Title: Model Birthing Unit for Wyong Wyong Hospital’s maternity unit has seen ups and downs in its 13-year history, but is now back on the rise again as the Central Coast’s low-risk birthing centre. As the venue for almost 10 per cent of births for the Central Coast, Wyong’s birthing unit has
Author Archive
Car Seat Calamity
Posted by Johanna Baker-DowdellSince I became a parent four years ago I’ve become more aware of how dangerous a car can be to a child, so I was very happy when it finally became law that children between one and seven must sit in an approved car seat. Even though my eldest son is about to turn four I always insisted he travel i
An Indefensible Act
Posted by Johanna Baker-DowdellThe case where a woman left her 18-month-old son locked in a car in the middle of “Christmas havoc”, apparently having forgotten he was there, horrified me. I have thought about this incident for more than a month now. He was sweating and screaming when a member of the public smashed one of the
The Great Nappy Debate
Posted by Johanna Baker-DowdellIn a time when we are debating our impact on the environment and carbon footprints, I think the question of whether cloth or disposable nappies are better is very relevant. We used both types of nappies for our sons – cloth when we are at home and disposables at night and while out. Two dozen clot
Divorce’s Silver Lining
Posted by Johanna Baker-DowdellI’ll start this blog post by telling you how my last one ended. When I wrote about breastfeeding last month I was wondering whether I would be a breastfeeding mother for much longer. While I took my week-long course of antibiotics I expressed and Ethan was fed bottles. I started to breastfeed him
Circumcision: The Endless Debate
Posted by Johanna Baker-DowdellMale circumcision is a touchy subject. People argue passionately for and against circumcising male babies, presenting evidence to back their arguments up. Not surprisingly, it’s an issue that confuses many new parents. And the debate has flared up again with the inquest into a UK baby’s death fr
Breastfeeding: Not as Natural as it First Seems
Posted by Johanna Baker-DowdellAs I write this blog I am wondering how much longer I will be breastfeeding my baby. Ethan is almost eight months old and I think I’ve done well to get this far. I’m not sure either of us is ready to stop yet. Sadly, though, the decision may have been made for us. I have had laryngitis f