Tag: Baby

New Mum | What do you feed a 6-9 month old?

“A baby’s motivation to put food in his mouth is curiosity and copying – not hunger “ ― Gill Rapley

I headed down to my local supermarket to get some of the ready-made baby food on the shelves and Matthew absolutely hated every single one of them. Now what?

“A baby’s motivation to put food in his mouth is curiosity and copying – not hunger “
― Gill Rapley

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If you’re new to my blog, then welcome!

And if not, then welcome back!

How are you? How’s life treating you?

Me, I’m doing OK considering I’ve spent the last week suffering from a cold given to me by my son. I was told that kids collect all sorts from nursery but I didn’t think I’d have the privilege of experiencing it so soon. He’s only been there 2 weeks! Nonetheless we are both doing better and I had just enough strength and time to work on a few blog posts and here’s one of them.

So once upon a time I write a food related post because well I was trying to test the waters of my content and also share some of the meals that have been saving my ass as a mum who hates cooking but loves needs to eat. If that sounds like you then do check out my first Lydia’s Lazy Lunch post and let me know what you think of my first meal in the series. I hope to share more with you in the coming months.

Anywho, in that post I mentioned that Matthew was showing signs he was ready for solid food (sitting up, looking at my food, grabbing my food and shoving it in his mouth, that kinda stuff). I got so excited that I headed down to my local supermarket to get some of the ready-made baby food on the shelves and he absolutely hated every single one of them, even the baby fruit purees. I didn’t like them either but thought it was a me thing. Every thing tasted sour for some reason…

As happy as I was that his taste buds and I were agreeing, this excitement was short lived as it downed on me that now I’d have to make his food from scratch. If you’ve read my last food related post you’d know I hate cooking with a passion but my baby gotta eat and enjoy his food so call me Suzy Homemaker. No don’t call me that please.

Through persistence, patience and a whole lot of wasted food I was able to find a handful of dishes he really liked and I thought I’d share some of them with you.

The weaning process has defiantly been an interesting phase in both of our lives. He’s discovering new flavours and textures whilst I’m discovering new poo smells and textures and a whole new level of forgiveness. 9 times out of 10 the food I spent the better part of my day researching, preparing and blending usually ended up everywhere but my baby’s mouth.

So, if like me, you have no idea or are running out of ideas on what to feed your 6-9 month old here are the quick and easy meals my son is loving during the weaning process. Now please note I am not a dietician or claiming that these meals will go down well with your baby. These are just suggestions to get you started if you’re in need of some ideas. They worked for me, my son and my sanity and I only hope they will do the same for you. Speak to your GP if you have any concerns or need advise on any of these dishes. I’m just a mother sharing my experience on the internet that’s all I’m saying…

Without further ado, here’s what you could feed your 6-9 month old.

Breakfast

Lunch

  • Scrambled eggs, avocado & baked beans
  • Salmon, spinach & pasta
  • Potatoes, mixed vegetables & soft cheese

Dinner

  • Turkey or beef mince stew, vegetables & pasta
  • Chicken stew, sweet potatoes & mixed vegetables
  • Mackerel and avocado

Dessert

Finger foods

And that’s it!

I plan his weekly meals around these food combinations and ensure he is having plenty of milk and water in between so he’s not constipated or dehydrated.

It’s a learning curve for both mother and baby when it comes to weaning or anything else in the motherhood life. We have to take time to get used to it. It took me 3 months and loads of wasted food to get this list. It’s frustrating, tiring and worrying but it’s also fun and exciting once you get passed the mess. You’ll soon realise how much the internet *cough* Instagram and YouTube *cough* lies to you. There is nothing glamorous about the weaning process. You’ll find food bits in all the wrong places, you’ll not get the portions right and your kitchen will look like you live with the 7 dwarfs. Still, I am glad to say that I’m finding my way through it. I might actually end up being Suzy Homemaker at this rate.

I’m still figuring out how much he actually eats and what other foods he likes but I know that these meals always go down well with him. They are pretty quick, easy and self explanatory and I always mix them with milk but if you’d like me to share how I make them then do let me know in the comments. My usual rule is if I taste it and I like it, he will like it too.

As tiring and often heartbreaking as the weaning process can be you feel so accomplished and proud to see your baby scoff down all the food you made once you figure it out. It makes the mess, stress and begging all worth while. Kinda…

I also found the www.madeformums.com website really useful when it came to weaning and baby recipes and meal planning. I’d suggest picking 2 or 3 meals to try for a week to see how your baby takes to it. That way if they like it, don’t like it or have an allergic reaction to it you’ll be able to easily pin point which one it was. But remember I’m not a professional nor am I claiming to be. I’m just a first time mum sharing her experience.

To make the process of making the food fun I usually have him in the kitchen with me and pretend we’re on a cooking show on YouTube. Is that sad? Probably, but who cares!

Your Turn…

How did you find the weaning process? Do you have any easy to make baby recipes or know of any?

Let me know in the comments below or on my socials @lydiaonlife.

Also, don’t forget to follow the blog too! And why not add yourself to the mailing list for updates whilst you’re at it? I don’t post often enough to spam you!

Till next time!

Love always,
Lydia x

Life Update | What Happened In May?

“How you feel about home after holiday says a lot about home.”
― Joyce Rachelle

Having some me time is so important, especially as a mother. Single or not, being a mother requires so much of yourself that it’s easy to lose yourself in the midst of it all.

“How you feel about home after holiday says a lot about home.”
― Joyce Rachelle

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If you’re new to my blog, then welcome! And if not, then welcome back!

How’s life treating you?

Me, I’m doing fabulous! May is a very special month for me for many reasons. Not only is it my birthday month but it’s also the month I use to reflect on all that I have done since my last birthday. It’s a mindfulness exercise I started last year called a reverse bucket list thats helped me learn to change my perspective on how I look at myself and the things happening in my life.

Being away from my usual surroundings also helps hence why I’ve not posted anything on here this month. I decided to take a much needed 3 week holiday to Kenya with my family where I knew I’d be able to relax, gather my thoughts and hit a very busy second half of 2019.

Aside from enjoying the time away from the London life, being in Kenya gave me the boost and guidance I needed when it came to parenting and I hope to share all I’ve learned in the months to come.

But for now here is a short, sweet and hopefully interesting recap on what Matthew and I have been up to in May.

What’s been happening with me:
  • I successfully travelled with a 8 month old to Kenya (this was not easy at all!)
  • I turned 27 (another birthday spent in another country)
  • I revived my Instagram page (hadn’t posted in over a year)
What’s been happening with Matthew:
  • Travelled on a plane for the first time (he did well considering how long the journey was)
  • He visited the rural areas in Kenya to see our extended family for the first time (everyone loved him)
  • He started standing on his own (if he could stand all day he would)
  • His top two teeth came through (this was not a fun experience for either of us)
  • He finally settled into a routine that works for me (the joy I feel about this is indescribable)

And that’s it! These were the highlights of my May. I’ll go into some of those moments in another posts but I hope you’ve gotten an idea of how we are doing so far in our journey.

As much as I enjoy being a mother and sharing that experience on my blog, sometimes stepping away from all that even for a little while will do you more good than trying to soldier through it.

Having some me time is so important, especially as a mother. Single or not, being a mother requires so much of yourself that it’s easy to lose yourself in the midst of it all. Our mental health is important if we want to not only raise strong amazing children but enjoy all that comes with it.

So from one exhausted mother to another I encourage you to take as many breaks as you need till you feel ready to face the world again because the world and the world of parenting is a difficult place to live in. There is nothing wrong in taking some time to focus on you and your mental health. This time can really help you get through those difficult moments and enjoy the wonderful moments that come along with it.

Speaking of wonderful moments, head over to my Instagram to see what Matthew and I got up to in Kenya. I don’t think I’ll be making such a long distance trip with him anytime soon but I’m so glad I had the opportunity to do it so early on in his life. I guess Brighton will have to be good enough for now!

The rest of 2019 is looking to be pretty busy for both of us so bare with me as I adjust.

Your Turn…

What were the highlights of May for you? Is there anything in this months round-up you’d like me to talk more about?

Let me know in the comments below or on my other social platform @lydiaonlife.

Also, don’t forget to follow the blog too! And why not add yourself to the mailing list for updates whilst you’re at it?

I hope (emphasis on hope) to start posting once a week again so stay tuned!

Till next time!

Love always,
Lydia x

Life Update | What Happened In April?

“A mother continues to labor long after the baby is born.”
– Lisa Jo Baker.

April has come and gone and it brought a lot of exciting and not so exciting things. I learned a lot about myself and those around me and realised just how important a change of environment can be.

“A mother continues to labor long after the baby is born.”
– Lisa Jo Baker

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Hello and welcome to my blog!

How are you? How’s life treating you?

I’m back with another round-up on what’s been going on with me and Matthew this month. April started off really low for me and I kinda shut away from friends and family as that’s how I deal with things however as time went on things started to get better. I learned a lot about myself and those around me and realised just how much stepping out of my comfort zone and following these tips can help me get my groove back.

So as promised, here is a short, sweet and hopefully interesting round up of how my April has been

What’s been happening with me
  • Managed to catch the flu (not great when you have a baby to look after)
  • Postnatal depression got to me really badly (I hate that word)
  • Sorted out my date for returning back to work (is it bad that I’m excited?)
  • Found a mentor for the project I’m working on (another exciting milestone for me)
  • I attend my first tech event for black folk called AfroTechFest (Amazing experience!)
  • And finally I got my lashes done for the first time (check them out on Instagram)
What’s been happening with Matthew
  • Turned 7 months (7 whole moths guys!)
  • He managed to catch my flu (dealt with it like a champ though)
  • Started walking along the edges of his bed from one end to the other (falls half way but it’s progress)
  • I took him to the office to show him off to everyone (travelling in London with a baby ain’t easy)
  • He’s been accepted to my first choice nursery ( I only registered for one)
  • And finally we officially started the weaning phase (it’s messy and we’re both still adjusting!)

It’s been a busy and emotional month but it’s been a good one. I’m super excited for the next one though so stay tuned for May’s round up! *cough* It’s my birthday month *cough* *cough*

Your Turn…

What were the highlights of April for you? Is there anything in this months round-up you’d like me to talk more about?

Let me know in the comments below or on my social @lydiaonlife.

Also, don’t forget to follow the blog too! And why not add yourself to the mailing list for updates whilst you’re at it?

I try (emphasis on the try) to post once a week so stay tuned!

Till next time!

Love always,
Lydia x

Life Update | What Happened In March?

“Taking a break can lead to breakthroughs.” ― Russell Eric Dobda

Lots of big and small things are happening in my life right now and not enough time to write it all down. So I though why not end the month with a little round up of what’s been going on.

“Taking a break can lead to breakthroughs.”
― Russell Eric Dobda

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Hello and welcome to my blog!

How are you? How’s life treating you?

I think I’m doing okay… March has been a bit of an off month for me. Lot’s of things have happened, (some good some not so good ) so I kinda took a break to gather my thoughts. I tend to do that a lot to realign myself but this time I thought instead of going completely silent for the entire month maybe I should share some of the things I’ve been doing in a little monthly round-up. I think about this blog way too much to just let it collect dust whilst I deal with life. So here we are!

Lots of big and small things are happening in my life right now and with a very active baby and majority (if not all) of my brains cells are focused on him, I’m not able to write them all down and share them as much as I’d like to. I’m also not sure if my readers would care to read a whole blog post on what lunch I made whilst entertaining a 6 month old. Or maybe you would? I don’t know.

My hope is that these monthly road-ups will encourage you guys to let me know what areas about my life you’d like to know more (or less) about. It will also help me keep track of what’s actually been going on in my life as I pursue my 2019 goals. It will be short, it will be sweet and hopefully interesting enough.

So without further ado here is my March round-up…

What’s been happening with me:
  • Started a new project which I hope to share at the end of the year (fingers crossed)
  • Applied for nursery for Matthew (he should hopefully start in June)
  • Celebrated my first mothers day (it wasn’t what I thought it would be)
  • And finally I attend my first blogging event BlogConLND (where I finally met my blogging sista queen jennasworldview.com and other lovely people!)
What’s been happening with Matthew
  • Matthew turned 6 months (ahhhhhh already!)
  • He was baptised on 24th March (very emotional day for him and me)
  • He started standing on his own (with the help of anything sturdy around him)
  • And finally he started eating solids (making full use of his 2 teeth!)

And that’s it I believe. Told you it would be short sweet and interesting (kinda). I don’t know what’s in store for next month but be sure I’ll have another round up ready for you.

Your Turn…

What were the highlights of March for you? Is there anything in this months round-up you’d like me to talk more about?

Let me know in the comments below or on my social @lydiaonlife.

Also, don’t forget to follow the blog too! And why not add yourself to the mailing list for updates whilst you’re at it?

I try (emphasis on the try) to post once a week so stay tuned!

Till next time!

Love always,
Lydia x

New Mum | What Should You Pack In Your Hospital Bag? + Free Printable List

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” ― H. Jackson Brown Jr

This is baby number 1 and I can’t tell you how many videos, websites and apps I looked at to ensure I had the hospital bag essentials I needed for the labour and delivery. Any advice people gave me I made a note of because I wanted to be as ready as possible. My pregnancy was unplanned and filled with a lot of emotional ups and down and I wanted to be everything I could to ensure that my labour and delivery was a lot more smoother and that I was as prepared as possible. But, can one ever be fully prepared for the delivery of their first baby?

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”
― H. Jackson Brown Jr

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If you’re new to my blog, welcome. And if not, then welcome back!

How are you? How’s life treating you?

Me, I’m doing great! As a first-time mum attempting to blog my journey, this post was a must to write. Am I really a mum blogger if I don’t have one of these posts? Okay that’s just an excuse, I’ve always wanted to write one of these posts and I’m so glad I have a legit reason and experience to do so.

This is baby number 1 and I can’t tell you how many videos, websites and apps I looked at to ensure I had the hospital bag essentials I needed for my labour and delivery. Any advice people gave me I made a note of because I wanted to be as ready as possible. My pregnancy was unplanned and filled with a lot of emotional ups and down and I wanted to do everything I could to ensure that my labour and delivery was a lot more smoother and that I was as prepared as possible.

But, can one ever be fully prepared for the delivery of their first baby? My answer is no. Despite having 2 extra weeks to pack because I was overdue, I still didn’t pack everything I needed. Nonetheless I feel like the experience helped me prepare for the next time I give birth and I wanted to share it.

The first thing I want to mention is the actual hospital bag. I decided to take a small hand luggage suitcase with me as it had just the right amount of space and it was easy to transport. I toyed with the idea of getting a fancy hospital bag like all the other trendy mums I’d seen but I realised it would have been a waste of my money since I already had bags available. Plus being fancy would have been the last thing on my mind on that day. I needed something practical, spacious and available so a hand luggage suitcase was the best thing to use. In the side pockets of my hospital bag I had my hospital notes, camera and charger as well as lip balm, phone, charger, earphones, keys and pocket tissue.

The second thing I did was put my stuff and the baby’s stuff in separate storage bags inside the suitcase. This made it easy for me and my family to find things without completely destroying my nicely organised bag. I used the clear storage bags that come with some of the babies clothes as they were the perfect size and I had loads. I love repurposing things!

So what did I take with me?

I’ll start with the most important persons things – the baby. I waited until after my baby shower to pack the hospital bag for the baby as I didn’t want to spend money on items that people might get for me anyway. I had so many questions when I was packing the baby’s bag. How big would he be? How often in a day would he be changed? Where the wipes “pure” enough? Did I have enough blankets? Who knew packing for a baby could be so complicated! I packed then unpacked then repacked and replaced until I felt it was just right and that I had everything I needed.

lydiaonlife-printable-hospital-bag-for-baby

The cotton wool and water was important for cleaning the baby (which the hospital provided) since the midwives didn’t deem the water wipes as “pure enough” for newborn skin despite every blog post and video telling me they were. As for the bottles and formula, I struggled to breastfeed the baby so out of frustration I asked if he could be given formula whilst I tried to get the hang of breastfeeding. Luckily the hospital was able to provide them for me but it was definitely disappointing that I didn’t get the hang of breastfeeding straight away.

Aside from the cotton wool, formula and bottles, the baby I packed exactly what I needed. Not bad for a first-timer, huh?

Now onto the hospital bag for mum – that’s me!

I spent so much time and had so much fun packing the hospital bag for the baby that I left my bag till the very end. 2 weeks before I was due I was still shopping for clothes to pack for myself. Shameful, I know. I didn’t think I needed a lot because I didn’t expect to stay in hospital that long and surprisingly enough I actually didn’t need a lot. Despite having an expected emergency c-section I packed just the right amount of things that I needed.

lydiaonlife-printable-hospital-bag-for-mum

The hospital was able to provide me with disposable underwear, maternity pads and towels which I used in addition to the ones I brought. They also supplied me with a hospital gown which I wore instead of the night dresses I brought. It wasn’t the most flattering attire but with all the blood coming out of me and the pain I felt from even the slightest movement, looking flattering was the least of my concerns. Their gown was functional and I didn’t care if it got dirty. There was no need for socks since I was in compression socks after giving birth and the hospital was pretty warm anyway.

My labour and delivery wasn’t as glamorous as I’d hoped so even though I brought make-up I didn’t end up using it and most of the snacks I brought were consumed by family members as I didn’t have much of an appetite.

And that was it.

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I’ve never felt more organised in my life than I did packing my hospital bag. Every time I looked at it I felt so proud. And I damn sure was!

Despite missing one or two things here and there I think I did pretty well for a first timer and I didn’t have to send anyone home to get anything for me – aside from proper food.

As proud as I am of my list I can’t say it’s the ultimate list because giving birth can be quite unpredictable. Every experience is different and therefore the needs might also be different too. What I would do differently next time is probably call the hospital to see what items they can provide for me should I need them as well as what they would recommend I bring. I didn’t think to do this as I never knew it was an option – no one told me I could do that. It would have probably saved me a lot of time, money and space in the hospital bag.

The distance from your home to your hospital plus the type of birth you are having will greatly affect what you will need to pack but as long as you have someone who can pop home and get you a few extra things, you don’t need to pack your entire bedroom.

As a first-time mum I hope my experience and list will help you feel a bit more prepared and at ease for your hospital bag needs. There are plenty of blogs, videos and apps out there if you need more ideas. Here are a few that I found really useful.

BLOGS:
VIDEOS:
APPS:

Did you pack everything you needed in your hospital bag? Let me know in the comments below.

Till next time.

Love always,
Lydia x

Life Update | Babies, Break-ups and Blogging?

“Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realise that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.”
Eckhart Tolle

It’s been a couple of months since I’ve posted anything new on here but after a much needed break I’m back doing what I love. To mark my return I thought I’d share a little little life update on what’s been going on and what I have in store for my little corner of the internet.

“Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realise that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.”
Eckhart Tolle

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It’s been a couple of months since I’ve posted anything new on here but after a much needed break I’m back doing what I love. To mark my return I thought I’d share a little little life update on what’s been going on and what I have in store for my little corner of the internet.

But first, how are you? How is life treating you?

Me, I’m doing good. A lot has happened since I last posted. Some good, some bad and some just plain old unexplainable but I’m in a much better place now than I was a few months ago. Life hit me and it hit me really REALLY hard. I was never fully ready to share the specifics both online and offline because it’s hard to do so when you’re in the midst of the chaos. Every time I wanted to say something, the words failed me. I didn’t know where to start or how to start or if I should even start. So I didn’t. Instead, I had many days of crying and feeling sorry for myself until eventually I found the strength to get my groove back. Things weren’t okay but I knew they’d be okay. Eventually. Then I took a little 4 month break to gather myself and my thoughts and just enjoy the good moments that were happening instead of dwelling on the bad.

I told myself that once I got it together I’d return and write a life update post and share my journey because I believe it’s part of the recovery process. It’s a slow and painful process but it’s worth sharing because someone else might be going through the same thing and need to know that they are not alone. That it’s normal to feel how you feel and it’s possible to get through it no matter how hard it might be. Sometimes that’s all the encouragement we need.

So without further ado here is little life update on what’s been going on. Are you sitting comfortably?

BABIES

I’ll start with the biggest and most amazing thing of all that’s happened to me in the last 5 months. On 17th September at 7 something in the morning I become a mum to the most handsome little boy named Matthew. I say little but he weighed a healthy 7.3 pounds which is quite big so I’ve been told. I too was a big baby so I wasn’t too surprised. I delivered him via an emergency caesarian section (c-section) which I was not prepared for at all! I’ll go into more detail about my pregnancy, delivery and recovery in another post but for now I’m so excited to share this wonderful news. I’m officially a mama! Whoooop! It still hasn’t really kicked in yet that I am someone’s mum and I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m doing it anyway and I’m falling in love with him every single day whilst at it. I’m anxious but excited to spend the rest of my life trying to keep his little behind alive, healthy and happy!

BREAK-UPS

The next update is that sadly the start of this amazing new chapter in my life was met with an unexpected end to my relationship with Matthew’s father. I’ve spoken about him a few times on here during our relationship and I never in a million years thought it would end like it did, but it did. We broke up in February and I went through the entire pregnancy without him. It’s crazy how things can change so quickly but that’s life. Things change, people change and you just have to deal with it as best as you can. I was fortunate to have support from my amazing family and friends which I thank God for every single day. I don’t know how I would have coped without them.

At some point I’ll share the experience with you as I feel it’s important to share both life’s ups and downs, however for now I want to continue focusing on the good that came out of our relationship – Matthew. He’s taken all my pain and disappointment away and I know that everything happens for a reason. I didn’t understand it at first but I get that now. I’m so much more happier and excited for the future ahead.

BLOGGING

Last but not least, is my blog. They say behind every dark cloud there’s always a silver lining. Or something like that. Well, I think I may have found my silver lining. My life has taken an amazing but unexpectedly turn and I’d like my blog to a reflection of that. After all this is Lydia on Life, right? I’ve spent a lot of time talking about self love and self development on my blog amongst other things and that has helped me get through everything that’s happened so far this year. Because of that, I know I want to continue sharing my journey. I’m now a single young woman and also a new mum and I want to share my thought’s and experiences as I try to navigate and balance this new life. I have so much to learn and even more to give and it’s all thanks to Matthew. He has given me a new perspective on myself and life and has made me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to. I’m ready for whatever lies ahead and I want to share it all right right here.

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So yup, that’s my life update so far. As you can see I’ve been going through quit a bit of change and though it hasn’t been easy, I thank God everyday for it. I went through it, I got through it and I’ve come out the other side smiling because of it.

Life is very unpredictable and at times can be very uncomfortable. But I read a quote from Mokokoma Mokhonoana that said ‘comfort rarely produces great art’. Out of my uncomfortable I want to produce great art. I want my experience to bare fruits that will be used as encouragement for those (including myself) that may find themselves in that place of doubt again. I want to show whoever stumbles across my blog that you are more prepared to take on life’s struggles than you think you are. You may not feel like it but trust me you are. Just be patient with yourself. You cannot celebrate a victory if you’ve never been to war.

So I wrote this to not only give you a life update but to remind you that no matter how long or how dark the tunnel might be, keep going because there is light at the end of it. It might seem far, it might not even look like it’s there but trust me it’s there. Use that time to grow, develop and overcome the obstacles that will come along the way. It won’t be easy or painless but in the end you will be able to say you made it.

I don’t know what’s in store for the future but I’m excited for it anyway.

Till next time!

Love always,
Lydia x