by Jessica Matthews, RDM co-founder I was invited with my 3-month-old baby to check out the brand-new Baby Bathhouse in Lane Cove West. Located near the Woolworths petrol on Burns Bay Road, it’s less than 5 minutes from Hunters Hill and within Figtree Plaza where you’ll also find a cafe should you wish to stop by, before or after your session. We completed 2 sessions, one week apart – it was a great bonding time and most importantly, my baby really enjoyed it. What is Baby Bathhouse? In short, it’s a day spa for babies and it’s adorable (recommended for babies aged 6 weeks to 12 months). Ther ..read more

By Jessica Matthews, RDM Co-Founder Having recently been pregnant I thought it would be a great time to share some of my favourite items for newborns and postpartum mums. I’ve also written about my Top 7 Pregnancy Must-Haves which you can read here. Must-Haves For Mum Silverettes – Have you heard of these? They are game-changers! It is all I have used for nipple care since birth. Even when I had some extensive damage I only used my Silverettes. there are two types, I got the ones with the silicone ring so they sit nicely on the skin. The silver has antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, anti-infl ..read more

A Breastfeeding Guide by Kelly Faytrouni, Registered Nurse & International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at Nature and Nurtured Breastfeeding   Breastfeeding is a beautiful and rewarding journey for both the mother and her little one. It’s a time of bonding, nourishment, and an opportunity to provide the best start in life for your baby. However, it can also come with its fair share of challenges, and one of the most common concerns that breastfeeding mums face is nipple pain. But fear not! We’ve got you covered with five valuable tips for pain-free nips and successful breastfe ..read more

Photo credit: Noemie Vonthron Photography   And just like that, our RDM team has grown by one tiny new member with Jess’ baby now here . Introducing baby Mason, born 23.05.23. He was 5 weeks early – just super keen to meet us all! Here is Jess’ birth story. Some background Before I share his birth story, I wanted to provide a little background. We already have a beautiful daughter who has just turned 11. Yes, that’s a while between drinks. Do I regret the gap? Not at all. This is my family’s journey and like yours and the person next to you, it’s going to be different. I don’t regret an ..read more

by Dr Pooja Rastogi, GP at Hunters Hill Medical Practice   “A person is a person no matter how small” – Dr Seus As exciting as parenting can be, it can be challenging, too. The joys of coos and cuddles is often mixed with the anxiety of managing new unknowns – the need for regular childhood checks, immunisations, their first cold or ear infection. To add to the confusion is the overabundance of advice from family, friends or conflicting information that you may read online. Talking to your GP throughout this period is so important – we are here to help you through the maze. Hopefully this ..read more

  Registrations are open for Term 3 places for KidsLink, a 9-week program run by certified art therapists where kids and teens develop social skills in a fun, safe space. Local mum Ramonita says her 14-year-old daughter was an ‘extremely withdrawn child’ before she started attending KidsLink, a social skills program for kids and teens. “My daughter Marishka didn’t know how to interact with other kids — mainly because she didn’t know what to say in conversations,” Ramonita says. “She felt more comfortable in the company of adults because adults do all the talking and prompting.” But ..read more

by Dr Kath Turner, senior GP – Hunters Hill Medical Practice Congratulations… you’re pregnant!! Amongst the excitement/disbelief/shock is the thought of “what do I do now??”  Hopefully by the end of this article you will have some answers and be feeling much more comfortable about the journey ahead. Now that you’ve missed your period and probably pee-ed on the stick (be honest… it was more than once – perhaps 3 or 4 tests!), it’s time to make an appointment with your GP.  The initial appointment will involve a lot of information sharing and education. We will ask you when was the fir ..read more

by Dr Kath Turner, senior GP – Hunters Hill Medical Practice   Planning a baby is an exciting time for prospective parents. When you are planning on becoming pregnant and during your pregnancy, your GP is able to provide ongoing care and support to help you have a healthy pregnancy and give your baby the best start in life. When planning a pregnancy there are many things to consider, even if it isn’t your first baby. It is ideal that women and their partners visit their GP around three to six months prior to trying to conceive. This will allow us to discuss changes tha ..read more

As many Ryde District Mums will know first hand, North Shore Private Maternity at North Shore Private Hospital at St Leonard’s is a world-class, purpose-designed unit with the highest standards of comfort, facilities and qualified obstetric and midwifery team.   Birthing Suites Welcoming over 2,500 babies each year, the hospital’s Birthing suites include a spacious bathroom and fetal heart rate monitoring equipment for your baby. Suites have an apple docking station, TV, WiFi, and lounge for mums and partners as well as specialised staff to monitor each case and manage a seamless environm ..read more

By Dr Ujwala Parashar an obstetrician at North Shore Private Hospital   What is gestational diabetes? Diabetes occurring when you are pregnant is known as gestational diabetes (GD or GDM) and is known to affect somewhere between 6 – 9 percent of women during pregnancy. Please be assured, that with the right monitoring, treatment and care – women who develop gestational diabetes can still have a safe and healthy pregnancy that is not harmful to either the mother or the baby.   When does gestational diabetes occur and what are the causes? Gestational diabetes typically develops between ..read more