You may have read some of my other Mummy Me posts, such as, Welcome to Motherhood, Travel tips for parents and my open letter to my girls on their first birthday's. This post is a bit different. It may tell you things you don't want to hear, but it is honest. Out of all the things, I wish I had this honesty before I had my baby because I definitely would have done things differently. This post isn't here to get you to do one thing or another. It is simply my experience of breastfeeding, good and bad. I'm going to start with the bad.

Be prepared - If I'm honest, breastfeeding is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life. From actually getting the baby to latch on (it's not as easy as it sounds) to constantly wondering whether your baby is satisfied.

I, like most first time mums, thought breastfeeding was something natural and ingrained within every mother. Your baby is born and their natural response is to feed - how hard could it be. Very hard. Very very hard. No, extremely hard. Are you getting the gist? Some women, I think, find it does come naturally. They are overflowing with milk and their baby latches on beautifully. That's amazing if it is you.  But for the rest of us it's not that easy. It means working at 'latching on' non stop for the first few weeks. If you aren't exhausted already due to lack of sleep, your mind working overtime, getting used to never being alone, throwing in breastfeeding is enough to push you over the edge. Also with first time mother's being more likely to use an epidural or drugs through their labour this actually can have a knock on effect on your hormones and  milk production. I have first hand experience of this as with my first I had an epidural (it was ineffective btw) and I really struggled with my breastfeeding. However with my second I had her completely naturally with no drugs, epidural, or gas and air and breastfeeding was so much easier!

The pain - is indescribable. Actually, scrap that, I can describe it perfectly. Initially it feels like someone is threading a needle through your nipple, with every suck another stitch. For me it was literally toe curling. My husband was literally there every time I fed my daughter for the first few weeks for moral support and to physically clench my feet as they curled in pain. I did have an infection and thrush in the nipple at one point but this pain was there with both my children and lasted about three weeks. Talking of sore nipples, a great cream is Lansinoh HPA Lanolin cream. I would put this on before and after each feed and it soothed the nipples and helped to heal any cracked skin. It's great because it can be put on before feeding and because it is a natural substance it does no harm to the baby and gives your nipples the lubrication they need with all that sucking. I feel like I've said nipples a bit too much.

It can also be very uncomfortable if you have had stitches or even a C-section to sit with your babying in your lap and feed which is the most convenient position. However there are lots of positions you can try. 

Satisfaction guaranteed? - As I mentioned before, never knowing if your child is satisfied is a pretty annoying feeling. Because you can't physically see the amount of milk going into the baby's mouth it is hard to know how much your baby is drinking. This in turn causes you to pull your boob out every time your baby cries.

On the other hand, eventually once established, breastfeeding gives you a kind of satisfaction that nothing else can give you. You are providing for your baby, and this magic potion that you are producing is giving it everything it needs (aside from love and sleep) and all it will need until around six months.

Time - How long does it take to feed your baby? There is no answer to this question. I remember a time when I was feeding my first where she was literally latched on to one breast for 40 minutes and the other for 20. So that was a whole hour of feeding. She then went an hour and wanted feeding again but this time only for 15! With my second she only ever really fed for 15 minutes at a time. So even though you already know you are going to have less time, expect to have even less time to do anything. Somehow you need to remember to eat though to keep up your milk production. It's also a good idea to swap breasts to encourage milk production in both. Some prefer to swap half way between a feed. But I found once latched on I didn't really want to move the baby. When they naturally released the breast I would always offer the other breast but if they didn't take it I would then offer this breast the next time I fed.

To go out, or not to go out? That is the question. - When you breastfeed you need to be comfortable with popping your boob out when the baby wants feeding. This isn't always practical. As long as you carry a scarf around with you, most of the time this can be done discreetly, however sometimes it's just more convenient to take a bottle. Obviously this is only doable if you aren't breastfeeding exclusively. To be honest, in the first few weeks of motherhood I didn't really leave the house because I wanted to get into a routine for the baby and I found when I did go out, it unsettled the baby and she didn't latch on or feed as well. By the way, if you are happy to breastfeed without covering up, power to you.

It can't all be bad.... can it?! - No it's not all bad. I mean I did it twice (!) and if I had another I would again. The hard work pays off in the end. As a mum, you have a resilience within you that appears the second your baby is born. It's this thing where you do things just because you have to. There is no questioning, you just do. It's that same resilience that got me through my breastfeeding. Maybe to the detriment of my mental health with my first! But the hard work pays off in the end. This resilience is amazing because it sneaks its way in through other aspects of your life. It's definitely something I didn't have before having my babies.

Sleep - So we all know there is a severe lack of sleep when you first have a baby. So if I told you breastfeeding can give you more sleep then bonus right!? The great thing with breastfeeding is the night feeds. No having to get out of bed and boil the kettle, no having to cool the bottle so the milk is the right temperature. You just get the baby, pop them on and relax, all while laying down in your bed! I loved this as it saved me some lost kip! I wore sleep bras while sleeping which have no wire and are basically just made out of material. Kind of like a crop top. These gave me the support I needed while asleep and also when feeding, as by the way, your boobs are going to grow to extremes you have never seen, so will need more support.

Bonding - You do have a bond when you breastfeed. And I'm not saying it's not the same bond you would have if you were bottle feeding, but there is something about the closeness you feel when  feeding your baby. Sometimes they fall asleep on you or sometimes they stare deep into your eyes and no matter what you feel somehow you are connecting with your baby. And it's just special. It's so hard to explain because a lot of the pro points to breastfeeding are hypothetical and link to the emotions you feel. Whereas the negatives relate to practicality.

A happy medium - I found what worked best for me was actually part breastfeeding and part bottle feeding. Now this isn't practical for everyone. But with my first, I didn't feel as though I was feeding the baby enough milk, the baby was getting restless which was making me more anxious, in turn affecting my milk production. From the advice of my midwife I then purchased an expressing machine (these are available to rent from most children centres, but if you chose to purchase try and get a double electric one as it saves so much time!). When initially expressing I wasn't even producing enough for a full feed which then reiterated the fact to me that I wasn't producing enough breast milk to satisfy my baby. So I would then top up some of the feeds with formula milk. This then gave me a break from breastfeeding. However I would say expressing is great for those who are producing a lot of milk, but for those of us who don't, it is just an extra thing you have to do in order to give yourself a break later on. Great for if you are going out though. Some might say if you have to top up with formula any way what's the point? I don't have a response back to this.

Choice - All I can say is breastfeeding is personal choice, so please don't be forced into doing something you don't want. Yes I breastfed and would do it again, but if it put me in a position where I was putting my own mental and physical health at risk there is no way I would choose to do it. A happy mum equals a happy baby. I would never put myself through what I did with my first and the only reason I breastfed the second time was because I had learnt from my first experience and honestly found it easier. I would encourage every mum to give it a go but please don't think it is the be all and end all of a healthy baby. Mum knows best, so go with your instinct and I'm sure you'll be fine.

I feel as though I could write a whole book about this! But for now I hope you find this helpful. If you have any questions or any comments I would love to hear them.

Here are some websites you might find helpful:
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/breastfeeding-support/
https://www.laleche.org.uk
http://www.netmums.com/baby/feeding-your-new-baby

Hi Guys,

I have noticed of late that facial oils and lip oils are starting to get quite popular. I already use a facial oil by Aldi, which you can read about in my Skincare post here. However, I was recently contacted by a brand called Queen of Oil who specialise in Argan Oil products - from lip balms to shampoos.

If you don't already know, Argan Oil, which originates from the Argan tree, is an organic substance which is high in Vitamin E and fatty acids. It can be used as a moisturiser, is said to have anti-ageing properties, can tone skin and can also reduce the appearance of stretch marks. If used on hair, it gives the hair moisture and shine and when massaged into the scalp is said to promote hair growth! People also use it on their lips, cuticles and chapped feet. Basically, it has so many uses and benefits, we should probably be bathing in it!

We've all heard of Moroccan Oil, right? Well, guess what? A lot of their products contain Argan Oil, as well as a few added extras. The great thing about pure Argan Oil is that it's 100% vegan and organic. Because of this it can also be added to other products like body butters. It may not be widely used by people, but that's largely due to its price - a 100ml bottle can cost upwards of £30. However I like the fact that Queen of Oil sell a 10ml bottle for £7, so you can use this as a tester before deciding if it's worth investing in.

I was sent a few of the 10ml bottles by Queen of Oil and decided to use the Argan Oil on my unruly, curly, frizz-prone hair a few times and the result left me with soft, hydrated hair, which makes a change to the usual straw-like mane I am left with. I have also been applying it to the stretch marks across my belly that I have been blessed with after having two kids, and it honestly leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. The only down side, I would say, is the smell. It can only be explained as a nutty, warm type of smell (if a smell can be warm), but isn't to my taste. Luckily Queen of Oil also sell fragranced Argan Oil in cherry, coconut, and citrus scents. Coconut was definitely my favourite! I am tempted to buy the coconut Argan Oil and think it makes a nice change to what is offered on the High Street.

Have you tried Argan oil before, or any other essential oil? What are your experiences of it? Leave your comments below!

Amina xx

Hi everyone!

 I have been getting lovely comments about my skin recently and thought I would share my skincare secrets with you. First secret.... there is no secret! Haha. It's probably all that lovely vitamin D I got off holiday :oP. To be fair I am quite lucky, in that I have never really had problematic skin. I would class my skin as normal to dry, combination skin. So occasionally I can get a bit oily in my T- zone, but never too much.

Today's look is natural. Still working my tan from holiday! 😄😄 #bbloggers #bblogger #bbloggersuk #beauty #beautyblogger #makeupartistbirmingham #mua #muabirmingham #naturalmakeup #fresh #spring #springbeauty #highlight #highlightandcontour #contour #contouring #vibes #saturday #weekendvibes #weekend #birmingham #birminghamuk #nofilter

A photo posted by Amina Ali (@aminaali_mua) on Apr 16, 2016 at 4:42am PDT

My skincare routine starts with me washing my face in the morning with water. That's right, just WATER, nothing else! This might be a shock to some and quite normal to others, but I prefer to just cleanse my face with water every morning and exfoliate twice a week.

Once I have done this I then apply my Lacura Renew, anti-wrinkle, daily face cream with Q10. Which is a whopping £3.49 from Aldi! Yes, you read right - Aldi! Lacura have award winning products and I can absolutely say I love this cream. It is just perfect for me, not too greasy and not too absorbent. It is just want I'm looking for. Plus the anti-wrinkle and SP15 are both a bonus. As I am getting older (27 now) I am buying more anti-wrinkle products. We age much quicker than we used to because of all the pollution in the air, so I advise you to start thinking about it much earlier. I have also recently purchased some anti-wrinkle products from Avon and once I have tested these out will be posting, so watch this space.


If I am going to be applying my everyday makeup, I then apply Olay anti-wrinkle firm and lift hydration primer (£9.99) I love this product because it has a 2-in-1 purpose. It hydrates your skin, as well as priming it ready for makeup, leaving your skin feeling soft. I then apply my makeup as usual.




Before I sleep I usually remove my makeup with a makeup cleanser and wash my face again. Once it is washed and dry, I then apply Lacura face treatment oil (£3.99) from Aldi. Now you might ask why do I need a facial oil if my skin is normal to dry. Well the fact is oily skin ages much slower than dry skin. Take my eldest sister, for example, she has oily skin and out of all four sisters she is always mistaken for being the youngest! So, any oil that nourishes the skin is good. I have also heard facial oils can be good for oily skin as the oil on top of oil can cause a counterbalance, but don't quote me on this. After using this product for two months I can definitely say I am hooked. I apply a few drops, warm it through my hands, and apply all over the face before I sleep. When I wake, my skin has absorbed the oil and my skin is left feeling youthful.



And that is it. Quite simple, but effective. Do you have any skincare secrets? Sharing is caring, as they say! I would love to hear any tips.

Amina xx

Now for the highlight contour stick. I love to highlight as you can probably tell from my previous post, 'Contouring is out, strobing is in'. When the stick is applied directly from the stick straight to the skin, it gives off such a beautiful shimmer. It is very pigmented and gives a very sharp highlight. That's said, once you blend it or if you use a brush to apply it, it can look too glittery, which I personally do not like. That's why I stick to using it directly on the skin and I will definitely be using this more often, now I have rediscovered it.

Last week I attended an event at Organique in Birmingham's North Western Arcade. As I walked through the Great Western and North Western Arcades I was reminded of some great independent shops that are hidden within it and made a promise to visit more often.

Organique was founded in Poland and this is the only store in the whole of the UK (lucky us). As I walked through the door I was greeted by fantastic smells and warm smiles. In the centre of the store was a table full of multicoloured bath salts and bath bombs enticing you in.

A few of the products really caught my eye, including the vast range of shea butter body balms. There is a variety of scents that smell good enough to eat! My personal favourites were Strawberry & Guava (£7.95) and Orange & Chilli (£7.95). As I tested out some of the products on my hand I was drawn to the 'Eternal Gold' range, mainly because it contains real gold and fine particles of glitter that left a beautiful shimmer on my skin. In particular, the Gold Corundum Peeling Cream (£18.50) that can be used as a facial scrub, left my hand sparkling. Yes it is pricey, but it does contains gold and is designed to be used as a real treat, rather than every day.

Another product that caught my attention and I actually purchased was the Aleppo Soap (£9.95), which contains laurel and olive oil. I was told that this was particularly good for dry skin which is prone to Eczema. I thought I would give it a go as my daughter suffers from Eczema and this may help her, so fingers crossed! Another interesting fact is that this soap is made in Syria and, due to the escalating conflict, production has stopped, so purchase it while you can.

Attending this event really educated me on organic products in general. Some of the items we buy off the high street can contain so many additional and unnecessary ingredients that can cause reactions to our skin. It has definitely made me think twice about what I apply to mine and my children's skin. If there are products out there that are 100% natural and affordable, then why not use these instead?

Justyna giving a demonstration. This lady knows her stuff!

Have you gone organic? Have you noticed the change in your skin? Do you have children with Eczema? I would love any tips! Leave a comment below!

Amina xx

Now, I know all of us are rushed for time in some way, whether it's because the alarm hasn't gone off, or because you have two babies holding on to each leg (like me). But, that doesn’t mean there’s no time for a fast make up fix before you run out the door. So, I thought I would post my quickest make up look, which is mainly thanks to the fact that it uses just two key products: mascara, and a cream blush, also used as a lipstick. ;o)

This look can be done literally within five minutes or less. The star product and what makes this look so quick (and portable) is MAC Cremeblend Blush in 'Britwit'. MAC has five colours to choose from in this range, so take your pick. The reason I love ‘Britwit’ is because it gives such a natural-looking flush, especially on my skin tone.

It is creamy in texture, but blends so easily into the skin. I literally applied my foundation (MAC Face & Body C5 - 50ml, £22.50), which is optional, then mascara (L’Oréal False lash Telescopic mascara in black, £10.99)  and used my fingers to apply the MAC Cremeblend blush (£18.50) to my cheeks. You could use a stippling brush if you prefer, but I just find it easier to blend with my finger for this particular product. I then finish the look by applying the blush to my lips. And that's it! 

What I love is that I can carry the MAC Cremeblend around in my purse and re-apply throughout the day. Because it is cream-based, it gives such a fresh and dewy look which, by now, you probably know I am obsessed with. Below are some pictures of the completed look.

If you have even less time, scrap the foundation and you are left with such a simple, yet effective look, with just two products! I love quick and easy looks. The less products the better, I say. Have you got any quick make up tip ideas? I would love to hear, if you do. Comment below. Thanks.

Amina xx