Did you know that positive physical touch is necessary for human survival? Crazy eh? The other day I popped a little question up on Facebook to ask if you could do anything today, what would that be. 74% responded with seeing friends and family and of that 74%, 41% specified seeing friends and family and […]
I learnt a valuable lesson on Saturday. One of the challenges I have found in becoming a mum of two is making sure my attention appears fairly distributed. Obviously, as a six-month-old, Awena requires more of my immediate attention; she needs to be fed, dressed, have her happy changed, be carried to get from A […]
Have you ever wondered why it is we sing such bizarre, action-packed songs to babies? I’ve never given it much thought until the other day. As play therapists, we are ethically required to have supervision. This ensures our emotional safety and therefore the child’s too as well as providing a space to discuss the metaphors […]
Time is definitely a healer, right? This may be so but it’s definitely not a remover. Yesterday was national premature baby day. Be it randomly or coincidentally, whilst watching Bake Off #GBBO this incredibly emotive Pampers advert popped up. It took me right back. I haven’t been able to shift the feeling it evoked. All […]
I’m a bit unsure as to how to introduce today’s blog. I think all I can do is allow the words below to do the work. As many of you are probably aware last week was a remembrance week for all those who have lost a baby at whatever stage of pregnancy or life. I […]
There are so many instances in life where we venture out blindly hoping that we make it through. A new job, buying a new car, getting married, buying a house…the list goes on. Sure, we do our research, but theory and reviews can not prepare you physically and emotionally for all you are about to […]
One of the lovely things about being a mum is there is this unspoken understanding and acceptance that we are all in the same boat. I was walking around the park with Awena in the pram the other day and passed 3 mums together with their little ones. They gave me a polite smile as […]
Too much, too little, on-demand, engorged, painful, sore nipples, forever hungry, mastitis, blocked ducts, embarrassing leakage, breast pads, exhausting, emotional, frantic feeds, expressing, pumping and dumping, scratched necks and chests, pulled hair…any of this sound familiar? Why would anyone want to breastfeed? This week is world breastfeeding week and I think we should either pat […]
Neonates. What an all-encompassing, all-consuming, emotionally exhausting experience. I’m finding it hard to find the words to say to describe the 19 days Awena spent in the neonatal unit. I think I have to start by thanking the amazing staff who made the whole experience so much more manageable. Without their reassurance, confidence and general chats I am convinced […]
A couple of weeks ago we had a zoom catch up with some lovely folk and heard about all the things those that don’t have kids are planning to learn/master during this weird time of extra time. There were some fun and creative ideas, but none I felt I could possibly achieve with a young […]