Mum helps fight colic naturally
Philippa Murphy, who grew up in Oamaru, is a leading postnatal educator both here in New Zealand and internationally.
Combining her experiences with her study on early human biology, Murphy has produced a book, BabyCues, Nurture with Nature, Prevent and Remedy Colic, Reflux, Lactose and Dairy Overload, Nature's Logical Answers, she hopes will change the 'totally unnecessary and largely current situation of symptomatic band-aids' being offered to parents.
'It is more than unfortunate that the majority of parents are being misinformed or left to 'just get through' when we now know the causes of colic, reflux, lactose and dairy overload can be avoided, especially if fuller education about a baby's biology and digestive cures were provided in the antenatal stages,' she said.
'For the sake of our newborns, they need us to change some of our current beliefts and aspects of care to provide them with positive health outcomes.'
Murphy has a background in child development and psychology, breastfeeding and lactation specialist and thousands of hands-on hours' experience with parents and newborns as an international maternity nurse, specialising with twins. She has also been on the New Zealand National Board Executive for Pregnancy Help, a committee member for Parent Centre Christchurch and Canterbury Homebirth and a member of the Infant Mental Health Association Aotearoa New Zealand.
Her interest and study in childhood health evolved out of 'desperation and disbelief that more couldn't be done to help newborns and parents dealing with an inconsolable baby.
'I couldn't believe nature could get this so wrong for our young. Out of helplessness and a great deal of frustration and sleep deprivation, I turned to the babies for answers,' she said. During thousands of hands-on hours with them, they supplied me with an exquisite insight into the relationship between their digestion and their development of vision, mastication and their first forays into language, just to name a few. I also found that by understanding this and responding in certain ways to these Wind-Cues, I could lessen their digestive stress which created calm and consistent, healthy levels of developmental sleep.'
She hopes the book will provide answers to the age-old-problem of colic, allowing families to enjoy their new bundle of joy. 'My passionate wish for all newborns to experience a healthy, relaxed start to life and for parents to enjoy their creations to the fullest," Murphy said.
BabyCues Nurture with nature, Prevent and remedy colic, reflux, lactose and dairy overload, Nature's logical answers can be purchased from Oamaru Paper Plus and online at www.babycues.info. Murphy will be at Paper Plus on July 11 from 10am-3pm to sign her book and chat to anyone after help or information.