Maternity Blog & News | New Beginnings
What are Nursing Pads for & how to use them
Discover everything you need to know about nursing pads! Learn why, when, and which type to choose for comfort and leak protection. Read our Nursing Pads 101 guide now.
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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
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International Caesarean Awareness Month | New Beginnings
International Caesarean Awareness Month is celebrated during the month of April, and aims to provide education, support and recovery for all mum’s who have experienced a c-section. In Australia alone, over 35% of births are by caesarean section, and this stat is only rising. We wanted to explore some of the most common questions, concerns and advice that all mums going through a caesarean birth may need. With the help of some amazing mums in our New Beginnings community, we have put together some words for wisdom for you. 1. Was your C-section planned & would you do it again? Pandora: “No, it was an emergency c-section, I was very open-minded but I really didn’t want a c-section! I would do it again if my baby measured big again because I couldn’t do another 39hr labour, but if the baby was average size I would try for a vaginal birth - recovery sounds easier and I would like to experience it.” Jasmine: “I had an emergency c-section after being induced, I was in labour for 21hours without progression. I would like to try natural birth next time, but I’m not opposed to another caesarean.” Candice: “Yes, my c-section was planned. Unfortunately for a few reasons, we had no choice. It was safest for bub and I. I would 100% do it again if necessary, I was lucky enough to have a calm & stress-free experience!” Brooke: “My baby was breech, so I knew I would have a C-section. I was hoping for a water birth but was advised not to turn my bub, so I processed the fact that c-section was best & safest for us both. I am currently 30 weeks pregnant now with a breech baby again. I am hoping for a VBAC (Vaginal birth after caesarean), but if needed I am prepared to have another c-section and I’m okay with that. 2. Will there be pain? Pandora: “Not as much as I expected, but yes when the drugs wear off and you get up for the first time it will feel like you have been hit by a car. It gets better each day and the baby gives you the motivation to move more than you normally would after a surgery.” Jasmine: “Yes, not during due to the epidural but once that wears off there is lower abdominal pain.” Candice: “Of course, after all, it’s major surgery. With that being said they provide pain medication and tips to combat the pain. I am the biggest chicken/sook when it comes to pain and coped better than I expected. I think the fear is something worse than the end result is.” Brooke: “I was in so much chock and contraction pain that as soon as I was given anaesthesia, I felt relief. I don’t remember any pain during surgery, I could feel pressure and tugging but it was all numb and over quickly.” 3. What are your top tips to help mum recover quickly? Pandora: “A belly band, moving around as much as you can especially in the beginning. Take the pain meds while they are on offer, they will help you get moving.” Jasmine: “Good nutrition helps a lot with the wound healing. Don’t worry about the house work, take it easy and focus on you and bub.” Candice: “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to do everything!!! Take time to rest, relax & enjoy your new bundle of joy. Follow the docs advice, don’t be ashamed to ask for pain meds...that’s what they’re there for” Brooke: “Placenta encapsulation - I got my placenta half raw and half steamed with Chinese herbs. I recovered really well and really quickly. I am going again with the encapsulation because I felt like they were my super pills!” 4. Is there anything you wish you’d know before your caesarean/C-section? Pandora: “That it was going to happen, but I guess you never know. It would have been good to prepare rather than it be a shock.” Jasmine: “Not really. Being a surgical nurse myself I was pretty aware of the procedure and post-op recovery.” Candice: “That you are not taking the easy way out to have your baby!!! Please don’t let people guilt you.” Brooke: “I didn’t know that some doctors staple and others stitch. I’m sure there are pros and cons to both but I have opted to go with a doctor who stitches again.” 5. What’s the best piece of advice you would give another mum? Pandora: “Even if you want a natural amazing birth, it doesn’t matter if it ends in an emergency c-section. What matters is meeting the love of your life. They may not get here how you want but they are coming and you will fall in love.” Jasmine: “Don’t sweat the little things! As long as you and bub are healthy that’s all that matters. Ask for a stool softener after your procedure to make that first poop easier.” Candice: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to clarify things but remember to make sure it works for you. Put yourself first so you can be the best mummy for your baby.” Brooke: “Personalise it as much as you can, we had music on and I asked them to drop the sheet, but they said it was too full on. Do your research and decide what your preference is by looking into things. The most important is to be kind to yourself! Don’t make the baby fit into your life, life changes and that’s how it should be. Slow everything down, cuddle your little human, leave the chores, stay home and enjoy the first bonding weeks - it goes fast, but it’s magic.” Thank you so much to all our beautiful mums for participating in our blog post. Hearing the real experiences from real mums makes it so much easier and comforting for all expecting mums out there. If you have any further questions about caesarean birth contact your healthcare professional or midwife for more information or to find out what’s best for you and bub. Caesarean births are often seen by some as an easy way out, but this like any type of birth is not the case. If you’ve had a c-section, are planning to have one or may need one, we want all mums to know your birth is valid. Your story, your experience and your feelings are real and your scar (and your little one) is proof of that! Looking for information on postpartum recovery? Visit our Top 10 Tips for Postpartum Recovery guide.
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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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10 Of Our Favourite Pregnancy Podcasts | New Beginnings
We love pregnancy podcasts for their digestibility, education, and relatability - they're the best way to take your mind off of things or get informed while multitasking. That's why we’ve assembled a list of our top 11 pregnancy podcasts for your to listen to if you're expecting. Whether you’re a single mum or expecting your sixth little one, all of these pods have valuable info and entertainment for you to listen to. Looking for post-partum specific information? Check out our guide: You Did It! Now Let's Talk Postpartum. For First Time Mums 1. Pregnancy Podcast Pregnancy Podcast is the perfect place to start if you’re looking for foundational advice on a pregnancy or birth topics. Host, Vanessa Merten, shares the pros and cons of every pregnancy/parenting decision, calling on expert guests to provide different perspectives and using the latest research to help you figure out your best options on prenatal care, labor, breastfeeding, and all aspects of newborn care. 2. 40 Weeks Pregnancy Podcast Curious about the different stages of pregnancy? This is the podcast for you. The 40 Weeks Pregnancy Podcast literally goes step by step through what your baby is doing at each stage of your pregnancy. If you subscribe you can even set your due date with the pod and receive podcasts in your inbox, timed in sync with your pregnancy. 3. Rockstar Birth Radio Feeling a little bit anxious about giving birth? That’s totally normal and rockstar host, Shalome Stone, is at the ready to help you replace your fear of childbirth and pregnancy pain with the powerful mentality of a badass who’s got this. 4. Postpartum Stories With Steph You’ve given birth, now it’s time to raise this baby! The Postpartum Stories With Steph Podcast sheds light on what to expect as the parent of a newborn through honest interviews with real mums. Perfect for first-time mums who need to connect with the stories of others. For Experienced Mamas 5. One Bad Mother A podcast about the struggles (and sometimes insanity!) of parenting, while One Bad Mother isn’t specifically for mums with newborns, it often talks about balancing babies of different age ranges, including newborns and toddlers. Great for mums that need a good laugh while their baby is crying and the toddler is throwing food. 6. Totally Mommy Image: Total Mommy Another fun, stress-relieving and definitely relatable podcast, two down-to-earth comics, Elizabeth Laime (mom of an infant and a toddler) and Vanessa Ragland (mom of a toddler), have conversations every week about the craziness that is balancing life with little ones. The show also has an associated Facebook-group that listeners can submit questions to, so it’s great for support and community among mums. For Niche Pregnancies 7. Birth Kweens Podcast The perfect podcast for parents considering natural childbirth, this show is hosted by Karly Nuttall, a licensed midwife, and Ali Feroah, a birth and postpartum doula. The pod covers everything from CBD use to hospital vs home birthing. 8. Doing It At Home Image: Doing It At Home Speaking of home births, married couple Sarah and Matthew Bivens are funny and frank about their pregnancy and home birth experiences. They also interview parents who’ve had home births, and cover natural birthing techniques of course. 9. Not by Accident A great one for single mother’s by choice ('SMBCs') the host, Sophie Harper, shares her experiences parenting her daughter, Astrid, solo by choice. A deeply personal and honest podcast, this is a must for any mums going it alone with their parenting journey. 10. Baby or Bust with Dr Lora Shahine Feeling unheard on the often-isolating journey to parenthood? "Baby or Bust" is your supportive friend. Hosted by a fertility doctor who's also a former patient, this podcast tackles the tough topics of infertility and miscarriage with open conversations, expert interviews, and real-life stories from those who've been there. It's a resource for anyone facing fertility challenges, offering both practical guidance and emotional support.Interested in more pregnancy journey resources? Visit our curated guide to the best Spotify playlists for late night breastfeeding to learn more. Did you add any of these new podcasts to the list? Let us know if you hit ‘subscribe’ and what you like about the show.
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Top Baby Names in Australia 2020 | New Beginnings
The results are in with 2020’s most popular baby names being released from states and territories across Australia. And, well, let’s just say everything old is new again with The Royal Family, nature and the 100-year rule influencing the latest generation of millennial parents. Oliver & Charlotte Congratulations to Oliver and Charlotte! This year marks the seventh year running these names are number one. The popularity of 'Charlotte' is most likely due to The Royal Family's influence; the name soared to the top spot the same year Princess Charlotte was born. Honorable mentions go to the names 'Arthur' and 'Millie' which have climbed fast in the last two years. In the last three years, Luna has eclipsed the competition as the fastest trending girls name - we knew it wasn't just a phase (pun intended). Top 50 Names Interested to see the top 50 here in Australia? Here is the complete list for 2020 so far: GIRLS: Charlotte Olivia Amelia Isla Mia Ava Grace Willow Harper Chloe Ella Matilda Sophie Ruby Ivy Zoe Isabella Evie Evelyn Sophia Emily Lily Lucy Sienna Aria Mila Georgia Scarlett Audrey Abigail Hannah Zara Hazel Layla Emma Frankie Ellie Alice Violet Isabelle Eva Elsie Poppy Sofia Penelope Florence Eleanor Emilia Luna Aurora BOYS: Oliver Noah Jack William Leo Lucas Thomas Henry Charlie James Liam Alexander Elijah Ethan Harrison Hudson Oscar Mason Theodore Hunter Levi Max Harry Harvey Archie Isaac Archer Lachlan Cooper Samuel Luca Xavier George Jacob Arlo Benjamin Sebastian Ryan Joshua Logan Lincoln Finn Riley Hugo Jackson Eli Edward Louis Arthur Daniel Around the World Not surprisingly, Australia’s top 50 names are similar to those of other English-speaking countries. In New Zealand and the UK, Oliver is also the top trending boys name. In New Zealand and the US, Charlotte and Olivia are within the top five names. Top Unisex Names This year, there were only two unisex names in the top 100 that could be applied to both a boy and a girl: Charlie (75th for girls and 9th for boys) and Riley (81st for girls and 43rd for boys). However, several of the top 100 girls and boys names were unisex. For girls, think: Harper, Frankie, Quinn, MacKenzie, Billie and Riley. For boys: Charlie, Luca, Ryan, Riley, Jordan, Flynn, Asher, Dylan, Darcy, Ali, Parker, Ari and Billy. An interesting insight if you want a unique (but not too unique) unisex name for your daughter or son. Nature Names Botanical-themed girl names continue to soar in popularity this year. Included in the top 100 were: Willow (8th), Ivy (15th), Lily (22nd), Violet (39th), Poppy (43rd), Daisy (56th), Jasmine (60th), Olive (70th) and Rose (76th) Lilly (96th) and Rosie (98th). Short and Abbreviated Australians love to shorten everything and baby names are no exception. Many abbreviated boys names beat out their original counterparts in 2020; Jack (3rd) won over Jackson (45th). Archie (25th) outmuscled Archer (27th) and Max (23rd) was preferable to Maxwell (which did not place in the top 100 at all). For girls, the McCrindle report noted ‘ie’ diminutives were heavily featured e.g. Rose/Rosie, Amelia/Millie, Elizabeth/Ellie, Isabella/Billie, Charlotte/Charlie, Savannah/Sadie. That's the list of top boys and girls names so far for 2020. It's interesting to note there is not too much difference between this and last year's list - especially for the top spots. Congrats to all the new parents in 2020 - if you're a new mama reading this - what name did you give to your little one? Or, what name are you planning to give in the last half of 2020? Comment below or contact us. We'd love to hear from you.For more tips and tricks for new mums, discover our Welcome to Motherhood guide.
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Blogger Spotlight: Kayla Van Den Ham | New Beginnings
Okay, we’ll admit it - we have a penchant for whimsical Instagram feeds featuring gorgeous family home-life. Anyone else? That’s why we’re enchanted by Kalya Van Den Ham’s Instagram journal - @dearestchildren. On her feed, which is essentially a personal blog, she creates stunning portraits of her family with an overall aesthetic in neutral browns and whites that’s oh so Scandi chic - and reflects Kayla’s Nordic heritage. Not just about the visuals, Kayla also shares on her experiences raising three young boys - all under the age of five - and the trials and triumphs that come with parenting. We sat down and chatted with Kayla about what inspired her feed, how she’s managing with her newborn, and what’s her favourite maternity wear following the birth of her youngest, Teddy. Here’s our quick interview. We love your whimsical feed! Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to start @dearestchildren? Ah thank you! I’ve always been a creative nut, love trying new things and challenging myself. I began our page after I started my business @awanderingwildflower - I took loads of product photos and enjoyed the styling side of it. So, Dearest Children became a creative outlet for me, styling and my boys! It’s definitely a gorgeous creative outlet! You have a beautiful family. And we understand you've just added baby Teddy. Any tips you can pass on to our audience about managing baby no. 3? Thank you! Teddy is such a little dream, he has fit right into our family so perfectly. He has definitely been my easiest baby so far! Biggest tip I have, and also need to remind myself of daily is let the house be messy, let the older children run amuck and be loud/crazy, and breathe when things seem overwhelming. Its chaos, but it’s beautiful chaos. Time is fleeting. Such good advice. Now, we know you've tried out a few of New Beginnings Maternity bras - how have you found them? Love them! I have actually never owned maternity bras, these are my first. I generally always went bralettes with my other children. So this is a lovely change and a comfortable one! Finally, three words to sum up @dearestchildren? Kind, calm, nurturing. Thanks so much to Kayla for sitting down and chatting with us. Find more about Kayla and her family’s current adventures @dearestchildren on Instagram.
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Watch the #BabyMamaDance For Endless Hours Of Entertainment
Stuck in quarantine? We can't look away from these hilarious baby mamma dance videos on Instagram. Danced to the song 'Baby Mama' by Starrkeisha, mamas take to the floor and show us how they 'Drop it down, drop it down-down low' often with their partners wriggling around behind them. Get ready to be addicted with these cute videos from The Bachelor’s Laura Byrne and Big Brother’s Skye Wheatley, amongst others. Here are some of our favourites. Laura Byrne The Bachelor's Laura Byrne with hubby, Matty J, try everything possible to get their baby evicted. View this post on Instagram Happy due date kiddo. It’s TIME to vacate the premises. 🎉 📷 @barton.louis A post shared by Laura Byrne 🌹 (@ladyandacat) on Jun 8, 2019 at 2:07am PDT Cris Rivera Chris Riviera from Puerto Rico breaks it down and shows us she's still got twerkability (we think it's a word?) at #39weekspregnant. View this post on Instagram Lil Baby I Love you and all but it’s about that time for you to bring that a** OUT! 😂 Todays little workout was fun, embracing all of this mom/pregnancy bod with all its jiggle 😜💃DROP! DROP! DROP! #babymama #babymamadance #babymamachallenge #39weekspregnant Babygirl in the back minding haaaa business 🥴🤣 A post shared by 🍋🌻🍋🌻 Pineapples 🌻🍋🌻🍋 (@itscris77) on May 26, 2020 at 8:47am PDT Hannah Polites YouTuber, Hannah Polites, mixes it up with the whole family. We love her mother-daughter booty dance in matching pjs - super cute! View this post on Instagram Just dancing my way to labour 🤪👶🏼💕 Literally cannot walk after doing this 🤭 #babymamadance #36weekspregnant #dancefamily #cringe 🤪💃🏼 A post shared by hannahpolites (@hannahpolites) on May 14, 2019 at 1:16am PDT Emilee Hembrow Another YouTuber, Emilee Hembrow from Gold Coast, QLD dances a chill solo, and it's no wonder, she's about to 'pop' at #39weekspregnant. We almost can't watch (almost). View this post on Instagram I feel like I’m about to pop🤣 Dancing the baby out all weekend long in this heat💙What day do you guys think I’ll go into labour?!🤔 #39weekspregnant #babymamadance A post shared by E M I L E E H E M B R O W (@emileehembrow) on Dec 15, 2018 at 1:13pm PST Skye Wheatley Big Brother's Skye Wheatley acknowledges she's 'cringe' but has fun anyway. We love a girl who can laugh at herself. View this post on Instagram Nearly died filming this because I’m so unfit 😂🙈😅 I know I’m cringe but here’s the baby momma and 500k dance 😂💁🏼♀️🌈🎉 #duedate #20thdecember #nobabyyet #whereheattho A post shared by 𝒮𝓀𝓎𝑒 𝑀𝒶𝓇𝑒𝑒 𝒲𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓉𝓁𝑒𝓎🦄🌈⚡️ (@skye.wheatley) on Dec 19, 2018 at 11:35pm PST Kambri Randolph Mum of six boys, Kambri parties with her sisters quarantine-style in this hilarious choreographed dance. View this post on Instagram Things are a little different this time around but we couldn’t disappoint the people! You know we’ll always show up for a push party... even during a pandemic! A post shared by Kambri Randolph (@kambrirandolph) on Apr 23, 2020 at 7:14pm PDT Congrats to all the new mamas. We love these baby mama dances! If you want to take part, tag us on your next #babymamadance and we'll repost it. Have fun #stayhome. x
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How Mums Are Staying Connected & Sane During Social Distancing
Today marks the 43th day of quarantine and while some mums are loving the quiet time spent with their babies, others are going stir crazy, or worse, feeling the effects of isolation and loneliness as they try to cope with a lack of support. The good news is you don’t have to go it alone. Now more than ever there’s a virtual activity for anything you can imagine! Here’s how some mums are changing it up and getting social online. Join A Facebook Mums Group As you can imagine, quite a few Facebook Groups have started up in response to lockdown. Our favourite is the Family Lockdown Tips and Ideas Group. It’s a fun page where families are encouraged to post anything they want to share with other members. Post a link to a good online resource or just let off some steam with a personal rant on how you feel - we love how this page lets you express yourself. Credit: Lauren’s post is from the Family Lockdown Tips & Ideas Facebook Group Social Distancing Happy Hour Wine-not? These neighbourhood mums are enjoying a Friday catch up with a cocktail in hand, six feet apart. Cheers to that. Community Group App If Facebook pages aren’t your thing, there are a few new-mum apps available for online meetups and chats about day-to-day mumming. Our favourites are Peanut and Mush. Both are online social networking apps for mums where you can connect on issues of motherhood, fertility, PND and just about anything else you can think of. Credit: Image from Peanut.io Group Chats Need to see faces? Don’t forget video hangouts on Facetime, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger Video and Zoom. Bring a cup of tea and don’t be shy about suggesting regular meetings. Even your kids can get in on the action, using hilarious filters and greenscreen backgrounds to create a virtual playdate. Credit: Image from NorthshoreMums.com.au Live Stream Exercise and Meditation Classes Credit: Image from mothernurtureyoga.com.au Now more than ever it’s important to keep your body moving! Workout with other mums at one of the numerous online exercise events taking place at different gyms and exercise studios. We love this pre-natal yoga class by mothernaurtureyoga.com based in Drummoyne. Will you try one of these groups? Let us know how you go! Message us in the comments about any free resources or links you’ve stumbled across that you think might be helpful for other new iso mums.
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