The wee Doula

20/04/2025

Link in my bio. Doing my bit for such an amazing and needed charity! Every little helps any donations and support is massively appreciated.

25/02/2025

Tell Us About Your Maternity Experience

We would like to encourage people who have birthed at our maternity services this month to share their experiences.

The upcoming annual Care Quality Commission (CQC) survey is a chance for patients to let us know what we need to improve.

If you birthed in February 2025, you will be selected to complete a survey. Please take part.

It takes a little time, but your feedback and ideas could make a big difference.

Thank you.

Find out more here: https://shorturl.at/vSQlp
CQC information, including translated materials, available here: https://shorturl.at/rnLKn

10/01/2025

Mental health is so important especially as a new parent! Things can take time but you will get there trust me. Never feel ashamed or like you are failing. All your feelings and emotions are normal and you’re not alone. Talk about it and be kind to yourself! Thanks to Leanne for sharing this 😍

Motherhood, Mental Health, and the Power of Survival Days

Some days, as mothers, we’re simply surviving. The alarm goes off, and despite exhaustion, we can’t roll over or call in sick. Our little ones depend on us.

After the whirlwind of Christmas, sleepless nights, and unsettled routines, I found myself in survival mode. I went through the motions—doing only what was necessary, finding slivers of quiet when I could. It wasn’t easy, but I made it through.

When I told my husband how I was feeling, his instinct was to suggest seeing a doctor. That hurt, but it also opened a deeper conversation. Sleep deprivation, stress, and running on empty can make anyone feel low. But feeling low for one day doesn’t always mean there’s a bigger issue—sometimes, it’s just life catching up with us.

Here’s what I’ve learned: it’s okay to survive a day. You’re not failing if you take a moment to zone out, recharge, or simply get through. One day doesn’t define you.

But if those feelings linger—if surviving one day turns into weeks or months—it’s important to reach out for support.

Tips to Support Your Mental Health as a Parent:
1. Prioritise Rest: Even short moments of rest can make a difference.
2. Lean on Your Village: Don’t be afraid to ask for help—friends, family, or your partner.
3. Take a Break: Step outside, even for 10 minutes of fresh air.
4. Say It Out Loud: Share how you’re feeling with someone you trust.
5. Find Your Outlet: Journaling, a hobby, or even quiet tea time can help refill your cup.

Where to Seek Help:
• Health Visitor or GP: For professional advice tailored to you.
• Mental Health Hotlines: Call a local helpline for guidance.
• Parent Support Groups: Many offer a safe space to share and connect.
• Online Resources: Organizations like Mind, Postpartum Support International, or PANDAS Foundation offer great tools.

You’re doing more than you think, even on those blurry, hard days. One low day doesn’t define you—but remember, you’re never alone if you need help.

’sOkayNotToBeOkay

26/10/2024

ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔽𝕝𝕦 𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕦𝕤, and you may be wondering whether or not you can still breastfeed or nurse your baby when you are ill. 🤧

Although breastfeeding can be incredibly hard to cope with when you are suffering with a common cold, stomach bug or flu, there is no reason to stay apart from your baby, or stop breastfeeding them. You may be worried that your baby might catch the illness, but unfortunately, they will have already been exposed to it before you realised you were ill.

Your body will continue to make milk for them, and will support them to fight the illness if they happen to catch it as they will receive antibodies from your milk, to help them fight the illness. Continuing to breastfeed your baby will also help to maintain your supply and increase it if needed after you get better.

You may not feel like eating whilst you are ill, however it is important to try to keep your fluid intake up to prevent dehydration.

If you feel the need to use pharmaceuticals to support your recovery, please ensure they are suitable for breastfeeding mothers as many are not and may impact your baby. The Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk Service is a good resource to check this if you are not sure, they also provide many factsheets in regards to drugs in breastmilk on their website -

https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/

24/10/2024

16/10/2024

The POWER HOUR! 🚨 ⚡️ ✨

A 121 video/ call tailored for your exact needs ☎️

The one for those who didn’t do antenatal prep and have now realised “ahhhh I’m having a baby any day and I do not know what I am doing or what to expect!” 🆘

Or for those who have had a bump in the road and need someone to bounce options off, from a non bias person with you as their main priority!

Do not worry! You are strong and you’ve got this! 💪🏾

Even though you ‘estimated due date’ may be fast approaching it’s still not to late to get the support you need and deserve. With a little guidance and reassurance we can settle those nerves and get you prepared as possible.
We can go through all the things you need to know and answer any questions or worries you may have. 🥰😍😘

15/10/2024

15th October, 7pm let’s light a candle & wave the light to remember all of the little angels who got their wings too soon. 🥰

01/10/2024

Hey Facebook friends, if you haven’t already please follow me on my Instagram account as I am more active on there 😘😘

23/09/2024

19/09/2024

An Update on Overnight Visiting the Maternity Wards: Bedfordshire Hospitals are now welcoming a partner staying overnight to stay with women and birthing people. The visitor will need to wear a yellow wristband and sign the register when staying overnight. 💜

19/09/2024

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.

18/09/2024

The Origin of America’s Favorite Nursery Rhyme:Davy Crockett's older sister, Effie Crockett was invited to help some mothers in the Muskogee Tribe. Once she arrived in camp, Effie laughed at what she saw. The Muskogee Tribe had a custom of cradling their pappooses among the swaying branches of birch trees. This protected their babies from ground insects, the sun, and wild animals.
After first finding it funny, she soon learned all the great reasons for this practice and marveled at the beauty of it.
Effie watched the swaying and soothing motion of the topmost branches of the trees. She loved how each baby enjoyed nature, how they listened to the songbirds, observed every ladybug, and smiled at the colors of a butterfly, every little breeze was felt and enjoyed by these young ones; each babe seemed perfectly content.
One of the Tribal mothers began to sing a song to the children in her native tongue. As the Muskogee mother sang, Miss Effie observed a small tear running down the mother’s cheek.
Lulu se pepe i le pito i luga o le laau,
A agi le matagi e luluina le moega pepe,
A gau le lala e paʻu ai le moega pepe,
Ma o le a sau i lalo pepe, moega pepe ma mea uma.
Effie translated the words and kept the tune. She shared it with everyone and it soon became a wildly popular nursery rhyme among the Colonies.
The English translation:
Rock-a-bye baby on the tree top,
When the wind blows the cradle will rock,
When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.
Why did the Muskogee mother cry?
A “bough” is simply a tree branch, and its breaking was used by the Muskogee mothers as an analogy of their little baby growing up.
Their little baby would soon outgrow his cradle. With each gently rocking wind, time was passing. One day, little baby would no longer need the protection of his mother. One day, the “branch” would break because her little baby had become too heavy. The “cradle” would fall to the earth – the child, no longer a baby, would dust himself off and grow into a man.
The now famous lullaby was first printed in Mother Goose’s Melody.
The rest is history.🙏