Raising Rascals

Can a baby have a vegan diet?

It’s January. Dry January for some, and Veganuary for many more. But what about vegan diets for your baby?

Here’s a few things you should know if you’re planning to raise your baby vegan:

🌱 If you want/need to use formula, the alternative to cow’s milk would be soy-based, but you should check with a health care professional if you’re considering using it
🌱 Soy-based formulas are often marketed as vegetarian as they contain vitamin D from sheep wool. According to First Steps Nutrition Trust there are no vegan-friendly formulas available in the UK
🌱 From around 6 months when you introduce solid foods to your baby, they can get all the nutrients they need from a vegan diet if you make sure they’re getting a wide variety of foods
🌱 Iron and zinc from vegan foods can have low absorption rates, so make sure you offer plenty. Iron absorption can be increased by offering alongside foods rich in vitamin C
🌱For meal inspiration check out – all meals can be adapted to a vegan diet

Read the full blog post here https://www.raisingrascals.co.uk/blog/can-a-baby-have-a-vegan-diet

New year, new you… pah!

If you’re a new parent the challenges of returning to exercise can be all too real, at any time of the year.

Here’s a few tips and recommendations:

💪🏻 If you’re postpartum consider getting a Mummy MOT
💪🏻 ‘Burst & starts’ of exercise like planking through tummy time all count
💪🏻 Sweaty Mama for fun & effective workouts that allow you to exercise with your baby
💪🏻 CARiFiT for online babywearing workouts - great for working parents to exercise and bond with their baby at the same time
💪🏻FLY Mama are another wonderful online platform supporting mums through movement and matrescence (think adolescence but becoming a mum) beyond just fitness
💪🏻 Research in to any form of exercising and movement with your little ones is quite patchy and trainers are not regulated so the best you can do is trust your instincts, listen to your baby and work with someone you trust

Read the full blog post here https://www.raisingrascals.co.uk/blog/new-year-new-you-pah

Baby it’s cold outside. Wrap up warm, but not too warm.

Here are some tips from our blog on dressing baby for the cold without overheating:

❄️Layering – look at what you’re wearing and add a base layer for baby
❄️Natural fibre clothing is best for temperature regulation
❄️Take off hats indoors
❄️Keep the pramsuit for the pram, avoid thick layers in the car
❄️When using a carrier, you and the carrier act as extra layers
❄️Socks under sleepsuit at night can help with sleep onset

Read the full blog post here https://www.raisingrascals.co.uk/blog/baby-its-cold-outside

Research shows that being creative is restorative, and you don’t need to be a skilled artist to be creative. Parenting is hard work and can take up a lot of space in our heads. On all our courses we offer complementary creative activities so you can find space for yourself and feel the benefits.

Our founder Sam lives in the Holme Valley with her husband Rich. They’re raising their rascals Frankie & Ralph. She’s combined her own experiences of parenting with OCN level 4 Maternity Nurse Training to create Raising Rascals.

https://www.raisingrascals.co.uk/about

We run three courses tailored by age. Courses consist of six parenting circles sharing evidence based research and allowing for structured discussion on common topics such as feeding, sleep and introducing solids.

Our courses support you right from the rookie days when you’re all just figuring out what’s going on, continue to guide you when you find your groove and get on a roll (quite literally for your baby!) and empower you when your radicals just keep on growing and going!

https://www.raisingrascals.co.uk/courses

Navigating the realities of parenthood.

Evidence based parenting circles for new and expectant families in the Holme Valley.

If you’re a new parent or expecting your first baby then Raising Rascals is here for you. There’s often so much focus on birth that parents are left feeling bewildered when their new baby arrives. We run courses from our pop-up cafe in Holmfirth. Weekly circles will equip you with the knowledge you need to parent confidently.

Navigate to our website to learn more.