28/07/2022
Hold the mother, not the baby.
Because the baby’s being taken care of—
fed, snuggled, and given all the love in the world—
by not only the mother,
but her partner, grandparents, siblings, cousins, and friends.
But the mother,
may have gaps in her mind from lack of sleep,
may be mechanical in her motions as she’s healing,
may feel more like a mess than a mother,
may be sitting in bed, crying, feeling overwhelmed in her body and life,
may be full of mom guilt because in her mind, "she's not good enough,"
and she’s bleeding, wincing in pain, swollen and emotional.
And the mother’s that baby's whole world and needs to be seen, so she doesn't disappear into that postpartum fog.
So, hold the mother, not the baby.
A mother agrees that her baby matters more.
But she’s hurting, while she’s the person behind the baby,
in the background, making it all happen:
feeding her baby at all hours,
snuggling her baby close to comfort newborn cries,
and being that baby’s everything.
So, it’s the mother who needs your love.
And a mother will remember who held her up.
So instead of “I’m coming to see the baby,”
try saying, “I’m coming to see you 𝘢𝘯𝘥 meet the baby, too.”
Because the mother needs to be held more.
📸: This Mama Doodles
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My Children’s Book 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺: 𝘈𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘰 is out everywhere: https://amzn.to/317TvVc
20/07/2022
“People tell us not to feed for comfort while they sip their sleepy-time tea.
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People tell us to not cuddle our children to sleep while they spoon their partner.
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People tell us our child is too old to breastfeed while they sip their cow's milk.
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People tell us not to nurse or rock our babies to sleep while they sell us the latest gadget that’s supposed to do the exact same thing.
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People tell us to let them cry, while they go comfort a friend.
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People tell us responding to our child is creating bad habits, while they smoke and drink.
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Man, do they tell us! But I’m not them and neither are you. Because we hear our instincts loud and clear and they will not be silenced.
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Because even though we are exhausted, we know our baby’s cry is not a protest, but a communication.
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Because we know their need for us at 3am is not a manipulation.
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Because even though our backs and hips ache from sleeping in that dang c position, we know that little indent on the right side of our bed will soon fade away - and we would welcome that pain in our body just to feel them latch one more time.
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People tell us, but we know. we know this is important, we know that this is right for us and our baby, and we know this is just how it’s supposed to be.
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We know mama, they may tell us, but let’s rest in our know.
-Melissa Ostroth
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Absolutely adore these words by Melissa
📷 .photography of beautiful mama and babe
via and 💞”
Repost •
16/05/2022
Days and venues have been confirmed for our new venues in Cranbrook and Exwick!
Terms start on 14th and 16th June for Exwick and Crediton then 22nd June for Cranbrook!
Exwick and Crediton only £30 for 6 weeks, Cranbrook will be £25 for 5 weeks!
£10 discount on additional siblings in our Mixed classes, with siblings under six months being able to attend completely FREE of charge!
Book now at moo-music.co.uk/crediton
19/04/2022
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
"I'm sorry Aunt Lydia.
But
It’s their own fault. They should’ve never given us uniforms if they didn’t want us to be an army."
Personally I don't subscribe to the patriarchal language of war and violence.
But I share these quotes to remind us that nothing, NOTHING in the handmaid's tale has not happened, in real life, somewhere in the world, at some point in history and to remind myself that suppression always ends in revolution.
If you believe your body belongs to you...if you believe no one should have the right to make decisions about your body unless a court order has declared you do not have the mental capacity to make that decision...if you believe fetal rights are the thin end of a wedge that would open the way to horrific abuses...
...open your eyes. They are banning abortion in many US states, even if you've been r***d. They are making decisions about maternity care without considering your rights or listening to you.
It's happening. They just haven't given us uniforms yet.
But together, we can make a difference. With love and unity and an unstinting focus on what we demand - freedom to choose, bodily autonomy, evidence based care, the end to the staffing crisis, decent pay for midwives, relationship based care, skilled support and education through our parenting journey.
It's not too much to demand. The future of our species depends on it.
15/04/2022
Our Pregnancy Yoga classes will be held on Tuesday evenings, 5:45PM-6:45PM.
💜Move and flow gently, exploring the changes of your growing body.
💜Practice breathing techniques to aid in labour, delivery and beyond.
💜Learn positions and movements to assist in you during your birthing journey.
£50 for six weeks. Discounts available when booked with our Antenatal Education Course!
Book now by emailing [email protected]
14/04/2022
Our next Antenatal Education Course will be held on Tuesday evenings in May.
💜We explore everything from pregnancy, labour, birth and into the ‘4th trimester’.
💜Learn yoga and breathing techniques to help throughout your pregnancy and parenting journey.
💜Find your tribe, connect with other expectant families in the Crediton area.
£75 for 4 week course. Birthing partners encouraged to attend all sessions!
Book now by emailing [email protected]
Discounts available for families on income support, 2nd/3rd/Xth families and other discretions. Email for more information.
13/04/2022
Our Baby Massage Course will take place on Wednesday mornings at 10:45AM.
Suitable for little ones 6 weeks to 6 months.
Learn how to perform a full massage on your little one to relax and bond as well as relieve common baby ailments such as teething, colic and sleep troubles.
4 week course only £30! 💜
Book now by emailing [email protected]
12/04/2022
Our Mum&Baby Yoga classes will take place on Wednesday mornings at 9:30AM.
Suitable for Mums with little ones 6 weeks to 18 months.
We will re strengthen your core using a range of Asana and breathing techniques, relieve stress and relax, all with lots of cuddles and positioning for baby too!
Six week course only £45 💜
Book now by emailing [email protected]
12/04/2022
Very pleased to announce that the following classes and courses will be taking place at Howe Chiropractic (the venue that was once, Crediton Baby Hub!) in their studio on Union Road.
More information to follow…
Please tag and share with any families that are expecting!
19/03/2022
💜👏🏼
“Don’t worry! Fed is best anyways!” A doctor at the hospital tells a mother who just birthed her baby who won’t latch.
“Don’t worry, they all grow up to eat chicken nuggets anyways!” Laughs the nurse at a babies 3rd well visit, he isn’t gaining weight the way they want.
“Don’t worry! It hurt me to nurse too so I stopped!” Says a woman to her friend over lunch as she watches her cringe in pain.
“Don’t worry! A bottle will help her sleep through the night.” Says a husband to his wife when the alarm goes off to feed.
“Don’t worry! He’ll never remember you stopped!” Says a coworker to his friend who’s freezer supply is dwindling and she’s struggling to get more then an ounce.
Don’t worry they all said. Fed is best anyways.
She cried for help.
She sobbed in that office.
She called her friend exhausted.
She went to anyone she could.
She begged. She pleaded.
But fed is best anyways.
A phrase we started to help moms know it’s okay if it just simply “doesn’t work out”
Is crippling thousands of woman.
Choosing formula over breastfeeding is a choice. Yet the mothers choosing breast are having that choice ripped from them - before they ever stood a chance.
So I encourage you, next time a mom is begging for support, don’t turn to her and say “Well fed is best anyways!”
Ask her what you can do.
Help her read the books.
Help her search on google.
Help her find an IBCLC.
Help her get the help she needs.
The western world has the lowest and shortest breastfeeding terms globally. I’ll let you do the math on why you think that is.
If you are a mother who struggled and had your journey end before you were ready, I stand with you. My heart hurts for you.
Just know there are woman like me, doing everything we can to make sure the next generation doesn’t have to beg and plead for the help they need.
Simply Sacred Birth
14/03/2022
The Mid Devon Doula updated their address.
The Mid Devon Doula updated their address.
14/03/2022
The Mid Devon Doula updated their website address.
The Mid Devon Doula updated their website address.
23/11/2021
💜
“Research shows just 30 minutes of skin to skin with dad on the first day of a newborn actually rewires dad’s brain. Stimulating many hormones especially Dopmine and Oxytocin so dads get connected to their babies and want to nurture them.” YES. Dads, get those cuddles in! ❤️
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Repost 📸: IG
21/11/2021
Timeline photos
“Kissing your baby changes your breast milk. Did you know that the undeniable urge to cover your baby in kisses serves a biological purpose? When a mother kisses her baby, she samples the pathogens on baby’s face, which then travel to mom’s lymphatic system. Mom’s body then creates antibodies to fight those pathogens, which baby receives through breast milk. What?! Amazing, right?”
http://www.mothering.com/articles/10-things-might-not-know-breastfeeding/ 📸: Dusktildawnphotography
21/11/2021
💜
At 2pm on Sunday the 21st of November we will march with midwives to call for government action to address the crisis in maternity services.
Whether you are a midwife, health professional, birth worker, parent, or someone who just cares about the working conditions and birthing conditions of others, we welcome you to join us.
For more information and to find out about vigils in your area follow the March with Midwives page here ⬇️
https://www.facebook.com/groups/marchwithmidwivesuk
05/11/2021
The Mid Devon Doula updated their information in their About section.
The Mid Devon Doula updated their information in their About section.
05/11/2021
Preparing to put all of my Doula training into practice! Please share with any pregnant families who may be interested in having a Doula present at their birth 💜
Massive thanks to clairejacksonartwork for the beautiful logo design 💜
23/10/2021
The Mid Devon Doula updated their phone number.
The Mid Devon Doula updated their phone number.
23/10/2021
The Mid Devon Doula updated their business hours.
The Mid Devon Doula updated their business hours.
15/05/2019
I will forever be scarred by the effects Hyperemesis Gradvidarum had on myself and my family.
It’s been three and a half years now and I still struggle to eat food in the morning, I still eat the same 6 or so meals, over and over again because everything else makes me feel nauseous.
I still feel jealous every time I see a happy pregnant woman. I still wonder what life would be like now if that horrible sickness hadn’t nearly broken me.
But I do feel proud that I got through it and am here now to raise awareness and support others.
09/04/2019
The most magical place in the world 😍
04/04/2019
Like, all of the time? 🤦🏻♀️
Ermmmmm possibly 😉
31/03/2019
Getting Disney ready!
Practising nails, made ears for everyone (including Belle Bear!) and prepared all of my outfits.
So excited!
19/03/2019
Louis Theroux reveals powerful new documentary on motherhood and mental health
Louis Theroux reveals powerful new documentary on motherhood and mental health
The filmmaker opens up to Stylist about Mothers on the Edge, due to air on BBC2 in May
04/03/2019
My kind of pancake day...
19/02/2019
Have you booked Moo yet? 🐮🎶
Don’t panic! There is still time! 🙌🏼
Baby Moo is FULLY BOOKED! 👶🏻🐮
However we have a few spaces remaining in Mixed Moo on Tuesdays at 9:45AM/10:45AM and Thursdays at 1:30PM - all at Planet Play 🚀🐮
Book here —-> www.moo-music.co.uk/crediton
10/01/2019
Not even a week and already becoming known as the 🤪
26/10/2018
Just hanging out with Capital North West & North Wales !! 🏔💪🏼
21/10/2018
After a week or so of hair brushing drama - we have found a solution!
Personalised ‘I’ hair brush with a unicorn, now she won’t stop brushing her hair! 😂
17/10/2018
Walking home from work and overheard a couple of teenage girls...
“Urgh, I am so tired, I had forgotten how tiring school is...”
Resisted the urge to turn around and give them a reality check 🤭
14/04/2022
13/04/2022
12/04/2022
12/04/2022
19/03/2022
14/03/2022
14/03/2022
23/11/2021
21/11/2021
21/11/2021
05/11/2021
05/11/2021
23/10/2021
23/10/2021
15/05/2019
09/04/2019
09/04/2019
09/04/2019
04/04/2019
31/03/2019
19/03/2019
04/03/2019
04/03/2019
19/02/2019
14/02/2019
10/01/2019
08/01/2019
17/11/2018
26/10/2018
21/10/2018
17/10/2018
