All posts filed under: Mother Cuppa – Babies

baby sleep day

Baby Sleep Day on March 1

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As March 1 is Baby Sleep Day, I thought I would share a few thoughts about babies and sleep. As a postnatal practitioner, baby sleep is a common subject among parents who are tired and keen to find solutions. On this baby sleep day, I would like to start by highlighting the issue of conflicting information and advice about baby sleep. Parents can be left feeling confused, exhausted and like they are failing. Some babies can sleep in chunks of a few hours and others will wake more for food, soothing and reassurance. The goal of sleeping through the night is always there but it is not based on a lot of science. Baby Sleep Tips Acceptance is important. If you can accept that your baby wakes up regularly you are in a better place to deal with it. It doesn’t necessarily make it easier but it probably means there is less battling. Babies are meant to wake at night. They have small stomachs and need regular feeds for calories and to prevent dehydration. With …

new parent rest

Rest with a newborn

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The early days and weeks can be all about finding your feet with your new baby but it is also about looking after you. You have been pregnant, you have birthed and now you have a newborn baby so you need to rest as much as you can. You will be in doing mode soon enough, so take an opportunity to be looked after while you can. Plan in rest, plan in snoozes and a chance to just potter. The early weeks can be about giving yourself permission to take it easy, so you are not rushing around. One thing that mums often say is that they wish they had rested more in the early days. You can book a session with me if you have questions, need some additional support or preparation for birth & baby. antenatal & postnatal specialist | working with parents since 2002 Always seek medical support if you are concerned about yourself or your baby. Even if it is just a feeling that something isn’t right. For Pregnancy & Birth | For …

baby massage

Making online baby massage sessions work for you

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After running small group baby massage courses almost monthly since 2010, I am now doing things a little differently with online baby massage sessions. Online sessions are a great way to learn baby massage, to ease isolation and to stay cosy with your baby – this can be really beneficial when your baby is new or on those tired days. Here’s how it all works and how you can make the most of your online sessions. Making your online sessions work for you My baby massage sessions are 90 minutes long and will run over Zoom, which you can access on a laptop, tablet or phone. Make a comfy space for you and your baby: In a warm room, set up a changing mat with a blanket Sit on a cushion so you are comfy and can sit back and feed/cuddle your baby Have everything you need within reach – a drink, a snack, baby changing items and your baby massage oil Have your phone, tablet, laptop in a position where you are can see …

Breastfeeding Challenges

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Breastfeeding challenges can impact how straightforward breastfeeding is and how confident you might feel about feeding your baby. Breastfeeding Challenges: Growth Spurts These generally take place between 7- 10 days, between 2-3 weeks, between 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months.Spurts can last a few days but for some babies it is more likely to be a week or more especially at 4 months and 9 months when there is a big developmental leap. It can be easier to meet your baby’s needs and go with what they need. Your baby could need more food, as well reassurance/safety as their brain develops and their world is changing. Your baby could be more cuddly, could wake more and may just need to cling to you. How might you feel? Tired and frustrated and feeling like you are dong something wrong – you’re not! Chances are you could also be feeling hungry and thirsty – make sure you have plenty of food and water to hand around the house and when you are …

newborn sleep

Newborn Sleep

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Newborn sleep is the most common conversation in my postnatal sessions. The beginning of life with your new baby can be a haze of sleeplessness, with no distinction between night and day. However chaotic this may seem, it is all totally normal. Newborns may only sleep for between 90 minutes – 2 hours at time, night and day. Some new babies may sleep for longer chunks in the day, spending the rest of their day sleeping and feeding – total sleep over 24 hours for a new baby can range between 11-19hours Newborn Sleep: why can’t babies sleep for longer? Babies have small stomachs so they need regular calories to grow and develop. Their body systems are immature so babies are meant to be close to their mothers to help regulate their temperature, breathing and heart rate, as well as regulating any stress they experience as part of their development and adapting to the world around them. Babies sleep cycles are about 45 minutes long (compared to 90 minutes for an adult) and they have …