Moving On

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AB

Jojo Maman Bebe does summer...

The lovely sunny weather of late has got me thinking of summer baby outfits and I am going to kick off this train of thought... could be a long one... with some gorgeous baby girl items from jojomamanbebe. 

(Remind yourself AB- it is only May!) 

Sometimes shops just hit your baby style right on the top of the head. For me, JoJo Maman Bebe have done exactly that with their latest collection. Here are some of my picks of the baby bunch for your little ones. 

We love these Gingham Dungarees. They come in navy, red, yellow and pink and are absolutely delightful. Great for now as they can be teamed up with long-sleeved vests and even tights if need be and great for the sunnier days as they are covering yet cool. 

 These Stripey Crawlers are so cute with their little frill. They look great with a plain vest under them and can easily be warmed up with a cardigan if you can't wait to get them on.

The Nautical Stripe Tops are really soft and practical. (There are matching trousers too if you want them). All the colours are lovely but being a big navy fan- both the one below and its inverted opposite are my favourites... shortly followed by the yellow and pink ones. They make really comfy but still very pretty little outfits. 

All Jojo clothes in our experience wash and tumble dry really well (over and over again). They always feel lovely no matter how many times they have been used and abused. 

Additionally they passed the "OH how cute are those babies" test with flying colours on our test drive in the park- so it's not just me then!

A Lullaby adapted from William Blake

My Cradle Song... adapted from William Blake's cradle song.

Sweet dreams, form a dream,
Calm my lovely infants scream,
Sweet dreams of pleasant streams,
By happy silent moony beams

Sweet Sleep soften sleepy frowns.
Weave thy brows an infant crown.
Sweet sleep Angel mild,
Hover near my happy child.

Sweet smiles in the night,
Hover over my delight.
Sweet sleeping Mothers smile
Keep baby sleeping all the while.

Sweet breaths dovelike sighs.
Chase not slumber from thy eyes.
Sweet stretch. Sweeter smiles.
All the dovelike breath beguiles.

Sleep sleep happy child.
All creation slept and smil'd.
Sleep sleep. Happy sleep.
Keep thy sleep while mother tweets.

The Over Achiever

All parents celebrate milestones. Whether it is the first smile, the first 12 hour sleep (still waiting...) or the first day of school one can't help but look ahead excitedly to the next thing the poor kid will achieve. At 18 months old most little people have graduated in walking, talking (albeit often nonsensically), drinking from a cup and sleeping (vaguely) through the night. Some little people at 18 months however, are over-achievers. The Dutch one and a half year old Baerke van der Meij has just been signed to a Dutch Football club and there is a scribble on the contract to prove it. Though it is a 'symbolic' contract, the tot, who is not
 yet out of nappies has caught the attention of the first
 division side VVV-Venlo after his YouTube clip went 'viral'.

Just shows what the little ones can do eh?

Essentially Weaning...

Weaning can seem like a scary old milestone in the distance when your baby starts to head in that direction. The thought of pureeing food and clearing up copious amounts of suspicious looking blobs all over the place is perhaps less than appealing. Weaning should be quite fun however, a time when you get to watch your baby experience a whole host of new things- the faces he pulls will certainly give you some laughs along the way.

Here are a few must have products in our eyes to make weaning as fun as it should be...


1. First up is the Beaba BPA Free BabyCook Food Processor. With its four functions- steaming, blending, defrosting and heating this nifty little gadget is a brilliant time saver. It is easy to clean and it is quite compact so it can be stored away and got out easily. At £89 it is not cheap but it does do a grand job. The only downside possibly is that if you are doing a large freezing session it is quite small so will need to be a bit of a batch process....


2. For those freezing frenzies a great way to store the food in portions is by using BPA free flexible ice cube trays- once frozen you can turn the strips or cubes out into sandwich bags and put them back in the freezer. It is a great way to know how much your baby is eating and reduce waste as you can always take out an extra cube if you think baby is still hungry!

3. tommee tippee 's heat sensitive baby spoons. The end changes colour to alert you that the food is too hot for baby's consumption- meaning you don't have to stick your lips into every mouthful of puree before you offer it to baby! They have soft ends for delicate gums and also come in pretty colours! (I have found that the soft ends are equally good as a safety measure when baby wants to hold and more than likely throw a spoon during mealtimes).


4. Vital Baby Unbelievabowl. A bowl that has a nifty little suction pad underneath it to hold it in place and prevent baby from wearing it (and therefore lunch) as a hat. It also means baby can't simply throw it on the floor when he doesn't want to eat any more. Equally great for putting finger foods into!

5. A long sleeved bib for young babies (we love Silly Billyz). Followed by a sleeveless one with a catching tray for older babies. ZPM's being our particular favourite for its ingenious design!


6. Of course one would also be lost in weaning without an Annabel Karmel bible at ones side. Annabel Karmel's Baby Puree Recipes is a great place to start!

BecoThings Step It Up.

The lovely environmentally friendly people at BecoThings (inventors of the BecoPotty) have stepped it up and now offer to the eco aware and practical parent alike the sturdy and functional BecoStep.

Made from plant fibres (as all their products are) these fantastic little bathroom, kitchen and where ever you want to use them aids are ALSO sustainable to produce and will biodegrade when you are finished with them!


In addition to being eco friendly BecoThings consider your child's safety their number one priority and the step therefore has a non slip rubber bottom- is relatively heavy (compared to some others on the market) to ensure stability and has a grippy top surface so your little one can't slip off. On our test run we found it far more stable than most other competitors and the grip both on the top and bottom made our petit tester feel safe.


The other great thing about the BecoStep is that it's life needn't end with your little one's growth. Once you no longer need it as a step you can put it in the garden as a planter and watch it grow into its second life- a really great way to teach your children the importance of not buying another product that gets sent to the landfill!

Downside: the plant fibre is not shatterproof by its nature so if your child tries really hard (hurls it at a wall for example) he might be able to crack it. The flip side to this being that you would get your becoplanter more quickly!

No Mountain too Rough

This morning was a happy morning in my household. My new Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle was standing waiting for a test drive. A self confessed pramaholic I have tried and tested the lot. I have very specific likes and dislikes based on design as well as functionality and let me inform you that the Urban Jungle does not disappoint any of my crazy criteria.

It looks great- really simple but also slick and very functional. It corners fantastically and the suspension is brilliant for jogging over all kinds of terrain. I really put the buggy to the test- and even over the roughest terrain I could find 3yo stayed asleep with only slight evidence of the head wobble. I ran (OK OK I  jogged) and I actually found it easier than jogging without a buggy at all. I then ventured into town to pick up a well earned cappuccino and the ride was just as pleasing on the pavement-weaving in and out with the swivel wheel was good fun and effortless. We fit into the coffee shop easily and thanks to the swivel wheel had no trouble leaving it either- crucially the buggy is also light enough to push with one hand!

The adjustable handle height is a great add-on as well as the large shopping basket underneath which had plenty of room for excess clothing and shopping.... essentials only obviously?

Downside:
The ONLY downside that I could find was that with the swivel wheel setting if I lifted up over the curb and placed the weight of the buggy on the wheel then it lost balance and I had to be careful not to tip- yet if I bumped up onto the curb or slightly changed tactic this would not be a problem.

Great buggy with excellent functionality and very pleasing on the eye- winner.

Sterling Days Out This Holiday

The lovely people at Silvercross have come up with a fantastic new website- silvercrossdaysout. You plug in your post-code and the distance you are willing to travel for your day of child friendly fun and the site comes up with a list of options for you. I had a go and while I knew some of the "days out" on the list I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were loads of great options that I had no idea about!


Made by parents, for parents the website is not sponsored by any of the "days out" and they therefore all come genuinely recommended. It is easy to use and nicely laid out as well as inviting reviews which will gradually provide a clearer parent picture of each "day out".

To celebrate the launch, Silvercross are giving visitors to the site a chance to win a day out of their choice for their entire family- enter by leaving a review-good or bad- on the preferred venue's page!

A sterling silvercross treat for us this Easter holiday- enjoy it with your little ones I know we will.

Please do comment below on what you think of the site!?

WaterWipes

WaterWipes courtesy of DermaH2O  are a fab natural alternative to the more obviously advertised baby wipes. They are made with 99.9% water and 0.1% fruit extract and they are therefore preservative free, unlike most other brands who's ingredient list extends longer than your arm with various scents and chemicals. WaterWipes are wonderfully innocent little creatures that can help to prevent nappy rash by reducing the unnecessary chemicals that come into contact with baby's delicate skin. Suitable for newborns (no faffing around with cotton wool and top and tail bowls needed) as well as children they seem to be super moist. Having bought a large pack I assumed the moisture would drain relatively quickly and at least the last few would be redundant but actually I was surprised to find that every wipe was as moist as the one before.

There is not a really a downside then, although they are slightly pricier than some brands- this is counteracted by the fact that the plentiful moisture means that they last longer than most and you need to use less, equally if baby doesn't get nappy rash then you wont be buying creams!

Advertised as the world's purest baby wipe- I believe they really are and can't think why anyone would want to use anything else once they try these!

If you aren't convinced check out their website and order yourself a sample pack- WARNING you'll get hooked.

Cake Face

Today was the day that my week of baking has been leading up to. I held my cake sale this morning and raised a healthy £300 for Starlight the foundation that grants wishes for terminally ill children. I am so stuffed with cake and have been for a week now that one wouldn't think I would ever want to see another cake as long as I live- but one would be incredibly wrong. There is nothing not to like about cake. Between the cup cakes and coffee cakes and sticky lemon drizzle cakes (to mention but a few) I just would not get bored with cake.

Holding the cake sale then, is perhaps more self motivated than it first appears. I make the cakes, I slave over a hot stove and order my "staff" around like the witch that I so don't want to be and at the end of it all I get to eat cake- so much cake- and all in the name of charity. I sold them- sure I made £300 but I also put on at least 300lbs in cake weight. A cake sale- a biannual event for me- leaves me with baby weight to shift- the kind that drops off laboriously slowly with the maximum amount of guilt about overeating and not exercising. But this is all outweighed- perhaps even the money raised- by the tiny little smiling faces that peer over my cake stand with grins that extend beyond their ears and into their hair, the little fingers that grab and the mouths that squeal. The pleasure that I receive from cake then, is not the only pleasure that the event dishes out- I do it for the children. Not just the sick ones (although my thoughts are significantly with them) but for all the other little tummies that I please along the way.

Thermo Fun

In my childhood there was one test to see if I had a raised temperature- Mothers lips to the forehead. We had a little strip that changed colour too but my mother obviously trusted that she would know if it was ever dangerously high- YET here I am investing in all kinds of gadgetry in order to measure baby's temperature to the nearest point of a degree.

It came to my attention in the midst of a baby ear infection that most modern day thermometers require an invasive ear probe (albeit only very briefly) for their reading. When baby's ears are sore not to mention rather messy this is not exactly ideal.

I have found the Vicks forehead thermometer (suitable for all ages). It is brilliant. You hold it on baby's forehead for three seconds (although it is actually less) and the temperature flashes up on the large screen with the additional comfort of a colour- green for OK, amber for a little bit high and RED for you should be worried. The green light is like a beacon of comfort in the middle of the night- or day for that matter.

Downsides:
Baby might be rather interested in this contraption that you are placing on his head and may try to remove it before you have taken the reading.
Apparently a forehead reading can be less accurate than others due to sweat, however, the difference between red and green is not going to change as a result of this.

At £35 it is reasonable and as it covers the whole family is a great investment. It also has a memory function so that you can record your baby's temperature changes presumably... although from experience it is unlikely you will need this as anything over 100 tends to stick in your own memory pretty well!

BLOOMing lovely baby

Bloom Baby create some pretty special baby pieces. Run by four, clearly very passionate and style aware dads, it is a brand that wants to make a difference to baby homes- adding functional but beautiful products. Their products are pieces of art- but ones that every parent has a need for. The perfect combination of luxury and necessity their products are undeniably delicious looking.

My nano (ultra thin and light highchair) has just arrived in the post. I am now going to run you through the unpacking, the putting together and the end result to see whether the delicious design is also as functional as I so hope it is (and all before the blue lights on the baby monitor start moving up and down again).

It has taken about six minutes. Start to finish. I followed the instructions- mainly- and the big pictures and few words make it very clear what to do. Make sure you take note of the A and B sides as I ignored this and got the tray table bar stuck in the wrong sides. Despite this minor hiccup (on my part) it still only took me six minutes to click everything into place (NO tools needed).

Downsides: If you are silly like me and get the bar in wrong way round your fingers may be sore once you get it out. The seat cover looks a little baggy and creased but I am sure some use will sort this out. It is also a little heavier than I had hoped (but with this comes its sturdiness despite its slightness so it is not all bad!)

Upsides: It is as stylish as promised. It is ultra slimline and looks great. I am slightly regretting choosing white but then it just looks so stylish. The straps are sumptuously padded and the mechanism for collapsing it works effortlessly. With one tug on the tray table and one squeeze at the back it neatly folds into its slimline curve. The seat cover will be very easy to clean with minimal creases and the tray table is large and sturdy. For £100 it offers affordable style with the added benefit of being great for travel or storing out of the way.


I am a big fan. Blooming lovely baby products. More to be tested soon!

Now to open twin two's before the monitor shows signs of the disco.

The Baby Swap Shop

Babies are like dogs, not in many ways I admit, but in the way that whatever toy or biscuit or bowl or cup or chair another baby has is sure to be the one that baby wants. Twins have proved this theory. It does not matter whether the object in question is a well chewed biscuit or the most ordinary of all the toys- what one baby has the other baby wants and nothing will change her little made up mind.

It is amazing, quite remarkable that at a matter of months baby can't talk, can't walk- can't even crawl, and yet she can understand the difference between what she has and what her sister has and can feel envious. I use 'envy' carefully here because jealousy (feeling scared of losing something that you have- such as a soggy biscuit) and envy (being in awe of something someone else has- such as an even soggier biscuit) paint two different scenarios. I am referring to envy because, although it might seem a more natural reaction for baby to be scared of losing her biscuit, this is not the case, she is envious of her sister's for the fact that it just might be better than her own and has not yet learnt jealousy- to fear for what she already has.

Envy and jealously, so often confused even in adult discourse, arrive at different time's in a child's life. A baby can already envy another baby but it will not be until (at least probably toddling) that a child will fear for the possession of the object that it holds. I now sit and wait for the day when those tiny darting eyes stop saying "what have you got and is it better than what I have?" and start to say "don't come any closer... I am not letting go..."

Talking Turkey

Baby talk- I mean real baby talk- the chatter that evolves from a mere few months of existence until eventually it becomes real talk. The more vocal babies get the cuter they get, everyone loves a newborn- sure, but when a baby reaches the babble, gurgle excited arm waving stage they reach new levels of irresistibility. We have reached that stage- the stage where toys are met with arms in the air and baby biscuits with excited if indistinguishable high pitched sounds. Excepting the squeals- (we don't love the squeals) these noises of appreciation are utterly delectable.

Baby talk turns into 'real' talk when baby begins to associate words correctly. While every parent tries desperately to hear full sentences amongst the baby babble and at the very least recognises several highly accomplished words such as 'dada' 'mama' 'duckduck' in reality until baby says 'dada' when he walks in the room (not coincidently) or 'duckduck' when pointing at a duck, in reality, sorry folks, they are just sounds that baby can easily make. Baby talk progresses to real talk when baby can process that a word he says relates to an object or person he sees or wants.

First words have always interested me. My nephew said 'bubble' (very clearly- with the correct association) as his first word. In fact 'bubble' was all he said for a very long time- I can only assume that my brother lives in particularly bubbly house- (although I have never seen evidence of this)- it is certainly not a word that I would imagine is said more often than say mummy or daddy. Yet, the little man clearly only felt compelled to say 'bubble', a sign of contentment perhaps that he never felt the need to ask for anything else. My sister (three years my senior) was born deaf (she hears perfectly now) and as a result had speech therapy having not spoken a word by the age of four. A one year old me- sitting in on the therapy lessons, learnt to speak incredibly quickly- at my 16 month check up the doctor asked my mother how I made my wants known and my mother answered to a bemused doctor "she simply says- 'I want a drink'- 'no go to bed'..." Encouragement then, can help but try to encourage association at the same time. When baby says 'dada' (or what sounds like 'dada') don't repeat it over and over unless 'dada' is actually in the room- guide baby by pointing out who people are. If he says 'duck' show him a duck (in a book..).

Baby's brain is like a filing cabinet- each day he files away new bits of information that he will keep with him for life, whether it is what a carrot tastes like or how to put his toe in his mouth, with the best will in the world the filing system can get on top of him. Give him time to put the files in the right drawers and eventually- on one VERY VERY happy day, he will start to talk the talk.

Baby Surveillance

Sitting on the sofa watching the blue light on the baby monitor gradually rise and fall last night- never so high that I had to leave the sofa but never quite low enough that I could watch the TV and not the blue light- I started thinking about baby monitors. Friends of mine who have just had their third baby don’t use a monitor anymore- they are relaxed third time around and though baby sleeps at the top of the house (with the door shut due to visiting dog!) they know that if he cries they will hear it slash sense it. Why then do most of us rely on the little rising and falling lights?- The set up of the house plays a part of course- if the walls are thick or the distance to baby is far then there may not be any option but the baby monitors on the market are so extensive and so varied that every parent is allowed to choose their own degree of comfort. I think of the baby monitor as the parent comfort blanket. Here are some of the extreme options that I have used and can recommend.   

Angelcare

The angel care monitor is a deluxe al singing all dancing baby monitor- with a sensor pad that detects baby’s breathing and sets off an alarm if movement stops for twenty seconds and all the usual sound settings it is really a very good parent comforter. The sensor pad and sound settings can be set individually if you only need one and the technology makes for super clear transmission.

Downside: It is quite expensive at £79.95- however this is a result of the clever technology that goes into it and reflects its performance and reliability of the gadget. 

You also need to have the presence of mind to turn the monitor off before you pick your baby up- very easily forgotten- AS obviously removing baby from the pad will make it think that the baby has stopped breathing and the alarm will sound! 

Ditto 

The ditto breathing monitor was designed by a father of triplets (I first came across it with twins). It is a little gadget that you attach to your baby’s nappy and it monitors the rising and falling of baby’s tummy (breathing). If the tummy movement stops an alarm goes off that gradually gets louder. It is great because you can use it everywhere (baby doesn’t need to be in the cot!)

Downside: It is ideal if you are close to baby but not so good if baby is any distance away- it also goes off randomly sometimes which can be a nasty shock. It is also quite expensive at £75. 

The video monitor option is another thing altogether- monitor your baby via video link (can be attached to your tv or to skype). Personally while Angelcare and Ditto provide the function of monitoring baby’s breathing and therefore excellent peace of mind for parents with premi or worrying babies- the video monitor is just one step too far. If I was watching my baby sleep and not just the little lights rising and falling I would worry for my sanity. Imagine asking a babysitter to watch the monitor...and not the tv. They do give some mothers peace of mind and if you want to use it instead of having to pop up and down the stairs then it might be good for you but I like to personally check on baby and if baby cries the chances are you are going to have to go to him anyway!

As a parent's comfort blanket- choose the degree of baby surveillance that suits you and puts your mind at rest. If baby is safe and parents are happy then the product is right!

Parent Type

Types of Parent.

It has come to my attention that there are several types of parent when it comes to baby pride.

There is the "look at me and my wonderful baby in the most expensive pushchair I could find, but don't ask me to look at you" parent...

the "oooh isn't that amazing- we both have babies and pushchairs, let's be friends" parent

and then there is the "hi, yes I would love to chat to you, look at your baby even, but no, I don't think we will be friends for life due to both of us having a baby in a pram attached to our fingers" parent.

This came to my attention a few months ago, when, pushing newborn twins around in a rather funky contraption of double newbornness, I was turning heads. I have to admit that the attention was lovely. It felt like I was pushing celebrity babies as people would point and gasp "oh twins!" as I strolled passed nonchalantly pretending that they were always fast asleep and that the stroll was for their benefit and not my own wits end.

Yet, unjustifiably I will admit, it always annoyed me when other pram pushers appeared to take no notice at all as we sailed past them in the park or met them at a crossroads- I always look in prams, admire newborns and dutifully supply answers to questions of all baby varieties. "Both boys?" "NO BOTH GIRLS that is why they are BOTH in PINK!" being a particularly repetitive one. Why then, did some people only care about their own little pram user? I suppose I am more obsessed by babies than most and this explains my incessant pram watch and baby radar but.... THEN one day, in the park, doing the usual 300th lap we crossed a set of newborn twins IN THE SAME (pretty rare) PRAM and there was not even a glance, not a flicker of interest in her twin tired eyes- contrasted to the usual "OH how do you manage?" I was absolutely gobsmacked.

So then, there are different types of parent. Those that aren't interested in your baby, because why would they be- they have their own? Those that are mesmerised by your baby simply because they have their own! And those who are happy to chat, happy to oggle even, but know that at the end of the day, you each prefer your own baby- Well, mother nature would have colossally failed if you didn't walk away thinking "my baby rocks!" wouldn't she?

Your Questions Answered...

Q. When should I take my twins out of baby grows and put them in real clothes? Also do you have any suggestions of where to buy twins clothes?

A. What your baby wears is obviously completely up to you. Some mothers think clothes look cute and some prefer onesies- I personally use onesies for as long as I possibly can because they are so comfy for baby and easy for parents- you can easily carry spares around, you don't need to worry about keeping socks on and you know baby will be comfortable to sleep!
A friends baby is still wearing onesie at night and she is two- they just find that it is easier and she does look totally delicious in them!

I suppose once a baby is moving by themselves then onesies become less practical- as they sag around the feet and restrict movement but ultimately it is your choice- as a very rough guide I would say that about ten months is the day time limit- you don't want people thinking your baby is out in his PJs!

As for where to buy here are a few of our favourite twin choices at the moment:

jojomamanbebe have some gorgeous onesies at the moment in lots of a different colours and as they invert the colours with stripes and trimmings swaps they are great twins who you want to dress similar but not exactly the same!

Our favourite twin make is kikiandbree they do adorable twin clothes from complementary onesies to little t-shirts that only show half the picture each and complete the image when the twins are next to each other- VERY sweet indeed. (see bottom picture)

Very lovely special outfits.


Twin clothing is never the easiest to find- I have found that by buying packs of two quite often you get a similar but slightly different design on each item. Generally single sex twins are the hardest (unless you are happy for them to be totally different or absolutely matching!) The market seems to assume that if you have twins it will always be a boy and a girl! NEXT also do much cheaper onesies in lots of nice bright colours!

Kiki and Bree

"OXO" XOXO

OXO have been making some fab baby and toddler products of late and today we are going to talk about a particular favourite. The OXO Tooli.

The Tooli is the modern day nightlight- I used to have a china mushroom on a shelf that had a dim night light in it when I was a wee nipper. BUT this night light is the one that puts mine to shame. Not only a fab night light for keeping in babies room (to enable enough light for seeing baby but not so much as to wake them) but it is a wonderful toddler/child companion too. They provide eight hours of light after charging (but can live on their stand so this should be ample!) and they help your little one off to the land of nod by making them feel they are not alone. They also provide a fab friend for taking on scary trips to the loo in the middle of the night. They are even great for use in power cuts!

Suitable in and outdoors, exceptionally safe (no exposed electrical components- so they are not a fire hazard), they do not get too hot so they are safe for the touch of little fingers and they are rechargeable so no need for expensive battery replacements (light bulbs don't even need changing!)

Tooli is a baby and child's best friend. Spend time naming your child's Tooli with them and make sure to say goodnight to him (helping your child to think of him as his night time friend!)

Raggy-Tagged Up

The raggy-tag is the baby toy slash comforter that takes the idea that the label is the best part of a toy for a child to the extreme. The square of blanket is edged with brightly coloured silky tags or labels for baby to fondle.

When I was very little I had a friend called Charlie (a boy- I know ew) and he was obsessed with silk labels- to the point that he carried a pair of pants around with him where ever he went as his comforter, held up to his mouth as he sucked his thumb and rubbed the silk label between his fingers. I used to curl my finger around the top of my nose and stroke it up and down as I sucked my thumb. Children then, like to fidget their little fingers and babies simply like the comfort of the soft material. I hand the raggy-tag to the twins as a toy when they are bored, as a soother when they are crying and I tuck one on each side of their heads in their cots when they sleep. They love them. Tucking them in beside their heads instantly calms them down and has become a crucial part of the bedtime routine. They pull them over their faces (which is admittedly terrifying) but they really do soothe them and help them to sleep. They are machine washable and perfect for shoving in the nappy bag.

If only Raggy-Tag had been around in my day to save poor Charlie the pants embarrassment. Get Raggy-Tagged up. We particularly love this Liberty print rose one!

Feeding Frenzy

Inspired by someone worried about her baby's inability to tackle solid foods without gagging I have decided to explore weaning today.

A gagging baby makes feeding him very stressful indeed. As one of the first rules of weaning is to act casual and make sure nothing is a big deal it cannot be very helpful if you are sat on the edge of your seat ready to perform the emergency eject from highchair that I know so well.

Baby has a tongue thrust reflex that diminishes over time but this is why he pushes the spoon out of his mouth when it first goes in- it is a natural reaction. The less they do this the more ready they probably are for solid foods. BUT if the spoon is persistently rejected try waiting a little longer before trying again (a few weeks maybe?) there is no point trying if you can't succeed.

GAGGING is baby's natural reflex against choking. He is worried that the food will choke him and does not know how to deal with it.
It is very common and very normal and will most likely pass as your baby becomes used to swallowing and dealing with solid food. Gagging is also a sign that your baby could not be hungry- there are only a few ways that he can show you this and if he has let the food into his mouth absent mindedly and then realised he doesn't want it this could explain the gag.
Very smooth foods such as fruit purees etc should not cause gagging like lumpier foods do and a gagging prone baby should be allowed to get thoroughly used to these sorts of 'solid' foods before thicker ones are introduced.

I have often found that this gag can create so much vomiting that the days worth of food and milk comes back up- this is obviously less helpful than if baby had eaten a smaller amount in the first place!

Another thing to try is to get baby used to foods and swallowing and flavours etc is to use a "baby safe feeder"- you pop the finger food into the mesh pocket and baby can safely suck on the food without the risk of a big lump getting stuck in his throat- only problem is that sometimes it can be hard to get anything at all through the mesh!

Finally, if baby really is having trouble with gagging and it is worrying you that he is not eating enough or losing weight etc then you should consult your doctor. The advice above should not be taken as a medical opinion.

Your Questions Answered...

Q. You mentioned reflux babies in an earlier post, do you know if there are any natural reflux remedies?

A. Whilst reflux babies are all different and a doctor's advice should be sought to ensure that you choose the right product for your baby's particular needs. I have found that zantac is usually prescribed- and it is pretty horrid stuff to negotiate as you have to wait 15 minutes after giving it to baby via syringe before you can feed. I have always used Infant Gaviscon with my reflux babies and it has really worked for them. It is absolutely natural (made from crushed seaweeds) so you do not need to worry about your baby being on it for too long, and the powder is simply poured into baby's bottle and mixed before the feed so there is no need to wait an agonizing fifteen to twenty minutes of other options. You can get it over the counter in pharmacies (not in Scotland though strangely) but I would suggest that you talk to your doctor first and ensure that they think it is a good option for your baby to try. (Technically as it is just seaweed you should be able to ease baby off whatever you are currently using by overlapping- but again check with your doctor to make sure!).

Another thing to try is our favourite- camomile tea. It soothes pain and calms baby so might reduce the distress suffered when reflux takes hold!

Also ensure that with a reflux baby that you never lie them completely flat- put a cushion under one end of their crib or mattress so that the head end is raised (imagine lying down with acid burn in your throat- you would want to sit up!)

Hope this helps.

Mountain Buggy tots riding free... and long no doubt.

When I first read about this product it was one of those "oh, why didn't I think of that" moments. A simple but extremely clever idea that is set to take the young family world by storm I have no doubt about it. The Free Rider, courtesy of mountain buggy, is a scooter that attaches on to the back of your mountain buggy (no tools required!) and transforms into a buggy board. So instead of dreading the words "I'm tired of scooting" that mean the scooter is about to become your own personal responsibility- hung over the handles of the buggy, slung over your shoulder or keeping baby cosy up front- this will revolutionise the way that mums take their kiddies scooting. "Tired?" they'll say... "no problemo, do you want a free ride home?"... Additionally it will mean that littler kiddies who are not safe scooting by a road will be scooting without the risks entailed. This product is an out and out winner. Now I just have to put the theory behind it into action to see if it delivers on performance as it does on innovation and design!

Baby Hoodies get our thumbs up

Baby Hoodies are a wonderful invention brought to you by morrck. They are fantastic baby blankets- with hoods, that have holes for harnesses. You leave it strapped into your carseat or buggy and simply pop baby in, strap him in and wrap him up. Snug as a bug in a rug-literally. In addition to being brilliantly practical (baby is totally snug and the blanket cannot possibly fall off- also ensuring little break free hands stay warm) but they also look incredibly cute. With twins I have spots on one and stripes on the other and they look adorable. They ALSO help baby to sleep as they are so soft and so cosy. Really there is nothing not to like and as there are even different thicknesses to choose from you can use them all year round!


Our favourites are the spots and stripes and the gingham ones.
But there are lots to choose from and they are one of those items that you once you have bought it you will wonder how you ever managed without it- you know the ones I mean!

I've got the Formula

Gone are the days when breast feeding is seen as the only way to go. For those that simply cannot or do not breast feed the stigma associated with bottle feeding is thankfully dying down (although formula brands are still not allowed to advertise as guidelines state that breast feeding must be seen as the better option). Of course there are many benefits to breast feeding and I do not deny that for most women it is a wonderful experience that they wouldn't change for the world (excluding the chapped sore nipples, constantly being at your baby's beck and call and having to whip your milk jugs out in public perhaps). Yet, for those that do not breast feed there are also advantages. I think it is great when a baby is given at least one bottle a day- it enables grandparents and fathers etc to bond with baby further and also frees mummy up to be able to go out once in a while knowing that baby will be just fine.

To be totally honest I don't think it was until twins that I had ever really thought about not breast feeding... and now I cannot help but claim the other side of the unspoken coin as my own. Bottle feeding is OK too.

This is my formula for bottle feeding...

1. Choose a good formula. I personally choose Milupa's Aptamil (and most people I know do the same) but the most important thing is just to pick a brand and stick to it. Aptamil has both powder and ready made carton forms. It is cheaper to use the powder but the cartons are VERY handy to keep in your nappy bag (or use all the time if you have twins!)

2. Make your powder preparing easier by checking out Clevamama- they have great gadgets that make the whole thing less of a palaver. Our favourite is the clevascoop which accurately measures out your formula in one scoop- no more counting or losing count in the middle of the night or whilst listening to a screaming baby- or two!)

3. Make up a few sterilized bottles with three quarters of the water needed for your baby's bottle in them (boil it before putting it in and it will cool down quickly to cold), then fill a thermos with the rest of the boiled water. When it comes to baby's feed pour in the rest of the water needed to make the correct amount for your baby (eg. If baby drinks 6oz then have 4oz already prepared in the bottle and add 2oz of hot water from the thermos) add the powder in (which will be very quick thanks to clevascoop) and mix it up. No need to warm it- the thermos water will have done that for you. A bottle prepared in seconds. Fast Food Indeed!

4. Make sure you sterilize- I know how much of a bore in can be (especially with twins feeding every three hours- 16 bottles to clean every day!!) but it is highly recommended.

5. Do not let people tell you that you are doing the wrong thing, if you have made your choice and you are personally happy with it- then hold your head high and know that if you are happy, your baby will be too.

Baby Bug Bears

There are certain things that commonly grind peoples gears... the car that doesn't queue but zooms up in the outside lane and then indicates to join at the front of the line, cyclists who cycle on the road but then dangerously skip the lights, people spitting on the street.... to name but a few.

This morning, I saw two of my baby bug bears, things that most people probably don't even notice; that get me totally uncharacteristically and unjustifiably worked up.



Baby Bug Bear number one.

Babies without socks on in winter. I know it can be hard to keep babies socks on- believe me I know, but if they really wont stay on, then put baby in an all in one, buy some "sock ons" from Boots (Very clever little things that go over baby's socks and keep them in place), long socks from baby gap that go up to baby's knees or booties. There are so many options that I cannot help but fume when I see babies out and about in the cold with freezing
little toes visible to the world around them.



Baby Bug Bear number two.

With SO many amazing baby slings on the market (and lots of places to get them secondhand) there really is no excuse at all for using a bad one. That is why it upsets me when I see a newborn baby being carried in a sling that looks like a glorified piece of cloth strapped to the mothers side. This particular little fella was about two months old and with the sling coming up just under his neck his poor little head (not yet supporting itself) was bobbing all over the place. Poor little man.

Double the Trouble

Having two babies is not only twice as much fun (and work) but it is at least double the trouble when choosing a buggy. The market narrows to a slim gap and the choices are not only limited but expensive and scary- most double buggies are by their very nature big and bulky and a young “mum about town’s” absolute nightmare.

Let me do my best to help you choose the right buggy for you with my pick of the bunch on double buggies for different uses, prices and parenting. 

Let us begin with twins. Trickiest of the lot this one- you need a buggy that will sustain both little ones from tiny to tot without compromising on either babies comfort OR your own!

For newborn twins the icandy peach blossom  (see bottom of blog for image or check out their website for all the combinations) is a winner. Light, compact, stylish and really easy to store (almost the size of a single) it really cannot be faulted as a newborn pram. I have not used or seen anything that compares to it as a luxury city buggy the width and length being remarkably slight... Other brands such as the City Select’s equivalent has a MUCH longer frame that is incredibly difficult and heavy to move- you know the kind where you have to put all your weight on the handle bar to get up the curb- The peach blossom goes up and down curbs with minimal effort and everything about it is really rather dreamy. The crib attachments are comfortable and can double up as beds for the first few months or two car seats can fit on in an incredibly compact way and you can have both babies facing you (also great for car journeys and general traveling as you only need the car seats and small frame.)... So it sounds faultless... Well it almost is... until the babies reach the seat attachment stage. I suppose it is inevitable due to its excellent compactness but baby number two is rather relegated to the bottom seat and I do worry for her comfort as there is not much room between the seats at all... One constantly wants to check that her toes aren’t being squished by baby number one on top! 

Having said that the icandy peach blossom is a remarkable buy AND although it is rather pricey (coming second in line in the price list at up to £1000) it is a really great investment for all families due to its versatility.

For a baby and toddler combination I cannot fault the icandy peach blossom buy it when you have your first baby (as the icandy peach) and simply upgrade to the peach blossom if you have a second. With toddler on the front and baby snug at the back (facing you in the car seat or cosy in the crib attachment) it maintains its slender size and ticks a lot of boxes. Once baby number one has outgrown the buggy simply remove the (very easy to clip in out) attachment and you are back to a single stroller- really ideal- (especially if toddler is at nursery etc sometimes so you only have baby with you some of the time). Although it is very expensive you get a lot for your money because this one buggy really will fit all. 

Phil and Ted's

Moving on then to another baby and toddler combination buggy that we love. The phil and teds range came up with a fantastic idea several years ago now that changes their three wheeler buggy from a duo to a single and back again in a series of ingenious ways. From birth to school this buggy fits all. A cross country buggy (although many people use them all the time in towns and cities too) that like the icandy can accommodate a baby and a toddler, two toddlers, a toddler and a child or just one or the other as and when you need it it is incredibly versatile. With a flat baby section at the back, car seat option on top and two toddler seat options...top or bottom there is something for everyone. They are very reasonably priced at around £450 and they last and last. Compact in size and easily to move about with these buggies have been a huge hit and not without reason. 

Mountain Buggy Duo

Our next twin option is the cross country side by side. Mountain Buggy have created a fab duo buggy that converts from crib to car seat and also offers car seat attachments. Providing individual rain hoods and allowing each seat to recline separately it is very well thought out. Fantastic for cross country riders but still manageable in the town it is a good option as long as the width (less than double but still fairly wide) is not  a problem for you. I wouldn’t necessarily want this buggy on the train with me but it is a great option and offers the side by side equality that others don’t. Additionally having a single pushing handle means that pushing one handed- while on the phone or carrying shopping is possible! Priced reasonably from £625 it is competitive and durable.

Maclaren Techno

Another side by side option, and by far the cheapest, is the Maclaren Twin Techno or Twin Triumph. These are city prams and the Techno still offers the luxury of other brands while coming in at a much kinder to the wallet £280. It offers individually reclining seats, separate rain hoods and two roomy shopping baskets (although hard to get to when baby lies down) suitable from birth these buggies are affordable but very reliable and highly thought of. The handles are comfortable and the width is still narrow enough to fit through most doors (even though it looks like a tight squeeze it fits through most very easily), light and fantastic for traveling with every baby household needs a Maclaren! 

Last then is Bugaboo Donkey (see bottom of blog for image), already featured on the blog last week it will be on the market in the next few months and is the style lovers answer to a double buggy. A large price tag of over £1200 will put many people off but the Donkey does offer a great deal for the money. The narrowest luxury side by side buggy it offers great comfort for side by side riders and parents alike, it changes easily from a duo to a mono and back again and offers great storage at the side if you want it. There are lots of options to suit all needs and I am sure it will prove its worth over the next few months, perhaps too early to be spending that sort of money before it is out on the open market but we will look forward to hearing from test drivers soon. If the world loves it as much as the chameleon and bee then we will certainly get to see a few on the streets before we buy!

Don't be put off by these prices if they seem out of reach... if you aren't happy with your buggy but cannot justify a new one then a) sell it... and b) look into buying your new one on ebay... or alike, lots of buggies get sold after very little use because they do not suit everyone, a buggy must be tailored to your own needs and is a very personal and very important purchase!

The Real "Maclaren"

Maclaren have been a household baby brand for many years. Their umbrella folding competitors have been made to look like second choice beside them and as far as we are concerned they have just got better and better. I bought my first Maclaren buggy at 15- before I had a baby I might add- but I was so worried that my sister would buy the wrong buggy that I bought her the best Maclaren on the market at the time (the then equivalent of the XT). 

Since my sister's buggy I have had just about every Maclaren on the market from the Volo to the Twin. The volo is an excellent lightweight convenience buggy (not from newborn) but the more luxurious buggies such as the XT and now XLR are equally good in terms of convenience and also great for hardier use. 

They do wear out after a while- but that is merely testament to the fact that you will use it day in day out. The only things these buggies are not good for are country, rough or beach terraine- otherwise they are access all areas. 

The XLR takes Maclaren to the next level. A travel system designed to give the buggy the use of a more substantial push-chair with the baby sleeping bag and car seat it combines the convenience of Maclaren with the luxury and comfort of other (and I might add far pricier) brands. 

And then there are the designer buggies. We love the spotty Cath Kidston one and the Butcher's stripe but there are loads of great ones to choose from....and
the twins which are really narrow and light with individually reclining seats and comfortable handles are fab for twins about town. - although a single handle would make folding more difficult it would make pushing a lot easier when on the phone or carrying a bag.

Maclaren are taking over the buggy world, with nothing they can't provide, we think they are the affordable real McCoy. Luxury with a proper price tag and all the extras to go with. 

Your Questions Answered

Q. When is it OK to go outside with my newborn?

A. Your newborn is ready to go outside from day one, with the right clothing and the right protection from sun, wind or rain, baby will not be phased by fresh air (excepting perhaps in the middle of winter). The most important thing here is when YOU are ready, most new mummies feel sore and tired for the first few days and would prefer to stay at home and let people come and visit them but after a few days or as soon as YOU feel like a stroll, you can take baby out. I would always use a sling with a very tiny newborn as I think it makes you both feel more secure and confident, it also stops people from cooing too close or asking for a hold! Stick to parks etc in the very early days as you want to limit exposure to bugs and bacteria (which big shopping centres etc are more likely to breed) and don't let strangers touch baby and you will both thoroughly enjoy the experience. It is a very proud time, taking a new baby out and quite rightly you could feel elated by showing the world your beautiful baby! Enjoy it.

NB. We always recommend the babybjorn baby carrier because it has excellent back support for the parent and fantastic head support for a newborn. It gives a secure hold on baby that makes you feel confident having your hands free whilst still giving you the special feel of closeness.

Cuddle Me Dry

The Cuddledry apron towel, (in case anyone has not seen it), is the towel that you wear as an apron during bath-time, erasing the need to take an eye off baby while you grab the towel and keeping you dry throughout. It is one of those products that was designed for a need and not merely as a luxury and has without a doubt become an absolute baby essential.



I first came across the cuddledry when bathing newborn twins (which is a challenge in itself). Being able to get baby number one warm and comforted the second she came out of the bath made the whole experience a lot more enjoyable and leisurely for baby number two! It is also a lovely experience for mummies and daddies as towel cuddles are one of those unexplainably heart warming moments with baby.


Reducing the risks by enabling you to focus entirely on baby throughout bath time; getting baby warm and comforted as soon as they come out of the bath; improving baby and parent bonding and being ever so practical in keeping you dry all the while...

... the cuddledry towel is an essential item for new parents. At just £24.99 in several colours, an item that you will use for many years to come there isn't even any 'splashing out' required. We love it.

Our Favourite Nappy Bag Essentials...

1. Nappies. We think pampers have got it covered with their nappies, we find them the most absorbent, versatile and crucially most comfortable on the market.

2. Wipes. We love Nature Babycare's eco fragrance free wipes- especially in the travel pack. (Although we don't feel that their nappies are as good as pampers as they do not stick back together when rolled after use!)

3. Sudocrem's new tube. Advertised as being sudocrem for adults we think it is very handy for the changing bag for you and baby alike.

4. Muslins, any simple muslin squares are an invaluable nappy bag addition!

5. Bibs, any simple material bib for newborns and ZPM's amazing popper bib for weaning and toddlers. You do up the poppers at the bottom before the meal to create a pouch that catches stray bits of food falling; then simply unpop at the end of the meal and empty the pouch into the bin before putting the clean bib back into your nappy bag- what a fab idea! No more scooping soggy food out of a plastic pouch or off a restaurant highchair! Our favourite is the cow bib but check out all the fab designs.



6. A spare of your baby's favourite toy (not the one they love at home incase it gets dirty or lost). We love Lamaze's Freddie the Firefly. 


7. Two baby-grows- yes they look lovely in their little outfits but if you have 'one of those days' you will be grateful that you packed practical rompers and not frilly dresses.

8. Pamper's Disposable Mats so that you can be confident about the surface that you change your baby on and not have to worry about cleaning the mat before putting it back in the bag- just throw it away if it's wet or soiled!

9. An antibacterial AND antiviral hand-wash, our pick of the bunch is Mentholatum's.

10. Ready made carton of aptamil (for emergencies if you are breast feeding or with a clean sterilized bottle if you aren't!) OR an Ella's Kitchen pouch for weaning and toddlers.

11. Bottle of infacol - featured on the blog in "WINDY TIP" if you want to find out why.

Baby Sleep Sheep Counting

Ever noticed how your baby wakes after 45 minutes of sleep during daytime naps? Sadly that's the sleep cycle that our beautiful young ones are blessed with. After 45 minutes they drift into light sleep and the slightest sound can wake them, unless they are pushed over into the next 45 minutes which will take them back into deep sleep they are likely to wake.

The sleep sheep could be the answer to your problems. It is absolutely fantastic for sending baby to sleep at night (I tend to use the crashing wave setting). If you use it every night diligently, a bit like bath time it will become part of baby's routine and will contribute to their ability to relax and fall asleep. Like a darkened room the sleep sheep is a good way to put into your baby's head that it is bed time.

Additionally the sleep sheep noises could be the answer to pushing your baby into the next 45 minute phase of deep sleep. Keep the sheep making his noised throughout the nap and hope it pushes baby through.