family in nicu

How Can You Support A Family With A Baby In NICU?

It can be difficult for people to know what the right things to say or do when a family welcome a baby prematurely. I must admit that before we had William I was pretty clueless about the ins and outs of NICU life and even though I have known of couples who have had a baby pre-term it felt as though if I asked lots of questions I may have seemed as though I was prying and I didn’t want to offend by asking the wrong thing. Now I have been in those shoes I know what a scary, lonely time it can be and for me, I found talking helped. I think we can all be a little too polite at times and perhaps if we spoke about situations a little more we could all offer and receive more help and support.

So, what does a family with a baby in NICU need and how can you provide that support?

Continue reading “How Can You Support A Family With A Baby In NICU?”
Related Posts:
Our NICU Journey- Week One
our nicu journey

So, you arrived early. I expected it, I just knew my body hadn't felt right, I'd been saying this since Read more

Our NICU Journey- Week Two
our nicu journey week two

One week has passed in NICU and so much happened that it was all a whirlwind. We had the elation Read more

Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part one)
nicu journey week three

Another week, more hospital NICU visits to come and I begin to notice the toll it's having on all of Read more

Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part two)
our NICU journey week three part two

Our NICU journey continues: That night in NICU... I was told about prem baby's and their little noises but wow, Read more

our NICU journey week three part two

Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part two)

Our NICU journey continues:

That night in NICU…

I was told about prem baby’s and their little noises but wow, I wasn’t prepared for quite so many groans, grunts, snuffles and squeaks! I wasn’t sure if I was going to get any sleep but you settle after a 2am feed and you go through until 4:30am then wake again at 6:30am. You show me that you can breastfeed on demand and wake for it ok. Your temperature seemed ok throughout the night– I checked the back of your neck, your chest and your back just to be on the safe side… I may have also checked your breathing a little too much!! I can see how I am going to be once you are home.

Continue reading “Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part two)”
Related Posts:
How to Help Your Kiddo Succeed in School
child and building blocks

All parents want to see their children succeed in school. The key to helping your kid excel academically is your Read more

A Guide To Teaching Your Kids The Value Of Money
teaching kids the value of money, a piggy bank

*Collaborative Post It’s not a secret that kids don’t know anything about the value of money - that is until Read more

Super Baby Food: Your Complete Guide to What, When and How to Feed Your Baby and Toddler
feeding a baby

Curious about when babies are ready for solid food and what kind of foods you should give them? Join us Read more

Jet-Setting for Locks: Comparative Cost Analysis of Hair Transplants in Turkey vs. Other Countries
a man with a head full of hair

Embarking on a hair transplant journey often involves more than just choosing a surgeon; it's about selecting the right destination. Read more

nicu journey week three

Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part one)

Another week, more hospital NICU visits to come and I begin to notice the toll it’s having on all of us. The tiredness, the worry, the stress, the juggling of normal life with hospital life. You can only fully understand all of this if you have been in the same position, it’s a whole other world. Having Jake around is a lovely distraction from the seriousness of it all but trying to balance his needs with yours is a skill I am only just about managing.

Continue reading “Our NICU Journey- Week Three (part one)”
Related Posts:
5 Lessons about Inclusivity That Young Kids Should Learn in Preschool
kids laying on a floor looking up

The modern world is more interconnected and culturally diverse than ever before. Consequently, inclusivity and respect for diversity have never Read more

How to Co-Parent Effectively
a parent holding a child's hand

Separation and divorce are challenging for all involved, especially children. The disruption in routine and familial relationships can be difficult Read more

How to Save Money on Baby Wipes
a smiling baby

*Affiliate Links When it comes to parenting, every penny really does count. From nappies to formula, baby food and clothing, Read more

How To Stay Healthy During Your Pregnancy
healthy pregnant woman

*Collaborative Post The way you take care of yourself while pregnant plays a vital role in determining if you will Read more

packing your hospital bag

Packing Your Hospital Bag

*Gifted TENS machine

Packing your hospital bag is usually something you can end up leaving until the last month or so but in my case, I have just chosen to frantically pack mine now (with what I have to hand) as I have now been told twice this week that my baby seems to be getting himself into position, which with all my issues recently I am not overly surprised. If he doesn’t come naturally I will more than likely be induced a little earlier anyway so now is the time to plan, prepare and get my head around the fact I will probably have a baby this year and not next year!

Continue reading “Packing Your Hospital Bag”
Related Posts:
SpeedBump Maternity Activewear Review
speedbump activewear worn by me whilst working out. A review

*Gifted Items Staying fit and healthy during this pregnancy was something I had decided upon even before I fell with Read more

Maternity Wear: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
maternity wear

*Gifted Product I have such a love-hate relationship with maternity wear. Don't you find that there is such a gap in Read more

How Different Breastfeeding Positions Can Help with Feeding Your Baby
Baby feeding from a Mums breast in cradle position

When it comes to breastfeeding, most of us automatically picture a woman cradling her baby across her body to feed. Read more

Why I’ve Never Written A Birth Plan And Never Will
baby's feet wrapped in a white sheet maybe just after birth

When I was pregnant the first time around I remember being asked quite early on to write out my birth Read more

waters break early

What To Expect If Your Waters Break Early

At 30 weeks pregnant, the last thing I expected to happen was to have my waters breaking this early. The pregnancy has been a little up and down due to the presence of Group B Strep but as this was known about and I was monitoring myself for any changes I just assumed everything would be ok up until my due date.

I first felt something at around 7pm but as I hadn’t experienced my waters breaking during my first labour I just assumed that I’d had a little urine leakage… just an oops moment! However, ten minutes later and I felt the same thing.

Continue reading “What To Expect If Your Waters Break Early”
Related Posts:
My Pregnancy: The Consultant Meeting
my pregnancy the consultant meeting

If you follow me on social media you will know that today we were a little nervous because we had Read more

My Pregnancy: Birth Reflections Meeting
birth reflections meeting

When I had Jake on Christmas Day 2013 it ended in a very traumatic emergency c-section which affected me for Read more

My Pregnancy: The Second Trimester
the second trimester

This trimester has felt long. What makes it feel even longer is the fact that no one can decide precisely Read more

Our NICU Journey- Week One
our nicu journey

So, you arrived early. I expected it, I just knew my body hadn't felt right, I'd been saying this since Read more

teddy bear's picnic feature post

Making a Difference with a Teddy Bear’s Picnic

 

″If you go down to the woods today you’re sure of a big surprise…″

The surprise being that you can help towards raising funds to build a new Children’s Emergency & Trauma Department at Southampton University Hospital which will be a ground-breaking major trauma unit supplying state of the art, life-saving equipment. The Ginormous Teddy Bear’s picnic is taking place between 5th and 11th June this year as part of the #2millionsteps campaign and you too can get involved! All you need to do is sign up, get your friends, neighbours, groups or schools involved and start planning your ‘bear-illiant’ picnic! Each person will need to donate the suggested amount of £1 (more would be gratefully received as every penny counts) to this great cause and the only other requirement is to just have fun!

Continue reading “Making a Difference with a Teddy Bear’s Picnic”
Related Posts:
Unique Activities To Do With The Kids During The Summer Holidays
kids lined up doing activities

Your kids look forward to the school holidays more than anything. This extended break from the everyday drudgery during the Read more

School Days Are Coming… And I’m not Ready
first day at school written on a chalk board

Dear son, This week was a biggie. We found out your school place and even though the build-up has been Read more

Why It’s Not as Stressy Having the Second Child
2 boys and a dog in a living room playing with toys

Just the other day my sister said to me, 'You're not as stressy as you were the first time around' Read more

How to Keep The Kids Entertained and Away From Technology This Summer?
flying kites

It is not always easy to keep kids away from technology – with many exciting games and apps on their Read more

me in hospital after c-section

My Emergency C-Section

April is c-section awareness month and many people are sharing their stories of their experiences of their births. Many of these I have read and seen were elective c-sections and photos were taken and the experience was all very calm, prepared and straight forward.

I really don’t want to write my story and upset, worry or concern those who are pregnant now, but I wish I had known more Continue reading “My Emergency C-Section”

Related Posts:


Feelin’ Fresh: Updating Your Outdoor Space, Even Though It’s Chilly

berries covered in winter frost updating your garden in winter

*Collaborative Post You might be thinking that being outside and updating your garden in the winter is the last thing Read more


7 Ways To Improve Your Lockdown Skin

beeutiful skincare products on the sink

*Ad I don't know about you but my skin during this last lockdown has really suffered. I think with it Read more


My Pregnancy: The Consultant Meeting

my pregnancy the consultant meeting

If you follow me on social media you will know that today we were a little nervous because we had Read more


The Top Summer Camp Preparation Tips for Your Children

kids laughing and playing

*Collaborative Post The Road to Having a Splendid Summer Camp Memories As parents, of course, we want only the best Read more