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10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HAVING TWO UNDER TWO

7/10/2020

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1. SENSE OF LOSS
Those early weeks I really missed my first child, even though I saw him everyday it wasn’t how it used to be. I did feel a sense of loss, the alone time we had we would never get back and it was hugely emotional.⁣
2. MUM GUILT⁣
Double the guilt. Guilty for not being able to spend time with your toddler, guilty for not being able to give newborn the attention you gave your first. Just an all round guilt fest really but don’t be too hard on yourself, just know you are doing the best you can.⁣
3. HUSBAND HATE⁣
Double the love but double the husband rage. Yup, they still snore during the night feeds. 🤷🏻‍♀️⁣
4. LOVE⁣
The fear you wouldn’t have room to love another child disappears in an instant and your heart just grows. And seeing them together when the toddler isn’t poking baby in the eye, will make you burst and remind you how much of a gift a sibling can be.⁣
5. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK⁣
Some days you will all be dressed before 9am, some days you will resemble Worzel Gummidge and want to scream into a pillow. However your day goes, give yourself a break. Your little people love you and your growing beard.⁣
6. TIME SPEEDS UP⁣
Everything goes faster. Pregnancy, the newborn phase and milestones you were desperate to reach first-time round will come round faster than you want. Time slow down.⁣
7. SPLIT IN TWO⁣
You wish you could split yourself in two so you could give both equal attention and one-on-one time. But you become an expert in juggling and you will get those moments in-between the chaotic days.⁣
8. ASK FOR HELP⁣
It can be tough so absolutely no shame in asking for help. VISITORS DON’T JUST HOLD THE BABY, OFFER TO MAKE A CUPPA, LUNCH, TAKE THE TODDLER OUT, LET MUM HAVE A BATH.⁣
9. FORGET LIFE WITH ONE⁣
Just as you can’t imagine life with two babies, you won’t be able to remember or imagine life without two – and wouldn’t want to. ⁣
10. YOU WILL MANAGE⁣
You will have moments of ‘how the fuck am I going to do this?’ But you do and absolutely will. And seeing them together makes it worth while. Just stock up on the coffee, and chocolate and hardcore liquor!
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Happy Father's Day

6/20/2020

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My daddy is a Royal Marine,
He goes by sea, by land,
And everywhere my daddy goes,
He takes a photo of me.

And every night when he is away,
We look up at the stars,
And we know daddy is there,
Here’s never really far.

I miss my daddy when he is away,
He is the bravest man I know,
I hope he knows I’m so proud of him,
And I understand why he has to go.

My daddy is a Royal Marine,
He goes by sea, by land,
And wherever my daddy goes,
He leaves a piece of his heart with me.

Happy Father's Day to all the military dads' who can't be home today. ❤
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10 THINGS YOU FIND OUT DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF MOTHERHOOD

6/6/2020

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1. YOU CAN'T PREPARE⁣
You can read all the baby books in the world, google everything, talk to other mums but nothing can prepare you for the whirlwind of black poos, mustard poos, the first solid poo, the exhaustion, routine-stress, naps, cracked nipples, when your baby first smiles (your heart will stop), when they laugh, the constant worry - you can’t prepare for any of it.⁣⁣
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2. NAPS AND ROUTINE OBSESSION⁣
You will spend a large majority of your time googling sleep routines, ‘why won’t my baby nap?’….it will become your life's obsession.⁣ ⁣
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3. SLEEP REGRESSIONS ARE NOT FUN⁣
Who knew? Apparently there's one at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9...months, you get my point. Coffee is life. ⁣
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4. HANGOVERS ARE EVEN MORE HORRIFIC⁣
I'll just leave that one there. You really don't want that second tequila shot love.⁣⁣
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5. MUM GUILT IS REAL⁣
You will feel guilty for feeling guilty about feeling guilty. And judged. So judged. Do what is best for you and your baby.⁣⁣
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6. THE LOVE FOR YOUR BABY IS OVERWHELMING⁣
The love you feel for your baby will some days take your breath away. Like literally stop you in your tracks, you have never known a love like it. ⁣⁣
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7. WOMEN ARE AMAZING⁣
We all struggle some days and it's nothing to feel ashamed about. Just because being a mum might not be joy every second of the day – it doesn’t mean you’re a bad mum, or you love your baby any less. And you’re never alone. Remember that.⁣⁣
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8. THE WORLD IS SCARIER⁣
You will be so much more aware of the tragedies that take place in the world and you will worry much more. The world does seem scarier. All you want to do is protect your child forever.⁣⁣
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9. RESPECT PARENTS MORE⁣
You love your parents more because you know how much they really love you. They have been through the four-month-sleep regression and survived – that deserves a medal.⁣⁣
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10. CBEEBIES IS LIFE⁣
Mr Tumble and his spotty bag, Bing (ANNOYING), that guy with the floppy hair who loves dinosaur adventures. This will become your world. Enjoy your Netflix while you can!

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10 THINGS YOU WISH YOU'D KNOWN ABOUT THE 6 WEEKS POSTPARTUM

5/28/2020

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1. THE FIRST NIGHT 'ALONE⁣⁣'
I remember my husband driving us back home from hospital and I was looking at my baby and I was TERRIFIED. I don’t know how to look after a baby? But you get through it – and the next night and the next night…⁣⁣

2. THE BLOOD⁣⁣
Although my friends told me to expect lots of blood, I was unprepared at how much there was. Maternity pads are your new best friend. You feel sooòoo sexy in those 6 weeks.⁣
3. EXHAUSTION⁣⁣
The exhaustion is like nothing you have ever experienced. You will feel like you have sand in your eyes and you will be amazed how excited you get when you have 2 hours un-interupted sleep.⁣⁣

4. YOU ARE A COW⁣⁣
If you are breastfeeding, you will feel like a cow. Boob out, biscuits in mouth, just roll with it. It’s relentless and hard but remember it won’t always be this intense and you won’t always be a cow, though your boobs may look like udders forever. #ripboobs⁣⁣

5. THE FEAR OF THE FIRST POO⁣⁣
Never in my life have I been so scared to have a poo. That first poo after-birth nerves is one you’ll never forget.⁣⁣

6. HUSBAND HATE⁣⁣
My friend wisely told me that once you have kids you realise how much you hate your partner. 😂 But you equally fall in love with them more when you see them with baby, but when they snore during the night feeds you wonder whether the patio is big enough…⁣⁣

7. LONELY⁣⁣
Those night feeds at 2am can be so lonely. But remember there’s another mum out there at 2am, doing the same as you – you are not alone.⁣ ❤⁣

8. MOURN OLD LIFE⁣⁣
My doctor said to me that once the flowers and cards dry up, everyone gets on with their own life – but you. Your life has changed forever. You will feel unrecognisable and there will be times you will mourn your 'old life'.⁣⁣

9. JEALOUSY⁣⁣
Other people will coo and cuddle your baby but you feel like you’re getting the ‘hard’ bits – the exhaustion, the cluster feedings, the explosive poos.⁣⁣
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10. FIRST SMILE⁣⁣
Through all the blood, sweat and tears, your baby's first smile will complete you in ways you can't ever describe and make every explosive poo worth it.
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You've got this mama 💪
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10 THINGS YOU'D ONLY KNOW IF YOU WERE A MILITARY SPOUSE

5/23/2020

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1. YOU CAN’T PLAN ANYTHING ⁣⁣⁣⁣
Want to book a holiday? Want to know how long they’ll be away for? Want to know whether you need to shave your legs on Friday? Ha! Things constantly change and you can never plan anything with certainty. And if you do - it will change! ⁣⁣⁣⁣
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2. YOU KNEW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING INTO⁣⁣⁣⁣
Did I? ‘You chose this life,’ did I? A what not to say to a military spouse.⁣⁣⁣⁣
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3. LONELY⁣⁣⁣⁣
It is lonely. Whether you are on your own, have children, live on a patch or live close to family. It is lonely. Once the day is done and you sit on the sofa in the evening the one person you want to talk to is more likely to be away than be there. ⁣⁣⁣⁣
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4. COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS⁣⁣⁣
You go between counting down the days until they are home to when they are home, just wishing time would slow down. How is it Sunday again?
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5. PART OF A UNIQUE CLUB⁣⁣⁣⁣
Whether they are your neighbours, you have never met, you’ve been friends for years - you’re part of an amazing group of women who are the only ones who truly know what you are going through and will be there for you whether that be a phone call, message or a wild night out.⁣⁣⁣⁣
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6. YOU LOSE COUNT OF POSTCODES ⁣⁣⁣⁣
You finally get settled and then it’s time to move again. Lucky to see so much of the country but equally - you just want to stay put for longer than 2 years. ⁣⁣⁣
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7. MAGNOLIA WALLS⁣⁣⁣⁣
Married quarters are a beautiful mix of well, magnolia. You will come to loathe those magnolia walls!⁣⁣⁣⁣
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8. MISSED PHONE CALL IS HEARTBREAKING⁣⁣⁣⁣
You end up being glued to your phone but if you miss a phone call, well you will cry - a lot. Especially if they’re overseas and you don’t know when they can ring back. ⁣⁣⁣
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9. SUNDAY DREAD⁣⁣⁣⁣
The Sunday night dread is real. Having to watch them pack their bags, knowing you’ll be flying solo for a week, weeks, months. It’s hard.⁣
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10. YOU FEEL LUCKY⁣⁣⁣
As much as it is hard, you get to experience the butterflies that are sometimes lost in long-term relationships when it’s been months and they're finally on their way home. Nothing beats deployment coming-home butterflies.
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WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING

5/14/2020

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10 things nobody tells you

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Pregnancy is undoubtedly a life-changing part of anyone’s life and like all things in life, everyone’s experience is different. But hand on heart I can say that feeling your baby kick for the first time is one of those moments where time really does stand still. But amongst the highs, there’s some symptoms you can experience that leave you feeling quite far from that ‘pregnancy glow’.

I was quite troll like during my pregnancy to be honest – sweaty, hair and angry.

So here’s my ‘top 10’ things nobody tells you when you’re expecting…

1. MORNING SICKNESS
I still do not know why this is called morning sickness when it is in fact, morning, noon and night sickness. And ginger beer. No thanks – don’t want it near me when I’m not pregnant, never mind when I’m pregnant. (Tip another mum told me: Dry crackers – take some to bed with you. I used to nibble on one when I woke up as I would always feel worse first thing. Wild times having a cracker in bed each morning).

2. PREGNANCY RAGE
I don’t think I can actually put this into words but pregnancy rage is real. It’s the REAL DEAL. I would mostly get rage at my husband and I honestly thought I would explode some days – over absolutely nothing. But at the time it was EVERYTHING. So partners if you are reading this. DO NOT ARGUE BACK. DO NOT SAY I THINK YOU’RE BEING UNREASONABLE. WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING? I THINK YOU’RE SLIGHTLY OVER-REACTING. WHY ARE YOU IN A MOOD ALL THE TIME? I REALLY THINK YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN. Just let your pregnant partner lose her shit over the most trivial of things – just step back and feed her chocolate. (Fun fact – When I was pregnant with Rafe, I also got rage at McDonald’s when they didn’t serve me my breakfast hash browns quick enough so I wrote a 2-page letter of complaint. Got an apology and a voucher so win win really).

3. FACIAL HAIR
Having dark hair, I’ve always been partial to a bit of a tash but I had some delightful hairs on my chinny chin suddenly appear when I was pregnant. Hormones apparently. And hate to break it to you – the facial hair stays. Yummy mummies all round!

4. I’M BRINGING SWEATY BACK
For me, pregnancy was less glow and more sweat. Especially extra boobie sweat – so yeah, full on glamour-puss I was.

5. PEOPLE TOUCH YOU MORE AND ARE OPENLY OFFENSIVE
So apparently when you’re pregnant a) strangers can touch your stomach and comment on your bump as much as they want b) People can be openly offensive to you and it’s ok. ‘YOU’RE SO BIG! IS IT TWINS?! YOU’RE MASSIVE! WHAT - YOU’VE GOT 5 MONTHS LEFT! I WAS TINY COMPARED TO YOU. Erm, thanks.

6. SWOLLEN VAGINA
Probably too much information but I’ve just told you I had sweaty boobs so one side affect (for some) can be a swollen lady garden. All about increased blood flow during pregnancy apparently. It was particularly bad if I’d been on a long walk. I’d literally end up walking like John Wayne – fun times.

7. HORMONES ARE MENTAL
As pregnancy rage proves, emotions can be all over the place. Probably not the best example but we watched a film about a dog that kept dying and coming back to life and I literally lost it. Was hyperventilating through the whole film. So yeah, you’ll probably cry a bit more.

8. WIND
So that pregnancy glow could be embarrassment from letting off more trumps than normal. This is because your body produces higher levels of the hormone progesterone – who knew?

9. MATERNAL INSTINCT
For me, this started from the moment I found out I was pregnant. You become so in-tune with your baby and body – you just get a feeling if something isn’t quite right. Always, ALWAYS speak to a midwife, even if your concern may seem small, they’d much rather you rang them than not. Trust your instincts.

10. UNSOLICITED ADVICE
People can be amazing during pregnancy and offer you some great advice, the kind of advice you really need for reassurance or to just know you're not alone. But equally, they can inadvertently make you feel like poo. Someone told me when I was pregnant to just put some people’s advice in the fuck it bucket! And don’t compare yourself to other people, your experience is your own.

So yeah - I was just a delight really. But honestly – I would do it all again in a heartbeat. (Husband just three-wheeling out the drive now). Those first kicks outweigh any extra hairs on your chin though.

Till next time,

Faye x
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WHAT DO I PACK IN MY HOSPITAL BAG?

5/9/2020

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  • HUGE knickers
  • Willingness to lose all dignity​​
A bit of a different post to normal but you voted – so here we go! To be honest, I’ve been meaning to share this for a while as I have recently forwarded it to a few friends and thought it would be helpful for any new mums as quite frankly, when I was pregnant with Rafe I literally did not have a clue. I’d hardly even held a baby, never mind actually look after one, so baby grows and nipple cream and giant pads (for you, not baby) were just totally alien to me. And surprisingly the best thing I bought wasn’t nipple cream (though helped), it was a lovely little rubber ring so I could sit down without swearing.

So hopefully this is helpful. I’ve also included other things we brought that we found useful for both our little darlings in those early weeks.

And on a side note, ladies you don’t have to get waxed, shaved, fake-tanned to give birth – unless you really want to of course. With Rafe I had my hair done, waxed from head to toe, nails done…where in reality by the end of it I couldn’t have cared less – nor do the midwives. And second time round, well they were lucky if I shaved my big toe.


On that note, what is the one thing you are glad you packed?

What I packed in my hospital bag

You can pick and choose what you want to take – at the end of the day you will probably have so many people saying ‘you need this, you don’t need that’ but this is what I packed.
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For Mum
  • Loose, thin clothing as is it about 1,000 degrees on a maternity ward. I had huge PJ's /nighty - the baggier the better. Mine were nursing friendly too so I could just whack a boob out.
  • H&M nursing tops – I still wear mine for bed now.
  • Slippers or flip flops - just get cheap ones and chuck afterwards as your after-birth shower is erm, messy.
  • Zip up hoody or thin dressing gown – Not too thick as you will melt, but something cosy.
  • Toiletries – shower gel, shampoo, moisturiser, sponge/bath shammy thingy, big bath towel. Basically what you would take for an overnight stay in a hotel. Just remember it won't be as relaxing.
  • Bag to put all dirty clothes in.
  • Maternity pads – you cannot have enough maternity pads in general. I bought mine in bulk. Make sure you have a pack in your hospital bag, the hospital may give you some but in my experience they're not great.
  • Massive and I mean MASSIVE knickers - you don’t want to wear tight knickers for a while – or ever again to be honest.
  • Breast pads (if planning on breastfeeding). In the early weeks, I used nappies to be honest. You leak a lot!
  • Lansinoh – the holy grail of nipple cream – an absolute must.
  • Lucozade - might be in there a while!
  • Snacks – anything that you love to keep you going!
  • We packed magazines and word puzzles (never done one in my life but apparently a good time to try), a book - basically something to keep you entertained is worth packing. (On that note - don't forget your phone charger!)
  • Flannel to mop your head and keep you cool. I never wanted anyone really touching me but worth taking just in case.
  • My friend told me this - some straws! Random I know but just easier for partner to hold a cup and you drink from the straw if you are slightly distracted with contractions.
  • A small rubber ring – if you have a vaginal birth, it became my best friend after Rafe.
  • Loose clothing to wear in hospital/when you leave. The baggier the better! MATERNITY LEGGINGS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND FOR A LONG TIME.

For baby
  • Newborn nappies – disposable or a huge range of reusable around now. The nappy lady is fab for advice on reusable - https://www.thenappylady.co.uk/
  • Hospital should provide cotton wool but worth taking some (to clean bum) and cream (we use Aveeno – good for sensitive skin).
  • Short sleeve vests, I’d get a few of each size, just in case you have a whopper – so newborn and 0-3 months.
  • Baby grows – again a couple of each different sizes. Get the baby grows with mitts – DO NOT BOTHER BUYING MITTS – THEY NEVER STAY ON!
  • Cardigan x 2 – May not be needed depending on weather but worth taking.
  • A couple of pairs of socks.
  • Hat x 2
  • A few muslins
  • Blankets x 3 – cellular ones are great. Fab for warmer weather and can double up when cold. They will provide you will a blanket in hospital too.
  • Don’t forget your car seat!

And for when the fun begins at home….
(I've went for the 'little' things here -not necessarily the big essentials i.e. cot or pram but happy to share what we have, just holla.)


This is a tough one as babies really don't need as much stuff as you think they do - but equally you somehow accumulate so much stuff. In the same note, just because Grandma Audrey slept in a chest of drawers when she was a baby, it doesn't mean you won't want to buy a cot.
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  • Sleeping bags – your life will become a constant worry about are they too hot/too cold?! But sleeping bags are an absolute godsend and you don’t have the added worry about safety and blankets. I have 2x 2.5 togs for winter and 2x 1-1.5 tog for summer. For the first few weeks with Elijah because it was so so hot, we didn’t use sleeping bags – just a cellular blanket. But as it got colder, we popped him in a sleeping bag. Make sure you check any sleeping bag guidance for weight restrictions as some don’t start at newborn.
  • 2 x changing mats. One for upstairs, one for downstairs. We use a travel one for downstairs so we can just fold it up.
  • Changing bag for when you go out. I have a backpack style which is ideal. I don't own a handbag anymore.
  • Cotton balls for changing nappy with water for early days and a little top and tail bowl.
  • After about a 5 days with Rafe we moved to wipes but with Elijah, it was after 2 days I think. We used Water Wipes but are expensive - Aldi wipes are cheaper but just as good. There are amazing reusable wipes you can get too – wish I’d done some more investigating into these.
  • Nappy bags. I never bothered with a nappy bin, personally don’t think it’s essential.
  • Metanium nappy rash cream.
  • Good old sudocrem.
  • Plenty of vests and baby grows. I had Rafe in baby grows for a while as wanted to keep him cosy as all he was doing was sleeping, pooing and nursing so easy to get on and off. Same with Elijah but with it being so hot, he was just was in a vest a lot of the time. Don’t go overboard on newborn sizes – or on clothes to be honest – that's what people tend to buy you as gifts!
  • Baby Monitor – so many to choose from. Angelcare we had with Rafe and we use BabyCare with Elijah which is a cheaper option and fab.
  • Blankets – already mentioned but cellular blankets are great for layering.
  • Muslins – for sick, covering boobs, wiping up poo – does pretty much everything!
  • Hats – for colder weather.
  • Small feeding bibs, just for dribbles and little bits of sick so you don't have to change them all the time.
  • Sleepyhead – I would say this was one of the things I was recommended the most – it is expensive though. It keeps them feeling all safe and cosy. Rafe was in his for a while but Elijah soon grew out of it as is massive!
  • Snuzpod 3 bedside crib – Probably one of the best things we bought. Can use right up to six months and can carry up and downstairs, have as a carry cot, or like a next-to-me crib. I know mosses basket are lovely but what I’ve found from other mums is that they tend to only fit baby in for a couple of months .
  • Jungle ‘gym’ or something similar for baby to ‘play’ on.
  • Baby bouncer – don’t need a fancy one, just a good old bouncer!
  • Sling – if you want to carry baby when out and about – and also good for in the house. I would try and find a sling library so you can try loads of different ones before you buy. But I don’t know how easy that will be with what is going on. I had a simple wrap one to use from birth and I have a Tula baby carrier which is amazing and can use for a while and from birth.
  • Ewan the Sheep - I think I have a million white noise machines which may become your obsession but both kids love this and we used from day one with both (heartbeat sound).
  • Baby bath, then we moved to shnuggle bath when a bit bigger.
  • Infacol – for wind which will become your nemesis.
  • Saline nasal spray - great for congestion.

FEEDING
I breastfed Rafe and I'm still breastfeeding Elijah so I’m really not that clued up on bottle feeding at all but the list below is what we brought when pregnant with Rafe. I knew I wanted to try and breastfeed but thought I’d prepare for both just in case.

If breastfeeding:
The main thing I would say after looking back is if you want to breastfeed – do some research, as much as you can! I literally didn’t have a clue, I just thought it would be relatively easy. Lucy Webber, a lactation consultant recommends the following books - The Positive Breastfeeding Book - Amy Brown, You've Got It In You - Emma Pickett, Dr Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding - Jack Newman, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding - La Leche League.
  • Main things you will need are breast pads, nursing bras, Lansinoh and a few nursing tops/dresses – I LOVE thebshirt - https://www.thebshirt.clothing/
  • I wear nursing vests from H&M at night (linked above)
  • Breast pump - so many to choose from. I use the electric Medela 'swing' pump. It’s expensive though.
  • Expressed milk freezer bags
  • I bought so many nursing cushions, but a curved one that you can play around with different positions works for us.
Bottle/combi feeding
  • Steriliser
  • Bottles – MAM bottles we had
  • Tomee Tippee Prep Machine – we never used ours in the end so unless 100% want to formula feed, maybe hold off??

Anything else/present ideas for people to get you
  • Random but - headphones for your phone if you don’t have them – you can watch Netflix series after Netflix series during night feeds!
  • Sophie Toy – good for teething.
  • Jumperoo – not for a while but literally the best/worst invention.
  • LOVE this baby snug chair from Mamas and Papas. Great to help support head from 3 months.
It looks like everything will cost a fortune but do some digging around - compare prices, look for bargains, also  many people are selling things second hand - or friend's can hopefully borrow you some bits.


Hope this helps. I know the list looks daunting but like I said, you can just pick and choose what you want. Feel free to share this with anyone expecting!

Next blog post is WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING...

Till next time,

Faye
x

P.s For those who have been reading my blog for a while, I will still be writing about my 'here and now' (send wine) but those posts will be more on Facebook and Instagram. I will be doing a bit more 'general mum posts' on here. Just for a few weeks, see what people want to read to be honest. If there is anything you want me to cover, PLEASE just message me.

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10 WAYS YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A TODDLER DURING LOCKDOWN

4/30/2020

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  1. You know Moana word by word – including The Rock's rap. ‘Kid, honestly I could go on and on...’
  2. Photos of you baking with your darling child are all smiles - but in reality your kitchen looks like a scene from Scarface.
  3. You decide this is a good time to potty train (because you aren’t stressed enough) and ‘find the poo' is a new, hands-on game for the whole family.
  4. Screen time allowance has gone up by 8-hours a day.
  5. Your house is utter chaos. UTTER CHAOS.
  6. Those vegetables or sunflowers you decided to plant and nurture together as a family – well, they’re dead.
  7. Arts and crafts is basically you wrestling with a freakishly strong toddler to stop eating the: playdoh, glue, paper, stickers, sellotape, glitter. DO NOT GET THE GLITTER OUT.
  8. You overhear your toddler asking whether it’s 'too early for wine'?
  9. You no longer have the energy to refuse toddler's demands so they are naked most days on a staple diet of biscuits, chocolate buttons and yogurts.
  10. One for my husband if he is reading: ​Can you stop breathing so loud please? Thank you bye.
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When this is all over.

4/18/2020

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Artwork: My husband ❤
When this is all over, let us not forget,
The people who kept the world turning, are the ones we owe respect,
It wasn’t the richest, or the ones who wear false crowns,
It was those who kept us afloat, when little hope was to be found,
The doctors, the nurses, the teachers, the bin-men the supermarket workers, those who often hide,
It was your postman, your delivery driver, your butcher, the World War II veteran who walked those extra miles,
The children who couldn’t go to school, or see their grandparents or friends,
But don’t forget it was you who made them feel safe, it was you who held their hand,
Money didn’t save us, it was the kindness in their hearts,
It was those we don’t often notice, who held us in the dark.

When this is all over, remember how the roads were quiet, not as many cars in sight,
And you didn’t have to listen closely to hear the bird song, morning through to night,
The flowers never looked so beautiful, the sun never shone so bright,
The fish kept swimming, the bees kept buzzing, nature didn’t lose its fight,
Beauty shone through and were we able to see,
That we need nature, more than it needs you and me,
Nature kept going, when we were on our knees,
Showing us that life goes on, to look for the light amongst the trees,
Don’t forget that sometimes a little, can save so much,
So keep the birds singing and the oceans alive, give back to nature what it gives to us.

When this is all over, we can’t bring back those we lost, or change the past,
But we can mend the broken hearts, find the good in this and make it last,
This does not discriminate against race or religion, the rich or the poor,
But people who always suffer the most, need us now more than ever before,
When this is all over, hold your grandmother closer, raise a glass with those you love,
Do the thing you keep saying you’ll do, keep looking for the light above,
Remember those who gave so much, who are normally out of sight,
The ones who you stood and clapped for, every Thursday night,
One day we will all look back and see, that this storm eventually passed,
And how we will be remembered, is how we found the good in all the grief – and made it last.
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Potty training tips

4/15/2020

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So potty training is easy apparently, who knew? Ok, maybe slightly challenging and we haven’t quite took the plunge yet but so many people have messaged and asked me to share what tips people gave me yesterday (thank you to everyone who messaged ❤), so here you go! Like everything, people’s advice differs and in the end what works for your child, might be different to someone else’s. But one running theme was to stock up on chocolate buttons and ALL THE WINE. GOOD LUCK!

  • Recommended books – Oh crap! Potty training by Jamie Glowacki, The Gentle Potty Training Book by Sarah Ockwell-Smith and for toddlers – Pirate Pete's Potty and Princess Polly Potty (also just seen there are YouTube videos featuring Pirate Pete too)
  • Website recommendation - https://busytoddler.com/2018/09/potty-training/
  • My Carry Potty was recommended
  • Rewards – Most people recommended a reward sticker chart. Either to make yourself or Amazon have a few. And rather than a treat for every wee or poo, they get so many stickers then a chocolate treat (or what they like). Or others said a treat after every wee or poo (to start with) and then see how they get on, then just stickers – and a treat after a few rewards.
  • Sitting them on the potty with iPad/favourite programme can help.
  • Get their favourite teddy or doll to show them how to use it – or older brother and sister.
  • Let them run around naked/or from the waist down for days and ask them every 20 minutes if they need the loo.
  • Some people said don’t ask too much as annoys them! You can judge which one works for you.
  • Put them on the potty at every nappy change for a few days before going the whole hog.
  • Start with little steps, seeing if they will have a wee when they wake up and before bath, then go from there.
  • Once you start, put them on the potty every hour and ask them sometimes in-between. They will have accidents but if they can't last an hour after one wee before they need another they probably aren't ready yet as they don't have the control to hold it.
  • If they have an accident (expect a fair amount) don't make a deal about it.
  • Fold up steps that toddler could climb up and down on to the toilet – a few of you mentioned that their child never wanted to go on potty but wanted to go straight on the toilet.
  • Make everything exciting! This was the common theme. When you show them their sticker chart, when they wee or poo on the potty, PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE, let them pick out/get excited over/wrap up their ‘big boy/girl’ pants. Come on guys - best stage school smiles!
  • Majority said nappies still for night and naps for a while. And poo's are much harder than wee's. Pardon the pun.
  • Rather than letting them run naked, some said put in pants straight away so they can recognise feeling wet.
  • Carpet cleaner on stand by!
  • WINE. WINE. ALL.THE.WINE.
  • Stick to one room or garden – or basically follow child around with potty.
  • Don’t start until they are really showing signs. (I am in two minds whether to try as he isn't showing many signs but just going to give it a go. Some people said their child wasn't showing signs, they tried and it was obvious they weren't ready so tried later on. Others said they showed no signs, they tried and went well.)
  • Little steps – rather than intense, no nappy straight away. But others said intense worked for them – again you just do what works for you.
  • Majority who messaged said it was hard and stressful (though with some kids it did just click quite quickly) - but most did say it wasn't as traumatic as they thought it was going to be so not as terrified!

So we are definitely going to do a sticker reward chart (and chocolate after so many stickers). I’m going to see if I can get the pirate book but delivery on things at the mo is hit or miss so I might just show him the YouTube videos. Over the next few days I'm going to try getting him to have a wee in potty when he gets up and then before bath. (Though he just threw the potty in the bath before so doesn't bode well.) Then nappy off and go free for a few days and see what happens. I fully expect my cream carpet will be green and brown by the end of it and I’m still not sure he is ready but just going to try. No pressure – if he isn’t ready just try again in a bit. I’ll let you know how we get on!

Wrote this super quick while Elijah was asleep on me so hope this all makes sense!

GOOD LUCK!
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    Royal Marine Wife. Mum to Rafe.

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