Parenting Matters in Maribyrnong, Victoria, Australia | Medical and health

Parenting Matters

Locality: Maribyrnong, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 418 551 011

Address: 34-36 Mephan St, Maribyrnong 3032 Maribyrnong, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.parenting-matters.com.au

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• Medical and health
• Educational consultant
• Paediatrician

20.01.2022 The experience of staying home with the Covid lock down has been challenging. Talking with mothers of babies born in the last few months, illustrates how important family and community support is. Many are struggling with natural anxiety dealing with a new baby, especially if it is their first, but compounded by being unable to have any hands on assistance. It has been challenging to work on line, trying to share feelings as well as information and trying to interpret on the... small phone screen what is going on. I have been doing work via Facetime or WhatsApp (and have half a dozen other on line seminar systems!!) from my dining room table with a lovely view (on a sunny day) of my flowering courtyard! Hopefully we will soon be able to offer support face to face . But just because we wish it was over doesn't make it so. So stay safe at home See more

20.01.2022 There is a lot of information around at the moment about COVID-19 and you might be feeling overwhelmed and unsure about what you should do. One of the best things we can all do every day to stop the spread of viruses like COVID-19 is practice excellent hand hygiene, and cough and sneeze etiquette. And teach this to your children by example. Keep up to date with the RIGHT information. Visit dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus I am still offering Consultation at Melbourne Pediatric ...Specialists , and at Quality Care Specialists. The clinics are still running with enhanced screening and hand hygiene. If the situation changes or you are unwell I can offer online video or phone consultation See more

19.01.2022 SLEEP FEEDING What is that you might ask? Picking baby up without waking him and inserting the bottle , and he will reflexively suck Some babies won't suck or will wake but many parents find a Dream feed works well for the 10pm feed. ... But many a parent, struggling with bottle (or breast) feeding, may well have found inadvertently find that the baby feeds as he is going to sleep. Then find that if they rock him to sleep he will reflexively start sucking and finish a feed. I see on average one family a month who have now got stuck with having no other way to feed their baby THE RISK This reflexive sucking may give the baby the ‘best’ feed of the day, but this way of feeding may then continue and the baby may come to feed no other way. Eventually the baby will not sleep or nap as often and thus fewer feeds ‘work’. This disregards the need of the baby to learn he has to feed when he is hungry. Also he may be hungry before his nap, but when he wakes hunger has gone and he has done nothing about it ! How do I separate sleep from feeding? The strategy is similar for Managing fussy feeding. (see https://parenting-matters.com.au/guided-solutions/) Feed only if awake, and do not feed if asleep The baby should be offered the feed when awake and alert and hungry. Establish a new routine for sleep so the baby learns hunger is not settled by sleep. Start by not feeding to sleep one time then offer the feed a little after he wakes when he may notice he is hungry. Waiting even 5 hours before offering, as he needs to start relearning what hunger feels like. Remember thirst, (Nature's way of telling you to drink is not a bad thing) may be what entices him to have a small drink and you are on your way. Persist with this for one feed a day and then stretch to 2 feeds If still struggling book an appointment for me to assist parenting-matters.com.au/contact/

19.01.2022 While this boy's story is different and not related to eating the struggle or distress can become a trigger for PTSD. A common cause of food refusal and feeding aversion and difficulty with Naso Gastric weaning. A good reminder to look more closely at the baby's past experience

18.01.2022 A great interview from the staff of the Facebook Group, Mealtime Building Blocks that I frequently recommend

17.01.2022 Many young children may become anxious with all the frightening TV pictures of fires and distraught people Check out the very helpful article if talking to children about the fires on the Royal Children's Hospital website https://blogs.rch.org.au//talking-to-children-about-what-/

15.01.2022 Parenting practices and family beliefs and values regarding child rearing are culturally determined; thus, approaches to supporting optimal child development ar...e best viewed within a cultural context. Astrid Berg writes about diversity and indigenous cultural practices: https://perspectives.waimh.org//diversity-and-the-positiv/ #IMH #WAIMH #WorldInWAIMH See more

12.01.2022 Hi all, Michele from Parenting Matters here Hope you're all doing well in this interesting time. For the safety of patients, staff and clinicians, the Melbourne Paediatric Service has decided that from close of business on Friday 27th March, 2020, we will no longer be offering face-to-face consultations as a practice, until further notice. I will continue to offer consultations to patients and families from home via Face time or Skype or by phone on Tuesday or Wednesday. To... book complete the Appointment Form on the home page. I trust you will all stay safe and calm in these stressful weeks and months. I'm here for you and your family so feel free to reach out https://parenting-matters.com.au/#book-appointment

12.01.2022 What makes my work so worthwhile? A mother saying "Thank you. I feel such joy now in my life with my baby"What makes my work so worthwhile? A mother saying "Thank you. I feel such joy now in my life with my baby"

06.01.2022 For the safety of children and families, staff and clinicians, the Melbourne Paediatric Specialists where I consult, has decided from close of business on Friday 27th March, 2020, we will no longer be offering face-to-face consultations as a practice, until further notice. I will continue to offer consultation from home via Facetime, Skype or by phone, on Tuesday or Wednesday To book complete the Appointment form on the website home page parenting-matters.com.au I trust you will all stay safe, well and calm in these stressful weeks

06.01.2022 I was alerted to the fact that too often we may take for granted that parents understand the jargon or slang we use in our discussion. Who would have thought some brief comment about changing formula brands that someone's advice (not mine!) to just do it 'cold turkey" had a mother wondering about where to find Cold Turkey Milk. True story! When I was a student nurse I remember a Medical resident confused about how nutritious flower based milk could be.Turns out the baby was on Carnation! A condensed milk used in days when cows' milk preparations predated formula. So remember it's OK to question any weird sounding advice you seem to get!!

03.01.2022 Thanks to Bonnie for her list for any mum struggling with breastfeeding on a dairy and soy free diet The Clara List- best no dairy no soy (and no chocolate beef and coffee) finds: Valcom red curry paste (I make chicken curry with heaps of veg including potato even though not authentic but helps feel more full which is hard on diet) with rice which is fine too. Cole's Christmas- the Gluten free Cole's Christmas mince pies and fruit cakes we can eat! Cheered me up.... Lots of rolls are soy and dairy free even if bread isnt.. Cole's Turkish rolls are particularly nice I have lots of big salad rolls. Mountain wraps we can have too and a lot healthier. Some rye breads and sourdoughs I've had are ok but you have to check each brand as each one is different. A lot of crackers are actually ok provided not super processed baked ones. The large crackers can be loaded with avocado etc Peanut butter (if 100%) great for fat cravings - Bega, Sanitarium, lots have a pure peanut version we can eat Most pasta (without fillings) and major brand pasta sauces are ok (if you make from home I would not trust out) Stew-y foods like lamb ragu and soups normally fine Naughties- plain crisps are ok, and some veggie chips! Natural brand of lollies also fine. Ice creams are available but very expensive. Pana brand delicious and closest to real icecream (not sorbet). I often just have mini meringue kisses with fresh fruit. Popcorn healthier option and coconut chips. The Organ gluten free brand does lots of biscuits we can eat - all dairy free just check back for soy free most are. Also do a banana packet cake which is ok when desperate and a caramel slice. Some local dining Eating out- Brunch- Chia pudding at Auction Room is delicious unlike most places where it's pretty blegh. Dinner - Red Sparrow Pizza is vegan, and the ones without the fiore di latte and fake meat are soy free and yum! Just avoid potato pizza as has lots of garlic bubs don't love. If being naughty, McDonald's fries are also dairy and soy free! For events- Mister Nice Bakes in Ascot Vale does cakes, bronuts and cinnamon scrolls we can eat - I've only had cake but was like heaven after so long without!

01.01.2022 We have seen a lot of fun post about parents coping (or not) with school work in these challenging times . But what about families coping with health or behavioural issues with their toddler / baby? With Maternal and Chiid Health services now usually only a Phone consult , and parents reluctant to go to a busy medical practice, it can be stressful without the usual supports . I have been doing on line Facetime or What'sApp calls and am amazed at how parents can make big changes, with just such casual support. One of my clients even weaned her baby off a nasogastric tube, and she is now eating and drinking good amounts. It can be hard for parents to persevere and stick wi th a plan Hats off to you all managing at home,trying to work as well as care for the children, with playgrounds closed and walking the block losing it's appeal!