Some parents feel that needing to buy a toddler cup is a clear sign that their child is getting older. And in many ways it is. Breast and bottle feeding require sucking, a survival instinct so powerful that babies start sucking when still in the womb. But drinking from a cup requires unique and different skills in gaining control over their mouth; throat, tongue and lips. Holding fluid in the mouth and controlling swallowing takes hours of practice and repetition before it becomes easy. There…

Newborn skin and rashes

When your baby is born, their skin will usually be soft and smooth however, as the days or weeks go by you may notice that they develop a rash. Most babies will have a rash or skin irritation at some point in the first few months. Many rashes are harmless, do not have any other symptoms, and disappear on their own. Others can require medical treatment. Newborn acne Some babies get acne on their cheeks and nose in the first few months of life. Newborn acne looks like little pimples or whiteheads…

Transitioning to training pants

Transitioning to training undies or training pants will happen at different times for different families and will depend on whether your little one is both physically and emotionally ready to begin toilet training. The average age for toilet training is 27 months and it’s common for children to work on this anywhere from 18 months onwards (1). There are a number of readiness signs that you can watch for, to know when your little one may be ready to start their toilet training journey. So what…

Bringing your baby home

Bringing your new baby home is such an exciting time! It is completely normal to have lots of questions. In this article, I share what you need to know about caring for your baby at home. Feeding Newborn babies feed very often – usually every 2-3 hours however, it is also normal for babies to cluster feed. Cluster feeding is a period of time where a baby may feed very frequently. A newborn’s stomach is tiny, and can only hold a small amount of milk, which means that they can be hungry not long…

5 ways to comfort a teething baby

Teething time can be quite an ordeal for both bubs and parents! But don't worry, there are plenty of ways you can comfort your baby through their toothy troubles and make the experience better for both of you. We've compiled a list of our 5 best recommendations that we think can help! But first off, let's start with the basics: What is teething? Teething is the process of when teeth start pushing through a baby's gums. A baby’s first tooth is an exciting milestone and will generally occur at…

6 pool safety tips for your little one’s swimming lesson success

You’ve been blowing bubbles in the bath and gentle pouring water over your baby’s head for months now to get them used to having water in their faces, and then comes the first visit to the pool and the meltdowns begin. Here’s how to get through your child’s first swimming lessons without tears or tantrums. I’ve heard so many parents say how much their babies love the water and then within the first 5 minutes of their swimming lessons they get clingy, lose confidence and cry. Other children are…

Bringing Baby Home

Bringing Baby Home Arriving home with a newborn and no midwife standing by to help or encourage you can be daunting. You may find you can’t take your eyes off your newborn and burst into tears for no good reason. Your breasts leak and you can’t sleep despite being exhausted. Don’t worry it’s all normal. Surviving the first weeks at home requires a calm attitude. Expectations and Support If you have been a person that is always in control you may need to relax a little, as the first few weeks…

New to breastfeeding? Common questions answered

What’s in breast milk? Here are a few amazing things you may not know that breast milk does: Breast milk contains live cells, like stem cells. These stem cells can be directed to become other body cell types such as bone, fat, liver and brain cells and may act as a type of “internal repair system” Colostrum, the first milk you make, may not seem like a lot of volume, but it’s jam-packed with ingredients, that protect your baby against diseases. Colostrum is known as a baby’s first immunisation…

6 Tips for Flying with a Baby

By Julie Rout, Director & Co-Founder , Ben & Ellie Baby You'd be forgiven for thinking that flying with a baby would be a challenge. But it's easier than you'd imagine if you're informed and prepared. Read on to find out how you can make travelling with a baby easy. 1. Book the bassinet. Being prepared starts from before you even step foot on the plane. Flying with a baby gives you first priority for the roomy bulkhead seats with the baby bassinets. Even if you don't intend on putting your baby…

A few things you may not have expected in the days before and after birth

A few things you may not have expected in the days before and after birth By Liz Wilkes, My Midwives Women have lots of information around what to expect from the birthing process but it tends to make it look like there is a significant amount of blood, gore and carnage - or it is a glorified process where there is little need to discuss some of the things you may see and do. This article aims to overview a few of the changes that you and your baby may undergo in the last days of pregnancy and…

That's the way the Lactation Cookie Crumbles

Have you ever felt like screaming ‘I’m done!’. Like turning the music up so loud that you can’t hear the misguided comments. Or locking yourself away so you can’t feel the judging stares? It seems that there is so much pressure on mums nowadays. ’Use cloth nappies, not disposables’. ’Stay home and care for your baby’. ‘Go to work and earn a living for your family’. Keep the house clean, cook healthy meals, brush your hair and look presentable, lose the baby weight, take time for your self-care,…

The great outdoors - with a new baby

Well done! You've managed to get through giving birth, survived the postnatal wards and have kept your head above water at home with your lovely new baby. Autopilot engaged and every day becomes a ritual of feeds, nappies, washing, naps and repeat. It's so easy to 'just stay indoors' at home because you are exhausted, the world out there seems so much more daunting with a baby and you might be afraid your baby might pick up nasty bugs. There are no hard and fast rules about when you can safely…

Useful pram accessories to have

Pram Liner What are Pram Liners for? A Pram Liner (https://www.pramliners.com.au/collections/universal-pram-stroller-liners) is a padded insert that is fitted onto the pram for your baby to sit or lie on. It is usually made from cotton as it is a breathable material that is suitable for use in all seasons. Pram liners will not only make prams or stroller more comfy and snug fitting for your baby, but is also used for protecting your prams from spills and messes. Having a pram liner with bright…

The truth about breastfeeding

Taking your new baby home is a time of great excitement, yet not without its challenges; one of which can be breastfeeding. Below we share with you some truths to dispel a number of common myths about breastfeeding that can affect the breastfeeding relationship between you and your baby. It is not normal for breastfeeding to hurt Many mothers feel some nipple pain that ceases beyond the initial attachment in the early weeks. If pain lasts beyond the initial attachment or if there are signs of…

Toilet Training

Once your child begins to show they are recognising their bodily functions, this is a good time to think about starting toilet training. This is usually anytime from around 18 months up until two or three years. One sign is when your child’s nappy is drier for longer. Another sign is when your child starts to tell you when their nappy is wet or soiled as they start to recognise this is happening. At this stage begin talking to your child about the toilet and read stories promoting toilet…

Blocked ducts and mastitis

What are the differences between blocked ducts and mastitis? Blocked duct A blocked duct is an area or segment of the breast where milk flow is obstructed causing a tender lump or spot in the breast. Local symptoms: Reddened area or segment of the breast which becomes tender, hard and painful Occasionally there can be localised tenderness or pain without an obvious lump Systemic symptoms: Occasionally a low grade fever may be present—less than 38.5 degrees celsius. Mastitis Mastitis is an…

21 tips to help my dad connect with me

Most men like a good manual! Here it is, an easy to read, step by step guide, which explores the significant stages of child development for men... My dad and me and how we connect! Pre-birth For some guys it can be a confusing time as they struggle to find a way of relating with their unborn baby. Here are some useful ways to stay close to your unborn child. 1. Get familiar Read books and go online to research your baby's progress and development through the pregnancy. 2. Get to the heart of…

What to Consider When Choosing a Stroller

What is a stroller? A ‘stroller’ often refers to a model of pram with an upright seat. Strollers are lightweight and compact, making travel a breeze. They are especially great for those living in the city and inner-city suburbs, since they are easy to manoeuvre when out shopping, strolling in the park, or going to cafes.For this reason, strollers are a great choice for an active lifestyle. There are different types of strollers for different purposes: 1. Layback stroller: These strollers are…

How do I know if my baby is getting enough breast milk?

It is impossible for breastfeeding mothers to know exactly how much breast milk their baby is getting with each feed. Instead of looking at the volume markers on feeding bottles, it’s necessary to look for other, more subtle signs that your baby is getting enough milk to grow and thrive. This is not a difficult process, but takes just a little confidence and skill in learning what other signs to look for. But I have to know! If you are a person who likes to know precisely how much volume of…

Nutrition – what your baby needs

No matter how much new information researchers discover about infant nutrition, the fact remains that breast milk has always been, and will continue to be, the perfect way to feed babies. Breast milk contains all the nutrients, fatty acids, antibodies and immune properties babies need to grow. It also changes and adapts over time, adjusting its fat and nutritional balance to meet each baby’s individual demands for growth and maturity. One myth about breast milk is that it can become too weak…

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Introducing the toddler cup