The Nurture Centre opens for families
There’s a new place in town where parents with wee ones can have a pit stop. Based on Level Three of the Devon Centre on Liardet St, The Nurture Centre is a new business where parents are welcome to pop in to feed their baby, change nappies or have a cup of tea for free.
‘‘The feedback I’m getting from everyone that comes here is it’s comfortable, it’s clean and there’s a jug here for people who are formula feeding,’’ said centre owner Anne Cullen.
She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, which is the highest qualification a person can get in baby feeding.
In order to get that qualification she needed to sit exams, study multiple related topics including psychology and nutrition, and do 1000 or more hours helping mums and babies with breastfeeding.
‘‘I got my hours by being a Le Leche League volunteer mostly. I retired in April. I did that for about eight years.’’
She has a bachelor’s degree in family studies and primary education, and has always had an interest in giving children the best start in life by helping their families through information sharing and support.
‘‘The breastfeeding part of it came on when I had my own kids 12 years ago. I just became really passionate about the breastfeeding side of things and recognised that that was just a gap in the market here.’’
‘‘My goal is to help people create the best little human beings they can.’’ Anne Cullen
Her business is all about supporting parents through private consultations but the physical space can accommodate a lot more.
‘‘For nine years the idea of this place has been brewing in my mind. My goal is to help people create the best little human beings they can.’’
Cullen has started a gold coin entry drop in class on Fridays at 11am.
‘‘It’s just a 45-minute session based on a topic that I know is of great interest for mums out there.’’
Other organisations, like the Taranaki Baby Wearers group, are welcome to meet in the centre.
Cullen is generally at the centre from 9.30am to 2.30pm from Monday to Friday. Look for the open signs downstairs or on the centre’s door before entering.
For more information visit thenurturecentre.nz online or find it on Facebook.