Pre-Baby List Archives - Mother Down Under

May 14, 2015

Parenting Products – Nest Nappies Giveaway

Like most good things, mothering involves hard work and sacrifice.
I think we have all had those days when we are spent and would give anything to simply sit still and be…perhaps with a hot cup of tea to slowly sip.
But we push on.
Running on nothing but love…and perhaps coffee…we put our needs aside and attend to those of our babies.
But like most good things, the rewards that come along with mothering are significant…the unconditional love of your babies is beyond special.
And even those seemingly endless days do end.
At some point, your babies sleep. And when you see them, curled up in your arms or snug in their bed, warm and safe and loved, you forgive your mothering transgressions, forget your doubts, and you know that all the hard work and sacrifice is worth it.

At least that is my version of mothering.
I tend towards attachment parenting and I know that style isn’t for everyone.
It can be all encompassing.
And exhausting.
And I will probably never achieve that ideal balance that people talk about as I generally believe that part of parenting is putting your children first.
But I wouldn’t change it.

I suppose because of my convictions I prefer products that enable me to be a better parent…not replace me as a parent.
I find that so many parenting products take you away from the act of parenting.
Swings that entertain your baby and then with a flick of a switch, soothe them.
Straps that attach to a car seat or a pram and dangle a bottle in front of your baby’s mouth.
Even baby monitors.
Of course I have days when my big one is whining, my little one is fussing, the house is a mess, my husband has to work late, and I would love to put them both in some sort of soothing swing, have them feed themselves, and watch all this from a distance while sipping that elusive cup of hot tea.
But for me, that is not how it works.
My babies are attached to me…with secure bonds that I have worked hard to form.

I didn’t intend for this post to be a rant or even a commentary on parenting styles.
I simply wanted to point out how appreciated it is when you find products and a community that support the way you parent.
For the past few months, I have been working with Close Parent and Nest Nappies to review some of their products.
I have found kindred spirits in both Close and Nest and in the items they produce and sell.

While I believe most products marketed to parents are extraneous, there are some exceptions.
The Close Products are generally multi-purpose and are made to last…their use will evolve through the ages and stages of my babies and then they may be passed on to other babies.
For example the Pop In Play Mat is amazing. It has a million uses other than a play mat. In fact I think play mat is a bit of a misnomer…it is really a mat with a waterproof side that you can use for any purpose you like. I recently used it as a mattress protector when Lyddie was sick and her two other mattress protectors were in the laundry pile. When Lyddie is asleep, Charlie knows he can play with his Lego on the mat…when she wakes up the Lego is easily collected and Charlie knows the mat is her space once again. Lately we have been spending a lot of time outside searching for insects and the play mat is easy to roll up and take with us…we put the mat under a tree and all look up at the leaves, trying to spot caterpillars.
I think when products are kept simple, you are able to adapt them to suit your style of parenting…they supplement parenting rather than suppressing natural parental instincts.

Nest Nappies is half retail and half community.
You can visit and talk with the knowledgeable staff about any and every mothering issue…there is a lovely courtyard where your children can play while you chat.
There is never any judgement, just parenting wisdom.
Whenever I visit I always feel better…either with the parenting choices I have made or because I have received some solid, common sense advice about a parenting problem.

Do you think you have a parenting style?
Have you found a brand or a shop that you love?

Nest Nappies is generously giving away a $130.00 voucher to spend on any Close Parent product from Nest Nappies.
They are also offering readers a ten percent discount off any Close Parent product. The discount code is CPDOWNUNDER. If ordering online the discount will be taken off at the checkout. The code is also valid in store.
To win the gift voucher to spend on a Close Parent product at Nest Nappies, just leave a comment on this post answering the question what you would buy and why.

If you are interested in the posts I wrote about Close Parent and Nest Nappies, you can read them here.
Baby Wearing
Picnicking With Close Parent
On Using Both Cloth And Disposable Nappies

And now for the fine print!
The terms and conditions for the Nest Nappies giveaway hosted by Mother Down Under are as follows.
This competition is open now and runs until May 31 at 6:00 pm.
This is a game of skill and the winner will be picked by Mother Down Under based on their answer to the question posed.
Entrants must be contactable via email.
The winner will be notified via email and announced on this blog post.
The prize cannot be exchanged for cash.
The prize in only valid at Nest Nappies.
Please note that Mother Down Under does not handle any post giveaway negotiations.
I received a range of Close Products to trial.
Good luck!

May 4, 2015

Winter Nights – Grobag Giveaway

Winter has finally arrived here in Brisbane…that is the day time temperature has dropped below thirty degrees Celsius.

Beds have been dressed for winter…covered in warm flannel sheets and draped with doonas.
Slippers have been unearthed.
Charlie’s pyjama drawer is full of footed options.
And Grobags have been laundered and are stacked next to Lyddie’s crib.

Babies are at their most loveable when they are asleep.
A sleeping baby means that a mother can sleep…that makes them very loveable indeed.
Anything that helps a baby sleep is a good thing.
I have found that Grobags have helped both my babies to sleep.

Grobags help your baby stay warm and cozy through the night.
No waking because they have kicked off their covers and become too cold.
Grobags prevent other discomforts.
Your baby can’t get their little legs caught in the crib bars.
Your baby also can’t access their diaper…which means they can’t remove it and wet the bed.
Grobags provide parental peace of mind.
Baby sleeping bags are approved by SIDS and Kids.
They impede standing in the crib and learning how to climb out!
Grobags come to signify sleep.
Zipping Lyddie into her Grobag is a part of our nightly routine. It serves as a cue, letting her know that bedtime is imminent.
That the Grobag has become synonymous with sleep makes it a most valuable instrument in the quest to be a well rested mother!

A friend gave us our first Grobag when Charlie was a baby.
I think they make wonderful gifts.
They are sensible…used every evening, night after night.
And they are incredibly long lasting…not only does the big sizing allow for use outside the stated age range but they are also very well made and can be handed down to younger children.
We now have a pile of Grobags…all different TOGS, sizes, and adorable prints.

A sleeping baby is so serene.
And there is something especially sweet about a baby sleeping in a Grobag.
They simply seem so snug, so secure, so safe.
And knowing that they are snug, secure, and safe means that as a mother, I can sleep well too.

I have a Grobag to give away!
You get to choose the Grobag…subject to availability.
All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me about your favourite part of your night time routine.
I love listening to Lyddie nurse herself to sleep, the gulps become less rhythmic as she drifts off to sleep.
I love telling Charlie a bedtime story…and then inevitably hearing him ask for another one!
And if you wanted to like The Gro Company on Facebook or follow them on Twitter, that would be lovely!

And now for the fine print!
The terms and conditions for the Grobag giveaway hosted by Mother Down Under are as follows.
This competition is open now and runs until May 17 at 6:00 pm.
This is a game of skill and the winner will be picked by Mother Down Under based on their answer to the question posed.
Entrants must be contactable via email.
The winner will be notified via email and announced on this blog post.
The prize cannot be exchanged for cash.
Please note that Mother Down Under does not handle any post giveaway negotiations.
I received a free Grobag to trial.
Good luck!

April 1, 2015

Baby Wearing

These days, my favourite accessory is my baby.
I love wearing Lyddie.
Different people have different reasons for baby wearing. I wear my baby because she is content when I am wearing her and wearing her makes my life easier.

Baby wearing makes your baby happy.
There is an abundance of literature on why baby wearing is good for your baby. One study even found that there is in inverse relationship between the number of hours a baby spends crying and the number of hours a baby is held.
I think that, especially in those first three or so months when your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb, baby wearing simply helps them feel secure. You are their everything. You are their source of food and their source of comfort. They want you (and your boobs) to be constantly close to them and baby wearing is the best way to convince them that you (and your boobs) aren’t going anywhere!
As your baby grows, they start learning language and social cues from you. Baby wearing allows them to be a part of the action, to observe all that is happening around them while still feeling secure and able to nestle in if it all becomes too stimulating and they need a rest.

Baby wearing makes your life easier.
You have use of your hands!
With your hands freed up, you can play with your other children, do your grocery shopping, fold some laundry, live your life!
I often wear Lyddie in the house. I especially love to pop her in a carrier while I am preparing dinner…I will talk to her and it is as if I am hosting my very own cooking show!
I almost always wear her when we are leaving the house. If we are going on an adventure, we can easily hop on the bus to the city, in the carrier she is somewhat protected from the masses, from the sun or from the rain, and I don’t have to wrangle a pram on public transport. Wearing her makes errands easier too. I find popping her into a carrier more manageable than lugging an infant capsule around or trying to manoeuvre the pram in and out of shops. Even when I do head out with her in the pram, I also have a carrier in the basket just in case!

I think the more you wear your baby, the more addicting it is.
Their little bodies are made to snuggle against yours…there is nothing sweeter than your baby asleep on your chest and baby wearing allows for that to happen and for you to still get things done!
And, after you are addicted to baby wearing, you get addicted to baby carriers.
I have three.
And I use each for different situations.
I tend to wear my structured carrier, an Ergo 360, when I am out with both Charlie and Lyddie. The straps and buckles give a sense of security and I like feeling that, if I needed to, I could run after Charlie, climb a jungle gym, or traipse down to a creek bed and Lydia wouldn’t budge.
But if I am out with just Lyddie or if we are at home, I prefer a soft carrier like the Caboo*. Made of organic cotton, the wrap style of the Caboo means no thick straps or buckles. And I think that makes it more comfortable for Lyddie…the Caboo never leaves pressure marks on her legs and her face never gets smooshed into a thick seam or fastening. Also I have found that if I sit down while wearing the Ergo, she wakes whereas she seems able to more easily adjust herself and go back to sleep when I sit down while wearing the Caboo.
I also have a ring sling, a Sakura Bloom, that I found difficult to use when she was a newborn. Now that she has better head control I have been experimenting with it but I am still learning to trust it.

If you are thinking about baby wearing, here is some advice.
Try as many slings, soft carriers, and structured carriers as you can before committing to buying one. If you have friends who will let you borrow theirs for a few hours, practice using them with a doll or a teddy bear, see which you find easy to use and which you find sit well on your shoulders and across your back. Get your partner to try them too. I would highly recommend getting a carrier that your partner is comfortable using too…that way you don’t have to do all the carrying!

Like most things, when you are initially learning how to use them, baby carriers can seem overly difficult. This is especially true if you are desperate to settle your baby and you are trying your carrier for the first time with a cranky, crying baby! But stick with it, continue to practice with a doll, and try your carrier when your baby is happy. Most carriers come with written instructions and some come with a DVD or refer you to YouTube. If your partner is around, get them to help you by reading the instructions or playing and pausing the video for you. Practice in front of a mirror so you can see what you are doing right and what might be leading you astray. YouTube and baby wearing Facebook groups can be great resources. And if you are in Brisbane, it is worth paying a visit to Nest Nappies…they will watch you use your carrier and give you some pointers.
Take heart in the fact that everyone finds it challenging at first, but learning how to wear your baby will make your baby happy and your life easier!

Do you wear your baby?
What do you love most about it?

*The Caboo carrier was gifted to me by Close Parent and Nest Nappies.
I am thrilled to partner with them to bring you a few posts that feature their products and that hopefully provide you with helpful mothering advice.

March 12, 2015

Picnicking with Close Parent

I am a morning person.
I like to get up and get going.
I suppose I have always been that way…and I continue to be that way as a mother.
I find it easier and more enjoyable to get out of the house in the mornings.
Everyone is fresh from a good night of sleep.
It isn’t too hot yet.
Most days there is the reward of a good coffee.
And some days there is the reward of a good coffee and an excellent croissant.

Crust & Company Artisan Bakery is close to our home and as it is nestled in amongst parklands, it is the perfect destination for a Saturday morning.
We line up to buy a selection of croissants, pastries, and tarts.
I always get a pistachio croissant. Charlie gets a chocolate croissant. We get a rhubarb danish to share. And sometimes a few mini tarts find their way into our bag.
With our treats stowed safely under the pram, we walk down the street to the cricket pitch where we find a shady patch to set up the picnic.
I am using the word picnic loosely here…the pastries are devoured so quickly that after a few minutes our picnic is simply a crumb covered blanket.
We generally meet friends.
The kids throw the ball for the dog.
The moms talk shop.
The day is officially off to a good start.

This past Saturday we took our Close Parent playmat* with us.
I love when you discover a brand that you can trust…you know that every product they make will be a sensible, quality product.
I am finding that Close Parent is one of those brands.
Their products are perfect for your child and perfect for you.
This padded playmat is two sided…there is a soft side and a waterproof side. The waterproof side is made of a laminate fabric that feels very much like cloth and not at all like plastic. The soft side is made of a lightweight fleece. At home, we mostly use the waterproof side as Lyddie as been known to spit up and the laminate fabric enables me to easily wipe any mess away. When we were picnicking, the grass was wet so I put the waterproof side down to prevent wet bottoms.
While the mat is actually quite large, it is designed to fold up into a compact bundle…it even comes with a snap on handle.
It is also machine washable.
I did not intend for this post to become a review of the mat, but it is worthy of acclaim.
When Charlie was a baby we had a Fisher Price playmat. If I remember correctly it had crinkly bits on the mat itself, a piece that arched across the mat that had stuffed animals dangling from it, and it even played music. This mat was small, it was difficult to fold up, and because of the batteries needed for the music component it could only be spot cleaned. It was simply a play mat…and it didn’t even perform that one function all that well.
The Close Parent playmat serves multiple purposes…a playmat (just add a few toys), a picnic blanket, a beach blanket, a mess mat that can be put under a high chair or even an arts and craft table, and when it is folded up it makes a great pillow for moms who want to lie in the grass for a moment…until their kids notice them lying down and come and lie on top of them.
The mat is perfect for us now and I know it will grow with us.
Plus it is cute. At the end of the day, once Lyddie is tucked into bed, I fold it over a chair and it provides some quirky colour in the living room.
I will stop harping on about the playmat!

Are you a morning person?
What is your favourite weekend tradition?

*The playmat was gifted to me by Close Parent and Nest Nappies.
I am thrilled to partner with them to bring you a few posts that feature their products and that hopefully provide you with helpful mothering advice.

November 17, 2014

Zipping Up The Hospital Bag

I have reached that point in the pregnancy.
That time when you start looking for signs…does the baby feel lower this morning, was that Braxton Hicks especially strong, do I feel nauseous because labour is imminent or simply because I ate too much cake for morning tea?

I think all women like to think their intuition is spot on when it comes to their babies.
But I openly admit I have no idea!
I have a vague feeling this one might be a girl.
But as for arrival date, it could be tomorrow or it could be in four weeks time (please please please do not let me still be pregnant in four weeks time).
I am hoping that as the day draws near, I start picking up on signals from my body and my baby.
In the meantime, my hospital bag is ready to go!
For the record, C thinks this baby is a girl and will be arriving on November 21…I do think toddlers perceive things that adults miss so I am interested to see if his instinct is correct!

Let’s unzip the bag and see what is in there!

First up, the essentials for labour.

A water bottle.
Some healthy snacks…coconut water, dried fruit, homemade muesli bars, bananas…enough to sustain both me and R throughout the labour and once we are on the ward.
My phone and charger.
My camera.
A hair tie.
My hypnobirthing relaxation tracks.

Next up, the necessities for after the birth.

Underwear.
Everyone says buy new granny panties.
I say why buy new undies that you are never going to wear again?
I totally agree that post partum underwear needs to be comfortable and it needs to be big.
Perhaps it is just me, but I have more than enough pairs of knickers that fit that description already in my underwear drawer!
I have packed those.
And instead of spending money on pregnancy undies, once everything is said and done I will replenish supplies with a few pretty pairs.

Nursing bras.
They truly are the workhorses of the lingerie world.
I personally like the Bonds nursing bras and nursing singlets.
I found the singlets to be especially useful as they a) kind of contain that post baby jelly belly and b) you can throw one on with a kimono and some yoga pants and you are dressed in an outfit that is not only easy to feed in but is also acceptable to wear outside of the house…of course they also pair perfectly with pyjama pants.

Clothes.
Loose fitting, comfortable clothes.
I know many people are pro pyjamas but, at least last time, I found that waking up, showering, and getting dressed helped me feel human.
Plus when you are in hospital, you have midwives looking after you and your baby sleeps!
I took full advantage of this and would wheel C in his little plastic cot into the bathroom and take a long, hot shower while he dozed. Then I would poke and prod and generally examine my body which still looked about six months pregnant…amazed that the baby who I had only known on the inside was now outside, sleeping peacefully while my hormone riddled brain tried to come to terms with the wondrous concept that is birth. Finally I would pull on a pair of floaty harem pants, a button down shirt, and a scarf and settle in for a day of figuring out how to breastfeed.
I found the combination of internal temperature altering hormones and hospital air conditioning meant that I was sweating one moment and freezing the next so I have packed layers…nursing tanks, an oversized button down, a cardigan, scarves.
For the record, once I was home, no longer in the care of midwives, and had a baby who was wide awake and not always happy about it, I no longer started the day freshly showered and dressed!
And one other clothing note, don’t forget some flip flops for the shower!

Finally, a few luxuries.

I have packed all of my favourite toiletries including my mascara…see point above about wanting to feel human.
A friend gave me a Glasshouse Fragrances Hand Creme which I have tucked into my bag. Although I don’t want it so much for my hands as for my feet! Last time, so much shifting fluid settled in my feet and I would have loved a foot massage. By having the lotion at the ready, I am halfway there…just need to put R to work!
My BioOil is also making the trip to the hospital with me. Not only does the air conditioning make my skin feel dry and tight but last time I continued to use BioOil on my tummy until it had returned to normal…I imagine that my stretched skin needs all the nourishment it can get.

A change of clothes and a toothbrush for R, a few teeny tiny size 0000 singlets and wonder suits, a newborn hat because I simply cannot resist a newborn in a hat, a present for the baby to give C, of course a stash of maternity pads, a tube or two of Lansinoh, and some pawpaw ointment…and I think that is it!
I would also love to pack a gin and tonic, blue cheese, chocolate, and my pillow!
And is tucking a book in there just jinxing myself?

What am I missing?
What is the best thing you packed in your birth bag?

That beautiful bag was gifted to me by The Luxe Project. It is actually a nappy bag and will soon be stocked with diapers, wipes, muslins…and most likely trains, dinosaurs, and crumbs.
And if you are interested here was my take on what to pack in your the hospital bag after having baby number one.