Saturday, May 26, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
My new carrier
The lovely Hannah at Sybela slings made me this custom Connecta. Got about 2 hours wear this afternoon in Asda and school run and found it very comfortable and light.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
I'm currently in a state of lividity after reading this article about some tyrannical nanny. I mean you know only too well my issues with Gina Ford but this one is just ...well I'm speechless!
She totally contradicts herself too.
"The key to a happy baby is food. The mistake most mums make is that they don't feed their babies enough.
"I put the babies on a four-hour feeding schedule from the moment they get out of hospital," Claire says.
See, 4 hourly! What she on? Babies need feeding way more than that. On cue, which is frequently, is the healthiest way not only for their psychological development but to maintain a good supply so you can breastfeed successfully. Feed on schedule and if you manage to stay out of hospital with dehydration you may have a child who grows up with somekind of eating disorder. This woman also prescribes such treatment to premature babies. Has she not heard of the trouble Ezzo's ideas cause? I am seriously concerned there could be a death riding on the back of her advice.
"I won't stand for any nonsense from anybody, babies or their parents."
"The babies have to go into a routine from day one. They should be in their own cots. I won't have any babies sleeping with their parents in the same room.
Now even mainstream advice acknowledges the fact SIDS is higher in babies who sleep alone. I am a great believer in cosleeping anyway and that despite biased unsubstantiated media hype it actually lowers the risk of SIDS (or rather that cosleeping is the norm and alone sleep isn't. But then surely Claire would know this with her her knowledge of animal care?) if you have the time this review on cosleeping is a fantastic read on why babies shouldn't sleep alone and this is a good a place as any to stick a lovely article on babies, sleep and expectations.
"I don't care who the mum is, no one wants to be getting up at 3am to feed their baby."
*hands up* I do! Well I feed my baby about then..I think. I don't wake up to do it, and neither does Jenson. That's the way to do it!
Controversially, Claire says: "I start them on solids at 17 weeks. I don't care what the Government says, every baby is individual and some babies need more food than others."
There she is contradicting herself yet again, individual enough to need solids horrendously early (since when could a 17 week old sit unaided, have lost their tongue thrust, developed the gag reflex and ability to self feed? That is when they are ready) but apparently all babies need feeding every 4 hours and sleep through the night from day one.
Early weaning is putting the baby at risk of allergies, a strain on the kidneys and basically they can fail to thrive. Milk is high in calories and all the essential nutrients they need. Building blocks for that fantastic brain, solids will just replace a much required feed.
Cuddles are also restricted. Claire says too much fuss can make a baby crave attention.
"Imagine having a dog with a ball and you keep throwing it for them. Then all of a sudden you stop and walk away and they don't understand.
"It will think: 'Why have you stopped playing with me?' It will start barking, dropping the ball at your feet and annoying you.
"It's the same with a baby. If a baby's picked up for half an hour, cuddled and then put down, it will get upset.
FFS So you can't cuddle them because you might put them down again because they won't understand like a dog. Yet you can leave them alone at night in a room to cry to sleep when they depend on mum to survive thus leaving them in distress when they don't understand, you can make them wait to be feed until the clock says so yet they don't understand.
Young babies left unheld feel unsecure, it's innate, they feel at risk in case of a predator. Again yet more stress hormones whizzing round a very impressionable body. Not holding them is damaging.
This is reminding me of the institutionalized orphans and the brain damage witnessed in children deprived of love and affection (from Margot Sunderland's book The Science of Parenting, full of useful science to explain just how damaging this approach to childcare is). Awww I'm writing this in bed, Jenson's little feet on my leg. He opened his eyes, laughed and went back to sleep. He's happy and knows I'm here for him.
Children want cuddles because they need them. The early years are a crucial time for brain development, cuddles and responsive parenting will help the neural pathways forming to do so in a postive way. I can see Verity trained children having attachment problems.
If you are detached, cause your baby to be stressed and neglect them in the ways this "expert" advises you to your child will pay the price. Their brain will not have formed properly, mental and physical consequences will arise for their lifetime. Huge price for them to pay for their parents' selfish decision to want a trained baby. If you can't commit yourself enough to your baby to treat them in a way that respects the way they are, then just don't have them. It's not like seeing to their needs is a chore. Being a loving caring mum is the most fun ever!
I'm reminded a little of this comedy sketch
because this celebrity nanny has clearly seen her clients coming. Used a load of spirit breaking techniques, force children into a convenient seen and not heard state, takes the money and off she goes with no concern about the consequences.
Children who experience the chronic stress of neglect-e.g., remaining hungry, cold, scared, or in pain-will also focus their brains' resources on survival. This chronic stimulation of the brain's fear response means that the regions of the brain involved in this response are frequently activated. When they are, other regions of the brain, such as those involved in complex thought, can not also be activated and are therefore not "available" to the child for learning (Shore (1997). Rethinking the brain. New York: Families and Work Institute.)
Dissociation is characterized by first attempting to bring caretakers to help, and if this is unsuccessful, becoming motionless (freezing) and compliant and eventually dissociating; this is often called the "surrender" response (Perry, Pollard, Blakely, Baker & Vigilante, 1995 Childhood trauma, the neurobiology of adaptation and "use-dependent" development of the brain: How "states" become "traits"). (I think this is what is to be perceived to be controlled crying working)
She totally contradicts herself too.
"The key to a happy baby is food. The mistake most mums make is that they don't feed their babies enough.
"I put the babies on a four-hour feeding schedule from the moment they get out of hospital," Claire says.
See, 4 hourly! What she on? Babies need feeding way more than that. On cue, which is frequently, is the healthiest way not only for their psychological development but to maintain a good supply so you can breastfeed successfully. Feed on schedule and if you manage to stay out of hospital with dehydration you may have a child who grows up with somekind of eating disorder. This woman also prescribes such treatment to premature babies. Has she not heard of the trouble Ezzo's ideas cause? I am seriously concerned there could be a death riding on the back of her advice.
"I won't stand for any nonsense from anybody, babies or their parents."
"The babies have to go into a routine from day one. They should be in their own cots. I won't have any babies sleeping with their parents in the same room.
Now even mainstream advice acknowledges the fact SIDS is higher in babies who sleep alone. I am a great believer in cosleeping anyway and that despite biased unsubstantiated media hype it actually lowers the risk of SIDS (or rather that cosleeping is the norm and alone sleep isn't. But then surely Claire would know this with her her knowledge of animal care?) if you have the time this review on cosleeping is a fantastic read on why babies shouldn't sleep alone and this is a good a place as any to stick a lovely article on babies, sleep and expectations.
"I don't care who the mum is, no one wants to be getting up at 3am to feed their baby."
*hands up* I do! Well I feed my baby about then..I think. I don't wake up to do it, and neither does Jenson. That's the way to do it!
Controversially, Claire says: "I start them on solids at 17 weeks. I don't care what the Government says, every baby is individual and some babies need more food than others."
There she is contradicting herself yet again, individual enough to need solids horrendously early (since when could a 17 week old sit unaided, have lost their tongue thrust, developed the gag reflex and ability to self feed? That is when they are ready) but apparently all babies need feeding every 4 hours and sleep through the night from day one.
Early weaning is putting the baby at risk of allergies, a strain on the kidneys and basically they can fail to thrive. Milk is high in calories and all the essential nutrients they need. Building blocks for that fantastic brain, solids will just replace a much required feed.
Cuddles are also restricted. Claire says too much fuss can make a baby crave attention.
"Imagine having a dog with a ball and you keep throwing it for them. Then all of a sudden you stop and walk away and they don't understand.
"It will think: 'Why have you stopped playing with me?' It will start barking, dropping the ball at your feet and annoying you.
"It's the same with a baby. If a baby's picked up for half an hour, cuddled and then put down, it will get upset.
FFS So you can't cuddle them because you might put them down again because they won't understand like a dog. Yet you can leave them alone at night in a room to cry to sleep when they depend on mum to survive thus leaving them in distress when they don't understand, you can make them wait to be feed until the clock says so yet they don't understand.
Young babies left unheld feel unsecure, it's innate, they feel at risk in case of a predator. Again yet more stress hormones whizzing round a very impressionable body. Not holding them is damaging.
This is reminding me of the institutionalized orphans and the brain damage witnessed in children deprived of love and affection (from Margot Sunderland's book The Science of Parenting, full of useful science to explain just how damaging this approach to childcare is). Awww I'm writing this in bed, Jenson's little feet on my leg. He opened his eyes, laughed and went back to sleep. He's happy and knows I'm here for him.
Children want cuddles because they need them. The early years are a crucial time for brain development, cuddles and responsive parenting will help the neural pathways forming to do so in a postive way. I can see Verity trained children having attachment problems.
If you are detached, cause your baby to be stressed and neglect them in the ways this "expert" advises you to your child will pay the price. Their brain will not have formed properly, mental and physical consequences will arise for their lifetime. Huge price for them to pay for their parents' selfish decision to want a trained baby. If you can't commit yourself enough to your baby to treat them in a way that respects the way they are, then just don't have them. It's not like seeing to their needs is a chore. Being a loving caring mum is the most fun ever!
I'm reminded a little of this comedy sketch
because this celebrity nanny has clearly seen her clients coming. Used a load of spirit breaking techniques, force children into a convenient seen and not heard state, takes the money and off she goes with no concern about the consequences.
Children who experience the chronic stress of neglect-e.g., remaining hungry, cold, scared, or in pain-will also focus their brains' resources on survival. This chronic stimulation of the brain's fear response means that the regions of the brain involved in this response are frequently activated. When they are, other regions of the brain, such as those involved in complex thought, can not also be activated and are therefore not "available" to the child for learning (Shore (1997). Rethinking the brain. New York: Families and Work Institute.)
Dissociation is characterized by first attempting to bring caretakers to help, and if this is unsuccessful, becoming motionless (freezing) and compliant and eventually dissociating; this is often called the "surrender" response (Perry, Pollard, Blakely, Baker & Vigilante, 1995 Childhood trauma, the neurobiology of adaptation and "use-dependent" development of the brain: How "states" become "traits"). (I think this is what is to be perceived to be controlled crying working)
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Just a quicky cos I'm tired and want to go to bed!
As it's Breastfeeding Awareness Week I just had to post this excellent article in the Guardian , very much helps explain my weird ways in refusing to buy or consume anything Nestle and taking pictures of formula displays that breech regulations in supermarkets! I don't half get funny looks.
Here is a great advert from down under fighting back at the nursing in public prudes.
I mean honestly if anyone is offended by a mother breastfeeding they have my sympathies. Must be such a miserable life having a mind that thinks in that way. It's a lovely sight. You see far more flesh in magazines and TV when breasts are used to sell crap. I've been very lucky, even when feeding a 2 year old out and about I never got confronted. I don't think anyone would dare!
Everybody go sign this to help those women who have been asked to stop feeding and those who are too shy to feed in public in case some neurotic ignorant jumps on them for doing a fantastic thing in nursing their child.
Breastfeeding in public is an education for the next generation of parents. If children see it now, they will grow up thinking of it as the normal way to feed a baby, which it is!
Ban advertising, get all health professionals trained properly to give support, dispell the load of myths about it, tell Dad's who want to bottlefeed so they "get a go" to grow up and maybe one day all those women physically capable (which is 98%) of breastfeeding will. We might even then have enough milk banks to help out the Mums who really can't feed.
As it's Breastfeeding Awareness Week I just had to post this excellent article in the Guardian , very much helps explain my weird ways in refusing to buy or consume anything Nestle and taking pictures of formula displays that breech regulations in supermarkets! I don't half get funny looks.
Here is a great advert from down under fighting back at the nursing in public prudes.
I mean honestly if anyone is offended by a mother breastfeeding they have my sympathies. Must be such a miserable life having a mind that thinks in that way. It's a lovely sight. You see far more flesh in magazines and TV when breasts are used to sell crap. I've been very lucky, even when feeding a 2 year old out and about I never got confronted. I don't think anyone would dare!
Everybody go sign this to help those women who have been asked to stop feeding and those who are too shy to feed in public in case some neurotic ignorant jumps on them for doing a fantastic thing in nursing their child.
Breastfeeding in public is an education for the next generation of parents. If children see it now, they will grow up thinking of it as the normal way to feed a baby, which it is!
Ban advertising, get all health professionals trained properly to give support, dispell the load of myths about it, tell Dad's who want to bottlefeed so they "get a go" to grow up and maybe one day all those women physically capable (which is 98%) of breastfeeding will. We might even then have enough milk banks to help out the Mums who really can't feed.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Maxïmo Park yet again leave me wanting more! If Jenson wasn't so young (as I felt guilty enough for going out anyway) I would so go again tonight....and tomorrow. If you get the chance you just must go to really appreciate them. I've seen them four times over the past couple of years (first time being at Colchester Uni in April 2005) and they just get better!
I left Jon behind with the boys and headed off to meet my old school friend recently engaged Lucy (congratulations!), got there in time to see Electrelane but missed Cougar who I quite fancied hearing. I've heard a few tracks and I think they would settle in nicely in my Four Tet/Lemon Jelly/Air kind of playlist. Perfect for summer's days.
After lots of hot and sweaty singalong bouncing about and spelling out catchy lines with raised fists (and there are loads of those, The Night I Lost my Head has the added interest of counting out with fingers) we made our way over to Punk to catch up with the lovely Marsha at the aftershow. As per usual the last train home scenario cropped up so we couldn't stay for long. Luckily though we bumped into Lukas, Paul and Duncan on the way out so got to thank them in person for a great night.Books from Boxes is the next single out in June.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Tomorrow is Jenson's birthday! Just how fast has this year gone?
He's a happy little thing who is cute to the point of distraction. I mean how am I supposed to get on with housework when he looks at me like that? I just have to go play and cuddle with him.
His favourite activities are nursing, staying awake because there's too much to explore to have a nap, sweeping the floor,
riding on my back in the babyhawk, getting dirty knees, chasing ants (already they have invaded my house),dancing (he seems to like a good beat, Daft Punk, CSS and Gorillaz get him going), eating and brother cuddles!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
I just had a rant through the medium of Photoshop.
You can read more about the new SMA logo and my problem with it on Mike Brady of Baby Milk Action's blog.
Jenson is nearly one now already! Favourite toy is the dustpan and brush, obviously copying me. 3 boys who regularly moult crumbs and a laminate floor equals and awful lot of sweeping. Favourite game is a peekaboo, giving me an excuse to post this Family Guy clip!
You can see Jensy spotting me and diving for milk!
You can read more about the new SMA logo and my problem with it on Mike Brady of Baby Milk Action's blog.
Jenson is nearly one now already! Favourite toy is the dustpan and brush, obviously copying me. 3 boys who regularly moult crumbs and a laminate floor equals and awful lot of sweeping. Favourite game is a peekaboo, giving me an excuse to post this Family Guy clip!
You can see Jensy spotting me and diving for milk!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
R.I.P. Madison
but I tended to call her Mrs Cat.
She was hit by a car yesterday lunchtime and died instantly it seems.
We'd had her 7 years, Tyler chose her and her son (he found a new home, think he got fed up of a house full of children) when he was a toddler.
It's very odd not having her under our feets, nearly went down the cat food aisle in Asda today too. The boys drew some lovely pictures of her and Dillon decided to give his to her so she won't be lonely.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Serious case of jealousy going on here today! What with Jenson still being all small I am not happy leaving him with anybody other than Jon (and even then I get serious guilt pangs). So when I managed to get tickets to the recording of Kevin Eldon's sketch show pilot only one of us could go. While I was stuck at home watching Life on Mars Jon was wallowing in the presence of comedy genii!
He only blimming got chatting to Simon Munnery, Julia Davis, Julian Barrett, Stewart Lee and Kevin himself got Jon a drink. Bugger!
However I did find out a little photoshop of mine (badly done one of Tony Rudd with Kate Moss) amused Kevin and his girlfriend!
Also heard a bit of news about The Peter Serafinowicz Show. He does a fantastic Terry Wogan as seen on the Lost Episode of Blankety Blank, and there will be some sketches involving him. I can't wait. I hope to get tickets.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Saturday night
the boys and I are waiting for. Makes a change for something decent to be on the TV on a Saturday night.
I've been half deaf since Thursday, all. It's incredible how disorientating it is, like working out what direction the sound is coming from. I've tried warm olive oil, and last night tried some ear candling. It helped a bit but I think I need another go to unblock it.
My little Park fans -
Saturday night
the boys and I are waiting for. Makes a change for something decent to be on the TV on a Saturday night.
I've been half deaf since Thursday, all. It's incredible how disorientating it is, like working out what direction the sound is coming from. I've tried warm olive oil, and last night tried some ear candling. It helped a bit but I think I need another go to unblock it.
My little Park fans -
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
You know what I'm like with the "wrong" music thing -
and I love this one too as The Moog Cookbook version of Kelly Watch the Stars is just brilliant anyway!
There are a few words in the english language that make me laugh by just their mere mention, flange for example. So imagine my reaction to the trailer for the film The Last Mimzy. Supposed to be a film for children too! I guess mimsy means something different in the US.
Yesterday I found myself listening to Our Earthly Pleasures as you can see from my lastfm wotsit. I just couldn't be good and wait for it I'm afraid!
Today (as with Maximo Park songs I have a different favourite depending on my mood) I'm enjoying most Girls who Play Guitars (the most commercial sounding apart from Our Velocity. I think I'll be singing "love is a lie which means I've been lied to..." for years to come now), The Unschockable, Nosebleed and this one here
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Justin, Scooch or whoever. Doesn't matter which we choose to represent us, unless it's banned then Israel will be winning!
Personally one day I'd like to see 7 Seconds of Love and Tony Rudd do Eurovision for us. We're all Winning as they say!
Fave bit of Comic Relief -
Ooh I can see my house from here!
I can see Jon was home that day, his car is there!
Personally one day I'd like to see 7 Seconds of Love and Tony Rudd do Eurovision for us. We're all Winning as they say!
Fave bit of Comic Relief -
Ooh I can see my house from here!
I can see Jon was home that day, his car is there!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Yay! Read here for news on a recent law change with regards to formula labelling claims. These claims they currently make really make me cross, with all this "closer to breasmilk" nonsense....it's about as close to breastmilk as Ratners were to Tiffanys! Now if only somebody would stop the annoying "take good care of my baby" adverts I'd be happy. Whatever it is Norway are doing to achieve the fantastic rates they do we should copy in my opinion.
Speaking of breastfeeding I toddled home at 3am Saturday morning with boobs rivalling Katie Price (well that's how it felt) to find Jon and Jenson all curled up together in bed. I had great time at the lovely Marsha's birthday party! Well worth the venture to London. Only trouble is living out here you always have to leave these things early to get the last train home.
Been making the most of this gorgeous weather by trying to find the bottom of my laundry pile. I'm nearly there! Sad isn't it really.
Got V tickets though, taking the whole brood.
Speaking of breastfeeding I toddled home at 3am Saturday morning with boobs rivalling Katie Price (well that's how it felt) to find Jon and Jenson all curled up together in bed. I had great time at the lovely Marsha's birthday party! Well worth the venture to London. Only trouble is living out here you always have to leave these things early to get the last train home.
Been making the most of this gorgeous weather by trying to find the bottom of my laundry pile. I'm nearly there! Sad isn't it really.
Got V tickets though, taking the whole brood.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
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