https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQvDIkOOv3reZrg6LyqR_nQ

Drandramalikiwi, 55 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy (2026)

17/03/2026

Noticed a flat spot on your baby’s head? You’re not alone—and in most cases, it’s completely manageable. 💛

👶 What is plagiocephaly?
A common condition where a baby’s head develops a flat area, usually from spending a lot of time lying in the same position.

🔍 Why does it happen?
• Sleeping on their back (which is still the safest position!)
• Preference for turning the head to one side
• Tight neck muscles (torticollis)
• Limited tummy time

⚠️ When should you worry?
If the head shape looks uneven, or your baby consistently prefers one side—it’s worth getting it checked.

💡 What can parents do?
✔️ Encourage supervised tummy time daily
✔️ Alternate head positions during sleep
✔️ Change feeding and carrying positions
✔️ Minimise prolonged time in car seats/swings
✔️ Seek early advice from your healthcare provider

🩺 Does it need treatment?
Most cases improve naturally with simple positioning strategies. Some babies may benefit from physiotherapy—and rarely, helmet therapy.

💬 Key message:
Flat spots are common, preventable, and treatable. Early awareness makes a big difference!

📌 Save this post & share with new parents who might find this helpful.

10/03/2026

Newborn tongue tie: To excise or Not?

Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a common finding in newborn babies, but the big question many parents ask is: Does it need to be cut?

Here are a few important points for parents to understand:

🔹 Not all tongue ties need treatment.
Many babies with a tongue tie feed perfectly well and grow normally without any intervention.

🔹 The most important factor is function, not appearance.
A tongue that looks “tied” doesn’t always cause problems. What matters is whether the baby can latch effectively during breastfeeding.

🔹 When might a release (frenotomy) be helpful?
A procedure may be considered if the tongue tie causes:
• Persistent breastfeeding pain for the mother
• Poor latch or ineffective milk transfer

🔹 Always assess feeding first.
Before considering a procedure, it’s essential to review positioning, latch technique, and breastfeeding support from an experienced midwives or lactation consultant.

🔹 Sometimes time helps.
As babies grow, their feeding skills and oral movements often improve naturally.

✨ Bottom line:
Tongue tie alone is not automatically a reason for surgery. The decision should always be based on feeding function and the overall wellbeing of both baby and mother.

As parents, you should discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider to determine if a tongue tie release is indicated for your baby.

08/03/2026

5 important Things to Know Before Taking Your Newborn Home.

Bringing your baby home from the hospital is one of life’s most special moments — but it can also feel overwhelming. Here are five important things every parent should know before leaving the hospital with their newborn.

1. Feeding will be frequent
Newborn babies usually feed 8–12 times in 24 hours. In the early days, feeding may feel very frequent and sometimes unpredictable. This is normal and helps establish feeding and milk supply.

2. Sleep will be irregular
Newborns sleep a lot, often 16–18 hours a day, but usually in short stretches of 2–3 hours. Night and day rhythms take time to develop.

3. Newborn noises and movements are normal
Grunting, stretching, brief crying, and sounding a little congested can be common in newborn babies as they adjust to life outside the womb.

4. Newborn rashes
Most newborn rashes are benign and self-limiting. However, if you are still unsure contact your healthcare provider.

5. You are not alone
Even after leaving the hospital, support is still available. Your midwife, maternal child health nurse, GP, or paediatrician can help guide you through the early days at home.

The first few days with your newborn can feel like a big adjustment, but understanding what to expect can make the transition much smoother.

✨ Save this post for later and share it with parents preparing to bring their newborn home.

28/02/2026

One of the most common questions I get from new parents is:
“Is my baby's poo colour normal, doctor?”

Let’s break it down 👇

🖤 First 1–2 days:
Black, sticky stool (called meconium). Completely normal.

💚 Days 3–5:
Greenish-brown → yellow.
This transition tells us feeding is progressing well.

💛 Breastfed babies:
Mustard yellow, seedy, sometimes quite loose.
It can look watery — that’s still normal!

🤎 Formula-fed babies:
Paler yellow to light brown.
Usually a bit firmer.

🥕 After starting solids (around 6 months):
Darker brown, thicker, stronger smell.
Food can change colour — carrot, spinach, beetroot… expect surprises!

🚩 When to seek medical advice:
• Red (blood)
• White or pale clay-coloured
• Black after the newborn period
• Baby seems unwell, lethargic, or feeding poorly

Most colour changes are completely normal.
Your baby’s stool is simply reflecting what’s happening inside their developing gut.

Save this post for later and share it with a new parent who needs peace of mind.

Breastfeeding
formula feeding

25/02/2026

Breastfeeding is a journey — and no two journeys look the same.

In this final part of my conversation with Ms Connie Mahon, she shares her closing thoughts on what truly matters when it comes to breastfeeding in the early weeks of life.

Breastfeeding is natural — but it is also learned. It takes time, patience, and reassurance. For some families, it flows smoothly. For others, it requires guidance and persistence.

What matters most is not perfection — but informed decisions, a supported mother, and a thriving baby.

To every parent navigating feeds at 2am, questioning themselves, or wondering if they’re doing enough — you are.

If you enjoyed watching the past few reels on breastfeeding, please save this Reel and share it with a parent who needs encouragement today. Also, don't forget to follow Ms Connie

Until my next reel, take care!

25/02/2026

Can breastfeeding problems be prevented?

In the second part of this instalment , Ms Connie Mahon discusses how to prevent ni**le infection in the early weeks of life.

Many breastfeeding challenges don’t happen suddenly — they build up quietly. Early guidance, correct positioning, and understanding newborn feeding behaviour can make a significant difference.

Breastfeeding is natural, but it is also learned — by both mother and baby.

The goal is not perfection.
The goal is prevention, confidence, and support.

If you are expecting a baby or currently in those early newborn weeks, this conversation will help you lay a strong foundation and avoid common pitfalls.

Save this Reel and share it with someone who may benefit from early, proactive breastfeeding support.

25/02/2026

Can breastfeeding problems be prevented?

In part #5 Ms Connie Mahon discusses how mothers can reduce the risk of common breastfeeding complications in the early weeks of life.

We talk about:
• Preventing ni**le trauma and pain
• Avoiding engorgement and blocked ducts
• When early intervention can prevent mastitis
• The importance of timely support

Many breastfeeding challenges don’t happen suddenly — they build up quietly. Early guidance, correct positioning, and understanding newborn feeding behaviour can make a significant difference.

Breastfeeding is natural, but it is also learned — by both mother and baby.

The goal is not perfection.
The goal is prevention, confidence, and support.

If you are expecting a baby or currently in those early newborn weeks, this conversation will help you lay a strong foundation and avoid common pitfalls.

Save this Reel and share it with someone who may benefit from early, proactive breastfeeding support.

24/02/2026

Should you use a dummy in the first few weeks of life?
Will it cause ni**le confusion?

In this 4th instalment of my conversation with Ms Connie Mahon, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, we discuss one of the most debated topics in early newborn care — dummies and their impact on breastfeeding.

We talk about:
• What “ni**le confusion” actually means
• How sucking at the breast differs from sucking on a dummy
• When dummy introduction may interfere with establishing breastfeeding
• Situations where a dummy may be appropriate
• Practical guidance for parents navigating mixed advice

The first few weeks are crucial for establishing milk supply and effective latch. While some babies transition between breast and dummy without issue, others may struggle — especially if breastfeeding is not yet well established.

Parents deserve clear, balanced information — not guilt or fear.

If you’re wondering whether to introduce a dummy, or you’ve been told conflicting advice, this conversation should help you make an informed decision that suits your baby and your family.

Save this reel and share it with a parent who may be navigating this exact question.

23/02/2026

Some journeys begin sooner than expected… and require extraordinary courage from the very first breath.

Thomas came into this world at 32 weeks, he was small but mighty — surrounded by machines, careful hands, and parents whose hearts were both anxious and fiercely hopeful.

Today, at 14 months corrected age, he returned for his routine follow-up — and what a joy it was to see.

✨ Growing steadily
✨ Development right on track
✨ Bright eyes, confident steps, and a spirit full of curiosity

Prematurity is a chapter — not the whole story.

Behind every thriving ex-preterm child is a family who showed up every single day. The feeds that felt endless. The silent comparisons. The whispered prayers. Your dedication matters more than you know.

Watching these little fighters flourish is one of the greatest reward in my speciality.

From 32 weeks to wonderfully thriving — what a beautiful reminder that strength can come in the tiniest packages.

❤️❤️❤️

newborn

23/02/2026

The first 2 weeks of life are often the most challenging when it comes to breastfeeding.

In the third part of this reel, Ms Connie discusses the most common breastfeeding issues mothers face during those critical early days.

We talk about:
• Difficult attachment and ni**le trauma
• Concerns about low milk supply
• Figuring out normal feeding patterns
• When to seek help

The first two weeks are a period of adjustment — for baby and for mum. Many challenges are common and manageable with the right support. But early guidance can make a significant difference in protecting breastfeeding success and maternal confidence.

If you are feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or worried that something isn’t right — this conversation is for you.

Support early. Support often.

Save this Reel and share it with a new parent who may need reassurance in these first precious weeks.

22/02/2026

How long should you breastfeed your baby?

In the first few weeks of life, this is one of the most common questions parents ask — and the answers that parents get from online sources can sometimes be confusing.

In the second part of this reel, Ms Connie Mahon explores specifically about the duration of breastfeeding.
We discuss:
• How long a newborn should feed in one session
• Signs your baby is feeding effectively
• How feeding duration changes as your supply increases
• How to balance baby’s needs with maternal wellbeing

Every baby is different. Some feed efficiently in minutes. Others take their time. What matters most is effective milk transfer, steady weight gain, and a mother who feels supported — not pressured by the clock.

If you’re a new parent wondering:
“Is my baby feeding too long?”
“Why does my baby want to feed again so soon?”
“Am I doing this right?”

This conversation is for you.

Save this Reel. Share it with a new mum. Let’s replace anxiety with clarity — and support families in those precious first weeks of life.

22/02/2026

The first few weeks of a newborn’s life can feel overwhelming — especially when it comes to breastfeeding.

In this in-depth conversation, I sat down with Ms Connie Mahon, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, to unpack the real challenges that mothers and parents face in those early days.

In this 6-part reel, we discussed various topics on breastfeeding that I believe can help mothers to be successful in their breastfeeding journey but also to help their partners in supporting breastfeeding mothers.

Breastfeeding is natural — but it is not always easy. The early weeks require patience, reassurance, and the right guidance.

If you are a new parent feeling unsure, exhausted, or worried that you are “not doing it right” — this conversation is for you.

You are not alone. The support that you get makes all the difference.

This 6-part reel will be released over the next few days and if you find it helpful, don't forget to leave a comment and share it with someone who needs encouragement in these early newborn days.

Take care everyone!

Drandramalikiwi

17/03/2026

10/03/2026

08/03/2026

28/02/2026

25/02/2026

25/02/2026

25/02/2026

24/02/2026

23/02/2026

23/02/2026

22/02/2026

22/02/2026

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