Mum to be and New Mum local resources
Leighton Buzzard is a fantastic place to have a baby and bring up children, there are so many activities and groups to choose from plus some excellent professional services available for us to access here.
This list of resources details a few people I highly recommend and activities that are well worth trying out!
CHILLED MAMA
Cathy from Chilled Mama is an all round mothering expert and has something to offer everyone. A mother of 5, a doula, qualified baby massage teacher, breastfeeding peer supporter...she has so much to offer and is lovely to boot! Highly recommend her Pregnancy or ‘Mama and baba’ retreat days. She runs webinars and online workshops on various topics, face to face workshops and teaches the baby massage course at our local children’s centre.
https://www.chilledmama.co.uk/
ST JUDES CLINIC
My ‘proper job’ when I’m not looking after 2 small people or teaching Pilates, is at St Judes Clinic in Leighton Buzzard as a Chartered Physiotherapist. I treat musculoskeletal conditions and also women’s health conditions. I can help pregnant ladies suffering with Pelvic Girdle Pain (SPD) and also offer the ‘One Stop Mum Check’, which is a postnatal wellness check for Mums including an internal pelvic floor assessment. This is a really helpful check to ensure you are making a good recovery having been through pregnancy and birth, particularly if you are experiencing any urinary leaking, suspect you have prolapse or if you had a tear during your delivery.
Antenatal Physiotherapy - https://www.stjudesclinic.com/treatments/Antenatal-physio/
One Stop Mum Check - https://www.stjudesclinic.com/treatments/postnatal-care/
PELVIC FLOOR AND CORE HEALTH WORKSHOPS @ THE STUDIO
I also co-host Pelvic Floor and Core Health Workshops every few months at The Studio with Sarah from Pear Projects. This evening workshop is a chance to learn about your pelvic health and what you can do to recover from pregnancy fully, avoiding common problems like incontinence or prolapse. Sarah teaches some amazing exercises too which helps re-connect with the pelvic floor. Goody bag included for all. Look out for news of our next event.
Latest event on FB with info and pictures - https://www.facebook.com/events/210141592898495/?ti=icl
LEIGHTON BUZZARD CHILDREN'S CENTRE
We are really lucky in Leighton Buzzard to have such a fantastic Children’s Centre, based in the grounds of St George’s Lower School on East Street. They have a varied activity programme each term and the subsidised baby/toddler groups they offer are excellent. The staff are lovely, provide stimulating activities and are really supportive. They offer a variety of new baby groups plus run the Breastfeeding support group, which welcomes bumps as well as Mums with older babies or newborns. Their Facebook page keeps you up to date with their activities.
http://www.leightonbuzzardchildrenscentre.co.uk/
SLING LIBRARY
The local sling library is an group which includes a qualified sling consultant who can guide you in safe babywearing plus loans out a variety of slings for a small hire fee. This is a good opportunity to work out which sling style suits you and practice using one before you think about buying one. They meet once a month at the Children’s Centre to offer sling advice and hire out slings.
Their Facebook page is ‘Leighton Buzzard and District Sling Library’
NAPPY LIBRARY
If you’re interested in re-usable nappies there is the option of hiring a starter kit for a few weeks, for a small fee, to give you the chance to see if it works for you or not. The local council supports this and offers cash back if you buy your own re-usables (there is a good second hand market for these nappies as they can be expensive brand new). There are many people locally using ‘cloth bums’ with lots of advice and support if you want to try it.
Their Facebook page is ‘Bedfordshire Real Nappy Library’
LEIGHTON BUZZARD AND DISTRICT NCT NEARLY NEW SALES
A great way of buying pre-loved items for your little one! These events usually run twice per year in the spring and autumn and there is a VAST amount of clothes, toys, maternity wear, books, bedding etc etc which you can pick up at rock bottom prices! Next event is at Cedars Upper School on Saturday October 13th 2018. Buyers and sellers need not be NCT members, the sales are open to all.
Also highly recommend as a way to clear out your house of stuff you no-longer need by signing up as a seller. Sellers have the option of volunteering during the sale which gives you access to the pre-sale, before doors open to the general public - it’s a fun morning AND you get the pick of the goodies too!
Their Facebook page, with event details on is ‘Leighton Buzzard and District NCT’
BABY SENSORY
This is a fantastic sensory experience for baby, with a huge array of themes and activities within every class. You’re certain baby will have a great nap afterwards! Running locally in Wingrave and Woburn Sands, both only about 20 mins from Leighton Buzzard. Well worth a visit!
https://www.babysensory.com/woburn-sands/
SARAH PEARSON
Sarah is a fitness instructor specifically working with women of all stages in life. She has her own studio for 1:1 personal training in Pitstone and runs classes too. She is extremely knowledgeable, and I highly recommend her services to all women!
http://pearprojects.co.uk
WISE HIPPO HYPNOBIRTHING
For Mums to be, The Wise Hippo Hypnobirthing programme is run locally by Jeanie Todd. This is an excellent way to prepare for your birth, whatever type of birth you may be planning, and you will be taught many skills to cope in the run up to and with the big day itself. Hypnobirthing isn’t ‘hypnosis’ - it’s really about learning breathing and relaxation techniques which can keep you calm and in a really relaxed, positive mindset for birthing. Jeanie offers groups and works 1:1 with couples too.
http://www.thewisehippobb.co.uk/
VARIOUS LOCAL FACEBOOK GROUPS
One of the best ways to connect with other Mums and find out what’s on locally is via the local ‘Mum’ Facebook groups. These groups are all quite active offering support/advice from other local Mums.
THE BABY BUNCH LEIGHTON BUZZARD - run by local Mums
CHILLED MAMA’S LOUNGE - run by Cathy from Chilled Mama
BREASTFEEDING LADIES OF LEIGHTON BUZZARD - run by local breastfeeding peer supporters involved in the Baby Brasserie Breastfeeding support group at the Children’s Centre
MOTHER NURTURE PILATES FACEBOOK PAGE
As a women's health Physiotherapist passionate about improving postnatal healthcare, I often post useful information or share articles on this page relevant to postnatal recovery and women's health. Follow the page to receive all this info!