1. family and parenting
2. babies and toddlers

spring 2012
how to help
your baby sleep
new mums’ guide
to wellbeing
family fun in america’s
sunshine state
tamzin outhwaite:
my favourite baby things
going green
preparing for childbirth
04
06
features
regulars
04 HOW TO HELP
YOUR BABY SLEEP
03NEWS
06FASHION: THE BEST
MATERNITY FROCKS
08PERFECTLY NORMAL
BABIES’ COMMON FLAWS
11 BEAUTY
12FASHION
16 10 BEST FRAMES
14TAKING YOUR BABY HOME
22 Me and my
pregnancy
17PREPARING THE
PERFECT PICNIC
27 REAL LIFE STORY
18 Preparing for childbirth
20SIBLING RIVALRY
24FAMILY FUN IN AMERICA’S
SUNSHINE STATE
28Solving holiday problems
40
39ACTIVITIES
40INTERIORS
43PARENT TALK
44 Toys
47 Books
31TAMZIN OUTHWAITE:
MY FAVOURITE BABY THINGS
32NEW MUMS’ GUIDE
TO WELLBEING
36GOING GREEN
38A DAY IN THE LIFE OF
A PLAY SPECIALIST
47
Amandine Silk Print
Party Dress pg 06
THE PETER RABBIT LIBRARY pg 47
40
Planet Little
Marseille crib pg 40
| spring 2012
1
welcome to nurture
S
pring has arrived and it’s time to celebrate the end of those dark winter evenings
and look ahead to long days outdoors and warm summer sunshine.
This – the second edition of The Portland Hospital’s parenting magazine Nurture – is brimming
with ideas for the new season. Ideas for fun family days out, the best foods for picnics, gardening
with your children, the latest summer fashions for children and mums, and how to avoid those
summer holiday health problems are all featured in this issue.
Can you believe that the average parent will have lost six month’s worth of sleep by the time their
child is two? I can certainly vouch for that after having two girls who loved to wake at night.
We also look at the simple ways you can make your family more environmentally friendly. I was
astonished to learn that nearly three billion nappies each year are thrown away in the UK, which take
500 years to decompose.
What’s more we could all save £50 a month if we planned our meals more carefully and stopped
throwing away so much food.
Finally, I would like to thank you for your overwhelmingly positive response to the first edition
of Nurture published last Autumn.
We had tremendous feedback and it was great to know we struck a chord with so many of you and
that you enjoyed reading our articles and browsing through the fashion and lifestyle pages. Your
feedback and ideas are really important and we do take them all on board. So keep them coming!
The last word goes to Janene Madden, the Chief Executive Officer of The Portland Hospital,
who had her third child, a baby daughter Martha at the hospital in January.
Janene took time from her maternity leave to write a piece about her pregnancy, and why the
birth of her daughter was so special.
I am sure you will join me in congratulating her on her new arrival.
Publishing Director Janene Madden
janene@nurturemagazine.co.uk
Editor Rachel Ellis
rachel@nurturemagazine.co.uk
Contributors Sophie Goodchild,
Julia Lawrence, Lucy Elkins, Rachel Groom,
Tamara Abrahams and Elizabeth Jeffries
Art Director Parul Babbar
parul@nurturemagazine.co.uk
Editor Rachel Ellis
Advertising and production
Sam Mitchell-Innes
sam@nurturemagazine.co.uk
Published by
The Portland Hospital
for Women and Children
205-209 Great Portland Street
London W1W 5AH United Kingdom
Tel: 020 7580 4400
Email: info@nurturemagazine.co.uk
www.theportlandhospital.com
Design and Production
Phoebus Associates
Images: Imagethirst, Veer and Corbis.
This publication may not be reproduced in whole or part by any means without the prior consent of the publisher. Whilst every effort has been
made to ensure accuracy of the content at the time of publication, the publishers shall not be held responsible in any way for any inaccuracies or
omissions. © 2012 HCA International Limited. All Rights Reserved. Nurture™ is a trademark owned by HCA International Limited.
2
spring 2012 |
News
How to deal with picky eaters
PARENTS of picky eaters can
encourage their children to eat more
nutritionally diverse diets by introducing
more colour to their meals, according
to new American research. The study
by Cornell University found that plates
containing seven different types of food,
of six different colours, are particularly
appealing to children. Adults, on
the other hand, prefer fewer colours
– only three items and three colours.
“What kids find visually appealing is
very different than what appeals to
their parents,” says Brian Wansink,
professor of marketing at the university.
The dangers of nappy sacks
A NEW campaign is warning
parents of the deadly dangers of nappy
sacks. Infants have an automatic reflex
to grab things within reach and bring
them to their mouths. Nappy bags are
made from thin plastic that can cling
to a baby’s face, and they are unable to
pull them away again as their impulse
is to go rigid. Over the last 10 years,
eleven babies have suffocated after
pulling bags over their faces. The new
NHS campaign urges parents to keep
nappy sacks out of reach and where
possible, to use a roll of sacks.
Why oily fish is good for your baby
WOMEN who tuck into oily fish
such as tuna, sardines and salmon during
pregnancy are more likely to have brainy
and sociable children, according to a major
new EU study. Two thousand women were
questioned at 20 weeks of pregnancy
and again after birth about their diet and
had their levels of omega-3 and omega-6
checked - the healthy fatty acids found in
oily fish. Infants’ verbal intelligence, social
and fine motor skills were also tested.
Researchers from the University of Granada
found the offspring of women who had
consumed the most oily fish during
pregnancy did the best in the tests.
| spring 2012
3
Health
how to help your
baby Sleep
By Lucy Elkins
There are few subjects that
interest parents of a young child more
than sleep. “Is he/she sleeping through
the night yet?” is often one of the first
questions friends and fellow parents
will ask about your baby. Yet while
some babies seem to nod off without
any effort, getting others to sleep is far
more difficult.
“Some babies are born with the ability
to self-soothe and go to sleep easily
while others are what I call fragile
sleepers,” says Mandy Gurney, founder
of the Millpond Children’s Sleep Clinic
in London, and a leading authority on
children’s sleep problems. “We don’t
know why this is – but that’s why
parents can follow the same routines
with all their children, yet some sleep
easier than others.”
4
spring 2012 |
In the early weeks, sleep is very closely
involved with feeding. “Your new baby
will tend to live life in a milky, dozy
“Parents can follow
the same routines for
all their children,
yet some sleep better
than others.”
state, and believe it or not, few babies
really settle and sleep well,” says
Andrea Grace, a child sleep specialist
and former health visitor. Babies are
born with a free running body clock
that, over the first few weeks of life,
slowly starts to fit into a day and night
schedule. In these early stages, it can
be very difficult to pick up your baby’s
sleep cues. Often by the time a baby is
crying they are over tired.
“This is why timing is initially more
important than technique as an
overtired baby is hard to settle,” says
Mandy. “Some young babies cannot
go longer than one and half hours
without a sleep so watch out for signs
that they are tired. They may yawn,
rub their eyes or just gaze into space.”
At around three months, they start
to produce enough melatonin (the
sleep hormone we all produce in
the evening to trigger drowsiness)
to help regulate their sleep more.
Most experts agree that it is best to
wait until this age before you try to
introduce a routine to your baby’s
sleep patterns.
“The key is to teach a baby how to fall
asleep independently of you or any
props,” says Mandy. “If a baby or child
Health
How much sleep do
children need?
The Millpond Clinic chart of
average sleep needs:
Birth to three months
Seven hours in the day and eight
and a half hours at night.
Three to six months
Three and a half hours in the day,
eleven hours at night.
“If a baby or child has
learnt to fall asleep
independently at
bedtime they will have
a much better chance
of returning to sleep
independently when
they stir in the night.”
has learnt to fall asleep independently
at bedtime they will have a much
better chance of returning to sleep
independently when they stir in the
night.” However, teething, a period of
illness or moving from a cot to a bed
can disrupt good sleeping habits.
“Another tricky stage is often at eight
months when babies can start to
develop separation anxiety as they start
to recognise that they are a separate
entity from their mother,” says Mandy.
If a child’s sleep is disrupted, they aren’t
the only ones feeling tired. According to
a recent study, the average parent will
have lost six-month’s worth of sleep by
the time their child is two!
“Don’t feel guilty, rest whenever your
baby does,” says Mandy.
“If you feel really shattered, ask a friend
or relative to help out for an afternoon
while you get a sleep – you will be a
better parent if you feel well rested.”
Six to nine months
Three hours in the day, eleven
hours at night.
Nine to twelve months
Two and a half hours in the day,
eleven hours at night.
Twelve months to two years
One and a half hours in the day,
eleven and a half hours at night.
Two to three years
As above but daytime nap will
reduce and maybe dropped.
Three to four years
twelve hours at night.
Four to five years
eleven and a half hours at night.
Millpond Children’s Sleep Clinic
www.mill-pond.co.uk
Tips on how to get your
child to sleep
Keep things quiet at night. When your
baby wakes for a feed, keep the lights
low and only change their nappy if it is
very wet or soiled.
Feed a young baby regularly through
the day (waking them every three hours
if necessary) so they wake less at night
for feeds.
Take young babies outside for a walk
especially in the late afternoon to get
them used to the difference between
night and day.
Establish a bedtime ritual. Give them a
feed, a bath and then bed and do it in
that order so they don’t use the feed
as a prop to get to sleep.
Make sure you are not putting your
baby to bed hungry. Sometimes babies
aren’t sleeping because they haven’t
been given enough food, especially
when they are weaning.
Don’t just leave your baby to cry it out.
Studies show attending to your young
baby’s needs when they cry helps the
brain develop the necessary neural
pathways to feel safe and secure.
Once a child is over three months, try
the gradual retreat technique. When
they cry work down from rocking them
and putting them to bed, to having a
brief cuddle, to going to the cot and
stroking their head, to going up to their
cot and finally just entering their room.
From six months, establish night-time
cues early in the evening. So tidy up
their toys and turn off the TV or radio
so they know play time is over and it is
time to wind down.
If older children become early risers then
clocks such as Gro clocks which have a
moon sign when it is sleeping time and
a sunshine that pops up when it is time
to get up can help or Bunny clocks where
then bunny closes his eyes to sleep and
pops eyes open in the morning.
Make sure their bedroom is neither too
hot nor too cold. The ideal temperature
is 18 degrees Centigrade.
| spring 2012
5
Fashion
3
2
1
6
4
5
6
spring 2012 |
Frock
tactics
Fashion
With summer comes a social season, but
dressing to impress doesn’t have to be safe.
This season’s maternity must-haves will take
your bump from garden parties to the most
glamorous of weddings in style
7
8
’s
r
o
it ck
d
E Pi
lk
Si
e
n ty
r
di
an t Pa
Am rin ress
P D
1 Grecian dress in raspberry £115, Crave Maternity, www.cravematernity.co.uk 2 Just Cavalli, flower-print dress £468,
Blossom Mother & Child, www.blossommotherandchild.com 3 Coral Drape dress £195, Peaks of London, www.peaksoflondon.com
4 Just Cavalli, leopard maxi dress £610, Blossom Mother & Child, www.blossommotherandchild.com 5 Drape back dress £165,
Keungzai, www.keungzai.com 6 By Malene Birger maxi dress £395, 9 London, 020 7730 1318 7 The Magic Maxi in berry
£105, Babes With Babies, www.babeswithbabies.com 8 Amandine silk print party dress £325, Vanessa Knox, www.vanessaknox.com
| spring 2012
7
Health
perfectly
normal
babies’ common flaws
By Lucy Elkins
Over a thousand babies
are born each day in this
country and in their
parents’ eyes they are
perfect. Yet babies
are often born with
or develop minor flaws
that won’t significantly
affect their health but
can be a worry for a
new parent. So here’s our
guide to common baby
issues, what causes them
and when to seek help.
8
spring 2012 |
Birthmarks: Birthmarks are extremely
common, affecting up to one in 10
children. Doctors are unsure why they
develop and, in most cases, there is no
medical need for any treatment. There
are two main types: hemangiomas
or strawberry marks affect 10 per
cent of babies and generally appear
within the first few months of life.
Dr Alex Barnacle, a consultant
paediatric interventional radiologist
involved in the management of
birthmarks at the Portland Hospital,
explains: “In 95 per cent of cases, these
birthmarks disappear on their own and
do not require treatment.
If the birthmark is in a difficult
position, for example, near the eye or
airway making it difficult for the child
to see or breathe, it can be treated
with medication or lasers.” The other
common form is known as a port
wine stain. These are present at birth
and more enduring but a variety
of different treatment options can
reduce the colour or help flatten the
mark. Two rarer forms of birthmark
are lymphatic malformations or cystic
hygromas and venous malformations.
These are swellings in or under the
skin and can often be treated with
injection sclerotherapy or surgery.
Health
“Most often they develop a flattened head at the back
and a slight bulge at the front. It is purely a cosmetic
issue, it will not damage the brain in any way.”
Mis-shapen head: Babies are born with
soft bone plates which fuse together to
form a hard skull during the first two
years of life. This makes birth easier
but its pliable nature means a baby’s
head can become misshapen either
through the force of labour or just
from the position they like to lie in.
“It is common among babies who are
good sleepers,” says Mr. Owase Jeelani,
a consultant paediatric neurosurgeon
at Great Ormond Street Hospital and
The Portland Hospital. “Most often
they develop a flattened head at the
back and a slight bulge at the front.
It is purely a cosmetic issue, it will
not damage the brain in any way.”
Simply getting your baby to spend
as much time as possible on their
tummy during the day, or changing
the position they sleep in so that they
are not always lying on the flattened
section of their head can help. If that
doesn’t work, then talk to your doctor
about other options such as special
moulded pillows or helmets which help
encourage the skull to grow into the
correct shape. “The helmets need to be
worn for 23 hours a day for a minimum
of three months,” says Mr. Jeelani.
“That requires dedication but they are
effective.” Treatment is most effective in
babies aged six to twelve months.
says Dr Mike Thomson, a consultant
paediatric gastroenterologist at The
Portland Hospital. “In mild cases, simply
giving the baby smaller feeds more
often and putting them to sleep with
their head raised by 30 degrees can
help,” says Dr Thomson. However, in
approximately 40 per cent of cases,
reflux is linked to a cow’s milk allergy
so a doctor may suggest excluding dairy
(although only follow this kind of diet
with the specific advice of a doctor).
Medication such as antacids may also
be recommended. Normally, the
sphincter at the top of the stomach
strengthens naturally by the time the
baby reaches between nine and fifteen
months of age. “In a tiny minority of
cases, surgery will be required to do
this,” adds Dr Thomson.
Protruding ears: Around two per cent
of children are born with noticeably
protruding ears and, in a further one
per cent, the ears start to stick out
around three months of age. Previously,
surgery was the only option - but not
anymore. “In the first few months of
life, the ear cartilage is soft and pliant
and you can use a small splint (placed in
the hollow part of the external ear) to
reshape it,” explains Mr David Gault, a
plastic surgeon at The Portland Hospital.
“You need to keep them in 24 hours
a day for around three weeks and the
only real issue is that the ears must
be kept dry.” The splints don’t need to
be inserted by a doctor and can even
be bought over the Internet. (www.
earbuddies.co.uk) More severe cases,
such as overly large ears can only be
modified with surgery. “Unless the need
is pressing and, for example, a child
needs his ears reshaped to help retain
hearing aids, then we don’t operate
until a child is five as until this age the
ear is not rigid enough for the surgery
to be successful,” adds Mr Gault.
Reflux: This is a relatively common
complaint affecting one in twenty
babies to some degree. It is caused by
a weakness in the valve at the top of
the stomach that normally shuts after
a feed to keep food in the stomach.
In babies, this valve can be loose and
so their feed is able to escape back up
the oesophagus causing the child pain.
“Babies with this fret more around
feeding time and will be especially fussy
after a feed or when they lie down,”
| spring 2012
9
10
spring 2012 |
Beauty
Beauty
Tokyo milk perfumed soap
with shea butter
£12.50, John Lewis
www.johnlewis.com
Turkish body scrub
with eucalyptus
£30, Kerstin Florian
www.kerstinflorian.co.uk
Triple Oxygen Instant
Energizing eye gel
£42, Bliss
www.blissworld.co.uk
Bergamot, Jasmine
& Mandarin candle
£38, Timothy Han
www.timothyhan.com
Le Vernis nail
polish in April
£17.50, Chanel
For stockists,
call 020 7493 3836
Hervana blush
£23.50, Benefit
www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk
Laura Mercier Gel Lip
Colour in Poppy
£18.50, Space NK
www.spacenk.co.uk
| spring 2012
11
Jazz
Fashion
From drop waists to Art Deco details, fashion
is having a 1920s flashback this season. Feathers
and decadent beading are de rigueur as are
those all-important dancing shoes.
All that
Malene Birger shift dress
£445, www.my-wardrobe.com
Vintage black sequin
flapper dress
£450, Atelier Mayer
www.atelier-mayer.com
Marc By Marc Jacobs
gold lattice heels
£335
www.my-wardrobe.com
12
spring 2012 |
Clutch bag
£160, Hoss Intropia
www.hossintropia.com
Fashion
Anton Heunis necklace
£165, www.my-wardrobe.com
Sass & Bide Winding Road feather dress
£850, Harvey Nichols
www.harveynichols.com
Pearl and crystal fan comb
£130, Emmy
www.emmyshoes.co.uk
Theory Varishka top
£277, www.saksfifthavenue.com
Tier dress in emerald
£115, Melabelle London
www.melabelle.com
| spring 2012
13
Health
By Lucy Elkins
LEAVING hospital with your
newborn baby can be a
nerve racking experience.
Even though you have had nine
months to adjust to the notion of
becoming a parent, arriving home
with a new little bundle who is
totally in your care can feel a
little overwhelming.
So what can you do to make the early
days at home run smoothly?
The first and most important thing to
remember is that you are not going
to be left totally on your own.
All new mothers – whether they have
their baby privately or on the NHS –
are visited by an NHS midwife within
a few days after they return home
from hospital to ensure both mum
and baby are OK.
14
spring 2012 |
“It’s a good idea to write down any
questions as it’s easy to forget what
you wanted to ask during her visit,”
suggests Philippa Bennett, an NCT
teacher based in Hertfordshire.
Half hour private sessions with a
midwife can also be booked at
The Portland Hospital.
Around ten days after the birth, a
health visitor will take over from the
midwife and will advise on the baby’s
development and health.
However, if your baby seems
unwell, you don’t need to wait for
the midwife. Call your GP who will
normally find a slot to see a poorly
baby even when all appointments are
taken or call the Children’s Doc Around
the Clock service at the Portland.
Don’t neglect yourself either. Many
women get the baby blues for a few
Health
taking your
baby home
how to cope when you leave hospital
days after giving birth and feel tearful,
especially when their breast milk
comes in.
“I normally suggest that while dad is
on paternity leave, it can help if he
focuses on looking after the mum and
the mum focuses on looking after the
baby,” says Philippa Bennett.
“While dad is on
paternity leave, it
can help if he focuses
on looking after
mum and the mum
focuses on looking
after the baby.”
“It helps maximise the amount of
rest everyone gets and can reduce
potential tension.” However, if you
feel overwhelmingly down, anxious
about the baby or guilty that you
aren’t coping, then this may be a
sign of post-natal depression.
Around 15 per cent of new mothers
develop it, according to figures from
Royal College of Psychiatrists, so
don’t feel embarrassed about asking
for help from your midwife or GP.
Being realistic about what is
achievable with a newborn baby
is also important.
“A lot of new parents feel they have to
try and carry on as normal and be up
showered, dressed and have a full face
of make up on by 8am.
“However, in the first week or so after
having a baby, it doesn’t matter if you
spend the day in pyjamas as long as
you feel rested and relaxed.
“So limit the amount of visitors you
have and just enjoy being a new
family unit.
“I often tell new parents to have a
bath with their baby. Not only is it
relaxing, it’s the most wonderful
bonding experience for mummy,
daddy and baby.”
There are also lots of practical things
you can do to help you through those
first few weeks of parenthood.
With a new baby there is little time
to cook. So prepare bigger meals in
the weeks running up to the birth and
freeze them, or do an on-line order
and arrange for food or even meals
to be delivered to you.
Also have changing mats upstairs and
downstairs, says Margarita Atieh.
“This is an especially good idea if you
have had a Caesarean as going up and
down stairs can be painful,” she says.
The baby market
is vast but here’s
what you really
need at home.
Check list:
Nappies
Vests, hats and sleep suits
Car seat
Changing mats
Pram
Ready made milk cartons
(just in case of feeding issues)
Bottles, teats, bottle brush,
steriliser and breast pump
(if planning to breastfeed)
Breast pads,
maternity pads or
sanitary towels
Cotton wool
Baby wipes
Moses basket or cot/crib
“You have to accept that your life has
changed,” says Margarita Atieh, a
former nurse and midwife who is now
a bespoke baby planner for a number
of high profile clients.
Scratch mittens
Muslins and Bibs
| spring 2012
15
1
Best
Picture Frames
1. Bright pink fridge photo frame
£7, Habitat, www.habitat.co.uk
2. Twin heart frames
£8.50, Oliver Bonas, www.oliverbonas.com
2
3. Black and pewter blossom frame
£25, Nina Campbell, www.ninacampbell.com
4. Greta photo frame
£29, Brissi, www.brissi.co.uk
5. Jonathan Adler Queen Anne frame
£80, Heals, www.heals.co.uk
6. Shabby Chic woodcut frame
£14, House of Fraser, www.houseoffraser.co.uk
3
7. Spectrum frame
£7.50, Marks & Spencer
www.marksandspencer.com
4
8. Playnation frame
£12, John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com
5
9. Sonogram frame
£14.95, Glow Maternity & Baby
www.glowmaternityandbaby.co.uk
10. Reflection frame by Georg Jensen
£49, Skandium, www.skandium.com
6
7
8
9
16
spring 2012 |
10
Food & Drink
preparing the
perfect picnic
By Sophie Goodchild
When the weather’s
warm and the days
long, eating al fresco
is the perfect treat
for children and
adults. What could
be more fun than
taking a hamper full
of delicious food to
the park, the beach –
or even just the
back garden?
A picnic is ideal because everyone
gets to choose, the little ones are free to
run around and there’s minimal clearing
up afterwards.
But before you pack, there are a few
things to remember to make your family
outing memorable for the right reasons.
First, choose foods that travel well and
require minimum cutlery. A selection
of ‘novelty’ bread is a must for the
picnic basket, according to dietician
Jacky Bernett. She recommends pita
which goes down well with children
and grown-ups, along with bread
sticks and wraps.
“Children like starchy foods but
sandwiches can be boring,” says the
consultant from the Portland Hospital.
“Different breads are excellent for
hummus or avocado dips. The key is to
provide different tastes and textures.
Picnics are ideal for the faddy child
because they get to choose. I often say
to mothers go to the park and have a
picnic - there’s not the same stress of
sitting at the dining table.”
serious bout of food poisoning, warns
nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville.
“Kebabs made from firm fresh fruit or
raw vegetables provide novelty value
for children and adults. They’re also
nutritious and can be pre-prepared.
Different types of salad such as tuna
pasta are healthy - but go easy on the
Bacteria thrive at temperatures
between 5 degrees C (41 degrees F)
and 60 degrees C (140 degrees F).
So keep meat, fish and eggs chilled to
40 degrees F or below in an icebox.
Different breads are
excellent for hummus
or avocado dips.
The key is to provide
different tastes
and textures
mayonnaise. Flapjacks or banana cake
are a good alternative to pudding which
can be messy.”
However, ensure you only take food
that is either thoroughly cooked or kept
chilled, and throw away meat, fish and
egg products that have been in the sun
for over an hour - otherwise you risk a
“You have to be careful in the heat with
foods such as prawns and meat,” says
Dr Glenville.
“Go for safe foods such as raw carrots
and hummus.”
Staying hydrated is also essential on
hot summer days. Children should be
drinking up to two litres on a normal
day and the Health Protection Agency
(HPA) suggests upping this amount
when the thermometer climbs above
30 degrees C.
Dr Glenville adds: “Take bottled water
or a flask as well as individual cartons of
pure fruit juice so the children have their
own - and you save on cups.”
| spring 2012
17
Health
Preparing for
childbirth
By Lucy Elkins
WHEN you are preparing for
the birth of your baby, it can seem as if
there are a hundred and one things to
sort out.
However, the one item on your ‘to
do’ list that you should not ignore is
attending an antenatal class.
It is here that you can address your
concerns about the birth, learn what to
expect and pick up tips on how to care
for a newborn.
“It’s a really important part of
becoming a parent,” says Philippa
Bennett, an antenatal teacher for the
National Childbirth Trust.
“If you just pick things up from the
Internet or from friends, you can get
information overload whereas a class
allows for more focus.
“It also gives you a chance to mix with
people at a similar stage of pregnancy.
That in itself can be really helpful.”
And it is not just mums who can
benefit. These days many classes
are tailored to include dads too.
18
spring 2012 |
“Mums and dads often have very
different worries but both can be
addressed in a class,” says Teresa Walsh,
a midwife and childbirth educator who
runs antenatal classes at the Portland.
“A good class will help equip both
mums and dads with the knowledge
to have not necessarily the perfect
birth, but a positive birth.
“If parents have a positive birth
experience then they are more likely
to begin the whole parenting process
with self-belief.”
Antenatal classes normally begin at
around 30 weeks of pregnancy and
tend to be held in the evenings over
a period of weeks. Another option for
time-stretched parents is to attend a
one-off day workshop.
“All classes cover the signs of early
and full labour, and how to cope with
each,” says Teresa. “There will also
be an outline of the various pain
relief options.
“A lot of women think there’s an
epidural and that’s it - but there are
far more options.”
Baby care basics such as how to
hold and bath your baby, dress them
appropriately and breastfeeding are
also covered.
Even if it is not your first baby, you
might benefit from attending a
refresher course.
“Parents often have anxieties about
going through birth again, or how
their other children will react to a new
arrival. Going through a refresher
course helps them deal with all these
issues so that they come to the birth
uncluttered,” explains Teresa.
For Portland classes contact:
0207 390 6068
The National Childbirth Trust:
www.nct.org.uk
Keep some souvenirs of your past,
or how will you ever prove it wasn’t
all a dream?
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| spring 2012
19
Lifestyle
By Sophie Goodchild
A new baby means a brother
or sister to play with. It also means
sharing, possibly for the first time,
and this can be challenging for a child.
Sibling rivalry where children squabble
over toys, clothes or who gets the
most attention is a common issue for
parents. Children are programmed to
be competitive. In fact, it’s part of their
survival instinct and parents shouldn’t
be surprised if the older child wants
to oust the younger from the ‘nest,’
according to psychotherapist
Phillip Hodson.
“Evolutionary biologists would say
this is straightforward Darwinian
stuff: two children in the same nest
competing for the same food supply,”
he says. “Survival is the primitive drive
- the notion of love and bonds kicks
in later. There’s nothing unnatural
about feeling a mix of emotions about
having to share. Yet we expect children
to rejoice in their ‘replacement’.”
His advice to parents is to start
‘preparation classes’ for their older
child as early as three months into
the pregnancy.
20
Sibling
Rivalry
“They might have to change bedroom
or there may be new adults around
such as a nanny,” he says. “These are
big issues for a child. Ask them how
they feel: ‘Mummy’s going to have
another baby. How do you think that
might affect you?’ Mixed feelings are
the most common response.”
way is key. That might mean helping
your older child make a cake and
reading to the younger one so each
feels special.
There’s nothing
unnatural about
feeling a mix of
emotions about
having to share.
Dr Louise Emanuel, a child and
adolescent psychotherapist
from London’s Tavistock Centre,
recommends presenting your older
child with a ‘gift’ from the new
baby. Striking a balance between
acknowledging your child’s feelings
and meeting the new baby’s needs
is also important, she says.
Parents also need to monitor their
own response to sibling rivalry. Don’t
play out your own ‘story’ through
your children, says Phillip. “If you
were a bullied sister then don’t
overcompensate by favouring your
own daughter. Always be a fair and
wise judge.”
Giving each child an equal amount of
attention but in their own individual
“You’re not raising a brood of
collective beings. Each has their
own identity,” adds Phillip.
“I’ve known new parents who say
‘I don’t pick up the new baby much
because it will make him (the older
child) jealous.’ But it’s a fact of life that
you may have to go to another room
to feed,” she says. It’s also natural for
parents to feel guilty about ‘displacing’
their first-born so do not bury these
feelings, says Dr Emanuel.
© BabyCentre
Twenty weeks gestation is the halfway
mark through pregnancy (as every
mother knows, it’s a myth that women
are pregnant for only nine months).
Your baby is putting on weight and is
now about 10 inches long from head
to heel – the length of a banana.
What is happening at
20 weeks pregnancy
(around five months)
20
spring 2012 |
He or she has also turned into a slippery
little thing. A greasy white substance
called vernix caseosa coats their
entire body.
This coating protects the skin during
its long submission in amniotic fluid –
some babies are still covered in it when
they are born.
Lifestyle
“You need to own these feelings and
not overcompensate by saying to the
sibling ‘Aren’t you lucky!’’ The older
child is going to ‘act’ out by turning
their back and if the parent ‘rejects back’
then an unhelpful cycle begins. It can
be painful (realising they have to share)
and they’ll be thinking ‘is there going
to be enough attention for me?”
As your children grow then disputes are
inevitable. But parents often make the
mistake of attempting to resolve these
conflicts too quickly, says Dr Emanuel.
You’ll be offered a scan at around 20
weeks to have a close look at your
baby to check he or she is developing
normally and also to look at where the
placenta is lying in the womb.
At this scan you can see some amazing
images of your baby – their face,
hands, feet and spine – and may be
able to find out the sex.
Expectant mothers may now be
starting to feel full and even breathless
as the womb expands to accommodate
the baby.
“Parents often want it sorted so they’ll
say ‘no one is going to have the toy.’
But children need to take turns to share
and have a sense of differentiation, to
understand there are differences such
as with bedtimes. Children also need
their own space and their own
age-appropriate toys.”
Another useful tip from Dr Emanuel is
not to ‘enforce’ adulthood on a child
just because they are now the eldest.
“Parents say ‘You’re the big boy now.’
But a toddler might only be two, and
even three to five-year-olds regress
at times. Don’t rob them of their
baby feelings.”
For more information go to:
www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk
lemanuel@tavi-port.nhs.uk
The psychotherapist, and author of
Understanding Your Three Year Old, says:
It’s important that women get enough
iron at this stage, a mineral that’s used
to make haemoglobin (the part of your
red blood cells that carries oxygen).
During pregnancy, the body needs
more iron to keep up with your
expanding blood volume, as well as for
your growing baby and the placenta.
Red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, leafy
green vegetables, soy-based products
and raisins are all good sources of iron.
For more information go to
www.babycentre.co.uk
Finally, if you haven’t already done so,
now might be a good time to sign up
for an antenatal class.
| spring 2012
21
Pregnancy Diary
me and my
pregnancy
Janene Madden, 38, Chief Executive
Officer of The Portland Hospital and
mother of Martha who was born
weighing 6lb 4oz on January 6 2012.
When I unexpectedly found myself
pregnant with our third child, I
thought I knew what pregnancy and
childbirth was all about and thus
there would be few surprises. How
wrong could I be? This pregnancy
was completely different from start
to finish and maybe that was because
after two boys, unbeknown to us we
were having a little girl.
For the first twenty six weeks of my
pregnancy I endured horrendous
morning sickness – at its worst I
arrived to see my obstetrician at
The Portland Hospital having not been
able to hold water or any food down
for a full five days. I had been sick
with all my other pregnancies but this
was on a completely different scale –
I was even getting up in the middle of
the night to vomit! Nausea consumed
every waking hour which was made
even more difficult by my job which
entails long working hours. The good
news was that I put on very little
weight and managed to conceal my
22
spring 2012 |
pregnancy from my
work colleagues until
twenty two weeks,
which is no easy feat in
a maternity hospital!
At twenty nine weeks I
was attending a formal
evening meeting at
a local hotel when
I suddenly had the
horrifying thought that
my waters had broken. This became
even more terrifying when I realised
I was in fact haemorrhaging blood.
After a hasty exit and quick taxi ride
back to the safety of the Portland, I was
admitted with a placenta previa – a
complication of pregnancy where the
placenta covers all or part of the cervix
so that a natural delivery is not possible
and can cause severe bleeding. The
baby was given steroids and we
prepared for a delivery. Luckily I was
discharged two days later with baby
still inside and strict instructions to
limit all activity. Fortunately, I managed
to continue to work with the absolute
promise that I stayed sat in my office all
day – staying at home with two boys
was never going to be restful! I drew a
huge amount of comfort just being at
work where I was being monitored
closely by my obstetrician, fetal
medicine consultant and caring
midwifery colleagues.
Against all odds I made it to 36 weeks,
working up until 11pm the night before
closing year end accounts! This time
there would be no normal delivery
as had occurred with my previous
deliveries - due to my placenta previa a
planned medical caesarean section was
required. Back-up arrangements were
put in place in case of haemorrhage
but fortunately it was not needed
and to our delight we were handed a
healthy baby girl weighing 6lb 4oz.
Our family is now complete as five
years earlier we had lost a baby girl at
22 weeks – a wonderful ending or only
just the beginning?!
Helping to save the lives of women and babies today
and tomorrow
Every donation makes a difference
www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk
Charity Partner of the Portland Hospital
Charity Reg No. England & Wales: 239281, Scotland: SC042856
Nurture Magazine - Wellbeing of Women.indd 1
MAF-ad.indd 1
02/03/2012 11:55:20
06/03/2012 13:55
Travel
Family fun
in America’s
Sunshine
State
By Rachel Groom
A TRIP to Florida and all that
it promises - sunshine, beaches and
theme parks - is on the holiday wish
list of most families.
Indeed, we had been talking about
it for years before we finally took the
plunge earlier this year.
My husband and I had been somewhat
reluctant - all that sugar-coated fun
would surely get on our nerves, and
wouldn’t we rather head to our usual
holiday destinations in France or
Italy instead.
But with two daughters now aged six
and eight, it was now or never.
All I can say is that it didn’t disappoint,
despite the nine hour flight from the
UK. In fact, we all had a few tears when
our 10 day holiday came to an end as
we’d had such a great time together
(and that has never happened on a
holiday before!)
Our trip started in The Keys - just a two
hour car journey from Miami airport.
The dozens of tiny islands which make
up The Keys off the southernmost coast
of Florida are peppered with resorts, but
we opted for Hawks Cay on Duck Key.
Situated about half way along the
coral archipelago, Hawks Cay is a
self-contained 60 acre resort offering
a wide variety of accommodation and
activities for both children and adults.
24
spring 2012 |
It boasts five swimming pools,
a man-made lagoon, tennis courts, a
marina, a wide variety of water sports
and a kids club which offers morning,
afternoon and evening sessions for
children aged five to 17 (babysitting is
also available for younger children).
Accommodation comes either in the
form of rooms in the main hotel or chic
town-house style villas with two, three
or four bedrooms.
There are a number of restaurants
that offer everything from fine dining
to pool-side snacks - and even
a Starbucks!
The restaurants can get busy in the
evenings so a reservation is advisable
if you don’t want a long wait.
The atmosphere of the resort is laid
back luxury. The lush tropical gardens
give it a colonial feel and attentive
staff are on hand with everything
from complimentary towels to toddler
swimming nappies.
But perhaps the main attraction is the
Dolphin Connection, where guests
can meet and learn how to train five
bottlenose dolphins – an experience
that will wow both children and parents.
From The Keys we headed north to
Orlando – an easy five hour car journey
– to Walt Disney World.
As soon as we set foot in Disney World,
our daughters were transformed into
princesses and we were wished a
magical day!
It’s hard not to fall under the Disney
spell no matter how old you are.
The four theme parks - Magic Kingdom,
Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood
Studios – and two water parks, Blizzard
Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, offer a
wide range of activities for children of
all ages.
They are unashamed about having fun
and it brings the best out in everyone
Travel
– whether it is watching your children’s
faces light up when they come face-toface with their favourite character or
enjoying one of the thrilling rides.
The Fastpass system – which allocates
you a time to go on a ride – is great
and means you can spend time looking
round the park rather than waiting in
long queues.
Magic Kingdom, with Cinderella’s castle,
the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique beauty
salon where girls and boys between
the ages of three and twelve can be
transformed into little princesses and
knights, parades, fireworks and a wide
selection of rides, was without doubt
our daughters’ favourite park.
Character meals – where you get to
meet your favourite stars while tucking
into a tasty breakfast, lunch or dinner
– were also a big hit, as was collecting
their autographs.
Booking the character meals is a must
as they are very popular.
Accommodation is available to suit
every budget but if you stay in a
Disney hotel you can take advantage
of extended theme park hours,
complimentary transfers to and from
the airport and dining plans.
If you get the chance, the Victorian-style
Grand Floridian Hotel situated on the
shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon and
just a short train or boat journey from
Magic Kingdom, is well worth a visit.
The sign of a good holiday is when it
flies by and you are sad to leave. This
one ticked both boxes and comes
highly recommended as an enjoyable
family holiday.
To help make the most of your trip
to Disney World, try the Walt Disney
World’s Moms Panel. This is an
online holiday planning tool made
up of 15 people - everyday mums,
dads and grandparents - which
is free to use and offers advice
on planning a Disney holiday,
from what to pack, how to plan a
budget holiday and what to see
and do when you get there. Go to
disneyworldforum.disney.go.com
For more information:
www.hawkscay.com
disneyworld.disney.go.com
| spring 2012
25
Fashion
1
Nautical
but
Nice
3
2
4
7
5
9
6
7
8
s
’
tor
i
d
E
Pick
y
rilb
wT
a
r
t
S
oon
ons
M
y
b
They may be getting up to mischief, but the kids will still look shipshape in red, white
and blue. Play on the theme with Breton stripes and darling fish and boat designs.
1 Striped dress in mid-light jersey, £25.50, Petit Bateau, www.petitbateau.co.uk
2 Sailing t-shirt, £12, Cath Kidston, www.cathkidston.co.uk
3 Navy romper, part of Baby Beach Set, £44, Guess Kids, www.guess.eu
4 Dolce & Gabbana elastic belt, £87.95, Harrods, www.harrods.com
5 Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Melissa Heart shoes, £52.50,
John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com
6 Molly Brown friendship bracelet, £34.95, Harrods, www.harrods.com
7 Step Up Navy Ahoy Matey dress shoe, £30.95, Bobux, www.bobux.co.uk
8 Straw trilby, £10, Monsoon, www.monsoon.co.uk
9 Fish motif t-shirt in mid-light jersey, from £18, Petit Bateau, www.petitbateau.co.uk
26
spring 2012 |
After a blissful, healthy
pregnancy Thomas arrived in the
world at Kingston Hospital, in South
West London, last September, a
strapping 8lbs 12oz. Within hours,
however, new mum Marianna Paton
Evan’s instincts told her there was
something not quite right with her
much-wanted son.
“Lying him on his back after
a breastfeed, he seemed very
uncomfortable,” she remembers.
“He’d splutter, cough and struggle
for breath. I didn’t have much
experience, obviously, but none of
the other mothers I spoke to reported
their babies doing that.”
Back in their London home, however,
their problems were only just
beginning. A larger than average
baby at birth, Thomas originally
started out on the 75th centile on his
growth chart. Within weeks, however,
he’d slipped down to the ninth. He
wasn’t thriving and feeding time was
very difficult.
“He’d cry hysterically after a feed, it
was real angry, painful crying that
went on for hours and hours, with
his head twisted to one side. Our
record was 20 hours’ crying out of
24,” says Marianna, aged 39. “It was
absolutely awful, and not just for us.
Poor Thomas, I could see this wasn’t
just him being a difficult baby, he was
in agony and we felt so helpless.”
Their research frequently directed
them to the possibility that Thomas
might be suffering from reflux, but
were told by the health visitor and
midwives that he was ‘too young’, and
was simply a colicky, hungry baby.
One day when he was five weeks
old, however, a terrifying incident
prompted Marianna and her husband
Stuart, 43, to seek urgent help.
“He actually stopped breathing,”
remembers Marianna. “I found him
lying in his Moses basket, his back
arched and rigid, his face purple and
his eyes dilated. I really thought for
one horrifying moment we’d lost him.
I picked him up and he gave a huge
gasp and started breathing again.”
At the Paediatric Accident and
Emergency ward, Thomas was finally
diagnosed with reflux. “He was
holding his breath in an involuntary
way to stop the stomach acid
entering his lungs. The twisting of
his head was another automatic
response to the discomfort in his
throat,” says Marianna.
He was prescribed antacid and
anti-sickness medications Ranitidine
and Domperidone, but if anything,
Thomas grew worse.
Terribly worried, and almost catatonic
with fatigue, the couple booked
a consultation at the Portland
Hospital with Consultant Paediatric
Gastroenterologist Dr Mike Thomson
who immediately diagnosed reflux.
Real Life Story
We feared
ouR baby
would die
...until
doctors
found a
cure
Dr Thomson has over 20 years
experience of dealing with children
with gastro-oesophageal reflux and
many other gastroenterological
problems, and treats about 100 cases
a month at The Portland Hospital.
“It is terribly distressing for parents,”
says Dr Thomson. “When they walk in
the consulting room, I can usually tell
immediately what the problem is just
from their obvious exhaustion.”
Most babies experience reflux in the
form of possetting (bringing up small
amounts of food after a feed) but
only a small proportion – about 2 to
7 per cent – suffer the severe form
like Thomas. He decided to treat the
problem at source.
“I prescribed Omeprazole, which is
a proton pump inhibitor. This works
by disabling the acid production in
the stomach. Acid is not essential
for food digestion, as most of this
function is performed in the small
bowel by enzymes. We can live quite
comfortably without acid.
“The valve between a baby’s stomach
and oesophagus strengthens over
time, and hopefully Thomas will grow
out of it by his first birthday.”
Within two days of starting his
medication, Thomas was a completely
different baby. “He was happy, smiling
and thriving,” says Marianna. “He
still prefers to sleep on his side or
stomach, but at least he is getting
some sleep, as are we.”
Marianna Paton
Evans, 39, and her
husband Stuart, 43,
from London, with
their son Thomas.
| spring 2012
27
Health
solving
holiday
problems
28
spring 2012 |
Summer holidays can take a
downward turn if your child gets a
tummy bug, sunstroke or a nasty insect
bite. Here Rachel Hall, a Clinical Nurse
Specialist at The Portland Hospital, shares
her tips with parents on preventing
common holiday problems.
Keeping Cool
The natural reaction on a hot day is to
strip babies off, but young children who
aren’t capable of positioning themselves
out of the way of a creeping ray of sun, or
telling you if they are uncomfortable, are
much better off in long-sleeved, loosefitting, cotton garments. These protect
the skin but don’t cling, allowing the skin
to sweat while also protecting it from
direct sunlight. Offer plenty of cooled,
boiled water throughout the day, even to
breastfed babies. Spoon the water into
your baby’s mouth if he/she is reluctant
to take a bottle or cup. Hats are also
essential. You wouldn’t go out without
your sunglasses would you? The same
goes for your baby’s hat.
Health
Sunburn
Young skin of all types – especially
newborn skin – is very sensitive to the
sun. Apply a Factor 50 all over your child
before you leave the house; turn it into
a soothing massage session as you dress
them, that way you won’t miss a spot.
Repeat applications as instructed on the
bottle. Any buggy or pram should be
fitted with either a parasol or sunshade,
and a sunshade net (or a muslin over the
hood if caught short) will keep your child
extra safe. These are particularly helpful
for front facing buggies. Keep your
child in the shade at all times, especially
between the peak sun hours of 11am
– 3pm. If despite your best efforts your
child gets burnt, apply cool compresses
and give an infant analgesic (such as
Calpol). If the skin should blister, do not
burst them because the blister acts as a
sterile dressing on the wound beneath.
Seek medical advice if you are worried.
Sunstroke
Its proper name is hyperthermia and
can be a very serious condition. It
happens where the body has heated
to a level where its automatic cooling
off mechanisms are unable to cope. In
young babies, a depressed fontanelle
on the head combined with fretfulness
is a sign of dehydration. Offer plenty
of cooled, boiled water and an infant
analgesic (calpol) if required. If your
child’s temperature does not drop, or he/
she appears to be having a seizure, seek
immediate medical attention.
Tummy Upsets
Bacteria love it warm and wet, and
let’s face it, that’s a very good way
to describe a typical British summer.
With a few handbag additions, and a
bit of common sense, you can avoid
tummy trouble both here and abroad.
Antibacterial wipes for nappy changes
on the move and for wiping the
hands of crawling babies outdoors
are an essential. If you are venturing
abroad, be very careful with the water
and refuse ice cubes in drinks. Even
bottled mineral water should be
boiled, as the high mineral content
of some can be unsuitable for young
babies. And don’t be tempted to dust
off a dropped dummy and pop it back
into your baby’s mouth. Take spares,
it will save you so much trouble – and
nappy changes – later on.
Insect Bites
People do tend to get a bit anxious about
wasp and bee stings. Yes they are nasty,
but on the whole they don’t tend to do
much harm. Allergic reactions to stings,
however, are completely different and
should be taken very seriously. If you or
your partner suffer allergies, it could be
that hypersensitivity runs in your family
and you should speak to your health
visitor about arranging a blood test to
assess whether your child is affected.
If your child is stung, wash your hands
and remove the sting, if applicable, then
apply a cold compress to help reduce
swelling. An antiseptic cream may also
help but antihistamine medicines are
age restricted, and stick to the guidelines
unless guided by your doctor. If your child
starts suffering breathing difficulties dial
999 immediately. It could be they are
suffering an anaphylactic shock,
and need urgent, professional help.
| spring 2012
29
30
spring 2012 |
My
Celebrity
Favourites
favourite baby things
Actress Tamzin Outhwaite, star of EastEnders
and Hotel Babylon, reveals her favourite
items since having her daughter Florence,
now aged three.
Starlight Swing. This battery-powered swing rocked gently
whilst playing music and delivering a light show for Florence,
giving me time to get on with sterilising bottles or changing the
sheets! It is padded and snugly – and was a life saver.
Baby Einstein books and DVDs.
These are amazing. Florence was
mesmerised from a very early age.
The Colours and Senses DVD was
our favourite.
Cashmere baby grows.
We never would have splashed
out ourselves on cashmere for
Florence, but we were bought
two as a present and wow it
was so soft. I loved cuddling her
whilst she was wearing it.
Baby Bjorn. This was great
for dad and daughter time
(Tamzin is married to actor
Tom Ellis). Tom used this to
escort Florence round until
she was about a year old.
Facing out towards the world,
whilst feeling snug next to
dad was a great way to travel.
The gingerbread blanket. This has
become a favourite in our house since
birth. We took it everywhere and
now Florence uses it to wrap
up her dollies and teddies. It
still looks and smells the
same as the day
it was bought.
Baby snug. This is a seat that a
baby can eat in as soon as they can
sit up. It is so stable and portable,
it’s perfect. No need for a heavy
high chair, just a flat, stable surface
to place it on. Great piece of kit!
Tamzin has just been appointed ambassador of the new Park Theatre in Finsbury Park,
London which opens at the end of this year. It still needs to raise funds to complete the
building so please go to parktheatre.co.uk to see how you can support it.
| spring 2012
31
Lifestyle
New mums’
guide to
wellbeing
By Sophie Goodchild
Finding time to eat properly
and get enough sleep can seem
impossible for new mothers.
Your newborn and their needs come
first and looking after yourself can fall
down the priority list.
However, it’s essential to take care of
your health and well-being, otherwise
you won’t have the stamina for coping
with a new baby.
Nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville says
not eating properly is a false economy.
Often there’s not enough time to
prepare three meals a day so her advice
is to eat a little and at regular intervals
to stabilise your metabolism.
Try not to resort to ‘quick-fix’ snacks
which may give an instant energy boost
but leave you craving for more.
She says: “Breastfeeding women will
naturally feel more hungry but don’t
use that as an excuse to reach for
the chocolate. They should look to
unrefined carbs like a bowl of porridge
or wholemeal toast which give you
more energy.”
You may be in a hurry to shed that
baby weight but Dr Glenville says don’t
even think about the excess pounds
until six weeks after giving birth.
Breastfeeding mothers will already be
burning up an extra 200-500 calories
per day.
32
spring 2012 |
Try not to resort to ‘quick-fix’ snacks
which may give an instant energy boost
but leave you craving for more.
“You need to accept that your body will
be different so don’t obsess,” she says.
“Giving birth does use up calories
and you end up tired for longer if
you cut back on calories. Don’t try
to be Superwoman by getting back
into shape. Women shouldn’t beat
themselves up about losing baby
weight and if you diet strictly (below
1,500 calories a day) you release toxins
from stored fat which go into the
breast milk.’
Another dilemma for fitness-conscious
mothers is when to restart their
pre-baby exercise regime.
Exercise specialist Judy diFiore, author
of The Complete Guide to Postnatal
Fitness, says wait until after your
six-week post-natal check-up and
then only try low impact exercise such
as walking, swimming or cycling.
Before then, the ante and post-natal
exercise specialist recommends new
mothers focus on getting the body
moving as gently as possible.
“Women who’ve had a c-section
shouldn’t do anything that causes pain
or discomfort. If you pick something
up, you must bend from the knees and
not hinge from the hips.
“And after a c-section, you should get
out of bed as you did when pregnant
by rolling onto your side first then push
up from a sitting position.”
An ideal workout is taking your baby
out in the buggy, says Judy diFiore.
“Forget the car: this is the best thing
you can do because it improves
circulation and wakes the body up,”
says the fitness expert.
“Walking with good posture is the
best way to recover the abdominals.
Walk tall, though, don’t slouch
over the buggy’s handlebars. Adjust
the handle height so your elbow
is at a right angle. If you slouch
your muscles won’t recover.”
Breastfeeding
mothers will
already be burning
up an extra 200-500
calories per day.
Lifestyle
The 10 Best
Superfoods for
New Mothers
oranges
When you need energy
on the go, oranges are
a handy option and
they’re packed with
vitamin C to boost
your immune system.
Oats
low-fat dairy
Blueberries
These are good
source of slow
release energy
so you won’t
experience an
afternoon slump.
Yoghurt, milk and cheese
are important for healthy
breastfeeding. They
are an excellent source
of calcium and also
provide protein as well
as vitamins B and D.
Antioxidant-rich
blueberries offer an
easy energy boost
in the form of slow
release carbohydrates.
Egg yolks are rich in
vitamin D, an essential
nutrient to help your
baby’s bones grow
spinach
Water
wholegrain
cereal
A breakfast of highfibre cereal will satisfy
your hunger and help
prevent constipation, a
common problem for
new mothers.
Leafy greens provide
folic acid. This helps red
blood cell formation
which is important for
women who experience
significant blood loss
during delivery.
Eggs
Nursing mothers are
prone to dehydration
so drink plenty of
water and switch to
decaff coffee.
lean beef
or beans
Iron-rich foods, like lean
beef, help boost energy
levels. Beans, especially
kidney beans, are an
equally iron-rich option
for vegetarian mothers.
salmon
Omega-3 fatty acids
keep the heart healthy
and can help baby’s
brain and eyesight
development if
you’re breastfeeding.
Mackerel and sardines
are also a good source.
| spring 2012
33
Lifestyle
Eva Solo garden tools set
£23.50, John Lewis
www.johnlewis.com
Garden tidy
£10, Early Learning Centre
www.elc.co.uk
Paint your own watering can
£11.26, John Lewis
www.johnlewis.com
Gardening with kids
Heart-shaped wildflower seeds
Set of three, £2.99, British Heart
Foundation, www.giftshop.bhf.org.uk
How does your garden grow? Your plot
will blossom with the help of a budding
gardener or two And with the right kit,
they’ll have green fingers in no time.
Garden tool kit
£28, Great Little Trading
Company, www.gltc.co.uk
Eden Project twin planter
£8.25, www.edenproject.com
Hungry Caterpillar garden
tools & stool
£22, Great Little Trading Company
www.gltc.co.uk
World Alive Botanical Enchanted Fairy Garden
£14.99, Amazon, www.amazon.co.uk
Where fashion meets function in the form of
a Koochu Changing bag!
Koochu welcomes you to the new spring
arrivals from the luxury leather collection.
Koochu changing bags come with 100%
cotton lining that can be removed for
essential cleaning and personal use.
Nurture readers get 10% discount by
simply adding voucher code NUR001 at
check out. The offer ends 30th June 2012.
www.koochu.com
Subject to our terms and conditions.
WEYMOUTH STREET
PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Specialists in Paediatric
Dentistry
UK’s leading private practice
dedicated to children’s
dentistry with over 30 years
of specialist care.
Dr Noushin Attari /
Dr John F Roberts /
Liege Lourenço
33 Weymouth Street
London W1G 7BY
020 7580 5370
www.paediatric-dentistry.co.uk
Lifestyle
going
green
By Sophie Goodchild
WE all know that going
‘green’ is essential to protect the
planet and ensure our children’s
future. But it can be easier said than
done when you’re a busy family.
Families can be very environmentally
unfriendly especially with a new
baby in the house.
According to the Women’s
Environmental Network, nearly
three billion nappies are thrown
away every year in the UK - the
equivalent of eight million a day.
What’s more alarming is that nappies
take 500 years to decompose.
Then there’s all the food that families
throw away, either because it’s
unwanted or past the sell-by-date.
The cost to UK consumers of
discarding unwanted meal
ingredients is £10.2 billion a year
and this waste is responsible for
five per cent of the UK’s greenhouse
gas emissions, according to
environmental charity and antilitter campaign Keep Britain Tidy.
Yet there are many simple ways
to reduce waste and live more
sustainably, lots of which can be
incorporated into family life.
Switching from disposable to cloth
nappies is not only better for the
environment but cheaper too. Parents
spend £600 on disposable nappies in
the two and a half years the average
36
spring 2012 |
child is in them, compared
with around £330 if they
choose reusables.
Guy Schanschieff, from
the Nappy Alliance,
says cloth nappies are
easy to use and nothing
like towelling nappies of old.
“If you have a baby, then half
your household waste will come
from disposable nappies,” he says.
“Reusables are also a massive
money-saver for families and
the savings increase if you have
more than one child because
you don’t need to buy new.”
Cloth nappies are easy
to use and nothing
like toweling nappies
of old.
The Love Food Hate Waste
campaign, which offers simple
ideas on how to waste less and
save more, says families waste £50
a month by throwing away food.
Yet simply by freezing food you can
dramatically cut down on waste.
“Making the most of your food
can be a great way to save money,”
says Ian Palmer, of the Waste and
Resources Action Programme
(WRAP) which runs the campaign.
“One easy tip is if you find you
often waste yogurt, freeze them.
You can do so right up to the
use-by date and they make great
healthy alternatives to ice creams
for a quick treat for children.”
Teaching older children to become
greener can be fun and will make
them feel proud of how much
less rubbish is being put out for
the binmen, according to Fiona
Ashurst from Keep Britain Tidy.
You can encourage them to throw
scraps into the kitchen compost
container after dinner, for
example, or put empty plastic
and cardboard containers into
the recycling bin, she says.
Other eco tips include using local
food and supporting your local
market so you waste less fuel,
energy and packaging. Composting
the leftovers from family mealtimes
diverts food waste from landfill, keeps
rotting food out of your kitchen bin
and gives you a great supply of soil
to grow plants and other food.
“Contact your local council to
see if they operate a food waste
collection or invest in a compost bin
for your back garden,” says Fiona.
Lifestyle
How to Reduce
Your Waste
1. Go eco with lunchboxes:
Protect the environment by
putting your children’s meal in
food storage containers, instead
of using individual plastic bags.
“If you don’t have a garden, you
can still compost your kitchen
waste by using a wormery, or
a bokashi bucket where microorganisms break down food safely.
This will turn your leftovers into
nourishing soil conditioner.
Another easy thing you can do is
collect rainwater to cut down on
water waste in the garden. This can
be as simple as leaving a jar on your
window sill for your window box
herb garden or investing in a water
butt for your vegetable patch.
“Gardens come in all shapes and
sizes. Whether you have a field or a
window box, gardening is a great way
for you and your children to spend
Finally, while washing clothes is part
of the daily routine with a growing
family, this can have a massive
environmental impact. However,
an estimated 85 per cent of energy
burned goes on heating the water,
not actually on washing the clothes.
The cost to UK
consumers of
discarding unwanted
meal ingredients is
£10.2 billion a year
and this waste is
responsible for
five percent of the
UK’s greenhouse
gas emissions
time together while learning about
and enjoying nature. With even the
smallest amount of space, you can
grow a surprising variety of flowers
and food. Peas, potatoes, tomatoes,
carrots, radishes and cucumbers
all grow well in containers.”
Fiona Ashurst suggests trying a
cold-water rinse or waiting until
you have a full load before turning
on the machine. Also hang clothes
out to dry where possible.
2. Think about your laptop:
It’s using 29 watts of energy even
when it’s charging but not in use,
according to US energy experts.
3. Leave your car at home:
This improves your health and
saves money. If you live in the
country, try sharing the school
run if you must drive.
4. Switch to towelling nappies:
Check out the Nappy Alliance
www.nappyalliance.com which
promotes the use of reusable nappies.
“Air drying uses no energy at all,” she
says. “If you must use a dryer, try to
do several loads at once. By drying
one load after another you can take
advantage of the leftover heat.”
5. Eat green:
And don’t forget, when you’ve finished
with your clothes, books, DVDs or
toys, why not donate them to a
local charity shop? You’ll be giving
them a new life whilst supporting
charitable work in the process.
www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
Have at least one ‘meat-free’ day
a week. Raising animals for food
produces many more greenhouse
gas emissions than growing plants.
www.keepbritaintidy.org
| spring 2012
37
A day in the life of
A day in
the life
of a...
Play
Specialist
Emma Sodeke, 28, is a
Senior Play Specialist
who has worked
at the Portland
Hospital for the past
five years. Here she
describes a typical
working day.
GAINING the trust of children,
from tiny babies up to surly
teenagers, all of whom might be
frightened and anxious about their
first stay in hospital, takes a lot
of skill and patience.
It is my job to make sure they
understand their illness, treatment and
exactly what will happen to them and
why, and to encourage them to tell me
what might be worrying them.
And we do that through focused,
therapeutic play.
Play is a wonderful tool, it transcends
all language and age barriers and is a
communication tool in its own right and
is crucial for me to gain a child’s trust
and build their confidence.
Children can frequently vocalise their
worries through play when words
simply aren’t enough.
Today, I’m on the early shift, which
means I arrive on the children’s ward at
7.30am to receive handover from the
Senior Nurse in charge.
38
spring 2012 |
I then make my way to greet and
introduce myself to the new admissions.
‘magic cream’ on teddy’s paw, ready for
his injection to put him in a special sleep.
Together with our longer-stay patients,
there could be as many as 35 children,
aged from a few months to 16 with
whom I and my two colleagues could
be working with on any set day.
She also helps put on teddy’s identity
tag, just like her own.
It can take anything from ten minutes
to an hour to get a child chatting and
opening up.
Parents often say older children don’t
need me, but it’s the adolescents I pay
careful attention to; it’s easy to assume
they can cope, however, recognising
their development stages and providing
adequate and appropriate level of
information is essential.
I am trained to read children’s behaviour
and not all behaviour is verbal. A happy,
confident and compliant child is going
to recuperate a lot more quickly sometimes people don’t appreciate how
important the role of a play specialist is.
Today, we have a five-year-old girl
who has come to the Ear Nose and
Throat clinic to undergo an operation
to remove her grommets, tonsils
and adenoids.
We settle down in the playroom, where
there is a whole host of colouring pens,
puzzles, books and games to capture
her imagination, before I bring out
my special teddy, who’s invaluable in
demonstrating injections, anaesthetics
and other procedures.
I soon work out that this little lady
already understands a lot about her
condition and is keen to help put a bit of
Later, as she is wheeled down to
theatre, she is quite relaxed and calm,
which has helped her parents through
this vital time, and I know I have
performed a vital role in supporting
the medical staff into whose hands
she is now quite happily passed.
Next on my list is a little three-year-old
boy with development needs
who has come in for a tongue
reduction operation.
We met two weeks ago for his
assessment, and it’s nice to see that
he remembers me and is comfortable
having me around.
An interactive Fireman Sam game on
the iPad, plus plenty of age-appropriate
explanations, ensure that his blood is
taken without any fuss.
His Dad is absolutely amazed – he
thought we had a real battle on our
hands from his previous hospital
experiences – and his sense of relief is
as palpable as his son’s.
Today has been another busy day.
The children I didn’t get to see, I shall
prioritise tomorrow and check up on all
my post-operative cases.
Knowing I have helped turn a child’s
stay in hospital hopefully into a positive
one, is hugely rewarding.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis’s classic children’s
novel, comes to the stage this summer. The new adaptation by Rupert
Goold is a rougher telling of the story of four siblings – Lucy, Peter,
Susan and Edmund – as they tumble through a wardrobe into a
fantastical realm ruled by the White Witch. The new production, held
in a specially designed theatre tent in Kensington Gardens, combines
puppetry and hi-tech multimedia, projecting the magic of Narnia with
Imax-style video backdrops. May 8 to September 9, The Threesixty
Theatre Kensington Gardens, London, W2 2UH.
Activities
Out and about
A new Pleasure Garden boasting a range of family activities opens the
weekend of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in the heart of London’s East
End. The derelict, ex-industrial Pontoon Dock has been transformed into
a hub for around-the-clock music, arts, cafes, bars and a sculpture park,
reviving the centuries old tradition of pleasure gardens in London. Planned
attractions include landscaped walkways, a wilderness meadow, beach,
floating cinema and illuminated fountains. London Pleasure Gardens from
Friday June 1, Pontoon Dock, Royal Docks, Newham, London, E16.
During the first nine days of the London 2012 Olympic Games
(from July 28 to August 5), the Exhibition Road Festival sees
London’s finest museums join together to present games,
dance, science, music and art. The festival marks the ‘kerbfree’ refurbishment of Exhibition Road in West London and
showcases its institutions while reflecting the legacy of the
1851 Great Exhibition. Activities include acrobatics, a nightly
ballroom dance and daily parades featuring marching bands,
cyclists and horses. Tables set up along the road will feature
board games ranging in date from the eighteenth-century to
the present day. Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2DD.
Let your children run wild and use their
imagination at the recently refurbished Diana,
Princess of Wales Memorial Playground.
The popular playground for children under
12 has a new play tunnel, timber pergola
and improvements have been made to its
main attraction – the vast wooden pirate
ship, sailing in a sea of sand. Scented shrubs,
willows, bamboos and a cafe mean it’s a treat
for adults too, although it can get very busy
at the weekend when the weather is fine.
Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground,
Nr Black Lion Gate, Broad Walk, Kensington
Gardens, London, W2 2UH.
| spring 2012
39
Lifestyle
By Tamara Abraham
Feathering
the nest
From baby monitors to baths, kitting out a nursery can be as confusing as
it is expensive. Here, London’s top experts guide us through the minefield.
Preparing a nursery for the
first time is a wonderful way to tap
into that nesting instinct. With a
bewildering choice of products,
though, knowing where to start
can be a daunting prospect.
Wood and Jools Oliver, adds: “Using
a shaped swaddling blanket initially
means you can’t get it wrong. Then,
you can follow up by using sleeping
bags for babies.”
It can be tempting to over purchase,
admit Anita and Joey Worlidge, of
Babylist, a personal shopping service
for parents-to-be, so it is important to
establish what you are really likely to use.
Her view on bumpers is that they are
more aesthetic than essential, and
though considered controversial, the
Foundation for the Study of Infant
Deaths and other UK safety associations
don’t warn against them.
By buying well-chosen kit, however, new
parents will not only save a fortune,
but cut down on clutter, an important
consideration given that most London
homes have limited space.
Among the other essentials that a new
parent should think about investing in
are a changer, or a chest of drawers
with a changer on top.
A place for the baby to sleep is a classic
example. It can be handy to have a
portable bed, such as a Moses basket for
the first few weeks, but newborns can
sleep in a cot from day one. A cot-bed,
which is slightly longer and converts
into a junior bed, is even more practical
as it will see a child through until the
age of about four or five. A Babylist
favourite, Anita reveals, is the cot-bed by
Danish firm Leander, thanks to its cool
contemporary design.
As far as bedding is concerned, Anita
instructs parents to invest in a good
mattress with a breathable cover, a
waterproof sheet, then a good quality
cotton sheet.
Linen, she says, should be bought in sets
of three, following the theory: one set
on, one in the wash and one spare.
A bouncer chair and
baby gym are musthaves for keeping the
little one happy and
entertained, and a
car seat is absolutely
vital - even if you
don’t drive.
“Make sure it is roughly your waist
height,’ Anita advises, “You’ll be
changing around 50 nappies a week so
it’s super important for mum to look
after her back.”
Indeed, the Korbell model, has proved a
firm favourite with Babylist clients.
Baby Concierge’s Caroline Cosgrove,
whose past clients include Sam Taylor-
Nursing chairs, similarly, are a purchase
new mothers will not regret.
spring 2012 |
She finds Olli Ella make the most
stylish, but any comfortable chair that
allows the mother to sit upright while
breastfeeding would work.
Baby monitors are another purchase that
really depends on the parents‘ personal
preferences. As Joey explains, Babylist’s
job is just to empower parents to make
informed choice, not to tell them what
they should or should not buy.
There is a case for not choosing the
highest-spec model though.
“Parents should use their own instincts
rather than always rely on a monitor,”
he says.
As for bathing the baby, using your own
bath tub can put a strain on a mother’s
back, says Anita. Solutions to this include
using a basin, if it is large enough, but her
favourite option, by far, is the Flexibath: a
collapsible baby bath that can be placed
on a work surface or the floor, yet takes
up minimal space.
On the subject of nappies, she would
also add a nappy disposal bin to the
shopping list - not essential, but useful
because it keeps smells at bay.
She advocates swaddling over sheets
and blankets though, as babies tend to
sleep better through the night that way.
To prevent them from getting too hot,
choose thin cotton layers, which are
temperature-regulating.
40
“It becomes your office - you’re in that
chair six to seven hours a day,” Anita
says, adding that a side table, so that
you have somewhere to put a drink and
a phone, and a lamp with a dimmer (to
help the baby learn to identify between
day and night) are also important things
to consider.
“We get more thank-you letters about
our nappy bin than anything else!”
Joey revealed.
Planet Little Marseille crib
£1,050, Punkin Patch Interiors
www.punkinpatch.co.uk
Babasling baby carrier
£39.95, www.mothercare.com
Uppababy Vista pushchair
£599.99, Babylist
www.babylist.com
and Baby Concierge
www.babyconcierge.co.uk
Lifestyle
Baby star print
sleeping bag
One tog from £22
John Lewis
www.johnlewis.com
The purchase that most fathers-to-be get
excited about, however, is the buggy, and given
that it is likely to sit in a hallway, aesthetics can
be as important as function.
Joey and Anita are highly impressed with the
Uppababy Vista model.
In addition to looking smart, they say, it is
hardy enough for the keenest walker, has a
large shopping basket, and can even adapt
to carry two children.
A bouncer chair and baby gym are musthaves for keeping the little one happy and
entertained, and a car seat is absolutely
vital - even if you don’t drive.
100% cotton muslin swaddle
Princess Posie print
pack of two, £24.95
Baby Sleep Shop
www.babysleepshop.com
Leander cot bed
£860, Baby Collection
www.babycollection.co.uk and
Babylist, www.babylist.com
“Some hospitals won’t even let you leave the
maternity ward without a car seat,” Joey warns.
He explained that models that are ISOFIXcompatible are best, because ISOFIX points,
which are now a standard feature of most new
cars, make fitting car seats correctly child’s play.
But even if you don’t drive, he adds, it is
important to own a car seat for use in taxis
or other peoples’ cars.
A consultation with Babylist is complimentary
for Portland Hospital patients. For more
information, email joey@babylist.com
A consultation with Baby Concierge costs from
£120. Portland Hospital patients are entitled
to a complimentary consultation at Baby
Concierge. For more details, email
info@babyconcierge.co.uk
Flexibath, from £13.95, John Lewis
www.johnlewis.com and Babylist, www.babylist.com
Kaloo 123 Activity Playmat
£79.99, www.bundlesofjoy-shopping.co.uk
Olli Ella nursing chair
£825, www.olliella.com and
Babylist www.babylist.com
| spring 2012
41
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42
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parent talk
By Elizabeth Jeffries
Q I have just had my first
child. How soon can I
have sex again?
A Sex after childbirth does happen.
Honestly. But exactly when you
resume your sex life, will depend
on a range of medical, psychological
and emotional factors.
Soreness after childbirth, exhaustion
from the delivery and the early days
of motherhood, and getting to grips
with looking after your newborn all
take their toll. Some women are in the
mood for sex within days of having
a baby while for others it is the last
thing on their mind. The key is to set
your own timeline, based on your own
circumstances and feelings. There is no
right or wrong answer - but here are a
few things you should know.
Following childbirth – whether it is
a vaginal or caesarean delivery – the
body needs time to heal. The cervix
needs to close, post-delivery bleeding
stop and any tears, cuts, or c-section
incision heal. The general medical
advice is that it is safe to resume having
sex after your six-week post-natal
check. However, the type of birth and
interventions a woman has during
childbirth can impact on how quickly
she resumes her sex life. For example,
if a woman has had a vaginal birth
without any tears or need of stitches,
then a couple can resume making
love within a couple of weeks of the
birth once a woman has stopped
bleeding. On the other hand, if the
woman feels sore from stitches or from
an episiotomy cut, then sex may be
delayed for six weeks or longer.
Recovering physically from the ordeal
of childbirth, however, is not the only
consideration. The sheer exhaustion of
looking after a newborn, baby blues
and changes in how you feel about
your body after childbirth mean that,
for many women, sex is the last thing
on their minds.
Sexual relationships do change after
having children – there’s no doubt
about it, so don’t expect everything will
instantly return to normal. The good
news, though, is that for most couples
any problems soon resolve themselves.
Supporting each other as new parents
– whether it is giving each other a
break, making a nice dinner once in a
while or unexpectedly bringing home
flowers or a nice bottle of wine – will
go a long way towards adjusting your
relationship to being parents. And
who knows what that might lead on
to? However, unless you are hoping
to become pregnant right away, don’t
forget birth control – even if you are
breastfeeding!
Q Are complementary
therapies safe to use on
babies and children?
A The short answer is yes. However,
the key is to use a therapist who is
experienced in treating children.
Homeopathy – a form of holistic
medicine where the treatment is
tailored to the individual - is often
very successful at treating children’s
problems and improving babies’
sleep and wellbeing. Many parents
find massage a wonderful way to
communicate with their baby and it
can also help alleviate colic or snuffles.
Cranial osteopathy can be used to
treat the strains and tensions a baby
experiences during childbirth which
can cause difficulties sucking, digesting,
sleeping and crying. Osteopaths use a
very gentle touch or hold on different
parts of the body to treat these strains.
Babies can be treated straight after
birth and experts recommend that the
mother has a treatment as well, as the
effects of pregnancy and labour can
have a profound effect on the mother’s
nervous system. The Portland Hospital
specialises in complementary therapies.
For more information go to
www.theportlandhospital.com
| spring 2012
43
Toys
Molten pink soft-touch volleyball
£7.95, www.volleyballstore.co.uk
Bull Nosed Javelin
£14.95, TTS, ww.tts-group.co.uk
Sporting
Chance
The Olympics are the perfect inspiration to
get stuck into outdoor sports and games.
From tossing a frisbee to a family badminton
match, the kids will be running rings
around you in no time.
Reebok half-court basketball system
£120, Woolworths, www.woolworths.co.uk
Adidas Adibow mini hockey stick
£8, www.englandhockey.co.uk
Aerobie Sprint frisbee
£8.99, www.firebox.com
Kiddimoto Union Jack Kurve balance bike
£59.95, John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com
44
spring 2012 |
Reebok trampoline
£49.99, John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com
Challenge garden badminton set
£149, Jacques
www.jacqueslondon.co.uk
Dagger Dynamo kayak for kids
£349, PSM Outdoors
www.psmoutdoors.co.uk
| spring 2012
45
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TRUSTED
IN CHILDCARE SINCE
1967
*-16;81:-,°
+ : - )< - ) :7 7 5 <7 * -
4 7> - , ) 6 , + 0 - : 1 ; 0 - ,
___K][\IZLIVLKZ ]UJTMKW]S
46
spring 2012 |
1
2
3
4
5
6
Books
Classics
revival
7
8
The best new books for under-tens mark the return of some familiar friends…
1 Little Grey Rabbit: The Adventure of Hare by Alison Uttley, £5.99 (Templar) 2 The Peter Rabbit Library Book Collection by
Beatrix Potter, ten-book set, £19.99, John Lewis 3 Little Manfred by Michael Morpugo, £10.99 (Harper Collins Children’s Books)
4 The Cat Who Got Carried Away by Allan Ahlberg, £5.99 (Walker Books) 5 Five Minutes’ Peace by Jill Murphy, £4.45 (Penguin
Books) 6 Where’s Hello Kitty, £4.99 (Harper Collins Children’s Books) 7 Terry Deary’s Victorian Tales: The Twisted Tunnels,
£4.99 (A+C Black) 8 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Finger Puppet Book by Eric Carle, £5.90, John Lewis
| spring 2012
47
directory
Portland Hospital Contacts
Children’s Services
020 7390 8020
Maternity Services
020 7390 6068
Women’s Health Services
020 7390 6200
24 hour Children’s Doc
Around the Clock
020 7390 8022
www.theportlandhospital.com
@ThePortlandHosp
A & C Black
0207 631 5600
www.acblack.com
Amazon
0844 545 6508
www.amazon.co.uk
Atelier Mayer
0207 706 7200
www.atelier-mayer.com
Baby Concierge
0208 964 5500
www.babyconcierge.co.uk
Greycoat
0207 233 9950
www.greycoatplacements.co.uk
Benefit Cosmetics
0800 279 4793
www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk
Habitat
0844 499 1111
www.habitat.co.uk
Bliss World
0808 100 4151
www.blissworld.co.uk
Harrods
0207 730 1234
www.harrods.com
Bobux
01280 701 683
www.bobux.co.uk
Harper Collins Books
020 8741 7070
www.harpercollins.co.uk
Boori
01635 295 670
www.boori.co.uk
Heals
08700 240 780
www.heals.co.uk
Brissi
0207 229 2323
www.brissi.co.uk
House of Fraser
0845 602 1073
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
British Heart Foundation
0845 246 4050
www.bhf.org.uk
Harvey Nichols
0845 604 1888
www.harveynichols.com
Bundles of Joy
01832 737 989
www.bundlesofjoy.co.uk
Huggle
0207 483 2826
www.huggle.co.uk
Custard and Crumble
0207 183 3799
www.custardandcrumble.co.uk
Disney World
www.disneyworld.disney.go.com
Early Learning Centre
0871 231 3513
http://www.elc.co.uk
Hawkscay
(00-1) 888 395 5539
www.hawkscay.com
It’s Good to Talk
01455 88 33 00
www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk
Jacques London
01732 500 200
www.jaqueslondon.co.uk
Eden Project
01726 811911
www.edenproject.com
John Lewis
08456049049
www.johnlewis.com
Emmy Shoes
0207 704 0012
www.emmyshoes.co.uk
Keep Britain Tidy
01942 612621
www.keepbritaintidy.org
England Hockey
01628 897500
www.englandhockey.co.uk
Kerstin Florian
01225 740405
www.kerstinflorian.com
Exhibition Road Festival
0207 942 6973
www.exhibitionroad.com
Keungzai
info@keungzai.com
www.keungzai.com
Firebox
0800 044 5010
www.firebox.com
Koochu
0208 981 9965
www.koochu.com
Baby and Bump
www.babyandbump.com
Glow Maternity and Baby
01271 314422
www.glowmaternityandbaby.co.uk
London Pleasure Gardens
site@londonpleasuregardens.com
www.londonpleasuregardens.com
Baby Sleep Shop
01425 656060
www.babysleepshop.com
GLTC
0844 848 6000
www.gltc.co.uk
9 London
0207 730 1318
www.9london.com
Babylist
020 7371 5145
www.babylist.com
Guess
0207 2922 839
www.guess.eu
Mamas & Papas
0845 606 7772
www.mamasandpapas.com
Alison Uttley
www.alisonuttley.co.uk
Blossom
0207 589 7500
www.blossommotherandchild.com
Babes with Babies
0207 100 1110
www.babeswithbabies.com
Babycentre
www.babycentre.co.uk
Baby Bjorn
0844 8154 813
www.babybjorn.co.uk
48
spring 2012 |
Marks and Spencer
0845 609 0200
www.marksandspencer.com
Saks Fifth Avenue
(00-1) 877 551 7257
www.saksfifthavenue.com
Medical Aid Films
0208 207 6111
www.medicalaidfilms.org
Sitters
0800 38 900 39
www.sitters.co.uk
Melabelle
0203 174 1005
www.melabelle.com
Skandium
0207 935 2077
www.skandium.com
Monsoon
0844 811 0069
www.monsoon.co.uk
Space N.K
0208 740 2085
www.uk.spacenk.com
Mothercare
0844 875 5222
www.mothercare.com
Templar
01306 876361
www.templarco.co.uk
Nannie Incoporated
0207 038 3757
www.nanniesinc.com
The ThreeSixty Theatre
0207 492 9968
www.atgtickets.com
National Childbirth Trust
0300 3300 0700
www.nct.org.uk
Timothy Han
0207 254 1246
www.timothyhan.com
Nina Campbell
0207 225 1011
www.ninacampbell.com
TTS Group
0800 318 686
www.tts-group.co.uk/
Oliver Burns
0208 974 1200
www.oliverbonas.com
Vanessa Knox
0844 811 7033
www.vanessaknox.com
Park Theatre
info@parktheatre.co.uk
www.parktheatre.co.uk
Viveka
0207 483 0099
www.viveka.co.uk
Peaks of London
07884 188231
www.peaksoflondon.com
Volleyball Store
www.volleyballstore.co.uk
Petit Bateau
0207 462 5770
www.petit-bateau.co.uk
Penguin Books
0500 454 444
www.penguin.co.uk
PSM Sportswear
01633 874466
www.psmsportswear.com
Princess of Wales Memorial
Playground
0207 298 2141
www.royalparks.org.uk
Professional Nannies London
0207 038 3757
www.nanniesinc.com
Walker Books
0207 793 0909
www.walker.co.uk
Wellbeing of Women
0207 772 6400
www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk
Woolworths
0844 822 1010
www.woolworths.co.uk
WPD
0207 580 5370
www.paediatric-dentistry.co.uk
Have you heard about our
very special childcare service?
We are dedicated to finding
the very best childcare staff your
family, all thoroughly checked by
our friendly, expert Consultants.
To find out more c us on 020 7233 9950
or visit us at www.greycoatchildcare.co.uk
Maternity Nurses
Nannies
Nanny/Housekeepers Nanny/PA’s
Governesses
Tutors
Wrightson and Platt
0207 639 9085
www.wrightsonandplatt.com
Printed by Belmont Press
in compliance to ISO 14001
Environmental Management System
Designed by Phoebus Associates
Tel +44 (0)20 7436 7123
www.phoebusassociates.com
To find out more call us on
020 7233 9950
or visit us at
www.greycoatchildcare.co.uk
| spring 2012
49
50
spring 2012 |