Sweet Beginnings

Oxytocin has an amazing role to play in the human body and can help with a number of things such as helping us to relax and stay calm, reduce stress and anxiety, helps in childbirth and breastfeeding and is the hormone that helps us bond and fall in love.

 

Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and is secreted into the bloodstream by the posterior pituitary gland. Oxytocin is often referred to as the ‘love hormone’ due to the fact it is released into the body during hugging, touch and orgasm. It is associated with empathy, love, trust and is paramount in relationship building.

 

When it comes to childbirth oxytocin has a big role to play as it stimulates the uterine muscles to contract and it also increases the production of prostaglandins which increase the contraction further. For some women who don’t go into labour naturally they are given the synthetic form of oxytocin, pitocin.

 

Sweet Beginnings

 

Sleep and your newborn baby are often very high on the list of new parent worries, questions arise surrounding concerns such as…

 “Why won’t my baby sleep?”

“Is she sleeping too much or not enough?”

“Am I doing it all wrong?”

 

Western society doesn’t help when the first questions you are asked from anyone and everyone is…

“Is he a good baby?”

“Does she sleep for you?”

 

We come home with our new baby, who by the way doesn’t include a manual - shock horror – and before we know it, we think we have a sleep problem because your child isn’t sleeping through the night or won’t stay asleep for as long as the mum’s child from baby and toddler group does!

 

You begin to wonder maybe it is time for some kind of sleep training for everyone’s sanity, but what?

 

Sweet Beginnings

Congratulations on your new arrival! You have waited patiently and prepared for this moment for the last 9 months.

I never forget leaving the hospital with my first son and walking in the front door and thinking now what? I had an overwhelming feeling of responsibility for this little real life human I had made and a real fear that I was going to mess it up. Of course, I made mistakes we learnt together and I’m still learning as I navigate parenting my five boys.

Those early days pass by in a blurry, sleep deprived way, so here are a few of my tips to help you in those early weeks

 

Sweet Beginnings

This has to be one of my favourite quotes and one that helped me through the good and bad times of my life and also enabled me to find the name for Sweetbeginnings Babycare!

 

As we are about to enter a new year and a new decade it’s made me reflect upon my experiences and life lessons over the last decade and the one before too in all areas of my life.

 

A new year is about to be birthed all new and exciting, perhaps full of expectations, resolutions and changes. A new year is like a new beginning a fresh page to start again just like the birth of a baby.

 

“A new baby is like the beginning of all things – wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities” Eda Leshan

 

Another of my favourite quotes!

 

Sweet Beginnings

Sleep is necessary for us all to function throughout the day. Babies and young children are developing quickly both physically, mentally and emotionally in order for the body to process this rapid growth of learning, it is essential for babies and young children to get the sleep they need. Understanding sleep biology can help you to understand your little ones sleep and their own individualised sleep needs.

Sweet Beginnings Babycare

 Claire is based in Maidstone, Kent and her sleep consultancy, baby massage and baby yoga classes offer a nurturing space for mum and baby to relax, recharge and connect. Claire has an extensive background in childhood studies and baby care. 

 

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claire@sweetbeginningsbabycare.co.uk

+44(0)7540 994 858

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