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House Helps in Kenya: Why my House Girl was my ‘Big Sister, my Support System and my Friend’

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Hello friends and welcome back to Mummy Tales where I talk about issues motherhood. Many times, I like sharing encouraging stories about house girls / nannies / DMs.

This is the 5th article in this #MyAwesomeHouseGirl series where I feature amazing house girls who have been great blessings in our homes. Today, I share the experience of Shiku Vanderborght Theuri who describes her former house girl as her ‘big sister, her support system and her friend’. Her house girl came through for Shiku at a time when she was falling apart and she felt like she was breaking into a thousand pieces. Read Shiku’s story below. 

If you’d like to share your story that will encourage another mom, you can write to me on maryanne@mummytales.com

“My nanny’s name was Jessica. She was from Uganda, and a mother of four (two of them from her late sister who died while giving birth).

Jessica came into my life when I was going through a very very difficult time. Initially, she was working for our neighbour who was working at the UN. I used to say hallo to her in the neighborhood and that was it. By then my son was 3-years old.

One day I heard my son crying, and when I went to where he was, I found him standing next to the fence saying “kika, kika” while pointing to my neighbour’s back door. It was my neighbuor’s husband who came out and told me that my son was looking for Jessica (Kika). Apparently, my son used to be picked by Jessica everyday at 10am and he would go to their house where he would drink milk and eat a piece of water melon.

But on that day, Kika didn’t show up because my neighbour was packing up to leave –for good. My son was feeling stranded, wondering where Kika was.

I then had a chat with Jessica and learned that she was not going to have a job anymore as her employers were leaving the country. I told her to report for work the following day at my house.

Related Stories:

How my Nanny Saved me from Going into Depression – Tildah Kahuthu

How my Nanny has Seen me through my Worst – Carol Jemutai

Why my Nanny is Awesome – Catherine Njoroge

My Nanny Cared for my Child with Special Needs – Janny Marangu

Jessica was God sent. She became a friend, my support system, my big sister. I miss her dearly.

One time, my husband, who had resigned from his job became very ill. I was a mess and only Jessica noticed that I was falling apart. When he was very sick and had to be booked for a major surgery, Jessica kept me comforted, and ensured things in the house ran well. She would make sure my three children had everything they needed and were comfortable. She was a dayscholar and would only leave my house after tucking the kids into bed.

Jessica had noticed that I would barely eat because of the stress I was going through and she worried about me. Before she left each evening, she would make sure that I had at least eaten something. She would sit with me as I ate, chatting me up and encouraging me. To be honest, Jessica helped keep all of us sane during that difficult time.

The day my husband went for surgery, he was supposed to be out by 3pm. But when that time came, there was no sign of him. 4pm, 5pm….and I was still waiting anxiously. Finally, at 6pm he got out.

Since I was still at the hospital waiting for him, I had forgotten to pick my children up from school! When Jessica learned what was happening, she organized everything and ensured my children got home well from school. That day Jessica left my house at 9pm when I arrived from the hospital. I was living in Ridgeways and she was living in Kibera. Staying late was a sacrifice she had made, and I was so grateful to her for that. The following day, she was in my house at 6am. She was coming to work in our house thrice a week.

Jessica worked for us for three years, all of them great years with her. She left when our family relocated to Europe. In fact, she was the last person to lock the house as she saw us off on the day we left for the airport. Before I left, I ensured she had gotten another job, and she’s been okay since.

It has been three years since we left the country and my son remembers ‘Kika’ her every so often. He has great memories of her. My other children were also fond of her. My daughter (who was 4 years-old when she started working in our home) enjoyed washing dishes with Jessica. My older son also talks about how she taught him how to clean his shoes and some of his clothes.

To date, Jessica still checks up on us. There is no amount of money that I can repay her with, but I appreciate her and love her to the moon and back. We always wait for angels from heaven but angels are amongst us. Jessica is an angel that was sent to me and my children. God bless Jessica, and may wherever she goes and whatever she touches have a print of her love and big heart.

Jessica was more than a nanny. May God bless her and her generations.”

Thank you Shiku for sharing your story, and may blessings overflow for both you and Jessica. If you’d like to share your story too, email me on maryanne@mummytales.com

Mummy Tales is a platform dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Connect with Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBEINSTAGRAM l TWITTER

Hypospadias in Kenya: Evalyne Gatheca’s story

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Ever heard of a condition called hyspospadias? Hypospadias is a congenital defect where the urethral opening is located underneath the penis instead of at the tip. In this video, I feature the story of a Kenyan mother whose son was born hypospadias, a penile birth defect.

But first -how do you know if your baby boy has a birth defect in his penis? What are you supposed to look out for? Can the condition be corrected? What are the treatment options? If hypospadias surgery is needed, at what age should this be done? How many surgeries will be needed? Where can the repair hypospadias surgery be done?

Actually, most parents aren’t aware of this condition until their child is diagnosed with it. Watch Evalyne Gatheca share her story about her son’s penile birth defects in the video below.

If you have a motherhood experience you’d like to share, email me on maryanne@mummytales.com

NB: This video is intended for educational and awareness purposes only, as narrated by one Kenyan mom’s personal experiences with her son’s condition. Please consult with your doctor or other healthcare professional for more information about hypospadias, undescended testes and chordee, or any other penile birth defect. 

Mummy Tales is a platform dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Connect with Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBEINSTAGRAM l TWITTER

House Helps in Kenya: My Nanny Cared for my Child With Special Needs

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Hello friends and welcome back to Mummy Tales where I talk about issues motherhood. In today’s fourth article where I feature amazing house girls who have been great blessings in our homes, I share the experience of Janny Marangu, whose nanny helped take care of her two children -one of whom has Cerebral Palsy. Many times, mothers have a hard time getting nannies who are willing to work in a home that has a special needs child. Janny remembers Martha fondly. This is her story:

“Hi Maryanne. In 2015 I desperately needed a house help. I was a mother of two then; my 6-year-old daughter who has Cerebral Palsy and a 2-year-old. I remember speaking to a mama mboga just outside my house and letting her know that I was searching for a nanny. It took me close to two months to get a trustworthy house girl.

The mama mboga introduced me to a young lady called Martha, who was aged 21 years. Martha was at that time was employed in the neighbouring court but was searching for a better opportunity. We agreed that she was to talk to her employer first and serve her notice.

You may also like to read these stories:

How my Nanny has seen me Through my Worst: Caroline Jemutai’s Story

How my House Girl Saved me from Going Into Depression 

By that time, I had already explained to Martha about my daughter’s condition and even took her to meet my girl. We had an open discussion where I made it clear that if she didn’t think she could take care of my daughter well, then it would be pointless for her to start work in my home. Martha did not have any issues with that, and soon joined our family.

Within a week of joining us, I helped her open a bank account where she could save, and also helped her register for NHIF.

She turned out to be a great employee and stayed with us until 2018 when she got pregnant and left to deliver when she was nine months pregnant. While expectant, I would undertake the difficult chores or other tasks that she wasn’t able to do well.

Martha delivered her baby at Pumwani Maternity Hospital via caesarean section and thankfully, NHIF paid her medical bill.

Also read: How to add Dependants to your NHIF

I conceived my last born while Martha was with us, gave birth and she left when my baby was 2 years old.

We all miss Martha in our home. Our doors have always been open to her, and she still comes to visit us. My children love her baby very much. At some point I had taken her back together with her child, but that did not work out so we agreed that her baby grow a little bit then we will see what happens from there. Martha was, and still is part of our family and I cherish her for her great service.”

Thank you Janny for sharing your encouraging story. Have you ever had, or do you have a house girl whose experience in your home you would like to share? Email me on maryanne@mummytales.com

Also watch Catherine’s story in the video below:

Mummy Tales is a platform dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Connect with Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBEINSTAGRAM l TWITTER

Breastfeeding in Kenya: 16 Kenyan Moms Share their Most Important Breastfeeding Lessons

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Hello friends! So on my Twitter page, I asked my fellow Kenyan Moms this question:

What is the most important breastfeeding lesson you’ve learned that you can share with a pregnant or new mom?

And these were their various responses, which you can share with your friends as they are insightful and very helpful:

  1. Gatuiri

If you plan on exclusively breastfeeding your baby, I’d say pump milk and store as soon as you are ready. Especially if you’ll be resuming work after three months. That way, you will have less anxiety when you know you have stock.

  1. Rachel Ombaka

Knowing what type of nipples you have during your pregnancy really helps determine if you need intervention after child birth. With my first baby I didn’t know anything about inverted nipples and didn’t breastfeed as there was too much blood. My second baby breastfed for four months thanks to a nipplette that I wore during pregnancy and the nipple shields I wore after baby came (a nipplette helps with inverted or flat nipples).

  1. Mama Rigz

Fed is best. A well-fed child is better than a dead child due to dehydration.  There is nothing wrong or shameful about using formula if you cannot breastfeed for one reason or another.

  1. Vivian Gaiko

Breastfeeding is not as easy as one may think, so please accept to be shown how to do so. Also, you are not a bad mum for asking and accepting help. If you have older children, the breastfeeding experiences may not necessarily be the same. Exclusive breastfeeding (#EBF) is also possible.

  1. Samoina Wangui

Breastfeeding and proper latching is not automatic. Takes practice for many moms. Glad my mom was at hand to help the best way she could… it went a long way. I however got a bit of cracked nipples so that wasn’t interesting.

  1. Doula Wambui

My first son enjoyed breastfeeding and had a good latch from day one. My second one struggled with the latch and it took me a week to accept I was struggling. Ask for help. Every child has a different journey.

  1. Alison Kiriinya

Expressing milk is not easy. I had to learn how to express again with my second born despite having expressed milk for my first born.

  1. Njeri Njoroge

Milk doesn’t come right away. I had to get medication. When the milk came, latching became a problem but eventually baby boy got it right. Breastfeeding isn’t easy!

  1. Ainda

Proper latching is not automatic. Milk supply is not automatic. You could be an over-supplier or a low supplier. Drink lots of fluids and rest. Don’t try doing pre-pregnancy things. Do what works for you and baby… Do not think of what “others” will say.

  1. Bella

Avoid mastitis. It can be as painful as childbirth! If you have a lot of supply, pump pump pump!!!!

  1. Maryann

During my third trimester, I was advised to massage my breasts and nipples everyday with Arimis to reduce the rate at which nipples crack during breastfeeding. It worked! Latching isn’t easy, day one after delivery a nurse showed me how to.

  1. Patricia Lelei

Please please before you deliver buy a huuuuge tube of Nipple Cream and Nipple Shields – to help with the cracks and pains that come in the early days. You can get them from the shops in Biashara street.

  1. Wachuka

Please please before you deliver buy a huuuuge tube of Nipple Cream and Nipple Shields – to help with the cracks and pains that come in the early days…you can get from the shops in Biashara street.

  1. Agola Linda

If the latching is not done properly from the start, brace yourself for a painful breastfeeding session.

  1. Imelda Njoroge

Pump as much as you can and store the milk. If overwhelmed just give formula baby will be okay. Preterms however need breast milk so hopefully you get some.

  1. Dorcie Mutheu

My baby was a preterm. My milk supply was low from the beginning (due to medical reasons) and by five months there was nothing, so we just had to do formula and she’s done pretty great. A fed baby is what is important.

Related Breastfeeding Stories for you:

“I Knew Everything there was to Know about Breastfeeding. Only for me to Learn the Hard Way” – Faith Oneya

Breastfeeding Did Not Come as Easy as I Thought it Would – Wanjiku Wanderi

Why I Hid my Breastfeeding Experience from my Relatives – Grace Katiku

5 Breastfeeding Tips for a New Mum in Hospital 

So those are the experiences of a few Kenya mothers on breastfeeding. How about you? How was your breastfeeding experience and what advice would you give a pregnant or new mom? Share in the comments section down below.

Mummy Tales is a platform dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Connect with Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBEINSTAGRAM l TWITTER

Featured image by Brian Odwar from Pixabay 

Giving Birth in Kenya: Sarah’s Premature Labor and Delivery Story

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Hello friends! What happens when your water breaks months before your due date? What are the signs of premature labor? How long can you be in early labor? What causes a woman to go into premature labor? What can make a baby come early? What happens to a baby born premature? Are you supposed to deliver immediately, or do you have to wait? Can that baby survive? Are there any premature birth success stories?

Well, in today’s video, I feature the story of a fellow Kenyan mum Sarah Ndeta who shares her preterm labor birth story. She describes what she was doing the day she went into labor prematurely, the interventions she received and what happened in the weeks that followed.

Sarah talks about her baby’s journey in the NICU, and the emotions she and her husband went through during that difficult time. She and her husband are celebrating their 20th year together this year! This is Sarah’s preemie miracle baby story. Watch it below and share it with a mom or dad who could benefit from learning about Sarah’s story.

Thanks for watching! Also Read Ruby Kimondo’s story here.

Mummy Tales is a platform dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Connect with Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBEINSTAGRAM l TWITTER

Giving Birth in Kenya: My Traumatic Birth Experience

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Can you imagine pushing out a 5kg baby? Then add a blood clot in the brain. What happens when the birth of your child nearly kills you? That’s exactly what Catherine Sanitta Mutuku experienced. She shares her experience in this latest Mummy Tales video, an experience where she says she “saw death with her eyes”. Where she was oscillating between life and death. Catherine literally stared death in the face. Watch the video below.

I have shared Catherine’s story so that we can know more about how maternal health complications can arise during delivery and in the post-natal period. Please watch and share with a friend.

Catherine’s experience also teaches us how we need to be our own advocates when it comes to our bodies, especially during and after pregnancy. If you feel there is something wrong with your body, voice it out and don’t stop until you’ve been heard. She also helps us understand how important the support of family and friends is very very important for a new mother.

I hope you will learn something from Catherine’s story. Thank you for watching, and remember to share it with a friend. If you have a story you’d like to share with other moms, you can email me at maryanne@mummytales.com 

Mummy Tales is a platform dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Connect with Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBEINSTAGRAM l TWITTER

Sickle Cell Disease and Pregnancy: My Story

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By Maryanne W. Waweru l maryanne@mummytales.com

Pregnant women with sickle cell anemia are at increased risk for significant complications. This is the story of one Kenyan mother, Veronica Wafula, 30, who lost her first baby two years ago and is currently pregnant with her second child. Veronica is prayerful and believes she will soon hold her bouncing, healthy baby in her arms. So what happened with her first baby? This is her story.

“I’ve been married for four years to a very caring and loving husband. I am a sickle cell warrior. I was five months pregnant in 2019 when when I started becoming sick. I was frequently in and out of the hospital and it reached a point I had to be admitted in hospital.

Sickle Cell Disease and Pregnancy

While my pregnancy had no problem, the sickle cell couldn’t stand the pregnancy in my body. My legs would get so swollen to the point I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t feed myself, and my breathing was very difficult. I remember my ribs were failing me as with each breath, I would experience such excruciating pain in my chest area. At the hospital, I had to be put on oxygen for two weeks.

As I lay there on the hospital bed in pain, I begged the doctors to kill me because it was too much. My husband and brother used to cry a lot. My family and friends were so stressed and I just wanted to rest for the sake of everyone.

However, thanks to God and doctors at the hospital, I survived and was discharged after staying in the hospital for five weeks.

Also Read: How I Survived Preeclampsia but Lost my Son -Catherine Njoki

Three weeks later, while at home, I was rushed back to the hospital. There, the doctors told me that my baby had died three days ago in my womb. I was devastated. I was made to understand that it could be that the medications I had been put on while I was admitted in hospital that could have been too strong and had affected baby.

Sadly, I had to be induced and delivered my son. The experience was so painful that I would never wish anyone to go through. He was a lovely baby boy.

Was I scared of getting pregnant after losing my first baby?

No, I was not scared and never will I ever be scared because I have so many friends with sickle cell anaemia and they have children. I always say to my family and doctors if me giving birth is what will kill me, then so be it. I have had people discourage me from getting a baby -including doctors, but I remain positive. I will never lose hope until God gives me children.

Also Read: The Stitch that Prevented me from Having Another Miscarriage -Selina’s Story

I never lost hope and I’m now six months pregnant and I’m positive God is going to give me this baby. I’m taking good care of myself and trusting in God and I won’t give up until I have a baby in my arms.

How is this second pregnancy?

This pregnancy is okay, I haven’t been sick but this time round I’m very careful because as a sickler, I’m aware that I’m easily prone to infections.

I’m also eating a lot of fruits and avoiding too much meat because it drains water in my body -which could lead to dehydration, which is very dangerous. I’m taking more precautions now with this pregnancy.

Advice to other Moms

I would like to tell other women who have lost their babies never to lose hope for God has a reason for everything that happens in our lives. I would also like to encourage them to keep good friends in their lives, and it’s better to have one or two friends who are true to you.” -END

Editor’s Note: For more information on sickle cell disease and pregnancy, read here.

And that’s Veronica’s story. Thank you Veronica for sharing your story, and we pray that God will answer the desires of your heart. What words of encouragement do you have for Veronica? You may share them in the comments section down below. 

Mummy Tales is a platform dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Connect with Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBEINSTAGRAM l TWITTER

The Day I Walked out of my Marriage

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When do you know your marriage is over? How do you know when it’s time to leave your marriage? What are the signs of an unhappy marriage? Today, I bring you the story of Lillian Mbuthia, who tells her story about why she chose to walk out of her marriage. It’s her narration about why she left her marriage, which only lasted 3 years (after dating for 7 years). See the video below and share it with your friends, especially those who you know will relate to Lillian’s experience.

Mummy Tales is a platform dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Connect with Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBEINSTAGRAM l TWITTER

House Helps in Kenya: How my Nanny has Seen me Through my Worst

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Caroline Kemei

On the topic of house Helps in Kenya, do you have that one house help who sorted you out in your time of need that you’ll never forget?

In the second article of #MyAwesomeHouseGirl series where I share stories of house girls who have come through for us when we needed them most, I feature the story of Caroline Jemutai Kemei. You can read the first article where I featured Tildah Kabura Kahuthu, whose house girl saved her from going into depression. Read that story here.

Today, I share the story of Caroline Kemei. Caroline is mother to a 5-year-old daughter.

“My house girl has been with us for three years. She has walked with me through the worst –literally. When I was diagnosed with some type of cancer on my thigh, I had to travel to India for treatment. In India, I stayed for seven weeks, where I also underwent surgery.

While in India, my house help took care of my daughter and our house, though my mother came to stay with them as well.

Also Read: I Have Been with my House Girl for 13 Years: Carol Kinyanjui

After I returned home, the surgery had reduced me to zero since my hip bone had been removed. I couldn’t do anything for myself and my house girl basically did everything for me with a clean and genuine heart. She would help with bathing, clothing, cleaning my room and making sure I ate well. And when chemotherapy put me down, she was always there for me, seeing me through my most difficult times.

My treatment ended a few months ago and even though things are almost back to normal now, she continues to help me a lot because I still cannot bend. She truly is an angel.

I appreciate her in any way that I can. I usually buy her clothes and buy shopping for her mother back home in the village. I also opened a bank account for her. I thank God for her. She has been a blessing to me personally, and in my home as well.

My advice to Kenyan mothers is “take care of your house girls, and they will in turn take care of you and your family”.

Caroline concludes her story by describing her 23-year-old house help as a lady who is calm, kind, caring and understanding. She adds that she is very respectful and does her work without supervision”. -END.

Also watch: Martha Ngunga’s 13-Year Journey with their House Girl 

And that’s Caroline’s story. Do you have a house girl who has been such a blessing in your home and you’d like to share that encouraging story? You can write to me at maryanne@mummytales.com

Mummy Tales is a platform dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Connect with Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBEINSTAGRAM l TWITTER

13 Shopping Tips for First-Time Mothers

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What things should an expectant mom take into consideration while shopping for baby items? In this post, I share with you some helpful shopping tips for pregnant mothers, especially first-time moms. These tips are drawn from my own experiences as well as the experiences of other mothers.

  1. Shop early because if you wait until the last month/s, you may not have the energy to walk around and do the shopping. Considering that you’ll be feeling tired and pressed for time, you may just end up buying everything from one store whose prices might be on the higher side. So shop early to get a variety of good deals
  1. Before purchasing from an online store, compare prices. Take time to do some research. The same applies to shopping from brick and mortar baby shops -check supermarket prices too, because sometimes they are cheaper
  1. Don’t buy many newborn clothes (0-3 months) no matter how cute they are, because babies grow so fast and will outgrow them in no time. Some might not even fit your newborn in the first place! Also when buying, invest in good quality cotton items

  1. Consider the weather. For example, rushing to buy warm clothes when it gets cold or it starts raining will see you buying them at a higher price than you would have when there was sunshine. So buy them early enough to avoid those price hikes
  1. Don’t buy diapers in bulk, as you don’t know yet if your baby will react to a particular brand –which just could be the one you bought plenty of
  1. Don’t forget you have a post-pregnancy life too, so shop for all the things you’ll need after baby is born, such as nursing bras, nursing outfits, maternity pads, breast pads, breastfeeding pillow etc
  1. Don’t buy too many things as most will end up being unnecessary. Trust me, there’s lots of cute, fancy little things in the market that are so attractive (and expensive), but which neither you nor baby needs. Make a list and stick to it. Keep it simple
  1. Buy what’s within your budget. Remember there are plenty of second-hand markets and thrift stores (including online stores) that sell good quality baby items
  1. Know what items to invest in –quality items that can be used by the second or third baby. Such as a car seat, stroller, a toto wrap or baby carrier etc
  1. Remember that an expensive item doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s of highest quality. Just buy what’s practical and useful
A 5-piece set diaper bag from SMART KIDS baby shop on Facebook, also located at Superior Arcade Centre along Accra rd (Nairobi CBD), 2nd floor shop 2-13. SMS/call/WhatsApp 0719382462.
  1. When buying a diaper bag, consider getting one that is a neutral color –one that the baby’s father will also feel comfortable carrying –as you’ll definitely need his help when moving around
  1. Go for shopping with your girlfriend, sister, mom, cousin… just don’t go with someone who will be grumpy and impatient because it can be a total killjoy for you and you honestly don’t need that. You need to have fun while shopping for your baby!
  1. Don’t forget to walk the journey with other moms. Join educative platforms where you can connect with other moms. Talk to them, ask questions –you’ll be amazed at the wealth of knowledge fellow moms have that will make your new motherhood experience much better. You can also take time to read up on previous articles on my blog where you’ll find tons of helpful advice from Kenyan mothers who share their pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and other motherhood stories that will enlighten you.

Did I miss out on a helpful newborn shopping tip? Share it down in the comments section below. Also share this post with a pregnant mom you know, it could really help her.

Also remember as you prepare for your newborn, think about the help that you’ll need around the house, such as a nanny or house help or house girl. In the video below, I cover the important questions you need to ask a potential nanny during the interview.

Mummy Tales is a platform dedicated to empowering its readers on different aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Read more motherhood experiences of Kenyan moms here. Connect with Mummy Tales on: FACEBOOK l YOU TUBEINSTAGRAM l TWITTER

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