Monthly Archives: February 2017

Donating Liquid Gold

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Donating breast milk in Newmarket
Donating breast milk in Newmarket

As Ireland has announced that their one and only Milk Bank has just a two week supply left, I thought it would be a good time to share the news on my latest local quest.

Donating breast milk to local hospitals in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. As we do not have a maternity unit in Newmarket you could choose between donating your milk to West Suffolk Hospital or The Rosie at Addenbrookes… or both! (All of the admin is managed by the team at The Rosie.)

Over 12lbs at 9 weeks old, AB and I have sBreastfeeding Mumsettled into a good feeding routine leaving me feeling confident and keen to share my gold top goods!

Donating breast milk to our local milk bank has been incredibly easy to kick-start and simply requires an email, blood test and a breast pump.

I will share further news on the experience in a few weeks time but here is all you need to know on how to donate breast milk to local hospitals.

Email Janette (janette.clark@addenbrookes.nhs.uk) confirming the following information:

I can confirm that I have not had a tattoo in the last 12 months or a blood transfusion in the last 3 months. 

Name:

Address:

DOB:

NHS Number:

Child’s name:

Following this you will be invited for a blood test and given a large supply of milk storage bottles.

Newmarket does not have a milk collection service yet (maybe this will be my next quest) so the only catch is that you will have to deliver your milk to the hospital every four to six weeks.

Tempted but not sure if you should donate too?

Breast milk banks are one of the reasons that more premature babies are surviving.

The BBC article explains;

“For these tiny, tiny little ones – breast milk is liquid gold, it’s liquid medicine,” said Ms McCrea.

“It’s human milk that gets their gut primed, it’s human milk that fights any infections that they can get. It constantly changes to fight all the new infections that they’re liable to have.”

She added that in some cases, donated milk could mean “the difference between life and death”.

Let us know if you will be donating your breast milk to the local milk banks too! 

Newmarket Baby Group: Breastfeeding Support Group

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What is it? Newmarket Breastfeeding Support Group

Where is it? The Stables, Newmarket High Street

How much is it? Free

When is it? Wednesday mornings from 10:00am onwards – we stayed for two hours.

Where to park? On the high street (if you are lucky) or for 60p you can park in the car park behind TK Maxx for 2 hours.

Pro’s: This free support class is the perfect place to chat about the painful yet rewarding reality of breastfeeding. What’s more, the ladies are all incredibly friendly and welcoming.

Con’s: Nothing springs to mind – the group is relaxed and laid back. There isn’t a group leader setting out activities for the LO’s or demanding that specific boob-related topics are discussed. As the founder Hannah states; “Currently can only offer advice based on our own experiences and point in the direction of breastfeeding clinics or private lactation consultants, however as some of you know, I’m hoping to do some training soon.”

What did AB think to it? She fed immediately then slept for over an hour so clearly felt relaxed. The atmosphere was so chilled out that AB even felt comfortable enough to lay on the mat on her back for 15 minutes. (This never happens at home!)

What did Mummy think to it? The group and the closed Facebook page are fantastic. You will get a feel for the informative yet relaxed style of the group by adding yourself to their Facebook page. We struggle to get up, dressed and out of the house before midday but I am so glad we got into gear this morning. Despite what you might think, it’s not all about boobs! We also discussed (/moaned about) baby weight gain, other classes, prams, white noise, baby massage and sleep – or lack of!

Was any cake involved? Yes! The group now takes over a whole room right next to the cafe. The hot drinks and cake are much cheaper than other high street coffee shops, the queue to order is always very short and they will bring your goodies into the room so there is no waiting around.

Score out of 10: 10/10

Breastfeeding in Newmarket

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I appreciate that some people can’t and respect that others might not want to but I am such a huge breastfeeding advocate! Read some of the benefits here.
Breastfeeding is by far the most challenging but rewarding task I have ever done. Latches, blocked ducts and painful let downs were just a few challenges I faced (and by the sounds of things I got off lightly) but this pain was nothing when compared to the priceless one on one moments I share with AB whilst I fill her with the very best nutritents the world can offer. (In six weeks AB has already gained over 3lbs!)

Don’t struggle-Get local support in Newmarket 

The lovely Hannah became a Newmarket Mum in September 2016 and has recently set up a closed Facebook group called “Newmarket Breastfeeding Support Group.” Search for the group on Facebook and join us!

The group promotes a Newmarket weekly breastfeeding coffee morning where Mums can “meet up, have a drink, talk about boobs and feed…in a safe space.” Come along on a Wednesday between 10:00 and 11:30 at The Stables on Newmarket high street.

Also worth mentioning is BellyBelly, an Australian site that I have used a lot both during pregnancy and now. They offer broad advice on many topics including breastfeeding.

Seven things I wish I knew before giving birth in Newmarket

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Seven things I wish I knew before giving birth in Newmarket

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I had a wonderful labour experience thanks to both Daisy Birthing classes and the incredible midwives at West Suffolk Hospital – but there are a few things I wish I knew before hand.

1. West Suffolk Hospital do not allow you to plug any devices into their power sockets.

Arm yourself with charging blocks so you can keep your mobile, iPad, kindle etc charged throughout your stay. The tv’s are terrible so you will definitely need to bring your own entertainment.

2. Call the nurseries now (!) 

I didn’t (and still haven’t) called the nurseries in the Newmarket area. (Look here for more information on Newmarket nurseries.) With waiting lists longer than the queue for Deniro’s on a bank holiday weekend in the early noughties, call as soon as you’ve had your twelve week scan if you want to get a place reserved.

3. Newborn photoshoots

We were too late to get the adorable curled up, sleepy and snoozy photographs of AB. Book now to “avoid disappointment” as it’s amazing how quickly your LO will become more alert and too big to achieve the desired effect. We adore and highly recommend Peter Denness (he took our wedding photographs) but he doesn’t specialise in baby photography. If we had got out act into gear quicker we would have used Charlotte Potter over at Million Dollar Faces. 

4. Newborn babies go through more baby grows in hospital than you might think.

The wonderful midwives and healthcare assistants were quick to encourage me to change AB’s outfit any time she had made it wet… wee or sick(!) With an unexpected extra night on the ward, I soon ran out of outfits so had to use the spares they had available.

I’ve bagged up the outfits that are now too small for AB and plan to donate them to the ward for other Mum’s in the same situation!

5. The friends you make in pre-natal classes are so valuable.

(More to follow on Daisy Birthing classes.) Having such a strong friendship group already, I never thought I would be someone who would want to make new “mummy” friends. A group of women that potentially only have pregnancy/newborns in common didn’t sound particularly appealing. I met four ladies during my six week birthing class and they have been such valuable, supportive and wonderful people to have around. Our Whatsapp group is used as much during the graveyard feeding hours as it is during daylight hours – we laugh together, cry together and share stories that can never be repeated!

6. Knowing which health care professional to call and at what time (It can be really confusing.)

I must admit that it was more confusing for me as due to my postcode I had all pre-natal care from West Suffolk and all post-natal care from Addenbrookes/the Lilac team. (E.g Newmarket hospital/West Suffolk hospital/Foley house whilst pregnant and Addenbrookes / Bottisham Children’s centre now AB is here!)

Despite being handed over to a Cambridgeshire team, when I ripped my episiotomy stitch on day three – ouch (!) I headed back over to West Suffolk and continued to receive fantastic service so firstly, do not worry about contacting the “right” team – just pick up the phone!

Here are a list of numbers for both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

7. No matter how many classes you attend or how many books you read, you can’t fully prepare to become a mummy!

There will always be things that you didn’t find out about, fully understand or take on board. I was surprised by the following (it’s worth Googling):

Being induced – exactly what it does to you and your contractions

After pains

How to pee after labour

The truth about breast feeding – the most challenging but rewarding thing I have ever done

Glamour – or lack of. Swiping across my face with a bit of foundation made me feel so much better each day but using nappies to deal with my leaking boobs, wearing granny pants, holding frozen tena pads against my under carriage and weeing in the bath wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.

Helpful numbers for Newmarket Mums

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More information to follow shortly…

West Suffolk 

Foley House Children’s Centre tel:01638 565533

Antenatal Clinic Reception 01284 713254

MDAU 01284 712723

Labour Suite 01284 713278

Birthing Unit 01284 712758

F11 Ward 01284 713216

Community Midwifery Office 01284 712976

Cambridgeshire 

Lilac team at Bottisham Children’s Centre 01223 348794

Rosie Community Midwife Team 01223 217629

Rosie Delivery Unit 01223 217217

Health Visiting Team 01223 810041

Newmarket Nurseries

Newmarket Mum

Colourbox – Montessori

Children can join “The nest” from 3 months old.

Approximately £50.00 per day (tbc)

The Old School House

Daycare for children form 6weeks old.

Full day £57.40

Fairstead House Nursery

The ‘Foals room’ is for children from 9 months.

Full day £60.00 (School hours £48.00)

Clip Clop Day Nursery

The nursery is for children from 3 months old.

Full day £47.00

The Green Wellie – Barrow

Childcare for children from 3 months old.

Cost listed on the website as ‘competitive’

The Horses Mouth|Clean Thai Beef and Lemongrass Rice

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The Horses Mouth | Clean Thai beef with Lemongrass Rice

Clean Thai Beef and Lemongrass Rice

•Rice (1 cup)

•Coconut milk (1 cup)

•Water (1 cup)

•Fresh Lemongrass (2 sticks, chopped)

•Carrots (2, shredded or chopped)

•Peppers (2 – red work well)

•Chilli pepper (to taste – we chopped 2 up)

•Honey (1/2 teaspoon)

•Coconut Oil (1 tablespoon)

•Lime (1 for juice, 1 for serving)

•Garlic (2 teaspoons, Lazy chopped garlic)

•Ginger (to taste – We used both Schwartz and Lazy ginger and added approx a teaspoon of both)

•Beef

•Salt and Pepper (to taste)

•Soy Sauce (2 tablespoons)

Lemongrass Rice

Boil the coconut milk and water to boil in a pan. Add the rice and lemongrass. Mix and place the lid on the pan leaving it to heat on a very low setting for ten minutes.

Turn the heat off (or on level 1 for an induction hob) and let the rice sit for 15 minutes. (Leave the lid on for the entire time.)

The Horses Mouth | Clean Thai beef with Lemongrass Rice

Thai Beef

Whilst the rice is cooking, add the carrots, peppers, chilli pepper, honey, lime juice and Soy sauce to the beef mince and once tossed, allow it to rest in a bowl.

Add the coconut oil to a pan or wok. Once hot, add the garlic and ginger and cook for a few seconds. Add the beef and season with salt and pepper.

We cooked the mince until it was crispy/brown and added more Soy sauce.

Once the rice is cooked, remove the lid and fluff the contents with a fork before dishing up!

 

The Horses Mouth|Clean Turkey Chilli

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Clean Turkey Chilli

•Turkey Mince

•Small Onion

•Garlic, chopped, 1 tsp

•Chicken broth, 1/2 pint,

•Chopped Tomatoes, 1 can

•Baked beans, 1 can(optional)

•Quinoa, 1 cup

•Sweet Potato, peeled and cubed, 1

•Chilli Powder, 2 tbsp

•Cumin, 1 tsp

•Paprika, 1 tsp

•Salt, season to taste

•Red Chilli, chopped, as preferred (I use a whole one)CleanTurkeyChilli

Throw the mince and onion into a pan and cook over a medium heat. If you want to cook with oil, use coconut oil.

Add the salt and garlic and cook until the mince is no longer pink.20140916-201543.jpg

Throw the rest of the ingredients into an oven proof pot and stir in the mince mix. Ideally cook at 120 degrees Celsius for 3 hours but if you are short for time, simply cook until the sweet potato is softer and the consistency is thicker.

Fancy a treat? Crush up a hand full of Doritos and sprinkle on top with some chopped avocado!

 

The Horses Mouth | Clean Vindaloo Curry with Sweet Potato

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I found this clean Vindaloo curry on Rebelfit and decided to change it slightly by using my own homemade Vindaloo paste.

Be sure to check out Rebelfit’s Facebook page to find more clean recipe’s like this clean Vindaloo curry.

• Coconut Oil

• Beef strips

• Onions (2, diced)

• Chopped tomato (1 tin)

• Chicken stock (100ml)

• Sweet Potatoes (200g)

• Vindaloo paste (1/2 jar)

Fry the beef strips in the coconut oil.

Set the beef strips aside and cook the onions until golden.

Stir in the Vindaloo paste (or ingredients) along with the chopped tomatoes and chicken stock.

Add the sweet potatoes and cook until soft.

Either eat immediately or add to a slow cooker.

The Horses Mouth | Clean Japanese Chicken Curry

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We tried out another Rebelfit recipe. Below is the recipe for a clean Japanese chicken curry.

This is a hot but tasty dish!

• Skinless chicken thighs (500g)

• Coconut Oil

• Lazy Garlic (1tsp)

• Ginger (1tsp)

• Miso paste (1tbsp)

• Curry powder (1tbsp)

• Chicken stock (400ml)

Heat the coconut oil and brown the chicken until golden.

Set the chicken aside.

Add the onion, garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for 5 minutes.

Add the miso paste, curry powder, chicken stock and browned chicken.

Bring to the boil and then turn down to simmer for 20 minutes.