Issue 20 - September 2014

www.babybuzzmagazine.
com | Twitter: BabyBuzzMag 1

www.babybuzzmagazine.com | Twitter: BabyBuzzMag 2
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P15 Interview with Acclaimed Author and
Illustrator Nick Butterworh
P41 Interview with Karren Brady CBE
P50 Interview with Melanic C, Ambassador for
HumanRace Events
P42 Venture Photography - Feature Review
P38 Ruben Tabares - Smarter Eating
P40 Michelle Eshkeri - Am I Allowed?
P44 Q&A with JM Herbalist
P46 Postnatal Depression or not? - Birth Free
P47 Alternative pain relief options during labour -
Tenscare + fabulous competition!
P71 Oolong - Abi Adams - Immunisations
P22 Toddlers, Nursery & Preschool Must Haves
P23 Reception and Primary Must Haves
P24 Secondary & College Children Must Haves
P25 Computers & Phones - Too Cool for School
P30 Our top mattresses and sleeping essentials
P32 Our Rated Sleep Accessories
P34 Baby Buzz Shopping List to Help You Sleep
P69 Tiffany Rose - Latest Maternity Wear
P.56 Dawn Isaac
P27 Fabulous prizes to be won!
P06 Enterprising Mums
P07 Rocket Lawyer - Give Me Five
P08 Parents in Business - Meet the Parents
P05 Welcome to the World
P45 The Dads Network - Cos Dads Have Babies
Too!
P48 Jo Farren - The Alternative Option
P54 The Baby Bible - Baby sleep deprivation!
P16 Its that time again - lets get ready for school!
P17 Getting ready for the 1 day of school - Explore
Learning
P18 Lets Get Ready for School - Best places for
uniforms
P19 Clarks are top of the Class - plus win a 40 voucher
P20 Preparing your child for starting school
P26 5 Top Tips to prepare your child for starting school
P27 Getting A Good Night Sleep Introduction
P28 Get your baby to sleep with NLP Kids
P29 SilentNight - How to choose the right cot / cotbed
mattress
P36 Worlds Apart - The Latest in Sleep Surveys!
P73 Bucklers Hard & Forest Park, Norfolk
P74 Butlins - The Formula for finding family fun!
P52 WinGreen - Supporting local
childrens charity
P57 Nominate your little heroes to make
a splash - Water Babies
P70 Cake Lingerie - Cupcake Nursing
Pads
P72 Home Furnishings with Worlds Apart
P75 Mother Hen by Katherine Hobson
P76 Shnuggle - Helping babies getting a
better night sleep!
P77 The Serenity Star by aden & anais
P79 Cybex wins 2 more Which Best Buys
Exclusive Madeleine Thompson
launches collection with Blue
Almonds
P80 Shoe Therapy collaborates with Pink
Lining
It wasnt me it was Peppa Pig -
Policy Expert
P58 Mamas & Papas Armadillo City
P59 RECARO Easylife Stroller
P60 JOIE - i-ANCHOR car seat
P61 Fun Times Ahead
P62 Health & Wellbeing for all the family
P63 Food Reviews & Baby Essentials
P64 Baby Buzz Book Club
P68 Car Review - Kia Carens
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27
Name: Sonny Alexander Lewis
Date Of Birth: 11
th
July 2014
Weight: 9lbs
Parents: Stacey Jade Lewis
& Matt Lewis
Name: William John Farren
Date Of Birth: 6
th
August 2014
Weight: 8lbs
Parents: Jo Farren
& Matthew Farren
Name: Orla Elizabeth Ellen ODonovan
Date Of Birth: 20
th
July 2014
Weight: 5lb 13ozs
Parents: Sarah ODonovan
& Jason ODonovan
Name: Amelia Grace Yardley
Date Of Birth: 2
nd
August 2014
Weight: 9lb 5oz
Parents: Amanda Yardley
& Marc Yardley
Name: Florence Eloise Haynes
Date Of Birth: 30
th
June 2014
Weight: 6lb 4ozs
Parents: Sophie Haynes
& Kevin Haynes
Name: Mila Eden Frampton
Date Of Birth: 3
rd
July 2014
Weight: 5lb 5oz
Parents: Darima Frampton
& Deyna Frampton
A business plan is
essential for a new
business starting out.
Not only will it give you
focus and enable you to
plan your time and
finances, it will also help you to turn your ideas
into reality. A good business plan defines exactly
what you want to achieve and how you will do it.
You start with the here and now, and then
through the plan, plot where you want to be in
the future. The length and detail of your plan
depends on a number of factors. For example, if
you require funding from an investor or the
bank, then you need to go into detail with
financial forecasts, profit margins, costs,
cashflow etc. However if the plan is for your use
to plan how you will grow your idea, then it can
be a short document. The following structure
gives you an outline of how to get started
1. Executive Summary
The executive summary is often the most
important part of your business plan.
Positioned at the front of the document, it
is the first part to be read. However, as a
summary it makes sense to write it last. It
is a synopsis of the key points of your
entire plan. It should include highlights
from each section of the rest of the
document.
2. Business Background
(Your business, its products and services)
Overview of your business:
when you started or intend to start
trading
the type of business and the sector it is
in and the legal structure (eg sole
trader, partnership, limited company)
any relevant history, patents,
trademarks etc
your vision for the future
what makes it different - your USP,
benefits and why customers need it
how you plan to develop your products
or services
3. Your markets and competitors
In this section you should define your
market, your position in it and outline who
your competitors are. Key areas to cover
include:
your market, who are your customers,
your competitors, and any future trends
you can see
4. Marketing plan and strategy
This section should describe the specific
activities you intend to use to promote
and sell your products and services. It
should include:
A SWOT analysis - outline your strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Assess the internal strengths and
weaknesses of your business. Identify the
external opportunities and threats facing
the business in the marketplace.
How do you plan to position your product
or service in the market place?
Who are your customers? Include details
of customers who have shown an interest
in your product or service and explain
how you plan to go about attracting new
customers.
What is your pricing policy? How much
will you charge?
How will you promote your product or
service? E.g. direct marketing, advertising,
PR, social media, email.
How will you reach your customers? What
channels will you use?
How will you do your selling? Do you have
a sales plan? Have you considered which
sales method will be the most effective
and most appropriate for your market,
and do you have the right skills to secure
the sales you need?
You can also include a short strategy with
measurable objectives (we will cover this
in another column)
5. Financial forecasts
As part of your plan you will need to
provide a set of financial projections which
translate what you have said about your
business into numbers. If you require
funding you will need to look carefully at
things like how much capital you need, the
security you can offer lender, how you plan
to repay any borrowings, and sources of
revenue and income.
Your forecasts should include
Sales forecast - the amount of money you
expect to raise from sales.
Cashflow forecast - your cash balance and
monthly cashflow. The aim is to show that
your business will have enough working
capital
Profit and loss forecast - the level of profit
you expect to make
Finally consider other aspects such as skills of
your team, operations (location of the business,
production of your product, Stock control, IT),
and legal information. It is also wise to have a
contingency plan to explain how you will address
any potential threats if and when they occur.
If you want to know more about writing a
business plan, then you can email Kerry at
kerry@inspirememedia.co.uk or tweet
@inspirememedia
For more information on Enterprising Mums
networking groups or to set up a networking
group yourself, please visit www.enterprising-
mums.co.uk or tweet us @enterprisemums
The Parents & Business section focuses
on exactly that, being a parent and
running a business! There are so many
businesses that are run by people who
juggle parenting with work every day
and so each month we sing their praises
and give them a great big mention.
If you'd like to be featured in this
section and give your business a shout
out, contact me today:
nickie@babybuzzmagazine.co.uk
Photography by Venture Photography
Editor of Baby Buzz Magazine: Nickie and children, Mia and Lillie
At Enterprising Mums, we aim to support and inspire each other through our networking
meetings. In this month's advice column, we show you how to write a short business plan.
baby buzz magazine
Author: Mark Edwards, General Manager at
www.rocketlawer.co.uk, an online legal service
providing families and small businesses with easy-
to-use, professional legal documents and affordable
help from specialist lawyers.
If youve decided to take the leap and become a
parentpreneur, there are some important legal lessons to learn to
protect and secure your business from the outset. There are a
multitude of reasons why you should make getting legal help one of
your top priorities.
Lets say youre starting up a business from home but then decide
you need to partner with someone possibly a friend or family
member - its important to have a partnership agreement in place.
Without it all sorts of disputes and misunderstandings could take
place in the future, putting yourself and the business at risk.
Or if you decide that you need to focus on growing the business and
need to take on extra staff to lighten your workload, you will need to
follow correct procedures and issue an employment contract within
two months, even if youre hiring close family and friends.
Many new businesses believe that getting help with legal issues is
costly, complex and time-consuming but the great news is that you
can create legally binding contracts and agreements easily and
quickly (and even free if you take advantage of Rocket Lawyers one-
week free trial).
As your home business grows, its really worth taking a step back,
sorting out your legal affairs, and ensuring that everything you are
working hard to achieve is protected.
Here are five essential documents that will help your business get off
the ground:
1. Business Plan
Vital to helping you secure the funding you may need to kick-start
your business. Show potential investors why your product or service
will be successful with a business plan that sets clear objectives and
a strategy for growing your business. A business plan will also help
you create a realistic timeline in your head for when you can repay
the investment, whilst also conveying confidence to potential
investors.
When drafting your plan include an executive summary, business
summary, marketing strategy, your financial plan and a SWOT
analysis
2.Employment contract
As mentioned before, employment contracts are not only a legal
necessity, they can also help set the tone of your business. They are a
great way to lay out clear expectations for the employer and
employee, laying the foundations for a mutually rewarding
relationship. It can be used for permanent employees or fixed-term,
temporary employees. Your employment contract should cover
areas such as pay, benefits, hours, holiday, sickness and termination.
3. Confidentiality agreement (Non-Disclosure Agreement)
Before sharing valuable information with colleagues or friends, con-
sider creating an NDA, a legally-binding document that is the first
step to protecting your ideas and intellectual property. It is the easi-
est and most common way of ensuring that this information is not
compromised, made public or exploited in any way. It also means
that in the eventuality of any breach of contract, you can take legal
action to implement any solution needed to rectify or prevent fur-
ther breaches and recover damages.
4. Partnership agreement
You want your business to run as smoothly as possible so its
important that all parties know where they stand. Avoid any
potential conflict by having in place a detailed and complete
agreement of what is expected of the partners and how the business
will be run under the partnership. This document should cover who
the partners are, their capital contributions, their rights and
responsibilities, and what will happen if and when they decide to
leave the partnership.
5. Home office rental agreement
If you are working from home, operate through a limited company
and want to provide a contractual basis for renting your home office,
use a simple home office rental agreement. This will help put things
on the correct legal footing and may help you to claim back, for tax
purposes, overheads in running the business.
www.rocketlawyer.co.uk
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baby buzz magazine
Having given up a career in
finance l found myself at
home with a toddler and a
small baby who cried
relentlessly and didnt seem
able to sleep for longer than
2 hours at a time. I soon
struggled with sleep
deprivation and began
heading towards post natal
depression. At the same time l saw my happy little
toddler demand attention by refusing to have a
daytime nap, refusing to get into his new big bed and
waking up at night with his covers on the floor. As you
can imagine this was just making matters a great deal
worse!
I came up with the idea to try and sort this situation
out. I wanted to create a product which was special to
him, gave him a cosy secure feeling like a comfort
blanket and could be taken from place to place like a
special teddy bear, but at the same time was practical,
and would keep him tucked in and warm all night
long.
The very first Snuggle Sac was a lion, which worked
really well so l designed another 4 designs and started
the company. The designs are deliberately bright and
cartoon like to appeal to children.
In 2000 when l realised the concept was viable l found
a manufacturer and took the concept the one of the
largest trade exhibitions in the UK. We came away
with a full order book and a best new product award.
The ethos of the brand is to provide great quality
products, which are good value for money and make a
positive difference to family life.
I am particularly delighted that Snuggle Sacs have
been endorsed by the highly acclaimed sleep expert,
and founder of The Childrens Sleep Charity; Vicki
Dawson. I really hope with increased awareness
Snuggle Sacs can start to be used in more and more
homes to help children enjoy a good nights sleep. The
lovely thing is, they are wonderfully good fun too.
They are great for long car journeys, sleep-overs or
just being cosy watching TV. Id love Snuggle Sacs to
become synonymous with children getting a good
nights sleep, both in this country and abroad.
It has been exciting to come up with the idea for a
product, but perhaps more fulfilling to ensure it was
always linked to the credibility and ethos of the
Snuggle Sac brand which has been around now for 14
years, so we must be doing something right. Realising
J.K Rowling had written Snuggle Sacs into The Prisoner
of Azkaban and l was invited to work with the set
designers to manufacture 750 Sacs for the film set was
a particular highlight though.
I dont think anyone can prepare you for the
overwhelming roller coaster of a fast growing business
and how exhausting and time consuming it can be.
However, that can also be equally exciting and
liberating so it isnt much of a downside.
To completely understand their own aims and
ambitions and what they want to achieve from the
business. Id advise anyone to write their own
business plan with a mission statement to help focus
and identify what the product is really about and what
the company will be about. Doing this should help
highlight strengths and weaknesses. Id advise them
not be afraid to ask for help in as many places as
possible. Ive found peer mentoring a great help over
the years in addition to professional advice. Id also
suggest giving some real thought into child care
provisions well in advance of them becoming a
necessity to help avoid inevitable feelings of being
torn and guilt.
Meet the Parent behind ...
www.snugglesac.com | 01603 881 705 | info@snugglesac.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SnuggleSac | Twitter: www.twitter.com/SnuggleSac
Realising J.K Rowling had written Snuggle Sacs into The Prisoner of Azkaban and l was invited to work with
the set designers to manufacture 750 Sacs for the film set was a particular highlight though.
Since launching in 2000 the company has sold hundreds of thousands of funky
sleeping bags and associated products throughout the world....
baby buzz magazine
Myself Amanda Peffer, after being
inspired by my two lovely children who
have also tested and modelled the
product, I have also named the company after them
using their middle-names Blade and Rose. Now the
business has grown so much my husband Jonathan
Peffer works full time for Blade & Rose so its a real
family business.
The company started whilst I was on Maternity leave
when my little girl was about 4 months, all I seemed to
do was pull down her dresses/shirts over her bottom. I
thought there must be something on the market
making a feature of that lovely nappy bottom so I
started looking and found nothing of premium quality
with funky designs that worked around the fact that
babies are crawling, climbing and upside down with
their bottoms in the air! This escalated into an idea
that this is something I could do, so I started creating
my own designs and contacting manufacturers. I did
lots of research at baby groups and shops to come up
with the concept, quality and price before I had my
final product and was ready to place my 1 order of
3000 pairs of leggings!
Blade & Rose is about providing innovative, funky, high
quality baby leggings and accessories that are
fashionable, comfortable and durable. These products
combine colourful modern funky designs with top
quality yarn, that are lovely and soft against childrens
delicate skin.
To be the brand leader for baby leggings. Ouraim is to
continue to grow the company worldwide, we already
have stockists in Germany, France, Spain, Belgium,
Italy, Netherlands, Greece, Japan, US, China and Dubai
which has allowed the company to grow quickly over 4
years. We have started a trend in the baby market and
plan to continue to bring out fresh new designs to stay
ahead and extend the clothing range.
Its hard as you cant really switch off but you don't
really want to either, its a real buzz! The highlight is
being your own boss, being able to pick the kids up
from school, make sports day and have time off with
them in the holidays. And of course seeing the
leggings in shops and out and about on other babies is
always hugely satisfying and makes it all worth it.
When I returned to work, I worked full time and also
worked in the evenings / weekends to find stockists for
the leggings. It was very hard working full time, the
house full of leggings, two babies in nursery, however
the feedback about the products was fantastic so knew
if I put the effort in I would see the results. At first I
took a drop in wages to put everything back into the
business but I now work for myself, I have more time
with my family and I can work around them to have a
perfect work/ life balance.
Do your homework, check the market and if you think
you have a niche product then go for it you will never
look back!
www.bladeandrose.co.uk | Facebook: www.facebook.com/bladeandrose |
info@bladeandrose.co.uk | Twitter: www.twitter.co.uk/bladeandrose
Do your homework, check the market and if you think you have a niche product then go for it you will
never look back!
Blade & Rose is about providing innovative, funky, high quality baby leggings and accessories that are
fashionable, comfortable and durable.
baby buzz magazine
My son Clarke
was born
weighing
3lb14oz which
was very
unex pected and spent the
first week in the special care baby unit at
Watford Hospital. Clarke was our first baby
so everything was a new experience and
albeit scary to start especially seeing him in
an incubator with tubes and wires
attached to him. It was here that i came up
with my first ideas of what I would have
liked to dress my tiny son in without having
to remove the wires and tubes.
Once we were home I started sharing my
ideas of premature baby clothing with my
dad who is a great businessmanso he
agreed to help on the proviso the garments
were made in Britain.We looked into the
market and saw there was a place for my
ideas. The process took a lot longer than
I'd initially expected mainly because the
patterns needed to be adjusted for sizing
and it was a struggle to find a
manufacturer in the UK. That being said we
have managed to overcome all the
obstacles.
Our main objective was to provide
Premature baby clothes that make life
easier for mum & dad when their baby is in
hospital. The designs of the baby suits and
vest have poppers at the arms and legs.
This allows the garment to open up flat so
baby can be placed on top. This is great for
babies in an incubator and/or with wires &
monitors attached. The other items I've
designed are for general day to day use.
The cape and the cosy bag are very
popular.
I have so many ideas. I would like to
provide a one stop shop for everything
premature baby. I know how frustrated I
was when i was having to buy everything
to suit a premature baby from bottle teats
to highchairs and car seats. I want to
provide one place with everything you
need as well as extending the clothing
range.
Sending the first order to our first
customer and hearing their feedback.
The time it has taken to set it all up.
Be patient and prepared to have a lot of
late nights. It's important to balance your
time with your baby and your new
business. Most of all enjoy it. It's worth
the hard work.
http://prematurebabyboutique.co.uk/ | mail@prematurebabyboutique.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/prematurebabyboutique | Twitter: www.twitter.com/Dinkidreams
It's important to balance your time with your baby and your new business. Most of all enjoy it. It's
worth the hard work.
I have so many ideas. I would like to provide a one stop shop for
everything premature baby.
baby buzz magazine
Forever Living UK.
Forever Living Products began its
operations in the UK in 1992 and has
grown from nothing to being the largest
provider of Aloe Vera products in the UK
in a very short period of time. Early in
1994, the Company moved to prestigious
Longbridge Manor in Warwick as its UK
headquarters.
Forever and its affiliates have become
the largest grower, manufacturer and
distributor of aloe vera and bee products
in the world. Avoiding the use of
herbicides and pesticides, our patented
stabilisation process ensures our aloe
vera is essentially identical to the inner
leaf gel. And because we are not
dependent on any other supplier, we can
guarantee the quality of our aloe.
The perfect work life balance earning a
good income whilst spending as much
time as I want with my children. I don't
want to miss these early years... I won't
get them back!
Being my own boss and the buzz of
success. There is so much to be said for
the freedom of choosing when you work
and how much you do. Suddenly your
priorities change. You can take the
afternoon off to go to soft play or
swimming if you want. The nature of the
company means that it's what you make
it and only you can choose what that is
going to be. Many working mums feel
they don't have any control or choice
and just need to do whatever it takes to
make ends meet. Forever Living have
given me the tools to regain control of
my life.
7 1/2 months pregnant is probably not
the best time to start trading as it
requires hard work and dedication, all of
which need a bit more energy when
you're cooking a baby! Another
downside is convincing people that
you're not a pyramid scheme, a con
artist or a cult!
If you can find the dedication and are
prepared to put in the hard work then
there is no reason you can't succeed.
Success doesn't happen overnight, but it
will eventually happen. All you have to
do is truly believe it will.
www.jesschu.myforever.biz/store | jess@jessicachu.co.uk | Tel: 07974 701 716
People interested in becoming a distributor for Forever Living please visit: www.jesschu.myforever.biz
The perfect work life balance earning a good income whilst spending as much time as I want with my
children. I don't want to miss these early years... I won't get them back!
There is so much to be said for the freedom of choosing when you work and how much you do. Suddenly
your priorities change.
baby buzz magazine
Joulberry was founded by entrepreneurs Therese
Kober and Sandra Dunn, both mums to 3 children.
"Having emigrated from Germany with my newborn
baby, I set up home with my English husband, making
my first Joulberry jewellery to capture moments in
time to send home to my family and friends" says
Therese. The product has become much more than
this and now encompasses bespoke designs. We use
only the finestmetals - a combination of precious
metals such as silver, gold and platinumalong with
some collections featuring fashionable andaccessible
base metals including copper and brass.There is no
plating used on our jewellery as the pieces are made to
last.We have taken the trend ofpersonalisation to
the next level, whether it is encapsulating a shared
bond or apersonal memory, the products have been
specifically designed to hold messages that are dear to
our customers, extracting these special moments and
enabling them to keep them physically close.
We met at our local gym through our kids and became
friends. Therese had been making jewellery for a
number of years, but she needed a business partner to
work alongside her with more commercial experience -
cue Sandra! We started Joulberry officially in July 2010
and the brand has gone from strength to strength
since then, but it has not always been plain sailing!
Having both family and friendswho had started their
businesses from scratch, we knew it would be hard
work with lots of blood, sweat and tears. We had in
our minds that 3 years of hard graft would tell us if we
had a business or not and this was probably a realistic
time frame! We have heard your own business being
compared toyour newborn baby. Of course, there is
no comparison, but the hours invested in your little
one and the sleepless nights are comparable!
Joulberry is a bespoke personalised jewellery brand
wanting to give our customers beautiful and
meaningfuljewellery. Providing a personal service and
a product that is not mass-produced in a throwaway
society is a rare find. Joulberry listens to its customers
and offers support from beginning to end, whether it is
the purchase of a personalised piece of jewellery as a
gift, chosen from our collections or acommissioned
bespokeengagement ring.We make every piece by
hand in our Hampton Court studio. Currently we sell
via our own websitejoulberry.combut we're
addingthe finishing touches to our first ever
showroom open to the public, so we are hugely
excited about the future for the brand!
Having developed an online following of customers
worldwide, we would like to bring our brand to a
wider audience through a retail presence both here in
theUKand in Europe for the full Joulberry experience.
We can't name one, so here are our top 5!
1. In the early days, we were thrilled to beselected
as a Notonthehighstreet.com partner. They
have championed small, creative businesses like
ours since they began and continue to be a great
supporter of ours today.
2. Getting our first premises - a tiny studio in West
Molesey (believe it or not, a huge upgrade from
our not so huge kitchen!)
3. In May 2014, being selected as 1 of 10 from 250
brands to pitch to judges at House of Fraser,
Dragon Den style for a pop up concession selling
competition in their flagship Oxford Street store
as well as on their website. We just missed out
on coming first but were delighted to be
awarded a highly commendable 2nd place by
the wonderful COO, Nigel Oddy.
4. We love all our customers, but we can't help but
be pretty chuffed to also havecelebrity fans like
Amanda Holden, Geri Halliwell and Paddy
McGuinness wearing our pieces.
5. Nowadays, spending our working hours with our
wonderful Joulberry team, who are living and
breathing the Thames air and the Joulberry
ethos!
Lack of sleep, angry husbands and acne!
Do it... but find a lovely business partner who
understands you and shares the same values, work
ethic and ambitions
www.joulberry.com | studio@joulberry.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/joulberry | Twitter: www.twitter.com/Joulberry
Nowadays, spending our working hours with our wonderful Joulberry team, who are living and breathing
the Thames air and the Joulberry ethos!
Meet the Parents behind ...
baby buzz magazine
Husband and wife Colin and Janet Cordner
We started our journey in 1999 when our first son was born. At eight
months Jackson developed baby eczema. To our horror, he became very
unwell after using steroid cream which not only thins the skin but
destroys the immune system. We found that the alcohol present in
many baby wipes compounded the condition and couldn't find anything
on the market that didn't contain these harsh chemicals. We went
through loads of brands and in the end had to resort to water and
cotton wool but this wasn't practical and we found that even the
chlorine traces found in tap water were too harsh for Jackson's skin, his
condition was basicallyaggravatedby anything we used including baby
soaps. We felt we had no choice but to explore developing our own
wipe. After years of exhaustive research and steadfast determination,
we successfully designed our own unique cleansing wipes that contain
naturally occurring ingredients. Coinciding with the birth of our second
son in 2003, Reece, the concept for Jackson Reece Herbal Wipes was
born.
We are passionate about developing genuinely natural products. We
found it veryfrustratingthat products that claimed to be natural or
appeared to be for sensitive skin still contained harsh ingredients which
made it very confusing for us and meant we had to do lots of research
to get where we are now. We want to give parents products that they
can use in confidence on their children (or themselves!) and know that
there is nothing nasty that willaggravatetheir sensitive skin. We don't
want any parent to go through what we went through with Jackson.
Ultimately we would love to expand the range into other products - for
example bath. We are constantly developing and researching new ideas
and feel that the more we can offer in our range, the more parents can
come to us as a 'one stop shop' for their children's skincare needs. We
have had such amazing response to new products since the wipes such
as our saline nose nuzzles and mucky mitts hand sanitiser that we
would love to develop more.
Most recently, it has been BOOTS stocking our products, it is our first
major pharmacist retailer so we are very excited. We are also very
proud of the awards we have won, especially those voted for by the
public. In general though, the highlight every day is the countless e-
mails, tweets and letters we get saying thank you. To know that our
products have made a difference to parents like us is hugely rewarding
and just brilliant.
It is hard to call it a downside as it is also what drives us and motivates
us but it is tricky juggling four kids with your own business as any
working parent knows. We are lucky that we are in the business
together so we both understand the pressures and what is needed
every day and can work together to make sure we can balance it all.
Follow your heart but be sure to use your head and bounce ideas off
people close to you that you can trust - not just for emotional support
but also for advice on the practical stuff...if you know other people with
their own businesses then pick their brains. Don't assume it will be
easier than working for someone else and don't be arrogant, know
yourweaknessesas well as your strengths. For us,developing Jackson
Reece as 'a brand' has been very organic and quite straightforward as
we have always known what our brand values need to be and we have
stayed true to that in all we have done and this gives us great pride and
excitement for the future.
Meet the Parents behind ...
http://www.jacksonreece.com/ | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JacksonReeceCY |
sales@jacksonreece.com | Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacksonReece
It is hard to call it a downside as it is also what drives us and motivates us but it is tricky juggling four kids with your
own business as any working parent knows. We are lucky that we are in the business together so we both understand
the pressures and what is needed every day and can work together to make sure we can balance it all.
baby buzz magazine
I'm Maureen Nwachuku, a mother of
three and an Independent Barefoot
Books Ambassador.
At Barefoot Books, we celebrate art and
story that opens the hearts and minds
of children from all walks of life,
focusing on themes that encourage
independence of spirit, enthusiasm for learning and respect for the
worlds diversity. The welfare of our children is dependent on the welfare
of the planet, so we source paper from sustainably managed forests and
constantly strive to reduce our environmental impact. Playful, beautiful
and created to last a lifetime, our products combine the best of the
present with the best of the past to educate our children as the
caretakers of tomorrow.
Co-founders Nancy Traversy, CEO, and Tessa Strickland, Editor-in-Chief,
started Barefoot Books in 1992 when their children were very small, with
the goal of creating childrens books that feed the imagination, while
instilling a respect for diversity and a love of the planet. Today, we are a
worldwide Community committed to the kind of storytelling and art that
encourages children to become happy, engaged members of society.
My Barefoot Books business is limitless. I hope to put these beautiful,
soulful books in the hands of thousands of children in London and
Hertfordshire. I have seen first hand the way the books educate,
entertain and inspire children; the way that the stories touch the hearts
and minds of children is just magical! In addition to enriching the lives of
children with books I am really enthusiastic about building a team of
mums like myself who are passionate about children, families, and the
community to earn an income sharing Barefoot books. I enjoy mentoring
and brainstorming business strategies and I am committed to helping
other women build a business that they love around their family
commitments. Barefoot books is such a versatile business, I get regular
requests to set up a book stall at fetes and events as diverse as farmers
markets to beauty salons!
Initially I thought working for myself would mean that I would have to get
used to doing things alone. But the opposite has been the case, I get to
connect with so many wonderful people when sharing Barefoot books. I
meet regularly with parents, teachers, community organisers, other
business owners and my Barefoot books ambassador community. We
share ideas and connect authentically and find so many interesting ways
to work together for a common good!
Also, I absolutely adore the
fact that I get to spend lots of time with my young family! That to me is
the ultimate freedom of working for myself. I used to squeeze in family
time in between work in my old job, but now my family and connecting
with families is at the heart of what I do and I enjoy it so much. It may
sound strange but I have found the most rewarding part of building a
business is the people I have met along the way and the relationships I
have developed.
The downside is definitely the lack of regular income. But to be honest as
a business owner you just need to change your mindset to get around
this. The income I earn today is a function of the time, effort and
dedication I apply to my business. If I start the month determined to
make a certain amount, then I will do it. If I do not manage to achieve my
goal that month, I take time to reflect. I review my activities, speak to my
sponsor and implement new strategies. No experience is wasted, it is
just an opportunity to refine my approach. Basically there is never a dull
moment. I am constantly learning!
Go for it! It will stretch you, challenge you, and at times leave you utterly
exhausted. But what will emerge is a better version of you. You will
evolve a stronger and more confident person, who will be better at
trusting your instincts and making profitable decisions. You will have also
created business and nest egg that you and your family can be proud of.
On a practical note, I will say go out there and meet people; join a
network of like-minded business owners to inspire and motivate you.
People will buy your products and services, if they like you they will even
sell your products and services (through referrals), it is really important
to bear this in mind in the age of clicks and likes. Keep people at the
heart of your business and you cant go wrong really.
http://maureen-nwachuku.barefootbooks.com | twitter: @maureennwachuku
Email: maureen.nwachuku@gmail.com
I have seen first hand the way the books educate, entertain and inspire children; the way that the
stories touch the hearts and minds of children is just magical!
*minimum order 100 contact me directly for further details
Meet the Parent
selling ...
baby buzz magazine
What made you
want to be an
author / illustrator?
From my earliest years, I
have always loved stories
and I have always loved drawing. I
made the switch from graphic design to illustration in 1980 and
discovered that, if I wanted to control what I illustrated, the answer
was to write the stories too. The opposite holds true, too: I dont write
about what I dont want to illustrate!
What is the inspiration behind Q Pootle 5?
I was thinking about a new character for a new book. I tend to think
with a pencil in my hand and, as I mused on what kind of character
this new one might be, I was doodling various animals. A pair of horns,
that were meant to be for a giraffe, somehow metamorphosed into a
little alien! Q Pootle 5 just popped out of my pencil. Its rare that a first
drawing of a character ends up being the final thing. But thats pretty
much how it happened. Maybe he just beamed down . . . ?
How did Q Pootle 5 jump from illustration to CBeebies?
There was a surprising flurry of interest from production companies
after the first book was published. For one reason or another nothing
came to fruition. Eventually, I let go of the idea of animation for Q
Pootle 5. It was my son Bens idea to pick it up again. He was
convinced there was a future for the little chap and made it his
business to make it happen. We decided to form a production
company of our own, so that we could retain maximum creative
control. It took three years of hard work, funding, taking legal advice,
meeting with broadcasters and animators and all the other necessary
concerns, before we could eventually begin the two years of
production to make fifty-two episodes. Its been a great challenge and
a very steep learning curve, but also hugely rewarding, especially
being able to work with so many very talented people along the way.
What is your favourite childrens
book?
When I was very young I
loved The Tale of Samuel
Whiskers, by Beatrix Potter.
Later my firm favourite was
Treasure Island. A
favourite picture book
these days, is Kippers A
to Z by Mick Inkpen. Its
beautifully conceived,
great fun and so
much more than a
standard alphabet
book.
My Desert Island
childrens book would have
to be Winnie The Pooh. (Can I have an
edition with The House at Pooh Corner in it too?)
These are wonderful
stories (along with
Shepards superb black
and white drawings).
Not only do they still
have the power to
captivate children but, in
a kind of Narnia
wardrobe way, they
instantly transport a
wearied adult to an
inventive, funny and
refreshingly nave world.
What is it like working with your family?
Surprisingly easy! We have our moments, of course, but not that
many. Fortunately, we dont seem to have impossibly large egos to
manage. Were able to recognise individual strengths and
acknowledge each others contributions. We want whats best for the
production. Were not over concerned about who came up with what
idea. We also support each other when the going gets tough as it
inevitably does from time to time.
What advice would you give to our readers if they wanted to follow
in your footsteps?
Its not easy to get a toehold these days. You have to really want it and
not be put off by disappointments and rejection. It takes both
inspiration and perspiration! Even if you have a good idea, it can be
difficult getting it in front of a publisher. Theres almost a Catch 22
situation where publishers wont look at material that hasnt come via
an agent. But then many agents wont take on unpublished authors!
Get yourself a copy of the Writers and Artists Yearbook. Its a mine of
useful information including those publishers and agents who dont
operate that Catch 22 clause! (Theres a Childrens version of this
yearbook too.)
What about some tips for the little budding authors / illustrators out
there?
To children, I would only say dont worry about making a living at it.
Just keep on making up those stories. Keep on producing all those
hundreds of pictures. Enjoy it. Its a fair bet that those who do end up
making a living from writing or illustration will be those who did
exactly that.
Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
Our production Company, Snapper has a number of really exciting
projects (for both children and adults) at various stages of
development. Unfortunately, Im sworn to secrecy about them at the
moment!
Q Pootle 5: The Great Space Race and other Adventures is available
to pre-order now on Amazon. You can also pick-up puzzles and games
now. The Christmas special DVD and Q Pootle 5 themed books and
magazines will be available to buy from November.
Acclaimed
Author &
Illustrator
baby buzz magazine
W
hether its getting ready to go back
to school or maybe you are sending
your little one off on their first day of
school (tissues at the ready mum!!), you want
to do all you can to ensure that they have
everything they need. Weve put together some
of the best in school essentials youll need
ranging from school bags and lunch-boxes to
stationary equipment and computers! We have
all the information you need to get your child set
and ready to start their journey!
Soon the school holidays will be over and
we will be getting our little ones ready for
either their first day at school, or their
return to a whole new class! Your first day
at school is one of the most memorable
times in your life for both child and
parent and it can be a very nerve
wracking time. Here are my tips on not
only getting through it, but making the
most of this hugely important time in their
lives:
Listen to their concerns
We all remember the feeling of dread when
going to school for the first time no
matter how many years ago it was! So think
back to this time, acknowledge their fears
and provide comfort and reassurance.
Encourage them to socialise with children
beforehand
Organise play dates with your childs
friends who you know are going to the
same school shortly before term starts so
that they wont feel so nervous about
going. By socialising with other children
who will be there on their first day they will
feel much more confident, especially as all
the children will be feeling the same.
Practise their reading and writing in
preparation
Spend 20 minutes a day reading with your
child in a unique and fun way. You can act
out the stories by creating mini plays, or if
they have started to read take it in turns to
read alternate pages. Writing is also
important. Encourage your children to
practise holding a pencil and draw pictures
of things that happened over the summer.
Create a routine in advance
Plan ahead to avoid the morning madness
and stress by getting into a routine before
school starts. By implementing the
schedule of going to bed and waking up
early a week before school starts, it will
help to ease the shock following the
summer holidays lie-ins! If it is possible,
begin a routine where clothes and shoes
are ready and laid out the night before.
This will reduce the possibility of being in a
crazy rush before you leave home.
Make back to school shopping fun
No doubt you have been swarmed with
back to school offers for clothes and
stationery so another activity that could be
fun is to make a school shopping list with
the kids. This task will allow them to think
creatively about what they need when they
go back to school.
First Day at School Party
The first day at school could be celebrated
the night before with a mini party. The
night will have to end early of course to
ensure a good nights sleep and bright eyes
in the morning! Plan a hearty meal, a fun
DVD and their favourite dessert to show
them how proud of them you are that they
are starting school for the first time. It will
be sure to cheer up your child and give
them a good feeling about their first day.
Extra clubs
There are so many activities on offer for
you to do after school from swimming,
gymnastics, music and additional learning.
Many will offer free trials (like our own
www.explorelearning.co.uk) and its
important to see how your child responds
before committing. However, dont try to
do anything in the first few weeks of term.
Wait for your child to settle into his or her
new routine. Check they are not too tired
and are happy to have additional
stimulation before looking into any extra
clubs.
So take pleasure in the first day at school -
shed a little tear for your growing baby
then welcome this exciting new experience
and make some of your own special
friendships too.
Carey Ann Dodah is a mother
of 2 and Head of Curriculum
at Explore Learning who
provide English and maths
tuition for children aged five
to 14. They have 94 centres
located all over the UK.
back to school - getting you started
Annems | Dreamstime.com - Back To School In School Uniform Photo
www.explorelearning.co.uk
GETTING
READY FOR
THE FIRST
DAY OF
SCHOOL!
I know just how expensive school
uniforms can be and how frustrating
it is when after a few days theres
already a hole in the knee, a tear in
the skirt or a stain on the top! Weve
seen more and more supermarkets
and high street stores launching their
own brands of school uniforms that
conform with school requirements
recently and, whilst we are all familiar
with the main supermarket chains
that sell school uniforms, there are
many more brands out there that sell
affordable, quality school wear.
Weve teamed up with Peacocks,
Nutmeg and London Designer Outlet
to bring you some of the most
affordable essentials in the run-up to
getting your child ready for school.
Unisex sweatshirt
3 - Nutmeg
Girls & Boys 2PK polo shirts
2 / 3 - available in 3
colours - Nutmeg
Boys 2 PK short sleeve
shirts 3 / 4 - Nutmeg
Pinafore 4/5 - available in
charcoal and black - Nutmeg
Older girls smart shorts
5 - Peacocks
Boys charcoal woven
trousers 3 / 4 - Nutmeg
Girls 2PK cropped
leggings 6 - Peacocks
Wool blend boys modern
trousers - 4 M&S Outlet
London Designer Outlet
V Neck cardigan - 9.99 -
Gap Outlet Store
London Designer Outlet
Girls tights 3PK 2 -
Nutmeg
Girls woven skirt - available
in charcoal and black 3 /
4 - Nutmeg
Girls blouse 5 -
Peacocks
www.london-designer-outlet.com www.peacocks.co.uk http://your.morrisons.com/Nutmeg-Landing
back to school - shopping & lifestyle
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back to school - Features
At Clarks we know that children will put school shoes through their
paces every school day, and given that each pupil takes over 1
million steps in their school shoes each year its no surprise. Thats
why Clarks shoes are put through rigorous tests to ensure each pair
of school shoes gives you the ultimate value for money. Clarks
focuses on each part of the school shoe individually testing out
different materials, soles, fastenings and laces. Children walk a
distance equivalent of 18 marathons in their school shoes each year
so Clarks have ensured that the 2014 collection is top of the class for
style and comfort. Clarks is also making Back To School shopping
easier. With 7,000 trained fitters, longer opening hours and an
appointment service, Clarks takes the stress of of Back To School
shopping. Parents will be pleased to see that with Clarks quality
comes hand-in-hand with style and children will love the on-trend as
much as parents do.
We all know that school shoes will be scuffed and scraped by
children, thats why Clarks leathers and fabrics are rubbed
against abrasive materials over 50,000 times, with some
leathers even tested against harsh sandpaper.
To ensure that the materials used are of the highest quality,
shoes are repeatedly flexed on a machine 100,000 to 500,000
times in both wet and dry conditions.
These wet and dry conditions also allow Clarks to test the level
of leather dye transfer, along with rub resistance.
The soles of school shoes get a good work out too - each child
can take up to 1 million steps in their school shoes over a year!
So Clarks experts make sure that they are flexible and strong
with upto 50,000 rounds of intense flexing and bending
specifically on the sole to ensure they last.
Fastenings on school shoes are also rigorously tested, velcro
straps are opened and closed 400 times to test the strength,
whilst metal trims and buckles are kept in a damp
environment for 1 week to test for corrosion
The laces and elastic are extremely important too - shoe laces
are passed through an eyelet 5,000 times to make sure that
there is no wear and tear when tying laces each morning
Elastics are stretched 10,000 times to ensure they are up to
the task of putting shoes on and taking them off each and
every day
Not forgetting zips, these are really put through their paces -
they can be tested in seven different ways to prove fitness for
purpose, including resistance, strength and how secure the zip
is.
As well as style and comfort, Clarks ensure that their innovative
technologies are used in school shoes to make them ideal for
everyday wear. Gore-Tex ensures shoes are breathable and
waterproof to keep kids feet dry in wet weather. Small feet will be
comfortable and protected all day with Air Spring FX, thanks to their
strong and hardwearing cushioned soles. Finally, Agion has been
developed to eliminate odours and prevent bacterial and fungal
growth by eliminating 99.9% of all bacteria. Therefore our school
shoes and sports footwear for children are perfect for active feet -
some of these styles are also fully washable.
With 180 years of experience Clarks is parents first choice for
school shoes - created by experts and fitted by professionals there is
no other destination for the best childrens shoes. All styles come in
a selection of whole and half sizes as well as different width fittings.
For more information visit the Clarks website at http://www.clark.co.uk/kids for everything you need to know for Back to School.
40
Its Competition Time!
We have an amazing gift voucher worth 40 towards a pair of Clarks shoes for
your child - just in time for school! For your chance to win, simple email your
answer to the following question to me at: nickie@babybuzzmagazine.com
When was Clarks founded?
a) 1825
b) 1925
c) 2005
(Answers can be found online at: http://www.clarks.co.uk/)
back to school - features
Preparing Your Child for Starting School!
S
tarting school is an exciting time
for young children and their
parents. It can be a daunting
time, too. But with a little preparation
and encouragement, most children will
settle in easily at school.
PACEY childcare professionals have a
great deal of experience in helping
children to cope with times of
transition. Here are some top tips, put
together by some of our most
experienced members, to help you
prepare your child for starting school.
Your child doesnt need to be able to
read, write or do sums before they
start school. Children start school with
a wide range of abilities and their
teacher will be skilled at helping
children progress at their own level.
Whats most important is that you and
your child have fun together in those
preschool months and years sharing
stories, singing songs, playing games
and talking about anything and
everything.
PACEY has produced four factsheets,
packed with easy and enjoyable
activity ideas to give your child a gentle
introduction to the listening,
communicating, mark-making and
number work theyll do in reception.
Youll find them at:
www.pacey.org.uk/schoolready
If your child has already spent time in a
childcare or preschool setting, theyre
probably already well on the way to having
the social and practical skills they need to
succeed at school. Theyre used to spending
time apart from you, mixing with
other children, taking instructions from and
communicating with other adults, taking
some responsibility for tidying up
after themselves and looking after their own
belongings.
Dont worry if your child hasnt attended a
childcare setting or preschool. Playing with
other children, whether friends and family
members, or other children at the park or
soft play area, is all good practice for forming
friendships with classmates at school. Often
children who dont know one another will
make friends very easily, but if your child
struggles, teach them some useful phrases
such as can I join in? or do you want to
share?.
If you already know some other children who
will be in your childs class, why not organise
a play date or outing together? As well as
being beneficial for the youngsters, its
helpful for you to be able to chat about your
own feelings and anxieties with their parents,
who may be feeling the same.
As the start of term approaches, try to get
into the school routine, so your child gets
used to getting up, going to bed, and having
meals and snacks at the times they will on
school days. Bath time and stories instead of
Chat with your child about
starting school. What do they
think it will be like? What are
they most looking forward to?
Is there anything
theyre unsure or
worried about?
Look at the schools
brochure,
prospectus or
website together
and talk about the
pictures.
Find photos of you and other
family members at school, and
chat about happy memories
from your own school days.
If possible, visit the school
with your child before they
start either on formal open
days, or ftes, plays and other
events.
Read books together about
starting school
If your child seems anxious
about school, try focusing on
the things theyll like best
maybe the sandpit, playhouse
or new friends. Perhaps they
have some friends from
preschool who will be starting
reception at the same time.
Practise the school morning
routine, including getting
dressed and eating breakfast
in time to leave.
Practise the school run so that
youre both prepared for the
school morning journey.
For further resources on
helping prepare your child
for school, as well as
information about childcare,
go to www.pacey.org.uk
Image supplied by Venture Photography
TV and tablet games all help children to wind
down before bedtime. Making time in the
evening to chat about your day for 10 minutes
can be a lovely routine for sharing fun times
and any worries. Nutritious meals and plenty
of sleep will help them to concentrate, learn
and thrive at school.
If your child has naps, it would be wise to try
phasing this out. This should be more
manageable for them if they have a good
bedtime routine. Maybe offer a down time
after lunch rather than a nap. Some reception
classes do provide a space for little ones to nap
if needed, but if you can introduce the longer
day before the school term starts, it should
help with transition.
Many children settle into school life easily,
while others take longer. Dont worry if your
child is tearful and clingy for the first
few days its quite normal. Although you
might feel terrible leaving them, they will most
likely be playing quite happily within a few
minutes.
If your child seems exhausted at the end of the
day, let them have some quiet time or even a
nap when they get home. If theyre starving
hungry, a healthy snack and drink can help
restore energy levels.
Let your child get used to school life before
introducing after-school activities. Its a good
idea to keep the first few weekends quiet, too,
as they will likely need time to recharge, just as
we do when we start a new job or a big
project. Keep talking to your child about their
feelings about school, and put aside some
special time to chat about their day. Some
children are enthusiastic at first, but once the
reality of going to school day after day sets in,
they can become reluctant. If this happens
with your child, use a calendar to help them
understand when weekends and holidays are
coming up. You might want to arrange a few
treats for them to look forward to as well.
Establish a friendly relationship with your
childs class teacher, including finding out their
preferred times and means of communication.
Theyre experts at helping young children to
settle in and thrive at school, and will be able
to reassure you about most issues that come
up. If you do have any concerns, raise them
early to prevent them from developing into
bigger problems. Summer-born children in
particular, who start school soon after
turning four, may need extra sensitivity and
flexibility to help them settle in. If theres
anything you think might help your child to feel
settled, suggest it to their class teacher.
Remember, you know your own child best.
For further resources on helping prepare your child for school, as well as information
about childcare, go to www.pacey.org.uk
1. Dinosaur Daysack with Rein - 19.99
www.littlelife.co.uk
2. Tunic - 9.50
www.messy-me.com
3. Bramblewood Satchel - 14.99
www.whsmith.co.uk
4. Get The Look Floral Mini Micro
Scooter, from 94.95 www.micro-
scooters.co.uk
5. 100% recycled polyester Boys Explorer
Coat - 46, Girls Megan Coat - 46
www.welovefrugi.com
6. Fabulous footwear that your child can
customise! Super Heros Edition 39 -
www.monkies-shoes.com
7. Girls Twinkle Toes Shoes - 35
www.skechers.co.uk (London
Designer Outlet)
8. Colour In Kit Bag - 14.99
www.eggnogg.co.uk
9. Childrens Hi-Vis Reflective Vest -
6.99 - www.kidstravelsafe.co.uk
10. Handmade Medium Koala Girls
Backpack - 19.99
www.borngifted.co.uk
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1. Lego Childrens Friends Stephanie
Accessories Link Watch - 19.99
www.watchshop.com
2. Lego Childrens Star Wars R2-D2
with MiniFigure Watch - 19.99
www.watchshop.com
3. Personalised Dinosaur Pencil Case &
Personalised Contents - 14.99
www.borngifted.co.uk
4. Personalised Dinosaur Notebook
6.99 www.borngifted.co.uk
5. Neon Dots Maxi Micro Rucksack,
24.95 www.micro-scooters.co.uk
6. Crocodile Desk, 95; Chair, 27, Light
Canvas, 39 - www.vertbaudet.co.uk
7. Bang On The Door Football Crazy kit
bag - 14.99 - www.borngifted.co.uk
8. Kids Animal Scissors - 2.59 -
www.fiskars.co.uk
9. Crayola Supertips 24pk - 4.50 -
www.amazon.co.uk
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1. English Pocket School Dictionary - 0.99
The Works, London Designer Outlet -
www.theworks.co.uk
2. Moto E Handset - 79 (off contract!)
www.motorola.co.uk
3. SuperTooth Freedom Rechargeable Stereo
Bluetooth Headphones with Omni
Directional Microphone - 87.95
www.amazon.co.uk
4. Patent Compact Filofax (Duck Egg Blue),
30 (inserts included) www.filofax.co.uk
5. Helix Oxford, Mathematical Instruments
Set - 3.99 The Works, London Designer
Outlet - www.theworks.co.uk
6. White Ringbinder - The Word - 1.60 -
www.tesco.com
7. Luckies Brown Paper Lunch Bag, 9.11 -
www.amazon.co.uk
8. Dark Brown Leather Satchel - 43 (there is
a fabulous offer currently online!) -
Beautifully handmade satchel in keeping
with modern trends. We were sent one to
see for ourselves and we absolutely love
it! The sale is running for another 8 days so
grab yours now at the amazing sale price!
Even off sale the product is just 86. Sizes
vary from 11.5 to 17.5 and you can add
straps off your choice and personalise your
bag too! www.zatchels.com
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We attended a press event recently (hosted by Microsoft) who were showcasing some of the latest in technology aimed at children
and young adults going into primary / secondary school and also college and university. We had the chance to try out some of the
devices to see just how easy they were to use and also check out the latest in operating systems being run. We have picked our favourites and have
details on them for you below. Not only are they all great value but as well as being perfectly suited for children they are also great for all round family
use too. We also had the chance to review the latest in phones from Motorola perfect for children. Why should you have to pay for the privilege of
buying your child a phone just to be able to contact them and vice-versa. With the new Motorola Moto E you dont have to - read our review below!
When it comes to my personal favourite though, it has to be the Surface 2 and 3 (we had a sneak preview of the Surface 3 which is a great successor to
the Surface 2 and definitely one Id like to review in more depth).
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Acer Aspire E/11
Roxy - 299
Asus T100
299
Acer Aspire
Switch 10 - 299
HP Pavilion 15
Touchsmart - 349
Surface 2
359
The Aspire E 11 comes
with a full-sized
keyboard, all the right
ports, and the full suite
of Windows 8.1
productivity programs,
so youre your children
can get their work done,
wherever they are. Plus,
the optimised speakers
deliver audio similar to
what you'd expect from
larger notebooks, for
surprisingly clear sound.
The Asus Transformer
Book T100 features 2 in
1 functionality,
Microsoft Office
software and an
impressive 11 hour
battery life, making it
the perfect PC for
children wanting to do
their homework and
stay entertained too.
Use the Aspire Switch
10 as a portable tablet,
type with its keyboard
for productivity, pivot
its screen to share a
presentation with
others or flip it to watch
a film when space is
limited. Switch between
laptop, tablet, display
screen and tent modes
to enhance your childs
work and play.
Easily convert from
notebook to stand to
tent to tablet mode for
all your childs
productivity and
entertainment needs
with this amazingly
value-packed
convertible PC,
featuring a 360 hinge.
Great value touch
screen device, PC when
you need it, tablet when
you want it. At just
670g, and pre-loaded
with Office 2013 RT
(now with Outlook),
Surface 2 lets you carry
less while you do more.
Light in your hands, but
loaded with improved
sound and picture, a
faster processor, and
extra offers.
Baby Buzz Best Buy
Available from the
following stockists:
Acer Store
PC World
HP Store
John Lewis
Lenovo Store
Microsoft Store
The Moto E, with its high-end smartphone specifications, but ground-breaking, low price tag of just 79 off contract, is
built to last. The latest Corning Gorilla Glass technology and a water-resistant splash guard also make it the perfect
smartphone to endure those big days of fun and adventure. With its all-day battery life, parents can contact or be
contacted anytime of the day in case of emergency or to arrange a pick up time. The handset can also hold up to 32GB of
photos, videos, music, movies and apps enabling your child to share their favourite holiday memories with their friends and
be entertained on those long haul travel days. Your childs personality will shine through their handset by customising each
Moto E by choosing from a variety of interchangeable Motorola shells available in up to 20 colour and design combinations
to keep up to date with the latest trends.
We had the chance to review this handset very recently and was very surprised at just how compact and easy to use it
really was! The device is very similar to other more recognised brands in both style and functionality and is a great
alternative for the child who wants to keep up with the latest trends without having to ask parents to pay the same price.
The few slight differences we could find was the lack of additional buttons or sensors on the Moto E. The right edge has the
power button and volume control, the top edge houses the headphone socket with the bottom edge featuring the micro
USB charging socket. The front features the speaker below a 4.3-inch IPS screen, while the earpiece and a notification light
are situated above. The only noticeable difference was the lack of a front-facing camera, it comes equipped with a 5MP
camera on the back, which in my opinion is perfectly adequate! All in all, a fantastic option for both children and adults
looking for a bargain handset that has everything you need! 79 off contract
Download this Biff, Chip and Kipper app to build and buy your
collection of interactive books to help your child develop in their
reading. You can read along or listen as each page is read to you. If
your child is struggling to say a word, they can get the exact
pronunciation of each word by tapping a word on the page.
Im ready for spelling is a great learning game for children to learn
how to spell through a series of interactive levels. Make learning an
adventure with LP+ Safari, an exciting new early years app from
Learning Possibilities. You can write, work, paint, listen to Music
and Video and view Pictures from your device.
My Study Life is a planner for students, teachers and lecturers
designed to make your study life easier by storing your classes,
tasks (assignments, homework, revision) and exams in the
cloud making your study life available wherever you are.
For older kids and your budding entrepreneurs, CoolStreet is
designed to teach basic principles of micro-economics by
providing students in an immersive and fun environment.
CoolStreet is a cloud-based micro-economic simulation game
in which players own competing pizza shops on CoolStreet.
With September already looming, many of us (me included) are
anticipating our children beginning their journey into formal education,
starting Primary School. So many questions are already whizzing
through your head...Where do I start? How can I help prepare my child
for school? How am I going to cope when I leave him at the school
door? Is my child ready? Does he know all he is supposed to know
before starting school? My advice to you is...DONT PANIC! Talk to
people about your worries and questions and allow your child to
become excited about his new adventure!
Having been teaching in Reception for many years I have come to learn
what skills are most important for a child when he starts school. I
guarantee most, if not 100%, of Reception teachers would agree with
me when I say having a child start school with secure personal, social,
emotional, communicative and physical skills is far more valuable to
him as a learner than a child that comes in being able to read words,
write their name, count to 100 but showing little interaction,
independence or communication. Having these skills in place first will
allow children to fly in subsequent learning. Did you know that
research shows the stronger the personal, social and emotional skills
of a Reception child the more likely he is to achieve higher levels of
attainment later in school?
Therefore, if you want to focus in preparing your child for school over
the summer, concentrate on my 5 top tips!
1. Independence
The aim is for children to be responsible for themselves, their
belongings and their actions. So, particularly useful at school
would be independence in getting dressed, putting coats and
shoes on, going to the toilet, tidying away toys and selecting
resources or equipment appropriate for an activity.
2. Talk and Communication
Research clearly shows competent speakers develop into
competent readers and writers; without talk, learning to read and
write will prove more difficult. In addition, language gives children
immediate access to their world. Being able to communicate their
message effectively will give children satisfaction and develop
their sense of self-confidence. Model good spoken language, with
correct pronunciation of sounds, and encourage children to speak
in full sentences using an expanding vocabulary. Talk throughout
your daily lives with your children about their real experiences,
putting everything into a meaningful context.
3. Sharing and Interaction
The more opportunities a pre-schooler gets to interact and
develop the skills of sharing and taking turns the less of a shock it
will be when she starts school! It is, however, an on-going process
at this age. Role-model expected behaviour when playing games.
If disagreements occur, talk to the children about how to resolve
issues, modelling language and behaviour to give them strategies
to prevent or resolve disagreements in the future, and try again.
Allow your child lots of opportunities to play and interact with
other children; play with siblings, friends and have lots of play
dates!
4. Respect for behavioural boundaries
In a classroom the usual behavioural expectations and boundaries
will probably include something similar to:
- I can listen the first time
- I can keep my hands and my feet to myself
- I can share and take turns
- I can look after things
- I can tidy away
- I can be kind to others
By the time children start school they should have a general
respect for others, adults and peers, as well as the books and
equipment in school.
5. Physical (Gross and fine motor skills)
All activities require some sort of physicality, large or small-scale
movements. Large movement skills could include experimenting
moving in different ways (eg. hopping, skipping, running, jumping,
galloping, balancing, pedalling a bike, using a scooter, climbing,
throwing, catching, kicking a ball etc...). Vary direction, change
speed, develop a sense of spatial awareness (ie. move without
bumping into people and obstacles!). There are so many activities
you could have fun with at home to develop fine motor skills,
which will enhance pencil and scissor grip and control. To name
a few... use pegs, scissors, thread beads, fasten buttons, use large
tweezers to pick up rice, mould play-dough, paint, chalk etc
Youll notice from reading my top tips, none of the above mentioned
is onerous; they are skills that can be naturally fitted into your everyday
lives.
If you would like further, personalised support, advice
and strategies in giving your child a smooth and happy
transition into Primary School, then please take a look
at my website www.bounceparental.co.uk and get in
touch sarah@bounceparental.co.uk ...I would love to
help.
5 TOP TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR
CHILD FOR STARTING SCHOOL
By Sarah McKinlay
baby buzz
GUIDE TO GETTING A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP!
O
ne of the first things people will tell you when you are about to become a parent is how much you will miss sleep - why
do we do this? Its certainly not something we need to hear! Whether its your newborn waking up every two hours or
your toddler refusing to go to sleep in their own bed or their own room - dont despair! We have features and exclusives from
top experts giving you advice, tips and ideas on what works as well as the latest products available to help you get back to a
blissful sleep!
Evie Yethman-Woolcock, born at just 23 weeks and 6 days
Tia Talula Photography
One of the core principles of NLP is
modeling. Now I dont mean modeling
fashion, Im talking about modeling in its
truest meaning which is to copy
something, to mimic.
Babies watch what you do from the
moment they are born and they want to
copy you. This is how they learn and
develop the socialising skills they will need in life. They are so in
tune with you that they will pick up on your moods and copy
your mannerisms and facial expressions.
Weve all experienced those times when exasperated or just
incredibly tired and fraught we pass baby to someone else and
their mood changes. From being fractious they suddenly seem
more relaxed. This is because they have picked up on our mood.
We can use this to our advantage but rarely do. Heres how to do
it. Put your baby where you want her to sleep but somewhere
where she can see you when you lie down. A good place is by the
sofa or by your bed in her cot or basket. Turn down the
lighting and put some quiet music on. I like to use classical
music but choose something she wont associate with singing
along to because you want the music to be in the
background.
Now spend some time facing your baby and get her
attention. Start by copying what she does, mirror her. Avoid
mirroring any crying but you can copy any hand movements
and head movements. This is called matching and mirroring.
At the moment she is taking the lead, you are copying her.
After a while she will be intrigued by this and engage with the
activity. Make your movements quite clear and definite so
she can see you are copying what she does.
Now you need to take the lead because it is you who should
be in control, not her. Start to take the lead and make funny
noises or clap your hands gently, tap your nose and get her
watching everything you do. You need to get her to mirror
your behaviour now.
It may take some time especially if she is crying when you
start but as long as you know she is fed and changed, she
should be ready for a sleep.
Once she is mirroring and matching your behaviour you can
start the sleepy routine. Yawn very obviously and say things like
Mummys tired, Mummys going to sleep now and lie down so
she can see you. Now its important that you dont get up
because she needs to be lying down as well. If you sit up again,
she wont settle because shes now expecting you to do
something else that she can copy so turn your phone off and
really focus on going to sleep (even if youre actually dressed to
go out and the babysitter is due any minute!).
Once you are laid down, breathe heavily and slowly as if you are
sleeping. She will hear this and copy you. Keep very still and keep
up the sleeping breathing. I promise you this works but the only
problem is that you are very likely to fall asleep as well. This may
be fine because you need all the sleep you can get when you
have a baby or toddler but if youre about to go out you may
have to ask your partner to come and gently wake you!
Judy Bartkowiak author of How to be a happier parent with NLP
published by Hodder 2010 and the Engaging NLP series of
Workbooks including NLP for New Mums, NLP for Children, NLP for
Parents, NLP for Tweens (10-14yrs), NLP for Teachers and NLP for
Teens.
For more information please visit:
http://www.engagingnlp.com/ and http://www.nlpkids.com
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Picture courtesy of Sophie Wilson Photography
http://www.sophiewilsonphotography.co.uk/
By Judy Bartkowiak
Author and Parent/Child NLP Coach
baby and toddler
Choosing a cot mattress for your newborn can be a difficult decision
as there are so many factors you need to consider: safety, firmness,
foam or springs and anti-allergy fillings as well as size, depth and
hygiene.
As your little one will spend most of its time asleep for the first two
years of its life, its important to take time to research the various
options available and choose a mattress that will help your baby sleep
as soundly as possible.
Here, Silentnight offers advice and tips and highlights its new range of
specially designed cot mattresses Safe Nights.
Safe Nights cot mattresses are designed to ensure your little one gets
a safe and comfortable night's sleep while they grow. There are two
options to choose from: a Foam-free cot mattress and a Mini Spring
cot mattress, which both feature an innovative hi-tech 3D mesh
structure, allowing a free flow of air so babies can breathe freely
through the material for a safer night's sleep.
Both mattresses provide a naturally hypoallergenic environment that
prevents dust mites, allergies and skin irritations, a breathable cover
and fillings which prevent overheating as well as a removable,
washable cover making each mattress easy to clean.
Top tips:
Choose a mattress that feels firm rather than soft. Your baby
needs support while he is sleeping. It should be no thinner
than 10cm.
Check it conforms to safety standards - mattresses should
carry the BSI number BS 1877-10:1997
Ensure the mattress doesnt sag
Why springs? Springs provide an inner core in the mattress to
support your baby. They tend to be longer lasting and spaces
within the mattress allow for increased airflow to help
regulate babys body temperature.
The importance of sleep for all the family
Of course, if baby is sleeping soundly, this means you can enjoy quality
sleep too. Being a new parent means adjusting to a new sleeping
pattern and this can be one of the areas many new parents struggle
with. Dr Nerina, Silentnights sleep expert, offers these top tips to new
parents on getting as much sleep as possible when looking after a new
baby or small child:
Try to rest when baby rests. Avoid the temptation to try and get jobs
done when baby sleeps. Even short naps of five to 20 minutes can help
to fight the fatigue.
When baby wakes you up at night for feeding or other
reasons, try to avoid checking the time and getting
anxious.The important thing is to remain as calm, relaxed
and rested as possible.This will help both you and baby to get
back to sleep more quickly.
Parents should take it in turns to occasionally have longer
naps if possible. A good time to nap is between 2pm and
4pm for no longer than 40 minutes, to replenish energy and
rebalance the immune system.
If you're feeling run down because of constant interrupted
nights, negotiate a night of uninterrupted sleep with your
partner or a family member, sleeping alone in a spare room
on a good bed and mattress.
Try to get some exercise, eat a balanced diet, ensure you are
hydrated and avoid the temptation to drink caffeinated drinks
to stay awake - this will just add to your fatigue and stop you
getting to sleep at night.
Silentnight also offers a range of stylish beds and supportive
mattresses from single to king size under its Classics, Diamond and
Geltex brands. With additional features such as divan bed storage, a
selection of headboard designs and fabric choices you can create a
bed to suit your individual style with the ideal mattress to help you
sleep soundly.
For more information on Silentnights Safe Nights range of cot
mattresses, on the full range of beds and for sleep tips,
visit www.silentnight.co.uk.
How to choose the right cot mattress?
baby and toddler
Pioneering the concept of the "The Science of Safer Sleeping" and
based on years of research, the Ellergenics mattress allows parents to
protect their children in their cot against allergens and microbes that
can be prevalent in the sleeping environment and which can be
harmful to the child. The Ellergenic mattress comes complete with a
sealed spring core, the Ellergenic Shield, a waterproof yet vapour
permeable inner fixed cover and a machine washable, anti-allergy and
anti-microbe Wellbeing outer cover. This means your child has three
levels of hygiene protection, and the mattress core is never at risk from
external elements. Overall providing a comfortable and durable spring
mattress, along with the knowledge that your child is being laid down
on an island of safety with the hygienic protection that the mattress
provides. Ellergenic mattresses are vapour-permeable and have a
waterproof fabric layer which keeps your child dry, and helps to
maintain an even temperature around them, keeping them happy too.
As the mattress itself is sealed, it can be safely washed separately for
complete cleanliness. The dual core adapts to the needs of your
growing child, as it remains firm and comfortable. The mattresses
even have the coveted Allergy UK seal of approval.
Ellergenic Pocket Spring, RRP 229.99
www.toysrus.co.uk
www.kitforkidsbaby.com
All parents, whether their attitude to parenting is relaxed or over
cautious will at some point worry about Cot Death (Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome SIDS). That first night when your baby sleeps
through all parents have that slight dread when walking into the
nursery that their baby has not suffered from the syndrome. Continual
research into SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) highlighted
possible links with fire retardant chemicals in foam baby mattresses,
CO2 pooling on the mattress surface and being rebreathed by baby
and baby overheating. The PurFlo cot mattress reduces all of these
possibilities. The PurFlo cot mattress replaces the conventional foam
mattress with a fully breathable, fully washable, foam-free mattress.
An essential product to help parents minds be at peace while their
baby sleeps. The only fully breathable, fully washable cot mattress,
the PurFlo cot mattress provides a genuine dust mite free environment
for babies, helping to prevent the harmful build-up of allergens which
are known to aggravate childhood allergies such as Asthma and
Eczema. In brief the PurFlo mattress: Fully breathable SleepsurfaceTM
Prevents pooling and rebreathing of CO2 and other potentially toxic
gases, reduces the risk of baby overheating Hypoallergenic Amicor
Pure filling, prevents build up of bacteria and dispels dust mites that
are linked to baby eczema & asthma 100% machine washable. Can be
disassembled and packs compactly into its own carry bag for travel or
storage. Comfortable & supportive, conforming to your babies body
helping to prevent Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome) Available in
Cot Mattress & Cot Bed Mattress sizes
RRP 139.95 (Cot Bed Size)
www.purflo.com/mattress
Our View:
The Ellergenic Pocket Spring Mattress was one of the first mattresses
we reviewed and I have to say that it really was one of the best. With
this mattress it literally is all what's inside that counts. It's great to
know that Lillie has three levels of hygiene protection all working hard
to keep her free from bugs, parasites and any other hidden nasties
whilst she sleeps, we've all seen the horror stories of what lurks in the
mattresses. The mattress fits nicely onto her toddler bed and so far
she has slept soundly on it. There has been a lot of thought given to
the creation of this mattress which is why we voted it as one of our
favourites. An added bonus is that the cover is machine washable, and
any parent with a young child knows just how essential this is!
Our View:
Probably the most unusual styles of mattress we have seen to date.
The concept of constructing it myself was a little strange, but it really
is very easy to put together. The mattress is very sturdy once
constructed and the biggest benefit of this is that once you've finished
with it, you can easily disassemble it and store it away, maybe for baby
2. Alternatively you can store it away and use it for children visiting.
The style of this mattress also means that it is completely breathable
so you can be sure that there will be no nasties lurking within the fibres,
simply as there aren't any. Although not something many people will
be used too, this mattress is a great alternative!
Mattresses & Accessories - Our Firm Favourites
When I had my oldest daughter there was no real thought involved as to what type of mattress I would buy for her, it was a simple case of
whatever I could find would be fine. If you do a search online for cot / cot-bed mattresses, you will be amazed at the options available to you.
Companies now look at the overall well-being of your child protecting them from allergens or ensuring they sleep with the utmost comfort.
Having looked online and visited numerous high street stores, we asked to review a selection and here are our top ranking three. We have also
included our top Moses Baskets and products suitable for newborns to sleep on away from their crib or cot.
What our review proves is just how times have changed and how much more thought is required into purchasing a mattress. My advice is make
sure you do your homework before you buy your childs mattress, there are so many options available. Also worth mentioning is that whilst
there are budget mattresses out there, its worth investing in a product that protects your child as they sleep as well as providing the most
comfort and lasting the length of time that you have them in a cot / toddler bed.
baby and toddler
The Healthy Growth range is designed especially for infants, juniors and
teens and includes three different mattresses; the Bunk, Junior, and
Extra Comfort, all are designed with breathable EcoComfort Fibre
fillings to keep children cool and comfortable at night and to give
parents peace of mind that their child's growing body will get a
comfortable night's sleep.
The mattresses include Silentnight's unique Miracoil spring system,
developed especially to align a child's spine as they grow, and are
rod-edged to give growing bodies extra support and for durability.
Each mattress is also free from chemical treatment, containing only
clean and odourless polyester fillings, making them hypoallergenic and
dust-mite resistant. They provide extra layers of comfortable filling for
growing bodies and there's a choice of pink or blue Gingham for children
looking to complement bedroom colour schemes.
Miracoil spring system for spinal support.
Extra layers of comfortable fillings for growing bodies.
Breathable EcoComfort fibre fillings are cool and comfortable.
Breathable airflow border.
Foam free.
Available in single and double sided options.
Pink & Blue Gingham options.
Silentnight Healthy Growth Kids Mattress - RRP: 229.00
http://shop.silentnight.co.uk/
Our View:
As well as looking after our younger children, we also need to think
about when they grow up and are ready to go into a 'big' bed. Silent
Night have created the Healthy Grow Kids Mattress which has many
benefits, not least the Miracoil system developed especially to align a
child's spine as they grow. Available in pink or blue.
A must have for when your child is ready to move on to a bigger bed.
Shnuggle Moses Basket
A firm favourite with all our readers!
The Shnuggle Moses Basket is made
from a super-strong, hypoallergenic
and easy to clean material it's far
safer for your baby. It's almost silent
when baby moves around and a
clever locking system means the
hood actually stays up, helping your
baby to stay asleep. With beautiful
100% pure cotton fabrics, it's a
warm and cosy place for your baby
to begin life in the outside world.
Available in 5 colours with prices
starting from 75 (without stand).
www.shnuggle.com
Another alternative to the traditional
Moses baskets is the Moba baskets.
Moba baskets can be thoroughly cleaned
and are made from material that has
anti-microbial and hypoallergenic
properties, so it's an ideal choice for
babies with allergies such as eczema or
asthma. Specially designed air holes in
the sides and base maximise airflow and
ventilation. The unique synthetic material
is tailor made for Moba achieving our soft
touch and flexibility. Includes a liner
made from 100% pure brushed cotton
and a L70cm x W30cm bespoke Moba
mattress. Available in 8 colours.
http://mobauk.com - RRP: 99.99
Moba Moses Baskets
The Poddle Pod is a baby snuggle nest
that is designed so that mothers can
quickly put their baby down safely when
needing to do countless things. This
ideal Baby Pod is developed and
manufactured in the UK and has
continued to be developed and
improved in keeping with valuable
feedback from parents. This Baby
Snuggle Nest is designed specifically to
comfort your child enabling you to carry
on with your daily tasks. An absolute
essential for all parents, we love this
product, I just wish it had been around
when my girls were little!
www.poddlepod.com - RRP: 39.99
The Original PoddlePod
A sturdy, award winning bedside cot,
BabyBay is recommended by midwives
and HCPs as one of the safest, easiest
and best ways for parents to sleep
alongside their new baby. Side by side
sleeping means babies can sense and
smell their parents which helps
bonding. BabyBay attaches to the bed
with patented clamps to keep it
securely in place. The sleep platform is
fully height adjustable which ensures a
smooth transition into baby's own safe
sleep zone. This makes night time
feeding really easy and allows more
restful sleep for parents and baby.
www.juniparstar.co.uk RRP: 224.50
BabyBay
baby and toddler
The beautifully soft & comfortable PurFlo SleepSac is the most hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial
sleeping bag on the market.
100% Bamboo Dream lining
Environmentally friendly
Bamboo fabric is 60% more absorbent than cotton & has natural anti-bacterial properties
Hypoallergenic Amicor Pure filling, prevents the build up of bacteria and dispels dust mites
that are linked to Asthma and Eczema
100% cotton outer
Attachable sleeves for colder nights Integrated scratch mitts to protect against scratching
and keep little hands warm (sizes 0-3 month & 3-9 months only)
Full zip open front for easy access night time nappy changing
Zip guard to prevent the zip scratching babies skin
The SleepSac is available in four sizes: 0 - 3 months (length 55cm) 3 - 9 months (length 70cm)
9 - 18 months (length 90cm) 18 months plus (length 110cm)
Available in warm: 1.0 TOG (room temp 21 - 23 C) 2.5 TOG (room temp 10 - 20 C)
These couldnt come in more perfect timing, considering how much colder the nights are getting!
We gave our review sample to a mum who was concerned that her little girl kept kicking off her
covers and getting cold, therefore waking her up. She absolutely loved that the SleepSac was so
soft and seemed to wrap her little girl really snuggly but without becoming to swamped in fabric,
which is often the case. What we really liked is that it came in the small size suitable for 0-3
months, as many other sleeping bags dont seem to do them that small. A definite must for all
parents now that the nights are getting that much colder.
The Purflo Sleepsac
From: 24.95
Ages: from 0-3 months
www.purflo.com/sleepsac
Eliza Boo photography
My First Snuggle Sac
From: 35.00
Ages: 12 -18 months upto approx 3 -4 years
www.snugglesac.com/
My First Snuggle Sacs are wonderful soft, cosy sleeping bags designed just for toddlers. The age
group who are desperate to find their feet, establish their way in the world, move into a bigger
bed and perhaps start potty training. These are made specifically to look like the larger Original
Snuggle Sacs, so toddlers feel they are being treated like a big boy or girl. The association with
their own bed will be like a comfort blanket and will therefore make bed time easier. This lovely
Dalmatian even had a long tail whats not to love? Millpond, the highly acclaimed childrens
sleep clinic recommend Snuggle Sacs as an alternative to conventional bedding to help ensure an
active sleeper does not wake up cold in the night with their covers on the floor.
Weve just covered keeping our littlest ones warm and now Im turning my attentions to toddlers
and upwards. Let me start by saying that the statement above couldnt be more true, whats not
to love! We were sent the most adorable Dalmation print My First Snuggle Sac to try out with
Lillie, who loves it as much as me (incredibly they also make one called the Original Snuggle Sac
that at 200cm long, it will fit someone not far off 6ft - one for me I think!!) The Snuggle Sac is an
amazing product and my little girl couldnt wait to go to sleep in it! My main struggle with Lillie
is that she squirms, wiggles and basically never stays still - as much awake as when asleep - with
this Snuggle Sac I know she doesnt get cold as she doesnt wiggle out of it! The material really is
just so soft, so you want to cuddle up into it and of course put into the mix a tired child who dozes
off pretty much instantly. and presto you have one happy mummy! Love, love, love this!
Top of the TF range is the TF550 which
recently won Silver in the Loved By
Parents Best Technology Accessory
category. The monitor combines all
the great features you would expect
but with an extra-large backlit LCD
screen on the parent unit and a large
clock. The TF550 also has a vibrate
alert function which is ideal for use in
noisy environments, or for the hard of
hearing - all geared to giving parents
the best reassurance possible.
A very easy to use unit that covers
everything you need to look out for
your child. The large display really is
great for the early hour wake up call!
We loved the vibrate feature and
lullabies too, a great product from a
trusted brand.
Another great option for those wanting
a video monitor, is the babymoov
Babyphone Touch Screen. The touch
screen monitor has a specially design 3.5
inch LCD screen thats easy to use due to
its touch responsive menu. The LCD
screen gives you a crystal clear HD image
of your baby in real time being relayed
from the camera in the baby's room,
functions such as brightness can all be
controlled on the monitor itself. You can
use multiple cameras (up to 4 connected
at any one time) as the monitor has the
capability to split its screen allowing you
to view all at once. The baby camera unit
has a built in high sensitivity microphone
with voice activation sensors built in.
Another very easy to use unit that sets up
in no time at all. I loved that it had real
time viewing with no static or time delay.
A great video monitor at a great price!
TF550 Baby Monitor
From: 69.99
www.tomy.co.uk
BabyMoov Touch Screen
From: 159.99
http://products.babymoov.eu/
baby and toddler - reviews
Wool is an amazing natural fibre that has evolved over thousands of years to keep sheep healthy. It's a natural
thermoregulator, it can absorb up to 30% it's weight in moisture, it's natural & renewable, hypoallergenic,
antibacterial and dust mite free! So you can imagine how brilliant it is for the average persons bedding! For
those of us who are being kept awake overheating with night sweats it's the perfect solution to solve sleepless
nights. It is very common for young, growing children to overheat at night. We tend to warm up more in our
deeper stages of sleep, which causes more trouble for little ones than adults due to immature temperature
regulation systems and a greater proportion of sweat glands compared to body size. It makes a lot of sense to
us that if the parents have switched over to a higher tog duvet, so should the children. However babies and
toddlers should have no more than 3-4 tog year round, and 3-10 year olds don't need much more either! Wool
bedding is a great way to keep your child cool and comfortable, as well as preventing over heating it will keep
moisture away meaning no more waking up sweaty and cranky! If that wasn't enough our wool bedding is also
hypoallergenic, dust mite free and the deluxe range is even machine washable!
My first thoughts when I heard about The Wool Room bedding range was to be honest, itchy! I couldnt have
been more wrong. The product is delivered in custom packaging and is gorgeous! We received a mattress
protector, light weight duvet and pillow to review for Lillie and all I can say is Im jealous. She has the best
mattress, the best bedding and more often than not I want to sleep in her bed! The duvet is a Super Light
Summer duvet and is perfect for keeping her warm even on these colder nights (when she hasnt decided to
have a sleep over in her sisters room taking her Snuggle Sac with her!) She really loves the softness of the pillow
too as you literally just sink into it - imagine having her head cocooned in a soft ball of wool whilst you slept.
Ahhhh
Wool bedding starts from just 29.99 for a Wool pillow, rising to 360 for a complete wool bedding set which
includes an all season double duvet, mattress topper and two pillows available in wool or alpaca.
The Wool Room
www.thewoolroom.com
Breathable Baby
From: 27.99 4 sided full wrap cot liner
15.99 soft mesh blanket
14.99 breathable pocket swaddle
9.99 breathable soft toy
UK Stockist: www.breathablebaby.co.uk
I had seen this brand at the Baby Show and was intrigued by it, so was even more delighted to be
given the chance to review some of their latest products. We received the following to review:
the mesh cot liner, the mesh blanket, pocket swaddle and the cutest little giraffe!
All BreathableBaby fabrics are made exclusively for BreathableBaby. A.C.T. Air Channel
Technology is the science behind the brand, allowing air flow access inside of fabrics that cannot
be compressed to form an airtight seal, therefore allowing continual access to air. The air-pockets
in the mesh help reduce the risk of suffocation and re-breathing carbon dioxide, allowing the air
to flow from top-to-bottom and sided-to-side. The cushiony, yet durable mesh on the cot liner
gives extra protection from bumps and bruises while resilient enough to withstand babys arms
and legs pushing, poking and still keeps them safely inside.
The cot liner is extremely easy to fix, but you must ensure that it is tight, otherwise it will become
loose. The material used is exceptionally soft and as you just need to tuck it in marginally below
the mattress you risk having trapped arms and legs. Very much like that you can have a bumper
from birth now that wont pose a risk to your child. The blanket and pocket swaddle are also
made from the same soft polyester which are a great comfort to babies to wrap up in without
sweltering. The giraffe is just the cutest little toy period! As part of the BreathableBaby
Breathables Soft Toy range, these are made from breathable fabrics, making them extra safe
for babies to sleep with. These toys are trimmed with luxurious plush velour for extra softness.
Great value for a product that you know will be used frequently and wont cause any harm to your
child! A firm favourite of Baby Buzz and one we will continue to promote with our readers!
We were thrilled to review the this little
night light especially as it is in the
theme of Peppa Pig (Im sure all my
readers will know just how crazy my
little girl is about Peppa Pig!)
Nod safely off to dreamland with the
two-in-one Peppa Pig night light and
torch. Oink your way from lights out to
rise and shine with the Peppa Pig
GoGlow Night Bright Light. After
reading her favourite Peppa Pig tales
under the covers, she can settle down
for a sleep, by popping the the Night
Bright Light in the stand to activate its
night glow.
This has had much use over the last few
weeks than anything weve been sent
to date, it doesnt get hot and is easy
to take out and put back into its holder!
Other themed options available too!
Peppa Pig Night Light and
Torch - 19.99
www.smythstoys.com
Sensor Light - 8.00
Owl Night Light - 10.00
Available from:
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk
We were very lucky to review two great
night lights for Lindam this month being
the Lindam Automatic Nursery Safety
Sensor Light and the Owl night light. Both
are perfect for use in the nursery, hallway
and on landings, providing a soft reassuring
blue glow to help comfort your child. The
Safety Sensor Light features a sensor that
will detect light levels, automatically
switching on at dusk and off at dawn. It
uses ultra low energy, eco friendly LED
light source and has a long life - providing
light for over 10,000 hours. The owl night
is perfect for both boys and girls. Compact,
portable and cord free it provides a
comforting glow and is designed to be
carried should your child get up in the
night. It is portable and cord free and cool
to the touch. Lillie absolutely loves her
little owl and frequently carries it around
with her! Love that it automatically turns
off after 20 mins too!
baby and toddler - reviews
T
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1. The BabyBay Original - offering all the benefits of
co-sleeping without any of the associated risks -
224.50 - www.juniperstar.co.uk
2. The Wool Room - Luxurious wool bedding starting
from 29.99 for a Wool pillow, rising to 360 for a
complete wool bedding set which includes an all
season double duvet, mattress topper and two pillows
available in wool or alpaca - www.thewoolroom.com
3. Aden & Anais Dream Blanket - With silky rayon from
bamboo fibre muslin and colourful modern designs,
this luxuriously soft blanket ensures playtime, cuddle
time or bedtime is nothing less than dreamy - 58.00
www.adenandanais.co.uk
4. Purflo Sleepsac - The beautifully soft & comfortable
PurFlo SleepSac is the most hypoallergenic, anti-
bacterial sleeping bag on the market. From 24.95 (0
- 3 months)
www.purflo.com/sleepsac
5. SewLomax - The softest swaddles and fashion-
forward prints that say as much about your style as
they do about practices that bind mothers together
around the world. Available in packs of three. 26.00
www.sewlomax.com
6. Hippychick - Dream Tubes are the ultimate solution
to overcome the issue of young children falling out
of beds, and aids the often difficult transition from a
cot to a bed (we were sent this to try out and it is a
godsend; for little wigglers everywhere!) 34.99
www.hippychick.com
7. Theraline - Original Maternity and Nursing Pillow.
The most comfortable pillow for pregnancy and
breastfeeding (check out our competitions page!) -
44.95 www.theraline-shop.de
8. Tomy - A great monitor that combines all the great
features you would expect but with an extra-large
backlit LCD screen on the parent unit and a large clock.
69.99 www.tomy.co.uk
9. Shnuggle - The first contemporary Moses basket
that's Silent and hypoallergenic and the Shnuggle
Cosy Baby Bath, the soft foam bath that is warmer
and safer for baby. From 75.00 www.shnuggle.com
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baby and toddler - shopping & lifestyle
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11. BornFree - Use this cute, lightweight clip-on light to
make nighttime feedings easier. It attaches to your
clothing, PJs or bra strap so you can make sure your
baby's positioned properly, and not wake any
nearby sleepers. - www.bornfree.co.uk
12. InfaCare launches Night-time Baby Bath, to gently
clean and care for baby's skin, ready for a restful
night's sleep. It joins InfaCare Baby Bath, already a
firm favourite with mums and recommended by
midwives and healthcare professionals. 3.49
www.infacare.co.uk
13. All BreathableBaby fabrics are made exclusively for
BreathableBaby. A.C.T. Air Channel Technology
is the science behind the brand, allowing air flow
access inside of fabrics that cannot be compressed
to form an airtight seal, therefore allowing continual
access to air. From: 27.99 (mesh cot liner)
www.breathablebaby.co.uk
BreathableBaby. Mesh Blanket from: 15.99
BreathableBaby. Soft Toy from 9.99
16. Aden & Anais - Serenity Star - This multi-tasking
electronic feeding and sleep system combines
helpful technology with signature aden + anais
style. 64.99 www.adenandanais.co.uk
17. Lindam - The owl night is perfect for both boys and
girls. Compact, portable and cord free it provides a
comforting glow and is designed to be carried
should your child get up in the night. 10.00 -
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk
18. Worlds Apart - Nod safely off to dreamland with the
two-in-one Peppa Pig night light and torch. Oink your
way from lights out to rise and shine with the Peppa
Pig GoGlow Night Bright Light - 19.99. Available at
www.smythstoys.com
19. Amazon - In The Night Garden Sleeptime Lullaby
Iggle Piggle Soft Toy, 30cm - 23.95
www.amazon.co.uk
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baby and toddler - shopping & lifestyle
baby and toddler
Worlds Apart recently conducted a survey to find out more about the
sleeping habits of parents with young children. The findings
discovered the incredible extent to which mums and dads struggle
with broken sleep, from the end of pregnancy right through to when
their child reaches the age of three.
Mandy Gurney, sleep advisor to the NHS, said:
This survey shows just how hard the first three
years of a childs life can be for parents. And its
not just the obvious reasons why a child wakes
such as a wet nappy and the need to be fed
during the night. Many parents expect the
broken nights sleep to stop after the first six
months, but this survey has proved that it goes on
for much longer than that, in fact well into the
toddler and preschool years. Creating a bedroom
environment that is friendly and familiar can overcome sleep
difficulties that often occur at this age, as it will help your little one
feel secure and snug.
One in seven parents agreed that the period between the ages of
two and three was the worst when it came to getting a full nights
sleep, and one in six parents admitted that moving their toddler from
a cot to their first big bed was the time that they lost the most sleep.
Parents from the survey also reported that when their child was two
to three years old, they were woken up an average of three times a
night thats only one less time than with a newborn.
Three quarters of the parents surveyed were back at work and found
this particularly difficult. Two thirds of couples found that the
amount of broken sleep during the first three years of their childs
life added stress to their relationship, and seven in ten couples said
that the stress caused by a lack of sleep led to arguments.
So what is causing children to wake up? Situations such as teething,
bad dreams and the transition from a cot to their first bed all add to
the hours of sleep lost during this time.
During the first three years of a childs life, parents could lose
half an hour of sleep a month from putting their child back to
bed after theyve fallen or climbed out.
A further 16 minutes of sleep may be lost a month simply be-
cause the toddler doesnt feel safe in the bedroom environ-
ment.
Mums and dads spend 18 minutes a month getting their child
used to unfamiliar surroundings.
Losing a dummy, being scared of the dark and hearing other
children walking around were also found to be regular rea-
sons for parents being woken up at night.
Mandy Gurney added: Bringing up a child can be very stressful for
parents, and anything that helps them get through this time will have
a positive impact on family life. As this survey has highlighted, sleep
problems extend far beyond the first year of a childs life. The move
from a cot to their first big bed often causes difficulties. If parents
follow a few guideline suggestions, the disruption to family life can be
far reduced during this time.
Ensuring the room is ready, and choosing an age-appropriate
toddler bed that is smaller and much lower to ground than a single
bed will make the transition far easier. A toddler bed will feel not only
cosy, but with protective sides, it is a safe step towards a big bed
helping to prevent your little one falling out.
Your toddler will love a cosy and child friendly bedroom environment
that means they will be eager to get to bed. After a quiet, brief and
winding down bedtime routine and a story or two, snuggle them
down to sleep in their toddler bed, kiss goodnight and leave them to
drift off to sleep independently.
Ready for bed?
When they are between 1 and 3 years old, most children are ready to
move from their cot into their first bed. There is no set age of course,
so you just need to watch out for the cues. Your child may be getting
too big for their cot. Very mobile toddlers may show their readiness
by climbing out of their cot. Other children, particularly those with
older siblings, will anticipate the change and begin talking about their
new bed. The transition from a cot is a positive stage in your childs
life, as its a step towards them becoming more independent.
However, unsurprisingly, it can be more difficult for some children
than others. First-borns, for example, can be more attached to their
cot, while subsequent children tend to be keen to emulate a big
brother or sister and find the move easier. Some children love their
newfound freedom and they might suddenly appear by your side
after youve said goodnight. Others miss the security of the cot and
you may find them shaking you awake in the small hours.
Room ready?
Many parents choose to use a toddler bed in the first instance, rather
than going straight from a cot to a single bed. They are smaller and
much lower to the ground than a single bed; they often have a safety
guard and come in a variety of colours and themes.
There are also some ways you can make the transition easier. In the
weeks before you buy the toddler bed, talk to your child about the
change and involve them in decisions. Where will it be? What will
their bedroom look like? Where will you sit for a bedtime story? If
they have a favourite character, you could focus the theme of the
bedroom on that so they feel right at home in a space thats familiar.
Help to give your child a sense of occasion by, for example, putting
special pictures on the wall by their bed and talking to them about
their new bed. You could mention friends of theirs who are no longer
using a cot, or use books and magazines to show them pictures of big
Parents will lose an average of 16 nights of sleep per
month in the first three years of their childs life.
children in nice beds and small babies in cots. If your child is being
moved out of their cot because youre expecting another baby, try
not to leave it until the last minute to prepare them for the
transition. Take the cot down a few weeks before the baby is due
and replace it with the toddler bed (in the same position). This way
your older child will be certain of what is happening, they will
understand there is no going back and have time to adapt and
identify with their own space.
Safe sleep
When a child first moves into a single bed it is not unusual for them
to fall out of it. Age-appropriate toddler beds are designed with this
in mind and often have safety guards or protective sides to ensure
toddlers feel safe.
Below are 5 things you can do to keep your little ones safe:
1. Choose a bed that is low to the ground and has protective
sides, such as HelloHomes Snuggletime.
2. A toddler bed will feel cosy and will be a safe step towards
a big bed.
3. Make sure you childproof the bedroom with safety catches
on windows and doors, and secure furniture to the walls.
4. Clear toys and objects away at bedtime especially things
that could be used for climbing, such as a toy box or stool.
5. On the day you introduce the bed, consider putting a stair
gate across the bedroom door to stop nighttime
wandering.
Getting ready for bed
Aim to carry out the same series of steps every night, about 30
minutes before your child goes to bed:
Warm bath
Have a warm relaxing bath lasting no longer than 10 minutes. A
bath before bed should not be playtime as this could over
stimulate your tired child, waking them up again. Go straight
from the bathroom into the bedroom do not go back into the
living area, as you will lose the focus of the routine.
Lighting
Dim the lights in the bedroom ready for your return from the
bath this will help with the production of the sleep hormone
melatonin.
Story time
Read 1 or 2 stories, have a cuddle and kiss goodnight and tuck
them in with their favourite soft toy so they are warm and cosy.
Time alone
Now that theyre drowsy, leave the bedroom so that they learn to
fall asleep independently. Your child should be asleep about 15
minutes later.
Afraid of the dark?
If your child is afraid of the dark, offer them the reassurance of a
GoGlow light to have nearby when they need it. You could even
play hide and seek, in the late afternoon, using a GoGlow torch, so
they realise theres nothing to be afraid of.
Ready for bed away from home
Sleepovers at Grannys or with friends will be a new challenge without
the cot. Sleeping away from home can be an anxious time for some
young children. A ReadyBed with your childs favourite character will
offer the familiar smells and comfort of home, the safety of being low
to the ground and the fun of camping out away from home, making for
stress free sleepovers.
For more fantastic sleep advice from Mandy, real mum experiences
and great ideas from us, please visit our website and read our blog.
www.worldsapart.com
baby and toddler
Check out the Home & Furnishings feature on page 73, featuring a
selection of amazing products from Worlds Apart.
We had the pleasure of reviewing a selection of products from the
Peppa Pig range. The toddler bed is incredible and with Lillie loving
Peppa Pig as much as she does you can just imagine her face when
she saw this all ready for her to sleep in! To construct it was even
easier than I had hoped and I had it ready in less than an hour (which
for me is really good going). The quality is excellent and the detailing
very clear, the little shelf to the side and the two storage drawers
beneath are just an added bonus and very much used! The little
Peppa Pig Torch / Night Light is a blessing and gives off just enough
light when in situ, when you use it as the torch it illuminates really
well. Weve often found Lillie lying in bed playing with the torch -
we are clearly onto a winner! Highly recommended by us !
baby buzz magazine
So its finally upon us, the summer is almost over and another school
year is fast approaching. For those of you who had to agonise with
your kids over GCSE and A-level results over the summer I feel for
you. It seems like almost yesterday when I was doing the same.
So how do we make sure that our children are getting the most from
their school learning and revision or homework time? Once again we
have to look at what we are feeding our children at home and what
they are eating away from home if we want to make sure that they
get a head start on their competition. It is a sad reality that most
people have adopted a nutritional lifestyle which although easy, is
devoid of nutritional content, especially enzymes and nutrients.
Unfortunately, living healthily nowadays takes a considerable
amount of good planning and hard work, but if we are willing to
make the effort it neednt be impossible, especially when it comes to
feeding our children. The earlier we can get them used to different
tastes and textures the better. I know its hard but we simply just
cannot give up because its hard. I know I still struggle to get my nine
year old to eat everything I want him to so I am trying my best to
make sure my two year old has a more well rounded palate.
So lets look at the things our children should be eating to make
them more intelligent. Lets not flog a dead horse and talk about the
usual things like fruit and vegetables. Lets look closer at some of the
things we dont feed our children, and ourselves for that matter,
because of myths and bad information. Unfortunately for us we are
following America down the obesity road and its due to a number of
factors, but mainly down to what we are eating. Or rather, what we
are NOT eating. If you ask most people they will probably tell you
that things like saturated fats and cholesterol should not be in our
diets. I truly believe that it is the absence of things like cholesterol
and saturated fats that means we are fast becoming a nation of very
unhealthy people. Our brains are made up of water and fat. If we
are not getting enough dietary fat, especially when it comes to
growing children and breast feeding mums, then not only do our
brains not function properly but as is the case with breast feeding
the body will actually start robbing the brain of its essential fats in
order to supply the breast milk with enough nutrition. That is why it
is crucial for breast feeding mums to eat extremely well it is the
best start a mum can give her child.
I would need to write a whole book in order to go into the science of
why we should be eating cholesterol and why this misconception
started years ago (going as far back as the 1950s with the work of
Ansel Keys and his Lipid Hypothesis which wrongly looked at
different data to come up with his theory but left out information to
suit his hypothesis). However, according to the work of Dr. William
Castelli and Dr. Walter Willet (the latter being responsible for the
Nurses Health Study conducted over 20 years) concluded that the
people who ate the most cholesterol, ate the most saturated fat and
ate the most calories, weighed the least and were the most
physically active. Every cell in the human body needs cholesterol to
function properly. If cholesterol were absent there would be no
fluidity in the cell and cholesterol plays a role in sex and stress
hormones such as testosterone and cortisol. Our skin turns
cholesterol into vitamin D when exposed to UVB light, repairs cell
membranes and is responsible for brain and nerve tissues. In fact,
brain and nerve tissues have the highest concentrations of
cholesterol in the body, and it is a key component in forming brain
synapses (cell connections) needed for good mental function,
learning and memory. So the next time that your child, or even you
for that matter, are finding it hard to concentrate, learn something
new or getting low grades at school, look no further than cholesterol
and add a safe amount back into the diet, along with saturated fat
sources such as avocados and coconut oil. Bring back soft-boiled
eggs and soldiers (preferably wheat and gluten free soldiers),
scrambled eggs with coconut oil and porridge with raw cream. There
is an array of different foods which can be consumed, especially with
winter approaching. Remember that up to 90% of cholesterol found
in the body is produced in the liver and we should all be consuming
cholesterol, saturated fats, raw, live foods filled with enzymes,
minerals, vitamins, probiotics and cultured foods such as sauerkraut.
If we not only consume these foods and give them to our children,
stay away from sugar of any kind and processed foods including
boxed cereals, we will find a better behaved, more willing to learn
and brighter child than we thought possible. As is always the case,
make sure your children are well hydrated as brain performance can
drop by as much as 20% if we are dehydrated and, lets face it, most
of us just dont list drinking water highly enough among our daily
habits. Lets be healthier as a whole by adding things to our lifestyle,
not by taking away things like cholesterol and saturated fats, which
actually give us life. Please be sure to keep a mental note of how
much better behaved, how much brighter and energetic your
children will be once you have made these simple changes. I would
love to hear of their progress.
Please join me on Twitter and Facebook and keep
your questions coming in to myself and Peter
Marcasciano, one of the worlds top experts on
health, nutrition and physiotherapy.
To get the inside track to a healthier life, please follow us on the
following:
Twitter: @rubentabares | @petemfitness
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RubenTabaresFitness
Website: www.rubentabares.com
Smarter eating
Robynmac | Dreamstime.com - Healthy Snacking For Kids Collection Photo
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This is a question which is often asked during discussions with
expectant parents at antenatal courses or private consultations.
Almost without exception, the answer to this question is Yes.
From the benign Can I take my own pillow into hospital? to the
infinitely more complex Am I allowed to say no to induction of
labour?, women and their birthing partners need to understand that
when it comes to making decisions, they are in the driving seat.
Health care professionals make recommendations about care during
pregnancy and birth based on hospital policy and research.
The NHS works on a risk basis. That means that women receive a
standard package of care based on the prevailing policies and
procedures which must be adhered to in order to mitigate any
litigious claims. So, if the protocol dictates that all women should be
offered induction at 40+12 days, those who go over dates should
expect healthcare professionals to start getting a little jumpy as the
41 week rolls around. However, the key word here is offered.
Inductions, or any other form of intervention in the birthing process,
should be offered to the woman, with a clear explanation of the
benefits, risks and alternatives available. Women should not be
bullied into unwanted procedures. Healthcare professionals who
utter the words you dont want to risk your babys life by waiting
another minute/hour/day etc. are resorting to emotional blackmail
in order to tick the legal boxes.
Pregnant women are not mindless idiots and can make informed and
considered decisions themselves, if only they were given the relevant
information to do so. Whilst its true that there is often quoted
evidence (from the Cochrane database) that the risk of stillbirth
doubles after 42w, what many parents dont realise is that this
evidence is outdated (based on studies conducted more than 20
years ago) and the Cochrane review needs updating. Caregivers also
often fail to mention absolute risks, unless you push them for the
actual numbers. A HCP should not assume that all parents have the
same attitude to risk what is an acceptable increase to one parent
may be unacceptable to another. Nor should they assume that what
might be the best decision for one woman is necessarily best for
another. It all depends on a womans individual preferences and
circumstances. Women, and only women, should be making
decisions about what happens to their bodies, not healthcare
professionals. Being bullied into a procedure/treatment is a
contravention of basic human rights. Should a women decline a
recommended treatment or procedure, then the healthcare
professional should support the decision, even if they do not agree
with it and put in place the necessary checks, tests, monitoring etc to
enable the womens choice to be as safe and as successful as
possible.
Another intervention which is designed to help the womens body
to labour is the sweep, sometimes called stretch and sweep.
Sounds uncomfortable, even painful and it can be. Many believe that
it is an unnecessary procedure which has a fairly low success rate.
This intervention may help a women, who was about to labour
anyway, go into spontaneous labour a few hours or a day or two
earlier than she would have if nature had been left to its own devices
or it may simply set the women on a course of further intervention
which can increase the risk of assisted birth or caesarean section.
MIDIRS Informed Choice website (http://www.infochoice.org/) is a
great place to start for women who have any Am I allowed? type
questions. This website offers a number of leaflets aimed at women
written in plain English which offer evidence-based information and
research on common areas of concern in pregnancy and birth. The
AIMS website is also a great source of information for those with
questions about their choices in labour. In fact, they even have a
booklet entitled Am I allowed?
Antenatal classes can also help to raise awareness of choice in
pregnancy & labour for expectant parents. Many parents are not
aware that they have a right to make their own decisions. They also
have a right to be given all the relevant information to enable those
decisions to be made and for their decisions to be respected.
This article was written by Michelle Eshkeri, director at Parent
Partner, a London based company providing tailored antenatal
education and support, as well as baby/child first aid sessions.
For more information, please contact:
Email: info@parentpartner.co.uk
www.parentpartner.co.uk
Tel: 07789 928 530
Am I allowed?
family
By Michelle Eshkeri
You are the epitome of a role model for women everywhere, especially
me, what drives you?
My ambition has been fuelled by different things and has changed over
time. When I first started out, I was determined to be the best in my
industry, especially because of the male dominated profession I was in.
Now, its more about making a difference to people just starting their
careers. In lots of ways, young people today find it harder than ever
before to start a career and I want to be able to help. Its why Im an
Ambassador for LifeSkills, created with Barclays, to champion young
people and work to create opportunities for them to gain the skills and
experience to be successful.
Were you always so business savvy and knew what you wanted to get
out of being in business?
No! When I was at school I had no real idea about how businesses were
run or what I wanted to do. I got my first taste of work at a hairdresser
where I started by sweeping the floor and cleaning up. I worked really
hard and by the end of the week I was running reception. These early
experiences were really important and shaped my view of the world of
work. Thats why Im so passionate about making work experience
available to everyone. It is invaluable in helping young people understand
what businesses look for and the skills you have that an employer could
be looking for.
You started your career in one of the hardest industries, how did you
do it and what made you determined to succeed?
I love football and was really lucky to be able to work in the industry. My
first break came with me securing the role of manager for Birmingham
Football Club. Being the first ever woman to run a football club was
daunting and I felt every day that I had to prove myself. But, I knew I
could do the job and if I worked hard, could win the support of others.
This determination helped my career to grow but my success has also de-
pended on the advice and support of others and my wonderful family.
You are behind the drive to get more support for young people to get
into the work place, why is this so important to you?
There are currently over 850,000 young people out of work which has a
fundamental impact on our society and economy. We have to act now
which is why I got involved in LifeSkills, created with Barclays, which aims
to help one million young people get the skills and work experience they
need to transition successfully into work. It includes free resources for
young people and schools, as well as a work experience matching engine
so teachers can connect their pupils to opportunities to learn from
business. Together we can make a difference so Im calling for
businesses, young people, families and education providers to get
involved and ensure no young person is left without the skills they need
to fulfil their potential.
What would your advice be to a school leaver/young person wanting to
start up their own business or to be one step ahead of others in the
world of business?
First, you need to do your research. Take the time to discover whats out
there in the marketplace and where the opportunity exists for a new
business. Speak to as many people as possible who have sound business
experience. This will also help you build up a bank of contacts something
I still work really hard at. I would also recommend work experience. It
will give you the skills you need to be successful in any career while
helping you to understand what you are really good at. The summer
holidays can be the perfect time for this, so see if any local businesses
need some extra help for a week or two. The summer holiday is also a
great time to create or revamp your CV. There are free tips and handy
tools on the LifeSkills website that can help.
With so many parents also starting up businesses to maintain a
life/work balance, what tips / advice would you give them?
It is critical to plan ahead and make sure that where you can, you call on
the support network you have around you. My husband and I try to split
everything between us. When the children were at school, hed pick
them up and then Id look after them.
What has been the highlight of your career?
Ive been lucky enough to have many amazing career moments but what
really stands out is being awarded my CBE last December. Im particularly
proud to have been recognised for the work Ive done in helping women
in business and young people. Its my passion and why I became an Am-
bassador for LifeSkills.
How do you juggle business and family and find adequate time for
both?
I make sure that when I am at work, Im a woman in business and at
home Im a mum and a wife. You could say I have a home personality and
a work personality and make sure I keep them separate. But, there are
difficult decisions that you need to make every day and sometimes work
is the priority and sometimes home is. I also make it a rule to never work
on Sundays as thats marked as family time.
Do you have any regrets?
I try not to have any regrets, but I would have liked to take longer off af-
ter I had my first child. After I gave birth to Sophia, I went back to work
just three days later. I felt that I had to be in the office as there were big
decisions to be made, but looking back, I can say that I made the wrong
decision. So, when Paolo was born, I spent more time working from
home and finding a better balance.
We talk to
Karren Brady CBE
about her role as
Ambassador for
LifeSkills
www.barclayslifeskills.com
baby buzz magazine
family
W
e all want the professional pictures of our children, our
family, our pets. With so many photographers and
companies out there all offering various packages of
some form, it can get quite daunting as to who to go to, how good
the photographer is and how expensive the experience will cost you.
Ultimately you want the best, after all youre paying a premium to
get it!
When my oldest daughter was born we did the whole I must get
some professional pictures taken thing and whilst the pictures are
beautiful, the experience was a bit dull, felt a bit rushed and there
was no thought put into the process. Safe to say we didnt go back
for updated photos. We did however go slightly further afield a few
years later to get the next stage photos taken but again the
experience was boring almost rushed, where we felt we were
ushered in and ushered straight out again with not much
conversation (needless to say when the time came to pick pictures,
they had a lot to say bring on the cold hard sell!)
Ive heard about many
companies offering the
professional picture
experience with one
ridiculously claiming that
people wishing to become
a franchisee dont need to
be great photographers or
have any experience -
sorry but I beg to differ on
this - thankfully we
werent reviewing this
particular company!
When we were contacted
by the largest of these companies, I was intrigued to find out just
what the experience would be like, what kind of service we would
get and how much of a hard sell we would be succumbed to (having
experienced this from the smaller companies I was expecting to be
held down and ordered to buy everything - I couldnt have been
more wrong!)
Id like to introduce my readers to Venture!
Venture Photography is the UKs largest portrait photographer and is
continuing its growth internationally with studios spanning over
three continents. Founded in 2000, they have grown from strength
to strength with 27 studios, they have been awarded Superbrand
status and were recognised as Franchise of the Year by the British
Franchise Association in 2008.
Now whilst this sounds all corporate, it really couldnt be further
from reality. As we were reviewing the experience as a whole, we
followed the step by step procedures. Upon booking your session,
you are sent a friendly letter, thanking you for booking through
Venture and confirming all the details of your studio time and an
email too. Just before the scheduled date, you are contacted by your
photographer to run through ideas, concepts, schemes that can
make your time in front of the camera that much more fun - I
actually loved the idea of this but was out when she tried to call
(note to self provide mobile number next time) but when we arrived
at the studio, we had the chance to speak to the photographer who
would be shooting us and ran through many ideas and suggestions
about what kind of shots we would like to have, as well as being
given photo albums including many different themes and picking out
which were our favourites and ones we would like to replicate! From
the minute we walked in, we were greeted with the most friendliest
faces, all of whom couldnt do more to help us from offering tea /
family
coffee / juice for the children (or as is typical - tea for my 3 year old!)
After sitting down for 10 minutes going through pictures and chatting
away to the team on the front desk, we were shown through to the
studio. We had the chance to freshen up and change accordingly in
the little side room and were soon raring to go!
I cant credit our photographer Sabrina enough for putting up with
two little girls who clearly didnt want to play ball and at one point
refused to do anything! Within 5 minutes she had them running
around, jumping up and down and pretty much fighting for camera
space! Sabrina was also very attentive to the types of shots that we
wanted as we had wanted to get grandma and grandchildren all
together as well as shots of me and my girls and of course one of me
and mum.
Once we had finished, we thanked everyone for being so patient with
us and were informed that they would be in touch once our images
were ready to view. In the space of a few days, we were given a date
and time (a Sunday too which was great for us) and made our way
back to the studio. Once we arrived, we had the same amazing
service as before with drinks offered and nattering away as if wed
known the girls for long time and then we were shown into the
Viewing Room.
It is worth noting that after your photoshoot a professional artist will
spend hours designing your images and making them absolutely
unique. Whether your preference is for natural colours, black &
white or graphic designs, the creative experts will design something
special. Before you view your images, you have to go through all of
the images that were chosen to decide which ones to keep and
delete. Once they were ready to view, the lights were lowered and
each of us ooh'ed and ahh'ed over every picture (if you delete one
and want to go back, they are all pre-saved so you can retrieve
pictures). We finally picked our favourite picture, one of all the
family together for Mum to keep.
When it comes to picking your picture/s you dont just get a basic
print, it comes with a choice of styles, frames, modern designs,
collages etc (I believe there are up to 10 options available).
I wont pretend that the service is cheap, but you certainly get what
you pay for, and what you pay for is worth every penny! There are
so many sizes and styles and lots of different price packages
available. However, the biggest benefit is that Venture offer a
monthly payment plan, so if you really want to have a selection of
images but worried that you cant afford the lump sum payment,
then you can opt for this instead.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Whats different about a Venture portrait?
We believe that your portrait is an investment, its a true reflection
of the skill, time and effort the team at Venture put into creating a
unique piece of personal artwork. You are paying for a bespoke
service and highly trained, award winning photographers who
capture your precious moments in time. When you purchase your
35 voucher this includes an hour long photo shoot, cinematic
screening and a complimentary framed portrait (5 x 7), however,
if you fall in love with our work (and most people do) you can
purchase more.
Do I get a discount if I buy multiple products?
Yes, we have 3 packages on offer which allow you to choose a
selection of your favourite images at an exclusive price!
Can I buy digital images?
We offer several ways you can buy digital images. The Venture App
allows you to email your images and use on social media, enabling
you to share with your friends and family. The digital frame allows
you to display all your favourite images in your home. However, all
digital images we supply cannot be printed, we believe Venture
images should be printed in our laboratory to ensure they meet the
Venture quality standard.
What if I can't make up my mind in the viewing?
Don't worry, there will be a Venture advisor on hand to help you
make the right decisions. Here are some points we recommend
you consider before you come back for your viewing:
Familiarise yourself with the 3 packages we offer
Look around your home at your dcor and style and identify
places you could put your family portraits
Speak to any family members who may want a selection of
images and make sure all decision makers attend the first
viewing
Tel: 07729 891 083 Facebook: www.facebook.com/jmherbalist
Email: info@jmherbalist.co.uk Twiiter: www.twitter.com/JMHerbalist
Website: www.jmherbalist.co.uk
family
Q&A with J M Herbalist
Dear Joanne
I have been breastfeeding my son for three days now and I have
noticed that my boobs are really engorged and lumpy. They feel
really hot and sore and I'm worried I'm getting mastitis! I don't want
to take antibiotics as I want to continue breastfeeding, but I am
unsure what to do, panicking a little bit if I'm honest.
Any help much appreciated,
Laura
Hi Laura
I feel your pain but please don't panic! Day three tends to be when
your milk starts to come in, which is a change from the colostrum
that you have been producing previously. It is fairly normal to go
through a period of engorgement as your body starts to meet the
milk demands of your little one. That's not to say that you have to
grin and bear it though!
First off, stay calm. We want to look at putting hot flannels /
compresses on your boobs and massaging the lumps; I bought a
lovely heat and cool pack which is really very soothing and you can
pop them in your bra. You can also massage in a warm bath or
shower and it can feel odd to start with but does help. Also
massaging while baby is feeding is helpful, try to get baby to latch on
'above' the lumps and massage down. Savoy cabbage leaves in the
bra are also very soothing, yes that sounds odd but it does help to
reduce the pain and inflammation and to be honest if you're more
comfortable then it makes feeding easier for you.
Try to make sure that baby is
latching well and that you are
staying calm, have lots of cuddles
and drink plenty of water. You can
express a little milk to make it
more comfortable, but remember
not to do too much or your body
will produce even more milk.
Peppermint or sage tea (should you not have any other underlying
medical issues) may start to reduce milk supply whereas fennel and
fenugreek will increase it, so have a look at what you're drinking.
Lastly, please also speak to a midwife or breastfeeding counsellor for
more advice, and if you need antibiotics don't kick yourself about it!
Mastitis can be incredibly painful and it doesn't mean you have to
stop breastfeeding, if anything continuation is encouraged! Your
midwife or GP will be able to prescribe something which is ok to take
whilst you feed. If you need antibiotics then you need them, there's
no need to feel bad about it, you're no good to anyone if you're
unwell so please don't suffer for any longer than you have to.
If you do take them, I can always recommend a good and safe
probiotic for you to use which will help minimise the effect on the
milk, please drop me a line for some suggestions.
Try and get as much rest as you can and make sure you have kisses
and cuddles with your little one and your partner, it really helps.
Best of luck - lots of love
Joanne xxx
I dont think Dads talk about their experience of miscarriage enough,
and they should. They should because its real, its very common and
it helps to talk about it. Here is the story of this Dads miscarriage.
My wife and I had planned to get pregnant and could not have been
happier when we saw the 2 blue lines. But
During week 6 the storm began when my wife found a small amount
of blood. We quickly googled and found out about spotting; common,
perfectly normal bleeding during early pregnancy. We put it down to
this, but the doctor still booked an appointment at the emergency scan
department of the hospital. This is a weird place! We were sitting in a
corridor, opposite the sonographers room. Women and couples go
into the room with an anxious look on their face and come out either
crying or gleefully holding a baby scan picture. We sat there and
wondered our fate. Overjoyed or distraught? We ended up feeling
neither The sonographer examined, and came to the conclusion that
it was too early to tell, booking us in for another emergency scan in 2
weeks time. That way the heartbeat would definitely be seen. (Or not).
This time the fetus had grown but there was still no visible heartbeat.
No-one could explain it and no-one could confirm viability either way.
Weepitomised the saying, left hanging. We lived the following weeks
on edge, anxious, worried and pensive. All the while this was happening
we were planning our wedding for the end of the summer. What should
have been an exciting time of preparations was overcast by a huge
cloud of uncertainty and potential devastation. Just before our pre-
wedding honeymoon was our third scan Still no heartbeat but more
growth! The doctor said, because of the growth, she couldnt
definitively say to us that we would lose the baby. Instead she gave a
95% chance of miscarriage at any point. So what should we do? Miss
our holiday and loose the money, or go and risk it? We decided to go,
but all the while our thoughts were else where. On our return, general
wedding stress levels were non-existent. The Tuesday before the
wedding saw us, yet again, in the emergency scan waiting room for a
fourth scan. We hid ourselves from the others, knowing that it would
more than likely be bad news. This time, there was still no heartbeat
but also no growth. We were told it was just a matter of time before
the body rejected the unviable fetus and the miscarriage began.
We had 2 options:
1) Let the miscarriage happen naturally over the wedding
2) Opt for the SMM (Surgical Management of Miscarriage) and
cancel the wedding?
Ever been between a rock and a hard place?
We decided to crack on with the wedding and if the miscarriage started,
wed cross that bridge as and when. It put everything into perspective.
It helped us focus on us, and ironically, in amongst the sadness, we had
never been so close. We got married with such an intimacy between
us. Three days after the wedding the miscarriage started. It began as
a pain in the stomach. She knew it was happening, so we called for our
fifth emergency appointment. The bleeding was constant and she had
continuous pain. What could I do to make it better? The helpless feeling
of inadequacy was fraught and very real.
Seven weeks of uncertainty, hope and despair had come to an end. We
booked in for an emergency SMM. We arrived at the hospital and got
prepped for the procedure. It was gut-wrenching and as they wheeled
my wife out the room I felt like my heart was being pulled out on a
trolley too. I couldnt be with her when she was terrified, I wanted to
comfort her, hold her hand and be there for her. Instead, I was in a
cold room with just my thoughts as company. Following the procedure
it was so hard to know how to be. I was devastated, but held it in. I
wanted to be strong and look after my wife as I knew that she was
already heart broken. Me crying would just add to that pain for her.
This was a mistake. The moment I let my guard down and really showed
how I was feeling through being honest, led to one of the best moments
of our relationship. We both held each other and felt the pain together.
I think it was that moment that a new, unspoken connection and bond
between us grew. It is in these difficult, overcast situations that
relationships can really develop. For that I am thankful.
My hope is that through reading about my experience it opens the
door for other Dads to talk openly. Especially because miscarriage is
such a mysterious and devastating thing.
Hi, My name is Al and I am The Dad Network. I have a beautiful wife and a little boy called
Ted! The Dad Network blog aims to promote and encourage the role of dads within family
life; right from the moment you see the blue line on the pregnancy test, through the life
changing experience of labour and right into full blown parenthood.
It also seeks to be a support for dads in all kinds of situations. You see, the reason this
whole blog thing began was because my gorgeous wife and I experienced a devastating
and mysterious miscarriage under quite unique circumstances. The blog starts with the
story of a dads miscarriage, has covered the story of a dads pregnancy, will tell the story
of a dads labour and endeavor to share the story of a new dad. Sign up to our monthly
newsletter to follow the story every step of the way.
Miscarriage is a mysterious and devastating thing...
www.thedadnetwork.co.uk | twitter.com/thedadnetworkuk | https://www.facebook.com/Thedadnetwork
http://instagram.com/thedadnetwork | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLb02OifZwD3_3V6QpMjOkQ
https://plus.google.com/101485166591013448777/posts | http://uk.pinterest.com/Thedadnetwork/
family
family
Post Natal Depression? Nothing to do with me. Apparently my friends
second cousin once had it. Its out there. I know that. It happens. But
not to me
In the throws of early pregnancy, we easily push aside any initial
ambivalence, and happily distract ourselves with the hundreds of things
we now need to think about. From birth classes to hospital
appointments, to baby clothes, cribs and prams, not to mention the
tireless hours flicking through baby name books where the only name
we can all mildly agree on is Bert. There is no end to this new world in
which we suddenly find ourselves immersed in. Our interests and
priorities have already shifted such that our old friends find it hard to
relate to us as we enter this new stage of life. In all the excitement
and despite the irony, the last thing on our minds is actually what it will
be like to care for a real live baby, let alone considering the possibility
that we may have to contend with post natal depression. Why think
about something that probably wont happen? But with statistics rising,
maybe it is something we need to be more mindful of as we approach
new motherhood. First of all, perhaps we should be careful in labelling
the feelings surrounding this major developmental crisis as depression.
This is a frightening label to be given when we are often feeling at our
most vulnerable, never mind the social stigma attached.
Lets look at the facts. We have just gone through one of the most
major transitions of our lives. We have become a mother. And with that
our whole world has been rocked. Our lifestyle, all of our relationships,
our role, our working life, the way others perceive us, our very
identityno part of our lives remains untouched. Even our bodies have
often changed beyond recognition. Our hormones are raging, we are
totally exhausted due to this new little life who depends on us for their
very survival and no one told us it would be this hard!
We havent even got over the exhaustion and sometimes trauma of the
birth, another huge milestone for which we are often mentally ill
prepared. And now we have been plunged into an existence where
time is no longer our own. We are on a runaway train and no one has
told us where the breaks are. If we thought we had any control over our
lives before, now there is no doubt that we are totally out of control, at
the mercy of our new little bundle who we are supposed to love and
cherish, yet we cant even see straight with our painful nipples after
hours of unsuccessful breast feeding, aching bodies as we recover from
the birth and all this on just 2 hours sleep, for which we are told we
should be grateful!
With no one to turn to and at the end of our tether, we find ourselves
crying at the drop of a hat and we and others have the audacity to ask,
why?! Whilst I in no way want to dismiss or play down the suffering
that many mothers go through in early motherhood, my wish is rather
to normalise it. It is understandable and perhaps even expected that
many will experience some pretty turbulent emotions.
I therefore would like to suggest that we could approach this period and
experience entirely differently. I wonder if we could stop being so
frightened by the term Post Natal Depression and instead realise that
these feelings are normal and natural and nothing to be ashamed of. Of
course this doesnt make them hurt any less, but perhaps we could
move through them with more grace and understanding, without
judging ourselves so harshly. Dare I say it, perhaps we may even
develop some compassion towards ourselves. Believe it or not, its
often our thoughts about the depression that cause most of the
problem, not the bad feelings themselves. Left alone, these thoughts
and feelings will simply pass. Thats just the way our mind works.
Thought is temporary and therefore getting freaked out by our
depressed feelings and beating ourselves up for it, is just as irrational as
chastising ourselves for having a bad dream.
And so we can see that all the well-meaning relatives telling us to snap
out of it and just be grateful for our healthy baby, as well as our own
judgmental thoughts insisting that we really should be stronger, have
the unfortunate effect of keeping us in our low state.
Besides if we took an honest look at ourselves and were really true to
our experience, we might even be lucky enough to notice the truth of
whats really happening, which is that we are forever going in and out of
these thoughts and feeling states. We have good moments and we have
bad. We can feel strong in a moment of quiet, perhaps whilst grabbing a
quick shower when the baby is sleeping, where we recognise that we
are ok, we can do this, our resilience comes through. We bounce back
and feel normal again if only for a few short minutes. The next
moment we can feel totally broken over something as simple as split
milk (especially if its expressed breast milk!!) Furthermore, we all have
the unhelpful tendency to compare ourselves to others. We look at
mothers, either friends or even complete strangers in the street, and
wonder how they are coping so well which just adds to our feelings of
low self worth as we begin to feel that perhaps we are just not cut out
for this role. Feelings of guilt and shame can overwhelm us. It is worth
keeping in mind that often many are having the very same feelings as
you are. Perhaps you have caught them at a time when their
contaminated thinking has released them from its menacing grip. Or
perhaps these women are allowing these very same thoughts to flow
through them like a passing river without getting too attached or letting
them define who they are.
In short, the intensity of emotion that we go through as a brand new
mother can certainly feel challenging at times but as we recognise that
we are in actual fact having a whole range of experiences, the bad ones
begin to frighten us a little less. Plus we begin to get a feel for our
emotional resilience which is always there under the whirlwind of
negative thought we often innocently torture ourselves with. Thats
just life and part of the richness of being a human being. We can
certainly begin to lighten the load by reminding ourselves, that this too
shall pass!!
By Deborah Binun, psychotherapist specialising in
Pregnancy & Birth including Birth Trauma & Post Natal
Depression (07460 444 332)
For more information,
please visit www.birthfree.com
POST NATAL DEPRESSION OR NORMAL RESPONSE TO NEW MOTHERHOOD?
By Deborah Binun
pregnancy
Water birth and Hydrotherapy
Water-birthing is available both at home and in the hospital
Maternity unit. A birth pool is filled with warm water to a
comfortable depth, and not only provides pain relief throughout
labour but also ensures a more natural, gentler entry into the world
for your baby. The warmth of the water provides gentle, relaxing
pain relief for the lower half of the body, whilst the waters buoyancy
takes the strain of the bodys weight - allowing more mobility under
the water. As it moves away from the restraints of the hospital bed,
the birth pool allows a little more privacy, personal space, and is
more easily relatable to the comforts of your own home.
Unfortunately, although birthing pools can be booked in advance,
theres no guarantee that they will be available when your baby
decides to make its appearance, as pools are limited in many hospital
maternity units (although home birthing is an option). Water Births
are not available to everyone as their use depends upon your health
and your condition at the onset of labour, which can change at the
last minute; therefore it is always best to have a second option in
mind.
Hydrotherapy provides relief in the same way as a birth pool, with
additional therapeutic relief through streams of massaging jets and
bubbles like a Jacuzzi or spa bath. These are available at some
birthing centres, but unfortunately are not yet readily available in all
hospital maternity units.
TENS Machines
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) provides natural
pain relief during labour through the use of electrotherapy. TENS
machines connect to 4 electrode pads which are placed on your back
(2 under the bra line and 2 on the lower back) and omit tiny electrical
pulses through your body. These pulses not only block the pain
signals your body sends to the brain during labour (which usually
travel through your spine), but also encourages the brain to release
Endorphins your bodys natural form of pain relief. The electrical
pulses arent painful or uncomfortable, and enable you to remain
upright and mobile during labour whilst providing drug-free, non-
intrusive pain relief up until you give birth which is why they are
highly recommended by midwives. The machines can be used from
37 weeks into pregnancy for common pregnancy backache, and
should be worn from the onset of labour for the most effective pain
relief. Boost buttons are available to
provide quick relief from more
intensive contractions, and safety
features ensure there arent any
unwanted electric shocks if the pads
are accidentally pulled from the skin.
TENS are completely safe to use for
both you and your baby, and can be
used in conjunction with other forms of
pain relief if required. They are not
available for use in the birthing pool,
but can be used during contractions
until you need to get into the water.
Not all hospitals provide TENS
machines, therefore it is best to hire or
purchase one to have ready for your
hospital bag.
HypnoBirthing
HypnoBirthing is becoming an increasingly popular choice with
Mums-to-be. It provides a drug-free, natural alternative to the usual
pain relief options available during labour. HypnoBirthing
concentrates on the use of hypnosis during labour; calming and
relaxing you to ensure you experience the least amount of stress
possible whilst deterring you from thinking about the pain youre
experiencing. This stress free and relaxed approach promotes the
best possible outcome for your baby, as remaining calm and drug-
free decreases the chances of dangerous complications during
labour. HypnoBirthing classes train Mums-to-be and their partners
the different techniques required, which are usually centred on
steady breathing and the concentration power of the mind.
Unfortunately hypnosis doesnt work for everyone and the classes
can be quite expensive, however many women who have used the
HypnoBirthing technique have found their labour almost enjoyable
as they remained awake, in control and removed from the fear of
childbirth. It also allows Dads-to-be to play a more important role in
the birthing room, something which has been a struggle for many
years.
For more information, please visit:
www.tenscare.co.uk or www.mama-tens.info
Alternative Pain Relief Options During Labour
When you think of going into labour, more often than not you will be told, or will
certainly ask, about all the different types of drugs available! However, there are
so many more options available to you and we wanted to give you a deeper insight
into just what other means of pain relief you could have. We spoke with Harriet
Kendrick of TensCare, who gave us a fantastic breakdown of three other highly
effective methods of pain relief.
By Harriet Kendrick
We have 5 x MamaTens Kits to give away to our lucky readers - worth
69.99 each!
For your chance to win, simply send your answer to the following
question to me at: info@babybuzzmagazine.com
Q We have two discount vouchers within this issue for either renting or
purchasing your own MamaTens Machine. On what pages are
they?
Good Luck and remember that if you arent one of our lucky winners, you can
still claim your special offer by entering the discount codes at checkout.
I gave birth to a beautiful baby
boy, William John, on 6
August this year. I I'm not sure
if youve seen, but if not
please turn to Welcome to
the World at the front of the
magazine to see a photo of
this cute little bundle of joy.
I hope you have read my
problem page over the past
issues, if not then a little bit of
background on me; I am a
Medical Herbalist working in
the North London and
Hertfordshire area. As a
Medical Herbalist I see
patients with many problems, ranging from hayfever right up to
complex cases with multiple illnesses. I use herbs in the form of
tinctures, teas and capsules to help correct imbalances and restore
and maintain good health. I work on the whole person so as well
as looking at the current condition I look at underlying causes and
issues which may be seemingly unrelated but will have an impact. I
then give advice and herbs in the form of liquid tinctures, teas or
capsules which are taken several times daily. I can work with acute
problems such as infections or slow burning issues, which you may
have had bubbling away for many months or years.
Herbalists used to fall under the category of alternative medicines
but in more recent years we have been promoted to
complementary that is that we work alongside, its not an
either/or decision. I consider myself to be integrative; that is I am
quite happy to work alongside your standard medicines or indeed
another therapy. So it came as no surprise to most of my friends
and family when I told them I wanted a full home-water-hypnobirth
experience with William.
My first son, Thomas, came into the world after 7 hours and 31
minutes, it was an amazing experience and I was thrilled to have
managed to get through my first labour so quickly, though it wasnt
without its difficulties. Everyone said that the second would fly out,
so I had no worries about labour with William, I had every
confidence it would be plain sailing and I could do it without pain
relief, in water and as holistic and natural as possible.
My waters broke on the 5 August with Meconium in, this means
that the baby has already done a poo whilst inside the womb, as
William was a week overdue this could have been because he was
overdue and simply ready to use his bowels, or it could be a sign
that the baby is distressed. So the standard medical protocol in this
situation is to induce labour to start to get baby out.
To be honest this idea had always filled me with dread; I had been
told that induction was more painful but not only the thought of
the pain, in this situation I was of course concerned that the baby
was distressed. Immediately this made me feel anxious and
completely out of my comfort zone, I am sure that my husband was
waiting for me to kick off about letting labour come on naturally or
not wanting intervention,
but I knew that the most
important thing was to get
baby moving sooner rather
than later, despite my initial
wishes.
So induction, yes an
interesting experience for
me, I decided pretty quickly
that I wanted an epidural. Hubby totally supported me (why would
he not, a hormonal woman in pain is not one you wish to argue
with), but the rest of my family were really shocked to hear my
decision.
Afterwards I asked them why and they all said being a herbalist and
hippy (their words, not mine, though pretty accurate) they had
not imagined that Id want an epidural. Well, I didnt want a
distressed baby or an induction either, but William clearly had
other ideas. My thoughts first and foremost were that I needed to
get baby delivered safely into the world as quickly as possible,
having had a tricky labour with Thomas, I know how my body works
and that when it came to push, I would struggle if I was exhausted; I
thought that conserving my energy to pushing was more optimal
than being a martyr and refusing pain relief.
The downside of an epidural is that its more difficult to push, or it
was for me. I ended up having an assisted delivery as Williams cord
was around his neck but he entered the world fine at 2.04am
making the most beautiful noise which I dont think I will ever
forget. I was wholly anticipating him being quiet and needing some
help breathing, which is common for babies who have done a poo
in the womb, but he didnt. I was handed this unbelievable bundle
of crying joy, wrinkly and pink and perfect.
It didnt upset me as I thought it would, to have had to be induced
and having a serious intervention with regards to pain relief I
spoke to a few herbalist friends and expected some disappointment
from them also, but they were also wholly supportive and had
pretty much the same opinion as me, that I was lucky enough to
have a beautiful, healthy little boy come into the world and it really
doesnt matter how they get there, just that they have arrived.
Having medical intervention is absolutely necessary on some
occasions and no one therapy should make you feel like you have
to make a decision between the two you shouldnt have to forego
follow up herbal treatments because youve had a medicalised
birth.
The bottom line is, that no matter who you are and what your
initial birth plans are, that things can change and you shouldnt feel
guilty or disappointed the way that things turn out; I thought Id be
beside myself if I had to choose an epidural, but I really wasnt. I am
a herbalist and all for the natural option, but its not always
possible and so the most important thing was that William came
into the world swiftly and safely.
Best of luck with your birth stories, I hope that they are as quick
and painless as mine, and dont ever forget the huge strength it
takes to grow, birth and raise a child so pat yourself on the back,
youre doing a great job xx
family
The Alternative Option
Tel: 07729 891 083 Facebook: www.facebook.com/jmherbalist
Email: info@jmherbalist.co.uk Twiiter: www.twitter.com/JMHerbalist
Website: www.jmherbalist.co.uk
Whats the most challenging thing about being a mum and being in the
public eye?
I dont really ever think about being in the public eye to be honest with you,
especially when it comes to parenting, thinking about it, I suppose it would
be you know quite often people want to have photographs with me or
autographs, which is fine, its happened all through my career, and people
are always happy to meet you, but sometimes if Im on my own with my
daughter I feel a little bit awkward because I dont really want my daughter
to be photographed and also if Im trying to avoid her being photographed
then I want to make sure Im not neglecting her, so that can be a little bit
tricky but other than that it doesnt really tend to affect us that much.
Thats good, as a lot of other celebrities choose to have their children in the
limelight and then trying to separate the two must be quite hard?
You know, before my little girl was born, myself and her dad made the
decision wed rather she wasnt in the public eye and you know there are
certain things you can do, as you see some celebrities have their children
photographed and the pictures are printed with the faces blurred out, but
it can get quite complicated. Basically you can do it to a certain point but
it does depend on how much you expose your children and you do get to a
point where you dont have that option anymore, but luckily enough weve
kept it quite private up to now. Ultimately, the way I feel about it, you
know, each to their own but personally for me Id like for her to make that
decision for herself.
What made you want to get involved with Human Race?
Well, I did the Womens Only event last summer and I jut had such a
fantastic day and Id never done an event where it was only women and the
atmosphere was so different to when theres guys involved. It was so
supportive, there were so many different shapes and sizes and age range
and fitness levels and it just wasnt an intimidating environment and I just
thought, you know women are so great at that you know and obviously we
have a bad press about supporting each other but on a day like that I think
especially with the womens only events being in aid of breast cancer care
as well, there was a real camaraderie and its so supportive that when
Human Race approached me and asked me to be involved this year I was
really happy to do so because I just think its something I really want to
publicise and try to get women involved because I think it can be quite
scary going into a competing environment when its something thats new
to you and this is definitely the gentlest way to do it, a great way to raise
money and you get fit, you have fun and you make friends, its really
sociable as well and I just felt it was a really lovely event. They are such fun
days, that once you get there, the nerves are there but its such a lovely
atmosphere that women will absolutely love it. Its not like youre
competing for your country , theres no pressure so its lots of fun.
How do you combine training, being on tour and being a mum?
Sometimes its really difficult and unfortunately its the first thing go as
obviously my little girl takes priority and then of course work but I suppose
working in music, Im quite lucky because I dont tend to work most
mornings so I Im always there for
my little girl, I get her off to school
and then Ill have a couple of hours
in the morning because I tend to
work more afternoons and
evenings so thats how I fit it in
although I have to say that this year
has been a lot trickier than it has
been over the last couple of years,
which is pretty daunting especially
when you have an event coming up.
Are you a competitive individual?
Yes, you know what I think I was more competitive when I was younger and
of course everyone likes to win but Im quite a novice and I find the best
person to compete against is yourself. Just do your best, I know that
sometimes you have your off days and Ive kind of learnt, that Im 40 now
so Im not as fit as I once was but its important to give yourself a break so
train hard and work hard and try and achieve great things but dont be so
hard on yourself.
What training advice would you give to mums who want to get back into
sporting activities and events?
Take it slowly. Starting is the hardest thing and whether its running,
cycling, swimming or any sport just say to yourself Im going to give myself
20 minutes and then with running you walk a little bit, run a little bit and
just build it up gradually. You know some days youll feel great and can go
longer and on some days youre just not feeling it and you know what,
thats cool. Basically, dont be too harsh on yourself. Especially as you get
older our bodies do take longer to recover especially
when youve hard children.
What does the next year hold for you?
Im touring with Jools Holland at the moment which is
really good fun and Im also in the studio working on a
new album which Im hoping will be ready sometime next
year, well thats the plan. Its early days, but Ive just
started writing and meeting new collaborators so Im
really excited as my last album was in 2011 so it will be
nice to get back out there and touring with my band again.
For more information on events coming up and to take part, please visit:
Website: www.humanrace.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/humanraceevents
Twitter: twitter.com/humanraceevents
For more information on Melanie C and to hear
about future tours and news, please visit:
"Former Spice Girl Melanie C, is an ambassador for Human Race Events' WomenOnly series and is keen to get more ladies into sport. She will
be taking part in the Shock Absorber WomenOnly Triathlon on 13 July and is also promoting the WomenOnly Run in Richmond Park on Saturday
18 October, for more information and to enter, please visit: humanrace.co.uk "
baby buzz magazine
We talk to
Melanie C, about
her role as
Ambassador for
HumanRaceEvents
baby buzz magazine
Since their creation in 2001, Win Green has responded to
parents increased desire to invest in quality made products
that truly stand the test of time bringing back old-fashioned
qualities, where detail and craftsmanship are the key
ingredients.
At Win Green, we believe that children should be encouraged
from an early age to explore their imaginations through play,
allowing them to use their own creativity to develop their
individual playing and learning skills
Created with love, passion and plenty of imagination, Win
Green has designed an enchanting collection of beautifully
embroidered and appliqud playhouses and accessories, full
of colour and creative detail. With themes that include a
traditional Toy Shop, swashbuckling Pirate Shack and
enchanting Princess Castle, youll be sure to find the perfect
backdrop to all the fun your children can have whatever
magical tales of make-believe they choose to explore!
Helping to support a worthy cause
Earlier this year, Win Green proudly announced their decision
to choose Haven House Childrens Hospice as their nominated
company charity. Haven House Childrens Hospice supports
families and cares for young people with life-limiting and life-
threatening conditions across North and East London, West
Essex and East Hertfordshire. Founded in 2003, Haven House
has provided a happy place full of laughter and fun where
children can go to live life as fully as they are able.
As a small company dedicated to promoting imaginative play
for children, it was only natural when choosing a charity to
support that our selection be wholeheartedly child-focused.
Haven House was the perfect choice! Kate Hudson, Win
Greens Brand Manager
Located in woodland in Woodford Green, Haven House has
cared for almost 400 children and families and provides
valuable support across the community.
Help support your local Charity
To help raise awareness and support this fantastic cause, Win
Green is running an online raffle throughout September, with
all proceeds going to Haven House.
Raffle Tickets cost just 2 each and the winner, to be picked at
random, will receive a fabulous Win Green Playhouse (in the
design of their choice) worth 200
What an amazing prize! For just 2 you could not only win
this fantastic item, but you will be helping to support this
wonderful local Charity!
Please help to spread the word by following Win Green on
their Facebook page and sharing this event with your friends
and family.
The raffle closes on the 30 September and tickets can
be purchased at www.wingreen.co.uk
Imagination-Inspiring Childrens Playhouse
I am so tired I want to crawl up my
own ass and have a nap. Yes, not the
first place that springs to everyones
mind as a retreat of choice.
However, I need somewhere, dark,
un crowded and most importantly
somewhere no one (namely my
small humans) would even think I
would be. A place they would be too shit scared to even look.
Ladies, I give you my asshole. The one place I will surely be safe from
the screams and demands of a tiny toddler, the wails of a hungry
newborn (who surely cannot STILL be hungry after being attached to
my boob 24/7) and the forever growing washing pile and sticky
fingered windows I can no longer see out of let alone summon up the
energy to be arsed to wipe clean.
Please someone, anyone, tell me when will this rational thought
destroying and soul sucking fatigue end?! When will there be a
differentiation between night and day? When will I stop telling the
time by how much my boobs resemble small heads wearing tiny
brown hats? And when oh when will my bottom stop looking like a
good place to stick my head up?!
I want (no screw that), I NEED to know that there is an end to this
torture. That my life currently made up of never ending nights and
fuzzy days will at some point start to resemble something of my
previous one. A life where 4am is not a lie in. In fact a life where 4am
can go fuck itself completely unless it involves me dancing my ass off
under neon lights after enjoying copious amounts of overpriced yet
deliciously potent cocktails. That is the only way 4am should EVER
exist in my consciousness.
Please tell me this. How the hell am I supposed to be able to keep
myself let alone a tiny being alive and safe if I dont even have the
energy to remember my own name let alone the time of the last feed
or where the hell I put the 2am nappy? I am sure the late night poo
parcel will turn up eventuallyNo doubt signalled by an
overwhelming urge to wretch as I catch an unexpected nose full of
the eau de turd my little one has perfected.
The life of a mum of a new born and lets face it of any sleep
depriving demon commonly known as our offspring, is one that
stretches out before us in one continuous fug (aka fuzzy fog) of
feeds, dirty nappies, swollen boobs, sterilising and pacing the hallway
all whilst fighting murderous urges towards your snoring partner
Oh, if you just had the energy to weight down that pillow over his
smug and peaceful face!
Lack of sleep and lusting after a full unbroken 4 hrs of it, consumes
our every waking thought which due to the nature of the bitch that is
sleepless nights means we are consumed by it 24/7. We post about it
on Facebook, discuss it on forums, resent those getting it and plead
to anyone who will listen to share any pearls of wisdom on how to
get our little ones to sleep for longer than two lousy hours at a time.
Oh, the golden chalice of a 4 hourly schedule. The joy of a 6:30am lie
in. The dare I say it (for fear it wont ever happen) unadulterated
pleasure of being able to get into bed knowing you will not have to
be out of it for a blissful 7 hrs. When oh when will you be mine?
I tell you when. Who the fuck knows oclock is when.
In the meantime peeps you know where to find me.
Want to discuss how you are feeling about being a mum, warts and
all, NO JUDGEMENT? Come join the No Bullshit Mum Revolution
and pop into The Confessional to chat to other likeminded and
straight talking mums, follow us on Twitter @thebabybible find us on
Facebook and join us on the closed Facebook Group by sending your
email address to Olivia@the-baby-bible.com All mums welcome!
family
Baby Sleep Deprivation Up my own Arse with Fatigue
Hot days, balmy evenings and plentiful harvests; this is a time
of year when the garden becomes ridiculously inviting. And
you can make the most of the last days of summer by
tempting the children outside with all sorts of activities.
1. Go blackberry picking along hedgerows - just make sure
you don't wear white!
2. Try drying your own herbs by hanging them somewhere
airy and warm
3. Use buckets and string up a line to create a garden
laundry and let the children wash their toys' clothes
4. Challenge the kids to a leaf hunt - finding at least five
different shapes. Older children can even have a go at
identifying each.
5. Hold your very own flower and produce show and invite
friends to bring entries
6. Attach an old white pillowcase to a circle of wire and
tape this to a bamboo cane to make a bug net to sweep
through tall grass.
7. Use natural objects to build a fairy house at the bottom
of your garden
8. Let the odd lettuce or radish 'bolt" (flower and set seed)
and leave old seed heads on flowers so the children can
collect these and create their own seed packets using
decorated envelopes
9. On a warm night, take old blankets outside to the
garden, lie on the ground and enjoy some stargazing
10. Make an ice bowl decorated with flowers and leaves
from the garden
Dawn Isaac is a garden designer, writer and
mother of three. Her most recent book is
101 Things For Kids To Do Outside published
by Kyle Books (RRP 14.99) and you can
follow her blog about gardening with
children at www.littegreenfingers.com.
family
The UK's leading baby and toddler swim school, Water Babies,
has announced the launch of a national competition to find the
nation's most inspiring young swimmers. There are no set
categories as the only criteria is that anyone nominated must
be a child who has done something amazing when it comes to
water.
Perhaps your little splasher saved their own or another child's
life after they got into trouble in the water. Maybe your child
can swim an impressive distance at a young age or are the
youngest on their county squad. Or perhaps they have raised
lots of money for charity in a swimathon.
Paul Thompson, co-founder of Water Babies, says: "We teach
41,000 babies and toddlers to swim every week so it's safe to
say we are the biggest fans of this nation's little splashers! We
want to give Little Heroes the credit they deserve and
encourage parents to get their own little ones water safe from
as young an age as possible, so they can do great things too."
Although the awards are set to celebrate positive swimming
stories, the inspiration for the awards is a very serious matter.
Research commissioned by Water Babies this year revealed
that half of parents surveyed said they didn't believe their child
could save themselves if they got into trouble in the water.
Paul explains: "Our research showed that the average age
children start swimming lessons is four years old and 40% of
children haven't had a lesson by the age of 12. But swimming
lessons can actually can take place from birth, in fact, our
youngest pupil was only two days old. Over the last few years
a dozen of our pupils have saved themselves from drowning,
some of whom were just two years old."
To nominate a child in the Water Babies Little Heroes Awards,
email their full name, age, story and your contact details to
littleheroes@bwpgroup.com by Friday 22 August. Each winner
will receive a Water Babies Little Heroes trophy and a bundle
of toys from Mega Bloks, the UK's number one preschool
construction toy brand. Water Babies classes are available
throughout the UK.
To find your nearest class and to keep up-to-date on the
latest baby swimming news, please visit:
www.waterbabies.co.uk
www.facebook.com/waterbabiesuk
www.twitter.com/waterbabies
news and reviews
Nominate your Little Heroes to
make a splash in national awards
Parents using the summer holidays to get
their children into swimming will be pleased to
know that Monkey Swimmers has launched a
range of fun and educational swimming aids.
Leading on from its award-winning monkey
swimming armbands the Monkey Swimmers
range now includes swim discs, swimming noo-
dles and animal swimming floats. All swimming
aids have been designed with safety in mind
and have been created to appeal to children
and ensure maximum comfort. Since the launch
of Monkey Swimmers, Monkeys Inc Limited has been keen to develop its
product offering and become the number one choice for fun, funky and
educational swimming aids for children. The original Monkey Swimmer, is
an armband designed to be the only one a child will ever need, with three
detachable layers that can be removed one layer at a time, a storybook and
progress chart. Monkey Swimmers are available to buy for 19.99 including
delivery. Perfect to help young swimmers improve their skills and boost
water confidence are the Swimming Floats. Available in a choice of three
colours and three cute cheeky animals, including a frog, panda and hippo.
These super streamline kickboards have a handy grip position to enable
ease of use. Priced at 7.99 including delivery. Check out our review in the
October issue where we are giving both a trial - cant wait to see just how
good these are!
www.monkeyswimmers.com
Beach Dragons, the Swedish children's UV-
protection swim- and beachwear brand, has
brought out fabulous new children's bikinis
ready for this summer. As usual, the line has
UPF 50+ UV-protection and is perfect for
parents who want to keep their children safe
out in the sun this summer - on holiday and
at home. This season's styles have an
adjustable halterneck strap, are made in our
own fabric designs (UPF 50+ of course) and
are available in ages 3-12 years. Our ruffle-
neck style is available in our fabulous purple
turtle collection. Our bandeau ruffle bikini top is available in our Blossom,
Butterfly and Turtle Paisley collections (see attached images). Bikini tops
and bottoms are 26 each. Team bikini tops with matching bottoms or put
tops with 'pirate pants' and bottoms with rash guards for more protection.
All fabrics used in the collection are tested according to the strict Australian
Standard AS/NZS4399:1996 and come with UPF 50+ protection, meaning
98% of the sun's harmful UVA and UVB radiation is blocked out. For families
lucky enough to get out into the strong sun closer to the equator, it is even
more important to protect their children.
Beach Dragons swimwear is available from stockists across
Europe and online at www.beachdragons.com
news and reviews
We had the opportunity to review the latest upgrade from the Mamas and Papas
Armadillo, the Armadillo City recently and have to say we loved it as much as we did its
predecessor. I love the fact that just because its become more city friendly they didnt
sacrifice the ample shopping basket underneath. The Armadillo City is certainly easy to
maneouvre and to be able to get in and out of areas where regular strollers might fail
was a great benefit.
The Armadillo is incredibly easy to open and close and certainly collapses to an
impressive size. We were really impressed with the vibrant colours available as well as
the more subtle black and Blue Indigo colours to choose from, but for the purpose of
our review we picked our signature colour, Lemon Drop Yellow, which was noticed
everywhere we went.
The Armadillo isnt as widely recognised as other strollers which is such a pity as its a
great product to have right from birth which would save you a fraction of the price of
purchasing an expensive travel system, when guaranteed in 6 months or so most parents
choose to purchase something smaller and easy to handle having become fed up of
pushing something heavy and cumbersome around. As is typical of Mamas and Papas
they have an array of gorgeous accessories to compliment the stroller so you can look
even more chic when out and about. A great price at just 179.
A well recognised and trusted brand, Mamas and Papas are certainly at the top of their
game with the Armadillo City.
Baby Buzz Rating:
****
The slimline big little stroller.
A comfy second stroller with an ultra-compact frame, specially designed for city spaces.
We know that you want your second pushchair to be smaller, without losing any comfort.
And that if you live in the city you'll have even more tight spaces to squeeze into. That's why
we've created the ultra-compact Armadillo City. We've squashed a surprising amount of
wriggle room into the amazingly narrow and lightweight frame, so you can carry on squeezing
onto busy trains and bustling cafes as normal, while giving baby a comfy ride. And when
you're home it folds away to an unbelievably small size with one hand in just 3 seconds.
That?s twice as fast as any other lightweight stroller out there.
There are loads of lightweight strollers out there, but most of them have really complicated
umbrella folds that slow you down. The Armadillo City lets mums and dads choose a smaller,
lighter option, without sacrificing on wriggle room or ease. The City has one of the smallest
footprints out there, so it's even easier to squeeze in and out of all your favourite
destinations. And then when you're finished you can fold it away with one hand in no time
- 3 seconds in fact. Age Suitability: Birth - 15 kg, Weight: 7kg, Size: H:99 x W:50 x L:94cm
approx and Folded Size: H:71 x 50 x L:24cm approx.
Why Buy Me:
Wriggle room - big seat designed to let them stretch.
Ultra compact - unlike long umbrella folds, it's ultra-compact so much easier to handle
and store.
Smooth Rider - smaller wheels and front and rear suspension for a nippier, smoother
city ride.
Unique Easy-fold technology - folds and opens in seconds with just one hand.
For more information, please visit: www.mamasandpapas.com
news and reviews
The new Easylife stroller from RECARO ticks every box.
RECARO introduces Easylife, a range of eye-catching strollers that will brighten up the
streets this summer. Combining innovative construction and ingenious features with
bright block colours and sleek black lines the Easylife stroller is already receiving rave
reviews.
Following research into parent priorities which found that a third of families own three
or more prams / strollers and as many as 1 in 12 families has owned more than five,
RECARO is confident that the Easylife will tick every box.
When making the first purchase, parents are attracted to the practical elements with
price, handling and weight accounting for 45% of the vote. Less than 10% of parents
look for a particular brand and only 3% prioritise colour or pattern. However, more than
1 in 10 dads rank gadgets over anything else.
RECARO found contrasts with the second purchase, usually a stroller for an older baby,
where price becomes less important and mums are more concerned with everyday
practicalities, finding 39% prioritising weight, size / compactness and handling. Dads
show a sway towards aesthetics, with gadgets, colour and brand all increasing in
importance.
As a second purchase for older babies (suitable from approximately six months) the
Easylife stroller is sure to be a big winner with parents looking for an eye-catching and
practical solution. Block jewel colours and a sporty double stripe footrest adorn a super
lightweight 5.7kgs frame. The smart one handed fold and reopen system takes the
104cm high stroller down to a compact 59 x 27 x 50cm box that will fit neatly info the
boot of any car. The multi-position recliner, tall handlebar and 8 wheel spring loaded
suspension system ensures a comfortable ride for parent and toddler.
The Easylife stroller is widely available at independent nursery stores, with a highly
competitive RRP of 189.00.
For further information, please visit: en.recaro-cs.com/stroller-details/easylife
When RECARO say that this ticks all boxes they are not wrong! I got this for my 18 month
old daughter who is small for her age and had been slumped in her previous buggy with
little support and always looked a bit uncomfortable, in the Easylife she sits up in a great
position and can also recline back when she needs a nap. The padded headrest and
seat are nice and squishy and the harness is easy to get on and off and do up securely,
it also sits nicely over her shoulders so its not too close to her neckline. It is so
lightweight and folds up into the smallest size Ive ever seen a buggy go to and the
benefit is that it can then stand up unaided unlike the umbrella style buggies. It fits in
the boot of my Mini Countryman with ease and leaves me with half the boot space left
over. To fold and unfold is so quick and easy, you definitely dont need a degree in
putting up a buggy with this one. My friends have been astonished at how it folds and
all want to have a go. Pushing this little gem around is so fabulous, it almost glides along
and the parent handle is a comfortable height for both me and my husband who tops
6ft. The basket underneath comes in handy and the sun hood folds over really nicely.
I cant sing the praises of this buggy high enough, if you want a small, lightweight, easy
to use buggy then you have got to get the RECARO Easylife stroller, its a fantastic price
and you wont be disappointed! I would give it a definite 5 out of 5 stars any day of the
week!
Baby Buzz Rating:
*****
news and reviews
Joie is proud to introduce the brand new i-AnchorSafe System with i-Size, certified as the first
UK-certified i-Size seat, and the only i-Size seat truly suitable from birth! Suited for children from
birth to approximately four years, it includes the i-AnchorFIX base which accepts the Joie Gemm
and Juva infant carriers and the i-Anchor rearward and forward facing child seat.
What is i-Size?
i-Size (or ECE R129) is the name of the latest child seat safety regulation. It came into effect in
July 2013 and provides extra protection in several ways, most notably by requiring mandatory
rearward facing travel for children up to 15 months instead of the minimum of weight of 9kg,
which the previous EU regulation advised, approx. 9 to 12 months and implementing the first ever
side impact standardised testing requirements, providing better all-over protection in a collision.
This sits alongside safety campaigns which reveal tests showing children are significantly safer
when travelling rearward facing for as long as possible, and supports Joies other child seats in
the market, which promote rearward facing usage up to 18kg. Joie has been quick to respond to
these changes in regulation by developing the i-AnchorSafe System with i-Size as we recognised
the need for changes in testing that ECE R129 provides using the latest Q dummies. Prior to the
new i-Size standard, Joie had already been campaigning for rearward facing-longer travel with
their 3 other car seats already being sold on the UK market, all offering rearward facing usage up
to approximately 4 years, including: Tilt, Steadi and Stages.
i-AnchorSafe System
Designed using the most sensitive crash test dummies, the i-AnchorSafe System carries the
Joie philosophy to rear-face for longer to ensure the safest way to travel. The i-AnchorFIX base,
when used along with the i-Anchor child seat meets and exceeds the new i-Size standard allowing
rearward travel up to approximately 18kg/4 years. The iAnchorFIX base, offering a quick install
with either ISOFIX or a vehicle seat belt provides a rock solid installation. A support leg provides
ultimate stability with multiple shock absorption layers along the leg and within the base, while
3 colour indicators ensure proper fit. It also offers a 7-position on-the-go recline for maximum
comfort.
i Anchorchild seat
The i-Anchor child seat features exclusive multi-layered memory foam to give three layers of
protection to the head during impact, while deep padded sides shield little ones. It includes a
customisable insert which adds security for the smallest users. The removable layers of infant
support offers a custom fit for any sized child and the multi-height position headrest and five
point safety harness adjust simultaneously requiring no re-threading of the harness. The inner
shell is steel reinforced, keeping the seat strong and resilient during impact, and the rebound bar
offers added safety in rearward facing travel. It can be switched from rearward to forward facing
with a quick single-button activation.
Recommended RRP
i-AnchorFIX base 100 | i-Anchorchild seat 160
For more information, please visit: www.joiebaby.com
Ever since I reviewed the Joie Aire+ travel system in the first issue, I knew that I would be a fan
of Joie. Combining affordability with practicality and style means that every product we have
reviewed so far has been up there with the very best. Ive had the benefit of reviewing many car
seats over the last 20 issues and Im confident enough to say that this is one of two favourites.
The ease in which the Isofix connects to the car is fantastic, its been known that Ive struggled
with a few other Isofix fixtures before, yet this was one of the most straight forward to install,
adjust and fit the chair seat into. It is the seat unit that really strikes me as impressive as the space
and comfort in which Lillie fits into is something else. As a larger than average 3 year old weve
sometimes struggled to find something she can sit properly into and yet this one she sits perfectly
and with the little footrest in front she looks completely at ease wherever we go.
Of course, one of the biggest benefits to the I-Anchor is that it can be used for rearward travel up
to 18kg/4 years old, and as any professional will tell you, this is the safest way for a child to travel.
I loved the colour indicator to let me know that the seat had been installed correctly as Id always
worried before that perhaps they werent secure enough, with this its a simple case of click and
go. As ever, I am seriously impressed with the Joie brand and the high standard of products they
have launched. Very pleased with our I-Anchor car seat and would highly recommend it to
everyone!
Baby Buzz Rating:
*****
news and reviews
Fun Times Ahea
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www.illuminatedcanvas.co.uk - from 55.95
An incredible personalised gift for boys and
girls! The materials used are top quality and
the end result certainly lights up a room!
www.plumproducts.com
119.99
Unique open front wooden dolls house with
three themed storeys that feature veterinary
surgery with animal themed reception area,
beauty salon and modern studio flat. Made
from responsibly sourced timber, the Plum
Plaza Wooden Dolls House is strong and sturdy
and stands at over 1m tall, giving plenty of
space for children and their friends to play. The
Plum Plaza Wooden Dolls House is supplied
with thirteen wooden accessories, including
bed, sofas, wardrobe with doors that open and
close, hairdressing chairs, dressing table with
mirror, operating table and reception desk and
four wooden animals. Children will love
spending hours rearranging the furniture and
acting out their own play scenarios. The ease
in which you put this together is excellent! Lillie
absolutely loves it, with almost every small toy
having been rehoused from her toy buckets
to each floor! We have endless amounts of fun
with and cant wait to buy more accessories.
Perfect for every little girl (aged 3+)!
www.happyhopperz.co.uk
21.99 +P&P
Oh my gosh, the most incredible amount of fun
for 2 - 5 year olds! What started with my
little girl being terrified of it has now turned
into her not ever coming off it! It gets taken all
around the house! Great fun at great value!
Please make one for 30+ year olds!
www.legofriends.co.uk
from 9.99
Six exciting and colourful sets, aimed at girls
aged five 12 years, combining the classic
LEGO building experience with the chance to
enjoy role play, encouraging creativity and
stretching imaginations. Very much enjoyed
by an avid 13 year old who loves the creative
games! Great price, looking forward to trying
the other sets.
www.argos.co.uk - 12.99
Having the ultimate Peppa Pig fan, you can just
imagine how this went down! There are 4
different gameplays which make it great for
even the youngest child to learm the concept of
peek-a-boo and hide & seek. She absolutely
loves this and we often find our taking pride of
place in the dolls house seen below! Great fun!
The Hide & Spin Monkey is fun! Pop the balls
in the top of the Monkey's hat and he counts
and then hides and all the balls fall out of the
barrel and spin at the bottom before rolling out
of whichever exit is open. My 18 month old
loves to see him hide and chase the balls across
the floor. A good toy at a reasonable price.
www.smythstoys.com - 39.99
www.toysrus.co.uk
15.99
The Sort 'n Giggle Lunchbox that lets your little
one have lots of fun sorting the fun food shapes
into the respective slots as well as playing
different melodies. A great way to keep your
little one occupied whilst learning hand eye
coordination whilst learning at the same time.
Flip open sandwich for more food identification
and fun - great game to take out and about!
Go Create is an innovative arts
and crafts range which is
exclusive to Tesco. The
collection offers a wide choice
of crafty makes; from the Rocket Bottle Jet Pack
and galactic Snack Pot Robots; the cute Egg Box
Bug Garden and the adorable Snack Pot
Princess Desk Tidy. A great way to teach our
children how to use everyday household
objects to be creative! Brilliant!
www.tesco.com/direct - 3.50
www.galttoys.com - 8.99 each (ages 3+)
Absolutely love how different these puzzles
are from the norm! Funny Face Sticker Puzzles
allow children to make funny faces by putting
together the face puzzles of different
characters, then using stickers to create lots of
faces. The Traffic Jam Puzzle is an extra long
10-piece floor puzzle featuring a traffic jam
with different vehicles to talk about and a horn
sound button. Endless fun at a great price.
Introducing the brand new exciting product set to stretch your
imagination. Unique life size friends for kids to play dance and hug. Soft
and cuddly, Stretchkins make exercise and dancing fun. The feet and
hands of the Stretchkin easily attach onto the feet and hands allowing
the Stretchkin to be stretched to life size and move with you. Perfect as
a play buddy, a travel companion and a gift. 4 amazing characters
available: Frog, Elephant, Puppy and Unicorn.
Lillie loved cuddling this as it is super soft and thought it was very funny
how you could stretch it all over the place!
www.argos.co.uk
19.99
news and reviews
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Available at: www.boots.com
and other retailers
6.99 (ages 3 - 7)
The Rockabilly Kids toothbrush, from Stand Up
and Smile, claims the title of Europe's first
self-standing toothbrush. This innovative
product has been approved by dentists and is
without doubt the most hygienic brush in the
bathroom! The cleverly designed toothbrush
will never topple over and stands out from the
crowd. Lillie loves her pink toothbrush and so
our routine is made that much easier as shes
having fun at the same time! Great value and
comes with a 3 free replacement heads.
www.project-b.com - 14.99 per month
An incredible gift either to yourself, for a loved
one or expecting friend. Ive had the chance to
review many boxes but none of them have
been as great value as this. What an incredible
little surprise pick me up for yourself each
month! Our review box was incredible and
packed with lots of great goodies! Love this!
www.carnationfootcare.co.uk
10.50
As another year of school
begins, PE classes and after-
school sessions at the pool are
sure to increase the
occurrence of verrucas and
warts. Carnation Footcare's
new Verruca & Wart Remover
Freeze Spray removes
verrucas and warts with just
one application, rapidly freezing the affected
area. This leaves feet free-from warts and
veruccas within 10-14 days.
To help relieve the symptoms of
colic, Nelsons is launching NEW
Nelsons Colica Colic Granules, a homeopathic
medicinal product used within the
homeopathic tradition for the symptomatic
relief of colic. Nelsons Colica Colic Granules
contains a unique formulation of a 30c potency
of natural Citrullus colocynthis and Dioscorea
villosa. Nelsons Colica Colic Granules costs
5.80 and is available from Boots.
www.boots.com
5.80
A very gentle natural balm with no essential
oils to heal and soothe the pain of nappy
rash and dry skin. Contains Yarrow to
balance baby's skin and natural oils and
Chamomile to make baby feel relaxed and
sleepy. Massage the nappy balm gently into
clean skin.
My three year old suffers from rashes often
and this has worked wonders, soothing what
can become quite sore. I have used it on dry
skin and sore feet and my daughter who
suffers terribly from dry elbows and arms.
This works really well for nappy rash and Im
glad it doesnt have any hidden chemicals.
A great all rounder cream that works for
many different ailments.
Its Competition Time!
We have a 1 x natural nappy balm to give
away to a lucky reader! For your chance to
win, please answer this question and email
me at info@babybuzzmagazine.com:
Q: What are the two main ingredients in the
nappy balm to make baby feel relaxed
and sleep?
http://wildmedicines.co.uk - 8.00 (50g)
www.boots.com / www.superdrug.com
7.99 each (all ages)
SwimSeal, originating in South
Africa, has been uniquely
developed by Ear, Nose and
Throat (ENT) specialists to
prevent water getting trapped
in the ears, which can cause
discomfort, pain and can even
lead to Swimmer's Ear.
SwimSeal's unique formulation contains tea
tree oil and medical liquid silicon and are the
only drops in the UK market, which naturally
coat the ear canal.
BrightStart is a brand new
Vitamin D3 which contributes
to brain, eyeand heart health
as well as central nervous
system, bones, teeth,
immunity and muscles. Unlike
other children's vitamins,
BrightStart is free from
Preservatives, Alcohol,
Sweeteners, Sugar and Artificial colours and
flavours. Available from all good health stores
and at www.questexcellence.com
www.questexcellence.com
7.99 (ages 1 - 5 years)
Over 70% of the body's immune
system is concentrated in the
intestine, that's why it's so
important to top up your friendly
bacteria with probiotics. ProVen
Probiotics are the most clinically
researched probiotics brand with
over 6 blind studies to their name. Top up your
child's friendly bacteria to help maintain
immune and intestinal function with ProVen's
new chewableblackcurrant Child Probiotic with
A-Z Multivitamins.
www.provenprobiotics.co.uk
5.95 - ages 4+
www.amazon.co.uk
39.99
This is just brilliant! Having bought a similar product when my
little girl was tiny, we realised she could tilt sideways and pop
straight out of it - complete waste of money! Having tried this,
however, with a friends baby, I was amazed at how sturdy it
was and how safe she was in it! This allows your child to
engage more in playtime, join you at the dinner table, and take
in a whole new view of the world. It provides the support that
allows babies to sit up. With 2 modes of use, Baby Base 2-in-1
is designed for use on the floor or it can attach safely to a
dining chair for use as a booster seat - making it perfect for
playtime, dinner or travel (there is a 3-point harness for
safety). Baby Base 2-in-1 comes with its own tray which stores
beneath the seat. The foam insert provides extra cushioning
and can be removed when necessary.
Anovias 3-in-1 range contains a unique blend of
essential oils that work in harmony to stop these
creatures in their tracks. All of the products are
manufactured in the UK using 97% naturally derived
ingredients. Head On contains tea tree, eucalyptus
and neem oil, which derives from the
evergreen neem tree in India and acts
as a natural insecticide. So not do
they deliver strong protection against
head lice, they are also gentle enough
to be used in place of everyday
haircare.
Anovia Head On is available at Poundland, Savers and
Boyes stores nationwide at 1.49 each
news and reviews
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www.berrywhite.com
www.waitrose.com - 1.59
At BerryWhite we like to enjoy what we eat
and drink. Treats don't have to be naughty to
be nice! All our drinks are certified organic
and blended from natural non GM foods. The
exotic extracts are also organic (naturally),
with subtle flavour notes added to make drink
combinations that appeal to every palate.
With such lovely ingredients we don't need
any sugar, fruit extract or artificial
preservatives. (Awesome!) Oh, and each
bottle is one of your five a day, making
BerryWhite an even easier and delicious way
to stay healthy.
We were sent a sample of the Guava and
Cranberry and it was amazing! Packed full of
natural flavours, it really was refreshing and
a great way of boosting your 5 a day!
www.alassala.co.uk - from7.99
We all love to spread a little peanut butter on
our morning toast, but if you're looking to add
an exotic twist to your nutty snacks, then
Alassala has just the thing you need. The Berber
tribes' answer to nut butter, Alassala's Amlou
Paste is a traditional Moroccan food that can
be used as a spread or a dip for bread or
crackers. Also known as Argan Spread or Argan
Almond Butter, the prestigious paste has long
been used as an integral part of Moroccan
pastry making, and is sure to become a staple
in UK kitchens too.
We reviewed the Argan Almond Butter and Oil
and oh wow, the flavours are sensational.
Imagine the smooth nuttiness of almond butter
on hot toast, it really was something like youve
never tasted before! The oil also provides a
fantastic gentle flavour any dish and we used
our sample within 4 or 5 days! A really
refreshing way to add a distinct flavour to your
cooking. Check out their website for recipe
suggestions, they will leave you drooling!
Vivesoy launched a range of soy drinks in the
UK last year and has quickly become one the
leading brands with six exciting flavours for all
the family, including Chocolate, Vanilla,
Cappuccino, Original, Unsweetened and Light.
They have already gained numerous accolades
for the taste of their products and, more
recently, been praised for producing their
drinks in a nut free environment.
When we were given the opportunity to try out
the different flavours of the soy drinks created
by Vivesoy recently, it was with some
trepidation as Ive never really been a fan of
soy products. I have to confess that I was
pleasantly surprised at just how tasty they
were! The strawberry, vanilla, light soy and
unsweetened flavours were delicious and we
really enjoyed them as a family, we did find the
chocolate flavour a little too sweet for our
liking. However, we wouldnt hesitate to buy
the flavours we did like again, a big thumbs up
from us!
www.vivesoy.co.uk
Available at Tesco, Waitrose and health
stores and online from Ocado
Myyfeed Baby Formula Mixer works by allowing you to store the
required amount of hot water in your bottle and up to 9 scoops of
formula in the powder dispenser. Attach them together and store
inside the insulated flask to keep the hot water in the bottle warm
for hours. To make a feed you simply press the push button to allow
the formula to fall into the hot water and mix. The insulated flask
also doubles up as storage for food jars & bottles for expressed or
cows milk, keeping them hot or cold.
The Myyfeed is very easy to use and is a great way of providing your
baby with a warm bottle of milk. I would have loved to have one of
these when I had my little girl as she refused to drink cold milk and
would refuse her feed if it wasnt warm enough! It is worth noting
that baby bottles are NOT included although the Myyfeed is
compatible with Myyfeed & Tommee Tippee bottles. A fun but ever
so useful bit of equipment to take with you when out and about!
www.myyfeed.com- 19.99
Id seen Oxo Tot products at numerous baby shows
and often stopped by the stands to enquire into
certain products as they are all of super quality and
often the most essential products that you need for
your children. We were thrilled to review two of
their products for this issue being the Twist Top
Water Bottle and the Flippy Snack Cup. The Twist
Top Water Bottle was perfect in every way and
catered towards both my 3 year old and 13 year old.
As it is larger than your average sippy cup, it holds
that much more water so you can be sure that your
child is getting an adequate enough amount of
water. The twist mechanism is very smooth, unlike
a few recently tested, and was easy for everyone
who used it. A definite must that we take out with
us as it is sealed tight when twisted shut and we
dont get the usual spills! We also recently visited
family outside of London and they have a young
child who uses these constantly. His mum often
complained that the lids on the other cups would
come off resulting in food ending up everywhere.
So when we gave her the Oxo Tot Flippy Snack Cup
she was keen to put it to the test. She absolutely
loved it and more importantly so did her little boy.
He had great pleasure in taking it around with him
all day, enjoying his dried snacks. A great success
on both counts and Im looking forward to reviewing
more of their products in future issues.
www.oxouk.com
from: 6.00
Many older women spend months, if not years, trying for motherhood, then endure an anxious pregnancy wondering
if they are eating and exercising properly. Fitness expert Suzy Clarkson has been there. Her first pregnancy at the age of
38 was relatively trouble-free, but trying to get pregnant again a few years later was very different. Following fertility
treatment, she finally gave birth to her second child at the age of 45. Qualified in physiotherapy, Suzy has now devised
a practical guide to assist older women through their pregnancies, using her own experiences of motherhood to support
her text. This easy-to-follow fitness programme will take you through each trimester, showing suitable exercises and
suggesting how to develop healthy habits to achieve a safe outcome, a successful childbirth and a speedy recovery
afterwards. The book is fully illustrated with step-by-step photographs showing the exercises in detail. The information
she provides is based on the latest research, and is endorsed by leading specialists in obstetrics and fertility.
Fit for Birth is an incredible culmination of tips, advice, exercise all the whilst following Suzy through each trimester of
her second pregnancy at the age of 45. The fact that it is a real time account of what she does and advice she gives
makes this one of the most insightful, honest accounts Ive read to date. I would say that whilst it does say a guide to
women over 35, I think it would be extremely helpful to all expecting mums.
www.exilepublishing.co.uk
12.95
Author: Suzy Clarkson
In this ground-breaking and provocative book, award-winning journalist and parenting author Tanith Carey presents the
latest research on what this contest is doing to the next generation. She explains why, far from making our children more
go-getting and successful, it can back-fire with life-long repercussions, damage their emotional well-being and fracture
their relationships with the very people who love them most: their parents. In this essential manual for todays modern
parent, Tanith offers parents practical, realistic solutions that will give them permission to take their foot off the gas and
reclaim a more relaxed family life. Packed with insights, experts tips, real experiences and resources, this book is a timely
guide to safeguarding your childs well-being in a competitive world so they can grow into the happy, emotionally
balanced people they really need to be.
This book takes a whole different approach to your average parenting book. At first glance I thought it would just be
about how parents tried too hard and pushed their children beyond achievable expectations. It actually goes a lot deeper
than that and covers many potential issues that I, for one, am guilty of. It was when I started reading about Bella that
I started to relate to what was being said. A truly incredible book that parents everywhere should be reading. We could
all learn a thing or two.
www.constablerobinson.com
8.99
Author: Tanith Carey
Today's families are busy families, with parents juggling jobs, lifestyle and growing families. This book shows you how
to manage your time whilst still providing healthy home-cooked meals for your growing family.
The emphasis of the whole book is on planning and making the most of all the time-saving appliances you have at your
disposal in the kitchen.For example, whilst the Sunday roast is cooking, you fill the cooker with cakes and savouries to
last you the week.The roast chicken leftovers are used to make a chicken pie, curry or stir-fry.Make use of your freezer
- it takes no more time to double up a recipe to make 2 or 3 extra portions, creating your own store of home-made ready
meals.
An amazingly accurate reflection of the busy family with great, easy recipes that arent over elaborate and that you can
read through knowing you will like make them all!
www.constablerobinson.com
9.99
Author: Sarah Flower
www.louisefultonkeats.com
www.hardiegrant.co.uk - 20.00
Author: Louise Fulton Keats
Louise has a degree in paediatric nutrition and is known as a resident expert in baby and child nutrition on many
Australian television shows, including The morning Show. In her book, Louise emphasises the importance of the
transitional stage where solid foods are introduced to a baby's diet. Parents are understandably conscious of salt/sugar
content and, whilst they may feel they have better control cooking home-made meals that are simple in both
ingredients and flavour, this can also lead to food being less exciting and adventurous. Louise is on hand to offer some
guidance and to help parents ensure that their children get a diverse and varied diet at every stage during their
development.
A great recipe book but packed with over 80 recipes, slightly more adventurous than the book above, but just as tasty.
I love that there are tips on how to adjust servings to suit babies and toddlers and the nutritional advice to you cater
to the needs of every member of the family. Definitely a book I will be taking recipes and suggestions from!
MOLLY GOODALL is a designer with a background in childrenswear, toy design and fine art; she holds a BFA in
FashionDesignfromParsonstheNewSchoolfor Design.Frustratedwhenher two-year-old refused to wear the
hoods on his coats, she began to design and sew animal coatstoinspirehimtoputonhishoodinthecold.
Thisledtothe2010launchofherwhimsical kidsclothingrange, LittleGoodall, andladiesrangeMrsGoodall.Molly
livesinTexaswithher husbandandson.Visitherwebsiteandblogatwww.littlegoodall.com.
A fantastic book for all our creative readers out there! The designs in Wild Things to Sew and Wear are just stunning
with incredible step by step detailing. The book also contains a CD with patterns for sizes from 18 months to 6 years.
I would love to be able to recreate the clothing that is featured in this book. Now to find someone to teach me. Watch
thisspaceScheduledforreleaseon2 October I would highly recommend it to all of my readers who love to make
clothing, the designs are so unusual yet children of all ages will love them!
www.franceslincoln.com
www.littlegoodall.com
14.99
Author: Molly Goodall
I recently caught the end of a Dragons Den programme and it just so happened to be the one where
two men were asking for 100,000 investment for a stake in their company, Lost My Name. I had been
impressed by the concept behind it then and so by sheer coincidence when their PR company contacted
me to ask if I would like to review one, I jumped at the chance. For those unaware, Lost My Name is a
beautifully depicted, personalised book like no other, packed with brilliant stories and the most exquisite
illustrations. But the real magic lies in the personalisation. Each child is given the first letter of each
characters name, finally putting together their own. Every name creates its own unique, personalised
tale, featuring a dazzling cast of different characters. Lost My Name is the most magical of all. Their
books, entitled The Little Girl Who Lost Her Name and The Little Boy Who Lost His Name, tell the
story of a child who sets off on a marvellous adventure, to track down all the missing letters of their
name. Lost My Name was written by BBC comedy writer David Cadji-Newby and illustrated by respected Portuguese visual artist Pedro Serapicos.
Each book is printed on thick, environmentally-friendly paper and bound by hand. Suitable for children aged 2-7.
We absolutely love this book and even though weve read it over 20 times in the space of a few weeks, it is a book we will continue to love,
cherish and eventually add to our keepsake box. I still cant believe that the books are so reasonably priced, they are such an incredible gift that
you will cherish for ever.
As we have such a large section on helping parents and children as they either start school or go back to school,
we thought it would be useful to review books that could help with the transition. We were sent a selection of
books that are part of the First Time series, called 'First Time: School', 'First Time: Nursery', First Time: School
Trip and First Time: Sports Day which introduce children to the new experiences they will face with lively
illustrations and conversational text which encourages further dialogue. The stories are very simply written but
in a way your little one will be able to follow. As the authors say young childrens lives are full of new
experiences, and these books help make them more enjoyable and rewarding. The books are very reasonably
priced at just 4.99 each and would be a great benefit to any parents.
www.lostmy.name | 18.99 | Author: David Cadji-Newby | Illustrator: Pedro Serapicos | Ages 2 - 7 years
www.childs-play.co.uk | 4.99 each | Authors: Jan Lewis & Jess Stockham | Ages: 3+
Something smells funny ... what can it be? Wait, hang on a second, is it a DOG? Is there a dog in this book?! Oh no! Tiny,
Moonpie and Andre are SCARED of dogs! Dogs are snappy and yappy, smelly and noisy and ... they HATE cats. So, they
all try and hide from him behind the couch, under the piano, in the wardrobe but when the little doggy finally finds
them, well, they simply can't get enough of him! He is really very soft. And they want YOU to love him, too go on, just
give him a little cuddle. We loved reading this book and searching in all the hidden flaps trying to find dog! You can make
this as animated as you want and we have many giggles reading this together. Great for all the little animal lovers out
there.
www.walker.co.uk | 11.99 each | Author: Viviane Schwarz | Ages: 3+
Skullabones Island Pirate Post features six envelopes filled with pirate correspondence and memorabilia! Captain Cutlass
is returning from his annual holiday and the Skullabones crew need to make The Leaky Tub shipshape sharpish, as well
as throw a 'welcome home' party for the captain. But their rivals, The Stinkyfish Gang, are determined to thwart their
plans. With pirate memorabilia to discover and open in six fun-shaped envelopes, this is the perfect gift book for all little
pirates! The fun shaped envelopes bring the whole book to life and we loved discovering what was inside! Love this!
www.ladybird.com | 12.99 each | Author: Richard Dungworth | Ages: 3+
This fun-filled sticker activity book is packed with activities to keep little ones busy. Join Captain Cutlass and the Skullabones
crew on-board The Leaky Tub as they sail the Seven Seas. Help the crew navigate the tricky seas towards Dead Man's
Cave, battle the Stinkyfish Gang and have a midnight pirate jig on deck. Full of spine-tingling activities and spooky stickers,
this is the perfect sticker book for all little pirates out. An incredibly fun activity book full of things to do - the stickers
went down particularly well. Some of the activities might be a little old for a 3 year old, but certainly 4+ would have more
fun with this. Good all round though and fantastic value for money!
www.ladybird.com | 3.99 each | Author: Dick Crossley | Ages: 3+
Posy feels lonely in her new house. She doesnt know anyone, and worries about making friends. One day, whilst exploring
the garden, she comes across a red boat. Posy and her dog George have lots of fun in the red boat. They decide to visit
it one night when they cant sleep, and thats when something magical happens... Another delightful picture book from
the talented and popular Hannah Cumming, with an underlying message about confidence and friendship. This story is
perfect for little ones about to embark on their journey to school and a great way that parents can teach them the
importance of making friends and trying to settle in. Highly recommended for pre-schoolers and families with young
children.
www.childs-play.com | 5.99 each | Author: Hannah Cumming | Ages: 4+
From a major new picture book talent comes a deceptively simple and exquisitely illustrated picture book about a little boy
and his bear and finding a place called home. Told with humour and warmth, this is a story to capture the heart of its reader.
What this story does is capture the heart of anyone who reads it, it is written in such a beautiful and tender way, that you
cant help feel for the characters. One that often gets read before bedtime. One of our favourites this month!
www.penguin.co.uk | 11.99 each | Author: Sophy Penn | Ages 5 +
Edward Lear's classic poem, The Owl and the Pussy-cat, beautifully illustrated by Charlotte Voake and introduced with a
foreword by Julia Donaldson. Edward Lear's classic poem has delighted readers of all ages for generations. It is given new
life by Charlotte Voake's exquisite illustrations in this beautiful new edition. Introduced by a foreword from world-renowned
children's author and Lear devotee, Julia Donaldson, this is a book to be treasured by Lear fans both old and young. This is
such a beautiful poem that will collect many more loyal readers upon its release, how can you fault something so beautiful.
www.penguin.co.uk | 10.99 each | Author: Edward Lear | Illustrator: Charlotte Voake | Ages 5 - 8 years
When a large number of yellow plastic ducks come bobbing down the River Ripple, Barley is sure they mean trouble in the ninth
Railway Rabbits story by bestselling author Georgie Adams. Meet the Railway Rabbits! Join the irrepressible Longears family
as they get in and out of scrapes, meet new friends, and perform daring rescues. But Burdock the buzzard and the terrifying
Red Dragon, are always on the lookout for naughty rabbits who stray too far from home When a large number of yellow plastic
ducks come bobbing down the River Ripple, Barley is sure they mean trouble! Heartwarming, hilarious, with Anna Currey's
charming illustrations, this is a brilliant new animal adventure series from a best selling children's author. Very well written in
a way to capture the older childs imagination. A great step up for children wanting something to read that is a little more
challenging.
www.orionbooks.co.uk | 4.99 each | Author: Georgie Adams | Illustrator: Anna Currey | Ages 7 - 11 years
Meet Mr Monkey, who belongs to Class Two. He's more than just an ordinary toy. He's magic! No one can quite remember
now how long he's been at the school or where he came from, but once a week one of the children has to take him home
and write a diary about their time with him. Ben can't stop Ian from Class Five taking his things. But when he's given Mr
Monkey to look after, Ben finds out that Mr Monkey knows lots of clever tricks to cure Ian of being so mean...A very nicely
written story, easy to follow and plenty of fun illustrations that children will love. The story could have been written to teach
that it was wrong to bully and maybe make a gentle point about what to do if it did happen but overall a good book.
www.orionbooks.co.uk | 4.99 each | Author: Linda Chapman | Illustrator: Sam Hearn | Ages 5+
A picture book of great beauty and hope about the power we have to transform our world. On a mean street in a mean
city, a thief tries to snatch an old womans bag. But she finds she cant have it without promising something in return to
plant them all. When it turns out the bag is full of acorns, the young thief embarks on a journey that changes her own
life and the lives of others for generations to come. Inspired by the belief that a relationship with nature is essential to
every human being, and that now, more than ever, we need to renew that relationship, The Promise is the story of a magical
discovery that will touch the heart and imagination of every reader, young and old. With poignant simplicity, honesty and
lyricism, Nicola Davies evokes a powerful vision of a world where people and nature live in harmony. And Laura Carlin's
delicate illustrations capture a young girls journey from a harsh, urban reality to the beauty and vitality of a changed world.
A truly thought provoking story that has been written with much thought and vision, another of our favourites where a
story can touch the hearts of everyone who reads it.
www.walker.co.uk | 6.99 each | Author: Nicola Davies | Illustrator: Laura Carlin | Ages 5+
Where will Willys imagination take him next? Once a week, Willy walks through an ordinary-looking set of doors and
straight into an adventure. Where will those doors take him today: to a mysterious desert island with footprints in the
sand; down a deep, dark rabbit hole full of curious objects; or perhaps on board a pirate ship, face to face with Captain
Hook? Wherever he ends up, Willys journeys begin when he walks through those inviting doors. The illustrations within
this book are just incredible and I love the way the story has been written so that each page ends with a question and gets
your childs imagination running wild. Brilliantly written and this creates a story that can change each time you read it!
www.walker.co.uk | 12.99 each | Author / Illustrator: Anthony Browne | Ages 5+
This is a beautiful first collection of poems by two-time Kate Greenaway Medal-winner Shirley Hughes. In this wonderful
collection of poems, Katie and her little brother Olly romp through the changing seasons, taking pleasure in the different
elements and weather conditions - sunshine, wind, rain, mist, snow...From the joys of the seaside to the miseries of the
sickbed, this exuberant volume captures to perfection the world of childhood. It is a beautiful gift edition of the classic picture
book, with a new introduction by Shirley Hughes. We loved this selection of poems as they were all new and unique to both
the children and I, written perfectly we will enjoy reading these over and over.
www.walker.co.uk | 12.99 each | Author / Illustrator: Shirley Hughes | Ages 3 - 7
With perfect pacing, the multi-award-winning, best-selling team of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen dig down for a deadpan tale
full of visual humour. Sam and Dave are on a mission. A mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they
keep digging. And they find ... Nothing. Attentive readers will be rewarded with a rare treasure in this witty story of looking
for the extraordinary - and finding it in a manner you'd never expect. An all-new story from the award-winning team of Jon
Klassen and Mac Barnett. A humorous look at the pleasures of outdoor play and its often surprising rewards. The interplay of
text and art makes this a great read-aloud. Very much a book that all the family will chuckle at, still smiling when thinking
about the storyline.
www.walker.co.uk | 11.99 each | Author: Mac Barnett | Illustrator: Jon Klassen | Ages 5 +
When young Daisy Dobbs starts as a scullery maid in a grand house, she works as hard as she can to try and please her kindly
employers. But her greatest day comes when disaster strikes, and only Daisy can save the day. I loved reading this to my
little girl whose just 3 and she loved it almost as much as me. I would love to see this written as a feature length book as the
characters and the circumstances would be perfect to turn this into a full story and help us understand how people lived and
how things have changed so much over time. Loved, loved this book!
www.walker.co.uk | 12.99 each | Author: Shirley Hughes | Ages 5 + (but I would recommend it from 3 +)
A beautifully illustrated treasury of charming animal stories written by members of Mumsnet and Gransnet and chosen by a
panel of judges led by former Children's Laureate, Anthony Browne. This delightful and unique treasury features ten
prize-winning stories written by members of the popular parenting websites, Mumsnet and Gransnet. Chosen by a celebrity
judging panel, led by former Children's Laureate, Anthony Browne, and including Miriam Gonz lez Dur ntez, Lucy Mangan and
Justine Roberts, these are warm and witty stories, written by parents, for parents. Each of the stories is gorgeously illustrated
by a talented new artist, making this the perfect gift to be treasured at bedtime. The ten winning stories were chosen from
the 635 entries for the Walker, Mumsnet and Gransnet annual writing competition. What an incredible collection of stories,
all so different and yet all blending in to create an amazing compilation. The illustrations are stunning, you can be sure you
wont find anything else quite like this. Brilliant!
www.walker.co.uk | 12.99 each | Ages 3 +
Hi, my name is Sarah and I love
to draw! I have done since
forever, especially horses
and foxes. Please do get in
touch if you would like a
commission piece. I I am
inspired by the magical and
fantastical, especially my
beautiful family who I couldn't be more
proud of. Please visit my website to see the variety of
options we have available for prints, cards, colouring books,
paintings & collage, sewing and bike / scooter ribbons.
Website: sarahlovellart.co.uk
Email: sarah@sarahlovellart.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarahlovellart
baby buzz magazine - car reviews
Id seen a lot of advertising for Kia and have always been curious about
what makes it stand out from other motor vehicle brands, so when I was
contacted and asked if I would like to review the latest in the Carens range
I jumped at the chance. It was upon delivery that I first got the WOW
factor, it is a seriously impressive looking vehicle with lots and lots of
space, therefore the epitomy of the perfect family car! Ive reviewed
many vehicles packed with gadgets galore and whilst they did give me the
model packed with additional extras it really did stand out from the rest. I
was eager to test this so had the car seats installed and my little one
strapped in all ready for driving around within about 10 minutes. One
thing I noticed is that it is bigger than I had initially anticipated and having
not driven many large vehicles, I expected to struggle a little with
manoeuvring about and admittedly parking, but all of these fears were
completely unfounded and I found myself fitting into the smallest of
spaces with relative ease. The additional extras in this model were
certainly great but I have to say, that after returning this to Kia, we
actually hired one for a long road trip a few days later which was a very
basic automatic model which was as impressive as the one previously test
driven. The handling of the Carens is super impressive and the comfort
whilst driving is luxurious, heated leather seats were an added bonus
especially as the evenings were getting a little cold. As you would expect,
space is fantastic, with 7 seats and the adjustability of switching from 5
seats to 7 seats is so simple and with little storage compartments located
everywhere it lacks nothing. Considering the size of the Carens, it picks up
speed in no time at all and can reach a whopping 119 mph (not that I
chose to test that out!). There are also three types of motor driven power
steering from normal, comfort and sport modes. Child safety features are
also paramount with the Carens with Isofix child fixtures and child safety
rear door locks as standard. Our model also came with a 7 touchscreen
satellite navigation, USB and AUX ports, external amp and sub-woofer and
bluetooth with voice recognition and music streaming, the first of which
was very useful in getting us to friends who lived outside of London. A
must mention is the amazing warranty that Kia offer with its vehicles. All
versions are protected by a seven-year, 100,000-mile transferable
warranty, Kias industry-leading demonstration of faith in the quality of its
cars. For retail customers, Kias Care-3 and Care-3 Plus inflation-proof 3-
and 5-year servicing packages are available. All work is undertaken by
trained technicians using genuine Kia parts and approved oils. The
servicing packages are also transferable if the car is sold before they
expire.
A definite must for our readers to consider and one I would definitely buy
for myself, the Carens definitely took me by surprise and I loved driving it!
On the Road Retail Price: 24,845
A complete surprise!
Engine Capacity (litres/cc) 1,685 (4 cylinders / 16 valves)
Power Output (PS @ rpm) 134 @ 4000
Max torque (lb ft / rpm) 244 @ 2000 ~ 2500
Top Speed 119 mph
0-60 mph (seconds) 10
Fuel Economy Urban 47.9, Extra-urban 61.4,
Combined 56.4
CO2 emissions (mpg) 132
Warranty All versions are protected by a seven-
year, 100,000-mile transferable
warranty
Baby Buzz Rating: 9.5 / 10
Additional extras for the Carens:
7 Touchscreen satellite navigation
Rear Seat Entertainment Cradle
Rear Parking Sensors
Universal Handset Mount
Aluminium Roof Rail Cross Bars
Rubber Mat Set - Tailored
Boot Liner
Ice & sun screen
17" Alloy Wheel
Cargo Separator - Lower Frame
Thule roof box - Ranger 90
Rear bumper protection foil (Clear)
Special occasion maternity wear label Tiffany Rose has unveiled its
autumn/winter collection, available now online, saturated with
dazzling deep pinks, berry reds and rich dark hues evoking an
bygone elegance which is sure to turn heads. With brand new
silhouettes, waistlines and prints as well as updates on some
signature Tiffany Rose styles the collection offers effortless
elegance as the nights start to draw in and the party season hots
up.
Made in Britain using the highest quality fabrics, Tiffany Rose AW14
has a firm art deco influence featuring 30s shapes, geometric prints
and early Hollywood charm. The palette has become warmer with
the addition of blackberries, mulberries, amarettos and
cappuccinos, and even has a light dusting of glitter in the new Night
Sky jersey fabric used in the Francesca and Galaxy gowns.
With 22 new styles the collection guarantees that for any special
occasion - whether its a drinks reception, a romantic dinner, a
glamorous soiree or an office party - Tiffany Rose has an outfit to
suit all stylish mums-to-be.
A firm favourite with celebrities and royalty alike, Tiffany Rose has
been worn by the likes of Jacqui Ainsley, Katie Piper, Holly
Willoughby, Myleene Klass, Sam Bailey, Kate Silverton, and
Princess Madeleine of Sweden.
Many of the Tiffany Rose dresses are accompanied with a signature
sash to complete the look. Customise your dress with an
understated satin sash in one of many colours to choose from, or
opt for an adorned sash for extra embellishment. A diamante sash
with pink tails adds a touch of sparkle and is a luxurious finishing
touch.
To view the new collection please visit:
http://preview.tiffanyrose.com/aw14
baby buzz magazine - maternity wear
Berries, deep pinks and dark hues play starring role in Tiffany Rose AW14 collection
Autumn sees Tiffany Rose's
signature Amelia style updated
in a rich Blackberry. Intricately
crafted lace drapes with over a
soft stretch jersey lining. A
flattering boat neck and elbow
length sleeves combine with
the classic cut to make this
design demure and elegant
adding style throughout
pregnancy and beyond.
Dusky blooms come
into play with newLara
dress in Midnight
Garden featuring a mid-
length skirt and under
bust twist detailing.
Also designed in
alluring Bijou, the high
quality jersey of this
dress elegantly drapes
and never clings.
The brand new mid-length
Francesca dress
incorporates ruching detail
to hug and contour curves in
all the right places. In both a
rich Mulberry and the new
Night Sky this design has a
deep V neckline and a cross-
over bodice to flatter a
growing bump.
This season sees the
introduction of a new
LBD with the Adele, the
epitome of understated
elegance. Featuring a
sequinned neckline and
cuffs the look is pure
vintage starlet with just
a hint of 60s styling.
The inverted waistline
of the Luella shift
dress is designed to
elongate and
streamline the body
delivering a perfectly
smooth silhouette.
Available in Bright
Rose and Amaretto.
The full length
Kristin gown with
deep V neckline
and flutter sleeves
features a delicate
lace overlay and
comes in dusky
Wisteria. A
bejewelled satin
sash cinches at the
waist and finishes
off the look.
The full length black
Aurora gown with
diamante detailing
certainly gives the
wow factor. A deep
V to both the front
and back shows just
the right amount of
flesh and
accentuates a bump
beautifully.
offers and savings
The CupCake organic, washable nursing pad epitomises the bond
between mother and baby. It transforms a typically utilitarian
product by utilising beautiful fabrics and imagery that celebrates
breastfeeding. CupCake Nursing pads are thin, contoured and
perfectly designed to be discreet under clothing. The CupCake
nursing pad is engineered to absorb moisture away from the body,
for a dry, leak-free experience.
This well-made, patent pending, reusable, nursing pad has a
pocketed solution to allow for liners to be added, which increases its
absorbency to suit a womans flow. Up to two liners can be added to
customize the nursing pad from light to medium or heavy flow, thus
enabling an All in one Nursing Pad solution for breastfeeding
women.
The introductory CupCake nursing pad campaign uses the concept of
pairs; a fun creative take on conception and breastfeeding. Sample
packs have been created imagery of eggs, milk bottles, ice cream
sodas and grapefruit on exquisitely anointed, 100% re-cycled
cardboard packaging, to help reinforce the eco-friendly nature of the
product.
From now until 19 September 2014, Cake Lingerie will be giving its
valued customers the opportunity to experience the CupCake
Nursing pads. With every bra purchased from Cake Lingerie and
participating stores, you will receive a free pack of CupCake Nursing
Pads (whilst stocks last). Buy CupCake Nursing Pads from Cake
Lingerie UK stockists or online at www.cakelingerie.com
CupCake Nursing Pads
All-in-One Washable Organic
CupCake 2x pairs of light nursing pads RRP 9.90
CupCake 2x pairs of liners RRP 5.90
CupCake 3x pairs of light nursing pads + pad pouch RRP 16.90
Healthcare advisor - Your son is booked in for his BCG on 4th August.
Me - Oh? But I haven't booked him in for this?
Healthcare advisor - Its all been taken care of.
Me - But I haven't even thought about whether I want my son to
have jabs?
Healthcare advisor - It's mandatory for your son to have these if you
want him to remain well and healthy.
This was the conversation I had when my son was just 3 weeks old.
Pretty stifling and if I have to admit, scary that the decision of my
sons health was taken out of my hands. In all honesty I was pretty
annoyed with the indoctrinating tone and guilt that was placed on
me for even thinking there was an option to jabs/immunisations. An
angry mum doesn't make for a peaceful baby so, if like me you have
experienced frustration and impatience on such a subject, please
check out the breathing exercise, Chandra Bedhana Pranayama, in
the yoga section. It seems that the beginning of a babies life is full of
needles and immunisations. Whilst I completely appreciate
vaccinations have helped eradicate some pretty awful diseases and
I've had them with no adverse side effects (contrary to what my close
friends and family think!), I do feel we as parents need more
information on this subject AND that our right to act as parents
shouldn't be taken away from us in such a manner.
My very first experience with the jabs came with from midwife and
how I would like my child to receive the vitamin k shot upon birth;
orally or injection? At first my husband and I didn't want it at all. But
after discussing with friends and much (Google) research it appeared
necessary, so we opted for the oral method, much to the raised
eyebrows of the midwife. Do the NHS currently have an abundance
of needles they need to get rid of or are all the Midwifes a little
masochistic?! Unfortunately, after 5 days of labour and an
emergency c section, Rafferty had to have his vitamin k shot injected.
I found it interesting that the doctors had time to read to me the
terms and conditions, possible side effects and got me to sign said
T&C's whilst I was sucking the life out of the gas and air machine
before being wheeled into theatre for the c section, but no
explanation was given as to why my baby had to have the vitamin k
shot injected?... The second round of injection drama came with
the 5-in-1 immunisations. It was horrible watching Raff's little face
crunch up in pain, but he settled pretty quickly. Before the nurse
administered the jabs (1 orally and 2 in each leg - jeeeeeezzzz!), I
explained to Raff what was happening and kept talking to him
throughout. As much as I hated doing it, I gave him a very small dose
of calpol 30 mins before as advised by a handful of friends. I was
feeding him a warm bottle, which I gave to him after in the waiting
room after lots of cuddles and this also served as a distraction. The
side effects from this were a nasty cold. He was really congested and
found it difficult to breath (which I must admit sounds harrowing
upon hearing for the first time). I was advised by the pharmacist to
take Calpols newborn nasal douche (which Raff really didn't mind
after he got used to it), which was great for drawing out all the
congestion. The week after the injections, try not to plan too much.
Stay indoors and let baby rest as well as yourself. Their routine may
take a bit of a knock so this is a perfect time to get lots of love from
mum and reinstall said routine. And then we come to the BCG. With
TB on the rise again and living in London, Raff's chances of catching
this nasty disease were quite high, so we went to his appointment.
Unlike the other injections which are easy to administer as they go
into the muscle, BCG is injected just under the skin. I had to hold
Raff to me in a vice like grip with my hand restraining his head, which
he immediately didn't like and did his best to escape! Again, talk to
your baby and tell them what is happening. Even if they don't know
what's going on, your soothing voice is a distraction. Keep talking to
them or as I did practice Brahmaree Breath (which is the honey bee
breath described in the yoga practice section) which Raff loves and
always soothes him. We're now awaiting the side effects of the BCG
which take 4 weeks to manifest, but he seems absolutely fine at
present with him settling back into his routine.
So, do you or don't you? I've heard horror stories and I've got the
experience of personally knowing jabs did nothing to hurt me. What I
do feel is that the government needs to educate us more on this
subject and allow us to feel that we do have some input in this
matter. I don't think anyone can know what a baby thinks or feels
when having their jabs, all I do know is that when comforting my
gorgeous little baby after he had each of his vaccinations, when they
are crying and scared (don't feel a thing, no?), is that it was all worth
it and will be if benefit to a healthy happy future.
family
Immunisations - Do I/Don't I? Should I/Shouldn't I?
YOGA - LESSON EIGHT
Yoga Practice
Chandra Bedhana Pranayama (Moon Piercing Breath) When you
find your temper frayed in any situation, try the above breathing
exercise. Sit in a chair or on the floor, relax the shoulder and place
your middle and index finger of the right hand between the
eyebrows. Close your right nostril with your thumb and inhale
through the left nostril. Then close the left nostril with your ring
finger and exhale right. Continue this until you feel calm and
relaxed.
Bhramaree Breath
I love this breath! I used this whilst pregnant with Rafferty and I
now use it to soothe him and get him to sleep. Very simply push
the tongue into the roof of the mouth, exhale and hum. The
vibrations are soothing to your child but also great for you,
especially if you suffer from headaches/migraine, sinus congestion
and insomnia...... You've just had a baby so of course you have
insomnia!
Abi Adams
Oolong
07951 101 049
www.loveoolongtime.com
home & furnishings - must haves
At Worlds Apart, we help families make the most of growing up. By
constantly discovering new ways to bring the best ideas together, we
create childrens lifestyle products that give kids and parents more, so
every day is full of wow. Its all because
We listen and learn. And what we hear shapes our work. By putting
the everflexing needs of todays families first, we stay smart and make
sure our products spread smiles.
Were in it together. Through collaborative thinking we connect with
our team, our partners and our customers, so we can keep making
products kids love.
We think beyond the toybox. From products to processes, we draw
inspiration from the wider world around us, injecting creative energy
into everything we do.
We search out new ideas. We thrive on curiosity and explore every
opportunity, technology and experience with skill, sharing what we
find to make family life even better.
We want to help. Whether its the families who buy our products, the
partners were working with or the bright talents who make up our
team, we care about delivering great value, quality and support across
the board.
We love the difference play can make to daily life at home, so we use
it wherever we can. Being playful stimulates our thinking, puts punch
in our lifestyle products and gets everyone smiling.
We call it the Worlds Apart way. It helps us see the world through
parents eyes, find a fresh perspective at every turn and put kids first
so everyone wins.
For more information and
to find your nearest
product retailer,
please visit:
Disney Princess Castle
Pop n Play Tent
Peppa Pig GoGlow Night
Bright Light
Planes Sling & Store Peppa Pig Storytime Toddler Bed Doc McStuffins My First ReadyBed
Cars Speed Circuit Cosy-time
Toddler Bed
Disney Planes Get Up N Glow Thomas The Tank Engine
Flip Out Sofa
travel
The Bucklers Hard attraction on the banks of the Beaulieu River has
welcomed visitors to watch the traditional hand-raising of the timber
framework for a replica 18 century shipwrights workshop.
The framework creates the main structure of a building, which, when
completed, will open as a Shipwright School, which will be run in
partnership with the International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC)
in Portsmouth, where traditional shipwright skills will be kept alive at a
local, national and international level for the restoration of iconic historic
ships and to support the boatbuilding industry. The project has been
funded by the Beaulieu Estate with help from the National Park
Sustainable Development Fund. The framework is the result of many
hours of intensive manual labour by apprentices, students and skilled
carpentry experts, who have taken part in specialist timber framing
courses on-site at Bucklers Hard since March. Everyone who has worked
on the project was invited to return for the raising on August 2, which
used a gin pole, blocks and tackle to lift the frame.
Mary Montagu-Scott, the daughter of Lord Montagu, who has led the
Shipwright School project, said: I am delighted that this long planned
project has finally come to fruition. It has been a unique build in that it
has been totally hand-made, using traditional methods and original tools,
from the timber of approximately fifty estate trees grown less than a mile
away from the site. The whole build was overseen by Henry Russell, a
leading expert in 18 century building and timber framing who runs
courses all over the world. Students from all over the UK as well as The
Netherlands and Italy, joined by apprentices from the construction
industry, have had the opportunity to learn traditional timber frame skills
from an expert in the field. The building will be completed in the next
few months and welcoming its first students in 2015.
At the end of the day there was a traditional topping out ceremony with
a leafy oak branch placed on the topmost wooden beam. Mary Montagu-
Scott swung a rope to break a bottle of 40 year old Beaulieu ros wine
from Lord Montagus cellar a traditional sacrifice to the gods of timber
framing. Visitors on the day could also watch a range of carpentry-
themed demonstrations and activities, including hewing and sawing and
wattle and daub demonstrations. Children could try their hand at peg
and trunnel (tree nail) making and peg doll dressing. Adding to the
atmosphere, re-enactors brought along a selection of 18 century
costumes for visitors to dress up in, there were lively tunes and sea
shanties from costumed seafaring musicians and Living History characters
brought this 18 century shipbuilding village to life, playing the part of
real Bucklers Hard residents of the past.
www.bucklershard.co.uk or telephone 01590 616203
New Shipwright School is Raised
Investment of more than 130,000 into a four star camping,
touring and holiday park in North Norfolk has seen a 41% surge
in bookings so far this season. Owned by the Gurney family,
Forest Park lies in 100 acres of Cromer woodland and was first
opened in 1967 after overgrown heath and woodland was
converted into a touring caravan park. Today, the park
accommodates 250 tourers, motorhomes and campers and
employs 45 people. Two cottages, a wilderness campsite and 500
wooden lodges and holiday homes complement the park with
facilities including an indoor swimming pool, shop, bar and
restaurant.
Due to a rising trend of people buying holiday homes, 52 touring
pitches have been converted into The Dell, a dedicated area for
static caravans and wooden lodges over the past five years. With
sales of holiday homes increasing by 50% over the past 12
months. Investment has also been made into improving park
lighting and grounds and refurbishing the swimming pool
changing rooms regarded by Visit England as a major
enhancement. A new website, video and PR and marketing
campaign has also been created to raise the profile of Forest
Park.
Park owner Deborah Gurney says: The 2014 holiday season has
got off to a fantastic start and we are significantly ahead of our
2013 turnover. We have just been awarded a Gold Award by Visit
England again and it is lovely to see the place buzzing! Speaking
to other hoteliers and tourism bodies, I think confidence has
returned to our sector and we have certainly noticed a rise in
people booking shorter breaks but returning several times a
year.
The park is making further investment by renovating its
clubhouse and improving the parks infrastructure later this year.
And the owners plan to make Forest Glade, a field opposite the
main campsite offering a wilderness experience, a permanent
fixture in 2015. Deborah continues; We have won a Bellamy
Gold Award for Conservation each year since 2001 for helping
wildlife to flourish and reducing energy consumption. I think the
peaceful nature of our park appeals to people who want to get
away from it all and then extend their holiday experience with
children or grandchildren by purchasing a home.
The Gurney family owns the 1000 acre Gurney Estate, including
Northrepps Cottage Country Hotel, a 3 star hotel and restaurant,
close to Forest Park.
www.forest-park.co.uk
Strong start to season for Forest Park, Cromer
Owners Simon and Deborah Gurney outside holiday homes on
The Dell at Forest Park, Cromer, which has seen a 50% rise in sales
over the past year.
Parents across the UK are striving to make the most of their time
together. However its not just worries about what to do with the
children although almost one in five (17 per cent) admit they lack
inspiration. New research among families reveals that one of the main
things to obstruct that quality time is actually disagreements about
what to do together (26 per cent). The research of 1,000 parents and
500 kids for the Butlins Family Fun-damentals Report uncovers that
over one in ten (12 per cent) find keeping the harmony within the family
gets in the way of this time, and one in 14 families (7 per cent) end up
doing something no one wants to do during their time together.
So to give families a harmonious helping hand, Butlins has teamed up
with leading psychologist Dr David Holmes to devise the formula for
the perfect family day based entirely on the research of 1,000 parents
and 500 kids:
Perfect Family Day = (FT+TP) x (TA+NA) - W
T E
The research behind the formula reveals that surprisingly - the whole
family agree on what makes a perfect day together, uncovering that it
takes place on a beach, with trip to a fairground, on a sunny day. The
ideal day would also involve 11 laughs, six cuddles and five kisses.
However where the generations differ is in how much time to spend
together the majority of children (21 per cent) would want to spend
1-2 hours with their parents, whereas the same amount of mums and
dads want to spend 5-6 hours with their little ones despite the
potential differences of opinion. Despite this disparity on what to do
during days together, the research found that a quarter (27 per cent)
of mums and dads feel they do not enjoy enough days as a family and
interestingly their children agree, with two fifths (40 per cent) wishing
they had more days to spend together regardless of the problems they
involve. One in ten parents (12 per cent) admit to feeling guilty that
they dont spend enough time with their kids with the average being
seven days of quality time together per month.
Parents actually wish they could spend 10 days or more which
equates to an extra five weeks per year, the same amount on average
that a working parent gets on leave. When the family does get
together, 26 per cent of mums admit they find it difficult to relax with
one in 20 (five per cent) taking at least half a day to relax so that they
enjoy themselves fully. It seems that mums are the ones to take family
squabbles to heart, as a quarter of dads (26 per cent) slip into relaxation
straightaway. Another major difference of opinion on days together
is around capturing those precious moments, with almost half of
parents (44 per cent) wanting to snap at least eight family. However
almost two thirds (64 per cent) of kids would only tolerate up to seven;
which could explain why almost one in ten (seven per cent) parents
say that their family days are ruined by no one wanting to be in photos
and a similar amount (nine per cent) of children saying their parents
taking photos gets in the way.
Dr Holmes said: Its clear that families want to spend time together
but the array of personalities and interests in any family dynamic means
there is unlimited potential for people to disagree on everything from
the weather through to what they eat. This formula is designed to give
families a helping hand to get the best they can from their time
together and what you learn from one day can help you make every
other day together equally as special.
Butlins MD Dermot King adds: Weve been helping families spend
precious days together for almost 80 years and we know that time
spent together is a gift, which is why our resorts provide a wide range
of things for families to enjoy doing together. The formula will come
in handy to ensure there are harmonious times ahead and everyone
can be kept happy.
www.butlins.com/preciousdays
travel
The formula for finding family fun
Breakdown of formula:
FT=Family interaction time (amount of time you spend together)
NA=Number of Activities you do together
TP=Types of Places to visit (TP)
E=Emotional Expression (number of times you laugh and hug as a family)
TA=What types of activities you do
W=The Great British weather
T=Amount of technology you use together (as a negative factor)
Our four chickens are
so much more than
quirky pets, in a
couple of months
together they've
changed my child,
imbued our home
with the distinct
flavour of an idyll and
gone straight to my
heart. When they
arrived Pretty Feather
was the victim of bullying by White Feather Knight who had been
pecking her (pretty standard stress induced behaviour where they
pluck feathers from each others necks, presumably prompted by the
move, but); it's distressing and painful so my breast instantly swelled
with sympathy and she took her place as my favourite. It transpired
that she was uniquely happy to be handled so I cuddled her for hours
at a time and my youngest who's the definitive 'terrible two'
developed a brand new aspect to his personality. Initially he was all
screaming excitement and leaving toys in the coop for the chickens
to play with, even climbing in himself but after seeing how the
chickens would eat from my hand he started following my lead. Now
he can be quiet and express his affection with a hitherto unknown
gentleness, it's sublime seeing his smile when he manages to get a
bird to eat from his hand and it's spilled over calming him down
generally. Unfortunately Pretty Feather didn't last long, one morning
I found her with her head stuck under one of the two lengths of
wood they have to perch on where she'd either suffocated or
snapped her neck... A little research revealed that this is not
uncommon, chickens... Get their heads stuck in stuff. That was
really sad and probably a lesson that I shouldn't get so attached. But
I can't help it.
Chicken Little was of ambiguous gender when we took custody but
his posture was just a little less matronly and the comb and wattle
(the red bits that they all have under their chins and on top of their
heads) just seemed ever so slightly too big to belong to a hen. When
he started trying to mount Lovely Feather (yeah, my eldest was
pretty formulaic in the naming!) any doubt was erased. Shortly after
that he began practising his baby cockadoodle which was just
adorable. He's become quite vociferous now and at times I flinch
beseeching him not to upset the neighbours because he'll have to be
re homed if he does but I suspect we're probably ok because he only
does it when he sees the light and their coop is in the garage so I'm in
control of that and don't let them out till a respectable hour. The
other thing about having a cock is that
once they come of age all your eggs are
fertilised. You can actually tell because
inside the yolk is a germ spot: in an
unfertilised egg it's just a tiny white blob
but in a fertilised egg it becomes a ring.
You can eat them. They're 'nutritionally identical' and don't begin to
develop unless they're incubated. All you have to do is get used to
the fact you're eating a single cockerel sperm and why should that
bother you if you can eat the egg? I've found it challenging and my
partner hasn't touched one but they must be eaten to justify Chicken
Little's place here. He is so funny, he hates people, running like a
nutcase if you come too near him, he'll even fly a good six foot in the
air in escape- and his relationship with Lovely Feather is entertaining
too, they're inseparable but she's feisty, charging with wings
outstretched at his perennially over keen advances. Plus right now I
need his input. Being involved with White Feather Knight over the
last month has blown my mind. She is broody which means that
she's just desperate to have chicks. She's not laying. She just sits in
her nest box all day, comes out once for food/drink/toilet although I
take extra refreshments in to her because broodies only take 20% of
their usual calorie intake which takes a toll on them and she's already
been at it longer than she should have been. Originally I let her sit on
several eggs despite intuitively knowing that Chicken Little wasn't
quite old enough to have fertilised them because her desire for
chicks was just contagious. The usual response is to 'break your
broody' which just means repeatedly picking them up and putting
them outside till they give up but I couldn't do it! If she needs a baby
I want to help her. So she was sat on these eggs then I followed
some advice and moved the nest on to the floor because her box is
raised so her chicks could hurt themselves falling once they hatch but
she wouldn't take up the new nest. I'm glad that I worked out how
to check the germ spot and now know for sure that they were laid
before we were getting fertile eggs because otherwise those chicks
would have died. She's sitting on a couple now in her original nest
box and I'm going to try to modify the door with some cardboard to
stop any chicks falling because chickens are consistent, she left the
nest after I moved it last time so she would do it again,so I have to
make her family safe where she is. This role of chicken doula is
fantastic, I love fussing over her and being part of this process that I
know will fulfil her.
It's already been a roller coaster but so worth it, they're part of the
family and they're a relatively undemanding part that brings great
contentment to the rest of us. I can't wait for the chicks to hatch, it's
gonna be magic.
family
Mother Hen
By Elizabeth Hobson
THERES A NEW HERO IN TOWN
Cadbury saves the day with a new super Hero!
At last the rumours can be rested, and righteousness
revealed! Cadbury Wispa is officially joining the ranks of the
Cadbury Heroes team, making this motley mix of Cadbury
Miniatures stronger than it has ever been. Made only greater
by teaming with our small but mighty heroes, Cadbury Wispa is
ready to join Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel,
Cadbury clair, Cadbury Fudge, Cadbury Creme Egg Twisted,
and Cadbury Twirl in giving a biff to the baddies of blanks, and
a Kapow! to the creeps of craving. Getting swept off your feet
has now never been easier as newly appointed Cadbury Wispa
will be flying in to save you in every carton of Cadbury Heroes.
With 1 in 3 people in the UK enjoying Cadbury Wispa*, this is
heroically good news for the Nation.
Zap yourself some Cadbury Heroes before they disappear
Available in supermarkets nationwide!
Lets step back in time to 2007 when first-time parents Adam and
Sinead Murphy were trying to get their new born baby to stay asleep
Baby Rose wanted to sleep, but each time she moved, she was woken
up by the rustling of her Moses basket. Every time the hood fell down,
she had to open her eyes to see what was going on. The new parents
tried everything, but she kept on waking and there wasnt another
more suitable more product available. So, they decided to create a
new basket that would help babies sleep, and the Shnuggle basket was
born.
The award-winning Shnuggle basket has been designed to ensure that
baby gets the best sleep possible without being disturbed by the
creaking that is a common feature of traditional wicker baskets. The
material means it can be rocked silently without the rustling and loss
of shape that is common to other Moses baskets. A clever locking
mechanism ensures the hood stays up. The hypoallergenic shell can
be cleaned using warm soapy
water, while the soft cotton
dressings are machine washable
so parents can be confident that
the baby is in a clean safe
environment. The base of the
basket has been specially
ventilated to ensure a constant
airflow.
The Shnuggle basket is 10%
longer than standard Moses
baskets, allowing baby more
time in a secure, cosy
environment before they have
to move into the big cot. It is
suitable for babies up to six
months.
The Shnuggle basket has recently won its eleventh award from Prima
Baby magazines panel of nursery experts including Annabel Karmel
and Blue Peters Katy Hill.
The Shnuggle basket is available in a range of colours: ivory cream, pure
white, sky blue, sage green, blossom pink and pebble grey.
More information on all the Shnuggle products is
available at www.shnuggle.com
The Shnuggle Basket: Helping babies get a
better nights sleep!
baby and toddler
An innovative multi-functional electronic feeding and sleep system.
aden + anais, renowned for their stylish collection of multi-
functional muslin swaddles, bibs, blankets, washcloths and other
modern baby care products, has launched the new Serenity Star.
The Serenity Star is a feeding and sleep system that includes an
electronic feeding diary, nightlight, sound machine, clock and room
temperature indicator, all housed together as a stylish and decorative
white star. This is the first product from the brand that fuses useful
technology with the signature aden + anais style and stands out in
the marketplace for uniting a range of functions into one singular
design.
Not only is the Serenity Star a chic addition to any nursery, it also
boasts a variety of helpful aids for both parent and baby. As an
innovative electronic feeding diary, users can record feeding or
nursing start-times, including the breast last fed from function. The
LCD screen clearly indicates all the information needed to simplify
feeding, along with a useful 12-hour AM/PM clock. By fusing feeding
time and last-side memory functions into one easy display, Serenity
Star has pioneered the simplest way for mums to record and
remember information effortlessly.
The Serenity Star also provides a soothing nightlight, which doubles
as a room temperature indicator for the nursery. When the nursery
is at an ideal temperature, it emits a soft white glow. Should the
temperature rise about 23.3 degrees Celsius, the glow will turn red
to indicate the room is warmer than recommended. If the room
temperature drops below 17.7 degrees Celsius, the Serenity Star will
emanate a blue glow as a recommendation to adjust the room
temperature and / or the babys clothing. To add to the tranquillity,
the Serenity Star features a sound machine with four soothing sounds
to create the most peaceful environment for baby: two lullabies,
white noise or heartbeat. Both volume and sound can be controlled
with a timer, which can be set for 30 or 60 minutes, or for continuous
play.
Whether displayed in the nursery or taken away on holiday, the
Serenity Star is stylishly discreet and portable. The chic and modern
five-point star design adds to any nursery dcor, while the compact
size, dual plug-in and battery-powered operation make it ideal for
travel.
The Serenity Star retails at 64.99 RRP and the multi-tasking Serenity
Star and its stylish packaging make it an ideal gift for any new parent.
Remember to enter our fabulous competition below for your chance
to win an aden + anais Serenity Star.
the Serenity Star by aden + anais
Shakespeare House, 168 Lavendar Hill, London SW11 5TG tel 0207 801 6279
www.adenandanais.co.uk
*******************************************************************************************************************
To be in for a chance to win an amazing aden + anais
Serenity Star, simply answer the following question and
email your answers to me at info@babybuzzmagazine.com
Q:
A: 79.99
B: 64.99
C: 99.99
baby and toddler
offers and savings
The latest CYBEX car seats to be reviewed by Which? have
been awarded Which? Best Buys. The CYBEX Aton Q, tested
both with and without the Isofix Base-Fix, received scores
of 81% and 79% respectively
CYBEX Aton Q, Score: 79%
The award-winning rear-facing CYBEX
Aton Q infant carrier is designed for
babies weighing up to 13kg, or
approximately 18 months.
CYBEX Aton Q (with Isofix Base-Fix),
Score: 81%
The award-winning rear-facing CYBEX
Aton Q infant carrier (with Q Base-Fix) is
designed for babies weighing up to 13kg,
or approximately 18 months.
The CYBEX Aton Q 0+ infant carrier car
seat can be used as part of a travel system, and is suitable
from birth up until your baby is around 13kg or
approximately 15 months of age. It can be installed in your
car using the adult seat belt or an Isofix base and comes with
an impressive list of safety features. In this review we reveal
the crash tests results for this car seat installed using the
adult seat belt.
CYBEX continually raises the bar in terms of safety by putting
its products through hundreds of own crash tests every year.
Martin Pos CEO and founder of CYBEX says, "We are very
excited and proud that CYBEX has been awarded 2 Best Buy
Awards from Which?. The CYBEX Aton Q, with and without
its Q Base-Fix, embodies what we continually strive to
achieve the aesthetic fusion of safety and functionality
with a user-friendly product and exceptional design. Far too
many car seats are still being fitted incorrectly and one of
the key advantages of the Aton Q and the Aton Q with Isofix
Base-Fix is that they are so user-friendly to install.
www.cybex-online.com
CYBEX awarded 2 further
Which? Best Buys
Exclusive Madeline Thompson
for Blue Almonds Cashmere Collection
To mark the launch of its brand new store on Walton
Street, BLUE ALMONDS has joined forces with queen
of cashmere MADELEINE THOMPSON to create an
exclusive new collection for children. A luxurious line
of classic yet contemporary cashmere, Madeleine has
created signature baby grows, a blanket, beanies and
sleeping bag in mini-sized proportions for the most
stylish little boys and girls. Powder pinks, baby blues,
soft creams and gorgeous greys make up the
collection which is sure to start your little ones
sartorial journey in style. Baby
grows come in striped or plain
white, the minature beanies and sleeping bags are
finished with an adorable pom pom detail. The hero
piece of the collection, Madeleine has shrunk her
signature beanie - popular with celebrities including
Sienna Miller, Poppy Delevingne and Agyness Deyn -
so now it fits your little ones, too.
I am delighted to be collaborating with Madeleine
Thompson for our first babywear collabortion. I have
always been a big fan of her cashmere collections and
found a natural synergy between herself and Blue
Almonds - she has just had own own baby too so the
timing couldnt be more perfect. Clients can expect the
most divine cashmere pieces rounded off with super
sweet accessories in pretty macaroon hues. Iza
Minkiewicz, Founder of Blue Almonds.
British cashmere designer Madeleine Thompson is renowned for her
elegant, off-duty cothing with a strong celebrity following. Her
sumptuous self-titled line, available at Net-A-Porter, features luxury
separates in a soft palette of oatmeal, cream and grey.
Blue Almonds, 164 Walton Street, London, SW3 2JL
www.bluealmonds.co.uk | @BlueAlmonds
Bye One Get One Free on all Full and Half Pages booked by the 15
th
September -
email me now for more information!
offers and savings
This season sees the launch
of a unique collaboration
between co-founder Ccile
Reinaud of revolutionary
patented footwear brand
ShoeTherapy and Charlotte
Pearl of award-winning family
lifestyle brand Pink Lining.
With Charlotte Pearl being an
avid fan of ShowTherapy
throughout her pregnancy
and noticing that
ShoeTherapys signature flats
featured the same statement pink lining as her own range - the
collaboration is a natural partnership for both brands, whose trend-
driven collections are known for offering only the most stylish
accessories for new mums and mums-to-be. The two new signature
styles are created with top quality, silky smooth leather and available
in elegant shades of burgundy and navy. Pink Lining has added its
signature ladylike bows to ShoeTherapys classic Frankie pumps
making these stylish yet easy-to-wear styles the perfect day-to-night
addition to any outfit. In addition to this the pumps are also
scientifically and clinically* proven to alleviate up to 75% of back and
joint pain and muscular tension, optimising posture and stimulating
circulation - ideal for busy new mums and mums-to-be!
How Does Shoe Therapy Work?
Most shoes to not allow your feet to find their natural balance which is
the main cause of bad body posture and also a primary cause of back
and joint pain. The ShoeTherapy inner sole features raised elements
that help support the foot and optimise balance as you walk, ensuring
better posture and minimising any strain on calf muscles. The
ergonomic shape and height of the heel (2cm) also promotes the ideal
body posture in order to avoid backache, and make walking less
strenuous. When walking the raised elements of the sole and
pressure points in the heel area of the shoe also exercise a gentle
massage that promotes increased blood circulation, which can help
prevent the appearance of varicose veins and cellulite. With improved
circulation more oxygen reaches and feeds your muscles, which is
important for muscles to work properly.
For more information,
please visit:
www.shoetherapy.com /
www.pinklining.com
Tearaway tykes rack up
hundreds in home damage
British kids cause an average
of 176 worth of damage to
homes each year, according
to new statistics from Policy
Expert. Over a childhood,
this could equate to over
3,150 worth of
destruction.
More than a quarter (26%) of damage is to paintwork or interior
dcor, followed by carpets and upholstery (19%) and furniture
(9%).
Of the parents surveyed, nearly a quarter (24%) said their
children had caused damage in the home in the last year, with
one in seven (14%) causing more than 500 of damage. Despite
this level of mischief, almost one in five (18%) people dont have
or dont know if they have accidental damage cover included
in their home insurance. The survey reveals that the top excuse
for causing damage in the home is It wasnt me (22%). More
inventive excuses included blaming a swarm of bees,
suggesting that Peppa Pig and all of her friends started jumping
on the sofa and that the fairies told me to.
Adam Powell, Head of Operations at Policy Expert said:
Kids are great at testing their parents patience, as well as the
durability of their home, whether its decorating the walls with
crayons or using the sofa as a bouncy castle. Thats why it makes
sense to ensure your insurance policy covers you for any
mischievous mishaps. Accidental damage is a very
straightforward thing to add to your policy but gives you peace
of mind, even if thats the only peace you get.
Top 8 household victims of accidental damage:
1. Paintwork / interior dcor (26%)
2. Carpets / upholstery (19%)
3. Furniture (9%)
4. Gadgets (8%)
5. Glass / mirrors (2%)
6. Plumbing / electrics (1%)
7. Crockery (1%)
8. Garden (1%)
For more information, please contact:
www.policyexpert.co.uk
It wasnt me, it was Peppa Pig!
Nahhan | Dreamstime.com - It Wasnt Me
must haves - competitions
We have 5 x MamaTens Kits to give
away to our lucky readers - worth
69.99 each!
For your chance to win, simply send
your answer to the following question
to me at: info@babybuzzmagazine.com
Q We have two discount vouchers within this issue for either renting
or purchasing your own MamaTens Machine. On what pages
are they?
Good Luck and remember that if you arent one of our lucky winners, you can
still claim your special offer by entering the discount codes at checkout.
To be in for a chance to win an
amazing aden + anais Serenity Star,
simply answer the following question
and email your answers to me at:
info@babybuzzmagazine.com
Q: How much does the Serenity Star retail for?
A: 79.99
B: 64.99
C: 99.99
We have an amazing gift voucher worth
40 towards a pair of Clarks shoes for
your child - just in time for school! For your
chance to win, simple email your answer
to the following question to me at:
Q: When was Clarks founded?
A: 1825
B: 1925
C: 2005
(Answers can be found online at: www.clarks.co.uk/)
40
The stars of hit CBeebies
animated series Q Pootle 5
land on DVD on 6 October,
courtesy of Proper
Distribution. To be in for a
chance of winning a copy
of Q Pootle 5: The Great
Space Race And Other Adventures! simply email
your answer to the following question to:
Q: What is the name of Q Pootle 5's
friend with pink hair ?
We have 2 x Theraline Original Pregnancy and
Nursing Pillows to give away this month, simply
answer the following question and email your
answers to me at: info@babybuzzmagazine.com
Q: What temperature does it suggest you can
machine wash the pillow?
A: 60
B: 40
C: 30
We have 4 x Dr Browns Manual Breast
Pumps to give away to lucky readers this
month! For your chance to win, simple
email your answer to the following
question to me at:
Q: In March 2014, what award did Dr
Brown's Manual Breast Pump receive
from Prima?
We have a
bright pink
Micro Scooter
Balance Bike to
give away to a
lucky reader
this month! For
your chance to
win, simple
email your
answer to the
followingquestion to me at:
Q: What age is the Micro Scooter
Balance Bike suitable for (as
suggested on their website):
A: 1 - 3 years
B: 2 - 5 years
C: 4 - 8 years
We have a gorgeous Vintage
Circus Swaddling Pack to give
away courtesy of aden & anais
this month, simply answer this
question and email your answer
to me at:
Q: What is the name of the
founder of aden & anais?

Issue 20 - September 2014

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