Welcome

This month’s Hubbub has taken its cue from Mother's Day. And while special days for parents should probably occur weekly instead of annually, we wish all Mums the very best. We have a couple of great competitions for May - details further down the newsletter. Good luck!  
This month, our articles are:
 

Fashions for the Modern Breastfeeding Mum from Nursing      Wear;   How to Pamper Mum on the Bub Hub from one of our resident      mums; What is a Midwife? from the Australian College of Midwives

 
We’d like to thank all those who have submitted reviews of parenting books or favourite recipes for inclusion in our forthcoming ‘Bub Hub Community’ section. Please keep them coming in! Just email us your favourite baby recipes and/or a review of a parenting book or video that you've found particurly good or helpful. The community will be launching in the not too distant future.
 
We would also like to thank those that responded to our request for assistance with publicity. We expect to begin work on our campaign this month. Don’t forget to check out the new survey on the recently updated home pages.
 
Have a great Mother's Day month!
 
All the best,
The Bub Hub Team   www.bubhub.com.au

Fashion, comfort and style are words that in the past may not have been normally associated with Maternity Wear, particularly when it came to breastfeeding. The owner of a recent addition to the 'specialist retailers' section of the ‘Essential Feeding Info – Breastfeeding & Bottlefeeding’ page, Nursingwear, explains why she started her business.

At first glance these two mums are cuddling
their babies… Look again, they are actually breastfeeding.

Most breastfeeding mums could probably recall times where they covered up with a shawl over the shoulder, a blanket across the tummy and lap, etc. in an attempt to make their breastfeeding experience more discreet. Although the Australian community tends to be largely supportive of breastfeeding, many mums feel a bit awkward at the thought of baring their post partum tummies in public. To breastfeed in regular clothes, you need to unbutton or lift up your clothing to access your breast. This can be both inconvenient and awkward, since it often exposes more of your tummy and back than you would like, making you feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding in public. Having your skin exposed in cold winter weather is even more uncomfortable. Yet, breastfeeding in public is often unavoidable as we attempt to restore normality to our lives after the birth of our babies.

Imagine being able to breastfeed your baby so comfortably and discreetly that to other people it would look as if you were simply holding your baby… This is indeed possible! A Sydney-based breastfeeding mum has found from experience what a difference special nursingwear (breastfeeding clothes)makes and is now offering a selection of elegant clothes for breastfeeding at www.nursingwear.com.au. Although these clothes are designed especially to make breastfeeding easy and discreet, their contemporary design will ensure they become wardrobe favourites to be worn long after your breastfeeding days are over.

Nursingwear allows you to feed your baby comfortably and elegantly – anywhere… anytime… You simply access your breast through a hidden opening in the clothing. You can feed your baby whenever he or she is hungry, wherever you are, because you do not have to locate a secluded spot first. There is also no need to cover up with a baby blanket, etc. This simplifies your life and allows you to meet your baby’s needs more promptly and more elegantly! So whether you are in your favourite coffee shop enjoying that well-earned break and sweet treat, on a plane, at a picnic or attending a formal function, you can discreetly feed your baby through the hidden opening.
 
www.nursingwear.com.au is a reputable site where you can buy fashionable breastfeeding clothes. All garments are well made and offer good value for money. The feeding openings are well disguised so that elegance is not sacrificed for practicality. More revealing items have built-in bra’s that allow the use of breast shields without having to wear a maternity bra. There are garments for all occasions. View the full range online or contact customerservice@nursingwear.com.au if you do not have access to the internet. They will be happy to discuss your requirements and email you pictures of suitable garments.
 
 
Nursingwear
ph: 0410 290 849
email: tracey@nursingwear.com.au
website: http://www.nursingwear.com.au/

All garments work on a layering concept. Access the openings in the bottom layer by lifting the top layer. Discreetly breasfteed your baby without exposing any skin

Competition!

Three BubHub subscribers can each win a breastfeeding vest from Nursingwear. These soft cotton vests are perfect for winter. They can be worn under any regular top or any breastfeeding top. They also team up perfectly with your favourite pyjamas. Your tummy and back will remain snuggly covered while you breastfeed your baby. To enter the draw, please email us and answer one easy question:
 
“Who manufactures the short-sleeved soft cotton vest sold on www.nursingwear.com.au? Please include your size: S (8-10), M (12), L (14-16).

The Bub Hub is designed to make being a parent easier but also a little more fun. As a tribute to all our Mums out there, we thought we would highlight some of the pages and hidden gems that could be used for pampering so you could print or forward them to your partners!

Image courtesy of Serenity Belly Masking

The Body Beautiful
Every woman experiences emotion at her changing body during pregnancy - some revel in the new shape (I personally loved my stomach being 'firm' for the first time ever!) whilst some experience discomfort, such as itchy skin, stretch marks and worse! Pregnancy Massage (Pregnancy & Birth Section) and Post Natal Massage (Parenting Resources Section) are ideal ways to be pampered and can be a great stress reliever as well as helpful for adjusting to the enormous changes to the body prior to and after birth.
 
For those seeking luxurious skin care solutions, the Maternity Products, Gifts and Miscellaneous Services (Pregnancy & Birth Section) page lists specialist retailers of lotions and potions for the pregnant mum-to-be and the Bathing and Skincare (Baby Care) section has producers supplying specialist products for the post-baby body.
 
The Maternity Products, Gifts and Miscellaneous Services (Pregnancy & Birth Section) page also offers some interesting variations on standard gifts - a belly mask is an unique memento as well as art; perhaps pregnancy

photography is more to your taste; relaxation cds; retreats; special pillows...take a look!
 
The female body undergoes significant changes in preparation for birth. Exercising for birth and getting back into shape afterwards can be very important for both well-being and self-esteem. Check out the Pre Natal Exercise (Pregnancy & Birth Section) and Post-Natal Exercise (Parenting Resources Section) pages for details of classes designed specifically for mums and mums-to-be. Choose from Yoga, Low impact, Aqua-Aerobics and Pilates, some even include classes with your baby!
 

Making Life Easier There are a number of pages designed to make life easier for parents in the Parenting Resources Section. The Nannies & Babysitters page provides information on additional resources available to parents outside of family and friends. From a couple of hours every now and then to live in assistance - some nanny services also provide domestic helpers or carers who will provide additional assistance, such as cleaning, cooking or collecting the children from school.   Shopping with children can be a trial - the Home Delivery Services page outlines a number of stress reducing home delivery options for families from grocery to pharmaceutical goods.   Removing or significantly reducing nappy work around the house can also be beneficial. The Nappy Laundry & Home Delivery Services page outlines options to save time, money and elbow grease!

Image courtesy of Charlton Brown Australia Nanny College

Gifts While spending a day doing exactly what you want (for a change) is gift enough for many mums, there are wonderful gift baskets available on the Gifts page (Setting Up Nursery Section) and new season's maternity fashions on the Maternity Wear page (Pregnancy & Birth Section). We also strongly suggest visiting the Sales & Special Offers (Prize Draws & Special Offers Section) page to review the offers available to Bub Hubbers. But no matter what you are doing we hope that all

our Mums enjoy the big day (there should be at least 10 a year) and hope that the Bub Hub helps make the maternal experience a little better!   Hilary Lauder Mother of Matthew and Rebecca and Founder of the Bub Hub

Link to the Sales & Special Offers page in your region: ACT  NSW  NT  QLD  SA  TAS  VIC  WA

 

Giveaway! click here for more details Little Treasures by Cass Design has supplied us with one of their wonderful Mothers Day Cakes valued at $220.00 for one lucky Hubbub subscriber. Simply email Little Treasures with the answer to the following question:   Q. How long is the Waffle Cotton Kimono Robe that is featured in our wonderfully luxurious Mother's Day cake? (Hint: the link under the photo will be useful).   Happy Mothers Day from the Little Treasures Team www.littletreasures.com.au

 

What is a Midwife?

The Bub Hub has recently been endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives and we are working with them to improve the midwifery information on the site (coming soon). But just what is a midwife and what role can they play in the birth or our most precious possessions? We think you will be surprised by the number of ways Midwives can help!
 

What is a Midwife? Jointly developed by the International Confederation of Midwives and the National Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics and adopted in 1973 the technical, current definition of a Midwife is:   A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational programme, duly recognised in a country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications legally licensed to practice midwifery.

But what does that mean? Essentially a midwife is a person qualified to help parents with a significant number of issues related to birth. Midwives provide care in partnership with women.
 
Midwives work in:

* Women’s Hospitals	* Maternity units in public and private Hospitals
* Antenatal clinics	* Labour/birth suites
* Birth centres	* Postnatal units
* Obstetric/gynaecology units	* Neonatal units
* Childbirth and parent education classes	* In practice with obstetricians
* Community based health services	* The home
* Universities as teacher /researcher

 
You can talk with a Midwife about:

* Planning a pregnancy	* Antenatal care
* Preconception health (preparation for pregnancy)	* Active birth
* Nutrition and exercise through pregnancy & after	* Expectations/anxieties
* Sexuality during and after pregnancy	* Interventions in labour
* Infant feeding	* Circumcision
* Helping yourself during pregnancy, labour,    birth and early parenting	* Community support for new parents
	* Caesarean birth, forceps and vacuum extraction
* Potential difficulties/problems with pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting * Effects of smoking, alcohol and other drugs in pregnancy * Perineal massage, episiotomy and perineal care * The effects of drugs which may be used in labour

 
Discuss your birth choices with a midwife:

* Place of birth-home, hospital or birth centre	* Support during childbirth
* Birth attendants/care providers	* Choices in childbirth
* Birth as a family experience	* Birth plans
* The birthing experience

 
After birth, midwives can assist you with:

* Supporting you and your baby	* Parent/family adjustment
* Postnatal exercises	* Family planning
* Infant feeding and settling	* Postnatal feelings/postnatal-depression
* Planning return to work

 
Community Midwives:
* Provide home-based midwifery care before and/or after birth
* Work in child health, family planning and community clinics
* Provide health education, care and support in women’s health centres
* Can be homebirth midwives
* As visiting midwives, provide care and support during childbirth in hospitals and birth centres,
   continuing the antenatal education
* Provide postnatal care and infant feeding support
* Lactation consultants, providing specialised support for mothers, with breastfeeding
 
Contacting a Midwife
Midwives are available to talk with community Groups and Schools by contacting
 
Australian College of Midwives Incorporated
1st floor 3 Bowen Crescent, Melbourne Vic 3000
Tel: 03 9804 5071   Fax: 03 9866 1370
Email: austmid@ozemail.com.au
Website: www.acmi.org.au
 

Footnote

If you enjoyed this newsletter and you have friends or family who you think would enjoy it too, please forward it on. Remember to ask them to sign up for their own copy for future months. Subscribing also makes you eligible for many of our Prize Draws!
 
If you wish to update the email address for your newsletter subscription, please email us with the
old email address (where you currently receive newsletters) and the new email address where you would like newsletters to be sent to in future. Don't forget to contact us when you go on Maternity Leave if you currently receive your newsletters at work.
 
If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click here.
 
Website address: www.bubhub.com.au