The Natural Way...

If you would like to try a natural solution when it comes to your or your baby’s health I would suggest Medical Herbalists and Naturopath Angela Duncan.

I was inspired by Angela’s very interesting herbal walk held at the weekend, and learnt that cook park is actually home to a wide variety of herbs used in ancient medicine.  

Angela told me that for new mums herbs may help with speeding up wound healing (for caesarean and vaginal birth), to increase breast milk supply and to help with fatigue and stress

For infants, toddlers and preschoolers: herbal medicines may help with sleep, colic, wind, teething, nappy rash, eczema, recurrent infections (such as coughs and colds), energy levels (especially after an illness), stomach upsets, anxiety, constipation and much more.

When Angela works with children she uses a combination of diet and lifestyle changes and only prescribes herbal medicines if they are needed.

Having two small children of her own, Angela has good understanding of how to care for children in the clinic.

And if you want so friendly advice, Angela runs a free Q & A session on Tuesday nights from 8.30pm on Facebook www.Facebook.com/angeladuncanherbalist. It’s a great chance to find out what natural remedies you can use for your families!

Pee Wees Play Centre

Ok mums this is extremely exciting news!!

There’s a new play centre open in Orange called Pee Wees Play Centre.

It’s located in the old PCYC building on Byng Street (the block between Anson and Sale streets)

Finally a place all mums can take their little ones to play and have a coffee – indoors ( it will be great for the Orange winters!)

Go on down to check it out!

Upcoming events for mums and dads

Sorry there are currently no events that I know of, please check back later.

If you know of anythingplease email me!

mumsthewordwithmarianna@gmail.com

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Local support for mums.

It’s nice to have someone to help answer your questions especially when you are a first time mum! Having support networks can give you the confidence you need to be a great parent. I have used two of Orange support networks that I would recommend to any mother especially if you’re a first time mum like me.

•     The Australian Breastfeeding Association Orange Group really assisted me during the process of learning how to breastfeed. It took me a good 5 months to really get the hang of it, if it wasn’t for ABA I probably would have given up but I’m really glad I didn’t as I was able to breastfeed my daughter for 11½ months.

Becoming an ABA member meant I was able to hire their good quality breastfeeding pumps at a cheap rate. I also attend the ABA mother’s group where I have made a really great circle of new friends who I can always talk to about anything. 

The ABA also has a 24 hour helpline (1800 686 2 686) which is run by volunteer Counsellors which I have used and found beneficial on numerous occasions.  

To talk to one of the local Counsellors about joining the mothers group phone Verity on (02) 6363 1845 or Jane on (02) 6362 0118.

•    The Orange Child & Family Health Nurses at Orange Health Service are also fantastic to contact if you’re unsure about something you or your baby are doing.

They provide a range of services including clinic appointments, new parents groups and an immunisation clinic.

They are also able to refer you to other organisations that may be able to help you and you’re family if you are having trouble in certain areas of parenting.

To contact the Orange Child and Family Health Nurses call (02) 6369 3300.
Mon-Fri 8.30-5.00 except public holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year

• Orange Family Support Worker is also another great place to turn to if you need a little extra support of help. Jan Farrell is a Child Development Worker and would be happy to have a chat with you. Orange Family Support is located at 211 March Street, Orange phone 6361 1004.

Take a break mums with these activities!

When you become a mum you quickly realise that nothing’s about you anymore and looking after yourself becomes a luxury rather than a priority. Here are a few things I found that helped me feel like I was doing something just for me.

As a real treat why not go to the movies like you used to? How you say? Odeon5 Cinemas offers a movie session tailored especially for mums and bubs. I have been a few times and it’s fantastic! Under 5’s are admitted free and the volume is turned down for sensitive little ears.

The movies are run as the first session every Wednesday, except on school holidays.

For details on what’s screening each week check out their website www.odeon5.com.au

If you feel like you want to slowly get back into those favourite clothes after having your baby there’s many ways to get ship shape.

·         Anytime Fitness is open 24 hours a day which is fantastic as a new mum! Once you establish your routine with bub you can then organise to have someone look after your child at any time of the day while you pop in for a quick workout. It also gives you a break and some time to yourself something that’s rare when you become a mum! Anytime Fitness has personal trainers to encourage you and structure a workout to suit you for more information call (02) 6362 7333 or check out their website http://www.anytimefitness.com.au/ .

·         Fitness Perfection offers pre and post natal Pilates to help strengthen pelvic floor and core muscles after child birth. Fitness perfection offers a crèche for children from the age of birth. The crèche runs Monday- Friday from 9am -12pm for more information phone (02) 6362 6195 or check out the website www.fitnessperfection.com.au .

·         Orange Central Fitness also offers a crèche to parents Monday – Friday 9am -12pm and on Tuesday afternoons 4.30 – 7.30pm bookings are essential, for details contact (02) 6362 9464 or check out the website www.orangecentralfitness.com.au

·         Phyz X Physiotherpary and Exercise has staff that specialise in exercises for new mothers that can help rebuild muscles stretched during pregnancy for bookings phone (02) 6362 9806.

Emergency Numbers and Information of First aid courses

When little princess was born I undertook a basic first aid course with Royal Life Saving so that I could be prepared in the case of an emergency. As I am slowly finding out- nothing is safe when you have a toddler so you never know when it might come in handy.

Review your home to ensure its child proof don’t leave small objects like coins lying around on the floor as they can be choking hazards. Check outside your house as well, things as simple as a dog bowl full of water could be life threating for a small child if they’re unattended.

It’s also a great idea to make or buy yourself a first aid kit so you a ready in an emergency. Things like fire blankets can also come in handy and don’t cost much. Having emergency numbers in a prominent place for quick reference can be helpful in an emergency.

Royal Life Saving offers a range of first aid courses you can qualify in. Contact the NSW branch on (02) 9634 3700 or visit http://www.royallifesaving.com.au/www/html/187-nsw-website-home-page.asp .

In the case of any emergency keep these numbers handy: 

Fire, Police, Ambulance:             Triple Zero “000”

Poisons Information Centre:    13 11 26

(Call this number if you think your child has ingested a poisonous substance).

Health Direct Australia               1800 022 222

(This is a 24 hour health advice line staffed by Registered Nurses who can provide you with expert advice when you don’t know what you should do, I have rung them many times!)

Toys for Development

If you’re looking for educational toys for your baby Jenny’s Classroom has a huge variety of quality toys suitable for children from Birth to 12 years old.

I love their variety of wooden and unusual toys that you just don’t see anywhere else. If you participate in any of the music classes, Jenny’s Classroom stocks many of the instruments that the teachers use.

Pop in and see the friendly staff that are always happy to help me out at 113 Kite Street, Orange NSW 2800, give them a

call on (02) 6362 6078 or check out the website on http://www.jennysclassroom.com.au/ .

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Mini Maison the children’s store also has some great toys for development and lots of great books too!

So if you looking for a special unique gift for someone small, you're bound to find one here. I love the Cocoon Couture range that they stock!

You can drop in and see the friendly staff or give them a call on 02 6362 7000 or visit their website on http://www.minimaison.com.au/ 

The best parks for kids in Orange!

                                           


If you’re new in town you may not know where you can take you baby for a walk to get some fresh air or to use play equipment. There are heaps of parks and gardens in Orange but there are three I would recommend as they are my favourites.

·         The Orange Botanical Gardens have an amazing adventure playground and barbeque facilities (a great place to host that special birthday party), there are also walking tracks. You’ll find it at the Northern end of Hill Street.

·         Lake Canobolas has a great playground, barbeque facilities and in the summer time using the lake for water recreation can be fun. If you do go be sure to keep an eye on your little one when around the water especially once they become mobile!

·         Cook Park is on Summer Street and this is a fantastic park for little eyes! My daughter loves going to look at the cages that are full of a diverse range of colourful birds. The pond is home to many ducks, there’s play equipment, beautiful gardens full of flora and fauna there’s even a small fish pond nestled in a gazebo.

Safe swimming with lessons!!

   Many children drown every year so you can never start too early getting your child confident when they’re around water.  In Orange there are several places that run swimming lessons to teach water confidence using songs and fun activities.

·         Orange Ex Services Club offers lessons at their indoor pool to parents with children from 7 months. They run during the school terms throughout the year at affordable prices. For details call (02) 6362 2666.

·         Fitness Perfection runs beginner’s mums, dads and bub classes at their indoor pool for kids aged 6 - 18 months. The program is scheduled during the year in school terms. For more information phone (02) 6362 6195.

·         Department of Sport and Recreation will be offering swimming lessons for children from 18 months - 12 years at the Orange Aquatic Centre. There will be 5 different program dates including: 

    *19th  Nov to 11th Dec 2011 (weekends only 8 day program)

    * 28th Nov to 18th Dec 2011 (weekends only 8 day program)

    * 3rd Jan to 13th Jan 2012

    * 16 Jan to 25th Jan 2012 (8 day program)

    * 28th Jan to 19 Feb 2012 (weekends only 8 day program)

    For more details and bookings call 131 302.

All programs for children aged birth to 4 years require a parent in the pool during participation.

Get down and boogie

We all know kids love to dance and sing it’s a great way to get them moving! In Orange there are a couple of different dance companies that have toddler programs.

·         Central West Performing Arts run Tiny Tot classes from the age of 2½ years old. These classes give little twinkle toes an appreciation of music and dance through ballet and jazz. If you’d like to enquire call Marie Cubitt on 0419 497 511.

·         Colour City Dance Studio holds their dance classes at the Cultural Centre in Sale Street. Children are able to start ballet and jazz at 3 years old for more information contact the school’s Principal Susan Duffy on 0412 078 629 or email at colourcitydance@gmail.com .

Let's get physical!

Getting your child involved in educational physical activities early will encourage a healthy lifestyle from the start, it will also improve their fine motor skills and social skills! So switch off that TV and get moving today!!

·         PCYC offers a fantastic range of physical activities through their kindy gym program

This program is suitable for children of ages

 12months – 4 years For more information

 call: (02) 6360 2249

·         Pollet’s Martial Arts Centre offers classes to toddlers from 2 – 5 years of age. They are co-ordinated in group sessions or as private classes. Pollet’s also tailor classes for children with disabilities. All programs incorporate lessons on stranger danger and fire safety- two very important issues children should be made aware of. This program helps ready children for their early schooling years as they are taught discipline.  For more details call (02) 6363 1900 or visit the website www.polletkarateacademy.com.au 

It's playtime with Playgroup!

There are many playgroups in Orange. They’re a fantastic way to put your child on the path to a learning adventure. Taking your little one to playgroup can help establish facets in their development and even their personalities that will help them when they start school.

For example routine and structure throughout the day, making friends, manners, sharing, engaging in a variety of learning tasks and the list goes on.

Every playgroup is slightly different so it is a matter of trialling a few out and sticking to the one that most suits you and your child.

For an up to date list of all the playgroups in our area you can visit the New South Wales Playgroup website:

www.playgroupaustralia.com.au/nsw/

Or give them a call on 1800 171 882.

Music Mania!

Even if you don’t think your child is going to be the next Mozart, exposing them to music can improve fine and gross motor skills and can assist children with their vocal and speech development. So get your little one singing and dancing today!

*  Orange Regional Conservatorium of Music run an Early Childhood Music program for 1 – 3 year olds to help kick start an appreciation for music.

*  They also have a Sing and string class for 3 – 5 year olds for more details visit the conservatorium website www.orangecon.org.au or phone (02) 6361 7974.

*   Music for little ears is run with the school terms at Orange City Library, it’s free and suitable for children aged 18 months to 5 years old for more information contact (02) 6393 8100.

*   Joy White holds interactive music classes for young children aged 6 months – 5 years including singing, dancing, musical instruments puppets and lots of fun! For details contact Joy White on(02) 6365 1226.

*  Get your child into singing, acting and performance with Gabe’s Music ! This fantastic energetic class is for children from the ages of 4, but younger children will also be considered. Gabe takes currently takes private classes with group classes coming soon! Self image coaching programs are also available. For more information contact Gabe on 0419 852 032 and gabemusic@live.com.au.

Reading programs for little learners

It’s never too early to start reading to your baby. Even though they are only little and don’t seem to interact much they are little sponges and soak up everything from the time they are born. By reading to them you are giving them a head start in their language skills.

Orange City Library offers two different reading classes free of charge.

·         Baby Rhyme and Read sessions which are great for introducing reading to little ones. This program runs with the school terms suitable for children from birth to 18 months.

·         Story time runs on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11am and on Thursday afternoons at 2pm. Story time is aimed at 2 – 5 year olds.

For more details on the reading classes phone the library on (02) 6393 8132.

Welcome to my site designed especially for mums like you!

Congratulations on being a mum!!! It’s an extremely exciting time and very rewarding to know that you created this new little person!

My name is Marianna, I’m a first time mum and my little princess is 1. 
 Over the past year there have been many scary and incredible times watching her grow and develop.  Along the way I have tried to encourage my daughter’s development by attending different activities around Orange- but was there anything out there for me to do with her?

Surprisingly- after a lot of searching there are so many activities you can do with your bub, and some of them don’t even cost a thing, yet are so beneficial for bubs growth. There are also a few activities out there for mums which are great support when you just need to talk to someone or take a break from mothering duties!

So with the information I’ve collected I created this blog to make it easier for you to get out and about with your new bundle or toddler! 

I'll be updating the blog on a regular basis - adding new programs that are established in the area.. so be sure to come back and visit so you don't miss anything. If you know of any activities leave a comment so I can add it to my list of things for littlies! 

I'll also blog about any special events for kids that come to town... so stay tuned!

Look forward to hearing from you all.... Marianna.