Baby Archives - MyBump2Baby
Baby, Toddler & Family Directory

7 Reasons why Baby Casting is an absolute MUST

/0 Comments/in , /by

At MyBump2Baby, we love to share exciting ideas with new and expecting parents. Babies grow up so fast, so we know how important it is to cherish those moments that you share together. A fantastic way to remember how small your little one’s hands and feet once were is by having a baby casting.

7 Reasons why baby casting is an absolute MUST

A baby cast involves mixing a mould together with safe ingredients and placing it around your baby’s hands and/or feet. After a short while, the mould will have set around your baby’s hands and/or feet and the mould will be removed carefully. 

Following this, more mould will be placed inside the outline mould of your baby’s feet or hands. This will fill the mould, making it more sturdy. Lastly, the mould can be painted however you would like. Some baby casting companies will also offer a name card with the casting, so you can frame the casting in a 3D frame with the name and age of your baby when the casting was completed.

 

There are many reasons why you should consider a baby casting, these are: 

Gifts

Baby castings are a great gift for doting grandparents. A lot of grandparents aren’t able to see their children very often, so having the reminder of them with a casting can often be a nice change from a photograph. 

You can have them at any age

Even though it’s generally called a baby casting, it can be done when your child is any age. A lot of companies will work with newborns, toddlers and older children. Some companies will even offer casting for adults. 

You can have as many as you want made

This is great because it means you can have multiple casts done throughout your child’s life to show their growth. While that’s really sweet, it’ll also be really interesting. 

A Forever Keepsake

Baby casts last forever, it is unlikely that they will break and with good care, it is likely that they will stay intact forever, making them money well spent for something so lovely. 

It’s completely safe

If you’re feeling a little anxious about putting your babies hands or feet inside a mould, worry not! The moulds will be mixed with completely safe ingredients that will have been tested appropriately. You will likely be advised before your appointment should your baby have any skin conditions that may be irritated by the mould mixture. 

They’re fun

While your job is to try and keep your baby still and not put the mould anywhere near their face, which sounds like a big job…baby casting can be a really fun bonding experience. Whether you’re there as a family or just you and your baby, it’ll be really nice for you to see how the casting comes out and in the future know that you experienced that with your baby. 

They don’t take long

The process of allowing the mould to set on your baby’s hands or feet doesn’t take long at all. After that, you can relax. It generally takes around 3 – 4 weeks for your baby’s casting to be completed. You’ll then either have it delivered to you or you may have to pick it up.

 

Overall, baby casting can be a lovely experience for everyone involved. Whether you give the cast away as a gift or you keep it for yourself and hang it up on the wall, it will likely spark joy and a sweet conversation wherever it is, you can find your nearest baby casting business by clicking here.

Cerebral Palsy and Speech Therapy

/0 Comments/in , /by

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that affects motor development. The condition may be brought on by abnormal development in the womb, or via birth injuries linked to medical
negligence – see cerebral palsy lawyer Billings for more info.

Children with the condition usually begin to show symptoms shortly before the age of 12 months, although ‘mixed cerebral palsy’ (a condition that includes symptoms of all three major
types of cerebral palsy) may be diagnosed up to the age of around 4 years. Although major muscle groups are typically affected (presenting difficulty in the deliberate use of the limbs),
smaller muscle groups may also be affected. Where the muscles in the mouth and face do not respond to signals from the brain in the normal way, difficulties with eating, drinking, and speech
may develop.

Speech problems may include:

Issues with articulation

Where the muscles in the face, head, and neck experience stiffness or weakness, the ability to form syllables may be diminished.

Issues with flow or fluency
Ongoing attempts to regain control of the muscles responsible for speech may lead to breaks in speech, meaning a disrupted flow and problem with being understood.

Issues with the sound of the voice
The vocal cords rely on muscles to pull the chords into the shapes that allow the formation of sounds that we recognise as speech. Cerebral palsy can therefore lead to issues with pitch and volume.

Slurred speech
The muscles in the tongue and the muscles in the face that control the lips may only allow limited or intermittent movements, resulting in delayed or slurred speech.

How speech therapy can improve quality of life

Speech therapy should not be thought of as a series of exercises designed specifically to improve speech and speech alone. Instead, speech therapy should be considered as a means
of strengthening the muscles in the face, neck, throat, head, and tongue. Therefore, the benefits of speech therapy are far reaching in terms of improving day to day living conditions in children
(and adults) with cerebral palsy.

Benefits of speech therapy include:

● Ability to form syllables and recognisable words
● Ability to regulate the pitch and volume of the voice
● Ability to articulate feelings and desires (reducing stress and frustration)
● Ability to maintain focus and participate in a communication thread
● Improved ability to chew and swallow

Speech therapy ultimately builds confidence and leads to new levels of independence. This often leads to a greater desire to interact with others, eliminating any feelings of loneliness or
depression that may result from living with symptoms of cerebral palsy.

5 Ways to Keep Fit on a Busy Schedule

/0 Comments/in , , /by

MyBump2Baby recognises that a lot of our parents lead busy lifestyles and often can’t make time for a regular fitness routine. Fitness is really good for not just your body but also your mind, so you should try to make at least a bit of time for it each week. Today’s blog tells you 5 ways to keep fit on a busy schedule and it’s brought to you by the fabulous Move with Mumma, enjoy!

5 Ways to Keep Fit on a Busy Schedule

Get Up Earlier Than Everyone Else In Your Household

This might feel like the last thing you want to do BUT I guarantee you will have such a productive day if you do this.

Start by setting your alarm 15-minutes earlier for a few days, then take it back another 15-minutes for a few days. Once you have practiced a few days of being up 30-minutes earlier than normal, add in just 5-10 minutes of physical activity. You can then increase this over time.

This could be anything! Stretching, Intervals, Weights or a Walk.

When you do this you will have achieved two of the hardest tasks of the day: getting your exercise done and adding in something for you! Everything else is going to feel great!

Add in a Short Daily Walk and Move More

Going for a walk will not only increase your steps for the day, it will clear your head, release those feel-good hormones and help you sleep better.

A walk could be something to add in on your lunch break but if you can’t get out then doing other things to increase how much you move in a day is really beneficial and helps to use energy. If you work in an office, try to move from your desk once an hour and escape for a short office walk if possible, if that’s not an option, do some desk stretches to help relieve aches and help your posture.

 

Try Shorter Workouts

Start small and build up to around 20-minutes Monday to Friday.

First get in the habit of rising earlier than everyone else, then increase your workout time slowly.

When you feel ready, commit to a programme to ensure you get results. Check out this 6am Club, as a member you are part of a motivating community of busy women and men who commit to feeling amazing by starting their day with something for them!

Make Exercise a Part of Your Daily Routine – Schedule In The Time

You’ve got to schedule this time in and make it an important part of your day or it’s not going to happen.

I promise I didn’t used to be a morning person, but getting my workout in before 6am is the only way that I’m guaranteed to include it in my day. As a personal trainer and fitness instructor, after a day and evening of coaching and motivating other people, motivating myself is near impossible. So I have to do it before my busy day! It clears my head for the day ahead.

It needs to be right for you and your schedule! Is there an afternoon or evening time slot where you have a little bit of time for yourself? You might find you have more energy after breakfast, is there a fitness class you could attend or a workout you can do at home during this time.

Do you have time in between baby’s nap or before the afternoon school run? Just 5-minutes can really lift your mood and energy.

Pick a slot that suits your life.

 

Exercise at Home

Save time by working out at home. Getting dressed, packing a bag, grabbing water and leaving the house is a huge effort in itself. In that time you could be in front of the laptop or tv working out in your underwear.

The choices of workouts are endless online, you could dance, stretch or workout with weights. If you don’t have weights then fill up some litre bottles with water and start there. There are lots of bodyweight workouts online too so you might not even need any kit to start with. Start with something you enjoy and encourage the family to join in with you.

Don’t be hard on yourself, life is crazy busy at times, think progress not perfection.

Find me on Facebook and Instagram for health & fitness motivation.

Manda

Move with Mumma

What New Mothers Think About the NHS Birth Experience

/0 Comments/in , , /by

By Eddie Jones, Head of Clinical Negligence at JMW Solicitors.

Giving birth is a life-changing experience that can be extremely distressing if it follows a course that was unexpected or unwanted. JMW Solicitors’ clinical negligence team questioned more than 600 women with children about their birth experience in an NHS hospital and this is what they found.

The survey results highlighted vast differences in the type of experience that women have faced. Some 51% of women giving birth in NHS hospitals rated their overall care as ‘excellent’ and 35% said it was ‘good’.

Women’s experience of birth in an NHS hospital

Almost a quarter (24%) of women giving birth in NHS hospitals had a good experience, describing it as ‘extremely positive’, while 41% said it was ‘positive’. Only 9% of women said their experience was ‘extremely negative’, while 11% said it was ‘negative’. Some 16% of respondents said their experience of giving birth was neither ‘positive or negative’.

A new mother who had a positive experience said: “The staff were brilliant in a really traumatic situation. We were well looked after and, ultimately, they saved my life.”

When asked what aspects of their birth could have been improved, the majority (31%) said ‘nothing’, while others made the following suggestions:

  • Improvements to the treatment received by members of staff – 19%
  • The number of staff present at the birth – 15%
  • Not having to ‘share’ a ward – 15%
  • Improved waiting times – 8%

Were you offered any mental health support?

JMW also asked survey participants if they felt like the hospital had offered adequate mental health support before, during and after birth, with almost two-fifths (38%) saying ‘no’ – 30% said they were offered adequate mental health support, while 19% said ‘I don’t know’ and 14% said ‘maybe’.

Here are three women’s stories who experienced a lack of mental health support:

“My notes said that counselling or support was not required – I was never offered it and it was never discussed.”

“I asked for help on the postnatal ward as I knew I was not okay, but was told there was no help available until I visited my GP.”

“I was very shocked and traumatised after my birthing experience and this was not recognised at all. Although I was deeply upset by everything that happened, it was brushed over as it was just part of a ‘normal day at the office’. I have since been diagnosed with a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”

Did a birthing plan adequately prepare you for birth?

Almost half of women who gave birth in a NHS hospital had a birthing plan for their most recent birth, with 53% of these saying their birth experience had met expectations outlined in the plan, and 47% saying it hadn’t.

One respondent whose birthing plan didn’t meet the expectations of the delivery said: “I was not aware of the risks of instrumental delivery so my birth plan was flawed – I never considered scenarios where instruments would be needed. I was led to believe that it was always best to avoid a caesarean section. Now I know otherwise.

“All this meant that my consent was assumed and the risks of instruments were never explained to me. The aftermath of my birth is how I found out.”

Treatment before, during and after birth

Regarding the care they received while on the maternity ward, the survey data suggested most new mothers had a positive experience. The results revealed that 51% of women rated their care as ‘excellent’, 35% said it was ‘good’, 14% said ‘average’, 7% said ‘bad’, and 4% said ‘extremely bad’.

One respondent had this to say about her treatment: “My midwife was someone we had grown to know throughout my pregnancy. I trusted her, and she was happy to listen to what I wanted, balanced with the needs of the pregnancy, because, of course, all pregnancies develop differently, as do all births.”

In relation to the information provided regarding physical recovery, 60% of mothers believed they were given enough information following the birth of their baby, while 30% said it was inadequate.

A new mother who described the information as inadequate said: “I was given no support in getting mobile again after surgery. I was told to get up and get my own breakfast the following day, even though my epidural had not fully worn off. When I asked for help at night, my baby was taken away to a nursery so I couldn’t attempt to breastfeed.”

 

What can I do if mistakes are made?

Giving birth is a life-changing experience that can take a huge physical and emotional toll on the mother. Of course, all births are different and there can be no way of predicting what can happen, but it is vital that the standard of care given is consistent.

When accidents occur during pregnancy or birth due to the negligence of the doctors and midwives providing the care, the injuries caused can have a devastating impact on both mother and child. If you have experienced negligence during pregnancy or birth, and you or your baby have suffered avoidable injuries, you are entitled to challenge these failures through legal action

Bringing a medical negligence claim is not just about receiving compensation, although this can be vital if long-term care is required and independence has been lost. It can help to ensure that other families don’t have to go through the trauma that you’ve experienced by helping to ensure that lessons are learned. For more information on making a claim, visit the JMW Solicitors website.

Choosing Baby Monitors: Increasing Security for Your Child

/0 Comments/in /by

Choosing Baby Monitors: Increasing Security for Your Child

Most of us dream of starting a family. It is just something that is embedded in our system. As humans, we always have that instinct to find someone else and group or join together to form one cohesive unit. It isn’t just for survival anymore, but a tendency for camaraderie and group formation. This way, it has become a need for us to interact with another person.

Even though we can survive on our own, most studies suggest that this will lead to us regressing back to our savage ways. The only thing preventing that is other people. However, starting a family is another level of group formation. With the latter one, it is just all about living with each other due to advantages or circumstances. It is also usually driven by instinct i.e. mating calls and animal intuition.

In the thinking and rational world though, this is an entirely different thing. Even if we feel tempted and sometimes driven by our libido, starting a family is a conscious choice. According to this article, it should be something that we want not just because we wanted it in the heat of the moment. This is why raising a baby also goes up to that list of responsibilities that only responsible adults should do.

 

Choosing Wellness

There is nothing wrong with being protective of your baby. Aside from instinct, it should also be a part of common sense. Whether you gave life or another opportunity, that baby is now a part of you. As a parent, you would need to take care of him or her as much as possible. This is until they can fend off for themselves and face the real world.

It may not be easy, but it can sure be worth it even as a parent. Meanwhile, being young should be something that you should enjoy as well because it is not going to last. They would grow up so rapidly right before your very eyes, which is why they need to be your utmost priority.

Unfortunately, the modern world has a lot of challenges thrown at parents. If you are a first-timer, then the challenge is even increased to the two-fold level. You would need to balance your work and home life. It has been the norm for women to stay at home to take care of the family while the man works.

This might still be the case in many countries around the world but it has been changing for the better. Many women are now exploring high-powered fields that need them to be dedicated as much as possible. This is the reason why most couples hire a sitter once the baby arrives.

There is another issue that comes to play and you would need to fully trust the person who is going to take care of your offspring for you. There have been many cases of abuse that have been documented by the media.

Sitters not paying attention to their wards or being literally abusive are just some of the cases. There are even others that end up with trauma, injury, or death. As parents, you do not want this to happen to your child. Even if the sitter is just temporary, you would still need to secure them. This is why you might need to install one of the best travel baby monitors to increase their security.

 

Factors for Your Choice

Security Features

Fortunately, technology has been catching up with everything that we need in our lives. This has been especially true for security. Now, if you are looking for the best monitors, you need to look at what it can offer you in terms of protection. Internet connection should also come in handy, as you cannot just stay in one place for long like CCTVs.

You need to have something more versatile, and let you guard your baby even while you are working. Also, you need to check the durability of the equipment. Will it last long or get easily tampered with? These are questions that you should ask while shopping for this.

 

Camouflage

This is rather important especially if you do not want others to know that you are keeping watch of your child. It should be small enough to fit in almost any crevice and should be unnoticeable as well. Some companies even develop toy bears that have hidden cameras inside.

You can choose these as it would decrease the likelihood of others discovering it. However, if you are not sure of your choice, you can buy a more advanced security apparatus. Some of them are even smaller than a pen, and yet it is more effective in hiding itself from anyone.

 

Battery and Power Capacity

Meanwhile, this is not something that you should forget. For one, this pertains to its capacity as a security system. More specifically, this will prove its effectiveness by letting you know how long it will run.

Most of these cameras are connected to a permanent power source, but it has a backup in case of emergencies. This is the best setup since it will cover your child for a longer time and you do not need to worry about blackouts. On the other hand, you can choose a battery-powered camera if you are looking for short term use. For example, you only need it for a night and it would be impractical to install an entire network inside your house. Check this out: https://www.safety.com/security-camera-installation/.

 

Recording Clarity

Lastly, it should be noted that the clarity of the recording must be as clear as possible. Most people think that CCTVs are so useless because of their poor quality in recording, and there is some truth in this statement. However, this is just for the previous or older generations of equipment.

 

Nowadays, it is so clear that you can even recognize faces. As long as you put it in a strategic area, you would be able to see everything without other people being the wiser. You can always choose a camera that has camouflage, but you should be able to see what is happening as well.

 

When to Start Baby Weaning

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Disclosure: Some of the links within this article may contain affiliate links, meaning at no cost to you, we may get commission if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links within the article.

Today we have a guest post from the fantastic Yorkshire born Yorkshire fed on baby weaning and when to start.Yorkshire Born Yorkshire Fed provide all the information and support you need when starting on the weaning pathway with your baby. To access our wealth of experience and information on workshops visit our website.

When to start weaning

The most common question I get asked about weaning is ‘when do I start weaning?’. Everyone seems happy to give you their opinion on the matter, your social network, family, medical professionals and even your own baby might have an opinion about it!! – all of which will probably be different.

The official guidelines state that it is advisable to wait until ‘around 6 months’. There are definitely good reasons for this the main one being that research shows the digestive tract is much more likely to be mature enough to digest more foods, also it is much easier for a parent to only have to make one family meal, at which the baby can join with everyone else (important social development as well).  Yorkshire Born Yorkshire Fed also recommend to wait until around 6 months.

There are officially 2 clear signs that your baby is ready for weaning..

  1. When your child can sit up straight, this doesn’t necessarily mean they can sit if from lying down, but means that they are holding their head up and that when they eat their airway is nice and clear.
  2. When they have developed hand eye coordination and they can pick objects up and put them to their mouth with ease.

When They Can Swallow Food

We inculde a third sign which is a little vague, but important, which is that they have an ability to actually swallow food. This can be a confusing sign for parents because if you are giving a thin puree as a first food, it will easily move to the back of the throat and be swallowed as if it were milk, where as if using thicker purees or finger foods, the baby need to bite, chew and swallow all of which are skills that will not happen in their first meal.

Weaning Before 6 Months

If you chose to start before 6 months, we strongly advise (unless medically advised to do so) to wait until at least  4 months. If weaning between 4 and 6 months only feed your little one (non acidic) fruits and vegetables.

False Signs of Weaning

There are many ‘false signs’ that your baby is ready to be weaned, such as  when babies change their sleeping patterns or wake through the night, when previously they slept. This is not necessarily a sign of hunger or need for solid food.  It is often just that your baby is going through a growth spurt or ‘leap’ or even that they have just learnt a new skill at 3.34am is a great time to show you that they can clap!  You often find this is where grandparents offer their (well meant) advice to begin weaning, but don’t forget that research is now 20+ years ahead of when they weaned a child.  Another ‘false sign’ may be that your child takes an interest in you eating and watches you intently when you eat, this is a great developmental stage, but not necessarily a sign they are ready to wean, they no doubt watch you intently when you pee, but you are probably not going to start potty training them!

It is very daunting to be isolated  and distanced for everyone at this time, especially new mums who already feel in need of extra support. Hopefully we can go some way to helping by being here for you at least for this part of your journey.

Join our Online Weaning Workshops

If you join one of our weaning workshops, which are now online, we cover everything you need to know about weaning. Sophie has ten years of NHS experience working in this field. The sessions are  informal and very informative. We encourage you to ask questions and even have a follow up page so that you are supported throughout your weaning journey.

The sessions are now delivered via the online platform Zoom, which has an app that is easy to download.  You will be provided with a link when you book directly through our website. MyBump2Baby subscribers will also receive a 10% discount when booking, just use code ‘mb2b’. We also are offering discounts to parents who are key workers or parents that have been furloughed due to the Corona Virus (message the page direct for details.)

 

How to Get Rid of The Dummy

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Disclosure: Some of the links within this article may contain affiliate links, meaning at no cost to you, we may get commission if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links within the article.

You made it to this page, which means like many of us mummas, you have been frantically searching on Google for articles on “how to get rid of the dummy”. Fear not, I was you only a short time ago and today we have expert Lisa Bonner from Fairies Away on that one question that us, as parents need answering… how do we get rid of the dummy?

How to Get Rid of The Dummy

Love them or loathe them, Dummies have become a must have item in 53% of parents bag of tricks and if you are now finding yourself in the position of trying to negotiate the dummy away from your dummy lover, fear not – you are in good company!

Many suggest that around a year old is the best time to wean your baby away from the dummy habit

However, this age is notorious for bugs, teething, developmental leaps and for one reason or the other, your child might go beyond the recommended age of weaning, but do not worry, there are ways to painlessly and kindly transition away from the dummy.

Ditching the Dummy

The first thing to decide is the method that you are going to use to ditch the dummies, for more detailed information on recommended dummy weaning methods please visit our website but which ever method you decide to use; Perseverance, Patience and Consistency are the keys to success.

Giving up the Dummy/Soothers is Different for Every Child

Like most of parenting, giving up the dummy can be such a different experience from one child to the next. Some children will willingly hand back their dummies without a second glance, whilst other more persistent dummy users can seem to never want to part with their beloved soothers.

 

Dummy Anxiety

For these children, giving up the dummy can be a huge source of anxiety and this is mostly for the parents – it’s always worth reminding yourself that your children are not reading these articles and parenting books alongside you and therefore have no real concept about what is about to happen, but the parental anxiety about how you will cope without your most reliable parenting tool can be very real.

“Will my child ever sleep without a dummy?”

What you must remember is that whatever anxiety you might have about this time will be passed on to your child, so whenever you are talking about giving up the dummy, try and see it as a positive childhood milestone and make it feel magical rather than a time to dread! And don’t worry, one of the biggest questions that we get asked at Fairies Away is “Will my child ever sleep without them?, the answer is Yes, they will find a new way forward, so have a soft comforter or a teddy at hand to let them cuddle for reassurance and you will even find that they start sleeping better as they no longer have anything to wake up for. Fairy Promise!

How to Get Rid of The Dummy

Weaning off the Dummy

Once you have successfully weaned your child from the dummy, there might be a period of transition where both of you are going to have to learn to deal with some emotions in a new way. Remind yourself that this is a period where your child is going to be experiencing new and real emotions ANYWAY and they are just starting to learn how to express themselves, so why not use this time as a way to implement some positive changes that will help you all to find some new ways of communicating. These tools will always be valuable and will set the tone for your future negotiations, so start as you mean to go on and set your boundaries now! For more ideas on how to navigate this period, you can find ideas and resources at: www.fairiesaway.com/pages/the-dummy-fairy

And finally, this can be a very positive time and a time of real growth and bonding for the whole family, you just have to find the magic and if you need any help with that, we are on hand to help!

Love and Fairy Dust

The Dummy Fairies of Fairies Away!

 

 

 

 

 

A Mums Guide to Keeping Toddlers Entertained During Quarantine

/0 Comments/in , /by

Disclosure: Some of the links within this article may contain affiliate links, meaning at no cost to you, we may get commission if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links within the article.

A Mums Guide on Keeping Toddlers Entertained During Quarantine

The Covid-19 pandemic tragically shocked the world, and it has turned our mum-senses upside down. From school ending early, changes in our routines and the (slightly) unbearable thought of having the kids at home for weeks, it has definitely caught us off-guard. You may experience toddlers running around the house while you’re busy finishing off some work. Or, the little kids wreaking havoc because of boredom. What’s worse, wailing and crying because they seriously need sweet treats ASAP!

But we got you covered! We feel your pain, and as awesome as we mums are, sometimes it can get a little too overwhelming. With this guide, we’re going to keep your toddlers from destroying household items and disturbing your (already) chaotic work routine. Read on below to know about fun, creative and exciting adventures you and your toddler can embark this quarantine period with our mums guide on Keeping Toddlers Entertained During Quarantine

Establish a Mini Kitchen Band

Let’s face it. Toddlers make a lot of noise! Whether it’s by playing around, jumping up and down or screaming for their favourite toy, the sound is their companion. With this activity, you can channel their inner noise-loving feature and play along with it. Grab a spare set of pans, wooden spoons and pots as their instruments. Then, invite them to sit with you in front of the TV with their favorite tunes and let them bang and sing along with it.

Include Them in Age-Appropriate Chores

Since toddlers are pretty much a nova of energy bursts waiting to be unleashed, ask them to help you with chores. Let them water the plants, sweep the floor, feed the pets and more! You’ll be surprised that some of them are more than willing to help you instead of just lying around and doing nothing. If all goes well, treat them with a cup of warm milk and chocolate cookies as a prelude for a quiet nap.

Create Artsy Pieces Each Day

The internet is a gold mine for crafting finds! Research for craft ideas from all seasons and ideas that they may like and with their help create a calendar of crafts. A timeline of crafting will make them look forward to the activities set for each day, much like how school works. It can be a cute bracelet or a finger puppet, just as long as they can keep their creative juices flowing (and your mind sane), it’s worth a try.

Storytelling

Toddlers are pretty much hardwired to miss nursery activities because of its abrupt end. Make sure they don’t miss out on anything by recalling their lessons and injecting the value of storytelling to them. If storytelling doesn’t fit your work routine schedule, you can always try informational and exciting TV programs or cartoons, try and follow up with what they learn in the stories.

Playing Their Favorite Games

If all else fails, always go with their choice of entertainment and play. Kids want to play hide and seek? Do it with them. Do kids want to play house? Cherish the moment with them. They are only toddlers for a limited time. Pretty soon you’ll miss how they annoy the bonkers out of you because they’ve grown up.

Being in quarantine doesn’t have to be bothersome. You can take advantage of this moment by being proactive to their needs and learning how they respond to play and learning. If you need help with anything, know that we’ve got you covered. You’ve got this super-mum!

 

The Do’s and Dont’s of Postnatal Exercise

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Today we share an expert article on the “Do’s & don’ts of postnatal exercise” written by Louise Wilcockson, the founder of the franchise Créche Fit.

Increasing your activity levels after having a baby..

After having a baby, chances are you’re keen to start increasing your activity levels and start some form of exercise, especially if you were active before and during your pregnancy. But where to start? The internet is awash with conflicting information on exercise in the postpartum period and there’s certainly no ‘one size fits all’ rule when it comes to what exercises we should be doing and when we should start doing it.

Support and Guidance to Exercise Safely

One of the reasons I started Crèche Fit was to provide mums with an abundance of support and guidance in order to exercise safely and effectively postpartum. I wanted to offer more than just an opportunity to work out with their baby. My mission was to educate mums on how to exercise – not just tell them what to do – and give them the confidence to do go it alone.

Often new mums are guilty of not appreciating the time it takes to rest, recover and repair after birth – whether that’s a vaginal, assisted or C-section delivery. Returning to exercise – or the wrong type of exercise – can be detrimental to your recovery during a period of vulnerability both physically and mentally.

The simple facts are;

Most women can return to regular exercise as soon as they feel ready. But the type and level of intensity is key here. Exercising too hard and too soon after pregnancy and birth can lead to issues such as stress incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, hernias, back injuries, damaged joints and compromised cores. Also – not receiving the proper checks before commencing exercise can set you back in the long term. For example – doing tonnes of sit ups and crunches to ‘burn that post-baby belly fat’ when your stomach muscles have split can actually push you backwards in terms of recovery rather than forwards.

To help you get started on your postnatal exercise journey, here is a list of standard do’s and don’ts when it comes to training:

The-Dos-Donts-of-Postnatal-Exercise-

Do’s of Postnatal Exercise

Start pelvic floor exercises as soon as you can after birth to help the healing process.

If you have any separation of the tummy muscles (diastasis recti) – which is common in around 60% of pregnancies – working the deep abdominal muscles will help close the gap, increase strength and stabilise the pelvis. Restoring the core is so more than just Kegels!! All our Crèche Fit classes incorporate effective exercises to help with restoring your core and we run through a comprehensive core restore home programme every 8 weeks.

Wait until your 6 week post-birth GP sign off before returning to any form of higher intensity exercise (other than the above mentioned pelvic floor work and light exercise such as brisk walking, swimming etc.)

Make sure you ask them to check for any Diastasis Recti as often this is not offered as standard (but should be!!). If you had a C-section, you need to wait 10-12 weeks post birth before commencing an exercise programme. Your body has effectively been through major surgery and needs longer to recover.

Drink plenty of water

We should be aiming for 2-3 litres per day anyway (for optimal cellular function; for replacing lost fluids through breastfeeding to name just a couple) but don’t underestimate the power of water for healing, especially if you have a Diastasis! The abdominal wall consists of primarily collagen which is made up of 70% water so good hydration is ESSENTIAL when trying to heal your Diastasis.

It may sound obvious but when you are ready to start some exercise – check your shoe size!!

Often our feet go up a size when pregnant so check that those pre-baby trainers gathering dust at the back of your cupboard still fit to give your body the support it needs.

Exercise at a good intensity

For exercise to be effective – whatever your goal – this is key. An analogy I like to use to gauge your intensity levels is to use a scale of 1-10. 1 = sat on the sofa watching TV (no exertion). 10 = a madman is chasing you down the street and you are trying to get away (max exertion)!! You want to aim for an intensity level of 6-7 (conversational pace) for 3 x week, 20-30 mins at a time to start. And you don’t have to be jumping up and down to achieve this! During our Crèche Fit classes, we will show you a variety of ways to get your heart rate up safely.

Incorporate a mix of strength training into your workouts

Think bodyweight, light weights, resistance machines etc. This is vital for improving muscle and bone density, supporting your joints and improving your metabolism to turn your body into a fat burning machine! Think about how often you are picking up and carrying your little one around? As they get bigger, you’ll be thankful for lifting those weights early on!

Ultimately – listen to your body

If something doesn’t feel right, STOP. As I mentioned at the start, there is no ‘one size fits all’ rule when it comes to exercise. Seek the guidance of a specialist pre- and postnatal Personal Trainer or attend a postnatal exercise class – one particular class springs to mind 🙂 – where the instructors understand the postnatal body and will make sure you’re starting off on the right track.

Dont’s of Postnatal Exercise

Avoid ANY form of sit-ups or crunches if you have a Diastasis as this will only make this worse and can easily undo any specific pelvic floor and core restore work you are doing to fix it

Those sort of movements only work on putting the already damaged muscles under huge strain, causing the tummy to bulge or ‘dome’. Think about what you do on a daily basis also: roll onto your side when getting out of bed; squatting rather than bending forward to pick your little one up off the floor; keeping an upright posture when sitting or standing. All these small changes can make a big difference to your healing.

Leaking is not normal!!

It’s common, yes but you shouldn’t have to live with it. If you find you’re leaking urine when exercising (especially high impact exercise such as jumping, skipping, running) then work to fix the problem with corrective exercise, not live with it (and waste money on those ‘special’ pants)! Work through a specific ‘Core Restore’ corrective programme to start (at Crèche Fit we have a simple home programme you can follow) or see a physio who specialises in female health for a full ‘Mummy MOT’ (we work with some great local physios who we can put you in touch with).

Don’t sack off a workout if you’re tired.

Light exercise – even just getting outside for some fresh air and sunshine will help boost serotonin levels (the mood boosting hormone), increase your energy levels and promote better sleep. Trust me – I know first-hand how tiring motherhood can be but keeping active helped keep me sane! Plus it’s great for your little one to see mummy keeping fit and healthy and promotes good habits from a very early age. And you only ever regret the workout you DIDN’T do – not the one you DID!

Don’t try and start off where you left off

Your body has changed and you may need to start with modified or different exercises early in the postnatal period.

Don’t put yourself under unnecessary pressure to get back to the size you were before you got pregnant

Instead, choose a balanced approach which focuses on safe and effective exercises and good nutrition. Set yourself small goals and make small changes each week to your food and exercise habits. They all add up. And remember: it’s all about balance. Try to eat well 80% of the time and relax and have what you want 20% of the time. Never deprive yourself of anything. It’ll only feel like a diet and you will soon fall off the wagon.

So there you go. Hopefully this article has provided some insight in to the do’s and don’ts of exercise in the postpartum period and has kick-started your desire to do something for you (it can’t all be about baby all of the time – we all need some me time!). If you have any questions, just ask or why not join our online ‘Crèche Fit From Home’ online portal to start your postnatal fitness journey and find out more about what we are all about?

Louise – Crèche Fit Founder

Find out about Creche fit franchise opportunites here.

Follow on Facebook

Follow on Instagram

 

Business Subscribe

/0 Comments/in /by

View Cart Checkout Continue Shopping