TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Easy Sausage Casserole

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 13 September 2021

TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Easy Sausage Casserole

This easy sausage casserole recipe is packed with flavour and requires little clean-up, because it’s made in just one pan. (You can even use the empty chopped tomato tin to measure out the stock!) It’s a midweek, or any day of the week, marvel.

Ingredients:

4 large potatoes
4 carrots
8 good-quality sausages from outdoor-reared pigs
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tsp paprika
400g can chopped tomatoes
400ml vegetable stock (we like Knorr)
1-2 bay leaves

Method:

Turn the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/gas 4. Peel the potatoes and carefully cut them in half, then into quarters. Peel the carrots and cut each carrot into about 4 or 5 even pieces.

Prick the sausages all over with a fork – this helps the fat to run out of the sausages, so that they don’t split open as they cook. Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based casserole and fry the sausages, turning often, until lightly golden all over – this should take about 10 minutes. Remove the sausages from the pan and put them on a plate.

Add the chopped onion to the casserole (there will still be some oil in the pan from the sausages) and continue to cook over a low heat for 5-10 minutes, until the onion is slightly soft. Add the garlic and paprika and cook for another minute.

Add the chopped potatoes and carrots and stir everything around in the casserole so that the vegetables are coated with the oil.

Add the tomatoes and stock (to measure the stock, you can use the empty tomato can – filled up, it will hold 400ml of stock) and the bay leaves. Bring to a simmer (so it’s just bubbling gently). Return the sausages to the casserole.

Using your oven gloves, carefully put the casserole into the oven. Cook for 45 minutes, until the potatoes are cooked through, and serve.

Recipe by Delicious Magazine

Everything You’ll Need For Your First Baby

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 12 September 2021

Everything You’ll Need For Your First Baby

And tips we’ve picked up along the way.

So you’re about to have a baby and haven’t got a clue what to buy? As with pretty much everything to do with becoming a mum there’s a lot of conflicting advice out there, so we’ve put together a comprehensive list of everything we genuinely used and loved at TMC – and with five babies between us, that’s a lot of trial, error and real life advice. We’ve also included a downloadable PDF list which you can print and tick off as you shop.

Travel

Car seat & ISOfix
You can’t leave hospital without it so this is a big one. Our greatest cash saving advice is to scour the baby shows for pram/car seat bundles and do your ‘ISOFIX’ research, so the system you buy now (the second image) will also work with the next car seat up (yes, you’ll go through a few in the coming years). Good stores will fit the car seat for you and show you how to do it properly.
Pushchair
As you’ve probably seen by now we’re big fans of the BabyZen Yoyo at TMC, and wish we hadn’t spent a grand on a heavy duty first pram only to change it for this lightweight stroller six months; it has a newborn attachment we could have used from the get-go. If and when a second one comes along you can attach a toddler-friendly buggy board at the back for your toddlers, and add an extra-large bag for your shopping. Our vote for city living and any kind of travel.
Baby Sling
It’s worth pointing out that you don’t need to spend £350 on a baby sling, but they are so pretty! The resale value holds its own on these beauties, and we’d recommend a sling over a carrier to start with, so you can keep that baby close.
Travel Cot
Not everyone needs one of these but as we both love to travel, and regularly take the kids to our parents’ we used ours a lot – it really did help us get more sleep whenever we were away. If you do get one, consider an extra-long one, which don’t get outgrown quite as quickly. Also, invest in a mattress topper, Travel cots just aren’t comfortable without one.
Backpack-style Changing Bag
If we had our time again neither of us would buy a holdall – it’s just something else to…well, hold! Seriously, go straight for a backpack and choose one that looks good, as you’ll be carrying it for the next three to five years. Fortunately, the world has caught up with that fact and there are plenty of bags worth investing a little bit more in.

Sleeping

Crib
We found that the Chico Next2Me is by far the easiest crib to use. It attaches to the side of your bed, so you don’t have to go far when it’s time for a night feed. When you do want to move them a little further away, just unattached it and zip up the fourth side. Genius. It comes in a few colours too, so don’t panic Mrs Hinch – it will totally go with your decor.
Comforters & Dummies
You’ll receive so many of these at the beginning: use them all and rotate them regularly, so your baby doesn’t get attached to one single toy that you have to boil wash every time they drop it down the nearest drain. Hard when this Jellycat elephant is the softest thing ever (yes, you’ll get attached to them to) but we promise it’s worth it. As for dummies, we both used them up to the two-year mark or thereabouts. They helped our babies settle, and stopped them from using their bottles (or us!) as makeshift pacifiers. The glow in the dark kind come highly recommended by both of us – no more scrabbling around in the middle of the night!
Swaddle Bag/Grow Bag
Our tip here is to not to even try swaddling with muslins; we found it so hard to wrap our babies into tight (but not too tight) burritos especially after a midnight feed, and they always broke free in the end. So get a swaddle bag, and when they grow out of that get a grow bag with sleeves, as babies get cold at night and like to be snuggled up as much as we do.
Camera Monitor & Room temperature
On that note, a thermometer will help you wrap them up for the right conditions. A good baby monitor should have a thermometer on it but if it doesn’t this Gro egg is very handy.

Bathing

Baby Bath or Seat
We used both. The tub is much easier when they’re very little and you don’t want to do gymnastics round the bath to keep them in one place. But they both work just as well.
Towel/Oilatum/Baby Grooming Kit/Thermometer

Changing

Nappies & Wipes
Hear us out: reusable nappies have come a long way. We both used them and found they saved us money in the long run and made us feel better about the impact our families were having on the environment. If disposables are more your bag, hit up Aldi right from the start; their nappies are a third of the price of most other brands and they sell in bulk. Both of these are God’s gift to nappy rash.. and if your kids are anything like ours it turns into a warzone down there the minute they start teething. Metanium is wonderstuff and Sudocrem doubles up as a great blemish-busting face mask for grown-ups!
Nappy Bin
Not essential, but when your newborn leaks liquid poo for the billionth time that day you’ll be glad you can stash those nappies (or disposable liners, if you’re on the natural nappy train) away quickly. We bought two each – one for upstairs, one for downstairs – and never regretted it.

Steriliser & Bottle Kit / Perfect Prep Machine
So easy

Clothes

Short Sleeved Vests
Next do the best ones!
Long sleeved baby grows
Again Next are great quality but if you want to spend a little extra there is nothing softer than Mori!
Scratch Mits
Especially when they are tiny
All in one pram suit
This really depends on the time of year your baby is due, but however old they are when their first winter comes around, one if these is worth a purchase. Don’t spend too much money though, they don’t wear them for very long.
Muslins
You’ll need a lot of these. A lot. And big ones too. They’re great for breast feeding (covering up and mopping up) and as blankets or sunshades. Get a few lovely ones and lots of cheap white ones which can all go in the wash at the same time.
Cellular Blankets

Breastfeeding

Nipple Cream
Doubles up as lip balm. Woohoo!
Nursing Pads
Breast Pump
Did you know you can rent breast pumps! Rather than shelling out the cost.
Nursing pillow
We got the BBHUGME to help us sleep during pregnancy and continued to use them as supportive feeding pillows.
Nursing / Comfortable bras
H&M do the best maternity bras. And who wants to paying a lot of money on something you’ll never want to see again after a year of wearing them!

After Birth

Maternity Pants
Tena is your best friend.
Large Cotton Kickers
M&S high waisted
Painkillers
Lots of comfortable PJS
The night sweats are real.
Netflix Subscription
The Mum Club Membership
For those 3am reads.

Tags 10minuteread, Bedtimebrowse, newDesign

10 Questions You Might Ask About Your newborn Baby

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 12 September 2021

10 Questions You Might Ask About Your newborn Baby

You’ve got home from the hospital, you’re overjoyed with emotion, and then it suddenly hits you. What the hell do I do with this baby?

And there it starts, the continual daily Google search, asking questions like; Do newborn babies need baths? And can you hold them too much?

So, to save you some time in your searches, we’ve collated the top ten things parents ask after they bring their baby home.

You’re welcome.

Do they know who their Mum is?

Looking after a newborn baby is hard, and some days you’re like, ‘I’m doing all this work for you, and I’m not sure you even know who I am?’ It might not seem like it, but they 100% recognise that you’re their Mum. Newborns know your smell and voice from the minute they’re born and studies show that they can also register your face after just a few days. Another concern some women wonder is if their baby can forget them. This is a completely normal question that lots of people ask. But please don’t fret, even if you have to spend some time apart, they will always remember your voice and smell, and you will be able to bond whenever the time comes.

Can you hold your newborn too much?

One of the best things about having a baby is all the lovely cuddles you get. And the good news is, you can’t do it enough. It’s actually essential to a baby’s development and helps them grow mentally and physically.

What happens if you yell at a newborn, and can they sense frustration?

Sleep deprivation paired with a baby that won’t stop crying will put anyone at the end of their tether. It’s ok to feel frustrated but getting worked up isn’t going to help anyone. Babies won’t remember you being upset, but they can pick up on your emotional state, and if they’re in your arms, they’ll feel the negativity in their bodies. So, take a breather. Ask someone else to help you and If you’re on your own, put your baby in a safe place, like their crib, and walk away so you can compose yourself. Take a few minutes, cry if you need to, and then once you’ve regrouped go back in. We have all felt like this, you are not alone, and the moment will pass. If it keeps happening and you feel overwhelmed, try and get some rest or go for a walk to get some fresh air and chat to a family member or friend about how you’re feeling, you’re not failing, you just need some help, and that’s normal.

Top tip: Got some earplugs? When trying to soothe their baby, some people put in headphones or earplugs to soften the noise, making it easier to cope.

Can I kiss my newborn?

“Of course, you can kiss your newborn!” Says antennal experts Blossom Antenatal. It is one of the biggest signs of love and affection that you can show your newborn. It also helps babies grow mentally, physically and psychologically, as it stimulates responses in the brain. Blossom Antenatal add, “Kissing should only ever be avoided if you have an active infectious disease. An example of this would be Herpes simplex, which can be dangerous for babies, so no kissing from you or any relative when you have a cold sore.”

Can you take a 1-week-old baby outside?

When you’re ready for a walk, getting some fresh air is a great idea for both you and your baby. Go steady though, the phrase ‘baby steps’ will apply to both you and your newborn for quite a lot of things over the next few months, so don’t rush it, remember you’re still healing, so head out for short walks at first and then build it up.

Should you pick up your baby every time it cries?

There’s nothing wrong with constantly picking up your baby when it’s teeny tiny, they are such precious little slugs and crying is how they tell you something’s up. And yep, it happens a LOT in the beginning, but it doesn’t last forever. As they grow and routines start to form, it gets a lot easier, and you tend to know what is up before the tears start to roll, well, most of the time.

Can I hold my newborn when it’s sleeping?

Yes, please do! It’s so lovely when they fall asleep on you, and you must enjoy those magical moments. Still, it is also important to put them down to snooze, not only so that you can have a break, but also, so they recognise that sleepy time happens in their bed and not just in Mummy or Daddy’s arms.

Can I give a newborn water?

It’s not advised to give newborns water, as it can make them feel full and decline the milk and nutrients that they need. Babies stay hydrated from milk, so if it’s hot and you’re breastfeeding they’ll either ask for more, or you can offer it. If they’re formula-fed and it’s very warm, then you can offer water as well as milk but make sure you do it after milk feeds and boil and cool the water before giving it to them.

When do I bath my newborn?

You do not need to bathe your baby in the first few days, and most parents prefer to top and tail by carefully washing their face, neck, hands and bottom. Usually, the best time to bath is when the umbilical cord comes off. Choose a time when your baby is awake and happy and make sure the room is nice and warm and lay out all the bits beforehand, so you stay nice and calm. You’ll need a bowl of warm water (or a baby bath) a nice fluffy towel, cotton wool, a nappy and some clean clothes.

When can a baby see?

Newborns can detect black, white and grey colours and focus on objects that are approximately 8-10 inches away from their face. As they get to two months old, they can see up to 18 inches away, and by three months they start to see colours and reach out for things that they see.

Tags 10minuteread, Bedtimebrowse, newDesign

TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Banana Choctella Muffins

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 7 September 2021

TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Banana Choctella Muffins

Ingredients:

125g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature
1/2 cup (180g) honey
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
11/2 cups (225g) self-raising flour
3/4 cup (245g) chocolate hazelnut spread (such as Nutella)

Method

Preheat the oven to 170°C and lightly grease a 12 hole (1/3-cup capacity) muffin pan, or line with paper cases. Place the butter and honey in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whisk until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, until well combined, then whisk in the banana and the chocolate hazelnut spread.

2.Sift the flour and a pinch of salt over the banana mixture and fold through until combined. Divide among muffin pans. Place 1 heaped tsp chocolate hazelnut spread on top.

3.Using a knife, swirl the chocolate hazelnut spread through the batter a little. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

4.Leave in the pans for 5 minutes, then lift out and place onto a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.

The Dolls That Help Your Children To Develop

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 7 September 2021

The Dolls That Help Your Children To Develop

Ever look at the mass of toys in your house and wonder if any of them help your child’s progress?

Of course, one way or another, most of them do.

But did you know that dolls can be extremely beneficial for development?

Yep! Not just a cute play pal, they can encourage multiple life skills and inspire children to explore and understand emotions.

How dolls help with development

After your baby’s first birthday, the concept of play starts to become a fundamental part of their life. Now is a great time to introduce toys that offer an element of role play, as this can be a really effective way for children to make sense of the world around them. Dolls are a brilliant toy to gift at this age as they teach empathy and help your little one understand their emotions. Showing your child how to interact with a doll and mimicking real-life scenarios can encourage emotional development and aid social interactions.

But which ones do I buy?

Cry Babies dolls are brilliant because not only do they teach children to love and nurture something by encouraging cuddles, offering dummies, and tucking them into bed, they also help your child recognise actions, such as dressing up, kissing, and even feeding.

Help your toddler understand their emotions

Caring for a doll teaches children responsibility, but it also helps them process emotions such as compassion and empathy. Toddlers love to copy, and you can aid their learning by showing them how to calm the doll down with cuddles or a dummy. Try it a few times and eventually, they should follow along. Cry Babies Kiss Me Stella, is perfect for this as it cries real tears, and you and your toddler can use a bottle or dummy to soothe any snuffles. She also adorably blushes when kissed, which both of you will love.

Teaching your child to dress themselves

Want to make your life a lot easier, faster? Show your toddler how to dress from an early age. Start by using repetitive language and actions when you put their clothes on and ask them to help you with simple requests like ‘arms up’ or ‘put your hand through here’. Another way to aid learning is to use a doll and play dress up as this can improve motor skills and enable them to do up tiny buttons or poke their dolls arms and legs into clothes. Cry Babies Dressy, is ideal for this as it comes with different outfits and removable shoes – and there’s three characters to choose from Coney, Lady and Dotty. Dressing a toddler generally takes place when you’re in a hurry, so playing dress-up with dolls will also give you a calmer opportunity to teach your child the names of pieces of clothing.

How to combat jealous feelings of a new sibling

New baby on the way? Help your toddler combat future jealousy and instigate parent-child role play by looking after a doll together. They will love to imitate you and your actions. Pretend play is a brilliant way to help them understand what’s going on in the world. Then hopefully, once the new arrival appears, your toddler will be so au fait with caring for a baby that they’ll accept it with their tiny open arms.

*Join the Cry Babies adventures on the official Kitoons YouTube channel and video streaming platform. The episodes feature storylines on friendship, discovery, creativity and teamwork. Kitoons TV is now also available across Smart TVs, mobile, tablets, and the web.

The Mum Club Reader Reviews

Want to know what real Mums think of the Cry Babies dolls? We asked three mums to review the toys for us. Here’s what they had to say…

“My child engaged with the Cry Babies doll straight away, rocking and cuddling it and giving it its dummy when it cried. She has a little brother, and it helped her develop empathy and kindness towards him. She also loved to take its shoes on and off and managed this independently. The doll is very cute, and the bright clothing, hair, and accessories immediately got my daughter’s attention. I would definitely recommend this to my friends, a great item for developing your child’s emotions and understanding.” Dani Hagan – Hertfordshire

“Charley has always been very compassionate but having the Cry Babies doll really brought it to light. She watches me with my 9-month-old and tends to copy and repeat what she sees with the doll, it’s helped her develop a rapport with her little brother, and she’s now learnt when he’s crying to cuddle him and offer him his dummy.” Lou Shields – Leamington Spa

“Since playing with the Cry Babies doll, I’ve noticed a real improvement in my child’s ability to show caring, loving feelings. She’s taken a shine towards other children around her and has a sense of responsibility among them and noticeably when they’re showing sad feelings. I feel like it’s encouraged her to understand emotions. A great toy for independent role play that my child has really enjoyed.” Amy Adams – Northamptonshire

Cry Babies, including the new dolls, are available now @smythstoys @tesco @amazon

TMC Talks To: Milly Bagot Founder of ByRuby.

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 24 August 2021

TMC Talks To: Milly Bagot Founder of ByRuby.

Explain what you do in a sentence?

Along with my Co-Founder Ruby, we run a company called ByRuby where we make seriously special, hand-made food for your freezer.

How long have you done your job?

Since 2019 full time, and before then I juggled another job, starting up ByRuby in 2017, and having my third child all at the same time which was pretty full on!

What does your day or week entail?

It’s super busy, no 2 days are the same. I have 3 small children so it’s always a bit of a juggle. Sometimes I’m in the office covering emails, other times I’m working with Ruby on recipe development or I’m out in the field visiting our different stockists and lovely farm shops. There’s lots to do so it usually involves lots of early mornings, and each day starts with a strong cup of Yorkshire Tea which helps!

Where did you start out?

I left Durham University and fell into a job in the city. Quite quickly I realised that wasn’t for me and so I went on to partner with my Aunt at her wonderful food shop, Finns on Chelsea Green. 10 years later and still at Finns I met Ruby, my now business partner, when she started cooking there. We began to see lots of demand from our customers for really delicious, hand-cooked frozen meals, and at the same time I had just had my third baby and was desperate to find some pre-prepared food I trusted to eat myself and give to my friends. After a very successful trial of selling frozen meals prepared by Ruby at Finns, we realised the idea had legs and took the punt on starting the business of its own.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Navigating the funding landscape. Like all startups we have had to raise equity to help get us off the ground. Writing business plans and managing investor relations whilst running the business is a challenge. I am so pleased that I have had the support of wonderful people who have helped me along the way

What piece of advice would you give to someone hoping to do the same?

Go with your gut instinct and trust yourself when taking advice. Somebody may have more experience but nobody knows your business better than you.

Something you’ve learnt that is crucial to either your job or to success:

Be kind and always be yourself. Also, talk to anyone who is interested, it’s amazing where connections take you.

How important is it to switch off?

To be honest I find it very hard to switch off. Whilst my business is always in the back of my mind, my children are a great distraction and will always be my number one priority. You will rarely see me working after 6:30pm, and a glass of wine and dinner with my husband is a crucial part of my day. Sleep is a big priority, and I really use that as my ultimate switch off time.

How do you manage your work / life balance?

I work very flexibly, and not always 9-5, which is one of the benefits of running your own business. I fit things in where I can, but work is a big part of my life and I enjoy it so I don’t mind both things merging together. I find it’s the only way that it works for me personally.

How do manage mum guilt?

It’s a difficult one. I think children thrive on routine, so for me as long as mine know when I am going to be there and when I’m not they are pretty chilled. I also have an amazing nanny who I couldn’t do without – she allows me to do my job whilst knowing the children are in safe and happy hands which is vital for me. Of course I feel guilty when I forget the ballet shoes or don’t remember that football club has been cancelled, but this can happen to anyone, job or no job, and my children know they are my number one priority. I have always worked so they also see that as normal, I think they would find it strange if I was there all the time!

How did you get over the feeling of missing your baby when you went back to work

I am very lucky in that I work flexibly, so whilst I didn’t take much maternity leave, I was able to pop in and out. I have horrible memories of pumping in the loos when I was on an entrepreneurs accelerator and my youngest was only 6 weeks old, which was a step too far looking back! I have a happy home, a very supportive husband and a wonderful setup with my nanny so I couldn’t ask for more on that front. Thankfully the children are always happy to see me when I come home and that has always been the case. If that changes, I’ll know there is something really wrong!

Use Discount code : TMC15! For 15% off ByRuby site-wide https://byruby.co.uk/

I Was Scared and Thought I was Miscarrying

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 13 August 2021

I Was Scared and Thought I was Miscarrying

Trigger warning: this article mentions comments surrounding miscarriage.

AUTHOR: ANON

“I was around 6 weeks pregnant when I noticed a spot of bleeding when I went to the toilet during the night. I was scared and devastated. It had taken us a while to become pregnant with our second child, so I automatically feared that the small speck of blood was indication that I was miscarrying. Shaken, I woke my partner up immediately and made an urgent appointment to see my GP. During my appointment, after a quick round of questions, I was sent to the Early Pregnancy Unit at my local hospital where I sat among a throng of women who all looked equally worried and petrified about the health of their baby and viability of their pregnancy. I waited hours to be seen, but finally was able to be checked out by a doctor who scanned my bump and asked a series of questions. She thankfully confirmed that all appeared well, that I wasn’t having a miscarriage, and that some women would bleed during some stage of their pregnancy.“

“As soon as I exited the hospital building, I burst out into tears. I was feeling relieved, thankful, but also seriously vulnerable because I didn’t feel I had received adequate information as to why the bleeding had occurred. I would experience bleeding once again during later pregnancy (at around week 25), but again the hospital checked me out, monitored me for several hours and thankfully said there was nothing to worry about. When my baby finally arrived 6 weeks later, I was in the euphoric state that most of us experience after finally meeting our baby, but also exhausted by the load off my mind that I had carried for 9 months.“

“Bleeding during pregnancy is quite common and doesn’t automatically mean that you are experiencing a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (around 1 in 4 will unfortunately result in miscarriage), so it’s important to seek medical advice if it does occur. But if like me, you had more questions than answers following your experience of bleeding, read on to learn about the most common causes.“

Causes of bleeding in early pregnancy (before 12 weeks)

Implantation bleeding

Implantation refers to when the fertilised egg attaches itself to the wall of the womb, and it occurs around the same time your period would’ve been due. Some women experience implantation bleeding around 8 weeks into their pregnancy, and it tends to show up as spotting/ light bleeding that you’ll likely become aware of after wiping when you use the toilet. “During the first trimester, many women will experience some sort of bleeding”, explains Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click. “This is caused by implantation, when the fertilised egg implants itself into the womb. This type of bleeding can last for a few days and is often mistaken for a light period. Other common causes can include infection, as the flora inside the vagina changes. This is not life threatening to the mother or baby and your doctor will advise whether antibiotics are required. Your immune system may even be able to clear the infection without treatment.”

Blood clot around the sac

Another potential reason why women may discover blood during their pregnancy is due to blood clotting around the sac. This manifests as a mass of blood situated between the placenta and the uterus walls, and although it’s not quite understood why it happens, it can be alarming for pregnant women although it doesn’t signal an impending miscarriage. Michelle Swer, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology says, “Blood clots around the sac are often seen on a scan and does not usually affect the pregnancy but can lead to bleeding until the sac resolves. The bleeding usually turns brown in colour in keeping with old blood. She continues, “It is important that any bleeding especially as a first occurrence, or if you have a known underlying placental complication, is investigated to ensure it is not something more serious and that there is no need for further investigations or management.”

Cervical changes

When we become pregnant our body goes through so many changes, one of which is changes to our cervix that becomes softer and has a richer blood supply. This, as a subsequence, can often lead to bleeding. “During pregnancy, your body experiences changes, including changes to the cervix, where more blood vessels grow” says Abbas Kanani. “This can cause the cervix to bleed more easily during pregnancy.”

Early pregnancy problems

Sadly, bleeding during pregnancy can also be an indicator of an impending miscarriage, and this will occur in 1 in 4 women. “Bleeding with pain is associated with miscarriage”, says Michelle Swer. “This can be identified on a scan or women may need more than one scan to confirm the diagnosis. It is also important to rule out an ectopic pregnancy which is when the pregnancy implants outside the womb. As you can see there are a number of reasons for bleeding in pregnancy but the one that causes the greatest anxiety is the risk of miscarriage and rightly so. The ordeal women go through when bleeding due to a miscarriage varies so much hence it has been difficult to make sure that all accounts are taken into consideration. However, I feel it is important that each presentation is acknowledged, and women should be aware of each end of the spectrum so they can know when to seek advice in a timely fashion.”

Causes of bleeding in late pregnancy (24 weeks onwards)

Bleeding is rare during the 2nd trimester, but during the 3rd, there are three conditions that are uncommon but are still worth noting so that women are aware of them. Michelle Swer, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology, outlines them.

Low lying placenta.
This is when the placenta lies low in the womb close or lying over the cervix. This will be identified on scan usually at 20 weeks and women will have a repeat scan to identify where the placenta is closer to delivery. Any bleeding in a woman diagnosed with a low-lying placenta should be seen by a doctor to ensure there is no risk of delivery which would not be suitable naturally.

Placenta Accreta Spectrum.
This occurs when the placenta attaches deep through the muscle wall and does not easily detach. This is also identified on a scan and urgent review is needed if there is bleeding in women diagnosed with this presentation.

Abruption of the placenta.
This is when the placenta comes away from the womb and is a serious and acute condition. There is often pain and bleeding and women should seek urgent medical advice.

TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Easy Peasy Mac n Cheese

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 27 July 2021

TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Easy Peasy Mac n Cheese

Can creamy, cheesy stovetop mac and cheese perfection be achieved with just four ingredients? You bet your buttons—and this easy macaroni and cheese recipe proves it.

Ingredients

1 lb Dried elbow macaroni
1 cup Heavy cream
6 oz Cheddar cheese, shredded (roughly 2 cups)
3/4 cup Good quality parmesan cheese, shredded
1/2 tsp Salt, optional
1/2 tsp Pepper, optional
Sriracha sauce, optional

Method

In a large pot bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Season water with 2 tsp salt. Cook pasta in boiling water according to package instructions.
While pasta is cooking, heat cream in a heavy saucepan or cast iron skillet over medium heat until cream begins to bubble. Add in the cheeses along with ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper. Stir cheese sauce until bubbly and the cheese has melted, 5-7 minutes stirring often.
Once the noodles are cooked, add drained pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until combined.
If desired, top with a heavy dose of sriracha sauce. Enjoy!

Top Educational Apps To Take The Guilt Out Of Screen Time

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 21 July 2021

Top Educational Apps To Take The Guilt Out Of Screen Time

We know. You never thought you’d be ‘that’ parent, but reaching for a screen makes life a easier sometimes and that has to be ok. And if we told you that familiarity with an iPad is part of the official curriculum? Yup, all early years settings use electronic devices, so while we’re not saying let them at it 24/7, a reasonable window of time combined with a supervised edit of apps… well, you get to pee/drink coffee/do the washing in peace, and they’ll be coding by the age of three. Almost.

The following apps are compatible with Apple and Amazon Fire. Now go and out that kettle on, no mum guilt required.

Reading Eggs

Hands down our most used app after Citymapper, this reading program is stuffed with games, songs and other educational activities suitable for kids from two to 13. They start with basic phonics before moving on to stretching their vocab, reading comprehension and fluency in a super-fun and interactive way. It’s about the price of one and a half Starbucks lattes per month, but you can try it for free for 30 days, and then chose from various payments options, including a family subscription or one-off yearly fee.

Play Osmo

This award-winning play system isn’t cheap; you’ll need the Osmo base for your digital device and a reflector to pop over its camera (the system is all about merging the real world with the digital) before you can start buying games bundles, but it’s customisable to your child’s interests (there’s a Disney Princess bundle, for example) and they’ll have hours of fun while also acing maths, spelling, drawing and problem solving of all kinds. Starting at age three and going all the way up to 12, it’s an investment for the whole family.

DoodleMaths, DoodleEnglish and DoodleSpell

Say it louder for the parents at the back; if not free, this collection of maths and English apps for primary school-age children is pretty cheap and has you covered with times tables, spelling, punctuation etc, all targeted to your child’s ability. It sends motivational messages to help keep them driven and eager to learn (we can only hope, right?) and if that’s not enough you can track their progress in the DoodleConnect App. Then they really can’t get away with doing nothing…!

Alpha Blocks

Based on the brilliant CBeebies show, this one is entirely free – though you can inject some pennies into it if you feel like upgrading. It’s great for getting your littles to focus on sounds and blending, and a great opportunity to follow up what they’ve learnt while watching TV.

Number Blocks

Just like Alphablocks but for numbers, again based on the BBC show. This fun app helps your little ones to learn their numbers and figure their way through simple mathematical problems.

Teach Your Monster To Read

These award-winning games have a BAFTA nomination under their belt and are free to use if you log onto the website from your computer (or pay £4.99 to download the app). Kids follow a magical journey, picking up rewards and meeting various characters as they learn everything from blending sounds to reading full sentences, depending on their level. Imaginative, colourful and thoughtfully put together, it will tick all their boxes – and yours too.

Hit The Button

£2.99 and worth every penny, with a huge selection of quick-fire mathematical games and activities that are as addictive for adults as they are for kids. Basic to look at but impossible to walk away from.

Tags 5minuteread, newDesign, Yournaptimeknowhow

TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Watermelon & Feta Salad

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 21 July 2021

TMC Family Recipe of the Week: Watermelon & Feta Salad

Watermelon feta salad is one of those flavor combinations that sounds odd, but just works SO well together. Add some mint to the mix, and you’ve got a fresh and colourful side dish that everyone will love.

Ingredients

700 g watermelon
1 small red onion
180 g feta cheese
1 bunch of fresh mint
extra virgin olive oil

Method

Scoop out and chop the watermelon flesh into chunks, discarding the peel.
Peel and finely slice the onion, crumble the feta, then pick the mint leaves, tearing any larger ones.
Place it all into a bowl and combine.
Drizzle over a little oil and season with black pepper.

Recipe from Jamie Oliver

6 Things We Learnt From Binge-Watching Sex/Life

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 18 July 2021

6 Things We Learnt From Binge-Watching Sex/Life

The 8-part Netflix series Sex/Life has been dominating our social media feeds since its debut in July and for good reason. The super steamy, sex-charged drama series tells the story of a Billie (Sarah Shani), a stunning wife and mother who lives a perfectly manicured life replete with gorgeously handsome hubby, cute kids and a spacious house in the burbs. But of course, there’s a problem. Billie is bored. She longs to relive her own version of the roaring twenties, and return to the days when she was running the streets with her bestie indulging in toe-curling sexploits in the spirit of Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha et al. It’s at this point we are introduced to her old flame, Brad (Adam Demos). Brad is sexy. Brad is confident. Brad is naughty. Brad is bad. His reappearance in Billie’s life has her questioning her safe and secure marriage and pondering the age-old question on whether as women we can truly have it all. After binge-watching the series in a day or two, here are some key observations we had of Sex/Life. Beware: major spoiler alerts ahead.

1. There’s no such thing as happily ever after

From a young age we’re indoctrinated with the belief that we’ll be truly happy once we land a dream job, get married, have kids and live in a big house. And no matter how much we evolve as a society and critique outdated societal conventions, deep down the little girl in us who read all the classic fairy tale books still holds this to be true. In Sex/Life protagonist Billie was tormented by the fact that on paper her life looked enviably perfect, and yet, she still felt empty inside. This serves as a reminder that happiness is not a destination. Even when you tick all the items off life’s to-do list you’ll still be faced with the emotional ups and downs that come with being human.

2. Our fun, frivolous years were great but probably best left in the past.

When you’re knee deep in the unrelenting cycle of round the clock nappy changes, sleepless nights and sore nipples during the early years of motherhood, it’s tempting to look back at your fun, frivolous child-free years and romanticise it. In Billie’s case, she was looking after a newborn and an infant simultaneously, living in the suburbs isolated from her true friends, and yearning for some attention from her husband who was frequently absent due to his work commitments. It was inevitable that she’d begin to think back to the past when she had a bustling social life, exciting sex life and a thriving career. We have a tendency to view the past with rose tinted glasses while glossing over the less savoury bits. In reality, those days came with its own set of challenges for most of us, think: commitment phobe dudes, bank accounts permanently in the red, and narcissistic bosses who would give Miranda Priestly a run for her money. The beauty of life is that each stage of it comes with its own set of unique gifts. Let the past stay in the past and embrace the present and all that the future has to offer.

3. Your sex life doesn’t have to be PG-rated because you’re a mum.

Billie was hesitant to show her husband her freakier side for fear of judgement, after all, she’s a mother of two now, right?* places tongue firmly in cheek*. Isn’t it baffling (and frustrating) that despite the sexual revolution and the current sex positivity movement, society still has a habit of deferring to the Madonna vs whore complex, viewing women as either saints or sluts. The consequence of this is women can be reluctant to experiment and explore the full spectrum of their sexuality once they tie the knot for fear of being seen as some kind of wanton sexual deviant. It’s such a counter-productive situation, as true intimacy can only occur when we show up as our authentic selves and bare our soul (porn star fantasies ‘n’ all) in its entirety to our significant other.

4. It’s okay to be honest – motherhood can suck sometimes

Billie fell victim to doing what so many of us do as mothers – bottling up our true feelings when it comes to the challenges of motherhood. While everything appeared perfect on paper – gorgeous hubby, adorable kids, enviable home – there was still an emptiness, a gnawing away at her soul as she still felt unfulfilled in other aspects of her life such as her career, which she had put aside to prioritise her family. We’d save ourselves from so much despair if we open up about how difficult motherhood can get sometimes. The thing is, we all experience similar feelings of exhaustion, loneliness, low mood, lack of confidence, but at the time we’re going through it, it can feel like we’re the only one. Don’t be afraid to take the first step and confide in a fellow mummy that although you love your babies dearly, things can feel a bit crappy at times.

5. The infamous shower scene in episode 3

Sorry, we’ve got nothing profound to say here other than, wow, did you see it? (I mean, how could you NOT?) *insert jaw drop emoji*

6. Password protection exists for a reason

Oh Billie, this could’ve all been so easily avoided. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with daydreaming about trysts with ex-lovers, or even ruminating about all the naughty things you’d like to do to Chris Hemsworth or Michael B. Jordan, but maybe next time keep those thoughts in your head, girl. Or if you insist on writing a steamy confessional reminiscing over Brad’s masterful cunnilingus skills, at least keep a password on your laptop to avoid the prying eyes of your hubby.

TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Avocado & Chocolate Ice Lollies

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 17 July 2021

TMC Family Recipe Of The Week: Avocado & Chocolate Ice Lollies

Ingredients

1 avocado
1 banana
2tbsp raw cacao
2tbsp maple syrup
1tsp lemon juice
1 cup almond milk

Method

Peel avocado and banana.
Place into a blender with cacao, maple syrup, lemon juice, half the amount of almond milk and blend until smooth.
Slowly add the rest of the almond milk until you achieve the desired consistency. Pour into prepared ice lolly moulds, insert ice lolly sticks and freeze for at least 3 hours, better overnight.
(You can replace maple syrup with some raw honey or medjool date.)

TMC Talks To Christie Wollenberg Creative Director & Co-Founder Of Otiumberg

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 10 July 2021

TMC Talks To Christie Wollenberg Creative Director & Co-Founder Of Otiumberg

Let’s face it being a mum is a big enough job on its own. It’s a full time commitment with no pay and mad hours! So adding ANOTHER full time job to the mix is not only very impressive but also massively inspiring. We recently spoke to Otiumberg, Demi-Fine Jewellery Co-Founder Christie Wollenberg to find out how she manages it all..

Explain what you do in a sentence?

I am creative Director and Co-Founder of Otiumberg, the British Demi-Fine jewellery brand.

How long have you done your job?

We founded Otiumberg in 2016, so 5 years. Prior to that, I had roles in communications at Burberry and Louis Vuitton.

What’s the coolest thing about it?

That my co-founder (Rosanna, my sister) and I created a brand we love and are proud of. that we oversee every part of the business and it’s a wonderful feeling to see the brand grow. That everything we have done has come organically, from saving the initial cash to start we have build the brand from the ground with no external investment

Locked Necklace

Otiumberg

£260

Pearl Link Up Bracelet

Otiumberg

£155

MAMA Name Bracelet

Otiumberg

£180

What does your day or week entail?

I am a Mum of 3 under 5 so it’s all a massive balancing act. When I am not on maternity leave (my youngest, Leo was born 10 weeks ago) I try to be in the office at least 3 days a week but always try to reserve Friday as a day with my kids. When I am in the office it’s all about sitting with the team, solving problems and meeting with partners. When I am at home, that’s when I do my best creative work. At the moment I am breastfeeding so whilst I am technically on maternity leave I obviously don’t want to just switch off for six months. I try to catch an hour here and there to answer some emails, think about the next collection and chat to my sister to see what’s been going on in other areas of the business. Having a sister as a co-founder means we have a natural alignment that most co-founders might not find. It’s reassuring to have that trust and to know that we’re looking out for each other.

Where did you start out?

My first job out of Uni was at Burberry as a junior buyer and then as time went on I moved into PR, events and VIP. I learnt a lot during those years as it was and still is one of the major fashion brands in the world. I then moved with my boyfriend (now husband) to the Middle East and got the opportunity to work for another fashion powerhouse, Louis Vuitton. The experience I had in this role, working across the Middle East region would prove very useful for Otiumberg.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Definitely juggling being a mum and running my own business however, there was a moment a few years ago. I was living in a flat where I was running Otiumberg from and one evening we got broken into and the whole collection was stolen. We literally had to start all over again and rebuild the collection. It was a massive lesson and we moved on and got stronger from thereon. They broke in when we were all asleep so it was pretty shocking and upsetting.

How have you found working with family?

From a business perspective, it’s incredible because we are so instinctively aligned. There is 100% trust. From a personal perspective it can be challenging as it’s easy to forget we need sister time too where we don’t talk about work and enjoy each other’s company away from Otiumberg.

What piece of advice would you give to someone hoping to do the same?

I think it’s key to be kind to yourself. If you have young kids, understand that there will be days you won’t be able to do as much as you want work-wise, on the flip side, some days you won’t be with your kids as much as you wanted because you got caught up in work. The key is acceptance and it’s something I still struggle with.

Something you’ve learnt that is crucial to either your job or to success?

Appreciate where you are and celebrate your successes. It’s very easy to achieve a goal and immediately raise the bar again. It’s important to look back and see how far you and your business have come.

How important is it to switch off?

Very! But it’s not easy. You have to want to switch off and if I’m honest, subconsciously, I think there’s always a part of me that wants to know what’s going on!

How do you manage your work / life balance?

It’s a constant struggle. I don’t think there is such a thing as HI balance, at least not for me, but believe that you have to try and focus on one thing at a time in order to get through each day. You have to know that you can’t necessarily control what your day looks like as you have little humans that rely on you. I manage each day by knowing that it will be slightly unpredictable, sometimes stressful sometimes incredibly satisfying!

How do manage mum guilt?

When i’m working at the office i’m so busy that my mind is focused on the business. It’s when I’m picking up my son from school and he’s so happy to see me that I feel bad I can’t do this every day. I manage the guilt by knowing that i’m a happier and better mum when I’m creative at work and am doing what I love.

How did you get over the feeling of missing your baby when you went back to work?

It’s tough and emotional but I also know that I’m doing the best I can for my kids and want them to one day be proud of what their Auntie and I have achieved!

Shop the full Otiumberg collection here .

17 Summer Dresses That You Can Wear With Or Without A Bump

Post author By The Mum Club
Post date 10 July 2021

17 Summer Dresses That You Can Wear With Or Without A Bump

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

The downside to being pregnant through the winter months is maternity wear comes in the form of leggings, mostly. Despite the insane sweats, and all the summer FOMO dressing a bump over summer is definitely more fun. Long floaty, non-maternity maternity dresses. Ones you can keep and love forever. Here are 17 of our favourites.