Sorry Claire, not sure why answers haven't come through, but we'll post them here for you. Thanks again
Here are the answers!
By CoolBecx on Wed 03-Oct-07 19:26:51
Hi Claire,
I have a 4wk old daughter and prior to the screening of 'BUB' we were already noticing that she was much more content when in arms and sleeping close to us. Since watching i have ordered sling and done some reading around the C Concept and think it is the way forward for our family. So the following are my questions.
-what did you wear to bed in order to stay warm yourself but also ensure baby has access to breast during the night?
From Claire: I pretty much always wore nothing. I used blankets etc to keep me warm.
CoolBecx: - what position did you sleep in to encourage the baby to help herself during the night? I have being sleeping with baby in crook of my arm on her back as nervous about giving her free reign.
Claire: I also slept with my baby in the crook of my arm. What do you mean you are nervous about giving her free reign? Free reign of the bed? Your boob?
CoolBecx: - Did you wake when the baby fed in the night? I am worried she will snuggle in too close and my big boobs will cause her problems.
Claire: Sometimes. Certainly in the early days. Less to not at all when she got older. For what it's worth, I had huge boobs (g cup) and they were actually bigger than her head when she was born. At the beginning I watched as she fed to ensure her nose was clear.
CoolBecx - can you direct me to any co sleeping guidelines as you did not talk about these on the show? Or describe how you achieved this safely with your own children.
Claire: I did talk about them on the show, however they only left the basics in after editing. I have gone into them above.
Please see www.dvh.nhs.uk/downloads/documents/SRAQZ8W5WY_Guidelines_for_Bed_Sharing.pdf for current governmental guidelines
CoolBecx -How do you avoid leaking milk during the night if not wearing bra or pads?
Claire: You tend to get leaky books in the early days before your boobs have adjusted to your baby's needs. I wore a bra in bed in those days with a breastpad.
CoolBecx - I am due to return to work at 8 mths (am trying to prolong this to a yr but not guarenteed - long story!). This will be 2.5 days a week. How can i continue with the concept sucessfully?
Claire: Please see my answer above regarding returning to work. However it is great that you only have to return 2.5 days a week. I would also enlist as much help from family and friends that you can. Perhaps hiring a caring local teenage to come in and hold your baby. Are you able to take a lunch break and go home to your baby then? Can the carer bring the baby to work for a feed? There are lots of avenues you can look into.
CoolBecx -You say that you went out and met other mums to extend your 'tribe'. Did you do this with mums that were following the concept?
Claire: Yes, mums that were and weren't. I was willing to travel to meet mums who followed the continuum concept. I also met with a lot of mums locally that weren't following TCC, but that loved cooking / cleaning etc with me. I had to meet these women, then developed a relationship with them that extended outside the normal coffee mornings. This is what I would describe as a community.
CoolBecx -When out and about with baby in sling did you just carry a rucksack with essentials in?
Claire: I can't rememeber!! But this is what my business partner, Martine does.
CoolBecx - what clothing would you recommend for baby to wear
(CB) a) in bed? (Claire Little to nothing. Your body and the blankets will regulate her temp.
(CB) b) in sling? (in diff weathers) (Claire: )Dress according to weather, but always be conservative. Your body heat will keep him warm.
CoolBecx- My health visitor is pretty negative about me adopting this approach - can you recommend anywhere else i can look for support with the c,concept?
Claire: www.continuum-concept.org
CoolBecx: I could possibly go on but figure 10 questions is pretty greedy :-)
Claire: Thank You.
By SharpMolarBear on Thu 04-Oct-07 07:42:34
Q for anyone who can answer about co sleeping - prob not one for CS
The CC woman was shown sleeping with her baby and the baby helped itself to her breast through the night. How did she manage to swap breasts (bearing in mind she was probably feeding at least every 2 hours)? Does she have to roll over (inc baby) after each feed?
From Claire: I tended to swap sides and take the baby with me. Or as my boobs were quite large, I was sometimes able to lean for the top one to reach down. It's all personal choice and adapting tp what works for you.
By LadyTophamHatt on Thu 04-Oct-07 07:57:24
what I'd like to know, but I don't think you'll answer is how much you got paid to be a part of that programme??
From Claire: I got paid more than £4,000 and less than £6,000. But don't tell anyone ;-)
LTH: I agree with Nadine. I just don't get the need for parenting gurus. We all have instincts, every single one of us...even if they aren't very strong. Just follow them and they'll get stonger. We don't need to line the pockets of gurus to know how to be a parent.
Sorry Claire, nothing personal.
Claire: That's ok. I understand why many people think this. And I actually agree wholeheartedly. However, we don't live in a society where we are exposed on a daily basis to baby and child care that is instinctual. You are right, we all have instincts, but when women try and listen to these they are constantly undermined by health professionals, experts, books, family and friends. It is very difficult, ney on impossible for many women to acknowledge and act on their instincts. I felt my role on Bringing Up Baby was to affirm women who want to parent in this way and to give information to others that were interested. We need to model this type of parenting to make parenting gurus disappear and become superfluous.
PS, I have never labeled myself as a guru / expert etc. This has all been PR. I'm just a MUM!!
By welliemum on Thu 04-Oct-07 07:58:36
Dear Claire
Are you getting a bit narked off by now because all the questions on here are about Claire Verity?
From Claire: I can understand why there has been such a huge reaction to Claire Verity. I feel very strongly about her methods and I think that this level of debate and discussion is the first line to change.