Summer reissue: Dietary Requirements is The Spinoff’s monthly podcast in which we eat, drink and talk about it too, with special thanks to Freedom Farms. In this episode, we’re joined by food writer Ginny Grant and a whole lot of babies for our first podcast of 2020. First published February 2, 2020. Independent journalism depends … Read more
Men find it hard to seek help when they experience perinatal distress. Simon Day shares his story of postnatal anxiety and talks to parenting advocates about what fathers need to do when they’re feeling down. In late December 2019, our twin boys arrived two weeks earlier than expected. They were happy and healthy, but at … Read more
Dietary Requirements is The Spinoff’s monthly podcast in which we eat, drink and talk about it too, with special thanks to Freedom Farms. This month, we’re joined by food writer Ginny Grant and a whole lot of babies for our first podcast of 2020. We’re back for 2020 and the Dietary Requirements whānau has magically expanded! … Read more
The fourth trimester is exhausting for new parents. Here’s how you can help. There are no visitors, only staff. This was the most empowering advice I got as a new māmā because it gave me permission to let go of the people-pleasing and embrace the generosity of those around me. They call it the fourth … Read more
In the third part of our parenting series What They Don’t Tell You, Jane Yee discovers nothing can prepare you for twins. I’ve had a good many ultrasounds in my life. Most have been exciting, a couple have been devastating, but regardless of the extreme emotion tied to each of those appointments, I couldn’t tell … Read more
Don’t have your costume sorted yet? Fear not: Halloween and bizarre news story enthusiasts Alice Neville and Toby Morris bring you eight ideas guaranteed to impress and terrify the neighbours in equal measure. It’s a little-known fact that the Halloween costume was invented in a small Scottish village in 1585, when local children dressed up … Read more
They might be on the pricier side but books editor Catherine Woulfe is feeling much better using startup Little & Brave’s compostable nappies to deal with her daughter’s epic poos. Our daughter is a champion shitter. From day one she had an innate sense of timing: we’d place her on high on the change table, … Read more
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and Special Care Baby Units around the country will be visited by Santa this week – he’s just made up of a lot of people who care. Emily Writes shares the story of the NICU Secret Santa. As Christmas cards are handed out around the country, a few will have … Read more
Baby on your brain? Catherine Hart talks about her yearning need to be a mum. Have you ever experienced a craving for anything other than food? Perhaps a desire for a more challenging work life? Or a wish to move house and begin claiming your own space in a way you’ve never done before? Well … Read more
In part two of The Spinoff’s great recall list, we look at various items targeted towards parents and children, such as toys, strollers, cots, carriers, rattles, bottles, and kids pyjamas. Below is a selection of recalled items we think are most relevant to consumers (part one looked at a selection of common household items). Of … Read more
Live updates from Hayden Donnell, Toby Manhire and Madeleine Chapman Sunday, June 24 8.30pm: Earlier today the prime minister and her partner appeared at Auckland Hospital to acknowledge Clarke Gayford’s cardigan. “There’s nothing wrong with that dad cardie,” said Jacinda Ardern, in a Facebook video. It was “a real find”, said the prime minister of … Read more
Men are increasingly the primary caregivers for kids, but public facilities for them to change nappies in remain woefully inadequate. This story was originally published on Newshub. As Clarke Gayford is about to show the world, males are perfectly capable of being primary caregivers. Plenty of them are keen to take some time off work … Read more
A theatre show written by parents and for parents is welcoming mums to see the show with their babies. It might be a first in New Zealand. Producer Rachel Millar outlines why they’ve made the decision to be accessible. After children and babies in cafes and children on planes, babies in the theatre is the … Read more
Every week on The Primer we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to Little Angels founder Heather Baker whose used her expertise as a postnatal nurse to make healthy, easy-to-prepare food for babies. ONE: How did Little Angels start and what was the inspiration behind … Read more
A woman prime minister having a baby while in office? It’s already happened once, in Pakistan. As the fervour ensues over Jacinda Ardern’s bombshell announcement, many have been asking: “How historic is this really?” We know it’s unusual – it’s not every day you have a female head of government, let alone one that’s three … Read more
Mother of five Cathy Johnston writes about her hopes that her children will appreciate her – as she appreciates her own mother, and all those who mother us. As the mid morning sunshine filters through the clouds, the last of Jack Frost’s overnight ice crunches beneath my pink gumboots. The baby is finally asleep. I … Read more
Like a lot of mothers, Juliet Speedy was often told that the baby years would be the best years of her life. She’s not convinced. There’s this spot at our small, local mall that I used to frequent. It was a bench seat opposite the supermarket and outside that supermarket is a climb-on Bob the Builder toy. … Read more
What happens when your baby is born and you don’t feel anything? Nadine Millar shares her story of waiting for the feelings to come. I was 24 when I had my first baby. I’d just started Uni and it seemed like a good use of time. I wrote assignments while he slept, substituted text books for … Read more
How is it that the days feel so long, but the years so short? Thomasin Sleigh writes about the parenting journey – the minutes, weeks, years and the “non-time”. Minutes A pregnancy test. Wait. You have to wait two minutes before you look at the slender lines. Lines which signify a new human being. Inside … Read more
Eloise Gibson talks to child development specialist and mum of two Claire Lerner about flying with kids. What should we, and others, expect from children on long flights? And what can we do to make a trip easier? I’m going to be honest. I’m a parent, and I still fear sitting next to babies and … Read more
We recently published a column from a bottle-feeding mum who wondered why there was so little information available for those parents whose babies don’t breastfeed. If you need something doing, do it yourself – presenting the Complete Spinoff Parents Guide to Infant Formula, written by our own kid food expert, Stacy Kemeys. First things first, … Read more
We all know that breast is best, but is it fair that mothers who are forced (or choose) to bottle feed are forever made to feel second best? Maryrose Painter wonders why there is so little help and information available to mums who hit the bottle. Before I gave birth to my daughter earlier this … Read more
What’s it like to want to start a family but not be able to? The second in an occasional series by Kat McKenzie, who writes about the hopes, fears and medical practicalities of trying to be a mother. Part one: Forever hopeful – my life in the parents-in-waiting club It starts in your gut. It’s … Read more
New mum Annabelle Marley tells you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the messy, indelicate subject of post-childbirth pooping, but were too terrified to ask. Why are we publishing a post about how to take a shit after birth? Because 1) I vividly remember after both of my births frantically searching for advice on … Read more
‘Have you tried…?’ It’s the call of unsolicited advice-givers everywhere. Dr Jess Berentson-Shaw tackles the science (or the lack thereof) behind the latest fad treatments for babies – including those damn amber beads. The Krakatoa eruption had nothing on this. I watched in horror as a voluminous fountain of precious breast milk blasted high into … Read more
What’s it like to want to start a family but not be able to? Introducing Kat McKenzie, the author of a new Spinoff Parents column on the hopes, fears and medical practicalities of trying to be a mother. For years I used to read anything I could about parenting. I was so desperate to have … Read more
Baby not sleeping? Feeling like you’re gradually going insane yourself through lack of shut-eye? Never fear, Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes is here to help. Getting your baby to go to sleep is quite simple. All you need to do is change your diet, their diet, your environment, your lifestyle, and be prepared to rid … Read more
From antique moa-hair baby blankets to NASA-designed ergonomic shoes, Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes takes a look at the must-have items for your precious child. Having a baby is a wonderful time to spend all of the money you have. Once baby has arrived, they basically take care of themselves if you have all of … Read more
A major University of Otago study suggests poorer outcomes for babies born under midwife-led care. Dr Jess Berentson-Shaw looks at the truth behind the headlines. In this article we are going to talk about some of the bad stuff that happens during pregnancy and labour to babies and women. These things are infrequent in New … Read more