interactive pdf - Parents Centre

Transcription

SUPPORTING PARENTS THROUGH THE EARLY YEARS
DeCember 2013 – January 2014
257
make it
STOP
We share the job of protecting children
use your
head
Helmets prevent injury
you
can’t
do it alone
Parents need support
water
– fun or fatal
On becoming water wise
It’s
OK
to help
Family violence is
everyone’s business
vintage
carnival
party
winners
of the
2013
PHOTO
COMPETITION
Celebrate a birthday
with the fun of the fair
ALSO INSIDE:
RRP $5.00 (incl GST)
Parenting tips • Childbirth • Family finances • Breastfeeding • Lifestyle • Family health
beat the
BULLY
Help protect your family from bullying
ASG Education Programs New Zealand (ASG) provides some tips on
how to help protect your family from bullying.
Research from Victoria University of
Wellington has found that bullying in
schools is starting at preschool age.
He wants to be an engineer.
ASG can help you get him there.
ASG Education Programs New Zealand (ASG) offers parents a proven and proactive way to
nurture their child’s education journey and help them reach their full potential. At the same
time, ASG supports them to offset the cost of education. In fact, since 1990 we’ve helped more
than 44,500 families and returned more than $203 million in education benefits to Members
and their children.
For more information on the benefits of being an ASG Member,
visit www.asg.co.nz/kiwi-parent or call 0800 994 274.
As a parent, it is distressing when
your child comes home from school
or other activities upset talking,
about how they have been bullied.
Bullying damages the wellbeing of
its victims physically, socially, and
emotionally. It also hurts the children
who bully, as well as those who
watch it happen. Bullying creates a
climate of fear and disrespect for
everyone involved.
It is hard to know what to do if your
child is being bullied, or is the one
that is bullying, but ASG’s special
report on bullying can help. The
report has information and tips on
how to identify bullying – its signs
and effects, and practical ideas on
how to deal with bullying from a
number of perspectives.
�
Apparent or perceived lack of
friends
�
Unexplained changes in
behaviour, such as unusual
aggression or tears
�
Becoming withdrawn and
unwilling to take on new
activities
�
Crying themselves to sleep and/
or having nightmares
�
Not turning up for school
�
Drop in school grades and quality
of work
�
Asking for extra money and/
or unwilling to explain where
money has gone
�
Refusing to talk about what’s
wrong
�
Having unexplained cuts and
bruises
� Torn or damaged clothing and/or
possessions
�
Changing the way he or she
travels to and from school
How can you tell if your child is being
bullied? Below are some signs:
�
Coming home from school
hungry
� Reluctance to go to school
�
Change in eating pattern; not
wanting to eat
� Saying they feel ill in the mornings
�
Beginning to bully others
�
When questioned has poor
answers or excuses for any of
the above.
Download a copy of ASG’s special
report, Help protect your family from
bullying, at:
www.asg.co.nz/bullying-nz
ASG helps create educational
opportunities for children by
delivering a range of products and
resources to families that support
their early learning phase right
through to post-secondary education.
To find out how ASG can help you
visit www.asg.co.nz
Please read the Combined Prospectus and Investment Statement to consider if the product is right for you. A copy can be obtained from any ASG Centre.
subscribe online at www.kiwiparent.co.nz –
kiwiparent
1
SUPPORTING PARENTS THROUGH THE EARLY YEARS
DECEMBER 2013 – JANUARY 2014
257
Ho, ho, ho
Features
The changing faces of kiwi parents
Aotearoa is a young nation of immigrants, a
constantly evolving society with increasingly diverse
cultural flavour. All people in this land contribute to
the rich fabric of our society, including to the current
climate of parenting.
Beat the bully........................................................................... 1
Letters to the editor............................................................. 4–5
We’ve had enough
Child abuse is insidious, it’s incomprehensible
and it’s entrenched in our society. But Social
Development Minister, Paula Bennet is convinced
we can change this. As she travels the country
talking to New Zealanders she receives a
consistent message – we’ve had enough, make
it stop.
Product page............................................................................ 6
Jeff and Leila Pamumum
Photo Credit: Jo Frances Photography
Special Features
The changing faces of Kiwi parents
Eleanor Cater................................................................................ 8–11
What Christmas means to us............................................. 12–13
We’ve had enough
Paula Bennett............................................................................... 16–17
You can’t do it alone............................................................. 18–20
It’s OK to help......................................................................... 30–33
Top travel tips
Dreamland awaits for your baby
Johnson’s baby............................................................................. 14
Before you snap...................................................................... 22
A Kiwi couple’s story: A first birth.............................. 24–25
Lisa Manning................................................................................ 26–27
Safe Sleep Day ........................................................................ 28
Silent night
Cath O’Brien.................................................................................. 34–35
Parents Centre pages........................................................... 39–45
The costs and rewards or raising children
Joanna Redfern............................................................................ 54–55
Help for the kiwi holiday
Judy Coldicott................................................................................ 56–57
Water – fun or fatal
Skin deep.................................................................................... 66–67
Water babies ............................................................................ 50–52
Quick, get the midwife!
– An addictive profession................................................. 68
Winners of the 2013 photo competition................. 58–61
Winners from our last issue............................................ 73
Give them a head start
Directory page......................................................................... 74
Keith Woods................................................................................. 62–63
Peekaboo, who is there?.................................................... 64–65
Our vintage carnival party
Jessica Wilcox............................................................................... 70–72
2
kiwiparent – supporting kiwi parents through the early years
We are an island nation with over 14,000
kilometres of coastline and over 65% of the
population live within five kilometres of the coast.
With the days getting longer and the temperature
rising most Kiwis’ thoughts turn to summer and
having fun around, in on or under the water at the
beach, river or lake.
All tied up
Melissa Zgomba.......................................................................... 36–38
Chris Morgan................................................................................ 46–48
Water – fun or fatal?
Find a Centre........................................................................... 75
Shopping cart........................................................................... 76–79
Giveaways.................................................................................. 80
Kiwiparent – Since 1954 the magazine of Parents Centres New Zealand Inc
Editor
Leigh Bredenkamp
Ph (04) 472 1193
Fax (04) 938 6242
Mobile (0274) 572 821
leighb@e–borne.co.nz
PO Box 28 115, Kelburn, 6150
Editorial Enquiries
Ph (04) 233 2022 or
(04) 472 1193
info@e–borne.co.nz
Advertising Sales
Taslim Parsons
Ph (04) 233 2022 x8804
Mo 021 1860 323
t.parsons@parentscentre.org.nz
Design
Rainbow Creative
Printer
PMP (NZ) Limited
Publisher
Viv Gurrey,
Chief Executive Officer,
Parents Centres
New Zealand Inc
Phone (04) 233 2022
Opinions expressed in the
magazine do not necessarily
reflect the views and opinions
of the publisher. Advertising
in this magazine does not
imply endorsement by Parents
Centres. Generally material
in this publication may be
reproduced provided it is used
for non–commercial purposes
and the source is acknowledged.
However, written permission
must be sought from the editor.
Kiwiparent is proud to support
the WHO/UNICEF International
Code of Marketing of Breastmilk
Substitutes adopted by the
World Health Assembly in 1981.
The happiest time of the year can also be one of the worst
for families. On Christmas Eve when most children will go
to bed excited about what Santa will bring them, other
children will be frightened by the prospect of the violence
they know will come. Worst of all they feel scared in the
one place we should all feel safest – home.
There is a sad irony to the fact that the festive season of
peace and goodwill sees a spike in the number of family
violence related incidents. Numerous studies have shown
this is the most stressful time of the year for everyone.
Nationally police respond to an abusive incident every six
minutes on average, but they say the number of incidents
increases dramatically over December and January.
The push to the silly season has already begun. Shops are
full of tinsel and inducements to spend. The pressures that
this puts on families can often escalate into even higher
rates of violence and abuse. Unrealistically high expectations of gift-giving, providing festive food and extra family
and friends visiting all contribute to elevated stress. And if
you load extra stress onto an already pressured situation,
well, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that something
will snap.
It‘s easy to assume that child abuse is a problem that
happens to someone else’s friends or family. Or that it is a
cultural issue, or a poverty issue, or a male issue… In reality,
it could come from anywhere, and the cause may not be
so easily defined.
The vast majority of parents are doing a fantastic job. They
nurture and care for their children under sometimes dreadfully difficult conditions. They provide a loving home environment where their children feel cherished and valued.
But there are also families who are struggling, and it is all
too common for children to bear the brunt of their parents’
frustration and anger.
Most of us look forward to the festive season as a time to
spoil our children with gifts, fantastic food and lashings of
family time. Look around and you will see great mums and
dads doing the best they can – it isn’t hard to find committed and loving parents throughout our communities.
But abuse is everyone’s problem and we can’t afford to
look away, especially at this time of year. If you know of a
family under stress, or if you are aware of someone being
abused – do something about it. Reach out to families you
know, a gesture of support at the right time can make an
enormous difference. Sometimes, even something as simple as a meal from a neighbour can save an entire family’s
day.
I wish you and your family a peaceful and
joyful festive season.
ISSN 1173–7638
www.kiwiparent.co.nz
kiwiparent
3
letters
to the editor
Congratulations to the top
letter writer Jeff Pamumum,
Auckland. You’ll receive an
Organic Velour Towelling
Bathrobe from Babu.
Write a letter and receive a gift
pack containing Johnson’s Extra Rich
Body Lotion 400ml and Body Wash
The New Zealand Playcentre
Federation is a registered
training provider with the New
Zealand Qualifications Authority.
Opportunities exist for parents to
study towards child development
qualifications alongside other likeminded parents and this education
is completely free. The workshops
are run in the evenings or at
weekends and they also require
assignments to be completed.
Holding an office role and
completing training/assignments
are all done in the members own
time, on top of their busy family
lives.
Top letter
winner
The Organic Velour
Towelling Bathrobe
from Baby is perfect for
bathtime, swimming
lessons or even the beach
– they're a must in every
household and a great
toddler gift choice for 1st
birthdays. Beautifully thick
and soft organic cotton
velour, these robes are
stylish, soft and absorbent.
$69.90 RRP
www.babu.co.nz
750ml plus the NEW Johnson’s Daily
Nappy Disposal System
Everyone at Playcentre is there
because they enjoy spending time
with their children and because
they love Playcentre.
Essentials Gel Wash.
Top letter
Stacey Balich, Tamaki
My life changed forever
Standing up for Playcentre
I love my daughter. She
means the world to me.
When she was born, my
life changed. Forever.
I felt a love I'd never
experienced before. I
wanted to protect her
from anything that
would harm or hurt her.
These feelings haven't
changed over time.
Being a father is one of the most rewarding, stressful,
amazing, hardest jobs I've ever had. I hope she grows
up knowing her dad loves her and wants only the best
for her.
We are trying to promote Playcentre across New Zealand, as
numbers are falling due to the extra pressure of parents having
to go back to work.
Jeff Pamumum, father of Leila,
Auckland. Together, they appear on the
front cover of this issue.
Playcentre is an internationally recognised early childhood
organisation for children aged 0–6 years of age. It is unique to
Aotearoa, New Zealand. It began as a parent co-operative during
the 1940s, and is now a national organisation providing parent
education, equipment and facilities for quality early childhood
education. Playcentres are still run co-operatively by the families
who belong to them. We are part of Tamaki Playcentres
Association which is a group of 16 centres.
Symptom checker app offers
online alternative
the free Healthline symptom checker
app.
If your baby or child is sick and it’s the
middle of the night, there’s another
way to access expert health advice
and information, with the launch of
You can find your child’s symptoms
from a comprehensive list on the app
– for example, ‘rash – widespread’ – or
by using the ‘browse by body parts’
option, and the app then suggests a
course of action. That could be to call
an ambulance, see a doctor within 24
hours or advice on how to manage
the condition at home, just as when
you phone Healthline - the free
telephone health advice line funded
by the Ministry of Health and provided
by Medibank Health Solutions. The app
has been tailored for New Zealand
conditions, with local emergency
numbers, and information on local
health organisations.
At Playcentre we believe children learn best through play, as
it enables them to explore their world as they develop their
own theories on how things work and how to get along with
children and adults all in an environment where they are valued
and feel safe. Playcentre children have parents/families who
are supporting their learning and maintaining the link between
the centre and home environment, something the Ministry of
Education has highlighted as being a major contributing factor to
future success at school.
The Healthline symptom checker
is easy to download and use app
from the Healthline website (www.
healthline.co.nz) or direct from the
Apple App store.
E3130A
Proven
protection
from germs
& odours
^
100 times
more effective
at odour prevention
than nappy sacks
Unique twist and lock
system wraps each nappy
in a fresh portion of film
Multi-layer film provides
an exceptional barrier to
lock away odour
Anti-bacterial protection
is present in the film
and not the other
components of
this product.
E3113
E3129A
Kiwiparent cornerstone partner
E3124A
Johnson and Johnson – more loving moments
Commercial size also available
For your nearest stockist visit
Visit www.rdl.co.nz for your nearest retailer
0800 600 998
www.closertonaturebaby.com
0800 726 436
z
n
.
o
c
.
y
t
n
u
o
b
w w w.
it’s all Online
product
information page
>>
Save $$$ making homemade
baby food
Get started saving today, it’s so easy to
make your own healthy, homemade baby
food with the Solids Starter Kit. Better
nutrition for baby and better for your
budget too.
Avoid the last minute rush and get
organised for Back to School now with
personalised labels and gifts from Stuck
on You! Trusted for over 18 years for
their amazing quality, you will find all you
need for school, from labels and tags to
lunchboxes, drink bottles and stationery.
get the latest relevant advice,
newsletters, updates, tips, Q&A
www.mumiandbubi.co.nz
Bounty
Packs
www.stuckonyou.co.nz or
call 0800 661 669
Closer to Nature baby health care and
grooming kit contains everything that
you may need both at home and on
the go. It has nine essential baby care
items. This Closer to Nature Health
Care Kit includes a digital thermometer,
which can be used to take baby's
temperature either orally or under the
armpit. It also includes an automated
warning which if temperature readings
reach fever levels.
Comes with a convenient carry case
to keep your essentials together – all 9
essential items of the Closer to Nature
Health Care Kit can be carried in a
handy pouch.
Includes: Digital oral thermometer,
Toothbrush, Brush and Comb Scissors,
Nail clippers, 2 x Emery Boards, Nasal
Aspirator RRP $49.99
www.babywarehouse.co.nz
The newest additions to the
BabyBaby Feeding Pillow
Collection
The BabyBaby Feeding Pillow has been a
favourite among New Zealand mums for
ten years. Its unique 'U' shape ensures
this pillow moulds to baby and you,
easily, comfortably and correctly bringing
baby to the correct height and position
for comfortable breastfeeding. The large
surface size means you can use it to feed
your infant longer than smaller feeding
supports allow. Check out our new range
of chevron prints in mandarin, yellow,
blue and silver.
� For establishing correct feeding
position and supporting mothers
back.
� Helps prevent feeding associated
problems, a 'must' for breastfeeding
twins.
� Supports the back of people holding
baby and baby while she learns to
sit.
� Machine washable and dries
in no time. 100% money back
guarantee.
www.babybaby.co.nz
Win!
s
w
a
r
d
e
iz
r
P
- Be in to Win
eeBoo Animal Bingo
eeBoo’s Animal Bingo is an exciting,
educational game for the whole family!
It adds a stylish twist to the classic
game of bingo and can be enjoyed by
children and parents alike.
�
�
�
�
�
Award-winning
Traditional game play
Educational elements
Delightful illustrations
Simple instructions printed on the
inside of the box
� Ages 3+
� 2–6 players
Includes 6 game boards, 36 playing
chips and a cotton drawstring bag.
Our price $37.99
competitions, surveys
Bringing a wealth of reassuring parenting resources,
Bounty’s 18 years experience supporting over a million
NZ parents provides you with the latest information,
advice, contacts, free samples and product prizedraws.
You’ll find it all on our website.
Blogs
follow other parents
Connect
with others
www.jumpinjacks.co.nz
314 Grey Street, Hamilton
!
lp
e
H
o
t
e
r
e
h
e
W e ’r
Search for us:
bounty-for you and your family
6
free!
found out how
to get yours
Order online today at
Closer to Nature
Health Care Kit
free!
Information
Babies are cute … but they are expensive!
Avoid the rush with
Stuck on You
Parenting
The biggest challenge
for me adapting to
life here was that I
had to accept starting
from the bottom of the
ladder again in term
of my career.
the
changing
faces of
kiwi parents
Aotearoa is a young nation
of immigrants, a constantly
evolving society with an
increasingly diverse cultural
flavour. All people in this land
contribute to the rich fabric of
our society, including to the
current climate of parenting.
Last year Kiwiparent met the Taliulu
family who had migrated to New
Zealand from Samoa and were
shocked with the change in climate
and how it affected their lives and
their health.
In the second series of interviews
this year we look at the challenges
and rewards other migrants face or
have faced in New Zealand and how
parenting here is similar, or different,
from their homeland.
Perrine family
From the Republic of Mauritius
(Jameson), and Vietnam (Trang) and
their New Zealand-born daughter
Victoria, age 3.
Trang Perrine arrived in New
Zealand in early 2004 from Vietnam.
Jameson came six months later,
from Rodrigues, a very small island
of 40,000 inhabitants, part of the
Republic of Mauritius.
The couple had met each other
while they were at University in
India. After University, they had not
decided where to settle but Trang
had decided that she didn’t like the
heat in Mauritius. Jameson admits
that they knew nothing about New
Zealand and had no idea of what
life was like here. “But Trang got
admission to study over here and
knew someone from New Zealand
and thought it looked good, a great
place to live. So I followed six months
later – I like to travel so I thought I’d
join Trang on her adventure.”
“The biggest challenge for me
adapting to life here was that I had
to accept starting from the bottom of
the ladder again in term of my career.
In Mauritius, I had progressed very
quickly to a managerial position. In
New Zealand, I started as a part time
accounting officer during the day and
worked as a kitchenhand at night.”
On the plus side, he says, many of his
now best friends are those he met
working at the restaurant. “Some of
8
us are like family still.” Many of these
people were immigrants too, from
the Philippines and South Africa and
Papua New Guinea.
meet other parents in my coffee
group once or twice a week, sharing
our concerns, experiences and
supporting each other.”
Trang says that the biggest challenge
for her was the language barrier.
“Although I speak English well, people
still found it hard to understand my
accent.” This she found particularly
difficult after finishing study and
applying for jobs. “I’d be in an
interview situation with maybe 10
other candidates and it took me
quite a while to get a job. I thought
at the time that maybe my accent
was a factor. This really was quite
challenging but once I got a job and
was in the actual workforce I found
that people understood me fine.”
The couple says that they don’t feel
pressure to conform to New Zealand’s
parenting styles and there has been
a wide acceptance of their own
cultures and beliefs. “We always do
what we feel naturally comfortable
with. Trang and I have very different
ideas on parenting.” Trang laughs
“Yes, I’m very much into educating
Victoria through exposing her to
play and letting us know what she
enjoys doing. Jameson wants more
structured learning and he’s also
much more protective of falls and
scrapes – definitely more cotton-wool
parenting from his side.”
The couple think that parenting
in New Zealand is very structured
and regulated compared to their
homeland. Jameson says, “In
Mauritius and Vietnam, we are more
laid back. Parents, especially first
time parents, get a lot of help and
support from families and relatives
and I think the stress level of being a
parent is a lot lower than it is here.”
He finds everything very scheduled
in New Zealand, “Tuesday there’s an
appointment here, Thursdays we go
to that activity. Back home everything
is more village-based and there are
nowhere near so many scheduled
things to do.”
Trang adds, “However, we don’t have
support groups or coffee groups in
our countries. It was wonderful to
But the couple respect their
differences. Trang adds, “Also we
did pick up some good techniques
from Kiwi parents – for example to
swaddle, bedtime routines, and ideas
around solid feeding.”
The couple are impressed with New
Zealand preschool education. Victoria
attends Kidicorp Early Years Centre
and, says Jameson, “They ask for
our input on what we want Victoria
to be learning and I really, really like
this approach they take.” They are
proud of how Victoria is thriving at
the centre.
Continued overleaf...
kiwiparent
9
These thoughtful parents have
always thought that there is a
better future in New Zealand for
their children. “Kiwis in general
are very kind, caring and confident
people, plus New Zealand is so
clean and safe. However, we have
been worrying about financial
security for our futures. New
Zealand has become more and
more expensive. We’ve realised
that, even if you are earning good
salaries, it is not enough to ensure
a better future for our children.
Obviously all parents want more
than just the basic needs for
them.”
Moving across the world has also
meant big sacrifices, in particular
extended family in their daughter’s
life. Jameson says, “We miss
having our parents, brothers,
sisters, aunts and cousins about.
Victoria has planned play dates
here. Back in our countries, she
would play with neighbours,
cousins anytime she likes.
She would definitely be more
independent.”
Woods family
From Luton, north of London, England – David and Carol and children Robert (12)
and Jennifer (10) (both born in UK). Note that these are not their real names.
Carol says that parenting in UK
is indeed very different. “We
immediately noticed that preschool
education here was much more
play-centred, and based on
exploration. Kindergartens here
use real saws and hammers – that
would never have been allowed in
the UK! Kids are allowed to develop
at a pace that suits them.”
There are legislative differences
between the two nations and the
Woods admit that it took a while
for the Repeal of Section 69 of
the Crimes Act, the so-called New
Zealand ‘anti-smacking law’ to
make sense to them. “Not long
after we arrived this new law came
into force and, to be honest, I found
it a bit odd at first. There had been
the odd time in the past where I
have smacked, though not many.
But we realised early on this style
would not work and it was not the
way we wanted to parent.”
“On one occasion Robert ran away
down the street (he was heading
for a main road, we had no idea
where he was going, only running
away from us) and David had to
run down the street after him and
tell him off, followed by a swift
smack on the bottom. A man came
out of his house to tell David off!
We were pretty upset about that – I
thought it was our right as my son
was only 6 years old and in danger!
Yes, we felt under pressure then.”
The Woods family with a young friend
The Woods family moved from
the UK to New Zealand in 2006,
following recommendations from
New Zealanders they knew. They
had wanted to move abroad for
some time as they felt that the
UK was not the place that they
wanted to bring up their children.
The family came on holiday first,
to Auckland and Wellington, says
Carol “to check out if it would be a
place we wanted to live. We went
home and then a few months later
made the big decision – Yes! Let's
do it!”
The biggest challenge, they say,
was the daunting reality of arriving
in a foreign country without a job.
They settled in Wellington and it
took David just 8 weeks to land a
good job with the government. He
has stayed in the same position
ever since.
10
They have also noticed significant
differences around attitudes to
‘stranger danger’ in New Zealand.
“Not long after we arrived the kids
were at the park, and Jennifer fell
over. A man, a complete stranger,
helped her up! This may not seem
unusual for New Zealanders but in
the UK men are seen as potential
predators, so would not go near
someone else’s child. There David
would never have helped another
person’s child, he would have gone
to find their parents instead.”
Also they say there are big
differences around parental
involvement in schools. “In the UK
there is no way we would go on
any school trips. To be any kind of
helper you had to have a police
A family photo with Carols Mother.
check… which we have sadly seen
beginning to creep in here over
time.”
“When Robert started school in UK
the gates were locked at 9:15am
– you could get into the office, but
had to be buzzed into the school.
The whole school was fenced with
a 6ft fence the whole perimeter
around the school grounds.
Parents were not welcome really.
It’s so different here, parental
involvement is welcomed and
encouraged.”
The family were recently back
in the UK for a visit and noticed
enormous dissatisfaction around
immigration and acceptance of
other cultures. Carol says, “People
seemed really angry! Immigration
is seen as a real problem, how
people can come into the country
and can claim benefits etc. There
seems to be a real sense of loss
of English identity and I can’t help
wondering how that must translate
to the kids – I guess we shall see
as the next generation unfolds.”
She thinks that New Zealand has a
real sense of its own identity and
accepts other cultures more. “I love
the way that Maori
culture is so
celebrated and used within schools
to unite.”
The couple say that they see a
huge variation in parenting in New
Zealand, “From parents who send
their small kids on trains to school,
encouraging their independence,
to others who are really scared for
their kids and what might happen
to them if they are ever out of
sight (many UK parents would be
like this, and suffer paranoia around
‘stranger danger’).”
David and Carol definitely see a
better future for their children here.
“The thing we love about New
Zealand is that as soon as your
child shows a talent it is nurtured
far more, children have a much
better chance to progress, I think. I
hope that my children will be able
to find a career to be able to travel
and see the world, and yet I know
many families back home who do
not have that vision. In terms of
education and career I think there
is definitely a better future for
them here in New Zealand,”
says Carol. �
Eleanor Cater
Eleanor Cater lives in Wellington with husband Dan and three
daughters, Kate (14), Rosie (12), and Amy (8), who she thinks are
lucky to be growing up in such a culturally diverse country. She is
a freelance writer and works for Parents Centres New Zealand as
their National Brand Manager.
kiwiparent
11
Wishing
you and your
families a
peaceful
& joyous
a
merry
Kiwi christmas
festive season, followed by
a safe and relaxing holiday
From the
Kiwiparent team
As we celebrate the huge diversity of Kiwi parents, we asked
some families what Christmas in New Zealand means to them
I moved to Nelson with my husband
Derek and son Win last year just
before Christmas. Christmas in New
Zealand to us is all about gorgeous
summer weather, great friends,
and good food. We like to spend
the holidays enjoying the outdoors
together: swimming, cycling,
and running around!
Saj Sivers, Vice President of Nelson
District Parents Centre.
For us, Christmas has always
been about celebrating family and
traditions. With our roots grounded in
Estonia, Transylvania, and Germany,
Christmas was also about celebrating
cultures and negotiating customs.
When we moved to New Zealand,
initially Christmas did not feel right
– without extended family, the
opposite season and such different
food. A few years on and as our
children grow up, we have embraced
this very different Christmas with the
support of friends who have become
our Kiwi family. Just like our family is
extending, so are our traditions while
we always think of those who are
far away in person but close in our
hearts, especially at Christmas.
It’s a magical time for children, a
time that also makes me think of
the children who won’t receive food
let alone gifts this Christmas. I’m
thankful for all the Kiwis who support
children in poverty – they remind me
what Christmas is truly about – being
kinder to one another, looking out
for each other and sharing what we
have.
Kiri Carter,
ChildFund New Zealand
Kerstin, Sergius, Lauri and
Anna Kramer
12
Christmas has always been a BIG
DEAL for me especially, as my Mum
always made it so very special for
my brother and I. Waking up on
Christmas morning to find a huge
sack at the end of our beds filled
with lots of presents. Rushing to our
parents room at some ungodly hour
(for them!) and both of us opening a
present one at a time. It still amazes
me how Santa managed to get it
so right every time! That magical
feeling of Christmastime somehow
stays within you and as you grow
up and have a family of your own
you then want your own children to
experience that same magical feeling
of Christmas. Such a special time
decorating the tree together with
the children, writing Christmas cards,
making treats for last days of school/
daycare/kindy, putting the milk and
cookies out for Santa and for some
making a mess of your lovely lawn
to make believe that Santa's sleigh
landed in your backyard along with
reindeer droppings and Santa's
footprints in the flour!
Becs McKercher, President
Dunedin Parents Centre
With Czech, Filipino and New
Zealand cultures, our Christmas is a
hectic time of melding people and
traditions. Now one and a half, we
want Kyjuan to experience the best
of all our family Christmases. On
December 24th, my Czech family
celebrate Christmas (Vanoce) in
the evening with dinner, vanocka
(Christmas bread), and opening gifts.
Czech children are told that gifts are
brought by Baby Jesus (Jezisek). In our
family, this means that the youngest
person hands out the gifts – an
exciting position of responsibility that
now goes to Kyjuan. Midnight mass
afterwards is a special bonding time
with my grandmother. On the 25th,
we spend lunch in a relaxed sunny
get-together with all the generations
of my New Zealand family. In the
Philippines, under the bright lights of
the parol (Christmas star lanterns),
Ronaldo used to meet friends and
family for a late-night feast that
everyone contributed to. We carry
this on with a Christmas dinner with
friends from different cultures who
have become another family for us.
Sharing food is our way of sharing
cultures and unifying our family.
Ronaldo, Aiyesha and
Kyjuan Melnicenko
kiwiparent
13
Bath, massage,
quiet time and I’m out
like a light, mum.
AWAITS
for your baby
When your baby struggles to get
to sleep, it can make bedtime a
nightmare. Thankfully Johnson’s
baby has a clinically proven threestep solution to help baby sleep
better in just one week.
Researchers at Johnson and Johnson
partnered with leading paediatric
sleep, expert Dr Johdi Mindell PhD,
to design a three-step routine that
has been proven to help baby sleep
better in just one week.
Johnson’s® baby Bedtime Bath®
and Bedtime Lotion® have been
formulated with Naturalcalm™
essences, a unique blend of gentle
ingredients and soothing aromas that
help soothe and relax baby before
bedtime so the whole family can get
a good night’s sleep. The ideal nightly
routine consists of:
� A warm bath
� Gentle massage
� Quiet activities before sleep
Studies show Johnson’s® baby
Bedtime Bath® and Bedtime Lotion®
have been proven to help baby fall
asleep easier and sleep through the
night better:
� Babies fall asleep 37% faster
JOHNSON’S® baby Bedtime
Lotion: A soft, soothing
moisturiser for baby’s nightly
routine. Ideal to use as an afterbath moisturiser or for massage
as part of a nightly routine.
Clinically proven pure, mild and
gentle and allergy-tested for
baby’s delicate skin.
(RRP: $5.59 200ml)
®Trade Mark Johnson & Johnson 1465/13
dreamland
JOHNSON’S® baby Bedtime
Bath: This gentle wash releases
soothing aromas when added
to a warm bath, helping baby
to sleep easier at night. Also
features’ JOHNSON’S® No More
Tears® formula so Bedtime Bath
is as gentle to baby’s delicate
eyes as pure water. Clinically
proven pure, mild and gentle and
allergy-tested for baby’s delicate
skin. (RRP: $5.59 200ml, RRP:
$8.99 500ml)
� 38% fewer night awakenings
� 49% decrease in the total amount
of time awake during the night
� 55% Reduction – tension / anxiety
in mums.�
14
I need twice as much sleep as you do, mum.
So I love how we do this JOHNSON’S® baby bedtime routine every night.
With NATURALCALM® essences, it’s proven to help me fall asleep faster.
Thanks mum, you’ve got the magic touch.
Violence prevention
we’ve
had
enough
Better protection for NewZealand’s vulnerable children
New Zealanders from Kaitaia to Invercargill told
me the same thing – we’ve had enough, make it
stop. Child abuse is insidious, it’s incomprehensible
and it’s entrenched in our society. But I’m
convinced we can change this and I’ll tell you
why. When I travelled the country talking to New
Zealanders about the Green Paper for Vulnerable
Children almost two years ago, I was prepared for
criticism, even anger. But that’s not what I got.
Strong child protection policies will apply to these five
agencies, as well as the Ministry of Business, Innovation
and Employment, Te Puni Kokiri,
District Health Boards,
and school Boards of Trustees. This means every staff
member will know exactly what to do if they suspect
abuse is happening.
Workforce restrictions will stop people with serious
convictions like murder, manslaughter, sexual violation
and child assault, from working with children.
We’ll also weed out any potential abusers with
standardised screening and vetting for the children’s
workforce, which covers over 370,000 people paid by
the government either directly or as a contractor. That’s
people like social workers, children’s doctors, teachers,
and also librarians and non-teaching staff at schools.
Child Harm Prevention Orders will restrict people who
pose a high risk of harm from working or associating
with children, or going to places where children often
are. This includes people convicted of serious offences
against children as well as those who, on the balance
of probabilities were likely responsible for the death
or serious injury of a child, even if they haven’t been
convicted. The threshold for this is very high and the
process will be robust – a jilted ex-partner, for example,
will not be able to slap an order on someone they don’t
like. Only the Police Commissioner, the Chief Executives
of Corrections or the Ministry of Social Development can
ask a Court for an order.
I believe every one of us shares the responsibility for
protecting our children. The Children’s Action Plan asks
each of us – as parents, neighbours, co-workers and
friends – simply, as members of the community, to open
our eyes to what goes on around us. It will also ask
each of us to take action, because this is how we will
make a difference for our vulnerable children. �
Paula Bennett
Paula Bennett has been an MP for seven years, and Minister
for Social Development since 2008. With responsibility for
Work and Income, superannuation, student loans and Child,
Youth and Family, almost all New Zealanders will have
contact with her Ministry at some point in their lives. Paula
Bennett is also the MP for Waitakere.
For more information on the White Paper
and the Children’s Action Plan, go to
www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz.
If you have any concerns about a child call
0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459)
We’ll also bring in better protection for children who
are born to parents who have previously abused or
even killed a child, by requiring them to prove they can
provide a safe environment for a child. This is a reversal
of the current requirement for the State to prove the
parent isn’t safe. Past behaviour is a predictor of future
behaviour, and when a parent has seriously abused or
killed a child in the past, we have to protect any future
children they may have.
Communities filled town halls, meeting rooms
and wherever we could find to fit them, parents,
grandparents, teachers, social workers, doctors and
community workers came with constructive solutions,
ready to make a difference.
New Zealanders know 150,000 notifications of child
abuse to Child, Youth and Family with eight child deaths
a year is unacceptable. New Zealanders also know they
hold the key to changing this.
Government is making a number of changes to support
communities taking a different attitude to protecting
children. We want everyone to put children first.
In August I announced legislation to fundamentally
make a difference. The Vulnerable Children Bill takes
a series of bold and unprecedented steps. However,
despite the controversial measures I managed to gain
16
unanimous support from every single political party in
Parliament for it to go to Select Committee where it can
be debated further.
A reoccurring failure in child abuse cases is a disjointed
response by agencies – often all those involved with
a child (teachers, doctors, nurses, CYF case workers
and Police), each hold a piece of the puzzle but no
one person put it together to know a child was being
abused or neglected.
We’re going to change this. The Vulnerable Children
Bill makes the Chief Executives of five government
departments jointly accountable for vulnerable children.
It is unprecedented to make the heads of Police, Justice,
Health, Education and Social Development jointly
accountable in this way. They’ll report to Ministers on
their shared plan for vulnerable children, and have clear
expectations placed on them for achieving results.
The Bill will allow Courts to restrict the guardianship
rights of parents whose children are in a Home for Life
placement. Home for Life carers provide a permanent
home for children who’re unable to live with their birth
parents, but birth parents still maintain a number of
rights to help foster family ties. Some parents however
exploit this by vetoing overseas holidays, making
intimidating and disruptive visits and saying ‘no’ to
haircuts or a change of school despite being in the best
interests of the child. Children in a Home for Life need
stability to help them thrive. We have to give them
every chance to do so.
The changes I’ve proposed are controversial, and so
they should be. We’re taking a path of action because
children deserve every possible protection we can
provide.
Eco Friendly Kids Toys
Visit a store or
purchase online
www.babyfactory.co.nz
you
can’t
do it alone
Raising children is a great job.
It's also a big job, and no one can
do it by themselves.
Whether it's as family members,
friends, neighbours or workmates,
we all have opportunities to support
parents and make sure children are
safe and surrounded by people who
care. Taking action, however small,
can make a big difference for a child
and their family.
These days, with people moving
around a lot for work, families
often live away from whanau
and
friends and can feel lonely in a new
community. If you know there’s a
new family in your neighbourhood,
go and say hello – just knowing that
there’s someone close by who is
friendly and welcoming makes a
huge difference when you’re new to
a place.
This doesn’t just apply to new
families. We’re all busy and it’s easy
to live somewhere and not really
connect with neighbours or other
parents we see fleetingly during
pick-ups at childcare or school. Even
if it’s just once a week, take the time
to stop and talk; get to know other
parents, ask how they’re getting on,
have a cup of tea together while the
kids play.
Every family has times when things
get tough. This might be caused
by illness, work pressure, financial
worries, or just plain tiredness. At
times like these, family, friends, or
neighbours can help by listening
and offering encouragement and
practical support. These may seem
like small things, but they can make
an enormous difference.
Offering to look after children to give
parents a break, and letting parents
know that it’s okay to ask for help
are also really useful things to do.
In most cases, difficulties pass
and things return to some kind
18
of ‘normal’. If help isn’t available,
however, families can struggle and
it’s in these situations that children
can be at risk.
Every family has times
when things get tough.
This might be caused by
illness, work pressure,
financial worries, or
just plain tiredness.
At times like these,
family, friends, or
neighbours can help by
listening and offering
encouragement and
practical support.
Some things to
look out for:
� parents seem stressed or
not coping
� parents don't have friends or family to help
� children are left home alone or
seem to be neglected
� adults are yelling or hitting
� financial problems
� there are signs of drug or
alcohol problems
� there are mental health problems.
Ways you can help:
� listen, and let them know you're
there to help
� provide encouragement and
support
� link them up with others who can
offer the support they need
� talk to someone experienced for
a different point of view or f
or ways to help
� if the family won't accept
your help, let someone in the
community know that you're
concerned. This could be
someone like a family
support worker, a teacher
or church leader.
What is child abuse
and how do I
recognise it?
Child abuse means ‘the harming
(whether physically, emotionally,
or sexually), ill-treatment, abuse,
neglect or deprivation of any child
or young person’. All types of abuse
involve some form of emotional
abuse. For example, a child who is
physically assaulted will also suffer
emotionally.
While there are different definitions
of abuse, the important thing is to
think about the overall wellbeing or
risk of harm to the child.
If you're concerned about a child,
it's not so important to be able to
categorise the type of abuse you
think may be going on – it's normal
to feel uncertain. If you are worried,
there are some important things you
can ask yourself.
What is going on in the
family or child's life that could
be affecting them?
Is a child's behaviour a sign of abuse,
or are there other things going on
in the family? Things like the death
of a grandparent or a parent being
unwell can be very upsetting for a
child and cause changes in behaviour.
This is a normal response, so it’s
good to know what’s going on for
a family. Talking about these things
means you can also help with what’s
happening – you could suggest
bereavement counselling or in the
case of illness, you could drop a
meal around.
kiwiparent
19
Help them graduate
from oopsies
to undies with ease.
Where to go
for help
� If you think a child is at risk,
don’t wait – call Police on 111 or
Child, Youth and Family on 0508
326 459.
Talk with a trained social worker at
Child, Youth and Family:
0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459)
What is the child's
behaviour like?
Children can't easily describe what
they are feeling, so their emotions
often come out in their behaviour. If
a child seems unusually difficult or
withdrawn, aggressive or anxious,
this may be a sign that something's
not right at home.
How is the child's
development?
If a child is suffering from abuse
or neglect, this may affect their
development in a number of
areas. Professional assessment
can determine whether or not
developmental problems are caused
by abuse, so it’s important to get help
as soon as possible.
Has the child or family hinted
at, or said that something is
wrong?
A child may be looking for ways to
tell you that something is wrong, so
listen carefully and take what they
say seriously.
Are there signs of
family violence?
People experiencing family violence
may seem fearful or nervous, lack in
confidence, and feel sad or angry
a lot.
Do I sense the family is
struggling, or the child is at
risk in some way?
You might have a feeling that
something is wrong, but there are no
actual signs of abuse and you can't
quite put your finger on the problem.
If you're worried, talk to someone.
Talking with the family, if you feel
able to do this, might put your mind
at rest or give you a steer on what's
happening. Or you could talk with
someone, like a child’s teacher. If this
isn’t possible, talk to a friend and
get their advice. The most important
thing is to let someone know that
you are worried.
You can also call a helpline
for free, confidential advice
and support:
� Are You OK 0800 456 450
� Parent Help 0800 568 856
� Child, Youth and Family parent
helpline 0508 ASK CYF (0508
275 293).
Other places you can go to
for help:
Plunket is New Zealand's largest
provider of support services for
the development, health and
wellbeing of children under the
age of five. For 24-hour help with
any issues concerning parenting
children under five, call
0800 933 922.
We all have a responsibility to care
for children and help keep them safe.
Together we can help our children:
Barnardos offers a range of child
� be safe from harm and well
cared for
communities throughout New
� be strong as part of a loving
family and whanau
family counseling call
� thrive and be the best they
can be.
and family services, and early
childhood care and education in
Zealand. For information about
0800 4 PARENT (0800 472 7368)
When little kids are ready to become big kids, HUGGIES® PULL-UPS® Training Pants
are tailor made with learning signals for successful toilet training.
They’re specifically designed to be less absorbent than regular nappies and
nappy-pants, with a tailored Learning Liner that helps little kids understand the
difference between wet and dry. And because they’re thinner and less bulky, they
signal the transition from nappies to real undies.
Like a free sample? Visit
® Registered Trademark Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. © 2012 KCWW © Disney. © Disney/Pixar. KC1108
20
A SPECIAL FEATURE BY
“Try not to spend all
the time your kids are
asleep rushing around
trying to do things –
it’s OK to have some
time to yourself.”’
– Parent tip
PHILIPS AVENT
More comfort,
more milk
How Philips’ new range of Comfort breast pumps help mums
to be comfortable so their milk flows more easily.
There are lots of reasons you might choose to express. Whether you’re going back to
work, or Dad wants to lend a hand with feeding, it’s a great way to ensure your baby
still gets the benefits of breast milk.
A breast pump is one of the easiest ways to express, but it’s important to choose a
pump that’s right for you.
The new range of Philips AVENT Comfort breast pumps has been developed with
more than 25 years’ clinical experience and, more importantly, the advice of many
breastfeeding mums. The result is Philips AVENT’s most comfortable breast pumps yet.
Because research has shown that being comfortable and relaxed helps your milk flow
more easily, which means more milk for your baby naturally.
before
you snap
When life gets stressful,
especially around this time of
year when Christmas festivities
can add a whole new layer of
complication, it can be hard to
keep your cool with your kids.
Tips for
staying calm
� Take deep, slow breaths when
you feel the pressure building.
Move away. Come back when
you are calmer.
� Accepting things you can’t
change can be a relief.
� Be realistic. If you’ve got small
children, keeping the house tidy
all the time is impossible. Make
time at the end of the day when
you all tidy up together.
� Exercise can help relieve stress.
Set yourself a realistic goal:
maybe walk three times a week,
do some sit ups every morning
or even15 minutes just digging in
the garden.
� Set aside some time for yourself.
Sit and read a book for ten
minutes, lie in the sun, ring a
friend.
� If there are things that regularly
stress you out, talk them over
with someone. There might be
ways you could manage them
better.
� Get support from your family,
friends and other parents.
Unlike other pumps, which force you to sit forward to express, these let you sit back
comfortably. There’s a soft massage cushion inside the cup which feels warm against
your skin for comfortable, gentle stimulation of your milk flow. The pumps also come
with our Natural bottle and teat to make it easier for your baby to combine breast and
bottle feeding.
For more on
managing
stress visit:
www.skip.org.nz
The new Philips AVENT
Comfort breast pumps
PANTONE 245
More comfortable
expressing position
Comfort double
electric breast
pump
for easier milk flow
Comfort single
electric breast
pump
confidential advice
0800 933 922
Are you OK?
“Being able to express is fantastic. It
allows me to get out and have a few
hours to myself without having to fret
about being back in time for a feed. It’s
also nice for my husband to be able
to feed our son and experience the
bonding times I get on a daily basis. I
Logo Specifcations
have Babycity
been recommending
the electric
pump to everyone.”
- August 2007
Or ring a helpline for
Plunketline
Rosie, Chris and Spencer
(5 months)
Soft massage cushion
with warm feel for
gentle stimulation
For more information, visit
www.philips.co.nz/AVENT
or phone toll free 0800 104 401
Visit us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/PhilipsAVENTNZ
Available from:
0800 456 450
3 Simple settings
You can choose your most
comfortable milk flow*
Comfort manual breast pump
* Comfort electric breast pumps only
22
Philips AVENT. For the best start in life.
PANTONE 293
Distributed in New Zealand by:
Charles
I found being a companion on the
journey of pregnancy humbling. It
challenged my far too ingrained
(male?) sense of trying to control a
situation and provide the answers.
There is so much you won’t predict
about the birth experience. But that
(usually) one marvellous day is an
experience that all carers are unlikely
to forget.
What I feared most about the
pregnancy process was the labour
and the pain my partner would
go through. Being focused on the
growing baby, and talking a lot about
things as they were and might be,
helped me get that in perspective. It
also helped to have a birth plan and
to read about birth (and oohh, that
birth video), but I still remember the
nerves when labour began.
Kiwi
: couple’s story
The family together – all grown up.
a first birth
Michelle
My labour started a week early with
a show, then gradually increasing
contractions over the next day – just
as my husband rushed around getting
the last signatures to finally submit
his thesis. Contractions became more
regular as I helped him print out
the final copy, and became painful
walking back from dropping the
thesis off to the photocopier’s late at
night.
Back at home, I was convinced
things were happening rapidly as
the contractions seemed strong and
frequent. But when my midwife
came to our home, I found I was
only about 1.5cm dilated. This was
a crashing disappointment and I
remember thinking I couldn’t do this
for much longer. But time did pass
and I lost track of the outside world.
I tried baths, different positions
and going for a walk (surreal on a
dark autumnal night, with frequent
stops for contractions). Charles was
fantastic, although he wanted to do
more: for those hours it seemed like
just the two of us in our own world.
A few hours later I passed a
bloody show: suddenly with a jolt
I remembered there was a baby
involved, and that bleeding might
threaten the baby. My fantastic
midwife came back and listened to
the baby and thought the bleeding
was within normal. Her presence
helped ground me and everything felt
better. I was about 3cm by this stage.
As it got light we headed for the
hospital. I had one of the coveted
natural birth rooms – welcoming
and practical. I was about 6cm
dilated then. Soon after arrival they
monitored the baby. It was a routine
short-term CTG. Suddenly my midwife
told me to turn to my left side: I
said I would after the contraction
and she said firmly no, now. Again I
was jolted back out of my pain and
remembered with cold fear the baby.
His heartbeat had dropped.
They called the obstetrician in; he
was matter of fact, and moved
me downstairs to ‘High Risk’. The
CTG with my baby’s heart rate kept
beeping out, slowing to almost half
the normal rate with each contraction
then recovering, the trace showing all
the dips as the paper spilled on to the
floor. I was still having contractions
and listening to the heartbeat,
watching the dips on the print out
that was growing ever longer.
I was still only 6cm after one or
two hours. I lost track of time and
my main reaction was relief when
the obstetrician recommended a
Caesarean section as it meant an
end to the beeps, my fears for the
baby, and the contractions. I was
whisked into theatre. Forms were
flicked before me, full of figures
and complications – nerve damage,
bleeding… And I signed, just wanting
to get on with the Caesarean. The
spinal was fantastic. Suddenly the
pain of the contractions went and
I could really focus on the baby’s
imminent arrival: thank goodness,
I could be awake. Very soon, the
obstetrician announced we had a
son. I remember it took me a few
moments in my exhausted state
to work out that meant a boy. Just
after, there was the magical sound
of a baby’s cry and I think everyone
relaxed – I certainly did.
My husband went to see the baby
and soon arrived back with a bundle:
small, wrinkled, wrapped, but utterly
beautiful. I don’t remember the rest
of the operation; suddenly, it was
back to just us again but now there
were three. They said later the cord
had been looped tightly around his
neck, and this was why his heart rate
had been dipping.
He was a lovely baby: calm and alert
and a natural breastfeeder, and I had
a very smooth recovery. My husband
had finished his thesis and, despite
the Caesarean, I had a strong feeling
of completion and starting anew as
I moved on from the birth to those
magical exhausting days of early
parenthood.
Then it was real. The contractions.
The pain. The blood. Good grief,
that birthing video was right! This is
when you know you need to have
read a book like this one, and to
have made a birth plan. As labour
progressed, we had a professional
midwife at home to tell me it was
normal. Before then it was scary just my wife and I, living away from
my family. It was good to have built
up a rapport with the midwife and
to know something about the stages
of labour. I rubbed Michelle’s back,
helped her change positions, held
her, got ice cubes, mixed energy
drinks, applied cool flannels and
remained on my toes.
All of us tired, we left for the
hospital. We were renting and did
ial
specer
off
20
off
not feel attached to our home or
sure of a home birth. We had the
nice new hospital birth room with a
spa bath nearby, plenty of space and
even windows: cool!
But it soon became clear the baby
was in distress. My sense of stability
wavered: so many monitoring
machines, extra medics arriving,
alarming changes in the baby’s heart
rate. We held each other’s hands.
Michelle was shifted to the High Risk
Unit, four floors below in a small
basement operating theatre, and
prepped for a Caesarean with me
alongside. Then a nurse said, ‘You’re
going to be a dad soon, have you
got your camera?’! I zoomed back
upstairs and grabbed it from our
bag, running back through unfamiliar
hospital corridors shouting ‘where’s
High Risk, where’s High Risk?’
The team was great. The
anaesthetist provided a (rather
detailed!) commentary on Michelle’s
Caesarean procedure; I was glad the
wee screen was up. But I was lucky –
I got to cut the umbilical cord.
whole system shifting from living
immersed in oceanic liquor to lunginflating air, his cries carrying across
the room and his eyes screwed shut
at those too-bright lights. What a
privilege to be passed this being, this
person, and to move him to the arms
of the beloved and lay him there for
the first of many times. Throughout
your gestation, birth and growth, I
am still learning, slowly, that both
letting go and really being present
are such important parts of birth and
of parenting.
Extract from: The New Zealand
Pregnancy Book
Visit The New Zealand Pregnancy Book
online at www.nzpregnancybook.co.nz
The website includes a searchable preview
of the book, fantastic photos and feedback
from the NZPB community, links to
friends and Facebook and much more! �
Suddenly a person had arrived in the
world, his imagined face here, right
here, his breath coming in wails, his
The New Zealand Pregnancy Book
by Sue Pullon and Cheryl Benn, 2008, Bridget Williams
Books, $54.99, is great source of information, covering
every kind of topic for pregnant women, along with
personal stories.
Order online from
www.parentscentre.org.nz
ts Centre
ll Paren
a
r
o
f
$4 4
the online shop
m
SPE CIAL OFFER
o
r
ble f
members – availa
THE New Zealand guide to:
+ pregnancy
+ birth
+ baby’s first 3 months
become a fan
of the book
follow us
www.parentscentre.org.nz
24
have poor weight gain. A mother
may consequently have damaged
and misshapen nipples, engorgement,
blocked ducts and/or low milk
production.
Debbie Graham, a colleague of mine
who’s a very experienced midwife and
lactation consultant, believes between
5 to 10% of Kiwi babies have some
degree of tongue tie. I wondered why
there seems to have been an increase.
She said it’s because in the past health
professionals like her weren’t looking
for it. The result of course was that
many mums gave up breastfeeding
because it was too hard or too painful.
Difficulties labelled as sucking problems
we now know are caused by tongue
ties and sometimes lip ties, Debbie told
me.
all
tied up!
At my breastfeeding group in Pukekohe I meet mums every week who
come together for a cuppa and a chat. Not surprisingly the
conversation is mostly about breastfeeding with our regulars offering
support to new mums who might be feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Because it is a ‘drop in’ coffee group
at the local maternity unit, we often
encounter women who need help
with their latch, or want information
about things like making more milk.
Many simply want reassurance or a
listening ear.
But over the last couple of years I’ve
noticed an increase in the number of
mums asking about tongue tie.
Tongue tie is caused by a tight or
short lingual frenulum, which is the
membrane that anchors the tongue
to the floor of the mouth. Various
types of tongue tie have been
identified depending on where on
the tongue the frenulum is attached
– from the tip (Type 1, anterior
tongue tie) to behind the mucous
membrane on the floor of the mouth
(Type 4, posterior tongue tie). A
short, tight, posterior tongue tie can
be particularly hard to spot.
Tongue tie affects tongue movement
to varying degrees and the shorter
and tighter it is the more likely it is
to affect breastfeeding. For a good
latch a baby needs to extend its/
his/her tongue over the lower gum.
Some babies learn to breastfeed just
fine even with a tongue tie. Others
may be unable to latch very deeply
or at all, have difficulty staying on
the breast, feed continuously, lose
suction, make clicking noises and
The good thing about the diagnosis of
tongue tie means the LCs are seeing
far fewer women with cracked nipples.
Not all DHBs have LCs readily available
to mums so some women are forced to
travel to other districts in order to see
a specialist and this can be costly. Also
if a midwife doesn’t detect a tongue
tie within the first six weeks, in some
areas the parents will almost certainly
have to pay for a referred service.
It was the arrival of one mum at our
group that got me thinking how we
need to raise awareness about tongue
tie and give mothers information to
support them in what can very often
be a rocky road.
Breastfeeding help - by mothers for mothers
La Leche League is about
helping you understand and
respond to the unique needs
of your baby, and meeting
and being supported by
a wonderful network of
women. It is about learning to
a be a mother and cherishing
the mother-baby bond. It
is the human touch that no
book or clinic can offer.
“In the old days we never looked
under the tongue. We looked for
things like cleft palates but not tongue
ties. For many years we’ve been
looking at women who are having
difficulty breastfeeding, looking at the
positioning, etc, without looking at why
the problems are occurring. The advent
of the lactation consultant profession
means problems are looked at; things
like tongue tie further back and lip ties
too. This has changed the focus of our
work,” she explained.
Sally (name changed) arrived with
her 10-week-old daughter who had
just been diagnosed with a posterior
tongue tie (this is the sort that is further
back and harder to detect). Sally had
experienced discomfort and sore nipples
from the get-go. With support she was
able to continue breastfeeding while
her baby waited for the surgery. Sally
used a breastfeeding supplementer to
give her baby breastmilk from a tiny
tube inserted into the baby’s mouth
while actually at the breast. The tongue
tie was corrected a week later and with
help and patience, the breastfeeding
relationship was fully established and
both mum and baby were happy.
Getting support for positioning and
attachment may help maintain
breastfeeding but Sally’s experience
shows that treating the tongue tie by
frenotomy (dividing the tongue tie with
a quick and simple procedure) can be
very effective in resolving difficulties.
If you suspect your baby may have a
tongue tie, support from your local La
Leche League group can be invaluable.
Our leaflet Tongue tie & breastfeeding
gives more detail about treatment,
information about how to keep
breastfeeding going and what to do if
you are experiencing sore nipples. �
Check out our website
www.lalecheleague.org.nz
Lisa Manning
Lisa is a former
TV journalist and
presenter. She is
married to the
British actor John
Rhys-Davies with
whom she has a
seven-year-old daughter Maia. Lisa is
an at home mum and La Leche
League Leader in Pukekohe.
If you’d like to get in touch with Lisa in response to this article with ideas,
suggestions or feedback about La Leche League, she can be reached at
media@lalecheleague.org.nz
CONTACT US:
E-mail:
help@lalecheleague.org.nz
www.facebook.com/LLLNZ
www.lalecheleague.org.nz
" I want my baby to have
breast milk for the first six
months" mums told us.
Our simply intuitive™ electric and
manual pumps ensure maximum
eﬃciency and comfort.
Their soft touch feel mimics the
natural action of your baby
breastfeeding to encourage fast
let down and eﬃcient
expressing.
Both pump packs come with
everything you need to sterilise,
express, store and feed.
The result? Breastfeeding
for longer has never been
easier.
make every
sleep a
safe
sleep
6 December 2013, Safe Sleep Day
Safe Sleep Day is a national campaign promoting safe sleep practices
for babies. By positioning baby on their back to sleep in their own
sleep space every time they sleep, families can help to make sure their
baby will sleep safely through the night.
� Host a maternity fashion show.
Sleep baby safely
� Invite whanau
to see a display
created by your tamariki that
promotes safe sleep.
� Put baby to sleep on their back
with their face up. A baby’s
breathing works best in this
position.
And remember, your baby should be
smokefree in the womb and after
birth. Also make sure friends and
family don’t smoke around baby and,
if possible, breastfeed your baby.
� Ensure baby’s face is clear of
bedding and they can’t get
trapped or strangled. Avoid using
pillows and bumper pads; don’t
put baby down on soft surfaces;
make sure there are no loose
blankets; remove any cords from
bedding; ensure there are no
gaps in their bed.
Ideas to celebrate
Safe Sleep Day
� Your baby is safest in their own
bed (a cot, bassinette, wahakura
or pepipod) and in the same
room as their parent/caregiver.
Babies shouldn’t sleep in bed
with another person – either
adult or child.
� Host a baby buggy walk with
spot prizes.
� Host a pre-Christmas party or
picnic.
� Organise a whananga
or
workshop to deliver safe sleeping
education.
� Have a cooking demonstration for
safe food to eat when pregnant.
� Hold a maternity workout and /
or pamper day.
� Display Safe Sleep Day posters in
your workplace, Parents Centre,
kohanga,
kura, marae, health
centre.
� Set up a safe sleep display in
your kura, kohanga
or early child
care centre.
� Advertise safe sleeping in your
newsletters or on your websites.
www.safesleepday.org.nz
� Have a baby photo competition
with prizes.
� Run any type of competition with
a baby package prize.
The award winning
Arms Reach® Mini
Co-Sleeper® is a
unique attachable
bedside bassinet.
The Co-Sleeper
helps parents and
infants sleep better,
assists with breastfeeding and reduces
the risk of SIDS.
Order yours today at
www.justfor.com.au
The government-funded Campaign launched in 2007
with two messages: Family violence is not OK and It is
OK to ask for help.
it is
In 2010 the Campaign added a new message: It is OK
to Help.
“Our community partners were telling us people
needed permission to help and practical advice on how
to help,” Campaign Manager Trish Green says.
OK
TO HELP
Family violence is common in New Zealand. One
in three women will experience physical or sexual
violence from a partner in their lifetime; half our
homicides and violent crime are family violence.
Campaign research shows that some help is effective
and some isn’t. There are many actions that can help –
what’s important is HOW we approach people who are
living with violence:
� give support not advice
It’s hard to know what to do when you know –
or suspect – that a friend or family member is
living with violence.
� listen
� take violence seriously
� challenge the behaviour not the person
You might be asking yourself:
� think about safety
‘How do I know what is the right thing to do?’
� don't intervene in a violent situation or when people
are angry or drunk
‘Should I say something or mind my own business?’
� choose a quiet time.
Research by the national It’s not OK Campaign
against family violence shows that most New
Zealanders DO want to help, but aren’t sure
what to do.
‘I got a lot of help by just
talking to my family and
friends, and just having them
there and listening to me. I
spent hours talking to them.’
Smartly designed products for happy parenting™
Designed
with
We’re Infantino, and happy
parents and little ones
are what we’re about.
See our range exclusive to:
The people who see family violence the most are
friends and family, they are most likely to witness
violence and controlling behaviour.
Simple actions can make a difference:
‘I didn't know what else to do so I said I'd take the
children for an hour or two.’
‘I decided to keep on saying hello and asking how she
was even though she didn't say much. I had a feeling
something was going on and she might need me one
day.’
‘I don't mind if you call me or come over whatever the
time, I mean it, my door's always open.’
Family violence is against the law in New Zealand but
because it’s been kept behind closed doors for so long
it’s easy to say “it’s not my business”.
‘I remember a neighbour was looking over the fence
when I was getting a hiding and didn't do anything. And
I'm thinking – are you serious? They said afterwards 'I
just didn't know what to do.' I wanted them to ring the
cops, yell and scream. Because then [the cops arriving]
wouldn't have been my fault.’ (Victim) �
‘My friend said I could call anytime,
anytime at all and I did, I would call
up at all times of the day and night
and that would be OK.’
Family violence is not just physical, it can be
psychological, verbal, financial and sexual and includes
neglect of children or older people.
People being violent and people being hurt try to hide
the violence because they feel ashamed and guilty.
Victims may be scared to talk about it in case the
violence gets worse.
� unusually well behaved
� show a sudden change in behaviour.
People using violence at home may be:
� controlling their partner and children
� checking up on their partner
� yelling and swearing
What are the signs?
� making all the decisions
Here are some signs that violence may be affecting
someone you know:
� using threats and intimidation.
People experiencing violence may be:
� fearful and nervous
� keeping you at arm’s length
� lacking in confidence
� walking on eggshells
� have injuries they don’t want to talk about.
Children who are living in violent homes may be:
�fearful
� silent and withdrawn
�aggressive
Helping children
Children need adults to keep them safe.
New Zealand has high rates of child abuse and neglect
with on average nine children dying each year at the
hands of a family member.
What can you do if you are worried about a child?
� be involved in the child’s life
� tell them if they ever need to talk to someone they
can come to you
� make your home a safe place for them
� offer support to their parents
� if a child is in danger call Police.
32
If you are worried about a person or a situation,
phone Police on 111. You can also phone the
It’s not OK information line on 0800 456 450 for
advice, or phone social services in your community
for some guidance.
the time at least one of us is outside with some child
or other. One year I swear we will reach the stage
where all the kids can sit still for an hour. It just hasn’t
come yet.
And then there is the summer holiday time that
follows Christmas. This is the one time in our year when
both of us are off work for a few weeks, and our family
gets to relax. There are a lot of beach days, swimming,
and adventures.
Silent
night…
When I was a child, I looked forward to
Christmas. I think my favourite part was reaching
out to the end of my bed in the early dark, and
feeling the fabric of my stocking full of presents.
I remember family lunches, long and loud, and
games of backyard cricket. I remember reading
new books. I remember going to Christmas
mass, dressed as an angel with tinsel in my hair.
I remember singing carols and wondering if
everything really was silent and calm in the stable,
with the new baby Jesus.
Now that I have my own four children, Christmas has
a different feeling about it. We make lists of gifts for
the children, and hit The Warehouse in what feels like
a sting operation. We plan food, and spend large sums
at the supermarket. There is no getting around that this
is an expensive time. Thank god Santa doesn’t bring
electronic gifts for the children who live here, or we
would be entirely sunk.
34
I think the things I enjoy most about Christmas now, run
like this:
Setting up the tree with the children. Our tree is no
Home and Garden colour-themed number, but rather a
reusable tree pulled down from the attic, and decorated
with things the children have made for us over the
years. Treasures from daycare, kindy, and school craft
sessions, some with photos of now forgotten baby
faces peeping out from the tree, liberally sprinkled with
glitter and finger paint. Among the angels and Santas,
there are still one or two handmade decorations left
from the Christmas when Michael and I first set up
our tree but couldn’t afford to buy decorations. I made
some out of Christmas wrap and cardboard. fifteen
years on they are still great.
Going to Christmas mass, even though we never get to
all sit there, still, for the whole time. One memorable
year we went to an early evening Christmas eve mass.
It was packed. We got there very early, and sat right in
the front so the children could see. The entrance hymn
was sung, and my then four-year-old looked at me,
white as a sheet, and said he felt sick. We left. Most of
I think preparing for Christmas as parents is quite
different than as a couple, or as a single person. You
want to generate memories for your kids, give them
gifts they like, and make it perfect. It’s expensive.
(Those of us with four children know what we are
talking about here.) Family time can be stressful too,
with people coming together who don’t perhaps
normally see each other. Expectations of your own
parents may have to be met, despite the fact you are
now parents yourselves. It can be tough.
I think it can help to focus on a couple of traditions
you want to carry on in your family. Chocolate before
breakfast. Christmas stockings. Always a walk after
lunch. Making Christmas cake or jam tarts with the kids
in the time before. Writing a Christmas card to far away
grandparents.
Keep the gifting simple – it can be tempting to be more
and more generous each year with your children and
expectations are hard to change. New books, beach
towels, sun cream, water toys… All these are great
ideas. I may have mentioned Santa doesn’t bring
electronics, so in my house there will never be Ipods,
X-Boxes or tablets as Christmas gifts. Now that is a
tradition I can live with. �
Cath O’Brien
Cath O’Brien is mother to four fairly
loud ‘busy’ sons, and works as a
freelance writer and policy analyst
for some peace and quiet. She has
been writing for Kiwiparent since
her first son was born, and her
columns describe the pleasures and
perils of raising children.
kiwiparent
35
top
10
travel tips
1
7
Travel lightly – Travelling lightly with kids may
seem like an impossible task and having lots to
carry while trying to keep hold of kids can get
messy. Leave the cute kid-sized suitcase at home,
you’ll most likely end up dragging it around on top
of your own luggage and it’s just another item to
juggle!
“Are we there yet?”– Children are lovely,
inquisitive little things but when you’re confined
to a small space your patience may be tested
with the same question over and over again.
Let them answer their own question. Print off a
Google map and encourage them to mark off the
places you go through and fill in the route with
coloured pencils.
2
Wear a carrier – Having your hands free in the
airport is always “handy” when kids are involved!
Wearing a carrier will make carrying suitcases
and sorting out travel documents much easier
because you’ve got free hands. It will also come
in handy when checking out the shops, going
for a bush walk or checking out the markets on
holiday.
8
Tickle them – Most toddlers make it known
when they want out of their seats but whilst
travelling but this isn’t always possible. Giving
them a tickle releases some stress for them and
the sound of giggling is far more pleasant than
whining.
9
Bring your own portacot – Babies like to travel
when they have a comfy place that they’re
familiar with to sleep in. Plus you never know
what condition the cot at your accommodation
is in! Look out for a portable cot that is light and
compact for travel near or far.
3
Take a travel buggy – Your child will appreciate
cruising in their buggy when walking gets too
much for their little legs or when they want to
have a snooze while you’re out and about. Taking
a lightweight, compact buggy is a convenient
solution that makes getting around a breeze.
Keep your buggy safe during transit with a travel
bag
4
10
Direct only – Fly nonstop if possible. Getting off
the plane, collecting your luggage, and rushing to
make a connection with kids in tow can be tiring.
You’ll be much more relaxed if you simplify your
travel plans.
5
Breathe – Yes, for years you’ve hated those
parents who couldn’t get their kids to be quiet on
the plane and now you’re one of them. Don’t let
it get to you. Relax and your baby will too. Take
deep breaths and remember that most of the
people on the plane are sympathising with you.
6
Snacks – Essential in any circumstance but when
travelling it’s handy to pack snacks that last a
LONG time. A packet of crackers, a sugar-free
lollipop, even a box of raisins – anything that
keeps them quiet and occupied for a while.
36
Feeding on the go – take the stress out of
finding a clean and hygienic place for your child
to eat by taking a clip-on high chair. A portable
high chair will mean that you always have a safe,
comfy and clean space for feeding on the go.
Some high chairs clip onto the side of the table,
the lobster allows your little one to dine with you,
and you don’t need to worry about the state of
grubby restaurant high chairs.
Melissa Zgomba
Melissa is mum to gorgeous two-yearold Zack and lives in Wellington with
her husband Viktor. Melissa works
as PR Manager for nursery brands
phil&teds and Mountain Buggy.
She recently took Zack on their first
family holiday to Rarotonga and put
these travel tips to good practice.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
travel the
world with
Phil
& Ted
Zack in the smart in Raro
traveller
universal travel bag
Whether parents are out and about
or at home, baby’s sleep and play
time is covered with traveller – the
only portable travel cot that is lighter
than the baby. It’s super light and
compact for travel near or far at
3.2kg. The traveller™ keeps your
child happy and comfy either asleep
in the cot or at play in the playpen
with the side unzipped. The carry bag
packs traveller so small you can fit it
in a backpack to go hiking or stow in
the overhead locker of an airline. The
fully ventilated mesh sides provide
excellent air circulation.
smart
The phil&teds smart is the smartest
choice for a lightweight stroller. It has
a slim design that makes it narrow
enough to fit in tight city spaces. Its
sleek lightweight frame weighs only
8 kg, and has a smooth
compact fold. The
aerocore seat looks
stylish whilst being
hypo-allergenic,
insulating, ventilating,
UV resistant,
waterproof
and non-toxic.
The soft and
spongy seat
is also easy
to clean. The
smart stroller offers four modes for
a comfy ride for newborn to four
years. Parents can colour the smart
their way with a selection of vibrant
colours for the hood, seat, and liner.
lobster portable
high chair
The lobster is the perfect travel high
chair. It’s unbelievably lightweight,
flat-packing and portable, with quicksmart, clip-on clamping that fits on
most tables. The lobster offers a safe
and comfy solution for feeding on
the go. The padded set makes it a
cushy place to sit
and the 5-point
harness makes
it super safe. It
even comes
with a tray
so your child
has their own
feeding space.
escape child carrier
escape is the most comfortable child
carrier in town (and out of town!).
Designed for maximum child and
parent comfort, the escape carrier
has extra padding and breathability.
The child harness cradles and
secures, while the sunhood with
removable wind/rain cover protects
your little one. The large storage
capacity means that there is plenty
of room for all the bits and pieces
you need to take, and even includes
a padded change mat, hydration
bladder pocket and zip-off day pack.
38
Parents Centres
Specifically designed for buggy and
beyond, the universal travel bag
makes travelling easy no matter
what you are taking with you; from
a small bike, car seat, clothes, shoes,
you name it – the universal travel
bag has always got you covered. It
has loads of space with an adjustable
size to fit all of baby’s gear. Simply
place your buggy or other cargo
inside the open bag, wrap it up and
off you go. It’s hard-wearing and
padded for maximum protection,
and the sturdy wheels make it easy
to roll when packed. And when
you’ve finished using the universal
travel bag, it rolls up into an easy to
store compact bundle. It’s lightweight
at less than 2kg! The universal travel
bag says it like it is – a bag that fits
the phil&teds and Mountain Buggy
range, as well as other leading
buggy brands. �
In this section
Supporting parents through
the early years because great
parents grow great children.
Focus on fabulous Whangarei
Parents Centre’s ‘Best Ambassador’ from
Nelson District
Support networks and advice
through Parents Centres
Spotlight on ‘Moving and Munching’
Centre News
Parents Centres are renowned for their parent
education programmes. What is not so well-known
is the huge range of support networks and advice
available to parents.
One of the most important sources of support can
be your original antenatal group. These often stay
together and form ‘coffee groups’ – better described
as ‘counselling groups’ at times! We all go through
enormous life adjustments with the birth of our first
babies and the support and advice from other parents
can be invaluable.
Time and again we hear that these support networks
have been a ‘life saver’ for many parents at what is a
time of huge adjustment and uncertainty. These groups
of parents often form firm friendships which can carry
on for years – even decades!
eding,
Go to
www.parentscentre.org.nz today to contact
your local Centre and to find out more about support
offered in your area.
feed
ture
prema
st
, brea
s
e
i
b
a
b
gr
g,
offee
n
c
i
d
,
s
e
e
h
astf
birt
s, bre
rean
stfe
e
a
a
i
s
e
b
e
r
a
a
b
b
c
es,
births
s,
bi’Moving
ture
p
a
a
e
See page 44 for detailsreofbour
and Munching’
u
l
m
o
p
e
i
r
r
t
g
l
,
p
tu
mu
fee
roups
remafollows
programme p
which
on from antenatal
e gclasses
s, cof
tility,
e
h
r
f
,
t
f
e
r
f
g
o
i
n
n
c
b
i
i
s, the mix of the most
and
eed ‘Baby and You’ and is abpart
an
t
ant
irthof
reastfincredible,
n, inf
nsupport
aesare
s, pos
b
o
a
c
t
h
i
,
e
s
t
s
s
r
r
life-changing
network
for
parents.
o
s
i
e
a
p
i
e
b
s
r
,
ab
ep
cae
births
ultiple
ture b
atal d
ps,
m
e
n
u
l
o
,
p
i
r
y
t
t
,
g
er
l
i
prema
g
l
thaty,inspired
mu Bec McEwan,
, fath
eedin
nferti
coffeeIt is support networks
s
t
f
,
i
i
e
g
l
,
i
t
i
s
n
g
t
n
i
r
h
r
a
t
d
e
e
f
from Nelson, toigive
ir
nf back her energies tofaher
in
all
fee
nt local
ean b
ost which have won heronthe
ssion,
sleep,
incoveted
pefforts
e
r
,
,
Centre,
‘Best
p
s
e
,
caesar
t
h
ea
d
i
r
t
ss
aby w
epreRead
, natal
suppo
le birAmbassador’ Awardtfor
t
b
d
p
r
2013.
about Bec’s great
,
i
r
l
o
s
t
e
l
a
p
h
h
u
t
p
t
na
su
fa
bir
lity, m
work at
43.
home
ing, level on pages 42 and
rgies,
father
dCentre
e
l
e
l
,
e
s
a
f
inferti
e
i
t
,
fan
, br
lerg
sleep
eaning
babies
ep, al
ion, in
e
s
w
g
l
e
s
s
r
n
e
y
i
r
u
b
t
n
p
ea
de
rt,
, ba
prema
natal
suppo
births
baby w
,
,
g
e
r
s
n
e
m
i
h
h
t
o
d
, c
t
r
astfee
births
me bi
ing, h
e
ies, fa
o
d
r
g
e
n
h
b
r
e
a
e
f
,
l
e
t
l
s
r
a
eas
bie
esa
sleep,
ies, br
, ca
ure ba
s
b
t
ning
p
a
a
a
u
e
b
m
o
w
e
r
e
multip
ups, pr
ffee g
matur
, baby
o
,
o
e
r
s
y
r
c
t
g
h
i
p
t
l
,
r
i
e
s
i
b
rth
fert
g,
offe
home
an bi
t in
feedin
ths, c
e
s
t
r
r
s
o
i
a
a
p
b
s
e
e
r
,
n
n
post ca
ies, b
births
sarea
ressio
b
e
,
p
a
a
e
s
e
l
b
c
h
d
p
t
i
e
r
l
t
bi
ul
tur
ata
ps,
prema
g, n
lity, m
ultiple
i
e grou
n
t
i
e
m
r
f
d
f
e
f
e
,
o
y
e
n
c
g, i
lit
,
ies
tf
allerg
feedin
births
inferti
, infan
t
,
n
n
n
p
o
a
t
e
a
i
e
s
f
e
s
r
l
o
n
s
s
a
i
, p
pre
n,
caes
births
tal datewww.kiwiparent.co.nzr – kiwiparent
ressio
pport,
a
p
u
e
e
,
n
s
l
t
d
p
r
subscribe
online
,b
i
l
o
t
e
39
l
nata
supp
fath
births
,
e
y, mu
r
s
t
,
e
i
m
e
g
l
h
i
o
i
t
n
g
t
h
i
a
r
r
f
alle
infe
t feed
rgies,
sleep,
, infan
ning
, alle
Focus on fabulous Whangarei
Building on a Centre’s successes
Whangarei Parents Centre
has recently seen a new
burst of energy with newly
arrived Parents Centre
committee member Sarah
Cameron. Sarah started on
the committee of Palmerston
North Parents Centre in 2009, ending
up as co-President there, then moved
to Christchurch where she took on the
Canterbury Regional Co-ordinator role.
Another move has taken her northwards, to
her hometown of Whangarei.
She promptly joined the local Parents Centre committee
“just to help out.”
“I was setting up my own business so only wanting
to join their committee to help out. It’s a huge Centre
which runs a lot of programmes and there were lots of
ways I could help. Then the President resigned and no
one else felt able to fill her role at that time, so I took
on the Presidency which later turned into Co-Presidency
with Rachel Mason.”
Co-Presidency had worked well for Sarah in Palmerston
North. “When I first joined the committee I doubted my
ability but after taking on the Secretary role I grew in
confidence. I ended up taking a Co-President’s role as I
thought I could do it with someone beside me.”
After a year on the committee in Palmerston North
Sarah’s husband’s job with the Army took them south
and she was asked to join the Regional Co-ordinator
team as the Canterbury representative. “It was a bit
daunting learning to work alone without someone
beside me in that Co-President’s role but Joan Hay at
the National Support Centre and the other Regional
Co-ordinators were so supportive – I learned to lean
on them as I learned the role.” Sarah worked with all
Centres in her region and acted as their representative
at a national level. Another career move for her
husband was the reason for another move back to the
North Island to the warmer climates of Whangarei.
Sarah says her time with Parents Centre has made her
grow enormously “I realise that throughout my whole
life I have underestimated myself! Parents Centre
helped me to know my capabilities and to find strength
from others and it’s enabled me to share my strength
and help others to step up too. It’s like a cascade effect
and it really works!”
40
In Whangarei Sarah and Co-President Rachel Mason and
Vice-President Marilyn Beard focus solely on supporting
the volunteers in their roles. Each one of them has an
area they support – Sarah’s is marketing, social media
and the Centre’s newsletter while Rachel supports
childbirth education, parent education and playgroup
and Marilyn manages the finances, grants and other
support roles. “It works really well,” says Sarah. “Our
volunteers feel really supported and valued and this
is the key thing that we think is making our Centre’s
committee roles so attractive.”
Sarah says that many new parents, particularly mothers,
can feel a bit lost as to their place in the world. “It’s hard
to see a bigger purpose when you have a screaming
baby, and are focused on changing, bathing and
sleeping for this little babe. Mums can feel like they
have taken a step backwards – which of course they
haven’t – but it can knock their confidence. Parents
Centre work can validate that they can use their skills
and develop new ones, it’s such a positive experience.”
member of Parents Centre anymore! But she came on
board and has been a real asset to the Centre.”
Sarah says that it’s been an honour to arrive at a
Centre which was already successful. “The Centre has
their own rooms and runs a lot of programmes and is
widely known in the community – it already had really
good bones! It’s enabled me and our new committee
to really focus on the things that we want to do, like
a new Return to Work Programme and supporting the
committee to be the best they can be.”
Parents
Centres
Volunteer
Symposium
2013
13th -15th
September
Wellington
“I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Parents
Centre. It has developed me in so many ways – making
me more confident and able to believe in myself and
my ability to lead a team. What really motivates me
is that I can help other new parents discover that in
themselves, it’s a really satisfying job.”
Sarah says she has discovered that working with
volunteers is also more inspiring than being in the paid
workforce. “Volunteers are always people who are
motivated, passionate and who really like to have fun!
You don’t get that so much in the workforce, with lots
of different people who are often simply motived by
the pay cheque once a fortnight.”
And the volunteers keep arriving at the Centre, recently
they have had six new people join their committee.
How did they do it? “We kept on putting the message
out there, mostly on Facebook, that we had great
roles to fill – we made each sound really fun and really
focused on the positives. We also got a beautician
along to each committee meeting so members can
kill two birds with one stone – have their nails done
(who’s got time to do that during the week?) while
discussing Parents Centre business. It works a treat!”
The committee rewards a ‘Volunteer of the month’ with
a voucher to use at the next meeting.
“We also shoulder-tapped a few people to get some
key roles filled, using our networks in the community.
That’s how we filled our Treasurer’s role, with someone
we knew who had these skills – she wasn’t even a
kiwiparent
41
––––
invited speakers and is notably very approachable for
our members.”
From sunny Nelson,
a ‘Best Ambassador’
for Parents Centre
Bec, Luca (little one),
Bec’s partner, Andy, and Ben
Bec has also been an excellent advocate and networker
for the Centre, co-ordinating and maintaining a good
working relationship with Plunket. She has approached
the local hospital and has had information about
Parents
Centre’s
andcommittee
You’ programme
included
The new Premises
and‘Baby
the current
(below).
in the hospital’s antenatal programmes, maintaining
Parents Centre links at the hospital and promoting wider
services out to the community. Nelson District Parents
Centre’s childbirth education classes are so popular
they have recently been oversubscribed. Bec makes
sure to attend the local District Health Board’s childbirth
education classes to promote ‘Baby and You’ to those
unable to attend antenatal programmes through
Parents Centre.
Recently Bec attended ‘Mum4Mum’ training, which is
a local community programme educating women to
support other women in breastfeeding and all aspects
of parenting. Beverley says, “She undertook the training
Q&A
outside of her Parents Centre committee role, but has
been vocal about the benefits to Parents Centre and
what it has to offer within this group. “
If all of this doesn’t make life busy enough, Bec is also
involved with the Nelson refugee community through
a local community centre, helping migrants as a tutor
for English as a second language, as well as with other
practical assistance such as filling out forms and job
applications, as well as some advocacy work.
In the wider community, Bec is a visible and positive
representative of Parents Centre. She is well known
for her Parents Centre fundraising and always, without
fail, promotes Parents Centre to her broader circle of
contacts.
“Bec’s personal qualities of warmth, friendliness and
genuine interest in other people have made her a great
contributor to our local community. She is a wonderful
ambassador for Parents Centre on a personal and on a
formal level” says Beverley.
with Bec McEwan,
2013 ‘Best Ambassador’
From Nelson District Parents Centre
Why have you chosen Parents Centre as the passion
for your energies?
Photo Credit:
Steve Hussey Photography
www.stevehussey.co.nz
Bec McEwan has held several committee
roles at Nelson District Parents Centre over
the past three years, including librarian,
toilet training co-ordinator and ‘Baby
and You’ coordinator. Centre President,
Beverley Hamilton, says that Bec has been so
outstanding in these roles she was an easy
pick for nominations for the annual national
Parents Centre Awards, winning the coveted
‘Best Ambassador’ Award.
42
Beverley says that Bec never does things by halves.
“She initially started as Centre librarian and obtained
some great sponsorship for books through two local
booksellers. She then started a regular book review in
our newsletter and, in conjunction with our website
editor, she launched an online system to profile all the
books in our library.”
Bec moved on from this role to organise the Centre’s
very popular toilet training evenings. She is also the
co-ordinator for the Centre’s ‘Baby and You’
programmes and, says Beverley, “she has done a
wonderful job communicating with the wide range of
When I had my first son, Parents Centre was just
fantastic. The knowledge I received on the courses was
invaluable, but it was also the people involved who
went the extra mile. My son was born with a nonserious but uncommon medical condition. My lovely
Childbirth Educator put me in touch with some parents
who had faced a similar condition and the advice and
support I received going forward was so reassuring. It
was just the general positive and supportive attitudes
from the Parents Centre committee at that time that
made all the difference.
Basically I would like to provide the same great support
to new parents that I was so grateful to receive.
It is really rewarding and satisfying to work with such a
great group of people and know what we do through
Parents Centre is really valued in the community, it gives
me a great sense of achievement.
networking with members of the parenting and health
community, and since taking on this role, I have had two
paid job offers!
In promoting Baby and You I also speak to various
groups promoting our programmes. This has definitely
increased my confidence with public speaking.
I have also had the opportunity to attend some great
training courses through Parents Centre. The weekend
facilitation workshop I attended last year with Joan Hay
was fantastic.
What would you say to a member considering
volunteering for Parents Centre?
Just go along to a committee meeting! I'm sure you'll
find a warm and welcoming reception wherever you
are in the country. Don't think you have to take on a
large workload, particularly if your child is still very little.
There are many ways to be involved and contribute.
You will gain a lot of knowledge about your community,
have fun, and make some great new friends.
What do you personally get out of your Parents
Centre experience, has it led to other things?
Co-ordinating the Baby and You course requires a lot of
kiwiparent
43
Each edition of Kiwiparent profiles one of Parents
Centres renowned parent education programmes.
PARENTS CENTRES NEWS
This month:
Spotlight
on Moving
and Munching
‘”Your baby’s emerging exploration of the
environment and discovery of first foods.”
It’s an exciting time. Your baby is moving on; discovering
first foods and becoming more active, and already (or
soon to be) making those first attempts at crawling.
� Identifying areas of language, intellectual and
social development that helps to stimulate your
baby’s learning.
As a new parent it can be difficult to know how to go
about introducing solid foods and what issues you need
to be aware of now that your baby is on the move!
Development milestones vary widely from child
to child. This programme includes information on
physical, cognitive (or intellectual), language and
social (emotional) development. It stresses that no
baby can be compared to another when it comes
to development – they are all unique and all reach
development milestones at different times.
The ‘Munching’ focus of this
programme explores:
� When and how to start to introduce solids into your
baby’s diet.
� How to continue to include milk in your baby’s diet.
� Exploring the need for changes in textures, tastes
and the quantity of solids over time.
� Ways to encourage your baby to develop healthy
attitudes to food.
The ‘Moving’ focus of this
programme explores:
� Identifying areas of your home environment that
might need safety-proofing now that your baby’s
mobility and manipulative skills are developing.
Throughout the programme you will hear from a variety
of expert guest speakers, all of whom are familiar
and experienced with the changes your baby is going
through in this 6–12 month age group. Speakers may
include a dietician or nutritionist, a paediatric or Plunket
nurse, a paediatrician or an infant feeding advisor.
Developmentally the ‘Moving and Munching’ 6–12
month old stage is a fascinating one, and parents who
are armed with the right information will enjoy it all the
more.
n Upper Hutt Parents Centre almost have their own
premises! After years of renting they've managed to
purchase a small building and relocate it onto land
leased from the local council. Committee members
were on site at 5am to watch the building being
delivered on 13 September. Centre President, Sarah
Kitchen, says, “The building needs a lot of work and
fundraising is well underway with the Early Years Expo
on 2 November, Quiz Night on 14 November and
Street Appeal on 11 December booked in.” The Centre
is aiming to be running courses from the new site in
early 2014. It’s a huge achievement, awesome work
Upper Hutt! More details to follow in the next edition of
Kiwiparent magazine.
n At Gore Parents Centre the 2013 Family Friendly
Awards have now been awarded to deserving
businesses in the local community. Places to Eat winner
is Waikaia Hotel, Things to See and Do winner is Gore
Public Library and in the Best Retail Outlet saw joint
winners in Paper Plus and Noel Leeming Gore. Regional
Co-ordinator, Bernadette Hunt, says, “We’d like to say a
huge thanks to our major sponsors – The Ensign for all
the wonderful publicity, and MLT and Heartland Hotel
for hosting the Awards ceremony. It was great to see
all finalists and sponsors represented at our event, and
to have Mayor Tracy Hicks present to say a few words.”
Gore Parents Centre look forward to these awards
running again in 2014 – kicking off Parents Centre Week
in June.
n Warm weather helped draw the local community
to the inaugural North Shore Parents Centres Market
Day on 31 August. Hosted by Onewa, Waitemata and
Bays North Harbour Centres, the event had a mix
of stalls with individuals selling nearly new items and
local small businesses selling their products. Committee
member, Carol Ainger, says “We have received lots of
extremely positive feedback and hope to make this a
regular fundraiser having raised nearly $3000 this time
around.” Great work North Shore Parents Centres!
n Whangarei Parents Centre recently held a great
promotion at the NKA Kids Expo. Centre representative
Natasha Hall says, “It was a great opportunity to get
amongst the community and talk to other mothers
and parents about the different ways the Centre can
support them. I have found Parents Centre to be a
wealth of support and information, it's a community
which helps you from the beginning and continues to
help you as your child and family grows.”
Photos by
Kellie Extance
Photography
Celebrating
our volunteers
Every month, in conjunction with Huggies Products,
Parents Centres acknowledge the extraordinary
contribution volunteers make to their communities
through their local Parents Centre. To find out more
about volunteering with Parents Centre visit
www.parentscentre.org.nz/volunteers
Volunteer of the Month:
Caraline Abbott, Rotorua Parents Centre
Centre President, Jo
McQueen-Watton,
says “Caraline clearly
goes above and
beyond her call of
duty as a volunteer
and is very deserving
of recognition.”
Congratulations and
thank you, Caraline!
Outside area at the
inaugural North Shore
Parents Centre’s Market Day.
To enquire when this programme will be running at a
Centre near you go to www.parentscentre.org.nz
� Encouraging the development of your baby’s fine
and gross motor skills by identifying age-appropriate
play and toys.
Caraline with son Jack
44
kiwiparent
45
water
- fun or fatal?
When New Zealanders think
of water they often think of fun
times in the sun.
With the days getting longer and
the temperature rising most New
Zealanders thoughts turn to summer
and having fun around, in on or
under the water at the beach, river
or lake. They also usually think
about keeping their children safe
around water. Swimming New
Zealand want to suggest that, this
summer we all think about keeping
our families safe around the water.
New Zealand is an island nation with
over 14,000 kilometres of coast line
and over 65% of the population
live within five kilometres of the
coast. There are 3,820 lakes and
180,000 kilometres of rivers crossing
the country meaning the majority
of New Zealanders are within 30
minutes drive from a major water
way.
Last year 98 people lost their lives
by drowning. Nine of these were
children under 15, and 89 were
adults.
It is consistently the third highest
cause of unintentional death in New
Zealand, surpassed only by road
vehicle crashes and accidental falls. It
can take as little as 30mm of water
to drown in.
Remember, drowning is a silent
action and can take only a minute.
You will not know if a member of
your family needs help if you are not
watching them.
For every one fatality there are
eight near-fatal drowning incidents
in New Zealand. Hospitalisations
for 2012 reached 176. The cost
of hospitalisations is not only the
financial one but the cost to families
whose loved ones receive lifelong
disabilities as a result of a near
drowning. These are the unseen
tragedies that don’t get highlighted
in statistics and yet affect many New
Zealand families every year.
As a nation of water lovers we need
to be constantly vigilant to keep our
loved ones safe.
Around the home our young
children are most at risk. Baths,
home swimming pools and spa
pools represent the greatest single
danger for preschoolers around
water. Parents need to understand
that 100% supervision is required
when our under-fives are in or
around water.
At bathtime young children should
never be left alone or in the care of
older siblings. In the past 10 years
(2003–2012), 75% of all under-five
domestic and home pool fatalities
were children aged two or under,
with 47% occurring at age one (12–
23 months). The 10-year research
on this issue tells us that in relation
to bath drowning fatalities, children
are usually left momentarily to finish
other household tasks or answer the
phone. In 2012, this was the case
for two out of three fatalities in this
age group. In the third case, lack of
supervision and inadequate fencing
led to a fatality in a home pool.
Home pools need to be fenced and
gated so that children cannot gain
access to them.
confidence as the child is used to
water splashing on their face, and
making a lot of noise.
Our beaches claimed 21 lives last
year. 83% were male and most
of these were over 15 years of
age. Boating claimed another 21
members of someone’s family last
year with the majority once again
being males over 15 years of age.
This means that too many families
are losing their dad, son, brother,
uncle or nephew to the sea.
A child that has developed
respectful, comfortable confidence
with the water at home usually
copes well when introduced to
the pool. Swimming New Zealand
offers workshops to new parents
to improve their knowledge and
confidence around introducing their
babies to the water. Swimming is
a core life skill and all New Zealand
children should have the opportunity
to learn to swim.
New Zealand men need to learn
that they are not invincible, that a
wearing a life jacket is not a sign of
weakness but rather a message to
their families that they want to stay
safe for them.
Build confidence
from an early age
Education around water safety needs
to start early. Water confidence and
familiarisation can be started as
soon as a baby is born. Bath time
is a great opportunity to have fun
and learn foundation aquatic skills,
attitudes and behaviours while also
being an awesome environment
to stimulate the senses and to
develop fundamental movement
skills. Introduction to showers at an
early age usually assists in water
Swimming New Zealand’s State Kiwi
Swim Safe programme along with
Water Safety New Zealand, Surf
Lifesaving New Zealand, Water Safe
Auckland, Regional Sports Trusts
and other funding organisations are
working together to ensure school
children receive quality swim and
survive education while at primary
school.
On the Boat
� Life Jackets – they need to be
in good working condition,
need to fit and need to be
worn.
� Check the latest marine
weather forecast prior
to going out, keep a
regular check for changing
conditions.
� Always carry at least
two reliable means of
communication.
� The skipper is legally
responsible for the safety
of all on board and must act
accordingly.
Go to http://www.coastguard.
co.nz/index.php?page=safety
for more boating safety
information
At the beach
� Never swim alone.
� Swim between the flags at
beaches but even then keep
an eye on your family.
� If you get caught in a rip, do
not panic. Paddle and swim
parallel to the shore toward
the breaking waves. Don't
fight the rip.
Find out about a beach in New
Zealand before you visit it! Go to
www.findabeach.co.nz
For more information on keeping
safe at the beach visit http://
www.surflifesaving.org.nz/
education/public-education/
be-safe/
What is drowning?
Drowning is the process of
experiencing respiratory impairment
from submersion/immersion in liquid
(International Life Saving Federation,
2002). In effect, drowning occurs
by submerging and suffocating in
water or another liquid. It can be
both fatal (mortality) and non-fatal
(morbidity).
kiwiparent
47
win
swimming
lessons for
your child
Be in the draw to win a term
of free lessons at a Swimming
New Zealand Quality Swim
School anywhere in New
Zealand, worth $200.
Enter online at
and follow the instructions.
Entries close 5pm 17
� Never swim alone.
� Always check for hazards both
where you are and in the case
of rivers downstream also.
� Check the depth of the water
before jumping in.
At home
� Keep young children within
sight and reach at all times in
and around water.
� Store bath and basin plugs out
of sight and reach.
� Use non-slip bath mats in
showers and baths.
� Always empty the bath
immediately after use.
� Ensure all containers capable
of holding water are upside
down and empty.
� Ensure that your home pool
meets the requirements under
the Fencing of Swimming
Pools Act 1987.
� Constantly supervise children
around water ways and
troughs on farms.
http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/
water-safety has more tips on
water safety around the home
School teachers are offered training
in teaching learn to swim along with
water safety information and skills to
pass onto their students.
The ability to swim alone does not
make a child safe in the water. They
also need to learn how recognise
dangers, look after themselves and
others, and know their limits.
Swim schools and swimming clubs
around New Zealand offer learn
to swim lessons. Lots of children
are receiving swim and survive
education at school, Coastguard
Education runs safe boating courses,
Surf Lifesaving New Zealand patrol
popular beaches. Water Safety
New Zealand also provide safety
messages on television and yet
drowning is still the third highest
cause of accidental death in New
Zealand.
As families we need to work
together to keep our entire families
safe around water. Learn to swim,
wear a life jacket, check the
conditions and look out for
each other.
All statistics from Water Safety New
Zealand Drownbase �
48
January 2014.
Chris Morgan
Chris is the national Learn to Swim
Manager for Swimming New Zealand
– she is also a wife, mother of two
adult daughters and grandmother to
one beautiful wee girl. Chris is a swim
teacher of early childhood, disabled,
school age and adult swimmers. She is
part of the education team at Swimming
New Zealand who provide training
for swim teachers, school teachers,
swimming club volunteers, parents
and communities in Learn to Swim.
Chris is passionate about improving
the drowning statistics in New Zealand
by ensuring parents are educated in
the benefits of aquatic activities while
understanding the need for 100%
supervision of children around water.
with you in the water
Keep your children safer in and around the water.
Always keep your eyes on your under-5s.
SI6353 02/12 KP
At the river or lake
� Help me to splash the water
gently so I feel it moving
around me.
� Listen to my body when we are
in the water.
� Sometimes I don’t want to do
things you want me to do.
� When you sprinkle water on me
please start with my body before
my head.
� Before you sprinkle water over
my head, use the same prompt
(like “ready 1, 2, 3”) to warn me
it is going to happen.
� When you shower water over my
head, move the sprinkler away
from me quickly because I will
take a breath.
� When I get used to water over
my head and face, let’s splash
together with more vigour.
Look Mummy,
I can go under …
� I will get in when I am ready.
NOTE TO PARENTS: Don’t hurry
your child to get in the water; give
her plenty of time to adjust to the
environment.
water
babies
NOTE TO PARENTS: Body language
tells a thousand stories.
first water experiences happy and healthy is clean water. So, pool
� I like to have fun with you.
staff around the country will be reinforcing pool rules this summer
NOTE TO PARENTS: Don’t expect
your child to have fun if you aren’t
prepared to have fun too.
in protective swimpants, such as Huggies Little Swimmers. It’s a
simple way of keeping toddler and learner pools clean.
� I can learn to control my breath
from a very early age if I am not
frightened.
NOTE TO PARENTS: It is important for
you not to show anxiety while in the
water with your child .
In 2011 Huggies launched Swimming
with Smiles offering parents new
pointers about how to keep it fun
and positive in the water. With
50 combined years of experience
teaching babies to love the water,
Jenny McPhail and the Smart Moves
team have developed a list of
pointers for the campaign, based on
their belief that water confidence is
“A child has to be ready to love
the water, so look for the smiles.
We encourage parents to get into
the pool with their little ones on a
regular basis, so that it becomes a
new playground. Once the signals are
clear, work at their pace and never
ever take your eyes off them.”
50
� New Zealand’s public pools are fun-filled, family friendly places
which require parents to put infants who are not yet toilet trained
Mum, Dad or a family caregiver they
trust. The key is to keep it positive
and start early. Six months is not too
early to start looking for the signs of
readiness,” says Jenny.
Jenny says we need to hold our
babies close in the water, join in
the fun, and let them lead the way.
“The water is so much fun for babies
when they are safe in the arms of
� Your body needs to show me you
like the water.
to start swimming with your baby. A critical part of making those
We all want the very best for our children. We want them to be happy
and healthy. And we want them to master the long list of life skills that
lie ahead of them easily. Water confidence is one life skill that comes
more easily if we allow our babies to take the lead.
a very important life skill for children
that parents and communities
need to actively encourage early
and often.
Clean Water
Here are some
things your child
would like you to
know:
Before we start, I need
you to know …
� When you are relaxed, I relax too.
� Show me how and I will
follow you.
� When I see you having fun,
I have fun.
� When I am in the water with you
I need to see your happy face.
� Look for my happy face and we’ll
be OK.
� When we begin to play in the
water together hold me close so
I get used to the feeling of the
water and learn to like it.
� I need to trust you when we try
new things.
� Hold me around my chest with
both hands in a horizontal front
position so I can see your face
before we think about going
under.
NOTE TO PARENTS: It is important to
have eye contact with your child at all
times to communicate.
Let’s get comfortable in the
water together …
� Tell me what’s going to happen
before we do it so I am ready.
kiwiparent
51
And above all, the most resounding word of
advice for parents coming from all quarters
is: “Always keep you eyes on your children in
and around the water. Always!”
� Walk slowly backwards, holding
me in a horizontal front position,
as you gently lower more of my
body and face into the water.
NOTE TO PARENTS: Don’t show
your anxiety about your child being
under water.
NOTE TO PARENTS: Don’t push
your child under when he is clearly
stressed about it. NEVER be distracted
from your child while in the water.
Don’t show your anxiety about your
child learning to go under water.
� When I go under the water, I may
keep my eyes and mouth open
and that's OK!
� Hold me close and gently release
my body weight when I am
ready to go under.
Huggies® Little Swimmers®
� I like doing things that you do in
the water.
NOTE TO PARENTS: NEVER pull your
child under. Keep hold of your child at
all times. Don’t ever FORCE your child
under the water, ever!
NOTE TO PARENTS: Don’t expect your
child to want to go under if you aren’t
prepared to do it and be a role model.
� Only keep me below the surface
for a very short time when I start
wanting to go under.
� When I am little don’t ask me
to blow bubbles because I don’t
know how. I only know how
to suck.
NOTE TO PARENTS: NEVER submerge
without communicating what you are
about to do (i.e. no surprises).
Photos on this page supplied by
NOTE TO PARENTS: What is
comfortable for you is not necessarily
comfortable for your child. The child
will do what comes naturally to him.
� Gently pull me back to the
surface so my head is above
water again and I can see and
smile at you.
52
If your baby has a little accident in the pool, it can be a bit embarrassing. That’s why
HUGGIES LITTLE SWIMMERS® Swimpants have elastic side guards to contain any unwanted
surprises. Plus they have a stretchy waistband for extra comfort and tear away sides
for easy disposal. So when you’re taking swimming lessons, make sure your baby’s got
them on before they jump in.
For a FREE sample visit littleswimmers.co.nz
NOTE TO PARENTS: Never make your
child feel bad if he doesn’t want to do
something. We all come to things in
our own time. Never compare your
child with another. �
® Registered Trademark Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. © 2010 KCWW.
© Disney. Based on the “Winnie the Pooh” works by A.A.Milne and E.H.Shepard. © Disney/Pixar.
KC1167
subscribe
online at www.kiwiparent.co.nz –
kiwiparent
53
The cost and rewards of
raising children
We all know that raising children
isn’t cheap – but it’s incredibly
rewarding.
There are all sorts of calculations on
the costs of raising kids – the reality
is, it does cost and as children grow
older, different financial aspects and
costs tend to increase. No sooner are
babies out of their ‘onesies’, then
there are more financial factors to
consider for a toddler or pre-schooler.
Some helpful websites are:
http://www.plunket.org.nz/yourchild/welcome-to-parenting/
family-and-whanau/finances-forfamilies/
https://www.sorted.org.nz/lifeevents/having-a-baby
And here are some other areas
to consider:
Childcare...
preschool...kindy...
Early childhood education (ECE) is
the education and care provided to
children before they go to school.
It’s not compulsory; however the
majority of Kiwi kids participate at
some stage before starting school.
ECE services available include all
day or part-day care; teacher or
parent led care; day care, playcentre,
reo, home-based care
kohanga
or kindergarten. Other factors to
consider are location, costs, inclusion
of meals, staff-to-child ratio, and of
course where your little person is
happy.
Depending on the provider, there
may be a bond, which is reimbursed
when your child leaves, and/or a
non-refundable application, waiting
list or booking fee, which you don’t
get back if you change your mind.
From 1 July 2010 all three, four and
five-year-old children are able to go
to ECE services for six hours a day,
20 hours a week at no charge. This
applies to all teacher-led ECE services,
reo and playcentres;
kohanga
however not all providers offer it, so
it’s best to check. It’s also important
to get all the fee details before
making a decision so ask about
fees from the providers you’re
interested in.
Deciding on the best type of care for
your littlies is a personal choice, and
can be overwhelming. There’s plenty
to consider – family values, finances,
flexibility versus routine and, most
importantly, your child and their
individual needs. The correct choice
is the one that feels right and works
best for you and your family.
So what will your child learn through
ECE and what can you expect? From
our experience with our daughters,
definitely some messy play and
plenty of washing – it’s all part of
learning! Make sure you send your
little ones to ECE in clothes that
are comfortable, easy to wash and
suitable for active, free play.
The Ministry of Education has more
information on what children will
learn and choosing an ECE service
here:
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/
Parents/EarlyYears.aspx
Dress for success
– at any age
Whether it’s through outdoor play
or a growth spurt, little ones need
new clothes from time to time – and
it can add up, especially if you have
more than one child or have both
boys and girls.
Options for cost-effective kids
clothing include selling and/or buying
through Trade Me or second hand
children’s clothes shops, checking
out sales and clearance sections,
and seeing what online offers are
available. In our house we’re all about
the hand-me-downs for day care – I
like to think about our girls having a
great time there; not worrying about
clothes getting mucky.
And if you spot some togs or
summer clothing on clearance at the
end of summer, perhaps consider
picking it up in your child’s next size
for the following summer.
It’s a good idea to do your research,
find the policy that best suits your
family’s needs, and ensure you fully
understand the details before your
new policy starts.
Let’s play!
It can be difficult to keep a little
person entertained and the costs
of children’s activities and toys can
quickly add up. Many toddlers and
preschoolers like to take part in
activities like playgroup, swimming
lessons, gymnastics, dance classes,
music group and more – phew!
Having children can be a great
excuse to become a kid again and
it doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Consider local libraries for puzzles,
books and story-time, community
toy libraries, toy hire companies,
swapping toys with other families,
or a good old walk and play at the
local park. The options are limited
by your imagination so chat to those
around you including family and
other parents, and check out local
community groups and activities.
Wise words
By looking out for deals, doing
research, talking to others, and
Westpac New Zealand’s free Managing Your Money workshops
and online tutorial are here to help you and to help you help
your children.
Visit www.westpac.co.nz and click on the ‘Your Money and Tailored
Packs” tab for helpful tools including saving and budgeting calculators and
online tutorials. You can also check out if there is a workshop coming up
near you. There’s even an online ‘Kids’ space’ seminar that includes some
cool online games to get kids thinking about money and how to save.
Health and
wellbeing
Toddlers or preschoolers often
need regular health check-ups,
immunisations, other medical needs
and sometimes paediatric visits.
Much of this is covered by our health
system, and your family may be
eligible for a Community Services
Card that helps with health care
costs, including paying less on some
services and prescriptions. To find out
more visit this website:
http://www.workandincome.
govt.nz/individuals/a-z-benefits/
community-services-card.html
You may like to consider private
health insurance to assist with any
costs that aren’t covered under
the health system. Private health
insurance premiums vary according
to the type of cover provided and
other factors. If you already have
health insurance, you may be able to
add your child to your current policy.
In most cases, the premiums will
increase with the addition of a new
member.
WE S 1 4 4 4 K i w i _ p a r e n t A . p d f
Pa ge
1
2 9 / 0 6 / 1 2 ,
1 1 : 4 4
This information is a guide only and doesn’t take into account your personal
financial situation or goals.
Getting back
to work?
We can help it
work for you.
Now you can balance your career with your family
and help them both grow. We’ve got a variety of
exciting career opportunities available, including
roles with flexible hours to suit your busy lifestyle.
With positions available on a casual, part time or full
time basis, there’s sure to be something to suit you.
If you have the drive and passion to deliver a great
customer experience, and want to join a team of
people that are passionate about helping Kiwi’s get
ahead, then we want to hear from you.
Interested? Check out westpac.co.nz/careers
for all your options.
54
Westpac New Zealand Limited
borrowing where appropriate, you
can keep the costs for caring for your
toddler/preschooler at a reasonable
rate and still enjoy what’s really
important.
As advice columnist and radio show
host Abigail Van Buren said (and
as featured on the Parents Centre
Facebook page recently): If you want
your children to turn out well, spend
twice as much time with them, and
half as much money. �
Joanna Redfern
Jo Redfern is mum
to two ‘busy’ girls
aged 4 and 6 years.
As Marketing
Communications
Manager for Westpac New Zealand
Limited, she is responsible for
the communication of the bank’s
sustainability programme, which
includes financial education. Jo has
AM
worked
in public relations both in New
Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Homeopathic remedies
HyperCal Lotion
help for the
This is a mixture of two tinctures – one made from
Hypericum and the other Calendula. Between them,
they provide an option for adding to water for bathing
wounds. The sorts of holiday skin ailments that you
might find these useful for are shell cuts, scratches
from sharp bushes when tramping such as flax, gorse
or branches, cuts and abrasions such as grazes or burns
from the barbeque. Hypericum is particularly helpful
in the pain of deeper entry wounds and will help with
the cleansing process while Calendula will assist in the
granulation of the skin after injury. Together, with a
squirt in your clean bowl of water, they offer a soothing
option for cleansing a wound.
Kiwi
holiday
I’ll never forget a long trip back from Nelson,
stuck behind the ‘Kiwi family’ with their camping
gear spilling out of the trailer – the full barbeque,
deck chairs, bikes for the family, boogey boards,
a bucket and broom, the bundled up tent with a
variety of old carpet scraps and the sun umbrella
with a tenuous grip on the top of the load. My
guess is there was a game of Pictionary in the back
somewhere!
It’s often on the list of things to attend to before we
set off on any sort of a summer holiday – the first aid
kit. However, in the rush and excitement of packing the
essentials it can be left until the last minute. The basic
contents are always needed but there are also some
great homeopathic items that I would NEVER be without
on holiday!
Arnica
Just the sheer stress of getting packed up to get away
on holiday can lead to an Arnica state. The bed feels
uncomfortable, you are restless, your legs ache and so
do your shoulders and neck, giving you a headache.
Your mind is overwhelmed with the organisation and
you are physically exhausted from the packing and
preparation. Taking Arnica will prompt your body to relax
the muscles and reduce these signs of overexertion. It
is a particularly useful remedy to think of for long drives
to your destination and for overseas plane travel where
you are cramped up for a long period of time and just
can’t get comfortable.
Coffea
Just as a good strong cup of coffee can rev you up
a bit, so can the overstimulation from excessive joy;
of travelling away, meeting family or anticipating
their arrival. This level of excitement can also be
accompanied by headaches which leave you sleepless
in the middle of the night with your head spinning! As
previously discussed, homeopathy works on the concept
of ‘like cures like’ so in a case like this taking the remedy
Coffea can help calm the spinning mind and allow you
to relax, sleep and be in a better place for meeting the
relatives or friends you are waiting for!
Nux vomica
This is an all time favourite remedy for overindulgence
in holiday food – roast dinner, cream on the pudding
or that extra sausage from the barbeque swilled
down with another beer. This can seem all very well
at the time but leaves the liver overtaxed and the
indulger feeling seedy. If nausea or vomiting following
overindulgence in party food or drink is the cause think
of this remedy to set you on an even keel again – a
holiday must!
useful for allergic type reactions from stings or insect
bites where the skin is hot, red and tight and better
from cold applications.
Pulsatilla
A most useful choice after eating too many sweets and
fatty, rich foods or for breastfed babies whose mothers
have been overindulging in these! Usually the person
will feel listless and thirstless, may have a white coating
on the tongue and heavy sensation
in the stomach. Their symptoms are
usually relieved in the open air and
worse in stuffy warm rooms. Children
generally tend to be clingy, whiny
or weepy and it is a good remedy
to think of if they have a cold with a
green – yellow runny nose and the
mood described fits them.
We work all year to enjoy some time off in the
holidays. Knowing how to utilise a few of these
basic homeopathic remedies can assist in alleviating
unwanted symptoms so that you can enjoy your
summer experience. Put some of these remedies
together now in preparation with the rest of your first
aid kit so that you can maximise your time with a good
book! �
Arsenicum Album
If you are camping and have sparse access to cold
food storage the chances of a tummy upset are high. If
you suspect food poisoning of any sort or have some
sort of an upset that causes simultaneous vomiting
or diarrhoea, with the gripey pains that accompany,
this remedy is your ‘go to’ choice. Continue with all
your normal first aid option, boiled water or electrolyte
replacements but adding in the use of this can be
helpful in calming the reaction the digestive system has.
Apis
Often prescribed for a bee-sting, this
remedy is very useful for redness
and tight swelling of any kind – even
for the stinging and later the itching
of mild sunburn. Continue with your
applications of cool water and keeping
out of the sun but give Apis at the same
time to encourage the body to reduce
inflammation and heal. Apis is equally as
Judy Coldicott RC Hom
Judy practices as both a Homeopath
and Reflexologist from Pleasant Point
in South Island’s rural heartland. She
is a senior staff member for the College
of Natural Health and Homeopathy,
primarily involved in curriculum matters
and student support. Judy’s passion is to make homeopathy
user-friendly and accessible to the general public and she
loves to inspire people of all ages to feel confident in its use.
winners,
Photo Competition 2013
Category 1
Pregnancy and birth
Michelle Bates, Whangarei
(Awaiting the arrival of William
James Ramos Bates on 10/04/13.
Two very excited siblings and one
proud Mumma! This was to be our
last child, so it was important to
me to get really special pregnancy
family photos especially with big
brother and sister. Not knowing if
they were going to have a brother
or a sister also added to the
excitement.)
Category 3
Hooray for play!
Category 6 Better together
Rob and Kerri Jennings,
Christchurch
Prize package worth $400
www.huggies.co.nz
Emma Whitlock, Hamilton,
Prize package worth $392.94 www.philips.co.nz/AVENT
Category 2
Kids just wanna
have fun
Robyne Kippen, Carterton, Wairarapa
Photo title: after drought comes rain...
and mud Rebecca and William enjoying
the first rain (and mud) after the
Wairarapa drought.
www.babywarehouse.co.nz
Category 5
Sweet dreams
Category 7 Colour crazy kids
Mark Delaney, Auckland
Prize worth $400
www.resene.co.nz
www.sleepstore.co.nz
58
Rob and Kerri Jennings, Christchurch
kiwiparent
59
3
2
1
4
A few words
from the
judges:
Congratulations to all our winners and
our thanks to all Kiwiparent readers
who submitted nearly 3,000 photos
to the 2013 Photo Competition! It was
no easy task choosing winners from
such an amazing selection.
There were some great entries and
it has been a pleasure to judge the
competition this year. It was lovely to
see how much creativity is out there
and fantastic to see the range of
photos submitted for each category.
5
If you're thinking of entering next year
here is a reminder of the tips we gave
in the August/September issue to
help you take a winning photo...
6
Becoming a parent for the first time is a wonderful experience,
7
and while making a will probably isn’t at the forefront of new
parents’ minds, it is something they really should do. It gives
them peace of mind to know that they’ve planned for the care
8
of their child should the unthinkable happen.
� Compose your photo so your
baby is the main focus and the
background isn't too distracting.
� Get the technical elements right.
It's important that your scene is
well lit and your camera is ready.
� Make sure your child is feeling
happy and safe and then engage
with them to get the gorgeous
smile or even beautiful intense
stare to capture the perfect photo.
9
The team from the Wellington studio
at Jo Frances Photography
10
Category 4 Water baby
1 Anna Dolom, Auckland
2. Julia Mackay & Brendon Keenan,
Christchurch
6. Rob and Kerri Jennings,
Christchurch
Each prize worth $40.00
www.babycenter.co.nz/johnsonsbaby
7. Katherine Hamilton, Wellington
3. Jeremy and Meena Wu, Wellington
8. Deanne Retimana, Auckland
4. Jordan Phillips, Auckland
9. Simone Dacombe, Nelson
5. Melissa O'Keeffe, New Plymouth
10 Nicky Matthews, Kaikoura
60
kiwiparent
61
We cannot protect our children from all the
dangers in life, and it is important that they
learn about risk for themselves. But what we can
think about is putting safety mechanisms in place
to protect them from more serious injuries.
As with adult helmets, children’s
helmets have a hard exterior, which
can help to prevent external objects
from going through to the head. The
interior layer, often polystyrene, acts
as a shock absorber and helps to
disperse the energy caused by an
impact.
give them
a head
start
I have been a stay-at-home dad
for the last two years. Along
the way my daughter and I
have definitely had our ups and
downs. At two and a half years
she has attitude to boot: an
angel one minute, a relentless
ruler the next. As a bottomshuffler, she was slow to walk
so the heartache of tumbles and
accidents did not arrive for some
time. But these issues soon came
and a whole new level of safety
consciousness emerged.
As well as being a stay-at-home
dad, I work part-time as a Clinical
Psychologist / Neuropsychologist.
In my work, my role is to determine
whether someone has sustained
a traumatic brain injury and what
affect this has had on their cognitive
functioning, mood and behaviour.
While I primarily assess young adults
and adults, a number of these
individuals sustained their injuries
during childhood. So I often see the
long-term consequences of traumatic
brain injury in children.
In the traumatic brain injury statistics,
there are definite spikes in the
prevalence of injury and one of
those occurs in the 0 to 4-year
age group. This is an age where
children are exploring their world
while still learning how to coordinate
themselves physically, and this
inevitably leads to an increased risk
of accidents.
A traumatic brain injury is typically
caused by an external force to the
head – for example, during a fall,
collision, bicycle/scooting accident,
motor vehicle accident, or nonaccidental injury. These injuries
can, of course, result in immediate
physical consequences; things like
cuts or lacerations, bruises, scalp
swelling, skull fractures and loss of
consciousness. In general, children
with mild injuries tend to experience
relatively good recoveries but more
severe injuries can result in long-term
consequences that may affect their
ability to learn, adapt to changes
in their environment and problems
developing social skills.
Unsurprisingly, I am far more aware
now, as a father, of the risks of brain
injury for young children. The desire
to wrap our daughter up in bubble
wrap can be difficult to contain as
62
I want to do everything I can to
protect my daughter from the risk
of an injury. While I understand the
possible risks, I also know that bubble
wrap is not the answer. Both my
wife and I want to encourage our
daughter to be active and resilient.
We want her to be aware of safety
risks but manage these and remain
engaged with, and not afraid of, her
world.
When our daughter turned two and
a half, she seemed to increase in
speed. The skipping, running and
jumping suddenly all emerged at
once. Her co-ordination lags behind
at times, particularly when she is
tired, so there have inevitably been
a few falls, bruised knees and bloody
mouths. It is often terrifying and
distressing but it is the reality of how
she learns to control her movement
and to recognise potential dangers.
She has also begun doing more
daring manoeuvres on her tricycle
(eg, sharp turns on two wheels,
wanting to go down hills etc) and so
we decided the time had come to
find her a bike helmet.
Bicycle helmets are not bubble
wrap, but they can provide some
protection from more serious injuries.
Astonishingly, while it is law in New
Zealand to wear a helmet when
riding a bicycle, it is not currently a
legal requirement to wear a helmet
when riding a scooter, skateboard
or when using inline skates. While
adults can make their own choices,
parents and caregivers are the ones
who need to make safety choices
for their children. Part of this is not
only telling your children what to
do, but also showing them. Children
learn from what they see others
doing, particularly those closest to
them. If Mum or Dad take care of
their heads (and brains) by wearing
a helmet when they get on their
bike, it becomes normal, typical and
expected. I often see children out on
their bikes with their parents, where
the children have helmets but the
parents do not. This undermines the
message to children that helmets
are a necessary part of cycling and
scooting.
Important
Secondhand helmets are not
recommended but if you
are thinking of getting one,
check it for cracks and make
sure it has not been dropped,
mistreated or involved in a
crash. Check straps for wear
and tear or fraying. Make
sure the buckles work and
that the helmet can still be
adjusted.
Find the right fit
I took my daughter to our local
bicycle store for advice on helmets.
The shop assistant that we spoke
to was very helpful and told me
that there had been a steady flow
of parents choosing helmets for
their preschoolers. I got advice
on bike helmets, but do let the
assistant know what activity the
helmet is for as different types of
helmets may be more appropriate
for different activities. My daughter
was introduced to the wall of
helmets and pink, as is her custom,
was order of the day. But this is
an important point. If the child is
going to be motivated to wear the
helmet, they need to be involved in
the choosing of it. So, if you end up
with a fluorescent-pink helmet with
butterflies, then so be it.
We were told that the helmet
needs to fit snugly – so no sliding
backwards or forwards, or from side
to side – but should not need to be
pushed down onto the child’s head.
The strap needs to fit under their
chin with just enough room to fit a
finger between strap and chin. This,
we were told, is the main problem
for youngsters – getting used to
the strap. However, it seems that
this can be because a lot of parents
accidently clip the skin under the
chin. Ouch. The helmet we chose has
a protective piece of fabric to prevent
this.
Some helmets have a dial at the
back to tighten the fit on the head.
This not only helps to get a snug fit,
but also means that the helmet can
grow with the child for a time. There
are the standard safety stickers
inside (check out the New Zealand
Transport Agency website to see
which ones should be there and if
they are not safely approved, steer
clear). We were told to replace the
helmet if it got cracked, but that for
more minor bumps and scrapes the
helmet should continue to do its job.
The process was very straight
forward and took no more than
fifteen minutes. On leaving, I had
a slightly lighter wallet but no real
hardship, given the purpose of the
exercise. There was of course an
extra fifteen minutes spent in the
shop extracting a screaming child
who wanted to take a pink bicycle
home too. We assured her that Santa
Claus might assist in this matter.
We cannot protect our children
from all the dangers in life, and it
is important that they learn about
risk for themselves. But what we
can think about is putting safety
mechanisms in place to protect them
from more serious injuries.
Be a role model. If you are on two
wheels wear a helmet too. Go and
talk to your local bike store. Ask
questions and spend time getting a
helmet that fits. Let your youngster
choose a helmet that they like, as
it will make them more likely to
wear it. Make helmets a part of the
routine – shoes, bike, and helmet. If
it becomes a habit when they are
younger, they will be more inclined
to keep it going when they graduate
to a larger, faster scooter, bike or
mountain bike.
Remember helmets are
recommended for a reason. Strange
as it may seem, neither myself
nor my colleagues want any extra
business. �
Find out more:
www.nzta.govt.nz
www.bikewise.co.nz
www.safekids.org.nz
Keith Woods
Keith is an Auckland
based Clinical
Psychologist /
Neuropsychologist and
has been practicing
since 1999. He is also a stay-at-home
dad to his 2 ½ year old daughter.
kiwiparent
63
An innovative game that uses modern technology
to connect dads and babies in a simple, and fun
way has just been released. A multi-platform
mobile app called ‘Peekaboo, who is there,’ which
is designed to encourage fathers to interact with
their children was launched in September.
Peekaboo
who is there?
The concept is the work of Josh Briggs, a young
Wellington dad. Josh is a Vodafone Foundation World of
Difference recipient, who teamed up with MSD’s SKIP
parenting initiative, Plunket and Vodafone – together
they helped fund and develop the first application of
its kind in the country. And the good news is it’s free.
The idea came from what Josh believes his daughter is
thinking, and is Plunket’s newest parent helping tool to
aid their child’s brain development.
The game works with your device’s photo gallery,
hiding images of family and friends in New Zealand
landscapes – parents and children work together to find
familiar faces.
As well as promoting babies’ brain development by
helping them recognise people they know, the app also
helps build the understanding of ‘object permanence’ –
the idea that things still exist even when they can’t be
seen.
It is designed for babies aged nine months and older,
and includes suggestions of other simple games to play
away from the phone or tablet. Peekaboo is available in
English and Te Reo and is free for download from both
the Apple and Android stores.
64
Josh lives with his wife Aimee and daughter Ellie in
Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt and has been a part of the
health, youth and community development sectors
for the past decade. But, over the past two years he
has taken on the role of stay-at-home dad and has
been looking after Ellie at home while doing contract
work for government departments and community
organisations. Josh believes he is very fortunate to have
Aimee supporting him to be at home with Ellie during
her early years.
We talk with Josh about his
new app
What gave you the idea for Peekaboo?
Ellie was given a peekaboo book for her first birthday
from a friend of ours. Ellie loved reading the book as it
has cardboard cut outs with babies hiding behind things
that she had to find. The book was soon destroyed due
to her the excited play. Then, one night when Aimee
came home from work Ellie started playing peekaboo
with her. We had never played peekaboo with her
before, so she had comprehended the concept from
her book and was now using it in a real life situation.
Ellie was leading the game with her mum and that got
me thinking.
As a dad yourself, what experiences as a
parent inspired you to take this
project on?
Often as a stay-at-home dad I feel I am isolated from
other parents. It is important to me that dads and all
men that have roles in a child's life feel they can engage
with children on lots of levels. Providing opportunities
for men to play, build emotional attachment, laugh,
work alongside and learn together is really important.
Resources for parenting are most often developed for
females who are in caring roles for children. This can
be a barrier for men seeing themselves in the caring
role. I think it is important that there is a balance. Part
of my passion around developing this was having an
application that is designed for young dads from the
get-go, and I am pleased that there have been young
dads involved in this project all the way through the
development. I hope it will appeal to young dads, but
also to other parents as well.
I have a background in youth work, and I worked at the
youth service Evolve for four years. Since the birth of
our daughter I have been thinking about how I can help
infants and children – and their families.
"I wondered what it would be
like if there was an app built for
children to initiate play alongside
their parents and caregivers…"
– Josh Briggs
So, what's the next challenge for you?
I am excited about creating resources for parents. I
will keep taking a lead from Ellie and see what she
will teach me next! �
Download Peekaboo who is there?
Google Play Store for Android 4.0 and higher:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/
details?id=nz.co.RabidTech.Peekaboo&hl=en
iTunes Store for iPad and iPhone:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/peekaboowho-is-there/id690314959?mt=8
How do you think dads and kids will
benefit from this app?
I think dads and children have fun with Peekaboo just
having time to connect with each other. This app is a
great way to build and strengthen a relationship. Since
you decide with your child what the content of the
app will be, it is a very personal experience. By adding
photos of your children, family, friends and yourself it
becomes very exciting when looking for who is hiding.
I hope this game assists dads, mums and other adults
to follow the child's lead to play, learn and develop
relationships in the way that works best for them.
kiwiparent
65
skin
deep
It is hard to think of anything more perfect than a new born baby’s
skin. It is delicate and fragile and incredibly beautiful, so it is natural
to want to protect and preserve this for as long as possible.
Human skin acts as a vital protective
barrier and is your first line of
defense against the dangers of the
outside world – organisms, toxins,
irritants and allergens. Baby's skin,
which is thinner than yours and
which continues to develop through
the first year of life, is far more
vulnerable. This makes it essential to
protect your baby's skin from irritants
and a harsh environment.
Understanding
your baby’s skin
Baby’s skin is very different to adult
skin so their needs are particular.
Their skin is thinner, it absorbs and
loses water more quickly, it has less
natural moisturising properties and
the precious immune system is still
in the process of developing.
Cleaning a baby is fundamental to
wellbeing. Practically, you need to
remove unwanted material for good
hygiene – irritants live saliva, urine,
poos, mucous, dirt and sweat – as
well as keep unwanted germs and
bacteria at bay. And the emotional
benefits of cleansing are just as
important – bathtime should be
comforting, calming and soothing as
well as being the perfect time for
bonding with baby. Many parents
testify to the calming effects of the
bath as part of the bedtime routine.
Which products
should we use on a
baby’s skin?
Infant skin barrier protection is
essential in the two first months of
life so make sure to always use a
mild cleanser which will have the
least impact on the barrier function
of the skin, and won’t cause drying
or irritation. It should also lower
allergy potential.
A skincare product that disrupts the
skin barrier in infancy can lead to
long-term health problems. Only
one or two washes with unsuitable
products would be sufficient to result
in long-term damage so make sure
to avoid all harsh detergents.
Surely then, simple water would be
the best thing to use on a baby’s
delicate skin. ‘Not so,” says Michael J.
Cork, Professor and Head, Academic
Unit of Dermatology Research,
University of Sheffield Medical
School and Consultant Dermatologist
Sheffield Children’s Hospital in the UK.
‘It is difficult to know what exactly is
in the water you use. Depending on
your water source, it could be hard
or soft, additives could be present ...
calcium carbonate and chlorine are
common additives. Even though they
are present in minute quantities, they
can still have a pH level of over 7.’
The mineral content of water may
irritate delicate skin, and water alone
is simply not as effective at cleaning.
Many impurities are oil and not
water-soluble, and some substances
like faecal enzymes (found in poos)
are better removed with cleansers as
they can irritate the skin if they are
not cleaned away.
“The hardness of water is directly
correlated to prevalence of atopic
dermatitis – with increasing hardness
of water, there were increased rates
of atopic dermatitis.” Mike’s team
tested tap water which had a pH of
7.2 which, when an optimal cleaner
was added, dropped to a pH of only
5.5, leading them to conclude that
the water with the correct product
added was in better and more
effective for cleaning baby.
Surfactants (surface active agents)
reduce the surface tension of water
and help to release skin impurities
like oily or fatty substances and are
key ingredients in cleansers. So,
while surfactants undoubtedly help
clean fragile newborns, they can also
disrupt the complex structure of the
skin. There are numerous types of
surfactants, with a range of size and
properties, but different surfactants
can be blended to make a mild
cleanser ideally suited for baby.
What is the best
way to clean baby’s
skin?
Always select mild and gentle skin
care products that are specifically
formulated for baby skin. Never
use adult products on your baby,
they are simply formulated for
skin of a different type. Read the
label and make sure the product
is safety tested. Ideally products
have additional safety assessments,
especially if they are designed for
infant skin. And remember to look
for clinically proven on the label, not
just clinically tested.
Joanne McManus Kuller, a Neonatal
Clinical Nurse Specialist from the
Children’s Hospital and Research
Centre in Oakland, USA recommends
baby should be bathed with a mild
baby wash formulated and tested,
for newborns and infants. “Avoid
rubbing your baby with a face cloth,
just use gentle rinsing or immersion
to clean instead.”
Developing atopic
dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, itchy
skin condition that is common in
children. It is also known as eczema,
and neurodermatitis. It is the most
common form of dermatitis.
The New Zealand Dermatological
Society Says Atopic eczema usually
occurs in people who have an 'atopic
tendency'. This means they may
develop any or all of three closely
linked conditions; atopic eczema,
asthma and hay fever (allergic
rhinitis). Often these conditions run
within families with a parent or
sibling also affected. A family history
of asthma, eczema or hay fever
is particularly useful in diagnosing
atopic eczema in infants.
Infants less than one year often
have widely distributed eczema.
The skin is appears dry, scaly and
red with small scratch marks made
by sharp baby nails. The cheeks of
infants are often the first place to be
affected by eczema.
Interestingly, the nappy area is
frequently spared due to the
moisture retention of nappies. But all
babies, can develop irritant napkin
dermatitis, if wet or soiled nappies
are left on too long.
Keep babies
under six
months away
from the sun
� It only takes one bad sunburn
as a child to double the odds of
developing melanoma later in life.
Children should not be getting
sunburn at any age and parents
need to be extra vigilant about sun
protection all the time.
Halting the
atopic march
Hard as it is, infants six months and
The atopic march, which is also
called the allergic march, refers
to the natural history or typical
progression of allergic diseases
that often begin early in life. These
include atopic dermatitis (eczema) in
infants, which can be the precursor
to food allergy, then hay fever and
even asthma.
melanin, the pigment that gives
under simply have to stay out of
Mike’s research leads him to believe
there is a window of opportunity
in the first few months after birth
to change the environment to
prevent the development of atopic
dermatitis. “Everything we put on
a baby’s skin from birth should
be designed to enhance the skin
barrier rather than damage it. If
we can prevent the onset of atopic
dermatitis in infants, we may be
able to halt the atopic march and
prevent the onset of allergies and
even asthma in later life.” �
Leigh Bredenkamp
the sun. Their skin has very little
skin colour and also provides some
sun protection.
Although beach umbrellas, shade
tents, awnings and hats do provide
a shield from the sun, this may not
always be enough – the reflection
of sun from sand or water can fry
sensitive skin.
If you need to get out, it is best to
plan outings before 10am and after
4pm, when ultraviolet rays are
weaker. When you go out, dress
your baby in lightweight clothing
that covers the arms and legs and
a wide-brimmed hat that covers
the face, neck and ears. The stroller
or buggy should have a shade
cover, as should any untinted rear
windows of the car.
kiwiparent
67
Quick, get the midwife
an addictive
profession
Long-serving midwives in New Zealand saw
their profession evolve radically when changes in
the 1990’s introduced the current midwifery-led
system that provides continuity of care to women
and the families.
Juin Ferguson from Whanganui, who recently retired,
trained as a midwife in 1973 after first becoming a
registered nurse. At that time, nurses’ training included
four and a half months of obstetric nursing and those
who wanted to be midwives completed a further
six-month post registration course. Juin worked as a
new graduate midwife in Kaitaia for a year and later
in Whanganui before becoming a self-employed Lead
Maternity Carer (LMC). She continued in this role for 14
years, only retiring last year.
Juin calls working in her community as an LMC
‘absolutely thrilling’. “The icing on the cake for me
was working autonomously. I found it unbelievably
wonderful.”
Juin found it extremely satisfying and fulfilling to be able
to care for a woman throughout her pregnancy, labour
and birth, then during the postnatal period. Then finally
being able to discharge the mother and her baby happy,
confident and both healthy.
Early in her career, Juin recalls, there were more routines
and protocols. “I can remember as a student midwife, a
husband not being allowed into the delivery room with
his wife because he had dirty clothes and workboots
on. Where I trained, women delivered routinely on their
backs with knees bent and thighs apart – sometimes
68
Childbirth Educators - increasing the awareness
and knowledge of expectant parents
with hands restrained. Plus there was the obligatory
shave, enema and shower on admission.”
But the profession in New Zealand and the maternity
system have evolved to put women at the centre of
maternity care with personalised care and choices.
“As midwives, we learned to work very closely with
mothers and to work in a respectful way that was not
endangering them or ourselves, but involving consultant
and other health professionals whenever it was
necessary.”
Midwives have learned a lot from the women they care
for. “The consumer is the one who has to be satisfied.”
C
hildbirth educators are essential to increasing the
awareness and knowledge of expectant parents
through many choices and challenges related to
childbirth education and the ongoing care of babies. Aoraki
Polytechnic offers the Diploma in Childbirth Education (CBE).
Juin says she has formed deep friendships through her
work, and that peer support was always very important
to her.
Offered on a part-time basis, through distance learning the
She also pays trubite to midwives who pioneered
the autonomous method of working that we take
for granted in New Zealand now. “There were some
very brave midwives who were in the vanguard of
midwifery practice in the early 1990s,” Juin explains,
adding that she learned much from such colleagues and
gained confidence herself from watching them work.
guidance and support through a variety of technology. The
programme also includes two workshops and constant tutor
Diploma is a 2 year programme and trains you to become a
childbirth educator competant to teach pre-natal classes to
expectant parents in a wide variety of settings.
Juin found her work so absorbing that she admits she
found it difficult to retire. Just as she tried to wind down,
she would be contacted by women she had cared for
who were pregnant again.
“It is quite an addictive profession, especially when
you are self-employed” Juin laughs. “You build very
close relationships with mothers, babies and their
families. But support from home and from colleagues
is so important.” �
0800 426 725 | study@aoraki.ac.nz | www.aoraki.ac.nz
our vintage
carnival
party
December is the most hectic month
of my life. Every year, I promise
myself it will be easier and I will
plan ahead, but without fail, it seems
to be crazier than the last. I know
many of you feel the same way, and
for me “December madness” stems
from having two kids with birthdays
two weeks apart, being a graphic
designer (designing Christmas
cards is a full-time job), buying
presents, and also trying to get ready
for Christmas. I’m tired again just
thinking about it all!
Our youngest son, Emerson, turned
two recently and we celebrated with a
vintage carnival party for him.
My friend took his photos at a local
amusement park. They were amazing
and I knew the invitation had to be
spectacular too! I designed a four-page
double sided booklet style invitation.
Photos: Courtney Jade
Photography
www.courtneyjade.com
I also included a mini envelope in the
back full of raffle tickets to get the kids
excited! Selecting a venue is always a
challenge since we live in Oregon, USA
and December isn’t exactly warm or
dry here. Thankfully, my aunt was kind
enough to allow me to use their family
Winners
Congratulations to the lucky winners
From issue 256
Colic Calm Gripe Water
Eloise MacLeod
Wellington
Laura Howard
Fielding
Stephanie
McPherson
Wellington
Janette Li
Auckland
Laura Nettleton
Timaru
“barn.” They own a farm and have an
amazing pumpkin patch. The venue
was perfect. We took full advantage
of all of their amazing old crates and
baskets too.
On the food side, I served popcorn
(with several topping options),
peanuts, cupcakes, rice crispy treats,
cotton candy, cake pops, and set up a
totally stocked candy cart.
One of my clients sent me a photo
of a candy cart at a local hotel, I was
instantly in love with it and knew I
had to have one. My Dad was kind
enough to build one for me. I gave
him a really small photo of what I
wanted and away he went. I was so
excited with how it turned out. He
did the most amazing job!
To keep everyone amused, I set up
four games.
The first was “Knock them Down.”
I took potato chip cans and created
my own wrap. We stacked them up
and let the kids knock them down
with balls. The second game we set
up was a “Bean Bag Toss“. The kids
got to toss bean bags into buckets
and won the corresponding amount
of tickets. The third game was “Fish
Toss” – clear glasses were filled with
72
water and the kids had to toss ping
pong balls in them. If they made it,
they won a fish. Somehow, all three
of my kids came home with fish. The
last game was “Spray it Down” - I
had intended to have the kids spray
ping pong balls with squirt guns but
instead, we used Nerf guns, which
ended up being much drier and
cleaner.
We set up a prize table so the kids
could redeem their tickets and pick
their own prizes. They had a ton of
fun choosing their favourites. I also
designed custom candy bags that
each child could fill with treats before
they left! I’m sure the parents love
me for that one! �
Jessica Wilcox
A graphic designer with Modern
Moments Designs, Jessica calls herself a
wife, a mother, and a cupcake addict. She
has three boys and finally a little lady
and says she is married to the love of
her life and best friend, Lincoln. Being a
work-at-home mother has its challenges
and its rewards. But one thing’s for sure,
there’s never a dull moment.
www.modernmomentsdesigns.com
Priscilla Allan
Auckland
Nappy Rash and Healing Balm
creams
Craig Gare
Ashburton
Jean Britt
Christchurch
Deepika Joshi
Lower Hutt
Jodi Jackson
Whangrei
Josie Dyer
Wyndham
Sarah Bernstein
Blenhiem
S Bennett
Napier
Aneesa Dent
Waitoki
Angela Stupples
Wainuiomata
Steph Reid
Gore
Mumi and Bubi Kits
Debbie Parkes
Hamilton
Stephanie Block
Wellington
Monique Scott
Mt Eden
Anna McMillan
Rotorua
Cathryn Radley
Katikati
Rob Carter
Papamoa
Kristy Schroder
Blenheim
Hannah Kilburn
Auckland
Fiona Lucinsky
Wellington
Monique Scott
Mount Eden
MOTAT Family Passes
Charlotte
Anderson
Auckland
T. Ginsber
Auckland
Rosalie Katte
Auckland
Marike van der
Merwe
Ruawai
Nicola Green
Auckland
Stepanka Sabrsula
Auckland
Avent Steam Sterilisers
Chetana Dahya
Wellington
Rachel Freeman
Upper Hutt
Find a Centre near you
Directory
supporting Kiwi parents
Parents Centres span the entire country with 50 locations around New Zealand.
whangarei@parentscentre.org..nz
waitemata@parentscentre.org.nz
bnhpcpresident@gmail.com
hibiscus.coast@parentscentre.org.nz
onewa@parentscentre.org.nz
(09)
(09)
(09)
(09)
537 0560
297 7461
267 1224
2382585
auckland.east@parentscentre.org.nz
papakura@parentscentre.org.nz
manukau@parentscentre.org.nz
franklin@parentscentre.org.nz
(09) 837 8481
(09)625 0065
(09) 575 5998
info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
ak.central@parentscentre.org.nz
east.and.bays@parentscentre.org.nz
(07) 8536110
(021) 022 19687
(07) 883 9022
(07) 8731815
(07) 889 4669
(07) 869 0209
hpcbaby@xtra.co.nz
cambridge@parentscentre.org.nz
putaruru@parentscentre.org.nz
samandjulian@ihug.co.nz
stimpecat@clear.net.nz
thames.hauraki@parentscentre.org.nz
(07)
(07)
(07)
(07)
taurangapc@xtra.co.nz
whakatane@parentscentre.org.nz
rotorua@parentscentre.org.nz
taupoparentscentre@xtra.co.nz
577 1229
3071220
345 3111
378 4995
(06) 759 8244
(06) 765 0441
(06) 278 7782
new.plymouth@parentscentre.org.nz
stratfordparentscebtre@xtra.co.nz
sth.taranaki@parentscentre.org.nz
(06) 835 3743
(06) 858 4114
napier@parentscentre.org.nz
chb@parentscentre.org.nz
(06) 358 4289
(06) 370 2220
palm.nth@parentscentre.org.nz
wairarapa@parentscentre.org.nz
(04)
(04)
(04)
(04)
(04)
(04)
kapiti@parentscentre.org.nz
lower.hutt@parentscentre.org.nz.
manaparentscentre@gmail.com
uhparentscentre@yahoo.co.nz
president@wnpc.org.nz
secretary@wgtnparents.org.nz
North Island
home and family
(09) 438 3003
(09) 446 0959
(09) 4145394
(09) 283 7423
(09) 483 9834
Baby On The Move
Specialists in quality, affordable baby
products which you can hire or purchase
new. Our qualified team can help you
select the correct restraint. Plus if you
hire or buy from us we will install your
car seat for FREE! Stores nationwide.
Phone: 0800 222 966
www.babyonthemove.co.nz
We are the leading provider of Homeopathic
education, attending and distance, in Australasia.
We provide:
�A friendly, supportive,
integrated learning environment
�Flexible learning options
(attending or distance)
�Highly qualified, professional &
experienced tutors
�Government approved access
to student loans & allowances
www.cnhh.ac.nz
902
973
237
939
475
380
2076
5437
6262
8990
7550
8002
South Island
Northern South Island
Nelson
Marlborough
Greymouth
Canterbury Region
Ashburton
Christchurch
Christchurch South
Timaru
Southern Region
Alexandra
Balclutha
Dunedin
Gore
Invercargill
Oamaru
Taieri
0800 1 4 BABY
(027) 522 3002
(03) 762 6538
nelson.d@parentscentre.org.nz
info@marlboroughparentscentre.co.nz
greymouth@parentscentre.org.nz
(03)
(03)
(03)
(03)
302 8870
383 9009
332 5651
6845348
ashparentscentre@gmail.com
chch.parentscentre@xtra.co.nz
chch.south@parentscentre.org.nz
timaruparentscentre@gmail.co.nz
(03)
(03)
(03)
(03)
(03)
(03)
(03)
448
412
453
208
214
437
489
alexandra.parents.centre@gmail.com
balclutha@parentscentre.org.nz
dunedin@parentscentre.org.nz
gore@parentscentre.org.nz
invercargillparentscentre@gmail.com
gemmelsx@hotmail.com .
taieri@parentscentre.org.nz
8139
8898
5536
7309
7990
2692
3075
Philips Avent
Choosing Philips AVENT means you
have the assurance of superior quality
products, designed with you and baby’s
needs in mind. Interchangeable design
features mean products can be adapted
to meet baby’s developing needs.
Phone: 0800 104 401
Huggies online pregnancy and parenting
The HUGGIES® website is about
pregnancy and parenting. Check out
features such as special offers, info on
sleeping and settling plus hundreds of
recipes and kids activity ideas! And it’s all
free to HUGGIES® Baby Club members.
Phone: 0800 733 703
www.huggies.co.nz
Nutrition for you and your baby
Learn all about healthy eating during
pregnancy, plus nutrition and feeding
advice for your baby.
And if you need more personal advice,
our friendly experts are always here
to help.
Go to forbaby.co.nz or call our
ForBaby care line on 0800 55 66
Tommee Tippee
Our products have been used by
Kiwi parents for over 35 years and
are a market leader in New Zealand.
Designed in consultation with experts,
the range delivers solutions for each
unique stage from newborn to toddler.
Phone: 0800 877 876
www.tommeetippee.co.nz
PORSE
PORSE believes that living and learning
begins at home and that the best
foundation for early learning is the provision
of a stable and secure environment where
children are able to build secure attachment
relationships with their individual carers.
Babystepz introduces a fantastic new
offer for expectant parents - $10,000 FREE
Babystepz life cover for Mums and Dads
for the year after baby is born.
This can make a huge difference for a
family that’s left to cope should the
worse-case scenario occur.
Phone: 0800 023 456
www.porse.co.nz
Phone: (09) 4147117
www.takecover.co.nz
College of Natural Health and
Homeopathy
Our commitment: to providing the highest
standard of training in homeopathy. home and family’
Auckland Region 1
Whangarei
Waitemata
Bays North Harbour
Hibiscus Coast
Onewa
Auckland Region 2
Auckland East
Papakura
Manukau
Franklin
Auckland Region 3
West Auckland
Central Auckland
East & Bays
Waikato
Hamilton
Cambridge
Putaruru
Otorohanga
Morrinsville
Thames–Hauraki
Bay of Plenty
Tauranga
Whakatane
Rotorua
Taupo
Taranaki
New Plymouth
Stratford
South Taranaki
East Coast North Island
Napier
Central Hawkes Bay
Central Districts
Palmerston North
Wairarapa
Wellington
Kapiti
Lower Hutt
Mana
Upper Hutt
Wellington North
Wellington South
baby and child
Contact your local Centre for details of programmes and support available in your area or go to www.parentscentre.org.nz
ASG
ASG is one of the largest specialist
education benefit providers across Australia
and New Zealand and their sole focus is on
supporting children’s education and as a
not-for-profit friendly society. It is uniquely
different to any bank or any other provider
of education savings plan.
www.asg.co.nz
www.asg.co.nz/kiwiparent
Take Cover Risk Insurance
kiwiparent
75
Shopping cart
MOTHERWISE
o
oh baby…
5 imprint now
5th
iin book stores
The world’s most flexible babywrap
making all kinds of swaddling
& sleeping bag use cosier & safer.
www.KathyFray.com
www.K
Buy the
Competitive prices
For compeitive rates contact
Educational toYS
Safe T Sleep
Sleepwrap
Bi
Birth,
Babies &
M
Motherhood
U
Uncensored
Educational and fun
Choose Safety...
3 Keys to
Parenting Sanity
Buy
y the ever p
popular
p
book:
would you
like to
advertise in
Shopping
Cart?
21ARS
YE
Kathy Fray’s
because home-made is best
for your baby
®
®
Taslim Parsons
Quality brands
Ph (04) 233 2022 x8804
Free gift
wrapping
Mo 021 1860 323
t.parsons@parentscentre.org.nz
it’s a
BabyOK™
Babe-Sleeper
The original and best ever
attached sleep-bag for
3-30 month olds
www.babyokproducts.com
Buy the new
sequel book:
p!’
a
r
‘w
or visit
0800 4 JUMPIN
(0800 4 586 746)
info@jumpinjacks.co.nz
Safely lasts two babies aged 0-2 yrs.
oh grow up…
NEW HOUDINI STRIP
TToddlers
od
to PreTeens
Decoded
Available at Quality Stockists
In book stores now
www.KathyFray.com
ww
Quality Toys, Competitive Prices, Friendly Service
free
2 compact baby food freezing
trays with lids. 1.2L capacity
for maximum storage
recipe e-guide with 27 recipes
for starting solids and beyond
gift wrapping
& shipping in NZ
for 2013
www.safetsleep.com
We support nurturing,
positive parenting
314 Grey Street, Hamilton East | info@jumpinjacks.co.nz
0800 4 JUMPIN (0800 4 586746) or (07) 858 2491
Let your ideas loose all over your walls
with Resene Write-on Wall Paint.
Get
writing!
76
Simply apply over your existing light coloured wall paint. Then once dry and
cured you can use whiteboard markers to write all over the wall without
damaging the surface. And when it’s time to delete an idea just grab a soft
cloth or whiteboard eraser, rub out the marker and start again.
With Resene Write-on Wall Paint there’s no limit to your ideas.
0800 RESENE (737 363)
www.resene.co.nz
kiwiparent
77
Shopping cart
Pregnancy
Aches & Strains?
Work from Home!
Earn a great home
based income
Get rapid relief with
Rapid Recovery Family Rub
Say Goodbye to Baby Woes!
– Established mail order company
– 30 years experience
100% natural & fast relief with
Arnica, MSM & Lavender
For hips, backs and pelvic pain
Ideal for use in pregnancy,
labour & post-natally
Ideal for kids bumps & bruises
– 60 million customers worldwide
$500 – $4500+
Potential per month full/part time
Full training provided
Available from Natural Health
Stores, selected Pharmacy,
Physio & Massage Therapists.
Or on-line www.naturesnurse.co.nz
www.homewithincome.com
Read the label & use only as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. TAPS #PP4389
Uniq
ue
High Quality
Up to 70% of babies suffer the
distress of gas and gastric discomfort.
KID
S
& Mater nity
Colic Calm is an all natural allergen
free homoeopathic formula that
provides rapid and effective relief.
Products!
Proven to work even in the toughest
cases!
For more information and a stockist near you, visit
www.babyavenue.co.nz
www.coliccalm.co.nz
es
Puky BikNZ!
Now in
The best swaddle?
You tell us.
The Sleep Store is bringing the Zen Swaddle to
New Zealand and we’d like to know what
Kiwi parents think of this unique swaddle.
Always read the label and use as directed. If symptoms persist
see your healthcare professional.
www.h ot mi lk li nger ie. com
*Now available Nation-Wide from selected pharmacies
TAPS: PP2256
The perfect option for your child’s
development, a delight for young learners.
Baby
Warehouse
Over 1800 products to
choose from!
kiwiparent_1third_feb13.indd 1
FREE freight for all orders over $100 PLUS
15% discount on all orders (excluding items on
special) Put KP15 in coupon area at checkout
Offer
expiresJanuary
31 March
Offer expires
31st2013
2014
Order online: www.babywarehouse.co.nz
78
25/02/2013 5:06:50 p.m.
Designed in the USA the Zen Swaddle
is gently weighted and tailored to
mimic maternal touch, helping baby
to sleep longer.
We’re looking for a limited number of
testers to trial it’s benefits and give us
feedback in exchange for a keeping
their Zen Swaddle for free.
Go to www.thesleepstore.co.nz and register
your interest in being a Sleep Store product tester.
Contact 021663611 or order online today at:
www.smartplaypuzzles.co.nz
Like us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/PuzzlesAndPlay
For terms, conditions and details as well as registering visit www.thesleepstore.co.nz/activeCompetition.do
kiwiparent
79
A SPECIAL FEATURE BY
PHILIPS AVENT
win great
giveaways
Get decorating with Resene
3 prizes to be won!
Enter online at kiwiparent.co.nz and
follow the instructions.
Entries must be received by 5pm 17 January 2013.
Winners will be published in issue 259.
Win Funky footware for little
feet
Win a pair of stylish summer shoes for your child from
Hoof Shoes. Please specify girls or boys shoes in your
email entry.
Pippi - This stunning little ruby red sandal is sure to
complete any summer outfit!
Resene Write-on Wall Paint can
be applied over your existing
walls to create a whiteboard
style finish. Then, once dry and
cured you can write all over the
wall using whiteboard markers
and wipe clean with a cloth or
whiteboard eraser. Perfect for the
kitchen, office or kid’s play areas! Best of all, because it is
clear, it will fit with your existing décor because your wall
colour will show through. RRP $122.50.
Prize includes 1L of Resene Write-on Wall Paint and 2
whiteboard markers.
www.resene.co.nz
George - Chocolate goes with anything – as does the
chocolate brown George sandal!
www.hoof.co.nz
Win a smart travel package
from phil&teds
Be in to win two great prizes
from Roundabout
1 x Tri-ang My Trike Retail $199.00
1 x Hape Gourmet Kitchen unit retail $189.00
(please note the accessory’s are not included)
Visit www.rdl.co.nz for your nearest retailer
or call 0800 600 998
Be in the draw to win a smart travel package from
phil&teds so you're sorted for feeding and sleeping on
the go. The package includes the traveller - the only
portacot that's lighter than the baby, and the lobster
clip-on high chair. Prize package valued at $300.
www.philandteds.com
Learn to drink
like a grown up
Babycity Logo Specifcations - August 2007
PANTONE 245
PANTONE 293
The ideal transition cup for growing toddlers.
The revolutionary Philips AVENT drinking cup helps your toddler transition to
grown up drinking, without the mess.The unique spill proof valve is lip activated
and allows drinking from all around the rim, just like an adult’s cup.
For more information, visit
or phone toll free 0800 104 401
Visit us on Facebook
easy-sip
and
non-spill
www.facebook.com/PhilipsAVENTNZ
Available from:
Unique twist lid
80
Toddler Spout Cups
Toddler Straw Cups
An easy transition from breast or bottle to
cup. Spill-proof plus the flip top lid keeps
the spout clean at all times, even when on
the go.
Available in 200ml, 260ml and 340ml.
The straw cup is an ideal drinking solution
for growing toddlers. It is leak-proof and
easy for the toddler to use independently
with its unique twist lid.
Available in 260ml and 340ml.
Supermarkets nationwide Distributed in New Zealand by:
selected cups only.
82

interactive pdf - Parents Centre

Transcription

Similar documents

Baby Shower Poem - Play.Party.Plan

She`s one smart mom

Ms. Darvin`s Class Class Updates 8/19/16

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS Sunday, March 13th Greg Norman`s

Baby Waves - Capital Health

Hennepin Healthy Families

Vidone Birth Center

LARGE NATIVITY SET

Literacy Growth Chart

Preparing for Baby - Concordia Lutheran Church