Baby Universe - Baby Shopping, Directory, News and Reviews » breastfeeding

Best buys for your baby from Tommee Tippee

babyunivers — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:14:06 +0000

As any first time parent would know, there are so many things to learn when your little one comes along. So to help you get your head around the different equipment for each stage of your baby’s first year, Midwife Judy from Tommee Tippee shares her tips on the best buys for your baby.

Newborn to three months

When you’re a new mum, there are all sorts of reasons why a breast pump will come in handy. It may be that you’ve got too much milk, baby might have to stay in hospital for longer, or at times you just might require someone else to feed your baby. To make things even easier, these days you can choose between a manual pump which gives you more control or the ease of an electric pump.

Try Closer to Nature Manual Breast Pump RRP $94.95 or Closer to Nature Electric Breast Pump (pictured) RRP $219.95

Newborn babies are born with a strong, natural sucking reflex – that’s why so many babies love their comforters. Comforters come in a range of different shapes and sizes and with a choice of clear silicone or latex rubber teats. Choose comforters that have the 5-Ticks logo, which means they are made and approved to Australian standards.

Try Closer to Nature C-air Comforters RRP $12.95 or Cherub Comforters (pictured) RRP $9.10

Three to five months

While babies are born with a grasping reflex, these movements are instinctive and involuntary. But at about three months, hand-and-eye coordination is starting to develop and you may notice your baby start to grab hold of soft objects such as small toys. Encourage this new development by giving your baby small soft toys to try to hold on to, or try placing them just out of reach for baby to grab at.

Try Hugs ‘n’ Cuddles Soft Shake Toy RRP $5.98 or Buggy Shake Toy (pictured) RRP $9.65

Babies learn through play and repetition. By offering your baby stimulating toys, you will be encouraging his or her sensory development. Colourful toys that babies can play with while in the pram or toys that contain rattles are great options.

Try Soft Pram Play (pictured) RRP $16.95 or Hugs ‘n’ Cuddles Soft Ring Rattle RRP $5.98

Five to Six Months

At around five to six months, babies usually begin to teethe. Teething toys (or teethers) help to reduce the discomfort your baby is experiencing. By offering a range of multi-textured surfaces for baby to suck or bite down on, baby can gently massage soft or tender gums to help alleviate the pain.

Try Cool Fish Teether RRP $6.10 or Chunkeys (pictured) RRP $9.95

This is usually the time you start to introduce solid foods. Feeding equipment that assists baby’s development of new skills like chewing will definitely come in handy. Items that are easy for little hands to hold and cutlery that is soft on tender gums are the best options.

Try Fresh Food Feeder (pictured) RRP $6.75 or Heat-Sensor Weaning Spoons RRP $11.20

Last but not least, Midwife Judy says, “It’s important to remember that babies develop at different stages so don’t be too worried if you baby isn’t hitting the milestones at the same rate as other babies.”

Visit www.tommeetippee.com.au

Tommee Tippee launches exciting new additions to its Closer to Nature range

babyunivers — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 05:28:12 +0000

This April, Tommee Tippee is proud to announce the release of five new products to its award winning Closer to Nature range, continuing to make feeding time easy for Australian mums and babies.

Since its Australian launch in 2006, Closer to Nature has offered innovative and quality products that allow an easy transition from breast to bottle and back again, offering freedom and flexibility to mums with busy schedules.

New additions to the range include:

· Electric Breast Pump, with a unique silicone cup and a suction designed to mimic a baby’s natural feeding action

· Electric Bottle and Food Warmer, designed to heat milk and food safely

· Electric Steam Steriliser, with new sleek look, designed to keep bottles sterile all day and night (up to 24 hours)

· Manual Breast Pump with new ‘collect and protect’ milk storage pots designed to fit in to Closer to Nature bottles to collect and store breast milk

· Variflow Teat, designed to mimic the natural flex, movement and softness of a mum’s breast, in new flow rate ideal for thicker feeds and premature babies

The new additions will complement the existing range of Closer to Nature bottles, comforters and sterilisers, which are loved by babies and recommended by mums across the country.

Closer to Nature bottle awarded ‘baby Oscar’ for third time

babyunivers — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 06:07:08 +0000

Tommee Tippee is delighted to announce that its Closer to Nature bottle triumphed at the U.K Mother and Baby Awards last week, winning the prestigious GOLD prize in the Best Product for Bottle Feeding category.

It is the third time in four years that the bottle and teat have scooped this premium prize at the awards – the equivalent of the Oscars in the international baby world!

A spokesperson from Tommee Tippee commented, “We are very proud and honoured with this achievement. It proves year after year that our product stands up to the rigorous testing of the industry and is a superior offering for mothers. Our partners and customers can recommend the range wholeheartedly to any new mum as being best for them and their baby.”

Researched and developed by specialists and breastfeeding experts, Closer to Nature bottles mimic the natural flex, movement and softness of a mum’s breast. Mums love how this feature encourages a baby’s natural feeding action so that switching between breast and bottle-feeding becomes second nature.

The soft-touch silicone teat stretches and flexes around a baby’s palate just as a mother’s nipple does during breast-feeding. The unique duck-billed valve, clearly visible on the surface of the teat, guarantees a contented feed by preventing the build-up of air in the bottle. Another added benefit is that the hood of the bottle seals the teat to ensure leak-free mixing and storage.

One mother who tested the Closer to Nature bottle revealed, “My child refused bottles until we tried these. We haven’t looked back since.”

To view the complete Tommee Tippee range, visit www.tommeetippee.com.au

Pink or Blue

babyunivers — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:44:43 +0000

Pink or Blue provides personalised friendly service and quality products essential for new parents. Offering a range of quality products essential for pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and beyond. Whether you are hiring a Mama TENS for natural pain relief in labour, Fetal Doppler to listen to your unborn baby or a hospital grade breast pump, Pink or Blue has all of the essentials.

Follow Pink or Blue on facebook for the “ Pink or Blue 12 days of Christmas”. Special Offers updated daily

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Australia-Wide/Pink-or-Blue/126775236552?ref=nf

Weleda Nursing Tea

babyunivers — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:40:36 +0000

I am currently breastfeeding my daughter and am always looking for products that are safe. Being 100% organic gives me confidence in Weleda products. The nursing tea has lots of aromas but you can definitely smell the anise and fenugreek, which are ingredients that are traditionally used to support a breastfeeding mother. Although it smells earthy, it is actually quite light and refreshing and easy to drink.

Anything that may be gentle on my breastfeeding baby’s digestion has got to be worth a try as colic has been an issue for her since she was very young. It also comes in a convenient teabag making it easy to prepare.

Review by Michele

About Weleda Nursing Tea

Weleda Nursing Tea contains 100% certified organic plant ingredients, including Anise, Fennel, Caraway, Fenugreek and leaves from Lemon Verbena. These herbal ingredients have traditionally been used for lactation support and promoting healthy milk flow.

Pleasant tasting with an aromatic fragrance, Weleda Nursing Tea supports relaxed and harmonious breastfeeding.

This traditional and nourishing tea is easy and convenient to prepare.

Visit Weleda

Portable reading stand assists breastfeeding mothers

babyunivers — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:43:31 +0000

An Italian portable stand recently launched onto the Australian market is set to provide greater comfort and reading possibilities for parents and their children.

The innovative stand is lightweight, durable and self-supporting, allowing the reader to place their book on the stand and keep their hands free to do other things.

According to Director of Global Innovations, Karin Bryer, the stand will open up opportunities for parents who read to their children and breast feeding mothers.

“Mothers who would like to read to their children or for their own enjoyment while breastfeeding will appreciate the Porta-book, as they can now read without having to hold the book, and instead concentrate on supporting their baby in their arms,” she said.

Ms Bryer said that being a parent means learning to do multiple things at once, and now parents can prepare dinner with one hand, hold their toddler in the other arm, and refer to a recipe book all at the same time.

As well as the practical benefits the Porta-book offers, Ms Bryer says it is set to change story-time for good.

“Children love story-time, but sometimes it’s hard for the parents to relax because they have to hold up story books, which are often heavy and awkward, for their children to see the pictures,” she said.

The Porta-book eliminates this inconvenience by supporting the book and therefore allowing extra cuddles during story time.

Children who are learning to read are also alleviated the difficulty of handling books while reading.

“The greatest benefit for children is that the Porta-book has been proven to reduce neck and back pain, as well as eye stress, by improving posture while reading,” Ms Bryer said.

Porta-books can be purchased online at www.globalinnovations.com.au

For further information, contact:

Karin Bryer, Global Innovations, tel: 0413 996 489

MENTION THIS ARTICLE AND GET A 10% DISCOUNT ON PORTA-BOOK

Pink or Blue celebrates World Breastfeeding Week 1st-7th August 2009

babyunivers — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:20:54 +0000

Bonus offer with all breast pumps! FREE Medela pump and save milk storage bags.

Pink or Blue offers a range of breast pumps and accessories at competitive prices from leading brands including Medela and Ameda . FREE Medela pump and save milk storage bags valued at $28.50 with every breast pump purchased.

www.pinkorblue.com.au

Swim champ joins breastfeeding campaign

babyunivers — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:31:38 +0000

To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, August 1^st – 7^th marathon swimmer and breastfeeding mum Susie Maroney OAM, has announced her involvement in Queensland Health’s new breastfeeding campaign.

The 12+ months on the breast, normal, natural, healthy promotional campaign aims to encourage breastfeeding duration, something Susie can personally relate to.

“I’m excited and honoured to be the ambassador for the campaign,” Ms Maroney said.

“Breastfeeding is one of the greatest gifts a mother can give to their child. I love breastfeeding Paris, my 12-month-old daughter and want to do it as long as I can.”

The aim of the campaign is to arm new mothers with the confidence to breastfeed for at least 12 months.

Queensland Health sourced scientific research from around the globe in developing the campaign materials, including key studies which have shown that breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from gastro-intestinal, chest and ear infections, and diabetes and obesity later in life.

A guide to breastfeeding published as part of the campaign provides easy to read advice and facts on the benefits of breastfeeding, how to breastfeed, common problems with solutions and contacts for further advice and support.

Susie, famous for her marathon swims including crossing the English Channel at the tender age of 15, went on to break six world records and complete an historic swim from Cuba to the USA. She is currently preparing for a swim from Sydney to Wollongong in November.

For more information on the campaign and guide visit http://health.qld.gov.au/breastfeeding/ or call the Australian Breastfeeding Association Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 2 686), or 1800 686 2 68 to VoIP phones for 24/7 advice and support.

Exclusive Baby Universe Sale – Kiss Kiss Hug Hug

babyunivers — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:05:41 +0000

10% off storewide – includes over 100 baby and mother specific products.

This sale is exclusive to Baby Universe members and ends 31st August 2009.

Just enter the code "BabyUniverse" at the check out to receive your discount.

Visit www.kisskisshughug.com.au

12+ months on the breast. Normal. Natural. Healthy

babyunivers — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:57:44 +0000

Breast is the normal, natural and healthy way for mums and babies

The simple message of Queensland Health’s new breastfeeding campaign is that twelve months or more on the breast is normal, natural and healthy.

Breastfeeding is good for mothers and babies as it reduces the risk of babies developing both preventable illnesses like chest and ear infections, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity later in life. Mums can benefit from a reduced risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.

The 2008 Infant Nutrition Survey revealed that ninety-five percent of new mothers in Queensland initiate breastfeeding which is above the national recommendation of 80%. This campaign hopes to build on this to extend breastfeeding practice.

While these results are cause for celebration, many mothers do not breastfeed for the recommended period outlined in the National Health and Medical Research Council infant feeding guidelines.

Key findings of the 2008 survey include:

95% new mothers initiate breastfeeding – national target 90%
59% mothers breastfeeding at six months – national target 80%
33% mothers breastfeeding at 12 months
55% mothers exclusively breastfeeding for first three months – Queensland Health target 60%
13% mothers exclusively breastfeeding for first six months – Queensland Health target 50%.

The aim of the Queensland Health campaign is to promote breastfeeding duration by giving new mothers the inspiration and confidence to breastfeed for longer. After research identified that mums wanted (and responded to) an easy to read and realistic approach to breastfeeding, a simple, effective breastfeeding guide was developed and will be distributed through Queensland antenatal clinic’s in addition to being available online.

The booklet is a comprehensive guide outlining the benefits of breastfeeding, the basics on how to breastfeed, common problems and how to solve them. It also answers frequently asked questions and details where to find more help and advice. Each section was developed with input from real Queensland mothers and based on extensive state wide research.

Breastfeeding guides will be given to all expectant mothers attending antenatal services in Queensland and campaign posters will be distributed to maternal and child health services state wide.