BABY OR NOT?The online magazine for those planning parenthood

Talking baby1 0 things to think about before

trying for a baby

Baby-boosting foodsFood picks for a well nourished,

pre-baby body

The baby directoryConnecting parents-to-be with

products & services

BABY OR NOT?

EditorEmma Brooks

Nibworks | Custom content creation

http://nibworks.com

Editor at largeCatherine Bullock

PhotographyPeta Torre (Cover & page 3)

PT's Foto Fun

www.ptsfotofun.com

Emma Brooks

All images are © copyright of their respective

owners. Any copying or reproduction in part or

whole is i l legal without the permission of the owner.

ABOUTBaby or Not? is the exciting new onlinemagazine for those planning parenthood.

Watch out for our next edition, it’s comingsoon. . .

In the meantime, connect with us on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/BabyOrNot

Or drop us an email:e | babyornotmagazine@gmail.com

IF YOUHAVE ENJOYED THIS ISSUEPLEASE SHAREWITH YOUR FRIENDS ANDFAMILY.

Copyright © Baby or Not? 201 2.

04Great expectations

The latest baby news, happenings and

events.

05Talking baby

1 0 things to think about before you start

trying for a baby.

06Baby-boosting foods

Our top food picks for a well nourished

pre-baby body.

08The baby directory

Connecting parents-to-be with useful &

unique products & services.

PAGE3

welcomeThinking about starting a family? Already expecting?

Grandparent, aunt or friend of proud parents-to-be? Then

this magazine is for you.

At Baby or Not? we know just how mind-boggling the leap

into parenthood can seem. Deciding to start a family is

one of the biggest decisions youʼl l ever make and itʼs

perfectly natural to have fears and anxieties about

introducing a baby into your l ife.

Thatʼs why weʼve put together this magazine. I tʼs ful l

of information, advice and resources, to help make

your new adventure just that l ittle bit easier.

Enjoy!

greatexpectationsOur round-up of what’ s been happening and what’ scoming up in the land of baby…

FILM PICKWhat to Expect When Youʼre Expecting should currently

be playing in a cinema near you. Based on Heidi

Murkoff and Sharon Mazel's best-sell ing pregnancy

handbook of the same name, the fi lm follows the lives of

five couples heading into parenthood.

While it boosts a star-studded cast including Cameron

Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Rock and Anna Kendrick,

itʼs not exactly got the critics raving. I f however youʼre in

the mood for a little l ight-hearted, diaper-themed

comedy…it should deliver.

CELEBRITY BABY WATCHDoes it seem like a baby bump is the must-have

celebrity accessory right now? Famous mamas-to-be

include Drew Barrymore, Kourtney Kardashian, Anna

Pacquin and Snooki!

I f you love your celebrity gossip, head to US baby

website http://www.babble.com, where you can track

your favourite starʼs pregnancy progress, covet their

maternity style and read all about their pregnancy

cravings. (Mil la Jovovichʼs hankering for bone marrow

has to be the weirdest weʼve ever come across).

DATES FOR THE DIARYWomen's Lifestyle Expos are a great day out for women

of all ages. You'l l find a huge variety of services and

products - all under one roof. Taking place at venues

around New Zealand, you can catch the next expo in

Well ington on the 1 1 -1 2 August at the TSB Bank Arena.

For more information, check out

http://www.expos.co.nz.

BLOG ROLLWant to find out what l ife with a child is really l ike?

Then look no further than the blog world, where

there's no shortage of mum and dad bloggers tel l ing

it l ike it is.

Here are a few of our favourites:

Inked in Colour

The story of an Australian/Indonesian couple

bringing up their baby Bo, in a remote Indonesian

vil lage.

http://inkedincolour.wordpress.com

Brock Paper Scissors

Tales of l ife from a working girl turned stay-at-home

mom and mil itary wife, currently stationed in

Northern Virginia.

http://www.brockpaperscissorsblog.com

Boho Baby Bump

Boho mama not giving up her style from bump to

baby and beyond. Now expecting bump #2!

http://bohobabybump.blogspot.co.nz

Parenting. Illustrated with Crappy Pictures ™

The title says it al l : parenting stories told through

crappy pictures. Funny, frank and not a bit crappy.

http://crappypictures.com

PAGE4

talkingbaby10 things to think about beforeyou start trying for a baby...

KICK BUTT

Cigarettes are a major no during pregnancy, so if you

are a smoker, quitting the habit before you start trying

for a baby is highly recommended. Smoking has been

found to affect ferti l i ty levels, as well as increase your

risk of birth defects and miscarriage.

SCALE BACK ON THE PARTYING

Excess alcohol has been linked to decreased ferti l i ty

levels, both in men and women. An occasional glass of

wine with dinner isnʼt cause for concern, but if youʼre

drinking most nights of the week or bingeing on

cocktails at the weekend, pre-conception is the perfect

time to start cutting back.

COMMIT TO GET FIT

Regular exercise in the months before you start trying

for a baby can help with conception and ensure a

healthier pregnancy. Find sports or exercise that you

enjoy doing and try and get into the habit of a fixed

routine. Building exercise into your l ifestyle now wil l

make it easier to stick with the habit both during and

after pregnancy.

SORT OUT YOUR FINANCES

Everyone knows that babies donʼt come cheap and

getting a handle on your finances early wil l mean one

less thing to worry about once your baby arrives. Make

an effort to start putting some money aside each month

– youʼre going to need extra for baby gear l ike clothing,

accessories and nappies!

I f you find saving difficult, start by examining your

spending patterns. Keep receipts, bank statements and

credit card bil ls. After several months you should have

enough data to see exactly where your hard-earned

money is going – and where you can make cut back

and make savings.

TALK PARENTING WITH YOUR PARTNER

You might feel you know your partner inside out, but

unti l youʼre ready to head down the baby path, itʼs

unlikely youʼl l have really discussed parenthood and

what it means to each of you. Start talking about your

hopes, fears and expectations for your baby and

broach issues like how youʼl l share childcare, rel igious

beliefs or establishing discipl ine.

ASSESS YOUR HOME ENVIRONMENT

You donʼt need a gigantic family home to raise a child.

But feeling settled and secure wil l help you feel more

prepared for pregnancy. So if youʼre unhappy with your

current l iving environment, pre-baby is a good time to

consider a move. After all , no one wants to be packing

boxes when theyʼre 7 or 8 months pregnant (or with a

newborn in tow)!

LEARN TO DEAL WITH STRESS

Research has shown that high levels of stress can

hinder your abil i ty to fall pregnant. I f you know youʼre

the type who deals with pressure badly, take some time

to understand your stress-triggers and learn how to

combat them. Maybe you need to go for a run, unload

on a friend or simply relax with a book. Remember,

whatever remedy works for you now wil l work when

youʼre a parent, when youʼl l be facing lots of new

pressures on a daily basis.

CHECK IN FOR A CHECK-UP

Most experts recommend booking a pre-pregnancy

check-up with your doctor before you start trying for a

baby. I tʼs an opportunity to make sure youʼre up-to-date

with vaccinations, check blood pressure and make sure

any medication youʼre taking is safe to use during

pregnancy. You can also use the visit to address any

health issues or questions you may have.

DON’T FORGET YOUR TEETH

Many dental procedures, l ike X-rays, arenʼt

recommended during pregnancy, so it makes sense to

ensure your teeth are in tip-top condition before you

start trying for a baby.

TAKE TIME FOR YOU

Once your new baby arrives youʼl l have a lot less time

for yourself, so make the most of it now. Spend some

time doing the things you love, whether thatʼs hanging

out with friends, hitting the shops or heading out for

long walks. Schedule in some quality couple-time too,

because itʼs going to be a while before itʼs just the two

of you again.

PAGE5

babyboosting foodsHEALTHY BABIES START WITH HEALTHY BODIES.

GET BABY-READY BY COMMITTING TO A WELL-BALANCED, HEALTHY DIET BEFORE YOU EVENSTART TRYING TO CONCEIVE.

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6

EGGSEggs are packed with protein, a nutrient essential for

pregnancy. Theyʼre also rich in choline, which helps

your baby to grow and can prevent neural tube defects.

Eggs have received some bad press over the past few

years, due to their high levels of cholesterol. However,

experts now believe that eating foods naturally high in

cholesterol is sti l l better for you than consuming

saturated fat. And happily, eggs are relatively low in

saturated fat.

SALMONBursting with protein and omega-3 fats, salmon is the

king of the seafoods. While all fish offer a great range of

beneficial nutrients, salmon is considered to be a safer

choice, since it contains lower levels of mercury, a

compound that can be harmful to the development of

your babyʼs nervous system.

BEANSBeans could become your best friend during pregnancy.

Their high levels of fibre can help prevent and relieve

the symptoms of constipation and haemorrhoids, two of

the more unpleasant side effects of pregnancy!

WHOLE GRAINSGrains have a low glycaemic index, meaning they take

longer to digest than refined carbohydrates and keep

you feeling ful ler for longer. They are also high in fibre

and nutrients l ike vitamin E and selenium.

DARK GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLESSpinach, kale and Swiss chard also contain high levels

of iron, as well as fol ic acid, a vitamin that helps reduce

the risk of neural tube defect. Neural tube defects occur

during the first month of pregnancy, so it is important to

make sure you are getting enough folic acid before you

start trying to conceive.

You may want to talk to your doctor about taking a folic

acid supplement, since it can be difficult to get enough

of this vitamin from food alone.

WALNUTSWalnuts offer one of the richest sources of plant-based

omega-3 fatty acids and are also high in B vitamins,

vitamin E, copper, iron and zinc. They make a great, on-

the-run snack, or try adding them to a salad.

YOGHURTA rich source of calcium, which is vital for the healthy

formation of your babyʼs bones. Yoghurt also contains

active cultures that help to restore balance in the

digestive system and fight off infection.

LEAN MEATSDuring pregnancy your body requires higher levels of

iron, in order to make the red blood cells that carry

oxygen around your body and to your baby. Lean

meats are packed full of iron, as well as being a great

source of high-quality protein.

TOFUFor non-meat eaters, tofu provides an excellent source

of protein. I tʼs also high in iron, calcium, magnesium,

vitamin A and K.

BANANASHigh in potassium, bananas make a great energy-

boosting snack. They can also help reduce fluid

retention.

COLOURFUL FRUITS & VEGETABLESEach colour group of fruits and vegetables contains

different vitamins and minerals. By mixing up the

colours on your plate youʼl l ensure you get a good

variety of nutrients.

Focusing on eating well – and cutting out your bad habits - can help improve fertilitylevels and will ensure you’re in excellent health for your pregnancy. You’ll also be givingyour baby the very best possible start in life, since the first four to eight weeks ofpregnancy are when most ofa baby’s vital organs are forming.

Dads-to-be – healthy eating isn’t just for mums. You’re also going to need buckets ofenergy when your new baby arrives, so commit to a healthier diet and support your partnerat the same time.

Aim to eat a well-balanced diet that includes a mix ofcomplex carbohydrates, proteins,essential fats, vitamins and minerals. Here are our top food picks for a well nourished, pre-baby body...

PAGE7

thebaby directory

Celebrate, enjoy and remember your pregnancy with a

Belly Painting from Creative Mischief.

“A truly unforgettable experience for all new mums-to-

be.” Elisa, 38 weeks pregnant

At Creative Mischief weʼl l work with you to create a

design specific for you and your baby. Then, relax in the

comfort of your own home while we bring your painting

to l ife!

Sessions take approximately 2 hours and include a

small photo shoot.

To create a unique memory of your own pregnancy,

email , erin@creativemischief.co.nz or see our

website, www.creativemischief.co.nzThree & a half generations! Mum-to-be, Vicki Allan, with her mumWendy Allan & Nana Bev Harrison. Photographer: David St George.

I tʼs a natural instinct for mums-to-be to do everything

they can to protect their growing babies. But what about

shielding them from cellphone and Wi-Fi radiation

exposure while in the womb?

International research has increasingly shown

that radiation exposure can pose serious health risks for

growing babies and young children.

MummyWraps' styl ish range of maternity wear provides

proven shielding from radiation exposure, protecting

your unborn baby and allowing safe growth.

To shop the complete range or to find out more about

radiation protection during pregnancy, head to

www.mummywraps.com.

CONNECTING PARENTS-TO-BE WITH UNIQUE PRODUCTS ANDSERVICES FROM AROUND NEWZEALAND.

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8

Natural Bubba is a small, family run business that

believes in sustainabil i ty and giving our babies the best

start in l ife with as little impact on the planet as possible.

Natural Bubba baby balms are handmade in small

batches using at least 95% organic ingredients.

We offer balms for bums, colds, sleeping and

massaging. And because mums need pampering too

we've just introduced our new Natural Goddess range

for adults.

For more info email sarah@naturalbubba.co.nz

or visit www.naturalgoddess.co.nz.

Luckystar is an exciting way to purchase books, games,

puzzles, Beanie Kids and more for children online!

We love matching books to kids and getting kids and

parents excited about books, reading and capturing

imaginations.

Kids - create a wishlist to let family & friends know what

you'd love to read next. Adults - not sure what to buy for

a birthday or Xmas gift? We're happy to make

recommendations.

We deliver all over NZ via courier post - and can now

ship overseas as well! Head to our website to check out

our great selection, www.luckystar.co.nz.

Midwife, mother & founder of Express the Best, Leah

Rutley, is a woman on a mission. Leah is passionate

about encouraging mothers to breastfeed (or provide

breast milk), for the very best start in l ife.

Her online business supplies high-quality twin and

single breast pumps, as well as BPA-free breast milk

storage solutions, Unimom maternity products and

vitamins - all at highly affordable prices.

Leah is also able to offer new mums a wealth of

information about using breast pumps, baby nutrition

and family health products.

Head to her website, www.expressthebest.co.nzto browse her product range.

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9

BABY OR NOT?NEEDS YOU

Do you have a baby-related

business?

Are traditional advertising methods

way out ofyour budget?

Would you like to connect more

effectively with your target

audience?

Connect with us on Facebook to find out howwe can help your business grow:

http://www.facebook.com/BabyOrNot

Or email us for more details:E | babyornotmagazine@gmail.com

Baby or Not? is looking forpregnancy, maternity andparenting businesses whowould l ike the opportunity topromote their products andservices to a wider audience -free of charge!