From Co-Sleeping to Cot

From Co-Sleeping to Cot

Posted by •

The Ngala guide for nurturing the transition from co-sleeping to your child sleeping on their own.

 

Deciding on the when and how of your child’s sleep routine is a deeply personal choice, one that is often fraught with judgement and conflicting ideologies. Ngala is here to support all parents with the necessary information to make an informed choice for their child.  

Introduction 

The safest place for a baby to sleep is in the same room as an adult caregiver on their own sleep surface for the first six to 12 months. This helps with night-time bonding and can allow you to respond quickly to your baby. 

While there is an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) associated with co-sleeping and we do not advocate for co-sleeping during stays at our overnight hospital – We understand that many families may choose to co-sleep at home, for a range of reasons. We’re here to support all families with the information and support they need to ensure that everyone has a safe and restful night’s sleep.  

For those who have elected to co-sleep at home, there will likely be a time when you wish to transition your child to sleeping on their own cot, either in the same room or in a separate room. This can be a challenging process, as babies can become very attached to your presence and comfort at bedtime. However, with some patience, consistency, and gentle strategies, it is possible to help your baby learn to sleep independently and safely in their own cot. Here are some steps you can follow to make this transition smoother and easier for both you and your baby. 

  • Settle your baby or child on their back. If a child can roll unaided onto their front and back again, they may be left to being find their own sleep position. If a child is only able to roll one way, it is recommended to gently move them to their back if they have rolled to their side or front.  
  • Positioning aids or interventions are not recommended as these have been associated with infant deaths. 
  • Keep the cot free of toys, pillows and bumpers. Do not add activity centres or anything else that may become a choking hazard or that a child may use to climb out of the cot. 
  • Soft toys or attachment objects are not recommended to be used in sleeping spaces until after a child is seven (7) months old (or older for premature babies). 
  • Keep the cot away from hanging cords such as blinds, curtains or electrical appliances. 
  • Avoid hanging mirrors, pictures or other décor on the wall above the cot as they could fall into the cot onto the child. 
  • Keep heaters or any other electrical appliances well away from the cot to avoid the risk of overheating, burns and electrocution.  
  • Never use electric blankets, hot water bottles or wheat heat-bags on babies. 
  • A safe sleeping bag is one with a fitted neck and armholes. If a child is wearing a sleeping bag whilst sleeping outside of a cot, they require active supervision to avoid falling or injury. 
  • Ngala uses, and recommends parents use, cots that comply with the mandatory safety standard based on the Australian Standard for household cots. This includes second-hand cots sold in Australia. 
  • To ensure safe sleeping, it is recommended that children do not wear anything around their neck while sleeping or unsupervised until after three (3) years of age. This includes dummy ties, clips or chains, teething necklaces or jewellery. 
  • Once a child is able to climb and is at risk of climbing or falling out of their cot, it is recommended they are moved out of it. This is usually between two years and three and a half years of age but can be as early as 18 months.  
  • Bunk beds are not recommended for children under nine years of age. Half of fall injuries are children under six. 

At Ngala we practice strategies that are appropriate for the individual child’s age, developmental stage lifestyle and culture. We use a warm responsive approach, responding to the baby’s cues. At Ngala, we take small, incremental steps, always considering now both baby and parents are feeling. We do not support the practice of controlled crying. 

Transitioning from co-sleeping to sleeping in a cot can be a difficult and emotional process for both parents and babies. However, with some preparation, patience, and perseverance, it can be done successfully and safely. Remember, every baby is different, and there is no one right way to make this transition. You should do what works best for you and your baby. 

The Ngala Parenting Line is here to support you through this transition, with personalised advice and support for your own circumstances. Arrange a call with our child health experts today. 

 

 

Healthy Males Paternal Plus – Case for Change

Posted by •

With Father’s Day approaching this weekend, it is a timely reminder of the value and importance of fathers and partners.

Australian society, and our health system, has not kept pace with the changing needs, expectations, roles and diversity of modern-day families.

Non-birthing parents, most commonly men, are not systematically engaged or supported from pre-conception to parenthood. They are often treated as secondary to fertility, birthing and parenting processes – welcome, but not active-partners.

To look closely at this problem, Ngala was invited to be part of the Plus Paternal Round Table where, together with senior health professionals and policy makers from across Australia, we considered the evidence gathered and identified the best opportunities for change.

Attached below is the Case for Change, which outlines how social and gendered norms affect fathers and why the health system needs to change.

Ngala is proud to have been involved in this research and endorses this Case for Change.

Healthy Males Paternal Plus – Case for Change

 

Foods Not Suitable Under 12 Months

Posted by •

Cow’s milk

Cow’s milk should not be used as the main drink for infants before the age of 12 months as it doesn’t have all of the vitamins and minerals that your baby needs to grow and develop. Cow’s milk has large amounts of protein, sodium and potassium which can overload your baby’s immature kidneys.

Small amounts of cow’s milk can be used when cooking your baby’s food from about 9 months. After 12 months of age, your baby can begin to have plain whole cow’s milk as a drink.

Reduced-fat milks are not recommended for children aged less than 2 years, as they need the fat for energy.

Milo and flavoured milks are not recommended for young children as they contain large amounts of sugar.

Beverages

Fruit juice is not recommended for babies. It is better for your baby to eat fruit.

Soft drinks are very high in sugar and are not recommended. They also increase the risk of tooth decay.

Giving infants tea and coffee is not advisable.

Honey

It is recommended that honey is not given to children aged under 1 year as it may contain the spores of a type of bacteria that can cause a very serious illness (infant botulism) in babies. After 12 months of age, your baby is less susceptible to this bacterium.

Salt and sugar

Do not add salt or sugar to your baby’s food.

Processed foods, foods tinned in brine and snacks, such as chips, should be avoided due to high salt levels. Gravies and stock cubes not specifically for infants are also very high in salt. They should be used sparingly if infants are going to eat family foods containing them.

Salt may damage your baby’s kidneys. Your baby will receive all the salt their body needs from breastmilk, formula or natural food sources.

A high consumption of sugar and sugary foods can encourage a sweet tooth and lead to tooth decay when first teeth start to come through. Avoid sweet biscuits and rusks so infants don’t get into the habit of expecting sweet snacks. Limit the frequency of desserts.

Low-fat foods

Low-fat foods are not suitable for children under 2.

Choking hazards

Infants are at an increased risk of choking. Food should be cut into small pieces and hard vegetables should be lightly cooked.

Foods that might cause choking include: hard biscuits, raw apple, carrots, celery, sausage skins, whole peas, corn, beans, grapes, nuts, popcorn, hard lollies, corn chips, small bones or gristle.

Babies and young children need to be sitting when eating and drinking to avoid choking.

Other unsuitable foods

Do not feed these foods to infants:

  • Uncooked fermented meats (salami)
  • Raw or uncooked meat (particularly minced meat), poultry, fish and shellfish
  • Raw sprouts, such as alfalfa, clover and radish, due to the higher risk of food poisoning associated with these foods
  • Raw egg; all eggs should be cooked well to prevent salmonella poisoning and products containing raw eggs should be avoided

Want to know more?

Health Department of WA – Child and Adolescent Health – Baby’s first foods
Raising Children Network – Food allergies and food intolerances

Fruits and Vegetables for your Baby

Posted by •

Preparation and cooking

  • Wash your hands with soap thoroughly under running water.
  • Ensure the bench is clean and utensils have been washed in hot soapy water.
  • Wash vegetables or fruit.
  • Peel (if required) and chop vegetables/fruit into small pieces.
  • Place into a saucepan with a small amount of water. Or put a little water into a microwave safe bowl.
  • Boil the water in the pot, once boiling, add the chopped vegetables.
  • Gently simmer with a lid on or cook in the microwave until very soft. This may take about 10 minutes on the stove but you may have to experiment in the microwave to find the right amount of time.
  • Allow to cool slightly.
  • Drain the vegetables in the colander.
  • Place in a bowl and mash with a fork, hand blender or food processor until the food is soft and smooth. As your baby gets older (about 7-9 months) the texture should become lumpier.
  • Mix with boiled water, breast milk or formula until you reach the consistency your baby needs.
  • Only put the amount of food you think your baby will eat in a bowl, unused food should be discarded as the bacteria from your baby’s mouth can cause an upset tummy.
  • If food is not to be eaten immediately, store in fridge until needed (food can be kept in the fridge for 24 hours).
  • Make sure food has cooled before feeding it to your baby. To test the temperature of the food, wash your hands thoroughly then put your finger in the food to check that it is not too hot for your baby. It’s best not to test the temperature by eating the food yourself as this may spread germs from you to your baby.

Storage

Any extra food that has been made can be kept in a sealed container in the fridge for the next day or frozen for use within 3 months. It always a good idea to date food as you can forget when items were put in the fridge or freezer.

You can freeze extra food in ice block containers. When these are frozen the food can be transferred to plastic bags or containers in the freezer.
Frozen foods should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or under cold water in an airtight plastic wrapper or bag, stirring the contents from time to time and changing the water every 30 minutes. Foods can also be thawed in a microwave oven, using the defrost setting.

General tips

If travelling, prepared food should be carried in an esky with an ice pack and on arrival at your destination placed in a refrigerator. Food should be used within 4 hours.

You do not need to add any sugar or salt to your baby’s food, so if you are preparing the whole family’s vegetables/fruit take out the baby’s portion before adding any salt or sugar.

Your baby can progress from soft smooth textured food to foods of different textures quite quickly. Gradually include coarse mash, grated, minced and finely chopped foods. At around 9 months foods can be of a soft diced texture.

Want to know more?

The Raising Children Network – Child-friendly fruit and vegetables: in pictures

Finger Foods

Posted by •

Finger foods are anything edible your baby can hold. They need to be in small sizes that are easily picked up by small hands.

Your baby may become interested in finger foods anywhere from 8 months of age. Babies need to be able to sit with little or no support and have commenced eating solid food before being introduced to finger food. At first they may grab the food using their fist but this will change as their pincer grip develops (this is when babies use their thumb and index finger to pick up objects such as food). Finger feeding encourages this development and helps with hand to mouth coordination.

Your baby does not have to have teeth to enjoy finger foods.

Before offering your baby finger food, wash their hands and sit baby up in a highchair. Do not let baby lie back in the stroller when eating. Never leave your baby alone when eating as they may choke.

Always feed your baby when they are sitting down in a high chair or at a little table and chairs as they move to the end of the first year of life.

Finger Food Suggestions

Breads and cereals

  • Wholemeal toast with mashed avocado or mashed pumpkin on top
  • Cooked pasta twists plain or with a tomato sauce
  • Soft, cooked brown rice pressed into a small ball
  • Rice cakes
  • Italian bread sticks
  • Set polenta

Fruits and vegetables

  • Soft, ripe or cooked fruit wedges (e.g. banana, pear, peach, kiwi fruit, rockmelon, mango etc)
  • Peeled orange or mandarin with the flesh removed from the segments
  • Grated apple or cooked peeled apple slices that are soft
  • Dried fruit soaked in water until soft
  • Soft, well-cooked cool vegetables (e.g. broccoli florets, cooked carrots, roasted sweet potato, zucchini, cooked asparagus spears etc)
  • Avocado and cucumber cut into sticks

Dairy foods

  • Grated hard cheese
  • Cheese cut into sticks

Meat, fish, poultry, eggs and legumes

  • Small pieces of well cooked meats
  • Small meat or chicken mince balls
  • Cooked flaked fish removing any bones
  • Scrambled egg yolks
  • Firm tofu chunks

What to avoid

Foods to avoid include those that don’t breakdown into small pieces easily. These can be a choking hazard.

Hard foods that might cause choking include:

  • Hard biscuits,
  • Raw apple (if not grated),
  • Uncooked carrots,
  • Uncooked celery,
  • Sausage skins,
  • Whole peas,
  • Corn,
  • Beans,
  • Grapes that have the skin still covering,
  • Nuts,
  • Popcorn,
  • Hard lollies,
  • Corn chips, and
  • Small bones or gristle.

Want to Know More?

The Raising Children Network – Finger foods: in pictures
Pregnancy, birth & baby – Introducing solid food

Safe Food Guide For Pregnancy

Posted by •

You may find during pregnancy that you need to change your eating and drinking habits.
To meet the extra demands of pregnancy you may need to consume more nutritious foods and drinks. The key is to start small and be consistent.

Pregnancy safe food guide

tip sheet, tip sheets

Food preferences

Posted by •

Children, like adults, are attracted to certain textures, flavours and presentation. When we are children, appetite is a personal and innately well-controlled mechanism.

Remember, the preschooler years are all about:  

  • exploration and finding out who they are;
  • discovering what they like and don’t like; and 
  • seeing how much influence they have over their environment.  

Food choices and temperament

Consider your child’s temperament for a moment. Do they:  

  • like lots of rough and tumble, tickling, and noise? 
  • hang back and consider new environments before jumping in and having a go? 
  • like things ‘just so’ and predictable events and order in the day?  
  • hate scratchy clothes and labels and new bedding, clothes and shoes?
  • love getting their hands in the mud, taking their shoes off, and enjoy chaos?  

Not surprisingly, these adorable traits our children are developing will in some way be expressed in their food choices; textures, flavours, presentation and how they eat. It is not necessarily predictable, but as you get to know and fathom your child (which will take years!) it seems reasonable to indulge some of your child’s strong preferences around food. 

Common food preferences

Here are a few preferences to consider. Compare notes with other parents to check out what successful approaches they have come up with. 

‘Drinking’ their food
  • Raw juice: fruit and vegetable blends
  • Shakes: milks (cows, goats, coconut, nut milks)
  • Smoothies: mix a milk base with a variety of fruits
  • Soup: homemade from weekend roast bones stock, chunky or pureed.
  • Slushies: frozen/fresh fruit blended with ice chips
  • Custards: homemade egg custard
  • Yoghurt drinks: fruit or plain, thinned with milk
Strong flavours and casseroles
  • Bolognaise sauce combining five vegetables: cook down then puree with tomatoes, capsicum, zucchini, celery before adding mince
  • Slow cook one-pot meals with variety of vegetables
  • Gravies, soups and sauces with quality stock
  • Homemade tomato sauce or ketchup where you can add more vegetables
  • Use natural flavours: garlic, herbs, spices, chilli, curry, strong cheeses, mushrooms
Crunchy or crispy food
  • Raw vegetables with dips
  • Toast breads that are sliced very thinly
  • Oven toast vegetable ‘shavings’
  • Homemade potato wedges coated in spice mix and oven roasted
  • Homemade popcorn
  • Dry quality cereal mixed with nuts and seeds (watch out for choking hazards and allergies)
Sweet foods
  • Homemade cakes like carrot cake and use other novel vegetables and fruit in the recipe
  • Homemade biscuits made with oat flour, golden syrup or honey
  • Homemade icecream
  • Homemade jam: just stew down some berries, will not need added sugar
  • Homemade egg custard with fruit
  • Frozen mashed overripe bananas (naturally very sweet)
  • Pikelets made with an extra egg for more nutrition

Keep it simple

Parents often feel stumped when it comes to thinking up recipes and combinations of food in the preschooler years.

In truth, it is more straightforward, economical, and better received if we serve simple food.  

Eating food from your plate (or someone else’s!)

You may find that your preschooler will like to eat food off your plate.

Food is a lot about trust and association. If it’s okay for you to eat it, your child figures it should be good for them too!

The mental connections preschoolers make when they sneak a green bean off your plate soon after they tipped their serve on the floor may be hard to understand, but if they eat it, celebrate!

It may be frustrating at the time, but it makes survival sense for your child.

Want to know more?

The Raising Children Network – Preschoolers nutrition and fitness 

Healthy Kids Association – Food and nutrition 

Parenting a preschooler

Posted by •

Parenting a preschooler presents many new challenges and many new joys. Witnessing the change in development that comes with your child going to preschool can be heart-warming and exhausting.  

You will be required to listen to lots of stories as preschoolers try to articulate and make sense of what they have been seeing, hearing, learning and experiencing.  

New experiences and talents

Preschoolers will want to be more independent with doing things for themselves and will also want to be helpful around the house. Parents can offer encouragement and guidance to assist their preschooler to build their confidence as they learn to master new skills.  

Be patient and mindful to reward effort, not just outcomes. Sometimes things get messy or go a little wrong.  

Your child’s abilities, personalities and temperament will become a little bit more obvious. This can help parents to identify how they can support, nurture and guide their child through this stage of development. 

Your preschooler will develop new artistic talents whilst they are at preschool. You will be presented with works of art and craft that your preschooler will be very proud of, so make room on your fridge and walls!  

Working with challenges

Parenting a preschooler may bring new challenges for parents, such as another baby in the household or another baby on the way.  

For parents who work, it might mean that preschoolers need to be picked up from pre-school by someone else. You may be asked to be involved with the pre-school so you may need to negotiate time with your employer.  

Use of parental leave and sick leave may also increase as children are exposed to more illnesses in the class environment and bring those illnesses home.  

Good communication and co-parenting skills will help parents to manage these new challenges. Putting in place self-care practices such as eating healthy food and exercising are important to support good health and wellbeing for parents.  

Want to know more?

The Raising Children Network – Preschooler play & learning: Preschool and Talking and listening to preschoolers 

Department of Education WA – The start of compulsory schooling – Preprimary 

Guiding behaviour

Posted by •

Between the ages of 4 and 8 years your child may behave differently. This is because their brain is growing and developing. At this stage you will also notice physical changes. You may have difficulty understanding what’s happening or managing some of these new behaviours.  

There are a number of strategies that you can use that will help you achieve a calmer, more content household with happier children and parents. Every household will have different priorities depending on your family values and external influences affecting your life at the time. Helping children to understand why we need to behave in certain ways can be useful.  

Most parents are keen that their children learn what is acceptable social behaviour. It is helpful if parents develop an understanding of what is realistic in terms of physical and emotional development. Child Development 5-6 Years and Child Development 6-8 Years.  

Consistency is the key to successfully guiding your child’s behavior. At this challenging time, try not to let your own emotions or feelings get in the way. 

Acknowledging your child’s good behaviour is a powerful and effective tool. Make sure to notice all the positive behaviours, commenting on them and praising them as often as you can. By acknowledging a child’s good behaviour, parents will find themselves rewarded by  having a happy child and acceptable behaviour.  

It is important to create a safe, interesting and stimulating environment for our childrens’ developing brains and active bodies. Often undesirable behaviour will occur when children either become bored of their current environment or unstimulated. There are many activities and experiences that we can provide for our children which are free.  

These include: 

  • getting out in nature,  
  • playing in parks,  
  • visiting friends,  
  • swimming,  
  • attending playgroups, or  
  • going to age appropriate community events.  

Parents don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive toys and structured activities. 

Avoid reacting to negative behaviour. Sometimes what we see may be a child not knowing how to express themselves. Try to focus in on the feelings that may be underlying the behaviour. Are they confused, tired, worried or angry. Asking and talking about these feelings may be more effective in helping your child change the way they are behaving.  

Want to know more? 

Kidsmatter – Managing Behaviour 

Kidsmatter – Managing Behaviour Further Resources 

Kidsmatter – School Refusal 

Raising Children Network – School Age Behaviour