A really relevant news story for our customers: new research is out today which suggests that breastfeeding improves a child’s intelligence.

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study showed that children with one version of the FADS2 gene scored seven points higher in IQ tests if they were breastfed, compared to children with a different version of the gene. However, since it also suggests that 9/10 children have the version of the gene which is affected, it would make sense to try and breastfeed your child.

We obviously welcome the findings, but I know that breastfeeding isn’t for everyone - with all the good will in the world, sometimes it simply doesn’t happen. Both my sisters had a terrible time trying to breastfeed, my friends struggled with guilt when they had to go back to work, and personally, having been bottle fed and having come out ok (just about), I can definitely see both sides of the argument.

Definitely one for debate - let us know your thoughts!

Read the full story here

A little chuckle for a friday… not that we would treat our valued customers this way of course!

I think that our customers are savvy, well-informed and discerning women who make considered purchases (aren’t we all??).  But when it comes to new baby gear, there is SO much choice, so many ‘authoritative’ sites offering conflicting views, and friends and family, whilst a brilliant source of support and advice, only rely on their own experience. It seems that the clever, time and cost-effective solution is to let someone else guide you through it.

So when we heard about BabyConcierge, we knew that our London mums-to-be would love it.. It’s a totally impartial shopping service, where a consultant will work through a comprehensive list of items you may need and pick out what’s relevant to you, from prams and car seats, to baby carriers, feeding equipment, nursery furniture, bedding, bathing and changing accessories, layette and more.

Has anyone used this or a similar service? Any thoughts?

Because I haven’t (yet) had babies, I am a bit sceptical of all the alternative therapies which claim to be ‘essential’ for childbirth. My (clearly uniformed) opinion is 1. get it out safely and 2. lots of drugs = less pain. So it’s fair to say I was initially sceptical of hypnobirthing… reduced pain, rapid postnatal recovery, special bonding, shortened labour, absence of fear - sounds too good to be true - until I met Patti Good from BabyJourney. She talks a great deal of sense, is extremely well qualified and even if you aren’t ready to go there, she’s a fascinating speaker and well worth having a chat with. She also offers other therapies, from assisting couples facing infertility to helping worn-out Mums. A lifeline for many people I’m sure… you just have to know it’s out there!

Join the UK-wide campaign launched by midwivesonline.com to save the lives of mothers and babies who are at risk due to a national shortage of midwives. This campaign is on behalf of the thousands of ‘over-stretched’ midwives and the growing number of recently qualified student midwives who are without jobs. All you need to do is sign a petition demanding that the government lift the current freeze on NHS midwife vacancies; and increase the number of midwives being trained by 10 000 over the next two years.

This issue is hitting the NHS hard, with negligence payments to women who have been injured during child-birth soaring to £1 billion. Figures released this month by Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, showed that two thirds of the one hundred highest pay-outs over the last five years were made to women who were injured as a result of substandard maternity care.

A current freeze on NHS midwife vacancies is adding to the problem and forcing student midwives into unemployment when their skills are desperately needed. The NHS has admitted that two-thirds of maternity units are understaffed, or have non-skilled health workers taking on tasks that should be done by a trained midwife.

In 2006, Dame Karlene Davis, the General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives warned the government that mothers and babies were being put at risk by ballooning NHS deficits. She pointed out that a third of hospitals were cutting their budgets for maternity care despite there being a national shortage of 10 000 midwives.

Midwivesonline.com are taking their campaign to the heart of parliament and lobbying MP’s to give their backing to the petition. Adding his support, Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, said ‘We cannot allow such gross negligence on the part of our national healthcare system, which is failing parents during one of their most precious moments. I support the call for more midwives by Midwivesonline.com in order to save lives and reduce trauma during childbirth.’

Bump2bubba.co.uk was recommended to us by a couple of our pregnant friends; they run professional antenatal classes in London and the South East and aim to make you feel excited, not daunted by the impeding arrival. The luxury antenatal weekend at the 4* Spa Retreat Hotel in brandshatch is meant to be particularly good. Here’s what our friend Maria had to say: “I’m now confident and ready for anything! I don’t think I could have ever been able to go on and enjoy my pregnancy without Tania’s great advice. I’m happy and relaxed.” Any other recommendations?

Our working customers have told us that they love this recent US-style consultancy: Babyplanners. An all-embracing service, a babyplanner is someone who takes care of everything for you - from choosing the smartest pushchair or coolest baby carrier to finding the best pregnancy yoga or birth prep classes. And you don’t even have to leave your desk or sofa. There are several other similar services like this (Babylist for one) but Babyplanners is set apart from the competiton for one simple reason: they don’t carry stock and so when they recommend a product it’s because they really mean it, rather than because they’ve got 50 to shift. This seems pretty key to me! Have you read about them? Used their service?

We love a good blog - especially one which gives you advance warnings of sales, juicy bits of gossip, sneak previews of lovely collections… have a look at knickersblog - there are even tips on how to become a lingerie designer (our honest advice? make cakes instead.)

Are you the kind of person who gets tetchy when your inbox scroll bar gets shorter and shorter? I am. Pointless spam and newsletters do not a zen mood make. But… there are actually a few gems out there that I look forward to receiving. Here are Amoralia’s faves - let us know what yours are!

For the entrepreneur: springwise.com Full of new business ideas from all over the world (this week features a ‘hotel’ for cars in Belgium, an eco-friendly cleaning service in London and a way for customers to manufacture their products)

For the American Mom-to-be: shefindsmom.com They shop the web and hunt down all the great offers so that you don’t have to waste your time. We were chuffed to be featured on their site a month ago (click pic to see the feature)

.

For snug Me-Time: hush-uk.com Totally gorgeous homeware and loungewear, cute yummy mummy packages (I defy anyone not to aah and ooh at the mini ugg boots), all personally hand picked from a (now less chilly) Aussie who believes that comfort need not come at the expense of style.