Category: General Parenting

1. 5 signs of burnout from motherhood

   Posted on 11:00am Monday 5th Jun 2023

   Burnout is not just something that be associated with your career, it can happen to any part of your life and it's also possible to feel burnt out from motherhood.  Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and can affect anyone.  Burnout can impact your mental health and lead to depression, anxiety disorders and other serious conditions.  It is unfortunately incredibly common in teachers, but how do you tell if you're experiencing it?  Here are five ways to tell if you might be experiencing burnout:

   1. Chronic Fatigue

   Beyond the tiredness of night feeds do you struggle getting out of bed in the morning? Chronic fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of burnout. It's not just about feeling sleepy; it's more like an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that doesn't go away even with rest.    If your fatigue seems unrelated to any underlying medical condition like sleep apnea or chronic fatigue syndrome and has been ongoing for weeks or months despite sleeping well each night then it may be related with burnout and it might be worth talking to your GP.

   2. Lack Of Motivation

   Do things that once excited you now seem tedious? Have tasks become mundane even when they were previously interesting? A lack of motivation is another sign that could indicate an individual is experiencing burnouts.There are moments where we lose interest in activities we once enjoyed due various reasons but if this continues over time then something serious than mere boredom should be considered as a possibility.

   3. Difficulty Concentrating

   Burnouts can disturb cognitive functions which leads us find concentration challenging.Even simple tasks require more effort,distractibility increases resulting in difficulty focusing on work.This often leads decreased productivity which further aggravates our mood.The brain finds itself unable comprehend information at the same pace as before which leads to frustration and agitation.

   4. Mood Swings

   Burnouts affect our behavior patterns leading us to have mood swings.We may find ourselves becoming more irritable,angry and anxious even when the situation does not warrant it.There are also instances of feeling down or depressed due to a lack of interest in daily activities that once brought joy leading us down a path of negativity.

   5. Feeling Detached

   Over time, burnout can lead individuals become detached.  This means that they feel disconnected from projects they once enjoyed or relatioships with which they previously valued and this can lead to feelings of isolation.

   The Bottom Line

   If you're noticing any combination of these symptoms,it could be time take a step back and assess your mental health.Taking breaks, self-care routines such as exercise, meditation or therapy can help turn around the effects caused by burnout.  A healthy body needs both physical and mental well-being so if you suspect something isn't right seek assistance immediately.Speak with family, friends, your partner or a professional who will support on this journey towards betterment .Don't let burnout rob you of your life x

    

2. Newborn milestones

   Posted on 11:00am Friday 28th Apr 2023

   While milestones can be a useful guide for what to expect during the first year, every baby is completely different so they're not an exhaustive list of what "should" be happening for your baby at specific times. They can be helpful to know roughly what to expect and when and remember you can always chat to your health visitor, childrens' center or GP if you're concerned.  Milestones often take the form of physical milestones as well as cognitive and social milestones.

   1 Month:
   - Responds to sound
   - Can briefly lift head, often to help find a breast to latch on and feed
   - Can recognise your voice

   2 Months:
   - Begins to smile
   - Can follow a moving object with their eyes
   - Can make cooing sounds

   3 Months:
   - Can hold head up for longer periods
   - Has discovered their hands and can grasp and shake toys
   - Begins babbling

   4 Months:
   - Some babies may start to roll over, although this can come later for other babies too
   - Begins putting hands in mouth
   - Begins to laugh

   5 Months:
   - Can sit with support
   - Begins to show object permanence
   - Begins to imitate sounds

   6 Months:
   - Can sit without support
   - Begins teething
   - Begins to recognize faces

   7 Months:
   - Begins to crawl
   - Can pass objects from one hand to the other
   - Begins to understand "no"

   8 Months:
   - Begins pulling themselves up to stand
   - Starts to develop separation anxiety
   - Can say simple words like "mama" or "dada"

   9 Months:
   - Begins to "cruise" along furniture
   - Understands object permanence
   - Begins to point at objects

   10 Months:
   - Can walk with support
   - Begins to develop pincer grasp
   - Starts to wave goodbye

   11 Months:
   - Starts to stand unassisted
   - Begins to develop sense of humor
   - Begins to understand cause and effect

   12 Months:
   - May begin taking a few steps unaided
   - Begins to use simple gestures like waving
   - Starts to say simple phrases like "bye-bye"

    

3. Baby's First Christmas

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 1st Dec 2022

   

    

   Your first Christmas as a family makes the festive season extra special, we've listed a few ideas to think about adding to your Christmas this year!

    

   New traditions

   This might be the year you start new traditions as a family that you'll continue for years to come. Perhaps it's a special trip to take or a local festive event. Chat to your partner about things you'd both like to do as a family over the festive season. 

    

   See the lights

   Wrap up warm and take a wintry walk to visit some local Christmas light displays. Your baby will be enchanted by the bright contrasting colours and glowing colours. 

    

   Christmas crafts and keepsakes

   Perfect as a keepsake for yourself or as a sentential gift for the grandparents. There are lots of ideas online but you can't go wrong making your own footprint Christmas cards. Paint their feet and splodge them on a piece of card, depending on the colour of paint you use you can embellish them to look like any Christmas animal, reindee, snowmen and penguin are great festive ideas. Your baby will love the sensory experience of having the cool paint applied to their skin and you get a gorgeous footprint to look back on and say things like "I can't believe how tiny they were" if your baby is older you can try handprints too although little ones have a habit of curling up their fingers so footprints tend to have a much higher success rate!

    

   Take a family photo

   I bet your phone is filled with photos of your little one but how many family photos do you have? With family gatherings and parties aplenty make the most of those extra pairs of hands and get someone to snap a your first family Christmas photo.

    

   Novelty outfits

   Perhaps the marmite of the list as a novelty Christmas outfit tends to divide the crowd you'll either love it or hate it! If you love a novelty Christmas outfit you'll find almost every kind of outfit available for your little one from full on Christmas costumes to garments with a more subtle Christmas print. If you're looking to break yourself in slowly to Christmas clothing for your little one try a novelty bib or hat!

    

   Create a wish list

   All of a sudden people will be asking you what they should get your little one for Christmas. Having a few ideas to hand can be really useful, people often love being directed to a specific toy or item as it makes life easier for them plus it reduces the chance of you ending up with duplicate items. 

    

    

   Don't be afraid to keep it simple

   Your extended family will likely go overboard on presents for your little one, you might find this especially true if this is the first grandchild in the family. Don't feel pressured to do the same, after all your little one won't remember this year at all. Perhaps just choose something small or sentimental from yourself, maybe a carefully chosen soft toy or a special book you could write a message to your little one in the inside cover to remember this first milestone. 

    

   Enjoy it!

   Christmas can also be stressful, as a new mum don't forget to be kind to yourself. Our festive blog post from last year covers lots of tips for surviving the festive season as a breastfeeding mum. Read it here.

4. What is mastitis?

   Posted on 1:00pm Friday 7th Oct 2022

   

    

   Breastfeeding is a bit of a minefield, all of a sudden you find youself faced with things you've never even hear of before.  Mastitis might well be one of them.  It's an inflammation of the breast, usually caused by a build up of milk in the breast leading to an infection. It often happens while a woman is breastfeeding, especially during the first 6-12 weeks.

   Symptoms

   - A swollen area on your breast that may feel hot and painful to touch – the area may become red but this can be harder to see if you have darker skin. It usually only affects one breastand symptoms can begin rapidly.

   - A wedge-shaped breast lump or a hard area on your breast

   - A burning pain in your breast that might be constant or only when you breastfeed

   nipple discharge, which may be white or contain streaks of blood

   -  You may also get flu-like symptoms, such as chills, nausea, aches, a high temperature, tiredness or even vomiting.

    

   What can you do?

   - Soak a cloth in warm water and place it on your breast to help relieve the pain – a warm shower or bath may also help.

   - Rest and drink lots of fluids.

   - Continue to breastfeed.

   - Start feeds with the sore breast first.

   - Express milk from your breast in between feeds.

   - Make sure your breast is completely drained after a feed. You may need to check your baby's latch as a poor latch may mean your baby struggles to do this.

   - Massage your breast to help clear any blockages – stroke from the lumpy or sore area towards your nipple to help the milk flow.

   - Apply heat prior to feedings to promote breast drainage.

   - Wear comfortable clothing and a wireless bra.

   - See a GP if you do not feel better within 24 hours despite continuing to breastfeed, they will usually be able to prescribe you antibiotics. 

    

   (Sources, LaLeche League, NHS, Medela)

5. Tips for your first breastfeed in public

   Posted on 9:00am Friday 4th Mar 2022

   

   Your first breastfeed outside your own home can feel scary. What can you do to make it a little less daunting?
   
   Go somewhere you are familiar with

   There's so much more to think about now you have a little one like if there's space for a pram of if a baby carrier would be better or if there is a baby change is. All things you don't want to be stressing about with a hungry baby.

   
   Make sure you can sit down comfortably

   Perching precriously on the edge of a wall or having to stand is no good. You'll be uncomfortable and it will have you rushing for the feed to be over. Make sure you can relax so your little one can have time to fill that little tummy and make it a positive experience. Cafes are great at having comfortable chairs for breastfeeding.

   
   Get your clothing right!

   You don't want to feel flustered trying to get your boob out, dealing with excessive complicated layers. One of our specially designed breastfeeding tops or dresses will make feeding access a breaze even with just one hand.

   
   Allow enough time

   Again, you don't want to feel rushed and you want to make sure your baby is not overly hungry before you're actually positioned and ready to feed. 
   
   Take a friend

   Arrange to meet or go with a friend  one with another baby is a bonus.  It's always nice to have someone to talk to and if you're with someone you're comfortable with you'll feel more at ease feeding.
   
   Have a drink with you or get one Breastfeeding is thirsty work mama! 

   
   Wear breast pads, just incase you leak! 
   
   

   Last of all, don't worry! Remember that breastfeeding your baby is normal and once you start thinking about it you'll probably spot lots of breastfeeding mamas out and about feeding that you just wouldn't have spotted before. Relax, sit back and enjoy!

6. Cheeky Chompers

   Posted on 6:00am Thursday 9th Sep 2021

   

   When I first thought about adding our Mother and Baby Gift section to our website I knew I wanted  to include some fantastic mum run brands and Cheeky Chompers is exactly that!  Run by two mums, Amy and Julie who started the business while on maternity leave.  They were fed up of picking up and sterilising dropped teethers and thought ‘Why doesn’t someone invent a teether that stays attached to the baby’?  The idea for their bibs-come-teethers was born and their first product was officially launched in 2013.  Since then they've become a nappy bag must have with a print for every occasion and taste and most importantly they're stringently tested to worldwide standard.  Amy and Julie are still working hard to extend their brand and offer new loads of new products with their signature multifunctional uses and stylish designs.  We've handpicked a few for you here!

   Baby Travel Blanket in Midnight Stars

   

   Sometimes getting from A to B with a baby just seems fraught with challenges.  This fab travel blanket makes travel that bit easier and more fun for your little one and it's suitable from birth so perfect for that first trip home from hospital.  Of course though it's not just stylish it's practical too with a cuddle fleece reverse, hidden hand and foot pouches to keep tiny fingers and toes cosy and poppered straps for attaching to pushchair, car seat or baby carrier.

   

   Comfortchew Baby blanket

   Babies love a little comforter or blanket and they often become a keepsake that parents hold on to long after children have grown out of them.  The Comfortchew includes a teether to massage sore gums, sensory tags for little hands and a soft cuddle referse for ultimate comfort.

   

   Neckerchew Teething Dribble Bib in Botanical Bloom

   

   You might have read is the last post but  I just LOVE this bib from Cheeky Chompers especially as it's reversible and has a coordinating classic stripe print on the reverse. This Cheeky Chompers bandana bib makes a perfect gift for a new baby, I mean nobody ever says they have too many bibs right?! This one is packed with multipurpose features including the soft and pliable silicone teether offering a safe and satisfying chew and massage sore gums. We've got lots of other designs availble too.