Vanchi wrap giveaway

We all know how important it is to wrap our little ones and it becomes really difficult when they get to 6 months of age and become little "Houdinis" able to wriggle their way out of anything. This is the time that those extra large wraps come in handy.

Vanchi's muslin Over Size baby wraps are massive - at a width of 180cm they're ideal for wrapping right up to 12 months if you need it.

We're giving one away this week, all you have to do is leave a comment on our facebook page telling us why you need an extra large wrap and you could be receiving one next week.

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Just can't get organised?

I'm so glad that I've managed to find Sarah from Little Billies as I think this is the invention of the century.

Little Billies produce a range of essential parenting tools that means that teletubbies like me with "baby brain" only have to look at the fridge to help keep me on track. The range includes amazing reward charts that will help your little one visualise how close they are to that chocolate bar (well, I know my son will do anything for chocolate anyway - it was one of his first words), as well as visual schedules that will help you stick to your routine, and now they have introduced a personalised Baby Day Chart designed to help you through your babies routine.

Little Billies is very excited to announce it’s new product to assist caregivers in organising and structuring a routine for their newborn! The My Baby Day Chart is a magnetic chart that comes personalised with the babies name, gender and in a range of colours to choose from. It includes 24 magnets that visually depict the routine of a baby including feeding, playtime, sleep time and bottle feeds. Each of the magnets from the My Baby Day Chart have a white box on them so that parents can write (with a dry erase marker) the next scheduled time for a feed, etc.

I know that when I was a new mum, I spent an endless amount of time writing up routines for my baby to finish it and then have the routine change because babies are constantly growing and changing. The My Baby Day Chart is easy to adapt as all the components are magnetic and it just requires moving the magnets around on the chart. It couldn’t be easier!

It is a great parenting tool and it also helps with others in the family as dad will know where the baby is up to when he walks in the door or helpers who drop in will know what is due next!

The chart has been developed to grow with your child and also includes 48 activity magnets that colourfully and visually depict a wide range of activities for a toddler including all the meal times, playgroup, art & craft, mummy time and the list goes on! The My Day Chart can also be purchased separately.

Even better still, the chart is very affordable, it is only $24.95 and is available from http://www.littlebillies.net/

Slap Cheek - Do you know about it?

If you're pregnant (like me) and don't know about Parvovirus B19, or more commonly known as "slap cheek" or "fifth disease", then it's worth your time finding out about it. When I was told that a friend had it and that I needed to get tested, I was surprised as I'd never heard of it before.

Slap cheek is a virus that most of us get as children at some stage. Approx 60% of us have immunity to it from a previous exposure. Once you get it, there's a high probability that you are now immune, however, some people are not immune.

Whilst the symptoms are only mild and are similar to the common cold or flu, which is then followed by this red rash that appears on the face or abdomen which resembles a slap (hence the name), the virus is much more serious for pregnant women.

As I mentioned, about 60% of us are immune, but if you are not immune, the virus can pass on to the unborn baby. Whilst most babies are able to recover, some will develop anemia and this could be potentially life threatening for them.

If you have been in contact with someone with slap cheek, insist on a blood test to check your immunity. I have just been to 2 different doctors requesting a blood test, and have been told both times that I didn't need to worry about it. I will keep seeing doctors till I find someone who will give me the blood test just to put my mind at peace about it.

Unfortunately, even though this is such a common virus, it's not really understood all that well and taken seriously by many doctors. The high risk period is up to 20 weeks gestation, however, there have been deaths recorded in babies that have gone past this, so it's important to keep insisting till your happy with the outcome if you are at all concerned.

If you are diagnosed with having recent exposure to the virus and are pregnant, it's likely that you will be monitored more closely by regular ultrasounds. This monitoring can go on for up to 4 weeks. There's not really much they can do to prevent this, however, if the case is serious, they can give the baby a blood transfusion in extreme circumstances.

Fortunately I haven't had any flu like symptoms, nor have I had a rash or red cheeks yet, but I still feel it's important to persist with till I'm 100% sure that I'm ok.

If you know of anyone that is pregnant and not aware of this virus, please refer them to this post, or ask them to look this up online - there are loads of articles about slap cheek if you search google.

Stylish Beep Beep Slings Now in Store

How many times have you had to cart the pram around, drag it in and out of the car every time you do the shopping and try to manage a new baby at the same time? I think we all do it. I know that when our #2 arrives in November, I'll be ready with my baby sling - I don't know why I didn't get around to getting one last time.

We decided that wraps should actually be part of any parents essential baby kit, so we hunted down the coolest ones we could find to include in the range at 9 Months Waiting.

The Beep Beep slings are not only convenient and gorgeous, but are made of 100% cotton and are totally Australian made - and how hard is it to find Australian made products these days!

At 9 Months Waiting, we're excited about the addition of the Beep Beep slings to the collection as they're not only a lifesaver when it comes to carrying your baby, but the styling is absolutely gorgeous. We currently stock 3 styles; Taiko, Retro Watermelon, and Sprig.

We hope you enjoy these essentially gorgeous slings as much as we do.

Wrapping Babies

Here's an article we've come across that explains quite well the benefits of wrapping your little one properly.

Some parents choose to wrap their babies when they put them down for sleep. Wrapping can help babies to develop a more settled sleep pattern.

Other parents find that wrapping is not helpful. Whether you choose to wrap or not is your choice.

The information and pictures in this topic show a safe and simple way to wrap babies.

You may need to seek advice from your Child and Family Health Service if wrapping an older or more active baby.

Some benefits of wrapping

• Wrapping can help babies develop a more settled sleep pattern.
• Older unsettled babies may sleep better if wrapped firmly.
• When babies are wrapped with their hands close to their face they can comfort themselves more easily.
• Wrapping helps to prevent random arm movements which can disturb a baby’s sleep.
• Babies whose sleep is disturbed by colic or reflux may be more settled when wrapped.
• Babies with stiff or floppy limbs may benefit from being wrapped. Talk with your physiotherapist or child health nurse.

Safe wrapping

• For wrapping to be effective it needs to be firm around the arms but looser around the legs so that babies can bend their legs up at the hips. For normal hip joint development legs need to be bent at the hips with knees apart. Avoid wrapping legs straight.
• The recommended fabrics are muslin or a light cotton wrap. Bigger, more active, babies may need a cotton ‘baby’ sheet.
• Bunny rugs and blankets are not as safe because they may cause overheating.
• Babies must not be overdressed under the wrap. Dress them in a singlet and nappy in warm weather, or a light grow suit in cool weather.

How to wrap

This is one method for safe wrapping.

In most cases the key to successful wrapping and settling lies with holding your baby's arms firmly. This will give your baby the cue to settle. Some babies settle best when their arms are held with their hands near their face so that they can suck on them to comfort themselves.

Spread the wrap so that you can place the baby's head at the top of the long side of the wrap, or if the wrap is square, fold one corner of the wrap towards the centre.

1. Place baby on the wrap at shoulder level. Ensure the wrap does not cover the baby's face.
   
2. Brings arms together on upper chest and hold firmly.
   
   
3. Bring one side over both arms and tuck under your baby, keeping arms held firmly together.
   
4. Bring the other side over arms and then tuck under body.
   
5. Twist or fold the end of the wrap and place it to the side so that both legs remain bent up.
   

When to wrap

You can choose to wrap your infant from any age. Wrapping may be used throughout the first year of life to help infants relax and settle into sleep. Whether to wrap depends on whether it helps your baby, not how old the baby is. Some babies find it stressful while others find it comforting to be held by a wrap for many months. Some babies do better if they have their arms out, others like their arms wrapped in. Do what helps your baby to feel safe and relaxed and comforted.

Safe sleeping

• Place babies on their back to sleep.
• Make sure your baby’s face is not covered.
• Cigarette smoke is bad for babies.
• Make sure that your baby’s cot or bassinette is safe. The mattress needs to be well fitted.
• Place your baby with feet at the end of the cot.
• The cot should be free of toys and bumpers.

See the topics Sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (including SIDS) and Safe sleep for more information.

Resources

South Australia

• Child and Family Health (see Locations).
• CWYHS Parent Helpline - telephone 1300 364 100.
• Contact SIDS & KIDS on 1300 308 307 for more information about safe sleeping.

This information has been produced by
Women's and Children's Hospital and SIDS & KIDS,

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).

This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.

Article provided by Child and Youth Health