BUMP&baby

23/01/2024

How every mama should answer when asked "how are you?"

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22/01/2024

Postpartum traditions often emphasise nourishing, warm foods that are believed to promote healing, replenish nutrients, and provide comfort for new mothers such as:
» Bone Broth: Rich in minerals and collagen, bone broth is believed to support joint health and aid in recovery.
» Congee/Porridge: A comforting and easily digestible rice or oatmeal porridge, often cooked with added protein, vegetables, and spices.
» Ginger Tea: Known for its warming properties, ginger tea can help with digestion and alleviate nausea.
» Soups and Stews: Nutrient-dense soups and stews with vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can be easily digested and provide essential nutrients.
» Warm Herbal Teas: Teas with herbs like chamomile, nettle, and red raspberry leaf may offer calming and healing benefits.
» Protein-Rich Meals: Lean proteins such as chicken, fish, or plant-based alternatives can aid in muscle repair and energy levels.
» Healthy Fats: Include sources of healthy fats, like avocados, nuts, and olive oil, for energy and hormonal balance.
» Dark Leafy Greens: Packed with vitamins and minerals, greens like spinach and kale can contribute to overall health and recovery.
» Warm Breakfasts: Nutrient-rich breakfast options like oatmeal, whole grain toast with avocado, or yogurt with fruits and nuts can provide sustained energy.
» Comforting Sweets: Opt for healthier sweet options, such as fruits, dates, or dark chocolate, to satisfy cravings.

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20/01/2024

Just in case you needed to hear this today 🤍

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18/01/2024

"So, when are you going to give this one a sibling?"

It's a seemingly innocent question loaded with ‘good intentions’, but which often ignores the multitude of decisions that can go behind having another child:
- physical health
- fertility
- genetic factors
- complications from previous pregnancies
- emotional readiness
- the impact on the first child
- current stress levels
- financial stability
- housing suitability
- work-life balance
- timing in terms of life stage
- spacing between children
- availability of a social and family support system

Instead, you could ask the new parent/s how they are doing, and if there is anything you could do to help 🙌

📷: .photographe

11/01/2024

I want to tell you everything I know, carry you and guide you.

Yet somehow, as your tiny finger points to things in wonder and your eyes meet mine, the paradigm shifts.

I once thoughts I was to show you the world.

When all along you came to show me.

📷: .janena
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10/01/2024

That overwhelming relief and love, she’s here 🥹

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tag and

09/01/2024

Our current model of postpartum care (both in-home and from the government) is very infant centric, focused primarily on the wellbeing of the infant.

And I understand why this is, it stems from a desire to protect, nurture and nourish newborns as they adjust to the world outside of the womb.

But the thing is - this protection, nurturing and nourishment comes primarily from the mother in those early days, weeks and months, not the government or a well meaning family member.

A new mother possesses everything within her to keep her baby safe and well.

But if a new mother is not physically, emotionally, spiritually or mentally well then the acts of caring for her baby such as breastfeeding, bonding, bathing and soothing them to sleep can become enormously challenging.

We need to shift some of the focus - from the infant to the mother.

And we need to trust and know that if we deeply care and support new mothers in the way the need and deserve then they will inherently be able to care for their babies and positively transition into their new role as a mother.

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08/01/2024

Here are things to consider when choosing your baby's name:
1. Look up the meaning
2. Say it out loud / also maybe yell it out loud
3. Consider whether you would like to honour your culture and ancestry
4. Consider all of the possible nicknames
5. Consider the importance of the middle name
6. Don’t forget about the initials
7. Consider whether or not they will be able to secure digital identities (is their full name too generic?)
8. Consider how easy it would be for them to say their own name once they begin learning to speak
9. Take a look at your family tree for inspiration - even some classical names can make a comeback
10. Ensure that you and your partner are both happy with the name
11. Does the baby name allow for growth? How will the name sound on an adult?
12. Avoid choosing a name that is currently trending but is likely to go out of style
13. How popular is your baby name pick?
14. Would you want the name you’re choosing?
15. Don’t stress too much

📷: .photographe

04/01/2024

New year, new bubs 🤍

reshare from .botanicals

03/01/2024

Sun's out bump's out ☀️

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02/01/2024

You know those nights when you're just about to drift off into dreamland & suddenly you hear the sweet sound of a little one calling for you🙈Yep, that's Mum Sleep in a nutshell! It's a constant battle between exhaustion & being on high alert mode, ready to tend to any nighttime emergencies our little munchkins throw at us🚨

And let's not forget the 5 AM wake-up calls that seem to be a daily occurrence, courtesy of our tiny alarm clocks⏰ It's like they have an internal timer set to go off at the crack of dawn, no matter how many hours of sleep we managed to squeeze in😴💤

But despite the lack of uninterrupted sleep 😴 we keep going, fuelled by love & an endless supply of caffeine☕️ Because even though Mum Sleep may be a rare commodity, the joy and fulfilment of raising our little ones make it all worth it💯💖

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30/12/2023

As the new year approaches, remember to make memories with your growing bump or new baby. Find joy in tiny kicks and quiet sighs and giggles. Spend time with loved ones, and savour the simple quiet moment alone with your baby 🤍

📷: .photographe

26/12/2023

My baby is slowly but surely outgrowing their teeny tiny little baby clothes...

And we all know that when it comes to little baby clothes, the smaller they are, the cuter they are. Wee little wisps of ribbons and tracings of embroidery, tiny ruffle bums, miniature booties, and frothy dresses which are utterly impractical but oh-so-gorgeous.

They’re a reminder of a magical, special time when your baby is really a baby, dependent on you for everything, and practically an extension of yourself. The rhythms of your day are attuned to your baby’s needs, and although you long for the opportunity to have a long shower without worrying that in your absence the baby will have climbed out of her cot and wreaked havoc, you also dread the inevitability of their independence.

A friend of mine repurposed her baby’s cutest outfits into a quilt, cutting them into squares and sewing them together in a way that showed off the little ribbons and embroidery. I don’t think I could do that. Because the very little-ness of my children’s little baby clothes is what I find most endearing. When I look at their clothes, I can’t believe how big the former wearers have grown.

In some ways I, too, am growing up. As a mother, even the third time around has been surprising and interesting and challenging in ways I didn’t expect, and I’m still learning. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and how I’ve done my best to raise my children to know they’re loved and precious and important human beings.

But their little baby clothes, with their inherent memories of sleepless nights and soft heads and lullabies, are a good reminder of how special it is to have a baby. And someday, my children and I will open up the box together and look at their little baby clothes, and marvel.

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21/12/2023

It’s fairly common for older siblings to feel slightly jealous, resentful or even angry at the arrival of a new baby, but with a little forethought, you can make this transition less stressful for everyone.

Here are some ways to help your toddler adapt to and bond with their new baby sibling.

1. ENCOURAGE BONDING WITH YOUR ‘LISTENING BELLY’
Just as you will start to bond with your baby even before their birth, so too can your toddler. Let your toddler know that their soon-to-arrive sibling can already hear them, even from inside your belly. This provides wonderful opportunities for interaction when you’re chatting, reading or listening to music with your toddler.

2. READ STORIES ABOUT NEW BABY SIBLINGS
There are quite a few books which have been written to help prepare toddlers for the birth of new baby siblings. We read I’m a Big Sister by Joanna Cole (who has also written a big brother version). I particularly liked this story because it explains that babies ask for what they need by crying. Once the baby had arrived, I would say to my oldest child: “I wonder if she’s asking for a feed or a sleep, what do you think?” Assisting in this way can bring a welcome sense of responsibility for your toddler.

3. LOOK AT YOUR TODDLER’S BABY PHOTOS WITH THEM
I made a little book for each of my daughters a few months before their new baby sibling was expected. In it, there were photos of their hospital stay and of being kissed, cuddled and breastfed.

4. PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR YOUR HOSPITAL STAY
One aspect of the ‘new sibling experience’ that toddlers can find particularly difficult can be mum’s absence during the hospital stay. Here are some things you can do beforehand:
- Explain that you won’t know when your baby is ready to be born until your body tells you.
- Explain who will look after them, where they will stay and when they can come to visit you.
- If a caesarian birth is planned, explain to your toddler that you won’t be able to lift her up until your tummy muscles are strong again.
- Explain that even though you won’t be able to lift her up to hold her for a while, sitting cuddles and lying down cuddles feel just as wonderful.

📷: .moulene_photography

18/12/2023

The holiday season can feel completely different with a newborn around—and that’s okay 🎄 Embrace it for what it is... and maybe even take advantage of the opportunity to go as low-key as you want 🤍

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16/12/2023

Breathe mama, everything is working out as it's supposed to 🤎

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14/12/2023

be gentle with yourself.
take a break, go for a walk, stretch, drink water. 🤍

reshare from .a.ok

11/12/2023

With pregnancy come the cravings. So here are some glucose hacks from the for enjoying some of your favourite sweet and savoury cravings to balance out those glucose spikes (and reduce your chances of type gestational diabetes):
» Add a veggie starter to all your meals 🥦🥕
» Eat a savoury breakfast 🥑🍳 not a sweet one
» Only have fruit whole🍑🍎never juiced or dried
» Eat sweets at the end of a meal🍭🍩🍫🍪 instead of on their own as a snack
»🚶‍♀️Go for a ten minute walk after lunch & dinner🚶‍♀️
» Before eating, drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in a glass of water🍏💧

09/12/2023

It's 5am, and time to start the day everything aches, it's dark outside and the kids want you to play.
Lunchboxes to take, appointments to make you'll remember, or you won't you'll hold the baby in your arms until one day you don't.

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07/12/2023

♡ SHOW us your BUMP and WIN ♡

Do you have pregnancy photos? Send us a your BUMP photo and you’ll be in to win a pēpi care bundle prize worth over $730!

Enter through the link in bio

BUMP&baby is running a search for pregnancy photos for our May 2024 issue! Send in yours and you’ll not only be in to win prizes, we’ll also publish all of the winning photos in BUMP&baby magazine!

Going out with your new baby will be a truly stylish affair with your new
- pēpi care bundle
- nappy bag
- magazine feature of your beautiful winning photo!

We have 5 prize packs to give away!

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06/12/2023

Loving your little one inside and out is easier with Swisspers® Baby. We’re keeping things soft and sustainable with 100% Certified Organic Cotton Balls and Cleansing Pads and our paper stemmed Cotton Tips, looking after your baby, yourself and the environment is that simple. Available from Woolworths, Chemist Warehouse, Bargain Chemist and selected Pharmacies nationwide.

www.swisspers.co.nz/swisspers/shop-our-products/baby/

Swisspers breast milk storage bags, nursing pads, baby cotton tips and wipes care gently for your baby.

05/12/2023

It's okay to do less, when you're coping with more ♡

📷: .kadrowane.fotografia

04/12/2023

"The postpartum hormone drop is considered the single largest sudden hormone change in the shortest amount of time for any human being, at any point of their life cycle."

✍️: .avivaromm
📷: .moulene_photography

04/12/2023

Quake safe your child’s space.

Rule 1/5 – please fix my drawers to the wall. Get the rest at the link below to make your child’s room safer.

eqc.govt.nz/be-prepared/

02/12/2023

(see also: human milk machine, unquenchable thirst, prangry)

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30/11/2023

when a mother
somewhere
forgives herself
for being human,

earth
exhales
a little.

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27/11/2023

hello monday, i’ll be right with you.

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26/11/2023

In the midst of the sleepless nights with your new baby, it's easy to feel like you're caught in a storm with no end in sight. But every wave eventually finds its way back to the calm shore. The early days of motherhood can be tumultuous; filled with uncertainties and challenges that seem insurmountable.

Yet, just as the tides rise and fall, so too will these moments of chaos. Your sleep-deprived nights will give way to peaceful slumbers, and those tearful cries will evolve into joyous giggles and heartfelt laughter.

In the midst of the whirlwind, take a moment to breathe. Embrace the beauty in the chaos, and trust that, like all things in life, this too shall pass.

25/11/2023

Microchimerism (the presence of cells, transferred from one individual to another) has been found to occur between mother and baby (Iverson et al., 1979-1996). This exchange is bidirectional; from the fetus to the mother and vice versa. Research suggests that fetomaternal microchimerism persists for life.

The implications of this are not entirely clear, but do suggest a biological intertwining between mother and baby that goes beyond pregnancy, and adds a new dimension to our comprehension of maternal attachment. If you choose to, you can look at the exchange of cells as a tangible representation of the enduring bond that can be forged between mother and child.

24/11/2023

We all just want a healthy baby, and gender is a social construct, but if you're curious about what biological factors determine the s*x of your baby, read on...

Each person's biological makeup is defined by chromosomes, and when it comes to s*x, it all boils down to two key players: the XX and XY chromosomes.

Picture chromosomes as tiny instruction manuals inside our cells, holding the blueprint for who we are. When a baby is conceived, they receive a set of chromosomes from both parents. If the baby inherits an X chromosome from each parent (XX), it's a girl. If the baby inherits an X chromosome from the mother and a Y chromosome from the father (XY), it's a boy.

You may have noticed that it's, therefore, the dad who essentially determines the outcome.

It's also common for people to try to guess the baby's s*x based on the shape of the bump. Some playfully believe that a round and high bump resembles a soccer ball, suggesting it's a boy, while a broader and lower bump might be likened to a watermelon, indicating a girl.

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