Words from the wise
Looking for advice now you’re pregnant? Here are some baby and parenting experts to follow
WHILE being pregnant can bring many joys for mothers-to-be, it can also be a time of anxiety with worries about the birth, breastfeeding and bonding with your baby.
Here are some baby influencers with words of wisdom to follow on Instagram.
Dr. Chinny,
Dr Chinny, a member of the Academy of Breastfeeding medicine and lactation expert, focuses on helping women achieve an optimum breastfeeding experience by teaching how to increase their milk supply and breastfeed babies for six months.
Her book Breastfeeding with Ease is due out soon.
She says: “Know your goals, invest in evidence-based knowledge or read extensively about breastfeeding. Never let a bump on the road hinder your journey, seek help early, trust your motherly instincts and know that the newborn phase can be overwhelming but will pass.”
The Naked Doula,
Emma Armstrong is a hypnobirthing specialist and doula ready to help women through pregnancy with advice on labour and postpartum.
Emma offers this advice: “Prep baby, prep! Drop the fear and ignite your power! Your body is incredible and can birth your baby with ease.
“The tools you have inside you are so powerful that you can influence your whole birth experience! When we understand, we build confidence, fuel our power and make informed decisions.”
Heidi Skudder,
Heidi, a mother of two boys is a Baby Sleep Coach with 11 years experience. She runs online parenting courses and workshops and advises: “Take time to rest and recover after baby’s arrival – I love the idea of a week in bed and a week on the sofa at least. Your priority is establishing feeding and bonding with baby. Sleep will come with time.
“Take any help offered (or don’t be afraid to ask a friend or family member to hold baby while you have a nap) and don’t worry about introducing any sort of routine early on, it is not a priority in those early weeks.”
The Honest Midwife,
Louise, a registered midwife is founder of Let’s Talk Birth and Baby.
She says: “Having a baby is exciting but can feel like a whole new language. We are so lucky to have lots of information at our fingertips but it can also be a little overwhelming.
“Get your education and advice about pregnancy, labour and birth from a reliable source. Good antenatal classes that cater for both you and your birth partner can really help to prepare you for every eventuality.”
Rachel Fitz-Desorgher,
Midwife Rachel, a motherof-four, is the author of Your Baby Skin to Skin, which takes parents on a reassuring and practical journey through baby’s first year.
She says: “Your baby has evolved over thousands of years to survive and thrive! So, stop reading the book and start reading your baby and you will soon learn from your little instinctive expert!”
■ Hear more from all the expert influencers at The Baby Show, the UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting event on May 13-15 at Birmingham’s NEC. (thebabyshow.co.uk) childbirth are
the most natural things in the world – make sure you enjoy the
experience