Port Phillip MamaMag March 2015

port phillip

March 2015

WIN 1 of 75 double passes to the essential baby & toddler show Sleep school Sunspots Are you CPR ready?

Fighting PND Receive to conceive

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HOLA! After working on Bayside MamaMag for the past six months, I’m excited to come across to Port Phillip and explore my local ‘hood through the eyes of a mother. I moved into the area post-high school and well, lets just say a few years have gone under the bridge, much vino has flowed, marriage and a baby has come and I’m seeing the area in a new light.

I’ve seen huge development and have found a number of great family resources pop up over the years. I’m always amazed at how blessed we are in the area with so many great local offerings and passionate local businesses. I often reflect upon this, having grown up in a small country town in a farming family. The big city has captured my imagination and heart and fulfilled my love of great food, coffee, festivals and art, but I’m a girl who will always love and support local. It’s often laughed at in MamaMag HQ after a round of distribution, the treasures I have bought along the way. So many gorgeous distribution points! Purely for research purposes! So MamaMag is the perfect fit for me, as we look to bring you everything amazing in our neighbourhood.

My Chief Personal Assistant, Miss Lotte 2 years-old, will help with giving the toddler stamp of approval.

This past month in planning, we reviewed one of our favourite playgrounds in Alma Park and started a glittering tapping kind of ballet (cuteness overload!). We also kicked back and enjoyed the amazing KidZone at the St Kilda festival, where Lotte transformed into a Tiger in her first ever face-painting experience!

As Easter fast approaches, we’ve got some delicious Easter inspired recipes inside.

I can taste the annual fish-b-que down the in-laws shack in Tassie already.

Please come on the journey with me as MamaMag is after-all for YOU. I’d love to hear any feedback, ideas that you’d like to see in here, new and exciting businesses or stories of local people making a positive impact in your local area.

Please support our local advertisers who allow us to have so much fun producing this little publication and bring it to you, all for free. Their passionate stories and dedication forever inspires me. Take the time to hear the stories happening everywhere around you! They’re the threads that bind our wonderful community.

@localmamamag

WIN

Contents Sleeping your way to a healthy bub 6 Advice from a sleep consultant Are you CPR ready?

Kidzaid CPR Challenge

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Welcome to sunspots Skin care tips from endota

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Mama of the month We meet local identity Andi Lew

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1 of 75 double passes to the essential baby & toddler SHOW worth up to $44 each.

10 - 12 April 2015 Royal Exhibition Building

A pinch of salt 14 Soothing common childhood ailments Smarty pants in training Children conquering the toilet

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Easy Peasy Japanese Cooking with the kids

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Improve your health with hot yoga Make a change one breath at a time

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Eating to fight off PND Dietician Melanie McGrice’s tips

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Mama can cook Easter BBQ salmon and choc muffins

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Parklife 26 Alma Park St Kilda West Turn the page 28 This month’s top picks from Readings Breastfeeding problems Introducing low level laser therapy

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Receive to conceive Egg donation in Australia

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Apps for under $3 Cheaper than a take-away coffee!

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Play is our business Port Phillip toy libraries

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Do you feel financially secure?

Is your insurance adequate?

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Fun for the kids Kid’s crafts and our colouring comp

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A healthy body after baby is born 5 tips to keep you feeling your best

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Lovely Locals We visit Bay Street Port Melbourne

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MamaMag March 2015

THE ESSENTIAL BABY & TODDLER SHOW

Entries open March 1st 12.01am and close March 31st 2015 at 11.59pm.

Passes valid for single day entry to The Essential Baby & Toddler Show Melbourne 2015. For further details and full terms & conditions visit mamamag.com.au

Visit our Facebook page to enter

www.facebook.com/localmamamag MamaMag is published monthly for the mums of the Port Phillip area by Grizzle Design Pty Ltd. ABN: 26 042 138 550. PO Box 8018 Brighton East VIC 3187 Phone: 1300 771 446 Email: info@mamamag.com.au www.mamamag.com.au

5,000 copies are distributed monthly.

Port Phillip Editor: Kirsty Chick Creative Director: Sarah Cavalier Like to contribute an article or products for review or giveaway? submissions@mamamag.com.au Like to advertise in our next month’s issue? info@mamamag.com.au or download our media kit from www.mamamag.com.au The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publishing staff. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission of the publishers.

Health related articles are designed to be informative and educational. They are not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace one-on-one advice from your health practitioner.

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by Fishprint Brighton, using 100% Waterless Printing. Fishprint is a ISO 14024 ‘Whole of Life Cycle’ certified printer. fishprint.com.au

Sleeping Your Way To A Sleep consulting is never dull. The hours, families, babies’ ages and of course personalities are always varied. What remains consistent in every family I assist is parents who are exhausted and desperate for a full night’s sleep.

It never ceases to amaze me no matter what level of exhaustion the parents face (and believe me the sleeping situation that is some families’ reality would shock even the most hardened of parents), none are willing to put their own exhausted needs before what they feel is doing the right thing for their child.

In their first year babies spend most of their time sleeping, about half of their sleep is spent in active and half in quiet sleep. This is proportionally more time spent in active sleep (or REM as it’s called later in life) than adults. There is good reason for them having so much of this active or light sleep, it is when their brains are busy developing at a tremendous rate. For this reason it is important to help your baby develop regular, healthy sleep patterns (of both active and quiet stages).

Sound familiar?

“I’m exhausted and I have tried absolutely everything. She just seems to need constant attention, more than other babies do. I don’t know what I am doing wrong. I want her to be happier during the day and sleep through the night. We tried leaving her to cry-it-out once, it was awful and I stopped it after 20 minutes. Is this the only technique that you use? Does anything else work?”

Cry-it-out Probably the most common question I get asked is whether my method is to leave a baby to cry-itout, also known as controlled crying. The simple answer is no. The more complex answer is, I don’t have one method, the method I use depends on the baby (their age, diet, health etc) and their parents. Gauging the parent’s comfort levels and ability to follow through with a given technique is crucial. Parents simply won’t remain consistent with a new routine if it is something they don’t feel comfortable with, and rightfully so. This means that some families will decide that controlled crying is an option for them, for most however this is not the case and a baby’s cries are responded to promptly.

What else is there?

A good sleep consultant will adapt the method they use for each family. This means there are countless methods used, none necessarily more or less successful than the other. The key to all of them is calmness and consistency. What I do is not magic, it is simply a matter of having the knowledge to understand babies’ patterns and needs. Then applying this knowledge to gently guide them in the direction of independent sleep.

Written by Hannah McDaide.

Hannah is a paediatric sleep and routine consultant with a background in psychology.

She is the Director at Healthy Baby Hub. www.healthybabyhub.com.au

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Healthier, Happier Baby Is my baby old enough?

Sleep training, a term I dislike, is generally frowned upon in the early months of a baby’s life. Some experts will say not before 6 months, others will say not before 4 months. Some will even advise not to expect a baby to sleep through until after the first year. I don’t like the term sleep training because it implies that if for the first 4, 6 or 12 months (depending on which advice you are following) you are struggling with an unsettled baby, there is nothing you can do until they are the right age. This is simply not the case.

How a baby falls to sleep comes down to habit, that is how it has been taught from the beginning (whether intentionally or not) to go to sleep. I believe my job is to educate parents on how to develop healthy sleep habits for their baby, which in my opinion can begin from day one. By gently developing healthy sleep habits from the beginning, parents can prevent bad habits from forming and thus avoid having to do any form of sleep training down the track. So although sleep training may come with age restrictions, equipping yourself with knowledge on babies’ sleep habits and gently guiding your baby towards independent sleep can start from day one. The earlier the better.

How long does it take?

Developing new sleep habits can take anywhere from 24 hours to a couple of months. It will depend on the method being used, the age of your baby or toddler and the consistency of the parents. If using the advice of a sleep consultant, you should at the very least be able see improvements within the first couple of days of implementing a new routine.

What kind of help is available?

If you decide to enlist the help of a sleep consultant it is important to find someone you feel comfortable with and who adapts their methods to meet your family’s specific needs. Sleep guidance services can range from informative group workshops, phone consultations, individual home consultations or overnight support.

And finally...

For many families the first year of parenthood is determined primarily by sleep, or a lack thereof.

Many new parents expect it to be something their baby just does instinctively. Yet sleeping independently is a learned habit, and like everything else we teach our children eg tying shoe laces, brushing teeth and using manners, takes time, a gentle approach and consistency. The method to use fundamentally comes down to what the parents are comfortable with for their family. As a parent, increasing your knowledge on your baby’s sleep needs and habits can save the whole family many unnecessary sleepless nights. Healthy sleep habits will developmentally give your baby the best possible head start.

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are you crp ready?

In Australia each year 260 children die and 58,000 children are hospitalised from accidental injuries. Would you know how to help your child if one of these incidences left them unconscious and not breathing?

For every minute that CPR is not performed when needed, the chance of the child’s survival decreases by 10%. After 4 minutes without oxygen, you child will suffer irreversible brain damage.

260 Australian children die & 58,000 are hospitalised every year.

What happens in the first five minutes holds the key to saving their life. It is not realistic to expect professional help to arrive within this short amount of time. We therefore need more people of all ages who are trained and willing to provide immediate CPR to our kids, while waiting for help to arrive.

KidzAid founder Brionhy Westbrook had a terrifying experience with her own baby, which motivated her to help provide training for parents. “My 5 month old daughter, Poppy, suddenly became pale, floppy and unconscious in my arms,” Brionhy recalls. “Fortunately, being an experienced emergency nurse, I managed to get myself through, but it left me thinking what would another parent do?” As a result KidzAid Paediatric First Aid Training was born and each year provides comprehensive courses for parents all over Australia.

To make it even easier for parents to gain this vital knowledge, Brionhy and her team will convert the Palladium at Crown Melbourne into a large training centre on Good Friday this year.

Nurses, paramedics, and medical practitioners will all volunteer their time to teach Melbourne families the life saving skill of paediatric CPR and set a world record.

All the proceeds from the day will support the Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s

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Hospital. Entry is only $5 per person or $15 per family, with 100% of this fee being donated directly to the appeal. The event will also host family fun day activities, such as celebrity CPR challenges, jumping castles, roving princesses and superheroes, activity stations, play equipment, parenting experts and fundraising shop. Don’t forget to bring along gold coins to participate in all the fundraising funds (of course notes will be accepted as well!)

Families are encouraged to attend together, with the training sessions also providing parents with the opportunity to teach their children from a young age the importance of always having up-to-date CPR knowledge. Children are invited to come dressed as their favourite hero (many of whom will be available onsite during the day to meet and have a photo with) and participate in the junior CPR hero training program.

For every minute that CPR is not performed when needed, the chance of the child’s survival decreases by 10%.

Registrations are now open, however there will be limited places, so get in early to take advantage of this great opportunity. Don’t forget to encourage grandparents, carers, babysitters and next door neighbours to participate as well. You want to ensure there are as many people as possible in your network who can save your child’s life.

The CPR Challenge is powered by KidzAid, proudly presented by Priceline, and supported

by Crown Melbourne, Australian First Aid Training, Melbourne’s Child, Dorevitch and Zoll.

Friday 3rd April at Palladium Room, Crown.

Paediatric CPR training for only $5.00 per person or $15 for a family of 4.

Register at www.cprchallenge.com.au.

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welcome to sunSpots Did you enjoy summer? Loved the beautiful weather? Spent lots of time outdoors? Well now you may be noticing brown or red flat spots on your face? A little scaly?

A little stingy when you are in the sun? Welcome to sunspots!

Where there is one, there is more - sorry they come with friends, visible and invisible.

Sunspots that are invisible are said to be 10-times more frequent under the skin than the ones that are able to be seen. Unfortunately if you are seeing sunspots now, the damage was done some 10 years ago.

The good news is that sunspots, or solar keratoses are NOT a skin cancer. But they are an early and serious warning sign to protect your skin from the sun. They are most commonly due to over-exposure to the sun. You will often also hear them being referred to as hyperpigmentation and put in the same bucket as age spots, dark spots and brown marks.

If you are not 100% sure that what you are seeing is a sunspot please go and see your doctor to get it checked out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially considering the beautiful sun-drenched country in which we live has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. According to the Cancer Council Queensland, ‘occasionally, sunspots may develop into a skin cancer, however the probability is low…..(but) skin cancers are more common with people with sunspots’.

Once you are sure that what you are seeing is in fact sunspots, the good news is that are generally harmless and there is a way to get rid of them. To treat the sunspots you need to remove the damaged skin, so that the new skin can come to the surface. There are a variety of options including–natural therapies, creams, in-spa treatments and the knife or similar invasive therapies.

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Natural therapies said to have a lightening effect on sunspots are applying lemon juice, juice from a red onion, Vitamin E capsules, green tea bags and/or buttermilk regularly on your damaged skin. Those choosing this option will need to be particularly vigilant in applying sunscreen, as these treatments will leave your skin more prone to sun damage.

You may also experience some dryness, so extra moisturiser will also be the go, as well as some deep breathing–you will need it as you practice some patience. Going natural is a beautiful thing, but results take time.

Creams can work on both visible and invisible sunspots, the view is that you really need to keep at it if you are using a cream, no giving up or expecting results for at least 4 weeks.

Zoe Foster Blake on her Australian ZoTheySay beauty blog recommends trying Dermalogica’s Tri-active Cleanse which exfoliates skin and helps treat discolouration, and if you are going down the natural path, Vitamin C is ‘a stupendously good skin brightener’ according to Zoe. In-spa treatments such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels are great for removing the top layer of damaged skin, and treating your skin with the right mix of super charged active ingredients to help the fresh skin surface. You should see results quickly after 3-4 treatments.

ZoTheySay recommends an in-spa peel every 2-3 weeks for stunning results, coupled with a complimentary at home routine. Peels have come a long way and are a far cry from the peels that left you red faced and in-hiding for a week. Our Facebook page competition this month is offering one lucky MamaMag reader a tailored peel.

Alternatively if you are game you can go under the knife or try even more aggressive options.

These include: Cryotherapy which involves freezing off the spot with liquid nitrogen, the damaged skin will peel off after 10-20 days, thicker spots may leave a scar. Curettage, which is scrapping it off. Cautery, burning it off, also

leaves a scab after a few weeks and may scar. Excision, which is basically cutting it out, most likely to be used if there is suspected skin cancer.

Any treatment is not permanent, sunspots are likely to keep surfacing, so you will need to keep working at them with your new routine.

The damage was done 10-20 years ago when education wasn’t as good as it is now, and unfortunately it can’t be reversed. So while we can maintain regimes and treatments going forward, the ultimate fighter is prevention.

Which of course we are responsible for instilling in our children and saving them from seeing the spots later in life! For us, sunspots are an early warning sign to take extra care of your skin against the sun. Wear a good SPF sunscreen every day. Find one that doesn’t make you break out and apply it. It’s much easier than treating sun damage.

Written by Jovita Gartlan from Endota Spa. Endota stocks dermalogica and provides in-spa microdermabrasion and peels.

Sources - Cancer Council Queensland, http://www.knowyourownskin.com.au/sundamage/the-effects-of-sun-damage/#sunspots, (http://naturalbeautytips.co/how-to-get-ridof-sunspots-on-face-and-skin/), http://www. zotheysay.com/how-to-properly-treat-andprevent-hyperpigmentation

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MAMA of the month This month we talk to Port Phillip mum Andi Lew. Mother to 5 year old boy Beaudy Sipser, Andi is an accomplished author of 5 health books, of which two are best sellers, and is a highly sought after writer and TV Presenter. As a certified ‘Food, Lifestyle and Wellness Coach’, she practices from her St Kilda Cooking School and has additional qualifications as an Infant Massage Instructor, Chiropractic assistant, Shiatsu massage therapist and her healthy lifestyle has many inspired.

Your experience list is impressive to say the least. If there is such a thing, what does the average day in the life of Andi Lew involve?

It’s never an ‘average’ day, haha! I feel like life is too short to achieve all the things I want so I actually never stop working because my mind is always ticking and creating. I am usually with my son as he’s still in kindergarten only 3 days a week but I will try to take him to the beach or park where I can continue to work and write from my iPad or he is sometimes with me when I am at cooking demos or with coaching clients, as they are usually mums too and don’t mind. It’s a constant juggle but I think they find it refreshing to see that you can actually work with your kid around and all parties can be happy. It’s very supportive and community, which is what wellness is about anyway. When I don’t have my son, I am usually booked out MCing launches and events or speaking at Expos and seminars on health. I also try to train most days. Movement runs the brain. Even if I go for a walk along the beach and Beaudy is on his scooter, it just has to be done and we are both being active which is imperative. Most of all, it’s fun!

You have 5 books under your belt and have also started your own publishing business, Heart to Heart Publishing. Quickly tell us about them all?

I started out as a published author for my first book that I co-wrote with Beaudy’s dad, Dr Warren Sipser, called ‘7 Things Your Doctor Forgot to Tell You’ and then my son was born and it inspired me to self publish and I wrote, ‘The Modern Day Mother’, which I appeared with on the TV shows 60 Minutes and Mornings

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on CH9. My next books; ‘Eat Fat Be Thin, and Eat Fat, Be Lean’, are best sellers and created a ‘fat food movement’. My most recent book, ‘Real Fit Food’ is going really well. It’s about nutrient dense food that keeps you full and functional training for a fitter body. Self publishing has been great. It’s hard work, but I love educating people in an entertaining way so it’s been an organic process and authentic journey. I’m also lucky I created a job which meant I could stay at home a lot with my little boy while he was growing up. I really wanted to be around him lots in the younger years.

Many of your books are cookbooks. What is your all time favourite dish that keeps the whole family happy?

All families love the Amazeballs because they’re a great snack, but there’s the chia seed bread too which is wheat free and made with almond meal. Everybody loves that because if they are avoiding gluten and wheat, they’re still able to eat bread!

And your book The Modern Day Mother has had great success. What is the number one question you get from new parents and your advice to them?

Once mothers have read the book, I hear a sigh of relief as they tell me it was a breath of fresh air to know that they felt they were allowed to trust their instincts more, or the support they found the book gave them because it’s not really advice, but more about opening mums up to where to find appropriate support about no-cry sleep solutions and empathetic and responsive parenting.

Are there any more books on the horizon that we should look out for?

I’m actually in the middle of writing my 6th book which is about the fun of flirting with social media and dating apps. It’s been a wild ride and very entertaining. This book will just be pure entertainment value and something very light to read!

Best and worst part about being a parent?

Everything is so annoying and cute all at the same time. Like going to the toilet and when your baby wants to follow you there, annoying, but cute! But best is the love we have for each other. It’s so intense. There are hard parts about parenting, but life is tough in general. I think it gives you more certainty about life choices, because people will challenge the way you parent, and they can challenge you about actually anything, from what you wear to what you do for work, but for some reason we take the challenges and opinions about parenting harder. It’s bittersweet because it just means we care so deeply and that’s a positive thing. We want to be the best for our children and that’s the best thing about being a parent. My life has more purpose now.

Do you have any funny parenting tales that will give us a giggle?

Beaudy likes to change the words to songs which is very cute while we are driving in the car, he will sing “He’ll never love you like a mummy can”, to the tune of Sam Smith’s “He’ll never love you like I can”. He also loves to introduce himself and everyone else to each other. He’s quite social and loves to network and I often hear myself saying, “wow, I wonder where he learned that from?” You’re just constantly looking into a mirror! Never a dull day!

Finally where can we purchase your books?

For more about me and my books visit www.andilew.com REAL FIT FOOD - Intelligent Nutrition and Functional Training by Andi Lew is available in bookstores across Australia $29.95 and via www.realfitfood.com.au e-book $13.95.

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A pinch of salt

to soothe common childhood ailments With up to 40% of children now suffering from allergies , parents in Australia are opening up to the latest complementary therapy to help battle symptoms associated with common ailments, from the winter cold to hay fever, asthma and eczema. The ingredient?

A pinch of salt.

Ancient natural salt caves dating back to the 1800s have paved the way for today’s more scientific salt therapy (also known as halo therapy), helping to relieve the symptoms of thousands of young Australians suffering from debilitating respiratory and skin ailments, while also aiding general wellbeing.

So what is it and how does it work?

Salt therapy is a non-invasive, chemicalfree therapy designed to relieve congestion, inflammation and allergies of the airways and skin. By widening the airways of the respiratory tract, the micro salt particles reach deep into the respiratory system loosening up the mucus, which helps to reduce inflammation.

Husband and wife duo, David and Katharine Lindsay, founded Salts of the Earth in 2010 after seeing overseas first-hand the effects salt therapy had on David’s father, a long term sufferer of chronic respiratory illnesses.

The centres now cater to more than 1,000 appointments each week – up to 40% of those customers are children.

Salts of the Earth Hampton owner Kari McCormack was inspired to start the business after finding salt therapy beneficial for her 6 year old son who suffers with Asthma and her mother who also sufferers with Asthma and repeated bouts of pneumonia a snoring husband and a daughter with eczema.

“We tried salt therapy and I all couldn’t believe the immense change in each of their conditions. My husband’s snoring was

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dramatically reduced, my son’s asthma was able to be controlled and have we no longer needed to attend the emergency department at the RCH hospital. My daughter’s eczema has completely disappeared and we are now in control of it and my mother’s ssthma has significantly improved and she has not had to endure further bursts of pneumonia.”

The best part – children don’t even know they’re being treated. Kids enter a room with an adult (or the whole family) and simply sit back, play and breathe in an ambient setting, designed to mimic a natural salt cave, filled with toys, a fish tank, bean bags and a TV. During the 45 minute session, a Halogenerator grinds up pharmaceutical grade salt to tiny particles that become airborne and dispersed.

Salt therapy is not a cure and works in conjunction with the sufferer’s medical treatment, helping to relieve symptoms of a range of common respiratory conditions be it ongoing or seasonal, from asthma to bronchitis as well as common skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

“It’s so rewarding to own a business that changes peoples lives. We have people with a lot of different conditions that come into our centre but recently we have had life changing improvements with people who have severe eczema and a number of others with debilitating respiratory conditions. To see all these people starting to enjoy life again is incredibly fulfilling.”

Dr John Tickell, Salts of the Earth ambassador and medical doctor, says there are scientifically proven benefits in combining medical and natural therapy.

“There is science backing salt therapy, proving that breathing in minute salt particles does work to relieve symptoms, when used in conjunction with regular medication prescribed by your GP. By relieving the symptoms of a condition, medication can become more effective, resulting in better management and stronger relief,” says Dr Tickell.

“People who suffer from respiratory ailments have a condition that either inflames the lungs or produces excessive mucus. Salt can only clear a certain amount at a time, which is why we encourage customers to head into Salts of the Earth for a consultation first so the staff can understand their needs and recommend the best management plan for them.”

Salt therapy is fast gaining momentum in Australia with consumers reaping its benefits.

Salts of the Earth is open 7 days a week.

Bookings are essential and can be made online through their website at www.saltsoftheearth.com.au Salts of the Earth Albert Park Ph: 9078 5634 Email: Albertpark@saltsoftheearth.com.au Salts of the Earth Hampton Ph: 9521 6874 Email: Hampton@saltsoftheearth.com.au

Jake’s eczema was so bad he needed cold bandages on his skin. However, with consistent Salt Therapy and regular salt baths, in just three weeks it dramatically helped control his Eczema symptoms and cleared his skin. By continuing to have regular salt therapy sessions Jake’s skin remains clear and he no longer needs creams. Not only has it helped control his eczema, it has also helped Jake’s croup and hay fever.

“We began our salt therapy sessions shortly after our twins, Arlo & Macy, were discharged from hospital. Arlo & Macy were born at 25 weeks gestation & spent a total of 11 weeks in hospital (nine at the Neonatal Intensive Special Care unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital & two at the Special Care Nursery at St Vincent’s Private Hospital).

After only a few sessions we noticed significant improvement in their breathing; we could no longer hear them breathing heavily & the snoring & snorting disappeared plus as an added bonus the whole family found the sessions very relaxing!

I hadn’t realised how much trouble I was having with my breathing, you just think that you are unfit. After my first session, I found I wasn’t getting breathless anymore with simple tasks.

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Smarty Pants In Training Children conquering the toilet Leaning to use and master the toilet is a major milestone in a toddler’s life. Some kids just get it. For others, it is a difficult skill to acquire and is frustrating for both child and parents.

One of the best ways to encourage an easier transition is to look for signs of readiness to toilet train. Some signs your child is ready include: • tells you he has done a wee or poo in his nappy - especially if he tells you before • becomes interested in others using the toilet (wants to watch, talk about it) • doesn’t want to wear nappies anymore (trying to take them off when full) • has regular soft formed bowel movements • has dry nappies for up to two hours (showing an ability to store wee in the bladder) • can pull pants up and down When will my child be a Smarty Pants?

It seems most children are not ready to learn to control their “wees” and “poos” until they are at least 2 years old and often later than that.

Children first need to recognise the feeling of a full bladder, then they learn to hold their full bladder for longer periods of time, eventually getting to the toilet to have their wee in the right place.

How can I help my child be a Smarty Pants?

Watch your child. Recognise when they have a full bladder. They often fidget with their nappy or pants, or squirm on the spot. Some children will sit on their heels. Some will hide or go to one particular place in the house.

Fluids intake makes fluids output: Encourage your child to drink mostly water about 5-6 times in a day. A 2-year-old may drink about 1000mls in 24hours. A 5-year-old should drink about 1200mls. Children in late primary school should drink 1500mls; the same as an adult.

Child-sized: Use a potty, or a fill-in toilet seat for your child and a foot-stool. Children do a better job when their feet and bottoms are on a surface.

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Train your child to be a Smarty Pants When you see you child fidgeting, ask them: “Do you need to go to the toilet?”

Be the model: Let your child see you go to the toilet. Talk about what you are doing.

Yes, everything.

Praise beats correction every time when training a child to do anything. “Good boy/girl for telling me you want to go to the toilet.”

Even if they don’t succeed every time, continue with the toilet routine – Go to the toilet with them, practice tearing off the toilet paper, flushing the toilet, washing and drying hands.

Stay positive and calm. Recognise that sometimes, the child just isn’t ready. Have a few weeks break before starting again. Illness, including constipation, or a new baby in the family may cause a set back.

Getting professional help for my Smarty Pants Seek help if your child is having any bowel problems- constipation or pain, or if your child is still wetting their pants during the day at age 4 or wetting the bed at age 6.

Look at websites such as www.continence.org.au and www.bladderbowel.gov.au.

Seek out help from your local continence physiotherapist www.physiotherapy.asn.au or www.continence.org.au or maternal health nurse, childcare organisation, or talk to your local doctor about who they recommend.

Written by Annette Beauchamp.

Annette is a physiotherapist who works with people who have bladder and bowel problems, children, and their mums and dads too.

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Easy Peasy Japanese!

All too often meal times can become a stressful battle ground, where the cutest of curly haired princesses can suddenly morph into the hardest renegade fighter at a Mexican standoff.

Sometimes the difference between contented family happiness or all out food warfare can hang on a spoonful of peas or a stem of broccoli.

Can you imagine a world in which your child is interested and excited to cook, eats a large variety of food, and is actually keen to help you in the kitchen? Maybe it’s not as far-fetched as you would think.

It is so important to get kids interested in food from an early age and cooking with them is a really effective way to do it. As babies they can sit in a rocker and watch you cook, toddlers can grab a spoon and help mix, and there is no reason why they can’t be cooking breakfast for you at the age of four.

We are all very safety conscious these days, and rightly so, kitchens can be dangerous and kids must be supervised at all times when they are cooking. However, let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. Give your child a modicum of independence and choice when it comes to meals and you might find your fussy eater is suddenly a gourmet.

Well maybe not, but try letting your food dictator prepare the family meal next time you have a spare afternoon. Let them take control, from picking a recipe to laying the table. Take them to the shops to select the ingredients for their chosen meal and get them to smell, taste and feel for the best produce and then pay for it at the counter. Then help them prepare their ingredients or follow a recipe and encourage them to taste as they cook.

Don’t be afraid to let them use a knife or shake a hot pan or two, or if they are too young, let them sit close by and instruct you as their helper.

Why not have a sushi night and let them get creative in the kitchen. They can choose their own fillings and taste as they go, and best of all, once you have bought the equipment and core ingredients it is super simple and quick to go Japanese any night of the week!

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Can you imagine a world in which your child is interested and excited to cook, eats a large variety of food, and is actually keen to help you in the kitchen?

Ingredients (Makes 4 rolls)

Tips

- 2 cups sushi rice

- Keep a finger bowl of water handy to stop the rice sticking to your hands and to wet the edges of your seaweed sheets.

- 2 cups water - ½ cup rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon caster sugar - Choice of fillings cut into thin strips or batons (e.g. cucumber, avocado, carrot, spring onion, sushi-grade raw fish, smoked salmon, cooked chicken) - 4 nori sheets (can be found at the supermarket) - Soy sauce/pickled ginger to serve

Method 1. Wash rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. Put rice and water in a pan and bring to the boil, then simmer with a lid on for 12 mins until water is absorbed. Take off the heat and allow to stand with lid on for a further 10 mins. Combine vinegar and sugar and stir through the rice and then allow to cool.

2. Lay a square of nori shiny side down on your rolling mat. Spoon enough rice onto the nori to pat down to a thin layer, leaving a good inch-wide border of nori showing. Lay your chosen filling in a line across the middle of the rice. Wet your fingers and dampen the nori border furthest from you and then gently lift the end of the mat closest to you, and roll it over the ingredients to enclose.

Continue rolling the mat forward to make a complete roll. With one hand on top, gently roll mat back and forth a few times to make a nice round shape.

3. Use a sharp knife to slice the rolls at 2cm intervals and serve with soy sauce for dipping.

- Make sure the rice and all the ingredients are cold before rolling. Spooning hot rice onto a baking tray or chopping board can speed up cooling.

Once you’ve mastered the nori roll it’s just the beginning, why not….

- Try inside-out rolls by wrapping your rolling mat in cling wrap and starting with a layer of rice, then nori and then the filling. Or using wet hands, shape a ball of rice and then lay fish, prawn, or avocado on top and wrap with a thin band of nori.

- Try fruit sushi for dessert. . Make the sushi rice with coconut milk in place of rice vinegar for a sweet treat. Place a piece of gladwrap on a board, and lay out a flat circle of thinly sliced strawberry or kiwi, then drop a ball of sushi rice in the middle. Draw together the edges of the gladwrap to form a ball. Use strawberry or chocolate sauce for dipping. Yum! - Accompany your sushi with Japanese pancakes. Mix 2 eggs, 2 cups of flour and 1 cup of cooked mushrooms, bacon and cabbage together in a bowl to form a batter and then drop a tablespoon of mixture into a frying pan and shallow fry for a couple of minutes either side. Serve with Japanese mayonnaise, BBQ sauce and picked ginger.

By Victoria Mackey and Emma Keating www.messyfaces.com.au Messy Faces delivers healthy and delicious home cooked frozen meals for kids. Keep them in your freezer for those nights when you’ve simply run out of time to cook.

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improve your health and wellbeing with hot yoga How Hot Yoga changed the life of a corporate high flyer one breath at a time.

In 2011 I had spent four years working in the corporate world in Human Resources. All those days of being a slave to the computer and Friday night drinks had finally caught up with me. I was constantly feeling lethargic, embarrassed about my fitness level, and losing the flame inside which makes you tick. So I set off to do something different and something to help me get back on track. That “something” ended up being trying out a hot yoga class at a studio in Windsor. I remember that first class like it was yesterday. There were about forty people in the studio, and there was only a 10 cm gap between each mat. It was a full class! I came out feeling challenged, energised, calm, and VERY sweaty. I LOVED IT! I continued on the hot yoga journey and noticed little changes in myself throughout the years. My energy levels were higher, I was able to run for longer, and I started to live the lessons which came out of each yoga practice.

After a couple of years of consistent practice and noticing the mini transformations within myself, I decided that yoga needed to be a bigger part of my life and started looking into teacher training.

In November 2014 I completed my 200 hour training, and although I haven’t been teaching for very long, I’m so thankful to be a part of this special community and play a part in opening up the world of yoga to others. It doesn’t matter whether somebody is seeking to work on their flexibility, improve their fitness level, or wanting to find a bit of peace. We all find yoga expecting to achieve something, but we all end up walking away with so much more than that.

I currently teach Hot Yoga classes in the Wellness Zone at Melbourne Sports & Aquatics Centre (MSAC) in the style of Vinyasa, a dynamic style of yoga linking movement with breath. I like to draw on my affinity with yoga philosophy and mindfulness to create a positive space where students can share their energy and be inspired.

This vigorous 60 minute yoga session is practised

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in a studio maintained at 37 Degrees Celsius and brings many health benefits such as weight loss, enhanced strength, increased flexibility, improved posture, mental clarity, balanced blood pressure, proper metabolism and more. With 15 classes to choose from each week the addition of hot yoga to the group fitness schedule at MSAC is so exciting and offers the perfect opportunity to get sweaty, get energised, and get zen-ed!

Classes are accessible to everyone, beginners and experienced students alike.

In the spirit of lifelong learning, I’m continuing to challenge myself by exploring other styles of yoga in the traditional (Ashtanga, Hatha, Yin, Iyengar) and non-traditional forms (hip hop, aerial, SUP).

Ai-Linh Tran is a Hot Yoga Instructor at the newly opened Hot Yoga Studio in the Wellness Zone at Melbourne Sports & Aquatics Centre (MSAC) in Albert Park.

Classes available to both members and non-members for further information visit www.melbournesportshub.com.au/msac or email healthandwellness@ssct.com.au or phone 03 9926 1609

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$20 Mum’s lunch special at the exchange hotel Every Wednesday 12 till 4pm Lunch includes a glass of house wine, sparkling or soft drink.

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eating to fight off Post Dietitian Melanie McGrice discusses omega-3 fatty acids, their role in post-natal depression and what you can do to make sure you’re getting enough.

For most women, having a baby is the most significant life changing event they will ever experience. It is usually a happy time, however with all the changes that new mums have to adjust to in combination with a hurricane of hormonal fluctuations and less sleep than studying for a medical exam, it is common to experience changes in your emotions and mood. When emotional distress is persistent and disabling it can reach the level of clinical depression otherwise known as post-natal depression, PND. Unfortunately PND is not a rarity; studies estimate that approximately 10-15% of all new mothers will be affected in some way.

If you’re planning for a baby it is recommended that you start increasing your Omega-3 intake 6 months prior to conception to allow time to build up stores.

DHA, are important for the development of the brain, eyes and central nervous system of your growing baby. Omega-3s are passed during pregnancy to your baby via your placenta as well as through breast milk once your bub is born. The amount of Omega-3 passed onto your baby is dependent on your dietary intake therefore it is essential for you to ensure you are having adequate Omega-3 intake, particularly during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Regretfully, many Australian women don’t have enough Omega-3 in their diet and so their own stores are drawn upon, leaving you depleted which may increase the risk of PND. Although there is still debate as to its mechanisms, it is believed that Omega-3 fatty acids assist in carrying mood chemicals such as serotonin in the brain. International guidelines recommend that pregnant women consume at least 200mg of DHA each day.

PND is serious, but don’t give up! It’s encouraging to know that there are really simple strategies that you can incorporate in your daily diet to minimise your risk of developing PND.

In fact, in the year after childbirth a woman is more likely to need psychological help than at any other time in her life. PND is a serious condition not only affecting the new mum, but it can also be debilitating to close relationships and can even affect the level of mother-infant interaction. There is good news though…

Studies suggest that women who have sufficient long chain Omega-3 fatty acid intake during and after pregnancy reduce their risk of developing PND.

What are Omega-3s?

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of ‘good’ polyunsaturated fat and are found in three different forms; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and a-linolenic acid (ALA). Our body cannot make Omega-3 fats by itself therefore we need to consume them from our diet. Omega-3s, in particular

Melanie McGrice is one of Australia’s best known dietitians. She is a highly respected author and health presenter on nutrition and dietary issues - and a lover of great food! Join her free nutrition and wellbeing network at www.melaniemcgrice.com.au.

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natal Depression

Written by Melanie McGrice, AdvAPD.

Don’t be scared to eat fish

Try some flaxseed oil

Eating fish whilst pregnant can generate fear in many women because of the threat of listeria or mercury poisoning. The truth is that fish should be on the top of your shopping list! Marine animals are the main source of Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet with oily fish having the richest Omega- 3 content.

Plant based Omega-3 fatty acids come in the form of ALA from foods such as flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans and canola oil. Our body must convert ALA into EPA and DHA but this conversion rate is slow and inefficient (less than 10% when compared to what is obtained from fish). Of all the plant based sources, flaxseeds are the best source as they contain ~50-60% ALA. Although whole flaxseeds are poorly digested and can only provide ~3g ALA, 1 tbsp flaxseed oil can provide up to 10g of ALA, which equates to approximately 400mg DHA. Flaxseed oil is too delicate to cook with so a handy tip is to use it as a salad dressing.

A serve of salmon, sardines or trout provides over 1000mg DHA while white fish including snapper, tuna or barramundi, and other seafood provide approximately 600mg of DHA per serve. Just be sure to limit your intake of predatory fish and flake (shark) and to cook your fish well and there is no reason to shy away from seafood!

Recommended intake: aim for 2-3 150g serves of low mercury fish per week

Recommended intake: Aim for 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil per day

Have more eggs Even though eggs provide less Omega-3 than marine or meat based products, they are still a good source of Omega-3. A standard 60g egg provides approximately 40mg DHA. Some companies are now fortifying their eggs to boost their Omega-3 content. Always check the label of fortified products to confirm Omega-3 quantities, but as a general guide an enriched 60g egg may provide 70mg DHA. Incorporate them into sandwiches or stir-fries or serve them as the hero of the dish either boiled or scrambled or the humble omelette.

Recommended intake: Aim for 6 60g Omega 3 enriched eggs per week

Increasing your Omega-3 intake can be as easy as adding more fish, eggs and/or flaxseed into your diet. If you or someone you love has post-natal depression it is important to also seek professional help from your health care providers.

Post natal depression is a serious condition and can affect mothers with mild, moderate or severe symptoms such as sadness and hopelessness, severe mood swings, confusion, guilt, sleeping and appetite changes and even thoughts of suicide.

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mama can Cook!

Barbecue Salmon with Orange and Fennel Salad Serves: 4 | Prep: 10min | Cook: 4-6min Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets, skin on Zest of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon baby capers, chopped 1 fennel bulb, finely sliced (keep the leafy fronds) 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper 4 handfuls mixed lettuce leaves 2 oranges, peeled and sliced ½ red onion, finely sliced 1 handful coriander, chopped Dressing: 3 tablespoons orange juice 6 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard

Method: On a board, chop lemon zest, capers and leafy fennel fronds together. Rinse and pat the salmon dry. On the top side of each salmon fillet, cut three or four shallow slits in the flesh.

Oil and cover with lemon zest mixture, trying to get it into the slits. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

On a medium–high barbecue, cook for 2–3 minutes each side. Start with the skin side down and when you turn it over remove the skin and place skin on the hotplate to continue cooking until crisp. If the fillets have a thick and a thin end, you may want to cut them in half, as the thin piece will need much less time to cook.

Combine lettuce, orange, sliced fennel and onion in a large salad bowl.

To make dressing, shake ingredients in a jar until combined. Taste and adjust to your liking. Pour over salad and toss together then sprinkle with coriander leaves and serve with salmon.

Find this and more yummy recipes in Summer Table, by local mum Jodie Blight.

Find out more at www.hellotable.com.au

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It’s always a good time for chocolate, isn’t it? PLUS these have hidden fruit and vegies!

Nourish Me Choc Zucchini Muffins Makes: 12 | Prep Time: 5min | Cook time: 15min Ingredients: 300g organic wholemeal spelt flour 2 ripe bananas 30g organic raw cocoa 130g organic rapadura sugar 8 medjool dates 1 grated zucchini 120g coconut oil 2 organic eggs dash vanilla extract 1 tsp bicarb 1 tsp baking powder 200ml milk (almond or coconut are nice) 1/2 cup desiccated coconut 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Find more nourishing ideas at www.123nourishme.com.au

These gorgeous muffins are filled with the most beautiful ingredients.

There are sweet without being too sweet and incredibly nourishing.

This recipe makes a brilliant cake, muffins or mini muffins.

Method: Grate zucchini and squeeze out excess moisture, then set aside.

Blend dates and banana until it forms a paste.

In a bowl hand mix banana and date paste with all other ingredients to a smooth consistency.

Place mixture in a 12 pan muffin tin and cook at 180 degrees for around 15-20 or until firm. Test with a skewer!

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Parklife

MamaMag park of the month!

alma park St kilda east

Bordered by Alma Road, Westbury Street and Dandenong Road

St Kilda families are so lucky to have this gem of a park as a local. Spaced over a huge area with plenty of grand old shady trees, the playground features multiple designated play areas, woven through the walking paths, providing fun for all ages. It’s a popular spot for birthday parties and gatherings with a spacious bbq area offering plenty of shaded tables, including an extra large one for big groups, gazebo, toilet and disabled toilet facility, and a water fountain to keep hydrated.

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The littlies will be delighted with the twostory castle with slide, tunnel and little cubby house underneath perfect for the little shop entrepreneurs. There is a collection of beautifully hand-carved wooden animals by local artist James Cattell, including a kangaroo and wombat.

When entering via Alma Street, a good spot for free parking, you’re greeted by a magnificent wooden treehouse with a large ramp to run up, stairs to climb or a scramble net for the wannabe spiderman! There’s a small double slide and a larger twisty slide to fly down.

Imaginative and active play is encouraged on the senior playground in the form of an imaginary creature affectionately know as the ‘slug’! The arty heartbeat of St Kilda is represented here with it’s gorgeous mosaic tiles, shells, mirrors and recycled tyres and eccentric character. There are a number of bouncy, spinning and climbing apparatus, and an interactive set of five swings placed in a pentagon shape for the ultimate shared swinging experience!

Over the cute wooden bridge amongst the (currently dry) swampy area filled with reeds, the kids can really fly on the large flying fox which guarantees thrills and smiles! There’s also a smaller flying fox for the little ones in the junior part of the park.

An off-leash park for dogs, luckily the space is so big that the “not within five metre rule” of the playground is not an issue. There’s a neighbouring oval for ball fun or running and good coffee is a 10-minute walk away at the super cute Little Captain.

Rogan Family Care is Melbourne’s premier nanny agency, working with families for over 20 years.

Our professional and friendly nanny service provides you with the highest quality and best solution for your family’s needs.

Our nanny agency ensures your peace of mind: • government funding and rebates are available to eligible families; • experienced nannies to care for your precious children; • all nannies are carefully screened and references checked; • our nannies are legally employed and insured; and • home visits and ongoing support for both families and nannies. www.roganfamilycare.com.au Suite 504C, 198 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands VIC 3008 9670 7686 office@roganfamilycare.com.au

Professional nannies Approved in-home care

Proudly part of

www.facebook.com/RoganFamilyCare

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turn the page

Monthly book reviews from our friends at:

There’s a Panda in my Picnic - Jo Lodge The always delightful Jo Lodge returns with an adorable new board book, perfect for learning food and animals. Beautifully illustrated in Lodge’s trademark bright and bold style, the book is wonderfully tactile, and to expose the animals hiding in the different foods the pages need to be pulled up or down. Lodge’s choice of both animals and food are not the usual choices and it’s great to see cheetahs, anteaters and iguanas make a rare appearance. This is a solid, fun version of peekaboo in board book form. Suitable for babies and toddlers.

The Dragon and the Knight - Robert Sabuda King of the pop ups Robert Sabuda has created a beautiful multifaceted book in The Dragon and the Knight. In a beautifully simple, almost wordless tale, a knight chases a dragon through a storybook of fairy tales. This narrative is entertaining enough, but of course, each page turns out to be a different fairy tale and the stories are displayed in magnificent pop ups. It works on two levels, firstly, as a funny story about a dragon that children will giggle at, and secondly as an amazing introduction to fairy tales that will capture their imagination. Suitable for age two plus.

Sparky - Jenny Offill and Chris Appelhans The protagonist of this adorable story is desperate for a pet. Any pet. She ends up with a sloth called Sparky who doesn’t do anything. This is a very funny and cute story about a girl and her sloth, who, despite her efforts, just won’t do tricks, or play games, or do any of the other pet things that a pet is supposed to do! The illustrations are sublime and the story is gently sweet and engaging. Suitable for age three plus.

The Colour Thief - Gabriel Alborozo Zot lives in a world without colour, and across space, he can see the beautiful blue and green Earth, and decides that it must be a very happy place to live, with so much colour. He sets off to steal some of that happiness for himself. The Colour Thief is beautifully written and illustrated with an important but not preachy message. Alborozo hits just the right notes with the colourless Zot, and his desperate longing for colour. Children, always so opinionated about their own favourite colours, will love reading along. Suitable for age three plus.

Our monthly children’s books are brought to you by our friends at Readings.

Readings is an independent retailer of books, music and film, with five shops operating in Melbourne at St Kilda, Malvern, Carlton, Hawthorn and State Library of Victoria.

Drop in for story time at Readings St Kilda, every Saturday, from 10.30am to 11.00am. For children aged 2 – 5 years old. Free event, no need to book. To find out more please call (03) 9525 3852.

Sign up to their enews at readings.com.au to keep in the loop on their children’s events and story time.

Readings St Kilda: 112 Acland St, St Kilda.

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Have fun with stories brought to life by our Children’s Storytellers!

Enjoy weekly readings from a range of new-release picture books (and some old favourites).

20% off* any full-priced kids books for all who attend the story time session.

St Kilda Saturdays from 10.30am until 11am.

For children aged 2-6 years old.

Free event, no need to book.

112 Acland St, St Kilda.

Phone 9525 3852 for details. *Discount valid for 30 minutes after completion of each story time session.

Please note: This is not a child-minding service.

We ask that parents stay with their children for the reading.

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Breastfeeding problems?

Introducing Low Level Laser Therapy The joy of a new baby can be quickly forgotten with the onset of breastfeeding problems.

We’ve all heard the stories of mums battling the pain of damaged nipples, blocked ducts or mastitis while breastfeeding a baby.

To date, the treatment options for mums experiencing such painful problems have been thin on the ground. The good news is that with the arrival of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in maternity here in Australia, all that is changing.

LLLT is a new treatment designed to accelerate the healing of our body’s tissues. Including mums life giving nipples! So, we wanted to share a little with you about how LLLT works, when it’s best used and what a typical treatment with mumsmilk looks like.

What’s Low Level Laser Therapy?

LLLT has been used successfully in almost every area of human and veterinary medicine where accelerated wound healing, pain relief, anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling effect is required.

In Maternity, midwives and lactation consultants in Germany, Austria, South Africa and Brazil have been using LLLT with great results for some time. They all value its natural healing power as an effective therapy with no side effects, low cost and ease of application. mumsmilk founder, Gabi Eckereder (midwife and lactation consultant) now offers LLLT in her bayside practice with outstanding results.

In the medical world LLLT is referred to as a ‘regulation and photo therapy’. This means it reactivates the metabolism of destroyed or damaged cells by naturally stimulating the cells own powerful healing mechanism. This photochemical reaction is a little like the way skin absorbs sunlight to produce Vitamin D. Laser therapy is a very gentle and painless treatment with no known side-effects when applied by a trained practitioner. Mums sometimes report a very minor tingling on application - a sign that the tissue is responding to the stimulation in real time. LLLT (in contrast to the hard laser used in surgery or hair removal) does not destroy precious tissues.

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When is it used?

- Sore, damaged nipples - Blocked ducts - Mastitis - Healing problems after birth injuries (eg. tear, episiotomy, caesarean scar) - Haemorrhoids For breastfeeding mums, LLLT is highly effective where accelerated wound healing and speedy pain relief is required. The majority of mums with nipple trauma report accelerated healing of the nipple and pain relief following their first treatment.

The anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling effect of LLLT is also hugely beneficial in clearing blocked ducts and supporting the healing process in mums experiencing mastitis. Here LLLT becomes a powerful alternative treatment when antibiotics need to be avoided.

LLLT also comes into it’s own with any wound healing issues post birth. When used for painful or slow healing injuries on mum’s perineum or caesarian scar, LLLT provides quick relief and marked improvement. LLLT is also helpful in the treatment of painful haemorrhoids.

What does a mumsmilk treatment look like?

LLLT is completely painless and can be applied in the clinic or in your own home. The duration and frequency of treatment depends on the severity of the trauma and the individual’s healing response. In the case of nipple trauma, a progression in the wound healing can often be observed directly after the initial treatment.

While LLLT can be a highly effective alternative treatment, it’s vital that we get a full picture of mum’s individual situation prior to treatment.

This typically involves a thorough assessment of mum and baby and an observation of a breastfeed. Only then can we identify and address the underlying cause of mum’s breastfeeding challenges.

Now, there’s no need to endure the stress of breastfeeding problems caused by nipple trauma. The healing powers of LLLT are here.

It might be just the treatment the midwife ordered! And the solution that returns mum and baby to the bliss of joyful breastfeeding.

Written by Gabi Eckereder (Midwife, Lactation Consultant & Founder of mumsmilk.com.au - care for mum & baby)

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The Sunflower Foundation (Australia) Inc.™ invites you to their annual fundraiser event

Future Girl !

When: Saturday 21 March, 7.30-11.30pm Where: The Point at Albert Park Lake

Enjoy a fabulous night at The Point - situated on the edge of Albert Park Lake - and help raise critical funds for our grants program that empowers girls and communities through academic and vocational education.

Education is the key to what every girl deserves a safe, healthy and full life. It’s this ‘future girl’ that we are fighting for.

Working towards gender equality, social justice and ending poverty, our work is only possible with your support.

Tickets: $135, $120 concession Online: www.sunflowerfoundation.com.au Email: nadine@sunflowerfoundation.com.au Phone: Kim at 03 9024 1285

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Drinks & canapés, Raffle, Live auction, Silent auction, DJ Paul Muller and live entertainment, all in one of Melbourne’s finest venues.

Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!

MASSAGE IN YOUR OWN HOME gabi eckereder midwife (rm) lactation consultant (ibclc) mobile 0431 737 339

PRE AND POST NATAL TREATMENTS NOW AVAILABLE Health Fund Rebates Available.

Mention this ad DW \RXU ƓUVW appointment to receive your FREE Perfect Potion Pregnancy Oil to increase skins elasticity and decrease stretch marks.

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mumsmilk can see you in your own home or at our bayside consulting rooms. 7 days a week. antenatal education postnatal care breast feeding support low level laser therapy mumsmilk.com.au facebook.com/mumsmilk

Early Learning Classes 3-4 and 4-6 year olds Is your child ready to read?

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Nurturing & Celebrating Creativity - Magical art parties all ages - Creative high tea - Early learning - Afterschool & holiday - Adults & children Something for everyone!

www.artea.com.au 0415 039 791 3 free classes or 20% off parties Port Melbourne studio - Simply present this ad Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!

• Fun Small Groups • Computer Activities • Prover Methods • Phonic Based • Qualified teachers 9681 7616 9a Raglan Street Port Melbourne

www.back2basics.com.au 33

receIve to conceIve Wouldn’t it be nice if conception were as easy as the stork dropping off a gorgeous bundle of joy on your doorstep.

Unfortunately for so many it isn’t easy at all and sometimes even IVF doesn’t bring any success. In some cases people have literally left it too late. Dr Burmeister, the clinical director at Monash IVF says some women believe they can have their career and then use IVF at 40 to start a family. For many others, meeting a partner later in life has delayed motherhood. But, Dr Burmeister says, only 4 per cent of a woman’s eggs are left at the age of 40.

The older the woman is the greater the risk at each stage that things won’t go to plan. In 2011 the chance of a live birth per started treatment cycle was 25.3% for women aged 30-34 but only 6.6% for women aged 40-44 and a dismal 1.2% for women aged 45 or older. So, while fertility doesn’t “drop off a cliff” at 35, the chance of conceiving (spontaneously and with IVF) and having a complication-free pregnancy and a healthy baby steadily declines after age 35 and after age 40 chances are slim.

But for some, letting the biological clock tick a bit too long is NOT the problem. Women of any age can have trouble with IVF using their own eggs and only have the option of an egg donor to help them conceive.

So how do you find a suitable egg donor?

We discovered one local Melbourne couple this month facing just this question, with their only option to have a second child being through an egg donor. You can read more about their story in the pink box.

Finding an egg donor can seem an impossible task. Many wonder, where do I begin? Who could I possibly ask? But the fact is many women in Victoria ARE willing and happy to help others to become parents via egg donation, you just need to find them.

In the past year, over 220 women donated eggs in Victoria. Finding a local donor rather than travelling overseas for treatment can also

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have enormous advantages. A local donor has the benefit of legal protections that ensure that she can be known to the potential child, and parents, and is perhaps more likely to have a similar value set, appearance and language to their own. Apart from the obvious lower cost factor, it is also much easier to travel to a local clinic than heading abroad.

Who makes an ideal egg donor?

People often wonder what sort of woman donates her eggs and what qualities are looked for in a potential donor.

Donors are preferably: • Aged between 25-36 years. Women younger than this may not be able to fully appreciate the implications of donating. Older women are likely to have decreased fertility and therefore chance of success but may still be able to donate if they are fertile.

• Already mothers themselves. Women who are mothers have proven fertility and can perhaps better understand the consequences of donating. It is also preferable, although not essential, if they have completed their family.

• Healthy - physically, mentally and in terms of lifestyle.

• Motivated by a desire to help others. It is not legal to pay donors; however they can of course be reimbursed for travel and medical expenses.

• Sensible and settled. It is advisable that their life is fairly stable and that they have a good support network. If someone is recovering from a recent break up or has started a new job, it may be difficult for them to cope with medical appointments and procedures.

• Prepared to be identified to the child, as Victorian legislation requires this.

If egg donation sounds like something you would like to consider you can find more information at www.varta.org.au

A tiny donation is a HUGE gift We consider ourselves very lucky to have one miracle baby who came into this world after many years of trying and a rocky ride through many IVF cycles. We tried unsuccessfully for a second child, and after 5 more IVF cycles I was told that a donor egg is our only option to conceive.

Our daughter is a cheeky character with big blue eyes, a beautiful caring nature, and the cutest laugh – she will be a great big sister and it makes us sad that she may never have a sibling.

About us – we are a happy family of 3, with the desire to be 4. We are in our late 30’s and have been together for 8 years and married for 5. We love watching our daughter grow, learn and develop her unique personality. We are regular, healthy and genuine people who enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling and music.

Of course there are a few boxes for our donor to tick, like being under 35, in excellent health, willing and able, and ideally completed their family, but for us it also about the “vibe” – we want to click with our donor. It is important for the match to be right for our family, but also for our donor and their family, plus the potential child that may result from this gift who we intend to be open about their magical beginnings.

Your tiny donation will be a huge generous gift. Actual expenditure incurred on medical and associate travel costs will be reimbursed.

If you are interested in having an initial chat, please contact us via email - onemorebabybear@gmail.com The text of this advertisement has been approved by the Victorian Minister for Health, as required by s.40 of the Human Tissue Act 1982 (Vic) (December 2014) (e3673665)

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apps for under $3 CHEAPER THAN A TAKE-AWAY COFFEE! Why don’t we think twice about buying a coffee but sometimes baulk at paying money for an app? It doesn’t have to cost much to get an app that can provide hours, days or even years of entertainment and education for your child.

Here are some of Mamma Raj’s recommended apps for different age groups to enhance their learning without breaking the bank:

TODDLER APPS Playschool Art Maker (FREE) iPAD compatible Why we love it?

A fun way for kids to freely create pictures, animated movies and story slideshows using their favourite Play School toys and craft items. If you child loves Playschool they will love this app!

What you should know about it?

Only that this will keep your child entertained – it is just as good as giving them a pen and pencil!

Peekaboo Barn – (FREE/ $2.49) iPhone and iPAD compatible Why we love it?

Sit down with your child to learn the names of animals and hear the sounds they make. Younger children will love opening the barn doors to find a new animal animation, as they learn about cause and effect and become familiar with animal names and sounds. Older children will enjoy guessing animals by sound, then seeing the animal names, which helps develop early literacy skills.

What you should know about it?

One of the first apps to be released for toddlers, since 2008 Peekaboo Barn has been downloaded over half a million times, and played over 70 million times worldwide.

Pay for the app ($2.49) as it is MUCH better than the lite version that is free.

Written by Mamma Raj Mamma Raj is a mother of two daughters who lives in Melbourne and like most of us, is just trying to navigate the mummy minefield every day. Her blog Mamma Raj Says reviews products for kids and babies including apps. Check out her site: https://mammarajsays.com

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PRESCHOOL/ INFANTS SCHOOL APPS Doodle Critter Math – Shapes ($2.99) iPhone and iPAD compatible Why we love it?

This is a learning game designed for young kids 3-5 years (but you introduce this to younger kids too) to help them learn basic concepts of shapes and forms with 6 interactive games.

What you should know about it?

Voted Parent’s Choice Award 2014 Recommended Award Winner – it isn’t only us that love this app!

Tap the Cat ($2.99) iPAD compatible Why we love it: A great way to start your child on their reading journey with a fun and highly interactive app. This app teaches key early literacy skills through touch, listening and speaking through 9 playful activities with 2 levels of difficulty.

What you should know about it: Suitable for 4-6 years this app was created by the makers of Reading Eggs – a team of educators with more than 25 years of experience in early childhood education.

PRIMARY/ EARLY HIGH SCHOOL APPS Maths Shake – (FREE/$1.29) iPAD compatible Why we love it?

A great educational app to help kids improve and extend their mathematical skills tailored to their specific age groups for children aged 6-13 years.

What you should know about it?

This app is free to start with for 6 and 7 year old mathematicians. However once your child grows older and required more complex questions you will need to upgrade ($1.29) from the easy (7-8 years to Genius 11-13 years packages). There is also a Whiteboard service ($2.49) that teaches math strategies and problem solving – your own teacher on hand!

Free Chess App – (FREE) iPAD compatible Why we love it?

This makes a great introduction to the game of chess, giving the player options on moves at each stage to teach them chess strategies they can use in years to come. Plus it is free and simple to use.

What you should know about it?

There are lots of chess apps available on iTunes but we have recommended this one as it is one we have used and loved.

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play is our business How many times have you looked around your house and sighed at the toys strewn everywhere? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way you could borrow toys and then get rid of them when inevitably (usually after a few weeks) your child stops playing with them?

There is an answer!

“Try before you buy” is another advantage.

Before you go and spend money on things such as scooters and balance bikes, you can borrow these items to see if your child actually likes them as much as you think they will. We tend to find this is popular in the lead up to Christmas as well!

Toy Libraries exist all over Australia and work in a similar way to a book library - you borrow toys to take home and keep for a set period of time before returning them and taking new ones. For a small annual fee you become a member of the Library and can borrow toys ranging from baby walkers to puzzles to big climbing frames and ride-ons.

What sort of toys are available? Well pretty much everything! The general categories tend to be: • Puzzles • Games • Outdoor toys, such as scooters, ride-ons and climbing frames • Toys for creative play, such as kitchens, dress ups, cars, trucks, dolls, Fisher Price Little People sets and animal sets • Baby toys, such as rattles, play gyms and activity centres • Musical instruments • Toys for fine motor development, such as blocks, shape sorters and ring stackers • Sporting equipment • Educational toys, such as clocks, globes and magna tabs.

Toy Library membership is the perfect way to keep refreshing the toys your child has access to without forking out a whole lot of cash and accumulating boxes and boxes of unused toys.

Puzzles and games are a great example of this.

As your child goes through different developmental stages they will obviously require different challenges - simple pin puzzles are great for an 18 month old but once they have mastered them you will quickly find the puzzles collecting dust. The next stage of simple jigsaws targets 2-2.5 year olds, and older children like the more complex puzzles and games. It’s great to be able to easily supply fresh material to keep them challenged.

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Some Toy Libraries offer toys for children with special needs, which can be a great resource.

If you are unsure what toys to get or if you are slightly overwhelmed with the choice, then just ask the Toy Library staff as they know the toys really well and can have some great recommendations for you!

Each Toy Library operates in a slightly different way, so it’s best to head down to your local one for information such as borrowing limits, loan times, membership fees and volunteering commitments. Toy Libraries Australia has a great search engine on their website to help you find the one closest to you.

City of Port Phillip Toy Libraries: Middle Park Toy Library Middle Park Community Centre, Corner Richardson and Nimmo Streets MIDDLE PARK Elwood Toy Library Elwood / St Kilda Neighbourhood House, 87 Tennyson Street ELWOOD Port Melbourne Toy Library Port Melbourne Town Hall, 333 Bay Street PORT MELBOURNE South Melbourne Toy Library (Coming later in 2015)

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Do You Feel Financially Secure?

When you have a child it changes everything. Not only do your Saturday nights now consist of folding endless piles of laundry and trying to force feed your child broccoli, but financially your priorities need to change too.

During your young and carefree years you may have gotten away with having limited or no insurance (you can always fall back on mum and dad right?) However, now that you have a family to care for and protect, there are some things you need to consider.

Think about your role in the family. Are you the primary carer? Part time worker? Sole income earner? Whatever it may be, insurance is an important consideration in order to cover your contribution to the family if the unexpected was to occur.

Most of us are aware that if something were to happen to the main income earner (e.g. death, illness, loss of a job) the loss of income would cause major issues, not to mention the probable increased child care costs (if the main carer had to go back to work or increase their hours).

An issue that is less talked about – is what if something happens to the homemaker? Many are under the impression of “I’m not employed so I don’t need insurance”. However in this situation there is still going to be a range of new or increased costs, including childcare, house cleaning and meals. Recent research looking into the worth of “stay-at-home-mums” has suggested that the total cost of paying someone to do the work many mums do for free would be $75,000 per year1!

When we’re young and healthy with a good career, or perhaps a young family (or one on the way), it’s easy to forget that life is fragile and can change in an instant. Should the unthinkable occur, financial support in the form of life insurance can take care of ongoing financial obligations such as the mortgage, day-to-day living expenses, school fees and so on. While it can never compensate for the injury or loss of a loved one, it can provide some peace of mind knowing that your finances are covered.

It’s a stark reality that in Australia most households are under-insured; exposing the family to the risk of financial hardship in the event of a fatality, or permanent disability that renders the primary income earner unable to work. For this reason, I recommend an appropriate level of life insurance to all my clients. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind during a difficult time.

1 Paula Bourke, claims manager for Life Insurance at BT. 2 TNS Research, ‘Investigating the Issue of Underinsurance in Australia’, August 2005 3 Investment and Financial Services Association of Australia (IFSA), 2005 4 Australian Institute of Health & Welfare

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60% of Australian families with dependants will run out of money within 12 months if the main income earner dies

So let’s take a look at some of the different types of insurance available:

Still not convinced? Here are a few sobering facts (these aren’t pretty, but need to be told):

Life Cover: Provides a lump sum of money to cover dependents if the family’s main income earner passes away.

- 60% of Australian families with dependants will run out of money within 12 months if the main income earner dies2.

TPD Cover: Provides a lump sum payout in the event of an accident or illness leaving a person totally and permanently disabled and unable to work.

Income Protection Cover: Provides a regular cash flow for a certain period of time should you be unable to work because of a temporary injury or illness.

Trauma Cover Pays a lump sum upon diagnosis of a specified injury or illness. Cover is specific to a range of injuries and ailments such as heart attack, stroke, cancer (according to policy definitions).

Depending on your specific situation, different covers will be more or less appropriate.

However, an example may be that Income Protection is the most relevant for the main income earner, while Life Cover and TPD could be important for the homemaker.

- Australians with dependents were underinsured by $1.37 trillion. Simply put, only 4% of our population that has children have a sufficient amount of insurance3.

- More than three in four Australians will be diagnosed with a serious illness during their working life4.

Significant changes in life, such as starting a family, provide a great reason to review your finances and insurance options. We all want the best future for our children and being prepared can provide the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they will be looked after, whatever challenges may arise.

Written by Nicole Heales Dip F.A (Sec Inst) MComm Dist (F.P) Cert IV

Nicole Heales Financial www.creatingprosperity.com.au

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fun for the kids

the bunny pop With Easter just around the corner here is a great little Easter gift you can make with the kids to give to their friends. The Bunny Pop! And don’t forget to check out our huge Easter program these school holidays. We have The Pop Up and Hop Easter shop running for the first week of the school holidays. The shop will be full of beautiful Easter goodies to buy and the Coffee hut will be up and running too.

Come and say hello and drop the kids off for some fun craft classes. Lizzyann.com.au

How to make it

You will need

Scissors Glue

Coloured paper or pencils Your MamaMag bunny template Lolly pops (yummo) Black pen Blue tack

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Trace around your template. If using pencils colour in your bunny, don’t forget to add some teeth and whiskers.

If using coloured paper trace each shape separately onto colour paper and carefully cut around. Glue all the parts onto the bunny face, don’t forget to add teeth and whiskers with your black pen.

Cut around the bunny shape and fold in half.

Push the top of the lolly pop stick through the spot in the middle Add glue to the back of the ears, press ears together, to hold the face onto the lolly pop.

Trace and cut out your bunny feet then using a bit of blue tack, stick to the bottom of the lolly pop.

WIN one of three tessi creative magnet sets!

www.tessicreative.com Simply post your entry by March 31st to: MamaMag - PO Box 8018 North Road LPO, Brighton East VIC 3187

Name: Address:

Age: Postcode: 43

5 Tips to a healthy body after your baby is born Having the opportunity to help expectant mothers and their babies during and after pregnancy is one of the favourite areas of my work as an Osteopath.

Pregnancy is a natural process, which shouldn’t be seen as an illness, and Osteopathy can help to support the changes in the mother’s body as pregnancy progresses and after bub is born.

After having a baby 11 months ago myself, I realise how important having a healthy pain free body is, especially as its now not just you relying on it.

It is estimated that virtually all women experience some degree of musculoskeletal discomfort during pregnancy, and 25% have at least temporarily disabling symptoms. These ailments may continue on after the labour, or change to a different area of the spine due to the new demands that come with motherhood.

Here are 5 tips to help you in maintaining a health body once your precious little bundle arrives: 1. Straight after baby is born your body can feel as though it has run a marathon.

You and your body have worked hard to get where you’ve gotten so pat yourself on the back and get as much sleep in that first week as you can. Drink lots of water and when you’re not resting you might like to try and gently move your legs up and down in the bed or, if able, go for small walks down the hospital hallway to help with any swelling that you may have.

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2. Your pelvic floor may feel strangely disconnected after giving birth so start thinking about gently contracting it to get the brain-pelvic floor pathway going again.

Visualise a muscular sling as the floor of your pelvis, running from your tailbone to your pubic bone. Focusing on your back passage, lift and squeeze upwards and inwards as though you are trying to avoid passing wind, then bring that pelvic floor lift through to the front as though you are trying to stop the flow of urine. Aim to hold this lift for 3 seconds initially, building up to 10 seconds over time.

(Download the fantastic app ‘Pelvic Floor First’ by the Continence Association of Australia for further information and exercises).

3. You will spend a gazillion hours on a couch feeding a baby. Sometimes you will feel as though you live here, spending only short periods away from the trusty recliner.

It’s therefore important to maintain good posture. Find a small cushion or roll up a towel and pop it between the couch and your lower back. Experiment with where it best helps in stopping you from slouching forward & feels comfortable. Lean your upper back into the chair and allow your shoulders to relax down the back. Lengthen the back of you neck and roll your chin toward your chest. Rather than leaning down to bub, use pillows under one arm to support baby, and prevent overuse of your shoulder muscles.

Get in the habit of spending a few moments to stretch after every feed. Sit up straight and interlock your fingers behind your head. Your elbows will be pointing to the sides. Now move your elbows back as far as you comfortably can.

Hold this stretch for 30 seconds and release.

(Discontinue if it causes pain and see your local Osteopath for advice)

4. It would be a ludicrous idea to carry a 4kg sack of potatoes around the supermarket on our hips, however we seem to spend hours with a child on one.

Ensure that you don’t favour sides & give both hips a go. Or even better, hold bub out in front and where possible use the pram or give them floor time.

5. Pregnancy can do some crazy things to your body and one effect you might not think much about is loose joints.

Your body needs time to recover, as your ligaments may still be loose for a few months after bub is born. Exercise is good for you but don’t over do it in the first six months. Choose low impact exercise and avoid anything that

causes you to bounce or jump. Clinical Pilates is a great way of combining pelvic floor exercises with overall toning and strength.

And finally, there are many changes to the mother’s body that occur in a healthy pregnancy and many bodies can support these changes without problem, however if there is any underlying tension from past injuries, surgeries, illnesses or stress, the body may not be as “giving”. Make sure that prior to falling pregnant, you try and address ‘problem areas’ so as they don’t become a problem when you’re pregnant.

By Dr. Natalie Cross (Osteopath) B.App Sc(clinical science)/B.Osteopathy/Grad Cert Paed MT.

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lovely locals 4

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NeCakes and Toys - Junior Republic 1. Coffee, wS t Stop in for some coffee and sweet treats at this super cute kids retail store and cafe. Massive selection of gifts and toys. Eat or shop in peace while your kids are entertained by the play gym, selection of great toys and pencils and paper to get creative! Great spot for your next Mother’s Group meeting! Hey Dee Ho Music operates here on Fridays. 51 Bay Street.

2. Pram Friendly Lunch - The Exchange Hotel This iconic pub on the bayside end of Bay Street provides plenty of space for prams and offers a great seasonal menu showcasing local produce. We love the share platters. Get down there on Wednesdays for the $20 Mum’s lunch special, which includes a cheeky hump-day wine. 39 Bay Street.

3. Home Decor and Gifts - Coco and Creme Living Gorgeous boutique store that offers plenty of interior styling inspiration for all spaces. Filled with colour and style, it’s easy to fall in love with all the handpicked pieces. In-store the lovely staff will give you a helping styling hand if needed or help to arrange a commissioned artwork to suite your decor from one of the feature artists. 59 Bay Street.

4. Sweet Treats - Blu Spoon Greek Yoghurt A new sweet opening over summer, Blu Spoon is Australia’s first Greek yoghurt bar and it’s right here on Bay Street! Make your own delicious combos from the lavish condiments bar that includes Loving Earth toppings, chia, fresh strawberries, rocky road, caramelised banana, homemade baclava and all you could dream of! 175 Bay Street 5. Kids Clothes, Toys and Gifts - Tiny Pokadots Filled with fabulous clothes brands, educational toys and gorgeous gifts - be greeted by knowledgeable and helpful staff. Tiny Pokadots is a great spot to look for that elusive gift where you have no clue where to begin! 293 Bay St 6. Pamper Time - Endota Spa Tucked just behind the junction of Bay Street and City Road, Endota Spa on Bay Street offers indulgent signature massages, body treatments and facials.

Waxing and spray tans also on offer. The real drawcard though is the group spa room where you can find bliss with your girlfriends, with or without the bubs! 403 Bay Street.

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SPORTS AND EXERCISE FOR KIDS AGED 2-6

FREE TRIAL AT MSAC, ALBERT PARK WE TEACH CHILDREN A DIFFERENT SPORT EVERY 2 WEEKS

Ask us about the child restraint laws

SOCCER | TENNIS | FOOTBALL | CRICKET | VOLLEYBALL | BASKETBALL GOLF | RUGBY | HOCKEY | NETBALL | BASEBALL | ATHLETICS

CALL 0412 373 505 - WWW.GOKIDZGO.COM.AU

FREE car seat safety check during March To book your appointment Contact us today on:

Ph: 03 9010 5010

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Smarty Pants: Physiotherapy Childhood bladder & bowel problems

We give away all sorts of great stuff to our ‘likers’! /localmamamag

Annette Beauchamp

326 Montague Street Phone 9690 5858 www.albertparkphysio.com Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!

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Chris Humfrey’s

ZOOKEEPER EXPERIENCE!

Spend a whole day with zoologist Chris Humfrey from ABC’s hit series “Chris Humfrey’s Wild Life!”

Work as his very own private zoo, and learn from Chris himself! Get up close and personal with over 2000 animals!

Discover what drives Chris to work with animals.

Who knows your child could follow in his footsteps!

This is an exceptional hands-on experience, which is offered nowhere else.

Chris has personally designed this exclusive program.

Stricly limited numbers of children will ensure that your child will get the WILD experience which they CRAVE! Chris’ zoo is nestled in the foothills of Mount Macedon.

It’s an easy 50 minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD.

GREAT GIFT IDEA!

Bookings and Enquiries www.wildaction.com.au Phone 0419 385 245