Ellie May Maternity

Ellie May Maternity Maternity Nurse services to support you in the early days, weeks and months of having a newborn �

Now I have a chunk of time where the almost 1-year old work baby is napping in his cot, you'd think I'd have plenty of t...
29/07/2026

Now I have a chunk of time where the almost 1-year old work baby is napping in his cot, you'd think I'd have plenty of time to come up with creative ideas and schedule lots of posts...🤷

But here we are...

Remember: holding and responding to your baby is not a bad habit, your baby does not need to be taught to self-soothe...

And you are doing a great job! ❤️

24/07/2026

A cot nap is no more superior than any other nap BUT it doesn't mean you can't like the idea of it now and again and feel like trying one out if baby is on board! 👀💤✅

As you will know if you've been following me regularly, I'm a big advocate for taking the path of least resistance and acknowledging that contact naps and motion naps are all very biologically and developmentally normal for babies and will often trump attempts at a cot nap (while some babies may love a cot nap of course and never nap in the buggy!) 👶

I am also aware, that while I rarely achieve a cot nap with the 11-month old at work, his parents do quite often at the weekends...This past weekend, for a very long nap! 🛌

So...I thought I'd test the waters:

1. No pressure: if it didn't work, that's fine too - the buggy, my arms and the carrier are still there! 

2. I asked for any Pre-nap routine his parents do so I could closely replicate it (although I also know babies don't need the same routine from different carers and in different settings necessarily)

3. I was not aiming for "self-settling" or "independent" sleep and was happy to cuddle him until he was asleep or almost asleep (whatever worked) and stay with him singing and stroking him until asleep 

Monday: 1 half an hour nap on the go - no cot nap attempted

Tuesday: he slept 2hrs 20mins in his cot! What do people even do with that kind of time?! 

Wednesday: he did 2 half an hour naps on the go... 

Thursday (when I wrote this): he was very tired by the time we got home from morning activities but would wake each time I put him down (and spent a good chunk of time playing with the camera and sound machine) before letting me cuddle him to sleep again and transfer him with some patting 

At time of writing he has been asleep 1hr 20! Guesses below of how long he goes for?! 👇💬

Have you checked in with your carrier lately to make sure it still fits your little one well? 🌟Some carriers are not adj...
23/07/2026

Have you checked in with your carrier lately to make sure it still fits your little one well? 🌟

Some carriers are not adjustable and so may just not be the right fit for your baby as they've grown beyond it's limits ✖️

Carriers tend to state tested weight limits on them so check this too in case you're past that point! 🏋️‍♀️

In this case, you can look for a new option suitable for your growing little one with advice and guidance as needed on Babywearing UK Facebook group or a local sling library or peer supporter like me who may be able to recommend options 🤩

However, you may have an adjustable carrier that you bought when your little one was smaller and you can adjust as they grow:

✅ Widening the base so it continues to reach knee to knee and provide that comfortable, deep M seat for your baby
✅ Extending the panel (often folded down by your baby's neck for when your baby is smaller but able to be unfolded and buttoned up on the straps to extend the height)
✅ Removing any extra cushioning/inserts that may have been provided for when your baby was smaller
✅ Lowering the waistband - when little, around where a bra strap sits so baby was high enough to rest their head close enough to kiss on the hard part of your chest. As they get taller, you may need to lower the waistband to achieve the same position
✅ Switching back to inward facing or opting for hip or back carrying once your baby is over a year or 10kg (this is guidance based on when the weight of baby outward facing on your front may be too heavy to be comfortable or safe for your body with gravity pulling your increasingly heavy baby away from your body rather than in)

16/07/2026

I just received my Certificate to say I've passed my Advanced Perinatal Coaching Course with Dee at the and the amazing 🎉

But what does that mean for my practice supporting parents throughout their first year (sometimes longer, antenatally and beyond the first year) as a certified Infant Feeding Specialist, Gentle and Holistic Sleep Coach, Babywearing Peer Supporter and Postnatal carer? 👶

Well, with my advanced coaching skills i have developed my skills to:
🌟 Provide space where I listen more than I talk
🌟 Ask questions to help parents identify their values and goals
🌟 Help parents identify the existing support they have around them
🌟 Provide time and space for the families I work with to identify their next steps forward that will realistically work for them and move them closer towards their goals

It's one thing to hear someone say: "I'm struggling with feeding/sleep/my baby's needs etc." And simply offering solutions - "try this position", "this is guaranteed to make your baby sleep", "try a carrier"...

And another to dig deeper into the situation and encourage them to take the lead 🤱:

"What are you finding hard about feeding?"
"If you could look back a year from now what would your journey have looked like?"
"What does 'sleeping through' mean to you?" "Who can you ask for help?"
"Does that sound realistic for you?"

Babies are complex and so is parenting, so looking at the bigger picture, asking questions and providing space for parents to be heard is so important to ensuring the best support is given 🌟

I made a terrible mistake...I didn't acknowledge a very important day in the calendar: World Chocolate Day 🍫Did you know...
14/07/2026

I made a terrible mistake...I didn't acknowledge a very important day in the calendar: World Chocolate Day 🍫

Did you know, as well as being delicious, chocolate helps your breastfeeding journey 🤱

❤️ Chocolate triggers the release of Oxytocin - one of the central breastfeeding hormones in your body causing the muscles around your milk- producing cells to contract so milk travels down to the ni**le and out to your baby (aka your letdown)

❤️ Dark chocolate is best as it contains higher levels of magnesium which help with the release of oxytocin and the brains receptors be more sensitive to it

❤️ Oxytocin is also the love and bonding hormone, reducing cortisol, so an all round good hormone to have flowing through you as you feed your baby

So, next time you're feeding your baby, make sure you have some chocolate near by. You're welcome! 🥰

What chocolate are you taking to your next feed? 👇💬

🍫

09/07/2026

Did you know: The reason Powdered Infant Formula (PIF) should be made up with boiled water, cooled to no less than 70°C is NOT to do with the water but the powder itself! 🍼

PIF can become contaminated with dangerous bacteria, including Enterobacter sakazakii and Salmonella enterica (names I attempted to pronounce badly in the video...) both during manufacturing and preparation ⚠️

To destroy any such dangerous bacteria, or at least strongly reduce the risk, the World Health Organisation (WHO), NHS and the formula packages themselves state water must be at least 70°C 🌡️

Then, once made up the milk can be cooled to drinkable temperature:

🚰 Under cold running water
💦 Stood in a bowl of cold, or even iced water

Ideally feeds are made up as needed but, if not needed right away, feeds can be made in advance, cooled quickly as above and then stored at no more than 5° I.e. in a cool fridge and used within 24hr ⌛⏰

These can be given straight from the fridge or heated by standing in a bowl of water rather than in a microwave where hot spots can be created ☕

Liquid ready-to-feed infant formula is sterile already and therefore recommended for those most at risk e.g. preterm, immunocompromised or low birth weight babies or if you're worried about being able to safely prepare PIF 👩‍🍼

Although I don't recommend them, and it is not the safest way, I am aware that many still choose to use a prep machine or other "hot shot" methods. It's important to check the temperature of the water used (above 70°C) and maximise the amount used to kill all the bacteria present as, not enough, and the temperature will drop faster and not stay as hot for long enough to do the job
👶

If you have any concerns about safely feeding your baby, I (and any other infant feeding specialist, including IBCLC's) can help 🌟

I'm always turning things I say or how I feel into a song and luckily, at work, this has the perk of sometimes soothing ...
08/07/2026

I'm always turning things I say or how I feel into a song and luckily, at work, this has the perk of sometimes soothing or distracting an unsettled baby too...like on a hot bus ride to a playgroup 👶🎶

But what else might help? 👇
👒👚 Removing a layer if that's an option - removing hats as soon as inside (even on the bus) but also, stripping baby down to minimal layers generally and light, breathable fabrics if clothes are a must
🤱👨‍🍼 Offering a Feed - even if you normally expect longer between feeds, remember milk for a baby is their food hydration, comfort (and more) so they may just need a refreshment or relief earlier than you expect
💦 Luke warm baths or water play outside can be a great way to cool a little one down in the heat of the day
⚠️ Make sure, when out and about, you're not covering the buggy or carrier with muslins or blankets. These trap the heat in. Focus on sunhats, parasols and sticking to the shade
🫵 Look after you: stay hydrated, find cool places to spend your time, have easy food to hand and lower your expectations: just get through each day however is easiest for you and your baby

What tips do you have? Share below 👇💬

P.s. If you need me to send a recording of my tune, let me know 😉

03/07/2026

Did you know that if your baby is world-facing in a carrier, and they get tired or fall asleep, you need to turn them inwards to face you! 💤⚠️

This week I was able to use my role as a trained Babywearing Peer Supporter to help a mum whose little 3-month old was sleeping world-facing when she arrived at the library 👶

While I often come across Babywearing I feel I could help optimise, I don't because, if the baby isn't at risk, it hasn't felt like the right moment (and I've probably not had the confidence to either...🫣)

But this was a safety concern ⚠️

Why?

Because when facing outwards, and baby I is unconscious (because they're asleep), they are unable to stop their head dropping and, unlike when facing inwards, there isn't a firm chest to lean against like it naturally does when optimally positioned curved into the wearer's body 💤

Baby's heads are heavy in proportion to their body, putting them even more at risk of their head naturally dropping, with no support and compromising their airway 🫁

So what did I do? 🙋

I found a good moment to approach and introduce myself as a Babywearing Peer Supporter and ask if I could offer some support...and she, very eagerly, said yes! 🥳

I then spent a good chunk of time (my 10-month old work baby in arms to prevent more books being pulled off shelves....) to gently advise her on 👇:

1. Safe sleep in a carrier - she instantly turned baby round and exclaimed how much more comfortable it felt
2. World facing guidelines - since baby was 3 months I informed her about the developmental skills recommended before world-facing, such as tripod sitting, and that this is normally a minimum of 4months and often closer to 6
3. How we could optimise the fit of her carrier to be more comfortable for her and baby - raising the waistband to under her b***s to get baby higher, swapping the crossed straps for rucksack style and showing her how to remove and put on the carrier without needing to undo the back strap

She left the library happy and comfortable with a safely sleeping baby while I left feeling fulfilled and with a full heart 🥰

Someone, who also supports parents with newborns, told me recently 👇"Our job is to help a baby to self settle and put in...
02/07/2026

Someone, who also supports parents with newborns, told me recently 👇

"Our job is to help a baby to self settle and put in good sleeping habits...to help a baby fall asleep on their own happily" 🤔

I disagree! That may be HER job that she offers and parents hire her for ... That's not MY job...🤷

Heres MY job 🌟 :

I help parents understand the WHY behind their baby's needs 👶

💤 The broken sleep
🤱 The Frequent Feeding
🙈 The not wanting to be put down

Parenting a highly dependent baby carry mammal is a lot...🫣

BUT

Here's something harder: fighting nature 😫

In a world lacking in the traditional Village to support parents with their babies, they are expected to make their babies less dependent to reduce the burden 🏋️‍♀️

Here's where I differ from others in my field in my approach to support:

In the noise of social media, out-of-date literature, and a society pushing parents to make their babies independent...I help parents to listen to their babies and their instincts 💝

And I give them tools and reassurance and an extra pair of hands to handle these very natural needs their baby has 👐

🤱🍼Feeding support
💤 Responsive, holistic support around normal infant sleep
🫂Babywearing guidance
☕🧺 Laundry, dishes, tea,
company

I help families discover (or rediscover) how to meet their babies needs in line with what a baby arrives expecting, so they don't waste energy fighting nature 😊

So no, my job is not to "teach babies to sleep independently" 👎

But to reassure parents that by responding to their little one's needs now, they will crawl, run, hop and dance away confidently when they're ready 🥳
..and that, yes, this period of parenting is intense and can feel lonely and hard 🤯

But that's why people like me exist...to help! Parenting isn't meant to be done alone! 🙋

P.s. supporting your little one to sleep is not a bad habit....if it stops working for you and your baby, that's when finding other, gentle, responsive solutions may help (after establishing the "why?")

01/07/2026

Today I got told, in no uncertain terms...in fact, directly (over social media) that I need to go to therapy....🫣🤯

Why? 🤔

Because, on a post slating a fellow Newborn Care Specialist for rocking a baby to sleep, I dared to suggest that, in my humble opinion...

If I, a 30-year old with a fully functioning pre-frontal cortex and, mostly, good abilities to regulate my emotions, need certain supports to sleep (from having my partner near, to reading before I can fall asleep) then how can anyone expect a baby of any age to fall asleep completely independently from the moment they step foot outside the womb without possibly, just possibly, needing some support 🤷

The irony...

This video was filmed shortly after returning from...guess where? Therapy!! And I've been in an out of therapy since I was 12 years old 🥳

Why? Because humans are complex, highly evolved with busy brains and emotions, and we are social mammals who are not designed to do everything alone...let alone from birth! 👶

So, keep cuddling, rocking and supporting your baby to sleep as long as it works for you and your baby! You are not creating bad habits...and if you do need support to make changes, you know where to come for gentle support based on biologically and developmentally normal expectations of babies 🥰

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