Clare’s gentle doula care

02/07/2026

Every baby deserves a gentle start. 💛

Did you know that the Baby Basics Bank provides essential items for families with young babies who may be experiencing financial hardship?
Items such as nappies, wipes, clothing, toiletries, Moses baskets, and other baby essentials can make a huge difference during those early weeks and months.

As a doula, I see first-hand how important it is for parents to feel supported, cared for, and equipped as they welcome their little one. That's why I'm passionate about raising awareness of the incredible work the Baby Basics Bank does within our community.

If you know a family who may benefit, or if you're in a position to donate baby items, please consider supporting this wonderful service.
Because every parent deserves support, and every baby deserves the best possible start. ✨

Clare's Gentle Baby Basicss

21/06/2026

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

💗 Maternity Care Packs for
Mum 💗

Are you a new mum who is struggling financially or finding the postpartum period particularly challenging right now?
I have a limited number of maternity care packs available to support local mums during those early weeks after birth.
Each pack contains:
✨ Maternity pads
✨ Breast pads
✨ Colostrum collection bags
✨perineal cooling pads
✨peppermint tea

Every mother deserves to feel supported, cared for, and prepared during her postpartum journey.
If you could benefit from one of these packs, or you know a mum who may need a little extra help, please send me a private message. All enquiries will be treated with kindness and confidentiality.
Please feel free to share this post so it can reach the mums who need it most. 💕
Clare's Gentle Doula Care
Supporting families with compassion, confidence, and care.

25/05/2026

Babies in hot weather (I didnt think Id be resharing this in May!!l)

Hot weather can be quite difficult to manage with a young baby. It can change feeding and sleep patterns. Babies often wake more when it's hot (adults do too!) and often like to feed more frequently. Here are some tips!

Keep the bedroom cool by keeping the curtains drawn. Windows close on the hottest part of the day open when cooler. Try to get a through draft between rooms.
(For those of you outside the UK, yes, it's true. We don't often have air conditioning here as it's hot for about 2 weeks a year!)

If baby has a bath, keep the water cool.

Keep clothing and bedding light, and cotton is best. Layers are good, so you can add something in the early hours of the morning if the temperature cools a little.

Use a fan to keep the air circulating, but don't point it directly at the baby.

Avoid direct sunlight. Keep babies in the shade as much as you can.

Remember, babies will probably need to feed more often in the hot weather to keep themselves hydrated. Or sometimes they just sleep and make up for it later!

Breastfed babies don't need any extra water if they're under 6 months. They will feed little and often, and the milk will be more watery to keep them hydrated.

Formula fed babies may need a little water but can also have more milk.

For combination fed babies, try to have set times for formula feeds and then breastfeed responsively in between so baby can stay hydrated. There's no need for water.

All babies over 6 mths can have a little water with solids.

It can get very hot and sticky when feeding and cuddling babies in hot weather. Putting a muslin square between your skin and baby's will help. But believe it or not, skin to skin will actually cool baby down.

Don't cover the buggy. It makes the temperature much hotter

When baby wearing have baby in one thin cotton layer or just a nappy. A layer of fabric between you and baby will stop you getting too sticky

15/05/2026

I’m proud to share my other page Clare’s gentle baby basics and have already made a difference so far🙏

Every pack of wipes, tiny vest, bottle, and nappy in this photo will help support a family during one of the most important times in their lives 💛
I’m so proud of how it is growing. These essentials may seem small, but to a parent struggling or overwhelmed, they can mean everything.
Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared, or supported so far your kindness is making a real difference.”
Clare x

12/05/2026

🔵 VERNIX (VERNIX CASEOSA) FACTS 🔵

1️⃣ WHAT IT IS
Vernix is a white, creamy coating that covers a baby’s skin inside the womb. 👶

2️⃣ WHEN IT APPEARS
It starts forming around the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

3️⃣ PROTECTIVE LAYER
It protects the baby’s skin from constant exposure to amniotic fluid.

4️⃣ NATURAL MOISTURIZER
Helps keep the baby’s skin soft and prevents drying or cracking.

5️⃣ HELPS DURING BIRTH
Acts as a natural lubricant during delivery and may help with infection protection.

✨ Vernix is the baby’s natural “skin shield” before birth.

08/05/2026

Poem.

You become a mother twice.❤️

The first time
when your baby enters the world.
The second time
when you realise
you will never be the same again.
No one talks enough about her
the woman being born
in the middle of the feeding schedules,
the tears,
the aching body,
the exhaustion so deep it feels stitched into your bones.
Everyone asks about the baby.
But who is holding you?
Who notices the way you stare at the monitor at 3am
just to make sure they’re breathing?
Who sees the strength it takes
to keep going when your body still hurts,
your hormones crash like waves,
and you barely recognise yourself in the mirror?
Motherhood is beautiful.
But it is also raw.
Messy.
Lonely sometimes.
And still you rise
You rise every time your baby cries.
Every time you soothe them while falling apart yourself.
Every time you choose love
despite the fear,
the doubt,
the exhaustion.
A new mother is not weak because she needs support.
She was never meant to do this alone.
So to the mothers in the thick of it
still healing,
still learning,
still becoming
You are doing better than you think.
And your softness is not failing.