New Baby Checklist

Nicola Eyres, mama of four and owner of cult homewares and kids boutique Cissy Wears, shares the key items on her new baby checklist babychecklist2

“Women shouldn’t be afraid to say that they rely on other people to help out!”

Absolutely Mama: You’ve just had your fourth baby, congratulations! Do you enjoy being pregnant?

NIcola Eyres: I actually really do! I’ve never struggled in pregnancy as I have no sickness, no swelling, no pain… I’m a bloomer. I’ve been very lucky in that sense. I would keep having babies if I could.

AM: How do you manage being a mum to so many alongside being a successful business owner? Do you run a tight ship?

NE: This really made me stop and think. I was going to say no, that we are pretty chill and just roll with it. Then again I’m not sure if that’s true. Sometimes it feels so stressful I want to cry and scream. Sometimes it gets so out of control I find that I go into a zen-like state. Maybe I should say we run it with relaxed military precision. I’m just good at planning and being able to adapt. I also have an amazing husband who, despite having a difficult and hugely stressful job, does all the work in the morning – breakfast, packed lunches, school run – and who, no matter what time he comes home from work,will always clear up – and spends weekends doing the laundry. We are a very tight team – the kids are amazing at helping and I have an incredible childminder. I don’t think working women should be afraid to say or feel guilty about the fact that they rely on other people to help out.

AM: How has your experience of motherhood changed with each new addition to the brood?

NE: The first child throws up most of the learning curves because they are the one experiencing things for the first time; as do you, alongside them. Each child is so unique that no matter how much you think you know it all, they will always find a way to throw you off course. You can use your past experience to help with the next child – but you can never expect it to work second time around! Our first child is so emotionally intense that the simplest of things can easily become a huge situation. We couldn’t leave him with a babysitter – even a close member of family – until he was about six. Our second child spoiled us by being a self-settling, through-the-night sleeper from a matter of weeks. She didn’t cry until she was about 18 months, never made a mess and is so well-behaved… almost scarily perfect. The third was dreadfully refluxy, he literally couldn’t be put down until he was 10 months old… and then turned into this absolute wild child. The fourth – well, she seems like an old soul. She has a humour about her for sure, but she feels like my soulmate. What I’ve learned most is how much your heart can expand to allow each one in. There is no favouritism, I simply love each one in their own way.

Design Letters Baby’s First Book
A rare stylish keepsake for all your precious early memories. £40; cissywears.com

Jem + Bea Amber
Changing Bag
So gorgeous it could be mistaken for a normal handbag. Room for all the essentials, and it never clashes with your outfit. £230; jemandbea.com

Stokke Steps Chair
Suitable from newborn with its clip-on baby bouncer, this seating system can bring your baby up to the family table; from £189; huggle.co.uk

Bugaboo Bee
The essential city buggy – stylish and lightweight, with plenty of room underneath and the all important coffee-cup holder. Starting at £429 for the chassis; mamasandpapas.com