About My Classes

Packing your hospital bag can be a daunting task. What should I pack? Will it be too much, too little? When should I pack it? How long should I plan to be in hospital for? With so many questions to answer, I thought I would ask our wonderful Daisy community to share their top tips.

When?

So let’s start with when should you have your bag ready? Well most babies arrive somewhere between 37 and 42 weeks, therefore having your bag ready to go may be advisable from 36 weeks. One of our mums recommended keeping a little note on the top to remind you of things that you are yet to pack, such as your phone charger.

What?

How many bags do you need? Well I am a big believer that less is more.  If you think about your potential journey through hospital, you may need to be assessed when you first arrive, then move to your delivery room and then possibly on to the ward once baby has arrived. So what ever you pack will need to be carried around with you. I know this from personal experience as my poor husband looked like a pack horse when we arrived for the birth of our first child!

So I always advise packing two bags; one for labour and one for baby. In the labour bag, all you need for birth including an outfit for baby and some nappies. For the second the things you need for your baby and post birth recovery.

What to pack – The List

This isn’t your typical ‘what to pack in your hospital bag list’ (you’ll find lots of those on Google). This is a list of top tips shared by our Daisy mums:

1. Starting with the most important snacks and drinks;  items that can give you an energy boost but are also easy to eat, like cereal bars or fruit. Lots of our mums packed their favourite sweets or chocolate to enjoy once baby has arrived.
2. Remain hydrated throughout labour is important, so your uterus can work effectively, therefore make sure you drink plenty of water. Fiddling around with bottle lids may become annoying, so using a straw may be less distracting.
3. Whilst we are on food and drink, peppermint was recommended by many of our mums – whether it be mints or herbal tea. Peppermint has been reported by many to help relieve trapped wind in the abdomen after a caesarean section. It can also help with feelings of nausea.
4. Of course, you’ll need clothing  for you for and baby, but don’t forget your flip flops . I lost count of how many of our mums suggested this crucial item, a must have for your post birth shower and for the ward.  And no list would be complete without big pants, the bigger the better. Without exception our mums recommended buying cheap pants over the disposable ones.
5. A brilliant idea for when you are packing your baby clothes is to pop each outfit (a vest, a sleep suit & a nappy) in a labelled sandwich bag. This will be really helpful for your partner or midwife, as they will be the ones getting items for baby out of your bag.  One of our mums also suggested labelling what size they are, incase you have a few sizes to chose from.
6. Hair bobbles. My favourite piece of advice was teaching your partner how to tie back your hair – genius!
7. Self care items also featured, in particular lip balm & hand/body lotion as your lips and skin can dry out due to breathing, gas and air and dehydration.  Cooling sprays for your ‘bits’ were also recommended or you perhaps take a small jug or cup to flush warm water over those delicate areas after birth.
8. Hospitals can be very warm places, so a hand held fan may bring some much needed relief.
9. For the same reason, you might find taking your own pillow more comfortable. Many hospitals provide pillows with plastic coating which can make for a rather sweaty nights sleep! An eye mask was also recommended for any nights spent on the ward.
10. Music can be a wonderful anchor to relaxation, so make sure you sort out a calming playlist and pack your headphones. With this in mind, make sure you have an extra long phone charger. As many of our mums pointed out, you are not always near a power point.

So there you go, our top tips for packing your hospital bag. I really hope you have found this list helpful. 

If you would like to join our community click here Daisy Buckingham & South Northants or if you are interested in any of our pregnancy or baby classes in Buckingham, click here Pregnancy & Baby Classes Buckingham

We really hope to be back at our lovely The Studio At Stowe after Easter. Right now we just don’t know but we do know that when we are back, this will be our Spring Timetable for all our Daisy antenatal, pregnancy & baby classes.  For more information on each class, click on our booking page here Daisy Classes.

Our beautiful studio is only 5 minutes from Buckingham, 10 minutes from Brackley and Towcester and 20 minutes from Stony Stratford and Bicester. We also have ample parking and enjoy the most amazing countryside views.

Our studio really is the hub of all things birth and baby related. Not only is it the home of our Daisy classes but also Starting Solids Workshops.  Feeling nervous about introducing solids? Not sure what the signs are to know you baby is ready? Unsure what the difference is between baby lead weaning and purees? Well this is the session for you! We will help you explore your choices, helping you to feel prepare and confident. 

And as soon as we are able to,  it will be the place where hold our incredibly popular coffee mornings.  Surrounded by beautiful countryside, we hope to be able to spend time getting to know each other, whilst taking in the tranquility of our setting. 

This isn’t all….we are also hoping to welcome a breastfeeding group in the Spring as well as lots of additional parenting workshops. 

Make sure you follow our FB page to keep up to date Daisy Buckingham & South Northants

Vicki x

Have you been considering one of our pregnancy or baby classes in Buckingham? Perhaps hearing what others have to say about our pregnancy and baby classes may help? Here are just a small selection of reviews, to read more head over to our Facebook Page

Cheryl

‘The Daisy Foundation has been great for my daughter, then 6 months was mesmerised by the songs, and activities. As a Mum and Occupational Therapist I love how the actions and activities have a sensory and development element to them getting babies to practice lots of movements to encourage coordination and body awareness as well as attention and recognition. This has been a great class online and in person’.

Jenna

Laura 

‘Fantastic classes. Vicki is very knowledgeable, and very warm. We had half our classes together and then the remaining were remote (due to lockdown) and  were still brilliant. We had time to discuss, and reflect and they were very informative as well as relaxing. Vicki 100% shows an interest in YOU and what you need. I fully intend to start the baby class when baby number 2 comes along, in person or remotely!’

Carolyn

‘I thoroughly enjoyed my weekly “me time” at Daisy birthing. I never did anything like this with my first pregnancy and I really felt the benefits this time round. The biggest benefit was how the breathing techniques helped me during a rather quick labour which allowed me to utilise the skills I’d learnt with Vicki without the need for pain relief. More recently both me and baby have enjoyed both tinies and wrigglers. Vicki is a fabulous teacher and I’d thoroughly recommend (and have done to others already!) to give Daisy a go’ 

Charlotte

‘100% recommend The Daisy Foundation. A great way to stimulate your baby, bond with them and make friends along the way.’ 

Laura 

‘I did daisy yoga when I was pregnant and definately wouldn’t of had the birthing experience I was blessed with had I not been so well prepared throughout these classes along with the daisy parent workshop. After having my baby I completed the baby massage class and am now absolutely loving being included in the remote coffee catch ups and relaxation sessions even though my course had ended. It’s something to look forward too through these weird times and Vicki is doing a fab job at looking after all of us. Can’t thank you enough for every step of my journey you have helped me with’ 

Kate

‘I am totally convinced the knowledge and understanding gained from the classes helped me have a positive, confident mindset and led to my overwhelmingly positive deliveries (one induction & one home birth). I can not recommend these classes enough; an hour of learning, relaxing, tuning into yourself and getting into a positive space ready for baby’s arrival’

To find our more about our classes click here Birth & Baby Classes

I hope this is of some help, but if you have any questions at all please contact me at vicki-wilkinson@thedaisyfoundation.com

Vicki x

Are you looking for baby classes in the Buckingham, Brackley or Towcester area? Did you know The Studio At Stowe hosts a selection of baby classes, workshops and sessions to support you through your parenting journey? Situated in the beautiful countryside of Buckingham, it offers a peaceful and relaxed environment for new parents. 

Daisy Baby Tinies is the perfect first baby class for mum and her little one and is suitable from around 6 weeks. Teaching you baby massage routines, alongside calming and soothing techniques. We even include postnatal movement for mums too, to help you gently recover. 

Learn more about Daisy Baby Tinies

Once your baby is ready for a little more stimulation, Daisy Baby Wrigglers is there to provide a fun, lively baby class. Incorporating baby yoga, rhymes, story time and sensory play, this class will keep your baby engaged from start to finish!

Learn more about Daisy Baby Wrigglers

When the time comes and your baby is on the move, Daisy Baby Cruisers is the perfect follow on. Much like Wrigglers but designed for babies on the move. We fondly say ‘its where we embrace the chaos!’

Learn more about Daisy Baby Cruisers

However it doesn’t stop there. As soon as we can we we will be hosting our monthly mums meet ups.  A free mum & baby session where you can get to meet other local mums. 

Also from April we will begin hosting Starting Solids workshops. A perfect way to learn how to introduce solids to your baby. Full of lots of practical information to help you make informed choices & feel confident about weaning.  For more information click here Starting Solids Workshop at The Studio At Stowe

We also have lots more plans in place for 2021  which we look forward to sharing with you soon. 

Vicki x

Are you pregnant and looking for antenatal classes in Buckingham, Brackley or Towcester? There couldn’t be there a better time to be preparing for a new baby, with so many choices available.  However it can make deciding what is best for you a little more tricky!

Maybe you are considering pregnancy yoga or hypnobirthing, or maybe a more traditional antenatal class? Do you attend alone or with your partner? When is the best time to start? 

Remaining active whilst pregnant is really beneficial. Pregnancy yoga can help your body remain flexible, reduce stress and anxiety and even improve sleep. 

Hypnobirthing will provide you with the tools to remain calm and in control of your labour.  It can help you overcome any fear or anxiety you may have about birth.

A more traditional antenatal class will provide you with all you need to know about birth physiology, including pain relief & possible interventions.  Some will also include newborn sessions and infant feeding.

Including your birth partner in your birth preparation can be really beneficial, as it can provide them with lots of ways to support you in labour. However you may also enjoy a mums only class, where you can get to meet other local pregnant mums to be. 

Deciding on when is best to start is totally up to you and how you are feeling. Most classes are suitable from your second trimester (14 weeks) with some recommending attending from 28 weeks.  When ever you choose to start, make sure you  give yourself time to practice.

Here at Daisy we offer a selection of classes to help you prepare, combining many of the elements above. If you are interested in a mums only yoga based movement & relaxation antenatal class then check out our Daisy Birthing classes, which are held near Stowe, Buckingham.

Learn more about Daisy Birthing

If you would prefer to attend a class with your partner then our Active Birth Workshop or Daisy Parent course may be the one for you. Both of these courses will provide you with all you need to know about birth and with Daisy Parent it also includes Newborn Care and Infant Feeding sessions. 

Learn more about Daisy Parent and Newborn Care

Learn more about Daisy Active Birth Workshop

All our classes are held at The Studio At Stowe  and can be found here Daisy Classes in Buckingham

Whatever you choose, we wish you a confident, positive birth xx

Welcome to The Daisy Foundation Buckingham, Brackley, Towcester and surrounding areas. The home of pregnancy and baby classes in Buckinghamshire & Northamptonshire.

My name is Vicki and I am a Perinatal Educator with The Daisy Foundation, supporting hundreds of families in the local area since 2013.

As a mum of three, I understand the challenges new parents face.  I am passionate about providing classes that help new parents feel confident and informed throughout their parenting journey.

It was my own experiences of birth (which were all VERY different) that led me to become a Daisy Teacher.  With this in mind, I work hard to ensure my classes are evidence based and non-judgemental. Providing a safe space for you to explore your choices and make decisions that are right for you and your baby.

Being part of a supportive community is also important. Our classes provide plenty of opportunities to meet other local parents. Also supported with a Whats App group for each class and the opportunity to join our monthly Walk & Talk free sessions. We will help you find ‘your village’.

As well as Daisy Birth & Baby classes I am also a Birth & Postnatal Doula. I am also qualified in Aromatherapy for Childbirth, Holistic Sleep  & Starting Solids, allowing me to offer full continuity of care from 14 weeks of pregnancy to toddlerhood!

All our classes are held at our beautiful countryside studio near Stowe, Buckingham –  The Studio At Stowe

Antenatal Classes

• • Daisy Birthing  – A weekly antenatal class for pregnant people. Helping you to enjoy pregnancy, stay mobile and learn about your changing body. Our unique Active Antenatal method draws on elements of active birth, pregnancy yoga, hypnobirthing & antenatal education to help you prepare for a confident birth.

• • Daisy Parent  – A comprehensive workshop for expectant parents.  Designed to ensure you have all the education, tools and support you could need as you prepare confidently for your upcoming birth and the early days of caring for your new baby. Daisy Parent draws on elements of active birth, parent craft and traditional antenatal classes to create one very powerful combination.

• • Active Birth Workshop – A workshop for expectant  parent and birth partner. Helping you understand thee stages of labour and how to use gravity to support your baby’s birth. Learn techniques such as breathing, active birth and massage, designed to help you both feel confident about birth.

Postnatal & Baby Classes

• • Daisy Mama –  A class for new mums up to 2 years postpartum. We take the best elements of postnatal yoga, mindfulness & relaxation to make this a truly relaxing class just for you. 

• • Daisy Baby Tinies  – A weekly postnatal class for mum and baby in the fourth trimester. Helping you learn how to use baby massage and movement to aid calming, soothing and connection with your baby. Drawing on elements of baby massage, baby yoga, postnatal movement and baby care education to support you in the early weeks & months.

• • Daisy Baby Wrigglers  – A weekly class for caregiver and baby. Learn how to use a variety of tools such as: baby massage, baby yoga, rhythm, rhyme, story & (baby) sensory experiences to aid your baby’s development whilst having fun together!

• • Daisy Baby Cruisers  – A weekly class for caregiver and baby. Learn how to use a variety of tools such as toddler yoga, rhythm, rhyme, story & (baby) sensory experiences to aid your baby’s development, whilst embracing the chaos!

To keep up to date on all things new follow me on Facebook and Instagram 

Thanks for reading & I hope to see you soon in class.

Vicki x

(*local guidelines permitting)