Monthly Archives: June 2018

Keeping Cool in Pregnancy

Posted in Inspiration & Information by

Great a heatwave

Said no pregnant woman ever!

The midwives at Tommy’s have some great advice about how to keep yourself cool during the heatwave.

It is very warm in the unit at the moment. If you do need to visit the hospital we recommend that you wear light layers, take a refillable water bottle and face flannel. A cooling face spray and/or battery powered personal fan would also be beneficial.

If you feel unwell in the heat don’t hesitate to contact the team, your GP or the pregnancy advice line 0300 123 5473

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/about-us/tommys-midwives-blog/summer-pregnancy

Familiar Faces

Posted in Forum by

Many of you may remember that NHS England attended one of our forums at the end of 2017 in order to make a film about #BetterBirths and the importance of #continuity. They finally released the video! It’s wonderful to see so many familiar faces.

Thank you to everyone that took part.

Responsive Feeding

Posted in At Home by

❤️You cannot spoil a baby or child with too much love, comfort and security ❤️

Not only is a baby wanting to feed/suck for comfort biologically normal is it kind of the point.

Did you know that your baby’s feeds are not just for nutrition? Feeding is also a wonderful opportunity to provide love, comfort and reassurance to your baby

However you choose to feed your baby you can do so responsively.

Responsive feeding is a simple as following your baby’s feeding cues rather than a schedule, allowing the baby to set the pace of the feed, and communicating with your baby during the feed with eye contact and gentle and positive conversation.

Skin to skin is a wonderful way to welcome your baby in to the world and give their first feed but it has benefits well in to the Fourth Trimester.

In addition to feeding when your baby shows signs of hunger, breastfeeding mums can also offer the breast when her baby is distressed, fractious, or appear lonely, when her breasts are full or she needs a rest.

Breastfeeding can also help settle a baby if they are baby unwell or provide them with reassurance in unfamiliar environments. The sucking action of feeding is know to act as a form of comfort and pain relief for baby’s having uncomfortable procedures like blood tests and/or injections.

Ask your midwife about responsive feeding, feeding cues, paced bottle feeding and the Fourth Trimester

#BrainDevelopment #Oxytocin #ResponsiveFeeding #BabyFriendly #BuildingAHappyBaby

Ask Us About…Bump Bonding and Responsive Parenting

Posted in Inspiration & Information by

Did you know that baby’s have needs before they are born and that Responsgive Parenting starts in pregnancy?

You can help your baby’s brain develop to in pregnancy by taking time out to relax and bond with them. This can be as simple as responding to your baby’s kicks with a gentle nudge of your own.

Talking, reading and/ or singing to your growing baby and stroking your bump are also wonderful ways to increase yours and your baby’s oxytocin and promote bonding and brain development.

You can invite your partner, children and other close family and friends to start to develop a relationship with your baby in the same way.

Learning your baby’s normal pattern of movements and responding to any changes helps to keep your baby safe.

Ask your midwife about Bump Bonding, Responsive Parenting and monitoring your baby’s movements in pregnancy.

Click to access happybaby_leaflet-web-2016-2.pdf

#AskUs #Antenatal #Pregnancy #BrainDevelopment #Oxytocin #BumpBonding #BuildingAHappyBaby #KicksCount #ResponsiveParenting

#AskUs about… Developing Sibling Relationship

Posted in Inspiration & Information by

Ask your midwife about how to involve your children and partner in bump bonding.

Encouraging other family members to feel the baby move and talk, sing and read to your bump encourages family bonding and promotes baby brain development.

Click to access happybaby_leaflet-web-2016-2.pdf

#BrainDevelopment #BumpBonding #Antenatal #Pregnancy #SiblingBonding #FamilyBonding #Family #Oxytocin