Calls for bigger emphasis on Hunter bubs in bushfire response

BY BILLE KAAL

Red Cross Australia is encouraging residents with young children to begin planning for potential disasters, as the Hunter enters its bushfire and flood season. 

Although the Bushfire Danger Season kicks off on October 1 for the majority of New South Wales, some LGAs in the Hunter entered the period back in September. 

A survey conducted by the University of Western Sydney and the Australian Breastfeeding Association has found there are significant challenges faced by parents with young children when it comes to preparation and evacuation due to disasters. 

Younger children and babies have specific needs, and often places like evacuation centres can not always fulfil them. 

Red Cross National Resilience Advisor John Richardson has some advice for parents and guardians to consider when looking to plan for these potential disasters. 

''Think about what you might need particularly as a parent of a baby or a young child. Have you got wipes, nappies, comforters or the ability to sterilize?" he said. 

"The other thing we recommend is people make sure they have got identity documents. Things such as birth certificates and immunization records." 

Mr Richardson hopes better planning will help ensure that children's needs are not overlooked when faced with difficulty from potential disasters. 

The Link Between Diets during pregnancy and Healthcare costs

BY: ALEX MURRAY

An online survey is underway from dieticians at the University of Newcastle, investigating how diet impacts pregnant women and their babies.

Using the survey, researchers are able to assess mother's in their final trimester in the ways they are eating and whether there is a link between nutrition and healthcare costs.

This will help nutritionists know what to recommend to women at different stages of their pregnancy as well as whether these healthy eating theories are saving the health system any money.

The chief researcher from the University of Newcastle, Professor Clare Collins says:

"Pregnancy is a very important time for women and nutrition can become very confusing with too many recommendations of what to eat and what to avoid."

"At the moment it's really hard for mums to access nutrition advice so we're trying to come up with a rationale to say - it can save everyone time and money if we give mums advice while they're pregnant."

Women who can volunteer for the survey need to be between 28 and 36 weeks pregnant, are over the age of 18 and are delivering their baby at the John Hunter hospital. 

Researchers say what is recommended to eat during a woman's pregnancy can influence not only her health but the wellbeing of her baby. 

For those wishing to complete the survey the link directly for participants is:

 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/pregnancyDQ#newspaper

For more information, contact the Hunter Medical Research Institute or the research team:

WEBSITE: https://hmri.org.au/
PH: (02) 4921 5646