HB Today - Bumps, Babies and More

Bumps BABIES &More

Welcometoparenting

What atime! Thatage -fromnewborntofiveand beyond- isthemostmagicalpartofparenthood. Yougetto watch yourbundleofjoygrowfroma babyinto ahigh-spiritedyoungster.Heorshe is constantlygrowingandlearning,enthralledwith life. We welcomeallprospectiveornewparentsto thisfantastic role ofparenthood.It’llbethemost rewardingthingyou’veeverdone.

Inthispublicationyou’llfindlotsofhelpfuladvice andtipsonpregnancy,babies,toddlers,and parenting. We haveputtogetherhelpfulhints havingbeen-there-and-done-itcombinedwith sound researchtohelpparentsalongtheway.

We hope Bumps,Babiesandmore helps contributetothedelightyourchildrenwillbring youandhelpyouacceptthatyou’renotgoingto getitrightallthetimeandcopewiththis roller coasterride.

word,mostofthepremiumlambswoolissourceddirectlyfrom Kate’s 740hasheep farminCentralHawke’sBay,runwithherhusbandJeremy: everysinglethrow and babyblanket issourced,spun,dyedandknithereinAotearoa everystepofthe way.

Shop FoxtrotHome’srangeoflinenandlambswoolbedding. foxtrothome.co.nz.

Planning ababy

Theguidelinesaboutleading ahealthy lifeapplyequallyasmuchwhenyou’re planningtobecomepregnant.Youare morelikelytoconceiveifyouarebothin goodhealth.

Eat avarietyofhealthyfoodseveryday fromeachofthemainfourfoodgroups below:

1.vegetablesandfruit

2.breadsandcereals(wholegrainis best)

3.milkandmilkproducts(reduced-or low-fatmilkisbest)

4.leanmeat,chicken,seafood,eggs, legumes,nutsandseeds

•Limityourintakeoffoodsanddrinks thatarehighinfat(especially saturatedfat),saltand/orsugar foodsanddrinks

•Ifusingsalt,chooseiodisedsalt

•Take care whenbuying,preparing, cookingandstoringfoodsothatthe foodisassafe as possibletoeat

•Drinkplentyoffluidseachday, especiallywaterand reduced-or low-fatmilk

•Avoidalcoholduringpregnancy

•Aimfor ahealthyweightgainby eatingwellandbeingphysically activeeachday(unlessadvisednot tobephysicallyactive)

Folicacid,iodineand vitaminD

Folicacidhelpsthebodymakenew cellswhich canhelptopreventbirth defectsof ababy’sbrainandspinesuch

asspinabifida. Youcanbuyfolicacid tabletsfrompharmacies,yourmidwife orspecialistdoctor.Talktoyourdoctor tofindoutmore.

Iodinehelpsthebodytogrowand develop,especiallythebrain.Babies getthisfromtheirmotherssopregnant andbreastfeedingmothersneedto takeiodinetabletsandeatfoodshigh iniodine:cookedseafood,milk,eggs, somecerealsandbread.

Vitamin Disalsonecessaryforstrong bonesandjointsandhealthymuscle andnerveactivity.Thesunisthemain sourceofvitamin Dbutitisalsofound inoilyfish,eggs,somemargarines, milksandyoghurts.

Healthyweightgainduring pregnancy

Pregnancyisa timeofchangesinyour body.It’snormaltogainweightduring pregnancyduetothegrowthofthe baby,thewhenua/afterbirthandfluid aroundthebaby.

Whilethereisnoexacthealthyweight gain,thinwomenmayneedtogain moreweightandoverweightwomen less. Talktoyourmidwifeorspecialist doctorifyouareconcernedaboutyour weightgain.

Youcanexpecttoeatmorefoodasthe pregnancyprogresses,butthisdoes notmeanthatyouneedto‘eatfortwo’.

Agoodappetiteand asteadyweight gain,especiallyafterthefirst 3months,

willusuallymeanthatyouareeating enough.

Dietingduringpregnancyisnot recommendedbecauseyourbabymay

UnityUltrasound–3DUltrasoundTechnology.

•3-dimensionalstaticcolourphotos(mostlywithagoldenhue)

•Detailssuchasbaby’smouth,noseandotherfacialfeatures.

•Facialfeaturesarebestseenaround30thweeksofpregnancy.

Haveyoueverthoughtaboutwhatyourbabymaylooklikebeforeitisborn?Weoffer 3DscanshereatUnity.Youcanself-refer.Yourbaby’simagesareputontoaUSBso thatyoucanviewthemanytimeyoulike. Youneedtohavehada20-weekanatomy scanpriortoa3Dscanning. Forbestresultsthe3Dscanisdonebetween28and32 weeks.Calltheclinicforpricing.

WewouldliketopresentournewSonographerKatherineFoley. Katherine,along withourpresentSonographerCarolynAdema,arepassionateaboutbabies andultrasoundscanning.

UltrasoundclinicwhoDON’Tchargeanysurcharges.

belesshealthy,anditcouldalsoaffect yourhealth.

Formoreinformationseewww.health. govt.nz/your-health/pregnancy

Thebenefits of baby massage

When babies areborn one of their key needs is touch. Skin to skin is an important bonding experience for both newborns and parents –one way to continue to strengthen that bond is through baby massage.

Thereare many reasons why massage is great for baby (and parents!) It canhelp to calm them and is agreat way to wind down beforethey go to sleep at night. Creating abedtime routine helps to ensurethat babies feel safe. By adding massage into abedtime routine, it cancommunicate to the baby that it’s time to go to sleep. Thereare massage oils suitable for baby skin that have notes of lavender to encourage sleep, or you cansimply use anatural oil like coconut.

Massage canalso assist with bowel movements and winding. Tryusing your fingers to make small clockwise circles on baby’s stomach in order to promote healthy digestion. If baby is struggling with wind you cangently lift their legs towards their face during amassage to help alleviate it.

Studieshave shown that massage canhelp to reduce crying in babies making it agood option to tryifyour newborn is suffering from colic. Therehas also been research into how baby massage canpositively impactthose affected by post-natal depression or anxiety because it strengthens the interaction between parent and baby

Keeping eye contact while you are massaging your baby is agreat way to encourage them to become moresocially alertand aids brain development. This is also agood opportunity for partners to provide

comfortfor baby while mum has arest. Bonding in this way is known to help parents to better read their baby’s communication signals –averyhandy skill to have when navigating the early days of parenthood!

Thereare afew things to keep in mind when starting out with baby massage. Akey factor is keeping the room warm so that baby is comfortable. Make suretopatch test any new oils or lotions that you aretrying on your baby’s skin and avoid highly perfumed products in case they have areaction to the ingredients. It’s also agood idea to sing or chat to your baby while massaging in order to put them at ease.

Youdon’t need to study how to massage your baby but thereare services available if you would like to learn tips and techniques.Often Parents Centres offer post-natal infant massage sessions.

Forfurther information about baby massage, you cantalk to your Well Child/Tamariki Oraprovider or go to plunket.org.nz.

HereatPrecious Memories we capturethat special moment of your little ones and create beautiful hand and feet sculptures so you won’t forget how precious they are.

Each three-dimensional sculptureishand crafted with amazing detail and professionally mounted or framed to make aperfect keepsake to treasurefor generations to come.

It is anon-toxic, dust free formula to keep your little one safe and comfortable in our Hastings studio.

Precious

Sleeplittlebaby

Whenwillmybabyeversleepthrough thenight? Thisis oneofthemost commonquestionsaskedbynew parents.

Baby’ssleepcycles

Ababy’ssleep cyclesareamixof lightanddeepsleep.Duringdeep sleeptheyhardlymove.Duringactive dreaming(lightsleep)theymaytwitch, haveirregularbreathing,smileormake suckingmotionswiththeirmouth.

It’scommonforbabiestomoveabout, opentheireyes,cryorwakeduring theirlightersleep cycle,thensettle themselvesbacktosleep.Ifyourbaby wakesduringlightersleep,waitandgive themtimeto resettlethemselves.

Howlongbabysleepsfor: At 1month

Babiessleepforabout16 hoursin a24-hourperiod. Thelengthofeachsleep varies.

Everybabyhastheirownsleeppattern, butthismaynotbecome regularuntil they’reolder.

•Atfirst,yourbabymaywakewanting frequentfeeds. Forbreastfedbabies thesefeedshelptoestablishand maintainbreastfeeding.

•Duringthedaysomebabiesmay onlysleepforshorttimes,while

otherssleepmoreandwakefor feedsevery3–4hours.

•Babiesusuallyhave awakefultime intheevening,andmaywantto feedmorefrequently.

•Somebabiessleepforlongperiods atnight.

After 6weeks

Yourbaby’ssleeppatternmaychange astheybecomemorewakefulduring theday.Yourbabymaystarthaving longersleepsatnight.

•It’susualforbabiestowakeatnight forfeeds.

•Ifyourbabyissleepingina bassinette,itmightbetimetomove theminto acot.

Additionaltips

•Doquietactivitiesattheendofthe day,ratherthangameswhichget babyexcited.

•Develop abedtimeroutineandstick toitatthesametimeeachnight.

•Helpyourbabylearntogoback tosleepaloneafterwakinginthe night. Tryapacifier,asofttoyora specialblanketas acomfort.

•Somebabieswakebecausethey arehungry, especiallybabiesless thanthreemonthsold.Ifyourbaby usuallyfallsasleepearlytrywaking himupandfeedingat 11pm. This

encouragesbabytosleepthrough untilearlymorning.

•Makesurethebedroomisdark andwarmenoughforcomfortable sleep.Ifbabyisdry, wellandnot hungry, sometimesyouneedto sufferthrough alittlecryingbefore sleep.Listeningto ababycryingis incrediblyhardwork. Afewminutes canseemlikehours.Butgoing straighttoyourbabywhenyou hearcrying canjustencouragethis

behaviour,astheylearntoassociate yourimmediatepresencewiththeir crying.

•Begentle andquickwhendealing withyourbabytoavoidmakingthem moreawake. Tryrubbingbabygently onthebackfor aminuteinsteadof pickinghimorherup.Don’t rockor playwithyourbabyduringthenight, astheyoftenenjoythisandsowill fightsleep.

www.health.govt.nz

Thebeautyofwoolforbabies

What’sthebestwoolfor babies and baby blankets?

Traditionallypeoplehaveusedwool, especiallyMerino,forbabiesblankets, eitherinlighter4plyorthemost commonweightDK.However,today mostoptfortheconvenienceof machinewashabilityandthattendsto bethemostimportantmitigatingfactor fornewparents -easy care.

Whyiswoolgoodforbabies?

Woolis abreathablefibre,helpingto regulatenaturalbodytemperatures.

Isn’twoolscratchy?

NO,nowwehaveyarnsavailableinthe finestMerino’sthroughtothemore robustcrossbredyarns.Improved processinghasallowed

ustomakebetterqualityandsofter yarnsasstandard. The“Itchymyth” wasperpetratedwiththeuseof carpet yarnsforgarmentsduringthewool/yarn shortagespost World WarTwo.

Areacrylic yarnsbetter?

We areanaturalyarnspecialist,sowe willsupportnaturalyarns 100%. They arefullybiodegradable, renewable andiflookedafterwilllast alifetime. Skeinzwascreatedas awayforcrafters toaccessnaturalyarnsdirectlyfrom themillandmaketheseyarnsmore affordable.Acrylicyarnsareoften favouredduetopriceandeasy care.We canprovidenaturalyarnsthatarejustas competitive.

Whatoptionsarethereeg weights,specialwools?

Themostcommonweightsare4plyand DK(8ply). Thesemakeupalmostallbaby andchildren’sknitting. Theadventof machinewashablewools,however,has beenthegamechangerinthepast20 years. Thesearenow readilyavailable andwidelyused.

Istheremorechoicebeyond thetraditionalblueandpink?

Ofcourse!Infact,mostmothers havegravitatedawayfromthePink/ Blue/Whitestereotypesfromprevious decades. We seemothersoptforall

coloursfromsoftgelatoshadesthrough tobrightprimarycolours.I’llletyouin on asecret,in 17 yearsofsellingyarn Ihaveyettohave ababycomplainto meaboutthecolouroftheirensemble, babiesareveryopenminded.

Would youencouragepeople havingbabiesorthosewith youngchildrentolearnto knit?

Absolutely.Knittingis arecognisedform oftherapyandencourageswellness andmindfulness.It canbeveryuseful inbringmothers togetherandprovide themanactivity thathelpstheir mentalhealthwhilst alsocontributing somethingpositive andtangiblefortheir babyandfamily.The adventofonline resources,sucha YouTube,hasmade easierthanever beforetolearn. Theentrycostfor crochetorknittingis extremelylow.

Lessthan$10would haveyousetupwith ahook/needlesand aballofyarnforyour firstproject.

Isthereanythingelse you’d like to say about wool and babies?

Ithinkit’sworthmentioning grandmothersandnewbabies. Ababy is acatalysttohavepeoplepickingup theneedlesorhookforthefirsttime orafter alonghiatus.Somuchhas changedifyouhavenotknit astitchin 30 oddyears. Thequalityoftheyarns, accessoriesandpatternshaveall improved. Thisis ahobbythatallows youtomakesomethingbeautiful,not justforyourfamily,butforyourselffor yearstocome.

Q&AwithMareeBusckeManagerofSkeinz, Taradale’sNatural Yarn Store.

Babyblues

Youmayfeel downafterhaving ababy –known asthe‘babyblues’.Thesefeelingsusuallyonlylast adayortwo.Ifthebluesdon’tgoaway,youmay bedevelopingpostnataldepression.Askforhelp. Postnataldepression canbetreated.

Youmayhavepostnataldepressionifyou:

•alwaysfeeltired

•cry alot

•feelthatyouarea badmother

•haveachesandpains

•thinkbadthoughts

•donotsleepwell,evenwhenyourbabyis asleep

•feelthatyou can’tcopewithanything,suchas housework

•feelanxiousoruncertainallofthetime

•don’t care abouthowyouorthingsaroundyou look

•getangrywithotherpeoplearoundyou,such asyourpartner,otherchildrenoryourwhānau.

Anywomanwhohas ababyisquitelikelytofeel someofthesethingssomeofthetime. Postnatal depressioniswhenthesefeelingsdonotgoaway.

Becausepostnataldepression canaffecthow women feelaboutand care fortheirbabiesand otherchildren,yourmidwifeornursewillask questionsaboutyourfeelingswhentheyvisit,so they canhelpyoutogetthesupportyouneed.

Postnataldepression canalsoaffectmen.

Postnataldepressionismorecommonamong menwhohavebeendepressedbefore,orwhose partnersaresufferingfromdepression.

Gettinghelpandsupport

Depressionisanillnessandmostoftenpeople getwellagain.Itdoesnotmeanthatyouhave ‘failed’as apersonor aparent.

Ifyouoryourwhānaunoticeanyofthesefeelings, especiallyiftheylastformorethan afewdays, talk straightawaytoyourmidwife,nurseor doctor.Yourdoctorwillbeabletalktoyouabout treatment,whichmayincludetakingmedicine. Theywillalsoknowwhathelpisavailableinyour area.

Youcanalsofindoutmoreaboutdepressionand getsupportfrom:

•Needtotalk?(1737– free call or text)

•TheDepressionHelpline(0800111 757)

•Lifeline(0800543 354)

•TheSamaritans(0800726 666)

•Youthline(0800376 633)

•Plunket(0800933 922)

•TheMentalHealth FoundationofNew Zealand

•The PostnatalDistressSupportNetwork Trust

•PerinatalAnxietyandDepressionAotearoa Partners,fathersandothersupportpeople need toknowwhattodoiftheyareworriedaboutyou. Theyshouldunderstandthatit’sOKtoaskfor adviceaboutthebestwaytosupportyou.

Talkto otherpeopleaswell. Theymayhave hadthesamefeelingsasyouwhentheyhad newbabies. Yourwhānauandfriends canhelp withsmall,everydaythings(lookingafterother children,meals,errandsorhousework). They canalso remindyouthatyoudonothavetogo throughthisalone.

Ifyouhavehaddepressionoranothermental illnessbefore,youmightliketothinkaboutthe helporsupportyoumayneedafteryourbabyis born. Youcouldaskotherpeopletobe readyto helpyou,orletpeopleknowwhattolookfor,so thatyou cangethelpearly.

www.health.govt.nz

Vehiclesafetyforyoungones

Oneofthemostimportantjobsyou haveas aparentiskeepingyourchild safewhentravelingin avehicle.

Carseats canbeaconfusingbusiness -onceyoufinallyworkedoutwhich seattobuy,youthenhavetoinstallit correctly!Nearly 80%ofchild restraints areinstalledincorrectlyinNew Zealand, leavingchildrenvulnerablein acrash.

Keepingyourchildsafedependson choosingtheright carseatandusingit correctly.Thebest carseatistheone thatfitsyourchild’sweight,size,and age,aswellasyourvehicle.

TipsfromBabyOn TheMoveHawke’s Bayforkeepingallchildrensafein vehicles:

1.Doyour researchon carseats beforeyoubuy.Not all carseatsfit inallvehicles.

2.Notallvehiclesarecompatiblewith carseats,includingsomebeing marketedasfamilyvehicles.Some newervehiclesareequippedwith airbagsinstalledinthebackofthe frontseatsmeaningno carseat shouldbeinstalled.

3.Itis recommendedto rearface yourchildforaslongas possible. Theirnecksand spinesareespeciallyat risksincetheirheadsare approximately25%of theirbodyweight. Arearfacingseatsupportsyour child’sheadandneck. Feettouchingtheback seatisNOTanindicator thechildis readytoface forward.Rearfacingisthe safestthingyou cando foryourchild.

4.Alwaysuseandinstall yourseatcorrectly.Read your manualandfollow thedirectionsexactly.Your seatshouldalwaysbe solidlyinstalledwithless than2.5cmofmovement atthebeltpath.

5.New Zealandlawsays achild mustbein asuitable carseatuntil theyareseven(oreightifoneis available)However,childrenare notsafely readytocomeoutofa boosterseatuntiltheyarebetween theagesof 10-12yearsold. Achild shouldpassthe 5steptestbefore using aseatbeltonly.Afullbooster offersside/headprotectionand properbeltplacement.

Andplease remember:

•NEVERuse aseatthatisexpiredor damaged.Ifyouhaveanyexpired/ unusable carseatslayingaroundwe

areacarseat recyclingcollection point.

•Childrenaresafestintheback seat.Itis recommendedyoukeep childreninthebackuntiltheyareat least 12 yearsold.

•Thebackmiddleseatisthesafest positioninthe carasitisthefurthest pointinthe carawayfromanimpact.

•Ifyouhaveanyquestions,orwant acarseatcheckedorinstalledwe havequalified carseat restraint techniciansmorethanhappytohelp. Ourmainpriorityistoeducateand keepchildrensafe.

Eatwell,besafe

Babiesandyoungchildrenhavean increasedriskofchokingonfood. This is becausetheyhavesmallairandfood passages. Theyarealsolearningto movefoodaroundintheirmouthsand learninghowtobite,chewandgrind food.Ittakessomeyearsforchildrento mastertheseskillsandmanydon’ttruly master chewing until fouryearsofage.

Recommendations

Whileitisnotpossibleto removeall risk,it canbereducedbyfollowingthe recommendationsbasedonthesethree areas:

1. asafephysicalenvironmentwhen eating Takethefollowingactionstoprovide asafephysicalenvironmentfor babiesandchildrenwhilethey areeating:Supervisebabiesand childrenwhentheyareeating. Haveanappropriate ratioofadults tochildrenatmealtimes. Minimisedistractionsandencourage childrentofocusoneating. Ensurethereisadesignatedtime wherechildrensitdowntoeat, rather thancontinuousgrazing. Askchildrennottotalkwiththeir mouthsfull.

Havechildrensitupstraightwhen theyareeating.

Sittingdownandmaintainin

fggood postureare essentialforsafeeating anddrinking.Donotallowwalking, runningorplayingwhilechildrenare eating.

Placefooddirectlyinfrontofthe child. Thishelpstopreventthem twistingaroundtotheleftorright, which cancausethemtolose controlofthefoodintheirmouth.

2.firstaid Someteachersandkaiakomust knowwhattodoif ababyorchildis choking.

3.providingappropriatefood Researchshowsthatsomefood poses agreaterriskofchokingon. To reducetherisk,earlylearning servicesshould removehigh-risk foodsandchangethetextureorsize andshapeofothers.

Modifyhighriskfoodtoavoidchoking Thesefoodshavethehighestriskof chokingon,andareeithernotpractical toalter,havenoorminimalnutritional value,orboth:wholenutsorpieces ofnutslargeseeds,likepumpkinor sunflowerseedshardorchewysweets orlolliescrispsorchippiesandcorn chipshardricecrackersdriedfruit sausages,saveloysandcheerios, popcorn,marshmallows.

Small,hardfoodsuchas carrot,celery, andapplearedifficulttobitethrough andbreakdownenoughto swallow safely.Pieces canbecomestuckin children’sairways.

Alternatives:grate rawcarrot,appleor celeryorslicethinlyusing amandolinor

vegetablepeelerorcookuntilsoftand cutintostripsthat canbepickedupin onehand.

Fortamarikiaged4-6yearscut raw vegetablesorfruitintosticksaround 4-6cmlongthat canbepickedupwith onehand.

Sourcedfromhttps://www.health.govt. nz/ reducingfood-relatedchokingfor babiesandyoungchildrenatearly learningservices.

Thereisplentymoreusefulinformation onthewebsite.

Guidingpreschoolers to ahealthy,activelife

Preschoolersareajoy,sometimesa mysteryandoften achallenge. The mentalandphysicalgrowthofunder5’s issuch arapidprocessthatthereare constanthurdlestobenavigatedasthey discovertheworldaroundthem.

Onewaytoensurethatyourchild hasthe resiliencetoconquertasks -bothnowandlaterinlife -isto encouragemovement. Theimportance ofmovementbeginsatbirth,anditis nevertooearlytosetchildrenonthe pathtowardsbeingactive.

Movementinbabies canbeachieved simplybyencouragingtummytime, playinggameslikepeekabooorplacing toysslightlyoutof reachsothattheyare encouragedtograspforthem.Another greatopportunityforencouraging movementinbabiesistotakepartina musicclass. Thereare plentyofoptions forthiswithinHawke’sBayincluding churchesthatrunpreschoolmusic morningsalongwithRhythm &Rhymes, afreesessionfor0-2’sthatrunsweekly on TuesdaysattheHavelockNorth Library. Tumbling TotsattheHastings SportsCentreisanotheroptionsuitable forchildrenfromasyoungas 12 months.

MostECEprovidershavestrategiesin placetoensurethatbabies andchildren areencouragedtomovewhilethey areincare.Askyourchildcareprovider

aboutwhethertheyofferanyadditional opt-inactivitieswheremovementis thefocus.Onceyourchildiswalking confidentlyandabletocomprehend directions,thereare moreoptionsto explore.HereinHawke’sBay,thereis awiderangeofactivitiesavailablethat encouragepreschoolerstomovetheir bodiesincluding swimming,dance, gymnastics,football, Karateandyoga. Thebestwaytochooseanactivityis tofollowyourchild’sinterestsaswhen theyareengagedinsomethingthatthey enjoy,thepathwaystolearningareclear.

Manyparentshopethattheirchild willmasterskillslike readingand writingsoonaftertheystartschool, buttheymaynot realisethatmastering movementskillsis akeyprecursorto literacy. Encouragingpreschoolersto developtheirfineandgrossmotor skillsthroughplay-basedactivitieslike catchingandthrowing canpavethe wayforlearninghowtoholdapenand beingabletotrackwordsonapage. Notonlythat,butbyengagingchildren inactiveplayyouwillbesettingyour child up with the toolstostay active for the restoftheirlives.

Thebestplacetostartencouraging yourchildtomoveisathome. Forideas youcandownloadfreeactivemovement guidesforchildren0-5from sportnz.org.nz.

Preschoolers canbeeasilyamusedbutalsoeasily bored!It canbeachallengethinkingupnewwaysto keepthekidsoccupiedandtemptingto resorttoa screenforhelp.InHawke’sBayweareluckytohave accesstosomegreatfacilitiesbothindoorsandout -whether you’renew to the region or simply wanting tochangeupthe routine, readonforsomelocal inspiration.

Join atoy library

ToyLibrariesareacosteffectiveandsustainable wayto refreshyourentertainmentoptionsathome. Haumoana ToyLibraryalsoruns amusic classwhere

you canmeetotherparentsandenjoy acuppa (alternating Tuesdaysfrom9.30am).

Have awheelsday

Packthescooters,bikesortrikesandheadtooneof theawesomebiketracksinthe region. Thejuniorbike trackonMarine Parade,completewithfunctioning roadsigns,isperfectforlittleriders. You’llfindanother great cycleskillstrackattheMitre10Sports Park complexinHastings.

Explorea newplayground

We arespoiltforchoiceinHawke’sBaywithmany fantasticoutdoorplaygroundsincludingCornwall Park, Anderson ParkandthenewlyupgradedHavelock Northplayground. AfavouritehastobeSpriggs Park playgroundinAhuriri,just ashortstrollfromexcellent cafesandwithstunningbeachfrontviews.

Journeyundertheocean

TheNationalAquariumistopofthelistformany visitingfamiliesbutwitheverchangingexhibitionsand yearlymembershipdealsthere’ssomethingforlocals too –anddon’tforgetkidsunder 3getinfree!

BEE amazed

VisittheAratakiHoneyvisitor’scentreinHavelock Northwherethekids candressuplike abeeor beekeeper,learn abouthoneymakingandsnap a3D pic.Seethebeesupcloseintheirhivesandofcourse tastetheirdelicioushoney!

Getupclosewithanimals

Popyourgummiesonandtakeyourpickfrom Funky FarminHastingsandtheHawke’sBayFarmyardZoo inHaumoana.Bothofferupcloseencounterswithall thekids’favouritefarmanimals.

Travelbackintime

TheFaradayCentreisagreatonefor rainydaysand onethatgrandparentswill reallyenjoytoo.Handson funforthelittlieswithplentyofmachinery, toysand contraptionstotouchandexplore.

Getoutinnature

Exploringtheoutdoors canturnintoanadventure withunder5’swhoarealessonintakingthingsslow whenitcomesto astrollinNature!Withplentyof walkingtrackssuitableforbuggiesorlittlelegslikethe Piwakawakatrackat Te Mata Park,AhuririEstuaryor Peka Peka Wetlands,we’respoiltforchoiceinHawke’s Bay.

PhotosbyGettyImages

SmartStartprovides step-by-step information and supporttohelp you access the right services for you and your baby.It’s an excellent website full of facts, ideas and suggestions on wheretogofor help.

Pregnancy weeks 0-14

Choose aleadmaternity carer (LMC)

As soon as you know you’repregnant you need to choose alead maternity carer

LMCs are:

•registered midwives

•obstetricians(doctors who specialise in pregnancyand childbirth)

•family doctors who provide maternity care

If you’reaNZcitizen or permanent resident you’ll get free maternity care unless you choose aprivate obstetrician or private sonographer

Pregnancy weeks 15-30

Book antenatal classes

Antenatal classes teach you about pregnancy, labour,birth,breastfeeding and looking after ayoung baby.You can get free classes through Te Whatu Ora or pay for classes with private providers.

Freeclasses fill up quickly,sobook early in your second trimester (around week 16)toget your preferred class. Thebest time to attend antenatal classes is early in your thirdtrimester (from week 27).

Immunisations for whooping cough and influenza (flu)

Immunisations help protect you and your baby beforeand after birth. While you’repregnant, you canget:

•freewhooping cough immunisation between 28 and 38 weeks of your pregnancy

•freefluimmunisation during the flu season—usually early March to August.

Youneed to be immunised during each pregnancy, even if you’ve been immunised before

Talk to your doctor,nurse or LMC about getting immunised.

Taking parental leave

Parental leave is leave you cantake from work to care foryour new child. You’ll need to apply for parental leave to your employer,inwriting,atleast 3months before your baby is due.

As partofyourparental leave, you’ll probably be eligible for paid parental leave (a government payment) for the first 26 weeks.

Check what financial help youcan get

Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to get help from Inland Revenue and MinistryofSocial Development. Both working and nonworking parents may be eligible for financial help with the costs of raising children, housing, health, childcareand parental leave, as well as solo parent support.

Choose aWell Child Tamariki Oraprovider

Well Child Tamariki Oraisafreeservice of health checks, visits and supportfor all children under 5.

Join aWell Child Tamariki Oraprovider as soon as your baby is born. Your lead maternity careroryour hospital will give you the forms to join.

Plunket is one provider of Well Child Tamariki Ora, but you canchoose another provider such as an iwi or Pacific health service.

Register the birth

Youneed to register the birth of your baby within two months of the birth. It’s

free to register the birth but you have to pay for abirth certificate. Youcan register your baby’s birth and order a birth certificate (if you choose) online.

When you register your baby’s birth thereare other services you candoat the same time such as apply for an IRD number for your baby,ordering abirth certificate etc. https://registermybaby dia. govt.nz/birth.

Birth registration is when you officially give your child alegal name. Everybaby born in New Zealand must be registered with Births, Deaths and Marriages.

This means that there’s still some time after the birth for the important decision of choosing aname. If you’relooking for ideas, the Department of Internal Affairs releases all the top baby names recorded in New Zealand each year

TheFamily Services Directory(www. familyservices.govt.nz/directory) lists family services and supportinyour area. Youcan also call on Healthline, PlunketLine or Parent Helpline for advice about your child’s health and development.

Healthline freephone: 0800611 116

PlunketLine freephone: 0800933 922

Parent Helpline: 0800568 856

Apply for Best Start payments

Youcan apply for Best Startpayments when you register your baby’s birth.

Best Start(also known as Best Start tax credit) is agovernment payment of $65.15aweek for each child born on or after 1July 2018. If you’reaNew Zealand resident you canget Best Start payments until your child turns 1, no matter what you earn. Some people canget apayment until their child is 3-it depends on family income.

If you’regetting Paid Parental Leave, you won’t begin receiving Best Start payments until your Paid Parental Leave payments end.

Source https://smartstart.services.govt.nz/

Maternityweartokeep youstylishfrombump, baby,andbeyond

Welcome to Rock YourBump,youronline Maternitystore bringing youstylish,high qualitymaternityandnursing wear.

We areproud tooffergorgeousclothing withmaternityandbreastfeedinginmind. Youdon’thavetosacrifice your senseof styleduringthisspecialtimeinyourlife.

We inviteyoutovisitourplay-basedkindergartenswhooffer auniqueexperiencethat reflectstheir community.

OurstunningenvironmentsreflecttheuniquecharacterofAotearoa New Zealand, with a focuson environmental sustainability.

We offer 30 hours’ free education for 2 5 year olds, additional hours available

The Heretaunga Kindergarten Association has sixteen kindergartens based in Hastings,HHavelock North,FlaxmereandCentralHawke’sBay.