Circle of Life

28/12/2023

Dear Families,

I will be back at to offer workshops around pregnancy, parenthood and the post-partum period🌿

Together, we will cover topics as preparing your breastfeeding, your birth plan, your post-partum, your baby's sleep and babywearing ✨

For those of you who cannot make it or would like to cover different subjects, I also offer one-to-one session tailored to your needs and schedule. Feel free to get in touch! 📮

I look forward to meeting you soon!

Sarah

28/12/2023

Dear Families,

I will be back at Le Good Place Cascais to offer workshops around pregnancy, parenthood and the post-partum period🌿

Together, we will cover topics as preparing your breastfeeding, your birth plan, your post-partum, your baby's sleep and babywearing ✨

For those of you who cannot make it or would like to cover different subjects, I also offer one-to-one session tailored to your needs and schedule. Feel free to get in touch! 📮

I look forward to meeting you soon!

Sarah

15/10/2023

On this Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, all my thoughts are with you 🤍

Let's stop for one minute and think about all these little stars in the sky... ✨️

❤️‍🩹

11/09/2023

Dear (future) families,

We will start our new cycle of workshops on Thursdays at 10am at Le Good Place Cascais (Marina de Cascais) 🌿

The first one - dedicated to your birth plan ✒️- happens on 28 September.

We will then move to preparing your breastfeeding on 5 October, your post-partum on 12 October, your baby's sleep on 19 October. We will finish with a session on physiological babywearing on 26 October 💗

For those of you who cannot make it, I also offer one-to-one session tailored to your needs and schedule. Feel free to get in touch! 📮

Looking forward to meeting you soon!

Sarah

11/09/2023

Love this! 😍 We expect sooo much from our little ones.

A nice answer to "is your baby sleeping through the night?" is "are YOU sleeping through the night?"

Usually, the discussion immediately switches afterwards 😅

https://www.facebook.com/100050513678707/posts/857674759259639/

22/07/2023

Well, this is helpful.

Kathryn Stagg is a wonderful IBCLC consultant and holistic sleep coach. She now has more than 23k followers on Instagram 🧐

Why do I share this? Because we have to demystify sleep. No, it is not something you can 'train' because you know what? Your baby already knew how to sleep when he/she was still in your belly 😴

Sleep is something that is slowly, with ups and downs, acquired. Just like walking or being without diapers. Would you train a baby to hold his/her p*e? No. Doesn't make any sense. Same goes for sleep. Until 5-6 years old and unless something is wrong (which you can check by seeing a professional), there is not much you can do to train that. It will come in due time.

What you can actually do? Talk to someone knowledgeable. Someone who can listen to you and consider the whole picture: your family dynamics and story and more importantly, the story of your baby. All this before giving you any tips 💛 (because nope, there is no magic recipe 🧚‍♀️)

I wish that, in the future, people will support more mothers who usually have to go back to work super early, while being sleep-deprived and without much help around ❤️‍🩹

What we also need is people offering to stay at the moms' place and really support them (without asking for a huge amount of money!): take care of their baby (or whatever they need) so they can have a break while respecting their needs and their baby's 🍃

Take care,

Sarah

Informal poll of my Instagram followers about how their baby/toddler sleeps/slept. Taken in July 2022.

This post is for all the people who have said "why is it that my baby is the only one who wakes in the night?"

Note the more frequent waking between 18-24 mths which I thought was interesting! Its a common age for us to be contacted for sleep support! A lot less are sleeping through and there's a slight increase in all types of waking. There is so much developmental stuff going on at this age. This reinforces the research that suggests 80% wake 1-3 times a night. It was 75% consistently waking here, and another 15% who sometimes woke.

And also note that at 4-6 mths, more frequent waking only rises a little bit. And actually sleeping through slightly increases. So this age isn't necessarily something to dread!

And even into the preschool years, it can be quite common for children to wake in the night, although thankfully frequent waking reduced to just over 20%.

I had a good response from this poll. Over 1000 people with babies up to 1 yr took part and voted, and even though the volume of responses decreased as the age rose (I realise lots of my followers have younger children!) there was still 800+ moving down to 400ish for age 3/4 yrs. So a really good overview

The results are shown as a percentage of the total people who voted.

I realise my followers are generally slanted towards responsive parenting. That's why you're here right? As well as for the breastfeeding info too. But I hope this reassures you that babies and toddlers are supposed to wake at night. And they generally need help to resettle or you wouldn't know they were waking! Yes, its gruelling, exhausting, intense, but it is totally normal.

Sending lots of coffee. You've got this! And this is not to say you can't tweak a few things to make it easier. That's what holistic coaching is all about! Small changes can make a difference.

Inspired by a post by .infantfeedingsupport & by

05/06/2023

Good morning, Cascais! 🌷

I have the pleasure to let you know that I am starting new workshops around pregnancy this summer ☀️

Have a look at the topics we will cover together and register!

Looking forward to meeting all of you,

Sarah

15/05/2023

Le nom féminin "Doula" entre dans le Petit Robert avec d'autres mots en 2024 🥰

[MOTS NOUVEAUX]
Le mot doula intègre les mots nouveaux du Petit Robert 2024. Avez-vous déjà entendu ce mot ?

24/04/2023

Today, I wanted to share with you the words of Martine Pinnel, founder of Stärekanner ASBL

✨️

"Dear Mammas,

I wanted to introduce myself and direct your attention on a very important subject often not talked about enough.

While many of you have been blessed with amazing children, some moms have not been so fortunate, and have had to say goodbye to their little babies at birth or shortly after birth.

Some babies, unfortunately, are stillborn, some, pass away not long after they are born.This is without a doubt the most tragic event that can happen in any mom’s, and also dad’s, life.Not being able to see your little child grow up, not being able to create all of those memories you so very much dreamt of, and not being able to call your child’s name and have them respond to it.

The only moments the parents get to share with their babies are right after birth, holding them, talking to them, and loving them as much as possible until they have to say goodbye way too soon.

What is most important in these brief and treasured moments, is to create as many memories as possible for the parents, so they can keep them for eternity.

This is why I, Martine Pinnel, have founded the non profit “Stärekanner”. We are offering our services to photograph children with or without their parents at the hospital and create beautiful pictures to look back on.We also make clothes in collaboration with the sewing Atelier “Naxi at “Femmes en Détresses” who transform Wedding dresses donated to us by lovely caring women, into wonderfully gorgeous sets of clothes for the little babies so they can have the most beautiful goodbye possible.

Our most recent additions to our services include one of a kind and unique “memory boxes” or “treasure boxes” for the parents, so they can keep their cherished souvenirs in a safe place. Every baby gets their own plushy of course, because every child deserves cute gifts.

The name “Stärekanner” means “Starchildren”, which is the Luxembourgish name for babies who have made their way up to the stars.The biggest problem every parent affected by this tragic loss is experiencing, is the lack of support in their grief, and the shortcoming on information on the topic of stillbirth and the following grieving process.

This is why we are advocating for a bigger understanding on this subject, and are kindly asking people who know a parent affected by the death of their child, to be kind and lend an open ear and warm hug for a little comfort.

There are many ways you can help make grieving parents make more seen, heard and understood, and we can all contribute to this.If you don’t know what to say, just ask “How are you doing”, give a warm hug, or bring them some home cooked food. Little acts of kindness can make all the difference.

“Stärekanner” is a fully non profit organization with many volunteers offering their help and knowledge, but we can always do better and expand our services further.

If you would like to help and have some ideas on how to support parents and create the most special memories, please do not hesitate to contact us!We welcome any suggestions.

And to every mom in this group, who has gone through this experience, please feel free to message me, if you want to share yours and your baby’s story, need to talk, or just want to say hi.

Thank you for reading.

In the link below you can find more information on the ASBL

www.staerekanner.lu"

🤍

21/04/2023

👉 How many pictures of women laughing during birth have we seen since we were kids?

👉 How many films with women giving birth on the side, squatting, standing have we seen?

👉 How many images have we integrated of births with family, doula and midwife being there and supporting the mom?

👉 How many births have we seen, read, or heard that happened in pleasure?

👉 How many women have we seen laughing, singing, enjoying, or just pushing their baby in silence?

👉 How many babies do you know who were born gently, at their own pace, without fear and without external pressure?

All these pictures, movies, words condition our relation to birth! So, dear future parents, take care of yourself and the information you watch, the conversations you have, learn as much as you can about the physiology of birth, and question your relation to birth and your beliefs 👌

✨️✨️

✍️ Inspired by Mellune
📸 .birthphotography

👉 Combien de photos de femmes en plein éclat de rire pendant l'accouchement on a vues depuis petites ?

👉 Combien de films avec des femmes qui enfantent sur le côté, accroupies, debout on a vues depuis petites ?

👉 Combien d'images avons-nous intégré de naissances avec la famille présentent, la doula et la sage-femme qui soutient en toute simplicité ?

👉 Combien de naissances on a vues, lues, ou entendues dans la jouissance ?

👉 Combien de femmes on a vues rire, chanter, j***r, ou juste pousser leur bébé en silence ?

👉 Combien de bébés connaissez-vous nés dans la douceur, à leur rythme, sans peur et sans pression extérieure ?

Toutes ces images, films, mots conditionnent notre rapport à la naissance ! Alors à vous, futurs parents : prenez soin de vous et des informations que vous regardez, des conversations que vous avez, informez-vous le plus possible sur la physiologie de la naissance et questionnez votre rapport à la naissance et vos croyances. 👌

Et si vous voulez faire le plein de bonnes ondes et d'ocytocine, je ne peux que te recommander de lire le livre "Naissances merveilleuses" ! C'est un merveilleux recueil de 40 témoignages positifs dans tous les lieux de naissance : maternité, salle nature, à domicile, etc 📖

✍️ Inspiration de Mellune
📸 .birthphotography

05/04/2023

Ode à notre aîné.e
Tribute to our oldest child

Sortez les mouchoirs 🥹
Be ready 🥹
🧡

"Tu étais le bébé. Notre premier.
Notre seul, pendant un temps.
Jusqu'à ce que tu ne le sois plus.
Jusqu'à ce qu'un autre arrive.
Et puis, juste comme ça, tu es devenue grande.
Si grande.
Le bébé que tu étais a disparu depuis longtemps.
Et j'ai été choquée.
Tellement choquée.
Parce que tout le monde me l'avait dit, mais je ne les ai pas crus.
Ils m'ont dit que tout d'un coup, tu auras l'air si grande.
Que je te porterai différemment, en oubliant que ton cou n'a plus besoin d'être soutenu.
Que je serai probablement étonnée par toutes les choses que tu étais capable de faire.
Que je te regarderai, les larmes aux yeux, en me demandant où était passé mon bébé.
Mais ils ont oublié de me le dire.
Ils ont oublié de me dire que tu serais toujours mon bébé.
Que malgré le fait que tu paraissais si grande, tu étais toujours si petite.
Que même si, en un instant, tu es devenue l'aînée, tu n'étais pas tout à fait prête à ce qu'on attende tant de toi.
Qu'un autre bébé ne faisait pas de toi un moins bon bébé.
Que tu avais besoin de plus de temps en tant que mon bébé, aussi.
Alors ce soir, je vais te serrer contre moi.
Je vais te respirer.
J'embrasserai tes joues et remercierai Dieu pour toi, mon premier.
Et je me rappellerai une fois de plus que tu ne seras jamais, jamais trop grande pour être mon bébé."

✨️✨️

You were a baby. Our first.
Our only one, for a time.
Until you were not anymore.
Until another baby was born.
And then, just like that, you grew up.
So big.
The baby you were is long gone.
And I was feeling shocked.
So shocked.
Because everyone told me so, but I didn't believe them.
They told me that, all of a sudden, you would look so tall.
That I would carry you differently, forgetting that your neck no longer needs to be supported.
That I would probably be amazed by all the things you were able to do.
That I would look at you with tears in my eyes, wondering where my baby went.
But they forgot to tell me.
They forgot to tell me that you would always be my baby.
That despite the fact that you looked so tall, you were still so small.
That even though, in an instant, you became the eldest, you weren't quite ready for what was expected of you.
That another baby didn't make you a 'less good' baby.
That you needed more time as my baby, too.
So tonight, I'm gonna hold you tight.
I will breathe you in.
I will kiss your cheeks and thank God for you, my first one.
And I will remember once again that you will never, ever be too big to be my baby."

✨️✨️

I felt so bad 'doing this' to my oldest, after more than 3 years spent together 💔

I read many books to be prepared and ready to support him during this HUGE transition in the life of an oldest child.

I was maybe influenced by my own story and place in our family (guess which one 😉)

What about you? How did it feel for you? ❣️

All the best,

Sarah

Credit:

28/03/2023

With the weather changing here in Portugal, it was time for me to re-share the publication about (safe) sunscreens ☀️

Enjoy! 🙏

Sarah

I regularly come across the same question in summer and thought it might be interesting having an quick talk about it.

So here it comes... 🥁: sunscreens!

The usual recommendation is to avoid sun exposure at all cost until 1 year old (some might say until 3 years old). But we all know it is hard to keep a toddler under the shade all the time when on holidays 🏖

Well, once your child is older, some precautions have to be taken:

- No exposure between 11am-4pm
- UV protection clothes with long sleeves (they are great as it spares sunscreen and the challenge that usually goes along with putting it 💪)
- Hat and sunglasses (I know, can be challenging sometimes as well)
- Keep them hydrated (breastfeed 🤱 more often or give them formula, and/or give them some water 💧 after 6 months old)
- Apply some sunscreen regularly 💆‍♀️ (small tip to make it faster and easier? Use a make-up brush)

BUT which one? 🤔

I share with you today the amazing group I found after I had my first baby: Objectif Bébé Bio.

This group, moderated by moms, is a great resource for small tips when it comes to natural remedies, clean products, creams, etc. Cuidado: they do not provide any medical advice and will always tell you to go to a doctor for bigger issues 👩‍⚕️

Why I am talking about them? Because they did a very long study of sunscreen on the market and did a ranking from the most efficient AND clean ones to the worst ones. They even share the ones for adults, if you are interested in having a look:

https://www.objectifbebebio.com/les-cremes-solaires-le-classement-dobb/

Personally, I love the Badger and Biosolis (made in Belgium 😍🇧🇪) ones for my kids. What about you?

Enjoy the summer & stay safe! ☀️

Sarah

✨️

En ce moment, je tombe régulièrement sur la même question et j'ai pensé qu'il était sans doute intéressant de consacrer une publication à ce sujet.

Mais de quoi s'agit-il ?! ... 🥁

Les crèmes solaires !

Les recommendations générales sont d'éviter le soleil à tout prix jusqu'à la première année des enfants (et certains vont même jusqu'à 3 ans), mais nous savons bien qu'il est difficile de garder un enfant à l'ombre toute la journée pendant les vacances 🏖 !

Quand nos enfants deviennent plus grands, veillons à :

- Les garder à l'abri du soleil entre 11h et 16h
- Leur mettre des vêtements longs avec protection UV (astuce géniale pour éviter la crème et le challenge que représente la crème 😅)
- Leur faire porter un chapeau et des lunettes (autre challenge, je sais... 🥵)
- Les garder bien hydratés (du lait maternel🤱 et/ou artificiel et/ou de l'eau 💧 après 6 mois)
- Leur mettre régulièrement de la crème solaire 💆‍♀️(pour une application réussie et rapide, vous pouvez utiliser un pinceau de maquillage)

Revenons-en aux crèmes. Laquelle utiliser ?! 🤔

J'ai décidé de partager avec vous le fantastique groupe Objectif Bébé Bio auquel j'ai régulièrement fait appel lors de ma deuxième grossesse :

Le groupe, modéré par des bénévoles, est une super ressource pour des trucs et astuces naturels pour des petits bobos, des informations sur la composition des produits de beauté, de nettoyage, etc. Attention : elles ne donnent pas d'avis médical et vous conseilleront toujours de consulter un spécialiste pour des questions spécifiques 👩‍⚕️

Le lien avec les crèmes solaires ? Le classement qu'elles ont fait. En fonction de leur efficacité ET de leur composition, pour bébés, enfants et adultes :

https://www.objectifbebebio.com/les-cremes-solaires-le-classement-dobb/

Personnellement, j'aime la Biosolis (made in Belgium 😍🇧🇪) et la Badger pour les enfants.

Et vous ?

Profitez bien de l'été ☀️

Sarah

22/03/2023

La merveilleuse Elodie Poux au sujet de la "polémique Caroline Goldman" qui, pour ceux qui ont zappé, préconise comme méthode d'éducation, d'isoler un enfant dans sa chambre à partir de l'âge de 1 an...

https://fb.watch/jqHUtQ5D-B/

19/03/2023

Feliz Dia do Pai 🌷

To all the wonderful dads out there...

Those wanting so hard to be one,
Those doing their best,
Those breaking cycles,
Those waiting to become one,
Those gone too fast.

We see you 🌿

08/03/2023

Hᴀᴘᴘʏ Iɴᴛᴇʀɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ Wᴏᴍᴇɴ's Rɪɢʜᴛs Dᴀʏ (FFS)

Because we don't need flowers,
Because we don't need chocolates,
Because we don't need discounts on kitchen appliances.

What we need is equity.
What we need is respect.
What we need is access to education.
What we need is freefom, for ourselves and our body.
What we need is more efforts and education against harassment and violence.

01/03/2023

Tonight, I wanted to share with you the first steps of a baby 👣

Can you notice the difference between both videos? 🤔

Somebody mentioned once that walking with rigid shoes for a baby is like ski shoes for us 🎿 Can you imagine learning to walk while wearing that? 😅

Soft soles shoes and non slippery socks are the best for toddlers: they are flexible and adapt to the baby's feet 🦶

I personally love the brands Emel and Tikki.

What about yours? 💕

Sarah