Winter all-in-ones

We love all-in-ones for the little ones for Winter. You know your nestlings are always tucked in with no uncomfortable bulges around the middle or, worse no bare flesh to get cold. They are great for sleeping in but stylish enough to wear out.

Now that they are on sale you can get any of these all-in-ones for boys for less than $20 each.

Our winter rompers for boys and girls will have your nestlings feeling snug and looking cute in the cooler weather. These are our picks for the girls for under $20:

There are also plenty of warm winter styles on sale for the big kids too as nestling caters to all sizes from newborn to size 8. Shop the Winter sale now.

The team at nestling.

Wilson & Frenchy

New to nestling this Winter is the gorgeous baby brand, Wilson & Frenchy. The muted colours and soft textures are perfect for little babies and a number of styles will suit both boys and girls.

With sizes from 0000 to 0, this Melbourne-based brand uses only the finest cotton and ensure their garments are produced in fair trade factories. Each design is unique and individually hand illustrated.

In case you haven't already viewed our Wilson & Frenchy collection here's a sneak peak of what's on offer and how to team them up.

If you like all-in-ones these are sure to impress:

Fly away zip suit with feet

Lark print zip suit with feet

The top two feature zips and the Little forest one has studs, and is also the only footless option. 

Little forest long sleeve studsuit

Almost a complete outfit in one but they can be enhanced with the addition of the Petite stripe knot hat or the Little lark bib.

             

Petite stripe knot hat

Little lark bib

                                             

The Little lark easy neck bodysuit can be worn by baby boys or girls and can be teamed with any of the leggings to suit.

Little lark easy neck bodysuit

  

The boys' Little fox easy neck top looks beautiful with the Mini blue stripe leggings and the girls' Little family easy neck top looks gorgeous over the Petite pattern leggings with frills.

 And of course the Bunny rug can go under, or over, all of them!

Petite stripe bunny rug

We hope you love our new brand as much as we do.

The team at nestling.

Beautiful winter warmers for your nestlings

How's the weather where you are? Here at nestling central things are really starting to cool off. Luckily for you nestling is currently offering 30% off all winter clothes so you can set your nestlings up for a snug and warm winter. Just use the coupon code '30bunny' at the checkout before 30 April 2014. As well as 30% off winter clothes it will also give you 30% off all baby accessories.

Here are just a couple from our huge selection of gorgeous baby outfits:

And some beautiful clothes for older children:

Choose from our fabulous range of winter sleepwear:

And there's plenty more where they came from:

Little Wings

Fox & Finch

Milky

Bebe by Minihaha

Happy winter shopping from the team at nestling.

Ten children's book suggestions by age

Reading, and being read to, are such important building blocks for children's education and learning. So, for your reading pleasure (and that of your nestlings) we have compiled a list of some of our favourite stories for each stage of your child's development. We hope you get hours of pleasure from these suggestions.

Babies & toddlers

Each Peach Pear Plum - Janet & Allan Ahlberg

Guess How Much I Love You - Sam McBratney

Where's Spot? - Eric Hill

Maisy's Bedtime - Lucy Cousins

Can't you Sleep, Little Bear? - Martin Waddell

There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake - Hazel Edwards

Rumble in the Jungle - Giles Andreae & David Wojtowycz

Where is the Green Sheep? - Mem Fox & Judy Horacek

The Cat in the Hat - Dr Seuss

The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle

Preschool - young readers

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy - Lynley Dodd

The Tiger who came to Tea - Judith Kerr

Lost and Found - Oliver Jeffers

Stick Man - Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

We Honestly Can Look After Your Dog (Charlie & Lola) - Lauren Child

Meg and Mog - Helen Nicoll & Jan Pienkowski

Mr Men and Little Miss stories - Roger Hargreaves

Knuffle Bunny - Mo Willems

Madeline - Ludwig Bemelmans

One Snowy Night - Nick Parks

Older readers

The Magic Faraway Tree - Enid Blyton

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl

The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick

Alice Miranda at School - Jacqueline Harvey

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J K Rowling

Sophie the Awesome - Lara Bergen

Beware of the Storybook Wolves - Lauren Child

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney

The Complete Chronicles of Narnia - C S Lewis

The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

Happy reading!

The team at nestling.

Kids' birthday parties

   

Has your nestling had their first party? If not, brace yourself! Children's parties are totally different to the ones I remember from my childhood.

For a start almost all of our parties were at home. We didn't have one every year, nor did we expect to, and although I went to a co-ed school I don't think I ever invited a boy. In my defense neither did any of the other girls in my class - and I probably wasn't ever invited to a boy's birthday party.

I'm sure my mother got great pleasure out of choosing what clothes I would wear to a party, but I usually didn't enjoy wearing them. I remember the humiliation of having my photo taken standing out the front of our house (yes, where everyone driving down the street could see me), holding a present and wearing a lemon coloured crocheted poncho over a brown paisley shirt and yellow, well, I can only describe them as "slacks". In case you haven't guessed I was a child in the 70s. I know retro is cool but there are some things that will never be in fashion and I am pretty sure canary yellow slacks and lemon crocheted ponchos fit into the latter category!

We always played games and if you were lucky you might win a prize, but you certainly didn't expect to, and it would have been unusual for the birthday child to win at Pass the Parcel. One of my favourite games involved rolling a dice to get doubles. If you managed to roll doubles you had to quickly (because the rest of the partygoers kept rolling) put on a hat, scarf and gloves then pick up a knife and fork and try to cut bite sized pieces off of a family block of chocolate. As you can imagine, or maybe remember if you've played it too, there was a lot of putting on hats and scarves then taking them off because someone else had rolled double. Fun!

Party food was very much a 'one size fits all' approach and usually the same offerings of: little boys (frankfurters); fairy bread; chips; sausage rolls; biscuits and cake, all washed down with green, red or orange water cordial. I don't remember there being any party bags either. But you always got a piece of birthday cake (wrapped up in a paper napkin) to take home with you. Mind you the birthday cake would have been a normal, fairly plain, homemade cake, possibly with candles but none of this decorating in the shape of your favourite TV character - not that there were very many of those to choose from at the time...

I remember someone having a party once where they took us all to the pictures, amid much muttering about such decadence from all the other parents! When I got to high school there was the occasional roller skating party, and that was really stepping up a notch.

Ah, simpler times. But those days are gone. The world of party planning for the under 10s can be a rather scary place. However I think you will just have to work it out for yourself as there are too many minefields for me to guide you through - cost, venue, numbers (and more importantly who gets invited and who doesn't), duration, food (especially the cake), what to wear (you and your child), when to open presents, the list goes on and on.

So, good luck and enjoy the party!!

The team at nestling.

Food allergies

Photo courtesy of US Dept of Agriculture

Approximately 5% of children and 1% of adults in Australia suffer from some form of food allergies. The reactions range from very mild to severe. As the reduction in figures from child to adult indicates, it is quite common for children to grow out of allergies to particular foods over time.

Allergic reactions to food are increasing and there are a number of theories as to why, but none that have been scientifically proven. These include: the proposition that increased hygiene levels have meant less exposure to infections and therefore increased risk of allergy; and, the timing of the introduction of highly allergenic foods - such as eggs, peanuts and tree nuts - to babies.

Most children with allergies to milk, soy, wheat or eggs will grow out of these - often by the time they reach school age. However, reactions to peanuts, tree nuts, seeds and seafood are usually lifelong and need to be correctly managed.

Food intolerances are more common than allergies but the symptoms are usually less severe. Intolerances are often caused by dairy products, additives, and specific fruits (such as strawberries, tomatoes and some citrus fruit).

Symptoms of allergy

These vary but typically include: stomach pains, diarrhoea, vomiting, swelling and hives. Anaphylaxis is the most severe reaction and this affects the breathing and circulatory system and, if untreated, can be fatal.

Common allergans

Eggs, millk, peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, sesame, soy, fish and wheat.

Managing allergies

The most important aspect of managing any allergy is to identify and avoid the allergan. In the event of a reaction occuring the symptoms need to be recognised and treated. In school-aged children the risk of an allergic reaction must be correctly communicated to the school, along with advice on the appropriate care of the child in the event of a reaction. This may involve provision of an Epipen or other medical equipment as needed.

If you think your child has grown out of their allergy it is essential to have an assessment by a medical professional. Do not test at home to try to determine whether they are still allergic.

Photo courtesy Fabio Bruna

The team at nestling.

Reference: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

More for you at nestling

At nestling we have made a number of enhancements and want to share them with you. Whether it's rewarding you for choosing to shop with us; helping you to compile a wardrobe of gorgeous clothes; or giving you the opportunity to have your say on our boutique and services, we want to make sure your shopping experience is a truly satisfying one.

Here's a summary of our recent additions:

1. Member rewards program

We have just launched the nestling member rewards program. To become a member, simply register an account and subscribe to our newsletter. Once you are a member you will receive special discounts, previews, vouchers and lots of other exciting rewards. 

2. Gift registry

The nestling gift registry is great idea for baby showers, birthdays and other special occasions. Creating a gift register helps your family and friends give the perfect gift! We will gladly assist you in putting your gift register together, whether you are a first time mum and aren't sure what you need, or you would like some ideas for putting a wardrobe of clothes together.

A nestling gift register offers your family and friends:

·        a selection of clothes, baby accessories and other gifts they know you will love; 

·        a convenient shopping experience;

·        free gift wrapping; and

·        free postage on orders over $100.

As our gift to you, you will receive:

·        10% off all remaining products on your gift register after the event has occurred; and

·        a nestling gift voucher worth 20% of the total amount purchased from your gift register.

Creating a gift register is easy. To get started simply create an account or, if you already have an account, just log in.

3. Customer feedback survey

What do you think of nestling? Now is the time to have your say. We are conducting our first ever survey and would love to hear from you. Follow the link to complete the customer feedback survey.

When you are done send us an email to let us know you have taken the survey and we will send you a $10 voucher to thank you for your input.

The team at nestling.

Breastfeeding - current events

Photo courtesy Anton Nossik

Breastfeeding has long been a highly emotional and divisive topic. I would like to be able to say that breastfeeding in public is now commonplace and totally accepted, but unfortunately society has not yet got to that point. However, improvements in education and public perception have been made and these should be celebrated.

Breast vs bottle

The World Health Organisation takes a strong stance on the importance of breast milk for newborn babies and young children and states that, "virtually all mothers can breastfeed". This is of no comfort to those who cannot. Whilst most mothers would like to be able to make the decision to breast or bottle feed without fear of judgement, in reality this just is not the case. Those women who go straight to bottle feeding, or those who try breastfeeding and then switch to bottle, often feel extremely guilty (or are made to feel extremely guilty) for not breastfeeding their child. There are others who persevere with breastfeeding only to find themselves miserable and dreading every feed, which can lead to issues with bonding with their baby.

Returning to work

For those who are lucky enough to find breastfeeding both comfortable and easy, it is the most natural thing in the world. If they are also employed in workplaces that are supportive and flexible in relation to maternity leave, returning to work, and breastfeeding or expressing in the workplace, then they probably don't know what all the fuss is about. But I would suggest that these lucky women are in the minority.

Benefits of breastfeeding

That said, there is strong evidence of the benefits of breast milk for babies - particularly in relation to building immunity, reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes in adulthood, and, as a result of recent research, increases in intelligence. For the mother the benefits include helping to lose weight gained during pregnancy as well as reducing rates of ovarian and breast cancer in later life.

Statistics

A 2012 report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed that 90% of Australian babies are breastfed at birth. This figure drops significantly by the end of the recommended exclusive breastfeeding period of six months and, while statistics vary, it appears that only approximately 10-15% of mothers are still exclusively breastfeeding their babies at six months.

UK trial

In an attempt to overcome low breastfeeding rates in the UK, on November 13 a pilot scheme was announced. The pilot will take place in two low income areas of England and will offer food vouchers (with a value of approximately AU$340) to new mothers who breastfeed their babies for the first six weeks.

The study is aimed at lower income areas where it is feared breastfeeding is no longer a cultural norm, and has in fact been stigmatised by formula advertising. In the areas chosen for the study it is not uncommon for new mothers to never have seen a baby being breastfed. The researchers claim that babies born into affluent families in the UK are four times more likely to be breastfed than those born into deprived areas.

The initiative is clearly controversial with some questioning the use of financial incentives. However, if the trial is successful, it could be rolled out across the UK next year.

Breast milk bank

In Australia, an alternative for mothers who want to breastfeed but are unable to do so is the Mother's Milk Bank. This not-for-profit organisation, staffed by volunteers, collects, screens, pasteurises and distributes donated human milk to mothers who are unable to supply their own milk to their babies, or who develop problems with lactation and require support to continue to breastfeed their babies. 

Currently operating out of Northern NSW, it is the aim of the Mother's Milk Bank to facilitate the introduction of a network of banks around Australia within 10 years. 

We are all for anything that keeps mothers and babies happy and healthy.

The team at nestling.

Hip hip hooray!!

This week we are celebrating nestling's first birthday!! We can't believe that it has been a year since we opened our virtual doors. It has been so busy that the last twelve months are a bit of a blur.

As we are in a party mood we decided to highlight some of our favourite nestling party outfits - with Christmas just around the corner we hope they will come in very handy. 

For the girls we have beautiful dresses from a range of popular and exclusive brands. There are stylish party dresses from Megan Park Girl, One Red Fly, Tahlia byMinihaha, and Willow & Finn; and fabulously fun designs from Paper Wings and Hootkid. 

Megan Park Girl

One Red Fly

Willow & Finn

Hootkid

There are some gorgeous choices for baby girls from Bebe by Minihaha, Little Wings and Purebaby.

Little Wings

Purebaby

Bebe by Minihaha

Boys are well catered for by Andy & Evan, Bebe by Minihaha, Fox & Finch, Purebaby and Sierra Julian. With some more casual styles available from Broken Tricycle, Hootkid, Milky, Paper Wings and Rhubarb.

Broken Tricycle

Andy & Evan

Purebaby

Hootkid

We have also recently received our latest range of Huckleberry Lane sleepwear for girls and boys, as well as our Acorn sunhats, both of which make fabulous Christmas presents.

Huckleberry Lane

Huckleberry Lane

Acorn

Come and celebrate our birthday with us! Look out for our special birthday offers later this week.

We look forward to bringing you a lot more beautiful clothes over the coming year.

The team at nestling.