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Travelling With a Baby Over Christmas

Babies - new mother, Parenthood, Parenting, Travel, useful things once baby is born - 14/12/2016

Travelling over the holidays can be stressful, but it can prove even more difficult with a baby. Here are some tips to help you have a stress-free Christmas holiday: Be prepared Whether you are flying or doing a road trip to see family interstate, make a list in advance of everything you generally use on a daily basis and pack everything ready. Make sure you leave a well packed nappy bag out for inside the car or on the flight with nappies, change of clothes, pre-filled water bottles (if using formula and flying – the airlines should allow you to take it on board – check with your airline), emergency dummy, snacks and food if bub is on solids, baby toys, wipes, and muslin cloths to name a few things. Invest in a cheap pushchair If flying a lot of parents often put their main pram/stroller on with cases and then buy a cheap foldable pushchair (around $25 in shops such as Target) to push bub around whilst in the airport and getting to the airport lounge (depending on age of your baby). Some airlines even have them on hand for you to use theirs. One less thing to worry about. Travel as light as possible With smart thinking you can reduce the amount of things you need for a trip. For example check with the hotel you are staying at whether they have bassinets or portacots available as that could be one less thing you need to worry about when travelling – don’t forget sheets though. If flying check with your airline whether you can book a bassinet/cot for your baby. Be mindful that with some airlines depending on the number of babies and their ages you may not always get an allocation. Safety Checks If going on a road trip a first aid kit is handy as is taking some baby Panadol with you just in case of a fever on the way*. Check your baby’s car seat is fitted properly, and consider window shades to ensure your baby doesn’t get exposed to too much sun. *always […]

Preparing Your Child for Another Baby

Babies - Brisbane Obstetrician, Parenting, Postnatal Care, Pregnancy - 22/01/2016

Baby #2: Preparing Your Child for a Brother or Sister Going from being the only child to having a sibling is difficult. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to keep all your kids healthy and happy, without showing any signs of favouritism. But even if you divide your attention equally between your newborn and older child, 50% will still seem like a lot less than the 100% your eldest son or daughter is used to. It’s crucial to prepare them for this transition early: Make it Exciting Tell your child about the great things that come with having a brother or sister, like always having someone to play with and talk to. Involve them in activities like decorating the baby’s room or choosing tiny outfits to help them feel more excited than anxious. Be Honest While it’s great to focus on the positives, don’t avoid the negatives; a rude shock is much worse than an expected one. If your child is old enough to understand, explain factors like having to share toys and needing to be the mature one. Make Them Feel Important Tell your child they can help their new brother or sister grow up, from feeding them while they’re a baby to helping them with homework in the future. If your child feels they have a role to play in their younger sibling’s growth, they should be able to look forward to this transition instead of dreading it. If you have any questions about this or any other aspect of pregnancy, please don’t hesitate to contact us; we’d be more than happy to discuss your concerns with you. 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.

Preparing Your Pet For New Baby

Babies - Brisbane Obstetrician, Greenslopes Obstetrician, Obstetrician, Parenting, Pets, Postnatal Care - 22/01/2016

If you are planning to have a family, when the time comes if you already have a family pet such as a dog, it is important to prepare them for the new addition to the family. They’ve gotten used to the way things are and their whole world is about to change, and some pets can take it very well and others not so well. Here are some tips for preparing your dog for your new arrival : Make your dog part of the preparation As you bring new things home ready for the baby such as the bassinet, stroller, and clothes; let the dog have a good sniff and look at the items so that he/she gets used to the new objects in the home. Once your baby is born – whilst in the hospital bring home some of the clothes that they have worn, and again let the dog have a good sniff so that when you do bring the baby home he/she will already be familiar with the smell of your baby and hopefully won’t not be as wary. If your dog is not used to babies then a great suggestion is to play a recording of a baby crying to get them used to the noise, especially if your dog is sensitive to noise. By the time you bring the baby home the noise will not be so strange to them. Practice walking around with a doll in your arms (or a cushion if you don’t have a doll) and see how the dog reacts. If the dog jumps up you have time to train them not to before you bring your baby home, and also to be aware of any potential issues. Attention Consider whether it might be good to hire a dog walker for the first few weeks/months of bringing your baby home, as you may find that there isn’t as much time to walk the dog. Having a dog walker take the dog out will help to keep the dog exercised, but also give him/her much needed attention, and make time where you […]