Palmy Parent April May 2019 Issue 288

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PALMY PARENT PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

April . May . 2019

READ ME A STORY Tips and tricks to starting your child’s love of books

DOUGH DAYS:

Messy play to stimulate the senses and help develop children’s tactile and fine motor skills.

7 BEST FIRST FOODS WHEN INTRODUCING SOLIDS

WHY BABIES WAKE AT NIGHT

Insights into infant sleep development


PARENTS CENTRE

Preggy to Preschool

Garage Sale

When?

Saturday 27th April 2019, 9am - 11am

Where?

Palmerston North Central Baptist Church, 190 Church St (opposite The Warehouse)

Gold coin entry. Good quality pre-loved clothes, equipment, accessories and toys for 0-5 year old’s. Sold by local families at very reasonable prices. Raffle with great prizes, Barista Coffee available and PNPC Bake Sale www.palmyparentscentre.org.nz


EDITOR’S NOTE

Welcome to our April/May edition of Palmy Parent - and a big ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ to all you Mums out there, whether you’re newly minted, a lot more experienced, or something in between, whether you’re at home full time or in the workforce or something else entirely, whoever and whatever you are, I salute each and every one of you for being wonderful!! I hope you all have a great day planned with your family. In this edition, you’ll find plenty of awesome stories to sink your teeth into, so pop your feet up and get reading! We look at the science of infant sleep with a great piece from the Brainwave Trust, and find some great information on the benefits of reading to our wee ones something that may seem trivial but has amazing consequences. Wal Herring takes a good look at some great first foods for introducing solids to babies, there’s an excellent article for the Dads on the chemistry of bonding, and we head off to Mt Lees Reserve for our family friendly outing. In craft, you’ll find some inspiration for Easter, and since it’s getting cooler and the rainy days are on their way, we look at the benefits of play dough and a few variations on the classic recipe for our play. On that note, I hope you all have a great Easter and some time to spend with your loved ones. If you’re going away, take care on the roads, and we’ll see you next time for our Winter edition!! PS Don’t forget to read the letter to Mums everywhere - it’s a good ‘un, but you may need a tissue...

Erin Evis, Editor

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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 288 . April | May 2019

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CONTENTS FEATURES Why Do Babies Wake At Night

12

Read me a story

17

7 Best First Foods When Introducing Solids 21 A letter to Mums for Mother’s Day

24

IN EVERY ISSUE Editor’s note

3

PNPC seminars & events

6

What’s on ... In our region

8

Book Review

9

Welcome to the World

10

Developmental play: Dough Days

15

Birth Story: Two babies... in just over a year 18 Family Friendly Outings: Mt Lees Reserve

26

Dads Life: The Chemistry of Dad and Baby

29

Craft: Baby stimulation Cards and Posters

30

Community support groups

32

Member discounts

33

Playgroups in your area

34

GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE?

CHECK OUT OUR WINNERS Bruce McKenzie Book Giveaway

9

Cottage Flowers Arrangement

11

Kind Hearts, Streetwise Coffee

22

The Hair Company styling treatment

30

CONTRIBUTORS E r i n E v i s , L a u r a We n d e n - G r e e n , K a r e n S w a n , Wa l Herring, Hilary Nobilo, Greer Berry, Pinky McKay, Steph O’Connor

4 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

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


COMMITTEE NEWS The last few months have been one of celebration for the Palmy Parents Centre team. We celebrated our one-year anniversary of being located in the Te Papaioea Birthing Centre, by holding an open morning where we opened the doors to anyone that wanted to come and take a look and eat some of our first birthday cake lovingly crafted by one of our talented committee members, Tara. It was great to show our new venue to a few of our previous committee members, as we are so blessed to have such an amazing venue that is suited to all the services we provide; do you know that we provide antenatal classes, baby and you classes, postnatal seminars, parenting programs, preggy yoga, music and movement as well as providing an amazing venue for Babywearers Manawatu to hold their meets?

We have had some new committee members join the committee and I would like to give a warm welcome to Clare, Jessie, Maryam and Deidre. We are so very thankful to have you join the team, and we hope you enjoy your time on the committee. Check out the details of our Preggy to Preschool Garage Sale on Page 2. This will be potentially our only Garage Sale this year so if you are wanting to have a clear out or stock up on some baby to pre-school bargains then make sure you check it out, there are always so many bargains to be had. Have a great Easter with your little (or big) ones. Saritta

We also had a feed and change tent at the Esplanade Open Day on the 3rd of March - it was the first time we have had a stall. A big thank you to our committee members who staffed the tent, it was great to see everyone that stopped by the tent to use the facilities or say “Hi�. We have hopes of attending a few more events this year, so if you ever see us at an event, come and use our tent if you need to change, feed or have a rest; we have all the supplies to change, heat and entertain.

ISSUE 288 . April | May 2019

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PNPC

SEMINARS & EVENTS APRIL & MAY BABY AND YOU CLASSES Wednesday 24 April, 1 and 8 May Wednesday 15, 22, 29 May 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. Cost: $40 per family NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION INTO MOTHERHOOD Monday 8 April, 7pm and Monday 13 May, 7pm (come to one or both)

HOT TOPIC- HELPING CHILDREN WITH PROBLEM SOLVING Wednesday 8 May, 7.30pm Want to help your children problem solve and resolve conflict? Come along to this seminar presented by parenting mentor Tabitha Jonson and learn some practical skills and tips for a calmer and more peaceful household. Cost: $10 PNPC members, $15 non-members PARENTING CHILDREN WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION Saturday 25 May, 10am Children often have fears and worries that keep them awake at night or cause distress during the day. Often feelings can seem overwhelming and too big for little people. This workshop examines how to help children who are struggling with anxiety and depression. It focuses on simple practical tools for children that parents can learn and teach themselves. Cost: $10 PNPC members, $15 non-members

A safe place to reflect on personal experiences about the transition to motherhood. Perhaps you are questioning what motherhood means to you, or feeling stuck in this new role? Maybe you are about to give birth again? Come along and join others on the journey of motherhood. This is a safe place to reflect on personal experiences about this huge transition and connect with others experiencing similar feelings. Brought to you by Unique Beginnings, Palmerston North Parents Centre and the Holistic Birth Company. Cost: Gold Coin Donation/Koha HOT TOPIC- PARENTING PRESCHOOLERS Wednesday 10 April, 7.30pm Our little ones are making amazing leaps in language and learning. This huge brain development comes with some challenges. Learn how we can support our kids to: Manage big emotions by responding in helpful ways to tantrums and whining Cope with separations such as daycare or bedtime Cost: $10 PNPC members, $15 non-members

6 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

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


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

www.thesleepstore.co.nz

(parents get free entry)

Visit our facebook page @ fantailsnestnz and receive free shipping using the code: PALMYFLYSFREE

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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

Pay no booking fee when enrolling with Puddleducks if parents centre member ($50 saving)

ISSUE 288 . April | May 2019

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WHAT’S ON . . . in our region FUN FOR THE FAMILY Alice in Wonderland - ballet Friday 5th April 7.30pm Royal Wanganui Opera House

DinoFest Palmerston North Friday 19th - Monday 22nd April, various times Victoria Esplanade Gardens, Palmerston North

Milson School Twilight Gala Friday 5th April 5pm Milson School, Palmerston North

Easter Bunny Friday 19th - Monday 22nd April, 1-4pm Palmerston North Esplanade Scenic Railway, Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North

The Extravaganza Fair Saturday 6th - Sunday 7th April, 9am - 5pm Railway Reserve, Main St, Palmerston North

Foxton Easter Sunday Fair Sunday 21st April, 10am-3pm Easton Park, Johnston St, Foxton

Teddy Bears Picnic Thursday 11th April, 9.30-11.30am Dannervirke Holiday Park, 29 George St, Dannevirke

Awapuni Teddy Bears Picnic Tuesday 23rd April, 11am Awapuni Library, Palmerston North

Lights of Autumn Night Trains Friday 12th - Saturday 13th April, 6pm Palmerston North Esplanade Scenic Railway, Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North

Mother’s Day Fun Ride Sunday 12th May, 1pm Palmerston North Esplanade Scenic Railway, Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North

Old Skills in Action Sunday 14th April, 9am-4pm Coachhouse Museum, South St, Feilding

PARENT CENTRE PARTNERS:

8 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE


BOOK REVIEW

ROOM ON THE BROOM By Julia Donaldson & Axel Sheffler Review by Steph O’Connor The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand. They are retrieved by a dog, a bird and a frog, and each animal asks for a ride on the broom. They climb on, one after the next, until the broom is so heavy that it snaps in two! What will happen next as they tumble into a bog and meet a greedy dragon? Room on the Broom is a very funny story of quick wits and friendship. The delightful illustrations created by Scheffler depict the animals with vivid facial expressions, sure to elicit giggles from even the smallest child. And the scatty but sweet witch fulfils historical stereotypes of being rather unattractive, but she is still appealing nonetheless. The message of friendship and sticking together amidst adversity are subtly depicted throughout the text and teach us that friendships can spring from the most unlikely of places.

I V G E A K W O AY O B Be in to win this issue’s reviewed book!

Just follow these 3 easy steps!

1

To enter the draw to win this issue’s book, email your name, with ‘Book Giveaway’ in the subject line to info@palmyparentscentre.org.nz

2

15 th May 2019 That’s

all!

The winner’s name will be printed in the next issue of the Palmy Parent and the winner can collect their book from the Palmy Parent Centre.

ratulati g n o on C Steph O’Connor

who has won a copy of ‘The Dog and the Mog’

: s to

3

Entries for the next draw must be received by

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. 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 non-fiction and is definitely worth a visit. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask the staff who are always willing to help.

ISSUE 288 . April | May 2019

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WELCOME TO THE WORLD

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: 9th August 2018 | Hostess: Steph O’Connor | CBE: Jess White

Ollie Graeme Ross Leighton

George Frank Watson

born to

born to

Carrie-Ann and CJ Leighton

Rebekah and Andrew Watson

30 September 2018

10 October 2018

Savannah Joy Dench

Madison Alana De Cleene born to

born to

James and Porsha De Cleene

Sarah Jane McDonald and David Dench

18 October 2018

13 October 2018

10 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE


Class: 4th September 2018 | Hostess: Steph O’Connor | CBE: Jess White

Basil George Schnell

Pippa Jane Walker

born to

born to

Sarah Schnell

Sarah and Matthew Walker

11 October 2018

10 November 2018

Maxwell Ewen Campbell born to

Kerrie and Ewen Campbell

19 November 2018

Logan Alec Gilbert Ward born to

Zoe Elizabeth Ladd born to

Bryanna Jackson and Jason Ward

Olivia & Jacob Ladd

23 November 2018

29 November 2018

Natalie Short

ISSUE 288 . April | May 2019

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FEATURE

WHY BABIES WAKE AT NIGHT By Hilary Nobilo, Brainwave Researcher & Educator Many parents would argue that the expression “sleeping like a baby” is an anomaly. Parents often share their experiences of disturbed sleep and wonder if they’ll ever have a good night’s sleep again. However, what might be perceived as an infant sleep problem is more often than not, a normal part of infant sleep development. Much of Western culture holds an unrealistic and developmentally inappropriate view that babies should sleep through the night from the first few months yet typical sleep patterns undergo considerable developmental changes over the first three years and parents can expect disruptions and challenges over that time. At birth, newborns are unable to distinguish between day and night. Their sleep-wake rhythms (circadian rhythms) are developing over the next three months. During early development, babies spend more time in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep or active

sleep than children and adults and also move through shorter cycles of sleep pattern. This predominance of active sleep plays an important role in early brain development. Most babies need help during these early months to transition through sleep cycles as they have not yet developed the regulatory capacity to fall back to sleep alone. At four months, babies typically wake briefly four to six times during the night.1 Although the total number of hours sleep doesn’t change significantly, by four months, most healthy fullterm babies spend the majority of their sleep hours during night-time. Although some have the capacity to settle themselves back to sleep and self-soothe as they transition through sleep cycles, many still need their parents to help them. Initially, sleep patterns are dependent on a baby’s hunger and at four months, some are still needing a night feed. After a soothing bed-time settling, many babies of this age can

Puddleducks are proud to have been a locally owned and operated family business since May 2000. We value the communities we live and work within and are focused on supporting local businesses and community services and amenities. We believe in the Manawatu and all it has to offer families. Our centres offer excellent teacher to child ratios above the Ministry of Education requirements, healthy cooked meals* , community and environmental inclusion, free play and primary care for infants. Contact us now to enquire. enquiries@puddleducks.co.nz or 0800 897 382 Manchester Street, Feilding 0-5years Ward Street, Palmerston North 2-5 years Russell Street, Palmerston North 2-5 years Albert Street, Palmerston North 0-5 years Haggitt Sreet, Feilding 0-5 years NEW centre opening 2019, Featherston Street, Palmerston North 0-5 years * Not all centres provide this service currently. Please enquire for details

12 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE


be left in a drowsy but still awake state to fall asleep on their own. Babies who learn to selfsoothe generally find it easier to fall asleep without help when they wake in the night.1

motor skills and their determination to master these skills can upset sleep rhythms. Changes to routines may also unsettle toddlers and result in night waking.

Between four and six months, babies are showing more interest in their family and surroundings, so may need a quiet place to settle. This is an appropriate time for a consistent bed-time routine to be introduced. Although consistency is critical, parents need to adapt sleep routines according to their baby’s changing developmental needs. By now, many babies are developing the regulatory capacity to return to sleep by themselves without help from a parent.4 Introducing a soft toy or blanket that the baby can reach for during the night can be helpful.

During the second year, young children experience more fears and can become frightened by new or incomprehensible daytime events. This can result in babies becoming increasingly resistant to separation from parents at bed-time.1 They continue to wake briefly four to six times a night as a result of normal sleep rhythm patterns though many parents will be unaware of these wakings if children are able to settle themselves back to sleep.

Between six and twelve months, sleep difficulties may increase. Over this time, babies develop an understanding that parents still exist when they can’t be seen. This is also the time when babies’ attachment to their primary care-giver (usually the mother) is evident. Babies may expect to be comforted by an attachment figure when they wake and cry in the night. This is a normal and healthy part of development and parents need to reassure their baby that they’re close by. Babies who are comforted by responsive parents are shown to settle more quickly over time. A bed-time routine consisting of three to four calming activities, such as bath, pyjamas and stories can be helpful for older babies.1 Towards the end of the first year, babies become consumed by the development of new

Sleep, like all infant development takes place within a context of relationship, genetic and environmental factors. Sleep problems may reflect problems parents are experiencing. Family stress and difficulties in parents’ relationships are factors that are shown to have an influence on babies’ sleep patterns.1 Disruptions to family life, such as shifting house, bereavement, loss of employment, birth of a new sibling or a trip away can also be unsettling. However, some relationship influences are bi-directional and sleep problems may be contributing to negative family outcomes.1 Genetic factors come into play with infant temperament and individual differences. Babies who have difficulty adapting to changes and hypersensitive babies who startle easily and react to changes in light, sound or touch, are more likely to experience Continues page 12

ISSUE 288 . April | May 2019

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FEATURE

Why Babies Wake at Night Continues settling problems. The physical health of a baby can also increase vulnerability. Sleep problems occur more frequently in babies with gastrooesophageal reflux, ear infections, teething, allergies and milk intolerance. Cultural values and beliefs in regard to infant sleep practices influence parents’ expectations and their ways of managing sleep. A family’s culture will also influence sleeping arrangements. Western culture is one of the few in the world that sees young babies sleeping in rooms alone. Parents can become overwhelmed and exhausted by interrupted sleep and support from extended family and friends can be a considerable help through this time. Some families benefit from professional help. Infancy is a time of significant change and development and this is reflected in the variability of sleep patterns over this time. Sleep problems are a common concern for parents as babies learn to regulate and consolidate their sleep. Understanding that settling difficulties and night-wakings are a normal part of infant development can help parents respond to their baby in a way that meets developmental and emotional needs.

Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 286, R528-R538. Mares, S., Newman, L., & Warren, B. (2011). Clinical skills in infant mental health: The first three years (2nd ed.). Camberwell, Victoria: ACER Press. McNamara, P., Belsky, J., & Fearon, P. (2003). Infant sleep disorders and attachment sleep problems in infants with insecure-resistant versus insecure-avoidant attachments to mother. Sleep and Hypnosis, 5(1), 7-14. Owens, J., & Burnham, M. (2009). Sleep disorders. In C. H. Zeanah (Ed.), Handbook of Infant Mental Health (pp. 362376). New York: Guilford Press. Raju, D. V., & Radtke, R. A. (2012). Sleep/wake electroencephalography across the life-span. Sleep Medicine Clinic, 7, 13-22. Sadeh, A., & Anders, T. F. (1993). Infant sleep problems: Origins, assessment, intervention. Infant Mental Health Journal, 14(1), 17-34. Sadeh, A., Lavie, P., & Scher, A. (1992). Temperament and night waking in early childhood, revisited. Sleep Research, 21, 93. Stickgold, R. (2005). Sleep-dependent consolidation. Nature, 437, 1272-1278.

memory

Tipene- Leach, D., Abel, S., Park, J., Finau, S., & Lennon, M. (2000). Maori infant care practices: Implications for health messagers, infant care services and SIDs prevention in Maori communities. Pacific Health Dialogue, 7, 29-37. Warren, B. (2012). The unsettled infant. In L. Newman & S. Mares (Eds.), Contemporary approaches to infant and child mental health. Victoria: I P Communications.

First published in Brainwave Trust Newsletter 18, Winter 2013 http://www.brainwave.org.nz/babies-wakenight/

For availability in your area visit

www.space.org.nz

References Australian Association of Infant Mental Health Inc. (2004). Position Paper 1. Controlled crying. Retrieved from www. aaimhi.org Brazelton, T. B. (1993). Touchpoints. The essential reference guide to your child’s emotional and behavioural development. Australia: Doubleday. DeGangi. (2000). Pediatric disorders of regulation in affect and behaviour. A therapists guide to assessment and treatment. Boston: Academic Press. Fogel, A. (2009). Infancy: Infant, family and society (5th ed.). NY: Sloan Publishing, LLC.

mou, me te pepi Your Space Group Will...

Join Space for you and

Meet weekly

your baby to connect

Consider different parenting perspectives

with other new parents and their babies as you explore parenting and children’s development in a safe, facilitated

Explore music, rhymes, books and a variety of play experience Discover ways that work for you and your baby

environment.

Gold, C. M. (2011). Keeping your child in mind. Overcoming defiance, tantrums and other everyday problems by seeing the world through your child’s eyes. Philadelphia: Da Capo Press. Jenni, O. G., Borbely, a. A., & Achermann, P. (2004). Development in the nocturnal sleep electroencephalogram in human infants. American Journal of Physiology:

14 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

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DEVELOPMENTAL PLAY

DOUGH DAYS By Erin Evis Messy play is a fantastic way to stimulate the senses and help develop children’s tactile and fine motor skills. Exploring through touch is one of the earliest ways infants start to learn about the world around them, and one of the easiest ways to introduce this is through the joy of play dough. Squishing, exploring, learning about texture and movement and more is something that children of all ages - and adults! - can enjoy, and is something that is perfect for wet days or quiet moments to entertain the family. Here are a number of recipes to try out, all with different textures. Throw in a few play implements (measuring cups, spoons, plastic forks or knives, a garlic press, rolling pin…) and you’re good to go!

Sand Dough Make classic play dough recipe as above, and mix in a cup of sand - perfect for pretend beach play at the kitchen table!

Play Dough 2 cups flour ½ cup salt 2 tbsp cooking oil 2 tbsp cream of tartar or baking soda 2 cups boiling water 1 tsp food colouring Mix dry ingredients together. Add the oil, boiling water and food colouring, and mix well. Store in an airtight container after playing. (Recipe from under5s.co.nz)

Cloud Dough 2 cups flour ¼ cup cooking oil Food colouring (oil based) Make a variety of colours. Mix the oil and colouring first, then pour into a ziploc bag along with the flour and mix to combine. You’ll probably need to squish the oil and flour together with your fingers to fully combine it before playing. Continues page 14

ISSUE 288 . April | May 2019

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DEVELOPMENTAL PLAY

Dough Days Continues

Cornflour Goo 2 cups cornflour Cold water

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Pour water into flour and mix until it becomes goopy. Play around with textures and volumes of water. Add food colouring for interest if desired.

Sand Cloud Dough 7 cups sand 7 cups flour 2 cups baby oil or vegetable oil

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Stir flour and sand to combine, then mix in oil one cup at a time. Strain the sand before mixing if you want a smoother texture. If using baby oil, be aware of younger children who may be tempted to taste it, and consider using vegetable oil instead to make it taste-safe. Note that this recipe is a little messier than the others, and is probably best for outside play! (recipe from frugalfun4boys.com)

16 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE


FEATURE

READ ME A STORY Parents are more aware now than ever of the importance of forging good reading habits in their children at an early age. Reading to your child is not only an easy and enjoyable activity, but it also teaches your child essential skills. It helps to build their vocabulary and listening skills, develops their imagination and teaches them to concentrate. Through books, children learn about the world around them, about people and about feelings. As Emilie Buchwald said, “children are made readers on the laps of their parents”. Reading to your child is one of the joys of parenting. Few activities create a warmer relationship between a child and grownup than reading aloud. It’s flattering to be read to and have the undivided attention of an adult. When we read to our child we’re letting them know that they’re important. For something that provides such a wide variety of benefits, reading is so simple. It doesn’t require any specialist equipment or even much time each day. Aim to get into the habit and let it become one of your everyday activities with your children. When should I read to my child? The best time to read to your child is when you are both relaxed and not in a hurry to be somewhere else. Reading needs to be seen as a pleasure, not a chore. Many parents incorporate reading as part of a pre-bed ritual. This can start from birth as well, during feed and play times. What should I read? Look for books that have: • strong, simple, short text • simple, colourful illustrations, but nothing too busy • simple manipulations such as lifting flaps • sturdy books that they can pull on. Choose books which you’ll both enjoy, chances are you’ll be reading them over and over again. Young children learn best from repetition and you’ll find that many children’s books have an inbuilt repetition and rhythm in their stories. Young children have a short attention span, so make sure the books are really short.

How often should I read to my child? Learning to link print with meaning takes hundreds of hours of exposure. Studies have shown that children need to read one thousands books before they start school. Roughly that’s three stories a day—it may be the same story three times. Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single day reading aloud to your child. Am I doing it right? You don’t need to think too hard about whether you’re reading to your child in the “best” or “right” way. As long as you show some enthusiasm and are engaged in the story and the telling, that’s a great start. Most parents automatically read with a sing-song voice and an exaggeration on some vowels and words. Listen to your own voice and think about the intonation and pitch you’re using. “Sit down, put a child on your lap, and read a story. Have fun. Read in character and use funny voices. Ask questions about the plot and the characters. Talk about how the story makes you feel, and ask your child if she can relate to what the characters are experiencing. Laugh and cry. Be human, loving, and strong, and that will allow the children in your care to be human, loving, and strong.” Anna Dewdney bestselling author of children’s book series Llama Llama ISSUE 288 . April | May 2019

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BIRTH STORY

TWO BABIES... in just over a year By Greer Berry As far as birth plans go, mine was pretty simple: get the baby out in the way that will be the safest for us both. As a 9lb 4oz c-section baby myself, and with a husband who also tipped the scales over 9lbs, I was expecting that I may have a wee bit of a task ahead of me. The day before I went into labour I was feeling a bit off. I had a daytime nap, and I refused to go for a walk; I just wanted to be homebound. I also had a headache and loose bowels before I went to bed, after having the opposite for the entire nine months of pregnancy, so I knew something was up. I was in bed by 9pm and I woke up around 1am on the Tuesday morning and thought, “Hmm, bit crampy”, right down where period cramps normally are, but didn’t think they were contractions because I had been told they start at the top of your bump, whereas this pain was very low down. I stayed in bed for an hour, looking at Facebook and checking emails, then at 2am I decided to get up and have a shower and put my makeup on. I know, I am ridiculous. As I was mid concealer application, my Mum came past the bathroom asking what I was doing. “Putting on my makeup, I think I’m having a baby.” By the time I finished doing my makeup, maybe 10 minutes later, my husband Caleb had been lying in bed timing my contractions. I was already getting three in 10 minutes so I called the midwife. She was pretty sure I had a while to go as it was my first baby so she said to lay down on the

couch with a wheat bag. I tried that and lasted all of 30 seconds before I was back on to the swiss ball, sniffing clary sage. Only about 15 minutes later, at around 4am, I asked Caleb to call the midwife again as contractions were getting stronger and longer. She asked if I was ‘distressed’, and he said no. I couldn’t believe it. Once he got off the phone I yelled ‘I AM distressed!’ She said to wait until my contractions were 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes long, so he hung up. I timed the next couple of contractions and they were that long, and I started vomiting, so I said to Caleb to call her back. This time she said to go to the hospital. We left home and got to the hospital around 5.30am, me in the back seat on all fours, bent over “mooing like a cow” according to my darling, who was so excited he pumped up the music (“All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor) as we made our way to hospital among the early commuter traffic. We had the car packed to the brim with things – swiss ball, bags of supplies, clothes, food, music speakers with playlists – and when we got to the hospital, the only thing Caleb brought in was the swiss ball. I think he was nervous and thought he’d have time to run back to the car. I walked into the birthing suite and it was so hot it instantly made me feel sick. They set up the gas and air and I had one attempt to suck it in but the sensation of having the thing in my mouth made me throw up again.

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All this time I had that bottle of clary sage tightly in my hands; I sniffed deeply with every contraction.

believe I’d done it, and it had been so speedy. It took me a while to realise I’d done it all with no drugs.

Caleb had turned on the bath (my intention was to get into it to relax), but instead it was so warm all I wanted was a cold shower so I got changed into the hospital robe and made Caleb run me a cold shower.

The placenta arrived seven minutes later and once I could get up and have that glorious first shower after giving birth, you can guess what I did first.

Once I was cold enough, I walked back into the main room and our friend Alethea, who was training to be a childbirth educator, arrived. I crawled up on to the bed and straddled over the back of it, on my knees. My midwife arrived and did an examination – I was shocked when she said I was 8-9cm, maybe even 10 cm dilated already! She called a student midwife who needed to get 40 ‘normal’ births by the end of the year, and was sitting on 39 births, and she arrived just in time. My waters were still intact and bulging there so my midwife popped them and it was such a relief. I felt a release of a huge amount of pressure. After that I went back onto my knees over the back of the bed and closed my eyes and went into my ‘zone’. Caleb and Mum rotated putting cold flannels on my head and neck, and Alethea gave Caleb a good tip about pressing on my lower back for acupressure points. That felt amazing! I also utilised some hypnobirthing mantras in my head which I had thought were a bit wishy-washy when learning them, but actually gave me a great deal of peace.

My face, of course. You can imagine our surprise when just a few months later we discovered that Sullivan was to be a big brother with a sibling due on Christmas Eve. After a hard time conceiving Sullivan, we were thrilled that we were blessed with a much easier road the second time around. Leading up to this birth, I was hopeful for another positive experience but understood every birth is different in itself. This time around we felt much more comfortable that we knew what to expect so rather than a room full of people, it was just me, Caleb and our midwife when our baby girl, Zara, arrived on Christmas Day. The day before I went into labour I had really bad backache that forced me to lay down to relieve the pain. Little did I know at the time, but Zara had turned posterior and the pain was her spine on mine. When I awoke at 1am on Christmas Day, I jumped into the shower and – you guessed it – began my prelabour beauty routine only this time I was only about three or four contractions in when I knew things were different. I began throwing up within minutes – generally a sign Continues Page 20

After what didn’t feel like long, I felt like pushing so I started doing that. My midwife asked me if I wanted to change position and go on my back. I wanted to say no – everything I’d read and seen said it was the ‘worst’ position to give birth in because it was ‘anti-gravity’, but they put the bed completely flat and although it hurt to get into the position, once there it actually became much easier to push. A couple of pushes later and the head was out. I had so many people say it feels like pushing out a poo, which it absolutely did. Caleb swore he’d never look down the business end but once the head was out, he had a look – and I got annoyed that I was the only one who couldn’t see so I asked Alethea to get a camera and start taking some snaps. I’m so glad I did. I really treasure those photos. A couple of pushes later and our surprise gender baby was out. The midwife held him up and the first thing I saw were his bits and I was like, “It’s a boy! IT’S A BOY! A BOY!” Sullivan Berry has arrived, 7lb 2oz, after a four hour labour. I was so excited and the adrenaline rush was intense. I felt great; it all happened so fast that I couldn’t ISSUE 288 . April | May 2019

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FEATURE

Two Babies in just over a year Continues that you’re in ‘transition’. We quickly made our way to the hospital where we were met by the midwife and ‘Merry Christmas!’ from the staff. I spent some time pacing the room, doing the infamous ‘baby dance’ sway, listening to music and chatting away about how we couldn’t believe we were having a Christmas baby. Once I felt the urge to push, I again went into my favoured position of all fours on the bed but this time it felt different.

I only felt comfortable standing so with the support of Caleb, my midwife, and the bed, I stood as I gave birth to 7lb 14oz Zara who surprised everyone as she came out facing the wrong way after a four hour labour. It was the most amazing experience and my bond with her was instant. Just six hours after entering the hospital, we were taking our new daughter home to meet her brother and eat our Christmas breakfast as we watched Sullivan open his presents. Two babies 14 months apart has been busy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way and I am thankful for two incredible birth experiences.

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7 BEST FIRST FOODS WHEN INTRODUCING SOLIDS Starting solids? Excited? Paralysed? A bit of both?

Small stomach = Nutrient dense foods. Immature gut = Foods that do not irritate the gut, one step further are foods that help to enhance your little one’s gut development.

Your precious one is onto the ‘next stage’ Exciting. It’s a line in the sand when you say, “they are ready for more”.

To sum up, your baby’s first food should be: • Iron and Zinc rich.

But, you may be paralysed. The list of foods and rules seem to change all the time. New research comes out that shifts the goal posts.

• Nutrient Dense with higher good fats for the development of the brain and nervous system.

You are left confused and overwhelmed.

• Foods that are easy to digest and can enhance development.

You want to get it ‘right’ but can be left wanting to put your head in the sand. Want to know an easy way to decide? Start with the question, “why do you start solids?” At around 6-months of age, a baby’s iron and zinc stores start to decrease. So, their first foods should naturally be high in iron and zinc. Also, they get more curious – reaching for your food and putting things in their mouths. This is a sign they are developmentally ready to start the next phase. When thinking about what food to give the question then becomes, “what makes babies different from adults?” Digestion. If we take a quick trip through your little one’s digestion we see that: • They have limited capacity to chew food because they have no or a few teeth. • Their stomachs are small and not used to solid food. • Their gut is still maturing (note: a child’s gut does not start looking like an adult’s gut until they are around 3-4 years of age) Therefore, we can narrow the list of foods to fill the below criteria. Decreasing Iron and Zinc store = Foods high in both Zinc and Iron. No/limited teeth = Soft or puree foods.

• Soft or pureed foods.

Below are 7 foods that fit these criteria that will be a perfect start for your precious one.

7 Best 1st Foods for their First Month Egg yolk

High in the fat your baby’s brain needs. Good fat will help your baby’s brain and nervous system development. They will be reaching those milestones in no time. Either boil an egg removing the white once cooked or flash fry the yolk in some coconut oil. Add in the white once they start to increase the amount they eat. Note: An allergy to egg most often comes from the egg white. If you have allergies to egg in your family, then make sure you keep an eye out for any allergic reactions when introducing egg whites later on.

Liver

At around 6 months of age your baby’s iron stores will start to decrease. Liver is a nutrientdense food which is not only high in zinc and iron but, iron your baby will readily absorb. Your baby will not eat large amounts to begin with so liver is the perfect choice to start solids with. The small amount they eat will be jampacked full of nutrients. The best bang for your buck! Buy the cleanest source you can, pasture raised organic if possible.

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7 Best First Foods When Introducing Solids, continues

Fermented Foods

When babies start solids their gut goes through a microbial shift, meaning their gut bacteria explode in number and strains. It is super essential for short-term and life-long health that their gut bacteria are favoured towards the good guys. Adding in fermented baby foods is a great way to help your baby’s gut development. Also, the process of fermentation increases the amount of nutrients in the food, so that food will be extra nutritious! Learning to ferment foods is daunting but it doesn’t have to be. It’s super easy – give it a go… Check out the link to get my favourite, versatile, super easy to make fermented baby food – Fermented Kumara at http://walherring.com/ free-recipes.html. It takes about 30min to make, and it lasts for months in the fridge.

Avocado

Smooth and creamy – the perfect food to stimulate your baby’s developing palate. Like egg yolk, avocados are high in good fats – their brain development and nervous system development will get a massive kick out of these beauties. Mash or keep as chunks for your baby to squish and explore.

Kumara (Sweet potato – golden and purple)

This little goody of a root vegetable is being researched at the moment for potentially being the perfect start to solids. Kumara or sweet potato is an excellent prebiotic, which basically

means it helps your good bacteria flourish. Your little one’s beneficial gut bacteria is maturing now, so adding in kumara will help to give it a good kick start – a big tick in our house. I cook kumara in chucks with a little bit of chicken stock (see below) until they become soft. Give mashed or as finger foods.

Chicken Stock

The old wives’ tale - Chicken soup to heal a cold. This may not just be an old wives’ tale. Real chicken stock (aka homemade) contains minerals that are easy to absorb. I used chicken stock when cooking all my purees in my babies first 12 months. If you cook a large batch, you can freeze it into ice cubes. It is then easy to get a smaller portion from the freezer when you need it. You can add to purees or use as the liquid when boiling root vegetables. Note: Chicken stock has been used in babies with digestive problems as it is super easy to digest. So, if your baby has had colic caused by their digestive system, this is a must to learn how to make – Go to http://walherring.com/free-recipes. html for the recipe.

Cucumber

Cucumber, not so much for its nutritional profile – although it is a good source of fibre that will help your little one’s gut develop. Cucumber will give your baby something cold to suck on (gold for a teething baby) while also doubling as giving them autonomy at this young age. Cut the skins off and either cut into stick or rounds – your baby won’t be ‘eating’ it all of it, but, will love the independence on being allowed to chew on something.

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Liver, egg yolk and the fermented Kumara are easier in a puree at this stage.

Bland baby food is a thing of the past…. Once they are in a rhythm of eating, don’t be afraid to add flavour to your purees or finger foods.

Wal Herring is the mother of 4 healthy children. She is the author of Healthy Little Eaters: How to help your children develop a healthy relationship with food and currently runs a blog at www.walherring.com about how to raise healthy children who have a healthy relationship with food.

Avocado you can either mash or give as finger foods; Avocado and egg yolk with a small amount of fermented kumara was my babies go to ‘breakfast’ in his first month of eating.

I f y o u w a nt t he f e r m e nt e d k u m a r a o r no f u s s c hi c k e n s t o c k , g o t o http://walherring.com/free-recipes.html and download.

Kumara you can cook with chicken stock and puree or you can roast kumara sticks with coconut oil spicing it up with paprika.

Fermented Kumara and Chicken stock are super easy to make. Go to http://walherring.com/freerecipes.html for the recipe. Starting solids is an exciting time. You may feel overwhelmed to being with, that comes with learning anything new. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and remember that is can take 10-15 times of trying a new food before your baby and eventual toddler will enjoy it. You got this.

Wal

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A LETTER TO MUMS FOR MOTHER’S DAY Dear New Mother, It takes your breath away, doesn’t it? You knew it would. You knew it would change, well, everything, but you didn’t know it would rock you to your very core quite as shockingly as it has, did you? I didn’t either. None of us did. We read every baby book we could lay our hands on and listened to all the advice being thrown at us from every direction; some delivered with love and good meaning, and others, sadly, delivered under the misconception that sharing a traumatic birth story would better prepare us for ‘reality’. We set up a room for our baby in peaceful, warm tones and imagined planting butterfly kisses on a tiny forehead and whispering, ‘Goodnight’ as we turned on the gentle glow of the night light and quietly closed the door, leaving it slightly ajar, then snuggling, complete and happy, with our partners into the night. Motherhood looks beautiful, and we look beautiful doing it. We felt prepared. We felt ready. The reality was so very different, wasn’t it? The raw reality of surrendering to birth shocks, regardless of how prepared we thought we were. Did you have the birth you dreamed of? Did you have a voice in your baby’s birth? To my sisters who had the birth they planned for, I wrap my arms around you with joy. To my sisters left tender and a little broken, dazed as to how their beautiful birth ended so very differently, I wrap my arms around you even tighter.

wondering what you could possibly make for dinner as your baby cries and cries, desperate for the cluster feeds they so need in the evening. You walk tracks into your carpet as you do lap after lap of your house with your baby in your arms, trying to help them sleep. You will stand at the door of your baby’s room as they scream, wanting to scream back, “What do you need? You cry when I hold you, you cry when I put you down! I don’t know what to do!” You will be terrified that you’re doing everything wrong. It will occur to you that to breastfeed a baby 8 to 10 times a day, sometimes for an hour at a time, is the equivalent of a full time job! It’s just one of the many full time jobs you have now. You will live by the clock (until you learn to turn them all to the wall) and you will study and log every second of your baby’s sleeping and feeding. Later, you’ll look at your notebook and laugh at yourself, but now, it’s the only thing keeping you in control… feeling like you’re in control. You will wonder, “How does anyone do anything with a small baby?” You will feel like everyone has it together except you. You sit, for the seemingly millionth time today, on the

Your baby is here. Now is the time to start your Mothering story. Now it really begins. Your body will feel violated. You may look in the mirror in the days after birth and not recognise the woman looking back at you. You will feel soft, tender, emotional, vulnerable. If your birth ended surgically, you’ll have stitches and scars and pain when you stand. You will bleed postpartum and wonder if it will ever stop. Your breasts will be swollen and tender and you’ll leak milk at the mere thought of your baby. You may never have felt such vulnerability before and it may come as quite a shock. Go gently. Let your body and spirit heal. Do you remember the day you brought your baby home? How strange it felt to walk into your house, where everything looks exactly as it did when you left it, but somehow everything has changed? What do we do now? Day and night lose all rhythm and the universe outside your door ceases to exist as you adjust to this new ‘normal’ you find yourself living. Yet the outside seeps in and you find yourself trying to live up to expectations of all the things you should be doing. You feel chained to your baby; feeding, sleeping, changing, but the domestic chores don’t disappear! “I can’t do this”. You’ll say it. More than once probably, as you look at the pile of washing, or stand staring at an empty fridge

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lounge with your baby at your breast, gazing dazed out of the window and wondering how on Earth you are going to survive this. “Everything gets easier after 6 weeks,” everyone says. So you grit your teeth, endure the cracked nipples and other realities of a newly birthed body and hang in there until the day dawns on your baby’s 6th week. Perhaps you feel a little less shell shocked. Perhaps your body is beginning to heal. So sure, it’s a little easier, but there is no magic dawning of a day when suddenly you are needed less by this little being. Slowly, as you become more confident and more able to listen to your instincts and read the needs of your baby, you will begin to relax a little. You will get rid of the books that do nothing but bring stress and doubt into your mothering. You will be able to block out the advice that doesn’t sit well with your soul. There will be, even in the darkest of times, some moments of such pure joy it will seem like a light is shining on you and your little family. The love you feel for your baby will knock the breath out of you at times and you will happily spend hours just gazing into your child’s face. Your connection is strong. You will find a support network of other mothers who understand you, who will stand honestly beside you in your journey. When you feel isolated you will find where to turn to discover these mothers, and your isolation will ease. You will learn to surrender to the ever changing, always fluid, life of a mother. But still, there will be things that, when they are happening, feel like they will go on for an eternity. Looking back, you’ll see that they were but a blink of an eye, but when you are sleep deprived and desperate you will feel like you will never sleep again. You will spend

hours online looking for answers, to find out when other people’s babies slept, when they slept all by themselves. You don’t think you can survive being needed by your child so many times a night for the next 4 or 5 years. But you will. When, one bedtime, your child, secure in their attachment and love within their family, curls up in their own bed, pulls the covers up to their little chin and says, “Goodnight Mummy, you can go now.” you will be rendered speechless for a moment. Then you’ll lean over, plant a little butterfly kiss on their forehead, whisper “Goodnight”, turn on the night light and walk out of their room. All will be peaceful. You will feel a pang, a pull on your heart strings that your baby is growing up. All the late nights, all the breastfeeding, all the every 20 minute night waking, all the frustration and worry about sleep will, for that night anyway, be over. Motherhood will look beautiful, and you’ll look beautiful doing it. Until then, know that you are walking a path left by all the mothers before you and that the endless rocking, swaying, singing (and sobbing), and sleepless nights are a universal truth for all Mothers. Even when you are feeling lonely, you will never be alone. We are standing beside you every step of the way. Love, Me. xx http://www.pinkymckay.com/dear-new-mother-fromkaren/ Karen Swan, Community Manager of Pinky’s Parenting by Heart member program

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FAMILY FRIENDLY OUTING

MT LEES RESERVE By Erin Evis Mt Lees Reserve is a beautiful bush sanctuary, tucked away between Sanson and Halcombe and signposted from the main roads. It is an absolute hidden treasure, and an excellent place for a family day out. On arrival you’ll find a great flat area for camping

and picnics - lovely trees, open spaces, and great amenities. There are toilets, swings and a playground, tennis courts, and as you walk around past the B&B homestead and sheltered summerhouse, you’ll find a lawn big enough for a game of sports and space to pitch a tent to camp in overnight. You could even try your hand at croquet, as the hoops are all ready to

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go. Because it’s hidden off the main highways, you can feel the tranquillity when you step out of the car, with nothing but the sound of nature buzzing around you. The main attraction for us though, is the bushwalk. The area is thick with beautiful trees that lead down a gulley, though the tracks are surprisingly easy to walk down - nothing too steep or difficult for children, and it would be easy to navigate with a baby in a carrier or a decent off-road-capable buggy. The steepest parts are at the start of the walk, and after that it ambles gently down the slope for the most part. The tracks aren’t overly slippery - on the

sunny day we visited, anyway - and wide enough to be able to hold hands as you make your way down. The bush is very well thought out and great for picnics and outings. Because it isn’t native, virgin bushland - it was a scrubby hillside that a man with excellent foresight replanted in the 1930s with a combination of native and introduced species - it often surprises you… walk around a corner through a stand of native trees and find yourself confronted with a towering bamboo forest, for example, or a gorgeous stream billowing with blooming hydrangeas. The planting was done with visitors in mind, so as you go through you’ll find ample seats to perch on and take in the peaceful surrounding, or large lawns perfect for picnics and with plenty of space for toddlers to run around on, thoughtfully planted out to discourage them getting lost in the bush. The entire track took us about an hour to walk, stopping frequently and with a four-year-old and two-year-old in tow. We found sticks to look at, fungi to examine, moths and stick insects and weta and plenty of birds, numerous incredible specimens of interesting plant and tree, and a real sense of adventure, with what feels like something new to look at around each turn. Mt Lees Reserve is a beautiful place to explore, and would make a great camping spot for those so inclined - very family friendly, peaceful and with everything you could need for an exciting afternoon.

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By Pinky McKay Bonding with your baby isn’t just a ‘mum’ thing. It’s true that mums have a bit of a head start because they are the ones growing the baby and they have all sorts of amazing hormonal changes that prepare them to birth and breastfeed and nurture babies. However, new research suggests that expectant and new fathers actually experience biological and hormonal changes that prepare them for parenting too. Anthropologists Lee Gettler, Christopher Kuzawa, and their colleagues at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philippines worked with a group of about 600 men participating in the survey. They measured morning and evening salivary testosterone levels in 2005, when the men were about age 21, then again in 2009. This research, which tested men’s saliva for testosterone levels reported that new fathers showed a 30 percent decrease in testosterone. The study’s authors speculate that the drop in testosterone seems to be a biological adjustment that helps men shift their priorities when children come along. While high testosterone levels have been linked to aggression, extroversion, and risk-taking, drops in testosterone have been linked to fathers’ responsiveness to their children. Other research shows that the hormones prolactin and cortisol (both connected with pregnant women) rise significantly in the three weeks before birth is due. It seems that being near your pregnant partner and the effects of her pheromones, triggers hormonal changes in expectant dads. Then, when your baby is born, cuddling and playing with your little one will elicit the release of hormones like prolactin, the hormone of tender nurturing, oxytocin, the love hormone, and beta endorphins, feel good hormones that are also known as the hormones of pleasure and reward. This means that the more you interact with your baby right from the start, the happier you will feel so the more you will want to play – and the better your relationship with your baby will develop. The good news (in case you are worried that playing with your baby will make you less ‘manly’) is that these lower testosterone levels won’t affect your libido – they are still within normal levels. You could see it as though every nappy you change, every cuddle you share and every game of peekaboo that has you and your baby chuckling with delight is an emotional investment in your baby’s wellbeing and his trust in you. Here are some fun ways to bond with your baby – right from the start!

Talk to the bump! Research has shown that babies can distinguish between their parents’ and strangers’ voices from 30 weeks in the womb—and the same study found that if dads speak to a baby before birth, the newborn will recognize his father’s voice. So talk—or sing—to that bump and your baby will know you as soon as he hears you on the ‘outside’. Pop him in a pouch: Carrying your baby close in a baby carrier is a great way to keep him happy as he hears your heartbeat and your deep voice. You can take him out for a walk while mum rests (warning: dads carrying babies get a lot of positive attention from strange women). Or, just go about your business— walk the dog, rake the leaves or vacuum—your baby will love the movement and you will get brownie points for being a master baby calmer! Bath together: Bathing a tiny slippery baby can be a bit daunting at first. An easier way to manage bathing is to get in the bath or shower with your baby. When you have had a good play, pass him out to mummy to wrap him in a warm towel and cuddle him dry before a feed. Learn baby massage: Massage is not only good for your baby’s health and development as well as his sleep patterns it’s also a great way to get to know your baby’s non-verbal language and boost your confidence. An Australian study of infant massage and father-baby bonding found that at 12 weeks old, babies who were massaged by their fathers greeted their Dads with more eye contact, smiling, vocalising and touch than those in the control group. Try the colic waltz: Although it’s much more fun to play with a happy baby, when it all goes ‘pear shaped’, Dads are often the best baby settlers: you don’t smell like breast milk so if baby has a bellyache, he can relax without snuffling around for more mummy milk; you have big strong arms to lie him along (with his legs straddled across your arm and a bit of pressure against his belly); or snuggle him against your chest with his head tucked under your chin, and hum as you walk – the vibration and deep noise you make will help him calm in no time. Just do it!: Even though you may feel a bit anxious about your baby care skills, especially your ability to calm your tiny, crying baby, just give it a go! And don’t be intimidated by your partner (Ladies, lock up that mother lioness and step back!). Although your lady may seem more confident than you about baby care, she will take time to find her groove too. The more you participate in the care of your baby, the better you will get to know your child and the more your own confidence will grow. ISSUE 288 . April | May 2019

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DAD’S LIFE

THE CHEMISTRY OF DAD AND BABY


CRAFT

BLACK AND WHITE

Baby stimulation Cards/ Posters/ Mobiles By Fritha Linklater First of all I didn’t know why newborns needed black and white pictures and when I first had my child I was very unaware how much it can help! So below is some information about why these are beneficial and a website to download pictures from. You can print them, laminate them and make all sorts of things for your baby to enjoy.

What you’ll need: • Black and White Printables •

http://domanmom.com/2014/05/newborn-blackwhite-patterns/

http://www.brillbaby.com/free-download/ infant-stimulation-cards.php

Why?? High-contrast (black and white) patterns are one of the few things that baby can actually see in the early days, so decorating your baby’s environment with these types of colours and patterns will encourage them to actually use (and therefore, grow) their vision (domanmom). Black and white colours are the easiest for babies to perceive and interest in these starkly contrasting colours will pave the way for your baby’s brain development (Brillbaby). These infant stimulation flashcards will help calm and soothe your baby as well as increase concentration skills, enhance natural curiosity, and stimulate the creation of brain cell connections. (BrillBaby) Hang them on the walls (and ceiling!) near baby’s crib, changing table, bathtub, where you nurse or bottle-feed, and wherever baby will spend time. Hang some in the car for baby to look at while he’s in his car seat. Hang some from a mobile. Put some in a picture frame or flip-board for baby to look at while he’s doing tummy time. Switch them out regularly to keep baby interested and engaged.

• Card to enable pictures to stand up x3 pieces. • Glue (PVA) • Laminator or drop off to your local laminating shop.

Steps: 1. Print off printables. 2. Cut to desired size. 3. Join and mix patterns together. 4. Glue on to card (both sides). 5. Laminate. 6. Enjoy playing with your newborn and watch as they start to focus and watch on the 7. colours!

Congratulates

Monica Stapp 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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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

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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.

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.

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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

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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

Mon to Thurs 9:15am to 12:15pm, Fri 11:45am to 2:45pm

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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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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