Maternity Blog & News | New Beginnings
Everything They Don't Tell You: Breastfeeding Tips & Advice
We’ve all heard the common advice about breastfeeding, everything from ‘how to latch’ to ‘how to burp’. But what are the lesser known truths we don’t hear as often? Here are some bits of advice you’ve (probably) never heard before. Don’t Check Your Phone During Night-time Feeds While breastfeeding can be boring at night, try not to binge on Netflix or catch up on emails. Lactation consultant, Eileen Murphy, notes turning on lights or the TV can disorient your baby and make it harder to set them on a sleep schedule. We recommend listening to a relaxing podcast instead. You Don’t Have To Use The ‘Hollywood Hold’ The most common latching technique is to cradle your baby sideways with its head resting on your elbow, but if that’s not working there are 10 other positions you can test out on bub. Everything from lying down rugby holds (look it up) to vertical latching, where your baby faces you and rests on your knee. Experiment to find what’s right for you. Breastfeeding Can Deflate Your Boobs, If You Don’t Use A Supportive Bra Yes, it’s true, breastfeeding can make your boobs start to look like old tube socks (*silent screams). One way to prevent this is to find great maternity bras that really lift and support your boobs no matter what stage they’re in. A great bra will support the breast’s ligaments and help recover damage caused by your baby pulling on your breast as they turn their head about. Other preventative steps include strengthening exercises, diet and drinking lots of water. Drink Water To Produce Milk Speaking of drinking water, when breastfeeding the best thing you can do to produce milk is to stay hydrated. Your body will keep trying to produce milk even if you’re not, but it can make you feel pretty sick and unwell. If you'd like to know more about breastfeeding, have a read of our blog: How long should a newborn feed for? On a similar note, make sure you’re eating an additional 500 calories per day when breastfeeding. Try to eat a nutritionally balanced diet, but if you slip up and eat french fries it won’t hurt your baby. Your body is designed to make healthy, nourishing milk. Empty Your Milk Often To Reduce Painful Swelling When feeding or pumping, try to empty your milk during each session, this helps prevent ducts from clogging (don’t worry it’s a rare occurrence!). Similarly, try to breastfeed or pump whenever your breasts are starting to feel heavy and full. If you wait too long they can become swollen and painfully tender. Read our blog ‘Pump or Feed’ for tips on when and how to breast pump. Breastfeeding Makes You Bolder Lastly, know that breastfeeding makes you bolder and a protective mummy. Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles show breastfeeding increases your body's threshold for stress by increasing oxytocin and prolactin levels. In a scenario where a stranger was rude to their baby, breastfeeding mums defended their baby’s rights and had significantly lower blood-pressure than mums who solely bottle-fed their babies. They were more stress-resistant - a fantastic side-benefit of the unique mother-child bond. Having trouble breastfeeding? Remember to take deep breaths, relax and search for answers to your problems. If it’s still not working, see a lactation consultant. They’ll help you and your baby learn to breastfeed. Keep in mind every parent-baby bond is unique and takes time but it’s worth it.
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Benefits of Bamboo Maternity Products | New Beginnings
What is Bamboo? Bamboo is an incredibly versatile material used in so many products nowadays. From clothing and linen, to homewares, furniture and, yes, pregnancy products. Sustainable to grow, strong and flexible, and incredibly soft and resilient when woven as a fibre, bamboo has a long list of benefits. That’s why bamboo is the perfect material for pregnant and nursing Mums. Bamboo nursing pads are soft on your skin and super absorbent, while hypoallergenic bamboo baby wipes are kind to theirs. Bamboo is a truly wonderful material which benefits Mums, babies and our environment. Environmental Benefits Reduced farming footprint Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on earth. It uses around 30% of the water needed to grow cotton and can grow almost a metre in a single day. Less chemicals Bamboo is naturally resistant to pests so doesn’t require chemical spraying while it grows. It also requires far less chemical additives in the manufacturing process, unlike polyester or nylon which produce lots of chemical waste. 100% biodegradable You don’t have to feel guilty about your bamboo baby wipes or nursing pads going into landfill. They break down in as little as 6 months, where products made with plastics clog up our environment for 1,000 years. Benefits of using Bamboo products So we know bamboo nursing pads and baby wipes are kind to the environment. But what about you? There’s more good news! Bamboo is incredibly soft to the touch, perfect for sensitive skin and more effective than almost any other material: Naturally antibacterial fibres make bamboo more hygienic Bamboo absorbs up to 40x its own weight Up to 40% more absorbent than the best cotton Hypoallergenic, ideal for sensitive skin Our bamboo nursing pads are designed with an innovative hex weave for even more absorbency, and chemical-free bamboo baby wipes are the perfect addition to your baby bag. Types of Bamboo Baby Products New Beginnings are well and truly on the bamboo bandwagon. We have seen the benefits of this wonderful eco-friendly material and wanted to create pregnancy products that are as good for the environment as they are for new mums. You can now find a range of essential pregnancy hygiene products on our online store: Disposable bamboo nursing pads Ultra-thin bamboo nursing pads Bamboo baby wipes in boxes or soft packs Bamboo maternity pads Disposable bamboo pants Why Choose New Beginnings bamboo products? As the world continues to find new ways to use bamboo, here at New Beginnings we are dedicated to giving new and expecting Mums the kindest, most effective pregnancy products. Our bamboo nursing pads were specially designed to contour for added comfort. They are capable of absorbing up to 40x their own weight and fit seamlessly into clothes. No more wet patches or uncomfortable clothing – only the soft, non-allergenic feeling of bamboo. For baby, our bamboo dry wipes are not only more effective than traditional baby wipes but also much more environmentally friendly. They are 100% biodegradable as well as being incredibly absorbent and soft on delicate skin. Ready to order your bamboo baby products? Call our order hotline on 1300 768 868, or you can send us an email at sales@newbeginnings.com.au for more information. Don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of the page so we can keep you up-to-date with news and product information specially tailored to new Mums.Looking for more information about bamboo baby and nursing products? Visit our mum's guide to Why I Choose Bamboo Dry Wipes.
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Ultimate Maternity Hospital Bag Checklist: What to bring to hospital
With your due date nearing, having a thoughtfully arranged hospital bag for both you and your newborn is essential. This guide walks you through every must-have item—from paperwork to cozy clothing to baby-ready essentials—and includes a handy printable checklist to simplify your prep.
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Tips and Tricks on Pregnancy Back Support
During pregnancy you experience a whole range of new emotions, feelings, and even pain, not the BOOBS, sometimes this includes back pain too! The cause of this discomfort comes from new weight around your abdomen which adds stress to your spine as you lean back to support your baby. Choosing a good quality pregnancy back support range is important for you and your baby, that's where New Beginnings back support comes in to reduce this discomfort!
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How much to budget for a new baby | New Beginnings
Having a baby for the first time will ultimately be one of the happiest times of your life. Sure, you’re a bit nervous and at times overwhelmed but you get to start your own little family. But before that day comes along you have a nursery to plan, baby names to pick and someone who will depend on you forever. As you grow bigger, attend those antenatal classes and build your nursery, it’s natural to start thinking about how your world will change. Your life as you have known it has been all about you and you may begin to notice the ‘life will never be the same again’ comments cropping up. Then on one quiet evening after a distraction free dinner you look at your partner and your partner looks at you, a light bulb goes off and you both unanimously say ‘BABYMOON’. Now baby-moons may vary from a weekend away to an overseas vacation but before you go all ‘baby brain’ on this hare- brained idea let’s share some stats with you. It is said that a baby can cost a family at least $150 per week amounting to over $15,000 in just a single year. Now let’s think about this 10 nappies a day, $33 per box of 90 nappies = approx. $100 per month alone just in nappies. Let’s not forget about formula if you don’t breast feed ($30 per tin), baby wipes, clothes, towels, dummies, prams, change tables, maternity bras, car seats, swaddles, baby monitors, breast pumps, toys, socks, blankets, bassinets, needles, doctors’ appointments, child care (if you go down that route), bottles, cutlery, gymbaroo and on and on it goes. So after making note of all the additional expenses any new mum will face, it’s probably best to ditch the baby-moon idea and become a baby-prepper: -Stockpile nappies when stores have them on special. -Search prices online for wet wipes, dummies and bottles (remember to check delivery fees). -Attend the Baby Expo’s in your area to find better deals and read the reviews on the best pram or car seat. -Don’t leave buying your maternity items until the last minute. As finding the right bra for example can take time. The New Beginnings maternity range allows mums to purchase from their comfy and affordable bra collection and their returns policy will allow an exchange or refund if the bra doesn’t fit. *Keep an eye out for their 2 for 1 bra deals * Start to also be accepting of any help that’s offered when it comes to big purchases as everyone close to you will be getting baby fever with the arrival of your newborn. And if you decide to have a baby shower use a registry to ensure your nursery is equipped with everything you need. So wave goodbye to the baby-moon and life you once knew because life is really going to be so much better then you ever imagined when this baby arrives. Yes you’re tired, yes you’re overwhelmed but let’s try not to add any additional financial worries to the load. Not to mention the late night runs down to the supermarket because you have run out of nappies.
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When I was younger I had absolutely no idea about the ins and outs of pregnancy and having a baby. I remember without a care in the world, walking past the maternity shops snickering at the roundness and beige-ness of it all. Maternity wear signalled maturity wear and the end of style and colour and a land I could not see myself ever visiting. Fast forward about 8 years, 10 kilos heavier, basketball size growth under my top….I had arrived at maternity wear world. Funnily enough everything you loathe about maternity wear when you aren’t pregnant is everything you adore when you are pregnant, especially maternity bras! You crave comfort, ease and plain colours because all your time and energy is now given to this beautiful and very demanding little person! My breasts had grown into large beings all on their own and they were tender to touch. Being an already larger breasted gal I knew that I needed to find the perfect maternity bra for before and after the baby was born. I can say hand on heart right now that the New Beginnings Maternity Bra range were the best I tried and here is why: SUPPORT: As there is no underwire in maternity bras I needed a bra that still provided lift for my breasts (the type I could wear outside the house). EASY TO USE: New Beginnings bras have a very easy to use clip that latches to the top strap of the bra. When your baby is screaming for a feed it’s a no brainer to clip off and on. STYLE: I still managed to feel feminine in these bras even though I was feeling very much like a dairy cow. GREAT PRICE: We all know that having babies is expensive so your bras have to be a price that is reasonable and appropriate. NO HASSLES: New Beginnings has some great online deals happening all the time and they are so easy to deal with when it comes to customer support and returns. A selection of great maternity bras is an investment not only in the practical side of motherhood but an investment in your peace of mind. A comfortable, stylish and reliable maternity bra means you don’t have to worry about anything else but navigating motherhood and bonding with your beautiful new baby. Author: Elise Bradfield @elise_bradfield
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Life is such a freeing experience until a young girl hits puberty and is confronted with her first bra. Some girls cannot wait to join the club of young women and wear those new supports with such pride; I was not one of those girls. Being somewhat of a tomboy I found it very confronting to make that leap into womanhood, all because my body clock said so. But as time passed I embraced my new found feminine side, I became friends with my breasts and then realised how fun bras can be with expressing who you are and becoming a confident woman. As soon as you fall pregnant you are once again confronted by a change in your breasts as they start to transform and prepare themselves for being your baby’s lifeline. Some women love the way their breasts enlarge and find themselves quickly queuing up at the shops with arms full of larger bras. The sudden influx in cup size can become every girls dream but as quickly as that joy comes, so too does the discomfort. As your pregnancy continues, the annoying underwire in traditional bras can be very constricting and is not recommended for the later stages of pregnancy as it constricts your milk ducts. So then it’s back to the shops again or we scan online for maternity bras; perhaps the first practical purchase for mums to be. To understand more about your breasts during this phase of life, have a read of our blog: will my areolas go back to normal size? Looks V’s Personality We then have challenges of weighing up practicality over aesthetics. I found the experience to be easy and quick as there is a large array of equally pretty and purposeful maternity bras. Being a woman with larger breasts there were definitely a few keys things on my list when it came to purchasing: Support Appearance Comfort Colour Practicality Cost I remember sitting with my partner and trying on about 5 different types and styles of maternity bras and some were hideous enough that I made my partner turn the other way. Some offered no support for my larger cup size, some made my breasts bulge out in all the wrong places. Some were more like sports bras with a few layers of material sown together, some pushed me out in all the wrong ways with uncomfortable designs and some had very silly designs and colours. It’s important to find a company or a brand that is making maternity bras who know women. Brands that have done their research including talking to real women about how they feel when they are in the bra itself. A great maternity bra can be such a boost, not just in breast support but in the confidence felt whilst the wearing it. I settled on 2x sport style bras whilst being pregnant which offered the most support for me as I continued to work and exercise. I then purchased 2x bras styles (one black and tan) and 2x sports bra style maternity bras to wear after the baby was born. I found in finding the right style and fit made me more inclined to stay with a brand and a style that suited me. I still know of women that continue to wear their maternity bras (like a good pair of maternity jeans) long after they have stopped breastfeeding because they are so comfortable and convenient. It is so important to invest in the breast and feel confident and supported as new mums enter into a world of breastfeeding with their maternity bras. Author: Elise Bradfield @elise_bradfield
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To Breastfeed Or Not To Breastfeed
I never really considered myself to be much of a feminist until I started breastfeeding. Then it became apparent that there are a lot of people who dislike public breastfeeding and are quite vocal about it. The simple act of breastfeeding your child outside has become a real opinion poll and you’d be surprised at the looks or rather the glares you get of distaste and disdain when you try to do what seems very natural, to breastfeed your child. You realise soon enough after giving birth that the ownership of your breasts rest solely with your newborn. You have no idea when that permit will expire and much to the frustration of your partner, you both agreed to sign those rights over 9 months ago. Now I’m all for privacy and being subtle when it comes to sharing flesh in public but honestly when a baby needs to feed, should I feel persecuted for it? Motherhood is already a very isolating experience and now it seems as though we have the unimpressed eyes of those who want us to be shunned to a corner, our car’s or back to our houses. I’ve Been There: I remember having lunch at a nice café in quite an affluent area and my newborn on arrival decided that he wanted to make himself heard and cry without pause for the entire get together. He didn’t want to be passed around, he didn’t want to sit quietly and play with his toys and he certainly didn’t intend for me to enjoy my lunch with friends. There was an older couple, retirement age sitting next to us and I could feel the looks of annoyance burning a hole in the back of my skull. They made subtle glances at me and I could hear hushed comments being made, all while I tried to remain calm. I could have easy whipped out the milk soothers then and there but I felt so self-conscious and flustered from it all that I ended up walking out and feeding my son in the car down the road. Share The Love: As far as I’m concerned, breastfeeding is like all those other human reflexes-blowing your nose, or burping or farting…it needs to be done and there are subtle ways to go about it! I don’t advocate a field of breasts out in the sunshine when I head to a café for my Sunday coffee but I do understand the importance of a new mum getting out and about. There is no need to stand up and declare that you are about to unhinge your maternity bra and feed your ravenous child, just a subtle sling of the shawl over your shoulder and continue like it’s nothing at all. What about giving those mothers a smile, a virtual pat on the back for leaving the house today? How about a high five for being outside and risking a toddler tantrum, or a newborn blowout, or a poo explosion in a public place? What about a ‘good on you’ for doing the toughest of jobs with very little recognition whilst trying to find some normalcy in this new world? Mums need support and I support mums who support their kids with breastfeeding so look away haters and free the nipple I say. Author: Elise Bradfield @elise_bradfield
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Nutrition & Diet during Pregnancy
While good nutrition is important at any time, during pregnancy it becomes particularly so. While you require extra nutrients for yourself and your growing baby during this time, you don’t actually need to eat a great deal more in the way of kilojoules. The important thing during pregnancy is to eat food that is very nutrient-dense. What is nutrient-dense food? Nutrient-dense food contains a high proportion of nutrients in relation to its energy (kilojoule) count. You could say that nutrient-dense food is the opposite of empty-calorie food, such as confectionary and some other snack-type foods. What are the general daily guidelines for eating? Eat most of – nutrient-dense foods such as wholegrain breads and cereals, vegetables, legumes and fruits. Eat moderately – calcium foods such as dairy or substitutes, and protein foods such as cooked meat, poultry, fish (low mercury), or eggs. Nuts and seeds are also good, and seaweed products for iodine. Smallest amounts of – foods high in sugar, fat and salt. Don’t forget to keep well hydrated at all times as well. What extra nutrients are required in pregnancy? A folate (folic acid) dietary intake of 600mcg per day is especially important to prevent certain birth defects. The best sources are fortified breads and cereals, green vegetables, legumes, oranges, vegemite, strawberries, salmon and nuts. Authorities also recommend a supplement during pregnancy of 400mcg per day for the first month before pregnancy and throughout the first trimester. Iron needs increase in pregnancy to 27mg per day. Best sources are lean meats and fish, fortified cereals and breads, eggs, legumes and green vegetables. Animal sources such as meat and eggs are absorbed more efficiently than vegetable ones. Vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron, so a glass of orange juice with your morning eggs can be a good combination. Iodine becomes particularly important in pregnancy. Iodine is found in seafood, seaweed products, meat, eggs, dairy and iodised table salt. Do I need supplements? It’s important to speak to your doctor about your nutrition during pregnancy, including what supplements you should take. Is there anything to avoid? Definitely, especially since immunity is usually lower during pregnancy. Raw eggs, raw legumes or alfalfa sprouts, undercooked meats – these present a salmonella and toxoplasmosis risk. Soft cheeses, soft-serve ice cream, pate, raw fish, and cold deli meats – these present a risk of listeria. Excess seafood – high mercury risk. Salmon or tuna two to three times per week is fine, but caution should be used with billfish, deep-sea perch and catfish. Excess caffeine – this may reduce iron absorption. Too much vitamin A – which is toxic at high doses. Alcohol – ideally this should be avoided altogether. In addition, it’s important to be particularly scrupulous about hygiene during this time. This includes washing hands, always washing fruits and vegetables, cooking foods thoroughly, and minimising contacts with household cats as they carry the parasite toxoplasmosis – harmful for your developing baby. You may also find your tastes changing during pregnancy, which is quite common. There is no need for alarm, but if you do feel that this might be compromising your nutrition, consult your health care practitioner and/or a professional dietician. Benefits of Relaxation for Pregnant Mums We all know how good it feels to relax, and this can be especially important during pregnancy. Pregnancy can be a time fraught with anxious thoughts and stress for some women, particularly first-time mums. In this post we look at the importance of relaxation during pregnancy, and provide some tips on how to go about it. Pregnancy stress During pregnancy you may find yourself having anxious thoughts about the future. You may be wondering whether you will make a good parent, how you will cope with the labour and with a new baby, and whether you can manage on a reduced income. While these can be very real issues, worrying about them doesn’t change them and nor does it do anything for your happiness. So you may as well relax a little. In addition, it’s hard to solve problems when you are wound up, and relaxation techniques and methods can very often lead to an increase in creative thinking and problem solving. Benefits of relaxation Relaxation has benefits for both mother and baby. Relaxation is good for reducing your blood pressure, enhancing your wellbeing and enjoyment of life, reducing pain and worry, and improving overall health. As for the baby, they are more likely to be relaxed if mum is! Some relaxation methods and tools Meditation helps reduce mood swings, improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and even improve digestion and boost immunity. Types include passive practices such as mindfulness and mantra meditation, or active / dynamic practices like QiGong or Tai Chi. Consider joining a local class or making use of some of the free or low-cost online programs. Regular exercise. Exercise is known to improve wellbeing and reduce stress. Safe options during pregnancy include Hatha yoga, walking, swimming and other water exercises, bike riding, and Pilates. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Tapping. This is a practical tool which involves thinking or talking about troubling issues while tapping on certain points on your body. Many people find EFT a wonderful method for reducing stress and anxiety and also for altering their perception of problems and issues. Plenty of rest! At this time, you really need to listen to your body and rest when you need to. And don’t fall into the guilt trap – if people around you want you to put your feet up and wait on you sometimes, lap it up and enjoy! Lots of laughter. Laughter helps reduce stress so make time to watch your favourite comedies and to hang out with happy people at least some of the time! A ‘babymoon’. Go on a pre-birth babymoon with your partner or a friend, or even on your own if you are so inclined. Other ideas for relaxation include massage, aromatherapy, and beauty treatments for a self-esteem boost. Get some more pregnancy relaxation techniques from some of our top rated pregnancy podcasts. Good nutrition can also help you to cope with the stresses in your life – so as well as employing some of the above techniques, make the effort eat really well and to always keep yourself well hydrated.For more information about women's health, explore our Women's Health Week blog.
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