Newsletter

Welcome to our July edition of Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions newsletter.

A Note from the Editor

This month I have asked Todd Anderson to tell us a little about the Starlight Foundation.

Todd writes "Whilst spending some quality time with Sally as she worked her magic on our little Riley, we got to talking about the upcoming Starlight foundation fundraiser in Sydney, the Sydney Star Ball.

A little about the Starlight Foundation : since 1988, Starlight has brightened the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children, and their families, by delivering innovative programs that restore the fun, laughter and joy that serious illness takes away.

Living with illness or injury can cause enormous strain in the lives of children and their families.  Starlight delivers programs designed to make children happy and lift their spirits when they need it most.  Starlight brings fun and laughter to children no matter their illness or where they live. Each year there are over 600,000 child admissions made to hospitals across Australia with an increasing number of children spending extended periods recuperating in the home following hospital treatment.  Sadly, Starlight reaches only ‘1 in 3’ of these children.

Your opportunity to make a difference: whilst the people reading this will attest, kids that don’t sleep can be hard work, there are families out there doing it much tougher than ourselves. The Sydney Star Ball provides us with an opportunity to really make a difference to these kids and their families, whilst enjoying a great night out with friends. 2010 marks the 13th of the Sydney Star Ball and we're aiming to raise in excess of $350,000 - this will only be achieved if people make an active choice to get involved and get along to the event…with sleeping babies, I'm hoping you'll call in a babysitter and join Kara and I at the event on 28/8/10.  The 2010 Starlight Ball will be held at Star City Casino in the Grand Ballroom and feature top shelf food and beverage, entertainment and experiences. Click here to download our booking form…with all this sleep you're now getting, there are no excuses!

Hope to see you there!  You can contact Todd for further information on: 0407 431 152 or email him at  info@sydneystarball.org.au

We still have some openings for the right women to join Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions franchise in Orange or Bathurst area.   If you, or anyone you know, are interested in helping parents with children from pre-birth to five years old, here is a fantastic opportunity to do so.  Read more at Franchises Available or on the News page.

Do you know about the various services we at Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions offer?  Starting with newborn care we can assist with breastfeeding, settling, routines and practical tips to avoid potential problems then with older babies we help with feeding difficulties, such as breast or bottle refusal, reflux management, poor day or night sleeping and finally our parenting tips for toddlers and children up to 5 years old we cover behavioural management, tanturms, bedtime routines, night waking, staying in bed, fussy feeders and more.  If you or anyone you know have a challenging situation with a baby or a child up to 5 years if age please don't hesitate to give Sally a call on 0409 721 145.

Our e-books available online through our Publications are: 'The Cradle Will Rock' 0-3 months (86 pages), 'Rock a Bye Baby' 3-9 months (103 pages), 'When the Wind Blows' 9-18 months (88 pages), and 'When the Bough Breaks' toddler and child  (74 pages).  

E-book testimonial: "Hi, I just wanted to say thank you for your great website and publications (as well as the giant wraps!).  Since I started a routine with my 4 month old, about 3 weeks ago, using lots of your advice from your e-book we haven’t looked back.  Before doing this I was finding myself frequently feeding after 3 hours, nearly having mastitis twice and generally feeling frazzled and unable to get out to do anything.

After a hard slog for the first week and probably an increase in the amount of crying in our house - that includes my baby, me, my husband (nearly) and probably my other 2 girls – I have noticed that we are all a lot more relaxed, me especially.  I have time to do things again, and by 7:00-7:30 each night ALL of our kids are in bed and I can relax with my husband.   Every day my baby is easier to resettle and I am getting more and more confident, and less worried about him waking when it’s not time for a feed.  He also seems happier and more relaxed and as you advised I’m starting to wander round my house wondering what to do with the extra time I’ve got again!  Anyway it’s just on 10 so it’s time to go and feed!
Regards, Jennifer."

We would love to hear from others who have found our e-books or any of our products helpful. Please email me at: info@cradle2kindy.com.au

Warm regards,

Sally Hall

What's New?

I have taken some time off from working on the website other than the usual newsletter and uploading the articles and the appropriate applications needed for both of these.  I have now provided a Permission Slip which can be downloaded and printed out for those sending in video clips of their reflux babies.  I have also added the information about this project to our website News page as previously mentioned.

I have added two more links to our Links & Contacts page, Autism Spectrum Australia & Asperger Services Australia, following our article last month.  If you have any other suggestions please let us know.  And thank you to all those who have passed on our contact details to other parents. 

I hope our Case Studies and Correspondence Consultation pages have been helpful to those passing our details on to parents living in rural areas, interstate or overseas.

Our infamously large baby wraps continue to be popular.  Don't forget our two NEW vibrant colours in Plain Flannelette; Hot Pink and Cornflour Blue which are ideal for winter.  Also a great winter wrap are our stretch jersey approx 130 x 150 cm.

Now that the cold weather has set in solve the problem of loosing baby's socks with a pair of ‘Sock Ons’.   While your in Our Shop take a look at our range of other baby products including our unique gift ideas? A Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions Gift Voucher for a personal home visit or our unique Gift Ideas for newborns.  Make up your own selection of items from our list of products then let us put them together for you in a decorative box.  Both are very practical gift ideas for mother and baby.  What better way to help parents start off well.

If you are looking to buy a product and what to know what other parents or health professionals might suggest take a look at our Product Reviews to help you make your decision.  Don’t forget to let us know of any products you have found useful so we can add them too.

Join other parents on the Forums or start up a new topic.  This is a great place to support each other in the very important role of parenting.

This Month's Article

Many of you commented on our last month's articles one by Dr Andrews on  'Promoting Good Learning Behaviour & Attention' and the other on 'Food Frustration'  I'm thrilled that I was able to bring you these two interesting topics.

This week Michelle Fox, a registered psychologist, talks about the psychological impact of your baby’s reflux on you and your family:  "I am a mother of two children who both suffered from reflux as babies and a psychologist who continues to see exhausted and distraught mothers of babies with reflux in my practise.".....  click here to read the full story.

Parents Testimonies

Thanks to all the parents who contribute to this section through filling out our online evaluation form.  Keep those testimonials coming!

Catherine's E-mail

“Words cannot express our gratitude for your expertise and help. We were at wits end regarding getting our 4.5 month old baby boy to sleep and had no idea our poor petal had silent reflux. I was totally amazed at the difference your suggestions made immediately (within 12 hours). We went from a screaming, 'fighting sleep' boy who couldn't sleep longer than 20 mins during the day, fed every 3 hours and was awake up to 5 times per night - to sleeping 4-6 hours during the day in 2 hour blocks and sleeping during the night on your first visit. I was also delighted you gave me the courage to wake my 'non sleeper' to dream feed him - he now can sleep through the entire night! An equal thrill to sleeping is how you managed to get us to to self settle him on the first night (after 4.5 months of consistent rocking him to sleep in our arms that took anything from 1 hour to 3 hours and during the day 45 mins of rocking for a 20 min sleep reward with only 10 mins of this in the cot)! You have completely changed all our lives for the better and provided us with a 24 hour baby routine that has made our baby boy so much happier and calmer. I still can't believe my 8 kilo plus baby can quickly self settle on his own with your techniques - it is like a dream for a chronically sleep deprived family. And I love we can now choose where he sleeps during the day (not forced to take the pram or drive the car on freeways) the cot is now our first option! My husband and I are also eating hot dinners together for the first time since he was born ...

You are a real life Mary Poppins to us - and I would recommend you (and have) to anyone with an unsettled baby or needing expert sleep and feeding advice. Your knowledge, friendliness and professionalism are unique.

Thank you, thank you for radically changing our lives - we are so pleased to have found you.  Eternally grateful". 

Helen's Comments

"Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions has helped with both our children now. I was referred to them by a friend when my son was 10 weeks old. We already had a lot of 'bad' habits like rocking him to sleep and we were also dealing with reflux. After a visit from our coach we worked hard at the routine and all the tips she gave us and within 2 weeks he was sleeping so well and even 8 hrs at night!! When our daughter arrived I called our coach when she was just 2.5 weeks. I was breast feeding and the 'demand' feeding that everyone tells you is necessary was driving us crazy and our little girl was becoming more unsettled. Within 24 hours of our coach's visit she was down to 6 feeds in 24 hrs and in a routine!! Our coach's assistance with my two kids has been second to none. No amount of reading or advice from doctors/nurses etc could compare. I tell everyone that there is something 'magic' about Cradle 2 Kindy's service - they have been our family's lifesaver. Thanks C2K!!!!".

Any Questions?

If you have any general questions about Cradle 2 Kindy Parenting Solutions service or would like to arrange another visit please don’t hesitate to call Sally on 0409 721 145.

I'd love to hear from you!