My sister-in-law was the first person ever I knew who breastfed because on my side of the family, no-one had ever attempted it; I was determined to be the first. I was ready to possibly struggle a little bit and maybe have sore breasts, but breastfeeding was my only option.
My beautiful little girl arrived and after a quick check over, she was put on my chest and, tears in my eyes, I will never ever forget that moment when she turned her head to my breast and so naturally started sucking; oh wow, what a strange and amazing feeling it was to feel something going through my breast and being sucked by my little girl!
As she was born in the evening, we stayed overnight in Broadlands at the Princess Anne hospital and discharged ourselves early morning to go straight to the New Forest Birthing Centre (a midwives only led centre) as there was a space available. Unfortunately, by the time our little girl was not even one day old, I realised that my breastfeeding experience was going to be much harder than I expected. My little girl was happy to sleep pretty much all day – the dream of many parents – which means that feeding was the last thing on her mind. The midwives at the centre were ever so patient and we tried so many things to keep her awake (stocking her head, putting a damp flannel on her, stripping her down to her nappy, taking the nappy off and so on) but after a few minutes of sucking she would fall asleep again. After four days at the Birthing Centre, her weight was still more than 10% lower than her birth weight and despite the worries of the midwives, we decided to go home where I would be more relaxed and in my environment.
But the breastfeeding did not improve. We went twice to Breastfeeding Babes at the hospital and despite some good advice, my little girl was still not feeding much. To make things worse, she suffered from reflux which meant that I had to keep her upright for at least one hour after each feed, in the hope she would keep it down. My health visitor was coming to see us at home every two days and after two weeks of struggle and my little girl’s weight still not being anywhere near her birth weight, she suggested formula. Up to that point, I was already in tears two or three times a day and that suggestion tipped me over the edge and broke my heart. I am lucky to have a supportive husband and family but still, I had failed my daughter! To stop me going into depression mode, my husband convinced me to agree to the formula feed and within a week, my daughter started to feed better.
She now is 3 years old and still not a big eater – unless you give her cheese which she could eat by the bucket. I am still unhappy about my breastfeeding experience but I am now able to talk about it without getting too upset (but still with a few tears in my eyes) and feel it is very important for me to share my experience so that other mums in similar situations know that they are not alone. So my advice to any pregnant women is to make a list now (while you are still pregnant), with the names and contact details of Breastfeeding counsellors and find out where your local breastfeeding support groups are. Once you have done this contact list, give a copy of this list to your partner and close family so that they can ask for support if you are not in the right frame of mind to seek for help yourself. Check out www.nct.org.uk, or ask your midwife now for any of those contact details.
But my most important advice is to be happy with your choice. If breastfeeding does not work, if it doesn’t feel right, if it stresses you out too much, then use formula (or do a combination of both). If you’re struggling for options, there is a range of baby formula available at Pharmacy2u.My husband and I are hoping to have a second child and I will most definitely try to breastfeed again – but this time, I will be more prepared. I will have my support contact list ready months before the due date and I will also have formula at hand, just in case.
Good luck
RV winter camping – what you need to know
The weather is cold and the days are short, but it doesn’t mean you should enjoy your holidays indoors or even abroad in the tropical sun. RV winter camping is just as fun as RV’ing in the summer. Here are some basic tips for living in your camper in the winter holiday season.
First things first. Can you live in a camper in the winter?
Yes, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy some fun living in a camper in the winter. Read on for more information on how to winterize your RV for holiday.
Prep your RV for winter
Before you hit the winter roads, you will need to winterize your RV. Most RVs can handle the tough climes of the winter, but there are things you should do when considering how to prepare for a winter RV road trip.
Ensure that your winter camper is well insulated, so you can stay cosy in your home away from home. Check the window sills and access all areas to keep cold drafts out. Empty your water tanks before your trip.
Add about a quart of antifreeze to each tank to protect the dump valves from freezing. Also, test and clean out your furnace to remove all dirt and debris before you set off.
Heated water hose installation
Freezing temperatures can cause many issues for RVs, so install a heated hose to prevent pipes from bursting. Your RV’s plumbing is more fragile and exposed than the plumbing in your house, so they can crack easily under ice pressure. This may lead to leaking pipes, water damage and even mold, which can cause health problems for humans and pets.
Use heat tape to wrap your pipes and protect them from the harsh weather. Heat tape plugs into an electrical outlet with a heat cable to keep them warm.
Consider stocking up with extra propane tanks
Propane tanks are the choice of fuel among RV’ers, so it’s important to make sure your propane is running smoothly when the temperature drops along with the propane pressure.
As a result, you will need to fill your tank more frequently to keep the pressure up, so one solution is to make sure it stays warm by using gas delivery systems to optimise the amount of propane being moved and/or source extra propane tanks to stock up on during the journey.
You can also buy a small space heater for your propane. Space heaters are safe for indoor use too.
Keep the water out
I don’t mean go thirsty during your trip – a dry RV is a happy RV. One of the most important winter RV camping must-haves is a dehumidifier to prevent mold on the walls. Don’t forget that heat and confined spaces lead to humidity and condensation, so ensure you keep the wet out. Also, apply antifreeze to the pipes, as mentioned above, to prevent burst water pipes too. Use a water pump to help force most of the water out of the system and then turn it off before no water causes damages to the pipes.
Holiday where there is natural sun
Try to seek a destination with as much exposure to the sun as possible. The heat of the sun’s rays will warm up your RV during the day and so you can give your propane heater a bit of a break. Some great places include grabbing a day trip to La Gomera from Tenerife or visiting Torre Del Conde. which in English translates to the Count’s Tower. These places don’t just have tropical sun, but they are within driving distance and have tons of things you can do even in the winter.
Cover your RV screen door with thin plastic
A great way to ‘winterise’ your RV is by adding a thin layer of plastic, so you can keep your RV door open during the day to let the sun rays in, but keep the plastic screen door closed to keep the cold out.
How to keep a trailer or RV warm in winter months
The best way to keep warm while you’re RV’ing in the winter is to get moving! Layer up with jumpers and jackets, so you can use less of your heat source as possible and minimise heat loss. However, if you’re still cold, then exercising is the best way to get the blood pumping. All the basic exercises work here, i.e. star jumps, sit-ups, push-ups and running on the spot. You’ll soon turn your heater off because you’ll be sweating! If, against all odds, you will still need a heater, then I’d recommend getting a Lasko, which doesn’t impede your exercising!
Driving tips for winter RV camping
Even if you’re camping with toddlers or on your own, the most important rule about how to RV in the winter is to just enjoy yourself any time of the year. If you follow the simple guidelines above, then you can spend your time during your holiday enjoying the sights with your loved ones. Some of the most beautiful views will be on the way to your destination, so keep your eyes open and enjoy a nice cosy holiday with your family and your RV this winter.
And when you’re done, store your RV with stabilising jacks until you’re ready to take the RV out again, no matter the weather! I can find the rest of the best tips for winter RV camping on Google, so make sure you do your research before you head off.
FAQ
Can I use my RV in the winter?
Other questions asked were:
How can I use my RV in the winter?
Yes you can but cold winter RV living requires some planning ahead. Most RV’s are designed to take cold weather so make sure you’re up to date with RV technology and follow the tips above for comfy winter RV living.
What’s the problem with winter camping?
Other questions asked were:
How do you survive winter camping?
Is camping during winter a good idea?
Would anyone go on a winter camping trip?
“Winter camping puts you at a much higher risk for hypothermia and frostbite, serious medical conditions that can sneak up if you’re not careful about your body temperature.”
Why does the AC give off cold air and then warm for some time and then again cold?
“If your A/C flip-flops from hot to cold and back again, your expansion valve could be failing. The expansion valve removes pressure from liquid refrigerant to allow expansion from a liquid to a vapor state in the evaporator. If the valve is blocked, the refrigerant flow could be restricted or could be too unrestricted.”
Winter living in a travel trailer can be comfortable and warm, even when it’s really cold. Just make sure your RV is heated properly and follow the tips above to prevent any undue damage.
How do I keep my RV warm in the winter?
Other questions asked were:
How can one survive winter in an RV?
How to keep a camper warm in the winter?
How difficult is it to live in RV recreational vehicle in an exceptionally cold weather climate for an extended period?
Insulate Your RV Floors.
Insulate Windows And Doors. Replace Caulking & Stripping. Apply Window Shrink Insulation. …
“Extremely cold temperatures (anything that approaches -20°F to -30°F or lower) can cause serious damage to your RV. You run the risk of pipes freezing for sure, but you also run the risk of your engine simply not starting – or even turning over.”
How cold does it have to be for RV pipes to freeze?
Other questions asked were:
How to keep RV pipes from freezing while camping
“However, it’s important to remember that when the RV pipes are exposed to the elements without any heat or insulation, they’ll begin to freeze at temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Anyone who’s planning on RV winter camping should take whatever precautions are available to avoid this from occurring.”
I want to consider living fulltime in an RV in winter. Is that possible?
Other questions asked were:
Can you live in a RV in the winter?
What is it like living in an RV in the winter?
Living in a travel trailer during winter, “…is not only possible; it’s rewarding and, with the right kit and preparation, completely comfortable too. In this post, we’ll walk you through our top tips for living in a camper in the winter, from insulation tips to keeping warm and dry.”
RV winter skirting can offer peace of mind that your plumbing system will survive freezing temperatures. Take a look online for top recommendations from those using skirting during camping with travel trailers.
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*This post contains affiliate links. I receive a commission when you click on an affiliate link at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.*
Why people are seeking fertility treatment abroad instead of the UK
With as many as 1 in 4 pregnancies ending in miscarriage and approximately 3.5 million people in the UK finding it difficult to conceive, it is not surprising that fertility support specialists are frequented daily by couples seeking alternative treatment to get their babies. Unfortunately, with the NHS threatening to cut fertility funding and with many Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) reducing the number of cycles they offer people – or even cutting them completely – couples face difficulties in the UK, pushing them to seek fertility treatment abroad, despite NICE’s 2013 recommendations that all women aged 40 or under who have not conceived after two years, should have access to a minimum of three cycles.
Get an insight into your fertility with an accurate at-home test and check your female hormone levels from the privacy of your own home. Code below!
The online research project was conducted between August 2016 and February 2017 and took findings from 241 people who had either undergone fertility treatment or were considering it. The survey respondents shared their views on the current state of fertility treatment in the UK and the factors that motivated them to travel abroad for treatment. Fertility Clinics Abroad and Fertility Network UK hope that their findings will highlight some of the key issues that the fertility industry in the UK face today and inform the Government, CCGs in England and Wales, Scottish NHS Boards, private and NHS funded fertility clinics and health professionals of how the public perceive UK fertility treatment.
The survey hopes to act as a catalyst to improve fertility care, treatment standards, and best practices. Below is a breakdown of the research’s key findings and how people have been affected with difficult fertility treatment provisions that the UK impose.
Cost is the driving factor for pushing people out of the UK
The media has painted a negative picture of the core issues surrounding the fertility treatment provisions in the UK, namely highlighting long waiting lists, inconsistent access to NHS funded treatment, low supply of donor eggs and the heavy cost of private fertility treatment.
However, it was without doubt that lack of NHS funding for fertility treatment and the spiralling cost of private treatment were the main drivers behind people seeking fertility treatment abroad. 76% of respondents felt that private fertility treatment was very expensive, with nearly 80% stating that it was twice as expensive as they were willing or able to pay.
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The survey found that most respondents sought IVF using their own eggs and that they were willing to pay between £1,000 and £5,000 for treatment. However, in the UK, IVF can often exceed £10,000, including additional expenses. This issue of ‘hidden costs’ has yet to be challenged and, because of the high fees, 62% resorted to using their life savings, which affected their ability to fund pensions, pay for educational fees or support other family members.
Some even had to re-mortgage their houses or sell personal belongings to fund their fertility treatments. Some respondents sought help from family and friends, secured bank loans, used credit cards, or started a crowdfunding campaign to find the funds available to pay for their treatments. With the lack of funding available, some people who experienced secondary infertility thought that these high fees were unacceptable. It is unsurprising then that 58% would go abroad because the treatments on offer are generally cheaper.
Why people are being driven to seek fertility treatment outside of the UK
60% of the respondents in the survey had already had treatment in the UK, and the majority of those felt it was either passable or substandard, with 44% believing the standard of care was average. Only 3% of the respondents said that the treatment they received was excellent.
The survey found that people were worried about the lack of person-centred care in the NHS, which uses a ‘one size fits all’ approach. 36% said that the service and aftercare were poor and 35% said that the long waiting lists and a lack of egg donors were some of the major reasons to find fertility treatment aboard. 65% also pointed out that access to free NHS treatment depends on where you live.
While there are many positive factors for staying in the UK, i.e. the convenience of not having to travel (33%) and being near friends and family (17%), people felt more like a statistic rather than an individual, with only 7% saying that the standard of treatment in the UK is high and that there are good service and aftercare available (3%).
Get an insight into your egg reserve with LetsGetChecked's Ovarian Reserve test.
As a result, 93% of the respondents said they would consider travelling abroad for fertility treatment and those that have already received treatment abroad, would consider it again. 50% believe that foreign clinics can offer higher success rates and 46% would consider travelling abroad upon positive recommendations from other people. It is said that there are also shorter waiting lists and more access to egg donors, which seems to be the opposite of what is happening in the UK.
There are also fewer restrictions placed on people, for example not basing access to treatments on Body Mass Index. People felt that the NHS is paralysed by bureaucracy, which directly impacts waiting times, as well as offering no special consideration for older women who have a limited time window to conceive. Women in their 40s felt there were more opportunities for them abroad with more clinics catering to their age group.
Where are people going for treatment?
Over 60% of respondents had an interest in having their treatment in Spain, with 43% wanting to travel to Greece, 41% to the Czech Republic, and 29% to Cyprus. Over twenty other countries were mentioned in the survey across the world, with some surprising countries including Tunisia, Nigeria, and South Africa.
The barriers to seeking fertility treatment abroad
There were several barriers found in seeking fertility treatment abroad, with 45% saying that travel was the most inconvenient option. 30% were worried about the lack of regulations compared to the UK and 33% were concerned about the language barrier. Some respondents included factors like being away from friends and family and the lack of performance figures related to fertility success, with the perception that cheaper may not necessarily mean better results.
LetsGetChecked can help you understand your hormonal health with their female fertility testing options. Collect your sample from home and you'll receive accurate results within 2-5 days of the lab receiving your sample
How to encourage fertility treatment access in the UK
73% of respondents felt that having a centralised database of performance figures by country would help them to decide which destination would be better suited for their fertility journey. 62% felt that there should be more organisations dedicated to providing advice and resources for people considering treatment abroad. Respondents also wanted GPs and health professionals to provide more information and funding support from the Government, with more detail required on success rates abroad.
The current cost of fertility treatment in the UK, as well as the lack of free or reduced cost of treatment by the NHS, are no doubt the main factors for driving people away from the UK. The excessive cost of private treatment is attracting people to countries like Spain or Greece where the cost is up to 50% cheaper.
The fact that people are re-mortgaging their houses or using their life savings, shows how far people will go to pay for treatment. To keep people in the UK, there needs to be shorter waiting lists, more access to funding and NHS care, a higher number of anonymous egg donors and a better standard of personalised care because the ‘one size fits all’ approach offers very little aftercare and support to those who have forked out a large amount of money to receive the treatment.
Even with the key factors of not travelling abroad boiling down to the inconvenience of travel and being away from support networks, 93% of people would still consider going abroad, which shows us how much needs to be changed regarding the standard of fertility treatments in the UK.
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Why kids love Thomas & Friends’ new Trackmaster Playset
Those of you with Thomas & Friends obsessive little fans in the house may know that there was a new film out recently called Thomas & Friends Journey Beyond Sodor (DVD will be released on 16th October). Unfortunately, the boys (aged 5 and 6 years old) who have been massive Thomas & Friends fans since they were old enough to use their motor skills, didn’t get the chance to catch the film in the cinemas, but we’ll be holding out for the DVD next month. Thankfully, in the meantime, we were generously offered the new Fisher-Price® Thomas & Friends™ Trackmaster™ Scrapyard Escape Set, inspired by the new film, which sees new faces help Thomas on his action-packed epic journey, as he explores pastures new and travels away from Sodor to the mainland. Thomas experiences adventures beyond his wildest dreams and one of the locations he visits is a place called the Steelworks, which the new Trackmaster playset is based on, featuring a motorised Steelworks Thomas engine.
Thomas & Friends Trackmaster Playset features
Inspired by the new Journey Beyond Sodor film
Motorised action
Includes motorised Thomas, cargo car, two cargo pieces and full track layout with cable bridge crossing, Steelworks shack, and cargo grabber
Whenever the boys start their Thomas & Friends role play journeys, they delve so deep into the world of the different characters and personalities in Sodor that it’s hard to bring them back to reality. The boys have all the trains in the Thomas & Friends family and so they continuously make up wondrous adventures that involve friendships, breakups, rescues, and teamwork to get the job done!
#Teamwork, help and share, that’s the way to get us there! #
Eager to rip open the Thomas & Friends track set and start building, the boys got right down to it, meticulously opening every bag and examining the instructions before they started their engineering.
There was a bit of frustration, trying to understand the instructions and so the boys tossed the leaflet to the side and got on with building the track via the box’s diagram. It was a bit of a slow start, but finally, they got the hang of it.
I was so impressed with the line of communication with them both, working perfectly as a team to work out what was provided in the box and where each part went. Aron (my eldest) even took the role of project manager and expertly instructed Aidan on which part went where.
The Trackmaster was taking shape and even I started to get excited, seeing the boys work so beautifully together to build a rather complex track actually!
Finally, after about 30 minutes, the Trackmaster was built and the boys were so happy with their creation.
Out came the whole Thomas & Friends family to try out the new super-duper track.
What do we think of the new Thomas & Friends Trackmaster Play Set?
Once the track is built, you fire Steelworks Thomas up with two AAA batteries and then you watch him chugging along the track transporting cogs to and fro. There is a bridge that he goes over before the cogs drop into his cargo carrier. Then a mechanical arm grabs the cogs further along the track. It’s amazing to see how much fun it is for the boys to watch Thomas and his friends riding along the tracks because to me it’s just watching a train ride around the track. The good thing is that the boys own more Trackmaster sets and so they can build to the track if they wanted to and add more friends. The learning through play here comes from building rather than watching because there isn’t really much for the kids to do but watch the trains go after they’ve built the track. The real effort comes from making the track in the first place and I really enjoyed seeing the boys work together meticulously to build the new Trackmaster set, then add additional tracks from other Trackmaster sets and expansion packs as well.
*We were provided the Thomas & Friends Trackmaster Play Set for free for the purpose of this review. All words and opinions are 100% our own.*
The process of egg donation for In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
Getting pregnant is not always as simple as some couples make it out to be. Some can conceive at the drop of a hat, whilst for others it takes months, even years to get that big fat positive. And for thousands, the only chance of getting their baby is through medical intervention, such as In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).
However, even some couples may not find this option very practical, as their medical history proves egg fertilisation to be a challenge. IVF costs a lot of money and if you are trying everything in your power to get pregnant and sadly it is not happening for you, you may feel that it is risky to put all your eggs in one basket.
Of course, there are always lots of natural pathways to follow to increase your chances of getting pregnant, like a healthy diet or even a restful holiday to calm the mind and soul. But if, medically, you are still struggling to conceive then following the egg donor route may provide you with increased chances of getting pregnant via IVF, using viable eggs from a third-party source.
Get an insight into your fertility with an accurate at-home test and check your female hormone levels from the privacy of your own home. Code below!
Growing Generations, a company dedicated to supporting families through egg donation, gestational surrogacy and parental education, have created a helpful infographic that lists out the process of egg donation and its effect on IVF success rates and other aspects of pregnancy. The process may seem difficult to understand at first, but it is quite straightforward as you will see below.
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Egg donation is a common fertility treatment option offered for couples following the IVF route who find themselves unable to fertilise the sperm with their own eggs. So, an egg is donated from either a known or unknown third-party source, to help with fertilisation during IVF. Egg donation is intended for parents who have the following characteristics or conditions:
Over 40+
Premature ovarian failure
Poor egg quality
history of a genetic disorder
Family type needing an egg donor such as single males and gay couples
The success rates are quite high with eggs that are 30 years old or younger, with 70% of pregnant parents having a live birth on their first attempt, 88% on their second attempt and 98% on their third attempt.
Get an insight into your egg reserve with LetsGetChecked's Ovarian Reserve test.
The journey starts with parents selecting their egg donor where they can search for their donor online, using search filters including physical appearance, blood type, ethnicity and state/region. Recipient parents can browse the egg donor’s profile which includes photos, a personal bio and video, health history, education history, family and genetic history, genetic screening and fertility testing. Once the parents have made their choice, the donor is contacted to make sure that both parties are comfortable to proceed with the journey.
Psychological and Genetic Screening
Within two weeks of selecting a donor, a psychologist is called up to meet with the donor and evaluate whether she is psychologically suited to being an egg donor. The evaluation also includes an interview with personality testing. The parents can then review the genetic report and request a Geneticist to go through any of the questions.
Medical Screening
Within three to four weeks, a physician then examines the donor’s complete medical and medication history as well as any prior surgeries or donations. Blood tests will be taken to check hormone levels and screening tests will be conducted to check for any infectious diseases. A pelvic ultrasound will also be administered to gather information about the viability of the donor’s ovaries to ensure a less risky and safer egg donation process for the parents.
Legal Contracts
Within four to six weeks, depending on the parties’ response time, legal contracts will be drawn up to protect the rights of both the egg donor and the recipient parents.
Medical Protocol and Egg Retrieval
Parents can opt for a ‘fresh’ cycle, which means that the egg donor and the intended mother (or gestational carrier) will sync their menstrual cycles. The egg donor will then go through her medical protocol while the intended mother’s uterine lining is prepared and monitored for optimal embryo implantation.
Another option, which is quite common today, is to go ahead with the egg donor’s retrieval of her eggs, where embryos will be created and frozen ready for implantation.
To retrieve the eggs the egg donor administers hormone fertility medication to stimulate the ovaries to produce, ideally, 10 to 20 mature eggs. Typically, one to two eggs is produced per menstrual cycle. The donor is put under twilight anaesthesia and a Transvaginal Ultrasound Aspiration is conducted, where the physician guides a thin, suctioning needle into the ovary to retrieve the mature eggs. The donor returns home 1 – 2 hours following the procedure.
LetsGetChecked can help you understand your hormonal health with their female fertility testing options. Collect your sample from home and you'll receive accurate results within 2-5 days of the lab receiving your sample
Once the donor’s eggs have been retrieved, the frozen sperm is thawed and used to fertilise the eggs in a lab. Five to six days afterwards the embryo is implanted into the intended mother’s uterus. Ten days later a blood test is performed to determine whether the mother is pregnant.
Pregnancy
The mother or gestational carrier then follows the normal maternity procedures under personal obstetric care.
The process of egg donation needn’t be a taboo or complex subject when you’re struggling to conceive. If you think that egg donation sounds like a viable option to help you get pregnant, then visit the Growing Generations’ website here and find out how you can increase your chances of conceiving now.
If you’re interested in reading more articles about how to increase your chances of getting pregnant, check out our preconception articles here.
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Tips from parents on how to raise multiples
They say parenting a child is a full-time job, but what must it be like parenting multiples? Multiple births are becoming more common than ever, as more couples are having babies later in life or turning to fertility treatments for help, both of which increase the chance of having multiples. I am not a mother of multiples myself, but I can imagine that it is probably double, triple, quadruple or even quintuple the trouble. The truth is each child comes with its own unique package of fun, but when they’re multiplied, how do parents cope? Motherhood Diaries spoke to some parents who kindly provided their tips on how to raise multiples.
“Always feed them at the same time, if possible, otherwise when they’re newborn, you could be up every hour. Also, if you need to get other things done when they get a bit bigger, I have five children so sometimes two hands are never enough, we rolled up towels for blankets to prop their bottle up, it’s not ideal but sometimes there’s no choice”. Helen Power, mum of twins (mum to five children in total) http://www.crazyfamilystory.com.
Each child is different
Parenting multiples may mean that you feel guilty or sad for having less time to spend with each baby. And, treating your multiples the same way may sometimes seem like a practical solution and even contribute to survival in those newborn/toddler days. But, it’s important to think about your children as individuals with different characteristics and needs. Make it easy for people to tell which child is which, so they start to have their own identity from the very beginning. As they get older, ensuring they have their own space and possessions can also help for that child to form their own life separate from their life with their multiple siblings. Each person is unique no matter whether they were born at the same time. Embrace those differences and ensure you are not favouring one over the other, even subconsciously, as this may lead to competition amongst themselves.
“Most people think it’s like parenting their children twice over. It’s not. No matter their identical DNA they are two very individual people – with individual needs, issues, temper, and attitudes! Saying that, my girls are now 4 and I’ve found this last year having twins has become much easier. They always have someone to play with and it gives them confidence, whilst they bicker like nobody’s business, it feels like I’m being rewarded for an easier life as they amuse each other”. Beth Law, mum of twins (mum to three children in total) http://www.twinderelmo.co.uk“
“The challenges change- but it does get easier. I think that would be my advice to any new parent of twins. The moment I was able to tandem feed my twins, life got exceptionally better (due to problems with feeding one of the boys this didn’t happen until week 12), and so the sleep deprivation of managing consecutive feeds was so difficult. The moment they can feed themselves- again a huge bonus. The moment they could move- never in the same direction brought more challenges. But every milestone brings a new celebration, life gets a little easier, and a bit more challenging. Mine are now six so full-time school was a bonus for sanity, but it has been important for me to be aware of their individual differences as in an educational setting there can be a habit to talk about ‘them’ (by everyone), and so I’ve had to be really on the ball with their differences. This has been so different to the experience with my daughter. The school are great, and we’ve gained a lot of support, but yes, they are individuals who may learn differently, at different paces, have different interests, different friends. Like siblings, not ‘twins’. ” Debbie Johnson, mum of twins (mum to three children in total) http://www.anorganisedmess.com
Get the right Support
The first six to eight weeks at home tend to be the most challenging for parents who often need additional help from family and friends to make things more manageable for them. If you don’t have friends or family around, reach out to friends and neighbours in the area. Asking for help, especially in the first three months, is important.
“Some of the differences in lifestyle the multiple births will need are easy to expect, standards for household’s neatness will likely have to relax for a few years unless you can afford to hire a house cleaning service. You will get a lot less sleep, as multiple babies need frequent feeding and care at night. Raising twins or multiples is easier with the right support. Meeting other parents of multiples in your area is an invaluable way to share knowledge and experience. Find out if there’s a way to share knowledge and experience. Find out whether there is a multiple group in your team, look for clothing sales, and take advantage of opportunities pick up things in duplicate”. Elizabeth Plumb, http://www.thehomemakersjournal.com
Learn how to manage your routine your way
“Our boys are two and our girls are one. My partner manages our two sets of twins with a mixture of routine, kindness and just letting things go – twin parents can’t really be held to the same standard as singleton parents; they have double the child to manage! Me? I keep them out of the house all day where I can. Hence, I’d be a dreadful SAHM – we’d have no money left by halfway through the month because it would all be frittered on activities and coffee!” Amber Allen, mum to two sets of twins! http://www.meetthewildes.com
No matter how organised your house is, there will be destruction along the way. Establishing a good and simple routine is key to surviving life with multiples. It takes trial and error, but with the right support, you will start to establish routines for feeding, bathing, changing and bedtimes and soon you’ll become a pro multiple parenting superstar! Just remember that you’re not alone because there are tons of great resources online that can help you get your mojo back when you feel like you’re losing it in a sea of multiples and mess.
And, if you really want to feel like you have your eye on the multiple ball, check out the Busbys’ fly-on-the-wall reality show on TLC called OutDaughtered, which follows them parenting the US’ first all-girl quintuplets. New shows air every Monday at 9 pm on TLC and you can catch the repeats every Sunday at 8 pm either TLC online, SKY channel 125, Virgin channel 167 or BT TV channel 323.
When you’re planning to take up a new skill, you’ll find that there never really is a good time to start trying – like planning for a new baby. Either you can’t afford to spend money on resources, you don’t have enough time to put aside, your kids depend on you 24 hours a day, or you just don’t feel like starting at that moment for whatever reason.
I’m Turkish Cypriot by origin but born and raised in London, and my husband is Swiss. I can barely speak Turkish, but for the bulk of my life, I kept meaning to put aside some time to learn Turkish fluently. I, then, met my husband and decided that I wanted to learn Turkish, German, Swiss-German, Spanish and Italian. But I found myself using all the excuses under the sun to put off actually starting the process. Learning a language is no different to starting a new course or learning to play a new instrument. It takes motivation to start, drive to keep going and consistency and practice to improve. But, most of all it takes time, time which you need to be willing to sacrifice, even if it’s one hour a day.
So, when is the best time to start learning a language?
Really, the best time to start is, well, now. Schedule in small bite-sized chunks every day, or coordinate starting when you have a free pocket of time available, however rare that may be. And, if you can manage a long-term stint like pregnancy for nine months then you can certainly coordinate learning a language too. If you’re pregnant, first of all, congratulations! Now you can set aside learning a language in nine months, along with your pregnancy because, not only will you achieve a massive milestone like learning how to communicate in another language, but your baby will also learn the language with you as well! But, more on those benefits later…
Can I actually learn a language in nine months?
Benny Lewis in his article on ‘How to learn a language in hours, not years,’ stated that you have to be devoted to learning the language and expose yourself to that language at every opportunity. One of the key factors in being devoted to learning another language is to have a good reason to learn, so you stay motivated. Do you have family members who speak another language and you want to communicate with them (like me) or does your future career depend on learning that language? Whatever the key reason is for learning that language, it is important to stay motivated throughout and do as much as you can in that language as possible.
Immerse yourself in that language. Read the newspaper, watch TV or listen to the radio in that language. Keep a dictionary nearby, so if you don’t understand a certain word, make sure you look that word up and build your vocabulary whenever possible. Speaking to yourself in that language if you have no one to practice on is also a great way of practicing and, if you’re pregnant, you’re speaking to your baby who will also learn the language with you too!
You can learn a language remotely
You may be thinking, “How would I be able to travel to a language school to learn while I’m pregnant and/or have kids?” Thanks to the world of technology, there are many courses available online, so you can start right now in the comfort of your own home. If you’re interested in learning a language like Spanish, you can check out online language platforms like Maximo Nivel to learn Spanish online. There are other free resources online that you can subscribe to and receive emails every day. Hit up Google and get the ball rolling now.
Benefits of learning a language during pregnancy
As the baby grows in your belly, they can start to hear sounds from the outside world from as early as 23 weeks, with their mother’s voice and heart being the clearest sounds to them. If you live in a bilingual or multilingual family, your baby may already be growing with the ability to speak bilingually/multilingually too. This is because the baby is exposed to the languages in the womb. A US and Swedish study showed that newborns are already used to their mother’s language and show curiosity for other languages too. Exposing your prenatal baby to different languages affects the newborn’s brain sensibility and speech processing ability and in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy the prenatal baby is not just listening to their mother, but actually taking note of the words and learning them.
Even if you’re not pregnant
Then, I still encourage you to start. Learning a language is a massive skill and one that could provide you with dividends for the rest of your life. Just remember to remind yourself why you are learning because this is important to motivate you to carry on until the language clicks in your brain. Make realistic and specific goals. Breakdown your language goals that can be achievable over the nine months, so you’re not overwhelmed by how difficult you’re finding it or how much you need to learn. Focus on a number of resources that can submerge you into the language, like reading a book, watching a TV show or talking to someone else in that language. The quickest way to learn is to DO, so expose yourself at every opportunity.
I’m embarking on the road to learning Turkish so I can speak to my family in North Cyprus and I aim to become fluent in nine months!
What are your tips to learning a new language in months not years? Please share with us in the comments below.
You can’t have an abundance of blackberries from your successful blackberry picking trip without making some blackberry jam! Naively, having always enjoyed shop bought blackberry jam, I had no idea that (1) it was so easy to make jam and (2) how much sugar actually goes into one single jam jar! So, I set out to make a ‘healthier’ version of jam, by adding lemon, honey and brown sugar instead of processed white sugar.
Adding lemon juice isn’t just for flavour, there is a real science to making jam. You can find a great explanation over at thekitchn.com as to why lemon juice should be added when making jam, but essentially it’s all about the pH levels of the jam itself. When you cut the fruit and heat it with some sugar you the fruit releases pectin, which can’t form together to set the texture of actual jam (so it will end up being runny). Lemon juice lowers the pH levels and neutralises the pectin, in turn, setting the jam to the desired consistency. Lemon also prevents the growth of bacteria, which allows the jam to be sealed in regular boiled water in as little as ten minutes.
Turn the whole jam making process into a fun activity for the kids and after sterilising the jars, invite them to decorate their own jam jars as well.
[yumprint-recipe id=’5′]So what are your favourite healthy jam recipes? Please share in the comments below.
I’m super happy that blackberry season is here because it means that we get to enjoy blackberries in abundance again! Blackberry season in the UK generally runs between June and November, but you can find blackberries at their peak in August/September. I’ve been blackberry picking with the boys for three years now and the boys now look out for blackberries in our back garden, on the way to the park and even in side roads where the bramble hedgerows have been allowed to spread literally like wildfire.
This year we managed to find so many blackberries, so we decided to make a hearty Blackberry Pie to enjoy them in style!
I decided to make the pie from scratch because it really is so super easy to make. I try to go vegan as much as possible, but my three boys are very much into dairy and meat, so I try to accommodate for both. In this recipe, I use dairy free margarine (my favourite is Vitalite which tastes just like normal margarine) and almond milk if I need to use milk. The only thing I haven’t found a substitute for is egg yet. Any ideas for how I can make a pie without egg??
Once the dough was made, I placed it in the fridge for 30 minutes and started working on my filling. I have made various different batches of blackberry pie, one with blackberry and apple (delicious!) and one with blackberry and banana (wasn’t my favourite as the banana was a little too overpowering), but regular ol’ blackberries are just as great. To sweeten the taste you can add honey or brown sugar – or both – and then once the dough is rolled and placed onto the pie dish, you just fill up the dish with your filling, cover with the rolled out dough and then you’re ready to place in the oven for 20 – 25 minutes.
Don’t forget to glaze the top of the sides with egg or almond milk so that the top dough circle glues itself onto the sides and you score the top so heat is allowed to escape. I glazed the top of my pie with egg, but really I want to go for almond milk next time. Baby steps 🙂
[yumprint-recipe id=’3′]So what are your favourite blackberry recipes? Please share in the comments below! I’d love to give them a try.
