the best in pregnancy, birth, infancy & early childhood
by Emma Sutherland 1. A diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains ensures you get the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are essential for a healthy immune system. Eat plenty of onion and garlic for their antimicrobial properties to keep germs at bay, and consider taking natural supplements like Kyolic Aged Garlic [...]
At this time of the year the kids seem to come home from day care or school with a new cold or flu bug every week and mum’s need to keep on top of their own health to make sure they’re able to look after their family. Sydney naturopath Emma Sutherland says women need to [...]
Jennifer Gelven, 39, is a work-from-home mother from Meadow Springs, WA, whose four-year-old son, Jacob, has struggled with heart disease from a very early age. After a relatively good pregnancy, apart from a little high blood pressure, Jacob was born on Valentine’s Day 2008 by Caesarean. He was a healthy baby boy until day three [...]
By Christie Nicholas Since becoming a mum, have you ever woken up and not recognised who you are anymore? Are you unclear of what you want from your life or have you lost sight of your goals? Have you neglected yourself and everything that once made you you? Or maybe you are just overwhelmed by [...]
On April 9 2012, the Seattle City Council in Washington, US, unanimously passed a bill that protects a woman’s right to breastfeed as a civil right. Many have viewed this as an important victory in light of the recent “war on women” that has been raging across the United States. It will now be illegal [...]
According to the Shanghai Daily, the hottest new job in China’s burgeoning postpartum care market is cui ru chi or ”push milk teacher”. Over 90-minute massage sessions, these breast masseuses clear new mothers’ blocked milk ducts ‘by putting pressure on the right spots,’ says Wang Xiaohong, a “lactogogue” from Beijing who sees six clogged clients a day. A clogged [...]
Q: My 18-month-old daughter has just started getting upset with other kids when they try to play with her toys. She screams at them and pushes them away. Is this a behavioural problem or does she have an aggressive nature? A: It means neither necessarily. Children’s development is fascinating. They start life armed only with [...]
Q: Our 22-month-old grandson has no allergies but he always seems to have a cough. Can this be a sign of asthma? A: A toddler presenting with a cough is a common problem and may be an early presentation of asthma. Asthma has a very broad spectrum of presentation and severity, and it is important [...]
Q: I’m considering IVF but have heard there are increased health risks for the baby and me. Can you explain the risks? A: IVF is normally very safe and the risk of serious side effects is very low. But, as with all medical treatments, there are complications of which a couple planning IVF needs [...]
New parents are generally well prepared for the practicalities of child-birth and caring for a newborn baby, but when that baby starts to take on the world it can be a challenging time for both parents and children. My Child asked Angharad Candlin, CatholicCare psychologist and guest speaker at The Baby and Toddler Show, about [...]
Q: We always battle at meal times. How can I get my kids to eat their dinner? A: Battles at meal times are common for anxious parents who are keen to see that their kids are well nourished. Don’t expect your child to clean their plate each and every night. It’s normal and healthy to sometimes leave [...]
Even though we get little time to ourselves, it’s a lonely job being the perfect mum according to The Changing Face of Motherhood report. The report from Procter & Gamble found most of us have less than 40 minutes to ourselves each day and 87 per cent of modern day mums experience feelings of isolation. [...]
Band-aids and kisses may be enough for the general rough and tumble of childhood, but all parents should be equipped with a bigger armoury of first aid knowledge. We spoke to Amanda Thornton, founder of Child Revive First Aid which provides child first aid training to parents and carers of children. What inspired you to start [...]
New information into the effectiveness of fitness video games shows that old-fashioned exercise is still the way to go. Researchers have found that, when left to their own devices, kids playing active games such as Wii Fit Plus and Sport are engaged in no more physical activity than if they were playing a friendly game [...]
Q: With two kids under three, my energy is sapped. What natural treatments can I use to keep me going? A: You are in a busy stage of life and it’s often easy to neglect your own needs when your children’s are so great. The basic lifestyle essentials for improving energy are regular exercise, [...]
Q: My son hates it when we got to the doctor. What can I do to show him he needn’t be afraid? A: Take your child along with you when you are visiting the doctor and tell him it is Mummy’s turn. Talk to your doctor and ask for assistance in relating to and [...]
Q: Can air travel during pregnancy harm my baby? A: Air travel for a healthy pregnant woman is not hazardous. Those with underlying medical problems or pregnancy complications should consult their doctor or midwife before travel. Pregnant women are, however, at increased risk of developing deep venous thrombosis (DVT). They can minimise their risk [...]
Q: My husband and I have just separated. How can we reduce the negative impact of this on our children, aged one and two? A: To be honest, the kids will not remember that you ever lived together, so having two homes will be quite normal until they get a bit older. How they [...]
Q: How important is it for children to attend preschool? I’m quite happy for my two kids, 18 months and three, to stay at home until school. A: There really isn’t a simple answer to this question. For children between the ages of two-and-a-half and six, preschool can be a great option where your child [...]
Q: I sucked my thumb for years without any detrimental effects but I keep hearing it is bad for babies and tots. Is this correct? A: Thumb sucking is very interesting behaviour. It is often discouraged by doctors, nurses and grandparents, but is actually good for your bub! Babies especially like to suck and [...]
