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Tiny Talk
Positive birth experiences and informed par-enting in a community
Oct — Nov 2014|188
Visit us online
This issue
Baby Sleep Myths Busted
Outdoor Explorers
Christening - A
Celebration to cherish
Developmental milestones
Ideas for Dads
Tips for travelling with kids
Learning and Development
through play
What to pack in your
hospital bag
West Auckland Parents Centre
West Auckland Parents Centre 3
From the Editor Hello, you will of course have noticed this
issue is late again, apologies for that. If you
take a look on page 32, you’ll see how low we
are on volunteers in committee at the
moment and something has to give.
At the moment I’m busy concentrating on
running the centre and keeping our antenatal
classes full and of high quality and so have
had to put the newsletter on a slightly lower
priority for a while
If you’d like to come along and help us,
there’s never been better time than now, we
have a variety of roles we need to fill. Your
welcome to come along and check us out.
Email info@westaucklandparents.org.nz.
Again, I’m really short birth stories and round
the coffee cups interviews. If you’d like to tell
your story, or receive a $50 café voucher for
your coffee group, please get in touch. I’m
only too pleased to publish you.
Thanks,
Daniel
COPYRIGHT - As the articles, recipes, stories etc. in this newsletter have been contributed, we are unable to guarantee originality and therefore cannot be held liable. Copyright held by contributors remains with the contributing party.
Opinions and articles in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the policies of Parents Centres New Zealand Inc or West Auckland Parents Centre. Advertising in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by Parents Centres New Zealand Inc.
Special Features Baby Sleep Myths Busted 6
Outdoor Explorers 8
Christening - A Celebration to cherish 10
Developmental milestones 12
Ideas for Dads 15
Tips for travelling with kids 20
Learning and Development through play 24
What to pack in your hospital bag 26
Regular Features Birthdays 18
Welcome to our World 19
WAPC: Parent Education 23
Shopping for Baby 28
WAPC Member Discounts 30
Contact Us 32
Parent Support—Directory 33
Tiny Talk Contributions & Advertising 34
west Auckland Parents Centre is a not-for-
profit organisation entirely run by a team of
volunteers. We have a fantastic team who are
enthusiastic and committed to keeping our
Centre running, but we need a few more willing
hands to help out with a number of tasks. If
you have previously indicated you might be
interested in helping out on committee is now
the time?.
Some of the roles we currently need some help
with include parent education coordinator or
bookings (booking members into courses,
organizing hosts etc), social media co-ordinator
(maintaining our social media presence on
facebook and twitter) and a number of host
and general admin tasks.
Many of the roles can be done from home and
require as little as a few hours every month.
Just email info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
for more details
Some of the available positions
Newsletter Editor
Secretary
Events Coordinator
Parent Education Coordinator
Parent Education Bookings
Librarian
Membership Discount Coordinator
Marketing Coordinator
Antenatal Host
CPR/Choking Course Host
Moving & Munching Course Host
12 Months & Over Course Host
Baby Factory Liaison
Social Media Co-ordinator
VOLUNTEERS!
West Auckland Parents Centre 5
West Auckland Parents Centre relies upon the generous support of philanthropic organisa-
tions in the community. We take this opportunity to thank the organisations below for their
6 West Auckland Parents Centre
Sarah is stressed and anxious. She tells me, “I
can’t get my baby to wake up for her 7 am feed.”
I ask, “when did she last feed?”
It turns out that Sarah’s two week old baby was
fed at 5.30am and, being a newborn, she took
about an hour to feed and go back to sleep. This
meant that she had only been asleep for half an
hour when Sarah tried to wake her for her next
feed. It turned out that the source of Sarah’s
anxiety was a book on her coffee table: it advised
that whatever time her baby last fed she should
start her daily routine at 7am and now she was
anxious that the routine would be mixed up and
that she would then be setting her baby up for
bad sleep habits.
There is so much conflicting advice and ‘rules’
about infant sleep that undermine mothers’
natural intuition and common sense that I’d like
to bust a few common baby sleep myths:
You must start your day at 7am, whatever
time your baby last fed.
You have two choices here that make sense – you
can start your own day at 7am: Get up and have a
shower (you might even have time to wash your
hair) and eat breakfast or even prepare tonight’s
dinner or do a load of washing while your baby
sleeps. Or you can snuggle down under the
covers and catch some zzzs until your baby
wakes. It can
create
unnecessary
stress and be a
waste of time to
wake a sleeping
baby who was just fed an hour ago and probably
won’t feed well anyway, if he isn’t hungry.
Babies ‘should’ sleep in two hour stretches
during the day.
Babies, just like all of us, are individuals with
differing sleep requirements. These will change
according to developmental stages, illness, and
environment. As a parent, you know if your baby
has woken as he comes up into a light sleep cycle
but could do with some help to resettle, or
whether he will be happy to get up and play after
45 minutes or an hour of sleep. If you do try
resettling, give yourself a time limit, say, 10
minutes, then if your baby isn’t going to sleep,
get him up and play, go for a walk, talk to him
and have fun. It makes no sense to stand in a
darkened room all day trying to get your baby to
sleep, especially if you spend half an hour
resettling and your baby sleeps for an extra
fifteen minutes. As one mother of three said, “I
spent so much time trying to get my first baby to
sleep, I wished had spent it enjoying him.”
Sleeping in your arms, a sling, a pram or the
car is not ‘proper’ sleep.
Baby Sleep Myths Busted
West Auckland Parents Centre 7
Some ‘experts’ claim that any sleep that isn’t in a
cot is ‘junk sleep’ like ‘junk food’ and won’t
refresh your baby, especially his tiny brain. Sleep
is sleep. A child who is quite flexible about where
he sleeps is a lot easier than one who will only
ever sleep in a darkened room at home, in his
cot. While you may be able to get home for every
sleep with a first baby, it’s pretty unrealistic if you
have more than one child: if you have a school
pickup to manage, your baby will almost certainly
get used to sleeping ‘on the move’. Also, if your
baby sleeps in a pram, a sling or your arms, the
rocking motion while he is sleeping is helping
develop his vestibular apparatus, a series of
canals inside the inner ear that, as fluid moves
over them (with movement), send out messages
to the nervous system that helps with the
development of speech and language, balance
and sensory integration (making sense of all the
sensations of sound, movement, taste, smell and
visual stimuli).
You should never rock your baby to sleep
This method of calming and settling babies has
been around for generations, so there just might
be something in it, don’t you think? As
mentioned above, movement is helpful to your
baby’s development and, according to US
Psychologist Sharon Heller, author of ‘The Vital
Touch’ many babies may crave rocking if mothers
have sedentary pregnancies and their babies
have fewer opportunities for movement that
supports vestibular development before birth. As
your baby grows, you can ‘wean’ her from being
rocked to sleep by offering more movement
when she is awake and introduce gentle music as
a relaxation cue, then gradually rock less. Later,
you can simply reduce the volume of the music if
you like.
You must never breastfeed your baby to sleep
This causes so much stress because it is
completely normal for a relaxed baby to fall
asleep on the breast. Can you imagine being all
snuggled up to your partner, then being poked
and told, “move over to your own side of the
bed, we are creating ‘bad habits’ ?” In fact there
are amazing relaxation chemicals in breastmilk,
with different hormones and proteins in your
‘night time’ milk ( melatonin and neucleotides)
that have stronger sleep inducing effects. This
explains why your baby will probably go straight
back to sleep after a night feed. Therefore, it
makes no sense to wake a drowsy baby who is
naturally calm and relaxed. And, just in case you
are worried about ‘bad habits’, take heart: your
baby may love to snuggle up to a warm breast
when he’s eighteen – but it won’t be yours!
Pinky McKay is the author of ‘Sleeping Like a Baby–
simple sleep solutions for infants and toddlers’
http://www.pinkymckay.com
8 West Auckland Parents Centre
Find the Facebook event here -https://
www.facebook.com/events/668273956587699/
and make sure you like West Auckland Parents
Centre on Facebook to follow our updates.
Outdoor Explorers WAPC Playgroup
West Auckland Parents Centre 9
10 West Auckland Parents Centre
A christening is a special occasion, a day on which
family and friends gather together to commemorate
the arrival of a precious new life. Combine the
traditional with the unique to create a memorable
day for your guests.
The tradition
Christening, also known as baptism, literally means
"to bring to Christ". Regardless of your religious
background, this special day gives you and your loved
ones the opportunity to welcome your child into the
family, the community, and the world. Part of the
christening tradition is the formal blessing of the child
by a clergyman or celebrant, which also includes the
child's parents and godparents. This is reflected in
Mark 10:13-16, which describes that when children
were brought before Jesus, "He took the children in
His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them."
A christening serves as a public, formal
acknowledgement that the child is blessed by the
unconditional love of God. Many non-religious
parents choose to hold naming or dedication
ceremonies instead of christenings, which serve a
similar purpose in that they are a formal
acknowledgement of the child's birth and welcome
into the world.
The ceremony
A christening is essentially a service of blessing, which
echoes the scripture quoted above, and is about
recognising and celebrating that the child is receiving
God's unconditional love. This kind of service takes
place in a church and usually includes the sprinkling
of holy water over the child. This recalls the
experience of John the Baptist, who was christened
or baptised by Jesus by being immersed in water to
symbolically "wash away his sins". At this ceremony,
godparents are named and charged with a
responsibility for the spiritual life of the newly
christened child. The ceremony usually follows a
formally prescribed formula and is very rooted in
tradition.
Naming ceremonies can be similar to christenings,
but because they are not usually religious in nature,
this allows parents to have much more scope to
create a ceremony that reflects their personal beliefs
and wishes for their new baby. One lovely idea is to
have guests write their good wishes for the baby on
slips of paper and place them in a special container,
or in a special blank journal. Many people choose to
have a celebrant to retain the atmosphere of
formality. At these ceremonies, the child's name is
officially announced and family and friends welcome
the baby into their lives.
The gown
Christening gowns have traditionally been white in
colour, symbolising innocence, purity, and new life. It
Christening - A Celebration to cherish
West Auckland Parents Centre 11
has been said that for a girl, the christening gown is
the most important garment in her life besides her
wedding gown! Indeed, many mothers choose to
have her child's christening gown sewn from her own
wedding gown (or offcuts of fabric if she has been
forward-thinking enough to ask the dressmaker for
these!). Many christening gowns are family heirlooms
and have been worn for generations -- Christening
gowns may be as simple or as fancy as the parents
wish, but quality is the most important factor,
especially if you plan to use the gown for other
children. Boys don't necessarily have to wear a gown,
either - many companies make special christening
outfits for boys, which can be traditional sailor suits,
rompers, or even miniature white tuxedos. There are
also a gorgeous variety of accessories available:
Booties, bibs, bonnets, socks, and shawls also make
beautiful family heirlooms.
The flowers
Flowers are traditionally used to decorate the church
or other venue for the christening ceremony, and
also the reception area for the celebration afterward.
When choosing the flowers for your child's
christening, look to seasonal blooms and greens, as
they will be the most beautiful choices for the time of
year. Spring is the perfect time for a christening, and
spring flowers like those below have special meaning
for your baby's special day.
Baby's breath: Pure heart, constancy
Lily: Purity, majesty
Daisy: Innocence, youth, gentleness
Ivy: Friendship, dependence, fidelity
White rose: Purity, humility, reverence
Rosemary: Remembrance
Hyacinth: Constancy, sincerity
The gifts
Traditional christening gifts are long-lasting
reminders of the child's importance and
preciousness. Rather than choosing an ephemeral gift
like a new outfit or a toy, why not look back to
traditional gifts such as silver mugs or cutlery, a silver
rattle, picture frame, or keepsakes such as a guardian
angel figurine, coin minted in the child's birth year
(the New Zealand Mint has a beautiful selection of
these), cross necklace or bracelet, photo albums, or
even a special rosary.
The celebration
After the christening ceremony has finished, your
guests will want to relax a bit and enjoy a party! An
elegant morning tea is a lovely way to celebrate.
Choose a theme that complements your child's
special day, with soft colours and decorations that
represent the event, such as angels, crosses, hearts,
special flowers, and tea light candles. Another
important part of the celebration is the christening
cake, which is usually marked with the child's name
or initial, and can be every bit as sumptuous as a
wedding cake. Keep the menu simple and classic, and
consider hiring caterers to minimise your stress on
the day so you can enjoy time with your guests away
from the kitchen!
Source: Under 5’s
12 West Auckland Parents Centre
If you have any worries about your child’s
development, talk to your child’s Well Child nurse
or GP.
Newborn to 6 months
Development
Develop more control of their head
Push with their feet, and learn to roll
Begin to explore objects and things around
them
Play and learning
Try to reach and grasp objects around them
Put objects in their mouth
Explore their body
Connecting and communicating
Respond and interact with others
Recognise familiar people
Look at your face and try to copy your mouth
movements as you talk
Smile, coo, learn to babble and laugh
Learn trust through developing a loving
relationship with familiar caregivers
6 months to 1 year
Development
Become more mobile
Push with their feet, learn to roll, sit, move
around the floor, pull to stand and walk around
the furniture
Develop stronger head control
Begin to explore objects and things around
them
Play and learning
Grasp objects and toys
Put objects in their mouth
Begin to explore their body
Explore things around them
Connecting and communicating
Recognise familiar people
Babble, copy sounds and laugh, then start to
say their first words by around 1 year
Learn trust through developing loving
relationships with familiar caregivers
May start to become unsure of strangers,
refuse to go to family or friends
May become upset when parents leave them
1 to 2 years
Behaviour
Enjoy copying you
Try new things
Help you and be involved
Be impulsive and want their needs met
immediately
Have tantrums
Refuse to do what you want at times
Refuse to eat what you offer and may make
lots of mess with food
Be slow to do things and get annoyed
Developmental milestones While all babies are unique and may develop at a different rate, it is still
important to keep an eye on your baby’s developmental milestones. Below are
signs you can look out for depending on your baby’s age
West Auckland Parents Centre 13
Development
Become more independent and curious about
things
Want to do things for themselves
Play with a variety of toys and objects
Be ready to learn to use the toilet (from around
18 months to 4 years)
Play and learning
Explore and be active
Become more busy
Take first steps, progress to walking, running
and climbing
Be unaware of risks or dangers
Connecting and communicating
Show more interest in others
Develop language rapidly and be able to
express more
Start to join words together
Begin to say ‘that’s mine’, and not want to
share
May hit, shout, snatch and say ‘no’ to others
May experience frustration when they’re not
understood, which can cause them to have
tantrums, hit, bite or snatch
2 to 5 years
Behaviour
Enjoy copying you
May enjoy being helpful
Recognise and express different emotions
Be ready to learn to use the toilet (from around
18 months to 4 years)
Understand more difficult requests
Take time to get things done, because they are
learning
Use silly talk like ‘toilet talk’, ie, about poos or
body parts
Try to get reactions from others by how they
behave
Not do what you ask them at times
Development
Enjoy being active, and develop physical
abilities like running, jumping, climbing and
throwing
Develop skills like using scissors, drawing and
building – be aware that they may use these
skills in unexpected ways, for example, cutting
hair and drawing on walls
Play and learning
Enjoy playing pretend games and making
things happen
Understand the rules of simple games
Develop friendships with others
May struggle to join groups, be bossy or shy
May not want to share
Connecting and communicating
Develop language skills and start using
sentences
Ask lots of ‘why’ questions
May use ‘toilet’ words like ‘poos’ and ‘wees’
14 West Auckland Parents Centre
Do you want to learn basic breastfeeding skills and tips?
Available now are FREE Antenatal Breastfeeding classes taken by a Lactation Consult-ant at Waitakere Hospital. They are held fortnightly: on the first Tuesday of the month from 10am-12pm; and on the third Tuesday of the month from 7pm-9pm.
This class is designed for women in the late stages of pregnancy, especially 28 weeks and over. Partners/support people are also welcome. The class is a great opportunity for women to learn more about breastfeeding (or a refresher for second-time mums) just before the baby arrives.
Classes are held in the Childbirth Education Area—Nikau Room at Waitakere Hospital. Bookings are recommended, but not essential. Call Adith on 838-9362, or Barbara on 838-1566.
Antenatal Breastfeeding Classes
West Auckland Parents Centre
Benefits of membership
Your annual membership subscription helps
to enable West Auckland Parents Centre to
advocate for West Auckland families from
pregnancy to school. In return your
membership gives you :
12 month subscription (6 issues) to Kiwi
Parent magazine, full of helpful articles,
useful product information and great
inspiration for Kiwi parents.
12 month subscription (6 issues) to our Tiny
Talk magazine for local centre news, local
events, upcoming parenting courses, and
topical articles.
Discounted prices for West Auckland
Parents Centre parenting courses.
Discounted prices on a range of quality
baby products.
Discounted hireage.
Invitations to exclusive member only
shopping days at selected major retails,
such as The Baby Factory 20% discount day
and Toy Factory pre Christmas sale.
Special member only discounts from WAPC
Member Discount Scheme.
Special discounted membership rate for
active committee members.
Free pregnancy, childbirth and parenting
book library.
Coffee groups, support and social events.
One major purchase at The Baby Factory
Member Discount Day would cover the cost of
your annual membership.
One year membership $65
One year committee membership $20
West Auckland Parents Centre 15
Here’s a great rainy day activity that doesn’t cost
a lot and will get both you and your children
thinking. It may take a bit of preparation on a
sunny day but it will keep your children
entertained for hours. My kids and I call this one
‘Cardboard City’.
All you need is a pencil, a permanent marker,
coloured felt tip pens, a ruler, a craft or stanley
knife and a fridge box. Most appliance stores are
happy to give you big fridge boxes - but
remember to ask
permission
before you start
rifling through
the recycle bin.
Also, it’s a good
idea to get your
fridge box on a
sunny day, often
times the recycle
bins are
uncovered and
on a rainy day, soggy boxes will disintegrate in
the car boot before you get them home.
You’re basically making a cardboard mat, so at
home, using the craft knife, carefully cut through
one corner of the box, so you’re able to flatten it
out on floor. Once you’ve got your cardboard flat
and you’ve put your craft knife somewhere safe,
it’s time to start planning your city. I typically
measure out roads using a two match box cars
side-by-side for the width of the roads. I create
blocks of empty sections and draw streets
dividing the sections. You may be thinking; “Big
whoop, I can buy a play mat with roads printed
on it” but, while those types of mats are great,
they don’t encourage the sort of interaction and
discussion you’ll have with your children.
Drawing your own city on this blank canvas will
provoke the ultimate question: What does our
town need? Don’t be surprised if the first ideas
are along the
lines of toy
store, lolly
shop,
amusement
park. To us,
these might
not be the
most
important
features of a
city but
they’re fantastic and valid suggestions. Decide
which suggestions are going into which section
and label them in pencil. Once you’ve got the
initial suggestions drawn in, get your children
thinking about their world around them. What
does the real life city you live in need to exist?
Houses, police station, dentists etc. Get them
thinking about the places they go in their lives -
they might like visiting the library. Get them to
decide where the library goes. You’ll be amazed
Ideas for Dads—Cardboard City
16 West Auckland Parents Centre
at what they know about the world around them.
This awareness and what makes a town, and a
community is a fantastic thing to encourage in
your children.
Once the roads have been drawn in, the empty
sections have been designated and labelled, get
them to draw the details of their own house or
the aquarium they work at. What colour is the
roof? How many car parks do they need? Having
this sort of say and control over their own little
world is a dream come true.
Your cardboard city is a work in progress, try not
to fill in all the sections straight away, you’ll find
you and your children think of other ideas well
after you’ve folded the city up and put it away in
the cupboard. If you do finish your town and
think of more ideas, all it takes is another piece of
flatten cardboard and you’re away laughing.
My boys love our cardboard city and get a lot of
play out of it on rainy days. In our cardboard city
my house has a six car garage and is only five
minutes walk to my job at the Chocolate Fish
Factory. Have fun!
Abraham Lawson
http://www.ideasfordads.com/
17 West Auckland Parents Centre
18 West Auckland Parents Centre
Birthdays! Celebrating 2 Years Joshua Williamson
Celebrating 1 Year
India-Rose Chambers Boston Christie Monty Hanson Peter Russell
Birthdays
West Auckland Parents Centre 19
Welcome to Our World Class: Mon 19 May to 23 June
Gabby & Ben 28th June Matilda
Yolande & Scott 16th July Zara
Rebecca & Daniel 18th July Noah
Yasmin & Steven 28th July Griffen
Katie & Marcel 29th July Mollie
Taleisha & Jason 30th July Esther
Sangita & Bhavesh 4th Aug Jivaan
Hire it from us!
TENS Machine
Helps to lessen contraction pain by stimulating certain nerves and muscles.
Hire cost: $55, plus $55 bond
Collect 2 weeks before EDD and return as soon as possible once baby has arrived.
Class: Mon 19 July to 2 Aug
Jayde & Fred 30th Aug Elijah
Kelly & Matt 22nd Sept Robert
Samantha & Adam 28th Sept Hunter
Jennifer & Sam 28th Sept Gilbert
Emma & Alan 17th Oct Chloe
Lis & Andrew 4th Aug Emma
Rochelle & James 7th Aug Haven
Traci & Adam 3rd Sept Autumn
Kristyn & Carl 15th Sept Liam
Ashwina & Dharmesh 20th Sept Diyan
Katie and Wairau 21st Sept Indie
Claire and Greg 1st Oct Freddie
Class: Mon 19 May to 23 June
20 West Auckland Parents Centre
Tips for travelling with kids
Tania North is the Child Birth Educator for
Manukau Parents Centre
Planning your holiday….
Ensure your passports are valid at least six
months from the day you plan on returning from
your holiday. Kids (including babies) have their
own passports. New Zealand Passports are valid
for five years. If you need one, it takes
approximately two weeks to get them processed
and back to you.
If you’re travelling in School Holidays - book
WELL in advance. Specials don't normally apply
for School Holidays so you do pay more as well
as things book up very, very quickly. The later
you book the more you generally pay.
Great family holiday destinations for kids are the
Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Fiji, Rarotonga and
Samoa. If you go to the Islands (Fiji, Rarotonga or
Samoa) get a resort that has a Kids Club and
Babysitting available so you can have some down
time as well. They have some really cool stuff for
kids at some of the Island Resorts.
Booking your seats…
Depending on the size of your baby you can
request a bassinet seat on the plane (long-haul
flights only). These are normally assigned to the
smallest / youngest babies first. They do have a
weight limit on the bassinets.
If your toddler is under 2 years of age, you pay
10% of the adult fare for International flights and
West Auckland Parents Centre 21
they will sit on your lap. From 2 - 11 years of age
children pay 75% of the adult fare and get their
own seat. If it is a long flight and you don't want
your under 2 year old sitting on your lap the
whole time then you can pay the 75% of the
adult fare and they can have their own seat. 12
years and older pay full adult fare.
If you are not requesting the bassinet seats - ask
to sit down the back, if possible. That way the
kids can get up and walk around down the back -
and also you are closer to the toilets - for
changing baby and kids that always need to go
to the toilets.
Also request window seats - looking out the
windows can keep toddlers entertained for a
while.
Check in….
Most airlines (check with the one you’re flying
with) will take car seats as additional luggage. So
you can check these in with your bags.
Take an umbrella stroller with you and advise
check in staff that you will take it through to the
gate; that way babies / toddlers don't have to
walk all the way through customs to the gate.
Once at the gate the airline staff will take the
stroller and put it on board. (You will get it again
at the luggage carousel area when you get to
your destination).
The other option instead of a stroller is to take a
front or back pack. These are fantastic for
hanging around airports and having your hands
free as well.
22 West Auckland Parents Centre
If you book through an agent you will normally
get Departure cards (pink cards). If not, ask for
some. Fill these in before heading to the airport
to save time (and stress!) having to do it there
with kids running around the place.
Food & Drinks....
Internationally - you can't take any liquids that
won't fit into a glad wrap sandwich bag. So if you
are using formula you will need to take sachets
and then get the water for bottles from a cafe
after the security check or once you are on the
plane. You can't take them through the security
check made up). Same goes with drinks for kids.
Domestically, taking drinks or bottles on the
plane is fine.
Internationally they do have kids’ meals on
board. Each airline is different so check with your
chosen airline on what they normally offer for
babies’ meals and children’s meals. Normally it is
a nuggets and chips type of meal. If you want a
meal for your child you need to either advise
your Travel Agent to request a child’s meal (or
baby meal) - or request it if you book online.
You can take your own food for babies / children
- but anything not eaten will need to be thrown
out or declared at the country of destination. (All
foods you take into another country must be
declared).
What to bring in your carry-on luggage….
Often babies and young children get sore ears
during take-off and landing due to changes in
altitude and air pressure. If possible, have your
baby or toddler sucking on something – e.g. a
bottle, dummy, or breast-feeding can help
equalise the pressure in the ears. Packing some
lollipops is a good idea for toddlers and older
kids for this reason.
Bring lots of snack foods - lots of water to keep
them hydrated, especially on long-haul flights.
(Again, remember to throw these out or declare
them on arrival.)
Bring a bag of toys and books... Pull a couple out
at a time - not all at once so you can rotate them
around and keep the kids interested. A lot of
airlines give kiddies little Kid Packs when they get
on-board.
Flying on airlines that have TVs in the backs of
the seats is great as the kids can watch movies
etc. If you are not on one of these airlines, take
your own little handheld DVD player (with
earphones) or something to play movies and
keep them occupied for a while.
Make sure you have a change of clothes for them
- especially a jacket/ socks / slippers as the air-
conditioning on planes can get quite chilly.
Try to keep them in their routine of sleeping
when they normally do. This is easier said than
done - but does help with time changes when
you get to your destination.
West Auckland Parents Centre 23
Moving, Munching
&
Motoring
This is a two-part daytime course for parents of 4-7 month old babies.
The first session covers starting solids, crawling to walking, developmental toys, and safety. Participants receive a free copy of the fabulous recipe book Baby Food and Beyond by Alison and Simon Holst.
The second session covers Top 10 car seat mistakes and what you can do to avoid making them in your car, how to choose a car seat to best suit your family and ensure it is correctly fitted in all situations. You will also see some of the latest research into keeping kids safe in cars, including why it is best to keep your child rear facing as long as their car seat will allow.
Sessions are 2 hours on two consecutive Fridays, 10am—12am at Kelston Community Centre, Activity Room 1.
Our next course commences: Returning in 2015. Please contact us.
Members: $40, support person free
Non members: $50, support person $15
NOTE: If you wish to book into JUST the motoring session, this costs $20 for members, $25 for non-members, and $40 for non-members bringing a partner.
Parent Education
Baby
& You
This is a 4-part daytime course covering essentials for parents in the ‘4th trimester’ (newborn to 4 months). Sessions include sleeping & settling, life changes, baby massage, and child development. It’s designed to help you understand and cope with your role as a new parent, or to refresh your skills if you’re doing it for another time around.
Each week we have a different expert speaker to pass on knowledge and ideas, and take your questions.
The course runs for four weeks and each session is 2 hours from 10am– 12pm,
at Kelston Community Centre, Committee Room.
Our next course commences: Returning in 2015. Please contact us.
Members: $50, support person free
CPR &
Choking
Parenting Courses
Know what to do in an emergency! This Saturday morning course is designed to give you hands on experience in CPR and choking skills. An essential class for all parents and caregivers of children under five, led by a qualified, experienced paramedic.
The course runs from 10am—12pm on a Saturday morning at Kelston Community Centre, Main Hall.
Our next course commences: 13 December. Please contact us.
Members: $20, support person $10
Non members: $30, support person $15
CPR &
Choking
24 West Auckland Parents Centre
Choosing toys
Choose toys that are suited to your baby or
child’s personality, age and stage of
development. Toys can develop skills, encourage
imagination, and help them learn about sound,
touch and how things work.
Activities for your baby
Babies don’t understand danger, so they need
you to keep them safe – by moving things out of
reach, or protecting them with guards, safety
catches and plugs.
From birth to 4 months your baby may enjoy:
being held and talked to, and listening while
you talk, sing, read or repeat nursery rhymes
being shown things like books and pictures –
or themselves in the mirror
grasping your hair and face
playing peek-a-boo games or watching you
hide a toy and then finding it themselves
playing with plastic containers, blocks, plastic
cups, pots and pans
you placing bright things nearby (to encourage
baby to move toward them)
you rolling balls and toys back and forth (to
encourage their eye movement)
going with you on walks and meeting people
feeling different textures and watching light
and water
crawling on the grass or lying under a tree
dancing in your arms as you gently spin.
At 4–6 months your baby may enjoy playing
with toys that:
they can reach, grasp and chew on (they learn
about size, shape, taste and texture by putting
things in their mouth)
make noises, such as rattles and squeaky toys
hang and move above them.
At 8–12 months your baby may enjoy playing
with toys that they can:
bang together
put inside one another, like blocks that stack in
and out of plastic containers, or pots and pans
move or pull along
chase after, like a rolling ball
watch, such as bubbles.
Activities for your toddler
Indoors activities
Your toddler might like to:
Learning and Development
through play Babies and children learn and develop by playing, so it’s important to
give them plenty of play time. You can use things around the house to
play with, or choose toys suited to your baby or child’s personality.
West Auckland Parents Centre 25
swing, spin, and rock gently (to help develop
their sense of balance, and their eyes)
have you roll on the floor with them
build towers with boxes or blocks, then knock
them down
push and pull or stack toys (to develop balance
and building skills)
bang kitchen things like pots and pans with
wooden or plastic spoons
play in large cardboard boxes
play with bubbles when they’re in the bath
have things they can put inside one another,
such as blocks or coloured pegs inside an ice-
cream container
make things with play dough
paint and draw
dress up (to develop imagination and
interaction)
listen to music, sing, dance and play with
musical instruments.
Outdoors activities
Your toddler might like to:
roll down a small hill
spin slowly on merry-go-rounds or swing on
swings
learn to throw and kick balls
walk along low walls, with you holding their
hand or supporting them
climb in safe places
go for walks and stop to pick up things like
twigs or leaves (to help their movement and
balance)
walk barefoot on surfaces like sand, grass, dirt,
and mud
splash and jump in puddles
go for a drive, find a park and throw bread to
birds and ducks
chase bubbles
play with a bucket and spade.
Activities for your child
Your preschooler may enjoy:
drawing, painting and cutting with child-safe
scissors
making pictures with glue and cut-up pictures,
cards, magazines, leaves or material
talking about their pictures
playing with play dough
looking at books and having stories read to
them. They’ll often have favourite stories they
like to be read over and over again
choosing their own books
telling made-up stories at bedtime
singing and dancing to music (to develop
words, memory skills and hand–eye
coordination through action and the beat)
playing make-believe games and dressing up.
Children often dress up in the opposite sex’s
clothes – this is normal behavior
playing with you
copying and helping you around the house
with simple household jobs, like setting the
table or putting away clothes
watching you prepare meals and helping with
things like adding ingredients and mixing.
When you cook be careful to keep your child
well away from the hot stove and hot tap.
26 West Auckland Parents Centre
Make sure you don't forget anything! You're in
the final stretch, with only a few weeks to go
before your due date. Now's the time to gather
together all the essentials you'll need during
labour and birth and for after your baby is born.
Even if you're not planning a hospital birth, you
may need to go in unexpectedly, so it's a good
idea to have a bag packed by the time you are
about 36 weeks pregnant. If you know you will be
having a caesarean section, take a look at our
checklist for your caesarean birth hospital bag.
Hospitals vary in their policies about what you
are allowed to bring with you when you have
your baby. You may want to take a few items
from home, such as your own pillows, to make
the environment more personal and less clinical.
Check what the hospital provides and what you
can bring yourself, but be aware that hospitals
can be short on space. You may need to store
everything in a small cabinet by your bed once
you're on the postnatal ward. Many hospitals also
have policies on valuables such as cameras and
mobile phones. If you wanted, you could pack
two bags: one for labour and the hours
immediately after your baby is born, and another
for a stay on the postnatal ward. If you're driving
to hospital, you could leave the second bag in
the car. If you have a straightforward birth, you
may be discharged from hospital on the same
day, so you might not need the second bag at all.
See our list for what you'll need to take for your
big day.
What to pack for labour—CHECKLIST
What to pack in your bag
Print your handy checklist
Your birth plan and maternity notes.
Dressing gown. This will be useful if you end up
pacing hospital corridors in early labour and
you'll need one on the postnatal ward. Hospitals
can be very warm, so a lightweight one may be
better.
Slippers/Socks. Believe it or not, your feet can
get cold during labour.
An old nightdress or a T shirt to wear in labour.
It will probably get a bit messy, so don't buy
anything special to wear during labour.
Massage oil or lotion if you would like to be
massaged during your labour.
Lip balm.
Snacks and drinks for you while you are in
labour. Isotonic sports drinks or apple juice that
can be diluted are good for
Things to help you relax or pass the time, such
as books, magazines, games and so on.
A hairband. If you have long hair, you might
want it tied up.
Pillows. The hospital might not have enough to
make you really comfortable.
TENS pain relief machine, if you are planning to
use one.
Heat packs. Many hospitals have a limited
amount of heat packs but are happy for you to
bring your own. Check there is a microwave
available where your birth partner will be able to
heat them.
Toiletries
Music to listen to. Take a battery-operated
machine, as some hospitals won't let you plug
What to pack in your hospital bag
West Auckland Parents Centre 27
Baby
& You
things in. Some hospitals provide their own CD
players or radios - again, check first. There may
be a limited amount available and you may not
get one on the day.
For the birth partner
Water spray, or a hand-held fan to keep cool
down the mum-to-be while she's in labour.
Comfortable shoes. You may be pacing the
corridors!
A change of clothes.
Watch with a second hand, to time contractions.
Swimwear, if you want to join the mum-to-be in
a birth pool.
Digital camera or video camera. If you want to
bring a video camera, check with the hospital
beforehand, because not all of them allow them
in delivery rooms.
Address book or a list of phone numbers. You
and your partner will be able to use a mobile
phone in parts of the hospital, but bring lots of
change or a prepaid phone card just in case, for
all the calls you may want to make.
Snacks and drinks. You don't want a dehydrated,
hungry birth partner looking after you and if you
take some with you, they can stay with you rather
than leaving the room to search for food!
For after the birth
A going-home outfit. You'll need loose
comfortable clothes to wear while you're in
hospital and for the journey home. It will take a
while for your tummy to go down, so you'll be
still wearing maternity clothes when you come
home - sorry!
Nursing bras. Take two or three.
Breast pads
Maternity pads. Bring a couple of packs.
Nightshirt or T-shirt. Front-opening shirts or
pyjamas are useful in the early days of
breastfeeding.
Toiletries
Towels, hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste.
Old or cheap knickers, or disposable knickers.
Don't bring your best ones as they will get messy.
Arnica tablets to help with bruising after the
birth. Although there's no conclusive evidence
that they work (NHS 2007), many women report
that taking arnica helps reduce bruising and
helps the healing process.
Ear plugs, in case you end up on a noisy ward!
For your baby
An infant car seat. You won't be able to leave the
hospital by car without one and you may be able
to get the fitting checked if you are at a large
hospital.
One outfit for the trip home (all-in-one stretchy
outfits are easiest).
Two or three sleep suits and vests for baby to
wear while you are in hospital.
Baby blanket. Take a warm one if the weather is
cold.
Nappies, wipes and bags for soiled nappies
One pair of socks or bootie and hat
Jacket or woollen cardigan. When you leave the
hospital it may be the first time your baby is
exposed to the breeze and cold air.
Muslin squares
Once you've got your hospital bag organised,
remind yourself of the first signs of labour so you
know when it's the real thing!
28 West Auckland Parents Centre
with West Auckland Parents Centre
Chosen by parents like you, we have some fantastic products with some great savings, and ultimately you gain again as all profits go back into our centre to serve your community. Here is just a short selection from our online shop, sure to suit any budget. Order online www.westaucklandparents.org.nz/store
Eardrops Journey CD, Sounds of City/Country/
Home $15
Little Snuggles Muslim Wrap Set
$20
People Puppies Taggie Blanket
$16
Strawberry Jam Merino Wrap
$45
Amber Teething Beads $36
NZ Pregnancy Book $40 (Save $15!)
Shopping for Baby and You
West Auckland Parents Centre 29
For more baby products discounted for WAPC members, see www.westaucklandparents.org.nz
Kimberly Collection Woollen Blanket
$66
Bellaroo Cotton Sling
$60 Womama Birthing Wrap
$99
30 West Auckland Parents Centre
SCAMPS BOUTIQUE - Scamps Boutique, eco products for mum, baby and child. Members who visit us online at www.scamps.co.nz will receive 10% off orders by using the code WAPC. 5% of all orders using the WAPC code will go to the West Auckland Parents Centre.
SPORTS4TOTS - Our fun, structured programmes provide preschoolers with a grounding for an active future in sport. Give us a call on 974-3644, let us know that you are a WAPC member and you will receive a 10% discount.
www.sports4tots.co.nz
GRASSHOPPER KNEES Learning Leaps is a programme with books, toys and fun and easy tips, games and activities to grow kids’ intelligence over all areas so they get the balance they need to fully reach their potential and do well in school. WAPC members who shop online at www.grasshopperknees.co.nz and enter the code parent1 will receive a 10% discount.
TOYWORLD HENDERSON AND WESTGATE
Toyworld is New Zealand’s largest retail chain of specialist toy stores with the biggest range of toys, games, puzzles, and indoor & outdoor activities available in New Zealand. Henderson Megastore and Westgate store offer WAPC members 10% off all full priced products (some conditions apply).
HARVEY NORMAN HENDERSON Electrical Department - Come visit us at Harvey Norman Henderson and upon showing your WAPC member card to one of our friendly sales team you will receive a 10% discount in our electrical department on not
already discounted products (some conditions and exclusions may apply).
FIT FIT FIT provide group exercise programmes for new mums and mums-to-be using the most up to date research available. WAPC Members will receive a 10% discount on Fit Bumps and Fit Mums classes. Call us on 360-0620 or check us out online at www.fitfitfit.co.nz
KID ACTIVE HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES - With over 100 courses to choose from, Kidactive offers a huge range of fun hands on experiences for children aged 4 and older. Give us a call on 974 5135, let us know that you are a WAPC member and you will receive a 10% discount. www.kidactive.co.nz
BABY ON THE MOVE - The Baby On The Move team are specialists in the rental and sales of all baby products and services. Come in store for some great savings, including 10% off all hires with a WAPC card.
BREASTMATES - Breastmates is all about motherhood. With maternity wear, breastfeeding clothes & accessories, body care & baby gear, members get free postage using the discount code: WESTPC at checkout. See www.breastmates.co.nz
FLOOR CARE SOLUTIONS is a family run business aiming to bring high quality floor care products to parents of young children at affordable prices. We sell Bissell floor care products, these include: vacuum cleaners; carpet and upholstery cleaners and steam cleaners. We have a try before you buy policy, so if you would like to know how the product performs in your home, then contact us and we can deliver a demonstration unit for you to try, with no obligation. The Auckland Sales Manager is a mother of a 1 year old, so understands the cleaning needs of young parents. To see our range of products go to www.bissell.co.nz. Floor Care solutions will offer 25 – 40% off the RRP to Parent Group card holders. For more information please email nomessnz@gmail.com or call me directly on 0212382535.
WAPC Member Discounts
Discounts & Benefits
Your Fast Shop
EASY SHOPPING—EASY FUND-
RAISING
Step 1: Go to
www.yourfastshop.co.nz
Select: West Auckland Parents Cen-
tre
Start: Browsing your favourite stores.
That’s it!
No parking, no petrol costs, no aching
feet!
Great deals at great stores, including
Apple, Ezibuy fashion, Mighty Ape
Toys, and FREE DVD rental at Fatso.
Save $70 on printer ink and other items
at Snatch A Deal
Do you have a hidden talent you would like to share?
Become a volunteer with
West Auckland Parents Centre!
Check out our current opportunities in
West Auckland Parents Centre
Committee Meeting
Interested in volunteering? You can attend a committee meeting to see if it’s for you.
Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month.
Please email president@westaucklandparents.org.nz if you would like to attend.
West Auckland
La Leche League West Auckland La Leche League
welcomes mothers and pregnant women to their monthly meetings for
encouragement, support and discussion on a wide range of breastfeeding, mothering and
parenting issues.
No booking required
Kelston Community Centre,
Activity Room 2
Cnr Awaroa & Great North Rd, Kelston
2nd Tuesday of every month, 9.45am
Coffee morning 4th Tuesday
of every month, please call
for details
For further information or
breastfeeding help, please contact
an accredited Leader:
Slingbabies Find out how to wear your baby.
First Friday of every month, 10am to 12pm
Sturges West Community House,
58 Summerland Dr, Henderson
ww.slingbabies.co.nz
Did you give birth at Waitakere
Hospital ?
Waitakere Maternity Unit values
feedback about the service they
offer to the women and families
in our community.
Sue Fitzgerald, Community Manager, and Helen Ngatai, Facility Manager, would be very open to any invitations to visit groups of women who have birthed at Waitakere Hospital and who would like to give feedback on their experiences.
Email Sue sue.fitzgerald@waitematadhb.govt.nz
32 West Auckland Parents Centre
West Auckland Parents Centre
Ph. 837 8481 (answerphone) PO Box 83-192, Edmonton, Auckland 0652
www.westaucklandparents.org.nz
Committee Contacts President president@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Vice President Daniel Mapletoft vicepresident@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Secretary info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Co-Treasurers Catherine Matson
Megan Barnwell treasurer@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Membership Coordinator Catherine Matson membership@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Parent Education Coordinator info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Parent Education Bookings Daniel Mapletoft parented@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Products Coordinator Jose Edmonds products@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Newsletter Editor newsletter@westaucklandparents.org.nz
E-News Editor Muirie Cook update@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Newsletter Advertising Muirie Cook advertising@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Grants & Fundraising Coordinator Catherine Matson fundraising@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Librarian librarian@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Membership Discount Coordinator info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Website Coordinator Jessica Vroegop webmaster@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Marketing Coordinator info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Events Coordinator Lydia Dunn info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Venue Coordinator Jose Edmonds info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Volunteer Admin Coordinator Jess Maher info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Childbirth Education Convenor Carolyn Neilson info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Childbirth Education Bookings Daniel Mapletoft antenatal@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Baby & You Course Host parented@westaucklandparents.org.nz
CPR/Choking Course Host parented@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Moving & Munching Course Host parented@westaucklandparents.org.nz
12 Months & Over Course Host parented@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Baby Factory Liaison info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Advocacy & Lobbying info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
Social Media Co-ordinator info@westaucklandparents.org.nz
West Auckland Parents Centre 33
Support Services Healthline (24 hours)
0800 611 166
www.healthline.co.nz
La Leche League (Breastfeeding)
Adith 834 1234 or
Kristi 824 7019
Rebecca 412 8369
Kiri 32 9082
www.lalecheleague.org.nz
National Poisons Centre
0800 POISON (0800 764 744)
www.poison.co.nz
Miscarriage Support Auckland
378 4060
www.miscarriagesupport.org.nz
Parent to Parent Special Needs Children Support
0508 236 236
www.parent2parent.org.nz
Plunket 838 0981
Plunket Car Seat (Waitemata)
837 1871
6E Enterprise Drive, Henderson
Plunket Family Centre
836 5730
Woodford Avenue, Henderson
Womens Refuge 8361987
www.womensrefuge.org.nz
Trauma & Birth Stress Support Group
575 7404 www.tabs.org.nz
Post Natal Distress
846 6967
www.postnataldistress.org.nz
Work & Income (WINZ)
0800 559 009
www.workandincome.govt.nz
Working for Families
0800 257 477
www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz
Waitakere Hospital Breastfeeding Classes
Adith 838 9362 or
Barbara 838 1566
Parent Aid 836 4122
Playcentres 8278649
Citizens Advice Bureau
Glen Eden 818 8634
Henderson 836 4118
Massey 833 5775 New Lynn 827 4731
Asthma New Zealand
630 2293
www.asthma-nz.org.nz
Immunisation Advisory Centre
377 7966
www.immune.org.nz
Allergy New Zealand
0800 34 0800 www.allergy.org.nz
Childcare Advisory
www.childcareadvisor.co.nz
Dial-a-Mum West Auckland Parents Centre have a
wonderful team of people who are a good
source of information for many common
and not so common pregnancy and
parenting. This is a free and confidential
service. Our support people have
information on organisations that can help
if we are unable to.
Breastfeeding— Nicole Snook 837 2501
Bottle Feeding—Nicola Mapletoft 832 5353
Post Natal Distress—Eileen Joy 818 8845
Miscarriage—Nicola Mapletoft 823 5353
Caesarean—Nicole Snook 837 2501
Homebirth—Eileen Joy 818 8845
Premature Birth—Amanda Galt 820 8085
Same Sex Parenting—Kristal O’Neill 832 8456
If you have any other queries or need advice or help with any other issue please leave your details on our answerphone 837 8481, for one of our committee members to contact you.
Parent Support
34 West Auckland Parents Centre
Advertising & Newsletter Contributions West Auckland Parents Centre is an entirely voluntary organisation run by parents, for parents. Our advertisers help us to produce this newsletter to over 150 families with children up to five years old in West Auckland, as well as midwives, and other organisations that support young families.
Ad type Single issue Pre-pay 3 issues Prepay 6 issues
Full page $75 $70 ($210) $65 ($390)
Half page $45 $40 ($120) $35 ($210)
Quarter page $35 $30 ($90) $25 ($150)
Inside cover $80 $75 ($225) $70 ($420)
Back of magazine $85 $80 ($240) $75 ($450)
Prices quoted are per issue and include GST.
Brochure Insert: We can include your flyer or brochure in our newsletter and Kiwi Parent Magazine mail-out for a cost of $100. Material must be forwarded to the Distribution Centre by the deadline.
E-News: Our e-News goes out to over 300 members each month. We can include your advertisement in our e-News for $35 per issue.
Newsletter Contributions: We would love to hear from you with any contributions or requests for articles. Send your material or requests by email to: newsletter@westaucklandparents.org.nz. Should you wish to contribute to our Dec/Jan 2014 issue, the deadline for copy is 1st Nov 2014.
For more information please contact our Newsletter
or Newsletter Advertising volunteers, see page 36
for details.
Postnatal Distress Support Group Meeting
Every Monday 10am-12noon.
Please call PND Support Network for more information and support or to see if this
group is right for you. For more info
call 836 6967 or go to www.postnataldistress.org.nz
Cloth Nappy Workshops
Te Atatu
Thursday 26th March, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Te Atatu Community Centre - Activity Room
247 Edmonton Road
Te Atatu South
For more info, costs and bookings visit:
http://www.thenappylady.co.nz/workshops-auckland.html