Nanny to the Stars
Rachel Waddilove started her career at the age of 17 training as a nursery nurse. She has since been a nanny and maternity nurse to a number of celebrities, most recently to Chris Martin, Gwyneth Paltrow and baby Apple.
In the follow up to her hugely successful The Baby Book which was written two years ago, Rachel has released her new Toddler Book in which she gives practical advice on aspects such as behaviour, eating, sleeping and potty training. Here, Rachel talks to Flying Start Magazine about her career, working with celebrities and the key to a happy and content toddler.
You have written two very successful books and worked with many celebrities. How did you get to the stage you are at now with your career?
I am the eldest of 6 children and I was 10 when my youngest sibling was born, so I grew up with there always being children and babies in the home. I think that is where my love of babies and young children comes from. I went away to do my nursery nurse training at the age of 17 and then did private work in London until I got married. I now have 3 grown up children and 5 grandchildren. While my children were growing up I had a bed and breakfast business, as we were farming and I needed to be at home. But as the children grew up I went back to helping mothers in their homes with their new babies and young children. I then went back to maternity nursing which grew very quickly, and I found that I was working with all sorts of different families all round the world. I had wanted to write a baby book for a long time and my clients encouraged me to do this...so The Baby Book came into being 2 years ago! My publishers asked me if I would write another book so that is how The Toddler Book came to be!
What was it like working for celebrity parents such as Gwyneth Paltrow?
I treat all my clients in the same way. To me they are all important and I care for them and their baby in just the same way. Confidentiality with all clients is paramount to me. Clients who are very wealthy obviously can afford more help which means there are more staff in the house, so the household is probably busier than it is with other clients.
You have three children of your own. How old are they now and what were they like as toddlers?
My children are 37, 34 and 28. Two are married and I have 5 grandchildren. They were great fun as toddlers ....but exhausting at times! They got into mischief just like any other children! I know how exhausting having little ones running around can be! But the years go so quickly and before you know where you are they are at school, so enjoy those young years!
Can you tell us a bit about your new book.
I have written The Toddler Book to try and encourage parents to enjoy their toddlers and hopefully take away some of the fear of bringing up young children. I have covered areas that I believe parents want to know about such as behavior, eating, sleeping, potty training and other practical aspects too. I have also covered the importance of how we can build a strong family life as well as your toddler’s spiritual and emotional needs, as I feel this area is not always covered in baby books.
How important are a toddler’s younger years and how much of an impact will their experiences as a toddler have on them in later life?
The young years are vital...as what happens to a child in the early years either makes or marks a child. It is important to show your child you love him and give him time.
So what would you say is the key to a happy and content toddler?
The most important things you can give your child are love, time, consistency and security. He also needs to have boundaries so he knows where he stands with you as parents. By giving a child boundaries you are building into him security. Give your toddler a varied day too. Also a toddler who sleeps well will be a joy to have around.
One of the most common topics our readers write in about is their child’s sleep. What tips do you have on getting newborn babies into a well established sleeping routine?
Give good feeds so that your baby's tummy is full. If you are trying to stretch him to 3- 4hours between feeds a good tip is to take him out for a walk in the pram for him to have a sleep. Once you get him stretching between feeds you will find that he soon settles down into a good routine.
What advice would you give to a parent whose baby is suffering from colic?
Make sure your baby is having good feeds at every feed - in other words, that he is full up after a feed. Feed your baby regularly at 3- 4 hour intervals depending on his weight. Make sure you spend enough time at each feed bringing up his wind.
And do you have any suggestions on comforting a crying baby?
Firstly establish why he is crying. If he is hungry then feed him. If he has wind, then wind him. If he has a dirty nappy then change him. If you have done all this, then he may well be tired and need to be swaddled and put in his pram or cot to sleep. Babies will cry when they want to be put down to sleep. If he is distressed then cuddle him and rock him in your arms to comfort him. When he is calmer then tuck him in his pram or cot.
Another common problem our readers are faced with is sibling rivalry. How could a parent prevent their toddler from becoming jealous / resentful of his newborn sibling?
Involve your toddler with your new baby, particularly if he is of an age to help. Get him to fetch a nappy for you or to get a muslin for you, so that he feels involved. Let him sit with you while you feed the baby. Spend time with your toddler when baby is asleep. Talk about `our` new baby. The important thing is not to let him feel left out.
And last but not least, how should a parent start introducing discipline and rules to their toddler?
Disciplining our children should be a gradual process, starting with a flexible routine for them when they are babies, to gradually laying down the boundaries that are acceptable to you and your partner.
Rachel’s new book, The Toddler Book, is available in all good bookshops.
