Midwife In Your Pocket

In this episode Belinda shares essential tips for navigating the challenges of night feeds with a newborn. From setting up a cozy night feed station to practicing self-care and seeking support, this episode provides practical strategies to help new parents cope with sleep deprivation and care for their little one.

In this episode I dive into the fascinating world of newborns' senses and reflexes. From the importance of skin-to-skin contact to the delights of baby massage, I share valuable insights for new parents.

Learn about your baby's vision preferences, the joy they find in hearing your voice, and the intriguing reflexes they exhibit from birth. Discover how these reflexes support your baby's development and why they gradually fade over time.

I also emphasise the importance of cherishing these early weeks and months with your baby and encourage parents to seek guidance from healthcare professionals as needed.

This episode delves into the importance of tummy time for babies. Starting from birth, tummy time plays a vital role in strengthening your baby's muscles and promoting motor development. Learn expert tips to make tummy time enjoyable for your little one and ensure they reach important milestones. Discover creative ways to incorporate tummy time into everyday activities and understand the significance of this practice for your baby's overall well-being.

In this episode I share valuable insights on navigating the transition to welcoming a second baby into your family.

From involving your older child in the pregnancy journey to maintaining routines and prioritising self-care, I provide practical tips for ensuring a smooth transition and fostering bonds between siblings.

Join me as I explore strategies for managing the challenges and embracing the joys of expanding your family.

Join us as we delve into the world of understanding newborn baby tired signs with a seasoned midwife and maternal and child health nurse.

From jerky movements to yawning and facial expressions, listeners will learn to identify these subtle cues that indicate when it's time for baby to rest. Gain practical tips on creating a soothing sleep environment and discover the importance of recognising tired signs for both baby and parent's well-being. I will share some of my personal journey as a new mother struggling to recognise my baby's sleep cues before discovering the power of understanding tired signs. Don't miss this enlightening discussion that aims to empower new parents in navigating the beautiful journey of parenthood.

In this episode, I provide invaluable insights into the three stages of labour, offering essential guidance for expecting mothers as they prepare for childbirth.

Stage 1: The Beginning

The first stage of labour initiates as the cervix softens and begins to open. Early labour symptoms, including irregular contractions are discussed alongside coping strategies such as staying hydrated, resting, and utilising warm baths for relaxation. Listeners will gain clarity on when to move to the hospital as contractions intensify and become more regular.

Knowing When to Go

Understanding the signs of labour can be challenging for expectant mothers. The importance of contacting healthcare providers for guidance and recognising strong indicators like ruptured membranes or consistent contractions is emphasised.

Stage 2: Pushing Through

Stage two marks the transition to active labour, where contractions strengthen, and the urge to push arises. Practical tips for coping during this intense phase, such as focusing on contractions and trying different positions, are provided. Listeners are encouraged to trust their instincts and rely on their midwife's guidance.

Stage 3: The Final Stretch

This stage begins after the baby's birth, concluding with the delivery of the placenta. Expectant mothers learn about additional contractions and the role of their midwife in assisting with expelling the placenta.

Empowering listeners with a comprehensive understanding of each stage of labour, this episode equips them with the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate childbirth with more confidence.

In this episode I provides essential guidance for new parents on when to seek medical help for their sick baby. I emphasises the importance of trusting your instincts and recognising signs that indicate urgent medical attention is needed.

I will outline specific symptoms that warrant immediate action and offers practical advice on how to access medical help, whether it's calling emergency services, visiting the hospital, or contacting a GP. And highlight the significance of staying informed about common illnesses in babies, maintaining good hygiene practices, and keeping up with immunisations.

Ultimately, I will reassure parents that it's better to be cautious and seek medical advice when in doubt, as their baby's health is paramount.

In this episode Belinda provides valuable insights on surviving the end of daylight savings when you're a parent. As daylight savings time comes to an end, parents face the challenge of adjusting their little one's routines to accommodate the time change.

Belinda offers practical tips and strategies to ease this transition, including gradually adjusting bedtime routines, nap times, and exposure to light. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining a calm and consistent environment to help children and adults alike adapt to the new time. With preparation and patience, parents can navigate the end of daylight savings without disrupting their family's routines. Tune in for expert advice on managing this seasonal change with grace and ease.

In this episode we're going to talk about a topic that concerns many new parents: newborn weight gain.

As a seasoned midwife and maternal and child health nurse, I know this is a stressful time for parents. I will discuss the normal fluctuations in weight during the early days of life, the importance of not overly stressing about weight checks, and how to assess feeding techniques for both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.

You will learn about using growth charts to track your baby's progress, average weight gain expectations, and the significance of looking for other signs of growth beyond just numbers on the scale. I will emphasise the importance of seeking support from healthcare professionals if there are any concerns about your baby's weight gain or growth. Download my free feed and sleep tracker as part of my Baby Bundle full of checklists and printables.

In this episode, we delve into the often-dreaded topic of teething in babies. Teething typically begins between 6 to 12 months of age, but the experience can vary greatly among infants.

While some babies may breeze through the process, others may experience discomfort and pain as their teeth emerge.

I discuss the common signs of teething, including red cheeks, drooling, irritability, and biting on objects. These symptoms can persist for months without any teeth actually erupting, disrupting both the baby's and parents' sleep patterns.

To help alleviate your baby's discomfort, we explore various strategies such as gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger, offering chilled teething toys, and providing cold foods like yogurt or fruit purees. Over-the-counter teething medications and pain relievers can also provide relief, but should be used sparingly and with caution.

I also address common myths surrounding teething, such as the use of amber bead necklaces, which experts advise against due to choking hazards.

Additionally, I clarify that while teething itself doesn't cause fevers or illness, babies may become more susceptible to infections during this time.

It's crucial to monitor your baby's symptoms and consult a healthcare professional if they persist or worsen. Lastly, I offer reassurance to parents that teething is a temporary phase in their baby's development and provide encouragement to navigate through it with patience and self-care.

Join us as we navigate the challenges of teething and provide valuable insights and tips for parents to help their little ones through this milestone. Remember, you're not alone on this journey.

In this episode, we delve into the essential world of Baby Gear Essentials, a must-listen for every new parent navigating the journey of parenthood.

As an experienced midwife and maternal health nurse, I guide you through the crucial items you'll need for your baby, separating the necessities from the optional extras.

From cots to car restraints, I provide invaluable insights into safety standards, practical considerations, and budget-friendly options. Learn why it's important to prioritize safety features, make informed choices, and tailor your selections to suit your lifestyle.

Whether you're a first-time parent or adding to your family, this episode equips you with the knowledge to confidently prepare for your baby's arrival.

Stay tuned for future episodes where we'll delve deeper into specific baby equipment.

Download my FREE baby equipment checklist (it's part of the Baby Bundle below) to help streamline your shopping experience and ensure you have everything you need for this exciting new chapter of your life.

In this podcast episode, as a seasoned midwife, maternal and child health nurse, author, and mother of four, I address a common question among new parents: why is burping babies so crucial?

Babies need help releasing trapped air during and after feeds because they can't do it themselves.

Burping between breasts during breastfeeding or halfway through a bottle feed can create room for more milk and ensure a comfortable feed.

I will cover various burping positions and durations, emphasising that every baby is different.

Why it's important to differentiate between spitting up and vomiting, urging parents to consult healthcare professionals if vomiting is severe.

I also highlight the importance of burping even if babies fall asleep during feeds, as it aids in releasing trapped air.

The fourth stage of labour is often overlooked and rarely gets talked about. It's the time immediately following birth, typically lasting for the first two hours.

As a midwife, maternal and child health nurse, and mother of four myself, I understand the significance of these precious moments. It's a time of transition, where the focus shifts from the intense sensations of labour to the overwhelming joy of meeting your newborn for the first time.

Firstly, skin-to-skin contact is encouraged.

Additionally, breastfeeding within the first hour is highly recommended.

If you are choosing to bottle feed, there is no rush to get started this early unless your baby is very unsettled and crying.

While the focus is primarily on bonding, medical assessments are also conducted during this time.

It's a delicate balance between nurturing the mother-baby bond and ensuring both are safe and in good health. And we try to do this vey quietly while we let you have this special time with your new baby.

We will also be checking that your baby is transitioning to life outside your uterus and breathing well, that their heart rate is normal and they are staying warm.

If you can hold off on announcing the birth for these few hours it will give you this time as your own little family unit. This is precious time to get to know each other and enjoy this before being inundated with phone calls and text messages. It also gives your baby a chance to feed before we weigh & measure them – and you know that every will want to know their important measurements!

Let's start by acknowledging that newborn crying is not just normal; it's expected.

In fact, did you know that it's typical for healthy infants to cry a little more each day and then reach an average of two to three hours a day by 6-8wks old, it’s often in the evening when parents are also tired?

Before I became a midwife, when I had my first baby the best piece of parenting advice I got from a friend was that babies cry, that’s just what they do and just because my baby was crying a lot it wasn’t because I was doing anything wrong.

If you are at all concerned see you doctor for a thorough check of your baby to rule out any medical cause.

Experts don’t know why this crying happens, it appears to be a normal part of development and it is reassuring to know that your baby is normal if he is following this pattern.

If only more parents were told about this, as just knowing that it is normal can make it easier to cope with.

You can’t spoil a baby, you are teaching them that you will help them when they need it

You can’t spoil a baby, you are teaching them that you will help them when they need it Ask for help, pass your baby back and forth between parents.

This time will pass, it can be extremely challenging though.

Please ask for help and remember it is not your fault, you’re not doing anything wrong as a new parent.

Welcome to the debut episode of "Midwife in Your Pocket," where we dive into the wonderful world of pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood together.

I'm excited to share my journey with you. As a midwife, maternal and child health nurse, author, and mother of four, my passion for supporting new and expecting mums comes from both professional expertise and personal experience.

Think of this podcast as our cozy gathering spot, where we share stories over a cup of tea or coffee. It's more than just a podcast; it's a community—a safe space for comfort and support.