Parents 2 B

10/06/2026

Many parents are using a heat pack or hot water bottle to warm the cot before transferring their baby from their arms to bed.

While I am not a fan of this practice, yes, it can initially help with the transfer.

After all, going from a warm cuddle to a cool mattress can be a big change for some little ones.

However, there are a few important things to remember:

⚠️ Always remove the heat pack or hot water bottle before placing your baby into the cot.

⚠️ Check the mattress temperature with your hand. Not just one spot, the entrie service the warming apparatus has been used in the cot. Check for hotspots. If it feels hot to you, it is too hot for your baby.

⚠️ A warmed cot is only temporary. Once the mattress cools, if your little one isn't dressed appropriately for the room temperature, they may wake because they are cold.

⚠️ Think about the whole sleep environment. Room temperature, clothing layers and sleepwear are far more important than a briefly warmed mattress.

A warm cot may make the transfer easier, but it won't keep your baby warm for long unless they have the right layers on them.

If your little one is waking shortly after being put down, it is worth considering whether they have enough layers on for the conditions rather than relying on a initially warmed mattress.

As always, follow safe sleep guidelines - rednose

Sometimes it's not the transfer that's the problem... it's what happens once the cot cools down!

Hope this helps!

09/06/2026

This little one is giving us the perfect reminder...

One of the most common questions I get asked is: "When should I lower the cot?"

The answer isn't based on age — it's based on development.

Lower the cot as soon as your baby:

• Can sit independently
• Is pulling to stand
• Is attempting to climb
• Can get onto their hands and knees and is becoming more mobile
• Crawling

If your little one can reach the top rail or is trying to pull themselves up, it's time to move the mattress down to the lowest setting.

Remember, babies often master new skills overnight. The baby who couldn't sit yesterday may surprise you today!

This photo is a great example of why we don't wait until they are confidently standing as by then, they may already be exploring their new skills!

Has your little one ever surprised you with a new milestone overnight?

08/06/2026

The first few weeks with a new baby can feel like the longest, shortest, most wonderful and overwhelming weeks of your life ... sometimes all in the same day.⁠
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You may be recovering from birth.⁠
You may be learning to breastfeed.⁠
You may be running on very little sleep.⁠
You may be wondering if what you're experiencing is normal.⁠
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The truth is... most new parents feel exactly the same. ⁠
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Your baby does not need perfection.⁠
Your house does not need to be clean.⁠
Visitors can wait.⁠
The washing basket will survive another day.⁠
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Right now, your job is simple:⁠
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🤍 Feed the baby⁠
🤍 Cuddle the baby⁠
🤍 Change the baby⁠
🤍 Rest whenever you can⁠
🤍 Accept help when it's offered⁠
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Some days you will feel like you've got this parenting thing sorted. Other days you may find yourself in tears wondering what happened.⁠
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Both are normal.⁠
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Remember, your baby has never been a baby before and you have never parented this baby before. You are both learning together.⁠
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If you're in the thick of the newborn fog, be kind to yourself. Lower the expectations, focus on the basics, and know that this stage will not last forever.⁠
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One feed.⁠
One cuddle.⁠
One nappy.⁠
One day at a time.⁠
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You've got this and if you are struggling reach out ⁠
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03/06/2026

If your little one cries the moment they are strapped into the car seat, you are definitely not alone. It is one of the most common concerns parents raise with me.

The good news? There is usually a reason, and often a few simple changes can make a big difference.

Things to consider:

Check comfort first
• Is the harness fitted correctly?
• Are they too hot or too cold?
• Are there bulky clothes affecting the fit?
• Is the seat reclined appropriately for their age?
A great tip is once fastened into the car seat use a doubled over blanket and tuck it in around them. This is like a swaddle effect, keeping them warm and snug offering the extra support they may need.

Timing matters
• Avoid leaving immediately before a feed if possible.
• A hungry baby is rarely a happy passenger. Offer a feed just before getting into the car
• Equally, some babies dislike being placed in the car straight after a large feed. It will be a trial and error with either of these.

Look at the bigger picture
• Is your little one overtired?
• Have they had enough awake time before the trip? Could they be bored and seeking stimulation?
• Sometimes the car is not the problem at all — it is simply where the emotions spill over.

Provide reassurance
• Talk, sing or play gentle music. White noise for the win
• Your voice is often far more comforting than any toy.

Consider age-appropriate distractions
• A favourite soft toy (attached safely).
• A mirror designed for vehicle use.
• Rotating toys to keep them interesting.
Check the environment
• Is the sun shining directly on them?
• Is the vehicle too warm?
• Are they uncomfortable due to bright light?

Start small
• If car travel has become stressful, try short trips with no pressure.
• A quick drive around the block can help rebuild positive associations.

Just don't do them all at once, try one change at a time so you know what works

Remember...

Some babies simply do not enjoy the car. It does not mean you are doing anything wrong. Like all things parenting, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all answer. The key is working out why your little one is unhappy.

03/06/2026

I have a little favour to ask .... ⁠
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Sometimes I wonder who is seeing my posts and whether you find them helpful.⁠
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Every post you see here is written by me. No social media manager, no content team, no fancy scheduling apps. Just me, usually sitting at my computer trying to work out how Instagram works this week! ⁠
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To be honest, it probably takes me longer than the average person because let's face it... I'm not exactly a social media expert. I'm a Midwife and Registered Nurse who is much more comfortable talking about babies than algorithms.⁠
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So today, I'd love to hear from you.⁠
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Simply liking this post will let me know someone is reading it.⁠
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Bonus points .... ⁠
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While you're here, tell me:⁠
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✨ What topics would you like me to post about?⁠
✨ What questions do you have about babies, feeding, sleep or parenting?⁠
✨ What information would help you most right now?⁠
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Your suggestions help me create content that is actually useful for the families who follow P2B.⁠
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Thank you for being here and for supporting my little corner of the internet. It means more than you know. ⁠
⁠
Michelle

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

That’s where some concerns around continual Silverette use come in.

Current evidence suggests:

Some moist-healing approaches (like hydrogels or lanolin) may improve comfort and healing compared to completely dry wound care.
But excessive moisture and prolonged occlusion can contribute to maceration where skin becomes overly soft, fragile and breaks down more easily.
The lactating ni**le is unique because it is repeatedly exposed to friction, suction and moisture, making “too much moisture” potentially problematic.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association states there is no strong evidence that silver ni**le caps are superior for healing sore ni**les, and they should not be used routinely on healthy ni**les. There’s also very limited high-quality research specifically on Silverettes themselves.

So the balanced takeaway is probably:

A slightly moist healing environment may help some ni**le wounds heal faster than complete drying/scabbing.

But ni**les also benefit from airflow and avoiding continual overhydration.
Silverettes may provide short-term comfort and protection from friction for some parents.

They are unlikely to fix the underlying cause of ni**le trauma.

Continual use that keeps ni**les persistently wet may increase the risk of maceration or irritation.

The strongest evidence still points to this: Correcting latch, positioning and feeding mechanics is the most important part of healing ni**le trauma.

Painful breastfeeding is often a symptom, not the problem itself.

Things that may need further assessment include:

Attachment and positioning, Latch quality, Tongue function/oral restrictions, Feeding frequency, Breast engorgement, Pump fl**ge sizing
....Just to name a few!

Breastfeeding should not feel like you are “just surviving” the pain.

If feeding is persistently painful, cracked, bleeding or causing distress, please seek support from a trusted lactation consultant, midwife or breastfeeding professional. Early support can make a huge difference with your breastfeeding journey

As always, every family and every feeding journey is different. What works beautifully for one mum may not work for another — and that is completely okay.

01/06/2026

Silverettes have become incredibly popular over recent years, particularly amongst breastfeeding mums looking for support with sore or damaged ni**les. And while they can have a place, I think it is really important that families understand they are not generally recommended for continual or long-term use.⁠
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One of the biggest concerns with ongoing Silverettes use is that they keep the ni**le constantly moist. While moist wound healing has benefits in some situations, ni**les also need airflow and opportunities to dry naturally. Continual moisture can sometimes contribute to ongoing irritation, delayed healing, skin breakdown and, in some cases, create an environment where issues such as thrush are more likely to develop.⁠
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I also find that many parents begin relying heavily on Silverettes without addressing the underlying cause of the ni**le pain in the first place.⁠
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The research is actually quite mixed and that’s where a lot of the confusion comes from. Historically, many breastfeeding resources recommended air drying ni**les and “letting them dry out.” More recent wound-healing research has shifted toward the concept of moist wound healing, where a controlled moist environment may help damaged skin heal faster.⁠
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However, the important distinction is this:⁠
“Moist wound healing” does not necessarily mean keeping ni**les continuously wet or occluded 24/7. ⁠
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See part 2 for more information ... incoming!

28/05/2026

Here’s the shift I want you to make regarding warmth⁠
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Dress for the room, not the season⁠
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What NOT to do⁠
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⚠️No loose blankets⁠
⚠️No doonas or quilts⁠
⚠️No hats for sleep⁠
⚠️Avoid synthetic materials⁠
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(Aligned with safe sleep recommendations from Red Nose Australia)⁠
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Have you been on the rednose website? ⁠
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I am surprised how many parents have not! ⁠
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For ALL of your safe sleeping guidelines, Rednose is where you need to find the information – not IG

28/05/2026

I don’t often share messages like this because I know there are many parents deep in the trenches right now and sometimes hearing about another baby sleeping well can feel incredibly hard. ⁠
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But I also think it’s important to celebrate the wins.⁠
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I’ve been working with this beautiful family over the past two weeks, supporting them through some gentle routine adjustments and hands-on settling strategies (…and no CIO in sight).⁠
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The improvements in Miss M’s sleep have been absolutely amazing.⁠
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Not because she was “trained” to stop needing support, but because her family were supported to better understand her cues, rhythms and needs.⁠
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Sometimes small, consistent changes combined with responsive support can make such a big difference for both babies and parents.