This information is based on a presentation by Claire Costello, Dietition Mater Children's Hospital, October 2008.

Iron is important in the body for a variety of reasons:
1. Oxygen transport
2. Neurological development
3. Energy Levels
4. Immunity

The foods going in and the ability for the body to absorb iron is important to prevent iron depletion and deficiency.

Risk Factors for low iron:
1. Mothers low iron if breast feeding
2. Premature infant
3. Toddler less than 2 years old
4. Introduction of cow's milk (as the main source of milk) under 12 months of age
5. Exclusive breast feeding for 6 months
6. Delayed introduction of solids
7. Excess of milk intake over 12 months old (over 600 mls)
8. Malabsorbtion states

Foods containg iron:
Animal sources - (red meat, offal meats, eggs, fish and poultry)
Plant sources - (green leafy vegetables, grains, seeds and pulses)
Other - Iron fortified cereals,peanut butter, nuts, hommus, tahini and dried fruits.

You can boost iron intake:
1. Limit milk intake and have 30 mins after food.
2. Continue iron fortified creals until 2 years old
3. Serve iron food with vitamin C foods.

Iron depletion can lead to miserable and generally unwell children. If you keep an eye on what your toddler is eating you will minimize the risk of iron depletion in your toddler.

I have finally completed a Data Base of families that have seen Settle Petal at some point over the past few years. It accumulated well over 1200 families. I thought it may give some parents comfort to know they aren't the only one with questions.

I would like to update everyone with the current services provided. There have been some changes and there may be an area that you could benefit from using.

*Discount Voucher:
As Settle Petal functions on mostly word of mouth marketing, I have introduced a $10 discount voucher for direct referrals. These may be accumulated and used for consultations. The voucher will be automatically posted to you when your name is put forward.

*Consultations Options:
1. Weigh and measure clinic at Belly2Baby shop, Buderim.
Held Tuesdays 9 - 12md. Appointment only, made through the shop.
2. Sleep Package (1.5hrs in home)
3. Day Stay (6 hrs in home)
4. Clinic Visit (30 - 60 mins in clinic, in Buderim)
5. eClinic (assessment and strategies via internet)
6. Parenting Sessions on a variety of topics.
7. New Parent Program (5 week course)

*My Blog
http://www.babyparentblog.com
This is an area with informative often contraversial topics to read and comment on.

*Nurses Advisory Group member for Wyeth Nutrition.
I feel honoured to have been asked to join this advisory group who's objective is to provide expert advice on current paeditric health and nutrition issues that will then be used to develop educational materials and programs for nurses throughout Australia and New Zealand. I am one of 9 involved from Australia and New Zealand.

*FACEBOOK.
Parents are welcome to meet and exchange thoughts with other parents on my Settle Petal groups FACEBOOK.
If you would like to join go into your FACEBOOK profile search your groups application for Settle Petal and ask permission to join.

This is a new area which is just starting to develop. It will be a fun way to keep in touch with other parents.
If you are not in a parent group you may find one to join from there.

*eBooks and other information is availble to purchase from the website.

*I have partnered with an international manufacturing company that promote an effective and safe line of products to use in our homes. I love the products and to know they are good for me and the environment is a relief.
If you would like to hear more about these naturally based products that promote wellness and vitality to your whole family, I would love to share the information with you. By decreasing the level of harmful phosphates and toxins in the waterways and land we are helping our children's future environment.
There is much documented evidence of infant deaths relating to caustic and chemical burns that encourage us to have a good look at what we are using in our homes.
Under the sink, personal items and laundry cleaners are a few areas to begin checking the labels on.
If you are experiencing an unsettled baby, it can be connected to the perfume you wear, the powder you wash your shirt and sheets in or the hair shampoo that you use. Your baby is in direct contact with these potential toxins on a frequent basis and it can be having an accumulative effect on them.
Again, if you are interested in hearing more about these safe products that are easy to access, contact me at settle@settlepetal.com and I can organise a time to get together for a wellness workshop. There is no cost or obligation to hear about these products, I am just spreading the message. If you are not on the Sunshine Coast, a one on one call can also be organised.

All the above mentioned *services can be viewed in more depth from the website.

SO MUCH MORE THAN NOTES AND RHYTHM

Once upon a time, parents and grandparents soothed and amused their babies with songs that were sung to them when they were children. Those babies grew up and became parents, singing the same tunes to their children. Thus an oral tradition began, linking one generation to another with these shared memories.
Young parents today often feel compelled by the media to buy and play the latest children’s entertainment CDs and as a result our traditional songs and rhymes are being forgotten and parents have lost their confidence to use their singing voice. Very few Mums today use their singing voice to soothe and assist them with the demands of motherhood. Yet the research shows that the sound of a mother’s voice is an incredibly powerful stimulus for an infant.
Making music together is a social event, creating meaningful mother – infant interaction. Both mother and baby benefit from these informal relaxing times, mothers feeling more empowered as they feel they can offer music as something extra for their children.
Next time baby is unsettled, why not try using your own soothing singing voice. Songs like Michael Row the Boat Ashore, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Bye Baby Bunting, or Hush Little Baby. Forgotten these? Why not find a gentle love song from today’s music and learn to sing some of it. Remember babies love repetition.
When baby needs engaging in touch, why not try the tickle listed below.

Tickle your fingers
Tickle you toes
Tickle your tummy where the ice cream goes.
Arms go high
Arms go low
A great big hug to say Hello

Sunshine Coast Readers: For more ideas and information speak with Jan about a complimentary class with Ruth Thompson at Music for Life, or call Ruth directly. 0408 835528.

Congratulations on your new baby and your smart decision to breastfeed!

Mothers around the world agree; breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding, fulfilling experiences of motherhood. But it is also full of challenges and mystery.

With so many question marks surrounding the touchy subject of alcohol and with many mothers receiving varied recommendations from different industry professionals, Milkscreen simply aims to eliminate one mystery for nursing mothers by providing peace of mind that the milk baby drinks is alcohol free.

Alcohol in your breast milk can have a number of negative impacts on you and your baby:
Let-down and milk production: Studies show that alcohol can inhibit your let-down and milk production (one study showed a 23% decrease in milk volume with one drink*).

•Calorie consumption by the infant:
Your baby may also drink less milk if your milk contains alcohol, limiting the number of the extremely valuable calories he or she may receive.
•Sleep:
Studies also show that babies do fall asleep sooner after ingesting alcohol in breast milk, but they sleep less soundly and wake earlier.
•Development of motor-skills:
In more extreme cases, an infant's motor skill development may be hampered.
• 1 Mennella & Beauchamp 1991, 1993; Mennella 1997, 1999

Why Mums want it!
Babies wake up unexpectedly when Mums have had a glass of wine and are not sure if it is safe to feed.

Mum’s have a special function (i.e. wedding, anniversary) where they may have more than 1 glass and may not be sure if it is safe to feed even a few hours after their last drink.

Many mums are very stressed in the early weeks of becoming a mum. Being able to relax with a glass of wine (in moderation) on occasion confident in the knowledge they are not harming their baby could assist them to feel like they are getting back to their pre-baby life (if only for a moment!).

Helps mums avoid the ‘pump and dump’ scenario which is completely unnecessary. Alcohol in breast milk is like alcohol in your blood - only time can remove it. The ‘pump & dump’ method is not necessary or effective at reducing alcohol concentration.

Why not just give expressed milk anyway?

If the test result is negative mums can avoid their infants becoming agitated while waiting for frozen expressed milk to be defrosted. A two minute test could save twenty minutes and mums sanity!
In only two minutes, Milkscreen analyses your breast milk for the presence of alcohol and provides you with a clear positive or negative reading.

We are often asked the question..."does Milkscreen tell me how much alcohol is in my breast milk"... the answer is no. The reason for this is simply that there are too many conflicting studies and reports regarding what is a safe or dangerous level of alcohol in breast milk whilst breastfeeding.

"Thankyou for helping Jackson. Everything is great now with his sleeping. It only took one night and he started to sleep through most nights.

We are truly thankfull to have our Sleep Back."


Stacey
Sunshine Coast, 2008