The Bub Hub E-Newsletter for Parents and Carers

Welcome To celebrate Fathers' Day we have an article and some resources for dads and we wish all our Dads a great day on the 5th. Eczema Awareness Week (19-25 see article below) and National Child Protection Week (5-11) are also in September.   Our big news from last month was the addition of the New Bub Hub Community. The Community already has over 210 members with 99 different discussion topics. There are some interesting discussions taking place - sleep issues, feeding and eczema are hot topics - as well as some requests for help. Do you know a good obstetrician in North Tasmania, Perth or SW Sydney that you can help our viewers out with? If you do, visit the forums and pass on your advice and experiences. Many of the topic headings have multiple discussions going on - to see them all, click on a topic heading and a new screen will appear showing all discussions ("threads" in forum-speak) in that category.   We've had a great response from various parenting organizations and groups, particularly in regional areas, that have been able to post events for parents, babies and toddlers in the Events Calendar (see links to the right). If the Event Calendar looks bare still for your region, get on there and add info about any local events that you think would be of interest to other parents. We invite all our Hubbubers to visit the community to look at or submit reviews, events or parent discussions. As ever, access is FREE.   This month’s articles are:   Understanding Eczema from the Eczema Association      of Australasia   Dads of 2004 from www.dadstheword.com   Pregnancy Nutrition from Natural Nutrition   Congratulations to the Winners of last months Little Bruiser competition (see box to right) as well as The Australian Breastfeeding Association who broke the world record for simultaneous breastfeeding on Friday the 6th of August.   Keep your eyes peeled to this spot for information on the exciting 2004 Bub Hub Christmas Hamper Giveaway!   All the best, The Bub Hub Team   www.bubhub.com.au

Pure Fun starts with a Heinz Pure Start™. Collect Heinz Baby Food labels for your choice of Fisher-Price® toys or Heinz Baby Basics™ feeding accessories. It’s all part of our promise to you, to help your baby have a healthy, active and pure start in life. Click here to read more!   Link to the Event Calendar section in your region: ACT  NSW  NT  QLD  SA  TAS  VIC  WA   August Newsletter Prize Winners Little Bruiser T-Shirts Andrea Gevaux, Candy Fung, Kylie Norris-Green, Vicki Phillips, Jacinda Maher, Monique Eames, Michelle McMillan, Alana Ashford, Andrea Nejedlik & Selena Taylor * Winners will be notified by email. Non response to winning notification emails may result in prizes being re-drawn.

Understanding Eczema

Eczema Awareness Week is September 19 to 25. One of the most frustrating things we have experienced as parents has been our son’s Eczema. We have asked the Eczema Association of Australia for an insight into this all too common skin disorder.
 

Many babies and toddlers suffer from eczema. In fact, eczema affects up to 30% of the Australian population at some time of life.   What is Eczema? Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a disorder which results in dry, inflamed and sometimes weeping or infected skin. It can cause redness and intense itching. The most common form is Atopic.   Although it can look unpleasant, eczema is not contagious. With treatment, the inflammation of eczema can be reduced.

Basic Treatment Use a Soap-free Wash & add a suitable oil to lukewarm bathwater.   Emollients These should be used frequently to keep dry skin moisturised and lubricated and to minimise itchiness. Always apply with clean hands.   Topical Steroids Topical Steroids are applied to the skin and act to reduce inflammation. They should be used under the supervision of a Doctor.

 

Other Treatments There are many other treatments available such as wet-wrapping, natural therapies, immunosuppressant creams, etc.   Some Commonly Asked Questions and Answers What Causes Eczema? The causes of eczema are many and varied and depend on the particular type of eczema that a person has. Atopic eczema is thought to be a hereditary condition, being genetically linked. Some people with atopic eczema are sensitive to allergens in the

environment. There is an excessive reaction by the immune system producing inflamed, irritated and sore skin. Associated atopic conditions include asthma and hayfever. Other types of eczema are caused by irritants such as chemicals and detergents and allergens such as nickel.   Which type of Eczema Do I have? The first step in effective treatment of eczema is a correct diagnosis from a Doctor. It may be necessary to be referred to a specialist.   Is There a Cure for Eczema? There is currently no cure for eczema, though research continues to shed new light on the condition.   Are Steroid Creams Safe to Use? Steroid Creams come in different strengths, and the strength of the steroid that a Doctor prescribes depends on the age of the patient and the severity of the condition. As long as the steroids are used as directed by your Doctor, the likelihood of side effects is very rare.   Can Changing Diet Help? The role of diet in the management of eczema is unclear. Dietary changes can be quite helpful in babies and young children always under nutritional advice from a Dietician.   Will My Child Grow out of their Eczema? There are no guarantees, however, research has shown that 60-70% of children are virtually clear of the condition by the time they reach their mid-teens.   How Can I Manage Eczema? There are many ways to minimize the discomfort and distress which eczema can bring, the foundation of which is an effective skin care routine. Eczema is a highly individual condition and what works for one sufferer may not be suitable for another.

 

bee eczema educated!

The Eczema Association of Australasia Inc (EAA) is an independent Australasian wide organisation founded in January 1994 as a non-profit registered charity and relies on memberships and donations along with corporate sponsorship to achieve its purpose:   - To support and educate Eczema sufferers and their carers; - To improve and broaden the availability of medical treatment and supplies for eczema sufferers; - To greatly increase public awareness on all aspects of Eczema and its impact.   The EAA offers its members a comprehensive range of services including FREE product samples, information sheets on a wide range of eczema topics and a quarterly newsletter, A-Topic News.

 
ECZEMA ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALASIA INC
Address: PO Box 1784 DC, CLEVELAND, QLD, 4163
Website: www.eczema.org.au
Phone: 1300 300 182
Email: help@eczema.org.au

Dads of 2004

Dads in 2004 are different! The recent Howard Government study - The Parenting Information Project - found that New dads wanted their own antenatal classes, and wanted information directed to them, on how to bathe, settle, and dress their infant.   These guys aren't afraid to get their hands dirty! They accept their parenting role with responsibility, and they want to be involved with all aspects of caring for their baby.   Dad's can't breast-feed (yet!) - but there is so much else they can do. Massaging your baby is beneficial for your baby - and is great for bonding - and it's easy to do

Whether they know it or not - research is showing that the earlier the father is positively involved with his infant - the greater the chance of a positive long term outcome for his infant/child. As the National Fatherhood Initiative says: "Fathers change the world - one child at a time"   "Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behaviour, and avoid high-risk behaviours such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity compared to children who have uninvolved fathers."

Tips for Fathers - Have realistic expectations:
 
• About yourself -you won't be an expert immediately, but you'll get better as you go (besides, your baby won't know any different - and you want to get started on building a good relationship as soon as possible).
• About your baby - the baby will use crying as a way to communicate to you what he/she needs or wants. (New born babies never cry because they are spoilt) The more you handle your baby - the sooner you will be able to understand the cues that your baby is trying to give you when she/he cries.
• About your Partner - there is no way things can just be the same as before - there is now another human's needs to be taken into account.
• About your home situation - your Partner will be working round the clock with feeding the baby etc - household chores can't be a priority - here is where you can make a real difference with cooking, cleaning etc
• About sex - Formula: 1 Mother sleep-deprived = 1 Father sex deprived (Mum's tend to sleep better when they feel supported)
 
For the full tip sheet visit www.dadstheword.com.

Fathering is one of the greatest challenges you will ever face - and it requires an ongoing commitment. The rewards are happy well adjusted children, who love being around you, kids who have a great relationship with and who look up to you. Parenting as a team strengthens your relationship with your partner and builds a strong functional family. These rewards can last a life time - after all - Dads are Forever   Ros Vroom (Registered Nurse/Midwife/Neonatal Intensive Care nurse) Phone: 1300 306 802 Websites: www.dadstheword.com & www.mumstheword.com.au   Books and Videos - Fathers Day Gift Ideas! - New Dad’s Guide to Babycare – (DVD & Video)       see www.dadstheword.com - Steve Biddulph (Author) - "Raising Boys", "Manhood"       see www.stevebiddulph.com - Peter Downey (Author) - "So you're going to be a dad"       see www.capersbookstore.com.au

 

Off To A Good Start

The ‘Healthy Nutrition During Pregnancy’ page provides mums-to-be with a significant amount of information on what you and your baby need, what to avoid when pregnant and additional resources. We have asked Natural Nutrition, one of our key supporters for some information on this important topic.

Link to the Healthy Nutrition During Pregnancy page in your region: ACT  NSW  NT  QLD  SA  TAS  VIC  WA

 

A good start for your baby depends on a healthy pregnancy.   Even if you don't worry about looking after yourself much of the time, it's likely that health will become a big priority for you during pregnancy. And with good reason! The fact is that giving your unborn child all the right nutrients is one key to a bright future. A good multivitamin supplement designed specifically for pregnancy is one approach. But in case you're wondering why it matters, here is a brief summary of some of the most important pregnancy nutrients.

Folate If there's one nutrient that you must consider during pregnancy, it's folate (or folic acid.) In fact, it's even better if you think about it before pregnancy - studies have shown that folate supplementation in the months leading up to conception, as well as during the first trimester, can dramatically reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Folate supplements are inexpensive and readily available.   Calcium Calcium is always important, even if you're not contemplating parenthood, because adequate calcium intake when we're younger helps prevent osteoporosis as we age. It becomes even more important during pregnancy and lactation, though, because our bones act as "calcium banks." What this means is that if your calcium intake is inadequate during these times, your body will actually extract calcium from your bones to ensure that your baby's supply is sufficient.   Omega-3 fatty acids Polyunsaturated fatty acids like DHA have been associated with increased birth weight and a range of other aspects of foetal development, including normal brain and vision development. Increased fatty acid intake will be passed on through breast milk, too, aiding your baby's growth in those crucial early months.

Iron
As your body gets bigger during pregnancy, your blood supply has to grow significantly to supply all that new tissue. And of course, your body must also create a blood supply for your growing baby. Making all that new blood demands iron, a crucial ingredient of haemoglobin. It's no accident that the recommended daily intake of iron is almost double during pregnancy, so be sure you're getting enough.
 
Getting the right advice
Although all these nutrients are important during pregnancy, you shouldn't make dramatic changes to your diet or lifestyle without the guidance of a trusted healthcare professional. The advice you get depends on the information you give, so be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have chosen to supplement your diet. That way, they'll be able to give you the advice that suits your individual needs.
 
Natural Nutrition - www.naturalnutrition.com.au available at leading pharmacies and health food stores nationally.
 

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