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The Benefits of having a Doula | Lincoln

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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.

At MyBump2Baby, we think it’s important to raise awareness about topics that are often not talked about. Today’s blog is brought to you by expert, Kimberly Boyd, a doula near Lincoln. Today Kimberly explains The Benefits of Having a Doula. Visit her website here.

The Benefits of having a Doula|Lincoln

Some of you may have heard the word Doula but a lot of people are still unsure of what it is and what a Doula does.

A Doula is someone (usually a woman) who is a trained professional providing emotional, physical and educational support to women and birthing people before, during and after the birth of their baby.

She is not medically trained and does not replace your midwives and doctors or work for the medical team but is hired independently by the woman/couple. She does not advise or tell you what to do but can support you to find good evidence based information to enable you to make your own informed decisions on what is right for you and your family at each stage of your journey.  

The services Doulas offer can vary greatly between each client she works with and their individual needs. Some Doulas work just as birth support, some just as postnatal support and some offer a complete package of support. A lot of Doulas come with a wealth of knowledge and other qualifications such as Hypnobirthing/Antenatal Education, Aromatherapy, Pregnancy Yoga/ Massage, Baby Yoga/Massage and Mental Health Training are just some examples.

 

What is a Doula?

A Birth Doula supports all kinds of birth at home, in birth centres and consultant led hospitals. From water birth to caesarean birth and everything in between, there is no one way to birth and no agenda or criteria from the Doula. Her aim is to enable you to have a more positive birth experience and get the best outcome for you – which is different for every woman/birthing person.

She provides continuous support for the woman/birthing person (and their birth partners) throughout the pregnancy with various meetings, helping prepare the couple for the birth and exploring all of their options, talking through any fears and directing to information/services to support the pregnancy all while building a trusting relationship. She is then with you through your whole labour and the immediate postnatal time. She offers many comfort measures to the woman and is a guide on your path to birth, she holds and protects your space, she empowers and comforts, massages and holds, reassures and encourages you all while explaining events to your birth partners and supporting them too. Following the birth she can assist in the initial

bonding with your baby, initiating breastfeeding and admiring the amazing work you have just done in bringing your baby into the world. To be in the presence of this is an absolute honour and privilege.

So what are the benefits of having a Doula?

The presence of a birth doula has shown huge benefits towards a more positive birth experience……

Women cared for during labour by a birth Doula compared to those receiving usual care were:

  • 26% less likely to give birth by caesarean
  • 41% less likely to give birth with a vacuum extractor or forceps
  • 28% less likely to use any analgesia or anaesthesia
  • 33% less likely to be dissatisfied or negatively rate their birth experience

(Findings of Hodnett’s et al meta-analysis of 15 trials from N.America, Europe and Africa.) You can also find more information and research on either doula.org.uk or thedouladirectory.com – this is where you can find a doula in your area also.

Postnatally a Doula supports the family in the early weeks/months following the birth of a baby. “The Fourth Trimester” – the period of transition from womb to world for your baby and recovery from birth for the woman. She serves you in whatever way you need, just as with the birth, she is led by you and meets the needs of each individual client differently, the length of time she supports a family may vary also.

Doulas are effective after birth

Some things a postnatal Doula may be able to provide to you is someone to talk to, a doula is a good listener and holds space for you to be heard and express any worries you have. She is a guide in your new role as parents, offering practical support in all parenting tasks, she can help around the house to enable you to rest and recover and focus on your baby. She is usually trained in breastfeeding support and can troubleshoot and encourage/reassure you on your breastfeeding journey. A Doula will have strong links with other services and professionals in your area too for signposting to when needed/requested. As always she provides evidence-based information for the patents to make their own informed decisions around parenting.

Unlike a maternity nurse the Doula is not there to care for the baby for you all

the time but to support you to be the parent you want to be.

Having a postnatal Doula has proven to lower rates of postnatal anxiety/depression and improve rates of initiating and establishing breastfeeding.

I genuinely believe that every woman/family can benefit from having a birth and/or postnatal doula to support you through one of your biggest life events.

One of my favourite quotes…

“Whenever and however you give birth your experiences will impact your emotions, your mind, your body and your spirit for the rest of your life”

~ Ina May Gaskin ~

Value yourself, value your birth and value your experiences, you are worth it.

Kimberley Boyd

Birth & Postnatal Doula, Hypnobirthing Practitioner, Emotional Health Coach and Baby Massage Instructor in Lincolnshire.

www.kimberleyboyd.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimberley.boyd.doula/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula_kimberley/

So Sand DIY – The Perfect Sensory Toy!

The Perfect Sensory Toy
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Disclosure This product was gifted by Canal Toys but all reviews and opinions are always our own. This article may include affiliate link which means at no additional cost to you we may earn commission if you choose to purchase this product through our link.

The Perfect Sensory Toy – Magic Sand 

Myself and my daughter were lucky enough to be able to try out one of the new So Sand DIY toys from Canal Toys recently. As a mum I am always looking for exciting and stimulating toys that can help my child explore new textures and feelings and help her learn. So Sand DIY is a full on ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) experience – not only for my daughter but for me too! From making the sand to cutting and shaping it, it really was fun and actually quite relaxing to do and to watch! 

 

What is SO Sand DIY? 

Canal Toys are a French based company that are expanding worldwide and have launched several other arts and crafts products making them a specialist in this area synonymous with fresh and innovative products. All toys are CE certified and there is a great range to choose from including The So Sand DIY Studio, Tool Case and Satisfying Sand Ball and even grab bags and single sand kits which make great pocket money purchases for the children.  

The whole idea of the products is the Magic Sand. If you haven’t seen or heard of this before then it is a sand based product which holds its shape and can be moulded or cut. It can be squeezed through your hands and feels oddly satisfying. Its like wet sand but without the mess! This is what creates the ASMR, being able to do things that you didn’t think possible and allowing your child to create and shape whatever they can think of.  

Our Experience…  

We tried the Ball Satisfying Kit – Magic Sand. This kit comes packaged in a ball with a handle which housing some moulds, a cutter and three different packets of the magic sand which colours and glitter to colour them with. It of course comes with full instructions which are actually translated in many different languages.  

We decided to start with colouring just one of the packets so my daughter could get the feel and so I could see what her reaction would be… and I’m one of those mums that cry when the play-doh colours are mixed together. We added the beautifully bright green to the magic sand and added some glitter for good measure. It was easy to mix together just by using our fingers and squashing and squishing it between our hands – a sensory experience in itself!  

   

We them put it into the ball provided and cut it using the plastic cutter also provided. My daughter did this with such precision it surprised me! She took great care in cutting each section up and seeing how small it would go before crumbling. She then shaped it all back together and did it again. As a mum it was so lovely to see her getting so much stimulation and sensory experience from such a simple toy. We coloured the remaining two packets with the beautiful pink and purple provided and had great fun making shapes cutting these together… yes I let my guard down and let her mix the colours and she made some beautiful patterns.  

On the go toy!

I also loved the fact that this was such an easily transportable toy. Being able to store everything in the compact and neat outer ball with the handle meant my daughter could carry it around and take it to her nannys or even easily take it on trips out to keep her entertained on journeys or holidays.  

 

I think it’s great that Canal Toys and the So Sand DIY brand have really thought about their products and what ages they are aiming them at. Most are aimed at ages 6+ with the larger kits having so many different tools and features they can use. It means an activity usually aimed at preschool and toddlers is now completely family friendly and accessible to all.  

Where Can I Find it?

I really recommend these toys to any parent that wants to encourage their child with a fun yet stimulating experience. It’s a great craft activity that is actually pretty low mess yet high enjoyment.  

So Sand DIY is available here and at most high street stores

Baby and Toddler Groups in Tendring & Colchester

baby and toddler groups in Tendring & Colchester
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We love supporting both parents and baby and toddler groups in Tendring & Colchester. Today we ask your local MyBump2Baby ambassador, Jess about her favourite baby and toddler groups, we ask her what she loves about going to baby and toddler groups, what days she likes to go to baby and toddler groups and what are her little girl’s favourite baby and toddler groups in Tendring and Colchester are.

Jess is the MyBump2Baby ambassador and parent blogger for Tendring and Colchester. You can find your local hub of pregnancy – pre-school groups, classes and businesses here, Jess also reviews the latest products, days out and services both locally and nationally for MyBump2Baby.

You can find a list of local baby and toddler groups in Tendring and Colchester here.

Baby and Toddler Groups in Tendring & Colchester

 

Did you go to Baby and toddler groups in Tendring & Colchester?

Yes, we did a few different baby and toddler groups, we did baby signing, baby sensory, messy play and imaginative play sessions to name a few. There are so many baby and toddler groups here in Tendring & Colchester, we are really lucky.

 

What do you love about going to baby and toddler groups?

Going to baby and toddler groups here in Tendring & Colchester is fab as it is a great opportunity to meet other parents with similar aged children. You can make friends and find support from people in a similar situation to you. It’s also great for children as they can mix with other children and experience new things without the cost of buying all the toys and kit! 

 

What days do you like going to Baby and Toddler Groups?

We used to go to baby and toddler groups on weekday mornings two or three times a week. However, I do love that so many offer weekend sessions so that those that have to work and working partners can also go along and experience it too.

 

Does your little one have a favourite type of baby and toddler group?

My little one loves baby signing classes. It’s a great skill to learn sign language and I really feel it should be taught in schools! Teach my little one from such a young age means that it will become second nature to them and not seem odd or unusual, because let’s face it it’s not!

 

You can find local baby and toddler groups in Tendring & Colchester here.

If you run a local baby and toddler group and would like to add a free listing in the directory you can do this by clicking here.

Jess does offer reviews and blogs on baby and toddler groups locally too, keep your eyes peeled for her next review and if you would like Jess to put you in touch with any local pregnancy – pre-school businesses you can head over to her local MyBump2Baby hub or simply email her directly

[email protected]

Look out for our “Recommended on MyBump2Baby badge” for businesses with the best reviews.

What MyBump2Baby parents say about local baby and toddler groups

Sarah 37 “I don’t actually know how I would have coped without local baby and toddler groups, they are so important, not only for babies but for their mums too. I found being a mum really lonely especially as my husband is in the RAF, I didn’t have many mum friends at all but now I have a group that I met at a local baby and toddler group and I honestly believe we will be friends forever”

 

Michaela 32 “ Baby and toddler groups really helped with my postnatal depression. I really struggled after my little one was born and decided that we would head out to some classes in the morning. The routine was so good for me and my little one, I highly recommend going to baby and toddler groups”

 

Krysia 33 “My friends and I made Monday baby and toddler groups a regular occurrence, it meant we caught up and had lunch together every Monday, it made maternity leave more fun and we really enjoyed it”

 

Holly 29 “ Theo loved baby and toddler groups, we went every week to a local baby music class and  he absolutely loved it, we went until I finished maternity leave, unfortunately I had to go back full time – I really miss baby and toddler groups”

 

Aimee 27 “My husband loves coming with us to baby and toddler groups on the weekend, it can be hard for dads to bond with children so we like to do a baby and toddler class with our little ones every Saturday morning before we head out for the day”

 

Michael 34 “I am a stay at home dad and at first I was a little nervous about going to a baby and toddler group but everyone is always so friendly and I have actually met other stay at home dads in baby and toddler groups too. It has given me and Lexie a good routine and means that I get my exercise each day and Lexie gets to mix with other babies her own age”

 

Janina 63 “My grandson and I love heading out to local baby and toddler groups, I have him every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as his mum has to work. There are so many fabulous classes nowadays, I really wish they had them when my two were young. My grandson loves our walk to the baby and toddler group too and we always feed the ducks on the way”

Debbie 47 “I take my granddaughter to a local class and she love it, it is a great way to bond but also spend quality time together when the weather is horrible. My granddaughter especially loves messy play classes but she also likes music groups too, we try and and do as many classes as we can when I have her. I did the same with her older brother and we have such a great relationship, I really feel that baby and toddler groups are great for grandparents too as it cna be a little lonely as a widow and it has allowed me to make new friends whilst having fun with my darling Granddaughter”

 

Tomorrow is not a Guarantee – Get Love/Life Insurance today

Get Life Insurance Today
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Life often throws curveballs at us when we don’t expect them, unfortunately, some of these curveballs can be life changing. Brave Dad, Mark Wilcock, shares his experience on the Fifty Shades of Motherhood podcast and talks about how tomorrow is never guaranteed and shares the importance of getting life insurance. MyBump2Baby works closely with financial advisors throughout the UK.

Tomorrow is not a Guarantee – Get Love/Life Insurance today

The new Fifty Shades of Motherhood podcast is all about raw, unhinged and uncensored chats around various problems that parents come across. The aim of the podcast is to encourage people suffering that it’s ok to talk when you’re ready to and also encourages those who know little about the topics to learn more about them, so they can be more mindful towards people.

In episode 4 of the podcast, Carla chats to Mark Wilcock, a Dad of 1, who was widowed when his young daughter was just 8 months old. He lost his wife on a family walk on a bank holiday. Mark talks openly about his journey since losing his wife and offers various support services that have helped him along the way. Listen to the episode here.

 

“Life insurance is very important”

Within the podcast, Mark admits that his wife didn’t have life insurance when she tragically passed. Having no life insurance can have a detrimental impact on your family’s life and it’s important not to have the attitude ‘oh it’ll never happen to me’ because the truth is that these things can happen to anybody and we have no control over it. Since his wife’s passing, Mark has invested in some life insurance in a bid to protect his younger daughter should anything happen to him. 

The unthinkable can happen…

Mark’s wife, Katherine, suffered the “unthinkable” back in 2017. Katherine began feeling unwell and dizzy while on their bank holiday walk, something a lot of us tend to do and we don’t think anything bad will ever happen to us. They found a local pub so that they could have a sit down and a glass of water. All of a sudden, Katherine had suffered cardiac arrest and her heart had stopped. An off duty paramedic managed to perform CPR, but unfortunately, Katherine didn’t make it. The tragedy that struck this family of three is utterly life changing.

No Life Insurance will cause Financial issues

Along with dealing with the grief of losing his wife and stepping up to be a full time Dad, Mark had to deal with the pressures of daily life. People don’t tend to talk about the financial issues that widows face, with no life insurance for Katherine, Mark had just her pension pay out and his own wages to live off. Luckily, Mark got through this, but unfortunately for some, it may not be this simple. 

Teaching men to speak out

Mark has been incredibly strong throughout his journey of bringing up his daughter on his own, while struggling with his own mental health. Mark highlighted the issue of hiding his emotions and grief from his daughter, which he feels he shouldn’t do. There is often a lot of pressure on men to always be happy and strong, but that’s impossible and in recent years, men are rightly encouraged much more to show their emotions. Mark wants his daughter to grow up and not be afraid to share her own emotions and that’s why he decided to start showing them in front of her. 

Check out the Fifty Shades of Motherhood Podcast to learn more about Mark’s journey and how he dealt with losing his wife while trying to bring up his little girl.

To speak to a MyBump2Baby financial advisor about life insurance click here.

What do I need for Baby Weaning?

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At MyBump2Baby, we love to help parents and offer them support and guidance on how to teach their little ones new skills. Today’s blog helps you with what you need for baby weaning. In this blog we’ll be sharing some great products that you can use throughout your baby weaning journey. If you would like to book a an online or local course with a baby weaning expert you can find providers in our baby weaning section.

What do I need for Baby Weaning

A lot of parents struggle to know where to start with baby weaning. There’s a lot to consider such as which highchair to buy, deciding which food to start your baby on and deciding on the best way to serve them the food. We recently recorded a podcast with Mini First Aid on Home safe baby weaning.

What shall I feed my baby?

Deciding on which food you can try your baby with can be hard, it’s a good idea to try a range of foods so that you can see what they like and don’t like. Vegetables are a great place to start for weaning, they can be mashed, pureed or cut into sticks, just ensure that they are soft so your baby’s gums can get through them. As well as fruit and vegetables, such as apples, pears, carrots, parsnips and others, you can try giving your baby some rice. You must ensure that the food you are giving your baby is soft and is cooled to an appropriate temperature. 

There is advice available when it comes to allergens. It is suggested that you should give your baby allergens in very small portions and one at a time, so that you can clearly see what’s caused a reaction, should one occur. A list of allergens can be found easily online, so you can be clear about what you’re giving your baby. 

Experiencing different flavours

You should try to change up the flavours that your child experiences and also the texture of the food that they eat. This can help to avoid them being picky eaters as they get older. You have two options for delivering your baby’s food, you can lead the meal with a spoon or you can allow them to use their own hands to feed themself. Babies often like to do this as it allows them to feel more independent. 

Weaning your baby is a lovely experience, it’s exciting to see your baby trying new food and you’ll probably spot some funny faces as they try foods with flavours that aren’t so sweet, such as broccoli. 

The best baby weaning products 

At MyBump2Baby, we’ve compiled a list of the best baby weaning products, so that you can have a enjoying experience

Cosatto Noodle Supa Highchair

This beautifully designed high chair comes with 6 different height positions, along with 3 different tray positions. The tray can also be easily removed from the chair meaning that you can fit the whole family round the dinner table. The chair has built in padding to ensure your baby is comfortable throughout their meal times. The chair is suitable for babies from 6 months up to 3 years, so it’s definitely a durable and long lasting high chair. It can be folded flat for easy storage, making it easy to take anywhere you need it to go. Click here to purchase

Infantino Music & Lights Discovery Seat & Booster 3 in 1

This fun booster seat will provide hours of fun. It’s extremely portable, so mealtimes can happen anywhere you like. This seat will enhance your baby’s sensory and fine motor skills. Your baby will love the flashing lights and mirrors that are attached to the seat. The colourful yet simple design is stunning, with safety straps included, so you can move the seat around freely and be confident your baby is safe. The toy tray can be pulled apart to reveal a wipeable snack tray, helping to ensure that your baby doesn’t get distracted during meal times. This seat is suitable for babies of 4 months up to 4 years of age. A long lasting design perfect for meal times anywhere. Click here to purchase

Baby Suction Bowl and Matching Spoon Set, Suction Stay Put Feeding Bowl, Natural Bamboo

We’ve all seen babies flip their lunch off their high chair tray right? Well thanks to these fantastic bowls, you won’t need to worry about that. Their suction bottom means that they will stick to your baby’s tray, so they can’t flip their food all over the floor. These beautifully designed bowls are great for the environment. They are made from natural bamboo and food grade silicone, to protect your baby from toxins. The silicone bottom is also removable, making it easy to transition your baby from a bowl that sticks to the surface to a regular bowl. The bamboo bowl and spoon have been designed so that they are soft to touch for your baby. A durable bowl with a very sustainable design. Click here to purchase.

Lictin Baby Bib Set of 8 Waterproof Unisex Baby Bib 

These bibs are perfect for a happy mealtime. Their fun designs feature animals, which can be used to teach your baby the names of each one. These bibs are easy to wash and wipe, so they can also be used for other activities such as painting. During baby weaning, there will likely be a lot of spillages, so you’ll need plenty of bibs to get you through, these bibs come in packs of 8 for a very reasonable price. These bibs also have a pouch that can be pulled forwards from the back to catch any food that your baby might drop. These bibs are recommended for babies over 6 months. Click here to purchase

RSPrime One Piece Baby Silicone Suction Plate Feeding Tray Bee Design

These trays have a very simple design, with the outline of a bee in the middle to make weaning more fun for your baby. These trays are portable and also use suction to allow them not to move around the table or tray you are using to feed your baby. This tray is a good size, with different sections so your baby can choose what they want to eat in the order they want. This food tray is unbreakable and can be used in the microwave, freezer and even the oven! This durable design is perfect for babies over 6 months. Click here to purchase.

We hope this blog has been helpful on everything you need to know about baby weaning. Click here to find a baby weaning course.

Grandparents Rights

Grandparents rights
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Sometimes it can be hard to know your rights when it comes to the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. At MyBump2Baby, we feel that it is really important to ensure that there is clear information on Grandparent’s rights. For something that is so important, the information should be easy to access for all, especially in times of need. We are home to Family Law Solicitors throughout the UK that can help with Grandparent rights.

Grandparents rights

What are grandparent’s rights

A lot of grandparents are a key part of their grandchild’s life, they often help to bring them up and support their learning from a young age. That’s why it can be a really stressful time for grandparents to go through potentially losing the opportunity to see their grandchild grow up. 

Currently in the UK, grandparents have no rights over their grandchildren, however there are steps that you can take to change this. It’s important to note that the process is different in both Scotland and Wales. As well as grandparents not having the right to see their grandchildren, they also do not get automatic responsibility should anything happen to the parents of the child. This decision is made by the parents. 

There are steps that can be taken to decide whether grandparents can still have some contact with their grandchildren, these have been outlined below. 

For what reasons can grandparents file for custody of a grandchild

There are many reasons why grandparents can file for custody of a grandchild, these can include, but are not limited to, issues with the child’s welfare, if they have been experiencing harm in any way, whether the parents are capable of caring for the child and the child’s emotional state. These claims have to be looked at in great detail, which can take time. However, in some serious cases, social services may be involved, which is a different process altogether. 

If social services are also involved, they will be asked to write a report based on the child after they have spoken to everyone involved in the situation, so they can gather a better view. You will need to complete an application which will be heard in court to decide whether or not your reasons are appropriate for claiming custody of a grandchild. Following this, the decision will be made where you either have custody over your grandchild or you don’t.

What kind of rights do grandparents have

If your custody application is unsuccessful, it’s normal to feel upset and possibly worried about your grandchild. It’s important not to give up trying. You’ll also be interested in what your visitation rights are as a grandparent. 

While it is stated that grandparents have no rights to see their grandchildren, this is obviously not an ideal situation, therefore there are a couple of options which can be looked into before you complete an application for a court order. 

One option to potentially allow you to see your grandchild is through mediation. Mediation involves having a mediator perform an assessment which leads to an arrangement meaning you can see your grandchild regularly. 

Another option, which is only possible if both parties agree to it, is an informal meeting between the family, with no one else present. The aim of this meeting is to allow everyone to discuss their own feelings around the situation and hopefully come to an arrangement. 

If neither of these options appear to work, then you can apply for a court order. This is where the courts will get involved to decide the best outcome for your grandchildren. The court will decide if you can spend time with your grandchild. The court order can decide on a few details, including: 

  • Where the child should live
  • Who the child is in contact with and when 
  • The communication method that people can have with the child, whether that’s face-to-face, over the phone or another method.

Every decision made by the court will have your grandchild as the priority. 

What is considered reasonable visitation for grandparents

After you have either sorted your visitation rights through an informal meeting, mediation or through a court order, you’ll have to make arrangements for your visitation rights. It can be hard to determine what is labelled as ‘reasonable visitation rights’ because every situation and family is different. One massive factor is the location of both parties, if you live locally to your grandchild, you may want to see them more often, however if you live further away, once every few months may be more accurate for your situation. Whatever you decide, you should ensure that each member of the family is happy with the decision. Remember that these visitation rights are not set in stone, they can be altered where necessary and usually without the need for court. 

Lawyers for grandparent’s rights

It can be difficult to know what to do when trying to gain custody over a grandchild, it’s a stressful time that may lead to some upset. During this time, it may be a good idea to find a lawyer who can support you and advise you on your personal situation. Going to court with no lawyer can be tough, you will have to represent yourself. If you are worried about money then there are still options available for you to have support within the courtroom. Do some research around your local area to find specific lawyers for grandparent’s rights. 

How can we help with Grandparent Custody Rights?

At MyBump2Baby we are home to many family law firms around the UK. Our directory means that it’s easy for you to find a local and trusted family solicitor, because we’ve found them for you. Each of the companies that we work with are specialists in dealing with family disputes and finding the best outcome possible, while offering you support and guidance along the way. We are proud to have these helpful businesses listed in our directory, who work hard to assist families all over the country. Find your trusted family law solicitors today. 

We think it’s really important to share key information on important topics such as grandparents rights. We hope this article has been useful to you.

MyBump2Baby Parent Blogger in Kettering and Wellingborough

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We are very lucky to be home to 500+ of the UK’s best bloggers, we are also very lucky to have our own army of MyBump2Baby parent bloggers who review products, days out and services both locally and nationally.

MyBump2Baby Kettering and Wellingborough parent blogger

Today we are interviewing the lovely Sarah Jane our mybump2baby parent blogger in Kettering and Wellingborough. Sarah also runs her own local Kettering and Wellingborough hub on MyBump2Baby to help parents and parent to be find local pregnancy – pre-school classes.

About me!

 Hi everyone, my name is Sarah-Jane , I’m a mum of 3 gorgeous people.  Christian will be 2 in November, Katie has just turned 12 and Thomas is 22 years old and is away from home now studying.

I live in Kettering with Richard and my youngest two children along with Oscar the Boston Terrier (not a French bulldog )

I work as a civil servant for 3 days a week and for nearly 10 years now i have also been making personalised silver fingerprint jewellery and now I am the MyBump2Baby ambassador for my local area of Kettering to Wellingborough and I am so looking forward to finding out more about what’s on locally to keep Christian and I entertained and active at the same time as supporting local business owners and letting everyone know what is out there in our area.

Favourite food

It has to be a Sunday roast dinner, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings , gravy mmmm you cannot get better than that, I don’t mind if it’s chicken, beef, pork…… it is all delicious

Favourite Drink

I know it is not very good for me but I cannot resist an ice cold can of diet coke – not pepsi- diet coke and not out of a machine, it has to be out of a can – I realise I am being very specific

Favourite TV programme

I really enjoy watching come dine with me, I am not the greatest cook but luckily I live with Richard who likes to cook and will happily use every pot in the house to cook something delicious that he has seen on the telly and i just have to pour the wine and eat it.  I could never go on the show but I just love the narrator and the characters and seeing in their houses as well as the food

Favourite Film

I am a huge Disney fan and my all time favourite film is Beauty and the Beast.  I don’t mind if it’s the animated or the recent version I love them both.  I have a cogsworth clock and lumierre candlelight above my fireplace and I will never allow Katie to throw away the Beauty and the beast lego castle we got for her a few years ago – it really was for her and not me

Favourite Book

I do love to read and I am pleased that Christian seems to really enjoy his books too.  My favourite is a book called The Shadow of The wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, I am not one to keep things and when i finish a book I donate it to my local shop as I won’t read it again but this one has been read more than once – in fact I haven’t read it for a while so I might have to add it to my summer list.

 Favourite Holiday Destination

Disney World Florida – we took Thomas when he was 8 years old and we went back again when Katie was 8 years old and that time I got engaged as well which makes it an even more special place. Also if we keep taking our children there when they are 8 I will get to go back in around 6 years so I had better start saving.

Favourite day of the week

Sunday, big dinner, usually have family round and I take some time out to myself to plan the week ahead, I feel better when I can be organised.  Wednesday would be a close second as that is the last working day of my week at the office and I get to spend time with my family and working on my own business.

What do people not know about me

Probably lots but I know that nobody knows that I have a saxophone – it is purple and gorgeous –  that I am teaching myself how to play if I ever get the time – I used to play at school (many years ago) so I am starting from the very beginning again.

To contact Sarah please email [email protected]

MyBump2Baby Parent Blogger in Newcastle Upon Tyne

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At MyBump2Baby we are thrilled to have our own army of mum bloggers to support both parents and small businesses both locally and nationally. Lauren is our parent blogger in Newcastle Upon Tyne, aswell as blogging for MyBump2Baby, Lauren also looks after her own local pregnancy baby and toddler directory.

MyBump2Baby Parent Blogger in Newcastle Upon Tyne

Lauren works with both local businesses in Newcastle and national businesses throughout the UK to raise brand awareness.

Tell us a bit about you…

My names Lauren, I’m 28 and from Newcastle upon Tyne. I am a fiancée, and a Mummy to two beautiful little girls Mia (3.5) and Millie (2), with our baby boy on the way due in October! I’m also Mummy to our fur baby, Belle who is our 8 month old golden Labrador who we recently rehomed.

I am a full time working Mum, and work as a Recruitment Officer for the NHS alongside being one of the ambassadors for MyBump2Baby which I absolutely love.

I literally live and breathe my girls, they are literally my little best friends and are my entire world. I absolutely love being a mum including all the ups and downs the title brings with it! I am also obsessed with and absolutely adore all things Disney.

What are your favourite things to do in your spare time.. .

I’m honestly so boring, I don’t really have an exciting life! I have a blog which I absolutely love doing, I have had a creative block recently but I hope to get back in to it soon. If we are child free I love to spend time with my partner just enjoying the peace and quiet, and pre-lockdown we used to have date nights which I used to love.

Favourite food …..

I honestly love food I don’t think I could pick just one but if I had to it would HAVE to be a Sunday Roast!

Favourite Drink…..

Even though I know it’s super bad for me, everyone that knows me will tell you I’m addicted to Coca Cola! I do like flavoured fizzy water as well – I think I just like anything fizzy!

Favourite TV programme…..

My favourite TV programme has to be Hawaii 5-0… if you haven’t already seen it you HAVE to watch it (you can thank me later!). Although I am absolutely heartbroken as after 10 series there is no more! I also love watching Hollyoaks, I’ve always watched it since I was young.

Favourite Film….

My favourite film has to be The Greatest Showman, i could watch it over and over again and honestly never get bored of it – I have all of the songs on my phone too. It was also one of my mums favourite films so it will always be special to me!

Do you have a favourite book….

My life is actually so hectic I never have the time to read although pre-children I used to love a good book! It’s definitely something that I want to try and get back in to.

Where is your favourite holiday destination….

It has to be Disney World in Florida! I went with my grandparents when I was younger so it has always held a special place in my heart but over the last 4/5 years I’ve been lucky enough to go quite often – it was Mia’s first holiday and she absolutely loved it. Once everything is back to some sort of normal it is definitely somewhere I’ll be booking to go to first!

Favourite day of the week….

I think Saturday is my favourite day – no work on a Saturday and no work after a Saturday either!

What do you like writing about…..

When I write I like to write about things that I think will help others in a similar situation. I have written about some experiences I’ve had whilst being a mum which I hope can help other parents too, and have also written about my personal experiences and journeys too.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I think there are a few things that people wouldn’t know about me unless they know me quite well – I am definitely a closed book at first. I would say that a lot of people don’t know that I suffer from depression and anxiety, but I don’t like to dwell on it – I like to try to use it to help others.

How would people describe you?

Hard working, independent, protective, hot-headed, kind, stubborn, affectionate, compassionate, selfless, good listener, always looking out for others, playful, caring.

 

If you would like to work with Lauren please contact her via email [email protected]

MyBump2Baby Parent Blogger in Kent

parent blogger Kent
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MyBump2Baby happens to be home to 500 of the UK’s best parent bloggers. We support both parents and businesses by sharing reviews on the latest products, services and days out both locally and nationally.

We are also proud to have our very own local bloggers and we have the lovely Tracey who is our parent blogger for Kent. Tracey works with  both local and national businesses on writing features and reviews for parents.Tracey has her own local MyBump2Baby hub which Tracey runs MyBump2Baby North Kent & Bexley, this includes Dartford, Chatham, Maidstone, Gillingham, Rochester and Gravesend, the local hub tells you what’s on in the local area throughout Kent from Pregnancy Classes to Baby and toddler groups.

MyBump2Baby Parent Blogger in Kent

Today we interview the lovely Tracey, so you can find out more about your local MyBump2baby ambassador

Tell us a bit about you…..

Hi! I’m Tracey, I’m 36 and I live in Kent with my son who will be 2 in October and my golf fanatic husband. Originally from Birmingham, I moved to Kent about 9 years ago. I had met my husband through work and, after two years living together in the West Midlands we decided to have a change of (much nicer) scenery and come back to Kent, where he is originally from. After having my son, I did not want to go back to the 9-5 in an office so I now work from home for MyBump2Baby and I have my own travel business.

What are your favourite things to do in your spare time.. .

I don’t get much spare time these days with two businesses and a toddler but when I do get a moment, you will find me drinking wine or prosecco with my head in a book or magazine (usually about travel!) On my days off with my son, we like to get out and explore parks, beaches and zoos. I am sucker for the outdoors which varies wildly with my husband whose idea of appreciating “nature” is a man made golf course (can we use shrugging emojis???)

Favourite food …..

I love food! I am NOT a foodie though. I can’t stand plates with a coin sized portion of something I can’t pronounce…..give me an indian takeaway, meatballs or pub grub any day!

Favourite Drink…..

Prosecco or wine! Pre-child it was anything tequila based but a glass or two of that each evening might be pushing it these days

Favourite TV programme…..

We love a good BBC drama! They have some corkers lately. But for longevity it has to be Emmerdale (it has come along way since the farm days!) 🙂 I also really enjoy watching my sons favourites –  In the Night Garden (Makka Pakka is my favourite!) Hey Duggee (especially the Stick Song) and Bing

Favourite Film….

Without a doubt, “While You Were Sleeping”

Do you have a favourite book….

I used to read books A LOT before having my son and don’t get much chance to read novels anymore! I have a lot of favourites but I’m not ashamed to admit I have the Twilight collection and I will go back and read them all at some point

Where is your favourite holiday destination….

This is tricky as before Jamie the best holiday we have had is Las Vegas……twice! However, our first family holiday to Tenerife holds very special memories (it was definitely a different sort of holiday!)

Favourite day of the week….

When I worked in an office I would have said a Friday! But now I work from home and enjoy my job I don’t have a favourite! Any day I am doing something fun with my family is my favourite day that week.

What do you like writing about…..

I love to write with feeling and conjure up thoughts in peoples minds through the words I use. Writing about a destination or the fun things we have done on a day out is what I enjoy writing about…..to try and transport the reader into my shoes!

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I adore penguins and I am obsessed with Canada! I also have a weird fear of balloons.

How would people describe you?

I am self-deprecating so not very good with these questions! I guess I am loyal and kind and think everyone else should be too. One thing I am confident of is I am a good mum. My son is my world and he is always my number one priority! I am very proud of the confident and cheeky little boy he is becoming.

To contact Tracey email [email protected]

Tendring & Colchester Essex Parent Blogger

Tendring Colchester Essex Parent Blogger
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MyBump2Baby is Google’s #1 Baby and toddler directory and home to over 500 of the best parent bloggers in the UK, we are also proud to have our very own MyBump2Baby parent blogger mums who write reviews on products, days out and services. Today I am interviewing the lovely Jess who runs her own local MyBump2Baby hub, Jess is our Tendring & Colchester Essex parent blogger and can also work with national businesses on reviews too, as well as linking you with our other independant MyBump2Baby favourite bloggers if you are interested in reaching a wider audience of parents. You can read more about baby and toddler groups in Tendring and Colchester here.

Jess, can you tell us a bit about you…..

Hi my name is Jess and I’m a 29 year old mother of one beautiful little girl called Ophelia. I’m born and bred in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex and though it might not be to everyone’s taste I love it here.

My normal 9-5 job is as a legal secretary in a local solicitors conveyancing department. I absolutely love my job and find it so interesting! The great thing is that MyBump2Baby fits perfectly into my life and work! I love finding new things to do and places to go with my family so sharing this with other people and parents as we go is such a privilege and honour.

What are your favourite things to do in your spare time.. .

On the rare occasions I have some spare time I love to bake and cook. I also love to sew outfits for my daughter and bits for our home. I have quite a creative mind so anything like this helps me relax and de-stress… though sitting on the sofa and binging on a box set also helps!

Favourite food …..

Cheese! Ooey Gooey Melty Cheese! My ideal meal is a full cheeseboard with Brie, Camembert, Cheddar and loads of crackers and chutneys… it’s even better if I don’t have to share with my partner!

Favourite Drink…..

A nice glass of red wine… to go with my cheese! Though let’s be honest… who doesn’t enjoy a cocktail at the weekend too!

Favourite TV programme…..

Greys Anatomy or Masterchef Australia. I like dramas that get you guessing what’s going to happened next. I also love food programmes as it gives me inspiration of what to do next myself.

Favourite Film….

Oooo this is a hard one! I was never really a film watcher, so much so it’s one of the first things my partner did was introduce me to what he called the ‘classics’.

However since becoming a mum any Disney film is a good one, I could (and do thanks to my daughter) watch Finding Dory over and over!

Do you have a favourite book….

I don’t read many novels as I don’t really have time, but I have a huge collection of cook books and love looking through them. I am a little partial to a Oi… book at my daughters bedtime though, that whole series and books linked to it are hilarious and great to encourage your child’s language.

Where is your favourite holiday destination….

I love Italy, I’ve been twice and I just love the feel and the food there.
You can’t beat a weekend away though and we’re lucky that the UK has so many nice places just a few hours away. A nice woodland lodge where my daughter can run around and see the wildlife with a log burner or maybe even a hot tub for after he left bedtime is my idea of heaven.

Favourite day of the week….

Sunday without a doubt! It’s the day where my partner is home all day for sure and my little family is all together. We love going for a walk or just relaxing together for that one day of the week.

What do you like writing about…..

I like to write about my life and my experiences. I had a rough time a few years ago and I’ve started to write and share about it in the last few months in the hope it will help others.

I like to write about my experiences as a new first time mum, what we do, how my daughter is growing and learning new things and what’s helped us to teach her and make parenting that little bit easier!

I also like to share about my life as a couple and how a child impacted that and what we do to make sure we make time for us so we aren’t just known as mummy and daddy.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that I am a twin, but conceived through IVF! I have a twin brother and now we are older I can see similar personality traits but we are quite different. We don’t really have that twin link though like all siblings we are always there for each other.

How would people describe you?

I would hope that people would describe me as open and honest, kind and friendly and there for them whenever they need me.

I’m not afraid to tell it how it is and be maybe a bit brutally honest; but I’ll go above and beyond for those close to me to make sure they are safe, happy and loved.

If you would like to work with Jess on reviewing a product, service or sponsored content for MyBump2Baby you can email her [email protected]

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