Scrummy Daddies_Cover_Summer 15.qxp_Layout 1 11/06/2015 11:46 Page 1

Issue 1

The no.1 pregnancy and baby magazine

The OriginalScrummy DaDDy

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWSling DaD Dom“Babywearing & Why I love it!”

On The Beach Summer BeST BuyS

high chairS-high STyle

Plus!

www.scrummy-daddies.co.uk

Stem Cells have been used in over 30,000 transplants around the world and can successfully treat more that 80 diseases, and counting. With the richest source of these lifesaving cells being within the umbilical cord at birth, every parent has a once in a lifetime chance to safeguard their families health for the future - that’s where we come in.

As a society we’ve always dreamt of a healthy, disease-free world

Why store your baby’s stem cells?Saving your baby’s stem cells at birth is a natural way to safeguard against future possible illnesses for you and your family. Storing stem cells is simple, painless & safe for both you and your baby. It’s a small choice that could make a big difference.

Our ServiceSmart Cells service packages are all-inclusive with no hidden costs.

After the birth the umbilical cord blood and tissue is handed to a trained and licensed healthcare professional to safely collect your samples.

We arrange for a courier to collect your kit and we will then call you once your sample has been processed. It’s easy and won’t affect the delivery of your baby

One ChanceCollecting your baby’s stem cells at birth is essential because it will only happen once. Don’t leave your child’s health to chance, contact us today.

+44(0) 1895 424430 www.smartcells.com uk@smartcells.com

Connect with us

“Hello”Thank you for picking up our first edition of Scrummy Daddies, The first ever regionally focused pregnancy & baby magazine, created specifically with daddies in mind. Scrummy Daddies was ‘conceived’ (see what I did there?) after a visit to a nursery fair at the beginning of this year. At this fair there were some AMAZING products being showcased that had been designed for dads. So the question popped into my head – ‘How are these dads going to find out about these products and services that are being designed just for them? ‘ Our research showed that there was a blank space in the magazine racks regarding pregnancy, families & parenting with the dad as the focus.

At Scrummy Mummies we have had some massive successes, but not one to rest on our laurels, we thought if we can run one magazine, why can’t we run two? And so our little brother Scrummy Daddies was born. (Sorry, I can’t seem to stop using pregnancy metaphors!)

In this edition we were incredibly fortunate to be able to interview Sling Dad Dom, a legend in the baby wearing industry. He is a pioneer and quite frankly an inspiration as a baby wearing advocate. His aim is to encourage as many dads as he can to try using a sling.

And we cannot finish this without mentioning our original Scrummy Daddy, Billy. His brood of 6 means he has more experience than most on raising a family, and dealing with the tantrums, tears and triumphs from his children aged in their twenties, teens and tweenies! Billy writes in this first edition about his family’s experience with autism.

We really hope you enjoy reading this first magazine. We would love to hear from you; tell us what you want to read about, tell us about your experiences as a dad, or dad-to be on Facebook and Twitter. Come and see what #scrummydaddies are talking about now! Love

Claire xxEditor of Scrummy Mummies & Scrummy Daddies Email: claire@scrummy-mummies.co.uk

Cover image supplied by J Photographers: www.jphotographers.co.uk Head Shot supplied by Photography for Little People, www.photographyforlittlepeople.co.uk

When we first had Eden I tried using carriers a few times in the first year but never for more than a couple of minutes and Zena would put Eden on me in a carrier. I was interested and loved the practicality of it but because Zena was really excited about it I just left her to do it most of the time and I carried very rarely. Zena went back to work part time when Eden was around 14 months old, my shifts meant I often had Eden on my own in the week. I tried Zena’s Mei Tai one

day when in a rush to get to a musical tots group. I loved the way it felt and how easy it was to get about and have my hands free to carry other things. I showed Zena my achievement when she got in from work (I was strutting around the house like a peacock actually!) and she showed me ways to make it more comfortable and other ways of wearing.

The amount that Eden and I bonded and grew closer when I started carrying her in slings was phenomenal. I was suddenly able to be more responsive to her. We would walk in the woods and she would get excited by looking up at the trees, and I would be able to see that excitement immediately.

When Ezra was born I started wearing him from the very beginning: at 1 day old putting him on my front in my old and soft wrap conversion Mei Tai and taking him downstairs so Zena could get some rest. I realised what I had missed in not wearing Eden at this early stage.

I love how much fun it is. It is such an easy way to bond with your children. There is nothing better than walking along with them on your back, listening to them talk about everything they can see. Without babywearing I would have missed so many wonderful conversations. Slings allow us to

The DOM of Babywearing!

Hi Scrummy Daddies! I’m Dom and I’m from Reading, Berkshire. I live with my incredible wife Zena, our smart and funny 5 year old daughter Eden and our fiercely determined and cheeky 2 year old son Ezra. I work in security at our local university. I am also a babywearing advocate and encourage as many dads as I can to try using a sling.

discover together and be together. With slings your children gauge your reactions in unfamiliar situations. This results in them being happy and confident and involved in the world at our level.

I think dads often struggle with it because they think of it as something quite feminine. I don’t know whether it’s because of some of the prettier, more flamboyant patterns and colours of the carriers, or because of a daft sense that somehow wearing a sling makes you less of a man.

I really want to let other dads know that I really think the least masculine thing you can do is worry so much about what makes you look manly or not. If you want to try it, go for it. If you would rather try it with a darker colour, fair enough, but please don’t let silly thoughts about what others may think or how you may look come in the way of holding your children close at a time of their life when it is most important.

More and more research is being done into the importance of the relationships between fathers and children. The mother-child relationship is indisputable, but the relationship of the second parent is also vital. I really think babywearing can be a massive part of creating and assisting a huge bond between any caregiver. At a time where your child is a tiny baby and can be reliant on the mother for nourishment, as well as comfort, there are still times when a dad could help. During Ezra’s first few weeks, whilst I was on paternity leave, I would get up with him first thing in the mornings. After

he had been fed, had his nappy changed and I’d checked he was comfy and dry, I would put him in a sling on my chest and take him downstairs away from Z for a short while, anything from 20 minutes to an hour sometimes. This wasn’t just great for me as I got to have this amazing time with Ezra, it also meant Zena could have a bit more sleep, or just some time to herself. Or it even meant Zena could have some one-to-one time with Eden, which I think is a really important thing when a new baby arrives. We all gained from me being able to take Ezra for a while and keep him soothed and happy so easily.

The practical benefits are the same for male babywearers as they are for women. You will still have your hands free to carry on with other tasks. There is also the plus that you are able to maximize your time with your children, and be more use to your partner. I work full time and do 12 hour shifts either day or night.

If I’m on 3 nights in a row it can feel like I only see Eden and Ezra in passing. If I can do something that will not only have a practical benefit, but also means I get to have some amazing time socialising and playing with the kids, then I see that as a huge benefit and something that is really important for dads to do. I strongly feel that using slings maximizes, and can even increase, the quality time truly spent with your children.

Continued over...

If you want to look into it more and see others doing it then check out all the pages online. I am a huge fan of social media. It can help connect families and friends around the world. I also really believe that whoever you are and no matter what you are into you can now find a group of likeminded people. It’s the same with babywearing and parenting in general. Becoming a parent is amazing, but it can be quite isolating. Sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can end up being a big part of people’s social lives and can really help get through those early lonely days and nights.

My favourite types of carriers are wraps and Mei Tais. I thought it would be simpler and more suitable for me to use buckled carriers when I first started, but I quickly learned that they were actually harder for me to use than wrap-type carriers. With wraps you have freedom to do so much more. I used to struggle to get buckles high enough and would find it hard to get the straps on and the back pulled up. With a wrap or Mei Tai you have lots of material there so you can do this so easily. I would encourage people to babywear by whatever means they can, I don’t think there is any one type of carrier better than the rest, but just be open to trying everything.

To sum up why I do this and love it - Above

anything for me, and something often forgotten about – is how much fun it is! My

children and I laugh, tell jokes and play games while they are on my back. They get to discover the world with the same view I get as a 6ft plus dad… but with the safety, security and comfort of being carried as if in my arms.

Babywearing means that I have been able to play as equal a role as possible in the nurture and comfort of my children from birth. I have been able to read them, know what they want and soothe them when needed. It has enabled me

to become the kind of dad I knew I wanted to be but wasn’t sure how to be. I know if people have never tried a carrier it will sound like I’m overstating the benefits that a simple piece of cloth can give… but it has made a world of difference to me my family and so many others.

Read more about Dom at:

https://slingdaddom.wordpress.com

Follow Dom @slingdaddom

Sling Dad Dom Continued...

An Award Winning range of slings and baby carriers featuring lightweight, high

performance fabrics and innovative design.

These compact, stylish and durable carriers are designed and manufactured

in Japan for safety and comfort.

www.babyrug.co.uk /babyrug

THE ORIGINALScrummy Daddy

Although a long time ago now, I can remember when I was expecting my first baby that it was a percentage game. A myriad of tests were recommended and undertaken to determine if my unborn child may be a defective model! This was of course mainly routine and ultimately, its the biggest lottery in life with the winning ticket being that perfect baby that we all hope for.

Of course, the reality is that, even though we all think our babies are perfect, they are all different and special in so many ways reminding us that we are all different, unique individuals.

Sam, my eldest wasn't technically perfect if you consider ADHD to be a defect? From my experience, I don't, it simply falls into the 'different' category.

18 years on and 4 babies later, Rowan, who is now 3, has recently been diagnosed with Autism and we're in the process of assessments that will determine where he is on the Autistic Spectrum - a scale that categorises the Autistic Spectrum from low functioning with high disability to high

functioning with low disability. The more mature of you may remember the film Rain Man with Dustin Hoffman. To be fair, that's the first thing I thought of when we started on this journey of discovery. The younger amongst you may be fans of Sheldon Cooper of the Big Bang Theory. Both these characters do very little to portray an accurate representation of Autism and blatantly pick and choose from all over the autistic spectrum.

The reality of taking responsibility for an autistic child is, as you can hopefully imagine, a whole new world of rethinking everything you previously thought about how a child's brain works, coming to terms with the fact that this is for life, no cure, no getting better. What I'm trying to say is that, despite what your worries may be about your pregnancy and birth, your baby will be perfect, no matter what the percentages throw at you. I don't see Rowan as having a disability, I think of him as having a 'difability'. He's different and he certainly has the ability to put a smile on your face. Those who don't understand how the autistic mind works and how it affects what can be a perfectly normal looking child are generally the people who respond to his social differences in a negative way. He can't change his autism but hopefully they can change their attitude through awareness.

The National Autistic Societywww.autism.org.uk

If you would like to know more about autism, the National Autistic Society website is a great starting point. In addition, the Autism Helpline offers confidential information, advice and support. They can also point you towards local sources of help and support. Call on 0808 800 4104 (Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm, calls are free from landlines and most mobiles)

Scrummy Mummies_Cover_Summer 15_option 2.qxp_Layout 1 11/06/2015 10:40 Page 1

www.scrummy-mummies.net

Issue 9

The no.1 pregnancy and baby magazine

Real-life Birth Stories

maTerniTy FaShiOn

cheeky chOmperS

BOyS BOyS BOyS SplaSh aBOuT

Plus!

The day i discovered i was PREGNANT

Special FeatureS

The TypeS OF mum yOu meeT aT BaBy grOupS