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
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Mama · 11th February 2019

What’s in my hospital bag?

ACS_0387

I hate packing, so the thought of packing one of the most important bags ever was pretty nerve-racking. Joss always moans that I always pack the wrong things and I am notorious for being a massively inefficient packer. I turned up to our three-week travelling honeymoon with evening dresses, heels and bikinis. He wasn’t very impressed when we landed in our first stop, Hong Kong, and we had to go and buy t-shirts and hoodies because I basically had nothing appropriate to wear.

So this time I was adamant I was going to get it right. I googled the hell out of “what to pack in your hospital bag” and don’t even get me started on how many times I have also packed and re-packed the baby's bag! (Scroll down for that)

But, after re-packing the bag for the third time today, ahead of an induction this week, I thought I would share what is in my bag for any of you fellow panic packers. Also worth noting that as I am booked in for an induction which can take a few days I have packed a few extra bits and bobs that you might not need/want if your bag is only for a spontaneous labour.

Happy packing!

ACS_0386
ACS_0390
Mama Bag

Toiletries

Yes, I know that some ladies will scoff at my choice of toiletries here, because who has time to be toning and putting an overnight face mask on and some of these are 100% not essentials. But if I don’t use all this then that’s fine, but if I have it there, I want to use it and it makes me feel good then why not!

  • 1x Kiehls travel size ultra facial oil free toner
  • 1x Kiehls travel size hydrating overnight masque (if you ask for a sample they give you a perfect sized tub)
  • 1x Kiehls Creme de Corps whipped butter (for the Mum tum!)
  • 1x Tropics refining mist (cools you down in labour and have heard its fab for restless legs)
  • 1x Neals Yard Mothers Massage Oil
  • 2x Deodorant - spray on and roll on
  • 1x Travel size micellar water
  • Femfresh wipes and shower gel (I figured this would be the kindest on my bits post baby!)
  • 1x Battery powered toothbrush
  • 1x Travel size toothpaste
  • 1x Razor
  • 1x Travel size dry shampoo
  • 1x Travel size perfume
  • 1x Small packet of anti back handwipes
  • 1x Face wipes
  • 1x Double sided cotton pads
  • 2x Flannels (Have heard these are handy to have to cool you during labour also - would highly recommend getting a bamboo one if you can)
  • 1x Towel
  • 1x Essentials make up bag and don't forget the lip balm
  • Don’t forget to also pack any regular medication that you need to take, enough for a few days.

Post Partum

  • 1x Maternity pads
  • 2x Always Infinity soft foam night size 3 pads (I have been told these are really good)
  • 1x Pack of disposable pants
  • 1x My Expert Midwife Spritz for bits
  • 1x My Expert Midwife Nipple Balm
  • 1x Pack of nipple pads

Clothes

  • 5x Big comfy pants
  • 4x Even bigger comfy pants
  • 2x Nursing bras
  • 1x Sleep nursing bra
  • 3x Pairs of socks
  • 1x Button down PJ’s
  • 2x Button down nighties (you might want a couple so you can birth in one and have one to change into after)
  • 1x Loungewear tracksuit
  • 1x Dressing gown
  • 1x Pair of slippers or flip flops for popping to the bathroom with ease
  • 1x Maternity leggings
  • 2x Nursing vest tops
  • 1x Button down comfy shirt to come home in

I also packed another bag to leave at home that Joss can collect should I have to stay in hospital any longer than expected.

Tech

Again, this section won’t apply so much for people not having an induction. But we are having to go in prepared to have some stuff to do to pass the time.

  • 1x Laptop and charger
  • 1x Phone charger
  • 1x Headphones (Also perfect for blocking out sound when hypnobirthing)
  • 1x TENS machine (I borrowed one from a friend but you can buy them or hire them)

Food

If you are anything like me then snacks are a very important section of the packing! Things to keep energy up are essential and also a few feel good treats for you and your birthing partner.

  • 1x Polos
  • 1x Hard boiled sweets (I went for pear drops)
  • Lots of Nakd bars (Blueberry muffin is my choice)
  • A few cereal bars
  • Bananas
  • 2x Lucozade
  • Chocolate (obviously!)
  • Water!!!

General

  • 1x Neals Yard remedies to roll for night time
  • 1x Eye mask
  • 1x Copy of our birth preferences
Baby Bag

Toiletries

  • 1x Water Wipes
  • 1x Bag of cotton wool
  • 1x Small sudocrem (I also have Tamanu balm at home which I have heard is really good)
  • 1x Pack of newborn nappies (we also have some tiny baby nappies as we are expecting her to be small)

Clothes

  • 3x Short sleeve bodysuits
  • 3x Sleepsuits
  • 3x Hats (One to wear straight away, have been told this one can get pretty mucky so may want to bin after, one because I like choice and one to go home in)
  • 1x Knitted Cardigan from her Grandma
  • 1x Pramsuit
  • 2x Socks (probably won’t need them, but just in case)

General

  • 3x Muslins (These from Etta loves are my fave)
  • 1x Cellular blanket (I got this one from My 1st Years)
  • 1x Bib
ACS_0391

Ultimately, you need to pack the essentials but also what makes you feel good. You want your time in hospital to feel like a home away from home as much as possible and if that means taking a face mask and your favourite lippie, then why not! You want to go into this experience feeling the most empowered, energetic, happy version of yourself and your body will do the rest.

Mamas, let me know if there is anything you would recommend that you think I have missed.

In: Mama · Tagged: advice, baby, birth, hospital bag, hypnobirthing, labour, mama spinkdot, pregnancy, pregnancy journey, pregnant, shopping, top tips

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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 ❤️
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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…

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