From Annabel Karmel to the Jumperoo – here’s a new language for parents-to-be
There’s SOOO much I wish NCT had told me about being a parent when I was expecting. Like, what stage of Pampers I would need for my baby, like the magic of the dreamfeed, like bringing a fan and hand sanitzer to the super-hot drop-in clinics! Right.
In the space of a year my life has changed, thanks to the bundle of joy we made. And while it has been 90% fun (10% tough, I won’t lie!), there’s a lot I’ve picked up in this time. Which is pretty amazing really considering my brain has gone to M-U-S-H.
So, here’s my A-Z on the things you might need to know. You’re welcome…
A is for Annabel Karmel
Weaning creeps up on your pretty soon, and when it does you want to be armed with Annabel’s App and cookbook.
B is for BabyBjorn
Have we mentioned how much we *love* this brand. Put it on your wedding list, your birthing list, your Christmas list and get every single thing they own. The baby cutlery (super), the baby high chair (essential), the baby carrier (lifesaver) and my favourite of all – the baby bouncer (like an extra limb)!
C is for Celebrity Fads
And lets face it, Kim Kardashian is Queen of them. Her latest trick is to turn her placenta into pills, you can find out more here
D is for Dreamfeed
The magic dreamfeed is something only parents know about. Every night around 10.30pm parents sneak a bottle of milk into their sleeping child, in the hope of prolonging a quiet night.
E is for Ella’s Kitchen
Soon enough you’ll baby will be bored of milk and want food. At first you’ll be rustling up dishes like a Masterchef contestant… which will last a few weeks, then you’ll tire of the lack of gratitude and realise Ella’s Kitchen is the way forward!
F is for Facebook
You always hated people that posted 10,000 photos of their baby every day. And now you’re one!
G is for G Nappies
If you’re in to re-using nappies, then albeit very different, these are the leading brand caring for the environment.
H is for Huffington post Parents
When you’ve got no one to ask, or need a reassuring voice from another Mother, the Huffington Post Parents is your friend. And in case you’re interested, here’s a few posts I’ve written..
I is for insomnia (Mumsomnia)
The inability to sleep when your baby does.
J is for Jumperoo
Every parent knows and loves the Jumperoo, otherwise known as the ‘Chair of neglect’ oops!
K is for Kiddylicious
The final word in baby treats, including wafer thins tasting of banana. Your baby needs them and so do you!
L is for Lamaze
Toys you can trust. Which is just as well, as you’ll get at least 50 once baby arrives.
M is for Milk Drunk
As the Editor of the Milk Drunk Diary, I know a thing or two about this! We define it as “The blissfully passed out baby following a satisfying feed of milk.”
N is for NCT
An expensive way to make ‘friends’ and be lectured about the merits of breastfeeding!
O is for Onesie
Worn by a baby, or a drunk person attending a festival in Clapham.
P is for PreciousLittleOne
One of my great finds of maternity leave is PreciousLittleOne, a fantastic online retailer with speedy delivery and great deals. Much easier than battling through the high street, we’ve purchased everything from our car seat to our high chair here.
Q is for Quinoa
Overrated grainy food you’ll be living on to lose baby weight.
R is for Rooting
The cute, if not slightly odd movement a baby makes when it wants feeding.
S is for Silver Cross
The leading strollers of the stylish and famous. If K-Middy has one, we want one too! We have the Silver Cross Relfex which we take on holiday, and has been a lifesaver (see why here).
T is for Teething granules
The most useful of all inside knowledge. This magical homeopathic white dust calms even the crankiest of teething babes. Buy in bulk.
U is for Umbilical Chord
The current ‘thing’ is to keep your baby attached to their chord for as long as possible, even if that means carrying it around like a bag. No judgment but, ehw.
V is for Vaccination
You may be as hard as Katie Hopkins, but the minute you see your baby having their first injection, you’ll be in floods. Guaranteed.
W is for Writing
Thank God for my Mac I cried during maternity leave. Putting fingers to keypad and writing has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. If you’d like to do the same, why not get in touch with Brit Mums as a great starting point, find them here- – britmums.com
X is for XOXO
An American way of saying hugs and kisses. Yeah, go ahead and laugh, but you’ll be using it on the many pictures of baby you post on Facebook.
Y is for Yoga
Yoga for pregnancy, yoga for babies, yoga for yogis. I’m a bit yoga’d out already, but it’s the thing to do, apparently.
Z is for Zzzz
Pre-baby, you wonder how a little thing could possibly bring chaos and disorder to your life. But once they arrive, you too will fall victim to it, catching Zzzzs at every opportunity, including in front of the telly, on the bus, and yes even on the toilet!
If you’re expecting, then this might help you know what to expect when you push a pram!
