Our Baby Club Bicester & North Oxford

24/04/2023

Becoming a parent is the best and hardest job you will every do...

It is beautiful & chaotic
It is rewarding & tiring
It is bursting with love & still missing the 'old you'
It is a gift & a challenge and that is why it is so important to go into birth & parenthood feeling totally informed and prepared, physically, practically & emotionally.

Our Baby Club is here to support you as you prepare to meet you baby, and during those early weeks of parenthood.

If you want to find out more about how I can support you throughout this transition, click on the link in my bio or DM me with any questions.

Faye x

21/04/2023

🫶 Lovely feedback from a second-time Mum who attended one of my Antenatal Refresher Workshops earlier this year.

I love teaching these workshops because it is a completely different ball game when preparing for your second.

Not only do these workshops give you a refresh on all things labour & birth, but we also talk about planning for your postpartum to make it as easy as possible, and also how to ease this transition for your older child(ren).

I was so happy to hear that the tips that I shared with MacKenzie really helped her toddler adjust to life as a big brother, making the transition for Mum & Dad a little bit easier too!

If your family is growing, read more about my Antenatal Refresher Workshops at ourbabyclub.com (link in bio).

This popular 3 hour workshop is £90 (per couple) and is held on a Sunday morning in Bicester & Oxford.

Faye x

18/04/2023

Let’s take a moment to celebrate your amazingness Mama 🎉

Pregnancy isn’t easy. There’s so much going on physically and emotionally and it can either feel like the most amazing journey, or the absolute worse (trust me, I know how you feel – I have experienced both ends of the spectrum). From getting that pregnancy glow, and your cute little bump, to pelvic girdle pain and Hyperemesis gravidarum – it is A LOT!

If you are knee-deep in those newborn days, soaking up all those glorious cuddles and that scrumptious new baby smell (mmmmm), but also feeling like you haven’t spoken to another adult today, can’t remember when you last washed your hair, wondering when you will start feeling like you again, and you are feeling SO, SO TIRED – I hear you!

So, in case you need to hear this today, this is your reminder that you are ABSOLUTELY BLOOMING INCREDIBLE for growing and nurturing a person. And don’t you forget it.

Take that well-earned rest or call in some help so that you can rest. Nourish your body with some delicious food and pamper yourself in any way that you can- or event better, get someone else to do it for you.

Pregnancy is HARD. Parenting is HARD. Today you need to celebrate you and all your AMAZINGNESS.

Tag or share with someone who needs a little reminder of how amazing they are!

If you are in need of some extra support before birth, or once baby arrives, check out my website for full details of how I can support you.
Faye x

14/04/2023

💛 DUE DATES 💛

When we are pregnant, we often get asked "when is your baby due?" (roughly 1000x by everyone from your neighbour to the Amazon delivery driver!) What is everyone's obsession with this date?? 🤯

Towards the end of pregnancy or when you reach this golden guess date, women and their partners often feel deflated and sick of being asked.

If we happen to go "over" this date, we can even feel our bodies and babies have let us down somehow by being "late". The truth is they haven't at all.

Full term babies are born (on average) at any point between 37 and 42 weeks gestation. Even if you have a planned c-section booked, we know even this type of birth is not set in stone and things can change.

🤓 Fun Facts: The average pregnancy lasts 40 weeks + 10 days and only a tiny percentage of babies arrive on their due dates. Remember: your baby has their own agenda and cannot read your birth notes.

Are you sick of people asking when you are due, or if baby has arrived yet?

You could consider only sharing your 'Due Month', or telling people of due date that is two weeks later than your actual date to avoid these unwanted questions. Or if you have already reached your due date and are getting hounded with well meaning messages, tell them kindly that you will let them know as soon as baby does arrive and ask them to not ask again 🤐

Faye x

12/04/2023

Are you having a baby soon?

My next course in Oxford starts soon and there are two spaces remaining.

This intensive group antenatal course for first time parents is taught over three sessions.

You'll get all the latest stats based research, plenty of parenting insights and life hacks presented and discussed with you in an honest and unbiased forum.

To mix it up we keep it interactive (note no cringe inducing role play) and throw in a good dose of humour!

You will have FUN, we promise.

Session 1 - Staying Healthy, Where to Give Birth, Stages of Labour, At Home Coping Mechanisms, Medical Pain Management

Session 2 - Interventions & Your Birth Rights, Caesarean Birth, Postnatal Recovery & Mental Health, Support Networks

Session 3 - The Fourth Trimester, Newborn Sleep & Safe Sleeping, Comforting Baby, Newborn Care, Breast & Bottle Feeding

PLUS a parent & baby get together once all of the babies have arrived.

Join us and book your place today.

Faye x

05/04/2023

💛 We LOVE partners at Our Baby Club and we want them all to know how important they are!

Swipe through to read the top 5 tips that every birth partner needs to know.

In a joint survey undertaken by Father’s Institute and Father’s Network Scotland 65% said antenatal care had rarely or never discussed fathers roles.

There’s no doubt about partners crucial role and the positive impact of their support - and they need looking after too!

During our Birth & Early Days preparation course you’ll find our content tailored towards both of you 🙌🏻

PLUS partners get invited to The Partner Diaries – an exclusive session just for partners to recap how they can best support you during birth and those early days, as well as establishing a local support network for them too.

💛So Partners - come and empower yourself with as much knowledge as you can about how to support your partner during pregnancy, birth & beyond as well as caring for your baby and looking after your own wellbeing – once baby is here you will be so glad you joined us!

Visit the link in my bio for more information on the courses I offer, or to book.

Faye x

31/03/2023

🤷‍♂️WHAT WILL YOUR NEWBORN REALLY NEED??

At Our Baby Club, we listen carefully to the needs of the couples we work with and get to know the pressures BOTH of you feel as you approach parenthood. Our eye-opening classes help parents learn what's truly important.

Worries about how expensive having a baby can be causes a great deal of anxiety and stress for many parents-to-be. So... what do our babies REALLY need and where we can cut back on the unnecessary spending??

Newborn babies need:

💞 A huge amount of LOVE and cuddles- these are free and skin-to-skin is one of the best gifts you can give your baby.

🥰 Confident and empowered parents who follow their brilliant instincts- these are your super powers!

🍼 Bottles, b***s or both- your choice. Using cold water sterilisation can be the cheapest option.

👕 Lots of babygrows (second hand and supermarket bought ones work just as well).

🛏 A second hand bedside crib or moses basket will work just as well as a brand new one as babies are not in them for long. We do recommend buying a new mattress for your baby though. A few fitted sheets, along with cellular blankets or a sleeping bag (when they are big enough) is all you need in baby's cot.

🧴Newborn babies need very little in the way of products as their skin is so delicate. A good nappy rash cream is essential but only needs to be used to soothe a sore bottom.

💩 Nappies, cotton wool pads or soft washable cotton flannels are all cheaper when bought in bulk. I love reusable wipes. Although it is more expense upfront, I have used my starter kit & one extra pack for over four years now so it has saved me £££'s.

🤮 I have never met a parent who said "we had too many muslin cloths!" they wash well so can be passed down and reused a lot!!

🚗 Make sure carseats have not been involved in an accident- there is no price for safety. Buy new to make 100% sure.

🛒 For prams, carriers and other items, look for bargains in charity shops and Facebook Market Place.

Overall, babies need YOU, warmth, food and to feel safe, the rest is a bonus!!

Faye x

29/03/2023

💛 Are you looking for antenatal classes in Bicester or Oxford?

Here at Our Baby Club we cover how to prepare physically, emotionally and practically for your labour, birth and early parenthood, with zero judgement or bias.

We discuss safe sleep, feeding (whichever way is right for you) and what your baby might be doing in those first hours, weeks, days and months. You get to be hands on with swaddling, changing nappies and no question is a silly one.

You'll leave with a support plan in place, and and understanding of what choices will be available to you.

I would love to support you when you need it the most - having a baby can be SO overwhelming, I've felt it, so please get in touch if you have any questions at all.

For more information about our award-winning courses and what we offer, click on the link in my bio.

Faye x

27/03/2023

💛 Do you want to feel confident, informed & excited for birth? 💛

Whether it's your first baby or second or third, my antenatal courses will prepare you both physically, emotionally and practically as you get ready for birth and those first few weeks with a newborn.

We'll discuss ALL the choices available to you so there are no surprises and you will feel confident with your birth preferences, and importantly advocate for yourselves if you change your mind at any point.

We'll talk about your labour, birth and those early hours, days, weeks and months with your new baby, and what it means to YOU. Your wellbeing is just as important to me as your baby's.

If you have already become a parent with a new baby on the way I discuss how to manage life practically and get you back into the baby zone. We can revisit your first birthing experience, and how to navigate and thrive with your growing family.

My support doesn't end when the course does. You will get continued WhatsApp support as and when you need it throughout the duration of your pregnancy, and during those early days with baby.

Click on the link in my bio for more information or to book.

Faye x

24/03/2023

Are you worried about tearing during birth?

This is something that came during my group course last week and is something I hear all the time.

We are constantly told that birth is scary & painful, and that is how we have come to perceive birth.

However, with the right support, information, mindset & birth environment, birth can be beautiful, calm, euphoric, painless, powerful, and even or****ic.

Our bodies are MADE to unfold and open during birth. We need to trust in our instincts and work with our bodies to birth our babies.

If fear of tearing during birth is keeping you up at night, then swipe for a few things that can help.

If you have any deep fears like this, doing extensive learning about how our bodies are designed to give birth can really help. My courses in Bicester & Oxford are perfect for this!

Visit the link in my bio or drop me a DM to learn more.

Join the at ourbabyclub.com/bicester-northoxford

Faye x

22/03/2023

Wherever you are thinking about giving birth, I really recommend either booking a tour or attending an upcoming open evening.

Knowing where you are going and what to expect when you get there is just one small way to make you feel more confident about your birth.

An informal open evening providing an opportunity to learn all about birth in a community setting.