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Teething Baby? Your go to Survival Guide
The teething baby survival guide Long before you spot the pearly white poking out of your little one’s gum, you’ll typically be warned of its arrival by a grizzly babe. Teething can happen anywhere from three to twelve months and some babies are even born with teeth. The signs of teething vary hugely – mountains of dribble, ear-pulling, strange rashes, increased night-waking or general grumpiness. Whatever your baby starts to do, it helps to have some tricks up your sleeve. Chewy toys That’s right – dogs and teething babies love them equally. That’s because counter pressure on sore gums can help provide relief. Save the railings of the cot (and anything else they can get their gums around) by having some teething toys on hand. Textured flexible teethers that can be popped in the fridge like the Haakaa Rabbit Teether have the added benefit of cooling and slightly numbing the gums. Gnaw-friendly foods Some babies love having a big piece of something hard to chew on, like chilled cucumber, carrot, celery or a hard rusk. Special teething rusks can usually be picked up at the supermarket or you can try making your own. As with any hard foods, make sure you keep a close eye on your little one as pieces can break off and become a choking hazard. Keep it cool Pop frozen fruit or veg in a teething feeder, like this one from Haakaa, to soothe sensitive gums. Make sure they’ll be soft once they melt – try bananas, ripe pears or stone fruit, and well-steamed veggies. Sometimes teething can affect your little one’s appetite too, so these are a great way to help get extra nourishment in when mealtimes are tough. The magic necklace Amber teething necklaces have been around for hundreds of years, and many parents swear by them! The theory is that succinic acid, a component of amber, is absorbed into your baby’s skin to soothe teething woes by reducing inflammation and promoting healing. While the jury is still out on whether they deliver on the magic promised, it’s worth a try! If nothing else, your babe gets a cute necklace out of it. Be sure to look for necklaces with individually knotted beads (for extra safety if broken). Teething and toothbrushing How about a teething aid that helps little ones get the hang of brushing their teeth at the same time? A teething toothbrush like this cute toothbrush will gently massage painful gums while cleaning any little teeth with its soft silicone bristles. Cuddles and comfort Sometimes all the teething aids in the world just won’t cut it and your baby just needs some extra cuddles and comfort. While it might seem like teething pains ramp up at night, it’s more likely that extra night-waking can just make it feel worse – to you! In the meantime, try and relish those extra snuggles (hard to do at 3 am, we know!) The last line of defence If chewing, rubbing and gnawing cool foods don't do the trick, it might be time to break out the liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always check with your GP or Plunket Nurse before administering any medicine, but a mild form of pain relief or anti-inflammatory can sometimes make all the difference. If you’re not quite ready to go down the medication route just yet, a natural alternative like Teething Tamer can provide natural, organic pain relief, which is easily applied externally (making it extra easy for little ones) and can be used from three months onwards.
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Healthy Eating - Kids in the kitchen
Kids in the kitchen – building a foundation of health I am hugely passionate about building a strong foundation of health for children, so that they don’t spend a large chunk of their lives attempting to undo bad habits or with chronic health conditions. One really impactful way to do this is to teach them how to cook nutritious home cooked meals from scratch. This builds confidence in the kitchen and is an incredibly valuable life skill to have so that when they eventually leave home they know how to cook and won’t need to rely on takeaways and nutritionally poor foods. It is also a really nice way to mindfully spend time with your children in a way that is really fun for the whole family. There is continually more emphasis being placed on the importance of teaching children to eat healthy nutritious foods, due to the prevalence of childhood obesity, the behavior and learning implications of nutritional deficiencies and obesity related health issues. Did you know that one in nine of our New Zealand children are classified as being obese? Our childhood obesity rates really highlight the importance of education for children about nutrition and how to cook homemade meals. As a parent it is often a battle to get children to eat healthy foods, they are inundated with advertising and clever marketing that promotes and encourages less than ideal foods, such as sugar laden cereals and juices with their favorite cartoon characters, or sports heroes on the packaging. It is everywhere you look, and in our busy modern society takeaways have become the norm and not just a treat anymore. As a busy mum of four myself I have felt plenty of mum guilt at times for looking for easy meal options that aren’t as nutritious as I would like out of time constraints and food preferences of my children. Thankfully now I have a far less idealistic view on nutrition for my family and realise that there is no such thing as being the perfect Mum and that it is perfectly healthy for families to also have treat foods, and to enjoy them occasionally without guilt while ensuring majority of the time they are eating well. Teaching my own children, and others at a local primary school how to cook different meals has been a really rewarding experience. Children love to learn through ‘doing’ and are far more receptive to trying new foods when they are involved in the cooking process. One of my favorite things to do it to write a list of their favorite foods, this is very predictable with kids and generally consists of pizza, burgers and fries then discuss how we can make these foods at home and what we can do to add in extra nutrients. For example, Pita pizzas with different herbs, vegetables and homemade pizza sauce, burger patties with mince and grated vegetables, hand cut and oven baked kumara fries etc. You can make this really fun by making a recipe together, formulating a shopping list and letting them help find the ingredients, my three-year-old loves this! There are so many great cookbooks and websites that offer great ideas and tips these days. Some of my favorites include. A great resource for all things vegetables including nutritional information, preparation tips, and educational resources https://www.vegetables.co.nz/ A great resource of recipes & children’s goal setting charts for healthy eating https://www.healthykids.org.nz/ A personal favourite for lots of delicious kid friendly nutritious recipes would have to be Nadia Lim’s Kid section on her website https://nadialim.com/?sfid=974&_sft_meals_courses=kid-friendly For my older boys one activity that they really loved from around the age of five was picking a country, then looking for one of their traditional dishes and cooking it. The most loved one that was often repeated was Mexican fiesta night with tacos, pepitas and guacamole. This is a really fun way to get children in the kitchen and trying new foods. I have also found meal subscriptions like HelloFresh great for the older kids as everything they need including a simple recipe card is all included. They get really excited when they are making dinner themselves and it creates a huge feeling of accomplishment in them and also as a mum! Other skills that are strengthened when it comes to cooking with children include basic maths in younger children through counting and measuring. This also builds communication and language skills by discussing ingredients and recipes. Pre-schoolers are well known for being fussy eaters, encouraging them to explore different foods and textures by involving them in meal time preparation can really help to broaden their palate. You can also talk about how healthy foods help us to grow and the differences between different foods such fruits and vegetables, or for older children carbohydrates, protein and fats. This can also be a great time to explore mindful eating by engaging the difference senses during food preparation. Exploring the different appearances, textures, smells, tastes and sounds of food, exploring this is a wonderful way to be engaged for children and parents Most importantly have fun with it, you’re teaching your children an incredibly important life skill that will benefit them for years to come, instilling independence and not to mention eventually some time out from cooking yourself – win,win! Kylie Stowe @melawholefoods Pita Pizza Serves 4 This is a firm favorite amongst my children and was also one of the most loved in my kids cooking & nutrition classes. It is really fun to head to your local farmers market on the weekend and let the kids pick some different ingredients to try, it is also a great way to learn about the different seasons when different produce is available. The recipe below is for a basic pita pizza as a guide but have fun with this and let the kids build their own and try new things. Ingredients - 4 wholemeal pita - 4 tbsp of tomato paste - 2 handfuls of basil leaves - 16 cherry tomatoes - 1 sliced smoked chicken breast - 1 sliced capsicum - 1c of mozzarella cheese Method 1. Preheat the oven to 180c fan bake, and line a baking tray with baking paper. 2. Place the pita bread on the tray, top with tomato paste, then basil. Equally arrange the other ingredients on the pita. Top with cheese. 3. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden. Enjoy! These are really nice served with salad.
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IT’S A WINNER BABY!
Stokke® Clikk™ High Chair wins Red Dot: Best of the Best In one of the world’s most prestigious design competitions, Stokke once again proved its excellence with the latest addition to our innovative line of seating, the Stokke® Clikk™ High Chair. Winning over the expert jury for the Red Dot Award, Product Design 2020, the Stokke® Clikk™ High Chair stood out amongst the 6,500 product entries and has been awarded the coveted Red Dot: Best of the Best for the highest quality and ground-breaking design. True to the motto “In search of good design and innovation”, only 1.2% of the objects entered received a Red Dot: Best of the Best. When asked what sets the Stokke® Clikk™ High Chair apart, lead designer Anders August Kittilsen commented, “The goal was to give families what they really need. The Stokke® Clikk™ High Chair is streamlined to provide exactly what you need when your child is about to learn how to sit on their own and start eating solid foods. We´ve removed all the features you don’t find necessary during the typical feeding period from about 6 to 36 months and focused on simulating babies’ development while offering convenience to the parents.” About the Red Dot Design Award With more than 18,000 entries, the Red Dot Award is one of the world’s largest design competitions. The international jury comprises experienced experts from different disciplines and has been convening for around 65 years in order to select the year’s best designs. The adjudication process lasts several days and is based on two essential criteria: The jurors test all the entries in order to assess not just the aesthetic but also the materials selected, the level of craftsmanship, the surface structure, ergonomics and functionality. Mealtime made easy We asked the real experts, parents, what they expect us to deliver upon in a new high chair. The feedback was unanimous, and we heard the pain points loud and clear. Combining parents’ input with our know-how, we’ve designed a high chair that answers the day-to-day needs of modern families during the typical feeding period. The result - the all-in-one, easy to assemble and easy to clean high chair that takes away the typical fuss of mealtime! Sleek, contemporary design, without any nooks or crannies means no more scrubbing and digging out leftovers. Simply wipe clean and pop the tray into the dishwasher. Three, simple to adapt, configurations offer optimal back and leg support for comfort and ergonomics at each age between 6 to 36 months. The deliberately minimalistic design offers the best balance of space and safety. The Stokke® Clikk™ High Chair allows for proper upright seating, encouraging natural movement and supports exploration as babies learn and develop at the family dining table. Stokke® Clikk™ High Chair – At A Glance Assembles in 1 minute, tool-free! Can be used from 6 months up to 3 years Adjustable footrest for comfort at each age Easy to wipe clean, dishwasher safe tray Includes everything - high chair, tray & harness Check it out on our site here
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Baby Shower Gifting
The baby gifting gauntlet – how to get it right. Bright pops of primary coloured toys, sleek Scandi-style nursery decor, temptingly tiny booties and seriously drool-worthy bibs. It’s easy to get carried away by the abundance of cute when shopping for a new baby, but what do new parents really need? Choosing the perfect baby shower gift to help make the lives of soon-to-be exhausted parents easier and brighter doesn't need to be complicated. Sticking to some tried-and-true, useful items will have them praising you for your clever gift – day and night. Dress for success That adorable tutu with matching headband and ballet-style booties may seem irresistibly cute, but the reality of dressing and undressing a small baby (several times a day) is likely to have overly fussy outfits quickly relegated to the impractical pile. Top points are given for something that delivers on the baby clothing trifecta – cute factor, easy to put on or take off, and easy to wash. Items like our organic cotton romper will tick all three boxes with minimal effort. While it’s easy to be drawn to the itsy-bitsy doll-sized newborn clothing, new parents will appreciate having a stash of larger clothing their baby can grow into (and some babies may skip newborn sizing all together!) Consider shopping for clothing in the 6 or 12-month range, but beware of seasonal variations. Add a gift of your time – it’s truly mind-blowing how much washing a tiny person can create – help a new parent by offering to put on a load of washing, or simply help fold that endless pile. You are feeling sleepy While gifting the (often elusive and always cherished) necessity of sleep to a new parent isn’t usually possible, products that can help on this front are always appreciated. Most parents will find themselves working their way through a bevy of sleep-related products (swaddles, sleeping bags and sleep aids) to find what suits them and their baby best, so complementary products like sleepwear, our beautiful merino bee blanket or the multipurpose muslin swadle make great gifts. Our merino or cotton gowns are a clever way to dress a baby at night, making night-time nappy changes easy. Anything that saves tired parents from trying to match up dozens of domes in a dimly lit room will have them thanking you for making life that little bit easier. And yes, boys can wear gowns too! Add a gift of your time – Offer to take the baby off their hands for an hour post-feed, so they can catch up on a little sleep. Splish splash, it’s time for a bath The delicate skin of a newborn means bath time in the early days is less about colourful bath toys and more about gentle muslin flannels paired with non-irritating skincare. New parents usually have something in mind for larger essentials like a baby bath, but accessories (think an essentials baby pack or a cosy hooded towel ) always go down a treat. Add a gift of your time – Instead of stopping by for tea and a chat, watch the baby for half an hour so they can take an uninterrupted, leisurely shower. The messy business of mealtime Starting a baby on solids isn’t typically on the radar of parents-to-be, and the associated products don’t often feature on new-baby essentials checklists. This makes baby-feeding accessories seriously useful gifts with some longevity. In the first year of a baby’s life, food seems to be more of a fashion item (to be worn) rather than a source of sustenance, meaning a decent stockpile of bibs is essential. Pretty bibs like the this are perfect for catching spills and staying crumb-free while out and about, whereas the more industrious silicone bib offers the practicality of being dishwasher-safe and stain-resistant. Add a gift of your time – bring over a hearty, home-cooked meal that can be easily frozen or reheated. Exhausted new parents will truly love you for it. The days are long, but the years are short It’s so easy for those precious early years to pass by in a blur of broken sleep and nappy changes, which is why a keepsake baby book makes a thoughtful and memorable gift for parents-to-be. Our beautiful monochrome Marlee + Jo Baby Book allows parents to record everything, from their first thoughts when the new babe arrives, right through to favourite memories of the not-so-new babe’s first day of school. Add a gift of your time – Take your camera along to the baby shower and snap away. Compile and print these special memories for entry in the gifted baby book. Still not sure? Dimples gift vouchers are available for purchase online and in-store, and allow new parents to hop online and pick up those forgotten items...all while still in their pyjamas.
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Music for Babies
Is it a myth or a must? You may have heard that Mozart in utero is essential to healthy brain development, and Baby Einstein on repeat will produce an intellectually advanced toddler. But is music for babies really a thing? Exposing babies and toddlers to music might not necessarily be intelligence-inducing, but it definitely has its benefits for both parents and babies. Here’s what the science really says! Music in utero From around 20 weeks into pregnancy, your baby’s ears start functioning – taking in all the familiar and soothing sounds of the womb and the outside world. That might be mum’s favourite music, the sound of her voice or the constant drum of her heartbeat. So, if classical music isn’t your thing, do you need to suffer through it in the later stages of pregnancy to produce a high IQ human? The jury is out on the intellectual impact of womb-tunes, but listening to music with your unborn babe can be a nice way to schedule some regular time to unwind and bond over your favourite melodies. As a bonus, using this time to de-stress gives you a valid excuse to belt out your greatest hits in the shower. If it makes you feel good, chances are your baby will love it too. While it might be tempting to share an earphone with your belly buddy, playing music through your stereo is a much better option. Amniotic fluid acts as a conductor and can make an earphone too loud for tiny ears. If you’re happy and you know it… We all know that music has the magical ability to transform your mood, and it can do the same for babies and toddlers. Even when they’re little, babies sway or bounce to the beat and can be calmed down with their favourite songs. Using the mood-altering magic of music can also be a helpful way to set up routines for babies and get toddlers on board with chores. Upbeat numbers can get things started in the morning, and special bedtime songs signal to toddlers it’s time to wind down and get ready for sleep. Similarly, music can make chores fun. Rather than asking toddlers to tidy up at the end of the day, take a leaf out of the childcare professionals’ books and learn a ‘clean up’ song – less nagging, more dancing! Learning through music Exposing babies and toddlers to music during their early years helps with learning sounds and the meanings of words. Songs like ‘Heads, shoulders, knees and toes’ expand their vocabularies and coordination, while singing the ABCs teaches sounds and early literacy. On the maths front, popular nursery rhymes are full of repetition, a great way for young brains to learn about patterns and what comes next. Lots of nursery rhymes also include numbers – it’s practically maths for babies! Getting physical Getting their tiny groove on helps toddlers build key motor skills like jumping, balancing and clapping. Body and mind work together as they move to the beat. Spatial awareness and social skills are also learnt through movements like dancing – avoiding bumps and noticing how other toddlers move in group settings. Music for bonding Life as a new parent can be all go, so it’s nice to schedule some regular bonding time and fun with music. If you feel lacking in the creative department, check out what’s on offer at your local library or church – many offer preschool music sessions which double as a great (and easy) opportunity for new mums to escape the house. Ears and imaginations Is there anything better than a toddler who is good at listening? Music cues toddlers to move and react, a great way to develop early listening skills. Similarly, songs that call for them to stomp like a dinosaur or snap like a crocodile sharpen their ability to listen and exercise their creative brains. The best musical instruments for your mini maestro Music doesn’t need to be expensive and can easily cost nothing. Aside from singing (free), other beats like clapping, clicking fingers or stomping are easy (and also free) ways to create music at home. Once you’ve exhausted those, there are plenty of things around the home that can make a serious sound – a good old wooden spoon and pot, or clanging two pot lids together. Looking for something slightly more tuneful? The best instruments for little fingers are things that can be hit or shaken. Think soft rattles for babies, simple wooden drums, maracas or xylophones. Music to your ears The good news is, there’s no real evidence that one type of music is better for your baby’s development than another – but there is evidence that music is a good thing overall. All that really matters is that you’re having fun and enjoying music with your little one. Because if you’re happy (and you know it), chances are your baby will be happy too!
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Making a Baby First Aid Kit
10 essentials for your baby’s first aid kit Be ready for emergencies and trips away You’ve Pinterested your dream nursery, sussed the decor and ticked off all the big purchases like a cot, pram and capsule. The reality of being responsible for a tiny person can take a while to sink in, and usually, a first aid kit for your baby isn’t top of mind. While you might have a couple of items like a thermometer and tiny nail clippers on your radar, a comprehensive first aid kit will set you up for years to come. It’s also easy to pop in your bag for trips away. Be sure to include these ten essentials: Thermometer – a thermometer you can trust can give you so much assurance. A non-contact thermometer like the NUK Baby Flash Thermometer makes the process super easy, and can even be used to see how hot your baby’s bath or food are too! Nasal decongestant and saline spray – unfortunately, it's only a matter of time before your little one gets their first cold and it usually means trouble feeding and sleeping. Since it’s a good few years until they can learn to blow their nose (usually around aged 2), a nasal decongestant combined with a saline nasal spray can help de-stuff and make feeding and sleeping a little easier. Nail clippers – cutting tiny nails for the first time can be a truly frightening experience and even worse, they seem to grow at lightning speed! Having some specific clippers on hand to keep nails short will prevent him from scratching himself. Emergency contacts – avoid scrambling on your phone by keeping important numbers like PlunketLine , Healthline and your local GP in an easy-to-find spot in your first aid kit – consider taping them to the inside of the lid. Pain relief – some form of over-the-counter pain relief such as liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen in your baby first aid kit can come in handy at all hours of the day or night. While you should always consult a professional (either your GP or an after-hours service) before administering any type of medicine, having this at the ready for fevers and minor aches and pains saves a trip to the pharmacy. An oral syringe – getting medicine into a baby can be tricky. The Haakaa Oral Syringe is an affordable, reusable syringe that is easy to use and easy to clean. Tweezers – even babies can get splinters! Rubbing alcohol swabs – grab a stash of these sterilising wipes to keep thermometers, tweezers and scissors clean. Plasters and antiseptic spray – even before they’re on the move, cuts and scrapes can happen. When they start moving, cuts and scrapes seem to happen every day! Disinfecting these and covering them with a small plaster will help them heal much faster. Gas relief drops – when burping doesn't seem to cut it, try infant gas relief drops. Learn more – take a course In addition to a well-stocked first aid kit for your baby, going along to a course specifically designed for dealing with littlies in an emergency is a great investment. Organisations like Plunket and Red Cross regularly hold affordable short courses designed to give you the confidence and basic skills needed to deal with emergencies until help arrives.
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Keep, pass-on or donate.
Keep, pass-on or donate. Here’s something that will be news to no-one: babies grow, and fast! That adorable onesie they came home wearing, the outfit they met their grandparents in, their first birthday party dress… they’re now sitting in storage – boxes of tiny clothes taking up room. That clutter helps no one, but there’s another downside to storing clothes – it actually damages them. Even if you wash and dry clothes thoroughly and store them in a dry, dark place, it’s likely they will suffer. Protein stains from drool, milk spills and spit-up get embedded in the clothing. If they’re in regular use, the marks are kept at bay, but in storage, they develop into yellow and brown stains. Most of these become permanent and are resistant to cleaning. Elastic and stretchy clothes will lose their elasticity, especially if they’re stored in a warm environment. So, baby clothes need to come out of storage, but how do you tell if they’re keepsakes, hand-me-downs or ready to be donated? We’ve made things simple with a checklist of things to consider before adding an item to the ‘keep’ pile. Donate or pass on, if the clothes are: Super girly or masculine If you have non-neutral clothes, it might not be smart to keep them for future children, unless you’re really comfy blurring gender lines. The chance of having that same-gender again is only 50/50. Very tiny There’s no way of knowing how big your next baby will be. If you had a premie the first time around, that 10lb second baby (ouch) won’t ever fit those tiny clothes. Strictly seasonal While high-quality merinos will suit most seasons, it’s best to get rid of anything that’s very heavy, or very light – light blousy dresses, or heavy jackets. If your next child is born at a different time of year, he’ll have outgrown the items before the weather gets cool or warm enough to wear them. Damaged or stained If you wouldn’t put your baby in the clothes now, don’t expect your mind to change later. Really useful to someone else Whether they’re a permanent donation to the Salvation Army or a loaner to close family or friends, they’re doing more good being used. Keep if the clothes are: Emotionally significant Perhaps your next baby won’t ever wear that tiny beanie, but you can’t bear to part with it. Some precious items are worth holding onto, for the memories. Versatile If something will work across seasons, genders, and is stretchy to accommodate growth, it might be worth keeping – you’ll have a better shot of getting your next baby into it at some point. Clean, tidy and high quality Everything you keep should look almost new. This means you’re more likely to still have some wearable things when the next baby comes along, even after being stored for a few years. When should you let those baby clothes go? Letting go can sometimes be difficult – it can be farewelling some happy moments in your life. That includes maternity clothes too – even if you ended up really hating those stretchy jeans, saying goodbye feels like letting go of that precious time. Many of us keep clothes well beyond any useful point if they hold beautiful memories. If this is you, then it’s time to make some choices. Keep a few outfits that are really important to you and have some lovely memories attached. You can even have some items made into a special memory quilt or cushion, so you can have them forever in a useful way. Then give away the rest. You’ll have your storage space again, you can feel good helping out another mother, and know that clothing will be used again to create happy memories for someone else.
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Pros and cons of getting a nanny
A nanny or not? That is the question It could be the best decision you ever make So, you’re ready to go back to work – now comes the sticky question of who looks after the kids. You’ve got plenty of options, all with different pros and cons, including daycare, home-based care and family members helping out. Not often explored in NZ is the option of getting a nanny. While some families think they’re the best thing since sliced bread, it’s not the right solution for everyone. Advantages of hiring a nanny No more frantic mornings It’s hard enough getting yourself out the door, let alone an unwilling toddler, or a baby who always seems to need changing at the wrong time. With your nanny around, frantic mornings are gone. It’ll be as simple as getting yourself ready and kissing your baby’s goodbye. One-on-one care It’s comforting to know that yours is the only kid (or kids!) your nanny has to worry about. There are no other crying babies to attend to, so they have the nanny’s attention all the time. That means your children’s emotional, physical and developmental needs are there first priority. Your children will also be at home in their own space – a far more relaxing environment than a Daycare Centre. Flexibility A nanny’s hours will usually be more flexible than daycare. Rather than rigid schedules, you’ll work to understand how flexible the nanny’s hours are, and how you can handle abrupt changes of plans. No more last-minute calls to daycare or paying through the nose for late pick-ups. Less illness Daycare is a breeding ground for coughs, colds and other childhood illnesses. By keeping your child away from other children, you’re avoiding a host of health issues, which is better for everyone in the family. Help in the home Imagine coming back to a tidy home, washing done and the kids fed. Nannies don’t just look after the kids – they can also help around the house too. The level of extra duties will depend on how many kids they are looking after, so it’s best to detail these from the start. No-compromise approach to care If you parent a certain way or believe in certain approaches, it can be difficult to let others look after your child when they don’t share your values or views. When you hire a nanny, you can choose someone who already fits your family, and then ask them to closely align with your parenting style. Daycare, homebased care or family members won’t give you nearly the same level of oversight and control. Disadvantages of a nanny You’re reliant on just one person If the nanny quits unexpectedly – or is unwell – you may be stranded with no other childcare options. A daycare is always open! Less social interaction Socialization is important for your child’s future. Daycare means your child has daily contact with peers but staying at home with the nanny means your child may miss out. To combat this, you could ask your nanny to schedule playdates, outings, and music or swimming classes. A bit pricier A nanny will need to be paid at least the minimum wage, which is $23.15 an hour – although you should expect to pay up to $30 an hour for a good one. That means a ten-hour day will cost at least $231.50, or $1,157.50 for a five-day week, which is a lot more expensive than your average daycare. If you have two or more kids, a nanny becomes a more economical option – you’ll pay the same hourly rate, regardless of the number of children (within reason!), but you pay per child for daycare. If the nanny can help out by doing some housework each day, the equation becomes even more attractive. More paperwork If you employ someone directly, you may have to pay PAYE and other employer-related taxes and benefits. You also need to be familiar with the Holidays Act and Employment Relations Act. Working through a nanny agency can solve some of these problems – they’ll handle the paperwork but may add a fee. Lack of privacy This person will be in your home, all day, with no other adult there. Some people may struggle with this and feel like they are losing their privacy. Questionable qualifications How do you know you can trust this person with your child? In NZ, there’s a Certificate in Nanny Education, a globally-recognised qualification. This qualification ensures they have the theoretical and practical knowledge to look after your children. But nannying doesn’t require qualifications – they could be studying towards an early childhood career or have no qualifications at all. You’ll need to do your homework to check up on potential nannies – even if they seem to tick all the boxes. Ready to find a nanny? If you’ve decided a nanny is the best option for your family, there are plenty of places you can find one. There are umbrella organizations that act as agencies to connect nannies and families. You could also advertise online or ask around your community for recommendations. Remember to check references thoroughly and perhaps conduct a paid trial to see if the nanny and your kids get along. Get it right, though, and a nanny could be an amazing addition to your family.
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Keep your Baby Close - Highchairs
Family Dinners are more important than you think. How eating together makes your baby smarter and healthier: There’s no denying it, the dinner table is the heart of family life. Research has also shown the critical role it plays in strengthening your bonds, and in helping your child’s development. Studies have shown that dinnertime chat is even more important for boosting your child's vocabulary than reading aloud. Young children learn 1,000 rare words at the dinner table, compared to only 143 from books. This increased vocabulary means your kids will read earlier and more easily. If your kids are school-aged, having them join you at the dinner table is possibly more important for their grades than making sure they get enough time in school, doing homework, playing sports or making art. There’s also a connection between family dinners and a bunch of health benefits – your kids will eat more fruit and veg , which may be why young adults who ate with their families as teens often have healthier eating habits and are less likely to be obese . Studies have also found that family dinners make kids happier , and less likely to suffer from depression or engage in risky behaviours . Embed family dinner habits early While you and your partner may have preferred to eat in front of the TV, your new baby should begin to change all that. The sooner you can establish the ritual of family dinners the better – ideally from infancy when they’re busy learning rules, words and habits. That can be easier said than done if you don’t have the right equipment. Highchairs are generally designed for older babies, and with little thought to facilitating family dinners. With bulky construction and a tray in the way, it’s almost impossible to get your baby close enough to the table to be part of the family dynamic. It’s why many parents end up feeding their babies separately and away from the table. For older children, adult chairs (even with boosters or cushions) can make dinner times just feel like hard work. Seated too low for their food, and with feet dangling, they can quickly become uncomfortable so they’re less able to concentrate on their meal, and on the family chit-chat going on around them. While you can find solutions for all of these issues for each stage, there are highchair systems that can grow alongside your baby, from infancy all the way to adulthood. Stokke® highchairs for easy family dinners from birth up The Tripp Trapp ® and Steps ™ highchairs from Stokke are designed to do just that, with fully adjustable seats and footrests. Clip on the safe, ergonomically designed Tripp Trapp or Steps Newborn Set and you can have your baby with you at the table right from the start. Perfect positioning and excellent leg support let your little one relax and enjoy the family time. It’s a great way to help your baby build strong relationships with the whole family – and means one parent isn’t absent from the dinner table. Once your baby can sit up unsupported, it’s time for the baby set for Tripp Trapp or for Steps to keep them safe, supported and comfortable at the table. Cushions are available for both the Tripp Trapp and Steps systems, too. Silicone EZPZ ™ mats for the Tripp Trapp and Steps chairs have built-in bowls to minimise spillage. They can be used with the Tripp Trapp or Steps trays or placed directly on your dinner table. Older children will also enjoy the Tripp Trapp Table Top Tray , with their suction bases and fun, educational motifs. The Tripp Trapp’s timeless Scandinavian design was first produced in 1976 and hasn’t changed since. Steps is a newer addition to the Stokke family, with a look to complement a range of interior styles. Both chairs come in a range of colours to mix and match to your home décor and with a warranty when you register your new chair’s serial number - Tripp Trapp is 7 years and Steps is 3 years. Get the best from your family meals Do yourselves and your children a big favour – don’t let television horn in on precious and valuable family meal times. The dinner table has been shown to be the best place for all kinds of learning and development, including vocabulary, eating habits, relationships and life-long health. Even when you understand the vital importance of family meals, it can be hard logistically to include your kids right from the start – tradition highchairs don’t help much! It’s good to know that Stokke® can provide a Tripp Trapp® or Steps™ seating system, allowing your kids to join the family meal right from newborn, and get the very best start possible.
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