Baby wipes are as safe and effective as cotton wool and water and can even soothe nappy rash, according to scientists.

A wipe is as gentle on baby skin as the cotton wool and water washing technique recommended by Government health experts, it is claimed.

Researchers at Manchester University tested the wipe against cotton wool and water on 280 babies over a three-year period.

They discovered that wipes are ‘as effective and as safe as water - but much more convenient for parents'.

And babies cleaned with wipes suffer less nappy rash.

The findings run contrary to guidelines from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice), which recommends that parents wash newborns with cotton wool and water to avoid skin irritation.

Babies under the age one lose more moisture through their skin than older children and are more vulnerable to irritation, meaning parents have to use gentler washing techniques.

WE know that a growing number of Australians are very serious about protecting their families from harmful synthetic toxins posing as cleansing agents.  

“We are on a mission to deliver health conscious Aussie families the healthiest, safest and most cost effective alternative to the usual baby wipes available today,” Playdays’ Louise Roark said.   “That’s because the nasty chemicals we found currently used in regular baby wipes are increasingly linked to serious and long term health effects.”

 Playdays baby wipes have been blended without the use of synthetic or industrial cleansing agents to help eliminate children’s cumulative exposure to unnecessary pollutants during their formative years.  This chemical-free solution is made to minimise the risk of allergic reactions.
 

“Playdays present a truly effective and safe baby wipe formulated without the use of nasty chemicals to maintain baby’s natural, healthy skin after nappy changes.” Louise added.
“Playdays gentle and refreshing plant based lotion is especially formulated to soothe irritated skin and stimulate healthy tissue.”
You  can order Playdays baby wipes by clicking here! Delivery is free all over Australia.

Any questions? Email Louise!

QUEENSLAND’S dynamic new premier Campbell “Can-Do” Newman will tackle the nuts and bolts of how he is implementing his 100-day plan in relation to parents in his electorate at a special Mums Brunch in Ashgrove.

The Mums Brunch, hosted by West Brisbane parents’ publication the KindyNews, will be held at the Marinara Café and Restaurant in Latrobe Terrace on Friday, July 27, 2012.

“We are very honored and excited about having the premier as our special guest in July,” KindyNews spokesman Karen Jackman said. “We are looking forward to hearing him articulate and outline his “Can-Do” plan to parents in his electorate. Our readers support and respect his energetic and positive approach to facing up to a very difficult challenge. This is going to be a must-attend event for Ashgrove parents.”

Also a key speaker at the brunch is the chief executive of Queensland’s largest and longest established kindergarten provider.

C&K Preschooling Professionals’ Barrie Elvish will speak about “Children’s Right to Childhood”.  In particular, Mr Elvish will outline how C&K plans to action this view at its newly acquired Ashgrove premises: 

“We have just purchased part of the old Ithaca TAFE at Ashgrove and we intend creating an outdoor environment which challenges not just the existing regulations and future regulations, but also the perceptions of what might be safe and unsafe environments for children,” he said.

KindyNews’ Mums Brunches are held periodically for parents of young children as a relaxed forum for social engagement and the discussion of community issues relating to parents and carers of young families.

Event: KindyNews Mums Brunch
Theme: Letting Brisbane Kids Be Kids
Speakers: State Premier and member for Ashgrove Campbell Newman, Chief Executive of C&K Preschooling Professionals Barrie Elvish
When: 10am-12 noon Friday July 27, 2012
Where: Marinara Café and Restaurant, 34 Latrobe Tce, Paddington
Contact: Karen Jackman
Telephone/Email:  (07) 3870-3234 / 0406 2222 59  media@kindynews.com
RSVP: ASAP

CHILDREN would be given trees to climb in, a creek to explore and material to build cubby houses under proposals for a new childcare centre and kindergarten which aims to buck the trend of wrapping them in cotton wool. 

The proposal by C&K, which runs a string of childcare centres, comes as the organisation dedicates an entire weekend conference to the topic of "children's right to childhood" and the consequences of risk aversion.

International speakers, including New York's Lenore Skenazy who was dubbed America's worst mum after she let her nine-year-old travel by himself on the subway, will address the C&K early childhood annual conference at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

C&K chief executive Barrie Elvish said that over the past decade there appeared to be an increasing emphasis "on creating what the regulators and the governments like to say is safe environments for children to play in".

"By making it too safe we are actually not giving children the opportunity to build resilience," he said.

"What C&K is doing about it, apart from this conference . . . we have just purchased part of the old Ithaca TAFE at Ashgrove and we intend creating an outdoor environment which challenges not just the existing regulations and future regulations, but also the perceptions of what might be safe and unsafe environments for children.

"We are not talking about blindfold bungy jumps.

"We are talking about the ability for a child to learn through mistakes and a child to learn through failure - a child to learn if you do jump off something too high it might hurt you when you land."

Mr Elvish said it was part of a risk-benefit, rather than just risk, approach championed by conference keynote speaker Tim Gill, who helped change the way the United Kingdom Government viewed playground risk.

Yesterday Mr Gill said the journey to being a capable adult involved "a few bumps and scrapes and knocks".

This holds true for everyone of all ages. As soon as your child's first primary (baby) tooth starts erupting, usually between 3 and 9 months of age, parents should start brushing their child’s tooth/teeth twice a day. A child toothbrush with a small head and soft bristle is recommended. The use, type and amount of toothpaste required will need to be discussed for each child with their oral health care provider.  Even if your child resists the toothbrushing routine, it is crucial to persevere. Once your child's primary (baby) teeth have all erupted, flossing can be added to the daily routine. Various plastic floss holders and devices are available to make this daily process easier. M ost children do n’t dev elo p  sufficient manual dexterity until about 8 years of age and it is highly recommended that mums and dads brush the child’ s teeth until that age.  By all means let your child have a go first, but then mum or dad should always supplement and finish this process. Always remember to reach back to the molar teeth. Given their position, they are often missed and hence are at a greater risk of developing cavities.

Paediatric Dental Specialist, Dr Sue Taji, Queensland Dental Group for Kids. Contact her on (07) 3839 8000.  More About Dr Sue...

Sesame Street: Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me: Brushy Brush

 
1. Are you going to miss being on stage?

(Murray) We will-we have had such a great time singing and dancing with you all over the past 21 years. But it’s time for us to spend more time at home.

(Jeff) We might make a few cameo appearances at concerts in the future, but we’ll be happy to be supporting the success of the new Wiggles team from behind the scenes.


2. What is Jeff going to do if he doesn't have anyone to keep him awake anymore?

(Jeff) I’m still going to have a big role in the musical side of things from behind the scenes and so will Murray and Greg. Anthony and the new Wiggles have all promised to help me stay awake!

3. Are you still going to help the New Wiggles after you finish the tour?

We certainly will! We don’t want to stop entertaining and delighting children-it’s what we love to do. Murray, Jeff and Greg will still be very involved creatively-coming up with new songs and performances and supporting the new Wiggles behind the scenes.

 5. Are the New Wiggles going be going on the last tour with you? What will they be doing?

(Anthony) Yes they will. Emma, Lachy and Simon have all been part of the Wiggles family for a few years now. They have been part of our shows as Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Dorothy the Dinosaur.

6. Is the Pink Wiggle Kylie going to sing on the tour?

(Murray) We have had some really special moments over the past 21 years and singing and dancing with the Pink Wiggle was one of them! We’re still finalising the plans for our tour and we’re sure there will be some special moments along the way.

7. Are the New Wiggles just as funny as you?

(Greg) The Wiggles will remain The Wiggles for as long as those coloured skivvies are singing and dancing and entertaining children. The new members of the Wiggles will have their own talents and their own personalities, so of course it won’t be exactly the same, but we think that will actually be a good thing. Emma is a great singer and dancer and plays the drums. Lachy is a great singer and also plays the piano and Simon is an amazing singer and has a huge presence on stage. And we think that all of the new Wiggles are pretty funny too!

1.  Why did you choose to be the Yellow Wiggle?

“When it was offered to me I was very excited, it’s just brilliant. Just to be a role model is great for any children, girls or boys.”

3. Were you a Wiggles fan when you were little? Do you have any memories of that you can share with us?

"I've been a huge fan of The Wiggles since I was a little girl, so it's a huge privilege to be invited to wear one of the skivvies and perform for a whole new generation of children," she said.

“I am The Wiggles generation and I remember seeing you guys (referring to The Wiggles) at the Seymour Centre and I’m in a DVD jumping in a matching pinafore with my sister”

FOR the first time, a woman  is set to join The permanent Wiggles line up, as a new generation of the acclaimed children’'s entertainment group is unveiled.

Kylie Minogue was named an honorary "Pink" Wiggle in 2009.

Emma Watkins, a 20-year-old backup dancer with the current group, will become the new yellow Wiggle.

Pictures: History of The Wiggles

Old hand band members Jeff Fatt, Murray Cook and Greg Page will retire at the end of 2012, making way for new faces, who are all current backup dancers.

Anthony Field is the only original Wiggle who will remain as part of the show.

Anthony, Greg, Jeff and Murray - The Wiggles –  today announced that 2012 would be their final year of touring together and unveiled exciting plans for the future of the world famous children’s entertainment group. 


The Wiggles will embark on a Celebration Tour at the end of the month with shows planned for Singapore, the UK, USA, Canada and New Zealand. The group will head home for their final Australian tour in November and December.  
Jeff, Murray and Greg will then hand over the purple, red and yellow skivvies to a new generation of performers to instead take on backstage creative roles.
Anthony will continue on stage as the Blue Wiggle alongside Emma Watkins, Lachlan Gillespie, and Simon Pryce, who have been handpicked by the group to become the Yellow, Purple, and Red Wiggles.   
“ We’ve bee n entertaining children around the world for 21 years and it’s important that we  plan fo r the future so that T he Wiggles can keep wiggling in the years to come,”  said Murray .  
“ The touring and performing over the past 21 years has  meant that we’ve spent  a long time away from our own families and friends. We miss them and want to spend more time at home which is a major reason why three of us decided it was time to hand on our skivvies to a new generation.’’
“Singing, dancing and performing for children and their parents around the world has been such great fun-we have been so lucky to do something that we love for so long,”  said Greg.
“When The Wiggles asked me to return to the group last year I was excited at the thought of performing with the three guys that I started the group with 21 years ago.  With Murray and Jeff’s decision to  stop performing at the end of the year it’s a nice sense of closure to  also  end my  time on stage during the final tour with all the original members of the group.”  
 “ It’s bee n so  great  hav ing Greg back with us so far t his y ear, an d to finish our time on stage all together again seems so  fitting,”  Jeff said.
“ We want to thank all our Wiggly fans– it’s bee n a  great ride in our big red car.  We are really looking forward to saying farewell and having one last dance with everyone during t he tour.”  
Emma, Lachy and Simon will join the original members of The Wiggles ‘on the road’ for their Farewell tour.  After that they will pull on the yellow, purple, and red skivvies and join Anthony on stage so that The Wiggles can continue to entertain and delight a new generation of children.  
“ Lachy, Simon and Emma all have  wonderful singing voices and are experienced children’s performers.  They  have worked with us for several years, playing various characters including Wiggly dancers, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword and Wags the Dog,”  said Anthony .
Emma said it was a huge thrill to become the Yellow Wiggle and the first female skivvy-wearer in the group’s 21-year history aside from Kylie Minogue, who was made an honorary Pink Wiggle in 2009.

RUMOUR has it that The Wiggles are set to make some major changes to their lineup, and might even be breaking up!

While we're not exactly sure at the moment what's going on, The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that a press conference is currently being organised for an official announcement on Sunday!
Asked if some members were retiring, a spokesman for The Wiggles said: "They always said they'd have to hang up their boots at some point." He also confirmed that there would be changes to the line-up.

The changes will come just four months after Sam Moran was asked to resign as yellow Wiggle, to make way for the return of the original Wiggle Greg Page who had taken leave due to illness.

The band members - Anthony Field, Jeff Fatt, Murray Cook and Greg Page - have openly expressed their concerns about continuing to tour in recent years, with the oldest member Jeff, approaching the age of 60!

What do you think their announcement is? Hopefully the group will continue, even if the members change!