Friday, February 13, 2009

Milk Bank Review and GIVEAWAY!

You all know that I am a pretty passionate lady. I am passionate about a few (hundred) things and one of them is breastfeeding. I know that not everyone is as lucky as I am and gets to stay home with their babies. I know that some Mom's have to or choose to work. I also know that some Moms just need to pump and store their milk for various reasons. I like to pump to have some extra on hand in case I need to be gone and Miss Libby needs to eat. I also pump for a friend whose baby isn't getting enough of Mama's milk. There are as many different reasons to pump and store milk as there are Mamas that do it.


So, when I was given the opportunity to review the MilkBank System, I was really excited. This is a revolutionary new way of storing your pumped breast milk. The vacuum storage system is clinically proven superior to traditional storage bags or bottles in protecting vital nutrients and flavor. The triple-vented, insulated bottles keep milk warm, even through longer feedings, and best of all, they are easy to clean and guaranteed not to leak. The entire MilkBank system—including the packaging—is free of lead, phthalates, PVC, and BPA.


So, what's the big deal about a vacuum storage system you ask? Well, renowned lactation scientist, Dr. Jimi Francis, IBCLC, investigated the efficacy of the MilkBank System in preserving breastmilk taste and nutrient levels and found that MilkBank was far superior to traditional methods. Dr. Francis writes:

"The oxidation of food products is well documented. Changesin product color, odor and taste are the most easily detected effects of oxidation. Nutrient loss, rancidity, and microbial spoilage are all part of milk degradation as well. This degradation, over time, is caused in part, by the presence of oxygen. Removal of headspace oxygen should minimize oxidative effects in stored breastmilk, prolong shelf life, and improve nutritional quality."

Who among us doesn't want the best for our babies? Who wouldn't do whatever we could to make the milk we are pumping as fresh as possible for our little ones? That's what I thought.

This system is really easy to use, as evidenced by the fact that I did it! I pumped a wee bit, and gave it a go. I put the pumped milk into the smallest container, put on the lid and vacuum sealed it. I was a bit skeptical about it actually vacuum sealing it though. So, I opened it up and it made that sound, you know the sound of something after it has been vacuum sealed shut and you open it? That popping sound? Yeah, it made THAT sound! I was so excited!!!!!

This system also comes with an insulated feeding bottle. Did you know that in a study done by Stanford University they found that "keeping the milk warm throughout the feeding significantly improves nutritional ingestion, produces improved growth, and can improve survival rates superior to milk fed cold or at room temperature"? Yeah, I didn't either.

Given that knowledge the people at MilkBank included the insulated feeding bottle. This is a bottle that you fill with warm water and attach to the outside of the milk bottle. It is guaranteed not to leak and really does keep the milk warm!


Are you as impressed with this company as I am? One lucky reader will win the complete MilkBank Starter Kit! This includes:
  • One MilkBank Starter Kit, which includes both the vacuum storage and insulated feeding systems (2.5 oz. and 4.5 oz. bottles)
  • One MilkBank 8 oz. bottle for storing/feeding breastmilk for older babies that consume more than 4.5 oz. per feeding.
Pretty cool huh? So, what do you need to do? Comment. Tell me why you want this. Pretty easy!

This contest will close on Friday, February 20th at 8 pm, MST, when I choose a winner with the help of my pal Random.org. So, get your comment in. You can enter once a day.

29 comments:

Jen said...

I'm hoping to get preggers again soon (we've been trying for a year and a half :( so I'm sure it would come in handy for me eventually!

Mommy Mo said...

I nurse as you well know and I pump as well for those times that we are apart. I would love this system so that my frozen milk can be the freshest it can me, with the added benefits of having as many nutrients still available in it as possible. I work so hard for those pumped bottles!

Simply Stacie said...

I want to win this for my sister who had her first baby in May and plans to have another one soon.

Lori said...

Only 6 weeks to go until I need to start thinking about nursing again. I'll take it!

Anonymous said...

How cool
I'm not entering for me. Breastfeeding and I don't mix, it's an emotional thing, we've talked I'm sure... it's better that I bottle feed my babies then turn into a raving catatonic lunatic... sad, but it's how my hormones go I guess.

BUT BUT BUT, I'm entering for the Center! We could totally bless some mom with this. We have some breast feeding things at the Center, but more would be so great! So that's why I'm commenting =) Maybe I'll win!

Rachel said...

This looks great! I love the idea of vacuum sealing the milk... so cool! I'm a devoted breast feeder too and would love these nifty gadgets. :)

Kalli Ko said...

This looks AWESOME! I pump once a day to keep my meager supply going and want to definitely keep the milk I do get fresh as possible. This system would get put to use!

PS I won your sling in the nie auction and I'm OBSESSED with it. It's fantastic. THANKS!

Kalli Ko said...

once more for me...

Lisa R.D. said...

What a great system... and I love your shout-out to breastfeeding (you know how I feel about that!). I would love to win this--most likely to gift to a friend or sister who needs to pump.

Erin said...

I am expecting baby #2 in July, and this would make my life a lot easier! With my son, I pumped upon my return to work, enough that he never had a drop of formula. I have very limited break time, and something like this would make it a lot easier when I go back to work with this one.

Erin said...

I am due soon (March 1st!), and will have to go back to work shortly after the birth of the baby in order to make ends meet. I was given a breast pump, and I'm planning to pump while I work so that my baby is exclusively breastfed. This sounds like an amazing system, and would be so wonderful to have! Thanks for the opportunity!

Kalli Ko said...

I am seriously in need of this...

Jenny said...

This would be great for me because I can't seem to keep my milk fresh long enough and it is driving me crazy!! I would love to hear the "pop" when I open a bottle!

Kalli Ko said...

one more!

Erin said...

Entering again!

Erin said...

One more shot! This is seriously the coolest giveaway I've seen in awhile.:)

Becca said...

Would love to try this out with my soon-to-be-here baby!! I am a first time Moma and plan on breastfeeding.

Kalli Ko said...

Have I maxed out my entries yet? I don't care, I am coveting this system so badly! BF has been such a battle for me that every drop I get out is seriously like my own personal achievement and I'd like to make the most out of it.

Jennifer Lee said...

What a great giveaway! I would love to try this with my baby--he'll be here in just a few weeks!

Anonymous said...

Kim,
I would love this system. I pump at least once a day, although Leif rarely takes a bottle, and when he does, it is almost not worth the effort. But I give my milk away to mama who don't have enough. 2 years ago I pumped 4 times a day and shipped my milk cross country for my niece. When babies are getting a mixture of milk and formula, you want to give them the best quality milk possible. Thanks Fay
PS. This is the first time I have ever posted on a blog, I have no idea what I am doing.

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this!!

Leah
samandsassy@gmail.com

Jenny said...

one more for me!

Erin said...

One more shot!

Margie S. said...

I want this because I'm about to become a new mama who is going to have to go to work again, but am absolutely determined to breastfeed then pump successfully. This would certainly help! Thank you for the chance!

Kalli Ko said...

LAST ONE!!! THANKS KIM!

Anonymous said...

Hi! I would love to win this. I've accidentally dumped those wobbly plastic storage bags, and had to get rid of half my bottle storage stash after baby #1 because of BPA. I could sure use a better system for the next 6 months with baby #2!

Anonymous said...

Thank so much for the thoughtful review and pictures. It means a great deal to us to get honest feedback as it is the only we way to make it even better.

Thanks for your all time and effort and giving Milk Bank a try! Glad to hear you liked it.

-Steve
Milk Bank/Dex Baby Products

Peter Floyd said...

ohhhh

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