The amazing race of conception

Heroic distances, daunting obstacles and fierce competition — the conception journey defies the odds. In fact, as Dr Andrew Murray, explains it’s a miracle any of us are here at all. In my role as a fertility specialist, I suppose I get quite a …

What to expect with a newborn

Your emotions Immediately after the birth your first responses and interactions with your baby will probably be the most important that ever occur. Its tiny and vulnerable body will stir many emotions in you. In the days following the birth there …

Birth: from baby's perspective

With thoughtful research, an active imagination and well-earned poetic licence, Sarah Tennant presents a baby’s eye view of birth. Does labour hurt? I don’t mean for the mother. I’m writing this while heavily pregnant with my fourth child – that …

How to live harmoniously with extended family

The family home takes on a whole new meaning when three generations live together. As Pauline Harris, mother of four and grandmother to five, explains, sharing a house can work on many levels – when the right foundations are in place. As the cost of …

A fine blend: the Byrne family

In just over three years, the Byrnes have pumped out three cafés and three babies, and they’re still charging. Marianne Falconer stopped by for a coffee. In a lot of ways, cafés are like kids. They both wake you up in the early hours of the morning, …

Our favourite things: olive and sage

JOIN IN THE GREEN REVOLUTION THIS SEASON!      Bunnies And Bees Merino Hat in sage, $25, bunniesandbees.co.nz; Petit Monkey Animals Lunchbox Set in green, $19.50, littlewhimsy.co.nz; Fabelab Teether Bunny in olive, $23.50, littlewhimsy.co.nz; …

As OHbaby! magazine celebrates its 50th issue, Carly Thomson reflects on how motherhood has changed over the past few generations.  I wish we had those in my day!” a woman exclaims, watching my one-year-old son sucking happily on his purée pouch as …

The power of preconception nutrition

Dietitian Claudia Vavasour explains how eating well can boost fertility – for both him and her!  Infertility affects up to one in six people, and is usually associated with those who have difficulty becoming first-time parents. However, you may be …

Sleep science: sleep better in pregnancy

Sleep scientist Clare Ladyman offers sleeping tips for pregnancy in this extract from her book. Sleep is an essential part of healthy living and is just as important as eating, drinking and breathing. When we have healthy sleep, we feel, think and …

Family lockdown: the great social experiment

Lockdown with four sons gave political enthusiast Sam Cummins a chance to trial a range of parenting regimes, but mum’s methods came up trumps! Well, haven’t the last few months been interesting? Given all that’s happened, it’s hard to know where to …