Tip – Baby and Long Car Trips

Keep your baby occupied by playing games, listening to music and giving them toys to play with.

Keep a stash of toys just for travelling so bubs will be excited when they see the new toy or toy they have not seen in a while.

 

Tip – Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons are great and can be started when your baby is five months old. To help prepare your baby for swimming lessons, during bath time fill a cup with water, say your child’s name then “ready, set, go” and tip the cup of water over your baby’s head so it runs down their face. This will teach them to close their eyes and mouth and block their nose.

If you are planning to go to a certain swim school, go there first and ask them which voice commands they use when pouring water over the face.

 

Lead Towns need this New Hygienic Dummy Holder

Help me help community’s in high lead towns reduce the lead exposure of babies and toddlers with dummies. My invention can do this by offering a more hygienic dummy holder. Will reduce the amount of lead contaminated soil on the dummy teat, thus reducing lead digestion. When the toddler or baby spits the dummy out the cover will automatically glide down the holder to protect the dummy.

Mt Isa, Port Pirie and Broken Hill all have high levels of lead. The lead Alliance program has been developed to help the community live safely with lead. They offer free blood testing monitoring for people in the community and have noted that children under 5 are at greater risk of having high lead levels.

Some important points that are listed on there website are:

Children aged 0 – 5 years of age are at the greatest risk of developing health issues from elevated blood lead levels as lead is toxic to the human body. Children absorb a higher proportion of swallowed lead than adults.

Children absorb lead dust through ingestion into their stomach, which travels into the blood stream, so it is important to reduce the amount of lead dust your child has access to.

High Lead Levels may cause behavioural changes, poor attention, hyperactivity, depression and anxiety

May cause hearing and cognitive impairment, at this young age the child’s brain is still developing, lead may cause irreversible intelligence loss, causing lower IQ

How do I reduce the risk to my child?:

For young babies, safely pin their dummies to their clothing to prevent it falling onto the ground and collecting lead dust. (My invention will be a more hygienic dummy holder, than what is currently on the market. It Will reduce the amount of lead contaminated soil on the dummy teat, thus reducing lead digestion. When the toddler or baby spits the dummy out the cover will automatically glide down the holder to protect the dummy)

Wet wipe all kitchen benches and work tops to remove lead dust, especially before preparing meals and snacks for your children and family. Use a wet cloth and rinse the cloth regularly.

If you would like this made please email me thresia.ahern@gmail.com.au

Tip – Travelling by Plane

Feed your baby on take off and landing. The sucking action helps to keep their ears unblocked and reduces discomfort.

 

Tip – Tummy Time

Give your baby tummy time from at least two weeks of age for at least half an hour a day. You can put them on their tummy on a mat or on you. This will help strengthen the upper body muscles and the neck.

Don’t forget, Baby SOS includes a section on basic first aid provided by St John Ambulance Australia.

Tip – Food and Speech Development

Let babies (who are on solids) and toddlers taste different foods with different textures as it has been said to enhance speech development.

 

Tip – Childcare

Some questions you can ask when starting your child in childcare include:

• What are your policies regarding sick children and children who are not vaccinated?
• What types of food are served? Are you a healthy food no junk food centre or carer?
• If my child misbehaves what is your process?

There are over 16 different questions to ask a potential carer or daycare centre in Baby SOS.

Breastfeeding using K

Once your little one is on the breast, you will find he will suck better if his lips are out and not in, I call this the special K suck

Tip – Food Allergens

Common food allergens can include: eggs, fish, nuts, strawberries, oranges, mangoes, shellfish, milk, wheat, sesame seeds and soy beans. Be careful when introducing these foods to your child.

 

Tip – Vegetable Water as Stock

The water that you use in the saucepan when you are steaming vegetables can be used as stock. Pour the leftover stock in a container and add it to other foods to add flavour. This stock will last in your fridge for up to three days.