My Child Magazine June 2018 Issue

ISSUE 81 - JUNE 2018

MAGAZINE.COM.AU

THE EMOTIONAL

Challenges OF PREGNANCY

FLU BLUES

How To Stay Well During Winter While Pregnant

Dating Tips For Single Parents

How Speaking Another Language Benefits Your Baby

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CONTENTS FEATURED ARTICLES

EVERY MONTH

YOUR CHILD

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EDITORS LETTER

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EDITOR PICKS

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HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING PREGNANT THE EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES OF PREGNANCY FLU BLUES: How To Stay Well During Winter REMEDIES FOR MORNING SICKNESS

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INSPIRING READS

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REAL LIFE: Glow Dreaming

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AVOIDONG STRESS AS A FIRST TIME DAD

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RIGHT OR WRONG, GOOD AND BAD

HOW SPEAKING ANOTHER LANGUAGE BENEFITS YOUR BABY

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TODDLER SAFETY TIPS

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ENCOURING A SWEET SLEEP AFTER NIGHTMARE

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5 TIPS TO LIMIT YOUR BABY’S REFLUX

PREGNANCY

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HOW TO LOSE PREGNANCY WEIGHT

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HOW TO GET OVER YOUR FEAR OF GIVING BIRTH

LIFESTYLE

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DATING TIPS FOR SINGLE PARENTS GET THE LOOK – INTERIORS RECIPES

BOOK REVIEWS

SHOPPING

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PRODUCTS WE LOVE

SHOP KIDS FASHION

TOY REVIEWS

FASHION

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EDITOR BIANCA MEDINA

ASSISTANT EDITOR JANA ANGELES

ART DIRECTOR DIANE BILLANO

CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS AMY ADENEY SHEREE ECHLIN KARLI STEENKAMP GENIE PRICE LANCE GREEN

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES EDITORIAL@MYCHILDMAGAZINE.COM.AU

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES ADVERTISING@MYCHILDMAGAZINE.COM.AU

CONTACT: MYCHILD MAGAZINE PHONE: 0411 572 877

My Child magazine and mychildmagazine.com.au are wholly owned by MyChild Magazine (ABN 79 167 787 662). No other parties or individuals have any financial interest in the company or in My Child or mychildmagazine.com.au. My Child contains general information only and does not purport to be a substitute for health and parenting advice. Readers are advised to seek a doctor for all medical and health matters. The publisher and authors do not accept any liability whatsoever in respect of an action taken by readers in reliance on the recommendations set out in this magazine. Reproduction of any material without written permission by the publisher is strictly forbidden. We cannot accept responsibility for material lost or damaged in the post or for any unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders.

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EDITOR’S

Letter Hi Peeps, I love the Pregnancy Issue, I love the thought of a new life that’s about to enter this world and start their own incredible journey. I was so looking forward to being pregnant. My mother and sister had dream pregnancies and I assumed I was going to be the same, but little did I know, the universe had a whole different plan in place for me.

I have to admit that Pregnancy didn’t actually agree with me. When I was pregnant with Max my beloved daughter, the first trimester was everything I hoped it would be. I didn’t suffer from any morning sickness, I was glowing and loving my tiny bump.

However, by 4 months in, I was suffering from severe edema and looked like I was 6 months pregnant from all the swelling. By 7 months, I was in physio 3 times a week as I had symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) and I was waddling like a duck.

By 8 months, I had carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and with a belt around my hips to reduce the pain I was experiencing and the splints on my hands, I looked like I was about to partake in a ninja movie!

My dream birth plan that I’d had from the time my pregnancy was confirmed went out the window and I was schedule for a caesarean two weeks before Max’s due date. So why I am telling you all this? I suppose to tell you my story, pregnancy is different for everyone and it certainly wasn’t what I was expecting or hoped it would be. It doesn’t matter what you think or plan, some things are just out of your control. So, if you’re in the same or a similar boat to me, just remember that at the end of day you going to get a beautiful baby and believe or not you’ll only remember the some of the obstacles, but not the actual pain or heartache that came along with it. That’s why we do it again and again and sometime again!!!

Now let’s take a look at what’s in the June Issue. This month is Pregnancy month.

In this issue we have the articles that cover you on: How To Improve Your Chances of Getting Pregnant, The Emotional Challenges of Pregnancy, Flu Blues: How To Stay Well During Winter While Pregnant, Remedies for Morning Sickness, Do Fertility-Tracking Apps Really Work?

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editor

PICKS

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As well as How To Lose The Pregnancy Weight, How To Get Over Your Fear of Giving Birth, How Speaking Another Language Benefits Your Baby, Toddler Safety Tips, Nightmare Terror: How to Comfort Your Child After A Bad Dream, Avoiding Stress as a First Time Dad and Dating Tips For Single Parents

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All the usuals, interior, reviews blog and much more can also be found in this issue too.

Until next month

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Bianca xxx

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and the My Child Team

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Improve How to

your chances of getting

Pregnant

Written By Karli Steenkamp 88 June 2018 | mychild June 2018 | mychild

FEATURED ARTICLES One of the biggest decisions you make in life is to have a baby. It can help to prepare your body for a pregnancy and make sure that you are healthy to give your fetus the best head start and growing space for the next nine months. You also want to improve your chances of getting pregnant, once you make the big decision, you would want to fall pregnant sooner rather than later. There are a few things you can do to make sure you and your body is ready for this miracle to happen.

IMPROVING YOUR LIFESTYLE You have to assess your lifestyle to help improve your chances of getting pregnant.

Only a few small changes can already have a significant improvement to your fertility.

Smoking decreases fertility. It might be a good idea to quit smoking before you fall pregnant.

If you do not smoke, make sure that you are not surrounded by second hand smoking as this can also affect your health. Alcohol consumption should be down to a minimum or even better, avoided all together. Recreational drugs should be stopped immediately. These lifestyle changes are not only for you, but for your partner as well. The healthier both of you, the healthier the fetus can be.

It is never too late to start a good exercise routine. Start walking or jogging in your neighborhood, ride a bike or go to the gym.

Keeping fit helps improve your chances of getting pregnant. It has been proven that people that are overweight takes longer to fall pregnant.

With a good exercise plan goes a good eating plan. Try and cut out as much junk food as you can and eat foods that have lots of nutrients.

Certain foods can help boost fertility and these are foods that you can easily make a part of your life. Antioxidants are good to boost fertility and these can be found in fruits, vegetables and nuts. Try not to eat too many carbs and eat foods with lots of fiber.

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What is next?

Visit your gynecologist to ensure that you are in good health to carry a baby to full term. Your doctor can do an internal check and make sure that everything looks fine. Your doctor might do a blood test to see your blood group which is important to know. The doctor will check up on your HIV status and if you have been vaccinated for rubella and chicken pox. These diseases can be harmful to your baby if you should get them while pregnant. Folic Acid will be prescribed. Folic acid helps the fetus’s growth. A multi-vitamin should also be taken daily to help you keep healthy and also give your baby the nutrients it needs.

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FEATURED ARTICLES

Trying‌ When trying to conceive, you should keep track of your cycle. This way you can work out when you ovulate. Ovulation usually occurs 14 days after your period started, if you have a 28 day cycle. You should have sex every day when you ovulate so that you improve your chances to conceive. You only have a few days to make it count. If you struggle to find out when you ovulate, find a ovulation calculator on the internet to help you keep track. They are usually quite accurate. There are also ovulation sticks you can purchase at a pharmacy that works like a pregnancy test.

The sooner it is possible to start a family, the better. Fertility chances fall drastically as women get older.

Therefore it is important to not wait too long to have a baby. If you have been trying to conceive for more than twelve months, you might have to consult your doctor. If you over 35, you must consult your doctor if you do not fall pregnant within six months. During this process you must try and relax and not be too anxious about conceiving. When your body is ready, it will happen and you need to relax and stay positive during this time. Stressing about it can delay the process. Enjoy your last few weeks with your partner, because as soon as you conceive it will be baby all the way.

References: Healthline, Your fertility

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THE

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FEATURED ARTICLES

Emotional

The

CHALLENGES OF PREGNANCY Written By Karli Steenkamp

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FEATURED ARTICLES During your pregnancy you can have many mixed emotions whether it is a planned pregnancy or not. You may have been waiting for it for a long time, it might have come as a little surprise or it happened fairly quickly. From even before you know you are pregnant until after you have had your baby, your emotions can be all over the place. You are on an emotional rollercoaster.

You can be happy one moment or wanting to cry the next.

Luckily, it helps to be aware of these challenges, realizing what is normal emotions, and what is not. because as soon as you conceive it will be baby all the way.

What are normal emotions?

The biggest culprits of these upside down emotions are hormones. When you are pregnant, you will have an increase in progesterone and estrogen. These two hormones help your body and fetus to get ready for growth and delivery. There are other hormones as well, but these two hormones especially have much higher levels than normal.

They play a crucial role in your pregnancy and low levels of these hormones could be harmful to you and your baby. It is definitely worth it to get your levels checked by doing a blood test.

What can you do to get your emotions under control?

It is important to experience all these emotions. It helps you to deal with your fears. Although there is not much you can do for these raging hormones, you can try and alleviate the symptoms by doing regular exercise and eating a healthy diet. A good workout helps to clear your mind. Talking with your partner regularly about your fears as well as theirs help both of you understand and support one another through your pregnancy. It is good to know both of your concerns and what you are excited about.

to be healthy and in a good mind to be the best possible mother you can be. Join antenatal classes, they deal with many questions you might have and you meet other parents that might have the same fears as you do. Make sure you have a support structure, someone you can discuss your fears with.

Most importantly, remember different emotions is all part of the process and shows how much you already love your unborn baby. Trust yourself and feel, cry, laugh and enjoy the journey.

What if these emotions don’t get better?

If these emotions persist and you feel depressed all the time, crying constantly, it might help to speak to your doctor to find out what is normal and what isn’t. Depression affects many women through their pregnancy and it can be treated. Other symptoms could be anxiety, irritability and short term memory loss. All these could be very normal for a short period of time but if it persists for more than a few weeks you need to speak to a doctor.

All the different emotions you experience is different.

Some women have more than others, so it is never a good thing to compare you to other women. Everyone is different, have different emotions and circumstances. Do research, speak to your doctor and get other mother’s advice. Know what is not normal. Never hide what you are feeling. You need

References: Health line. America pregnancy

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Flu Blues: How To St

Written by Jana Angeles

When you’re pregnant, the last thing you want is to get sick. While your body is still getting used to the abrupt body changes and change of appetite, you’ll have to look out for yourself even more when Winter comes around. It’s hard to be around family when they are sniffing mucous, sneezing constantly or having coughing fits that never seem to end. So, the best thing you can do is to ensure that you take the best steps to prevent yourself from getting the flu while you’re carrying the baby. Here are some tips to consider that could help you stay well during Winter while pregnant...

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FEATURED ARTICLES

tay Well During Winter

BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE If you’re in your second trimester and you’re struggling to move, consider doing exercise that is less rigorous such as walking or yoga. It helps to be physically active because you keep yourself warm and can contribute to a healthy mindset. It can also benefit you during the days where your mood swings or hormones get out of control. It gives

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you something to do, instead of being cooped up at home. If you’re struggling to find a physical activity to participate in, ask your close friend to join you, even if it’s a short walk around the block. Being physically activity can help you feel refreshed and gets your body moving!

GET THE FLU SHOT It’s recommended to take the flu shot before Winter rolls around. For pregnant women, it’s important to take the flu shot as their immune systems aren’t as strong during pregnancy. If they do end up with the flu, it could lead to further health complications. To avoid this, taking the flu shot is recommended and gives you that added layer of peace of mind.the brain doesn’t develop this rich network of connections.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER Staying hydrated is important because it maintains the amniotic fluid that is in your body while pregnant. Not only that, it avoids you from getting dehydrated, which can happen if you expose your body to heat a little too much. When you’re around the heater or fireplace and have layers of clothing, it can all get out of control if not managed properly. It’s important for pregnant women to maintain their health properly by drinking lots of water!

GET ENOUGH CALCIUM Pregnant women are more prone to osteoporosis, so it’s recommended that they increase their daily dosage of calcium - whether it means increasing their intake of foods high in calcium or taking natural supplements for a health boost. Eating leafy greens, yoghurt and nuts are all great sources of calcium and can help maintain the health of you and your child properly.

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STAY AT IF IT’S TOO COLD While it’s tempting to head out for a day of shopping or going to your favourite restaurant for a big bowl of soup, avoid being out of the house if the weather for the day is too cold.

It’s important to stay home during those days, since you’ll be less prone to getting the flu.

You also have to consider how many people in public have the flu and if you plan on taking public transport, the chances of getting sick increases. Instead of leaving the house to do the activities mentioned above, get some leftovers and create your own soup recipe and take advantage of online shopping, while in your pyjamas, of course!

While some of us love the cold and others not so much, it’s important that we take care of ourselves when it comes to our health during Winter. Not only is it important to do the above steps in preventing the flu while pregnant, we need to also monitor the changes that happen in our body and understand the reasons why getting the flu isn’t a very good idea during pregnancy.

FEATURED ARTICLES

All mothers are encouraged to utilise their time during Winter wisely by eating nutritious food, getting more physical activity and avoiding any family member that is sick where possible.

It’s easy to get sick, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take every step that could help prevent it from happening!

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Remedies for Morning Sickness Written by Jana Angeles 22

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FEATURED ARTICLES Morning sickness is the worst and it can happen a lot during the term of our pregnancy.

Sometimes, more often than we’re used to and it can be more painful than it’s meant to be. Pregnant women trying to find the best relievers of pain can consider natural remedies that could help them overcome or relieve some of the symptoms of morning sickness. However, it’s important to know that if they do become worse, to seek professional help when needed. Here are some remedies to consider taking to relieve the symptoms of morning sickness:

DRINK GINGER TEA Ginger is a popular root that is used in Chinese medicine and makes for a great remedy when it comes to treating morning sickness.

Drinking ginger tea can help relieve some of the symptoms and make you feel less queasy.

It also has a distinctive spicy flavour and can give you an energy boost during the morning when you need it.

Since it can help neutralise your stomach acids and blood sugar, it will help bring a sense of calmness to your body too. It also helps those that have lost their liking for solid foods due to morning sickness and can provide you with a nutrient boost as well.

SWITCH TO LIQUID FOOD There are a lot of things happening in your body and sometimes, even with great persistence, you cannot stomach solid food for some reason. Morning sickness can take a lot of energy from you and your loss of appetite may have increased since then. Like when you got your wisdom teeth pulled out, it’s time to make alternative arrangements and stick to liquid food for the time-being. This includes your smoothies and soups. For a hydration boost, ensure that you drink the required glasses of water and consume a sports drink to replace the electrolytes you’ve lost.

EAT SOMETHING SOUR If you feel like you’re about to hurl, eating a sour lolly or sour fruit like lemons can help you with your morning sickness. Although not ideal for those that don’t like sour food, it can make you feel better and get on with your day.

Psychologically, it can also take your mind away from the morning sickness for a while, since you’re more concentrated on the taste of the actual food than the stomach pains and vomiting you’re experiencing during morning sickness.

MAKE A SMOOTHIE Combining your favourite fruits and veggies can make for a delicious treat and can surprisingly benefit pregnant women experiencing symptoms of morning sickness.

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CHANGE YOUR EATING PATTERNS If you’re used to eating three large meals during the day, it’s time to switch things up!

Changing your eating pattern could help you relieve some of the symptoms of morning sickness. Try increasing the meals you have each day and decrease the portion sizes.

You can spread them out according to the frequency that suits you to help combat the feeling of morning sickness. A change of pace when it comes to our eating patterns is needed sometimes to help our body reset!

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FEATURED ARTICLES

TAKE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS This is the last resort but if you feel like your morning sickness is getting worse or you’re starting to show severe symptoms, it’s time to consult with your general practitioner for prescription medication that can treat severe cases of morning sickness. This means that if you feel nauseous all the time or you can’t keep the food inside your stomach at all, taking prescription medications would be the best option. Do not feel the need to hold off your doctor appointments just because you feel like it’s a common experience all pregnant women have - it’s important to notice any alarming changes that could affect the health of you and the baby’s.

There are plenty of remedies that are suitable for treating morning sickness, so it’s important to consider all the options available before taking up medicine prescriptions. However, pregnant women are encouraged to talk to their GPs or other healthcare providers when it comes to their health and how they can overcome morning sickness effectively. Whether it means changing your eating patterns or trying foods you’ve never had/never liked, consider all the natural remedies of morning sickness first before moving on to a treatment where medicines are involved.

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DO FERTILITY-TRACKING APPS REALLY WORK? Written by Jana Angeles It’s insane how technology surrounds us on a daily basis. From our smartphones, laptops to our methods of communication, it’s amazing how much we have progressed as a society. When you and your partner have discussed your readiness for pregnancy, it’s time to do the real work and start as soon as possible. When the age timer ticks, we feel the pressure from families, friends and ourselves

for that matter to pop out the last kid before we reach the age where we can no longer have babies anymore. Fertility apps are all the rage these days, with some mothers swearing by it and others being skeptical over its use. While it has proved beneficial for some out there, other people have had a different experience. We look further into fertility-tracking apps and see if they really work...

They are helpful but not accurate Like the app that tracks how many steps we take on our smartphones, we must be careful when it comes to fertility-tracking apps since we can’t rely on its accuracy for information. We can also say the same when it comes to period tracking, where logging data for it can mean you’re either a few days late or early than expected. Period tracking apps are helpful for mothers wanting to get a head start and determine an approximate time frame when it comes to when they are most fertile, but it’s not something we can entirely put our faith towards when it comes having a pregnancy straight away.

They are a good in providing guidance and putting you in the right If you and your partner have been trying for a baby some time and there has been no promising results, following a fertility-tracking app can get you in the routine instead of having to pick a day of the week and hope for the best.

The advantage of using these apps is they give you a rough time frame of when you’re most

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fertile, which can assist you and your partner to start again. It can be frustrating if you don’t have a plan in the first place and you can’t rely on chance when it comes to trying for a baby. Fertility tracking apps certainly has its charm of making sure couples stay on track when it comes to the goal of having their first or next child!

FEATURED ARTICLES

Even though there are plenty of fertility apps to choose from, there is no one-size-fits all fertility app that will solve your problem in trying to have a baby.

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The Fair Work Ombudsman has lots of practical information about parental leave and returning to work from parental leave.

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You have to experiment to find a good one Even though there are plenty of fertility apps to choose from, there is no one-size-fits all fertility app that will solve your problem in trying to have a baby. You and your partner have to be willing to use a variety of apps before you find one that you think provides a good understanding of your cycle. You don’t have to stick to one app just because your friend referred to one that worked for them. Our bodies work differently from other people, just keep that in mind! If you’ve had experience using period tracking apps, you’ll find that most of your friends or family members use apps that are probably different from the ones you use because they seemed to work better for them.

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FEATURED ARTICLES

Apps are just a method to consider While fertility apps have their advantages, they are just a method to consider in assisting you and partner when it comes to trying for a baby.

We understand that you may feel pressured because of time or your family members are “waiting” until you have your next child before you close up shop. It’s important to keep your options open if the fertility apps end up not working for you and your partner. Do not feel like you have to exhaust every app available in the marketplace. If you know something isn’t working for you and your partner, move on to the next method!

Also, give your body time Let’s face it, it can be super exhausting trying to have a baby. Although fertility-tracking apps feel promising, they aren’t going to fix how your body works, nor will it give you what you want straight away. You need to know when to take care of your physical health and give yourself a break every now and then before you and your partner start trying again for another baby.

Avoid feeling like you’ve failed because it will happen when you least expect it.

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PREGNANCY

HOW TO LOSE THE

Pregnancy Weight Written by Jana Angeles Having a baby is an exciting period in a mother’s life. Although it can be a mentally and physically demanding job, it is incredibly rewarding to have a tiny human look up to you and share the values you’ve instilled upon them while they grow older. You’ve gone through the hardest part, which is giving birth and you may have noticed you’ve packed on more kilos than anticipated.

You feel guilty and a bit ashamed that it got to this point, so maybe eating that extra cheeseburger during the term of your pregnancy wasn’t such a good idea. Although you may feel this way, it’s never too late to start your weight loss journey, even if you’ve given birth in the last month or so. Here are some great tips to start losing the baby weight!

Find a workout buddy There’s no ‘I’ in team, so it’s better to keep motivated when it comes to your weight loss goals by working out with a friend. If you’re working out by yourself, it can be tempting to postpone a workout session if you’re too busy cleaning the house or making dinner for the family. At least when you schedule to meet up with your friend, you can workout together. It also makes

it fun and less stressful figuring out what to do for exercise.

It can be as simple as walking around the block or doing some weights at home or even doing some yoga to help relax!

Eat healthy snacks Popcorn, chips, nuggets and other junk food can be rather tempting, especially when you’re driving around and stopping by at your local supermarket. Avoid eating foods that are high in fat and stick to snacking on some fruit and veggies. You can even turn them into a delicious juice and/or smoothie, which makes for a great post-workout snack.

If you have loved drinking fruit juices and soft drink, replace these with water and tea. Try keeping coffee to a minimum and if you do need your coffee fix, avoid adding sugar. You also have to be careful about buying snacks you think are good for you, such as muesli bars and yoghurt. Some of these food products have added sugar June 2018 | mychild

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and other nasties. Check the label before purchasing.

You will eventually build more strength as soon as your body starts to heal post-birth.

Take naps Watch what you eat Although it seems like you don’t have time to unwind when you have a baby, schedule in some naps during the day. Not only will you feel refreshed, but it will help you avoid snacking on bad food and can actually assist you in losing some of the pregnancy weight. It’s important to rest and since life can get busy, it always seems like we don’t have time for a lot of things. Try not to pressure yourself too much to finish errands and take a break for yourself by having a nap. It can do wonders for you!

Start off slow Pre-pregnancy, you probably had a hardcore workout plan that you strictly followed, but now things are a little different since having a baby. You’re a little weaker and you don’t have much strength back, so even if you want to start on cardio straight away, it’s important to consider your physical health and what you’re capable of doing. It’s okay to start slow when it comes to working out, even if it means walking around a couple of blocks.

It sucks counting calories but that’s the only way to keep track of how your health is progressing and if you’re getting the right nutrients as well. Although working out can contribute a lot to weight loss, eating healthy food is a start to make progress. Purchase a meal planner and organise what meals you have during the week.

This will help you stay motivated and not lose track of your eating.

Watching what you eat doesn’t mean you have to cut eating out expenses either; be conscious of the food you eat when you’re out and choose healthy options. It is also okay to have a cheat meal once a week to keep your sanity for a bit!

As with all weight loss journeys, it takes a lot of time, hard work and commitment in reaching your weight goals. If you’ve only just had a baby, don’t worry about pressuring yourself to lose the baby weight straight away. Be realistic when it comes to setting goals and don’t underestimate what you’re capable of doing!

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How to get over your

Fear

of Giving Birth

It’s normal to fear birth, especially when you are about to become a first-time mother.

There are a lot of emotions attached to pregnancy and although it may have gone quick, carrying a baby for nine months is a long time. For some mother-to-be’s, it can be an extremely stressful time to ease the nerves in anticipating giving birth to their child. There may have concerns over the health of the baby, possible complications and preparing for the unexpected. Giving birth is challenging and it’s understandable that some may never get over their fear of experiencing labour and delivery.

However, there are some ways that can help ease the pain and assist the pregnant women out there to feel more supported when it comes to giving birth.

Written by Jana Angeles

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Be around your support network It’s important to be around your friends and family when you are nearing the birth of your child. When you are feeling anxious or nervous, they should be the first people you talk to about your thoughts and your emotions that surround the event. Confiding in them can help because they can listen to your worries and say the right things to help you stop overthinking. You need to be surrounded by positive people with positive energy. Even if you’re stubborn to change your mindset, it can be refreshing to hear other people’s perspectives!

Learn about the facts of normal labour and delivery Before anticipating labour and the delivery process that comes with childbirth, learn the facts first before making crazy assumptions. It can be easy to make yourself blind to the facts and all it takes is to research on the internet using reliable resources and speaking to your local healthcare providers about your genuine concerns.

They can talk you through the process in detail and help you feel calm about the situation. Do not Google and get into the rabbit hole of information where you end up scaring yourself even more. It’s not worth it in the end.

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Find ways to relax Yoga, drinking tea, taking baths or doing some light reading are all great ways to relax.

Doing these activities can make you forget about the pressure you feel in giving birth and can make for healthy distractions when searching for ways to occupy your brain. It can be mentally exhausting to worry about the unlikely scenarios that could happen during childbirth. It helps to do a quiet activity for yourself. At least in that way, it can help you feel less anxious and clear your mind for a bit. Avoid childbirth horror stories With Facebook being a huge platform for videos, you’d be amazed by how many childbirth videos there are. If you’re not a fan of looking at blood and guts, we recommend not looking at these videos. Also, refrain from watching any television show or movie that shows any disturbing or graphic image on

BIRTH

childbirth. You have to remember that ma jority of the time, the stories being told are fictional and shouldn’t be taken in the literal sense.

Videos are portrayed in a way to appeal to a certain audience and they can be far from realistic. Apart from watching content, also avoid Googling forums where mothers share horrifying stories of births gone wrong. Reading stories about it is far from comforting!

Get professional help if you have emotional issues If you’re aware that you’re battling mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, we encourage you not to postpone getting professional help. There are plenty of counselling services out there that are willing to hear your story and are there to listen to you, especially if you feel really bummed about something for no particular reason. Being pregnant brings out our emotional side and it’s hard to control

our mood swings for that matter. It’s important to take care of your emotional issues and get the help that you need before your pregnancy due date. Counselling can help reduce anxiety since you can communicate your problems to a professional that is always there to listen.

Fearing birth is normal and something first time mothers should not be ashamed of. It’s okay to feel helpless, scared and confused. This can be a particularly stressful time, so be sure to give yourself space to enjoy relaxing activities and spend time with your loved ones that help you feel calm. Once the labour and delivery process is all over, you’ll find yourself wondering why you worried so much in the first place!

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How Speaking Another Language

Benefits Your Baby Written by Jana Angeles

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BABY

WHAT’S IN OUR STORES THIS MONTH

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Your baby’s brain starts to develop from the moment they are born. It’s important as parents that we learn to nurture that and what better way to start than to speak to them in a different language.

It’s true that once they become older and start to learn more things, their cognitive processes in their brain start to develop even more when they learn about themselves, their family and what it means to have a cultural background.

Although it may feel silly talking to your baby in a different language, there are some benefits to starting early as their brains begin to absorb everything you say to them. Your baby has a lot to learn over the years, but the rewards of learning a different language will gradually develop. Here are some reasons why it’s beneficial to start speaking in a different language to your baby.

IT CONTRUBUTES TO THEIR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT As mentioned before, speaking in a different language can benefit the brain development of your baby.

Experts suggest that teaching your child another language at a young age helps them retain it better. Even though your baby may not understand what you’re talking about, get into the habit of speaking to them in a different language; you would have noticed that they gained some listening skills in the language. Furthermore, it also activates several areas of language activation in the brain, which can benefit their brain development.

IT WILL HELP THEM BE CULTURALLY AWARE OF OTHERS 42

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In the past, there was a stigma for people to be speaking in a different language other than English. Now, it’s a different time and people have learnt to appreciate the global culture. With the opportunity to travel, stay abroad for a year or foreign exchange in a different country, it will benefit your baby to learn a different language since it forms as an added skill set that will reward them in life. When your baby grows older, they will be more aware about the diversity of cultures that exist and that everybody’s backgrounds are different.

In addition to that, it helps shape their perspective on life outside of their birth country and can channel that curiosity to travel and appreciate the cultures that exist today.

THEY WILL FEEL CONNECTED TO THEIR HERITAGE WHEN THEY ARE OLDER Speaking to your baby now can help them feel connected to their heritage once they grow older. This means that it’s an opportunity to feel closer to where they came from and will bring a deeper connection with their relatives who came from the place of that language. Having the ability to speak different languages when your baby grows older will not only provide them with travel opportunities, but it gives them a chance to better understand their family history and show an appreciation of where they came from.

It will also gives them the chance to have a large exposure to a variety of speech patterns, which can be very useful as they grow older.

IT CAN IMPROVE THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN THE FUTURE

Did you know that learning a foreign language can help your baby improve their academic performance in the future? Since it reinforces the core subject areas of reading, social studies, English literacy and maths, children who know more than one language can achieve high results in academics.

Speaking in a different language benefits them when it comes to their brain development, so it makes sense why they are most likely to perform well academically.

BABY can give them plenty of opportunities in the future that will enrich their learning experiences and have a broader understanding of the world. They will also form important interpersonal relationships and be better connected when it comes to their families and the country they originate from. Just remember to start early as your baby’s brain is like a sponge; ready to learn something new everyday!

Overall, your baby has a lot of growing left to do but that doesn’t mean you should stop speaking to them in a different language just because you feel they’re too young to understand.

Learning a language apart from English

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Toddler Safety Tips

When you reach the toddler stage, all hell breaks loose! (just kidding) Written by Jana Angeles 44

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TODDLER Otherwise, it is a stressful time for parents who have no experience whatsoever raising a child, let alone someone the ages between two and four years old.

Toddlers are always up to some trouble and if you suspect that the house is awfully quiet, they might be up to something no good and the chances of that are very high. One of the key priorities a parent should have is to keep their children safe, no matter where they are. So, it’s essential that parents are aware of the hazardous items that are in their household and to keep them out of their sights, if possible. There are some things parents should do to keep their toddlers safe and to avoid any misbehaviour that could turn into a potential nightmare. Here are some tips that can help you keep your toddler safe:

Keep poisons out of reach

Childproof your home

Make sure to store away any hazardous liquids or keep them out of reach. Things like bleach, liquid soaps and other nasty chemicals can cause harm to your toddler if they get into their eyes or they accidentally swallow them. It can lead to further consequences of needing immediate emergency assistance or can cause harm to their bodies. You need to be careful where you store these. Don’t let these liquids be within reach.

This is a no-brainer but whenever possible, childproof your house. This is a good idea to do if you want certain areas blocked off (ie, the kitchen and the bathroom). Installing boom gates can be a great barrier for your child, especially if you know particularly areas of the house have dangerous items that a toddler cannot touch. If your child is quite clumsy, don’t forget to put

Remove anything that is a choking hazard When your toddler is playing, they might become curious to experiment with everyday objects around the household. They can start to pretend that the lego piece is a lolly that they can comfortably consume, or pretend to be an astronaut by putting a plastic bag over their tiny heads. As a parent, you don’t want your child to experience any of these, so take extra precaution when supervising. Don’t leave plastic bags hanging around and get rid of objects that your child might swallow or choke on.

safety edge corners on tables and anywhere else you feel they may be prone to bumping their heads. Look out for potential areas where they may be prone to falling If you recently purchased a new shiny carpet or you have wooden floorboards that are brand new and glowing, it can be easy for your child to run around and have a bad fall. It’s important that you’re aware of the areas that they may stumble and fall, since having one can lead to nasty bumps on their forehead and unwanted bruises all over their body. It’s also important to take note of any dangerous wiring that could be near the television or the computer desk. Be wary of these and take the appropriate safety precautions in making sure your child has less falls!

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TODDLER

Keep them away from hot objects and supervise at all times When you’re cooking or boiling some water in the kettle, it’s best to leave your child outside of the kitchen. Unfortunately, toddlers are quite energetic and curious, and if you turn away for a second, they’re already up to trouble.

Toddlers like pushing buttons, turning knobs and other things. If you fail to supervise, it could lead to unwanted minor or ma jor burns and can cause a lot of stress for you and your child. If you need extra help with supervision, either get a family member or a babysitter to look after them while you’re doing these day-to-day household activities. It’s not worth the risk to have a toddler with injuries that could’ve been prevented in the first place.

There are plenty of ways to keep your toddler safe, but the tips mentioned above are all just common sense. If you know that your child will most likely injure themselves because of a particular object in the household, don’t keep them near it. Babyproof your house to the best of your ability and identify areas which need improving. Keeping an eye out for your toddler’s safety is a top priority in parenting.

INTEGRATION AIDE / TEACHER AIDE Certificate of Education Support Gain the knowledge skills and strategies to work as an aide in a primary, secondary or special school to support children with additional needs.

Day classes: 8 days, 9am – 3.30pm

Contact: 1300 639 878

OR

Students who complete this course may be considered for up to six points of credit towards a Monash Bachelor of Education degree, subject to their meeting admission requirements.

Evening classes: 16 evenings, 5.30 – 8.30pm Venues: Berwick, Broadmeadows, Clayton, Caroline Springs, Caulfield, Geelong, Doncaster, Frankston, Northcote, Mill Park, Ringwood and Werribee.

For further information: monash.edu/education/shortcourses

CRICOS provider: Monash University 00008C. SMC 18P-0224.

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Encour

a sweet sleep

Nigh

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ring

p after a

htmare

KID We all dream, we also have nightmares, unfortunately, some are more vivid than others. Even your toddler may tell you of their magical tales or speak about having dreams — both pleasant ones and scary ones.

Sadly, nightmares aren’t completely preventable, so when they do creep in, with a little comfort from you, thoughts of nastiness can quickly be erased.

A bit about nightmares: Dreams and nightmares happen to everyone and they happen for a variety of reasons.

They can occur as a result of trauma and anxiety, or from fears.

Most bad dreams are not cause for concern, however, some can be the result of underlying sleep disorders A nightmare is a picture the brain has processed – which so happens to eventuate during the longest period of sleep, the rapid eye movement or REM sleep period.

During the early childhood years, your child will experience the occasional frightening or unsettling dream, with figures indicating that 20-30% of children between the ages of 3 and 12 have frequent nightmares. The peak of which occur during the preschool years more so than other ages, when fear of the dark is common, also.

While adults may not always pay attention to the imagery of their dreams, children often do, which can result in associated emotions such as sadness and fear carrying over into the waking world.

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By understanding how to recognise a nightmare, you can know how to respond.

Recognise a nightmare: Your child will usually wake and call to you or someone important They may distressed

appear

frightened

or

They will be awake, alert and responsive when you go to them Unfortunately, being awake means your child will most likely recall the part of or all of their dream and may want to talk to you about it – possibly for several days afterwards Your child will look to you for reassurance that it was only a dream – remind them They may have difficulty getting back to sleep Encouraging Sweet Dreams: While as parents you can’t prevent nor predict the occurrence of a nightmare, you can help your child get a restful sleep – one which encourages sweet dreams.

To help your child relax after a bad dream, be sure that you: encourage a regular bedtime and wake-up time have a sleep routine that helps them wind down, and feel safe and secure as they drift off to sleep. This might include a bath, a quiet book or a cuddle 50

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with you or a talk about the pleasant events of the day have a bed that’s a comfortable, peaceful place to be. Having a favourite toy or stuffed animal can help some children avoid scary movies, TV shows, and stories before bed — especially if they’ve triggered nightmares before Remind your child again that nightmares aren’t real, that they’re just a “picture” the brain makes and that dreams can’t hurt them Here’s how you can help after the event of a nightmare: Reassure you child: Your child will call for you as they will be evidently distressed after a nightmare. Your presence alone is enough to make your child feel safe and protected after waking up feeling afraid. Knowing you’ll be there helps strengthen your child’s sense of security.

Label it: Let your child know that what they just experienced was a nightmare, but that it’s now over. Reassure your child that the scary stuff they saw in the nightmare didn’t happen in the real world. You might say something like, “You had a bad dream, but now you’re awake and everything is OK.” Do your magic: Both pre-schoolers and young children have vivid imaginations.

Do not underestimate the magical powers you hold as a parent combined with your storytelling abilities – because they can work wonders. By gently redirecting the train of thought, you will be able to make monsters disappear

KID with a dose of monster spray, or remind them of a special memory or event to ease their mind.

You can further encourage those sweet dreams by offering them something more to help them go back to sleep.

Try any of the following for a peaceful transition back into la-la land: -

Warm milk A night light Quiet music A dreamcatcher

And, whatever you choose to do, seal it with a kiss!!

nightmares, however, by the time your child is preschool age, they will have started to understand that a nightmare is only a bad dream and that what’s happening isn’t real and can’t hurt them. But knowing that doesn’t prevent them from feeling scared.

With a little love and understanding, it shouldn’t be too difficult to ease your little one back into a sleep that they will wake up feeling refreshed from.

NB: While dreams and nightmares, for most children, only happen now and then, if you have concerns that they are ongoing and beginning to affect your child’s emotional or behavioural development, please speak to a doctor.

No one knows exactly what causes

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5

Tips Reflux

To Limit your Baby’s

The first few days after birth can be deceiving... basking in the joy of the birth of your baby and surrounded by expert nurses at the maternity, your baby may seem like an absolute angel, sleeping peacefully twenty hours a day and drinking his milk whenever he is awake!

And then you get to come back home, confident. You have learnt to change a nappy, feed your baby and put him to sleep. It will all be fine, but then reality hits...

The first week home is usually hectic.

If your house is upside down, you are exhausted and your hormones are all over the place, then you are just like the vast ma jority of new mums! But if, like half babies under the age of 3 months, your baby suffers from reflux, the impact on your quality of life (and

your sanity!) can be significant.

The Reflux Infants Support Association (RISA) surveyed more than 500 parents in 2016 about their experience caring for an infant with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and found that having a baby suffering from reflux had a very severe negative impact on their quality of life, with 1 in 5 parents reported that they no longer wished to have more children after having a baby with GORD. SO WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOUR BABY SUFFERS FROM REFLUX? First of all, it is important to seek advice and support. RISA is great source of information. Make sure to also seek professional advice and book an appointment with your midwife or paediatrician.

Keep your baby upright during feeds and for at least 30 minutes after each feed (for example in a baby swing, bouncer or hammock).

If you are breastfeeding, write down all your meals, analyse your eating habits to see how what you eat impacts your baby’s reflux. If you’re bottle feeding, consider trying out a few different brands of baby formula (with your doctor’s approval) and bottles to see if they impact your baby’s reflux differently. Some bottles have been specifically designed to help babies with reflux.

Massaging your baby soothes your baby and can help with his digestion too.

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Use the Cocoonababy® nest whenever your baby is asleep. Thanks to its 20º incline, the Cocoonababy helps limit reflux by way of gravity. While respecting the medical recommendation to keep a newborn baby lying on his back with nothing close to his face, the Cocoonababy® nest solves the problems which have arisen as a result of this posture. An ergonomic nest designed to bring comfort and awareness to newborns, the Cocoonababy® is already in use on neonatal wards in hospitals and clinics across France.

Don’t forget that most young babies spit up sometimes, since their digestive systems are immature, making it easier for the stomach contents to flow back up into the oesophagus (the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach).

If your baby is a ‘Happy Spitter’, gaining weight well, spitting up without discomfort and content most of the time, then spitting up is a laundry & social problem rather than a medical issue!

www.cocoonababy.com.au

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Meet the new limited editio

10 anniversary ran th

10 years ago, the city mini changed the way the world strolls. To celebrate, Baby Jogger have released a limited edition anniversary range.

Nothing is more important to a parent than providing comfort and protection for their baby. For more than a decade, Baby Jogger has understood how precious each bundle of joy is to their parent and has prided itself on its commitment to making life easier for every parent. It continues to be the leading designer and manufacturer of high performance jogging and all-terrain strollers. Many celebrity mums have also realised its appeal, with Tiffany Hall, Zoe FosterBlake, Miranda Kerr, Halle Berry and Julia Roberts just some of the celebrities spotted with the popular pram.

In celebration of their 10th Anniversary, Baby Jogger has revamped the award-winning range that sparked a transformation in baby stroller innovation.

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TODDLER

on

nge

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Limited edition

anniversary range

City Elite City Mini GT

City Select

City Select Double

City Mini

10 years ago, the City Mini changed the way the world strolls.

Help us celebrate this award winning range with a new anniversary fashion featuring new knit fabric and leatherette acents.

Available now from specialty baby retailers, David Jones and Qantas Store.

Visit babyjoggerstrollers.com.au to find your closest stockist.

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BabyJoggerAu

TODDLER The 10th Anniversary collection includes: City Mini® - The City Mini is the essence of urban mobility: lightweight, compact and nimble. Its sleek and practical design makes it the perfect choice for traversing the urban jungle.

City Mini® GT - The City Mini GT captures the essence of the City Mini but gives you the ability to pave your own way.

With all-terrain wheels, an adjustable handlebar and hand-operated parking brake, you decide how far you want to go off the beaten path.

of the special edition fabrics and soft cognac leatherette, you’re sure to stand out from the crowd.

For a limited time, Baby Jogger are also including a free removable belly bar as a special anniversary gift!

With its long list of ingenious features and the multiple awards it has to its name, it is no wonder Baby Jogger has stood the test of time and reshaped the way parents mobilise their babies.

For more information, please visit: www.babyjoggerstrollers.com.au

City Select® - Designed to keep your growing family rolling. Converts from a single to double stroller. With over 16 configurations you can customize your stroller to fit your needs perfectly.

The City Elite™ - With its large tires and high weight capacity, the City Elite Single provides luxury and comfort over any terrain. This stroller lets you go off-road in style, while still offering Baby Jogger’s patented quick-fold technology.

Joining their renowned collection, the City GO™ Baby Capsule is a great addition to the trusted Baby Jogger brand.

It conveniently connects to most Baby Jogger strollers to complete a travel system, allowing parents to go anywhere with Baby Jogger from day one. Installing easily in your car, it boasts an adjustable base, making installation fuss-free. It’s also conveniently approved for aircraft use. The capsule is one of the few on the market that can be used from newborn up to approximately 12 months old.

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Avoiding stress as a first time dad Written by Lance Green Congratulations! You’re going to be a dad. While this may be scary (yet exciting) news, it can also be a stressful experience at the same time. You’re obviously carrying more weight on your emotions than usual and you realise that your world is going to change as you know it. While you’re anticipating your partner’s pregnancy and the months seem to fly by, the anxiety might kick in and the process of overthinking can start. How do you avoid stress up until this moment where your partner gives birth?

Here are a few tips to consider, which may lessen the stress of being a first time dad...

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DAD READ

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CONSULT A FINANCIAL PLANNER Having children is one of the biggest investments you’ll have in life. Whether you’re well off or have a medium-sized income, it’s important to have a savings plan in place, so once your child is born, you won’t have to worry about the recurring expenses for a while. Nappies, prams, cots and clothing really do add up and the last thing you want is to stress over your finances. If you have trouble saving and you’re not sure where to cut costs, consult a financial planner and see what they can do to help you in terms of budgeting. Money should be the least of your worries right now.

GET INVOLVED DURING THE PREGNANCY PROCESS Whether it means going to the ultrasounds with your partner or taking prenatal classes with them, it’s important to be involved during the pregnancy process from the very beginning. Showing that you care for the baby and your partner can really go a long way, especially if

you have had to deal with their mood swings and weird cravings at times! This will put your mind at ease because you don’t want to cause problems with your partner and not be helpful during the journey. You need to pitch in too!

KNOW WHO TO TURN TO WHEN YOU NEED SUPPORT Although you’ve kept your cool for a while, maybe some days you just need to vent about your worries and fears for your child once they are born. Make sure you keep in touch with the people you know are there to support you. Whether it’s your family or closest friends, having insightful conversations with the people you care about can really help ease the stress levels. They can help you keep calm and straighten your perspective when it comes to being a first time dad.

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DAD READ

THINK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF FATHER YOU WANT TO BE Whether you had a good or bad relationship with your father, it’s important to think about what type of father you want to be once your child is born. It’s really up to you whether or not you want to follow the traditions of your parents or if you want to do things differently. As you embark on the journey of parenthood for the first time, you will learn a lot. You will make mistakes but they will provide an important lesson for you to do better next time. Reflecting on the past and having an idea of what father you want to be can help you stop overthinking and to just do your best.

COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PARTNER Getting through the pregnancy period will be a tough challenge for you and your partner, so it’s important you have an open line of communication with each other.

Communication is key when it comes to relationships, so the last thing you want is to strain it and destroy the foundation of trust you’ve already built. If you decide to go somewhere for the night, tell your partner so they don’t get worried. If they need help with something, do it for them. Learning to trust and openly talk to each other can really help you and your partner be on the same page when it comes to your relationship.

When the water breaks, that’s when you’ll know that the journey of parenthood is right around the corner. The last thing you want is to feel stressed during the moment where you’re supposed to feel joyous and excited for the occasion. Stress is an inevitable part of life sometimes because it helps us keep motivated for the things we want. Just remember that you aren’t perfect and sometimes you can’t avoid it.

Along the way, everything will make sense and you will feel so thankful to even get the opportunity of having your own child. Being a father is a rewarding role that you will take on for life and your child will be the one to look up to you when it comes to your values, the wisdom you have and the love you can offer when it comes to providing and taking care of the family. Nothing will ever match up to that.

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DATING TIPS FOR

Single Parents 64

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RELATIONSHIP

There’s no shame in being a single parent.

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There’s no shame in being a single parent. If anything, it’s great that you’re in the dating scene again. No matter what stage of parenting you are in, things with your previous partner didn’t work out. It may be because you outgrew each other or just didn’t have enough time and energy to provide the commitment you needed to sustain the relationship. Even if you have a child, it doesn’t mean your love life should be put on hold. It’s awesome that you’ve chosen to put yourself out there once more. This means you can officially put everything you had in your previous relationship in the past and begin to move forward and be with someone new. Before you start being serious with someone, here are some tips to consider now that you’re a single parent in the dating scene...

Don’t apologise for being one either

Be honest about being a parent

You should feel proud that you’re dating again! With work, balancing your kids’ schedules and trying to do mundane activities such as cooking, cleaning and keeping the household together, dating should be taken as a positive experience.

You are putting yourself out there once again and not only that, it shows that you are maturing in all other aspects of your life. While you’ve been putting the priorities of your kids first, you are also doing something for yourself!

We understand that disclosing the fact that you’re a single parent can strike as a turn off when you’re dating someone, but at least you’ll know in the first place if it’s not going to work out. Being honest about being a single parent doesn’t mean you’ll hurt your chances of dating people; it just means you’ll be closer to finding someone who can understand your situation but still be open to getting to know you as a person.

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Some people just don’t like the idea of having kids, nor do they want to date someone with kids and that is completely fine. However, if you feel obliged to apologise for being a parent when you have to reschedule or cancel dates to make your schedule work with your kids, it’s not a healthy thing to do considering the fact you already have to make sacrifices for them too. It’s not fair to feel ashamed about having kids because at the end of the day, they are your family and they are in your life and nothing can change that.

Think of dating as a positive experience

Take things slowly Dating can be quite fun because you get to do activities you probably haven’t done in a while such as intimate dinners, going to the movies and having someone you can talk to on the

RELATIONSHIP regular. Assuming that the person that you’re seeing is getting to the point of being serious, it’s important to remind yourself to take things at your own pace and not feel pressured to please the person you’re seeing. Know your limits and recognise the power of saying ‘no.’

Focus on what’s important Your kids will come first no matter what and even if you are in the dating game right now, it doesn’t mean you have to deal with the cards you get just because someone has noticed you after a long time. Remember that you shouldn’t settle for anything less and you deserve the best.

While you are dating, just remember you are looking for someone who can learn to love you and your children. You shouldn’t have to stay with someone just to avoid loneliness. We understand that being alone is hard but if you have to stop seeing someone because you know they aren’t right for you, end it as soon as you realise this. You need to focus on what’s important for yourself and your family as well.

Putting yourself out there again can be challenging when you have children and learning how to balance your schedule with work and other things should be the least of your worries when you’re finding a partner. Dating should be a positive experience for you where you shouldn’t feel ashamed of having kids and you deserve to be with someone that can learn to love you and your family dynamics which already exist.

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TOY

Reviews

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TOY REVIEWS REVIEWED BY SHEREE ECHLIN

JELLYCAT LITTLE INKY OCTOPUS It’s time for some cuddles with Jellycat’s latest cute bundle, Little Inky Octopus. This squishy, octopus is all smiles and arms, with bright, glossy eyes to match. Inky Octopus gives the very best hugs - eight at a time! Blue-black and squashy, with scrummy cordy tentacles, this funny octopus loves to play. Pull those long, curly arms to watch them ping back into place Inky loves to swish about but prefers to ride on a good friend’s head instead.

Our Verdict Cuddly, soft and full of awwwwww-esomeness, this is one cute inky little octopus. It’s hard to go past how soft this cute little critter really is and it definitely gives the perfect hug. Inky is perfect for babies, toddlers and big kids alike but I think even a few adults will find a bit of a soft spot for this usually mysterious creature from the deep. It’ll warm your heart and have you smiling (and cuddling) in no time.

RRP - $39.90 AVAILABLE FROM: INDEPENDENCE STUDIOS

PLANET PUTTY It bounces, stretches, squishes, melts and drips... it’s awesome! So, what have you got yourself in for? None other than assorted metallic bouncing planet putty! Take your pick from Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and the Sun.

Our verdict

RRP - $4.95 AVAILABLE FROM: INDEPENDENCE STUDIOS 70

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The kids will be putty in your hands once you let them loose with this gooey, squishy Planet Putty fun. Making mess is what kids love to do best and they will have plenty of fun with this putty. They can twist and stretch it into all kinds of weird shapes and play all kinds of interesting games that might feel like they’re playing on another planet, but just don’t let them throw it at each other!

VTECH LEARNING TUNES MUSIC PLAYER The Learning Tunes Music Player is packed with lots of fun musical activities for the littlest members of the house. The child-sized music player features 10 colourful activity buttons, light-up music button, onetouch play and pause controls, tempo button, headphone jack and headphones. There’s a combination of classical, rock and hip-hop music styles and relaxing lullabies. Mixing a bit of fun with learning, you will also find curriculum themed songs teaching ABC’s, numbers and colours. The player also includes a Clock Chime counting game, Boogie Dance musical statues game, animals and instrument remixes with 17 upbeat melodies and 15 lively sing-along songs.

RRP - $25 AVAILABLE FROM: BIG W, MYER

Our Verdict My girls love their music and this one is already proving to be popular, maybe a little too popular, but we can’t have it all! It may not quite be up there with listening to tunes on mum and dad’s iPhone (although it definitely saves it being dropped!), but this cute little music machine fosters a little more independence for the younger members of the family.

You can relax knowing they’re bopping away to some cool kid tunes and maybe learning a little at the same. Above all else they look pretty cool and even a little cute in the process as they master some singing and dancing.

VTECH BABY SPLASH & SING BATH BOOK The Splash & Sing Bath Book is a fun interactive toy that encourages babies and toddlers to get into the bath. With music, counting and body parts guides that talk to your child while they play with the book, bath time will become super fun in no time. This interactive bath book has three soft and pliable pages that are easy to wipe clean, your little one will feel at ease turning and touching them. Within each page are buttons that trigger great sing-along songs and sounds that will help discover more about early bathing experiences and to learn about numbers. The book features a fun storyline, is waterproof (so dunk it in!) and stores easily on the side of the bath or wherever you keep your fun bath toys.

Our verdict Forget the age-old warning of never taking books into the bath because here is one you can get wet without a worry. And as an added bonus, the kids get to have fun while they’re reading in the bath. There’s singing, a little bit of learning with early numbers and a bit about teaching body parts which is great from a young age. You can’t go past the rubber ducky squeaker (embedded in the book) which seems to be a favourite at any age and the book floats around the bath too. This book is so much fun you’ll be lucky to get your little ones out of the bath.

RRP - $25 AVAILABLE FROM: TARGET, TOY UNIVERSE

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BOOK

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Book Reviews Rhyme Cordial Written & Illustrated by Antonia Pesenti The bright, bold illustrations and board book format of Rhyme Cordial may be designed for the baby market, but the book’s humorous wordplay makes it equally appealing to older children as well. Each page begins with a simple concept, say ‘Spoon of Marmalade’, but the illustrations under the large foldouts give it a surreal twist – in this case, ‘Moon and Starmalade’. This quirky, funny book is sure to become a favourite for readers from birth, well into childhood.

Ocean Meets Sky Written & Illustrated by The Fan Brothers Readers aged 3 and up will lose themselves in the elaborate, detailed illustrations of this stunning book. It is the story of Finn embarking on a fantastical journey across the ocean to honour the memory of his grandfather. He visits wondrous places such as the Library Islands, and sees incredible sights, like moon jellies dancing across the sea.

Ultimately, he is able to say goodbye to his grandfather and make peace with his passing, meaning that readers of this beautiful book not only join Finn on his spectacular journey, but might also use the story to help deal with the loss of a loved one.

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Mr Shaha’s Recipes for Wonder: Adventures in Science Around the Kitchen Table Written by Alom Shaha, Illustrated by Emily Robertson This is a science book with a difference – the gorgeous watercolour illustrations bring the experiments to life, and readers will enjoy poring over the information in the book as much as they are thrilled by following each of the ‘recipes’. From Fizz Rockets and Singing Wine Glasses to Colour-Changing Cabbage and Crazy Quick Cupcakes, each experiment includes questions to ask along the way, variations to try, and easy-tounderstand explanations of the science behind the activities. These are fantastic experiments for parents to undertake with children aged 5 and up, and provide a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate science at work in the world around us.

Rosa Draws Written & Illustrated by Jordan Wray Rosa’s vivid imagination provides plenty of inspiration for her fabulous drawings – from a bear with glam-u-licious hair to a plum-tastic moose! Even when she loses her train of thought and is momentarily plunged into darkness, she manages to find a spark for her creativity to begin again. But what happens when her mother discovers that Rosa’s drawings have literally leapt off the page? This is a gorgeous tale of an imagination gone wild, which will be enjoyed by budding artists aged 3-7.

REVIEWED

by

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RIGHT OR WRONG, GOOD AND BAD A

Written by Sheree Echlin

m I a bad mum? Do I give in too easily or am I too harsh?

Honestly some days I wonder if I’ve somehow swapped my children without realising and ended up with tiny devils in their place. Yes, I do have good days with them...I think.

Maybe I imagined them all.

Just kidding. My girls are generally pretty good kids but holy moly they can become downright pains in the bum in the blink of an eye. I know it’s a stage that will pass, just like everything else, but it feels like it’s dragging on forever and ever and ever. The years might be short but the days and nights are endless, haha.

I guess it’s all about perspective. In the whole scheme of things, nothing

is really that bad. But when you’re tired, run down or have a million things to do, kids getting on your nerves, pushing your buttons or just generally driving you insane, it doesn’t take much for you to reach the end of your tether.

And when mummy loses it, it’s not always pretty. I still love watching my girls when they play together nicely and even when they look out for each other. Small things like that can often go a long way.

But all it takes is one little (or big) whack from one sister to the other and things can take a turn for the worse. Tears, tantrums, a few more random whacks (usually from the youngest to the eldest, mind you) and we almost have all out war.

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When you first become a parent, you don’t think about dealing with sibling fights, in fact it barely registers on your mind.

You’re too busy caught up in the newborn haze of nappies, feeds and no sleep. Even with one child, things feel full on and crazy all the time. But they aren’t. It’s not until you throw two in the ring (children I’m talking about) and then you become an umpire. The downside is you’re not meant to pick sides. Guiltily I do sometimes, it depends on which child is annoying me that little bit more (hahahaha) but nine times out of ten, they both learn not to mess with mummy! Okay, so maybe it’s more like six out of ten times, but a Mumma can dream, can’t she?!

And they know just when to start, well pretty much anything.

You go to hang washing out, put rubbish in the bin, go to the toilet or just really need to concentrate on something and it’s on like Donkey Kong. They say silence is deafening, but I swear sometimes just hearing “Mummmmmmmmy” mixed with crying and screaming over and over again can be worse. They fight over pretty much anything these days, even me. It’s kind of endearing until you have arms and legs pushing and shoving just to sit on your lap. Good old sibling rivalry, it just makes my day…. not. I remember the days of trying to get my older brother in trouble with mum and dad.

It didn’t always work but the satisfaction when it did….man payback was and sometimes still is the best feeling ever.

I know I’m not a perfect mum and quite often I get angry or upset with my girls, I try not to but it happens. Partly because

they get on my nerves and also partly because I’m over being or rather trying to be “nice” mummy all the time.

But this is a tough gig and it can take its toll on anyone and everyone. I still reach for the wine and chocolate when I can, they are my saviours, along with a couple of really amazing friends. We compare horror stories (commiserate, vent and sometimes share wine) and it’s always nice to know you’re not alone, even if you feel like you are. I know one tough stage will pass into another but it never takes away from the current neverending phase of torture.

Okay, a bit extreme maybe, but I never thought there could be so much drama over pulling the plug out of the bath or even helping put dishes away (I know right?!). #firstworldproblems haha!

Ahhhhh kids, they will either make you or break you, maybe even both at different stages. I swear, at times, my two are determined to break me, but I like to remind them of where they learnt some of their sass from. The apple certainly didn’t fall far from this tree. Bring it on kiddos, but maybe wait until I’ve had some wine or chocolate first!

Jump onto my website www. shereeechlin.com and check out where I go wrong and sometimes where I get it right. Until next time….

BERNADETTE PICTURED WITH HER SON June 2018 | mychild

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GET THE LOOK:

interiors

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Cam Cam Air balloon lamp shade grey wave $84.95

Oval Loop Basket $14.00

Mr. Maria Miffy Lamp XL $359.95

Minnen Ext bed frame with slatted bed base, white $199

Star & Heart Shaped Cushions - Grey $36.95

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White Wooden Dolls House - vamvigvam $68.20

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Camomile London fitted sheet floral stream natural/ming King Single $87.47 to $124.95 Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney - Book $10.00

Alek Shelf with Leather strap Large $185.00

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Alimrose - Daisy Bunny Blush $69.95

Alimrose - Yvette Unicorn Rose Garden $54.95 Sweet Dreams Wooden Banner NestAccessories AU$45.00

Numero 74 Garland Hanging Falling Star Gold $49.00

Dreamcatcher $7.00

Cam Cam Bed Canopy dot Old Rose $189.95

Deer by Christine Hoel $55 June 2018 | mychild

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Bebe Care Regent Chair and Rocker - Stone Wash $799.99

Hand woven Collapsible Basket, Natural $24.95

Teeny Cot - Crisp White $799

Mumble Elephant $55.00 86

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Teeny change table - Crisp white $499.20

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Teepee Wall Decals $12.95

Adairs Kids Luella Throw Off White $79.99

Little Place- With Mist Bedding $150.00

Adairs Kids Kingston Faux Fur Range Grey Throw $99.99

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Hazy Lattice Rug $479.00

PUDDA Basket $14.99

Cam Cam Balloon Music Mobile Grey $58.95

Little Animal Series $119.85

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shop

KIf

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IDS fashion

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shop

KIDS

BABY

GIRLS

Dymples Baby Intarsia Sweater $15.00 rrp

25

UNDER

$

Dymples Baby Jacquard Pants $8.00 rrp Dymples Baby Glitter Ballet Flats $8.00 rrp

BIGW.COM.AU

Envelope Neck Tee Shirt-Sparkle $39.95 rrp

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Smile Knit Footed Pant-Cream $39.95 rrp Dobby TIP TOEY JOEY $36.00 rrp

Pearl Look Sweater $12.00 rrp Sequin Jeans $17.00 rrp Embroidered Boots $22.00 rrp

KMART.COM.AU

My Mom Doesn’t Like You Organic Sweater $40.00 rrp P & CO JEANS $40.00 rrp Lil Ryders Pink LAST ONE 2C $30.00 rrp

NOOSHUMOU.COM.AU

TREEHOUSE Mottled jacket $182.00 rrp

SPLURGE

TARTINE ET CHOCOLAT Checkerboard jacquard knit dress $126.00 rrp UGG Sequined velcro sneakers $89.00 rrp BUCKETSANDSPADES.COM.AU

Arctic Padded Coat Frosty Pink Penguin Fairisle $89.95 rrp Girl Skinny Fit Jeggings - Denim Black $109.00 rrp Cazoleta Girls Boots - Navy $99.00 rrp

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WHAT’S IN OUR STORES THIS MONTH BABY

BOYS Pom Pom Hood Cardigan $15.00 rrp

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Velour Trackpants $8.00 rrp Soft Sole Shoes $8.00 rrp

Kids Tech Sweaters Pullover $16.17 rrp

KMART.COM.AU

Kids Tech Sweats Trackie $13.77 rrp Connor by 8Mile $9.99 rrp BONDS.COM.AU

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Shirt, Bow Tie and Cardigan $39.99rrp

OshKosh B’gosh Fleece Hoodie $46.00 rrp

Soft Jeans $27.99 rrp

OshKosh French Terry Pants $34.00 rrp

Trainers $27.99 rrp HM.COM.AU

Remark 2 Grey Wash $40.00 rrp OSHKOSH.COM.AU CITYBEACH.COM.AU

Boys Petit Hooded Jacket with Pom Pom $69.95rrp

SPLURGE

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Funky- Patent Baby Blue $64.95 rrp Paul Smith Junior Printed Leggings $67.00 rrp

BUCKETSANDSPADES.COM.AU MELIJOE.COM.AU

Arctic Padded Coat Pale Grey Penguin Fairisle $89.95 rrp W.I.M.A.M.P. Blue Straight Trousers $69.00 rrp I Walk Jodphur Boot Navy $94.95 rrp BUCKETSANDSPADES .COM.AU

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Stella A feminine take on menswear tailoring, the Stella features a tapered sleeve and oversized cuff with rose gold buttons.

Discreet, clear hidden buttons create a shirt that is pure simplicity. The relaxed cut of this piece caters for pregnant women, while clear front fastenings allow mothers to breastfeed with ease.

$175.00 Rp

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Minnie The relaxed feel of this top is enhanced by its asymmetrical style and deep side splits for added movement. With its rose gold button detail, this minimal look top can be done up or left open for a more dramatic or subtle effect.

The relaxed cut of this piece caters for pregnant women, while our signature rose gold buttons allow mothers to breastfeed with ease.

$165.00 Rp

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Rosie The Rosie top is an individual piece, cut for ease with a wearable sleeve. It features a feminine design that falls smoothly across the front with added pleating detail at the back. Due to its slim fit this top is not suited for women in the late stages of pregnancy. The signature rose gold buttons allow mothers to breastfeed with ease.

$175.00 Rp

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Mabel The Mabel top is one of our stand out pieces that has the convenience of thicker straps, a centre back dart and the added luxury of rose gold buttons running the length of the top. The relaxed cut of this piece caters for pregnant women, while our signature rose gold buttons allow mothers to breastfeed with ease.

$165.00 Rp

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Olive The Olive dress is a signature piece that wears and drapes effortlessly. It has the convenience of thicker straps, a centre back dart for fluid movement, invisible pockets and the luxury of rose gold buttons running the length of the dress. The relaxed cut of this piece caters for pregnant women, while our signature rose gold buttons allow mothers to breastfeed with ease.

$165.00 Rp

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Penny A modern play on proportion and shape, this dress has an elasticized hem falling just below the knee creating a soft cocoon silhouette. This effortless look features a flattering neckline with rose gold button detail, invisible pockets and a wearable sleeve. The relaxed cut of this piece caters for pregnant women, while our signature rose gold buttons allow mothers to breastfeed with ease.

$220.00 Rp

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Evie A striking dress with appealing button details, clean lines and feminine pleating. Its loose cut provides comfort and creates an effortless look that can easily transcend seasons. The relaxed cut of this piece caters for pregnant women, while our signature rose gold buttons allow mothers to breastfeed with ease.

$220.00 Rp

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Sophie A modern take on classic tailoring, the Sophie is a key wardrobe staple.

It features an asymmetrical hemline with deep side splits, simple collar and rose gold button closure at the neck.

This versatile, flattering dress has the convenience of invisible pockets. The relaxed cut of this piece caters for pregnant women, while our signature rose gold buttons allow mothers to breastfeed with ease.

$210.00 Rp

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Poppy Simply put, the Poppy dress is a universally essential piece. Crafted in luxurious mid weight cotton, this go-to dress is designed to be worn oversized. It has a wearable sleeve, rose gold buttons, playful gathered shoulder detailing and discreet sideseam pockets. The relaxed cut of this piece caters for pregnant women, while our signature rose gold buttons allow mothers to breastfeed with ease.

$220.00 Rp

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Grace Equal parts relaxed and luxurious, the Grace top is a fundamental piece that evokes feminine drama.

This sophisticated cotton top has a relaxed fit, rose gold buttons and striking gathered shoulder detailing.

Its elongated body is designed to be worn oversized. The relaxed cut of this piece caters for pregnant women, while our signature rose gold buttons allow mothers to breastfeed with ease.

$195.00 Rp

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Safety Tip

for New Scooter Ri

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ps

ides

TODDLER

More and more children are riding scooters as their first mode of transport. With many learning to ride a scooter before they can ride a bike, it’s easy for simple safety skills to be overlooked.

- On the footpath, scooter riders may need to slow down or dismount in busy areas.

Keeping your child safe when they are first learning to ride is important.

However, you’ll need to be prepared for the odd accident while your child is mastering how to ride. Falling off, scratched knees, a few bumps and bruises are unfortunately all part of the learning curve.

- Scooters are best ridden in recreation all areas designated for their use.

Now kids will be kids, but if you teach your child about how to scooter safely, respect the rules, use the appropriate equipment and be generally responsible, there’s is a good chance that they will be able to avoid serious injury and accidents with the added bonus of using those skills throughout the scootering period of their life.

Here are some of the basic safety skills you can teach your child about riding a scooter: Basic Road Safety Laws - Scooters may be ridden on footpaths unless signs specifically prohibit them for doing so.

- Scooter Riders must keep to the left and give way to other pedestrians.

- Scooter Riders are not allowed to scooter on the roads

- Be respectful of pedestrians, especially the elderly.

What To Wear: Helmet - They will need to wear the helmet with the chinstrap firmly fastened and not twisted. (For the best protection, choose a bicycle helmet that is Australian standard approved).

Protective Gear - teach them to wear knee and elbow pads from an early age.

Once they have a little more experience riding and want to start showing off their fancy moves, wrist guards might be needed too.

There are equipment safety checks that you as parent should regularly carry out to ensure your child’s scooter is safe. It’s also a good opportunity for you to teach your child how to check the safety of the equipment that they are using as well.

Check That The Scooter Has: - Good Brakes - No Sharp Edges - The Steering Column Locks Easily, Won’t Collapse And Isn’t Too Short For Your Child - A Bell or Horn - Handlebar Grips Don’t Swivel - The Running Board is High Off The

- Safety Advice To Teach Them Should Include:

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WHAT IS A GOOD SCOOTER CHOICE? Globber scooters are built to outlast even the most robust kid. The new EVO Comfort also allows you to adjust the product to the exact height, comfort and movement stages of your child, giving it even more longevity.

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TODDLER

Ground - Anti-Skid Footboards are intact Learning To Scoot - Find a safe area for your child to learn how to use their scooter like your back yard or a park, that’s away from roads, driveways and steep slopes before heading onto a footpath - Supervise your child when they are riding a scooter on the footpath before judging whether they can scoot ahead safely.

- Always make sure a grown-up is with your child while they are riding, at least until they are 10 years old.

Teach your child the road safety rules.

What’s a Good Scooter Choice?

When considering what scooter to purchase, choose the Globber EVO Comfort.

This 3-wheel Scooter has been designed to grow with your child from 12mths to 9yrs.

A My Child Magazine mum reviewed the EVO comfort and here what she had to say:

was a quality product. The Evo was easy to put together and I love how you can use the scooter as a ride on until your child is ready to scoot all on their own. The ride offered is very smooth, even on bumpy footpaths. I assume this is because the wheels are made with a higher quality material than other scooter’s available in the market. The stability and easy steering are just amazing, all these little things are what make the Globber EVO Comfort exceptional. I will be recommending this scooter to any family and friends that are looking to purchase a scooter for their child”.

Globber was founded in 2014 by experts with more than 20 years of experience in the riding & scooter industry. Globber has quickly established itself as a key player in the scooter market. With toddler, kids, teenager and adult scooters available, Globber transforms the conventional scooter with its reliable and innovative design. Globber encourages a fun and healthy lifestyle, while making everyday life a whole lot easier (and stylish)!

Now, that’s a good reason to consider a Globber scooter. www.globber.com.au

“From the moment I received my daughter’s EVO comfort scooter, I knew this

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June 2018 Recipes BREAKFAST

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Creamy vanilla porridge with brown sugar apples INGREDIENTS

4 SERVINGS

* 2 cups (180g) rolled oats * 3 cups (750ml) milk * 300ml pure (thin) cream, * 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped * Brown sugar apples * 2 red apples, cored, cut into 1cm-thick wedges * 2 tablespoons brown sugar * 2 tablespoons honey

METHOD * Step 1: Place oats, milk, cream and vanilla pod and seeds in a saucepan over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until oats are tender and the mixture is thick and creamy (you can add a little more milk if becoming too thick). * Step 2: For the brown sugar apples, place the apple, sugar and honey in a saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until apple is tender, golden and sticky. * Step 3: Divide the porridge among four bowls (including one for Goldilocks!), top with apple, drizzle with honey syrup and serve.

Photo Credit: Brett Stevens June 2018 | mychild June 2018 | mychild

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French toast with tomatoes, mushrooms and pesto Photo Credit: Ben Dearnley

* 0:15 Prep * 0:27 Cook * 4 Serving

INGREDIENTS * 8 flat mushrooms, stems trimmed * 240g pkt cherry truss tomatoes * 45g butter, chopped * 20g (1/4 cup) finely grated parmesan * 1 tablespoon chopped fresh continental parsley * 3 crusty sourdough bread rolls * 2 eggs, lightly whisked * 125ml (1/2 cup) milk * 2 tablespoons basil pesto METHOD * Step 1: Preheat oven to 220°C. Place the mushrooms, stem-side up, and tomatoes in a baking dish. Divide one-third of the butter among the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until tender. * Step 2: Meanwhile, combine the parmesan and parsley on a large plate. Trim the ends from the bread rolls and cut each roll diagonally into 4 slices. Combine the egg and milk in a large, shallow dish. Soak the bread in the egg mixture, turning, until all the liquid is absorbed. * Step 3: Melt half the remaining butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook half the bread for 2-3 minutes each side or until golden. Add to the parmesan mixture. Toss to lightly coat. Transfer to a plate. Cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining butter, bread and parmesan mixture. Divide the toast, mushrooms and tomatoes among serving plates. Top with the pesto.

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Hot and sour prawn soup INGREDIENTS

LUNCH * 0:35 Prep * 0:25 Cook * 4 Servings

* 250g rice stick noodles * 1 1/2 litres (6 cups) Massel chicken style liquid stock * 1-2 tablespoons green curry paste to taste (see related recipe) * 1 tablespoon soy sauce * 1 tablespoon caster sugar * 1 lime, juiced * 2 tomatoes, chopped * 2 celery stalks, sliced * 20 green prawns (tails intact), peeled * Chilli, to serve * Bean sprouts, to serve * Coriander, to serve * Mint leaves, to serve

METHOD Soak rice stick noodles in boiling water according to packet instructions. Drain and set aside. Place chicken stock, green curry paste to taste, soy sauce, sugar and lime juice in a large pan and bring to the boil. Add tomatoes and celery stalks. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 5 minutes until tomatoes have softened slightly. Add prawns, then cook for 2-3 minutes until just cooked through. Divide noodles among bowls. Spoon soup and prawns over. Serve with chilli, bean sprouts, coriander and mint leaves.

Photo Credit: Ian Wallace

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Chicken and pumpkin pasta bake

* 0:15 Prep * 0:30 Cook * 4 Servings

INGREDIENTS * 1kg butternut pumpkin, peeled, cut into 1.5cm pieces * Olive oil cooking spray * 3 cups (375g) wholemeal penne pasta * 300ml light thickened cream * 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard * 2 cups shredded barbecued chicken * 150g smooth reduced-fat ricotta * Baby spinach, to serve METHOD * Step 1: Preheat oven to 200C/180C fanforced. Line 1 large baking tray with baking paper. Place pumpkin, in a single layer, on prepared tray. Spray with oil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden and tender.

Photo Credit: Rob Palmer

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* Step 2: Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water, following packet directions, until tender. Drain. Return to pan. Add pumpkin, cream, mustard and chicken. Season with salt and pepper. * Step 3: Preheat grill on high. Spoon pasta mixture into a greased 6cm-deep, 8 cup capacity baking dish. Dollop with ricotta. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes or until golden. Serve with spinach.

DINNER * 0:10 Prep * 1:10 Cook * 6 Servings

Lentil stew

INGREDIENTS * 2 tablespoons olive oil * 1 brown onion, finely chopped * 1 celery stick, finely chopped * 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced * 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano leaves, plus extra to serve * 1 1/2 cups French style green lentils, rinsed, drained * 1L Massel vegetable liquid stock * 400g can cherry tomatoes * Roti bread, to serve * Yoghurt, to serve

METHOD * Step 1: Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion, celery, garlic and oregano, stirring, for 10 minutes or until softened. Stir in lentils. Add Massel Liquid Stock Vegetable Style and bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes. Stir through tomatoes and simmer, covered, for another 15 minutes.

Season. * Step 2: Serve sprinkled with extra oregano, roti bread and yoghurt.

Photo Credit: Guy Bailey June 2018 | mychild June 2018 | mychild

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Chicken, chorizo & potato pie * 0:20 Prep * 0:55 Cook * 6 Servings

INGREDIENTS * 400g cream delight potatoes, peeled, cut into 4cm pieces (see note) * 60ml (1/4 cup) water * 2 teaspoons olive oil * 2 chicken breast fillets, cut into 4cm pieces * 1 chorizo sausage, cut into 1cm slices diagonally * 1 leek, trimmed, thinly sliced * 2 sprigs fresh thyme * 1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves picked * 2 sheets (25 x 25cm) frozen puff pastry, just thawed * 1 egg, lightly whisked * Fresh rosemary sprig, to serve * Sour cream or creme fraiche (optional), to serve

METHOD * Step 1: Place the potato and water in a large heatproof microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Cook in microwave on High/800watts/100% for 8 minutes or until just tender. Drain. * Step 2: Meanwhile, heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook half the chicken, stirring, for 4-5 minutes or until light golden and almost cooked through.

Transfer to a heatproof bowl. Repeat with the remaining chicken. * Step 3: Add chorizo to pan and cook, turning occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until light golden. Add leek, thyme and rosemary and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes or until the leek is soft. Add the potato and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until well combined. Transfer to the bowl with the chicken.

Toss gently to combine. Set aside for 30 minutes to cool slightly. * Step 4: Preheat oven to 200°C. Line 1 large baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Place 1 pastry sheet on the tray.

Place half the chicken mixture in the centre of the pastry and shape to form a circle, leaving a 3cm border. Fold pastry edge over the filling to partially enclose, leaving the centre of the pie open. Repeat with remaining pastry and chicken mixture to make a second pie. Brush the pastry edges with egg.

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* Step 5: Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the pastry is golden and cooked through. Set aside on the tray for 5 minutes to cool slightly. Top with rosemary and serve with sour cream or creme fraiche.

DESSERT * 0:15 Prep * 0:30 Cook * Makes 12

Apple and sultana scrolls

INGREDIENTS * Melted butter, to grease * 300g (2 cups) self-raising flour * 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar * 1/4 teaspoon mixed spice * 60g chilled butter, cubed * 125ml (1/2 cup) milk * 65g (1/3 cup) sultanas * Plain flour, to dust * 1 large (about 200g) granny smith apple, peeled, cored, coarsely grated CHOCOLATE ICING * 45g (1/4 cup) icing sugar mixture * 1 tablespoon cocoa powder * 1 tablespoon milk

METHOD * Step 1: Preheat oven to 200°C. Brush a baking tray with melted butter to lightly grease. * Step 2: Place flour, sugar and mixed spice in a large bowl.

Use your fingers to rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre and add the milk and sultanas. Use a round-bladed knife in a cutting motion to mix until evenly incorporated and the mixture just comes together. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead for 2 minutes or until smooth. * Step 3: Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out dough into a 25 x 30cm rectangle. Sprinkle with apple. Starting from the long side, firmly roll dough into a log. Trim the ends. Cut crossways into twelve 2cm thick slices. Arrange scrolls cutside up, side by side on prepared tray. * Step 4: Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool. * Step 5: Meanwhile, to make the chocolate icing, combine the icing sugar and cocoa powder in a small bowl. Add the milk and stir until combined and smooth. * Step 6: Drizzle scrolls with chocolate icing and serve immediately.

Photo Credit: John Paul Urizar

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Baked apples with crunchy topping

June 2018 Recipes BREAKFAST

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* 0:15 Prep * 0:40 Cook * 4 Servings INGREDIENTS * 1/3 cup orange juice, warmed * 2 tablespoons sultanas * 4 large granny smith apples * 1/4 cup traditional rolled oats * 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon * 2 tablespoons honey * Warmed vanilla custard, to serve

METHOD * Step 1: Preheat oven to 180°C/ 160°C fan-forced. Combine orange juice and sultanas in a bowl. Set aside. Using an apple corer, carefully remove centre of apples.

Using a small knife, score the skin around centre of each apple (this prevents them collapsing during baking). * Step 2: Place apples, touching, into a 5 cup-capacity round baking dish. Drain sultana mixture, reserving orange juice.

Spoon 2 teaspoons sultanas into each apple. Pour reserved orange juice and 1/2 cup cold water into base of dish. Combine oats and cinnamon in a bowl. Drizzle apples with honey. Sprinkle with oat mixture, pressing on lightly to secure. * Step 3: Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until apples are soft and oats golden and crisp.

Serve with pan juices and custard.

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Glow Dreaming The Successful Sleep Aid

Glow Dreaming has been heralded as the most successful sleep aid in the marketplace. It was officially born with a single yet important aim: To help those who suffer from the unique torture of sleep deprivation.

Founder of Glow Dreaming, Cara Benau was inspired to action by her stepdaughter, Nevoh, who lost somebody very dear to her. As a result, bedtime became a harrowing ritual as she feared the worst when she closed her eyes.

It was heartbreaking for Cara and her husband Aloni to see their child go through that kind of pain and it provided a stark reminder of the impact that trauma had on children.

This was the first time that Nevoh had ever experienced death and as a consequence, Nevoh was making a connection between sleep and death.

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Nevoh’s sleep deprivation affected the entire family. It was a tumultuous experience for everyone involved. “We had custody of Nevoh 50% of the time. Given that the death Nevoh experienced was on our side of the family, the fears about sleep and death manifested more-so in our home rather than her mother’s. This fear progressed to a stage where Nevoh was scared to sleep in our home and stopped visiting. The painful stage began when Nevoh would come for a short visit but would never stay overnight. It was at this stage that we were desperate to find a solution” said Cara. Cara and Aloni were devastated and struggled with losing their little girl.

It started impacting Nevoh’s success at school, her social life, and she drastically withdrew from friends and family. This vibrant, beautiful girl had become a shadow of her former self and couldn’t spend quality time with Cara and Aloni as they had previously enjoyed.

It wasn’t just psychological; the physical change was just as drastic. Nevoh developed dark circles under her eyes and her skin became paler by the day.

Nevoh looked more physically ill the longer this went on. It seems she was struggling mind, body and soul, highlighting that age is not important when sleep is at the core of your holistic wellbeing. Without sleep, not only do you cease to be yourself but you cease to function.

Cara and Aloni became desperate and attempted a multitude of different methods in the hope of aiding Nevoh’s sleep. Sleep schools, melatonin drops, change of diet and exercise regime, aromatherapy, frequent visits to the doctor and a highly regarded child psychologist… no stone was left unturned.

A sense of complete hopelessness started creeping in and at this point Cara and Aloni thought a fresh start might just help. Together with Nevoh, a whole new bedroom suite was purchased to help take away the memories and create a fresh, new space but again, to no avail. So desperate to find a solution, they considered moving to see if change on a bigger scale would help.

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As a last resort Aloni, after months of research, discovered the various benefits of some of the latest scientific findings around Red LED Light Therapy and Pink Noise. Cara and Aloni combined this research with the tried and tested organic essential oils and a humidifier. Finally, they saw slow, but steady improvements. Three separate machines used to provide a single outcome, SLEEP. “Excited was an understatement” the Benau’s laughed.

Following their success, they wanted to create a product that would help others avoid the pain and stress that they’d gone through. The idea of one product bringing all the solutions they’d painstakingly trialled together was born. After months of exhaustive research, they reached out to World leading sound specialist Dr Stephane Pigeon who was intrigued by the concept. He worked tirelessly to develop a unique frequency that uses a specific rhythm to encourage drowsiness and help you fall into a state of sleep called Slow Wave Sleep (often referred to as Deep Sleep). The results were dreamy.

Never before had a machine been created to simply cover all the bases in an easy to use product. Assessing the exact sleep issue is incredibly difficult. So rather than trying to force parents to pinpoint the specific root cause, Glow Dreaming was created to cover nearly all the issues. Where one element might fail in fixing the problem, the other two succeed. Incredibly, most see results in the first 6 nights but over time (and with consistent use), the Glow Dreaming becomes a fantastic tool that teaches your child how to sleep in what is not always “perfect” conditions.

Creating these “perfect” conditions is not only near impossible and expensive but it sets them up for future sleep failure, impacting them not just as children but as adolescents and adults too. Glow Dreaming teaches the body to help itself fall asleep by stimulating melatonin production, aligning your slow wave sleep cycle and creating multiple sensory cues that help us fall asleep.

Glow Dreaming is based on scientific research making it a masterful sleep aid. This has resulted in over 20,000 customers getting the sleep they’ve been begging for Australiawide. The Glow Dreaming journey so far has been beyond all expectations for Cara and Aloni. The growth has been organic to date, with happy mothers shouting Glows’ praises from the roof tops. When you help desperate mums on the verge of breakdown they have no issues singing your praises. Each month Glow Dreaming continues to receive thousands of testimonials and success stories and Cara is so happy to share them with the growing Glow Dreaming social community. The Benau’s are extremely proud of the amazing community 130

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that has formed in the afterglow of the product’s success. The Mums who have had success are so quick to help other mothers because they have been there and know that sleep deprivation can be crippling. At the end of the day a community has been created that just wants to bring sleep to those who need it most.

For those mums who are facing sleep challenges with their children, don’t suffer in silence. Sleep deprivation can lead to a whole lot of other issues so put your hand up and ask for help. Don’t be afraid to share the load with your partner, no one should have to face it alone.

COMPONENTS RED LED LIGHT: Uses the same technology used by NASA for its astronauts. Red spectrum light helps stimulate the body’s production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for telling us it’s time for sleep. It combats the damage caused by resetting our internal clocks.

SLOW WAVE SLEEP SOUND THERAPY: utilises what’s called Pink Noise. Unlike white noise it does a lot more than just block out background noise. Pink Noise is the frequency you commonly hear in things like waterfalls, rain and thunder.

World leading sound specialist Dr Stephane Pigeon has created a unique frequency just for Glow Dreaming using a specific rhythm and timing that actually helps cause drowsiness and gets us to fall into a state of sleep called Slow Wave Sleep. It is the most restful and best type of sleep. A recent study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (March 2017) proved that pink noise helps us get to a deeper sleep and improve our memory. This specific frequency is now being tested as a way for slowing down Alzheimer’s disease HUMIDIFER: Helps reduce dampness or heat by using ultrasonic waves to create air moisture and combat the drying effects of heating and air-conditioning.

AROMATHERAPY: Essential oils to heal, harmonise and correct imbalances of the body and mind, The Glow Dreaming gift box features a capsule of the world’s best organic therapeutic-grade essential oil which has been specifically designed by the world’s leading paediatric specialist Dr Bo Hendgen.

ESSENTIAL OILS: TWINKLE STAR by Absolute Essential has been specially formulated using a blend of essential oils scientifically proven to help children sleep.

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TODDLER

5 TOP

Ways

that you can save time as a new mom

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There just never seem to be enough hours in the day – especially as a new parent! You want to spend as much time as possible with your little bundle of joy, but it seems like there is so much work to be done!

You may be struggling to balance latenight feedings, early morning diaper changes, piles of laundry that seem to multiply on their own, and time spent with family and friends – let alone work, house cleaning, and many other routine aspects of life.

What’s a busy Mum to do?

Don’t worry – Baby Brezza is here to help! Here are some of our top tips to save time (and sanity) as a new parent.

TIP #1: SCHEDULE ERRANDS WITH PURPOSE Mum Scheduling Errands You might start to feel a little trapped in your own house, thanks to the many schedule demands of a new baby.

When you do get out, your mind might feel like mush as you try to make sense of which errands need to get done and the best route to go.

Plan your errands with purpose. Make a list at the start of the week and figure out which stores you need to visit for what, and the most efficient order to visit each one. You might have been driving to these local stops for years but writing down each place with a list of what to get will be a lifesaver for your tired brain.

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Then, pick a day to run your errands.

If necessary, ask a friend or family member to join you for help with the baby or to be an extra set of hands during grocery shopping.

TIP #2: LIGHTEN YOUR LAUNDRY LOAD Laundry Loads Before baby, you may have sorted everything into colour-coordinated piles that would impress Crayola.

Now, however, you have so many tiny onesies piling up that the laundry

situation seems hopeless.

Forget your days of meticulous colourmatching, and start washing things in cold water. Because you won’t need to be as particular about sorting, you will save tons of time and can group together more items, which results in less loads, another timesaver.

TIP #3: USE THE RIGHT TOOLS IN THE KITCHEN Kitchen Tools Formula Pro When it comes to bottle prep or making homemade baby food, there are numerous ways that you can save time as a new Mum. For babies that are formula-fed, a real timesaver is a bottle-maker like the Formula Pro. Instead of waiting for water to heat, testing the temperature, measuring formula, then shaking or stirring to the proper consistency, this one machine does it all with the press of a button.

The water tank and formula dispenser will hold enough to make 20 8-ounce bottles and the machine only takes 30 seconds or less to complete the task.

We especially love this convenience during 3 a.m. feedings or if you have multiples! Having twins or triplets means that there are two or three times the bottles to be made - making this tool a real lifesaver.

If you’re making homemade baby food, then investing in a one-step baby food

maker that automatically blends after steaming is another kitchen timesaver.

Instead of having to steam baby’s food then transfer it to a blender, do everything in one appliance – automatically.

Simply put the food into the baby food maker, choose your settings, then let the appliance go to work while you tackle other tasks. Once the machine is finished, pour the food into pouches for later, clean the dishwasher-safe bowl, and meal prep for baby is done!

TIP #4: MAKE CLEANING QUICK AND CONVENIENT Home Cleaning As a new Mum, you probably are looking for the easiest ways to keep everything clean and tidy around the house. Make routine tasks faster by keeping wipes and sprays in convenient spots for quick clean-up. A bottle of cleaner and a roll of paper towel under each sink is perfect for touch-ups. A sweeper with cleaning cloths is a good

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way to keep floors clean in-between vacuum sessions.

In the kitchen, you may start to feel like you’re cleaning, and sanitizing baby bottles ALL the time. Make the task simpler with a bottle sterilizer and dryer in one. This handy device can sterilize bottles, removing up to 99.9% of bacteria. Add an optional drying cycle to have clean, dry bottles ready for baby’s next feeding. The best part?

The sanitation process only takes 8 minutes and bottles stay sterile for up to 24 hours in the un-opened container.

TIP #5: LET THE SMALL STUFF GO! Relaxed Mum The truth is that there will always be one more task or to-do on your list. But your baby’s first few weeks, months, and years of life will go by so fast. Don’t let the small stuff distract you from baby’s big moments.

Baby Brezza is here to help make the ordinary tasks easier, so you can enjoy the special moments longer. Keep these five tips in mind and you’ll find that life with baby will become easier, though it might not ever get less busy!

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