DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
Ways to GIVE BACK this NATURAL Christmas Sunscreen Travels with my Children
Summer
FUN
2
PALMY PARENT â–ª PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
EDITOR’S NOTE It becomes a cliche every year, but nevertheless… how is it that we’re already at the end of one year and start of another?! The silly season is well underway as I write this, with Christmas parties and end-of-year events galore. Make sure you take the time to breathe in amongst it all. Watch your baby’s faces as they take in the sights and sounds. Don’t get swept up in the commercialism. Enjoy each other’s company and the long days and warm nights that Summer brings, and prioritise presence over presents as much as possible. For those who are planning on getting away from home and going overseas, there are travel tips aplenty gleaned from our time spent travelling earlier this year. In developmental play this issue we cover some great ways to enjoy time outside with your young ones, and there’s a lovely craft article for some DIY decorations to look back on in years to come. Feilding’s Kowhai Park features as our Family Friendly Outing, and if you’re concerned about all the sun your wee ones may be exposed to, we review some natural sunblocks too. Make sure to catch part two of our series on the amazing social capabilities of babies - fascinating reading as ever, courtesy of the Brainwave Trust. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, have some time off, and look forward to a joyous 2019.
Erin Evis, Editor
ADVERTISE IN PALMY PARENT Palmerston North Parents Centre has a circulation of over 250 magazines per issue. These are sent to all current members as well as Plunket, midwives and other community groups. Our rates are extremely competitive and we would love your support by way of an advertisement. Also, in addition to our outstanding rates, we offer you a FREE advertorial on your business if you commit to either four or six adverts per annum. For more information contact our Business Relations Officer by email at: palmyparent@hotmail.com One-off price
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Mission s tatement Positive birth experiences and informed parenting in a community where parents are supported and highly valued in their role.
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Disclaimer: Opinions and articles in this magazine do not necessarily reflect Parents Centre NZ policy. Advertising in this magazine does not imply endorsement by Parents Centre. ISSUE 286 ▪ DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
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CONTENTS COVER STORY Travels with my Children
12
Ways to give back this Christmas
14
Summer Fun
22
FEATURES Pregnancy Nausea & Vomiting
15
The Amazing Social Capabilities of Babies Part Two
16
IN EVERY ISSUE
GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? Want to share some helpful advice or a great book you’ve read? Let us know and we’ll share it with our members. Or, if you would like to have your baby’s photos printed, write about your birth experience, review a book or a family friendly venue you have visited recently, we’d love to hear from you! Email the Editor at:
palmyparenteditor@gmail.com
Editor’s note
3
PNPC seminars & events
6
Welcome to the World!
8
What’s on ... In our region
10
Book Review
11
Birth Story: It’s a Girl!!
20
Product Review: Natural Sunscreen
24
Nappy Godmother
26
Family Friendly Outings: Kowhai Park Feilding
28
Craft: Baby feet Baubles
30
Community support groups
32
Member discounts
33
Playgroups in your area
34
CONTRIBUTORS
E r i n E v i s , L a u r a We n d e n - G r e e n , S t e p h O’Connor, Fritha Dodds, K ate Dent Rennie, Helena Slako, Inez McCaughan Front cover: Penny swimming in Lake Taupo Back cover: Photo by Kim Sargent Photography
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PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
ISSUE 286 â–ª DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
5
PNPC Seminars & Events
December & January BABY AND YOU CLASSES
Wednesday 5, 12, 19 December Wednesday 23 & 30 January, and Monday 4 February This program follows on from antenatal classes and offers sound tips and strategies as you begin your remarkable journey into parenthood during the fourth trimester. The class is best suited to babies 0-6 weeks. Bring your baby with you for the 3 sessions of the course.
Handmade baby linen & accessories Bassinet & Cot Sheets Change Mat Covers Blankets/Quilts Nursery Cushions Custom Orders
Cost: $40 per family
To register please see our website: http://www.palmyparentscentre.org.nz/ All seminars and events can be found in our calendar on the website. For any queries please email: info@palmyparentscentre.org.nz
Visit our website to shop emmersonsnest.bigcartel.com
facebook.com/emmersonsnest @emmersonsnest emmersonsnest@gmail.com
Parent Centre Partners:
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PALMY PARENT â–Ş PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
Members’ Offers: FREE barista hot drink or pair of grips socks when you present your membership card at a Coffee & Kids morning on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-12pm for children under 6, $7 per child
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Enter the coupon code PARENTS20 at the checkout to SAVE on selected items at The Sleep Store To see which items you can apply the discount to visit www.thesleepstore.co.nz/content/parentscentre
Unique Beginnings
Visit www.thesleepstore.co.nz/content/parentscentre for further details & exclusions on this offer. Coupon applies to selected items listed on this webpage, Offer cannot be used with coupons, vouchers, discounts, 2-pack offers or combo deals. Cannot be used on shipping fee or other brand items, gift cards or in conjunction with any other offer or discount. The Sleep Store reserves the right to update or amend this offer at any time.
with Rebecca Robinson
Birth preparation & beyond, Lactation Consultant support
www.uniquebeginnings.co.nz
5% OFF all services
ph: 021 066 0394
ISSUE 286 â–Ş DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
7
Welcome TO THE WORLD!
Welcome to all the new babies born to our wonderful Parent Centre members! If there are any corrections to the list below, please email palmyparenteditor@gmail.com
Class: June 14th 2018 | Hostess: Jenna Elrick | CBE: Jess White
Lucy
Cameron Kane born to
Riley
James Elliott
Rose Allcock
born to
born to
born to
Samantha Cameron & William Kane 28 July 2018
Reuben
James Pope born to
Claire & Ryan Pope on
16 August 2018
8
Emily
Paul McCorkindale Natalie & Paul McCorkindale
on
Dustin
Idrene & Steve Elliott
Gemma & William Allcock
29 July 2018
8 August 2018
16 August 2018
Ardie
Ruth
on
Peter Stone born to
on
Eleanor Birkin born to
Kirston Miers & Fraser Stone
Amanda & Luke Birkin
23 August 18
31 August 2018
on
PALMY PARENT â–Ş PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
on
on
Alice
Leona Birkin born to
Emily & Joel Birkin on
02 September 2018
Class: July 10th 2018 | Hostess: TaashMoratti | CBE: Jess White
Amelia
Isabella
James Hastings
Mackenzie
Ivy Flipp
born to
Bessie Nicholson
born to
born to
Angela & Logan Hastings
Samantha & Ben Flipp
Cheyenne & Ken Nicholson
21/08/18
28/08/18
29/08/18
on
Harrison
on
on
James
Gregory Whitcombe
Holly
Anne Work
Shavannah Jill Free
Alexander Ronald Short
born to
born to
born to
born to
Roxane & Greg Whitcombe
Stacey & Gareth Work
Belinda Pullan & Colin Free
Natalie & Richard Short
3/09/2018
9/09/2018
14/09/18
14/09/18
on
on
Millie
Jed
on
on
Lola
Isabelle Amanda Larsen
Louise Vlassoff
Anna & Hayden Gould
Hannah Davenport & Callum Larsen
Vicki & Jordan Vlassoff
22/09/18
3/10/2018
7/10/2018
William Gould born to
born to
born to
on
on
on
Olivia
Lachlan
Peel-McGregor
Charles Webb
born to
born to
Hannah RobĂŞrt & Ry Peel-McGregor
Michelle MacLachlan & Brad Webb
07/10/18
16/10/18
on
on
ISSUE 286 â–Ş DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
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What’s On ... in our region Christmas
PARADES
Taihape Christmas Parade Taihape, Taihape Sat 1 Dec 12:00pm
Horowhenua Christmas Carnival Levin Domain, Levin Sat 1 Dec 4:00pm Palmerston North Christmas Parade The Square, Palmerston North Sun 2 Dec 12:00pm Mainstreet Whanganui Christmas Parade Victoria Ave, Whanganui, Whanganui Sat 8 Dec 2:00pm Ashhurst Christmas Parade Ashhurst Village Valley Centre, Ashhurst Sat 8 Dec 10:00am
FUN FOR THE FAMILY Feilding IA & P Show Manfeild, Feilding Fri 29 Nov - Sat 1 Dec Free admission Carncot School Gala Carncot School, Palmerston North Sat 1 Dec 10:00am
Picnic In the Pinetum Ian McKean Pinetum, Rangiwahia, Feilding and District Sat 1 Dec 11:00am Ra Hokohoko (Gala Day) Cheltenham School, Feilding Sat 1 Dec 11:00am Manawatu Craft and Food Fair Barber Hall, Palmerston North Sat 1 Dec - Sun 2 Dec 10am - 3pm The Great NZ Santa Run/Walk The Square, Palmerston North Wed 5 Dec 6:30pm Feilding Rotary Christmas Cave Feilding Little Theatre Players, Feilding Sat 8 Dec - Mon 24 Dec 10:30am - 3:30pm Carols By Candlelight 2018 Virginia Lake Reserve, Whanganui Sun 9 Dec 7:00pm Christmas In the Square 2018 - The Story of Christmas The Square, Palmerston North Sat 15 Dec 4:00pm Mother and Father Christmas At the Railway Palmerston North Esplanade Scenic Railway, Palmerston North Sat 15 Dec - Sun 16 Dec 12:00pm - 4:00pm Carols by Candlelight Feilding Civic Centre, Feilding, Feilding and District Sun 16 Dec 6:30pm Community Christmas Party Christian Community Church, Palmerston North Sun 16 Dec 10:00am Feilding’s Living Christmas Manchester Square, Feilding, Feilding and District Mon 17 Dec 5:30pm Carols In the Park Memorial Park, Palmerston North Wed 19 Dec 6:00pm New Years Eve In The Square 2018 The Event Quadrant, Palmerston North Mon 31 Dec 6:00pm The Long Lunch Kowhai Park, Feilding, Feilding and District Sat 19 Jan 2019 11:30am Summer Sports Family Fun Day Monrad Park, Palmerston North Fri 25 Jan 2019 11:00am Turakina Highland Games Turakina Domain, Marton Sat 26 Jan 2019 8:30am
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PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE HECTOR
and the Big Whale
Written By Rith Paul Review by Steph O’Connor
This is a gorgeous new picture book for young children to find out all about the tiny and endangered Hector’s dolphin. From award-winning picture book creator Ruth Paul, this new series about New Zealand’s Hector’s dolphins is both informative and entertaining. Little Hector is just little but has a heart full of adventure. On his mission, he meets many dangers, including his cousin the orca. However, his encounter with a giant of the ocean helps him appreciate just how special he his, despite his stature. It’s a charming, subtle story of friendship, acceptance and celebrating your uniqueness. The softness of the illustrations compliments the ocean setting of the story and the characters are charming with their friendly expressions, especially Little Hector. Children will love meeting Little Hector and his friends, and will also learn how we can help to look after our precious marine environment. The back cover is full of Hector’s dolphin facts that will inspire Little Kiwis to help look after our most precious marine inhabitants.
BOOK GIVEAWAY Be in to win this issue’s reviewed book!
FUN & A FIX
COFFEE & KIDS
find us on
To enter the draw to win this issue’s book, email your name, membership number and the title of the book to palmnthpc@gmail.com. Entries for the next draw must be received by January 15th. The winner’s name will be printed in the next issue of the Palmy Parent and the book will be posted to you.
TUES, WED & THURS 10am-12pm
Bruce McKenzie’s Booksellers is situated in George Street beside the entrance to the Palmerston North Library. Bruce McKenzie’s carries an enormous range of books from children’s to specialist nonfiction and is definitely worth a visit. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask the staff who are always willing to help.
$7 PER CHILD PARENTS/CAREGIVERS FREE
06 355 2442 INFO@FLIPCITY.CO.NZ
The children’s book reviewed above has been generously donated by Bruce McKenzie Booksellers on George Street, Palmerston North to give away to a lucky Parents Centre Member.
Congratulations to: BREASTFEEDING WELCOME HERE
Tara Parkes who has won a copy of ‘Hooray for Fish’ ISSUE 286 ▪ DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
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FEATURE
Travels with my By Erin Evis At this time of year many of us will be leaving town to visit family, friends and have a bit of a Summertime adventure. The thought of travelling with children and babies can be somewhat daunting however, and certainly presents a number of challenges those who haven’t yet embarked on parenthood, or whose children have grown up, don’t have to think about. My husband and I recently took our children - ages 22 months and 4.5 years - on an adventure to the other side of the world, and spent a month in the UK, France and Singapore. On the way we learnt a lot of lessons, and faced a number of challenges, but the way our children blossomed in our time away was incredible, and the memories we made and fun we had made it all worth it. We have been asked many times since “How did you do it with the kids? I wouldn’t be brave enough!”. Here’s our answer, in the way of our top travel tips for getting around with wee ones. Within New Zealand Always start packing a day or two ahead of time at latest, and use a list. Write down everything you’re going to need for yourselves, and for each child. Don’t forget phone chargers, toiletries, medications or supplements, and consider the needs of your young ones - make sure you remember to bring enough nappies, wipes, sunscreen, multiple changes of clothes per day, sleeping bags, and anything else you may need. Pack the car the night before you leave, if travelling in the morning, to avoid any last-minute drama and ensure everything fits in nicely. If you’re flying, make sure to brief your children well beforehand about what happens. If they don’t have their own seat, i.e. they’re under two, try to give them ample warning about the lap-belt they’ll have to wear to attach them to yours, and that they must wear it. Prepare for the possibility of sore ears and bring something to distract your children during take-off and landing. Breastfeed if you’re breastfeeding, or consider using a dummy, bottle, snacks,
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Children
or anything else they can drink or chew on to avoid earpopping pain. We flew Air New Zealand domestically and the staff were brilliant when our youngest started to squeal; an inventive DIY rattle made of two plastic cups taped together and filled with lollies kept her entertained for 40 minutes (and then throughout the rest of our holiday!).
Make sure your accommodation is well set-up for your family’s needs. Call ahead if needed and speak to staff about any requirements you may have. If you use cloth nappies, consider either using disposables or have a contingency for getting things cleaned and travelling with bags of soiled nappies. In the summer heat they really aren’t much fun. Travelling internationally We took a night flight for our first leg of the trip, and departed Auckland at midnight. This meant things were a little tricky initially, as we arrived at 8pm and had hours to spend with two very grumpy, up-past-bedtime children; however, once on board the plane they slept the whole flight to Singapore, which was fantastic. Night flights are definitely worth it if you can manage to keep them happy beforehand. We found a quiet corner in a bar in the terminal and Mr 4.5 fell asleep on my legs for an hour - perfect. Call your airline ahead of time and request a bassinet for infants, or toddlers if you think your child may fit, even if they’re outside the normal age or weight limit. They make for excellent storage, a great way to get relief from sore arms if your child is on an infant ticket and doesn’t have their own seat, and they also mean you’re at the front of the block of seats and have the benefit of excellent leg room and proximity to toilets and kitchens. Infants can comfortably lie down and sleep, and those on our flight slept in them most of the way. Our daughter was much too old but still within the weight and height limits, so our airline changed our seats and gave us bassinets for three of our four long-haul flights, allowing a number of hours of precious rest. If there
PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
to bring physical puzzles along either. Sticker activity books were a hit for both kids, colouring books, and having a few small toys tucked away to bring out such as toy cars and trains. Food was essential, though our two had fun going to the kitchen periodically and asking the flight attendants for snacks, all of whom were very obliging and fantastic with them (to the point of sitting and combing our toddler’s hair for her while I slept!).
are other passengers who are younger they will take priority, but it is worth checking anyway. They may also change your seating arrangements to give you a spare seat if there is one available at no extra cost.
Aim for a stopover. We flew to the UK with no real break, and it was very hard on the kids, especially over the second, much longer flight. By the time we touched down in Heathrow they were both absolutely shattered, and it took a while to get through the jetlag. On the way back we stopped for a day in Singapore and were able to sleep (pro-tip: you can hire hotel rooms at the airport in six hour blocks!), go on a free guided tour of the city for several hours of exploration, visit the butterfly park and playgrounds, eat, shop, shower, and leave for home totally refreshed and feeling fantastic. The kids loved the change of scene and being in another part of the world, and it made a huge difference to the last leg of our trip, helping fight the post-holiday blues that were already beginning to creep in by that stage.
Consider your luggage requirements and how to get around. Do you need to take your car seat, or can you hire or buy one at your destination? Do you have friends you could borrow cots, buggies and other paraphernalia from? If so, how will you get around the airport and transfers comfortably? What are the laws around travelling with infants in the country you’re visiting - are your car seats legal there? How do taxis work, and do they have seats? The more you know, the more you can minimise what you take and maximise your luggage space and ease of getting around. Also make sure you consider travel in cities if you’re going somewhere with an underground system. Because lugging a toddler, a preschooler, and 100kg of luggage spread over two large suitcases, three trolley bags and a large backpack through the Paris metro system (which, incidentally, has virtually no lifts, very few escalators and an awful lot of flights of concrete steps) at rush hour is not much fun. Ahem. *Huge thanks to the enormously generous, overwhelmingly kind Parisians who every time, without fail went out of their way to help us every single stage - up and down the steps, on and off trains, through gates, down escalators, all without a second thought. Bring baby carriers and know how to use them. Make sure you have one for each adult, make sure they’re comfortable, and they will make life much easier. Remember that many can be used for preschoolers too, and are useful even for those kids who are normally great walkers. We used them all over the UK (even with eager grandparents happy to take over duties!), in Paris and in transit too. Entertainment is key on long-haul flights, particularly if your children are past the infant stage; don’t count on the toy packs (a notebook and a bag - not overly helpful) or TV screens necessarily, as the children’s selection is minimal, often questionable, and has at most two or three episodes of a show. We found very little that even our 4.5 year old could watch - however, we had downloaded a number of episodes of various shows from Netflix onto our tablet, which helped a lot for both kids. As did the free jigsaw puzzle app which kept him entertained for hours with thousands of puzzles (and in which you can change the number of pieces and degree of difficulty), and meant we didn’t have
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ISSUE 286 ▪ DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
13
SEASONAL FEATURE
Ways to GIVE BACK this Christmas By Erin Evis
Christmas is meant to be a time of giving, yet the essence of what that means can be easily overshadowed by the endless commercialism that tarnishes the season. Here are some ways to incorporate the spirit of giving into your lives that you can do with your wee ones.
old One: Visit an folks home Many retirement villages and rest homes are happy to have visits from children and infants. Why not contact your local one to arrange a time to visit the residents with your young ones, and bring some joy to their day? Plunket often do arranged visits too contact your local office and see if you can join in their next excursion.
number of churches do Christmas shoeboxes, Bunnings has a Christmas appeal going with all goods donated to Women’s Refuge, the Kmart Wishing Tree is in place with all gifts going to the Salvation Army for distribution, and there are many options online such as Christmas Box, charity appeals, and Oxfam’s ‘gift a goat’ alternative present ideas.
He
Just Zilch is a local organisation who provide free meals and food to hundreds of people in Palmerston North every single day, no questions asked. If you have extra produce in your garden, or other food to donate, why not drop it off, or get involved as a volunteer?
Four
gift a e v a e L . o Tw for a child in need
There are a number of organisations getting behind this idea, so find one that resonates with you and help your children choose some gifts for those less fortunate. Talk about what the recipients may want or need, and allow your child room to think of something they think would be special to another child. A 14
l p o Three i l c h ! ut Just Z
r Bake fo those who look after us
Another group to consider are those who serve the community. Get the kids into the kitchen to make some Christmas goodies, and take them into your local police station, fire service or any other group or organisation who give to the community, as a way of saying thanks.
PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Pregnancy, Nausea & Vomiting By Helena Slako DipHerbMed, NBNatMed, MNZAMH
Morning sickness is wrongly named. Nausea and vomiting do not just occur just in the morning, but at any stage day or night. Instead it should be called “pregnancy sickness”.
levels. Quality protein before bedtime can maintain glucose levels throughout night. Dry crackers eaten before rising can reduce nausea and vomiting in the morning.
‘Pregnancy sickness’ affects most pregnant women at some stage or another, often at its worst in the 1st trimester. This is nothing new I hear you say: “we know that!” Sometimes nausea and vomiting can be quite severe extending beyond the 1st trimester, far into the 2nd and at times the entire pregnancy. This condition is called ’Hyperemesis’. Hyper means over/above; emesis is the medical term for nausea/vomiting. Pregnant women affected in this way are often hospitalised, and placed on a drip to maintain fluids.
Quality supplementation of vitamin B6 at 25mg per day. High vitamin B6 foods include: Brewer’s yeast, sunflower seeds, legumes, walnuts, whole grains, fruits, green leafy vegetables (spinach, silver beet), organ meats (liver, kidneys etc), eggs, wheat germ, prunes, avocado, garlic and nuts.
So what causes nausea and vomiting during pregnancy? Often there is more than 1 reason nausea occurs. A combination of several factors can contribute to form an overall larger picture of health, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Progesterone, the hormone responsible for maintaining a pregnancy increases rapidly once conception occurs - this is quite normal. However, the body is not used to such high levels, so it can take a while to adjust or stabilise. Circulating oestrogens within blood and tissues after conception may cause problems too, by stimulating an increase in progesterone production to counteract oestrogens. This can create an imbalance of hormones increasing nausea. The most important factor in pregnancy sickness is blood sugar fluctuations. This may be caused by not eating often or eating enough. Blood glucose levels drop causing hypoglycaemia: hypo means less/under. Glycaemia is the medical term for glucose. Blood glucose levels usually are at the lowest around 3am onwards. On waking it is often then that nausea and vomiting is at its worst. This gives rise to the term “morning sickness”. With some women, fluctuating blood sugars continue throughout daytime, hitting another low before dinner. This may be compounded by poor stomach acid production or digestive problems, reducing further the ability to process foods.
Quality zinc supplementation of 8-11mgs per day. High zinc foods include: seafood, pumpkin seeds, liver, red meats, eggs, nuts, beans, whole grains and brewer’s yeast. Quality EFA fish oils at 3000mgs daily Vitamin K can be increased by ensuring good healthy bacteria in the bowel. Supplementing quality bowel flora or acidophilus yogurt with the herb slippery elm powder can help to increase flora and vitamin K production. Herbs can be helpful! Many herbs are not to be taken during pregnancy; however some are safe and may relieve symptoms. Ginger root: the best herb for nausea and vomiting. Grate ½ teaspoons of root per cup boiling water, infuse 10 minutes and sip regularly. Other options: ginger powder, ginger tablets, crystallised ginger or ginger beer (last 2 contain sugar). Peppermint tea: reduces mild nausea and supports digestion. Chamomile tea: for mild nausea, increases/supports digestion, calms and supports sleep. Lemon balm tea: mild nausea and increases digestion.
Liver function is very important as it is the body’s manufacturing plant, processing foods we eat and ensuring removal of unwanted waste. The liver also stores glucose. When the liver dysfunctions, food is not processed properly providing less available nutrition. Unwanted substances continue to circulate, which may cause toxicity increasing nausea. A lack of stored glucose may compound the hypoglycaemia scenario. Nutritional deficiencies can also be a problem. Oral contraceptive use prior to pregnancy or insufficient diet can cause nutritional deficiencies of vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin K, and EFA omega 3/6. So what can you do? Try eating little and often. This supports digestion, reduces liver and stomach overload while supporting stable blood glucose ISSUE 286 ▪ DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
15
FEATURE
The Amazing Social Capabilities
of Babies
Part Two
Author: Kate Dent Rennie Babies have amazing capabilities. From birth they use these capabilities to maintain a relationship with their primary caregiver. In Part One of this series we explored the social capacities that are established in the days and weeks after birth. In this second part we will explore that very early in life babies develop a sense of themselves as separate to others, they are actively learning how to interact with their environment and their parents/caregivers. Who am ‘I’ in the world It used to be believed that infants, in their early months, were in a state of ‘symbiosis’ with their mother – experiencing themselves as merged with or undifferentiated from her (e.g. Mahler et al., 1975, cited by Stern, 1985). There is now considerable evidence that right from their first days of life babies begin to experience themselves as a single entity, separate from others and from the environment, even though a fully coherent and integrated sense of self takes a number of years to develop (Beebe & Lachmann, 2002; Stern, 1985). On their first day of life, for example, new born infants distinguish their own cry from other babies’ cries, responding differently when they hear a recording of their own cries, to how they do when they hear a recording of another baby’s cries (Martin & Clark, 1982). Infants in this study cried in response to hearing another baby’s cries, but cried very little (or stopped crying if they were already crying) when they
heard a recording of their own cry. This implies that they have some sort of auditory “sense of self.” Even in the first hour of life, infants can imitate the facial expression of an adult model. Some researchers have theorised that this is an expression of the infant’s experience of something being “like me” and having an experience of “me with you” (Meltzoff, 1990, cited by Beebe et al., 2005; Meltzoff, 2007) – again implying a sense of “me”. Learning about how the world works Pre-symbolic representations are pre-verbal models of how the world works – i.e. the memories and expectations of how things are. These are developed long before the capacity to use symbols (words/language) to represent and remember events. There is now a great deal of evidence that infants learn by and from experiences early in life and can identify subtle changes to their environment. Some examples are: New-born infants can learn to time their sucking pauses to make music play. When this association is then removed and the pause length they have learned to use no longer makes the music play, they fuss and cry as their expectations are violated (DeCasper & Carstens, 1981). At as young as 3 months, an infant can learn to move a mobile by kicking his feet (when a ribbon is tied to his ankle and to the mobile). When returned to the same environment a week later the infant will still remember how to move the mobile – by repeating the leg actions that he had learned to use to successfully move the mobile (Singer & Fagen, 1992). Three-month-old infants can remember ‘in detail’ for 24 hours the items on a mobile they have looked at (Fagen, Morrongiello, Rovee-Collier, & Gekoski, 1984; Hayne, Greco, Earley, Griesler, & Rovee-Collier, 1986). When presented with the same mobile on 2 successive days, they will remember having learned to kick their feet to make the mobile move and will repeat this action. However, if the mobile presented to them on the second day is slightly different to the one they learned to move 24 hours earlier, they will treat it as something new, and will not attempt to move it with the kicking action. Learning through interactions with parents/caregivers We now know that through the first year of life, infants are forming representations of their interactions with caregivers. In Tronick’s Still Face procedure (Tronick et al., 1978, cited by Beebe & Lachmann, 2002), for example, a mother is instructed to change from interacting normally with her infant to facing him with a blank expression on her face and not responding to him vocally. Infants as young as 3 months of age react to this unexpected violation of normal contingency with attempts to elicit a response from their mother, mild distress (including elevated heart rate) and withdrawal, and take several minutes to
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PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
recover from this stressful experience after their mother reengages in normal interactions (Tronick, 1989), demonstrating that they are not just living in the moment but are operating from internal representations of how interactions are meant to proceed. Microanalysis of mother-infant face-to-face communication at 4 months of age has identified patterns of interaction that predict attachment at 12 months. Video of just 2½ minutes of mother-infant interaction at 4 months has been used to differentiate future secure vs. insecure interactions, as well as identifying characteristic features of interaction of two of the three categories of insecure attachment (Beebe et al., 2010; Beebe & Lachmann, 2014). By six months of age, an infant’s response to the Still Face procedure becomes stable, and is associated with his/her attachment to his mother at 12 months (Braungart‐Rieker, Garwood, Powers, & Wang, 2001; Cohn, Campbell, & Ross, 1991). Infant researcher Daniel Stern has proposed that infants form generalised pictures of how interactions with their caregivers usually go, and that these guide their expectations and behaviour in relationships (Stern, 1985). Indeed, through attachment research we know that an infant’s ways of relating to caregivers become stable and characteristic by the end of the first year of life. By 12 months of age, an infant’s experiences with his caregivers have been translated into representations of whether or not he can expect support in times of stress, and these representations can be reliably assessed in laboratorybased attachment assessment procedures (Solomon & George, 2008). These findings converge to suggest that infants learn from interactions with their parents/caregivers very early in life
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and these are progressively organised into fairly persistent patterns throughout this first year.
References Beebe, B., Jaffe, J., Markese, S., Buck, K., Chen, H., Cohen, P., . . . Feldstein, S. (2010). The origins of 12-month attachment: A microanalysis of 4-month mother–infant interaction. Attachment & human development, 12(1-2), 3-141. Beebe, B., Knoblauch, S., Rustin, J., Sorter, D., Jacobs, T. J., & Pally, R. (2005). Forms of intersubjectivity in infant research and adult treatment. New York, NY: Other Press. Beebe, B., & Lachmann, F. M. (2002). Infant Research and Adult Treatment: Co-constructing interactions. London: The Analytic Press. Beebe, B., & Lachmann, F. M. (2014). The origins of attachment: New York: Routledge. Braungart‐Rieker, J. M., Garwood, M. M., Powers, B. P., & Wang, X. (2001). Parental sensitivity, infant affect, and affect regulation: Predictors of later attachment. Child Development, 72(1), 252-270. Cohn, J. F., Campbell, S. B., & Ross, S. (1991). Infant response in the still-face paradigm at 6 months predicts avoidant and secure attachment at 12 months. Development and Psychopathology, 3(04), 367-376. DeCasper, A. J., & Carstens, A. A. (1981). Contingencies of stimulation: Effects on learning and emotion in neonates. Infant Behavior and Development, 4, 19-35. Fagen, J. W., Morrongiello, B. A., Rovee-Collier, C., & Gekoski, M. J. (1984). Expectancies and memory retrieval in threemonth-old infants. Child Development, 936-943. Hayne, H., Greco, C., Earley, L., Griesler, P., & Rovee-Collier, C. (1986). Ontogeny of early event memory: II. Encoding and retrieval by 2-and 3-month-olds. Infant Behavior and Development, 9(4), 461-472. Martin, G. B., & Clark, R. D. (1982). Distress crying in neonates: Species and peer specificity. Developmental Psychology, 18(1), 3. Meltzoff, A. N. (2007). ‘Like me’: a foundation for social cognition. Developmental Science, 10(1), 126-134. Singer, J. M., & Fagen, J. W. (1992). Negative affect, emotional expression, and forgetting in young infants. Developmental Psychology, 28(1), 48. Solomon, J., & George, C. (2008). The measurement of attachment security and related constructs in infancy and early childhood. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of Attachment (2nd ed., pp. 383-416). New York, NY: Guilford Press. Stern, D. N. (1985). The Interpersonal World of the Infant. A View from Psychoanalysis and Developmental Psychology. New York (Basic Books) 1985. Tronick, E. (1989). Emotions and emotional communication in infants. American Psychologist, 44(2), 112. This article was first published in BraInwave Trust Newsletter 20, Winter 2014
This article was first published in Brainwave Trust Newsletter 19, Summer 2013 ISSUE 286 ▪ DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
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FEATURE
A BOOK IS
Born
Kaye Arnott (Author) and Laura Wenden Green (Illustrator) have teamed up and created their first children’s novel ‘The Dog and the Mog’ which is being published in December 2018. So how did this debut book come about? Kaye started thinking about writing a children’s book in 2014 after finding that she and her husband were to become grandparents. She had dabbled with writing in verse over the years, found that fun, and this seemed a great way to start the story telling process. There was some advice offered
about the perils of writing in verse but Kaye decided that she wanted to give it a shot.
There were three friends who proof read and edited the story, and professional advice sought from several people in the publishing and retail industries which was most appreciated along the way. One piece of advice stood out. There was originally a line in the story - ‘ There were his balls on the ground and a string with a bow…..’ and it was politely suggested that Kaye may like to rephrase that! The story is written for an age group of two to eight year olds, with nine and ten year olds being able to read it to themselves. It is also an enter taining stor y for adults to read aloud as well. There are now eight stories about Davey the Dog, Mavis the Mog, their owner Bruce, and the various adventures they get up to and the duo is aiming to publish another 2 stories in 2019. It has been a lot of fun creating and telling ‘The Dog and the Mog’ stories, and Kaye wanted to share these well before the first one was illustrated.
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Boho Café in Palmerston North planned to offer monthly Storytime sessions and Kaye jumped at this opportunity. So, since September 2017, Kaye has been telling the various ‘Dog and the Mog’ stories using soft toys and props, rather than just reading from a book and this has gone down a treat with the young audience (their mums and caregivers like getting together for a coffee and chat too, so a win-win all round). It was at one of the Boho’s Storytime sessions that Laura offered to work on the illustrations for the book which has resulted in the first book coming to life and ready to publish. Laura is a self-taught artist/illustrator who has gained the necessary background through the digital, graphic and photographic related jobs
that she has had over the years. This experience has given her the skills required to create the illustrations and make the story ‘pop’. The ‘Dog and the Mog’ is now published, with plans for two more stories to be illustrated and published in 2019. The first book is available to buy on the website (www.kayearnott. co.nz) and through some book retailers now. Kaye has been filmed reading the story and this can be watched on YouTube and the Kaye Arnott Cr eativ e website. The jour ney has star ted slowly but is ramping up rapidly now. Kaye and Laura hope that you join them for the ride! Look out for the book review in the February March 2019 edition of the PalmyParent Magazine.
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BIRTH STORY
It’sISOBEL’S a Girl!!BIRTH STORY As soon as I found out I was pregnant again (I say ‘found out’, but I mean ‘realised’ – as with our son, I knew from conception that another wee one was on the way!), I set about making sure I had the best birth team on my side I could. I sought out an amazing and very experienced home birth midwife to look after us; one who trusts wholeheartedly in the process of birth, and in women’s ability to carry and birth babies safely and healthily, and who fully supports the ethos of informed consent. Throughout my pregnancy she was absolutely incredible, and for her support and guidance I am so truly grateful. Alongside her, we also had the support of a gorgeous first-year student midwife, who also went out of her way to help us and is going to be an absolute legend when she graduates. The pregnancy went without incident, with my midwife keeping a watchful eye on things, my belly growing rounder by the day. at roughly 41 weeks and a few days I was starting to wonder if this was going to be another super long pregnancy. After Eddie’s 42 weeks and 5 days I was prepared to wait however long it took, but hoped it would be soon, and felt like the time was drawing close. Sure enough, after an early start and busy day, I had just sat down to give Eddie a quick breastfeed around 5.15pm when I felt a twinge that felt like more than a normal Braxton Hicks contraction. I looked at the time, shrugged, and ignored it… until there it was again, seven minutes later. And seven after that. I decided to make dinner and get things a bit more organised, timing the surges that just kept coming with regularity but no major increase in speed. My husband arrived home from work, we ate, and after 90mins of timing I told him my suspicions. Feeling like a walk
may help, I suggested we go for a wander around our cul-de-sac, so off the three of us went. Followed by our cat, Toey, who stuck close by the whole way, much to Edward’s amusement!! As we walked I felt a few more contractions that were a bit stronger and longer and closer together, so we got home and quickly put him into bed. I felt more coming even as I lay down nursing him to sleep, which was my biggest confirmation yet that things were indeed happening. By the time he was settled night was drawing in, so we lit a couple of candles in the lounge, put on some fairy lights (err… Father Christmas fairy lights, ‘tis the season and all…!) in the other room, moved the touch lamp into the bathroom eventually too to ensure only dim light there for optimal oxytocin, and set the scene for a beautiful birth. The lounge was warm with the heat pump going, dark except for the candles, and felt so safe and so soothing. Almost womb-like, I suppose, in hindsight! I laboured there in silence for hours through the night, pacing constantly to keep things moving and breathing quietly through the virtually painless contractions, focussing on the feeling of muscles moving to allow baby out. Sometimes I had company, sometimes I kicked them out for some time alone. Melissa (our student midwife) arrived at midnight, and was brilliant support for us both through the long night. Matt and I went for a walk outside not long after, thinking it may help, but I shivered so much I think it actually slowed progress so we went back inside after a few contractions on the side of the road. We called my midwife, Tammi, around 3am after my waters broke, and she provided a calm, reassuring presence, just hovering and observing in the background or the other end of the house, respecting the process and the importance of not interfering, not disturbing things,
Stacey Hynes
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PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
just letting birth unfold in its own time and its own way. And so things kept going. I was super tired from our early start that morning and no sleep, just pacing constantly – if I sat or lay down, contractions would stop – with my feet growing very weary (they hurt more than anything else!). I had a couple of ten minute sleeps on the sofa that helped my energy levels enormously, and which I felt my body was telling me I needed desperately, and after the second I woke up and things suddenly began to pick up pace again. Until now they had been virtually painless, but now we were close to transition and I could feel the oxytocin giving way to adrenaline, with an increased sense of urgency and more sensations of pain and simultaneous clarity and fog. Time was hazy and I lost all concept of minutes, hours, anything except what my body was doing at that moment. I was vaguely aware of people moving in the background to prepare some warm towels for baby, a scramble for the cord tie, and Edward being up and coming in and out of the room. At one point he was sitting in his noisy red car toy with its silly songs playing, which was both totally normal and utterly surreal given what was happening in front of him. And then the second stage really hit, and I won’t lie, it hurt. But those hormones – oh, those hormones! I was on another planet, completely out to it yet acutely aware of just my body and my baby embarking on her descent, hearing noises and people around me as I roared, coming apart at the seams, but then coming together again a whole new person. I feel like this birth tore away any remnants of what Edward and I
went through in my more traumatic first birth, and made us whole again somehow. He sat in the background, watching it unfold. And after what felt like an eternity of her stalling with her head slightly skewed, I changed position, Matt supporting our entire weight, and pushed her out in one enormous rush, into my fumbling, shaking hands in the middle of our lounge. And there she was. Our beautiful little girl. She snuggled to my chest as I sat there in awe, watching her change colour as her placenta slowly stopped supporting her and her lungs took over, cord turning from fat and blue to thin and white. Within a few minutes she was latching on and feeding well. Edward was so excited that ‘his baby’ was finally here that he was sitting showing her some of his toys – I distinctly remember a red wooden triangle full of colourful beads from his shape sorter – before her cord had even stopped pulsating, and him singing her songs while we snuggled on the sofa just after the unmanaged third stage. He’s been so fantastic with her from the very start, so excited that his ‘best friend is here’, gently stroking her hair, cuddling up to her, singing, showing her all his toys, trying to gently play with her, choosing which tiny and utterly adorable cloth nappy she would wear next… I see great friends in the making. The rest of the day was a bit of a haze of cuddles, rest, and getting to know our lovely girl. The joy of being at home and having your own food, your own shower, and your own bed cannot be overstated – and delicious steak for dinner…
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ISSUE 286 ▪ DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
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DEVELOPMENTAL PLAY
Summer FUN By Erin Evis
Summer is on us, and that means plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy some fun and games in the great outdoors!! Here are some ideas that might inspire you and your little ones.
Balls - rolling, throwing, bouncing
Nothing beats a ball for helping develop coordination, motor skills, and sharing - all while enjoying a lot of laughter together. Whether it’s a little tennis ball or a big bouncy ball, they all mean fun for children. Try sitting on the floor and rolling them from person to person once infants are able to sit up on their own, or throwing from person to person with older kids. Start with bigger, easier-to-catch balls and then move on to smaller ones. Turn it into a lesson in physics as you play around with colours, sizes and weights. Which ones bounce? Which ones don’t? Which ones are heavy, and which are light? Are bigger ones heavier, or lighter ones? What about different shapes, and materials?
Obstacle course
Creating an obstacle course is always a hit for the wee ones. You can use whatever materials you have at hand, and whatever natural obstacles you have at your disposal in your own backyard, to tailor a course perfect for your
child’s age and stage. Whether it’s something as simple as crawling from point A to point B for a newly mobile infant exploring the feeling of grass, to walking along fences, climbing up trees and hopping backwards back to the start for a preschooler, you can occupy your child for hours and incorporate all sorts of activities to encourage their physical and problem-solving abilities. Using tents and tunnels can also add an extra dimension here, and when the course is finished, they’re ideal for setting up a play space out of the sun for children to crawl through, sit in and be relatively well contained with some toys.
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Water table
If there’s one thing guaranteed to occupy most children for hours, water is it. In Summer, the classic inflatable paddling pool is always a great way to cool off and bring some smiles to their faces - but even a flexitub of water will do if you don’t have a proper pool, and can be great for younger babies. If they’re too small or young for a pool, sitting with them while they splash with their hands or you trickle water across their arms and legs can be just as interesting. Adding some lightweight colourful plastic balls can turn a standard pool into a ball pit (also great fun
PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
when empty); something especially fun for babies. Don’t forget to empty your pool once finished, and never leave young ones unattended in water. Another great option for water play is to create a water table. If you don’t want to buy a ready-made purposebuilt one from a shop, you can always DIY it with a bucket of water and an assortment of plastic containers and other instruments such as sieves, teapots, watering cans and funnels. We set ours up on an outdoor wooden table and the kids will play for hours - pouring, filling, refilling, exploring how the water moves and pours, how spouts and funnels work, how it fills different sized containers in different ways and to different levels… and inevitably giving the table, the ground and themselves a good wash in the process!
Outside messy play
If the thought of messy play inside makes you cringe, Summer is the perfect time to get messy outside. Put up an umbrella, set up a table and let them go crazy for finger paints, slime, play dough, bowls of flour or rice, and any other messy play you can think of. When they’re finished, wash it down, clean them up and you need not worry about all that mess being trampled into carpets and over walls.
Bubbles
This season is ideal for bubbles - get outside and get blowing. Have a competition to see who can blow the biggest one, or the most in one breath. For older kids, experiment with making your own perfect soapy mixture or creating giant bubble blowers from sticks, string and buckets, and for infants, try ‘hiding them’ with so many bubbles they disappear in a sparkly, popping haze.
Sand
Whether it’s at the beach or in a pit at home, sand play is the classic Summertime activity for infants, toddlers and older children alike. Dig, tunnel, introduce trucks and cars, make volcanoes (add baking soda, vinegar and food colouring to the crater to make it really authentic!), build a castle with a watery moat, bury your legs, let it run through baby’s fingers and across her legs, make sand sculptures… the scope for creativity and exploring textures is endless, and best of all, it’s free.
Chalk on concrete
Something as simple as a box of chalk can be great for budding artists, from the tiniest of babies through to preschoolers, when allowed to create their works across a concrete driveway. Embrace the ephemeral nature of their works and let them play with colours and sizes decorating to their heart’s content, knowing it will all wash away with the next rain anyway.
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4/10/17 6:36 PM
PRODUCT REVIEW
Natural Erin Evis
Sunscreen
Natural sunblocks use a physical sun filter - usually a mineral such as zinc oxide - to block the sun’s rays, rather than chemical sun filters. They are generally free from other synthetic preservatives, fragrances and other potential irritants, and can be a great option for parents wanting to use non-toxic products for their young ones.
Badger Baby SPF30+ Balm! Baby SPF30+ This is another good option with a lovely lavender smell, free from nasty chemicals. It goes on well and feels very soft on your skin, and seems to work pretty well. It doesn’t seem to stay put quite as well as some other brands, but it also isn’t quite as greasy as others. It does go a little gritty at times and gets lumps of one of the ingredients in it (which I assume is coconut oil), but it seems to rub back in ok afterwards and not affect the quality of the product or its ability to protect from the sun.
This is a lovely sunblock with a creamy texture and colour, that smells very soothing and calming thanks to its chamomile and lavender oil content. It does a great job protecting our skin, and none of our fair-skinned family have suffered a burn while using it. You do need to reapply it fairly regularly, but it seems to stay put reasonably well. It is a little greasy and can leave your skin with a white film, but rubs in better than many other natural sunblocks and feels lovely on my skin. It doesn’t seem to separate out and I love the simple ingredients list.
All Parent Centre members receive FREE tea or coffee with food purchased.
MOTHERS’ GROUPS WELCOME WITH PLENTY OF PRAM SPACE!
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PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
The Verdict Cafe 95 The Square Palmerston North 7am till 4pm Mon to Fri 7am till 3pm Sat
Frankie Apothecary SPF50+ with Kawakawa This is a great, New Zealand-made sunblock that has been independently tested to SPF50+. It has a really good ingredients list, rich in skin-nourishing oils, and feels silky soft on your skin. Kawakawa is amazing for skin health, and also doubles as an insect repellent, which gives it bonus points from me! I’ve used this as a stand-in nappy cream too with great results before, as zinc is so good for skin healing. It is very thick, but a little goes a long way, and it rubs in well. My only complaint is that it comes in a tub so you need to be sure your hands are clean before dipping your fingers into it (or use a spoon or other utensil), and it can be difficult to wash off - which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
ISSUE 286 ▪ DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
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ADVERTORIAL
NAPPY
Godmother
By Helene Stock
Pamela Rees truly is a nappy godmother. Who else would provide families with a constant supply of fresh cloth nappies and whisk away the dirty ones twice a week - all with a smile? The manager of Nappy Godmother, a local company that supplies and launders high-quality cloth nappies, says she doesn’t mind doing the dirty work.
“I’m passionate about giving families the option of using cloth nappies without having to worry about the financial outlay or work involved. If parents know they are never going to run out of nappies and can simply put the dirty ones in the bucket provided, they can relax and enjoy their babies.”
provide a more sustainable future for our children. “According to Zerowaste NZ, over a million disposable nappies are thrown into New Zealand landfills every day. Not only do they take centuries to biodegrade, but they also contain untreated human waste, which can potentially contaminate our groundwater and create methane gas,
contributing to global warming. It is our children who will face the ecological consequences.” For over three years Nappy Godmother has been supplying and laundering cloth nappies for families and day care centres from Whanganui, Palmerston North and surrounding areas down to the Kapiti Coast. Families can expect to pay as little as $30
Pamela is enthusiastic about the health benefits of cloth nappies - especially for babies with allergies - and says using them can
As part of the Kind Hearts Movement
d n i K ea ts H 26
has bestowed a random act of kindness upon
Laura Frank You will each receive a free coffee voucher! Don’t forget to pay it forward! Streetwise Coffee Cart, Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North
PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
a week for the service. And Nappy Godmother gift vouchers make a great present idea for grandparents, workmates, friends and baby showers. Parents usually sign up during the pregnancy and Pamela visits a few weeks before the due date to set them up with everything they need. Newborns are allocated around eighty nappies, while older babies usually require only sixty. These can be supplemented with boosters, cloth wipes and microfleece liners, which also get washed. Pamela collects dirty nappies from Palmerston North on Mondays and Thursdays and from Whanganui on Tuesdays and Fridays. The nappies are rinsed in warm water and given a hot wash using anti-allergenic, ecofriendly washing powder before being dried. As Pamela is a stickler for “returning to the old ways”,
she dries the nappies on the washing line whenever possible. Families and day care centres rave about the convenience of the Nappy Godmother service and Pamela’s friendly approach, saying she is helpful without being intrusive. They also appreciate the quality of the nappies, especially the snug fit of the dome adjustment and elastic around the waist and legs, which minimises leakage. Parents are also staggered by the reduction in their household rubbish and feel they are doing their bit to reduce landfill waste. Pamela says we are finally understanding the cost to the environment of our “disposable world” and, as Nappy Godmother already saves eight and a half Tonnes of disposable nappies going into our landfill each year, using the service is a win-win way
to help save the planet.
That’s why it’s not just a job for me, I love what I do. For further information contact: Pamela Rees 027 699 9875 pamela@nappygodmother.co.nz www.nappygodmother.co.nz
ISSUE 286 ▪ DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
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FAMILY FRIENDLY OUTING
KOWHAI PARK FEILDING mdc.govt.nz/kowhai park Nestled away in the heart of Feilding is a gem of a place to take the kids. Big enough to entertain the troops for a solid half day there is a lot to be seen and to do. Kowhai Park is a firm favourite with the 4 year old, we like to go there a few times a year. The entrance off South Street in Feilding (same gates as Manfield Park) leads you to a kids playground on the right. This is always the first stop. The play equipment seems the perfect size for pre-schoolers to be able to access the equipment and be challenged without needing their hand held for every move. Lots of climbing, balancing, and sliding before we set off on the walk around the playing field to the native bird aviaries.
whirly thing. Although old looking, all equipment is safe and the kids love them! This is also a great stop for a picnic with the little tables provided for this. The next stop on the round trip of Kowhai Park is the duck pond which borders the rose garden, more great places for rock hunting and adventuring with high rocks overlooking the pond to be able to scale and conquer! So much to see and do in Kowhai Park and a great morning out with pre-schoolers, its free and accessible and very enjoyable!
The short walk takes you past the namesake for the park, a solid cluster of bright and beautiful Kowhai trees. On this particular day these were providing the perfect playground and feeding station for a group of rowdy (possibly drunken) tui which provided a lot of entertainment for the kids. Carrying on around the path takes you past a wee house and nestled behind the house is a collection of aviaries which were housing kereru, kakariki and weka. From here there are a range of paths weaving through a bush section where there are often rocks to be found* (either Feilding Rocks or Palmy Rocks), and this day was no exception – we found a great array of brightly painted beautiful rocks to take with us and hide somewhere else on another park date. The paths lead down to the stream and over a selection of wooden tracks / bridges so the kids were loving running around the different surfaces hunting in the bush. This leads to the bird aviaries by the duck pond that house the introduced birds like cockatoo, pheasant, budgies etc and the older play equipment that is reminiscent of my childhood in the 1980s. Tall slightly rickety looking steel and wooden equipment like the slide, swing set and see saws as well as a roundabout
Congratulates
Sarah Leishman For winning a Treatment, Cut and Blowwave for being a current Palmerston North Patents Centre member Ph: 358 4010 | Hotel Coachman,134 Fitzherbert Ave, Palmerston North | thehaircompany.co.nz Open Mon - Sat, late nights Tues and Thur
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*For those who have been living under a rock (hah!) Palmy Rocks is a very popular pastime with kids and adults alike in Manawatu (sub groups have popped up with Feilding Rocks, Rongatea Rocks etc) where the idea is to paint flat rocks, seal them to make the weatherproof and hide them in local parks as a bit of a treasurehunt. The range of rocks out there is incredible from rocks painted by my 4 yo (basic, a few colours and very splodgy) to intricate designs and pictures painted by posca pen wielding amateur artists and loads more in between. You can be a painter or a finder and in most parks around the cities you’ll often find rocks to either keep (if they tickle your fancy) or re-hide if you chose to. Go to Palmy Rocks on Facebook to see more.
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CRAFT
CRAFT:
Baby feet Baubles
Materials: • Any paint (can use embossing paint so it will raise slightly when heated)
• Paper or card (if you use card you can use these ones as Christmas cards)
• PVA glue to add to paint (only a small amount to aid in glitter sticking) • Bauble ornaments (check the size so that your baby’s feet fit on them) • Paint brushes: fine one for writing • Old Flannels and a bowl of warm water • Barrier cream (optional) • Ice cream container lid or a flat tray (for paint) • Glitter (optional) • Another person to help with holding baby etc.
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PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
Directions: 1. Pour paint onto your flat tray. (Don’t use too much paint - less is better, in order to see all the patterns of their tiny feet). Mix PVA in - only a small amount is needed - and glitter if desired. 2. Paint child’s feet with a paint brush (Have a friend help; it’s hard getting the little one to stay still and get paint on the foot!!). Babies like to curl their toes around the paint when you paint, as it tickles, so take your time!! 3. It’s a good idea to have a practice run on a piece of paper first. Press firmly but gently down, have a few goes until you know the required pressure you need. 4. Then start on your ornament (you may just want to do one foot depending on how big the ornament is). 5. Wash baby’s feet straight away. 6. Sprinkle glitter on or if you used embossing paint heat slowly with heat gun or hairdryer. 7. I like to write the child’s name and the year, so you’ll have years of baubles all over your tree.
Hire a Tens Machine Hire a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machine to help reduce your pain during labour and childbirth. Palmerston North Parents Centre (PNPC) has five TENS machines available for hire by our members for ONLY $20 for up to four weeks’ hireage (plus a $40.00 refundable bond). Machines can be booked for the two weeks prior to your due date until two weeks post due date. Watch a video interview with a TENS machine expert at youtube.com/ watch?v=4gUEtYAqPw8 Book your TENS Machine from: Junior Kids Store, 23 Broadway Ave, Ph 06 354 5516, info@juniorkidsstore.co.nz, Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm › Sat 9.30am - 4pm. Please pay by cash and bring your PNPC Membership card. Full terms and conditions on our Facebook page: facebook.com/PNorthPC ISSUE 286 ▪ DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUPS Across Te Kotahitanga O Te Wairua We can provide a range of social services which include: Counselling, Family support (including respite care for children), Parenting advice/information and programmes, Advice on other services available for parents and families. Contact: Graeme on (06) 356 7486 or visit www.across.org.nz Allergy New Zealand Support groups are a great way to meet others in a similar situation to you. They are very relaxed, informal sessions to share ideas, discuss your concerns, and get information and resources. Our regional support group is there to help put you in contact with others, to provide you with information such as those all important recipes, and to listen when you need someone to talk to. They are not medically qualified but can refer your queries on and seek information on your behalf. For further information phone 0800 34 0800 or visit www.allergy.org.nz Babywearers Manawatu This is a great way to try different carriers while finding a carrier that suits you and your baby. Babywearers Manawatu Sling Library is on most Wednesdays 12 pm - 1 pm (check FB for up to date info) at Palmerston North Parents Centre, 30 Waldegrave Street, Palmerston North. Membership is one off payment of $10 and carrier hire costs $5 for one week.https://www.facebook.com/groups/ babywearersmanawatu/ Brain Injury Association Central Districts We provide advocacy information and support for people with brain injury, their families, whanau and carers. For more information call (06) 354 3540. Breastfeeding Help An IBCLC (often called lactation consultant) is a breastfeeding specialist qualified to prevent, recognise, and resolve breastfeeding problems. All members of NZCLA hold the professional qualification of International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Any mother, family member or health professional interested in obtaining the contact details of an IBCLC can phone 0800 4 LACTATION (0800 452 282) during daytime hours. HOPE An opportunity for parents of premature babies to meet and chat and to offer hope and support to those who currently have babies in the Neo-Natal Unit. Graduates welcome. Held at: Plunket Family Centre, 42 Albert Street, Palmerston North. Monday 1pm – 2.30pm. Contact: Karlyn Sullivan-Jones (06) 353 0663 or karlynandmark@xnet.co.nz Itchy Kids A national support group for parents and whanau who care for children with eczema and allergies. For more information contact Sarah Hartley 027 333 7385 or email hartleyfamilynz@gmail.com or visit itchykids.org.nz La Leche League coffee group 3rd Tuesday of every month at 10am, all welcome. Contact Jo Walsh 0273818546 for location Manawatu Toy Library Now located at 200 Church Street, Palmerston North, this fabulous toy library has a collection of over 2000 toys. Our members include families, carers, and educational groups. We have toys suitable for babies 5+ months through to school age children. Membership costs $95 per annum or $60 for six months. You are welcome to visit to see what we offer. To find out more, including opening hours: manawatutoylibrary.nz, or call 027 364 6911. Manawatu Down Syndrome Association Regional contact is Andrea Wales (06) 356 1767.
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Manawatu Home Birth Association Offering information, advice and support to women and their families seeking to birth their babies at home. Birth pools and other equipment available for hire. Library, sibling kits, and bimonthly newsletters also available. Call (06) 356 BABY (06 356 2229) for more information. Manline Manline services are unique in that we are the only “men helping men” organisation in the Manawatu and Tararua region offering services for men to explore issues within their lives. Our programs are designed to be educational, developmental, rehabilitative, and preventative. http://www.manline.co.nz/home or 06 358 1211 Miscarriage Support Miscarriage can be a very lonely experience and is often not talked about. Miscarriage support groups have produced quality information and pamphlets for women/couples who may need information and support. These invaluable resources can be downloaded from miscarriage.org.nz Methodist Social Services Offering free programmes for primary/intermediate aged children and their parents/caregivers, around the areas of anger management, grief loss and change, and confidence building. We also offer family, couple, and individual counselling, and have both male and female counsellors available. Advocacy and social work support services are provided along with an emergency food service. For all enquiries, please call 06 350 0307, 663 Main Street, Palmerston North. Palmerston North Breastfeeding support group We provide a relaxed place to come and ask questions about breastfeeding and parenting , we hold regular meeting on the first Monday of the month at ACROSS, 294a Church Street, Palmerston North at 10 am. We have a library with a wide range of books relating to breastfeeding and parenting. http://www. lalecheleague.org.nz/palmerston-north or https://www.facebook. com/PNbreastfeedingsupport/ Parent to Parent Supporting families of children with a special need, health impairment, or disability. For more information please phone (06) 355 0787or email manawatu@parent2parent.org.nz Parentline 24 Hour Crisis Line. Offering help and support for parents 24 hours a day. Phone 0800 4 FAMILY. Plunket Education Services For parent education classes please contact the Plunket family centre in Albert Street, Palmerston North, (06) 356 7248 for more information regarding classes in 2016. Reflux Support Contact: Sharon 354 7280 Sands A voluntary group who have lost babies before, during or after birth. They can provide first hand support, guidance, and information on miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death. Further information and support can be found by contacting Shaun and Gaylene Vivian (06) 356 9715 or visiting sands.org.nz Supergrans Manawatu Charitable Trust Supergrans Manawatu is all about helping people help themselves. A service to all to brush up on the basic skills needed to provide for oneself or for a family. Our motto is not a ‘do it for you today’ it is a ‘help you to do it tomorrow’ concept. This is a free service. It is concerned with encouraging better skills in those everyday tasks around the home that sustain life. We work with you in your own home. Phone (06) 354 3804 or 021 0669 442 for further information.
PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
MEMBER DISCOUNTS
10% OFF
FREE! Address labels with any birth announcement, thank you cards until 30/12/18
Coleman Mall, Palmerston North Ph: 06 357 1976
GRANT IRVINE PHARMACY
10% OFF 168 Albert Street, Palmerston North Ph: 06 357 8782
10% OFF Preggy tummy and baby hand or foot casts Call Carolyn Ph: 06 353 7153
PRECIOUS MEMORIES
$10 OFF Present this coupon and receive $10 off a framed sculpture. Ph: Katte 06 329 3262 or visit www.preciousmemories.co.nz
FREE TEA OR COFFEE Receive a free tea or coffee with the purchase of food. 95 the Square, Palmerston North
HAIR TRANSFORMER
15% OFF Discounted, low ratio childcare – For 30 hours WAIVED weekly admin & placement fees
TV aerial/satellite installer
10% OFF All current PNPC members receive 10% off labour only Call Now for a FREE Quote Robert Torok Ph: 06 354 5664 or 027 294 3972
Link Arcade, Broadway Avenue Palmerston North Ph: 06 358 1309
$10 OFF All current PNPC members receive $10 off, offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Sharlene Adkins (t) 06 355 4939 (e) sharlene@smallp.com (m) 021 185 2064. www.smallp.com ISSUE 286 ▪ DECMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019
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PLAYGROUPS IN YOUR AREA Plunket Family Centre Playgroup
ASHHURST
Ashhurst Playcentre
AWAPUNI/WESTEND Kingston St Chapel
CENTRAL
42 Albert Street
021-808-340
Mondays & Fridays 10am to 12noon
118 Standford Street
326 9270
Mon to Thurs 9am - 12pm
Kingston St
358 0716
Tues & Thurs 9am- 11:30am
Crossroads Early Childhood Salvation Army Rudolf Steiner Seventh Day Adventist Church Playgroup with Hope
220 Church St 358 0669 cnr Church & Princess Sts 358 7455 187 Ruahine St 354 4514 257 Ferguson St 282 Cuba Street (opposite Briscoes) Contact: Heather 027 334 9981
Mon to Fri 9am to 12noon Thurs 9:30am to 11am Tues 9:30am - 12noon & Thu 2pm -3:30pm Wed 9:30 to 11:00am Tuesday 9.30-11.30am playgroup@hopevineyard.nz
FEILDING Feilding Playcentre Community Fielding Playcentre Doodlebugs SPACE Bright Sparks Preschool Programme
254A Kimbolton Rd 42 North St Knox Hall, North St 22 Bowen St Feilding Library
323 6100 323 1918 323 7240 323 7221 323 5373
Mon to Fri 9am to 1pm Mon to Fri 9am to 1pm Thurs 9am to 11:30am Contact for more details Wed 10:30am to 11:30am
12-32 Brentwood Ave
358 2255
Fri 8:30am to 12noon
339 Albert St Huia St extn
357 9411 357 0791
Wed 9:30am to 10:30am Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 9am - 12noon
HIGHBURY
Te Aroha Noa Community Services
HOKOWHITU
St Albans Church Park Road Playcentre
LINTON
Linton Playgroup
MILSON
Milson Playcentre
OPIKI
Opiki Playgroup
ROSLYN/KELVIN GROVE
Kelvin Grove Salvation Army Church on Vogel Plunket Roslyn Over 1’s Coffee Group
Linton Camp (Community Centre) 3519970
Mon & Wed 9am to 11:30am
1a Seaforth Ave
Mon, Wed & Fri 9am-12noon
356 9824
St Andrews Church, Main Road
Tues 10am to 12noon
99-103 Kaimanawa St 127 Vogel St 177 Vogel Street
Wed 9:30am to 11:30am Wed 9:30am to 12noon Wednesdays 9.30am to 11am
353 0917 357 7336 021-808-340
RONGOTEA
Te Kawau Playcentre Medway St 324 8246
SANSON
Sanson Playcentre
TERRACE END
St David‘s Presbyterian Church Terrace End Playcentre
2 Philipps St
329 3503
Tues and Fri 9am to 12noon
Cnr Main & Rainforth 77 Ruamahanga Cres
358 3246 0221400610
Tues 10:00am to 11:30am Wed, Thu, Fri 9.30am to 12.30 school term
SPECIALIST GROUPS
La Leche League 355 3104 Manawatu Multiple Birth Club Kingston St Church 357 9773 Parent 2 Parent Special Needs Matipo St 355 0787 ABCD early intervention group 9 Woburn Place 0800 693 724 - Down Syndrome French for Preschoolers 1st floor, 47 the Square 021 207 0114 Spanish Class – 2 yrs and up 355 8257 Plunket Bhutanese Playgroup 25 Franklin Ave 3574844 Book Bubs baby book club PN Library
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Mon to Thurs 9:15am to 12:15pm, Fri 11:45am to 2:45pm
PALMY PARENT ▪ PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
Contact for more details Every 2nd Wed,10am 1st and 3rd Tues each month, 1-3pm Once a month on Thurs 10am to 12noon Fri 3.30pm to 4.30pm Contact for further details Mon 12.30 – 2.30pm Thursday 10.30 – 11 am fortnightly.
PREGGY TO PRESCHOOL GARAGE SALE
Date: Saturday 29th April 2017 Time: 9.00am – 11.00am Place: Central Baptist Church, 190 Church Street (Opposite the Fire Station) Come along for great bargains on new & used baby/children’s clothes, toys, books, nursery equipment, maternity wear and more!
old Coin Entry – This is a fundraising event for Parents Centre
ok a table online at www.palmyparentscentre.org.nz
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