Maternity Blog & News | New Beginnings
Baby Fruit Size By Week: How big is my baby?
Curious about your baby’s size week by week? Explore our fun and informative guide comparing your baby’s growth to fruits and veggies from 1 to 40 weeks. Download your own baby size chart today!
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Afterbirth 101 : 8 things they don’t tell you!
First there's pregnancy, then birth, but no one tells you about the post partum fun... Join us as we take a dive into 8 things they don't tell you about after birth. How your body changes, the challenges of your new body and figuring our what's the new normal!
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Women's Health Week: Tips to looking after yourself during pregnancy & beyond
This week is Women’s Health Week (WHW). From 6th September to 10th September, WHW aims to bring attention to, and support women’s overall health and general well being. Providing resources and information for those who may be struggling as well as offering a reminder that looking after your health is important. We know that looking after yourself can be difficult at times, with so much going on in our lives. Especially for expecting and new mothers, taking care of you first isn’t always a priority. So we wanted to take this week to remind you that your personal wellbeing is important, and your health both mentally and physically should not be left behind. So what are some ways that you can look after yourself while pregnant or transitioning into motherhood? Pregnancy: Exercise: Not only is exercise beneficial for you physically, but mentally and for your bub’s development. Now we’re not telling you to hit the gym everyday, but incorporating 30-60minutes of light exercise into your daily routine will significantly improve your overall wellbeing. For more information, check out the article here or chat to your doctor about what is best for your situation. Managing Stress: If you’re a first time mum, we understand how stressful the whole pregnancy journey can be. Millions of things running through your brain to learn, remember, buy, plan, the list goes on! But finding a pocket of peace in your daily routine will help you manage this stressful time. Communicating your concerns with those around you, exercising, maintaining your hobbies or even just reading a book are all great ways to manage your stress and take time for you. Rest: Remember to not be so hard on yourself, you’re creating a whole new life and that takes up a lot of energy. Take enough breaks for yourself, even if it's an added 30 minutes to your daily schedule. Getting enough sleep will also help you feel more rested, writing down any tasks or worries before you get to bed will help take the load off your mind so you can focus on a better sleep. Welcome to Motherhood: Motherhood is a whole new ball game. We know how hard it can be to get caught up in the new life, routine and stress but we wanted to remind you that while you’re mum, you’re still YOU. Looking after your own well being as a mum is just as important and looking after your family. So what can you do? Ask for help: You do not have to do it all! They say it takes a village to raise a baby for a reason, motherhood is hard. If you’re struggling with the load, reach out and ask for help. Friends, family and even local community groups are all great resources to get the assistance you need. Whether it be asking a friend to do your grocery shopping, asking a neighbour to put your bins out or a family member to come help watch bub while you sleep, it all adds up! Taking the little things off your plate can make it feel so much lighter, so don’t bear all the weight. Schedule in YOU: Don’t lose your individuality throughout motherhood. Staying in touch with friends, participating in your hobbies and interests, and even having a night off are all great ways to keep balance in your life. Even if it’s once a month, schedule a day in the calendar for something you love to do. Setting these in your calendar not only give you something to look forward to, but create boundaries for yourself and your family. Live in the present: “When she’s older I'll be able to do it again”. “Before I had him, it was easier to do”. If you find yourself wishing for another time, you may find yourself missing the best parts! They grow up so quickly and we often don’t notice until it’s too late. Making sure you’re living in the now and taking in all new experiences and interactions are what make a bond between mum and bub. Not only that, but it helps support your confidence in your own parenting as well as who you are individually. Acknowledging not every parent is perfect and accepting that the challenges along the way are just speed bumps, not stop signs. Take in the messy moments, and you can appreciate the beautiful ones. We know how hard parenting can be and how hard it can be to look after your family and yourself. Throughout your journey of pregnancy to motherhood there are so many challenges and changes that will be thrown at you, but understanding how to manage them will get you through. Remembering that you’re still a human with a unique self worth is the key to finding a balance between mum and me.
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World Breastfeeding Week 2021
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is held every year to encourage breastfeeding and spread awareness of the benefits for both mothers and babies. The theme for 2021 is Protect breastfeeding - a shared responsibility. Aiming to create an environment that supports breastfeeding in health systems, workplaces and communities of all levels. Breastfeeding & COVID-19 With the impact of COVID -19 worldwide, there has been a significant impact on the number of new mothers breastfeeding. With online media and businesses pushing false information around the spread of the virus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has seen greater disruptions to the amount of mothers breastfeeding with fears that it will transmit COVID-19. Not only does the WHO support breastfeeding during this time, but so too does UNICEF and the Australian Department of Health. The WHO states that even if a woman is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, they can still safely breastfeed.* So we wanted to take this opportunity to remind you about the true benefits of breastfeeding for both mum and bub. Benefits of Breastfeeding You’ve probably heard it time and time again that “breast is best”, but what is the real reason why? There are many reasons why breastfeeding/nursing is beneficial for both mother and baby - physically, mentally and emotionally. For bub: Provides essential nutrients required for growth and development, Lowers risks of infections, diabetes and allergies Safe, clean and protects against common childhood illnesses. Lower infant mortality rate Lowers rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Improved brain function Supports digestive health Builds bond and trust between mother and baby Fewer childhood cancers For Mum: Promotes faster weight loss after birth Stimulates the uterus to contract to normal size faster Less postpartum bleeding Boots connection with baby & encourages skin on skin Naturally soothes hormones, reducing stress Increased confidence and self esteem Shared Responsibility Breastfeeding is an experience that connects mum and bub on a level that can not be explained. Not only is it benefits for the growth, development and protection of babies but assists mum with a faster bounce back as well as developing a deeper bond with bub. With the assistance of families, communities and business the aim to increase the number of mothers breastfeeding can be increased. Sharing the responsibility of education and awareness will enable more mothers to feel not only comfortable while breastfeeding but confident to share their experience. Disclaimer: *For more information about Breastfeeding and COVID-19, consult your doctor or healthcare professional. All information provided has been obtained via the World Health Organisation, Australian Government Department of Health and Australian Breastfeeding Association. New Beginnings Maternity understands that breastfeeding is not possible for all mothers. The breastfeeding journey is not an easy one and we understand that it can come easier for others. We aim to respect the choices of all mothers and how they chose to feed. If you have any further concerns or questions about if breastfeeding is right for you, we encourage you to speak to your GP or healthcare professional.
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Maternity Clothing Essentials
Pregnancy is a whole journey, so being comfortable and prepared for the road ahead will make things a little easier. Finding the right size clothing can be hard enough, let alone when your body is constantly changing, so we’re here to break it down for you. We’re going to have a look at all the basics you need to get you from bump to breastfeeding!Interested in more maternity clothing tips and recommendations? Visit our guide on How to Choose Maternity Leggings.
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Top Baby Names in Australia 2021 | New Beginnings
Welcome to the baby names of Generation Alpha! We’re going to take a look into the most popular baby names Aussie parents are choosing for their new bundles of joy in 2021. With most of the babies being born to Millennial parents, social media as well as family and friends are playing a huge role in how they name their new bubs. The winner is... Well, it looks like Oliver and Charlotte are still reigning champs for the 8th year in a row! With more traditional names such as Amelia and Olivia tracking closely behind along with Noah and William also reflecting a traditional tune. With the influence of the royal family, some of these traditional names look like they’ll be sticking around for a while. Here’s the list of the current top ten girls and boys names for Aussie babies in 2021! Top 10 Girls Charlotte Amelia Olivia Ava Grace Mia Isla Chloe Willow Sophia/Sophie Top 10 Boys Oliver Noah William Jack Henry Lucas Leo Thomas James Charlie The increase in Millennial parents has also led to an increase in unisex names for their babies. Gender neutral names have been used for years, but with the progression of no longer defining personal identity and gender amongst millennials, the desire to choose a gender neutral name is on the rise.Here’s a list of the top 10 unisex names being used by Aussie parents in 2021: Top 10 Unisex Alex Blake Grey/Gray Luca Charlie Parker Riley Dokota Dylan Remi And don’t think we’ve forgotten about all those Covid babies… We have seen trends of parents either avoiding names that sound or look too similar to the words Covid-19, Corona and lockdown or those even choosing their baby’s name to provide some positivity to the world! Top Covid inspired names: Kovyd Corina Ronan Lauchlan Cora Faith Hope Patience Pandemica Asher If you're expecting this year or you've already met your bundle of joy, what name did you chose? Of if you've heard or seen a unique name comment below!
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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 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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International Caesarean Awareness Month
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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Whether your expecting, postpartum or looking for products to help you through feeding your baby, New Beginnings is here to walk alongside your journey of motherhood.
