Welcome to the June Hubbub. We would like to welcome new subscribers and the 500 subscribers from NSW that signed up with us at the Parents Babies &
Childrens Expo in Sydney last week. We enjoyed meeting with viewers (more than 3,000) and getting your feedback and comments.
We will be attending the Parents Babies and Childrens Expo next month in Brisbane
and for a limited time have free passes for 1 person for 1 day (1 per family).
Email us for your free pass
no later than 30 June. Free passes will be collected from the ticket desk upon arrival at the show, so all you need to do is click on the 'email us' wording above
and let us know the full name of the person who will collect the free pass.
Baby-express.com.au is excited to offer, for the month of June, one lucky Bub Hub member the opportunity to sample their selection of products for new babies
and parents. Enter the competition at the end of this newsletter to win a $100 Gift Voucher with the
compliments of Baby Express and the Bub Hub.
Have a great month and for those of you with relatives in the UK, USA and Canada don’t forget that it's Fathers Day in those countries on the 15th.
Best Wishes
The Bub Hub Team
www.bubhub.com.au
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We would like to congratulate our prize winners from the Parents Babies & Childrens Sydney show:
Major prize - a night’s luxurious accommodation at the
Quay Grand Suites Sydney including
breakfast for two, a gift voucher towards dinner plans from Milton Baby Care Products
and a voucher towards 6 hours babysitting for the night from Charlton Brown Australia Nanny College valued
at over $650 won by Carolyne Lusted, Wattle Grove.
Runners Up – Babybuds - a unique bouquet of baby clothing which
doubles as a decorative floral arrangement for new mothers and beautiful clothing for baby won by Shahin Shanavas, Baulkham Hills.
Runners Up – Baby Express - pamper packs of lotions, one for Mum
and one for Dad won by Michelle Cornwell, Epping.
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Grand Prize – Six Nights at Couran Cove Island Resort valued at over
$2,700 is still up for grabs (Drawn after the Melbourne Expo in October from combined entries from all the shows).
There is also a major prize and runners up prizes available at the Expo’s in Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne so don’t forget to visit us at each show for a chance
to win!
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‘An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure’ is a quote that is particularly relevant when discussing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). We have asked
the National SIDS Council of Australia for some tips on ways to reduce the risk of SIDS for your baby this winter.
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It is important to know how to reduce the risk of SIDS and to sleep babies safely. Since parents have known how to reduce the risk of SIDS, the number of
babies dying of SIDS has reduced by over 70% in Australia.
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To reduce the risk of SIDS
• Put baby on the back to sleep
• Sleep baby with face uncovered
• Cigarette smoke is bad for baby
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There is an increase in SIDS deaths in the colder, changeable months. The reason for this is not clear. It is important to keep baby comfortably warm but not
hot and to do this in a way that baby’s face does not become completely covered by bedding.
SIDS and Kids suggest some helpful ways to keep baby’s face and head uncovered during sleep:
• Put baby’s feet at the bottom of the cot so that baby can’t wriggle down under the bed clothes
• You might decide not to use bedding at all but to use a cosy, safe sleeping bag. A safe sleeping bag is
one with fitted neck and armholes.
SAFE BEDDING
• Remove pillows, quilts, doonas, duvets and lambskins from the cot
• Soft and puffy bedding in the cot is unnecessary and may cover your baby’s face and make breathing difficult
• If you firmly wrap or swaddle your baby, it is safer not to cover baby’s head.
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A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP, DURING NIGHT & DAY
Look out for dangers - the following are things to look out for and avoid where your toddler or baby sleeps – both during the night and for any daytime naps.
Remember to look for these things in your own home and anywhere your child is cared for – including day care, childcare centres and the homes of family and friends.
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1. An unsupervised adult bed may be unsafe for babies or toddlers if they:
• get caught under adult bedding or pillows
• get trapped between the wall and the bed
• fall out of bed
• are rolled on by someone who sleeps very deeply, or who is affected by drugs or alcohol.
The risk of accident is increased if you leave your baby or toddler alone on an adult bed or bunk bed.
2. Soft sleeping places where a toddler’s or baby’s face may get covered
• If you fall asleep with the baby while on a couch or sofa, there is a very high risk of a sleeping accident
• Babies don’t need pillows. Pillows, cushions or tri-pillows are too soft and can cover baby’s face
• Don’t put your baby or toddler on a waterbed or beanbag. They are not safe for babies or toddlers.
3. Dangling cords or string
Keep the cot away from any cords hanging from blinds, curtains or electrical appliances because they could get caught around baby’s neck. Keep mobiles out of
the reach of curious little hands and mouths.
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4. Heaters and electrical appliances
Keep heaters or any electrical appliances well away from the cot to avoid the risk of overheating, burns and electrocution.
Don’t use electric blankets, hot water bottles or wheat bags for babies or young children. Remember that your toddler or baby cannot escape from a bed or
cot to cool down and does not know how to remove bedclothes. A baby that becomes too hot is at an increased risk of SIDS.
5. Prams, strollers and bouncers where restraints are not done up
Always do up the restraints when baby is in a pram, stroller, bouncer or any other baby/toddler equipment. It can be dangerous if baby becomes tangled in
loose restraints. Also, restraints will not be the safety measure they should be if they are not done up the way they are supposed to be.
Make sure the footrest on the stroller is strong and secure. A weak footrest may give way and cause baby to become trapped.
To have a copy of the SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping brochures sent to you telephone SIDS and Kids on 1300 308 307 or visit the SIDS and kids
website.
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SIDS and Kids
website: link
ph: 1300 308 307
The Bub Hub wishes you an illness free winter, but, just in case, we have asked the National Prescribing Service for advice on how best to deal with colds & flu.
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The annual winter onslaught of colds and flu is upon us and the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) has launched its third annual consumer health
campaign, Common colds need common sense.
The campaign aims to help stop the spread of winter ills and reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics, which are ineffective against viruses and can lead to
the emergence of resistant bacteria that do not respond to treatment.
“We especially want people to stop asking for antibiotics to treat the cold and flu because antibiotics don’t work against these viral infections and their side
effects can make you sicker. Antibiotics are only useful for a small percentage of respiratory illnesses, so trust your doctor and if it’s a cold or flu, treat the
symptoms and try not to pass it on.“
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The inappropriate use of antibiotics has been linked to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which kill up to 7,000 Australians each year.
Recent research has revealed that not only are antibiotics unlikely to help people with a cold or influenza get better faster, they can cause dangerous side
effects and make people seven times more likely to be infected by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
NPS wants people to adopt a common sense attitude to treating the common cold and flu by stopping the spread, treating the symptoms, taking it easy and
drinking plenty of fluids.
To help your child fight off the symptoms of the common cold:
• Give them plenty of fluids to replace those lost from their body
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Brisbane Parents
Psychologists from Griffith University want to hear from couples who have been living as a stepfamily (for at least 6 months but no longer than 3 years) about
their experience of stepfamily life. Couples also need to have at least one child under the age of 18 years living with them for 2 or more days a week.
If you are interested in taking part in this project (a small fee is payable), please call Maddy Phillips at Griffith University on (07) 3875 3383 or email her at
M.Phillips@griffith.edu.au.
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• Ensure they get plenty of rest to help their body's immune system fight off the virus
• Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
• Use paracetamol to relieve their aches and pains, and reduce fever
• Help them use a decongestant, in the form of nasal spray, drops, tablets, or mixture, that may help dry a runny nose or relieve blocked sinuses
• Give them ice or throat lozenges to suck, or get them to gargle warm, salty water to help soothe a sore throat.
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To help prevent your child from catching a cold or the flu and to reduce their severity:
• Feed them a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables
• Teach them to not share cups or cutlery with other people (especially those showing cold symptoms)
• Teach them to wash their hands regularly with soap, to reduce the chance of the virus spreading to themselves or other people
• Encourage them to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth to reduce the likelihood of a virus entering their system.
For more information:
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist
• Visit the common colds need common sense campaign website at www.gottacold.com
• Telephone Medicines Line on 1300 888 763, Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm, for confidential independent
information about medicines for consumers.
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NPS is a non-profit, independent organisation working to improve the health of Australians through appropriate prescribing and use of medicines. With 35 peak
health bodies as members, we work in partnership with GPs, pharmacists, specialists, other health professionals, Government, industry and consumers.
Common Colds Need Common Sense
ph: Miriam Fletcher on (02) 9699 4499
website: link
Recent statistics have indicated a staggering amount of bladder weakness during and after pregnancy. We have asked a
continence nurse advisor for some advice on how to address the issue. The Bub Hub’s Pre-Natal Exercise page
(pregnancy & birth section) and Post-Natal Exercise page (parenting resources section) provide information on
classes in your area that can assist with pelvic floor development.
LEARN MORE about YOUR PELVIC FLOOR…
Pregnancy can be the most magical time in a woman’s life and yet many women are still unprepared for the changes their body will experience
even before they have given birth.
While most changes are all completely normal, unlike stretch marks, an aching back and sleepless nights, bladder weakness is something that many
women have difficulty talking about.
Conservatively it is estimated that a staggering 2 in 3 women will experience some form of bladder weakness during pregnancy. This is because
pregnancy, labour and birth place additional strain on the pelvic floor muscles weakening them.
“Stress incontinence or bladder weakness, can occur just from laughing, sneezing or coughing. For some it can be a real problem, but for many women it only
amounts to a few drops now and then. No matter how minor the leakage, it’s still annoying and can lead to some embarrassing moments in what should be a
beautiful time.
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Tips for a healthy bladder
For many women bladder weakness can be cured and in almost every case there is something that can be done to manage and improve the situation.
There are several things you can do to ensure you have a healthy bladder:
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Don’t go to the toilet just in case or every time you get the urge, try to hold on
• Cut down on bladder irritants such as coffee, tea, cola drinks and alcohol
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Learn to do pelvic floor exercises
Strengthening pelvic floor muscles
Like any muscles, pelvic floor muscles need a regular workout to stay strong. Pelvic floor muscles need particular attention during pregnancy and post birth.
The floor of your pelvis is made up of layers of muscle and other tissues. These layers of muscle stretch from the tail bone at the back to the pubic bone at the
front, like a trampoline. The urethra, vagina and the rectum pass through the pelvic floor muscles which support the uterus and bowel. By strengthening your
pelvic floor muscles through as a series of simple exercises you will be able to improve control of your bladder.
Practice Every Day
• Squeeze, lift and hold as though you are trying not to pass wind
• Squeeze and lift 3 times quickly
• Squeeze the pelvic floor muscles and hold for 3 seconds and slowly release for 3 seconds
• Repeat 3 times
• Do these 3 times a day
• If you find the exercises getting easier, hold for longer and increase repetitions
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Brisbane Parents' Forum
The Creche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland (C&K) is holding their 2003 Early Childhood Conference Growing into the future
on 28 –29 June at the Mercure Hotel, Brisbane. The conference is aimed at early childhood educators and practitioners,
parents and other members of the community interested in the care and education of our children.
Additionally, there will be a free public forum entitled Getting ready for school: What’s happening in early education in Queensland? on Sunday 29 June at
1.45pm. If you are interested in attending this free forum, please phone the C&K office on (07) 3552 5333.
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It may take 6 to 12 weeks before you notice any improvement.
Remembering to do your pelvic floor exercises can sometimes be difficult. A good way to remember is to choose a trigger – such as every time you stop at a
red light when driving.
For further information and advice on bladder weakness and pelvic floor muscle exercises, the Continence Helpline can put you in touch with bladder weakness
experts or physiotherapists, 1800 330 066.
Felicity Hammond-Hill, Continence Nurse Advisor
Continence Helpline
ph: 1800 330 066
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If you would feel more comfortable knowing you had some “just in case protection” whilst getting those pelvic floor muscles back into shape, you might like to
try a specific bladder weakness liner. TENA are offering a FREE sample of their TENA active liners. Designed specifically to absorb the lighter faster flow of a
weak bladder, ultra-thin, discrete and dry – ideal for everyday use.
For samples or information call 1800 00 8362 (1800 00 TENA).
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Win a $100 gift voucher from Baby Express!
"The team at Baby Express would like to offer one lucky BubHub subscriber an
exclusive chance to win a $100.00 gift voucher to purchase from their extensive range of products for new baby,
the growing baby and their mums and dads.
Follow these 3 simple steps to be in the draw for the gift voucher which will be drawn on 30 June 2003. The winner will be notified by the team at Baby Express
and announced in the July Hubbub.
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1) Visit www.baby-express.com.au and join their FREE VIP club as instructed on the main shopping page. You will be allocated a BE number by return email.
2) Answer the following question: "How many Shopping Categories are there at Baby Express?".
3) Email your answer as well as your VIP number to info@baby-express.com.au.
Good Luck!
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If you enjoyed this newsletter and you have friends or family who you think would enjoy it too, please
forward it on. Remember to ask them to sign up for their own copy for future months.
Subscribing also makes you eligible for many of our Prize Draws!
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Website address: www.bubhub.com.au
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SIDS and winter from SIDS & Kids in Melbourne;