Bridport & Lyme Regis NCT DIARY

Spring 2013

Day by day guide to what’s on in the area for families with young children…

Upcoming local NCT events, including:

• Nearly-New-Sales • Bumps and Babies • Easter Treasure Hunt • Picnic with the lambs Weaning special! • Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party • First Aid Training Hints, tips and real-life • And lots lots more… stories in a handy pull-out guide!

©NCT, Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace London W3 6NH, Registered charity no. 801395 1

For more information and to book contact Claire 07828 752830 Email: [email protected] Who’s who in Limitedthe spaces Branch so book early to avoid disappointment 2

Who’s who in the branch

Chair/Branch Sam Messer 07969 323585 Coordiator [email protected]

21 Dibdin View, Bridport. Dorset. DT6 5FA Honorary President Ellen Simon 01308 898750 Cottage By The Sea, West Bexington, Dorchester, DT2 9DD Treasurer Sian German 01308 456 121 [email protected]

Parent Support Suzanne Moore [email protected] Coordinator 01308 459551

Members Meeri Wallace 01297 678538 Coordinator Newsletter Editor / Alex O’Dwyer [email protected] Newsletter Claire Worsley 01308 421 819 Advertising [email protected] 07885 413008

Post-Natal Team Coordinator- 07969 323585 Sam Messer

Open Houses – [email protected] Sarah Hewitson 07815 148142 Nearly New Sales Table Bookings – 07847 534464(bookings No) Antenatal Teachers Ellen Simon (as above) 01308 898750

Breastfeeding Ellen Simon 01308 898750 Counsellors Emma Gale 01308 863362

www.facebook.com/nctbridport

Welcome from the Editors

Hello! We would like to introduce ourselves as the new editorial team for the newsletter - we are Alex O’Dwyer and Claire Worsley. We have recently taken on the task of putting together the newsletter for Bridport and Lyme Regis NCT and are delighted to welcome you to our first ever issue (so please excuse any mistakes or omissions!)

Alex is a Mum of three boys (aged 5 years, 3 years and 9 months) while Claire has just had her first baby, Thea. So between the two of us we have a good perspective on the many and varied challenges, and joys, that we all face as parents! We are supported by the small but fabulous team of committee members who do so much work behind the scenes to keep the branch going and who inspired us to volunteer with the branch.

This issue has a focus on weaning, a subject that is as varied and diverse as the varied and diverse tastes, preferences and personalities of our children! When you also take into account the different official guidelines it can be really confusing. So we’ve focused on sharing some of the key facts and guidance, together with the real-life hints and tips of some local Mums who have been through the goop and gunge stage and lived to tell the tale, with happy and healthy children who will eat (almost) anything!

There’s loads going on over the coming months as you’ll see in our Diary and What’s On sections and we hope that Small Talk will help you find what you are looking for. If there are subjects you want us to cover in future issues of Small Talk , or if you have any information or comments you want to share, please do contact us – our details are on page 3.

Wishing you a lovely (and hopefully sunny!) spring

Alex and Claire

Branch News

Notice - NCT Bridport Annual Members Meeting

Our Annual Meeting will be held at 8pm on Thursday 18th April, at 2 Bramble Drive, Bridport, DT6 4SN.

Please come along if you want to find out what’s happening in the branch and also how you can get involved. We always need volunteers and both members and non-members are very welcome.

If you have any questions please contact Sian German on 01308 456121 / [email protected]

Nearly New Sales by Vicky and Zoe

December’s NCT nearly new sale was as busy as always and there were a lot of lovely bargains! We hope everyone enjoyed it and picked up some great Christmas presents!

Our Christmas sale is always the busiest and we made £296 which, as well as supporting the activities of our local branch like Bumps & Babies, goes towards training Antenatal Teachers and Breastfeeding Councellors, and the running of national NCT helpline.

Our next sale is Saturday 16th March at Colfox School 2-4pm. At the time of going to print we still have a few tables left so if you need to gain some space back after Christmas and before the summer, now is a good time to do so. With a minimum of 200 people through our doors looking for bargains you are guaranteed to sell items that can be given a new home!

The sales are a great place to pick up a bargain and grab something that’s not going to cost you a small fortune, especially as we know children will be bored with a new toy in a few months’ time. Bring grandparents along and buy toys for their house or kit out your child's wardrobe with clothes ready for the summer.

Future Bridport sales dates are Saturday 7 th September and Saturday 7 th December – put the dates in your diary now!

STOP PRESS - We are also going to be holding a big NCT Nearly New Sale in Lyme Regis this year on Saturday June 1st ! More information to follow nearer the time – keep an eye on our Facebook page – facebook.com/bridportnct! If you would like to book a table please email [email protected]

Baby First Aid

NCT’s brand new Baby First Aid courses have arrived at Bridport & Lyme Regis branch!

NCT has teamed up with the British Red Cross to create the NCT Baby first aid course. This unique course will give you the chance to learn and practise vital first aid skills that could one day save your child’s life.

The two hour course will be delivered by an expert British Red Cross trainer and will cover topics that typically concern parents such as delivering CPR, choking and burns. Every parent has worries about facing an emergency situation involving their child. These courses will address your fears giving you lots of practise in lifesaving techniques and plenty of opportunity to ask questions. Courses will cost just £10.

Dates and venue are still being finalised but places will be limited so register your interest now. Email [email protected] We’re going bananas in July! To celebrate the final Bumps & Babies group before the summer holidays in July, we will be turning our usual Tuesday session on 23 rd July into an NCT Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party!

Put the date in the diary now! 1-2.30pm at Bridport Children’s Centre. We will be laying on some fun activities, raising money for NCT and we will be asking everyone to bring along some picnic food to share for the Cheeky Monkeys – and their Mums, Dads etc!

With the funds raised by Cheeky Monkeys Tea Parties, NCT can continue to support families to prepare for the changes a baby brings and work to give new parents the skills and knowledge they need to grow in confidence.

Bumps & Babies Every Tuesday 1pm – 2.30pm Bumps & Babies is our group that aims (Term time only) to give support during those sometimes tricky first few months and Bridport Children’s Centre, years and provide a space for parents Skilling Hill Road, DT6 to talk freely to each other and make 5LA. friends.

Our new venue is lovely for the babies with lots of toys to play with in a safe environment and all important tea, coffee and biscuits! We don’t charge a fee to attend we just ask for a small donation to help with costs and ensure we can keep running.

“I really enjoy chatting with all “It will be really nice for my the other mums and having son to have a friend he has some grown up conversation” known since he was a baby” “Coming to Bumps & Babies gives me a “Few of my friends have Babies, reason to get out of the house” so coming here is great and everyone is so welcoming”

Whether you’re expecting your 1 st or 5 th we would love to welcome you and your baby at the group, from pregnancy throughout the early years of childhood. Call Sam on 07969 323585 for more information.

Easter treasure hunt Wednesday 10 th April, 10am – 12pm

If you’re looking for something to do in the Easter holidays, why not join us for a fun spring time treasure hunt!

The hunt will be suitable for children of all ages with a tasty tempting treat as a prize at the end of it! Entry into the hunt will be £2 per child (grown ups can enter too if they want!), with all proceeds going to the branch, to help us to run our activities and produce this newsletter.

There will also be plenty of tea and coffee for parents, a slice of cake and the chance to chat and (hopefully) enjoy the spring

sunshine.

On the subject of weather, please note that if it is raining, or if the forecast is for rain, please call Alex, the host for the hunt, on 01308 421 819 or text on 07940 538 540 to confirm if it is going ahead or not. And even if it is sunny, children may want to wear wellies as the garden can be muddy in places!

Directions to the hunt at Alex’s (Atrim Farm, Broadoak DT6 5PX):

From Bridport, leave the town on North Allington (B3162), past Washingpool Farm. At the crossroads, turn left (signposted Broadoak). Just under a mile down this lane, turn left onto Atrim Lane (there is also a small blue cycle path sign on the signpost). Alex’s house is the first on the left, with parking on the gravel driveway.

Open Houses

If you’re at home with a young child and nothing to do but chores, get out and into an open house!

If you’ve not been to one before they’re a good opportunity to see other Mums, have a cuppa and have a chat. They’re informal and friendly and open to everyone – you don’t need to be a member to come along. All we ask is a £1 donation to the branch which will go to support our Bumps & Babies group, running Nearly New Sales and the production of this newsletter.

You can find the dates of all the upcoming Open Houses in the diary pages in the centre of this newsletter. Feel free to call the host in advance for directions but you don’t need to “book”, just turn up on the day! Mum’s Nights In and Out

All Mums need a night off from time to time – which is why we are committed to making sure there are regular dates in the diary when we can get away for an evening and get together!

The nights are for absolutely everyone, past and present Mums from Bumps & Babies, committee members, volunteers etc. They are very popular (who says we’re all desperate to escape and have a glass of wine?) so come along and see for yourself.

The nights in are relaxed meals at a Mum’s house. The general rule is that everyone brings a dish of something to share, whether it’s an elaborate pudding or a quick pizza and salad grabbed from the shops on the way there.

We all sit down and enjoy a meal together with plenty of chat and good company. And feel free to bring small babies if you wish, we are the NCT after all!

For the nights out we meet at a restaurant and either eat there or move somewhere with more space if needed. And there are usually some adventurous Mums who are up for a few drinks after the meal too!

All the dates for the upcoming Nights In and Nights Out can be found in the diary section in the centre of this newsletter. We would love to see you there – the more the merrier! Picnic with the lambs Saturday 27 th April, 11am

Come and meet the lambs at Tamarisk Organic Farm, West Bexington. Learn about how they are looked after and what happens on the farm from the very knowledgeable Ellen Simon, A popular event in previous years, it is a beautiful setting by the sea with lots for children of all ages to see and learn.

Bring your own picnic lunch and suitable footwear. Tea and coffee will be available and donations to the branch will be very welcome.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Breastfeeding Support

It can be hard to ask for help, but good support and getting the right information can help overcome breastfeeding issues.

Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Support Counsellors are Groups are run by mums experienced volunteers who who have completed peer- are trained to help with any support training. They feeding-related issue. For provide support and example: latching on, sore information for nursing nipples, early feeding, mums and pregnant ladies mixing breast and bottle who want to find out more feeding, breastfeeding and about breastfeeding before returning to work, and any their baby arrives. You don't worries that you may have have to be having difficulties about finding it difficult to with breastfeeding your feed or stop feeding. Their baby, just come along and services are provided free to meet other breastfeeding anyone and you do not need mums. Older siblings are to be a member of the NCT welcome too (toys to call them. provided!). You can get support, share breastfeeding Our local breastfeeding tips and of course have tea, counsellors are: toast and time to chat! Ellen Simon 01308 898750 Emma Gale 01308 863362 Baby and Me is on Wednesdays, 1-2:30pm, NCT Breastfeeding Beaminster Youth Club Support Phoneline 0300 (through the black gates on 330 0700 the left hand side just after Alternatively, there is a you pass the Bridge House national NCT Breastfeeding Hotel on your right). Support Phoneline which is Books and resources open 8am-midnight every including breast pumps can day. be borrowed. For more information, call 07971 767794.

FAB (Friendly About The following businesses Breastfeeding) is on have joined the scheme and Thursdays in term-time, 1- should be displaying a 3pm, Lyme Regis Children's Breastfeeding Welcome Centre, Kingsway (one hour sticker in the window. free parking in the marked bays on Kingsway). Beach and Barnicott Cafe For more information, call (Bridport) 01297 444076 Costa Coffee (Bridport and Dorchester) Breastfeeding out and Bridport Arts Centre about in Dorset Beaminster Pharmacy The Breastfeeding Welcome Hive Beach Cafe (Burton Partnership aims to make it Bradstock) easier for mums to Hey Baby (Dorchester) recognise places where they can breastfeed their baby If you know of any local when they are out and businesses that are about. You are very interested in signing up, welcome to breastfeed your please see baby wherever he/she www.realbabymilk.org.dorset decides they need feeding in for contact details. Dorset, but premises that have signed up to the Electric Breast Pump scheme will go out of their way to make you feel Bridport NCT has two welcome and comfortable. electric breast pumps which can be borrowed by anyone who needs them in return for a donation to the branch (you do not need to be a

Look out for the member of the NCT). Breastfeeding Welcome sticker! If you would like to borrow one, please call Emma Gale on 01308 863362.

My Breastfeeding Story by Anna Foxx Neal

During the early stages of my pregnancy I didn’t give too much thought to how I was going to feed my baby. I had heard that ‘breast was best’, but had also heard mixed reports about how successful it could be. As part of our antenatal preparations, my husband and I both went to a Breastfeeding workshop when I was 37 weeks pregnant... the thought of a whole session devoted to the subject of boobs was quite appealing to my other half!

The workshop was very informative for both mums and dads. It wasn’t too pushy, but highlighted the benefits to both mother and baby and we were also introduced to a Peer Supporter from a local breastfeeding support group. I didn’t even know such groups existed! Sarah had received training on how to support new parents and we were able to ask her questions about some of the challenges that come with breastfeeding. She also talked to the Dads about how their support is vital for a tired and emotional new mum during the first days and weeks. We left the session determined to give it a good go and didn’t buy any bottles ‘just in case’ figuring that we’d cross that bridge if we came to it.

I went to the Breastfeeding group the following day, complete with my enormous bump and it was lovely to meet new breastfeeding mums and to see real babies! They were very welcoming and reassuring and this strengthened my feelings towards breastfeeding. Our little one was born a few weeks later by Caesarean Section, with me out for the count under a general anaesthetic. This meant I didn’t get to hold our daughter for a couple of hours, but although I was a bit groggy I was still determined to give breastfeeding a try. When Eleanor was brought in to me the midwife asked if I wanted any help with latching her on. As I didn’t have a clue what I needed to do I was grateful for the assistance and the midwife guided Eleanor onto me. I can’t really remember how successful our first attempt was and it was rather surreal, but we did it!

I was in hospital for five days and I must admit I didn’t find breastfeeding easy at first. Every time she needed a feed I had to call for help as I just couldn’t manage on my own... I didn’t know how to hold her, my nipples never seemed to be in the right position, I put a huge burden on myself to be able to do it, but had to remind myself that there were two of us trying to get the hang of this.

Eleanor also had to learn “It might not be perfect, what to do as she wasn’t born a ready-made expert. but you will manage a Now I’m the kind of person who clears her own table at feed all by yourself and a coffee shop, so I found the you feel a great sense of thought of pressing the buzzer for a midwife to come achievement” and help me every time she needed feeding very difficult. I’m also used to getting the hang of things quickly, so after four days of struggling and still finding it tricky I was beyond frustrated with myself. My husband was very patient and supportive throughout and kept reassuring me that we would be okay in the end. He was also able to step back and look at how I was holding her and whether she was latched on correctly. We were even practising with the doll and the woolly boob that we had used in the workshop so I could try and master positioning! We spoke to probably a dozen different midwives and care assistants, but it just wasn’t sinking in. But I just kept asking for help and that’s the key – you have to ask for help and keep asking. There’s no judgement and no pressure, they’ll just keep talking and showing and helping until eventually you find you can manage on your own. It might not be perfect, but you will manage a feed all by yourself and you feel a great sense of achievement. Once I’d managed a 24 hour period of feeding and nappy changing without needing to ask for help I finally felt ready to leave hospital.

It’s quite common to find that feeding works better on one side. In my case, we got the hang of the latch on the right hand side and that was fine, but the left didn’t go so well and my nipple was quite sore. I almost dreaded the left hand feed because I knew it was going to hurt. Thank goodness for nipple cream! The midwife came to our house the day after we got home and checked Eleanor over. She phoned two days later to see if I wanted her to visit again. My left nipple was really sore and we tried talking about technique and what we were doing, but in the end I fought my ‘I’m-not-going-to-ask-for-help-as-everything-will-be-fine- in-the-end’ instinct and asked her to come to the house again. She identified one thing, one little thing, that I needed to try doing differently with regards to positioning and it was a lightbulb moment! Eleanor’s latch after that was much, much better, the soreness went and my confidence grew. So it took about ten days, a lot of tears and a lot of asking for help to grasp the basics.

We went to the breastfeeding group, this time with a baby rather than a bump. For the first few sessions she slept the whole time, making no

15 effort to show off our new found skills at all! The group gives me the opportunity to ask questions and we chat about things that are going well, things that are not going so well, but a lot of the time it’s just a good excuse for general chit chat, tea and toast! After about a month we ventured out into town and I attempted my first feeding ‘in public’. I was really apprehensive, but no one was taking any notice of us at all. I just tried to relax, take my time and get her latched on. Again, this first experience was far from perfect, but we managed and each time since has become easier. I still don’t consider myself a pro, even after three months. I certainly can’t whip out a boob and get her on one-handed in 0.7 seconds. I take my time, get myself prepared, get her prepared and then give it a go. When I talk about preparation, I mean making sure I’ve got a suitable top on (there are such things as nursing tops that allow for easy access), that I have a muslin under her chin to catch the dribbles (big wet patches on your clothes can be a bit embarrassing!) and one muslin tucked into my bra strap and then draped over the back of her head (for modesty – I’m not a ‘let-them-swing-she’s-my-baby- and-I-have-the-right-to-feed-her’ kind of mother). Most of the time it just looks like I’m giving her a cuddle.

The last thing to say about breastfeeding is that it is time consuming and mum is the only person who can do it (obviously!). But it does make you sit down and relax and I find it a very enjoyable experience. In the daytime, I use feeding time to catch up on texts, emails and TV programmes. At night it’s just me and her snuggled up together in a warm “… this won’t last dark room and I get stuck into a good book on my Kindle. So I can’t go out forever...it’s just a whenever I want, I can’t leave her with few months...and is someone else for a couple of hours as the chances are she’ll need feeding, a great start to her but this won’t last forever...it’s just a few months out of my life and is a great life” start to her life.

Breastfeeding is a very personal choice and it’s not for everyone. Some people don’t want to do it, some people find they can’t do it and that can be very difficult too. It’s definitely worth trying, it’s worth persevering and if it works for you it’s an experience like no other. Good luck, whatever your choice is.

Breastfeeding with Raynauds by Sam Willis

Penny was exactly 3 weeks old when I was driving along and noticed a stabbing pain in my breasts. It was uncomfortable but not dreadful so I put it to the back of my mind. However, it continued getting stronger in intensity over the next week or so. By six weeks the pain was excruciating. At some time during that period I started developing blebs and with support from Ellen Simon I was able to learn how to deal with these and I assumed that the pain was coming from the resulting lack of drainage when a bleb was forming. I met with Emma Gale to check Penny’s latch and hoped all would sort itself out….it didn’t. The pain increased and occasionally would be so bad that I was completed incapacitated for a few hours at a time.

In desperation, in the early hours, whilst feeding, I kept googling what was happening to me. I kept coming across lots of sites about ductal thrush but I didn’t have the correct symptoms. Finally I came across a site that talked about vasospasms due to Raynaud’s disease, and it talked about the nipple changing colour, going completely white, and then either purple or back to normal. I was elated as this is exactly what my nipples did but I had just assumed it was because I was cold and had never thought to mention it to anybody! It is however the diagnostic symptom of Raynauds.

I visited my doctor who agreed to prescribe Nifedipine for me, which I began taking immediately.15 mg did little for me so my dose was upped to 30mg a day. Taking this dose has enabled me to continue feeding, I have to be really careful about making sure my nipples don’t get cold and exposed to the air unnecessarily. The pain hasn’t gone on one side and I can still suffer excruciating pain if I get a vasospasm on that side. I have come across a great website, www.summerwarmth.co.nz , which has lots of information to help sufferers.

I am still unsure at this stage if I can continue to feed long term as when I suffer a bad spasm it can still wipe me out for a few hours. However, having a diagnosis and being able to work with it has kept me going for a few more weeks…roll on spring and some warm weather and we’ll see what happens!!!

Our Special Care Baby by Lindsey Swatridge

Having had two normal pregnancies, when I became pregnant third time around, I really didn't think about the pregnancy much. Just before I turned 31 weeks, I started feeling really tired, but having two young boys to run after, I didn't think something could be wrong. My husband said one morning that I looked 'puffy' and maybe I should go get checked out. So I went to the day assessment unit and had some tests and then they sent me home. I had to go back in three days for more tests, so three days later I went back and had my bloods done once again. I left, only to get a phone call when I got home, saying I had to go in overnight! It still hadn't really dawned on me what was wrong! They started me on steroids to help baby's lungs and kept me in. 48 hours later, I started to feel really poorly; pain in abdomen and very itchy. That's when it finally dawned on me something was very wrong. I was then told that I had pre-eclampsia and would have my baby that night!!

At 31 weeks plus 5 days, Violet Emily was born by C-section, on Sunday the 4th of November at 7:30pm, weighing 3lb 9oz. She was rushed away soon after birth. I was not the first person to see my baby - in fact parents visiting their babies saw my baby before me!

That first day was a daze, I felt like it wasn't happening to me. I wasn't well enough to visit Violet in SCBU straight away and I had to wait until lunchtime the next day! I was nervous - I didn't know what to expect. When I was wheeled in, I was in shock. The room was full of monitors and high-tech equipment. But it was a magical moment as the nurse looking after Violet scooped her up and placed her in my arms! She was tiny but perfect.

And that's where our Special Care baby journey started. Having a baby in an incubator means you don't need to clothe them. Having a baby with a feeding tube means you don't have to feed them. As long as you pump every three hours and deposit your milk in the SCBU fridge. Having a baby surrounded by bleeping machines means you don't have to watch to see if they’re breathing. A machine will most definitely let a nurse know. Having a special care baby means you don’t need to invite anyone round - everyone knows where you and your baby are.

It really did feel like the most demoralising time I have ever been “B reast milk is through, feeling scared and so lonely. But breast milk is important for important for premature babies and bonding is important. I could do Violet's cares premature babies (change her nappy, keep her mouth and bonding is moist and put powder on her cord) twice a day from two days. After a week important” she could also try going to the breast twice a day. And most importantly we spent hours doing kangaroo care (lots of lovely cuddles).

Breastfeeding was very positive. I expressed from the first day and although my milk threatened not to come in, when it did, I finally felt like I could do something for my baby. By three weeks she was breastfeeding really well, three times a day, and having my milk through her feeding tube the rest of the time.

We did have special days – when Violet could wear clothes. When she came out of her incubator into a cot. Her first bath. Throughout all of this she slowly came off all her wires and monitors.

We did have not so good days - blood tests, when Violet had to have phototherapy for jaundice, weigh in days when she didn't do so well and the dreaded apnoeas (where she stopped breathing due to her prematurity).

Finally after five long hard weeks weighing 4lb 14oz we got to bring Violet home to complete our family, and it was the best feeling ever (if a little scary!).

Now at nearly four months old Violet is a healthy bouncy 8lb baby, she has just been signed off from the hospital who have said that she developing very well. She is small but hopefully she will catch up by the time she starts pre-school. We are now settling down as a family of five.

Our local breastfeeding counsellors are: Ellen Simon 01308 898750 Emma Gale 01308 863362

The Weaning Guide

Your pull-out and keep guide to weaning your baby – with real-life stories to help you find out what could work best for your baby. What is Weaning? For about the first six months of their life, babies only need breastmilk or formula milk but after this they start to need more to satisfy their appetite. Weaning is the process of moving your baby from this milk-only diet to a combination of milk and solid food. When to start? NCT supports the UK governments’ recommendations that babies are exclusively breastfed or fed with formula until around six months of age. Solid foods can then be introduced with breastmilk or formula continuing to provide the majority of the baby’s nutrient needs during the first year. If solid foods are started too early, babies are likely to take less milk, yet milk contains more energy, vitamins and nutrients necessary for a baby's growth and development than vegetable or fruit purees. However, all babies should be treated as individuals and there may be reasons to start weaning earlier than six months, as some of the personal stories shared here demonstrate. A baby’s digestive system needs time to develop so it can cope with the introduction of solid foods. Babies can’t digest food thoroughly until they are about one year old.

“When my eldest son, now 30, was starting on solids I'd walked up a mountain in the Lake District with him on my back. I hadn’t thought to take him any solid food and when we got to the top and sat down he first breastfed then made it clear he'd like a share of my snack. It was peanuts and raisins. So I did the age-old thing and chewed some up for him to have. Times have changed in terms of recommendations about giving babies peanuts, but the principle, of use your instincts and follow what baby wants, worked well for us. ” Ellen

Signs that your baby … and signs mistaken is ready … for readiness Look for a combination of all A larger appetite , it may just be these signs. an appetite spurt. Try feeding them more frequently for a few 1. They can sit up and hold days or giving more milk if their head steady. formula feeding. 2. They can suck their fists Teething , babies may begin to 3. They reach out for and cut their first teeth sometime show an interest in food around six months which helps with biting and chewing food. But 4. They can pick up food and some babies get their first teeth put it into their mouth. sooner than this and a baby who 5. They no longer push solids is unsettled and putting their fists out of their mouth, and are in their mouth may be teething able to swallow them. rather than hungry.

How long does it take? There is no fixed timetable for weaning, once you have established a routine of three pureed meals a day, the weaning process will continue until your baby is having three balanced meals plus three snacks a day and is getting most of their nutrients from solid food, this usually happens by around 12 months. All babies are different so let yours set the pace and don’t be pressurised by what is happening with others.

“With my first baby I kept a spreadsheet (!) to record what Freddie ate, how much milk he drank and how long he slept as I was desperate to find some logic or pattern in it all! But with Henry and now with James I am totally going with the flow – starting out with a few purees then straight onto finger foods as soon as they were interested. And giving them milk feeds as much and as often as they choose (though offering water too) - they know better than me what they need. And as for working out how to use food and drink as a way of engineering an extra half hour’s sleep a night – fat chance! We’re all much happier and more relaxed just going with the flow!” Alex

Getting Started . . . Start off with something very simple – some baby rice, pureed apple, pear or parsnip and avoid mixing foods at first so you can spot if your baby has any adverse reaction to a specific food. If all goes well, move on to something new after a day or two. If you can, prepare food just before you need it. Vitamin C and some B vitamins are gradually lost once food is cut, cooked, exposed to the air and puréed. The more processes fruit and vegetables undergo, the more nutrients they'll lose. If you are making enough for another meal, cool it quickly and pop it in the fridge or freezer. Freezing is the best way to preserve vitamins in the meals you've prepared. Freezing soft food in ice cube trays or small dishes is a handy way to store it. You can just get out as much as your baby needs at each meal. Purées are often best when your baby is first trying solids. You can start to introduce a few lumps once your baby is around seven to nine months old. Simply mash, rather than purée, their food.

Once your baby can grasp things, the “Don’t let a 7-month fun of finger foods starts and they may old try to feed like to try to feed themselves. If you're themselves feeding your baby with a spoon, giving scrambled egg – it them one to hold as well is a good goes everywhere. tactic to stop them grabbing yours! Or if you do, wait until it’s dry before If your baby happily gums on cooked you try to hoover or carrots and beans at six or seven sweep it up!” Sam months, they may enjoy soft, filled mini sandwiches at eight or nine months. Each baby is different, but don't delay introducing lumps and thicker foods. Babies who have sloppy purées for a long time can be remarkably resistant to eating even the smallest lumps!

Important nutrients There are a number of key nutrients which are recommended for your baby’s diet: Vitamin A, sweet potatoes, Remember apricots and carrots Helps support healthy skins and eyes and the immune Left-over vegetables system from last night's supper Vitamin C, citrus fruits, are likely to have lost peppers and berries some of their vitamin Helps your baby absorb iron C. So offer your baby Vitamin D, oily fish, egg yolks some fresh fruit as well and fortified cereals to boost their vitamin C Helps your baby absorb intake . calcium Iron, beans, broccoli and red meat Helps support brain development and is important for healthy blood Calcium, cheese, milk and yogurt With Vitamin D helps bones and teeth grow strong Omega 3 & 6, seeds, avocado and oily fish Keeps eyes healthy, supports brain development and helps motor skills

Essential Equipment Good First Foods • A few colourful baby feeding • Vegetables, cooked carrot, spoons (soft tips are best to potato, parsnips, broccoli and start with) and bowls sweet potato offered as finger • Bibs and clean cloths food, chopped, sieved or • Saucepans and/or a steamer mashed • A hand blender or food • Add expressed breast milk, processor formula or the cooked • Ice cube trays or small vegetable water containers • Wheat based foods contain gluten are not recommended under six months • After six months babies can hold and suck on lean cooked meat, pasta, fruit or bread

Baby-Led Weaning (BLW)? Remember Baby-led weaning is a way of introducing solid foods by letting your baby choose what they eat and feed Your baby’s food should be served at body themselves when they are ready. The temperature – it best time to do it is when you and shouldn’t feel hot or cold your family are eating and it can be a on the inside of your great way for your baby to join in at wrist. mealtimes. The easiest finger foods for young babies are those that are shaped like a chip, or have a natural handle, such as cooked broccoli spears. This is because when your baby first tries solids they can only clasp foods in their fists. At first, they may just play with the food. They may grab pieces of food and start to suck on them, before throwing them on the floor, so it is recommended that you carry on giving your baby breastmilk or formula milk in between mealtimes. As your baby gradually eats more solids, the number of milk feeds will start to decrease.

Pros Cons Babies can explore foods for Not much formal research themselves has been done They cope with different Even the biggest fans textures from the beginning admit it’s very messy with a Parents often say it results in lot of waste babies with wider food tastes Babies find it hard to chew Saves on preparation time some foods, like meat, (but remember you still need which is a good source of to cook harder fruits and iron vegetables to soften them)

The official advice is to give your baby well-mashed or puréed foods at the beginning of weaning, as well as finger food. The Department of Health, the European Union and the World Health Organisation all recommend this.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do Don’t Give your baby lots of smiles Add sugar or salt to purées and encouragement Introduce solid food when Keep trying if your baby your baby is tired or very doesn’t like something at hungry, they may refuse it first, it can take several Overfeed, your baby will tell attempts for them to accept you when they are full. a new flavour Watch for them turning Give your baby a drink of their head away, closing cooled tap water in a beaker their mouth or getting upset or cup Boil vegetables if you can Avoid sweet biscuits and avoid it, steaming rusks so your baby doesn’t preserves more nutrients get in the habit of expecting Re-use leftovers from a sweet snacks bowl or jar that you’ve fed Wash or peel fresh fruit and your baby directly, it could vegetables have bacteria from their Offer vegetables separately saliva so your baby can recognise Forget to remove any each flavour seeds or stones to prevent Ensure that meat and fish choking are cooked through properly Add stock or gravy to your If your baby is tired by baby’s food as they are teatime try giving them their high in salt and disguise main meal at lunch the flavour of the food Eat with your baby as much Give your baby raw eggs or as possible, babies enjoy raw shellfish, processed meals if they see you eating foods, artificial colourings, too and they will learn how preservatives or to feed by copying you sweeteners or whole nuts

“To help prevent stains I bought a small bucket/bin with lid I keep by my kitchen sink. As soon as Joey gets a bib, top, or anything dirty that I'm worried might stain I rinse it off then put in in to soak with some stain remover or detergent, It can stay there until I'm ready to put a wash on and add to it throughout the day as he's always getting mucky. I'm sure it’s saved me a fortune in clothes!” Sam

Real-life weaning by Sarah Hewitson

When you are getting ready to start weaning, my advice would be to not have set ideas about how the process will work, but just be ready to go with whatever your baby wants to do. Before Gracie started weaning, I read a book about baby-led weaning and although I wasn't convinced Ella at 9 months by it, I thought I'd give it a try. But Gracie wasn't really interested in So when I had Ella, I decided to picking up pieces of food and not bother with baby-led weaning putting them in her mouth, and went straight to purées. For everything just got swiped onto several weeks, I would lovingly the floor! And she had previously make purées but Ella would not been sleeping through the night open her mouth! I could get her but around this time started to smile and laugh but as soon as waking again, so I decided that she saw the spoon her mouth she was hungry and I didn't want snapped shut! Occasionally I'd to wait for her to get the hang of get the odd spoon in, but I think baby-led weaning. I mushed up her dislike of the spoon at this some food and fed her with a time may partly have been spoon, she gobbled it up and because she was teething (four started sleeping through the night teeth came through not long again, what a relief!! after). I also realised that she wanted to feed herself as she would try scooping food out of the bowl with her hands and shoving it in her mouth. So we moved on to finger foods or if she was having something like porridge, I would scoop it out and put the spoon down in front of her

so she could pick it up herself. She was much happier and has started using cutlery much Gracie... quicker than Gracie did.

Bridport & Lyme Regis NCT DIARY

Everyone is welcome at our activities and events! Donations towards the running of the branch, including provision of refreshments at groups and the publication of this newsletter will always be gratefully received at any event or meeting! Occasionally dates may be changed and we will do our best to contact branch members and regular attendees of any changes. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the individual listed for more information.

March

Tuesday 5 March Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Tuesday 12 Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. March 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585 Sir John Colfox School, Saturday 16 NEARLY NEW SALE Bridport. Call 07848 534464 for March 2-4pm information or to book a table

Monday 18 Open House at Kate’s At Kate’s: Riverside, Back Rivers March 10am – 12pm Lane, Bridport. 01308 427259

Tuesday 19 Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. March 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Thursday 21 MUM’s NIGHT IN At Suzanne’s: Charm March 8pm Cottage, Seymour Farm, North Allington, Bridport. 01308 459551. Bring a dish to share!

Tuesday 26 Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. March 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Wednesday 27 Open House at Alex’s At Alex’s: Atrim Farm, Atrim March 10-11.30am Lane, Broadoak, Bridport DT6 5PX. 01308 421 819

April

Tuesday 1 April NO Bumps & Babies and 8 CLOSED Easter holidays April

Wednesday 10 April EASTER EGG HUNT At Alex’s: Atrim Farm, Atrim 10am – 12noon Lane, Broadoak, Bridport DT6 NB. Please phone on 5PX. the day if weather 01308 421 819 forecast is bad.

Tuesday 16 April Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Thursday 18 April Branch Meeting and At Sian’s: 2 Bramble Drive, AGM West Bay. 01308 456121 8pm

Monday 22 April Open House at Kate’s At Kate’s: Riverside, Back Rivers 10am – 12pm Lane, Bridport. 01308 427259

Tuesday 23 April Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Friday 26 April MUM’s NIGHT OUT Meet at The Stable, 7.30pm

Saturday 27 April Picnic with the lambs Tamarisk Farm, West 11am Bexington 01308 898750

Monday 29 th April Open House at At Suzanne’s: Charm Cottage, Suzanne’s 1-2.30pm Seymour Farm, North Allington, Bridport. 01308 459551.

Tuesday 30 April Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585 May

Tuesday 7 May Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Monday 13 May Open House at Alex’s At Alex’s: Atrim Farm, Atrim 10-11.30am Lane, Broadoak, Bridport DT6 5PX. 01308 421 819

Tuesday 14 May Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Monday 20 May Open House at Kate’s At Kate’s: Riverside, Back Rivers 10am – 12pm Lane, Bridport. 01308 427259

Tuesday 21 May Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Thursday 23 May MUM’S NIGHT IN At Alex’s: Atrim Farm, Atrim 8pm Lane, Broadoak, Bridport DT6 5PX. 01308 421 819

Tuesday 28 May NO Bumps & Babies CLOSED Half-Term

June

Tuesday 4 June Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Wednesday 5 June Open House at Alex’s At Alex’s: Atrim Farm, Atrim 10-11.30am Lane, Broadoak, Bridport DT6 5PX. 01308 421 819

Thursday 6 June Branch Meeting At Suzanne’s: Charm Cottage, 8pm Seymour Farm, North Allington, Bridport. 01308 459551.

Tuesday 11 June Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Monday 17 June Open House at At Suzanne’s: Charm Cottage, Suzanne’s 1-2.30pm Seymour Farm, North Allington, Bridport. 01308 459551.

Tuesday 18 June Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Friday 21 June MUM’s NIGHT OUT Meet at The Stable, 7.30pm

Tuesday 25 June Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585 July

Monday 1 July Open House at Alex’s At Alex’s: Atrim Farm, Atrim 10-11.30am Lane, Broadoak, Bridport DT6 5PX. 01308 421 819

Tuesday 2 July Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Tuesday 9 July Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Tuesday 16 July Bumps & Babies Bridport Children’s Centre. 1-2.30pm Call Sam on 07969 323 585

Wednesday 17 July Open House at Alex’s At Alex’s: Atrim Farm, Atrim 10-11.30am Lane, Broadoak, Bridport DT6 5PX. 01308 421 819

Tuesday 23 July Cheeky Monkey’s Tea Bridport Children’s Centre. Party Call Sam on 07969 323 585 1-2.30pm

No Bumps & Babies in the Summer Holidays. Bumps will start again on Tuesday 10 September

Branch contacts

Chair/branch co-ordinator:

Sam Messer 07969 323 585

Our local breastfeeding counsellors are:

Ellen Simon 01308 898750 Emma Gale 01308 863362

Alternatively, there is a national NCT Breastfeeding support phoneline which is open 8am-10pm every day. 0870 444 8708

Antenatal Bookings - Fiona Makin on 0844 2436949 [email protected]

Nearly New Sale table bookings – [email protected] or call 07847 534 464

For full branch contact details, see page 3.

Vegetarian Weaning by Suzanne Moore

When the time came to start Hours were spent in weaning our first child, it went the kitchen every day, without saying that she was going peeling, chopping and to be a vegetarian. I was steaming tiny portions vegetarian, had been for as long of vegetables, mashing them, as I can remember, and there sieving them (does anyone else was no way I was going to start really do this?) and serving them cooking meat for her. I had ideals up to immediately have them of raising her on home-grown spread into a pulp all over the organic veggies, with visions of bouncy-chair and my shirts. eating outdoors around an Italian Occasionally I would make a big style trestle table (under a vine, batch and freeze it into ice-cube naturally), sipping on our trays in an attempt to be more elderflower cordial that we had efficient, but whenever I did this picked and made together (we Chiara always refused to eat the were smiling in this vision and variety I had done on-mass. After there wasn’t a grass or berry stain a number of weeks I eventually in sight) and she would refuse to clicked that the solution was to even enter into such an cook a single vegetable or fruit, establishment as McDonalds. freeze them individually, then vary which cubes were defrosted I am an early weaner, largely together – so I could defrost one stemming from having enormous carrot, one sweet potato and one babies (Chiara was over 11lb at apricot cube together to make birth) with voracious appetites, lunch, the combinations were and at three months old I did what endless. She would eat almost the book said and started mixing anything if I added pear to it, a teaspoon of baby rice with rhubarb and pear being a real expressed breastmilk, and favourite. For a quick meal if we spooning the tiniest morsels into were going out I would take an her mouth three times a day. avocado or a banana, which Naturally she was far more could be mashed into a puree interested in trying to eat the without the need for cooking or spoon than this bland sieving, thus reducing the nothingness I was giving her, so likeliness of making you look like within the week I had moved on a complete nut-job around non- the next step….purees. Mummy friends.

Chiara was a hungry baby, and At six months I couldn’t take the by four months was happily puree and sieve thing any longer, wolfing down three bowls of and tried just mashing the food. puree every day. For breakfast I She was an easy baby and didn’t would often add one of the baby seem to mind the lumps. I also cereal powders to breast-milk, started giving her something to and stir in some fruit puree. hold in her hand (well technically I Lunch would be a vegetable suppose I just gave-in and let her combo and then a mix of fruit and have something to hold because I veg for dinner. At this point I couldn’t take the screaming if she started looking for answers to didn’t have something in each questions on what I could hand). I gave her cucumber introduce at what age, but the sticks, toast fingers, hard-boiled health visitors weren’t able to give egg, rusks, banana slices, baby me advice on anything vegetarian corn…anything that kept her wise. My Mother bought me a quiet! book on Vegetarian food for kids, which was brilliant. It told me when I could introduce lentils, pulses, soy products, dairy, and the best things to cook them with to optimise vitamin absorption. I set to, making things that I liked to think of with grand names such as “Cottage pie” (pureed slop of red lentils, tomatoes, courgettes, onion, peppers and potato), or “Red Dragon Bake” (Aduki beans, Once she was sitting up in a high- aubergine and broccoli in a chair feeding herself, with me ratatouille style tomato puree with spooning in her mashed up meal, a bit of cream cheese stirred in we tried to make sure we always before serving), they still looked ate at the table with her too, so like babyfood but sounded much mealtimes became a social grander. I also introduced petit- occasion and she copied what we filou as dessert or mixed with a did at the table. By ten months banana for breakfast. Things old she was more-or-less eating (mostly carrot based purees) the same as us, I just stopped were flying! adding any salt to our meals, and I would mash hers slightly.

recall he had about 3 licks, dribbled most it down his vest, and dropped the rest, and it was organic strawberry ice-cream so not exactly triple-chocolate….. and amazingly he didn’t die instantly from the sugar rush. He had more regular foods earlier

that I gave them to Chiara, like My visions of rosy-cheeked cream cheese and marmite children dressed in white had sandwiches for a picnic lunch, as faded somewhat by the time I had purees and mash on the go were Matte, and I was more realistic at just too much work with a toddler never even attempting to get the to watch too. The same book I carrot stains off clothes. But I still had used as my weaning bible stuck to my vegetarian principles also had recipes such Picnic Pies and weaned him more or less the suitable from 9 months that he same way to start with, but I used loved, and that I still make for us jars more regularly and bought all now ten years later. It was the the fruit puree pots from the same weaning style of home- supermarket (they save hours, cooked foods mashed up and are exactly what I slaved spoon fed, together with more laboriously to make anyway, and finger foods, but with a more I’m sure they work out cheaper relaxed approach for the sake of that buying the mountains of fresh my own sanity. fruit to puree). Being a second child I wasn’t anywhere as strict By the third child weaning had to with the total salt and sugar ban I fit in to a very busy schedule. imposed with Chiara (I very Aurelia was weaned later, at six nearly murdered my mother when months, as she was a much I caught her feeding her smaller baby and wasn’t chocolate before she was one). interested in food until then. On one occasion I bought Matte There was lots of talk around this an ice-cream on a day at the time about baby-led weaning, so beach with my NCT group before sceptically I decided to give it a he was even 8 months, there go. Admittedly I was doubtful that were gasps of horror from all the a baby could feed themselves other (first-time) parents at my enough at the this age, blatant feeding of sugar….as I remembering the tiny amounts that the others managed to get

35 into their mouths as opposed to eat. Yes a lot went on the floor, the floor, but my doubts were but she learnt to select and try a quickly proved unfounded. I never variety of food, and as she got gave Aurelia baby rice or purees older she knew what these foods or jars of any form. She ate what were, and didn’t look bewildered we ate from the start. With two when she saw a broccoli floret other children I was already quite rather than green puree. When I careful with what I cooked with, started to think outside the box I keeping meals well-balanced and found that there really isn’t much low in salt/sugar etc, so I just that you can’t give a piece of to a made a few easy changes such baby, if it’s too hard then cook as making soup with baby stock briefly to soften it, if it’s too big for cubes (available from Boots) them to handle then slice it into rather than salty Bouillon. baby-sized fingers, and as for tiny things like raisins and peas and To start with I would give her beans I was amazed at how pieces of fruit or vegetables to young she could pick these up hold and chew on. This had its herself. limitations, carrot is never going to be eaten easily by a baby with After a month of fruit and veg I no teeth, but if you steam it in the added pieces of hard-boiled egg microwave for 2 minutes it’s easy or cheese slices, fingers of for them to eat (and still far sandwich or toast, breadsticks, quicker than all that cooking/ risotto rice and whole-wheat pureeing/sieving lark). I’d put a pasta. I also offered her spoons variety of foods in front of her of the fruit puree pots and little such as a slice of banana, apple fromage frais when she had or pear, a carrot stick (briefly stopped eating herself, as a steamed in the microwave to dessert and to test if she was soften it), a broccoli floret (also really full. By nine months she steamed), tomatoes or grapes would eat everything except (sliced in half to prevent choking), mushrooms and she was so busy a dollop of mashed potato tucking in to her plate of food that (mashed with cow’s milk but no she forgot to fling food about, salt or butter to start with), some making eating out or at friends’ olives or some peas, and let her houses a lot less stressful! By select what she picked up and allowing her to eat what we ate, ate. She would always have a go and choose what she wanted at everything; in fact I was from a plate, she ate a much surprised at how much she did better variety of foods than the

36 others had, and developed her own personal tastes, her favourite foods being Sushi, Wasabi paste by the teaspoon (which she still does, yuck!), anything with strong blue cheese in, noodles, pasta and watermelon.

When she was around a year old she started demonstrating her Baby number four, Fynley is displeasure at the fact Daddy had three months old now, so it won’t something on his plate which she be long until the great weaning didn’t, and on holiday in France demon rears up again. We have (where Vegetarian food is scarce already started discussing if he’ll on the ground) she managed to be vegetarian. Surprisingly Troy persuade daddy to let her hold a is keen for me to wean him as a piece of drumstick from his plate. vegetarian, partly I fear because She ate every last scrap of meat he doesn’t want any more of his from it and then proceeded to meals pinched, but mostly gnaw on the bone, I think as because it is such a healthy way much to extract every last to raise a baby, offering them a grimace from me as in pleasure varied range of foods all of which at the new taste! Over a fortnight are natural and you know exactly she tried various things from his where everything comes from. plate, taking a real liking to fish in One thing is for certain and that is any shape or form, from Sole to that I will most definitely NOT be Moules Marinere. Much to Troy’s pureeing anything; we will follow delight, after years of being fed along the lines of Baby-Led Vegetarian food, when we Weaning again. He will eat what returned home I tried buying fish we eat, so I’d better start ridding from the Fishmongers once a the fridge of ‘easy-teas’ and start week, to see if Aurelia liked it, digging the vegetable beds over and she invariably did. I am still in preparation for the onslaught quite strict about what meats I let (let’s hope he likes gluts of her eat, I like to know what it is courgette and raspberries). We’ll she’s having, and that it has not start out with fruit and veg, add in been heavily processed, but she the lentils, soy and dairy, and also loves sausages now (aged from then we’ll have to see. I three) so I fear my element of suspect sugar, salt and a bit of control is rapidly slipping away! fish will all work their way into his

37 tummy whether I feed it to him or vegetable beds and lovingly not, fourth children do rather have creating tasty morsels for Fynley a way of getting what they want, to try each day, then at least I can but I can start with the high say I gave him a good start when principles, the visions of long he too is sat in McDonalds in ten summer evenings out tending the years’ time.

My Weaning Bible was “Veggie Food for Kids” by Sara Lewis. It has indispensable advice on when to start introducing key foods. One of our favourite recipes from the book is “Picnic Pies”, brilliant for the whole family, and suitable from 9 months old when cut into quarters.

Recipe for Picnic Pies

• Lightly oil all 12 sections of a muffin tin. Either roll ready-made shortcrust pastry, or make your own from 200g wholemeal flour and 100g margarine, mixed with 3-4 tablespoons of water. Line each section with pastry. • To make the filling you will need: These are made in sections 100g cheddar cheese (grated) of a muffin tin to ensure they are just the right size for a 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced young child to hold, and that 3 free-range eggs there is sufficient depth for 300ml full-fat milk the tasty quiche-style filling.

• Divide two-thirds of the cheese between the pastry cases. Add the sliced tomatoes, halving them to fit if large. • Beat the eggs and milk together, pour into the cases, and top with remaining cheese. • Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180°C or Gas Mark 4 for 20-30 minutes, until the filling is set. • Loosen the pastry edges with a knife and leave the pies to cool in the tin. Transfer to an airtight tub and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. • Try varying the flavour with chopped red pepper and feta, frozen spinach and mozzarella, broccoli and smoked cheddar or whatever takes your fancy.

Our favourite foods by Alex O’Dwyer

My children have very different likes and dislikes when it comes to food, but these are the dishes that all three of them have enjoyed, almost without fail (though there is always a day when a favourite dish is rejected!)

• Winter warmer porridge – make your own porridge from oats and milk (no salt or sugar). Puree some stewed apple (normal eating apple – if you use a cooking apple you have to add sugar, which isn’t what we want) with some raisins that you have thrown in with the apple during the last few minutes of cooking, so they soften up. Mix the puree with the porridge for a yummy breakfast. The apple/raisin puree will keep in the fridge in a tuppaware for up to a week so you can just make porridge fresh each morning or mix with natural yoghurt for a nice pudding. • Parsnip and apple puree… add a pinch of cinnamon for interest but this is a good option in the early days of weaning when

babies like sweet tastes. • Sweet potato mash – this has always been the favourite puree for all three children, even though I loathe the smell of the lurid orange sweet-potato-poo that follows! But sweet potatoes are full of vitamins and if you bake it in its skin and then mash up the flesh all the good nutrients are retained (rather than boiling it). • Chicken casserole. Which for a baby is no more than a cooked chicken breast (poaching it is good), some steamed carrot and swede (or any other root veg) and then soften some onion in a pan, add the chopped chicken and root veg, add some tinned tomatoes and sizzle up until the tomatoes reduce. Then puree or chop up depending on age of baby. This freezes really well and you can add any other veg you fancy – spinach is nice. • Cauliflower and broccoli cheese. Actually any vegetable in a cheese sauce is usually a winner until they get to about 2 years old when they start to get wise to it.

• Macaroni cheese. We like it with peas or sweetcorn mixed in too (and some bacon for older children). Puree, or chop, it all up for smaller babies. • Baked beans and scrambled egg. Use the low sugar/salt variety of beans and give toast soldiers for gumming, sucking and throwing on the floor… • Pasta with tomato sauce and grated cheese. Some baby books advise buying tiny little pasta shapes which I used to do until I got wise to the fact that actually it all tastes the same, baby doesn’t care about the shape and they will eat normal pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli etc) chopped up… with a few bigger pieces left on the highchair tray for grabbing themselves. And the old trick of pureeing veg into the tomato sauce is a good one! • All three of my boys love a roast dinner and the Sunday roast provides a great set of leftovers for baby’s lunch on Monday and Tuesday. Just remember not to add any salt when cooking the veg or making the gravy (and don’t use wine in the gravy either…!). Keep a few veggies unpureed to use as finger foods – kids seem to love roasted parsnips and cold Yorkshire puds too. James was not quite 7 months this Christmas and he sampled everything from our Christmas lunch – in fact he put his older brothers to shame with his munching of sprouts! • And finally, a word about the MESS. I find it all a lot less stressful if I just acknowledge that after each meal I will give baby a complete outfit change. That way they can throw water all over themselves, pick things up, drop things etc and it doesn’t really matter. I give them breakfast in their pyjamas, which go straight in the laundry basket afterwards, we do a post-lunch full change and after tea it is bathtime and back into clean PJs. Bibs never seem to stay on (I give birth to escape artists) and other than a quick face wipe between first course and pudding, I don’t worry too much about keeping them clean at all during a meal. And we are all a lot happier for it!

Good luck – tell us how you get on with your weaning journey!

Games for babies!

Mum of twins, Jo McKenna, set up her website, www.entertainingbabies.com when she realised it was hard to be inspired with ideas for activities and games when, like so many of us, she was exhausted. She couldn’t find a good website that had ideas grouped by age using traditional (and cheap) equipment, so she set up her own. She says: “I am very interested in how to use play and games to encourage development, but keeping it fun and doing so at the right speed for each individual child”.

The website is a great inspiration for indoor and outdoor fun and proves that simple games are still some of the best:

Buttons – for babies 3-6 months Babies love interesting shapes, textures and colours. You can make them a favourite toy as follows: Get a square of material – felt or even cut up an old pillowcase. Stitch a selection of large brightly coloured buttons on to it. Get hold of buttons that are different sizes and textures as well as having bold colours or being shiny. Sew them on so that they are not to tight so your baby can play with them but not swallow them – at this age, everything will end up in their mouths! This is a great thing to do with an older child – so they can be involved in making a toy for their baby brother / sister / cousin. If they are too young to sew, let them choose the buttons.

Musical hands and musical toes (8 weeks +): Babies are naturally attracted to bright colours and noises. They also love cause and effect – i.e. that they can cause a sound or an object to move. Get some mittens that fit your baby (or a pair of socks will do as they will fit on his/her hands). Before putting them on him / her sew a brightly coloured shape and a small bell to the mitten such that when he/she moves her hand, the bell jingles. This will attract his/her attention and he/she will see the shapes. You can do a similar thing with some socks but I would only attach a bell, not the shapes as it may be hard to see his / her toes over the nappy!

Postbox 2yrs

Babies and toddlers love posting things! Get an old shoebox, cover it with brightly coloured wrapping paper, you can decorate it with glitter / shiny stars/ whatever you would like. If you have an older child they can get involved with this part. Then take the lid and cut a hole in it. You can have a round hole for posting Ping-Pong balls, a normal letter shaped hole, a slightly bigger hole for posting toys, or make several post boxes with different shaped holes.

Start with something easy: show your child the box and post a Ping-Pong ball through the round hole. You may have to repeat this a few times, but eventually he/she will get the hang of it. Once this happens they will absolutely love posting everything in sight.

Tight rope walking - 2-3 years

This is a great game for improving co-ordination. Most 3 year olds find it really difficult to walk in a straight line. If you are inside cut a piece of string about 2 meters long and lay it on the floor in a straight line.

The aim of the game is to imagine that Carpet is a dangerous sea with lots of sharks that like to nibble little toes! Your child has to walk in a straight line along the string and gets a HUGE CHEER as he / she does so.

You have to use your imagination in this game but it does cause lots of giggles especially if when they miss the string the tickling hands (yours) come along the floor and tickle (gobble up) little toes!

If you like these suggestions there are many more on the website www.entertainingbabies.com You can submit your own game ideas too!

Antenatal classes

Antenatal classes provide the opportunity to learn all you want to know about pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.

• Ask the questions you want in a relaxed and friendly environment • Learn and practice techniques to help in labour • Make new and lasting friendships • Find out what services are available locally • The chance to meet like-minded people and build a support network

Large subsidies available, with classes starting from just £13 for a full six week course! Completely different content from NHS Classes, it’s not “one or the other”. For information on the next full set of classes in Bridport, please contact Fiona Makin on 0844 2436949 [email protected]

Birth Announcements

Lindsey and Tom Swatridge had a baby girl Violet Emily Swatridge on 4 th November 2012, weighing 3lb 9oz. Sister to Owen and Henry.

Sam and Steve Willis had a baby girl Penny Clementine Willis on 14th November 2012, weighing 8lb 8.5oz. Sister to Ned.

Anna and Tim Foxx Neal had a baby girl Eleanor Rose Foxx Neal on 17th November 2012, weighing 8 lb 10 oz.

Jody and Simon March had a baby girl Angel Belle March on 2 nd December 2012, weighing 8lb. Sister to Ben, Jack and Charlie

Sam and Mark Bugler had a baby boy Gilbert Richard Bugler on 3rd Jan 2013, weighing 8lb 6oz. Brother to Spencer.

Claire Worsley and Mark Howlett had a baby girl Thea Dilys Howlett on 26 th February 2013

Support for Mums!

Most women find there are times when the challenges of being a parent feel like too much to cope with. To help mums through the tough times, Dorset HealthCare is now offering a six-week Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-based course at your Bridport Children’s Centre. The ‘Out of the Blue’ course is open to mums who are either pregnant or have a child under three years.

The course is designed to help Did you know? mothers overcome unhelpful • thoughts and feelings in their Most emotional problems start in the antenatal period lives – giving them the coping • At least 200 women mechanisms to deal with stress, develop postnatal worry and low mood and help depression in West Dorset them break negative patterns in each year their lives. • Most problems are a mixture of mild or moderate The course is offered throughout low mood and anxiety the year, on a rolling programme. • Evidence shows CBT is an Women who feel they may effective treatment for many benefit from the course can be mums with emotional referred by their Midwife, Health problems Visitor or Children’s Centre • Getting help early is often Worker. Alternatively, they can the key to an effective self-refer or get more information recovery • by calling or emailing the Primary Most women get better! Care Mental Health Service on

01305 367051 or iapt.referrals- [email protected]

What’s On? Try something new this Spring!

What’s On…MONDAY

Stay & Play - Bridport Children’s Centre Stay & Play Sessions for children 0-5 years on Mondays 10- 12am. Call 01308 421714 for more information.

Stay & Play - Lyme Regis Children’s Centre Stay & play sessions for children 0-5 years on Mondays 1.15-3pm. Call 01297 444076 for more information.

Axminster Monday Monkeys Every Monday 9.30 – 11.30 am during term time at Millway Hall. For more information contact Gaynor 01297 32659

Happy Bunnies Playgroup – Mosterton Village Hall Children 0-5yrs welcome on Mondays 1.30-3pm. Cost £1.50 per session. Please contact Kizzy on 01308 867142 or search for “Happy Bunnies Playgroup” on Facebook for more information.

What’s On…TUESDAY

NCT Bridport Bumps and Babies Our own friendly group for parents with babies and toddlers up to two years old, older siblings always welcome. Come and join our group, meet other Mum’s, make friends and enjoy tea and biscuits. We have a range of toys for babies and toddlers. The group runs every Tuesday from 1-2.30pm at Bridport Children’s Centre. Call Sam on 07969 323585 for more information.

Twins Group - Bridport Children’s Centre runs monthly on Tuesdays 3- 5pm. Call 01308 421714 for more information.

Gym Tots Soft play, slides, rockers and other activities are on offer every Tuesday and Friday morning at Bridport Leisure Centre. The first session 9.15 – 10am is for children aged up to 18 months, while the second from 10-11am is designed for youngsters aged from 18 months to three years. Call 01308 427464 for more details.

Uplyme Village Hall, lunch group from newborn to pre-schoolers, from 1.30-3pm.

Baby Band For children from 6 months. Tuesday’s 1030-1130 at Axminster Christian Fellowship Church, Castle St. £1

Tea & Tots Tuesday afternoon 2 – 3.30/4p.m at Seaton Methodist Church, £1.

Little Wrigglers Postnatal group – Beaminster Youth & Children’s Centre. This group for babies under 1 year old runs on Tuesdays 10-12am. Call 01308 861030 for more information.

What’s On…WEDNESDAY

Leaps and Bounds Wednesday morning baby, mother and toddler group running from 10- 12 noon at the Salway Ash village Hall. The group has a wide range of toys, including a tots bouncy castle. Cost £2 to include fruit & toast for the children, and hot drinks for adults.

Precious Ones Toddler Lunch Group Wednesday 12-2.30 p.m. at the Bridport Christian Fellowship Hall, Kings Square, (back of East Street car park). This group is for under-fives and their parent or carer. Lunch is provided for adults and children.

Bride Valley First Steps Toddler Group Meets Wednesdays 9.45-11.15am at the LATCH village hall in Litton Cheney. There are toys, trampoline and soft play combined with friendly faces, a good old cuppa and biscuits! Parking is on site.

Young Parents Group – Bridport Children’s Centre A group for young parents, supporting each other, on Wednesdays 10am- 1pm. Call 01308 421714.

Library Toddler Time Toddler time, every Wednesdays 10.30- 11am, suitable from birth to approx three years, with rhymes and song at Bridport Library.

Bridport Toy Library Every Wednesday 10-12 noon, during term time at the United Church, East Street, Bridport. Creative activity materials are also available at cost price. Contact Mrs Chantler om 01308 423250 for further information.

Swimming Sessions A session for young children and babies is held in the warm hydrotherapy pool, at the Flamingo Pool, Axminster, on Wednesdays from 9.30-10.30am. Call 01297 35800 for details.

Kilmington Toddler Group Each Wednesday 10-11.45am at Kilmington Baptist Church.

Axmouth Toddler Group Wednesday’s 10 –11.45 am at Axmouth Village Hall, £1. Call Lindsey 01297 21232.

Minster Mini’s Wednesday’s 2-4pm at Axminster Church. Suitable for 0-5 years, £1.

Little Wrigglers Postnatal Group – Lyme Regis Children’s Centre . This group for babies under 1 year old runs on Wednesdays 1.15-3pm. Call 01297 444076.

Baby & Me – Beaminster Youth & Children’s Centre A baby group for breastfeeding mums, offering support if needed, but also tea, toast and time to chat! Run by other mums who have completed peer-support training. On Wednesdays 1-2.30pm. Call 07971 767794 for more information.

Charmouth Cherubs Parent, baby and toddler group - Weds term time, 10-11:30am Charmouth Village hall £1.50 for one child/£2 for two children incl tea/coffee, toddler activity and snack

What’s On…THURSDAY

Lyme Tikes Dance, music and drama for the under 7’s. Every Thursday from 4-5.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, South St, Bridport. For details contact [email protected] or drop by for a Free taster session.

Swimming Sessions Ducklings swimming sessions for children aged six months to 3 yrs are held at Bridport Leisure Centre on Mondays and Thursdays. The introductory class is at 10am, the stage two class is at 10.30am. Parents must accompany children in the water.

Tiny Tots Each Thursday 9 -10 am at Axe Valley Sports Centre, £2

Musical Monkeys Every Thursday 10 – 11.30 am at Methodist Church Hall, Seaton.

Charmouth Stay & Play Thursdays 1-3pm at Charmouth Youth Centre, for children aged 0-5.

Netherbury Desperados Thursday mornings, 9.30-11.30 at Netherbury Village Hall. The group is for under 5’s and their parents, and offers a range of toys and weekly activities such as breadmaking.

FAB (Friendly About Breastfeeding) – Lyme Regis Children’s Centre Come along for somewhere comfortable to feed and share experiences with other nursing mums. Run by mums who have completed peer-support training, on Thursdays 1-3pm (term time only). Call 01297 444076 for more information.

What’s On…FRIDAY

Munch Club Run by St Mary’s Church, the group meets on Fridays 12.30-2.30pm at Church House, South St, Bridport. Lunch is provided with vegetarian options, followed by fruit and tea & biscuits. There is a range of toys for toddlers, and song and story time at the end of the session. Cost (including lunch) £1.50 per adult and 50p per child.

Down Right Gorgeous A new group run by Mum’s for bumps, babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers with Downs Syndrome (siblings welcome). Offers tea/ coffee and a relaxed play. Held on the 1 st Friday/month from 10.30-12 at Bridport Children’s Centre. Call Marie Ansell on 01308 421034.

Library Story Time Story time every Friday 10.30-11am for Under 5’s, aimed more towards pre-school aged children with a mixture of stories & rhymes.

Hands & Voices Baby Sign group on Fridays 1.30-3pm at Lyme Regis Children’s Centre.

Stay & Play – Beaminster Youth & Children’s Centre Stay & Play sessions for children 0-5 years on Fridays 9.30-11.30am. Call 01308 861030 for more information.

What’s on…SATURDAY

Saturdads runs the 1 st and 3 rd Sat of the month 10am-12pm at Bridport Chrildren’s Centre. Call the Centre on 01308 421714 for more information.

If you know about a great group or activity that isn’t listed here, please let us know! Email [email protected]

Saturday 1 st June – Lyme Regis

Saturday 7 th September – Bridport

Saturday 7 th December - Bridport

Your next edition of Small Talk…

The deadline for the next issue is 31 st May 2013.

This is your newsletter and we want to hear from YOU!

For every newsletter we need birth stories and recommendations from parents in OUR branch. There is no such thing as a good or bad story, only YOUR story. So please get in touch with your birth announcements, birth stories, weaning diaries, and recipes.

If you have any ideas on how we could improve this newsletter, or if you want to contribute in any way, please email us: [email protected] [email protected]

If you are interested in advertising in the next newsletter, the costs are in the table below. (Prices are subject to VAT.) There are three issues a year. For more details please contact Alex on 01308 421 819.

Price for 1 issue Price for 3 Colour issues (1 year) inside cover, Advert size front or back 3 issues (1 year) ¼ page £12 + VAT £33 + VAT £50 + VAT 95mm x 65mm ½ page £17 + VAT £45 + VAT £70 + VAT 95mm x 135mm Full page £25 + VAT £65 + VAT £110 + VAT 200mm x 135mm

The information in this newsletter is for the use of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) members only in connection with NCT activities & may not be used for any commercial purpose. The views & opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual & not necessarily those of the NCT or the Editors. The information in this newsletter should not be reproduced without the Editors’ consent in writing. The conditions of the Data Protection Act may apply. The appearance of an advert in this newsletter does not imply endorsement of the company or its products by the NCT, nor does it constitute a recommendation.

Dates for Bridport and Lyme Regis NCT courses to be confirmed, but please register your interest NOW as we expect courses to be popular! Email [email protected]