Bellies to Babies Antenatal & Postnatal Classes with Janine Penny

Bellies to Babies Antenatal & Postnatal Classes with Janine Penny In-person antenatal classes in Hawke’s Bay and online options across New Zealand, supporting parents through pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

Congratulations, I am so excited for you. You are about to embark on one of life's most exciting journeys - becoming a parent. My mission has always been to be here for all, and for all to be comfortable, safe, secure, included, informed and empowered. Bellies to Babies Antenatal Classes provide antenatal education, with a range of options to suit everyone. My classes are fun, friendly, informativ

e and impartial, you will come away with lots of information and hints and tips and all your questions answered (curly ones included!). Antenatal education is a crucial component of antenatal care. There are many excellent reasons, especially for those experiencing the surprises, curiosity and fears of pregnancy for the first time. They help you, and your partner prepare yourselves mentally, emotionally and physically for your journey to parenthood. Making connections with other parents due around the same time as yourselves is equally important - I will help you create a great support network. Check out our 5 star reviews on Facebook and Google. I'd love you to join me, sign up today :)
Janine x

I’m looking for one more story for *More Than Birth*… and this time, it’s about feeding.I’d love to hear from a mum who ...
25/08/2026

I’m looking for one more story for *More Than Birth*… and this time, it’s about feeding.

I’d love to hear from a mum who would be willing to share her real experience of feeding her baby.

Breastfeeding, expressing, mixed feeding, formula feeding, changing plans halfway through, loving it, struggling with it, grieving what you hoped feeding would look like, feeling relieved when you made a change… or a little bit of everything.

I’m not looking for the “perfect” feeding story.

I’m looking for the good, the hard, the messy, the unexpected and the very real.

Your story might include:

* What you expected feeding to be like before your baby arrived
* What actually happened
* The challenges or surprises along the way
* Decisions you had to make
* The support you received, or wished you had received
* How feeding affected you emotionally
* What you eventually found worked for you and your baby
* What you wish someone had told you beforehand

The story selected will be included in my upcoming book, *More Than Birth*, and can be shared with your name or anonymously.

If you think, “My story probably isn’t interesting enough,” it very likely is. Sometimes the stories that help another mum most are simply the ones that make her think, “Oh, me too.”

If you’d be happy to share your feeding journey with me, please send me a private message. I’d love to hear from you.

27/07/2026

"A stretch and sweep will put you into labour."

It's something I hear all the time... but it's not quite that simple.

A stretch and sweep is **not** a guaranteed way to start labour.

What it *can* do is give your body a gentle nudge if it's already preparing for labour.

Here's what the research tells us:

• It encourages the release of your body's natural prostaglandins.
• It may increase the chance of labour starting on its own.
• It may reduce the chance of needing a formal medical induction.
• It doesn't appear to reduce the chance of having a caesarean birth.
• It's more likely to help if your cervix has already started to soften, shorten or open.

Some parents go into labour within hours of having a stretch and sweep.

Others have one, two, or even three sweeps and may still need a formal induction.

Both experiences are completely normal.

That's because a stretch and sweep can't make your body ready if it isn't already heading in that direction.

I often explain it like this...

Think of it as a **gentle nudge**, not a switch that turns labour on.

If your body is ready, it may be enough.

If it's not, it may simply not have any effect.

What have you been told about stretch and sweeps?

Have you heard they are very effective, not effective at all, or something in between?

And for the parents in the group, did you have one, and what was your experience?

The hardest part is often deciding to come to the first class. After that, everything gets easier.I can't tell you how m...
26/07/2026

The hardest part is often deciding to come to the first class. After that, everything gets easier.

I can't tell you how many parents have said to me afterwards...

"I nearly didn't come."*

Maybe you don't know anyone.
Maybe you're wondering if your baby is too young.
Maybe you're worried they'll cry the whole time.
Or maybe leaving the house with a baby just feels like a mission.

I promise you're not the only one feeling that way.

Our Baby Sensory & Massage course isn't about having the "perfect" baby or knowing exactly what you're doing.

It's about spending some intentional time together, learning gentle massage techniques, exploring simple sensory activities, and connecting with other parents who are navigating this same season of life.

There's no expectation for babies to sleep, smile, or cooperate. They can feed, cry, cuddle, nap, or simply watch the world go by. That's real life, and they're all welcome.

Our next course starts next week, and there are still a few spaces available.

If you've been thinking about it, maybe this is the little nudge you needed.

I'd love to welcome you and your little one.

Send me a message or comment BABY below, and I'll send you all the details.
https://belliestobabies.co.nz/babysensorymassage

23/07/2026

Weave's next 6-week programme will run every Monday from August 17th to September 21st, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, hosted in Hastings at the Salvation Army. (Please note there are no public holiday interruptions during this block, so it will run consecutively).

About the Programme:
Cost: Completely free.
Format: Facilitated small-group sessions held weekly over 6 weeks.
Who it's for: Māmā experiencing postnatal depression, anxiety, overwhelm, or big emotional shifts in their first year.
Pēpi welcome: Babies are very welcome to attend.

We focus on delivering practical wellbeing tools, managing low moods, and creating a safe, judgment-free space to connect with other mothers.

The newborn days go by so quickly.One minute they're curled up asleep on your chest, and before you know it, they're rol...
13/07/2026

The newborn days go by so quickly.

One minute they're curled up asleep on your chest, and before you know it, they're rolling, crawling, and off exploring the world.

That's one of the reasons I love teaching Baby Sensory & Massage.

It's not just about learning massage techniques.

It's about setting aside time each week to simply be with your baby.

To slow down.
To connect.
To learn what their little cues are telling you.
To build confidence.
And to meet other parents who are navigating this incredible (and sometimes overwhelming) stage alongside you.

The next upcoming course starts in August.

Over the course, you'll learn gentle baby massage, enjoy sensory experiences designed for your baby's development, and leave each week with practical ideas you can continue at home.

The classes are relaxed and baby-led, so there's never any expectation that your little one will sleep, smile, or cooperate! Feeding, cuddles, crying, and nappy changes are all part of the journey, and everyone understands.

If you've been looking for something special to do with your baby while also making connections with other local parents, I'd love to welcome you.

Places are limited to keep the classes small and personal.

Send me a message or visit the link in my bio to find out more and secure your place for August.

08/07/2026

The real question every pregnant parent asks; is this labour?

"What if I don't know I'm in labour?"After teaching antenatal classes for more than 21 years, I can honestly say this is...
06/07/2026

"What if I don't know I'm in labour?"

After teaching antenatal classes for more than 21 years, I can honestly say this is one of the most common questions I hear.

For many expectant parents, especially first-time parents, labour feels like one big unknown.

"What if I mistake it for Braxton Hicks?"

"What if I go to hospital too early?"

"What if I don't realise it's actually labour?"

The good news is that labour usually doesn't arrive all at once. More often, it builds gradually, giving you time to recognise that your body is changing.

I've written a new blog explaining what labour often feels like in the early stages, how it differs from Braxton Hicks, and why you don't have to work it all out on your own.

My hope is that by understanding what to expect, you'll feel a little more confident and a little less anxious about when the big day arrives.

You can read the full article here:
https://belliestobabies.co.nz/belliestobabiesconz/resources

If you've already had a baby, what was the very first sign that made you think, "This might actually be labour?"

Your experience might be exactly what another expectant Mum needs to hear today.

Ever wondered what the maternity unit is really like?One of the best ways to feel more prepared for birth is to see wher...
01/07/2026

Ever wondered what the maternity unit is really like?

One of the best ways to feel more prepared for birth is to see where you'll be having your baby before labour begins.

I'd love you to join me for a guided tour of the maternity units on:

Saturday 11th July
10:00am

During the tour you'll have the opportunity to:
• See the birthing and postnatal rooms
• Learn what facilities are available
• Find out what to expect when you arrive in labour
• Ask questions in a relaxed, supportive environment

Whether you're attending one of my antenatal classes or simply wanting to become more familiar with the maternity unit, you're very welcome to come along.

Spaces are limited, so bookings are essential.

To secure your place, email me at [email protected].

I look forward to seeing you there!

For a long time, birth has been spoken about as though it's a test of endurance.How long were you in labour?Did you have...
30/06/2026

For a long time, birth has been spoken about as though it's a test of endurance.

How long were you in labour?
Did you have pain relief?
Did you have the birth you planned?

But birth isn't a competition.

It isn't something you pass or fail.

The strength of your birth isn't measured by how much pain you endured or how few interventions you had.

It's measured in so many other ways.

Did you ask the questions that mattered to you?

Did you make informed decisions, even when plans changed?

Did you advocate for yourself, or allow someone you trusted to advocate on your behalf?

Did you keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when things felt uncertain?

Birth can be powerful whether it's vaginal or by caesarean, medicated or unmedicated, fast or long.

What matters is that you felt heard, respected, and involved in your care.

Because every birth story is different.

And every parent deserves to look back knowing they were supported to make the best decisions they could with the information they had at the time.

That's what empowerment looks like.

Not perfection.
Not endurance.
But confidence, choice, and being an active participant in your own birth story.

Address

9 Clyde Jeffery Drive
Napier
4112

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+64226370624

Website

, ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bellies to Babies Antenatal & Postnatal Classes with Janine Penny posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Bellies to Babies Antenatal & Postnatal Classes with Janine Penny:

Shortcuts

Share

Category