Birth of a Parent

Dr Luke Beardon is a Senior Lecturer in Autism at Sheffield Hallam University and an Award winning Author. He will be discussing the topic of his upcoming book around avoiding Autistic anxiety in adults.

Join us for this 45 minute webinar, with 15 min live Q&A (recording available after the event).

FULLY FUNDED TICKETS AVAILABLE TO APUK MEMBERS

Membership includes:
1. Being a member of our Autistic parents (parents who are Autistic) only Facebook group.
2. Being a member of our website.
3. Being an Autistic parent living in the UK (tickets will be confirmed after contact is made with us by email)

Professional Tickets
You do not have to be a professional to purchase this ticket. An attendance certificate will be given after the event.

Donations & Payments will be spent on paying speakers for our events which will always be free for Autistic parents in the UK. The recording will be made available to ticket holders after the event.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/avoiding-anxiety-in-autistic-adults-with-dr-luke-beardon-tickets-161078324605

A great resource for Autistic people during pregnancy.

The First Trimester of Pregnancy [Video approx 10 mins long - Transcript below] The first 12 weeks of pregnancy (counting from the first day of the last menstrual cycle) is called the first-trimester. It is most often the time when the pregnancy is discovered. Many people experience a wide range of physical and emotional changes. S...

Reiterating again-- any individual who chooses or needs to formula feed is just fine by me.

The manufacturers and their more than slightly dubious practises and advertising however are another thing!

First Steps Nutrition and Prof Amy Brown have done more research highlighting more issues with common advertising tactics in the UK.

Formula milk advertising: Widely seen & still confusing families Advertising is everywhere. Many of us accept it simply as part of life. But what about when it’s misleading, costly and affects our decisions around how we feed the youngest members in society? The $7 billion spent globa...

Resting your body, healing, cuddling in bed, and taking time to bond with your baby are the most important things to do in those first weeks postpartum.

Whenever I talk about Oxytocin I talk about that rush of love you experience with your partner. The feeling that drove you to conceive together, live together, love together.

Most people giggle.

I hope you love each other. I hope your baby was conceived from a place of love. If not (and even if you do) I hope your baby gives you that rush of love and carries on giving it to you every day for the rest of your life.

"I love you as much as I love my plants"

Posted • I love you just as much as I love my plants.

This 30 minute yoga class is suitable for pregnancy, postnatally and beyond

How has your day gone so far?

Breakfast down yet?
A shower?

What's next? Work? Kids? Shopping?

Why don't you give yourself something to look forward to? An satisfying stretch and release with me tonight? 20 minutes of invigorating asanas and 10 minutes of soothing relaxation. 6.30pm on Zoom.

Book here- https://bookwhen.com/elementalbirthyoga =ev-s54d-20201012183000

• • • • • •
For the Lockdown Babies. ~
"Sure you were only a baby" I'll tell her when she asks,
About that time in photographs when everyone wore masks.
"You don't remember the chaos when the world was forced to rest."
"You had all you needed in my arms and at my breast" ~
"You never even noticed" I'll tell her then I'll say, "I held you as the weeks went by, we took it day by day"
"We were safe and happy, right where we needed to be".
"I fed you snuggled in my arms, protecting you was key".
~
"You were only a tiny baby" I'll tell her and explain,
Why so many people were afraid, anxious and in pain.
"It wasn't always easy, those isolating newborn days,
But feeding you flooded me with love, got me through the haze". ~
"You were a lockdown baby" I'll tell her when it's time,
"I was your whole world back then, just as you were mine",
"And now, though it's just a memory, I still smile when I see,
A rainbow in a window, put there for you and me."

Grainne Evans

This is a really common concern. The start of introducing solids should be about experiencing new tastes and textures. It should be about learning how foods feel, taste and smell.

It does not need to be about getting huge amounts into your baby. It should be a gradual transition from a milk diet to a family diet. And milk should still be the main part.

Breast milk doesn't suddenly change and not become enough for your baby. It still offers plenty of nutrients and energy - alongside immune boosting factors.

Introducing solids isn't about hunger. Breast or formula milk is still one of the most energy dense foods you can give your baby. But by around six months, a baby's stores of nutrients such as iron and zinc are starting to run lower, which is why starting to move your baby onto a family diet is important.

But there's no rush*. Whilst I don't really agree with the phrase 'food before one is just for fun' as it could be interpreted that food and eating might not be important, I'd say 'food before one is mainly about learning' - learning to make the transition, learning about how foods feel and taste and learning to join in with family meals.

Oh and learning how to make a mess. Sorry 😆

*As always - unless your baby has been diagnosed with a growth or other health issue and you've had alternative medical advice

Ramadan Kareem!

Tomorrow is the first day of Ramadan in the UK. If you're a breastfeeding mum, your body will continue to produce breastmilk for your baby, even if you choose to fast. However, the Quran does exempt you from fasting while breastfeeding if you would prefer - instead, you can make up the fast at another time, or alternatively pay fidyah (feed a person in need).

If you are fasting, some mums find that it helps to change the order of the day around, so that you are resting more in the day and resuming other activities in the evening (although of course this may not always be possible).

If you need more info about fasting, have a look at the following links with information from Dr. Zakir Naik, or give the National Breastfeeding Helpline a call on 0300 100 0212 if you want to talk.

https://youtu.be/I_dXl381lOo
https://youtu.be/wdeFQZ8p4rk

***FREE STRETCHY WRAPS***

Monday 1st April (we're not joking!)
11.30-12.30
Thimblemill Library, Bearwood

Free New Parents Sling Meet

Almost all babies can be carried in a stretchy wrap from the day they are born (please do check in with me if you/baby have any medical considerations, baby is born premature or has a low birth weight).

Carrying helps facilitate attachment, breastfeeding, reduces crying, can help regulate baby's breathing and temperature and using a sling/carrier can leave your hands free to play with an older child making life a whole lot easier.

❤ 37 week bumps to 6 week old babies
❤ 4 weeks of free hire
❤ Be shown how to use it in a group setting
❤ Return after 4 weeks OR
❤ Hire for 8 more weeks for £10
❤ Bring it back for a discounted brand new one
❤ Deposit/proof of address required

Booking essential (don't want to run out of wraps!)
https://goo.gl/forms/ziRP6RvOUZi7OLOz1

A brilliant offer - free hire of a stretchy wrap and support to carry your baby from The Happy Sling Lady!

***NEXT MONDAY - 4th February***

One week to go until the first 2019 session of our FREE stretchy wrap hire scheme in Birmingham alongside the New Parents Network Birmingham.

Booking essential (don't want to run out of wraps!) https://goo.gl/forms/ziRP6RvOUZi7OLOz1

Please share with your pregnant friends!

Almost all babies can be carried in a stretchy wrap from the day they are born (please do check in with us if you/baby have any medical considerations, baby is born premature or has a low birth weight).

Carrying helps facilitate attachment, breastfeeding, reduces crying, can help regulate baby's breathing and temperature and using a sling/carrier can leave your hands free to play with an older child making life a whole lot easier.

❤ 37 week bumps to 6 week old babies
❤ 4 weeks of free hire
❤ Be shown how to use it in a group setting
❤ Return after 4 weeks OR
❤ Hire for 8 more weeks for £10
❤ Bring it back for a discounted brand new one
❤ Deposit/proof of address required

There are a lot of practical ways to support your baby's gut health, such as skin to skin contact immediately after birth.

This short online course from experienced antenatal educator, Bridget Supple, is a fantastic resource giving lots of great information on your baby's microbiome.

Getting good microbes at birth and in infancy can result in lifelong better health. All parents and parents-to-be need to know about the Microbiome!
Take our short course today to help set your baby up for life:
https://babysmicrobiome.teachable.com/p/seeding-baby-s-microbiome

Baby massage is a lovely way to soothe, calm and bond with your baby.
Our NCT Baby Massage course can help build your confidence and understanding of this relaxation technique while meeting other mums in your area. Our next course starts on Monday 26 February at 10.30am. Contact Julia at [email protected] to book your place now.or see
https://www.nct.org.uk/course/32859902

NCT Baby Massage course in Sutton Coldfield Branch for babies 8 weeks old to crawling - 6D/C2227 NCT Baby Massage is our new postnatal course, designed to build your confidence and understanding of this relaxation technique.

A 5 week Baby Massage course starting in February at Haden Cross Fire Station, Cradley Heath. Up to 90% discount available dependent on income.

We still have places available on our next Baby Massage course (starting February 2016 in Cradley Heath). Our Baby Massage courses will give you an opportunity to learn a sequence of baby massage strokes that you can use at home or out and about, to suit you and your baby. Massage is one way to connect with your baby and studies have shown that it may help with improving bonding and attachment, enabling better communication between you and your baby and improving your baby's sleep. Anyone can attend (parent, grandparent or carer) and you will need to bring your baby with you! Your baby should have had their 6 - 8 week health check prior to you attending the course.The cost for one parent/carer to attend with baby is £47 (5 week course). Generous discounts of up to 90% for those with a combined household income less than £28,190. For more information, or to book, please contact Zoe on 0208 752 2489 or email [email protected] or see https://www.nct.org.uk/course/25961332

Are you expecting a baby in March or April next year? Do you live near Birmingham City Centre? The NCT Essentials Antenatal Course in the Jewellery Quarter is a wonderful chance to meet other local expectant parents and prepare for your new arrival.
For further information or to book your place, click on the link below

NCT Essentials antenatal course in Birmingham Central Branch for March to April babies -... NCT is the UK's largest parenting charity. Every year we support thousands of mums and dads from all backgrounds, providing information, counselling and more.

NCT Stourbridge & Halesowen Sling Library will be opening its doors on Monday 6th October. It is a great chance to get advice on carrying your baby, to try out a variety of different slings and to meet local parents. I've also heard that there will be cake ;)

There are still a few spaces available on the November NCT Essentials course in the Jewellery Quarter, This course is for parents expecting in January and February 2015. Please see the link for further details :)

NCT Essentials antenatal course in Birmingham Central Branch for January and February babies -... NCT is the UK's largest parenting charity. Every year we support thousands of mums and dads from all backgrounds, providing information, counselling and more.

Are you expecting a baby in November or December? The NCT Essentials Antenatal Course is a wonderful chance to meet other local expectant parents and prepare for your new arrival, if you're a first time parent, or expecting your 2nd, 3rd or 4th baby...
For further information or to book your place, click on the link below

NCT Essentials antenatal course in Stourbridge and Halesowen Branch for November and December... NCT is the UK's largest parenting charity. Every year we support thousands of mums and dads from all backgrounds, providing information, counselling and more.

Calling all Mums, Dads, Grandparents... Stourbridge & Halesowen NCT needs YOU!
Getting involved and volunteering with NCT is lots of fun! As a volunteer you can meet new friends, gain new skills and help to raise vital funds. We have volunteer vacancies in various roles including Nearly New Sale Coordinator, Fundraising Coordinator, General Enquiries Contact and Electronic Newsletter Editor. There's something for everyone, even if you only have a small amount of time to offer and support is always given by the team. If you'd like to find out more information about getting involved please email [email protected]

Did you know that NCT offer online parenting courses for parents and carers during the postnatal period and beyond?
See the link below for details:

NCT Parent sessions | NCT NCT parent sessions are your opportunity to explore your role as a parent, and gain confidence in your parenting abilities.

NCT offer an excellent postnatal course called Early Days; which offers new parents support during their transition to parenthood, a chance to meet new people and make friends.
See below for details on the next course in Halesowen.

Early Days (postnatal) course in Stourbridge and Halesowen Branch for May, June and July babies... NCT is the UK's largest parenting charity. Every year we support thousands of mums and dads from all backgrounds, providing information, counselling and more.

Are you an expectant parent living in Stourbridge, Halesowen or Dudley area? There is just two weeks until the NCT Speed Bumps event for mums and dads-to-be on Tuesday 8th July, 8-10pm at Belbroughton Church Hall.
Meet members of the NCT branch team, chat to other parents and find out what's on offer from local service providers. Tickets are £3 (admits 2) and booking's essential. Please share and tell your pregnant friends!

There is still one place left on this July NCT Essentials course, running in Halesowen, for September and October babies.
Please follow the link for further details.

NCT Essentials antenatal course in Stourbridge and Halesowen Branch for September and October... NCT is the UK's largest parenting charity. Every year we support thousands of mums and dads from all backgrounds, providing information, counselling and more.

Any expectant parents in Stourbridge, Halesowen or Dudley on here? If so this event is for you :)