Coal Coast Baby Magazine 2023

Contents

WELCOME

From before you fall pregnant until forever after you will be faced with an abundance of decisions to make. Some will be for you and your body; some will be for your child, and some will be for your family. The list is endless; Pregnancy, birth, healthcare, education, nutrition, childcare, healthy lifestyle choices, keep sakes and memories. The opinions you hold and the decisions you make will differ to those of others however it is important to remember the only good decision is the one that is right for you.

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Enquiries

Editor in Chief Lyndal Scerri

Get social with us Facebook & Instagram @coalcoastbaby www.coalcoastbaby.com.au

For exclusive offers and discounts sign up for our newsletter on our website

Editor Amanda Hurley www.amandahurley.net

Art Editor Bec Thomas | Bec Thomas Design www.becthomasdesign.com

Cover Photography

Lea & Lens Photography www.leaandlens.com.au

Photo credit to Amy and Fergus © Coal Coast Baby 2023

I’m new here at Coal Coast Baby, I am extremely passionate about providing all the information available in the Illawarra to give you choice. Choice allows you to make the right decisions for you and your family. I’m very excited to bring to you a snapshot of what the Coal Coast has to offer new parents raising a family. I hope as the Coal Coast Baby Guide continues to grow; we can bring to you more of what there is on offer from Helensburgh to Kiama.

As you embark on the decision-making process of parenthood, have a deeper appreciation for your intuition, trust your gut and base your decisions on informed knowledge. Only then can you truly make the best decisions for you, your family, and your lifestyle.

Editor in Chief. We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal Nation on whose land we live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge mothers have been birthing their babies on this country for 80 000 years.

NB. We are not affiliated with the Coal Coast Magazine

BACK TO FITNESS AFTER BIRTH

Author: Alex Stronach

Medicine in Motion Health Group is a team of dedicated Allied Health Professionals who are passionate about using exercise as medicine to help you reach your health goals. Servicing the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions across multiple clinic locations, we have Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists who, since having babies of their own, have developed a keen interest in Women’s Health. In particular, empowering women to engage in pre & postnatal exercise, and assisting them to do so in a way that is safe and appropriate for their individual health needs.

We see pregnancy as a ‘window of opportunity’ for adopting healthy lifestyle habits. Which can influence not only current health status, but the long-term health outcomes for both mothers and babies. Exercise during pregnancy can help to:

• improve or maintain physical fitness and endurance for active labour and birth.

• increase energy levels for activities of daily living (ADL) and decrease stress and anxiety.

• prevent or manage gestational diabetes.

• prevent and treat musculoskeletal pain (back, hip and pelvic pain).

Women’s Health Exercise Physiologists are Allied Health Professionals with additional training in how to prescribe exercise to support women, during pregnancy, post-partum, chronic disease management (including gestational diabetes and mental health) and injury rehabilitation.

Women’s Health Physiotherapy is a specialised form of physiotherapy focusing on the evaluation, treatment and education of health-related issues in women. Women’s Health encompasses a huge variety of conditions that may affect women throughout their life.

Around 1 in 3 women will experience incontinence or prolapse in their lifetime. Many women are not aware of the role physiotherapy can have on the ability to improve symptoms of both incontinence and prolapse. Physiotherapy is now recommended as the first line treatment for the management of

both prolapse and incontinence. This means it is important to access physiotherapy services before medication or surgery.

Our Women’s Health Physio is qualified o assist with

• Postnatal Screening Checks

• Pelvic Floor assessments with Real-Time Ultrasound

• Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

• Pelvic & Lower Back pain during pregnancy

• Bladder and Bowel Incontinence

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse Management

Why are we different? We employ a collaborative approach between Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology to promote the benefits of movement and exercise during pregnancy and post-partum to assist mothers to get back to the active lifestyle, sport and exercise that they enjoy most! Whether they are seasoned athletes or completely new to exercising.

What do we offer? We are proud to offer the South Coast’s first Physiotherapist-led Return to Run Program! This program has been developed by our Women’s Health Physio, Rosie Nicholls to support women back to sport and an active life after having a baby. Returning to running after having a baby can be challenging and confusing without a good plan. You’ve done all your pelvic floor exercises but don’t know where to start; you’re tired; fearful you might make something worse and everything just feels different. The Return to Run program breaks it all down for you and gives simple directions on where to begin. It takes a holistic approach to a safe, graded return to running and impact that works towards your goals the way that suits your body. Our practitioners are also qualified in clinical Pilates, offering pre and postnatal Pilates classes and clinical Pilates in their individualised treatment plans. In addition, our Physio’s and EP’s can assist with exercise programs tailored to suit your personal health goals.

For more information visit:

Lisa is an experienced naturopath, nutritionist and feeding therapist, dedicated to the health and wellbeing of the children she cares for.

She is the founder of The Paediatric Naturopath, one of Australia’s leading online Naturopathy clinics focussed solely on the needs of children.

With 3 children of her own, Lisa weaves together the technical know how with the practicalities of family life to ensure achievable positive outcomes for children.

3 ways to work with me:

1. Join my membership for Fussy Eaters for an affordable solution to bring back mealtime joy.

2. Work with me one-on-one using my Fuss No More method for problem eaters.

3. Book in for individual consultations for other health issues such as eczema, constipation, anxiety or immune support.

0400 408 781 admin@thepaediatricnaturopath.com.au

www.thepaediatricnaturopath.com.au

@thepaediatricnaturopath

/ThePaediatricNaturopath Free Facebook group: The Fussy Bunch

WET WEATHER DAYS

With La Nina outstaying her welcome and hanging around longer than anyone really wanted we seem to be having more wet weather days than we would like. While we are happy to see a rainy day occasionally a few strung in a row can be a nuisance and bring inconveniences for families with young children, nothing more frustrating than the dreaded question of ‘what am I going to do with the kids inside all week’? Coal Coast Baby has put that question to several mums across the Illawarra and here are some of the best recommendations to help you pass time as the rain continues to drizzle down.

Preparing and Delivering Homemade Nourishing Meals and Snacks for the Fourth Trimester and Beyond.

Delivering direct to Mumma’s doors in the Sutherland Shire, Macarthur, Wollongong & Surrounds.

Made with Love using Quality, Clean, Organic Ingredients wherever possible.

Gift Vouchers Available

www.nourishingnewmummas.com.au

@nourishingnewmummas

Take the kids to the library, read and borrow books, play with new toys and puzzles but be sure to check out your local library children’s timetable. Libraries across the Illawarra offer a range of programs and activities for kids including baby beats, baby bookworms, wriggle and jiggle, toddler-time, drop in Duplo and preschool story time. All free of charge.

Wildhood Bush Kindy is an outdoor adventure play group for children to have fun and be free. All weather play might mean raincoat, gumboots and a carefree attitude but turn to pg 16 for more information.

Make a date to play with friends, invite them round and bring snacks to share for morning tea. Share your toys with a buddy, playing with friends, sure beats playing alone.

Build an Indoor Cubby house – think dining table, chairs, sheets, pegs and cushions. A kids little escape where they can read, have a picnic lunch, play with dolls/toys, snooze, watch a movie or just let their imagination run wild with their own little escape.

Bunnings was a surprising crowd favourite –Apparently you always need something, or you can just grab some supplies for a DIY art & craft activity. With a playground and café, add in a mini trolley and you can’t really go wrong!

Get wet and grab some fresh air. Pop your gumboots and raincoat on and go for a walk, find some puddles to jump in, find a playground (you’ll have it to yourself) and return home soaking wet, jump in the bath to relax, refresh and unwind. When you are prepared to get wet it’s not really that bad.

Indoor play centres and pools are another popular activity with parents along the Coal Coast. Favourites include Go kids play, Discovery space and Beaton Park indoor heated pool.

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BIRTHING FROM HOME

Author: Kira Weatford

Your favourite music playing gently in the background, the lights dimmed, your own personal comforts and your favourite people surrounding you—when it comes to birth, many expectant parents are choosing to bring their children into the world at home.

Kira Waetford is a private midwife, offering women home birthing services in the Illawarra region and surrounds.

“My focus is on empowering women to realise their true potential as child-bearers, mothers, partners and nurturers of the family unit,” Kira says.

“I believe in the importance of instilling confidence in birthing women and their families to make their own health decisions.”

With the support of family and a qualified midwife and doula, home births are not only safe but offer a variety of positive effects. Studies show that even the intention to give birth at home leads to better outcomes for you and your baby.

Kira points to research published in The Lancet that shows having your baby at home is just as safe as a hospital birth for babies, and even safer for mothers with low-risk pregnancies.

(Reltsma et al, 2020 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100319).

Families who choose homebirth enjoy:

• Labouring and birthing in the comfort and privacy of their own home,

• No separation from baby, partner or older children,

• Lower rates of interventions such as induction, epidural, episiotomy, instrumental birth, caesarean section, etc.

• A decreased need for medication in labour,

• A lower risk of infection due to the decreased need for vaginal exams,

• Higher rates of vaginal birth, including after earlier caesarean sections, and

• Improved breastfeeding outcomes. In addition, choosing continuity of care with a known midwife leads to the highest rates of satisfaction among birthing women and their families.

Antenatal/Homebirth/Postpartum Services

Kira’s services include antenatal and postnatal visits in your home, meeting with you and your family to prepare a comprehensive birthing plan. Key is building a mutual and trusting relationship in preparation for both your birth and the postpartum period.

“Antenatal visits involve a check-up of both you and your baby, and a cuppa and chat about how your pregnancy is going,” Kira says.

“We’ll also work through what your options are for tests during pregnancy and discuss birth and postpartum preparation and breastfeeding. I’m here to answer any questions or topics you’d like to talk through.”

When it comes time for your labour, your midwife will be with you from when you feel like you need the support, and will stay until satisfied that both mum and baby are happy and healthy (and will activate the clean-up crew so your home is even cleaner than before anyone arrived!)

Postnatal visits are frequent throughout the sixweek postpartum period and are focused on your physical, mental and emotional well-being. These include labour and birth debriefing, breastfeeding, sleep and settling support, and newborn checks and screening.

To ensure dedicated and focused care, Kira limits her capacity to four women per month. Book early in your pregnancy to secure her services!

Find more information and contact details at: www.kirawaetford.com.au

Reltsma et al, 2020 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100319).

AMÉLIE PRIVATE HAS BEEN DESIGNED WITH OUR PATIENTS IN MIND.

WE BRING A RESPECTED TEAM OF SPECIALISTS WHO OFFER PERSONALISED, EXPERT AND COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR OUR PATIENTS.

1300 971 265

385 Crown Street Wollongong, NSW 2500

support@amelieprivate.com

HELPING YOUR CHILDREN TO DISCOVER THEIR WILD SIDE

Author: Laura Matthews

Do you remember those days as a child, playing in the garden or at a friend’s house with water, dirt, sticks and stones? No matter where you live, whether tiny home, apartment or house, instil in your children a love for nature through messy, wild play. Laura from Wildhood Bush Kindy introduces us to her outdoor play groups where coming home dirty is a given.

What is Wildhood focused on?

We hope to ignite a lifelong love of nature in our children. Our aim is to create a relationship between the child and nature, one they can always return to in times of stress and uncertainty, to breathe and just be.

How did Wildhood come about?

Wildhood was created out of a vision, a place where I would love to see my children spending their days learning. A safe space where children can be in nature, to play in all weather and experience the change of seasons. To take safe risks and follow their interests, make friends and socialise. But also a place where they are pushed to be resilient, persistent, kind, adventurous, creative, imaginative and strong.

What should children and parents expect from a Wildhood session?

Be prepared to get messy, try new things, to take safe risks and play in nature with paired-back resources.

What is “Risky Play”?

Risky play encompasses experiences that might encourage a child to push past their limits and try new things. This includes experiencing adrenaline and navigating how to manage high pressure situations. All our courses are designed to build resilience, confidence and independence. These include physical activities such as whittling, tinkering with tools, fire-lighting, or climbing rocks and trees. Or it could be as simple as getting wet from the rain, getting messy from mud or touching a bug.

Why is “risky play” important for children?

Risky play helps children understand consequence

to action, and builds resilience and confidence. By trying new things out, children learn to understand the capabilities and limits of their body, and gain insight into how to handle feelings of nervousness, fear and excitement. It also reduces the risk of injury long term, as the children engaging in risky play have a better understanding of their limits and physical capabilities.

What programmes does Wildhood offer?

Wildhood currently offers three programmes for children in their early years.

Nature Playgroup

This programme is for children aged 0-6 years and requires a guardian’s attendance. Nature Playgroup runs for one and a half hours and is all about experiencing nature in wild spaces in rain or shine. We get messy in the Mud Kitchen, bug hunt, get creative, float boats in the creek, and so much more. This programme is also perfect for parents, grandparents and guardians to meet local families and socialise.

Bush Kindy

Our Bush Kindy session is a three-hour drop-off programme for 3-6 year olds. These sessions are run in all weather, so good wet weather gear is a must! We bush walk to shallow creeks and waterfalls, tinker with tools, climb trees and rocks, rig up swings, cook on the fire, nature craft, read books and build shelters. On rainy days, we even bring out a slip and slide!

In-Centre Sessions

These sessions bring a little Wildhood into early childhood care centres and primary schools. We focus on creating a space where children can try out tools, pulley systems, discover bugs, get messy in the Mud Kitchen and get creative with nature. We want to inspire educators to bring more childled, open-ended, nature play into their curricula.

Find more information, visit: www.wildhoodbushkindy.com.au

Pilates Haus is your local boutique Pilates Studio with two studio locations

We help mummas find strength, connection and movement in our gorgeous, safe and welcoming spaces

Pre and Post natal friendly

WORKING TOWARDS A POSITIVE BIRTH EXPERIENCE

Author: Liz Uliana

Calmbirth® has been changing the narrative of Australia’s birth culture since 2004, empowering pregnant women and couples with knowledge, confidence and skills for birth and the transition into parenthood.

Calmbirth takes a holistic and evidence-based approach to pregnancy education, supporting the connections between mind, body and birth.

A woman will birth best when she feels safe, calm and private. Calmbirth’s goal is to educate and improve the birthing outcomes for all women and their families, not just physically, but emotionally as well.

Calmbirth leads the way in childbirth education by:

• Normalising and enriching the birth experience,

• Informing expectant mothers of their birth choices and rights,

• Empowering women to work with their bodies, partners and families to create their best birthing experience,

• Helping to retrain a woman’s response to stress by instilling confidence in herself, and

• Encouraging expectant parents to be proactive in their birth journey choices, as opposed to reactive.

Through guided relaxation, the Calmbirth programme teaches fear-release techniques which help to lessen concerns and anxieties about childbirth.

Calmbirth also demonstrates complementary therapies such as:

• Birth positioning,

• Acupressure points for pregnancy, labour and birth,

• Massage techniques,

• Calmbirth breathing techniques, and

• Visualisations and guided relaxations to help reduce pain naturally and prepare expectant parents for birth.

The evidence behind Calmbirth

A recent study by Shand et al 2022 found that parents

who attended the Calmbirth programme had lower rates of inductions of labour, epidural use, third and fourth-degree tears, and births by caesarean delivery. Expectant mothers were also more likely to go into spontaneous labour and had higher rates of breastfeeding on discharge from hospital.

These results support the findings from a comprehensive research study being undertaken by Dr Jane Svensson at the Royal Hospital for Women in New South Wales. The study, due to be published in two medical journals later in 2022, shows that the Calmbirth education programme significantly reduces:

• The rate of medical interventions during childbirth,

• The use of pharmaceutical pain relief in labour, including epidurals, and

• The impact of perinatal anxiety, which is linked to postnatal stress.

The study also found the Calmbirth programme enriches the birth experience, irrespective of how a baby enters the world.

Other studies also point to the benefits of techniques such as Calmbirth, showing that antenatal education not only reduces the rates of medical interventions during childbirth, but can also save the healthcare system up to AU$97 million in costs.

The Calmbirth programme is suitable for firsttime or subsequent births; for parents who have already had a challenging experience and would like their future births to be different; as well as for couples who know they will be birthing with help of a Caesarean section.

Find more information, visit: www.calmbirth.com.au

Reference:Shand, A.W., Lewis-Jones, B., Nielsen, T., Svensson, J., Lainchbury, A., Henry, A. and Nassar, N. (2022), Birth outcomes by type of attendance at antenatal education: An observational study. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13541

GOOD WORK STUDIO

Holistic

Ages

Coming

Personlised

IMPACTING HEALTH AND FERTILITY THROUGH NUTRITION

Author: Melanie Olde

Melanie Olde is a naturopath and counsellor, specialising in the natural treatment of anxiety and depression. She spoke to Coal Coast Baby about the important role nutrition plays in baby-related matters, from pre-conception to pregnancy, to birth and postnatal self-care.

How important is pre-conception care for a healthy pregnancy and the postpartum period? Numerous studies have demonstrated that fertility is linked to the nutritional status of the mother and father.

I consider good pre-conception care to go beyond “over-the-counter” natal supplements. Mine is an individualised approach that is guided by experience and a thorough understanding of up-todate research.

Important too is the review of blood test results to promote optimal nutritional levels before and during pregnancy.

Why is perinatal care vital?

Research is now emerging to suggest that what happens in the first nine months of your child’s life may influence your child’s health for the rest of his or her life.

Foetal exposure to stress, toxins, low nutrition levels and obesity have been shown to play a role in the development of many chronic diseases such as asthma, eczema, allergies, ADHD, autism, obesity and diabetes.

By optimising your health in the pre-conception period, and continuing this through pregnancy and postpartum, you have to ability to set both yourself and your child up for the very best outcomes.

We notice you have a special interest in working with people who experience anxiety, depression and thyroid conditions. How did this come about? Are these common conditions in pregnancy?

Yes, I have a special interest in working with people

who suffer from mental health complaints such as anxiety and depression, adrenal exhaustion, and thyroid conditions. Before studying to be a naturopath, I completed a BA with a Major in Psychology and an Advanced Diploma in Counselling, and this knowledge has directed my interest in this area.

While these conditions are not exclusive to women, one or all of these conditions can pop up along pre-conception, IVF, pregnancy or postpartum journeys. There is a lot that natural therapies can offer to people in this area.

Why do you think these conditions arise during pregnancy and the postpartum period?

During the pre-conception phase, we know that stress and anxiety can negatively impact cortisol, which in turn can have bearing on hormones and thyroid function, and affect the ability to have a successful conception.

Following the birth of a baby, hormonal changes and sleep deprivation can play a significant role, along with the psychological impacts that can arise during this joyous but also challenging period.

How do you work?

As a Clinical Nutritionist, Herbalist and Homoeopath, I believe in a holistic approach to optimal health and healing.

In consultation, I routinely request and review blood tests, and work to educate and guide my clients with nutritional tips. I also provide herbal and/or lifestyle tips to help provide symptomatic relief while these changes are being integrated. There are many safe nutritional, herbal and homoeopathic supplements that you can use when pregnant or breastfeeding.

Melanie’s clinic is located in Austinmer. She offers in-person and telehealth consultations. For more information, head over to her website: www.melanieoldenaturalhealth.com.au

melanieoldenaturalhealth.com.au

• Preconception care to help you achieve a natural, healthy conception

• Infertility and IVF natural health support

• Pregnancy nutrition

• Nutritional and herbal medicine for pregnancy and postnatal health

• Homeopathy for pregnancy, labour and breastfeeding

• Reproductive health care and treatments for specific hormonal problems such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, adenomyosis, fibroids, low libido, dysmenorrhea and menstrual irregularities

• Perinatal and post natal anxiety and depression

• Post natal depletion

HYPNOBIRTHING YOUR BABY ON THE COAL COAST

Author: Laura Lackersteen

Laura Lackersteen from Optimim Birth Illawarra explains the philosophy behind HypnoBirthing® and how this gentle technique can positively influence your birthing experience.

What is HypnoBirthing?

HypnoBirthing is a proven and comprehensive childbirth education programme. During the course, expecting parents are introduced to a variety of practices which help you to follow your natural birthing instincts. These include specialised techniques in deep relaxation, self-hypnosis and the use of breath, as well as visualisation and the effectiveness of affirmations.

HypnoBirthing consists of five interactive classes that are designed to educate and empower you to navigate and embrace your own birthing experience, no matter what path that takes. Birth is, after all, a very natural process and not something to be feared.

What lead you to HypnoBirthing?

I came across HypnoBirthing during my first pregnancy. I was thrilled to discover we were having a baby and about to become a little family. However, I had a terrifying fear of needles. I was looking for something, anything, that would help me to birth without an epidural.

A colleague of mine was pregnant at the same time as I was and told me she was doing the HypnoBirthing course. I thought it sounded like something for “hippies” and was sceptical about the idea. I was so desperate to avoid an epidural though, I was willing to try anything.

By the end of the first session, I was convinced I had found the answer. The course proved to be evidence-based, which resonated with me

immediately. I just knew I was going to have a natural birth—medication and needle-free! The birth of my son, Henley, turned out to be one of the most incredible, empowering and positive experiences of my life. I achieved the birth I had hoped for and gained skills for life.

What are the benefits

The HypnoBirthing course is now more than 25 years old. Studies show mothers who practise HypnoBirthing techniques have:

• Less fear approaching their birth,

• Shorter first and second phases of labour,

• Fewer interventions and surgical births,

• A lessened or eliminated need for analgesia, &

• Fewer cases of post-partum depression.

Why is the course five weeks and not a weekend course?

The course is designed to be taught over five weekly sessions not only to give parents time to process and retain the information they are being given, but more importantly time to practise.

All good skills require preparation and HypnoBirthing is no different. The longer course format prevents information overload, and allows you time to process and retain the information that you are learning and consider your birth wishes.

I want you to achieve the best possible birth experience!

Contact Laura at Optimum Birth Illawarra to discover if HypnoBirthing is right for you and your family.

For more information, visit: www.optimumbirthillawarra.com.au

MUMMA'S BEANS

Feels good - tastes amazing

Australia's most loved lower caffeine and decaf coffee . Tailored to suit women during conception, pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond.

mummas_beans

www.mummasbeans.com.au

"This coffee is really wonderful. As a breastfeeding mumma I love that this coffee has less caffeine, which is also great for my anxiety and migraines which can be triggered by caffeine"

Shelby, mum of 2

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT FOR WHEN IT COUNTS

Author: Michaela Suddick

A little bit about me:

My desire to empower women during their breastfeeding journey and adjustment to motherhood was cultivated during my time as a Registered Midwife and led me to become certified as a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 2022.

As a Registered Midwife since 2016, I’ve practised across all areas of midwifery care within the hospital setting and in the Midwifery Group Practice, which provides continuous one on one care to women during their pregnancy, birth and postnatally. In late 2021, I commenced working with a local private midwife attending home births throughout the Illawarra. In pursuit of my passion about natural health and treating the root cause of disease, I am also undertaking a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy).

After the arrival of my first child in September 2022, I took a short break from work and recommenced working as a Lactation Consultant in January 2023.

What does a Lactation Consultant do?

A Lactation Consultant has obtained a qualification to provide specialised support to breastfeeding women, and women who may be experiencing complex breastfeeding challenges. Some of the common breastfeeding challenges I can support you with include:

• Nipple pain or damage

• Attachment and latch concerns

• Concerns about reduced milk supply or oversupply

• Colic and reflux symptoms

• Blocked ducts or mastitis

• Weight gain concerns

• Assessment for oral function and tongue ties

• Referral to appropriate health services as breastfeeding problems may require a multidisciplinary approach from other health practitioners

• Tandem feeding/breastfeeding during pregnancy

An in home consultation (approximately 90 minutes), typically entails:

• Full assessment of you and your baby, and your breastfeeding history

• Identification of any oral restrictions

• Observing you breastfeed while in a familiar and comfortable space

• Discussing how I can best support you based on your preferences and values

• Development of a plan to support your breastfeeding goals

All consults include a written summary of the visit and recommendations, including any resources relevant to your breastfeeding challenges, and a 15 minute phone call follow up or email.

Breastfeeding Education Session

Breastfeeding education sessions provide one on one support in the comfort of your home or virtually. During the session, you will be empowered with the essential knowledge and tools to feel confident when embarking on or continuing your breastfeeding journey.

Some of the topics covered in a breastfeeding education session include:

• Benefits of breastfeeding for mum and baby

• What to expect in the first few weeks

• Impact of birth intervention on breastfeeding

• Skin to skin contact and demand feeding

• Positioning and attachment

• How to know if your baby is getting enough milk

• Breastmilk composition and changes

• Nutritional support while breastfeeding

• Preparation for the fourth trimester

• Antenatal hand expressing

• What is not normal when breastfeeding and when to seek advice and support

For more information, visit www.michaelasuddickibclc.com

Michaela Suddick, Lactation Consultant

Registered Midwife since 2016, International Board CertifiedLactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Passionate about supporting women on their breastfeeding journey

IN HOME OR VIRTUAL BREASTFEEDING CONSULT

CAN ASSIST WITH:

Nipple pain or damage

Attachment and latch concerns

Concerns about reduced milk supply or oversupply

2 HOUR IN HOME OR VIRTUAL

EDUCATION

TO PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR BREASTFEEDING JOURNEY

See website for details:

Colic and reflux symptoms

Blocked ducts or mastitis

Weight gain concerns

Assessment for oral function and tongue ties

Tandem feeding/breastfeeding during pregnancy

PALM MASSAGE STUDIO

Beautifully designed studio located in Corrimal, NSW

Book in some time just for you

Complimentary Foot Soak on arrival & Herbal Tea to conclude your treatment.

BREASTFEEDING

SESSION

DIY ACTIVITIES

DIY TREASURE HUNT BOTTLE to keep those little minds busy, car ride entertainment, distraction while you have a coffee, or just to wind down after a busy day. Teaching concentration and relaxation.

What do you need:

1x plastic bottle

As many mini treasures as you can find around the house for example coins, buttons, earrings, safety pins, thumbtacks, nails, screw, nuts, bolts, rocks, charms, golf tee, pen lid, lego, beads, ribbons, hair clip, hair band, bobby pin, old key, gumnut, you get the picture. The more the merrier, anything that will fit through the bottle opening… just gather up all those little nasty hazards you don’t want to lie around house.

How to create:

1. Place all the treasure in a clear bottle. If you have enough ‘things’ and depending on the age of the child, this could be enough for a portable treasure hunt.

2. To increase difficulty, fill the bottle with rice or sand to obscure the view of everything inside.

3. Screw the lid on tight or glue it on for more piece of mind. As the bottle is moved around small treasures will be exposed.

4. Let the treasure hunt begin.

DIY SENSORY FINE MOTOR SKILLS BOARD

This activity is simple or as difficult as you want depending on your own handy skills. Remember, kids don’t need it to be aesthetically pleasing, that’s purely for us, they just want mum or dad to give them some undivided attention and create a masterpiece. Design it, paint it and create together for hours of fun and memories to love no matter what. This doesn’t need to be expensive; it just needs to be functional so I suggest finding as much as you can at the $2 shop.

What do you need:

A wooden board

Whatever you can think of that those little fingers can open, close, twist, pull, spin, tie etc. Suggestions include slide locks, chain locks, switches, press

studs, wheels, bells, buckles, hinges, plugs, cog wheels, buttons, old calculator, door handle, latches, carabiner clip, magnets, key locks, shoelaces, velcro and zippers.

Strong glue

Screws and screwdriver Paint

How to create:

1. Plan the layout on the timber board of each fine motor gadget.

2. Secure to the board with most appropriate fastening option glue or screws are best.

3. Paint, decorate and individualise.

Share your creations with friends on Instagram, tag @CoalCoastBaby to show us how busy you have been

COAL COAST COLOURING COMPETITION

A winner will be announced in March, June, September and December 2023

Submissions accepted by any of the following:

Post a pic of your masterpiece to Instagram, tag and follow @coalcoastbaby

Email a photo of your masterpiece to coalcoastbaby@gmail.com

Print a copy from our website www.coalcoastbaby.com.au and post it to: Coal Coast Baby, PO Box 50, Port Kembla, NSW, 2505.

Free download: nancymclean.com.au/birth-plan

MUMMA'S BEANS

To receive a free coffee lip balm with your order use code: COALCOASTBABY www.mummasbeans.com.au

10% OFF ALL VIRTUAL SERVICES (PHONE/ZOOM)

Use code : CCB23 when booking. *not in conjunction with any other offer.

To continue to grow and expand Coal Coast Baby as a service to the Illawarra we need to know how and where to improve.

This year we have 4 x $50 vouchers up for grabs, from POD Emporium & Espresso, just for telling us what you think.

Scan the QR code to get you to the questionnaire.

wollongong-nsw@babysensory.com @

Index

COMMUNITY SUPPORT LINKS

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) supports women, men and families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. PANDA operates Australia’s only national helpline for individuals and their families to recover from perinatal anxiety and depression, a serious illness that affects up to 1 in 5 expecting or new mums and 1 in 10 expecting or new dads. Call 1300 726 306 or website: www.panda.org.au

COPE is The Centre of Perinatal Excellence, a wonderful one stop-shop for helping you to adjust to the challenges parenthood presents. Providing practical ways to help you look after yourself, understand perinatal specific mental health conditions, and guide you to get further information or assistance if required. Website: www.cope.org.au

Better Births Illawarra is a volunteer-run community initiative with the purpose of advocating for better maternity care and services in the Illawarra region. They help educate and empower local parents to seek the best possible birth experience.

Website: www.betterbirthsIllawarra.org.au

Facebook: Better Births Illawarra

Instagram: @betterbirthsillawarra

Wollongong Homebirth Group is a support group for homebirth parents, birth workers and those interested in homebirth. Join for monthly meetups, if you are pregnant, have children or are just curious to learn more about home birthing.

Facebook: Wollongong Region Homebirth Group

Acupuncture 9

Antenatal Classes 2, 16, 23, 31

Baby Essentials 13, 28.

Baby Sensory 41

Babywearing 19

Cloth Nappies 9

Chiropractor 21

Dance 9

Doula 15, 16, 18, 44

Holistic Support 8, 29

Homebirth 11

Keepsakes 13, 28, 29

Lactation Consultant 33, 35, 36

Massage 35

Mum coffee 33

Naturopath 6, 25, 26, 33

Nourishment 6, 9

Links

Facebook

Northern Stars Swim School

Calmbirth with Lyndal Scerri

Keryn Hawker: Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Medicine in Motion Health Group

Little Berti Photography

Little Bo Sleep

The Paediatric Naturopath

Bohemian Clouds

Little Eco Baby Nappy Service

Venus Rising Doula Support

Pilates Haus Fairy Meadow

Baby Sensory Illawarra

Jade Flores Photography

Scribbly Gum Photography

Briony Goodsell Womb

Wisdom

Kangatraining Wollongong

The Nurture Nook

– Babywearing and Postpartum Support

Instagram

National Breastfeeding

The Australian Breastfeeding Association is Australia’s leading source of breastfeeding information and support. Through a range of services, the association supports and encourages women who wish to breastfeed their babies, and advocates to raise community awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and human milk to child and maternal health.

Helpline 24/7 1800 686 268 or Website: www. breastfeeding.asn.au Facebook: Australian Breastfeeding Association Illawarra

Child and Family Health Centres provide free parenting support, advice and health checks for parents of children 0-5 years. Clinics also run new parent groups for parents of newborns to 6 months that provide information and an opportunity to meet other new parents in your local area. This services also runs breastfeeding drop-in clinics. Website: www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/servicesclinics/kids-and-families#kids-and-families-326

The Australasian Birth Trauma Association supports women and their families who are suffering postnatally from physical and/or psychological trauma resulting from the birth process. They also provide education and support for the range of health professionals who work with pre and postnatal women.

Website: www.birthtrauma.org.au

SANDS is a volunteer-based organisation providing individualised care from one bereaved parent to another, giving them support and hope for the future following the death of a baby.

Website: www.sands.org.au 24hr support line 1300 072 637

Remember Me – Illawarra Baby & Child Loss

Community is a local community walk to raise awareness for pregnancy loss, still birth and neonatal death in the Illawarra.

Facebook: Remember Me - Illawarra Baby and Child Loss Inc

Personal Training 24

Photography 14, 20, 22, 27, 29

Physio 5, 28

Pilates 17

Placenta Encapsulation 15

Playgroups 17

Postpartum 53

Pram Cleaning 36

Private Midwife 11

Private Obstetrician 12

Sleep Specialist 15, 25, 30

Swim School 32

Yoga 24, 30

Women’s Bodywork 29

Good Work Studio

Mother Nurture Hampers and Events

Kyron and Co

The Sleep Time Educator

Caught Photography

Baby Sleep Health

Mama Base Illawarra

Nourishing New Mummas

Nancy the Doula

Lea and Lens

Mahanidis Chiropractic Wollongong

Pod Emporium

My Tiny Dancer

Golden Kids Aus

Kira the Midwife

Mumma’s Beans

Wollongong Lactation Consultants

Melanie Olde Naturopath

Oak Flats Physiotherapy & Pelvic Health

Austinmer Beach House Yoga

@babysafewollongong @austinmerbeachhouseyoga @babysensoryillawarra @babysleephealth @bohemian_clouds @brionygoodsell @calmbirth_with_lyndal @caught.photography.au @chamomile_naturopath @goldenkidsaus @goodworkstudio_ @jade_flores_photography @kangawollongong @kira_themidwife @kyronandco @lea.and.lensphotography @littlebertiphotography @littlebo_sleep @littlleecobaby @mahanidischiro_wollongong @mamabase_illawarra @medicineinmotion_ healthgroup @melanieoldenaturopath @merlestone_creation @michaela_suddick_ @mother. nurturehampersandevents @mummas_beans @mytinydancer.Illawarra @mytinydancer.stanwell @nourishingnewmummas @northernstarsswimschool @nurtured_by_nancymclean @oakflatsphysiotherapy @optimumbirthillawarra @palm_massage_studio @pilateshaus_ @pod_emporium @postpartumwithelyse @redfireacupuncture @samilablow @scribbly.gum.photography @Sigrid_boyle_ womensbodywork @soulseedbirth @thenurturenookillawarra @thepaediatricnaturopath @thesleeptimeeducator @theslowdays @Venusrisingdoula @wildhoodbushkindy @wollongonglc

No chance my birth would have been what it was without Nancy! We felt super excited and prepared!

Déborah

Hiring you to be our doula was the greatest decision we could have made for our entire journey. I am so proud of my birth.

Felicity

Her

I believe all women deserve empowerment, choice and respect during birth. Birth is sacred.