Beverley Turner shares her parenting tips
Accustomed to life in the fast lane, Former F1 presenter, Beverley Turner, 36, is used to handling life’s tests. So when her husband Olympic Rowing sensation, James Cracknell, set off on a race to the South Pole, leaving her to look after their 5 year old whilst pregnant, she was up for the challenge.
However James was at Beverley’s side when she gave birth to baby daughter Kiki Willow on Mother’s Day last year, “I had a water birth at home using hypno-birthing which was a wonderful experience – James got really involved in the birth and supported me every step of the way - we were so excited to meet our new little girl.”
Beverly gives us her top tips for parenting:
1. Appreciate every little moment
When you have a job you love, it is always hard to take time off. But this time I am trying to appreciate having time with Kiki as a baby, as when Croyde was born I missed out on so much by going back to work so soon. They are only little for such a short space of time that I really want to make the most of it this time.
2. Be prepared for change
At first being a mum was a shock, as you lose your ability to be spontaneous and it does take some getting used to! But saying that it is absolutely brilliant too, such fun. My 5 year old, Croyde, is just hilarious, the things he says are just great, and my biggest joy is just spending time with him. It is challenging and exhausting, but as they get older and become your little pals you realise what it’s all for.
3. Make the most of every situation
James going to the South Pole was a decision that we made together this time so we spoke about it and thought long and hard about the impact it would have on all of us. But we made the most of the situation. Croyde really missed his dad, but to make him feel more involved and aware of what was going on I did a talk at Croyde’s school and showed them a big map of where James would be going which he loved!
4. Midwives give great advice
Kiki was really colicky and gripey, and would cry after feeding, taking ages to settle after being fed and needing lots of winding. My midwife, the amazing Pam Wild (who also delivered Davina McCall’s babies at home), said to try Colief, a simple one week trial of Colief Infant Drops, told me that Kiki’s colicky symptoms were caused by lactase deficiency. The midwife also mentioned Colief contains lactase enzyme drops and has no sugars or syrups, unlike other colic cures, so it wasn’t bad for babies.
Once I used it Kiki massively improved, her crying has reduced dramatically. It is slightly more effort to use when you are breastfeeding, but it really worked so well that it is worth it. Go to colief.com for more information.
5. Breast is so convenient!
Breastfeeding can be really hard but I had good midwife support and was aware of how much better it is for baby’s immune system so I stuck with it (it’s also so much easier when you are out and about! Kiki has been fed everywhere from disabled loos to car parks!). It was also great as I could still use the lactose enzyme drops when breastfeeding.
