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💫 That breastfeeding “glow”...💫 Sleep D

💫 That breastfeeding “glow”...💫

Sleep Deprivation
Wet patches
A bad back
Cracked nipples

Is THIS the breastfeeding glow?!

Breastfeeding is HARD. There, I said it. So many people (mainly professionals) are tiptoeing around the fact that breastfeeding it reallllly challenging.

I get it, statistics are bad, breastfeeding rates are low and no one wants to “put a women off” but are we setting women up to fail?

Are we not prepared for the sleepless nights, cluster feeds, the cracked nipples, night sweats, mental load... because we are constantly told it’s “natural & easy”

“It’s natural” “it’s easy” “it shouldn’t hurt” “it’s convenient” while all of this can be true for some it is not the case for all, especially at the start of the journey.

Maybe if more women knew the challenges, we could prepare for them and people would be less likely to give up?

I love breastfeeding, I feel honoured, privalaged ( and a bit like a super hero) that I'm able to keep a baby alive simply with my milk (wow!) but it's not easy..

If you too are facing challenges then know you are not alone, it's totally normal to find it tough! But always seek help, talk to people & remember there are thousands of others up doing that night feed at the same time as you.

What was the best, most useful, bit of breastfeeding advice you got?

Alice ❤️

💫I did it...!💫 I was surprised and elated w

💫I did it...!💫

I was surprised and elated when I birthed Cian’s head. Now, I’m not an advocate of saying that birth is/should be/is meant to be pain free buutttt it was surprisingly pain free. I mean, if anything it felt really good!!!

Almost a relief, not only was I nearing the end but I was going to meet my baby and wow oh wow I had done this all on my own! Eek!

Waiting for the next contraction before birthing his body was actually probably the most uncomfortable part of the labour. I felt him turn inside me and if you haven’t experienced that, well it’s a really odd feeling!

Luckily I didn’t have to wait long before his body was out and there he was. “I did it!” I yelped through tears of joy!

In the days following the birth I started feeling guilty for saying "I did it" instead of "we". I felt selfish that in that moment I had not acknowledged Cian's determination & Adam's support...

Now in hindsight I see why they were my words; relief, success, empowerment. I felt so unbelievably strong, I didn't need to feel guilty about feeling so strong! I had done it!

Without my informed decision making, my confidence to push back against consultants, my preparation, practice and most of all the belief in my body and my baby my birth could have been very different.

But I believe in myself and I did it!

What were your first words after birth?! Can't wait to hear!

Alice ❤️

#helloparent #parents #parenting #parentinggroup #onlinecommunity #hypnobirthing #antenatalclass #birth #positivebirth #pregnancy #parentstobe #mumtobe #dadtobe #firsttrimester #secondtrimester #thirdtrimester #firsttimemum #birtheducation #pandemicparenting #exerciseinpregnancy #baby #ftm #birthstory #breastfeeding #homebirth #freeadvice #livesessions #antenatal #parentclasses #birthpreparation

💫...I didn’t make it into the birth pool!💫

💫...I didn’t make it into the birth pool!💫

I spent the majority of my labour led in bed with the duvet over my head. The only light was the glow from the oil diffuser, the smell on clary sage prominent, the only sounds my breathing and recorded affirmations.

I felt so safe, so comfortable, so powerful. It didn’t cross my mind I should make my way the pool... I didn’t feel ready, everything felt too comfortable to need to the pool.

Despite no sign of me moving from what had become my birth den, Adam filled the pool (whilst juggling a toddler, very impressive I must say) and it was full and warm waiting for my arrival...

Soon after this, I moved from my bedroom to the bathroom and a couple of strong contractions and my show signalled I should head to the pool.

I walked downstairs, gave Aura a kiss (she was engrossed in cartoons) went to the kitchen and felt another contraction coming on “... I’ll get in after this one” I said.

But instead “one more” contraction was actually baby Cian’s head and shortly after he joined the world on the kitchen floor.

I cannot describe how the feeling I had in that moment, the elation was immense.

This week I will be sharing my full birth story, including the hours that ran up to this moment and what happened after.

.. and also why paramedics attended my birth (just in time!) instead of midwives...

Can’t wait to share all the details with you!

Alice ❤️

#helloparent #parents #parenting #parentinggroup #onlinecommunity #hypnobirthing #antenatalclass #birth #positivebirth #pregnancy #parentstobe #mumtobe #dadtobe #firsttrimester #secondtrimester #thirdtrimester #firsttimemum #birtheducation #pandemicparenting #exerciseinpregnancy #baby #ftm #birthstory #breastfeeding #homebirth #freeadvice #livesessions #antenatal #parentclasses #birthpreparation

💫 Self care... 💫 There is self care and the

💫 Self care... 💫

There is self care and there is getting your basic needs met and i am fully aware that the latter should not been seen as a luxury...

Showering, getting dressed, sitting down for a meal, brushing your teeth, washing your hair, going to the toilet....

All basic needs, meeting them should be a given right?! Well, yes of course it SHOULD. But being able to meet all these needs on a daily basis (If you are managing this with a newborn you are my hero!) does feel like a luxury...

For most of us in the newborn phase, is actually quite a mammoth task to get your basic needs met, let alone some time for real self care- throw a toddler in the mix and your lucky if you can pee in peace !

With that in mind, I can explain what a luxury a long shower feels like, pure blissssass

What feels like a luxury to you now? Do you have any tips and tricks to get all your own needs met during the newborn phase ?

Alice ❤️

#helloparent #parents #parenting #parentinggroup #onlinecommunity #hypnobirthing #antenatalclass #birth #positivebirth #pregnancy #parentstobe #mumtobe #dadtobe #firsttrimester #secondtrimester #thirdtrimester #firsttimemum #birtheducation #pandemicparenting #exerciseinpregnancy #baby #ftm #birthstory #breastfeeding #homebirth #freeadvice #livesessions #antenatal #parentclasses #birthpreparation

💫Baby-date! ( it’s a baby up date!)💫 I’

💫Baby-date! ( it’s a baby up date!)💫

I’ve talked a lot about week 1 with a newborn this week as I can’t stress enough how major the week is for all new parents!

Time whizzes by yet stands still all at the same time! You learn so much in a week it feels like a month, a really hazey month !

The focus this week has really been getting those basics needs met for all. For the whole family it’s been about togetherness, food & sleep !

For baby Cian it was an unsettled first couple of days, waking every 40mins for feeding. Around day 3 my milk came in and the change in him was instant! He’s so much more relaxed, sleeps in 4 hour stints at night and generally so much happier !

For Aura it’s been about making her feel involved, giving her one-on-one time with each of us and well tbh, mostly about suppressing my own guilt of not spending so much time with her! She’s absolutely fine and obsessed with Cian even waking up in the morning and saying “baby?” So cute!

For Adam and I it’s been about adjusting to being parents of two, this includes juggling house hold chores and our ever growing life to do list ( we are also renovating a house). Communication and expectations have been so key here. Don’t know what I’ll do when he’s back to work though 😬

How is your pregnancy/life with new baba going ?! I love to hear your updates !

Alice
❤️

#helloparent #parents #parenting #parentinggroup #onlinecommunity #hypnobirthing #antenatalclass #birth #positivebirth #pregnancy #parentstobe #mumtobe #dadtobe #firsttrimester #secondtrimester #thirdtrimester #firsttimemum #birtheducation #pandemicparenting #exerciseinpregnancy #baby #ftm #birthstory #breastfeeding #homebirth #freeadvice #livesessions #antenatal #parentclasses #birthpreparation

💫 Milk glorious Milk! 💫 Yes milk is bloody

💫 Milk glorious Milk! 💫

Yes milk is bloody glorious and it is PHENOMENAL that we have the ability to produce a personalised food that keeps our child alive and growing!

... amazing! But it’s not without its hiccups (excuse the pun!)

So why isn’t it as simple as “here’s me boobs, get to it love”. Well! First of all when we first have babes, we are only producing colostrum... colostrum is incredible- full of perfect nutrients it is known as “liquid gold”.

Howwwwevvverrr it comes in small amounts and isn’t super filling so our newborns are often hungry! Hungry means unsettled and it means suck suck suck.

Yup! Our little newborns know that there is more to the boobs then colostrum and work really hard to promote our milk to come in properly.

Around day 3 your milk will come in properly, and boy did I know it! I woke up with MASSIVE rock solid boobs!! Almost immediately Cian was more settled, he stopped waking up so frequently and was way more content even with nappy changes!

But adjusting to new milk filled boobs can be tough! Mine leak (lovely!) and one of my nipples got a little sore due to a bad latch at the start... and oh my goshhhhhh feeding with a sore (cracked!) nipple.... gosh gosh gosh!!!

So yeah breastfeeding is bloody amazing, but for a totally natural thing, it’s not totally easy! Great news is it gets easier!!! Way easier and soon your wapping them out without a thought in the world!

How was your early breastfeeding journey?!

Alice ❤️

💫Baby Blues 💫 .... I am not sure I like thi

💫Baby Blues 💫

.... I am not sure I like this term “baby blues” but it’s 4am and my brain isn’t totally high functioning.

But, what I am talking about is the waves of sadness, worry and even anxiety you may get during your first couple of weeks post-birth.

Yes, it’s meant to be the most amazing time of your life. You have met your baby, they are happy and healthy and they are bringing you so much joy !

BUTTT let’s not deny the fact it’s not all sunshine and butterflies. Sleep deprivation , having to adjust to a wholly selfless way of life, having to learn a whole new job description... all very real ! And not always easy!

Add to the mix a huge drop in hormones, it is no surprise at all of you have the odd teary moment!

For me, these moments manifest in obsessive thoughts & guilt... and it can be guilt about anything! A comment I made about someone’s outfit in 2011 will spring to mind, or a birthday card I never posted will look over my head!

The important thing is to talk about these moments, to your partner, to friends, to your midwife and if these feelings persist or worsen please seek help.

We all go though these moments and it doesn’t make us bad parents, please reach out if you need any advice on where to seek help

Alice ❤️

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