at home with Jo Frost - October 2012 - (Page 79)

| SLUG| WORRIES From sleep deprivation and vaccinations, to postnatal depression and competitive parenting, we’ll help soothe your parenting fears Beat new mum he early days of motherhood can be fraught with anxiety – are you doing the right thing? Should you be feeling this way? But allowing yourself to fall into a constant cycle of worry won’t help anyone. Thankfully most baby concerns are easy to address with the right frame of mind... T What if I have trouble bonding with my baby? ‘This is a typical worry for mums-to-be,’ says Sharon Trotter, a midwife and independent mother and baby consultant (www.sharon trotter.org.uk). ‘Although most women experience an immediate and powerful bond when their baby’s born, some can ﬁnd it takes a while.’ With everything you’ve gone through during pregnancy and labour, both physically and emotionally, you can feel all over the place. ‘Babies don’t come with a guidebook, so be realistic and avoid being too hard on yourself,’ urges Sharon. ‘Communication is key, so talking to your baby and giving him lots of cuddles will enhance your relationship as it grows day by day. Breastfeeding, if you can, is also a fantastic way to forge that lifelong link.’ I’m worried my partner will go off me if he sees everything in labour WORDS: Olivia Holcombe | PHOTOGRAPHS: Getty Images A common worry among pregnant women is what her partner will think if he peeks ‘down below’ during labour. The key is to talk about it beforehand, so if you’re adamant you don’t want him to, make that clear. ‘Most men prefer to stay up at the top end, anyway, where they can play a supportive role – helping with the breathing and trying to keep the mum-to-be calm,’ reassures Claire Rocuzzi, an antenatal educator and birth coach (www.better birthing.org.uk). And for dads who do choose to take a look? ‘They tend to have a new-found awe for their partner, and are amazed at what amazing things their body can do!’ says Claire. > www.athomemagazine.co.uk OCTOBER 2012 | 079 http://www.sharontrotter.org.uk http://www.sharontrotter.org.uk http://www.better

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of at home with Jo Frost - October 2012

EDITOR’S LETTER
JO’S HELLO
WHAT’S NEW IN PARENTING?
OCTOBER OUTINGS
SCRUB A DUB DUB
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
NICE WHEELS
FAMOUS MUMS
JO FROST ON THE GO
THE NAUGHTY CORNER
ADULT CLASSES
THE BIG C
YUMMY MUMMY
GET THE LOOK
PUSHY MOTHERS
TOPS ON TREND
MAKE-UP MAGIC
MOTHER WEAR
BABY BUMP BLISS
FIRST-TIME WORRIES
STARTING OUT
ON-THE-MOVE
SIGN UP
MILK TIME
SLEEP EASY
CRY BABY
WHAT’S THAT RASH?
MORE PLEASE
BABY STEPS
JOIN THE GREEN TEAM
COUNTRY COOL
PRE-SCHOOL LEARNING
BUDDING BOOKWORM
AN ITCH TO SCRATCH
‘I’M NOT HUNGRY’
GOING POTTY
BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT
LIVING WITH AUTISM
OPEN WIDE
THE COLD WAR
LET MUMMY KISS IT BETTER
PANIC STATIONS
A CLEAN SWEEP
PROJECT RUNWAY
ORGANISE THIS
TIME FOR BIG SCHOOL
ALL KITTED OUT
WHERE DO BABIES COME FROM?
‘I HATE YOU!’
TWEEN HEALTH
EAT WELL
TRICK OR TREAT
THE GHOST WITH THE MOST
LET’S BAKE
BABY BUDGET
WHAT KIND OF PARENT ARE YOU?
GIVE A CHILD A HOME
FAMILY MEN
GIRL POWER
DAY TRIPPER
GET PACKING
WHY PETS ARE BEST
COMING SOON
STORY CORNER
COUNT TO 10
PEARLS OF WISDOM
QUESTION TIME
KODAK MOMENTS
SURF’S UP
SOUND BITES
STOCKISTS

at home with Jo Frost - October 2012