Vaccinations! Are you harming your tiny by giving or not giving??

Hi everyone,

Thought I would give my 2p or 2cents on vaccinations for babies! I was prompted as Judy from 'itsjudytime/itsjudyslife' posted a picture on Facebook saying her 2 month old twin girls received five jabs yesterday. This drew very negative statements and pseudo Doctors came out of the woodwork condemning her decision. I thought I'd share my approach to it with Seb.

In the Uk 2012, they introduced the mandatory 'whooping cough' & Flu jab vaccinations for pregnant women. I decided against it, just following my 'gut' instinct as I knew i'd vaccinate the baby once he was out at some point.



While I was pregnant I stumbled across a very heated thread on 'netmums' about a lady who had 'done her research' and decided not to vaccinate her child. I read her stance impartially, but many others didn't! She was labelled irresponsible, selfish, putting her child at risk and already failing as a parent!

What I gleaned from the thread is this issue is totally up to the parent's discretion.

The thread made me reconsider the mandatory Vitamin K vaccination they give at birth. Instead, I opted for him to have it orally over a course of a month. I felt it was gentler than whacking a big ol needle in an hours old baby who would be acclimatising to life on the outside! I was given a screwface by my midwife, but I held firm!



At 7weeks old, Seb had an operation to fix his inguinal hernia and his first vaccinations were the next week. I cancelled that appointment as he needed time to heal. A week slipped into FIVE months later when I finally got round to giving him his second set.

What took me so long? Partial vaccination scepticism, partial over protection. I was so conscious of Seb's weight (he was born small at 5llb 7oz and his weight plummeted before his op) that I didn't think his body was 'ready' for the vaccination. It wasn't until I was satisfied that he looked healthy, that I felt confident to vaccinate him for the second time at 9months old.

His third set came just a month ago- the nurse went crazy at me, but again I held my nerve as over Xmas he was ill a few times and just wanted him to ride through it. He had those jabs in his little thighs and took them like a man. So proud.

He's due in two weeks (thought it was today :-/) the controversial MMR jab. Now the others for polio, etc I thought were ok. If I'm honest, I don't think i'll let him get the MMR. Links to autism have been found, especially in boys. There's talk of single vaccinations being better for boys, than combined but that has to be done privately with costs of up to £300...I wish I were middle class enough to spend that money on some jabs and not on household bills.



The window of autism being 'uncovered' in babies is apparently between 15&18months. Perhaps I may wait it out until the Summer before I think about MMR again.

Anywhooooooo, Parents it's ultimately your choice and don't lose sight of that because of pressure by friends or health professionals. As much as I admire docs, nurses etc, they tend to be at risk of seeing patients as bodies rather than people.


On that note, I need to get Seb's umbilical hernia looked at. It keeps gurgling :-/

Love Mama x

Vaccination gossip :

http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/advice-support-40/new-mums-support-262/1104858-10-week-old-immunisations-tomorrow-scared-advice-needed.html

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/vaccinations/a1761810-Whooping-cough-vaccine-while-pregnant-worrying

 

Food for thought

Hi everyone,

From my last post I spoke about feeling down with starting work again. I cannot believe that I've nearly completed my first working week already! Time flies! Like seriously: the world needs to stop!

Just a quick update to say Seb's fine and well. The good thing with my job is it's in central, so it doesn't take longer than 30mins door to door :-) I feel good as I'm providing for Seb 'minimally' and still enjoying being a Mommy to him. Each night we've done something like going to the park, grocery shopping (highlight of the week :-/ ) and just sat in bed relaxing to our favourite nursery rhymes.


What lead me to this post is, I've met a lovely a girl at work who told me she has a few weeks old nephew who lives with her. She's besotted with him and there we were, instantly bonding over baby tips.

It suddenly dawned on me, that I need to incorporate more 'tips' within this blog.

I did start out wanting to, but didn't want to come across as 'preachy', a 'know it all' or 'perfect mom'. Look how Alicia Silverstone's new mummy guide was received and what about the tips that alienate the average Mother who is not absurdly rich or obsessive over organic items like on dear old Gwynie's 'Goop' 

People who know me in real life know I keep it 100 with everyone from all backgrounds and all races. There are some tips I told my work friend regarding acid reflux, baby bottle recommendations and milk formula that she really took on board.
That made me happy.

I read today a fantastic quote from the 'Humans of New York' project

"Having a child is constraining. There's a lot of things you used to do that you can't do anymore. But it's also extremely expanding."
"How is it expanding?"
"Because you suddenly relate to everyone else on earth who has a child. No matter what race, class, or creed."

I'll start sharing some tips very soon!

Love Mama x

 

 

Easter Traditions

Hi everyone,
 
Easter is nearly upon us and the weather right now in Birmingham, England is just so beautiful!

 

 

 

 

The past week was very busy for this Mama, including job interviews and general Mama duties, so sorry for the silence!
 
Easter is a time for most Christians to reflect on Jesus' death and resurrection. I would consider myself more 'spiritual' than 'religious' as such, but still, traditional values are important to me and will play a vital part in how I'll raise Seb.
 
Usually Easter for us involves eating Fish and spending time at home on Good Friday. Chilling on Saturday. Sunday going to Church and visiting family where we have a big Jamaican meal and share jokes. I know a lot of young people go out on Sunday night, but even before Seb, I always felt a bit 'disrespectful' so stayed in. On the Monday I usually devour any left over Easter eggs and watch the TV!
 
I never really grew up with the 'Easter bunny', but used to look forward to receiving huge Easter eggs. My favourite was Smarties and Mini Eggs! Obviously, Seb is too young for Easter eggs now at 15months old, but I found these cute little eggs to paints with/for him!
 

 

 
I'll show you what faces or patterns we'll paint in another post. An absolute steal from a store called 'Home Bargains' for only £1.49 and the bucket to 'hunt' them was a mere 79p!!!


 
As your little one grows, it's important to start to create memories and traditions with them.

What does Easter mean to you and your family? Do you have certain traditions?  

Love Mama x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Fashion: Styling plaid shirts with jeans

 

Hi everybody,

 

This post is about how I style Seb in his plaid shirts.

 

I love checked or plaid shirts because they give off a smart casual vibe, perfect for a meal out, a stroll around town or visiting relatives.

 

I like to pair them with jeans from Next, but if we need to be smarter, I'll choose some chinos.

 

These shirts were gifts hence them being similar in colour and style, but I love them equally.     

Ted Baker shirt | Next jeans

 

 



Mexx shirt | Next jeans

Asda George Jumper | Mexx shirt | Next jeans

 

 

There are fewer plaid shirts for baby girls around, but the ones that are give off a super cute country casuals vibe!

 

 

Do you like to style your little one in check?

 

UPDATE: 'Supermom' or Kourtney Kardashian and her lovely little girl were papped today wearing MATCHING plaid shirts and jeans combo! Soooooo cute. Check it out on my instagram: zenafash1 x

 

Love Mama x

Teeny Tiny's Tummy: 2 in1 Homemade apple and grape juice and eton mess

Hi everyone,

Yesterday, I went to the Supermarket and fancied trying my 14 month old Seb on grapes. I usually buy other fruits, but they were on offer.

I've been drilled, encouraged, guilt tripped by my Mom into making Seb's juice fresh daily. I get a scowl if I put a hint of packaged juice or a drop of squash (cordial) into his Sippy cup. No exaggerations!

As I'm off work and so is she, there's been nowhere to hide by way of shortcuts!

Now onto how I made the juice (preparation time 5mins) :

Blend the grapes and chunks of apple in a bowl or pan.

When the mixture is very thin, add some cool boiled water to lessen the sweetness of the grapes.

Add some lemon juice to stop the juice from oxidising (spoiling).

As there are 'bits' or grape skin in the mixture, sieve straight into your baby's sippy cup.

Watch their face light up at the delicious taste made from natural ingredients.



Ingredients (Apple is missing)

Now onto the Eton Mess (preparation time 5mins)

I had a brainwave as I sieved the juice and saw the grape skin build up: This could be a nice snack for this Mama.

Raided the cupboards and found meringue, crème fraîche and thought: Eton Mess time!

The recipes and ingredients vary, but it is a traditional English dessert made of berries, cream and meringue.

It's a mess, so all you have to do is mash up the ingredients. I too have been in a mess this week: a bit stressed and worn out, so this was a nice 'pick me up'.

 

 

 

 

My recycled mess

 

A mess eating a mess!

 

So there you have it: sweet homemade juice for the baby and a dessert for the messy Mama!!!

 

Love Mama x

Full Circle : The Best is yet to come

If you would like to know the background of what teeny and I have been through in the year leading up to today, scroll down and read the four posts.

This is where the fun part begins and below are the themes which this blog will centre itself around!

Stay tuned for:

Teeny Tiny's Tummy: Food! A run down of Seb's favourite meals, tips how to prepare them and progress on his eating skills. Also a retrospective look on breastfeeding and ways to make it work for you and baby.

 

Baby Fashion: Staple items for teeny tinies, favourite designers/shops, tips on how to buy at the most cost effective times. Possibly, some OOTD's from the Tiny.

Chicken Run: Ideas on experiences you could create for your toddler, recommendations of places we've been to. How Seb likes to burn up energy before his naps.

Beauty- Young Moms have to look good too! Product recommendations which help to keep me looking human at best, alive at worst. Reviews, wish lists etc.

Yay!

Love Mama x