The Breastfeeding Mum's Guide to Family Life!

Product Reviews - Service Reviews - Website Reviews - Let Me Recommend You!

From time to time I am approached by individuals and companies requesting product reviews, service reviews or website reviews*.

I always try to oblige, although given that it can be a time-consuming process, unfortunately it is not always possible to review everything that is suggested.

However, where I feel a product, service or website will be of particular interest to, or will help in some way, the numerous women readers of this blog and my website, then I'll certainly give it my consideration.

Please email me if you are interested in a product, service or website review. Here are some actual product reviews I have previously written.

*Reviewing products, services and websites takes time, sometimes a lot of time. When working on reviews, I put a lot of effort into my posts, trying to give honest feedback for those products, services and websites that have proven themselves to me. 

If you cannot provide a physical product for review, I am happy to review a product based on information supplied either online or by post. For this service, and for appropriate website or service reviews, I charge a fee of £35 sterling, payable in advance via PayPal, to cover the time taken to research and write my review. I always try to personalize the review as much as possible and will only accept a commission for products or services which I genuinely feel will be of use to my site's visitors.

Please note, I do not under any circumstances return any products I have reviewed.

If you are only interested in free reviews, please ask someone else! 

 

 

"It feels completely natural": Mum of boy, 4, says she'll carry on breastfeeding him

What a lovely story about extended breastfeeding! "It feels completely natural": Mum of boy, 4, says she'll carry on breastfeeding him.

Have you breastfed for an extended period of time? What are your thoughts on extended breastfeeding?

Miscarriage Poems: To Our Baby Aiden by Nicholas Hise

We received this very moving miscarriage poem from Nicholas who told us:

My wife miscarried with our son Aiden 2 months ago. I help out as much as I can. When she cries at night I wipe her tears and hold her tight. I tell her that we are in this together and we will make it through this. 

My body is alive but I feel empty inside. 

The son I was supposed to have.

Aiden is his name, my son I can not have.

He is with God now, engraved in my mind.

It was amazing to finally see your face,

but saddened deeply that you weren’t alive.

I prayed to God several times before I knew you had died.

To keep you safe I cried with hopeful eyes.

 

After you were born, looking so peaceful.

I cried, I didn’t want to say goodbye.

I prayed to God and asked to keep you safe with Him.

As I paced back and forth all night to make sure you were still there

I finally said goodbye in despair. 

 

Our baby Aiden, we wanted you to survive.

Two years we had tried, we were so excited when you had arrived.

We picked out so many things for you; you would have had a happy life.

We are sad to know that we won’t watch you grow up to be a man,

but we are happy to know you are safe with God alive within. 

 

We Will Never Forget You Aiden and We Will Always Love You!

With Tons and Tons of Love, 

Your Daddy, Nicholas Hise      

 

Read more Miscarriage Poems

If you would like to recommend a miscarriage poem or story, or contribute one of your own, please contact us and we'll add it to the site. Thanks.

If you would like to contribute a pregnancy or breastfeeding poem, story or photos, again just email us.

Breastfeeding Photos - Naomi

We've just received this gorgeous breastfeeding photo featuring Pearl breastfeeding her newborn daughter, Naomi! I think you'll agree it's stunning and a great advert for breastfeeding :)

If you would like to see your breastfeeding photos featured here and in our breastfeeding gallery, simply email them to Breastfeeding Mums. Include your URL if you would like a link back to your website or blog.

See more breastfeeding photos

Miscarriage Poems: Softly by Jackie Morgan

This miscarriage poem was written by Jackie who told us, "My sister-in-law has just lost her second baby and it inspired me to write this simple poem."

Softly
by Jackie Morgan

Softly, softly
I knew you were there
Softly, softly
You grew – I swear

Miscarriage Poems: Born Sleeping by Emily Waters

This lovely miscarriage poem was written by Emily who told us "I wrote this poem for my baby sister, who was stillborn at 20 weeks on the 10th April 2012. I still can't believe how much it hurts to lose someone you never even got to know."

Born Sleeping
by Emily Waters

Daughter, sister, little pearl,
We waited for you, baby girl.
Unexpected, treasured still,
We loved you then and always will,

Ahead of time, too soon you came,
We didn’t take you home again.
Tiny hands and eyes closed tight,
Were taken from us, out of sight.

Miscarriage Poems - You Are Mine!

This tender miscarriage poem was sent to us by a grandmother who wrote it in memory of her grandchild after her daughter suffered a miscarriage.

You Are Mine!

Your guardian angel
placed you in my womb.

A safe haven, right under my heart.
I held you with my body,

A hug that was 360 degrees
For 24 hours each day.

You and I were one for several weeks,
I dreamed of your face,

Held you in my arms,
Kissed your tiny hands,

I gave you a name,
You were mine!

You were called by name,
By the Lord above,

To the only place,
That is as beautiful and safe as inside me.

I let you go,
To the only one that would love you as much as I do.

So here I am and there you are,
You waiting for me –

Me waiting for you
Locked in a Love embrace

360 degrees
24 hours a day.

You are Mine!

Read more Miscarriage Poems

If you would like to recommend a miscarriage poem or story, or contribute one of your own, please contact us and we'll add it to the site. Thanks.

 

Healthy Breastfeeding (Guest Post)

Being a new mum is a wonderful time, but it can also be a stressful time. There is so much to remember, and so much health advice to take on board. This is even more so the case if you are a breastfeeding mum, as you of course want to make sure you give your baby the best nutrients and best start in life possible.

If you are breastfeeding then it is important to eat right to ensure your baby gets all the nutrients it needs to grow up into a healthy and happy child and adult. Don’t panic however. As long as you follow the basic rules of a healthy diet, you don’t need to worry.

Although there is lots of conflicting advice out there for breastfeeding mums, most foods are fine in moderation, and general healthy eating advice is worth following. So, make sure you are getting your five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, varied if possible and fresh wherever you can.

Breastfeeding a 4 Year Old (Guest Post)

I have been a nursing mother for 4 and a half years now.  My son is a wonderful chunky outgoing little boy who loves his “boob drink”.  It has been fun asking him what he prefers “daddy or boob drink”?  Of course no matter what I put up against the milky stuff, the milky stuff always triumphs.  He loves it and is definitely telling me that he has no intention of giving it up anytime soon.

My son’s natural weaning process has been quite slow.  When my son was a year or so old, I often read about babies already sleeping through the night/not nursing by the time they were 11/2 – 2.  I was curious as to when I could expect my wriggly little monster to give me a full nights sleep without requesting the “boob drink”.  Of course though, despite reading about others experiences, mine was certainly different and my son didn’t give up the night feeding by the time he was 2.  It took a lot longer.  In fact I think it has only been in the last year (so potentially when he was 31/2) that he no longer feeds during the night.  He still likes to have a morning feed in bed though (we chose to cosleep rather than use a cot bed.

Breastfeeding Facts

Thanks to PregnancyGroup.org for this fascinating breastfeeding infographic.

Five Reasons to Run Post-Baby (Guest Post)

Many new mothers want to establish a routine running habit to lose excess baby weight, gain more energy and take some time alone for themselves. Postpartum fitness is the perfect way to get the body back into shape after pregnancy. Lack of sleep, a fussy baby and a hectic routine can leave mom feeling exhausted. Running can give postpartum women both short- and long-term benefits, including an efficient workout that will help the day go more smoothly, better sleep habits, a boost in confidence and weight loss. Here are five reasons to strap on some running shoes and get fit.

Guys and Dolls - Sales of new Oobicoo soft toy Ollie outstrip Orla 2:1

Boys’ dolls are selling twice as fast as girls’ dolls according to Totseat founder Rachel Jones, who believes the media have been integral in helping to break down gender stereotypes.

The UK toy industry is worth £2.96bn and since launching the soft toy tots Ollie and Orla last year, multi award winning entrepreneur Rachel Jones has sold twice as many of the boy ‘doll’ Ollie. Sales of boys’ toys take 55% share of the UK toy market and Rachel believes sales of Oobicoo Ollie reflect society’s changing perceptions of traditional gender stereotypes.

Rachel says, “We live in a culture where many people look to the media as a guide to behavior and as a result many people conform to majority norms. Traditionally girls have been expected to play with dolls and wear pink and many parents have discouraged their sons from playing with dolls per se, however there appears to be a shift in this gender stereotyping which can only be a good thing.”

Oobicoo was originally developed and sold as a mannequin to display the multi-award winning Totseat; a safe, portable, fabric highchair for families travelling with babies. Rachel soon realised their appeal when they became the unlikely classmates of her daughter Freya and her friends, who loved the fact that they were so big and cuddly!

The adorable, soft toy tot Oobicoo is made from gorgeous soft plush fabric and, at 60cm tall, is the same size as a six month old baby - the perfect size to be an instant baby brother, sister or best friend. They come in their own wee fabric 'pod' and are designed to be dressed in hand-me-down-baby clothes. This simple idea not only saves money, it encourages the reuse of outgrown baby clothes, teaches children dexterity and provides Oobicoo with an instant wardrobe.

With sound eco credentials, Oobicoo is filled with recycled polymer, manufactured from recycleable fabric and is raising money for the Children's Immunology Fund - £1 from every sale goes to the charity. Oobicoo even has its very own dance tune, penned by Emily Philips and Josh Wilkinson who co-write for pop superstars One Direction and Alexandra Burke!

Rachel added, “Oobicoo not only helps your child’s development, they are perfect for imaginative play, great for teaching dexterity in terms of dressing and undressing and because of their realistic size, they give children someone to cuddle!

“We are delighted to announce the launch of Olwyn, our fourth soft toy tot, who has a different skin tone to the other Oobicoo tots. We are keen to encourage diversity and since launching Oobicoo Ed last year, who is entirely bald, we have had great reactions to the entire Oobicoo family.”

Get ready for a new career with NCT and University of Worcester

If you’re looking for a rewarding job you can fit around your family, or are thinking about returning to study or work after having a baby, a change of career to become an NCT practitioner could be just what you need.

NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, and the University of Worcester have joined forces to provide university-accredited training for those wanting to support parents on their journey from pregnancy to parenthood by becoming an NCT practitioner.

NCT College admissions are open for courses beginning in September 2012. There’s no better training if you want to build up a rewarding and enjoyable career working with parents at a unique and important time in their lives.

NCT is well-known for the information and support its practitioners provide through antenatal courses, breastfeeding counselling and facilitated postnatal groups, enabling parents to feel more confident and prepared for their new role.

The courses allow students to learn through a mixture of tutorials, one-to-one time with tutors and online learning. With tutorials run across the UK and study days hosted regionally, students can complete the majority of their studies without the need to travel to Worcester. This flexibility is ideal if you’re looking for a career you can juggle around a young family, and the varied syllabus offers plenty of choice depending on your interests and aspirations.

One NCT antenatal teacher, Fiona, said: “For me, my NCT work fits around the needs of my teenage boys. The training is very comprehensive, diverse and interesting and of a very high standard. I also love getting together with other practitioners and sharing ideas. I have a job I can do around my family and earn a decent hourly wage.”

The new Certificate of Higher Education – Birth and Beyond Practitioner, completed over one or two years, is the only university-accredited qualification for parenting education. Qualifying students can then begin a year of probationary practice, delivering innovative Preparation for Birth and Beyond (PBB) courses based on the Department of Health’s new framework. So, you can start earning an income from your new knowledge and skills right away.

Students can then choose from a range of modules from the Foundation Degree course. Will you train as an antenatal teacher, breastfeeding counsellor, postnatal leader or NCT Doula? Or perhaps you’d be more interested in running NCT Yoga for Pregnancy classes.

In the climate of an ever-increasing birth rate and overstretched maternity services, there could not be a better time to build a fulfilling career as an NCT practitioner working alongside midwives and other health professionals to support new and expectant parents. As one of the UK’s largest network of practitioners working with new and expectant parents, students are supported to find work quickly and easily through the charity’s national operation.

Clea Harmer, Education Manager at NCT, said: “We’re delighted to offer a range of exciting opportunities through NCT College. The varied training programme allows students to specialise in a wide range of areas, while the flexibility means they can fit their learning around families and potentially be earning an income after one year. So if you’re interested in a new career making a real difference to new parents, come and join us at NCT College.”

Professor Geoffrey Elliott Director of Regional Engagement at the University of Worcester at the University of Worcester, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to work with NCT to help parents in their transition to parenthood and will do all we can to help the country’s parents and children get off to the best possible start.”

If you are interested in finding out more about our training or a career working with new parents, visit http://www.nct.org.uk/nct-college for more information about the full range of courses on offer.

-ENDS-
Case studies are available: to speak to a current NCT practitioner about their work please contact the NCT press office.
For more information about NCT or NCT College please contact the press office on 020 8752 2412 or email press@nct.org.uk.

NCT has an ISDN line. Please call the press office in advance to book.

For more information about the University of Worcester please call 01905 857517 or email s.jones@worc.ac.uk

What Should I Eat and Drink While I'm Breastfeeding? (Guest Post)

It's common knowledge that breastfeeding your baby is better for its health, but is there anything you can eat and drink to make your milk even more nutritious? And what about your own health while breastfeeding? Two of the most common complaints amongst breastfeeding women are exhaustion and dehydration, both of which are helped by drinking plenty of water, herbal tea and milk (providing you can eat dairy). Eating a healthy, balanced diet will help to maintain your energy levels, and ensure that your baby is getting all the vitamins and minerals he or she needs from your breast milk. 

What is a healthy diet?

You'll need to be eating a variety of vegetables, and lots of them. If you're not a big fan of veggies, try stir-frying them with some garlic or flavoured oil. Stir-frying is the most delicious way to prepare vegetables, and also the healthiest, after steaming & microwaving, as the quick cooking time means you're not destroying so many of the vitamins. (Vitamins are water-soluble, so boiling veg usually means you're boiling away the vitamins, too.)

How to Deal with Sibling Fighting (Guest Post)

Sibling rivalry is natural, and it is expected in every family with more than one child. However, sometimes things get too serious and parents have to deal with the problem. In fact, the sooner parents handle the problem, the better.

Here are some simple ways to deal with sibling fighting:

Never Point at Just One

It takes two to tango! Never hold only one child responsible for a problem. Accusing just one, even if it is his/her fault fuels more fury. Doing so will give the other kid a reason to call names and bully the child in question. Therefore, handle the problem by disciplining both of them together. Set up rules that will keep them both in check. For example, if either misbehaves, everyone goes to bed early. Be clear that both will be held accountable, it doesn't matter whose fault it was.

Three Top Tips to make New Mum Feel Good (Guest Post)

If you are a new Mum you may be experiencing a roller coaster of emotions as your hormones rebalance after the birth of your little bundle of joy. Some days might be plain sailing with the house immaculate, a contented baby, the washing done and tea on the table domestic-goddess-style whilst others could be car crashes of weeping and wailing – you and the baby – mess everywhere and takeaway pizza for dinner.

The Ongoing Criminalization of Breastfeeding (Guest Post)

Breastfeeding in public can be intimidating, but fortunately there are many products on the market that make it much easier for mothers. For those times when it's just not possible to breastfeed behind closed doors, a few items can make discreet nursing much more convenient and comfortable.

Nursing Covers

There are a wide variety of nursing cover styles and patterns available for breastfeeding moms. Some nursing covers have an adjustable neckline with boning, which allows you to see your baby and also provides ventilation. If you don't want to fiddle around with a strap, you can also use a large lightweight blanket or fashionable scarf to provide privacy. Choose a nursing cover that will last if you plan to nurse your baby for the long term. If you're going for full coverage, the wrap should cover your entire chest and extend far enough on the sides to provide plenty of cover.

Nursing Sash

Nursing sashes are ideal for moms who are less nervous about letting people know they are nursing in public. When you use a nursing sash, your breast is completely exposed but your baby isn't under a cover. Nursing sashes have two layers of fabric that separate to allow access to the breast. To use a nursing sash, you will need to be wearing a shirt that allows you to easily nurse by pulling down your shirt from the top, rather than lifting it up from the bottom. For example, if you're wearing a turtleneck sweater a nursing sash is out of the question. Most nursing sashes also have a detachable burp cloth that you can use when your baby finishes nursing.

Healthy Eating for Baby and You (Guest Post)

When you are breastfeeding, it is vital that you maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet. Not just for your baby, but for you, so that you can maintain the energy levels you need to go about the tiring business of being a new mum!

Eating healthily doesn’t have to be a chore either, and we all know that easy is the way forward when it comes to being a new mum; there’s so much more to worry about than preparing fancy meals! But instead of reaching for the takeaway menu and slipping into bad habits, make sure you have the right foods in to fix yourself healthy and nutritious snacks whenever you need to.

Have nuts, fruit and oat crackers ready to hand for healthy snacking when you’re on the go, so that you’re less tempted by the multipack of crisps in the cupboard.

How to Prepare for Breastfeeding (Guest Post)

You are pregnant and you are getting ready to for your babies’ arrival. You have lists, books and advice from those around you and it may seem overwhelming. To help you prepare for breastfeeding the best thing to do is, to do that. Prepare.

Go in with a clear and open mind. Have no worries, mothers have been doing this for hundreds of years. When you are learning about the process, take mental notes and accept the information with an open heart. There will be a lot of critics and judgments on who, what, where, when and how of breastfeeding. Go with what you are most comfortable with. It is important you do what you personally feel is best. Always trust your first instinct.

It's Not Too Late to Improve Your Diet (Guest Post)

The new year may be in full swing now, but it really isn't too late to do some things to improve your health in 2012.

Starting a healthy eating regime is something you can do at any time of the year. But with spring just around the corner and new beginnings galore around now, it seems as good a time as any.

The key to eating healthily is to still give yourself a treat every now and again. You're bound to despise your regime if it cuts out everything you love in the process. Don't have no chocolate whatsoever, just don't gorge on it when you have it. A little of what you love won't hurt you, it's more when you consume too much of it that it becomes a problem.

How to Correctly Install a Car Seat (Guest Post)

Nothing gives joy to a parent as much as watching their kids grow up to be strong healthy towers of solace for their old age. In a time where traveling is inevitable, it is imperative that each parent protects not only their best wishes but the dreams they have for their kids. Small things like learning how to correctly install a car seat may go a long way in consolidating your child’s good life. According to statistics more the three quarters of all car seats are incorrectly installed. The consequences are devastating; there have been a rising number of casualties and fatalities as well as deep emotional scars that will rarely completely heal once you learn that you could have prevented it.

Cars seats should be installed in the rear-facing position in the dead center of the rear seat. Should you be driving a station wagon or a van, then the middle is the safest of places. It is paramount that you keep your child using the rear-facing position for as long as possible. Unless the kid out grows this position, it is for their safety to keep them in this position.