Our Baby Sensory journey (with brand Q&A)

When you become a mother for the first time, in that first year there are bound to be key highlights that will become memorable landmarks from your early days of motherhood.

For me, one of the things that defines my first year of motherhood was Baby Sensory – a nationwide franchise of mother and baby classes that explores all things “sensory” with your little one.

When Henry came along, I lived in an area where I didn’t have many mummy friends on my doorstop with babies close enough in age to hang out with – those first time mothers equally as unsure as I was about anything and everything about looking after a new baby,  going through the exact same challenges and emotions and at the exact same time. I had my *amazing* sane-saving NCT friends yes, and other mummy friends, but none in close/walking distance and therefore I had to make it my mission to plan a few things in to my week – to regain some normality and structure (not too much too early on though!) and to join a group that I know will prove to offer great benefit to Henry as he embarks on his new life journey.

This post shows you Henry’s Baby Sensory journey in photos as well as a Q&A with the brand itself. I chat to a Baby Sensory leader, giving you ample sensory insight and inspiration, and is especially useful if you’re thinking about joining a local class near you…

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12 MONTHS POSTPARTUM AND HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY HENRY

Now, I know this sounds cliché, but I literally feel as though 2017 went by in a blink. 2017 for me has been one of those years that doesn’t quite feel like it really happened.

Did I really grow a human and experience childbirth? Did I really (and successfully) reproduce! Did I endure many interrupted and sleepless nights? I’m too tired to recall. 😉 Did I really find enough inner bravery to take an almost 5 month old on a transatlantic holiday to New York?! Did I really move back to my home roots, by the seaside in Leigh-on-Sea? YOU BET I DID! Did I unnecessarily obsess over every single aspect on the things that didn’t matter? Yes. Did I obsess enough over things that did matter? Nope. Did I lose that last stone of baby weight which I’ve been holding on to ever since I gave birth? Nope.

Henry is 1. One! Uno! The big ONE! How did that happen? Here’s the final instalment of my postpartum updates…

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A holiday abroad with a baby – what to pack

Following from my “flying for the first time with a baby” (historically one of my all time most commented, clicked and shared posts – THANK YOU!), it taught me that perhaps more of those kind of informative posts could be of help and interest to fellow newish mothers like me, especially when it come to travel.

For that reason I want to share with you my baby packing check list when going on a (summer) overseas holiday with a baby. I’ve shared this list already with a few friends (who know I have a spreadsheet for everything in life!) and I also received DMs on Instagram from those replying to my Instastories with questions during our recent (and first family summer) holiday to Menorca.

I hope you or a friend/relative find this useful and please let me know if you have any suggestions to add. I’ve linked to some of the products (not sponsored!) for ease for you to click/browse/purchase.

So here goes, my checklist for going on a summer holiday with a baby…

Me and Henry on our first summer holiday recently to Menorca

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Flying with a baby for the first time

I recently took Henry on his first flight and to the Big Apple – yes a 5-month old on a long haul flight, 7 hours 50 minutes no less. A few people quoted I was “brave” and/or “mad”, others said “go for it” and some simply said “good luck”!

Me and my little lad on the Brooklyn Bridge

Since my trip, many have asked me questions about travelling with a baby.  Can you take baby milk in hand luggage? What’s the deal with pushchairs on board?

So I thought I’d blog about my learnings and tips which I hope will be of interest to anyone looking to take a little one on their first flight – long or short haul….

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A Center Parcs getaway with a baby

As a new parent, holiday shopping can seem daunting. You want accommodation that offers the facilities you want, to maintain some level of normality with your routine (happy baby + happy mummy + happy daddy = happy days) and a resort that is family friendly and makes life as easy as possible for (new-ish) parents. Especially when you’re spending a hard earned wage.

For a relative’s landmark birthday, a small group of us recently stayed at Center Parcs, in their Elveden Forest resort in Suffolk. This was Henry’s first holiday and the first time we have taken him away from home overnight and in this instance 3 nights. As a first time mother, naturally the planning involved lists galore, lots of questions (thank you Center Parcs for being so responsive on Twitter!) and about a week to get ready and packed…

Home for the weekend? Sure!

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The 3 month postpartum reality check

Baby Henry is now 12 weeks old, yet my labour seems like a lifetime ago and I can’t imagine life without my little lad in it.

He’s smiling and giggling, chatting away (albeit in baby language) and desperate to sit up and know what’s going on. He’s been sleeping 10-12 hours a night since 8/9 weeks old (I thought it was a phase at first!) and we are generally having a positive time of it so far.

We play together, go on walks together (the Baby Bjorn carrier is brilliant – and it helps you to work up a sweat carrying that baby’s weight on you!), go shopping together, have sofa snuggles together, go to groups such as Baby Sensory and Caterpillar Music, we go swimming, see our mummy and baby friends, see family together – Henry has become my little buddy and we have a lovely time…

Enjoying some fresh air together – anyone else LOVE their Baby Bjorn carrier!?

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