National neonatal mental health week I am a mum to three our first baby was very poorly and unfortunately died we now have two more little ones but I still think about those 12 days on the neonatal unit and yes it definitely impacted on mental health. I am also a neonatal nurse which is my passion since having my first baby. I just wanted share my experience on both sides of the coin.  I have nursed neonates all over the north west for the last three and a half years being part of many babies different journeys. Watching parents as they go to hell and back but also being there for many tears of joy. I do feel very privileged to do the job I do sharing moments that are so raw with emotion. You see neonatal units are different to any other ward to me it feels like walking into a womb! With a comforting smell (usually freshly washed sheets and toast). Weather your stay is short or long it affects you!  When most    families see the two little pink l...

How to survive the chicken pox: Disclaimer: I’m writing this as a mum, not a nurse & if you are worried then you should get in touch with the relevant health care provider/ GP or pharmacist! Also a big thank you to my followers who have helped me along the way with your tips & tricks I thought I would share them all! Getting them comfortable:  1st of all calpol (paracetamol) is a life saver so get that in plenty of that in! Vira soothe : is great on spots (stops the itching and reduces scarring). Bicarbonate soda : in the bath also helps. Piriton : also stops the itching & helps with sleeping. Don’t give: Ibruprofen-  NHS website advises against it. Calamine lotion : apparently it doesn’t work aswell as they thought years ago (personal choice though). Bathing: We usually bath & hair wash every day however. With my little one having chicken pox in her hair I reduced the hair washing as it was irritating  her sc...

A cows milk protein allergy Christmas I loved dairy before we went dairy free it made up about 60% of my diet! So being dairy free was challenging. Now Christmas is upon us an I was dreading it all the delicious treats I would not be able to eat! But fear not I have a few tips to help CMPA sufferers through the festive period. We had our Christmas early so I have complied a list of things that are good substitutes ( I say good because it’s never going to be the same as the real thing). Also things to avoid during the festive period. Christmas dinner  Starter I made tomato soup to start, that way we could all eat it and I may my own bread rolls (tomato soup & rolls recipe is in my highlights on Instagram - but it you don’t want to make rolls you can always buy half baked dinner rolls from Morrison’s you just pop them in the oven for 10 mins the are delicious I have also tried them and they are dairy & soy free). Parma ham and melon is also a nice e...

This is my second blog on breastfeeding but I feel like I am a seasoned breast feeder - (see earlier blog) I expressed for my first babe, my second babe I fed for 17 months expressed an breast and my third babe is exclusively breastfed with breast and EBM - expresses breast milk). One of my best friends is due to have a baby soon and wanted them to know the ins an outs of breast feeding, I said I would write her a little info booklet then I thought I may aswell share it will all. First things first! I’m going to be brutally honest! It’s hard graft (at first well maybe for the first six weeks to eight weeks) but let me tell you it’s completely worth it! And once you get past the initial hard bit - it’s gets 100% easier you have milk on tap any time day or night at the right temperature, right amount for your baby, no worries about were your going to make a bottle. Many woman say they can’t make enough for their baby or their milk didn’t come in. This is often a misconception as...

Since Doll & Winn we’re babies we have always taken them swimming from around 10 weeks old! One of my priorities in life is making sure the girls can swim, Doll goes swimming everyday (when lee is home) and  3-4 times a week (when lee is away), Winn on the other hand goes 1 to 2 times a week (purely because Winn is struggling with weight gain at the moment I don’t want to over exert her). The first reason is safety, we live in an area with lots of canals and beaches around. Equipping the girls with the knowledge and skills of how to get them selves in and out of the pool could potentially be life  saving. (In my opinion taking them from an early age gets them used to the water so there is no fear). The second reason is it’s really good exercise ( and the girls sleep so well after it too - I get all my jobs done after swimming) but it’s a great way of exercising every part of the body and it’s fun!  Also swimming and getting in an out of the pool is re...