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AIBU?

The topic of breastfeeding got me thinking...

18 replies

cheeks1 · 13/10/2011 23:04

I lived in New Zealand for the best part of ten years up until four years ago and it was where I had my first child. Parents rely heavily on an organisation called 'The Plunket', it is a not-for-profit national organisation where people and parents alike, are passionately committed to supporting families and young children.

The organisation is mainly run by parents and health workers such as midwives. They offer parenting advice and support, child health promotion and health education to all parents/care givers with children 0 - 5 years.

I volunteered to be a part of their committee and attended meetings once a month and helped to run a coffee morning on a Friday mornings. The coffee mornings were actually held in a small bunker type place with a nice secure garden with a small playground, there was four rooms within the place - a playroom/meeting room, kitchen, midwife's office ( where child health checks took place ) and toilets. I loved it I met lots of friends ( whom I started a book group with ), I learn't administrative skills and I helped set up and advocate specific groups example - a toddler music group.

We in our community office ( plunket organisation offers support across NZ )
we had many parents coming on a regular basis and a donation of a $1 and fundraising projects ( we conjured up during our monthly meetings ) helped pay rent on our little place, buy toys and other play equipment, maintain the property and supply volunteers with tea and biscuits...which we also shared with parents on our coffee/play mornings on a Friday.

Funding for all of the above also came from rented out the property for other groups and children's party's.

It is a great organisation and I think we need something like this here in the UK...thoughts...

OP posts:

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Birdsgottafly · 13/10/2011 23:06

Have you been to your local Childrens Center, it doesn't sound that different. There are places that will offer what you describe.

cheeks1 · 13/10/2011 23:09

No I haven't lol, just listened to a few conversations in feeding rooms scattered about the place! I will check it out thanks for feedback:)

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ShowOfHands · 13/10/2011 23:09

Our local Surestart centre is just like this.

cheeks1 · 13/10/2011 23:10

I have also been touring round a few groups around Cardiff and looked on net, so did a little research, but not enough yet I don't think.

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YouHaveNoPowerOverMe · 13/10/2011 23:11

Yes my old local Sure Start was just like this too.

Unfortunately my new one is pants

cheeks1 · 13/10/2011 23:12

Ye Surestart is fab, is there a centre near me...Heath Cardiff?

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Birdsgottafly · 13/10/2011 23:15

If you enjoy volunteering, what about Homestart
homestartsouthcardiff.co.uk/news.htm

Birdsgottafly · 13/10/2011 23:15

If you enjoy volunteering, what about Homestart

homestartsouthcardiff.co.uk/news.htm

cheeks1 · 13/10/2011 23:20

Thanks will do:) My friend and I were saying today how expensive some baby groups were and how be great if more parents ran them:) We all want best start for our little ones, but it is now in the form of a jam packed expensive week!

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cheeks1 · 13/10/2011 23:22

This is my first post and I should be going to bed, but I am liking this too much lol!

OP posts:

cheeks1 · 13/10/2011 23:35

I am still feeding my little girl who will be one in Nov, I don't mind but she uses me like a dummy through the early hours...any tips

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cheeks1 · 13/10/2011 23:37

By way she didn't have a pacifier and I made a rod for myself by letting her fall asleep on my breast, but was my choice and am happy I made it...just she can't seem to sleep without it lol!

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BeyondLimitsOfTheLivingDead · 13/10/2011 23:58

cheeks , not sure if its something you'd consider, but I gave my DS a dummy at 11m to night wean him as he was waking to feed more and more during the night and needing my nipple to stay in his mouth for him to drop back off!
He'd had one when he was first born, but then not from about 3m to 11m as he suddenly decided he wouldnt have it in his mouth?! Hes still BF now, but sleeps all well, most of night in the cot now (we were cosleeping when he wasnt feeding to sleep)

PS, hello, I'm in Newport

my2centsis · 14/10/2011 04:15

hi there, I do live in NZ and the plunket you describe sounds fantastic, How ever the plunket i went to was nothing of the sorts.

Maybe it was just the plunket lady i had? i have no idea but i found her rude and judgmental. I think the fact that i was only 19 at the time had a big part of it. Whatever the reason i can safely say i wont be returning with ds due in 2months

You do sound like a lovely lady tho so good luck with finding a group for you :)

SlinkingOutsideInSocks · 14/10/2011 05:32

Your Plunket sounds fab OP, do you mind me asking where it was?

We also have Play Centre here (I'm in NZ) which is day care for preschoolers run by the Mums as opposed to professionals (has to reach and commit to all the same standards, health and safety etc, and gets govt. funding) so you have to be a SAHM to do it, but kids love it.

ZonkedOut · 14/10/2011 05:53

Your Plunket does sound like the Sure Start Children's Centres I've been to, apart from the parents volunteering. I have been to several baby and toddler groups run by parents, though, so that does happen too. They are usually in village or church halls, though, so have to pay to rent out the hall, so donations are collected towards that and the snacks provided for the kids.

As for feeding your DD to sleep, I did this with DD1, and to break the

ZonkedOut · 14/10/2011 06:01

Stupid phone, sorry.

To break the habit, I just moved her last feed so it was before her bath/bed routine. It took a while before she would settle without me being there at all, though. I tried gradual retreat over weeks and weeks which worked to a point, then let her cry, which worked in 2 nights.

YouHaveNoPowerOverMe · 14/10/2011 07:52

My ds is 13 months and up until 4 days ago was feeding every 2 hours at night. The last 3 nights he has slept from 7pm to 2am, had a feed then slept until 7/8am the following morning.

He's done this on his own and the first night I had to go and check he was still breathing about 4 x because I wasn't used to him sleeping so much.

So basically, you could just see if your DD starts sleeping better on her own soon or use the other advice here.

Also the breast & bottle feeding page here is good & there's lots of lovely ladies who could give you advice.

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