Baby Hub
Breastfeeding to Bottle
Transitioning from breastfeeding to a baby bottle can be a scary time for parents, but there are ways to make the switch smoother.
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Baby Dental Hygiene Essentials
When those little teeth start to appear, it’s time to take a lesson in baby dental hygiene. So what do you need to know about baby teethers, toothbrushes and wipes?
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Healthy Mum, Healthy Bub
The science is in: So intertwined are the physical and mental health of mother and baby that the actions you take during pregnancy and after birth may have a direct impact on your bub’s overall wellbeing.
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Mum Guilt
In many ways, social media has made pregnancy, birth and the first few years of your child’s life a much more engaging experience for mums. After all, you can stay connected with friends and family throughout the journey, follow other inspirational mums on Instagram, and document your baby’s life from that initial scan right through to their first steps and beyond. But social media also has a dark side. It’s easy to get caught up in the race to be perfect, and feelings of ‘mum guilt’ can quickly creep up on us. The good news is you already have the tools in your arsenal to beat the guilt and get back to living your best life. Everyone has feelings of ‘mum guilt’ at some point in their journey If you’re a mum – or about to become one – it’s pretty likely you’ve already fallen prey to this awful feeling. Whether it stems from not spending time with your kids because you’re back at work, or feeling inadequate because (unlike those 'picture-perfect mums on Instagram), most of that mashed-banana-and-carrot meal is splattered on the floor instead of nourishing your baby’s belly. One of the least-desirable consequences of our content-driven culture is that we often feel like we’re not doing a good enough job at being parents. It’s a completely understandable – and common – feeling, but that doesn’t mean it’s rational. In fact, the guilt you’re feeling is doing you and your bub more harm than good. So what can you do about it? Get to grips with exactly what ‘mum guilt’ means Mum guilt is a psychological response to the pressures that society places on mums and the resulting pressures that mums place on themselves, especially for working mums who are away from their children for extended periods. Dad guilt is incredibly common too, and it could be something both partners are experiencing at the same time but are too afraid to talk about. Left untreated, this guilt can manifest in a variety of much more serious issues, such as anxiety, depression and negative coping mechanisms like drinking and drug use. If you’re worried that mum guilt is affecting other parts of your life, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Use these tips to beat mum guilt for good Guilt isn’t always a bad thing: In small doses, guilt can reveal exactly what makes you a great parent. How? By showing how much you care. So instead of always fighting the guilt, accept that it’s a normal feeling and that, despite your best efforts, you aren’t always perfect. Trust yourself: You’ve spent decades making choices that have led you to this exact moment. And that little bundle of joy? That was something you created, so trust that you have the ability to make good decisions. Focus on what makes you an amazing mum and ignore the negative self-talk (this may take a bit of practice!). Change your perspective: Accept that you can’t be all things to everybody. That means rather than feeling guilty because you can’t be with your child at all times, start to really appreciate the time when you are together. If you’re feeling guilty about working, think of the example that you’re setting for your child. They see you as a strong, capable and independent role model to look up to. And most importantly, remember that while being a mum may be the best part of who you are, it isn’t all that you are. Take care of yourself: Just like babies have love cups, so do you. Investing in your mental and physical wellbeing will positively impact what you’re able to give back to your family. After all, if you can’t love yourself, how can you truly love anyone else? The most important takeaway is this: looking after yourself doesn’t make you selfish or a bad mother – quite the opposite. Ask for help: Your baby might be the most intelligent, adorable and well-mannered kid in the whole world, but that doesn’t mean they won’t drive you crazy from time to time. The good news is your friends and family would probably be delighted to spend some quality time with them. So whenever you’re feeling a little deflated or run off your feet, reach out to your support network. It’s not only great for your mental health, but it will also expose your child to different people and new situations. Not even the biggest mumfluencers on Instagram are perfect, and they’re certainly not around for every waking moment of their child’s life. So rather than feeling guilty, focus on what’s most important: being a happy, healthy and well-rounded mum who’s a positive role model for your child. While you’re focusing on self-love, you can also make your parenting life a bit easier with some handy products – whether you’re expressing with the GoMini Double Electric Breast Pump, breastfeeding, or teaching your little one about good dental hygiene.
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To Dummy or Not to Dummy?
It’s a question that’s been swirling around parenting groups for decades: should I let my baby have a dummy? The problem is that you can ask a dozen different mothers, a dozen different maternal health nurses and a dozen different baby-development professionals and they’ll all give you a different opinion. And it’s this conflicting advice that can be detrimental to your child’s wellbeing – not to mention your own sanity. Thankfully, we’re here to help. First of all, there's no ‘right’ choice. Every child and every situation will be different, so don’t sweat the small stuff. While you’re here though, it’s a good idea to get educated about the pros and cons of dummies so you can make an informed decision that best suits your baby and your lifestyle. When is the right time to use a dummy? There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for when you should start using a dummy, but it is important to get bub’s feeding routine on track before introducing something new. Start too early and it could interfere with your baby’s confidence for breastfeeding. This is because the feeling of the dummy plus the innate sucking response may be confusing. That’s why it’s best to wait until your little one is around three to four weeks old before introducing the dummy. However, if they’re great at latching, feeding and gaining weight like a mini body builder, then starting with a dummy a little earlier is fine. Bottle-fed or premature babies may take a dummy earlier than three weeks, and this can actually provide parents with greater peace of mind. After all, research from Red Nose found “there is strong evidence that dummies are associated with a reduced risk of sudden infant death when used consistently”. When is it time to take the dummy away – for good? No matter how good your baby is at taking the dummy, during naptimes they will inevitably tumble out of bub’s mouth. And when he or she stirs, it’ll be your job to pop it back in before they get too cranky or wake themselves up completely. That can put a real dampener on your own sleeping patterns, especially when the eight-month sleep regression hits. At around this stage, you may want to start thinking about lowering the frequency of dummy use – but definitely don’t stop the dummy cold turkey. Maybe only give them the dummy when it’s time for a nap and then once they are down you can take the dummy out completely. Over the course of the coming weeks and months, limit their use even more until it’s no longer a dependence. It’s recommended that babies only use dummies for sleeping and comfort from 12 months onwards, and by their second birthday it should be very infrequent if not entirely gone. What you don’t want to happen is for your bub to turn four or five and have increased dental problems later in life. The dummy: For or against While some parents swear by the dummy, others say the risk of dependence is too great. So what should you take into account when making a decision? Let’s explore: For Dummy Against Dummy Has been shown to reduce the risk of SUDI (sudden unexpected death in infants) when used regularly. Can create nipple confusion, which may interfere with breastfeeding and weight gain. It’s best to get into a good breastfeeding rhythm before introducing a dummy. Is a great way to provide comfort and soothe your baby - especially when it's bedtime. Slightly increases the risk of ‘middle ear’ infections.the risk of ear infections. Can help quieten your baby, which is especially helpful for mothers experiencing post-partum depression or sever sleep deprivation It may lead to poor eating habits, weight loss or interfere with weight gain. They are a great distraction! If bub is too cranky to feed and you need to pump, the Pigeon GoMini Double Electric Breast Pump can take care of everything while a dummy keeps the little one entertained. Risk of dependency Helps with traveling. The sucking and swallowing motions ease pressure in bub's ears. Prolonged or excessive use may lead to increased chances of dental problems as they grow up. Babies are very independent – if there’s no dummy, they’ll find the next best thing: their thumb. This is a much harder habit to break because you can’t confiscate a thumb!our baby wants to suck on something they will find the next best thing… their thumb. If the dummy gets lost, expect plenty of tantrums (so if you decide to use one, keep a few extras on hand!). The choice is yours – and there’s no ‘wrong’ decision Hopefully this information has helped put your mind at ease so you can focus on more important things – like raising your little one to be healthy and happy! Interested in learning more about baby accessories? Visit our guide to Breastfeeding While Travelling. For more tips and tricks on parenthood, breastfeeding and keeping your bub on the path to greatness, check out our helpful blogs or follow us Facebook and Instagram.
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3 Ways to Make Your Baby Feel Loved: Filling Their Emotional Love Cup
Sometimes the only way we can explain something supremely intangible is with a metaphor. And when it comes to the warm, goo-goo-eyed feelings we share with our little ones, love cup is just the perfect descriptor. Think of your baby’s 'love cup' as a way to refer to their positive emotions. When your baby’s cup is full, they are content, cuddly and cheerful. When it’s running low, however, your bub may have a hard time moderating their feelings – and acting out is the flavour of the day. So how do you ‘feed’ their love cup to ensure their emotional intelligence gets off to a good start? Everyone has a love cup – even adults You may not have ever referred to your emotional wellbeing as a love cup, but we all have one. And we all know how it feels when that cup is empty: we’re irritable, we’re easily upset, we lash out without provocation and our mental state deteriorates over time. Unlike babies, though, we adults have the ability to control how we react to external stimulus – it’s called emotional intelligence. Just as you’re guiding your bub towards all those notable physical milestones – rolling over, crawling, sitting up, speaking, standing and eventually walking – parents should also be thinking about how they can support bub’s emotional development. After all, a full love cup can help your baby become emotionally well-adjusted, better behaved and sufficiently equipped to adapt to the complexities of the outside world as they grow up. Pam Leo, author of Connection Parenting, sums it up perfectly: “Either we spend time meeting children’s emotional need by filling their cup with love, or we spend time dealing with the behaviours caused by their unmet needs. Either way, we spend time.” How can I fill my baby’s love cup? First, you need to focus on your love cup. If you’re not happy and healthy when connecting with your child, how can you fill their love cup with all the cheerful and positive emotions they crave? There’s no denying it’s a struggle to find the right balance between raising a baby and managing everything else in your life. And many times it feels like sheer chaos! Some days just feel like: a million nappy changes, late-night feeds, pumping milk when you return to work (we recommend the Pigeon GoMini to make life a little less stressful), washing dirty laundry when bub goes down for a nap, cooking for the rest of the family – the list goes on and, left unchecked, we can start to develop negative emotional feelings with the routine and even resentment. That’s why no matter how crazy life becomes, carving out some ‘me time’ is paramount. Then you can focus on one-on-one quality time to enjoy with your little one. Top tips to fill your love cups and strengthen your bond Physical contact and snuggling Stimulate their mind (play peek-a-boo or with toys) Maintain eye contact and pull funny faces Read together every day – preferably more than once. Have a conversation – even if it’s all nonsensical sounds! Go for a walk together and talk about what you see around your neighbourhood and at the park. Share a bath together before bub’s bedtime then let someone else put baby to sleep while you enjoy some much-deserved relaxation time. Small moments for us are big moments for babies You really cannot overstate how vital these small moments of intimacy with your baby are. They make bub feel loved, safe, seen and appreciated. And a baby who feels loved is more settled. And a baby that’s settled is also likely to sleep better - now that’s something that should fill every parent’s love cup! Bubs long for physical contact, and they will look to you for guidance and unconsciously mirror your actions and emotional responses. Based on this, they can develop high or low self-worth. So don’t discount how much a little snuggle time can top up baby’s love cup and set them on the path to an emotionally intelligent childhood. For more tips and advice, check out our helpful blogs. You can also find exceptional products for breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, oral care and more at our online store.
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Breastfeeding While Sick
Feeling a little under the weather? Exhausted, runny nose, coughing, drowsy or experiencing any other awful symptom that falls under the umbrella of ‘being sick’? It’s never a nice feeling, especially when you’re expected to feed your child every few hours. Thankfully, not only can you breastfeed while you’re sick, but you absolutely should! There are actually heaps of benefits for you and bub – the body really is an amazing thing. It is important though, to drink lots of water, eat nutritious meals and get as much rest as possible. This is when your family and friends need to step up and take care of bub while you regain your energy. Can my baby get sick from my breastmilk? No – whether it’s a cold, the dreaded flu, or something even worse like vomiting or diarrhoea, you should breastfeed as normal. If you are experiencing symptoms of mastitis, it’s also very important to keep breastfeeding and expressing – as this is the best way to get rid of it, painful as it may be. There’s no need to worry about your breast milk stream, as being sick won’t impact the flow. It might seem counterintuitive, especially for new mums, but breastfeeding while sick is actually an effective way to transfer important antibodies to your baby. Its first job is to help protect bub from catching your bug, but even if they do catch it then those helpful antibodies will support their little system to fight it off faster and harder. How can I protect my baby from getting sick too? If you’re worried about spreading germs to your baby, here are some tips: Wear a mask while breastfeeding. Whenever you feel the sudden urge to sneeze or cough and there are no tissues within reach, do it into the crook of your elbow – never your hands! Keep some hand sanitiser on you at all times, and wash your hands with soap regularly – especially before and after feeding. If you’re really not up to breastfeeding, especially overnight when you need your rest, then pump and refrigerate your breast milk and let someone else (such as your partner) take over with a bottle feed. The Pigeon GoMini Double Electric Breast Pump is the perfect pump for any situation – it’s compact, lightweight and comfortable so you can pump and get right back to resting. Can I use painkillers and prescription medications? While it’s okay (and encouraged) to breastfeed during most common illness, it’s important to monitor any medication you’re taking. Speak to a medical professional or maternal health nurse if you are worried about it interfering with feeding or transferring to you baby. Over-the-counter paracetamol is usually first choice for pain, but try to only take it for the shortest time possible. If you take ibuprofen, make sure you only take a minor to moderate dose, as small amounts of the drug do transfer into your breastmilk. There are many different antibiotics and most are safe to use. Your health care professional will know what best to prescribe. Make sure he/she knows you are breastfeeding. If you’re simply not comfortable breastfeeding while sick, that’s absolutely fine! Just be sure not to stop entirely. You’ll want to keep pumping while you recover to avoid the risk of mastitis and make sure you can easily resume breastfeeding when you are well again. We have a range of products available to help keep you going, including our new GoMini Double Electric Breast Pump to make pumping quick and easy.
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Keeping Your Baby Sun-Safe
Australia is blessed with beautiful weather all year round. And despite the chilly winters in the southern states, there’s still plenty of sun to soak up whether it’s the middle of January or a brisk sunny day in July. While we adults might be confident in the sun – from applying the right amount of sunscreen, to wearing a hat and long-sleeved clothes or sticking to the shade at a friend’s outdoor barbecue – babies don’t have the same sensibility when it comes to the sun. And with every infant’s skin (not just fair-skinned kids) extremely susceptible to sun damage, it’s important you look out for their safety. Here are some simple sun-safety tips for your baby: 0–6 months Newborn babies are much more sensitive to the sun than older children, so it is imperative they are protected from the sun’s UV rays (especially in Australia) any time they are outside. That includes walks in the pram, crawling around in the backyard and even for short trips over to your neighbour’s house. Their delicate skin contains very little melanin – the pigment that provides protection from UV rays – so it’s up to you as their caregiver to ensure they are properly sun-safe. So what’s the best protection? Sunscreen, we hear you say? Not so fast – the Cancer Council recommends waiting until your bub is at least six months old before slathering on a bit of sunscreen, mostly due to the sensitivity of their skin. Instead, hats, clothing and sunglasses are your best defence. Sun-safety recommendations The first line of defence against UV rays is always clothing. Dress your baby in lightweight layers that cover as much skin as possible (without making them too cranky or uncomfortable!). Lightweight clothing is essential, as babies are more prone to heatstroke. Invest in a wide-brimmed, bucket or legionnaires hat – not only do they offer much better protection than a traditional cap, but they look extra-cute. When out for walks on a sunny day, attach a sun-protective cover to your pram. Avoid lengthy periods outside between 10am and 4pm (especially during summer) as this is when the sun is at its strongest. Slip on a mesh window shield over the back passenger window in your car to protect bub from the harsh sun while driving. 6+ months At around the six-month mark, your bub will be much more mobile and may even be crawling around. This is the perfect time to support their development by letting them roam around in new areas, including outside in the sun. It’s also at this stage that you can start applying mild amounts of baby-safe sunscreen to your little one. Sun-safety recommendations Sunscreen is a must even on overcast days. Choose a specially formulated baby sunscreen with a high SPF rating – the higher the better! Apply sunscreen generously about 15 minutes before heading out and reapply every two hours. Doing some swimming lessons in an outdoor pool? Use waterproof sunscreen and reapply after they are towelled down and dry. What should I do if my baby gets sunburnt? Despite the best intentions and all possible precautions taken, sometimes kids just get sunburnt. You’ll notice redness on their skin that feels warm to the touch, and they may be a little irritable as well. More serious sunburn can cause blistering on the affected skin or even fever. If this is the case and your baby is younger than 12 months, seek medical advice from your doctor. Sunburn in infants can be more serious than it appears, so it’s always better to err on the side of caution. For babies over 12 months (unless the sunburn looks very serious), you can use home remedies by: Treating the burn with a cold washer for 10–15 minutes throughout the day. Bathing your little one in lukewarm water to cool the skin. Gently applying a sensitive baby moisturiser or calming cream. Don’t use any petroleum-based creams as they will block heat and sweat from escaping and may make the burn even worse. If your baby is in pain, an over-the-counter baby painkiller can provide some comfort. There’s a good chance your baby will be dehydrated from overexposure to the sun, so keep them hydrated with lots of liquids and feeds. If you are still breastfeeding, your baby may not want to feed if their sore sunburnt skin is touching you. Bottle-feeds and water from a sippy cup can keep them hydrated, while you can get some relief from a portable breast pump like the Pigeon GoMini Double Electric Breast Pump. If you have any concerns at any time, please consult your healthcare professional. Whether it’s summer, winter or anything in between, it’s great to get outside and enjoy the surroundings with your little one. Just remember to stay sun-safe with all the proper precautions. For more tips and advice, check out our helpful blogs. You can also find exceptional products for breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, oral care and more at our online store.
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Storing Breastmilk Safely
There are many different reasons why mothers express and store their milk. Some have an abundance of milk and need to express off regularly to reduce pain and sensitivity in their breasts. Others head back to work while their baby is still breastfeeding and need to ensure there is plenty of milk for bub while mum’s away. Expressing is also the best way to keep your milk supply flowing – and it’s a vital tool when the dreaded weaning phase begins!Looking for breastmilk expression tips? Visit our guide to Expressing Breast Milk for New Mums. So how do you store your milk safely? 1. Finding the right breast pump for your needs Whether you’re headed back to the office, your partner takes on some feedings, or you’re leaving your little one with the grandparents for a date night, storing your breastmilk is a great solution. But first you need a pump that helps you express off milk quickly and comfortably. Our Pigeon GoMini is a stylish and functional device that’s lightweight and compact – so you can easily store it in your bag wherever you go. That means expressing on-the-go is made simple. And best of all, it’s designed for your comfort! 2. Storing your milk As any mother who’s expressed milk already knows, after going through all the effort of expressing and collecting your milk, the worst thing to happen is for it to go to waste because it’s been left out for too long or stored incorrectly. There’s also a few different ways to store your milk. It doesn’t always have to go directly into the freezer. If, for example, you need some ready-to-go meals for bub over the next few days (but no longer than three days total), you can pop it in the fridge. There’s also a window of around six to eight hours where it can be left at room temperature (26°C or less) for an upcoming feed. Need longer storage? Off to the freezer it goes (see the table below for how long you can keep the milk refrigerated or frozen). 5 steps for safely-stored breastmilk 1. Tear away the safety seal at the top of the storage bag and open it by gently pulling the zip-seal apart. Don’t blow into the bag as this ruins the sterilised interior.2. Pour expressed breastmilk into the bag. Make sure you don’t overfill it, as the liquid will expand in the freezer and explode!3. Carefully squeeze the bag to allow any excess air to escape.4. Once all the air has been squeezed out, seal the bag tightly.5. Mark the bag with today’s date and off it goes into the fridge or freezer. How to thaw and warm your breastmilk Place in the fridge for up to 24 hours after removing from the freezer. 1. Immerse the storage bag in warm water (recommended 40°C) and use your fingers to massage the outside of the bag to separate chunks of frozen milk to speed up the process.2. Alternatively, you can use a dedicated bottle warmer to bring the cool liquid breastmilk up to the appropriate feeding temperature.3. Never microwave your breastmilk. You will lose the nutritive value and it may create dangerous hot spots in the milk. Breastmilk storage guidelines The Australian Association of Breastfeeding recommends the following guidelines for safe storage of breastmilk: Breastmilk Room temperature Refrigerator Freezer Freshly expressed into a closed container. 6–8 hrs (26ºC or lower). If refrigeration is available store milk there. No more than 72 hours. Store in back of the fridge, where it is coldest. 2 weeks in freezer compartment inside refrigerator (-15°C). 3 months in freezer section of refrigerator with separate door (-18°C). 6–12 months in deep freeze (-20°C). Previously frozen – thawed in refrigerator but not warmed. 4 hours or less (i.e. the next feeding). Store in refrigerator for 24 hours. Do not refreeze. Thawed outside refrigerator in warm water. For completion of feeding. Hold for 4 hours or until next feeding. Do not refreeze. Infant has begun feeding. Only for completion of feeding, then discard. Discard. Discard. *Storage times may vary for preterm or sick babies. Source: National Health and Medical Research Council 2012, Infant Feeding Guidelines. NHMRC, Canberra p59. Can my breastmilk split? Have you noticed that your stored breastmilk has started to separate into two different-coloured parts during storage? Don’t worry, this is completely normal and it doesn’t have any ill effect on the quality of the milk. Just give it a light shake to mix it together and you’re ready to feed it to bub. One last thing… It’s obvious but it does bear repeating: breastmilk is a bodily fluid, and because your baby’s gut is so sensitive in the early months of their life, you want to ensure nothing contaminates their milk supply! So always remember to wash your hands before feeding, pumping or handling breastmilk storage bags. That goes for pumping while on the go as well – so always wash before and after using your Pigeon GoMini! For more tips and advice, check out our helpful blogs. You can also find exceptional products for breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, oral care and more at our online store.
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