Specialist Speakers at the Education Centre

Specialist Speaker: Farzanah Ally & Yatrik Naik Co-Owners, Babyhood

Discover how new technology and designs in Maternity Wear can improve the comfort and wellbeing of mums during pregnancy and nursing.

Learn how these new developments can help to reduce breast infections and Mastitis for breastfeeding mums and reduced stress on expectant mums body.

Specialist Speaker: Roisin Deane (BSc (Hons), PhD, PGCertMgt) – Research Scientist, Cell Care

Your baby’s stem cells are precious. Cord Blood + Tissue Banking is the collection of blood from the umbilical cord and a small section of the cord after birth and storing them for potential future medical use. Cord blood contains a mixture of cells, including blood stem cells and immune cells. Cord tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells not generally found in cord blood. Cord blood is used as an alternative for bone marrow in the treatment of certain cancers. Family banking means the blood may be used for compatible family members (it is a 100% match for the child it was collected from and a 25% match for siblings). The flexibility and diversity of cells found in cord blood and tissue are why they are considered promising in improving the treatment of many diseases, including heart disease, stroke and neurological disorders. Current research suggests cord blood may play a role in preventing type 1 diabetes and treating cerebral palsy.

Specialist Speaker: Kate Di Prima Dietitian and Adult & Infant Nutritionist

Feeding your toddler a variety of foods is essential for their healthy growth and development however getting the right balance of energy and nutrients can sometimes be difficult.

This session will guide you through age appropriate amounts and tips to filling in the nutritional gaps essential if you have a fussy eater on your hands.

Specialist Speaker: Liz Ben-Arieh Marketing - Communications & Community Engagement Manager, Ecostore

Many household cleaning products are known toxins, some even carcinogenic! When we spray these products all over our homes, are we really cleaning them? What is a safer alternative for you and your family?

In this workshop you will learn about the effectiveness of “eco-friendly” products and how to reduce the toxicity in your home and in the environment.

Specialist Speaker: Dr Shelley Wilkinson & Kristen Ruhmann/Miranda McLean/Sheridan Guyatt

This session will look at healthy eating and the physical and postural changes you experience during pregnancy. Guidelines, tips and tricks for healthy eating and what you can do to stay physically comfortable and healthy during pregnancy and after the birth of your baby, will be discussed.

Speakers across the Friday - Sunday include:

Dr Shelley Wilkinson has a PhD in Health Psychology and 20 years’ experience as a dietitian.

Kristen Ruhmann has 18 years’ experience as a physiotherapist.

Miranda McLean a physiotherapist specialising in women’s health and exercise.

Sheridan Guyatt has 20 years’ experience in musculoskeletal and women’s health physiotherapy

Specialist Speaker: Dr Maria Menkens Paediatrician

Cry, fuss behaviour is a common presentation in infants.  Usually it is a transient neurodevelopmental problem and the infant is otherwise healthy.  Occasionally there is an underlying cause such as a cow milk protein allergy or gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR).  This talk will review cow milk protein allergy in infants and its treatment.  It will also briefly look at the treatment options for GOR and some general observations on infant cry, fuss behaviour.   Other food allergies occur more commonly in the older infant or toddler.   Methods of diagnosis will be discussed as well as treatment options for these children.  Finally, we will review food refusal in toddlers!  This is a very common presentation!   Hopefully some reassurance will be provided to parents and some strategies given to assist them to manage a toddler with a ‘fussy’ palate.

Specialist Speaker: Alex Read / Stacey Jukes / Claire Maguire

This session will discuss how to create the ideal breastfeeding environment, breastfeeding positions, nutrition to support breastfeeding and exercises / stretching to support the body through breastfeeding.

Speakers include:

Alex Read is a Registered Nurse and Midwife, Child and Family Health Nurse and Lactation Consultant.

Stacey Jukes is a Registered Nurse and Midwife, Lactation Consultant and Antenatal Educator.

Claire Maguire is a Registered Nurse and Midwife currently completing her lactation consultancy mentorship.

Specialist Speaker: Amelia Singh Managing Director, Bambooty

In this Session, Amelia will discuss her own experiences with various types of nappies, including some pros and cons, of using modern cloth vs disposables or old fashioned terry flats.

Amelia has changed 1000's of nappies in her time. She has worked as a Nanny, in day care and mothers help, plus her own children, across many years.

She will physically show and describe to you the options and benefits of a variety of nappy types.

Specialist Speaker: Kristen Ruhmann / Miranda McLean / Belinda Long

At this session Mater Mothers’ physiotherapists will share their expertise with you to encourage your baby’s optimal physical development. They share some baby handling and development tips including picking up, holding and playing with your baby. Also, some body awareness principles behind choosing your chair, how you sit, relax, stretch and support yourself as a nursing mother. We’ll finish off the session with some tips and tricks for baby massage. This is a great session for expectant parents (and grandparents) as well as parents of new babies.

Speakers across Friday - Sunday include:

Kristen Ruhmann has 18 years’ experience as a physiotherapist

Miranda McLean is a physiotherapist with a special interest in Women’s Health.

Belinda Long has over five years of experience working with both antenatal and postnatal women to help achieve optimal health and wellness

Sheridan Guyatt has 20 years’ experience in musculoskeletal and women’s health physiotherapy.

Specialist Speaker: Dr Brad Robinson Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

A fun and interactive presentation on what you should really expect when you’re pregnant, looking at the milestones and events which occur from prior to conception, throughout the entire 40 weeks, and including the first six weeks beyond.  Our expert obstetrician will demystify the myths and superstitions that commonly surround pregnancy, and give women and couples a greater appreciation of the exciting and sometimes bumpy road that may lie ahead.

Specialist Speaker: Anita Bailey & Karen Ryan

With Calma, the innovative feeding solution for breastmilk, baby uses the feeding behaviour learned at the mother’s breast.

The session will cover briefly the research and development behind Calma from our Hospital representative, and our retail representative will explain how Calma works with a full product demonstrations and video.

Specialist Speaker: Susan Teerds CEO Kidsafe Qld

Most injuries in children under the age of 6 happen in their own home – where they should be safe and secure.

Do you know what the hazards are in and around your home? What products cause the most injuries?

How many and what type of injuries happen?

What you can do to ensure your child’s safety?

Susan has the answers.