Motherhood

How To Talk About Race With Your Child – Inclusive Children’s Books

I Stand In Solidarity With The Black Community.

Recent events have sparked conversations that need to be out in the open. Therefor I thought it would be good for me to share with you all how we talk about race at home, what we read to our toddler, what we are watching when we are allowing screen time and other useful resources.

Nza is 19 months and loves to be read to, of course she also loves screen time, we try and minimise that to an average of 1 hour or less a day. This is flexible as we watch more on rainy days…

Inclusive books notetoiris

An excellent resource for parents:

Are your kids to young to talk about race?

Kids talk about race notetoiris

Book shops

Of course, where you can, please visit your local library or by secondhand books!

We have a lovely bookshop close to us: Moon Lane Ink, they also have an excellent YouTube channel where they read stories.

New Beacon Books specialises in African and African-Caribbean literature, they are based in London.

Sankofa Read Aloud – Online African American Children’s Stories read aloud.

Black Well Oxford have book stores but also have a great eBay account featuring lots of inclusive books.

Children’s books written by authors from African descent

My Hair by Hannah Lee

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry (which was originally an Oscar-winning short film)
Tiana Eat Up! by Akitoye Sunday
I Am Enough and I Believe I Can by Grace Byers
Dream Big Little Leaders written & illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow illustrated by Ebony Glenn
Grandad Mandela by Zindzi Mandela, Zazi Mandela, Ziwelene Mandela illustrated by Sean Qualls
Saturday and Thank you, Omu! by Oge Mora
Hands Up by Brenna J. McDaniel illustrated byShane W. Evans
Girl of Mine by Jabari Asim illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons illustrated by
Another written and illustrated by Christian Robinson
The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S. K. Ali illustrated by Hatem Aly

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
My Daddy Doesn’t Need a Cape by Sheryl Smiley-Oliphant
Welcome To the Party by Gabrielle Union illustrated by Ashley Evans
My Hair is a Garden written and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera

Picture books celebrating Black Fathers and Black Father-Figures.

RESOURCES FOR MULTICULTURAL BOOKS

The Brown Bookshelf: http://www.thebrownbookshelf.com/
We Need Diverse Books: https://diversebooks.org/
Just Us Books: http://justusbooks.com/
Lee & Low: http://www.leeandlow.com/
Helping Kids Rise: https://www.helpingkidsrise.org
Black Children’s Books & Authors: http://bcbooksandauthors.com/
Here Wee Read: http://hereweeread.com/
EyeSeeMe: http://www.eyeseeme.com
The Conscious Kid: https://www.theconsciouskid.org/
Cynsations: https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/cynsations/
CBC Diversity: http://www.cbcdiversity.com/
Cinco Puntos Press: http://www.cincopuntos.com/
American Indians in Children’s Literature: http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/
Cooperative Children’s Book Center: http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/
Social Justice Books: https://socialjusticebooks.org/
Crazy Quilt Edi: http://campbele.wordpress.com/
Diversity in YA: http://www.diversityinya.com/
Sweet Honey Child Book Club: http://sweethoneychildbookclub.tumblr.com/

Inclusive children’s books by non-Black authors

It’s important to know if the author is or isn’t of African descent as the story might be less authentic or feel stereotypical instead of it being a personal story. These books might also be more supported already, they might have bigger publishers in some cases, so please first try and support the above list and than the list below.

Last Stop On Market Street by Matt de la Pena illustrated by Christian Robinson
My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan
Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention by Pip Jones
Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne
Off to the Beach by Childs Play
Earth Hour A Lights-Out Event for Our Planet by Nanette Heffernan illustrated by Bao Luu
Lola Goes to School by Anna McQuinn illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson
When’s My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano

This is an ongoing list, last updated 22 June 2020, please comment if you have any suggestions! 🙂

June 3, 2020

Baby Motherhood

What My Vegan Toddler Eats (Examples with Pictures)

written by notetoiris

Toddler eats. Where do I begin? Our little girl simply loves breastmilk and she is in no rush to explore solid food. I breastfed her all through our wedding, which was both beautiful and tiring.

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Breastfeeding makes me sleepy as it is, breastfeeding while getting married made me want to nap, not entertain 😴 This is also why I wore a dress with straps, not sleeves… We are now almost 4 months into our exclusively on demand breastfeeding journey and so far so good! Sure the first week was painfully sore and the second week I was tearful hoping it wouldn’t stay so sensitive but I persisted. I did so looking into my baby’s eyes giving her a smile while I was crying on the inside 🙃 I often compare breastfeeding to learning to play guitar. You need to put in the hours, work until you almost bleed and toughen up 😄 Also watch what I eat and make sure I eat lots and drink enough water! This includes lots of fruit, veg and a prenatal vitamin. . Fed is best! I realise I’m lucky to be spending full time with Nza while some mamas need to go back to work. I’m happy though I can continue our breastfeeding journey and hopefully until she decides no more is needed 🙏🏼 • • • #breastfeeding #fedisbest #wedding #family #postpartum #motherhood #plantbased #sustainable #vegan #veganpregnancy #veganmum #veganbaby #love #lowimpact #newmum #London

A post shared by Iris Cohen | notetoiris.com (@notetoiris) on Mar 25, 2019 at 9:43am PDT

As long as you make sure everything is:

Cut in appropriate sizes,
Large pips are removed,
and you eat next to them,

you can let your toddler safely explore solid food.

She has come on leaps and bounds and now eats whatever we are eating, cut in to appropriate sizes.

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Happy January and therefor happy Veganuary! If you are starting your vegan journey, detoxing with more veg in your meals, or just plant curious, this @weareveganuary I’m going to post a new plant based recipe each day! ✨🌱 Hopefully this will inspire you to incorporate more plants 🌶🥦🥒🍋🍆 . Today I’m going to share my favourite recipe for eating curly kale raw. Yes it’s bitter on its own and the texture is pretty tough. That’s why mixing it with cooked sweet potato, and leaving it to soak up some of the moister and flavours, it softens, carrying the sweetness and spices very well. It holds a good texture, unlike other salad leaves 🍃 You can also make this in advance or make a big batch and have leftovers the next day 🍠🥬 Link in bio ✨ We are back in London now and this dish brings some much needed colour and heat into our lives 🔥 #veganeveryday #veganuary #veganuary2020 #plantbased #veganshare #crueltyfree #tryvegan #eatplants #veganlife #freerecipe #recipe #feedfeed #easyvegan #cleaneating #kalesalad #vegan

A post shared by Iris Cohen | notetoiris.com (@notetoiris) on Jan 1, 2020 at 6:49am PST

This is a really useful Instagram account for vegan toddler eats.

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Hands up🙌🏼 for creating balanced meals ⁣ ⁣ "I don't want to worry if the diet I am feeding to my toddler is balanced or not" — a vegan mom interested in my coaching program shared this with me. Her goal was to feel confident in feeding her toddler and as she continued to share with me what this might look like for her, I empathized with her. Because everything else that came after that reminded me of how much she wasn't alone. ⁣ ⁣ It's something I continue to hear from so many vegan moms just like you. ⁣ ⁣ This vegan mom I spoke with didn't want to feel worried anymore. She didn't want to second guess herself as to whether the meal she prepared to her toddler would or wouldn't meet his nutrient needs for proper growth. She wanted to feel confident in the meals she choose to feed her family and more importantly, confident to continue to raise her son on a vegan diet. ⁣ ⁣ Feeling worried about what you feed your infant, toddler, or child is a crummy feeling. It can bring stress and a sense of anxiety around what meal to prepare and what foods to even include. ⁣ ⁣ The truth is, you CAN and you WILL reach that point where you feel confident! And the best part about that is that you are certain that what you feed your vegan kids is appropriate to support their growth. ⁣ ⁣ If you're ready to learn how you can feel confident in feeding your kids well-balanced meals, ✨pre-order with link in bio✨ my digital Vegan Kids Cookbook. I share simple recipes that include plant foods that meet the key nutrients for your vegan kids to grow properly at each stage of growth. You'll also receive a 3-day meal plan + several bonuses to give you the tools you need to feel confident as a vegan mom and proud to represent compassion for animals🐼

A post shared by Karla Moreno-Bryce,MDA,RD,LD (@vegan.kids.nutrition) on Apr 3, 2020 at 7:11am PDT

and so is this one.

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This is an example of a balanced meal. When preparing a meal try to cover all those food groups: Grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, vegetables, and fruits! Remember to add vitamin c rich foods to iron rich foods. An easy one to remember that always works is lentils/beans with tomatoes! Perfect combo! Ingredients: Potatoes, romain lettuce, carrots, sunflower seeds, pecans, prunes, lentils, olive oil, spinach, tomatoes, onions, garlic, iodized salt, lemon juice —————————————————————————— #balancedmeal #veganmeal #vegandinner #veganlunch #kidslunch #plantbased #plantbasedjuniors #plantbasedkids

A post shared by Kids Go Vegan (@kidsgovegan) on Apr 23, 2020 at 9:19pm PDT

Nza Caribbean toddler food

Daddy and daughter sharing Nanabaa’s Caribbean dinner. At 13 months old.

Nza toddler breakfast blueberry pancakes

Spelt blueberry pancake with kiwi and chickpeas. At 15 months old.

Nza toddler dinner

Sweet potato pakora, bean stew, green peas, pomegranate seeds, and oranges. At 16 months old.

Vegan Toddler dinner

Broken up falafel, Jollof rice, coleslaw and low salty olives. At 17 months old.

Toddler dinner

Spelt penne, low salt olives, spelt bread, clementine, mango and blueberries. At 17 months old.

Toddler eats notetoiris

Courgetti with mashed avocado, green peas, quinoa and jollof rice, radish and cooked mushrooms. At 17 months old.

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🥜 Peanut butter and coconut bliss balls 🥥 All these ingredients can probably be found in most cupboards, these little power balls are simple and easy to make. You can add any nuts you have lying around, adding oats to bulk it up, dates and maple syrup for sweetness. Bring them on your daily exercise outing or binge them while in your day pj’s watching Netflix. At least if you’re in isolation you don’t have to share them 😆✨ Nza is a little fussy with eating, and a little slow. Her favourite foods often relate to her fine motor skills. Our little one loves picking up peas, chickpeas and any beans with her pincer grip. She is not a fan of sauces, especially tomato based sauces. Loves falafel and hummus but fruit is her favourite! She likes these peanut butter balls and that says a lot. So they are Nza approved, we had them on our daily walk in the park 🌿 Link in bio for the recipe 🥜🥥 #nuts #blissballs #vegan #rawvegan #bakeyourselfhappy #coconut #sweettreats #notetoiris #recipe #

A post shared by Iris Cohen | notetoiris.com (@notetoiris) on Apr 1, 2020 at 12:21am PDT

Nza also loves snacking, these peanut butter and coconut bliss balls are one of her favourites, the recipe you can find here.

May 8, 2020

Baby Motherhood

All You Need To Know About Cloth Nappies

written by notetoiris

This is what I learned using cloth nappies now for a year, I can definitely recommend it!

If you are feeling daunted by the thought of poonami nappies in cloth… The endless washing and folding than please, this post is for you especially. It really isn’t as bad as you might think.

Our baby is a toddler now, we have been using cloth nappies for almost a year and started at 6 weeks old. I wish we started earlier but I just needed a few weeks to adjust to motherhood and enjoy the time we had with Nza. Baby brain is real and I would have felt better if I was more prepared with my cloth nappy collection before the birth of my baby.

Playing with ‘wet bags’

Cloth nappies, inserts

This is a really useful chart showing you what is in your nappy. Comparing costs, leaks and absorption.

We are based in the UK and have a mixture of:

I got a combination of these brands to start and figure out which nappies I liked best. Turns out I like them all for different reasons.

TotsBots

The TotsBots Bamboozle nappies I love. They are super soakers and great for night time nappies, even as they get older. I didn’t find these great for when small baby is in the carrier (especially travelling long distance) because Nza’s bum would get a little sore, she didn’t stay dry enough in them. They are also lovely for indoors, when you don’t necessarily need to use a outer waterproof cover. Their PUL (waterproof cover) is made from recycled water bottles, which is a massive plus. The nappies are made from 90% bamboo and 10% microfibre.
TotsBots also do great packs & kits, TeenyFit tiny baby nappies, EasyFit All-In-Ones, and Swim nappies (I recommend getting size 2).

TotsBots Bamboozle nappy

Little Lamb

Little Lamb have amazing soft bamboo nappies that soak up a lot as well. Remember that bamboo fabric, although soaks up a lot, also retains a lot of water after washing so it takes longer to dry. They also have cloth versions. We got 5 pocket nappies (that you can stuff with your desired material) and I love these because they are plain and colourful + quick drying.

Little Lamb Nappy

Bambino Mio

I thought I would like these the most, as I got sold on all the cute patterns, but turns out I got bored of them very easily… They are velcro and are usually easy to use for newbies and might be good to use if baby is going to nursery.

The velcro can seem handy but the square tabs can sometimes catch on clothes, towels and other items. When your baby starts to explore, they might be successful in taking the nappy off, whereas with poppers that will be difficult/impossible.
These Miosolo All-In-One nappies are made with a microfibre insert, this will be okay for absorption of baby’s wees but not if you have a heavy wetter/toddler. By that time you’ll also need to purchase added inserts/boosters.
Bambino Mio also have Mioduo two-piece nappies and sets which will be a cheaper option.

Also widely available at Aldi and Sainsbury’s, which is a plus, as other cloth nappies can only be ordered online.

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My life has never been more colourful 💛 . Cloth nappies… after a month of dipping in and out, we’ve finally got it down 💩 Through a combination of different all-in-ones, wraps, boosters, and choosing some of our favourite prints 🦊🦁🦋🦖🐝 My grandmother told me stories about using cloth nappies back in her day which sounded hectic and filled with old school safety pins 🧷 Now there’s so many to choose from it can be quite overwhelming. We use a bit of everything for different reasons: 💛 @bambinomio all-in-ones for out and about/night nappy 💛 @totsbots peanut wrap with bamboozle for daily nappies 💛 @littlelamnappies size 1 as I got them from someone for free 🙌🏼 • • • #mondaymotivation #postpartum #baby #10weeksold #clothnappies #clothdiapers #motherhood #plantbased #sustainable #vegan #veganpregnancy #veganmum #veganbaby #love #lowimpact

A post shared by Iris Cohen | notetoiris.com (@notetoiris) on Feb 11, 2019 at 2:32am PST

Little & Bloomz

Purchase these ‘China nappies’ as they are called in the cloth nappy community, for a fraction of the price of other brands, on Amazon or eBay. They come with a choice of inserts, make a note that their bamboo insert is mostly microfibre.

All you need to know about cloth nappies

Remember you can sun out most baby poo stains in the sun, of course after washing them!

Cloth nappies sunning out stains

Cloth nappies sunning out stains This is the result after just one hour of sun, not using any bleach.

November 28, 2019

Motherhood

Soothing Vegan Nipple Balm Recipe

written by notetoiris

Breastfeeding isn’t always easy. Especially at the beginning of your breastfeeding journey. What really helped me is a soothing nipple balm!

Soft, Luxurious and filled with 100% natural ingredients, these nipple balms are sure to become a regular in your breastfeeding routine.

nipple balm recipe cold and raw

This is a vegan nipple balm with a silky texture and a glossy finish, no beeswax was used – instead, this lip balm is made with candelilla wax, a plant-based beeswax alternative.

Smooths, softens and heals dry and cracked nipples. Free from petroleum’s, alcohols and other nasty’s. Also important to note to not add essential oils because it needs to be baby safe.

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Breastfeeding makes me sleepy as it is, breastfeeding while getting married made me want to nap, not entertain 😴 This is also why I wore a dress with straps, not sleeves… We are now almost 4 months into our exclusively on demand breastfeeding journey and so far so good! Sure the first week was painfully sore and the second week I was tearful hoping it wouldn’t stay so sensitive but I persisted. I did so looking into my baby’s eyes giving her a smile while I was crying on the inside 🙃 I often compare breastfeeding to learning to play guitar. You need to put in the hours, work until you almost bleed and toughen up 😄 Also watch what I eat and make sure I eat lots and drink enough water! This includes lots of fruit, veg and a prenatal vitamin. . Fed is best! I realise I’m lucky to be spending full time with Nza while some mamas need to go back to work. I’m happy though I can continue our breastfeeding journey and hopefully until she decides no more is needed 🙏🏼 • • • #breastfeeding #fedisbest #wedding #family #postpartum #motherhood #plantbased #sustainable #vegan #veganpregnancy #veganmum #veganbaby #love #lowimpact #newmum #London

A post shared by Iris Cohen | notetoiris.com (@notetoiris) on Mar 25, 2019 at 9:43am PDT

Soothing Vegan Nipple Balm Recipe

Print This

Ingredients

*Try to source organic if you can
4g Organic Cocoa butter
1g Candelilla wax
5g Organic Cold-Pressed Coconut oil
7g Jojoba oil
3g Organic Unrefined Shea butter
(If you want to add CBD - Holistic Hemp of Scotland CBD shatter 20mg)

Instructions

This recipe will fill a 20-gram lip balm tin.

Use 1 small pan filled with boiling water

Place on a stovetop on a low heat to remain warm temperature

Place one oven-safe ceramic or glass bowl on top, a bain-marie style

Fill the bowl with the cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter and leave to melt

Add in the candelilla wax, wait for that to melt

Take off the heat

Then add the CBD (if you are adding this)

Pour in your tins or container and leave to cool

March 25, 2019

Baby Motherhood

My Newborn Baby Must-Haves! Natural and Cruelty-Free 👶🏽

written by notetoiris

Being a new mum you’ll need all the help you can get. I know it takes a village to raise a child but sometimes you’re at it alone and could use a little help. That’s why I wanted to share a few of my favourite things!

A nest/pod: This little nest has been a big help in creating a safe space for Nza. As soon as she was out of the womb she could feel a little like she was back in a womb-like environment. It’s also been helpful when she was lying next to me in bed or on the sofa. Especially when you’re super tired and are afraid of maybe rolling over on your baby or need to go to the bathroom without being in a panic. Our nest goes up to 6 months by opening up one side of it.

Sling/Carrier: Embrace being a kangaroo mama and get yourself a sling. Not just good for when you take your baby our, also handy for indoors when you want to have your hands free! We like the Closer Parent Caboo carrier as it’s easy to put on.

Hot water bottle: Since Nza is a winter baby, the hot water bottle has come in handy. It warms up her Moses basket and she usually finds comfort from it too. Sleeping bags are also a favourite as otherwise she kicks off her blanket. Anything to help her fall a sleep or stay a sleep is a winner in my books.

Pram/Buggy/Stroller: Trust me, you will be making quite a few trips up and down the road trying to get your little one to sleep. Best to have a good quality pram to keep you going. It’s an investment but so worth it! We got ours secondhand so no need to break the bank.

Cloth nappies: Not only great for the environment but also super soft on your newborns bum 🙂 We decided to invest in cloth/bamboo nappies and I love these especially by Totsbots.

View this post on Instagram

My life has never been more colourful 💛 . Cloth nappies… after a month of dipping in and out, we’ve finally got it down 💩 Through a combination of different all-in-ones, wraps, boosters, and choosing some of our favourite prints 🦊🦁🦋🦖🐝 My grandmother told me stories about using cloth nappies back in her day which sounded hectic and filled with old school safety pins 🧷 Now there’s so many to choose from it can be quite overwhelming. We use a bit of everything for different reasons: 💛 @bambinomio all-in-ones for out and about/night nappy 💛 @totsbots peanut wrap with bamboozle for daily nappies 💛 @littlelamnappies size 1 as I got them from someone for free 🙌🏼 • • • #mondaymotivation #postpartum #baby #10weeksold #clothnappies #clothdiapers #motherhood #plantbased #sustainable #vegan #veganpregnancy #veganmum #veganbaby #love #lowimpact

A post shared by Iris Cohen | notetoiris.com (@notetoiris) on Feb 11, 2019 at 2:32am PST

March 5, 2019

Baby Motherhood

Natural Postpartum Sitz Bath After Birth Recipe

written by notetoiris

A sitz bath is a warm, shallow bath that cleanses the perineum. It can help heal haemorrhoids, bowel issues, and infections and is great after given birth. This recipe really helped heal me after having my first child, I used the baby bath to sit in myself but you can use your bathtub if you have one. I hope it will be useful to another person who has just given birth.

Ingredients:

1 cup comfrey leaf
1 cup lavender flower
1 cup raspberry leaf
1/2 cup yarrow
1 cup calendula
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup chamomile
1/2 cup plantain leaf

I bought all of these in bulk and mixed them in a big glass jar.

Mix 1 cup herbs with 2 litres boiling water, brew for at least 20 minutes, strain and add to bath/sitz bath or use in a peri bottle.

Please let me know if this recipe has helped you or send it to someone who could find it helpful.

December 20, 2018

Baby Motherhood

My Ultimate (Vegan) Baby Checklist/Wishlist 👶🏽

written by notetoiris

This is my ultimate baby checklist, I hope it is useful to other (new) mums out there. I will be updating this as I go along but found this useful to keep in my phone notes.

Pregnancy Shopping List

*Non of these items are sponsored unless clearly stated*

List of things to get:

Lotions and potions

Nipple Balm/Cream (I made my own, see recipe here and also bought Kit & Kin)
Baby wash/shampoo (They won’t need this first thing, just use water)
Shea butter (For sore bottoms)
Coconut oil (Good moisturiser)
A gentle laundry detergent (Either make your own, see recipe here. Or I bought Ecover)
Baby Mild Castile Soap by Dr Bronners
Buy or make all cleaning products in bulk ahead of babies arrival: washing powder, bleach, all purpose cleaner, toilet roll (I ordered Who Gives A Crap), Soap nuts etc

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Preparing the flat for babies arrival with a hibernation set up 😄❄️ We have enough toilet paper, cleaning products and nut butter to last us through winter, and I can’t lie, it’s making me less anxious 🙏🏼 Also been thinking about easy meal prepping, anything else that you did for prepping for babies arrival? Share tips please as soon to be new parents we could sure use them ♥️ . #excitementlevels100 #pregnant #thirdtrimester #pregnantmama #babyontheway #firstpregnancy #pregnancyisbeautiful #baby #expectingmum #cantwaittomeetyou #unitedmotherhood #mamatobe #inspirepregnancy #mymotherhood #duenovember2018 #preggo #veganmum #veganbaby

A post shared by Iris Cohen | notetoiris.com (@notetoiris) on Oct 10, 2018 at 1:57am PDT

Primrose Evening oil for perennial massage (From 35 weeks take orally, from 38 weeks vaginally)
Vitamin D drops for baby
Jojoba oil (or un-fragranced oil of choice) in small pipette bottle
Clary Sage essential oil (Helps to stimulate birth, only use at 40 weeks)
Other essential oils I found useful: Peppermint, Lavender
Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads (For mama to use after birth)
Peri bottle, either reuse a water bottle or try these (For mama to use after birth)
Aloe Vera gel or fresh Aloe Vera to make your own Postpartum Cold Packs (For mama to use after birth)

Clothes/soft items

Sleep onesies newborn 4x
Sleep onesies 0-3 months 4x
Sleep onesies 3-6 months 2x
Sleeping bag 0-6 months 2x
Baby hooded towels 2x
Bamboo reusable or cotton breast pads
Muslin squares 5x
Baby grows 0-3 months 5x
Baby grows 3-6 months (fruit days of the week Gap sale £8) 7x
Baby grows 6-9 months (buy what you find in sale or secondhand) 7x
Baby clothes 0-3 months: 1 cardigan Gap sale, (1 soft jacket, 2 t-shirts, 6 leggings, 1 coat/pram suit all eBay)
Baby clothes 3-6 months: 1 cardigan, 1 coat, 1 jumper dress, 2 tights, 1 wedding outfit (we’re going to a wedding)
Baby clothes 6-9 months: 1 cardigan
Baby clothes 12-18 months (1 summer jumpsuit eBay)
Baby socks 0-6 months 10x (you might lose some or you can use them for scratch mittens)
Baby socks 6-9 months 1x
Baby scratching mittens/gloves for nails 1x
Bibs 3-6 months 3x
Bibs 6-12 months
Winter coat 0-3 months (Depending on where you live and the season)
Newborn hats (Thin cotton hat 1x, seasonal winter hat 1x)
Receiving blankets (If giving birth at home)
Ergo baby carrier (*Sponsored)
Cute going home outfit for pictures (If applicable)

Clothes/soft items for mum

Maternity wear, I bought: 2x jeans, 1x jeans shorts, 1x dungarees, 3x tank tops, 2x charity shop dresses
Nursing bras 3x (I got mine from Mothercare) (halter backs Kate lingerie)
Nursing tops
Nursing nightdresses 5x I plan on living in these! (I got mine from Mothercare)
Sleep nursing bra 3x
Big dark coloured natural cotton pants for postpartum
Secret Saviour Stretch Mark Prevention Band (*Sponsored)

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Pregnancy is full of changes and it usually includes getting some stretch marks on your belly, breasts, bum and hips. Everyone has them, I have them mostly on my upper legs and hips, now I also have some on my breasts. That’s why I’m so excited to share with you my honest opinion on the Secret Saviours Stretch Mark Prevention Band to (as it says on the tin!) it helps prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. Because stretch marks are a part of life but having a few less definitely couldn’t hurt… 🤰🏼 . Made from good quality, lightweight, breathable fabric that’s comfortable and supportive, I have worn it day in and day out. I’ve only not worn it overnight when it needed a wash and I let it air dry.✨ . @secretsavioursco is a small team of mums and medical specialists who are passionate about helping women prevent stretch marks. Their belly band has been fully researched, tried and tested. I’m so happy I got to test the product myself and have given it 2 months to review this item so I would be sure to give you all the ins and outs! Read the full review on my blog, link in bio x . #pregnant #thirdtrimester #pregnantmama #babyontheway #firstpregnancy #pregnancyisbeautiful #baby #expectingmum #cantwaittomeetyou #unitedmotherhood #mamatobe #inspirepregnancy #mymotherhood #duenovember2018 #preggo #vegan #veganmum #veganbaby #plantbased #secretsaviours

A post shared by Iris Cohen | notetoiris.com (@notetoiris) on Oct 25, 2018 at 12:34pm PDT

Nappies

I’m going to attempt cloth nappies, starting from about 1 month after birth. I got a few cloth nappies from different brands to try out to see which ones baby suits best.

Cloth nappies (2x Bambino Mio, 1x Tots bots size 1, 2x Tots bots birth to potty, 3x Little Lambs)
Extra inserts for nappies if needed for overnight
Biodegradable nappies size 1 2x (Kit & Kin 40 nappies)
Biodegradable nappies size 2 2x (Kit & Kin 80 nappies)
Biodegradable wipes (Kit & Kin 2x packs)
Nappies bin
Wash/wet bag for on the go 3x
Wash bag for at home bin 2x
Changing mat for home 1x
Changing mat for on the go 2x
Re-usable baby wipes (Use up old t-shirts or towels or buy 10x wipes Bambino Mio)
Soft washcloths 10x
Cloth pads or disposable chemical free ones for postpartum bleeding
Big cotton disposable pads
Changing bag (I got this Skiphop bag from John Lewis)

Toys and books

Baby books (I got a couple from the charity shop)
Wooden teether 2x (I got mine on Etsy)
Wooden development toys (gift)
Teddies (mix of my childhood teddies and gifts)
Comfort blanket (gift)
Pregnancy books (These were gifts and I will be re-gifting after birth)
Wooden gym (Make your own or buy on Etsy)

Furniture

Nursing pillow (I was gifted a My Breast Friend nursing pillow by a friend who no longer needed it)
Sling (I bought mine secondhand on EBay)
Pram/Buggy
Bouncer chair (*Sponsored by Baby Bjorn)
Co-sleeper bed if you’re co-sleeping
Rocking chair (If you find it useful to rock baby to sleep)
Manual or Electric Breast pump
Chair (They won’t need this until they can sit up, I’m planning on getting a Tripp Trapp from Stokke)
Moses basket (I bought mine for £10 secondhand with extra mattress and sheets)
Monitor
Pod/Nest (I got this Nanami mustard yellow one £69, 10% discount if you sign up for the newsletter)
Hot water bottle if winter baby (gift)
Nightlight (I used my childhood nightlight)
Bathtub or bath support (I bought mine £10 secondhand)
Changing table with storage (I got this table from John Lewis £59)
Cot/Crib (If you’re using co-sleeper or Moses basket omit this)
Fitted crib sheets 3x (If you’re using co-sleeper or Moses basket omit this)
Crib mattress cover (If you’re using co-sleeper or Moses basket omit this)
Soft Cotton Blanket
Swaddle blanket (I bought a bamboo one on Etsy)
Knitted blanket (Seasonal)
Car seat (Make sure it’s safe if you’re buying secondhand)
Full body support car seat cushion (*Sponsored from Benbat)
Headrest (*Sponsored from Benbat I got the Lion one)
Forehead thermometer (I chose this one)
Room thermometer (I got a Groegg)
Power outlet covers
Nail clippers (I got two just in case I lose one)
Plates (I like these from Bamboo Bamboo for when baby starts feeding)

Feeding/Food

Freezer Meals to make in advance
Lactation Cookies
Overnight Oats (I ordered Bexfast breakfast pots)
Raspberry Leaf Tea (For end of pregnancy and postpartum)
Dates (I ate 6 a day for most of the pregnancy)
Herbs and spices for postpartum bath
Herbs and spices for postpartum tea

If you’re bottle feeding or pumping:

Glass bottles
Pump of choice

What I’m going to do to help stimulate labour ( most from 40 weeks)

2 oz Castor oil, 1 tsp baking soda, 6 oz orange juice
Dates
Pineapple contains an enzyme called Bromelain that could bring on labour (in fact, other tropical fruits like kiwi, mango and papaya do, too).
Clary Sage essential oil
Red Raspberry Leaf tea
Liquorice root
Going on long walks
Massage, reflexology and acupuncture
Being intimate with your partner 😉

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Pregnancy has been an amazing journey so far. I still can’t believe there’s a baby in there… Feeling movements and communicating with the little one is making it all real. Almost 37 weeks now, almost full term, although we hope that we still have another couple of weeks 🤰🏼 . When did you have your baby? 37 weeks? 41 weeks? Exactly on your due date? . First babies tend to be late, maybe that’s a myth… I’m eating my weight in dates and drinking cups of raspberry leaf tea in preparation for birth, also lots of walking and sitting on the birthing ball 🤗 Researching what else I can do to stimulate labour if it comes to that. Any tips welcome! . #pregnant #thirdtrimester #pregnantmama #babyontheway #firstpregnancy #pregnancyisbeautiful #baby #expectingmum #cantwaittomeetyou #unitedmotherhood #mamatobe #inspirepregnancy #mymotherhood #duenovember2018 #preggo #vegan #veganmum #veganbaby #plantbased

A post shared by Iris Cohen | notetoiris.com (@notetoiris) on Nov 2, 2018 at 7:48am PDT

Postpartum tips

Herbs and spices for postpartum sitz bath
Herbs and spices for postpartum tea

November 4, 2018

Secret Saviour Stretch Mark Prevention Band

Motherhood

Stretch Mark Prevention Band Review (Pregnancy Post) 🤰🏼

written by notetoiris

Pregnancy is full of changes and it usually includes getting some stretch marks on your belly, breasts, bum and hips. Everyone has them, I have them mostly on my upper legs and hips, now I also have some on my breasts. That’s why I’m so excited to share with you my honest opinion on the Secret Saviours Stretch Mark Prevention Band to (as it says on the tin!) it helps prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. Because stretch marks are a part of life but having a few less definitely couldn’t hurt…

Made from good quality, lightweight, breathable fabric that’s comfortable and supportive, I have worn it day in and day out. I’ve only not worn it overnight when it needed a wash and I let it air dry.

Secret Saviours is a small team of mums and medical specialists who are passionate about helping women prevent stretch marks. Their belly band has been fully researched, tried and tested. I’m so happy I got to test the product myself and have given it 2 months to review this item so I would be sure to give you all the ins and outs!

The Secret Saviours system is really simple and easy to follow. All the items are also available separately. I think the set makes for a lovely baby shower gift, something for both mum and baby.

Secret Saviours Belly Band for Pregnancy Review by notetoiris

Secret Saviour Stretch Mark Prevention Band

Comfort

10
Durability

8
Design

8
Does as it says on the tin

9
Worth the price

9

The Goods

I have rated this product really high for a reason, I love it. I've used it almost 24/7 so far and feel like it works really well. If it prevents stretch marks is something to be seen after the baby is born, but for now it relieves the tightness around my growing belly and therefor it's not so itchy.
This would make for a perfect gift for a mum-to-be!

The Bads

As the product is in almost constant use, I would recommend getting two bands so you can wash one while the other is in use. You will also need to buy different sizes as your belly will not stay the same for the duration of your pregnancy.
I hand-washed mine but you will obviously notice some wear and tear as you use the product round the clock...

8.8

Average Score

September 18, 2018

Journal Motherhood

What I Ate During My First Trimester of Pregnancy (Vegan) 🤰🏼

written by notetoiris

For my first trimester I counted myself pretty lucky, I only had mild nausea spells in the mornings… By being able to rest, eating mostly raw vegan diet and continuing exercising it felt very manageable. I know not everyone feels like they’re on a pink cloud but I thought I’d share what was helpful for me and maybe it’ll be helpful for you too!

Always travel with a bottle of water! And a snack.

I felt the most nauseous I’ve ever felt in transport, while I never feel car-sick, I certainly did now. Travelling with a bottle of water to hand and an apple/banana, some crackers and possible a healthy snack bar, all turned out to be life-savers for me.

Breakfast, most important meal of the day.

Although it was sometimes a struggle keeping anything in, especially in the mornings, I force fed myself a bowl of oats with fruit every morning. Your body is craving fuel and sometimes you think you’re feeling nauseous but you might just be hungry…

Breakfast in my first trimester of pregnancy by notetoiris

Juicing, especially with adding fresh ginger.

I read somewhere that ginger is a great natural remedy to nausea and therefor morning sickness! I love ginger and I know it’s not everyones cup of tea. Try adding a little bit of ginger at a time if you’re not into spicy foods.

Also green juices are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals when you’re finding it hard to eat. Make sure they are full of dark green leafy vegetables.

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🌧 Hello from rainy London 🌧 We are taking shots to cheer us up 🥃 cold pressed ginger and lemon that is 🍋 Ginger is among the healthiest (and most delicious) flavours on the planet. It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain. Ginger: ~ Reduces muscle soreness ~ Helps relieve morning sickness ~ Anti-inflammatory effects can help with osteoarthritis ~ The active ingredient in ginger can help fight infections ~ It can also help lower cholesterol levels We just really love the taste of it too 🌞♥️ • • • #vegan #rawvegan #veganlifestyle #vegancommunity #ldnvegans #healthy #instagood #vegansofldn #vegansofig #zerowaste #London #whatveganseat #dairyfree #breakfast #juicing #juicingforhealth #coldpressed #ginger

A post shared by Iris Cohen | notetoiris.com (@notetoiris) on Mar 30, 2018 at 9:13am PDT

Rest as much as you can!

“Even when you’re not sleeping, you are resting” is what my family used to say. It couldn’t be more true now. I find it hard to take a nap during the day but I do love to read a book or listen to a podcast. This also relaxes you, try not to watch tv or your phone during your time of relaxation. You can also try meditation or yoga for pregnancy which I both find very helpful to center myself.

Exercise, even when you only want to rest.

By going for a walk or breaking a sweat at least once a day, you make sure that you’re readying yourself for the birth of your child. If you’re not into weightlifting (which I struggle with at times) try using your body weight only by doing exercises like squats, press ups, donkey kicks etc.

Bye for now, from me and the bump x

Pregnancy Announcement - First trimester notetoiris

June 4, 2018

Journal Motherhood

Pregnancy Announcement – Vegan Baby On The Way!

written by notetoiris

We are expecting a little bubba!

You might have noticed I’ve been quiet on my Instagram lately and I’m sorry if I cancelled last minute to catch up, I’ve been a little preoccupied…
Later this year, for our 5 year anniversary, we’ll receive the gift of life, a new life for us 3 👶🏽 So excited to share this special time with you all!
First scan went well, we’ll have a healthy vegan bubba end of this year ✨

View this post on Instagram

You might have noticed I’ve been quiet on my Instagram lately and I’m sorry if I cancelled last minute to catch up, I’ve been a little preoccupied… . Later this year, for our 5 year anniversary, we’ll receive the gift of life, a new life for us 3 👶🏽 So excited to share this special time with you all! . First scan went well, we’ll have a healthy vegan bubba end of this year ✨ . #excitementlevels100 #pregnant #firsttrimester #pregnantmama #babyontheway #firstpregnancy #pregnancyisbeautiful #baby #expectingmum #firstscan #cantwaittomeetyou #unitedmotherhood #mamatobe #inspirepregnancy #mymotherhood #duenovember2018 #preggo #veganmum #veganbaby

A post shared by Iris Cohen | notetoiris.com (@notetoiris) on May 29, 2018 at 12:28pm PDT

Pregnancy Announcement notetoiris

Pregnancy announcement first photographs!

May 29, 2018

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