Living with Autism

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Sinead

We posted last month about Autism awareness month there was a lot of discussion on our Facebook page about this at the time and the issues that some parents are facing. Following on from this we have today’s guest post from Alison, a mother of two children, both with Autism, she has been kind enough to share her experiences with us.

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Like most couples, we looked forward to the birth of our first child with excitement and a sense of joy. Little did we know what a life changing event his arrival would be – our lives were going to change forever.

Our son Sam arrived in December 1996 and seemed to develop normally during his first 2 years. When he was just over 2, our beautiful daughter Beth was born and we were over the moon with our family. Bringing Beth home from hospital, I noticed that Sam did not really take much notice of her. During the next 6 months there were lots of different things we noticed that raised concerns about Sam. He had a wooden train set for his 2nd birthday and he loved it. However, we noticed that he seemed to lie down on the floor with his face very close to the track and run the trains very near to his eyes. You could walk into a room and Sam did not really notice you. If you called Sam’s name he did not react or turn around. The turning point for us was a holiday to Ireland when Beth was 3 months old. We went with family, including our nephew who was 4 months younger than Sam. The contrast between the two boys was really obvious. Sam was not really talking and appeared to be ‘in his own world’.

I spoke to the health visitor and expressed my concerns about Sam. She referred Sam for a Speech and Language assessment. The Speech and Language Therapist decided that Sam may have autism and referred him to a Paediatrician. I had never really heard of autism and had no idea about what this might mean. We attended a 2 day assessment at the Child Development Centre in Northampton and Sam saw a number of different professionals over the 2 days. They were looking at all aspects of his development – his physical development, language development and social skills. We returned 2 weeks later for feedback and received the news that Sam had Autistic Spectrum Disorder. I have to say I was broken hearted. I read up on Autism and realised that this was life changing for Sam and for us.

Autism means a person has difficulties in 3 areas:

Communication

Social Interaction

Flexibility of thought/Imagination

One of the things that Sam found most difficult was communicating his needs, so that was the focus for me. I finished my part-time teaching job and we decided that my main focus would be input for Sam to help him make as much progress as he could.

Children with autism often find it difficult to follow spoken language but respond much more to pictures, photographs and simple spoken language. We started using a simple daily schedule with pictures of what we were going to do during the day. I took photographs of places we visited regularly and used them on the schedule. Sam liked things to stay the same, it helped him cope if he could keep the same routines.

Sam started at nursery and we managed to get an assessment done for him to get a Statement of Special Educational Needs ready for starting school. We looked at a number of different schools and decided to go for a mainstream school with a DSP (Designated Special Provision). This is a unit attached to the school which provides lots of structure and a quiet environment. Sam was able to go into some of the lessons in the reception class.

Whilst Sam was settling into school our concerns were raised for Beth. Although she had appeared to be progressing fine up to the age of about 18 months, by the age of 2 she was following a very similar pattern to  Sam. Her language was not developing and she had poor eye contact and social skills. It took me longer to accept that there may be a problem with Beth. I could not bear to think that we would have to go through the same heartache twice. When she was just over 2 I returned to the Health visitor and chatted about my concerns. It was the same health visitor I had seem with Sam and we sat and sobbed together…..it was so hard! Beth was referred to the Child Development Centre and had a two day assessment. The feedback confirmed that they thought she had autism – they wanted to wait until she was 3 years old to confirm this, in case it was language delay. When she returned for another assessment at 3, autism was confirmed. We put the same support in place as we had Sam. Language and communication was one of Beth’s main areas of difficulty. Due to the difficulties with language, toilet training was a real problem. Overall it took about 4-5 years – we had photos of toilets and I used to take Beth to the toilet every hour wherever we were. Beth would go to the toilet if you took her, but could not ask to go or take herself. We got through a lot of carpet cleaner!! Eventually, one day, she just took herself to the toilet and went on her own. I nearly fainted with delight – she was over 7 years old…..you need lots of patience with autistic children.

One of the areas we looked at was diet and autism. Some children with autism have difficulties with dairy and wheat so we read up on some research being done by the Autism Research Unit in Sunderland. They analyse urine samples and are able to advise if the individual has opioid peptides in their urine. Presence of these peptides indicates they have a problem with dairy and wheat. We have a very strong history of allergy in the family so decided to explore this. Both children came back with positive test results. We decided to remove dairy and wheat from their diet. I soon became an expert at baking biscuits and cakes with no dairy or wheat in.

Life has followed that pattern – Sam and Beth achieve little steps but it takes them much longer to get there. They have been fortunate to have the nurture and help of some fantastic Teaching Assistants. They both now attend Northgate School in Northampton. It is a special school and they are both flourishing in a very supportive environment. They are now aged 15 and 13 – the gap between them and their peers has widened, but we are more able to work with their strengths and appreciate what makes them special. It is hard work – I would be lying if I said otherwise, but it is easier than it was. Sam’s language has developed well and we can have a simple conversation with him now. He still struggles with social interactions but continues to make progress. Beth still has limited language but she is happier than she was and gets less frustrated with the world than she used to. We have been on a very steep learning curve and there is more to come – we continue to learn as much as we can to help Sam and Beth reach their full potential and lead happy lives, with the support of others.

 

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Cot Death – Guest Post from FSID

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Sinead

Today we have a guest post from FSID The Cot Death Charity  they work to help raise awareness, they are the leading baby charity aiming to prevent unexpected deaths in infancy and promote infant health. They offer support in many ways to parents including -

  • A Helpline for parents, carers and health professionals and bereaved families
  • A wide range of publications and resources on reducing the risk of cot death and safe baby care
  • A network of trained befrienders to support bereaved families
  • A busy programme of training, events and Family Days Out throughout the UK
  • The Care of Next Infant (CONI) Scheme, with the NHS, to support bereaved families when they have subsequent babies.
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What is cot death?

Cot death is a term commonly used to describe the sudden and unexpected death of a baby for no apparent reason. It may also be called Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS.  Around 300 UK families lose their baby in this way each year

What can we do to protect our baby?

Advances in research mean we are regularly discovering new positive steps parents can take to reduce the risk of cot death:

  • Sleep your baby on their back. Not on their front or sides.
  • Cut smoking in pregnancy — dads too! And don’t let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby. Babies are healthier if they are kept smoke-free.
  • The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib or cot in a room with you for the first six months. It is very dangerous to sleep with a baby on a sofa, armchair or settee.
  • Do not let your baby get too hot, and keep your baby’s head uncovered

 Is it dangerous for my baby to sleep in my bed?

Yes it is dangerous to bedshare if you or your partner:

  •  are a smoker (even if you never smoke in bed or at home)
  •  have been drinking alcohol
  •  take medication or drugs that make you drowsy
  •  feel very tired
  •  if your baby was premature (born before 37 weeks)
  •  if your baby was low birth weight (less than 2.5kg or 51/2lb)
  •  if your baby is less than 4 months old.

Should I use a dummy?

Settling your baby to sleep (day and night) with a dummy can reduce the risk of cot death, even if the dummy falls out while your baby is asleep. Breastfeed your baby. Establish breastfeeding before starting to use a dummy.

Where can I find more advice?

The national cot death charity, the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths [FSID], funds research, distributes safe sleep advice, trains professionals and supports bereaved parents. Visit www.fsid.org.uk or call our Free Helpline on 08080 802 6868.

Aged 13-20 and pregnant? Young mum or dad? Visit our social-networking site for teenage parents www.bubbalicious.co.uk for advice and support.

 

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Guest Post – Returning to work after having a Baby

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Sinead

It can be daunting making the decision about when and if you have to return to work after having a baby.  Today our guest blogger Louise tells us how she has had a complete career change and made it work for her and her family!

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My husband and I moved from London to Bedfordshire when I was seven months pregnant with our first child. I knew at that stage, before Lauren had even arrived, that returning to my job (in PR) was not going to be an option as the journey to work involved a two hour commute each way and the cost of childcare, travel and parking would not make it financially worth my while.

I was lucky. My husband earned enough from his job to support us, which meant I could stay at home with Lauren, but it was still hard making the decision to resign at the end of my maternity leave. I’d always been independent and very career driven and suddenly that had gone. I was a full time mummy.

As much as I valued being at home with my daughter (and my son who was born two years later), I knew that I’d want to return to work at some point.  I didn’t want to return to my old career in PR for a number or reasons. But I also knew that finding a new job, which I could fit around the kids was not going to be easy. I lost track of the number of conversations I had with fellow mums about flexible term time only working options (or lack of them). As my husband had a long commute and I didn’t have family close by to support me, whatever I was going to do had to fit around nursery, pre school, and “big” school runs not to mention cover for sickness, last minute school closures, holidays etc….  Flexibility was key.

I hadn’t ever considered buying a franchise but when I came across The Creation Station on a workingmums website, there was something about it – an Arts and Crafts franchise business offering classes for children, event entertainment and birthday parties – which really stood out. It was so far off my radar it was untrue but I sent off for a “Shiny Future” information pack anyway. A month later, I was in Bracknell meeting the Creation Station’s founder and owner Sarah Cressall at a Discovery Morning. It was there that I got to see a session in full swing and meet other franchise owners and really grill them about the reality of running a Creation Station business.

It all seemed fantastic. I could choose when I worked, start off small and grown my business as the children grew. I could work in the holidays and take the children with me and involve them in my classes. It was arts and crafts, which I love – it ticked a lot of boxes.

It was still a massive step to take, having never run my own business before and having been out of the workplace for five years. I took my time – six months in fact – before I finally decided to take the plunge. That was August last year. I paid my deposit, agreed my franchise area with the Creation Station and then did my (three day) training programme in November before launching with my first class in my local village hall in December.

Some would say  (in fact many have said) it’s a very difficult time to be setting up a new business given the financial climate and that I’m very brave (and mad!) but I knew that there would be a demand for the services that the Creation Station offers within my area and as a mum, it was the flexibility that really swung it for me. I could work but still spend time with my family as they grow up. I also have the benefit of head office to back me along with a fabulous network of other franchisees across the country who are never short of moral and practical support and advice when I need it.

So here I am, three months on, running weekly art and craft sessions for babies and pre schoolers and absolutely loving it. Mums, dads and carers get to bring their children to my classes, try out new ideas and explore and discover their creativity with exciting tools and materials and then leave me to deal with the mess. It was daunting initially but after a few weeks it has become second nature.  I also do arty birthday party entertainment, again something I had never dreamt I’d do, and love it. The focus is on the many art activities we offer (rather than on me as an entertainer) and it appeals to a huge age range and both girls and boys. It’s great to see kids so absorbed in being creative.

It’s hard work and I find it hard to switch off but I’ve noticed a real boost in my own creativity and confidence and having all the tools and materials in my own garage makes it really easy to get creative at home with my kids (which they love)!

I have to pinch myself every now and then and remind myself that I am actually running my own business and although it’s still early days and a while before I start making a profit, I feel really proud of myself for taking the plunge and going for it.

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Louise runs arts and craft sessions for babies and preschoolers during term time and holiday classes for 1-11 year olds during the holidays. She also offers Arty Parties and art and craft entertainment for events.

 

Contact louiseplatt@thecreationstation.co.uk or call 0844 854 9178 for details or visit www.thecreationstation.co.uk

 

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National Autism Awareness Month

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Sinead

April is National Autism Awareness month, and over on our Facebook page we have been having quite a lot of discussion about Autism.  So we have decided to share with you on the blog some more information about Autisim and the effects it can have on peoples lives.

It is estimated that around 1 out of every 100 people has autism.  It is a life long condition that affects how suffers see the world and communicate with others. You may not be able to tell someone is autistic just by looking at them.

The following information is taken from the National Autistic Society Website.

Some people with autism find these things difficult

  • They find it difficult to tell people what they need, and how they feel.
  • They find it difficult to meet other people and to make new friends.
  • They find it difficult to understand what other people think, and how they feel.

 Not everyone with autism will find these things difficult. This is because everyone with autism is different.

What causes autism?

No one knows why people have autism.

If your child has autism, it is not because you are a bad parent.

More than 1 person in a family may have autism. It can be genetic. This means autism can pass from parents to their children.

How do people with autism behave?

Here is some information about people with autism.

  • They may not speak. But they may use things like pictures or sign language to communicate.
  • They may not understand what other people say.
  • They may copy what other people say.
  • They may only talk about their favourite subject.
  • They may not take part in games or activities with other people.
  • They may like to play the same game or do the same thing every day.
  • They may be very interested in one thing and know a lot about it.
  • They may be good at remembering information.
  • They may do well at school, college and work. 

 What else is special about autism? Here is some more information about people with autism.

  • They may find co-ordination difficult. This means that they may find it difficult to do things like use scissors, use knives and forks, or ride a bike.
  • They may be very good at something. For example, they may be very good at maths, art or music.
  • They can be good at learning how to do something when they see someone else doing it.
  • They may be good at concentrating on one activity.
  • They may have learning disabilities.
  • They may have other difficulties. For example, they may have dyslexia.

 The 5 senses are

            Sight

            Sound

            Smell

            Touch

            Taste.

Here is some information about how autism can affect someone’s senses.

Sight - 
Some people with autism may not like bright lights and colours. Other people with autism might like them a lot.

Sound - 
Some people with autism may not like loud noises. Other people with autism might like certain noises.

Smell 
- Some people with autism may not like some smells. Other people with autism might like a certain smell.

Touch – 
Some people with autism may not like being touched. Other people with autism might like being touched.

Taste
 - Some people with autism may like to eat the same food every day. Other people with autism might like lots of different food


Asperger syndrome

There is a type of autism called Asperger syndrome.

People with Asperger syndrome do not have learning disabilities. But they find the same things difficult as people with autism.

Some people with Asperger syndrome find these things difficult.

  • They find it difficult to tell people what they need, and how they feel.
  • They find it difficult to meet other people and to make new friends.
  • They find it difficult to understand what other people think, and how they feel.

The main thing I have learnt about Autism is that no two people with Autism will be affected in the same way.  The autistic spectrum is very wide and the same condition can be affect suffers in different ways. It seems that there really is very little help and advice out there for parents who are concerned about their child and wanting to get a diagnosis but yet rates of Autism in children do seem to be increasing

We have put together a list of places you can go to if you are concerned or worried and would like more advice.  There are a lot of characteristics of autism and if you are concerned about your child you can take a look here for more information on getting a diagnosis.

http://www.autism.org.uk/

http://www.aukids.co.uk/

http://www.cafamily.org.uk/

http://www.infantmentalhealth.com/

www.autismconcern.net - A Northamptonshire Based Charity, you can contact them on 01604 239404

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ukfriendsofautism/

There is also a fantastic book, I would highly recommend to any parent with an Autistic child or currently undergoing diagnosis.  It is called 10 Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew and there is a link here to Amazon where you can get a copy.

I met with a lady yesterday who has two autistic children and was so inspired by her story; she will be sharing this with us on the blog later this week.

Please share our blog with your friends and family to help raise awareness that April is Autism Awareness month and to also help raise awareness of Autism itself.

 

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Making recycling fun!

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Sinead

Baby Swap or Shop is all about recycling.  Selling and swapping your unwanted items with someone else, to ensure they don’t go to waste.  Recycling is becoming a bigger part of our lives all the time, we are encouraged to recycle everything from packaging to food waste.  Today our best blogger Carlo talks about how to get your children involved in recycling and make it fun for them!

How to teach recycling to children

Children love engaging with the environment around them, whether it’s watering plants in the school garden or using their magnifying glass to conduct a survey on mini-beasts. Teaching children the measures they can take to help protect the environment will aid them in becoming responsible citizens and mean they can play a small role in reducing the planet’s carbon footprint.

There are number of practical ways that you can teach children to become the eco-warriors of the future. As well as using a range of teaching resources on recycling, there are also several hands on-activities that will really engage their love of re-using household goods. Here are just a few activities that will bring home the mantra of recycle, re-use and reduce.

Recycling in your home and local area

Show children the different goods that can be recycled and get them to sort some of their own rubbish into the different categories. Items that can be recycled include paper, plastic, metal and glass. When you are out shopping point out goods that bare the recycling symbol and ask children to spot as many as they can in your local supermarket.

Children may also be incentivised to recycle as there are several facilities that offer cash to recycle aluminium cans.

Volunteering at the local community projects which are based around preserving the environment will also act to increase children’s knowledge of recycling.

Recycling in the garden

Children will love creating their very own compost heap using biodegradable materials in the form of old fruit peelings, leftover food and used tea bags. The compost can then be used to plant trees in your garden, which you can explain helps the environment by reducing global warming and giving animals a place to shelter.

Get your child to help mow the lawn and then use the grass cuttings to sprinkle over your soil to give it much needed nutrients.

Re-use items in fun ways

Inspire a child’s imagination by getting them to re-use items they would normally throw away. Packaging such as cereal and egg boxes can be donated to local nurseries for their arts and crafts area.

Old clothes can be up cycled by adding a few new features, such as new buttons or swatches of fabric. Old fabric can also be used to make cushion covers or decorative door stops.

Clean out jars and pots and use them in a number of different ways, including as a piggy bank or a place to store pencils or other school stationery.

Newspapers can be used to cover tables when children are completing artwork. Shredded newspaper can also be used to make papier mache objects.

Recycled Tissue Paper Postcards

Reduce your waste

Encourage children to only buy what they need, so they don’t need to create more items to go in the recycling pile, this includes toys. Point out items on your shop that are packaged with minimal use of cardboard or plastic.

Children can reduce waste by giving items away to family, friends or neighbours. They could even sell their old items at a car boot or jumble sale to earn extra money.

Author:

Carlo Pandian lives in London and blogs about education, technology and parenting, covering everything from school stationery to Ipad learning apps. When he’s not online or cycling around town you can’t get him out of the kitchen for his love of food.

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Easter Treats

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Sinead

“Mummy, Mummy, Mummy, look it’s snowing’ Molly shouted at me excitedly last night.  “That means Santa’s coming!”

Watching the news is mad at the moment, torrential rain and a hose pipe ban in the south and blizzard like conditions and snow in the North it is madness, we could almost be approaching Christmas with weather like this!

So in an attempt to convince my daughter that it is in fact Easter and that Santa doesn’t come every time it snows, we decided to get on with some Easter baking.  The weather for the weekend is not looking great, so these would make some great activities to do with your little ones over the Easter weekend to stop them getting bored.

Easter wouldn’t be Easter without Hot Cross buns and Easter Nest Cakes.  Both of the recipes I have used were found on the Channel 4 website.  The Giant Hot Cross bun can be found here and the Easter Nest Cakes here.

The giant hot cross bun was so easy to make, Molly was able to get stuck in and help.  She is not afraid of getting her hands dirty and loved mixing the flour and the butter together and stirring in the fruit.

Getting stuck in!!

 

Mix mix

It was a good job I had Molly’s help, I would never have managed on my own apparently!! Molly loved it!! We left the dough to rise and had some lunch and played with some toys.

Unfortunately for Molly by the time she was due to help me pop it in the oven and put the cross on top she was sitting on the naughty step as she had been repeatedly snatching off her little brother, anyway as she had been a bit of a nightmare I had to manage on my own!

But here it is ready for cooking, not quite the light and airy dough we were looking for…..

baby_swap_or_shop_giant_hot_cross_bun_4

Our version of light and airy........

And the finished product looked a little like this…..

Ok so a little overdone, but I was distracted by a naughty toddler!! Still tastes good though!

Now when we made the Easter Nest cakes, we made a few changes to the recipe. Firstly, my kids don’t eat Shredded Wheat so I decided to use Rice Krispies instead.  The kids will eat what is left meaning I wasn’t wasting money.  Secondly we added some mini marshmallows to the mix! Yum yum yum!

Here is how we got on…

Alfie was more interested in the chocolate than the mixing!

 

 

Finished!! Didn’t manage many photos this time, I was up to my eyes in chocolate and syrup……..

The kids had a blast and were kept entertained more or less all day, we made a 3D Easter egg I found in Asda, a bargain at £2 and we had fun colouring and sticking Easter stickers onto it and here is the finished result!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Not bad for a days work! Unfortunately Molly is still convinced that the Easter Bunny can’t come now it has snowed, so Santa is coming instead, she even wants the tree up……Sunday is going to be interesting in this house!

Have you made any Easter crafts or gifts with your little ones? We would love for you to share your photos with us!

Happy Easter everyone from us all here at Baby Swap or Shop we hope you have a happy, safe and enjoyable Bank Holiday weekend!

 

 

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Holiday Craft Ideas

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Sinead

Today our guest blogger Tina tells us what she is planning to do over the holidays to keep her little ones entertained! Take a look for other crafty ideas over on her blog www.trialstribulationsofabrummiemummy.blogspot.com.

This would make a great idea for easter presents for the grandparents! Why not have a go yourself!

Well with the school holidays looming, I’ve had to step up a gear and plan what I’m going to do with Raiden. One of the things I thought was plaster in Paris, you can buy a huge bag for a couple of quid with endless fun. You can buy it from most craft shops, Amazon and even eBay.

I remember buying Raiden a shaker maker dinosaurs kit a few years back so I’m digging that out to do figures. You can also buy silicone moulds now with lots of fantastic shapes ( Poundland are great for these) , which you can use to make simple things like badges and magnetics. Again you can buy the pins and magnetic strips from most craft shops for about a £1 and when painted they are perfect as gifts for presents. Nothing beats a handmade gift.

We all like keepsakes so I’ve decided to do handprints of both the kids hands, you can use anything for the mould. Again the silicone moulds are great if you can get a cake type one. Mix the plaster then wait until its going thicker bit like pancake mix then pop the hands for about 20 seconds. Then wait until its dry then paint. You can use the same concept for footprints too.

There is so many things to do with plaster in Paris like a pretty stone collage or even shells which look amazing, all you do is mix the plaster, put it in mould again then add the shells and stones, if you pop a bit of string or ribbon while its drying you can then use that as a way of hanging it after.

Do you like getting crafty with the kids? What is your little ones favourite activity?

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When your child won’t play nicely

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Sinead

We have all been there, sometimes your little one will just not play nicely.  Its frustrating, embarrassing, and difficult to deal with.  So what is the best thing to do?  Today’s post comes from guest blogger Jo Mallon, and she gives us some top tips on dealing with difficult behaviour in toddlers!

Many toddlers hit and bite. It doesn’t mean they’re a delinquent in training. It means that they’re lacking in control, feeling frustrated and generally acting like a classic toddler. And it probably means that they’re after more of your attention.

Make sure your child gets as much physical exercise and running around time as possible ­ this will give him a safe space to work out physical frustrations.

Look out for times when your child is behaving well and praise him or give a little sticker as a reward. If play does go awry, and your child behaves badly towards another, give all of your attention to the victim. Your child will soon learn which way to behave to earn the attention they crave.

If you know that your child has a tendency to hit or bite then you owe it to yourself and them to be extra vigilant when they’re around other children. And think ahead before you get into social situations ­is your child likely to be tired, hungry or bored? Any of these can affect their behaviour.

If a child is having problems socialising then the answer is not to socialise less ­ if anything they would probably benefit from more time amongst their peer group. Watch out for how your child behaves in different settings ­ perhaps they will be more comfortable with playing in a small gathering rather than a noisy toddler playgroup.

Use a technique that works for you to address this. The ‘naughty step’ is very popular these days, but that doesn’t mean that it works for every child. Another method which can be very effective is counting to three and letting your child know that they will be punished if they don’t do as you ask before you get to three.

Only threaten a punishment if you intend to carry through with it ­ children are very adept at recognising empty threats. Get down on your child’s level and look her in the eye when you speak to her. You don’t need to shout, but you do need to be firm.

Also, focus on what you want your child to do, rather than what you don’t want her to do ­ this draws attention to the behaviour you want, rather than what you don’t want. If you say no less often, then she will be more inclined to take notice when you do say it. So rather than talking about the hitting, talk about the kind of behaviour you want to encourage ­ smiling, gentleness, kind hands and so on.

Jo is the author of, Toddlers: an instruction manual.  A guide to surviving the years one to four. (written by parents, for parents)

This book brings together tried and tested practical, down-to-earth tips from parents who’ve survived the toddler years and want to help you do the same. If you’ve ever wondered how to get your child to sleep through the night, listen when you say no and stop reacting with horror at the sight of something green on their plate, this book can help. Toddlers: an instruction manual celebrates the qualities we love about toddlers and suggests ways to navigate their less appealing aspects. We cannot stop your toddler from tormenting you, but we can help you get through with your sanity (just about) intact.

You can get a copy of the book on amazon here….http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toddlers-Instruction-Surviving-Written-Parents/dp/0956702449 and also a version for Kindle here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toddlers-Instruction-Surviving-Written-ebook/dp/B006MLH0LI/

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Money Saving Tips from BSOS

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Sinead

Baby Swap or Shop is all about saving money.  Children are lovely but very expensive and here at BSOS we really want to help you make savings where you can!!

As well as offering you a free site to list all your unwanted baby items we also want to help you save money in other areas as well!!

So we are launching our brand new BSOS Money saving tips over on our Twitter feed! Every day we will be sharing with you our #BSOStips and helping you to save money!!!  Follow us on @BabySwaporShop over on Twitter.

We would love to hear your best money saving tips, please tweet us using the has tag #BSOStips and the one that we think is the best tip will also win a yummy box of chocolates!

We will be sharing, special offers and lots of great money-saving tips for you all to help you make 2012 a more prosperous year for you all!!

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That tummy overhang

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Sinead

Today our guest blogger Michelle talks about her post pregnancy body.  Have you noticed a lot of changes since having your little ones?

So pregnancy left my tummy with more than I expected. Instead of the slightly rounded tummy of pre pregnancy I am left with the tummy overhang. Two years on I don’t sweat about the stretch marks, and one very stretched tattoo, but it’s the overhang that leaves me feeling self conscious.

 It has taken me two years to find a clothing style that suits me again. Two long years. My tummy overhangs by around 2 inches folding neatly over the c section scar created by the surgeon. A sunroof for my baby to come out of.

 

Over time I have got used to the sunroof and how it worked for me and my baby. But as my need to be more than mum returns the tummy overhang is something that is ever present in my mind even when it is hidden by clothes. I am sure I am not the only person to feel like this is not them, not there tummy?

Six months post baby a lady from america tweeted me about her tummy, distressed by stretch marks during pregnancy. I tweeted a picture out there and posted a blog with during and post pregnancy pictures. It was a few months later when Mama Baby Bliss ran a love your tummy campaign. A fantastic idea to bring mums together and celebrate what we had created – a home for our baby/babies.

So I am concentrating on getting some kind of a figure back, I have set myself the couch to 5k challenge. You can find an app on most smartphones. The tummy overhang may not go but two years on I am finally admitting that I have made this a big problem for me….it shouldn’t be….finally I am leaving the couch and instead of moaning I will try to do something about it and thats the positive thing going forward.

What post pregnancy exercise did you do? What would you recommend to a new Mum?

Posted in BSOS News, Pregnancy | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment