Safety Videos

Is Baby Getting Enough Breast Milk

Breast Milk and Breastfeeding

I met with Leanne Cummins (midwife, lactation consultant & renowned child birth educator) yesterday and we spoke about how she came about producing the 3 part "Birthing Sense" series.

As a specialist in the area of breastfeeding, she has the following advice regarding breast milk.

The question of "Is baby getting enough breastmilk" is often asked in the first two to three days following birth, and up to six months of age. It is best answered if we look at baby feeding patterns in the first week, the first month, and then up to six months.

The First Week

Day 1

The first breastfeed should ideally be within the first hour or two after birth. Baby is most alert during this time. He may be able to attach himself (baby-led) and will often feed well (especially if no drugs were used during birth). It is common for baby to sleep for 6 to 12 hours after a good breastfeed at birth.

Day 2-4

During this time your breasts are still soft, but will begin to change. They will gradually feel fuller and heavier as your milk changes from colostrum to the increased volume of mature milk.

Day 3-6

During this time your mature milk will "come in" and you will be producing much more milk for your baby. ‘Mature' milk looks white, thin and watery. Don't be deceived by way it looks. This milk is full of everything your baby needs and will change according to your baby's needs throughout your breastfeeding experience.

The first six weeks

Babies will go through a series of growth spurts (appetite increases) throughout the first month of life. The first growth spurt is within the first week (when baby is waiting for the mature milk to come in). More appetite increases occur around three and six weeks of age, and then at around three and six months of age (& some babies will throw in an extra one between these times). An appetite increase, or growth spurt, is a time of rapid growth for the baby.
As a baby grows, he requires more milk. To make their mother produce more milk, they must feed more regularly.

At 6 months

By six months most babies may start to be interested in other foods. Some babies are not interested at all and that is okay, milk remains their main source of nutrition anyway. This is a time to start introducing different tastes and textures. Usually babies are eating the same food as their family by 12 months of age.

The following video shows examples of 1. A really good drinker, 2. A Good Drinker, 3. A stop and starter and 4. A nibbler!

Unique Baby Girl Names

After a bit of digging I've found this list of the top 100 baby girl names to compliment the last post.

What ever happened to Tracey, Jody, Fiona, Nicole?? There won't be too many of the names I'm familiar with around in 20 years!

In fact, this website has an excellent historical graph feature to check out to see if your name is in style or not (mine is certainly not).

Popularity of names starting with TRACEY

This list below is from the NSW department of Registry of Births, Deaths and marriages in 2007, so if it's a unique baby girl name you seek, don't pick one from the list below.

1. Isabella
2. Ella
3. Emily
4. Chloe
5. Mia
6. Olivia
7. Charlotte
8. Sophie
9. Sienna
10. Jessica
11. Ava
12. Lily
13. Hannah
14. Grace
15. Amelia
16. Sarah
17. Ruby
18. Zoe
19. Georgia
20. Emma
21. Jasmine
22. Lucy
23. Madison
24. Sophia
25. Chelsea
26. Matilda
27. Hayley
28. Alyssa
29. Lara
30. Isabelle
31. Holly
32. Maddison
33. Jade
34. Zara
35. Imogen
36. Caitlin
37. Elizabeth
38. Eva
39. Lilly
40. Samantha
41. Bella
42. Claire
43. Lauren
44. Tahlia
45. Scarlett
46. Annabelle
47. Keira
48. Abigail
49. Amy
50. Paige
51. Maya
52. Summer
53. Kiara
54. Angelina
55. Natalie
56. Phoebe
57. Molly
58. Abbey
59. Eliza
60. Anna
61. Sofia
62. Kate
63. Mikayla
64. Madeleine
65. Isabel
66. Layla
67. Kayla
68. Amber
69. Ashley
70. Savannah
71. Ellie
72. Rachel
73. Gabrielle
74. Mackenzie
75. Alexandra
76. Bianca
77. Alica
78. Laura
79. Brooke
80. Alexis
81. Amelie
82. Brianna
83. Victoria
84. Stephanie
85. Evie
86. Natasha
87. Katie
88. Rebecca
89. Erin
90. Gabriella
91. Makayla
92. Alana
93. Madeline
94. Lilian
95. Sara
96. Skye
97. Gemma
98. Kaitlyn
99. Stella
100. Bethany

The video here shows the top 100 baby girl names which has analysed all of Australia:

Top 100 Baby Boy Names

Selecting baby boy names should be easy right?

Wrong!

During your pregnancy, this issue will no doubt be right up there in the research process.

Do you pick from the top 100 baby boy names? Not if you want yours to be unique that's for sure. If this is the case, you won't be selecting Jack, Riley, Samual or Ethan.

Here are some starting points to consider - or not!

• Research your family tree. Your grandfather's and great grandfather's names might be right back in the cool stakes. And you may even be lucky enough for it to be unique. There is so much pride and tradition in naming your son after one of his ancestors.
• Make a list of all your favourite books and movies. There may be some gems in theree.
• Choose a name from a respected celebrity or world leader. But think how you can either give it a twist or use it as a basis for something else linked to them.
• Research your ethnic background and choose a name that has a meaning for your family.

There's also zillions of name databases on the internet to try out. Finding unique baby boy names will no doubt be a lot of fun and one one the most pleasurable tasks ahead of you!

See the video here:

Fathers Role With Breastfeeding

Fathers and Breastfeeding

Many new Dads feel left out when it comes to breastfeeding. They can't feed the baby themselves and in some cases can even be quite jealous of the closeness the mother and baby share when breastfeeding. These feelings aside, fathers actually play a key role in breastfeeding. Their support often makes the difference in whether a woman sticks with breastfeeding and succeeds or gives up before she really learns how.

The father's support is critical, especially in a mother that is breastfeeding for the first time. The Dad is the person who is with her the most and knows her the best. If he is enthusiastic, knowledgeable and supportive, it makes all the difference as to whether or not breastfeeding will be successful and enjoyable for that Mother and baby.

Without their partner's help, many women don't make it through the sometimes emotionally difficult first days and weeks of breastfeeding. When a father makes the effort to encourage and reassure the new mother, she tends to feel more confident.

The best thing a husband can do is just to be supportive. Often they don't understand all the reasons why new mother's continue to struggle with breastfeeding when it seems so much easier to give the baby a formula bottle. A knowledgeable partner who understands and is committed is so valuable.

The hardest thing for many dads is feeling left out in the first days and weeks of the baby's life. But that's the best time to jump in and learn how to do other things that can help them bond with their babies. Some fathers sing to their babies or carry them closely. A great way for a father to bond with his newborn is to put the infant on his bare chest, so the baby can feel his warm skin and learn how he feels and smells.

First-time fathers, especially, need to be encouraged to hold and play with their newborns, because they are often hesitant to hold the tiny babies. Every new mother should make sure the baby's father spends plenty of time holding and cuddling the baby.

Once breastfeeding has become a routine, Dads can get involved in the feeding process by giving the baby a bottle of expressed breast milk. It's better to wait several weeks, until the milk supply is plentiful and the baby is comfortable to adapt to a new way of feeding.

New fathers can be even more help if they arm themselves with lots of information - from books, classes and now ever increasingly DVD sets just like the "Being Dad 1&2" which is now available from the new online shop at Babypoo.com.au.

See the video here:


Other breastfeeding entries:
Sweet Tip for Weaning off Breastfeeding
Constipation after Breastfeeding
Bottle with Breastfeeding

Lactation Specialists

How, Why and When to consult a Lactation Specialist

A lactation consultant in private practice consults in a private clinic, or see mothers and their babies in the mothers' home or at the maternity hospital.

They help resolve breastfeeding and/or lactation problems, teach the art of breastfeeding, assist mothers to develop and improve their mothering skills and provide an ongoing support system for them both.

To be qualified as an IBCLC candidates must demonstrate that they already have extensive education & clinical experience working with breastfeeding mothers, and then pass an exam which qualifies them for a period of 5 years. Often lactation consultants have also been (or still are) Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellors, midwives, GP's, or mothercraft nurses as well.

Lynne Hall runs Better Beginnings whose mission is to support a new parent's transition into parenthood, focussing on supporting the family to make choices and have options with breastfeeding.

See a video interview with Lynne Hall here:


Other breastfeeding entries:
Constipation after Breastfeeding
Sweet Tip for Weaning off Breastfeeding

Teething Baby

Parenting Tips for Teething

Teething usually starts when a baby is around four months old, and will continue up to about two years old, at which time you get a handy break up until about five years old when the baby teeth start being replaced by adult teeth. Some babies teeth early, at around three months old, and some teeth later. No doubt teething will bring about lots of crying and premature babies may teeth later. Some babies don't develop their first teeth until 7 months or more, and a few may even be a year old before showing a single tooth.

Signs that your baby may have teething pain include fussiness, crying, poor sleep, pulling or rubbing at the ear and dribbling. Babies may wish to chew on something hard during this process too in an attempt to provide themselves with some comfort. Some teeth may cause more pain than others, but if you're really lucky, some babies are not troubled by teething at all. Remember that teething does NOT cause high fever, diarrhoea, ear infections or any other illness for that matter so treat these symptoms separately to the teething process. If in doubt, see your doctor.

As with all dental conditions your Dentist should be consulted. Your Dentist will diagnose and treat any potential problems and make sure you start good hygiene habits early and ask the dentist about how to brush and care for your child's teeth too.

See the video here:

New Dad to Parenting

New Father?

Have you just become a new dad? Through natural means with your partner, by adoption, or by marrying into a single parent family? In any case, there is a significant adjustment period for new fathers.

Unlike websites and other resources for women, there just isn't the same focus for men entering fatherhood for the first time. Good resources are hard to come by.

If you are Australian however, there is fantastic 2 part DVD program called "Being Dad". A snippet of the video can be seen below.

The beauty of these parenting DVDs is that instead of individually reading a book, the DVD set can be watched together to help inspire you to be the best dad you can be. Of course this isn't the be all and end of parenting education - not by a long stretch, but it can help facilitate questions from the "average bloke" that may have otherwise gone unasked.

See related video here:

Baby Swimming Age

Baby Swimming

At what age should you start your newborn baby swimming?

there's a common misperception that you need to wait until after immunisation, but this is not true as the chlorine in the pool kills off bacteria or viruses. It's probably sensible to wait at least a few weeks after birth - after all your baby is only just getting used to being out of the womb let alone in a swim school pool! A lot of people wait until after the first postnatal check at six to eight weeks. Check with the local swim schools in your area what their policies are relating to this.

Once there, you can boost your baby's confidence in the water by keeping your face at eye level, maintaining eye contact and by smiling and talking reassuringly. Taking a familiar bath toy is a good idea as well.

If put underwater your baby will open their eyes and hold their breath with an in-built response known as the "mammalian dive reflex". This stops water entering their lungs. After about 12 months, this reflex is almost gone and your baby will cough and splutter, like you and I.

Introducing babies to swimming early on is said to improve all aspects of their development including physical, intelligence, language, emotional and social. Some other purported benefits include:

• They become confident water early on which may save their lives one day.
• Muscle strength is developed which may assist in early walking.
• Co-ordination and associated motor skills are also improved through regular exercise.
• A weekly swim provides a good work out and improves the cardio-vascular system.
• Structured classes help development using building blocks progressive practices.
• You and the teacher provide verbal stimulus through teaching.
• Babies are also mirroring and matching other babies and children.
• It is said sleeping and feeding can be improved.
• Swimming from an early age can avoid traumatic experiences that some children go through when learning to swim. It familiarises children with deep water and gives them the confidence to swim below the water level.

See related video here:

Toddler Sleeping Rituals

Toddler Bedtime Behaviour

Some parenting tips for toddler's bedtime:

• Stick to a regular bedtime, wake-up and sleeping schedule. This will condition your toddler to become tired at about the same time every day.
• Make sleep time something to look forward to by creating relaxing routines around it (e.g., read quiet stories, sing a lullaby, share lots of cuddles).
• It's no worries to encourage their comforts, e.g. blankie, teddy, or even a little touch of Mum (e.g, a T-shirt you wore that day). But don't become a human comfort by staying until they fall asleep - this could be tough to break later on.
• Make sure your child doesn't become engrossed in an activity to engrossing close to bedtime.
• Don't use the bedroom as a place of punishment. This can lead your child to associate being alone in their bedroom as something bad which is counterproductive at bedtime.
Be monotonous, predictable and boring. Finish your sleep-time rituals, tuck in, then be emotionless. Answer all questions from the doorway and discourage long conversations by saying something like, "Okay, time to sleep, see you in the morning." Then leave and repeat as necessary. They'll get no joy out of this.
• Prepare for procrastination ploys. Plan ahead the last minute requests i.e., close the cupboard door, night light turned on, etc.
• Don't give in. Sure they might get a bit sooky when you leave, but resist the urge to rush back in. Wait about five to ten minutes before returning, then again just offer a simple reassurance and another "Okay, time to sleep, see you in the morning.". Repeat this bedtime ritual if necessary.
• Try sleep rewards. Start a sticker chart and award a gold star for every fuss-free bedtime.

See the video here:


Other entries:
Toddler Sleep & Bed Behaviour

Swaddling Sleeping Baby On The Go

Transporting Sleeping Baby

There are loads of inventions for transporting your sleeping child from the wide and varied pram, stroller, Baby Bjorn types and bassinette models, but sometimes the best parenting tips take you back to basics!

This video (although not in English) is a great how-to for carrying your sleeping baby with a large muslin wrap or blanket.

A mobile swaddling technique at its best.

See the video here:


Other entries:
Baby Sleeping Through
Sleeping - Moving from the cot to the big bed

Pro Baby - Right or Wrong?

Pro-Baby or Routine?

Rebecca got loads of advice from maternal nurses regarding demand feeding and sleeping behavior for her newborn baby, but it didn't quite work out for her. Here's some parenting advice for new mums getting confused with all the mixed messages.

Pro-breastfeeding, pro-co-sleeping, pro-baby wearing, cloth nappies but anti-crying out. By all accounts, this style of parenting is about promoting attachment to people perhaps over things. For example not giving parenting substitutes, say like pacifiers, comfort blankets, etc., but rather giving yourself to your child.

Is it right or wrong? As you've no doubt gathered, there's always a thick grey line when it comes to parenting...

See the video here:

Travelling on Plane With Newborn Baby

Plane Travel With Baby

Frankie has travelled by plane between Australia and Holland with her newborn and ha a few simple parenting tips to share.

Some basic plane travelling with baby tips:

• Allow plenty of time at the airport for check-in, and connecting flights. Remember how much longer it takes to achieve anything with baby and/or kids in tow and apply the same formula to everything in your travel plans.
• when checking in, ask if your flight is full or not. Some assistants will block out the seat next to you in a less full flight or offer you the option of seating next to a vacant seat. This is particularly valuable if you had booked traveling with a toddler under 24months without a seat.
• Get on the plane first and off the plane last to get a better chance of assistance from cabin crew staff.
• Pack a small bag with just one nappy, a few wipes, a perfumed nappy sack and some rash cream.
• Some planes have a larger bathroom at the very rear of the plane with a correspondingly larger change table. Wait for this to become free if you have a larger baby to change, as airplane change tables are small.

See the video here:


Other baby travelling entries:
Travelling With Baby
Toilet Training

Pureeing Solids for Baby

Do you Puree Solids

Justine has some parenting advice from what she saw at her maternal nursing health clinic which was a British DVD (Baby-Led Weaning) that challenges the need to puree food when introducing a child to solids as a part of their childhood development.

Baby-led weaning avoids spoon feeding and purees and allows babies to feed themselves a larger variety of foods early on.

See the video here:


Other Solids entries:
Starting Solids
Breastfeeding at Dinner Time

Travelling With Toddlers

Make them help with Travelling

Varena recommends encouraging them to help with the chore of travelling. If they have a suitcase of their own, not only will it help share the luggage load, but also may even teach your toddler a bit of personal responsibility along the way.

Are you scared of taking your toddler on his or her first trip on an airplane? Most people are. What do you pack? What will he/she do on the airplane for hours? What should I do if she has a tantrum? If you have any parenting tips please write your comments below!

See the video here:


Other baby travelling entries:
Travelling With Baby
Holidays With Small Children