Wow, what a busy 10 days! As most of you know I live on the Gold Coast in QLD. We were all a little scared a week ago when there seemed to be flooding in areas so close to us. We were in Ipswich 3 days before the flooding hit there and we are only 30 minutes from the flooding in Brisbane.

Being so close we had no choice but to help in anyway we could. It wasn’t even a question. These were our friends and neighbours who were suffering one of Australia’s worst natural disasters and we could not sit 30 minutes away and watch the news and doing nothing.

The day after the floods hit Brisbane I decided to start a collection of baby/kids items to be sent the affected areas. I put a call out on Beyond The Baby Facebook group for donations and within minutes we had an overwhelming response from everyone! People wanting to help in anyway they could.

Over the last 10 days we have had about 40 boxes of clothes and baby items donated including cot sheets, bottles, sterilizers etc. We have had boxes full of nappies, toiletries, wipes and cleaning products.

We have been working very closely with the Ipswich Evacuation Centre gathering things they need over the past 10 days. We placed another call out on Facebook asking for monetary donations to buy much needed cleaning supplies! We were so overwhelmed by the response and we managed to get $570 in donations and stocked up on cleaning supplies and toiletries that were taken the same day to the evacuation centre.

It has been a lot of hard work but worth every second! I really want to say thank you to everyone who has helped us, help the people of Ipswich and Brisbane. Every single one of you who sent clothing, baby goods, nappies, wipes and much more helped to make a difference in someones life. You should all be extremely proud of yourselves!

The biggest thank you goes to a women who has worked so hard along side me, without her none of this would have been possible! Cass from Zimmer and Jee and Living Eco has been amazing! She has put her life and business on hold, donated all of her stock and time to helping over the past 10 days! She is an incredible inspiration. Thank you for being so amazing Cass!

A big thank you to Tom who has been our transporter to Ipswich. He has loaded his car from roof to floor many times to make sure all of our donations make it to the right people.

Here are a list of the amazing businesses who have helped us! Please visit their sites and support their businesses! The have selflessly given up time, money and stock without blinking an eye!

This post is dedicated to our fabulous group of Facebook fans!

Yesterday I posted a link to an article about Giselle Bundchen suggesting their should be a worldwide law that women should be forced to breastfeed for the first 6 months. Read the article – CLICK HERE

Everyone knows my struggle with breastfeeding and how devastated I was when I had to put Cooper on formula. I am not alone and their are many women in the same boat. I actually consider myself lucky to make it to 13 weeks. So posting the article I was prepared for the comments that would hurt but surprisingly there were none!

Over 30 comments were made on the topic and I am so happy that they were all extremely positive and supportive. It bought a tear to my eye seeing so many wonderful and supportive women giving each other virtual hugs. Women who have breastfed for 2 years reaching out and hugging women who struggled to feed at all. It is amazing!

It is exactly what I want Beyond The Baby to be, a group of wonderful amazing, strong supportive women who are doing the best for their children and supporting other doing the best for their children. No judgement, just hugs.

Amazing!

I have to plug this again and just so you know I am not being paid in anyway for plugging this book. I do it because I believe 100% in every word written and the message behind it. The fabulous Melissa MacDonald has released a new book called “Breatfeeding, Real Mum’s Tell You How”. It is everything you could ever need to know about baby feeding, not just breastfeeding. There are stories, tips and advice with absolutely no judgment! It is a book that arms you with everything you need to know about breastfeeding and also information on what happens when it doesn’t work.

I love this book and I think it is a must for every mother. Purchase a copy here http://www.breastfeedingbook.com.au

Thank you to all the wonderful women who made me all warm and fuzzy yesterday. Thank you for keeping my fire going, this is why I work so hard on Beyond The Baby and this is reward enough Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Jen xx

So I am sure everyone has heard the latest anti-breastfeeding celeb rant from Kim Kardashian.

A couple of weeks ago Kim Kardashian tweeted …. “EWW Im at lunch,the woman at the table next 2 me is breast feeding her baby w no coverup then puts baby on the table and changes her diaper.” Since posting the tweet she has had so much backlash and has been labeled anti-breastfeeding etc.

Now here is my opinion and it is my opinion only. I see where she is coming from, when I breastfed I made sure I covered up. I never smothered my child but I made sure most of my breast was covered so I felt comfortable and so did those around me. I always feel very uncomfortable when a women pulls out her breast to feed her baby with out covering or trying to be a little discreet. I just don’t think it is necessary at all. I don’t think women should have to hide to feed their baby or to go to a smelly restroom but I do believe they need to respect people around them and also respect themselves by covering up a little.

As for changing a nappy at the table, I am sorry but this is terrible and very unhygienic! I would never ever think to change a nappy at a table under any circumstance and if there was no change table I would ask the manager for a suitable place.

I would love to here your thoughts!

How do you feel about breastfeeding in public or how do you feel about seeing women breastfeed in public? Where do you stand on the nappy changing at the table?

Jen xx

I have always avoided overseas children charities, not because I don’t think they are a worthy cause more because of the greed and corruption in most of the under privileged countries. In most of the larger charities only a small portion of your donation actually goes to your child. By the time the administration fees are taken out by the charity themselves and the money is passed through the governments of the under privileged country and whittled away by corruption and greed there is only a small amount left. Some charities only promise 10-15% of your money will go to the child, which I think is just insane. So I have avoided them and given to other charities like the Red Cross and more local based charities like the Salvation Army.

I have always been a big advocate for helping our fellow Australians. It always amazes me how many people were living below the poverty line while we were still sending millions of dollars in charity and aid overseas.

Today on www.news.com.au there was a great article about exactly this click here to see the article! The article stats that 12% of Australian Children – over 500,000 are living below the poverty line with no money for basic necessities – food, clothing, school books etc.

I remember in primary school especially, we had a few children who would come to school with no lunch and sometimes no shoes because their parents could not afford these basic needs. It is such a sad thing to think about and should not be something that happens in a “lucky” country like ours. Children are the truly innocent members of this world and deserve the best start in life and deserve to have their basic needs provided for.

There is a fabulous charity called A Start In Life. They are a non-profit organisation who support Australian children. Like other charities you can “adopt” a child and help them with basic needs from only $10 per week. The best part? 100% of your donation goes to the child you sponsor!

This is a charity I would really love to support!

Has anyone ever been a recipient of this charity or do you have experience being an under privileged child? I would love to hear your stories and some encouragement for other readers to help Australian children!

Jen xx

Who doesn’t love Tinker Bell? She has a fabulous new movie called Tinker Bell and The Great Fairy Rescue!

We have a sneak peak of the new movie thanks to Disney! The sneak peak shows first time Tinker Bell meets a human for the first time! She meets a 9-year old girl named Lizzy. Lizzy discovers that her dream to meet a fairy has come true, that Tinker Bell speaks in jingles like a little bell, and that fairies can’t fly in the rain.

It’s a very cute piece that showcases the beginning of a very unique friendship. Tinker Bell is being released to Disney DVD and Blu-ray on 15 September and is featuring in cinemas nationally for an exclusive engagement during August!

I think I have found the most adorable cloth nappy designs on the planet!! With so many cloth nappies on the mark it’s so hard to find designs for boys! So many brands have amazingly beautiful designs for girls and little boys are left with plain colours or spots!

But I was surprised to find Mielie Moo Designs stock and wide range of nappies including adorable boy prints – Aeroplanes, Jungle Animals, Rockets, Outer Space and more! Not to mention their adorable girl designs including a sweet nappy with ruffles on the bum!

Unlike many other brands that produce their nappies in China, Mielie Moo nappies are designed and handmade in Australia by the owner Leonie to ensure you always receive the highest quality nappy every time!

Each nappy is made from high quality materials including 100% cotton and each design has a limited run to ensure your nappy is not only super cute, but also super exclusive!

Mielie Moo Designs come in 3 sizes -

Small: 3.5-6.5kg

Medium: 6-10kg

Large: 10-17kg

Mielie Moo nappies range from $25 up to $35 for more detailed nappies or you can buy an 8 pack and save!

I think Mielie Moo are possibly the cutest designs on the market! Check them out here http://mieliemoodesigns.blogspot.com/ or their Facebook Group here http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mielie-Moo-Designs/192666201186?ref=ts

Jen xx

We have featured Itti Bitti on Beyond The Baby in the past and I love singing their praises! Click Here to see our previous product review for Itti Bitti.

Itti Bitti are one of the slimmest nappies on the market, they offer a great range of patterns and styles to suit every need and desire!

Along with their fabulous nappies they also have a great range of accessories – Ultimate Wipes, Luxury Wetbags, Babylegs and heaps more!

Be sure to check out www.IttiBitti.com.au

This week is the International Reusable Nappy Week! From April 26th to 2nd May we are going to celebrate everything to do with cloth nappies!

This fits in perfectly with our Eco Month

We added a few awesome articles last week to Beyond The Baby that will beginners out there master the daunting world of cloth nappies!

Ever wondered what all the lingo was? MCN? AIO? SIO? …. wonder no more! Here is a great guide to “nappy speak”

Cloth Nappy Termanology

Now you are educated on “nappy speak” it’s time to figure out what nappy is best for you and your lifestyle. Here is a great guide to help you choose!

Cloth Nappies … Which One?

So you can speak the speak here is a guide to help you not only walk the walk, but walk it in an organised fashion!

How To Set Up A Cloth Nappy System

Last but not least the worst job in the world but one that can never be avoided! Washing!! Here are some great tips on how to wash your beautiful new nappies!

Cloth Nappies – Washing and Care Instructions

Each day this week we will also feature our favourite nappy brands! So be sure to check back here daily and enjoy a week dedicated to fluffy butts!

Jen xx

The top baby name list for 2009 has been released!

There are a few changes in the list this year with Mia dropping from the first position in 2008 to number 4 and Charlotte and Noah making the larget leaps juming up 4 places to position 3 and 8 respectively.

I always wonder with everyone choosing the same names, will our children end up in a classroom filled with children that have the same names?

I was born in 1981 and Jennifer was ranked number 1. I must admit I had around 6 Jennifer’s in my year at school and had many friends with the names Amanda and Sarah who were also in the top 10 list for our birth year.

While having such a comon name can pose those sorts of issues, having a unique name comes with a completely different set of problems. Children are often teased for their names if they are a little too alternative.

So I guess really you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t!

No matter what name you choose, it will always be the topic of great debate! I know in our house right up until the day of Cooper’s birth we were still throwing names around, although hubby was pretty set on Cooper.

I always said I never wanted a name on the most polpular list so next time I will make sure when I am suggesting names to hubby that I check the lists before I tell him so he doesn’t get set on a name like he did with Cooper.

Jen xx