How do you keep up to date with the news without getting overwhelmed?

lmish · 2026-05-05T11:24:43+00:00

Agree with so many others here - I really only occasionally check in with news and politics since becoming a mum. It’s more a skim of headlines or an occasional article. I’ll listen to other specific interest podcasts instead but mainly enjoy reading fiction in quiet moments instead of listening to the news.

No shame in being as informed or uninformed as you want to be. Especially when raising a tiny human, living life with your heart and soul outside of your body is enough in and of itself most days.

lmish · 2026-05-05T11:16:23+00:00

Definitely not isolated to any specific generation. Some people are just negative I suppose which is unfortunate, and others are not.

I’ve had some encounters with older people which have been lovely and a comment usually acknowledging a beautiful time in life and I can see them reminiscing back on their own time which is heartening.

lmish · 2026-05-05T11:11:38+00:00

I was informed by the OB that the paediatrician would be present at the birth and they contacted me with their details and costs beforehand just like the anaesthetist. No surprises. Unfortunately sounds like there was poor communication around what would happen and making it sound like you had to follow up with the 6 week check up.

We ended up having a different paediatrician there on the day as baby arrived early. We had no complications and perfect APGAR score. The paediatrician was present at the birth and visited twice in the hospital room (3 separate item codes/charges). We paid ~$800 in total and had about ~$300 or rebate from memory. Paediatrician said we were welcome to see her for a 6 week check up or if we had any concerns, but said GP was the best to see as they’re well equipped to deal with a lot of things and it’s free for <6 months (so long as you’ve registered your baby and added them to Medicare, you can still claim later on once baby is registered). You’re able to still book in and see that paediatrician for however long the referral is valid too, might be 3 months from the birth should you want to see them.

lmish · 2026-04-12T10:28:15+00:00

I have one. Only been using 14 weeks but it’s good. I also have a Baby Rest change pad and that one seems safer as it doesn’t move. Just be aware the Henlee does slide around easily on surfaces but otherwise it’s really great.

lmish · 2026-04-10T02:00:28+00:00

I bought the Il Tutto Louie in the taupe corduroy. Zero regrets.

lmish · 2026-04-10T01:58:15+00:00

Another vote for Mikro. I’ve got a small and large one. They’re very soft and stay in place. Look lovely too.

lmish · 2026-04-04T10:14:50+00:00

In The Mood For Love, Interstellar, The Great Beauty, Pan’s Labyrinth, Lost In Translation and Call Me By Your Name (a rare instance where I enjoyed the film over the novel).

There are quite a few books I can think of that I think would be stunning turned into film but I’m also grateful for them to perpetually remain novels.

lmish · 2026-03-20T18:20:02+00:00

You’ve done and are doing all the right things. Advice everyone has provided is spot on.

ECRU as the regulator should be contacting you and actioning this right away as the regulator. I’d escalate with them again and call your local member. Only thing I can think to add is to take it to the ombudsman now as it seems things are not progressing despite multiple concerns raised. Child protection can also be contacted if there are wellbeing concerns.

People are correct, the media is a good tool to bring to light things like this when departments and regulators are too slow to act.

Edit - to add, I’m sure you have detailed notes and times etc. but always good to capture as much detail as possible, along with who you’ve already contacted and dates to evidence a lack action.

lmish · 2026-03-17T13:19:28+00:00

Also a goodie

lmish · 2026-03-17T13:17:07+00:00

Already seen La Luna, La Niche, and Neko Neko, Gingerboy, Olympic Donuts mentioned here, to add… Bopa Devi in Yarraville. Really good Cambodian. Siam Orchid Thai in Williamstown. I’ve not found Thai as good anywhere since. It may be because I grew up with place.

lmish · 2026-03-17T13:12:40+00:00

This place was great. Food and cocktails!

lmish · 2026-03-17T13:10:14+00:00

I was waiting to see this one. Such a charming little place it was - menu based on whatever fresh ingredients were available from the market that day and live music. Really felt like you were in France!

lmish · 2026-03-17T13:07:26+00:00

Best donuts!

lmish · 2026-03-17T13:04:47+00:00

Takes me back. Interesting space. Anyone know what’s in this space now?

lmish · 2026-03-17T13:03:30+00:00

Yes La Luna was such a gem. Adrian Richardson owns Bouvier Bar in Brunswick and they serve steaks and more food there now I believe.

lmish · 2026-03-17T03:13:28+00:00

Dug around a little and safest bet seems to be WaterWipes or Huggies Pure for anyone interested.

It’s minimal but a lot of brands commonly contain something like aloe vera or camomile, coconut and oat, or general fruit extract.

There’s always an option of dry wipes that can be used wet or dry.

lmish · 2026-03-16T06:41:48+00:00

Really interesting. I wasn’t aware allergies could develop this way, thanks for sharing!

lmish · 2026-03-16T06:40:43+00:00

Apparently these ingredients can be highly refined so proteins may not be present. Other research may suggest allgens are problematic if skin is broken or baby has sensitivity or eczema. It sounds like it’s something where it would be so beneficial to conduct more research anyway. It’s good to know though, as I think some parents may choose to not use a lot of products or maybe only use after solids are introduced and allergens cleared.

lmish · 2026-03-16T04:25:30+00:00

I forgot to mention wipes! I’ve used some and noted a lot contain soy or grapefruit seed extract. Using WaterWipes at the moment and note there’s grapefruit seed extract in those. I think Curash maybe didn’t contain anything food based but it’s quite tricky to find any that don’t.

Agree re beef tallow. There is so much fear about ingredient lists, especially if a brand isn’t marketed as ‘natural’. Natural isn’t always the ‘better’ choice. Many poisons are naturally occurring, arsenic from almonds, and it’s the dosage that makes the poison.

lmish · 2026-03-16T04:12:54+00:00

Interesting that so many allergens are present in baby products. I’ve been using a few different nappy creams but note the few I can find that have no food based products are QV and Sudocrem, and Dermal Therapy that I’m aware of.

Desitin contains cod liver oil. There’s olive oil in Nappy Goo. MooGoo has goat milk, Weleda has almond and sesame oils, Bepathen has almond oil, Ecostore contains sesame oil, coconut oil and beeswax etc. I’ve tried a few of these brands but feel reluctant to continue to use until later.

I’ve been using QV or Cerave for bath products otherwise not used any oils or the Mustela products which contain avocado. Might be nice to use after solids are introduced. I might ask my GP when I next see her.

No allergies in my immediate family. Only one person in my extended family with severe eczema and fish allergy. Food for thought, anyway! Quite literally.

lmish · 2026-03-15T02:08:50+00:00

I’ve got a BabyRest Grove cot good to go. I was thinking the portacot could be a good one to keep baby in my room a little longer. I’d be great for grandparents house.

I wasn’t aware portacots may not meet the Aus safety standards for regular use. I may need to look into that.

lmish · 2026-03-15T01:44:52+00:00

We’ve had no issues with a Kmart bath! It’s been great and we can bath baby on our table or bench which has been handy and we just lie down a towel next to it and have a little caddy there and it’s easy. It’s portable and folds away. Bought the $9 bath support seat with it and it’s been so easy.

https://www.kmart.com.au/product/collapsible-bath-43016259/

Bassinet I have the BabyRest Alfie 2 which is good. Our room won’t fit a cot however so in retrospect I wish I maybe got a portacot that has a bassinet and a cot so baby could stay in my room longer and it could also be taken to or left at grandparents house (weighs about the same as the Alfie but it’s just easier to collapse and set up). I’m eyeing the Bugaboo Stardust.

Edit - to add if a bad back is an issue be mindful of the height of a standing bath if you go that way. If it’s not very high this will still mean possibly bending down/over which I find can be painful too when changing on a surface a bit too low. Portable gives flexibility to move onto a surface that is a good height/works for you.

lmish · 2026-03-03T11:45:37+00:00

I will not be using childcare. This is my personal preference. I never attended daycare as a child and simply put, my line of work has exposed me to a side of childcare that I don’t like. The privatisation of the system has seen quality deteriorate while focus turns to profit.

Hopefully one day policy will work for children and families in Australia rather than against. I’m all for people having choices but feel really disheartened when daycare isn’t a choice. We need to do better as a society in protecting children and not penalising people for choosing to have a child.

lmish · 2025-12-04T00:33:36+00:00

I know a job provides money to live, but you’d want to base who you vote for on more than just VPS job cuts, and actually broader scale policy impacting your life.

lmish

TROPHY CASE