Baby Sensory Thurrock, Rainham & South Hornchurch

Right now you might not be able to imagine your baby crawling, let alone walking!

But what can you do now to help your baby build their muscles for sitting, crawling and walking in the future? The first step is tummy time!

You can start tummy time from very early on but it's best just to start by trying it once or twice a day for only 1-2 minutes at a time and gradually build up from there.

Including tummy time as part of your baby's play activities is a great way to help strengthen their back, arms and neck muscles and to encourage them to roll over.

Find out more about the benefits of tummy time and ways to encourage your baby to enjoy it in our latest blog: https://www.babysensory.com/tummytime

[Source: Dr Lin Day article]

Congratulations to our Pumpkin Party fancy dress winners 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

We will be in touch to book your free term 😀

Quick reminder

There are no classes this week as we are spending some quality time with our own families.

We hope you all have a great week and will see you next week for our Teddys Bears Picnic 🧸

Please show some appreciation for our 3 Baby Pumpkin fancy dress finalists 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

We will announce the winner tomorrow, so watch this space to see who has won a free term of Baby Sensory with us 😮

For a bit of fun, who do you think should win?🤔💭

Sometimes it's ok not to be ok. ❤️

Everyone has a different experience of becoming a parent and raising their children.

No two journeys to becoming a parent are the same. What we may struggle with, another parent may not, and vice versa.

Every baby is different, and there is no "one best way" to care for them.

We all have good days, and we all have bad days. And so do our babies.

So remember, if you're having a day where you feel a little low, it's ok not to be ok 100% of the time.

The important thing is to recognise when you are feeling like this and remind yourself that you're doing a great job.

There's also no shame in reaching out for help from friends or family members, your midwife, Health Visitor or GP or us if you are struggling ❤️

Meet Hugo 👋

Hugo came to our Baby Sensory classes in 2022. Since leaving our classes, he has been in and out of hospital having many investigations. Finally, Hugo was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that affects his mobility, balance, coordination, speech, and swallowing.

His family are fundraising with support from Tree of Hope to raise money to send Hugo on an intensive physiotherapy trip next year.

If you can, please help support Hugo and his family 💙🩵

Thank you x

😴The clock change always gets us thinking about sleep (or lack of it when you're a parent!!)

You don't need to have a bedtime routine for your baby, but for some parents and babies, it can be helpful to start to implement one after the first few months. (It may help your baby (and you) to sleep better).

As a parent, you know you and your baby best, so choose a routine that works for you both. What's most important is that the routine is simple, consistent, realistic, and achievable for you AND soothing, pleasant, and reassuring for your baby.

If you'd like some ideas of what to include in your baby's bedtime routine and how to implement this new routine, head to the latest blog on our website:

https://www.babysensory.com/bedtimeroutineforbaby

[Source: Dr Lin Day article]

Magic foil makes the most amazing sensory prop* for babies.

The shiny surface and unique texture will stimulate your baby's sense of sight, sound and touch.

Buy yours from our class shop. Ask claire anytime

*Please note this is a prop and not a toy. Babies using this prop must always be supervised by a parent or responsible adult.

It's that time of year 🎅

This year, our Christmas Parties will be held on Saturday the 14th of December at Orsett Village Hall, RM16 3HB, at 11am, 12:30am, 2pm or 3:30pm.

Our magical Christmas Parties are a great way to introduce babies to the joy of Christmas. From puppet shows, to snowmen, to dancing around a Christmas tree and listen to the sleigh bells, there is so much to enjoy all while aiding baby's development.

The cost of our party is £16 which includes

🎄1 hour class with full use of our extended Exploratory Play Area

❄️Entry for 2 adults plus baby

⛄️Drinks and snacks

🎁Christmas gift for baby

🌲Siblings welcome (Please message Claire directly so we can monitor numbers. Siblings must be able to sit with you during class and respect the other babies around them.)

📷Professional My 1st Christmas Family Photography by our resident photographer R.McClaren (photography will be available before, during or after class, with prices starting from just £20)

🎅Christmas Cutie competition. Each baby that dresses up will be entered into our fancy dress competition with a chance to win a Baby Sensory gift voucher for a free term with Baby Sensory Thurrock, Rainham and South Hornchurch

🚗There is plenty of onsite parking

⚖️Weighing scales

🤶Class shop with lots of age appropriate items and gifts

To book your space, please visit our website www.babysensory.com/thurrock

Open to all babies ages between 0 and 13 months

Please contact us if you have any questions

BLAW24 - Day 7

Today is the last day of Baby Loss Awareness Week 2024.

Firstly, I want to say thank you to everyone who has read the posts, especially to those who have shared their own stories with me. It's a very brave thing to do, and I hope those who aren't ready to share their story know we are here for you if you ever need us.

The end of Baby Loss Awareness Week is always a beautiful one as people around the world, light candles at 7 pm in their time zone to remember all those babies and infants who were too precious for this world. This creates a wave of light across the globe.

Tonight, we will be lighting our candle and as a tradition in our family lighting some sparklers with the kids. We will be post some pictures at the time. We would be honoured if you do light a candle to share it with us either via a comment on our post or tag us in your story so we can add you to ours. We would like to create our own wave.

🩷🩵🦋

BLAW24 Day 5 - looking after each other as a community

I am ashamed to admit that I have not done much to help my local community other than finacially supporting the charities that helped us so they can provide future care for others.

Mark however, has been more proactive and has become a Mental Health Ambasador at work and has become heavily involved in the forming of a Baby Loss Support Network at work. The purpose of the network is to support employees who have lost a child and to support those who are managers of such employees. Through this network, Mark has used Samson's story as a case study, recording videos to help people who need support or who are supporting others. Every workplace should have initiatives like these as I am sure, like many others, neither Mark nor my return to work was managed very well by our line managers.

As I write these posts, I am hopeful that they are starting to affect my community, not necessarily because you have been through a loss although I'm sure that some of you have. I would like with them to help raise the profile of baby loss, create more awareness, knowledge & understanding of the kind of thoughts, feelings & emotions that are involved. For those that support anyone in loss, please understand that 'We' don't ask for help, but we do accept it & appreciate it. Even if we don't say so at the time.

Each loss is different, and each bereaved parent reacts in their own way. There is no right way to do things.

I have three hopes for the future:

1) I hope to provide support to anyone who needs it in any way I can. To listen, to understand, to talk, to cry, to hug.

2) I hope to share Samson's memory as far and wide as I can. (So far, it has gone as far as France in a bottle)

3) I hope to raise awareness of Baby Loss.

Thank you to everyone who has read, commented and messaged me during this week. Your acknowledgement and support means more than I can describe ❤️

👋 Come and 'Say hello' in one of our classes with a warm and welcoming atmosphere

📷 Make memories that last a lifetime

💚 Meet other parents from around the same area.

💛 Learn ways to help and aid your babies development

⚖️ Weighing scales available at all sessions

🚗 Free onsite parking at all venues

Our ☔️ Rain Term ☔️ starts tomorrow and it's never too late to join. This term, we are off to visit Old McDonalds Farm🚜, join on a Teddy Bears Picnic🧸, checking out Refections🪞 and much, much more.

Mondays - Aveley Football Club, RM15 4PX
Wednesdays - Whitmore Hall, RM16 3DB
Thursday - Drake Community Hall, RM16 6BZ
Fridays - South Hornchurch Community Hall, RM13 7RD

If your preferred class is waitlisted, please join and add your details to the waiting list. Also, please consider an alternative venue for this current term. All venues are no more than 25 minutes apart. We hate for babies to miss out on some of the magical sessions we have this term.

Our 🎃Pumpkin Parties🎃 also have 3 spaces remaining if you would like to join us for a (non scary) introduction to Halloween and the lovely autumnal time of year.

For more information, please visit www.babysensory.com/thurrock

#

BLAW24 - Day 5 Looking after partners

I owe this man my life, I would not have survived our experiences without him. It doesn't mean that he doesn't drive me crazy at times (most of the time, in fact),but this man is my rock. 

Both Mark & I deal with our grief in different ways. Immediately, I tried to immerse myself in work, falling apart behind the scenes. Mark would have to pick me up off the floor daily, hold me while I cried for my loss, my emptiness, my physical & emotional pain. All the while, he stayed strong.

For months, I could not be away from him. Then came the days when I was feeling better. On those days, Mark started to struggle. Mark's hardest thing was there was nothing to attribute our loss to. There was no blame, there was no logical reason why it happened. Samson was delivered at 21+3 weeks, a perfect baby boy, ten fingers, ten toes & so cute, but he was not recorded. In the eyes of society, he did not exist. We had a naming ceremony in the hospital led by a priest to give Samson that time & a place in history. As of 9.10.24, we have now been able to apply for a Certificate of Baby Loss, I can not tell you what this means to us.

Originally, we both had councilling & we started to manage our grief. What I didn't know was that Mark was holding back. I remember sitting in 1 session, listening to Mark, my heart breaking again with love & a flood of guilt that I had been so wrapped up in me, I had neglected him. The pain that he felt watching me go through the procedure, holding me down while I cried, comforting me, watching the monitor so Samson was not alone.

After the procedure,we had to wait over 10 hours for a bed. Unfortunately, the room was on the day unit. When the door opened, all we could hear was the sound of babies'hearts being monitored. Mark spent the day making me laugh, making me comfortable, keeping me calm.

We found a mantra at the beginning of this process. With time on our hands, we watched every single Rocky film.
'1 step, 1 punch, 1 round at a time.'
We have both used this to support each other over the years & continue to use it to tackle whatever life throws at us. (Now all I need to do is learn how to punch!)

BLAW Day 4 - Looking after siblings

As Samson was our first, we did not have the heartbreak of telling an older brother or sister that he was too sick for this world, I can not begin to imagine how hard that must be.

Roman is now 6, and Willow is 4. They both know they have an older brother. They both talk about him openly. There are times they will mention him out of the blue, which can leave me struggling to keep the tears under control. On Fridays, they get a treat on the way home from school. Last night, they had ice creams. On the way to the ice cream man, Roman said. "Mummy, if Samson was here, you'd have to carry 3 scooters."

We have several pictures around the house of Samson, along with a little area dedicated to him in our lounge. I'm not sure how to write this without it sounding like a shrine, but I guess it is in its own way. To me, it's one of the places that is Samson's in our family home. He will never have his own room so he can have the side board. A lot of things end up on that side board during the day, so most days, you will hear Mark or I say, 'It's on Samson's side board'.

One thing I have yet to find words to explain to Roman is that without losing Samson, Roman would not exist. In 2017, I faced my first Mother's Day one month after losing Samson. Stupidly, I went to work.

In 2018, on Mother's Day at 8:53am, Roman was born, having been conceived around Samson's actual June due date. I find comfort in these dates: Was it fate, a gift, or both?

Samson is not a taboo subject in our family, yes it can be painful at times, sometimes explaining things further to a young child is hard but that pain means he existed and sharing his story helps to keep his memory alive and helps spread his story.

Each year, as a family, we celebrate the anniversary we bought Samson into the world. It is a time for us to get together with our immediate family and remember him.

Day 3 BLAW 2024 - looking after those who provide care & support & those on the front line.

Our lives have been touched by so many amazing people & Charities, below are just a few that helped us, but there are lots more.

We were so lucky to have the amazing support of the bereavement midwives at Queens Hospital, especially Claire. We met her for the first time on the day of Samson's delivery. She returned to the hospital, having finished her shift just to see us. She spent hours with us, telling us everything we needed to know.

For our subsequent pregnancies, she was there to hold my hand & support us. When we got worrying new with Willow, she was there. She has a power over me that I can not explain, she can walk into a room & I instantly feel calm, for that I am eternally grateful.

Cherished Gowns: This charity creates outfits of various sizes that will fit babies from as little as 16 weeks gestation. For us, it meant that Samson had a beautiful Cardigan, hat & angel pocket blanket to rest in. This allowed us to cuddle, hold & spend time with our beautiful little man. My own wedding dress has since been made into 16 outfits for other resting babies.

Remember my Baby is a charity of volunteer photographers who visit hospitals, take pictures, edit them & return them on a USB for no cost. Those pictures are a precious link to his memory with us and our family our family.

4Louis for us provided a memory box filled with so many items. For us the most important items inside were a book; Guess How Much I Love You (the only book we read to Samson), 2 identical teddys (one was sent with him & one is in our lounge), the means to take hand and foot prints (these prints can now be found tattooed on Marks leg).

Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC): They helped to make us feel less alone.

West and Co Funeral Directors: We weren't going to have a funeral, but after meeting Jamie, his experties, advice & guidance were beyond words. A few days after meeting, he rang & politely asked Mark if he could make the funeral more formal & lead it himself. From the music he picked to the poem he read. It was perfect.

To everyone that helped us. Thank you 🥰

In 2021, the idea around today's post was looking after yourself.

The phrase "Hindsight is a wonderful thing." When we lost Samson, I felt the only way to survive was to act 'normal'. On the 8th February 2017 we had our 20 week Scan where the news was not good. On the 17th of February, Samson was put at rest. On the 18th of February, we delivered him into the world. We had a funeral for him on the 24th, and I returned to work on the 27th . . . . Way too soon.

As we struggled with our emotions and feelings, I also struggled with not letting anyone else down. There was no reason for Samson's conditions other than 'bad luck'. However, I felt like a failure. I didn't want to feel any more failure, so I got up, got dressed, and went to work.

In 2021, when we were expecting Willow, we underwent the same tests and worries as with Samson, only this time a different outcome. But then the pandemic hit. Our physical support network was gone. I struggled to adjust to the wants and needs of 2 children confined to home. The feelings I had been in control of soon crept back. Most days, I felt that I had failed at being a mum, a wife, and myself. What I missed most was being able to have a cup of tea with an outside adult and talk. 

Family members have said, "Why not call and talk?" I promise it's not the same. Being in the presence of someone allows conversation to flow. They can see your reactions and struggles. To lift a phone and start that conversation with someone who should already be aware of my feelings as they lived through it all with us is hard.

It took until Willow was 5 months for me to feel strong enough to lift the phone, make a Dr's appointment, and tell a relative stranger I needed help. It was so hard to have those first conversations, but I instantly felt proud of the achievement and a weight lifted.

Today, I am so proud of who I am and what I have achieved. We all have good days and bad. The grief never leaves and the self-doubt will always remain, but I do believe everything happens for a reason. Samson gave us a love we can not describe, a relationship that is so strong and more recently for me he taught me to appreciate & believe in myself.🩵

Today was a massive day for lots of people. Within 14 days, we should receive a certificate that acknowledges Samson was a person and existed. This was one of the hardest things in the days following Samson delivery. In the eye of the country, he did not exist. We did not have a death certificate. We had nothing to say he was even here.

Today, it has been announced that Baby Loss Certificates are now available in England to anyone who has experienced a loss before 24 weeks or 28 weeks. If the loss was before October 1992.

The certificates were previously available for losses after September 2018. This is a welcome announcement for those who have been waiting for dates to be extended.

Visit
https://www.gov.uk/request-baby-loss-certificate if you have lost and would like to apply for a certificate 🥰

Today is the first day of Baby Loss Awareness week 2024.

In 2021,one of the charities that supported us with our loss had a theme for each day, which allowed me to structure what I wrote about. By following the daily theme and writing a post, I unconsciously helped others find the strength to reach out for help or talk about their loss. I would like to follow the themes of 2021 this year in the hope that what post helps or supports others.

Today, I want to start with an introduction to the week and the theme of 'Wellbeing'.

When we talk about wellbeing, it is not just about looking after yourself at the time of loss or the days after. it's during the weeks, months, and years that follow too. Something you see, touch, smell, or hear can take you back in time to any number of memories, happy or sad. Looking after your wellbeing is a constant must, which we as a family have discovered.

In 2017,Termination for a Medical Reason (TFMR) was not widely publicised. When reading supportive materials privided by the hospital and online,we felt that we didn't fit into any of the categories listed. This actually led us to think,'Can we be sad for a decision that we made?' or 'Are we allowed to grieve' among other things. I am relieved that today, the stigma is being reduced, and parents who go through this discussion and feelings are able to reach out more easily to those in similar situations.

Our subsequent pregnancies were not always straightforward; particularly having Willow during a global pandemic was another test we faced as a family. It brought up a lot of emotions and feelings that I thought I had under control........it turns out I did not.

In 2021, I accepted, acknowledged, and made positive steps to manage my anxiety disorder and PTSD which when looking back, stems from my 1st pregnancy and the hardest decision we hopefully ever had to make.

No matter how, when, or why a baby is lost. The pain is immense, but sadly, YOU are not alone ❤

Thank you to all of you who reached out to us yesterday to share your stories and show your support. We are always here whenever you might need us 🥰

In 2016, my husband Mark and I found out we were expecting our first baby. At 12 weeks, we found out the risk of Downs was very high. At 20 weeks, we learnt of many other complications our little baby was suffering from. At 21 weeks 3 days, we heartbreakingly had a Termination for Medical Reason (TFMR). We delivered our sleeping baby into the world on the 18th of February 2017.

Our world stopped spinning.

Samson's story is a long one, filled with heartache, comfort, fate, laughter, tears, and so much love. I shared some of his story in 2021, but it's a big story to share. By sharing his story, one of my aims was to help someone else in need.

In 2018, after Roman was born, I met my first mummy friend at Baby Sensory. She was the first person to ask about our story, to listen to it completely, to ask questions, even the hard ones. I lost regular contact with her after a couple of years until 2022 when she contacted me as she was having to make the same heartbreaking decision. Fate meant that I was able to give her understanding and support that she needed. For that I am entirely grateful.

I love to share Samson's story as it keeps his memory alive. If anyone every has a question or needs to talk, please know we are here to listen and support you. Always.

In 2021, the themed posts for tomorrow was all about an introduction to the week and wellbeing.

This week in class, we will be running our Sleep Tight session. We chose this session as it includes beautiful music, lullabies, and bonding activities for babies and adults. It will take babies on a journey through a rainbow and above the stars.

This week, we will also see the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week, which will start on the 9th of October and finish on15th of October.

Baby Loss Awareness Week 2024 is a week-long event dedicated to breaking the silence surrounding pregnancy and infant loss. It provides a platform for individuals and families to share their experiences, raise awareness, and offer support to one another.

Baby Loss Awareness Week was established in the United Kingdom in 2002 by a group of charities, including SANDS the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society, and Bliss the special care baby charity. Since then, it has grown into an international event, with countries around the world participating in raising awareness and offering support to families affected by baby loss.

The week includes the global “Wave of Light” event on October 15th, where people light candles at 7pm in memory of babies who have died, creating a symbolic wave of light across different time zones.

In 2021, one of the charities that supported us with our loss had a daily theme. It told a snippet of our story. Over this week, I would like to share these with you.

To all our parents past, present and future. We are always here to listen, comfort and support you.

❤️Voted the Best Baby Class for babies aged 0-13 months in Essex for the past 11 years.

💙Come and Say Hello 👋 in one of our unique and original Baby Sensory®️ Classes.

💜Our ☔️Rain Term☔️ starts from the 14th of October and will run until the end of November.

🩵Our classes are designed around 35+ years' worth of experience and research to develop and design activities for parents and babies. Many of which you can recreate at home.

🩷We offer a complete sensory experience with our activities and experiences varying weekly.

💚We are open to all caregivers, not just Mums. Why not bring your partner along with you.

Monday Aveley Classes
Aveley Football Club, RM15 4PX
1 hour Sensory with Exploratory Play

Wednesdays Orsett Classes,
Whitmore Hall, RM16 3DB
45 minute Sensory only

Thursday Gray's Classes
Drake Hall Community Centre, RM16 6BZ
45 minute Sensory only

Friday Rainham Classes
South Hornchurch Community Hall, RM13 7RD
1 hour Sensory with Exploratory play

🤍Why not make use of our trial offer. Try 3 classes for the cost of 2. Then receive 5% off the rest of the term when you extend your booking.

🩶For more information and to book your place, visit www.babysensory.com/thurrock

💛Check us out on our social media to stay up to date with our adventures;

https://www.facebook.com/BabySensoryThurrockandHavering/

www.instagram.com/babysensorythurrockandrainham

To celebrate babies first Halloween, we will be running 3 special weekend 'Baby Pumpkin Parties' on Saturday 26th of October at Orsett Village Hall, RM16 3HB.

Parties will start at 11 am, 12:30 pm or 2pm and will cost £15.

What's included:

🎃 1 hour class with use of our extended Exploratory Play Area

🎃 Entry for 2 adults plus baby

🎃 Drinks and snacks

🎃 Siblings welcome (Please message Claire directly so we can monitor numbers. Siblings must be able to sit with you during class and are not permitted to use the exploratory play area unless they are helping their siblings)

🎃 Professional Family and Pumpkin Patch Photography by our resident photographer Rai McClaren from R.McClaren Photography (photography will be available before, during, and after the class with prices starting from just £15)

🎃 A chance to win a FREE term of Baby Sensory 😱. What is Halloween without fancy dress? (adults, that means you, too!). Each baby that dresses up will be entered into our fancy dress contest. Last year, we had some amazing entries.

🎃Free parking

🎃Weighing facilitates

🎃 In class shop

Bookings are NOW open for all attending babies

Bookings will open for all tomorrow at 4pm