First-Time Mum – A Letter To Myself #VicksBabyRub

I wrote a letter to myself as a first-time mum as part of the Britmums #VicksBabyRub Challenge. looking back to those days really did get me thinking about what I would tell myself. There are so many things I wish someone had told me. I was sent a gorgeous notebook & pen to help me jot down all those tips, tricks & simple pieces of advice a first-time mum deserves.

First-Time Mum #VicksBabyRub

 

To A First-Time Mum

Ember,

Being a first-time mum is both terrifying and exciting. Everything is about to change but you CAN do this! Pregnancy is exhausting and being a first-time mum is just as exhausting yet so rewarding. I have a few tips to help make the first year much easier for you. Everyone tells you to sleep when the baby sleeps but what if baby doesn’t sleep?

When Baby Isn’t Sleeping

Babies are well known to be terrible when it comes to sleeping but there usually is a reason. As a first-time mum, it can be so overwhelming when your baby is crying, here’s a few reasons your baby may cry & products to help soothe them.

Vicks Baby Rub – Perfect for soothing your little one, this moisturising and soothing rub is designed to comfort babies. A combination of mum/dads touch along with mild fragrances of Rosemary, Lavender & Aloe Vera can help soothe and calm your little one. Vicks Baby Rub is a cosmetic, non-medicated product which can be used at any time to help wind down & settle your baby.

Infacol – Colic is so stressful for baby and parents but Infacol is an absolute life-saver! With a handy pipette built into the lid, Infacol is easy to give to your little one and helps relieve Colic.

Dentinox/Bonjela/Ashton & Parsons Powders – Teething is possibly the worst part of parenting, knowing your little one is in pain is hard to bear. These fab products are designed to help ease the pain and soothe your little one.

Sudocream/Bepanthen – Nappy rash is a nightmare, it looks awful and causes little ones to cry out in pain. Creams like Sudocream and Bepanthen are specially designed to help heal and soothe babies skin.

Calpol/Nurofen – If all else fails and your little one is clearly in a lot of discomfort, or has a slight temperature, painkillers can help. Always read the labels & correct dosage instructions. Remember smalle/premature babies will need a smaller dose. Talk to your GP if you are unsure.

Helpful Notes

Money Saving

It can sometimes feel like we have to buy certain brands & products with little ones but the truth is there are some less-known brands that are just as good. Take Mamis Nappies & Wipes, for instance, these cost a lot less than most brands and just as good, if not better in my own opinion.

Bulk-buy products you know you will need such as nappies, wipes, washing powder, fabric softener & dishwasher tablets. Buying items like these in bulk can save you quite a bit of money which can be better spent elsewhere.

It’s OK!

It’s OK to make mistakes, everyone does as a first-time mum don’t let them get you down. You won’t always know what is wrong with your baby or what to do. Do what comes naturally, you’ll be fine! It’s so easy to blame yourself and feel guilty because you forgot to bin that nappy or wash up bottles. It happens, you’ve just spent 9 months growing a tiny human which is draining enough. Add in an exhausting delivery & a baby who sleeps very little. It’s hardly surprising little things will be forgotten when we are sleep deprived. Ask for help if you feel too tired and need help catching up on chores.

First-Time Mum Letter to myself

Believe In Yourself

It is so easy to feel like you have no clue what you are doing. Trust your instincts though, they will often be right on point! Don’t blame yourself if you can’t breastfeed, it happens, as long as your baby is fed and happy it’s OK. You are doing your best!

If you feel something is wrong, act on it. If you think something isn’t right with your little one contact your HV or 111 for advice. As a first-time mum, it can feel like nobody trusts your judgement but you know your baby best.

Enjoy The Early Days

Make sure you enjoy the early days as a first-time mum. The washing up can wait, the tidying doesn’t need to be done right now. Focus on your baby and you and getting through each day, getting to know each other and enjoying those baby days. We often get caught up in trying to look like we have it all together. The truth is none of us really do, we all lose track and forget things at times. Just remember you are doing the best you can and that’s what matters most. Your baby won’t remember how tidy the house but they will feel the bond growing between you as you spend time together just enjoying those early days.

Remember, you CAN do this!

This post is an entry for BritMums #VicksBabyRub Challenge, sponsored by Vicks BabyRub. Specially designed for babies aged 6 months and over, Vicks BabyRub is available at Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose and all good pharmacy chains. RRP £3.99.

 

 

 

World Prematurity day – My story

For World Prematurity day, I’m sharing my story. Lots of babies are born prematurely for all sorts of reasons. It can be a long, tough and scary ride having your baby early.

World Prematurity Day

World Prematurity day - My story

My Story

Small premature babies are very common in my side of the family. Because of this, I kind of expected my babies to be a little early, by a week or two maybe. I definitely wasn’t ready when my oldest daughter Eva was born prematurely at 4 weeks and 1 day early.

I was in hospital already with an infection alongside a friend I had at the time. This friend went into labour so we met outside to take her mind off it. Whilest we were outside, I began to have what I thought were braxton hicks. I had awful braxton hicks over the last few months of my pregnancy and it semed no different. When I went back to my room I had a very strong ‘braxton hick’ and a midwife came to check me. I was left hooked up to the monitor for a while.

After a while the midwife came back, checked the results and ran off again. She quickly returned with a Dr who checked me over and told me I was in fact in early labour. I was already 3cm dialated. As I had an infection, I was advised an emergency c-section would be best. This was to prevent passing on the infection to a premature baby who may not be able to fight it off.

Emergency C-Section At 35+6 Weeks

I was terrified at the news. Whilst I was only 19, I knew I had to take the safest and best option to bring my baby into this world. I signed the forms and tried my best to fight the panic.

At first, I was told I’d be taken down around 6/7pm that evening. Due to my labour progressing rapidl, by 4pm, I was down in theatre having my spinal. The Mr had to rush back from town when I told him the c-section was going to happen sooner. He was still getting himself changed and ready to enter the operating theatre when I had the spinal done. Feeling scared, I was in tears. Having a needle phobia, that was the worst part for me at the time. Not having the Mr there to hold my hand had me in a state.

Feeling Scared

Im not going to lie, throughout the procedure I cried at my Mr telling him I was so scared. I didn’t feel much though and after what felt like someone pushing down on my rib cage, I suddenly heard a small cry. That had me sobbing for a whole different reason! It’s not always this easy for others but it is still terrifying.

When you go into early labour your head goes into overdrive thinking about all the ‘What if’s’. Hearing that tiny cry brought relief knowing my baby had made it into this world alive. Having previously miscarried with my first pregnancy at 18 my biggest fear was that my baby wouldn’t survive.

I had a very rough pregnancy being sick constantly. Suffering from anemia and continuously having water infections, made me think my baby may not be as healthy as I had hoped.

A Touch Of Luck

When I was shown my tiny 4lb 14oz baby breathing fine and appearing very healthy, I knew I was extremely lucky. She did have a touch of jaundice though. We didn’t know the sex of our baby as they had their legs crossed during scans. I was anxious to find out and when the staff congratulated us on the birth of our beautiful little girl, I broke down again.

I remember being wheeled into the recovery room after being stitched up twice where I had split open again rolling over. Finally, being given my tiny baby to hold in my arms at last. It was one of the most emotional and amazing moments of my life. I had all these names in my head, trying to think what suited her best. The Mr suggested his mum’s middle name which had been passed on through the women in his family. We agreed to call her Eva-Raye, somehow it just suited her straight away.

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I fed her and kept her warm inside my hospital gown while the Mr headed home to bring in some clothes for us. Being so early, we had been unprepared. I remember staring at our beautiful little miracle the whole time he was gone. I was amazed she had made it through this far. We were taken back up to the ward eventualy.

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Life With a Preemie

The Mr returned with the newborn clothes. They were all huge on her making her look even tinier especially with the Mr dressing her. She just looked so small and fragile.

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After everyone had left, the nurses came round to check on us both. Needing to make sure I could get up and walk and check Eva’s blood test results. There was a bit of panic over Eva’s blood test results and the fact she had dropped from her birth weight of 4lb 14oz down to 4lb 4oz. She was rushed down to NICU for more testing.

Another Panic

Honestly I freaked. My baby brother had been born very early 9 days before my 5th birthday and had spent months in NICU. Walking back through those doors brought back all the memories and I begun to freak out. I couldn’t stop panicking something was about to go very wrong. It was so hard, panicking that after everything I may still lose my precious baby.

I handed over some bottles of milk I had pumped and left Eva to be tested. Then I went outside with the Mr where I broke down. The Mr was amazingly strong throughout all of this, even though I know it was hard and terrifying for him too. It’s just as hard for men to deal with.

A Relief

After about an hour of talking we headed back to my room and after a little while some nurses appeared with Eva. She began telling me the previous results were wrong and although Eva did have jaundice, she should be ok after a bit of phototherapy. Next, they wheeled in all the equipment for it and showed me how it worked.

Eva was given a biliband to cover her eyes and we settled her in the crib under the light to begin treatment. I was only allowed to pick up my baby and cuddle her once every 2 hours whilst I fed her. Then I had to put her back under the light.

Unfortunately, even with all the complications we had, the staff forgot about us and we ended up staying in for 5 days. Eva spent most of her time ‘sunbathing’, whilst myself and my Mr could only watch and try to comfort her as best as we could. Trying to make sure she got enough milk to begin gaining weight, instead of losing it.

Finally Going Home

We were eventually allowed home on the 5th day and we were beyoned relieved our tiny baby girl had made it home at last. 2 days later Eva still hadn’t gained weight though and still showing signs of jaundice. We were admitted to the pediatrics ward so Eva could continue light therapy. Luckily, by the next evening, Eva was recovering well from jaundice. Once again we were allowed home.

Our tiny baby girl was a strong little fighter and didnt let prematurity get the better of her. Seeing my brother go in an incubator in NICU for months as a child and seeing the other babies on the ward added to my worries. Witnessing babies gaining their wings at the age of 5, I am well aware we are ridiculously lucky Eva only had jaundice and recovered so quickly.

Growing Up

At the age of 5 she is a clever, funny, crazy little girl who you wouldn’t guess was a preemie. She has slight problems with her fine motor skills which we are working on. Often she does struggle to stay focused, but she is otherwise very healthy and keeping up with her peers.

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My teeny tiny preemie all grown up

World Prematurity Day – Raising Awareness

Many babies are born early and have all sorts of complications. It’s a very tough time for those tiny babies and their families. Some babies dont make it, others take a very long time to recover. Some are lucky enough to make it through with few complications. Every family with a premature baby needs as much love and support as they can get to make it through such a tough time.

Please remember if you are going through a rough time after having a premature baby, it is not your fault your baby arrived earlier than planned. I know I blamed myself for quite some time but I have since realised nothing could have been prevented. I did everything I could to ensure my baby arrived as safely as possible.

If you know someone who has had a premature baby, take a few minutes out of your day to check in on them. Make sure they have a shoulder to cry on and an ear to offload to if needed. It can be a very difficult and lonely time for new parents.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my premature baby on world prematurity day. Please feel free to share your own links and stories in the comments. Apologies for the poor photo’s, camera quality on phones weren’t as good back in 2010!