Babies

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be an exciting and rewarding time for both mothers and fathers. You may have many unanswered questions, or just want to find out more about this little miracle growing inside you. The following links may help you in your journey of discovery during this amazing time:

“Getting Ready to be a Mum”
Article by Raising Children Network
Download PDF version of article or visit the Raising Children Website at: http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/preparing_yourself.html/context/401

Australian Baby Info resources for pregnancy:
http://www.australianbaby.info/0202/contents.asp?category=2

Essential Baby — an Australian website with loads of resources including a ‘Due Date’ calculator, Baby Name Finder, Forums, Directories and more:
http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/page/pregnancy.html

Baby Centre Australia’s website has lots of articles on pregnancy:
http://www.babycenter.com.au/pregnancy

LifeChoice Australia — list of pregnancy support centres across Australia:
https://lifechoice.org.au/pregnant/

My Dr Website — The myDr team has compiled a series of comprehensive articles, news items, illustrations and special features about babies and pregnancy.
http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?Section=babies%26pregnancy

Pregnancy Australia.com is a national directory with listings of pregnancy services in your area:
http://www.pregnancyaustralia.com/

About: Pregnancy & Childbirth online resource. Lots of articles here:
http://pregnancy.about.com/

Pregnancy.org offers lots of information and articles from experts to everyday mums, including fetal development and pregnancy calendar, baby names and more:
http://www.pregnancy.org/pregnancy/

Birth

Giving birth can be one of the most demanding and rewarding times in a woman’s life. If you would like to know more about what to expect or even just what to pack in your bag for the hospital, have a look at some of the following links:

Australian Baby Info resources on labour and beyond the birth:
http://www.australianbaby.info/0202/contents.asp?category=3

Planning your baby’s birth, resources by Baby Center:
http://www.babycenter.com.au/pregnancy/labourandbirth/planningyourbabysbirth/

Baby Center’s list of what to pack in your baby bag for hospital:
http://www.babycenter.com.au/pregnancy/labourandbirth/planningyourbabysbirth/whattopack/

Pregnancy.org offers information on birth & Postpartum (US Site):
http://www.pregnancy.org/pregnancy/BirthPostpartum.php

Baby

At last you have you’re precious bundle of joy in your arms- what now?!! As a starting point, check out the list of useful resources covering the ‘how to’ of babies from birth to 12 months listed below:

Everyday Newborn Baby Care including how to dress, bathe and settle your baby, offered by Mum’s the Word website:
http://www.mumstheword.com.au/everyday-babycare.htm

All Baby.com.au has resources for baby’s first year including development, crying, feeding and recipies:
http://www.allbaby.com.au/Your_Baby.html

What is Normal in a Newborn (first 3 days) from the Pure Birth website:
http://www.purebirth-australia.com/support/normal-in-a-newborn.html

Australian Baby Info resources on labour, feeding and babies:
http://www.australianbaby.info/0202/contents.asp?category=3

Resources for babies aged 0-12mths by Baby Centre:
http://www.babycenter.com.au/baby

Breastfeeding

Breast milk gives babies an ideal, balanced food which is easily digested, and contains antibodies to protect them from some illnesses. As a baby grows, breast milk adjusts to suit their changing needs. This means they get the right food for each stage of development. The World Health Organisation recommends that women should breastfeed for at least six months. If you have decided you would like to breastfeed your baby and you are able, check out the links below including ‘how to’ tips and videos and other useful information:
Australian Baby Info on breastfeeding:
http://www.australianbaby.info/0202/ListArticles.asp?Department=139&Host=163

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) is an organisation of people interested in the promotion and protection of breastfeeding. Site information is compiled by breastfeeding women and their partners and health professionals such as doctors, lactation consultants and midwives. ABA was founded in Melbourne, Victoria in 1964 (as the Nursing Mothers’ Association), with the primary aim of giving mother-to-mother support to breastfeeding women.
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/

Breastfeeding basics by Mums the Word website:
http://www.mumstheword.com.au/breastfeeding.html

La Leche League’s mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother:
http://www.llli.org/

Pregnancy.org offers expert advice, articles, how-to videos and extensive information on breastfeeding including a Q&A section (US Site):
http://www.pregnancy.org/breastfeeding.php

Breastfeeding.com has extensive resources on breastfeeding (US site):
http://www.breastfeeding.com/

Children

Toddlers

Toddlers offer parents a whole new list of joys and challenges, toilet training, tantrums, learning and growing to name a few. Click on the links below if you would like tips and information on this stage of parenting:

Toddlers (1-3 years) information on nutrition, behaviour, development, play & learning, safety, health & daily care, connecting and sleep by the Raising Children Network:
http://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/toddlers.html

Early Childhood Australia website provides information on toddlers feeding, sleeping, development, tantrums and toilet training:
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/learning_about_babies_and_toddlers/toddlers/

Better health article on Toddlers and Mealtime Manners:
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Toddlers_and_mealtime_manners

Parenting & Child Health website offers articles on living with toddlers:
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=99&id=1836

Preschoolers

Your baby is growing up! They’re sleeping in a big bed now, making friends and even negotiating with you! It’s almost time for school. Click on the links below if you would like tips and information on this stage of parenting:

Preschoolers (3-5 years) information on nutrition, behaviour, development, play & learning, safety, health & daily care, connecting and sleep by the Raising Children Network:
http://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/preschoolers.html

Early Childhood Australia website provides information on preschooler behaviour and learning, expectations and challenges and more:
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/learning_about_children_3_to_9/preschoolers/

Parenting & Child Health website offers articles on growing and learning with preschoolers:
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=122&id=1955

Day Care

Choosing the best day care provider for your child is a big decision, it is important to find a reputable organisation that provides a quality service. The links below may provide useful information on the different options available in your area.

National Childcare Accreditation Council Inc.
http://www.ncac.gov.au/

Care for Kids.com.au
http://www.careforkids.com.au/

Family Day Care Australia
http://www.familydaycare.com.au/

Motherhood Stories

JUST A MUM?

A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the Motor Registration office, was asked by the counter clerk to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

“What I mean is,” explained the counter clerk, “do you have a job or are you just a …?”
“Of course I have a job,” snapped the woman. “I’m a Mum.”
“We don’t list ‘Mum’ as an occupation, ‘housewife’ covers it,” said the clerk emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Medicare office.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, “Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar.”

“What is your occupation?” she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
“I’m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.”

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in your field?”

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, “I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn’t) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I’m working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.”

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants — ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than “just another Mum.” Motherhood!

What a glorious career!
Especially when there’s a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers “Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations?” And great grandmothers, “Executive Senior Research Associates?”
I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts, “Associate Research Assistants.”

Please send this to another Mum, Grandmother, Aunt, and other friends you know.

May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door!