Babies

Dr Ken Law
6:46 am

Most Useful Baby Shower Gifts

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Baby showers are a great way to celebrate the impending arrival of a baby with your girlfriends. They are also an excuse to play baby-themed games, eat some great food, and have some fun… plus, there will usually be plenty of baby gifts! While it’s great to turn up with a surprise gift at a baby shower, pregnancy and birth can be a hectic time; it’s often best to buy something that will be useful following the arrival of the new baby. We asked a few mums what they thought were the most helpful baby shower gifts.  Here are some great ideas below: Baby clothes This would be the most obvious choice for a gift, but don’t forget babies do grow quickly. Consider buying clothes that are “00” and larger so that they will last a little while. Sleep Suits Sleep suits are a great gift idea and they are great for your baby to sleep in at night. You can get them from Target as well as the baby-themed stores. Portable change mat This is a great gift item and usually very affordable. They come in really handy when mum is out and about and needs to change her baby. Nappy delivery service Is mum-to-be intending on using cloth nappies? If so, a great idea for a gift is to pitch in with others and get her a nappy delivery service, such as Rescue Mum in Brisbane, where they collect dirty nappies and deliver clean ones. Alternatively, if mum is going to be using disposable nappies, you can never have enough and the supermarkets always have specials on! Baby care package Paw paw ointment, face cloths, wipes, a thermometer, and other items that will be needed on an ongoing basis… put a bunch of small essentials together in a nice basket/bag and you’ve got yourself a thoughtful and practical gift! Pregnancy recovery shorts SRC Pregnancy Recovery Shorts are excellent post birth to help with recovery and pulling the tummy back into shape. They go underneath clothing and have excellent reviews. *We sell SRC shorts at my practice at Greenslopes […]

Newborn Photographer

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Happy Snaps: Choosing a Photographer for Your Newborn Seeing your child for the first time is a truly magical moment. What better way to capture the wonder of this experience than with a professional photo of your new family member? When having baby photos taken, you want the final images to be as perfect as your child is, so it’s important to carefully choose the right photographer. Here are three tips to help you do so. Plan in Advance Research and compare local photographers well before you go into labour! Few periods of your life will be as hectic as the time immediately after bringing a new face into the world – you simply won’t have time to make a careful selection. The best photographers are usually in high demand, so consider booking well in advance. View Their Gallery When a photographer catches your attention, be sure to peruse a decent number of their past works. Make sure baby photography is something they specialise in, and check if their previous photos of children are as beautiful as you want yours to be. You are trusting this person with preserving one of your earliest memories of your new child, so don’t rely on great landscape or wedding photography as proof of their ability. Read Reviews What do other parents think of your potential photographer? Find out by checking their website for testimonials or asking for references. Your newborn’s photo-shoot should be an experience, not just a product, so don’t make your decision based solely on their portfolio. You want a photographer who knows how to create joy and capture it. Your new baby is precious and your first photos of them will be too. Take care to find a photographer with the talent and experience needed for such a special occasion. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Nursery Decorating Tips

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3 Tips for Decorating Your Nursery First and foremost, your nursery should provide your baby with a safe and relaxing environment. But once that’s taken care of, there’s no reason not to add a touch of your personal style to the room as well! After all, you will be spending a lot of time here. Here are three things to think about before you go out and buy any items for your nursery. 1. Choose Your Theme Will your nursery be ultra-modern or chic traditional? Before you even begin perusing furniture catalogues, you need to have a concept – even just a vague concept – in mind. This will help you create a consistent look in your nursery as well as saving you time in looking through items that simply don’t match your overall theme. 2. Choose Your Scheme Your colour scheme, that is. Gone are the days of uniform blue for boys and plain pink for girls. You can certainly choose a base colour with gender in mind, but a contemporary nursery should portray a whole palette of hues. To ensure the room is a peaceful space for your child, stick to neutral and/or calming colours. White and cream are always great back-up options, and you can rarely go wrong with pastels. 3. Get Inspired Not sure where to start? Jump online and get some inspiration from websites like Pinterest and Etsy. There are countless websites you can browse to get ideas for both overall nursery themes and individual furniture items. Don’t be afraid to take any concepts you find and adapt them to suit your personal tastes! With some pre-planning and a firm vision for your new baby’s first bedroom, you will be able to create a nursery that helps your bub sleep and also gets compliments from guests. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Baby Names

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Stuck on Baby Names? Here Are Some Ideas Your name is such an integral part of your identity, so it makes sense that you want to choose the right name for your baby. With so many names out there, the process of narrowing down your potential list can seem completely overwhelming – perhaps even leaving you with no ideas at all! Here are a few suggestions to help you approach this tricky task. Go Online The internet is a good place to start your search for eligible baby names. Sites like Baby Name Wizard and Nymbler provide plenty of tips and tools for choosing a baby name, including popularity charts. Browsing online should at least help you develop a shortlist. Loved Ones No doubt you and your partner have relatives and close friends you hold dear. Naming your child after someone who has made an indelible impact on your life can be a touching tribute. Keep in mind that you also want an era-appropriate name for your baby though – your great-great-grandfather’s name may not be suitable for newborns today. This approach could also extend to respected public figures that you and your partner have a deep admiration for. A Name You Both Like It’s important for both parents to be content with their child’s name. If a particular option is a big ‘Yes’ from you but a big ‘No’ from your partner, be respectful of their opinion and keep hunting. If you come across a name that makes both of you smile, it could be a sign that you’ve found the one. Our clinic has heard its fair share of baby-name discussions! If you need a caring and experienced obstetrician during your pregnancy, we would love to hear yours as well. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Pregnancy Diary

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Now you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy – have you considered keeping a diary? Even women who have never kept a journal – or haven’t used one since their school days – should consider writing a diary during their pregnancy. Whether you take out the old-fashioned notebook and pen or decide to go digital with your pre-childbirth thoughts and experiences, writing in a pregnancy diary is a wonderful idea. Why keep a pregnancy diary? The nine months of your pregnancy will be unlike any other period of your life, and tracking this time will help you re-live the magical moments (and the not-so-magical moments!) in the future. Not only can keeping a pregnancy diary be a fulfilling experience for you, but it can also help you gain rich insights into yourself. You might find your pregnancy reveals aspects of your personality you would otherwise never discover. How to keep a pregnancy diary The first thing you need to understand is that there is no ‘correct’ way to keep a pregnancy diary. If the way you approach it helps you get through the tough times and reflect on the process, you’ve already achieved the primary goal. Expecting mothers sometimes get hung up on what they’re ‘supposed’ to write about. Don’t let this bother you. Simply channel your raw thoughts, feelings, and experiences into the words that come naturally to you. If you’re a perfectionist who needs everything to sound right, you can always go over it and edit after writing! As with keeping any kind of journal, the hardest part is often remembering to keep it updated. The best way to solve this might be to set aside a pre-planned, specific time of every day (or second day) for writing. Obviously your pregnancy diary won’t always be your top priority, but it’s important that you value this allocated time in order to get the most out of it. For professional assistance with any aspect of your pregnancy, please contact our clinic. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and […]

Loneliness As A New Mum

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Having your first baby marks an exciting new phase of your life. However, being a new mum isn’t always the wonderful experience you might imagine it to be. In particular, a newborn inevitably leads you to sacrificing some of the quality time you previously spent with friends and family. While bonding with baby is certainly special and essential, the disconnect from the outside world can leave you feeling isolated. Here are some ideas for coping with loneliness as a new mum. Join a mums group, make new friends You’re never alone as a new mummy. Set up some catch-ups with friends who have also become parents recently or consider giving a mothers’ group a go. Spending time with other women who are in the same situation as you can be immensely helpful and make a big difference to your feelings of loneliness. Start a new hobby or course for you or bub if time permits! Whilst having a new baby can be time consuming as well as exhausting it is important to try and do something for yourself. If you are feeling like you need company then consider start a new hobby or short course if time permits – even if it is for an hour a week to get you out and meeting other people. If you aren’t able to then create a new hobby for bub that means you meet people too such as a Gymboree class or swimming classes when old enough. You’ll potentially meet mums with children the same age and keep bub active at the same time which can be a great way to get some vital interpersonal interaction into your routine! Don’t hesitate to ask for help Sometimes prolonged feelings of isolation after becoming a mum can be a sign of postnatal depression. If you experience extended or intense feelings of sadness after welcoming your new child into the world, don’t be afraid to seek help from your doctor or a counsellor. Our clinic specialises in assisting women during and after pregnancy. For advice about coping with anything – including loneliness after giving birth […]

Baby’s First Birthday

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How to Make Your Baby’s 1st Birthday Special Your newborn’s first birthday is a big deal – even if they won’t remember it or have any idea what’s going on! Here are some tips to help you make it a fun occasion for everyone (including yourself!). Big Bash vs. Intimate Gathering Depending on your preferences and the size of your home or venue, you need to decide whether to make your bub’s first birthday a large celebration or a more private get-together for just your closest friends and relatives. Whichever avenue you choose, don’t do it half-heartedly. A full-size party should feature a buffet of food, fun decorations everywhere, and plenty of games and entertainment for the kids. For smaller affairs, pay attention to detail – cook your family’s favourite meal, use your fanciest wine glasses, and find (or bake!) a cake everyone will love. Record as Much as Possible Nothing quite compares to the nostalgia of looking over old photos of your child’s earliest birthdays. With today’s tech, there’s no excuse for neglecting to film some short videos and take plenty of pictures – you can do it all from your smartphone. With your cute baby, a delicious-looking cake and the right filter, you’re bound to get a fair few likes on Instagram as well! Treat Yourself Honestly, a baby’s first birthday is about the parents just as much as the child. Getting through the first 12 months is quite an accomplishment – especially if it’s your first baby! Take a break during the festivities to relax and indulge in something you love, whether it’s some luxury chocolates or a much needed nap. Don’t forget that turning 1 is also an important milestone in regards to your child’s development. As mentioned, the best first step you can take is having an appointment with an experienced OB/GYN. Please contact us to book your consultation or simply call us on 1300 464 464 to discuss your needs with our friendly staff. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific […]

Staying Social

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Pregnant and Popular: Staying Social While Expecting It’s too easy to fall into a negative mindset about pregnancy and feel as if having a baby is all about sacrifices. Fortunately, your social life is absolutely not one of the things you have to give up while expecting. Here are two tips for keeping up with your friends during your pregnancy. Entertain from Home Especially in your third trimester, going out can become an ordeal. When you have the energy and time, you definitely still should. But if travelling and spending time beyond the comfort of home is getting too stressful, consider hosting get-togethers for your friends at home. BYO-platter parties are a particularly good idea; you won’t have to stand for a long time in the kitchen preparing food for everyone. And don’t worry – true friends won’t have any qualms about trading in the café setting for your living room or deck for a month or two. Try Some New Activities Are your friends’ favourite activities a little too strenuous for a pregnant woman? Ask them if they’d like to try something more laid back for a while. And if they don’t? Doesn’t matter! Try something new by yourself and you’ll even have the opportunity to make new friends. For example, if your social calendar typically features intense cycling, swap the bike for a pair of walking shoes for now. If you’re unsure whether a hobby of yours is okay to continue while you’re pregnant, feel free to call us to chat about it or check out one of my previous blog posts which is all about keeping fit during pregnancy. Pregnancy doesn’t mean sacrificing time spent doing things you love. With a few lifestyle adjustments, you can maintain your social life without missing a beat. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

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