Mums magazine january 17

Mums JANUARY 2017

All hail the

Keeping Mum How to avoid the pattern of self-neglect

SUPER MUM! Are you among the army of modern Mummy multi-taskers?

The

school run(way) Stylish speed dressing for busy Mums

The FAMILY RESOLVE

How to set (and stick to) a positive 2017 action plan

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Story TIME Mums Magazine January 2017 ‘Goodbye TV... hello books!’

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T H E I TA L I A N H O L I D AY S P E C I A L I S T S I N C E 1987

EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to the New Year issue of Mums Magazine! Lots of us make resolutions at this time of year, but alongside the usual personal goals-setting, we thought it worth considering some family targets to aspire towards in 2017, whether it’s an adventure holiday or simply spending more quality time together (page 6).

If there is one thing us mums like to do, more so than ever at this time of year, it is test our super woman powers to the limit, such is the theme of this issue (page 12). Amidst all the multi-tasking and day-to-day juggling, however, it pays to take time out for yourself as and when possible. As much of a challenge as this is, we’ve got some handy time out tips that might help (page 15).

One person who knows this challenge only too well is Dad of 4 girls Simon Hooper, who we had the pleasure of interviewing on page 8. When it comes to setting new and positive habits for the year ahead, everybody’s goal is going to be different. Perhaps it means finding a renewed style and confidence that works with your lifestyle, much like our School Run Style icons on page 10. Or maybe it’s time to start establishing a regular reading routine (page 16), or healthier eating habits (page 18). Either way, we wish you the best of luck, and the happiest of New Years ahead!

Enjoy the issue!

Caroline Seekings

4. Nappy rash Simple ways to help treat nappy rash

6. The family resolve

How to set a positive action plan

8. Little women

Q&A with Simon Hooper

10. The school run(way) Stylish speed dressing tips

12. Super mums

Meet the modern multi-tasking Mums

14. Speaking out

One mother’s story of living with RETT Syndrome

15. Keeping mum

How to avoid the pattern of self-neglect

16. Story time

Editor

Encourage children to read for pleasure

18. Veg out

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Help your kids to eat healthier

20. Pregnancy notes

The latest news and information

22. Fertility matters

Natural ways to help improve your fertility

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24. Baby soft

Help relieve sensitive and eczema-prone skin

25. Under pressure

Take steps to help tackle bullying

26. Winter winning

Top tips for the cold & flu season

Mums JANUARY 2017

All hail the

Keeping Mum How to avoid the pattern of self-neglect

SUPER MUM! Are you among the army of modern Mummy multi-taskers?

The

school run(way) Stylish speed dressing for busy Mums

The FAMILY RESOLVE

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

How to set (and stick to) a positive 2017 action plan

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Story TIME Mums Magazine January 2017 ‘Goodbye TV... hello books!’

1

mums magazine publication @mums_magazine

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Information in Mums Magazine is not intended as a substitute for diagnosis, prescription and/or treatment by a Medical Professional.

Opinions expressed in Mums Magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher, and the magazine is in no way liable for any such opinions. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the content of this publication is accurate, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. No advertisement, article or image may be reproduced without the written permission of the publishers.

The Team: Editor Caroline Seekings caroline@lifestyle-magazines.co.uk Tel: 07834 233346

Produced by:

Photography Richard Jones Photography www.richardjones-photography.com

LIFESTYLE

MAGAZINES

Get in touch: T: 07834 233346 E: caroline@lifestyle-magazines.co.uk www.lifestyle-magazines.co.uk

Features Editor Chrissy Hayes chrissy@lifestyle-magazines.co.uk

Imagery www.istockphoto.com

Kim IT support

Caroline Editor

Chrissy Features Editor

Amy Column ist

Richard her Photograp

Meet the team Mums Magazine January 2017

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Nappy days Natural solutions to preventing and treating nappy rash in babies

There are certain trigger times1 when your baby may be more prone to nappy rash Weaning

Any change in diet can lead to looser stools and a greater likelihood of nappy rash affecting your baby.

Common Cold

When a baby has a cold, stools are often looser, meaning that nappy rash is more likely to occur.

Teething

A runny nose, lots of saliva and diarrhoea are often the signs of teething. It’s also a time when nappy rash can strike.

Antibiotics

Nappy rash is often linked to antibiotic use. Antibiotics may mildly upset the digestive system leading to diarrhoea and nappy rash.

First sleep through the night

Sleeping through the night means that nappy changing may be delayed, making nappy rash more likely to develop.

Change in diet

Such as moving on from breast milk may lead to more frequent and watery stools, potentially leading to nappy rash.

Diarrhoea

Many babies suffer from nappy rash at some time in their first 18 months. Nappy rash can be caused by prolonged contact with urine or stools, although having sensitive skin does increase propensity towards the condition. In addition, certain soaps, detergents, wipes and also chafing can be contributing factors. Nappy rash is characterised by red patches on your baby’s bottom, or the whole area may be red.

The skin may look sore and feel hot to touch, and there may be spots, pimples or blisters.

Nappy rash usually starts when the baby’s delicate skin is in prolonged contact with urine and faeces in the nappy. It’s much more difficult to prevent this if your baby has diarrhoea.

is here to help!

1.Morris H, The bottom line on nappy rash, British Journal of Midwifery, September 2012, Vol 20, No 9, pages 540-543

The best approach to treating nappy rash is prevention, and changing wet or soiled nappies as soon as possible can help to lessen the risk of irritation. Young babies need changing as many as 10 or 12 times a day, and older babies at least six to eight times. Be sure to clean the whole nappy area thoroughly, wiping from front to back and use plain water or baby wipes. It also helps to leave the nappy off for as long and as often as you can in order to let fresh air get to the skin. Barrier creams, such as zinc and castor oil may also help.

If your baby does get nappy rash, you can treat it with a nappy rash cream, although if the rash doesn’t go away or becomes bright red with white or red pimples, they may have a thrush infection. In this case, you’ll need to use an anti-fungal cream, available either from the pharmacist or on prescription from your GP. Ask your pharmacist or health visitor for advice.

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Mums Magazine January 2017

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is here to help!

We all know how unpredictable babies can be!

Even if you follow a regular routine, no two days are the same, and there are certain trigger times1 when your baby may be more prone to nappy rash 1.Morris H, The bottom line on nappy rash, British Journal of Midwifery, September 2012, Vol 20, No 9, pages 540-543

1

we an ing

Treatment

for Nappy Rash For occasions when it does strike, Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment can be used to treat nappy rash, relieving the irritation and redness.

Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment is a medicine. Always read the label.

www.metanium.co.uk www.mums-magazine.co.uk 8749 Mums Mag

2

com mon cold

3 teething

4

antibiotic s

5

fi rst sle ep throug h the nig ht

6

change in di et

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diar rhoe a

Protection

from Nappy Rash For daily protection, use Metanium Everyday Barrier Ointment or Easy Spray Barrier Lotion at every nappy change to help protect against the irritants that can cause nappy rash.

we

babies’ bums

Mums Magazine January 2017

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The

family resolve

‘A family resolution creates invaluable opportunities for for travel, leisure and improved wellbeing’

How to set (and stick to) a positive action plan

The start of a New Year is always a popular time to make resolutions, but mostly these are based around our individial aspirations, such as getting fitter or changing career. Family resolutions are less common, but just as worthy of consideration at this time of year, especially given the benefits that can come from parents and children working together towards one or more shared goals. At very least, the family resolve can help with sibling and parent bonding, and at most the experience creates invaluable opportunities for travel, leisure and improved wellbeing. If you’re sold on the idea, why not consider one of the following resolves.

1. Do more as a family It is easy for the weeks and months to roll on without any discernable experiences or memories being made in the process, which is why it is worth booking in one weekend a month, for example, to do something different as a family. Whether that involves a day trip or a simple change of routine, the move away from set habits and preferences can help to set a weekend apart in the fun and relaxation stakes.

Put it into practice • The Snow Centre Learn to ski at the Snow Centre.

London’s closest indoor real snow slope providing perfect indoor snowboarding and skiing conditions. www.thesnowcentre.com • London Kayak Tours London Kayak Tours operate kayaking trips in both Windsor and London, and all of their tours are guided by British Canoe Union Instructors who provide a safety briefing and an introduction to basic kayaking skills before launching onto the water. www.londonkayaktours.co.uk 6

Mums Magazine January 2017

2. Eat at the table Meals at the dinner table may be a dying tradition, but there is much to be said for ditching the TV dinners, even if only for a few nights per week. Eating at the table gives families a chance to engage and communicate with each other, whilst also having nutritional benefits linked to improved posture and attention to eating.

Put it into practice • If you don’t have a dining table, now may be the time to invest, particularly with the January sales upon us.

• A kitchen table is often used as everything from a storage area, to a place to do homework, removing the potential for its intended purpose. Keeping the table clear and set with place mats can help encourage family members to take a seat for breakfast or dinner.

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3. Take a break Relaxing seaside holidays are all well and good, but an adventure break which involves an activity or even an element of team building could help both children and parents get more from their time away by creating opportunities for communication and development.

Put it into practice Narrowboat holidays are often said to be the best way to relax and offer parents and children a unique way to spend time together.

Canal boats are like floating holiday cottages, with all the comforts of home on board. Drifters Narrowboat Holidays (www.drifters.co.uk) offers580 canal boats for hire from 45 bases across England, Wales and Scotland. One of their family boats - ‘Lucy May’ - even has some extra adaptations specifically for babies. As well as a large well-equipped galley (including a microwave), full central heating, lounge with television and DVD player, fixed double bedroom and a bathroom with a small bath, ‘Lucy May’ has a second bedroom at the front with a single bed and full sized cot, plus stair gates in the lounge area.

During the day, chug gently along the Grand Union Canal through the beautiful Warwickshire countryside, passing picturesque canalside towns, villages and pubs. By night, moor up for a cosy evening on board, with the boat gently rocking both baby and you to sleep.

On short break, canal boat holiday-makers can cruise through quiet countryside to Warwick, Napton or Braunston. On a week’s break, they can travel on to Stratford upon Avon, Foxton or Banbury.

4. Family fitness Keeping active is something that all family members should be striving for as part of a healthy lifestyle. However, it can sometimes be difficult to ensure everyone is getting enough physical exercise each day, particularly during the winter months.

Put it into practice Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep active during the winter months that don’t necessarily involve braving the elements. These include, but are not limited to: • • • • • • •

Rock climbing Martial Arts Swimming Dance Zumbatonic (Kids Zumba) Cycling Tennis

4. work / life balance Striking a balance between work and life is often a challenge, especially when set and structured working hours are involved. To have more flexible working hours is a popular goal for many parents, but finding a financially viable alternative to the 9-5 isn’t always easy.

Put it into practice Forever Living are a 35 year-old company originally founded in the USA. Last year they had sales of over $2.6 billion in over 150 countries, and £50 million In the UK in the UK alone off the back of the booming health & nutrition marketplace.

With opportunities to become an Independent Distributor, Forever Living offers a realistic solution to flexible working to many people.

The Forever Living range includes skin care products, cosmetics and supplements for weight management, sports perfomance and animal care.

Aloe is the first ingredient (‘aloewith’ not ‘with-aloe’) and due to the patented stabilisation process, their products are believed to be more effective than many other Aloe based products.You can also be assured that all of their products are endorsed and recommended by an eminent advisory board of doctors, vets and nutritionists.

‘Lucy May’ is available to hire from Drifters’ Stockton base, on the Grand Union Canal in Warwickshire, not far from Rugby.

Please contact Louise Fenna, an independent Distributer based in Maidenhead for more details : tel 07809 438074 or email louise. sprackling@googlemail.com

DID YOU KNOW?

Successful Driven People Required

Research carried out by Mountain Warehouse has found that eight out of ten families would now choose an adventure or activity holiday with the family, over a beach holidays.

The Lake District is the number one place in the UK for activity adventure holidays.

International health & beauty company expanding in UK & Europe If you want to earn extra income without compromising your current career / business call Louise Fenna now on 07809 438074 Independent Distributor of Forever Living Products Aloe vera drinking gels, supplements, skincare, personal care & cosmetics Forever Living Products, Longbridge Manor, Warwick, CW34 6RB, members of the Direct Selling Association Hoap0121 www.louisefenna.myforever.biz

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Mums Magazine January 2017

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Photot credit: Philippa James Photography

Little women

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Mums Magazine January 2017

Renowned ‘Instadad’ Simon Hooper talks to us about his experience of raising four girls and shares his secret to a happy household

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What first prompted you to take to Instagram to document your experiences of fatherhood?

Having long been a bystander in the social media game, I became aware of the lack of fathers taking up the online gauntlet and sharing their lives – something mothers have been doing for years. I wanted to lift the lid on what it’s like to be a modern dad (after all, we do make up 50% of the parenting team) in an authentic, funny and unique way to reassure other parents that everyone has the same problems and issues – you are not alone in this struggle that we call life with children. I thought I also had something different to share as I’m surrounded and outnumbered by girls – my wife Clemmie, my eldest Anya, Marnie and our identical twins Ottilie and Delilah who are fast approaching a year old.

Your social media following has surged in popularity, mainly owing to the honesty of your posts. How does it feel to have such an extensive following?

I’m just glad that I can provide content that people can both relate to and find funny. If I think about just how many people follow me, it blows my mind a little, but the thing that I find really crazy is the spread of where all those people come from. I’ve got followers from every corner of the planet but one thing is consistent through all of them – the highs and lows of bringing up children are all the same, irrespective of where you live or your background. I’m just glad I can bring people together to share their experiences and laugh at mine.

What are the best and hardest parts of having four little ones?

The best part is that I get to help mould them into little women who know what a good man should be. I try and set the bar high so that when they get to the boyfriend stage (which I hope isn’t for a while) that they have high standards and don’t settle for just anyone.

The hardest part is dealing with the rollercoaster of emotions that flows through this like a river. I’ve a very chilled person – I very rarely get stressed and I would rather talk things through instead of being confrontational. The girls are hot heads (Clemmie included) and can be up one moment and then flip within seconds.

The other thing I find hard is to get any decent man time. Whether its DIY, watching sport or going out with my

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friends, the time I have to do this stuff is severally limited.

How does caring for twins compare to the early days with Anya and Marnie?

Of course, everyone struggles a little with their first. Babies don’t tend to come with a manual of any description and you can read all the books you want but each baby is different and comes with their own intricacies. Once we figured out the first one, Marnie was relatively easy as we’d had practice. Twins are something completely different. It’s not that the twins are badly behaved or particularly troublesome, it’s just the fact there are 2 of them so everything has to be done twice. You have to divide and conquer in order to succeed. I don’t know how we managed to get through 11 months already without a mental breakdown, but we did, and we’re stronger and better parents for it.

How does it feel being the only man in an all female household?

I’ve made my peace with it. People still ask me if we’re going to go for the boy, and my honest response is “Are you insane? No. I’m happy with my girls. I wouldn’t know what to do with a boy anyway.” that said, a bit more man time would be nice!

How does the division of labour work in your household?

We divide things pretty much down the middle when it comes to the girls.We have a routine that works for us, so I’m doing things in the morning to get everyone ready (milk, breakfast, hair brushing, teeth cleaning etc), Clemmie will get them all to school and in the evening we’ll share out the responsibilities to get everyone sorted for bed.

When it comes to the house, I’m the person that makes the mess from playing with the girls and doing DIY and Clemmie’s the person that cleans it up (She doesn’t have full blown OCD, but she’s definitely on the spectrum). Clemmie and I share the cooking duties but I think she’d tell you that she puts a lot more effort in than I do which is probably fair (I see food as fuel, she sees it as something to be enjoyed).

From a man’s perspective, what was it like witnessing labour and birth?

Well this is a bit of an unfair question as my wife is a midwife so birth has always been a topic of conversation for us, right from the moment we met, so I was well

prepared for it and knew a lot before we even got near the thought of having children. That said, the hardest part for me to deal with was seeing the woman I love in pain and not being able to do anything about it. Despite all the classes and instructions I received, I still felt like a spare part some of the time but I got involved when I could, even if it was just as something to hang off as Clemmie got stuck into active birth. For me the most amazing part of the whole experience is that smell of new born baby and that moment I had skin to skin with little ones was so precious. It really brought it home to me that I was a father.

How has your relationship changed since having children?

We definitely have less ‘us’ time, but like anything, you adapt and change to the situation around you and it just becomes your life. We rely on each other heavily to make the family run smoothly (or as smoothly as it can) and we always talk together to plan out what we’re doing, where we need to be and who’s picking up and dropping off the kids at multiple places around South London. When we do have time without kids, we try and make the effort to go out for dinner and do other things normal people do. It’s important to remember who we are and not lose ourselves in just being parents.

What would be your advice to any expectant dads of twins out there?

Don’t go into it with too many expectations. The thought of twins can be very daunting (especially if you’re first time parents). Break everything that comes your way into small bite size chunks and do one job at a time. You’re going to need to work as a team more than ever to handle 2 babies at once so be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. Just remember that your family and circumstances are unique so try not to compare yourself to other people. In reality, you will be tired and it will test you and your relationship, but as time goes by, things get easier and you find a rhythm that works for you and you’ll come out the other end stronger than you thought you could be.

For more information on Simon visit: https://father-inc.com/author/simon/ or www.instagram.com/father_of_daughters

Mums Magazine January 2017

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The

school run(way) Meet the busy modern mums who’ve mastered the art of stylish speed dressing...

Natlie Broadley Mum to Yasmin (3) and Logan (1) Simple, classic winter colours and preferably clean is how I would sum up my go to school run style! A comfortable uniform consisting of a variety of skinny jeans with a striped top/jumper, my Chelsea tan boots and my old faithful Zara padded coat. It looks together even though most days it can be a struggle to get out of the door on time. With a diva of a three year old who often demands Elsa or Anna plaits, with bows of course, there is very little time left for her baby brother let alone myself.

I’ve got a very quick make up routine down to a fine art, using a powder foundation for speed, (Don’t mistake your bronzer for powder like I did one day - no healthy glow just more of a tangoed look!) a lick of mascara, blush and a tinted lip balm. Great for the frosty mornings to keep my lips soft with a subtle colour. A jean and loose top combination is the key look at the school, with some much smarter mums who must be up at the crack of dawn to be so together before they head to work. My main tip is planning the night before, get your outfit hung on the wardrobe door and get up 15 minutes before the children to get ahead. Oh and have time for a much needed coffee!

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Mums Magazine January 2017

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Gemma Ambidge (right) Mum to Mary (8) I wake up and assess the damage of yet again forgetting to take my make up off before falling asleep face down in bed. I’ve heard of these satin pillowcases that are supposed to delay aging and stop you from getting bedhead, but honestly, I can’t get my head around having bedding that doesn’t match and as it’s not the 70s I’m not going full satin.

My 8 year old daughter wakes with hair resembling Beetle Juice and we enjoy a 5 minute discussion on whether we have time to wash our hair or if we can tie it in a ponytail and hide behind our respective school / work desks all day.

I can manage eye make up every day in the shape of Revlon felt tip type eye liner and some L’Oreal Mascara. I only felt grown up enough to buy my first foundation in February this year so I’m still getting to grips with trying to blend it in with my fingers or a brush. I can take or leave lipstick, takeaway coffee cups lids leave with me too much anxiety to risk brave it every day.

I need to grow up and sometimes I do. When I wash my hair, get brave with a tong, try harder with a foundation (bobbi brown), be patience with eyeliner on top of a natural colour eyeshadow, and use a natural lip liner I swear I will always make this much effort.

There’s things I could like to do: Watch a hair and make up tutorial on you tube Learn what a highlighter is (it’s not a neon pen) Practise blusher so that I don’t look like Aunt Sally – I have the freckles Wear a facemask Buy make up somewhere that isn’t Superdrug or Boots

Marie Leonard (left) Mum to Romily (8) “Speaking as one of life’s spectacularly inelegant human beings ¬– and therefore no authority on style whatsoever – I genuinely believe there is no situation that can’t be improved by the addition of leopard print. This trusty furry beast of a coat has rescued many a traumatic school run. Much like the age-old technique of carrying an enormous handbag to make you look smaller, the sheer size and loudness of my coat detracts enough attention from my stress furrows to see me from doorto-door without anyone realising I’ve spent from 6-7:30am repeating “for the love of god will you PLEASE get dressed/eat your breakfast/brush your teeth/take that off your head!”

Its softness can disarm a tantrum in less than 20 seconds (“Give Mummy a cuddle. You’ll feel better, I promise”) and I’m fairly certain it has wacky time and space curving voodoo abilities, as it never seems to stain or mark, despite my daughters best efforts. On stuffing my hands in my pockets, I marvel at the unidentifiable matter, small pieces of colourful plastic and the occasional rogue lipstick. Every time I empty them I worry that I am depriving our scientific community of a world of new discoveries.

Once the daily drama of delivering our child to school is complete, I can serenely curl up inside my coat and snooze on the train. It’s my very own faux-furry, portable sensory deprivation tank of joy.” www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Mums Magazine January 2017

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All hail the

SUPER MUM! Meet the real-life super mums who are successfully juggling it all in the name of motherhood!

If you’re fortunate enough to have a dining table that is used primarily for eating at, then you’re very lucky indeed. Ours sees more action than an episode of Road Wars and probably just as much mess and colourful language.

At the time of writing, it is currently the Tactical Operations Centre for Team Valour, as daughter and husband’s Pokémon Go obsession rages on. Over the last week alone it has been a writers desk, wrapping station, launderette, cocktail bar, potting table and therapists office. Shortly, I will enter negotiations with Team Valour to temporarily relinquish their base so that we can actually eat at our table.

Sometimes the planets align and the three of us sit down for a roast. That’s not to say we don’t ever eat together, but usually we’re so knackered, it’s far easier to nip down the road on a Friday night to our favourite pizza/pasta restaurant. They cook, wash up and we don’t have to rush to the offie for an emergency bottle of Pinot Grigio or realise ¬– too late – that there are six open bags of pasta in the cupboard and not a single one contains enough to feed three people. However, sitting down to eat at home draws a line under the weekend and gives us a touch of normality.

If by ‘normality’ you mean ‘the creation of a pea carpet under the table, spontaneous twerking and the dishwasher packing up’.

Which turns the air blue and our table into a Black and Decker Workmate.

And tomorrow, with predictable unpredictability, it will become something else entirely. A space ship, an artist’s studio, a debating club, a Nerf Wars hide.

Given how much it’s crammed into its short life, you can forgive the old girl for being a bit raggedy round the edges. It could really do with a liberal coating of linseed oil, a bit of a buff and some general TLC. Much like me, in fact.

By Marie Leonard

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Mums Magazine January 2017

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As I painstakingly set the alarm for the morning and realise (thanks to the precise to-the-minute pesky popup) that I only have seven hours of sleep and that’s if I fall asleep...NOW, my mind begins to run a marathon on empty. Who’s having the baby tomorrow? What do I need to sort out? Do we have enough nappies?

How much formula is left? Where has another hour of my sleep gone?

Before I know it, the rude awakening begins and no matter how much snoozing I squeeze out of the daylight hours, it’s never going to be enough.

Up and half-dressed, hair just about presentable and a quick spritz of perfume to at least fake an attempt at a little effort, it’s time to plan! Organise and plan.

Bottles – sterilised. Formula – topped up. Changing bag – restocked. Dummies – found! Instruction manual – written: 11am – 5oz feed. Entertain. Nap. 1pm – wafer snack (variety of flavours on offer). Play. 3pm – 5oz feed. Story. Nap. And that is my own Mrs. (Nanny) Doubtfire briefed. Baby – kissed.

Tears – wiped. And all that before even leaving the house to think about work.

Not to mention the tiny little asterisk that arrogantly announces - *subject to change* in small print. Just so my Mum can’t back out before she reads the terms and conditions that apply whilst fully beginning to grasp that all of the above is in fact dictated by a human not even able to speak.

Ok...now to do some ‘real work’...don’t you agree modern Mums?

By Rachel Lancashire

‘Nothing gets done in the house, it still looks like a bomb has gone off, and before I know it, it’s time to start the afternoon school run and all mayhem begins again.’ www.mums-magazine.co.uk

On the 1st November little Millie Smith arrived into the world and added another dimension to an already hectic household of three children. Meet Ellie, the 13 year old football-mad teenager, Jake the seven year old hurricane and Charlie the five year old whirlwind. Just when the school runs and schedules were down to military precision things have taken a turn into organised chaos.

The hourly night time feeding is back and back with a vengeance, there is no longer any need to set a morning alarm in this house. Our three week old baby has a built in mechanism to wake up exactly one minute before the alarm, precisely 45 minutes after finally going back to sleep. It’s a quick feed for her, a rush around to get the boys ready, the teenager remembers she has PE, the husband suddenly remembers that board meeting which means he is unable to do one of the school runs and the two boys are wearing each other’s school trousers and point blankly refuse to take them off.

The days of ironing are out the window, brushing anyone’s hair is pretty much a token gesture and most days I’m lucky if we get to school without a child covered in breakfast (or last night’s dinner) and I have escaped the house baby sick free.

Finding shoes also appears to be a particular challenge in the morning, for some reason no one can remember where they put them the night before. They don’t even have the excuse of having too much to drink! Coats are also another bug bear but that’s another story in itself.

After finally being relieved of three out of the four children, it’s back home to start operation clean up and if possible, an attempt to turn the laptop on, frantically start emailing and catching up on work, before the milk monster awakes and demands a nice milky refreshment. Obviously, nothing gets done in the house, it still looks like a bomb has gone off, emails are left unanswered and before I know it, it’s time to start the afternoon school run and all mayhem begins again.

Yesterday was swimming lessons for the two boys, one forgot to bring clothes for after swimming and as a result had to go home wrapped in a towel. Clearly I received the award for mother of the year along with many strange looks, some of pity and some of pure disgust. Oh well…

‘Just when the school runs

and schedules were down to military precision, things have taken a turn into organised chaos’

ENOUGH ALREADY!!

Between dropping off the kids at school, working your high-pressure job and preparing a home-cooked dinner by 7 sharp, your plate isn’t just full--it’s overflowing. The last thing you want to do after a busy day is tackle that pile of laundry! ihateironing, the UK’s first on-demand dry cleaning and laundry service, has the perfect solution. The company is launching a ‘laundry on-demand’ button, which when pressed, signals a driver to pick up the whole family’s laundry and return it cleaned and beautifully pressed in 24 hours.

The business works with a network of master dry cleaners across the UK, each with a minimum of ten years’ industry experience.

By Lisa Smith

Mums Magazine January 2017

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Speaking out...

In May 2010 our daughter Esmé was born; a healthy 9lb baby and the light of our world. She was a placid and happy baby, meeting all her early milestones – weaning, rolling, sitting.

She bottom shuffled rather than crawled and had a good vocabulary of 200+ words by the time she was two.

Shortly after her second birthday however, things began to change. She sometimes seemed withdrawn and had screaming fits for no apparent reason. She stopped saying as many words as she had been and those she did say were less clear. She still wasn’t walking. Health visitors, GPs and paediatricians got involved and although she did take her first independent steps aged 33 months, she still had to undergo many tests: MRI, EEG, ECG, blood tests, assessments.

Over the next few months she stopped talking almost completely.

Her hand use, previously so precise, failed and became clumsy to the point of uselessness. She twiddled her fingers all the time and started to breath erratically; either hyperventilating or holding her breath for unnaturally long periods.

On 8th October 2013 we were given the news: “She has Rett Syndrome”.

Then “Don't Google it”. Our world fell apart as we tried to make sense of what was happening. Our baby who had started life so promisingly was now going backwards. There would be no boyfriends, no leaving home to start Uni, no walking her down the aisle, no grandchildren. She would be utterly dependent on us 14 Mums Magazine January 2017

In 2013, three year old Esme was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome - a severe neurological condition which can lead to loss of speach and mobility. Here, her mother Abigail gives her story of life after this lifechanging diagnosis 24x7. Rett Syndrome will do what it will do: there is no predictability or control over it.

Three years on from that devastating day and Esmé is still, along with her little brother, the light of our lives. She refuses to conform to Rett Syndrome. She still walks well, runs and climbs. Her swallow is safe, allowing her to eat orally. She does not yet suffer from epilepsy or Rett related seizures. She has mild scoliosis which is currently non progressive. She has embraced eyegaze technology to communicate.

She is learning to read, spell and do maths. She has opinions and feelings.

It has been recognised that she does not have learning difficulties: her problem is relaying information back due to the uncooperation of her body. She cannot speak at all and she has almost constant stomach pain due to swallowing air when she hyperventilates. Her purposeful hand use is poor; she cannot hold a pencil, spoon or toothbrush.

She will rely on us and carers her entire life to support her in terms of personal care, safety, feeding. She will need people to advocate for her and support her communication methods. Rett could take all of her abilities away overnight.

Whatever the future holds, Esmé is a force to be reckoned with. She has a voice and she is not afraid to use it, albeit via unconventional methods.

Rett Syndrome is a cruel condition but the outlook for those with it is not as bleak as Google leads us to believe.

Rett Syndrome – the facts: Rett Syndrome is a severe, lifelong, neurological condition.

It is only hereditary in 0.5% of cases; for 99.5% of cases it is caused by a random spontaneous “de novo” mutation at the point of conception.

It occurs in 1 in 10-12,000 births and nearly always affects girls due to its position on the X chromosome.The mutation results in an underproduction of a protein called MECP2 which acts as a transmitter of neural messages to the rest of the body.This interruption in neural transmission leads to a lack of control of many or all of the muscles in the body.

Typically, there is no sign of Rett Syndrome at birth but between 6-24 months, development slows and milestones are not met or are increasingly delayed. Constipation, reflux and stomach problems are common. There may be a loss of connection with the outside world and unpredictable screaming fits. Sleep will generally be affected with considerable night waking with either screaming or hysterical giggling spells lasting 3-4 hours at a time. It may be mistaken for, and diagnosed as autism with global developmental delay.

The rapid regressive phase can last until 4 years old and includes loss of speech, loss of purposeful hand use, hyperventilation/breath holding, distinctive hand stereotypies such as wringing, tapping or clapping. After this phase however, sleep patterns should improve as should social behaviour and a renewed desire to communicate somehow.

Seizures, scoliosis, loss of swallow mechanism, loss of mobility (if it was ever achieved) affect 70-80% of people with Rett Syndrome at some point in their lives, often with no warning and a sudden onset. There are also often issues with heart rhythm associated with Rett Syndrome.

Rett Syndrome is not a degenerative condition. It is not a cognitive complication. Individuals with Rett Syndrome are often cognitively able at an age appropriate level. They are capable of learning, studying and passing exams given the right access to teaching methods and communication systems.

There is no cure for Rett Syndrome and only limited treatment for some of the symptoms. There is no way to predict how severely each person with Rett Syndrome will be affected or when symptoms may occur. Rett Syndrome has been reversed in mice in the lab: maybe one day there will be a way to combat it in humans.

To find out more, or if you think someone you know may be affected by Rett Syndrome contact Rett UK at www.rettuk.org www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Keeping Mum How to avoid the pattern of selfneglect

As any mum of small children will know, time (especially for yourself) is a rare and fleeting commodity. It is all too easy - and perhaps inevitable - to slip into a parenting pattern that sees your own health and wellbeing slide down the priority ranks.

Aspirations towards exercise, healthy eating and sleep are met with a variety of challenges, and before long many mums find themselves subsisting on coffee and the odd stolen hour’s sleep. While breaking this habit entirely may be somewhat ambitious, there are steps that mums can take towards looking after Number One (even if maternal instinct has long put paid to this title!).

Take five When the kids are at nursery or napping, the obligation and tendency is to start cleaning, tidying and generally tackling the never-ending list of chores that inevitably need doing each day. While there may be no getting away from this necessity, taking a small proportion (ten minutes perhaps) of this child-free time period to sit, relax and breath is all-important when it comes to self-preservation.

Make a date Booking a day for yourself every few months, or as often as required, can help re-set your energy, patience and stress levels, making you better able to cope with the day-to-day demands of motherhood.

Whether it is a day at a spa, a shopping expedition or lunch with friends, the time out is an invaluable opportunity to invest some time and head space in yourself.

Exercise This is one of the main challenges that Mums come across, but finding a way to make it work with your lifestyle is one of the most effective ways to begin feeling healthier and more confident in yourself.

Whether this means taking 20 minutes once the kids are in bed to do a workout DVD, or hitting the gym on your way back from the school run, the key is to think ‘little and often’. Even ten minutes squeezed in between errands can make a big difference!

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

WORTH A READ! Alison Canavan wrote ‘Minding Mum’ as most mums are well prepared for pregnancy and birth, however when the baby arrives – nearly all tend to neglect themselves to focus on their precious new bundle.

‘Minding Mum’ is a simple yet revolutionary concept – mums need to focus on themselves as well as their children.

Throughout the book, Alison Canavan shares the tips and tricks she’s picked up throughout her journey through new motherhood and post-natal depression. She looks at the reality of a post-birth body and how it affects our own body image, as well as the importance of good food, exercise and making time for yourself and your own dreams, big or small.. http://alisoncanavan.com/about-me-2/

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Story TIME

‘We NEED parents reading at home with children’, say UK teachers BookTrust, the largest children’s reading charity in Britain , is on a mission to help encourage more children to read for pleasure. According to new research which polled 500 primary school teachers across the UK, nearly three quarters of teachers (71%) believe that children need support from school and home if they are going to become readers. The survey also found that almost half of teachers questioned (49%) say the number one area that would help them encourage children to read more at school is if more parents prioritise reading with their children at home. Nearly all of the teachers surveyed (95%) said they need more help and advice finding great books to get kids excited about reading.

Michael Morpurgo, one of Britain’s best-loved children’s story tellers, recently advocated for schools to reinstate Storytime at the end of every school day to keep the joy of reading alive. The War Horse author argued that testing in schools, whilst important, kills the joy of reading and that during the early years children first must experience the wonder and joy of storytelling. At the inaugural Annual BookTrust Lecture he said, “give them the love of the story first; the rest will follow.”

Diana Gerald, Chief Executive of BookTrust said:“There is evidence to suggest that children who read for pleasure are happier, healthier and do better in life.

Making time to read with your children is essential for their development and wellbeing. All children should have the opportunity to engage with stories and rhymes as we know that this helps inspire a love of reading. Shared reading at home, and commitment from schools to demonstrate the fun of reading, both make a huge difference to attitudes and behaviour.” www.booktrust.org.uk

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Mums Magazine January 2017

The ‘how to’ of encouraging children to read for pleasure

‘Nearly three quarters of teachers believe that children need support from school and home if they are going to become readers’

A FUN AND NURTURING WAY TO GIVE YOUR

CHILD A GREAT START IN READING Reading is one of the most important skills a child will learn, and an exposure to books at home is a powerful way to harness your child’s reading development.

But besides having regular reading sessions at home, it can be hard for parents to know exactly how to nurture a child’s reading confidence – especially at the very beginning.

That’s where Reading Eggs has made a wonderful different in over 10 million homes around the world.The award-winning online reading programme is based on solid scientific research and designed by experts to help children learn to read.

Designed for ages three to 13, Reading Eggs is unique because it supports children at all stages of their reading journey – from learning phonics, sight words and vocabulary, to building more advanced spelling, grammar, comprehension and writing skills.

The way it works is by using self-paced online lessons, colourful animations and exciting rewards that make learning fun and highly motivating for young kids.

The programme even includes an online library with over 2000 beautifully illustrated children’s e-books, spanning a wide range of genres. There are also hundreds of printable worksheets that correspond with the online lessons.

So whether you’re looking to help your little one get ready to start school, or help a struggling reader catch up with his or her peers (without it feeling like homework), Reading Eggs is the proven way to build kids’ confidence in a fun, supportive and encouraging way.

Plus, Reading Eggs can also be used on a desktop or tablet device – wherever you have Internet connection.

Right now, new customers can sign up for a special 4 week free trial of Reading Eggs at www. readingeggs.co.uk/mumsmag. Hurry, offer ends 31 January 2017. www.mums-magazine.co.uk

PAGE TURNERS ‘They say (whoever they are) that children are made readers on the laps of their parents, and in my expert six months of motherhood, never a truer word was spoken’ I remember being at university training to become a primary school teacher and listening to lecture upon lecture about the importance of reading and talking to children from a very early age, never really understanding how early ‘early’ was. Now I do! I totally get it.

I am not interested in ‘boosting brain power’ or making Noah some genius child prodigy, but I am absolutely interested in him being equipped to succeed because he has had the best possible start in life - simply because people have talked to him and read him stories.

Our little niece sat down on the couch beside Noah recently and decided she was going to read to him. Honestly, this was one of those MasterCard priceless moments – in that moment there was not one single other place on earth that I would rather have been.

She was, of course, looking at the pictures and making up her own little stories for him, but he sat and looked at the pictures and scanned her face for emotion when she changed her tone of voice and used expression. He was fascinated and to be frank, so was I. A three year old had got it spot on and my beautiful six month old baby boy was being educated by his cute older cousin. She spent a good twenty or so minutes reading to him and all the while he sat and just soaked it all up like a sponge. What a privilege!

Obviously, this got me excited like any fairly new parent when they experience another ‘first time moment’, and I began to think of ways that I could make this even more magical. Remembering the

tepee we bought for the garden in summertime, I headed straight for the shed and clambered over all shed-type-things to reach the spotty blue fabric. I bundled it into the washing machine and waited like a child for Christmas Day for the cycle to end so that I could dry it and iron it before putting it up in the living room. Then, I invested in some very cheap battery operated lights, and dangled them from inside the little den. It was so inviting I wanted to climb in myself. Now we have a story tent with cushions and blankets and books, lots of books and already many a story has been read in there and my little one has (I’m sure) started to mimic the voice of someone reading, as if he is getting involved and trying to read himself. Priceless yet affordable at the same time.

So, in case you haven’t done so in a while – get your child (even if they’re an adult), sit them on your lap (maybe not if they’re an adult – that would be weird), open up your favourite story and read it to them. I promise it will warm your heart better than any television programme and the connection you will feel with your child will be...enchanting.

Don’t flick through the channels, turn over the pages of a book and make your very own episodes of happy days.

By Rachel Lancashire

Try the multi-award winning online reading programme for ages 3–13.

Phonic sight w s, or & more ds !

FREE 4 WEEK TRIAL*

www.readingeggs.co.uk/mumsmag Offer ends 31 January 2017. *Available only to new customers via the above URL. Not applicable to schools.

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Mums Magazine January 2017

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Vegout!

From lunch boxes to family mealtimes, we take a closer look at the latest nutrition news and advice that matters to your family...

HOT TOPIC Giving Chocolate to Babies – is it okay?

As part of the Stress-Less Weaning campaign, Babymoov’s nutritionist, Julia Wolman, provides some valuable advice on giving the nation’s favourite sweet treat – chocolate – to your little one.

The sugar issue - Current weaning advice recommends that you avoid giving sugary foods such as chocolate to babies during their first year. Not only are sugary foods harmful to tiny teeth but they can also be quite filling for tiny tummies and, if given between meals, could reduce your baby’s appetite for – and acceptance of - nutritious foods during the important weaning period.

No food is forbidden - From 12-months, toddler diets typically start to include more sugary foods, for example, at birthday parties. Occasional exposure to chocolate and other treat foods from one year is fine, as long as your little one doesn’t get used to it as a part of their everyday diet.

There is little guidance for food portion sizes for babies. However, the Infant and Toddler Forum* provides guidance for one to four year olds, suggesting that a suitable portion of chocolate for this age group is 2-4 squares of chocolate, 1 chocolate coated biscuit, or 6-8 small chocolate buttons. The portion range is indicative of different ages and appetites from one child to the next and for babies would of course be smaller.

Preferable to sweets - If you had to choose between sweets or chocolate for your baby, chocolate would be a better choice since it contains some milk and therefore provides a little calcium. Darker chocolate also contains some iron, an important micro-nutrient for young children. Sweets on the other hand offer nothing but sugar and, if in contact with the teeth for a long time (as with lollies or chewy sweets), could contribute to tooth decay.

Never as a reward - If you do give your baby or toddler chocolate, it should not be as a reward for good behaviour. Foods given as a reward can be perceived as having a higher value than other foods.

Instead, give chocolate occasionally as part of a dessert alongside other healthier foods such as fruit or yoghurt. www.babymoov.co.uk

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Mums Magazine January 2017

TABLE MANNERS

When we do get around to sitting down together, Brits only spend 10 minutes a day eating at the table, unlike in Italy for example where their love of food means time spent at the table is almost twice as long.

A study into the eating habits and routines of 2,000 people has pinpointed that the average UK family dining table will see 1,101 meals go unfinished, suffer 1,995 food and drink spills and witness 259 kids’ tantrums, in its lifetime.The dinner table will also play host to 132 arguments, 104 moments of passion, 312 impromptu naps and 594 homework sessions.

Despite this the research, commissioned by Giovanni Rana; Italy’s most loved fresh pasta maker, found that on average it takes Brits just 10 minutes to actually clear their plate. They’ll then only linger 10 more minutes before rushing back to busy lifestyles, which could be having a detrimental effect on family life.

On the findings Dr Nihara Krause, clinical psychologist, said; “Making time to incorporate a family meal together is a simple, enjoyable and effective way of building emotional resilience and social connection. It provides a regular opportunity for family members to communicate, which not only builds bonds, but also aids emotional development and reslience.’

And it seems Brits should know better - although over half of those polled said they enjoy more conversation and find out more about their loved ones and their days at the table together than any other time, 78% of Brits do not eat at the dining table every day and admit to eating on the sofa an average of 5 times a week! This means that over the lifetime of the average adult, approximately 17,660 meals will be eaten on the couch.

COOKING UP A STORM New personalised kid’s book aims to get children in the kitchen

Written by Amelia Thorne and illustrated by none other than Jose Fragoso, ‘Mission Cookpossible’ is a fully-personalised, professionally printed cookery book where every child can be the main character. It’s time to escape from the grip of a dastardly enemy who wants our hero to make him and his friends afternoon tea and supper. It’s a unique adventure that will inspire any kid to get reading, get cooking and learn valuable life skills. www.mums-magazine.co.uk

A recent Flora commissioned study found that a staggering 98% of children’s lunchboxes are failing to meet school food standards; a mere 0.5% improvement in the last 10 years.

Following this news, Unilever nutritionist Lauren Woodley has collated some quick and easy top tips for parents to help start their children’s new term on a healthy high.

5 TOP TIPS

1 – School mornings can be hectic enough without having to worry about making lunch. Look for quick and easy recipes that you and your children can make together the night before to help build their understanding of the foods they’re eating.

2 – One of the most important things for lunchboxes is variety. It is essential that you provide different foods from sandwiches to wraps, to pasta, to rice, and there is always something new you can make.

This helps to develop a varied palate, and interest in trying new foods.

3 – Water should always be a choice over sugary drinks such as flavoured juice bottles. Water is sugar-free and hydrating so a great addition to your child’s lunch.

The LUNCH BOX MAKEOVER

4 – If your little one is a fussy eater you should feed their imagination as much as possible. Scientists say that a child has to try something new 8 times or more before they fully accept it. Keep engaging them with new foods and try to make them as exciting as possible by playing with their shapes and sizes.

5 – Snacks don’t have to be unhealthy, and there are many that can be added to your child’s lunchbox as a part of a balanced diet. Granola bars with dried fruits and banana bread are great treats to keep them going throughout the day.

BEWARE THE BAR Cereal bars are a snack commonly marketed as being healthy, perfect for people on the go and a great addition to lunchboxes. Whilst they may contain granola and grains, what actually holds the cereal bars together is sugar in liquid form like glucose syrup or honey. The latter in particular will often be cited as a reason for cereal bars being healthy, but it contains a very high percentage of natural sugars.

Be sure to check the packaging carefully as companies are required to list their ingredients separately, which may make it appear as though they contain less sugar. And although the bars will often contain fruit, this will again be dried which, as we mentioned before, is high in sugars.

Harry Cockcroft (Former Chief Dental Officer for England) www.mydentist.co.uk www.mums-magazine.co.uk

SUPER LUNCHES

Packing school lunches for picky eaters has never been so easy, thanks to the launch of Good4U's Super Bites Kids range.

Naturally rich in calcium for healthy bones and teeth, Super Bites Kids are little balls of magic guaranteed to revolutionise lunch box packing for parents.

Packed with fibre and magnesium rich, Super Bites Kids combine dates, milled sunflower seeds, raisins and freeze-dried strawberries; what’s more, the tasty bite-sized energy balls come in two scrumptious flavours, 'Strawberry & Vanilla' and 'Banana & Cocoa'.

Good4U's Dietician and nutritionist Michelle Butler said, "The perfectly balanced lunch box should contain fluids, a portion of fruit and vegetable, protein, carbohydrate and – most importantly to your child – a treat.

Super Bites Kids range is available from Asda stores across the UK and online from https://groceries.asda.com priced from £0.60 (per pack).

FRUIT SUGAR FACTS According to Dietician and Nutritionist Dr Sarah Schenker, there is a big difference between good sugars such as fructose (found in fruit and vegetables) and lactose (found in milk and dairy products) and the likes of glucose and dextrose which are added artificially. These are termed free sugars and too much of these types of sugars can cause problems with blood sugar and insulin levels, which is linked to obesity and diabetes. www.fruitheros.co.uk

The sweetness of Fruit Heroes comes from the natural content of fruit sugar (fructose) in the fruits.

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pregnancy notes For most women, experiencing pregnancy and giving birth will be one of the most momentous times of their lives, but this doesn’t come without a certain amount of worries and anxiety. New research investigating how mums and dads-to-be really feel about pregnancy, birth and sex after baby has found that 72% of mums-to-be are nervous about giving birth, and over half of respondents (61%) said their births didn’t go according to plan. Interestingly, almost a quarter (22%) found their birth partners more annoying than helpful and the biggest fear (27%) about giving birth was medical complications affecting themselves or their baby. www.thebabyshow.co.uk

Bump & exercise

The Baby Show recently conducted research into the importance of exercising during and after pregnancy and found that 38% of mums didn’t exercise at all during pregnancy. The most common reason cited was because they never normally exercised anyway (49%) closely followed by 41% saying they were too tired. 58% said they weren’t happy with their post-baby body and 47% admitted they wanted help getting back into shape after their pregnancy.

‘DON’T HANG UP YOUR TRAINERS,

ww.thebabyshow.co.uk

Have a healthy pregnancy A new Government-backed online campaign called ‘Our Chance’ has been developed with charities Best Beginnings and Sands to help empower parents with the knowledge and confidence to maximise their chances of healthy outcomes for themselves and their babies.

A series of 25 short films, featuring real-life stories from parents, healthcare professionals and Our Chance supporter Abbey Clancy, sits at the heart of the campaign.

Women and their families will be able to learn about how to look after themselves and their baby through support available online at http://ourchance.org.uk, through the Best Beginnings Baby Buddy app and on social media.

The Our Chance films were developed in collaboration with key royal colleges, other health charities and parents.They cover issues such as attending antenatal appointments; the importance of mental health and seeking help early; not smoking or drinking alcohol during pregnancy; being aware of symptoms such as itching or swelling which might point to potentially harmful conditions such as pre-eclampsia or Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy; and being aware of reduced fetal movement.

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Mums Magazine January 2017

The latest news and information for expectant mums

Say maternity fitness experts FittaMamma.com

FittaMamma are encouraging expectant mums to embrace the New Year dash to the gym and make a pledge to have an active pregnancy. They say, ‘Exercise during pregnancy is not just about your health and fitness, it’s about the health of your baby too. Medical experts agree that all healthy pregnant women should aim for at least 30 minutes exercise every day and even women who were inactive before they became pregnant should introduce regular exercise into their daily schedule.’

Working progress Recent research revealed that there's been a shocking increase in discrimination against pregnant women in the workplace over the past 10 years (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ business-37222674 ). According to Oliver Black, director of My Family Care (www.myfamilycare. co.uk/), "there is already nervousness within some industry’s about the redundancy of someone who is pregnant – certainly within areas like the financial services sector, people tend to tread very carefully. However, what is true is that if we want to narrow the gender pay gap, create a more gender diverse workforce and achieve the goals of women on boards etc – we have to make sure our talent pools are full of the best people.

Making sure that the simple fact of having a baby isn’t career ending has to be a step in the right direction."

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Mind the Bump

Developed by Australian based not-for-profit organisation's Smiling Mind and Beyondblue, Mind the Bump Mindfulness Meditation App aims to help individuals and couples support their mental and emotional wellbeing in preparation for having a baby and becoming a new parent. It provides tailored exercises to support mental and emotional wellbeing from day one of pregnancy through to 24 months after birth. (www.mindthebump.org.au)

Recommended read

Midwife in My Pocket: Midwife’s Heart-Warming New Book Guides Parents through Pregnancy, Birth and “New Baby” Life. Written in the first-person by awardwinning midwife, Emma Cook, ‘A midwife in my pocket: Pregnancy, birth and life with a new baby, told as it really is’ is a 100% practical, 100% honest guide to the entire process of pregnancy and being a new parent. Based on the author’s own experiences of motherhood, as well as her 15+ years as a midwife, the guide will help any parent prepare for the most amazing journey of their life.

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Mums Magazine January 2017

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FERTILITY MATTERS

A round up of news, information and support for couples looking to conceive

Are you suffering from

fertility anxiety?

Conflicting and unreliable fertility advice is causing ‘unnecessary stress’ to women in the UK, new consumer research has found, prompting leading fertility experts to urge women not to take too much notice of generalised advice. The research indicated that:

· Nearly half (47%) of under 45s said they worry about not being able to have a baby and – more shockingly – this rose to 62% among 18-24 year olds. · Almost two thirds (63%) reported feeling upset, stressed or pressured by conflicting fertility advice, with 1 in 3 women saying that they found it hard to get information that they could trust. · Women aged 18-24 said pressure to have a baby came from family and friends (33%), the media and celebrity culture (18%), or even people they didn’t consider close friends (8%). · Women aged 25-34 reported the highest level of pressure from family and friends (52%), while older women (aged 35-44) felt less pressure from the media and celebrity culture than younger women.

For women who were concerned about getting pregnant, nearly half (49%) were worried that they may have a fertility problem that they didn’t know about, and in women aged 35-44 70% worried their age might affect their ability to have a baby. Despite this, the majority of women had not had their fertility tested, with some saying they wouldn’t know how to go about it.

A MAN’S PERSPECTIVE

Very few men ever talk about what it’s like for a man to be infertile, but in ‘Becoming Reverend: A Diary’ Matt Woodcock discusses the highs and lows of trying for a baby when you have an impossibly low sperm count.

Matt has written a searingly honest book that charts his experience of trying to conceive with his wife Anna for five years which is filled with humour and hope as well as heartbreak. Becoming Reverend: A Diary (Nov 3rd, £9.99) also tells the story of his transformation from a party-loving journalist, beer drinking footy-freak and incorrigible extrovert to training to become a vicar.

TALKING CONCEPTION

One in seven couples have difficulty conceiving - approximately 3.5 million people in the UK alone A new company called Bud (babies under development), is a digital resource for people struggling to conceive. Its aim is to encourage couples to talk openly about fertility, which stems from the founder’s - Tim Heard’s - own experience of not being able to find one resource that combined information, news, articles, first hand stories and forums to hear and share other’s experiences.

Tim and his wife suffered from ‘unexplained secondary infertility’, a common condition which means after all the tests and physical examinations possible, they can find no reason to explain why you are unable to conceive. Tim and his wife spent four years trying to conceive a sibling for their daughter and after their second attempt at IVF, were lucky enough to be doubly successful, with the conception of twins (their daughter is now 11 and their twins are almost five).

The website www.littlebud.com has many personal stories of families sharing their own experiences and knowledge to support and learn from others who are facing fertility problems. The website also features all kinds of information on nutrition and lifestyle.

‘For women who were concerned about getting pregnant, nearly half (49%) were worried that they may have a fertility problem that they didn’t know about’ 22

Mums Magazine January 2017

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

FERTILITY FACTS Mr James Nicopoullos, Consultant Gynaecologist at The Lister Fertility Clinic, helps distinguish some fertility fact from fiction

Being on the pill for a long time could make it harder to get pregnant James said: This is a common myth that I hear, but it’s actually false. 75% of women ovulate and cycle normally within a month of stopping the pill and 90% within 3 months.Those who don’t have regular cycles thereafter may have some underlying issue causing this (such as polycystic ovarian syndrome).

Doing regular exercise can help improve fertility James said: There is no consistent evidence that regular exercise negatively effects fertility so I would always suggest keeping in shape is a good thing. In extreme cases, there have been instances where women have decreased their body fat stores through exercise, leading the body’s hormonal production to switch off and prevent periods, which negatively impacts on fertility.

Drinking alcohol can make it harder to get pregnant James said: Some studies have indicated that alcohol can affect fertility so decreasing intake or stopping completely is never a bad thing.The evidence, however, at low levels is inconsistent. National guidelines suggest no more than 1-2 units of alcohol once/twice per week.

Smoking can affect your fertility James said: Smoking tobacco even a small amount can significantly impact on fertility and the evidence for this is much more clear-cut than with alcohol. There is evidence of a negative effect on natural fertility, an increase in miscarriage risk, ectopic pregnancy risk as well as lower chances with assisted reproduction. Some studies have also shown a correlation with number of cigarettes smoked.

Just as important are the increases in risk in pregnancy of complications such as preterm labour, stillbirth and placental problems.

A positive state of mind can help improve fertility James said: Stress is a very hard thing to quantify but my motto is “don’t be stressed about being stressed”.At extremes, it can again cause periods to cease but in most this will not be an issue. A large study in the British Medical Journal suggested that stress caused by fertility problems or other life-events did not seem to impact on the outcome of fertility treatment.

Being overweight or obese can make it harder to get pregnant James said: Both extremes of weight can be detrimental.

Those underweight may have issues with their cycles stopping affecting chances of natural conception and as body mass index rises above normal there are risks to fertility and once pregnant. Studies have shown that it may be harder to conceive naturally, as well as lower chance of success with fertility treatment. Miscarriage rate is also higher as BMI increases. Ideally we should aim for a BMI of 19-25 and strongly recommend a BMI of <30 when trying to conceive.

Wearing loose clothing can help improve fertility’ James said: This is a myth. While some studies have suggested that wearing tight underwear may affect sperm production in men, the same can’t be said for women. www.hcahealthcare.com www.mums-magazine.co.uk

FOODS FOR FERTILITY Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veg, wholegrains, dairy (or alternatives) and protein at each meal will help you to reach and maintain a healthy body for conception. However there are a few nutrients to be particularly aware of when trying to get pregnant Folic Acid It is advised that women hoping to become pregnant supplement their diet with folic acid from the moment you start trying to become pregnant until at least 10 weeks gestation. This is to ensure good neural development in the foetus and prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida, which can develop in the foetus. Folate-rich foods include dark green leafy veggies like kale, spinach, broccoli and cabbage and pulses such as chickpeas and lentils.

Selenium Deficiency in selenium has been found to be a risk factor for infertility; it is particularly important in sperm development, so your partner may like to consider upping his selenium intake too! Selenium rich foods include Brazil nuts (just 1 per day is enough!), seafood, egg yolk, meat and mushrooms.

Caffeine Evidence on the link between caffeine and fertility is mixed. Some studies suggest that there may be a link between overconsumption of caffeine and oestrogen production or metabolism. …and don’t forget there’s caffeine in energy drinks, cola and chocolate too!

Alcohol The Department of Health advise women trying to get pregnant to avoid alcohol altogether and if you are to have some then stick to just 1-2 units (1 unit = 175ml glass wine), up to twice a week. A study conducted at Harvard University found that if undergoing IVF treatment, women who drank more than 6 units per week (which equates to less than 175ml wine per day) were 18% less likely to conceive and men were 14% less likely to conceive.

Calcium and Vitamin D We get most of our vitamin D from the sun touching our skin, so between the months of April-September, 20 minutes of sun per day is good for us. It may also be worth going for a vitamin D supplement to boost your levels, especially in winter, aim for 10 micrograms per day, and upping your vitamin D-rich foods such as fortified breakfast cereals and dairy or alternative products, eggs and oily fish.

Iron Baby will use up some of your iron stores during development and breast feeding, so topping up your stores and ensuring you’re not deficient in iron is important. If you have symptoms of iron deficiency such as tiredness, lethargy, hair loss or unusually pale skin, see your GP. Iron-rich sources of food are red meat, dark green leafy vegetables, pulses, eggs and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals. www.vavistalife.com

KNOW YOUR DATES Duo Fertility: CTC Ltd, a digital health platform company, with an initial application in fertility, has created a proprietary formula that combines a patented physiological sensor technology worn on the skin, advanced data analytics and personalized support service.

CTC’s flagship product, DuoFertility, is approved by the European Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide continuous real-time monitoring of multiple physical parameters that help women track ovulation. www.duofertility.com Mums Magazine January 2017

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Baby soft

Simple ways to help relieve sensitive and eczema-prone skin this winter

Layer up

New Clinical Research Reveals Benefits of wearing Superfine Merino Wool For Children With Eczema-Prone Skin In the first clinical trials examining the effects of superfine Merino wool on atopic dermatitis, Australian researchers found that superfine Merino wool clothing may help reduce the severity of paediatric mild-moderate atopic dermatitis. The study concludes that traditional management guidelines classing all wool-based clothing as irritants should be modified to include superfine merino wool as a recommended clothing choice in childhood atopic dermatitis.

Eczema sufferers have particularly sensitive skin, often believing they are allergic to wool. However these Australian studies demonstrate the superfine Merino garments are well tolerated by eczema sufferers and are indeed beneficial, with a reduction in eczema symptoms being seen after 3 to 4 weeks of changing to superfine Merino base layers garments.

Peter Ackroyd from The Campaign For Wool comments: “We’re really excited that this new study is challenging the common misconception that wool is an irritant and exacerbates itchy and dry skin. The new research findings may help change the public perception of wool, describing it as not only a low allergy risk but also a low irritant with a therapeutic effect.”

Smalls (http://www.lovemysmalls.com) specialise in merino wool under garments and Co-Founder, Emma-Jane Adam, explains: “Our Merino really is skin loving; it’s super-smooth and hypoallergenic.

What’s more, Smalls’ Zque approved Merino won’t irritate the skin, antistatic fibres repel dust and as it’s breathable, it keeps the skin dry and less prone to eczema’ www.lovemysmalls.com

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Mums Magazine January 2017

The top five must-haves for growing babies finding their feet

The natural way to support eczema-prone skin

By Emma Arkell www.magic-cream.co.uk

Eczema is a problem that many parents have to battle with these days. There has been a noticeable increase in this condition in recent years and treating it can be very difficult. The trick is to remember that eczema is usually an indication of the body trying to get rid of something. Many parents report that the eczema begins at the time of their baby’s injections. Others find that certain foods – eg. dairy, gluten or sugar - are the trigger. To work out if a particular food is the problem, cut it out completely for a fortnight and see if the skin improves. Do this with one food type at a time and remember that there are lots of hidden sugars in food and drink (eg. tomato ketchup, fruit juice, yoghurts).

So how do you treat eczema? A GP can prescribe topical creams such as diprobase, emollient/aqueous cream, or a steroid as a last resort. If these don’t help or you don’t want to use a steroid cream, there are other, natural options such as my Magic Cream and Little People products.

Made with Organic Wild Lavender and Organic Chamomile, they work very well because they Natural remedies for the skin relieve the itching which and body including Eczema, in turn stops the constant scratching.

They also Psoriasis, Chicken Pox, soothe, calm and heal Nappy Rash, Teenage Spots, the skin, and their natural antiseptic properties help Acne, Nits and much more... skin that has become red For further advice and information: and angry. Most important please contact emma@magic-cream.co.uk 01962 776918 / 07702 309688 of all, they are entirely www.magic-cream.co.uk natural and without side effects.

All Little People products on special offer till the end of January 2017 For further information or advice on natural remedies for skin problems, please contact Emma on 01962 776918, 07702 309688 or emma@magic-cream. co.uk www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Under pressure Is your child being bullied? There are steps you can take to help put a stop to it

School-age bullying is a serious societal concern that affects the lives of half of the UK’s children and young people. Going to school can be fun, but it can be stressful, too - learning new concepts, taking standardised tests, making new friends, then perhaps losing some of those friends and negotiating your way in the world for the first time. Add bullying to the mix, and the pressures multiply exponentially. Most school-age children want to be liked by their peers, but being subjected to taunts and mockery unnecessarily sullies a child’s learning environment by adding daily anxiety and uncertainty about what will happen from one day to the next. Then there are the modern-day twists. 21st century youth are constantly switched-on in a socially connected world. Social media represents a new model of relationship for today’s generation, where global connection is the norm. Today’s young people have been born into a world of advanced technology, which is not only normal but an expected right. The right and ability to use technology manifests itself in a myriad of ways, far outstripping the uses of most adults, with young people communicating, socialising, networking and creating through, with and because of, technology. But with rights come responsibilities and as parents and educators afford and promote the use of technology, often neglected are the responsibilities that must come in tandem with these rights. Today, students can be abused online, on social media and through text-messaging. Young People have been known to share embarrassing photos of their classmates, leading to further namecalling and insults. Often, this leaves no signs of physical abuse but lots of inner anguish, torment and humiliation. All of this leaves www.mums-magazine.co.uk

the bullied students having to navigate all sorts of difficult dilemmas at a young age.

Should I fight back? Or ignore it? Do I tell my parents? My teacher? Or maybe telling on the other student will bring repercussions?

Is it better to stay silent and hope the bully will get fed up and it will all come to an end?

In such an environment, how can a young person be expected to learn, or do their homework at night?

Bullying has no genre and IS NOT part of growing up. One incident of bullying behaviour is serious enough but when it is persistent over a period of time it becomes a devastating problem. The detrimental impact bullying can have on the physical, emotional, academic, social and personal well-being of children and young people cannot be underestimated. At best, bullying causes great distress which can continue right through adulthood. At worst, bullying can lead to self-harm and suicide.

No-one deserves to be bullied. It is important to take bullying seriously and not just brush it off as something that young people have to “put up with.” Bullying is not ‘part of growing up’. It is not ‘kids being kids’ and is not an ‘unfortunate but unavoidable part of school life’. Minimising a problem is not what caring adults do; it is what manipulative bullies do. Yes, young people can be spiteful but no caring adult should ever dismiss bullying as a “rite of passage” or tolerable fact of childhood. When they do, they violate a child’s trust and abdicate their role as a responsible adult. Bullying is cruel, unacceptable behaviour that can have a devastating effect on a person – full stop! The effects can be serious and affect a person’s sense of safety and self-worth. If your child has plucked up the courage to tell you they are being bullied (and considering

how humiliating it can be for kids to tell their parents about the bullying they endure from their peers, this is a very brave step), it is important to speak to your child’s teacher and report what has been going on. As a parent, we understand that reaching out and asking for help is tough as you desperately hope to be able to protect your child on your own, but it is vital to highlight your child’s bullying to the school. If your child is indeed being bullied, inform the school.

Explain what has been going on and ask to see their anti-bullying policy. This should indicate what the school will do when an incident of bullying occurs. Ask the school to follow up with the bully and his or her parents and to let you know the outcome.

Just as important, talk to your child about the importance of not bullying others. In most cases, parents don’t want to see their children on either end of this. Keep an eye on your child’s online activity and social media interactions. As the adult, you have every right to demand access to your child’s text messages and internet use. Teenage privacy should take a back seat to a child’s wellbeing.The bottom line:Take action before it’s too late. Further information is available on our website www.bulliesout.com. We also have a free information brochure available for parents and if you would like a copy, please send an A5 size SAE (large stamp) to BulliesOut, GF, 2 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff CF24 5PJ BulliesOut delivers workshops and training programmes in schools, youth settings and the workplace across the UK – all aimed at educating on the effects of bullying, raising aspirations, encouraging empathy, respect and responsibility and creating positive environments in which young people and staff can thrive. www.bulliesout.com Mums Magazine January 2017

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Help keep your kids happy, healthy and cold-free this winter

g n i n n i w

Winter COLD FACTS

NEW STRATEGY FOR KID’S SORE THROATS

One theory behind the common cold, put forward by experts · In a study by Chloraseptic, almost half (43%) of The odds of anyone avoiding a cold parents said their children had difficulty eating anything at the Common Cold this winter are akin to winning the when they had a sore throat and a third (31%) struggled Centre at Cardiff University, lottery. Adults can expect to catch to take in fluids is that cold air-cools the two to five colds a year but school nasal lining, which causes children could pick up as many · A quarter (27%) of children struggled to sleep vasoconstriction in the nose when they have a sore throat and one in ten (9%) as 10, with infections peaking as and upper airways. They believe is in so much pain they keep the family awake. temperatures plunge... this reduction in blood supply is sufficient to suppress our immunity www.ultrachloraseptic.co.uk enough to allow a low-level infection with no symptoms to turn into a full-blown cold with a catalogue of SORE THROATS, SPRAY AWAY! uncomfortable symptoms.

Children’s Chloraseptic is a sore throat spray containing the local anaesthetic, benzocaine, which Often the first sign of infection is a targets the site of pain and may help improve the dry, scratchy and sore throat — and in symptoms of a sore throat. many cases the first remedy parents’ reach for is paracetamol. But experts, Available in a Blackcurrant flavour it is suitable for use including the Royal Pharmaceutical from the age of 6 years. Just one spray is needed. RRP Society, warn they could be putting Children’s Chloraseptic is £5.21. Always read the label. children at risk of kidney, liver and heart damage.

TEMPERATURE CHECK

Withings (part of the Nokia family) recently announced the availability of Thermo, the first Wi-Fi-connected temporal thermometer, exclusively at Apple stores and Withings.com. Thermo provides one of the fastest, most accurate and hygienic temperature measurements available.

Thermo measures temperature from the forehead’s temporal artery, providing one of the most accessible and reliable assessments of body temperature, while ensuring a comfortable and sanitary process. With the new HotSpot Sensor™ Technology, a sophisticatetd array of 16 infrared (IR) sensors take 4000 measurements in just two seconds to detect the hottest point. A specially-designed algorithm then automatically corrects for biases, such as skin heat loss and the ambient temperature, allowing Thermo to deliver a single, highly-accurate temperature reading. Thermo is priced at £79.95.

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Mums Magazine January 2017

Almost half the drug overdoses which require medical treatment involve paracetamol and often as the result of a series of doses rather than one large dose.Paracetamol should always be used with caution, particularly when it is being given to children.

Throaty Soothe, available as a syrup or lozenges, contains no paracetamol and offers a natural and effective solution for sore throats — and unlike most treatments it is so safe it can be given to children from the age of one. Always read the label. www.mums-magazine.co.uk

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is here to help!

We all know how unpredictable babies can be!

Even if you follow a regular routine, no two days are the same, and there are certain trigger times1 when your baby may be more prone to nappy rash 1.Morris H, The bottom line on nappy rash, British Journal of Midwifery, September 2012, Vol 20, No 9, pages 540-543

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Treatment

for Nappy Rash For occasions when it does strike, Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment can be used to treat nappy rash, relieving the irritation and redness.

Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment is a medicine. Always read the label.

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