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One Mum's Relief Story...

I sometimes look back at the years since being a parent and much of it seems like a blur. At each age and stage, there’s a new challenge and with the years that go by I understand that each phase will pass and then there’s a new set of challenges to face. I have to say though, the bedwetting phase for us has been a biggie. People kept saying, “he’ll grow out of it”. But we kept waiting and waiting, and he just wasn’t showing any signs of growing out of it. We were head to foot in washing every morning, which is hard-going in the middle of winter trying to get bedding washed and dried. We were sick of it and so was our 6-year-old. He wet so heavily that the pull-up wouldn’t contain the wee. We seriously tried EVERYTHING to get him dry. We tried restricting his drinks at night, lifting him to the toilet. We even offered to buy him a new bike if he could stop wetting. But he still couldn’t stay dry. It wasn’t his fault.  Like most mums, I started googling for answers. I came across a free e-book on the moosebaby website and it answered a lot of questions. I realised there were some proactive things we could be doing to end the bedwetting. Once we’d ruled out a few health factors (like no UTI’s or constipation), we increased his water intake during the day and set ourselves up with a bedwetting alarm, we felt we were on the right track.   We opted for the Oopsie Heroes Bedwetting Alarm. It seemed to tick all the boxes and the reviews I read about it were good. When we were looking for an alarm there were lots that looked kinda scary, but this one seemed kid-friendly. When the alarm arrived, he was super-excited to get going with it. We were all desperate for some dry nights. It was easy to set up and he liked the idea of using the app. We had fun setting with the alarm sounds and recording our voice to use as a wake-up alarm.  Our son is a deep-sleeper which we think was part of the problem. He sleeps through everything. At first he slept through the alarm going off, but because we’d read the e-book, we knew this was common and we knew we’d need to wake him for a while. By night 4 his brain clicked and he woke by himself. Each night the alarm went off we helped him wake up enough to switch off the alarm and finish off weeing in the toilet. At first it was like getting up to a newborn again. Hard-going! But we were determined and knew it would be worth the effort. We headed into our second week and we had our first dry night. When he woke in the morning, he was stoked and super-proud of himself. We were up and down a bit for another week, but by the third week we hit a turning point. Dry, dry and dry, every night! The relief! Why hadn’t we tried this earlier?!? We kept using the alarm until he had two full weeks of dry nights in a row. For any parent dealing with soaking wet sheets every day, you’ll appreciate the relief. It’s not only the wet bed, as they get older it was a problem for sleepovers and camping holidays. All that worry has now gone. I’d totally recommend this alarm. Jane from Moosebaby asked me to write a review and I was more than happy to do so. Honestly, if you were like us, and ready for a solution, don’t hesitate. Learn More about Oopsie Heroes Bedwetting Alarm

How to brush your toddler’s teeth – and tips for when they refuse

Every parent knows that a toddler’s favourite word is no.  Sometimes our tamariki can drive us mad with their refusal to do anything we ask, and it’s tempting to give in to their demands.  But while they may not like it, your toddler’s teeth need to be brushed. We’ve put together some helpful tips to get their buy in, and hopefully avoid the daily tooth brushing tantrum. THE BASICS Get into a good routine of brushing twice a day, at the same time. Once in the morning and once before bed. Give lots of praise. “Gosh, you are doing such a great job. Your teeth are going to be so sparkly.” You will need to brush your child’s teeth until they reach around age 6 or 7 when they should have the manual dexterity to brush their own teeth thoroughly. After this age it’s important to check they are doing it correctly. Aim to brush for around 2 minutes. Use a fun toothbrush timer. Brush (very gently) back and forth and in circles. Watch this short video to show you how.  TOOTHBRUSHING TOOLS Use a small-headed, soft-bristled toothbrush and be very gentle. Select a mild flavoured or children’s toothpaste (containing fluoride) and use it sparingly. Use the smallest smear of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. As your child gets older, you can increase this amount to the size of a pea. Use some fun toothbrushing aids such as an Eye Smile Toothbrush Holder, toothbrush timer and tap extender for rinsing their toothbrush. RELUCTANT BRUSHERS Brush along with them. You brush your teeth, while they brush their teeth. Start with this, but make sure at some point, you hold their toothbrush and give their teeth a brush too. Get your toddler’s ‘buy-in’ by letting them select their own toothbrush colour and style. If initially, the brush is a ‘no-go’ start with using your finger, a muslin cloth or finger toothbrush and progress onto a toothbrush. There are fun videos available to teach children how to brush their teeth and special toothbrushing songs you can sing. Enlist the Wiggle’s help!  Use a sticker chart and a reward at the end of the week. Use teamwork. If you have another adult (or sibling) to help, try working together to clean your toddler’s teeth. Use distraction, fun and silly songs or games. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD STILL REFUSES? Persevere. It’s so important to look after your children’s teeth and help them learn that cleaning teeth is a non-negotiable. If you keep encouraging and being consistent, it will get easier. Credit: Kowhai Dental Looking for some Toothbrushing friends to make toothbrushing more fun?

I’ve only got one pair of hands!

The other day I saw a post from a new mum asking a question about a baby bouncer. In true ‘social media’ style, the poor mum was bombarded with strong recommendations on why this mum should not put her baby in a baby bouncer, even for a second.  There was advice on tummy time, baby wearing and a multitude of other ‘useful’ advice. There were plenty of common-sense suggestions too, but I did feel sorry for the mum asking the question. I believe most new parents have enough common sense to know that you wouldn’t put a baby in a bouncer, a jolly jumper or a floor seat for hours on end. These products have their time and place. At the end of the day, we only have one pair of hands. If we pop bubs in a bouncer on the bathroom floor while we have a shower, or near the kitchen when we’re cooking dinner or perhaps next to the clothesline when we’re hanging out the washing, it makes life easier, keeps bubs safer and takes away some of the stress involved in caring for a baby. At the end of the day, if a parent wants to make an informed choice, then some research from a trusted source, rather than Facebook, is always a good idea. The World Health Organisation recommends that babies shouldn’t be in a stroller, seat or strapped to a caregiver’s back for more than an hour at a time, and tummy time and floor-based interactive play are encouraged as part of their day. Instead of coming down hard on new mums and assuming they have no common sense, I say, let’s ease up on the self-righteous bombardment of ‘useful advice’. This is coming from a mum who used a Bumbo Floor Seat daily, so she could take a shower and have a (very much) needed break from holding her reflux baby and who is married to a 53-year-old who was a ‘bum-shuffling’ baby and still represents New Zealand in master’s cricket.   

Top Postpartum Recovery Tips

Even if you cruised through your pregnancy and had the easiest delivery on record, your body has been stretched and stressed to the max, and it needs a chance to recover. There is no time limit on postpartum healing, so take your time. We’ve come up with some practical advice on postpartum care for ‘down there’. Ouchy! The perineum is the area between the anus and the vagina and if you’ve had a vaginal birth then this area could be sore, swollen and/or stitched. Try the following: Add Epsom Salt to your bath water or use a postpartum healing bath soak to ease pain and help healing.   Fill your Peri Wash Bottle with lukewarm water and 5-10 drops of Witch Hazel and squirt down there when you go to the toilet. This helps prevent infection and aids healing to reduce the stinging when peeing. Use the Peri Wash Bottle again after finishing your wee and pat dry with a clean soft towel. Apply Postpartum Ice Packs to the perineum area to soothe pain and reduce swelling. You can purchase specifically designed ice packs or make your own and add a blend of Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera for cooling, instant relief and reduced swelling.  Change maternity pads regularly.   Move around as often as possible, to increase blood circulation and speed the healing process.   Keep the perineum area dry and wear cotton, breathable underwear.   Avoid lifting heavy objects or strenuous activity as the strain may cause bleeding and break the stitches.   Going ‘Number 2’s’ There are so many topics not talked about before giving birth and discussing your first bowel motion after a vaginal birth, is one of them. When 'down there' is raw, sore and swollen, for some women, the thought of 'going number two's' can be terrifying. With a little help from nature, you can make things a whole lot more comfortable. In the first couple of days after giving birth, drink lots of water and try eating kiwifruit and high fibre foods such as leafy green vegetables. Apples, citrus fruits, lentils, beans, wholegrains and dried fruit are also good options to have on hand. You may need to bring these to the hospital with you. For many women Kiwi Crush is a god-send and is a 'hospital-bag must-have'.  Health food stores and pharmacies also generally stock good quality natural laxatives.  The key is to be prepared with what you need to help make things a little ‘softer’ and a little more comfortable. Bleeding after Birth Vaginal bleeding after labour is normal. Initially the bleeding can be quite heavy and you’ll need maternity or heavy flow pads (do not use tampons). Change your pads regularly and wash your hands before and after. You may notice the bleeding is redder and heavier when you breastfeed. This happens because breastfeeding makes your womb contract. You may also feel cramps similar to period pains. The bleeding will carry on for a few weeks. It will gradually turn a brownish colour and decrease until it finally stops. If you're losing blood in large clots, tell your midwife. You may need some treatment. Just like pregnancy and childbirth, your postpartum recovery is personal and unique. During this time, focus on your new born and your own well-being. It’s more than OK to be easy on yourself during this time. If you’re having difficulties during your postpartum recovery, don’t be afraid to contact your LMC at any time. And don’t hold back on sharing your feelings with your partner, or reaching out to close friends and family members for help with the baby. Your physical and emotional health is important, so make sure to give yourself a break when you need it the most. SHOP Maternity

Is your toddler ready to toilet train?

Timing is everything when it comes to toilet training success. As any parent who's been through it can tell you, trying to force the toilet on a ‘not-quite-ready’ toddler only prolongs the process (and makes everyone miserable!).  So how can you tell if your little one is ready to make the leap from nappies to the toilet? Here are ten tell-tale signs: Shows an interest in the toilet, potty or underpants Stays dry for two or more hours Wants to watch you ‘go’ 'Number twos’ happening on a predictable schedule Complains about wet or dirty nappies, and wants to be changed Can follow basic instructions. Understands basic vocab like "wee" and "poop" Can tell you when they need to go—or uses body language, like going into a corner or grunting Can pull their pants up and down with little assistance Can learn to use toilet training gear, such as a Step-on-Up Toilet Trainer Seat or Bumbo Step n’ Potty. And remember, help is here for any age and stage. SHOP Toilet Training: Step-on-Up Toilet Trainer Seats now on SALE $29.99 for a limited time only.

What's the right room temperature for baby?

You know yourself that when your bedroom is too hot or too cold, it's hard to get a good night's sleep. This is true for babies too. Making sure the room temperature is right for baby is important for keeping them safe, healthy and well-slept. The best room temperature for baby's room is between 18˚C and 22˚C. Babies control their temperature predominantly through their face and head, so sleeping baby on their back with their head and face uncovered is the best way to protect baby from overheating. To maintain baby's room at the right temperature you may want to use a heater with a thermostate set on the optimal temperature or use a nifty little device called a Room Monitor to help you keep things just right. Not only is it important to keep an eye on the temperature in baby's room but also watch the humidity levels. The humidity level should be maintained around 40% - 60%. Why is the humidity level important? High humidity can encourage the growth of bacteria in the air and mold and mildew growth. A low humidity level can make the room feel colder and dry out nasal passages and cause cracked, itchy skin. Check out Kelvin, our new All-in-One Room Monitor to help you maintain a healthy, safe room for baby to sleep.

Cleaning your Blissful Bedtime Humidifer

How does a bedwetting alarm work?

If your child is around 5 or 6 years of age and still wetting at night, bedwetting alarms aim to help your child wake when recognising the sensation to urinate. An alarm teaches your child's brain to respond to a full bladder, even during sleep. When exposed to wetness (urine) the alarm makes a loud noise to wake your child. The sound needs to be loud enough and quick enough to wake your child prior to complete bladder emptying. When beginning your child will wet and the alarm will sound. Your child (and you) will wake up and you will need to take him to the toilet to completely empty his bladder of any “left over” urine. Initially your child is likely to empty his bladder before reaching the toilet, but with practice this should improve. Using the alarm every night and waking up just after wetting should eventually teach your child's brain to wake up prior to wetting. With time, wetting will happen less frequently and eventually your child will stop wetting altogether. Once your child establishes a consistent pattern of waking during the night prior to wetting then you will no longer need the alarm.  Some children stop wetting within days or weeks, other children and can 2-3 months to stop wetting. Bedwetting alarms are the most commonly used tool to help children stop wetting the bed. They are recommended by Continence Nurses and they're 100% safe.  Which alarm is best for my child?   "My 6yo daughter is such a heavy sleeper we couldn’t get her out of overnight nappies, despite being out of day nappies extremely early. We’ve been using your Rodger Bedwetting Alarm for about 3 weeks consistently and she is now waking herself up once a night (beating the alarm essentially) to go to the toilet. The progress seemed to have come in stages from the alarm going off while she did a pee then she learned to hold most of the pee in when the alarm went off until now finally she is beating the alarm and getting up to pee herself before she lets any go in bed. It’s been such a success and we’re so proud of her. Of course it was a little scary for her at first, a gadget she wasn’t familiar with. We spoke to her about it, tested the alarm together so she knew what to expect and what it sounded like and let her know that there was no pressure and we could just give it a try without expectation. Well we are so happy now it’s been 4 nights of beating the alarm and will now take the alarm away to see how she goes….keeping it close to use again if she slips backwards. Thank you again for the great product and very quick postage." Learn more about the Rodger Wireless Bedwetting Alarm

How does heat relieve pain from colic?

The old wives' tale has it that a hot water bottle can relieve pain deep in the body - and now scientists have discovered why. A hot compress can physically shut down the normal pain response involved in stomach aches, period pain or colic. "The heat doesn't just provide comfort and have a placebo effect - it actually deactivates the pain at a molecular level in much the same way as pharmaceutical painkillers," said Brian King, a senior lecturer in physiology at University College London, who led the research.  Dr King found that if heat is applied to the skin near where internal pain is felt, it switches on heat receptors at the site of injury. These in turn block the body's ability to detect pain. "Heat is recognised by a group of receptors called transient receptor potential channels," said Dr King. "One of them, TRP1, responds to heat at around 40C. It's known to be on the sensory nerves that supply the internal organs like the gut." When someone feels pain in the gut, a separate mechanism is firing. Receptors called P2X3 have detected ATP, a chemical that pours out of cells when they are damaged. The heat response appears to shut these receptors down. "You've got the heat receptor on one side and the ATP receptor on the other side that will recognise the pain. Both are present in our cells and yet, when you activate one, it switches off the other," said Dr King. "What appears to be something that can sense heat can help you get over visceral pain by switching off the pain mechanism." If your baby suffers from with pain from wind, cramps or colic then learn more about our Warm-Ease Heated Baby Belts. Now available https://www.moosebaby.co.nz/collections/moose/products/warm-ease-heated-baby-belt Source:  https://www.theguardian.com/science/2006/jul/05/health.society