INFO FOR NEW MUMS We'd like to help new mums feel more confident and relaxed when they have a new baby, so we've put together some information and links to organisations that can help....no matter where you live. We think issues such as breast feeding, post natal depression, SIDS and even toilet training are issues we all come across as a new mum. Be if for yourself or perhaps for someone close to you, check out the organisations we've included below. If you're unsure about contacting them yourself, sometimes their website can answer some or all of your questions. If you know of an organisation that has perhaps helped you, or that other new mums should know about, please contact us and we'd be glad to include them on our list.
Breast Feeding | Post Natal Depression | Toilet Training | Twins | SIDS
BREAST FEEDING For a new mum, especially a first time mum, breast feeding can be daunting. For some people breast feeding is easy, but for the rest of us, it can be really hard work. Certainly for a first timer, it seems everyone has a different method. different advice...and sometimes criticism. There are so many questions... how do I sit to feed my baby? How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk or enough nutrients? What do I do if my baby goes to sleep while feeding? What can I do for cracked nipples? How can I manage breastfeeding and working? There are so many people you can turn to for help in relation to feeding your new baby - your doctor, your local health nurse, friends or family as well as organisations who specialise in the art of breastfeeding. The best advice we ever received and would love to pass on, is trust your instincts. Proceed with whatever method is works for you and your baby , and if necessary, try something else. Remember every baby is different. Depending on your situation, or your location, The Australian Breastfeeding Association is another fantastic source of information and support. We have outlined their services below.  The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is an organisation that provides support to breastfeeding women. The organisation includes breastfeeding women and their partners together with health professionals including midwives, lactation consultants and medical practitioners.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is supported by the health authorities and also offers information on a range of topics beyond breast feeding weaning, sleeping, returning to the workforce and infant and child health & nutrition. The Association website alone may be able to answer a range of questions for you, or you can contact the Association for one-on-one information and advice. Visit http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/ for contact details and further information.
POST NATAL DEPRESSIONAnyone can develop Post Natal Depression and often people suffering may not realise it themselves. It's important to remember that post and antenatal mood disorders are out of anyone's control, but there is alot of help available for those affected along with their partners or family members. If you feel you need help or you know someone who needs help, your doctor or local health nurse are usually a great place to start. Depending on your situation or your location, PANDA and Beyond Blue are two organisations that offer information and support. We have briefly outlined their services below. 
PANDA is a non-for-profit, self-help organisation based in Victoria. Since 1985 PANDA has been providing a variety of services including support and confidential information to anyone affected by post and antenatal mood disorders. In addition, support and information is also available for partners and extended family members of those affected. PANDA's knowledge that women do recover from post and antenatal mood disorders ensures their services are designed to provide appropriate help as early as possible. PANDA provides a wide range of services including: - Telephone information and support which is provided by qualified staff and trained volunteers
- Resources and information on conditions such as antenatal and postnatal depression and postpartum psychosis
- Information and referral details to help you find support and services in your area
Visit http://www.panda.org.au/ for contact details and further information.  Beyond Blue is a not-for-profit, independent, national organisation that provides information and treatment options to people living with depression, postnatal depression and related disorders. Beyond Blue is an independent organisation that works a range of industries including health services, workplaces and community organisations to be able to provide expert advice and recommendations to those living with depression. To find out how to help someone, visit http://www.beyondblue.org.au/
TOILET TRAININGAll new mums at some stage will ask someone "where do I start with toilet training". There are so many questions and so many ways to toilet train your little angles! As mums ourselves, we can definitely say that no matter which method you choose or whether you're training a baby or a toddler, toilet training will happen in "their" time....not yours. Be patient... suddenly the penny will drop and all you're hard work will have been worth every second! Your parents, family and friends are a great place to start for advice. But should you need more help, two mums in Brisbane have had wonderful success all over the country with their methods and advice. We have briefly outlined their services below. 
Pottytraining.com.au is a family-owned business that aims to make toilet training as simple and stress-free as possible by providing high quality information and products for parents to use for the toilet training process. Pottytraining.com.au cover all age groups, from babies through to toddlers, and bed-wetting. Their motto, "Toilet Train from Any Age", means you can save hundreds, even thousands on nappies by completing the process with your child earlier rather than later. Their PeeWee & PooToo Toilet Training Kits help you get the job done quickly and effectively with recommended age from 14 months +. They have proven techniques to allow you to even start your baby on the potty! All their products have been tried and tested with great success on their own children. This business is all about helping parents. Being parents themselves is a strong motivation to provide positive products to other parents - we all know every little bit helps! Visit http://www.pottytraining.com.au/ for information and products.
TWINSBeing a twin is very special. We are twins ourselves and personally we love being twins. We definitely have a special bond being twins and this bond has helped both of us throughout both our childhood and adulthood. Alot of people say "twins would be such hard work", but we say "twins are twice the fun!" The Australian Twin Registry is an organisation that you wouldn't ordinarily stumble across. Twins participating in research can help in the ongoing fight against disease while answering questions posed by genetic research. Being involved is very easy and takes up very little time. We have briefly outlined some information on the Australian Twin Registry below.  The Australian Twin Registry is a national registry of twin pairs who are able to help researchers study the impact of genetic and environmental factors on health, and the treatment and prevention of disease in a special way. Twins can play an important role in the quest for knowledge about twins and multiple births, and help answer questions raised in genetic research. A wide range of research projects have been undertaken in conjunction with the Registry, including studies on asthma, cholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis, hearth disease, epilepsy, eating disorders, infertility, breast cancer and many others.
More than 35,000 pairs of twins have joined the Registry, making it the largest volunteer registry of its kind in the world. Twins of all types, of any age and in any state of health are welcome to joint the Australian Twin Registry. All information concerning individuals on the Registry is strictly confidential; personal details will not be given out without prior consent. Involvement in a study is always voluntary and can be withdrawn at any stage.
Visit http://www.twins.org.au/ for further contact details and information.
SIDSWe all know what an important issue SIDS is. We've all also heard "it would never happen to us", but SIDS is very real and all new parents should be aware of the dangers associated with babies' sleeping. SIDS and Kids is a well-respected organisation that is dedicated to saving babies' lives. We have a brief outline SIDS and Kids below, please visit their website for more information. 
The National SIDS Council of Australia, trading as SIDS and Kids, is a not-for-profit organisation that is committed to saving babies lives through education programs developed from their research into the possible causes of SIDS. SIDS and Kids has been running for over 14 years and has been instrumental in reducing the infant mortality rate by approximately 84%. SIDS and Kids are now also able to provide counseling and support for families who have experienced stillbirth or the sudden and unexpected death of a child. For more information go to http://www.sidsandkids.org/ |
