Bottle vs Breast

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“Bot Bot pease dadda!”

When Ayla was born we decided that my wife, Rachel would give breastfeeding a go. The hospital were really supportive. When Ayla struggled to latch they offered an overnight stay to help my wife figure out how to breastfeed. From Rachel’s messages to me that first night I realised that this breastfeeding thing may not be plain sailing. Ayla managed to feed, despite Rachel being in great pain, we came home thinking it could only get easier. Continue reading “Bottle vs Breast”

I’m Always Left Holding the Baby

always holding the baby I’m always left holding the baby! Shot’s fired, I hear you cry. ‘Wait till your wife reads this’, I see you type. I mean  this 100% literally though. The fact is in Ayla’s first 11-12 weeks I tried to carry her every waking moment we were together.  Continue reading “I’m Always Left Holding the Baby”

Ayla’s First Time at the Swimming Pool

aylas-first-time-swimming-pool
“Daddoo, I’m swimming!”

As parents, we decided to get Ayla in the pool as early, and as much, as possible. I’ve always loved swimming. It evokes some great childhood memories of getting launched about by my Dad and having wrestling moves performed on me. Not to mention the dragon’s head, the waves and the ice cold diving pool at Sunderland’s Crowtree Leisure Centre. I was eager to begin shot putting Ayla around a pool. Although I was informed by my wife, with our daughter only 8-weeks-old, we’d have to maybe start by getting her used to being in the water to begin with. Continue reading “Ayla’s First Time at the Swimming Pool”

How to Survive in Mummy Dominated Playgroups

"What can I bash this tambourine with?"
“What can I bash this tambourine with?”

I had heard a lot from other dads about the perils of venturing into the mummy dominated territory of playgroups. Add into the mix that I’m socially awkward in new or unfamiliar surroundings makes the whole ordeal quite painful for all involved. Continue reading “How to Survive in Mummy Dominated Playgroups”

Things I’ve Learnt From My Daughter

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1) Smile More – Of the many things I’ve learnt from my daughter, smiling is one of the most important. Ayla smiles so often that we nicknamed her Ayla Smiler. When you’re trying to be ‘in a one’ because you’ve ran out of milk, or your nephews saved over your updated FIFA teams, that one little smile, that glint in her eye is totally contagious.

Continue reading “Things I’ve Learnt From My Daughter”