Mothers Love Cookies is a small, home bakery owned and run by the very lovely Meg. Meg is a mother of twins who started her business after her passion for baking and her love of helping others led her to develop and create her scrumptious lactation cookies. There are several ingredients that are renowned for their milk-increasing properties and Meg has combined some of these with delicious flavours to create her fabulous range of freshly baked delicious cookies for nursing mums.
REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Mothers Love Cookies
Mothers Love Cookies is a small, home bakery owned and run by the very lovely Meg. Meg is a mother of twins who started her business after her passion for baking and her love of helping others led her to develop and create her scrumptious lactation cookies. There are several ingredients that are renowned for their milk-increasing properties and Meg has combined some of these with delicious flavours to create her fabulous range of freshly baked delicious cookies for nursing mums.
Welcome to another look at what’s on the menu for my family this week. As always we have pizza on the menu! And as you know I don’t eat meat and I have stopped eating fish now too. You can always change the main ingredient to a meat option if you prefer, such as using pork sausages instead of vegetarian sausages!
A few people have mentioned whether I can share photos and recipes of the meals on my weekly planner. As this is my meal plan for the week ahead I don’t already have photos, but what I can do is try to update each meal plan with a photo and/or recipe post retrospectively. I’ll also include a bit more detail about what’s in each meal.
Weekly Meal Planner #3
Welcome to another look at what’s on the menu for my family this week. As always we have pizza on the menu! And as you know I don’t eat meat and I have stopped eating fish now too. You can always change the main ingredient to a meat option if you prefer, such as using pork sausages instead of vegetarian sausages!
A few people have mentioned whether I can share photos and recipes of the meals on my weekly planner. As this is my meal plan for the week ahead I don’t already have photos, but what I can do is try to update each meal plan with a photo and/or recipe post retrospectively. I’ll also include a bit more detail about what’s in each meal.
I love reading birth stories! After sharing my own two very different birth experiences [emergency c-section and natural VBAC] I decided to ask other mums and dads to share their wonderful birth stories with me too. I’m absolutely delighted that so many people want to share with me! If you’d like to share your birth story, send me an email or get in touch via Twitter or Facebook.
This week Natalie is sharing the beautiful birth story of her first baby who made a surprise early appearance at 36 weeks.
Beautiful Births #8 - Natalie's Early Baby
I love reading birth stories! After sharing my own two very different birth experiences [emergency c-section and natural VBAC] I decided to ask other mums and dads to share their wonderful birth stories with me too. I’m absolutely delighted that so many people want to share with me! If you’d like to share your birth story, send me an email or get in touch via Twitter or Facebook.
This week Natalie is sharing the beautiful birth story of her first baby who made a surprise early appearance at 36 weeks.
Welcome to another little round-up of my week. I really enjoy doing these posts, it’s so nice to look back at the week and take stock of everything we have been doing.
A Week In My Life #3
Welcome to another little round-up of my week. I really enjoy doing these posts, it’s so nice to look back at the week and take stock of everything we have been doing.
I’m a day late with the weekly meal planner – I was distracted with the excitement of setting my wedding date! More to follow on that soon, but for now, let’s get on with the meal plan.
I decided to start sharing my weekly meal plans here to give you ideas for your family, too! I don’t eat meat so the meals are either fish-based or vegetarian. You could always change the main ingredient if you prefer meat – for example, swapping the Quorn pieces I use for chicken!
Weekly Meal Planner #2
I’m a day late with the weekly meal planner – I was distracted with the excitement of setting my wedding date! More to follow on that soon, but for now, let’s get on with the meal plan.
I decided to start sharing my weekly meal plans here to give you ideas for your family, too! I don’t eat meat so the meals are either fish-based or vegetarian. You could always change the main ingredient if you prefer meat – for example, swapping the Quorn pieces I use for chicken!
I have mentioned a few times about post-birth hair fall out. Since experiencing this after J’s birth I’ve been trying to be a lot more gentle and kind to my hair and scalp, to encourage new healthy regrowth.
I was recently contacted by Maple Holistics to see if I would like to try a shampoo and conditioner from their range. Maple Holistics are a US based beauty company producing natural, cruelty-free cosmetics with a holistic approach. Their range includes skincare, hair care and bath & body products which are created using only the purest and highest quality ingredients in order to enhance hygiene, health and daily living.
A week or so later an exciting package arrived containing their number 1 bestselling Argan Shampoo* and Silk18* conditioner for me to try. They are also providing a Shampoo and Conditioner for one lucky winner, you can find details of how to enter further down the post.
REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Maple Holistics Shampoo & Conditioner
I have mentioned a few times about post-birth hair fall out. Since experiencing this after J’s birth I’ve been trying to be a lot more gentle and kind to my hair and scalp, to encourage new healthy regrowth.
I was recently contacted by Maple Holistics to see if I would like to try a shampoo and conditioner from their range. Maple Holistics are a US based beauty company producing natural, cruelty-free cosmetics with a holistic approach. Their range includes skincare, hair care and bath & body products which are created using only the purest and highest quality ingredients in order to enhance hygiene, health and daily living.
A week or so later an exciting package arrived containing their number 1 bestselling Argan Shampoo* and Silk18* conditioner for me to try. They are also providing a Shampoo and Conditioner for one lucky winner, you can find details of how to enter further down the post.
I love reading birth stories! After sharing my own two very different birth experiences [emergency c-section and natural VBAC] I decided to ask other mums and dads to share their wonderful birth stories with me too. I’m absolutely delighted that so many people want to share with me! If you’d like to share your birth story, send me an email or get in touch via Twitter or Facebook.
This week Sarah is sharing the beautiful birth story of her daughter who was born by natural caesarean section. She had previously had an emergency c-section with her first baby, Edward, and you can read about that here.
Beautiful Births #7 - Sarah's Natural C-Section
I love reading birth stories! After sharing my own two very different birth experiences [emergency c-section and natural VBAC] I decided to ask other mums and dads to share their wonderful birth stories with me too. I’m absolutely delighted that so many people want to share with me! If you’d like to share your birth story, send me an email or get in touch via Twitter or Facebook.
This week Sarah is sharing the beautiful birth story of her daughter who was born by natural caesarean section. She had previously had an emergency c-section with her first baby, Edward, and you can read about that here.
My littlest little has recently started to stand and cruise and walk with support. He loves using whatever he can to aid his toddling abilities – his wooden brick trolley, his brother’s Spherovelo, even our dining chairs get pushed about the house! When the Fisher-Price Smart Stages Scooter* (£36.99) arrived recently both of my boys were delighted.
REVIEW: Fisher-Price Smart Stages Scooter
My littlest little has recently started to stand and cruise and walk with support. He loves using whatever he can to aid his toddling abilities – his wooden brick trolley, his brother’s Spherovelo, even our dining chairs get pushed about the house! When the Fisher-Price Smart Stages Scooter* (£36.99) arrived recently both of my boys were delighted.
I can’t get over how quickly my boys are growing up. And growing out of things. Clothes, toys, you name it, it feels like they need something new each week! Thankfully Fisher-Price have realised this with their Smart Stages range: a variety of innovative toys which have 3 levels of play. As the baby grows parents can change the learning content to suit the child’s stage of-development.
The toys feature a huge selection of developmentally appropriate songs, phrases and sounds that can easily be changed with slide of a switch, thanks to the unique Smart Stages technology. One of the newest products in the range is the Fisher-Price Smart Stages Toolbox* (£19.99) which was sent for my boys to try out.
REVIEW: Fisher-Price Smart Stages Toolbox
I can’t get over how quickly my boys are growing up. And growing out of things. Clothes, toys, you name it, it feels like they need something new each week! Thankfully Fisher-Price have realised this with their Smart Stages range: a variety of innovative toys which have 3 levels of play. As the baby grows parents can change the learning content to suit the child’s stage of-development.
The toys feature a huge selection of developmentally appropriate songs, phrases and sounds that can easily be changed with slide of a switch, thanks to the unique Smart Stages technology. One of the newest products in the range is the Fisher-Price Smart Stages Toolbox* (£19.99) which was sent for my boys to try out.
I recently decided to start doing a little round-up post each week. It will make me take time to reflect on each week rather than just losing my life to Facebook statuses and Instagram posts. This week is actually more like a fortnight in my life, as I was crazy busy last week with World Breastfeeding Week so I didn’t get a chance to write a post!
A Week In My Life #2
I recently decided to start doing a little round-up post each week. It will make me take time to reflect on each week rather than just losing my life to Facebook statuses and Instagram posts. This week is actually more like a fortnight in my life, as I was crazy busy last week with World Breastfeeding Week so I didn’t get a chance to write a post!
Do you meal plan? I do! With 5, sometimes 6, mouths to feed every day I found that I was getting stuck in a food rut. So now I plan our family meals for the next 7 days.
Meal planning means our grocery bills are lower as I don’t impulse buy and we waste less food as I’m only buying the ingredients we need. It also means we keep things interesting as I always look for new recipes to try and I try not to repeat a meal twice in any month. We do have pizza every Saturday though!
I’ve decided to start sharing my weekly meal plan here in case you are stuck for ideas for your family, too! I don’t eat meat so the meals are either fish-based or vegetarian, and I often cook vegan recipes too because they are so tasty. You could always change the main ingredient if you prefer meat – for example, swapping veggie chilli for beef chilli!
Weekly Meal Planner #1
Do you meal plan? I do! With 5, sometimes 6, mouths to feed every day I found that I was getting stuck in a food rut. So now I plan our family meals for the next 7 days.
Meal planning means our grocery bills are lower as I don’t impulse buy and we waste less food as I’m only buying the ingredients we need. It also means we keep things interesting as I always look for new recipes to try and I try not to repeat a meal twice in any month. We do have pizza every Saturday though!
I’ve decided to start sharing my weekly meal plan here in case you are stuck for ideas for your family, too! I don’t eat meat so the meals are either fish-based or vegetarian, and I often cook vegan recipes too because they are so tasty. You could always change the main ingredient if you prefer meat – for example, swapping veggie chilli for beef chilli!
I love reading birth stories! After sharing my own two very different birth experiences [emergency c-section and natural VBAC] I decided to ask other mums and dads to share their wonderful birth stories with me too. I’m absolutely delighted that so many people want to share with me! If you’d like to share your birth story, send me an email or get in touch via Twitter or Facebook.
This week Oli is sharing the beautiful birth story of his first baby. His wife, Melissa, went into labour after seeing the Queen! However once at hospital things soon turned into an emergency situation. Here he gives an insight to what it was like becoming a father for the first time.
Beautiful Births #6 - Melissa's Emergency C-Section, as told by Oli
I love reading birth stories! After sharing my own two very different birth experiences [emergency c-section and natural VBAC] I decided to ask other mums and dads to share their wonderful birth stories with me too. I’m absolutely delighted that so many people want to share with me! If you’d like to share your birth story, send me an email or get in touch via Twitter or Facebook.
This week Oli is sharing the beautiful birth story of his first baby. His wife, Melissa, went into labour after seeing the Queen! However once at hospital things soon turned into an emergency situation. Here he gives an insight to what it was like becoming a father for the first time.
How big? Baby J turned 10 months old last week. He had his 10 month review with the Health Visitor on Tuesday so I now have his exact measurements rather than me using my inaccurate bathroom scales! He now weighs 21lbs 6ozs and is 76cm long. He has been wearing size 9-12 month clothes since 8.5 months and they are still fitting well.
Baby J is 10 Months Old
How big? Baby J turned 10 months old last week. He had his 10 month review with the Health Visitor on Tuesday so I now have his exact measurements rather than me using my inaccurate bathroom scales! He now weighs 21lbs 6ozs and is 76cm long. He has been wearing size 9-12 month clothes since 8.5 months and they are still fitting well.
There’s nothing I love more than getting lost in a good book. Motherhood has meant that it’s not often that I get time to sit down to read, so when I do it needs to be a fast-paced and engaging story. The Good Girl* by best-selling author Fiona Neill did not disappoint; I was gripped from the first page. The Good Girl focuses on mother-of-three Ailsa Field and a scandal surrounding her 17-year old daughter, which turns her family’s lives upside down.
Review: The Good Girl by Fiona Neill
There’s nothing I love more than getting lost in a good book. Motherhood has meant that it’s not often that I get time to sit down to read, so when I do it needs to be a fast-paced and engaging story. The Good Girl* by best-selling author Fiona Neill did not disappoint; I was gripped from the first page. The Good Girl focuses on mother-of-three Ailsa Field and a scandal surrounding her 17-year old daughter, which turns her family’s lives upside down.
Motherhood is a rollercoaster of emotions and like so many aspects of parenting, breastfeeding had its own ups and downs. There were many times that I felt like quitting.
I felt like quitting before I’d even begun! I felt like quitting when reflux made all my efforts seem pointless. I felt like quitting during cluster feeds. I felt like quitting when he got fidgety and curious. I felt like quitting after a year of night feeds. I felt like quitting when people told me he was too old. I felt like quitting when I wanted just 5 minutes peace. I felt like quitting when I was suffering with morning sickness during my second pregnancy.
The Last Feed
Motherhood is a rollercoaster of emotions and like so many aspects of parenting, breastfeeding had its own ups and downs. There were many times that I felt like quitting.
I felt like quitting before I’d even begun! I felt like quitting when reflux made all my efforts seem pointless. I felt like quitting during cluster feeds. I felt like quitting when he got fidgety and curious. I felt like quitting after a year of night feeds. I felt like quitting when people told me he was too old. I felt like quitting when I wanted just 5 minutes peace. I felt like quitting when I was suffering with morning sickness during my second pregnancy.
Thanks for hopping over from Dads Thoughts and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 6 The People Behind The Breastfeeder. Sponsors today include ARDO Breastpumps who are giving away a Calypso Single Breastpump, Breastvest who are offering an essential breastvest duo (1x black and 1x white) in your size and Mother Loves Cookies who are providing a box of delicious lactation cookies for our Grand Prize winner. Over £700 worth of goodies are up for grabs entries via the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
I’ve had quite a lot of support from other people on my breastfeeding journeys. Infinitely more so with my first baby. With my first baby, we struggled quite a bit and needed help to get us going. With my second baby, it was plain sailing from his birth. Here are some of the people that have supported me along the way.
World Breastfeeding Week – Day 6 – The People Behind The Breastfeeder
Thanks for hopping over from Dads Thoughts and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 6 The People Behind The Breastfeeder. Sponsors today include ARDO Breastpumps who are giving away a Calypso Single Breastpump, Breastvest who are offering an essential breastvest duo (1x black and 1x white) in your size and Mother Loves Cookies who are providing a box of delicious lactation cookies for our Grand Prize winner. Over £700 worth of goodies are up for grabs entries via the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
I’ve had quite a lot of support from other people on my breastfeeding journeys. Infinitely more so with my first baby. With my first baby, we struggled quite a bit and needed help to get us going. With my second baby, it was plain sailing from his birth. Here are some of the people that have supported me along the way.
Thanks for hopping over from My Moo and Woo and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 5 Extended Breastfeeding. We have over £700 worth of breastfeeding and baby goodies up for grabs including prizes from More4Mums providing a set of 'Hot Milk' Lingerie, a signed hardback limited edition copy of Milky Moments and a £30 voucher from Milk Chic Full details of the Grand Prize can be found here and all entries are to be completed via the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post.
Extended breastfeeding is defined as breastfeeding a baby beyond the first year. I’m not a huge fan of the phrase because it makes it sound like it’s going above and beyond, when really, it’s perfectly normal to breastfeed past 12 months. Some people prefer to call it breastfeeding to natural term, or natual term breastfeeding. To me, it's just breastfeesing. There was a time, however, that I would never had dreamed I would be breastfeeding past 12 DAYS let alone 12 MONTHS!
World Breastfeeding Week – Day 5 – Extended Breastfeeding
Thanks for hopping over from My Moo and Woo and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 5 Extended Breastfeeding. We have over £700 worth of breastfeeding and baby goodies up for grabs including prizes from More4Mums providing a set of 'Hot Milk' Lingerie, a signed hardback limited edition copy of Milky Moments and a £30 voucher from Milk Chic Full details of the Grand Prize can be found here and all entries are to be completed via the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post.
Extended breastfeeding is defined as breastfeeding a baby beyond the first year. I’m not a huge fan of the phrase because it makes it sound like it’s going above and beyond, when really, it’s perfectly normal to breastfeed past 12 months. Some people prefer to call it breastfeeding to natural term, or natual term breastfeeding. To me, it's just breastfeesing. There was a time, however, that I would never had dreamed I would be breastfeeding past 12 DAYS let alone 12 MONTHS!
I've updated this post today, 14/08/2015, as it has been included in Adventures of A Novice Mum's Britmums Carnival, which features posts from six different bloggers on the topic of Working and Breastfeeding plus the chance to win a MAM Breastfeeding Set. You can enter this giveaway using the Gleam widget towards the end of the post.
Thanks for hopping over from Odd Socks and Lollipops and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 4 Working and Breastfeeding. Our sponsors today include Feed Me Mummy with a black and white vest combo, Thrupenny Bits who are offering a cute cord in blue breastfeeding cushion and Kids Bee Happy who are offering your choice of sand art picture for our Grand Prize winner. Over £700 worth of goodies are up for grabs entries via the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
Thanks for hopping over from Odd Socks and Lollipops and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 4 Working and Breastfeeding. Our sponsors today include Feed Me Mummy with a black and white vest combo, Thrupenny Bits who are offering a cute cord in blue breastfeeding cushion and Kids Bee Happy who are offering your choice of sand art picture for our Grand Prize winner. Over £700 worth of goodies are up for grabs entries via the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
The thought of returning to work when you’re a breastfeeding mother can be a worry – but it’s totally possible to make it work. Whether it’s breastfeeding during breaks, expressing at work to provide milk for your baby while you’re not there, mix feeding, or simply waiting until you return home at the end of the day for a big catch-up feed - the end of your maternity leave doesn’t have to mean the end of your breastfeeding journey.
World Breastfeeding Week – Day 4 – Working and Breastfeeding
I've updated this post today, 14/08/2015, as it has been included in Adventures of A Novice Mum's Britmums Carnival, which features posts from six different bloggers on the topic of Working and Breastfeeding plus the chance to win a MAM Breastfeeding Set. You can enter this giveaway using the Gleam widget towards the end of the post.
Thanks for hopping over from Odd Socks and Lollipops and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 4 Working and Breastfeeding. Our sponsors today include Feed Me Mummy with a black and white vest combo, Thrupenny Bits who are offering a cute cord in blue breastfeeding cushion and Kids Bee Happy who are offering your choice of sand art picture for our Grand Prize winner. Over £700 worth of goodies are up for grabs entries via the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
Thanks for hopping over from Odd Socks and Lollipops and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 4 Working and Breastfeeding. Our sponsors today include Feed Me Mummy with a black and white vest combo, Thrupenny Bits who are offering a cute cord in blue breastfeeding cushion and Kids Bee Happy who are offering your choice of sand art picture for our Grand Prize winner. Over £700 worth of goodies are up for grabs entries via the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
The thought of returning to work when you’re a breastfeeding mother can be a worry – but it’s totally possible to make it work. Whether it’s breastfeeding during breaks, expressing at work to provide milk for your baby while you’re not there, mix feeding, or simply waiting until you return home at the end of the day for a big catch-up feed - the end of your maternity leave doesn’t have to mean the end of your breastfeeding journey.
Peau Naturelle is a new skincare brand offering natural and organic skincare products which don't cost the earth. Handmade by a small business in Solihull, Peau Naturelle has created a range which is certified by the Organic Soil Association, suitable for vegans, not tested on animals AND won’t make your bank manager weep. For the last few weeks I have been putting their Organic Anti-Blemish Facial Oil* to the test.
REVIEW: Peau Naturelle Anti-Blemish Facial Oil
Peau Naturelle is a new skincare brand offering natural and organic skincare products which don't cost the earth. Handmade by a small business in Solihull, Peau Naturelle has created a range which is certified by the Organic Soil Association, suitable for vegans, not tested on animals AND won’t make your bank manager weep. For the last few weeks I have been putting their Organic Anti-Blemish Facial Oil* to the test.
Thanks for hopping over from Monkey and Mouse and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 2 Positive Public Feeding. We have over £700 worth of breastfeeding and baby goodies up for grabs including prizes from Snoob with a breastfeeding scarf, a goodie bag from Forever Patricia and a breastfeeding necklace from Booby and the Bead. Full details of the Grand Prize can be found here and all entries are to be completed via the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post.
Positive Public Breastfeeding
When I my first son was a newborn, I remember thinking, “What will I do when we go out? How will I feed him? What if people get cross with me? Should I express and take a bottle instead?”
World Breastfeeding Week – Day 2 – Positive Public Breastfeeding
Thanks for hopping over from Monkey and Mouse and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 2 Positive Public Feeding. We have over £700 worth of breastfeeding and baby goodies up for grabs including prizes from Snoob with a breastfeeding scarf, a goodie bag from Forever Patricia and a breastfeeding necklace from Booby and the Bead. Full details of the Grand Prize can be found here and all entries are to be completed via the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post.
Positive Public Breastfeeding
When I my first son was a newborn, I remember thinking, “What will I do when we go out? How will I feed him? What if people get cross with me? Should I express and take a bottle instead?”
Thanks for hopping over from Mum without Wheels and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 1 The Start of My Breastfeeding Journey. Sponsors today include Boobie Milk with a £50 voucher, Cherub Chews who are offering a breastfeeding necklace and Loveyush who are offering a breastfeeding scarf for our Grand Prize winner. Over £700 worth of goodies are up for grabs entries via the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post!
World Breastfeeding Week – Day 1 - The Start of My Breastfeeding Journey
Thanks for hopping over from Mum without Wheels and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 1 The Start of My Breastfeeding Journey. Sponsors today include Boobie Milk with a £50 voucher, Cherub Chews who are offering a breastfeeding necklace and Loveyush who are offering a breastfeeding scarf for our Grand Prize winner. Over £700 worth of goodies are up for grabs entries via the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post!
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