New Mum: Early Days

Well for the last six weeks I have been thinking 'You should put this on the blog, you should put that on the blog,' and of course, being a new Mum (Mama?) and all, the time evaporates.

First, just read this! It's the best I can find on what it's like being a new mum.

For the Mum...

When you are a new Mum you feel like you get nothing done. This article might make you feel a little better...

Peppermint tea! Excellent for keeping your breath fresh and easy to drink during night feeds, early morning wake ups and so forth. A friend brought me some in hospital and I was hooked!

Tena lady pants for the hospital. I was given a packet with a wink but they really were the most vital thing I needed during my hospital stay. They saved time and were very easy to get on and off.

I have never been one to count calories, but I have been worried about my eating lately because I am so hungry all the time! Apparently this is normal and ok - when breastfeeding you burn an extra 500 calories (2000 kilojoules) per day - that's 4 x pieface meat pies! A calorie converter is here.

My mind of course turns to eating and then exercise, with all of those stars getting back to 'bikini ready' within six weeks of birth - well I know it will be longer than that for me, I am only starting around now at 6 weeks! I think this article fits in with my approach.

I gave birth at a funny time, 11.57pm on a Thursday, and I was out of the hospital by the Monday. That means I didn't really get much advice in terms of the 'everyday' stuff because staff are generally 'light on' during weekends - YouTube has been an excellent help for me! This includes learning to breastfeed on my side, bathe, even settle my baby! Every day is a learning experience, and the more I read and watch the more I learn! Such as...

Learning about what the different cries mean! Wish I had heard of this earlier...



Playing with your newborn (once she woke up I wasn't sure what to do!):



This one's a little crazy but it did actually teach me to breastfeed lying down!



Do you have to express? I do. Here is a fantastic and inexpensive trick you can use to make it hands free - I find it actually works!

Sometimes my baby cries during breastfeeding. This article has helped me work that out, well a little!

Wind... I had no idea upon leaving hospital how important it would be to learn to wind and burp my baby! The official word these days (well at least in Australia) is not to worry about burping... after getting up many times in the night to help my baby's pains I disagree!
This article that discusses how your diet while breastfeeding may help to reduce wind and associated crying. I did not believe this until the day after I ate alot of broccoli, where my (mostly) sweet and mild baby became a raging handful!

My little one had some troubles gaining weight and we had to supplement with formula early on. These bottles by Mixie make it so easy, and are now available in Australia.

If you use Apple products... Apple Dictation! It seems that sending emails (or typing with two hands) is now impossible... Apple Dictation has saved me on that front, I can just talk into my iPhone or desktop computer and it accurately turns it into text for me - and the more you use it, the better it gets at recognising your voice! 

Sleep? Not getting much? Either way, when you go along to your Mothers Group you will quickly realise much of the conversation had is about sleep (or lack of) and approaches. I like this article because you can also watch the video and it feels like you are in the room listening - also good to pass on to partners and inlaws who seem to be leaning a little heavily on sleep aids.

We have not had too hard a time with sleep (yet) but I remain mindful and open to all approaches to sleep! Video below:





I will keep adding to this as it all happens, nothing ever seems properly finished when you have a newborn!


For the Baby...

Well my baby, I'm not sure about yours - but here are some things that have really helped us (and basically I knew nothing about before)...

Love me swaddle suit - I knew that fumbling a wrap in the middle of the night would not suit me, I still use them in the daytime but at night I use a swaddle suit. These are awesome - I have 5, but you could easily get away with 3 or 4.

Air Cocoon Pouch - apparently the most lightweight swaddle available - I need to be ready for this Sydney Summer!

And breathable swaddles for Summer! Looking good...

Burp cloths! These don't seem to be such a big thing in Australia (we seem to just use face washers) but I love these! I bought these on etsy and they are gorgeous, they give me pleasure every time I use them.

Dummy Clip! Of course these are available around the place but look pretty tacky. Again I bought this on etsy and it's easy to use and so good looking!

Swing - I didn't even know these existed. I really like this Chicco Polly Swing that I bought off eBay because it folds up when not in use. We don't use it as a sleep aid, but we use it every day - and it frees us up so we can do other things!

Anything with a zip! It took me a while to work this out..  but wow how easy it is to simply zip your little one into their clothes instead of fumbling with all those snapping buttons? Genius! This one is by purebaby.

A sling! This is great for keeping your baby close, and is so convenient when you have to get out for a quick walk to the letterbox or need both hands free for typing or a phone call! My husband loves wearing ours and it's a great chance for our little one to snuggle with their dad :) This one is by Beep Beep - Georgie Armstrong, I admit I bought mine very cheaply from gumtree.

And a sling for the water, or shower! Fantastic if you live in an apartment like us and don't have a bath...

Finally, keep random bottles of water around your house and boil the kettle almost every time you walk past, it sounds strange but you'll be surprised when you need it!


How to help someone with a newborn...

I needed this advice most because I did not grow up around people having little ones. I did however know that I wanted to be helpful to my friends and family when they had a new baby! Looking back now, I feel a little guilty, but I admit it was more out of ignorance than anything else. These of course are personal observations and tips but it may come in handy for you...

- Don't buy white things / white towels for your pregnant friend. Caring for a little one is the least pure thing in the world. I find that I never have quite enough whites to wash them seperately, then I fret about ruining these lovely white gifts and don't end up using them / washing them and turning them grey. Go for colour or neutrals, unless there is a housekeeper or nanny available!

- If you are not sure of a good gift for a pregnant friend, wait until the baby is born, then wait at least 2 weeks. There is a fair bit of scrambling (well in many ways) when a new baby comes along, and when the initial flush of newborn starts to pass one realises there are bits and pieces that need purchasing... now. So simply wait, then ask, you and your gift will be both appreciated and utilised! For instance I really needed singlets, socks and sleeping bags (but how was I to know?) - and I am very grateful to my family who quickly snapped them them for me when the baby was born!

- Bring food - but ask first. Some people have a small freezer (like me!) This is before we get to other things like dietary requirements. So ask what they like, and don't just cook it, package it in portions for eating. If you are not much of a cook, simply grab a loaf of bread and milk when heading over (along with some washing powder, always handy!) and it will never go astray. I never ate alot of bread before my baby but believe me, it's so easy to make a quick piece of toast and a cup of tea right now... back on the low carb diet later!
Sweet things are also good (sorry anti-sugar fanatics!) This is not the time to worry about such things, if you can bake a slice or some granola I'm sure it will be welcomed by hungry and tired tummies!

- Give your time. Head over so the new mum can have a shower, make an uninterrupted phonecall, even go out for a walk to run errands on her own. Help to fold washing, or put away dry dishes, take the rubbish and recycling to the bin. Offer to walk with her and the baby. Give her your ear, listen, soothe and empathise. I can think of one friend who simply asks 'What can I do to help you right now?' and I immediately relax and breathe a sigh of relief. You might not even have to stay for long, but this type of help is golden! What a great way to strengthen a friendship!

Some other ideas are here.

Again.. I'll keep updating this as a mother's work is never really done :)

Killer Recipe: Apricot, Cranberry and Pistachio Muesli Slice

Nobody told me about post-pregnancy cravings, or the ravenous breast-feeding hunger! This has meant some pretty substantial 4pm eating moments and has led me to think that I must at least try and eat something a little more nutritious...

So I found this yummy muesli slice to make and have on hand. Sure, it is probably packed with enough energy for me to climb mountains but it is at least a step away from my 'daily brownie' or piece of cake :(

And guess what? I managed to make the whole thing with my little one tucked into a sling across my chest, not a peep!

It can be pretty crumbly upon cutting but it's great to keep those bits in a sealed container to sprinkle on cereal... like granola!  Its also a very flexible recipe in that you can include any cereal or nut 'scraps' you have in your cupboard... even a handful of chocolate chips... perfect. Enjoy.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups plain untoasted muesli (I use Woolworths Macro brand)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup dried diced apricots
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup coconut flour 
• 3/4 cup self-raising flour
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 185g coconut oil (or substitute with butter)
• 1/2 cup golden syrup (could substitute with honey, maple syrup)

METHOD

- Preheat oven to 180°C 

- Line a 20cm x 30cm lamington pan with baking paper

- Place muesli, coconut, apricots, cranberries, pistachios, coconut sugar, egg, vanilla and flours in a large bowl, stir to combine

- Melt coconut oil and golden syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until melted and combined. 

- Add butter mixture to muesli mixture, stir to combine.

- Spread mixture into prepared pan, smooth top

- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until firm to touch and golden 

- Cool completely before cutting into slices

Adapted from: http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/24337/apricot+cranberry+and+pistachio+muesli+slice

On being pregnant: Part 3

I wasn't sure there would be a 'Part 3' of my pregnancy musing, mainly because the second trimester does seem to roll along quite nicely, and if things seem to be 'prepared' to a point well, you can just keep on with it in the third trimester.

I am now at the end of the third trimester; my little one is due in two weeks. We are excited! But I also thought I should note a few helpful things down that have kept me sane along the way.

A Birth Course?
Friends recommended the Calmbirth course to us early on, which we in turn booked early on - they are so popular! In Sydney these classes fill up very fast and so far we believe it was money well spent - for strengthening our relationship, for putting us on 'the same page' in terms of our expectations (or letting go of them!) for birth, and for feeling supported and as mentally prepared as possible! We picked a local course for us (which was one of the most positive experiences I think I have ever had!) though we hear the 'original' that is held over a weekend down in Bowral with founder Peter Jackson is also amazing.

Books.
At this point I find myself reading less and less that is pregnancy related, and more for relaxation and enjoyment. One book I thoroughly recommend is 'How to be a Woman' by Caitlin Moran (thanks Sara!) which I found funny and empowering (though the section on her first experience of birth might be worth skipping for now!)

Cravings.
Ha ha ha cravings. I've had a few and they seem somewhat more desperate than earlier on, they also disappear as quickly as they arrive! A few weeks back it was cup noodles, but in general the cravings that have stuck with me have been for dairy products (in particular, milk and yoghurt), hot chocolate and lately, the smell of anything lavender. However, this is not yet entirely satisfied, as I am yet to find anything 'lavendery' enough. Hmm.

Like in the first trimester it seems my senses are now redirecting me towards items that are organic and/or natural, and pretty 'basic' in their composition (my sense of smell is still very keen and anything that smells 'too complex' is a little overwhelming).

Izola Candle from West Elm - now open in Sydney! I'm still not sure if I consider it 'value for money' at A$49 but the day I bought it I was desperate - I like to burn it before bed and get a nice peppery aroma.

Extra-gentle Lavender soap from L'Occitane. I'm a 'real soap' fan outside of pregnancy and I love this stuff - but this time around I'm not finding it 'Lavender-enough' (this is my problem, there is nothing wrong with the soap!) It still washes beautifully.

My big unexpected 'win' on the lavender front was the beautiful gift I received from my friend Justin at my recent Baby Shower. He gifted me with a range of beautiful products from 'Byron Nature's Gift' which are handmade in the Byron Hills. I could practically eat and drink these items and they have been so good for my skin and nose! I already have the 'Nurturing Mum Body Lotion' packed in my hospital bag and can't wait to buy it for other friends!

Lately I have been getting right into the Coconut Oil as well! I have been using it in my cooking for a while but then lately I have been rubbing it in to my belly, my legs and arms - what a beautiful smell and it makes the skin so soft (if you close your eyes and sit in front of a heater you can imagine you are in a nice tropical place ;) If you are watching your budget (like sadly, I now am), this stuff is for you - it's raw, organic and so multi-purpose! It comes in a beautiful jar that can easily be reused for a candle as well.

Laura's Hot Chocolate Craving Recipe
Yes it's true hot chocolate has become part of my daily ritual, and I admit I am quite particular about it! As with many aspects of pregnancy, things just have to be a certain way. I have Dutch friends and find it very hard to move accept anything other than Dutch cocoa. So here is exactly how I like it:

1 mug of milk (I prefer unhomogenised, full cream)
1 tablespoon of good Dutch Cocoa (I like Droste or Van Houten)
1/4 teaspoon Ovvio Vanilla Bean powder
2 teaspoons of raw honey

Method:
- Heat and whisk all ingredients in a small saucepan (I use one similar to this that I found in my local Woolworths)
- Pour back into mug and serve!

What happened to exercise?
Earlier on you may have read that I was doing pregnancy exercise classes with Preggi Bellies. Though the classes were great, they were probably the most delusional (and costly) decision of my pregnancy. You are asked to pay upfront, based upon an estimation of when your baby is to be born. Of course, I started having a few health annoyances about 6 weeks ago and that meant I had to stop going to class. When I was ready to go back... well Preggi Bellies wouldn't permit me to. Of course I am allowed to return once the little one is born but I already have other plans for that, so I'm pretty disappointed (as is typical with Australian gyms, no refund). So my hot tip on these types of programs is think very carefully before signing up and paying alot of money...

Lately I have started a much more sensible pre-natal yoga program at The Life Pod and I wish I had been doing these classes all along instead of going to the gym. I certainly seem to be getting alot physically, mentally and emotionally from the classes and better still, it's pay as you go!

Have I been sick?
In short, yes. The third trimester has probably been my most challenging and I certainly wasn't expecting it. My issues are around heartburn, reflux and indigestion - I tend to vomit 2-3 times each day, and some days are much worse than others, and without warning.

Of course it is different for everyone! But after 6 weeks of tussling, I need to type out what works for me:
- Rennie (recommended by my midwife) never worked for me, from the first time I tried it, it simply made me feel more sick;
- Gaviscon worked quite well for a number of weeks but has recently been losing it's effectiveness for me;
- When I feel the acid I have found the best immediate remedy is 2 x tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar followed by a small sip of water (be brave, it burns!)
- After meals a hot wheatbag placed on the top of my chest seems to give me comfort;
- Doing a little bit of Heartburn reflexology on my hands after meals seems to help one way or another (no I'm not an expert on this and by all means do your own research).

I have tried many of the natural remedies discussed on the internet but without much lasting success. I found this advice amongst the most realistic and helpful. Of course, always keep chatting with your midwife and/or doctor, they remain the most knowledgeable and have the final word on these matters.

Getting comfy for the birth.
I'm still working that bit out, and a few bags are slowly being packed. Given the choice and an unlimited budget, I would certainly pick out the 'Hatch to Hospital' box below (although I'm not sure at how those undies would go after birth, huh?) At US$248 with a falling Aussie dollar, it's not exactly a bargain!

In the meantime I'm very happy with my Humphrey Law 90% Merino wool socks, manufactured in Australia! Available at David Jones, they wash beautifully - and supporting an Australian business in this day and age, who'd have thought!

I also really like this Noppies nursing sleepwear - and I have to admit I haven't given it much thought up until now but guess I will be shortly, anything to stay warm and comfy because soon it will all be about the little one!

And on with this birth we go, see you on the other side of it all!

On being pregnant - part 2

So after my first post on pregnancy I didn't think I'd be writing much more, guess this is why there are so many 'mommy bloggers' out there; when you suddenly find what you need you feel like you should be sharing the good news with the world! More in my case I want to remember all of this so I will have meaningful gifts to buy when friends get pregnant, or if someone out there needs some advice without trawling the internet for hours (like I have, but I've sort of enjoyed it :).

I was really much more excited than I expected this morning when I received a package from Hatch Collection. My wardrobe is almost fully stocked with loose fitting or maternity clothes now, but it was recently my birthday and my mother offered to buy me a cardigan. Thankfully - Hatch had just gone on sale (otherwise it was a big NO). When the package arrived this morning the quality of the clothes were GORGEOUS, I can't wait to get home and hang them up!


Now that I am feeling in good health I can deal with a bit of fragrance again, but mostly still of a natural origin. This 'nourishing baby oil' by Burts Bees smells divine (like the ripest, fresh honey) and I love rubbing it on after a hot shower. I'm not sure if it prevents stretch marks or similar, but it would be such a lovely gift, I can't recommend it enough!



 














So... pregnancy pigmentation. It hasn't been as bad for me (so far) as what I thought I might be in for, and any makeup is a big effort for me - I rarely wear 'real makeup' anyway. Then my good friend Rebecca showed me this wonder product, I'm sold! It's a tinted moisturiser called 'In a Good Light SPF 30+' and you can get it from Mecca Cosmetica, perfect for all skin in my opinion! Thanks Rebecca!



Did you know there is such a thing as a Sleep Bra? I wish I had known months back! One of these clever items has gained me an extra hour or two of serious sleep per night since buying two about 3 weeks ago! Better still, they are not expensive. It sort of feels less like wearing a bra and is not quite as tight as a sports crop top, but it holds everything in place very comfortably. For some reason I was very against wearing a bra to bed, so here is the perfect answer!



I have been exercising throughout my pregnancy, not in the crazy way, just walking a few times a week and going to a pregnancy gym class twice a week - I've really enjoyed it so far. So here we go again, all about bras... but I recently replaced my sports top and this is the one for a pregnant body (or a large large chest)! If you visit the LuluLemon store in Sydney, they actually have a changeroom where you can 'test one out' on a mini-tramp! I have to laugh, the style is called 'ta ta tamer.'



I guess by now you may have realised that being pregnant means shopping a bit like crazy, but now that all of these special things are beginning to fit and come in handy, it's starting to be alot of fun :)

On being pregnant.

So here I am, with child! I thought I should make a collection of items and thoughts that have helped me along so far, so I'll split it into a few categories to move things along. I need to say outright pregnancy is not just about buying things, but I did find it really hard to get people pointing me in the right direction, so that's why this post has a product focus. I need to emphasise that pregnancy is different for everyone, so these things may not work for you! 

Reading.
I haven't been reading much and a lot of that is on purpose. I tend to simply access the internet when a question arises, using some websites that my GP gave me. That said I have really enjoyed reading 'Great With Child' by Beth Ann Fennelly - you can get it delivered to Australia for free if you buy it at the Book Depository.

Blog wise, I also very much enjoy reading the motherhood posts on Cup of Jo, the daily challenges of motherhood and running a freelance business on Sweet Fine Day, and the regular child-related posts on unruly things.

On the more official side of pregnancy blog reading I tend to go for Babble Pregnancy, which surprises me a bit considering it's owned by Disney!

Underwear.
I think this comes first in terms of taking care of yourself. I can hardly blame anyone for 'not telling me' but I was sore up top very, very quickly. Things were (and still are) ahem, growing very fast. So buy yourself a bra, just one or two, as quickly as possible! These are my favourite, they are by a brand called Cake Lingerie.

I was a bit freaked out they are 'nursing bras' but I did like the fact they are designed to grow with you, and grow with me, they have! They also wash very well and still look new after over three months of weekly wear, so I consider it excellent value for money (even though they are around A$50 a pop!)



I also bought one of these bras by Berlei recently and hope to buy a few more - a much more traditional bra that unfortunately wont be growing with me, but they are a little more unobtrusive than the Cake bras above.  

 














I also ended up some of these, aherm, nipple covers. I was in pain there for a few weeks, I wont say much more. If you end up pregnant, you will work it out!

Being Sick and Feeling Off.
I did feel sick, I just wasn't throwing up in public enough for anyone to care too much. I have been lucky in that when I do feel sick it's never for more than 15-20 minutes.

The main thing I needed to do was lie down and get cool (pretty hard at work!) I found ginger helped me the most. At first I was drinking ginger beer (it was convenient and available, but also very sugary) but then I started making my own drink by grating raw ginger into a cup and adding a lemon juice ice cube and some Pellegrino water. Much more healthy.

12 weeks in I also visited the wonderful Anthia Koullouros at Ovvio Organics. I had a 'Healthy Pregnancy' consultation, she really put me at ease and gave me some direction around my eating and lifestyle during pregnancy. It would be a lovely gift if you wanted to buy something meaningful for someone in early pregnancy, I considered it a little indulgent but well worth it.

I also really enjoy drinking Wort Organic soft drinks, when I am able to find them!

I am at 18 weeks now, and at this point it seems two things still make me ill: heat (as in walking around in the Sydney Summer for more than say, 20 minutes), and pure sugar (as in lollies or sweets). I still do the above if I feel that way and it seems to be what works for me. I feel tired (like 3am tired) every day or two still but again that doesn't garner much sympathy as most people feel tired these days, for one reason or another!

Clothes.
I should say straight up that I am not the 'normal body with a bump on the front' kind of pregnant lady, I look more like the Russian Doll that ate too much pudding. It's difficult not to be hard on yourself when you are pregnant but I knew from watching other members of my family with child that this was the way it was always going to be. So anyway, clothes!

I am most fortunate to have a friend living in the US who owns the 'Lil Shoppa international shipping service (you can use it too!). So far, the majority of my maternity wear has come from GAP Maternity, which is still not available in Australia - when I recently spoke to a sales consultant in the Sydney store they said it could be another 5-7 years!
Catch them during a sale and you wont be sorry - I just had 6 items delivered, including GAP maternity jeans and some leather shoes for A$115.

Some other items I really really like:

Bassike items in jersey - the T-Shirt has a longer tail and the pants (well, I never thought I'd be that attracted to the poo-catcher style!) are super for hanging out at home. It's all machine-washable and nothing seems to lose shape or colour. They are a little more expensive but I figure I'll still be wearing these items 5 years down the track regardless of the state of my body.

Ripe Maternity are online as well as stocked in some Myer stores so you can go in and try things on. I particularly like their seamless tank (fancy singlet) which washes beautifully and dries so quickly! It doesn't seem to roll up over the hips either, so don't be put off by the slightly more expensive price.

I also have a few cheaper T-Shirts in fun colours from Seed Heritage and some stretchy black dresses from Blue Illusion, both brands seem to cut quite sympathetically to the pregnant form!

Queen Bee seems to be the place to shop for lovely items and if a special occasion arises I'll be shopping there.

To be truthful, besides buying some new gymwear and a few larger cardigans in the coming weeks, I will be trying to not to buy too much more in terms of maternity wear - I am already half way there, after all!

Beauty.
I'm not a make-up girl and the main reason I'm writing about this here is that strange artificial smells from various toiletries were part of my nausea, particularly earlier on in the game. I mean, I could not even wash with palmolive soap without heaving! I found natural or basic fragrance worked best for me, and I've enjoyed the change. I'm not saying it would be the same situation for anyone else out there, but it needs to be said, I had to switch things around a few times before getting it right for me. Here are some yummy items that have really helped me along:

Aesop. Aesop anything really, particularly this Coriander body cleanser that smells nice and peppery!

L'Occitane Gentle Lotion. After 12 weeks this smell was sort of fresh and like baby powder, and I didn't find it too thick or greasy (I'm not going to discuss pregnancy and sweating, but yes, it happens!)

American Crew Citrus Mint Range. It's more expensive in Australia, but I particularly found their Cooling Conditioner good and minty for the hair! I found it at a local Barber - apparently it's a men's brand but I say it's for everyone.

I'm not going to say much about eating and drinking because that topic's way too touchy for so many people, but I've mainly been approaching this how I like. I have found that the stuff everyone tells you to worry about seems to happen naturally without much effort. For example 'Don't drink any alcohol' became so much easier a few weeks in when it seemed my tastebuds had changed and I just wasn't thinking about it anymore. A local listeria scare scared me off soft cheese. Although I'm a lifetime tummy sleeper as I have been growing I've been sleeping in other ways without much conscious effort at all - so no real need for big panic.

So enough about me although I might add to this from time to time... I'm guessing the next post will be all about baby! x