Reducing the amount of time you spend washing

Posted on by Mumma Knows

Washing for a family of three can take up lots of time.

WASH LESS
Ask yourself if the item can be worn again – if it can be them fold it or hang it and put it back away.

It’s better for your clothes, they last longer and better for the environment.

Jeans, jumpers (worn over T-Shirts) and anything else that’s not directly on your skin can be worn more than once.

Underwear, gym clothes and socks are one wear only (of course).

When swimming with a family consider only taking one small towel

Use a picnic rug to sit on at the beach instead of getting a bunch of towels sandy

IRON LESS
Flick clothes when you hang them out

Hang clothes in categories when you put them on the line (whos clothes they are)

Pair socks when you hang them, out and them together when you take them off the line.

Fold them into the basket for who they are for

SORTING DIRTY LAUNDRY
Some believe in sorting – others not so much.

I personally believe that the extra time I spend sorting helps my clothes to stay nicer, longer so I think it’s worth the time.

Have a divided dirty clothes basket for colours / whites/ towels / blacks/ colours etc.

Instruct the people in your house (who are old enough) that you will only wash the clothes that are placed in the correct baskets

FOLDING AND SORTING CLEAN LAUNDRY
– Fold straight off the clothesline and only iron clothes that really need it.
– Leave ironing of clothes to the person who wears it (husbands iron own business shirts – Kids 12 and over maybe younger depending on your child iron clothes if they want the ironed.

-Roll clothes instead of folding them (Marie Kondo style).

 

Academic

Posted on by Mumma Knows
Article
Howson, S. 2018. “I See No Other Option:” Maternal Practices
of Sleep-Training and Co-Sleeping as the Management of Vulnerability.
Studies in the Maternal
, 10(1): 1, pp. 1–24, DOI: https://doi.org/10.16995/

sim.246

Published: 01 August 2018 

https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Fpublication%2F326757403_I_See_No_Other_Option_Maternal_Practices_of_Sleep-Training_and_Co-Sleeping_as_the_Management_of_Vulnerability

 

 

Books Newborn – Toddler

Posted on by Mumma Knows

Recommended reading

The Fourth Trimester Companion: How to Take Care of Your Body, Mind, and Family as You Welcome Your New Baby

Cynthia Gabriel

Simply put, a well-cared-for baby is a baby whose mother is taking good care of herself. While that might seem obvious, for years the overwhelming emphasis in the weeks and months after birth has been on the baby only. The growing evidence that maternal self-care is critically important for the baby’s well-being has led to the rise in popularity of the “”fourth trimester”” concept – among doctors and other helping professionals, in the media, and among new moms and dads. Cynthia Gabriel, a doula and the author of the best-selling book Natural Hospital Birth, delivers all the information, guidance, and encouragement new mothers need to take care of their bodies, minds, and spirits after childbirth so that their babies have the best possible chance to thrive Beyond mom’s own self-care, Gabriel covers the ways moms can rebuild and strengthen their relationships with their spouses or other partners, as well as with the baby’s siblings, grandparents, and other relatives – not only because these relationships are important to her own well-being but also because these are the other people who surround and care for the new baby.

*Description from Booko.com.au

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

An authoritative guide to natural childbirth and postpartum parenting options from an MD who home-birthed her own four children.
Sarah Buckley might be called a third-wave natural birth advocate. A doctor and a mother, she approaches the question of how a woman and baby might have the most fulfilling birth experience with respect for the wisdom of both medical science and the human body. Using current medical and epidemiological research plus women’s experiences (including her own), she demonstrates that what she calls “undisturbed birth” is almost always healthier and safer than high-technology approaches to birth. Her wise counsel on issues like breastfeeding and sleeping during postpartum helps extend the gentle birth experience into a gentle parenting relationship.

About the Author
SARAH BUCKLEY, MD, is an internationally known authority on natural birthing and parenting choices. She has published numerous articles in Mothering magazine and Midwifery Today. She lives in Brisbane, Australia.

 

Happiest Toddler on the Block

In one of the most revolutionary advances in parenting of the past twenty-five years, Dr. Karp revealed that toddlers often act like uncivilized little cavemen, with a primitive way of thinking and communicating that is all their own. In this revised edition of his parenting classic, Dr. Karp has made his innovative approach easier to learn—and put into action—than ever before.Combining his trademark tools of Toddler-ese and the Fast-Food Rule with a highly effective new green light/yellow light/red light method for molding toddler behavior, Dr. Karp provides fast solutions for today’s busy and stressed parents. As you discover ways to boost your child’s good (green light) behavior, curb his annoying (yellow light) behavior, and immediately stop his unacceptable (red light) behavior you will learn how to soothe his stormy outbursts with amazing success—and better yet, prevent these outbursts before they begin! And the new thirty-item glossary of Dr. Karp’s parenting techniques will save you valuable time when you need to instantly calm an out-of-control child. The result: fewer tantrums, less yelling, and more happy, loving time for you and your child.
Description taken from 9780553384420

 

Practical Baby Shower Gifts

Posted on by Mumma Knows

Rather than buy Mum lots of ‘stuff’ here are some thoughtful and practical ideas to help with those busy newborn days.

Dinner lady service.
A single meal or a week’s worth of dinners

Cleaning service (like Absolute Domestics)

In Lieu of flowers send Food!

Cake! Cinnamon Scrolls from Oregano Bakery
http://www.oreganobakery.com.au/menu-1/

Pinky Mackay Bookie Bickies

Healthy Museli Bars like Carmen’s Museli Bars

Gifts for Mum

Peter Alexander Pajamas for the new Mum – buy her normal size with a soft elastic waistband (rather than maternity). Shorts for a Summer Birth or long lightweight pants for a winter birth paired with a soft bonds maternity singlet.

Bonds maternity singlets (Check her size first) buy two in a bigger cup size for the first few weeks when books are bigger.

First-time Mums might appreciate some of the following items

Breastfeeding Cover

Nappy Bag

Mimco nappy bags are great
(these can often be bought on sale at 20% – keep your eye out for sales or ask in store when they think their next sale will be).

Gifts for Babies
Bonds Zippy Onsies are gorgeous – consider buying in bigger sizes like 000, 00 and 0 rather than 0000 as these will only fit a small newborn for the first 3-6 weeks.

Remember to buy for the season the baby will fit the clothing (not the current season you are buying in).

Bonds often goes on sale at up to 40% off so try not to buy full price if you can.