The best gift a baby could give a sibling
My husband, Ben, and I were over the moon with the birth of our first child, a beautiful baby boy we named Brodie. We …
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Preparation
Are you ready to start a family? Here are some important considerations in terms of what to do to prepare your body and lifestyle changes to consider. Prepare marriage for children.
Your first pregnancy: 10 things to do
So, you’re expecting! Congratulations! Feeling excited but slightly overwhelmed? Renee Murphy offers up some steps you can take to feel more prepared. Find out your due date If you know when you last menstrual period was, enter your details into …
Creative ideas for budget babymoons
Being pregnant is a beautiful, precious time in a woman’s life, but because our bodies are in full-on nurturing mode, it's also a time of restriction. In other words, for nine long months we have to say say goodbye to sushi, bought …
Buying for baby: what you'll really need
Congratulations, you're having a baby! It is an exciting time, with so much to do. Shopping for a baby can be bewildering for first-timers, so mum of two Nuree Greenhalgh shares her expertise on what to look for when buying the essentials. I am the …
The basics of parental leave
Paid Parental Leave (PPL) has come a long way baby! Back in 2002, when it was first introduced in New Zealand, parents and primary care givers received 12 weeks. However, PPL was increased from 18 weeks to 22 weeks, with a further increase to 26 …
Insuring your family's future
When a new baby enters our lives, there are so many issues to consider. While no one wants to be overly pessimistic at this time, it's wise to ensure we're doing all we can to protect our family's future. Here's how insurance can help you with one …
Cord blood banking: an insurance policy with a difference
Ellie Gwilliam spoke to the woman behind New Zealand’s only cord blood banking service to find out why she has made banking blood her life work. There’s a lot to think about when you’re pregnant. The fact that you have created – and are responsible …
Health insurance
When baby arrives, your health suddenly seems a lot more important. When you're starting a family, it's quite natural to start thinking more about your health and wellbeing and how you'll keep your children healthy. So we asked New Zealand's largest …