the national childbirth trust ea… · doula service provided by our birth companions an nct birth...
TRANSCRIPT
The National Childbirth Trust East Cheshire Branch
Wilmslow, Poynton and Macclesfield
Summer 2012
Inside: Your baby’s sleep Train travel with children Macclesfield Dads’ group Please don’t throw me away. Pass me on to someone else.
© NCT Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace, London W3 6NH, Reg. Charity No. 801395
Doula service provided by our Birth Companions
An NCT Birth Companion will:
• Meet with you three times before the
birth
• Help you put together a support plan to
specify what you want for your birth
• Stay with you throughout your labour
and birth, including liaising with mid-
wifery staff to allow you to focus on
your own needs
• Support you with active birth skills, such
as positions, massage, breathing and
relaxation techniques
• Meet with you again after the birth to
discuss how things went
Evidence suggests that supportive
care from a woman during labour
can reduce the need for pain
medication, shorten labour and
increase women’s satisfaction
with their birth experience.
For more details, or to book,
please call 07525 403 674 or email
Until May 2012 book a student NCT
Birth Companion for £250. Standard
price £600 with reductions for those
in financial hardship.
Now available in your area
University trained Birth Companions provide one-to-one emotional and
physical support from late pregnancy, through labour, birth and into the first
few hours with your baby.
Registered charity no. 801395
Continuous compassionate support,
tailored to suit you and your family,
wherever and however you choose to
give birth.
Contents
3
Disclaimer Any views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) or the Editor. The information in this newsletter is intended for the use of NCT members only in connection with NCT activities and may not be used for any commercial purposes. The conditions of the Data Protection Act 1998 may apply. The appearance of an advertisement in this newsletter does not imply endorsement of the advertiser or its products and services by the NCT, nor does it constitute a recommendation. The NCT does not accept liability for any loss, injury or damage arising out of goods or services sold through any advertisement in this newsletter. Any discount offered to NCT members by any advertisement is done so entirely at the discretion of the advertiser. NCT will not compensate any member who is refused a discount from a third party. The National Childbirth Trust (HQ), Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace, Acton, London W36NH. Enquiry Line Tel: 0300 00770 Website: www.nct.org.uk Registered Charity Number
801395
Summer 2012
Welcome from the Co-Chairs & Editor ..................... 4
Branch contacts ...................................................... 5
Branch news ........................................................... 6
Letter to the Editor ................................................... 8
Pregnancy & Birth: What we wish we’d known ........ 9
Out & About: Train travel with children .................. 10
Choosing the right nursing bra .............................. 14
NCT East Cheshire diary ....................................... 17
Out & About: Macclesfield dads’ group .................. 21
Ask the Expert: Sleep ............................................ 23
Macclesfield Maternity Unit: Normal Birth event .... 25
Hypnobirthing ........................................................ 26
Breastfeeding support ........................................... 28
National NCT contacts .......................................... 29
NCT EC: Annual Members’ Meeting ...................... 30
National NCT news ............................................... 32
Advertising rates ................................................... 34
Cover photo
Yasmin and Sureya enjoying ice cream in the sun.
If you would like to send a photo for the cover of our
next edition (autumn) please e-mail
Welcome
4
Letter from the Co-Chairs
Hello and welcome to the summer edition of
your newsletter. Our names are Emily and
Dipika and we are the new co-chairs of the
East Cheshire branch. Emily (on the right)
lives in Wilmslow and is mum to Charlie; she
is also expecting her second baby at the
end of June. Dipika lives in Macclesfield and
is mum to Yasmin and Sureya. As well as
being co-chair she is also in charge of
advertising and is the breast pump agent for
the branch.
We would like to take this chance to say a
massive thank you to Stacey for all of her
hard work over the last couple of years. She
has done a brilliant job of taking the branch
from strength to strength and we have been
very lucky to have her at the helm for as
long as we did. We would like to wish her
luck as she embarks on her new adventure
of becoming a mum to twin boys who are
due at the end of June. She has left some
massive boots to fill but we are looking
forward to getting our teeth stuck in to what
we hope will be a fun, interesting and
challenging role.
Dipika and Emily
From
the Editor
Welcome to our
summer newsletter!
Firstly I’d like to say
a big hello to our
new co-chairs,
Dipika and Emily,
who will be taking
the branch onwards
and upwards!
We hope you’ll find something of interest
in our newsletter. For those of you going
away this summer by train, our treasurer
Amanda shares her tips for stress-free
train travel with children (page 10)
Sleep is an issue that every new parent
worries about. On page 23 local child
psychologists More than Custard answer
your questions on this hot topic. Thanks
for sending in your questions. The more
questions we get from our own members
and readers the more relevant the
newsletter will be to you.
We also have an update on
Macclesfield’s Dads’ and Male Carers’
group from local dad Gareth Ensor (page
21) – what a great way for dads and
children to spend a Saturday morning
(and maybe give mums some me-time
too)!
Lynn [email protected]
NCT East Cheshire Committee & Contacts
5
The persons listed below are all volunteers who currently run the East Cheshire branch committee. They will do their best to help you and answer any questions you may have.
Branch chairs Dipika Morgan & Emily Titley
Advertising, breastpump agent Dipika Morgan [email protected]
Bumps and Babies coordinator Sarah Ensor [email protected]
Events coordinator Victoria Jones
Maternity sales [email protected]
Membership coordinator Jo Thorp [email protected]
Nearly New Sales team [email protected]
Newsletter editor Lynn Hall [email protected]
Parent support Sarah Ensor [email protected]
Postnatal leader Liz Fickling [email protected]
Publicity officer Gemma Kerr [email protected]
Treasurer Amanda Watmough [email protected]
Valley cushion agent, homebirth support, trainee antenatal teacher
Holly Platt Wells
Website coordinator Ellen Brown
Branch telephone 0844 243 6115 Option1: Local events and general enquiries Option2: Nearly New Sales Option3: Branch newsletter enquiries and advertising Option4: Membership secretary Option5: Bra / breast pump
Antenatal and Postnatal class bookings: Amanda 0844 243 6971 / [email protected]
Web: www.nct.org.uk/branches/east-cheshire
Friends of East Cheshire NCT (Facebook)
@eastcheshirenct (Twitter)
NCT East Cheshire News
6
New co-chairs for NCT East Cheshire
At our AMM in April, Stacey Davies stepped down as chair and handed over the
baton to new co-chairs Dipika Morgan and Emily Titley. Dipika has been with the
branch for a few years as advertising coordinator and also somehow manages to
organise the Nearly New Sales and coordinate breastpump hire on top of all that!
Emily was our Parent Support Link and will very soon be juggling her role as co-
chair with a new baby. Dip and Emily will be carrying forward all the fantastic work
that Stacey has done for the branch and have lots of new events and activities in
the pipeline too, so watch this space!
NCT Baby first aid courses
Our first two Baby first aid courses took place in Wilmslow in April and were
extremely popular, with both courses booking up well in advance. The two-hour
course covers topics that are of concern to parents of young children, such as
CPR, choking and burns. After the course one participant said, “I thought the
workshop was excellent and pitched at just the right level. The trainer made
everyone feel relaxed and it was a good level of interaction, discussion and
hands-on practice which was invaluable.” We will run more first aid courses in the
autumn. Please email [email protected] if you’d like us to
let you know once a date has been set.
New Bumps & Babies group at JJ’s Sensory Play Centre
We are starting a new Bumps & Babies group on Tuesday afternoons at JJ’s
Sensory Play Centre, Snape Road, Macclesfield SK10 2NZ. The group will run
from 1.30pm to 3.30pm (term time only), starting Tuesday 15 May. The group is
aimed at bumps and pre-walking babies but all are welcome. Admission for
children is £1 each with their carer/guardian admitted free, pregnant ladies and
other accompanying adults £1 each.
Bumps in the Pub
We relaunched our Bumps in the Pub evening in April at the Springwood in
Tytherington and had a fab night with a great turn out – we only just fitted round
the big table we’d booked, bumps and all! The dads-to-be were still going strong
as last orders approached. There was even talk of setting up a Dads in the Pub
night so that dads can get together to talk about impending fatherhood, pick each
NCT East Cheshire News
7
others’ brains and give each other moral support when babies arrive. Watch this
space for info about more pub nights.
Pampered Chef
Our Pampered Chef night was a great success, with 12 people attending and
sampling consultant Gemma’s yummy grub and kitchenware. Some of us were
even able to enjoy a chilled-out little glass of
wine! It was a really nice evening (it felt like
the kind of civilised evening I used to have
before children! – Ed.), and as a proportion
of the money spent was donated to the
branch we helped raise money for the NCT
– what a great way to justify spending
money on new things for the kitchen!
NCT EC vacancies
We have a few important roles that need filling from the autumn, in particular,
publicity officer and newsletter editor. It’s really good fun being part of the
committee and getting involved with the branch, and it’s great for your CV too. So
please get in touch if you fancy getting involved. We’re dead friendly – honest!
Here is a snapshot of what’s involved with the two roles mentioned.
Publicity Officer: The role takes approximately 2 – 4 hours per month, depending
on upcoming events/group changes. All events have to be listed via email or
directly online with local magazines and newspapers, radio stations and parenting
/ What’s On websites. You also have to prepare/edit existing posters/flyers/press
releases for these events and distribute in the East Cheshire area. You work
alongside the other committee members and have plenty of support. The role is
fun and interesting.
Newsletter editor: This is a creative and interesting role. The newsletter comes
out four times a year, so there are peaks of activity, but you can decide on the
format and length of the newsletter. You have to collect information and content
and then put it together, liaising with the advertising coordinator on adverts to be
included. There is a brilliant editors’ web group and database of articles that can
be used if you are short of content.
Letter to the Editor
1
Dear Editor,
Following the article on Baby Signing in the Spring issue, I would like to share my
experiences of this.
When our daughter, Abigail, was born it hadn't even crossed my mind to teach her baby
signing, but the nursery she attended from the age of 12 months used a number of signs.
She soon came home using a few simple signs and so Abigail taught us to sign rather than
the other way round!
When I thought about it, I realised that all parents teach their babies signs without even
thinking about it. If you have taught your baby to wave goodbye, to clap their hands, to blow
a kiss or to nod or shake their head then you have taught them a sign!
When our second child reached an age where he could wave and clap we started to teach
him some simple signs too. Now 20 months old, he regularly uses signs for "please" and
"thank you", "more" and "milk". We have stuck to using a few signs that we find most helpful
for him to communicate what he wants. He doesn't speak many recognisable words yet but
is now at an age where he can learn new signs very quickly so perhaps we will teach him a
few more! Ellen
Pregnancy & Birth
9
NCT East Cheshire mums
What we wish we’d known...
… about pregnancy
I didn’t realise just how amazing and fascinating it would be (especially first-time round) and that I would love my pregnant body so much.
That morning sickness can last pretty much the whole pregnancy.
That my hair and boobs would look so great!
I had lots of twinges early on – it really panicked me but I think it was just things
starting to stretch and it was normal.
That it clears up psoriasis like nothing I've ever known.
If you feel unhappy with any aspect of your antenatal care you can ask to speak to a supervisor
of midwives who will talk through any queries or concerns you may have with you.
Love your stretch marks! I am on my third pregnancy and I have four different sets of marks so I
can identify where each of my children grew, and I think that’s lovely.
You do not have to be induced. I followed standard procedure at my local hospital with my first
son as I didn’t know to question it; I thought it was just something that had to happen to get
“late” babies out. I subsequently found out you can refuse/postpone induction.
… about birth
I wish that during the pushing stage someone had told me to push like I was having a poo!
If you leave the cord uncut until after the placenta is born your baby can have more skin-to-skin
time before being weighed and measured.
The after pains second time around. Oooucch! Felt like I was going into labour all over again.
That labour and birth are only a very short part of your motherhood journey and not to ignore
the “bit after.” Try to make sure you have support in the early days as it can be very hard work.
Some painkillers make you look very out of it in photos afterwards.
I still maintain I’d rather not know anything! Panicking about all the ifs and buts had a negative
impact on my first birth experience.
That your due date means nothing!
Try not to be scared of going to the loo if you have had stitches, it’s not as scary as you think!
Lying on your back is known to slow labour down. Positions where gravity can assist you will
speed things up a bit.
That taking your Mum to the birth as well as your husband could be a good
idea, not to mention a doula.
Out & About
10
Amanda Watmough – East Cheshire Branch
Travelling on a train with children
NCT East Cheshire’s treasurer and seasoned “train traveller”
Amanda Watmough offers survival tips for train journeys with
children in tow.
Due to my husband’s work circumstances, the children and I have been taking
two-and-a-half-hour train journeys (with two changes) most weeks since last
October.
I started out with a two-year-old and a four-month-old baby and now I’ve got a
three-year-old and a nearly toddling nine-month-old.
The journey involves changing trains twice and we eat lunch on the train – this
means I’ve been doing baby-led weaning on a train as well as attempting to
breastfeed without putting off the bloke working on his laptop two inches away
from me.
Over Christmas we got a train that had more people on it than would have been
allowed for livestock… People fought to be able to give up their seats for the poor
woman with two little children though! Bless them. I couldn’t join in with the
whinging as it might have made
Out & About
11
the fragile situation with my squashed three-year-old worse, so I got to be very
British and cheerful in the midst of all the shouting of “Move down the carriage, we
can’t get on and we want to get home for Christmas just like you do.” It was fun. I
slept very well that night.
Here are my top tips for making your train journeys with little ’uns enjoyable
expeditions rather than traumatic “never-agains”:
1. Don’t rush. Choose missing the train over rushing or choose aiming to get a
later train over rushing. If the cost allows get a flexible ticket rather than one
that restricts you to a given train that doesn’t allow for poos or the tell tale
wibbly lip that indicates a brewing tantrum.
2. Get a Family and Friends railcard. You have to buy at least one child’s
ticket even though you don’t need a ticket for your under-5, but it still works
out cheaper and you get an extra seat. [£28 for one year, £65 for three
years, 1/3 off adult fares, 60% off child fares (which are normally half an
adult fare for a child aged 5-15). Therefore if x is the cost of an adult fare,
one adult travelling with one child and a railcard pays (2/3)x 0.4x/2 =
13x/15 which is clearly less than x since x0].
3. Don’t take a buggy if you can help it. Even with one child you’ll struggle
getting on and off or going up/down stairs with a buggy. You cannot
assume there’ll always be someone to help you, space for a buggy (even
folded up), lifts that work etc., etc. I had a bad time with a buggy on a train
once and never again.
4. Do take:
a sling
a bag with lots of external pockets. If you need
more room take a bag on wheels that you can lift.
Make sure you can carry everything and still have a
hand free to hold hands with a child.
books, small light ones
small magnetic drawing tablet
fishfarts app on phone
Out & About
11
jigsaws in little bags, not boxes
old tickets so preschooler can have their own
baby toys without wheels
preschooler’s own bag. Make sure it fits in yours though.
Tiny dinner mat for baby to eat off
Wipes
5. Don’t drink tea within two hours of setting off and you
might be able to manage without the loo the whole
journey.
6. It’s easier to change a nappy at a station than on a train
if you get the choice.
7. Know when you are due to get off. If it catches you unawares then you’ll
struggle to get your stuff ready in time.
8. Look out for other travellers with small children who you can sit with and
get the little ones to entertain each other.
9. There are a lot of things to look at and talk about. Keep your eyes open for
animals, tunnels, bridges, aqueducts, station names, signals, pendolinos,
voyagers, platforms, conductors, etc. I’m practically a trainspotter these
days.
10. When getting on a train, say very loudly to child, “We’re waiting for all the
people to get off before we get on, otherwise we’ll end up in a muddle.”
This encourages all the passengers around you to do the same and avoids
a scrum.
11. This won’t work for everyone, but if my three-year-old becomes
obstreperous and won’t get on/off the train I phone the Fat Controller who
explains why he’s sent the wrong colour train, etc.
Pregnancy
Yoga and Baby Yoga
Pregnancy Yoga - Macclesfield Library, Tuesdays 7-8.30pm
Macclesfield Heritage Centre, Thursdays 7-8.30pm
These classes give women the skills for managing pregnancy. They offer self-help
tools to ease back pain and many other pregnancy-related aches and problems. We
will stretch and tone the body, relax the mind and prepare you for the miracle of
birth. You will be safely guided through movement sequences, breathing exercises
which help improve concentration and focus and, importantly, be led through a deep
relaxation.
You can start from the 14th week of pregnancy and it is never too late to join.
Baby and Postnatal Yoga - Macclesfield Heritage Centre, Tuesdays 10am
Macclesfield Library, Fridays 1pm
Have some time for yourself and your baby, where you can enjoy movement, stretch
out tired muscles and learn some postnatal yoga that will tone your body, helping
you to return to your pre-baby shape.
We will involve the babies so they can feel the benefits of yoga, moving them in
different ways, helping them to stretch and strengthen their muscles.
Most of all, rest in a guided relaxation with your baby at your side.
Meet other mums and enjoy a drink and a snack.
Limited places, please book
Contact Saffron 01625 432997
For current classes and up-to-date venues www.saffronsyoga.co.uk
When responding to an advert please remember to mention where you saw it
Nursing bras
14
Tips for buying a comfortable bra to wear during pregnancy and
breastfeeding
Why is it important to wear the correct
bra size?
Pregnancy is a time when your breast
tissue develops and you build up fat
stores for nursing, so the breast can
grow one or more cup sizes and also
become a lot heavier. Wearing a bra
that doesn’t provide enough support can
lead to stretch marks and permanently
sagging breasts; wearing the wrong size
can lead to plugged ducts and back pain.
What bra choices are there for
pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Wired bras - not usually recommended
for pregnancy and the first month of
breastfeeding because of the risk of
damage, discomfort and possibly
plugged ducts from the frequent breast-
size changes.
Maternity bras - designed for pregnancy
only, usually an over-the-head bra that is
seamless and very comfortable and will
grow with you throughout the pregnancy.
They usually come in a small number of
sizes that fit a range of cup sizes.
Seamless/transitional nursing bras -
provide the same comfort as a maternity
bra but can be used after birth for easy-
access nursing. They usually come in a
small number of sizes and fit a range of
cup sizes which makes them especially
ideal for all the changes your body goes
through during pregnancy and
breastfeeding. These are the ideal bras
to take to the hospital or birth centre, to
sleep in during pregnancy and
breastfeeding, and are perfect in the first
few weeks of nursing when your breast
size is changing so frequently.
Sized bras - There are some really
pretty and even sexy nursing bras
available that are sized, but can often be
fitted to allow for the growth of the
abdomen and cup size. Not guaranteed
to fit after your milk volume increases,
but are designed to fit a larger range of
band sizes to accommodate you from
the beginning of pregnancy. These are a
real confidence booster.
Things to check when buying a bra
The band – The band should be parallel
to the floor. If it is riding up your back try
a smaller band size (and go up one cup
size, e.g., 38C to 36D)
The cup – The cup should provide good
coverage of the breast. If it wrinkles it
may be too big. If your breast is spilling
out of the top, bottom or sides it is too
small. Your breasts may be different
sizes, so fit to the larger breast.
Shoulder straps – They should not
create a dent in your shoulder. If they do
then you need to get more support from
the band so try a smaller band size.
Top tips:
If you buy a nursing bra at the
beginning of your pregnancy make
sure you fit it to the tightest band
Nursing bras
15
setting so that there is room for
growth.
If you buy your nursing bra at the end
of your pregnancy or after the baby is
born make sure it fits on the loosest
band setting. Bras can stretch over
time, so this will allow you to tighten
the band and not lose support.
Your band should not stretch more
than 1” away from your body. If it
does, try going down a band size
(and up a cup size), e.g., 36C to 34D.
When you put on your nursing bra
open the cups. Lean forward and
scoop your whole breast into the cup
before you fasten it. You want to
make sure that all of your breast
tissue is inside the cup and not
bulging out of the top, bottom or side
of the cup.
If buying a sized bra when you are
pregnant make sure there is a little
room for the increase in milk volume
that happens after birth. This will
increase the chance that you can
continue to wear it when
breastfeeding. Remember that you
may still have to wait until after your
milk volume settles at about four
weeks to wear it again.
When responding to an advert please remember to mention where you saw it
When responding to an advert please remember to mention where you saw it
Diary
17
Regular Events
Bumps & Babies
Come and join us at one of our
Bumps, Babies & Toddlers groups.
No need to be a member!
Fun4All, Macclesfield
Wednesdays during term time
10am – 12 noon
Free entry for children under 3 with
our group. Normal Fun4All admission
charges apply for children over 3.
Coffee Lounge
Wilmslow Methodist Church
Fridays during term time
10.30am – 12 noon
Refreshments are served for a small
charge and there is a nice little play
area for older babies.
NEW!!!!
JJ’s Sensory Play, Macclesfield
Tuesdays during term time
1.30 – 3.30pm (from Tues 15 May)
This group is aimed at bumps and
pre-walking babies but all are
welcome. Pregnant ladies and the first
accompanying adult enter free, babies
under 3 months 50p and all other
children £1 each.
Coffee Mornings
Coffee mornings or
afternoons are organised at members’
houses most weeks (usually on a
Monday). If you’d like to join us please
give the host a call to check details
and to find out the address. If you’d
like to host a coffee morning please
let us know.
Antenatal & Postnatal Classes
NCT antenatal classes help parents-
to-be prepare for birth and early
parenthood. Sessions for first-time
parents are held in Macclesfield,
Tytherington and Wilmslow.
The contact details for anybody
wishing to book courses are:
0844 243 6971
Coming up...
Cheeky Monkeys’ Tea Party / Baby
Fair
Sat 21 July, 11am – 1pm
Macclesfield Academy
Summer activities
We’re still finalising our plans for the
summer holidays (when some of our
regular B&B groups don’t run), so see
our Facebook page for up-to-the-
minute info on what we’ll be up to
nearer the time.
Friends of East Cheshire NCT
Diary
18
June 2012
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1st
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 12pm
4th
BANK HOLIDAY
5th
JUBILEE
HOLIDAY
6th
NO BUMPS,
BABIES AND
TODDLERS
THIS WEEK
HALF TERM
7th 8
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 12pm
11th
12th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
13th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
14th 15
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 12pm
18th
Sarah’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Macclesfield
07773415992
19th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
20th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
21st 22
nd
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 12pm
25th
Dipika’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Macclesfield
07766716638
26th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
27th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
28th 29
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 12pm
Diary
19
July 2012
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
2nd
Ellen’s coffee
morning
10am – 12pm
Macclesfield
07726998000
3rd
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
4th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
5th 6
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 12pm
9th
Holly’s coffee
afternoon
1pm-4pm
Macclesfield
01625 269048
10th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
11th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
12th 13
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 12pm
16th
Dipika’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Macclesfield
07766716638
17th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
18th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
19th 20
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 12pm
23rd
Lynn’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Wilmslow
07870656906
24th 25
th
26th 27
th
30th
Sarah’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Macclesfield
07773415992
See our Facebook page for updates on what
we’ve got planned for the summer holidays.
Diary
20
August
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1st 2
nd 3
rd
6th 7
th 8
th
9th
Holly’s
Open House
10am-4pm
Macclesfield
01625 269048
10th
13th 14
th 15
th 16
th 17
th
20th
21st 22
nd 23
rd 24
th
28th 29
th 30
th 31
st
See our Facebook page for updates on what
we’ve got planned for the summer holidays.
Do not fear - there will be lots to keep the
little ones entertained!
Out & About
21
Gareth Ensor
Macclesfield Dads’ Group
Local dad Gareth Ensor reveals why the local Surestart Dads’
Group is so great for dads and children – and how mums benefit
too!
When I relocated to Macclesfield in
2011 together with my family, my son
had not long turned one. Before we
moved, Sarah and Nathan had visited
our local Surestart groups, and being
new to the area and
not knowing anyone,
Sarah looked into
what was available
at the Surestart
centres here in
Macclesfield.
Sarah and Nathan
started attending
stay and play at
Broken Cross on
Tuesdays. It was
here that we first
heard about the
fortnightly dads’ and
male carers’ group
for 0-6 year-olds on Saturday
mornings, alternating between the
Surestart centres at Hurdsfield and
Ash Grove.
It was a little daunting for me the first
time, not knowing any of the other
dads already, but right from the
beginning both they and the
enthusiastic people that run the group
made both me and Nathan feel very
welcome. It helped that some of the
staff recognised
Nathan from
attending stay
and play during
the week!
Since that first
time we go to the
group as often as
we can, and both
Nathan and I look
forward to
meeting up with
the other dads
and their children
and having a fun
time.
There are several reasons why we
love going to the group. Firstly, it
gives Sarah a much-needed few
hours’ break on a Saturday morning.
As much as she loves being mum to
Nathan, looking after a young child
Out & About
22
during the week while I’m at work is
no easy feat. It’s important to give her
a little bit of time to herself. She also
gets to hear about what a great time
we’ve had when we get home!
For Nathan the group is great
because it provides an ideal
opportunity for him to play and
interact with other children. The
Surestart centres are a perfect venue
as a wide range of toys are available
to play with, both indoors and
outdoors when the weather allows.
There are always craft activities to
take part in such as painting, drawing
and card making, e.g., for Valentine’s
Day or Mothers’ Day, and some
weeks there are themes such as
messy play. Snacks and a drink are
also provided for the children. In the
past, off-site events have been
organised too – last summer a
Saturday was spent den making at
Brereton Heath.
I really enjoy it too; it’s an excellent
opportunity for me to spend quality
time playing with Nathan. Through the
group I’ve also got to know some of
the other dads quite well as there is a
good number of ‘regulars’ who we see
most weeks. It’s great to meet up and
have a chat while our children play
together.
Recently there has been some
confusion over the future of our group.
Whilst our fears have now subsided
it’s important to keep the numbers up
so we can continue to enjoy the many
benefits our group provides. So I offer
this heartfelt plea to the dads of
Macclesfield: Why not come and join
us on a Saturday morning, have lots
of fun with your kids and make some
new friends in the process?
The Dads’ and Male Carers’ group
is for dads, grandads, and male
carers and their children under 6
years old. Older brothers and
sisters are welcome too. Call the
Hurdsfield Centre for further
details, 01625-378-081
When responding to an advert please remember to mention where you saw it
Ask the Expert
23
Sleep
We put your sleep questions to Dr Alex Renshaw, a Chartered
Child Psychologist, who works for local parenting company More
than Custard.
How soon might my baby sleep
through the night?
Our body’s natural sleep/wake cycle is
controlled by a “clock” in the brain, which
changes our mental and
physical capabilities
according to whether it is
day or night. This clock is
responsive to natural
daylight and fires twice as
often in the day as in the
night. We therefore feel
energetic in sunlight and
yawn and become lethargic
at night. At birth, a baby’s
body clock is not yet
matured. They therefore
lack the ability to
differentiate between day
and night, causing them to
sleep at regular intervals around the clock.
However, as they start to adapt to the
natural rhythm of the day, they will sleep for
increasingly longer periods following night
feeds. By three months of age, some
children will sleep as long as five hours in
the night. It may take other babies much
longer, well over five months, before they
reach this milestone. Once they are
sleeping through however, there are many
other factors (e.g., being unwell, changes in
the family or in their routine, too much
activity in the day) and important
developmental milestones (e.g. teething,
learning new skills) that can affect their
sleeping patterns.
Fortunately babies are responsive to
environmental cues about time
and you can take advantage of
this to help shape your child’s
sleep pattern. Waking your
child at a similar time each
morning and taking him out in
the afternoon to expose him to
natural sunlight can help set
his body clock and promote
restful night-time sleep. In
addition to this, make as much
difference as you can between
your baby’s daytime and night-
time environment, for
example, by cutting down the
level of light in the room and
avoiding active social play with him at night.
Do you know of any good evidence
I can use to counter the various
“Leave them to cry” comments I
hear so much?
Never leave a baby on their own to “cry it
out.” Babies and young children lack the
capacity to soothe themselves and are
reliant upon the people who care for them to
calm their distress and teach them how to
do it for themselves. Ignoring a crying baby
Ask the Expert
24
will undoubtedly stop them crying, not
because they have soothed themselves and
fallen asleep but because they have
despaired of you ever coming and given up
signalling to you, falling asleep distressed
and exhausted. The most compelling
research highlighting the detrimental effects
of ignoring a distressed child has come from
neurological research over the past decade,
which is particularly well documented by
Allan Schore amongst others. There are
many effective ways to soothe a crying child
at night so that, in time, they learn to do this
for themselves.
Our six-month-old was sleeping
through the night from quite early
on but recently, since we moved
him out of the Moses basket in our
bedroom into the cot in his own
room, he has woken several times
every night. He seems absolutely
fine with sleeping in his cot during
the day, it seems to be just at
night! Do you have any
suggestions how to deal with this?
At 6 months of age, your baby son is now
more aware of his own feelings towards you
as the person who cares for him each day.
He is therefore much more likely to
experience separation anxiety, a fear of
being apart from you, particularly when he
wakes in a dark, quiet house and you are
not there. This is a normal developmental
milestone. Unfortunately it has coincided
with a tremendous change in his sleeping
environment. It is important that you
consistently respond to your son’s distress
in the night (for the reasons mentioned
above). Offer him just enough comfort to
settle and reassure him but not so much that
you wake him further and cause him to think
that it’s morning. Over time, as he becomes
more relaxed, gradually reduce the amount
of soothing that you give him when he
wakes so that he can start to do this for
himself (e.g., instead of picking him up to
settle him, just stroke his hand whilst he
remains in his cot). In time, he will feel
secure that you are still there to meet his
needs, and his distress will ease. This
approach may take a while and will
undoubtedly disrupt your sleep for a few
weeks, as any small changes in his life (e.g.,
learning to crawl, getting a new tooth,
starting at a playgroup) may also disrupt his
sleep, causing him to cry out for you. Stick
with it though and you will help develop his
confidence and sense of security in this
world.
My two-year-old falls to sleep on
the breast. How can I help her to
fall asleep on her own?
Night-time breastmilk is a “snooze food,” a
naturally rich source of tryptophan that aids
restfulness and relaxation. (The brain uses
tryptophan to produce the sleep hormone
melatonin). Over the past two years, this
comforting breastfeed has become strongly
associated with sleep for your daughter.
You can help her to learn to fall asleep on
her own by making small, gradual changes
in her bedtime routine that break her
association between breastfeeding and
sleep. Move her into quiet time about an
hour before she goes to sleep and introduce
an activity, maybe a calming bedtime story
or lullaby as well as a kiss and a cuddle,
after her nightly breastfeed (you may need
to gently wake her to do this).
Ask the Expert
25
It is likely that your daughter will protest any
change that you make to her bedtime
routine after two years of falling asleep on
the breast. You may therefore like to
prepare her in daytime play by making up
stories, using dolls and puppets or giving
her a visual chart that will convey her new
routine in a way that she understands.
Rewarding her with stickers or similar small
tokens for staying in her bed after you have
tucked her in may also increase her
enthusiasm for this new routine.
Our three-year-old has started to
wake every night and comes into
bed with us. He seems more
anxious about being in his own
room now - is there any reason for
this?
Between the ages of 2 and 9 years, children
master the ability to conjure up
representations in their mind from images
and words. They start to fear bodily harm to
themselves and their parents. They also
become afraid of animals, the dark and
supernatural monsters as they are
introduced to the concept of death. It is
estimated that between 25 and 50 percent
of toddlers will experience nightmares,
which wake them and cause them to seek
reassurance from their parents, although
they may lack the ability to express these
experiences to you just yet. Any changes in
their life, such as starting preschool or the
birth of a new sibling, may also unsettle
them and cause
them to
experience
nightmares. It is
important that you
develop a
consistent
response to your child’s night-wakings that
reassures him that he is safe in his own bed.
www.morethancustard.com
Next edition: An NCT
postnatal teacher will answer
your questions on the early
days with a baby – send your
questions to
newsletter@eastcheshire-
nct.org.uk
Run in association with Cheshire Hypnobirth
Saturday 16 June, 12pm – Antenatal Clinic
Macclesfield District General Hospital
Meet women from the Homebirth Support Group who have given birth at home; try a free
hypnobirthing taster session; and find out about vaginal birth following caesarean section.
Please feel free to come along and share stories and experiences and find out about normal
birth.
Macclesfield Maternity Unit – Normal Birth Event
Hypnobirthing
26
My name is Kellie and I live in
Wilmslow with my husband and our
two gorgeous daughters. I am a
HypnoBirthing® Mum, a qualified
trainer and Reflexologist.
After having a first birth that was very
long, hard and ended up in an
epidural and an assisted delivery,
when I fell pregnant again, I was
really anxious about the birthing. I
didn't understand what had gone
wrong for me and really wanted to
have a better birth. After a friend told
me about HypnoBirthing®, my
husband and I did the course and I
committed myself to it wholeheartedly,
working hard to get the birth I really
wanted.
We met with our Hypnobirthing
practitioner on a weekly basis for four
weeks and she taught me specific
breathing techniques and
visualisations, and really gave me the
knowledge to understand what my
body was doing, enabling me to totally
trust and believe in my body.
To this day, I still cannot believe how
amazing giving birth should actually
be. I ate, I slept, I walked, I was calm
and in control and never felt anything
more than a bad menstrual cramp.
I had been experiencing mild
tightening sensations for the majority
of the day but they were never regular
and I kept expecting to feel the pain
that I felt with my first daughter, so
convinced myself that I wasn't in
labour.
When the tightenings started to
become regular and stronger, at
around tea time, James started to
give me a light touch massage - a
technique taught in Hypnobirthing that
helps you relax by aiding the release
of endorphins. We telephoned the
hospital to explain what had been
happening all day and they asked if I
would like to go into the maternity unit
or stay at home for a while. I decided
to go to hospital.
I was particularly nervous about the
car journey as this had been a very
uncomfortable journey the first time I
did this in labour. So before we got
into the car, James read a 'birth
companions deepening script' to me
to get me really relaxed. I then put my
iPod on and listened to the
Hypnobirthing CD again, and
continued with the specific breathing
techniques and visualisations that I
had learned during my course. The
car journey was easy and not the
ordeal that I first experienced.
When we got to the Maternity Unit,
the midwife did my obs and asked if I
would like any pain relief for 'later'. I
Hypnobirthing
13
declined but said I'd like to get into the
birth pool. They said that they would
get that sorted for me. We arrived
during a shift change and so the
midwife said that she would not
examine me and would wait for the
next midwife who would be looking
after me to do it for consistency. A few
minutes later, I made a deep noise
that came from within, almost tribal :-)
and the midwife immediately changed
her mind and said she would examine
me. To my surprise and the midwife’s,
I was fully dilated and the baby was
ready to be breathed down.
An hour after arriving at hospital,
Olivia Catherine was born a very
healthy 7lb 9oz. She was beautiful
and very chilled.
The whole experience left me feeling
so empowered and when Olivia was
born, I was elated and really felt like I
wanted to do it all again. I feel so
strongly that all women should
experience this calm and more
comfortable way of birthing that I
trained to be a HypnoBirthing®
Practitioner with the HypnoBirthing®
Institute, the Mongan Method. I now
run 'better birth' courses and feel
really honoured to be able to share
these specific yet simple techniques
with other parents, so that they too
can experience this.
When responding to an advert please remember to mention where you saw it
Breastfeeding Support
28
Wilmslow Bosom Buddies Wednesday 10.30am – 12 noon Oakenclough Children‘s Centre, Colshaw Drive, Wilmslow Tel. 01625 374180 Weekly support group run by peer supporters and a volunteer health visitor. Relaxed atmosphere with plenty of top tips from other mums. Please drop in whether pregnant or breastfeeding. Bollington Bosom Buddies Fridays 10.30am – 12 noon The Coach House, Bollington Medical Centre, SK10 5JH Tel. Sara 01625 576517 [email protected] Weekly mum-to-mum breastfeeding support group run by breastfeeding counsellors. Pregnant & breastfeeding mums welcome. Macclesfield Cherubs Breastfeeding Support Group Thursdays 10 – 11.30am Ash Grove Children’s Centre, Ash Grove, Macclesfield, SK11 7TD Tel. 01625 374484 Cherubs Breastfeeding Support Group Wednesdays 12 noon – 1.30pm Hurdsfield Children's Centre, Hulley Road, Macclesfield, SK10 2LW Tel. 01625 378 081 Weekly support groups run by health visitors, midwives and breastfeeding peer supporters. Poynton Breastfeeding Support Drop In Wednesdays, 11am – 12 noon Poynton Children’s Centre, Clumber Road, Poynton, SK12 1NW Tel. 01625 383 090 If you are aware of any changes that have been made to these groups please let us know
so we can update our information ([email protected]) NCT Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 330 0771 8am–10pm, seven days a week Call our Breastfeeding Line to talk to a qualified breastfeeding counsellor for information and support to help you breastfeed successfully. We can also help if you are using formula or want to switch from formula to breastfeeding or breastfeeding to formula. Other support networks National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212 La Leche League 0845 120 2918
About the NCT
29
Founded in 1956, we are a UK-wide
membership charity, which means that
every postcode 'belongs' to one of our 314
branches, where the volunteers who
organise branch activities are the backbone
of the NCT. There are about 4,000
volunteers who hold positions such as
branch chair, secretary, treasurer,
membership secretary, postnatal co-
ordinator, newsletter editor, fundraising co-
ordinator and so on.
The NCT is at the forefront of influencing
and devising policy relating to pregnancy,
childbirth and early parenthood and
undertakes campaigning and lobbying for
better maternity care and other support for
parents-to-be and new parents. We provide
evidence-based information about
pregnancy and birth, for example through
the Bumps and Babies magazine which is
freely available from maternity units, GPs’
surgeries, Sure Start/Children's Centres etc.
Individual parents may order a copy via our
website www.nct.org.uk
We provide antenatal classes, Early Days
postnatal courses and drop-ins and
breastfeeding support through branch
activities such as open houses, bumps and
babies groups, branch newsletters and so
on. All these things together offer
opportunities for people to make friends,
build confidence and enjoy their new role as
parents.
National Contacts
NCT Website www.nct.org.uk NCT Switchboard 0844 243 6000 (tel) 0844 243 6001 (fax) NCT Membership 0844 243 7000 NCT Enquiry Line 0300 33 00 770 NCT Breastfeeding Line 0300 33 00 771 (8am-10pm 7 days a week)
NCT Pregnancy & Birth Line 0300 33 00 772 (9am-8pm Mon-Fri) NCT Early Days Line 0300 33 00 773 (9am-1pm Mon-Fri) National Experience Register Line 0300 33 00 774 NCT E-groups www.nct.org.uk/info-centre/getting-help/egroups NCT Shop www.nctshop.co.uk
NCT East Cheshire News
30
Report from Annual Members’ Meeting
At our Annual Members’ Meeting in April we reviewed the branch’s performance since
the last AMM, and volunteers, specialist workers and students gave short reports about
the branch’s activities. Full minutes of the meeting can be obtained by e-mailing
[email protected]. Some key points are below:
Stacey Davies (Chair) reported that our Facebook & Twitter sites are doing well. The
branch information leaflet has been updated and is being distributed. We have
purchased some NCT information leaflets and new clothes rails for the Nearly New
Sales. At the meeting Stacey officially stepped down as chair. Emily Titley and Dipika
Morgan will be taking over as co-chairs.
Sarah Ensor (Bumps & Babies coordinator) reported that our BB&T group at Fun4All
generally attracts a good crowd. There are several regulars at the Wilmslow group but
this group is still small. A new Bumps & Babies group at JJ’s is under discussion
(Tuesday afternoons). We hope to get a trainee breastfeeding counsellor to attend.
Ellen Brown (Webmaster) reported that the information on services and events is up to
date on the website. Usage stats were temporarily available but removed; we hope to
have some soon. There have been issues with the stability of the website recently.
Lynn Hall (Newsletter editor) reported that the newsletter this year has some new
features: Ask the Expert and Mumpreneur. Members and local mums have sent in
questions and volunteered to feature in these, which means we have more direct input
and involvement from our readers. We need more birth stories, particularly from first-
time mums.
Amanda Watmough (Treasurer) reported that over the last six months we have raised
over £3296. Of this, £2603 was handed over to head office (branch return) and in
addition approx £100 was shared with head office. We may need a loan for the float for
the May NNS but extra chip and pin machines may reduce the need for as much float.
Dipika Morgan (Advertising coordinator & Breastpump coordinator) reported that
advertising has been steady. There hasn’t been much use of the breast pumps but one
is currently on loan. Macclesfield Nearly New Sale was a great success and the
November sale is moving to Festival Hall, Alderley Edge.
Jo Thorpe (Membership coordinator) is standing down as membership secretary at end
of year but will continue with the Nearly New Sales.
Liz Fickling (Student postnatal leader) has now qualified and has run two postnatal
courses.
NCT East Cheshire News
Gemma Kerr (Publicity officer) is stepping down in August. All the publicity for the May
Nearly New Sale has been done and she will prepare publicity for the November sale
prior to stepping down.
Annie Brown (Breastfeeding counsellor) will be taking a year out from her role as
breastfeeding counsellor from June.
The branch charter for the coming year was agreed, including the roles and
responsibilities required to run the branch and the size and composition of the branch
committee. The list of branch contacts will be updated and distributed.
Plans for the coming year: We will have a Nearly New Sale in Wilmslow in May; a
stand at the Barnaby Festival (Macclesfield) and Mummy Fever (Alderley Edge) in the
summer; a Baby First Aid course in the autumn; a Nearly New Sale in November
(Alderley Edge); joint Cheeky Monkeys’ Tea Party and Baby Fair in June / July; and a
further Cheeky Monkeys’ Tea Party in December. We will also start running Bumps in
the Pub evenings and Speed Bumps events. A new Bumps and Babies group is being
set up at JJs Sensory Play Centre.
For Sale
Samsonite Pop-up travel cot/mosquito net £15
From birth to toddler. Great for camping as well as indoors.
Can be zipped up to protect against insects and pets. (This has
never been used outside.)
Pushchair £10
Suitable from birth. Five position seat with leg rest. Lies back
and when the leg rest is raised, even a toddler can sleep
comfortably.
Pushchair and back carrier £10
With sunshade and rain cover. Versatile and easy to
use. Push in town or carry on the hills.
Tel: 07535892411 If you have items for sale or that you would like to buy under the value of £100 we will advertise them for you
subject to space.
National NCT News
32
NCT statement on birth places and cost efficiency
New research from the University of Oxford supports the policy of all women having access to a
birth centre run by midwives – either alongside a hospital unit or on a separate site in the
community. Giving birth at home or in a midwifery unit is cost-effective as well as being safe for
the baby and improving outcomes for the mother.
Birth centres, or midwifery units, are a midwife-led model of care. They provide social and
emotional support for women and families, and clinical care during pregnancy, birth and the
postnatal period, helping more women to have a normal birth and get breastfeeding off to a
good start.
Mary Newburn, Head of Research and Information at NCT, says: “This research shows that
midwifery units are cost effective for the NHS as well as offering benefits to mothers and babies.
There can be important benefits for the whole family when a baby is born in a social rather than
a medical environment. Yet, only half of all NHS trusts in England have a birth centre facility for
local families to use.
“We are shocked that despite their importance for families and for the NHS, several birth
centres have recently been closed. It is short-sighted, even in times of economic constraints, to
close midwifery-led birth centres.
“This research which demonstrates the financial benefit to the health service when mothers give
birth outside of hospital must be considered when NHS Trusts are developing their maternity
services. We expect all NHS trusts to offer access to a reliable home birth service and to a
midwife-led birth centre.”
New career opportunities with NCT College and University
of Worcester
NCT and the University of Worcester have joined forces to provide university-accredited training
for those wanting to support parents in the transition to parenthood. NCT College admissions
are open for courses beginning in September 2012.
The new training creates exciting opportunities for anyone with an ambition to build a rewarding
career, supporting parents at a unique and important time in their lives, to become an NCT
practitioner.
The courses allow students to learn flexibly through a mixture of tutorials, one-to-one time with
tutors, self-directed study and online learning. With tutorials run across the UK and study days
hosted regionally, students can complete the majority of their studies without the need to travel
to Worcester – making the courses ideal for women with families looking to return to study and
work in an equally flexible career.
In the climate of an ever-increasing birth rate and overstretched maternity services, there could
not be a better time to build a fulfilling career as an NCT practitioner working alongside
National NCT News
33
midwives and other health professionals to support new and expectant parents. As one of the
UK’s largest network of practitioners working with new and expectant parents, students are
supported to find work quickly and easily through the charity’s national operation.
NCT is well-known for the information and support it provides to parents through antenatal
courses, breastfeeding counselling and facilitated postnatal groups, enabling them to feel more
confident and prepared for their new role. The charity currently works with around 1,000
practitioners, and NCT and Worcester will now work together to train many more.
The new courses offer a varied syllabus on a range of topics of key importance to women and
families, allowing students to choose to build a career pathway according to their interests and
aspirations.
For more information about the full range of courses on offer at NCT College, visit
www.nct.org.uk/nct-college.
Free classes for parents
The Government has announced plans to deliver free classes for parents in three areas of the
country from this spring. NCT is among the organisations which will be delivering the classes
from this spring. The trials will take place in Camden in London, Middlesbrough and High Peak
in Derbyshire. Over the next two years, all mothers and fathers in the trial areas with children
aged five and under will be entitled to a voucher covering the cost of a programme of classes
for parents.
Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive of NCT, says: “We are delighted to be involved in this trial, as
supporting parents to feel more confident in their role is at the heart of what NCT stands for. We
believe a child’s early years and the influence of their parents make a huge difference to their
future and the society they help to shape.
“Many new mums and dads feel being a parent should come to them naturally, and it does, but
support in the early weeks, months and years can help enhance the learning process – not to
mention making it more fun, as you meet other people starting out on the same journey to share
it with. What mums and dads have told us over the decades is that being a parent can bring
challenges and changes as well as excitement and fulfilment, and that’s the reason NCT is
here.
“Over the past 55 years we have supported millions of couples through their journey to
becoming a parent, and have been instrumental in helping dads, as well as mums, play a key
role in early family life.”
Information for Advertisers
34
NCT East Cheshire Newsletter Advertising Rates
The NCT East Cheshire branch covers the Wilmslow, Poynton and Macclesfield area. Our newsletter is published four times a year and currently has a print run of 350. The newsletter is distributed to our members, pregnant women in the area via local midwives, local health professionals, and other interested parties such as prospective members, antenatal and postnatal groups. If you are interested in advertising with us please get in touch to discuss your requirements: [email protected]
One issue Yearly (four issues) 10% discount
Full Page Back Cover (colour) £60 £216
Full Page Inside Front / Back Cover (colour) £55 £198
Full Page (B&W) £40 £144
Half Page (B&W) £25 £90
Quarter Page (B&W) £15 £54
Prices exclude VAT at 20% If you would like to include advertorial in the newsletter, please contact [email protected] for rates and guidelines.
NEXT ISSUE: Autumn 2012 (due out end of August) COPY DEADLINE: 20 July 2012
Got an opinion or experience that you’d like to share? We’d love to print it. Please e-mail copy to [email protected] as a Word file or include the text in your e-mail.
When responding to an advert please remember to mention where you saw it
When responding to an advert please remember to mention where you saw it