After giving birth

Isadora & Lady P: Eating the cardigan

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Guest blog: Isadora Watts is a London -based writer and consultant. Her first baby, Lady P, was born in February. See her blog about her transatlantic adventures here. Isadora is guest blogging for our Feelgood Motherhood blog as she navigates new motherhood. Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here.

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‘Why is the baby eating your cardigan?’ 5 year old niece asked.

I could see why she was confused. To the untrained observer it did look a bit like Lady P was eating my cardigan. In fact she was breastfeeding, through a gap between my vest and my cardy.

It strikes me that the ideal breastfeeding top might just be one that it looks as if the baby is eating. Yes, we do have the right to breastfeed wherever we like, unembarrassed. But there are political ideals, and personal preferences. And my personal preference is not to expose my enormous boobs to all and sundry. I’d also prefer to keep my softer-than-it-used-to-be belly to myself for a while longer. So I’ll all about cunning layers and discreet access.

This does not necessarily mean special breastfeeding tops, although a ‘nursing bra’ is an absolute must. I have a couple of breastfeeding vests I wear under regular, civilian tops and jumpers: the vest allows me to lift up my top to feed without exposing my tummy. Otherwise I wear a nursing bra underneath a shirt I can unbutton, or a top of which I can pull the neckline down (again, keeping my belly safely under wraps). Oversized boyfriend shirts and sloppy joe off-the-shoulder t-shirts are working overtime.

Best of all though are tops and dresses designed just for breastfeeding. They have the most cunning and discreet access of all, with no need for elaborate layers. I have worn my Babes with Babies Stella dress an awful lot.

The bubble hem disguises my tummy and the breastfeeding access is ingeniously discreet.

We love the bubble hem style

We love the bubble hem style

 

The Victoria top is similarly clever, and is long enough to wear over leggings and provide a nice smooth line over parts of me that are less than firm.

Victoria Breastfeeding Top

Fabulous tummy hiding top!

 

What’s your approach to breastfeeding in front of others? Do you don a scarf to hide the whole operation, or are you comfortable getting your Bristols out wherever you are?

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Posted in After giving birth, Breastfeeding, Feelgood Food, Looking good, Looking good, New Mum Style, Style Thoughts, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Isadora & Lady P: Dressing the Fourth Trimester Tum

Tuesday, March 19th, 2013

Guest blog: Isadora Watts is a London -based writer and consultant. Her first baby, Lady P, was born in February. See her blog about her transatlantic adventures here. Isadora is guest blogging for our Feelgood Motherhood blog as she navigates new motherhood. Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here.

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We made it! The lovely Lady P arrived, and labour really wasn’t so terrible. I actually felt back to normal quite quickly after the birth. Five weeks later, and thanks to some great team work am getting a decent amount of sleep. So I feel really good.

Until I pass a mirror, that is. Then I do a double take. ‘Hang on, I’m sure I had that baby… what on earth is that belly all about?’

Apparently it takes six to eight weeks for your uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size – and that’s before the rest of your midsection muscles can hustle back to their normal positions. Even Gisele, photographed recently on the beach with sweet-but-unmistakable pooch, is not immune to the post-pregnancy belly. It’s a fact of new motherhood and only time (okay, and passing on the cake once in a while) will whittle it away.

One way to distract from a new mum (tiny) tum.

A baby is a good way to distract from a new mum (tiny) tum. Clever Gisele.

So while I’m waiting for the magic of breastfeeding and daily walks to do their work, I need to dress smart. After months of wearing fitted clothes proudly over my bump, I’m going back to the stuff I wore a lot in my early pregnancy.

Anything that draws a veil over exactly what’s happening around my midriff is my friend.

A lot of women still wear their maternity jeans in the fourth trimester, but I couldn’t wait to get out of mine. Instead I’m wearing the baggy old favourites that were always a size or two too big, and saw me through weeks 9 to 16. Muffin top is an ever present danger.

To further complicate matters, I’m breastfeeding which means thinking carefully about layering and access. And finally, I’m a little short on sleep so need to wear colours that flatter. Draining black is out for now, unless I temper it with some colour.

I have some oversized knits and big sloppy joe t-shirts that are fairly forgiving, but less than flattering. A smarter option is a longer jumper with a fitted waistband: I wear an old poloneck in this shape a lot, because I like the way it puffs out over my belly. Babes with Babies staple The Mariposa is a great example of the way a fitted waistband can disguise a tummy – and it’s breastfeeding friendly too. Tops with a bubble hem are good for the same reason. Next do some good ones: buy a size up, and bear in mind they don’t have built in breastfeeding access. I’m wearing my striped bubble-hem t-shirt an awful lot, over a breastfeeding vest.

I’m also hunting out anything loose and flowing in a light fabric– nothing clingy – that will take me through Spring. I love Wow at the Wolsely from the new Babes with Babies range – it’s cut to skim over the body, the soft colours are really flattering for tired skin.

Babydoll-Drawstring-Silk-Blouse---Blush-Pink--1

Fourth Trimester Flatterer

I hate to wish these precious weeks away but I must admit I’m rather looking forward to the days when there’s more of Lady P and less of me!

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Any thoughts and advice for Isadora as she assesses her new mum wardrobe options? Let us know on Twitter or adding your comments here. You can see more great tops for new mum tums here.

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Posted in After giving birth, After the birth, Breastfeeding, Looking good, New Mum Style, Style Thoughts, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Isadora’s Expecting: Preparing, primping and pampering for labour

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013

Guest blog: Isadora Watts is a London -based writer and consultant, expecting her first baby in February.  See her blog about her transatlantic adventures  here. Isadora is guest blogging for our Feelgood Motherhood blog as she works out the best ways to stay sane and stylish throughout her pregnancy.Let us know what you think about Isadora’s posts on our Twitter feed or follow her on Twitter here. What personal grooming did you indulge in, pre-birth?

My due date is galloping towards me. It’s a time of growing anxiety and excitement in equal measures. We’ve packed the hospital bag, checked out local taxi firms, and I’m doing my kegels and repeating my birth affirmations daily.

Surprisingly, that leaves just enough room for some more trivial concerns. Namely: my appearance. After all, I know there’ll be photos taken soon after I give birth – photos we’ll treasure for ever and ever and ever. Perhaps it’s unrealistic to want to look my best, but I certainly don’t want to look my worst in them.

So I’ve had my highlights taken care of. I went a shade lighter than usual, in the firm belief that the blonder I am, the less tired I look: blonde hair round the face has the same effect as wearing a white shirt, or using Touche Eclat.

And I’m keeping my nail varnish tidy and unchipped. I still remember the photos of my friend Nicky when she gave birth to her first born: immediately after spotting how sweet her baby was, I clocked her perfectly manicured nails. She elevated the hospital gown look to a new level of glamour, and if her eyes were a little bleary I honestly didn’t notice. Pregnancy pamperingSo I’m touching up my cherry red toenails, and re-doing my pale pink fingernails at least twice a week. If it weren’t for the snow I’d go out and pay someone to do it – as it requires some acrobatics to get past the bump.I’m also going to update my eyelash tint this week, to make the make-up free look a little less unforgiving.

I understand that the last thing you care about during labour is how you look. But what about afterwards? Did you groom in advance? Do you wish that you had? Any tips for a rather shallow, 38 week pregnant lady will be gratefully received.

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Stockholm Rules. Part 1: Play to Your Strengths.

Monday, July 11th, 2011

I’m lucky enough to have just spent a weekend in Sweden’s gorgeous capital city Stockholm. Sweden has been having a bit of a design moment in interiors for a while but it’s also having an impact on fashion, with iconic brands like Acne making a real mark (despite its unlikely brand name) – seen here worn by Kirsten Dunst.


I’ve spent a lot of time with Swedish friends recently and this is the second time I’ve been to the capital.  The first was just with my lovely husband on a date weekend and truth be told,  it was a lot more relaxing than the second one with the girls. Both were fun though. There’s an amazing children’s museum dedicated to the work of Astrid Lingren (Pippi Longstocking) which is fabulously done & well worth a visit. I love Pippi Longstocking – she’s a strong, funny and very inspiring female role model for girls in this world full of passive Barbies.

What really struck me, on both trips though, was the gorgeous ‘look’ of the women there; there’s a vibe which is very different to London, New York, LA or Paris. If you’re a Lady Gaga type or a die-hard fashion victim, you’d probably be disappointed, but for those of us who are interested in looking good rather than slavishly following trends I think there’s a lot to learn from the Swedes.  They’ve certainly come a long way since Abba.

The general rules they seem to follow have a lot in common with the Bb design philosophy & are very useful for pregnant women or new mums.

So I thought I’d share four ‘rules’ from observing the stylish Swedes; useful to consider for anyone looking to make their wardrobe work hard and to feel their most fabulous.

Stockholm Rule No. 1:  Play To Your Strengths

Many Swedes have enviable legs, lean and long (grrrh, slightly hate them). So this is why skinnies (with long boots or Converses) have been a huge look for them over the last couple of years – and when I was there in September they still were.

In summer, cute shorts were the look. The Swedes totally rock denim and little mini cute denim shorts look great. What is also smart is that the skinnies and the shorts were both teamed with beautiful billowy shirts and tops, giving an elegant silhouette which avoided the look being too slutty.

It’s like the classic make-up rule of choosing lips or eyes; balance it out for a gorgeous look that isn’t de trop.

Still-shapely legs? Looser tops with more tapered legs are a good postnatal look as the tops skim over a rounded new mum tum.

Preggers with good leggers? Our Supershorts are only £19.95 in the sale and great for a hot summer look.

The stylish Swedes who weren’t so blessed in the long limb department, sensibly made the most of their necklines with beautiful detailing showing off their décolletage instead. This is genius & again, a really good pregnancy and new mum tip – particularly as a burgeoning bump often comes hand in hand with an increased ‘Treasure Chest’ up top!

Show off your neckline: I love the detailing on our Chloe Crossover tops (pretty neckline and sleeves) which shows off shoulder blades and draws attention up to your face. Oh – and half-price in our current sale too…

So, it’s the ‘Play to Your Strengths rule (and one that needs to be updated as your body shape changes) – whether its a lovely neck, great chest or good legs.  But always choose one part only to avoid overdoing things so I guess the addendum to the rule is ‘Choose One Bit Only’.

Result? You feel confident and your look has a beautiful balance. Even if, like me, you feel more like a turnip than a sexy Swede.

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Breastfeeding Beauty

Friday, May 13th, 2011

Caveat, caveat, caveat. I always slightly feel the need to caveat anything I say about breastfeeding. I know so many close friends and family members who’ve struggled and can’t do it. I know that it’s every mother’s personal choice and that some women just don’t want to do it.

But for those who really want to breastfeed, and sometimes cope with difficulty and pain to do it (or some inconvenience), it’s so positive to see inspiring role models.

The fabulous Miranda Kerr has previously released stunning natural pictures of herself feeding baby Finn at home.

Miranda Kerr - the early days of Flynn.

And now on Twitter she’s released this beautiful one.

breastfeeding positive role model (celebrity)

Flynn Month 4 (Courtesy Miranda Kerr)

And I looked just exactly like that when I was breastfeeding. Uncanny really, identical. Honest guv.

Seriously though, it’s a great shot. Yes it’s fashion-y, yes they aren’t perfect shoes for pushing a buggy in… but how brilliant to take the time to shoot a picture like this which is so gorgeous and makes such a positive statement about breastfeeding.  Brave, cool and very beautiful. Respect due.

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I think therefore I’m glam.

Sunday, April 17th, 2011

The longlegged perennial Jerry Hall was in the press recently talking about how important it is to ‘think yourself beautiful’.

Hmm. Oh yes Jerry, that must be so hard for such a short dumpy plain Jane girl like you. The glamorous mum-of-four Ms Hall is definitely no dumb blonde though and this has got me thinking.  She has a point here…

Being attractive is inextricably linked with your mindset. You know how interested men all come at once? As poetry queen Wendy Cope put it so succinctly:
‘Bloody  men are like bloody buses… You wait for about a year
And as soon as one approaches your stop,
Two or three others appear.’

Often this is simply because you’re confident thanks to attention from one man, and  confidence just is incredibly sexy.  I’ll bet you know someone who isn’t actually that beautiful but is gloriously attractive. Because she acts it. Because she believes it. And if she believes it then people around her will too. Beth Ditto’s uber-confidence is fabulous.  And what about my dodgy icon of the moment: Wallis Simpson? Not a real beauty but she ensnared many a man and the respect of many a woman in her time. And what about you and me? Feel good about yourself. Think yourself beautiful. I’m going to try. Say it loud, say it proud: ‘I’m looking bloody gorgeous today!’

Let’s face facts here. At no point is it more important to have a positive mental mindset than as a new mother. How does one do it though? How do you avoid the ‘mummy mindset’ that focuses on the babysick and the larger bottom and focus on feeling beautiful? It’s not easy feeling glamorous or beautiful but I’ve noticed that a significant number of my friends have definitely become more gorgeous since having babies. It defies the obvious logic but I swear it’s true.

Sometimes it’s because they’ve relaxed a bit about how they look and they’re focused on other things so they’re enjoying themselves more. Sometimes it’s simply because they’re genuinely happy (yep, it can happen). Sometimes they have just discovered a great sense of perspective that shines from within. Or maybe they are cleverly ‘thinking themselves beautiful’.

Whatever, their secret, I say let’s all focus our minds on feeling beautiful. Choose the right clothes and it helps, naturally. Get some sleep and that also helps. But from today, let’s all look ourselves in the mirror, hold our heads up high and focus on the positive. Ignore the tum and the bags under the eyes, look for the glow and the shiny hair, find confidence in what you’re doing with your life. I am a mum of two. I am not statuesque or photogenic and I am older than I was. However, I’m so proud of my body for what it’s created. I’m proud that I’m learning to dress it as well as possible. Yes, I’d love to look like Kate Moss but I’d also love to write like Zadie Smith and borrow Zuckerberg’s bank account. These things just ain’t going to happen and wishing and complaining won’t make them so.

Smiling, standing tall and saying I am beautiful… that’s easy to do so I’m going to make a resolution today to do that.

Pregnant? People love to look at a pregnant woman. Really they do. You’re larger, yes but you’re making a new life. So cool, so beautiful. New mum? A new baby is the ultimate gorgeous accessory. Feel gorgeous, feel proud. Mummy, mama, maman, yes. Mumsy no.

Let’s all banish the ‘only a mum’ mumsy mindset and strut around a little today! It’s not very British and it’s not really in line with the fashionable ‘self-deprecation’ of the British woman these days but it’s easy and I bet it’ll work. Next time you have to walk into a party, or a cafe and you feel frumpy/fat/nervous just find a way to ‘think yourself beautiful.’ Say to yourself ‘I’m looking gorgeous today’. If nothing else it’ll put an attractive smile on your face!

Think it. Believe it. You’re beautiful you are.

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The best of a bad job (by Elle Tucker)

Monday, March 21st, 2011

It would be nice to think that the glow of love you have would be enough to get you through those first weeks with a new baby looking OK. Well it’s not. If you’re over about twenty, you need help. Fact.

That help comes in the form of some clever beauty tricks and smarty-pants products. There are no miracle workers here; if you want to look like Angelina Jolie you shouldn’t have got yourself knocked up in the first place. She can afford staff, remember?

And all I can do is pass on these, my favourite tips, as someone who has done the newborn baby thing twice – and doesn’t like giving in and looking like an extra from a launderette scene in Eastenders.

1. Even if you’ve had about 40 minutes sleep, draw a line in the sand and call it a new day by having a shower using something invigorating like EO shower gel in Citrus Fusion (£12 for a huge pump dispenser from www.forever-natural.co.uk), or Elemis Sharp Shower and Bath Gel (£18.40). And wash your hair while you’re at it. It’ll wake you up as much as a coffee.

2. Kind people will give you bath products as well as stuff for your sprog. Don’t just think “Pah, as if I have time for such things”. Stick the nipper in a bouncy chair, get granny round, whatever it takes – it will make you feel better to have a soak in the tub. Banish baby blues with Lush’s ‘Ne Worry Pas’ Bath Ballistic (www.lush.com). If nothing else the name is fab.

3. It’s not too late to save your belly – and while it’s shrinking back into shape is a great time to help it along. SilDerm have extended their offering in the UK to a Stretch Mark Treatment Cream (£39.95 from silderm.com), which claims to reduce the length, redness and indentation of marks by acting on them when they are new (i.e. red).

So in other words, don’t give up on your stretch marks – now is the time to help them heal.

4. Lack of sleep, hospital food, dehydration – none of these are going to give you a glowing complexion. Thankfully, some fabulous products can, albeit temporarily. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm (£27.06) is the best known, but Elemis has a great rival in its Fruit Active Rejuvenating Mask (£26.60).

Now you can go to the shops without attracting fearful glances from members of the public.

5. Blusher. Admittedly it will only make you look better but surely that’s half the battle? On parched, tired skin a creamy one works best and is dead easy to slap on. I say God bless MAC for their Blushcreme (£17 – ‘Laid Back’ gives a good natural colour).

And the bonus is that when your friends and relatives invade with their packets of biscuits to hear your gory birth story, you can smile into their cameras knowing that you may not look like Angelina Jolie, but you have something of the Jennifer Aniston about you. Which is better, in my book.

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This guest post is by the brilliant Elle Tucker, doyenne of beauty blogging, brand spanking-new mum for the second time and lover of lotions and potions. It’s been written four weeks after baby no.2 so she knows what she’s talking about. See more from her at productplacement.theblog.com or follow her on Twitter.

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The power of clothes

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Wallis Simpson is on my mind today. I’ve been reading an article on London Fashion Week where she is cited as a key muse. She famously  said “I am not a beautiful woman. I`m nothing to look at, so the only thing I can do is dress better than anyone else”. This woman, at the heart of one of the most dramatic love stories of our age, knew that choosing the right clothes was important. 

This has got me thinking. I thought I’d share a little bit of my (and Bb’s) philosophy.

I believe in… clothes.
Yes, I know it will sound shallow and there are plenty of people who dismiss fashion as evil and destructive.  I don’t believe a love of clothes doesn’t challenge the other things in life which are traditionally seen as good. I also love my friends, family, take an active interest in literature, art and politics. I am fully aware of how incredibly lucky I am to have the opportunity to care about what I wear (that I don’t have to worry about a roof over my head and what to eat). But I do love clothes.

Fashion is a way of dreaming. Clothes are the grown-up woman’s equivalent of playing. And no, an interest in fashion doesn’t have to mean bankrupting yourself or dressing like a loon.

I believe in… clothes as a way to make people feel good.
It’s been well documented that during times of recession, depression and war then lipstick sales increase. Women feel better when they feel they look better.

Finding the right dress that makes you feel like a queen; buying the perfect boots that transform your wardrobe. These are moments of shopping satisfaction; moments when you know you’ve bought something smart and lovely which will make you feel like you’re making an effort and give you a delicious confidence boost.

Pregnant and new mums are at the mercy of raging hormones; physical changes and a dramatic alteration to their way of life. Surely they deserve to feel good? Gorgeous maternitywear can help a pregnant woman enjoy the wonder of her pregnancy. Discreet, stylish nursing wear can make a new mum feel comfortable with breastfeeding in public.

I believe… that the right clothes maketh the mum.
At Bb London we spend an awful lot of time thinking about finding the most flattering and fabulous clothes for women. I am constantly amazed by how transformative the right clothes can be & how different the same body can look in two different outfits.  Let’s face the facts. Be brutal, like Wallis Simpson. There are a few fabulous beauties in this world who look good in everything. Most women can vastly improve their appearance by choosing the right clothes.

Pregnant women and new mums are particularly challenged by changing shapes and changing life circumstances. We will do everything we can to help & we will keep looking for ideas and inspiration to bring the beauty and power of clothes to Bb customers.

Now I’m off to worship at the altar of London Fashion Week for one more day….

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P.S. There is nothing that makes a work day happier for us at Bb London than getting positive feedback from customers on how much our clothes make a difference to them.  

So… help me keep the faith! Please keep sending us your feedback; it’s useful to hear the constructive and wonderful to hear the positive. I’ll end this with a few of our favourite recent ones:

“I just wanted to say how wonderful the items I purchased from you are. I love them and feel like a glamorous new mum now!! Which up until now due to breastfeeding has not been the case – practicality overtook style.” I JS, Sheffield

“Clothing of superb quality that having tried on I just want to live in forever”,  Kate, Exeter

“My beautiful dress arrived yesterday – Thank you so much! I’d had a morning of exploding poo, emergency baths and laundry. To receive such a beautifully wrapped parcel and delivery note really transformed my day. Suddenly I felt like a beautiful lady rather than a milk machine!!So thank you for turning me from scummy mummy to yummy mummy :0)” Hannah, Bath

‘Thank you for sending the package very quickly. The 2 dresses fitted perfectly – I am neither pregnant nor breastfeeding but bought them for the fabulous cut.’ Lm, London, 01/11

“I wore my dress for my youngest daughter’s baptism and received many lovely compliments! I look forward to shopping again. I particularly loved the style tips – very handy when you’ve been out of the loop for a while! Thank you all” Hayley, Dorset

 

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Too tired to party?

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

‘Tis the season for Christmas parties. Lots of them, everywhere, all the time.  At work, with friends, with neighbours. Surely you’re happy about that? Who doesn’t love a party after all? Well…anyone who is slightly hormonal & a bit overtired may not be feeling quite so sparkly about the non-stop parties.  That’s particularly the case for people who are pregnant or who have a very new baby.

Here are three thoughts from the Bb London team on how to survive (nay, even enjoy) the festive frivolities if you are pregnant, a new mum… or even just a bit cream crackered!

1. How to look like you’re drinking without drinking.

 I’m a gin and tonic girl; love the stuff. But obviously ‘mother’s ruin’ doesn’t work when you’re pregnant and many people want to cut down on their alcohol consumption.

 It’s tricky not drinking when everyone else is. Soft drinks can, frankly,be dullsville. It’s particularly hard if you don’t want people to know you’re not drinking (too early in the pregnancy perhaps… or you just don’t want to drink and everyone will call you a killjoy).  

A friend of mine claimed she’d converted to Mormonism the other day to stave off the beer bullies. Unfortunately someone at the same party was also a Mormon and engaged her in a tricky conversation about bigamy so that’s not one she’ll try again. 

If you want to avoid such extreme porkie-pies,  bear in mind that it is often very easy to hold one glass of wine or champagne for a while without people realising you’re not drinking it. Distract people with sparkling conversation and it’s amazing how easy it is to get away with this. This is especially straightforward at a cocktail party & you can slip off and leave the glass somewhere or empty it surreptitiously in the bathroom.

Alternatively, get a drink yourself from the bar and get a lovely big glass of tonic with slice and ice. It’s a really refreshing drink and no-one can tell that you’re not drinking gin with it.

3. Wonder Wedges

If you are a heel lover, try some soft flat shoes you can now get to tuck in your bag to make sure you don’t have to teeter to the taxi or tube in your stilettos. They can be found very cheaply – or splash out on something special like these lovely Lanvins from Net-a-Porter.

Heals do a cute pair in a little purse for £45.

Pregnant and need some heels for height, confidence and a bit of added va-va-voom? The shops are full of great winter wedges at the moment – boots and dressier, funkier shoes like these sweet black suede wedges by Kors or there are cheaper alternatives at Kurt Geiger.

They’ll give you the extra something without making you feel unbalanced.

3. The Password and The Deal.

Going to a party you’re feeling nervous about or just don’t really want to go to? (Maybe your other half’s work event which can sometimes be a strain?)

We suggest you agree with the person you’re going with on a password which when you use when you really can’t take any more. It can be as simple as you using the word ‘sweetie’ or ‘darling’ if they aren’t terms you normally use. 

The password when used is the hint to them to wrap things up with an excuse to leave. It’s good to have an excuse prepared (‘the babysitter/the last tube/the fact that you are pregnant’). You’ll need to agree this deal in advance but if you’re driving then it’s a pretty good deal.  Just make sure they don’t overdo the Christmas Spirits and forget the password otherwise you’ll find yourself saying ‘darling’ over and over in a very cross tone!

Do let us know any other tips and ideas for enjoying a party when you’re a little under par! It happens to us all at times:-)

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Shock and awww. (The first few days after having a baby….)

Friday, October 1st, 2010

My very smart, very organised, very lovely sister-in-law gave birth to her first child a week ago. I’m over the moon to have a new nephew and absolutely delighted for her. 

I’m also feeling sad that we don’t live a little nearer as I think that close girlfriends or family members who have recently given birth are very useful allies in the early days after having a baby.

Nobody could have prepared me for the tsunami of adoration and protectiveness I felt when Rosie was first born. But, there’s no denying it, the first few days and weeks were definitely a seismic shock.

Newborn Baby

Rosie - the early days.

My sister who had been through it all ten years before was a godsend to talk to. My brother-in-law (her husband) was also helpful in an odd way. He told me and my better half to ‘prepare ourselves for six weeks of hell’. I thought it was unduly negative at the time but what he meant was that until the baby responds/smiles etc.it can be pretty hard.

My expectations were pretty low as a result of his comment so it was lovely to discover that the early days while definitely rather intense were not quite as bad as he’d painted things &, indeed, had moments of complete and utter joy.

I do love the wise words from Justine Robert (founder of mumsnet) who says she wishes all mothers could be issued with a fridge magnet saying ‘this is only a phase’.

The early days with babies change so quickly but you do feel as each bit will last forever. You won’t be breastfeeding every four hours for the rest of your life, your body won’t feel like that, the baby will change… this too will pass.

Another very good friend has had her second baby this week and she is very consciously savouring and treasuring each moment because she knows that the transformation is so quick – the tough times and the beautiful newborn treasure of it all – both change in the blink of an eye. An unforgettable time for everyone.

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