HINCTNEWSLETTER Hackney & Islington National Childbirth Trust

Winter 2010 HINCTNEWSLETTER Hackney & Islington National Childbirth Trust

The National Childbirth Trust wants all parents to have an experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood that enriches their lives and gives them conﬁ dence in being a parent.

NCT Headquarters, Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace, W3 6NH, Tel: 0844 243 6000 Enquiry line: 0300 33 00 770 www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com The National Childbirth Trust is a registered company NCT in England No. 2370573. CHRISTMAS Registered Charity No. 801395 PARTY ON 3 DECEMBER In this issue 10am - 12 pm « Birth story Highbury « Pregnancy Massage « Breastfeeding « Post-natal exercise « Where to go and what to do locally

+ CHRISTMAS WITH A BABY AND RELATIVES: A SURVIVAL GUIDE

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and Claire have stepped up to form a new events team to work with Karen on organ- ising and publicising future sales and parties. Watch this space! And Emma has joined Hannelore (who has recently had her second baby – huge congratulations) to look after our local listings and Face- book pages. If you are not already, you can become a fan by signing into Face- book, searching NCT Hackney Islington CHAIRS' and clicking on the “Like” button. Our page has lots of useful links and websites MESSAGE for local groups, events and businesses of interest to expectant parents and those Dear readers and members, with little ones. Now that the festive season is upon us, This is often the time of year when one we would like to invite all parents with stops (in between shopping trips!) to babies and toddlers to come and cel- refl ect on the past 12 months. We were ebrate at our annual Hackney and both very proud at the recent Annual Islighton NCT Christmas Party. You can Members' Meeting to report that the browse stalls selling Christmas gifts and branch has continued to go from strength baby related products, enjoy some of our to strength during our fi rst year as coordi- famous home baking, and catch up with nators. It is thanks to the enormous friends over a cuppa. Full details can be dedication of the branch team, which has found on page 12 but put Friday 3rd Dec, nearly doubled in size. Our main focus 10am-midday, in your diary now! All has been to try and consolidate many of monies raised by this event will go to sup- the projects started during Natasha port the work of the local branch and the Broke’s leadership. Going into the new wider NCT charity. year are now hoping to publicise the And on that note another huge thank you branch more widely and expand the serv- to all those volunteers (and in particular ices that it offers. As our ‘target market’, Karen), stall holders and bargain hunters we are always very interested in your that ensured that our Nearly New Sale ideas and input and to fi nd out what we back in October was such a success. could do better, or what we could do dif- Again we raised about £1,000 to help sup- ferently, so please feel free to email us via port the work of the charity, but none of [email protected]. that would have been possible without all We wish you and your families a happy of your contributions. festive season and look forward to seeing Volunteers are the life-blood of any you at the Christmas party or hearing branch and we are delighted to welcome from you in the new year. four new ones on board. Sonia, Andrea Best wishes Thalia and Judith

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cent in 2008 to 2.5 per cent in 2009. There Local and branch were 2,927 home births in Islington last year. news The national average is 2.57 per cent nationally but 2.1 per cent in Greater London HINCT NCT Nearly New Sale so both boroughs are up against the capital's raises £1,000 average. Overall home births were slightly More than £1,000 was raised from the down nationally from 2.7 per cent of all births Hackney and Islington NCT Nearly New Sale in 2008 to 2.57 per cent of all births in 2009. back in early October which will help to Last year 782,337 babies were born at home. support the work of the branch and the wider “It is very disappointing to see this small NCT charity. Thank you to everyone who reduction in the number of women giving birth organised and supported this event. at home, reversing the slow but steady This month sees the return of the hugely upward trend of the last few years," said Mary popular Hackney and Islington Christmas Newburn, the NCT's head of research and Party. Taking place from 10am-12pm on information. Friday 3 December at the St Joan of Arc The NCT believes that women are ﬁ nding it Community Centre, Kelross Road, Highbury more difﬁ cult to book a home birth. There is N5, there'll be stalls selling Christmas and no evidence of a reduction in demand, but baby-related products, our good quality maternity services are additionally stretched donations stall, tea/coffee and home made due to a rising birth rate and too few cakes, baby changing facilities and a soft play midwives. area for babies to roll around. Hope to see The Hackney and Islington branch of the NCT loads of you there - last year it was pretty runs a homebirth meeting once a month to packed so please bring your baby in a sling if allow pregnant women and their partners to possible! There is a suggested donation of £2 talk about homebirth. See page 28 for more on the door. If you have any unwanted baby information. clothes or goods, then why not donate them To see how different parts of the country to the NCT for the donations stall? Email compare visit www.BirthChoiceUK.com/ Cathy at [email protected] about HomeBirthRates.htm where to drop them off or to arrange collection. For information about the event or Welcome to the world! to hire a table, email Karen fund_hinct@ Congratulations to the following parents who yahoo.co.uk. You don’t have to be a NCT have announced the arrival of their new member to come along – or to help out on babies. the day. Ruth Whippman Levine and Neil Levine – a son Solomon Michael on 17 September Mixed picture for home births in Sarah and Jaimie Taylor – a son Max on 2 Hackney and Islington September Home births have risen in Hackney but fallen Shelina and Aly Hirji – a son Ziyan, on 11 in Islington according to the latest national September statistics. There were 4,436 home births in Joanna and James Llewellyn – a son Aaron, Hackney in 2009, 2.6 per cent of the total on 28 August which is up from 2.3 per cent in 2008 and 1.5 Laura King and Jonny Wright - a son per cent ten years ago. But in Islington the Freddie, on 13 September percentage of homebirths fell from 3.0 per David Fotheringham and Sandra Hamilton

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– a daughter Mae Linh on 7 October the early months and years. The NCT said Katie and Rufus Prince – a son Jasper, on it was thrilled with the ban. "We have been 25 September calling for a UK ban on selling baby bottles Gina Carpenter and Travis Allan – a son containing bisphenol-A plastics for several Chase Travis, on 24 September years, and are thrilled their import and sale Do you have a new arrival to tell the world will soon be outlawed across the EU," said about? Email Cathy at news_hinct@yahoo. CEO Belinda Phipps."When you put hot co.uk and we will publish your news in the liquids into a bottle containing BPA, spring newsletter, out in early March. If you particularly as the bottle gets older and would like to tell us about your birth story more scratched, the chemical can leach and your experiences as a new mum or out of the plastic and be absorbed into the dad, then we'd welcome your contribution. baby’s body. We would now like to see Again email [email protected] BPA plastics banned in other products, as the chemical is also used in the linings of some formula tins and baby food Be our Facebook friend containers." The Hackney and Islington NCT branch now has its own Facebook page giving details NCT calls for government action about local events of interest to parents and The NCT has called on the coalition babies and a whole host of info about the government to live up to its pre-election branch. Like us at www.facebook.com/ promises and improve maternity care. pages/Hackney-Islington-London/NCT- “Since the coalition came into power we Hackney-Islington/286338656395?v=wall have been disappointed by the lack of or just search for HINCT on Facebook action to improve maternity care. The pre- election promises, made by both parties, to increase numbers of midwives in England are yet to be realised. This is National NCT despite numerous studies showing the detrimental effects of a shortage of news midwives and lack of investment in maternity services on mothers and their families," said NCT CEO Belinda Phipps. EU bans BPA in bottles The recent National Perinatal Epidemiology The European Commission has Unit (NPEU) study demonstrates there announced a ban on the use of have been some important improvements bisphenol-A (BPA) plastics in baby bottles. in maternity care, but focusing attention on The ban will come into effect during 2011. individual targets can be detrimental to the The controversial chemical BPA is still overall quality of care. “It does paint a glum used in some baby bottles sold in the UK picture of maternity care in the UK and and there is evidence to suggest it can echoes what NCT has been saying for interfere with healthy growth and body some time. All these problems point back functions, and mimics the effect of the to a lack of midwives and investment in hormone oestrogen in the body. Babies maternity services and we call on the are particularly vulnerable to hormone- government to address these issues." mimicking effects as they grow rapidly in

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Do you play a violin, viola or brass instrument? You may be in good practice or you may have not played for a while. Either way, why not come along this term and try us out? doulahypnobirthing To find out more visit www.lmo.org.uk bespoke aromatherapy products or email [email protected] pregnancy massage pregnancy photography

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Valentin is already a year old and time has fl own by, but of course I will never forget the day when he was born. My sonMy due date was 8 October, but somehow I was sure, that he would be late and so I wasn’t surprised or disappointed, when nothing happened on the day. Actually I was a bit relieved for the extra time I had, especially as I caught a very bad cold the week before the due date. I was in hospital, because I felt he wasn’t moving a lot and got very upset, but everything was fi ne with him. The next day I was lying in bed with sinusitis and tried not to think about the fact that without the ability to breathe through my nose giving birth naturally would a problem. So the due date came and passed and nothing happened and I just tried to be relaxed. As the weather was very nice I went for a walk in beautiful Waterlow Park on 13 October, very slowly I walked up and down the hills hoping this would help to start labour. And it did. In the evening before we went to bed I felt something I had never felt before. It wasn’t painful, just a completely new feeling – maybe like somebody twisting me in the middle – and I thought that is it, now it is going to start. Through the night I woke up a couple of times and this tearing or pressure on my back was there, but I just fell back to sleep until next morning. I think it was a bit stronger then and as I had no idea how it would progress, I asked my husband to please stay at home, in order to be there, when we needed to go to hospital. This proved to be a good decision. He was down- stairs working and I was upstairs, because I wanted to be alone at that point. He checked on me, but I felt good, just walking around or leaning against the wall or doing some breath- inggq exercises. And for quite a while the increasing gp pain wasn’t too diffi cult to handle. In the latelate morninmorningg somethinsomethingg chanchangedged and I called the hospital and they asked how the

BIRTH STORY Kristin and Valentin

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contractions were timed, but I told them I couldn’t really tell, which should have given me a clue. The midwife said until I didn’t time it, they didn’t want to see me in hospital and after she put the phone down I got really nervous. Shortly after I told my husband to call the cab and get the bag, because something had changed and I knew I had to go. The cab ride with all the London speed bumps was no fun nor was the lift ride to the fi fth fl oor or the check-in. The midwife thought I was putting on a show and told me it would get “much worse”, which she took back when she examined me a couple of minutes later and saw that I was already 9cm dilated. Unfortunately from then on I didn’t make progress for a while and the last centimetre was painful, but the gas and air helped. When I was fully dilated the pushing didn’t do anything, because Valentin lay back to back and just wouldn’t move and things got a bit dramatic, because his heartbeat slowed down. A lot of this is a big blur, but I remember hearing “c-section” and as I was very scared of the operation I got really upset and told them I didn’t want a c-section if it could be avoided. Well, they gave me the epidural in preparation of the c-section and that was bliss, and then the obstetrician got the baby out with 150,000 the ventouse. This should have been the happy end, but when we were in our WOMEN HAVE AN EPIDURAL room and admiring our gorgeous son I DURING CHILDBIRTH EACH was shaking so badly that I had to give YEAR IN THE UK him to my husband. The reason was Source: University of Oxford that I was still losing a lot of blood and had to go back into theatre. Unfortu- nately my blood pressure was very low and I needed a general anaesthetic, and I was in a very bad state after waking up. The reason for the blood loss was that the placenta hadn’t come out completely. But the next morning I was already feeling much better enjoying Valentin, our son, together with my husband. We had to stay another day and everybody was very nice to us. The only problem was that at least fi ve different midwives showed me fi ve different ways to breastfeed and it didn’t go well. How not well I would fi nd out over the next weeks, when I fi rst didn’t know that something went wrong. I will never know what exactly wasn’t right, but Valentin lost weight and I had to top-up with formula. I was mixed-feeding for almost six months, topping up every breastfeed with a bottle. That is a procedure I would not recommend and would never do again, because it is too exhausting and you hardly sleep. And as all new parents know, sleep deprivation is the hardest thing to deal with. Breastfeeding is great if it works, if it doesn’t one shouldn’t be too disappointed and just focus on all the other great ways of bonding. We've recently celebrated his fi rst birthday and I am looking back on the most exciting year of my life, I have changed in many ways and my vague ideas of what being a mum involved have been sur- passed by far.

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Hackney & Islington NCT Christmas Fair

Help raise money for your local NCT branch, buy Christmas presents from local businesses and enjoy tea and cakes with friends. All welcome.

Friday 3 December 10:00 12:00

St Joan of Arc Community Centre, Kelross Road, N5 (just past Highbury Barn) Entrance fee £2 NCT registered charity number 801395

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Pregnancy is one WAY time in a woman's life when she needn't feel guilty about indulging herself in the occasional treat and there's no greater treat than a body massage to uplift the spirits. Qualiﬁ ed aromatherapist and pregnancy massage specialist Katrina Berry explains the basics of pregnancy massage

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egular massage during pregnancy is prenatal massage know exactly what areas a sure way of helping a mother-to-be to avoid and what areas to focus on to pro- Rlook and feel her best. A massage is vide pregnant women the most benefi ts sheer bliss for aching sides, back and legs. during a massage therapy session. The whole body will be toned and posture The massage table will traditionally be set improved. It can help the circulation, lower up so you will lie in a semi-reclining or lateral high blood pressure and improve the com- position. This is not only really comfortable, plexion, as well as keep the skin all over the but safe for baby. Also you will turn from side body nourished, supple and elastic and to side to do your back and hips, there are therefore help prevent stretch marks. body pillows, wedge pillows and extra pad- All pregnant women can expect to experi- ding to make you comfortable. Never use ence at least a little stiffness and muscular the tables with the hole cut out for your belly, tension during their pregnancy as their uterus these can cause undue stress to your lower expands to accommodate their growing back. baby. Massage therapy during pregnancy can often relieve many of the common side Massaging at home effects of pregnancy, whether you suffer Naturally the best person to give a preg- from backaches, headaches, oedema or nancy massage is a qualifi ed practitioner but other pregnancy-related problems. Massage if you have a willing partner, massage at increases the feeling of wellbeing by treating home can be a valuable way of bringing a the body as a whole, physically and emo- couple closer together, especially during the tionally. Massage helps prepare the body for later stages of pregnancy. Try to get your childbirth by helping loosen the pelvis and partner to massage you regularly throughout rid the body of excess tension prior to the pregnancy, especially if he's going to be with onset of labour. By highlighting areas of ten- you during labour. Have a well-practised set sion in the body the mother can focus her of movements planned - it's no good fi nding relaxation during pregnancy and labour. out you hate having your feet rubbed when Working at an emotional level, massage you're already in labour! He should know helps ease fears, pain and anxiety. well in advance what you like and what is Massage during pregnancy differs from a soothing, then he won't need to be regular massage so always ensure you see instructed. a therapist who is certifi ed in pregnancy massage. The biggest way it differs is that Tips for home massage the person receiving the massage is preg- • Collect everything you will need - massage nant, and therefore knowledge of pregnancy oil, extra towels and cushions etc before you and the anatomy of a pregnant woman are start very important. This means that positioning • Make the atmosphere as calm and relaxed during a massage is critical to the safety and as possible. Ensure the room is warm, lights well-being of both the mother and the baby are dimmed and perhaps play some sooth- she is carrying. There are also parts of the ing music. Turn off phones! body that should not be massaged. Mas- • Take your time! If you don't have much saging the wrong areas or focusing on time just concentrate on one part of the certain acupressure points may actually trig- body, say back, shoulders or legs. If mum- ger uterine contractions in some women. to-be is particularly exhausted a leg and foot Fortunately massage therapists trained in massage is particularly good.

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BENEFITS OF PREGNANCY is easily conveyed, as is a warm, caring, MASSAGE gentle movement. • Helps to relieve physical discomfort • Helps to tone muscles and relieves Labour massage cramps Whenever we experience discomfort our • Mother has her own special pamper- natural instinct is to rub it better. Nowhere ing time could this apply more than in labour. Deep, • Every single organ in the body ben- fi rm rhythmic pressure can greatly reduce efi ts from massage and relieve any discomfort during labour. • Stimulates and drains lymphatic • Firm pressure with the heel of your hand system - eliminating toxins and reduc- in her sacral area (the area below the spine) ing fl uid retention brings great comfort. Massage fi rmly in cir- • Relaxation – reduces tension in neck cular movements. This is a movement that and shoulders you will probably fi nd she will want to keep • Relaxes and soothes muscles under coming back to. extra strain from increasing size of • Pressure in the centre of each buttock with baby the thumbs helps. Press and release • Improves the fl ow of energy through several times. the body and helps minimise fatigue • The hip squeeze. With a hand fi rmly on • Improves circulation and thereby each hip press in and up in a diagonal reduces severity of varicose veins, fashion (in the shape of a triangle). Firm pres- thread veins and hemorrhoids sure will help relieve tightness in the • Maintains skin suppleness and lower abdominal ligaments and provide therefore helps reduce stretch marks sacral pressure. This is wonderful during • Can lower blood pressure and there- uterine surges. fore help prevent eclampsia • Massaging her feet, by pressing quite • Promotes sleep fi rmly into the soles with circular movements, is very comforting. Use one hand to grip the top of the foot over the instep to steady it; use the other hand on the same foot, pressing fi rmly into the middle of the sole. Make • Keep all movements gentle. Don't worry circular movements, varying the pressure. about being a practised masseuse. Use any Squeeze and release the foot. These move- gentle movement that feels right and relax ments should be repeated several times. into it yourself, encourage her to let you know what she likes A word on aromatherapy • Don't press on varicose veins, just glide Some massage therapists use aromather- gently around them apy oils during a massage session. While • Avoid the lower abdomen and back during many aromatherapy oils are safe to use the fi rst trimester of pregnancy, during the during pregnancy, others are contraindi- rest of pregnancy avoid deep pressure on cated. Again, be sure you consult with a the abdomen and lower back. qualifi ed aromatherapist so you do not end • Don't massage if the mother-to-be feels up inhaling oils that may be contraindicated unwell, never massage anyone with a fever during pregnancy. Relax and enjoy it. A cautious unsure touch

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Have you ever hovered outside a café wondering if it is a good place to go in and breastfeed your crying baby? Or looked frantically around you for a seat when you realise that you won’t make it home before the next feed? Susan Soar talks about about Islington’s new ‘Breastfeeding Welcome’ scheme which will make it easier for mothers to identify places where they will feel comfortable breastfeeding

slington is the latest local authority to join social acceptance of this important and the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme, natural practice.’ This has led to the devel- Iwhich has been started to raise aware- opment of the Breastfeeding Welcome ness of places out and about where a scheme. mother can feel comfortable breastfeeding her baby. The idea is that venues partici- Role models pating in the scheme are listed on the Part of the thinking behind the scheme is the scheme’s website and clearly display a sign existing evidence that infant feeding prac- or window sticker to show that they are tices are heavily infl uenced by what is seen ‘Breastfeeding Welcome’. in the social and media environment around So what is the purpose of the scheme? us. While adverts for follow-on milk, bottles The scheme has been developed by the and teats may infl uence parents towards Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition, an formula feeding, if women are encouraged umbrella group of organisations working to by a scheme such as Breastfeeding Wel- promote cross-party support for breastfeed- come to feel comfortable feeding out and ing. The 30 organisations supporting the about, then they are likely to encourage manifesto include the NCT, The Royal Col- other women to feel and do likewise, creat- lege of Midwives, La Leche League Great ing a ‘virtuous circle’ of positive images of Britain and the Breastfeeding Network. One breastfeeding. Seeing the signs, window of the manifesto’s objectives is to ‘Develop stickers and women confi dently breastfeed- policy or practice to support breastfeeding ing in public places may also encourage girls in public places…[and to] encourage greater and young women to consider

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breastfeeding any babies that they may have nervous about breastfeeding in public, par- in the future, even if they have had little or no ticularly in the early days when they might exposure to breastfeeding in their familial or still be struggling with positioning and attach- social background. Likewise, the ‘offi cial ing their baby. As young babies need to feed endorsement’ of the signs and stickers is frequently it is important that new mothers likely to increase awareness and acceptance feel comfortable feeding out and about, as of breastfeeding among people of all ages if they always stay at home to feed they may and backgrounds. quickly begin to feel isolated,” says Karkut- Another important element of the scheme Law. Moreover, social attitudes towards is to make sure that mothers feel that they breastfeeding vary in different places and in can stop and breastfeed in a wide range of the context of different communities, mean- venues, not only cafés and restaurants: if a ing that some breastfeeding mothers do baby becomes hungry while out and about experience negative behaviour from other then a mother should not always feel obliged members of the public. Statistics available to buy a coffee or snack in order to sit down from the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme somewhere comfortable and feed them. show that, while 85 per cent of adults say While it is lovely to enjoy a cappuccino in a that they are not bothered by seeing a trendy café, this can be expensive and costs woman breastfeeding, 63 per cent of breast- soon mount up when you are also facing the feeding women report that they have expenses of a new baby. “The whole point experienced unsupportive comments or of Breastfeeding Welcome is to highlight the behavior while breastfeeding in a public range of places where a mother might feel place. “Studies also show that 9 out of 10 comfortable feeding her baby, aside from the women in the UK stop breastfeeding before obvious coffee chains and restaurants. We they want to or intend to and that one of the are hoping that a wide variety of places from main reasons given is that they feel uncom- libraries, leisure centres, schools and den- fortable feeding in public,” says Tracey tists to launderettes, shops, places of Murkett, co-author of the book Baby Led worship and parks will display the sign and Weaning and also working on the Islington logo,” says Tracy Karkut-Law, who is co- project. A scheme such as Breastfeeding ordinating the Breastfeeding Welcome Welcome helps mothers to easily identify scheme in Islington. places where they will be sure of a positive welcome. Different strokes Businesses and organisations thinking But is the scheme really necessary? I must about joining the scheme benefi t from a free admit that I was initially a little skeptical when listing on the Breastfeeding Welcome web- I heard about the scheme and wondered site and the opportunity to increase their whether there was really a problem that customer base and raise their profi le in the needed solving. As a confi dent mum in my wider community. To apply for Breastfeeding thirties, I have always felt comfortable breast- Welcome status a business must have a feeding my son pretty much anywhere, breastfeeding policy that is communicated covering up with a scarf or shawl whenever to all members of staff and provide some I wanted to be a bit more discreet. However, facilities to support breastfeeding mothers. I was swiftly reminded that not everybody These may be simple things like making sure feels the same. “Many mothers really do feel there is space between tables for a buggy

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or by providing nappy changing facilities. good idea, because at least you could easily While privacy is important for some mothers, identify somewhere where your partner is this does not necessarily have to mean a going to feel comfortable and where there feeding room but could be achieved by care- may also be other facilities for babies,” says ful positioning of chairs and tables. However, Kiran, an Islington resident and father to a far more important than any facilities is a 13-month-old baby boy. Moreover, the positive and welcoming attitude towards scheme is surely likely to be helpful to all breastfeeding! Plenty of guidance and sup- parents, whether they are breastfeeding or port is available on the Breastfeeding bottle feeding their babies: if an organisation Welcome website and Karkut-Law, the is displaying a ‘Breastfeeding Welcome’ sign Islington coordinator, is on hand to help: “A then it is a fairly good indication of their gen- sample breastfeeding policy is provided by eral ‘baby friendliness’! the scheme and I can work with venues to The scheme is in its infancy in Islington, help them adopt this policy, so there is no but do have a look at the website to fi nd out need to worry about it meaning lots of extra more about how it has worked in other local paperwork.” authorities. If you are interested in fi nding out more about the scheme, testing a venue Legal eagles as a breastfeeding ‘mystery shopper’ or Joining the scheme will also help businesses maybe know a business or organisation that and organisations show that they are com- might want to become ‘Breastfeeding Wel- plying with the Equality Act 2010, which has come’ then email Tracy Karkut-Law on clarifi ed existing legal rights for breastfeeding [email protected] mothers. Guidance issued for businesses and organisations states that ‘The Equality Act 2010 has specifi cally clarifi ed that it is Further information: unlawful for a business to discriminate breastfeedingwelcomescheme.org.uk against a woman because she is breastfeed- and www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org. ing a child’ and encourages business to train uk their employees to be aware of the protec- tion from discrimination given to breastfeeding mothers. It should be noted that the scheme logo (see picture) makes it clear that the presence or absence of a Breastfeeding Welcome sticker does not affect a mother’s legal rights: while breastfeeding mothers We are may be made especially welcome in some breastfeeding venues they are still legally entitled to breast- welcome feed anywhere. but mothers have the right The Breastfeeding Welcome scheme also to breastfeed anywhere has potential to be useful to all parents and families, in addition to breastfeeding moth- www.breastfeedingwelcomescheme.org.uk ¬ ers. For example, fathers, grandparents or friends could use the website to plan a day out or fi nd a good place to meet up with a breastfeeding mother and her baby. “It’s a

Furth wwinter0_2010_mono.inddinter0_2010_mono.indd 1919 330/11/100/11/10 12:55:4712:55:47 20 babies and children

CHRISTMAS WITH A BABY OR BUMP

Celebrating Christmas while pregnant can be a bit of a minefi eld. Once you have found something to wear and established who will actually be doing all the cooking, you then have to be careful what you eat and drink. Christmas with a small baby can be even more fraught. New parenthood is enough to get used to, without having to feed and entertain your extended family. Here are some dos and don’ts to ensure everyone is happy and the Christmas spirit fl ows freely! Do let someone else take responsibility for M4 with a screaming infant in the back seat. Christmas this year if you are pregnant or Try and time travel to coincide with the baby’s have a small baby. Remember you will get naps. This is not the time to try and visit the tired if you are expecting. It can be hard to entire family on Christmas and Boxing Day keep going after an early morning appoint- either. Make it clear that while you understand ment with a turkey and some stuffi ng, a little everyone wants to see you and the baby, they polite present opening (“just what I always will need to come to you, preferably for a wanted!”) and being responsible for entertain- short visit! Make time for you and the baby to ing a motley group of family aged six to 106, spend time together. whilst quietly rustling up a three-course meal with all the trimmings. Either ask another Do think about what you can and can’t eat family member to host Christmas, or ask or drink and make provision for it. You may them to come to yours and do the cooking. fi nd that father-in-law completely neglects to buy in enough interesting soft drinks to last Don’t travel too far while pregnant or with you through the day, or mother-in-law gets Junior in tow. There is nothing worse than offended that you won’t eat her home-made being stuck in a long queue of traffi c on the pâté! If you come supplied with a bottle of M4, bursting for a wee, or with swollen ankles something interesting and non-alcoholic and from sitting down too long. Except of course, some appropriate nibbles which can be being stuck in a long queue of traffi c on the shared then you won’t be reliant on others.

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Don’t let the baby get hungry just because your feet and your centre of gravity has Christmas lunch is always served at a certain changed. It is easy to burn your bump on time. Prepare some purees in advance or the edge of the oven before you have even just whizz up a little of the Christmas lunch realised that it sticks out that far. Adopt the for him. role of supervisor and plonk your chair where you have a good view and can call out orders Do let Granny or Grandad feed the baby her to the minions. By next year your own little ﬁ rst ever Christmas lunch. They will love it “minion” will be bossing you about so take and that way you can get on with your food advantage while you can! before it gets cold! Don’t feel guilty about not buying your baby Do be careful in the kitchen with a bump. a big present or a lot of presents. They will Bending over hot ovens and lifting out huge receive lots from other people and you will turkeys in wobbly roasting dishes are not the have plenty of opportunities in the future to safest activities when you have lost sight of buy presents when they appreciate it.

Don’t leave the Christmas present list to chance. Check what grandparents and aunts and uncles are buying to avoid dupli- cation and competition.

Do ask for speciﬁ c presents if you want to, particularly clothes. Nothing is worse than clothes that don’t ﬁ t or suit the baby and the Famous giver may expect to see them worn.

Christmas Do spread the presents over a few days to births avoid overload. You will probably need to do this for the ﬁ rst few years. • Singer Dido in 1971 • Model Helena Christensen in 1968 Do try and stick as closely as possible to • Singer Shane McGowan in your normal routine. Adults can cope with 1957 • Singer Annie Lennox in change and we know why Christmas is spe- 1954 • Actress Sissy Spacek in cial, but babies don’t. 1949 • Comedian Kenny Everett in 1945 • Egyptian Do take time to put your feet up if you’re president Anwar el-Sadat in pregnant. Play up the aches and pains a bit 1918 • Singer and actor Tony and go for a lie-down to get some peace Martin in 1914 • Actor and quiet if necessary. Humphrey Bogart in 1899 • Hotelier Conrad Hilton in 1887 Don’t let the baby get crowded with lots of • Mathematician Sir Isaac people as he may ﬁ nd it stressful. Take him Newton in 1642 away for some quiet time.

Most of all enjoy yourselves!

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Little Angels day nursery for children from as young as 3 months.

“Children are happy and thoroughly enjoy their time at nursery” (Latest Ofsted Highbury) A warm and caring environment with special facilities for the very young, Little Angels can and do offer one-to-one care whilst your child is settling in. Our staff to child ratio is amongst the highest in London, so babies in particular are always closely supervised by qualiﬁed and enhanced CRB police checked carers. As a matter of principle we do not employ agency personnel and we are proud that many of our staff have been with us for years. For more information and to arrange a personal guided tour, call Caroline Thompson now: Tel: 020 7354 5070 (Highbury) Tel: 020 7281 3514 (Highgate) Email: [email protected] www.littleangelsdaynursery.co.uk

Little Angels Day Nursery and Pre-prep Schools 217 Blackstock Road, Highbury, London N5 2LL 70 Bredgar Road, Highgate, London N19 5BF

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any mums think they should stay this is probably the last thing on your mind, away from exercise for weeks after relocating and activating the pelvic fl oor Mthe birth, but for most new mums, muscles will help promote healing and it’s fi ne to start thinking about gentle exercise increase support for this weakened area so straight away. This step-by-step guide you can confi dently sneeze with ease. includes gentle, specifi c exercises that are These exercises are equally important if safe for you to do before and after your GP you had a C-section as hormonal changes check. and the weight of the baby will have weakened your pelvic fl oor too. The birth day Generally the fi rst week is about taking More than just a walk in the park things easy, but as soon as you have given Walk as soon as you feel ready – at a birth you can do some pelvic fl oor exer- steady pace for short intervals to begin cises – even in the delivery room! While with - it’s a great way to clear your head NO LYCRA REQUIRED

Once their baby arrives some mums are keen to get back in shape as soon as possible while others may not feel up to doing any exercise and place it at the bottom of a long list of new priorities. Postnatal ﬁ tness expert Belle Amooty gives the low-down on postnatal exercise

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after a few days indoors with your new demands of everyday baby care. When baby. Walk to, or around, your local park you’re out with the buggy remember to and pop to a café with your little one. If place your bags in the netting underneath you’re feeling a bit tired and dad’s on so you can keep your hips close to the leave, get him to come with you and share buggy handles. Leaning forward and push- the pram pushing. Train your body to push ing with straight arms, particularly up hill, the buggy correctly: walk tall with ‘Mother’s switches off your deep muscles and pride’ ie lengthen the spine and lift out of increases their vulnerability. the hips. This correct posture will activate your pelvic fl oor and deep tummy muscles Green light for go – slouching switches them off! In you’re After your GP check you may think about planning on walking regularly invest in a upping the ante a little. We’re not talking pair of trainers or walking shoes that give hardcore aerobics but going to a class can you good ankle and arch support – you’re help your self-esteem as well as your mus- sure to get the mileage out of them! cles. Find a class that caters for new mums, and ask the instructor if they’re Abominal marathon trained in working with postnatal bodies Your abdominal muscles are arranged in - many aren’t and that can be risky! Chose layers so to get a good look on top you classes that are slow and controlled as need to work what’s underneath, rather fast, bouncy classes are not suitable at this like putting good underlay under new stage. Avoid returning to your pre-preg- carpet. That’s why sit ups are not advis- nancy exercise regime too soon; take your able until your deep abdominal muscles time to build your fi tness and respect your and pelvic fl oor have recovered and this body in the same way you did during preg- may take longer than you think. Remem- nancy. Running is inappropriate until at ber, if you stand and sit with a long lifted least six months post-birth. spine these deep muscles are working but if you slouch they switch off. You can start Sweat but don't jump training them from day one; its easy to do Ligaments support your joints and play a and will make a big difference – you’ll look key role in their stability but during and taller and slimmer too! Activating these after pregnancy this support is greatly muscles prior to bending and lifting will reduced so it is vital to choose appropriate provide support to your spine and pelvis types of postnatal exercise to reduce the and reduce the risk of injury from the risk of injury. But its not only the joints that

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are vulnerable – the pelvic ﬂ oor is also at took her to get back on track after having her risk after birth and activities such as weight kids and realistically she will tell you at least training, running and jumping may increase one year or more. But remember that each the risk of prolapse. This doesn’t mean you woman’s recovery is individual so don’t com- have to sit on the sofa for weeks on end pare yourself to others. – you can sweat but don’t jump! Make With dedication, respect for your amazing sure you drink plenty of water before, body and correct postnatal advice, the NEW during and after your workout. YOU will be stronger, ﬁ tter and ready to take on the challenge of motherhood head on. Push don't rush It took nine months to make your baby and it will take at least the same amount of Belle Amooty runs the Pushy Mothers time if not more to get back on track. Try classes in and around Hackney and not to put any pressure on yourself by Islington. looking at celebrity magazines or compar- ing your postnatal exercise sessions with your pre- pregnancy training. Ask any mum down the street how long it Pushy Mothers Training is accredited by

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THE LONDON AU PAIR & NANNY AGENCY (Now incorporating Nanny Search Agency) Owned and Operated by Maggie Dyer since 1979

We are - friendly efficient professional tried and tested by many local families - our method was successfully screened by The Sunday Times [9.3.97] and we are also recommended by The Good Nanny Guide and Best Bear Childcare. We provide an excellent after-care service and can introduce you to a wide range of child-carers, all of whom have been vetted and CRB checked. We also have a local Babysitting Service.

4 Sunnyside, Childs Hill, Hampstead NW2 2QN Tel: 020 7435 3891 E-mail: [email protected] www.londonnanny.co.uk

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WHAT THE HACKNEY AND ISLINGTON NCT BRANCH OFFERS YOU Classes We offer a range of courses for parents-to-be from eight week evening courses to week-end labour days. Topics covered include: O Labour – what to expect, coping with pain, pain relief options, postions, breathing, massage and relaxation O Birth plans and informed choice O Feeding and baby care O Becoming a parent How to book: there are lots of classes but they get booked up very quickly. Once you are 12 weeks pregnant contact antenatal booking on [email protected] or 0844 243 6899.

Postnatal Support and Information Becoming a parent is a major life change and you may feel isolated, especially if you have moved to a new area or it is your ﬁ rst baby. This is where the branch can help:

Postnatal tea groups are a great way to meet and receive support from other parents in your area with babies of a similar age. The group is hosted in a local NCT volunteer's home and provides an opportunity for you to put names to faces and exchange contact details with other parents. After the initial tea, you arrange to meet up with each other on your own. We have meetings in N1, N4/N5, N16, E5/E8/E9 and N7/N19. Contact our postnatal coordinator for more information on [email protected].

Monthly yahoo groups are online groups across the whole of Hackney and Islington allowing you to access a wider group of local mums outside your postcode. Here you can share tips, ask questions, arrange get togethers etc. The tea group and Yahoo group may have some overlap but they are different – the tea group covers two birth months but is local, while the Yahoo group is only for your due date month and covers several postcodes. To sign up for your yahoo group email [email protected].

Other yahoo groups There are also several other yahoo groups for people at different stages of the parenting journey: O The Home Birth Support Group – this group is for parents considering a home birth. To subscribe send a blank email to [email protected] O Multiple Births Group – this group is for parents of twins and triplets. To subscribe send a blank email to [email protected] O Around in the Week Group – this is for parents who have not returned to full time work following their maternity / paternity leave and are therefore around in the week looking after their children. This group provides a follow on from the monthly due date groups for parents with toddlers and beyond. To subscribe send a blank email to HINCT_around- [email protected]

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O More than one Group – this group is for parents of more than one child, or about to have their 2nd / 3rd etc. To subscribe send a blank email to HINCT_morethanone- [email protected]

Support groups O Homebirth support: the group meets on the ﬁ rst Monday or Tuesday of every month from 8pm-9.30pm and welcomes pregnant women, their partners and / or birth partners and other interested parties (midwives etc) to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about home birth. The two volunteers who run the group have experience of both home and hospital birth and can help you with any questions you may have. There is also a birth pool available for FREE hire. Contact Cathy and Samantha at home- [email protected]

Winter 2010 meetings are on: Tuesday 7 December Monday 3 January Tuesday 1 February Monday 7 March

O Caesarean birth/VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean birth) support. Please contact Melanie Keen at [email protected] for advice in this area

Events The branch runs a number of events throughout the year O Christmas Party on Friday 3 December from 10am-12pm at St Joan of Arc Community Hall, Kelross Road, Highbury N5 (just past Highbury Barn) see page 12 for details O Nearly new sales twice a year (March and September 2011) O Cheeky Monkey Party early summer 2011

We offer other services including this newsletter, information on local activities and events updates. If you have any ideas for other services we could offer, or events we could hold, then please contact our branch chairs Judith and Thalia at [email protected] . And don't forget the branch is only as good as its volunteers, so if you have some spare time and would like to give something back, then email Judith and Thalia

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wwinter0_2010_mono.inddinter0_2010_mono.indd 2929 330/11/100/11/10 12:55:5012:55:50 30 PLACING AN ADVERT

The Hackney and Islington NCT newsletter is published quarterly in September, December, March and June. Our print run is 1,000 copies. We take quarter, half or full-page ads, and full-page advertorials. The deadline for the autumn issue is 13 August.

Sizes Cost per issue plus VAT ¼ page Single insertion £25.85, Series of four £93.06 ½ page Single insertion £38.78, Series of four £139.59 Full page Single insertion £71.09, Series of four £255.92 Inside front or back cover Single insertion £90.48, Series of four £325.71 Full page advertorial Single insertion £103.40, Series of four £372.24 Inserts (as supplied, up to 1,000) £129.25 per issue; £465.30 series of four

½ PAGE 85mm x 122mm

FULL PAGE 175mm x 122mm

¼ PAGE 85mm x 122mm

Please contact Liz Bryant for advertising enquiries at :[email protected] Advertising disclaimer All the advertisements in the newsletter are taken on a commercial basis and in good faith. HINCT and NCT HQ does not necessarily endorse them (although we refuse advertising that conﬂ icts with the NCT’s policies). You are advised when considering the use of any supplementary health services to satisfy yourself that the credentials of those are clearly established.

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ere are some local things for Baby-friendly cafes with no baby parents and babies. These have changing Hbeen compiled by local NCT volunteers, based on personal • Acoustic cafe on Newington Green knowledge and are not • Euphorium on Upper Street (two branches) • Fig & Olive on Upper Street recommendations as such, just details • Springfi eld Park Cafe of things you might also fi nd useful. If you spot any mistakes, or discover something great you think others Parent and baby should know about, do let us know so I activities can amend this list. Music Email Helen Tweddle at Music groups can be great fun for even [email protected] quite small babies, and are a great way to Local baby-friendly jog your memory if you think you have cafes forgotten all the nursery rhymes Cafes with buggy space and baby changing • Alphatots Blue Room, The Canonbury, Islington www.facebook.com/pages/ • The Alwyne on St Paul’s Road, near Highbury Alphatots/118511998159055: Stimulating sing Corner (big sofas) Not good for toddlers and play sessions for mums with babies aged • Belle Epoque (French bakery on Newington 3-12 months Green) • Browns on Islington Green • Classical babies www.facebook.com/#!/ • Duke of Cambridge organic pub, corner of group.php?gid=344122819058; Chamber St Peters Street and Danbury Street, N1 music concerts for mums and babies in a • Estorick Art Gallery cafe (particularly in friendly, relaxed atmosphere! summer) • Colourstrings N1/N16 • Garufa, 104 Highbury Park. 020 7226 0070. www.nlcolourstrings.co.uk; Inspiring active fun Relaxed Argentinean place with great steak musical learning based on traditional and • Giraffe on Essex Road, near Islington Green. classical music • Haz 34 Foster Lane, St Paul's EC2V 6HD • Corma Family Centre See entry under • The Landseer Pub on Landseer Road (lots of children’s centres section for contact details space and sofas) (N7/19) • Oasis open-air cafe in Highbury Fields Classes held on Tuesdays on a fi rst come, fi rst (changing in automatic WC for 20p, or change serve basis on grass) • Movers and Shakers Various North London • The Parlour Stoke Newington Church Street Locations 07817 420392 http:// • That Place on The Corner on Newington theplayingspace.co.uk/ Drama company with Green, on Green Lanes various classes, including a music group in • Three Crowns on Stoke Newington Church Stroud Green Road Street (big sofas) • Rucksack music, N1/N6/N8/N10/N16/N19/ • Trattoria Sapori on Newington Green E5/E8: 020 8806 9335/07951 445570 (www. • Venetia's Coffee Shop 55 Chatsworth Road, rucksackmusic.co.uk) A music group for babies London E5 0LH Run by antenatal teacher! and toddlers with lots of singing, stomping and • Yogahome cafe on Allen Rd (when weather clapping warm as cafe is semi outdoors)

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• Sing with Harriet Church Hall, 24 Exmouth com/ Classes are ideally suited for both boys Market, London, EC1; Free music classes held and girls between 2-4 years old. each Wednesday 9.45am - 10.25am and 10.30am - 11.15pm and Friday 1.15-2.15pm. This group is full of action, music and singing. A fully interactive class where children get to play Soft play with instruments and dance around the room. • Tick Tock Music, N1. Sing nursery rhymes These can be great for crawling babies as and action songs to the accompaniment of a they have lots of large soft-play toys, and keyboard and a guitar. Groups run 2 or 3 times are a good way of getting out of the house a day, four days a week. and meeting other mums and babies even www.ticktockmusic.co.uk if your baby is not yet crawling. Call for • Sparkysongs N1/N5 07759 349394 www. local info and cost. sparkysongs.com; Weekly music show • Highbury Roundhouse, Ronalds Road, N5: designed to entertain and educate children aged 020 7359 5916 between six months and ﬁ ve years www.highbury-roundhouse.org.uk • , N5/N8/N16: Very little people make music • Kidzmania, 28 Powell Road, E5: 020 8340 4512 020 8533 5556 • Caterpillar music, That Place on the Corner, 63 Clissold Road Newington Green, Fri 9.45am • Clissold Leisure Centre – • Tune Time, Christ Church, Highbury Fields, N16 9EX www.gll.org/centre/clissold.asp www.facebook.com/pages/London-United- • Pirates Playhouse, Sobell Leisure Centre, Kingdom/Tune-Time/92189872489 Drop-in N7: 020 7609 2166 www.aquaterra.org music session for pre-schoolers with trained • Clown Town, The Coppetts Centre, Colney teacher and singer-songwriter. It is a mixture of Hatch Lane N12: 020 8361 6600 traditional nursery rhymes and original • Yogahome, 14 Allen Road, N16. compositions, instruments and dancing. Tue, www.yogahome.com Thurs and Fri 9.50am and 11.20am. • Gymboree, Gym, play, music, art classes and birthday parties for 0-5s. 85 Canonbury Road, • Most drop-in groups have a singing session at London N1 [email protected] 07818 the end 153 700 www.gymboree-uk.com

Baby massage Dance • The Active Birth Centre – 25 Bickerton Road, N19 offers a whole range of post-natal • Newington Dance Space activities including baby massage, baby gym, (www.newingtondancespace.com) post-natal yoga, a well baby clinic once a month 1D Shelford Place off Stoke and a drop-in for mums. 020 7281 6760 Newington Church Street, London, N16 9HS www.activebirthcentre.com Parent & Baby(3m – crawling)/ Toddler (2-4y) • at Ambler Primary creative dance classes, as well as music Ambler Children’s Centre School, Blackstock Road, N4 2DR (also lots of classes. free things like baby yoga, ‘drop in’ advice, stay • Buggies and Bikes, 23 Broadway Market, and play) London Fields, London E8 4PH • Coram Family Centre, Brunswick Square • Parent and Baby Creative Dance (behind Coram’s Fields), WC1 Classes held on Movement, six-week courses, three months to Wednesdays 1:30 – 3:00pm crawling • Crechendo, various venues 020 8772 8160 • Diddi Dance Hackney Forge, 243a Victoria www.crechendo.co.uk Pk Rd, E9 7HD; The Young Actors Theatre, • Fitstart (various venues): 020 8374 7680 70-72 Barnsbury Rd, N1 0ES www.diddidance. • Highbury Community Nursery 020 7354

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Instructor training accredited by the Royal College of Midwives

Weekly classes in Highbury Fields & Clissold Park Contact Belle 07980727528 [email protected]

Mondays - Highbury 10.30 -11.30am Clissold 12.15 -1.15pm Fridays - Clissold 11.00 -12.00noon Highbury 1.00-2.00pm

Effective, safe and specic outdoor workout for new mums. No childcare concerns you bring your baby in your buggy! Once you start pushing youll never stop

Presents .. Mummy Mondays Bringing the best Hair Stylists in London to your home Inner Temple Hairdressing is located in the heart of London. With the most experienced stylists in the industry this is the ultimate luxury to have them visit you at home. Our aim is to make YOU look fabulous while being able to nurture your babies comfortably. Collect a group of mums who would like their hair cut, coloured and styled at home. Decide on a location; bring your baby mats, bottles of milk and of course your babies!!! We will bring the stylists, equipment and cakes. For more information contact Hayley Chown on 02073537453 or email [email protected]

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MAGICAL KIDS BIRTHDAY 2 DISCO y £3.80 nd rda CR H and 4th satu PARTIES EDIT MUNC o h f every mont TEA AL Let TIME SPECI 6 -8.30 pm M ay us create the onda ursd perfect party for your y - Th pirate or your princess, from 4 -6pm H intimate tea parties with fairy all rty Sa oween Pa r sparkles to groovy discos or tu e rday ctob magic shows.Fabulous food Su WKO and fun garunteed C S nd ber HILDREN Dis ayVWOcto , co les F of ta re do ible e C ak om, Terr th f AFE d y f for res are ood, S izes hly prep be pecial pr nu tes st or rse uri cos all f ry favo ti tumes, c cke fo ts and more in

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4292 [email protected] • Odeon, Holloway Road, every Thursday at Classes of 5 sessions. Call to book 11am, 419-427 Holloway Road, Islington, • Killick Street Health Centre, N1: Monday London, N7 6JL, 0871 22 44 007, www.odeon. 10.30am at the Health Centre, which is off the co.uk Caledonian Road (this has the advantage of • Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 being free). You can buy oil from the health 6LA 020 7613 7498 visitor for 70p. 020 7833 9939 www.richmix.org.uk/ﬁ lm_thisweek.htm#parents • Paradise Park Children's Centre 164 Baby cinema Monday’s 11am Mackenzie Rd, N7 8SE: 1.30pm Fridays • SureStart, Mildmay and Canonbury East. Local playgroups and Thursday 2.30-4.15pm. Baby massage at drop-ins Newington Green clinic (Phone Surestart on 020 These meet for a couple of hours a week, 7704 0198 for more details) usually during the term-time, and are a • Yogahome See above for details; Baby gym sessions on Thurdays good place to meet other parents/carers and children. Most have a good range of Other classes toys to suit all ages and some have speciﬁ c • Sing and Sign. Various times at St Mary’s activities each week such as singing, Community Centre on Upper Street. Contact the painting, and play-doh etc. They are teacher, Vesna on: vesnaguzina@singandsign. suitable for when baby can sit unaided up co.uk, 020 7639 8038 to about three years old. Most are run by • Baby First Aid Highbury Community Nursery fellow parents and cost between 50p and 0207 354 4292 cathyhighburynursery@tiscali. £2 including refreshments for you and your co.uk; Class of 2 sessions. Call to book. toddler. If you can, phone before you go as • Baby Sensory Learning and some may close at odd times. Many of the development classes from birth. Classes held in children centres also offer playgroups and N1, N7 and N16. www.babysensory.co.uk, 07930 844 919 drops in. See the Children’s centre section for more details on the centres.º

Cinema Islington • Baby Scream at the • Christ Church playgroup: Christ Church Hampstead Everyman Cinema Hall, Highbury Hill, N5: drop-in playgroup on • Barbican Family Film Club, Monday morning: 10–12pm Silk Street, EC1 www.barbican.org.uk/family- • Highbury Community Nursery 15 Aubert ﬁ lm-club/ Park, Islington, London, N5 1TL: Stay & Play • Everyman Cinemas, Islington, Hampstead sessions every Thursday from 10.30 – 12.00 and Belsize Park 0870 066 4777 • Highbury Fields 1 o’clock Club: ‘drop in’ www.everymancinema.com/ playgroup 1-3pm each day plus 9.30-11am on Baby club showing offer the ability for mums, Mondays dads and babies to enjoy a ﬁ lm together. Ticket • Hippo Babies: drop-in group for babies aged includes tea and cake. 0-1. Tuesdays 1.30-3pm, St Augustine’s Church • Rio cinema, Kingsland High Street, E8. : Lounge, 108 Highbury New Park. parent and baby club screening around Call 020 7359 3597 lunchtime most Tuesdays and Thursdays, • The Hippo Club: Wednesdays 10-12noon, St exclusively for parents with babies under one Augustine’s Church Lounge; it has a long waiting year old. Join on the day or email: mail@ list so get your name down early! riocinema.org.uk with name, address and baby’s Call 020 7359 3597 date of birth. See www.riocinema.co.uk • St Joan of Arc Church drop-in group

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10-12pm Tuesdays, Kelross Road, N5 swimming. Many public pools also offer • Highbury Baptist Church drop-in group baby swimming classes 10-12pm Thursdays, Highbury Fields • Britannia Sports Centre, 40 Hyde Road, • Jamboree in Finsbury Park – just inside the N1: 020 7729 4485 main gates on Seven Sisters Rd. Morning and • Ironmonger Row Baths, EC1: 020 7253 afternoon drop in sessions 4011 (www.aquaterra.org/irb.htm) • Mildmay and Canonbury East SureStart • Cally Pool, 229 Caledonain Road, N1: 020 runs a music and singing drop-in group at 7278 1890 Mayville Community Centre, Woodville Road, • Highbury Pool, Highbury Fields, N5: 020 Wednesdays 1.30pm. Tel: 020 7704 0198 7704 2312 www.aquaterra.org/highbury.htm • Mildmay Library Under Fives, Thursday • Park Road Swimming Pool, N8: 020 8341 2-3pm, Mildmay Library, 19/23 Mildmay Park 3567 N1 Tel: 020 7527 6955 • Archway Leisure Centre, Macdonald Road, • Puddle Ducks, Monday/Thursday 10-12pm, N19: 020 7281 4105 Packington Community Hall, Packington Estate, • Leyton Leisure Lagoon, 763 High Road Packington Street, N1 Tel: 020 7226 4779 E10: 020 8558 4860 • Homestart Islington drop-in, Thursday Mother and baby Wed 10.30 – 11.30, Fri 1.30 1.30-3pm, 321 Essex Rd, N1. Tel: 020 7609 – 2.30 2192 • Clissold Leisure Centre, N16, 020 7254 • Jamboree Play Hut, Morning and afternoon 5574 (www.gll.org/centre/clissold.asp) drop in sessions. Closed on Wednesday afternoons; Finsbury Park, N4 Tel: 020 8802 Specialist swimming classes 1301 • Aqua Tots 0870 758 0302 for info • Rudolph Steiner school and mother and • Little Dippers 01273 328 275 baby drop-in. In the big church on the corner • Little Dolphins 020 7751 1058 of Essex Road and Dalston Lane N1 020 7226 • Aquababies: EC1 : 020 7345 5235 or N16 4454 0800 083 2272; booking line 020 7345 5235 • Little Otters Fran Pojoll runs classes at the Hackney apparently lovely (warm, clean, “like a big luxury • St Luke’s Parents And Toddlers Group, bath” I am told) Guy’s Hospital hydrotherapy Wednesday/Friday 10.00-12.00pm, St Luke’s pool on Tuesday afternoons. Call 020 7610 Church, Homerton Terrace, off Morning Lane, 6281 E5. Tel: 020 8985 2263 • Nanuk Swim Peter Abu-Jabir runs classes on • Clissold Park One o’clock club Clissold Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday mornings at Park, near the cafe. 1-4pm, every weekday. Tel: the Thistle Hotel nr Moorﬁ elds Eye Hospital for 020 8809 6700. babies from birth onwards. New from • Victoria Park One o’clock club. Victoria September is the Birthlight AquaYoga class, Park, opposite the deer. E8, E9 which is held each Thursday evening at • Busy Bees, based at Haggerston 1 o’clock Highgate School (N6) between 9 -10 pm. Visit club in Haggerston Park; Tuesday 10-11.30am, www.nanukswim.com or www.birthlight.com Thursday 10-11.30am • Mothers’ group, Laburnum Boat Club: Libraries Mondays (020 7729 2915) Find out from your local library about story morning and baby Swimming bounce. Under-5s and their You should check whether the parents or carers can enjoy reading and pool requires your baby to learning together at dedicated story time have had their ﬁ rst and singing sessions, while the toy library immunisation before you take them

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provides a wonderful opportunity to 020 8356 2543 borrow from a great selection of toys, • Homerton Library Homerton High Street, absolutely free. E9 020 8356 1963 Toy library Mon 11.00 -1.00 Under 5's storytelling Tues 11.00- Islington Council produces a brochure of 12.00 all the local libraries and a map of how to • Shoreditch Library 80 Hoxton Street, N1 ﬁ nd them if you are not sure where your 020 8356 5236 Toy library Thurs 10.00- nearest is. Further information on the 12.00 Under 5's storytelling Fri libraries may be found online at www. 11.00-12.00 islington.gov.uk/Leisure/Libraries/Local/ default.asp • Stamford Hill Library Portland Avenue, • Central Library 2 Fieldway Crescent, N5 N16 020 8356 1964 Toy library Tues Runs an excellent baby bounce session 10.00-12.00 1.00-3.00pm; Under 5's Wed upstairs. 2.00-3.00 • Lewis Caroll Children's Library 166 • Stoke Newington Library Stoke Copenhagen Street, N1 020 7527 7936 Newington Church Street, N16 Re-opened in a new building in late 2008. 020 8356 3000 Under 5's Wed 2.00-3.00, Closed Wednesdays. Sat 11.00-12.00 • Mildmay Library Mildmay Park, N1 Mildmay and Canonbury East SureStart Children's Centres runs a toy library and under 3’s drop in Islington Sure Start Centres Over 15 from 10.30-12 on Mondays locations covering N1, N4, N5, N7, N16, • N4 Library 26 Blackstock Road, N4 2DW N19, EC1, EC3 020 7527 7800 Baby bounce sessions run Each Children’s Centre houses a nursery weekly and you will have access to drop-in and • South Library 115-117 Essex Rd, N1 stay and play sessions and health advice 020 7527 6955 Under Fives, Thur 9.30- and services to help you before and after 12pm the birth of your baby. If you are looking for • West Library Bridgeman Road, N1 advice on training or getting a job, your 020 7527 7920 Baby bounce and toy local Children’s Centre can help with that library on Wednesdays. too. Information on the children’s centres may be found at http://www.islington.gov. Hackney Council: Further information on uk/education/childrenscentres/ the libraries may be found online at http:// centres_islington/ www.hackney.gov.uk/cl-libraries • Clapton Library Northwold Road, E5 Hackney Sure Start Centres Over 20 020 8356 7480 Under 5's storytelling locations covering N1, N4, N16, E2, E5, Thurs 11.00-12.00 E8, E9. There are six children’s centre • CLR James Library 24-30 Dalston Lane, areas in Hackney, each with a strategic E8 020 8356 1962 Toy Library Fri 10.30- centre where there is a large team of 12.30 Under 5's storytelling Thurs professionals. You can access information 11.00-12.00 about Midwives, Speech and Language • Hackney Central Library Mare Street, E8 Therapists, Health Visitors from all centres. Toy library, Tues 10.30-12.00 Further information on the centres may be Storytelling and pictures, Fri 11.00-12.00 found at http://www.learningtrust.co.uk/

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childrens_centres/, or call Family (www.yogavision.co.uk) information services at 020 8820 7590. • St Mary’s hall, Defoe Road, N16 Courses run for 6 weeks (Monday at 1.30pm), Other Centres call for details of next starting date

• Coram Parents Centre Brunswick Square • Triyoga, NW3: 020 7483 3344 (behind Coram’s Fields), WC1 • Yogabase, N1: 020 7609 3030 (www. www.coram.org.uk/what-we-do/parents- yogabase.org.uk) centre/view.php?ContentPageId=5&Show • Yogahome, N16: 020 7249 2425 (www. PageElement=7 Offers drop-ins throughout yogahome.co.uk) the week, with three music groups on • Yoga Junction, N4: 020 7263 3113 Tuesday mornings, (fi rst come fi rst served (www.yogajunction.co.uk) basis) baby play on Friday mornings and a • Yoga Therapy Centre, N1: 020 7689 3040 father's group on Wednesdays (www.yogatherapy.org ) • Cass Child and Family Centre St James’s Passage, EC3A 020 76266315 Other post-natal exercise Kirsten.oliver@cityofl ondon.gov.uk • Water aerobics. Hornsey Pool, N8: 020 8341 www.sirjohncassprimary.org/centre.asp 3567 • Mums and babies exercise class 1-1.45pm Highbury Roundhouse, 71 Ronald’s Road, Mondays at Highbury Roundhouse London N5 1XB 020 7359 5916 • Post-natal exercise class 3.15-4.15pm www.highbury-roundhouse.org.uk/index. Wednesdays at John Scott Health Centre (off php Highbury Roundhouse provides a Green Lanes just south of Manor House) 020 range of activities for children and young 8510 7835 for more details people aged 0 -21 years old. Highbury • Pushy Mothers: walking and stretching with Roundhouse provides a thriving under 5’s your baby and buggy. Monday 10.30-11.30am projects for parents and childminders Highbury Fields, meeting at the Oasis Cafe; including dance, drama and music classes 12.15-1.15pm Clissold Park, meeting at Clissold House Cafe; Wednesday: 10.45-11.45am Durnsford Park, meeting at the Pavilion Cafe; Exercise 12.30-1.30pm Broomfi eld Park N13, meeting at Yoga places with the bandstand next to the lower lakes; Friday: pregnancy/post-natal yoga 11-12pm Clissold Park; 1-2pm Highbury Fields. classes, together with baby NEW Pushy Mothers on the Run Sunday 9am at yoga and baby massage. Check each Clissold Park Contact Belle Amooty on 07890 location for what they offer. 727 528 or [email protected]

• Active Birth Centre, N19: 020 7281 6760 Gyms with creches (www.activebirthcentre.com) • Virgin gym, N1: creche open from 9am to • Bodywise, E2: 020 8981 6938 5pm, 7 days a week (you can book your child in (www.bodywisehealth.org/index.html) for a maximum of 2 hours per day) 020 7014 • Clissold Leisure Centre, N16: 020 7254 9700 5574 (www.gll.org/centre/clissold.asp) • Sunstone, N16: 0800 083 2272 (www. • Holistic Health, E8: 020 7275 8434 sunstonewomen.com ) (www.holistic-health-hackney.co.uk) • Clissold Leisure Centre, N16, 020 7254 • NCT yoga contact: Julie Sumner: 020 8525 5574 (www.gll.org/centre/clissold.asp) 0025 [email protected] • Yogavision (venues: 020 7354 2450 or email [email protected] for course dates

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A-Z of National Resources

Action for Sick Children www.actionforsickchildren.org 0800 074 4519 Action on Pre-Eclampsia (APEC) www.apec.org.uk 020 8863 3271 Active Birth Centre www.activebirthcentre.com 020 7281 6760 Allergy UK www.allergyuk.org 01322 619898 Anaphylaxis Campaign www.anaphylaxis.org.uk 01252 542029 Antenatal Results and Choices www.arc-uk.org 020 7631 0285 Support for termination for abnormality, offering non-directive help and information. Association for Improvements in Maternity Services www.aims.org.uk 0870 7651433 Association for Post-natal Illness www.apni.org 020 7386 0868 Emotional and practical support for mothers with post-natal depression (PND) and/or anxiety. All staff are recovered sufferers of PND and are trained in counselling skills. Association of Radical Midwives www.radmid.demon.co.uk 01865 248159 Birth Crisis Network www.sheilakitzinger.com/BirthCrisis.htm 01865 300266 If you feel angry, shocked, outraged or upset after giving birth. Bliss (for parents of premature babies) www.bliss.org.uk 0500 618140 British Deaf Association www.bda.org.uk 02476 550936 British Dyslexia Association www.bdadyslexia.org.uk 0845 251 9002 British Epilepsy Association www.epilepsy.org.uk 0808 800 5050 Cerebral Palsy Helpline (Scope) www.scope.org.uk 0808 800 3333 Child Accident Prevention Trust www.capt.org.uk 020 7608 3828 Child Poverty Action Group www.cpag.org.uk 020 7837 7979 Childline www.childline.org.uk 0800 1111 Children’s Legal Centre www.childrenslegalcentre.com 0845 345 4345 Advice on legal and policy matters relating to children and young people. Child Support Agency www.csa.gov.uk 08457 133133 Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) www.clapa.com 020 7833 4883 The Coeliac Society www.coeliac.co.uk 0870 444 8804 Cry-sis www.cry-sis.org.uk 0845 122 8669 Diabetes UK www.diabetes.org.uk 020 7424 1000 Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood International www.dppi.org.uk 0800 0184730 Disabled Parents’ Network www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk 0870 241 0450 Down’s Syndrome Association www.downs-syndrome-london.org.uk 020 8815 0070 Family Line www.familyline.org.uk 0808 8005678 Listening service for all family-related problems. Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) www.fsid.org.uk 020 7233 2090 Gingerbread www.gingerbread.org.uk 0800 0185026 A lone parent self-help association offering support, friendship and activities. Miscarriage Association www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk 01924 200799 UK Nappy Helpline 01983 401959 The Nappy Lady www.thenappylady.co.uk 0845 652 6532 Two sources providing information on reusable nappies. National AIDS Helpline 0800 567123 National Asthma Campaign www.asthma.org.uk 0845 7010203 National Childminding Association www.ncma.org.uk 0800 169 4486

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National Council for One Parent Families www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk 0800 0185 026 Offers telephone advice and information on beneﬁ ts, tax, housing issues, child maintenance, the Child Support Agency and getting back into training and employment. National Eczema Society www.eczema.org 0800 089 1122 National Meet-a-Mum Association www.mama.co.uk 0845 120 3746 Information, advice and support for all mothers, including those suffering from post-natal depression. Puts mothers in touch with other mothers living locally. National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome www.pms.org.uk 0870 7772178 Parentline Plus www.parentlineplus.org.uk 0808 8002222 For anyone in need of support, information, advice or counselling. Patients’ Association www.patients-association.org.uk 0845 6084455 Pre-school Learning Alliance www.pre-school.org.uk 020 7697 2500 Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) www.uk-sands.org 020 7436 5881 Sainsbury’s: Eating for Pregnancy Helpline 0845 130 3646 Answers nutritional queries about pregnancy, becoming pregnant or breastfeeding. Mother’s nutrition only. Email pregnancy.nutrition@shefﬁ eld.ac.uk Single Parent Travel Club www.sptc.org.uk 0870 2416210 Smoking Helpline www.gosmokefree.nhs.uk 0800 022 4332 Toxoplasmosis Trust www.tommys.org 0870 777 3060 Twins and Multiple Births Association (TAMBA) www.tamba.org.uk 0800 138 0509 Women’s Aid National Domestic Violence Helpline www.womensaid.org.uk 0808 2000 247 Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) www.wen.org.uk 020 7481 9004 Working Families www.workingfamilies.org.uk 0800 013 0313 Advice and information on employment-related issues.

OUR SUPPORT caesarean-planning/ NETWORKS Pre-Term Support Caesarean Section Support http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nct-preterm/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nct- caesarean/ Single Parents http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ Home Birth UK (not afﬁ liated with the NCT) NCTsingleparents/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homebirthUK/ Dads **NEW GROUP PARTICULARLY Parenting Teenagers LOOKING FOR MEMBERS** http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NCTEDads NCTparentingteenagers/ Breastfeeding Information Planning a Caesarean Section http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nct-bf-info/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nct-

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Monday Goodinge Early Years Centre Corporation Street, N7 9EH 12 noon-2 pm 07785 242 768 Eva Armsby Family Centre 6 Glamis Road, The Highway, 11-1pm (please arrive Wapping, E1W 3EG by 12.30) except Bank Hols 020 7364 3015 Hornsey Road Children’s Centre 8 Tiltman Square N7 7EN 1.30-3.30pm 020 7263 7325 Clissold Park One O’Clock club Clissold Park N16 9HJ 10-11.30am (closed Bank Hols) 020 8809 6700 Tuesday Bemerton Children’s Centre 1a Coatbridge House, 1-3pm Carnoustie Drive, N1 0DX (just off Caledonian Road) 020 75274806

SureStart Kings Cross and Holborn Breastfeeding 1-3pm 0800 731 0232 Group Coram Family Parents Centre, 49 Mecklenburgh or 020 7974 7029 Square, London, WC1N 2QA

Cranwich Road Surgery 62 Cranwich Rd, N16 5JF 2-3.30pm 020 8802 2002 Wednesday Beis Brucha 208 Lordship Road, N16 5ES 10-12 noon 0300 100 0210 Collingwood Children’s Centre Buckhurst St, E1 5QT 12.30-2.30pm 020 7364 0539 Archway Breastfeeding Support Group 1-3pm Archway Children’s Centre, Vorley Road, N19 5HE 020 7527 4827 Moreland Street Breastfeeding Drop-in Moreland 1–3pm Community House, 31 Moreland Street, EC1 V8BB 020 7253 3823

Egerton Road Health Centre Breastfeeding Drop-in 1.30–3pm 2 Egerton Road, London N16 6UA 020 88001000 Thursday Haringey Breastfeeding Centre Community Room, 10–12 noon Woodlands Park Children’s Centre, 74-86 Woodlands Park 020 8802 0041 check Road (St Ann’s Road end), N15 3SD during school hols New River Green Breastfeeding Support Group 1–3pm New River Green Children’s Centre, 23 Ramsay Walk, N1 2SX

Baby Boost 1-3pm Highgate Newtown Community Centre, 25 Bertram Street, Amanda 020 7281 7031 London, N19 5CQ River Place Breastfeeding Support Group 1-3pm New River Green Children’s Centre, 020 7226 7725 23 Ramsay Walk, London N1 2SX Friday Bow Breastfeeding Group 12.30-2.30pm Overland Children’s Centre, 60 Parnell Road, Bow E3 2RU 020 7364 1925 St Saviours Priory, Dunloe St, off Queensbridge Road E2 8NS 10-12 noon 020 7749 1210 Highbury Grange Health Centre Breastfeeding 1-3pm Support Group Ambler Primary School, Blackstock Road, 020 7359 7628 London N4 2DR The National Childbirth Trust 0300 330 0771 http://www.nct.org.uk/ The Breastfeeding Network 0300 100 0210 http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/ National Breastfeeding Line 0300 100 0212 La Leche League 0845 120 2918 http://www.laleche.org.uk/

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Hackney & Islington NCT Branch Directory Winter 2010 | www.nct.org.uk/in-your-area/hackney

General Branch Contacts Branch number 0844 243 6147 Branch co-ordinators Judith and Thalia [email protected] Branch secretary Jag NEW VOLUNTEER REQUIRED [email protected] General enquiries Thalia 0844 243 6147 (option 1) [email protected] Parent services administrator Gail [email protected] To book courses 0844 243 6899 Newsletter editor Cathy [email protected] Newsletter advertising Liz [email protected]

Support and Post-natal Contacts Branch library Natasha 020 7697 9375 Breastpump hire (Medela) NEW VOLUNTEER NEEDED 020 8211 0888 Breastfeeding Counsellor Malka 020 8802 8939 Caesarean/VBAC Support Melanie [email protected] Home birth support Cathy and Sam [email protected] Multiple Births Group NEW VOLUNTEER NEEDED [email protected] More than One child group [email protected] Valley cushion hire Venetia [email protected] Parent support co-ordinators Amanda and Katie (database) [email protected] Natalie and Jo (yahoo groups) [email protected] Emma and Helen (tea groups) [email protected]

Please note – we no longer publish local tea group co-ordinator numbers as they go out of date very quickly. If you email Emma and Helen please give them your baby’s (or babies’) due date/date of birth and your postcode so that they can put you in touch with the right person. When contacting us about our groups it would be useful if you could provide us with your postcode and baby's (or babies') due date or DOB.

NCT Contacts www.nct.org.uk NCT General Enquiry Line 0300 33 00 770 NCT Membership hotline 0844 243 7000 www.nct.org.uk/join NCT Pregnancy and Birth Line 0300 33 00 772 NCT Breastfeeding line (national breastfeeding support) 0300 33 00 771 NCT Maternity Sales (maternity and baby products) 08458 100 100 www.nctsales.co.uk NCT Postnatal Line 0300 330 0773 (supporting parents with the emotional, physical and social changes involved in the transition to parenthood, and life with a new baby – currently open 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday but due to be extended in 2010) NCT HQ 0844 243 6000 www.nct.org.uk

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winter_2010_covers.indd 3 30/11/10 12:45:08 winter_2010_covers.indd 4 30/11/10 12:45:10