Friday, November 28, 2008

CO-SLEEPING


Many BaBs mothers and babies co-sleep, with various arrangements that have evolved for sharing the family bed at night time.

I would love to hear from others about their experiences. Please add your thoughts as comments, or email me joy@aitex.com.au

The science of attachment parenting was in its infancy when I was a new mother, and it wasn't until our fourth child, Josh, (who worked out what was important very early in his life) deemed it necessary to have access to mummy's breast several times through the night that we learnt how to share our bed with him. The first three children had all been sleeping in their own beds through the night from six weeks of age, and growing like weeds, and perhaps snuggling in with us around dawn. This happened without any input or skill on my part, other than feeding them when they were hungry. In my experience, co-sleeping was a skill that I didn't learn until I needed it.

BaBs has received generous sponsorship from a business called 'Sweet Dreams', that produces My little bed. (hence the picture of the box) The owner of 'Sweet Dreams' asked me to endorse the product a couple of years ago. I agreed, with the condition that the money be paid to a charity that benefits mothers and babies, rather than accepting the money personally. In this way I have been pleased to direct the money to BaBs.

The statement on the box is that "New mothers, who learn to sleep close to their babies, are able to respond to them, breast feed comfortably, and return to sleep without difficulty. My little bed could help parents adjust to co-sleeping with their babies."

I want to emphasise the thought that we learn so much in the early days of becoming a mother - especially the first time. The development of lifelong attachments between a mother and child starts with the babe in the womb, and continues through infancy. A mother who is supported in learning to nourish and nurture her baby, especially in the first days, finds her own way safely through a complex and often challenging set of adjustments. The father is also making huge adjustments. Perhaps a modified 3-sided box, such as My little bed will give some parents the confidence to try co-sleeping.

Readers who are interested in knowing more about co-sleeping could visit Wikipedia, and some interesting discussion attached. The article lists "co-sleeping infant enclosures which are placed directly in the adult bed" under 'Products' [We are a consumer society, after all], along with one that I had a little chuckle about "bed top co-sleeping products designed to prevent baby from rolling off the adult bed and to absorb breastmilk and other night time leaks"!

In posting this information I would like to thank 'Sweet Dreams' for its sponsorship of BaBs, and wish all mothers and babies "sweet dreams". Joy

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Kaspar's blog

Melody Bourne wrote:
"I'm writing to share with you Kaspar's blog and fundraiser. Kaspar is the son of my friend, wonder woman and mother extraordinaire - Kerri Shoemark. Through Kerri I have learnt how 7 year old Kaspar brings boundless love and joy into the lives of his family and friends, and inspires like gifts into the wider world. Kaspar brings these gifts by being Kaspar, but being Kaspar also means having some crucial needs that far exceed his family's resources.

Kaspar's gifts in the words of his mother....

"I knew in my heart that Kaspar was just Kaspar, perfect in his imperfections and not to be boxed and labelled. We just had to be OK with the mystery of him and love him in every moment for what he brought to us. And he has brought us so much.... He has taught us lessons in compassion and unconditional love. He has taught us to accept all people as they are and not what our expectation of them might be."

And the hardship....

"...the fact is we do need to plan for Kaspar's' future and when you have a child with a disability the future can be terrifying...we have heard the horror stories of older more experienced parents. And have experienced first hand the financial and emotional nightmare that it can be."

It takes an entire village to raise a child...

"For Kaspar's life to rise above the usual picture we NEED THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY. Some can support us financially, some will occasionally bring us a home cooked meal and some will send warm thoughts. ALL OF THIS HELPS."

For Kaspar...

"The fund raising we are doing is for some of the basic tools of life in the western world...an appropriate bathroom and an appropriate vehicle...By supporting our appeal you are keeping a child out of an institution and keeping a family together.....and we humbly thank you."

For the future of children with disabilities and their families...

"Our future vision is to create a foundation that will provide wheel chair accessible vehicles for families in need. We have a team of very talented and dedicated people ready to act on our dream and we anticipate that by this time next year we will be launching the Kaspar Foundation."

Please check out Kaspar's blog. There is a fabulous gig coming up this Saturday 22nd of November, to be held at the Northcote Uniting Church Hall. If you can't make the gig then give something meaningful this Christmas, give so that a family may stay together. Follow the link.

www.kasparsfundraiser.blogspot.com

Please pass this on to human beings!

Midwives Naturally seminar on normal birth

Midwives Naturally would like to invite anyone interested in promoting or achieving a normal vaginal birth to attend a seminar being held on the 9th December 2008 at the Belly Belly Pregnancy centre. see www.midwivesnaturally.com.au for details and flyer. Hope to see you there, Nicola

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Towards a new understanding of Pelvic Instability

The Pelvic Instability Association (PIA) invite you to their November Meeting
Towards a new understanding of Pelvic Instability
Featuring guest speaker Jessica Danko. Jessica Danko was a Midwife and Maternal and Child Health Nurse when she became pregnant and suffered severe Pelvic Instability leading to several months in a wheelchair and intensive rehabilitation. Since then she has had a special interest in understanding all aspects of Pelvic Instability and how it impacts on women and their families. Jessica believes that Pelvic Instability is treatable and with further understanding of Pelvic Instability amongst the community women should hope to recover more quickly and move on to enjoy happy and healthy lives.

Sunday, November 23rd 2 pm to 4 pm
Location:
The Phoenix Park Library Meeting Room
Rob Roy Road, Malvern East (Mel Ref 69 D2)
Disabled and baby changing facilities available
Reserved parking spaces
Adventure playground and café for older children and partners

To RSVP and obtain more details, please email pelvicinstability@yahoo.com or
leave a message on our telephone message service: (03) 9539 3217

The Pelvic Instability Association (PIA) is an incorporated association, staffed entirely by volunteers, based in Victoria, Australia, with members worldwide. This group aims to provide support & information to women & families affected by Pelvic Instability in Australia and raise awareness of Pelvic Instability in the community and amongst health professionals.

Friday, November 7, 2008

CROYDON (Vic) BaBs Group - Term 4 calendar

Every week we check in with each other and give time to listen to a birth story, give time for questions or sharing a personal issue.

14 Nov - Viewing of Orgasmic Birth
21 Nov - Guest speaker P.A.N.D.A - Post and Ante Natal Depression Association - discussion and information
28 Nov - Choices in Childbirth discussion - in preparation for birth or debriefing, reflecting afterwards
05 Dec - Natural family planning - guest speaker and discussion
12 Dec - Natural birth - discussion
17 Dec - Wednesday 11.30-2.30 All Vic BaBs group Christmas Picnic @
Surrey Dive (Standard Ave, off Elgar Rd in Box Hill - close to the sports and acquatic complex).

Byo lunch and plate to share

Every Friday (school term)
10 – 12 pm
White Owl Wellness
209 Mount Dandenong Rd Croydon VIC 

Contact 9720 8058
BaBs is a free program.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

What's good about BaBs?

We asked this question at a BaBs group recently. What's good: important/valuable/useful about BaBs? Here are the answers that were written down at the time (not in any particular order of importance).

HAVING friends to share life with
CREATING a place for women to gather
BEING able to be ready for safe child birth
HAVING confidence in your abilities
SEEING breasts, and breastfeeding
LEARNING about normal birthing and parenting
FOCUSING on each other
ENCOURAGING our children to see mother's value of herself as a mother
ENCOURAGING mothers to breastfeed as much as we can without time restrictions
FEELING special while you're pregnant
HONORING the pregnant woman
MAKING pregnancy and birth a positive event to celebrate
VALUING motherhood, particularly the first five years
GIVING women freedom to speak in the group setting
ESTABLISHING real relationships, and friendships with real people.

In the BaBs groups I have been delighted to see mothers actively becoming and enjoying all these things listed here, and I have seen them support one another in a beautifully caring way. Joy Johnston