News
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The Sleep Effect Story
It has been over twelve months since I started Sleep Effect and this week in our blog, I thought I would share a little more about our story. Whils... -
The Sleep Effect Bub Hub story
You may have noticed the addition of Sleep Effects Bub Hub to the services we offer. This package was added to celebrate our first birthday. I have... -
Your child's perspective
Have you loved rocking, hugging or singing your child to sleep? When it is time for your child to go to sleep, have you embraced rocking them, hugg... -
Catnapping.....
One of the main reasons people contact me is because they had a great sleeper but they have turned into a catnapper. I define a catnap as a sleep any less than forty minutes in length. Your baby isn’t waking because they have had enough sleep rather they are unable to link their sleep cycles. This is going from the lighter (active sleep) to the deeper (quiet) sleep. Catnapping can be age appropriate and usually starts anywhere from 2-5 months. Having a catnapper can cause you as a parent a lot of angst, especially if you have read a lot and value the importance of sleep. Like everything with infants it takes some time and commitment, today I will share a few tips on what to do. -
Breastfeeding: support and facts
Today’s blog has a brief look at some breastfeeding facts, the benefits to our health and who we have available locally to help us with this journey. The World Health Organisation recommends that all children are exclusively breastfed until six months of age. At this time they recommend the introduction of solids. The rates reported by the Department of Health of exclusive breastfeeding at five months are 15.4%. As a nation we are well below the world rate of 40%. -
Feeding is so much more than milk
When I think about feeding a baby, my first thoughts take me back to sitting on the couch, in my nest, which over time I liked to move from couch to couch. I spent a lot of time in this position providing my growing child with the nutrients they need to nourish their body and enable them to grow. -
Farewell Daylight Savings
Have you missed a little bit of sunshine in your mornings? The great news is daylight savings ends this weekend on Sunday 7th of April at 3:00am. Y... -
Growth Spurt - fact or fiction?
Rapid growth occurs over the first twelve months and lets remember this is the average; some babies are on the lower or higher end of these averages. Today I am going to explore physical growth. There are many other components of child development including cognitive, psychological and social changes that occur during childhood but lets save those for another blog. Changes in weight, length, head, reflexes and more is discussed in this research based article
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Congestion and the common cold
Did you know the average preschooler has more than six colds a year…
I know what you are thinking, my family has just come off the back of a run of snotty noses. Whilst this is not the most glamorous topic, I have a few tips for you coming into the cooler months. If this is your first winter it is worth being a little prepared.
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Christmas Do's and Don'ts
The silly season can be a very fun part of our social calendars and often at this time of the year we are all tired, crawling over the finish line. I thought this week I would discuss some of the dos and don’ts of sleep. I don’t want to ruin the festive cheer but allow you to make informed decisions. These points are broad and apply to all age groups including us as adults. Some of the don’ts are obvious for children such as caffeine and alcohol consumption but others may take you by surprise. -
The benefits of an evening routine
I know I may have already had a few eye rolls but take a few minutes to read on, it isn’t as military as you are probably thinking. It is great to have a predictable evening routine with a set lights out time. When I say a routine I don’t mean you have to do every activity by the clock, rather you are doing the same series of activities in the same order everyday. For example, you have dinner, bath, breast/bottle feed, quiet time and then bed. It could be a simple sequence of three to four activities that are predictable in everyday living. -
Sleep Walking...
We have all had a friend or a child who sleep walks. Surveys suggest sleepwalking occurs in two to three children in every 100 children sleepwalk often and approximately five in every 100 children sleepwalk sometimes (Woolcock Institute). I found out these fascinating facts and much more when I recently visited the Woolcock Institute in Sydney. The Woolcock Institute is a leader in breathing and sleep research. I can’t wait to share this knowledge with you in our consultations or through our blog posts.
Sleepwalking occurs in our deeper sleep, also known as non rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). Sleep walking usually occurs early on in the night. It can last for a few minutes and can occur three to four nights in a week on average. People who sleep walk don’t usually remember doing this. A cause for sleepwalking is not always found so keep this in mind if you have a child who is a sleepwalker.
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