5- The Best Start

Issue No. 5

January 2014

This issue...

Stress & Gestational Diabetes Treasure Baskets

Competition!

Be the face of The Best Start Baby & Toddler Show ...and lots more

The essential

FREE guide for Huddersfield and Calderdale’s

new and expectant parents.

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Welcome to...

Did you know that as well as providing our free local magazine we also have workshops and courses to help support parents from pregnancy to pre-school.

Please get in touch for more details.

Toddler Sleep Workshop ToddlerCalming Workshop ToddlerCalm parenting course (8hrs)

BabyCalm Antenatal Workshop BabyCalm Mum & Baby Postnatal course (8hrs) BabyCalming Workshop BabyCalm Sleep Workshop Babycalm Baby led Weaning Workshop

5 week baby massage courses at Copley Cricket Club Thursday’s 1pm –2.15pm £40

Happy New Year!

Contents page

Welcome to the 5th issue of The Best Start which includes features on the effects of stress on gestational diabetes, treasure baskets and the return of a birth story from a local mum.

Gestational Diabetes & Stress

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The Baby & Toddler Show

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Last year was a busy year with The Best Start Baby & Toddler Show held at The Shay in Halifax. 2014 sees three events being held across the region, Leeds, Sheffield and Halifax. We have a great competition, with the chance for one lucky baby or toddler to become the face of The Best Start Baby & Toddler Show, please see pages 18 and 19 for details.

We are also delighted to now be based at The Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Hopwood Lane, Halifax, HX3 5ER. We hope you enjoy this issue and as always we’d love to hear your feedback.

Warm wishes

Private 1-1 courses for individuals or groups of friends Andrea Wallman Founder of The Best Start

www.thebeststart.co.uk andrea@thebeststart.co.uk 01422 399533 thebeststart thebeststart 2

THE

Best Start Baby and Toddler Show

thebeststart

Baby Massage

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Treasure Baskets

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Life After Twins

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Gymbabes 13 Delayed Cord Clamping

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Directory of Local Groups

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Baby & Toddler Competition

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Sleep Workshop

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MSLC – get involved

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ToddlerCalm 24 Buggy 4 Fitness

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My Birth Story

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Useful Contact Numbers

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Disclaimer. The Best Start is a free, independent magazine for new and expectant parents in Huddersfield and Calderdale.

Any statements or opinions given in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor.

@thebeststart

Nothing may be reproduced without prior permission.

or email hello@thebeststart.co.uk Telephone: 01422 399533

Design: Print Bureau.

Editor: Andrea Wallman. Copy Editor: Adela Stockton .

Front Cover: Photograph supplied by Marlin Images.

babyshow@thebeststart.co.uk

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Gestational Diabetes

The effect of stress on blood glucose

By Jo Feakes, BSc Nut Ned mBANT CNHC

Nutritional Therapist Following on from the very informative article on gestational diabetes written by my motherin-law Helen Shallow (consultant midwife and supervisor of midwives) in the Autumn/Winter 2013 issue of The Best Start, I was asked by her to contribute to the subject. I hope that sharing my personal experience will help empower other women to understand how stress, in addition to the already recognised dietary factors, has a surprisingly, but negative impact on the risk of developing gestational diabetes, a silent, but increasingly commonplace condition in pregnancy associated with poor blood glucose control.

I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in my first pregnancy in 2002. When I was told by the consultant I was shocked as I did not understand why. I thought they must have got it wrong. I had always been on the slim-side and thought I was pretty healthy with no family history of diabetes. I remember the consultant, when he asked me about my then current and what I also thought was to be a healthy diet, said something along the lines of, “Well, there’s no point in recommending improvements to your diet. We had better give you some insulin to inject every day”.

This sweeping statement meant that from that moment on my pregnancy would be scrupulously monitored right to its gestational end and all my hopes of having a natural home birth went flying out the window.

I went home upset and cross. I was still asking myself the unanswered question, “But why?

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Why me? Why was I not able to control my blood sugar levels properly?” So I made a decision to find out why and that’s what I did.

When I became pregnant, before I trained as a nutritional therapist, I was a business manager and music supervisor, running a music production company. It was exceptionally demanding work and had long hours, late nights, too much caffeine and awkward clients as part of the job description. I can now look back and reflect that I was pretty stressed out most of the time, and I now understand it was this everyday stress that was a likely cause in aggravating my blood sugar imbalance, even before I was pregnant, and consequently a major risk factor in developing gestational diabetes.

But why did stress have such an impact on how I was controlling my blood glucose levels?

To explain it is important, but first we need to understand the fight or flight reaction to stress.

Fight or Flight Historically in our hunter and gatherer era, the majority of stresses facing us were physical such as the fear of being eaten by a saber-toothed tiger.

It was essential that we became biologically

programmed to survive and so we evolved a stress response system called the ‘fight or flight’ response where the levels of hormones in the body, cortisol and adrenalin produced by the adrenal glands, shoot up, their main effect being to, instantaneously, increase our blood glucose levels. Simultaneously the levels of the hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, also shoot up to help the extra glucose from the blood enter into the cells to provide the immediate energy, in the case of the tiger that our muscles needed to get the body away from danger. The problem is that our ‘fight or flight response to danger, is no different today than it was all those thousands of years ago.

So whilst stress can still be physical, caused by danger, injury or illness, the vast majority of stress these days is psychological or emotional, like problems at work, in relationships, health or finances, and our bodies have yet to catch up. This means no matter whether it is physical or emotional stress the response is always physical. Initially, the changes that emotional stress creates in the body are practical but when stress becomes constant it gets out of hand, and you start to meet that sabertoothed tiger on every street corner or in the worst case scenario the tiger moves in with you, and this is when the fight-or-flight response stops working so well. The effects of insulin are to reduce the blood glucose by letting the extra energy into the cells starts to reduce, the cells become resistant to its effects and glucose piles up in the blood.

How stress affects our nutritional status At the same time, stress has a negative impact on our nutritional status. The over production of stress hormones use up significant amounts of essential vitamins and minerals, in particular zinc, magnesium, vitamins C and the B vitamins, which are the same nutrients the body needs to maintain a healthy blood sugar balance. The body considers stress is an emergency situation so the production of stress hormones will always take priority over the body’s normal use for these nutrients, and eventually a deficiency puts a strain on all the body’s systems, especially blood glucose control. To make matters

worse stress can upset our digestion and hamper the absorption of essential nutrients so even when the diet is considered ‘healthy and nutritious’ constant stress will add to the nutritional deficiency.

Here are some of the simple dietary and lifestyle changes I made.

How to manage stress

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Understanding why it is important to manage stress and blood sugar levels throughout pregnancy can reduce the risk of raising the blood glucose levels of unborn babies and lead to a reduced number of riskier pregnancies. We know that the best way to manage stress is to avoid the stressful situation in the first place but, for many working expectant mothers, this may not always be possible. However, it is also important to consider that it is not only the event or experience, but also how we respond to stress that creates the problem. So increasing our resistance to the effects of stress during pregnancy (before conception if possible) will help reduce the consequences of high blood glucose and insulin levels.

So to finish my story, in 2005 I had my second baby. It was a diabetes-free pregnancy and an unmanaged and a natural birth, interestingly, to the astonishment of my consultant whom I am sure had me labelled for round two.

I hope that reading this article will lend a hand to you as you prepare for pregnancy.

For me, the experience sparked a fascination in a more integrated approach to natural healthcare, which led me to the science of nutrition. I am now a practicing nutritional therapist with a special interest in empowering women (and their children) to understand how to regain control of their health and optimise their wellbeing through nutrition and lifestyle change.

1. Meditation, introspection and/or prayer can help avoid overreactions and reduce the stress response.

Regular gentle exercise, such as walking, stretching and yoga, to burn off and lessen the impact of the hormones generated during periods of stress and when blood glucose is raised.

3. Take a step back from your busy life.

Get adequate rest and sleep to help your body repair and regenerate.

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Eat a balanced healthy diet that features plenty of vegetables, slow-releasing wholegrain carbohydrates, quality proteins and healthy fats; avoids stimulants, refined sugars and carbohydrates, and highly processed meals; and perhaps taking a specialist prenatal nutrient formula, preferably before conception, to ensure the essential nutrients needed not only for the stress reaction but also for the body’s other vital functions and healthy cell and tissue building. You can think of it as building a nutritional shield to protect you against the slings and arrows that stress throws at you.

Blessingway Support during pregnancy, birth and beyond.

A Centre in Hebden Bridge Offering: • Yoga for Pregnancy • Baby/Postnatal Yoga • Aromatherapy • Acupressure • Massage & Reflexology • Partner Birth Preparation Sessions To find out more, please contact Elaine at Blessingway Birchcliffe Centre Chapel Avenue, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire HX7 8DG

07967 974376

blessingway.co.uk

Jo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Medicine from Thames Valley University (now the University of West London), is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) and is regulated by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).

For more information you can contact Jo Feakes on 07801 697 207 or jofeakesnutrition@gmail.com

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THE

Best Start Baby and Toddler Show is a great success

Over 400 new and expectant parents were at The Best Start Baby & Toddler Show held at The Shay Stadium in Halifax on Sunday 6th October.

They were greeted with a reusable goody bag filled with two magazines, free samples of Weleda lotion and cream, prenatal vitamins, tea, baby wipes and a host of information on local pregnancy and child-friendly businesses.

Inside, there were 26 exhibitors offering courses in first aid, buggy 4 fitness and baby

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and Flutterby Fairy, which the children were delighted by.

the show and from the local businesses who exhibited. It was a fantastic day.”

The show was organised by The Best Start, whose owner Andrea Wallman also provides courses, workshops, meet-ups for parents and a magazine. As Andrea commented:

The Best Start Baby & Toddler Show will be held annually in Halifax and plans are underway for shows in Leeds and Sheffield.

“We have received some really positive feedback from the families who attended

Contact babyshow@thebeststart.co.uk or call 01422 399533 for more details.

massage, as well as support services including the Breastfeeding Peer Support Network and NCT. The two charities that benefitted from the raffle proceeds were Calderdale Home Start and The Forget Me Not Trust.

Throughout the day, parents and their little ones could also try singing, baby sensory and dance classes for free and attend a series of talks including ‘how to be a good birth partner’. The award winning baby ballet team provided entertainment with Twinkle the Bear

Save the date

& The Best Star t Baby ax lif Ha Toddler Show h 2014, Sunday October 5t 10-4pm

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About Baby Massage

Treasure Baskets

By Andrea Wallman

Massaging your baby is a lovely opportunity to focus on each other and take a break from rushing around. It also enables you to meet other parents and have a drink and chat. The techniques used in baby massage are drawn from both Indian and Swedish massage traditions, as well as principles taken from yoga and reflexology.

On an IAIM baby massage course you will learn:

• massage stokes for legs, feet, stomach,

chest, arms, hands, face and back, • a short colic routine, • gentle movements and touch relaxation, • the best time and for how long to massage, • what massage oils to use, • how to adapt the strokes for your baby’s individual needs and the growing child.

Benefits of Baby Massage The benefits of baby massage can include: • strengthen baby-parent communication, • enhance your understanding of baby’s development, • boost self esteem and confidence in parenting, • relax parent and baby, • encourage a deeper sleep for baby, • relieve wind, colic and constipation, • reduce crying.

Classes are held at different locations or can be held for groups of friends in their own home.

Courses Details: Venue: Copley Cricket Club, Copley Length of course: 5 weeks Day & Time: Thursday from 1pm -2.15pm Price: £40 – this includes course notes, a bottle of organic sunflower oil & refreshments, booking and a deposit is required Other info: Please bring a towel Course Dates: January 2014: Thursday 16th, 23rd, 30th, 6th & 13th February March 2014: Thursday 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th & 3rd April Please contact Andrea on 07711 964658 or andrea@thebeststart.co.uk www.thebeststart.co.uk

Elinor Goldschmied coined the term ‘heuristic play’ and developed the use of ‘Treasure Baskets’. It is a way of offering a baby, or toddler, a range of objects to explore freely with little, or no, adult intervention.

‘Heuristic’ comes from the Greek word ‘eurisko’, which means ‘serves to discover or gain an understanding of’.

How does a Treasure Basket help my child?

Having a multisensory experience can help to develop thinking skills and independent play, you’ll be amazed at how interesting everyday objects are to your baby, they love investigating how things feel, taste and smell, so sit and watch them explore and learn.

They often engage with this activity for more than a few minutes and use all of their sense, smell, touch, feel, hear and sight to explore.

How to use a Treasure Basket Place the treasure basket infront of your baby (or babies), so that they can reach inside it easily. Allow them to explore, some children may choose just to play with one, or others may look at every item in turn. There is no need to prompt play or join in, be baby-led and watch them investigate and explore, have a camera ready to take photos of their sensory experiences.

What shall I put in the Treasure Basket?

All of the ‘treasure’ is usually stored in a wicker basket or a material bag. You can include anything in your treasure basket.

Some suggestions might be: e A natural sea spong pin g lin A small rol A whisk A small box with a lid An old purse or wallet A nailbrush silk y, ribbed, felt Dif ferent fabrics – e.g Wooden toys A CD A large shell A large pinecone A large feather A pastry brush ined within a ball A bell – maybe conta Large pebbles Corks with something Small organza bags on stick, or smelly, like a cinnam lavender

As children get older they often find their own natural ‘treasure’ and want to pick up things when they are outside, like acorns, feathers, conkers, pebbles and shells on the beach. All of the items can be added to their basket and explored through the toddler years too.

A note about safety: make sure that you wash the items before use, don’t leave your baby to play by themselves. Regularly check the basket for any broken or damaged items.

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Life After Twins...

Claire McManus, mum of twins, tells us her story of a completely different career Finding out I was pregnant with twins at my 20 week scan was the scariest, most overwhelming and surreal experience I’d ever felt in my 21 years. As I lay on the bed and burst into tears, I didn’t look at the screen.

Instead, questions like: “How I am I going to cope financially and emotionally?” pounded around my brain. I doubted myself from the word go. Leaving the hospital in shock I felt totally unprepared!

Thirteen weeks later (six weeks before my due date) I gave birth to a healthy 4lb 5oz baby girl and 5lb 10oz baby boy. Being a mum to twins felt alienating. I had no manual; my hormones were all over the place, the milk ducts in my breasts became infected and then, months down the line, I was diagnosed with postnatal depression (although looking back, I believe my depression was due to having an unsupportive partner).

To add to this, my body felt like a ‘wreck’.

Saggy boobs that didn’t feel like mine, and don’t get me started on my jelly belly. Size 8 and the body of an ex-dancer is definitely not what I faced in the mirror.

Today I am happy, I have two amazing, mature, bright and respectful children. I work hard and give them everything I can (not everything they want). I have tackled my weight problem and I am a healthy dress size 8 and confident within myself. I’ve never been on a fad diet nor do I believe in them. Having young children meant that dream job of being a dancer was no longer an option. I felt stripped of the confident, happy, bubbly person I used to be.

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I was offered a job at a private nursery and threw myself into the gym, whilst studying at college and being a mum. I passed levels 2 & 3 in childcare, my confidence was growing and I was starting to find myself again. I finally realised that I wanted to work with young offenders. So while I supported myself financially as childcare supervisor, I went to night school and re-sat my GCSE’s, studied A-levels and finally 3 years on, I was at university!

I loved it, sociology & politics were my favourite subjects. I left the nursery and got a job in a drug support centre as an NLP and fitness support worker & ran my own Zumba classes.

Two years ago I had an accident which made it impossible to complete my third year of uni and meant I had to leave my job as a support worker. So when I was over the accident, I developed my fitness career. I then qualified as a nail technician and through this, discovered a fantastic product, a product called ‘IT WORKS’, which you can read about on page 25.

Gymbabes classes are designed for babies who are just beginning to be mobile, and who are wanting to explore their surroundings. Classes offer physical activities for babies from 6 months, and gently encourage them to crawl, stand and ultimately walk. We have a huge variety of equipment to stimulate and encourage children. Class layouts are changed every few weeks, and the versatility of the equipment means we can offer a variety of tasks, suitable for each stage of your child’s development.

There is a direct link between physical movement and brain development. There has been concern amongst health professionals recently about babies spending too much time in car seats, swings, seats etc, and not getting enough physical stimulation and, in particular, tummy time. Movement helps develop connections within the brain, and babies develop from the head downwards (Cephalo-caudal) and from the centre outwards (Proximo-distal). For example, babies learn to control their shoulders, then their arms, then their hands and finally their fingers. In order to be able to write a child has to have had a chance to crawl, climb, and swing, developing their arm and shoulder muscles first. Gymbabes offers the chance for babies to do all these things, and to develop gross and fine motor skills.

Classes also include a small portion of baby massage and developmental exercises, plus rhymes and songs, which can all be repeated at home, helping with bonding and language development.

For you, the sessions offer the chance to have 40 minutes uninterrupted play time with your child, without the phone ringing or the washing machine finishing. You can watch your child progress through different tasks on the equipment, and it can boost your own confidence when you see what your child can achieve. It gives the opportunity for you to meet other parents with children at similar stages of development, or to have an adult conversation with our friendly staff! Class numbers are kept small, with a high ratio of staff to children.

Tumble Tots and Gymbabes classes have been running in Huddersfield for over 15 years, and the staff have a wealth of experience with their own children and through working for Tumble Tots. However, the children still never fail to surprise and amaze us!

Gymbabes sessions run in Huddersfield on a Wednesday at Moldgreen United Reformed Church and a Thursday at North Light Gallery, Armitage Bridge.

For further details, contact Monique on 01484 689467, or e-mail her at monique.brennan@tumbletots.com, or visit the website at www.tumbletots.com/huddersfield

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Cutting the cord too soon?

– to recommend delaying cord clamping for at least three to five minutes, but ideally until the cord stops pulsating.

Research has shown that clamping the cord immediately, deprives the baby of up to 40 percent of his/her intended blood supply (Farrar, Duley et al 2011). This blood contains stem cells and blood cells, as well as hormones which are necessary to completion of the birth process. It’s also a major risk factor for anaemia in newborns (Van Rheenan, Andersson/Brabin & Mercer). Yet hospitals throughout the western world have been practicing immediate cord clamping for 40 to 50 years now.

Amanda Burleigh, Midwife & Optimal/ Delayed Cord Clamping Campaigner

A hospital midwife and mum of two has launched a worldwide petition, with support from The Fertility and Birth (FAB) Network, to change official guidelines on cutting the umbilical cord, following evidence that it improves the health of newborns.

The FAB Network is a team of professionals who are passionate about supporting women with advice, support and a range of therapies to complement existing fertility and maternity services that are available on the NHS. FAB champions the right for every woman to have the ability to make informed choices about their wider healthcare options for conception, pregnancy and labour and to that end, are supporting midwife Amanda Burleigh in her campaign.

Amanda, from Leeds, is campaigning to lobby the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to change the current guidelines – which recommend immediate cord clamping

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Amanda’s petition already has over 4000 signatures from more than 40 different countries. There are comments from MPs, doctors, midwives, doulas and other health professionals, as well as mothers and fathers of children who think it is important to protect babies from this intervention by changing clinical practice.

Amanda Burleigh said: “Mounting evidence and growing interest in the benefits of delaying cord clamping has led some hospitals across the country to change their policies on the issue, so they don’t cut the cord in healthy, full-term babies for two minutes.” The World Health Organisation, UNICEF, International Confederation of Midwives, Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists and Royal College of Midwives all support optimal cord clamping, but NICE have indicated that there is no need to change the guidelines in line with other international and national bodies because informed choice is offered to parents.

In fact, informed choice is rarely provided and most parents are unaware of the options for their baby to receiving his/her full quota of cord blood.

NICE will not publish new guidelines until November 2014, despite increasing evidence to prove that immediate cord clamping can be detrimental for some babies.

“If NICE lead the way in delivering clarity in the management of the third stage whilst taking into account the considerable benefits of allowing optimal cord clamping, this will lead the way for other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway and America to follow suit,” Amanda continued.

How can you help?

Sign the petition...

Her petition for delayed cord clamping can be found at http://www.change.org/ petitions/national-institute-of-clinicalevidence-implement-delayed-cord-clampingimmediately Find us on Facebook search for ‘Delayed Cord Clamping UK’

Have your Say! Research Announcement Share your experience of being in early labour.

An in depth exploration of the outcome of interactions between mothers and midwives when labour onset is suspected: a participatory action research study.

A new local research project is about to get underway in the Calderdale and Huddersfield Area. The study will be exploring women’s experiences of local maternity services around the time their labour started – otherwise called ‘early labour’. In the New Year, there will be a set of focus/discussion groups to enable women who have given birth in the last two years to share their views. There will also be a similar set of discussion groups with midwives. The aim of the study is to determine what works well and what improvements can be made. Local women’s views are key to the success of this important research study.

If you are interested, please let Andrea know (andrea@thebeststart.co.uk) with your contact details, and she will put you in touch with Helen Shallow, the consultant midwife who is carrying out this research.

Helen will get back to you and send you more information to help you decide if you would like to take part or not. We look forward to hearing from you.

Women’s views matter and here’s your chance to have a say.

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Directory of Local Groups

Huddersfield

Bookstart Busy Babies Hebden Bridge Library 11.00am–11.40am. £2 or free with PTL

NCT Bumps, Babes & Toddlers Holmfirth Parish Church 10.30am–12.00noon 01484 685654

Baby Stay & Play Hebden Vale Children’s Centre 1.30pm – 3.00pm.

Shelley Baby & Toddler Group Methodist Church 9am–11am.

01484 606750

The Best Start Monthly Group Last Monday of the month babyballet Halifax 12.30 – 2.30pm 07711 964658

Parent & Child Group The Motherhub Lindley. 1.00pm–4pm Meltham Baby & Toddler Group Meltham Methodist Church 9.30am-11.30am

Buggy 4 Fitness Savile Park - 10am

Tuesdays

Jo Jingles Class Ripponden, 9.45am Jo - 01706 212889 Baby Group Siddal Children’s Centre 1.30–3.00pm 01422 395501 Babies under 12 month

Birkby Mum, Baby & Toddler Group Community Centre 9.30–11.15am

Bookstart Busy Babies Brighouse Library 10.30–11.10am. £2 or free with PTL

Fixby Parent & Toddler Group Saint Francis Church 1.00–2.45pm.

01484 540728

Ripponden Parent & Toddler Group Community Centre, Old Bank 9.30–11.30am. 01422 822777 All Saints Parent & Toddler Group Skircoat Green 9.30-11.30am and 12.30 – 2.15pm 01422 3200

Wednesdays

Baby Yoga Blessingway, Hebden Bridge Tues 2pm 07967 974376

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Southowram Baby Group Southowram Children’s Centre Wednesdays 1.30pm–3pm Busy Babies Elland Children Centre 1-3pm. 01422 373133

Thursdays

Bumps and Babies (up to 1) Innovation Children’s Centre 10.30am–12.30pm.

01422 251090

Parent & Child Group The Motherhub Lindley. 3.00–6.00pm

Barkisland Parent & Toddler Barkisland Cricket Club 9.30am–11.30am, 07718 606867

Rainbow Baby & Toddler Group Dalton, 9.30am–11.30am 01484 518830

Copley Parent & Toddler Group Rugby Club 9.30am–11.00am.

01422 320097

Little Squirrels Parent & Child Group Wonderland Playgym 9.30am–11.30am, 07790427609

Baby Stay & Play Todmorden Children’s Centre 1.30pm - 3.00pm Buggy 4 Fitness Hipperholme -10am Holmfield - 1.30pm Jo Jingles Class - Play Palace Halifax, 9.45am - Louise, 01706 212889

Bookstart Busy Babies Halifax Central Library, £2 free with PTL 10.00am–10.40am & 11.00am–11.40am

Meltham Baby & Toddler Group Meltham Methodist Church 9.30am–11.30am

Under 25’s Parent Group Hebden Vale Children’s Centre 2.30pm – 4.00pm

Parent & Child Group The Motherhub Lindley 1.00pm–4.00pm

Baby Yoga Blessingway, Hebden Bridge Thursday 1pm 07967 974376 Greetland Mother & Toddler Group St Thomas’ Church, Greetland 1pm til 2.30pm (£2) 07971 636236 Buggy 4 Fitness Ripponden - 11am Hebden Bridge - 1.30pm

NCT Bumps & Babies All Saints Parish Hall, Skircoat Green 10.30am-12.00noon

Parent & Toddler Group St Stephen’s Parish Church, Lindley 10.00am -12.00noon (term time only)

Baby & Toddler Group Lindley Methodist Church 9.30am–11.15am

Huddersfield

Jo Jingles Brighouse, 9.45am Louise – 01706 212889 Todmorden, 9.30am Jo – 01706 212889

Fridays

Mondays

Calderdale

Wednesday continued...

Attending a new group can sometimes be a bit daunting, so you could take a friend with you for the first time or ring and talk to the organiser before you go. It could turn out to be a great source of support and a good way to meet other mums.

Calderdale

Stones Baby & Toddler Group Stones Methodist Church, Ripponden 9.30am–11.00am, 07531 406830 Baby Stay & Play Todmorden Health Centre, 9.30am to 11.30am Young Parents’ Group (2nd and last Friday of the month) Todmorden Children’s Centre 1.30pm to 3.00pm

Bumps & Babies Lindley Methodist Church Lindley. 1.30pm–3pm 07761 784627 Parent & Toddler Group Birchencliffe Community Centre 9.30am – 11.30am £1 per family Jo Jingles – Lindley 9.45am Louise – 01706 212889

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THE

Best Start Baby and Toddler Show

Competition!

Could your child be the new face of The Baby & Toddler Show?

In 2014, we will be holding three events in Leeds, Sheffield and Halifax and we are looking for one child to be the face of our Best Start Baby & Toddler Shows.

We have teamed up with award winning Mark Wilkinson from Marlin Images, a highly experienced and qualified master photographer to offer the following package:

Do I need a professional photograph to enter?

No, just a nice, clear image of your child will be great.

How can I enter my baby or toddler?

Please download and complete an entry form from the website www.thebeststart.co.uk and email or post a recent image to babyshow@thebeststart.co.uk or by post to: The Best Start, Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Hopwood Lane, Halifax, HX1 5ER

Is there a minimum or maximum age limit?

Your baby needs to be at least 4 months and no older than 3 years of age on Sunday 2nd March 2014.

A full list of the terms and conditions will be included with the entry form, that can be downloaded from the website www.thebeststart.co.uk.

When does the photo shoot take place?

As we need the new image very soon, the winner must be available to attend the photo shoot by Sunday 2nd March 2014. This will take place at Marlin Images studio in Wakefield.

The closing date for entry is 12 noon on Friday 14th February 2014. All entries received after this date will not be eligible for entry into the competition.

Any questions please contact babyshow@thebeststart.co.uk or Andrea on 01422 399533

Competition!

@beststartevents /thebeststartevents

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BabyCalm™ Sleep Workshop This special 3 hour baby sleep workshop is designed to help parents who are struggling with their baby’s sleep, wondering if they will ever sleep through the night and battling sleep deprivation and exhaustion.

Our baby sleep workshop is however very different to most other baby sleep help you may find. Our suggestions, tools and techniques are all based on sound scientific evidence and we guarantee that they will not cause any harm to your baby, nor will they result in tears - for you or your baby!

We promise to never teach you to use controlled crying, rapid return, gradual withdrawal, ‘pick up, put down’ or any other behavioural related technique. Why? Firstly because we only advocate gentle sleep techniques and secondly, because whilst these behavioural techniques may work in the short term research shows they may lead to far more problems, including poor sleep, in the long term.

You will learn: • What normal baby sleep looks like

This is a great class for both mums, dads and partners of babies aged 3 to 12 months of age.

All workshops are held at The Premier Inn, Salterhebble, Halifax, £35 per couple Sunday 26th January 10.30 – 1.30pm Saturday 8th March 10.30 – 1.30pm

• How to maximize the amount of sleep your baby - and you - will get

For more details and to book your place please contact

• The neuroscience of infant sleep

andrea@babycalm.co.uk or 07711 964658

• The pros and cons of the most commonly used sleep training techniques

Facebook /babytoddlercalm

• Sleep safety and SIDS

Twitter @andreababycalm

• Gentle alternatives to help your baby sleep • What to expect of your baby’s sleep in the future • How to create good sleep habits - for life!

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Showcase your child’s year 2014 calendars phone cases ipad cases & sleeves & much more ...

01422 847799 / 847800

Croft Mill, Albert Street, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8AH

www.printbureau.co.uk

The Best Start Monthly Meet Up A place for local parents to meet up on the last Monday of every month

12.30 – 2.30pm • £1 per family • Held at babyballet Greenwoods Mill, 25 Square Road, Halifax, HX1 1QG (Please check restrictions for street parking)

There is a café in babyballet where people can buy their own refreshments

The Huddersfield Sling Library and Halifax & Huddersfield Nappy Library will be available to give advice and information about their services

Contact Andrea on 07711 964658 or andrea@thebeststart.co.uk 22

It is interesting how often women are inspired to explore the idea of working with expectant families after their own journeys through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Some will look to midwifery, others to supporting their peers with breastfeeding or working as a doula (childbirth companion). While a change of direction may feel a little daunting, directing your passion towards making a difference to women’s experiences during this magical yet vulnerable time can be rewarding.

Alternatively, you might wish to get involved with your local Maternity Services Liaison Committee (MSLC) and enjoy the opportunity to help develop and support the maternity services in your local community.

At Calderdale & Huddersfield MSLC, or ‘Your MSLC’, we are always looking for people to join our group of committed volunteers and be the voice of the community. Our tagline gives you some idea of our aims: ‘Your Voice Shaping Your Care’. The group is made up of ’service users’ who have had experience of maternity services in our area, both personally and professionally. Your MSLC meets quarterly with professional representatives from all areas connected to the maternity services.

Volunteers also get together between quarterly meetings over tea and cake in a more informal setting, often with children joining in!

Being part of Your MSLC offers you an opportunity to share feedback, ideas and stories in person to the people with responsibility for the care you receive.

‘‘The only way to have a real impact on change is to ensure your voice and the voice of other service users is heard.’’

Volunteers can participate at whatever level they feel comfortable and meetings are open to everyone, so you can come along and contribute as much or as little as you like.

Expenses are reimbursed.

Your MSLC is in the process of building an online resource full of information on relevant local services and support groups, the projects we are working on and the facility to submit feedback of your own experiences, both positive and negative. The development of the website is another area you may be able to help with.

So there are a variety of ways to get involved and gain experience through Your MSLC. If you would like to volunteer some of your time and have a real impact on the future of maternity services in Calderdale & Huddersfield, please get in touch with us at info@yourmslc.org.uk

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Claire’s Touch Of Class IT WORKS is a botanically based, all natural product on a non-woven cloth known as the Ultimate Body Applicator.

It took America by storm when launched in 2003, along with the specially designed facial applicator, defining gel, the Greens and many more. This revolutionary product has only been in the UK for approximately 6 months and is enjoying the same growth.

Have you set any parenting resolutions?

Have you started the New Year with plans to be a better parent, its hard work isn’t it? Parenting is the easiest thing to comment on and yet, the hardest thing to do.

ToddlerCalm ™ workshops don’t tell you how to parent your toddler, they help you to understand your toddler’s brain development and shows you ways to avoid and handle most difficult toddler behaviour. We look at the science of tantrums and how to encourage your toddler to grow into a kind, thoughtful and independent child.

As well as this we address concerns around biting, hitting, throwing, eating and potty training as well as helping parents to prepare in advance for the toddler years. We promise that you will find this introductory workshop truly refreshing and eye opening!

We will cover topics on: • How to stop toddler biting • How to stop toddler hitting • How to encourage your toddler to share • How to encourage your toddler to listen to you • How to stop toddler whining • How to encourage your ‘terrible twos’ to be more ‘terrific twos’ and ‘threes’ and ‘fours’ Suitable for all parents of all 1 to 4 year olds. This workshop can also be taken in advance of the toddler years, helping you to learn the skills of toddler calming whilst your little one is still a baby!

So here’s the drill. You decide you want to slim down fast. Your high school reunion is coming up. Your best friend’s wedding’s on the horizon. So you go on the latest fad diet. It doesn’t matter which one, all of them usually require you to eat salads and grilled chicken, drink meal replacement shakes and banish sweets for weeks, maybe months. Thirty days later you might start seeing results.

ToddlerCalming Workshop Sunday 2nd February 2014 10 -1pm, £35 per couple, £5 off with this advert Premier Inn, Salterhebble, Halifax

For details of your local classes contact Andrea andrea@toddlercalm.co.uk or 07711 964658 ToddlerCalm™ turns mainstream parenting /babytoddlercalm techniques on their head and offers a @andreababycalm genuine alternative to raising your toddler.

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But what if you don’t have thirty days? What if that special event is this weekend? Wouldn’t it be great to get instant results? With IT WORKS Ultimate Body Applicator you can!

I added this product to my business because I believe in it and it did wonders for me. I had great toned abdominal muscles, but being a mummy of twins, these abbs were hidden by ridged skin and stretch marks.

While fitness and a healthy balanced diet is essential, it only concentrates on calorie and fat burning and muscle tone. No amount of exercise will improve the skin.

IT WORKS applicator will tighten, tone and firm your problem skin areas. It can reduce the cellulite and improve your skin’s tightness and texture in as little as 45 minutes with no fuss, no mess and no pain. What’s more, it continues to work for a further three days. This is because it detoxifies the system by breaking down toxins and shrinking the fat cells.

So unlike the ‘water tension’ wraps you see in salons that are expensive and leave you disappointed when the results last only a few days, IT WORKS applicator gives you a long lasting result and is cost effective. Plus, you can use it at home, fitting it in around your busy schedule.

ONLY £ 30 g Special offers AT C OR evenin

PPLI or book an A ing & friends wrapp e or m or 5 with free ! r fo s ur you can tr y yo

Claire’s Touch Of Class Contact Claire on 07521 274207 e: info@clairestouchofclass.com w: clairestouchofclass.co.uk /ClairesTouchOfClass

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Buggy 4 Fitness is a great postnatal workout which also allows you to enjoy the great outdoors and meet new friends whilst getting back into shape bringing your baby along too!

The sessions focus on a wide variety of postnatal specific exercises included within cardio, muscle toning and pelvic floor. Mums of all fitness levels are welcome as you work at your own level, increasing as the sessions progress to get you back into your pre-pregnancy shape. Sessions can be joined as early as 6–10 weeks after the birth.

The many benefits of Buggy 4 Fitness include:

new Friends • Meeting No need for childcare • Enjoying the fresh air of the great outdoors with • your baby body fat • Losing Increasing Fitness • Strengthening the muscles affected by pregnancy • Re-toning pelvic floor and reducing the risk of • stress incontinence abdominal muscles to increase strength • Re-toning and support the spine and regain figure your mood by increasing the levels of • Boosting feel-good chemicals endorphins which help avoid

• • • •

or alleviate the symptoms of post-natal depression Increasing self confidence Correcting/regaining good posture, balance and co-ordination Better quality sleep and feeling of relaxation and calm Longer term weight loss

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CLASSES CURRENTLY HELD Savile Park Monday 10am Hipperholme Wednesday 10am Ripponden Thursday 11am and Hebden Bridge 1.30pm NEW CLASSES COMING APRIL 2014 Wellholme Park, Brighouse plus other locations

For further information or to book a place contact Sharon on 07825 706983 sharon@buggy4fitness.co.uk www.buggy4fitness.co.uk

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My Birth Story by Sarah Fitton My little girl, Katie, was a pretty big baby when she was born - a 9lb 5oz big baby to be exact! When I tell people her birth weight, the response is often ‘ooh’ and even ‘ow!’, but with the help of a brilliant midwife I was lucky enough to have a straight forward birth with relatively little pain relief.

I was advised to go to the hospital for a couple of hours’ monitoring when I was four days overdue as my midwife was concerned about how high my blood pressure was. I remember feeling pretty frustrated as I’d had a stretch and sweep earlier that day and been told that a good walk could help things along - but I was stuck lying on a hospital bed for most of that afternoon! Thankfully I was allowed home later that day and was woken at 4.30am the next day by my first contractions.

I’d heard stories from friends about contractions starting and then stopping so I wanted to be sure this was the real thing before I woke my husband Jim (who I’m sure won’t mind me saying can be a tad grumpy when he first wakes up!). I had a bath, checked everything was in my hospital bag, and when my contractions were getting closer together an hour later, woke Jim up.

When we’d toured Calderdale Royal Hospital before Katie was born, we’d fallen in love with the birth centre a little bit. With its twinkly fairy lights and dim lighting, it seemed so much more serene and much less clinical than the labour ward. However, my high blood pressure in the days leading up to Katie’s birth meant the labour ward was where we were headed.

Jim, Katie & Sarah

By about 7am, my contractions were about five minutes apart. We rang the hospital and the staff there said we could go in. I remember feeling excited and nervous - it was all finally happening! I was examined, taken to a room and met my midwife. I was so lucky to have landed him - he was amazing! He noted that I’d written in my birth plan that I wanted to be as mobile as possible and made sure that I could be up and about at all times. He also fetched me the birthing ball I’d requested straight away and told me he thought Katie would be born mid-afternoon - he was exactly right!

I wanted to avoid an epidural, if at all possible, because I feared it would make me less mobile and slow down my labour. I had some paracetamol at home and then had codeine a few hours after arriving at the hospital, but found a TENS machine to be the biggest help.

Every time I felt a contraction coming, I would ask Jim to push the button. Being on the birth ball also really helped, as did the funny stories my midwife told about other births. They were great at distracting me from the earlier contraction pains.

By the early afternoon, the contractions were really strong. The midwife suggested I stand up and lean on the bed for support. I then asked for gas and air, but it didn’t seem to have much effect. I remember saying: “I’ve had enough for today now thank you. Can I go home and come back tomorrow?” Soon after I was asking for something else for the pain - I even think I was asking for an epidural - but my midwife said: “The only way to stop the pain now is to get this baby out.” He asked if I was ready to push, and I gave it a try and remember feeling like my body was taking over. My waters broke and after a few pushes and some brilliant encouragement from Jim and my midwife later; Katie was here!

I decided to have an injection to help birth the placenta, and then I needed stitches for second degree tears. Jim took Katie and had some skin-to-skin time with her while I tried the gas and air again for the stitches. This time it really helped! Then, with help again from my midwife, we tried breastfeeding. I’d been worried about getting the positioning right, but Katie seemed to know exactly what she was doing and latched on straight away.

We spent the night in the hospital as my blood pressure was still high but were fortunate enough to be allowed to stay in the same room. As we weren’t moved onto a ward, Jim was able to spend the night there too which was lovely as we really didn’t want to be separated.

I remember spending most of the night staring at this little being that we had made, and I had grown. Five months on, I still find myself staring at her with the same amazement.

If you’d like to share your positive birth story please contact us at hello@thebeststart.co.uk.

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Katie & Sarah

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Useful contact numbers Breastfeeding Support

Other Useful Contact Numbers

Many of the national organisations have really useful information on their website and facebook pages

Calderdale Birth Centre 01422 224417

NCT Breastfeeding helpline 0300 330 0771 (8am -10pm) www.nct.org.uk

AIMS Helpline helpline@aims.org.uk 0300 365 0663 Huddersfield Birth Centre 01484 342608

Calderdale Breastfeeding Peer Support 07920 466 660 peersupporters@calderdale.gov.uk

LDRP / Delivery Ward 01422 222129 or 224352

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers 0300 100 0210 (9.30am-10.30pm) www.abm.me.uk

Triage 01422 223492

La Leche League Helpline 0845 120 2918 www.laleche.org.uk

Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000247

National Breastfeeding Helpline (NHS) 0300 100 0212 Your local GP can be contacted for help and advice

NHS Direct 0845 4647

Mental Health Support Kirklees 01924 284555 Calderdale 01422 222891 Stop Smoking Service 0800 1699169 Huddersfield 01484 344285 Calderdale 01422 281505 NCT Helpline – pregnancy and birth & early parenthood 0300 330 0700

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Huddersfield Baby Café

Calderdale Baby Café

2a Chestnut Street, Huddersfield, HD2 1HJ

25 Square Road, Halifax, HX1 1QG

Monday afternoon from 1-3

Thursday morning from 9-11

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