Are You a VI PA?

Are you a Very Important PA, EA, Office Manager or Team Secretary in your office who regularly sources & orders baby gifts for CEO’s, Staff & valued Clients.  Let us save you the headache and make this job a breeze!  Do you know we offer Corporate Accounts for companies with more than 15 staff.  We’ve put together a fantastic info pack to make your corporate gift ordering easier.  It’s full of great information, baby gift suggestions, special offers & gift, just for you.  To take advantage of our great corporate benefits & receive your VI PA Pack simply email kathy@baybuds.com.au and we’ll VIP it over to you!

Exodus Foundation Donations

Each year  we donate gifts to the Exodus Foundation.  Our wonderful suppliers donate lots of baby toys, clothing and products to add to our gifts.

On the 11th of December the babybuds staff and their children donate their time to giftwrap presents for the Exodus Foundation Christmas Appeal.  We make sure that the presents look great and we usually wrap around 80 boxed gifts of goodies for little kids, babies and new mums at Christmas.

If anyone would like to donate we welcome donations of gifts of baby supplies, wipes, food, nappies, new toys and clothing from anyone who wishes to donate.  Simply post them to us or drop them into our warehouse at 71 Dickson Ave, Artarmon NSW 2064. 

Don’t hesitate to call or email us if you have any questions about our Exodus Foundation Appeal.

VIP Shopping Night!!!

A special VIP Shopping Night is on this Wednesday Night, the 27th October from 5pm to 9pm.  20% off storewide &   free delivery  A great way to get in some early Christmas shopping or put a few gifts away for upcoming baby births, baby showers or christenings. Simply enter the password “VIPShop”  at the checkout to redeem this great offer.

Baby & Toddler Show

A big thank you to everyone who came to visit us and made it so much fun for us!

Baby & Toddler Show Fun

We have had a first great few days at the Baby & Toddler show.    Thanks to our customers and facebook fans who have visited us, it has been great to meet our customers, show you our new products and hear what you have to say about our baby products and services. Gemma, Jessica and myself have had lots of fun, the show has a great buzz and we have loved seeing all the babies, a few even in our baby clothing. Friday was full of lots of pregnant women and new mums with tiny babies.  Today we had a lot more dads visiting the show.  Last day of the show tomorrow, big days but we are loving it.

Birth Costs on the Rise

Being a very family friendly business we always have lots of staff members who are pregnant or new mums.  The price increase in obstetrian fees has affected 3 of our pregnant staff members, one has transferred to the public system and 2 others changed obstetricians to one with lower fees. We thought that this may be affecting many women out there and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.  If you would like to read more on the changes Essential Baby has an informative article.

Breastfeeding – The Controversial Comments

This week front page of the papers was an article found in the SMH from the Deputy Editor of Mother & Baby Magazine in the UK.  Very sadly the Deputy Editor referred to breastfeeding as a little “creepy”.  She went on to say that she wanted her “body back” and “to give her boobs at least a chance to stay on my chest rather than dangling around my stomach” and continued “they’re part of my sexuality too – not just breasts but fun bags”.

I was very surprised to see an article like this published in Mother & Baby Magazine UK.  It is unfortunate that this view is not isolated, at babybuds we have links to the Australian Breastfeeding Association and we often hear from them a similar movement and view from new mums.  The comment on breastfeeding being “creepy” is new to me, I have never heard anyone describe it this way.  It is a very sad way to describe something so natural, bonding and nurturing and it is a privelege to be able to breastfeed children as there are women who are unable to.  I also think it is very important not to reignite the debate on breastfeeding, there are women who choose not to and I believe that women’s choices should be respected – after all if a mum is happy she usually enjoys her role more and thrives.  “Creepy”  just seems like an odd word and one that doesn’t make any sense.

As a mother of 2 kids none of us want to loose our pre-baby bodies, I am sure that I speak for most women when I say that we would love to have our body look the way it did but the fact is our bodies went through major changes and for most of us it is not going to happen.  Our priorities have changed.  When once we had no-one in the world to focus on but ourselves, making sure we were in great shape in the latest geer to allure the man of our dreams.  Post baby our priorities have changed, we have bills and mortgages to pay, we have school assignments, helping out at the school canteen, children up sick in the middle of the night, books to read, counselling and nurturing to do and not to mention twice the ironing, washing, cooking.  I believe that for most mums our bodies, fashion etc, just doesn’t come first any more, our lives and relationships have deepened and you realise that the world is more than just “me”  being a mum is a wonderful role that requires a lot of energy and focus and I am here on earth for more than my own pleasure. 

Being in my late 30′s now with both my children at school,  I hope that the new generation of mums embrace the changes in their lives and enjoy the bonding, love and joy that a baby and children add to our lives.

Launching “Mothers’ Group of the Year”

babybuds has teamed up with My Child Magazine and we are both very excited to be launching the Mothers’ Group of the Year Promotion.  babybuds and My Child Magazine both value Mothers Group and see them as an essential part of the new mother/early childhood stage of life.  A mother’s group provides, friendship, support and education.  Women join to interact and form relationships with other mums, and being part of a mothers’ group gives them the opportunity to discuss the ups and downs of parenting with like-minded people in a social setting. Now we’re looking for Australia’s Mothers’ Group of the Year.  We want to know what makes your group so awesome, how belonging to it has added to your experience of being a mum and what you love about your group.  We have 8 great prize packs to give away plus the winning mother’s group will be featured in an article run in the spring edition of My Child Magazine on sale August 18.

Entries will be judged by Charmaine Papallo, founder of babybuds, Lise Taylor, editor of My Child Magazine and Karen Merange, CEO of Playgroup Australia.   Karen Merange explains:

“As children grow older, many mothers’ groups evolve into playgroups where the focus shifts to creating opportunities for play to aid children’s development.  Playgroup Australia supports mothers’ groups making the transition to playgroups and we applaud initiative such as Mothers’ Group of the Year”.

To enter simply go to www.babybuds.com.au and follow the prompts to the Mothers’ Group of the Year promotion.  Upload a photo of your group and tell us in 100 words or less why your group should be crowned Mothers’ Group of the Year.  The competitions opens at 9am on May 20 2010 and closes at 11:59pm on July 20 2010.  Go to www.babybuds.com.au for the full terms and conditions.

Staff Night Out

The babybuds staff just had a staff night out to see the new Jennifer Lopez movie The Back-up Plan.  We absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it for a good laugh.  We had 2 pregnant ladies amongst the group who found the obstetricians scenes and labour scenes particularly funny and a bit of an eye opener for a first time mum. It is a great night out with the girls and we loved it!

Welcome Back Sam

Welcome back Sam!!! Sam has returned to babybuds as part of the Customer Service Team.  Sam is a wonderful addition to our team, always bubbly and helpful and we love having her back on board. Be sure to say hello if you call us and welcome Sam back. To read more about positions vacant or our work conditions visit our Job Opportunities page.

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