Top Summer Read

We were lucky enough to receive a copy of Brain, Child – the “magazine for thinking mothers” – and we can’t wait to recommend it to all our mama friends. The summer edition of this quarterly features insightful and incisive articles ranging from a cutting report on the inaptly named Camp Baby event for mom bloggers (no actual babies allowed) to an expose on the deception and debt that often lies behind those tempting ‘work from home’ business offers.

Our favourite elements of the magazine are the personal essays by mothers who write with intimacy, honesty and even humour about topics as difficult as miscarriage, disability and helping a child to handle the death of someone close. Brain, Child is the perfect antidote for new mums who are worried their grey matter has turned to mush and this edition definitely makes the Top 10 of our summer reading list. Visit the Brain, Child web site for sample articles and subscription info.

Hot Milk does a body good

There’s something about the phrase maternity bra that calls up images of chunky straps and boulder cups of the ilk that might be sported by head matron in Carry on Nurse. Two words: Not Sexy.

But a bold New Zealand company, Hot Milk, is raising temperatures worldwide with its provocative and mama-affirming line of maternity lingerie that you would actually want your partner to see (and touch and tease…).

With names like Whisper Sweet Wickedness and Baby Doll Delicious, this exquisite range of maternity and nursing bras, panties, camisoles and nightwear screams in-your-face decadence and has courted more than its fair share of controversy (some outraged mothers who received Hot Milk catalogues cried ‘soft porn’).

If you’re the type of puritan who’s offended by the sight of bumpalicious babes celebrating their earth mama sensuality, then look away. But if you’re ready to throw out that greying, saggy upholstery for under garments that will help you reclaim your inner sex goddess (no matter what stage of new motherhood you’re at) then you definitely need a taste of Hot Milk. We could drink it by the gallon.

Boobs on trial

As I’m now weaning my 15-month-old, I was struck by recent pap shots of brand new mama Maggie Gyllenhaal breastfeeding her 7-month-old. I was amazed once again at just how intrusive the paparazzi can be but even more stunned by the negative feedback. Maybe it shouldn't surprise me after Janet Jackson's Nipplegate that the sight of even part of a woman's bare breast should lead to public hysteria. Some object to her doing it in the open, others insist she should have covered up more. But stroll through any national gallery and you'll see nursing mothers from peasants to the Madonna proudly displayed as art.

If you've ever been out with a hungry breastfeeding baby, you'll realise that discretion is soon tossed to the wind and instinct kicks in. Some new mothers rely on specially designed nursing covers, tops with slits for easy access or even makeshift shawls. But show me a baby happy with wearing a blanket on his head and I'll show you an offspring of Michael Jackson (hey, two Jackson family references in one boobalicious post!) Personally I preferred loose tops I could lift up easily so baby could nurse without any fuss. Most passersby thought we were just cuddling and if I got the occasional funny look I would either focus on my baby or glare right back. After all, it’s rude to stare at people eating no matter how tiny they are.

Photo source: Celebrity Baby Blog

Whose embryo is it?

A woman left infertile after cancer treatment is awaiting a final ruling today from the European Court in Strasbourg as to whether she can use frozen embryos fertilised by her former partner. Her ex says he doesn’t want the burden of being a father to children he will not bring up.

This is a tough one as I can see the arguments on both sides although I’m more inclined to side with the woman. My heart bleeds for her if the court denies her appeal. After all, this is her last chance to bear a child but the dad can have other children with other partners if he chooses.

I can’t help but think of the millions of women worldwide who have the legal right to choose whether to carry a pregnancy to term or to have an abortion, even without the potential father’s knowledge or consent. I guess when the embryos have been created outside the womb it’s no longer a question of ‘her body, her choice’. Tricky issue. Read the full story here.