Got an iPhone? So many people do these days and they seem to promise they can do almost anything except open the fridge and pour you a glass of wine once your babe has gone to bed. From fertility calenders to helping you choose your baby name they’ve got it covered. (I’m not being cynical here either, I have one and I love it). But  I’m not convinced by the latest on offer; The Cry Translator.

This iPhone application claims to (suprise suprise as the name suggests) allow parents and caregivers the ability to translate a babies cry in 10 seconds, thereby reducing parents anxiety and allowing them to respond to their childs needs. Simply by recording the sound of your babies cry the application then deciphers the cry and illuminates one of 5 icons to tell you which physiological or emotional state your baby is experiencing; hungry, sleepy, annoyed, stressed or bored.

One must surely ask have we lost our ability to trust in our parenting skills and rely on our parental instinct a little? Nowadays we rely on medical advice from the internet, can pause live television whilst we get up to settle the baby, look up any baby woe in a book to help us with a diagnosis and now translate a babies cry, what is next?  Isn’t part of the parenting learning process and getting to know your baby learning their different squeaks and squeals?

Whilst technology might have little faith in our parenting skills I think we amount to more than that and should have a little more faith in ourselves. So iPhone can keep their Cry Translator, but when they can pour me a glass of wine I’ll be on the couch waiting!

Tags: cry translator

Who doesn’t love a cup of tea and a still warm from the oven cookie? There’s something about home baked ones too, I think they’re yummier and they make your house smell nice whilst they are cooking.

If you’re happy for your little ones to indulge in the odd sweet treat once in a while then this is a nice recipe that they can help with.

150gr soft unsalted butter

1/2 cup caster sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract (remember use the good stuff)

1 egg

1 3/4 cups plain flour

1/2 cup dark chocolate bits (if dark isnt your think then go for white or just do 1 cup of milk choc bits)

1/2 cup milk chocolate bits

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Beat butter, sugars and vanilla together until creamy and smooth, then add an egg. Stir in 1/2 the flour combine, then add the second half. Add chocolate bits and ensure they are evenly distributed amongst the batter.

Spoon tablespoons onto the tray and squash slightly with the back of the spoon. Back for 12 - 18 minutes or until golden. They won’t crisp up until you take them out of the oven. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Boil the kettle. Sit back. Relax and munch on a cookie or three.

These will keep for up to a week in an air tight container, but they don’t usually last that long in our house.

Enjoy!

Tags: Choc chip cookies

Hands down I’m a big fan of wrapping, whatever fabric takes your fancy I believe they are a godsend, particularly with an unsettled, over tired child. And even when babes grow out of being wrapped they are still useful for shading prams, using as a top sheet for day sleeps or as one of ours currently is…draped over the chair next to Goldilocks’ cot in case of any bottle spills.

I didn’t discover the L’iL Fraser wraps until well after both Goldilocks and I were over wrapping but many of my friends have used them and they are fantastic. One such friend in fact, mentioned to me the other day that her sister-in-law calls them the ‘Mohammed of all wraps’. Maybe this is enough of a wrap (pardon the pun) in itself, but let me bestow some of the worldly virtues of L’il Fraser upon you so you can make up your own mind!

Made of 100% cotton the wraps grow with your child. Whilst still maintaining its shape, it rather marvellously stretches, meaning you can get a nice snug wrap no matter how big or small your babe. And the cotton means your babe is kept cool in summer and warm in winter.

At 120cm square the wraps are big enough for those still hanging on to wrapping their big babes but also makes it an ideal cot throw.

Practical, durable, comfortable and available in a range of fashion forward colours and designs (My pick of the bunch the marle grey and white stripe) these wraps are an essential item on on any new mum’s list of ‘must haves’.

That’s a wrap! (sorry….had to do it!)

Tags: L'il Fraser, muslin wraps, wrapping a baby

Right now I am loving the new Think King products! Ticking all my boxes of handy, stylish and functional these products are great accessories for any pram.

We have just graduated from a large pram to a stroller, soooo much easier lifting in and out of the car and as Goldilocks gets heavier our pram was becoming more and more work to push. However, I am desperately missing the big basket on the bottom where I shoved a mysterious collection of groceries, my handbag, suncream, hat, dog lead and whatever else we’d picked up on our travels! But these Think King mighty buggy hooks are hitting the spot and making the transition easier!

I have one for my handbag and one for whatever else we are lugging about at the time. The velcro strap means you can pop them on and off when need be and the lightweight aluminium hooks will hold even my heavy bag!!! At $19.95 for a set of two they are well worth it. They would also make a great practical baby shower gift…Mum’s would love it!

And as if they weren’t making life easy enough for us Think King are also making a soft buggy cup holder that also easily attaches with velcro and like a third hand will hold coffee, water, keys, snacks or your sunscreen!

Think King….think easy and convenient!!

Tags: buggy hooks, pram cup holder, pram hooks, Stroller hooks, Think King

Hopefully you checked out our blog yesterday on the wonderful Wean Machine. In the spirit of all things mush today we’re bringing you some great recipe ideas for when introducing your littlest loved one into the world of solid food.

Weaning a babe is a slow and steady process and one that should not be jumped into without adequate information, ensure you consult your GP, local early childhood centre or a reliable to text with help on what to introduce when in order to ensure your baby has no allergic reactions.

Very first foods should be easy to digest. Root vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato and parsnip are all good starters, as they have a naturally sweet flavour. Apple and pear also make great fruit purees (I wasn’t opposed to mixing a bit of pear in with veges in order to get Goldilocks interested, particularly in the green ones!). Avocados and bananas make great foods for out and about as they don’t require cooking and with The Wean Machine they will be mush in seconds!

As with the wide variety of fruit and vegetables available there’s also a wide range of cooking methods for when weaning your baby. Baking (don’t be afraid to pop an extra sweet potato in the oven if you’re making a roast dinner), boiling (be careful not to overcook for too long or the nutrients will be lost), microwaving and steaming (probably the best way to preserve nutrients and vitamins). No matter what cooking method the main aim is to slowly introduce a wide variety of foods to ensure your baby gets used to a wide variety of tastes, this will also ensure a balanced future diet and hopefully not too much of a fussy eater!

First Puree Ideas…both vege and fruit!

Sweet potato and carrot

Pumpkin and Broccoli

Carrot and Peas

Banana and Pear

Apple and Pear (add a pinch of cinnamon if you are feeling adventurous)

Sweet Potato, Pumpkin and a leaf or two of English Spinach

Peach and Apple

Apricot and Apple

Cauliflower and Sweet Potato

Really the combinations are only limited to your imagination. So be adventurous together, start your baby off on an exciting introduction to the world of solids and most of all have a bit of fun with it! It’s a messy process whichever way you look at it, so have the camera ready, some old towels to wipe up the mess and a run bath just in case a full wipe down won’t cut the mustard!!!

Enjoy Recipe Tuesday!

Tags: first food recipes, The Wean Machine, weaning

We are super super excited to bring you this fabulous new product! Drumroll please…………………The Wean Machine!

I can still clearly remember introducing Goldilocks to solids, at the time it was recommended you introduce at 6 months (this has since changed to 4 months) but she was big and a piggy so I started at about 17 weeks. My GP told me not to rush it, stating that once you start there really is alot of preparation and carry on involved. I ignored her advice and loving mixed up rice cereals with ease. It was only when I started on the vege purees, the peeling, the blending, the freezing in little containers, the defrosting and so on and so on that I realised what she was talking about. Gone where the days of whipping out my boob or a bottle with ease, minimum mess and minimum tidying. All of a sudden I was blending and mashing and washing tiny little containers. It was timely and well….to be honest not that exciting wondering which vegetables I should mix and match. This gadget takes the stress out of the weaning experience producing maximum results for minimum effort and mess!

Let it be said straight up I’m not a huge gadget girl or as I like to call it ‘paraphanalia’ girl. In my experience, particularly in the kitchen you can get by on a few decent pots, pans and utensils. I’m of the school where I don’t have good glasses, china or serveware. I like to use everything all the time. You never know what’s around the corner and it makes me happy to drink out of nice wine glasses rather than save them for special occassions. I’ve found this philosophy also translates to having a child. You start out kinda like when planning a wedding, thinking you need all the bells and whistles and then realise that most loved things turn out to often be the most practical. Well here is one such piece of ‘paraphanalia’ that would be TOP of my wish list if I was introducing a child to solids.

This easy to use Wean Machine contraption makes baby food wherever you are in three easy peasy steps.

1) You simply fill the bowl to the recommended amount

2) Squeeze the handles together

3) Spoon feed your baby (with the included spoon of course) straight from the bowl!

Voila! It couldn’t be more easy!

Best used on ripe fruits and well cooked vegetables, really the options are only limited to your imagination and what is ’squidgeable’ ie you can’t go feeding a t-bone steak or piece of uncooked apple through The Wean Machine, but cooked pumpkin, potato, pasta in sauce, broccoli, strawberries, bananas and avacados will all make scrumptious mush for your new little eater (not necessarily mixed together!).

The product includes 2 grill covers for the different stages of weaning, is top shelf dishwasher safe and of course it’s BPA and PVA free…one can only ask what’s not to love? Top marks to the inventors of The Wean Machine and…thankyou for making life easier for us!

Check out our weekly Recipe Tuesday blog tomorrow for some exciting weaning puree recipe ideas!

Tags: The Wean Machine, weaning

I love ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ book by Eric Carle, it was one of my favourites growing up and I am delighted to now be reading it to Goldilocks.  For those of you who aren’t aware of it, it’s the story of a caterpillar and what he eats for a week before turning into a beautiful butterfly. The illustrations are lovely and the story sweet.

Equally as sweet is the lovely new Blik assorted colour caterpillar wall graphic. This fun little wall sticker will bring just the right amount of colour to any nursery, childs room or play room. As you know I love a wall sticker - minimum commitment, maximum results, just my cup of tea.

So if you’re in the mood for a little colour and a very hungry caterpillar on your wall, check out this little critter from Blik. Hopefully it doesn’t play tricks and turn into a beautiful butterfly when you’re not looking!!!

Tags: blik wall graphics, Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, wall stickers

Made from 100% natural rubber and non toxic paints this lovely little Vulli Giraffe teether is great for infants and toddlers when those pesky little teeth are coming in.

Right now we could do with one. Goldilock’s canine teeth are coming through and I’m reminded what it’s like to have a newborn as she wakes up screaming every hour or so in the middle of the night! I should have taken a leaf out of her bestie’s book long ago - he  carries his Sophie with much pride and doesn’t like it if anyone touches it. Having had it since he was a baby, he hasn’t outgrown it and still loves it.

At $34.00 they are a little more costly than your plastic ring that you stick in the fridge (which, can I say I never had any success with) but they will stand the test of time and are suitable from infancy to toddlerdem! I also like the tradition of them too. They are still made exactly the same was as they were in France when first produced in 1961. Like they say….if it ain’t broke don’t fix it?

Tags: teethers, teething rings, Vulli

I pulled this recipe out of a Delicious magazine over 2 years ago and had never made it till yesterday. In 2010 I’ve made a promise to myself that I will use my recipe books more often (so watch this space!), so what better way to start  than when I had two of my lovely girlfriends and their littlies over for afternoon tea. They were willing guinea pigs and oohhed and aaahhed accordingly (including when I admitted to accidently leaving out an egg…apparently you couldn’t tell!!). One has even asked for the recipe, so I figure that’s a sign it was a winner.

So here it is Miss Annie, just for you….

180gr unsalted butter

160gr caster sugar

4 eggs (but 3 seemed to work!!!!)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract (don’t scrimp here, use the paste, not the liquid essence stuff)

1 1/2 cups or 225gr plain flour

Pinch salt

1 tsp baking powder

10 small apricots

Icing sugar to dust

Heat oven to 180′ and grease and line a 20 x 28cm  cake pan.

Using an electric mixer cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

Sift the flour, salt and baking powder into the batter and fold until well combined. Spoon batter into cake pan.

Cut apricots around the circumference, remove the stone and arrange in rows cut side up on top of the batter (a gentle push into the matter is all you need).

Bake for25 - 30 minutes or until skwer comes out clean. Cool slightly or to room temperature and dust with icing sugar. Cut into small squares and serve. Either by itself, with a nice rich plain yoghurt,  a spoon of double cream or if you’re serving it warm as a pudding then a huge dollop of vanilla icecream would be delish!

Now a quick note about apricots. They are expensive, so if you’re watching the pennies the recipe suggests that you could subsitute with plums.

Mmmmmm delicious! Enjoy!

Tags: Apricot cake

Normally I would uhm and ahhh about posting a birth story on our blog. Simply because often it can look like quite a dreadful experience. I was lucky enough to meet Amanda five years ago on a parenting forum when we both had our now five year olds. At the time she had her first baby and I had my third, Amanda has since gone on to have three more babies and yes is now the proud mother of four under five!
Little Jemima arrived three weeks ago and Amanda shared her birth video, I watched it and was really moved with emotions, in fact I sat there in tears, my body was jerking, I was half cheering but I still had a big smile on my face it is the most amazing birth I have ever been priveliged enough to watch and I know many woman will be very inspired to strive for the same experience after viewing it.

Amanda, has also written out her birth story I ahve not edited because I know if you are pregnant and anything like me you have a huge thirst for any tiny bit of information about the road called birth you are heading towards, even if it is your third or fourth. So grab a drink and enjoy the read. To Little Jemima A great big welcome to the world gorgeous girl!

Pregnancy

This was my fourth pregnancy, and my easiest by far. I decided early on to keep as fit and healthy as possible, I did aerobics, yoga, pilates, and followed a very healthy diet. But I didn’t want to think too much about the labour. Although I’d had three easy, drug-free births, I just didn’t want to do labour again.
Eventually, around the 20 week mark, I decided to face reality, that baby was coming out, and I might as well start getting used to the idea. I looked into Hypnobirthing and Calmbirth classes but there were none on at times that we could organise a babysitter for our three current children. Plus, my births are easy, it’s only the last five minutes that hurt like buggary. Was it really worth $400 to maybe have a calm final five minutes of labour?

So we decided to do Hypnobirthing at home. I got books on the subject, tapes, CDs and joined the Active Birth Preparation group on EB to chat with other women who were also preparing for drug-free, active births. Hubby and I began our Hypnobirthing practice – with mixed results. Some nights we had a positive time, others we felt that things just wouldn’t come together. The time he tried to massage my back with the backs of his fingers, but scratched me horribly with his sharp, uneven nails was a lowlight. Other times we’d only get half way through a planned session before we decided to ditch it and make love instead.

Had a massive scare at 37 weeks. Baby had turned transverse lie – sideways – and I was looking at a caesarean section if baby stayed that way. I’d already been having pre-labour contractions and expecting them to turn into real labour soon. Fortunately labour did not eventuate and baby turned head down within the week – making an external cephalic version unnecessary. I wanted baby out before she had a chance to turn transverse on me again, and also before school started.

And so began the weeks of nightly, prelabour contractions that disappeared every morning. I then found out that the bath at my birth centre was being dismantled on Monday, 1st Feb, my due date, as they were moving it to another room. I really wanted another waterbirth – so I upped the natural induction stuff – sex every night, nipple stimulation every night, I got herbs, I got a homeopathic remedy and I paid a fortune for acupuncture.

Clayton’s Labour

Saturday 30th January I knew was going to be the day. I’d had some beautiful contractions overnight and they didn’t disappear until almost lunchtime – far later than usual. We knew they’d start up “for real” later that night. Afterall, I’d had a bloody show a week earlier – surely it was time to go into labour.
I called my friend who was to take photographs of the birth over, we bundled the boys off to their uncle’s and prepared for the big event. After dinner I started getting some mild contractions, not much, but thought a good long walk with hubby would help. We went out and admired the full moon, it was a beautiful, warm evening, and then BANG – they started. It was all so intense I nearly had to crawl up the driveway. But the pain was running down my buttocks and into my legs – not much pain in the uterus. Was this normal? Wasn’t sure as I’d only ever had posterior labours before and could never feel much through the back pain. A couple of hours later we decided to phone the birth centre and let them know I was labouring and would come in shortly - have the bath ready!

I was told that no midwife was on duty who was accredited to do waterbirths until 7am. What?? No way!!!! I made the stupidest decision ever and decided to try to slow down this labour so that I’d time it that I gave birth after 7am. Afterall, I’d been able to stop the contractions every night just by going to sleep and they’d usually disappear by breakfast. So I lay down, listening to a hypnosis birthing tape and visualised the contractions become more and more mild.

However I stopped labour completely. Next morning I was distraught – a long walk got some contractions back – but they weren’t labour contractions – just the mild prelabour contractions I’d been having. Sent friend home, went to bed with a headache.

Monday, my due date, was my daughter’s first day of school – obviously couldn’t have the baby that day. Tuesday was my nephew’s birthday – had been told very early on that I wasn’t allowed to have the baby that day. Wednesday was my son’s first day of kinder – couldn’t have baby that day. Thursday was a good day to have a baby – but damnit – it was sooooo hot. Had an appointment that afternoon – There was the usual worry about measuring small (I measure small for every pregnancy) – I asked for a stretch and sweep as I was completely over it all. Midwife said she’d be surprised if I wasn’t in labour within 24 hours. WooHooo!!! Somebody seemed confident this baby would come out.

Labour

Got the usual pre-labour contractions that night but this time I was excited – somebody had told me I was going to have a baby – and they meant it. Contractions didn’t disappear when the sun came up and the children awoke – woohooo. I’d even put the TENS on. Once the boys were taken to daycare and our daughter was at school we decided to go for a walk to ram the contractions up a notch.
As we were walking out the door a contraction hit that had me bent over practising my deep breathing for real! Hooray!!! Hubby tactlessly asked “Are we gonna make it to the shops?” and copped a mouthful for asking questions during a contractions. “Babe, we practiced for months, get with it.” Put on raincoat and used umbrella – I’d put on makeup and straightened my hair – wanted to stay looking good for the hospital photos!

So we go and eat the worst breakfast in the history of cafe dining. I was having some nicely intense surges every three or four minutes (never actually timed them). I would stand up, lean on the table and swing my hips from side to side, eyes closed, deep, deep breathing through nostrils.

I had to go to the bank & get money out – left hubby in the cafe. Was just beginning to cross the road when I felt a strong one starting. Run back to side of road. Put my nose up against the lightpole and swing hips while breathing deeply. Thankfully I live in an extremely dodgy suburb so the sight of women dancing with lightpoles in the rain deserves a raised eyebrow, but not a second glance.

We decided to get home and go to hospital. Previous births have escalated steeply toward the end, so we didn’t want to leave it too late. There was no contraction for five, six, maybe seven minutes but then as soon as I stood up – Bang – a massive one, then another. I’d stick my nose into hubby’s chest and feel his strong arms around me – such a comfort. I’d concentrate on swinging my hips and deep breathing. I picked a beautiful rose from our garden – not only did it smell divine, but as I held it, I visualised my cervix opening, just like the rosebud.

We picked up our daughter from school – she had asked very early on if she could come to the birth, phoned her support person and the videotographer.

Made it to the hospital without drama – had contractions every few minutes on the way from the car park to the birth centre. My daughter held my hand during a few of them. It was such a special moment –for the first time ever, it was her giving comfort to me. Got shown our room – time was about 12.30pm maybe a little later.

I love the birth centre, even though it was well documented that I’d planned a waterbirth, they went out of their way to accommodate me. Bed up, bed down, beanbag, towels, water, ice, cd player. I put up some drawings our five year old daughter had done showing the new baby in mummy’s arms and set up the room to make it as homely as I could.

Felicity, our daughter’s support person arrived, and Jac the videotographer. Felicity had been on notice for over four weeks – she’d been sober, sleeping with her phone, and checking it constantly during the day. We were all so excited – finally the big day was here. Labour was still easy going. I’d lean into the beanbag which was placed on top of the bed and swing my hips

At 1.10pm I sent our daughter out and climbed onto bed, leaning into beanbag. I began listening to an Hypnosis for Childbirth tape. It was time to take this labour business seriously.

Almost as soon as I started the tape I heard a new midwife come in. The idea of hypnobirthing is simply to get into a deep state of relaxation so your body can do what it has to do without any muscle tension working against you. So there was no way I was interrupting my concentration in order be polite and do the introductions and small talk. She worked around me, managing to get doppler readings and even feeling the strength of the contractions with her fingertips.

Towards the end of the tape I was starting to lose focus. How dilated was I? When would my waters break? Concentrate Amanda. I hope I’m nearly fully dilated. Imagine if I’m only 5 or 6 cm. Breathe girl, breathe. Well I can keep this calm in the meantime, but I don’t think I can keep it up for hours. Take a deep breath, listen to the tape.

As the tape finished I finally had a chat with Tammy the midwife. I asked for a pile of towels to sit on in case my waters broke anytime soon and some brief small talk that I don’t recall now. I requested that some classical music was played LOUDLY on the CD player. I wanted to imagine myself conducting the orchestra, and I needed to drown out any other thoughts. Little did I know there were ten minutes to go. Hubby was whispering affirmations in my ear “calm and relaxed, calm and relaxed” and even though I started to get restless, I really did imagine myself being calm and relaxed. I’d rock back and forth, banging into the beanbag ahead but the pressure of bulging waters was incredible.

Finally they went with an explosion. I got that moment of doubt that I think all women get “Is this me wetting myself or is it the amniotic fluid?” I didn’t care, I pushed it all out gleefully. We quickly got my knickers off and then the videotographer pressed record and went running downstairs to get our daughter. Surely it wouldn’t be long now.

With the next contraction I gave out a couple of moans. l I like to think that if I’m going to make noise that it would be a great roar of a lioness, but the video shows that I actually gave a couple of chicken squawks. There was a head coming down the birth canal. I put my hand down there. The video shows the midwife telling me that it’s more waters, but I didn’t hear that, as I was busy birthing my baby’s head. That was the most incredible thing I have ever done. I guided my baby’s head out – and she came out with a rush! Turns out her head isn’t much bigger than a tennis ball, so it’s no wonder she flew out like she was on a waterslide.

I didn’t hear Tammy calling for a second midwife, nor the conversation between her and hubby over how beautiful this newly birthed head was. I kept thinking “I’m about to have a baby” and “Oh crap, I have push out some shoulders.” With my third child the head, shoulders and chest all came out in the one push. Next contraction, to the tune of Vivaldi’s Spring I, I gave a half-hearted push. Afterall my body had done a good job without any help from me so far. Plop, there was a baby between my legs.

I looked down to see this tiny little creature looking up at me. She smiled. She’d done a mighty job of entangling herself in the cord so we undid that as I looked to see that she was, in fact, a little girl, just as we’d suspected all along. Things had happened so quickly that I was still fully dressed. I pulled up my singlet to get her onto my chest and couldn’t believe how warm she was. Like a hot water bottle. She smiled again. Weird – none of the others had done that.

Hubby and I were ecstatic – It had all been so easy. A few minutes later our daughter, Felicity and Jac arrive back incredulous that it had happened so quickly. I cut the cord and then we got our daughter to do her “job” which was to count all the fingers and toes – so even though she missed the actual birth, she is still proud of her role.

Placenta came mostly out – little bit was stuck, waited for another ten minutes, then gave a little tug and out it plopped. I had a shower and then we all settled in to play “Who does she look like?” and “Isn’t she the most beautiful baby you ever saw?” with the occasional “Oh, that was so easy, I want to do it again” from me.

All in all it was easily the best birth by far. I had always considered myself a bit of a birthing goddess but this birth merely confirmed it. The hypnobirthing practice we’d done in the months leading up to the birth was put to good use. Even though I didn’t listen to nearly as many tapes as I thought I’d need, I’m not complaining that labour was shorter than expected. And I don’t feel any regret that I didn’t get another waterbirth, well, maybe only a twinge. I’m doubtful that I’d have gotten a waterbirth anyway. By the time things were intense enough to warrant getting in the bath, I doubt I’d have had time to walk to the bath, take off my clothes and climb in. And I wonder if I would have spent the labour thinking “Is it painful enough to get in the bath yet?” which would have had me concentrating on the pain, rather than relaxing.

My labour wasn’t painfree as some hypnobirthing books promise, but it wasn’t painful either. The most unpleasant part was merely the bag of waters bulging. And it wasn’t really even hard work – certainly not physically – well not for childbirth at least. It took a lot of effort to stay relaxed and that was the hard work.
People ask “How long was the labour?” and I don’t know how to answer. After three weeks of pre-labour, it was such a smooth transition to birth that there was no definite stage one, transition, stage two, crowning etc. And it doesn’t matter – all that matters is that we have a healthy little baby, and that mummy is fighting fit. I’d love to do it all again, but like a great sportsman retiring at his peak, I now hang up my birthing cap as I move onto the next stage of my life: guiding Jemima and her three siblings from babies into happy, well adjusted adults.

Jemima Anne Jane
Born 13.50 5/2/2010
Weight: 2.910 kg or 6lb 6oz
Length: 49cm
Head: 33cm

For all the cloth wearing nappy lovers out there Amanda also owns and runs MandyMac Bamboo Nappies with a fab reputation, I know where does she find the time?

Do you have a story you would like to share? we pay $25 in credit to spend at The Hip Infant for every story, review or tid bit we publish, for further info visit here

Tags: Birth Story, Hypnobirthing, Mandymac cloth nappies