I used to be incredibly naive. I was brought up to believe that our leaders, even if we didn't agree with their particular brand of political philosophy, generally had our best interests at heart. Us, the people, were their top priority. Within that mindset came the belief that rules, laws and Continue Reading
Fire, Fury and Fatigue in the Dunkirk Camp
Arriving on Friday morning in the camp was strange, yet familiar. This time I was with Linda, an experienced homestart manager who has previously done 5 days in the camp, and Katie, a doula for whom this was her first visit. We had a car load of donations to take to the women's centre - buckets Continue Reading
Five Days in the Dunkirk Camp: Doula Linda’s Account
This is a guest post by my friend and fellow doula, Linda Robinson, who spent five days in the Dunkirk camp. I am honoured to host her account on my blog and urge you to read and share to raise awareness. Winter is drawing in and as temperatures dip, conditions worsen. Thank you for joining us in Continue Reading
“We Are Not Animals”…A Day in the Dunkirk Refugee Camp
This article is about the help that refugees need in the camp in Dunkirk. A camp that is under resourced and forgotten. 1000 people, including babies and children, are living in damp, cold wooden sheds. The infant feeding team need money and volunteers. Read on for details and a link to donate. Continue Reading
Breastfeeding: The UK’s First Report Card
The general concensus for our end of term report is that opt-quoted phrase, Could do better The teachers are the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative, 'a collaborative national assessment of the implementation of key policies and programmes from the WHO’s Global Strategy for Infant and Young Continue Reading
A Day in The Life of A Doula
A discordant beeping jolts me out of sleep. I roll over and grope for my phone. It is 6.30. Yawning, I look at the text. It is my postnatal client. Awake feeding baby, she has the opportunity to ask me to come a little earlier - her husband is away and and she’s feeling overwhelmed. She mentions Continue Reading
Babies, Bottles and Feeling Bad..Or…Bog Off Guilt!
GUILT...5 little letters that pack a punch way above the space they take up on the page. 5 little letters that are a heavy cross to bear when you are a parent. For some reason, that burden seems to fall even more heavily on mothers. Every tiny thing we do comes loaded with worry, doubt and Continue Reading
Why we need to celebrate pregant women not just the baby they’re carrying
Today, a guest blog by my friend and Developing Doulas student, Lauren Derrett, founder of the brand new gift box service for mums, The Whole Nine Months. As a mum of 4, Lauren really understands how much new mums need a whole heap of loving and nurture through the wild ride that is pregnancy and Continue Reading
The Evil Nip-Nasties: what to do with cracks and blisters
When I was a little girl I was always grazing my knees climbing trees and falling off my bike. I used to love picking at the scabs, worrying away at the edges to see if it was ready to come off. I loved seeing the brand new pink skin underneath. My mum told me scabs were 'nature's plaster' and to Continue Reading
I have all the Colours
I Have All the Colours I have all the colours. Red Ochre, slate grey, golden brown And greens of all the hues. Colours to paint the land that Births me anew, cleans and renews. The place where water tumbles and dances In the shimmering light. ~~~~ I have all the colours. Buttercup yellow, Continue Reading