Have you heard of the Mummy MOT?

Just as they say that every pregnancy is different, and every labour is different, it’s also true that every post-natal journey is different. So why is it then, in my experience, that we are happy to spend hours in workshops and on courses when we are pregnant that are all focused on birth, that we invest time in the self care of ourselves with a massage or pedicure or Pilates class as a reward for growing a small person, yet after they’ve arrived... our health and general well-being is all too often ignored or disregarded.

For those of you that know me, you’ll be aware of my tricky post-natal journey after baby number one. I won’t go into details (mainly because I’m not sure I’m ready to open up about it yet) but if I say that between pregnancy, labour and the first two years of Boo’s life that labour was the easiest part, even with complications, then hopefully that allows for some understanding of my journey. It sucked.

Last week I was invited to undergo a Mummy MOT here in Winchester with Liz Knowles. I discovered this great service after having Boo but continually put off booking an appointment for fear of what they might uncover about my failing body. Having now been through it myself, I thoroughly urge everyone to book theirs. Liz’s sessions succeed where all other areas of post natal care for Mums fails - in my experience.

At my six week check with Boo I was apprehensive about what to expect. Having had stitches and other complications I had no idea what they might need to look at so I made the appropriate preparations before attending. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The Dr's first words to me were ‘ I’ve never actually done one of these tests before’ which she stated as she gingerly handled my newborn. Great! I thought, I’ve never had a baby before so I was really hoping you’d share your inexperience with me! She left the room 3 times to ‘check’ things with other Dr’s... a great way to make me feel like everything’s ok! My check consisted of one question ‘how are you feeling?’ Which I had no idea how to answer... fine? A bit tired? I’ve no idea now what I actually said but it was then job done, form ticked, off you go, be a parent, deal with post natal bleeding, do your pelvic floor exercises, be traumatised by your labour, be unaware of the state of your body after everything it’s been through but don’t talk to me about any of it, there isn’t time. 

My time with Liz was quite different. Welcomed by a hot cup of tea (I know!!) in the beautiful surroundings of New Energy Fitness, Liz quickly made me feel at ease. Liz has trained in Women’s Health and has a number of years experience, you quickly know you’re in good hands. She knows her stuff and she wants to help.

I unloaded my post-natal story, the highlights being not being able to breast feed, significant weight gain, excruciating aches and pains, illness after illness, lethargy, sleepless nights, leaking when I coughed, basically two years of feeling like birth had left me totally out of control of my own body and feeling like nobody was listening. Nobody believed me and nobody wanted to help. We talked through all those things that we don’t really like to talk about... you know the things I mean... and Liz listened. She really listened. Not like the GP who just told me to take anti depressants, not like the GP who told me I was probably just eating too many chocolate biscuits, she listened like a woman who understood how incredible the human body is, and at the same time, how traumatic the experience must have been. Why hadn’t I come sooner?!

Through answering a detailed questionnaire in advance of your appointment, Liz already has a good indication of your problem areas. Prolapse, pelvic girdle pain, stretch marks, bladder urgency, there are a long list of areas for you to explore and Liz spends time working through the ones which are most relevant to you. At this point it is worth mentioning that each session is tailored to you and your body, my experience will be different to yours and that is the beauty of the session - it is about YOU. We had a great discussion about the pelvic floor, how it works, why it’s there, the function of it and how to engage it...it's not easy. A bit different to previous discussions in which I always felt I should just be knowing what I was doing, as a woman, so never actually asked how to do it. There is also an option of a pelvic floor examination should you wish for it to be checked out by a qualified professional.

As someone who has a hate hate relationship with their body, having someone else scrutinise it isn’t an activity which fills me with joy, more like apprehension, but Liz was incredibly sensitive to my feelings. No mirrors, no undressing, and nothing but positivity about what it could still achieve.

Standing on both feet Liz checked my instep, asked me to stand on one leg at a time, checked my hip alignment, my spine, it was fascinating what she could tell me about it just by looking. Laying down on the bed I was asked to raise my legs to 90 degree angles one at a time, engage my core muscles, a whole range of simple, achievable activities to see how my body was faring having given birth twice. She checked for muscle separation and various other tummy issues and she was thoroughly engaged in looking and listening to what my body was telling her. From this assessment she was able to create a range of personalised exercises for me to do to strengthen areas of weakness and reawaken my muscles in an appropriate way. We talked through exercise I enjoy, walking, swimming, aerobics and dancing and she talked about the danger of returning to high impact exercise too soon and doing the wrong exercises post-natally and the damaging effect it can have. I was so desperate to lose weight after baby number one I was out walking as soon as I could, back to swimming, Body Jam, Legs, Bums and Tums and it was exhausting - on top of sleep deprivation too much exercise can have a negative impact post-natally and it’s incredibly important to work with a trained post natal instructor to make sure you are treating your body correctly.

I came away from my time with Liz feeling ever so slightly more positive about my body than I had done in a while. It wasn’t a failure. It has done a magical thing bringing two children into the world and whilst it may not resemble my pre-natal body in any way, it still deserves to be loved and care for and I need to understand how it functions in its new state. I now know how to do my pelvic floor exercises and why they need to be done, I know how to approach exercise and why it is important to continue to nurture myself post-birth, I know that my experience after labour number one is not the same as what I am experiencing now, 9 weeks post birth number two, I know that every woman should undergo the Mummy MOT with Liz to create a targeted, personalised assessment of all aspects of your health after having a baby. It’s a physical trauma and we’d be mad to think that we’d got away without it having an impact on our bodies. Physical health and mental health go hand in hand and we should pay equal attention to both as mothers.

In a world where we we are incredibly hard on ourselves, berate ourselves and our bodies, have to be reminded about self care and as mothers, push ourselves to the bottom of the priority list, this is something we can do to truly invest in ourselves.

I would highly recommend you find out more about Liz and the Mummy MOT. Her passion for her work is clear and her drive to help woman understand themselves and their bodies is commendable. Qualified to assess and diagnose, Liz provides hands on treatment, expertise and practical advice. Book today.

https://www.lizknowles.co.uk/the-mummy-mot/

ABC Concerts Hampshire

One thing I learnt very quickly after having my first child is how much of what you love doing has to be sacrificed in the short term. Outings you maybe took for granted that were so easy before children became totally impossible overnight. An evening meal out, a trip to the theatre, going out for a run, whatever your passion or hobby it has to be put on hold for a short while while you focus - rightly so - on the new life you have welcomed into the world. 

It’s a tough, steep learning curve and at times it can be frustrating that we can’t freely enjoy and experience everything as we used to. So when you discover something that brings together your little people with something you love and turns it into an experience for you both to enjoy, quite simply put - it’s magical. 

ABC Concerts do just that. When I say to my friends and family I’m taking the little ones to a concert a look of instant panic crosses their faces. I’m not sure what they are imagining, my 2 year old being forced to sit still on a red velvet seat in the stalls? My newborn being whisked outside into the foyer if he makes the slightest of sounds? Surely, some say, that’s quite a grown up experience for them. Yes, indeed it is, and they love it. 

Neil’s concept for the ABC Concerts is that they provide unique experience for the entire family - music for all. As soon as you walk into the performance space at the Winchester Discovery Centre you know you are in for a treat. There is a large area at the front where you can sit comfortably with your little ones, and rows of chairs in semi circles behind with plenty of space for everyone. Carefully thought out, there is a buggy park and a changing station meaning everything you need is right there with you in the room. As Neil announces, we want to teach our children to be respectful music lovers so he asks that adult conversation is kept to a minimum. Children, however, are welcome to sing, dance, move around the space, eat, feed, interact with each other and respond to the music however they wish. True freedom. 

Now I’m fully aware classical music is not everyone’s cup of tea, but have you ever tried just switching over to Classic FM in the car to help sooth your little one? It’s amazing the response you might get. Any musical experience your little one has is a positive one as listening to music helps strengthen your baby’s cognitive and sensory development.  Dancing to music allows self expression whilst building motor skills. The physical, emotional, and intellectual development of babies and children is nurtured through exposure to music, any music! ABC Concerts explore a range of musical genres, folk, jazz, opera, classical, something for everyone.

It’s not just babies who benefit from music, adults do too! It can help improve your mood - great if you’re having ‘one if those days’. Studies show that listening to music can benefit overall well-being, help regulate emotions, and create happiness and relaxation in everyday life - sound like just what you need right now??

I know what you’re thinking... what if I don’t know the music? Trust me, each concert is well thought out, the programmes cleverly span an eclectic range of nursery rhymes, Disney songs, school hymns, traditional pieces, film music, opera, well known classical pieces and music from around the world. You don’t need to know all the music to be able to gain something from the experience. Singing, dancing, listening, whatever you and your little one want to do is respected during the concert at all times and you are encouraged to move around the space and see the performers close up, and from all angles. 

ABC Concerts seek to produce a varied programme of performers to provide a varied schedule of concerts throughout the year. We’ve been lucky enough to experience so many of their concerts and have seen a wide range of different instruments including the flute, oboe, saxophone, piano, recorder, clarinet and the harp, the list goes on and on! At the end of each concert is my favourite time, when the children are invited to explore the instruments! What an experience! Making sounds, feeling the vibrations of the guitar strings, exploring through touch pressing the keys on the piano, closely observing the sparkly valves on the trumpet, it’s a unique opportunity and seeing the joy on everyone’s faces at this point is heart warming. Oh yes and get ready for I’m inevitable ‘please can I learn to play the double bass’ questions from the bigger ones... time for that estate car purchase??!

I was lucky enough to be introduced to music at a young age, I learnt to play instruments in and out of school, I joined choirs, I learnt to read music, played in band and orchestra and at one point considered becoming a music teacher. I was lucky. Incredibly lucky. But I didn’t really know it then, I was young and just encouraged to enjoy a multitude of interests which I am now very grateful to have experienced. Whether music was in your childhood, or you are just starting your musical journey singing songs to your little one, if you can find a way to give your child the gift of music then I would thoroughly recommend doing so, not so they can take it up professionally, but so they can access something that surrounds us in every day life on a new level and develop an appreciation for it with a deep rooted meaning and understanding.

It’s a great way to spend an afternoon together as a family, it’s unique, fun and educational for everyone. How many children do you know who can go to school on the Monday after not only seeing a harpist perform up close, but having the opportunity to play the harp themselves?

Book your tickets now for their next concert, I promise you it is such a treat for you all, and maybe the adult in you can get a little something back from your previous life; a music concert experience where if you close your eyes just for a second, you can be transported away from nappies and teething, screaming and potty training, and remember something you love, and that it’s still important to do things for you. 

Concerts take place in Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth and full details of their upcoming performance schedule can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/ABCConcerts/ 

Photographs courtesy of Hannibal-White Photography

Monkey Music's 25th Celebration!

At just 8 weeks old our little one received his first party invitation. Monkey Music were celebrating 25 years of bringing music to little ones and we were invited to celebrate with them. Being so tiny, I wondered if it was the right sort of event for us to be attending, but as I read on through the invitation I knew I wanted us to be there, I knew I was going to love it even if he slept through it, it was to take place in Abbott’s Barton Care Home in Winchester. 

Widely known as intergenerational care, bringing together the generations at either end of the spectrum is becoming more and more popular, and when you get to experience it first hand you can see why. 

The beautiful room at the care home was adorned with balloons and the Monkey Music mats were laid out ready. A table full of instruments and props awaited, as did a large semi circle of chairs which were a welcome addition to the normal set up. The children arrived first, warmly greeted by Paula who knew everyone by name. The children explored the new space, played with the balloons and found their places on the mat. Donning their fabulous Monkey Music tshirts, they were clearly ready for some fun. Then in came the residents, some looking a little apprehensive, others looking keen and eager, pointing at the children as they found their seats, they could tell they were in for a different sort of Thursday afternoon! 

I have been lucky enough to attend Monkey Music classes and see Paula work on a number of occasions. Teacher to teacher, we have had numerous conversations about the vital role of music in child development and how lucky we are to have been brought up in musical environments. Having learnt to read music at an early age and having spent hours in Year 2 painstakingly learning the recorder - sorry Mum - Music was ingrained in me and my intention is to ensure my children learn about rhythm, rhyme and musical notation as soon as they can, bringing them that same gift. Paula’s classes allow an entry into that musical world in a safe, fun environment which everyone can access offering them an amazing opportunity. Music is at the heart of everything they do in the class and it’s always an honour to be a part of it. 

Each term’s curriculum is thoughtfully planned by the CEO, Angie, who I was lucky enough to meet at the care home. Her passion for what she does was clear and the warmth and creativity that filled the room immediately apparent. It was touching to see her reaction as both the young and old embarked on the musical journey she had created, together. 

The music began and the little ones were instantly captivated by Paula, saying hello, waving, dancing, singing, the familiarity of the hello song signals that the class is about to begin. I take a look around at the residents and they are absorbing every single moment, soaking up the magic, living it with the little ones and beaming with joy. 

The props and instruments were shared by the young and old, tambourines, colour scarves, autumn leaves, the residents weren’t just there to observe they were there to participate and it was thoroughly enchanting to watch them. Their reaction to the music, to the children, for some it awoke something which had been dormant in them for a time, it awoke memories of a forgotten past and brought it to them into the present. I was fascinated to learn that one of the lovely ladies used to run her own nursery and another had worked closely with children. This was, for them, an emotional journey back to a forgotten time, and they were living in the moment with such joy. Having the opportunity to have been transported back had allowed them to reconnect with themselves in a way they hadn’t for some time and from the smiles on their faces you could tell this had been a real highlight of their week. Waving their arms in the air, copying the little ones, they were having such a good time it was sad that the afternoon had to end. 

At the end of the session a beautiful cake was presented and shared with everyone and the children were given party bags and a special book, the perfect finishing touches to the celebrations. Then was the time the true magic began to unfold. Now everyone had shared the music it was time for them to meet properly. Parents guided children towards the residents, to shake hands, give hugs, give a wave or blow a kiss, to smile, laugh and interact with them, with no judgements or worries, just pure moments of getting to know one another, starting at the very beginning. The residents enjoyed talking to the little ones, meeting their cuddly toys, and in one lady’s case even reading stories together as a little boy hopped up onto her lap to show her his new music book.

It was a wonderful way for Monkey Music to celebrate and we were honoured to have been a part of it. Research shows that bringing together these two age groups can have a positive impact on both mental and physical health and well being and after spending just a couple of hours witness this union through musical celebrations I would whole heartedly agree. Everyone asked if the partnership would continue and we are hopeful that although this was the first it won’t be the last time Monkey music visits Abbott’s Barton Care Home. 

As Paula puts in herself she is an infectiously enthusiastic teacher, and this is true in every way. Successfully capturing both the young and old in her quest to bring music into everyone’s lives, offering a fabulous start to a lifetime of musical adventures and a timely reminder of music from the past. Weekly classes take place in Winchester, Eastleigh, Southampton, Whiteley and Fareham and we highly recommend you book a free trial to see first hand how fabulous her classes are and how vital early age exposure to music is for your little one. 

You may be surprised to discover that the ear is the first organ to fully develop in the womb, and at just 20 weeks the foetus can hear sounds from the outside world. Monkey Music teachers continue to expose children to sounds through songs and instruments which develops the musical ear at an early age, further supporting all aspects of early childhood development. 

Baby Sensory Review - Teletubbies Week!

Do you ever wonder where Baby Sensory all started? Do you ever think to yourself ‘whose idea was it to create a class especially designed for babies?’ I wonder if it would surprise you to learn that the first ever educational class for little ones was delivered right here in Hampshire! Just down the road in Romsey, the wonderful Dr Lin Day launched the first Baby Sensory class in 2006. Her passion for her work has inspired an internationally renowned education programme for little ones, and it all started right here.

 This week, we attended a very special Baby Sensory class; a collaboration with DHX Brands, with the Teletubbies offering parents an exciting experience highlighting the developmental benefits of play. The incredibly special lesson had been planned and created by Dr Lin Day, founder of Baby Sensory, and it was an honour to be able to see the results of her hard work first hand.

The Teletubbies appeal to young children in a variety of ways and for multiple reasons which are all linked to preschool development. We arrived at our Baby Sensory class, greeted by our class leader Claire, dressed as Laa Laa, and bright colours and magical sounds adorned the room. 

I had mixed feelings about the fact that my 7 week old was asleep.  With sleep not being his strong point I was reluctant to wake him, equally I didn’t want him to miss out! But realistically how much can he really get out of the experience at 7 weeks... well as it turns out - quite a lot! I was readily informed that infants who are sleeping can still process 60% of the experience! No more worrying about babies sleeping through classes! He was still having his own dreamy experience. 

 

One of the key elements on the Baby Sensory journey is learning routine to encourage the feelings of safety and confidence, knowing what to expect through repetitive experiences. We started with the weekly welcome song ‘Say Hello to the Sun’ which is accompanied with the appropriate signs (don’t worry parents, you’ll get there with the singing and signing combo!) then we were off and on our way. 

So there I am watching a fabulously energetic Claire launch into the session, with her four bright cuddly companions Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po. I’ll be honest, I was quite jealous of those new mums who seemed concerned that they hadn’t learnt the Teletubbies names yet...(can you believe the Teletubbies are 21?! They’re looking good for their age) my age, combined with an 8 year old step daughter means the names and theme tune has been ingrained for some years now!! 

Off we go, bouncing our babies on bright yellow inflatable ‘tubby custard’ and I think to myself... if anyone walked in now what would they think we were doing?! But that’s what I love about Baby Sensory, we know what we are doing, and we know why we are doing it. We are developing their balancing skills and aiding their understanding of posture, we are encouraging trust, both in themselves and in us, we are inspiring a sense and understanding of rhythm and we are helping to develop their brain cell connections... when you’re a baby, it’s never just bouncing. Everything has a purpose, every moment has been carefully crafted, responding to the two million neural connections they are making each second. Babies are amazing! 

Transported to Teletubby land, the room was quickly turned into a delight of colour and textures, flowers, trees, hills, falling leaves and garlands. Babies were being visually stimulated, strengthening their eye tracking and their senses through texture. Claire’s explanation of the purpose of each activity lit the teacher spark in me; I was enjoying learning just as much as my baby, and I was so grateful that I was being given the confidence in the purpose of the activities at every step. 

 

Being a drama teacher, people expect you to want to get up, join in and be centre of attention, or at least be confident joining in, throwing yourself into it without being self conscious. Well let me tell you there’s nothing quite like having a baby to zap your self-esteem. In classes like this it can be hard to put yourself out there, to sing, to dance, to embrace the activities. Having lived a life immersed in the performing arts I think nothing of singing to little ones, singing itself brings me so much joy I never considered not singing to my children. However I’ve come to realise it’s not second nature to everyone, I remember vividly one person asking in a class why it was important and if it was necessary to sing as they didn’t think they could. For some, this whole new area and skill set is daunting but songs and rhymes help develop early speech and language skills so you just have to go for it!

Child development researchers suggest if a child knows 8 nursery rhymes by the age of 4 they will develop a wider vocabulary and be better readers by the time they’re 8 - another gem I picked up from a Baby Sensory class leader!  All this knowledge from one Baby Sensory class, and all that encouragement to join in and carry on at home is necessary for your little ones intellectual and sensory stimulation. Who cares what you sound like, have a little sing! It’s especially good during that tricky time of day, before your partner gets home, when they just wont settle… don’t be embarrassed, no one can hear you but your baby.

How comforting to know that it’s normal, to sing to your baby, to make faces, dance around, and encourage imaginative play and interaction with your baby – not only is it normal it’s pretty vital to their development. With the aid of fabulous class leaders like Claire, slowly but surely you will develop the confidence in yourself in this very important aspect of parenting - sensory development.

The class is split into three sections which reflects the idea of ‘play, rest, play’ and allows babies time to be stimulated as well as respecting their shorter attention span, the free play aspect of the class also allows you to have a chat, or a rant, a giggle or a cry with other parents - making mummy friends is another vital part of the journey!

We enjoyed a puppet show and a light show to finish our session with the Teletubbies ensuring the full range of senses were fully covered. We’re not just looking at pretty lights and playing with LEDs, it’s not just a great photo opportunity, we are building nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, we are truly awakening their senses.

Every moment of a Baby Sensory class has been thoughtfully constructed and appropriately planned to respond to the developmental needs of your baby. Simply put, it’s so much more than just a singing and movement session. Engaging your children in sensory play encourages them to explore the world through their own senses. The explanation of the purpose of the activities very much appeals to the teacher in me, I love knowing why we are doing what we are doing and in what way it is aiding development. Whether through creative play, singing and rhyme, storytelling, massage, Baby Sensory classes are completely unique in the way they offer you a connection to your babies journey as they grow. 

Our time with the Teletubbies may have drawn to a close, but what we take away from the class will impact us forever. Imagine all the brain cells that have been created with the aid of Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po!

Of all the classes I attended with Boo when she was little had content which resonated with me and songs which we still sing and sign together now. Say Hello to the Sun will always work at calming her when nothing else does and like a trusty old school hymn, the words will somehow remain with you. I’m sure the lady next to me wondered how, in my first session, I knew all the words!

Teletubbies week may be over but every week is a new week in Baby Sensory, a new theme awaits and a new adventure for you and your little one. Never has life long learning been better understood than by the Baby Sensory team. It’s not just singing and dancing and having a jolly nice time, it’s a sensory package which develops the platform for your babies intellectual future.