HollyBlue Antenatal

10/11/2025

New Blog Post ❤️

A brief explanation of what you will learn from a HollyBlue Antenatal course

09/11/2025

29/10/2025

When your partner is pregnant you may be entitled to paternity leave.

To qualify you need to:

🪙 Be employed from 15 weeks before your babies date of birth for at least 26 weeks

🪙 Earn at least £123 per week before tax

🪙 Be the babies parent and the partner ( boyfriend, husband or same s*x partner) of the pregnant mother.

🪙 Make sure you have given the correct notice and a rough idea of when you would take the leave.

In April 2024 the rules changed to allow the parents taking paternity leave to choose whether they take 1 or 2 weeks and if they take them together or if they choose to separate the two weeks, as long as both are taken before baby turns 1 year old.

Statutory pay is £184.03 or 90% of your weekly pay whichever is lowest, this money is paid into your bank the same as you normally get paid ( weekly or monthly).

Some employers have a Paternity Pay Scheme - the amount paid cannot be less than the statutory amount.

https://www.gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave

28/10/2025

When you're pregnant, you have workplace rights around your maternity leave, as long as you have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the time your 15 weeks from your expected due date and/or earn more than £123 per week 🦋

Some women may want to return to work as soon as possible for various reasons, every woman has to have two weeks leave after birth unless they work in a factory, then they must take four weeks 🦋

For others they may want to take the full entitlement of a year or 52 weeks.

The minimum a woman would be paid on maternity leave is:

6 weeks - Full Pay

Next 33 weeks £172.48 per week or 90% of your weekly earnings (whichever is less)

Last 13 weeks unpaid

Some employers may have different policies in place and you may receive more than stated but the above is the minimum 🦋

For more information:

https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/maternity-pay-questions/

27/10/2025

Babies are born with reflexes to help them to survive in the world ❤️🦋

24/10/2025

Every woman whether they have a vaginal birth or caesarean birth will have lochia or bleeding after birth 🦋

Bleeding lasts for around 4-6 weeks but may last for 12 weeks for some women.

On the first day after birth the lochia will be fresh red to brownish red and heavy 🦋

You may notice clots - if you spot any bigger than a 50p or lots of them always talk to your midwife 🦋

By the end of the first week the lochia will be dark red and/or pinkish red with the flow getting lighter 🦋

By the end of the second week the lochia will be lighter with a lighter flow

At around week 3-4 the lochia will turn more like a creamy discharge which may be yellow, creamy, red or pink 🦋

By the end of the 6 weeks they will be more like stains than flow 🦋

It is recommended to use maternity pads rather than sanitary towels as they are more absorbant and are softer on your skin 🦋

23/10/2025

23/10/2025

Some babies are born with vernix which is a white, creamy coating, premature babies are likely to have more than full term or babies past 40 weeks gestation 🦋

This coating is there to protect your baby from the amniotic fluid in the womb and acts like a waterproof to stop baby being all wrinkled when they are born 🦋

It is also there to help baby through the birth canal and acts like a lubricant 🦋

It is a barrier for infection inside and in the outside world once they are born🦋

It acts as a moisturiser to your baby's skin when they are born 🦋

It's recommended to delay their first bath if your baby has any vernix in their skin when they are born 🦋

22/10/2025

Antenatal Classes in Wolverhampton

Looking for a relaxed and friendly way to prepare for birth and life with your baby?

My antenatal sessions are all about helping you feel calm, confident, and supported — without the pressure or formality!

What’s on offer:

• Small, welcoming group classes (no big crowds!)

• 1:1 sessions available if you prefer a personal touch

•Affordable and down-to-earth

• Loads of time for questions, chats, and reassurance

• Meet up after babies are born at a cafe in Wombourne

Whether you’re expecting your first or adding to your family, these sessions cover everything from labour and birth to baby care and those early days at home.

https://www.hollyblue-antenatal.com/

Message me to find out more or book your space — I’d love to support you on your journey!

15/10/2025

Most babies are born with no teeth, although occasionally a baby may be born with a tooth or two.

Teething is when your baby's teeth start to come through their gums.

Some parents start to notice signs of teething from 3/4 months old - these maybe:

🦋 Their baby may be dribbling more than usual

🦋 having disturbed sleep (this may be more noticeable if your baby has been sleeping for longer periods)

🦋 Flushed cheeks

🦋 Generally unsettled

🦋swollen gums

🦋 Chewing on fingers

🦋 May suddenly cry when feeding if bottle or breast has touched a tender part of their gum.

Ways to help soothe your baby

🦋 Skin to skin cuddles

🦋 Teething rings which you put into the fridge to make cold

🦋 If your baby is 6 months old or older you could give foods such as, raw fruit and vegetables (always stay with them in case of choking).

🦋 If your breastfeeding, your baby may be at the breast more often to have comfort

As soon as your baby gets their first tooth it's recommended to register your baby with a dentist.

14/10/2025

It has become a tradition for a newborn baby to wear a hat.

However there are some reasons why wearing a hat isn't always best 🦋

🩵 Wearing a hat can impact on skin to skin 🦋

When you do skin to skin with your baby, you and your baby benefit greatly.

One of the benefits of skin to skin is regulating your baby's body temperature 🌡️

Your body can actually increase and decrease in temperature to either heat or cool your baby, but a hat can interfere with this amazing natural process ❤️

🩵 Your newborn baby's smell 🦋

If you have ever smelt a newborn baby's head you will know it's the best smell in the world 💖

A study in 2003 showed the smell of a newborn baby actually helps mothers bond with their baby and also creates a positive response in their brain 💕

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00597/full

🩵 Babies shouldn't sleep in a hat as they can overheat 🦋

🩵 Newborns don't need to wear a hat indoors 🦋

🩵 Newborns only need to wear hats outside of it's cold or you feel they need it 🦋