September’s Here!
Back-to-School Tips for a Smooth Start
Time flies, doesn’t it? The summer holidays seemed to stretch endlessly before us, and now suddenly there are only a couple of weeks left. The days are getting shorter, a new season is on the horizon, and with it comes the return to school routines. Don’t feel overwhelmed, here are some simple steps to help you and your children feel prepared and positive about the new term.
Uniforms and Supplies
Start with a list and set a budget. Shop around, as most stores have offers on school uniforms at this time of year. Supermarkets often have great deals, perfect for younger children who quickly grow out of clothes. Short-sleeved shirts are usually a good option; no fiddly cuffs for little hands, and once the weather turns, they’ll be wearing jumpers anyway.
Children love choosing their own lunchboxes or backpacks. Let them pick something that shows their personality, even if it’s a favourite character. And don’t forget to label everything. For shoes, try writing half your child’s name in each shoe, when they’re placed side by side, not only does the name appear, but it also helps them get the shoes on the right feet!
Routines and Preparation
If holiday bedtimes have crept later, start gently shifting back a few days before term begins. An earlier bedtime and a practice morning of waking up, getting dressed, and even trying on new shoes will make the first day less of a shock. Wash new shirts in advance too, they’ll be softer and more comfortable.
A central family calendar, whether on the fridge or online, is invaluable for tracking school dates, assemblies, and pick-ups. Encourage children to get their bag, PE kit, and ingredients/eqipment ready the night before to avoid morning panics.
Building Relationships
It makes a huge difference to build a positive relationship with your child’s teacher. Show up at events, be supportive, and share the positives as well as any concerns. Using the correct terminology helps your child too, it’s Key Stage 1 now, not Infants; and Lunchtime Assistants, not Dinner Ladies!
Supporting Secondary School Transitions
If your child is starting secondary school, it can feel daunting for you both. Try not to pass your own anxieties on, they’ll need to develop confidence in managing homework, equipment, and timetables themselves.
If they’ll be using public transport, do a practice run together. Talk through what to do if things go wrong, like a delay or catching the wrong bus and slip a little emergency money into their bag just in case.
At this stage, investing in slightly better-quality uniform can be worthwhile. Non-iron shirts hung up straight after washing will quickly become a parent’s best friend! Coats can usually wait until October, sparing them one more thing to carry in those first weeks. Discreetly label PE kits too, they have a way of walking off on their own.
Friends, Homework, and Growing Independence
Secondary school often brings new friendships. Encourage your child to be friendly, even if they feel shy, and to keep their circle wide at first. Unlike primary school, you won’t always know their friends’ families, so when sleepover requests begin, start with tea and an introduction.
When it comes to homework, remember, you can make a child sit at a desk, but you can’t make them concentrate. Keep things relaxed, offer support, and work with teachers, but let the responsibility ultimately rest with your child.
Reassurance Matters Most
Above all, make time to listen. After those first days back, your child may need to chatter, share worries, or just be reassured. Your calm presence and encouragement will mean more than anything else.
Wishing you and your family a smooth and happy new term!
Baby’s First Holiday
Travel with Baby Made Easy: Tips for a Smooth First Holiday ✈️👶
Here’s a link to some useful items! Holiday Essentials
Hey Mamas and Papas!
Planning your first holiday with your little one? I know it can feel a bit overwhelming-packing, organising, worrying about the journey. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back! As a doula, I’ve helped many families navigate travel with infants, and I want to share some friendly tips and a comprehensive packing checklist to make your trip smooth, relaxed, and joyful.
Travel Tips for a Happy Journey
Booking Your Flights
Choose flight times wisely: If possible. picking flights that match your baby’s nap schedule can mean a peaceful, sleep-filled journey for everyone.
Book early: Try to secure front-row or bulkhead seats for extra legroom, or an aisle seat for easy bathroom or grab-and-go.
At the Airport
Arrive early, but not too early: This gives you plenty of time without making your little one wait too long in the pram. Prams can normally be kept until boarding, however be mindful that at the other end, they will be unloaded with the cases and put on the carousel for collection, so you may have quite a walk. Some people find travel bags for buggies and car seats useful to keep them clean.
Use fast-track security if available: Many airports offer family-friendly security lanes and allow families to board first.
Feed during take-off and landing: Whether breast, bottle, or dummy, this helps ease ear pressure and comfort your baby. If using formula, there area numbers of ways to feed on the go: use ready made formula and simply pour into a sterilised bottle, use containers to dispense pre-measured powder into boiling water in bottles- then cool or use a cooling flask to get the milk to the correct temperature. A pre-made bottle is ok to use within 2 hours, so depending on your plans, this could be an option too.
Onboard
Use a sling: A baby carrier or sling is a lifesaver for keeping hands free while comforting your little one. You can also use ‘airplane beds’ to make a resting place for your baby.
Pack distractions: Small toys, teethers, or sensory books can help keep your baby entertained. Activity toys with a sucker to stick to a tray or window are popular.
Remember to breathe: If your baby cries, most passengers are understanding. Take deep breaths, your baby will pick up on your anxiety.
Changing baby: This is a challenge in such a confined space (changing tables are situated above the toilets), so change before departure and if the flight isn’t long haul, your baby might last until arrival.
Packing Essentials
In Your Hand Luggage
- Nappies (1 per hour of travel, plus extras)
- Baby wipes and changing mat
- 2 changes of clothes for baby and one for you (just in case!)
- Muslins and bibs
- Dummy if used, and spare
- Small toys, teethers, or sensory books
- Pre-measured formula or ready-to-feed bottles, sterilised bottles
- Snacks or baby food pouches (if starting solids)
- Blanket or comforter for warmth or familiarity
- Baby sling or carrier
- Hand sanitiser (baby-safe) and Calpol (sachets are good) and ibuprofen
In Your Luggage
- Sun hat and baby sunscreen
- Light layers & sun-protective clothing
- Travel blackout blinds or sleep shade for naps
- Travel cot (if not provided) and sheet
- Swim nappies and swimsuits for pool or beach
- First aid kit: piriton (for age 1 year plus), teething gel, plasters, sudocrem, olbas oil, lavender oil
- Folding buggy, plus a baby carrier for exploring
- Basic toiletries
Travel Smart & Keep Calm
Stick to your baby’s routine as much as possible even if travel times shift. Take some familiar items with you to help with bedtimes especially.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Especially in warm climates. Rember plenty of sunscreen and shade too. If heading back from the beach talc is genius, it removes all the sand from little feet in an instant.
Feeding You may consider bringing a travel kettle, if you need to make up formula, it’s small to pack and you’re sure of having what you need. For those on solids, look for familiar foods, fruit and veggies are probably best.
Use quiet moments for restful naps or relaxing downtime—embrace the slower pace. Safety is often a concern, when you are away, you won’t have your room set up to avoid hazards, they way you can at home. Get down to baby level and see what poses a challenge, block or remove where possible. Cable ties are handy to ‘lock’ cupboard door handles together (just remember to pack something to cut them open)!
Enjoy! Splash in the sea, try new foods, and make memories.
Remember, flexibility is key—this trip is about making memories, not perfection. Every little adventure with your baby is a building block of family joy. Holidays with little ones don’t bring the same levels of relaxation, so work as a team, allow each other a break and enjoy your new family dynamic.
Safe travels and happy adventures!
Christmas is coming…..
Christmas is coming …..
How are you doing? How are you really? It can be difficult to feel festive if you’re overwhelmed. Juggling work, family events, young children, shopping and present buying, trying to meet expectations is enough to get anyone down. See if any of these tips can help you.
• Christmas traditions- they can be great, but don’t feel pressure to fulfil them, make some new ones that fit your family, go out for dinner or go to a panto on boxing day, try something different.
• Planning- shop for what you can on line, arrange delivery to a neighbour if you’re not home and save a trip to the sorting office. If you’ve left things late, prioritise, focus on what really needs to be done and do the other stuff if you have time. Shop for some groceries in advance, drinks, mince pies, pickles, frozen goods, then you will have an easier shop with just the fresh goods to buy before Christmas. Take a list for your Christmas shop, you don’t want to forget anything.
• Help- ACCEPT ALL OFFERS! Give some guidance, rather than just saying ‘I need help’ if you are more specific you will get better results. Let the perfection go, so what if the outside lights don’t look as good as when you do them.
• Finances- don’t stretch yourself and end up in debt all the following year. Consider homemade gifts, offer to take a relative for a coffee and spend time with them, offer to babysit, or do their garden. Young children have no concept of money, you can buy pre-loved toys, they just like a big pile of presents to open.
• Children- get dates in the calendar early for nativities and concerts to ensure you are available. Don’t stress over fancy costumes, angels dressed in white with tinsel halo, or shepherds with a pillowcase outfit and stripy tea towel headdress will be fine. A good outdoor walk can help everyone, when we have overindulged, or the children have too much energy. Enjoy the magic of the season with little ones, it doesn’t last forever.
• Family time- have some goodies in the freezer to prepare quick snacks for unexpected visitors. If there’s an event you find difficult, for example a relative’s New Year’s Eve party, you feel obliged to go to, don’t. Skip it and pop in the next day to say hi, you have control over what you do. If you have lot someone close this year, remember them, everyone will be thinking about them, so raise a glass to them.
• Don’t over schedule, everyone likes some downtime too.
• Spirit of Christmas- remind your children what Christmas is about, donate to a foodbank, do a Christmas shoebox, or take some mince pies to a neighbour.
Remember, flexibility is key—this trip is about making memories, not perfection. Every little adventure with your baby is a building block of family joy. Holidays with little ones don’t bring the same levels of relaxation, so work as a team, allow each other a break and enjoy your new family dynamic.
Safe travels and happy adventures!
stepbystepdoula.com 