Maternity Blog & News | New Beginnings
Your Ultimate Guide To Choosing A Breast Pump
From short-term reasons such as pain, engorgement or breast refusal to long term reasons such as going back to work, being away from bub or permanent latching issues, there are many situations where mums may need to express and use a breast pump. Whatever the reason is, having a good pump on hand can be a lifesaver. When looking for a pump there are many options to choose from and it can become very overwhelming, so we’re here to help you find what will work best for you and your unique situation. What is a breast pump? Breast pumps are available in both manual and electric forms that allow lactating mums to express milk when they need it. They can allow you to store extra milk, share the feeding time with your partner and help bub feed more efficiently. Choosing your breast pump When considering what pump will be best for you, there are a number of factors to consider: How often you will be pumping (frequency) Budget/Price Size & Portability Speed, strength and suction Noise Which pump should you choose? Manual vs Electric A manual pump is much cheaper, quieter and involves no setup to use. They can be used either for expressing or catching extra let down after feeding so your milk doesn’t go to waste. They use a vacuum seal against your breast to manually express your milk. On the other hand, electric pumps are more expensive and have multiple parts but are very easy to use. As they have a motor they do all the hard work for you, making them super convenient for expressing milk. Single Electric vs Double ElectricA single electric pump is a great option that allows you to express and feed at the same time. A single pump is generally a lot smaller and has fewer parts making it easy to transport and take with you. A double pump however cuts down expressing time by up to 50%, as it draws milk from both breasts simultaneously. A double pump is a great option if you need to store a lot of milk or have trouble breastfeeding To make things a little easier for you, we have provided a chart below to easily compare all the features and benefits of the different pumps available: Why New Beginnings Breast Pumps? At New Beginnings we believe in making high-quality products affordable for all mums. We have developed all our electric pumps with LacTech technology, to mimic the natural suckling motion of breastfeeding, so you can express comfortably and efficiently. All our pumps are extremely lightweight, easy to use and are almost completely silent, making expressing and feeding time that much easier. If you need some more convincing, check out what our NB mums are saying: Amanda - Single Electric Breast Pump “My new 'secret weapon'! Love this quiet, efficient little lady, she's my new BFF particularly when I'm exhausted and want to catch up on sleep - partner can take over, bubs is happy, partner can have some one on one time and mumma can have some much needed Z's!” Kim - Double Electric Breast Pump “I would definitely recommend the New Beginnings Breast Pump to anyone and everyone!! It was sooo easy!!! I was able to connect it all up and because it was so quiet, I was able to express while sitting there watching tv. The different levels of stimulation and suction were great as I was able to customise it depending on when I expressed (whether it was close after breastfeeding or much later). I loved the function of the time as I was able to gain an idea of how long it would take me to express a certain amount of milk. I also loved that it was a double as I could express a large amount of milk in very little time! The New Beginnings Breast Pump was also very easy to clean and reassemble afterwards. The stands for the bottles were also very handy as it meant no spilt milk! ???? I loved everything about the New Beginnings Breast Pump and I found it to be no comparison to another manual breast pump I have previously used. I would hands down recommend New Beginnings as my first choice electric breast pump!”Interested in learning more helpful tips and tricks about breast pumps? Stay updated with our Maternity Blog and News. For more information check out the pages below or contact us on sales@newbeginnings.com.au or on our socials @newbeginningsmaternity. Silicone Manual Breast Pump Single Electric Breast Pump Double Electric Breast Pump Next Up in Pumping Open vs Closed System Breast Pumps CustomFlow vs Standard Breast Pumps: What Makes It Different Wearable Wonder: The Next Generation of Milk Collection
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Is a UV Steriliser safe for your baby? | New Beginnings
Worried about germs? UV sterilisers offer a safe and effective solution. Learn how they work and why they're a great choice for families. Visit New Beginnings today!
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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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