From our readers

From our We love to hear from our readers and have started pop-up conversations about topics of interest to parents.

readers

The topic

this issue

The most surprising thing I learnt at my Parents Centre Aotearoa antenatal classes

Winner

“Just how difficult breastfeeding is and the issues that some women have. I just thought that babies took to the breast like they do a bottle or a calf to a cow. But learning all the great support networks around like milk bar café or to head to a marae or even visit a lactation consultant if there are issues is comforting.” Amy Blackwell “I was surprised to learn what great friendships were made with complete strangers.”

Our favourite response has won a complete set of the Natural Instincts prize pack – formulated with the finest plant-derived ingredients, certified organic extracts, and pure essential oils to nourish and rejuvenate your skin. Our Parents Centre Aotearoa antenatal classes cover everything that expecting parents need to know during pregnancy, birth and beyond. There’s a whole lot of new information – quite often it can take many by surprise! Thank you to everyone who told us the most surprising thing they learnt in one of our classes.

runners up

Kirsten van Rensburg

“I was surprised to hear that not everyone can breastfeed. Blew my brain at the time. I met some of my best friends through antenatal and our chat group got me through. In fact, we still chat threeand-a-half years on.” Anna Tollestrup

“Eight of us still chat after 31 years. One of our group joined our Parents Centre-led group, after antenatal classes. She had been in a different antenatal class. We met once a week for over two years. In other words, we were still meeting after our second children were born and it all started with Parents Centre antenatal classes. I learned that the best parenting support for a new mother is the support

In response to Anna Tollestrup

of other mothers.” Margo Pourchier Harsant

Get involved by heading to our website parentscentre.org.nz or following us on social media. There’s a prize to be won for one lucky contributor, announced in each issue of KiwiParent.

Member benefits

Parents Centre Aotearoa member benefits

Huggies

Attendees of CBE, Baby and You and toilet training programmes get a Huggies gift pack. Phone: 0800 733 703 www.huggies.co.nz

Johnson & Johnson

Attendees of Parents Centre CBE and Baby and You get baby bath gift packs and information on science of the skin. www.jnj.com

Philips Avent

Attendees of Parents Centre Aotearoa CBE and Baby and You get breast pad samples and breastfeeding information. Phone: 0800 104 401 www.philips.co.nz/AVENT

Resene

Various discounts on decorating supplies and paints with Parents Centre Aotearoa membership card. www.resene.co.nz

0800 222 966 / www.babyonthemove.co.nz

Baby On The Move

20% off car seat hire, selected buggies and cots for all members. Phone: 0800 222 966 www.babyonthemove.co.nz

The Baby Factory

Regular Parents Centre Aotearoa discount days offering 20% off all stock including sale items. www.babyfactory.co.nz

Talking Matters

A campaign to get everyone talking with babies and young children under three years. www.talkingmatters.org.nz

Strategic partners

Parenting Place

parentingplace.nz

Birthing Centre

A free service to women of all ages whose pregnancy is considered lowrisk primary care. www.birthingcentre.co.nz

The Sleep Store

25% off Beco & Boba carriers plus 20% off other selected items, which are regularly updated. www.thesleepstore.co.nz content/parentscentre

SplashSave

20% discount on water safety package. www.splashsave.co.nz

Partner with us!

If you want to partner with Parents Centre Aotearoa, or would like to discuss how this may work for your business, contact Catherine at c.short@parentscentre.org.nz