Advice For New Mums | Just Add Ginger

I went into parenthood knowing very little about babies. Nevermind changing a nappy, my experience just holding a newborn was very limited. When it came to becoming a mother, I didn't know what to expect. And when you leave the hospital, there's no manual they give you. You walk out, baby on arm, and are just expected to get on with it. And if your experiences with little ones is minimal, this can be incredibly frightening. 

Now I'm no expert, and I would never tell you how to be a parent, but in the seven (nearly eight) months that Baby Ginger has been on the planet, there are some pieces of wisdom I've learnt and want to pass on. 

Take Your Time

Giving birth is tough work. It puts a big strain on your body and it takes a while afterwards for everything to settle and get back to normal. During this time it's important to rest and really listen to your body and what it needs. If you need to sleep, then sleep. If you need everyone to leave you alone, then ask friends and family to hold off on visits. It's important not to rush yourself into doing things you are just not ready to do. 

Trust Your Instincts

I didn't believe this when I first heard it, but it is true. You really do get to know your own baby. You get to learn their little quirks, their likes and dislikes, and how to gauge what they need. It may not click at once, but give it a few months and with every coo, cry or gurgle you will instantly be able to decode what you need to do to keep your baby happy. And honing in on these cues is really important, because it means that you will know when something is off. Even if to everybody else your little one seems normal, if you sense something isn't quite the way it should be, then really pay attention and listen to your baby. 

"Mummy" In Your Own Way 

There will be so many people in your life who are ready to give you advice about how you should look after your baby, but ultimately it is up to you what you do and how you do it. And this goes hand in hand with trusting your instincts in the point I made above. In that time you've had that time to get to know your baby, you will know him/her better than anybody else. So take any advice you get with a pinch of salt. Take heed if you like, but if you don't really agree, take it on board, say thank you, then feel free to ignore it. When you're spending 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with your baby, you'll understand what works for you and what doesn't

Eric, for example, needs his sleep. If he's had a bad night or misses a nap time he is an absolute nightmare and really hard to keep happy. So if he needs to sleep, I'll let him sleep, even if this means missing out on a class or not going out. Some may think this is not the way to go about things, but I know Eric enough to know how to manage him. Because if I just keep him awake, then I'll be paying for it later. And personally, I value my sleep (and my sanity) way too much.

Stay Social

Being on maternity leave can be incredibly isolating. You're at home looking after your baby day in day out with nobody to really talk to. It can be really hard. Which is why I think it is so important to get out there and get social (when you're ready to of course.) 

I'm a big fan of baby groups and classes. It gives Baby Ginger a change of scenery that is safe, exciting and stimulating, whilst giving me some precious "grown up time" where I can interact with parents/carers and have proper conversations. Having that time is something I truly value, and Eric is learning so much from watching and socialising with other babies. He's really happy around new people and isn't clingy, and I really think this is because he has been exposed to new spaces and faces from quite a young age. 

I also use a few apps to connect with other mums in my local area. Mush, Peanut & Mummy Social are great platforms to find activity and class recommendations, find mummy friends (even if they are just online) and plan potential play dates. Having moved to a new area of Liverpool during maternity leave, I'm still trying to work out where there are classes I can take Baby Ginger and where the best soft play areas are, so talking to other mums who know and use the area is really handy (it also helps me not feel lonely too.)

Aside from connecting with new friends, it's also really important to stay in touch with your non-new -mummy friends. Because when it comes down to it, being a new parent is only just one part of who you are. I thought when we brought Eric home I would feel something overtake me that meant I was suddenly this grown up person so far removed from the person I used to be that I would feel entirely different. But in reality I feel exactly the same....only now I have a child to look after so am a little bit  more responsible than before. 

Are you a new parent too? What pearls of wisdom would you pass on?

Meet My Baby | Just Add Ginger

For the past few months things have been so crazy that I have completely neglected to write this post and properly introduce the newest member of the Just Add Ginger family. If you have kept up with my YouTube videos, you may have seen this little guy feature in the latest few, but as yet, I haven't actually told you that much about him. 

If you aren't into baby content, first off, don't worry. I'm not about to turn Just Add Ginger into a full-on mummy blog. Although that is technically who I am now, it is not all of who I am. Beauty, food and lifestyle posts will continue as normal, but you will see Baby Ginger crop up from time to time (although more so through my one-handed ways series over on my channel). 

To keep things brief - and to stop me rambling - I've put together a few questions that should cover all the key points about this little guy, but if you'd like to know more, there's a video below that goes into much more detail!

What is Baby Ginger's name?

Baby Ginger's actual name is Eric (although he does have some nicknames - Pickle Pie, Ickle Pickle being the most used by me. 

When was he born? 

He was born on 2nd April 2017 at 10.44am at the Liverpool Women's Hospital. 

What did he weigh? 

Eric weighed 6lbs 11oz at birth . 

Is Eric breast or bottle fed? 

Bottle (I go into this more in the video below). 

Does he sleep through the night? 

Well....sometimes. He's just started getting about 6.5 - 7 hours of straight sleep in. I think that's because he doesn't tend to sleep so much in the day anymore. 

Does he have a set routine? 

Hahaha - are you kidding? Eric works on his own time and I'm just here trying to keep up. He does have regular feeds though so that's good. The last thing you want is a ravenous Baby Ginger on your hands. 

Does he cry a lot? 

No. Eric is really chilled out most of the time, and very smiley! This comes in really handy because he will only cry when there is something really bothering him (which is normally hunger or tiredness). 

What are Eric's favourite things to do? 

To look! Eric is interested in everything and everyone. He is the nosiest baby and is always staring. We've just switched him over to the buggy and he is so much happier when we take him out. I try to go somewhere with him every day as if he is not simulated and constantly moving he gets quite fussy. Even if we just go to look around the shops or to a coffee shop - that gives him just something to look at. He also loves being on his play gym - he has this star on it that plays the William Tell Overture and he just goes bananas with joy whenever he hears it!

Eric's also really enjoying his baby sensory classes. He is noticing other babies more and just smiles at everyone. It's so exciting for him that we come out of the class and he just wants to go to sleep! 

What are his least favourite? 

Getting dressed in the morning and tummy time on the mat. He'll be fine for a bit but then just cry and cry until he's on his back again.

Who does he look like? 

I don't think he looks like me. Lots of people have said he looks like Ryan but we will have to wait and see how he looks as he grows!

What's the best thing about motherhood so far? 

Seeing the world through your baby's eyes and watching him learn. When he found his hands he just looked amazed and it was so cute to see. It's also really lovely when you come into a room or go over to see him in the mornings to say hello and he just beams back at you. 

What's the hardest thing? 

Trying to decode what he wants. Sometimes he will just be so upset and you don't understand why. And it can be the simplest of things. When you realise it's as easy as giving him a cuddle, sticking the dummy back in or helping him bring up some wind you feel so guilty that you never though of that before!

Is there a piece of advice you would give to new parents? 

Enjoy every day and don't be too hard on yourself. There is no manual for bringing up a child, and as long as you are taking care of him / her and yourself the best you can, nobody can ask anymore. If you need help, ask, and don't feel like you have to take anyone's advice. Trust your instincts - they are usually right!

YouTubers You Should Be Following | Just Add Ginger

With having sometimes feeling a little alone during the past nine months, I found myself frequently turning to YouTube, seeking out vloggers who provided handy tips, advice and support for everything from pregnancy to parenthood. With so many content creators out there, as a new mummy, I wanted to share the top vloggers I have been watching the most.

Emily Norris

By far the YouTuber I have been loving the most, Emily's videos are always a great source of the advice, humour, and honesty that I have needed during my pregnancy. Always so down-to-earth and incredibly;y watchable, hers are the videos I watch over and over again. Videos that have been constantly on my "Watch Later" list have been her 'Pregnancy Expectations vs Reality' , 'What's In My Hospital Bag? What To Pack?' , and third trimester updates (although every time I see she has uploaded something new I instantly click to watch it)! 

Kate Murnane | Dollybowbow 

I have been subscribed to Kate's channel for years, way before her first little boy arrived, and have always really enjoyed all the videos she has put out. However, when I found out I was expecting, hers were the pregnancy & mummy videos I remembered the most. Always full of tips, tricks and advice, whenever I have seen a new pregnancy update appear on my subscription list, I know it;s one I'm going to gain a lot from (even though I'm slightly more ahead in my pregnancy now). Plus, her family vlogs are absolutely adorable too!

Makeup By TiffanyD

Again, similarly to Dollybowbow, Tiffany D's pregnancy & mummy videos are some of the ones that really stuck out in my mind, and ones I knew would be really helpful to watch again now that I am also having a baby. A lover of her makeup and fashion videos anyway, I find her such a soothing and captivating watch, that I just get drawn in to her content and can sit for hours just re-watching her weekly pregnancy updates and baby hauls. Hers will definitely be videos I can easily stick on and have in the background during upcoming sleepless nights and restless days and know that I won't ever get bored. 

Mummy-to-be with a YouTuber you love watching? Leave me a link in the comments below.