Post
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.
Learn more
Motherhood: Beyond the Fourth Trimester
Beyond The Fourth Trimester - A Sustainable Approach To Health Once the first few months with your new baby have passed you might be feeling like the haze of those early weeks has passed. You also might not be there just yet, just as each baby is different so is each pregnancy and the subsequent postpartum period. This is why it is important to be mindful of not judging how well you are doing based on other mothers who might appear to be completely back to normal with a baby who sleeps all night. If you are still breastfeeding, many mothers report a drop in milk supply at this point often saying that they no longer feel like their breasts are as full. This is something I experienced with my first baby and thought it meant I was losing my milk supply. It is normal for the initial fullness and engorgement to diminish as your milk supply is more established at this point, and your body has adjusted to supplying what your baby needs. If you do ever feel concerned by this your Plunket nurse, local lactation consultant or the La Leche league are a wonderful source of support & encouragement. Once those exhausting early months have passed many of the mothers I work with are keen to start focusing on reclaiming their pre-pregnancy bodies and to start dieting and exercising. Focusing on good nutrition and consistent exercise is hugely beneficial and has many positive health impacts such as increased energy, better sleep, improved mood and changes in body composition. What is really important to be mindful of, is that changes in diet and physical activity are best to be done with an incremental approach to minimise the chances of under-fuelling yourself, drops in milk supply, injuries and adding too much pressure on yourself. It also allows you to build sustainable health habits that you are more likely to maintain long term. I always recommend an appointment with a postpartum trained physiotherapist. They can assess your posture for diastasis recti (tummy muscle separation) and guidance on pelvic floor exercises. Women who have had caesareans often think because they haven't had a natural birth they don't need to worry about pelvic floor exercises - this isn't the case, pregnancy still takes its toll on the body so re-strengthening the pelvic floor after carrying a baby is important for all mothers. Working with a personal trainer that specialises in postpartum exercise is a great idea. They can ensure your exercise technique is correct to avoid injury and set an exercise program that is suitable for your current fitness level that will be mindful of the changes that need to be made to a fitness program based on your requirements postpartum. When looking at dieting I always encourage my Mum’s take a non-diet approach to focus on improving health not through restriction but with healthy nutritional choices that improve their health status not diminish it. To achieve this we focus on a nutritional approach that has a strong focus on nutrient repletion to help the body to replete nutrients that were preferentially supplied to their growing baby. Focusing on a diet full of whole unprocessed foods is the foundation for this. Most women find that this approach is very empowering, it leads to better satiety and self-regulation of eating over restriction then binge eating. When it comes to improving your diet always aim for progress, not perfection, and most importantly enjoy your meals! Adequate protein intake is essential for tissue repair and rebuilding especially when exercising. Sources of protein include meat, chicken, seafood, eggs, legumes nuts and seeds. Protein also helps to keep you feeling full for longer. I use and recommend Clean Lean Protein powder for smoothies as it is perfectly safe for breastfeeding mums. You can use the discount code ‘mela’ to save 15% at nuzest.co.nz . Eating plenty of colourful vegetables and some fruits (eat the rainbow!) is important to supply essential vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, fibre and carbohydrate. I aim to have three fist-sized servings of vegetables with lunch and dinner. It is important to supply yourself with some complex carbohydrate for energy and to assist with glycogen repletion after exercising. Some good sources are pumpkin, yams, kumara, and whole grains such as brown rice and quinoa. Don't forget to incorporate healthy fats with each meal. Fats have been demonised and avoided for so long that many people are not aware of how important adequate fat intake is for health. Dietary fat is essential for the absorption of many nutrients, production of certain hormones, the supply of energy and support of cell growth. Good sources of healthy fats include oily fish such as salmon, extra virgin olive oil, hemp seed oil, avocado, nuts and seeds. Lastly don't forget to drink your water! Aim for two glasses on rising then another 2 litres throughout the day and more when exercising. If you are a breastfeeding mum aiming to have a glass of water with each feed I find keeping a water bottle close by during the day and for those night feeds is a great idea - it’s thirsty work! Kylie Stowe @melawholefoods Postpartum Nourish Bowl Serves 1 Ingredients 120-150 grams of cooked sliced meat (or vegetarian alternative) 2 cups of salad greens 1 cup of an assortment of diced colourful vegetables 1 palm-sized serve of cooked complex carbohydrate (pumpkin, yams, brown rice, quinoa, kumara) ¼ - ½ of an avocado or 40 grams of Feta 1 tbsp of hummus 1tbsp toasted pumpkin & sunflower seeds 2 tbsp of dressing of your choice. Method Arrange all of the ingredients in a bowl, season, drizzle with dressing and enjoy! My favourite dressing is made with extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar & wholegrain mustard. To change up the flavours you can coat your protein in different herbs and spices the one pictured is Moroccan chicken.
Learn more
Mindful Meal Prep for Expectant Mums
In today’s busy modern society, the importance of sitting down together as a family at meal times and eating together and sharing about your day is a lost tradition for many. It is instead often a time that is busy, chaotic, and full of distractions with parents and children eating dinner at different times. There has been a plethora of research conducted around the benefits of family meal times, these benefits are said to include reduced rates of obesity, that adults tend to eat more slowly and often consume less food because they are engaged with other family members and discussion. This leads to less fast-paced mindless eating, chewing food adequately, and time for satiety ques to signal you are full more effectively. Something as simple as slowing down at meal times and chewing food effectively is an incredibly powerful health habit as this allows for the first phase of digestion to happen more efficiently. Cephalic phase digestion, meaning ‘of the head’ occurs at the sight, smell and taste of food and results in the excretion of approximately 20% of the gastric secretions required for digesting foods. Being mindful to slow meal times makes a huge difference in allowing the body adequate time for `these digestive phases to take place, chewing food is an incredibly important part of this process as it not only begins the mechanical breakdown of food but allows foods to be effectively mixed with saliva that is full of enzymes required to break down and digest foods. As a busy mum of four myself, I admit at times that when dinner rolls around at the end of a long day it feels like a chore, and can feel like a ‘job’ that I just want to be over as fast a possible. I have become aware that when I approach meal times in this way I end up feeling more stressed and don’t take the time to cook meals that are as nutritious as I would like, often resulting in me feeding the kids first which almost always leaves them not eating much of their dinner. My kids also don’t wind down as well when we approach meal times in this way and can easily flow on to a more challenging bedtime. In contrast, when we cook and eat together as a family, I usually feel less stressed, my children feel a sense of pride in having helped, and because I have put more thought into that meal time its generally a nutritionally superior meal. I almost always find the kids will eat more of their dinner and be far less fussy when meal times are approached in this way. I also notice my children are more relaxed at bedtime when we have had a relaxing family dinner together also. The research has also indicated that eating together builds stronger family relationships as it allows you all to come together and discuss your day, and feel connected and heard which helps to build a stronger sense of belonging which is thought to build self-esteem. Children learn through an example so role modeling good eating habits and table manners provides a great learning opportunity. As I always say aim for progress, and not perfection when it comes to health, if family meal times are not something that you currently do often in your house aim to implement a day a week and build on that. Don’t let it be a source of stress or guilt but instead a new fun tradition to start as a family. In my next blog, we will take a look at fun ways to get kids in the kitchen to teach them the valuable life skill of cooking. Kylie Stowe @melawholefoods Veggie loaded meatballs with salad and kumara wedges Serves 4 Meatballs 400 grams of prime minced beef 1 grated carrot 1c of thinly sliced baby spinach 2 cloves of crushed garlic 1 egg 4 tbsp of grated parmesan 2 tbsp of almond flour 1 tin of Ceres Organics Cherry Tomatoes Handful of freshly chopped thyme Kumara wedges 4 small kumara cut into chunky wedges Drizzle of olive oil Seasoning Side salad 4 cups of salad greens 1c of halves cherry tomatoes 4 tbsp of toasted pumpkin seeds 4 diced gherkins ½ a diced cucumber ½ a diced capsicum Drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette Method Preheat the oven to 180c fan bake Combine and mix through all of the ingredients for the meatballs (besides the tinned tomatoes and thyme) shape into golf ball sized meatballs. Mix the tinned tomatoes and herbs then pop in the fridge while you prepare the kumara wedges. Toss the kumara fries in oil and seasoning. Line a shallow baking dish with baking paper then evenly arrange the kumara wedges and put into the oven. Remove the meatballs from the fridge, lightly brown in a cast iron pan and top with the tomato and herb mixture. Put into the oven. Bake both for approximately 20 minutes depending on your oven. While the kumara and meatballs are baking combine the salad ingredients. I like to serve mine with a dollop of coconut yogurt. Enjoy!
Learn more
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
Learn more
Car Safety for Littlies
Car seats and safety tips for parents When you become a parent, keeping your child safe is your most important job, and safety in the car is particularly important. Most of us drive so regularly that we forget how dangerous cars can be – but car crashes are one of the most common causes of injury and death for children. Car seats are now more sophisticated and high-tech than ever before, which is good news when it comes to keeping your children safe. But as seats have changed, so have the rules and guidelines about installation and use. This is where it gets confusing – many parents are not sure about car restraint laws or best practices. You have to choose from a huge range of car seats, install them properly, then work out how to get your brand-new baby strapped in safely. It can be a minefield, so it’s a good idea to work out what you’re doing well ahead of time – you don’t want to be googling info on the way to the hospital. Here’s our guide to car safety for young kids in NZ. Car seat law in New Zealand Children are far smaller than adults, and they’re built differently as well. That’s why car seats are essential – they protect delicate bodies in case of an accident. Seat belts are designed to sit in the right place on adult bodies, but not on lighter, shorter children. They can actually cause damage to children’s organs in a crash. That’s why the law says that children in New Zealand must travel in an approved, appropriate car seat up to the age of seven . The seat must be installed correctly, and the child must be secured properly. After seven, she should use a booster seat until she is tall enough for safety belts to fit correctly. Safety tips for little ones Car seats are key, but there are other car safety considerations as well, especially as your child gets older. It’s important to never leave your baby or child in the car alone – even if you’re only leaving for a few minutes. Here’s what to remember: Install baby and child seats in the back seat, as this is the safest place – front airbags can be deadly to small children in a crash. Put your child in his seat and secure the straps every single time – even a short journey could be dangerous. Never leave children in the car alone, even for a short time – babies and small children can overheat and dehydrate very quickly if left in a car. In warm weather, make sure your car is air-conditioned, or keep a window open to provide airflow. As your child gets older, teach him to get out of the car on the footpath side if possible – if not, make sure he waits for an adult to get him out of the car. If you’re taking multiple children out of the car, teach them to keep a hand on the side of the vehicle while they wait. Don’t let children play with car doors or controls unsupervised. Activate child safety locks while driving if your car has them. The right car seat at any age When you look at the huge range of options, car seats can seem overwhelming. What’s right at each age? How do you install them correctly? How do you know when your child is ready for the next type of seat? The good news is, there’s actually a fairly simple progression of seat types for different ages – from 0-2 most babies should be in a rear-facing car seat, from two to around four or five they should be in a front-facing restraint, and after that, they should stay in a booster seat until they’re 148cm tall. Read our full guide to car seats here Rear-facing restraints Rear-facing child restraints are the safest option for small babies and toddlers. Because small children have large heads in proportion to their body size, a crash in a forward-facing seat can cause devastating damage to the neck and spine – so try to keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible. Experts recommend facing your baby backwards until she’s at least two, so if she outgrows her seat before then, you could think about buying a rear-facing seat with a higher height or weight limit. You can choose to use a rear-facing capsule-style seat for your new-born, or go straight to a convertible seat that takes you from infant to pre-school – or further. Rear-facing tips: Buy or rent an appropriate seat well before your baby is born – hospitals won’t let you leave without a car seat for your newborn. Read the instructions carefully and install the seat correctly – many retailers will help with installation or check to make sure your seat is properly fitted. Put the car seat in the back seat of the car if possible – front seat airbags can be seriously dangerous to babies and small children. If your vehicle doesn’t have a back seat, a rear-facing seat can be installed in the front passenger seat – but ask your mechanic to deactivate the airbag or move the seat back as far as you can. Don’t let small babies sleep in their car seats if you’re not driving, as the upright position can cause breathing difficulties in some cases. Always use a seat that’s appropriate to the weight and height of your baby – if you start with a capsule, you’ll probably need to switch to another rear-facing seat when your child is around six months old. Forward-facing car seats When your child outgrows his rear-facing position, you need to turn his seat around. You can tell he’s ready for the switch when the top of his head reaches the top of the car seat or the marked height limit, or when your baby’s weight reaches the limit for your particular seat. Forward-facing tips: Install the seat properly – don’t forget to use the tether strap if the seat needs one. Put the car seat in the back seat of the car unless there’s absolutely no other option – front seat airbags can be seriously dangerous to babies and small children. Always secure your child in the seat correctly – straps should sit flat and tight, and the central clip should be pulled up to sit in the centre of the child’s chest. Booster seats Unlike car seats, boosters don’t have a harness to hold the child in place – they just lift her into the right position to use the car’s seat belt. Your child is ready for a booster when her eye level reaches the top of her car seat, or when she reaches the recommended weight for your model of the seat. If your child grows out of her seat and you still want the safety of a child restraint, you can look for a seat with a higher maximum weight. Children should use a booster until they’re tall enough to use the car’s safety belts on their own – the belt should cross over the shoulder, rather than the neck, their legs should bend over the edge of the seat while their back reaches the seat, and the lap belt should cross their pelvis and thighs. Most children can stop using a booster at around 12 – or 148cm tall. Booster tips: Look for a booster seat with a belt guide to help position the seat belt on your child’s shoulder, rather than close to the neck Only use a booster seat with a full seat belt – lap belts will not hold them safely. Keeping your babies safe It may sound like a lot to learn, but keeping your children safe in the car is pretty straightforward once you get started. Just remember – try to keep them rear-facing and in a five-point harness for as long as you can. And if you’re confused about choosing the right car seat or installing it properly, talk to our expert team – we’re always happy to help.
Learn more
Help from our Experts
The COVID-19 Lockdown can be a difficult and stressful time for any new parent. Website information can be confusing and it is hard to know exactly what product would be best for you and your baby. To make things a little bit easier and to ensure our customers get all the information and advice they need we are offering one on one consultations with an experienced team member. Our team members Charlotte and Rebecca have been working at the Dimples Store for over 8 years and have extensive knowledge of all of our products and brands. They will be able to compare products for you and be able to help you find the best product to suit you and your baby. They both are registered car seat restraint technicians, which means they know how to correctly and safely install car seats and can offer advice for installation and sale of car seats to ensure you get the correct seat for your car and child. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please find out how to book your consultation below: How to book a consultation: • Email shop@dimples.co.nz with the products you are wanting further advice on or any enquiries you may have. • Our team member will then organise a date and time with you to be able to go through your enquiry. • If you do not want a zoom consultation they can answer your enquiry through email exchange or arrange a phone consultation with you.
Learn more
Reduce the Risk of SIDS
How to help keep your baby safe Entering the world of parenthood comes with its fair share of anxiety, from wondering how different your new life will be, to the worry of being responsible for a new little person. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), previously known as ‘cot death’, is the unexplained death (typically during sleep) of a seemingly healthy baby. While SIDS is a very real threat, with a little knowledge you can reduce many known contributing factors. Back to sleep You’ll no doubt hear this on repeat from midwives and Plunket nurses as soon as your little babe comes along and for very good reason. Babies who sleep on their stomachs are much more at risk of SIDS. While it’s not 100% understood exactly why experts believe it could be about re-inhaling stale air. Once your baby can happily roll over by themself, you don’t need to worry about sleeping positions any more. Make it a strictly smoke-free zone Smoking (and exposure to second-hand smoke) during pregnancy not only puts your baby at risk of health issues but increases the risk of SIDS too. It’s thought that nicotine can wreak havoc on a mechanism in their brain which senses a lack of oxygen and triggers breathing to start (called auto-resuscitation). So make sure it’s strictly a smoke-free zone when you’re pregnant and when your little one arrives, and that your family and friends are on board too. Welcome your new (temporary) roommate It’s widely recommended that your new babe bunks in with you (in their own safe sleeping space) for at least the first four to six months. This isn’t always practical for light sleepers, in which case a good breathing movement monitor set up in their nursery will give you peace of mind. A safe spot for slumber While room-sharing is recommended, bed-sharing isn’t. It can be so tempting to savour that extra time snuggled up in bed with your new babe, but bulky duvets, pillows and even an adult rolling can spell danger for little ones. Setting your baby up with their own safe space (like a portable Moses basket ) within arm’s reach is your best option. Be prepared to be suddenly jolted awake and find yourself sitting up in bed or a nursing chair with your baby in your arms – sleep deprivation can really grab hold of you in the early days. Sleeping with a baby on a chair or sofa is very dangerous, so to avoid this as much as possible, use the middle-of-the-night feeds as opportunities to clear out and edit that day’s photos on your phone (no doubt there will be plenty!) Your phone’s blue light will help keep you alert. Baby, it’s cold outside It’s important to make sure the room where your baby is sleeping is at a comfortable temperature. Bundling up babies at all times is an outdated theory – overheating is another substantial SIDS risk. Higher temperatures can put babies into a deeper slumber, making it difficult for them to wake if their breathing is obstructed. The recommended room temperature for a baby is 16 to 20 degrees, with around 18 degrees being ideal. To check your baby’s temperature, feel his back or tummy – it should feel warm. A great way to check the temperature of their nursery is with a combined nightlight/temperature sensor like the Moon Nightlight . Blankets (and everything else) be gone All those cute blankets, animal-shaped pillows and snuggly little toys that create a cosy-looking cot will need to stay in storage until your baby’s first birthday. Until then, all you need is a fitted sheet and wearable bedding like a Merino Sleep Pod to keep them warm. The key is to avoid anything that may cover their face and restrict breathing. Breastfeed if possible Experts aren’t sure why, but breastfeeding can significantly lower the risk of SIDS. The theory is that breastfeeding promotes the sucking and swallowing action, which develops muscles that keep the airway open while boosting brain development. Breastfed babies are generally lighter sleepers, too. This might not sound like a benefit at 2 am, but anything that helps reduce SIDS is a big plus. A big tick for pacifiers There tends to be negativity around using pacifiers, but they can not only be life-saving for unsettled babies during car trips, but also literally life-saving. Once again, it’s a bit of an unknown how pacifiers help, but there is a clear link – babies who use pacifiers are at lower risk of SIDS. As with breastfeeding, this could be due to more developed sucking and swallowing muscles that help keep airways open. If you’re breastfeeding, wait until this is well established (at least 4-6 weeks) before introducing a good quality silicone pacifier . Do what you can to reduce the risk While there are still a lot of unknowns with SIDS, being armed with what you can do to reduce as many risks as possible should put your mind at ease. Keep in mind that the risk of SIDS decreases after six months and is pretty rare after a baby’s first birthday.
Learn more
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.
Learn more
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!
Learn more
