Resources
Supporting Parents
We run an online Private Facebook Group where we offer a safe non judgmental space for mothers and caregivers to get free advice from carefully curated experts in the field of babies and children. The group covers various interesting topics and does Live Q&A’s where you have the opportunity to ask questions. Come join us here!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mummyswhispersexpertadvice/
Practical Parenting Antenatal Classes – These can be attended in person or virtually and have a real point of difference to your average classes. They have half the sessions spent preparing you well for the whole birth experience. However, it is the second half of the course that sets the, apart. They talk about what happens AFTER the baby comes. This practical how-to of parenting and relationship building will give you the tools you need to step confidently into your parenting journey.
http://www.practicalparentingantenatal.com
Maternal Mental Health
Worldwide about 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women who have just given birth experience a mental disorder, primarily depression. In developing countries this is even higher, i.e. 15.6% during pregnancy and 19.8% after child birth. In severe cases mothers’ suffering might be so severe that they may even commit suicide. In addition, the affected mothers cannot function properly. As a result, the children’s growth and development may be negatively affected as well. Maternal mental disorders are treatable. Effective interventions can be delivered even by well-trained non-specialist health providers. [WHO. Maternal Mental Health. Nov. 2020.Web]
https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/pregnancy-and-new-parents/maternal-mental-health-and-wellbeing (Australia)
Four New Zealand women’s stories and how they got through their perinatal distress:
Baby Psychology
Development in babies is fascinating but also incredibly important. All children and families are different and will reach different milestones at different times. If an infants physical and emotional needs are met, the baby is able to trust. The trust helps create bonds and attachments where infants can trust adults to care for them. Ages 0-2 years is incredibly important for brain development. The five main areas of development is:
- Cognitive Development
- Social and Emotional Development
- Speech and Language Development
- Fine Motor Skill Development
- Gross Motor Skill Development
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/child-development-1-newborn-to-three-months
Safe Sleeping
Sleep is imperative for any parents well being and mental health, even more so a breast feeding mother as it assists with milk supply and production. It is also important for any child to be having a certain amount (age appropriate) of hours within a 24 hour cycle. It is important to practice safe sleeping practices at all times and in alignment with governing laws, which differ from country to country.
Mummy’s Whispers – Top Ten Tips for Happy, Healthy & Supportive Sleep in Babies & Toddlers
https://www.llli.org/the-safe-sleep-seven/
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sids.html
Feeding
Weaning a baby is a huge development and can happen sometimes as early as 4 months. We have prepared a useful guide to assist with what sorts of food and when.
Mummy's Whispers - Feeding Guide Up To 12 Months
Useful applications
Mobile phone applications can end up being lifesavers! At Mummy's Whispers we have a few favourites that we love to use.
- The Calm App - Perfect for nature sounds for parents and children’s. Great meditation and mindfulness. The perfect wind down.
https://apps.apple.com/app/id571800810 -
The Wonder Weeks – Weekly calendar keeping you informed about developmental milestones in your baby.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-wonder-weeks/id529815782
- Baby Tracker – Lifesaver for tracking babies feeding, sleeping etc. The app creates graphs which makes it different to you just writing it down.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/baby-tracker-newborn-log/id779656557
Products we like
- Grow Bright Everything - https://au.growbright
From nursing pillows to cot mattresses this is the place to go to for your children’s bedding needs.
- Dock a cot - https://dockatot.com
The greatest invention not only for tiny babies to sleep in but easy to move around and just lay baby on during the day and where ever suits you!
- Curaprox toothbrush/rattle and dummy – https://curaprox.com.au/info/baby
Swiss designed and recommended as one of the best from dentists, we thoroughly recommend this brand for infants.
- Lullabuy – https://lullabuy.co.nz
(New Zealand only) The perfect place to buy and sell you baby and children’s clothing and goods. Lots of designer pieces which can be hard to come by in New Zealand.
People we like
We love referring you to carefully created experts in the field of parents, babies and children that come highly recommended and we have worked with before. You can view our recommendations and find out there contact details here: