Talk Baby Talk Little Gems

This page is currently under construction, but will contain the little snippets of advice that have been donated by the good parents that I have had the pleasure to meet.  Its those little snippets of advice and tips that they feel they would like to share with you to help you settle into parenthood in the earliest of days with your new baby.........

Antenatal

"Coping with morning sickness........keep your blood sugar up at all costs, I couldn't register hunger I just felt sick when peckish. Tonic water helped me. Coping with tiredness.......sleep! Also, the combination of sickness, tiredness and needing to pee means long journeys are hell. Avoid them. If entirely necessary, drink coke and don't feel guilty about it ". Caty Amey, mum to Giorgia

"If you find morning sickness hard to cope with, try to remember that it is caused by the hormones that your body produces when pregnant, and that if you feel nauseous in the first weeks it is a good sign that all is going as it should do. I had dreadful morning sickness and found that a "tea" made from adding a slice of lemon and a slice of orange to boiling water really helped me through it. Also, eating small snacks often helps too - don't allow yourself to get too hungry or it just gets worse. I also found carrying around a box of mint or orange tic-tacs to suck on very handy"  Lynn Banerji, mum to Asha, Safiya & Moley

"One tip from me is to buy a birthing ball early in pregnancy. It's the best thing I've bought in my pregnancy. I bought mine at about 34 weeks and I really wish I'd got one sooner. My back started to hurt quite early on and from the 2nd trimester I found getting comfy in the evenings a challenge. Since I bought the ball I can sit and watch TV comfortably and I often roll around on it, while I'm sitting there, to ease my back, safe in the knowledge that I am also helping getting my baby in the right position. In fact, on Monday my doctor told me that baby has moved to correct position - on the left side and engaged, after being OP, and I'm sure the ball has helped. I wish I'd bought one for when I was working as I could never sit comfortable at my desk". Fiona Vlemmiks, mum to Lucia

"Don't listen to anyone (not medical) who warns you against certain foods. I craved lemons, someone told me in parts of africa they are considered an abortificant, and I shouldnt touch them. I wanted to make apple crumble with cinnammon. Someone told me cinnammon would bring on labour. Complete rubbish. Also, don't be too puritanical with yourself- I went thru hell trying to give up caffinated tea and red wine. Realistically its not all that bad in moderation. Don't believe your hunches- I was convinced I was having a huge boy and ended up having a tiny girl. Consequently, had no clothes for tiddlers and nothing pink ".  Caty Amey, mum to Giorgia

Delivery

"Before you go into labour buy in the ingredients that you need to make your favourate meal. When you think that your labour has started, but its early labour and too soon to go to the hospital, take that oportunity to prepare your meal and then pop it in the fridge or freezer. Not only will this take your mind off early labour al little, but will also encourage you to stay upright which is a good thing to help labour progress. Most importantly though, you will have a lovely meal already prepared which just needs cooking on your return home from hospital with your new baby- enjoy!" Lynn Banerji, mum to Asha, Safiya & Moley

"Of course you'll have some preferences about what sort of delivery  you would like to have and it's important to make your feelings known but don't plan to the n'th degree as it may be a medical necessity to change plans dramatically at the last minute! Even if this is the case you will still have an incredible experience and remember to keep your eyes on the prize!! If the delivery you have isn't the one you had planned then remember, delivery is only a way of getting to the starting line, it's where you go from there that counts". Kat Keeping, mum to Anna & Xander

"In the first few days following your delivery, find the birth card that is most special to you, and write down absolutely everything that you can remember about the birth. At the time you might think that you will remember the experience forever, but the details fade very quickly. If you write it down in detail, each year on your baby's birthday you can get it out and remember all that was happening throughout the day. Its very nice looking over what happened and in future years, once your childis older and asks "what happened when I was born?" its great fun to get your card out and go through it together" Lynn Banerji, mum to Asha, Safiya & Moley

"Things to do in labour.......lavender gel and visualisation of floating in the meditearrean sea. Avoid hospital corridors echoing with screams of women in agony ". Caty Amey, mum to Giorgia

Your New Baby

"Nothing lasts forever and with a little baby everything is a phase so if things aren't going well, they're not sleeping etc, then don't worry, it will soon change but equally when things are good then smile and enjoy it, that might only be a phase too!! When things aren't going well with a newborn then remember that one day you'll look back on these times and laugh... so try to find the funny side of things and laugh now!" Kat Keeping, mum to Anna & Xander

Breastfeeding

"I had an old breast pump in a box of baby stuff donated by a relative. It was a godsend in the end (tho I had not planned to use it) because when my milk came in I had engorged breasts and the baby couldn't latch on. The hospital had none to spare and I don't know what would have happened if the midwife hadn't come and assembled it! (n.b hospital DID have hundreds of tens machines for use in labour 'cos everyone rents them- so rent/ buy a breast pump and don't worry about the tens). Also, buy at least 2 nursing bras and 2 sleep bras- and always wear the right bra for the occasion.  Always offer both breasts, try and tank up in the day.  We usually start expressing milk on Thursdays so Daddy can have a plentiful supply at the weekend when I have my time off.  Newborns feed ALOT and even when you think they must be full they can still want more. After about 6 wks don't think a fretful sleeper is always hungry or be tempted to feed formula at night. Most likely the baby needs a nap routine. ", Caty Amey, mum to Giorgia

"Try to get some information about breastfeeding before your baby is born. Talk to mums that you know who have successfully fed their baby, read books or go along to sessions explaining about the fundamentals of feeding. If you are prepared before your baby arrives and at least know the basics of how to position your baby, basic breastfeeding techniques and the signs of latching on & feeding well, by the time your baby arrives you will feel much more confident and know the theory behind the practice, it helps the practice fall into place much more quickly!" Lynn Banerji, mum to Asha, Safiya & Moley

Sleeping

"Put an unwashed nighty under the cot linen so baby gets wafts of your scent. Otherwise you'll have a tough job getting them to sleep in a separate cot/moses basket. Set up a bed time and routine. Don't let them day-nap in the pushchair, but make sure they nap where they go to at bedtime". Caty Amey, mum to Giorgia

Weening

Added Extras

"I usually let Giorgia have what we call 'pants off' either first thing am or last thing pm. This has been the best insurance against nappy rash and she loves to kick about without a nappy on.
We were recommended to use a sheepskin and bought one as the cold weather kicked in, and it was definately excellent insulation in the cold (lining the carry cot) Looking forward to trying it out in the summer as I was told it also insulates against the heat". Caty Amey, mum to Giorgia