absolutely-mama.co.uk
HAPPY NEW YEAR
As we say goodbye to what has been a challenging year for everyone, in this special issue of Absolutely Mama we look forward to better times ahead. There’s prenatal fitness, we visit one of the UK’s most relaxing family-friendly spas, and we have the latest wellness launches for mamas and minis. Enjoy and here’s to 2021!
PRENATAL FITNESS Five pregnancysafe exercises • FAKE FLEX Working at home • RELAXING GETAWAY Family-friendly spa escape • THE COSY EDIT Snuggly favourites
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Also available in white!
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NEW Natty Collection
The Natty collection features a range of beautifully-crafted furniture designed to support your child from birth all the way through to their teenage years.
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LETTER
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ew Year is traditionally the time for a fresh slate, but as we leave 2020 behind it rings true more than ever. We have high hopes that the year ahead is going to be more positive and to help you get it off to the best start, this special edition of Absolutely Mama focuses on taking care of yourself. Pilates and prenatal fitness expert Hollie Grant takes us through her top five exercises for pregnancy; we visit one of the UK’s most relaxing spas and test out the best treatments for mamas; and we have the latest wellness products for you and your mini. Elsewhere in this issue we meet author, Heart FM presenter and campaigner Anna Whitehouse; we round up our cosy favourites for your little one this January; and we have all of your usual favourites including Kids Fashion Notes. Enjoy and Happy New Year! Let’s make it a good one.
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C a rly Gl e n di n n i n g E DITOR
@carlyjglendinning carly@zest-media.com
KIDS FASHION NOTES P.108
ON THE COVER: Claude & Co claudeandco.co.uk
10 THINGS WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE P.100
PHOTOGRAPHER: POLLY GEAL @LITTLEKINPHOTOGRAPHY MODEL: CHANEEN SALIEE @CHANEENSALIEE
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10 things we Absolutely
LOV E The products and brands getting our attention this month
CLOSE KNIT
Lounge Around
KIDS OF APRIL Is there anything cuter than an oversized knit for little ones? Perfect for growing into, the chunky styles from independent brand Kids of April are ethically made using natural fibres and will see your mini through winter and beyond. kidsofapril.com
ARKET We’ve finally mastered the art of staying at home dressing. Top of our wish lists is this luxurious cashmere maxi from ARKET, which is equal parts cosy and stylish. £225; arket.com
HAPPY SMILES CAM CAM COP EN H AG E N Shaped like a flower, this clever teether from Cam Cam Copenhagen has different textures to soothe sore gums. BPA and PVC-free and made for little hands to grip. £12; camcamcopenhagen.com
Mini Me C L AU D E & CO One of the coolest mama and mini designs we’ve seen, we love this matching ‘Milking It’ sweatshirt from Claude & Co. Available in adult and kids sizes, it gets bonus points for being made from super-soft organic cotton. claudeandco.co.uk
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T IBA + M A R L Stylish changing bag brand Tiba + Marl has launched their new ‘CONCEPT’ Modular Daypack. Unisex and made from 100% recycled heavy duty nylon, the clever design allows you to add on five different clip-on components. tibaandmarl.com
B AC K TO BASICS
NO PLASTIC
J U EM Whether you’re pregnant or nursing, the organic cotton underwear range from Australian brand Juem will keep you comfy. Do big pants days right with their ‘bobbie short’. juem.com.au
L EG RA Made from French red clay, these eco-friendly soaps are not only free from nasties but will also help you ditch the plastic packaging. They are also full of skin repairing vitamins and minerals, vegan and cruelty-free. cissywears.com
Dreamy Sleep LEA ND E R Perfect for creating a calm sleep space, this beautiful canopy from Leander can also help little ones feel more secure. It attaches to the brand’s Linea and Luna cots. leander.com
L E T ’ S E AT KONG E S SLØJ D Mealtimes don’t get much prettier than this set from Konges Sløjd. Perfect for the weaning stage, it’s PVC, BPA and phthalate-free too. kongessloejd.dk
Wrap Up
or’s Editick P
M O RI Super cute and practical too, this baby coat from MORI is reversible to help you get more wear out of it. It’s eco credentials don’t stop there – as it’s made from organic cotton and bamboo as well. £44.50; babymori.com
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PE ACE OF MIND
TOT GEAR
MAMA BEHIND THE SQUARES
ERGO BABY
Ergo Baby’s Omni 360 Anti Microbial Baby Carrier is made with a soft anti-microbial fabric to help provide an extra hygiene barrier. Suitable from birth, the clever design grows with your baby from week 1 to 48 months. £154.90; ergobaby.co.uk
TOT GEAR
Inspired kit to make parenting easier
ROCK ON M A M A S & PA PA S Perfect for night feeds, Mamas & Papas have launched the Bowdon rocking chair and footstool. The set has been designed to make nursing as comfortable as possible with a high back and armrests to give you support. From £499; mamasandpapas.com
TUMMY TIME ADEN + ANAIS
aden + anais has launched their first baby playmat. Designed to help you bond with your little one, the beautifully hand-embroidered muslin mat has 30+ developmental benefits. £85; adenandanais.co.uk
Amazon ALEXA ECHO Absolutely Mama’s social media editor, Jessica Shaltout, puts the latest parenting kit through its paces @absolutelymama
I
used to be dubious about the idea of anyone ‘listening in’ to our conversations, until my husband pointed out, why would anyone want to listen to us? Fair point. So we now have several Alexa enabled devices, most recently the stylish, all-new Echo Dot. Here are our top uses for new parents: Use as an audio baby monitor with the ‘drop in’ feature. If you have the Echo Show you can even get visuals. Just remember to turn the mute on so it doesn’t wake them! White noise and nursery rhymes. There is even a skill called ‘Shush My Baby’ that provides a series of shushing noises to calm your baby. Timer. If your hands are full and you want to time a feed or nap, there are plenty of apps you can get that link to Alexa, allowing you to set the stopwatch, hands free. Shopping list. ‘Alexa - add nappies to shopping list’, then make sure you have the app on your phone when out. Probably the most useful feature for us. No more searching for pens and scraps of paper. Ask random questions. Never again do you need to wonder how many times a day should your baby poo! Plus - now Echo devices are built with 100% recycled fabrics, come in recycled packaging and have a Low Power Mode to conserve energy. Win! All-new Echo Dot, £49.99; available at amazon.co.uk
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Anna Whitehouse campiagning for flexible working for parents
F A K E F L E X
Anna Whitehouse on why working at home during the pandemic shouldn’t be mistaken for ‘flexible working’... I n t e r v i e w C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G
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Flex Appeal flash mob
“We found that 72% of all
employers want to keep working from home” Anna and her husband Matt working at home
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nna Whitehouse is an author, Heart FM presenter and campaigner for flexible working. With so many parents at burnout right now – juggling extended periods of childcare whilst trying to prove to their employers that they can work productively at home by making themselves available 24/7 – we caught up with Anna to discuss what needs to change.
Q Could you start by telling us what ‘Fake Flex’ means? A The main thing to remember here is that we aren’t ‘working from home’ at the moment. We’re in our homes working in the context of a pandemic, and they are two very different things. Our kitchen tables or cramped home offices aren’t the magic solution for toxic office culture. Our campaign Flex Appeal - to fight for flexible working for everyone - launched a recent report with construction firm Sir Robert McAlpine and social change agency Claremont entitled ‘Forever Flex: Flexible working beyond a pandemic’. What it found is that 2020 is not the time to hail a flexible working revolution because people are burning out by always being ‘on’. We’re in a period of ‘fake flex’ where employees are competing to prove their
worth by logging on 24/7 and in turn aren’t taking a break, resulting in them breaking. What we have now might look like flex, but people are working at home in the context of a global crisis without all the benefits of flex – improved mental health, a better work/ life balance, the ability to care for others. We want to create a lasting shift where flexible working isn’t a bonus or something you’re expected to earn – it is simply the norm. Q Do you think that employers will be more open to flexible working post-pandemic? A Through the Forever Flex report, we found that 72% of all employers want to keep working from home, and 70% of all employers want to keep working flexitime – so there’s definitely hope. The challenge now is making sure it actually happens and that’s why we published this report. It’s a critical read for any decision makers or leaders within a business who want to use this time of crisis as an opportunity to make long-lasting, meaningful change, particularly those who may have previously come up against barriers to do so. Q With everyone essentially ‘living at work’ right now, how can you work with your employer to make sure you are maintaining a good work / life balance? 1 Counterbalance employer cynicism with a trial period of flex. Hold the hand of
your employer and prove flexible working works by measuring productivity over that period. You can’t argue with facts. 2 In the face of a blanket ‘no’ don’t immediately quit. Form a flexible working group (ensure it’s for everyone and not solely a women’s network) internally to discuss issues and open the company up to good practice across your industry in a non-confrontational way. The aim is to get them listening. We are in a period of transition and everyone has the ability to start a conversation around the link between effective flexible working, closing the Gender Pay Gap and recruiting and retaining a truly inclusive and diverse workforce. 3 Remember Flex has to be a two-way process. Ultimately it has to be about productivity and focusing on the business benefits. It won’t work going in with a list of demands, always have the business at the centre of negotiations. A happier, healthier workforce is a more productive workforce. Flexibility is good for business. Q And how can employers use the current situation of ‘accidental flex’, as an opportunity for long term change? Look at the success stories of where a flexible approach has achieved better results and use them to create impact with decision-makers. Stories trump
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Q What has your own situation been like working at home and managing childcare during the pandemic? A It’s been a journey. I don’t think anyone was prepared for the level of teaching, working, conference-calling, cooking, fringe-cutting, news-watching or general worrying that the past nine months had in store for us. I’ve wanted to flick my husband in the forehead on more than one occasion and I’ve cut toast into the shape of every animal known to man, but we’re making it work as a team. Matt (my husband) and I split the day in half – I work in the morning while he keeps the kids alive, then we swap.
“A flexible
approach still needs boundaries”
statistics every time. The more human, unexpected and unusual the better Giving ALL colleagues a chance to work out what good flexible working looks like gives them a stake in the process. As a result, it is more likely to stick. Could one team of managers train another? How might colleagues’ experiences of flex be used to help others understand its benefits? Ongoing two-way communication is critical. Talk honestly and openly, and try to share vulnerabilities. Listening is even more important. Where’s the rub in your day? What one small thing would improve your working life? A flexible approach still needs boundaries. Do you need people to work core hours? Are there certain service levels that must be met? Should people communicate in specific ways? Tell them. Make expectations crystal clear.
Q And finally, do you have any mumhacks for other parents trying to juggle it all at the moment? A Here’s a few that helped me through both lockdowns: 1 Try The Time Blocking Method. Split your day between proactive (working on new projects) and reactive (clearing emails) otherwise you feel you’ve done nothing with your day other than wade through the inbox of doom. 2 Give family members clear time slots for asking you to open a gherkin jar/look at a new dance move/ discuss the latest tier trauma. 3 Make sure you have social chats with friends, colleagues, other mums as often as you can. Even if it’s just to ping a quick meme onto the WhatsApp group – stay connected with the real world and support each other. 4 Acknowledge that you will get hacked off. There will be a child that spills Beena [Ribena]. There may be a postman that pummels the door like Tyson Fury. There might be a partner who still doesn’t know where the clean tea towels are despite having cohabited for 13 years. Make peace with the chaos. You can’t fight it. You will otherwise end up screaming at everyone to shut up and realise midway that you are only wearing a pair of knickers and a hoodie with gherkin juice dribbling down your chin. ANNA WHITEHOUSE Author, campaigner and Heart FM presenter. Read the Forever Flex: Flexible Working beyond a pandemic report at srm.com
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FA S H I O N NOTES Carly Glendinning rounds up the month’s best styles, looks and launches
GO WILD
VILD HOUSE OF LITTLE
A riot of colour, the Precious Wildlife collection from ecofriendly brand Vild House of Little features endangered species in a hand painted print. 10% of net sales will be donated to the WWF. vildhouseoflittle.com
we love FRESH PRINTS THE ANIMALS O B S E R VATO R Y
With more than a hint to spring, The Animals Observatory has launched a new capsule collection made using re-worked cotton. The recycled fabric is off-cuts from previous seasons and the brand’s manufacturers. theanimalsobservatory.com
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Jump To It CLAUDE & CO X ANDO STORES
Claude & Co and Ando Stores have come together to create these super-cool overalls. Available in four muted tones, they are beautifully embroidered on the back and are made from organic cotton. We need them in our size! claudeandco.co.uk
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Eco Threads
FASHION
nd Bra us Foc
AESTHETIC LAUNDRY
This limited edition sweatshirt from Aesthetic Laundry is made from fabric off-cuts that would otherwise be headed for landfill. The playful design is part of the brand’s Zero Waste Fabric Project. aestheticlaundry.com
FRUGI An ethical and sustainable brand for little ones...
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A R T AT TAC K BOBO CHOSES
Bobo Choses has launched a new capsule collection full of the brand’s characteristic playful prints. Sustainably produced, fabrics used include organic cotton and ecovero – an ecoresponsible viscose. bobochoses.com
5 of t he b e s t B O OT S POM D’API Leather Boots, £84; alexandalexa.com
PETIT NORD, Shearling Boots, From £114; petitnord.com
WE A FAMILY Maple Boots, From £95; weafamily.com
BOBUX Step Up Boots, £52; bobux.co.uk
nown for their colourful and fun designs, Frugi is a children’s clothing brand that takes sustainability very seriously. This season, they are going one step further to make sure that their collections are fully sustainable and ethical. In the fight against landfill waste, all of their designs are crafted for quality, functionality and wearability – ensuring that you can get as much use out of them as possible before they are passed on. The new collection features clever design details such as turn down cuffs and waists, trousers that can turn into shorts and extra wriggle room for babies and toddlers. All fabrics are eco-friendly (including super-soft GOTS certified organic cotton and materials made from recycled plastic bottles) and are made without the use of pesticides or harsh chemicals – making them safe for little ones' sensitive skin. The brand has also used the same trusted, ethical factory in India since its launch seventeen years ago. Worth checking out is this season’s sun-safe swimwear – made from recycled plastic PET; the brand’s eco-friendly Bloom maternity and nursing range; TotsBots reusable nappies; and their collaboration with The National Trust, which is designed with exploring the great outdoors in mind. welovefrugi.com
YOUNG SOLES Monkey Boots Child, £110; youngsoles.london
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COSY EDIT
Carly Glendinning rounds up the cuddliest winter warmers
SCANDI S W E AT E R S
editor’s pick
MINI A TURE
Danish brand MINI A TURE use ECO TEX and OEKO TEX certified yarns to make their knitwear. Look out for classic Fair Isle sweaters, cosy baby rompers and sweet ruffled cardigans. miniature.com
WEATHER PROO F KONGES SLØJD
A winter must-have, the cosy snowsuits from Konges Sløjd will protect them in all weathers. We love the muted colours and the Danish brand’s sustainable credentials. scandiborn.co.uk
we love
NATUR AL KN ITS MABLI
Family-run Welsh brand MABLI make vintage inspired knits using natural yarns. Look out for retro knitted rompers, cosy bonnets, toasty jumpers and chunky tights. mabli.co.uk
GET TOASTY B ELLE EN FANT
From mohair sweaters to cashmere accessories, Belle Enfant has one of the most luxurious ranges of winter pieces for little ones. We love the understated colour palette and sweet detailing. belleenfant-boutique.com
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BBHUGME® PREGNANCY PILLOW
Developed by Norwegian Health Professionals. Loved by moms-to-be all around the world. Uniquely adjustable enabling the rest and sleep you need (and deserve) during your pregnancy. www.bbhugme.com
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BUMP
fit
Hollie Grant, award-winning Pilates instructor and founder of The Bump Plan shares five pregnancy-safe exercises...
P
regnancy is such a fantastic time to prepare for the physical demands of labour and motherhood. It’s common, however, for women to be unsure as to what they should be focusing on, and also what is safe. If we think about car seats, buggies and changing bags, they are all really heavy, so let’s focus on training for this upcoming endurance marathon. There are some key areas of the body that are essential to train during pregnancy to help maintain good posture, reduce your risk of pregnancy related lower back pain, and ensure you’re strong and functional for when your baby arrives. These are the glutes, upper back extensors, transverse abdominis, and the pelvic floor. Here are my top 5 exercises for engaging these areas of the body during pregnancy.
Bend and Extend
This exercise keeps the glutes and hamstrings active, whilst challenging your back extensors. Stand with your feet hip width apart and parallel, knees soft, pelvis neutral and shoulders back and down. Bring your hands to prayer position at your chest. Inhale and bow forward, hinging from your hips, as far as your hamstrings will allow and maintaining a neutral spine. You don’t want to go lower than hip height. Exhale to press the feet into the ground and slowly return to the start position. Repeat for 12-14 reps.
Zips
This exercise activates the transverse abdominis muscle and the pelvic floor, both important for stability of the spine. Start on hands and knees with your spine neutral. Allow your tummy to relax. Imagine a zip running from your back passage, past your front passage, along your
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“Car seats, buggies
and changing bags are all really heavy” bump and ending at your boobs. Inhale to prepare and as you exhale imagine zipping yourself up. You should be feeling your back passage close, then your front passage close, and then your bump rise up slightly. Inhale to release. Repeat for 12-14 reps.
Spiders
Great for the upper back extensors which have a huge demand placed on them when your baby arrives. Sit on the floor in a comfortable position with your spine neutral, eye line forward and fingers to temples, elbows wide. Imagine there is a spider on the wall directly in front of you. Inhale and watch the spider climb up the wall towards the ceiling. As you take your eyes up, allow the spine to follow. You’re aiming to lengthen out your upper back (don’t arch your lower back). Exhale to slowly return to neutral. Repeat for 8-10 reps.
Marbles
Sit on the floor in a comfortable position with your spine neutral and hands resting on your knees. Imagine that there are 2 marbles underneath your pelvis. Inhale and as you exhale imagine picking up one of the marbles with your back passage (anus) and one with your front passage (vagina). Hold for up to 10 seconds and then release the marbles gently. Repeat for 10 reps.
HOLLIE GRANT
Clams
Clams are fantastic at maintaining glute function and side-lying is really comfortable during pregnancy. Lie on your left-hand side, knees bent to around 90 degrees, feet in line with your tailbone. Ensure your hips are stacked and your spine neutral. Inhale and as you exhale start to lift your right knee towards the ceiling, keeping the heels connected. Inhale to lower the knee back down with control. Repeat 12-14 reps before switching sides. HOLLIE GRANT @thepilatespt | @thebumpplan pilatespt.co.uk/the-bump-plan
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More than just folic acid Most trusted by mums2 Most recommended by midwives 2,3
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Helping to make healthy mums and babies for over 25 years, Pregnacare® provides the recommended level of folic acid,4 along with vitamin D which is advised by the UK Department of Health throughout pregnancy.5 It also provides a range of micronutrients, and is supported by unique clinical research with mums-to-be.6,7
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1. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol.18, No.5, 487-489 (1999). 2. For more information on this research, please visit www.pregnacare.com/mostrecommended. 3. Based on a survey of 1000 midwives. 4. Folic acid contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. Pregnacare® has always contained 400mcg folic acid, the level recommended for all women from the start of trying to conceive until the 12th week of pregnancy. 5. Source: NHS Choices. 6. Agrawal, R. et al. Prospective randomised trial of multiple micronutrients in women undergoing ovulation induction, Reproductive BioMedicine Online December 2011. 7. L Brough et al. Effect of multiple-micronutrient supplementation on maternal nutrient status, infant birth weight and gestational age at birth in a low-income, multi-ethnic population. British Journal of Nutrition (2010), 104, 437-445. *UK’s No.1 pregnancy supplement brand. Source: Nielsen GB ScanTrack Total Coverage Value and Unit Retail Sales 52 w/e 31 October 2020. To verify contact Vitabiotics Ltd, 1 Apsley Way, London, NW2 7HF.
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HOME MADE
POTS FOR TOTS
Pots for Tots is a home-made food delivery service in South London, aimed at babies and toddlers. Developed with a nutritionist, their hearty meals are high quality, organic and delivered to your door. potsfortots.co.uk
mama’s
WELLNESS NOTES Healthy toddler meals and menstruation innovation
GOING ECO THINX
Thinx, the creators of underwear that absorbs your period has launched a new limited edition super cotton brief in collaboration with Selfridges as part of their Project earth initiative. Featuring a Eurasaian red squirrel, the briefs hold up to four regular tampons’ worth of blood. shethinx.com
Box Clever PICCOLO
Piccolo’s new Just-For-You subscription box provides a personalised meal plan, tailored to your little one. The clever service factors in their age and dietary requirements as well as your eating goals for them. From £25; mylittlepiccolo.com
ESSENTIAL KIT TESTCARD
Med-tech enterprise Testcard has developed an at-home, non-invasive UTI testing kit that turns a smart phone camera into a clinical grade scanner. Perfect for providing peace of mind especially during pregnancy when UTIs are more common. testcard.com
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h o me & interio rs INSPIRATION
CHOOSING A CA E S A R E A N Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Ellie Rayner on opting to have a caesarean birth....
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he majority of women in the UK will give birth vaginally, have a healthy baby and recover well with no long-term complications. However, if you are not sure whether a vaginal birth is right for you, you can request an appointment with an obstetrician during your pregnancy to discuss the pros and cons of choosing an elective caesarean section. Around 1 in 4 babies are born by caesarean with the majority of these being performed as an urgent or emergency procedure due to concerns over the mother or baby’s wellbeing. Some women are recommended to have an elective caesarean section during their pregnancy by their obstetrician and any woman in the UK, can choose to have a caesarean when there isn’t a
medical reason for this, and this is called a maternal request caesarean section. Generally, a vaginal delivery is considered safer for you and your baby than a caesarean Section because of the associated risks in the short and long term, therefore doctors do not usually recommend the operation unless they feel it is absolutely necessary. There are many reasons why some women feel a maternal request caesarean birth is right for them and it is important to recognise that everyone is different and what might be right for someone else might not be right for you. The most common reasons include anxiety or fear of vaginal birth and a previous history of a complicated or traumatic birth or experience. Some women wonder if it is safer to have a caesarean or are worried about damage to their pelvic floor or about the timing of the birth of their baby. If any
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“Your midwife and
obstetrician are there to support you” of these apply, you will be referred to the antenatal clinic to discuss your request and personal situation with an obstetrician to help you make an informed choice. During this appointment you will be encouraged to discuss your rationale and any specific concerns you have and given a full explanation of the pros and cons of both elective caesarean section and vaginal birth. You will be offered an opportunity to discuss any questions you have and some written information to take away with you to read. If you have specific concerns, such as fear or anxiety, and would like support to overcome these, you may be referred to a specialist to help manage and control your anxiety and treatment to overcome any fears. If you have had a previous traumatic birth your obstetrician may discuss your previous labour and the likeliness of a similar situation occurring again and suggest plans that can be put in place this time to help you feel safe during labour. If after the consultation you are certain a caesarean section is the right option for you, this should be arranged for around 39 weeks of pregnancy for you. Some obstetricians or some maternity units do not offer maternal request caesarean sections however, if this is the case in your area, you will be referred to a different obstetrician or a different maternity unit that will support your request. Most women who have a planned caesarean section will recover well and have healthy babies and no long term complications however, the recovery is longer to get back to normal and it does make future pregnancies and births more complicated so it is important to consider both of these factors when making a decision. The important thing is to be honest about your feelings and concerns throughout your pregnancy and recognise that these feelings may change along the way and that your decision over your birth preference may change to. Your midwife and obstetrician are there to support you to make an informed decision on whichever mode of birth is right for you and your family based on your personal situation. If you would like any further information, please see the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Patient leaflet on ‘Choosing a Caesarean Section’.
Dr Ellie Rayner
D R E L L I E R AY N E R Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and founder of The Maternity Collective. The Maternity Collective offer expert-led antenatal classes and support all birth preferences, including offering a dedicated Elective Caesarean Section Course for parents planning a caesarean birth. @maternitymedic thematernitycollective.co.uk
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NATURAL FOR BABY Organic • Natural baby & toddler gifts and essentials Pop into the shop or buy online!
MONDAY - SATURDAY 10:00 - 17:00 78 Balham High Road SW12 9AG www.naturalforbaby.london N4M.indd 1
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mam a E SCAPE S
Relaxing Getaway BERKSHIRE
Anna Woolf visits luxury country hotel Cliveden House and tries the in-house spa Wo r d s A N N A WO O L F
The Hotel Set in 376 acres of National Trust grounds, Cliveden House is a beautiful grade I stately home nestled in Taplow, Berkshire and is around 50 minutes from London by car. The house oozes up-market style and class and the staff pride themselves on attentiveness and making sure the service means nothing has been left to chance. The dramatic views over the Berkshire countryside and the open green spaces make Cliveden House really feel like a tonic for your soul.
The Room Classical in style, we stayed in a junior suite on the first floor, with dramatic sweeping views across the park. The generous king sized beds were so comfortable, and the room boasted not only two sitting areas but also a separate dressing room – making getting ready for dinner a breeze. More champagne, anyone?
Things to Do The Food Cliveden House offers two main restaurants, the Cliveden Dining Room and the Astor Grill. The latter being a slightly more family (and dog!) friendly affair. The food was delicious, and the staff were keen to cater to any food allergies or special requirements. The grill has a relaxed feel, and many parents with newborns were there enjoying a family afternoon out. The main dining room provides a more formal feel, with fabulous service and menus to choose from. Or why not try the traditional afternoon tea? Served in the cosy open living room, with roaring fires on tap, this was the perfect spot for people watching and relaxing before dinner.
The Spa With both Oskia products and Sarah Chapman facials now available, the Cliveden spa is not just your average spa break. Boasting an outdoor and indoor pool as well as a well-equipped gym area, the spa is also super family friendly, welcoming children into the pool. We had an Oskia facial as well as a full body massage, and left feeling on cloud 9. The spa also now offers a fully vegan facial meaning that everyone is catered for.
The staff at Cliveden really do make sure every stay is special. It’s easy to get lost in the beautiful grounds, before remembering that there’s still lunch to be eaten and spa treatments to be had. Cliveden also fully welcomes children, offering a children’s play area, walking routes and access to the swimming pools. Families of all sizes can be accommodated in the rooms. Whether treating yourself, or your whole family, there really is something for everyone at Cliveden House.
Rooms from £445 per night. clivedenhouse.co.uk
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KEW GREEN preparatory school
An Independent School for Boys and Girls aged 4-11 Quality of Pupils’ Achievement and Learning - “Excellent” Quality of Teaching - “Excellent”
Quality of Extra-curricular Provision - “Excellent” Quality of Pastoral Care - “Excellent”
Quality of Links with Parents - “Excellent”
Quality of Pupils’ Personal Development – “Excellent” “Pupils of all ages benefit from a rich and exciting curriculum.”
Independent Schools Inspectorate Report - July 2015
To book your place on an open morning, please go to www.kgps.co.uk/openmornings or phone 020 8948 5999
Kew Green Preparatory School
Layton House, Ferry Lane, Kew Green, Richmond TW9 3AF
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RAVENSCOURT PARK
preparatory school
An Independent School for Boys and Girls aged 4-11 Quality of Pupils’ Achievement and Learning - “Excellent” Quality of Teaching - “Excellent”
Quality of Extra-curricular Provision - “Excellent” Quality of Pastoral Care - “Excellent”
Quality of Links with Parents - “Excellent”
Quality of Pupils’ Personal Development – “Excellent” ‘’The curriculum is excellent for all ages and abilities, and is expertly matched to meet the needs of the range of pupils in the school.’’ Independent Schools Inspectorate Report - March 2016
Open Mornings Open Mornings
9.15am Tuesday 14th November To book your place on an open morning,
9.15am Thursday 9th May 2019 please go to www.rpps.co.uk/openmornings 9.15am Thursday 18th January 2018 9.15am Tuesday 11th June 2019 or phone 020 8846 9153
9.15am Thursday 1st February 2018
To your place on an open morning, pleasemornings, go to To book register your attendance at one of our open rpps.co.uk/admissions or phone 020 8846 9153 please phone 0208 846 9153 or mail secretary@rpps.co.uk
Ravenscourt Park Prep School 16 Ravenscourt Avenue, London W6 0SL
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TRIED & TESTED
IN DEPTH REVIEWS OF THE LATEST PARENTING KIT
mama REVIEWS
Béaba Neo Babycook
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Re vie w e d b y M I M I N E W B E R RY
Babymoov Hygro+ Humidif ier
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Re vie we d by SOPH I E H E L SBY
e had already had two colds in our house at the start of winter – thanks to the return to nursery. Snotty and bunged up, my daughter was not sleeping well at night. I’d read that little ones’ rooms need 40-50% humidity to promote good sleep – and during the winter, the cold dry air can cause throat and lung irritation. So I was excited to test the Hygro+ Humidifier from Babymoov, which aims to promote easier airflow and breathing. We found it pretty easy to set up, once we’d figured out the intructions. Humidifiers work best when they are cleaned regularly, so we decided to use filtered water from the off. The best thing about the Hygro+ is that it has lots of added functionality.
You can check the temperature of the room, add essential oils, and it also has a colour changing night light function. We found it really useful that you can change the mode to manual or automated and especially loved how it switches itself off overnight when it reaches the optimal levels. Another clever feature is the 360 degree swivel – so you can direct the steam wherever you want. After several weeks of sleepless nights, the Hygro+ definitely helped us all to rest more easily and we’ll be using it from now on to help ward off any more pesky colds. £79.99 babymoov.co.uk
part from being a stylish piece of kit, what attracted us to the Béaba Neo Baby Food Steamer and Blender is that it has a glass bowl and stainless steel basket, so there’s no need to worry about the dangers of BPA, lead and phthalates. This clever kitchen gadget steam cooks, blends, defrosts and reheats, making it perfect for use during the weaning process. We are currently trying out a mixture of baby-led weaning and spoon feeding and we loved that you can choose the blending texture – smooth, mixed, lumps or chunks. The basket allows you to prepare 600g of food, which we found to be plenty, and the soft steam modulation preserves the nutritional value. We’ve started with veg-led weaning and everything we prepared was cooked to just the right texture and consistency for our daughter to try. We found it super easy to use and it takes the stress out of preparing meals because you’re not juggling several pieces of equipment at once and it basically does most of the work for you. Cleaning is pretty straightforward too, especially if you follow Béaba’s advice for descaling. We are really pleased with our Neo, and would definitely recommend it to other parents. £160 beaba.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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DISCOVERMORE
Open Days
Embracing an innovative, modern approach whilst keeping traditional values at its core, Kew House School takes an exciting stance on 21st century education. th November 1st/7 (9.30am/care, 9.30am) With state-of-the-art facilities, a broad curriculum and excellent pastoral st Kew House is a place where you would want to be – a place November 15thof /21learning (7.00pm/ 9.30am) and discovery, laughter and friendship. November 29th (9.30am) please go to the website for open event dates and to book your place: kewhouseschool.com/openevents T: 0208 742 2038 E: info@kewhouseschool.com W: www.kewhouseschool.com An independent co-educational senior school for students aged 11-18 in West London
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@kewhouseschool
20/03/2020 16:44