The Blog has moved!

Don't panic, we haven't stopped blogging, we've just moved to a new whizzy blog within the Belly Beyond website.

Everyday we shufflin' right here

ERGOBaby gets a new look!

The ERGObaby Carrier brand is getting a new look and you, yes you, are among the first in New Zealand to see it!

From this...

To this!

The Ergobaby brand is moving forward and evolving and as their number one NZ stockist, Belly Beyond joins them in their excitement about the fun and fresh new look.  But it is going to take some time to fully transition, and for many months you may be seeing both logos. 

The main thing is there's no need to be concerned, as long as you purchase from us, you can be safe in the knowledge that you are buying a genuine Ergobaby product with the same quality and style that's made it the award-winner and parent favourite that it is!

Lamington Merino Socks - new range

The new range of colours of our best-selling baby socks have arrived and there's a wee surprise for us big people.  Having heard the cries of "I wish they came in my size" echoing around the country, Lamington have brought out adult sizes!  Hooray!

Lamington are knee-high merino socks that are guaranteed to stay up and stay on.  Super soft and comfy for lovely cosy toes.  100% merino, made right here in NZ.

Sizes:  0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 2-4 years and new Adult sizes OSFA

Shop the range of Lamington socks

Win a Babymoon with HOTmilk

A night away and a dinner out - bliss!   HOTmilk are giving one lucky couple an amazing Babymoon Package and you can be in to win simply by purchasing any HOTmilk product at Belly Beyond and completing the quick entry form on the HOTmilk Facebook page.

Entry is open to HOTmilk purchases from 29 March 2012 to 14 May 2012 - don't forget to keep your receipt.

Pick up these fantastic HOTmilk specials:

70 % off Ruffle My Feather Camisole - now $17.50

50% off My Everything Wrap Dress - now $49.95

50% off Shimmer Camisole - now $27.45

 

 

 

Free Cake Bra - buy any 2 Cake bras & receive Cotton Candy bra FREE

 

Cake Lingerie and Belly Beyond are rewarding mums for this period leading upto Mother's Day (May 13th). The Cotton Candy Seamless Luxury Nursing Bra is a must have for all women!

Just purchase any two Cake Lingerie bras during the promotional period, and your gift with purchase is a Cotton Candy Bra of your choice - absolutely FREE! 

Offer open 23 April - 13 May 2012 - must be purchased in one transaction

Shop for Cake online now at our award-winning maternity and baby store.

Daylight Saving - a mum's perspective

I created this card this morning after dealing with my two creating havoc with super early post daylight saving wake ups.

Judging by the likes it's had so far on our Facebook Page it's a feeling other mums can well relate to!

To commiserate we've put our BabyZoo Sleep Trainer Clocks on special at only $39.95.

A Mother's Prayer - by Tina Fey

“First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half and stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes and not have to wear high heels.

What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the drums to the fiery rhythm of her own heart with the sinewy strength of her own arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a rough patch from twelve to seventeen. Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, for childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – and adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, that she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers and the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a bitch in front of Hollister, give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, for I will not have that shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.

“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a mental note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.”

Best Maternity Bra Ever? Cake Lingerie's Luxury Seamless Bra

Parenting board Essential Baby, likened Cake Lingerie's new Luxury Seamless Maternity / Nursing Bra to "the best-ever maternity bra". High praise indeed!

The new Cotton Candy bras provide the perfect transition and sleep option, allowing room for the breasts to grow with comfort as your body changes rapidly, especially through the initial stages of pregnancy and post birth with drop down clips ensuring it's as practical as it is comfortable!
And you know it's a good sign, when the staff dive in and are among the first to purchase - here's what the Belly Beyond office girls say:

"It is so comfortable! I realise it's not a Sports Bra, but I wore it to Tennis and it was brilliant" Sue

"Absolutely love the bra and the underwear is seriously the most comfortable I've ever worn" Karen

SHOP THE CAKE LINGERIE RANGE

Baby Names 2012

Our lovely Facebook page members submitted their baby names to help us update our Top 10 list.

10 Most Popular Baby Names

1. Ella
2. Amelia
3. Cooper
4. Noah
5. Ava
6. Charlotte
7. Hunter
8. Liam
9. Lily
10. Xavier

Special mentions:  Riley, Jacob, Jaxon, Emily, Isabella, Isla, Jack, Kaia, Ruby and Sophie   
Here is the ful unique list in alphabetical order (and by unique we mean that while you will see quite a few similar names with a range of spelling eg, Conner, Connah, Connar).

Aaliyah
Aanika
Aaron
Abigail
Adam
Aden
Aiden
Ailea
Ajah
Alanta
Alaska
Alesandro
Alex
Alexander
Alexandra
Alexis
Alfie
Alice
Alicia
Amelia
Andrew
Anna
Annabell
Annalia
Anneke
Archer
Aria
Ariella
Artemisia
Asheia
Asher
Ashton
Audrey
Ava
Avery
Azariah
Bailey
Bella
Benjamin
Benny
Bianca
Blake
Blayze
Bonny
Brayden
Bree
Brennan
Briar
Bridget
Brodie
Brody
Brooke
Cade
Caelan
Cailean
Caitlin
Caleb
Cameron
Campbell
Carter
Casey
Castiyle
Charlie Charleigh
Charlotte
Cherie
Chiana
Chloe
Clara
Cody
Connah
Conner
Connor
Cooper
Corban
Coredlia
Crispin
Cruz
Cullen
Dakota
Damian
Daniel
Daria
Darius
Deacon
Declan
Devin
Dillon
Dolorez
Dominic
Dylan
Dyllan-Rae
Eben
Eddie
Elijah
Elise
Eliza
Elizabelle
Elizabeth
Ella Ellie
Elliott
Emily
Emma
Emmett
Ericka
Esmae
Esme
Etha
Ethan
Eva
Evangelene
Evelyn
Evie
Finn
Flynn
Franchezka
Frederick
Geordie
Georgia
Griffin
Harley
Harmony
Harper
Harrison
Havanna
Hayley
Haze
Heath
Holly
Hudson
Hunter
Illa
Indiana
Indie
Indyanna
Isaac Isabelle
Isabella
Isla
Izaac
Jack
Jacob
Jade
Jadon
Jai
Jaidah
Jaide
Jaiden
James
Jamie
Jarome
Jaron
Jaxon
Jayda
Jayden
Jesse
Jett
Jonas
Jonothon
Jordan
Jorja
Jos
Joseph
Joshua
Julia
Kaden
Kaeli
Kaia
Kaiden
Kaitlin
Kaitlyn
Kaitlynn
Katherine
Kayden
Kevin
Keziah
Khloe
Kingston
Kirsten
Kiya
Krystal
Kyran
Lachlan
Lacy
Lani-Jane
Layla
Leonardo
Levi
Liam
Libby
Lila
Lilijanna
Lily
Lincoln
Lleyton
Locklyn
Logan
Lola
Lucas
Lucy
Luka
Lukas
Luke
Mac
Macaulay
Mackenzie
Maddison
Madeleine
Madeline
Madelyn
Madilyn
Mahi
Maia
Makai
Makayla
Mana
Mason
Max
McKaia
Mekhai
Mia
Micah
Michaela
Milaan
Milla
Miller
Millicent
Mollie
Molly
Monica
Morgan
Morgana
Morghan
Natalie
Nathan
Nathaniel
Nikolai
Nivarah
Nixon
Noah
Noelle
Nova
Oceana
Olive
Oliver
Olivia
Onyx
Orion
Paige
Paige-Tayla
Paityn
Paul
Paxton
Peyton
Phinneus
Phoebe
Portia
Pyper
Quentin
Quinn
Rebekah
Reede
Rico
Rilan
Riley
Romeo
Rory
Rose
Ruairidh
Ruby
Ryley
Samantha
Samual
Samuel
Sasha
Savannah
Sayden
Scarlett
Seith
Seth
Shakayla
Shakiya
Shanade
Shelby
Shia
Shikyla
Shiloh
Sienna
Sierra
Sofia
Sophia
Sophie
Stefan
Stella
Stephanie
Sullivan
Sydney
Taevyn
Tahlia
Tamsin
Taylar
Tessa
Tobias
Triton
Troy
Tyler
Typer
Tyson
Vanessa
Vera
Victoria
Vienna
William
Willow
Winter
Xavier
Zachary
Zain
Zara
Zion
Zoe

Hopefully that will give you some ideas if you are struggling to find the perfect name for your new arrival!

Faces of La Leche League NZ

The recent vilification of La Leche League NZ (LLLNZ), by New Zealand media and members of the public has been quite an eye opener.   Slow news day was it NZ Herald and TV3?

This great article by Donelle Bellanger Taylor raises the most valid of points in this whole debate.  Most people have absolutely no idea who LLLNZ even is.  She notes:  

I don't understand why people find it so hard to comprehend that hospital midwives are not La Leche League, lactation consultants are not La Leche League, Plunket nurses are not La Leche League, and random grumpy old ladies aren't La Leche League either.  

La Leche League is made up of volunteers who give their own time to work with women who call them or come along to meetings. Women come to them to get support and information to help them succeed in breastfeeding."

I agree that LLLNZ has a bit of an identity problem.   Many people seem to believe that it's full of hairy-legged hippies who sit around with their norks out, feeding their 7 year olds and because they are a volunteer organisation, there is not and will likely never be, any funding for a big glitzy marketing campaign to change that misconception.  This means the fantastic work they do every day in our communities (providing support and information to breastfeeding mums) and the real face of LLLNZ as it is today, simply doesn't get shared.

So here they are - just some of the faces of LLLNZ members and supporters, mostly ordinary NZ mums just like you and me - hardly the horrific hairy-chinned "breast feeding nazis" they've been painted! 



More images are being added all the time, but we had to start somewhere.

Please note:  This video has been put together by me, through my connection with other LLL members and is therefore completely independent of LLLNZ.

Final thought:  Putting aside deliberately inflammatory reporting and incorrect identifcation of LLL personnel, if even half the horror stories are true then perhaps it's time for LLLNZ to reassess training and it's level of intervention.   In some situations the goals of LLL (as a breastfeeding support organisation) and parents won't match, and that's likely to be where the breakdowns are.

Brolly Sheets on Breakfast

Check out this great item on Brolly Sheets from TVNZ's Breakfast this morning.

Both Heidi and I swear by Brolly Sheets and they are still a feature on the beds of our youngest kids.  My daughter took a very long time to be totally dry at night (like years!) and Brolly Sheets were such fantastic piece of mind at home as well as an easy solution when went away.

Brolly Sheets are soft to sleep on and if there's an accident, you simply pull off the bed and stick in the wash without having to strip and make the entire bed (not a fun thing to do at the best of times and certainly not at 2 oclock in the morning!)

They come in single, king single or queen size and are one of the best reviewed products on Belly Beyond, here's just some of the feedback from happy customers.

BROLLY SHEETS CUSTOMER FEEDBACK:

I have just got one of these and they are so good. I sleep easy knowing that there will be no mess in the morning and it is so much easier than removing and washing the sheets especially when you have five kids! I will be telling my friends because most of the baby gear is word of mouth.

LOVE these. It definitely makes the nights less stressful coz all you have to do is whip it off the bed and put a new one down. No more stripping the entire bed. But I do recommend you buy 2 though.

I wouldn't be without these while toilet training, and will also be using them with #2 when its his turn.

School Holiday Drama as Head Explodes

A bizarre story surfaced today, when a woman's head exploded at her home in Auckland.

It appears the woman , who has not yet been named, had just posted on Facebook that her head would explode if she had to say "leave your brother alone" one more time.

A six year old and four year old were found watching DVD's and eating milo straight out of the packet.

Yes this is an update of an old blog - but ever so relevant with just a week to go!

Belly Beyond TV Relaunched!

Belly Beyond TV is back in 2012 with great new opening and closing credit graphics (thanks to Nykie @ Noo).

This episode I make good use of my almost-7 year old as she mooches around during the school holidays.

And don't you love the new True Blue ERGObaby Performance colour!

ERGObaby Performance Coolmax Insert

If you have a summer baby you might find the standard Heart2Heart insert a bit hot when the temperatures get above 25 degrees.  In the heat of NZ summer (if it ever arrives!) we recommend that you dress your baby in just a singlet and nappy when they are in the insert, or a summer shortie onsie is fine too.

But there is another option now too.  ERGObaby, always the innovators, have just released a new Heart2Heart Performance Insert with CoolMax, the wick away fabric designed to draw moisture away and keep baby comfy and cool at the same time.

Perfect with the ERGObaby Performance Carriers, but it also fits all the other ERGObaby Carriers as well.

Available right now, only at Belly Beyond, buy the ERGObaby Performance Insert here

DINGaRING Rattle Teether Toy

How cute are these guys?  Seriously cool baby gifts for newborns and up, but our favourite thing about them is they have an ever so slightly irreverant touch of humour to their personality profiles which are sure to be a hit with the big people!

Tony Tree Fog

Job: Window Cleaner

Loves: Finger less Gloves & Game shows

Hates: Tight shoes & Peanut butter

Pete Penguin

Job:     Bellydancer

Loves:  Sunbaking & Caviar

Hates:   Oil baths & Waxing



Emma Owl

Job:    Truck Driver
 
Loves: Country music & Surfing
 
Hates:  VPL & Speed Cameras

Betty Butterfly

Job:     Salsa Teacher
 
Loves:  Honey & Juggling
 
Hates:   Blisters &  Chilli




The totally original DINGaRING range bring smiles to the faces of babies & adults alike. The natural wooden teething ring, luxuriously soft plush fabric body & gentle rattle make it the ideal gift for newborns & teething babies.

These quirky characters have personalities of their own & never fail to get a giggle from the grown ups!

• Gentle fun rattle toy
• Natural wooden teething ring
• Super soft plush soft toy
• Suitable from newborn+

Available now for $29 each, from Belly Beyond.

Belly Beyond DINGaRING Challenge

Create your own DINGaRING personality, you can base it on yourself or someone you know - funniest one(s) will be published on our Facebook page and you'll win a DINGaRING of your choice.

Here's my attempt:

LouLou Lobster

Job:   Life Guard

Loves:   Shoe shopping & Reality Television

Hates:   Spa pools & Parallel Parking

Bakers Delight Christmas Cake Craziness

 

Oooooo, Cake!  We got to try a Bakers Delights Christmas Cake today with Heidi demonstrating her fantastic leadership skills (above).

Christmas Cake can have pretty unfair reputation as the heavy, poor cousin to other more glamorous cakes, the like Chocolate or Carrot (best that's the first time anything Carrot would have been called glamorous!).

But.... the unanimous consensus from the Belly Beyond team after sampling the delights of said Christmas Cake was Y.U.M and absolutely perfect with a cup of tea.  

Nicely done to the team at Bakers Delight, we think this cake is guaranteed to please everyone this Christmas. 

Holiday Travel Life Savers #1

We love travel, and have experienced our share of the challenges that arise when travelling with babies and young kids.  This Christmas we're putting together our travel tips and featuring the products that we couldn't do without when we're packing the families bags and heading away. 
 
Safe T Sleep - Bed in a Bag!
If you are going away anywhere for the holidays with your under 3's and you can't or don't want to take a Portacot, then it's definitely worth considering getting a Safe T Sleep.  The Travel Safe T Sleep (pictured above) in particular is our Holiday Travel Life Saver #1 because of the wide range of beds it can be used in.

• cots/cribs, boat beds, caravan beds, motor home mattresses, standard single, king single, double, queen and king beds!

 

Original Safe T Sleep   
The Classic Safe T Sleep shouldn't be discounted though, as it fits in bassinet, hammocks,  aircraft-cradles, cot/crib and standard single mattress.

It's cheaper at $119.95 and a great choice if you don't need to use it on a bed bigger than a single.
 

Key benefits of the Original Safe T Sleep® Sleepwrap®:

1. Peace of mind and a better sleep
2. Comfortable, allows natural movements
3. Warm in winter, cool in summer
4. Helps keep face and head clear to comply with International safer sleeping guidelines
5. Helps prevent cot/crib and bed falls
6. Ideal for Reflux, GERD, colds, colic positioning
7. Helps prevent misshapen (flat) heads
8. A safer transition from bassinet or hammock to cot/crib and cot/crib to ‘big bed’
9. Great for travelling, visiting, holidaying and boating
10. Newborn to three years plus

New Zealand parents have voted SAFE T SLEEP the BEST safety product in the OHbaby! Awards.

Mumanu Pregnancy Pillow Giveaway

 

WANT TO WIN YOURSELF A MUMANU PREGNANCY PILLOW?

Find this Mumanu photo (above) on our Facebook page and send your answer to the question you'll see to win@bellybeyond.co.nz.  Competition closure has been extended to Friday 16th December! :)

MUMANU

Far more comfortable than a pillow between your knees, the Mumanu® [m'um-anooo] pregnancy pillow is a self-inflating pillow to use under your leg when pregnant or postnatal. Keeping you correctly aligned, preventing and relieving lower back and hip ache, you will feel so comfortable you'll want to use it long after your baby's born! By keeping your hip, knee and foot at the same height, the Mumanu® prevents you from twisting, giving you and your baby the maximum space to keep comfortable.

The Mumanu® was designed by a specialist in pregnancy massage and tested on over 1500 women. 96% of those surveyed found it more comfortable that what they had been using at home... so we know you'll love it too.

BENEFITS

There are so many benefits of the Mumanu® pregnancy pillow.  We've listed the ones we've discovered so far but please feel free to let us know if you find more. We've also written a whole page of geeky stuff to help you understand why the pillow works so well for you during pregnancy (and also for everyone else using the pillow).

•     Takes pressure off your bladder which means less getting up in the night - What a relief!
•     Quickly eases hip and lower backache
•     Keeps your spine and pelvis aligned when side-lying
•     Keeps your hip joint at the correct and most comfortable angle
•     Relaxes your buttock muscles
•     Takes the pressure off BOTH legs
•     Correctly supports your lower back, hips, knees and feet by preventing twisting of your joints
•     Can be used safely for side-lying while breastfeeding and co-sleeping

  
So not just for pregnancy!

•     Positioning keeps you cooler than normal pillows
•     Easy to change sides during the night due to its light weight
•     Easy to use for comfortable positioning during love making (since there’s no pillow between your legs)
•     Because you will be so much more comfortable, you won't need to turn over so much during the night

EVEN MORE BENEFITS

•     Can be used in front*, back* and side-lying positions
•     Easy to store as it can be deflated
•     Height adjustable for different people and different surfaces
•     So anyone can use it!
•     Solid support
•     Easy to clean
•     Comfortable and stylish fabric
•     More hygienic than a normal pillow
•     Easy to inflate/deflate
•     Easy to travel with on holiday or to the hospital, so you can get comfy when lying on your side during labour
•     Will not lose shape (re-inflate when air releases), so you can use it for your next pregnancy
•     Non-Toxic
•     2 year manufacturer’s warranty
•     Very lightweight and compact
•     Made from fleece TPU, a recyclable and biodegradable plastic

* We do not recommend lying on your front or back during pregnancy for the comfort and safety of you and your unborn baby.

The Mumanu is $89 and available for same-day dispatch (order before 2pm Mon-Fri) from Belly Beyond.

Impassioned plea from car theft victim

I spotted this car parked on a Kingsland side street the other day.  You cannot help but feel for the car owners, who've clearly been the victim of more than one break in and have resorted to this sad but humerous sign to send a message to the thieves. 

Here's hope the scumbag thieves actually know how to read!

Any car window repair companies out there that can help these guys out with a free/cheap replacement rear window?

Cyber Monday

What is a world-wide shopping phenomenon overseas, is still in it's infancy here in New Zealand, but as the pioneers of Cyber Monday NZ (with the Wikipedia mention to prove it), we are very pleased to announce that it's back, bigger and better for 2011.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS SALE!

Kicking off on 28th November, make sure you put it in your diary and prepare yourself for the SALE OF THE YEAR at Belly Beyond.

Make sure you are a Belly Beyond member as our Cyber Monday newsletter will signal when the sale is live so you can be among the first to get to checkout and will ensure you don't miss out on the "once-a-year" deals!   Sign up here

Plus... 'Like' us on Facebook where we hope to provide early VIP access for Facebook fans (technology allowing) and we'll also notify when stock is replenished and added throughout the sale.

You can have a browse around for whats going to be available - we are adding products all the time so keep checking back.

• Change Wallets - Isoki Clutches and Petite Travellers - up to 44% off 

• Nappy Bags - gr8x (save 37%), Isoki (save up to 38%), OiOi (save  up to 40%)

• Toys & Puzzles - Janod toy range (up to 40% off).  THESE TOYS ARE A-MAY-ZING. This is the staff favourite with our team taking home at least a couple of items each for Christmas pressies.

• Travel High Chairs - 2 for $20 - crazy price! (80% off)
• Lily Pad Designer Liners - versitile liner for pram, highchair and anywhere your little one has a seat - save $25!

• Smart Mum Teething Necklaces & Bangles - jewellery for mum to wear, thats safe for baby to chew on.  Made from the same materials as teething toys, they are PVA, BPA, phthalate and lead free. (up to 40% off!)

• Womama Birthing Wraps - the ultimate maternity dress for during and after baby (save up to $45!)

• Eat & Drink - up to 50% off Boon Inc feeding items, half price Safe Sippy Stainless Steel drink bottles, $25 off Isoki Bib sets - fantastic fun but practical Christmas gifts here!

Plus up to 75% off HOTmilk, including the Calm Rebellion nightwear.  Wowzers!