Why I Decided to Breastfeed (Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt 2014)

Today is my Due Date so I thought that maybe it's the best time to talk about breastfeeding. Few weeks ago I came across a thread on C & G Community where lady was seeking support as she was intending to bottle feed her baby, she felt that there is more support for those who are breastfeeding their babies than for those you prefer alternative method.

That made me think- why I never even thought about bottle feeding?! For me it was never a choice between breastfeeding and bottle feeding, it seems like a natural thing to do-breast feed.

When someone asks me what will I chose breast feed or bottle feed I reply by saying that I would like to breast feed, as obviously I can't predict what will happen in the future and I may change my mind, but that's what I'm aiming for and I can't dismiss breastfeeding without trying it first.

I have read few books about breastfeeding and attended NHS breastfeeding class whilst pregnant in a hope it will make me more confident and knowledgeable. I think it helped a lot to understand the nature of breastfeeding, it's benefits for both mum and baby, but the most difficult job is ahead of me. I do understand that it could and would be hard at first, but I'm looking forward to these moments of bonding with my little L.

My blog post participating in National Breastfeeding Awareness Week June 20th – 26^th..

If you have enjoyed reading my post, you can find more articles about breastfeeding at these locations and participate in Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt giveaway. The more participating blog posts you read, the better your chances of winning the grand prize (over £1000 worth of breastfeeding and baby goodies):

Keep Up With The Jones Family

Mummy Memories

My Baby Boy and Me

We Are Going On An Adventure

Attachment Mummy

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Decision made- we are moving out!

Last Friday evening we decided to change our routine slightly and not to go to the swimming pool, we thought that it would be nice to mix up our plans this weekend and we were planning to go to park on Saturday (which we did) and to the pool on Sunday (which never happened).

On Saturday after park we came home, were preparing to relax and watch TV when heard someone knocking on our back door, which normally never happens as our family and friends use front door only.

It was our next door neighbour asking to move our car as the van (I guess their mate) couldn't get through her car and my husband's car. Well she didn't explain that I knew it as when we parked we saw the van at the back of our garden, she just demanded to move the car.

Cutting long story short, I had to go outside as I heard her shouting at my husband over car parking, and few seconds later her partner ran towards them not to take park in the conversation but to make things worse, to assault my husband...These few minutes of my life flew so quick, I don't remember much as I was in total shock, but I remember her angry face, how she was running towards my husband and me shouting "Stop, stop".

That Saturday evening we spent in police station, and Sunday in A&E to note injuries from the accident. That was our last weekend in the house where we spent last 3 years, that was the weekend of horror, stress, tears.

We couldn't bare staying in this house any longer, we couldn't stay there knowing that next door to us live bullies, we couldn't be safe there.

On Sunday we moved in with in laws, I do appreciate their support and help but it's just not enough space for all of us here especially with a baby due this Friday.

On Monday I woke up around 3 am as all I could dream of was uncertainty we have, our baby arriving in the messiest time of our lives, us sharing the small house between 5 people, us not having our own corner. I just couldn't stop crying, the only thing I was wishing for was our baby being overdue. We needed, we had to search for our own house before she arrives.

But I think luck is on our side this week (fingers crossed), we have found one place available immediately, it is much smaller than our previous house but it means we can move in within next week, we might have our own nest! I can't express how positive I feel at the moment knowing that baby will be safe, we will be safe, no more putting up with neighbours or sharing place between 2 households.

It is such a relief! Please wish us luck and keep fingers crossed for us and our future!

Craftmill Pregnant Belly Casting Kit review

As some of you may recall I mentioned that I'm not a big fan of others taking photos of myself, me looking at myself on a photo and finding lots of things I don't like, for that reason I didn't really take any bump pictures or wanted to do a maternity photo shoot, but I still any parent-to-be wanted to capture one of the most amazing moment of our lives- my pregnancy.

I googled (as you do) to see what other people suggest and found local ladies who provide private bump/belly cast services in the comfort of your own home. Photos of their works looked amazing, but prices are absolutely ridiculous. I accept the fact that others will and can pay over £100, but I wasn't prepared to pay that much. Not to worry, for people like me who can't afford the luxury of someone making a belly cast I found DIY belly cast kits, which are reasonably priced and give you that bonding feeling with a bump.

Thanks to Craftmill (specialises in delivering high quality 3D craft, modelling and artist materials) I was provided with a EasyStandard Pregnant Belly Casting Kit (£7.54).

The kit consists of:
- gift bag
- 4 rolls of top quality medical grade super safe 15cm wide plaster bandages
- petroleum jelly
- instructions

Before we started applying the content of the kit we needed to prepare the working space, material and model (myself).

Working space:
we used our dinning area as it is the only part of our house with laminate flooring which I thought would be easier to clean. I put few newspaper sheets on the floor, covered my chair with a cotton sheet and put few more newspapers sheets on the table which we were using for preparing the kit.

Model:
I had a quick look online at belly cast examples to have an idea of how I would prefer my cast to look like. I thought that if we are planning to show the cast to our relatives and friends I would be very uncomfortable if they see my nipples therefore I opted to wear a bra, which was covered with cling film, for the rest of my bump and parts of my body I wanted to feature in the cast we applied petroleum jelly provided. And the last preparation was to decide am I going to stand or sit down, as we didn't know how long it will take we thought that it would be much better and less tiring if I was siting on a chair.

Kit:
Prior to opening the kit I was wearing rubber gloves and asked my husband to wear gloves as well in case if it gets too messy and it did. Handling bandages is the most messy part as before you apply them onto belly they are dry and a bit flaky. I needed to cut bandages onto 30 cm strips and to soften them you would need to use warm water and off you go.
   

I must say it was definitely an interesting experience, even though I was a model I tried to control the process by checking in the mirror the position of bandages and how they are applied, mostly I was worried about the chest areas as I wanted it to be the same shape as my bra and I think we did a great job.

It took us approximately 30 minutes to apply all bandages (each strip applied was drying very quickly once put onto my body), we left it to dry for few days after. It was a bit messy on the floor and my trousers needed a wash but I quickly rubbed the floor and washed my trousers and all looked as if we didn't do anything. Ideally I would like to smooth it and maybe paint but it is a different story.

I am extremely happy with the result and I just can't stop looking at the cast, even my husband said that it looks as if it was created by a professional, what do you think?

DISCLAIMER: I was sent the above item for the purposes of this review. All thoughts and opinion are my own.