Three reasons I love baby wearing... 1. It keeps Three reasons I love baby wearing...

1. It keeps your hands free and means you don’t always need to take a buggy everywhere. Also perfect when places might not be buggy friendly. 

2. Keeps baby close and encourages all the oxytocin you need for breastfeeding and baby bonding. Plus, they usually love being close to you too so they tend to sleep the whole time they are in the sling. 

3. You can start as soon as they are born and carry on until they are just too heavy. I carried P in a fabric sling like this until she was over one, then we swapped to a more rigid one. 

They also don’t need to cost the earth. I have this one from @freerider.co for Indie as I liked the prints and the fabric is sooo soft. They also have a great tutorial video on their website to show you how to use the sling, which is so handy for first timers. I’ve also got a couple of £10 ones from Amazon that do the job just as well, so you can spend as much as you want to. 

Did you baby wear, or planning to? 

#babywearing #babysling #freerider #babywrap #newborn #babyinlockdown #secondbaby #mumofgirls
To our first born, Life is all a little mad righ To our first born, 

Life is all a little mad right now, your world has been turned upside down and I know you are feeling like you have to share the limelight. It’s ok, it’s going to take us all a while to adjust. But we still love you more than you know and are so proud of the Big Sister you are being.

I am sorry that Daddy is always the one to put you to bed at the moment. I’m sorry that I am breastfeeding when you want me to play. I’m sorry that dinner time is interrupted by a crying baby and that you have to share your bath times. I’m sorry that I can’t sit in your tent and read books for hours or draw all afternoon like we used to. I’m just sorry that life is different right now. 

But this won’t last forever and we also need to thank you. Firstly for making us Mummy & Daddy, but secondly for teaching us how to be so much more chilled this time. We know we can do it because we did it with you. We know we can survive the sleepless nights and cluster feeding days, because we survived them with you. It doesn’t feel like learning the second time around, it feels like growing and we are all growing together. Bigger and stronger. 

So thank you, little Pepper, for being patient and loving. This madness won’t last forever and soon it will feel like we’ve always been a family of four. You are doing a great job at being a Big Sister and we all love you so much. Just forgive us for the tears, lack of patience and endless times we have to say “in a minute” - it doesn’t mean we love you any less, we are all just working out this new normal. 

Lots of love, Mummy & Daddy x

Photos by @hayley_wilkes_
Big Sister Pepper reporting for duty ❤️ #bigsi Big Sister Pepper reporting for duty ❤️ #bigsister #lockdownbaby
Was so lovely watching them meet for the first tim Was so lovely watching them meet for the first time ❤️ #sisters #girlgang #lockdownbaby
Indie Lilac Lourdes Spinks 💜 Our beautiful lit Indie Lilac Lourdes Spinks 💜

Our beautiful little girl made her arrival on Monday 4th January at 2:55pm, weighing in at a mighty 5lb 9oz. 

Pepper is already loving life as a big sister and giving her new bestie lots of cuddles. We didn’t think we’d ever be having a baby during a global pandemic, let alone be plunged into a lockdown 2 hours after her birth, but here we go! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

#lockdownbaby #newarrival #babysister #birthinapandemic  #familyoffour
Because yesterday I wore this dress for approx 5 m Because yesterday I wore this dress for approx 5 mins and felt super sassy. Today, not so much! #pregnantinapandemic #mumlife #lockdownlife
Well 2020 you’ve sure thrown a lot at us all, bu Well 2020 you’ve sure thrown a lot at us all, but I can honestly say I’ve never entered a new year feeling happier. We have been able to spend so much time together as a family, reach milestones and embrace new beginnings that we could have only dreamt of, even with all that 2020 has chucked at us. 

So I am leaving 2020 a happier and healthier person, with a more grateful outlook on life. Here’s to 2021, a new baby girl and whatever the year decides to bring. We will take it all, day by day! ❤️
More Christmas spam, because Pepper was just too c More Christmas spam, because Pepper was just too cute not to share ❤️
And just like that Christmas has been and gone... And just like that Christmas has been and gone...

I usually feel really sad on this day each year, but although this year was different to any other Christmas, I had the most wonderful time watching Pepper learn and understand the magic of Christmas, that there really was no time for sadness. And now, we have a very short countdown until this little one arrives and makes our world even more magical 👶🏻

Bring on 2021! 🥂

#lockdownchristmas #christmas2020 #mumofgirls #pregnantinapandemic #thirdtrimester
Load More…
  • Spinkdot

Spinkdot

Lifestyle. Travel. Weddings.

  • MAMA
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Get In Touch

Mama · 4th December 2018

Hypnobirthing Diary: Week Two

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

So, I went back for more and I am glad we are getting something from it. This week was all about birth preferences, letting the midwives know your dreams and desires (there are way more than I thought!) and what role the birth partner can play on the big day.

Talking of midwives, I am super lucky as my community midwife is a huge advocate of hypnobirthing and the benefits it can have, but I have heard that it’s not the case for all. Midwives are miracle human beings, I genuinely think they are amazing and our pregnancy journey has been so lovely so far because of all the wonderful people we have been in touch with at Milton Keynes University Hospital, but I have heard on the grapevine that some people think hypnobirthing couples can hinder a midwife with all their ‘demands’. I am so mindful of this and would never want any midwife to feel that I was being demanding or making their job difficult, I can only imagine how hard their role is. But it’s also important to remember that actually the more you can tell you midwife upfront, the more he/she will get to know you, bond with you and be able to make your experience as positive as possible. If you don’t tell them then they will have to make assumptions and they may not be the choices you would have made yourself if you had thought about it in advance.

It might be as simple as asking for the lights to be dimmed or for your partner to announce the sex, but I am sure all those things make all the difference when it comes to replaying those magical moments back to yourself. I want to invite our midwife into our team and the only way to do that is to tell her how your team works best.

With this in mind, this is what we focused on this week.

Where do I want to have my baby?

I won’t be able to have a homebirth for medical reasons but after talking to Kate I think I may have considered one if I could have. I am not saying I would have 100% chosen one, but I definitely wouldn’t have ruled it out from day one.

My sister in law had an accidental home birth (she is literally a baby god, if I can be half as good at birthing and mothering children as her I will be happy - my nieces are little angels and she is serious Mum inspo!) and she said she would really consider having a planned one if she had any more. I guess there is something to say about being in your own environment, with you own things and less of a medical feel around you. Also, as long as everything goes to plan you can sit back on your sofa afterwards, drink your own tea and sleep in your own bed at night. I mean, to be honest that sounds pretty idyllic to me.

Our preferences

Wow, this is what blew my mind. I didn’t even know there were so many things that I should/could consider. From Vitamin K injections for the baby, to cord clamping, there is a huge array of things to consider when it comes to preferences for birth. I am under no illusion that these preferences do not mean this is what 100% will happen on the day, I am very up for being fluid and knowing that I need to go with the flow. But if I can try and make some choices in advance then I can focus on the task in hand, delivering my baby safely and calmly.

If you don’t know where to start with birth preferences, this list from The Calm Birth School is actually really handy.

BRAIN(S)

This is an acronym that can help when asking questions and trying to get information from anyone during your pregnancy/labour journey. I know I am the kind of person who can often just nod when a doctor tells me something because either I don’t really understand or don’t want to feel like I am being difficult; but actually remembering something like this can help to make it more of an open conversation and an informed decision.

B - Benefits - what are the benefits of the action?

R - Risks - what are the risks of the action?

A - Alternatives - are there any alternatives to what is being offered?

I - Instincts - what is your instinct telling you? Your gut feel can be super strong.

N - Nothing - what happens if we don’t do anything?

...

S - Stay positive - and calm in a situation to help ensure you get all the information you need to make the decision.

Your birth partner

We spent some time talking about Joss’ role and what it’s important for him to do when we are in labour. I am very lucky and I know Joss is really present and we actually make a very good and strong team, but even so, I am sure it will be hard for him to feel a little helpless. So Kate talked us through the things that Joss should be in charge of - from making the room feel more like home to ensuring I move around and drink to stay hydrated. It’s important that your birth partner is there to support you, but also that they feel comfortable, informed and like they can help. Don’t be afraid to have this chat in advance and let your birth partner know exactly what you want from them when the time comes.

Now for a rogue one…

Should I eat my placenta?

This is actually unrelated to hypnobirthing but it came up in the last session so thought I would pop it in here as a topic of conversation. Now, let’s get this clear, I am not suggesting I am going to fry up my placenta and eat it for lunch, but I am considering having my placenta made into pills that I can take after birth. I need to do some more research into it but I have heard that it can aid recovery, help with baby blues and even help you with menopause if you hold some back for later life. Anyone tried it? Would love to hear your stories on whether or not it’s worth doing.

And as a final thought, here are some of the breathing techniques I forgot to mention in the last blog.

The Calm Birth School breathing: In for four, out for eight – all through the nose if possible. It takes some getting used to, I can make it to six at the moment, but I am sure practice makes perfect. I have been practising in the car on the way to work whilst listening to the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcasts (which I highly recommend by the way)

Wave Breathing: This is a visualisation one, if you can. Imagine a wave or a surge of energy and take a deep breath in through the nose for seven, and then out through the mouth for seven. I am trying to practice this one in the mornings whilst I get ready for work, and I have heard it’s also a fab one to try when you are experiencing braxton hicks (which I haven’t yet).

If you want to know more about hypnobirthing or Kate you can find it all here.  I will be documenting our four week course in a weekly diary, so keep popping back if you want to know what we are learning each week.

In: Mama · Tagged: baby, birth, hypnobirthing, labour, mama spinkdot, pregnancy, pregnancy journey, pregnant, third trimester, week 26

join the club

You’ll Also Love

What’s in my hospital bag, round two!
A letter to our one year old
A few things I wish i’d known before breastfeeding

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Hypnobirthing diary: Week One

Mama and Wifey writing honest content about motherhood. Have a look around, make yourself at home.

Recent Posts

  • What’s in my hospital bag, round two!
  • A letter to our one year old
  • A few things I wish i’d known before breastfeeding

Categories

  • Lifestyle
  • Mama
  • Travel
  • Weddings

Instagram

Three reasons I love baby wearing... 1. It keeps Three reasons I love baby wearing...

1. It keeps your hands free and means you don’t always need to take a buggy everywhere. Also perfect when places might not be buggy friendly. 

2. Keeps baby close and encourages all the oxytocin you need for breastfeeding and baby bonding. Plus, they usually love being close to you too so they tend to sleep the whole time they are in the sling. 

3. You can start as soon as they are born and carry on until they are just too heavy. I carried P in a fabric sling like this until she was over one, then we swapped to a more rigid one. 

They also don’t need to cost the earth. I have this one from @freerider.co for Indie as I liked the prints and the fabric is sooo soft. They also have a great tutorial video on their website to show you how to use the sling, which is so handy for first timers. I’ve also got a couple of £10 ones from Amazon that do the job just as well, so you can spend as much as you want to. 

Did you baby wear, or planning to? 

#babywearing #babysling #freerider #babywrap #newborn #babyinlockdown #secondbaby #mumofgirls
To our first born, Life is all a little mad righ To our first born, 

Life is all a little mad right now, your world has been turned upside down and I know you are feeling like you have to share the limelight. It’s ok, it’s going to take us all a while to adjust. But we still love you more than you know and are so proud of the Big Sister you are being.

I am sorry that Daddy is always the one to put you to bed at the moment. I’m sorry that I am breastfeeding when you want me to play. I’m sorry that dinner time is interrupted by a crying baby and that you have to share your bath times. I’m sorry that I can’t sit in your tent and read books for hours or draw all afternoon like we used to. I’m just sorry that life is different right now. 

But this won’t last forever and we also need to thank you. Firstly for making us Mummy & Daddy, but secondly for teaching us how to be so much more chilled this time. We know we can do it because we did it with you. We know we can survive the sleepless nights and cluster feeding days, because we survived them with you. It doesn’t feel like learning the second time around, it feels like growing and we are all growing together. Bigger and stronger. 

So thank you, little Pepper, for being patient and loving. This madness won’t last forever and soon it will feel like we’ve always been a family of four. You are doing a great job at being a Big Sister and we all love you so much. Just forgive us for the tears, lack of patience and endless times we have to say “in a minute” - it doesn’t mean we love you any less, we are all just working out this new normal. 

Lots of love, Mummy & Daddy x

Photos by @hayley_wilkes_
Big Sister Pepper reporting for duty ❤️ #bigsi Big Sister Pepper reporting for duty ❤️ #bigsister #lockdownbaby
Was so lovely watching them meet for the first tim Was so lovely watching them meet for the first time ❤️ #sisters #girlgang #lockdownbaby
Indie Lilac Lourdes Spinks 💜 Our beautiful lit Indie Lilac Lourdes Spinks 💜

Our beautiful little girl made her arrival on Monday 4th January at 2:55pm, weighing in at a mighty 5lb 9oz. 

Pepper is already loving life as a big sister and giving her new bestie lots of cuddles. We didn’t think we’d ever be having a baby during a global pandemic, let alone be plunged into a lockdown 2 hours after her birth, but here we go! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

#lockdownbaby #newarrival #babysister #birthinapandemic  #familyoffour
Because yesterday I wore this dress for approx 5 m Because yesterday I wore this dress for approx 5 mins and felt super sassy. Today, not so much! #pregnantinapandemic #mumlife #lockdownlife
Well 2020 you’ve sure thrown a lot at us all, bu Well 2020 you’ve sure thrown a lot at us all, but I can honestly say I’ve never entered a new year feeling happier. We have been able to spend so much time together as a family, reach milestones and embrace new beginnings that we could have only dreamt of, even with all that 2020 has chucked at us. 

So I am leaving 2020 a happier and healthier person, with a more grateful outlook on life. Here’s to 2021, a new baby girl and whatever the year decides to bring. We will take it all, day by day! ❤️
More Christmas spam, because Pepper was just too c More Christmas spam, because Pepper was just too cute not to share ❤️
Load More…

Reader Favorites

  • The second trimester: an honest review
  • An honest review: the first trimester
  • The perfect fit

trending now

  • The second trimester: an honest review
  • An honest review: the first trimester
  • The perfect fit
  • What’s in my hospital bag?

instagram

Follow @spinkdot

Three reasons I love baby wearing... 1. It keeps Three reasons I love baby wearing...

1. It keeps your hands free and means you don’t always need to take a buggy everywhere. Also perfect when places might not be buggy friendly. 

2. Keeps baby close and encourages all the oxytocin you need for breastfeeding and baby bonding. Plus, they usually love being close to you too so they tend to sleep the whole time they are in the sling. 

3. You can start as soon as they are born and carry on until they are just too heavy. I carried P in a fabric sling like this until she was over one, then we swapped to a more rigid one. 

They also don’t need to cost the earth. I have this one from @freerider.co for Indie as I liked the prints and the fabric is sooo soft. They also have a great tutorial video on their website to show you how to use the sling, which is so handy for first timers. I’ve also got a couple of £10 ones from Amazon that do the job just as well, so you can spend as much as you want to. 

Did you baby wear, or planning to? 

#babywearing #babysling #freerider #babywrap #newborn #babyinlockdown #secondbaby #mumofgirls
To our first born, Life is all a little mad righ To our first born, 

Life is all a little mad right now, your world has been turned upside down and I know you are feeling like you have to share the limelight. It’s ok, it’s going to take us all a while to adjust. But we still love you more than you know and are so proud of the Big Sister you are being.

I am sorry that Daddy is always the one to put you to bed at the moment. I’m sorry that I am breastfeeding when you want me to play. I’m sorry that dinner time is interrupted by a crying baby and that you have to share your bath times. I’m sorry that I can’t sit in your tent and read books for hours or draw all afternoon like we used to. I’m just sorry that life is different right now. 

But this won’t last forever and we also need to thank you. Firstly for making us Mummy & Daddy, but secondly for teaching us how to be so much more chilled this time. We know we can do it because we did it with you. We know we can survive the sleepless nights and cluster feeding days, because we survived them with you. It doesn’t feel like learning the second time around, it feels like growing and we are all growing together. Bigger and stronger. 

So thank you, little Pepper, for being patient and loving. This madness won’t last forever and soon it will feel like we’ve always been a family of four. You are doing a great job at being a Big Sister and we all love you so much. Just forgive us for the tears, lack of patience and endless times we have to say “in a minute” - it doesn’t mean we love you any less, we are all just working out this new normal. 

Lots of love, Mummy & Daddy x

Photos by @hayley_wilkes_
Big Sister Pepper reporting for duty ❤️ #bigsi Big Sister Pepper reporting for duty ❤️ #bigsister #lockdownbaby
Was so lovely watching them meet for the first tim Was so lovely watching them meet for the first time ❤️ #sisters #girlgang #lockdownbaby
Indie Lilac Lourdes Spinks 💜 Our beautiful lit Indie Lilac Lourdes Spinks 💜

Our beautiful little girl made her arrival on Monday 4th January at 2:55pm, weighing in at a mighty 5lb 9oz. 

Pepper is already loving life as a big sister and giving her new bestie lots of cuddles. We didn’t think we’d ever be having a baby during a global pandemic, let alone be plunged into a lockdown 2 hours after her birth, but here we go! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

#lockdownbaby #newarrival #babysister #birthinapandemic  #familyoffour
Because yesterday I wore this dress for approx 5 m Because yesterday I wore this dress for approx 5 mins and felt super sassy. Today, not so much! #pregnantinapandemic #mumlife #lockdownlife
Well 2020 you’ve sure thrown a lot at us all, bu Well 2020 you’ve sure thrown a lot at us all, but I can honestly say I’ve never entered a new year feeling happier. We have been able to spend so much time together as a family, reach milestones and embrace new beginnings that we could have only dreamt of, even with all that 2020 has chucked at us. 

So I am leaving 2020 a happier and healthier person, with a more grateful outlook on life. Here’s to 2021, a new baby girl and whatever the year decides to bring. We will take it all, day by day! ❤️
More Christmas spam, because Pepper was just too c More Christmas spam, because Pepper was just too cute not to share ❤️
Load More…

ABOUT SPINKDOT

Plenty of content about navigating life. From breastfeeding to city guides, Spinkdot is full of content and stories that inspire and help others live their best life.

Quick Links

  • MAMA
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Get In Touch

Copyright © 2021 Spinkdot · Theme by 17th Avenue