Dads love BornFree!

Being a new parent is hard work! But it’s a lot easier when it’s approached as a team effort. In the early days, the onus is on the new mummy but there are plenty of ways a partner can contribute and support : night feeds, nappy changes, looking after siblings, cooking, cleaning, foot massages…….I could go on.

In my work as social network coordinator I hear a lot about ‘hands on Dads’ and I’m very pleased to be able to post this  lovely feedback from new Dad Ben Mynott, who clearly has his wife and baby’s best interests at heart:

This is the truth… we started Toby on the bottle just over a week ago so I could do one of the night feeds (so Vick can get some well-earned shut eye!) – and the first 3-4 night we gave him the milk in the Philips avent bottles. NO! They just gave him wind! Poor little thing was in bits. We then bought some Philips Airflow bottles… better… but the only ones he’ll take without any fuss, are the BornFree ones – he just seems to love them. Last couple of nights he’s been a star, fed and then gone straight back to sleep. So thank you so much

 

 Great news Ben, glad we could help too!

Notes from Motherhood: Cry Baby Cry!

One of the best things about my job is that I get to read lots of wonderful blogs written by mums and dads. They are all different, each one an insight into the personal world of that individual and their family. But they do have one thing in common, all of them are written from the heart and touch upon issues that all mums and dads want to hear about because they either have direct or indirect experience of them.

Last Autumn when I first started my role as Social Networking Coordinator for BornFree I connected with a lovely woman on Twitter called Claire Lancaster. I sensed at the time that Claire was going through a very difficult time with her colicky baby and I could relate very well to this, having gone through a tough time with my second child Molly for the same reason.

Claire has, amongst many of her talents, a gift for writing that allows her readers to connect and relate immediately to her subject matter. When you read her words you immediately feel comfortable, as if you are chatting with an old friend.

Last week Claire wrote a post on her blog which I wanted to share with the BornFree audience because it has so much in it that is relevant to all parents, be they first, second, third or eighth time around.  Feeding, sleep issues, caring for a toddler and a newborn, coping with colic and living with a baby who cries all the time are all discussed with warmth, honesty and positivity.

Claire has very kindly agreed to write some posts for the BabyBornFree Blog in the near future and I can’t wait to post them up and share them with you.

In the meantime please follow this link and read Claire’s blog:

http://clairelancaster.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/babies-cry-but/

Notes from Motherhood:Here come the Dads!

The Daily Mail has featured an article today which talks about how the Labour Party wants to put fatherhood at the heart of social policy.

In the run up to the general election competition between the parties is hotting up. In a new move, to counter the Tory’s plan to tackle family breakdown, Labour have announced that they will give new fathers more access to ante-natal classes as well as a New Dad’s guide.

The article features a quote from Schools Secretary, Ed Balls

‘We haven’t done enough in the past to support dads and their role in childbirth in the months and weeks beforehand, even though we know this is the most vulnerable time for a couple. All the evidence is if fathers are properly engaged and involved at that time, then they stay, they’re supportive to their children, they do all the things which then lead to better child outcomes.’

It’s great to know there is recognition from the government that the role of the father in childcare is so important, but the article ends with this rather cutting remark from the Conservative spokesman for family policy, David Willetts:

Labour have spent a decade focusing only on mother and baby and at this late stage they’re claiming at last to have discovered the importance of fathers and grandparents.

Let’s hope that it’s not all about the election and something constructive comes out of these plans. Dads need support too.

You can read the Daily Mail article here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Dads love BornFree™!

Check out this Dad who created a great YouTube video about BornFree™ and why he chose us for his child in response to another user’s quest for the perfect baby bottle.

Thank you!

Please send in your own BornFree videos to anne@newbornfree.com and we’ll post them on the blog!