep coming up with awesome designs!

We'll be carrying the new Eva Lillian line of nursing clothing - now there's a designer with vision! Not only will we have her nursing tops and dresses (oh, the dresses - seriously beautiful) but she's also doing transitional pants - how cool is that?!

Whew!

2006-07-25T12:14:00.000-06:00

I've just spent a gruelling few days up to my eyeballs in excel spreadsheets and way too many numbers! I had my first meeting with my accountant on Thursday (yes, 4 years in business and my *first* meeting!). He recommended that I get QuickBooks which I'm looking into but am not sure that it'll integrate with my shopping cart - VERY important to me. Ideally I'd love for an order to come in, then just be able to print it, process the credit card, adjust the inventory and record the sale with just one push of a button - anyone have a magic wand like that!?

New at milkface!

2006-07-22T16:53:00.000-06:00

Who doesn't want a tank/bra combo for summer? Bravado has just unleashed theirs and it is *fierce*!