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G.U.E.S.S. Parenting Consults
Newborns & Infants to 1 yr
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"It takes a village to raise a child"
African proverb |
Some of the more common concerns facing parents today:
I am a first time parent in need of some advice...
We have a large 'gap' between children, so a
'parent refresher' would be great!
My baby seems to cry all the time, is this normal?
I would like some tips on how to settle our child
and to help him to sleep!
My partner/husband works away eg FIFO...
I have no family close by and my friends work fulltime... some professional advice and guidance would be great!
What is G.U.E.S.S?
Guidance, Understanding, Education, Support Service.
Working with you and your family, Natalie provides guidance, understanding, education and a support service relating to parenting issues you may have, such as
sleep and
settling problems. Natalie uses well researched, evidence based strategies and gentle techniques, based on the medical and child developmental literature of well known health professionals, infant mental health specialists and child psychologists such as T. Berry Brazelton, John Bowlby and others. Being a parent in todays society is different from years ago, in our parents generation. As a mum (now) we are literally left 'holding the baby' so-to-speak, quite often by ourselves, and dont have extended family or support to 'help raise our children'.
Please read Natalie's biography for more information.
Here is Sarah's heartfelt story, the reason she contacted Idibidi Kids and her positive outcome after the consult:
After spending over a year with only two hours of sleep a night, seeing
doctor after doctor and reading endless articles on the internet I was close
to a meltdown! My 15 month old daughter wouldn't sleep at all. She was
waking up at 1am and not going back to sleep. She wouldn't sleep in her cot
or her room and sleeping with me meant I had sleepless night after sleepless
night. Being a full time worker and mother it was getting me down!! The
doctors told me I needed to ride it out and that all babies went through
this stage. Not only that, everyone I spoke to told me to harden up and let
my child cry/scream herself to sleep. I came across the Idibidi Kids
website on one of my searches for answers and sent them an email wanting
some more information about a sleep consultation. That day I received a call
from a lovely woman named Nat who was understanding, supportive and was
against letting your child cry/scream herself to sleep. For the first time
I got to speak to someone who was willing to help me! Within the week, Nat
had met with me at my home, met my lovely but sleepless baby girl and
explained some of the reasons she wasn't sleeping and helped me form a plan
to get her sleeping on her own in her room!!! I felt so relieved, supported
and finally I had some help. I started the changes suggested immediately
and within two nights there was such an improvement I could not believe it.
We have not got to the stage of sleeping through the night yet but we are
well on our way. I could not have done with out the help of Natalie! She
has helped me in a way I can not even begin explain!!! If you want any help
with you baby/toddler, Nat and Idibidi Kids will be your support and guide
you through the really really tough times of parenthood.
I cant thank you enough Nat!! You have been a wonderful life saver!!!!!
Bec's feedback after her home consult (6 week old baby with suspected reflux, at the time of visit this was not diagnosed):
"A" is doing so much better especially
on the reflux medicine & formula. Thanks to your fantastic advice & tips; I
now have him in a great routine. He's responding really well to it. Its things
I never would have known especially when he's getting tired etc.
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G.U.E.S.S. Parenting Consults... information you need to becoming YOUR child's expert!
Topics include... |
• guidance on specific sleep and settling issues you may have with your little one
• providing useful tips on settling techniques
• using validated researched strategies and gentle techniques to help settle your baby (no sleep training or controlled crying methods used)
• learning about your baby's tired signs and the significance of this
• implementing a soothing bedtime ritual that suits you and your baby (Idibidi Kids recommends Goodnight Lullabies instrumental music CD)
•
exploring sleep associations and what they mean for your baby
• sleep requirements (age appropriate) and sleep cycles in babies and young children
• understanding the theory and implementing the 'feed, play, sleep' routine
• helping you to understand the difference in your baby's cries (very important!!)
• nursery assessment/set-up to promote sleep
• play activities and stages of development for your baby's first year
• why massage is good for your baby's sleep, bonding and physiological development
• brief introduction to massaging your baby to get you on the right track
• optional: separate fee - massage techniques for a colicky or reflux baby (see Idibidi Kids infant massage workshop for further details )
• access to an extensive collection of parenting resource information (books, dvd's, brochures and leaflets) for loan
(if you are interested in viewing these, please request on booking with Natalie)
Your complimentary gift ...
An individualised written plan and detailed support guide for you and your child at the end of your consult. Your very own personalised referral guide, because no two babies are ever alike!
Natalie will work with you, your lifestyle and beliefs, empowering you so you will feel confident as a parent, providing positive parenting choices, information, guidance and support.
Your options...
• in-home/in-centre 2 hour (maximum) G.U.E.S.S. Parent Workshop around the Perth metro. area
• phone support in Perth, regional Western Australia and interstate
The AIM of the workshop (what YOU will get out of it)...
• an understanding of your child's needs
• an understanding of your child's temperament
• settling strategies
• an increase in maternal and paternal confidence
• increasing your knowledge and skills of parenthood
• an understanding of your baby's developmental stages (what happens when...) and how this can impact on your child's sleep day and night |
Additional support
At the end of your consult, you have the option of scheduling in one phone call per week for the following month. During this month, you may also email any concerns or questions you may have. The first few days (and night's) after the initial visit are usually the hardest... consistency and practice implementing your new routine is the secret to overcoming most issues with your baby!
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Cost
I offer your family a personalised, professional and friendly in-home service (around the Perth area - YES, I come to you!!) for your convenience, something you would not experience by reading a book! I recognise parents feel most comfortable in their own home and are more receptive and able to take in information far better than in unfamiliar surroundings, for example, at parenting or sleep centres. Your baby will settle much easier in familiar surroundings. If you do not live in the Perth metro area, I offer phone consults at a mutally agreeable time, so distance is never a problem!
Enquire about our concessional rates. Eligible for Health Care Card or PPS holders.
Flexible payment plans
Payment is usually by invoice after the consult (if their is no fixed consult time), however I can work out a payment plan that both parties are agreeable upon.
All the hard work has been done for you!
Why spend time and money reading baby sleep books that only offer general sleep advice?
I have spent hundreds of hours researching different validated methods of sleep and settling, as well as reviewing numerous case studies by child health professionals, such as child psychologists and those specialising in infant health and development. It is for this reason, I choose to use evidence based research information combined with applying gentle sleep and settling techniques. You AND your baby deserved to be nurtured, loved and supported; this is especially important during the first year after birth.
For new parents
Becoming a parent can feel overwhelming (I have been there myself!); I am here to support you and can provide valuable information to 'give your child the best start in life'. Please refer to the Idibidi Kids Parenting Resource Information PDF for a list of resource material available for loan.
I do not advocate 'sleep training' as I feel this approach is not suited to babies or newborns, nor do I recommend you use one particular approach (I am against any controlled crying methods). I prefer responsive parenting; this is a nurtured and intuitive approach to parenting (please refer to link below on Responsive Parenting for more information) where you listen to your baby's cries and learn to understand the differences, and becoming YOUR baby's expert on his or her body language. Parents are more in-tune with their baby's cries and tired signs and this produces a happier baby and a happy parent!
The concerns of 'controlled crying' according to the A.A.I.M.H.
(Australian Association of Infant Mental Health)
Leaving your baby to cry it out (referring to a 'distressed cry', also known as the 'extinction method' or 'controlled crying') for extended periods at ANY age increases the stress hormone level, cortisol. If this is a regular occurence, and your baby is in distress, he or she can develop toxic cortisol levels in the blood stream, leading to system overload! Toxic levels of stress in your baby can suppress their immune system, have a negative impact on memory and reduce their capacity to process new sensory stimulation.
I understand the first year after the birth of your baby is a very emotional, sensitive, exhausting and sometimes difficult time. I am flexible with the time and length of your appointment and will fit in to accomodate your routine.
Workshop time
Allow up to 2 hours for the G.U.E.S.S. Parent Education Consult.
Telephone consults vary; allow approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
So what's the next step?
Once you have contacted Natalie from Idibidi Kids,
you will be sent a client history/information form to fill out and send back to me prior to our initial session together. This is to give me a good understanding and indication about your baby's current problem, along with any other concerns you may have; also your baby's medical history. I will then contact you to book in a date and time.
Concession available (HCC or PPS).
Click here for FREE tips on how to assist your baby to sleep. |
So... take the first step!
Whether you are in Perth, rural or regional Western Australia,
Help is just a phone call away...
0411 615 641
or
email Natalie via the contact form click here.
An small cost will be incurred for Idibidi Kids to travel over 50km from Joondalup
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Articles about Children's Sleep,
Infant Sleep websites & Other Links
(note: you will leave the Idibidi Kids website when you click on the links below. Click on the arrow top LHS of your browser to return to Idibidi Kids website).
"How not to get baby to sleep" TIME, April 2008
"Sleep in infants and toddlers" Avi Sadeh, Ass.Professor of Psychology
"Rocking baby to sleep leads to 'waah' " The AGE, 2003
"Rapid Eye Movements (REM) in premature neonates & developmental outcome at 6 months" Infant Behaviour and Development, Vol 32, Issue 1, 2008
"Randomised control trial of behavioural infant sleep intervention to improve infant sleep and maternal mood" (PDF download) BMJ, 2002
"Responsive Parenting - Interventions and Outcomes" Bulletin of W.H.O 2006, Child and Adolescent health and development. (PDF download) |
Music and Lullabies |
Good Night Lullabies: Lullaby your baby to sleep, by Patrice Cosier
www.goodnightlullabies.com
 "Good Night Lullabies" will gently ease baby into a
peaceful sleep while also relaxing the mother - essential listening for the whole family. The music is deeply soothing and relaxing for both baby and mum.
"Good Night Lullabies" CD contains 15 instrumental original compositions, inspired by Chopin, Brahms and other traditional styles.
Patrice Cosier has over 30 years experience as a music educator and movement therapist. All the lullabies contain researched elements and blended sounds that wil help relax your child for a peaceful night's sleep. This truly is a wonderful collection of instrumental music and one that I recommend you should play to your child as part of his or her bedtime ritual. If you are looking for that special gift, a unique present for the new parents or for yourself, "Good Night Lullabies" is the perfect choice for you.
"Good Night Lullabies" available to purchase through Idibidi Kids.
Music Articles
Read Patrice's article "Lullabies, Brahms and Heartbeats" here.
"How music can assist your baby to sleep"
Research suggests that humans are programmed to respond to music. Proof of this, says Dr. Mark Tramo, director of the Institute For Music and Brain Science, is that there is no known human culture without music. Read more here.
"Lullabies help children's language development: Study"
Researchers from the University of Warwick, U.K. have found that singing to your baby not only relaxes your child but helps with their language development. Read more here.
"The importance of prenatal sound and music" An article written by Giselle Whitwell, music therapist and prenatal music therapist. Read more here.
"Newborn Babies and their Mothers" Music therapy service for mothers. A project researching premature babies and newborns - how music and lullabies assist with physiological and neurodevelopmental responses.... 'music therapy can also encourage parental involvement, support infant development and optimize preterm neurodevelopmental outcomes. Read more here.
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