mother – NEW YUMMY MUMMY

Breast … feeding 😊

Breastfeeding wasn’t a question for me, it was just an obvious choice.

It was very easy with my first one and after a rocky start with the second one, we are both enjoying it as well. I love breastfeeding, I love the bond that I have with the baby and all of the extra cuddles that I get because of it. But it’s not that straight forward. Breast feeding though it’s the most natural thing in the world can be very difficult to establish. There are so many Mums out there that try and cannot do it for lots of different reasons, there is also a lot of babies who can’t get the hang of it. As mums-to-be we get a lot of advice, lessons and support but none of them prepare you for how hard it can be to breastfeed, they only stress how important it is. There needs to be a better education on it and much better support for everyone who struggles. There also needs to be much more empathy towards mums who struggle or can’t do it. I have heard some many bad stories from Mums who were looking for help and had someone make them feel even worse than they already did! You cannot give a Mum who is struggling to breastfeed her baby advice like: just breastfeed and don’t give your baby a bottle, she will eat when she gets hungry ….. really? And lastly no mum should judge how the other one feeds their baby, bottle or breast, we all do what we think is best for our babies and what works for us …

what was your baby feeding experience ?

BE HAPPY !

MY BABY EXPERIENCE

To the woman who got angry because I had to stop to pick up Chloe’s rabbit off the floor and it delayed her by 5 seconds. To the man who was getting very impatient because I had too many things that had to go through the X-ray screening at the airport and it took me 2 minutes longer than other people. To the guy who was giving me disapproving looks because my daughter was singing too loudly. To the countless people who chose not to hold any of the many doors for my husband who was carrying several bags as well as my daughter. To the woman who felt the need to say stuff under her nose because our 2 year-old daughter wouldn’t stay without moving in the queue for 20 min. To the old guy who was looking disapprovingly at my daughter because she accidentally got under his feet JUST CHILL OUT, SLOW DOWN AND STOP BEING SO MISERABLE!! I know that we all have10000000 things to do and have to get to lots of different places, and that’s ok as far as this doesn’t make you a horrible person and you don’t forget to be nice to others ! Life is too short to be so inconsiderate, miserable and horrible. JUST BE HAPPY !!!

SELFISH REASONS FOR BREASTFEEDING!

MY BABY EXPERIENCE

We all know about the huge benefits of breastfeeding your baby. I would like to highlight the selfish reasons why breastfeeding is great:

1. Big boobs !!! Ok so if you are already gifted by big boobs (lucky cow) then you might not be that pleased about it. But if you the owner of a small bust this gives you a chance to have a pair of nice boobs ! You can see if it suits you and if it will be worth investing in Implants in the future.

2. When baby wakes up at night to be fed you don’t need to get up, get out of bed and go and make a bottle , you just get your boob out 😂

3. Reduces risk of you developing breast cancer !!!!!!!

4. You burn 500 calories a day by doing so !!!!! But if you want to use it as a weight loss tool then you need to make sure that you don’t consume more than your daily calorie allowance, you eat healthy …. and yes you will have to start exercising 😁 But an extra 500 calories are always welcomed ! Or you can just use it to eat extra cakes and not put on weight 😂

5. Helps your uterus to contract back to its original size much quicker … that has to be a good thing ?

6. Prevents you baby getting ill ! breast milk is packed with disease-fighting substances that protect your baby from illness. How is it selfish? If you want to get any sleep at all at night you don’t want your little precious baby to get a cold or anything else. Also it’s heartbreaking seeing your tiny love unwell!

7. You save a fortune on formula, and you can spend this money on shoes 👠!!!

8. Because your boobs are bigger and they have to be easily accessible you have to buy lots of new clothes !!!! Which one of us doesn’t like to shop…especially with a big pair of boobs 😀

9. The most important one NO PERIOD!!! It gives you few extra months without blood !!!!!!

Oh and the saggy boobs ….

…. the damage has been done when you are pregnant as that’s when your skin has been stretched.

So if you are unlucky to have those it’s not because you were breastfeeding.

TA-DAAAA SHE IS HERE ❤️

MY BABY EXPERIENCE

8 days ago I finally have meet my Baby Girl ! I am introducing you to Skylar 🙂

Toddler Traveling guide ☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴☀️🌴

BABY ADVICE, MY BABY EXPERIENCE

Time for another holidays special post. I have written one of these last year about traveling with a baby. This is an updated version and angled more towards holidays with a little toddler. We are going on holidays YUPPIE ! In a few hours time I will be on a beach in glorious Cypriot sun TRYING to get some rest😁.

It can be quite overwhelming to pack for holidays with the little one; it can be quite tempting to just pack everything which might result in you needing much more than the allocated 20 kg. These are some tips on what you have to take and what is good to have based on all my traveling experience.

ESSENTIALS :

1. 50 UVA & UVB sun cream – ideally waterproof.

2. SunHat – just make sure that the shade from the hat covers your baby’s neck. More than one is advisable as they get covered in sand and ice cream surprisingly quickly.

3. Swimsuits – UVB protected ones are the best as you know that they are protecting your precious toddler on top of the sun cream.

4. Swimming nappies – lots of them 😊

5. Antihistamine – If you are going to a hot country your baby/child can get a heat rash. Aloe vera cream will help with a mild rash, cooling affected area, and wearing loose cotton clothing. If those things don’t work it is good to have Antihistamine Syrup.

6. Hydrocortisone Cream – another thing which is handy to have just in case. If the heat rash isn’t going anywhere after using antihistamine syrup then this mixed with lotion will.

7. Nurofen / Calpol – or any other pain / fever relief that you are using. You never know when you might need it. I never leave the house without a bottle in the changing bag.

8. Thermometer – a must-have when traveling with a child. We travel quite frequently and I must say I always end up using it. Last thing you want is your baby feeing hot and you not being able to check if they have a temperature or what the temperature is.

9. Nappy bags – at home we use a nappy bin so I never remember to take nappy bags or to refill them in my changing bag. Last thing you want when you are relaxing in your lovely hotel room is the smell of a stinky nappy !!!

10. Beach shoes – let’s remember that our precious babies feet skin is very delicate (not like ours, which requires lots of work to be smooth for a week or so) ; and that they are much more sensitive to temperature.

11. Sunglasses – yes they do look really cute in them but it is more about protecting their eyes than a fashion statement 😊.

12. Bag full of surprises – are you flying ? Is the fight quite long? Be prepared with lots of little things ready to distract your toddler. I have been very lucky as Chloe is quite good at flying; but I am still always prepared. New book which she hasn’t seen before, crayons, stickers, favourite toy, snacks etc. This will make sure that you can keep your baby entertained … You know how quickly they can get bored!

13. Dummy – or bottle/food if you don’t approve of dummies. This is to make sure that your child’s sucks on something at the take off of the plane and when plane starts to descend. Make sure to have something ready to prevent pain in your cute one ears.
GOOD TO HAVE
1. Towel Poncho – kids don’t like to sit in one place, wrapped up in towel waiting to dry and warm up a bit. This is the perfect solution, they are covered, warm and can run around.

2. UVB beach tent – this is very good and much more practical than trying to keep your monster under an umbrella. Chloe loves playing in her one.

3. Formula – this obviously is only if your child still has morning and evening milk. Reason why I suggest to buy it is because kids react differently to cows milk in other countries. When we went to Poland to visit my family Chloe got diahorrea from the milk (on which I was brought up and was totally fine with).

4. Favourite food – I always take Chloe’s favourite snacks just in case she gets a bit funny with her eating. New place, new environment, new people, new routine … It can really confuse baby/child which in turn can affect their eating.

5. Wet wipes – lots and lots of them. I swear you go through them at the speed of light!

6. Favourite bed time book and favourite toy – It all helps child adapt quicker to the new surroundings and makes us feel safer.

7. Travel cot mattress – With all of the suitcases that I have when traveling with Chloe, all the hand luggage needed and pram I have opted for not owning a travel cot. Instead I have a travel cot mattress which you put over the cot. I obviously always bring our own, fitted sheet for the cot as well. That way I don’t have to carry the travel cot, and I have peace of mind that Chloe’s sleeping environment is safe.
8. Swimming costume – you will need more that one. You will have to change your toddler in to a dry swimming suit after the get out of water. This will prevent them getting cold and getting a heat rash.
9. iPhone / iPad – with favourite cartoon. I am against giving those to kids but let’s be honest there are situations when all rules go out of the window and you will do anything to stop your child screaming
Hope that this little guide will help you pack useful things on top of all of the clothes and nappies required 😁

Oh and if anyone has invented something to prevent your toddler from eating the sand please share !!! 😂

I AM TIRED ! 💤💤💤💤

MY BABY EXPERIENCE

I knew that by becoming a mum I will join the groups of people who are constantly tired and cannot function without coffee.

When I became a full time working Mum I knew that I will become even more tired and I was prepared for it. The key was to get very organized so everything runs smoothly and you don’t try and get everything done at the same time.

… But I was not prepared for the level of tiredness which swamped me once I became pregnant again. I AM CONSTANTLY TIRED/ EXHAUSTED ! I go to sleep exhausted and I get up in the morning tired !!! The thing is that you still need to go to work and be on your best form; make sure that after work you have quality time with your baby who you missed so terribly for the whole day, cook dinner, bath you child and put to sleep, tidy up the house and then collapse on the sofa and try to have some quality time with you husband while trying not to fall asleep 💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤💤

I love being pregnant and I know that this tiny tiny baby inside me will be worth it …. But I AM EXHAUSTED !!!!!

I was always against having a cleaner but at this point of my life I don’t care I am getting one so I can try and relax a bit more over the weekend ….

Meningitis B Vaccination … Yes or No?

BABY ADVICE

It has been very loud recently about the Meningitis B vaccination. As you all heard (or not) in UK from the 1st of September 2015 all babies are receiving the Meningitis B vaccination. UK is the first country to roll it out to all babies being born. This news is great but what about all of the babies born after 1st of May 2015 who are not entitled to it ?

If you don’t know much about Meningitis B this is some general information available on NHS website:

Meningococcal group B bacteria is a serious cause of life-threatening infections, including meningitis and blood poisoning, worldwide and the leading infectious killer of babies and young children in the UK.

There are 12 known groups of meningococcal bacteria, and group B (Men B) is responsible for about 90% of meningococcal infections in the UK.

Meningococcal infections tend to come in bursts. In the past 20 years, between 500 and 1,700 people every year, mainly babies and young children, have suffered from Men B disease, with around 1 in 10 dying from the infection. Many of those who survive suffer terrible permanent disability, such as amputation, brain damage and epilepsy.

Once I found out that Chloe won’t qualify to get the vaccination on NHS me and my husband decided that we will do it privately. Somehow though life got in the way … We tried to book an appointment and were placed on a waiting list… Then when we finally managed to get one we had to cancel it due to holidays …. And then with busy lives we forgot about it…

Untill recently when a very sad story came out about a 2 year old little girl called Faye Burdett who lost her battle with Meningitis (rest in peace little angel). This story has shocked everyone and sent parents in to a panic to get their kids vaccinated. I was one of those parents, I just couldn’t risk it even if the chances of getting this awful disease are small. I must say that after the story has broken out it became almost impossible to get the vaccination ! There is a national shortage of the vaccination and most of the clinics have a very long waiting list with no date of when the vaccine will be awailable (hopefully in the summer). We were lucky to get it but it was expensive. What is very sad to see is all of the private clinics making a fortune from petrified parents. The vaccination costs £75 but most private clinics charge now £200 upwards!!!! This makes my blood boil!!!

So what is your opinion dear parent? Would you pay for the Vaccination though in theory the chances of your child getting it are 4 in 100,000? Or do you think that we all got in to a silly panic after the case of poor little Feya?

There is right now a big debate going in parliament about introducing this vaccination to older children after a petition to the government was signed by over 800,000 people and became the most signed petition ever …. Let’s see what will be the outcome of it.
You can reed more about Meningitis B on http://www.meningitis.org/menb-vaccine 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL MUM’S !!!

MY BABY EXPERIENCE

Being a mum is the most wonderful, amazing, rewarding, tiring, something frustrating, incredible thing in the whole world !!!

I was very lucy to have the most incredible woman as my Mum! She was so incredible and amazing that I know that I will never be able to match her …. But if my daughter one day thinks that I did half as good job as my mum did then I am going to be very happy !

Happy Monthere day to all of you ! Remember that you are doing an amazing job of being a mum every day … even if things are not perfect and on some days the house is a tip, or you leave the house with greasy hair … You are still an amazing mum !!!!

BEST BATH TOYS.

BABY STUFF - DO WE NEED ALL OF IT ?

Kids love bath time, and what’s better to make it more fun than a great toy. Unfortunately a lot of toys designe for a bath don’t work very well in the water. I was shopping for new bath toys for Chloe and decided to share my findings with you.

1. Ocean Explorers Sparkle Bay Fountain.