PalmyParent302 August September 2021

PALMY PARENT PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

August / September . 2021

MY SNS STORY

MILK BANK DONATIONS HEURISTIC PLAY & LOOSE PARTS

Speech and Language Development in Children.

With Sarah Paewai,BSLT. Registered Member of the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists Association.

Join Sarah at this new seminar to learn about your child’s speech and language development including -Explanation of “Speech” and “Language” -Milestones 0-5 years -Tips to support age appropriate speech and language development at home -What is and is not a worry -Where to seek support and resources if you are concerned

Wednesday 27th October 7pm Free to attend but registration is essential

www.palmyparentscentre.org.nz info@palmyparentscentre.org.nz

EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to the August/September issue of Palmy Parent!

This issue has a bit of a Babywearing and Breastfeeding theme to recognise their celebration weeks. We have included articles on breast milk donation, nursing aversion, Dads who Babywear and the Top 4 newborn carriers

by Babywearers Manawatu.

There are some exciting events coming up in October at Parents Centre Seminar Space and in the community so make sure you check out our What’s On Pages so you don’t miss out on registering for your space.

We also take a look at the importance of looking after your pelvic floor, compare teething products, begin a series where we introduce the Palmerston North Parents Team to you and take a look at heuristic play.

We have very recently and unexpectedly said goodbye and thank you to our previous editor, Jessica Mollie Ensing, so this edition has been lovingly edited by the entire Palmerston North Parents Team. We are on the look out for our next Editor, so if you’re interested please do get in touch. As always we are always looking for contributors! If you or anyone you know would like to share your empowering birth (or adoption) story, please get in touch at palmyparenteditor@gmail.com - you don’t need to be a great writer, we can work with you to get your story told.

Saritta and the Parents Centre Team

ADVERTISE IN PALMY PARENT Palmerston North Parents Centre has a circulation of over 250 magazines per issue. These are sent to all current members as well as Plunket, midwives and other community groups.

Our rates are extremely competitive and we would love your support by way of an advertisement.

Also, in addition to our outstanding rates, we offer you a FREE advertorial on your business if you commit to either four or six adverts per annum.

For more information contact our Business Relations Officer by email at: palmyparent@hotmail.com One-off price

4 per year

6 per year

Quarter page

$50

4 x $40

6 x $35

Half page

$80

4 x $60

6 x $55

Full page

$120

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6 x $80

Insert or flyer

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In addition to our outstanding rates, we offer you a FREE advertorial on your business if you commit to either four or six half or full-page adverts per annum ISSUE 302 . August | September 2021

3

CONTENTS FEATURES My SNS Story

14

Milk Bank Donations

16

You & your Pelvic Floor

19

Heuristic Play and Loose Parts

22

IN EVERY ISSUE Editor’s note

3

PNPC Seminars & Events

9

Book Review

10

What’s On

11

Welcome to the World: Craddle Roll

12

Birth Story: Caspians Birth Story

20

Craft: Walking in his Shoes

26

Dad’s Life: Why Dads Babywear

27

Product Review: Teething Time

28

Family Friendly Outing: Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery

30

Community support groups

32

Member discounts

33

Playgroups in your area

34

CHECK OUT OUR WINNERS Bruce McKenzie Book Giveaway

8

The Hair Company styling treatment

13

Cottage Flowers Arrangement

21

Kind Hearts, Streetwise Coffee

29

CONTRIBUTORS Chelsea McIndoe, Desiree Harvey, Saritta Burney, Ally Burleigh, Kirsty, Jess Williamson, Olivia Ladd, Tamara Milldove, Natasha Napier, Bec Hancock, Ella Diprose, Laura Wenden Green Front cover by: Bec Hancock

4 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? Want to share some helpful advice or a great book you’ve read? Let us know and we’ll share it with our members. Or, if you would like to have your baby’s photos printed, write about your birth experience, review a book or a family friendly venue you have visited recently, we’d love to hear from you!

Email the Editor at: palmyparenteditor@gmail.com

COMMITTEE NEWS On the 23rd June 2021 we held our AGM. The current Executive stood down after four years and we welcomed aboard Steph O’Connor, Jess Osland and Tara Parkes, so this will be my last Committee News. I have included the overview of the AGM report as it is a good summary of the year that has been, we hope you enjoy.

2020/2021 has been a challenging year as it began in the midst of an international pandemic and a nationwide lockdown in March 2020. The Executive are grateful for the perseverance, creativity, adaptability, and dedication that the committee showed through this time. A number of hard decisions had to be made as alert levels changed and we had to adapt how we engaged with our members.

The committee did an outstanding job of banding together to provide continuity of service to our parenting community.

Providing this sense of community was even more important than usual during this uncertain time for both expecting and new parents alike.

Hug-it-forward Campaign

As the result of an increase in grant from ECCT, we were able to open the centre to the public three mornings a week during the school term. This has increased our availability to the public when they wish ISSUE 302 . August | September 2021

5

to discuss matters kanohi ki te kanohi and has streamlined the administration process. As an Executive we would like to thank Tara Parkes who has been fulfilling the Centre Administrator role. The amazing work she does has supported the committee immensely. In January 2021 we finally received the new centre chairs. We are grateful to the grant we received previously from McCarthy Trust that paid for these chairs and they have been greatly received by our members old and new.

As an outgoing Executive, watching the committee grow during these challenging times has provided us great confidence in the future of the organisation. We know the committee will be able to support each other through this next change in the centre’s journey.

We are all looking forward to watching and supporting the new Executive to continue the amazing work the centre does and adapt to ensure the centre continues to move with the needs of our community.

Committee Baby Shower

Mission statement Positive birth experiences and informed parenting in a community where parents are supported and highly valued in their role.

Ehara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.

“My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but success of a collective.”

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK.COM/PNORTHPC

Raylene, Sheree and Saritta

Disclaimer: Opinions and articles in this magazine do not necessarily reflect Parents Centre NZ policy. Advertising in this magazine does not imply endorsement by Parents Centre.

6 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

INTRODUCING...

THE PALMY PARENT CENTRE TEAM MEMBERS by the end of 2021 and then graduate to become a Transition to Parenting Educator.

I live in Ashhurst with my husband Andrew and our two daughters, Lily 8 and Eva 5. Between us we have a gaggle of chickens, cats called Silvie and Visit, and a growing collection of tropical fish.

We love the outdoors and animals and our wild garden keeps us busy.

Hi, I’m Teresa, a fresh faced and new member of the Childbirth Education team at Palmerston North Parents Centre.

While I might be new as a Childbirth Educator I have been a volunteer for Parents Centre for 8 years now in a variety of roles. I currently facilitate the centre’s Music and Movement classes on Tuesdays during term time and also facilitate Practical Parenting classes. I am currently studying towards attaining a Diploma in Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Early Parenting which I plan to complete

My experiences in birth and early parenting are the driving reason for my study and taking on this role. I am passionate about supporting new families and providing them with information/skills to empower them to make informed choices on their journey to develop their unique family rhythm.

I look forward to meeting and working with new families on their childbirth and parenting journey.

Congratulates

Candie Hastie-Hunt For winning a Treatment, Cut and Blowwave for being a current Palmerston North Patents Centre member Ph: 358 4010 | Hotel Coachman,134 Fitzherbert Ave, Palmerston North | thehaircompany.co.nz Open Mon - Sat, late nights Tues and Thur

ISSUE 302 . August | September 2021

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MEMBERS’ OFFERS: www.thesleepstore.co.nz

Halo Salt Rooms 10% off Full priced Adult and Private Salt Rooms.

117-119 Ruahine Street, Palmerston North 06 280 4220 | info@halosaltrooms.co.nz

Unique Beginnings with Rebecca Robinson

Birth preparation & beyond, Lactation Consultant support

www.uniquebeginnings.co.nz

5% OFF all services

20%OFF

Enter the coupon code PARENTS20 at the checkout to SAVE on selected items at The Sleep Store To see which items you can apply the discount to visit www.thesleepstore.co.nz/content/parentscentre Visit www.thesleepstore.co.nz/content/parentscentre for further details & exclusions on this offer. Coupon applies to selected items listed on this webpage, Offer cannot be used with coupons, vouchers, discounts, 2-pack offers or combo deals. Cannot be used on shipping fee or other brand items, gift cards or in conjunction with any other offer or discount. The Sleep Store reserves the right to update or amend this offer at any time.

ph: 021 066 0394

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

10% off all full priced Items (must show membership card)

117 Ruahine St, Palmerston North | 06-280 3370

8 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

PNPC

SEMINARS & EVENTS OCTOBER

Takes a Village - Childcare options Sunday 3rd October 10am Finding the right childcare is one of the most emotional decisions a parent has to make and Charlotte and Megan from Takes A Village know all about that.

Are you looking for a childcare provider but are feeling overwhelmed by all the options available?

Are you unsure what you should be looking for or what questions to ask when visiting providers?

Looking for some unbiased advice on options for you and your child?

Come along to this new seminar to have all your childcare questions answered.

Speech and Language Development in Children Wednesday 27th October 7pm Join Sarah Paewai, a registered SpeechLanguage Therapist at this seminar to learn about your child’s speech and language development including: • Explanation of “Speech” and “Language” • Milestones 0-5 years • Tips to support age-appropriate speech and language development at home • What is and is not a worry • Where to seek support and resources if you are concerned

Cost: FREE for all to attend but registration is essential.

To register please see our website: http://www.palmyparentscentre.org.nz/ All seminars and events can be found in our calendar on the website.

For any queries please email: info@palmyparentscentre.org.nz

Returning to work Saturday 9th October 10am When deciding about returning to work, there are numerous things to think about including: • Flexi hours • Extended leave • Keeping in touch • Expressing/feeding • Child care • Your other options (including choosing not to go back to work).

Come along to hear Esther Fou, an experienced working professional in HR and mum to three children discuss this topic.

Cost: FREE for all to attend but registration is essential.

Responsive Parenting Sunday 10th & 17th October, 930am-330pm.

Palmerston North Parents Centre’s Responsive Parenting Workshops are designed to encourage, support, and equip families with positive, ‘responsive’ and non-punitive strategies for the parenting journey.

Cost: $20 per person or $35 per couple.

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BOOK REVIEW

MY ELEPHANT IS BLUE Reviewed by Desiree Harvey Words by Melinda Szymanik and illustrations by Vasanti Unka Soft cover $19.99 available at Bruce McKenzie Booksellers, George Street An elephant named Blue arrives into the life of our narrator one day and finds it too comfortable to leave. The story chronicles the effect Blue has on the narrator, the different ways their family members handle Blue’s arrival, and the efforts made to manage life with Blue in the picture. We learn how Blue is encouraged to get to Pink, and even sometimes in moments of delight and happiness, a shiny Yellow.

This is a powerful story, brightly presented with a light hearted tone but a deep purpose. The story easily creates the opportunity for discussion of big, heavy feelings and emotions, and how to identify and deal with them. This is just so important, especially with our young people. This is a must for every family bookshelf.

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

Just follow these 3 easy steps!

1

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

2

31 st November 2021 That’s

all!

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

ratu Cong lation Emily Dransfield

: s to

3

Entries for the next draw must be received by

who has won a copy of ‘Flit the Fantail and the Matariki Map’

10 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

The children’s book reviewed above has been generously donated by Bruce McKenzie Booksellers on George Street, Palmerston North to give away to a lucky Parents Centre Member.

Bruce McKenzie’s Booksellers is situated in George Street beside the entrance to the Palmerston North Library. Bruce McKenzie’s carries an enormous range of books from children’s to specialist non-fiction and is definitely worth a visit. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask the staff who are always willing to help.

WHAT’S ON...

We recommend you call ahead and check that events are still happening with current restrictions - at the time of writing these columns these events were still advertised as still happening.

Holiday Jump Sessions for Littlies Cloud 9 Trampoline Park, 37 Taonui St, Palmerston North 9am -10am Monday to Saturday (excluding Fridays) both weeks of school holidays Under 110cm pass: $11.00 ea Bring the littlies along to Cloud 9 Trampoline Park for some fun exclusive time during the holidays. Try our fun climbing wall, ninja assault course, foam pits, balance beam, bubble soccer and relax with coffee and cake in our cafe area afterwards.

An hour jumping with the whole park just for our younger kids that are under 110cm. Caregiver jumps for free. Note that caregivers and children need grip socks to go onto the trampolines - you can bring your own if you have them or purchase on the day.

Wonderland Glow Show Friday 8 October 2021 10:00am and 11:30am Regent on Broadway, 53 Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North The GLOW SHOW team is back with WONDERLAND GLOW SHOW, a ‘kiwified’ interpretation of the classic ‘Alice in Wonderland’ tale for tamariki, educators and whanau! Let your imagination soar as you’re transported by the magic of giant scale glow-in-the-dark puppetry.

The mega edu-taining show promotes literacy and Te Reo Mãori, celebrates the exquisite art of ultraviolet puppetry, and demonstrates being your most creative self! Hei tino auaha koe! The show is an upbeat, engaging show that dives headlong into a weird and wonderful world of dancing flamingos, shuffling cards, an 8-metre caterpillar and giant flowers. But it’s not all rosy… there’s a march hare on the loose!

Shows are created specifically for age groups: 10 am session for 0-5 year-olds – suits ECEs and Year 1

Puppetry-music-dancing-moving, meet the puppets 40 minutes 11.30 am session for 6-12 year-olds – suits Years 2-8 Puppetry-story-music, meet actors with patai (Q and A) 55 minutes Adults have the same price as children.

10am show (0-5 year-olds): $12.50 ea 11:30am show (6-12 year-olds): $14.50 ea

Foxton Spring Fling Main Street, Foxton.

Sunday 24 October 2021 9:00am – 3:00pm This is the biggest event in town! Join us on the Main Street in Foxton to celebrate Spring with bands, wonderful food stalls (featuring food from all around the world), entertainment for young and old including live music and rides for children, plus over 120 marketplace stalls.

This is the one event over Labour Weekend you don’t want to miss! Shop for Christmas, enjoy the day out or make it a long weekend stay in fabulous Foxton. Family-friendly, Adults $2 and kids under 5 are free.

Whānau Day Sunday 31 October 2021 12:00pm – 3:00pm Victoria Park, West Street, Feilding • Water play, including a slip n slide • Inflatable obstacle course • Kite making workshop • Bluelight Disco • Blokarting • Giant lawn games • Face painting • Poi making workshop • And more TBA. Free sausage sizzle. Bottled water and ice blocks available to purchase. Some limited food and drinks (including coffee) will be available for purchase. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy as well.

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CRADDLE ROLL

WELCOME TO THE WORLD Welcome to all the new babies born to our wonderful Parent Centre members!

If there are any corrections to the list below, please email palmyparenteditor@gmail.com

Class: Due February | CBE: Nicola Reid | Hostess: Tara Parkes

James John Frith Nixon

Marco Salazar

Ashleigh & David Nixon

Cindy Chanci & Daniel Salazar

2 February 2021

13 February 2021

Rosemary Dawn Napier

Thomas James Dransfield

Natasha & Geoff Napier

Emily & Allister Dransfield

16 February 2021

20 February 2021

born to

born to

born to

born to

Class: Due May | CBE: Teresa Watson | Hostess: Teresa Moon

Carly Rae Sharland

Jesse John Lockwood

Fiona & Regan Sharland

Jody & Andrew Lockwood

11 May 2021

13 May 2021

Indie Marlene Gwenfra Bright

Capri Lorelle Roydhouse

Candie Hastie-Hunt & Jono Bright

Brooke & Drew Roydhouse

15 May 2021

15 May 2021

born to

born to

born to

born to

Elizabeth Alex Hurst born to

Charlotte & Ian Hurst

21 May 2021

Ezra Kahurangi Seagar born to

Ashleigh & Stephen Seagar

18 May 2021

Charlotte Gale McDowell born to

Vanessa & Tom McDowell

2 April 2021 12 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

Class: Due March | CBE: Teresa Watson | Hostess: Shinkal Hamilton

Evelyn Pippa Rose

Aidan Jeremiah Henderson

Jennie & Anthony Rose

Anynda & Isaac Henderson

19 February 2021

21 February 2021

Finley Peter Kirk

Lia June Whale

Grace & Lachlan Kirk

Kaaren & Daniel Whale

3 March 2021

9 March 2021

Edward James Paurini

Miles Munro Murphy

Alesha Thomson & Levi Paurini

Stacey Grieve & Jack Murphy

12 March 2021

19 March 2021

Zara Leanne Best

Dakota Ivy Aitken

Breanna & Nathan Best

Rebecca Bakker & Alan Aitken

20 March 2021

22 March 2021

Grayson Stuart Miller-Shaw

Olive Elizabeth Blackley

Kaylee & Josh Miller-Shaw

Dolores Hyde & Jamie Blackley

25 March 2021

28 March 2021

born to

born to

born to

born to

born to

born to

born to

born to

born to

born to

Archer Ryan Murphy born to

Sophie & Shaun Murphy

3 April 2021

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FEATURE

MY SNS STORY

By Bec Hancock Like many women I faced challenges with our first three children which ended our breastfeeding journey far sooner than I would have liked. I was determined with our fourth and final pēpi, that I would give her breastmilk for at least 6 months. I knew the ways I could achieve my breastfeeding goals were to engage with maternity care early, share my concerns, fears and aspirations, birth where I felt calm, safe, and supported, have immediate skin to skin, and finally ensure that my family understood how important breastfeeding our pēpi was to me. At 41 + 5 in the comfort and safety of our home with our midwife present our baby arrived. We enjoyed uninterrupted skin to skin where she nuzzled my breast and latched on for the first time. It was at that moment I thought, “I can do this.”

We decided to not have any visitors for the first week, this included family and friends. We acknowledge how difficult that was for our parents and siblings, however, it was an important part of our bonding experience and ensuring our baby had unlimited access to my breasts.

PARENT CENTRE PARTNERS:

14 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

On night 7, my breasts felt extremely empty, and our pēpi just didn’t seem satisfied - she was extremely unsettled, had low output, and I was sure she was hungry. My head kept screaming, “I can’t do this!” I contacted my midwife who consoled me, supported me, and asked how I felt about using a small amount of donor milk to get us through the evening.

My husband and I agreed that donor milk was a viable option for our pēpi to support her immune system and support my breastfeeding goals.

The Manawatu Milk Sharing Facebook Group was instrumental in sourcing newborn milk,

within 5 minutes of my post late that night I had offers of help from several women!

I collected a few mls of donor milk from a wonderful woman who had a baby born on the same day as ours. We fed her via syringe which took a lot of pressure off that night.

My midwife arrived the next morning and we considered how we could boost my supply while keeping our baby fed with breast milk. We discussed and agreed that alongside breastfeeding and pumping we would supplement with donor milk. I had a small stash of milk that had been given to me and I asked how we should feed it to her. My midwife showed me a small bottle with tubes, “Let’s try this.” She offered me a supplementary nursing system (SNS). I had heard of these through my previous role as a childbirth educator but never had I thought about using one.

or formula) while at the breast. It can be an effective way to increase your supply, keep pēpi interested at the breast, and for some women who for any reason are unable to produce breast milk it is a way that they can breastfeed their pēpi.

It was tricky, I won’t sugar coat it. Taping the tubes to my breast and getting a good latch took a lot of time and patience. I was tired, I was frustrated, and I was feeling extremely sad about not being able to feed my pēpi solely my own milk. Then, the most amazing thing happened; I watched as the donor milk flowed through the tubes to my pēpi… it was

incredible, she was content, her wee hands began to relax. Tears of joy streamed down my face as she gulped donor milk from the SNS all while stimulating my own breast to produce more of my precious milk. I knew at that moment the SNS saved our breastfeeding relationship. Our pēpi is now 20 months old and is firmly attached to my boobs! I never imagined breastfeeding into toddlerhood and you know what? Now I can’t imagine not breastfeeding!!

Breastfeeding can look all sorts of different; breastfeeding might be ‘natural’, but it isn’t always easy. If you are having challenges or wondering what options there are to support your own journey please talk to your midwife, childbirth educator, or a lactation consultant.

They are there to support you and, in my case, exceed your breastfeeding goals.

SNS are an excellent alternative to bottles, it allows pēpi to be fed milk (yours, donor, ISSUE 302 . August | September 2021

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FEATURE

MILK BANK DONATIONS Whangai Ora Milk Bank is the first within the North Island and the very committed group of volunteers is devoted to saving the lives and improving the health of babies without access to their own mothers’ milk. With the recent opening of the Whangai Ora Milk Bank in Palmerston North, the opportunity to both donate and receive screened human milk has become easier. This short term gift allows people to provide their babies with the superior nutritional and immune benefits of breast milk if they are unable to do so themselves for any reason.

Whangai Ora can provide milk to anyone within the MidCentral Health Board District (Manawatu, Tararua and Horowhenua).

Because supply fluctuates, the youngest and most vulnerable babies are supplied first.

As a donor, you are able to provide an invaluable supply to a baby in need. The

process to become a donor is very simple and the entire existence of the Whangai Ora Milk Bank relies on the commitment of these donors. There is a Health Screening Form and Consent Form to complete on meeting with a representative and then you are supplied with either milk bottles or bags to take away and collect your milk in. After collecting your first litre of milk you are required to complete a blood test and following these results, with all being in order, you can become a donor!

This initial litre requirement is to ensure that pumping and donating is going to fit in with your lifestyle and that you are prepared for the process before going ahead. After that, there is no minimum requirement or frequency to supply and all donations are appreciated. Just 50ml of donated human breast milk can supply a baby under 1kg with enough milk for 24 hours so every donated drop counts.

Hire a Tens Machine Hire a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machine to help reduce your pain during labour and childbirth.

Palmerston North Parents Centre (PNPC) has five TENS machines available for hire by our members for ONLY $20 for up to four weeks’ hireage (plus a $40.00 refundable bond).

Machines can be booked for the two weeks prior to your due date until two weeks post due date.

Watch a video interview with a TENS machine expert at youtube.com/ watch?v=4gUEtYAqPw8

Book your TENS Machine from: Palmerston North Parents Centre, 117 Ruahine Street, info@palmyparentscentre.org.nz. Please pay in cash. Full terms and conditions supplied upon inquiry. Note: TEENS pads are reusable, you can purchase new TENS pads for $35.

16 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

Requesting donor milk can be done through a midwife, lactation consultant, or as an individual yourself. Forms required for both processes are available on the website. The Whangai Ora volunteers also work alongside lactation consultants to provide support to recipients that wish to receive it. The entire process for recipients and donors is free and confidential. Donors only need to supply their own pump.

The demand for human donor milk increases each month with a large portion of the current donated milk going to the Neonatal Unit at Palmerston North Hospital. The milk from each individual donor stays in individual batches and is coded to maintain

confidentiality of the donor’s identity before being pasteurised and made available for a baby in need.

Whangai Ora relies on a group of committed volunteers, meaning there are currently no set hours to access the milk bank, however the process to both donate or request milk is very straight-forward and available.

If you would like any additional information on receiving or donating breast milk to what is provided in this article you can access the website: whangaiora.org.nz; Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/whangaiora ; or send an email to info@whangaiora.org.nz

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in partnership with

For your donations during our donation drive in the month of July. The items were gratefully received and are being well used by the recipients.

18 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

YOU & YOUR PELVIC FLOOR

By Ally Burleigh Have you ever thought much about your pelvic floor? Probably not, right? Like breathing, it is one of those things we don’t think about until we notice something isn’t quite right. At Kangatraining we like to call our pelvic floor the “powerhouse” of our body, because it’s the centre of so much of what we do. Our pelvic floor muscles are located inside our pelvis between our tail bone (at the back) and the pubic bone (at the front). It controls our bowel and bladder movements and sexual sensations, as well as holds up our internal organs and pēpi/baby when hapū/pregnant. A lot of their job is done quietly in the background without us paying too much attention, and I think that’s where most of us go wrong...not paying them the attention they deserve.

These muscles are working every time you do a wee, a poo, you cough, or jump. You use them when you hold in that wee you are so desperate to do, or forcefully push out that poo that doesn’t want to budge (this one isn’t good for it by the way), and when you are having sex. So do you see now why we call them the powerhouse of our body? Let’s talk about how we can look after them, how we can tell if something isn’t right, and what we can do about it.

First off, let’s locate them. Take a few deep breaths in and out and next time you exhale I want you to squeeze like you are stopping a fart and holding in a wee, and then relax them. Did you do it? Those muscles that you just activated are your pelvic floor muscles, and what you just did is often called a kegel. Now, it’s all good and well to just tell people to do kegels everyday, but it’s really a bit more complex than that and it’s not going to be the fix all some people think it is. At Kangatraining we spend a bit of time in every class focusing on our breath, core engagement, posture, and relaxation, because all of these affect our pelvic floor in different ways. Just taking a moment to take in some deep breaths and letting your puku relax and hang out can be beneficial to your pelvic floor.

There are a million things you could do to take care of your pelvic floor and I could go all day.

One thing that everyone can do is to pay attention to their bowel and bladder habits. Making sure that we are eating enough fibre and drinking plenty of water so that we have frequent and soft bowel motions that require little to no straining to evacuate. Also making sure we aren’t forcing out urine; a good example of this is when we make ourselves go to the toilet, “just in case”.

Another really important thing to consider is how

we return to exercise after having a baby. Not only do our pelvic muscles support a growing pēpe for 9 months, but it also experiences a great deal during a vaginal birth. Allowing our body, including our pelvic muscles, enough time post birth to fully recover before we literally jump back into exercise is super important. Not only have they physically carried the brunt of pregnancy, they have also been exposed to increased levels of hormones that can have an influence on them and their surrounding muscles and ligaments.

For many, pregnancy and post birth is often when they start paying attention to their pelvic floor, and typically only because they are experiencing problems; problems such as bladder leakage, painful sex, constipation, or even the inability to hold in a fart. These are all common problems and are often joked about. You’ve all had a friend or family member tell you you’ll never be able to sneeze again without wetting yourself right? All this reiterates is how common it is for people to experience these issues after kids, but it doesn’t fix the problem. It is estimated that, post birth, 1 in 3 people experience leakage, 50% live with some degree of pelvic organ prolapse, and 1 in 5 report pain during sex. So if you experience any of these, or other symptoms, then you aren’t alone.

But you do not have to put up with it for the rest of your life.

The best thing you can do is speak to a health professional, and more specifically a pelvic floor specialist such as a women’s health physiotherapist.

They will be able to correctly diagnose your issues and help you on your way to recovery. Your GP is also a good place to start if you are unsure who else to talk to and Continence NZ has some really useful resources on their website as well. And if you are trying to get back into exercise but are experiencing some of the symptoms above, Kangatraining is a safe way to get your body moving again and familiarise yourself with your pelvic floor. Coming in 2022, Palmy Kanga is also excited to launch pelvic floor specific workshops called PowerHouse where we help you connect to your pelvic floor better and incorporate safe movements into everyday life.

Ally runs Kangatraining Palmerston North and has an interest in pelvic floor health. Kangatraining is a babywearing exercise class specifically designed for postnatal bodies, with an emphasis on pelvic floor health and abdominal separation. Ally is not a medical professional and recommends that anyone who experiences any of the symptoms above should seek professional help.

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BIRTH STORY

CASPIANS BIRTH STORY My due date. The anticipation and excitement of the arrival of our baby. 9 months have gone by. I was busy helping at the Parent Centre’s Christmas party when I felt a mild squeeze around my tummy. Oh...is he going to arrive on his due date...or is he just teasing? I put my hands around my tummy and said with a smile, “I am busy today. Can you wait until tonight?

That night I had just had dinner and was lying about on the couch after being on my feet all day. I tucked my 7 year old (at the time) into bed and then went to find my partner, Roman to have him take a photo of me and bump so I could do the very same post on my Facebook page that I did 7 years ago for my first son’s due date, all while secretly excited knowing I was having mild squeezes often.

I decided to lay down and watch a TV show and get the contraction timer out just to see if they were regular turns out they were! Because I had a fast birth with my first, I sent out the text to my birth support crew just giving them a heads up to what was happening.

They continued to come and my mum lives over an hour away so I said she might want to head our way and that I would get the spare room ready for her in case it fizzled out or if it was a long night she would be able to get some sleep. I went and had a shower, shaved my legs, and had some time to myself thinking and relaxing.

Mum arrived just before 11:30pm and I was buzzing with excitement - I get to meet my baby boy soon! I called my midwife to let her know things were regular and that when I went to the bathroom there was some bloody show, she said she would call in a couple hours to see

how things were going. I then hung out with mum and continued to get frequent squeezes. We decided it was best to get some sleep while we could and all went off to bed.

I didn’t really get much sleep, I was too excited! I dozed on and off, feeling the squeezes and tapping the start and stop button on my phone for contractions which continued to get longer, stronger and more frequent.

Around 4am I gave up on sleep and sat on my swiss ball doing slow figure 8 movements and leaning against the bed, listening to the meditation link we were given at the antenatal classes. It was nice, the dim lighting of my salt lamp, the quiet of the middle of the night and just me and my baby, working together to meet each other.

I decided at 6am I had itchy feet as I was so looking forward to heading to the birthing unit, I woke Roman up, said I wanted to see my midwife so I called her and organised to meet her at the birthing centre. I went and woke mum and my son Rikar and told them to get ready and that we were heading to the Birthing Centre. Rikar was dozing and snuggled up in his blanket and I don’t think he was quite awake enough to realise what we were doing, despite me excitedly saying, “your brother is coming, let’s go!”

We got loaded into the car and we only got a few minutes down the road before the next contraction came, the first one while in the car - ooof, that wasn’t comfortable, let’s get to the Birthing Centre quick but also, don’t lose mum! Mum was in her car following us. Roman laughed and said he was surprised I hadn’t gone in the car with Mum as he knows I am not a fan of his driving!

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Jaime Murland

As we arrived, so did my support crew and midwife. We went up and settled in the room. My midwife checked my progress and we were halfway there! She checked bubs heart rate and all was well. I wanted to stay as active as I could during labor and we decided to hit the stairs!

I cheated for the first few, going down the stairs and taking the lift back up but decided it was probably better to go up the stairs too so up, down, up down we went countless times.

My friend was on back duty every contraction (got to love a posterior labor) giving me great squeezes to counteract while I breathed and counted slowly to 20 knowing I’d reach the peak and that meant I could stay relaxed feeling the contraction ease off.

I left the stairs as I was getting super hot and I went briefly out to the veranda and leant on the nice cool bar - the sense of cooling was amazing and just what I needed.

Once I was cool enough we headed back to the room and I went back to sitting on the Swiss ball leaning on the bed, doing my slow figure eights. I asked for a muffin from Cravings Cafe down stairs so Rikar and Roman went to get me one. When they got back I no longer wanted it so it just sat beside me on the bed untouched, I figured I’d eat it later once baby was here.

In my attempt to try different positions, I thought I’d give the bath a go to see if that would help the intensity of the contractions. It didn’t really and I got hot and needed flannels to help cool me down, oh how I loved those flannels! I couldn’t get comfortable in there with the shape of the bath not working for what I needed and it had also slowed my contractions down, so out I got back to my lovely swiss ball.

I asked my midwife what other positions I could try to help things along and that’s when we remembered we could hang the wrap from the ceiling hook and I could use that so that’s exactly what we did. Standing was much more intense but I just kept counting and talking, my hand indicating one was coming by tapping whatever surface was near me and they needed to get to the back squeezes to counteract quickly.

My midwife decided it had been long enough to check the progress again which I was keen for and we decided if

I was far enough along she would break my waters for me.

I was 9cm and she asked again if I’d like my waters broken.

I said, “Yes! That means the baby will be here imminently!

I am so ready to meet him!” Lying on my back during a contraction was incredibly uncomfortable and no one could give me my back squeezes!

Pop! Waters have been broken. Yuss, please get me off my back before another contraction comes. But no, I could only roll onto my side before another came. It felt like a baby was coming out! I was determined to get off my side as soon as this contraction ended and when it eased off enough I quickly flipped up onto my knees, leaning against the bed head. Then another one came, they’re coming hard and fast and I’m trying my hardest not to push, therefore I was roaring and vocalising instead trying to distract myself from the pushing urge.

Next thing I know, my midwife placed Bubba on the bed below me for me to grab him. While I’m trying to figure out how to move my leg to scoop bubba up everyone started to lean in to grab baby for me but I bet them to it and I scooped him up. He’s here! There’s nothing like that first hold and I breathed in that beautiful new bubba, quickly checked he was in fact a boy - yes, yes he is, phew.

Once the placenta cord had stopped pulsing I decided I wanted to cut the cord this time around and gave it a go but man was it tough! I was using my non-dominant hand and it was too hard, so I said my friend could finish it off as she was an amazing help during labor and it was her first birth she had witnessed so I thought it would be a nice connection for her and us. We had organised a lovely muka tie so we got that out and my midwife tied that on.

Everyone was keen to know his size as he looked gorgeously chub and we all stated our guesses and then he was weighed - 9lb 8oz, what a beauty! Everyone knew I was hoping for a chunky bubba, you can’t not love them glorious rolls.

Caspian Wolf, born earth side on the 7th of December 2020 at 1:36pm.

Photo credits: Meg at Child’s Journey - Luv Meg Birth + Baby Photographer

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CHILD DEVELOPMENT FEATURE

HEURISTIC PLAY AND LOOSE PARTS

By Ella Diprose When it comes to play, what do children truly need?

What does play look like and what types of play provide greater outcomes for our children?

HEURISTIC

literally a basket of treasures and a basket of potential! They don’t have a purpose and that is the catch! The possibilities of what your child can do with them are limitless.

Offer these items to your baby or child and respectfully observe their play.

This means enabling a person to discover or learn something for themselves.

With loose parts your child can create, construct, manipulate, explore, investigate, express, imagine and analyse.

HEURISTIC PLAY

WHY USE LOOSE PARTS?

An activity children engage in to explore the properties of objects from the real world.

LOOSE PARTS

Objects and materials that children can move, manipulate, control, and change within their play.

There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to play with them. They are ‘open-ended’.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Having heuristic, loose parts play items is

“Loose part, heuristic play encourages investigation and curiosity! Together, these materials and philosophies are the key to it all. They are open. Open to interpretation from your capable, inquisitive baby! Your baby can’t fail, your baby can’t become frustrated, your baby doesn’t need you to show them how to do it, or fix it. There is no right or wrong way to interact with them and that is the beauty. Let your child be the actor, director and script writer in their own play.” - Navy Baby Company

WHERE DO I FIND THEM?

The exciting thing about loose parts is that you can collect them from almost anywhere.

Your kitchen cupboards can be a great place to search for spare baby friendly utensils, wooden spoons, jar lids, metal tins, measuring cups. You can collect loose parts from outside and have a nature theme with sticks, leaves, flowers, and small stones. You can use ribbons, scarves, different textured materials, and cloths.

There are also some New Zealand based companies who you can buy loose parts and open ended play items from who sell affordable, quality products that meet toy safety standards.

WHAT AGE IS THIS FOR?

There is no set age or age limit that loose parts can be played with. The Navy Baby company suggests you can start “as young as 8 weeks old by placing an item close by for observation.” The great thing about loose parts is that they can fit into your child’s stage 22 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

of development and level of understanding whatever their age.

• Sparks children’s creativity and imagination. Rather than a child simply knowing that a noise happens when they push a certain button, with loose parts imagination leads their play. Heuristic open-ended play opportunities allow children to explore, learn and develop in a completely natural way.

• Stimulates sensory perception. Children can explore using their senses and discover concepts like hard and soft, light and heavy, the sounds objects make when banged together.

• Allows children to develop their own ideas and investigations, which enhances their autonomy, self-direction, and selfknowledge and supports feelings of pride, self-efficacy, and self-esteem.

• Develops their problem solving and negotiation skills. When a child is exploring a wooden ring and trying to put different objects through the hole, they might discover some fit through and some do not, and others have to be turned sideways.

• Provides development for children’s fine and gross motor skills.

• Promotes social interaction and conversations. You can talk with your child about how they are using the different objects and introduce new words to describe objects or describe what is happening in the play such as, “You’re holding a shiny metal spoon,” or, “I can see you are putting the block on top of the cup, and uh-oh, it fell down.”

• Promotes critical thinking. With an electronic toy a child learns how to work it in order for a noise or sound to be made.

When engaged in heuristic play children can explore the sounds made by banging different objects together or knocking them on different surfaces. Unlike the electronic toy, this then leads them to wonder, “How did I make that noise? Can I make it again? What would happen if I bang it with a different object?”

• Promotes early mathematical conceptual learning. When children are provided opportunities to play with items of different weight, size, shap,e and texture they begin to explore these mathematical ideas.

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HEALTH AND WELBEING

FEEDING AVERSIONS:

WHEN FEEDING IS NO LONGER ENJOYABLE FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN My name is Rebecca Robinson, a local lactation consultant.

I have many supporting roles which include private birth preparation, labour and birth support, and birth story listening. I offer a holistic approach for all aspects of my work. Currently I am working towards becoming a qualified counsellor.

Recently I was contacted by a family who were at their wits end because their 11 week old baby was having major feeding problems: • • • • • • • • • •

He is hungry but when offered the breast he screams, arching his back Placing him into the feeding position will elicit a cry at times When he does feed it can be 6-8hrs after his last His output has lowered dramatically Doctors and Emergency Department aren’t concerned Tried feeding in cradle hold, rugby, side laying positions He is screaming for hours He prefers the left breast, however is starting to refuse both.

I feel like my baby no longer loves me My husband dreaded watching me trying to feed, as he felt helpless

Does this sound familiar? Perhaps you have experienced this or heard a story of someone else experiencing this. I want to bring awareness to feeding aversion and the emotional impact it has on the whole family. I want to acknowledge

the judgement, shame, and confusion that women/families can feel when our infants are refusing to feed.

I want to share how understanding the feeding roles and responsibilities can impact aversion, to help equip families with a wider understanding.

What do we do when our baby isn’t latching?

• • • • • • •

You get worried You try to do it better Perhaps try readjusting positions You get anxious Forcing your baby’s face into your breast or bottle.

You become frustrated Keep trying over and over

Our babies continue to push away or refuse to feed and the cycle continues. This cycle then becomes a pattern and our babies begin to respond by: • • • •

pushing away when cueing to feed becoming fussy or distressed when offered feeds cry as they are being placed into a feeding position cry as soon as the breast/bottle is shown

This patterned behaviour has been contributed to by the pressure to feed and is now distressing for everybody involved. Because the baby is not feeding often, you begin to see a reduction in how often your baby is urinating and stooling.

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In order to stop the cycle and patterned behaviour of offering and not accepting have you tried strategies like?

• • • •

spend time skin to skin, removing the pressure away and make it fun again taking a bath together Letting itself resolve for 2-4 days

I learned about feeding aversion from a past client, I had heard about aversion where the mother has a feeding aversion however I had only heard of nursing strikes and breast refusal.

So, what is the difference between a nursing strike and feeding aversion? Personally, I think a nursing strike is identified once it has been resolved after 2-4 days. Anything longer is an aversion.

With any feeding aversion you have to identify what the infant is trying to avoid. What could be unpleasant, stressful, or painful for your baby when feeding? In order to remove the aversion: Narrow down possible causes, eliminate and break the pattern, and remove the negative association with feeding. (Rowena Bennett, https://www.babycareadvice. com/article/detail/Feeding_Aversion) This new understanding has really opened my eyes to see how aversion answers those questions about what to do next when skin to skin and persuading the baby to take the breast no longer work!

There is no fast solution As I spent time supporting the family to work with the feeding aversion, within the first 24hrs the feedings were starting to move in the direction they were after. The average feeding aversion can take 1-4 weeks to resolve.

When the family shared with me what had been happening there were a couple of things that stood out: • • • • •

having a fast let down and he was unable to keep up with the flow causing him to become overwhelmed when feeding.

Family expectations with how often he should feed When he refused to feed, there was pressure to keep trying to get him latched.

Lowered wet and dirty nappies increases family anxiousness which drives family to keep trying to feed, due to worry and concerns for dehydration Mothers’ full breasts signalling that not enough milk has been removed, compounding the fact that baby needs to feed.

Here you can begin to see the tug of war or cycle of pressuring to feed and the anxiousness around feeding not working and that it all begins to spiral out of control. Mothers have expressed feeling as though she is being pushed away by her infant, which can lead to women feeling rejected and unloved by their child. My client expressed, “I felt like a failure that my baby wasn’t feeding off me and I couldn’t soothe him.” This is where the feeding journey becomes a negative experience for everyone involved.

where families can feel heard, acknowledged, understood without judgement or shamed is the foundation of what I do. After meeting this family and listening to what they were experiencing now and what their expectations are with feeding, I helped them to build the path of where to go next.

Did you know that there are divisions of responsibility with feeding infants?

Yes, there are. Three in fact. This may help you understand how pressure feeding eventuates. When you are feeding your baby, you are responsible for what your child eats (breast or alternative supplement). Your child is responsible for how much they eat and how often.

When parents/caregivers cross over this boundary of responsibilities, it is usually due to a distrust that the child is unable to carry out their feeding responsibilities.

Finding where the distrust started can uncover where and when the boundaries of responsibility got blurred. This is where listening skills are very important in order to help identify and eliminate the pressure to feed.

My client also mentioned that feedings had become very pressured due to expectations on how often feeds should occur. Once we reset the expectation on feeding spacing we were able to trial a no pressure strategy. So, taking into consideration the divisions of responsibility when your child cues to feed you would offer once, if your child rejects the breast then move on with your day not offering again and again, just the once. After 30mins-1hr as infant begins to cue, offer then. Fortunately for this client he fed and then continued to do the same at each feed again.

For some this doesn’t work this fast, it can take 1-4wks for aversions to resolve. So, I recommend seeking support with a lactation consultant or other health professional that has experience with feeding aversion.

With all of this in mind when we look to eliminate the cause, it is not to find anyone to blame. I truly believe that we do what we can with what we have in each moment. The hardest thing can be asking for help and hoping that you are going to be listened to.

Perhaps I am that person for you!!

“If it wasn’t for the LC Rebecca we would still be struggling and getting nowhere - paying for the private consultations was worth it.”

“If it wasn’t for Rebecca at Unique beginnings and her support and knowledge we would have been lost. She is supportive and knowledgeable and looks at the whole picture rather than just the feeding.”

It can be hard to acknowledge that the feeding journey has become a negative experience for everyone. The hardest feeling to navigate can be feeling as though it has spiralled out of control and intensified by the pressure to feed the infant.

There is no one recipe that works for everyone, every feeding difficulty is unique. Providing a safe environment

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CRAFT

DADS CARD CRAFTS WALKING IN MY FATHER’S SHOES This simple Dad’s card craft would be so easy for you to put together. I bet you have a child that loves to walk in his father’s shoes.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Paint the bottom of an old pair of their Dad’s sneakers and carefully place the shoe onto paper. Press the sole of the shoe from the inside to make as deep a print as possible.

Rocking the shoe back and forth will help.

2. After the shoe print dries, paint the bottom of toddlers’ foot another colour. Help them place their footprint on the paper.

3. Lastly print out the words Some Day I Want To Walk In Your Shoes on a larger piece of paper and put a frame around it. http://jdaniel4smom.com/2013/05/fathers-daycraft-walking-in-my-fathers.html

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DAD’S LIFE

WHY DADS BABYWEAR

By Jess Williamson (Babywearing with Jess) Slings and carriers can be a fantastic tool for parents of small children. The reasons fathers use these tools may be the same as many mothers; it can help comfort our children and give them a sense of security, carried babies tend to cry less and settle more quickly, it can help with reflux and other digestive issues, it saves your back since carrying a child in an ergonomic, well fitted carrier is much better for your posture and spine.

is currently in the works.

From the humorous to the heartwarming, there are over 100 reasons and more shared regularly on our instagram account @whydadsbabywear. Join the conversation and share your own photos on the Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/whydadsbabywear

For dads specifically, carriers can help them share the load of a new baby in their family. It can facilitate bonding and it can be really helpful for them to feel the same sense of closeness as that the mother may have felt during pregnancy. Oxytocin, the love hormone, is important for all of us and carrying our children close gives our bodies a big surge of it, which is so critical for bonding.

Carriers can provide a sense of freedom and act as practical resource in the parenting tool kit which can really help minimise the chance of postnatal distress or depression. It is important to remember that it is not just mothers who can suffer from this and it can be just as difficult and debilitating in some cases for dads, even if it is commonly expressed differently.

In the process of trying to decipher some of the specific reasons dads may babywear, I developed a list of my own that I thought might be relevant to men and showed it to my husband, pretty proudly thinking about what a great effort I had made. His response was to state, “hmm.”When prodded he said to me, “Don’t you think these dads you’re trying to empower might get enough of being told what to do by other women? Maybe if you truly want to empower them you should use dads’ own words?”

From him opening up my eyes in that profound comment, the Why Dads Babywear project was born. Using the quotes and photos of fathers from around the world we created a series of images online, a project group, and a subsequent print book

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PRODUCT REVIEW

TEETHING TIME Teething with our little ones brings everything from excessive dribble to sleepless nights and tears, so below we have asked our Mums for their go to teething products to help you through those tough times. There were a number of products recommended and the top 3 all have very different forms of application or administration. You may personally find that this influences what will suit you and your little one more than the product itself.

T he Nude A lchemist Teething Tamer Without a doubt this was the most recommended product. It retails for $24 for a 30g pottle.

Teething Tamer is a topical, organic, all-natural sedative and pain-relieving formula that is ideal for children who are experiencing discomfort and irritability due to teething. It is formulated from essential oils and 100% certified organic ingredients.

This product also received multiple positive reviews from parents that had also used it for pain relating to their own teeth! Teething Tamer is easy to apply as it is simply rubbed externally onto the skin along the jawline as often as needed. A number of our reviewers used this product in conjunction with one of the following orally administered products.

NaturoP harm Teethmed Relief Spray This was the third rated product on our review. It retails for $25 for a 25ml spray bottle.

Teethmed Relief spray is advertised as providing both emotional and physical support for infants during the teething process. Administration of 2 sprays can be given orally at 15-minute intervals for up to 6 doses initially, then 3 times a day as required.

Teethmed also consists of 100% homeopathic ingredients.

Weleda Teething Powder

This was the second rated product. This received the OHbaby Silver Award in 2020 and retails for $20 for a 60g pottle.

Weleda Teething Powder is given orally by mixing powder in a teaspoonful of warm water for babies prior to starting solids or can be given straight to babies already eating solids. It can be given as often as every 15 minutes for up to 6 doses if required but usually only required 3-4 times a day. Weleda Teething Powder is made from homeopathic ingredients.

As part of the Kind Hearts Movement

d n i K ea ts H

has bestowed a random act of kindness upon

Emily Dransfield You will each receive a free coffee voucher!

Don’t forget to pay it forward!

Streetwise Coffee Cart, Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North

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Bonjella Bonjella is a well known name when it comes to

teething and while it received very mixed reviews with our Mums it is the cheapest option at $9 per tube. It would also be acceptable to say it is the most accessible being available at local supermarkets.

Bonjella is also the only reviewed product from Australia with the remainder of products all being from New Zealand.

Bonjella is a sugar-free, clear, banana-flavoured gel for the relief of pain and discomfort associated with infant teething. It contains mild local anaesthetic to numb any pain, and antiseptic to help fight infection.

It is applied directly to the gums but is not suitable for children under 2 months of age.

QBaby Teethease Teething Gel QBaby Teethease teething gel also received positive reviews and retails for $22.

QBaby TeethEase Gel is 100% natural, combining herbal extracts and clove oil in a base of Aloe vera gel. Qbaby TeethEase Gel is also promoted for its management of the bacteria on the teeth and therefore helping to maintain a balanced and healthy environment. The gel is applied directly into the mouth with a clean finger and is suitable for use in newborns.

It is important to always read the label with any product being used on your little one to ensure correct application and that it is being used as the product was intended. Some of the above products are for external use only (Nude Alchemist Teething Tamer) while others are given orally or applied directly to the gums. The above reviewed products also have minimum age requirements for use ranging from newborn to 2 months.

Additional recommendations for the relief of pain during teething were cold face cloths or chilled teething toys for little ones prior to starting solids or for those on solids chilled or frozen fruit pieces.

We hope you find these reviews are helpful for your teething journey.

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FAMILY FRIENDLY OUTING

CENTRAL ENERGY TRUST WILDBASE RECOVERY

By Natasha Napier You’re a first-time parent, baby is under a year old, you’re on parental leave, and you need to get out of the house! Where do you go? It can feel like a daunting decision. Palmy has so many great places and playgrounds suited for toddlers and above, but for infants it can feel like the supermarket is the only place to go to entertain them.

Enter Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery.

We jumped in the car and headed to the Esplanade, parking right outside the café. A few minutes later, with a delicious coffee in hand and baby in the carrier we wandered into Wildbase Recovery.

Wildbase Recovery has both resident animals and patients, as well as a dedicated learning space. Entering the centre, you meet the resident animals first, including a free flight aviary. Baby was fascinated with the different sounds, smells, and sights all around. We spent time showing her where the sounds were coming from and letting her take in the space.

The next area is where patients are kept. Not a lot for baby to see here as you need to carefully look through the camouflaged windows to see them, but it was great for us parents to learn about who was there and have a chat with one of the staff members to learn more about the

patients and how they care for them.

Next was the learning space, and as soon as you walk in the door you see tamariki (children) flying around all over the place with little gadgets, finding “tagged birds”. This is set up specifically to help kids learn about our native ngā manu (birds) and the role that everyone plays in taking care of our whenua (land).

Exiting the centre we hung a left and checked out the arboretum. As we walked through, we slowly took baby through the different smells and textures of the plants. She really enjoyed the sound of the fishpond at the far end and was looking up at all the different shapes and lights from the canopy of the arboretum.

The Esplanade is one of a few special spaces in the Manawatu. Yes, you may read this and think it’s cliche, “Everyone goes to the Esplanade ‘’ and you are probably right. But there’s a reason for that, and it extends beyond the playground and the train. The Wildbase Recovery centre in the heart of the Esplanade is one of those reasons, which as a family we adored and will continue to visit as our family grows and our tamariki are able to learn more and different things there.

8/10 would recommend again.

Photos sourced from Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery Facebook page 30 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUPS Across Te Kotahitanga O Te Wairua We can provide a range of social services which include: Counselling, Family support (including respite care for children), Parenting advice/information and programmes, Advice on other services available for parents and families.

Contact: Graeme on (06) 356 7486 or visit www.across.org.nz Allergy New Zealand Support groups are a great way to meet others in a similar situation to you. They are very relaxed, informal sessions to share ideas, discuss your concerns, and get information and resources. Our regional support group is there to help put you in contact with others, to provide you with information such as those all important recipes, and to listen when you need someone to talk to. They are not medically qualified but can refer your queries on and seek information on your behalf. For further information phone 0800 34 0800 or visit www.allergy.org.nz Babywearers Manawatu This is a great way to try different carriers while finding a carrier that suits you and your baby. Babywearers Manawatu Sling Library is on most Wednesdays 12 pm - 1 pm (check FB for up to date info) at Palmerston North Parents Centre, 30 Waldegrave Street, Palmerston North. Membership is one off payment of $10 and carrier hire costs $5 for one week.https://www.facebook.com/groups/ babywearersmanawatu/ Brain Injury Association Central Districts We provide advocacy information and support for people with brain injury, their families, whanau and carers. For more information call (06) 354 3540.

Breastfeeding Help An IBCLC (often called lactation consultant) is a breastfeeding specialist qualified to prevent, recognise, and resolve breastfeeding problems. All members of NZCLA hold the professional qualification of International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Any mother, family member or health professional interested in obtaining the contact details of an IBCLC can phone 0800 4 LACTATION (0800 452 282) during daytime hours.

HOPE An opportunity for parents of premature babies to meet and chat and to offer hope and support to those who currently have babies in the Neo-Natal Unit. Graduates welcome. Held at: Plunket Family Centre, 42 Albert Street, Palmerston North. Monday 1pm – 2.30pm. Contact: Karlyn Sullivan-Jones (06) 353 0663 or karlynandmark@xnet.co.nz Itchy Kids A national support group for parents and whanau who care for children with eczema and allergies. For more information contact Sarah Hartley 027 333 7385 or email hartleyfamilynz@gmail.com or visit itchykids.org.nz Manawatu Toy Library Now located at 200 Church Street, Palmerston North, this fabulous toy library has a collection of over 2000 toys. Our members include families, carers, and educational groups. We have toys suitable for babies 5+ months through to school age children.

Membership costs $95 per annum or $60 for six months. You are welcome to visit to see what we offer. To find out more, including opening hours: manawatutoylibrary.nz, or call 027 364 6911.

Manawatu Down Syndrome Association Regional contact is Andrea Wales (06) 356 1767.

Manawatu Home Birth Association Offering information, advice and support to women and their families seeking to birth their babies at home. Birth pools and other equipment available for hire. Library, sibling kits, and bimonthly

newsletters also available. Call (06) 356 BABY (06 356 2229) for more information.

Manline Manline services are unique in that we are the only “men helping men” organisation in the Manawatu and Tararua region offering services for men to explore issues within their lives. Our programs are designed to be educational, developmental, rehabilitative, and preventative. http://www.manline.co.nz/home or 06 358 1211 Miscarriage Support Miscarriage can be a very lonely experience and is often not talked about. Miscarriage support groups have produced quality information and pamphlets for women/couples who may need information and support. These invaluable resources can be downloaded from miscarriage.org.nz Methodist Social Services Offering free programmes for primary/intermediate aged children and their parents/caregivers, around the areas of anger management, grief loss and change, and confidence building. We also offer family, couple, and individual counselling, and have both male and female counsellors available. Advocacy and social work support services are provided along with an emergency food service. For all enquiries, please call 06 350 0307, 663 Main Street, Palmerston North.

Palmerston North Breastfeeding support group We provide a relaxed place to come and ask questions about breastfeeding and parenting , we hold regular meeting on the first Monday of the month at Palmy Parents Centre, Ruahine St, 10am. We have a library with a wide range of books relating to breastfeeding and parenting. http://www.lalecheleague. org.nz/palmerston-north or https://www.facebook.com/ PNbreastfeedingsupport/ Parent to Parent Supporting families of children with a special need, health impairment, or disability. For more information please phone (06) 355 0787or email manawatu@parent2parent.org.nz Parentline 24 Hour Crisis Line. Offering help and support for parents 24 hours a day. Phone 0800 4 FAMILY. Plunket Education Services For parent education classes please contact the Plunket family centre in Albert Street, Palmerston North, (06) 356 7248 for more information regarding classes in 2016.

Reflux Support Contact: Sharon 354 7280 Sands A voluntary group who have lost babies before, during or after birth. They can provide first hand support, guidance, and information on miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death. Further information and support can be found by contacting Shaun and Gaylene Vivian (06) 356 9715 or visiting sands.org.nz Supergrans Manawatu Charitable Trust Supergrans Manawatu is all about helping people help themselves.

A service to all to brush up on the basic skills needed to provide for oneself or for a family. Our motto is not a ‘do it for you today’ it is a ‘help you to do it tomorrow’ concept. This is a free service.

It is concerned with encouraging better skills in those everyday tasks around the home that sustain life. We work with you in your own home. Phone (06) 354 3804 or 021 0669 442 for further information.

32 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

MEMBER DISCOUNTS Want to see your advert here?

Contact palmyparent@hotmail.com

FREE! Address labels with any birth announcement, thank you cards

GRANT IRVINE PHARMACY

10% OFF

Ground Floor, TSB Building 12-19, Fitzherbert Ave, Palmerston North

168 Albert Street, Palmerston North Ph: 06 357 8782

10% off for all massages over $40 to PC members

Want to see your advert here?

Contact palmyparent@hotmail.com

FREE TEA OR COFFEE

06 358 8549

Receive a free tea or coffee with the purchase of food.

95 the Square, Palmerston North

HAIR TRANSFORMER

15% OFF Discounted, low ratio childcare – For 30 hours WAIVED weekly admin & placement fees

Want to see your advert here?

Contact palmyparent@hotmail.com

Link Arcade, Broadway Avenue Palmerston North Ph: 06 358 1309

Want to see your advert here?

Contact palmyparent@hotmail.com

ISSUE 302 . August | September 2021

33

PLAYGROUPS IN YOUR AREA Plunket Family Centre Playgroup

ASHHURST

Ashhurst Playcentre

AWAPUNI/WESTEND

Kingston St Chapel Palmy Playgroup

CENTRAL

42 Albert Street

021-808-340

Mondays & Fridays 10am to 12noon

118 Standford Street

326 9270

Mon to Thurs 9am - 12pm

Kingston St 358 0716 Tues & Thurs 9am- 11:30am Awapuni Community Centre, 22 Newbury St Tues & Fri 9.30am to 11.30am Facebook: Palmy Playgroup Please bring your own morning tea and a donation of $2 per child.

Crossroads Early Childhood Salvation Army Rudolf Steiner Seventh Day Adventist Church Playgroup with Hope

220 Church St 358 0669 cnr Church & Princess Sts 358 7455 187 Ruahine St 354 4514 257 Ferguson St 282 Cuba Street (opposite Briscoes) Contact: Heather 027 334 9981

Mon to Fri 9am to 12noon Thurs 9:30am to 11am Tues 9:30am - 12noon & Thu 2pm -3:30pm Wed 9:30 to 11:00am Tuesday 9.30-11.30am playgroup@hopevineyard.nz

FEILDING Feilding Playcentre Community Fielding Playcentre Doodlebugs SPACE Bright Sparks Preschool Programme

254A Kimbolton Rd 42 North St Knox Hall, North St 22 Bowen St Feilding Library

323 6100 323 1918 323 7240 323 7221 323 5373

Mon to Fri 9am to 1pm Mon to Fri 9am to 1pm Thurs 9am to 11:30am Contact for more details Wed 10:30am to 11:30am

12-32 Brentwood Ave

358 2255

Fri 8:30am to 12noon

339 Albert St Huia St extn

357 9411 357 0791

Wed 9:30am to 10:30am Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 9am - 12noon

HIGHBURY

Te Aroha Noa Community Services

HOKOWHITU

St Albans Church Park Road Playcentre

LINTON

Linton Playgroup

MILSON

Milson Playcentre

OPIKI

Opiki Playgroup

ROSLYN/KELVIN GROVE

Kelvin Grove Salvation Army Church on Vogel Plunket Roslyn Over 1’s Coffee Group

Linton Camp (Community Centre) 3519970

Mon & Wed 9am to 11:30am

1a Seaforth Ave

Mon, Wed & Fri 9am-12noon

356 9824

St Andrews Church, Main Road

Tues 10am to 12noon

99-103 Kaimanawa St 127 Vogel St 177 Vogel Street

Wed 9:30am to 11:30am Wed 9:30am to 12noon Wednesdays 9.30am to 11am

353 0917 357 7336 021-808-340

RONGOTEA

Te Kawau Playcentre Medway St 324 8246

SANSON

Sanson Playcentre

TERRACE END

St David‘s Presbyterian Church Terrace End Playcentre

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

2 Philipps St

329 3503

Tues and Fri 9am to 12noon

Cnr Main & Rainforth 77 Ruamahanga Cres

358 3246 0221400610

Tues 10:00am to 11:30am Wed, Thu, Fri 9.30am to 12.30 school term

SPECIALIST GROUPS

La Leche League 355 3104 Manawatu Multiple Birth Club Kingston St Church 357 9773 Parent 2 Parent Special Needs Matipo St 355 0787 ABCD early intervention group 9 Woburn Place 0800 693 724 - Down Syndrome French for Preschoolers 1st floor, 47 the Square 021 207 0114 Spanish Class – 2 yrs and up 355 8257 Plunket Bhutanese Playgroup 25 Franklin Ave 3574844 Book Bubs baby book club PN Library

34 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE

Contact for more details Every 2nd Wed,10am 1st and 3rd Tues each month, 1-3pm Once a month on Thurs 10am to 12noon Fri 3.30pm to 4.30pm Contact for further details Mon 12.30 – 2.30pm Thursday 10.30 – 11 am fortnightly.

ISSUE 302 . August | September 2021

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