A little bit of a story time and my experience with Mastitis, a little bit of helpful and up to date information. Let’s talk about mastitis & “clogged” milk ducts.
Read moreThe Best Baby Shower Gifts
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Are you throwing a baby shower (or sprinkle) for a friend or family member? It’s a lovely time to come together as a little village to support the family and transition into mother/father/parenthood. The best baby shower gifts are those that are practical, thoughtful or remind the parents that they’re not alone in this journey.
Read more1/3 of Fathers in the UK take no Paternity Leave
Did you know? Almost 1/3 of Fathers in the UK take no paternity leave after the birth of their child?!
Read more‘Your baby should be sleeping 7-7’
Guest post | Emma @happy_sleepy_family | https://www.happysleepyfamily.com/
‘Your baby should be sleeping 7-7’
Did you ever hear this as a new parent?
Did you ever hear it and wonder what on earth you’re meant to do to make your baby sleep 7-7?!
Read moreGender Disappointment
Gender disappointment is a real thing and a very taboo subject. Often people are shamed for feeling it, because we should be grateful for having a child, no matter their sex.
Read moreTravel-Inspired Baby Names
Interestingly, there seems to have been a surge in travel-inspired baby names in the recent years. With baby number two on the way, we’ve been diving into the baby name books, blogs and websites. All with the aim of finding the perfect moniker for our new bundle of joy.
Read moreCleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week
May 6th – 14th marks Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week in the UK.
Read more24 Favourite Pregnancy and Baby Products
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When I planned to write this post, I was aiming to collate 10 favourite pregnancy and baby products. However, after polling the TMC Admin team and family, the list quickly grew – into more than what’s being represented in this blog post! There might have to be a follow up to this list of favourites, because there are some really good product suggestions in the mix!
Read more5 Essential Plans To Make After Having A Baby
Stories | Every Journey is Different
Stories | My Home Birth
Guest post written by Hannah @Hannahlmaynard
I feel incredibly lucky & grateful to have had two very empowering and positive birth stories.
Working From Home With a Baby
When it became clear that I would have to return to work when baby was just 6 months old, I won’t lie, I panicked. It was January, baby was coming up 4 months old and refused bottles. He’s a breast only boy. Not only that, but there’s a childcare shortage in our area & we would’ve had to wait until August for a place in the baby room – that was after registering two months before baby was born. And before anyone starts on the “grandparents should look after baby whilst parents work” train, our parents all work themselves, and mine are 18,631.74 km away in NZ. A bit of a commute to babysit.
6 tips for introducing your newborn to the family dog
Whilst pregnant, other than the obvious big questions (was that a contraction or a braxton hick?), one of big pieces that we pondered was how to best, and safely, introduce our family dog to baby. To make sure we did it in a way that would keep both the fur and fur-less babies happy, we talked to a few experts including our Vet and my sister (who’s a trained Vet Nurse and works as in animal welfare). They both had some great tips for introducing your newborn to the family dog!
The biggest tip for introducing your newborn to the family dog was to ensure that the dog kept getting the same amount of attention; but that it could come in different forms/from different sources! Here are some more tips on introducing your newborn to the family doggo:
5 things I wish I knew about newborns
If you’re a new mum, or mum to be, you’ve probably been there. The endless scrolling and googling on parenting a newborn, the antenatal classes and seeking out advice from friends and family. How do you do this? How do you approach that? Why does my baby do this? Why won’t my baby do that?
You would have searched out the “best quality” advice, the advice that you were positive was correct. However, when that (sometimes not so) tiny bundle is plopped on your chest, it all becomes very clear that your baby did not get the memo on all that research.
As a new mum (my little guy is only 3 months old), I thought that I would collate 5 things that I wish I knew before attempting to tackle parenthood – it might’ve saved some stress and tears, and I hope that it helps you!
Want to feel like an amazing parent?
Everyone wants to be a great parent. Figuring out how to do so can be complicated, however. It’s not as though you’re handed a manual once your child is born. That could lead to you looking for things to do when you feel like a bad mum or dad. It could also make you strive to do better. There are multiple ways to be an amazing parent. It doesn’t have to be as difficult as you’d think. Doing everything you can to make the best decisions for your child will be enough. You can do that in a few ways. While it’ll take effort, it’s much simpler than you’d expect.
Easy Ways To Be A Great Parent
Be A Role Model
It’s easy to tell your child how they should behave. It’s harder to show them, although it’s something that you’ll need to do. You should be a good role model.
People learn by imitating, especially during their early years. Being a positive example during this time is essential.
Your child is likely to do as you do. If there’s something that you don’t want them replicating, then don’t engage in that behavior.
The opposite can be said for positive behaviour you want them to engage in. The more you do it, the more they will. It could also be a great way to build a relationship with them.
Show Your Love
There’s no such thing as loving your child too much. You’ll need to show them that you love them, however. That shouldn’t be done with presents.
If you typically show your love by giving gifts a lot, you could spoil them. It’s much more recommended that you show them with acts of love, such as hugs.
Spending time with them as much as you can is also suggested. It’ll show them that you support them and are there for them without spoiling them.
Talk With Your Child
You’ll already know the importance of communication in daily life. That’s especially true with work and with your partner.
Many people overlook it when it comes to their child, however. You’ll need to communicate with them regularly, regardless of what age they are.
That doesn’t simply mean talking to them. You’ll need to be an active listener. Doing so will help your relationship with them flourish.
There are other benefits to this. You can help their brain develop. By using their brain to communicate regularly, your child exercises certain parts of their brain.
That should be enough of a reason to speak with them as much as you can.
How To Be An Amazing Parent: Wrapping Up
Everyone wants to know how to be an amazing parent. While there’s a lot of advice that you can follow, these can depend significantly on you and your child.
You’ll need to adapt to you and their needs and preferences. Focusing on their best interests will be a priority.
Doing so will make sure that you’re an amazing parent. While your child mightn’t always agree with you, looking out for them will be the most effective way of parenting.
Top Tips for Babies Sleep 0-6 months
My Top Tips for Babies Sleep 0-6 months – Sleep by Alexandra
I understand first hand just how important sleep is for both baby and parents. Sleep deprivation can have serious effects on the whole family — not just your child. Studies have shown that sleep deprived households have heightened emotions, can suffer from depression or anxiety and can even develop health issues. This is why sleep is so important.
You generally do not ‘sleep train’ babies until they are 6 months+ as this is normally when we are able to start encouraging sleeping through the night. However, with younger babies it is still beneficial to instil good sleep habits early on.
Here are a few points that I recommend you start with to help establish a good routine-
• Try to maintain a regular feeding and napping routine during the day. Now this is a challenge with a newborn so definitely do not put pressure on yourself; take your time and take each successful feed/nap as a win. Even a very relaxed routine will help, as the aim is to maximise the difference between daytime naps and overnight sleep. Daytime naps can be around noise, bright daylight and in the sitting room. Overnight sleep should be quiet (unless using white noise), in the parent’s bedroom and with little/no light. This will help develop your baby’s internal body clock/circadian rhythm. After 6 weeks, their circadian rhythm has typically set.
• Notice your baby’s cues. Signs like rubbing their eyes, yawning, or pulling on their ears are indicators that your baby is tired. Signs like fussing, impatience, clumsiness indicates that your baby is overtired.
“Be kind to yourself, always”
• Focus on effective feeding. This will determine how long your baby is satisfied for between each feed. Again just do what you can, having a newborn is a whirlwind and they can sometimes feed round the clock so trust your instincts. If you have any concerns, contact your GP or Health Visitor.
• Evening routine. It is never too soon to implement a nice bedtime routine. This can be very simple. To make bath time relaxing, a little baby massage after a bath can be lovely to help release Tryptophan, which encourages Serotonin. Both are happy chemicals that promote healthier and better-quality sleep.
• Room temperature. Having the right room temperature can make a big difference. Around 18-20 degrees Celsius is ideal.
• Baby’s room. Try to ensure baby’s room is a peaceful place. As baby is in with the parents until at least 6 months try to keep the room decluttered, not too much noise (unless using white noise) and no bright lights.
• Be kind to yourself. Remember we are simply developing a good routine at this age, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t all fall into place on your first try. Sleeping well is a learned skill, try not to put pressure on yourself. You are doing a great job mama!
Different children need different amounts of sleep. Getting those crucial naps in place, can really help encourage better night time sleep.
Here is a handy nap guide – (nap duration & number of naps)
💙 Newborn-6 weeks – 15mins-4hours with between 4/8 naps a day
💚 6 weeks-3 months – 30mins-2 hours with between 3/5 naps a day
💛 3 months-6 months – 30mins-2 hours with between 3/4 naps a day
If you would like anymore information on your little one’s sleep, check out my Website or Instagram.
Exclusive 10% discount for That Mama Club readers off of any of my Online Sleep Success Guides –
Newborn 0-6 months
Baby 6-12 months
Toddler 12-18 months
Child 18 months-5 years
Once downloaded, you get to keep the guide forever. Simply use code: TMC10.
Good Luck,
Alexandra x
Sleep by Alexandra helps your family sleep better so you can enjoy more time together. Alexandra Collingbourne is a sleep consultant specialising in safe, holistic methods of getting your baby, toddler or young child to sleep in a way that empowers parents to live better, happier and with more energy. Specialist postnatal depression & anxiety support is also available for those who need it.
Getting to the Bottom of Nappy Rash!
With Metanium’s resident midwife, Heather Morris
When your baby is suffering from nappy rash, it can be upsetting to see your little one in discomfort. So, as a parent, you want to ensure you are following the correct advice when it comes to both treating nappy rash and protecting your baby’s delicate skin. With a vast amount of information out there, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction, but to help shed some light, Metanium’s resident midwife, Heather Morris, answers some of the most frequently asked questions around nappy rash.
How to differentiate between nappy rash, eczema, or a reaction?
“Nappy rash is an irritation to the skin that is often caused by wet or dirty nappies being in contact with a baby’s bottom for a long period of time. It is recognised by a well-defined red rash with some areas of the skin appearing raised or swollen around the nappy area. It does not tend to involve the skin creases and your baby may be distressed or agitated due to itching or pain.
“An allergic reaction will appear red and itchy around the areas that have been in contact with the irritant, such as the elastic part of the nappy, around the waist and thighs. There may also be visible swelling, or small blisters.
“An eczema rash is unlikely to develop in the nappy area as this is often a well-hydrated part of the body. However, if there is a family history of very dry skin, this should be considered – particularly if the rash appears within the skin folds.”
Is nappy rash itchy/painful?
“Nappy rash can be itchy and painful for your baby, but by following these simple steps you can help to alleviate discomfort”
- Change wet or dirty nappies as soon as possible.
- Clean the whole nappy area gently but thoroughly, wiping from front to back. Use water or fragrance-free and alcohol-free baby wipes.
- Bath your baby daily – but avoid bathing them more than twice a day as that may dry out their skin. Do not use soap, bubble bath, or lotions.
- Dry your baby gently after washing them – avoid vigorous rubbing.
- Do not use talcum powder as it contains ingredients that could irritate your baby’s skin.
“When nappy rash does occur, use an effective treatment such as Metanium’s Nappy Rash Ointment (the Yellow One) to soothe irritation and reduce redness.”
Do babies get nappy rash when teething?
“Nappy rash is common when teething, possibly due to the increase in saliva production in the mouth being swallowed. This can bring on diarrhoea, meaning a higher chance for nappy rash.”
Can nappy rash cause fever?
“Common, uncomplicated nappy rash is unlikely to cause a fever in your baby. However, if the rash is severe or there are many infected areas, it is possible for a fever to develop. It is important to consider other symptoms that your baby may have – for example, diarrhoea or constant crying may indicate an alternative cause for the fever.”
Can nappy rash spread?
“It is unlikely that nappy rash will spread beyond the area that the nappy is in contact with. If your baby does have a rash that extends beyond the nappy area, then please see your GP for some advice.”
Can nappy rash go away naturally?
“Yes, uncomplicated nappy rash can go away naturally, especially if your baby is allowed to spend time without the constraints of a nappy on. Most babies really enjoy that feeling of freedom when they can kick freely.”
Does my choice of nappy make a difference to nappy rash?
“Yes, your choice of nappy can affect nappy rash, particularly if the nappy is too tight or too loose for your baby’s size. Too tight and there’s no air circulating around your baby’s bottom and chaffing can occur, too loose and your baby’s wee and poo can spread further across the surface area of the skin.”
“Disposable nappies are made in many different shapes and sizes for the weight of your baby, and you will probably need to try a few brands before you find the one that best suits your own baby.
“Parents should also avoid tight fitting plastic pants over nappies as they hold moisture easily and can make symptoms worse.
“Whichever nappy you choose, it is important that they are changed frequently throughout the day, and that your baby’s skin is cleaned with water or fragrance-free wipes. The key to preventing nappy rash is protecting your baby’s delicate skin. After cleansing, dry the skin gently and apply a thin layer of barrier cream such as Metanium‘s Everyday Barrier Ointment and try to allow as much nappy free time as possible to enable air circulation.”
Is nappy rash fungal?
“Whilst nappy rash isn’t fungal, prolonged dampness within the nappy can sometimes lead to a fungal infection. Fungal nappy rash usually has a bright red appearance and can be widespread.
“If your baby has a course of antibiotics for an infection, this may also lead to a fungal nappy rash. Fungal nappy rash is treatable, and your GP will be able to offer you advice.”
Nappy rash is not an uncommon irritation in a baby’s life, so, from the moment your little one is born, until they are out of nappies, the Metanium range is here to help look after your baby’s delicate skin all year round.
The Purple One helps protect:
Applying a thin layer of Metanium’s Everyday Barrier Ointment after each nappy change forms a protective layer on baby’s bottom, helping to shield the skin from irritation-inducing nasties. As well as protecting the skin, the gentle formula seals in the skin’s natural moisture keeping skin soft, smooth, and supple too.
It also comes in a handy spray bottle – Metanium’s Everyday Easy Spray Barrier Lotion is quick and simple-to-use, especially when you are out and about. No need to rub in, simply spray twice and pat gently for even coverage.
The Yellow One treats:
For those moments when nappy rash does occur, choose Metanium’s Nappy Rash Ointment.
Suitable to use from birth onwards, the Yellow One is specially designed to treat and soothe irritation and redness, so your little one can be back smiling in no time*.
All Metanium products are unscented and 100% vegan friendly. Available from: Amazon, Asda, Boots, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Superdrug, Tesco, Waitrose, Wilkinson, Lloyds Pharmacy and independent chemists.
Join the Metanium conversation at www.metanium.co.uk or on Instagram and Facebook
*Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment is a medicine. Always read the label.
HOW TO BUY THE BEST CLOTHES FOR YOUR BABY
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They grow so fast. You’re putting your baby in a newborn outfit and then you blink and they are 18 months old. Shopping for babies is just so difficult because there are so many great outfits out there that you want to see your little one in whether it’s little dresses or the cutest suspenders you have ever laid eyes on. The truth is, baby clothes have to be practical and durable for all that your baby is going to put them through. Here are a few tips for picking the best clothes for your baby.
Buy What’s Comfortable
Your baby is going to be doing a lot of sleeping. Even though someone purchased that cute little outfit for them, they won’t know the difference. Buy baby clothes that are comfortable. Just as we want to be comfortable while we are sleeping, your baby wants to be comfortable too. Buy lightweight fabrics like cotton that are breathable and soft on your baby’s skin. Also, buy outfits that are going to make it easier for you to remove when your baby’s diaper has to be changed, which is going to be about ten times a day at least.
Check the Quality of the Outfit
A lot of times, clothes are made so fast the stitching can be off or the cut can be askew. When those little outfits are being embroidered, they can go a little off unless the clothing is made in a reliable factory that uses Midwest Machinery embroidery machines. This is not always the case, so it’s best to check the clothing to make sure it was made to specifications and it was made to suit the comfort of your baby.
What’s the Weather Outside?
Buy ahead for your baby so that you aren’t stuck down the line. Determine what size your baby is going to be in what month so that you can match their outfit to the season. It is a good idea to have outfits for all four seasons of your baby’s first year of life. Snowsuits, sweaters, light jackets, and short sets are all good to have on hand in the proper sizes for your child. You are not going to want to have a summer outfit in a 5 month size if your baby is going to be a year old in the summer. Plan accordingly and save time and money.
Buy Machine Washable
There is no need for a baby to have dry clean only clothes. Everything you buy should be machine washable. Food is going to get spit up, food is going to spill, bottles are going to leak, and diapers are going to fail. Buy outfits that you can slip off of your baby and put directly into the washing machine. You are not going to want spills on something that can only be dry cleaned. You are so busy that by the time you get to the dry cleaners, that spill is going to be a stain that can’t get removed.