Project Baby January 2023

Rest Assured

T he Owlet Smart Sock

Tracks your baby's heart rate and oxygen level while they sleep.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023

8. PRODUCTS WE LOVE

Everything you will need from pregnancy to parenthood.

14. BREAST MILK STORAGE

Everything you need to know.

18. NOISY SLEEPER

How to cope with a nosiy sleeper.

22. WHAT IS COLOSTRUM?

Everything you need to know about colostrum.

25. FEEDING MADE EASY

This mama’s milking it! Find the best breastfeeding accessories for you and baby.

29. REAL LIFE STORIES

How postpartum depression nearly killed me.

52. BEST RUNNING PRAMS

Lets get fit this year.

54. DRESSING YOUR BUMP

Beautiful dresses for beautiful bumps.

58. ORGANIX RECPIES

Delicious recpies for the whole family to enjoy.

68. SNUZ POD

Get the best night sleep by keeping them close.

72. COMPETITION TIME

Bounce into 2023 with this amazing competition.

73. AIR POLLUTION

Leading industry experts tell us everything we need to know.

From the EDITOR

If your reading this then you may well be pregnant ... Or maybe your baby is already here... Either way, congratulations and welcome to parenthood!

I can’t speak for everyone but I’d say 2022 was the fastest year to date. And what a year it’s been?! We have had our hearts broken with the Queen’s passing and have seen global inflation on pretty much everything.

On a positive note, here at Project Baby we have made some huge strides, launching at newsstands nationwide and growing our partnership with The Baby Show.

For many of us we’ll be hoping to catch a few more zzz in 2023. Easier said than done mind you, when you have a tiny human who doesn’t like sleep half as much as you do. But how do you get those extra zzz I hear you ask. Could the answer actually be waking a sleeping baby? Colleen Fisher Tully will help you make an informed decision, (page 27).

I reckon the first step to getting a good night sleep is setting the scene, so on page 46 we have everything you need to create the perfect nursery for all those little snoozes. And it wouldn’t be a new year edition without a dose of fitness, see page 55 for some new year inspiration, or if it’s a running buggy you’re after check out page 52 for our top 5.

One last thing to remind you, Project Baby are sponsoring The Baby Show again this year and they have introduced a 4th Show at Manchester which means we get to meet even more of you throughout the year! Check our socials for the best deals on tickets and don’t forget to come say Hi!

Enjoy!

Here’s to 2023 being the best one yet!

Natasha

Natasha Hewett, Editor natasha@project-baby.co.uk

Natasha Hewett Editor-in-chief

Henry Day Copy Writer

Emma Smith Sales

Lesley Mcdiarmid Sales Consultant

Paul Palmer Webmaster

Gavin Bridle Art Direction

Advertising with us: Email: natasha@project-baby.co.uk Tel: 075957 294 061

General Enquiries: Email: Lesley@project-baby.co.uk

With many thanks to our contributors:

The Baby Show, Tenscare, Valentino Photgraphy, BioGaia, Plum Play, ,purervita, Dr Goldstein & all our advertisers.

No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, without the express permission of the editor. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.

The opinions expressed within Project Baby magazine are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.

Project Baby is printed by Cambrian Printers

www.project-baby.co.uk

PIPPETA

Being small and lightweight this pump can be worn inside your nursing bra, with no tubes or wires - it’s truly hands free!

www.pippeta.com

10 Things WE LOVE

NUNA X GEORGETTE POLIZZI TRIV NEXT RAINBOW STROLLER

Nuna presents the Triv Next Rainbow stroller, perfect for taking baby out and about with ease while strolling around the city. Hailing from the Georgette Polizzi collaboration.

www.harrods.com

MAYA COT BED

The Maya range from Obaby is inspired by Scandinavian design, featuring a clean-cut finish and two-tone colourway, making it the perfect addition for families looking to create a modern and stylish nursery. Suitable from birth, the Maya cot bed will grow with your little one.

www.obaby.co.uk

DOCKATOT SLEEP BAG

Forest wonders come together for this slumber party, complete with woodland animals, foliage, and familiar, warm tones. The reverse features a deep teal cozy knit jersey, providing a perfect contrast for this playful design. www.mimi-bear.com

LILLIPUTIENS

MY FIRST NOAH’S ARK SET Make storytime come to life with the help of the My First Noah’s Ark from Lilliputiens. Boarding the huge ship in pairs, the set’s many animals promise to keep your little one company as they journey to new worlds of fantasy.

www.harrods.com

We Love

MONACO-NAPPY-CADDY

Nappy Caddy. Nappy Organiser. Baby Caddy. .. it’s one of those items within the home that makes parenting that little bit easier. www.whyntersprings.com

NANIT PRO CAMERA

Nanit’s award-winning, cutting-edge camera tracks baby’s movements, delivering parents a crystal-clear picture of almost everything that happens in and around the crib, while patented technology analyzes their sleep patterns to give parents personalized tips and expert coaching that improves sleep quality. The result? Better nights (and days) for the whole family.

www.nanit.com

NOORDI FOOTMUFF

The Noordi Luxury footmuff / sleeping bag is an ideal accessory that will keep your child warm and comfortable during chilly days. Compatible with all models of carrycots and pushchair seat units. www.johnstonprams.com

MILTON DUMMY STERILISER

The Milton Mini Soother Steriliser in Purple ensures you always have a clean pacifier ready when you need it. www.boots.com

DOCKATOT

The DockATot ‘La Maman Body Pillow’ wholly embodies DockATot ethos to never comprise function for style. A soothing and supportive delight, La Maman Body pillow is not just for those who possess the female form.

www.dockatot.co.uk

LOLA & LYKKE®

Made with stretchy and breathable materials designed to lift the weight of your growing belly, our ergonomic maternity support band eases pressure on your back, pelvis, and bladder.

Price: £98.00 www.lolalykke.com

LATCHED LEGGINGS

These maternity joggers are made from a soft and stretchy fabric that will stretch with even the biggest bumps! As the nights draw in and the temperature drops these will become your favourite lounging clothes. Comfortable and practical just what every pregnant woman wants in her life.

Price: Check Site www.latched.uk

Products for your BUMP

Care & Support

MAMA MIO

The mama mio Tummy Rub Butter is primarily designed for one thing: increasing skin elasticity. You’re gonna grow, you’re gonna shrink; and no-one tells you your skin doesn’t have to suffer – but it’s a battle and you have to fight! Your secret weapon is the continual and plentiful use of Omega 3, 6 and 9 to help build your skin’s strength and elasticity.

www.mioskincare.co.uk

MY EXPERT MIDWIFE SPRITZ FOR BITS

Spritz for Bits helps to provide instant relief for post-delivery discomfort and pain caused by tearing, bruising, swelling and stretching during childbirth.

Price: £19.99 www.myexpertmidwife.com

PERSONALISED WEEKLY ‘BUMP’ PREGNANCY JOURNAL

Delight the Mummy-to-be with this luxury weekly ‘tales of the bump’ pregnancy journal. Personalised with her name in gold, silver or rose gold, the Mum-to-be will love capturing moments and memories throughout her pregnancy in this beautiful hardcover journal.

Price: £27.00 www.notonthehighstreet.com

MY LITTLE COCO

Treat your bump with this targeted treatment bump mask to care for your skin. Cooling aloe vera hydrates the dry skin whilst rosehip works to help reduce stretch marks.

Price: £3.99 www.boots.com

perfect mama TENS Machines

Drug free pain relief during childbirth

Safe for mum and baby

Recommended by midwives

Flexible breast shields for comfort

Tested & approved by mums

Quiet and easy to use

Nouri Pump

Nouri Auto

Nouri Duo

We Love

Editors Choice

RAFFI ACTIVITY FLOOR MIRROR

This floor mirror from Done by Deer is ideal for encouraging tummy time. In the shape of a playful giraffe, it includes many sensory features such as colourful tags, tactile textures and crinkle and bell sounds. The cute giraffe stands firmly on the floor with its sandbag filling and makes a wonderful gift idea for a new arrival.

Price: £40.00 www.babymori.com

ERGOBABY ERGOBABY OMNI 360

Carry your precious cargo with confidence. From materials to workmanship we stand by our products. If you find a manufacturing or material defect, we will replace your carrier or part at no charge

TINY LOVE PLAY MAT - BOHO CHIC

Boho Chic is a double-padded soft activity mat. Tiny Love has developed this play mat using premium fabrics, combined with a natural wood Play arch fitted with a selection of adorable toys.

Price from: £109.00

www.mamasandpapas.com

BABY Products for your

The all-in-one, newborn ready Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh Baby Carrier has all the carry positions plus ultimate ventilation to keep you both cooler. Omni 360 grows with baby from week 1 to 20 kg and offers a perfect fit for all parents.

Price: £164.00 www.ergobaby.co.uk

DOCK A TOT FLOOR PILLOW

While baby lounges in their DockATot Deluxe+ dock, a parent can rest on this comfy cushion.

Kids love these cushions for fort-building and chilling out. Parents love them for yoga props. Layer them with throw pillows or scatter them on the floor to up the comfy factor for friends and family.

www.scandiborn.co.uk

WOBBLE BOARD

Wobbel balancing board. Beautiful, stylish, functional with so much scope for open-ended play. Develop strength and physical skills as well as your imagination. Rock from side to side, flip and it becomes a bridge, den, seat or stool. Curl up in it, read a book and enjoy the gentle movement. Choose from a range of colours, felt or cork backed, beech or bamboo. Bring a Wobbel into your life and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one! Waldorfinspired, heirloom toy with multiple us

Price From: £130.00 www.acornandpip.com

Products for your

We Love

TODDLER

The modular soft play sofa with unlimited possibilities. Made up of 6 bouncy foam pieces, each covered in a removable, vegan microsuede fabric.

Best 3

WIPES of the

PURA

Made from biodegradable plant fibres. 99% water and organic aloe vera. No perfume, alcohol or chlorine. 100% plastic free, biodegradable and compostable. British Skin Foundation. AllergyUK - Allergy Friendly Product. Gentle and safe for your baby’s delicate skin. Suitable for newborns, sensitive and eczema prone skin. Suitable for vegans.

Price: £2.00 www.boots.com

AQUA WIPES

6 configurable

pieces

removable, machine washable covers. 100% made in the UK. Unlimited possibilities & endless fun boosts development with The Zonky play sofa.

Price: £199.00 www.zonky.uk

3 IN 1 DELUXE PUSH ALONG SCOOTER

The Mini Micro 3 in 1 Push Along Scooter grows and develops as its rider does. First, it’s a push along with an adjustable steering handle. Once they - and you - are confident enough, simply remove the handle and it’s a ride-on scooter with adjustable height seat.

Price: £108.00 www.kidly.co.uk

Aqua Wipes® are a natural, 100% biodegradable, plastic free baby wipe with 99.6% Purified Water and Organic Aloe Vera. They understand how delicate your newborn babies’ skin is. It is usually recommended that they are cleansed with pure water and cotton wool only, in fact, some guidelines recommend not to use regular baby wipes in the early days of a newborn baby’s life, due to their high levels of chemicals. Aqua Wipes® are the perfect solution.

Price: £2.70 www.aquawipes.co.uk

MUM & YOU

New, improved formula is 99.5% natural and is made from 98% water. Our 100% biodegradable baby wipes are made from naturally derived fibres, which breaks down quickly after throwing away, even in landfill conditions. In fact, our lab tests show our wipes biodegraded in 15 days in land fill. That’s faster than food waste!

Price: £2.00 www.mumandyou.com

foam

with

By Kristina Cappetta

Everything You need to know about

BREAST MILK STORAGE

Storing breast milk safely is complicated but oh-so important. Here’s everything you need to know, from how long it can stay out, how to freeze it and how to thaw and serve it to your baby.

There’s no reason to cry over spilled milk, but there are plenty of reasons to cry over breast milk that wasn’t stored properly. Not only did you work hard to pump that liquid gold but sour milk can also make your baby sick. Here are the basic breast milk storage guidelines that all parents should keep in mind.

HOW LONG CAN BREAST MILK SIT OUT AT ROOM TEMPERATURE?

The rule of thumb is that untouched, freshly-pumped breast milk can stay out at room temperature for four hours or less, says Deborah Campbell, a neonatologist at The Children’s Hospital at The Alex Brighton. If it’s been longer than four hours, you need to throw it out (sorry!). If you know you’re not going to use the milk during that timeframe and your baby hasn’t sipped from it yet, just stick it in the fridge.

HOW LONG DOES BREAST MILK LAST IN THE FRIDGE?

According to the British Academy of Pediatrics’ breast milk storage guidelines, once you’ve put breast milk in the refrigerator, it can stay there for up to four days. It’s during this window the milk’s fat, digestive enzyme activity and anti-infection benefits are at their peak, adds Campbell. To keep the milk cold, be sure to store it on the bottom shelf at the back of the fridge, not in the door.

HOW LONG WILL BREAST MILK KEEP IN AN INSULATED COOLER?

If you are hitting the road and need to bring along a bottle or bag of breast milk, you can pack it in an insulated cooler with an ice pack and it should be safe for up to 24 hours.

HOW LONG DOES BREAST MILK LAST IN THE FREEZER?

If you don’t plan on using the milk within the four days that it’s at its best in the fridge, you should freeze it within 24 hours of pumping. Breast milk is good for three to six months when stored in a freezer attached to a refrigerator. As with storing it in the fridge, the milk should be kept in the back of the freezer. If you have a deep freezer or chest freezer, you can freeze the milk for up to one year.

HOW TO STORE BREAST MILK

Breast milk storage bags are your best option. Choose two- or fourounce storage bags and, if you plan on freezing the milk, be sure to leave a little room at the top of the bag because the milk will expand when it freezes.

Write the date you pumped on the bag so you’ll know when to throw it out. Don’t use disposable bottle liners or other types of plastic bags. If you’re afraid that the bags may tear, you can put them inside a plastic container with a lid. You should avoid any containers made with bisphenol A or S, but you can freeze breast milk in freezer-safe glass or

BPA-free plastic containers. Wash all bottles with hot, soapy water beforehand (or in the dishwasher) and dry them well. Do not use chemical disinfectants.

HOW TO THAW BREAST MILK SAFELY

Remember the mantra: First in, first out. Thaw the oldest breast milk first.

There are several ways to safely thaw your breast milk:

• Place it in the fridge overnight to thaw.

• Run the bottle under lukewarm water.

• Set the bottle in a container of warm or lukewarm water.

• Use a waterless bottle warmer.

If you thaw the breast milk in the fridge, use it within 24 hours, counting from when it’s completely thawed. Once milk is brought to room temperature, use it within two hours.

Whatever you do, do not thaw your breast milk in a microwave oven because it can thaw the milk unevenly and potentially burn your baby! It’s also important to never refreeze breast milk after it’s been thawed.

WHY DOES THAWED BREAST MILK SMELL AND LOOK DIFFERENT THAN FRESH BREAST MILK?

That’s normal. This happens when women produce breast milk that is high in an enzyme called lipase. While this enzyme helps digest the fat content in breast milk, it can also affect the smell and taste of both fresh and frozen milk (it usually makes it smell and taste metallic or soapy). Women often don’t realise that their breast milk is high in lipase until they freeze it because the changes to the milk take a few hours-or even a day-to take effect, so you probably wouldn’t notice the changes with fresh milk. If you’re concerned about your baby not wanting to drink the breast milk, talk to your doctor to find out about a process to help neutralize the enzyme and lessen the smell.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY BREAST MILK HAS GONE BAD?

Generally speaking, you’ll know that your breast milk has gone bad if it smells rancid or sour. You probably notice that your breast milk will separate naturally after you pump, with the fat rising to the top. “When milk is still good, it mixes back together easily with a gentle swirl of the bottle,” says Campbell. If your milk doesn’t do this or has chunks floating in it, throw out the milk, adds Campbell.

HOW DO I WARM A BOTTLE OF BREAST MILK SAFELY?

Warming breast milk that has already been thawed is best done in lukewarm water (usually 40°C/104°F) for about 20 minutes. Breast milk does not need to be warmed: Some babies prefer their milk cooler, while others like it fully warmed. As you get to know your baby’s preferences, you can adjust your warming times. As with thawing, never use a microwave oven to warm breast milk as it can heat the milk unevenly and scald your little one.

Be sure to test the milk’s temperature with a few drops on your wrist before feeding it to your baby.

CAN I REHEAT A BOTTLE OF BREAST MILK?

We all know how precious breast milk is, and the thought of wasting even a drop makes us cringe. But once a baby starts drinking a bottle of milk, some bacterial contamination occurs in the milk from the infant’s mouth, says Campbell. This means that you shouldn’t reheat the milk. A bottle that your baby has drank from is only good for about an hour, says Campbell. She recommends storing milk in smaller bottles so that your baby uses the full portion at each feeding and you don’t have to fret over throwing out your precious liquid gold.

FUN FACTS

Breastmilk Changes during breastfeeding

Your breast milk changes during a feeding session. When your baby first starts to nurse, your milk is a watery & bluish in color. Toward the end of the feeding session, your baby gets to thicker, fattier milk, which gives your baby the calories needed to grow healthy and strong. So make sure not to switch around when feeding your baby so they can get everything they need out of each breast.

3

Fertility Recipes FOR MEN

Avocado-andShrimp Salad

Serves: 4 Time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 roasted red bell pepper, chopped

1 shallot, minced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon minced jalapeño

3 tablespoons plain yogurt

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

METHOD

In a blender, combine the roasted pepper, shallot, garlic, jalapeño, yogurt, vinegar and lemon juice and puree until smooth. Scrape the puree into a medium bowl and whisk in 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Season with salt.

In a large bowl, toss the lettuce with the cilantro leaves, lime juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil; season with salt. Arrange the dressed

Kosher salt

1 head of lettuce, torn into large pieces

1/4 cup cilantro leaves

1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

2 Hass avocados, cut into wedges

1 pound cooked shrimp

lettuce, avocado wedges and shrimp on plates and drizzle with some of the dressing. Serve the remaining Red Goddess dressing on the side.

Make Ahead

The dressing can be refrigerated overnight.

Sweet Corn Fritters with Smoked Salmon

Salmon is high in L-arginine, which can boost sperm motility. Eat up.

Banana Smoothie Bowl

We strongly believe that a smoothie is one of the best ways to get some of the important nutrients.

Takes just 10 Minutes

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup plain flour

1/2 cup self-raising flour

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup milk

1 cup frozen corn kernels

1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

METHOD

Step 1

40g butter, chopped 100g sliced smoked salmon

1/4 cup sour cream finely chopped fresh chives, to serve

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients

2 medium bananas

1 cup of low fat yogurt

2 tsp fresh ginger

2 Brazil nuts

1 tsp honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

METHOD

1. Roughly chop the bananas and the ginger.

2. Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Mix for 2-3 minutes or until the mixture is fully homogenized.

Sift flours into a bowl. Combine eggs and milk in a jug. Gradually whisk egg mixture into flour until a stiff batter forms. Add corn , cheese and chives . Stir to combine. Cover and set aside for 20 minutes.

Step 2

Melt one-third of the butter in a large, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Using 2 tablespoons of batter for each fritter, cook 4 fritters for 3 minutes each side or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Cover to keep warm. Repeat with remaining butter and batter to make 12 fritters.

Step 3

Divide fritters between plates. Top with salmon, sour cream and chives . Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

3. Grind the Brazil nuts and add them to the mixture. Blend for another 1-2 minutes.

While trying to get pregnant, a woman may make a lot of changes in her daily life with the intent to boost her natural fertility. One of the most obvious changes is the food and nutrients she puts in her body. Prenatal nutrients are crucial for a healthy conception and pregnancy. This is also true for men. Men need certain nutrients to boost their fertility and general health. Studies have long shown a possible link between male infertility and underlying health issues caused by poor eating habits and lifestyle choices. There are many things a man can do to prepare his body and boost his fertility health, and one way to do that is to eat well.

Here are three fertility recipes that contain ingredients known to boost sperm count and quality.

Noisy SLEEPER

By Sadiya Dendar

Turns out, “sleeping like a baby” doesn’t necessarily mean peace and quiet. Are all these grunts, snores and snuffles normal?

Do you remember the sound of that first delivery-room wail? Then there’s the first adorable little sneeze, that first successful burp, those sweet coos, and eventually the first giggle-this is the soundtrack of newborn life. But you may also hear some pretty unexpected noises coming from your baby, too.

Infants can make a cacophony of noises, confirms Rachel Ouellette, a Fredericton-based paediatrician. In fact, they can be obnoxiously loud with their gurgling, snoring, whistling, hiccuping, coughing, sneezing and grunting. Learning to breathe outside the womb can also cause a number of weird and wonderful sounds, which you’ll hear—sometimes all night long—if the baby is sleeping in a bassinet next to you. Most of the time, these sounds fall within the realm of normal (but you can consult with your primary healthcare provider if you’re worried).

Babies are nasal breathers, explains Ouellette, and their breathing rhythms can vary far more than adults. A newborn can take 30 to 40 breaths per minute while asleep, whereas most adults breathe 12 to 20 times per minute while resting. Don’t be too concerned if you hear several fast breaths and then a rest period for a few seconds before they start to breathe again; this is usually normal and most babies will grow out of it by about six months.

You might also hear snoring or whistling while your babe is dozing. “Intermittent whistling can be related to a newborn’s narrow nasal passage,” explains Ouellette, “but it’s more likely related to boogers.” In fact, most babies are born congested (they were submerged in fluid for nine months), so snorting, coughing and sneezing may help them to work out that mucus. Smaller nostrils can also be blamed for snoring; most babies will grow out of it.

Brittney Dolinger, a mum of two from Mississauga, Ont., was alarmed when her six-week-old son, Finn, started grunting in his sleep. She’d helped out with her mother’s home daycare for years and had never heard a baby make noises like that before. “I was nervous because I thought maybe he wasn’t breathing properly or that maybe he had something stuck in his throat. And I wondered if he had asthma or sleep apnea,” she says. She’d sit next to him while he slept to make sure that he was OK.

“

Many babies grunt as they work through the digestion process and learn to pee, poop and pass gas,” says Ouellette. But grunting doesn’t necessarily equal constipation. “Even if you hear them straining, it means that they’re trying to figure out and strengthen the muscles needed to get the job done efficiently,” she adds.

Why is my noisy newborn grunting, snoring and whistling in their sleep?

Other sounds, such as lip smacking or sucking on hands or fingers, can actually be a hunger cue that precedes crying—a way for your babe to communicate that she’s ready to feed.

In most cases, if your baby is healthy, gaining weight and reaching milestones, there is no cause for concern. But there are some red flags to watch for: nostrils that flare as the baby breathes; a baby who is having trouble breathing or is breathing very rapidly; difficulty with feeding and not gaining weight; and crying inconsolably. Grunting can be a sign of a more serious heart or lung issue if your baby is rhythmically grunting with each breath; if there is discolouration in the face or lips; or if it’s an effort for your baby to take each breath. (Watch for what’s called retractions—the baby’s skin is pulling in around the bones in their chest, such as above the collarbones, under the breastbone, or between and under the ribs.) An alert and awake newborn should be taking 40 to 60 breaths per minute.

Finn was given the all clear by his doctor, but the grunting caused another issue: a serious lack of sleep for his parents.

“Initially we were staying up with him to make sure he was breathing,” she says, “but even after we learned he was OK, I couldn’t fall into a deep sleep.” Dolinger and her husband split the nights so that each of them could catch a few winks.

London doula Giselle Johnston says that your nighttime strategy all comes down to what works best for your family. Taking turns or shifts looking after the baby at night is one way, but if that’s not sustainable, try moving the bassinet farther away from the bed or using a sound machine to drown out the snuffles and grunts of your noisy sleeper. You could also hire a postpartum doula or a night nurse, if that’s an option for you.

It’s recommended that room sharing with your baby until they’re at least six months old, but this assumes your baby isn’t too big for the bassinet or that the full-sized crib fits in your bedroom. Both Johnston and Ouellette say if your baby’s noises are really affecting your sleep, it’s OK to move them into their own room and use an audio or video monitor. Just be sure you’re following all of the safe sleep guidelines (such as no bumpers, no blankets, no smoking in the house, and using a firm, flat crib mattress, with baby sleeping on their back).

“I evicted both of my noisy babies from my room before six months,” says Ouellette. “It was very necessary for me to function.”

On the other hand, if you have a high-needs baby who nurses a lot or wants constant comforting, it might be easier to keep them in your room, or for you to sleep in the nursery so that you have fewer trips down the hallway at night. “It really depends on each family’s parenting style,” Johnston says.

Dolinger says that Finn is now six, and still hasn’t outgrown these noisy newborn sounds and grunts. “We still call him our little piggy,” she says.

SLEEP AIDS

Helping baby - sleep like a baby.

These are designed for babies to safely sleep in during their first few months, as the cosy and compact space they provide is reassuring to newborns.

VTECH BC8313

V-HUSH PRO SOOTHING SLEEP TRAINER.

Price: £64.99

www.vtechbaby.co.uk

JASPER

DREAMY

ELEPHANT

Price: £49.99

www.thedreamyelephantcompany.com

MOONIE

Source: www.marieclaire.co.uk 14.12.2020

MOONIE is the only humming toy with the highest quality natural pink noise, not computer generated. www.babymori.com

A study has found that new parents lose up to 44 days of sleep until their baby is one year old, which equates to an average of just over 5 hours of snoozing per night.

Breastfeeding Holds

THE CRADLE HOLD

This is the most basic position, and the one you’ll probably use the most. To put your baby to your right breast, nestle her in your right arm so that her neck rests in the crook of your elbow, her body is along your forearm, and her bottom is in your hand. Turn your baby to her side, so she is facing you, tummy to tummy. Raise baby to the level of your breasts, using a pillow on your lap or by raising your legs with a footstool, if necessary. With your left hand support your breast, fingers underneath the breast and your thumb on top, away from the areola.

THE CROSS CRADLE

This is a good position if you have a small baby, or if he’s having trouble latching on. It’s similar to the cradle hold, except you position baby on the arm opposite of the breast being used, making it easier to control baby’s head and guide his mouth to your breast. Or, put your baby to your left breast, hold your baby with your right arm, and support your breast with your left hand.

THE RUGBY HOLD

Here’s another position to try if you’re having trouble getting her to latch on correctly. This is also a popular hold for women who’ve had a c-section, because it prevents baby’s weight from resting on the mother’s abdomen. Sitting up, position your baby so she’s perpendicular to your body, on the same side as the breast, tucked in under your arm like a Rugby Ball (hence the name). Support your baby’s head with your fingers, her back with your forearm. Your arm should be resting comfortably on a pillow. Her legs should be tucked between your elbow and your body.

LYING DOWN

If you can figure out how to do this, you might be able to get some sleep during middleof-the-night-feedings. Position your baby so that you’re lying down facing each other. Your baby’s mouth should be directly in front of your breast. Place the rest of his head on the bed or on your arm, whichever works best. Baby’s body should be straight and parallel to yours.

KOALA HOLD:

Supporting your baby while she’s straddled across your knees in an upright position.

IMAGES BY THE BABY CENTRE

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Colostrum Harvesting

WHAT IS IT AND HOW CAN IT HELP?

Midwife & Expert Led Live & Interactive Online Antenatal Classes

All of your pregnancy, labour and birth questions answered directly & live by The Honest Midwife, the UKs leading online antenatal coach. letstalkbirthandbaby.co.uk

Everything you need to know about Colostrum Harvesting.

If you’re expecting a baby, you might have come across the term colostrum harvesting. While it may sound more like a farming term than something you need to know as a new parent, it is actually a good way of laying a strong foundation for your breastfeeding journey.

WHAT IS COLOSTRUM HARVESTING?

The name may sound a little intimidating but all it means is collecting a store of the precious first milk your body produces for your newborn, which is known as colostrum. You can start expressing small amounts of colostrum in the late stages of pregnancy so you will already have a ready supply to give to your baby when they are born.

Colostrum can be frozen so you can start hand expressing it before your baby’s arrival.

WHAT IS COLOSTRUM?

Colostrum is the very first milk your body produces for your baby. It is designed to meet the needs of a newborn with a very tiny stomach so it is thicker and more nutrient-dense than the breastmilk you will produce when your baby is a little older. Colostrum doesn’t look like milk, instead it is sticky and yellow and your breasts produce it in smallerquantities. Often referred to as liquid gold, even tiny amounts of colostrum will give your baby the calories, nutrition and infection-busting antibodies they need for the first few days of life.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF COLOSTRUM HARVESTING?

The decision on whether or not to express colostrum and store it during pregnancy is a personal choice. There are a number of benefits to colostrum harvesting, including offering peace of mind to new mums as they know they have a supply of first milk to fall back on so they can be sure their little one is getting enough.

HOW DO YOU EXPRESS COLOSTRUM?

When you are pregnant, you should only express colostrum by hand. Do not use a breast pump, either manual or electric, until after your baby has been born.

Start gradually and initially, just try expressing for a few minutes once a day. You can then increase how much you express to up to three times a day if you wish as you get nearer to delivery.

It is important to make sure you are calm and relaxed before you try expressing. If you are tense or stressed, you will struggle to get your milk flowing.

However, having a supply of expressed colostrum in the fridge or freezer can be really helpful if you need to be separated from your baby after delivery for whatever reason. Medical staff will try to keep you with your newborn as much as possible but separating mothers and babies is sometimes necessary if one or both of you need additional care or treatment. If this does happen, knowing you have some of your colostrum which can be given to your baby when you’re not there to breastfeed in person will be a weight off your mind. If your baby is likely to experience feeding issues due to a medical issue like a heart condition, Down’s Syndrome or a cleft lip or palate, having a stock of colostrum can be extremely helpful. Colostrum is also very good at helping newborns to maintain their blood sugar level and fight off infection so can really help babies who are either bigger or smaller than their gestational stage. Some women also find that starting to hand express colostrum during pregnancy helps them to understand how their breasts work, making breastfeeding easier for them after their baby is born. Being able to express a small amount of colostrum onto your nipple can be useful in guiding your newborn onto your breast and encouraging them to feed – something which is really beneficial if your baby seems sleepy and reluctant to latch on after a tiring delivery.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER COLOSTRUM HARVESTING?

You doctor or midwife might suggest you try colostrum harvesting during the last few weeks of pregnancy if you are expecting more than one baby, are scheduled to have an elective c-section or they anticipate your baby could have difficulties breastfeeding due to a medical condition or disability. It may also be a good idea if you have a high BMI, have diabetes or you take beta blockers to control your blood pressure. Expectant mothers who have undergone surgery on their breasts or who have hypoplasia – limited development of breast tissue – are also recommended to try collecting colostrum during pregnancy if they are able to.

WHEN CAN I START COLOSTRUM HARVESTING?

You can start expressing your colostrum when you are about 36 weeks pregnant unless you have been advised to start earlier by a medical professional. Your body starts producing colostrum during the second trimester of pregnancy, sometimes as early as 12 weeks, but there is no need to start harvesting until much nearer to your baby’s expected due date. If you are considering starting expressing before 36 weeks, please ask your midwife for advice first.

Hold your hand in a c-shape around your nipple and use your thumb and index finger to gently but firmly squeeze. Try to establish a regular rhythm – it can take a while before you see any colostrum so be patient.

Any colostrum you produce is likely to be in a very small quantity so don’t feel frustrated if you don’t seem to express very much at all. Use a small syringe to collect what you do produce – simply place it over the liquid and draw the plunger back.

Move your hand around your breast so you stimulate all the milk ducts. Think about it like working your way around the face of a clock.

Pace yourself and stop if you feel sore or uncomfortable. It is likely to feel slow-going at first so try not to get frustrated. Adding a warm cloth to your breast before you start or expressing in the bath can help get your milk flowing.

Make sure you label any syringes which contain colostrum and add the date you expressed it before you store in the fridge or freezer. Expressed colostrum can be kept in the fridge for up to 2-3 days and the freezer for up to six months.

HOW MUCH COLOSTRUM DO I NEED TO COLLECT BEFORE BIRTH?

As your body only produces small amounts of colostrum at a time, it can be a challenge to collect much. Don’t worry, even a few drops of this liquid gold are extremely valuable and full of everything your baby needs for their first few feeds. Some women may also find they are unable to express any colostrum during pregnancy. This is completely normal and does not mean that you will experience difficulties with breastfeeding.

SHOULD HARVESTING COLOSTRUM BE PAINFUL?

Hand expressing should not be painful, although it can seem slowgoing. If your nipples are very tender and sensitive during pregnancy, you might find it uncomfortable but stop if your discomfort is replaced by pain. Relaxing as much as you can and making sure you are somewhere warm will help with the process. And remember there is plenty of support out there. Our Infant Feeding antenatal class can teach you everything you need to know about feeding your newborn, including colostrum harvesting, breastfeeding and bottlefeeding.

It is likely that your baby will get the colostrum they need during their first few breastfeeds.

Best Breast

feeding Must Haves

TENSCARE NOURI-DUO

The dual-pump allows you to express milk from both breasts simultaneously whilst the soft massage cushions gently stimulate milk flow. Twelve suction levels ensure comfortable and quick pumping for a faster and more enjoyable expression. The integrated LCD screen clearly displays suction level, working mode and battery level.

Nouri Duo has a built-in rechargeable battery and integrated adjustable lights, allowing you to pump in complete comfort day or night.

£129.00 www.tenscare.co.uk

HOT MILK NURSING BRA

By mothers for mothers, Hotmilk is here to celebrate and support you through your journey of motherhood. We have a selection of nursing bras available from A-J cup designed with love.

www.hotmilklingerie.co.uk

Just milkingkeep it

LATCHED HOODIE

Looking for a hoodie you can throw on after a pregnancy workout? A cosy sweatshirt you can easily breastfeed in while you’re out and about? Done and done! This maternity and nursing hoodie ticks both of those boxes – and you’ll find yourself continuing to wear it long after you finish nursing, too. It really is THAT versatile! www. latched.uk

PIPPETA

Being small and lightweight this pump can be worn inside your nursing bra, with no tubes or wires - it’s truly hands ree! With a soft silicone cup that fits snug around your breast, a massage setting and 5 pumping levels, the Pippeta pump makes the journey of breastfeeding much easier. Simply remove the cup from the pump and empty into your baby bottles or freezing bags. Quiet, comfortable, easy to clean and easy to assemble.

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Pippeta pump takes away the fuss!

Buying for Baby

PROJECT BABY'S ESSENTIAL CHECKLIST

If you're expecting your first baby, you're probably feeling overwhelmed by all the amazing products you can buy. We've put together a list of all the things we think you'll need for when baby arrives. Why not visit a Baby Show, The Baby show coming to exCeL, Manchester & Birmingham is the ideal one-stop-shop to get those much needed items ticked off your list!

MUST HAVES

Cot/moses baskets

Pushchair, buggy, stroller, or travel system

Car seat

Baby monitor

Nappies

6 sleep suits

6 body suits/vests

2 cardigans

Pram suit

Hat & mittens

Bottles

Breast pump

Steriliser

Nursing bra and breast pads

Towels

Muslin squares

Cotton wool

Blankets

NICE-TO-HAVE ITEMS

Baby bath

Sling

Rocker/bouncy chair

Changing bag

Bath thermometer

Nappy bin

In our daughter Rowan’s first year, my husband and I repeated this scenario more times than I’d like to admit: Rowan would skip her nap during an exciting visit with Grandma and Grandpa, and we would leave shortly after dinner, smugly confident that we’d all have an early bedtime. Then, barely out of the driveway, I would sense quiet-too quiet-and turn around to see her napping away in the car seat. I’d gasp, my husband would curse softly, and we’d hotly argue over what to do next: Wake her up to endure a howling baby for nearly two hours while we drove home, or let her nap now, only to have a refreshed and playful baby who might stay up all night when we got home?

YES!

SOMETIMES IT’S OK TO WAKE A BABY FROM A NAP

By Colleen Fisher Tully

WHEN YOUR BABY HASN’T EATEN IN A COUPLE OF HOURS

You should wake up your newborn to ensure she’s feeding every few hours, says Tracey Bridger, a paediatric endocrinologist in St. John’s. Regular feedings are important, at least until your baby has regained her birth weight. According to paediatric sleep specialist and University of Toronto associate professor Robyn Stremler, waking a newborn from long stretches in the daytime to feed also signals to them to be more active in the day, which in turn helps shift those long stretches of sleep to nighttime.

But once your baby is a healthy weight and is feeding, peeing and pooping regularlygenerally after the first couple of weeks-you can rest assured she can get that sleep and wake up to eat later, say Bridger. Because newborns have no concept of day or night, they can often sleep for long periods at all times of the day. This can be unsettling for some parents who worry about good sleep habits early on, but Victoria-based sleep consultant Donna McLachlan says there’s no need for a schedule in the first four weeks. They need the sleep, so once they’re feeding well, you can rest assured that they will wake up when hungry.

WHEN YOUR BABY IS ON A NAP SCHEDULE AND HE HAS SLEPT PAST IT.

By about four or five months, when your baby has established a fairly regular nap cycle, McLachlan says it becomes possible for her to oversleep and throw off a healthy routine. “I tell parents when they have jetlag, they feel awful because they’re overtired and off their rhythm, and that’s how babies feel when they’re ‘off schedule,’ she explains. To keep babies on the right eat-play-sleep pattern during the day-which helps them sleep better at night-McLachlan recommends roughly sticking to a daytime schedule and waking them up if needed. In other words, don’t sweat an extra 20 minutes, but be prepared to wake them before they’ve clocked an additional hour or more of sleep during the day.

The one time when it’s a good idea to let your baby get some extra shut-eye at naptime? When she’s sick. Bridger says we all need a little extra sleep when we’re fighting off an illness-just make sure your baby is feeding enough to be nourished and stay hydrated. And ensure she’s not running a rectal temperature of 38C or higher.

Every parent has heard the cautions about waking a sleeping baby, but is it ever better to cut a snooze short?

We asked the experts about the following scenarios.

You struggle so much to get your baby to sleep, but it turns out there are some cases where it’s best to wake them.

WHEN IT’S GETTING CLOSE TO BEDTIME

It’s not uncommon for babies to fall asleep in the early evening, especially after a busy day. For very young babies, an evening nap might not interfere with bedtime at all, but for those over three or four months, it can make for a long night. Stremler says you can try to wake your baby from a late-day nap, but it might not work, so she recommends just trying again the next day to get that last nap in earlier. “If naps get messed up one day, it’s not the end of the world,” she says. But if you think your baby can benefit from a quick catnap in the evening before bed, think again. With the exception of newborns who drift in and out of sleep day and night, McLachlan says older babies may seem refreshed after a 10- or 20-minute nap, but they’ll soon become irritable because it’s just not enough rest. “A little power nap tricks their bodies into thinking they’ve had a

restorative nap when they haven’t, which quickly leads to chronic overtiredness.”

Bridger says if an evening nap becomes the new normal that keeps him awake until late - especially at six months or older-it’s a good idea to gently wake him and go through your nighttime routine (e.g. dinner, a little playtime, a bath, a story) to fill the time before getting to bed at a reasonable hour. Then, try to nudge his other naps to earlier in the day.

WHEN YOU WANT HER TO SLEEP LONGER AT NIGHT.

Unfortunately, waking a baby from a nap early doesn’t help her sleep more that night. In fact, the opposite is true. “If babies are constantly overtired, they fight sleep because their cortisol [stress hormone] levels are so high,” explains McLachlan. “The more rested a baby is, the easier it is for her to get to sleep

and stay asleep,” she says. Stremler adds that splitting up sleep throughout the day with naps is key to proper development because important brain activity happens during those sleeps.

As for our family, we often chose tranquility in the car over waking Rowan from her evening nap. It meant a late night for everyone, but within a day or so, our daughter was always back to her normal sleeping pattern again. “As parents, we drive ourselves crazy sometimes when we don’t need to,” says Bridger. “The key at any age is to get enough good quality sleep within a 24-hour periodhowever that works for the child and the family.”

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION ALMOST KILLED ME.

HERE’S HOW I SURVIVED WITHIN DAYS OF GIVING BIRTH, I WASN’T JUST THINKING ABOUT TAKING MY LIFE - I HAD AN ACTUAL PLAN.

HERE’S HOW I PULLED MYSELF OUT OF THE DEPTHS OF PPD.

By Kathryn Swell

After my first was born in 2019, I experienced the typical “baby blues” that up to 80 percent of mums struggle with. I’d find myself randomly crying during episodes of The Price is Right. So when I got pregnant with my second, I was prepared for the same experiencealthough I hoped for better, feeling confident about knowing what was coming this time around.

After a challenging pregnancy, I was relieved to go into labour at 41 weeks and had a positive birth experience. In fact, so positive that we checked out of the hospital only eight hours after the baby was born and went out for breakfast at the local diner. I was feeling great and high on life.

On my third day postpartum, however, a thought randomly popped into my mind, seemingly out of nowhere: “You’re not capable of handling this.” From that moment on, I spiralled mentally into the darkest and most difficult time of my life. By day five, I reluctantly confessed to my partner that I had not only thoughts but an actual plan to take my own life. An hour later, I was in the hospital, being cared for by nurses and the emergency psychiatric team. Throughout it all, I just kept thinking to myself, “How did this happen?”

Over the next few weeks, I struggled greatly to see light at the end of the tunnel, to find any possible way out of the terrifyingly dark thoughts that consumed every moment of the day and made sleeping nearly impossible. Yet today, at four months postpartum, I can confidently share that I am happier than I’ve been in years and very much enjoying this new journey and stage of motherhood.

If you’re in a dark place, I promise there’s a path out of it. Here’s what I would tell any parent in the depths of postpartum depression - because these are things that helped me survive.

1. TELL SOMEONE

The hardest moment for me was recognizing that I wasn’t just thinking about ending my life, but was planning it. Because I work in the mental health field, I knew how serious this was, so I pushed myself to tell my partner and parents, as hard as it was to admit it. Whether you have thoughts or a plan, tell someone.

2. ACCEPT HELP

I took pride in doing it all on my own. However, I needed to completely let go of this pride and accept any and all help from family and friends. It left me feeling guilty and vulnerable, but I knew it was the best thing for my family and recovery.

3. ASK FOR HELP

While some people may instinctively recognise what you need, most want to help but don’t know how. It took a lot of courage and vulnerability for me to reach out to friends and family for help, but I know I would’ve done the same for them and pushed myself to let go of this guilt.

4. BE OPEN TO VARIOUS TREATMENT OPTIONS

Everyone has different levels of comfort with the treatment options for postpartum depression and the idea of medication while breastfeeding made me nervous. Ultimately, I decided that I needed it as a part of my treatment plan and I am grateful for that decision. Medication is not for everyone, but I believe it was important for me to be open to it and remove the stigma attached to it.

5. JOURNAL

One of the key treatments for postpartum depression is sleep, but I found myself lying awake at night with a thousand thoughts rolling through my mind. Before going to sleep each night, I would journal and write down every thought in my mind without judgment or hesitancy. Writing these down, helped to externalise the thoughts rather than let them fester inside.

6. TAKE SOME TIME ALONE

I remember regularly feeling like I had lost myself. It helped to have small moments where I was on my own, outside of being a mother, even if that meant a five-minute walk with our dog.

7. KNOW THE SYMPTOMS

When we have a cough and stuffy nose, we recognise these as symptoms of a cold and don’t assume these are everlasting. The same goes for postpartum depression. Thoughts such as I need to run away, I am a terrible mother or I will never get better are symptoms of postpartum depression, not facts.

8. TAKE IT ONE MOMENT AT A TIME

I’m a planner and love to think weeks and months ahead, but in the depths of my PPD, that simply wasn’t possible. I found it difficult to even plan tasks for later that day. I started focusing on one moment at a time: “I’m going to get out of bed,” “I’m going to change my clothes,” “I’m going to wash my face.” This allowed me to go through the day without mental spiralling.

9. TRY POSITIVE SELF-TALK

When those dark thoughts would rear their ugly head and tell me I was incapable, I would say to myself out loud a hundred times a day, “you can do this”.

10. EXERCISE IN THE DAYLIGHT

Initially, the idea of exercise felt extremely far-fetched. Even leaving my dark room felt impossible. However, the endorphins we can get from a short walk and daylight are extremely helpful. I started with simply sitting in a room that had daylight, and ultimately set the goal of going outside for a short walk each day.

11. CELEBRATE SMALL WINS

While a win with my first baby was going for my first five-kilometre walk, wins with my second were things like showering, eating and genuine laughing. Celebrate those, as the small wins ultimately become big ones.

12. KNOW THAT THIS TOO SHALL PASS

You will get through this and better days are ahead. It’s essential to believe that, even if every fibre of your being is telling you it’s not true. I would rate each day out of a ten, most days being a 0 or 1, but ultimately that 1 became a 2 and that 2 a 3, until I found myself feeling like “me” again. I also reminded myself that postpartum depression aside, having a newborn is tough, and I deserve some grace, and so do you. You are doing a great job.

HELP IS OUT THERE

Pandas • Bliss • Tommys • Love Parenthood

World-leading probiotic supplements for baby and infant

DocKATot Body Pillow

The DockATot ‘La Maman Body Pillow’ wholly embodies DockATot ethos to never comprise function for style. A soothing and supportive delight, La Maman Body pillow is not just for those who possess the female form. Pour Homme et Femme, DockATot’s body pillow allows you to feel wonderfully weightless by elevating limbs and allowing the spine to adopt a natural posture.

Thoughtfully crafted with Suprelle Duo Fibres, Le Maman Body Pillow does not just re-define comfort and style, it also assists with creating your healthiest sleep space thanks to hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial and breathable properties essential for quality sleep hygiene.

As you’d expect from DockATot, stylish cover options are available to match your mood and style. Adorned with elevated fabrics such as boucle, jacquard and yarn-dye stripes, trimmed with velvet fluting, tassels and eyelash fringing. Decorative handles allow you to easily transport your pillow around the home or on the go. DockATot’s body pillow is a far cry from traditional maternity and body support pillows destined for landfill, instead DockATot have designed a truly beautiful yet highly functional piece to compliment your home aesthetic with the quality to last and be loved long after baby has grown.

KEY POINTS INCLUDE:

Pressure Point Relief.

Lessens Tossing and Turning.

Accesses the Benefits of Hugging.

Improves Spinal Alignment.

Improves head and neck alignment.

Improves sleep posture.

Improves digestion.

Optimizes Body Performance.

Alleviates Discomfort During Pregnancy. Reduces Snoring.

Seeing double Things for Twins

EMMALJUNGA NXT TWIN STROLLER OUTDOOR BLACK

The NXT Twin is revolutionary sibling pushchair based on a strong TWIN aluminium chassis. Its innovative design gives you the opportunity to put in two full-sized NXT carrycots, carrycot with seat or two NXT Ergo seat units side by side, without additional adaptors. This allows you to to carry two children from birth up to 22kg. The reinforced suspension and swivel/lockable front wheels allow for a smooth and easy ride on any terrain.

HALO

This bassinet was key after coming home with our twins. Not only is it a safe space for babies to sleep which follows AAP guidelines, but it also kept our toddler away from them. The bassinet comes with a vibrating option to help soothe babies and it can also play white noise to keep them snoozing peacefully.

We even used this for our twins to get a little bit of sunshine when they were super tiny to help their bilirubin levels stay down. What I really love about this bassinet is that it kept our twins together, allowing them to see each other through the mesh, but also providing each of them a separate place to sleep.

TWIN BATH FROM BUMBLE BEEZ

Supports two infants 0-6 months or until they can sit up unaided. Allows babies to sit comfortably and securely side by side in the water.

MINIMONKEY TWIN CARRIER

Parents who like the lightness and portability of a wrap may be fans of the Minimonkey Twin, an innovative carrier developed in the Netherlands. The Minimonkey’s wide padded straps distribute weight over the chest and shoulders, so it’s possible to carry both babies comfortably, and it’s super-easy to fasten your babies in: just pop each into their own front pouch and tighten one buckle. Babies ride in the ergonomically correct “M” position, which some experts think is beneficial for hip development.

TILBEA LONDON

Price: £42.00 www.tilbea.com

TILBEA LONDON www.tilbea.com

AURORA MAMA AND MINI PYJAMAS SET www.seraphine.com

MAYA SLIPPER BOOTS

Price: £29.00 www.fatface.com

CHELSEA PEERS MATERNITY

Price: £42.00 www.usc.co.uk

Spotlight Brand

We hope you love our collection as much as we do. All of our dresses are created with you in mind.

We have you covered whatever the occasion; wardrobe staples like vests & T’s, cosy jumpers, everyday dresses, tops for day, tops for night, and to top it all off we threw in a little bit of sparkle for Christmas. Maternity and nursing dresses with an edge, we are all about embracing print and colour to ensure that you don’t loose your fashion identity in your new role as MUM!

Love

DOCKATOT TENT OF DREAMS

DockATot X William Morris Collaboration

Delight your child while also adding sophistication to your playroom design with our DockATot Tent of Dreams Strawberry Thief Global Blue Cotton Teepee. This adorable kids’ teepee is made from canvas cotton, solid rattan and genuine leather and features decorative trimmings in doors and window curtains. The flaps can be tied back to keep the door open or closed, and it includes an interior pocket.

William Morris & Co. is a British interiors brand recognised for its natureinspired fabrics and furnishings depicting swirling plants, flowers and elegant gardens found in England in the 1860’s and DockATot and Aristot founder and designer, Lisa Furuland has taken these stunning maximal prints to decorate everything from moses baskets and nursing pillows to stunning teepees and floor cushions - as well as it’s classic Sleepyhead pods.

RRP: £459.00 Stockist: www.scandiborn.co.uk

A place where little one’s imaginations can get creative in a truly mesmerising place. We

NAME: Elizabeth Lodge-Knowles

AGE: 33

SON: Barney

OCCUPATION: Respiratory WardSisterwith10years experience in NHS Respiratory

MONITOR

Elizabeth Lodge-Knowles, Respiratory Nurse: “It offered all the peace of mind I needed, providing breathing and temperature alerts as well as room temperature monitoring. It really was the best product I had found on the market”

My respiratory background meant that I was probably more anxious than most new parents about their baby’s well being. However, added complications when my son Barney arrived made my anxiety even worse. As soon as Barney was born we were both hospitalised with sepsis, further adding to my parental worries, so to say the early days were difficult is an understatement.

Once we returned home, I was unable to relax, I worried constantly about Barney who at this stage was also underweight. Bedtimes were particularly difficult as I could not rest or sleep peacefully because I felt so anxious.

It was at this point that I heard about Bluebell. It offered all the peace of mind I needed, providing breathing and temperature alerts as well as room temperature monitoring. It really was the best product I had found on the market, offering all in one monitoring. The moment we set up the Bluebell I felt myself relax, I was able to get the rest I needed knowing I would be alerted if Barney had any problems.

After his first set of injections at 8 weeks, I received an alert in the night that his temperature was going up. After investigating we took Barney to A&E where he became unresponsive due to his high temperature. If it were not for the early notification of his temperature going up from our Bluebell, we would not have been able to react as quickly as we did.

Aside from the alert functionality, we found being able to record Barney’s routine and sleep tracking to share with the health visitor and sleep consultant extremely useful.

It is so flexible that we have switched off some of the features we no longer need and still use the monitor now that he is older.

Fabulous baby monitor! A must for any new parent.

STREP B

What you need to know

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a normal bacterium which is carried by 20-30% of adults, most commonly in the gut, and for up to 25% of women, in the vagina, usually without symptoms or side-effects.

GBS can occasionally cause infection, most commonly in newborn babies, sometimes in adults and, very rarely, during pregnancy and before labour.

GBS is not a sexually transmitted disease. Treatment of a woman and her partner carrying GBS does not prevent recolonisation.

GROUP B STREP INFECTION IN NEWBORN BABIES

There are two types of GBS infection in newborns: early and late-onset.

Early-onset GBS infection is more common (2/3 of cases in babies) and occurs when the baby is up to 6 days old; a key symptom is the rapid development of breathing problems, associated with blood poisoning.

Late-onset GBS infection – usually presenting as GBS meningitis – occurs between age 6 days and 1 month and, more rarely, up to age 3 months. After 3 months’ old, GBS infection in babies is extremely rare.

GBS is recognised to cause preterm delivery, maternal infections, stillbirths and late miscarriages; and preterm babies are known to be at particular risk of GBS infection as their immune systems are not as well developed.

Overall, approximately one in every 1,000 babies born in the UK develops group B Strep infection.

On average in the UK, at least two babies a day develop a group B Strep infection one baby a week dies from their GBS infection, and one baby a week survives with long-term disabilities –physical, mental or both.

Currently, UK guidelines recommend a ‘risk factor’ approach to determine which women should be offered antibiotics in labour to prevent GBS infection in newborn babies. Testing is the only way to know if you are carrying GBS. If you are, steps can be taken that minimise the risk of your newborn baby developing GBS infection. However, routine screening of all pregnant women for GBS is not currently recommended by the UK National Screening Committee or the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a normal bacterium carried by up to a third of adults, most commonly in the gut, and for up to 25% of women in the vagina, usually with no symptoms or side-effects. It is not a sexually transmitted disease.

In the UK, pregnant women are not offered testing routinely for group B Strep carriage, unlike in many other developed countries. Sensitive tests for GBS carriage are not widely available within the NHS, though they are available privately (click here) from less than £40.

If you want to find out whether you carry group B Strep, the sensitive ‘ECM’ (Enriched Culture Medium) test is available from those listed at www.gbss. org.uk/test who follow Public Health England’s guidelines for this test.

Group B Strep carriage may be detected when samples are taken for other reasons – but often it’s not, because the widely used NHS test was not developed to find group B Strep and, unsurprisingly, is not very good at doing so. The standard ‘non-specific’ NHS tests give a high proportion of falsely-negative results, though a positive result is reliable.

It’s good to know if you carry group B Strep during your pregnancy so preventative action can be taken to minimise the chance of your newborn baby developing group B Strep infection.

If group B Strep is detected at any time during your current pregnancy, you should be offered intravenous antibiotics from the start of your labour and regularly until your baby is born.

If GBS has been detected during your current pregnancy from a vaginal or rectal swab If group B Strep has been detected during your current pregnancy from a urine sample If group B Strep was detected during a previous pregnancy If a previous baby developed group B Strep infection.

Not every pregnant Mum who has GBS detected during her pregnancy will want intravenous antibiotics in labour. Many will, but others may decide not to have them unless there are other additional risk factors. Do discuss this with your midwife or doctor, or contact us.

If you decide against antibiotics in labour, it would be prudent for your newborn baby to be observed by trained staff for at least 12 hours.

Risk factors for group B Strep infection Pregnant women carrying group B Strep is perfectly normal. GBS can be present at any time – in a woman’s first pregnancy, or in one or more subsequent pregnancies. It can be a threat during pregnancy, around delivery and afterwards. There are certain situations which increase the chance a newborn baby may develop GBS infection.

THESE INCLUDE:

Mothers who have previously had a baby infected with GBS – risk is increased 10 times.

Mothers where GBS has been found in the urine at any time in this pregnancy –risk is increased 4 times.

Mothers who have been shown to carry GBS in this pregnancy – risk is increased 3 times.

The following clinical risk factors also increase the chance of a baby developing a GBS infection Mothers who have a raised temperature* during labour of 37.8°C or higher – risk is increased 4 times Labour starts or waters break before 37 weeks of pregnancy (i.e. preterm) – risk is increased 3 times Waters break more than 18 hours before delivery – risk is increased 3 times *A slightly raised temperature may be of less significance in a woman who has an epidural than in a woman who hasn’t.

Q: CAN I BREASTFEED IF I HAVE GBS?

Our medical advisory panel strongly recommends you should be encouraged to breastfeed your baby. Although there have been isolated cases describing GBS infection possibly related to breast milk contamination, the advantages of breast feeding will, in our medical advisory panel’s opinion, greatly outweigh the remote risk of transmitting GBS via breast feeding. High hygiene standards need to be maintained for all breastfeeding mothers, with the hands and nipple areas being kept clean.

JULY IS GROUP B STREP AWARENESS MONTH

Group B Strep is the UK’s most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies.

Strepelle is a home-to-laboratory Group B Streptococcus (GBS) test which can be bought at www.strepelle.com or at independent pharmacies from £39.99, it simply allows pregnant women the opportunity to test for this devastating infection from 35 weeks, with the highest accuracy ECM testing. If positive they are sent a letter to give them access to the potentially life-saving antibiotics during labour.

John Bell & Croyden

John Bell & Croyden is a pharmacy located on Wigmore Street, London. The company dates from 1798 and has been based on its current premises since 1912. We have teamed up with John Bell & Croydon to introduce you to the best luxury Mother & Baby pieces. Visit us instore 50-54 Wigmore St, London W1U 2AU

www.johnbellcroyden.co.uk

Silk Cleanser

Created for skin that is aged, prematurely aged, dry, dull, with fine lines and wrinkles. • Hydrates as it cleanses • Lightly exfoliates for improved skin smoothness • Softens and brightens • Comforts and soothes the skin

BEAUTY LAB

KNOTS BE GONE

Mini Bloom was formed out of a desire to make trusted skin care for every mama and baby. Seeking to create gentle and effective formulas that are free from irritants, she teamed up with Alicia MooPow-Brammer - a newborn specialist who guides the brand with her knowledge of nurture - to craft skin-loving formulas for your little ones and you.

MINI BLOOM

Health &

BEAUTY

PureCastile Liquid Soap

With no added fragrance and double the olive oil, our Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap is good for sensitive skin & babies too.

DR BRONNER

THE NUE CO. DEBLOAT

A breakthrough range of supplements designed to redefine our attitudes to health, The Nue Co. offers targeted solutions to a swathe of common problems –from promoting gut health and supporting stress management to bolstering immunity and easing muscle aches.

THE NUE CO

Little Butterfly Body Lotion

This high-performance, organic- certified body serum assists in restoring elasticity and returns bounce to over-stretched or slack skin, whilst leaving a feeling of instant lightness.

LITTLE BUTTERFLY LONDON

MANUKA HONEY

Manuka UMF 10+ is ideal for everyday consumptiona teaspoon a day eaten straight from the spoon, spread onto bread, stirred into smoothies and juices or incorporated into your beauty regime.

TAHI

Teeth Whitening Pen

Spotlight Oral Care Rose Gold Teeth Whitening Pen is a deluxe edition of the Spotlight Oral Care fan favourite whitening pen.

SPOTLIGHT

What causes low milk supply?

If you’re thinking about quitting breastfeeding because you aren’t making enough milk for your baby, you aren’t alone. Low milk supply is one of the most common reasons new parents stop nursing and transition to bottle feeding.

There’s nothing wrong with formula feeding. But in my experience as a nurse and a lactation consultant, I’ve seen new parents perceive their milk supply as insufficient when it actually wasn’t. I’ve also seen many cases where a mom’s supply was indeed low, but could be increased relatively easily. If you’re about to give up breastfeeding because of low supply, but wish you didn’t have to, read on.

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF LOW MILK SUPPLY?

As a lactation consultant, how do I determine a client’s milk supply levels? I start by taking a detailed health history, asking questions to determine if there are existing health factors that could be impacting supply. For example, labour induction, epidurals, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, breast hypoplasia, breast surgeries, low iron, thyroid disorders, PCOS or obesity could all potentially have an impact.

It’s also important to determine how the baby is behaving during and after breastfeeding. Is the baby satisfied with relaxed arms and hands at the end of the feed? Are they having the appropriate number of wet and dirty diapers, is the baby sleeping well in between feeds, is jaundice decreasing, is the baby gaining weight appropriately?

Next, I perform a test weight, weighing the baby before and after breastfeeding to determine how much milk they drank when feeding. I never rely on the numbers alone, though. I also pay close attention to how the baby is positioned, latching, swallowing and the overall quality of the feed. After observing the entire breastfeeding session, it is time to create a feeding plan that supports the family’s feeding goals while helping to manage any milk supply concerns.

The “fourth trimester” can be stressful, so I never neglect possible internal barriers to successful breastfeeding, such as mental health, lack of education or lack of informed feeding choices. Things like stress, postpartum depression or anxiety can affect the release of the hormone

oxytocin, which allows for milk let-down. When a mother feels relaxed, her oxytocin and prolactin will remain at therapeutic levels, enabling her milk to flow and be remade. External factors that can impact supply include scheduling feeds, separation at birth, maternal stress, waiting for your baby to cry before feeding and bottle-feeding unnecessary supplements.

WHEN LOW MILK SUPPLY ACTUALLY ISN’T

There are all sorts of things that can seem like symptoms of low milk supply, but often aren’t. For example, most newborns feed 10-12 times per day, plus periods of cluster feeding. This is the normal way for the baby to support the build-up and regulation of the milk supply, but some new parents assume their baby is eating so often because they aren’t getting enough at each feed.

A breast pump is a poor indicator of milk production. Babies are more efficient than the pump and will do a much better job of pulling out milk. It should not be your go-to guide for whether or not you are producing a sufficient milk supply. Other things that can seem like signs you don’t have enough milk, but usually aren’t: Your breasts don’t feel “full,” they don’t leak (or have stopped leaking), or you don’t feel the let-down (or never did). Remember, softer breasts mean they contain creamier/fattier milk.

YOU AREN’T ALONE

The most important thing to remember while on your breastfeeding journey is that you aren’t alone. Online and in real life, there are resources and support available, no matter your stage of parenthood. Motherhood already comes with its challenges but if we work to remove the shame and guilt of milk supply struggles and encourage access to external resources, a mother and her baby have one less barrier to face.

Leanne Rzepa, RN BN IBCLC, is the founder of Nourish Lactation Consulting, a Calgary-based breastfeeding support and education company that supports new mothers and families with a range of tools and services to help families establish skills, resolve feeding challenges and achieve breastfeeding goals.

If you’re about to give up breastfeeding because of low milk supply, but wish you didn’t have to, read on.

Is my baby teething?

While every baby photo is cute, it’s especially true of a snapshot of your little one showing off her first tooth. But getting to that major milestone isn’t easy. Teething is synonymous with lots of fussiness, crying and sleepless nights. Read on to find out everything you need to know about teething.

WHEN DO BABIES START TEETHING?

Typically, the first teeth come in around six months of age, but babies can start teething anywhere from six to 13 months. “I have seen them come in as early as four months, but that’s pretty rare,” says Jeffrey Bourne, a paediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

IN WHAT ORDER DO BABY TEETH COME IN?

The front incisors usually come in first. Typically, the bottom front teeth will make an appearance first, but sometimes it’s the top two. Next, the canines will arrive. Your baby’s eight molars usually come in between her first and third birthdays, so she will be teething for a long time!

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY BABY IS TEETHING?

At two or three months, you’ll notice your baby start to drool and gnaw on things, including her fingers, your fingers and anything she can get her tiny little hands on. But that’s not a sign of teething, explains Bourne. “Teething is really when the teeth start to erupt,” he says. “You might not see them initially, but you can actually feel little bumps on the gums within a day or two when they start coming through. That’s when it hurts: when they’re poking up through the gums.”

Now you’ve probably heard that fever and diarrhea can be signs of teething, but they’re not. “Teething can cause drooling and irritability, but that’s it,” explains Bourne. “The reason people think teething causes fever, diarrhea and other symptoms is because sometimes babies develop a lot of viral illnesses at that time, so it’s just a coincidence. But teething doesn’t cause a true fever.”

Bourne explains that there are only two signs of teething:

1. FUSSINESS

You can’t blame your baby for being cranky during the teething process: It hurts! Irritability is a major symptom of teething. Expect your little one to be short-tempered and quick to cry during this period. Just like any other time when she is fussy, rocking, shushing and going for car rides can help soothe your baby.

2. DROOLING

You’ve been warned: Lots of drooling is in store when your baby is teething. That’s because teething stimulates saliva, so be prepared with lots of bibs.

MAYA MINI 3 PIECE ROOM SET

The Maya range from Obaby is inspired by Scandinavian design, featuring a clean-cut finish and two-tone colourway, making it the perfect addition for families looking to create a modern and stylish nursery. The Maya Mini 3 piece room set consists of the Maya Mini cot bed, changing unit and double wardrobe.

Price: £799.00 www.obaby.co.uk

LUCY COGGLE BEAR FOOT PRINT

A gorgeous hand drawn baby bear kit for little feet, a great idea for parents!Record your little one’s tiny feet with this personalised footprint kit!

Price: £18.00

www.notonthehighstreet.com

OLLI ELLA MUSHROOM BASKET

This striking hand crafted lamp has a beautiful bold design which will add colourful character to a child’s bedroom or play room.

Price: £55.00 www.babipur.co.uk

Creating Your Dream NURSERY

BABYBJÖRN BOUNCER BLISS

The new BabyBjorn Bouncer Bliss is unique because baby’s own movements rock the bouncer! There are no batteries required! It is great for travel as it is easy to fold up and take with you. Further, it is suitable for children aged 0-2 years old!

Price: from £134.00 www.mamasandpapas.com

HILSTON ROCKING CHAIR

Cosy and comfortable, Hilston nursing chairs offer optimum support as you feed your little darling. Elegantly designed in a range of colours like teal and duck egg, their nursery rocking chairs are as stylish as they are supportive. Sit back and relax in style while the rocking motion sends your baby off to sleep. With the ability to upgrade the look of any nursery while offering premium comfort, rocking chairs provide you with a spot to relax and enjoy a cuddle.

Price: £549.00 www.mamasandpapas.com

We Love

KID CONCEPT

This charming tent is perfect for creating a cosy hideaway in your child’s bedroom. It can be configured in multiple different ways and gives your child the opportunity to let their imagination run free. It guarantees hours of makebelieve fun and games for your children and their friends. The ultimate kids-only zone!

Price: £210.00 www.scandiborn.co.uk

WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT 9.5” PLUSH SOFT TOY

An adorable bear from the classic read-aloud book that little adventure hunters will love!

Price: £19.99 www.johnlewis.com

LARGE GIRAFFE BASKET

The Giraffe Basket is handwoven in seagrass, so each basket varies slightly in shape, meaning it’s totally unique, and the handembroidered face of each animal really does have its own character.

Price: £40.00 www.kidly.co.uk

ELEPHANT KNITTED CUSHION

Adorned with a friendly elephant, this cute Sophie Allport cushion makes for the perfect way to bring an extra touch of charm to your favourite armchair, sofa or even bedroom! Cosy and comfortable, this cushion makes an ideal gift for any admirer of these magnificent creatures.

Price: £54.00 www.jarrold.co.uk

Editor's Pick

TRIPP TRAPP CHAIR SUNFLOWER YELLOW

Let the sunshine in with the Tripp Trapp chair in new Sunflower Yellow! Known for being “happy” flowers, sunflowers symbolize longevity, which is especially relevant for our iconic chair. Because Tripp Trapp® grows with your child, you can use it into adulthood and enjoy it for generations.

Price: £209.00 www.bellababy.co.uk

LAMPS DISTRESSED WHITE RABBIT LAMP

Lightweight, the rattan basket hangs delicately. Perfect for children’s nurseries

Price: £56.00 www.alexandalexa.com

TREEHOUSE KIDS BUNKBED

A fabulously fun Treehouse that you can sleep in! Give your child the ultimate unique children’s bunk bed. Just like something out of your child’s imagination, this incredible fairytale kingdom inspired kids bed is simply breath-taking! With a shelf against the back wall inside the tree house where your child can store their favourite toys and pictures, don’t be surprised when he or she is showered with sleepover requests!

Price: £2,795 www.cuckooland.com

RATTAN ELEPHANT BOOKSHELF

One of a kind, our iconic Kimbo elephant is beautifully woven from white-washed rattan into a generously sized bookshelf. Great for animal-themed rooms, this floor-standing design is the ideal height for little ones to pick out their favourite books and cuddly toys, once fixed to the wall.

Price: £249.00 www.thewhitecompany.com

Project Baby Spring 2023

CROCODILE WITH SUNGLASSES T-SHIRT

Price: £8.99 www.zara.co.uk

KIDS SNEAKERS VEJA X M.RODINI

Price: £85.00

www.minirodini.com

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Price: from £16.00

www.2littlelegs.co.uk

SWIM SHORTS WITH SHARKS

Price: £9.99

www.lindex.com

SHORT SLEEVE DRESS WITH BODYSUIT

Price: £9.99

www.lindex.com

VULTURE WOVEN DUNGAREES

Price: £70.00

www.minirodini.com

5 Running Prams

When trying to keep fit and lose weight, motivating yourself to get into a regular exercise plan takes dedication. It can be so easy to find any excuse NOT to get out and hit the pavement. Heres our guide to the best running prams and what to look for when buying the perfect running pram.

What to look for in a running pram

1. STABILITY

Before purchasing, consider how much time you will be spending running versus walking. The more stable the pram, the more difficult it is to manoeuvre at higher speeds around bends. As a runner, you need to be able to lift the front wheel to turn the pram around the corner. The heavier and more evenly distributed the weight is across all three wheels, the harder this is to achieve. Light weight is more idea for jogging with.

2. LOCKABLE FRONT WHEEL

If you are going to be using your pram for running then you NEED a wheel that locks in to place. Many offer the option to lock it or allow it to swivel, however with the swivel it can be very dangerous. Even hitting the smallest pebble on the path could send your pram in to an unplanned direction.

3. HAND BRAKE

Having the option of a hand brake allows the runner more control over the pram. This is especially useful for parents who live in hilly areas. You can use the hand brake to help slow your pram down allowing you to maintain form and posture. This makes running much easier than having to lean back acting as the brake and brace for the pram.

4. SUN SHADE

We all want a sun shade that will cover our children from all directions, especially in the Australian summers. So make sure you check this out and ensure that the sun shade is easily movable so that you can put it in place no matter where the sun.

CYBEX AVI

Price: £510

Designed for all your future runs with your child, the Avi is lightweight and streamlined for excellent running performance in urban streets and leafy parks. Its beautiful frame is customizable to your own taste, with a wide variety of fabric choices ensuring your jogging look is just as stylish as your day-today attire. The Avi: Giving you the freedom to exercise with the same passion and style that you bring to every other part of your life.

BABY JOGGER SUMMIT X3

Price: £529.00

The Baby Jogger® Summit™ X3 Jogging Stroller outmaneuvers other strollers on any terrain. This stroller/jogger hybrid is equipped with a handlebar-mounted swivel lock for your convenience. Simply flip the lever to lock the front wheel when you’re off for a run or release to swivel mode for walking. Choose from plenty of add-on accessories (sold separately) to customize the stroller for you and your child’s comfort and enjoyment. All-wheel suspension and a unique, hand-operated deceleration brake offer increased control and added safety as you hit the pavement. The Summit™ X3 sports a padded reclining seat and a vented seat top to increase airflow when reclined. A large, adjustable sun canopy with a peekaboo window and side ventilation panels, plenty of storage, and a rear parking brake complete the Summit™ X3 Jogging Stroller.

OUT N’ ABOUT NIPPER SPORT

Price: £459.00

Travel System compatible, height adjustable handle, independent rear suspension, one pedal easy lock brake, quick release wheels, lightweight aluminium frame, multi-position reclining seat, compact folding design, retractable sun canopy with peek-a-boo window, handy storage pockets, large shopping pouch, easy clean removable seat liner, 5 point safety harness, hinged padded bumper bar, large 16″ wheels with pneumatic tyres.

THULE GLIDE 2

Price: £649.99

Thule Glide 2 is specifically made for running, thanks to its aerodynamic, lightweight design with large 18” rear wheels, fixed 16” front wheel, and room for your kick stride. You get speed with the fixed front wheel, and you can feel safe knowing you can stop at any time with the integrated handbrake. Designed to go fast, the Thule Glide 2 will still keep your child comfortable and safe at all times. The fully adjustable, padded harness delivers a perfect fit and the ventilated canopy protects from the elements.

CYBEX ZENO

Price: £819.90

4-IN-1 MULTISPORT

Designed for sport, the ZENO lets you take your little one along for all your outdoor adventures. Whether you’re push-running, hands-free running, cycling or cross-country skiing, share your active lifestyle with your child while performing your best.The Cybex Zeno is a genuinely innovative product, designed to be versatile and functional for a range of different uses while also looking sleek. It can be used in its original form for push-running with a child from the age of 6 months to around 4-years-old (or 111cm/22kg).

You can also buy add-ons, which also give the option for handsfree pull-running, converting the Zeno into a bike trailer for cycling or even adapting it for the winter season with a skiing kit.

Tackling the staggering eight million disposable plastic nappies and eleven million plastic wet wipes used in the UK every day, Mama Bamboo have developed plantbased nappies and wipes, which are as kind to your baby as they are to the planet.

WHY BAMBOO?

Bamboo is organically grown without the need for pesticides or fertilisers. Unlike many crops, including cotton, bamboo does not need an enormous amount of water to grow, and it grows amazingly fast in its natural environment, almost one metre in a day (Up to 3.8cms in an hour). No other plant on earth can do this which makes it the only woody plant that can keep up with the rate of human consumption and deforestation.

Bamboo is also three times more effective as a carbon sink than any other tree or grass. This makes it the ideal crop for helping to lower CO2 and slowing climate change.

Unlike some other brands they use 100% plant-based top and bottom covers, not just ‘enhanced’ material, plus their nappies are free from elemental chlorine, alcohol, latex and PVC.

Bamboo viscose offers a softer-than-cotton feel with no irritation or allergens. The fabric created using bamboo is breathable and temperature regulating like silk. Allowing air to circulate around your babies’ skin helps prevent nappy rash, so limits the need for barrier creams.

GIVING BACK

Mama Bamboo is a Platinum Friend of the ‘Bamboo Village’ in Uganda. For every pack of nappies sold, they support the Bamboo Village afforestation programme, which helps local communities by creating jobs within the bamboo plantation and business village. Through this partnership, they offset their carbon emissions by planting bamboo and improve the ability for locals to become more self-sufficient.

They also support local communities across the UK through the Give Another Mother scheme, offering customers a matched donation scheme with In Kind Direct. For every £ a customer donates, they match it and provide nappies and wipes to less advantaged families.

Their convenient subscription service means you will never run out of nappies or wipes again, as their multi award-winning bamboo products are delivered straight to your door.

Named B-Corp “Best for the World” two years in a row, Mama Bamboo is committed to using sustainably certified bamboo and planetfriendly resources, reducing oil-based plastic production, and lowering carbon emissions. Mama Bamboo believe they have found the perfect blend of convenience, performance, and sustainability to comfort your baby today and protect the world for your baby’s future. Their mission is to make it possible for you to choose a sustainable lifestyle without compromise.

Best for Baby, you & Mama Earth too www.mamabamboo.com

In 2020, the company became the first European nappy brand to become B-Corp certified. A B-Corp business is one that meets the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. B-Corps don’t just care about profit – they care about the planet and everyone on the planet too.

Their bamboo wipes are soft and super strong, with the added bonus of being 100% compostable!

7 Ways to Lose your

Avoid these post-baby weight gaining situations and you’ll shift those extra pounds

Lapping up my childrens’ leftovers, eating chocolate ‘for energy’ and grabbing on-the-go foods have seen me pile on the weight even after pregnancy.

I should be slipping into skinny jeans by now – my youngest is over 2 years old. But it’s all literally gone pear-shaped since I became a mum.

By Andrea Cottee www.madeformums.com

“Time, or rather lack of it, is a huge issue facing mums,” says life coach Lynette Allen. “Once you have children, they become your priority, and their eating habits concern you more than your own. It’s quick and easy to satisfy your hunger with unhealthy fixes that put on weight.”

Here are the danger zones to avoid, to help you lose that leftover pregnancy weight.

DANGER ZONE 1: Breastfeeding binges

One of the first presents I received on becoming a mum was a bar of chocolate. It was big. The length of my 6lb 12oz newborn in fact. “You’ll need it for feeding,” said my friend Jo. “It’ll increase the calcium in your milk.”

True? Or just the start of a serious weight-inducing habit? “There are certainly more nutritious ways to up your calcium intake, like nibbling on cheese cubes or eating a natural yogurt,” says nutritional therapist Sally Gordon.

“Unlike chocolate, which gives you a buzz and then a crash, these sugar-free snacks help sustain your energy levels, meaning you’ll crave less food.”

“Stockpile healthy snacks that are easy to grab before you’re stuck on the sofa feeding,” adds Lynette. “A little preparation can stop a lot of extra weight going on.”

DANGER ZONE 2: Caffeine

Personally, I believe all new parents should be immediately hooked up on coffee drips to combat fatigue. But according to the experts, caffeine plays havoc with our blood sugar, lowering levels and causing cravings. And adding sugar messes with your metabolism, too.

“Instead, try whizzing up a fresh fruit, live yogurt and skimmed milk smoothie to keep in the fridge. You’ll get a sweet but nutrient-rich boost when you need it,” says nutritional therapist Sally.

Distraction can work wonders too. “A lot of eating is habit,” says life coach Lynette.

“Creating another ritual that doesn’t involve food avoids weight gain.”

DANGER ZONE 3: Eating your baby ’ s food

There’s no harm to be had from your baby’s pure fruit and vegetable purees but scoffing her snacks can hinder your weight loss. Yes, even if they are organic!

“I can’t get enough of Katie’s rusks!” confesses Jo, 28, mum to Katie, 7 months. “They make me feel like a child again – until I clock my ballooning belly in the mirror!”

“There’s a lot of nostalgia in eating,” admits Lynette. “Certain foods remind us of happy times, but comfort eating can play havoc with your figure. Next time you eat, ask yourself, ‘Am I really hungry? Why am I eating this?’”

If you’re bored or stressed, work on changing your moods, rather than using food to lift them.”

We’re not saying don’t snack, just make it healthy.

DANGER ZONE 4: Coffee mornings

Granted, swapping stories with other mums is a healthy thing to do, but filling your face with pastry items while you do it isn’t.

“It’s hard to have coffee without biscuits, but because they’re high in sugar and crammed with refined carbohydrates, they hamper your energy levels and digestive system,” says nutritional therapist Sally Gordon.

“Wholegrain varieties, such as muffins or oatcakes, are a much better option. They release energy at a slower rate so you need to eat less throughout the day.”

DANGER ZONE 5: Baby mealtime

Do you pick at your baby’s mealtime leftovers? “You don’t need extra calories if you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding,” says life coach Lynette Allen.

Admittedly, it’s hard to let perfectly good food go to waste, but eating out of guilt won’t help your waistline. And it could carry on past the baby phase and into toddlerhood.

“Betsy’s leftovers are such a temptation I squirt washing-up liquid over them when she’s finished,” says Lisa, 29, mum to Betsy, 2,“Unsurprisingly, it’s stopped me picking!”

DANGER ZONE 6: Home baking

Cooking may be great for bonding with your toddler, but baking cakes can be rubbish for your figure – especially if you’re in the habit of over-catering.

“Make sure that you only cook what you should reasonably eat in that day,” says Lynette. “Or if you make too much, give one of your neighbours a treat by packaging up any extra cakes and dropping them round.”

Again, baking wholegrain rather than white treats is better for your digestion and energy levels, so look for the healthiest recipes you can find.

DANGER ZONE 7: Supermarket habits

If your pre-schooler’s pester power has you giving in and topping up your trolley with bags of sugary snacks or crisps, you need to change your shopping habits to lose weight.

“Having unhealthy snacks in the house only brings temptation, so buy individual

treats, one at a time,” says Lynette. And if you do have them at home, keep a few antisnacking tricks up your sleeve.

“I keep my kids’ treats in a tin with a picture of me at my slimmest on the lid,”

says Jenny, 34, mum to Ryan, 2, and Freya, 4. “Now, whenever I get the urge to tuck in, the picture reminds me of how I want to look and it stops me from snacking.”

Prep: 10-30 mins

Cooks in: Under 10 mins

Serves: 10 fritters

Sweetcorn

Fritters for Baby

INGREDIENTS

80g of self-raising flour

1 tsp of baking powder

90ml of whole milk (or dairy free plant based alternative)

1 egg (or 1 tbsp of ground flax and 2 & half tbsp of water)

1 tin of sweet corn (drained) 30g of grated cheese (optional)

STEP 1

Sieve flour into a medium-sized bowl along with 1tsp of baking powder.

STEP 2

In a separate bowl mix the egg and milk together. Then add to flour and mix well until you create a smooth thick texture for these healthy sweetcorn fritters.

STEP 3

Add the sweetcorn along with grated cheese if you are using.

STEP 4

Heat a drizzle of oil over a medium heated pan. Add 1 tbsp of batter to the pan to form a small round sweetcorn fritter.

STEP 5

Cook for 4-5 minutes each side until lightly golden. Then serve these healthy sweetcorn fritters and enjoy.

Our range of meals offer a wide variety of natural tastes and textures for growing babies and toddlers.

INGREDIENTS

3 Organix Melty Carrot Puffs

1 Organix Melty

Sweetcorn Rings

3 broccoli florets

Tasty Tree Fun Plate

3 cauliflower florets

6 fine green beans

¼ avocado mashed

Prep: Under 10 mins

Cooks in: Under 10 mins

Serves: 1

METHOD

STEP 1

Steam / boil the vegetables for about 5 minutes until just tender, and still bright in colour.

STEP 2 Mash the avocado until smooth.

STEP 3

Create your picture: spread avocado at the bottom of the plate, tree trunks on top, then tree leaves and finally a sweetcorn ring sun!

Prep: 10-30 mins

Cooks in: Under 10 mins

Baby Muffin Animal Pizza

INGREDIENTS

2 English muffins halved

3 tbsp of pizza sauce

10g of grated Cheddar cheese

Dog Toppings:

Pepperoni slice

Cheese slice

Black Olives

1 baby tomato

A muffin slice

Fish Toppings:

Mini sweet bell pepper

Cheese slice

1 olive

1 baby tomato

Fresh basil

Bunny Toppings:

Mini sweet bell pepper

Cheese slice

1 olive

1 baby tomato

Fresh basil

METHOD

STEP 1

Preheat the grill. Slice the muffins in half.

STEP 2

Spread 1 tbsp. of pizza sauce evenly across the muffins, and sprinkle with cheese.

STEP 3

To decorate as a dog; add half a pepperoni slice to create the dog eye patch. Place two mini cheese slice circles and top with two olive halves to create the eyes. Slice the olive lengthways for the nose and add a slice of tomato to create the doggies tongue. For the ears cut a fingers size slice of the muffin and cut in half and press down in place.

STEP 4

To decorate as a fish; add thinly sliced peppers to create the fish scales, place a cheese slice circle and top with half an olive to create the fisheye. Cut a baby tomato lengthways to create the lips, and then add fresh basil to create the fins.

STEP 5

To decorate as a bunny, add two mini cheese slice circles and top with two olive halves to create the eyes. Slice a baby tomato in half to create the bunny cheeks and the yellow bell pepper to create the teeth. Cut the olive lengthways for the nose and add fresh basil for the bunny’s floppy ears!

STEP 6

Once decorated carefully transfer the muffins to the grill and bake for around 3-5 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and once cooled enjoy.

Making Weaning THAT LITTLE LESS DAUNTING

Feeding a growing and increasingly hungry baby can be one of the biggest challenges parents face every day, especially when trying to provide healthy meals quickly. To help make weaning that little less daunting we spoke to Nichola Ludlam-Raine, Registered Dietitian and Mummy Blogger at Mummy Nutrition.co (@mummynutrition on Instagram) and here is what she had to say

WHAT IS WEANING?

Weaning is the gradual introduction of foods to a breast milk or infant formula fed baby and involves exposing them to a variety of different tastes and textures.

During the initial stages of weaning, the focus shouldn’t be on how much your baby is eating, but rather getting them used to food and the idea of eating, as they will still be getting most of their nutrients from milk. As your baby eats more though, the proportion of energy from food will become more than that from milk.

WHEN SHOULD YOU START WEANING?

Weaning should start when your baby is around six months old, provided they can hold themselves steady in a high-chair (or for a few seconds when sat on the floor), are able to bring objects to their mouth, and have lost their tongue-thrust reflex. This can be tested by placing a clean finger or baby spoon onto their lower lip; if they reactively stick their tongue out, then they are not yet ready to be weaned.

HOW DO YOU TO START WEANING?

From around six months of age your baby can be offered foods of a pureed or mashed consistency, progressing to foods with some lumps at around 7 months, as well as soft finger foods; for example cooked pieces of broccoli, parsnips, peppers, courgette and avocado, as well as banana, kiwi and pineapple.

Starting with green vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach can be helpful in order to encourage your baby’s bitter and sour taste buds to develop.

Their sweet taste buds are already mature, meaning they will naturally accept sweeter foods such as fruit more readily.

To make things easier (and save on washing up!) you could use a product like the Beaba Babycook NEO, which is a 4-in-1 baby food maker that will steam cook, blend, defrost and reheat. It’s ideal for steaming and pureeing foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, meat and fish, all whilst retaining valuable vitamins and minerals that can be lost during the cooking process. It’s really easy to use, plus you can set it to four different constancies depending on where you are in your weaning journey, from super-smooth, lightly mixed, small lumps or big chunks!

Following vegetables and fruit, you should offer your baby foods such as porridge as well as mashed potato and soft bread sticks, in addition to soft pieces of foods rich in iron and protein, for example; slow cooked beef, dark chicken, turkey, fish (with no bones), eggs and lentils. Full fat, unsweetened and pasteurised yoghurts may also be offered however full fat cow’s milk shouldn’t be offered as a drink until your baby is 12 months old; it can however be used in cooking, on cereal or to mash up food. Baby rice can be useful to thicken purees if they come out too runny.

Initially babies need only to be offered food once a day, but you should build up to three times a day to mimic your own three meal a day meal pattern by 7 months of age. By the time babies are around 12 months old they should be eating at least three small portions of healthy family meals plus 3 small snacks in between. If foods are rejected, and the bitter vegetables will be, at least initially, keep offering the food as it may take several attempts for your baby to eat and enjoy it.

Regarding fluid, it’s good practice to offer a small amount (no more than 50ml at a time so the cup doesn’t become too heavy) of water with a meal from a free-flowing cup to teach your baby how to sip. If your baby is under 6 months old the water should be cool-boiled. Breast-fed babies should continue to be offered regular breastfeeds but you may want to encourage a routine in order for weaning to progress. Formula fed babies should be offered around 500-600ml of infant formula across 3-4 feeds.

Green Beans & Peach Weaning Recipe

This recipe from Beaba’s Your Baby’s First Food cook book is ideal for babies aged from 6-months; after you’ve tried them with green beans and peaches on their own.

Ingredients: 1 handful of green beans & 1 peach

Method: Trim the green beans, wash them and drain. Peel the peach, remove the pit, and cut the flesh into small dice. Put the green beans and peach into the steamer basket, fill the reservoir to level 2, and cook for 10 minutes. When cooked, put the green beans and peach into the blender and blend to a smooth consistency.

Nichola Ludlam-Raine (née Whitehead) Specialist Registered Dietitian BSc (hons) PG Dip MSc RD

www.nicsnutrition.com / @nicsnutrition

www.mummynutrition.com / @mummynutrition

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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.

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.

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

Keeping THEM CLOSE

Sleep well, feed easily and be closer to your baby with SnuzPod the UK’s Best-selling Bedside Crib! Now even more breathable thanks to its innovative NEW ComfortAir system, with unique air-flow vents, machine washable mesh liner, and improved base ventilation, helping to regulate your baby’s temperature for a good night’s sleep. SnuzPod also boasts a lightweight removable bassinet and new breathable mattress with a 3D mesh cover for all-round better support.

Our babies are so used to us by the time they are born, that being separated from us comes as a big shock. The first three months of a baby’s life are now often referred to as the ‘fourth trimester’, and understandably it’s a period when babies want to be especially close to their parents, and parents want to keep them close too. It’s no surprise that infant co-sleeping was the absolute norm all over the world until Western society started separating newborns by putting them in their own cribs or rooms to sleep.

Keeping a newborn baby close is instinctive to most mothers, and many fret at the thought of trying to put their baby down to sleep alone. Of course, we are now more aware of the potential dangers of bed sharing, but it’s not always as clear-cut when you are suffering from lack of sleep and baby won’t settle anywhere except by your side. For many parents it is a real dilemma, in fact a recent survey by organic brand The Little Green Sheep discovered that over ¾ of parents had shared a bed with their baby, but 60% had worried about it.

Moses basket or bedsharing are no longer the only choices, finally there is a solution for new parents who want to keep their baby close. In the past two years there has been a surge in Bedside Cribs that attach to the bed to give babies a separate space to sleep in that is still right next to mum. They last longer than Moses Baskets too, perfect for the first six months when you’ll be feeding through the night.

For parents who are worried about the risks of co-sleeping but still want to be close to their baby, bedside cribs offer the benefits of co-sleeping while providing a safe, separate sleeping environment for one or two babies that is only an arm’s

reach away for comforting, feeding and bonding. I believe these are far safer than having your baby in bed with you, yet still allow you to enjoy the benefits of co-sleeping.’

The Little Green Sheep’s SnüzPod 3 in 1 Bedside Crib can also be used as a standalone crib, and the rocking bassinet can even be detached and moved around the house. SnüzPod4 is £199 from www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk

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First, some giant ants steal breakfast. Then there are the evil ninjas, massive ape, mysterious mole people, giant blob, and countless other daunting (and astonishing) detours along the way to school. Are these excuses really why this student is late?.

When the Big Blue Thing (a camper van to us humans) arrives on Howling Hill, the local wildlife all agree it has to go. First the wolves try to scare it away, then the bears, boars, and foxes have a turn. Finally the wise owls suggest sending the smallest critters; the insects; to do the job.

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Air Pollution in Pregnancy

POLLUTION CAN BE DIVIDED INTO TWO AREAS:

Outdoor pollution which many understand and know about, and indoor pollution can also have negative effects on our health. In addition, skincare and cosmetics are another area where chemicals may affect a pregnancy.

Since 2018 we have had clear evidence from a study performed in London that air pollution reaches the placenta. Researchers found small black particles of carbon from air breathed in by the mother at the placenta. This showed us that particles can move from the lung through the bloodstream to the placenta. The biggest threat was posed by a group of chemicals called TRAP (Traffic and Air pollution) which includes particulate matter, nitrous oxide, ozone, chemical fumes and vehicle emissions. These chemicals can lead to a change in the metabolic and physiological profile of the mum and baby leading to poorer pregnancy outcomes. Air pollution exposure has been linked to pre-eclampsia, preterm labour and growth effects of the baby. The WHO estimates that over 70 percent of towns and cities in the UK have unsafe levels and in 2022 the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists called on the government to set cleaner air targets to protect the health of our future generations.

Indoor pollution includes volatile compounds known as VOCs. Being volatile means, they can turn into a gas which can be breathed in. Unfortunately, these compounds can also reach the placenta once breathed in. We can

make some lifestyle changes to limit the VOCs we are exposed to.

VOCs includes:

• Washing detergents and conditioners

• Cleaning agents and carpet cleaners

• Furniture polish

• Air fresheners

• Paint and paint strippers

• Varnishes and glues

Look out for a globe symbol on packing which tells you what levels of VOCs are present and consider switching to natural products to clean the house. Traditional methods such as lemon water, cider vinegar and bicarbonate of soda are great at getting even deep-seated dirt and stains out.

Also consider the impact of tobacco smoke, log fires, incense sticks and candles as there also emit chemicals which can be harmful to the lungs and pass the through to the placenta. For scented rooms try wax melts or put a few drops of an essential oil in a bowl of hot water to diffuse slowly into the air.

WHAT LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN WE MAKE?

Most of us cannot change our environment but a few steps can make a difference. Avoid walking next to busy roads and streets. Consider using an air purifier or buying charcoal air purifier bags which can absorb harmful chemicals from the air inside your home as well as getting rid of smells. Change the way you clean your home to organic and natural methods.

Nutritional goals may be a way to offset these effects of pollution. Eating foods which are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants helps to guard against cell damage and promote cell repair. Taking targeted supplements such as choline and folic acid are also important in protected against environmental changes. The brain and behaviour research foundation in the USA received a prize for their work showing that choline supplementation had a protective effect on infant brain development. The recommended dosage is 450-550mg a day – follow us @purermama on Instagram for more information or check out our science on www.purermama.co.uk

Foods rich in Antioxidants:

• Dark chocolate

• Pecan nuts

• Blueberries

• Strawberries

• Artichokes

• Goji berries

• Raspberries

• Kale

• Red cabbage

• Beans

• Beetroot

• Spinach

• Pomegranate

• Green tea

• Match tea

https://www.bbrfoundation.org/content/ higher-maternal-choline-levels-pregnancy-hadprotective-role-infant-brain-development

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/ask-a-midwife/air-pollutionand-pregnancy

Considering the environment around us is often the last thing we may think about when pregnant, but studies are showing that this can have a serious impact on the outcomes in pregnancy

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Habits You Should Steal From Your Toddler

Okay, we admit it: Your toddler may not seem like the best source for life lessons, considering that it was you who taught her everything she knows thus far. However, you can learn a lot from some of the things she does naturally. Check out these practices you should adopt from your little pupil turned teacher.

THROW A TANTRUM

Obviously, you’re not going to throw yourself on the floor and start kicking and screaming the next time your boss gets on your nerves (even though you may want to!), but don’t bottle up your emotions. “Toddlers are great at ‘letting it all hang out’ emotionally, and parents should do the same (minus the actual tantrum),” says Tina Gilbertson, LPC, a Denver-based psychotherapist and author of Constructive Wallowing: How to Beat Bad Feelings by Letting Yourself Have Them. “Too often we refuse to let ourselves get mad or cry about something because we think it’s inappropriate,” she says. But there’s nothing

inappropriate, or even harmful, about having a feeling as long as you express it in a way that’s safe for you and others, she adds. So next time you’re feeling some type of way, let it out. “Just be honest—at least with yourself—about how you feel,” Gilbertson says.

Talking to a trusted family member or friend, writing in a journal, or having a conversation with the person who’s angering you or making you feel sad are a few ways to express your feelings.

MAKE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FUN

When you try to exercise and your toddler joins in, it’s as if she’s having the time of her life. She’s super energetic, full of laughter, and once the workout is over, she’s ready for more. You, on the other hand, are probably the exact opposite. You have to force yourself to work out, and even once you do finally get going, you may slog along reluctantly. Kids naturally gravitate to fun physical activities, yet adults often pick exercise because of an internal “should” (“I should run.” “I should lift weights.” “I should do yoga.”), says Helene Byrne, founder of BeFit-Mom and author of Exercise After Pregnancy: How to Look and Feel Your Best. That makes working out something you’ll dread, which mean you’ll be less likely to stick to it. Instead of doing something just because you feel you should, do something you enjoy. “Think back to when you were a kid, and identify your favorite play activities,” Byrne says. “If you loved soccer, then choosing an athletic group activity like a boot camp class might work for you,” she says. Loved bike riding? Try a spin class. And if you were into dancing, give Zumba a whirl.

LOVE YOUR NAKEDNESS

Your toddler raises her shirt in the grocery store and has no qualms about stripping down to her birthday suit while you have company visiting. No, we’re not suggesting you flash your neighbor or bare all in the middle of the post office, but you should follow your child’s lead and love the skin you’re in. When you feel good about your body, you’ll take better care of it. In addition, the way you talk about and treat your own body will influence your child’s body image. So adore your body, even if you aren’t back to your pre-pregnancy weight. Some ways to boost your body confidence: Eat healthy, balanced meals, work up a sweat on most days of the week (to release feel-good endorphins), and make sure you get enough shuteye.

JUST SAY “NO”

Is “no” your toddler’s favorite word yet? If not, it’s coming. If you ask him if he’s sleepy, tell him “Good Morning”, or offer him an apple, his response will be the same: “No!” Though his negativity can be frustrating, try following his example. Of course, you don’t have to be as blunt (read: rude) as your toddler, but say no to things you don’t want to do or don’t have the time to do. It will reduce your stress and free up time and energy for things you really enjoy.

ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT

Your toddler makes it very clear when she wants something. She asks for it repeatedly (sometimes throwing in the cutest “please” ever), tries to butter you up by giving you a hug or kiss first, and if all fails, she breaks out in tears. Don’t bring on the waterworks, but when you want something, speak up.

NO HITTING (YOURSELF)

“When toddlers fall down, they don’t waste time and energy beating themselves up for being clumsy,” says Gilbertson. “They cry because something bad happened to them and it hurt,” she says. Once they’re done crying, they move on. This is a strategy you need to master. Instead of criticizing yourself harshly and reliving mistakes in your head over and over, take a power nap, don’t dwell on your failures. Instead, move on.

FIND JOY IN THE LITTLE THINGS

When was the last time you smiled simply because the sun was shining? As adults, we tend to overlook the small stuff.

“However, a child can let out a joyful laugh from something as simple as spinning in circles,” says Dion Metzger, M.D., a board certified psychiatrist and co-author of The Modern Trophy Wife: How To Achieve Your Goals While Thriving At Home. Look for your own little nuggets of happiness. “Recall the last time you felt ‘the happy,’” Dr. Metzger says. “Was it taking a walk on a beautiful day, watching a funny movie, or just watching your toddler dance in front of the television?” Remember those moments so you can seek them again when you need a cup of joy, she says. And make sure you’re attentive to (and appreciate) other tiny sources of delight, like a double rainbow in the sky, a kiss on the forehead from your partner, or hearing a favorite song.

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