Monthly Archives: May 2017

Newmarket Baby Group: Fairstead Nursery Rhymes

Newmarket Mum

What is it? Little Foals, a traditional sing-a-long nursery rhyme session

Where is it? Fairstead House, Performing Arts Studio

How much is it? FREE

When is it? 14:30 every Friday (during term time)

Where to park? Limited parking available at the school but there is a gate open close to the school in the Waitrose car park so perhaps they are welcoming cars there too!

Pro’s: Wonderfully traditional – nursery rhymes are accompanied by a piano and it is lovely to be joined by the incredibly well behaved Fairstead nursery students.

Con’s: It’s an hour long – which is quite lengthy but feeding and napping is welcome during the class.  

What did AB think to it? AB loves watching the bigger children and the sound of the piano. She also enjoys it when there is a story at the end which is accompanied by sound effects from instruments and the piano.

What did Mummy think to it? This is a great opportunity for us to get used to the grounds but even if you are not planning to use Fairstead nursery it is a well organised, friendly, traditional nursery rhyme session that is the perfect way to end the week.

Was any cake involved? Free tea / coffee and home-made biscuits available!

Score out of 10: 10/10

WIN a month’s supply of Asda Little Angels Nappies

lifestyle, Newmarket Mum

Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway to WIN a month’s supply of Asda Little Angels Nappies!

This month we have tried out the Asda Little Angels, Comfort & Protect nappy range. Featuring deliciously, chunky thighs I am always conscious that nappies aren’t too tight for AB but equally poo explosions and wee leaks are one of my biggest nightmares! Asda Little Angels, Comfort & Protect nappies have an incredibly soft, elasticated back panel and the size 3 fits 5 month, 15lb AB like a dream. Their claim to offer “12-hour dryness” is accurate too! Even when shopping in Asda, it is incredibly tempting to buy brands such as Pampers but now I have tried Asda Little Angels I wont be steering away again. 18575638_10211440410198584_976340461_o One of my favourite features is their ‘I’m growing…. next size up please’ tabs. If the tabs fasten comfortably in the coloured area then the fit is ‘just right’, but when the tabs start to move to the white area, this means your little one is ready for the next size up.

The new Little Angels Comfort & Protect range is available in sizes 3, 4, 4+, 5, 5+, 6, and 6+ and are priced from £3.50 per pack.

Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway to WIN a month supply of Asda Little Angels Nappies!

Don’t Mention the ‘S’ Word – SLEEP

Newmarket Mum

My latest article over on Huffpost – Don’t Mention the ‘S’ Word – SLEEP

…Why It’s Best Not To Admit When It’s Going Well

At the “Breastfeeding Support Group“ that I attend on a weekly basis, mums get support if they are having nipple troubles, latching issues or pumping disasters but they will also be celebrated and congratulated if breastfeeding and milk donating is going well.

On the popular Facebook group “Can I breastfeed in it? UK“ I recently shared a photograph of myself in a dress that I had purchased from Asos. I received hundreds and hundreds of ‘likes’, ‘loves’ and comments telling me how gorgeous, classy, fabulous and well I looked. Their kindness blew me away.

Mummy friends, whether online or in reality are great – they are so supportive, right?

From these two experiences you can see why I was lulled into a false sense of “it’s-okay-to-speak-honestly” security.

“Is AB sleeping well now that she has moved into her own room?’, I was asked. I told the (perhaps sleep-deprived) mummy’s in front of me that she was indeed sleeping well. Incredibly well in fact – 12 hours plus each night after simply falling asleep ‘on the boob’ and being transferred to her cot.

You could have heard a pin drop before the torrent of remarks flew towards me. From being told that sleeping too much will stunt her development and that the sleeping habits wouldn’t last to being terrified with potentially incorrect SIDS facts and how cruel the ‘cry it out’ method is – admitting that AB was sleeping well was a bad move.

It’s not like I am reaping the benefits yet, my nights are spent wide-awake watching a small black and white monitor, which takes me back to the Summer of 2002 when I would watch Big Brother live… even when Kate Lawler and co were sleeping!18425014_10211363901125905_2267678162042249093_n

All mums have bragging rights, but as a family, we even refrain from posting too many photographs of AB on social media in case it offends or frustrates. I was merely answering a question.

For the first time I wondered if it is how formula-feeding mums feel when accosted by breastfeeding mums? But perhaps that’s a whole other blog post in itself.

The reality is that the time it has taken me to type and edit this post with one hand whilst breastfeeding, my latest post, Twitter rant and tired-looking selfie is due to a restless and teething night. Oh how the other tired mums have rejoiced!

So mums, if your baby sleeps through the night, whether it’s a one off or a new regular routine, we should feel that we can respond truthfully if asked and if we fancy it we could even brag about it.

Do you dare to admit when your child is sleeping well?