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Sharing the wonder of your baby's development!

Supporting you and your baby with reassuring factual content…

You have an important role to play in your baby’s development. The environment you create, the toys you provide, the interactions you have all contribute to how your baby grows. We provide you with the information you need to help your baby reach their developmental potential.

We are passionate about sharing the wonder of your baby's development.




“The first years of life set the foundation for all future development."
-Tarryn Poulton, Occupational Therapist

The Story of the Baby who didn’t Breathe, was Frozen and Lived… for her mum to tell the tale

By Tarryn on November 7, 2011   -   1 Comment

On the day that my baby was born, we were told that she had sustained a severe insult to the brain. She didn’t breathe for 15 minutes after birth. 15 minutes: enough time to drink a cup of coffee, write a shopping list, iron a shirt, walk to the station. Enough time to damage my baby’s brain.

Well, that’s what the doctors thought. You can read our full story here but the abridged version is that Gracie didn’t breathe for 15 minutes after birth. She was cooled to 33.5 degrees and heavily sedated for 72 hours and then warmed up to 37 degrees over 12 hours. Everyday she grew stronger and stronger, feeding better, becoming more alert and responding to neurological tests. We were able to bring our precious bundle home after just 9 days in the Neonatal unit.

Last week we had a follow up with the Paediatrician who met with us on the morning of Gracie’s birth. The same doctor who told us she had sustained a severe insult to the brain. She was just shy of nine months and he was asking questions like, “Is she rolling?” “Yes” I answered, waiting for the good stuff. “Is she sitting?” “Yes”… He stopped there. Why stop there when she can do so much more?! “She’s crawling.” I volunteered. “Crawling? That’s good” he says. But wait, there’s more! “She’s pulling to stand!” “Really?”

Gracie did me proud, showing the doctor her latest tricks!

Thankfully, once he’d examined her, the doctor sat Gracie on the plinth when she obligingly pulled to stand and took a couple of steps with her hands supported, determined to get her little hands on the beautiful, shiny stethoscope dangling around his neck. Ah, Gracie did me proud, showing the doctor her latest tricks!

And the doctor confirmed what we have always known. Our little Gracie is fine and shows no consequences of her birth. As an OT, it is always with great delight that I watch Gracie tackling the world and overcoming little challenges to meet her milestones and develop the way she does. As the woman who is able to tell the tale of her baby who was brain damaged and recovered fully, it is with the deepest sense of wonder and gratitude that I watch my Gracie developing.

She is one tough little cookie!

And

She is my amazing Grace. My miracle baby!

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Bumbo Product Review: What you Need to Know

By Tarryn on October 7, 2011   -   3 Comments

So, you’ve got a Bumbo or are thinking of buying a Bumbo… Maybe you have questions about the Bumbo. Will it teach my baby to sit? At what age can I use the Bumbo with my baby? This video aims to answer some of those questions.

The Bumbo is becoming increasingly popular and many moms own one. Generally, the view is that they are either loved or hated.

The Bumbo will help my baby learn to sit, right?

Many moms on blogs and forums are saying that he Bumbo will teach their baby to sit. I’m not convinced and I’ll tell you why. For babies to be able to sit independently, they need to have good tummy and back muscles. and these muscle groups need to work synergistically, In order for your baby to strengthen the

For babies to be able to sit independently, they need to have good tummy and back muscles
muscles needed for sitting, they need to spend times playing on their backs and tummies. Think about it, if you wanted to strengthen those long-forgotten core muscles, you’re not going to be sitting in a stable chair, are you? If sitting in a chair worked those muscle groups, we’d all have amazing bodies (and I for one, don’t!) 

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These are the Moments I Treasure

By Tarryn on September 29, 2011   -   2 Comments

Gracie is nearly eight months old and I simply cannot believe how quickly time has gone. Every day I am amazed at some new trick or skill she has learned but it is always a twinge of sadness that I realize that my baby girl is growing up. In the midst of our busy and sometimes stressful, there are moments of pure joy that I will always treasure. Here are a few of them:

  • Waking up to Gracie saying Ma Ma Ma .
  • The messy toothless grin I get while she’s eating.
  • Watching Gracie playing Peek a Boo with Daddy.
  • Watching her sleep, listening to her breathing and thanking God for her.
  • Tracing the outline of her eyes and nose while she has her last bottle for the day.
  • Taking her to her bedroom curtain every morning so that she can peak to see what’s behind it.
  • The sheer joy and excitement on her face when Daddy comes home.
  • Taking her to wake Daddy every morning and the three of us playing in the morning.
  • And my very favourite moment with Gracie happens rarely, making it so much more treasured:
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Baby Equipment: Helpful or Harmful

By Tarryn on September 27, 2011   -   5 Comments

Many manufacturers of baby’s toys and equipment claim that their products stimulate your baby’s development. However, that may not be the case.

Research done by Abbott and Bartlett found that babies who spend a long time in equipment have a tendency to be delayed when reaching their developmental milestones. They studied children who made use of the following pieces of equipment:

  • High chairs
  • Exersaucers
  • Walkers
  • Play pens
  • Infant seats
  • Automatic swings
  • Jolly Jumpers (baby bouncers).
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Product Review: The Wonders of Wisey – my FAVOURITE bib!

By Tarryn on September 16, 2011   -   Leave a comment
Product Review: The Wonders of Wisey – my FAVOURITE bib!

When starting Gracie on solids, we decided to go down the route of baby led weaning. This was for a number of reasons which I won’t go into now as weaning can be a controversial topic, as I’m sure you’ve discovered for yourself. Whilst I’ve really enjoyed introducing Gracie to solids, the one thing I haven’t enjoyed is the mess – and boy is there a lot of it! We’ve got the carpets covered with oilcloth and her high char is easy to clean. I was struggling, however, to keep Gracie clean.

I have bought so many of the material long sleeve bibs with the waterproof front. The thing is, they don’t last very long because they stain so easily. I also got tired of doing washing everyday! The alternative was to feed her in her nappy (which is not ideal when eating out!) or find a new bib. So, I went on the hunt… and I came across the Wisey bib.

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The information and advice provided or made available through NigglyNoo Ltd. and NigglyNoo.com is not intended nor is it implied to be a substitute for professional medical or clinician advice nor does it constitute a therapist-patient relationship…
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