http://www.minti.com/members/mumkim/advice/ Most Recent Advice on Minti by MumKim Copyright 2008 Minti en-uk MumKim Two months ago Natalya had a really bad case of the runs. After a week of bad smelling frequent colourful output some fluro green and some black ones I took her to the doctor. He referred us to a paediatrician who diagnosed her as lactose intolerant.Natalya is breast fed and human milk has more lactose than any other mammals milk. ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7908/How-I-solved-my-babys-lactose-intolerance-while-breastfeeding/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7908/How-I-solved-my-babys-lactose-intolerance-while-breastfeeding/ Wed, 21 Nov 2007 05:17:07 -0800 MumKim Some mothers seem to manage to get things done and some of us really struggle to do basic household chores while holding a screaming or clingy baby.  I noticed at mothers group that while some mothers have babies who sleep for a few hours at a time giving Mum time to get the housework done others of us have babies ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7788/Getting-things-done-with-a-baby-in-the-house/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7788/Getting-things-done-with-a-baby-in-the-house/ Sun, 04 Nov 2007 03:27:12 -0800 MumKim Many women have difficulty with breastfeeding when they are given the wrong advice. Sometimes by health professionals and sometimes by family and friends, or even books. I just found this great article (copied with permission from http://www.promom.org/bf_info/MoreMyths.htm) that covers some of the myths about breastfeeding.  1. A breastfeeding mother has to be obsessive about ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7313/More-Breastfeeding-Myths/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7313/More-Breastfeeding-Myths/ Sat, 01 Sep 2007 06:29:07 -0700 MumKim Many women have difficulty with breastfeeding when they are given the wrong advice. Sometimes by health professionals and sometimes by family and friends, or even books. I just found this great article (copied with permission from http://www.promom.org/bf_info/SomeMyths.htm) that covers some of the myths about breastfeeding.1. Many women do not produce enough milk. Not true! The ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7312/Some-Breastfeeding-Myths/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7312/Some-Breastfeeding-Myths/ Sat, 01 Sep 2007 06:24:48 -0700 MumKim This article is copied from http://www.promom.org/bf_info/enough.htm. As you can see at the bottom, permission has been given to copy the information.Breastfeeding mothers frequently ask how to know their babies are getting enough milk. The breast is not the bottle, and it is not possible to hold the ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7311/Is-My-Baby-Getting-Enough-Milk/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7311/Is-My-Baby-Getting-Enough-Milk/ Sat, 01 Sep 2007 06:16:49 -0700 MumKim My daughter is now 8 months old and I am still breastfeeding her. In fact I intend to keep breastfeeding her until she decides she has had enough. Some of my best friends are still breastfeeding toddlers and slightly older children. They often get funny looks and comments even from family. Given this I have recently been researching and reading ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7310/Breastfeed-a-Toddler-Why-on-Earth/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7310/Breastfeed-a-Toddler-Why-on-Earth/ Sat, 01 Sep 2007 06:06:25 -0700 MumKim I have noticed that often pro breastfeeding articles, blogs, comments etc are interpreted by some people as 'making formula feeding mothers feel guilty". This has certainly not been my intent, not I suspect the intent of most who write pro breast feeding articles, blogs or comments. Most of my reasons for writing about breastfeeding have been expressed better than I ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7309/Breastfeeding-and-Guilt/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/7309/Breastfeeding-and-Guilt/ Sat, 01 Sep 2007 05:38:28 -0700 MumKim At the beginning of the month I wrote a blog called Don’t take two about my experience with using fenugreek to boost my milk supply. Since then I  received an email from one member who wished she had known about fenugreek earlier and a comment on the blog from another member requesting that I write advice about Fenugreek. Before writing advice ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/6914/Using-Fenugreek-to-increase-breastmilk-supply/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/6914/Using-Fenugreek-to-increase-breastmilk-supply/ Sat, 28 Jul 2007 22:07:40 -0700 MumKim Before Natalya was born I knew that I wanted to breast feed. I had read enough to know that there were significant health benefits both for her and me if I did. What I didn’t read about and I really wish that I had was how to breast feed.When I went to the ante natal class (one whole day session) ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/6416/Breast-feeding-through-the-difficulties-my-story/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/6416/Breast-feeding-through-the-difficulties-my-story/ Sun, 17 Jun 2007 02:11:49 -0700 MumKim Last week the child health nurse asked a small group of us what would be our number one tip for new parents. At the time I said “watch a breast feeding video before you have your baby”. It certainly would have helped me. The how to breast feed video tape at the hospital I had my daughter at was broken ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/5544/Get-a-rocking-chair/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/5544/Get-a-rocking-chair/ Sun, 15 Apr 2007 02:18:52 -0700 MumKim Generic or no name brand products are often just as good as the real thing only cheaper. Lately here in Australia we have been encouraged to buy generic brand drugs on prescriptions.  We are told that they are just the same as the big name brands only cheaper.I thought this applied to baby paracetamol. Instead of buying the more expensive ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/5543/May-have-a-laxative-effect/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/5543/May-have-a-laxative-effect/ Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:48:28 -0700 MumKim Infant restraints reduce the chances of a child being injured or killed in a car accident but they need to be properly used. Ensure that your child restraints are fitted correctly and; Check that the straps are not twisted Seatbelt straps should be snug. Don't wrap your child up, rugs etc should be placed over the child ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4686/Tighten-that-restraint/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/4686/Tighten-that-restraint/ Fri, 16 Feb 2007 23:40:00 -0800 MumKim My 3 week old daughter Natalya gets a lot of wind and hiccups. Possibly due to being breastfed using a nipple shield (am currently in the process of weaning off the nipple shield). The other day we dropped into my husbands work to get a form signed. Naturally his workmates wanted to hold her so we handed her over. Haydon dragged ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3944/A-good-way-of-holding-a-windy-baby/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3944/A-good-way-of-holding-a-windy-baby/ Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:43:57 -0800 MumKim I agree that it is not always easy to know when to report advice.Recently I have seen many pieces of advice reported that did not meet the criteria for report. However the criteria for reporting advice is not easy to find. I knew it was on the site and accessed it just a few days ago. However it still took ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3166/When-to-report-advice-a-link-to-the-criteria/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3166/When-to-report-advice-a-link-to-the-criteria/ Thu, 14 Dec 2006 20:24:58 -0800 MumKim Back in my previous life before I became ‘mumtobekim’, I was a speech pathologist. One of the areas I really enjoyed working in was metalinguistic and phonological awareness skills.Often I came across parents of children in grades 1-3 (and higher) who were trying to help their child with spelling and reading. Often these parents were good spellers or readers themselves ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2704/Explaining-spelling-rules-to-a-child-during-reading-practice-or-when-helping-them-write-a-story/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2704/Explaining-spelling-rules-to-a-child-during-reading-practice-or-when-helping-them-write-a-story/ Sun, 26 Nov 2006 01:50:07 -0800 MumKim Here is a few things I have discovered while being pregnant. General tips around the house. As you generally get told off if you try to climb on ladders or chairs while pregnant I have found that the kitchen tongs can be handy for getting small things down from the tops of shelves etc. You can use pregnancy as ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2605/Pregnancy-some-general-tips-for-surviving-pregnancy/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2605/Pregnancy-some-general-tips-for-surviving-pregnancy/ Fri, 17 Nov 2006 06:02:45 -0800 MumKim As I have not been working during my pregnancy I have been able to wear fairly casual clothes. I have managed to get to 33 weeks without spending much money buying lots of extra clothes, this is how Wear your pre-pregnancy clothes as long as possible-I managed to wear many of my hipster jeans a fair way into the ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2604/Hints-and-tips-for-saving-money-on-pregnancy-clothes/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2604/Hints-and-tips-for-saving-money-on-pregnancy-clothes/ Fri, 17 Nov 2006 01:50:37 -0800 MumKim Hi my name is Kim and I am a Minti-holic.A lot of us joke about being addicted to Minti and some of us aren’t really joking. I have to admit I am a Minti addict. The funny thing is that I have been on the other side of the addiction. My first husband was a computer addict. I left him ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2550/Minti-addiction--is-it-a-serious-issue/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2550/Minti-addiction--is-it-a-serious-issue/ Tue, 14 Nov 2006 03:54:08 -0800 MumKim There is a way to check your spelling in Minti! Some people are good at spelling and some of us aren’t. Some people care about correct spelling and some people don't (individual choice!). If you are one that does then please read on Yesterday after 29 hours of not being able to Minti  because of some kind of pop up blocker or ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2497/There-is-a-way-to-check-your-spelling-in-Minti/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2497/There-is-a-way-to-check-your-spelling-in-Minti/ Sat, 11 Nov 2006 17:15:31 -0800 MumKim Preventing pregnancy leg cramps - take two Panadol   Up until this week I had managed to treat my pregnancy leg cramps by flexing my foot. I had trained myself not to point my toes in the morning when I stretched and to quickly flex my foot if I felt a cramp starting.   Thursday night I got a cramp while ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2374/Preventing-pregnancy-leg-cramps/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2374/Preventing-pregnancy-leg-cramps/ Thu, 09 Nov 2006 06:09:37 -0800 MumKim A few weeks ago I read an article written by Frontier that had a link to the Flylady site http://flylady.net/. I am very domestically challenged so I had a look and liked what I saw. I signed up for the free daily emails. Things certainly improve around here when I follow the Flylady principles. She breaks things down into routines ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2081/Let-the-Flylady-help-you-get-organized-to-cruise-through-Christmas/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2081/Let-the-Flylady-help-you-get-organized-to-cruise-through-Christmas/ Sat, 21 Oct 2006 02:09:44 -0700 MumKim We have had messages for encouraging kids but what about the other important person in the family- your partner. Keeping the relationship with our partners healthy and strong is an important part of providing a loving secure environment and setting a positive example for our children.   If you are going through a rough patch you may like to try looking ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2070/Messages-for-encouraging-partners/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2070/Messages-for-encouraging-partners/ Thu, 19 Oct 2006 23:46:50 -0700 MumKim Save money on pregnancy clothes - raid your man's underwear drawer.Finding a t-shirt long enough to cover an expanding belly can be difficult (whether you're pregnant or not). Try wearing men's singlets under your t-shirts to provide the extra length (womens singlets are not usually long enough). I find coloured singlets work best. That way you can still wear many of your ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1983/Save-money-on-pregnancy-clothes-raid-your-mans-underwear-drawer/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1983/Save-money-on-pregnancy-clothes-raid-your-mans-underwear-drawer/ Sat, 14 Oct 2006 08:25:00 -0700 MumKim Getting all the stuff needed for  new baby can be very expensive. When it comes to some of the bigger items don't be afraid to negotiate. Do your research first – know what model etc you want and how much it costs at other stores. It is easier to be assertive when you know your stuff. Find a ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1813/Buying-for-baby--dont-be-afraid-to-negotiate/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1813/Buying-for-baby--dont-be-afraid-to-negotiate/ Thu, 05 Oct 2006 01:15:48 -0700 MumKim Choose a term for things that you are not embarrassed to have screamed loudly in public. A friend of mine with a 2 year old son shared this little pearl of wisdom with me. They referred to breastfeeding as booby, so when her son wants to be breastfed he now screams out "BOOBY, BOOBY, BOOBY, BOOBY" etc at the top ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1769/Be-careful-what-you-call-it/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1769/Be-careful-what-you-call-it/ Tue, 03 Oct 2006 00:56:09 -0700 MumKim Setting an example for our kids - look for the positive It’s funny how kids (or impending parenthood) can cause us to take a look at our own behaviour. I keep thinking, oh I must stop swearing, or I must learn to get organized etc because that’ is the behaviour I want to model for my child.  I don’t want to ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1657/Setting-an-example-for-our-kids-look-for-the-positive/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1657/Setting-an-example-for-our-kids-look-for-the-positive/ Wed, 27 Sep 2006 02:38:56 -0700 MumKim There is a saying I first heard a few years ago “ What you say about me says more about you than it does about me”.It took me a while to really understand what it meant.I was in an unhappy marriage and was constantly complaining about what my husband had or hadn’t done. What did that say about me?That I was ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1609/What-we-say-about-other-people/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1609/What-we-say-about-other-people/ Sun, 24 Sep 2006 22:44:24 -0700 MumKim Dealing with epilepsy While 2 or more seizures are required for a diagnosis of epilepsy (also known as a seizure disorder) according to the Mayo Clinic one in ten people will experience a seizure at some time in their life. According to Epilepsy Australia, epilepsy directly affects about 400 000 Australians.You or your child may have a friend that has ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1571/Dealing-with-epilepsy/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1571/Dealing-with-epilepsy/ Fri, 22 Sep 2006 00:58:19 -0700 MumKim (whoops - just meant to add a link but accidenly republished was originally published 22 September  2006)I have an old photocopied handout - author unknown that I really love. It is called 100 Messages for Encouraging Kids.It gets boring saying the same thing all the time so I used to give it out to give people some other ideas on ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1567/Messages-for-encouraging-kids/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1567/Messages-for-encouraging-kids/ Wed, 06 Dec 2006 06:51:21 -0800 MumKim Whooping Cough Being an allied health worker I was required to have my vaccinations up to date and have some vaccinations that were not standard eg hepatitis b, I even had to have a Mantoux test for tuberculosis. The vaccination that no one told me I needed a booster for was Whooping cough (pertussis). I was immunized for whooping cough ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1564/Whooping-Cough-pertussis/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1564/Whooping-Cough-pertussis/ Thu, 21 Sep 2006 16:28:14 -0700 MumKim When my youngest brother  Chris(19 years younger) was learning his times tables we used to play table tennis together. When one of us missed the ball or lost the shot we would say a line of the times table Chris was working on at the time eg 3 x 6 is 18. After a while instead of just saying one line I ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1532/A-way-of-making-learning-times-tables-fun/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1532/A-way-of-making-learning-times-tables-fun/ Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:17:55 -0700 MumKim I am trying to declutter the spare room so I can set it up for the baby. Unfortunately I have a lot of stuff. Much of it not used for ages and some of it never used. I spent money on this stuff ! Money I could have used to reduce the mortgage or go on a holiday! And now this ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1522/Do-I-really-need-that/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1522/Do-I-really-need-that/ Tue, 19 Sep 2006 03:28:11 -0700 MumKim One of my good friends is also pregnant and she has cats. She is very concerned about how to keep the cats out of the cot. Has heard horror stories of cats smothering babies. Originally she was looking for a safety cot but then when I looked into cot saftety I found out that they are no longer recommended because the ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1521/Keeping-the-cat-out-of-the-cot/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1521/Keeping-the-cat-out-of-the-cot/ Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:43:52 -0700 MumKim I would just like to let people know about the PATS scheme which exists in most (if not all) states of Australia in some form. It is available to people who live more than a specified distance (varies from state to state) from medical specialists.I wrongly assumed that it was just for pensioners and health care holders. It would have been ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1480/Patient-Assisted-Travel-Scheme-PATS-for-Australian-citizens-and-residents-in-country-areas/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1480/Patient-Assisted-Travel-Scheme-PATS-for-Australian-citizens-and-residents-in-country-areas/ Sat, 16 Sep 2006 07:44:38 -0700 MumKim I am 5 months pregnant and only just found out that it is recommended that some pregnant women avoid eating peanuts. Apparently it is only peanuts we need to avoid, they consider other nuts safe.I read lots of stuff on listeria but did not see anything on peanuts until yesterday. According to the BabyCentre website the UK government recommends if ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1407/It-is-recommended-that-some-women-avoid-peanuts-during-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1407/It-is-recommended-that-some-women-avoid-peanuts-during-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/ Sun, 10 Sep 2006 02:01:17 -0700 MumKim One of the skills a child need to develop for learning to spell is hearing and recognising the sounds in words.This is usually developed as first sound, last sound and then middle sound (but some kids do first, middle then end). It is important to distinguish between sounds and letters. Sound are made in the mouth and can be heard, ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1400/Early-literacy-learning-first-sounds/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1400/Early-literacy-learning-first-sounds/ Sat, 09 Sep 2006 01:26:29 -0700 MumKim After years of hand me down or op shop furniture we recently bought our first ever new lounge suite and I learnt some important lessons.1. Just because a company is a well known Australian company (and the item is quite pricey) don't assume that is where the product is made. The leather lounge suite made by Jason Australia was delayed and I ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1399/Buying-a-new-lounge-suite-check-it-fits-through-the-door/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1399/Buying-a-new-lounge-suite-check-it-fits-through-the-door/ Sat, 09 Sep 2006 00:33:36 -0700 MumKim Original advice 3rd September, Updated 14th of November (update at end of original piece)I have been doing a few web searches to find out if I can keep my belly button piecing during the pregnancy and thought I would share what I have found. I have included the list of websites I used to find this information.Apparently some women manage ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1338/Keeping-a-bellybutton-piercing-during-pregnancy-updated/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1338/Keeping-a-bellybutton-piercing-during-pregnancy-updated/ Tue, 14 Nov 2006 01:47:09 -0800 MumKim Forced choice can also be used to help children achieve success.One trick with using force choice questions is using what you know they know to help them give the right answer. Everyone likes to be right.For example if you know that Jamie knows what a banana is but you are not sure she knows what a pear is. If you ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1226/More-on-forced-choice/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1226/More-on-forced-choice/ Sat, 26 Aug 2006 01:14:20 -0700 MumKim Be careful asking questions that you already know the answer to. First ask yourself "why am I asking this question". If the answer is - to help my child to learn or to encourage my child to talk then read on. When I was in 2nd year at uni we had to tape ourselves talking to a child. As I listened to my tape ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1225/Be-careful-asking-questions-that-you-already-know-the-answer-to/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1225/Be-careful-asking-questions-that-you-already-know-the-answer-to/ Sat, 26 Aug 2006 00:56:53 -0700 MumKim Last Christmas I wanted to give my four and a half year old niece Joanna a creative and enjoyable present. My two and a half year old nephew Matthew often likes to do the same things as his big sister so I tried to get similar stuff for him that was appropriate to his age. For each child I bought ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1224/A-creative-gift/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1224/A-creative-gift/ Fri, 25 Aug 2006 23:08:37 -0700 MumKim Book and Print knowledge Research has shown that children whose parents read to them from a young age learn to read and write earlier and more easily. Start as early as possible, babies enjoy books too (some are quite tasty!) When reading a book, talk about the ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1176/Book-print-and-letter-knowledge-important-for-literacy-development/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1176/Book-print-and-letter-knowledge-important-for-literacy-development/ Wed, 23 Aug 2006 02:52:41 -0700 MumKim Rhyming- an important skill for literacy development  What is so important about rhyme? Recognition of rhyme is one of the first ways that a child demonstrates phonological awareness (an important part of literacy development).  It shows that the child is beginning to understand that as well as ‘cat’ being that furry thing that scratches you when you pull ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1146/Rhyming-an-important-skill-for-literacy-development/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1146/Rhyming-an-important-skill-for-literacy-development/ Sun, 20 Aug 2006 23:07:47 -0700 MumKim There are a range of techniques that we as parents can use to help our child develop language. One of my favorites is the 'forced choice'. For example "do you want banana or apple?" With a very young child you could show the items as you say them to help the child understand the question. Good for encouraging first words. By saying the words ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1139/Learning-language-forced-choice-also-good-for-mono-syllabic-teenagers/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1139/Learning-language-forced-choice-also-good-for-mono-syllabic-teenagers/ Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:43:05 -0700 MumKim As well as being a skill we all need to use to interact with other people turn taking is an important  pre-verbal skill.Turn taking is a necessary skill in conversation but it doesn't happen automatically. Children need to learn it and practice it.Some games to help your child learn turn taking skills +peek-a-boo +rolling a ball or car to your little ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1130/Turn-Taking-an-important-skill-for-learning-to-talk/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1130/Turn-Taking-an-important-skill-for-learning-to-talk/ Sun, 20 Aug 2006 03:18:53 -0700 MumKim Literacy is about more than just reading and writing. Before a child can write a story they need to be able to tell a story. A great way to develop story telling skills is to encourage your child to re-tell  the story from the pictures just after you have read it to them. The more familiar they are with the ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1127/Story-telling-is-important-for-literacy-too/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1127/Story-telling-is-important-for-literacy-too/ Sun, 20 Aug 2006 19:49:40 -0700 MumKim I was looking at the 'Huggies' website the other day and I noticed that they had some alphabet cards to print out. Fantastic except for a few of their choices of  words to go with the letters. When children learn the alphabet they need to learn both the letter names and the sounds that they make eg "this is the ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1101/Choosing-Alphabet-posters-cards-or-books-for-your-little-one/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1101/Choosing-Alphabet-posters-cards-or-books-for-your-little-one/ Thu, 17 Aug 2006 00:30:59 -0700 MumKim Hi there does anyone know of any exciting recipies for veges,evey day its the same boring combinations. peas,corn and carrot or broccoli,peas and pumpkin. apart from adding some lovely cheese sauces from coles or somewhere what else can i do. and does anybody know how to make vegetable fritters?I couldn't find vegetable fritters but I found vegetable piklets (recipe below) ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1100/re-Vegetable-excitment-Vegetable-pikelet-recipe/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1100/re-Vegetable-excitment-Vegetable-pikelet-recipe/ Thu, 17 Aug 2006 00:01:26 -0700 MumKim Updated May 07 as link given in original article below no longer worksNew linkThe link will take you to the National Roads and Motoring Association (Australia) website to a page that contains advice regarding child car restraints including crash test information on booster seats, capsules and child car seats.We bought the Safe n Sound Safe guard convertible car seat and ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1089/Recent-crash-test-results-on-child-car-restraints-Includes-booster-seats-updated-May-07/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1089/Recent-crash-test-results-on-child-car-restraints-Includes-booster-seats-updated-May-07/ Fri, 18 May 2007 05:28:47 -0700 MumKim Kids love playdough but it can be expensive to buy. I found these playdough recipes on the webUncooked Playdough1 cup plain flour½ cup salt1 tablespoon oil1-2 tablespoons cream of tartar1 cup boiling water, with a few drops of food colouring added if desired Mix the dry ingredients together with the oilThen quickly add the boiling water, stirring rapidly as the dough ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1088/Playdough-Recipes/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1088/Playdough-Recipes/ Wed, 16 Aug 2006 05:27:34 -0700 MumKim Back in 2003 the West Australian Health Department produced 22 great handouts  (Play and Learn) with practical tips and ideas on a range of topics such assandplay, water play, games for toddlers, toys to make with/for babies and toddlersdeveloping concentrationreading booksIt is a shame that they have hidden them so well on their website but the address is http://www.population.health.wa.gov.au/Child/resources_child.cfm then go ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1043/Great-handouts-on-concentration-play--learning-making-toys-with-babies-and-toddlers-available-to-download-for-free/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1043/Great-handouts-on-concentration-play--learning-making-toys-with-babies-and-toddlers-available-to-download-for-free/ Mon, 14 Aug 2006 00:51:08 -0700 MumKim One thing I am really looking forward to when my baby is born is using signs to help develop his/her language and communication before she/he can speak. As a Speech Pathologist I often recommended using key word signs with children who were late to talk, especially those with ear infections.  One of the most powerful signs was 'more', eg more drink, more ... http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1038/Choosing-Australian-resources-for-signing-with-baby/ http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/1038/Choosing-Australian-resources-for-signing-with-baby/ Sun, 13 Aug 2006 23:38:31 -0700