The Idibidi Kids Bookclub

Introducing.... The Idibidi Kids Massage Bookclub!

Natalie's book reviews - this post will be ongoing. Subjects include baby and children's health, general health & wellbeing, philosophy, women's health, natural therapies, science and much more... enjoy!
Please feel free to provide any feedback/thoughts/books you can recommend yourself :)


New books from my collection I'm currently reading...
"Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents" by Vimala McClure (founder of the International Association of Infant Massage, I.A.I.M)

"The Vital Touch: How Intimate Contact with Your Baby Leads to Happier, Healthier Development" by Sharon Heller, Ph.D

"Slow Journey South: Walking to Africa - a Year in Footsteps" by Paula Constant

A good read....

"The Oxytocin Factor - Tapping the Hormone of Calm, Love, and Healing" Moberg,K.
The inside front cover reads: The Oxytocin Factor by Dr. Kerstin Uvnas Moberg is the first book to reveal the importance of the whole oxytocin system for a general audience.... new research findings include reducing anxiety states, stress, addictions and problems of childbirth... Oxytocin is the powerful hormone involved in bonding, sex and childbirth, as well as in relaxation and feelings of calm. It is the mirror image of adrenaline, the stress hormone.
Who is Kerstin Moberg? She is a M.D and Ph.D and recognised as a world authority on oxytocin. She is a Professor of Physiology and the author of over four hundred scientific papers and lectures in Europe and the U.S. Dr Uvnas Moberg is the mother of four children and lives in Sweden. Her work includes the fields of obstetrics, psychology, physical therapy, pediatrics and child development.

"Leanne Preston and the Wild Child Story" Preston, L. 2007, Random House Australia.
I was truly touched and inspired by Leanne's story, having been a single mother myself and raising two children, I can definitely related to alot of what Leanne Preston was saying. I would describe this book as heartfelt, honest, inspiring, spiritual and educational.
Part of the back cover reads: After leaving school early, marrying young and settling down to raise a family, Leanne Preston thought she had everything in life she wanted. But when her marriage broke down, she suddenly found herself jobless, isolated and confronting the daunting task of raising three young children on a single-mother's pension.... Today, Leanne runs one of Australia's most successful natural-health companies... The extraordinary story of how she got to this point -battling personal crises and supposed business experts to create an enormously successful global business - is nothing les than inspirational. Leanne Preston and the Wild Child Story is both a vivid account of one innovative woman's battles in the business world and a personal testament to the power of self-belief.

"Skin Deep", Farrow, K. 2002, Victoria, Australia, Lothian Books
- Do you know exactly what you are putting on your skin? This book is your cosmetic code breaker! This book includes: A detailed list of common chemical ingredients -their source, use and effects on your body, a list of recommended non-toxic products, and a selection of recipes for homemade chemical free products. Skin Deep is essential reading for all discerning consumers who care about their health and the health of their families.

"Tender Touch", Staerker, Dr P. 1999, Singapore, Media Masters Pte Ltd
This is a hands-on book to baby massage, exploring age-old therapies for bonding and parenthood. Dr Paul Staerker's book, Tender Touch, explains: The sustaining gift of touch that determines your baby's future, the effects of touch on a child's emotional development, the nervous system and touch connection, how to calm a screaming baby, use of acupressure, and using massage to enhance your baby's general health and well-being. Dr Paul Staerker is a qualified chiropractor who now resides in Perth, Western Australia.

"The Art of Being Kind", Einhorn, S. 2006, Great Britain, Sphere
Being Kind in a genuine and positive way truly is an art; andit is an art that can be learned. Stefan Einhorn beieves it is the single most important factor in achieving success and satisfaction in life - being a good person can make you happier, richer, more successful and fulfilled. Offering immediate practical solutions, The Art of Being Kind holds a poweful key to the rewards of being kind. This book has in it lovely quotes, one in particular I like is on the back cover... it reads:
"We have everything to gain by being good to those around us. A person who is kind is on the path to success".

Lunch for Leukaemia today at UWA and meeting Leanne Preston C.E.O from Wild Child

Today my friend Mee Mee and I attended the Lunch for Leukaemia at the University of Western Australia. This lunch also included Leanne Preston speak about her business, Wild Child. We also had an insight into the Leukaemia Foundation; what they do and about the diseases. I was astounded to hear that every hour in Australia someone is diagnosed with Leukaemia or a related cancer (lymphoma and myeloma). The disease can affect anyone, at any age and often develops with little or no warning. Who are they? As stated by the Leukaemia Foundation, they are "the only national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders". They receive no ongoing government funding. Its a great feeling knowing that by attending today's luncheon that I am able to contribute to raising funds for the foundation :)
I was delighted to meet Leanne personally afterwards and to have a brief chat to her. She is an inspirational women! Now I cant wait to get stuck into reading her book, "Leanne Preston and the Wild Child Story" (personally signed I might add). I look forward to next years lunch! Oh, and Mee Mee, thanks for being such great company and for taking the photo !!

Idibidi Kids helping to raise funds for SIDS and Kids, Western Australia

Idibidi Kids (Infant & Children's Massage Instruction) is donating a gift voucher at a fundraiser luncheon this Friday, September 26th 2008, to help raise money for SIDS and Kids Western Australia. The voucher entitles one parent and their child to attend an Idibidi Kids Massage 4 session massage course, valued at $120. The luncheon has been organised by a Duncraig mother, Andrea Wardlaw, and is at Hillarys Boat Harbour. The lunch is at The Grill; $55 gets you a 3 course meal including wine. All proceeds go towards SIDS and Kids WA. SIDS and Kids promotes and delivers eduational programs designed to reduce the incidence of infant mortality and to raise funds into the research into sudden infant death syndrome, still birth, miscarriage and neonatal death.

My baby turns 1 !

My baby, Darcy, reached his first birthday on the weekend.... oh where did the first year go?? And with the first birthday came another round of jabs (needles) from the nurse (his 1yr immunisation)... no less than 3! Ouch! One in each leg and one in the arm. He cried, naturally, but the happy boy that he is, it didn't take long before the nurse distracted him with a brightly coloured ball and he smiled :)
(that just left me trying to pull his tracksuit pants back on while he squirmed on my lap). The natural reaction for me as a mother was to give him extra cuddles and kisses, lots of love and attention. When we were home he received a 'little massage'... I say 'little' because at 1yr old he doesn't stay still for long, even for his massage! But that's ok, because he's grown up with receiving a massage... he is used to my gentle, nurturing touch; touch that reassures him and makes him feel relaxed (among many other benefits of massage). My reasoning behind him receiving the extra nurturing and touch (through massage) is that massage actually releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers. Because the skin and the central nervous system have developed from the same cells, touch actually blocks the pain signals. Even though I didn't get much massage in, it was my knowledge behind why I wanted to give him the massage (primarily because of the pain from immunisation) and for knowing that he would benefit is the reason I gave him a massage.
One of the many benefits of massaging him since he was born is that he will begin to understand and become familiar with the routine of receiving a massage, through his brain building 'pathways'; connecting billions of neurons (nerve cells). It is the repetition of massage and the sense of well-being and 'feeling good' in Darcy's brain that enhances habituation (learning). That is how babies learn best, through repetition of multisensory experiences.
It is natural for babies to go through a stage of not wanting a massage if they are used to it, not because they don't like it, but because in a baby's eyes there are so many things to see around them, this ever changing world of colour and movement is more fun than lying still! (Don't worry, they do come back to it!). Once you begin to massage your baby and he/she grows up with being massaged, it is good to always offer a massage to them on a regular basis; it is also reassuring for your baby to know that if they don't feel like a massage today, there will always be tomorrow!
Happy massaging :-)
Natalie

Lunch for Leukaemia - supporting the Leukaemia Foundation

Natalie (owner/instructor of Idibidi Kids Massage www.kidsmassage.com.au) will be wining and dining at the Lunch for Leukaemia, held at the University of WA Club in late September. This years guest speaker will be Leanne Preston, founder and CEO of Wild Child. Wild Child is an Australian based pharmaceutical company, specialising in children's health. They make the Quit Nits product for the treatment and prevention of head lice. Leanne won the 2007 Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year award. Leanne is going to talk about how she made her dream a reality. I am looking forward to hearing Leanne talk about how she made her passion a reality and how her business has grown internationally from a small home based business in the south west of australia. She is an inspirational woman!
For further information about the Leukaemia foundation and the Lunch for Leukaemia, please visit http://www.leukaemia.org.au

Natalie, Idibidi Kids Massage.

The BIG WALK: Supporting Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

On Sunday 19th October 2008, Idibidi Kids (my 2 boys and I) will be participating in the John Hughes' Big Walk around the beautiful Swan River, Perth. We will be walking (well, Ethan says he wants to run...but he's only 8 so we'll see how far he gets !!) and dare I say, jogging... the 10km's, to help raise money for cancer services at PMH (Princess Margaret Hospital).
Did you know... approx. 80 kids in WA alone are diagnosed with cancer every year? The proceeds of this walk will fund an oncology nurse to care for these children.

For those who are interested in participating, please visit www.bigwalk.com.au
DETAILS:
When: Sunday 19th October 2008
Where: Start/Finish Burswood Park, Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood
Time: 17km starts at 830am, 10lm starts at 930am.

If you see us, please say 'hi' !
Cheers
Natalie

Idibidi Kids Massage First blog!

Hello, and welcome to Idibidi Kids Massage first ever blog! Its quite amazing to think how technology is enabling us to communicate via the world wide web.

What to expect?
I decided to create a blog page to keep the community updated on what's happening with Idibidi Kids Massage, where to see us (out & about supporting charities and not-for-profit organisations), meeting parents and carers - anyone that is interested to learn more about infant massage, massage in schools program and to find out more about the baby massage and children's massage courses that Idibidi Kids offers. Idibidi Kids Massage will be presenting the "What is Infant Massage & Why is Providing Positive, Nurturing Touch Crucial for Babies Health and Development?" Seminar across the Perth metropolitan area, so stay tuned for the next location and date (TBA). The first seminar, held at the Woodvale Family Centre was a great success, with lots of positive feedback and interest, from parents and carers!
So... until next time...

Natalie
Idibidi Kids Massage
Owner & Instructor (C.I.M.I, M.I.S.I)