Tonight I’m talking co-sleeping, self-care and a photoshoot nightmare. I’m also sharing the social media rabbit holes I’ve been diving down this week.
If you have anything to share, remember to email thenightfeedpodcast@gmail.com.
Tonight’s unpaid sponsor is…Elf on the shelf. Now if you have a newborn, you may not have started this tradition just yet but if you have toddlers like me you may have took the nose dive into adventures around the house with your little red buddy. It’s all great, they love the magic and mischief he gets up to until that one evening when you forget. Left him in the toy basket didn’t I.
In plain sight. When we came down the following morning, I suddenly saw a striped red leg and cheeky little elf face staring me down. I don’t think I’ve moved this fast in a while - grabbed a blanket and swiped the little fella right out of that basket then went about positioning him while they were watching Peppa. They were non the wiser and he delivered on the daily morning chocolate coins so all was well.
The magic of Christmas with babies and children
This podcast is going out on Wednesday 25th December so Merry Christmas to you all wherever you are in the world! I hope you are having a wonderful day. I’ve seen an American film and an American lady online say in the last 24 hours that brits don’t say marry Christmas they say happy Christmas but I can assure you we do. I’m all for Merry over Happy so just wanted to settle that one.
For many of you it’ll be your first Christmas with a baby so I hope you’re enjoying the magic of being a parent! I know they don’t understand yet but let me tell you over the next couple of years it’s about to get a whole lot more magical for you!
I also hope that you as mum are enjoying it too. It can be a super stressful time of year trying to make sure everything is in order for the big day it’s easy to forget about yourself. So remember that you, Mum, are the magic. You create it, you bring it and you watch it on your babies faces. Creating all that magic isn’t easy so make sure you kick back and enjoy too, you deserve it.
Mine are 2 and 3 and they definitely understand Christmas now. The excitement is peaking, I’m recording this on monday 23rd, Christmas Eve Eve if you will and they are just counting down the time bless them. And so am I, just seening their little faces on Christmas will make my entire year I know it.
Although we have had a change on my two year old’s wish list in the last 24 hours. Also trigger warning, if you are listening with kids of understanding age - maybe switch me off till you’re not now! So as I was saying, I asked my two year old a few weeks ago what present she’d like from father christmas, she said a dolly. No problem. Then yesterday I said oooh are you excited to see if father christmas brings you a dolly - she said noooo. Ok then, why not? I don’t want a dolly I want a slide.
I’m not sure the elves take order amendments this late in the day little one.
I found this post in a forum and I thought some of you may find it comforting:
For those who are soon starting daycare (it’s easier than you think!!)
My 12 month old is now 2 months in daycare and I wanted to share my experience because I REALLY needed to hear all those things.
First of all, I have been home with our LO and we’ve built a very strong bond, like it was hard for me to leave her for 3/4 hours. I would miss her so bad and it felt biologically wrong in my body. So I didn’t know how I would survive daycare. Putting her in the care of other people. I felt like I HAD to be with her (I’m also still breastfeeding). The thought alone that she will be with “strangers” brought tears to my eyes. And she exclusively did contact naps, so I had NO IDEA how she would even sleep there.
Fast forward to today (2 months in): our LO enjoys daycare. She gets excited and really likes her care takers. She falls asleep ON HER OWN in a cot (in the first 1-2 weeks they put her to sleep in her carrier and then transferred).
Sometimes goodbyes are tough. But it’s rare. She often looks sad that I’m leaving but cries rarely. And after about 2 weeks the overwhelming feeling of missing her and needing her was gone. Of course I still miss her, but now it’s the normal expected amount.
The time we’re spending now is so much better and I enjoy it a lot more. Going back to work makes me feel more like me, so I come home with more energy and mental head space to spend time with her. When before a whole day alone with the baby could be extremely overwhelming and I’d count the hours until her next nap or bedtime.
There you go - if any of you are dreading this going into the new year, take heed at this mum’s advice, sounds like in her case it was way worse for her than her little one.
Mum Self Care Suggestion
My self care suggestion this evening is to make sure you’re enjoying the Chrismtas break too. Stop with the pressure now, Christmas is here - if you haven’t done it already it’s not getting done. You need to take it in, rest, enjoy the food and be kind to yourself as mum.
Oh and stick on Bridget Jones' Diary - the first and best one - it’s just such a feel good film you can kick back and enjoy which is exactly what I did the other night. Plus 2001 Hugh Grant is very easy on the eye...
Finally to finish on a quote I wrote
You hear me calling for you in the middle of the night, you look at your phone and it’s 3:38am. I’ve only been down 30 minutes…
You lie there looking up at the ceiling, questioning where you’re going to find the strength from to lift yourself from the bed…
But you do. “Mama’s here” you whisper as we rock on our favourite chair. I’m instantly soothed. As you begin to feed me…
Tears silently stream down your cheeks. You’ve had no more than 20 minutes solid sleep tonight and you feel like you’re crumbling…
Your head bobs as you fight the sleep you so desperately need. You’re feeling so many emotions in this moment as you just try to stay awake…
You realise how strong you are as you hold me. You see how much I’ve grown in just six weeks, my toes press against the ends of the romper that was hanging off me not so long ago…
My plump rosey cheeks suckling, my strong hand that grips your finger, all thriving because of you.
You’re giving everything and it’s hard but this time will soon pass Mama, things will get easier and one day you’ll blink and I’ll have grown.
Thanks for listening I hope wherever you are, despite the night feeds and the wakings, you’re managing to rest and restore somewhat this Christmas. Wishing you all a restful night ahead. Goodnight!
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