Unexpected outcome of the 3am breastfeeds!

Sarah Davis - 21 Jun 19

I expected that being up for the 3am breastfeeds would result in tiredness, sore breasts & a lack of energy – pretty much a given.  I had no idea that being up at 3am to breastfeed my son would result in me becoming a published author!

Recommended in ‘Mother & Baby’ magazine’s ‘3 of the best funny books’ feature, ‘Baby Daze’ is a book of short, relatable poems that reflect the rollercoaster of being a mum to a new born.  Humorous and sentimental, they go from the first scan to the end of maternity leave.   

                We’d had to wait 7 years longer than we’d hoped to become parents.  A debilitating illness, followed by difficulty conceiving, meant that I became a mum aged 40, rather than in my early 30s as we’d planned.  Our much longed for baby finally arrived four weeks early, less than 3 hours after I left work!  We figured he thought we’d waited long enough!

I didn’t set out to write a book.  The poems in ‘Baby Daze’ came to me totally unexpectedly in the early hours, starting  from when Matthew was 4 months old.               I don’t know whether it was hormones at work, the intensity of breastfeeding, the peace & quiet or whether I’m most creative at 3am – but by the time he was 8 months old & breastfeeding was coming to an end, I had written 42 poems!  Originally I put them away in a folder to show him when he was older, but friends & family suggested approaching publishers.  In 2018 ‘Baby Daze’ came out!  Matthew, now 7, loves having a book inspired by and dedicated to him!                                                      Being a new author has taken me further out of my comfort zone than I could ever have imagined! Since ‘Baby Daze’ came out I’ve done talks for expectant parents at Mothercare and Mamas & Papas events.  I’ve spoken about my experiences as a breastfeeding mum as well as about my book.  I’ve also done 3 radio interviews – 2 for the BBC & one for Talk Radio Europe!  Seeing ‘Baby Daze’ in Waterstones and independent bookshops has been really exciting.

                                       It’s been lovely to have feedback from new mums, midwives & grandparents, telling me that they could relate so much to the feelings, emotions & experiences described in the book, that it made them both laugh & cry!  Its been described as being ‘like a rhyming new mummy diary.’  It’s also been great to find out that hearing about my journey to motherhood & my parenting experiences have helped others in similar situations. 

                                            I  have further exciting developments lined up.  Anna Ceesay, founding editor of ‘Motherdom’ magazine,  has asked to include one of my poems in her September issue & I’ve been booked to read some of my poems at the Ilkley Literature Festival Fringe.

For reviews of ‘Baby Daze’ see  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-Daze-Humorous-Honest-Motherhood/dp/1912362139  

I’m also on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook – links in my profile.

Sarah Davis

I'm a mum, a part-time supply teacher & the author of a book called 'Baby Daze.' The poems in 'Baby Daze' were written unexpectedly while I was up for the 3am breastfeeds! By the time my son was 8 months old there were 40 of them! They reflect the humorous & sentimental experiences of parenting a new born baby. Short & relatable, the poems have been described as ideal for sleep deprived new mums! 'Baby Daze' has been recommended in 'Mother & Baby' magazine's '3 of the best funny books' feature. I've done talks for expectant parents at Mothercare and at Mamas & Papas (talking about my experiences as a breastfeeding mum & about my book). I've also done interviews on BBC Radio Leeds and for other radio stations. 'Baby Daze' is available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-Daze-Humorous-Honest-Motherhood/dp/1912362139 , Waterstones & other booksellers.

View profile for posts, events and more info