Well hello world! It’s been ages since we caught up!
I’ve been off the radar abit due to the flu. Fevers, fainting & fatigue is probably the best way to describe it. I keep kicking myself at NOT getting the flu jab?? Why didn’t I get it? Can I get it now or am I immune? @the_gp_mum can you shed any light?
It really dawned on me that these are the times you need your network & a shed load of tricks to get you through to the other side.
So here’s how I learn’t to survive with the flu.
1. You are not super human, despite those magic mum powers. So accept that you need rest.
2. It’s time to ask for help. Ask your network to step in - play dates, school pick ups. You can always repay the favour when your well.
3. Let it go. The rules go out of the window when your sick. Say what? Chocolate bribes, hell yes!
4. The virtual babysitter. iPads, copious amounts of TV. This is the time you exercise that Netflix subscription, guilt free.
5. Deliveroo, Uber Eats or whatever your kids local takeaway is. Sometimes drastic times equal desperate measures. There is no shame when you are ill plus the kids will love it.
6. If you can stand for five minutes, consider a fish finger supper. Or something wrapped in breadcrumb & covered in lashings of tomato sauce.
7. Sleep when the kids sleep. Oh yes that old motherhood proverb. There has never been a better time to take this piece of advice. I did this almost every night last week. I missed nothing apart from a few Instagram posts & catastrophe.
8. Drink plenty of water. It’s amazing how much water will make the recovery quick.
9. If it’s the weekend and your family are around, then put your fav programmes on the TV. That will soon encourage them to leave the room so you can rest. I would highly recommend Yummy Mummies on Netflix for that exact effect. .
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#thecuriousmummy #theflu #flu #howtosurvivethefluwithkids #trickstorecovery #copewiththekidswhenyouareill #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged
15 Truths About Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding my babies was pretty awesome and when they went onto formula that was just as liberating. Today I’m sharing the honest truth about my highs & lows of breastfeeding, so enjoy!
1. You don’t have to do it & don’t let others make you feel guilty for not or for stopping. Breastfeeding is not for everyone, including your baby. Have you ever considered that?! 2. Your nipples will never look the same again neither will your boobs. But hey, it all looks the same with the lights off.
3. It doesn’t necessarily make you lose weight. Fact! I lost my baby weight when I stopped breastfeeding.
4. It’s a myth that Babies sleep through the night if they are on formula. Breastfed babies sleep too.
5. Putting lettuce leaves in your bra is not a myth. When your milk comes in & your boobs feel like they are going to explode, whack a lettuce leaf in your bra and let me know how you feel afterwards.
6. Breastfeeding can hurt in the beginning.
7. Breast milk helps heal cracked nips. It’s one of natures antiseptics
8. Don’t fear nipples shields. Nipples shields did help me when my nips were about to fall off. I used them for a few feeds and neither of my babies experienced nipple confusion. Babies know the difference between the real thing & a silicone teat. Trust me. So don’t be afraid to use them if needed.
9. Latching on, some babies do and some babies don’t. Some need a little support & some don’t. All babies, boobs and nips are different.
10. It’s true, babies cries can make your norks leak milk.
11. Breastfeeding mourning is real. A little part of you will miss it when you decide to stop. You soon get over it when you are reunited with your trusty normal bra.
12. You will want to burn those ugly breastfeeding bras when you decide to stop. However ugly they are, they still remain the comfiest bras ever.
13. Breast milk spray is real. Always come armed with breast pads. If you are a sprayer, be warned that it can happen anytime. Even during.... actually I’m not going there.
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The nostalgia of this morning’s post has prompted me to go through the kids baby pictures and look what I found. Finley aged 10 days old. I cannot believe how little he was. Those first fews days were so precious but by god they were hazy. If I’m honest I do miss the baby stage & lucky for me, I get to meet lots of new Mums and their little bundles next week as we kick off @nurturingmums in South West London. I am beyond excited to be apart of such a brilliant course, tailor made for new Mums. We have been working super hard to bring our Mums, the very best SW London experts in Sleep, Weaning and First Aid. It is our aim to provide postnatal support that is helpful, non-judgemental and sociable. Allowing you to make the right choices for you and your baby during your postnatal journey. We kick off on Tuesday for 4 weeks at @thegrovebalham and on Thursday we will be at @benscanteen in Earlsfield.
We have also met some local businesses along the way who have championed our cause and some have helped us make our goody bags exceptional (swipe for a sneak peek at what it looks like so far)
We have a few places left so if you are a new Mum (or Dad) or doing it all over again for the second, third or fourth time and would like to meet some local Mum friends for you and your baby or looking for some sound advice and support. Sign up today. Link in stories. I can’t wait to meet you!
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#thecuriousmummy #nurturingmums #nurturingmumsswlondon #motherhood #postnatal #balham #earlsfield #sleepexperts #nutrition #weaning #firstaid #pediatricfirstaid #support
A LETTER TO THE SECOND TIME MAMA
Hello You,
You did!
You delivered a beautiful baby girl. Okay, so you didn't get the home birth you wanted but you both are safe which is the most important thing .
She is utterly gorgeous and the missing piece of the puzzle.
She is going to change everything you just wait and see.
She will make you calmer, she will push you out of your comfort zone and remind you that you can do anything. She will prove to you what an amazing Mum you really are and she will remind you not to compare yourself to others because you've got this.
The choices you make will be because you believe they are right for her, not because someone said you should be doing it or because they worked first time round with your first born Finn. Although it is going to take some time for you to work that out. Motherhood doesn't come with a manual, so throw all those books away. They are utter rubbish. You don't need them. Trust your instinct, its your greatest ally.
Give yourself some time to get to know her. Its been you and Finn for two years and you know him pretty well. It is now time for you to get to know her too. It will make things so much easier. You will learn quickly what she likes and what she doesn't like - don't just assume. Give her time to be her. She is truly a wonderful human being and a little extension of you.
There will come a time, when you need help so just ask. It is not a failure to reach out, its human. We all know how difficult it is to look after a 2 year old and a newborn but take comfort in the fact the older they get, the easier it will become. They will be best friends and look out for each other. Their bond will because you have created it. So feel proud.
You & your baby girl will be inseparable and there will come a time with you need a break. Don't let guilt trick you into thinking its wrong to take some time out. The guilt you feel will not last and taking time out will give you the lift you need and make you appreciate everything you have.
CONTINUED IN COMMENTS...
10 Things I Wish I’d Known About Potty Training💩
1. The only way is bribery (the sooner you learn that about motherhood, the easier your life will be). Reward charts, chocolate, the entire floor of Hamley, use whatever tactics you need and feel no guilt.
2. Potty training regression is real..which leads me nicely to my next point.💩
3. Do not leave your tot alone.💩
4. Never forget your child’s favourite pooping area.💩
5. Never forget your child’s poo face. It may be the only thing that gets you through this milestone.💩
6. Asking your tot every two minutes if they need the toilet just irritates them. Take them to the toilet with you or let them tell you. 💩
7. Never leave home without a portable potty💩
8. Never leave home without 263674 changes of clothes💩
9. Never leave home without something to put those wet clothes in.💩
10. Talking shit💩. Well actually that is all you will talk about until the whole saga is over.
The End, thankfully!
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#thecuriousmummy #reallife #pottytraining #wehavecrackedit #nomorenappies #4yearsofnappiesisover
Olivia was coming up to four months old when this picture was taken and I was running on empty. Not only was i looking after a newborn but a two year old too. I would spent every night searching the forums for any nugget of information that might help get me a few hours sleep, & then there was the small fortune I spent on sleep books but nothing worked. One night I stumbled across a review about a postnatal group Nurturing Mums. The course covered sleep, weaning and first aid and gave me the opportunity to meet other new local mums too. I signed up without a second thought and was literally counting down the days until the course started. The course was truly amazing and after the sleep session Olivia, slept straight through until 5am. I didn’t sleep that night as I was sure she was going to wake and was convinced it was a fluke but the same happened the next night and the night after. I couldn’t believe it.
I found talking through what I was going through in a relaxed non judgemental environment helped me navigate through Olivia’s first year. I felt equipped to make better choices with her sleep & bedtime routine as well as weaning. The first aid session has been invaluable.
I was so grateful for the support that I received on the course, that I kept in touch with Lucinda, the lady who founded the course & some of the other consultants. Being a blogger, I felt like it was my job to tell everyone about how NM worked for me. Fast forward two years and I’m excited to say that I will be running the South West London courses starting on 22nd January. Courses will be held at @thegrovebalham Balham & @benscanteen Earlsfield. So if you know any new mums who needs any help and support with their babies aged between 0-9 months living in the London area head over too www.nurturingmumsuk.com . I have added the link in my stories. .
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#thecuriousmummy #mumssupportmums #postnatalcare #postnatal #sleep #routine #weaning #firstaid
Here’s a little something to show you how truly wonderfully you really are. “I know it sounds unrealistic, but you have a lot of silent admirers on this planet who look at you and wish they had your smile or your hair color or your humor or your intellect or your intentions or your heart, your manners, your eyes, your ease, even just you”. By @words_of_women .
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Finley and Olivia’s Coat & Jeans are by @weareoutfitkids {gift}
Adidas Trainers @schuh {gift}
#thecuriousmummy #thursdaythought #thoughts #quotes #quotestoliveby #quotesaboutlife #quoteoftheday #quotesgram #kidsstyle #kidsfashion #style #fashion #childrenswear #styletrends
2018 worked out alright. Okay, so I’m down playing it just a little. The year started off with a belly full of uncertainly but then it turned itself on it’s head and we are walking out with some great highlights and a shed load of happy memories. 2018, I’ll be sad to leave you but I’m excited at what 2019 will bring. Before I go, here is my top post👇🏼. It nicely sums up the journey so far. Enjoy, happy new year & thanks a million.
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As we reflect on almost 10 years together, we realise that we have been;
⭐️Home owners for 9 years
⭐️5 house moves, combined
⭐️1 property renovation ⭐️Childfree for 5 years,
⭐️18 months pregnant, ⭐️In labour for a total of 21 hours
⭐️With child for 4 years
⭐️Responsible for 2 kids, 2 cats and 8 cactus plants
⭐️Became god parents twice ⭐️6 trips to A&E discounting pregnancy & birth related occasions
⭐️1460 Sleepless nights
⭐️520 Takeaways
⭐️420 Dates pre kids
⭐️12 dates post kids
⭐️624 kids play dates
⭐️Attended 32 children’s parties
⭐️1560 loads of washing
⭐️6 trips to Ikea
⭐️576 deliveries from Amazon ⭐️10,950 phone calls to each other ⭐️Said I love you atleast once a day for almost 10 years
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#ourlife #reallife #partnership #husbandandwife #mumanddad #thesquad #thecuriousmummy #reallove
