For immediate release Contact: Donna Halinski
xxxxx 2008 (517) 372-4400
Michigan entrepreneur shares breastfeeding knowledge during official month of awareness
Portland, MI — With August as National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, an Ionia County nurse and mother of four is working to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and promote a product she created to relieve pain to new mothers along with women recovering from breast surgery.
National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which works to encourage women to breastfeed and promotes research to show the benefits of breastfeeding. The Michigan Department of Community Health also recognizes August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
Rachel Gross, a registered nurse from Portland, was inspired to create a product to relieve comfort after seeing both breastfeeding women and women in the hospital recovering from breast surgery suffer from breast swelling and pain. Gross developed a soothing breast pack called Blossumz that can be put either in the freezer or microwave to be cooled or warmed to provide much needed comfort for women.
“Unlike home-made hot/cold packs, my new product called Blossumz is a comfortable and effective way to treat sore and swollen breasts,” Gross said. “Women no longer have to settle for a frozen bag of peas, frozen cabbage leaves or uncomfortable bags of ice cubes. No more inconvenient hot showers and messy warm washcloths.”
Raising awareness about breastfeeding
Many women struggle with the transition and complications that arise from breastfeeding. According to Gross, regardless of the complications associated with breastfeeding, the benefits are numerous, including emotional bonding between mother and baby and low cost.
“Breastfeeding seems easy, but it’s not easy,” Gross said. “I’ve been working with many new mothers to show them that breastfeeding can be a beautiful experience for both the mother and baby.”
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In addition to using her personal experience of breastfeeding and helping new mothers as a nurse, Gross has been working with lactation support groups and breastfeeding group sessions to better understand concerns of new mothers. Her product to provide relief during breastfeeding is being well received.
“I’m impressed with the high quality of Blossumz and how effective it is to finally provide women relief,” said Anne Calhoun, a Grand Rapids NICU nurse. “Blossumz makes that transition easier by providing soothing and effective relief of sore and swollen breasts associated with these breastfeeding conditions.”
Gross adds, “many young women today weren’t breastfed by their own mothers, so many women lack knowledge and experience in the area. Because of this, many myths have developed about breastfeeding.”
Common Myths about Breast Feeding
- It is normal for breastfeeding to hurt.
- Some women don't produce enough milk.
- There is no safe way to tell if baby is not getting enough milk.
- If the mother has an infection, she should stop breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding ties a mother down.
A unique way to relieve pain
Gross said Blossumz can help with the following painful conditions:
- Engorgement
- Mastitis
- Plugged milk ducts
- Weaning phase
Comfort & Relief for women recovering from breast surgery
Gross’ product also can also provide comfort for women recovering from breast surgery. Mary Anne Smith of Lansing, a recent breast cancer survivor, used Blossumz directly after her mastectomy and raved about its benefits, saying it was both comforting and easy to use.
“It was easy to use, both for cold and hot use. I would put it into the freezer and then lay it over my chest where the mastectomy was – the cold compress felt wonderful,” Smith said. “I’d recommend this to anyone who is breastfeeding or who has had a mastectomy.”
According to Gross, Blossumz are different than ordinary gel packs or heating pads because they are specially designed to fit and comfort a woman’s breast. They are easily conformed to any breast size and are lightweight enough that they can easily be placed inside a bra.
Raving reviews for Blossumz
On top of raising awareness about the benefits are breastfeeding Gross is receiving positive feedback and reviews of Blossumz from new mother websites and bloggers.
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Mommies with Style and Cool Mom Picks praised Blossumz Soothing Breast Therapy Packs for providing breastfeeding mothers great relief.
Rachel Gross, a Lansing area registered nurse used her care giving experience to develop the soothing breast pack. Gross was inspired to develop Blossumz after caring for women in the hospital who suffered from breast swelling and pain during breastfeeding and after recovering from breast surgery. She said Blossumz is specially designed to fit a woman’s body and relieve pain better than at-home remedies.
Mommies with Style, an online community for trendy mothers, reviewed Blossumz and highly recommended the soothing breast pack for providing “sweet relief” for new mothers who may find breastfeeding to be extremely painful. In its review, Mommies with Style wrote that new mothers often receive many home remedy suggestions to deal with the pain but “nothing like the relief you will get from Blossumz.” Please visit the link to read the entire review. http://www.mommieswithstyle.com/mtblog/2008/04/blossumz_soothing_gel_pads_swe_1.html
Cool Mom Picks is another website that has reviewed Blossumz and recommended it as a product to make life easier for new mothers.
“These cute fabric-covered gel disks can be warmed in the microwave or chilled in the freezer, then discreetly slipped into your bra. You don't have to get up close and personal with the vegetables in order to get relief.”
Please see the full review by visiting the following link.
http://www.coolmompicks.com/2008/05/easily_9_million_percent_prett.php
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With every Blossumz purchase, Gross will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
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