Easter Cupcakes

Happy Easter everyone! Have a go at making these yummy Easter Cupcakes over the weekend.

Here's the Easter Cupcakes Recipe ...


Article written by the team at Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz. Don't forget to check out some of our other recipes too!



 

Water Play

Kids love playing with water. But during the hot summer months, why not cool down and give water play a bit of a twist - using ice!

Create your own ice world and watch as it starts to melt and change as the ice warms up. All you need is some ice, a tray or dish and some fun Antarctic creatures. 

 See full details ...

Article written by the team at Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz. Don't forget to check out our Boredom Busters ideas too!

Tips for bathing newborn babies

Are you a new parent or just had another child and a bit out of practice? We'll give you some helfpful hints and tips on how to bath your baby when you get them home.Bathing your baby may seem like a huge undertaking, but don’t panic! It will get easier. It won't be long before it becomes a routine.

Check out these helpful tips:

When should I bath my baby?

• When you first start out, choose a time of day when you're not expecting any interruptions and have time to devote to your baby. It's best if your baby is awake and happy before you start, and in between feeds, so they’re neither hungry nor full.
• When your baby is newborn you may find it easier to bath them during the day. But after a couple of months, a bath can become part of their bedtime routine.

 How often should I bath my baby?

• It’s really up to you! Some babies love being in the water and having a bath every day, although a couple of times a week when they’re newborn is fine too.
• In between baths, wash your baby's face regularly, clean their bottom after each nappy change and wipe any other mess off their skin.

Where should I bath my baby?

• To begin with, whilst they’re still quite young, you may find it easier to use the kitchen sink or a small plastic baby bath or bowl on the kitchen bench.
• You could use your big bath, but it can get awkward when you need to kneel or lean over the side.

What's the best way to bath my baby?

You need to do what works best for you and your baby. However here are a couple of suggestions for you to consider:

• Make sure the room where you’re giving the bath is nice and warm.
• Fill the bath or bowl with warm water around 37 degrees C. For newborns and babies up to six months old, fill the bath with about 13cm (5in) of water. Or just make sure there’s enough water to allow your baby to settle in with their shoulders well covered. Never fill the bath more than waist-high (in sitting position) for older babies.
• Bring your baby to the bath area, undress them and remove their nappy.
• Before you bath your baby, wash their face. It's easier than trying to do it while your baby is in the water. There's no need to use soap or cleanser on your baby's face.
• Gradually slip your baby into the bath, using one hand to support their neck and head. Keep a good grip, as they might get quite slippery when they’re wet.
• Wash your baby with a little mild, unperfumed soap or pH neutral liquid baby cleanser.
• Use your hand, or a flannel or sponge, to clean your baby from top to bottom and front to back.
• Lift your baby out of the bath, and straight onto a dry towel. Wrap them up to keep warm and pat, rather than rub them dry. You may want to smooth on a mild moisturising cream or oil if their skin is dry.
• Dress your baby in clean clothes.

Baby Bathing Check List

Before you start bathing your baby, gather all the things you’re going to need so that the whole process is as smooth as possible when you get going. Depending on the age of your baby, one or more of the following things may be helpful:

• A bath or bowl of warm water (37 degrees c).
• A sponge or flannel.
• Baby wash or mild soap or cleanser.
• A clean, dry towel. Hooded towels are great for helping to dry babies and keep them warm.
• A thermometer for testing the water temperature.
• A clean nappy and clean clothes.
• Bath toys for slightly older babies to play with to help make bath time more fun.

REMEMBER: Never leave your baby or toddler unattended in the bath, not even for a few seconds! That could be all the time it takes for them to get into difficulty in the water and drown.

This article was written by the team at Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz. Don't forget to check out our article on Bath time for babies - equipment basics.

Premature Babies

Statistics show that 1 in 14 babies arrive in the world too soon. The outlook for premature babies has improved dramatically in recent years, but despite medical advances, figures are on the increase.

Learn more about:

Premature babies – born too soon?

Pre-natal complications, neonatal intensive care, early challenges and learning and development issues. More ...

Supporting parents with premature babies

If someone you know has recently had a premature baby there are lots of things you can do to help out and to make the parents lives just that little bit easier during the first few weeks. More ...

A life saver for premature babies

Perhaps one of the most important medical breakthroughs of our time was developed by a New Zealander, Graham "Mont" Collingwood Liggins. More ...

NICU terms explained

NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) is an intensive care unit designed with special equipment to care for premature or seriously ill newborn babies. It can be a daunting place the first time you visit either your own baby or someone else’s. Here we’ll explain some of the common terms and equipment used by the medical team to help guide you through. More ...

This article was written by the team at Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz.

Hiring an au pair

Ever thought you need an extra pair of hands? Perhaps hiring an au pair could be your answer.

An au pair can look after your children, take care of some of the household chores and cleaning, laundry and cooking and babysit so you can have a night out.

There’s no need for a large house and it needn’t cost the earth. An au pair will fit in with your family - all you need is a small bedroom. You may also be eligible for subsidies to cover the cost of their wages.

When you are considering getting an au pair, it would pay to work with an agency with a few years’ experience in matching au pairs and host families. Look out for professional memberships like New Zealand Au Pair Association or International Au Pair Association. This will mean the agency must adhere to strict international standards.  

Choose an Agency licensed with Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social Development, that way you’ll be able to access subsidies and a home based education programme for your children too.

Have a read of this article by Dream Au Pairs about ‘Hiring my first au pair’ - a mother’s first-hand experience and the sort of things that you can expect.

Source: Article written by Under 5s. Don’t forget to check out the Nannies & Au Pair Services we have on offer too!