nature's child + $200 giveaway

You all know that I'm passionate about a natural and organic way of life. Indeed, Poet has been bathed, clothed and swaddled in beautiful baby-happy organic products since she was born. One of my favourite online stores is Nature's Child - a one-stop eco-friendly shopping experience. Creator and owner Jannine Barron has recently launched their new website and is offering the chance to win a grand price of organic baby products worth $1000. To enter, visit here.

I've got a little (big!) giveaway too. Jannine has been kind enough to offer one Che and Fidel reader a $200 organic showbag brimming with baby products from brands such as Boon, Purebaby, Bellamy's and Aden & Anais. For a chance to win visit Nature's Child and leave a comment below telling me what your favourite products is. I will announce the winner next Wednesday 21st September.


Update: The winner of the $200 giveaway is Ashley from Piper and Poppies. Congratulations! 

I interviewed Jannine about her company, her passion for eco-friendly products and her hopes for the future.

Jodi: Why did you create Nature's Child?

Jannine: When I had my first son 16 years ago, I was shocked by the amount of junky, plastic and disposable items that were on offer to parents. I had no interest in products being offered in baby shops and thought surely I was not the only mother that felt like this. I had to look far and wide around markets, garage sales and mail order to find healthy and beautiful products that were environmentally friendly and cost effective. Eventually, friends were asking where did I get that? So I realised there was a business opportunity. I had an open day at my house and made $2000 - then I knew I definitely had a business idea!

Jodi: What were your intentions when you opened the store?

Jannine: I simply wanted to make it easy for parents to get cloth nappies, organic, good, healthy baby products. It was such a niche idea that we clearly had to open our doors beyond the local community so our first store was on-line. We wanted to reach all parents looking for organic and natural products. We wanted to support parents choosing cloth baby products and make them easy to buy. Easy to buy with out all the research I had to do!

Jodi: What is your criteria when selecting products for the store?

Jannine: Organic, Handmade, natural ingredients, no chemical mixes. Biodegradable and disposable products, compost-ability. Less packaging. Recycled Packaging. Unique!

Jodi: How do you balance work and motherhood?

Jannine: My boys are teenagers now but they were 3 and 5yrs when I started Nature’s Child. I had a rule for myself that I would not work full time until the youngest was 5. I had a real thing about being there for them until they were 5 as I was always told 80% of what kids learn, they learn under 5. That stuck with me and I still believe it to be true. That rule was also for myself as much as them because its fun! They had daycare 2 days a week which was enough for both of us. I was not in a good financial position but I was happy with my boys. I love being a mum and still do. I have a great relationship with my teenagers who now work for me on weekends. They are really interested in how business works and always look out for me if I'm having a bad day. So they look after me now!

Jodi: What are five products that every new muma should have?

Jannine: Organic Bedding, Organic Teddy Bear, Amber Necklace, Nature’s Child Bottom Balm (world famous now it’s so good!) and Nature’s Child Deluxe Face Wipes.

Jodi: What are your dreams for Nature's Child?

Jannine: I would like Nature’s Child to be seen as a normal, mainstream place to shop. I still don’t understand why we have to be “special.” Being healthy and organic should be the mainstream. I look forward to Nature’s Child Stores opening in other states and continuing to offer awesome service, great value and flat rate shipping on-line to all Australian parents.

you're home now

In the newborn haze where you're sleep deprived, blissfully happy and unable to comprehend the simplest of questions, days melt into one another and before you know it another week has come around. The sweet spring sun has started to beckon and we've left our abode a few times, only to return a short while later, happy to have been out in the world but so pleased to be home again.

Of course when we do go out, the little bundle curled up in the sling attracts a lot of attention. It's been slightly heartbreaking to watch Che as he meanders in the background and regardless of how much Daniel and I bring him into the conversation, for most people there's nothing quite like the allure of a newborn. He's been having nightmares too and so most nights he ends up in our bed. Four in the bed and the little one said...

I've been making sure I give him as many cuddles as I can, telling him how much I love him several times a day and encouraging him to interact with Poet. What has been so incredibly awe-inspiring as a parent is watching him take her in. He ponders the size of her hands, kisses her forehead and come really close when I'm feeding her.

But, there has been one thing that he has said, since she was born, that leaves me silent and a little teary.

Every day he comes really close to her and says:

"You're home now Baby."

Like she's been waiting to come.

babymoon checklist

Before Poet arrived I was well aware of how I wanted to spend the first few weeks of her life. It was my priority to have a 'babymoon' - a restful period where I could recover from the birth, connect with my newborn and take good care of my self. As of today I am yet to venture past the letterbox. As a result I feel wonderful. It's liberating to give yourself permission to just 'be'. Truth be told, I couldn't imagine doing it any other way.

The transition of Poet's birth was an incredibly powerful experience. I was left on an almighty high and then a few days later, day three, I was sore, tired, emotional and needy. It was incredibly comforting to know that everything was taken care of. It's been 12 days since her birth and I haven't had to make dinner yet. The washing, cleaning and cooking has all been taken care of.

I've learned through the comments that many of you are either currently pregnant, planning on having a baby or pondering the possibility of adding to your brood. And so, I bring you my babymoon list. A collection of things that have made these early days of rest possible (and comfortable).

• Ready-made meals. "We don't need gifts, but we would love food," I said to family and friends. In the first few weeks, a warm, hearty meal is absolutely priceless. I informed those that were willing to cook for us that we desired comfort food that didn't have too much garlic or onions (creates too much wind for baby) and definitely no sage (sage is the herb you eat/drink when you want your breast-milk to dry up - if you want to produce more milk you should consider fennel and dill). We've been blessed to eat beautiful lasagne, wholesome soups, slow-cooked organic chicken, casseroles, quiche and the most delectable chicken pie from the lovely lady next door.
• Banana Bread - ok, so it's not a necessity but my gosh I have enjoyed a mid-morning cup of tea with a slice of toasted banana bread. Yum!
• Water - every time Poet attaches I get so very thirsty. I actually found it quite hard to quench my thirst in those first few days.
• Hot Water Bottles - With every baby the after-pains (contractions encouraging the uterus to return to its original size - the size of your fist) get more intense. I literally had to breathe and moan through each and every one of them. Ouch! Hot water bottles were my saviour.
• Luxury toilet paper - I usually buy recycled but I treated myself to the ultra-soft expensive type. I wasn't overly sore after she was born but it was nice to use soft paper. In the 24hours after birth you pee about 3 litres of fluid so it's nice to have comfy toilet paper at the ready.
• l'il Fraser Wraps - the greatest baby wrap. Ever. Poet had her hands up near her face in my womb and since she was born, they've always gravitated upwards, which can make feeding and sleeping difficult. She loves to be snug and wrapping her in a l'il fraser ensures she feels safe and, thankfully, sleepy.
• Bonds wondersuit - when you're spending lazy days at home with a sleepy newborn, there's nothing better than a warm, cosy, easy-to-wash wondersuit (for baby, not for muma)
• Queen Bee Nursing Bra - there are so many maternity bras out there and it can easily become a confusing and expensive shopping trip. I've loved this no hook, no strap version that's comfortable to wear while sleeping and incredibly supportive.
• Yes to Carrots Nourishing Baby Lotion - We haven't bathed Poet yet - we don't want to wash away her purity. Little babies don't need baths and they most definitely do not need soap! But, this natural moisturiser has been lovely for me! I like the fact that it's made from organic ingredients and it smells lovely - there is no overpowering scent which is good considering Poet is always close by. She wants to smell her muma and her milk - not synthetic floral!
• LOVE AND CUDDLES AND SMOOCHES - make a babymoon all the sweeter...make the world go 'round.

I'm working on Poet's birth story at the moment. But I've also got something to share. Daniel set the camera up in the birthing suite and it took a photo every two seconds. The result? A timelapse of labour and birth, set to a song we listened to while I was pregnant. It's an emotional and beautiful capture and regardless of the fact that you can see my bare bum, it's something that I want to share. Because, if it encourages even one woman to prepare for a conscious birth experience, then it's worth it. Hopefully I will get around to posting it in the next week.