Now we are two: What's new in our nappy bag?

Who knew two years and a bit ago that a nappy bag would become an essential part of my life - I remember those heady days of lusting over pretty handbags in shades of teal and mustard, stalking second hand Radley bags on eBay, or saving up for a brand new one. Nowadays, handbags don't get a look in but my nappy bag is my lifeline - even to the point where last weekend I automatically picked it up and took it to a chiropractors appointment, leaving M and Harry - who naturally took the opportunity to promptly do a massive poo (Harry, not M) - without!

Last time I did this kind of post I was using a Babymel bag, which sadly met an early demise due to a forgotten peach and some subsequent mould. This has been replaced by a Skip hop Dash signature bag which I adore. It's bigger than the Babymel, but what I really love are the pockets. Clearly pockets are a thing that make me happy - in a skirt or dress they're the first thing I'll tell you about it. The pockets help me to separate out all those necessary bits and pieces without smashing a banana into the pages of Harry's red book. True story. Also the Skip hop has grey chevrons - what's not to love?

Still kept in the bag are our Aldi Mamia wipes - any of the more expensive ones seem to make Harry sore, but these ones are perfect. And a complete bargain, especially if you pick them up during a Baby and Toddler event at Aldi - around 50p a pack.

On the subject of changing nappies - we've switched to the Weleda Calendula nappy cream which has done wonders - Harry definitely seems to take after me on the sensitive skin front.

I'm trying to drink more water at the moment, and trying to encourage my milk obsessed toddler to drink more too. Always having a bottle on hand means I don't get dehydrated and modelling that for Harry should hopefully help him too. I'm using one of the bottles from Ikea that we got during the LAGOM project, and it really does mean I don't buy a drink whilst out and about so not just saving money but also not adding any more plastic to the recycling pile.

Our Lulujo muslins are still a massive feature in the nappy bag - I only bought three, but always have one with me. These days it's much less likely to be used for mopping up sick but as a makeshift picnic blanket, comforter for when Harry's sleepy, or additional sunshade when then hood on our pushchair breaks for the 97th time that day (Our Britax Affinity has provided great service but is clearly reaching the end of it's useful life. Which is a shame as I liked it).

The last thing in our bag is a new addition - the Belvita breakfast biscuits - I've was recently sent the crunchy apricot. As a disclaimer I should say that I don't have these for breakfast, but if I'm on the go all day - Baby music to the choo-choo park to shopping, then they stand up to the rigours of the nappy bag better than fruit, and are easy to eat on the go and keep me going until such time as I collapse in search of coffee.

I think they only things that are different to last time are the lack of teethers - toys that now feature are quite often Bing Bunny and our hand knitted Flop, a That's not my... book and a couple of cars or trains.

Still a vital part of my packing is my Medpac that contains my epi-pen - with that comes a reminder that they only last a year, so make sure yours is still in date. 

What's indispensable in your nappy bag?

A milestone cuddle

Two years ago my life changed immeasurably. On the 5th June, after 20 hours of labour I'd had a crash C-section and given birth to a baby boy. At 33 weeks and 5 days pregnant. So, not the most premature baby in the world, but the most premature baby I'd ever given birth to.

However, within minutes of giving birth and the briefest of cuddles, Harry was whisked away to NICU. He had breathing difficulties and needed a CPAP. I couldn't go anywhere, and sobbed silently as the surgeon stitched me back together.

The next morning, having cried myself to sleep in the early hours Mark wheeled me up to NICU. To this day I vividly remember going in. The sunshine was slipping through the edges of the heavy blinds, each perspex incubator bathed in the early morning light. The room was silent, save for the whirrs, ticks, clicks and beeps of what seemed like hundreds of machines and monitors. Each baby had their own nurse and we were introduced to Harry's. The noise of our voices seemed to echo around the eerily quiet room, where no babies cried. I remember the brightly coloured crochet blankets, carefully laid on top of each incubator - they in themselves were tiny. Harry's was made of turquoise granny square, there's a reason it's one of my favourite colours to hook with to this day.  I couldn't tell you what our nurse said in detail, words like 'infection markers' 'breathing difficulties' and 'jaundice' were mentioned around and I duly nodded politely. I had no tears.

Mark pushed my wheelchair to the incubator, where our son was. The nurse chuckled kindly as she told us about his first nappy changes - we'd learned about them in NCT. We were supposed to have to face the horror of meconium poos ourselves.  I tried not to think about the 12 hours I'd missed. Everyone had impressed upon us the importance of immediate skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, the opportunity to try to breastfeed as soon as possible and I'd missed all of those things. Being stitched up, stuck in bed waiting for the spinal block to wear off, on morphine. I had no tears.

The nurse asked if I'd like to hold my son - I think I'd said yes before she'd finished explaining that it would only be for a tiny while as he couldn't be away from the breathing machine for long. I had not yet held him yet I already felt the absence of him in my arms.

And suddenly he was there, so tiny, so light, wrapped in a massive cellular blanket. A bit like a loaf of bread or cake taken out of the oven too early, he just wasn't quite... finished yet. But to me, he was perfect, tiny fingers, eyelashes that were so long already, and a head of jet black spiky hair. My son. My son. My son. In my arms. Where he belonged. Where, to this day he belongs. At two years old (as of yesterday) he still snuggles up, just like he did on that day, still likes to be wrapped in a cellular blanket and cuddle up with me to go to sleep.



My milestone cuddle where I finally met my perfect baby boy.

This post is my entry into the Tots 100/ Waterwipes Baby milestones challenge

Slumberland CD Review and giveaway

Sleep - the eternal prayer of the new parent. "Please let him sleep so I might." Uttered frequently, with notes of desperation especially at around 6pm in this house.

One of the things I've been keen on since very early days with Harry, is a bedtime routine. From early on I did my best to ensure that there were recognisable signs for Harry that bedtime was coming. A warm bath, quiet story time, a post bath massage, and a breastfeed on our bed. All things that only happen at bedtime. And now we also have a CD to listen to that helps the process along.

Slumberland is a collection of lullabies and classic songs recorded and performed by Humphrey Berney of Blake. Being the musical theatre nerd that I am, I was thrilled at the inclusion of Hushabye Mountain from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Somewhere over the Rainbow from the Wizard of Oz. I've taken to playing them after supper as we begin the wind down process. I really like it myself - which is great from my point of view (I'm sure we all have those baby CDs that bubba loves but that are close to pushing us over the edge? Just me?!) and Harry seems to find it relaxing, becoming less excited as the CD continues and has made the association between finishing the CD and going up for his bath. He does then have to put up with me continuing to sing along so hopefully I don't ruin all the good work the music has done!

I would just mention how pretty the CD cover is - the illustrations were designed by Humphrey's wife and they're pleasingly whimsical. I would love them as prints for Harry's bedroom!

The CD or an MP3 download is available to purchase from Welcome to Slumberland 

I've been given a copy of Slumberland to give away as a competition prize - just complete the Rafflecopter widget below to be in with a chance of winning - and hopefully on your way to a peaceful bedtime. If you can't see the Rafflecopter widget, then do just press F5


a Rafflecopter giveaway

So it's been suggested you go dairy free to help your baby... What now?

It's been suggested that your baby has a Cow's Milk Protein Allergy - and you're breastfeeding. What do you do now? This post is for you the mama, not the bubba - I can do another one covering that. Also have a listen to my podcasts as they're just more chatty introductions to CMPA.

It's nearly a year since the revelatory day when we got our CMPA diagnosis and I started my exclusion diet. I was reading the CMPA support group this morning and thought I could have really done with an idiots guide at that time. So that's what I'm going to try and put together today. Not because you're an idiot, but because if you're stressed, tired, sleep deprived and anxious then sometimes it's easier when things are spelled out in black and white.

Time - It takes between 4-6 weeks for allergens to leave your system completely so your baby's symptoms might not improve immediately. That said, we saw reductions in vomitting day by day and by the second week had a weight gain of 11oz. Keep going, I know it's frustrating and hard work, but what if it works?

Alternative milks - Having tried a lot (to save you the pain) I've come to this conclusion. Unsweetened almond milk tastes most like skimmed milk, Oatly in the blue carton is most like whole milk. Making hot chocolate with hazelnut milk does not equal something akin to Nutella. Sad times people. Sad times. Almond milk works well on cereal, in porridge, and in baking. Make sure whatever milk substitute you use is fortified.


Tea, coffee and hot drinks - I haven't found any alternative milk that makes a cup of tea I can stomach, so in a decision that I'm surprised didn't make the 6 o'clock news I gave up tea. I now drink black coffee - mainly decaf (and I used this post from Helen to make cold brew coffee which was a revelation in the summer) as I'm still breastfeeding, but I do have the occasional mug of really yummy proper coffee. And love it. Rooibos tea is lovely, and I drink lots of the spicy flavours of Yogi teas. I have heard that Galaxy make a hot chocolate (oddly one of the make with milk ones) that's dairy and soya free - I fully intend to try that made with Chocolate Oatly.

Free From sections in the supermarket - If you want my honest opinion, they're not really developed with us in mind. They're heavily focused towards people with coeliac disease and gluten allergies, the products are very expensive, and once you get your head around obsessive label reading you can shop in the usual aisles fairly easily. Also... DON'T GO MAD ON SOYA! Not even the wonderful Alpro soya chocolate puddings *weeps* Soya proteins are really similar to cow's milk protein strands and lots of babies can't tolerate either.

Your calcium levels - this was raised with me by our dietician. As women of childbearing age we must be wary of reducing calcium levels if we're excluding dairy. There are lots of non dairy sources of calcium: dark leafy green veggies, tinned sardines, figs, oranges, and oily fish are all good sources of calcium. That said, I wasn't sure how much was 'enough' so our dietician gave me a copy of this document which showed me I needed 21 stars. You can get a supplement prescribed from your GP but do make sure it's compatible with any other allergies. As an aside, I like the Tropicana fortified orange juice.

Cheese, chocolate... what is it for you? A year ago I'd have said it was the chocolate, but it's the savouriness of a mozzarella panini I miss, or the luxury of a baked camembert spiked with garlic, the simplicity of going to the fridge and having strong cheddar sarnies with tomatoes from the garden.  There will be something. Something that just occaisionaly makes you question your sanity for doing this, and then you look at your increasingly chubby bubba, smile and remember why. But it is there. Find a substitute you love. Not something you tolerate, but love. For me it's Ritter marzipan sport, Sainsbury's sell it for £1, and it hits the spot every time. I can't get on with Violife, (Harry loves it) so have filed cheese away for now. Bourbon biscuits are also a winner, only the cheap ones mind you - but for me, they're perfect with a coffee and an episode of Once Upon a Time on Netflix while Harry naps.

Take your glasses shopping - Read the labels, every time. This post on bread goes into in a bit more depth, but not every brand will publicise a change in recipe and the bread that was fine last week, can contain dairy or soya 7 days later. The aforementioned Bourbon biscuits are a case in point - some say on the label (Asda, I think) that they're 'not suitable for milk allergy sufferers' others will just list allergens. Now is also the time to learn about food labels. The top 14 allergens are now (by law) listed in bold if they're contained in a food.  Oh and some wine contains milk - no I have no idea why either.

Get assertive - bolshy, confident... whatever you want to call it. You've been the person that will have seen your child at his or her worst, it's in your power to not let him get that way again. Don't shy away from going out for that cup of coffee, meal with your partner, or to that family party... but say - I need to be dairy free. I always offer to bring something for myself to people's houses - and my dairy free baking goes down well with everyone. In restaurants and cafes I've rarely ended up with nothing.  In France the lovely waitress went and asked the chef to alter a dish so I could eat it. Be polite, friendly - ask to see the allergy folder (they should show you). Or if you're nervous like I am, contact people in advance, either by phone, email, twitter or Facebook and explain the situation. All the food at Harry's birthday party was safe for him - not one person questioned (or noticed) the lack of dairy, eggs, soya or strawberries).

Food wise - what does your family like to eat? Don't throw your family favourites out of the window... get familiar with some of my useful substitutions

Butter - Vitalite or Pure dairy free spreads
Milk - Almond, or Oatly
Cheese - Violife
Jus-Rol pastry (not the all butter version) is dairy free
If you'd previously have added cream or soft cheese to a sauce - try Oatly creamy oat instead.

If you're a lover of takeaways, again - don't be afraid to ask. Our local chip shop is amazing, I have given up on Chinese takeaway, but I know people who've had success with Indian food. So it is possible.

There's so much more I could write - but I wanted this post to be accessible and not dreary. If you have any non medical questions then just post in the comments and I'll do what I can to answer them. Also, if you've got any foodie hints or tips you've discovered since starting your ecvlusion diet, post those too and I'll include some in a future post.

What's in our nappy bag?

One of the things I've been asked lately is what I put in my nappy bag, and how I knew what to. The answer to the first is below - the second, mainly guesswork. So I thought I'd write this post, as if I was working on guesswork, then I'm sure other people are too.

Our bag goes everywhere with us - attached to the pram by the nifty velcro whatsms, or over my shoulder when Harry's in the sling. I try to work on the basis that as a Guider, I should Be Prepared and aim to I have most eventualities covered. My back pain getting worse is probably not unrelated to be fair. However, over the last months, there's nothing in it I haven't used.

The contents have changed along the way- we didn't used to haul around teethers and bonjela, and I used to take a lot more in the way of spare clothes and muslins before Harry's allergies were diagnosed when projectile vomitting was a daily occurence. Weaning has also meant that at the very least I have a beaker and a tupperware of rice cakey type snacks on top of everything else.

Changing...
Nappies
Wipes
Nappy bags
Bottom butter/ Sudocrem Care and Protect
Hat - I sewed elastic on Harry's hat as none of the ones I found had a chin strap on.

Clothes
Spare babygrow
Spare vest
Muslins - 1 massive, 1 normal
Dribble bib

Medical
Teething gel
Hope's relief cream - this is amazing stuff. I use it for everything from those odd baby spots, dry patches, red patches. And for me too. Although it does seem to dye the baby a sort of fake tan colour.
Calpol & syringe
Suncream
Spare dummies

Toys
Teethers
Toby the T-Rex
Sensory linkies

The only things I haven't shown are the Mummy things - so the pack of paracetamol, bottle of water, emergency Nakd bar (dairy and soya free if you don't get the crunchy ones) as well as the day to day purse, keys, phone etc...

I know it's sort of an idiots guide - but hopefully that useful. Obviously in the winter, the sun hat was a wooly one, and there were mittens, plus an extra blanket. A year ago these were the posts I was trawling the internet for so hopefully even if they're not useful for you now - they may be at some point.

If there's anything else along these lines that you might find useful - either comment below, or drop me an email at penelopespantry@googlemail.com

Weaning update #4 - our essentials

Weaning is going well in our household - from brocolli to bolognaise sauce, parsnips to pancakes most things are explored, worn, and eventually eaten. As is the way with baby led weaning, I'm not entirely sure how much is going in, and I'm OK with that. When I worry, I remember that he still has all of his breastfeeds that he did before (and sometimes some extra) and "food is fun until they're one"

I googled furiously before we started weaning, and put together a little kit of our essentials so thought I'd detail them below, in case they're useful to you. 

What I have noticed though is that we have some things that I have come to totally rely on - they've all been bought by us and I've whittled them down here to our essentials. Before you write a list or start shopping there are some other things we've had to develop too...

An aversion to mess - Seriously. If you don't have this. Develop it. If you're the sort of person who lives in a show home - be prepared for some serious cleaning. Although I'm typing this and someone will tell me just how clean and tidy their baby is at weaning and it'll be just mine who grins massively and lobs steamed sweet potato fingers at the newly decorated wall.

Antibacterial spray and j-cloths are your friend (Milton spray is currently on 3 for 2 at Sainsburys). Also, wipe things up while they're soggy if you can. For some reason steamed carrot sticks weld themselves to any available surface, and porridge becomes concrete like when cold. Seriously - it could be used as a building material on Grand Designs

Enthusiasm - whilst it might not seem thrilling if you or I happily chew on some apple, or suck enthusiastically on a strip of roast chicken, I think it's important that my baby knows how well he's doing. We also make sure to include Harry in conversation at mealtimes (when possible we all sit up to the table together). It's probably too early for much of it to sink in, but it's a habit we wanted to get into straightaway.  We also eat pretty much the same thing as Harry which I think helps him understand about eating as a family - it does mean that poor M is dairy and soya free when he doesn't have to be, but I encourage him to eat pizza when he can to make up for it.

Resilience - there are days when Harry refuses my lovingly cooked pancakes, or the dairy free yoghurt I've searched high and low for. And it's not personal, nor is it permanent. Much like you or I, Harry has days where he's just not as hungry and sometimes he needs to try things a couple of times. Sweet potato is a case in point - he hated it first time, but loves it now. In fact the only thing he repeatedly refuses is Weetabix.

Camera - your baby will dye himself purple with blueberries (yes, really. And I gave them to him twice because I didn't learn the first time) Or smother himself with bolognaise with such gusto that a jetwash inspired bath seems likely to be the only way to get him clean.  Whilst you might not want to share these with the world, I implore you to think ahead to the baby's 18th birthday and what wonderful decorations these will make.

Highchair - Originally we were going to get the Ikea Antilop highchair, but were able to choose a Christmas present, and decided to future proof a little way, with this chair from John Lewis that adapts to a toddler chair and table. Whatever you buy, make sure it's easy to clean!

Bowls and spoons -As I didn't have any plastic bowls we picked up some of the Tommee Tippee Explora ones - although marked as for 7 months plus, we've used them since the beginning. To be honest I mainly use the tray of the highchair, but rely on the bowls for porridge, porridge fingers and when we have stewed fruit.

Spoons - I initially got wrong - as we weren't going to do purees, these ones were a silly purchase as the handles are too long for Harry to use himself - I pre load spoons of porridge, bolognaise etc for him to aim at his face mouth. I ended up buying these ones, which are much easier for him to use.

Bibs -We were given lots of bibs when Harry was born that we hadn't really used, but quickly discovered that little bibs are of little or no use - the only way forward when your baby is intent on dying himself and everything around him purple is a long-sleeved, coverall bib.  Have I ever written on here about how much I love Aldi -  their baby event had 2 long sleeved bibs  for £2.99 - until then I'd only found them for £4.99 each.

Beakers -  Harry is a little baby and has difficulty lifting his beaker when it's full of water as it's too heavy and if it's half empty he struggles to lift it high enough to get the water out. He's not managing a Doidy cup yet either - although he is very good at watering the wall/ splash mat with it. We've implemented a hack to get around this and pop a mini tupperware container with it's lid on inside the beaker, then fill it up with water and put the lid on. Harry can then lift the cup and happily drinks without difficulty. I'm sure that bigger babies might not have this issue, but if you have a littly like me, it might just be useful. The hack comes courtesy of M - I knew there was a reason I married an engineer!

Splash mat -We didn't buy a splash mat - a few years ago I picked up an end of roll peice of pink oilcloth from Cath Kidston. It works perfectly. As would an old shower curtain, waterproof tablecloth... anything really. I guess what I'm saying is look around at what you have before you shell out for something expensive that's labelled up as a splash mat. 

They're our hints and tips - I'm no expert, and might be way off the mark for other babies, but these work for us and hopefully they'll work for you too.

February baby favourites

How is it that time again? I'm writing this on the 1st of the month and can't believe that my baby is nearly 8 months old. Our favourites are starting to change as the baby gets more mobile; the activity mat (our one dud purchase) is firmly out of favour, and the jumperoo is the place to be. Facing the patio doors to the garden Harry has become a wonderful kitty scarer, and the local birdlife isn't quite sure what to make of him either. After a good bounce in it, he's ready for a nice long nap, which provides me with the opportunity to put my feet up with a much needed coffee do the hoovering. Ahem.

Waitrose Baby Bottom Butter, Bepanthen and Sudocrem Care and Protect

We've been using the bottom butter since birth, sadly Harry's inherited my horribly sensitive skin and after a reaction to something in NICU that ended up with him needing a prescribed cream under his nappy I wanted something fairly unreactive and having used Bottom Butter on my bump throughout pregnancy I thought I'd try that. Winner. However of late teething and weaning are doing unkind things and we've upped our game to include the Sudocrem and Bepanthen. The Sudocrem Care and Protect we use during the day, Harry hasn't reacted to it at all and the Bepanthen at night just to make things a bit more comfortable and to ward off that dreaded nappy rash.

Books

We joined the library a couple of weeks back, and at Rhyme Time Harry enjoys looking at some different books. Our favourites at home are from the That's not my... series - the combination of the sensory element with storytime (I love our storytime, Harry cuddles and reading are my idea of heaven) seems to really keep him interested.

Rice cakes and breadsticks

Like all new mums going through weaning, I'm permanently interested in finding things Harry can snack on that are a bit more portable. Breadsticks are the newest as I was afraid they'd be a bit scratchy, but Harry adores rice cakes. His face lights up when I get the little tupperware I keep them in out of my change bag. On a side note how sad was I to discover that rusks are basically sugar. I love rusks.

And one for me... Ole Henrikson Nurture Me

Pregnancy has left me with what I can only describe as ridiculously sensitised skin. I have one cheek covered in a red splodge, and the rest of my face is on the edge of being sore the whole time. Some research online led me to the above which I managed to find on sale with 20% off as my Maternity pay barely stretched to it. It does seem to be soothing my skin, although sadly not taking down the redness. I'm hoping it's just hormonal and will start to ease soon, but my ridiculous levels of vanity mean I'm whacking on the concealor like it's going out of style. Just as well Harry and M don't care really.

Wednesday music with Hartbeeps

We're very lucky in North London, you can't move for flyers advertising baby classes: Monkey music, baby sensory and sing & sign are all on offer a bus journey away. Harry and I go to Hartbeeps Baby Bells sessions each week - recommended by my sister and nephew - and I have to say that we love it. 

Hartbeeps sessions are thematic, the music is a mix of old favourites from my childhood and new songs. I love the use of props - our theme each week ties into the finger puppets, ducky hats, mixing bowls, flowers and animals which have all featured thus far. As Harry grows he take control and a firm grip on our prop and this week gave the pompoms a thorough munch. We end our sessions with some tummy time and relaxing songs (once again Twinkle twinkle features) and after a final feed Harry happily dozes on our way home.

Whilst it's nice to be able to enjoy classes as a Mummy - I can clearly identify some baby signing (makaton), baby massage, and our session leader always explain how what we're doing is good for the babies, be it physically - my favourite tip being that bouncing is a good way to tire babies out (we now do a lot of Humpty Dumpty at home) or developmentally. It was also reassuring to know that whilst babies like being sung to, they can't tell if you're off key. As my chorister days are far behind me, this was reassuring to know.

What I wasn't prepared for was how long it would take Harry to settle to a 45 minute class - it's one of the things no one tells you, that baby classes might be designed for little ones, but it's perfectly normal for them to sleep or cry though sessions at first as they adjust to new venues, voices, stimulation and initially just being around other babies. One of the things that makes me feel comfortable is how breastfeeding and nappy changes are entirely welcomed during the session, and how no one flinches if your baby decides the middle of "5 cheeky monkeys" is when they're going to sob or shout. 

One of the things I've taken away is songs, actions and games that Harry and I can replicate at home, as once he became more alert, and awake and needed more stimulation I started to find myself at a loss - and realistically there's only so many times you can sing camp songs at a newborn. We've also invested in some bubbles to add to our sensory play at home.

Much like my Waterbabies review, this isn't a sponsored post, but is something I'm writing about because I've enjoyed it so much, and posts like this would have helped me to make some decisions about baby classes when Harry was first born. 

Photos are taken from a Hartbeeps baby rave that we went to as a taster, before joining our regular classes. It was back in August and Harry was sooo tiny! 

Fenugreek tea - one way to help with your milk supply

I know I said I'd post this ages ago, but... well, just new baby really.

As I mentioned previously because of a premature birth, emergency caesarean section and being separated from Harry directly after the birth, it took ages for my milk to come in. Distressingly so. Harry was fed by naso-gastric tube during this time, and I felt like a total failure. Breastfeeding was so important to me and it felt at the time like another thing in the list of things I couldn't do right. I can see now that it was ridiculous getting so upset about something that was outside of my control, but - well, hormones.

When my milk did come in (8 days after Harry was born) I needed to increase my supply and once we came home from the hospital I started attending our local breastfeeding support group. Staffed by two amazing midwives and a Breastfeeding counsellor they were awesome. Extolled the virtues of box sets and cake, have a nursing holiday - go to bed, take the baby with you, have lots of skin to skin time and feed feed feed. Hence the box sets and cake.

The recipe for this Fenugreek tea was given to me by the midwives at the Breastfeeding support group. I've changed it a little to make it less startling taste wise. I would also recommend diluting it, by measuring out half a cup into a strong fruit juice. You can also dilute your tea into a mug of hot water, but the flavour is still too strong for me. You see, I fundamentally dislike fenugreek.

The effect of fenugreek on breastmilk is purely anecdotal, however - I have seen results as have other women at our support group. To my eyes, if you're worried about your supply why wouldn't you try it?

Fenugreek tea

2 litres of water
1 tablespoon of dill seeds
1/2 tablespoon fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon of ajwain (I had to order this from Steenbergs as my local Health food shop didn't stock it)

Fill a large pan up with the water, and add the spices
Bring this to the boil and boil rapidly for 5 minutes
Drain the liquid through a seive or fine colander into a jug or jar
Allow to cool

You should drink 1/2 a cup of the tea daily - either diluted or neat (if you're a braver woman than me).

If you can't find the ingredients for the tea - remember that you can get Fenugreek capsules from Holland & Barrett - 2 capsules, three times a day.

My original post on Breastfeeding is here If you didn't see it when I first posted, do give it a look as it gives more of an overview of my breastfeeding story and other things we did to support me.

If you've liked this post and would like to read more of my new baby adventures - interspersed with cake, naturally. Then please look to your right and follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook Twitter Pinterest or Instagram

Saturday swimming with Waterbabies

 Harry and I on our third lesson in the water - I don't know who's enjoying it more - him, or me!

 M and I decided fairly early on that we wanted Harry to learn to swim. Partly inspired for one of us by a Nirvana album cover, the other as an essential life skill. Especially when you bear in mind that 51% of children aged seven to eleven – cannot swim the 25metre length of a typical swimming pool unaided(1). More scarily, in 2011, 47 included children and young people (up to the age of 19) drowned accidentally across the UK. (2)

Because Harry was premature we were limited as to where he could swim, so after some careful research we went with Waterbabies as they use local hydrotherapy pools which are warmer and therefore easy for very little babies to cope with. (General guidance is 30° minimum for no more than 30 minutes) We signed up, duly purchased swim and Happy nappies, and I wildly overpacked a bag.

The lessons with Waterbabies are lots of fun, none of the dull learning to swim I remember. We sing songs, blow bubbles and generally get the babies used to the water (and get us parents to lose our inherent fear of our newborn in the water). All too soon we're singing Twinkle Twinkle - which we've adopted as a bedtime song as all our baby groups use the same song to signal the end. As with all baby groups, parents need to leave their dignity and any stuffiness at the door. Your enthusiasm and enjoyment signals to your baby that this is a safe and fun environment.

We've already booked for the next term of classes, I love our Saturday afternoons, and not just because Harry sleeps like an angel for the rest of the day. Which he does.

I just wanted to pop our swimming essentials here for anyone else thinking of booking up with their newborn.

• The aforementioned Happy Nappy. If your baby is very small the instructor may recommend a neoprene wetsuit
• Two towels, one for wet and the other to wrap your baby on for warmth over the wet towel. The second towel also provides extra padding on the floor.
• Change mat. It is recommended that you change the baby on the floor and  waterproof slightly padded layer is helpful. Huggies sell disposable ones, but I use the one from my change bag and spray it with milton when we get home.
• Pyjamas. As Harry is prone to falling straight to sleep after his class. I always put him in pyjamas, a hat and cardi afterwards so he is warm and comfortable for the long sleep ahead. (I say this with fingers crossed. Long may it continue)
• Swimming kit for you. Goggles will be required later in the term.
• A drink and a snack for you for afterwards as the baby is likely to want a feed.
• If your baby is small then there's a distinct lack of small swim nappies around - we found that the smallest Huggies ones were just about OK when Harry started - he was about 7lb 10oz at this point.

Other than these practical essentials I would say, whatever you think or feel about seeing your tiny baby in a swimming pool, don't let on - they will pick up on your tension, or if you're sat on the side declaring "my heart was in my mouth" they'll pick up on the tone of your voice. Whatever you do, be excited, encouraging and slightly overwhelmed that yes, your baby can swim.



(1) Taken from http://www.swimming.org/asa/library/document/2013-school-swimming-census
(2) Taken from http://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/

This isn't a sponsored post, I just wanted to share how much we enjoy our swimming lessons and how exciting it is that really tiny babies can take to the water.

Feeding the mummy

One of the things I've noticed since having Harry is just how difficult it is to fit in eating when at home with the baby. Essentially you need food that can be eaten with one hand (as the baby is in the other), is quick to prepare and has minimal fallout. Tell me I'm not the only new mummy who's dusted the baby's head with flakes of pastry, toast crumbs, and the odd grain of rice?

There are some things I've found that make actually fitting eating in easier as well as some foods that are easier to eat.  And not just chocolate digestives!

• Chop things like veggies up into bite size pieces the night before - either once the baby's in bed or when you can hand him over to your husband/ partner. This serves two functions, if you can just grab a bowl out of the fridge then you've got snacks ready.
• Mini babybel (other small cheeses are available) Again, can be grabbed and eaten one handed. And yes, I know that I could chop cheese up, but it's something else to remember to do. And I just chopped those veggies, remember? Its time for bed now. I particularly like pairing them with an apple.
• Ritz crackers, again grab and go. also see cereal bars (I like the Naked ones)
• If your partner (or you) are doing packed lunches then double up and pop it in the fridge. Sandwiches work best cut into quarters. Lettuce is pointless unless you want to give the baby a hat.

• Leftovers - make (or get someone else to make) extra dinner. Flasks are your friend: tea, leftover pasta (not spaghetti) soup, coffee. Oh coffee. All stay hot, so you can fill it during a nap and if your lunch falls during a feed you're sorted. Because it does, it always does.
• A sports bottle. I mentioned this in my previous post about breast feeding,  but it's really true. I wouldn't refill a glass as frequently as I would need to, but a bottle keeps !e going long enough so I stay hydrated.
• Fruit - I either chop up fruit so its in pieces (I learnt this when working in Dementia services: people are more likely to eat fruit that's in pieces as opposed to whole. If you squeeze a lemon over it you get that Haribo sourness as a bonus (just me then)

• Cake. It's a given but it never hurts to state the obvious.
• And if all else fails: chocolate digestives

Weaning - intial thoughts and decisions

I don't think I've mentioned it on here as yet, but Harry has reflux - it's very common in premature babies and to do with an immature muscle at the top of their tummy. We've tried Gaviscon (caused constipation) and are currently on Ranitidine, which is helping with the acid but not the vomitting. There are more meds for us to try but the paediatrician suggested we try early weaning as an alternative.

People have commented about how calm I've been since Harry was born, how in control - in actual fact I'm channeling a a swan and staying in control by paddling furiously under the surface. One thing I wasn't prepared for about motherhood was just how many decisions you have to make, how responsible you are for another person. Sometimes those decisions overwhelm me, it feels like there's just too many, that they're just too big. I'm lucky to have M by my side, but still it feels like the weight of those choices presses on me.

Early weaning is one of those decisions - in my head we weren't going to think about weaning until six months, possibly even correcting by six weeks. My milk supply is stable, Harry is putting on weight, albeit slowly - but the reflux is something we can't ignore. So last week, I logged into Amazon, bought a couple of books and have spent the weekend reading up - I didn't really know the first thing, not even the difference between baby led weaning, and purees.

Oddly, if you'd have asked me as soon as a few weeks ago I'd have guessed I would be in favour of Baby led weaning. However, the fact that we're starting early has meant that purees seem to be the way forward for us. So, for the next 6 weeks we're going to be entering the world of the puree. Starting with a couple of teaspoons of baby rice, made up with my breast milk, we'll be moving on to vegetable and fruit purees in a couple of weeks. The vague plan I have in my head is to start involving finger food and moving towards more baby led elements when Harry can sit up more easily and we're using the high chair and eating around the table, so I guess in reality we're doing a combination of Baby led and puree based weaning.

Reading up and learning about weaning has been interesting and enlightening - I'll certainly be keeping you up-to-date on the blog about our progress and recipes and foods that prove to be a winner for Harry as well as updating my Meal planning Monday posts.

Meal Planning Monday: not just the grown ups?!

This week our meal plan is fairly simple, our budget and belt are a bit tighter than previously owing to the wildly generous* SMP payments from the government. No, really. The other reason for this simplicity is my new reading matter which all centres around weaning. For lots of reasons - post to follow - we're going to be weaning Harry early and I'm at once wildly terrified and excited. How on earth can a baby born six weeks early be ready for actual food seventeen weeks later?

Anyway, nerves and learning about Baby led versus purees aside here's this weeks meal plan

Breakfasts - I'm having grape nuts and banana for me, along with tea and a slice of toast that M brings me while I'm doing my first feed of the day (usually around 5.30)

Lunches - either pate and ryvita or houmous and ryvita with cherry tomatoes - that craving from pregnancy has not gone away.

Dinners - I roasted a chicken yesterday so that kicks the week off for me both easily and thriftily

Monday: Leftover roast chicken with baked potatoes, corn on the cob, peas and carrots

Tuesday: Chicken, mushroom and pea risotto

Wednesday: Leftover risotto

Thursday: Chilli and rice bowls (chilli and rice in a bowl with avocado, cheese and natural yoghurt)

Friday: We're out for the day for M's birthday treat from a good friend, so leftover chilli in burritos with sweet potato wedges.

We've got a wedding to attend next weekend, so I'm leaving meals fairly free and easy for then and then the big weaning experiment begins. Stay tuned...

Feeding the baby: 5 foodie tips to help with your breastmilk supply

Harry and I had a tricky start on the breastfeeding front - as he was in NICU we weren't able to have an immediate attempt at feeding after he was born (first 6 hours are recommended) that would have been important in order to stimulate my milk supply. On the morning after he was born Mark found me on the post natal ward sobbing as I had no idea what to do in order to feed my baby as he was somewhere else in the building and I couldn't get there as I was still full of epidural and spinal block from the emergency c section. . And no one to help me do it either. Fortunately Mark wheeled me to NICU where the staff were only too happy to help and I was provided with a breast pump, steriliser and bottles to start expressing. Great I thought, (only no one told me I wouldn't have anything to express at that point - there was me expecting it just to happen...) and so started our journey to establish breastfeeding.

I'm really lucky now - well part of me's lucky and the other part has worked bloody hard to get a milk supply that's established enough for Harry to start putting on weight. I'm lucky because of the support I've had - a good friend who knows what she's doing, rocked up at the hospital with fruit, nipple shields and photocopied explanations of what we were going to do. I was instructed to eat plenty, drink lots and keep on expressing. And my friend sat with me, distracted me, and kept me going - because it wasn't easy. I expressed, I tried to feed, I fed, I slept, I ate, I drank all the water and I started the whole shebang again. And nearly fifteen weeks on it's getting much easier but my milk supply has needed some help so I just thought I'd note down some foodie things we've found helpful in increasing my milk:

• Fenugreek - God I hate this stuff, I won't use it when I'm cooking currys because I can just smell it everywhere for ever. However, in capsule form (I got mine from Holland and Barrett) it's a great supplement to help with breast milk - 2 capsules, 3 times a day. And if you swallow them quickly you can't taste them. 
• Fenugreek water - half a cup a day of the recipe in tomorrow's post (I dilute it in strongly flavoured juice as it's really strong tasting)
• Oats - porridge, Hobnobs, flapjacks, Orange barley water.
• Lots of fluids - I have a sports bottle that is permanently full or being drunk from so about to be refilled. I have no idea how much water I'm drinking a day, but lots is a good estimation
• EAT - largely healthy, but factor in treats also - but mainly just eat. You need to, otherwise milk production will suffer, and I just wouldn't have the energy to feed at all. It's tiring. Amazing, but tiring. 
• Don't be afraid to ask for help. And keep asking. I ask everyone if my latch is OK. I get Harry weighed at every opportunity. And I keep going to breastfeeding group. Tenacity and stubborness are good skills. 

I'm not a breastfeeding specialist, and this is just my experience, but these things were helpful for me and I hope they're helpful for you. If you have any other food based suggestions of ways to support breastfeeding, why not add them in the comments.

Meal Planning Monday - all change!

Clearly I made the mistake of tempting fate on my last meal planning Monday post as on the Wednesday, 6 weeks early I gave birth to my lovely son Harry Keith. I'm sure you'll excuse the hiatus in posting, as we spent a couple of weeks in NICU and since coming home have started to make the adjustments that come with welcoming a small person into our lives.

That said, it's wonderful - tiring and anxiety provoking, but utterly, utterly wonderful. Harry is beautiful, and despite a rocky start feeding is beginning to go fairly well *touch wood* M and I are learning about the world of dream and cluster feeds, infacol and sleeping when the baby does. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, meal planning. Well it's gone out of the window a bit - pizzas, toast, porridge and sandwiches have played their part in sustaining us through broken nights, and long days. You may remember that I was part way through stocking up the freezer, but the warm weather has meant that the casseroles and cottage pies that I lovingly prepared have been left largely untouched. However, M has gone back to work after his paternity leave today so I'm fully expecting to start to make use of them and I expect it won't be long until I'm mourning their passing. However, family have been wonderful and chickens, cooked ham, fruit, cake and quiches have all been given to us.

Breakfasts for me are porridge as I'm breast feeding and oats are good at promoting milk supply. I'll switch back to granola and yoghurt once I've finished up the porridge oats.

Lunches - unsurprisingly my lovingly prepared salads have been abandoned in favour of sandwiches, not because they take too long to do, but it's impossible to eat a salad and feed the baby (something which seems to happen regularly - I swear he can smell the food!).

Supper:

Unsurprisingly most of this week's meals are quick and easy - either things I can throw together while Harry sleeps, or things I can get out of the freezer and just wallop in the oven.

Monday: leftover slow roast pork with wraps, salsa, salad and sweetcorn. Stupidly I didn't think to pick up an avocado which is annoying me more than it should.
 
Tuesday: Chicken kiev, chips and peas night as I'm popping to Guides to introduce the girls to Harry.

Wednesday: Quiche, wedges and salad

Thursday: Baked tomato pasta - I think we have some leftover dough balls to go with as well as some salad

Friday: Chicken wraps- with my harissa sauce some greek salad and potato salad which I'll blog the recipe for later this week.

Next weekend we have M's parents visiting, so I'm going to break out some of the cottage pie portions from the freezer and have that with frozen peas and carrots.

Sunday: I'll see how we're going - possibly pizza.    

 Well, that's us for this week - if you've had babies - what sort of things did you eat in those early days?