The Ultimate Child-Proofing Guide for Parents
Those first months with your newborn are emotional, precious and, most of all, fleeting. Before you know it they’ll be ...
Read MoreImportant notice to customers — product packaging changesLearn More
NEW FOOD PACKAGING IN STORE NOW
From August 2018, customers will notice our rebranded food packaging start to appear on shelf in all major stockists.
We are excited to announce our new packaging will start to appear on shelf from August 2018. This transition to new packaging will occur over a number of months. During this time there will be a mix of current and new packaging on shelf.
There are no major changes to these products, in some instances there is a small name change or slight recipe improvement, see below for the full details.
Products purchased via the website will be delivered to customers in our old packaging until the end of October. From November, products ordered from the website will be delivered in the new packaging.
Please note, our Infant Formula packaging will not be rebranded until later in 2019.
For any questions, connect with our team of accredited practising Dietitians on +61 3 6332 9200
Product name changes
Most parents expect to feel an instant bond with their baby, but the reality is that many parents can experience feelings of inadequacy and isolation as they struggle to cope with the demands of their new little stranger.
Not bonding with your baby right away is perfectly normal – bonding should be a gradual process. But poor bonding can affect your baby’s long-term behaviour and development, and can wreak havoc with your mental health. Struggling to find a bond with your baby can leave you feeling guilty and stressed, and will make parenting all the more challenging.
There are a number of reasons why parents may not feel an instantaneous bond with their newborn. These include a tough pregnancy, traumatic birth, feeding issues, sleep issues, and post natal depression. Many simply don’t know how to hold their baby and fear misreading cues or cries. Others might find the role of parenting more demanding than they thought it would be, or they could be holding on to unresolved baggage from their own childhood.
Bonding is the bedrock of a baby’s later emotional development, and without a secure emotional connection from a very young age a baby is likely to face relationship challenges later in life. They may find they struggle to make a bond with their own future children.
Bonding is the intense attachment that develops between a baby and its parents and, without it, parents may struggle to offer the love, affection, support and protection that will foster a sense of security and positive self-esteem. But bonding is a process – a byproduct of everyday caregiving. It takes time and effort to achieve.
The bonding period for you and your baby can start long before their birth and can be helped along by a number of processes that include:
In many traditional cultures, baby massage is seen as an essential part of bonding. Some treat massage as essential as feeding, bathing and changing. In Australia, doctors, midwives and other health professionals are increasingly recommending baby massage as a way to strengthen the bonding experience.
Touch is a very powerful element in human bonding, and infant massage encompasses and supports this vital aspect. Massage can be helpful in encouraging the connection between parent and child, facilitating a deeper understanding, integration, and connection as baby grows. Some families have found that massaging their baby is particularly helpful in enhancing the bond with children with special needs.
Massage also gives fathers a chance to connect and interact with their child on a deeper level than the usual day-to-day fathering responsibilities. Fathers are strongly encouraged to attend baby massage classes, and many classes structure themselves specifically for fathers wanting to increase a bond with their children.
Massage is one of life’s simple pleasures, and research has shown that baby massage can help interaction in a number of ways. It provides all the essential indicators of intimate parent-infant bonding and attachment – eye-to-eye contact, touch, voice, smell, movement, and thermal regulation. Interaction benefits include:
As well as interaction benefits, baby massage can stimulate:
It can relieve:
And it can promote:
Learning infant massage is easy with a certified educator that will guide you through each stroke. While any soothing touch on your baby is beneficial, learning the art of infant massage from a professional is highly recommended. To discover a class near you, talk to your health professional, visit your local community health centre or search the online listings at Infant Massage Australia.
Baby massage is usually taught within a group environment, however, private classes are available. Either way, sessions usually run over 3-5 weeks, so that parents can learn the strokes gradually and to allow babies time to adjust to being massaged.
Massage can also be adapted to suit children of all ages, and it is never too late to introduce massage. Massage is one of the most gratifying experiences that your baby or child can enjoy, and is one of the most effective ways you can support healthy growth and emotional development. Massage is a beautiful and simple way to express your love for your baby and strengthen your ever-lasting bond.
Please read this important message.
If you are able, breastfeeding is best, as it provides the ideal nutrition for babies and has other important health benefits too. Health Professionals are well placed to provide appropriate feeding advice and support. A healthy diet during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding is important.
Introducing infant formula either partially or exclusively, may reduce the supply of breast milk. Once reduced, it is difficult to re-establish. Social and financial implications, such as preparation requirements and cost of formula until 12 months, should be considered. When using infant formula, always follow the instructions for use carefully, unnecessary or improper use may make your baby unwell.
Information about Bellamy’s Organic products is solely for educational and informational purposes only, and should not be substituted for medical advice. If you would like to proceed, please click "I understand".