Punky Midwife

01/02/2023

📣 NEW SERVICE ALERT 📣

PANDAS WhatsApp Messaging Support Service ❤️ 📲 🙌

PANDAS are delighted to announce that we will have a new WhatsApp messaging support service available from Monday 23rd January 2023 (today!!). Our new messaging service will now be completely managed, run and led by PANDAS, in alignment with all of our current support services.

Our year long partnership with Shout allowed us to evaluate the need for a service like this, and has given us the confidence and knowledge to be able to open this new service and bring it in-house.

It is free and confidential for users of the service, and will be open from 8am – 10pm every day via Whatsapp.

To use the service simply message 07903 508334 and you will be connected to one of our trained PANDAS volunteers.

We are so pleased and grateful to our volunteers who work so hard in their work, training and knowledge. It is due to their passion and dedication that we have the opportunity to open another service for those in need.

The QR code in the image of this post will allow you to directly speak to our PANDAS trained volunteers during our WhatsApp messaging service opening hours (8am - 10pm daily). Alternatively, you can simply use the service by messaging 07903 508334.

Lots of love, Team PANDAS 😘

16/01/2023

Reposted from The Dungaree Doula 📧

I love love LOVE this explanation!

11/12/2022

❄️❄️❄️

15/11/2022

Reposted from The Dungaree Doula 💌

Postpartum visiting is a privilege…not a right! I don’t care if your the Queen of Sheba, you absolutely do not rock up unannounced because you feel you’ve got a right to some baby cuddles…(in-laws I’m looking at you…lol jk…👀).

And remember…

👏🏻 do 👏🏻 not 👏🏻 overstay 👏🏻 your 👏🏻 welcome 👏🏻

03/11/2022

Winter sleep advice…⬇️❄️

Whilst we understand it can be tempting to wrap your baby up to keep them warm while they sleep, we know that overheating increases the chances of SIDS and research shows that it’s better for babies to be cooler rather than too hot.

To reduce the risk of overheating, avoid using thick bedding and duvets and remove any outdoor clothing and hats when you are indoors. During the winter months, firmly tucked in sheets and blankets (not above shoulder height) or a well-fitted baby sleep bag are fine for babies to sleep in.

To help, we’ve put together some useful advice on safer sleep during the colder months: https://bit.ly/3DRPe92

19/10/2022

Kicks Count just shared a fab wee post on anterior placentas 🤰🏼🫄🫃

In short…your babies movements should NOT reduce because of an anterior placenta. As always, contact maternity triage if you have any concerns 📞☎️

17/10/2022

“I did it with my kids and they turned out fine!”

*internally screams*

Joking…(kind of 😅) but in all seriousness, the child and infant mortality rate has fallen over 68% since the 1980’s…so things have changed, but for the better of those little ones 👶🏻

Those “Good Old Days” ... When people smoked during pregnancy, there were no car seats, drinking dark ale during pregnancy was advised, nobody made a fuss about baby’s movements, babies were put to sleep on their front, people used cot bumpers.

We all have a friend or family member who did some or all these things and were “fine”

But what about those that weren’t?

When we talk about making things safer we are not saying EVERYONE who does these things will die. But the risk is higher, and is it a risk worth taking?

The more we have become aware of risks the lower the number of babies and children that have been dying. For every person who did these things and “was fine” there will be someone who did these things and suffered the worst consequences.

If research and statistics tell us something isn’t safe, the best thing to do is follow that advice. Not take the actions of one person doing it without consequence as a sign it is safe.

This graph shows the massive impact these health and safety measures have made. And the number of families who have been saved the heartache of getting to the one time they can no longer say “it was fine”

Our advice, and that of charities such as The Lullaby Trust and Tommy's is based on research - and we highlight it to ensure the safety of more mothers and babies.

www.kickscount.org.uk

18/07/2022

The Dungaree Doula has created this very helpful info graph on what to put your little one to bed in…nakey nakey nakey in this heat is fine! 👶🏻

Feeling hot, hot hot 🥵

Nights with a newborn can be an ordeal in themselves, then add in trying to keep everyone cool when it feels like it's a million degrees and total panic. Don't worry though, I got you with this handy guide and some top tips!

What should my baby sleep in? The image above gives a general rule of thumb but please note that if you have a 0.2 tog sleeping bag you can add that in to the 24-27 degree row should you wish.

Wondering how you'll know the temp? Get a GroEgg (pic in comments) they let you know the temp and glow red if it's too hot - ideal temp is 16-20 degrees for babies room, but don't stress as that's kind of impossible to maintain right now. If that bright glow is stressing you out then there's a button underneath that stops the colours and turns the egg white whatever the temp. Use it if you need it.

Other tips:
✨ Babies under 6 months who are breastfed don't need water, but you do! Keep yourself as hydrated as possible and feed your little babe on demand
✨ Only head outside if you really need too and try to avoid peak sunny hours (11-3)
✨ Babies under 6 months shouldn't wear sunscreen, if you think they might end up in the sun then dress them in UV protective clothing such as long sleeve swimwear and hats
✨ Use umbrellas and shades on prams but do NOT use muslins, blankets or other material draped over the pram as this can trap heat and make prams even warmer

There's no shame in hibernating for a few days if you're not sure how to navigate this heat, look after yourself and your babes. 🌞💖

P.S did you know I was trained in SIDS and safer sleep for babies by The Lullaby Trust?

03/07/2022

🤣🤣🤣

Normal infant behavior ≠ bad baby

15/06/2022

I couldn’t have said it better myself…forever reassuring folk that if your baby cries, you’re not creating bad habits by cuddling/feeding/carrying/comforting them.

For the first 9 months of their life, your baby has moved when you moved….They’ve felt and heard your heart beat and you’re voice 24/7…they’ve been rocked/carried and held all day, everyday…they’ve never ever been alone or without you.

It’s hard work, but you’re doing a great job ♥️

“People tell us not to feed for comfort while they sip their sleepy-time tea.

People tell us to not cuddle our children to sleep while they spoon their partner.

People tell us our child is too old to breastfeed while they sip their cow's milk.

People tell us not to nurse or rock our babies to sleep while they sell us the latest gadget that’s supposed to do the exact same thing.

People tell us to let them cry, while they go comfort a friend.

People tell us responding to our child is creating bad habits, while they smoke and drink.

Man, do they tell us! But i’m not them and neither are you. Because we hear our instincts loud and clear and they will not be silenced.

Because even though we are exhausted, we know our baby’s cry is not a protest, but a communication.

Because we know their need for us at 3am is not a manipulation.

Because even though our backs and hips ache from sleeping in that dang c position, we know that little indent on the right side of our bed will soon fade away - and we would welcome that pain in our body just to feel them latch one more time.

People tell us, but we know. we know this is important, we know that this is right for us and our baby, and we know this is just how it’s supposed to be.

We know mama, they may tell us, but let’s rest in our know.”

Shared from
✍️: 
📷: .photography of 

13/06/2022

Breast feeding laws in Scotland…⤵️

Day 1 - Scottish Breastfeeding Week 🤱🏽

BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY SCOTLAND DAY

*Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005
*Equality Act 2010
It is illegal to stop a parent feeding their child, either by breastfeeding or bottle feeding, in premises where the public have general access in Scotland.

***

Parentclub information on breastfeeding out and about -
https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/getting-out-and-about-while-breastfeeding

Scot Gov Video what to wear when out and about - https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=6PQJJCx8yCs

***

📷 Please feel free to use these hashtags for the week and share pictures of
where you have fed your babies in Scotland! 👶🏽