My Breastfeeding Experience

Who ever said that breastfeeding was easy??

In this video I share my experiences with breastfeeding my daughter, Elena. Before she was born I planned to exclusively breastfeed but I found out the hard way that something so natural doesn't always come naturally at all!

What I ACTUALLY USED in my Labour/Delivery Hospital Bag!

In this video I share with you what I actually used from my labour/delivery hospital bag. I overpacked so hopefully this will help you whittle down your packing to the essentials!

Note that I gave birth in an NHS hospital in the UK. If you are giving birth elsewhere I may have packed some things that you won't necessarily need - remember to check with your local hospital/ birthing centre to be sure of what they provide for you.

FOR MUMMY
- 2 nursing nightdresses
- 2 nursing bras
- 2 nursing tanks
- Cotton robe
- 5 x disposable underwear
- toothbrush
- Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Balm
- Cymex lip treatment
- Sanex shower gel sachet
- Vaseline body cream sachet
- Vaseline Anti Bacterial Hand Cream
- L'oreal Colour Protect Shampoo
- Peter Thomas Roth Body Wash & Shampoo
- Miller Harris Conditioner
- Mini Bioderma
- Cotton Pads
- Body Shop Aloe Cleanser & Toner
- Simple Face Moisturiser
- Sure Deoderant mini
- Carrier bag (for dirty washing)
- Camera
- Tesco maternity towels x 10
- Hair band & hair ties
- Halo surface wipes
- Kleenex tissues
- Pregnacare Pregnancy Vitamins
- New Mama Bottom Spray
- Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark Cream)
- Hair turban & body towel
- Dermoplast Spray (Amazon)
- Socks
- Slippers
- Tinted moisturiser samples
- Birth Plan
- Hospital notes
- Leggings, sandals, maxi dress, cardigan
- iPhone & charger
- Every day make up
- Glasses
- Tangle teazer & round brush
- Thorntons Chocolates (for hospital staff)
- Travel hairdryer
I USED THE FOLLOWING AT HOME ONLY:
- Elle Tens Machine (Amazon)
- Bomb Cosmetics Lavender Heat Pad
FOR BABY
- Car seat
- sleep gown
- 3 newborn button up vests (Mothercare & Poundland)
- 2 newborn sleep suits (Mothercare)
- Heart print muslin cloth (Primark)
- Over shoulder burp cloths (Mothercare)
- Aden & Anais Muslin cloth (available on Amazon)
- 2 pairs mittens (Mothercare)
- 3 pairs newborn socks (Primark)
- 2 new born hats (Mothercare)
- 2 floral bandana bibs (Tesco)
- Tommee Tippee bib
- Next warm sleep suit newborn
- Going Home Outfit - Pink Cardigan & Winnie the Pooh Romper (Nutmeg at Morrisons)
- Sleep Sheep On The Go (available at Amazon)
- Knitted blanket (gift)
- Cellular blanket (Babies R Us)
- Baby book (gift)

CHANGING BAG
- Fragranced nappy disposal bags
- Johnsons Baby Cotton Pads
- Pampers newborn nappies
- Mamia wipes (Aldi)
- Nursing Cover (Bebe au Lait)
- Anti bacterial hand gel (Carex)
- Changing mat & wet bag (came with changing bag)

39+ Week Pregnancy Update & MEET OUR BABY GIRL!!

We are back to introduce the newest member of our family!

It might be four months late but I have finally found the time to share my 39 - 40 week pregnancy update and introduce our beautiful daughter, Elena Elizabeth, who was born on 4th July 2014. She is a joy and makes me smile all day every day! She is, of course, a mini fashionista and loves looking at the colourful clothes hanging in her closet already!

As for me, I am on a mission to lose the rest of the baby weight so that I can fit back into the amazing clothes in my fashion cupboard - almost there! I grudge buying bigger sizes when I won’t get the chance to wear them for long (I hope!) so I am working hard and aiming for Christmas!

In the meantime, Elena keeps me rather busy – hence the lack of activity on this blog and on my YouTube channels. Apologies! As all mummies will attest, a baby takes over your whole life! I’m lucky if I get time for a quick shower and bite to eat when Elena naps! We are working on finishing the nursery just now – just some final décor to add and it will be done. I love it – it’s definitely the most serene room in our home.

Keep tuned for more mummy/baby themed videos on YouTube as I show you around our daughter's nursery!

In this video I describe my experiences and symptoms in Weeks 39 - 40 of pregnancy. If you have watched my earlier pregnancy updates you will already know that Elena was measuring big and the doctors had some concerns over whether I would be able to deliver naturally. Make sure you check out my 39 – 40 week update to find out what happened!

I wish all new or soon-to-be mummies and daddies all the very best! Being a parent is hard work but I have never had a more rewarding job and I know that I never will!

Bisous xx