It was fantastic to meet lots of families at the Mums, Bubs & Dads Wellness Expo last weekend held at the Conference Centre on Marine Parade along with catching up with lots of families from my Antenatal classes and meeting their wee baby's was an added bonus. This was the first year the expo had run and it included lots of other health professionals and support services available in our community. 
I had a huge gift basket giveaway filled to the brim with goodies for Mum, Dad and Baby. Thank you to all that entered. The winner was picked using a random number generator and Hayley B was the lucky winner!!
​Photo shared with permission.

Congratulations Hayley!! She was off to share some bits and pieces with her Mum, who had also entered. 

​​I'm also excited to let you know, I will be teaching Antenatal Classes in Havelock North next year. I have been looking for a suitable venue for a wee while and have finally found the perfect location. These classes will be held at Cherry Grove Family Centre 95 Napier Rd on Thursday nights 5.30 - 7.30 pm. If you or someone you know is due soon, let them know they need to book early, as classes fill up fast.  Class dates for 2020 have been added to my website, with new class options and new venues for Hastings and Havelock North.





​​Baby Massage classes will now be held at my home in Napier. I have a large separate room that's accessible from outside with plenty of space for leaving your buggy or capsule. I'm just waiting for new carpet to be laid which will be just in time for the November classes. It will be great to have these held in a relaxed, comforting, friendly environment and we can sit and chat while enjoying a cuppa and refreshments. Baby massage classes will also be held at Cherry Grove Family Centre, Havelock North in 2020 - dates to be advised.

Well, in my last blog entry I mentioned that I was busy with multiple enquiries about classes for 2020. I have now booked my venues for all my classes for next year along with several 'new' classes which is super exciting.  The first new class are Boutique Weekend Classes - these will be held several times throughout 2020. Classes will cover everything you need to know so you are confident in your labour and birthing choices and have all the tools you need in your early parenting journey. BONUS - a light lunch and refreshments are included. Bookings are essential, spaces are limited.

Early Pregnancy Classes are also new next year. These classes will be held in Napier multiple times throughout 2020. These fun and comprehensive, one off classes will cover everything new parents to be need to know so they can start considering their options and will be fantastic for those who want to create early connections/support and coffee groups early on.
Topics include (full list not included):

• How to choose your midwife
• The role of your LMC
• Pregnancy anatomy/baby development
• Nutrition/healthy eating/what to avoid/exercise
• Discomforts and remedies
• Pregnancy services and support services
• Warning signs
• Pelvic floor awareness
• Understanding your rights as a health consumer

The first class starts 22nd Jan 2020.

Baby massage classes are going well and proving popular, it's so neat to see the babies blossom from each class, they learn really quickly what the cues are for 'massage time'. I love listening to them babble away while they are being massaged, such a heart warming noise :) Love promotes love!
A change of venue will happen for these classes at the beginning of 2020 - I'll keep you posted.

I've had quite a few inquiries about antenatal classes for next year and while it feels a wee way-a-way...it's actually not when you have to plan and book venues. So, that has been my main focus this week, trying to fit classes in and working around the public holidays we will be having - quite a few in April which is proving tricky to work around! 
​There are plans in the pipe line for some new classes next year too which is really exciting, these will help support more families in Hawke's Bay so they can feel supported and confident in their choices and options throughout their entire pregnancy and parenting journey.

Mums and Dads will now have the opportunity to make a Soothing Peri Spray (for their perineum) to use after birth or a Soothing Padsicles (cold pads for after birth) during class. These are easy to make (although sourcing all the ingredients for home use may be tricky and possibly costly) and easy to add to their postnatal self-care regime. Cold therapy may help soothe the pain, inflammation and help with wound healing. The padsicles can been made up ahead of time and kept in the fridge or freezer and the peri spray needs to be kept in the fridge and used within 1 month. I'm excited to see how they get on making them and the feedback after birth.

After an extensive period of learning, studying, practicing, reviewing and teaching I am able to let you all know what I have been doing for the last 3 months.... I am now able to offer families in Hawke's Bay - Baby Massage Classes !!!

Over the years teaching antenatal classes I have had multiple conversations with parents about the stresses that some of them endure with trying to be the best parent they can be. I've had many conversations with parents about the worry they have when their baby has colic, reflux, wind or gas issues and they have tried everything under the sun to help their little one not be in pain and discomfort any longer. I've had Mum's in tears when they have been told they have postnatal depression and they worry about the impact that may have for their baby. This has worried me too and I always wondered what I could do to help?
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I was cruising on google earlier this year and stumbled upon Infant Massage Instructor training. I was intrigued and researched some more. 

There are so many benefits for baby, mum, dad, extended family, our community and our world (see below for benefits) and I was excited that this could be something I could do to help families in HB so they could, in turn be helping themselves and their baby.
And so, my journey began.... I have met some beautiful Mums along the way doing their Infant Massage Instructor training alongside me from across NZ.  I have watched my first group of parents blossom with confidence as the weeks went by while they massaged their wee ones. And watched as their little ones engaged, enjoyed and anticipated their massage. 
Classes have started - upcoming sessions start July 12th. If you are interested in learning to massage your baby or your know someone who may be, please pass on my details. Numbers to attend classes are limited so bookings are essential. 

Did you know I also foundered and own Earth Friendly Cocoons? I handcraft biodegradable cocoons for burial of your placenta - giving back to the earth to enrich another life. Since 2012 I have created hundreds of cocoons for many families around the world!
So many families are embracing this long standing, world wide tradition again. It's not just a NZ tradition, many cultures around the world the placenta was seen as the baby's spirit guide helping the child navigate the birth and then returning and connecting after death.  Placenta burial was also considered as a sacred connector of the child to his birth place or heritage. It was also to bestow blessing or protection for the child's future. An item representing the future calling, was often buried with the placenta. 
Lots of families not only to bury their placenta and holding a ceremony for family and friends but they also choose to plant a tree on top. Ceremonies can be as simple as re-telling the birth story and thanking the placenta for supporting life. They can be elaborate and include poems, stories, and planting additional items as symbols.
Most of us will have memories or a connection with a tree from our childhood. Eating the fruit, swinging or climbing in the branches, playing in their shade, sharing picnics and BBQ's. 
We are grateful for their calming and peaceful yet strong presence and the important role they play in the protection of our world. They are vital in maintaining the balance of our climate and our fragile ego system. Trees are our future from storing the carbon of green house gases to nurturing animal and insect life and medicines we know and are yet to be discovered.
​If you are interested in burying your placenta or would like to know more, please follow the link below. I recommend you order your cocoon 4 - 5 weeks before your estimated due date (it takes about a week to be created and posted to you), you will need it 'on hand' about 2 - 3 weeks before your due date. 
Or, if you have yours sitting in an ice cream container in the freezer, you can still bury it anytime you like.

​www.earthfriendlycocoons.com/placenta-cocoons.html

I've just spent 5 days in Auckland training and up-skilling, something that is very important as an educator and because I am self employed, something I take very seriously. While I can't be specific with the training just yet.... I am fully committed and super excited.
The training included four x 8 hour days of meeting parents, teaching, practicing, theory, laughter, tears, revision, nurturing, encouraging, reflecting and practicing some more. By the end of the fourth day, I was absolutely exhausted and ready to sleep in my own bed and hug my kids. I still have to complete several assignments, teaching, research and an exam before I will qualify but I am looking forward to enhancing and offering something extra to parents in Hawke's Bay. Watch this space !!

The Baby Cafe was unfortunately closed in December by the HB DHB. This was a safe and secure place supported by families in Napier and Hastings with all their breastfeeding concerns and issues. It is a huge shame the DHB made this decision without consulting everyone concerned.
There is a great need to be supporting our Muma's and Bubs with their breastfeeding journey in our local communities, one I personally believe we can't be without. But, fear not, there is a team of dedicated Midwives trying to get something up and running at a community level, fingers crossed it's not too far down the track. Talk with your LMC, Plunket Nurse or Well Child provider or see pic below if you want breastfeeding support. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year, hard to believe we are looking at February in a few days time..... where did January go?

We, as a family finally got some time to go away, which was well overdue - it's been 5 years since I have been away with the kids. #makingmemories I have come to realise I need to make time for myself during the year, just little things for me, I feel as Mum's we are always putting our needs last (of sometimes a very long list!) so this year, it's about taking care of ''me'' too.
It was a busy time business wise while we were away too with nine bookings and enquiries during this week. Great to get back and get everyone booked in.
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Currently classes are half way through in Hastings and Napier with the next set of classes starting in a few weeks time. Such a special time in peoples lives and I feel honoured to be part of their parenting journey.

I have our first giveaway starting today too.  Perineal Massage Oil and Perineal Relief Spray kindly donated by Natures Touch NZ - produces of an exclusive range of 100% natural skincare products that have been designed and created by a registered Midwife to support pregnancy, birth, baby and beyond. Such a privilege to be gifted items that I can share with you guys.

Hi and welcome to my last blog before Christmas. A huge heartfelt ''thank you'' for all your support throughout the year, it has been an exciting ride and I have been busier than I could have imagined! From Bellies to Babies Hawke's Bay Antenatal Classes has educated, empowered and had the absolute pleasure of meeting 212 parents this year !!!

This year has been full of surprises, excitement along with a couple of challenges along the way but more importantly, I have been honoured to meet loads of new parents on their parenting journey. We have laughed, had fun, had get together's, BBQ's and coffee group catch ups, learnt about different birthing traditions, supported each other, gooed and gahed over beautiful baby photos, had awesome discussions, cried and consoled, made new friends and educated parents to know they have options and a voice during labour, birth and parenting. #lovemyjob 

One on One classes have been very popular with trips as far out as Otane and Sheraden and many more held in homes and venues around Napier and Hastings. I love these sessions, as I get to know the couples quickly and the sessions are completely personalised! First One on One session booked for Jan 2019 - just after New Year with the next one being a couple of weeks later. 

I started offering extra long wheat bags this year as I was asked quite frequently where Mum's could buy them. Mum's wanted a wheat bag that they could wrap across their lower back and hips while in labour, and the general bags didn't allow this. I have sourced a local small business to make these for me. Feedback has been really positive. Available in Lavender or Plain (lavender is the most popular).
www.facebook.com/pg/hbantenatal/shop/?ref=page_internal

​2019 is trending to be bigger than this year, bookings are streaming in with the first classes in Hastings and Napier almost full. I have a couple of new businesses supporting the goody bags by donating products, items for giveaways and discount vouchers, these are local and national business. 
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This year I have also done quite a number of giveaways, these have been a combination of kindly donated items such as a pregnancy massage from Jo at Blue Sea Massage - our only pregnancy massage specialist in HB, Bib, burb cloth and baby wipe from Nan's Corner in Te Awamutu and a placenta cocoon from Earth Friendly Cocoons and many other giveaways gifted by From Bellies to Babies Hawke's Bay Antenatal classes. 12 Days of Christmas was my last giveaway - I had so much fun putting this together for parents all over Hawke's Bay - see photo below for all 12 pressies! 

I hope you have had a great year, I hope you have time to have a relaxing break and wee bit of time for yourselves, this time of the year can be so busy. If you have a new baby in the house, let everyone help out so you can be as stress free as possible. Merry Christmas, best wishes for 2019!!
​Love Janine x​

Hastings - class 6, about 7 parents were unable to attend this last class - shared with permission.