YOU NEED THIS MAGAZINE

3,34
9
OF BAB
BUNDLEY
to be w S
Ts&Cs a on
p p ly, se
e in si d e

21
THINGS YOU
SWORE YOUD
never do
(until you became
a parent, that is) HOME
OR
Yes you can! AWAY?
WHERE WILL
yo u r b a b y s crying YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Decode r o f the bottle
to d d le
Wean your
Resolve th ose sib lin g squabbles
PLAYING
DANGEROUSLY
WHY YOUR
Fertility CHILD SHOULD
TAKE RISKS
SPECIAL
All your questions answered JANUARY ISSUE 2016
 Hello,
B
y the time you read this, 2016 will be under way.
So what will this new year bring you? Maybe
youre already a parent, and over the next
12 months youll see your little one grow and
develop, or perhaps this will be the year youll nally
welcome your baby into the world. But what if youve
been trying to conceive to no avail? I know from
rst-hand experience the heartache and upset this
entails, having struggled for many years before nally,
after treatment, having my twins. Its for this reason I found our feature on p50 detailing the
very latest on treating infertility so illuminating, and I hope you will too. At Prima Baby were
keen to shine a light on the many and varied aspects of parenting, whether its where best
to give birth on p54, how to decode your babys cries on p30, or why children should be
allowed to take risks on p66. Of course being a mum or dad isnt without challenges, which is
why some of us (OK, most) end up doing things we swore we never would before becoming
parents. Turn to p34 to read your hilarious confessions, with more than a few chiming a chord
with me. Finally, after all the Christmas indulgence, we challenged Annabel Karmel to come
up with some family recipes that were healthy and nutritious but didnt scrimp on avour.
Find out how she fared on p110. Enjoy.

Follow us on @PrimaBabyMag

A thorough
test... Overheard in the Prima Baby office
A FEW THINGS WE SAID WHILE CREATING THIS ISSUE
oto of ou r GP
We love th is ph Baby
ng some Pr ima
Rob Hicks putti ei r pa ces
Lisa Dont go changing Gemma Oh, in
ts th roug h th
Awards produc nt fo rget
it willy nilly. Alison That is Alison Im losing the that font the T in
dg ing days! Do
at ou r recent ju to p2 0 such an underused turn All Tucked Up looks
ur say too tu rn
you can have yo vo te Gemma How much is like an F, we
w to
fo r deta ils of ho Alison a bag of sugar in pounds? cant have that,
Can you Alex Well it really depends youll have to
say organ change the
Gemma This mascara is font. Lisa
Images iStock

doning?
Gemma making my eyelashes ache. Bahahaha!

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 3


50
So you
want to
make a
baby?
27
Look whos
just arrived!
Contents
Cover photography Dan Scudamore Styling Sally-Ann Carroll Model Zac Cushion George at Asda
Views & news
9 Your letters Share your thoughts
13 Whats happening News and views
Bump & baby
27 The day I met my baby Three mums
who delivered just in the nick of time
30 COVER Soothe operator Calm your
baby by learning to decode his cries
33 And baby makes five Our columnist
has a not-so-little confession to make
34 COVER About face Stuck to the rules
you made pre-parenting? Thought not!
38 We ask you Real parents advice on
everything from sickness to sleep aids
Health & happiness
42 Q&A pregnancy, baby and beyond
Our experts answer your queries
48 Keeping fit and fabulous Health
and wellbeing news for all the family
50 COVER Fertile thinking The very latest
treatments that might help you conceive
54 COVER Home or away? Where will
89
Come snuggle
up beside me
you give birth? We explore the options
58 A shocking start One mum on suffering
PTSD after her babys alarming arrival
61 More than a cold Our guide to
recognising the signs of bronchiolitis
62 Skin deep Childrens toiletries are big
business, but what exactly is in them and
which ingredients are best avoided?
64 COVER Stop the bickering Sibling
squabbles and how to survive them
66 COVER Hazard warning Why avoiding
risks could affect your childs development
Brilliant buys
70 Instaglam Meet the mums whose
fashion choices are getting many likes
75 Looking good... and feeling great
with our experts top tips and tricks
77 Style file Actress and mum-of-two
Jennifer Love Hewitt on what works for her
78 On a roll We snap and chat to the
most dapper dads at The Baby Show
80 Traditionally gorgeous Heritage fashion
for your Little Lord (or Lady) Fauntleroy
54
Deciding where
to give birth
70
Style picks
for Insta-glam
84 Put it away! We round up the best
storage solutions for a clutter-free nursery
89 No crib for a bed? Dont worry, weve
got some beauties, and Moses baskets too
92 Recovery position The products and
devices to help soothe and heal post birth
Be inspired
96 Nest egg know-how Ways to help
your bank balance grow with your baby
100 COVER A lot of bottle Can one
mum find the courage to prise her
toddler away from his beloved bottle?
104 Mind the gap Meet the mums who
had their babies decades apart
108 Bite size Is there such a thing as a
superfood? We go in search of the truth,
and the result may well surprise you
110 Nutritious & delicious Annabel Karmel
offers healthy fare thats big on flavours
114 Home comforts Great ideas for fun
and games all under your own roof
118 A shore thing Family coastal breaks
in Bournemouth and Northumberland
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 5

T he
P B
team
OUR
PROMISE EVERY MONTH WE BRING
TO YOU YOU: the very latest
news, views and features
all designed to make your
parenting journey easier and
fun. We know youre trying to be the
best you can be and we vow to
support you every step of the way.
Meet our experts
Prima Baby is proud to work with some of the UKs top experts. Theyre here to help you.
OUR GP
Dr Rob Hicks has a special
interest in family health, and is
the resident doctor of Classic
FM. He has two daughters.
OUR MIDWIFE
Anne Richley works as
a community midwifery
matron. She has two
children.
OUR FOOD EXPERT
Annabel Karmel is the UKs
bestselling author on baby
and childrens nutrition and
food, and is a mum of three.
OUR CHILD
PSYCHOLOGIST
Dr Richard Woolfson works
*Terms and conditions apply
with children and families
and writes on family issues.
OUR FINANCIAL EXPERT
Nick Hill works for the Money Advice
Service which offers unbiased
financial advice and has lots of
experience in personal finance.
6 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
122 And relax... Ways to unwind, plus
one couple delight in a Devon break
130 My parenting life Coleen Rooney on
her expanding brood and life with Wayne
Offers & competitions
22 Subscribe to Prima Baby and get 13
issues for just 29.99, saving a huge 42%
86 WIN!* We have 3,349 worth of baby
bundles up for grabs
94 FREE* Organyc baby wipes and
cotton wool pleats bundle worth 8
' Follow us on Facebook facebook.
com/primababymag and Twitter
@PrimaBabyMag Tel 020 7150 5000
Email prima.baby@immediate.co.uk
DISCLAIMERS Prices and availability correct at time of
going to press, but we cannot be held responsible for any
changes. Although every efort has been made to ensure
the contents of Prima Baby are accurate, it must not be
treated as a substitute for qualied medical advice.
Sorry, but were unable to return readers photographs, and
cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts. Any material you send
in may be used in Prima Baby or any format of the magazine,
including madeformums.com
Promoter does not accept any responsibility for any damage, loss or
OUR HEALTH VISITOR
Dawn Kelly is a health
visitor and a senior lecturer,
and also has three young
daughters.
OUR OBSTETRICS
EXPERT Dr Penelope Law
is a consultant obstetrician
at The Portland Hospital
in London.
OUR FITNESS EXPERT
Laura Williams is a pre- and
post-natal fitness expert, and
Level 3 Personal Trainer, who
focuses on easy exercise plans.
OUR SLEEP EXPERT
Mandy Gurney is a registered
nurse, midwife and health visitor,
and co-founder of sleep clinic
Millpond, mill-pond.co.uk
OUR LEGAL EXPERT
Ursula Danagher is a partner in
family law at Thomas Eggar LLP.
She is experienced in dealing with
complex issues involving children.
80
Fashion for little
lords and ladies
Meet the team
Editor Kelly Beswick Art Director Lisa McSorley
Deputy Editor Alex Lloyd Chief Sub Editor Gemma Rollason
Beauty & Fashion Editor Catherine Hudson
Senior Writer Alison Potter
Ad Director, London Specialist Cath Waller Ad Manager,
Prima Baby Duncan Carr Sales Executives Harriet Stevens
and Anna Thompson Group Head Parenting Creative
Solutions Jo Harmer Partnerships Coordinator for Parenting
Katie Ready Digital Inside Sales Executive Rhiannon Smith
Group Production Manager Koli Pickersgill Production
Manager Sarah Hovell Senior Production Controller
Phil Root Ad Services Controller James Webb Marketing
& Events Executive Francesca Wilson Marketing & Events
Intern Isabelle Granger Senior Marketing Designer Anne
Heppelthwaite Senior Subscriptions Marketing Executive
Natalie London
Chairman Stephen Alexander Chief Executive
Tom Bureau Chief Operating Officer Kevin Langford
Managing Director Julie Harris Head of Parenting
James Long Commercial Director Duncan Tickell
Finance Director London Stephen Lavin
Published by Immediate Media Co Ltd, Vineyard House,
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 To celebrate our GOLD award we would like to offer
Prima Baby readers a 10% discount on our carriers.
Use code PrimaGold at the checkout.*

connectababycarrier @connectababy connecta_baby connecta-baby-carrier

 Over to you

WIN
Your say A PRIZE!
The star letter winner will receive
a pig and a cow Wheely Bug, worth
59.95 each, plus a 50 voucher
from hippychick.com

WE LOVE TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS

SO GET IN TOUCH TODAY

COUNT THE KICKS

ST R When I had a late miscarriage I couldnt shake the feeling that I did

LETTER
something to bring it on. I was in excellent health, I looked after
myself and I didnt drink or smoke. We got pregnant pretty much on
the first try and my first trimester was uneventful. Then one day out of

A year later, Im pregnant again and paying

#OnTrend ON TWITTER
much more attention to my babys movements. We had a great response to the
Thank you for your reassuring article Alive & pic of Prima Baby Awards judges
Kicking (issue 13, 2015) explaining what to look @DrRobHicks and reader Steve giving
for and how to monitor foetal movement. Its not the @PrimaBabyAwards shortlisted
often talked about, but its so important to keep cots a thorough check. Typical dads!
an eye on the kicks and get help if you think There were 562 retweets and 129
something isnt right. Maria James, London likes for our giveaway to win a nappy
cake from pitterpatterbabygifts.co.
uk. Winner @cazzieb30 chose the
SANITY RESTORED 12, 2015). Retailers are clever at running unisex giraffe nappy cake
My little one just loves waking the whole promotions and coming up with gift ideas
house up at the crack of dawn, which is to entice shoppers to spend more money
driving us all mad. Wed just about given than they really want to. ON FACEBOOK
up hope of getting more sleep after trying My multiple small purchases often Thanks for all your responses to our
a number of suggestions from the internet, accumulate into big amounts, which give latest Mum SOS about breastfeeding
friends, family and parenting books. me an unpleasant shock when the credit at bedtime. If you have a problem
One thing we didnt experiment with card bill comes later! So I was grateful for you want to put to our Facebook
was adjusting his daytime naps. After all your good advice about how to cut community and win a Hotel
reading Tackle Your Toddlers Early Waking costs without the family losing out. I also Chocolat prize email us!
(issue 13, 2015), we followed Dianes appreciated your suggestions to start We had 457 entries, 410 likes and
eight-point action plan and almost planning for next Christmas. 119 shares for our In The Night
immediately noticed the difference. Hopefully this year Ill avoid overspending Garden competition. Want your
Who would have thought more sleep and bursting my pockets. Cheers! chance to win? Visit our Twitter and
Compiled by Alison Potter Images Getty

would solve the problem? Now our
formerly overtired little man is much more
relaxed, happy and calm. To families who
are despairing at their child getting up
early: Prima Baby has the answer!
Lisa Smith, Cheshire
CUTTING COSTS
Thank you for your article How Do I Do
Christmas and Not Break the Bank? (issue
Ria Jones, Clwyd
NOT TO BE SNIFFED AT
The Best Medicine (issue 12, 2015) was a
brilliant and reassuring article. Giving
medication to a baby or toddler is a tricky
business. Firstly, theres knowing what to
give and whats safe. Then theres the
dosage. Not to mention getting your child
to actually take the medicine in the first
Facebook on Friday afternoons for
our #FreebieFriday giveaway!
place! Im going to keep your one-stop
guide for reference in the future.
Thank you for helping me to feel much
more confident about how to treat my
childs illnesses.
Kayla Maddocks, Hertfordshire

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 9

Over to you

RANT
AWAY!
Welcome
to the world Jodie Tawn, 33, from Falkirk, mum to
Share your newborn pics (up to 3 months old) William, 5, and Nicholas, 1, says Stop
with us at prima.baby@immediate.co.uk the snide bus comments.
Not having access to a car, Im a
Simon and Nicolle are delighted
frequent user of public transport.
to introduce Tamara Trixibelle
Hello to Alfie Bremner-Martin, born on 27 However Im often the subject of
William Worthy, September, 2015, weighing 7lb 5oz comments from the older generation
born on 9 when I sit down with my pram. They
November, 2015, often tell me or say to one another
weighing 8lb loudly how lucky the younger
13oz to proud
generation is, that you couldnt take a
parents Marcus
pram on the bus in their day and they
and Melissa
walked the baby to the shops when
they needed to. They dont realise
times have changed! Yes, I am lucky
but without buses I wouldnt be able to
shop. Gone are the days of local stores
where you could get all you
needed a short stroll from home!

What do you think?

Do you have a rant? Share your views
Gina and James are excited to each one printed will receive a free
announce the arrival of Oberon one-year subscription to Prima Baby
Oscar Morris, born on 14 October,
2015, weighing 6lb 14oz
Congratulations to
Rob and Linda on
the arrival of their
son, Harry Richard
C O N N E C T
Speechley, born on
25 September, 2015, with us
weighing 5lb 10oz
Prima Baby is here to support you so make
sure youre part of our friendly community!

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A warm welcome to Ivy top parenting tips @PrimaBabyMag
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moon with their daughter, 19 September, 2015, you prefer, to Prima site MadeForMums.
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November, 2015, weighing 7lb
Baby, Vineyard House, com for news and
delighted parents
44 Brook Green, reviews, and sign up
Stacey and Edward
London, W6 7BT for chat and comps

10 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

There for the most preci us in life
More brilliant colours than ever!
Tripp Trapp
First launched in 1972, the iconic Tripp Trapp high chair is now available in more trend-led
and classic colours than ever before. Its smart, adjustable design grows with your child,
providing a comfortable seat at any age. The latest additions to our collection also include
accessories in a rich palette of new patterns in vivid colours. Personalise your Tripp Trapp
with our expanded range of styling options.
Discover our full collection at stokke.com
2015

DESIGN
AWARDS
HIGH CHAIR DESIGN
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Tripp Trapp Designed in Norway by: Peter Opsvik.

 News & views

Whats ALL YOU AND YOUR FAM

ILY
NEED TO KNOW THIS MONTH

HAPPENING
This is the time to SACK IT TO THEM
As any parent knows,
getting young children
to help clear up after
themselves can be a battle,
but now, thanks to Tellkiddo,
its one youre likely to win.
The gorgeous new range of
paper storage bags from
the Stockholm-based brand
make tidying up fun and
easy and, even better, they
exude cool Scandi style.
14, nubie.co.uk

help your child say

A walk in the woods
Even the most urban of families can enjoy the great outdoors

thank you
thanks to the latest design from Cybex. The Hide & Seek Priam
collection sees its award-winning pushchair and Cloud Q car seat
receive a woodland makeover, with a dark print and contrasting
bright butterfly motifs. With a choice of light, all-terrain or hybrid
The presents have long been unwrapped and their novelty may
Compiled by Alex Lloyd, Alison Potter, Catherine

be starting to wane. But while Christmas memories fade, theres wheels, you can ensure your stroller will take you from city streets
one thing you shouldnt forget, and thats to send thank-you cards. to country trails, too. Priam, 510,
Hudson and Kelly Beswick Images iStock

Yet according to a recent survey, nearly 30 per cent of children carrycot, 320, Cloud Q, 260,
have never sent one, while more than 40 per cent do so very Lux seat, 390, cybex-online.com
occasionally (and then only under duress). So how to get your
child to partake? The trick is to make the process entertaining
rather than a chore, which is
where Funtastic Festive Thank
Yous come in to their own.
The book contains 14 tear-
out notelets for your child
to colour in. 5 pipity.com

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 13

 News & views

Out & about

Fun for on display there. Cornwall. Booking in advance is essential.

free nottingham
contemporary.org
falmouthartgallery.com
NORTHERN IRELAND
NORTH Pick up a free Kids Explorer Map and stickers
Soak up the from Ulster Museum. Its packed full of fun
scenery and the facts and brilliant activities to engage your little
Nottingham Contemporary Museum organises artwork at one with the museums exhibits. nmni.com
monthly inspiring and free activities to help the Yorkshire
children engage with the beautiful paintings LONDON
your wellies! ysp.co.uk Download the free Super 4 maps and join
SCOTLAND WALES the stars of hit Playmobil-inspired CITV
Pick up a free copy of 25 Visit Margam Country Park near Port series on four adventure trails across the
Things To Do In Museums Talbot and see rare breeds of streets of the capital. Theres a reward for
Before Youre 5 and animals on the farm trail, explore
join Museum Mouse the Adventure Playground and bang
in completing all of the out a tune on the Wood Vibrations
activities at the nine Trail. margamcountrypark.co.uk
museums in Glasgow SOUTH WEST
that are taking Get your childs creative juices flowing
part. glasgowlife. at Baby Paint, Baby Jam and Little
org.uk Fingers at the Falmouth Art Gallery in

ESSENTIAL APP
Encourage your child to take an interest in the
Splurge vs save
world around her with Match & Learn The
Professions. Designed for children aged 2-6, this
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about careers through funny and beautifully This silver-plated Vera
drawn animations. 1.99, itunes.apple.com Wang Infinity Baby
Piggy Bank is
a gorgeous

Sleep chic keepsake,

complete
Flexible Bed down with the funky new nursery linen with gift
support from Tobias & the Bear. The brand started packaging. 45,
off making printed childrens leggings and houseology.com
quickly expanded into T-shirts, sweatshirts
bra range
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st
ire.
and now bedding. There are also leggings Save
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with a remov in adult sizes, which are These bright retro elephant money-
perfect for lounging, but boxes wont break
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thebear.com

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 15

News & views

3 of the best
PREGNANCY KEEPSAKES
1 Write to your unborn baby
with Messages For You, While
You Grow. Its a gift book
containing 16 beautiful sheets
MAKE TIME FOR MUM
Every parent knows parenting is a full-time job, but for one in
of paper and envelopes that
five mums, it doesnt come with any annual leave. A survey by
are ready to be filled with
Asda Money found that was the proportion who havent had
heartfelt letters. 19.99,
a day to themselves since their child arrived. When asked
fromyoutome.com
what their dream day off would involve, 30 per cent of mums
chose the simple pleasure of watching TV, films or a box set,
while 28 per cent opted for shopping. Inspired to make a bit
2 Document your pregnancy journey
more time for you? Turn to p122 for some great ideas to make
with 40ish Weeks, a quirky journal that
the most of your evenings once your child is in bed.
has space to record week-by-week
notes, as well as a kick-counter chart

Go, go, gadget

and a place to separate good advice
from the bad. 10.99, abramsand
chronicle.co.uk

Brighten up your childs bedroom

3 Part-personal diary and part-practical
advice book, My Pregnancy Journal
contains useful tips on creating a birth
plan and packing your hospital bag,
as well as lots of room to record your
own personal journey. 14.99,
rylandpeters.com
with Alokas mesmerising LED
SleepyLight. Cleverly combining a
stylish lamp with a gently glowing
nightlight, there are 26 different
designs to choose from, including
new mermaid and tractor, which
softly cycle through the colours of
the rainbow. There are four levels of
brightness, a timer and easy-to-use
remote. 39.95, potwells.co.uk

SAG GONE, BABY GROOVE ON! IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Donn
does dina
Pampers has some exciting news for babies who just love
to boogie: a revolutionary technology called Magical
Pods in Active Fit nappies free your baby from a saggy Famed fo r he
ner
r cu rious an
nappy, so she can keep on moving to her own unique crea tu re de d colour ful
signs, Donna
groove without restriction. now tu rned Wilson has
he r ta lent s to
crea ting a de tableware,
Other nappies can become weighed down when they light ful rang
cups, bowls e of melamin
are damp, causing them to sag. New Pampers Premium and pl ates e
your lit tle go grea t fo r ge
Protection Active Fit has Magical Pods, which create urmand to go tti ng
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absorbent channels in the nappy that and Ba lloon igns
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help to distribute wetness evenly and lock and Pear. Fr
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away moisture. That means your babys bjectsofdesi
com re.
nappies stay up to two times drier and
wont sag like the next leading brand.

Visit pampers.co.uk more information on

Pampers Active Fit with NEW Magical Pods

16 Prima Baby I madeformums.com


Miss (and
master)
congeniality
A standing joke among many
mums and dads is that their
toddler has a better social life
than they do, and now a survey
by Lego Duplo suggests its true.
More than a thousand parents
with children under 3 years old
were surveyed to find out what
life is like for todays little ones
and one of the overriding
findings is that its very sociable!
Indeed, one in ten attends five parties a year,
with the same number also going to a festival;
nearly half eat out once a week; a quarter enjoy
two holidays a year; and 40 per cent attend
paid-for toddler groups. After all that, no wonder
they can sometimes be a bit tired and grumpy!
Wash n go!
Cleaning your childs shoes after a
muddy trip to the park is always a
chore, which is why we love Clarks new
Washable range of shoes. Designed to be
thrown in the washing machine, there
News & views
FABDADe ask you to tell
W us about your
West, 29, from Ripon, was nominated
by his wife Gemma, 30
After our daughter Evie was born,
Jonny had a hard time adjusting to
fatherhood. The birth was quite
complicated and she was very
unsettled. To make things harder, he
had to go away with work and missed
a lot of her first year. However he
worked tirelessly to create that bond.
Evie is now 18 months and Im thrilled
to say her daddy is wrapped around
her little finger and totally in love. Im
51%
o f mum
so proud he battled the rough times.
s belie
their pa
renting
ve WIN a pushchair!
the sam style is Email your story to prima.baby@
e as th
pa rents at of th immediate.co.uk for the chance
, despit eir
e huge
chang to win a Revolution Pro stroller
es in li fe
acco rd style, from Britax. Its the first
ing to a
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madeformums.com I Prima Baby 19
News & views

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 ESSENTIAL
INFORMATION
ABOUT YOU
AND YOUR
GROWING
BABY

Beautiful
bump
Daria maternity top, 52,
and Neo over-the-bump
trousers, 51.30, both 8-16,
enviedefraises.com

27
The day I met my baby Time
was of the essence during
30
Decode those cries What
your baby is trying to tell you
34
Youve changed your tune!
The things parents do that they
38
We ask you Do you have a
great parenting tip? Heres
these three mums labours and how best to respond swore they wouldnt pre-baby your chance to tell us about it!
Go Natural!
 Bump & baby

TIME WAS OF THE

ESSENCE IF THESE MUMS
WERE TO HAVE THE
BIRTHS THEY WANTED

The day I met

my baby
I gave the biggest push of my life
Daisy Warren, 23, a mobile coffee business owner, lives in Carshalton, Surrey, with her partner
Justin, 31, and daughter Skyla, 10 months LENGTH OF LABOUR Five hours PAIN RELIEF Gas and air

A
t five days overdue, I was lying
on the hospital bed waiting for
the midwife to carry out a
second sweep when I felt a
pop. I think my waters have just gone,
I said to Justin nervously.
The midwife confirmed I was having
contractions, although I couldnt feel
anything. She gave me the sweep and we
went for a walk to the local shops, trying
to stay active. By the time we arrived
back an hour later, I was struggling to take
the last steps. Luckily, I had my hospital
bag in the car and Justin went to fetch it. I
hadnt drawn up a birth plan, but I hoped
to keep everything as natural as possible
Feature Dawn Doherty Image iStock
Unfortunately, they contained meconium,
a sign of possible distress in the baby. I had
to get out of the bath and was told I had
15 minutes to push my baby out. I was
moved to a birthing stool, where I pushed
with all my might.
She was almost here when I heard the
midwife say the word cut. She explained
they might need to do an episiotomy to
get the baby out quickly as she was
stressed. I felt a wave of panic Id heard
people say the recovery can be painful
and Id wanted my baby to be born in
her own time. With a mix of fear and
determination, I looked at Justin and said: Funniest moment Being high on
I dont want to be cut. I want to do it myself. gas and air, singing along to Phil Collins.

with a warm bath to relax me. I bounced
on the birthing ball to distract myself from
the pain and when the midwife checked
me at 3pm, I was already 8cm dilated.
She ran a bath and I sucked on the gas
and air as the contractions grew stronger
and closer. Suddenly, I felt another pop
and a forceful gush. I was scared, but the
midwife explained it was my hind waters.
It felt like a race against time. I took a
deep breath, paused, then gave the push
of my life. I could feel a massive burning as
Skyla was born. She had the cord around
her neck, which the midwife quickly freed.
We were both in tears as Skyla was lifted
into my arms at 6.05pm, weighing 7lb
14oz, absolutely perfect. It felt such an
achievement to manage it by myself.
What I wish Id known That you
have two sets of waters. It would have
saved me from the shock when my
second waters broke.
Justin says After five hours, and only
two using just gas and air, Skyla arrived in
the world. I was proud of her, but even
more proud of Daisy for her strong
willpower and courage.

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 27

The day I met

my
baby
My midwife
had faith I could
do it myself
Carina Done, 24, a full-time mum, lives in
Manchester with her children Lily-June, 4,
and Junior, 9 months LENGTH OF LABOUR
Four hours PAIN RELIEF Gas and air, epidural

M
aking Lily-Junes tea, I
felt a strange pain in my
stomach, but after a night
in hospital I wasnt dilating
so I was discharged.
I hadnt been home long when I
realised I was soaking wet my waters
had gone. My parents took the
childrens dad Wayne and I back to
hospital where I was relieved to be told I
was 3cm dilated. At nine days overdue,
I was so happy my baby was finally on
his way. However, when the midwife
checked the babys heart rate it had
dropped from 120 to 88 beats and I was
warned I might need a c-section if his
heart rate kept dipping.
A monitor was strapped to my tummy.
It showed the babys heart rate was
dropping with every contraction. My
lovely midwife was trying to encourage
me to stay calm during the contractions,
but it was hard when I was in so much
pain. At about 1.45pm, I was fully dilated
and was moved to another room. The
consultant arrived to assess me for a
caesarean, but my midwife was
convinced I could do it myself.
Give her a chance. Lets see how she weighing 7lb 12oz. He didnt cry,
gets on, she urged the consultant.
I was so grateful as a caesarean was
my worst nightmare and her support gave
me the confidence I needed. With my
midwife holding my hand and Wayne
encouraging me, I gave six big pushes,
but my baby still wasnt coming out.
I was given an epidural just in case the
babys heart rate dropped further and
they needed to operate. Unable to feel
the contractions, I had to rely on my
midwife to guide me. She placed her
hand on my stomach and told me when
to push as the contraction peaked. After
four more pushes, my baby was still stuck,
so they placed a ventouse on his head
and gave a gentle pull as I pushed twice
more. Junior was born at 2.15pm,
but after a few puffs of oxygen he
coughed, then let out a big scream!
He was wrapped in a towel and
handed to me. I couldnt thank my
midwife enough for having faith in me.
Most embarrassing moment
The midwife pulling my top up to place
Junior on me and my boob popping out
in front of one of the male staff.
My hospital bag saver My
toothbrush as my mouth tasted vile after
not being able to brush my teeth for so
long, and face wipes so I could freshen up.
Wayne says I was so scared when
Juniors heart rate kept dipping and felt
relieved when he arrived safe and well.

28 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 Bump & baby

I felt as proud
as punch!
Karla Henderson, 29, a full-time mum,
lives in Basingstoke, Hampshire, with her
husband Mike, 34, and their daughters
Amelia-Dee, 3, and Felicity, 7 months
LENGTH OF LABOUR 15 hours 10 minutes
PAIN RELIEF Paracetamol, gas and air.

W
ith my first baby, I had
every drug going and
ended up with an assisted
delivery using forceps.
This time I wanted a natural birth, but
despite two sweeps there was no sign
of the baby and I was booked in for an
induction at 12 days overdue. It was a
big disappointment as it meant Id have
to be constantly monitored and couldnt
have the active labour I wanted.
I had a third sweep in the hope it
would get things going and did lots of
walking and swimming as well as eating
spicy food. Thankfully, at 4am at ten
days overdue, I felt my first twinges. By
6am I was having contractions every
five minutes. I woke Mike to let him know
and called my mum to come and look
after Amelia-Dee. I started to get a bit
panicky with each contraction, but
Share
your
story with
Prima Baby!
Email prima.baby@immediate.co.uk if
you have given birth in the last 12 months and
are interested in taking part. All mums selected
will be sent a thank-you gift.
This month Daisy, Carina and
Karla each receive the new
Vicks SweetDreams Cool
Mist Humidifier with
Projector, worth 70,
vickshumidifiers.com
Mum told me to breathe through them,
which helped me feel in control.
At 1pm, we went to the hospital to be
told I was only 4cm dilated. For the next
three-and-a-half hours Mike and I did
laps of the hospital grounds. Another
examination showed I was still only 4cm,
but the baby was lower. As we lived close
by, I decided to pop home for dinner, but
part-way through the meal I started to
groan through my contractions.
We drove back to the hospital and, in
the car park, I had a huge contraction,
clutching onto the side of the car. By the
time we got to the labour ward, they were
coming every two minutes. I wanted a
water birth, but as they filled the pool
my waters broke and I screamed for
gas and air. I was squeezing Mikes
fingers so hard he thought I was going
to break them! I was given gas and air
and then felt an overwhelming urge to
push. I climbed on to the bed, leant
over the back on all fours, and pushed
with all my might. I could feel the head
coming out when the atmosphere in the
room changed as the head was
delivered, my babys hand was resting
on her cheek and the midwife thought
she was going to get stuck. You need
to push really hard, Mike urged.
Determined to avoid forceps, I pushed
with every ounce of my being and
Felicity was born at 7.10pm, weighing
9lb 4oz. She arrived just 27 minutes after
arriving at the hospital, with only seven
minutes of pushing. I was overwhelmed,
but proud as punch to have my baby.
Even though I didnt get my water birth,
it was a brilliant feeling.
Most embarrassing moment
Walking around the hospital grounds
and dropping to the ground on all fours
during contractions in front of passers-by.
My hospital bag lifesaver
Chocolate for after the labour. I needed
a quick sugar rush.
Mike says After our first daughters
traumatic birth, I felt extremely relieved
and immensely proud of what Karla had
achieved in how she managed to bring
our beautiful baby girl into this world. PB

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 29

 Crying is your
babys main way of
communicating but
what is he trying to say?
We help you work it out
How do I. ..
un der s ta n d my
es?
r i
c
ys
bab
Y
ou may have giggled at the
episode of Peppa Pig in which
Peppa asks her uncle how he
knows what her baby cousin
wants when he cries, and Uncle Pig
replies, We guess!.
Well, new research shows that most of
Feature Georgina Wintersgill Images iStock
us are just as clueless. A 2015 Czech study
asked parents to listen to recordings of
babies cries in three negative situations
being hungry, in pain after a jab, and
apart from their carer. The adults were
asked to identify the reasons for the cries,
but were generally fairly inaccurate.
However, improving your interpretation
skills is possible, according to Sarah
Ockwell-Smith, author of BabyCalm: A
Guide for Calmer Babies and Happier
30 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
Parents (13.99, Piatkus). In the early days
its hard to tell the difference between
cries, but you do learn, she says. Its not
only about the sound of the cry, but also
the babys body language.
The hungry cry
Sounds like Loud and constant. You cant
calm him except by feeding, says Sarah.
Other clues Crying is a late sign that your
baby is hungry. Earlier signs include
restlessness, your baby making small noises
or movements with his mouth, sucking his
fist, rooting for your nipple or turning
towards your breast when being held.
How to help Offer a feed whenever your
baby seems hungry. Hunger tends to be
the most common reason for crying, says
Sarah. Ive worked with mums who say
FO
U N D E R R MO R E O N
ST
BABYSAND ING YOU
CRIE S, R
VISIT
madefo
rmums
highch .c om/
airs
their baby cant be hungry because
theyre not due a feed but they
obviously are hungry!
The NHS encourages responsive
feeding that is, recognising the signs
that your babys hungry, and responding
rather than following a schedule.
The tired cry
Sounds like A bit whiny, says Sarah. It
has a tired, almost yawning sound. Its
constant, but not urgent-sounding.
Other clues Your baby may yawn, rub his
eyes or turn his face away from people.
Nicola Bekker, 38, mum to Eve, 6 months,
says, The tired cry isnt one I recognise
immediately, but I do notice a
combination of crying and eye-rubbing.
Eve also tends to have a glazed look and
averts her gaze when shes feeling tired.
 Bump & baby

WHEN IT
ALL GETS
How to help Put him down for a nap! If A Canadian study
TOO MUCH on his gums some
Constant crying can be very stressful.
hes over-tired, he may find it difficult to found babies who contain a mild local
If youre at the end of your tether, put
wind down enough to sleep. Calm him in were carried for an your baby down in a safe place and go to anaesthetic. If hes
whatever way works (anything from a walk average of 4.4 hours another room for a few minutes. If possible, still distressed, you
to a cuddle) before putting him in his cot. per day cried 43 per ask your partner, a friend or relative to could try a childrens
cent less than babies look after him for a few hours. For extra painkilling medicine
The uncomfortable cry who were carried for support, call Cry-sis (cry-sis.org.uk) always follow the
Sounds like A moany, complaining, an average of 2.7 hours on 08451 228669. If your baby dosing instructions.
whingy cry thats constant rather than per day. cries excessively, see For advice on feeding
intermittent, says Sarah. your GP problems, see a health
Other clues Does his nappy need The ill or professional. Your GP or health
changing? Is his clothing uncomfortable? in pain cry visitor should be your first port of call,
Is his temperature OK? The Lullaby Trust Sounds like A loud, shrill, unrelenting but you may consider visiting a lactation
(lullabytrust.org.uk), which advises on safer cry, more like a scream, says Sarah. consultant, whether youre breastfeeding
sleep for babies, recommends that your Its different from normal crying. or bottle-feeding.
babys room should be 16-20C. Feel the Elena McAndie, 27, mum to Hazel, 9
skin on his tummy or the back of his neck months, says, Hazels pain cry is very The colicky cry
to see if he feels too hot or too cold. distinctive louder and higher-pitched. Sounds like High-pitched screaming. Its
How to help Change his nappy or adjust Other clues Symptoms such as a fever, still not known what causes colic the
his clothing, if needed. If hes too hot or constipation or diarrhoea may indicate name given to excessive, frequent crying
cold, add or take away layers of clothing illness. Red cheeks, dribbling and chewing in an otherwise healthy baby. Its generally
or bedding. Also alter the temperature of may indicate teething. Discomfort during defined as when a baby cries for at least
the room, if necessary. feeding could be caused by reflux, a three hours a day, three days a week, for
common condition where babys stomach at least three weeks often in the late
The I need comfort cry contents (milk and acid) come back up afternoon or early evening. It generally
Sounds like This one varies from baby to into his gullet or mouth. Tongue tie, a milk gets better by 3-4 months, although it
baby. Says Sarah, It may start off as an protein allergy or a lactose intolerance may not improve until 6 months.
intermittent cry, depending on how your can also cause problems with feeding. Other clues Your babys face may be
baby feels. But after a while it becomes How to help If your baby has a fever flushed, he may draw up his legs, clench
constant as he gets more desperate for (a temperature higher than 37.5C), give his fists or arch his back.
your attention and contact. him plenty of liquids (such as breast milk How to help Theres some evidence colic
Gemma Chamberlain, 32, mum to or formula). Childrens ibuprofen or can be improved by reducing stimulation
Dexter, 3, and Heidi, 1, says, When Heidi paracetamol can help reduce fever in your babys environment, improving your
wakes up and wants to come out of her always follow the dosing instructions. If feeding position and (if breastfeeding) and
cot, or is bored and wants my undivided youre concerned about your babys making changes to your diet to eliminate
attention, she has a slow cry that builds symptoms, or common allergens (consult your GP
and becomes more insistent. instinct tells before making major dietary
Other clues Use a checklist to run through you somethings changes).
what could be wrong. Sarah says, If wrong, seek Lower your
youve ruled out hunger, discomfort and medical A contented babys levels of
pain, then pick him up he may need advice. baby equals stimulation by
help to get to sleep, or just want a cuddle. If your babys happy parents! reducing the
Mandy Bell, 40, mum to Caitlin, 6, Ciara, teething, give number of
5, and Todd, 7 months, says, Sometimes him a teething visitors and baby
Ive gone through the checklist and theres ring to chew. If group meets etc,
nothing, so its just a case of strapping Todd hes more than and keeping the
into the baby carrier and taking him for a 4 months old, atmosphere calm.
walk. It helps with comfort and tiredness. you could See a lactation
How to help Pick him up! And not just try rubbing consultant for
when hes crying or during feeding, but sugar-free advice on your
as much as possible (a sling will help). teething gel feeding position. PB

b a b y m a k e s
A n d
MUM GILLIAN HARVEY REVEALS
THAT SHE HAS MUCH MORE ON HER
HANDS THAN FIVE CHILDREN
I have a confession to make. For the last
11 months, Ive been suffering from both
antenatal and postnatal depression. Lets
just say that hormones arent my friends.
Ive had ups and downs throughout my
adult life during times of stress; but the
worst times have always been when
hormones are involved: fertility drugs,
IVF, pregnancies, an early miscarriage
and four deliveries. The past six years have
been a roller coaster.
Youd think, having suffered extreme
anxiety and depression before, that Id
see it for what it is when it descends. But
when youre not in that place its hard to
imagine how it really feels when your
emotions make you believe all
sorts of upsetting things.
Ill just say this it never gets
easier, but even when it goes
on for a long time there is
Words Gillian Harvey Images Rex
always light at the end of the
tunnel eventually.
I know some of the
mums reading this will
be suffering, which is
one of the reasons
I wanted to share.
Ive found
Bump & baby
cognitive behavourial therapy helpful, Ive sleep the other night, the strains of Let it
followed doctors orders when its come go, let it go, meenie, meenie, meenie
to medication, and Ive used self-help. more, continuing for at least 20 minutes
But what Ive learnt most of all through before he finally settled.
my journey is that it is important to talk. Whenever the songs play on our DVD,
Dont be afraid that people will judge Evie, 2, grabs my hand and wants me to
you, dont think that youre alone. spin her round and round. Lily seems to
And try to find a way to have memorised every
reward yourself each day,
whether its your favourite
chocolate bar, a warm
bubble bath or watching
Dont
be afraid that
people will
tune almost word-for-word,
and sings at the top of her
voice, usually with Timmy
joining in a little more
a much-loved movie. tunefully at her side.
Im not fully out of the
judge you, Robbie, who has made
woods, but Ive noticed the dont think a startling transition from
sun shining down through
gaps between the trees
that youre baby to tiny little boy, has
learnt to dance his arms
and I can feel the
end in sight.
And so will you.
In the last month, weve
alone
and legs when the others
jump around, and the look
on his face is priceless.
Its impossible to watch them and not
discovered the delights of smile. Impossible to get the strains of Let it
Disneys Frozen only about Go or For the First Time from repeating in
a year or so after the rest my head during the day. And impossible
of the world. And Ive to avoid being infected with the joy that
also discovered that children have that enviable ability to
all five of my little ones stay in the moment.
love music. My kids are learning a lot. But they
Joe, 3, sang himself to are teaching me so much more.
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 33
 say never! NEVER

REMEMBER ALL THOSE

THINGS YOU SWORE
YOUD NEVER DO
AS A NEW PARENT?
OH HOW QUICKLY
TIMES CHANGE!

B

efore having a baby, you probably
took a very strong stance on what
you would and wouldnt do as
a parent. From that well-rested,
tantrum-free pedestal it was all too easy
to feel smug and opinionated, wasnt it?
But along comes that demanding,
puce-faced little bundle and your whole
world is turned upside down, and from
that strange new sleep-deprived
perspective, suddenly the things you
Image Alamy, Getty, iStock

would have considered absolute no-nos

previously start to look rather reasonable.
Yes, sticking to the rules you set before
your baby is often easier said than done.
Here are some pre-parenting peeves and
the subsequent about-faces that might
feel all too familiar

34 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 Bump & baby

DISHEVELLED
AND
DISORDERLY
THEN Now come on, you thought
while child-free, still blissfully ignorant
of the realities of life with a small baby,
how hard can it be to have a shower
and get dressed before 5pm?
NOW Well, actually, quite hard as it
turns out. Newborns need a lot of
looking after. By the time youve done
the 27th feed, changed her nappy Nope,
again and shushed her to sleep only not me...
for her to wake up minutes later, you
appear to still be in your pyjamas.
Ah well, best eat another biscuit.
It wasnt until three weeks after
having Isaac that I finally got round
to washing and styling my hair, says
Jessie Tyler-Hancock, 29, from Essex,
mum to Isaac, 6 months.
GOO-GOO GA-GA
THEN Admit it you used to think the way some parents talked to their
Not that Ive done much with it babies was toe-curlingly embarrassing. She doesnt understand you!
since, apart from scraping it back in a youd think. Does she really need a running commentary on everything?
ponytail this from the girl whod never NOW I especially used to cringe on the train home from work, hearing
been separated from her straighteners! parents on their mobiles cooing to their offspring, says Mel Porter, 34,
from Oxford, mum to Max, 1. Now Im a mum myself Im completely
uninhibited. Just the other day I found myself making a series of farmyard
noises down the phone on a crowded train with no shame at all!

THAT SUCKS
THEN Few things divide opinion among
parents more than dummies. To use or not to
use? You may have been firmly in the anti
Not going to let
a baby change camp, but that can change quickly when
my life... you realise their parent sanity-saver powers!
NOW Id always been against the idea of
dummies, says Fi Hammond, 32, from
Birmingham, mum to Bea, 6 months. That
went out of the window by day three, when I
realised Bea would stay on my breast all day if
I didnt give her something else to suck. Then I
said Id never let her use it except at bedtime, Not in a
only to find myself buying a multipack in a million
panic when we were out and she wouldnt years...
stop crying. Dont rule out the dummy, I say!

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 35

 As if Id
allow this to

WISH YOU happen...

WERENT HERE
THEN Obviously, you were going to be as
adventurous with holidays as you were
with restaurants, and pack your little ones
rucksack with everything hed need to see
him through a spell in Central America.
NOW Then you tried a city break with a
toddler. We suspect that youve now SCREEN IF YOU WANT
discovered the joys of Center Parcs.
We went to Paris for our second
wedding anniversary, accompanied by our
TO GO FASTER
THEN Obviously its OK for you to while away the hours watching whatever happens
1-year-old son, Josh, says Elli Martin, 30, to be on the TV or amusing yourself on the iPad, but what kind of parent would you
from Ely, mum to Josh, now 3, and Hattie, 1. be if you let your little one do the same? Your child wouldnt need it because he
Having not been away with him before, would be too busy learning his alphabet and building Lego structures.
we treated ourselves to a posh hotel. We NOW Hes on first-name terms with Peppa Pig, and has an app and outfit to match.
were talking to the receptionist in the I was convinced that Id never let the TV or iPad babysit my children, but that
swanky lobby when I turned round to see went out the window as soon as Poppy came along. You try breastfeeding with a
Josh emptying soil out of the hotels potted toddler in tow, says Sinead de Burgh, 39, from Berkshire, mum to Florence, 4, and
palms. The look the receptionist gave us Poppy, 2. I also swore Id never let them wear clothes with TV characters on, but
could have melted steel. We learnt our now the girls wont leave the house unless practically every item theyre wearing is
lesson its child-friendly accommodation emblazoned with a cartoon. Oh how the mighty have fallen!
all the way, especially now we have two!

EAT YOUR
WORDS
THEN Not a drop of sugar would pass her
lips, ice cream would be forbidden and
McDonalds was out of the question.
Sound familiar?
NOW I managed to keep Mikey
away from sweets until he was 1,
says Heather Tucker, 27, from
No, no, no, no, NO...
Hertfordshire, mum to Mikey, 3. Then
after a day out with Grandma, he came

TALKING S***
THEN Pre-baby, in-depth discussions about poo are just
well, ewww, quiet frankly.
NOW Since becoming a parent, however, no detail is too
small. Colour, texture and frequency are all hot topics.
Not only did my husband and I have conversations
about the contents of Amelies nappy over dinner, but I
studied images of baby poo on the internet to make sure
hers were normal! says Amanda Kerr, 36, from Kent,
mum to Amelie, 1. Wed like to reassure you this obsession
ends with potty training, but sadly, it doesnt!
back with a distinctly sticky face. That
was it! There was no going back.
And, of course, youd never use food
as a bribe, right? Wrong. I always
thought using pudding as a bribe gave
the wrong message and I swore Id
never do it, says Harriet Atkins, 33,
No way,
from London, mum to Frieda, 2. nope...
That was before she started saying,
Yuck to anything green. Now I find
myself saying, One more mouthful
and you can have pudding.

36 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 Bump & baby

COME DINE
WITH ME
THEN Before your little bundle of joy arrived,
the idea of a child-friendly restaurant
probably made you shiver. Why would
anyone choose to go to a balloon-filled,
noisy eatery with fish fingers on the menu?
NOW Well, now you know! Its because the
children love it and other adults dont tut
and glare when your children raise their
voices above a whisper.
We always liked eating
out at good restaurants,
and when I was pregnant,
I fondly imagined us taking
our children to the same
places, says Francesca
Roberts, 35, from London,
and mum to Corey, 5. and
Baxter, 4.
But I soon discovered Pizza
Hut and Giraffe were invented for
a reason. The boys will actually eat
the food and theres always a nice
glass of wine for me!

And I definitely wont take

them out to eat just so I
can have a well-earned
glass of wine, oh no...

You say
We asked our Facebook friends what they swore theyd
never do, but subsequently did, post-children, with some amusing results

Drive an Stephanie Give public place whoops!

estate car someone Fiona Foskett Say
Have kids covered in Say well Never telling because I
Let them vomit a cuddle see when I dont white lies said so!
change my life Wee with Fern Jelley want to give Fozia Akhtar
the door open Tzamarias-Luker an answer Allow them Lie about
Lick a tissue and a child Nibbling Jenny Jones on the sofa oh Christmas
to wipe a dirty talking to me leftover food off Cut my no, sorry, that was Catherine
mark off a face Julie Quarterman their plates in a childrens hair the dog McAlinden PB

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 37

 Sen

We ask
yourd us
tips
E ma il
prima.b
aby@
immed
iate.
co.uk

you WHATEVER DILEMMA

YOURE FACING,
THESE PARENTS HAVE
THE ANSWERS
SICKNESS: EAT GINGER
I suffered with terrible
sickness throughout my
pregnancy, so to help
keep my multivitamins
down I used to take
them last thing at night
with a ginger biscuit. That helped me
to just about manage them!
Emily Jayne Phipps, 31, from
West Midlands, mum to Alfie, 2

MORNINGS: PREPARE PLAY

I always set up an
activity for my toddler
Compiled by Alison Potter Image Getty

before I go to bed
for example I print off
colouring pages, lay out
playdough and cutters
or make a scene with his models. This
means after breakfast he has something
to keep him occupied while I clear up!
Amy Tidd, 31, from Surrey, mum to
Xander, 3, and Erin, 7 months

38 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

RELATIONSHIPS: MAKE A DATE
A friend suggested to me
to make the most of the
last few child-free weeks
with my husband before
having children, and to
go out for lots of meals as
we wouldnt get many opportunities
again. Best bit of advice Ive received!
Gill Mitchell, 33, from Rochdale, mum to
Thomas, 4, and Jessica, 2
BEHAVIOUR: COUNT 1, 2, 3
Dont let your little one
get off a changing mat
without telling her its OK
to do so or shell never
stay on it when she gets
older. Count 1, 2, 3, up
every time, even if youre doing the
change on the floor. It also lets your
child know she is about to be lifted,
and focuses her attention.
Gayle Defries, 38, from Somerset, mum
to twins Florence and Phoebe, 1
CLOTHING: SORT BY AGE
I received lots of baby
clothes as gifts which
were all different sizes.
I arranged them all
according to age and
had cute little dividers
between them in the cupboard so it
was easy to see what clothes I needed
and what I had sufficient supplies of.
Samantha Dhanilall, 32, from London,
mum to Aariv, 18 months
TRAVEL: BE PREPARED
When youre going out,
make sure you have an
extra bottle of milk, some
water, snacks, clothes
and nappies in the car,
just in case it breaks down.
It happened to me and we were totally
unprepared, so now I always keep a bag
of spare supplies in the boot!
Cat Williamson, 29, from Birmingham,
mum to George, 3
PARENTING: DONT FUSS
Dont make a huge fuss
when your little one bumps
herself if its not serious.
Sometimes theyre more
upset by how you react
towards them rather than
being in any real pain or discomfort.
Beth Moody, 29, from Surrey, mum to
Nancy, 2
SHOPPING: INCLUDE THEM
Put a stop to supermarket
tantrums using distraction
tactics. Give children their
own shopping lists with
pictures next to the words
for them to spot while
theyre in the trolley seat, and give plenty
of praise when they find them. Also make
sure theyve eaten before taking them
food shopping a full child is less likely to
pester you for sweets or treats and plan
shopping trips around nap times.
Gemma Louise Powell, 32, from Gloucester,
Mum SOS
My 1-year-old has
suddenly become clingy.
Ive read about separation
anxiety, but I still dont know
how to help her. Shell only settle in bed
for me, so I cant have a night off, and still
relies on breast milk for comfort. Help!
Stephanie Atkins, 29, from London,
mum to Ellie-Rose, 1
Try a sleep aid
My 10-month-old son would rely on me
for comfort and only used to sleep after
being breastfed. I bought him a Ewan the
Dream Sheep, which plays a lullaby, and
started using that when I put him to bed.
It sends him off within minutes.
Simone Haw
Feed with bottles
I had this problem too. We introduced
bottles, and once my little one got used
to me giving him one, then my partner
could do it too, which took the strain off.
My son does still breastfeed occasionally,
but he mainly drinks from bottles now.
Lynn Faulkner
Find advice online
Look up The Wonder Weeks online they
have a parenting book and an app which
I found helpful. And remember, it will pass!
Nada W Stankov

SAFETY: BUGGY BOARDS

Reins are a must for
toddlers, and buggy
boards are brilliant
because you can see
where your child is at all
times, safely in front of
you. Having eyes in the back of your
head would also be a good option!
Deanne Orchin, 30, from Tyne and Wear,
mum to Ellie, 12, Tia, 10, and Leon, 4
mum to Ellis, 16, Bunnie, 5, Abrey, 1, and
Lenny, 6 months
WELLBEING: TREAT YOURSELF
Give yourself little treats,
things like a warm bubble
bath or face mask, and be
kind to yourself. Remember,
a happy mummy equals
a happy baby!
Sarah Shooter, 29, from Essex, mum to
Ariana, 2
WIN!
Hotel Chocolat
goodies worth 30!
Stephanie receives a hamper of Hotel
Chocolats new low-sugar, high-cocoa
#Supermilk. Visit hotelchocolat.com/
supermilk. If you have a baby, toddler or
parenting dilemma that needs solving,
email prima.baby@immediate.co.uk

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 39

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 EVERYTHING
YOU NEED TO
KNOW, FROM
THE LOWDOWN
ON FERTILITY
TO WHERE TO
GIVE BIRTH

All dressed up
Denim all-in-one, 33, and white
bodysuit, 21, both 0-36mths;
socks, 6, 0-12yrs, all jacadi.co.uk

42
Ask our experts Our panel
answer your questions on
50
Fertility special All you need
to know about the tests and
62
Read the labels What to look
for (and what to avoid) when
64Brotherly (or sisterly) love How
to help toddler siblings stop
common parenting problems treatments available to you buying toiletries for your child squabbling and get along
Q&APregnancy,
baby & beyond
G QUESTIONS
ALL YOUR ESSENTIAL PARENTIN
ANSWERED BY SOME OF THE UKS TOP EXPERTS
Is yoga a fad?
Im quite interested in for babies to help improve their
baby yoga, but would it development.
be genuinely good for my Care needs to be taken, though,
child or is it just a fad? when exercising with your baby in this
way: supporting a young babys head
FITNESS EXPERT LAURA and avoiding overstretching are both
SAYS In truth, the answer important, while ensuring movements
is a bit of both. are controlled and steering clear of
Like most movement, extreme ranges of movement are also
yoga can be beneficial a good idea.

The pe rce
79 ntage of w
who felt lik
m isca rriag
e a fa ilu re
e, acco rd
omen
a fte r a
by Tommy
d iscove re
ing to a su
s. The cha
d two-t h ird
ri ty a lso
ta lk abou s found it h
t, even to
their best
Tommys h friend.
as launch
#m isCOUR ed the
AGE socia
campa ign l med ia
ask ing pe
to share exp op le
eriences
Chemical
query
Ive been told that I had a
chemical pregnancy
what does that mean?
OBSTETRICIAN PENELOPE
SAYS This means that you
had produced enough of
the pregnancy hormone
bHCG to record a positive
pregnant urine or blood test.
Unfortunately, the pregnancy failed
at the earliest stage after fertilisation
but during the cell division process.
So a chemical pregnancy is in fact
a really early miscarriage.
The gender divide
My little boy has been saying
he is a girl since he was 2,
wanting to wear girls clothes
and asking us to use a female
name. I thought it was a phase but he is
now 4 years old. What should I do?
PSYCHOLOGIST RICHARD
WOOLFSON Although a
childs gender identity is
usually formed by the age
of 4-5, there can be a
range of other psychological reasons for
your sons comments about being a girl.
For example, he simply could be
attention-seeking, or he might consider
I dont see
rvey
grandchild
a rd to Our former daughter-in-law
rarely lets us see our
grandchild since she
divorced our son. Is it possible
to set up legally agreed contact?
LAWYER URSULA SAYS
If your daughter-in-law
will not agree to discuss
this with you or see a
mediator then youll
need to consider a court application.
Grandparents have more limited
rights than parents and are required
by law to apply for permission before
they may apply for a contact order
with their grandchildren.
The court will consider your bond
with the child, the nature of the
application for contact, and whether
the application might be potentially
harmful to the childs wellbeing.
If you are successful, you can apply
to court for a child arrangement order
to spend time with your grandchild.
that being a girl allows him to be more
sensitive, or he may think being a girl
would help him avoid some of the
challenges he faces.
The psychological significance of your
sons behaviour also depends on the
intensity of his desire to be a girl, and
the effect this has on his life.
Nevertheless, given this preference
has persisted for a couple of years, and
you are clearly concerned, you should
have a chat with a child psychologist.
Your GP or local family health centre
should be able to arrange this. You
should find the discussion reassuring
and helpful.
Health & happiness
No rest due
to reflux
My baby has reflux and it is
affecting his sleep. What can
I do to help ease this?
SLEEP EXPERT MANDY SAYS
Having a baby with reflux can
be very challenging. As the
mum of one myself, I know
how much the pain can
disturb your babys sleep patterns. Babies
with this condition often prefer to take the
majority of their feeds at night. As they
associate feeding with discomfort, their
best feed times are when they are drowsy.
There are a few things you can do to
help your baby be more settled. Offer
small, regular feeds and hold him upright
for 30 minutes after each feed.
Give your baby his last bedtime feed
before his bath: this will give the feed time
to settle before you lay him down. If your
baby is in pain you may need to see your
GP to discuss the possibility of medication.
Once the reflux is under control and
your baby is more settled, you may need
to teach him how to self-settle.
I would recommend the gradual retreat
programme as this technique minimises
crying excessive crying can exacerbate
reflux symptoms. The good news is once
your baby is more upright and taking solids,
the frequency of reflux will begin to slow,
and by 13 months there are only about five
per cent of children with the condition.
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 43
 DI D Y
K N OW OU
Babies
fed cow ?
ma in d s m ilk
rink in as a
o r fo rm place o
ula m il f b reas
k befo re t
month 12
s a re m
o re likely
Conception becom
acco rd
e ove rw
ing to a
eight,
to

concern of B risto
Un ive rs
l study
it y

Im on antidepressants
should I speak to my doctor
before trying for a baby?

GP ROB SAYS Yes, that would be a good idea.

As with all medication its best not to take it
when pregnant, unless the benefits outweigh
the risks. This is the case for antidepressants too.
When you talk with your doctor, you both may
feel its the right time for you to come off the antidepressants,
so this could happen before you start trying for a baby.
You may decide youd rather have overcome your
depression before you start trying to become pregnant.
If you want to start trying for a baby but need to remain on
antidepressants, then your doctor will be able to recommend
a suitable antidepressant, which may be the same one youre
ol taking or a different one. Remember once you start trying for
f

lo
wo a baby to take a daily folic acid supplement.
n mi l k

Work it out
Exactly how is my period this is why many

If youre getting babys due date

calculated? Im
a bit confused!
women are confused how
they can be five weeks
pregnant by the time theyve
missed a period and have a

added iron MIDWIFE ANNE

SAYS The due
date isnt
positive test. If youre unsure,
youll be offered a scan which
can help confirm this, but

clap your hands calculated from

the day you
conceived but 40 weeks
from the first day of your last
dont get too fixated on the
due date, as babies usually
arrive anytime between 37
and 42 weeks.

Iron to support normal cognitive development of children.

 ol

f
lo
wo
n mi l k

If youre getting
added calcium
Changing advice
What creams or
lotions should I use
believe barrier cream adheres
to the nappy reducing its
clap your hands
when changing absorbency, especially in
my baby? the case of disposables.
The second type of nappy
HEALTH cream is medicated, which
VISITOR DAWN should only be used if your
SAYS There are baby begins to develop a
two types of rash or any soreness.
nappy creams. The best way to avoid
One is a barrier cream, such soreness or a rash is frequent
as petroleum jelly, that forms nappy changing and
a film over the babys allowing nappy-free time.
bottom that helps keeps ' For more on what
urine away from the skin. products to use on your
However, some experts babys skin, see p62.

Calcium for normal growth and development of bone in children.

 She hurts me
My toddler keeps pinching me and it hurts. She
finds my reaction funny. How do I make her
understand it isnt nice!

PSYCHOLOGIST RICHARD SAYS She obviously

thinks this is a joke, and doesnt appreciate the
discomfort. Be very clear and direct with your
toddler. Tell her you dont like her pinching, that
other people dislike it as well, and that her
friends will eventually stop playing with her if she continues.
Say, for instance, When you pinch me, that makes me
sad. Be prepared to repeat this message again and again
until she drops this habit. No matter how agitated you
become when she pinches, dont lose your temper. Instead,
quickly and firmly remove her from you, at the same time
saying no. Repeat as often as necessary.
There will be times when your toddler
interacts without pinching. Use
these times to praise her for not
DID YOU
ol
K N OW ?
f

lo
wo pinching, as this lets her know Mothe rs a
n mi l k ged 3 0 to
how you want her to behave. bir th to mo 34 gave
re babies
Finally, never pinch her in othe r age than any
g roup last
retaliation aside from setting acco rd ing yea r,
to new NH
a dreadful example, your A ma te rn it S figu res.
y se rvices

If youre happy toddler will think, If pinching is

good enough for Mum, its
good enough for me.
a lmost a th
in England
ird of bab
ie
repo rt sa id
s delive re
in 2 014/15
a mothe r
in this
had
d

age g roup

and you know it Windy worry

clap your hands Ive had really bad flatulence
since I was five months pregnant.
Is this normal?

MIDWIFE ANNE SAYS Completely

normal! Pregnancy hormones
can make your digestive
system more sluggish, resulting
in bloating, heartburn and
flatulence. As your baby grows, your
stomach gets squashed, leading to
further problems. You might have
worked out if certain foods make this
worse, but drinking peppermint
tea can help, as can eating
smaller portions more
frequently, chewing food
well and regular exercise.
Vitamin D for normal growth and development of bone in children.
How can I
pay for car?
I dont have a car but need
to buy one for when my baby
arrives. What is the best way
to finance this?
MONEY EXPERT
NICK SAYS Using
cash or savings
is the most
cost-effective
way to buy a car, as youll
avoid paying interest on
credit, but you need to
ensure youre left with
enough cash to cover any
other major purchases or
unexpected costs.
If paying cash isnt
practical, its a good idea to
compare other options like
buying on finance. Youll only
get the best deals if you
have a good credit rating,
so its worth checking that.
When buying a car, its
Trimming tips
Any tips how to
cut my toddlers
nails with minimum
fuss? She really
dislikes having it done.
HEALTH
VISITOR DAWN
SAYS Many
toddlers find the
process a bit
scary, while others find sitting
still an issue. Try letting your
child watch you cut your
nails so she can see for
herself that it doesnt hurt.
You could pretend each
important to consider all the
associated costs to ensure
its affordable working out
a budget is a good first step.
The Money Advice Service
website has plenty of
information available to help
find the right car for your
price range. Remember
that if you get behind on
payments, you could lose
your car, so however you
choose to finance it, its
worth having a buffer to
cover any unexpected costs.
If you find running a motor
and having a new baby at
When babies are happy
once isnt affordable, look
at the alternatives such as
a car clubs or car-sharing.
on the inside, theyre
happy on the outside.
And when it comes to getting what they need,
finger is a person having a
a variety of foods and lots of support all help.
haircut and make it into a
fun game. Alternatively you
Cow and Gate Follow-on milk can lend a helping
could pop a cartoon on the
hand, too. Because its enriched with important
TV as a distraction, or you
may decide to just do five nutrients like iron, calcium and vitamin D.
fingers at a time and the
others later, or even the
For more information visit cowandgate.co.uk/products
next day, followed by five
toes and so on.
A good idea is to use
straight clippers and scissors
that have a curved e d
after a bath nails will
to cut.
Breastfeeding is best. Follow-on milk should only be used as part of a healthy
mixed diet from 6 months. Talk to your healthcare professional. Calcium to support
normal growth and development of bone in children.
 Our deputy
editor and
health expert
Alex Lloyd
brings you
up to date

HEALTH &
WELLBEING
NEWS The latest advice to keep
your family in fine fettle

Health
MONITOR
FIGHTING FIT CRITICAL
A non-invasive
blood test to
CONDITION Dont banish BIO
Half of new mums The NHS is changing official some places, you cannot buy
detect sex, are still worried guidelines that all baby items washing detergents without enzymes.
blood group about feeling low should be washed in non-biological NHS Choices investigated and
and genetic or depressed eight
detergent after parents challenged also agreed there was no basis
conditions months after giving
the scientific basis for the advice. for the advice and it would be
carried on the birth, according
X chromosome While biological liquids and changed. It is now informing the
to the NCT.
(such as Duchenne The charity, which powders are better for cleaning Department of Health and Public
muscular has launched the clothes and soiled cloth nappies Health England.
dystrophy) in #BeyondBabyBlues because they contain enzymes to Professor Hywel Williams, of the
unborn babies has campaign, also break down the dirt, families have University of Nottingham, who
been developed found more than a historically been told to only use assisted the NHS investigation, says,
by Plymouth third had not spoken non-bio to avoid skin irritations. Modern washing machines are so
scientists. Hailed to a healthcare
Compiled by Alex Lloyd Images iStock

as a world first,
the test is a safer
alternative to an
amniocentesis
and costs pence,
using blood taken
from the mum
during standard
pregnancy checks.
But members of citizen science
professional about project The Nappy Science Gang
their feelings, while
argued there was no evidence for
73 per cent of dads
this as studies show no difference
were concerned
between the two, with any irritations
about their partners
mental health. down to perfumes that can be
found equally in both.
In fact, no other countries make
such a recommendation and, in
efficient that they are very unlikely
to leave behind traces of enzymes
or soap that can act as irritants. It
might be a legacy from a long time
ago when they first came out
(perhaps with some residues giving
rise to irritation), but it has left a
legacy of a very strong ritual in the
British population.

48 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

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 Failing to conceive a
much longed-for baby
can be devastating, so
should you need expert
advice, it helps to know
a bit about the subject

Fertility
treatments
explained

50 Prima Baby I madeformums.com


A
nyone trying for a baby will
understand how disappointing,
frustrating and heartbreaking it
is when it just doesnt happen.
But take comfort in the fact that infertility
defined by the NHS as when a couple
cannot get pregnant, despite having
regular unprotected sex affects one in
seven couples; approximately 3.5 million
people in the UK. So youre not alone and,
thankfully, help is out there
First things first:
when to see your GP
Figures show that 84 per cent of couples
will conceive naturally within the first year
of having regular unprotected sex. But if
youre not that lucky, at what point should
you visit your GP?
Professor Geeta Nargund, Medical
Director at Create Fertility, says, NHS
guidelines recommend that if youre
under 35 and you and your partner have
been trying to conceive for a year or
more by having regular unprotected sex,
and have not become pregnant, you
should see your GP. If you are over 35 then
you should see your GP after six months.
Usually, your GP will look at you and
your partners lifestyles, whether youre
overweight, smoking, drinking excessively,
taking drugs, under a lot of stress or if
theres any family history of genetic
problems. This helps to take into account
all the factors that could possibly affect
your fertility. They will then usually refer
you for tests in order to try to pinpoint
what exactly is causing the infertility,
Professor Geeta adds.
Tests your GP or NHS
fertility specialist
will be able to offer
Sperm test About one-third of fertility
problems are due to sperm problems and
a semen sample will be taken for analysis.
Blood test for hormone levels (AMH and
FSH) Testing for a womans AMH levels
is a marker for ovarian (egg)
reserve. You may also be tested for
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Health & happiness
follicles are cyst-like structures within the
ovaries that produce estrogen and
progesterone and release an egg when
you ovulate and Luteinising Hormone
(LH). A blood test for thyroid function and
prolactin hormone is done if you have
irregular periods, and a rubella immunity
blood test is also necessary.
Test for chlamydia Chlamydia can
cause pelvic inflammatory disease and
lead to fallopian tubal damage.
Transvaginal ultrasound scan A small
ultrasound probe is placed in the vagina
to check the health of the ovaries, to assess
the egg reserve and detect ovarian cysts
such as endometriotic cysts. The womb is
also scanned to detect certain conditions
that can affect chances of conception or
cause miscarriages, such as fibroids.
Fallopian tube test
A Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) involves dye
being injected through the cervix while
you have an x-ray. The dye will help your
doctors to see if there are any blockages
in your fallopian tubes. The test can also
be done using an ultrasound scan:
Hystero-Contrast Sonography (HycoSy).
Professor Geeta says, Its worth
remembering that while everyone hopes
that these tests will locate the cause of
the infertility, for 25 per cent of couples,
infertility remains unexplained. While this
outcome is frustrating, its important to
remember that there are still many
treatment options available.
Results and next steps
Ovulation If theres an ovulation
problem, you may be prescribed ovulation
stimulating drugs such as Clomid.
Endometriosis A condition where the
endometrial cells lining the womb migrate
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 51
 to other parts of the body and
is believed to make it more
difficult to become pregnant
for some women. According
to the American Society for
Reproductive Medicine, 30 to
50 per cent of women with
endometriosis may experience
infertility. Laparoscopic surgery
(also known as keyhole surgery)
can sometimes remove or reduce
the scar tissue and help fertility.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
(PCOS) Another common
condition that affects the ovaries,
and therefore fertility. The three
main features are cysts on the
ovaries, the ovaries not releasing
eggs properly and high levels of
male hormones in the womans
body. According to the NHS, an
estimated one in five women in the
UK have PCOS, but more than half
have no symptoms. In most cases,
fertility problems in women with
PCOS result from the absence of
ovulation. But there may also be
lifestyle changes that can be made
to reduce symptoms and aid fertility.
Female tube blockages
Can prevent the egg meeting the
sperm. Possible causes are sexually
transmitted diseases, pelvic
inflammatory disease, DONT
or previous surgery.
FORGET
Laparoscopic surgery can
sometimes open tubes.
FOLIC ACID
Taking a 400mcg folic
Poor egg quality acid supplement daily, for
This is usually age- 12 weeks prior to conception
related, as eggs decline and the first three months of or not you or your partner inserting washed (see box top right)
pregnancy will help protect
in quality with age. already have children. sperm into a womans womb at the time
your baby against neural
Feature Rachel Tompkins Images Getty

Professor Geeta says, tube defects, such as If youre not eligible,
If investigating these areas spina bifida private prices start at around
doesnt help, then, depending 5,000, going up to 15,000.
on the criteria in your area, your GP Some clinics offer the chance to
may refer you for a type of In Vitro reduce costs by egg sharing: donating
Fertilisation (IVF). Whether or not youre eggs to other couples who need them.
eligible for NHS funding has been dubbed
a postcode lottery because the criteria Treatments available
varies across the country. It takes into Intra-uterine Insemination (IUI)
account things like your age and whether A straightforward treatment that involves
when she is ovulating. Professor Geeta
explains, The treatment can occur during
the natural cycle or in a stimulated cycle
using fertility drugs. It has a lower success
rate per cycle, but is suitable for single
women, same-sex couples and couples
with mild sperm problems. Women need
open fallopian tubes for it to work.
In Vitro Maturation (IVM) Involves
collecting immature eggs from a woman

52 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 Health & happiness

MALE TREATMENT OPTIONS

ICSI In some cases the
doctor will recommend
Intraytoplasmic Sperm
Injection (ICSI). This is a form
of IVF where a single sperm
is placed directly into each
egg by piercing the outer
covering of the egg. Sperm
can be collected from the
semen or removed from the
mans testes or epididymis.
Intrauterine insemination
(IUI) Semen is collected,
then a procedure called
sperm washing is done to
separate healthy sperm
from the rest of the semen.
Then the sperm is inserted
into the uterus. It puts the
sperm closer to the egg,
cutting the time and distance
the sperm have to travel.
Male fertility hormones
Injectable hormones can
be used to treat men who
are not producing sperm
because of a condition
called primary
hypogonadotropic
hypogonadism. This is
caused when the brain
fails to produce enough
of the right hormones.
Male fertility drugs Some
men have a condition
where sperm is ejaculated
into the bladder instead of
penis, often as a result of
diabetes, medication or
surgery. Non-hormonal
drugs may help close the
neck of the bladder to
solve the problem.
Correction of blockages
and extraction of sperm
Sometimes a blockage in
the testicles prevents sperm
from being ejaculated
normally. If this is
causing infertility,
surgery to correct
the blockage
can be performed.
Surgical extraction
of sperm This may be an
option for men with an
obstruction that prevents
sperm release those born
without the tube that drains
the sperm from the testicle;
a vasectomy; or failed
vasectomy reversal.
Sperm donation You may
be able to receive sperm
from a donor. Anyone
registered to donate sperm
after April 2005 can no
longer remain anonymous.
A child born as a result of
donated eggs or sperm is
legally entitled to find out
the identity of the donor at 18.

F O R MO
FE RT RE O N
CONCEILIT Y AND
PTION, V
madefo ISIT
rmums.c
om
without drug stimulation. The eggs are
then matured in the lab to create several
embryos. This is suitable for women with
PCOS who want to avoid drugs and risks
such as Ovarian Hyperstimulation
Syndrome (OHSS). Not available on the NHS.
In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) The most
common form of fertility treatment, which
involves the removal of eggs from a
womans ovaries, as an outpatient under
ultrasound guidance. The eggs are then
fertilised with sperm in a laboratory
setting. Once fertilised, the embryo is
transferred to the womans womb
to grow and develop into a baby.
Professor Geeta says,
Conventional IVF has become
associated with stimulation
of the ovaries, as a means of
artificially boosting the number
of eggs matured and thus
collected in one cycle.
However, this can lead to both
emotional and physical strain
for the woman, including
increased chances of developing OHSS.
Natural Cycle IVF This is carried out
without fertility drugs. The aim is to collect
the egg that the body has selected
naturally. The hope is to be able to collect
a naturally selected high quality egg,
which therefore increases the chances
of creating a high quality embryo.
Modified Natural Cycle IVF A form of
Natural Cycle IVF. Medication is given
for three to four days in order to block
spontaneous ovulation, and a small dose
of stimulation hormone is given in order to
keep the follicles healthy and growing.
Again, the aim is to collect one high quality
naturally selected egg, though sometimes
more than one egg can be selected.
Mild Stimulation IVF Carried out within
the natural menstrual cycle, it uses lower
doses of fertility drugs in order to achieve
a mild response to stimulation. Its sometimes
referred to as Mini IVF. Compared to the
four to five weeks of medication used in
conventional IVF, stimulating medication
is given for just five to nine days. It is aimed
at reducing side effects and costs, while
increasing the quality of eggs, embryos
and the lining of the womb within an IVF
cycle. This is the modern method for
women with normal egg reserve, and
is becoming popular worldwide.
Thankfully, Professor Geeta reassures,
Medical advances to reduce the amount
of stimulatory drugs have meant IVF has
become safer and more affordable.
Also, improvements in fertility testing,
such as the fertility MOT, mean that
gaining accurate information as to your
fertility status is now more accessible than
ever before. PB

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 53

 Location
location
From epidurals to
birthing pools, how do you
choose the way to give birth
thats right for you and your
Feature Gemma Wilcock Images Alamy, Getty

baby? Read our guide

to help you decide

54 Prima Baby I madeformums.com


Y
ouve probably already spent
hours daydreaming about the
moment when youll meet your
baby for the first time, imagining
who hell look like and how youll feel
when you finally hold him in your arms.
But how much have you thought about
the setting? Would you like to be at home,
in hospital, or in a birthing centre? It may
be that you feel more comfortable in
a quieter environment, or you may want
the reassurance of doctors nearby in case
something goes wrong.
Speak to your midwife and, if possible,
attend local antenatal classes to find
out more about your options. Its worth
remembering, however, that anything
can happen during labour, so dont be
disappointed if things dont go to plan.
And, of course, you can always change
your mind at any time.
Home birth
Around two per cent of babies are born
at home. For many women, its the idea of
going into labour in a more relaxed and
familiar setting thats so appealing. And
changes to National Institute for Health
and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines
a year ago mean that more births could
be in the home, as women with a low risk
of complications particularly second-
time mums are now being encouraged
to look at this option.
Some women really dont like being
in hospital, explains Rachel Scanlan, a
Better Births midwife at the Royal College
of Midwives. It is a clinical environment.
At home youre around your own stuff,
you have your own bath, or you can hire
a birthing pool. You dont have the trauma
of getting in a car. And afterwards, you
have your own bed, and your partner
can remain with you the whole time.
Birthplaces National Cohort Study
found that women who have planned
home births have less chance of requiring
a caesarean or an assisted delivery, such
as forceps, as well as a lower risk of
haemorrhage. Theres also less chance
of infection for both mum and baby.
There is a small increase in risk to the
baby if its a womans first child, says
Rachel. However, for women having
their second baby at home, its just as
safe as a birthing centre or hospital.
Community midwives will come
to your home, or you can book an
independent midwife. Many mums
who choose a home birth want a more
natural labour, but you may be able
to have gas and air or pethidine. If at
any time something goes wrong or you
feel you need an epidural, you will be
transferred to your nearest hospital.
Birthing centre
For many women, a birthing centre is the
ideal location as its a calmer alternative
to a labour ward, yet feels safer than at
home. NICE advises that first-time mums
with a low risk of complications might be
best served by this option.
A birthing centre is a midwifery-led unit,
so there are no doctors. Its more of
a home-from-home environment,
explains Nia Williams, midwife
team leader at the Birth
Centre at Queen Charlottes
& Chelsea Hospital. Its for
33
The percentage of women
women who are low risk who gave birth at home in
both medically and in 1960. This fell to an all-time
their pregnancy, as they low of 0.9% between 1985
have far less need for and 1988. In 2013, the
medical intervention. figure was 2.3%
There are two kinds of
birthing centre a freestanding
midwifery unit and midwife-led birth
centres, which are run alongside the
conventional maternity units in hospitals.
The private rooms tend to be more
spacious, with bigger beds so your partner
can stay with you. They may also have an
en suite toilet and a birthing pool, as well
as a range of other birthing aids. Its
more about managing the pain naturally.
So we have balls, hammocks, mats and
bean bags, as well as birthing pools. We
encourage women to be mobile, getting
them off their backs, explains Nia.
We have gas and air, and some units
do have diamorphine to help with the
Health & happiness
Hospital isnt
the only option
for giving birth
pain, but if you want an epidural or you
need a caesarean, you will be transferred
to a labour ward.
Try not to worry if this does happen, as
about one in three first-time mums whose
pregnancy is low risk are transferred.
Imperial College Healthcare Charity
is raising the final 50,000 of its million-
pound Birth Centre Appeal to help
remodel and expand the birth centre
at Queen Charlottes & Chelsea Hospital
in West London. You can find out more at
imperialcharity.org.uk/birth-centre
Labour ward
Even if it isnt by choice, the
majority of women end up
giving birth on a labour
ward. As midwives and
obstetricians work
together, many mums feel
this is the safest option.
If something goes wrong,
the doctor will be very close by.
There will also be a theatre attached
to the ward in case you need to have
a caesarean, Rachel explains. What
women need to bear in mind, though, is
that if they go into a labour ward with no
complications, the chance of intervention,
such as forceps, is increased.
A labour ward will be much busier than
a birthing suite, and you may not like the
idea of having your baby in such a clinical
environment. But many delivery rooms
offer birthing balls and mats, and some
even have a pool in their rooms.
Most labour wards will start all women
off on a pain ladder, maybe starting
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 55
Health & happiness

Real mums say...

I wanted to have all three of my
babies in a birthing centre, with as
little intervention as possible. It seemed
more personal and quiet than a labour
ward, but due to complications I ended
up there each time. Though none of my
births went to plan, I wouldnt change
them because the level of care all
my babies received was fantastic.
Gillian Ball, 33, from Stockton-on-Tees,
mum to Lily, 7, Daisy, 5, and Luca, 2

With my son, I wanted to have a

home birth, but I ended up being
rushed to hospital because he got
stuck. So with my daughter, I chose to
give birth in a birthing suite, with loads
of equipment and a pool. But once I got
into the water, she arrived so quickly
that the midwife was still across
the other side of the room!
Laura Lucas, 41, from East London,
Birthing pools mum to Wulfie, 5, and Eliza, 3
are a preferred DID YOU
choice for many
mums-to-be
KNOW?
Around nine out of 10 of the Packages cost around Every time the woman visits, that
with a birthing pool in 700,000 babies born in 2,000 to 4,000, and you relationship grows, and that makes the
which you can use gas England and Wales each normally have to pay delivery very special.
year arrive at doctor-led
and air, but nothing obstetrician fees on top Private facilities arent available
obstetric units
stronger then an injection of that, although this could throughout the country, however, and are
such as pethidine or morphine, be covered by private health mostly around London. An alternative is
and if the woman still feels she insurance, if you already have it. to employ one of the many independent
needs something else, theres local With NHS midwives so busy, women midwives who work all over the UK, who
anaesthesia, such as an epidural, she adds. may not get to see the same one can give continuity of care throughout
Maternity units do vary, so its worth throughout pregnancy and labour. By your pregnancy, birth and the days and
taking a tour of your local hospital to going private, youll have that important weeks after the birth. PB
check out whats available. one-to-one care during
your labour and delivery.
Private care In the case of
In the UK, you can choose to have your consultant-led care, the
baby in a private hospital, or mix NHS woman can choose her
services with private care. consultant and have
In some NHS hospitals, you have the all her care with that
option to choose private care, explains consultant. If she opts for
Pauline Hargy, maternity matron, clinical midwife-led care the
services at The Portland Hospital for woman will have the
Women and Children which is the only opportunity to meet
fully private maternity hospital in the UK. and get to know her
Care is normally in the private side but in team of midwives,
most instances the birth is on the NHS side. explains Pauline.

56 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

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 Birth left me
shellshocked
WATCHING HER
NEWBORN
RUSHED TO
SPECIAL CARE
HAD A DEEPER
IMPACT ON NICKY
SERCOMBE, 40,
THAN SHE
REALISED
F
or most women, recalling their
babys birth is a happy memory,
with even the painful, difficult
bits regarded as an essential
part of the ultimately treasured
experience. But as I talked through
my first daughters arrival, describing
the horror of watching her rushed to
special care, I was an emotional wreck.
Nicky, youre suffering from
post-traumatic stress disorder, a
psychologist explained afterwards.
I dont understand, Im not a soldier,
I replied, in shock. I associated PTSD
with the horror of war, not women
whove had babies.
Feature Allison Martin
Nickys smile hid Yet it made sense. Id spent two
her inner turmoil
years lying awake every night
after her babys
traumatic birth reliving the worst experience of
my life over and over again. Now I
finally knew why.
58 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
When I look back, nothing could have
prepared me for the trauma of Emilias
birth in July 2010, and the terror that
followed. Id loved every minute of being
pregnant and was so relaxed that I didnt
even have a birth plan.
She was almost two weeks late when
my contractions started on the Thursday
night. By Sunday I was exhausted, the
contractions were close together but I
wasnt dilating. A consultant examined
me and thats when they told me my
babys heart rate kept dropping.
They actually cut the top of her head to
measure oxygen levels, it was incredibly
traumatic but I still didnt feel scared. Not
until the consultant suddenly announced,
Were getting her out! He pressed the
alarm and then turned to me, Dont
worry, we have an hour or so before it
gets really serious. I was terrified.
Haunted by trauma
My husband Dave was in pieces, pulling
on scrubs as I was taken for an emergency
caesarean. But it was what happened
next that haunted me every day after...
Moments after Emilia arrived, I heard
the doctors say she was struggling to
breathe. I was on the operating table,
being stitched, but I strained, desperately
trying to see what was going on. I begged
for answers but they could only tell me my
daughter was being taken to special care.
As I was rolled into recovery I watched
this big group of medical professionals, my
tiny baby in the middle of them, rushing
away and I couldnt go with her. Dave
didnt know what to do, he was so torn,
 Health & happiness

Nicky and Dave

with their two
daughters

listen to the tape every day.

With baby
Emilia
but I shouted, Go with her.
Id been awake for days, so they gave
me something to help me sleep, but as
soon as I woke up I wanted to see my little
girl. I was wheeled down to the special
care unit and there she was.
At 9lb 7oz, she was a big baby and
looked amazing, despite all the tubes and
beeping monitors. A doctor came in and
gently said, We think she
might have meningitis. I just
stared at him, not knowing
what to say.
Everything after that is a
I boxed
my feelings away,
blur. I remember being told but at night all
they needed to perform a the pain and
lumbar puncture because
her blood scores were off the
horror would
sneak out
charts with infection, but the
first time they tried she was
too distressed. Well try
once more but, if it doesnt work, well
have to treat her as if it is meningitis,
someone said. I could hardly take it in.
The second attempt was successful and
Emilia was meningitis free. We still dont
know what the infection was and I felt
guilty that Id passed something on to her.
Emilia was on antibiotics for five days
over and over. I didnt speak to anyone
about it, not friends or family, not even
Dave because I simply couldnt cope with
talking about it. Whenever I did have to
think about or discuss Emilias birth, Id
burst into tears, unable to get words out.
I boxed my feelings away but, at night, in
those quiet moments, all
the pain and horror would
sneak out of that box.
It wasnt until I was
pregnant again in 2014 that
I was forced to confront my
fears. At my first midwife
appointment I was asked
about Emilias birth and I
just started to weep. You
shouldnt still be struggling,
the midwife said, and
recommended a service at the hospital.
I cant go back there, I cried. Weeks
later I learned an overwhelming fear of
returning to the scene of your trauma is
one of the effects of PTSD. Thats when the
midwife referred me to a psychologist.
At my first appointment I sobbed as I
recounted Emilias birth and she made her
Gradually my stress levels started to
reduce. I heard myself talking about it
without reliving it. I actually started to get
bored of listening to myself it became
a story, something that had happened,
which helped me put it in the past. I
remember getting to a point where I
could say, Shes healthy, happy and its
OK now, which was a real breakthrough.
Raising awareness
I opted for an elective caesarean with
my second daughter and Isabel arrived
according to plan in December 2014. We
had skin-to-skin contact immediately and
she was with me on the ward. It was such
a different experience, no lingering pain
or trauma, no constant tears.
It was shocking to be told I had post-
natal PTSD but, when I look back, it makes
so much sense. Im not alone either Ive
been told up to 20,000 women suffer every
year and the trauma can haunt them for
decades after, with lack of awareness
meaning cases go undiagnosed or
misdiagnosed as postnatal depression.
Im just so grateful I managed to get the
help I needed and just enjoy being a mum
to my two beautiful girls. PB
For more information on postnatal PTSD,
visit birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
Nicky can now
fully enjoy
being a mum

and I stayed with her at the hospital on a
ward surrounded by mums and their new
babies. As I watched them cuddling and
feeding their little ones, I felt so useless.
I was in tears all the time, distraught at
missing crucial bonding time. We couldnt
even cuddle properly through all the
tubes, wires and machines.
On the sixth day we went home and I
was elated. I loved her so much but I just
couldnt process what wed been through,
Id just go over it again and again.
Night-time was the worst. Id just lay there,
awake, my mind replaying the experience
diagnosis. I was asked lots of questions
and it soon became clear nightmares were
just one of my symptoms. I was anxious
and jumpy, loud noises frightened me and
driving was a nightmare. The psychologist
said, Youve been trying to fight this but
you cant. You have to work through it.
I was six months pregnant when I started
counselling, which meant reliving the
event again and again until my brain
could handle it. It was so scary, sitting
there with my eyes closed going over it all
as if it was happening. We also recorded
me reliving the experience and I had to
ANTI-COLIC
AIR SYSTEM

L HEALTH
TA
N

FO
ITISH DE

UN
DATION
BR

APPROVED
 THINGS
YOU NEED TO
10
KNOW ABOUT...
BR O NC H IOLI TI S
1 3
Bronchiolitis has placed
a significant burden on
the NHS, with around
40,000 infants being admitted
to hospital with the severe
form of the illness each year.
Its a common childhood viral
infection caused by respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV), spread
via tiny droplets of liquid when
someone infected with RSV
coughs or sneezes. Bronchiolitis
causes the small airways in
the lungs to become inflamed
so the amount of air entering
the childs lungs is reduced,
making it difficult to breathe.
Common symptoms of
2
bronchiolitis can include
a runny nose, dry cough,
mild fever, loss of appetite,
fast heartbeat and shallow,
laboured breathing. The illness
usually clears up within two to
Feature Eleanor Philpot Image iStock
three weeks without needing
treatment. Make sure that your
child is given plenty of fluids in
order to avoid dehydration.
You can also give her infant
paracetamol or ibuprofen to
help bring her fever down,
if necessary (follow dosing
instructions to the letter).
If you notice other
symptoms such as difficulty
breathing, feeding less, a
dry nappy for 12 hours or more,
a persistent high temperature
(38C or higher), and constant
tiredness and irritable moods,
you should contact your GP.
To keep germs under
4
control when your child
is poorly, frequently
wipe down or wash toys and
surfaces that she has touched,
and use disposable tissues
when blowing her nose. A
child can remain infected for
up to three weeks, even if the
symptoms have cleared up.
5 8
There is no way to
completely prevent your
little one from catching
the virus. Try to keep newborns
away from those with colds or
flu, and regularly wash your
hands. Inhaling second-hand
smoke can make your baby
more prone to bronchiolitis, too.
If your little one is having
6 9
trouble breathing during
feeds, sit her upright
this will increase the amount of
air she can take into her lungs.
You can also try nasal saline
drops apply to each nostril 15
minutes before feeding time.
7
Bronchiolitis is a very
common condition
one in three children in
the UK develops it during their
first year. Yet research from
morethanacold.co.uk suggests
58 per cent of parents of
under-5s are unaware of the
illness. It most commonly affects
babies aged between 3 and
6 months, and is most
widespread during winter.
Once a baby has contracted
bronchiolitis, theyre more
prone to wheezy coughs when
they get a cold, as well as being
more likely to develop asthma.
A baby is more likely
to develop severe
bronchiolitis if she was
born prematurely (at less than
37 weeks). Children with a
history of lung or heart disease
are also at high risk. Its thought
breastfeeding can reduce the
risk of severe bronchiolitis.
A child with a high risk
of developing severe
bronchiolitis may be able
to have monthly antibody
injections in winter. Speak to your
doctor for more information.
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 61
If your baby is
10 having trouble
breathing and is
pale, sweaty or blue, seek
immediate medical assistance
at A&E or by calling 999. PB
It happened to me
Vanessa Murray, 34, from
Hampshire, is mum to
Zachary, 5, and Noah, 2
Noah was born at
33 weeks, weighing
just 4Ib 2oz. When he was
8 weeks old, his brother
Zachary got a runny nose
and cough, and a few
days later Noah became
ill. At first I thought it was a
cold, but when he started
struggling to breathe, I took
him straight to our GP. She
recognised the symptoms
of bronchiolitis and sent us
to hospital. There, Noah was
tested for RSV, which came
back positive. We stayed
overnight, and his oxygen
levels were monitored and
he was given an inhaler.
Thankfully, it hasnt
occurred again since.
 WHATS
REALLY
IN YOUR
CHILDS
SKINCARE
PRODUCTS
Confused by all the baby and toddler
toiletries on the market? We explain
what to look for and what to avoid

M
ost parents are ultra-careful Early days a thin layer of nappy barrier cream, she
about what goes into their Many parents-to-be stock up on baby says. Choose one thats as simple as
Feature Georgina Wintersgill Images ImageSource, iStock

little ones body. But what
about what goes onto it?
Many baby skincare products look
gorgeous on your bathroom shelves
and smell good enough to eat but
is a product containing dozens of
unpronounceable ingredients really
the right thing to be slathering onto
your little ones delicate skin?
We asked midwife and baby skincare
adviser Sharon Trotter (tipslimited.co.uk)
and consultant dermatologist Dr Nevianna
Tomson (suffolkskin.com) of the British
Association of Dermatologists for advice.
skincare products from bubble baths to
moisturisers before their little ones even
arrived. But your baby is born with a top
layer of skin thats thin, absorbent, and
easily damaged. Over the first month,
her skin will mature and develop its own
natural protective barrier. Thats why the
NHS recommends using just plain water
and cotton wool to wash your baby for at
least the first month, only using some mild,
fragrance-free soap if necessary.
Sharon agrees its best to avoid all
skincare products (including soap) for at
least the first month. The only exception is
possible, without fragrance, and do a
patch test on your babys arm or leg first.
She suggests that for the first few days,
until the cord has dropped off, you should
just top and tail your baby (clean her
face and bottom) rather than give her a
bath (use moistened cotton wool to clean
the cord area if its dirty). After that, she
recommends bathing your baby just two or
three times a week, rather than every day.
Your baby may be born with traces of a
white, sticky substance called vernix on
her skin. This is a natural moisturiser and
protective barrier, which protected her

62 Prima Baby I madeformums.com


skin in the womb.
It should be left to
absorb naturally.
If your baby is
overdue, her skin
may be dry and
cracked
because
all of
the
vernix
was
absorbed
in the
womb.
But dont be
tempted to use
moisturisers or
lotions, which may
make things worse.
After a few days, the top layer
of skin will peel off, revealing
perfect skin underneath.
Going forward
After the first month, the natural
protective barrier will have formed on
your babys skin, and you may want to
gradually introduce a few baby skincare
products. Sharon advises using as few as
possible and adds, A little goes a long
way. You dont need to use loads.
She again advises doing a patch test on
a small area of your babys skin when you
use a product for the first time. After six
months you might want to introduce a
bath product (non-bubbly ones are less
drying), perhaps a moisturising cream,
baby lotion or baby oil. If youve avoided
products in the early months and let your
baby develop her own natural barrier,
chances are when you introduce
products shell be able to tolerate them.
However, Sharon recommends avoiding
shampoo until your baby is a year old. She
says, A babys hair doesnt get dirty it irritating, and theyre often
has its own natural oils, which are stripped
away when you use shampoo. Shampoo
encourages the skin to produce more
sebum [an oily substance that keeps the
hair moisturised], so your baby is more
likely to get cradle cap. Simply rinse your
babys hair in her bathwater, using a baby
comb to get rid of any debris.
Choosing carefully
Be aware that even products developed
specifically for babies may include
ingredients that could irritate your babys
skin or cause an allergic reaction. Some
ingredients are more likely to do this, so
read the labels carefully.
Dr Nevianna advises, Choose products
that arent fragranced, as fragrance
can be an irritant. I avoid a preservative
called methylisothiazolinone [MIT or MI].
Unfortunately, MIT is widely used in baby
wipes, shampoos, soaps and creams.
It can evoke an allergic reaction in
people that can be very severe.
Products that lather up may contain
sodium lauryl sulphate [SLS a cleansing
and foaming agent], which strips away
the oil from the skin and is associated with
skin irritation. I would try to avoid SLS. I tell
my patients that if anything lathers up by
itself, avoid it. If you want to use something
to wash your baby, theres a wide range
of soap substitutes available that can be
bought at most chemists and supermarkets.
Understanding jargon
You may feel you need a degree in
chemistry to understand the ingredients
listed on many skincare products. Its
often easier to choose a product based
on the claims on the packaging, such as
natural, hypoallergenic or for sensitive
skin. But how much do these
really tell you?
Products labelled natural
are not necessarily safer
for your babys skin, says
Dr Nevianna, As a
dermatologist, Id say that
natural things can still be
full of fragrance.
Sharon gives the
example that olive oil,
often recommended
for baby massage, can
Health & happiness
strip away a babys delicate skin barrier
(visit the International Association of Infant
Massage website at iaimbabymassage.
co.uk for information on safe oils).
And what about products labelled
hypoallergenic, supposedly less likely to
cause an allergic reaction? Dr Nevianna
points out an allergy is not the same as an
irritant. So one of the ingredients could
still irritate your babys skin. In any case,
your child could still develop an allergy
to one of the ingredients in time.
A product labelled for sensitive skin,
meanwhile, refers to simple irritation, not
allergic reactions. According to The
Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association,
the claim would typically be supported
either by careful selection of ingredients
to minimise the risk of irritation or be tested
on people with sensitive skin.
When theres a problem
If your child has a reaction to a product,
stop using it straight away, and see your
doctor if youre concerned. However, it
isnt always easy to pinpoint the cause
of a problem, as Dr Nevianna explains,
If your babys allergic to something, the
rash often takes three to five days to
develop so its very difficult to pick up
what theyre allergic to. However, if its
an irritant reaction, the skin becomes
red straight away.
Using fewer products is better, she says,
because it will be easier to pinpoint the
cause. Sharon agrees, Once youve
found a brand you like,
stick with it, because the
basic ingredients for any
particular brand tend to
be similar. She advises,
If your child reacts to
something, go back
to basics and use
nothing but plain
water again.
Reintroduce
products gradually
and keep a diary so
you can determine
the cause. PB
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 63
 Sibling
SQUABBLES
urvive them)
(and how to s
IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE AT LOGGERHEADS, FEAR NOT!
WITH A FEW SIMPLE STRATEGIES, YOU CAN EASE THE CONFLICT
Feature Alicia Eaton Images ImageSource

I
t may drive you mad, but children fight.
Its natural. They fight because theyre
bored; because they want attention;
because they feel tired, jealous or
angry and dont know how to express it.
Youre very unlikely to be able stop the
squabbles completely, but learning how
to resolve these conflicts can make all the
difference both to your own stress levels,
and how your children feel about each
other and the world in general.
You may be wondering if you should just
let them get on with it: sort out their own
battles, if you like. There are arguments in
favour of this, especially when a badly
judged intervention causes more conflict
than it solves. Parents who take sides
only inflame the situation, which can,
in turn, lead to retaliations. However, the
other side to this argument is that if you
leave matters as they stand, one child
might be able to get away with persistent
bullying of another. Turning a blind eye is
therefore not a viable strategy.
So, what should you do? Well, as with
many strategies, it helps if youve prepared
beforehand. Knee-jerk reactions such as

64 Prima Baby I madeformums.com


instant punishments, time
outs, or any attempts to
apportion blame will only
backfire. Punishing both
Du rin
children regardless is just as ra g e , siblin
ave
ineffective. In fact, Id avoid mo re
punishments altogether t han t
they simply spread negativity.
The best strategy to adopt is to
accept and acknowledge each
childs feelings and point of view, and
help them to express that to their sibling.
If possible, ignore the fight altogether
at the time, then bring it up at a neutral
moment well away from the incident
such as on a walk in the park or when
relaxing at bathtime. Encourage your
children to work together to come to a
solution they agree on and, if necessary,
prompt them with ideas on how to do that.
If a squabble becomes so severe you
have to intervene immediately, be direct.
This is not the time to ask vague questions
such as, How many times have I told you
not to do that?. Better to say, Lets stop.
For a more proactive approach to
the problem, adopting the following
strategies will definitely help:
Stay well connected Anxiety is often the
reason behind angry outbursts between
siblings. Your child is fearful of losing your
love and needs to be reminded that hes
special to you. Each day, set aside some
one-to-one time with each child it
doesnt need to be a play activity, in fact,
its better if its an everyday activity such
as sorting the laundry, writing a shopping
list, tidying the toys away Not only
will you be fostering a sense
of camaraderie, but youll
also find it easier to
have the time to do it.
Encourage
bonding Keep
reinforcing the idea
that your siblings
love each other
and get along well.
Take photos of them
playing together
having fun, and stick
Health & happiness
YOU them into a small photo album that the best way to engage with an adult
DI D W? to look at on a regular basis. is to fight with his siblings. Do include the
K NO h ildhoo
d, o n Looking through an album naughty sibling in the soothing process,
g c e n d can even take the place of though he could fetch some plasters,
gs sp
h e r a bedtime story. Encourage
get a cold flannel or a drink of water rather
t ime to
o w it h your children to tell the story than excluding him, which isnt what he
hey d
n t s of what was happening in needs at this point.
a re
t heir p
the picture. Dont insist on an apology Once youve
Sniff the baby This may seem calmed the situation down, dont drag an
like a weird tip, but if youre worried apology out. Your children will be feeling
about how your older sibling will respond unhappy, cross and angry, and need
to the arrival of a newborn, encourage help, support and guidance. Now is not
him to sniff the babys head regularly. the time to insist one or other of them says
Researchers have discovered that sorry. They feel confused and absolutely
newborn babies release pheromones not sorry at all at that precise moment.
from the tops of their heads. Regular If you make a child apologise when
sniffing of this chemical release will calm he doesnt genuinely feel it, youll be
any aggressive instincts your child may teaching them to lie. Simply demonstrate
have towards a newborn sibling and hell that saying sorry is part of normal family
become more protective instead. life. Little by little, theyll get the message
Play children versus parents that it makes everyone feel better
games Its common to see when apologies are given.
DI D Y
families divide themselves up O Beware the self-fulfilling
into teams by spreading the K N OW U prophecy Avoid talking
children evenly between
?
Betwee
n the a about your children as
of 2 an g es
the adults to balance d 4, sib siblings who always fight
wil l ha li ngs
ve an a
things out, but this doesnt a con fl ve rage and just cant get along.
ict onc of
help them form a strong e eve ry Too many of us tend to
n ine m
unit. Choose different kinds inutes greet our partners and other
of games that will suit their family members at the end of
abilities. Children can chase a busy day with stories of fights
parents round the garden, or play and arguments. Save those
hide and seek, and not be disadvantaged. anecdotes for another time. Instead,
Get down to your childs level During when your children are in earshot,
an argument, anxiety levels will be high, deliberately start talking about how their
and an adult talking crossly from a great behaviour is improving and how much
height will add to this feeling. Get down to better they seem to be getting along
your childs level rather than standing these days. Even if your children arent in
and towering over them. the same room as you at the time, theyll
Go to the injured still be listening and absorbing your every
party first If there is word. The sooner your children can start
an obviously injured to see themselves as siblings who get
party, go to that one along, the sooner thats what
first and soothe them. theyll become. PB
This will ensure that Words That Work: How
the naughty one To Get Kids To Do Almost
doesnt get Anything by Alicia Eaton
immediate attention (12.99, Troubador).
for his behaviour. If you For more information,
launch into a heated visit aliciaeaton.co.uk
lecture, hell start learning or success-4-kids.com
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 65
 art The
playing
of
dangero usly
P to letting
arents today are more protective
of their children than ever before.
Worries about injury, traffic,
predators, and hazardous play
areas, mean you might feel tempted to
wrap your child in cotton wool. Sheltering
him from lifes knocks is a vital part of your
job as a parent, and one of the many
ways you express your love for him.
While this form of protective parenting is
understandable and instinctive, learning
about danger and risk assessment can
be good for your child. The line between
reasonable safety precautions and
over-protectiveness can become blurred.
After all, your child needs freedom to
explore, so he learns how to set limits for
himself and how to take responsibility
for his own actions that simply wont
happen if you remove all possibility of risk
by over-protecting him at the very time he
needs to expand his horizons.
How your child
Feature Richard Woolfson Image iStock
understands danger
Psychologists have found that
Children under the age of 4 or 5 have
very little ability to anticipate danger, and
will willingly rush headlong into situations
fraught with hazard if allowed to do so.
A childs assessment of risk is affected by
his emotions: even a sensible and cautious
child can become totally reckless when
upset, distressed or distracted.
66 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
We all want to
keep our
way, but
o ut o f h a rm s
children
a d v a nta g e s
there are
ta k e ri sk s, a rg ues our
them
lo g is t R ic h a rd Woolfson
psycho
Excitement affects perception too.
The thrill of seeing his friend on the
opposite side of a busy road blots out
all sense of self-preservation he may
try to dash through the heavy traffic.
If a boy hurts himself in play he
typically blames someone else,
whereas a girl is more likely to blame
herself and consequently is more
likely to alter her behaviour.
The child is more likely to develop
a sense of danger when he is
rewarded for acting sensibly
instead of punished for thoughtless
behaviour that put him at risk.
Parents typically tolerate more
daredevil behaviour from their
young sons than they do from their
young daughters dangerous play
is seen as more acceptable for boys
than it is for girls.
When your child does injure
himself, the chances are that
he will forget the unpleasant
experience very quickly. The
incident slips his mind easily.

Why its tempting to
avoid dangerous play
By ensuring he avoids all risks
your child is more sheltered from
the stresses and strains of everyday
life than other children his age.
He is less likely to hurt himself
because he only plays under your
supervision, and he is less likely to
become upset because he only
plays with gentle, passive children.
He has a strong sense of security,
safety and wellbeing as a result of
never engaging in dangerous play
such as climbing trees or playing
outside in the street.
Avoiding dangerous
play has downsides
Research has found that an over-
protected child is likely to lack self-
confidence, and doubts his own
ability to manage without help.
He may often develop a fear of
new situations and become afraid to
tackle challenges because he is not
used to managing obstacles himself.
Your childs natural urge to explore
his surroundings, to learn through
discovery, are inhibited by overly
stringent safety rules. He has to gaze
passively at the exciting world outside.
So strike a balance
There are no hard and fast rules about
dangerous play that suit every child.
Much comes down to common sense,
cautious risk assessment and knowing
your childs strengths and weaknesses.
Some children are better than others
at sensing danger and at assessing the
limits of their ability to play safely. Other
children throw themselves into every
play opportunity and every outdoor
experience as if there was no such
thing as danger. No wonder parents
of these children want to keep them
wrapped up safely in cotton wool!
On the other hand, you dont want
your child to miss out on enjoyable play
and learning activities. And being
Health & happiness
over-protective can have that effect.
You also need to bear in mind that one
day soon maybe when your infant starts
nursery and certainly when he starts
school you wont be there to hold his
hand every moment of the day. If your
child has had no experience of assessing
risk, managing danger or making
decisions for himself, hell struggle to
cope. Its a question of balance, of
keeping him safe but not restricting him to
the point where he cant look after himself.
Five golden rules
To help your growing child stay safe
and yet have lots of play that includes
potentially dangerous activities such as
climbing trees, running outside, and cycling
on the road, consider the following:
Realistic perspective True, the world can
be a dangerous place and you need to
exercise sensible caution. But remember
your child learns through experience, and
if you keep him too sheltered, hell miss out
on vital play and learning opportunities.
Sensible precautions Cover the electric
sockets, child-proof locks on cupboards,
and supervise your child as these are
useful safety measures. But dont overdo it.
Your child also benefits from having
freedom to roam and explore, and to
learn how to assess risk himself.
Dont over-react Even with these safety
measures, there are bound to be times
when your child runs into danger. When
that happens, point out what he should
do differently the next time so he doesnt
make the same mistake again.
Range of limits Try to have more do rules
(for example, Wear your helmet when
cycling, Keep your hands away from
flames) than dont rules (for example,
Dont climb trees, Dont play with fire).
Children observe positive rules more.
Step by step Avoid extreme protectiveness
and extreme freedom. Instead, allow your
child to increase his explorations slowly,
one stage at a time, so that he gradually
builds up his ability to assess danger and
to cope with play activities that could be
potentially hazardous. PB
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 67
A delicious taste
of homemade
for toddlers
Inspired by her popular recipes, Annabels quick
meals are full of flavour, low in salt and count
towards their 5-a-day. Toddlers will love them!
www.annabelkarmel.com
@annabelkarmel annabelkarmeluk
 FROM INSTAGRAM
MUM FASHION
INSPIRATION TO A
ROUND-UP OF THE BEST
NURSERY STORAGE
SOLUTIONS

Bag it
up, baby
Beatrice leather
changing bag, 199,
jemandbea.com

70
Snappy dressers Meet the
fashionable mums taking
80
Tweedy-pies! Your child will
look cute and cosy in country
89
Sleep tight Moses baskets
and cribs to make your babys
92
Recovery discoveries Our pick
of products to help you get
Instagram by storm casuals and heritage fabrics first nights safe and snug back to your old self after birth
 Queens of
Instagram
The coolest mums, and
mums-to-be, share their
inspiring Insta-style ideas
Instagram,

ian Barry
the photosharing

Eimear Var
social media
platform with filters

home of beautiful imagery posted

by fashion- and design-conscious
mums and mums-to-be. Nine of
our favourites gave us their top
style picks and places to shop.
Follow them on Instagram to
discover more Catherine
Hudson, fashion editor
Feature Catherine Hudson

y, 29, blogger, stylist

@eimea rva rianbarr
mum to Saoirse, 2,
and photographer,
ant
and 29 week s pregn
 Brilliant buys
Olivia Rubin Fritha Strickland

@oliviarubin, 34, fashion designer, mum

@tigerli llyquinn, 29, blogger
to Chloe, 2, and 22 week s pregnant
and mum to Wilf, 4, and Mabli,
4 weeks

Frances Bacon Katie Ellison

er and @mummydaddyme, 31, blogger,

, 40, fashion w rit
@schoolrunmum ssica, 8, mum to Madeleine, 5, Lottie, 2,
stylist, mum to Je
and 5 months pregnant
and Jack, 5

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 71

Laura Reynolds

weeks pregnant
ate editor at WGSN, 29
@lauraasmall, 27, associ

Ive started wearing a vintage

floppy baker boy hat that
used to belong to my mum.
Perhaps its for nostalgic
reasons as I prepare to be a
mum myself, or maybe its
because Im saving for a pram!

72 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 Gamze Gul
@asos_ gamze, 28, asos.com
maternitywea r expert and stylist,
due in Januar y 2016
Erica Davies
@erica_davies, 39, fashion edito r and
mum to Char lie, 5, and Lila, 3
Sofia Gouveia
ital
@m rssofiagouveia, 36, dig
cto r and mu m to Sur i, 4
ma rketing dire
Follow me...
Eimear recommends I love
@kelli_murray, @studionl,
@amerrymishap, @billie_and_I,
and @marklivermore all for
different reasons, but mainly
because their feeds are just so
visually beautiful!
Olivia recommends
@evachen212 is Eva Chen,
the head of fashion at
Instagram. I love her quirky
takes on mum fashion, and she
always opts for comfortable,
but achievable, everyday
ensembles.
Fritha recommends
I like the way @amyrosewatts
dresses herself and her cute
toddler. Also @amanda_tylerj
for a slice of LA style.
Frances recommends
I follow Parisian fashion
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 73
bloggers @audreylombard
and @meleponym, who
perfect the laidback chic look.
I also love Alex @thefrugality as
she mixes designer with some
amazing high street finds.
Erica recommends I love
bloggers like @GaryPepperGirl
and @NadiaFairfax for their
aspirational images.
Laura recommends Jessica
Reed Kraus @houseinabit and
Courtney Adamo @courtney
adamo are both mums-of-four
who still look effortlessly
beautiful.
Gamze recommends Ill
follow @kimkardashian forever
and always, but now that
@chrissyteigen is pregnant Im
looking forward to seeing how
she dresses her bump!
Advertorial

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 Beauty All about
that base

buzz
Applying a make-up base that will last all
Our beauty day and reduces redness is a bonus when
editor Catherine youre a busy mum. La Roche Posay has
Hudson has done launched just the thing to remove shine and
the leg work for help create an even skin tone. The Effaclar BB
you, so you can
Blur Cream provides coverage without looking
feel fabulous, no
matter what! The latest beauty caked on, while masking redness perfect for
covering up the effects cold winter winds can have
essentials for on your skin. 16.50, exclusively at escentual.com until
busy mums April, then also available at boots.com

HOW TO SAVE YOUR SKIN FROM WINTER

Sometimes, an oldie is a goody, for good reason.

3
And LOccitane Ultra Rich Body Cream, 32 for 200ml,
of the uk.loccitane.com, is pure gold. Containing 25 per cent
shea butter, it smells so indulgent youll probably have to
best... refrain from sticking your head in the pot, and instead
slather it over your limbs (and baby bump) to keep dry
for looking less tired
Brush and g
bits at bay a little
goes a long way!

o!
Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion,
13.25 for 150ml, uk.lizearle.com
I put a few drops of this TO TONE OR Lets be ho
onto cotton wool and used it
to freshen up my eyes in the
NOT TO TONE? blow-d rie
you m ight
nest, once
d you r ha ir
youve
(on a goo
d day),
Toner: A must-have or an ba rely ha
morning. It cooled and let a lone st ve ti me to
yle it. The b rush it,
soothed the puffiness. unnecessary add-on? Weve been Revlon Pe
2i n1 D rye r rf ection ist
on the fence, but forget them makes d ry
Lauren Bryant, 30, from quick and ing and st
easy, wit h yling
claiming to wipe away traces of into a cush a haird rye
Norwich, 28 weeks pregnant ioned pad r built
cleanser modern toners are more Ti mesavi n d le b rush.
We ModelCo BB Plus cream,
about moisturising and hydrating.
g, and wit
h the add
of crea ti n ed bonus
love 16, modelco
Try our favourite, the cult Glow Tonic
g sa lon g lo
ssy locks!
cosmetics.com 49.99, am
azon.co.u
from Pixi. Its oil and alcohol-free k
This beauty
balm evened my skin tone. and contains aloe vera, and witch
My complexion was left hazel and glycolic acid to exfoliate.
flawless in a flash. Rebecca 18 for 250ml, marksandspencer.com
Foster, 28, from Fareham,
Follow @PrimaBabyBeauty on Instagram and Twitter for the
26 weeks pregnant
Compiled by Catherine Hudson Images Getty

latest beauty news, reviews and mum must-have products

Max Factor Clump Defy
Volumising Mascara,
10.99, boots.com INSIDE THE BATHROOM CABINET OF
Ive spent lots more Sienna Miller
on mascara but this is
a bargain as it gave an even I love Dr Hauschka Blackthorn Body
coat, with lots of length Oil its great during pregnancy. The
perfect for making eyes look Mama Mio products are brilliant too, as
wide awake. Jessica Hopkins,
25, from Hull, 29 weeks pregnant
is Cowsheds Udderly Gorgeous range
20.50 for 75ml, dr.hauschka.com

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 75

 19-21 February ExCeL London
Everything You Need For
Bump, Baby & Beyond

Exclusive Ofers Leading Brands & Retailers Expert Advice

Exclusive Advance Tickets

Book Now For Best Price & Save Over 45%* Quote PRIMABABY
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Jennifer Love Hewitt, 36, actress and mum
to Autumn, 2, and Atticus, 7 months,
shares her beauty and style secrets
When I was
pregnant, my
beauty routine
was to do
whatever made me
feel good that day.
Sometimes that meant
glamming up, and other
days it was embracing the
natural glow of pregnancy.
Similarly, my go-to
maternity style
depended on the day.
Some days I wanted to dress
up the bump and be cute;
other days I just wanted to
keep it comfy.
You can feel
vulnerable if
people can see
your pregnant
belly. But its also
empowering. I was very
proud of mine. Pregnancy
Feature Catherine Hudson Image Corbis
and motherhood is the
greatest gift of all.
Like most women,
I was keen to
avoid stretch
Mama nursing top,
marks. I knew
14.99, S-XL, hm.com
about Palmers before,
JENNIFER IS THE FACE OF THE NEW PALMERS PREGNANCY STRETCH MARKS RANGE, AVAILABLE FROM BOOTS.COM
My Brilliant buys
style so when I was pregnant I used it,
file
it worked, and I loved it. I really
like the smell and consistency.
My favourite products are the
Massage Lotion For Stretch Marks
and the Skin Therapy Oil. I used them
twice a day morning and night. Its a
brand that I believe in and actually use.
Its hard to give advice to
But Id say being grateful
a baby, so a typical day
doesnt exist! But its always
Palmers Cocoa
fun, and a beautiful adventure.
Butter Formula Right now, my style is
Skin Therapy Oil, all about comfort and
9.99 for 150ml, wearing things I can get
boots.com down on the floor to play
in. And since becoming a mum, I
have to change my shirt a few times a
day because of spillages and spit-ups.
Blooming Marvellous
maternity dress, 25, Try not to get hung up on
10-16, mothercare.com changes to how your body
looks. For new mums who dont
feel confident about dressing for their
new body shape, Id say that I know
Quilted one-piece,
its tough, but try to embrace the
14.95, small baby- amazing thing your body just did
12mths, gap.co.uk in creating a new life!
I love deciding what my
children are going to
wear. Although we shop at
a lot of different places for clothes for
the children, Id say Baby Gap (gap.
co.uk) and KicKee Pants (kickeepants.
com) are two of my favourites.
The must-have I wish
Palmers Cocoa I could invent to help me
Butter Formula
Organic cotton out with being a busy
Massage Lotion
For Stretch Marks, one-piece, 16.95, parent? That would be an extra
3.29 for 250ml, small baby-12mths, pair of hands and arms that can
gap.co.uk
boots.com play with one baby and hold the
other at the same time! PB
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 77
 DapperDads
THESE FASHIONABLE FATHERS AND DADS-
TO-BE LOOKED EFFORTLESSLY COOL AT
THE BABY SHOW AT LONDONS OLYMPIA
Daniel Ruschev, 28, from London,
dad to Victoria, 5 months
Wears Jacket, TK Maxx; jeans,
Topman; trainers, Foot Locker;
hat, Camden Market.
Last time your daughter made
you laugh? She makes me laugh
every day.
Favourite activity together Feeding
time weve just started weaning her.
Do you dress her? Occasionally, but
Mummy does it most of the time.
Favourite place to shop TK Maxx.
Theres loads of choice and you can
get expensive items more cheaply.
Most-loved item of clothing
My trainers.
New Years resolution To spend more
time at home with my family.

Daniel Macdonald, 27, from

London, whose partner is
4 months pregnant
Wears Jacket, Burton; shirt, New Look;
trousers, Topman; shoes and hat, Asos.
Looking forward to becoming a dad?
I cant wait. Ive had lots of practice
Compiled by Alison Potter and Eleanor Philpot

with my nephew, but Im excited to

finally have my own coming.
Will you dress your child? Yes! I want
a little mini-me. My child is going to be
so stylish.
Favourite place to shop I love the
high street.
Most-loved item of clothing My hats!
New Years resolution To shop more.
I need to find co-ordinating outfits for
me and my future child!

78 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 Pete Brown, 32, from London,
dad to Darcy, 11 weeks
Wears Jumper, Marks & Spencer;
jeans, Topman; trainers, Nike.
Last time your daughter made you
laugh? She farted really loudly and
loads of people turned round that
was pretty hilarious.
Favourite activity together Swinging
her on my arm like a little monkey.
Do you dress her? Sometimes, but
mostly my partner likes to do it.
Favourite place to shop Jack Wills
and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Most-loved item of clothing
My tweed jacket.
New Years resolution I need to
get beach-fit for my wedding this
summer!

Paul Shepherd, 33, from Surrey,

whose partner is 19 weeks pregnant
Wears Shirt and jeans, Hollister Co; shoes,
Next.
Looking forward to becoming a dad?
Yes! Ive got my Chicco baby carrier and
Im ready to roll.
Do you plan to dress your child? Ill give it
a go.
Favourite place to shop I prefer shopping
centres as everything is under one roof.
Most-loved item of clothing I like my shirts.
New Years resolution To give up smoking.
Hitesh Depala, 31, from
Hertfordshire, dad to
Neeti, 7 months Book n
Wears Polo shirt, Sports Direct; for The ow
trousers, F&F at Tesco. Show Ex Baby
Cel Lond
Last time your little one made you laugh? 19-21 Fe on
She makes me laugh all the time. bruary ,
BOOK NO
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Favourite activity together? Going

OVER 45% TICKETS AND SAVE

on the swings at the park.
Do you dress her? Yes mainly in * QU
AT THEBAB OTE PRIMABABY
bodysuits with zips. YSHOW.CO
Favourite place to shop Marks & Spencer C H E CKOUT .UK
*Sav in g ba
sed on th e
does great work wear. 1,00 0 tickets ad va nc e ticket pr
w ill be 10. ice of 2 0,
To bo ok by 50, th en 1 r st
Most-loved item of clothing Standard ph on e ca
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fte r.
pe r m in ut .
e pl us yo ur Cal ls cost
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New Years resolution To wake up earlier 18 Febr ua
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.2 0 tra nsac
fee ap pl ie tio n
so I can spend time with Neeti. s pe r book
in g

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 79

 Traditionally
STYLISH GET THE HERITAGE LOOK WITH
BEAUTIFUL KNITWEAR, SHARP
TAILORING, AND ON-TREND
TWEEDS AND TARTANS
Fashion Alison Potter Images iStock

Little Arthur Train

Shirt, 23, and Little Alfie
Dungarees, 40, both
3mths-2yrs; Little Ribbed
Socks, 6, 0-2yrs;
all trotters.co.uk

80 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 Brilliant buys

Merino day suit, 50,

0-18mths, scarlet
Shirt, 60, 2-6yrs,
ribbonmerino.com
star51.co.uk

J by Jasper Conran
mockable shirt,
from 14, 0-2yrs,
debenhams.com

Wool blend
jacket, 54, and
Little Lumberjack trousers, 37, both
Boots, from 45, 12mths-3yrs,
20-29, bobux.co.uk tutakids.co.uk
Cardigan, 18, 3mths-6yrs,
mamasandpapas.co.uk

Baker boy hat, Pumpkin Patch

10, 0-6yrs, shirt with tank
uk.monsoon.co.uk top, 19, 0-2yrs,
amazon.co.uk

Flannel onesie,
22, 0-2yrs,
boden.co.uk Train dungarees, 26,
6mths-3yrs, powellcraft
Jacob jacket,
boutique.com
40, 3-10yrs,
uk.monsoon.co.uk

Dumfries lined cords,

33, 0-8yrs,
tootsamacginty.com
Desert boots,
Trapper hat and mitts
38, 5-7,
set, 12, 6mths-6yrs,
clarks.co.uk
mamasandpapas.com Cotswold jumper,
39.99, 12mths-14yrs,
chateaudesable.co.uk

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 81

Petit Bateau cardigan,
43, 3-12mths, and floral
2-in-1 set, 37, 1-12mths;
both alexandalexa.com
 Brilliant buys

Babybonnet reversible
hat, 6.95, 0-12mths,
joules.com

Dress, 40,
Fleur baby cardigan, 3mths-2yrs,
31.99, 0-18mths, trotters.co.uk
chateaudesable.co.uk
Socks, 3 for
three-pack, 0-5,
george.com
Faux-fur waistcoat,
25, 12mths-3yrs,
tutakids.co.uk

Esprit blouse,
19, 3-24mths,
debenhams.com

Play set, from

26, 0-3yrs,
boden.co.uk

Checked blouse,
1mth-3yrs, 9,
vertbaudet.co.uk
Classic cardigan,
31.95, 0-9yrs,
bryonyandco.com

Aqua Arctic boots,

Tweed coat,
52, 21-27,
38, 3mths-2yrs, Cord coat, 28.50, 1-7yrs,
startriteshoes.com
uk.monsoon.co.uk powellcraftboutique.com

Jumper, 38, 0-8yrs,

tootsamacginty.com

Shorts, 47, 3-12yrs,

le-mu.co.uk

Lucy Baby Shoes, 37, 16-19,

scarletribbonmerino.com

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 83

 SORT IT OUT!
GREAT IDEAS FOR KEEPING YOUR CHILDS ROOM TIDY

BUCKETS SUITCASES BOOKSHELVES TOY BAG

Stacking buckets with handles, Set of three small Wooden Tree Bookshelves Felt toy storage tote with
in purple, blue or yellow, suitcases, 19.99, in a range of colours, 580, handle, in pink or blue,
39 each, aspace.co.uk oakroomshop.co.uk whiterabbitengland.com 35, nubie.co.uk
Compiled by Alison Alexander

NOTICEBOARD PERSONALISED CRATE BATH TIDY BOOK STORE

Woodland Party printed Toy crate, in a range Shark or polar bear Mobile library unit with
fabric noticeboard, 29, of colours, 36.95, bath tidies, 31 each, racing car design, 59,
sophieallport.com plantabox.co.uk desresdesign.co.uk vertbaudet.co.uk

84 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 Brilliant buys

EVERYTHING
IN ITS PLACE
If your childs room is small,
create a more spacious feel by
keeping as much stuff off of the floor as
you can. This is when good storage ideas
come into their own. Use spare drawers for
toys or books, add shelves to stack stuff on
(not too much, though!) and keep colours
muted. This uncluttered room set features
curtains, 19, baskets, 39 for two, cot
mobile, 26, wall stickers, 15, and
cloud rugs, 19 each, all from
vertbaudet.co.uk
 Win
A PRIZE BUNDLE
WORTH OVER
1,709 SEVEN IN N O VAT IVE P ARENTING
C T S TO M A KE YOUR LIFE
PRODU
GRABS
EASIER UP FOR
W
e know that as parents
you need your kit to be as
innovative and as efficient as
possible, which is why weve
teamed up with seven brilliant brands to
offer an amazing prize bundle. Each of
the prize products included has been
designed by parents for parents, so you
know youll be getting the very best.
Our grand prize winner will receive
a bundle of the following products
1
A Multimac car seat.
The only three- and four-seater car
seat available in the UK, which
exceeded all crash testing requirements.
The Multimac is a new concept in
child car seat safety, allowing up to four
children aged 0-12 to travel comfortably
in the back of a five-seater vehicle. It can
also fit in the back of even the smallest
cars (including a Mini!), taking up no boot
space and leaving ample room for
86 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
luggage or pushchairs. Its perfect
for larger families, childminders,
grandparents anyone who will travel
with three or more children.
The Multimac is simple to fit think Isofix,
but bigger: Multimac tether straps are
initially bolted onto the existing rear seat
belt buckle mountings, leaving the adult
belts in place. The Multimac can then be
fitted or removed quickly, allowing the car
to still carry adults normally.
The winner will be able to choose from
a one-, three- or four-seater seat,
depending on their circumstances.
Visit multimac.co.uk/home for details.
2
A Love Boo Mummy Essentials Kit
Help buff your body beautiful
with luxurious, natural skincare
treats that should leave your skin firmer,
smoother and glowing plus help lessen
the appearance of any cellulite.
Love Boo is incredibly passionate about
what goes into its products. By taking the
finest quality natural ingredients, it creates
skincare that treats, nurtures and makes
even the most stressed-out skin feel extra
pampered. Celebrity fans include
Kimberley Walsh, Frankie Bridge, Samia
Ghadie and Rochelle Humes. Always read
the label before use.
Visit loveboo.com for details.
3
A Rainbow i-angel Hipseat Carrier
The ingenious hipseat feature
offers users comfortable weight
distribution, meaning babies and children
can be carried for longer periods of time.
Due to the multiple positions you can carry
your little one, the i-angel supports you all
the way through your baby-wearing from
3 months to 3 years, replacing the need to
buy three different carriers.
Made from 100 per cent cotton with
teething pads, and detachable hipseat,
the i-angel offers you and your baby the
very best support right from the start!
Visit dinkydragon.co.uk for details.

1 2
4
Bohn Swimwear 50 voucher
Bohn Swimwear is the only UK
swimwear brand that offers mix
and match cover-up swimwear, in a
variety of body-shaping and supportive
options to help women feel confident in
the water. Develop by Sarah Bohn when
she realised how many women stop
swimming due to only having skimpy
swimwear available, Sarahs campaign
#familyswimtime is designed to give new
mums the right support to help them get
back in the pool with their babies.
Visit bohn.uk.com for details.
5 7
Sleepyhead Deluxe Pod mattress
Sleepyhead is a multifunctional
sleeping, lounging, playing,
chilling, resting, snuggling and tummy
time dock you can take anywhere.
Created in Sweden with a strict emphasis
on comfort, with the designers own
children in mind, it allows mums to feed,
soothe, and bond with baby.
Every material and detail is carefully
micro-managed to ensure the highest
quality of breathability, safety, comfort
and convenience. Suitable from 0-36mths+.
Visit sleepyheadwebshop.com for details.
6
Mia Tui Changing Bag
Mia Tui is the British label
behind functional yet
fashionable handbags.
FIRST
PRIZE
WORTH
The Emma is the newest
addition to its beautiful
OVER
collection, and the perfect
1,709!
7
Competition
HOW TO
ENTER
For your chance to win the
prize bundle, visit madeformums.
com/competitions and answer the
3
solution for everyday question. Competition closes
baby changing. 11.59pm, 11 February, 2016. Full
Thanks to Mia Tui's Ts&Cs apply, see page 6.
ingenious super- Promoter is Immediate
organised interior, youll Media London Ltd
never have to rummage
again. The Emma bag comes
with a changing mat, buggy clips,
clear PVC wallets for make-up, toiletries,
wipes etc, and a matching clutch ideal
Runners-up
for storing your purse and valuables. Also bundles worth
included are two insulated bottle holders, over 410 each!
stretchy key chain and a gadget pocket. Four runners-up will receive:
Visit miatui.com for details. A Love Boo Mummy Essentials Kit
Yoomi 8oz Feeding System An i-angel Hip Seat Carrier
Yoomi has been designed to make from nursery retailer Dinky Dragon
feeding time so much easier and A yoomi 8oz feeding set
to end your night-time troubles. Designed A Sleepyhead Deluxe Pod
by a father after watching his wife struggle The new Emma bag from
with her night feeds, yoomi warms babys Mia Tui
milk to perfect breastmilk temperature in A 50 Bohn
60 seconds. The 8oz yoomi 3-in-1 Feeding swimwear voucher
System comprises of an Easi-latch bottle
and a travel warmer/bedside warmer in
one compact, stylish package. Suitable
for babies from birth who are breast- or
formula-fed and midwife-approved.
Visit yoomi.com for details.
5
6 4
Terms & Conditions 1. Competition closes 11.59pm,
11 February, 2016. Full Ts&Cs apply, see page 6 for details.
2. Colour and style of Rainbow i-angel Hipseat Carrier,
Sleepyhead and Mia Tui Emma bag received may vary
from those shown; Bohn Swimwear available may vary
from those shown. 3. UK Mainland delivery only.
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 87
 GET PRIMA BABY
ON YOUR iPAD!
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pregnancy, birth, parenting and
beyond is now available to download

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ON SALE NOW
Images Shutterstock
 Brilliant buys

All tucked up We look at some of the snug first beds designed

to help your newborn sleep safely and soundly
Comes in
a variety
of finishes

Consumer editor
Alison says Your
new baby will
need a warm and
cosy space to
sleep between
feeding, bathing
and changing.
Their first bed could be a traditional
moveable Moses basket, a bedside
crib for easy night-time feeds and safe
separate co-sleeping, or even a small
cot. You choose which design suits
your lifestyle, space, and budget.
The safety rules regarding putting
your baby down to sleep on her back
still apply, so check the lullabytrust.
org.uk website for guidance, help and
advice, and remember that thick
bumpers, quilts or pillows should not be Slats all the
used before your baby is a year old. way round
Just layered blankets and sheets that for visibility Mattress
can be tucked in will be fine. included

THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE BUYING CAROLINA COT

' Would you like to keep bed frame is a good option. flat sheets, plus one waffle 99.99, eastcoastnursery.co.uk
your baby near you while ' Do you want to keep and one cellular blanket FEATURES Bigger than a crib, but smaller
shes sleeping during the your baby in your room you can use single or than a standard cot (96cm long x 58cm
day? Then choose a for the first few months? folded double, depending wide). Has all-round slats for good visibility,
lightweight moveable Check your floor space on the room temperature.
Compiled by Alison Alexander

three mattress base heights and a choice

basket with optional stand.
' Does combining night-
time feeds and separate
co-sleeping sound like a
solution for you? A height-
adjustable crib that can
attach to the side of your
to see whether you have
enough room for a crib or
Moses basket and stand.
' How much, and what
bedding will you need?
Buy at least two sets of
cotton fitted sheets, two
' How long should your
baby sleep in a crib or
Moses basket for? Only until
she is able to sit up, roll over
or move about, then you
should put her into a cot for
safety reasons.
of two finishes. Price includes mattress.
ALISON SAYS When space, or your
budget, are being stretched to the limit,
this neat little cot will fit the smallest of
rooms, but will last your baby until she is
ready to move into a bed.

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 89

CHICCO NEXT2ME
150, johnlewis.com
FEATURES Six adjustable heights and a
simple fastening system means this can be
positioned securely alongside your bed for
safe, separate co-sleeping. Removable
washable lining with drop-down mesh
side for good visibility and air circulation.
Includes padded mattress, travel bag and
tilt function to aid decongestion. ALISON
SAYS A perfectly neat solution for when
you want your baby close for night feeds.
MAMAS & PAPAS LIBERTY
MOSES BASKET
120, mamasandpapas.com
FEATURES Exclusive Liberty-print fabrics
teamed with neutral linen-look plain
hood, handles, lining and coverlet.
Maize basket and mattress included, plus
removable washable padded liner and
quilt. Stand available separately (from
25.95). ALISON SAYS For something a bit
special, this beautiful basket will keep your
baby away from draughts, light and noise.
90 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
SHNUGGLE TIMBUKTALES
MOSES BASKET
99, mamasandpapas.com
FEATURES Soft shell, wipe-clean, ventilated
carrycot, complete with handles,
adjustable hood and foam mattress,
dressed in colourful, washable fabrics
from popular M&P Timbuktales range,
including 2.5 tog quilt. Stand +39.95.
ALISON SAYS A nice partnership between
the innovative Shnuggle modern Moses
basket and an on-trend nursery brand.
STOKKE SLEEPI MINI CRIB
445, stokke.com/GBR
FEATURES Oval beech crib with all-round
slats and lockable wheels, complete with
foam mattress and drape rod. Can be
extended with additional kits to create
cot, toddler and day bed. Available in
natural or white finish, plus bedding and
accessory options as extras. ALISON SAYS
The ultimate in Scandi-style, offering your
child the security of staying in one familiar
place as they grow. But rather pricey!
IZZIWOTNOT WHITE GIFT
WICKER MOSES BASKET
79, izziwotnot.com
FEATURES Wicker basket available in four
finishes, plus hood, wadded basket liner,
fabric liner, coverlet, leather handles and
mattress. All dressings 100 per cent cotton
and machine washable. Price includes
Bunny Comforter gift for limited period.
ALISON SAYS A clean white finish is a
unisex choice for your newborn, and hell
certainly be cosy and warm in this basket!
BABYBAY CONVERTIBLE
BEDSIDE COT
189.95, naturalbabyshower.co.uk
FEATURES Wooden-framed slatted crib with
one open side, designed to attach securely
to your bed for easy night-time access and
safe separate co-sleeping. Adjustable
height base, choice of mattresses (from
34.50) and accessories. ALISON SAYS If
keeping your baby close to you for comfort
and feeds is important, then you might look
at investing in a sturdy bedside crib like this.

HUMPHREYS CORNER
SKETCHBOOK MOSES BASKET
99, izziwotnot.com
FEATURES Grey wicker basket with easy-
grip leather handles, adjustable hood,
coverlet and dressings, all in 100 per cent
cotton. Embroidered characters
Humphrey and Lottie feature
alongside stripes, polka dots and
gingham. ALISON SAYS The
beautifully understated look
has a slightly retro vibe. CH E CK
MORE TR
TE STE D CIE D AND
madefo
rmums.c
SNUZPOD 3-IN-1 BEDSIDE CRIB
169, snuz.co.uk
FEATURES Two-part beech framed rocker
and crib that stack together and adjust to
raise up to height of parent bed. Designed
to be positioned alongside your bed, or
used as standalone crib, or as separate
rocking bassinet. Includes mesh side for
easy access and separate co-sleeping, and
shelf. ALISON SAYS Nice sturdy design with
good functionality, but mattress is an extra
49.99, and it doesnt attach to your bed.
NATURES PUREST PURE LOVE
MOSES BASKET
95, naturespurest.co.uk
FEATURES Woven palm basket complete
with padded liner, basket liner, fitted
sheet, blanket and two padded handle
covers, plus a rattle and foam mattress.
Stand sold separately. Naturally
coloured organic cotton with
silk trim. ALISON SAYS Soft
and snuggly first bed. Shame
theres no hood included.
O U T SO
ME
RIB S AT
om
ONE STARRY NIGHT
MOSES BASKET
80, pinklining.com/uk
FEATURES White wicker handled basket
complete with fabric hood, padded
lining, mattress, coverlet and matching
blanket. Stand not included. Comes in
two gender specific designs (girls version
pictured). ALISON SAYS A special basket
for a special baby, with sweet detailing
and a warm, soft and cosy interior. Pretty
perfect!
Brilliant buys
SILVER CROSS NOSTALGIA CRIB
249, silvercrossbaby.com
FEATURES Wooden crib frame in antique
white combines with soft fabric bassinet
complete with integral mattress, plus
quilted coverlet in choice of four pastel
colours and sheer drape to complete
the overall look. ALISON SAYS Theres a
very traditional, romantic look and feel
to this crib, and although its expensive
it would make a great investment buy for
your growing family.
DREAMI SLEEP SYSTEM
129.99, shnuggle.com
FEATURES Soft shell carrycot with mattress,
handles, plus ventilated base. Lined with
fully breathable 3D mesh fabric with soft
cotton facing and hypoallergenic core.
Can be teamed with portable, folding
Curve Stand (included) to offer a high-
level fixed position, or low-level rocker.
ALISON SAYS The basket is practical, cosy
and light, but its the versatility of the stand
which makes this such a good investment.
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 91
 Pelvic floor
Get into the habit of doing
your pelvic floor exercises
now, and your bladder
muscles will thank you
forever more! The PeriCoach
combines vaginal
stimulation and training,
wireless technology and an
app to monitor, remind and
feedback on your progress,
all designed to help prevent
urinary incontinence later
on. 145, pericoach.com

Road to
Compiled by Alison Alexander

Ten great ideas to help soothe,

heal and support your body after
the labours of giving birth
 Brilliant buys

Bath soak C-section pants Stretch marks

Sometimes just a wallow These post-caesarean pants have a Treat any pesky post-birth belly
in a warm bath can medical-grade silicon panel to protect stretch marks to a
soothe and calm you. the delicate incision area, and to help nourishing, rich and
The luscious Love Boo minimise scarring, hydrating oil, to
Mummy bath soak itchiness and help diminish their
can be used straight redness. They also appearance. Aleva
after birth and apply gentle Naturals Alevoil
contains white compression to is a pure, natural
water lily, mallow, support muscles and vegan plant
chamomile and and make moving and seed extract
arnica, and is around easier post oil, designed for
naturally fragranced surgery, from 40, sensitive post-birth
with rose. 10.99, sizes S-XL, bloom skin and scars.
loveboo.com andbeyond.com 14.99, ocado.com
*Always check with your doctor or a qualified health practitioner

Homeopathic remedy Caesarean belt Vitamin supplements

Taking a traditional, natural remedy like
arnica can help with both exhaustion
and post-birth recovery,
as well as
before taking, and always read the label
A four-in-one product that can alleviate The combination of pregnancy, birth and
back pain, scar healing and irritation, breastfeeding can take a lot out of you,
swelling and bruising, plus also protect so its worth considering a supplement to
from accidental knocks that can happen support your nutritional

assisting with the after a caesarean. The Theraline Caesarean needs. Centrums
symptomatic belt includes a cherry stone-filled warmer, Post Pregnancy
relief of bruising cooling multivitamins contain
or swelling. gel pack, vitamin D for breast-
Nelsons Arnicare protective feeding mums, plus
arnica 30c slimline shield vitamins A, C, B2
pillules* contain and padded and B3 to help
Arnica Montana, pillow. 19.90, reduce tiredness
6.04 from mothercare. and fatigue. 7.49
boots.com com for 30, boots.com

Scar healing Body shaper Bath salts

If youve undergone a caesarean The latest trend in post-birth
procedure then a good scar-healing recovery is shapewear
treatment will help minimise any designed to compress
long-term evidence. Silgel is made the belly, waist and hips
from 100 per cent silicon, is clinically to safely and effectively
proven, approved by surgeons and safe ease your body back to its
to use on sensitive skin, plus it can help pre-pregnancy shape. The
achieve great results in eight to 12 weeks BFF Belly Bandit corset uses
if used regularly. 35.99, silgel.com a six-panel design in soft
Promodal fabric plus
StretchandCompress
technology for maximum
comfort and adjustability.
79.96, mothercare.com
You may find your midwife or health
visitor recommending using bath salts to
help heal perineal
stitches, swelling and
inflammation post-
birth. Epsom salts have
long been the mineral-
rich way to give your
body a soothing
concentration of
magnesium and
sulphate to help heal
and relax. From 5.95 for
1kg, epsomsalts.co.uk

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 93

 Reader offer

LE

FREE
BUNDTH
WOR
8!

WIPES AND COTTON

WOOL BUNDLES
Gentle products suitable for
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s a babys skin is more sensitive
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latest ofers and promotions. You can unsubscribe from these at any time.
Promoter Pravera Ltd, Conchieton Business Centre, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway DG6 4TA

94 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 FROM AMAZING
REAL-LIFE TALES TO
DELICIOUS RECIPES

Stacks of
appeal
Rainbow wooden
stacking toy, 28,
littlegoldie.com

96
Baby budget Having a child
is expensive here are simple
ways to save the pennies
100
Losing his bottle Our expert helps
a mum whose toddler is a bit
too attached to his milk feeds
110
A fresh start Begin the year
as you mean to go on, with
Annabel Karmels healthy recipes
118
Going coastal Enjoy the best
of the British seaside with these
family-friendy breaks
 BOOST THE
baby bank a s to h e lp yo u b eat the
Money-saving ide
a s yo u r lit tl e o n e grows
big squeeze

R
aising a child is as expensive as it
is enriching, with the latest figures
revealing the cost can tot up to
a jaw-dropping 7,200 in the first
year alone. With so many things to pay
for, the burden of bringing up a baby has
increased by 60 per cent in recent years.
And that first year includes the double
whammy of being on maternity leave
and, therefore, a reduced income, as well
as the possibility of facing large childcare
bills when you return to work, or having to
take a part-time or less well-paid role to fit
Feature Louise Pyne Images Getty, iStock

work around your family responsibilities.

Having savings, working out a realistic
budget (and sticking to it) and claiming
any benefits youre entitled to will help, of
course. But here are eight tried-and-tested
tips to ensure you keep a bit more of that
7,200 in your pocket during that first year
 Be inspired

1
Invest wisely

2
Most baby purchases have a Dont buy toys
limited lifespan, but investing in rent them
key buys that grow with your Children become
child offers more bang for your more interested in toys
buck in the long run even if it means you from about 3 months,
pay out more initially. Youll save around as hand-eye coordination starts to
150 if you sidestep the Moses basket and improve. Parents spend an average of
cot, instead putting your baby into a cot 216 a year on toys, but renting them
bed from day one, if you have the space. offers value for money while saving on
Or consider a travel system space. So consider joining a local toy
with a carrycot thats library where you can rent playthings
suitable for overnight from just 50p per week.
sleeping, so you can Maushami Saha, 33, from London,
use that instead. mum to Maya, 2, and Lili, 6 weeks,
Another option is to does exactly that. If you rent toys
invest in a multistage before the centre closes prior to the
car seat to take you school holidays you can keep them
from baby up to for the whole holiday period at the
toddler, and even same two-week rental price. I rent
beyond. And if you huge things like mini bouncy castles
plan to have more for Maya, then only return them
than one child, once school restarts, she says.
consider a good- Playgroups are also a great
quality buggy that way for your baby to experience
adapts from one different toys and develop social
to two children, skills too, and most councils offer
and back again, other activities for free.
from the get-go.

4
Earn while

3
Buy online you spend
Internet shopping is far more fuss-free than carting a baby and a Take advantage of
heavy buggy around, and if youre looking to tighten your purse cashback cards and
strings, its definitely the way forward. Websites often have special discount voucher sites like
online-only deals, so it pays to stock up on essentials like nappies Groupon, that provide instant discounts
and wipes and remember that own-brand goods are usually much cheaper than or money back on your baby buys.
well-known brands but can still be good quality. Sign up to retailer baby clubs and Claire Edwards, 32, from Enfield, mum
youll get notified every time theres a special money-saving event. If you do your to 4-month-old son Sam, says, I always
research carefully, there are tons of savings to be made by using check Quidco when buying online in
sites such as eBay and Freecycle, too. stores like Mothercare. Its a cashback
Make use of local mother-and-baby selling sites site where you end up saving quite a bit
on Facebook as you avoid paying sellers fees and over time. Even if its only a pound here
dont have to worry about postage, recommends and there, the money soon builds up, and
Kat Lewis, 37, from Berkshire, mum to 6-month-old you can request that your cashback be
twins Martha and Edward. transferred into your own account.
Also, make use of companies that offer If youre a member of a travel or
free returns, such as Baby Gap and supermarket loyalty scheme, such as
Amazon, so you dont have to pay Avios or Nectar, always check where you
out if items are unsuitable. can collect points before shopping online.
Theyll come in handy for future purchases.

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 97

Be inspired

6
Only buy what

5
Make your you really need
own food It sounds obvious, but its
When weaning time one of the biggest ways
comes around, the to slash costs. Why buy an
convenience of expensive changing table when you can
ready-made food can be tempting, just use a changing mat
but also costly. For example, a on the floor or bed?
shop-bought apple-and-banana Opting for cloth nappies
pouch can cost 1, but is just 50p if over disposables could
you make your own. And research also save you more
shows that a homemade pure than 1,650 by the
results in up to double the nutrients time your child gets
of pre-prepared baby foods. round to potty-training,
Buy ingredients in bulk, and look while sterilising bottles
out for buy one get one free offers with Milton tablets in
in the supermarket. Then cook in a bowl of hot water
batches and freeze in ice cube will save you from
trays so you only need to defrost spending on a
what you need. Zero wastage and microwave steriliser,
100 per cent convenience! plus avoiding
hiked-up electricity
bills, to boot.

7
Plan ahead
If youve been inundated with baby clothes as gifts, have a sift through
them all to see if any of the items could be exchanged for larger sizes of
the same outfit. That way, youll definitely get the most out of the clothes
as your little one grows.
Becoming a savvy shopper will also help to stretch your budget. As a rule, if you see
something on offer and you know youll need it in the future, buy it now. Thats what
Nikkie Grimshaw, 33, from Buckinghamshire, does for her daughter Maia, 2. I often buy
next years clothes in the sales from shops like John Lewis at bargain prices, she says.

Start a swap shop

Host a swapping party for you and your baby.
Every few months, invite a handful of your mum
friends over, asking them to bring any items their
child has outgrown, from books to shoes. Serve
some nibbles, and let the swapping begin!
Youll be surprised by how much fun it can
be exchanging things with friends, says
Gemma Johnson of myfamilyclub.co.uk
A new item always feels like new,
whether its been bought,
swapped or given.

98 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

Parenting news

Real reviews

Honest views

...and lots of
laughs too

Come and join us at

madeformums.com
 n do it!
You ca

Get your
TODDLER
off the bottle
Feature Lucy Dimbylow Image Tommy Tippee

Eighteen-month-old Dexter was firmly attached to his milk bottle.

We asked our expert to help mum Laura wean him onto cups
100 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
 Be inspired

The solution
Judy More is a paediatric dietitian and registered nutritionist
specialising in childrens nutrition. Shes a member of the Infant and
Toddler Forum (infantandtoddlerforum.org), which provides healthy
eating advice from pregnancy to preschool.
She says,Young babies find milk feeding comforting, but if
bottle-feeding continues for too long, toddlers can come to rely
on it as a comforter, and will demand a bottle when theyre tired, upset or needing
help settling to sleep. The more they bottle-feed, the less food theyll eat, so its best
to do away with bottles around 12 months and move them on to drinking from a cup.

The family
Laura Pattison, 28, is a student from JUDYS 8-POINT
action plan
Leeds, who has two children, Coel, 5,
and Dexter, 18 months

The problem

I always intended to wean
Dexter off the bottle by his first
birthday. I knew from my experience
with my eldest son, who was still using
a dummy at 3, that the older he got,
the harder it would be to take it away.
I had managed to drop all but
Dexters bedtime bottle simply by
1
Fill up on food
Toddlers who drink a lot of milk
often have a poor appetite for
solids, which in turn creates a vicious
circle where they rely on their bottles
of milk to fill them up.
At the moment, Dexter is drinking more
milk than he needs, which means hes
help phase this bottle out, reduce the
quantity gradually. Cut down to 6oz
initially, and then continue to drop another
1oz every two or three days until hes no
longer dependent on milk to get to sleep.
You can do the same if he wakes for a
bottle during the night.

going cold turkey, but then around
the time of his birthday, he developed
a recurring skin infection and
everything went wrong. Because
Dexter was so uncomfortable with his
skin, it was affecting his sleep during
the day and at night, and he was
not eating enough during the day. This
could be contributing to his night waking.
Increasing his food intake should mean
that he is less hungry and thirsty when he
demands a bottle, and may be satisfied
with a smaller amount of milk.
4
Bulk up mealtimes
One of the best ways to increase
your childs food intake and
reduce his need for milk is to give a
healthy dessert at mealtimes.
At the moment, Dexter doesnt have
a second course at mealtimes. At both

becoming very distressed. In an
attempt to calm him down, I
reintroduced his bottles during the
day and when he woke in the night.
It worked: he found it comforting and
used it to settle himself to sleep for
2
Start the day
with solids
Dexter usually wakes early
between 5am and 6am and has an
8oz bottle of milk, but then doesnt have
breakfast until 7am when his brother wakes.
lunch and dinner time, give him a
nutritious pudding such as fruit with
custard or yoghurt. You should also offer
him a cup of water with his meals, rather
than milk.

naps and at night-time. But now Im
stuck with a situation where getting rid
of the bottle again is causing problems.
Dexter speaks now, so he knows I
understand him when he asks for a
bottle, and if I say no, his tantrums are
monumental. Ive tried to give him
To reduce his dependence on the
bottle, stop offering it to him as soon
as he wakes. Instead, give him an early
breakfast, such as toast with a yoghurt or
sliced pieces of fruit. This should keep him
going until his proper breakfast time.
5
Offer a cup, not
a bottle
For the time being, keep giving
Dexter his bedtime bottle if he asks for it to
avoid making too many changes at once,
especially if hes distressed because of his
skin condition. But during the day, if he

3
milk in a cup instead, but he refuses Reduce milk feeds
it. Its a real battle and one I gradually
really need to crack. Dexter relies on a bottle of milk
to help him settle for daytime naps. To
asks for his bottle, give him a cup of milk
instead. Some toddlers prefer to drink out
of an open cup or glass, so this is worth
trying if he refuses a sippy cup.

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 101

Be inspired

7 3
Introduce a
supplement things to
Toddlers often lack key vitamins
and should be given a supplement
try today...
to ensure theyre getting all they
need, particularly if, like Dexter,
they drink a lot of milk but are less
1 Try a reward chart. Giving your child
a special sticker every time he gets
through a morning or afternoon without
keen on solid food. Dexter should a bottle is a great motivator.
take a supplement containing
vitamin A and D and iron every
day. You may be able to get a
2 Use distractions. If your toddler is
repeatedly asking for a bottle or
getting upset, try distracting him with a
supplement from your health TV programme, some music or a story.
visitor, but if not, choose a supplement
containing 10mcg of vitamin D from a 3 Choose a big boy cup. Shop for a
special cup to replace your childs

6
Boost his iron levels pharmacy ask the pharmacist for bottles, letting him choose one in his
Dexters skin condition, chronic advice if youre unsure. favourite colour or with a picture of his
folliculitis, is rare in children but most loved cartoon character.

has been linked to iron deficiency. This is
a common problem among toddlers,
especially if they drink a lot of milk.
Dexter needs only three servings of dairy
each day, and his bedtime bottle counts
as two, so he should only have other dairy,
such as cheese or yoghurt, once a day.
Offer him iron-rich food like ham, mince,
good quality sausages and dark chicken
meat, and give him a vegetable and a
fruit with his meals to boost iron absorption.
The results
After two months, we caught up with Dexters progress
8
Dont give up
Changing long-established
habits always takes time, Would you
and there will be setbacks for like expert help?
example, if Dexters skin flares
Email us at prima.baby
up. Dont panic if you take a
@immediate.co.uk Every family
step back; be calm and
that appears will receive a
consistent, remind yourself of
pushchair. This month, Laura
the progress you have made,
receives a Koochi Pushmatic
and reassure yourself that with
in Brooklyn PM design,
perseverance, youll get there. PB
worth 180. See the
full range at
koochi.co.uk

babies should have a dessert each mealtime, so I introduced a filling second course
like rice pudding or custard. I also started giving him more substantial snacks, and it
had an almost immediate effect on the amount of milk he was drinking.
Giving Dexter something to eat as soon as he woke in the morning, rather than a
bottle, made a big difference, too. Previously, he would start asking for a bottle as
soon as we got back from taking Coel to school, but his early breakfast meant he
was still full so he didnt seem to need it. Before long, he was going down for his
morning nap without relying on a bottle to sleep.
I had a setback when Dexters skin condition flared up at the same time as a
bout of teething. He was distressed, but I tried to distract him from the bottle with
a bit of TV, or some music and dancing. It was hard but I got through it.
Now, Dexter has dropped all of his daytime bottles, and no longer wakes for
milk during the night. He doesnt ask for a bottle at naptime, and although he still
wont drink milk from a sippy cup, he uses a cup for water and juice. Im confident Dexter is less
now that Dexter is eating a much more balanced diet, and am planning to reliant on his
phase out the bedtime bottle soon too. bottle now

102 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

Next
issue...
Breaking bad
DOES YOUR TODDLER HAVE A NASTY
HABIT? READ OUR EXPERT ADVICE

True romance
BABYPROOFING YOUR RELATIONSHIP
NEEDNT BE HARD HERES HOW...

Any which way ON

OUR MIDWIFES GUIDE TO YOUR
BABYS POSITION IN THE WOMB SALE
Sitting pretty
28
Image Getty

HIGHCHAIRS YOULL BE PROUD

TO PULL UP TO THE DINING TABLE January
 Generations
Whether you become a mum
at 21 or 41, it can be a shock to
the system. But how does it
differ when you have your
apart
babies decades apart?

The advice
was so different
it felt like my
first time
SUZANNE STEVENS, 44, FROM
SUFFOLK, HAS A 14-YEAR AGE GAP
BETWEEN HER TWO DAUGHTERS

W
ed only just started trying for
a baby when I fell pregnant
at the age of 23. But it wasnt
straightforward my then husband Ian,
who was in the armed forces, was posted
to south Wales from our home in Suffolk.
So at 20 weeks pregnant, I moved breastfeeding with the help
hundreds of miles to be with him, to of a great health visitor, but real nappies it was
a place where I didnt know anyone. still mixed it with the bottle. disposables all the way.
Ellie was born two weeks early, in June By the time Ellie was 3 I managed to make
1994. Despite being young, becoming months old, the health visitor friends with some of the
a mum didnt phase me. I had loads of encouraged me to start other new mums on the
Feature Sarah Veness Images iStock

energy and felt ready for the challenge. weaning, so I began with camp, and they were a
But the loneliness was awful. I was away baby rice. I then fed her good support. Its funny
from home and didnt know anyone else jars of food because but, looking back, I used
in my situation. I just thought that was to think the eldest one
When we were still in hospital, I was what people did. of the group, who was
encouraged to bottle-feed Ellie. I wanted No one encouraged 38, seemed old to be a
to breastfeed her, but the support just me to make her food mum to a young baby!
Ellie was born
wasnt there. Once we were back from scratch. I also in 1994, when Little did I know what lay
home, I managed to get on top of the never considered bottle-feeding ahead for me
was widely
accepted
104 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

Ian and I split up when Ellie was 3, so
it was just the two of us for a couple of
years, until I met my second husband,
Clive. Id never planned a big gap
between children, but it was another
nine years, when Ellie was 14, that I finally
had my second daughter, Amelia.
It felt like I was doing it all for the first
time as everything was so different. One
of the biggest things was being more
environmentally aware, so I used a mixture
of real and disposable nappies. I was
also encouraged to make Amelias food
from scratch, and she didnt have any
solids until she was 6 months.
I was fortunate enough to be able to
give up work to be with Amelia. This,
coupled with my age, allowed me to be
a more measured, calmer mum. I was
also surrounded by family and was lucky
enough to meet a group of new mums of
a similar age, who were a big support.
Amelia has definitely benefited from
me being around all of the time, and I
sometimes wish Ellie had had the same
opportunity when she was little.
When I had Amelia, there was a lot
more pressure to breastfeed, but I felt it
wasnt handled very well in the hospital.
So, when she was 4 months old, I started
training as a breastfeeding counsellor.
Being able to draw on my own
experiences has been invaluable.
Ellie is now 21 and living in Swansea
after university, so its just me, Clive and
Amelia at home most of the time.
Despite the age gap, the girls are really
close, and Ellie is a great support. It may
not be how I planned it, but Im a very
lucky mum to have my two lovely girls.
Suzanne could
spend more time
with baby Amelia
Im much more understanding
and patient second time around
ANTONELLA PARKER-HALL, 47,
FROM NORFOLK, IS A MUM
OF FOUR AND HAS A 21-YEAR
AGE GAP BETWEEN HER ELDEST
AND YOUNGEST CHILDREN.
SHE ALSO HAS A 4-YEAR-OLD
GRAND-DAUGHTER
W
hen I found out that I was
pregnant aged 19, I was
really excited. The baby
wasnt planned, but I was in a serious
relationship with my partner Nick,
and I loved the idea of being a mum.
Luckily, my family got right behind me.
Nick and I married, and our daughter
Nicoletta was born four months later, in
November 1987. Without any experience
of motherhood, I just did what I was told.
I put her to sleep on her tummy with her
head to one side, used terry nappies, and
weaned her on to solids as soon as she
turned 3 months.
There was less pressure to breastfeed
then I certainly was never told of the
health benefits or the importance of
developing a close bond. But I gave it a
good go, lasting three and a half months.
Our second daughter, Amabel, came
along in February 1991, and I followed
the same parenting advice Id had
with Nicoletta, although by now the
recommendation on sleep had changed
to putting her on her side.
Sadly, my relationship with
their dad fell apart and we
separated when the girls
were 7 and 4. Tragically,
he passed away shortly
afterwards.
Six years later, I
met my second
Back in 1987, terry
towelling was the
norm for nappies
Be inspired
Antonella with
her daughters
Amabel (left)
and Nicoletta
husband, Colin, at a martial arts class.
Right from the start, he was brilliant
with the girls, but wasnt too keen for
us to have any children. Slowly, though,
that changed, and two years after our
wedding in 2004, our son Dante was born.
I was 35 and mum to a newborn again!
This time around things were much
easier. Colin was a fantastic support, as
were the girls who were by now teenagers.
With the luxury of age and experience
behind me, Ive become a more patient,
calm and understanding parent. Aged
19, however much I wanted to, I wasnt
as able to put my childrens needs first as
easily as I can now. But thats just me Ive
met lots of amazing younger parents who
do a fantastic job.
A new mum
again, with
I also discovered theres
baby Xander a lot more support out
and Dante there now for parents,
like baby massage and
baby signing classes.
My fourth child Xander
was born in 2009 when
I was 40. Then in 2011,
Amabel gave birth to
our granddaughter
Adelaide. I love being
a nan just as much as I
love being a mum. I feel
incredibly blessed. PB
Beat those January blues with
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telephone companys access charge. Calls from mobiles and other providers may vary.
 Superfoods
or
superfads? We investigate so-called
superfoods and whether they
should be an essential part of
your childs day-to-day diet

W
hat do blueberries, kale and past few years, perhaps capitalising on
mackerel have in common? the fact we now know healthy lifestyle
Theyre all superfoods of choices can help to stave off chronic
course. Theyre nutrient- diseases, as well as improve intelligence
dense produce, which are said to have and physical ability.
a higher concentration of vital nutrients The problem with the superfoods
and antioxidants than other foods, and label is that it leads parents to think that
will give your child energy, aid his mental particular foods will give you benefits
development and physical growth, as well that you wont find anywhere else, says
as boost his immune system.
Parents want to feed their children well
and so its natural to be drawn towards
these supposed miracle superfoods that
are said to have wide-ranging health
Feature Alison Potter Image iStock

benefits. But are they really the key to your

childs health and how much should you
focus on feeding them to your child?

Proceed with caution

The awareness of superfoods is
relatively new. As a food trend
its only really gained in
popularity in the
 Health & happiness

Food
Judy More, a will find that your child suddenly bites TH E LATE ST
NE WS FRO M TH E
paediatric dietician becomes more wary about eating
WO RL D O F FO O D
N
R M O RE O U R
F O
ING Y
O and member of the unfamiliar foods.
WE ANILD, VISIT
CH m/ Infant and Toddler Use your time wisely in the early stages AN D DR IN K
u ms.co
made baby
f o r m Forum (infantand
toddlerforum.org).
of weaning to familiarise your little one
with as many foods as possible, rather FUEL UP!
But it would be wrong than just focusing on a few foods which When youre feeling
tired, these snacks will
to concentrate on giving the food industry and the media are
keep you going
your child only a limited variety of foods promoting as superfoods.
Munchy Seeds are wholesome seed
just because you believe them to be
mixes that are high in iron and protein
superior to others. The four food groups and full of essential fatty acids. From
If you ensure your child regularly eats a Remember when it comes to keeping 69p, sainsburys.co.uk
wide range of brightly coloured foods, in healthy, its best not to concentrate on 9Bars Cocoa Kick range, which
particular fresh fruit and vegetables, there any one food in the hope it will work includes Raspberry, Cashew, Coconut
is no doubt he will be getting all the miracles. You should focus on giving your and Hazelnut, will satisfy that
nutrients his growing body needs. child a mixture of starchy foods (bread, chocolate craving while
rice, potatoes, pasta and cereals), fruit giving you a hit of
A balanced diet and vegetables, dairy products (milk, slow-release
energy. 2.50 for
Quinoa is high in protein, calcium, B yoghurt and cheese) and foods that are
five, tesco.com
vitamins and fibre and its labelled as a high in iron and protein (meat, fish, eggs,
Bounce Energy
superfood, but that shouldnt be the only nuts and pulses).
Balls are high in fibre
cereal product you feed your child. Its just You should aim for your child to eat a and protein. Their gluten-free Cacao
as important for him to regularly consume combination of the four food groups at Orange ball is the perfect 11am pick-me-up.
other starchy foods such as oats, rice, each mealtime, says Judy. Its important 2, waitrose.com
pasta and wheat, both in wholegrain and that you dont get reeled in by whatever
refined white varieties. the current health food trend is or hung GIVE BABY A BOOST
Ideally you want your child to be trying up on feeding your child a certain thing Oxo Tot has launched two new portable
as many different foods as possible to after all, blackberries are just as booster seats that raise little ones to the
perfect table height. The Nest is a supportive
get him use to a wide range beneficial as blueberries,
cushioned booster seat thats suitable for
of tastes and textures, but its just that they
children from 9 months and the foldable
says Judy. During the DID YOU dont have quite the
Perch is a great solution for babies over 14
weaning period theres KNOW? same superfood buzz months. Perch, 40, Nest, 50, amazon.co.uk
a limited window of The NHS has said there is around them. PB
opportunity where your no official definition of a
baby will be open to superfood and the EU has
trying new things, but banned the use of the word on
around toddler age you product packaging unless the
claim is backed up by
convincing research

Inspect-a-gadget
You dont need to suffer the January sales to
pick up a bargain! Aldis Multi Chef can be
used for cooking, mixing, kneading,
steaming and chopping. The
illuminated display shows the
temperature, time, speed and
weight and it comes complete
with a recipe book and DVD.
Its at least 100 cheaper than
similar products on the
market. 149, aldi.co.uk

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 109

To
your he lth!
Prawn Stir Fry with Sweet and Sour Sauce
Makes 4 portions
WHAT YOULL NEED
FOR THE STIR FRY
2tbsp olive oil
1 onion, sliced
100g broccoli florets
red pepper, thinly sliced
175g baby corn, thinly sliced
250g raw large king prawns
tsp grated fresh root ginger
150g water chestnuts, sliced in half
FOR THE SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE
4tbsp tomato ketchup
1tbsp rice wine vinegar
110 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
St ew year as you
mean to go on, with these
nutritious recipes that dont
scrimp on flavour
So long January blues! Nows
the time to shake up your food
routine and give your family the
energy boost they need. These
child-friendly recipes are bursting
with colour, filled with flavour and
packed full of nutrients
Quick
and
easy
1tbsp brown sugar
1-2tbsp soy sauce
200ml water
3 Add the sauce to the pan with the
water chestnuts, bring to the boil, then
stir until it has thickened and the prawns
1tbsp cornflour have turned pink. Season to taste, then
serve with rice.
WHAT TO DO
Did you know?
1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan or
wok. Add the vegetables and stir-fry
for 3-4 minutes until they are nearly
Broccoli is one seriously healthy
vegetable. Its one of the most
cooked. Add the prawns and ginger and concentrated sources of vitamin C,
fry for 1 minute. making it great for fighting infection,
2 Meanwhile, whisk sauce ingredients
together in a bowl until smooth.
and is also a great source of calcium
and vitamin K, crucial for bone health.
Courgette Spaghetti
with Carrot, Sunblush
Tomato and Pesto
Makes 4 portions

WHAT YOULL NEED

2 large courgettes Veg
1 large carrot, peeled instead
2tbsp olive oil of pasta
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
3tbsp fresh pesto
8 Sunblush tomatoes, sliced
50g Parmesan, grated

WHAT TO DO

1 Put the courgettes and carrot

through a spiraliser to make long
curls. Alternatively you could use a
julienne cutter to make long, thin
strands of courgette and carrot.

2 Heat the oil in a large frying pan.

Add the onion and garlic and fry
until soft.

3 Add the vegetables and quickly

toss over a high heat for a few
minutes until just wilted.

4 Drain away some liquid from

the pan, then add the tomatoes,
pesto and cheese.

5 Season and toss together. Serve

at once.

Did you know?

Carrots pack a powerful crunch. High
in antioxidants, these easy-to-prepare
veggies are full of vitamin A and other
nutrients to help with vision and get
skin glowing.

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 111

 Vegetarian
Shepherds Pies You
Makes 4 individual pies wont
miss the
WHAT YOULL NEED meat!
1tbsp olive oil
1 carrot, peeled and diced
150g butternut squash, peeled
and diced
1 garlic clove
1tbsp balsamic vinegar
50g green lentils, rinsed
400g chopped tomatoes
2tbsp tomato pure
1tbsp sundried tomato paste
1tsp sugar
200ml vegetable stock
FOR THE TOPPING
500g potatoes, peeled and cut into
chunks
5tbsp milk
15g butter
100g mature Cheddar cheese, grated

WHAT TO DO

1 Preheat oven to 200C/gas mark 6.

Heat the oil in a large pan and
saut the vegetables for 10 minutes.

2 Add the garlic and balsamic and

cook for 1 minute, then add the
remaining ingredients and bring to the
boil and simmer for 30-40 minutes until
the lentils and vegetables are soft and
the sauce is thick.

3 Meanwhile, boil the potatoes in

salted water for 20 minutes or until
tender. Drain and mash with milk and
butter, then stir in most of the Cheddar.

4 Divide the sauce between four

buttered ramekins, top with mash
and sprinkle on the remaining cheese.
All recipes from annabelkarmel.com

5 Bake for 20 minutes in the

preheated oven and serve.

Did you know?

Lentils are a good source of protein
and iron for vegetarians, and they
make a savoury and satisfying base
for these pies.

112 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 Be inspired

For those busy days, stock up on

Annabels Chilled Toddler Meals.
Inspired by her popular cookbook
recipes, they are low in salt and a
tasty way towards their ve a day.
Find them in the chiller aisle at
Sainsburys and Tesco, RRP 2.50.

Super-seed Flapjacks
Makes around 8 bars, depending on size

WHAT YOULL NEED

150g butter
Packed
150g golden syrup
with
75g brown sugar
goodies
150g porridge oats
60g pecan nuts, chopped
50g pumpkin seeds
75g dried cranberries
100g sultanas
40g desiccated coconut
30g chia seeds

WHAT TO DO
1 Preheat the oven to 180C/gas
mark 4.

2 Melt the butter, golden syrup and

sugar in a saucepan until runny.
Add the remaining ingredients and stir
together well.

3 Line a 9-inch square baking tin with

non-stick paper and spoon the
mixture into it. Flatten down the mixture
using a spoon.

4 Bake for 30-35 minutes until lightly

golden. Leave to cool.

5 Turn upside down onto a board,

remove the paper and then slice
into bars in your preferred size.

Did you know?

Chia seeds provide a good supply of
protein and are high in omega 3 fatty
acids, meaning theyll help boost your
childs energy and stimulate brain
growth. And you can sprinkle them onto
all her favourite foods!

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 113

Fun at home
Who says you
need to leave the
house to have
a good time?
We have plenty of
activities to keep
all the family
entertained

Shake it off
Dancing is a great way for your child to
develop physical coordination skills,
strength and concentration, not to
mention the fact that getting active
releases endorphins, which give a natural
mood boost. Amanda Hughes, founder
of preschool childrens dance company
Disco Duck (disco-duck.co.uk) gives us
her top tips for getting your family moving
to the beat:
Use a torch to create patterns in time
with the music make circles, figures of
eight and straight lines on the wall or floor.
Try to think of lots of actions you can do
on the spot and encourage a follow the
leader-type game, taking it in turns to
copy each other. For example, you could
do arm rolls, clapping, shaking hands or
legs, bending the knees, turning around
on the spot and wiggling hips.
Play songs like The Hokey Cokey, which
encourage actions and dance along to
the instructions. Nursery rhymes are great
for this or use an album of childrens songs.
Find some props, such as scarves or
even musical instruments, and create a
dance routine to your childs favourite
track using them.

114 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 RAFT
C RNER
CO
MAKE A What
youll need

DREAM Three paper plates

Scissors Wool
Sticky tape A needle

January is typically the darkest, most
depressing, month of the year, so
brighten things up with a bit of fancy
dress. Customise and adapt old
clothes, raid charity shops for outfits
and accessories, or invest in a few
bespoke pieces. TellTails are beautiful
handmade wearable tails available in
a variety of styles. Choose between a
Cheeky Cheshire Cat, a Daring Dragon
or Fantastic Fox they come in adult
as well as child-sized versions, so you
can match! From 17, telltails.co.uk
CATCHER
According to Native American
Wooden beads
and/or pompoms
Feathers Coloured
tradition, nightmares are caught in
pens Glue
the web, while good dreams slide
down the feathers to the sleeper.
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
Cut out the centre of each Attach the end of a long Cut three different lengths of
plate so only the outer edge piece of wool to the bottom wool to hang from the bottom
remains. Take one of the of the zigzag-edged plate of the dream catcher. Thread
plates and carefully cut a and wrap the wool around beads and pompoms onto
zigzag pattern around the it, crisscrossing through the each one and secure with a
entire circumference this middle to create a web knot. Pop feathers through
will hold your wool in place. effect. Fasten with sticky tape. the centres of the beads.

Step 4 Step 5 Step 6

Once the lengths of wool are
ready, fasten each of them
to the back of the zigzag-
edged plate with sticky tape.
Leave about two inches
between each piece of wool.
Take one of the other plates
and help your child to draw
a pattern or a design on the
front side using coloured
pens or pencils. Glue this
designed plate on top of the
zigzagged plate.
Cut a small piece of ribbon
and make a loop that will be
used for hanging. Stick the
loop on the back of the
zigzagged plate, then stick
the final plate to the back.
Your dream catcher is now
ready to go above the bed!

Craft supplied by Great British Sewing Bee finalist Tamara Melvin, who is working
with DryNites on the Confident Kids 24/7 campaign, to help children overcome
bedwetting. Visit drynites.co.uk for more details

madeformums.com I Prima Baby 115

Fun at home

YOUR
fun at
home @immedia te.co.uk
Email prima.baby
ra
family activity fo
wi th your favourite
Fishe r-Price toy!
chance to win a

Make a date
M ark the start of 2016 by creating a perpetual calendar with your
child. Its a great way to help her learn numbers and dates. You
only have to construct it once and you can use it forever simply help
your child to change the month label and move the numbers to their
correct location at the start of each new month.

WHAT YOULL NEED handwriting isnt neat the far right.

A corkboard 50
flat-headed drawing pins
or Velcro dots 31 large
plastic buttons Card
Pen Glue
enough, print them
off on a computer. 4 Now organise your
numbers in rows,
2 Fix each label to a
drawing pin or piece
of Velcro.
making sure the correct
number is under the
correct day for the month

WHAT TO DO 3 To assemble, label the

correct month at the
in question.

5 Voil! You now have

1 Make month and
day labels, and a set
marked with numbers
one through to 31 if your
top of the corkboard, and
lay out your days in a line,
starting with Monday on
the far left and Sunday on
your own perpetual
calendar which can sit
in your kitchen or childs
bedroom.
My son Stefan loves arts and
crafts. With a bit of help from his
older brother, Marko, he managed to
make this lovely boat using lots of
cardboard and paint. He even drew
a pirate skull and crossbones on
the flag and added little figures!

Baby broomers Danka Bakic, 42, from London, mum

Compiled by Alison Potter Images ImageSource, Getty

to Marko, 13, and Stefan, 5, wins a

Fisher-Price Little People Rollin Ramps
A homemade indoor curling game is Sit the box on the edge of a table and
Garage worth 29.99
a great idea for a winters afternoon. rest a plastic bottle top (your stone) half
Not only will your child enjoy making it, on and half off the box. Have the other
but youll have hours of fun playing it! players sweep the path ahead with
To make, simply cut one of the short toothbrushes and then
sides from a shoebox and trim the use the flat of your hand
remaining three sides so they are just a to push the bottle top
couple of inches high. Cover the inside across the card.
of the box with foil, making sure it is shiny Whoever gets
side up and as smooth as possible. closest to the
Draw a target at the back of the box with bullseye wins
permanent marker and its ready to play. the game!

116 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 the YOU ll

Safe

for

easy or

watch

Available in & From the makers of

ask for Find us on /TheGroCompany @theGroCompany gro.co.uk

From 5-12 lbs. Available in 2 fabric weights suitable for rooms of 16-20C and 21-25C.
 Take me to the
beach!Two families enjoy very different holidays
on the beautiful British coastline
Dont forget to pack your
bucket and spades
A south coast classic
WHO WENT Eoin McSorley, 42, from
Hertfordshire, his wife Lisa, 38, and
their children Lois, 8, and Jimmy, 4
WHERE WE WENT The traditional seaside
town of Bournemouth in Dorset
H
alf term beckoned and some of
our friends and their families
were making the pilgrimage to
Bournemouth for a few days, so
we decided to join them. Our last few
holidays have involved planes, trains and
Images iStock
ferries, so it was lovely just to fill the car
up with buckets and spades and nip down
to the south coast. Within a couple of
118 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
hours we were playing Fireworks at the
Who can see the sea first?. end of the pier
WHERE WE STAYED
Our base for the trip was Marsham Court
Hotel, situated on the East Cliff and a short
walk to the beach and main pier. It was
an ideal location and our family room was
clean and spacious, with plenty of room
for the four of us.
However, with our friends staying
elsewhere and so much to see and do,
I confess we didnt spend much time at
the hotel, other than to lay our heads, fill
up with breakfast and enjoy a dip in the
Bournemouth
Beach hut bliss
Instead, during
the days, we based
ourselves at one of the
towns 250 famous
beach huts, which can
grown-ups could drink endless
cups of tea and sit relaxing on
deckchairs while keeping an eye on
the children playing on the beach. One
of our friends was able to breastfeed her
baby in the tranquillity of the hut without
feeling she was missing out on the
conversation too. And at the end of
each day we could leave our beach
paraphernalia safely locked inside the
hut and not have to cart it around or
clutter up our room with sandy towels
and beach balls.

WHAT WE DID
Bournemouth, as youd expect, was very
busy and lots of fun for little ones. As one
of the UKs warmest, least rainy places,
theres a good chance youll be able to
enjoy plenty of time at the towns seven
miles of sandy beaches. There youll find
festivals and funfairs most weekends, plus
fireworks from the pier every Friday night.
But if the weather does turn, there are
plenty of other options, starting with the
traditional pier with all the fun youd
expect. Its also home to the more modern
Rock Reef Activity Centre, which replaced
the old theatre in 2014. The space is now
filled with climbing walls and high
line adventures, and the
impressive Pierzip from the
end of the pier to the
beach. With little Jimmy
in tow and some strict
safety age restrictions in
place we opted for Clip
n Climb. We all had a go
it was brilliant fun!
Neighbouring the pier is
Jimmy tucks in to fish n chips
the Oceanarium, where we
marvelled at the grace of
the beautiful tiny fish before
watching the sharks being fed from the
tunnel below the Great Barrier Reef display.
Our next stop was Adventure Wonderland,
a childrens theme park. It appeared
quite tiny on first impressions and had the
potential of being a bit crap, like many
British things of our childhoods. But Britain,
youve upped your game! This park is
packed with brilliant things for all ages:
rides for older ones, a huge indoor play
Shark spotting at
the Oceanarium
area, Cuddle Corner Farm where children
can pet and feed animals and the best
maze Ive been in. I actually got lost and
had to resort to the escape hint of putting
your right hand on the hedge and
following it round until you get to the exit!
WHAT WE ATE
You can find all sorts of cuisine and
family-friendly eateries in Bournemouth,
but what says seaside more than fish
and chips? So we headed to Harry
Ramsdens on the seafront, which is the
largest fish and chip restaurant in the
world, seating 417 people in its first floor
dining room, with a takeaway
operation downstairs.
Its wonderfully vintage
inside, with lovely views of
the pier and beach. We
watched the world go
by, filling our tums with
the delicious fayre. The
menu offers quite a
variety, including pies,
spatchcock chicken and
even excellent vegetarian
THREE MORE SUPER SEASIDE
MARGATE The reopened Dreamland
amusement park, boasting an amazing
collection of vintage rides is the latest stage
in the Kent towns revival. With a world-
class art gallery and retro shops, this could
be Britains top seaside spot. visitthanet.co.uk
ABERYSTWYTH With its Victorian seafront
and pier, electric cliff railway dating from
1896 and Camera Obscura, the Welsh
seaside town of Aberystwyth offers
Climbing the walls
in a good way
options. It meant it was difficult to stay firm
in our traditions, but we remained strong
and all ordered fish and chips. No regrets.
THE VERDICT
The very best thing was enjoying family
time, hanging out with friends and seeing
the pure joy on the childrens faces.
Bournemouth has a brilliant mix of modern
and kitsch seaside activities. We came
home exhausted, but happy we were
keeping British seaside traditions alive for
another generation.
ESSENTIAL INFO
' Family room at Marsham Court Hotel
from 110 per night including breakfast,
marshamcourthotel.co.uk
' Beach huts cost from 12 a day to hire,
bournemouthbeachhuts.co.uk
' Rock Reef Activity Centre Clip n Climb
from 12 per person, rockreef.co.uk
' Oceanarium family ticket costs 22.05,
oceanarium.co.uk
' Adventure Wonderland family ticket
48, adventurewonderland.co.uk
' For more info, visit visitbournemouth.com
TOWNS
traditional fun for every age. Theres a
13th-century castle, coastal walks and lots
of fish and chips, too. aberystwyth.org.uk
BLACKPOOL Its kitsch charms have a fan in
no less than Hollywood director Tim Burton,
who recently turned on the towns famous
(free!) illuminations. The Pleasure Beach,
tower, circus, zoo, ballroom and Sea Life
Centre are a few of the other attractions.
visitblackpool.com
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 119

Lindisfarne Castle
in the distance
A northern escape
WHO WENT Joanne Graham, 31, from
South Shields, husband Alex, 34, and
their sons Noah, 3, and Isaac, 1
WHERE WE WENT Outchester and Ross
Farm Cottages in Belford, on the rural
Northumberland coast
A
s a family, we rarely holiday
in the UK, mostly due to the
unpredictable weather. But
after having our second son,
we decided to give a British self-catering
break a try. Wed heard good things
about the unspoilt coastline and peace
of Northumberland, a refreshing
alternative to the more famous (and
therefore more busy) seaside resorts.
And better still, it only took an hour to
drive from our home near Newcastle.
WHERE WE STAYED
Our home from home for the week
was two-bedroom, two-bathroom
Hedgehope Cottage, one of 16 self-
catering properties sleeping two to six
people, split between Outchester Farm
and Ross Farm. The two sites sit in an
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and
a National Nature Reserve, but are just
two miles east of the A1 and well-placed
120 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
Belford
The pretty, rural
Hedgehope Cottage
to explore the regions attractions. history, with plenty of attractions a short
All set on one level, our cottage had drive away (a car is a must in this part of
a well-equipped open-plan modern the world), from the mystical Holy Island of
kitchen, with a sizeable living and dining Lindisfarne to Alnwick, which is something
area, plus patio doors which led out to our of a screen star having featured in Harry
own enclosed garden with an area for Potter and Downton Abbey. On our visit to
picnics and a perfectly preened lawn. the latter, Noah had great fun pretending
Ideal for the boys to play with their toys to be a knight and fighting dragons, as
and us parents to relax with a glass of well as playing with broomsticks like the
wine once they were asleep. wizards at Hogwarts.
The cottage felt warm, clean and safe, Bamburgh Castle was
with highchair and travel cot provided, as also a hit an imposing
well as childrens cups, plates and cutlery. building with a rich
history, offering art
WHAT WE DID and craft activities,
On site, there were wide open green re-enactment of battles
spaces for children to run around and a and demonstrations of
small, clean, well-equipped play park,
situated in a
sand pit. The
gardens are ideal
for ball games
and Ross Beach is
nearby, offering
three miles of
unspoilt sands.
But while
The on-site
Northumberland
play area
is quiet, the area
itself is steeped in
Saxon life. The state
rooms are accessible
and the views out to
sea are a delight. Room to play
However, the most
breathtaking were found from the top
of Lindisfarne Castle, which is run by the
National Trust, and the headland is also
a perfect spot for kite-flying. My advice
would be to take a sling or carrier for your
baby when exploring and check the tide
times for crossing the causeway before
you visit, if you dont want to be stranded.
Theres only one road in and out, and its
covered by the North Sea twice a day!
There are plenty of animal adventures
to be had in this area, too. Eshottheugh
Animal Park, north of Morpeth, is a
bargain day out and recently received
zoo status. Our boys had great fun feeding
the residents, which include farm animals,
reptiles, birds and meerkats, and playing
on the ride-on tractors.
Another highlight was a 90-minute
Grey Seal Cruise with Billy Shiels
Farne Island Boat Tours, which depart
several times a day from Seahouses
harbour between 1 April and 31
October. We enjoyed great views
of Longstone lighthouse, as well as
Meeting
some animals
Alnwick Castle
the thousands of seals in
the colony and birds who
inhabit the island. Noah
was just disappointed he
couldnt kiss the seals!
WHAT WE ATE
The cottage was
Say hello to seals
perfectly well equipped
for self-catering all week,
should you wish to, and the
area is famous for its fresh food
which can be found at lots of butchers
and greengrocers. R Carr and Son
produce the famous Bamburgh Bangers
and we can attest theyre delicious! If you
are heading out, Sunny Hills Farm Shop in
Belford has a lovely caf serving local
food, plus deli and evening bistro on
three nights. The outdoor play area,
ride-on toys and Doddingtons ice
cream hut are welcome additions!
THE VERDICT
Hedgehope Cottage was the perfect
base for our young family and so
child-friendly we had no concerns
when Isaac took his first steps during
our visit. It also left us impressed with
what Northumberland has to
offer well be back! PB
THREE MORE BRILLIANT BEACH HIDEAWAYS
SWANSEA Head to the Gower Peninsula,
the UKs first-ever Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty just west of Swansea, for
surfing, pristine beaches of all shapes and
sizes, plenty of castles and caves, and
some wonderful wildlife. Rhossili Bay and
Three Cliffs Bay are particular highlights,
with caravans, camping and cottages all
available. visitswanseabay.com
HOLKHOLM in North Norfolk has been
voted one of the best beaches in Britain
thanks to its rugged, year-round appeal
ESSENTIAL INFO
' Hedgehope at Outchester and
Ross Farm Cottages costs from 360
a week, rosscottages.co.uk
' Alnwick Castle (closed for winter
until 24 March): Adult 14.75, child
7.20, under-4s free, alnwickcastle.com
' Bamburgh Castle: adult 10.50, child
5, under-5s free, bamburghcastle.com
' Lindisfarne Castle: adult 7, child
3.50 (free with National Trust
membership), nationaltrust.org.uk/
lindisfarne-castle/
' Eshottheugh Animal Park: adult
6.50, child 4.75, under-2s free,
eshottheughanimalpark.co.uk
' Grey Seal Cruise: adult 13, child 9,
farne-islands.com
' Sunny Hills Farm Shop open seven
days a week, sunnyhillsfarmshop.
co.uk
that has even charmed the Royal family.
It sits beside the charming town of
Wells-Next-The-Sea, which has fine
restaurants and cosy accommodation
choices. visitnorthnorfolk.com
SCOTLANDS ISLE OF ARRAN is less than
an hours ferry from the west coast and
perfect for letting children run wild. Enjoy
a spot of rock-pooling or spotting seals.
Auchrannie Resort in Brodick offers hotel or
lodge accommodation, a spa for parents
and a playbarn for children. visitarran.com
madeformums.com I Prima Baby 121
 Time FOR
you UNWIND AND RECHARGE YOUR
BATTERIES WITH OUR IDEAS
FOR HOW TO SPEND YOUR
CHILD-FREE EVENINGS

Game on! Bring the

Add a bit of healthy competition to
your relationship with QWordie. This spa to you
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howling with up to 40 hours, so
laughter. should last until
20, john spring! 28, house
lewis.com ology.com

Whats for dinner?

After the cooking marathon of Christmas, why not give
yourself the night off and get a curry in? Supermarkets
Compiled by Alison Potter Images Getty

have upped their game and are now giving

authentic curry houses a run for their money. So for
a cheaper but just as delicious alternative to your
traditional Indian takeaway, pop to Sainsburys
and pick up a spicy Royal Chicken Biriyani, 3.60,
and a smoky Chargrilled Chicken Tikka Masala,
3.60, along with some poppadoms, naan bread,
pickles and pilau rice. Its the perfect way to
warm up on a chilly dark night. Indian Taste The
Difference range from 1.80, sainsburys.co.uk

122 Prima Baby I madeformums.com

 A right good read

E
ach issue one of our team or a reader recommends a great book.
Senior writer Alison Potter has picked The Grownup by Gillian Flynn,
(3.99, Orion).
The author of Gone Girl has written yet another brilliant page-
turner. The Grownup is a spooky short story which is a modern

characteristic twists and turns. At 67 pages

PB
its the perfect companion for keeping BOOK
you entertained during a night feed, or
for those who struggle to find the time for CLUB
a full-length novel.
Read a book youd love to share? Email
prima.baby@immediate.co.uk

Book the
babysitter!
Find
something
Bottoms up!

Paopsscotrhne
fun to do
Just because youre
with The AA
feeling the post-Christmas
Days Out

p
pinch, that doesnt mean
Guide. Its a free
you have to settle for a
app which features
substandard bottle of
recommendations
plonk. Aldis Exquisite
for more than 1,800
Collection Argentinian
Sometimes theres just nothing on the telly and attractions across the
Malbec is an award-
youre sick of all your DVDs. Next time youre country. Select your
winning intense ruby red
looking for something new to watch, try Vimeo.com location and find lists
wine thats the perfect
Its a video-sharing website on which users can by distance, price and
accompaniment to lean
upload, share and view videos. Its free to sign up opening times. Its
cuts of red meat such as
and in the Staff Pick section alone there are almost integrated with Google
flank, sirloin and skirt
10,000 specially selected independent and Maps so you can ensure
steak. And its only 5.99,
award-winning films from around the world. that you dont spend
aldi.co.uk
Its the perfect place to discover hidden your precious child-free
gems that havent made it onto hours getting lost. Free,
TV or the big screen yet itunes.apple.com

Art
Indulgent eats
If youre trying to be good after festive excess but
fancy something sweet, Ombars brilliant little bars
attack!
of antioxidant-filled raw chocolate are the perfect
way to get that chocolate fix. Made with organic
to rediscover your arty side or
Ecuadorian cacao, unrefined coconut sugar and
reduce your stress levels, try
real fruit, their melt-in-the-mouth flavours include
doodling. Use your iPad or tablet
Cranberry & Mandarin, Strawberry Mylk, Blueberry
as a sketchbook with Wacoms
& Acai, as well as the standard dark and milk
Bamboo Fineline 2, a digital
chocolate varieties. Its gluten-free, dairy-free
pen compatible with a wide
and suitable for vegans, so those with restricted
number of drawing apps.
diets can enjoy it too. 1.99, ocado.com
49.99, wacom.com
 Time FOR
you
C
atherine Wright,
34, a mum-of-two
from Reading, and
husband Luke, 37,
enjoyed a stay at Boringdon
Hall Hotel in Plymouth, Devon
Why we went
Luke has been on
secondment overseas
for the past few months, so
to celebrate his return we
decided to escape to the
coast for a few days. After
dropping our little ones off with
their grandparents, we took a
three-hour train ride straight from
Reading to Plymouth. From there it
was an easy 20-minute journey by
taxi to the secluded manor house
hotel in the little parish of Colebrook.
The hotel
Boringdon Hall certainly makes a
grand first impression. The imposing
stone towers, arrow slits and gothic
mullioned windows hint at the
hotels long and colourful history,
which predates the 16th century. Its
clear that a lot of consideration has gone
into retaining the Tudor charm of the
Grade I-listed building while ensuring
its warm, cosy and incredibly inviting.
As we were shown to our room we
passed through the Elizabethan Great
Hall, the most impressive room in the hotel.
Filled with plush velvet armchairs and comfy
leather Chesterfield sofas, we agreed we
had to return before dinner.
Considering the size
A walk to
of the building, there are
the woods
just 41 bedrooms. Wed
booked to stay in one of its
lavish Four Poster Rooms
and, appropriately, were
shown to the Catherine
Room! Inside, we found
a beautiful freestanding
Images iStock
bath (big enough for two),
an antique Tudor-style bed
and a spacious wet room.
124 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
The hotel is
impressive
The great
escape
GOT A BIT MORE CHILD-FREE
TIME? WE REVIEW A
RELAXING WEEKEND BREAK
What we ate Delicious
Instead of lunch, we tea for two
opted for afternoon tea,
served on the mezzanine
of the Great Hall. With
a pot of award-winning
Novus loose-leaf tea
each, we tucked in to
warm Bakewell tarts and
chocolate Eton mess cups.
While we had the standard
afternoon tea, every month there is
a special edition version to match the
time of year including a Mad
Hatters Tea Party in May and a
Wimbledon-themed tea in July.
To work up an appetite before
dinner, Luke and I enjoyed an
amble through the picturesque
Plymbridge Woods, a 20-minute
walk from the hotel. Ravenous by
the time we sat down at The
Gallery restaurant, I had
high hopes after drooling over
The Grand
Hall and Four
Poster Room
the Twitter updates
from the hotel kitchen
(@BoringdonChef). We chose the
la carte menu, and enjoyed cured
venison with salted cherries, Devon
duck breast with balsamic fig and
wild rice, and an 8oz West Country
dry-aged rib-eye steak. The desserts
were the real showstoppers, though
Luke had the Madagascan
chocolate dlice, while I had the
dulce de leche parfait with coffee,
which was absolutely to die for.
Local walks
After a wonderful night's
sleep, we headed back to
The Gallery for breakfast
and polished off a full
English each, made from
local produce.
We then said a reluctant
goodbye to Boringdon Hall
and, with a few hours before
our train, took a scenic walk
along Plymouth harbour front, and
picked up some local cider and saffron
buns to take home.
It was the most indulgent weekend
either of us had enjoyed in a long time! PB
ESSENTIAL INFO
An overnight stay at Boringdon Hall
costs from 149 per night (room only),
based on two sharing a Four Poster
Room. Afternoon tea from 19. To find
out more or to book, call 01752 344455
or visit boringdonhall.co.uk
 The last word
My
Are you looking forward to the arrival
of baby number 3? Yes were so excited.
My two boys especially cant wait to meet
their new sibling. Being pregnant is such a
long process and Im definitely ready for it
to come out now. At least theres not long
to go as Im due in January!
Have you found out the gender? We
didnt know with our first, but we found out
with our second. This time we havent and
I dont think we will because its fun
having it as a surprise, even if it makes it
a bit harder to decorate the nursery.
Have all of your pregnancies been
similar? Ive been very lucky with all of
them. Ive not really been sick or unwell,
although now my bump is bigger its been
more difficult to run around after Kai, 6,
and Klay, 2. Ive felt the most grateful this
time I appreciate what my body can do.
When was the last time Kai and Klay
made you laugh? All the time! Klay is into
the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles big time
and he does a little dance when the
theme tune comes on. Its
quite funny to watch him.
Kai is the funniest one of
the family and he comes
Words Alison Potter Images Instagram @coleen_rooney
out with all kinds of stuff
that makes us laugh.
Do they play together
peacefully? Theyre
proper boys, so theyll play
happily for a bit and then
theyll start fighting. Now
with the boys which your baby can play
Klay is a bit older hes
started retaliating against Wa yne
his big brother, which was a
bit of a shock for Kai at first! But they
absolutely adore each other and when
they wake up in the morning the first thing
they do is ask for each other.
130 Prima Baby I madeformums.com
life
COLEEN ROONEY,
29, CHATS ABOUT
HER BUMP, HER
BOYS, AND HER
MUST-HAVE BUYS
What do you look for
when buying toys and
games for your children?
When theyre young you
want uncomplicated toys
which explore colours and
textures thats why I like freedom to having the responsibility of
Lamaze because theyre
suitable from newborn and
theyre really nice toys
with by themselves and
also with you. In terms of older children,
Coleen is working with Lamaze toys, which are designed with experts
to inspire discovery through play. Find out more at uk.tomy.com
active toys are great
for tiring my two out.
What would your
perfect day with
your family entail?
A day at the theatre The two brothers
is always nice,
followed by dinner.
Last weekend we saw Shrek the Musical.
Its just nice to get us all together because
my husband Wayne has such a busy
schedule. We see each other every day,
but its not the same as quality family time.
What are your parenting must-haves?
The one I really loved especially with
Klay was the Sleepyhead cushion, which
is a portable baby bed. Its meant to
replicate the feeling of being in the
womb, which is comforting for baby. I
recommended it to absolutely everybody!
What are you most excited about
experiencing again with your upcoming
new arrival? Im definitely looking forward
to the children meeting the baby. Now
that Kai is older, hes much more aware
of whats going on. The boys are really
excited that we dont know whats coming.
Whats the best thing about becoming
a parent? When I had Kai I thought I knew
what to expect because Ive been
around babies my whole life, but I didnt
anticipate the initial shock of going from
looking after someone. Its scary being
a new parent! But knowing youve
produced life, thats the best feeling
ever. Im constantly being surprised
by my two boys and
Im so proud of them.
 Great news!
Now what?

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