First Day at School

Written at 9.12am

 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

We dropped Lochie off at preschool as per normal, and then Angus ran through his old room at Treetown and said hi to all his friends.  It was a zooming run through visit because we didn’t want to be late for his first day at real school. 

 

So my boy and I drove together to primary school.  We were going to play on the monkey bars before the bell rang (as one of the preschool teachers had told me it would be a good idea to get to school early and play beforehand to get rid of a lot of his energy!).  But the bars were wet so we went into the classroom together and looked at all the children’s artwork.

Teacher started a morning song for Mat Time, and about 2 minutes later I went up to Angus who was sitting on the edge of the mat and said “I’m going to go now”.  He said “okay bye mum”

 

Gave him a wave through the window, he had a great big grin.

 

We now have a school boy.

 

I thought it was going to be a lot more difficult than that, he is a sensitive wee chap but is obviously ready for this change

 

They have to be picked up today at 2pm cos of some teacher meeting, so lucky I have flexible work hours!

 

Avent Sale

Breast pump and sterliser set, just about giving it away.

 

http://www.breastmates.co.nz/store/Breast-Pumps/Manual-Breast-Pumps/Natural_Beginnings_Gift_Set.html

 

Breastfeeding & Ministry of Health

I’m involved with the Ministry of Health’s “Breastfeeding Campaign” in New Zealand.  You might have seen some of the adverts on TV and in magazines.

 

The next phase of their project is using social media, and creating a 2-way communication with NZ mothers.  The emphasis is that breastfeeding is a normal part of life.

 

It would be fantastic if you could please spread the word to your contacts, and come and join yourself. 

 

The page has just started (after weeks of discussion and approvals!)  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Breastfeeding-NZ/193386893968

 

(Its nothing commercial though)

HOTmilk Free Promo

HOTmilk and Breastmates have a great promo starting on the 15^th of October.

If you buy two bras and two knickers (from the HOTmilk range) you can choose from a FREE maternity nightie or a FREE Camisole Set . 

For more information on our free HOTmilk promo check our webpage here;  http://www.breastmates.co.nz/press_releases/HOTmilk_Promo.html

HOTmilk New Styles Soon

HOTmilk sold out in your size? .... That's because we have some gorgeous new styles coming soon.  Expected Due Date is late November or early December.

HOTmilk introduce new styles each season, and they are limited in number.  The styles are never repeated!  So whatever you buy will be special.

The new season lingerie is just yum yum yum!  The photograph themes are Fairytales, and here is a sample of a very sexy Little Red Riding Hood.  This is a deep purple bra with so much design in the support!!

There will be 4 new maternity bra styles, a new nightie, and a new maternity PJ set.

Make sure that you Join Up to our newsletter to be notified when this new stock is ready for purchase. 

 

Philips Baby Monitor on Sale

We have the Philips Avent Dect baby monitors on sale.  Usually $250, now $170.  this is thanks to a great discount that we are passing on directly from the supplier.

These are of course fab baby monitors, no interference, adjustable volume, and a compact listening unit so that you can take it with you around the house and garden etc.

You can order here:  Baby Monitor

Interesting Day

Well its been a whirlwind few days since I found out that I won the Supreme Small Business Award (details here)

I drove up to Auckland and had a very interesting 2 hour meeting at the airport with some people that had flown up from Wellington to meet me.  It was so nice and refreshing driving 90 minutes each way in a car with no children, and no children’s music. 

  V.v.v Exciting.  More details to follow shortly.  I will be needing your help

Real Mothers Talk about Breastfeeding

My new goal of running my Breastmates website is to prepare people with the truth – and not unrealistically high expectations.  And to provide support for whichever way they choose to feed their baby.

I just hope people can find the information they need, and I’m trying to get the support for them!

The following is a list of stories that real mothers have shared with us.  I have only removed their names and have not edited any other information.

If you would like to share a couple of paragraphs about anything baby related, please email me. 

 

Ad: Your Story Wanted Please
Are my Breasts Still Making Milk?
Auckland Lactation Consultant
Baby Friendly NZ or Tokyo
Baby not getting enough
Baby not getting enough
Bottle Feeding Tips
Breastfeeding a Baby in Hospital
Breastfeeding is a B i t c h
Breastfeeding Shouldnt Hurt
Breastfeeding Through Mental Illness
Breastfeeding Tips from Lydia
Clicking while feeding
Cluster Feeding
Constipated on Formula
Demand Feeding
Drink Lots of Water to Make Milk
Get a Lactation Consultant
Get Baby Used to a Bottle
Hard to Start
Honest Breastfeeding Tips
Lactation Consultant
Mastitis and Probiotics
Milk brings on reflux and colic
Negative Feeding Experiences
Newborn and Toddler
Nursing with Large Breasts
Postnatal Depression
Raynauds Syndrome
Stressful Breastfeeding to Start With
Switching to Formula
Tongue Tie
When to Start a Bottle

Newborn Baby Questions

I’ve been writing a few little articles about life with a newborn baby.  Just a dollop of good honest sound advice!

Baby Layette
Baby Poo
Best Way to Help with New Baby
Birth Control
Coming Home with a New Baby
Essential Baby Buys
Feeding Baby with a Cold
How to Swaddle Baby
Nappies
Post Natal Depression
Sounds of Hungry Baby
Starting Solids
Tummy Time
What to Pack in your Nappy Bag

 

Buying a Breast Pump

Here is a recent list of articles that I’ve been writing about breast pumps, and buying breast pumps online NZ

Avent Uno Trouble Shooting
Basic Expressing Instructions
Breast Pumps & Bottle Choices
Breastfeeding and Working
Breastmilk Storage
Expressing Breast Milk
Flush out Breast Pump
How to Express Breast Milk
Medela Pump Trouble Shooting
Noises of Breast Pumps
Rental Breast Pumps
Returning to Work
Swing Breast Pump Recommendation
Swing vs Uno
Which Breast Pump to Buy?

 

Breastfeeding Artciles

This is a summary of recent articles that I’ve been writing about Breastfeeding.  Just a dollop of good sound advice!

Baby Biting while Breastfeeding
Baby Rejecting Breast
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding After C-Section
Breastfeeding Rights
Breastfeeding Tips
Breastfeeding Video
How long does breastfeeding take?
How Much Milk Does Baby Drink?
Latching for Breastfeeding
Leaking Boobs
Learning how to Breastfeed
Signs of Mastitis

HOTmilk

Here are a few recent posts that I’ve written about our gorgeous range of HOTmilk nursing bras and lingerie.  You can buy them online!
Bra Fitting Problems
Bra Size Calculator
Bra Sizes for Different Countries
Bra Sizes What the Numbers Mean
HOTmilk Bras
HOTmilk Saucy Video
How Many Maternity Bras
Man's HOTmilk Buying Guide
When to get a Maternity Bra
Why wear a Maternity Bra?

 

Small Business Winner

Just found out this morning that I won the Small Business Prize  (The David Awards)

 

I was the joint winner in the Innovated Use of Marketing Section

 

But then I also  won the overall Supreme Award out of all the other section winners.  So happy!!!!   

 

There are a few videos from the judges here, you have to choose the section you want to view on the right hand side.  The last one on the list is the Supreme winner announcement.   http://thedavidawards.co.nz/winners2009.html

HOTmilk Bra Design Features

HOTmilk always ensures the following standards are met for every bra they design: No underwire. This is because underwires can restrict the growth changes in breast size and shape during pregnancy, and restrict milk flow during breast feeding. Soft cotton linings ensure absolute comfort and support. Seam construction ensures no rubbing or chaffing. This is important especially in the cup as the nipple area can be very tender. Easy maternity clips which you can use with one hand as you will probably not have both hands free at the time. Strong power elastane in the back panels for extra support. This type of fabric ensures you get the best fit. Wider bra straps and back adjusters for larger sizes. Larger cup sizes must have the best support possible especially at the breast feeding stage as the breasts will be heavier. 6 rows of eyes at the back provides expansion in the diaphragm. Fabrics and laces are carefully chosen to provide maximum support and comfort. Exquisite matching underwear Beautiful feminine styling in line with European trends and we make sure every attention to detail is met.   You can order all of the HOTmilk Bra styles from our webstore, we ship worldwide and can help you find what you need. Visit our store here:

 

Breast Cancer

This is the latest Breast Cancer advert that I saw in a recent magazine.  It is quite a shocking advert, but I like it.  I think it shows perfectly the intimacy of breastfeeding,  the loss when mothers cant breastfeed, and it highlights that breast cancer can affect young mothers too.  Not just older ladies – which is a very good point to make to me in particular.  I always just think of it happening to older women, not people my age. 

 

It made me feel very very sad seeing this picture, but the marketing aspect worked because it really got my attention.

Spiderman's pet snails

Spiderman is home with me today, and we have a new collection of pet snails.... Spiders were to scary for him to catch.

Don't worry, no snails escaped into the knicker orders when I was packing parcels :-)

Buy online with Credit Card

We now have our own secure page to process credit cards directly, so don’t need to use Paypal anymore.

If you are shopping for maternity products online at Breastmates, just choose if you want to pay with credit card, internet banking, or cheque when you get to the Shopping Cart section.

Most people prefer to pay with their credit card, but there are still a few customers that like to use banking or mail a cheque.  That’s absolutely fine.  It will just take an extra day or two for your payment to be confirmed and for me to send out your order.