smallTALK - Spring 2017

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Supporting all parents and parents-to-be in and around Basingstoke

sue: s i s i h t In Coping with sleep deprivation

| Double Trouble: Raising twins 1

POST-NATAL NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Contents Features:

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A change is as good as a rest

21 Coping with sleep deprivation 19 My breastfeeding journey 30 Double Trouble: Raising Twins 34 Flexible Working

Our cover star is Lily Garnham

Regular Features: Letter From The Editor

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Members

5

Letter From The Chair

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NCT National News NCT Local News

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Events & Groups

10

Birth Announcements

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Meet A Volunteer

25

Giving Birth – My Story

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The Toddler Diaries

38

Cooking Feature

40

Branch Contacts

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Useful Contacts

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Share your stories Your child on the cover If you would like to see your baby on the next cover please email Newsletter.Basingstoke@nct.org.uk Photos should be in portrait and be a high quality .jpg or .png

Do you have a birth story you’d like to share?

Maybe a parenting or child related experience.

Funny, serious, or informative, we’d love to hear from you and so would our readers.

Email Newsletter.Basingstoke@nct.org.uk to have your article published. You can remain anonymous if you wish to.

Disclaimer & Copyright The views expressed in the newsletter are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of the newsletter team, the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) or the Basingstoke Branch of the NCT. The information in this newsletter is intended for the use of NCT members, only in connection with NCT activities and may not be used for any commercial purposes. The appearance of an advertisement in this newsletter does not imply endorsement of the advertiser or its products or services by the NCT, nor does it constitute a recommendation. The NCT does not accept liability for any loss, injury or damage arising out of goods or services sold through any advertisement in this newsletter. Any discount offered to NCT Members by any advertisement is done so entirely at the discretion of the advertiser.

The terms ‘NCT’, ‘National Childbirth Trust’ and Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party are copyright and may not be used without permission. Copyright for the presentation and layout of this newsletter rests with the Basingstoke branch of the NCT; authors retain copyright of articles.

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Editor’s letter o our t e m o c l e W tion!

Spring edi I’m sure that, like me, you’re all embracing the longer days and looking forward to warmer weather so you can get your little ones outside more easily.

My toddler is like a caged beast if we stay home for more than a few hours.

Our house is particularly busy - and messy - at the moment as Baby Theo joined our family in November. Having a baby and a toddler to contend with can be tough going. As our co-chair writes in her welcome letter, the need for solidarity and support among parents is absolutely key to keeping us sane.

So I hope you find solidarity and support in this issue. Sleep, or lack of, features in a couple of our articles with one mum’s advice based on her own difficult experiences and our regular Toddler Diaries instalment covering health visitor support for a sleepless three year-old.

We’ve also got information about how you can bag a bargain at our next Nearly New Sale on Saturday 8th April as well a mum’s take on bringing up twins, some handy tips on requesting flexible

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working and a brilliant non-chocolate Easter cookie recipe. Plus our regular features on giving birth, breastfeeding, and volunteering with us.

This is your magazine, so do let me know if there are particular issues you’d like us to address - all feedback is very welcome.

Jenny x

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Members NCT Members Statement “The National Childbirth Trust needs members to help finance the work we do.

Many members make a difference for parents through volunteering or training to work for the NCT as well as through the membership fee they pay. We are very effective but we need you to join or renew your membership to help us make more of a difference.

If your baby’s birth was attended by the baby’s dad, if you had a home birth, if you did not have continuous foetal monitoring or knew about a physiological third stage, or had your baby with you throughout your hospital stay – the past members of the NCT made a difference for you.

By joining you can make a difference for parents in the future.”

New Members Please join us in extending a warm welcome to new branch members.

Rooksdown Andrew McCarthy & Claire Smalley Brighton Hill Kim Carter Chineham Elizabeth Long

Long Standing Members Congratulations go to the following members with anniversaries this quarter: Member Alison & Mike Wall

16 years

Catherine Hunsley

15 years

James & Nicola Hockey

13 years

Cat Coveney

13 years

Melanie Payne

12 years

Fiona Robertson

11 years

Emma Briggs

11 years

Duncan & Sarah Crowdy

11 years

Diane Kearsey

10 years 5

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Welcome Letter from the Chair Hello, and welcome to the Spring 2017 issue of smallTALK! The last time I wrote the Branch Coordinator’s letter, I was heavily pregnant with my second child, and pondering how we would manage life with two little ones. Well, our lovely, smiley Pippa is now six months old and taking her first tastes of solid food.

Her older brother, Samuel, adores her and she idolises him. Meanwhile, my husband and I are slowly emerging from the chaotic blur and sleep-deprived haze, and taking stock of our new life as a family of four.

It’s easy to paint an idyllic picture. But while I feel incredibly blessed, these past months have also been the hardest I’ve experienced as a parent. I have had to

learn to balance two sets of differing needs, and come to terms with an always-overflowing laundry basket.

I have been reminded again of the importance of a strong support network and honest conversations with other parents about the struggles of raising young children, and very much hope that we, as a branch, can build on what we already offer parents in this regard in the coming year.

The arrival of Spring always seems to me to be an ideal time to re-evaluate, so if you have any thoughts about how we can improve what we currently offer or ideas about gaps in our provision, we would love to hear from you.

nt

Corissa Hu

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

National News NCT launches new report on maternity services Released on: 17 January 2017 Today we have launched Support Overdue 2017, based on our second survey of women’s experiences of their maternity care carried out with the WI. This builds on the 2013 report we published and provides further insights into the experiences of 2,500 women who gave birth in England or Wales during 2014, 2015, or the first half of 2016.

Women are generally positive about the maternity care they receive and many praised the kindness and professionalism of the staff who cared for them. However, some findings gave cause for concern.

For example, we asked about NICE describes as a ‘red-flag’ event – indicators of dangerously low staffing levels, such as a women not receiving one-to-one care during established labour or having to wait more than an hour to be washed or receive stitches after birth – and found that, half of all women surveyed had experienced a red flag event.

Postnatal care remains an area of concern with no change in the percentage of women – roughly one in five – telling us they were not able to see a midwife as much as they needed post-birth. A third of women who were not able to see a midwife as often as they needed postnatally reported that this resulted in a delay in a health problem being diagnosed in them or their baby.

We will be using these findings to press for improvements to maternity services and today our senior policy advisor will be presenting the findings to the Health Select Committee in Parliament. If you are on social media, do join the conversation using the hashtag #supportoverdue

Local News Postnatal Practitioner honoured with Practitioner Parent Support Award at the national NCT Stars Event NCT Stars Awards celebrate and honour the efforts of the charity’s volunteers and practitioners who give their time and skills to support mums and dads in their communities.

We are delighted to share the news that Fiona Robertson was presented with the Practitioner Parent Support Award at a national ceremony in October. The award is presented to the NCT practitioner who has done the most to make new parents feel welcomed, supported and valued. Through her roles as facilitator of Early Days courses and as a breastfeeding 8

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017 counsellor, Fiona has excelled in creating supportive groups which empower mothers and fathers to be confident parents here in Basingstoke. She also continues this work as a much valued volunteer within the branch.

Presenting the award at City Hall, London, Virginia Campbell, Head of NCT College, said: “The Stars Awards are a great way to thank some of our fabulous practitioners, who play a vital role by providing high quality courses and workshops for new parents. Fiona is someone who has gone the extra mile to support parents with her group work and richly deserves her accolade.”

Fiona Robertson said: “I’m delighted to win this award which recognises the work we’re doing in the local branch to support parents. It’s an honour to win during NCT’s 60th anniversary as it’s a reminder of the parents we’ve supported in the area over the years.”

New Volunteers Needed!

Make friends and add to your CV by volunteering with us.

We couldn’t run the branch without local parents kind enough to donate their free time!

Right now we need help running our flagship Coffee & Chat session on Friday mornings.

If you have a few hours to spare, please email branch.basingstoke@nct.org.uk

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Events & Groups All events can be found at: www.nct.org.uk/branches/basingstoke/branch-calendar Relax Stretch and Breathe

Every Tuesday at 5.30pm and 7.30pm (2hrs) Yoga-based exercise for pregnancy. £10 per class Brookvale Village Hall.

Booking is essential and waiting lists are in place.

To book email: rsb@basingstokenct.org.uk

Breastfeeding support

Every Monday at 10am to 11.30am Blue Room, Sherborne Building, Basingstoke Hospital, RG24 9NA New drop-in session funded by the hospital trust but run by NCT trained breastfeeding counsellors. No appointment needed.

BABIES Breastfeeding Support

Every Friday at 10am-11:30am Brookvale Village Hall (back room). Drop-in session, no appointment needed. Support from NCT trained breastfeeding counsellors

Mother and Baby Yoga

Term time Tuesdays and Fridays For mums and babies 6 weeks to 12 months old.

Tuesday Brookvale Village Hall, Friday Everest Academy.

Set of 5 for £37.50, starting: Tuesday 7 Mar: 10.30am - 12noon & 12.15pm to 1.45pm Friday 10 Mar: 10.30am - 12noon Tuesday 25 Apr: 10.30am - 12noon & 12.15pm to 1.45pm Friday 28 Apr: 10.30am - 12noon Email rswb@basingstokenct.org.uk

Baby Massage

Thursdays and Fridays For babies aged 6 weeks to pre-crawling. £47 for 5 weeks starting: Friday 10 Mar: 12.15pm – 1.30pm Thursday 16 Mar: 10am - 11.15am Thursday 27 Apr: 10am - 11.15am Friday 28 Apr: 12.15pm – 1.30pm Email bookings4q@nct.org.uk

First Aid Course

Saturday 4 March: 10am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 4pm Saturday 1 April: 10am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 4pm Saturday 6 May: 10am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 4pm Courses located in Popley, Basingstoke. Exact venue info at booking £25 per person or £45 per couple To book a place email firstaid.basingstoke@nct.org.uk

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Weekly Coffee Mornings Coffee and Chat Our flagship coffee morning is held every Friday at 10am to 12noon in Brookvale Village Hall. We have toys for babies and toddlers, tea, coffee and biscuits for you and the opportunity to meet other mums from across the town. You don’t need to be a member to come along. Suggested donation £2. Our BABIES breastfeeding support service is free to members and non members and runs at 10am-11.30am in the same place.

Brookvale Village Hall, Lower Brook Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7RU www.facebook.com/NCTCoffeeandChat Local coffee mornings We also run coffee mornings on a more informal basis in volunteers’ homes across the borough. You’re welcome to join any of them. It doesn’t matter where you live and you don’t need to be a member. They’re great places to meet other parents and parents-to-be.

You don’t need to bring anything except you and your child, or bump. However, we’d really appreciate a 50p donation to help us continue NCT’s work.

Here’s a summary of our current meetings. Please contact the relevant area contact for more information.

Wednesdays in Lychpit & Old Basing Contact Laura on Ly_flower@hotmail.com Facebook group: Old Basing & Lychpit NCT Coffee Morning Wednesday mornings 10-12 midday Thursdays in Chineham Contact Hannah on hannahsimpson02@hotmail.co.uk Facebook group: NCT Chineham Coffee Group Thursday mornings 10-12 midday Alternate Mondays / Thursdays in Overton and Whitchurch Contact Laura on laurawillow@gmail.com Facebook group: Overton and Whitchurch nct Coffee Morning Alternate Monday and Thursday mornings 10-12 midday Fridays in Kempshott & Hatch Warren Contact Hannah on hannahsimpson02@hotmail.co.uk Facebook group: NCT Friday Coffee Group Friday afternoons 2-4pm Vacant areas: Bramley, Brighton Hill, Oakley, Oakridge, Popley, Rooksdown, Winklebury.

If you would like to meet other mums in your neighbourhood, why not set up a coffee morning in your area? Or co-host with a friend? It doesn’t have to cover a huge area and it doesn’t need to be hard work. All we ask is that you welcome other mums and support each other and if possible collect 50p donations from visitors so we can continue NCT’s work. We can provide collection tins.

For more information contact Dora Szentivanyi: ParentSupport.Basingstoke@nct.org.uk 11

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Birth Announcements Parents

Baby’s Name

Date

Weight

Shirah & Graham Blackwood

Jessica Mae

26/4/16

6lb 14oz

Rachel & Stu Moir

Morris Murphy

8/6/16

6lb 15oz

Dan & Amy Nation

Molly Grace

22/6/16

6lb 10oz

Laura & John Harrison

Edward Zachary Martin

1/7/16

9lb 14oz

Li & Rich Upson

Daniel James

25/8/16

6lb 4.5oz

Kevin & Jacqui Potgieter

Riley Jacob

5/9/16

7lb 13oz

Graham & Lucy Boxall

Harry George

14/9/16

6lb 7oz

Martin & Laura Reed

Frederick Timothy James

14/9/16

7lb 4oz

Christopher & Lisa Gale

Elliot Isaac

19/9/16

7lb 10oz

Suze Parke & Dwayne Head

Seren Frances Winnie

3/10/16

7lb 9oz

Aidan & Katie Nickerson

Isaac Timothy

10/10/16

7lb 4oz

Ryland & Lucy Wilson

Sebastian Alexander

13/10/16

6lb 1oz

Lisa Miles & Rob Hasking

Lily Rose

23/10/16

7lb 1oz

Clare & Jordan Massey

Brody

28/10/16

9lb 1oz

Amandine Groszewski & John Bugden

Malachi

1/11/16

-

Charlotte & David Gardner

Isabella

2/11/16

-

Michelle Le Feuvre & Andrew Jones

Oscar Samuel

4/11/16

10lb 2oz

Jenny & Christopher Amess

Theodore Frederick

4/11/16

7lb 9oz

Roxy & Scott Quinn

Ella

05/11/16

Claire Foster-Mann & Chris Mann

Zach

8/11/16

Shannon & Matthew Barrie

Hudson Jack

11/11/16

8lb 6oz

Amanda & Ross Harvey

Cherry Rose

16/11/16

7lbs 4oz

Vanessa & Dave McEvoy

Benjamin David

18/11/16

6lb 8oz

Tessa & Luke Morgan

Lydia

20/11/16

-

Leanne & Mark Smith

Elijah

21/11/16

-

Sam & Stefanie Garnham

Lily Carolyn Ruby

28/11/16

7lb 14oz

Nada & Ahmed Rostom

Sarah

29/11/16

-

Kate & Andi Schipelbaum

Mya Jennifer

7/12/16

7lbs 15oz

Samantha & Edward Heatley

Theodore Norman George

7/12/16

8lb

Sarah Wills & Matt Constantinides

Oliver Richard

20/12/16

7lbs 15oz

Hayley & Alastair Middleton

Benjamin Edward George

22/12/16

7lbs 8oz

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5lb 5oz

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

A change is as good as a rest If you fancy a change of scene (we can’t really call it a ‘holiday’ when you’ve still got babies or small children to look after, can we?!) but don’t want the palaver of a long journey with tots in tow, UK resorts like Butlins and Center Parcs could be the break away you’re looking for.

Butlins Bognor Regis by Shirah Blackwood

My husband and I took our two-and-a-half year-old and six-month-old on a five day ‘just for tots’ break at the Bognor Regis Butlins in November 2016.

Apart from being ‘greeted’ by a not-so-friendly lady at reception on arrival, the rest of the break was absolutely amazing!

In the lead up to us going away, my husband increasingly moaned about the prospect of being penned in, in a foam character and soft play hell. But once we were there he admitted he was actually enjoying the atmosphere, the variety of activities and the child-friendly restaurants.

There was literally tonnes to do; swimming, arcades, rides, and shows; with Mister Maker as the headline act, which our toddler son, Harry, was obsessed with and even our baby girl, Jessie, loved! There were also loads of craft activities and evening discos for the kids.

There is nothing I can think of that was negative about the stay, the place catered 14

well for everyone and my kids always went to bed shattered after a hard day’s playing and having fun!

Butlins Fun

If you’re thinking of going, I would definitely recommend getting a dining package included as this takes the stress out of planning mealtimes and the food in the restaurants was amazing and ideal for kids.

In terms of activities the best thing you can do is to have a rough idea of all the activities your kids would like to do and create an itinerary to ensure you get the most out of your stay.

In summary I would totally recommend a ‘just for tots’ break to anyone with toddlers or very young children. I am already looking into my next one for 2018!

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Center Parcs Longleat by Jenny Amess We had a potty-training 2.5 year old and eightweek-old baby when we stayed at Center Parcs earlier this year.

But with my parents up for the adventure too, my husband and I felt the adult-to-child ratio was good enough to abandon our ‘base camp’ for the first time - albeit only for the ‘wilds’ of Longleat, a mere 1 hour and 15 minutes’ drive away.

We stayed four nights in an Executive Lodge, which was spacious and comfortable for our multigenerational group. Each of the three bedrooms was en suite, we had a dishwasher, daily maid service and wifi, which all made life a little bit easier. And we even had our own sauna, which felt like an trendy - and very welcome Scandi luxury in the freezing January weather.

The site is full of trees - and hills - so it’s pleasant on

the eye and tougher on the legs, especially if you have little ones with you. Definitely factor in the hills when planning buggy/sling/ scooter/bike options.

Cars are only allowed on site on Mondays and Fridays, which are change-over days, but otherwise it’s almost completely car free. This is great if you have a rampaging toddler with no sense whatsoever.

There are a myriad of formal activities on offer at Center Parcs from pottery painting to tree climbing and the vast majority come at a cost. You’re encouraged, repeatedly, to book before you arrive, even for restaurant reservations. I found this a bit annoying as I feel I have to be so flippin’ organised in my day-to-day life that when I’m on ‘holiday’ I enjoy winging things a bit more. But this isn’t how Center Parcs works! You book, or risk not being able to do the things you really want to. And I have to admit that once we arrived, it was nice some of the planning had already been taken care of.

Fortunately there are free activities to occupy families too. The swimming pool complete >>

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017 with rapids, wave machine and water flumes is free for all guests and our toddler, Arthur, was a daily visitor.

There are play parks and a man-made beach (take your bucket and spade, even in the winter!) and cycling is another great familyfriendly activity. Take your own bikes if you can as the hiring costs do mount up. But be aware that Center Parcs will only hire you children’s seats and trailers for their own bikes, you can’t hire one and attach it to your own. So take any children’s seats etc too, if you can.

The on-site supermarket wasn’t the rip-off I feared. And I was impressed with its array of Calpol-related products and toddler-sized trolleys (with handle for parents to hold to stop their children ram-raiding the frozen food section etc…). There is also a big Morrisons in nearby Warminster if you need it.

There are restaurants on site, so you can eat out. But really, Center Parcs is more about

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hunkering down or chilling out in your lodge.

The beauty of the place is that it allows families and friends to be together easily because everything and everyone is catered for; from the free swimming pool that’s great for children but also has plenty of waterside seats for grandparents or people who don’t want to swim to watch from, through to the chalkboard wall in the lodge for kids to draw on and the Aqua Sana spa and sports bar for a little bit of adult ‘me’ time.

For our family, Center Parcs felt safe, comfortable and relaxing for all of us. While it’s a far cry from the adventurous backpacking I did in my Twenties, it was a joy to watch my toddler revel in the fact he could use a little waterslide all by himself, see my parents lap up the smiles from our newborn and for me to enjoy a peaceful glass of wine with my hubby while Grandma and Grandad took our boys out for a walk in the woods. We’ll definitely be going back.

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Coping with sleep deprivation Tired mummy Melissa Girling writes about the impact lack of sleep had on her and how she managed to stay sane.

one seemed able to help. My baby wasn’t waking to feed. In fact he often refused. And cuddling rarely settled him either.

I am a mum of two gorgeous little boys. The first is two years old and the second is eight months old. I love them more than I could possibly explain and they are the best things that have ever happened in my life.

Having to look after a toddler and a newborn after multiple nights of very little sleep is unbelievably difficult. I felt unable to cope. I disliked going out, partly because I was too tired and partly because being organized enough to leave the house was a level of stress I couldn’t cope with.

I left it until later in life to have children. The downside is that I had time to get used to the luxuries we perhaps don’t realise are luxuries until having children - such as sleep.

My first baby was a terrible sleeper and I probably didn’t help as whenever he made the slightest noise during the night, I picked him up, breastfed him and cuddled him back to sleep. He was getting up three or four times a night until I taught him to self-settle and he finally started sleeping through when he was about a year old.

When my second beautiful boy came along, I was determined he would learn to self-settle from an early age. I deliberately put him down while he was still awake - usually while I did a few jobs with our toddler - and so our youngest learnt quickly to fall asleep by himself.

By contrast if I did have a good night I felt amazing and full of optimism, excited about the future and keen to make plans, but this was rare.

Most mums have a good understanding of what it’s like to be sleep deprived and I’ve got a lovely group of friends who are all honest about how their little ones are sleeping and how it makes them feel.

When my youngest got to six months, he seemed to settle a little. Looking back I’m certain my first-born was a little better then too.

Unfortunately it wasn’t the precursor to me getting my muchneeded eight hour stretch of sleep.

He would wake frequently, at least every two hours, sometimes every hour throughout the night. Sometimes every 45 minutes.

After 12 weeks I was losing the will to live and no 17

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017 Every parent and every baby is different but here’s what kept me sane during those difficult sleepless months.

and they haven’t affected his chest like they did before. It could all be a coincidence but I won’t risk taking the anklet off!

Teaching babies to self-settle: With my eldest son, I put him in the cot at bed time and stood next to him stroking him until he got drowsy, then stopped and just stood next to the cot and walked out of the room when he was asleep. Gradually I stopped the stroking and just put him in the cot and stood next to him for a while. Then eventually I could put him down and walk out. It took 40 minutes the first night but then got quicker each time.

Tummy sleeping: At around six months my littlest one started rolling onto his tummy. I never put him to sleep in this position but if he chose to roll over then great! He sleeps so much better!

I use a movement sensor pad and video monitor so would be alerted quickly if the unthinkable happened.

When my youngest came along I had to get two small people ready for bed, so I’d feed my youngest and put him in his cot. Even if he was crying, I’d still have to leave him for a few minutes to get some jobs done with my elder son. But often his little brother would just fall asleep. If he didn’t, I’d switch on our cot projector on so he had something to look at and this worked really well.

Weaning: We are told this shouldn’t make a difference to sleep but I’m sure it did for my boys. While my youngest refused to take a bottle before six months, once he got used to different tastes and textures through weaning, he was a more willing to take a bottle of formula at around midnight and this seemed to help him sleep for a longer stretch.

Teething: My youngest suffers terribly with this. I tried everything yet nothing helped. As a last resort I thought I’d try an amber anklet. I was really sceptical but within a day my son was a much more settled and happier baby. Since he started wearing it a month ago, we’ve had eight nights where he has slept for a full twelve hours in his cot. As well as soothing teething pain, amber is supposed to boost immunity. Having previously had bronchiolitis three times, he’s since caught colds but he’s not been bothered by them in the slightest 18

There is no evidence that sleep pads can save the lives of healthy term babies. If you’d like more information about infant sleep, this Durham University website is a great source of information for parents and health professionals dur.ac.uk/sleep. lab/projects/current/isis/ Waterproof nappy cover: My babies have often woken up because of leaky nappies so recently I started putting a waterproof reusable nappy on top of my youngest son’s disposable. This holds everything in place much more effectively, especially on a baby who rolls into different positions during the night, and it has virtually eliminated any leaks.

This too shall pass: I’m finally coming out the other side now and I know, especially from being a second-time mum, that everything is a phase that passes. At the time, my lack of sleep was all consuming and I couldn’t see past the next few hours of each day and I couldn’t imagine ever feeling normal again. But I’m feeling optimistic - after a few nights of lots of sleep - that everything will be ok. If you’re still in the thick of if, I promise that this too shall pass.

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

My breastfeeding journey

By Amanda Harvey I always knew I wanted to breastfeed and was going to try my best to make sure that it happened. My mother had breastfed me and my three younger sisters and my sister had breastfed my little niece so I knew what a challenge it could sometimes be.

With this knowledge, I paired my enthusiasm for breastfeeding with the realism that it might not work out for me and my little one and that was ok.

I’m happy to say that my little girl is ten weeks old and I have managed to breastfeed her 100% of the time so far.

There are many positives to breastfeeding. Having that close relationship with your baby is certainly the most significant one for me. There is nothing so heartwarming as listening to her little suckling sounds – even in the early hours of the morning! Also, the convenience of having a meal ready for them at any time without having to prepare bottles. This has become very useful during many a dog walk when my little girl has woken up and decided she needed to feed. Another positive for me is knowing that I am giving my baby the best start in life. Alongside the

minor fact that I get to eat a little bit more chocolate due to burning around 500 more calories a day because of breastfeeding!

My husband, who is much better with money than I, also appreciates the money we are saving not having to buy formula and bottles.

However, breastfeeding is not always so rosy - there are a few downsides! The main one being that you are your little one’s main carer a lot of the time. I have felt sorry for my husband on many occasions when he has been holding our baby, trying to comfort her but all she really wanted was a

feed from me – which he obviously couldn’t provide!

In the first few weeks, this was especially hard as my little girl was feeding at least every couple of hours.

It seemed that no sooner had I finished feeding her, she was ready for the next one! I found this very restricting but, as I am learning, they change and develop so quickly. She can now go three to four hours without a feed which is quite liberating! Another downside is the mess you can get yourself into. Breast pads are essential! No one prepared me for the squirting boob but that is what it does when your breasts let down the 19

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017 milk and your child is only attached to one of them.

The distance and speed at which it can squirt is quite astonishing and very amusing for my husband!

It is also quite messy when your baby comes off the breast they are feeding on – mid feed – but the milk keeps on flowing! Again, all rather messy so I have learnt to have a muslin or two to hand during every feed, and a change of top when out and about.

When I have felt challenged at all about breastfeeding, I have made sure to visit the morning breastfeeding clinics in Basingstoke

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hospital on Mondays and Brookvale Hall on Fridays.

During both visits, I have been reassured and given good advice on what I can do to help make my breastfeeding experiences as successful as possible.

It is also reassuring to see other breastfeeding mums there who are having similar or different challenges. It is a good reminder that no one is an expert, we are all just trying our best.

All in all, I have found that breastfeeding suits me and I am grateful that it has all worked out well so far. When I compare photos of the size of my baby girl, from when

she was born to the size she is now, it is very rewarding to think that I did that. I made that happen!

I don’t know how many more months I shall breastfeed for. I do not plan too much into the future at the moment as the one thing I have definitely learnt whilst being a new mother is you just need to go with the flow (pardon the pun!) and that is what I intend to do. All I know is that as long as I am happy and confident to breastfeed, and it is the best option for my child, I shall continue.

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

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T: 01256 764174

wimmingschool.co.uk

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Meet a volunteer: Katerina Chatzialexandrou First Aid Coordinator

Can you tell us a little something about you & your family?

We are a family of 4, originated from Greece.

Kostas, my husband; myself, Katerina; and our two boys, Dimitris 4.5 years old and Raphael 23 months old.

What do you do for the NCT Basingstoke Branch?

I am the First Aid Course coordinator and I also volunteer at Coffee & Chat at Brookvale.

I will also share the Coffee & Chat coordinator role with Kimberly very soon.

What first drew you to volunteering for the NCT and how did you hear about the role?

Tracy first talked to me about volunteering with NCT when we talked at Coffee & Chat; we had been in the UK only a few months. I had been volunteering in Greece for various charities too so that was something I was looking for to do here, and the First Aid Course Coordinator role needed cover at that time.

What’s the most fun you have had when helping out our NCT branch?

I enjoy a lot of things volunteering with NCT but there are two main reasons keeping me volunteering. Firstly, I truly believe that ‘It takes a village to raise a child” and as long we live in cities we need to create this support network (NCT) around us. I also enjoy a lot the friendship and fun from all the people involved with NCT.

Isn’t it hard to get it all done?

Sometimes it is, honestly! But it is very important for me to know that there are some friends out there, the other Branch volunteers, to support me when I’m struggling!

What was the best advice you were given as a new mum?

Go with the flow and trust your baby.

And which advice is best ignored?

If you hold your baby too much, you will spoil them!

Name one book every new parent should read?

Secrets of Happy Children by Steve Biddulph Is there anything that you have learnt that you would tell your pregnant self?

Enjoy yourself, relax, and trust your body.

Is there any advice you can pass on to other mums who have thought about volunteering but are not sure what they can offer?

Somebody once said, “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”

What would you like to see happen with the NCT in Basingstoke?

I would like to see more parents get involved and more groups flourish!

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Giving Birth: My story

by Jenny Amess

I edit this magazine so it feels a bit self-indulgent to make you all listen to my birth stories. But I’ve had two very different experiences. One left me physically and emotionally traumatised.

The other was genuinely awesome!

I thought sharing my own very different experiences might help those of you anticipating a birth to consider and be ready – more than I was - to accept whatever comes.

My eldest son, Arthur, was born in May 2014. I was induced suddenly and unexpectedly at 37 weeks and five days because I’d developed pre-eclampsia.

Everyone told me a first baby would be late. So I ruthlessly prioritised accordingly, diligently writing my handover notes while on maternity leave while my baby ‘to do’ list languished.

Then suddenly my blood pressure had rocketed. I had the tell-tale pre-eclampsia protein in my wee and blood tests showed 26

my kidney and liver function was going haywire.

Doctors broke the news about 10pm and told me they needed to get my baby out now. Ever the negotiator, I asked if I could come back in the morning. But I was firmly told someone was already on their way with a pessary to start my induction immediately.

I wasn’t expecting my baby for another four weeks (assuming he would be two weeks late). My anxiety about the rigors of childbirth was dwarfed by my anxiety about becoming a mother. The penny dropped that I’d prioritised wrong. Who cared about how to open a stupid computer system at work when my baby didn’t have a bed, changing mat, bath - the list went on.

My (amazing) mum was dispatched to make up for my own lack of practical preparation while I had a pessary inserted to start softening my cervix.

Overnight I experienced what felt like strong

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

period pain. It wasn’t excruciating but it was painful and it was constant.

pulled my baby out. There was no magical ‘moment’. I just felt shattered.

When I was assessed in the morning it turned out I was reacting badly to the pessary and was contracting every 10/15 seconds. It was removed and I had an internal exam to see how far along I’d come.

Afterwards I couldn’t get over the fact I hadn’t felt the urge to push. And that I’d needed the forceps to get my baby out.

My logical self kept telling me what happened was fine. But emotionally I felt my body had failed.

This exam was the single most painful moment of my first labour. I was dry and swollen because of my reaction to the pessary. And - I think - because I was induced early my body and baby weren’t ready to perform so my cervix stayed resolutely high and pretty much closed. It felt like the doctor was trying to reach my throat via my vagina.

Because of the pre-eclampsia there was a calm but necessary momentum to my labour. It was agreed they would break my waters to see if that started things going and I was told I would need the hormone drip and that things were likely to take a long time. I was advised to have an epidural, which I did.

After that, there wasn’t that much pain. Just lots of waiting around. Because my kidneys had been affected by the pre-eclampsia my fluid intake was restricted to a pitiful 25ml (and after I begged 50ml) an hour, and they measured what came out the other end too.

I felt uncomfortable and thirsty. I wasn’t allowed to eat either in case I ended up needing a C-section. But it’s the thirst that I remember.

Eventually by about 10pm the following evening I was 10cm dilated and ready to push. I pushed and pushed and pushed.

Apparently I was making progress. But because of the epidural I couldn’t feel anything. I was exhausted physically and emotionally. And I now know my blood pressure was still rising despite the medication.

After an hour the same doctor who gave me the really painful exam first thing that morning re-appeared with forceps and

I did a ‘birth reflections’ session when Arthur was about six months old. This is where a midwife talks you through all your labour notes, explaining what happened and why. It helped me understand I’d been much more ill than I realised. The midwife explained they’d stopped me pushing and brought in the doctor because I was at risk of having a fit or a stroke.

She also explained the scale they use for how far ‘out’ baby is. It runs from -3 down to zero and up again to +3. After that, your baby is out of your body. I got Arthur to +3. So my body had done something after all. Knowing this really helped.

Two and a half years later I was anticipating the birth of my second son, Theo, in November 2016. Because of my previous preeclampsia I was closely monitored with twiceweekly blood pressure and urine checks.

Unlike the first time round, I prioritised getting everything ready at home for baby - come what may with work and anything else! I was determined to be ‘ready’. I saw a reflexologist throughout my pregnancy and even listened to my hypnobirthing CD at least five times!

As the days and weeks passed by, I focused so much more on the fact I would have a new baby very soon. My previous induction date (37 weeks and 5 days) passed by and I arrived at my due date.

I remember rubbing my tummy in the shower whispering ‘you can come now’. I spent the day running around after Arthur at Finkley Down Farm.

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

That night I felt a sensation like period pain and took a hot water bottle to bed. I couldn’t sleep, partly from the discomfort and partly from excitement and a little bit of anxiety about what Round 2 would be like.

I had a sweep first thing the next morning.

This was utterly painless - completely different to the first internal exam I’d had with Arthur. My mifewife said I was 2cm dilated and she could stretch me to 3cm.

She told me to get some rest if I could as she thought my baby might come that day.

I went back to bed with Daddy on duty with Arthur.

By lunchtime nothing much was happening.

I’d had the odd minor twinge but so low-key they were barely worth mentioning.

I suggested we walk into town for a late lunch and Arthur unusually slept like an angel the whole trip. I had a stronger contraction in M&S Café - I had to put down our fully laden tray quite quickly! But it still felt like not much was going on.

As we walked home about 3pm I had to stop and stoop a couple of times as a few more contractions happened.

Then things started ramping up. By 3.30pm I felt the contractions getting stronger and coming more frequently. It was time to dispatch the toddler to Grandma and Grandad! And at 3.45pm I downloaded an app to start monitoring my contractions.

By 4.30pm my husband was home from dropping off Arthur and I was kneeling on all fours on our living room floor. My contractions weren’t the ‘three in ten’ we’re all told about. But I knew things were moving on quickly so I called the labour line.

They listened as I experienced a couple of contractions during the call and realising this was my second baby, they advised me to go to hospital. I’d explained on the call that I hoped for a water birth and a midwife was 28

ready waiting for me with the taps running as we arrived at the delivery unit just after 5pm.

They examined me and told me I was 4/5cm dilated and ‘stretchy’. I felt disappointed. I thought that meant I still had a long way to go. But the midwife said ‘stretchy’ was a good sign.

We put on the music I’d brought. My husband got out my essential oils (lavender and geranium) and by about 6pm the pool was just about ready for me to get in.

The warm water was really soothing. The lights were low and my fake candles flickered (not that I really noticed as I had my eyes closed 99 per cent of the time). I used gas and air, and clung to my husband’s hand as each contraction rolled through.

The pain was immense. Far more intense than I’d experienced with the induction pessary. But, unlike that, my natural contractions came and went. I could feel them starting and the pain getting stronger.

And I could feel them subsiding too. And there was respite - albeit brief - between them. So even though the pain was much stronger, it was also more bearable.

By 7pm the midwife was asking if I wanted to push. I hadn’t felt any urge to by that point and panic flashed across my mind that I was going to end up in the same situation as last time.

Then, little by little, I did feel like I could push.

The midwife told me to ignore it for a couple of contractions. And the urge got stronger. I could feel my baby was really, really close. I remember saying ‘he’s right there’.

Then the midwife said ‘push’ and I pushed. I could feel my baby moving down. And I could feel my womb pushing him out, even after I’d stopped pushing myself. Even in that crazy moment I remember marvelling at what my body was doing.

The contractions were easier at this stage

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

too. They were shorter. I pushed through about four contractions and out came my baby’s head. The next contraction the rest of him arrived and this slightly slimy, warm little thing was placed on my chest.

As I lay there panting, I again marvelled at the fact that the incessant mega contractions had stopped, instantly, when the job was done.

I had to get out of the pool to deliver the placenta. We waited a few minutes to see if this might happen on its own but all was quiet so I had the injection to bring this on and a few minutes later the midwife was able to pull on the cord and remove the placenta.

No pain. No issues. I had a couple of tiny stitches but compared with the episiotomy wound from my first birth, it was a walk - or skip! - in the park.

So, if you’re expecting, prepare what you can in advance! Learn from my mistake that

babies don’t work to deadlines! You have to put them, and yourself, above everything else.

Be open to the fact that you might not get the birth you want. And if your birth doesn’t go according to plan, try and be kind to yourself. It’s not your fault. And book yourself in for a birth reflections session when the dust has settled.

I should point out that I didn’t experience that ‘moment’ people talk about when the baby is placed in your arms with either of my sons. In each case, it was more curiosity than heart-thumping love that I felt gazing at them for the first time.

But within minutes, with both boys, I could feel myself falling for them. And I’m still falling in love with them - a little bit more every single day.

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Double trouble? Raising twins Mum of three-year-old brother and sister Clayton and Maya, Gemma Lillywhite, gives her advice on bringing up twins.

Bringing home our two for the first time was filled with all of the same worries I imagine any new parents would feel. I remember vividly our first night home sitting on my bed staring into two Moses baskets at two tiny swaddled bundles and thinking ‘What on earth are we going to do with you two?’.

That has now become a regular phrase in our house when they decide to draw on each other’s faces with marker pen, when they steal the food off each other’s plates, work together in conspiracy against me at bath time, work as a team to move all the gravel from the boarders and sprinkle it over the lawn to attack Daddy when they flick up from the lawn mower, when they argue over being the first to open the front door to go out in the morning or when they fight over who gets to play with the empty kitchen roll. What we are going to do with these two is try to bring them up the best we can, even if it does mean making it up as we go along!

My best advice for new 30

parents of twins is to be as organised as you can, right from the first day home. When it comes to clean clothes and nappies you really will need double.

I used to get annoyed at how obsessed my husband became with having an even number of sterilised bottles ready to use, but looking back it was things like that which made life so much easier. When it came

to feeding our new babies, breastfeeding didn’t work out so we bottle-fed. At the time I felt I had let my precious new arrivals down, but in hindsight there were many advantages of bottlefeeding newborn twins.

We could go up to bed at night with a tray organised and ready for the night feeds with clean bottles and cartons of ready-made

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017 formula so we didn’t need to leave the bedroom. It was easy to feed two if one of us was one our own by sitting up against the headboard with the babies propped up on two pillows either side.

Night feeds were actually a pleasure and not a chore as it was a quiet, peaceful time with no worries about one or both not latching on or worries about not producing enough milk for two hungry growing babies and it meant that from very early days Daddy could help out.

Friends have successfully solely breastfed their twin babies but it just didn’t work out that way for us. When it came to bottle feeding one piece of advice I was given by another twin mummy was to get the babies used to taking formula at room temperature so that we didn’t have to wait for two bottles to warm up, this proved especially useful when out and about with two crying hungry babies they could be very quickly appeased!

When the babies were small I timed visitors to fit in with when I really needed another pair of hands! Visitors were always welcome around 10:30 during the first few months to coincide with the morning bottle-feed. Family and friends soon realised they were likely to be met at the door by a baby and

a bottle! Three years later I still find it handy to have people around at certain times of the day, for example close to meal times so the twins can be entertained or World War 3 can be defused in the playroom while I prepare dinner!

Don’t rush out to buy two of everything immediately.

From our experience the only things we needed two of in the house were Moses baskets, bouncy chairs and baskets of changing paraphernalia to avoid spending all day going up and down the stairs to change nappies!

As they grew and experienced different things we waited to see what they liked before purchasing two. One of our babies loved a swing, the other would scream blue murder if he came within an inch of it! We only ever needed one activity mat – by the time they were too big to lie together underneath it they were on the move commando crawling or rolling across the floor anyway! We don’t have two of every toy. This is probably easier for us to avoid because we have a girl and a boy, rather than same-sex twins, but our children have learnt early on to share toys, take turns and wait until one has finished playing with something – at least in my head they have!

Don’t be afraid to venture out on your own with twins however daunting it can seem. Attending groups such as sensory classes was a great way to get out of the house with the babies and there was never a shortage of someone to watch one while the other had an emergency full change of clothing! Just don’t expect to get anywhere quickly with newborn twins in a pram – everyone wants a look, wants to know if it runs in the family, wants to know if you gave birth naturally.

You will be congratulated for producing two of the same sex or one of each gender as if was something you planned! Getting anywhere will take twice as long as you think it will!

I would say to any new twin parents that establishing a routine as soon as you are home is really important, and you must protect this routine at all costs in the early days! We quickly established a routine for feeding, bath time and bed time and as a result we rarely had difficulty getting the twins to bed or to nap in the day while they were small.

When things cropped up we did need to be flexible but, looking back, having those early routines was a godsend.

Although we want our twins to grow up as individuals and do things when they 31

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017 are ready, we have found doing some things at the same time, even if one may not have been completely ready, has been helpful. For example, in the early days, when one woke for a night feed we would wake the other to feed and we potty trained them at the same time even though our little boy may not have been as ready as his sister, but it all worked out and we only had to go through it once! When it comes to potty training I take back the advice of not buying double of everything!

We had two potties upstairs and two downstairs as you could guarantee when one wanted to go the other would need to go too!

The last three years have been the most challenging, yet most rewarding times.

My husband and I have remembered to take time for each other in the midst of dealing with two mini

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humans passing through the turmoils of teething, vaccinations, and the terrible twos. We’ve tried to listen to and support each other at even the most testing of times.

As each milestone passes, the first teeth, first words, first steps, first day at preschool, we can see their bond getting stronger and as parents of twins this is the best part, knowing that they will be there to support each other and enjoy many more firsts together.

Is raising twins hard? Yes. But so can parenting a singleton be. Is raising twins special? Yes. But so is being the parent of a singleton.

Is having twins tiring? Yes. But so is having a singleton!

Bringing home two really is no different to bringing home one– it’s just twice the amount of fun!

If you’re expecting twins you might like to come to one of our Basingstoke breastfeeding drop-ins to find out what to expect.

We’re in contact with a mum who breastfed her twins and is happy to share her experiences, and don’t forget the NCT Breastfeeding support line on 0300 330 0771.

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

t u o b a s Curiou king? or w e l b i x fle Becoming a parent is often a trigger to think about more flexible ways of working. But what counts as ‘flexible’? Who’s eligible? And what do you need to know to increase your chance of success? Claire Gilbert heads up the legal advice service at UK charity Working Families.

Here she shares her inside knowledge.

1. A nyone can apply formally for flexible working once they’ve worked with their employer for at least 26 weeks.

2. Y ou don’t need to have childcare or family responsibilities to make a request – it could be anything from wanting to study to looking after a new pet.

3. F lexible working arrangements can include home-working, job shares, compressed hours, term-time working, annualised hours, early/late start/finish times, fixed shifts, a different shift pattern and “flexitime”. They can be permanent arrangements or, if you agree with your employer, for fixed periods.

4. D on’t forget to talk about what your job will entail, as well as when and where, if you plan to reduce your hours. This helps prevent you being expected to perform a full-time role in part-time hours.

5. S tress the positives too: A job share brings two perspectives to one role and your own track record and experience are valuable.

6. S uggesting a trial period can help employers overcome doubts about flexible working, and show you’re confident you can prove it will work in practice.

7. S uccess or failure usually depends upon support of senior management or a line manager.

For advice on making the best case for flexible working - or any other issues about your employment rights and your family or caring responsibilities - contact the Working Families’ Legal Advice Service. Details are on our website workingfamilies.org.uk

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Recycle and raise funds this spring at our nearly new sale

Local parents in and around Basingstoke can purchase top-quality products and donate to charity at our upcoming Spring NCT Nearly New Sale.

NCT Basingstoke’s Nearly New Sale is to be held on Saturday 8 April from 11-1pm, at Queen Mary’s College. There is plenty of time to register as one of our 100+ sellers, or to volunteer to help at the sale.

More information can be found online at our facebook page; www.facebook.com/ BasingstokeNCTNNS/ or by contacting us at nns.basingstoke@nct.org.uk.

So, if your home is beginning to look a bit cluttered with baby and children’s items, why not enter them into our Spring sale?

All you need to do is register as a seller through the links on our Facebook page.

We provide you with a simple to fill in spreadsheet that generates coloured scanning tickets for you to print out and attach to your items. The night before the sale drop off your sorted items to our friendly volunteers who will lay them out by category across our two large sale halls.

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NCT members get 15 minutes’ priority entry to the sale from 11 with a valid membership card. There will be goody bags for our first 100 shoppers and samples for our early buyers. The sale is open to everyone from 11:15, but please remember to bring little ones in a sling as buggies cannot be taken around the sale halls. We provide shopping bags, but with so many bargains on offer you will need to bring some large bags, IKEA bags are perfect, to carry your shopping home in.

NCT Nearly New Sales offer excellent quality used maternity, baby and children’s clothes, toys and equipment. High street products can be expensive, but shoppers at NCT sales regularly save 75-90% on the price of goods.

Unlike our competitors, 20% of the profits from the sale go back to the NCT so it can continue its vital work supporting parents in the area. Our sale is just one of 600 held annually in the UK. Our Autumn sale is on Saturday the 14th October at QMC so put the date in your diaries. For more information, go to www.nct.org.uk/nns.

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

The Toddler Diaries by Stacy Hart Hello, fellow NCT-ers, A very happy 2017 to you all! I write this as both my stinking cold and natural urge to procrastinate war with tomorrow’s looming deadline. You may find me in an idiosyncratic mood today, friends.

I’m occasionally asked how I think up things to write about. As time passes and I’ve been doing this for longer and longer - I mean, you can only write so much about seasonal events and nappies before you get all repetitive - the answer tends to be: with increasing randomness. For example: I had a conversation with Andy this morning about the handle I use for him in these pieces. I’m not fond of “hubby” (the word, I mean, the dude himself is pretty awesome) but have tended to use it in lieu of a better one. “My husband” sounds oddly formal when used repeatedly, “other half” sounds like I’m trying to be too informal, “partner” is bloodless and “DH” is just dreadful. Andy, when asked for his take on it, said he didn’t really care as long as I stopped talking about his vasectomy on quite such a regular basis. Whaddaya gonna do, huh?

We had a visit from a lovely health visitor yesterday proving two things yet again: first, that the NHS and those that staff it are an utterly overwhelming dedicated and talented wonder and, second, that every time I think I’m done crying in front of a healthcare professional, I’m wrong. You’d think, one of these days, that I’d look back on my own writing and stop making predictions of any kind.

We’ve asked for some help with Ishmael. Now three, he has issues with both his sleeping and his temper; I’ve often said that dealing with one or the other alone I could do more easily: it’s the both combined that really 38

damages my calm. Given my own history with post-natal depression and an accompanying difficulty with managing my temper with my kids, it seemed only sensible to ask, and I would advise anyone in a similar situation to do the same. We often forget that during the toddler years, with all their sanity-damaging foibles, our kids are still covered by the health visiting team. It can be so easy to get lost once the standard initial newborn support is over but before school kicks in – always remember that help is still available! And remember too that, even if you think that no practical help can be given, it really is useful to be listened to: to run your parenting habits by a trained third party, to pick up useful hints or, if nothing else, at least to be told that you couldn’t do anything differently and you ARE doing a good job. The reassurance from someone that knows their stuff is worth its weight in Class A stimulants, I promise.

In our own case, we were told that we were doing the right things and had no reason to feel doubt or guilt when dealing with Hurricane Ish, as I call him during a tantrum; this affirmation, incidentally, is what had me crying, in case you were curious. However, I wasn’t too downhearted over the fact that they had no magic sleep- or behaviour-wand to offer, since <trumpet fanfare sounds> I’m still revelling in my newfound freedom as the recipient of fifteen lovely hours of free playgroup per week as of this month.

Long-standing readers will know that I’m a stay-at-home mum, mostly by choice: it was something I did want to do but also something that was cheaper for us as it would’ve cost more to work. Obviously, I know not all parents make the same choice; at this stage the workers benefit from the cash relief of the free care rather than the “time off”.

Either way, it’s a huge toddler milestone and

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017 it’s definitely a biggie for me. Not only has Ishmael taken one step further from my bosom, but I get to nap twice a week if I want! Of course, I do have things to do – five years’ worth of cleaning, all the decorating we haven’t yet bothered with, plus eventually looking for work – and, though he never asks, I do like to be able to justify my time to “DH” <shudders>, but still, TWO-AND-A-HALF free days. Wow. I think the best part is not having to speak to anyone for five hours at a stretch. Last week, I snuck off to the cinema by myself in the middle of the day!

I haven’t experienced bliss like it since <insert your own appropriate simile here; mine is Graham Coxon-related and likely incomprehensible to you>.

Friends, I wish you sleep, help, empathy and love for your toddlers. Spring will be here soon.

Stacy x

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring Who 2017 can resist a cute Easter Chick? These tropical lime

and coconut-covered biscuits look gorgeous and make a welcome break from all the chocolate eggs. Why not spend a rainy afternoon cooking up a storm with your little ones?

Little Chick Cookies Ingredients: tter • 65g Softened Bu r • 30g Caster Suga ur • 90g Plain Flo Coconut • 20g Dessicated louring • Yellow Food Co ½ Lime • Zest and juice of • 50g Icing Sugar

How do I make that?: 1. Pre-heat the oven to 190oC. 2. Mix the butter and sugar together until smooth.

3. Fold in the flour and lime zest.

4. R oll out the mix and cut into ‘chick’ shapes using a cookie cutter (alternatively, you could use a medium round cutter for the body and a small round cutter for the head. Cut small triangles for the beak and tail, and you have a chick!).

5. P lace on a greased baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden around the edges, then cool on a wire rack.

6. M eanwhile, mix together the icing sugar and lime juice in a bowl.

7. I n a separate bowl mix the coconut with a little yellow food colouring until you reach the desired colour.

8. O nce the biscuits are cool, spread them with a layer of icing and stick the yellow coconut on top to give the effect of ‘fluffy’ feathers Recipe supplied by Cookery Doodle Doo, which offers fun pre-schooler cookery sessions in North Hampshire (serving the Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover areas). They also run a Sunday Morning Pudding Club for primary school children once a month and creative Cookie Art parties. For more information visit cookerydoodledoo.com/northhants or facebook.com/cookerydoodledoonorthhants 40

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Branch Committee & Contacts Chair Cerys Byrne & Corissa Hunt â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Co-Chair coordinator.basingstoke@nct.org.uk Secretary Becky Beattie secretary.basingstoke@nct.org.uk Treasurer Aleksandra Cartwright Treasurer.Basingstoke@nct.org.uk Deputy Treasurer Claire Richards Coffee & Chat Coordinator Kimberly Powers & Katerina Chatzialexandrou coffee-and-chat@basingstokenct.org.uk Nearly New Sale Team Coordinators Fiona Woolley (Facilities), Andrea Newman (Sellers) & Zoe Williamson (Volunteers) NNS.Basingstoke@nct.org.uk Advertising Coordinator Kimberly Powers Advertising.Basingstoke@nct.org.uk

Publicity Officer Charlotte Mitchell publicity.basingstoke@nct.org.uk

General Enquiries Branch.Basingstoke@nct.org.uk Homebirth Group Leader homebirth@basingstokenct.org.uk Yahoo Group & Website Coordinator Cerys Byrne: web.basingstoke@nct.org.uk Class Bookings Tara Hamilton, 0844 243 6912* bookings4Q@nct.org.uk Antenatal Teachers Hilary Booth, 01256 893519 Diane Kearsey, 01256 320544 Catriona Coveney, 01256 473483 Libby Ruth, 01256 350420 Cerys Byrne, 07412 230103 First Aid Course Coordinator Katerina Chatzialexandrou firstaid.basingstoke@nct.org.uk Postnatal Leader Fiona Robertson, 07452 983313 Breast Pump Agent Claire Rutter, 07986 257817

breastpumps@basingstokenct.org.uk Breastfeeding Counsellors Mindy Noble, 07769 040509 Fiona Robertson, 01256 334343 Sarah Crowdy, 01256 321890 Anne Boyere, 07515 821851 Martina Kraner, 01256 335383 Valley Cushion Agent Kimberly Powers coordinator.basingstoke@nct.org.uk Relax, Stretch & Breathe Hilary Booth 01256 893519 Libby Ruth 01256 350420 rsb@basingstokenct.org.uk NCT Mother and Baby Yoga Libby Ruth 01256 350420 rswb@basingstokenct.org.uk www.basingstokenct.org.uk www.facebook.com/BasingstokeNCT

Parent Support Coordinator parentsupport.basingstoke@nct.org.uk Newsletter Editor Jenny Amess Newsletter.Basingstoke@nct.org.uk Newsletter Proofreader & Birth Announcements Stacy Hart Births@basingstokenct.org.uk Membership Coordinator Kirsty Mead membership.basingstoke@nct.org.uk Vacant Roles: Coffee and Chat Volunteers, Coffee Group Reps, Parent Support Coordinator, Fundraising Coordinator. We will also be looking for a new treasurer in the coming months, so please get in touch if you can help with any of these roles.

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NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Useful Contacts Basingstoke Children Centres Honeycomb Children’s Centre Chiltern Way, RG22 5BB 01256 331574 Useful Antenatal and Postnatal Websites www.mumsnet.com – online parenting network www.netmums.com – online parent organisation northhantsmum.wordpress.com – online blog for local events, classes and information www.familiesonline.co.uk/local/north-hampshire Activities and places to visit with babies through to older children. www.home-start.org.uk – trained parent volunteers supporting families struggling to cope www.mind.org.uk – helping people to take control of their mental health, providing high quality information and advice.

Action on Pre-Eclampsia www.apec.org.uk 020 8427 4217 Active Birth Centre www.activebirthcentre.com 020 7281 6760 Antenatal Results & Choices (ARC) Offers information and support for abnormal test results www.arc-uk.org 020 7631 0285 Association for the Improvement of the Maternity Services (AIMS) www.aims.org.uk 0300 365 0663

Disabled Parents Network www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk 0300 3300 639 La Leche League 020 7242 1278 Maternity Action Advice and information on benefits and rights www.maternityaction.org.uk 020 7281 7816 Miscarriage Association (9am-4pm) www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk 01924 200799 NCT Breastfeeding Support Line 0300 330 0771 Open 8am – midnight, 7 days a week, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and all bank holidays Parentline 01702 205088 Helpline for parenting issues Pre-eclamptic Toxaemia Society 01702 205088 Relate www.relate.org.uk 0845 456 1310 SANDS (Stillbirth and NeoNatal Death Society) www.uk-sands.org 020 7436 5881 (10am-3pm) Serene (formerly Cry-sis) Advice about excessive crying, sleepless, and demanding babies www.our-space.co.uk/serene.htm 020 7404 5011 The Fatherhood Institute www.fatherhoodinstitute.org

Association for Postnatal Illness www.apni.org 020 7386 0868

The Caesarean Support Network 01624 661269

www.activebirth.com 020 756 19006

Twins & Multiple Births Association (TAMBA) www.tamba.org.uk 0800 138 0509

Birth Crisis Network 01865 300 266 BLISS – Support for parents of premature or sick babies www.bliss.org.uk 0500 618 140 Breastfeeding Network www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk 0300 100 0210 Compassionate Friends Self-help group for those who have lost children www.tcf.org.uk 0845 1232304 Caesarean Birth & VBAC Info www.caesarean.org.uk Childcare Link Listings of local childminders and childcare organisations www.childcarelink.gov.uk Gingerbread Support for single parent families www.gingerbread.org.uk 0800 018 4318

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Wellbeing (postnatal depression) 020 726533 Working Families Free helpline for low income families www.workingfamilies.org.uk 0800 013 0313

Mother and Baby Yoga NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

Exercise with your baby Get back into shape

New courses start: Tuesday 7 March 10.30am - 12noon & 12.15pm to 1.45pm Friday 10 March 10.30am - 12noon Tuesday 25 April 10.30am - 12noon & 12.15pm to 1.45pm Friday 28 April 10.30am - 12noon

• Small interactive sessions giving mum and baby time to bond

£37.50 for 5 classes

• Gentle yoga for you to do together • Weekly sessions from 6 weeks after birth

Find your nearest course now at

43 www.nct.org.uk/motherandbaby

TAKE THE HASSLE OUT OF SERVICING YOU CAR

NCT Basingstoke: Spring 2017

BRETT RUTH AUTO

To find out how we can save you money and give you the quality service you demand, call us on 07881 662392 free collection and delivery in Basingstoke area www.brettruthauto.co.uk OUR SERVICES Servicing and MOT | Brakes | Seasonal Checks | Mechanical Repairs 44