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Welcome EXPERT A DV I C E The help starts right hereÉ
Be prepared
‘Long or lightning-fast, labour length varies from woman to woman. But how safe and loved you feel can have a big impact on how smoothly your birth story unfolds,’ says birth expert Milli Hill on page 27.
All ears! ‘Big ones, little ones… our ears are unique – and looking after your baby’s begins just few hours after he’s born. But caring for them needn’t be complicated,’ says consultant paediatrician Dr Hesham Abdulla on page 58.
As Mother’s Day spins round, I can’t help thinking about this amazing journey we’re all on. Whether this is the first one you’ll be celebrating as mama to a little bean still tucked up safe in your tum, or you’ve done this a dozen times or more, I think we all deserve to mark our achievements. So, take a look at that little person you’ve made – gaze into their eyes or smile at their scan pic, and give yourself a pat on the back. Because while you might doubt yourself, you’re doing a truly amazing job. If you need a little more encouragement, turn to page 84 to find out why you really do know best. I’m not saying it’s an easy job – babies can throw up lots of challenges – and in the early days, helping them to spend enough time on their tummy can be tough, so we’ve created a special guide (page 41) packed full of fun ideas to make tummy time something you’ll both enjoy. Plus, we’ve got ways you and your bub can harness mindfulness to make your days happier (page 36), thoughts on long and short labours (page 27), and some clever ways
to help you understand your tot better on page 52. And if your little one still struggles to sleep, discover how they can soothe themselves and doze off peacefully on page 68. We all know that sleep is crucial in these early days, which is why we’re launching the Mother & Baby Gold Collection of mattresses. Designed to help your baby slumber in the cleanest, safest environment, it’ll mean you can both enjoy sweet dreams. I’ve used one for my little boy, Matthew, and seen great results – find out more on page 66. Plus we’ve got perfect recipes for picky palates, ideas on how to beat pregnancy perfectionism, and so much more! Happy Mother’s Day!
Sally Saunders, Editor
84 Trust your instinct
68
Gentle bedtime
Subscribe!
Sleep sorted ‘Create a relaxing pre-sleep ritual that you will both enjoy’, says sleep expert Marta Neto on page 78.
Pay just £17.70 e months, and ge very six t a welcome gift of Dr Brow n’s Op Anti-Colic Start tions + er Kit, worth £23.99. See page 80
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 3
Contents
April
41
Baby&Toddler
Nail tummy time and have some fun!
36 Zen baby Help your baby stay calm
41 Have fun on your tum Make tummy time a doddle!
52 Knowing you, knowing me Discover his temperament – and your own
56 Baby’s first... Nappy change
58 Listen up, Mama! Everything you need to know about your little one’s ears
This month 6
News and views Our round-up of the latest essential parenting updates, key trends and fun stuff
14 Over to you Share your letters, photos, emails and Facebook posts
62 Let’s make some memories
Bump&Birth
Have the best Mother’s Day ever
68 Soothe to sleep
20 Perfection rejection
Sort bedtime the gentle way
Say goodbye to your inner perfectionist
Life&Kids
24 Should I try...
84 Mum knows best
Prenatal reflexology?
Trust your instinct
25 Dress my bump
89 Save money
Find fashion for work and play
p41
On the C ov e r
Make your cash go further
27 The long and short of it
90 Our extra-special Mother’s Day
Prepare for labour – no matter how long yours lasts
Meet the mums who have a lot to celebrate this year
32 Birth stories ‘I worked hard for a positive birth’
Here to help
COVER GETTY IMAGES
p68
p62 p27
58 All about ears!
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Our experts answer all your question s 75 The Big Question 76 Pregnancy 77 Health 78 Sleep 79 Behaviour
52
Discover his personality and adapt your parenting approach
D i g i ta l e d i t i o n o n s a l e n ow ! Get M&B direct to your mobile or tablet; greatmagazines.co.uk
108 April showers Let your tot splash about in style!
113 The best...
Pushchair toys, ever
114 Win all this! Giveaways worth more than £2,552
116 Out of this world!
Subscribe!
Try this space-age trend
118 Supermarket buys
Pay just £17.70 eve months and ge ry six welcome gift o t a great f a Dr B Options + Anti-C rown’s olic Starter Kit. See page 80
20
Banish pregnancy perfection
What’s new down the aisles
122 Now I’m a mum, I know... Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson shares all
114 94 Vintage charm
Win!
Step back in time in your nursery
96 Picky palates Encourage your fusspot to dig in
Shop! 102 Best whatever your budget... We test double pushchairs
107 20% off at Jujuni
Exclusive offer for M&B readers
Join us online at
motherandbaby.co.uk m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 5
April
WORDS EMILY THORPE PHOTOGRAPHY SHUTTERSTOCK, ADOBESTOCK *FROM ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
N E E D TO K N OW U YO F F U T S | S W E I V | S NEW
Smart thinking
W
hether you’re pregnant and have got a bit of baby brain going on, or you’re looking after a tot or two and not getting the most sleep, you might find that making a decision takes a lot of energy and effort. And experts think your toddler has it a lot easier than you when it comes to making her little mind up! New research* on 18-month-olds has discovered that rather than simply doing things at random or just copying Mummy, toddlers are able to combine information from what happens to them and what happens to other people to decide whether to keep going with a problem or not. ‘This finding suggests that the toddlers engaged in a sophisticated decision-making process, similar to how adults might create a list of pros and cons, and use it, to influence their choice,’ says Jessica Sommerville, professor of psychology.
April M&B
Summer lovin’
ves
Spring in her step
The new aden+anais spring/ summer collection has got us dreaming of sunnier days. Made from soft, breathable cotton, the gorgeous new prints are available on swaddles, muslins, blankets and bibs. From £8, adenandanais.co.uk
Help your little explorer find her feet with Poco Nido’s adorable new Printed Mini Shoes. Easy for your toddler to pull on, there’s a variety of fun patterns to choose from, including fruit and fairground-inspired designs. The non-slip suede surface will give her support for those all-important first steps. Available in sizes one to eight. £19, poconido.com
l a c i s y h p Let ’s get ck into fitness p
e right get ba h t to s g g n n i i k h t Loo ou do y e r fers a u f s o e y k d a o B M Natal birth? t s o P with y h t m l a or e f t H a l . p y wa online e v i s n e h e and compr s g o l b , s e routin work-out forums managed erts. p discussion of post-natal ex by a team r month, £8 pe
50%
of parents believe head lice can jump a short distance from head to head. In fact, they are only spread by head-to-head contact where they crawl from hair to hair.
Key trend
l a dy b i r d s
£9 asda.com
£7.99 hm.com
£9.49 minifeetshoes.com £19.99 tobytiger.co.uk
£11 sainsburys.co.uk
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 7
*FROM HEDRIN
l
M & B’s Book Shelf Show your tot that love comes in all shapes and sizes with these sweet books...
* SURVEY: #TOMYBABY FAIRY NON-BIO
I Love You Brighter than the Stars, £11.99, Tiger Tales
Love Makes a Family, £9.13, Dial Books
g n i t s a l o w t e r a e r e ‘Th s we can give our bequestren. One is roots. child other is wings’ list The rna ou J , r J r e art Hodding C
You Can Never Run Out Of Love, £6.99, Simon & Schuster
Love You More, £6.95, Igloo Books
8 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Time to quit? In a new initiative to encourage expectant parents to quit smoking, Superdrug is offering a 20 per cent discount on any Nicorette nicotine replacement products. This will also be available to new mums, as the maternity exemption certificate is valid for 12 months after the baby’s due date.
April
APPY DAYS
Sprout Pregnancy helps you feel closer to your upcoming arrival with 3D week-by-week developmental updates, a kick counter, helpful checklists and an in-built journal to capture belly photos and all those special moments and thoughts. Free trial for two weeks, App Store and Android
Pass it on!
Eg
! t n e l gs-cel
Eggs are universally known to be highly nutritious and now, if you’re breastfeeding, there’s another reason to enjoy them. Researchers from the University of Western Australia have found that egg allergy in a child is four times less likely if she had breastmilk containing egg protein as a baby, compared to children who had breastmilk without.
Mister Maker Club Get creative with your tot with the Mister Maker arty box, which includes all the materials you need for a simple and fun project he’ll love getting his teeth into. The box comes personalised with your toddler’s name and includes an activity book full of games and colouring. £6.93, mistermakerclub.com
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 9
ALWAYS SUPERVISE YOUR CHILD.
Babies grow out of socks at lightning speed, so if wondering what on you’re ear with those they’ve ou th to do tgrown, here’s a great idea. RSPC A Putney Animal H ospital is appealing for baby socks to put on the paws of an recovering from op imals erations. Simply send donations to Putney Animal Hospital, 6 Clarendon Drive, London, SW15 1A A.
ise d n a l t n e PWhere do I start? Mother’s Day isn’t always easy, but now I truly love it, says M&B columnist LOUISE PENTLAND
T
he other day we took Pearl out for a particularly wet walk and through all the mud I noticed little snowdrops and daffodil bulbs had started to shoot up. Spring is coming! The days are slightly longer and things are starting to feel a bit cheerier. I always think parenting is so much easier in good weather when you can venture out, there’s d d d ’
arcy Louise with D ear ty and Pearl las
have to spend all your money on coffees at the soft-play centre! Hurrah! Before we are into the full swing of spring though, we have Mother’s Day! A day for us to remind everyone how fabulous we really are, to marvel at how clever we are for creating these little beings, to be showered with gifts by our loving family, to ooh and ahh over handmade cards, and to cash in that extra-long bubble-bath-alone token. Sounds so perfect, doesn’t it? In those ways it is, but I wanted to talk today about the harder side of Mother’s Day, just for a moment, in case any of you were in the same boat as me, and to remind you, you’re not alone. I’ve talked about it
before, but if you’re new to my column, my lovely mum, Jane, died when I was seven years old. She fought bravely against cancer but sadly, at the time, they didn’t have the medical advances we have now, and we lost her five days before Christmas 1992. For so many years I would find Mothering Sunday a really hard and sad day. I would feel jealous of friends buying their mums gifts, and would find myself lingering near the cards sections in shops, wondering which I would buy for her if she was here. Everything changed for me when I became a mummy myself. I remember Mother’s Day 2011 – I was heavily pregnant with Darcy and my friend Charlotte sent me a card from ‘the bump’. It was the first time I’d enjoyed Mother’s Day in over 20 years, and I’ve loved it ever since. Liam makes a big fuss and takes the girls out to buy flowers and cards, and then they ‘present’ them all to me in the kitchen. We try to have a nice day out, but don’t put too much pressure – on ourselves – a meal out with little ones isn’t always the most relaxing experience, is it? One day I’ll have to tell you the story of the Mother’s Day when Darcy accidentally set fire to our restaurant table! Never a dull moment. Although I do think of Mum a lot at this time of year, I also focus on the really good maternal things in my life – my bond with my own girls, the strong relationships I have with other women (related or not) and the community of women online that I’ve come to know and love. If you are missing your mum this year,
Pearl’s first Mother’s Day
April
please know that you’re not on your own – I’m thinking of you and sending a huge virtual hug. If you have little ones, squeeze them extra tight and remind yourself of just what a wonderful mummy you are! If you fancy a chat or want to say hello, I’m @Louise Pentland across social Bi
Let’s play
s
I recently got m Bag for Pearl, y hands on a Time Out and thought it was genius! It’s a bag full o f and games, pre actually interesting toys children when -packed to entertain the for slightly old you travel. They’re made er c so you need to hildren – 3-5 year olds – su toddlers to ma pervise younger ke su goes in their m re nothing ouths.
n
mo
Darcy did an assembly at school where all the children had to talk about an inspirational woman. Darcy told me: ‘I had Marie Curie, but I wanted to it to be about you.’ *Heart melts*
o
n
t ed tha e t t i m d ly I a y th recent LLY lonely b (Liam g o l v A g In a feel RE of Mummin or saying n e ft o f I ay so bad a full d ds end of s a lot). I felt rally hundre e m lite late works ut then I had ring in telling e. it, b ments pou lt the sam e of com mums have f e after all! other e’re not alon So w
Toddler Travellers, a new range of nationwide multi-sensory classes from Toddler Sense, are designed to help parents bridge the developmental gap between baby and toddler. The classes will offer practical, social and emotional parenting support on all aspects of a child’s learning and development. And the one-hour session also allows parents and children to interact together – in an adventure play area! toddlersense.com
Listen up, Mama! Katie Piper’s Extraordinary People, free, iTunes For a dose of inspiration that we could all do with now and again, writer and presenter Katie Piper interviews a variety of guests from all walks of life who have turned adversity into positivity, in this moving and uplifting podcast. Expect laughter and tears in equal meassure.
ikeMum L y a l P d n a r Children’s b ced 2020’s most has announ y towns and dl family-frien y factors such on ke cities, based e costs, school as childcar eatiing out. d standards an outh m y l P . 2 l oo 1. Liverp on-Tyne p u e l t s a c w 3.Ne Bolton . 5 h t ou m e n 4.Bour chester n a M . 7 m a h 6.Birming d 9.Luton 8.Sheffiel d Hove n a on t h g i r 10.B
… g n i v o l e r ’ e w h t on m s i Th
W S O B n I RA some r o f t u o e y Keep an einspired designs rainbow- monthÉ this
Rainbow read
This soft Rainbows Tails book is begging to be explored, with noisy, crinkly pages to delve into boasting different textures for your little bookworm to touch and feel. Attach to your buggy for fun on the go. £12.50, jellycat.com
Boredom buster Keep your baby busy while you enjoy a hot cup of tea with the Mamas & Papas Lights & Sounds Rainbow playmat. There are two arches with removable toys to encourage her to reach and play, as well as a light-up sun with integrated mirror. Suitable from birth. £89, mamasandpapas.com
fa s h i o n f o c u s
Bright builds
Made from chunky, sustainable plywood, this Le Toy Van Rainbow Tunnel will stimulate your toddler’s imagination and help to develop her hand eye co-ordination £14.95, letoyvan.com
£42, jojomamanbebe.co.uk
£16, welovefrugi.com
£11, next.com
From the makers of
Fo he
e o
a o ey
Formulated by Vitabiotics’ nutritional experts, to support the nutritional requirements of babies and young children. Contains UK Department of Health recommended level of vitamin D1
Wellbaby multi-vitamins contain the recommended vitamins A, C and D1 vitamins
14 & minerals with recomme ded
Vits A,C &D
2020-01-17_ADWBYCONP_E
Vit D Drops
Multi-vitamin Drops
Multi-vitamin Liquid
From , Superdrug, Holland & Barrett, supermarkets, chemists, health stores and wellbaby.com 1. The UK Department of Health recommends that all babies from birth until the age of 1 should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5-10mcg of vitamin D and that children from one to 4 years take a supplement containing 10mcg vitamin D. In addition, all infants aged from 6 months to 5 years should be given a supplement containing vitamins A, C and D (Unless they are drinking 500ml (or approx. 1 pint) of infant formula a day, as infant formula has vitamins added to it). Source: NHS Choices. *UK’s No1 baby supplement brand. Source: Nielsen GB ScanTrack Total Coverage Value and Unit Retail Sales 52 w/e 30 Nov 2019. To verify contact Vitabiotics Ltd, 1 Apsley Way, London, NW2 7HF.
ver to you...
S O M E T H I N G T O S AY ? W E L OV E T O
WIN!
Letter of the month
A £150 voucher from Polarn O. Pyret
Champion Mama! Here I am at eight months pregnant, winning my second national title for playing bowls, and appearing on BBC Sport for doing so – all while carrying my beautiful bundle of joy! Who says being pregnant has to stop us from reaching our goals and becoming the healthiest, happiest versions of ourselves for our babies? Fast forward five months and I have a beautiful and active four-month old, Hudson,
H E A R YO U R V I E W S !
who is obsessed with watching sport and to whom I tell the stories each night at bedtime of how he helped Mummy strive and achieve during pregnancy, and now motherhood too. Harriet Stevens, Torquay
Harriet wins a £150 voucher from Polarn O. Pyret, the iconic kids’ clothing brand with an ethical mindset
FIND US ONLINE AT motherandbaby.co.uk
Little rider This is my little girl Amelia, two, on her gorgeous Shetland pony, Duke. She loves riding! Katie Eaton, Cambridgeshire
Join us on facebook at facebook.com/ motherandbaby
COMPILED BY BETHANY MACKMAN
Tweet us @motherandbaby Follow us at instagram.com/ motherandbaby Nakshatra is 10 weeks old and has the most amazing, glittery eyes. She loves twinning with her mama! Monisha Mondava, Poole, Dorset
1 4 | A pr il 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! Email share@mother andbaby.co.uk, please include your name, location, your baby’s name and age.
April Mother’s Day thanks
Our son Jenson, 18 months, finds sleep difficult but, as you can see, he is full of fun. A huge thank you to my partner Lisa for staying strong when sleep-deprived.
Here’s my big girl Florence, two, enjoying a see-saw. She likes to play outside and explore. Samantha Williamson, Peterborough
Lee Morgan, Peterborough
Little charmer
Meet Zavier, who’s almost one. He has such a big personality and is a real charmer! He’s very curious and I love seeing his character and interests coming through as he’s getting older. Zed Kazmi, Dunstable
Surprise!
Meet Sefina Bea. She’s our angel. She’s 11 months old and smiles all day long! I was told in 2018 that it was unlikely I would be able to have children, then one day I felt a bit off, I took a test and it was positive! We were shocked and thrilled, best surprise ever. Kerry Smith, Cheshire
This is me and my little girl, Eve y Elizabeth, in her Harry Potter outfit. She arrived five weeks early but now she’s doing great! Chloe Richardson, Helensburgh
I love to ‘organise’ Mummy and Daddy’s wardrobe and I have started to dress myself now! EveScarr,agedthree, Peterborough
Super trio
Here are my three sons, Flynn, three; Louis, two, and Rowan, 10 weeks. I love being their mum so much that I would like to have another baby, but as they all had to be delivered by caesarean, it’s sensible to stop at three. Although this is a little disappointing, I know I am very lucky to have three wonderful sons in my life to love and cherish, and I remember this every day. However, I just can’t bring myself to get rid of the baby clothes that Rowan has outgrown... just in case! Sally O’Shea, Market Bosworth
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 1 5
SEND US YOUR SELFIES ! We’d lo
ve to your pics see you and y of youngste our r. them to s Send hare@ motheran d baby.co.u k
My mini-me Send us your smiley selfies!
Editor SALLY SAUNDERS 01733 468944 Deputy Editor KAREN WARREN Acting Production Editor SUE PARSLOW Art Editors CARLY HURD, EMMA HOWCUTT-KELLY Senior Writer EMILY THORPE Designer MEGAN SPEAR Web Editor MARIA MARTIN Editorial Assistant BETHANY MACKMAN
ADVERTISING Commercial Director IAIN (REG) GRUNDY 01733 468078 Commercial Manager KIMBERLEY ROBERTSON-HUNT 01733 366422 Account Manager ALEX HOJBJERG 01733 366416 Classified Group Advertising Manager KAREN GARDINER 01733 366434 Senior Sales Executive VICTORIA MATTHEWS 01733 366395 Project Manager KIM MURPHY 01733 366322 Flatplanner RICKY DUFF 01733 366321
PRODUCTION Group Production Manager KIM NUNZIATA Production Controller ANDREW STAFFORD Ad Production Manager ZOE BELLAMY Ad Production Controller KATIE KERRY
This is me and my one-year-old Evie having some silly selfie fun! Melanie Daws, Hampshire
MARKETING & RESEARCH
Freddie Hawkins is one, and loves sleeping on Mummy. Bev Hawkins, Derby
Marketing Manager SUSAN ROGERS Product Manager AMY KIRTON Newstrade Marketing Manager SAMANTHA THOMPSON Direct Marketing Manager JULIE SPIRES Direct Marketing Executive AMY DEDMAN Digital Marketing Assistant KATE BURTON
SYNDICATION & LICENSING
This is Arman, three months old. He loves baths, posing for pictures, and going for walks. He likes it when people talk to him, and responds with different sounds and giggles. Inna Berzina, Crawley
International Content Executive SYNDICATION@BAUERMEDIA.CO.UK MOTHERANDBABYPICTURELIBRARY.COM
H BAUER PUBLISHING Managing Director of Sport and Women’s Specialist OSWIN GRADY Editorial Director JUNE SMITH-SHEPPARD Digital Managing Director CHARLIE CALTON-WATSON Chief Financial Officer of Bauer Magazine Media LISA HAYDEN Chief Executive Officer of Bauer Publishing UK ROB MUNRO-HALL Mother&Baby Magazine is published 13 times a year by H Bauer Publishing, company number LP003328, Academic House, 24-28 Oval Road, London NW1 7DT. No part of the magazine maybe reproduced in any form in whole or in part, without prior permission of the publisher. All material published remains the copyright of H Bauer Publishing. We reserve the right to edit letters, copy or images submitted to the magazine without further consent. The submission of material to H Bauer Publishing whether unsolicited or requested, is taken as permission to publish in the magazine, including any licensed editions throughout the world. Any fees paid in the UK include remuneration for any use in any other licensed editions. We cannot accept any responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, images or materials lost or damaged in the post. Whilst every reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage, howsoever caused, resulting from the use of the magazine. COMPLAINTS: H Bauer Publishing is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (ipso.co.uk) and endeavours to respond to and resolve your concerns quickly. Our Editorial Complaints Policy (including full details of how to contact us about editorial complaints and IPSO’s contact details) can be found at bauermediacomplaints.co.uk. Our email address for editorial complaints covered by the Editorial Complaints Policy is complaints@bauermedia.co.uk.
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Here’s my friend Laura and her two-year-old Dylan. She’s a brilliant friend and an amazing mum, and she’s expecting baby number two! Sophie Knight, Peterborough
1 6 | A pr il 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
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Worth the wait
WORDS NATALIE MILLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY SHUTTERSTOCK, ISTOCK
AS MOTHER’S DAY approaches – along with your due date – you’re probably feeling full of anticipation for what’s around the corner. Make the long wait a little easier by taking some time to think about the here and now, by recording how you’re feeling, your pregnancy milestones and all the funny little things that make your pregnancy unique. Waiting For You: A Keepsake Pregnancy Journal (£12.87, Compendium Inc) is a new hardback journal that lets you do exactly that, and includes prompts such as ‘Our family and friends think we’re having…’ and ‘Ways you’ve grown and developed recently…’. It also encourages you to record your expectations, such as ‘What I imagine it will b like when I see you for the first time…’ and ‘I can’t wait to….’ The journal is sure to make a lovely memento of a precious time.
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of the best…
you’re experiencing the ‘mask of 1 Ifpregnancy’ (pigmentation, on cheeks and forehead), try the new Bioderma Pigmentbio range of five products that target dark spots. The Daily Care SPF50+ (available 4 March) is ideal for protecting against aggravating UV light.
pregnancy problemsolvers
If your skin’s all over the place, one of these heroes will see you right!
£20, feelunique.com Whilelovelines can bewornwith pride, you can helprelieve stretching skin withClarinsBody Partner Stretch Mark Expert. Itcontainsplant extractsfrom greenbananaand tigergrassto firmskin and reinforce collagentohelp preventand reduce the appearanceof stretchmarks.
2
Tackle any pregnancy blemishes with new skincare brand Q+A’s Zinc PCA Facial Serum. The zinc balances oil levels, while reishi and shiitake mushrooms tackle redness.
3
£9, qandaskin. com
N
£40, clarins.co.uk
ARRIV W A E
Try this! get cosy If mindfulness is something you’re aware of but haven’t quite got around to trying, now is the time to think about how you can make your baby’s first year a calm one. We love the tip in Mindful Mamma by Sophie Fletcher (£14.99, Vermilion) about creating a den in the moments after giving birth. As Sophie says, birth environments can feel busy and bright, and distract you from just ‘being’ with your baby. Pack a dressing gown or perhaps lightweight blanket in
your maternity bag, so you can create a tent by draping it over you and your baby, and your partner if you like. ‘Breathe in, 3… 2… 1… Breathing out, relax… relax… relax,’ says Sophie. ‘Let go of any worries or busy thoughts, and just be where you are. Now really look at your baby, noticing his face, ears and eyes. Stay in this moment for as long as you need. If you like, you can whisper the affirmation: “As I breathe in I connect with you, as I breathe out I let go of everything else.”’
It s one thing investing in a pair of maternity jeans that will see you from week 16 of your pregnancy right through to week 39, but splashing out on occasion wear can be a little harder to swallow. Maternity brand Isabella Oliver has launched a rental service to save you money and eliminate the impact of fast fashion on our planet. Choose from partywear and key pregnancy essentials to rent for two weeks. If you love it, you can buy it! Rental prices from £16, isabellaoliver.com
DUE DATE CALCULATOR We can help you keep track of when your baby is likely to arrive motherandbaby. co.uk/due-datecalculator
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 1 9
WORDS NIKKI DUTTON PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGES
reje ti !
PERFECTION
Say so your inn d enjoy a happier, healthier pregnancy
20 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
E
ven before you became pregnant, we bet you imagined how it would be what your bump would look like, the clothes you’d wear, and what sort of birth you’d like. And, of course, now you are pregnant, you want everything to be perfect. ‘It’s completely natural to have an MEET THE EXPERT idea and expectation of how you’d like your pregnancy to be,’ says perinatal psychiatrist Dr Rebecca Moore Dr Rebecca Moore. ‘While a huge part of it is is a perinatal psychiatrist wanting the best possible start for your baby, and mum of two; it’s becoming increasingly common to want doctorrebecca every aspect of your pregnancy to be a certain moore.com way too, from having thick, glossy pregnancy hair to being thrown the perfect baby shower. This desire to be perfect can take you by surprise, especially if you didn’t think of yourself as a perfectionist before you became pregnant,’ says Dr Rebecca. ‘After being used to having control over every aspect of your life, your body and your career, not being in control can feel overwhelming. This can lead you to put extra pressure on yourself to achieve new goals, whether that’s making every single meal from scratch or decorating the entire nursery by yourself. ‘Putting yourself under pressure, along with the already full-time job of growing your baby, can increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol,’ says Dr Rebecca. ‘This, combined with rising levels of pregnancy hormones progesterone and oestrogen, makes your amygdala, the part of your brain that regulates your emotions, even more super-sensitive, creating a circle of expectations that can be tricky to break out of,
Bump&Birth especially if they’re not realistic right now. Taking the pressure off yourself can actually help you feel more in control, calmer and appreciative of the amazing job your body is doing,’ says Dr Rebecca. So, discover how you can channel your need for perfection into having a happier, healthier pregnancy and reap a whole host of other benefits too…
RECOGNISE YOUR HARD WORK
If your to-do list is looking longer than usual, with even more things on it than before you became pregnant, it’s likely that you are putting extra pressure on yourself. ‘It can be hard to admit that there are a few too many to-dos on your list, especially if you’re used to achieving lots,’ says Dr Rebecca. ‘But your body is already working a lot harder than it did before you became pregnant, so putting yourself under pressure to achieve the same things (or more) is unrealistic! Acknowledging all of the things your body is working hard to do on a daily basis such as providing your baby with nutrients, growing his fingernails, keeping him safe and protected will help you see you already have a pretty big to-do list.’ A weekly pregnancy update serves as a great reminder of all the things you’re already doing to nurture your baby sign up for one at motherandbaby.co.uk.
PUT YOURSELF FIRST
As you’re already working so hard during pregnancy, now is the time to put yourself first. ‘Allow your inner pregnancy perfectionist to help you reduce external stress as much as possible,’ says Dr Rebecca. ‘You might want to ask if you can take on less at work, reduce the amount of time you spend on social media, and say no to invites or requests that are going
‘My antenatal class really focused on having a drug-free birth, which left me feeling that was what I should try to have. It started off well, but in hindsight I wish I’d taken the pressure off myself and had an epidural sooner, rather than holding on to that idea of a “perfect” birth!’ Sarah Henshaw, 29, from West Sussex, is mum to Preston, two
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 2 1
P E R F EC T I O N R E J EC T I O N ! to leave you feeling exhausted. These are all for you at that time. If going for a walk positive ways to reduce your stress levels, is going to leave you tired and burnt out, alongside eating as well as you can, relaxing in front of Netflix is the best thing ‘I felt taking gentle exercise, and having you can do to recharge your batteries. about the size conscious more time to relax.’ By channelling ‘If you’re beating yourself up for of my bump – people these perfectionist feelings into doing this, talk through your thoughts would often comment on how things that you do have control behind these goals and ask “Why big it was. I soon realised that as over, whether that’s relaxing, is this important to me right now? long as my baby was healthy it what you’re eating, or taking time What would happen if I didn’t didn’t matter – and that I couldn’t out for yourself, you’re putting meet this goal or didn’t do much about it anyway!’ steps in place to look after do it at all? What Gemma Millington, 30, yourself and your baby. would it feel like?”’ from Doncaster, is says Dr Rebecca. mum to Alice, CHECK YOUR GOALS ‘Acknowledging four weeks If you find you’re setting yourself that you would goals for things that are good for you have liked something and your baby – eating five portions of fruit to happen, but it and veg a day or going to a pregnancy yoga didn’t for whatever class twice a week – then feeling frustrated reason and that that you haven’t managed to do what you set nothing bad out to, it’s time to reassess whether these goals happened, can are achievable for you, no matter how much help rationalise you want them to be! ‘Setting high goals and your then not meeting them is more stressful than working towards a more manageable goal,’ says Dr Rebecca. ‘So, if you’re feeling frustrated about something you want to do but haven’t been able to, check this goal with a partner or friend and ask them whether it’s realistic. If it isn’t, get them to help you set a more manageable goal.’ For example, if you’re putting yourself under pressure to eat your five-a-day but morning sickness, no energy or having no time to get to the shop is preventing you, discuss what you could do instead. Could you aim to have an apple as an afternoon snack, would melon ease your morning sickness, or could your partner stock the cupboards with fruit or chop some up for you to nibble on when you get home?
REDUCE YOUR EXPECTATIONS
‘If you do want that biscuit instead of an apple, or to relax on the sofa instead of going for a walk, that’s absolutely fine,’ says Dr Rebecca. ‘Putting pressure on yourself to do the “right” thing, isn’t always what’s best
‘We had building work done in the six months before Zac arrived, and I felt so much pressure to make sure his room was ready. But I came to realise that, as long as Zac had somewhere to sleep, it didn’t matter, and that the Instaworthy nursery could wait.’ Rachel King, 33, from Nottingham, is mum to Zac, one
Bump&Birth goals and discover that they’re not so important after all.’
HOW MUCH OF A PREGNANCY PERFECTIONIST ARE YOU?
PRACTISE SELF-COMPASSION
It’s really easy to compare yourself and your pregnancy experience to other mamas-to-be, whether that’s friends, celebrities or on social media. Things that you wouldn’t usually be bothered about can leave you feeling under pressure! ‘Everyone’s pregnancy, body and experience is different,’ says Dr Rebecca. ‘On social media you don’t know the context, feelings or experience behind the post, so it’s futile comparing yourself.’ Instead, channel your focus on what’s best for you and your baby, and give yourself a pat on the back. You’re already the best possible mama to your baby just the way you are!
1. YOU’D PLANNED TO HAVE A BANANA FOR YOUR MORNING SNACK BUT FELT A BIT QUEASY, SO DECIDED TO HAVE A BISCUIT INSTEAD. DO YOU: A
Enjoy every crumb – it was exactly what you needed! B Eat the biscuit but feel a bit guilty about not having the banana
2. YOU SEE A PHOTO OF SOMEONE YOU USED TO GO TO SCHOOL WITH ON FACEBOOK. SHE’S PREGNANT AND SPORTING A MUCH SMALLER BABY BUMP THAN YOU. DO YOU: Comment immediately to congratulate her. You didn’t even realise she was expecting! B
Feel pleased for her… and try to find out exactly how far along she is
Mostly a S:
You’re super-chilled out and know that you can’t do everything. You’re not afraid to ask others to help out or do what’s best for you and your baby – even if you’re feeling the pressure to do otherwise. Good work!
Feel rubbish – why is her bump so much smaller than yours? She must be eating a lot better than you are! 3. YOU GET HOME FROM WORK AND YOU’RE REALLY TIRED, BUT FEEL LIKE YOU SHOULD GO FOR A STROLL. DO YOU: A
C Have the biscuit but feel really bad that you’re not giving your baby the right nutrients
A
C
See the sofa and think ‘No chance!’ You’ve had such a long day, you just want to put your feet up B Look at the sofa longingly, sigh, and then go for a quick 10-minute walk C Put your trainers on and go for the walk, making sure you do a full 30 minutes as you’ve only been on one walk so far this week
4. YOU SEE A PHOTO OF A GORGEOUS NURSERY IN A MAGAZINE. DO YOU: A
Think that it looks amazing, but you’ve already picked out your colour scheme B
Pick out a few pieces that you like – they’ll match the curtains you’ve already chosen C
Immediately think that it looks so much better than what you’d planned – and feel guilty that you’re not giving your baby the nursery he deserves
Mostly BS:
You know your own mind but end up succumbing to the odd pressure, whether it’s going to a hypnobirthing class you didn’t really fancy or buying the most popular pram. Stick to your guns, Mama! After all, no one Mostly knows your mind, or cS: your baby, better You can be prone to worrying, than you. and faced with so many pressures,
it’s not surprising. ‘Talking through your worries and resting when you need to can help. But, if you’re feeling overwhelmed on a regular basis, it’s worth having a chat with your midwife or GP,’ says Dr Rebecca.
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 2 3
PRENATAL REFLEXOLOGY? It’s a form of massage The theory behind reflexology is that your feet represent your body, and certain pressure points on the foot link to different parts of your body. For example, the big toe on your left foot represents the left side of your head. Pressing on these areas is then believed to trigger a healing process. The reflexologist will massage areas of your feet and sometimes your hands – perfect, as the usual massages can be more difficult when you are pregnant.
. . . t ou b a k n i Th you’re feeling ...How
During your consultation, the therapist should ask you questions about your health and what you would like help with. To enable them to tailor the treatment to you, take time to consider any specific aches and pains, whether you’re feeling anxious, or not sleeping well, before your appointment.
Improve your wellness Reflexology has been claimed to help a range of pregnancy symptoms such as swollen ankles, tiredness, aches, and even morning sickness. It also provides an opportunity for some quiet time for you to focus on you and your growing baby, and that’s always a good thing.
You’ll need to pay Reflexology is not available on the NHS so you’ll need to use a private practitioner. To find a qualified reflexologist in your area, visit aor.org.uk for an online directory. This will usually cost you between £40 and £60 for a 60-minute treatment.
. . . t ou b a k n i Th Talking to your …
midwife
Reflexology is generally considered safe as it does not involve anything that would affect your baby. However, it is a good idea to inform your midwife, as each mum-to-be is different. Some may recommend waiting until you are past 12 weeks of pregnancy.
. . . t ou b a k n i Th ving a go yourself
…Ha
If you’re interested in teaching yourself how to perform reflexology, pick up The Reflexology Bible (£14.99, Godsfield Press) which includes everything from zone maps techniques. Or better yet drop a (heavy!) hint and lea it on your partner’s bedside table…
WORDS EMILY THORPE PHOTOGRAPHY ADOBESTOCK
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Bump&Birth
THE LONG
and short of it Hands up who wants to know how long their labour Whatever happens, we’ve got your back
will last?
I WORDS MILLI HILL PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK, GETTY IMAGES
t’s said that ‘worry is the work of pregnancy’, and if you’re expecting a baby, you’ll probably find a new thing to feel anxious about each day. And right up there at the top of your worry list may be thoughts of how long your labour will last – you may have heard stories from friends about it lasting for days. On the other hand, you might have also heard of lightning-fast births, where baby arrived before mum had time to take her jeans off! But is there an ‘ideal’ length for labour, and what, if anything, can you do to influence it?
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 2 7
T H E LO N G A N D S H O RT O F I T WHAT’S ‘NORMAL’?
First of all, we can only talk about averages here, because women are all different and unique. The ‘average’ labour, for a first-time mum, will last between six and 12 hours, with subsequent babies often coming a little more quickly. This timing refers to socalled ‘established labour’, meaning your contractions are strong and regular and take up all of your focus – as Chummy from Call the Midwife puts it, ‘When labour really gets its boots on.’ Many labours will take this pathway, starting, building, gradually progressing and then reaching the climax of birth itself in about eight hours. It’s really important to know that the main factor that keeps labour progressing forwards is the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin, known as ‘the love hormone’ or ‘the shy hormone’, is so vital to giving birth that if you don’t produce enough of it yourself, you will be given a synthetic version via a drip to help get your labour moving. And to produce this essential hormone, you need to feel safe, calm, supported, undisturbed, warm and cosy! The environment you give birth in, and how safe and loved you feel during your labour, both have a vital influence on how smoothly your birth story unfolds.
WHY CAN IT TAKE LONGER?
It’s also important to bear in mind that so much can vary from woman to woman, and we actually understand very little about how
MEET THE EXPERT Milli Hill is founder of the Positive Birth Movement, author of Give Birth Like a Feminist (£14.99, HQ HarperCollins), and a mum of three
Tip During pregnancy, have a read of spinningbabies. com, and learn more about the different positions your baby can find herself in, and how you can take action.
our bodies work and what makes labour progress quickly or slowly. There has been some research to suggest that today’s woman is taking longer to labour than her grandmother, but very little attention has been given to why this might be. Hospital births, inductions and fear of birth may all play a role here, as may our modern habit of working right up to our due dates, potentially meaning we begin labour with more adrenaline in our bodies, which may inhibit our oxytocin production. There is a lot we don’t yet understand, and we have also been taught that our labour progress should be fast and linear – just like it is in both the movies and according to the graph that hangs on the hospital wall to chart our ‘progress’. But real birth is not a scene from a soap opera, and women are not robots who all perform the same under any circumstances. Part of being in labour involves surrendering and trusting the process – but this doesn’t mean you can’t prepare yourself in advance for either a long or a short labour.
Short labours Very short labours are known as ‘precipitous’ births and are defined as such if you go from zero to hero in three hours or less. This kind of labour is rare – it happens in only about 3 per cent of births – and it’s both more likely, and easier to predict, for second or subsequent babies. If your first baby came quickly, it’s likely (but not guaranteed) that your others will too, but there really is no other way of knowing that your labour will be fast. There may be a genetic element, so it’s worth asking your mother and grandma if they had very fast or very long labours, but unfortunately, this still won’t give you a definitive answer. Getting labour over as quickly as possible may sound ideal, but it can actually be quite a shock to the system. If your labour is very short it can make getting to the hospital in time a
28 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
challenge, so it might be worth thinking through in advance what you will do if your birth goes this way. Here are a few ideas: ● Make a plan with your partner about what you will do if your labour is fast. How far do you live from the hospital or birth centre? Will you still try to get there, or will you stay at home and call a midwife or ambulance? ● Get your partner to prepare themselves for a quick labour by reading up about what happens at a birth so that they know what to expect. Make sure they know your wishes too. ● No matter where you are hoping to give birth, keep a basic ‘home-birth kit’ on hand – for example, some towels, a water bottle, and a phone or camera, just in case things progress quickly. ● If you have other children, make sure you have made arrangements with
someone who can take care of them quickly and easily. ● Be aware that paramedics are not midwives and may not be as up-tospeed on current best practice, for example active birth, delayed cord clamping or skin-to-skin. You’re perfectly entitled to speak up – for example, if they ask you to get into a birth position you don’t feel comfortable in. ● Remember, you don’t have to transfer to hospital after an unplanned home birth unless there are concerns about the wellbeing of you or your baby.
Bump&Birth
‘I laboured for days with my third baby! It just kept stopping and starting. I kept active and used positions I’d learnt would help my baby move through more easily. I also went for a long family walk and used hypnobirthing techniques, which really helped.’ Jennie Davies, 34, from Norwich, is mum to Ada, five months, Reuben, six, and Findlay, eight
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 2 9
T H E LO N G A N D S H O RT O F I T
Long labours For your first baby, you can expect your labour to be long, possibly stopping and starting a lot, as your body and mind warm up to the idea of having a baby. The process, from the first ‘niggles’ to having your newborn in your arms, may take as long as a few days, but usually these niggles will be on and off, and the part where you are occupied with one contraction after another will probably last on average about eight hours. Even in this intense time you will get breaks between the contractions, which should be completely pain free. If you are not getting these pain-free breaks, that may be down to your baby’s position. The midwives or doctors will guide you on this, but you can also try to help by moving yourself. Choose active, upright positions, get in a birth pool if you can, and avoid being on a bed on your back.
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If your labour is taking longer than you’d like, stay calm, and ask yourself: how am I doing here? If you are coping fine, and checks show that all is well with the baby, then it could simply be that this was the labour you were meant to have – slowly building at a steady pace. If you are struggling, however, or you or others have concerns, then intervention is needed. The medical approach to a slow labour is to ‘augment’ it with intravenous oxytocin through a drip, to speed things along, but if everything is OK with your baby and you can have more time, here are some other techniques you may like to try first. ● Think mammal. To produce oxytocin, like all mammals, you need darkness, quiet, warmth, and to feel safe and supported. If your labour is slow to progress, check that these basics are all in place for you.
● Think love. If your birth room is ticking your oxytocin boxes, try other ways of getting the love hormone flowing. Smooching, massage, nipple stimulation, loving words or looks, or even orgasm, will all help. ● Get moving. Get off the bed, change position, try a birth ball, go for a walk, and focus on changing the energy in your body. ● Eat and drink. Make sure you keep your energy and fluid levels up with regular drinks and snacks. ● Free your mind. Ensure there are no thoughts or feelings holding you back. Talk about your fears with your partner or midwife. This release may have a corresponding effect on your body. ● Try acupuncture or acupressure. These can sometimes be provided in hospitals or birth centres. If not, a quick search for ‘acupressure in labour’ will give you suggested points to stimulate.
‘Kioni was my fourth and fastest labour – just one hour and 15 minutes. I loved it! It made it much more bearable fo me that I didn’t have to do it fo long. I felt powerful, like I’d totally rocked this birth!’ Becky Young, 35, from Cambridgeshire, is mum to Kioni, three, Reuben, four, Mali, eight, and Afiya, 11
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Birth stories
‘I worked hard for a calm, positive birth’
MeetCarly,whoovercameheranxiety to enjoy her c-section Billy, a few hours old
Billy, Carly with irth after the b
WORDS RACHEL TOAL
‘I
’d like a planned c-section,’ I told the midwife, before nervously spilling my notes on the floor. I’d printed out reams of paper detailing my rights. Even so, I knew what I was asking for was controversial, especially for my first baby. But the midwife was understanding. She listened kindly as I explained I’d been living with anxiety since I was 13, and how the uncertainty of a natural birth scared me. When she said she’d refer me to a specialist to discuss it further, it was a relief. The doctors took my views into account before agreeing to give me the c-section, and I was switched to a lovely community midwife who was to provide one-to-one care. After feeling a bit flat about my pregnancy, it felt wonderful to be supported. I spent the next few weeks researching c-sections, and attended a hypnobirthing class. Every night, I listened to the meditation track with my partner Jonathan. I began to feel calm, confident and positive.
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CARLY HOBBS, 36, A SPRAY TANNER, LIVES IN SHEFFIELD WITH PARTNER JONATHAN AND SON BILLY, ONE
At 36 weeks I signed the paperwork agreeing to a planned c-section, and the date was set for 39 weeks. In the run up, I was super-organised, packing my hospital bag, organising a dog sitter, and even getting a few beauty treatments! But the day before I was booked in, I began to feel strange. ‘I can’t feel the baby moving,’ I told Jonathan, and we phoned the hospital. Thankfully, after being checked out, I was told everything was fine. Jonathan and I went home and relaxed in front of the TV. But when I stood up from the sofa I felt a gush of water. This wasn’t in my plan! It was hard not to panic, but Jonathan encouraged me to stay calm. ‘It’s OK, I just need to get to hospital,’ I told myself, concentrating on breathing slowly. Once on the ward I was examined and told that, although I wasn’t dilated, my waters had broken, and because of the risk of infection I’d need to stay in. My c-section was scheduled for the next day anyway. At around 8pm, Jonathan
Bump&Birth Three things I’d tell my friends
Baby Billy at four weeks old
was asked to go home, and that’s when I became teary. I felt clueless about what to do in our antenatal classes I’d switched off during the sessions on labour because I had thought it wouldn’t affect me. Soon, I began to notice mild twinges. I tried to distract myself, watching shows on my phone, but I was starting to struggle. Pacing the corridor, I felt regular, strong tightenings. I went to find the midwives. ‘If I was in labour, at what point would you be interested?’ I asked. They replied that contractions would need to last one minute, about a minute apart. I grabbed my phone and started timing the sensations. Sure enough, they were roughly a minute apart, and lasting about that long. It was 9pm when a surgeon popped in to discuss the c-section I was due to have the following day. When I explained I was having contractions, she examined me: ‘We’ll need to bring you forward to tonight,’ she said. ‘You’re 4cm dilated, and in established labour.’ Relief flooded my body as I realised they were still going to give me my c-section. But the contractions were getting intense. Jonathan returned to find me leaning against the wall, swearing! I was suddenly frightened at the prospect of not having Lucy, my dedicated midwife, with me, but thankfully the midwife on duty was lovely too. She brought me and Jonathan our scrubs for theatre and I was given new consent forms for an emergency c-section. Unfortunately, we were in a queue after another mum-to-be whose situation was more urgent. While I puffed on the gas and air, Jonathan tried to keep me distracted by playing the chilled Ibiza soundtrack we’d prepared. Ibiza is where we’d first met, so imagining the warm, sandy beaches there was exactly what I needed to stay calm. The gas and air wasn’t having much of an effect, but I was given a shot of the painkiller diamorphine. It was only at 4am, and after I’d had a couple of wobbles where I’d convinced myself I couldn’t go on, that it was our turn. Going into theatre and seeing the team of medics smiling at me was a huge relief. My anxiety faded as I felt the relaxed atmosphere rub off
Prep for your planned c-section by watching YouTube videos of the operation with your partner. It will help both of you understand the steps, and show how you can make it special and personal for your own arrival. While everything should go to plan, labour can surprise you in how it styles out, so get familiar with the basics of what could happen. This will help empower you, too. Post-surgery, use your pregnancy pillow to prop up your tummy from underneath when you’re half sat up cuddling your baby.
on me. I didn’t even panic when I was asked to lean over a pillow for the spinal block. As the staff busied themselves around us, Jonathan held my hand. ‘Tell me about Ibiza,’ I whispered, and he began describing all our favourite places out there, a hypnobirthing technique we’d practised during pregnancy. I was instantly transported. I was vaguely aware of the staff getting started on the other side of the curtain, and I felt a painless tugging sensation in my bump. The atmosphere was so peaceful, though, I hardly registered what was happening. ‘Happy birthday, little man,’ I heard the surgeon say. Our baby boy had been born! He was whisked to another room for checks, and it was a tense wait before a midwife returned to reassure us. ‘He’s fine, just being a little tinker!’ she smiled. Apparently, the diamorphine I’d been given had made him sleepy, and they needed to be sure he was alert enough to breathe on his own. To our huge relief, he soon woke up. And when baby Billy was passed to Jonathan, I almost burst with happiness seeing my boys together. We went home the next day, and my physical recovery was great. Mentally, I had a bit of processing to do, and I was supported brilliantly by Lucy. She explained that Billy was breech, and would have struggled to have been born vaginally anyway. Talking about what had happened helped, as did some useful NHS counselling sessions focusing on my anxiety. Thankfully, any flatness I felt during my pregnancy disappeared after the birth. I suspect it was prenatal depression. My anxiety has eased, and I feel lucky to have experienced such an empowering birth. The lead up to my c-section may not have been as controlled as I’d wanted, but I’m proud of how I handled the situation, and of the decisions I made. I’m proof that even the most anxious mum-to-be can have a calm, positive birth.
Back home with supportive partner Jonathan
SHARE YOUR STORY Tell us about your experience of an empowering birth at facebook.com/ motherandbaby
r e l d d o T & y Bab OLUTIONS S P E E L S | E C I DV A T R E P REAL LIFE | EX
Just one more mouthful… about how much baby should eat, encouraging him with the old favourite ‘just one more mouthful…’ If you can’t face the thought of baby-led weaning and would rather spoon feed, try to let him set the pace, and make sure you pay attention to cues that he may be full, such as turning his head away, clamping his mouth shut or holding up his hands.
WORDS BETHANY MACKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK
Are you a spoon feeder, or are you letting baby lead the way on your weaning journey? Put a group of new mums in a room and it’s likely they’ll each have unique views on the subject. However, a new study* suggests that baby-led weaning might be a good option if you are worried about your baby piling on the pounds. When your child helps himself to food it’s easier for him to stop when he’s full, whereas the researchers found that mums had a more set idea
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£30, nuby.uk.com
Your baby’s skin is soft and delicate, and to help you keep it that way, new toiletries brand Petit Jovial has launched a range of 100 per cent natural skincare, made from vegan-friendly ingredients. The range, which is is suitable for bump, baby and beyond, includes a Nourishing Multi-Purpose Balm for Face & Body, at £24.75. The lightly moisturising Nourishing Bath Oil, £23, is made with skin-loving sunflower oil and lavender, designed to soothe baby in a calming bath before bed. The Body Massage and Scalp Oil, £22, can be used to gently ease cradle cap or to massage and ease baby’s wind – and it can also help on your stretch marks. The products come in recyclable Miron violet glass jars that keep them fresher for longer, so there’s no need for unnatural preservatives. Find the range at petitjovial.com. m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 3 5
WORDS HATTIE GARLICK PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGES
Baby&Toddler
ZEN
Help your little one develop calming skills for life
MEET THE EXPERT Marneta Viegas is the founder of Relax Kids, which produces relaxation CDs, books and baby mindfulness classes; relaxkids.com
I
n his happiest moments your baby may well be a picture of peace, but could he really practice mindfulness? As curious as it sounds, research suggests the answer is yes, and that introducing a little zen into his life now could have positive effects for years to come. It’s been 20 years since Marneta Viegas first turned familiar fairytales into meditations for tots, and her company, Relax Kids, is now renowned for its CDs, books and classes. ‘Just last month, I was introduced to an 18-year-old who’d used our techniques, and he told me he still uses them today,’ she says. ‘Another little one is now a well-known West End actress, and she used them to get through drama school and auditions.’ In today’s fast-moving world, Marneta points out, emotional awareness, resilience and focus are vital life skills. And that’s where mindfulness comes in. The NHS, which has long prescribed mindfulness as a means to boost mental health, describes it as: ‘Paying more attention to the present moment – to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you.’
GETTING STARTED
Sounds sensible, right? But the question remains: can your little bundle of chaos really achieve this blissed-out state? ‘Mindfulness is active – it requires energy and focus,’ says Marneta. ‘What we do with small children is more natural. It’s about creating conditions that encourage relaxation, and laying the foundations for a more active mindfulness practice as they grow older.’ Do so at an early stage, she suggests, and they’ll never forget. ‘Typical baby classes are about stimulation, with songs, colour and movement,’ says Marneta. Her Baby Mindful classes are quite the opposite, making use of techniques like gentle stretching and baby massage to promote
a calming atmosphere – for your little one, but also for you. Because while he may be too small and too squirmy to sit in lotus position, you can provide a lot of the zen for him.
REFLECT THE CALM
‘Babies and children mirror our own feelings,’ says Marneta. ‘So, if we can learn to model calm, relaxed behaviour, it really helps them.’ This doesn’t mean you have to be cool, calm and collected all of the time. Being a mum sometimes means being on an emotional rollercoaster, and that’s part of both the excitement and the fun. Still, for your sake and his, Marneta suggests learning some practical techniques. ‘It only needs a few minutes of your day. Feel the softening of the mind, the opening of the heart. Children will naturally start to mirror that back,’ she says. Marneta’s classes include affirmations, in which the mums all choose and repeat their own positive mantra. It might be something like: ‘I am everything my baby needs’ or ‘My baby and I are healthy, happy and strong’. ‘They also practice lying down, breathing with your baby on your tummy. It’s creative, simple and pressure free,’ says Marneta. Marneta is keen to bust another myth: ‘People might think you have to have a quiet baby to be mindful, but that’s absolutely not the case,’ she says. ‘If your baby’s crying, that’s fine. It’s about sitting with, acknowledging and accepting how you’re feeling in this moment, and how your baby is too. Then modelling your breathing, slowing your breathing down.’
GROWING BENEFITS
As your little one gets older, he may be able to take more of these steps by himself. Baby Mindful guided meditations, for instance, encourage small children to imagine themselves in relaxing situations, like floating m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 3 7
Z E N BA BY ! on clouds. Once your tot is toddling around, you can also start encouraging him to be aware of his own breathing – read on for some fun games you can play together. And, trust us, you’ll want to give them a go – Marneta cites benefits including improved sleep, better concentration and even a deepening bond between mum and baby. If this all sounds a little hippy-dippy to you then hold on, because science has also started weighing in on the very real value of such exercises. ‘By creating a safe environment for baby to relax, you’re stilling the “meerkat brain”, the part called the amygdala that’s on high alert for danger,’ says Marneta. In fact, there’s powerful neurological evidence that mindfulness really can rewire the stress pathways in our brains so that, when we’re put in a challenging situation, our immediate reaction is not stress, but calm. More magic still, it only takes a few weeks to feel the effects.
9
When your baby is tiny, your mindfulness practice can be as simple as steps to baby this: dedicate three points in the day to stare lovingly into his eyes. mindfulness Smile. You do this all the time already, we know. But in doing so, you’re modelling contentedness, focus and being in the moment – the most Here’s one basic building blocks of your toddler can mindfulness. How practice too: ‘Squeeze lovely is that? your hands in a ball as tight as you can. See how tiny you can make them. Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze and During relax,’ says the day, Marneta. toddlers can enjoy playing a game of ‘sleepy starfish’, suggests Marneta. ‘Lie down on the floor, and imagine you are a sleepy starfish. Stretch your arms and legs as wide as you can. Stretch and relax.’
A fun way to focus your little one’s attention on his breath is to ask him to lie down on his back THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT with his favourite teddy on his While research into the effects of mindfulness stomach. ‘Ask him to stay as still as he on babies and toddlers is in its infancy, can, and watch teddy move up and Marneta points out that it can only be a good down as he breathes in and out,’ says thing to begin this training while your baby’s Marneta. It encourages abdominal brain is developing. Indeed, key aspects of breathing – a basic principle mindfulness practice like focus are controlled of all mindfulness and ‘Take by the prefrontal cortex. Connections in this meditation practices. a short mindful area of the brain are created fastest during walk,’ suggests childhood. Thus, mindfulness has been linked Marneta. ‘Feel the warmth to the childhood development of important of your baby in his sling, or the skills like patience and emotion regulation. softness of your toddler’s hand. In fact, in 2017 researchers carried out a Look up at the sky and be aware of study of 44 mums and their babies as they your surroundings.’ Talk to your tot Glad undertook an eight-week course in mindful about what he can see, hear and to be Dan is parenting. Two months later, the mums feel – can he see the trees blowing a charming book reported a significant increase not only in in the wind? Can he feel that helps children their levels of mindfulness, but in their leaves squelching under identify difficult emotions self-compassion, overall wellbeing, and his feet? and, instead of ignoring them, confidence in their parenting ability. Their to use five different babies, meanwhile, were reported to have mindfulness exercises to higher ‘positive affectivity’ (a scientific work through them. catch-all for qualities including enthusiasm, £8, CreateSpace. energy, confidence and alertness). The
researchers hypothesised that this could be the result of mindfulness creating more To help tots focus on and empathetic, easy interactions between the regulate their breathing, mums and their little ones. Marneta suggests placing one hand Nor do the benefits end when your on your stomach and the other on baby becomes a toddler. Korean your child’s. Ask your little one to do the primary school children have been same, then take a slow, deep breath found to be less aggressive and stressed together and feel your tummies rising if they practice meditation, while a and falling together. By breathing slowly 2015 study found that 10- and 11-yearyourself, you’re encouraging him to olds who meditated had better working move away from the shallow, fast memory and even higher scores in maths breathing patterns that lead to tests. So, start practicing mindfulness now, over-excitement and and you’ll not only get more sleep tonight, but stress. also breathe easier about his future. 38 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
To help a toddler calm down or drift off to sleep, Marneta Bubbles recommends placing your can be a great thumb on the palm of their tool for mum and hand. ‘Then press very baby mindfulness. gently and circle slowly ‘Imagine you are blowing and lightly.’ bubbles of peace into the room,’ says Marneta. Take a deep breath… and calm.
Baby&Toddler
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 3 9
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TUMMY TIME
Special
N U V F A E H on your tu !
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Help your baby make friends wit with these fun games!
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WORDS KATIE MASTERS PHOTOGRAPHY ADOBE STOCK, GETTY IMAGES
ant to have fun with your baby and help him to develop? Then get down and party at carpet-level! ‘Tummy time is exactly what it says on the tin it’s any time that your baby spends lying on his tummy,’ says early childhood teacher Clare Crew. These days, babies don’t get much of a chance to do that. That’s partly because we’re now more aware that babies need to sleep on their backs, because this reduces the risk of SIDS. ‘But even when babies are awake, they’re spending most of their time tucked safely into pushchairs, Bumbo seats, car seats, or slings,’ says Clare. ‘These “containers” are all useful for parents, but they mean that babies have very little chance of wriggling around on their tummies, on the floor.’ Does that matter? Yes! ‘Spending time on their tums is a vital part of babies’ development,’ says Clare.
MEET THE EXPERT Clare Crew is an early childhood and inclusive education teacher, author of Tummy Time Tactics (£10, Thriving Children), and a mum of three; thriving children.com.au m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 4 1
TUMMY TIME
Special
Why tummy time matters Lying with his tummy on the floor helps children have to give a lot of their attention your baby to build the muscles he needs to maintaining that posture. It’s harder to develop strength, coordination and for them than it should be, so they ‘Cillian always head control. It’s a chance to make a have to spend energy focusing on struggled with tummy different range of movements from it. This means they have less time and would start crying the ones he can make when he’s mental energy to spend on and wanting to move after just a lying on his back. When babies are learning other skills.’ few seconds – but one day I popped on their tummies, lifting their In other words, giving a baby-safe mirror under him. He head, limbs or torso means babies lots of tummy time was so intrigued by the baby looking working against gravity, which will directly benefit their back at him that he would try and takes greater strength than concentration and push himself up to look at it. working with gravity. learning when It made all the difference!’ ‘It might look as though babies they’re in school – Ciara Crofts, 30, from Buxton, aren’t doing much when they’re and for the rest of is mum to Cillian, having tummy time, but their lives! eight months appearances are deceptive,’ says Clare. ‘During their early months babies make lots of small movements, which gradually build their muscles and teach them about their body – what it can do, how it feels to move their limbs, and how it feels to hold them still.’ These movements happen instinctively, as a response to the stimulus of lying in different positions, and they are critical for prepping their body to be able to roll, crawl and walk. ‘Time spent on the tummy is also critical for establishing postural control – your ability to hold yourself upright,’ says Clare. And this ability doesn’t just let you gaze at far horizons, it also makes it easier for you to think. ‘Children who don’t have good postural control still reach a point where they can stand up and walk and run,’ says Clare. ‘But these
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Researchers have found that infant brains a better at recognising fac than any other visual image get him gazing at the bab the mirror! Fisher-Price Monkey Mirror, £21.99, amazon.co.uk
4 2 | Apr il 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b
When to start tummy time ‘You can start tummy time at any age and your baby will feel the benefits,’ says Clare. ‘But, if you can, it’s great to get going when your baby is a newborn. The earlier your baby gets to practise moving in this position, the earlier he’ll get the developmental boost.’ The best time of day to get down on the floor is when your baby has just woken up from a nap, or after he’s had his nappy changed. Avoid doing it when he’s tired or hungry, as that will just make him tetchy. And don’t do it straight after a feed (no one likes squishing their tummy when it’s full!).
‘The aim is to start giving your baby, over the course of the day, at least 20 minutes of tummy time,’ says Clare. ‘We’re not talking all in one go – rather 30 seconds here, a minute there. It all adds up!’ As your baby gets more comfortable on his stomach, try to work up to having an hour of tummy time – divided into short bursts – every day. This gradual increase should take about three months. But, don’t be surprised, especially at the beginning, if your baby is fussy about tummy time. ‘It is an odd feeling, the first time a baby is placed on his tum,’ says Clare.
‘Try lying down on your stomach and you’ll see how different your body feels in that position. The best way to get your baby used to it is to stay relaxed and to go at his speed. If he’s uncomfortable, pick him up or put him on his back and try again later. Think little and often.’ But most babies just need to get into the groove of hanging out on their tums. Read on for ways to help him…
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 4 3
TUMMY TIME
Special
Geting started
First, consider where your baby can get his comes from skin-to-skin contact. Try holding tummy time fix. ‘Tummy time can happen him on top of you while you lie on your ‘Georgie had on any surface,’ says Clare. ‘A clean bed (just make sure that he’s secure reflux, which made carpet, outside on the lawn, on a towel and that you don’t fall asleep) or tummy time difficult, but one have him lying across your lap on wooden flooring, or you can even of the things that helped was have your baby lying on you.’ When while you sit in a chair, with your creating homemade fairy light you start out, you may find your hands keeping him safe. bottles for her to look at while she baby is happiest on his tummy ‘It’s great to have tummy time was on her tummy. Georgie was when he’s on your skin, on different surfaces because mesmerised! Just get a clean plastic because he’s getting this helps to develop your baby’s bottle, put a string of fairy lights the warmth and sense of touch,’ says Clare. ‘He’s inside, and tightly tape on the top.’ connection that getting sensory information from
Katy Symon, 37, from Barnsley, is mum to Georgie, 10 months
4 4 | Ap ril 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
Tummy troubles
every bit of his body that’s in contact with the ground.’ That’s why it’s also important to make sure that your baby isn’t in bulky clothing for tummy time. If he’s got too many layers on, or his clothes are too thick, it will be harder for him to move and he won’t get as much sensory feedback. Think light, seam-free clothing that’s comfortable to move in. ‘When he’s really little, you can also roll up a small towel or a baby blanket and put it under your baby’s chest and armpits, for extra support,’ says Clare.
Be aware that some babies genuinely do struggle in this position. ‘Babies can feel real discomfort during tummy time if their bodies have been moved slightly out of alignment,’ says Clare. ‘This can happen during birth, particularly if you had a forceps or ventouse delivery.’ Tummy time upset isn’t the only sign of a misalignment. You might also notice that your baby always turns his head to a certain side when he’s sleeping or always wants to feed in one position. If you’re concerned about this, ask your health visitor or GP to recommend a baby osteopath in your area – someone who specialises in cranial osteopathy. ‘This is a gentle way of massaging your baby’s head to release stress and realign his body,’ says Clare. ‘Once that’s done, the issues over tummy time should clear up.’
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These are for you to wear (not your baby!), but he’ll love watching the fingersized rabbit, squirrel, hedgehog, fox and badger dance on the end of your hand! Woodland Finger Puppets, £18, jojomamanbebe.co.uk
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These little egg shakers are suitable from three months and make a tempting rattling sound when they roll across the floor. Skip, Hop, Explore and More Egg Shaker Trio, £11, jojomamanbebe. co uk
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While a mat isn’t a must, this one is machine-washable to save your carpet from any mess, plus its extras, like a detachable baby-safe mirror, shaped teethers and a peek-a-boo flap, will keep your little one entertained for longer. Peppa Pig for Baby Tummy Time Activity Mat, £40, argos.co.uk
TUMMY TIME
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Special From newborn
fun tummy-time games
The eye spy
At this age, your baby will lie in a tucked-up position during tummy time. His legs will be under him, his arms bent beside him, and his cheek against the ground. Encourage him to turn his head, by lying down beside him (on the side where he can’t see you) and talking to him. When he turns and meets your eyes, give him a big smile and a cuddle. ‘Right now, you’re his very best toy, so seeing you there will give him an instant rush of happiness,’ says Clare. ‘That’s a shortcut to feeling that tummy time is fun!’ From
newborn
Do the curlywurly stroke!
When your baby is on his front, put your fingers together at the base of his neck. Move them in tiny circles down his backbone, down to his bottom. ‘Touch is a key sense to support bonding,’ says Clare. ‘Your baby can feel the love you’re giving him, which helps him to relax and enjoy the position he’s in.’
From newborn
Be a boat!
Lie on your back, with your baby tummy down on top of you. Holding him close, gently rock from side to side, like a boat in the sea. ‘When your baby’s in the womb, he gets rocked as you move, so this is a familiar, calming motion,’ says Clare.
From newborn
Play tiger in the tree
Lie your baby along one of your arms, with his head in your elbow. Your arm should support his weight, while you use your hand to hold the top of his leg in a secure position. Use your free hand to rub his back. This practises tummy time, feels soothing, and can help to reduce colic discomfort.
From three months
Glide, wobble and roll!
If you have a big fitness ball, give your baby a ride by holding him securely, tummy down, on the ball, and rolling it gently backwards and forwards. ‘Hold his hips securely with cupped hands as you do it,’ says Clare. ‘Your baby will enjoy the closeness between you, the squashy texture of the ball, and the chance to see the world from a brand-new angle!’
‘I made tummy time a regular part of our day – we always spent 30 minutes after Lauren’s bath, lying on the sofa having skin-to-skin time with Lauren on my tummy. We’d listen to the band Sigur Rós because their music is really calming, so tummy time became part of a really soothing, pre-bedtime wind down.’ Andie Langridge, 29, from Poole, is mum to Lauren, 16 months
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An activity pillow is squashy and colourful, and encourages tiny people to forget about being on their tummy, and to have fun! Nuby Little Fox Tummy Time Pillow, £10.99, amazon.co.uk
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This sturdy exercise ball is designed for use both during pregnancy and post-birth – so you and your baby can share it! Natural Birth & Fitness Birthing Ball & Pump, £16.99, amazon.co.uk m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 4 7
TUMMY TIME
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Babies love watching the figures on these music boxes spin round in time to the music. Just keep the box out of grabbing d Paddington Londo Box, £19, ora treetoys.co
4 8 | Ap ri l 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
‘Conor used to hate doing tummy time on the floor because he coldn’t see anything. So, I tried putting him on his tummy on the change table. It was waist height and had barriers and I kept my hands on him to keep him secure. He was much happier with a bird’s-eye view of things arond him – tummy time suddenly became fun!’ Fiona Bolger, 43, from Stafford, is mum to Conor, 20 months
From three months
From three months
Story time!
Hey diddle, diddle
‘By three months your baby has much more head control,’ says Clare. ‘If he’s been doing tummy time since he was a newborn he’ll be able to lift his head steadily. That means you can lie next to him, put a picture book in front of you both, and read the story. You’re focusing his attention on the pictures, while he enjoys the sound of your voice. Tummy time will whizz by in From a flash!’
Give your baby a tummy-time puppet show by decorating your hands with finger puppets. They can dance as you sing. They can ‘talk’ to your baby. And, if you’re feeling extracreative, the finger puppets can act out a fairy tale.
three months
The World Gurning Championships
Lie down, facing your baby, and put a baby-safe mirror between you so you can both see the reflection. Try to make your baby laugh by pulling your funniest faces. Eyebrows up, tongue out, eyes wide!
From four months
Bubble up!
‘Now’s the time when babies who have been doing tummy time from the newborn stage might start propping themselves on their forearms and reaching for toys,’ says Clare. ‘So, crack out the bubbles. Lie next to your baby and gently blow bubbles up past him, towards the ceiling. He’ll be mesmerised!’
From four months
The magic carpet ride
‘Spread out a blanket on a smooth surface and put your baby, on his tummy, in its centre,’ says Clare. ‘Grab the front corners of the blanket and slowly move backwards, so it “rides” over the ground. Take it slow at first and chat to your baby, so he doesn’t get worried. As he gets older and steadier, you can speed up!’
From four months
The flying snowman
‘Lie on your back with your legs bent and your feet on the ground,’ says Clare. ‘Place your baby against your shins, tummy down, and hold him securely under his arms. Now gently raise your legs until they’re horizontal and your baby is in the air, facing you.’ Move your legs in any way that feels comfortable for you and secure for your baby, as you warble the lyrics to We’re Walking in the Air. ‘And when your baby’s had enough – or you’re tired – straighten your legs and help him to swoosh onto your tummy for a cuddle,’ says Clare. Note: Don’t do this if you have low core strength or abdominal separation following birth.
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 4 9
TUMMY TIME
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With bright colours, flaps to lift and textures to explore, this book will have him gripped at tummy time! Baby’s Very First TouchyFeely, Lift-the-Flap, Play Book, £8.99, usbourne.com
From five months
Loo-roll magic!
From five months
From five months
Picture this
‘Get a cardboard box and stick pictures of different babies on each side,’ says Clare. ‘Then, put the box in front of him while he’s doing tummy time. Rotate it, or let him rotate it himself, to discover the babies beaming back at him!’
Feel the fabric
Babies love exploring different textures, so create a DIY fabric book, just for tummy time. Glue large swatches of different materials onto pieces of backing felt and sew them into a ‘book’. Your baby will love reaching out to rub the silk or wool or corduroy pages.
5 0 | Apr il 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
Stuff a light scarf into the inner tube of a loo roll and place it in front of your baby. See if he can figure out how to get the scarf out – and watch his amazement as the fabric grows, and grows, and grows!
From six months
Create the tummy-time compass
Babies who have spent time on their tum since they were newborns will be tummy-time pros by now, able to raise their heads and chest with ease, and pivot their body to reach objects. So, make the most of their skills by setting up a tummy-time compass. Imagine there’s a circle on the floor. Your baby will lie in the centre. Now place a different toy to the north, south, east and west. Your baby can rotate to get the ones he wants to play with.
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Baby&Toddler
Knowing you,
me
KNOWING
I
Recognising your little one’s personality traits – and your own – will benefit you both
t’s pretty amazing to think that emotional tendencies may differ from yours from the moment your baby was or your partner’s – you might struggle to born, he had his own, innate way recognise, understand or relate to your of responding to new situations boisterous, attention-loving baby if you’re and new people. Whether he shied more of a shy and retiring type. Each away from Granny when she first temperament, though, has a positive held him, or looked wide-eyed with intent: to support your child’s survival curiosity when you introduced him to and development. From the most cautious MEET THE his new home, his reaction will be much child who may be saved from danger EXPERT like an emotional reflex. because of his risk aversion, to the Jennifer Miller is Your baby is born with a mix of certain persistent child who you can’t divert from author of Confident temperaments, but they are not set in stone the task at hand because he stays so Parents, Confident – they can be shaped by his environment focused, if you identify his specific Kids (£12. 9 9, Fair Winds and, as he grows, he may learn to change temperaments, you can discover how to Press), and a mum of his reactions to fit social situations. That’s nurture them to benefit your child. one; confidentparents not to say you can scold or persuade your But first off, you need to identity your confidentkids.org tot out of a tantrum – but parenting child’s temperaments, and what better way with warmth and sensitivity to his than with a quiz? There are no right or temperaments can decrease wrong answers here – simply get out your his upsets and outbursts. pencil, jot down your responses, and Temperaments can be discover your child’s temperament Win! a significant source of profiles. And be sure to consider the Want more of Jennifer’s conflict within a family questions aimed at discovering your great parenting advice? particularly when character traits too. Whether you We’ve got 10 copies of there are a mix of find that you and your tot are two Confident Parents, Confident temperaments that peas in a pod, or like chalk and Kids (£12.99, Fair Winds Press) to are seemingly at cheese, identifying how you might give away. Enter (it’s free!) at odds with each be similar – or different – from winit.motherandbaby.co.uk other. Your your child can positively inform by 17 March 2020. child’s your parenting choices…
RAISING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN OURSELVES AND OUR KIDS— FROM TODDLERS TO TEENAGERS
JENNIFER S. MILLER, M.ED.
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 53
K N OW I N G YO U, K N OW I N G M E
WHAT ARE YOUR BABY’S TEMPERAMENTS? Take our quiz and discover a whole load about your baby – and yourself! Your boss has hired a new team for a project you’ll be coordinating. She’s organising a meet-up so you can all get to know each other. When you get the invite, do you look forward to it, or dread it? Do you tend to approach new people or situations with interest, or withdraw, cautiously backing away? Now, consider your baby. How does he react to new people, places, or objects? Does he cry? Is he fearful? Or eager to explore? On a scale of one to five, with one being fearful of new people and situations and five being curious and interested in new experiences, how would you rate yourself and your child? you’ve ever tried to learn a new 2 Ifinstrument, were you patient or did you get frustrated? You and your child may vary on how quickly you get irritated when trying something new. Some children will work on a new task for a while before they get frustrated, others will work on it without any irritation at all until they have mastered it. On a scale of one to five, with one being the most quickly frustrated and five being the least irritated and most eager to tackle a challenge, how do you and your child tend to react? Do you smile or get excited when 3 a new song plays on the radio, or do you wait cautiously to see if you’ll like it, or switch to something more familiar? Parents and children can have different tendencies toward reactions, like smiling, laughing, and an eagerness to check out new things. Does your child show pleasure when exploring new things? Or do new people, places, or things cause him concern? On this scale, one refers to a child who is eager to check out new things and five refers to a child who is discomforted or upset by new things. What would be the rhythm of the 4 drum beat that would mimic your pace or steps as you walk? Would you walk to a reggae beat – slow and steady – or would your walk sound more like a marching band? Each individual has his own tempo, a desired activity level he is born with. What is your child’s tempo? Does he like high-energy activities? If
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he’s asked to sit still, does he get restless? What about talking speed – fast or slow? On a scale of one to five, how quickly (one) or slowly (five) do you and your child prefer to move? Do you tend to land on a radio 5 station and stay there, or do you switch stations frequently, checking out every possibility? Though we begin building our skills in focusing attention in infancy, we are born with a tendency to want to focus our attention and persist in something new, or to skip around and change our attention. What about your child? Is he able to focus his attention on a toy for some time or does he move from thing to thing quickly? On a scale of one to five, with one being that he can stay highly focused and five that he constantly moves his focus, where does your child tend to land? If you had a sound-track playing in 6 the background for the movie of your life, would it be mostly calm with moments of excitement, or high drama with moments of calm? What’s the intensity level of your reactions and emotions? Was your child born with a tendency to be intensely emotional when problems arise, or does he roll with the changes, taking them in his stride? On a scale of one to five, with one being the most calm and evenkeeled and five being the most highly sensitive reactions, how would you rate your child on a level of intensity? Does a loud rock band get your 7 head bopping or hips swaying, or would you prefer quieter, more peaceful instrumental sounds – or even no sound at all? Sensory sensitivity is our biological reaction to sounds, sights, tastes, or touches that are new, different, or abrasive. We are all born with differing levels of sensory sensitivity. How does your child react to loud noises? Does he have sensitivity to scratchy clothing, or shrink away quickly from disturbing sights like a hurt animal? On a scale of one to five, with one being the most sensitive to any new sensations and five being the least sensitive, how would you rate you and your child?
54 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Baby&Toddler Your little star After you’ve discovered the ratings for your child on each of the seven temperaments, figure out how each one serves as a strength for him. Identifying how your child’s tendencies are an asset can alter your perspective – helping you to be more patient, reducing conflict, and creating new ways to celebrate and build upon his qualities. So, for example, if your child is quick to approach strangers, he’ll be ready for developing friendships. Next up, consider how you can balance your child’s temperaments. Consider Albert Einstein, who, as a child, was easily frustrated. His parents recognised that he was highly curious, so they introduced him to new people and situations that would stimulate his imagination. They cultivated his natural tendencies as assets, and offered specific skill-building opportunities in areas he needed support.
Understanding how your child’s temperament profile is different from your own can give you greater empathy. If he’s a little bit country and you’re a whole lot of rock and roll, then there are adjustments to be made so that you don’t clash on a daily basis. For example, if you’re outgoing but he’s shy, you can still introduce him to new things – but move at his slower pace. You might need to adjust your morning routine to acknowledge your child’s tempo – for example, by agreeing on clothing ahead of time. This doesn’t have to mean changing who you are. In fact, learning from your child and adjusting yourself can be g est achievement. your bbigge
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I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H A S DA
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Keep your baby clean and dry with our easy tips
Stock up Your newborn will feed a lot in the beginning, resulting in anything from eight to 10 wet nappies a day for the first few weeks, and even more if your baby is bottlefed, as she’ll probably take in more fluid. Buying nappies in bulk is usually most cost effective, but be aware that your baby will grow quickly, so don’t invest in too many tiny nappies that she’ll likely be too big for soon.
WORDS EMILY THORPE PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGES
Track her movements Yes, it may sound weird, but it’s worth tracking your newborn’s wees and poos for the first few days, as your midwife might enquire about her urine and bowel movements to check everything is well. We like the Baby Tracker – Newborn Log (free, iTunes and Android), which helps you easily record nappy changes as well as feeds and sleep.
Get to know her poo It might look like no poo you’ve ever seen before, but don’t worry. Her first poo is known as meconium and is sticky and greeny-black – a little bit like Marmite. This should arrive some time in the first 48 hours. After a few days, it will change to a mustard-yellow colour. Newborn poo is easy to confuse with diarrhoea because of the liquidy texture, but you’ll soon get used to what’s normal to find in her nappy.
MOTHER & BABY
PROMOTION ASDA LITTLE ANGELS NEWBORN NAPPIES Asda Little Angels Newborn nappies are wonderfully soft and breathable for your bundle of joy. They feature SmartFlo™ absorbency, to take up moisture quickly and distribute wetness evenly, for added comfort. For only £2.50, these nappies also
include a handy time-to-change wetness indicator, with a line that changes from yellow to blue when he’s ready for a fresh one, and a clever Size-up guide to help you recognise when it’s time to move up a nappy size. Only available at Asda.
Usecream a barrier Barrier cream is a must when changing your baby’s nappy. It works by forming a breathable layer to protect her skin from irritants and rubbing, which can cause nappy rash. Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment (£3.30, boots.com) is gentle against your tot’s sensitive skin, and contains no fragrance or preservatives. Apply a thin layer on her clean, dry bottom after each nappy change.
Baby&Toddler Warm your wipes If you notice your baby gets upset when you use wipes, try warming them in your hand before cleaning her bottom – they can be cold against delicate skin, and startle her. We don’t blame her for feeling cross!
Keep smel locked There’s no getting away from the fact that nappies can smell seriously bad, but the slimline Tommee Tippee Twist & Click Advanced Nappy Disposal System wraps nappies individually in a multi-layer, antibacterial film, to stop germs and unfavourable whiffs escaping. And it means fewer trips to the outside bin, too, as the Disposal System can hold up to 30 nappies at a time! £29.99, tommee tippee.com
Enjoy the time Consider those early nappy changes as a chance to bond with your bundle of joy. At this age she can’t attempt to escape by crawling away, so you have her full attention – it’s a great time to enjoy eye contact and sing songs and chatter away to her.
Invest in a good changing mat If you don’t have the space for a changing table, don’t worry. A portable changing mat is actually much more useful to move with you around the house, and it can be hidden away neatly, too. It will need to see you through at least two years of nappy changing, though, so it’s worth choosing a good one. Ideally, pick a waterproof mat with raised sides to keep your baby snug in one place. If your baby seems to find it a bit cool to the touch, simply lie an old towel or muslin that can easily be thrown in the washer over the surface, to warm it up. £44.95, shnuggle.com m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k | A pr il 2 0 2 0 | 5 7
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Listen up, MAMA!
Here’s what you need to know about your little one’s ears
ig ones, little ones, stick to the head or stick out – just like belly buttons, our ears are unique – and a little more complicated than you might think! Caring for your baby’s ears begins when he is just a few hours old and, depending on your tot, can be a challenge. If you’re feeling a bit all at sea with it all don’t worry though, read on to discover all you need to know…
WORDS KATIE MASTERS PHOTOGRAPHY SHUTTERSTOCK, ISTOCK
Testing times
What to look for
Common ear infection symptoms include grumpiness, her tugging or batting at her ear, or that she’s not happy being held in a position where her ear is being touched. MEET THE EXPERT Dr Hesham Abdalla is a dad-of-four, consultant paediatrician and spokesperson for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Keep them clean... Milk, dry skin and other grime can build up in and around your little one’s ears, so it’s important to keep them clean. All you need to do is to wet a flannel or cotton bud with clean warm water and gently wipe around the edge of the ear, paying particular attention to the crack of skin behind. Try not to get any water into the ear canal. Gently towel dry.
If you give birth in hospital, you may be offered a newborn hearing test for your baby before you’re discharged, or you’ll be asked to attend an appointment in the first few weeks of your baby’s life. A small, soft earpiece is placed in your baby’s ear and sounds are played gently to test her response. It’s not always possible to get clear results at first, so you may be offered a second test. The vast It takes Earwax might not look pretty, majority of babies do not have any all sorts but it’s there to protect and issues, but if there is a problem you lubricate your baby’s ears. You Ear infections are very common in will be given support. don’t need to remove it and children aged six months to three years, never be tempted to stick as their immune systems are still anything, including a developing. Research suggests that boys cotton bud, into your are more prone to getting ear infections child’s ears: ‘You run Infections can occur in than girls. However, breastfeeding beyond the risk of poking different parts of the ear. When four months has been shown to lower your a hole in the thin in the ear canal, the ear can look baby’s risk of ear infections. There are piece of tissue red, feel itchy and painful, and also different types of ear infections. that separates may affect hearing. ‘Ear infections are caused by the outer ear Middle-ear infections are most viruses, bacteria and – rarely and the common in babies aged between – fungi,’ says Dr middle ear, six and 15 months, because their tiny Hesham. the ear drum,’ Eustachian tubes slope less than in an says consultant adult’s ear, which means it’s harder for fluid paediatrician to drain. And when fluid builds up behind Dr Hesham her eardrum, viruses or bacteria can get Abdalla. trapped inside.
...but not too clean
Tiny tubes
58 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Baby&Toddler Swimmer’s ear Water trapped inside her ear provides a cosy environment for germs. It can even happen when your baby is splashing around in the bath. ‘The best way to avoid it is to dry your youngster’s ears properly when she comes out of the water,’ says Dr Hesham. ‘Gently tilt your baby’s head to one side and then the other.’
Genetic link Researchers have discovered a gene that seems to be linked to a higher number of middle-ear infections. This suggests that if you or Daddy had middleear issues, your baby is more likely to get them too.
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | April 2020 | 59
L I ST E N U P, M A M A ! Posture counts If you’re bottle feeding, keeping your baby in an upright position for up to 30 minutes after a feed can stop fluid collecting at the back of her throat, where bacteria can thrive and may affect the Eustachian tubes.
Pay attention!
Build up immunity Your little one won’t necessarily be prescribed antibiotics: ‘Even if it’s a bacterial infection, antibiotics may not be the best solution,’ says Dr Hesham. ‘Her body can usually fight off ear infections without extra help, and that’s better for her immune system.’
Glue ear is an infection that can occur after a cold, causing a sticky fluid to build up inside your baby’s middle ear, making it hard for her to hear. It often leads to a temporary change in behaviour, so bear in mind that if your toddler suddenly starts to ignore you, it could just be a sign of an infection. Try getting her attention and speak to her face-to-face, to make sure she can hear you. Glue ear usually clears up after a couple of months, but do consult your GP if concerned.
Ease the pain Often the best cure for ear infections is rest, along with time, patience and cuddles. ‘But these infections can be very painful,’ says Dr Hesham, ‘so it’s worth using an age-appropriate painkiller to help ease the discomfort and allow sleep. Give your child the appropriate dose of baby paracetamol or ibuprofen about an hour before she goes to bed, to help reduce the discomfort.’ 60 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Warm it up Holding a warm – not hot – flannel over her ear as you read her a bedtime story can help to ease the pain for long enough for her to drop off to sleep.
How to heal Most ear infections clear up by themselves within a few days, but some can hang around for a few weeks. ‘Go to the doctor if your youngster still seems to be in pain after three to five days,’ says Dr Hesham.
Time to go dry
If your little one has an ear infection of any sort, it’s a good idea to avoid water running into her already painful ear and aggravating the discomfort. So, avoid taking her swimming until she’s better, and keep her ears above water when she’s in the bath.
Good news Happily, most babies outgrow ear infections as their Eustachian tube becomes longer and narrower, making it harder for germs to get as far as the inner ear.
PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK
MOTHER&BABY PROMOTION
STAY CONNECTED
Have peace of mind with BT’s award-winning baby monitors Your baby is the most precious thing in your world so you always want to be able to keep a close eye on them. And whether you’re a gadget fan or after something a little more traditional, BT have a baby monitor to suit you. With the BT Smart Video Baby Monitor (from £109.99), you can watch and talk to your baby straight from the app in live HD, whether you’re downstairs or Granny’s in charge while you’re out on a rare date night. And for the perfect position, you can remotely adjust the camera to pan and zoom so the view of your little one is crystal clear. Or for just £59.99, the BT Video Baby Monitor 2000 comes with a portal parent unit, allowing you to move freely around your home with an indoor range of 50m as well as an
outdoor range of 250m. The night-vision feature also means you can check up on your tot without waking them. To discover th id l baby monitor for your fam shop.bt.com/babyoffer to s full range.
Your baby should sleep in the
● Smart Video Baby Monito HD Streaming: requires mini 10bpms line speed or good wi-fi/3G/4G and a compatib device. Visit shop.bt.com for the latest prices. Prices are inclusive of VAT but exclude delivery charges. BT Shop is part of British Telecommunications plc, Alp Beta House, Enterprise Park Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6PR.
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | A p r i l 2020 | 6 1
Let’s make some
MEMORIES WORDS EMMA BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK
Looking for new ways to celebrate Mother’s Day? Try our ideas to make sure it’s one you’ll never forget
s you look at your little bundle of fun, you probably think this Mother’s Day – especially if it’s your first one cuddling an actual baby – couldn’t get any better. Yes, she might not be that amazing at getting you presents or making you breakfast in bed just yet (come on Daddy, sort it out!) but you can rely on her to gaze at you with all the love you could ever want. So instead of focusing on the material things this year, we want to give you an even better present – the gift of memories of your little one. We’ve come up with some adorable ways to remember just how gorgeous and perfect she is right now, that you can treasure forever.
MEET THE EXPERT Dr Linda Papadopoulos is a chartered psychologist and mum; drlinda.co.uk
Video your child saying 'I love you’ We can be so busy taking care of all the necessities of looking after a baby that we may sometimes run out of time for the equally important task of emotional housekeeping. In a decade or two, you won’t be looking back with a tear in your eye remembering how diligently you changed all those nappies. You’ll want something that captures the unique bond between you and your child. That’s where this project comes in. Every Mother’s Day, film your tot saying, ‘I love you’. Of course, it’ll probably be a cute gurgle or two for the first couple of years, but gradually your little one will get the hang of your new tradition. Put the clips together to make a Linda says: ‘We don’t doubt short film that, far, far into the future that our little ones love us, so we when your child is a parent herself, don’t need proof. But this gives us your family will documentation. Our children give all treasure. us different things at different stages, and it is such a seminal moment when they are first able to verbalise their love for us. Capture this on film, and you’ll play it over and over.’
Why you should make this memory
62 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Baby&Toddler Create a family tree of faces This activity celebrates your relationship with your toddler and all the other important bonds in your family too. It will also gently help her understand that you are not just her mum, but a daughter, and perhaps a wife, aunty and cousin as well. And it will show her that Nanny isn’t just her nanny, but your mum too. Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to chat about all this. Your tot can’t grasp the structure of your family and won’t be able to imagine that you were ever a child, or think of you as anyone other than her mum. But this project will allow her to ‘see’ the web of family relationships in a way she can understand. Before you start, print or find photos of all the family members you wish to include on your family tree. On a large sheet of paper, create a picture of a tree. You could use glue and tissue-paper, or use paint to make thumb-print or handprint ‘leaves’. Stick a photo of your child on the main trunk. Now draw a line upwards and add a photo of you and your partner. Continue by adding photos of grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins. Stick your finished family tree on the wall at your toddler’s eye-level. She will love pointing to the faces and saying the names. It’ll help her realise that she is part of a bigger family, and see her place within it.
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS MEMORY
● Linda says: ‘You will be able to look at the family tree together and say, “Look, you got your green eyes from Grandpa, and curly hair like Uncle Ted.” It’ll give her a sense of connection, and of continuity, and that’s very grounding. One day she’ll realise you’re not just her mum, but an individual too.
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 6 3
LET'S MAKE SOME MEMORIES
64 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Baby&Toddler Start a Mother’s Day journal
Capture a tiny footprint
You might think you’ll never forget just how gorgeous your baby is right now, or all those funny words your toddler comes out with, but you can only remember so many, so why not start a Mother’s Day journal now? As well as it being a record of this and all the Mother’s Days to come, use it to capture a snapshot of your ever-changing family each and every year. Write down those crazy little things that you love about your tot. Ask your partner to note down why he thinks you’re a fab mum. Get your tot to add some scribbles, too, and as he grows, to draw a picture of you, and one day in his finest handwriting explain why he thinks you’re the best mum in the world. Stick in the heart torn from newspaper that arrived with your breakfast in bed, the receipt from the coffee shop where you went for chocolate muffins and babyccinos, and a photo of you all feeding the ducks afterwards. Begin a new Mother’s Day tradition to sit down on the sofa as a family, and look through this time capsule of special moments spent together.
In 18 years’ time, you’ll look from your spiky, lilac-haired teenager to this teeny-tiny footprint, and smile in disbelief at the time gone by. The salt-dough used to create the cast is simple to make, especially if you have an older toddler to help you with the mixing, and you’ve probably got all the ingredients you need in the cupboard already. To make the dough, mix together one mug-full of plain flour and one mug-full of table salt in a bowl. Then gradually pour in up to half a mug of tepid water, mixing with your fingers until it forms a dough. It’s reached the right consistency when it stops sticking to your fingers. You might not need all the water, but if you think you’ve used too much, add extra flour to compensate. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and stretchy. Split the dough into four (there’s enough here to make four footprints), and roll one section in the palms of your hands to form a ball. Place on a lightly-floured surface and roll gently with a rolling pin to flatten. Now press your baby’s foot into the dough. Lay the cast on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper and bake in a very cool oven (100C/210F/gas mark 1/2) for three hours. Remove from the oven, loosen from the greaseproof paper, and check the underside. If it’s not fully dried, turn upside down on the tray and return to the oven for a further hour. Leave overnight to cool and harden. If you’d like to paint it, use an acrylic paint – gold or silver looks great!
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS MEMORY
● Linda says: ‘The celebration that is Mother’s Day gives a clear message to our little ones that being a mummy is really important. It’s good to pause and focus on someone who’s often aken for granted. Keeping a journal s a great way to give your child snapshots of your family through time, and of what’s constant within it.’
Plant sunflowers However small your garden, put planting sunflowers on your plan for this Mother’s Day. These cheerful flowers are so straightforward that your toddler will be able to get involved, and will love the tall bright yellow flowers that will appear in the summer. Find sunflower seeds in packets for a couple of pounds in your local garden centre, supermarket or DIY store. Once growing in the garden, the plants and their flowers are robust enough to withstand a curious toddler's handling, and will look good if cut and brought inside arranged in a vase. Follow the instructions on the packet and sow the seeds in pots to sit on a warm windowsill for now. When they’re big enough, plant them out in a sunny spot in your garden or in a deep container. Sunflowers will create quite a statement in your garden, reaching 2.5m or more in height, with flowers 30cm across.
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS MEMORY
● Linda says: ‘When your child is older, she’ll love to know all about herself and discover what she was like when she was tiny. With this footprint cast, you can say, “Look at your little foot! Look at how tiny you were then and how big you are now.” It’s proof of how she’s developed. You will never feel Linda says: ‘One of your the passage of core tasks as a parent is to time more create memories with your child. It intensely gives her a sense of history and of than as a connection. When these flowers parent, and bloom, you’ll all be reminded of that this will be time you enjoyed together. And it’s a valuable great for a little one to learn to wait for memento of something good. This project will these lovely teach your child that if she takes early years.’ care of something, it’ll give her something back.’
Why you should make this memor
MOTHER&BABY PROMOTION
happy! WAKE UP
The key to a good day is a great night’s sleep, so that’s why we’re launching the new Mother&Baby Gold Collection Mattresses… At Mother&Baby we’ve been helping mums choose the right products for their babies for more than 60 years. And we know the one thing mums think about more than anything else is sleep! That’s why now we’ve pulled all our experience and expertise together to bring you the Mother&Baby Gold Collection of mattresses, which has been designed to give your baby the best night’s sleep possible. Many of us don’t realise this, but the mattress we sleep on is actually crucial to how well we relax, and how restored we feel, next day. That’s why we’ve created the Gold Collection, so you can rest easy knowing that your baby is being well
WHY I LOVE THE GOLD COLLECTION! ✔ Breathable ✔ Removable, washable cover ✔ Waterproof membrane to protect the mattress without having to buy a waterproof cover ✔ Temperature regulating
looked after. As well as being super-supportive and comfortable, each mattress incorporates the very latest technology in sleep hygiene to create a cleaner sleeping environment for your child. I couldn’t wait to try one for my little boy, Matthew, who has asthma and often struggles with his chest. His new mattress means he sleeps beautifully and his breathing seems much better. We also have a dog, so I think the combination of tackling dust mites and dog allergens has really helped. I couldn’t be happier with it! With sizes that will take your baby from her newborn Moses basket through to her ‘big girl’ cotbed, I’m sure you’ll love the Gold Collection as much as I do. Sweet dreams!
Sally S
A cleaner, fresher, healthier sleep environment. Guaranteed. AVAILABLE FROM
CREATING A CLEANER SLEEP ENVIRONMENT Did you know, there are millions of house dust mite allergens in every bed, and a third of the population suffers from an allergic reaction to them? The Mother&Baby Gold Collection Mattresses are treated with new technology called Purotex which is based on 100 per cent natural probiotics – like those you find in yoghurt – to permanently clean up allergens, leaving your baby with a fresh and clean sleeping environment.
Real reviews from real mums At Mother&Baby we believe in putting products to the test, so we sent the Mother&Baby Gold Collection mattresses out to real mums to try them out in their own homes. Here’s what they said… ‘I think this is a good
SOFT BUT SUSTAINABLE! The mattresses are covered in Tencel which is made from the pulp of trees grown on special farms, and is made using recyclable, earth-friendly chemicals, making it an environmentally friendly, sustainable choice.
GO ORGANIC Pure & Organic naturally breathable, naturally hypo-allergenic and free from chemicals, the Mother&Baby Organic Gold mattress lets you pass the kindness of nature over to your new baby. It is dual sided for longevity and support as your baby develops and grows, and provides a combination of natural herringbone cotton, natural coir, pocket springs, natural latex and pure wool to give you peace of mind.
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15% off a M&B subscription with any M&B mattress purchase
product and would recommend this mattress to other parents. My daughter is sleeping through. There are no indents where she has been sleeping so far, or signs of wear and tear.’ Kimberly It s lightweight, which makes it easier to put on a new bed sheet, and I love that the cover comes off to be washed! My baby loves sleeping in my bed more than her own, but when she tried this one she slept much better in it, maybe because it’s thicker and felt more like my bed.’ Megan ‘Without a doubt my favourite feature is the probiotic 100 per cent natural anti-allergy protection. We have a cat so I love the idea that this can clean cat allergens! With the usual new baby anxieties, I’m so keen to make sure my little one’s environment is as natural and clean as possible.’ Louise ‘I really like the fact it has a baby side and a toddler side, with different levels of firmness – to me this gives the product longevity. My toddler seemed very comfy lying on the toddler side and my six-month old seemed very happy ‘The on the baby side.’ Megan mattress appears to be of very good quality. I love that it cleans cat and dog allergens as we have both a cat and a dog. It gives me reassurance that my baby is sleeping in a clean and safe environment.’ Natasza
Soothe to SLEEP I
The gentle way to get bedtime sorted
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MEET THE EXPERT Lucy Wolfe is a baby sleep consultant, a mum of four, and author of The Baby Sleep Solution and All About the Baby Sleep Solution: Your Questions Answered, out next month (£14.99 each, Gill Books)
RAIN T P E E L S Y-TO T H E R E A D E C K L I ST g, CH sleep-trainin
ing ‘Before start have a stretch y d a u re y to be make sure yo r weeks when For your bab Baby Sleep u of three to fo ome with your to start Lucy’s eeds to… h n you will be at bed in the same Solution, she ix months old s baby going to ht,’ says Lucy. Be at least istent bedtime ig s place every n vaccinations Have a con she’s used to. y h Make sure an or after this routine, whic -appropriate re e n befo Have an ag eding schedule happe and, finally, make sure fe stretch at napping and isn’t overtired you know wh If . n e h la s p s u n o a y e ing that m ies aged six to oing to be do u’re b g a e B . ’r e u o m y ti d e y at b y yo can usually sta night and wh ch more s ry th e n v o e m t h ig u e d it, you’ll feel m tween two an awake for be hours between doing nt. ‘That confidence will lf confide two-and-a-ha want your re your baby u s s a re u to o y lp if e h ys naps, so ing is OK,’ sa ing ady for bed th re ry e e b v e to t r a te th s young key to help r up s e t’ h a e th k a d n w A ‘ to . y Luc at 7pm, aim ap of the day ’. n lax and sleep t re s r la e r h e h m o fr -5pm. at about 4.30
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Baby&Toddler
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We always make sure we keep the mood calm and relaxed in the last half an hour before bed. Then, when we go upstairs, I turn on nature sounds and sing Mila the same seven songs. By the time I get to song six, Mila is asleep!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tiffany Fitzpatrick, 28, from Gloucester, is mum to Mila, one, and Jack, nine
m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k | A pr i l 2 0 2 0 | 6 9
S O OT H E TO S L E E P without trying to do anything else,’ says baby is 16 weeks old, you reach an Lucy. ‘If you start doing this routine ‘in-between’ stage, in which your baby ‘We’ve always when your baby is aged eight to is too old to accept sleep-shaping, but had the same bedtime 16 weeks old – and do it consistently too young for sleep-training. routine for Toby. We start – there’s a good chance that she ‘I call those two months (when after his bath by dimming the will get into a pattern of getting your baby is between 16 weeks lights in the lounge, putting him herself to sleep. If that happens, and six months old) a “no-mans in his sleeping bag and giving him you either won’t have to do land” for sorting sleep,’ says some milk. It ’s a familiar pattern, sleep-training with her, or Lucy. ‘It’s a time when all you and the low light, the warmth and sleep-training will be a lot easier.’ can really do is keep going with closeness all soothe him.’ Amazing! So, why doesn’t every your established sleep routine. Sarah-Jane Hewitt, 37, parent do this? ‘It’s not always By now your baby has become from Lancashire, is possible to do sleep-shaping,’ says dependent on any help you’re giving mum to Toby, nine Lucy. ‘When your baby is this little, her to get to sleep – whether that’s months she’ll need extra comforting if she’s going rocking or feeding or singing or anything through colic, reflux or illness.’ Any of these else and is too little to be weaned off it. (common) events can knock sleep-shaping If you’re in that tricky position, hold tight – off course. And if you haven’t been able to just keep going with whatever you’re doing get sleep-shaping established by the time your until you reach the six-month mark.’
70 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Baby&Toddler START THE STAY-AND-SUPPORT SLEEP SOLUTION ‘The Stay-and-Support method of soothing a baby to sleep works for 98 per cent of babies,’ says Lucy. ‘But the length of time it takes varies. If your baby’s under two, it should take two to three weeks to see results. If she’s over two, it will be more like three weeks, and if she’s over three, it will take
STAGE ONE: NEXT TO THE COT
‘By six months, your baby has started on solid foods,’ says Lucy. ‘Her digestive system is more mature and she doesn’t need milk just before she goes to sleep. So, give your baby her last milk feed of the day at least 45 minutes before bedtime. This means she won’t be hungry and she won’t feel uncomfortably full – or gassy!’ Go through your normal sleep routine, turn off the lights, and put your baby, still awake, into her cot. Now sit down on the floor, next to her, so you’re at the same level. ‘The idea is to let your baby know you’re present, but to slowly reduce the amount of help you’re giving her to get to sleep,’ says Lucy. If your baby’s been used to lots of physical contact with you, you may decide you’ll keep a physical connection on the first night, by gently rubbing her chest for example, until she goes to sleep. ‘Just don’t let her hold onto you by grabbing your hand or finger,’ says Lucy. ‘If you do that your hand or finger could become a sleep prop – something she needs to nod off.’
slightly longer still. That’s because the older a baby is, the more resistant she will be to change.’ The guidelines below are for a baby aged between six months and a year. Follow them – but be flexible about timings. Make sure your baby is relaxed with each stage before you move on to the next one.
At the beginning, your baby will fuss and you’ll respond to her quickly. But as you listen, you’ll begin to understand when your baby’s noises mean that she needs you and when she’s just having a pre-sleep grizzle. Use your judgment about how long to give it before you pat her. ‘With some babies I wait up to three minutes before getting involved, with other babies it can be up to seven minutes,’ says Lucy. After a night – or a couple of nights – reduce the contact again. Still sitting on the floor by your baby, show her you’re present: but just use your voice, humming or singing. Again, do this until she falls asleep. You’ll need to work with whatever is natural for your baby, but at this stage you’re looking to reach a point where your baby is relaxed about going into the cot and settling off to sleep with you sitting beside her, not doing much apart from humming or saying shush. This might take four nights – or up to 14 nights! But when you feel that your baby is settled into her ‘new normal’, you can move on to stage two.
STAGE TWO: IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM
In stage two, instead of sitting by the cot, sit in the middle of the room. From there you can sing or hum. If she protests distract her by returning to her and drumming on the mattress or gently blowing on her face. When she’s settled, go back to the middle of the room and sing or hum again. ‘Each time you go to a new stage, be ready for your baby to fuss until she gets used to it,’ say Lucy. ‘It should be easier for your baby to get used to stage two than to stage one, because she’s already on the journey of learning to self-soothe.’ For lots of babies you only have to do this for three nights before you’re ready to move on.
STAGE THREE: BESIDE THE DOOR
‘This stage is exactly the same as stage two, except that now you are sitting beside the door to your baby’s room,’ says Lucy. ‘Do this for three nights, or longer if you feel that’s needed, before moving on to stage four.’
STAGE FOUR: OUTSIDE THE ROOM
‘This is the last stage,’ says Lucy. ‘You’re moving out of your baby’s room altogether – sitting just outside, within humming distance.’ Again, it may take as little as three nights before you’ll find your baby is happy to be put down in her cot and to see you leaving the room. Bedtime nailed!
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | April 2020 | 71
S O OT H E TO S L E E P ‘The thing that helps Hope to feel settled is having a log skin-to-skin cuddle. It just seems to calm her down after the day, and I’ve found that she really likes having her nose or ears gently stroked while we’re cuddling. I don’t know why it relaxes her, but it does!’ Celia Stanworth, 35 from Towcester, is mum to Hope, 11 weeks
T H E B A BY
CY ’S S U L – N O I T U L O SLEEP S
s ntly falling out of hi ta ns co as w e with my m up. Then ‘It was my experienc first got outh and waking hi llen, who m at ,E oldest son’s sleep th babies had my second child idn’t sleep I w ed me interested in ho ys Lucy. had silent reflux. Sh sa ,’ learn to self-soothe n he was a for eight months! or b ng as a chartered ki or w as w ‘When Jesse was I d so I assumed , but I was reading or ey rv brilliant sleeper, an su sleep. rally good hing I could about ho yt er that I was just natu ev . en, w nod off d my third child, Ed d then, at getting babies to started ha I p er an But then Jesse’s slee oint that, was a brilliant sleep with my p nt to degrade – to the when I was pregna arted s th on m ne ni as , w th child Harry I st by the time he ur fo . ur consultant. y ho old, he was up ever ir out, aining to be a sleep and in tr courses in the UK I was tearing my ha was id d I tly what what trying to work out e a e US: I learned exac sleep th lik der to wrong, and feeling children need in or ggled t lo a er ft ru complete failure. A ted ell but Harry still st with w star sleep! He woke up ugh, of trial-and-error I ith w p ee sl from oth that came thro to y er separating his milk ev it ummy, as and I got rid of his d
72 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
TO RY
ld that he had a constant co and he had p, interfered with slee affected at food intolerances th going ut his snoozing, too. B erent iff d through all those helped me experiences really different learn how to settle all the nd kinds of children. A her families ot work I’ve done with me that all n since then has show lf-soothe se babies can learn to with o it – 98 per cent can d method, ort my Stay-and-Supp that can’t nt and the two per ce lying der tend to have an un g their tin issue that’s interrup tolerance. in sleep, usually a food , they ssed Once that is addre do learn to settle.’
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Here to help
OUR EXPERTS ARE HERE
T O S H A R E T H E I R A DV I C E
the big question
Claire Stallard is an animal behaviourist for Blue Cross, a charity for sick, injured and homeless pets; bluecross.org.uk
pregnancy
Hannah O’Sullivan is a midwife and runs hypnobirthing business The Calm Birth Midwife; facebook.com/ thecalmbirthmidwife
health
Dr Tim Ubhi is a consultant paediatrician and founder of the Children’s e-Hospital; e-hospital.co.uk
WORDS CATHERINE BALL PHOTOGRAPHY SHUTTERSTOCK, ISTOCK
Sleep
Marta Neto is a paediatric gentle sleep consultant who works with parents to resolve their baby’s sleep issues; gentle sleepconsultant.co.uk
behaviour
Tiffany Norris is founder of The Mummy Concierge, which provides support and help for mumsto-be and new parents; themummyconcierge.com
THE BIG Q U E ST I O N
I’m expecting my first baby soon and am worried our cat might be put out! How can I prepare my pet? Hazel Walker, Amersham
Preparation is key. Cats are highly sensitive to scent, and how their territory smells is really important to them. When a baby comes into the house there is a whole different set of aromas, which can be very unsettling for your cat. Bring things for the baby into your house early, and introduce them gradually so your cat can get used to the new smells. There are also some plug-in products on the market that release a scent that helps cats to feel safe. If your cat is sensitive, start using a product like this as soon as you begin bringing in new things for the baby, as this will help her cope with the changes. It’s also a good idea to get your cat used to the noises a baby makes. There are apps to download with gurgling and
crying sounds, which will help desensitise your cat. Start early, and play the noises quietly at first, gradually increasing the volume. If your cat currently has free access to the whole house, think about whether there will be any areas you would rather she stay out of once your baby is here. Restrict access to areas like the nursery or your bedroom as early as possible so she gets used to the change. When cats are worried or frightened they prefer to move away and hide. Make sure your cat has lots of opportunities to move away from your baby and create lots of little corners and safe places where she can keep out of the way. A tall cat-scratching post – one of the sturdy ones with shelves – is great for this. Cats like to sit back, observe and assess the situation before deciding whether something is safe, so don’t try to force your cat to be around the new baby. Let her stay away and come over in her own time. Your cat might find it difficult when she can’t climb onto you because you are holding or feeding a baby, so begin to limit her ability to leap onto your lap before your baby is born. Put a blanket next to you so she can be near you but not actually on top of you – this way of being close to you will be normal to your cat by the time your baby is born. CS m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 75
Here to help P R EG N A N CY I’ve been attending a slimming group. Should I stop now I am pregnant? Frances Walton, Glasgow
* A DAILY INTAKE OF 200MG DHA IS REQUIRED IN ADDITION TO THE RECOMMENDED DAILY INTAKE OF 250MG DHA/EPA FOR ADULTS. A BENEFICIAL EFFECT IS OBTAINED WITH A DAILY INTAKE OF 200MG DHA IN ADDITION TO THE RECOMMENDED DAILY INTAKE OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS FOR ADULTS.
If you had a raised Body Mass Index (BMI) prior to pregnancy, working on healthy eating and keeping active is the best thing you could have done for you and your baby. However, it is not advisable to try to lose weight during pregnancy, and there is no evidence that losing weight in pregnancy reduces the chance of any complications. There is no official guidance on what weight gain is considered
Q
I’ve been wearing contact lenses for years, but now I’m pregnant they’ve become uncomfortable. What’s going on?
MOTHER & BABY
PROMOTION PREGNACARE BREASTFEEDING Vitabiotics Pregnacare Breast-Feeding is a comprehensive formulation of nutrients to provide the recommended level of 10mcg vitamin D, the full RDA of 700mg calcium, and 300mg DHA, as recommended by the Department of Health for all breastfeeding women.Maternalintake of DHA contributes to the normal brain and eye development of breastfed infants*.
appropriate in pregnancy, and remember that extra weight includes your baby, placenta, amniotic fluid and increased blood volume. However, if you feel concerned about excess weight gain talk to your midwife. Having the support of a slimming group can be beneficial – especially if it is a group you already know. The Royal College of Midwives works with Slimming World to support pregnant women and new mothers adopt healthier eating patterns and to become more active. Your midwife or GP can refer you so that you can attend for free. HO
Emily Bacon, Painswick
Q
Since becoming pregnant, my face has become spotty. Why?
Debbie Bateman, Thirsk
During pregnancy your hormones are raging – and for lots of women that can mean skin changes. Testosterone is thought to be the main culprit and increases by 70 per cent in pregnancy, stimulating the sebaceous glands in the skin to produce more sebum
than is required, which mixes with dead skin cells and normal bacteria to block the follicles and cause spots. Be gentle with your skin, keep it clean, but don’t use anything harsh. Keeping hydrated and eating well will also help to improve the general appearance of the skin. HO
This is another situation where pregnancy hormones are to blame, causing changes to eyesight and dry eyes. You might find you are more comfortable taking a break from your contact lenses and wearing glasses for a while, or seeing your optician for some eye drops. Some changes, such as blurred vision, could be a sign of pre-eclampsia, so if you are concerned about your sight, speak to your midwife. HO
Here to help H E A LT H
Q
My eightmonth-old is chunky and people always comment on his size. Could he be overweight? Milla Ennett, Saint Leonards
Even though he is young, it is important to ensure that your child gains weight at the right rate. To help us measure this, we can use standardised growth charts that are produced by The World Health Organisation. This information is contained in your baby’s red health book, which was given to you after he was born. Your health visitor or GP can plot your child’s height and weight and ensure that your child is growing appropriately and not putting on too much weight for his height as well as his age, and give you dietary advice if you need it. TU
My six-week-old often brings up some of her milk feed. How much is normal and when should I worry? Zoe Forde, Northwich
Posseting or reflux is common in babies and usually nothing to worry about. It happens because the valve at the entrance to the stomach is immature, so milk comes back from the stomach up the feeding tube and into the mouth. The amount of milk that is posseted is usually quite small, but if your
baby is regularly bringing up large amounts, seek medical advice. If your child has other symptoms, including pain or weight loss, she may have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or a cow’s milk protein allergy. This will need further investigation and treatment, or changes to her diet. TU
Q
I suffer from hay fever. If my two-year-old does too, which treatments are safe? Robyn Tomlin, Newark
Hay fever is common in children and is more likely to occur if there is a family history of allergies. Look out for symptoms including a runny nose and nasal congestion, watery and itchy eyes, sneezing and coughing. Your toddler might also develop dark patches under his eyes and appear tired. The most common treatment is anti-histamines, which can be given as a syrup, tablet, nasal spray or eye drops. If your child is severely affected, your GP can also prescribe steroid nasal sprays. All of these are safe for young children, but steroids in particular should only be given under medical supervision. TU m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 7 7
Here to help SLEEP I’m finding establishing a bedtime routine for my five-month-old exhausting. How can I make it easier? Veronica Waldren, Ely
You’ve taken steps to help your baby become a confident sleeper, which is great and, with a few tweaks, you can improve the routine so it fits you both. Create a relaxing pre-sleep ritual that you will both enjoy. For example, story (always the same); lullaby; say ‘sleepy time’ to a few things in the
Q
When my five-weekold is in her baby swing she often falls asleep. Is it safe to leave her sleeping there?
room; and put your baby in the cot. You don’t need to spend a long time on the routine for it to be effective. As a mother of three sleep-resistant children, one of my go-to strategies for making the routine for bedtime more manageable is to take a closed cup of tea or coffee to the bedroom with me! MN
GET IN TO U C H Got a question you’d like our experts to answer? Email your query to ask@motherand baby.co.uk
Claire Holburn, Howarth
Many babies enjoy being rocked to sleep. It’s believed that this is because our ancestors were more likely to survive if their mothers were standing up and on the move. However, evidence suggests that it is safer for babies to sleep on a flat surface, so it is best not to leave your daughter to sleep in her swing. To help her transition to the cot, start by reducing the movement of the swing. You can also encourage your baby to spend time awake in the swing when she first wakes up, as opposed to when she is sleepy. Put your baby in the cot when she shows signs of being tired. Look out for glazed eyes and less movement. MN
Q
How can I discourage my two-and-a-half-year old from sneaking into my bed at night?
Gemma Seale, Wrexham
Start by trying to understand why your son might be waking up and coming to your bed. Knowing the reason will help you encourage him to stay in his bed. Firstly, consider whether he could be cold, being awoken by noises such as the heating coming on, or scared? If you feel he might be scared, avoid any stimulating activities or TV after dinner, and encourage a calm bedtime routine. Secondly, he might feel the need to connect, particularly if he is in childcare during the day. If this is the case, try to
7 8 | April 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k
spend quality time with him before bedtime. A few minutes of eye contact and cuddles can make all the difference. It’s important to create a bedtime routine that you both enjoy. And, finally, does he fall asleep independently for naps and bedtime? If not, supporting him to become a confident, independent sleeper will mean that he will still wake up but will be able to get himself back to sleep. Once your child is confident falling asleep independently, he will benefit from clear sleep boundaries. MN
Here to help B E H AV I O U R
Q
My son is almost three and has started shouting that he hates me when he doesn’t get his own way. How can I deal with this?
Q
How can I encourage my 11-month-old to start moving? She seems happy sitting and doesn’t even try to cruise or crawl. Julia Finch, Reading
You can help your baby to crawl by encouraging her to spend time on her tummy. Start with just one or two minutes of tummy time to begin with and then gradually build it up – turn to the tummy-time special on page 41 for ideas of how to do this. Putting a favourite toy just out of reach in front of her, or in a half circle around her, is another good way of motivating her to move and reach. But keep in mind that some babies never crawl. They bottom shuffle and then walk, or they go straight to standing and walking. If your baby reaches 18 months and isn’t yet walking, talk to your GP or health visitor. TN
Rachel Gorton, Luton
Firstly, remember that when coming from a child, ‘hate’ doesn’t translate to what we understand it to mean as adults: for them it’s an impulse word signifying loss of control. So when your toddler throws this word around, what he really means is, ‘I can’t handle this situation.’ So what do you do? Don’t engage with it, and don’t draw attention to it. When your toddler sees it’s a sure-fire way to grab your attention, he’ll try it again and again. Instead, address his frustration. So if your little one has just said ‘I hate you Mummy’ because you won’t give him chocolate, ignore the ‘hate’ word and instead say ‘I understand you feel cross with me, that’s OK.’ Letting him know you understand why he might be feeling frustrated shows empathy, without drawing attention to the dreaded ‘H’ word. TN
I’d been expecting the terrible twos but my 17-month-old has started having tantrums already, and I’ve no idea how to calm her down. And suggestions? Natasha Knott, Swansea
The ‘terrible twos’ can certainly start a lot earlier than your child’s second birthday party. There are two ways to deal with tantrums at this age – distraction or choices. When your little one is mid temper tantrum, try to distract her by getting excited over something else. Run over to the window and say “Oh wow – look at that squirrel outside!” By distracting her she will soon forget what she was having a tantrum about. The other option is to give her a choice so that she feels in control. So, for example, if she is having a meltdown because you won’t let her watch TV, say ‘would you like to play with your ball, or draw’ and let her make the choice. Sometimes tantrums are purely because young children want to have ownership over something. TN m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 7 9
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Time to get in sync
WORDS EMILY THORPE PHOTOGRAPHY SHUTTERSTOCK
EVER SAT PLAYING with your baby and felt a strong sense of connection with her? Well it turns out you may be onto something! Researchers from Princeton University examined how adult and babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brains interacted
8 2 | Apri l 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
during play, and discovered that both brain activities rose and fell together as they shared toys and eye contact. However, when the adult and child turned away from each other or engaged with other people, the connection was lost.
of the best…
BABY WIPES Wipes are a must when you’re a mum and these Mother&Baby Awards 2020 winners will be your new best friend
Keep your baby squeaky clean with the Aldi Mamia Sensitive Baby Wipes, which are fragrance-free and gentle against her delicate skin. The hard packet lid prevents the wipes from drying out. your bit for the 2 Do 49P, aldi.co.uk environment with the Little Gubbins Reusable baby wipes which are soft, absorbent and useful for all manner of mess. Then simply pop in the washing machine and reuse.
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Made with purified water and organic Aloe Vera, these dermatologically tested Aqua Wipes are 100 per cent biodegradable and are even supplied to NHS hospitals across the UK.
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£2.70, boots.com
ARRIV W A E
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£12.99, amazon.co.uk
Try this! GENTLE SKINCARE Whether it’s your bathtime routine or a bit of baby massage, your baby’s skincare is a lovely opportunity for the two of you to bond, and new brand My Little Coco will ensure your little darling gets only the good stuff. Founded by TV presenter and singer Rochelle Humes, the range is suitable from newborn and is ideal for delicate skins. There are seven dermatologicallytested products to try, including the My Little Everything Balm, a multi-
tasking miracle worker that can be used by you both. Handy! My Little Everything Balm, £5.99, boots.com
You’ve probably heard of the Mother&Baby award-winning SnüzPod, but what about the SnüzPouch? Now available in nine gorgeous new prints, the SnüzPouch sleeping bag features a clever nappy change zip to make those late-night changes quick and easy with minimum disturbance to your little sleepyhead. Made from 100 per cent cotton, choose from 1.0 tog for warmer weather or 2.5 tog for year-round wear. Suitable from newborn to 18 months. From £29.95, snuz.co.uk
SHOP ONLINE Visit our website shop to read real mums’ reviews and to buy your essentials: motherandbaby. co.uk/shop
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 8 3
84 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
WORDS EMILY THORPE PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGES, ISTOCK
Life&Kids
Mum knows best If you’ve ever doubted yourself, you’re not alone. But here’s why you should give yourself a break…
I
t’s your first day at your brand-new dream job, and you’re excited but nervous. There’s so much to learn and to get to grips with, but you know that it will take a while to start feeling at home in a new role and to get to know the people and, besides, you’re always going to be learning… and that’s OK! When you think about it, starting a new job has a lot of similarities to becoming a mum (although the outfits are probably a bit different), but when you step foot in that new office, or shop, or school, you don’t expect to know everything immediately. So why do we think we’ve got to be employee of the month on our first day of motherhood? Whether you’re the mum of a tiny, sleepy newborn, or a bouncy, boisterous toddler, motherhood is an experience like no other. And despite the parenting books and websites we all pore over, and the prenatal classes we give up our weekends to attend, many of us still feel wildly out of our comfort zone when the baby arrives and in the weeks and months that follow.
FAKE NEWS
MEET THE EXPERT Anna Mathur is a psychotherapist, author of Mind Over Mother (£12.99, Piatkus), out in May, and a mum of three
We’ve all experienced those panicked ‘What do I do!?’ moments, but worrying about your abilities as a mum has become the new normal for a lot of us. Why? ‘There’s a massive increase in our use of social media, where we’re constantly exposed to how other mums are parenting, and this is a breeding ground for comparison,’ says psychotherapist Anna Mathur. ‘We are hardwired to believe what we see historically, before all the manipulation of content, what we saw was actually a fair representation of what was true. But while this isn’t necessarily the case anymore, our brains haven’t caught up, so we have to continually be reminded that what we see may not be the
full story.’ So while you might see a gorgeous photo of a happy, smiley mum and her adorable bubs gurning away on Instagram, the reality could be that two minutes later that mum is covered in porridge (or worse), calling her husband at work for the third time because she can’t imagine how she’s going to make it through alone until bedtime. ‘If you are following certain people that are giving a particular impression of motherhood, and you are feeling like you are drawn to compare your experience to theirs, it’s really wise to mute or unfollow them for a while,’ suggests Anna. ‘We’re all naturally more vulnerable to comparison when we’re tired and have had a bad day. But using comparison to measure how you’re doing isn’t healthy.’
INFORMATION OVERLOAD
Seeing the impact that being constantly plugged into social media can have on your mind, it can be hard to listen to what’s actually going on up there anyway. We’ve all heard of so-called mother’s intuition, but is it at risk of being drowned out amidst all the other noise? ‘We all have an intuition and an instinct, but it’s simply a sense of “‘I feel like this is right or wrong” rather than being directly related to being a mum,’ says Anna. But being able to access information 24/7 through the likes of Google and parenting forums means that you may be a lot less likely to listen to the small quiet voice inside your head. ‘We over research, we over share, we see too much and we know too much, which means we’ve lost our own ability to just be directed by what we feel is right for our child,’ says Anna. ‘Instead of listening to yourself, you go to the internet, where you’re absolutely bombarded with multiple responses to your questions and are left even more confused.’
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 8 5
M U M K N OW S B E ST confidence bashing. ‘Sometimes our selfAnd it’s not just the digital world that can esteem is rooted in things like the friendships confuse us: sometimes the most well-meaning we have, the job we do, or the lifestyle advice can throw us out of whack too. If we have, and when we then have a baby, you’ve ever been at a family get-together, only everything changes,’ says Anna. ‘Suddenly the for your Great-Aunt Hilda to lean over and things that might have been building up our suggest your baby ‘looks a little chilly’ and self-esteem disappear, and a lot of mums are could use a cardigan, you’ll understand the left with a lack of confidence, because we frustration of unsolicited advice. don’t realise how much the things in our life While you might dream about telling are feeding our confidence and self-worth. Hilda exactly where she can stick her Which is why it’s so important that we work cardigan, comments like this can be hurtful, on feeling good about ourselves, regardless leaving you feeling like it’s a dig at your of what we are doing, who is in our lives and parenting or that you’re doing a bad job. what’s in our bank account.’ But the important thing, Anna explains, is A loss of confidence isn’t exclusive to new what you actively do with this exchange. mums, and we certainly don't want you to feel ‘Imagine holding this information in your bad because you feel like you ‘should’ know open palm. Look at it and think, does this fit what to do by now. ‘I had a really lovely with me? If it doesn’t, let it go. If it does, then experience with my first baby, he was a very maybe there’s something in it that can be “textbook” child and I really enjoyed it,’ says helpful,’ says Anna. ‘It’s unlikely that this Anna. ‘But with my second, I was totally and comment is deliberately meant to upset you, utterly thrown. I thought I would just copy but if it’s a relative who keeps doing this and paste my first experience and do and you feel judged, it’s worth having a everything the same, but he was a completely conversation with them.’ Try saying: “I respect different baby. He had silent reflux and I that’s your opinion, but I like to do things didn’t know how to calm him, so my differently. Thank you for your advice, but this confidence was hugely is how I’m going to do it.” These conversations knocked.’ aren’t easy to have with certain people, but if Whether it’s colic or Examine it’s happening a lot, you could save yourself a teething, nappy rash your internal lot of future annoyance by politely but firmly or jaundice, reminding them of your role as mum. motherhood dialogue comes with a Consider the way you speak and respond to NOBODY’S EXEMPT whole host yourself. For example, say you dropped some But that, of course, is easier said than done. of variables milk that you spent ages expressing, is your If you considered yourself to be a calm and beyond your immediate reaction to scold yourself? ‘If you’ve got self-assured woman before your baby came control. And a dialogue that is critical and unkind, that will chip along, you might be surprised by your new regardless away at your sense of self and confidence as a mum,’ feelings once you become a parent. But none of whether says Anna. ‘Ask yourself, would I say that to my child? of us are immune to a bit of you’ve If not, then it’s not good enough for you either. We need to start offering ourselves more of that to build our own confidence in motherhood. The kinder you are to yourself, the more you will be able to receive praise and Be open encouragement from others, and Instead of saying ‘I’m fine!’ this will empower you.’ when someone asks how you are at baby sensory, be the one that says: ‘I’m actually having a hard ways to boost your Accept time today.’ ‘You’ll find that suddenly confidence support the conversation steps up a level and then everyone starts being more open and ‘As strong, independent women, honest about their own experiences – and it’s we like to tell people, “I don’t need moments like this where we realise we’re not you to look after my baby while I sleep, alone in the things we struggle with, and how I don’t need you to cook me a meal. I’ve easy it is to look at the filtered versions got this!” But actually, you need to let of parenting that we see,’ says Anna. people support you, because we’re not ‘Vulnerability is really important, and created to mother alone,’ says Anna. taking little opportunities to be ‘We don’t have all of the resources, open and honest can help to and it’s not good for our mental build up confidence.’ health to be an island in our motherhood.’
RISE ABOVE JUDGEMENT
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Life&Kids
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 8 7
M U M K N OW S B E ST
experienced these things times before or if this is your first rodeo, they can be unpredictable and disruptive, and leave you feeling helpless. But the good news is, this is completely normal, and every mum can relate. However tough a day you are having, focus on what you give your baby every day without fail; a warm, safe environment, food and, most importantly, unconditional love. You might naturally be a confident person, or you might have never had this quality. Your confidence might stem from compliments, a drama-free day with your baby, or how successful you perceive yourself to be. Whatever your story, motherhood can be the biggest test for us all. It’s complex, messy and demanding, but also the most rewarding adventure you’ll ever go on. So, when your baby next shares her gorgeous gummy smile with you, remember that she will always have the upmost confidence in you, Mama. And what more could you want than that? 88 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
WHAT DO YOU THINK? We’ve all felt judged in some way or other as a parent, but it’s worth remembering how easy it can be to be affected by what you think people are thinking about you. ‘I work on my phone a lot and I’m also with my kids a lot,’ says Anna. ‘Someone might look at me funny, but they have no idea what I’m doing. I could be adding something to a shopping list or replying to a message from an upset family member. But the more value we apply
to the opinion of other people, the more we are damaging our sense of self. If we’re working on our own confidence and who we are, the opinions of others are going to matter less. Because while one person might see me on my phone with my kids and think, “That mum doesn’t care about her kids. What’s she doing on her phone?” another might think, “Oh look at that mum, she’s juggling life brilliantly.” It’s so subjective.’
eh f i l
acks to
be a
Use cashback sites
Stash the cash! Whether you’re eyeing up a summer holiday or trying to make your mat pay go a bit further, try our easy tips to look after the pennies…
Whether it’s for groceries or baby gear, most of us shop online regularly. But did you know you could be saving as you spend? Visit your favourite online stores via cashback sites such as quidco.com and topcashback.co.uk and you can earn money back – often a percentage of the total spent – which is transferred straight into your bank account.
WORDS EMILY THORPE PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK
Meal plan While your baby is napping, take a few minutes to go through your cupboards and freezer, making a note of what you have (and chucking anything past its sell-by date). Then sit down and plan as many meals for the week as you can with what you already have, making a list just of the food you need to complete these meals – it’s sure to be a lot shorter than normal! It’s easy to get into a habit of guessing what you need and ending up with a cupboard full of pasta or half a dozen tins of sweetcorn, so use it up and enjoy the extra pennies in your purse!
Get paid to shop It may sound too good to be true, but companies often use mystery shoppers to evaluate the quality of their service. Acting like a normal customer, your job is to use a business’s service then fill out a questionnaire about your experience – and get paid! You may be asked to visit a particular restaurant, shop or hotel, or even just make phone or online enquiries to retailers. Visit uk. marketforceshopper.com or grassrootsmystery shopping.com
Swap to cloth Using reusable cloth nappies can cost less than £300 in total, compared to £1,200 for disposables, which means a huge cash saving – and an environmental one too. It’s not for everyone, but even using one or two reusables a day will still save you cash. £17.99, totsbots.com
‘Our extra-special Mother’s Day’ Meet the mums who have even more reason to celebrate this year
‘I’ll be with my own mum at last’
WORDS RACHEL TOAL PHOTOGRAPHY MARTA WINIECKA-KLIMEK PHOTOGRAPHY
In recent years, my mum and I have not been able to spend Mother’s Day together. But all that’s going to change this time, because me, Mum and the kids will be celebrating in our home country of Poland. I can’t wait to finally get the chance to be with her. I moved to the UK in 2007 to work and study. My now-husband Milan and I met soon after, fell in love, and went on to have our three beautiful children. I love my life here, but miss my mum so much. We try to get together once a year, and recently those times have coordinated with the births of my children, or Christmas. Flights for us all are expensive, so we have to rely on video calls. It’s lovely seeing Mum’s face on screen, but I feel sad knowing she’s not able to share i l ih i a Patti with Krystyn
Patti Miskolczi, 32, an entrepreneur at sayanything.co.uk, lives in Oxford with husband Milan and children Inka, eight months, Axel, two, and Ivy, five
This Mother’s Day feels like the perfect opportunity to put that right. It’s been 13 years since I relocated, and the children are finally at an age where it’s a bit easier to travel. I’ve booked a flight for me and the kids to Poland, and we will be there for Mother’s Day. My mum’s moved to a new house, and she’s excited about hosting us. We’ve decided not to set our expectations too high for the day itself, and just see what feels natural. For me, the most heart-warming family days are those that are spontaneous. If the weather’s nice we might go for a walk, otherwise we may bake. It’s something I used to love doing with my mum as a child. Mum’s proud of what I’ve achieved, building a new life in the UK, and I’m grateful for the love and beautiful memories given me of growing up in Poland. n’t wait to feel the positive energy of g around her on such a special day.
Ivy with Axel
Life&Kids
Lauren with baby Alfie
‘I’ll focus on my chievements’
Lauren’s little miracle
my miracle’
If someone had told me a few doctor told me it just wasn’t years ago I’d be preparing to possible. One even showed me a scan of my ovaries to prove celebrate Mother’s Day with my how many cysts had grown. new baby boy, I’d never have “There’s a very, very believed them. From the small chance you age of 18, I’d been Lauren could conceive, told the chances Green, 25, a of me conceiving but you’d need to copywriter and were pretty much do it in the next blogger at girlygabble. zero. I’d had two years,” he com, lives in Sidcup anorexia explained. with partner Rob and throughout much I’d never been son Alfie, 15 weeks of my childhood the kind of person and teenage years, who wanted children, which doctors said would but now it was all I could make it extremely difficult for think about. I studied ovulation me to carry a baby. Then, to make charts and tracked my cycles. When matters worse, I found out I had I found out I was two months polycystic ovarian syndrome and pregnant, I was in complete shock. low progesterone levels. The odds Never in a million years did I dream I’d go on to have Alfie. were stacked against me. These days, I feel like the Three years ago, and much to luckiest mum in the world. my surprise, I got pregnant. Sadly, I treasure each moment, and that resulted in miscarriage, but I dared to hope having children on Mother’s Day those emotions might be possible. My partner Rob will be even stronger. I’ll be and I started the long process of holding him tight, appreciating trying to conceive. We made what a miracle he is, and counting appointments, but doctor after my blessings.
This Mother’s Day I’ll be days away from the “Big 4-0”, a milestone that’s Lindsey Jordan, 39, been looming in a strategy director, my mind for a lives in London with while. And while partner Phil and the temptation is daughter Gabriella, to beat myself up two for all the things I haven’t yet ticked off, I’m determined to celebrate the things I have like my daughter, Gabriella, my greatest achievement of all. If I’m honest, I never thought motherhood would happen for me. But at the age of 34, and after a series of disastrous relationships, I met my partner Phil. Two years ago, we had Gabriella, and I’ve never stopped feeling grateful. It’s funny: as mums we tend to constantly strive for perfection, like that “2.4 children” cliché. I’m not sure I’ll have another baby now, and I’m totally fine with that because Gabriella’s all I’ll ever need. This Mother’s Day I’ll be taking a moment to celebrate my impending birthday, and what I’ve achieved in becoming a mum. I feel so lucky.
Lindsey with Gabriella
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 9 1
‘We’ll make the most of not working’
Kate with Holly and longed-for baby Harry
‘It’s a time to reflect on my journey’ I think about my fertility journey worse, I’d got pregnant after my every day of the year, but first month on Clomid Mother’s Day will be medication, but it a chance for me to had ended in a Kate Pearson, really reflect on miscarriage. It 39, a secondary how far I’ve was devastating, school teacher, lives come. Anyone but I stayed in Stockport with who’s been positive. I was husband Jeff and through close to moving children Harry, two, secondary from Stockport and Holly, infertility will to London to be eight understand how near a top Harley isolating it can be. Street clinic. My Nothing can prepare you husband Jeff and I even for the physical and emotional considered egg donation. exhaustion of fertility treatment When I finally got that positive – or that unbearable longing for pregnancy test, I could hardly a child, whether you’re a mum believe it. I cried at each and already or not. every scan, barely believing it “Can’t you be happy with the might actually happen for us. And one you have?” was just one of when my son Harry was born, the well-meaning but hurtful I couldn’t have felt more joy or comments I received. At that relief. This Mother’s Day we’ll be point I had unexplained infertility, celebrating with a special family had been diagnosed with low egg meal, and I’ll be taking stock of reserves, and was going through how far we’ve come. I’m proof round upon round of unsuccessful that hope, positivity and IVF treatment. To make matters determination can pay off. 9 2 | Apri l 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
A few months Faye ago, I switched Marques, 38, careers, taking founder of redundancy so justcoopsandlu.com, I could enjoy lives in Manchester with husband Raf and weekends with children and Luca, Cooper and two,andCooper, Luca. For the last six couple of years my Mother’s Days have been spent in the studio, where I presented a Sunday radio show. I can’t wait not to have the stress of that commute this year, and to be able to enjoy every second with the boys. We’ll have a leisurely breakfast and lazy pyjama morning, then we’ll venture out for a celebration lunch, and a glass of fizz for me and Raf. And all four of us will be wearing my branded hoodies from my new clothing business, Just Coops and Lu. I named it after the boys because it was thanks to them – and the importance of flexible working at times like Mother’s Day – that I launched it.
Faye with Cooper and Luca
Life&Kids
‘I'll honour my mum with a roast’ Bitter-sweet is the only word to describe how Mother’s Day will feel this year. While I’ll be holding my girls close and celebrating them, I’ll also be remembering my own mum who passed away 10 years ago. She never met my girls, or even saw me get married, and she died just four months after my dad passed away of cancer. It was the toughest time of my life, but those kinds of challenges put life into perspective. Losing Mum helped me to appreciate the special bond between me and my girls. When I look back to the happy times with her, and all those Mother’s Days we shared, it inspires me to be positive and grateful Mum and
Emma with Michael, Ruby and Bella
Emma Ramsden, 41, a recruitment director, lives in Huddersfield with husband Michael and daughters Bella, three, and Ruby, seven
I were very close, and she taught me the value of both working hard in your career, and being a good home-maker. I learned all my cooking skills from Mum, especially how to perfect a roast. Thanks to her, my family always sits down for Sunday dinner together. It’s the perfect reminder. This Mother’s Day will be close to the 10-year anniversary of losing Mum. Yes, it’ll be sad, but as we tuck into our roast, I’ll remember those lovely times with her. I’m grateful to be alive and healthy, and here for my girls. Those special childhood memories remind me to smile, and squeeze them tighter every day.
Treasured times with her girls
Making mem with Mum ories
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 9 3
Cot, £183.99, wayfair.co.uk
WORDS KAREN WARREN
Step back in time with this nostalgic nursery look
H
ark back to simpler times and take an old-world approach to decorating the nursery. This pretty scheme is calm and clutter-free, yet full of warmth and whimsy. Put the room in bloom and pile on the floral prints on walls and in accessories. There’s no need to worry about clashing colours or patterns – a range of different prints will add to the vintage appeal. Here, a statement
brass cot pulls the look together, but if you prefer to take a more subtle approach, simply pull out gold details in furnishings. Bring to mind the nostalgia of childhoods past with pillowy eiderdowns and cushions – just remember to always remove all items from the cot before laying your child down to sleep. Finish the look by upcyclin ld furniture with a lick of fresh paint, a channel the make-do-and-mend spir
Teepee, £118.95,
scandi born.co.uk
Tabitha wallpaper in Pink, £20.99 a roll, wayfair.co.uk
Matt Emulsion in Mint Crisp, £12 for 2.5l, wilko.com
Matt Emulsion Blush, £12 for 2. wickes.co.uk
Wheeled basket, £53, en.smallable.com
Life&Kids
Top brass Pick out gold accents with stylish Table, £79, made.com
IN THE FRAME ang a gallery of easyo-update frames, to howcase your tot’s arly mark-making
Over-door hook, £35, made.com
Picture frame, £9.95, rexlondon.com Shelves, £73, nordicnest.com
with pretty floral prints
Bedspread, £29, vertbaudet.co.uk
FLOWER POWER
Storage boxes, £8 for 2, dunelm.com
Multi-photo frame, £25, sassand belle.co.uk
Storage cases, £23, sassandbelle.co.uk
Into the meadow
Ride-on toy, £45, kidly.co.uk Create calm with soothing leaf, sage and mint greens Children’s chair, £118, maisonsdumonde.com
Storage basket, £44, thismodernlife.co.uk
ONE MORE THING... Bookcase, £194, maisonsdumonde.com
o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 9 5
Picky palates These clever recipes should tempt your little one to tuck in
Sweet potato isess and goodn packed full of as a ‘boat ’ for p here doubles uese. Simple yet your Bologn a little theatre to g effective, addin all the difference in ke dishes can maging a fussy tot. encoura
SUITABLE FROM 12 MONTHS
MEET THE EXPERT Annabel Karmel is a children’s food expert, bestselling author, and a mum of three
Sweet potato Bolognese boats Prep:10minutes Cook:15-50minutes Makes:2sweetpotatoboats (2childportions) Directions 1 Prick the sweet potato with a fork several times and then cook it in the microwave for 7–10 minutes until soft in the middle, or bake in the oven at 200°C/
96 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
400°F/gas mark 6 for about 45 minutes, or until soft and cooked through. 2 Preheat the grill to high. As soon as the sweet potato is cool enough to handle, slice it in half and scoop out some of the potato into a bowl. Mix it with the Bolognese sauce and spoon it back into the sweet potato shells. Sprinkle with the cheese. 3 Place under a hot grill for 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and has melted. 4 Serve with steamed broccoli florets.
Ingredients ● 1 small sweet
potato ● 3 tbsp leftover Bolognese sauce ● 2 tbsp mature Cheddar cheese, grated
Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 12-15 minutes Makes: 4 portions
able for uit
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Recipe s
Oven-baked Krispie chicken nuggets SUITABLE FROM 9 MONTHS
Directions 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. Grease a baking sheet with oil. 2 Measure the Rice Krispies and panko breadcrumbs into a plastic bag. Bash with a rolling pin until finely crushed. Add the cheese, paprika and oil, and shake well. 3 Coat the chicken in flour, then dip into egg and then into the crumb mix. 4 Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
rackle and his c , p a n s t e The secr nt is the hero in t n ie ke pop ingreden-baked take on chic coat to v healthier o stead of using batter Rice nuggets. Instrips, the recipe uses chicken ies for a light and Krisp ting. crispy coa
Tasty beef quesadillas Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Makes: 2 quesadillas Directions 1 Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the spring onion, courgette and pepper. Fry for 2 minutes. 2 Add the beef and fry with the vegetables until browned. Add the garlic, sweetcorn, curry paste and sundried tomato paste. Stir and simmer
for 4 minutes. 3 Put one tortilla wrap on a board. Spoon half of the mixture on top and spread out to the edges. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Top with another wrap. Repeat. 4 Heat a large frying pan until hot. Add the quesadillas and fry for a few minutes on both sides, until golden, crisp and the cheese has melted inside. 5 Remove from the heat and slice each quesadilla into 6 small wedges.
Ingredients ● 1 tbsp sunflower oil
● 3 tbsp sweetcorn, drained
● 4 spring onions, sliced
● 1½ tsp korma curry paste
● 75g courgette, finely
● 1 tsp sundried tomato
diced ● ½ red pepper, finely diced ● 110g lean minced beef ● 1 clove garlic, crushed
paste ● 40g Cheddar cheese, grated ● 4 small tortilla wraps
Ingredients ● 40g Rice Krispies
● 2 tbsp sunflower oil
● 40g panko breadcrumbs
● 2 large chicken breasts,
● 25g finely grated
Parmesan cheese ● ½ tsp paprika
SUITABLE FROM 9 MONTHS
cut into cubes ● A little plain flour ● 1 egg, beaten, to coat
Filled with iron-rich beef and colourful veg quesadillas are the per , these food. Task older childrfect finger filling and folding th en with eir with lots of veggies anown d tasty toppings.
FUN WITH FOOD For more family meal inspiration and healthy-eating guides, head to motherandbaby. co.uk/food mothera ndbaby.co.uk | April 2020 | 97
Hakuna Matata houmous
SUITABLE FROM 9 MONTHS
Prep: 5 minutes Makes: 1 serving, plus leftovers Directions 1 To make the houmous, measure all the ingredients into a food processor. Blitz until you have a smooth consistency. Season to taste (for babies 12 months+). 2 Assemble your lion using lots of colourful vegetables and crackers, and serve alongside the houmous dip.
Houmous is a healthy snack packed full of for your growing tot. goodness that tastes great and loo Making food wonders in getting li ks good can work ttl foods. Pop the Lion Ke ones to try new in on and have a go at cr g soundtrack eating your best lion face!
Ingredients ● 400g tin chickpeas,
drained ● 1 clove garlic, crushed ● 6 tbsp olive oil ● 2 tbsp Greek yoghurt
● Juice of ½ small lemon ● Assortedvegetables
to make the lion’sface and mane ● Crackers or toast fingers
Kids eat with their eyes and these colourf sunshine fritters will ul appeal! A great way add extra all-important veggiesto get those into diet - mix and match their different types if they prove to be a success!
SUITABLE FROM 8 MONTHS
Vegetable fritters Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 5-10 minutes Makes: 8 fritters Directions 1 Put the corn into a food processor. Whiz until finely chopped. Spoon into a bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and season. Whisk together thoroughly. 2 Heat a little oil in a frying pan. Add large tablespoons of the mixture into the pan. Fry for a few minutes, then flip over and fry for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden and cooked through.
able for uit
ezing fre
Recipe s
Ingredients
98 | April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
● 100g tinned sweetcorn
● 50g plain flour
● 100g cherry tomatoes,
● ½ tsp baking powder
roughly chopped ● 25g yellow pepper, finely diced ● 4 spring onions, sliced ● 1 clove garlic, crushed ● 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
● 25g Parmesan cheese,
grated ● 1 egg ● 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (optional for babies from 12 months)
Cod cubes with fruity curry sauce Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 20-25 minutes Makes: 25 cubes Directions 1 To make the curry sauce, heat the oil in a saucepan, add the onion, squash and apple and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and curry powder, and fry for 10 seconds. Add the stock and mango chutney. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, then blend until smooth.
2 Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/ gas mark 6. Line a baking sheet with non-stick paper. 3 Mix the panko breadcrumbs and curry powder together in a polythene (freezer) bag. 4 Coat the cod in flour. Dip into egg, then into the crumb mixture. Shake the bag to coat the cubes. 5 Place on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil. Bake for 8-10 minutes, turning half way through the cooking time. Serve with the curry sauce.
Ingredients ● 1 tsp sunflower oil ● 1 onion, chopped ● 50g butternut squash, grated ● ¼ apple, grated ● 1 clove garlic, crushed ● ½ tsp mild korma curry powder ● 150ml unsalted vegetable stock ● 1 tsp mango chutney (for babies
12 months +) ● 60g panko breadcrumbs ● ¼ tsp curry powder ● 300g cod loin, cubed ● A little plain flour, to coat ● 1 egg, beaten
able for uit
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This is a fantastic reci to introduce new flav pe encourage your baby ours and easy to make mealtim to try fish. It ’s es fu baby in her own minn - serve to and let her dip and du i pots nk into the curry sauce.
Recipe s
SUITABLE FROM 9 MONTHS
Discover Annabel Karmel’s brand new ‘frozen from fresh’ range of ready-to-go meals for toddlers and children. Inspired by Annabel’s famous cookbook recipes, they are low in salt, super balanced, and a tasty way towards their 5 a day – the perfect way to fuel play! Find the range in the frozen aisle at Tesco, Morrisons and Iceland, annabelkarmel.com
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | April 2020 | 99
Shop!
S | G I V E AW AY S D N E R T | S W E I V E R | S T C PRODU
Cuddle close
WORDS EMILY THORPE
BATHTIME MEANS the chance to spend some one-on-one time with your baby and help her unwind ready for bed, but handling a slippery, wriggly child can be stressful, especially if you’re tackling bathtime solo. Now available in an on-trend new grey star design that’ll look gorgeous in your home, the Cuddledry towel is held in place by a strap around your neck, meaning you have two hands free to safely lift your little one from the water. Made from natural bamboo and cotton so it’s snuggly soft against your baby’s skin, the little hood will keep her head warm too. All that’s left then is to cuddle her dry – lucky you! £35.99, cuddledry.com
1 0 0 | Apri l 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
of the best…
innovations
Thanks to its 180-degree fl sleeping position, Maxi-Cosi Jade C Seat ensures your passenger can tra and sleep safely a same time. Suitab from birth up to 70
couraging en-cup drinking, ler-proof Tommee No Knock Cup has base which grips y smooth surface, g little hands tally (or on !) tipping it over.
1
£229, maxi-cosi.c
We love a clever gadget and these Mother&Baby Awards 2020 winners are top of our shopping list
mazon.co.uk
Wrappin ot, ac ygen levels and sleep, notifying you if anything appears to be wrong. Perfect for preemies.
Try this! p l ay w i t h f o o d It can be a challenge encouraging your toddler to try new food, but the Babymoov Petit Gourmand Fun Food Prep Kit will get even the fussiest tot interested. There are six utensils, including a star-shaped cutter and a spiral peeler to help you play with food presentation, which researchers have found can
encourage your baby to experiment with food. All of the utensils have rounded tips for safety and can be used with raw or cooked vegetables, fruit and any food that can be shaped or cut out. You’ll also receive a mini recipe booklet to get you started. £24.99, babymoov.co.uk
ARRIV W A E
Traditio wooden have nev been so p and Little Wooden range wi welcome to your li toy box. S beautifu fantasy twist, with characters he ll adore such as unicorns and llamacorns. Made with sustainable wood, there’s lots for him to learn, with stacking toys to encourage hand-eye co-ordination, and number puzzles to develop his problem-solving skills. From £4.99, littletikes.co.uk
L
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69, owletbabycare.co.uk
SHOP ONLINE Visit our website shop to read real mums’ reviews and to buy your essentials: motherandbaby. co.uk/shop
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2020 | 1 0 1
HANDLES
A pushchair with a height-adjustable handlebar will be a comfortable ‘fit’ for you and your partner – essential if you’re unevenly matched in stature! If it doesn’t adjust, check it’s correctly proportioned for your height.
DOUBLE PUSHCHAIRS Twice-as-nice buggies that are built for two!
Getting out and about with not one but two little ones can seem daunting, but don’t fret – the right set of wheels can make it easy. The most important thing to consider is the age gap between your children. With twins, you’ll want a double pushchair built to carry two children of a similar weight from birth. If you have a preschooler and a newborn, you might want a more versatile buggy with a seat suitable for an older child and a second seat unit or carrycot attachment for the baby. Do you need a double pushchair? Yes, if you’re expecting twins, or if you’re pregnant again and have an older child who’s still going to be using the pushchair by the time the new baby arrives. If this is your first baby and you hope to be pregnant again within the next couple of years, it’s worth considering a single pushchair that can convert to a double later on. Which type should you choose? A twin buggy is a double pushchair with two seats positioned side-by-side. It’s ideal for twins or for children who are close together in age, as the seats are permanent fixtures on the frame. A tandem pushchair is a double buggy with two seats positioned one behind the other. These are much narrower than twin buggies – usually no wider than a standard single
pushchair – and much easier to manoeuvre through narrow shop doorways, although their extra length can prove tricky. Convertible 1-2 pushchairs mean you’re not left with an extra seat if your older child outgrows it. Where will you use it? If you live in a built-up environment, choose a pushchair with front wheels that swivel, so it’s easy to control over shiny shop floors and uneven pavements. If you’re outdoorsy or live in the country, choose a double pushchair with robust wheels that are easy to manouevre off-road. Do you drive? If so, go for a lightweight double pushchair that you can lift in and out of your boot without pulling a muscle. Make sure it folds compactly to leave space in your boot for shopping or luggage. If you regularly use the bus or train, choose a pushchair you can fold easily, and which won’t take up too much space. Where will you store it? Think about where you’ll keep your pushchair when it’s not in use. Ideally, it should fit through your doorway without having to fold it. If you’re short on space, pick one that folds away neatly, with a lock to stop it from springing open and bashing you on the knees when you walk by.
This month’s testers
WORDS HEIDI SCRIMGEOUR
SHOPPING BASKET
Gina Martin 36, from Bath, is mum to Isla, 10 weeks, and Siena, two ‘I’m looking for a double buggy that I can easily take on the bus and into shops.’
Hannah Dutton 30, from Knaresborough, is mum to Isabelle, eight weeks, and Toby, three ‘I’d like a pushchair that’s easy to manoeuvre, but still really comfy.’
1 0 2 | Apri l 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
Michelle Poulton 38, from Bristol, is mum to George, 16 months, and Fred, three ‘I need a robust, buggy that’s light and easy to fold.’
The basket should have space for everything you need when you’re out, including the rain cover and your change bag – with enough for two babies in it – plus some groceries. Check that it’s easy to access, even when the pushchair seat is fully reclined.
Shop! CARRYCOT
hood
If you choose a double pushchair with a carrycot attachment, keep in mind that your baby will outgrow it by the time she’s six months old. Check how bulky it is to store – some are cleverly designed to convert to an upright pushchair seat.
This protects your baby from sun and wind. Check how far it extends, especially when the seat is reclined, and that it isn’t noisy to adjust if your baby is sleeping.
SEAT RECLINE The recommended sleeping position for babies is flat on their back, so a seat that reclines is a must for naps on the go. Make sure you can adjust it easily without waking your baby.
WHEELS
All-terrain wheels make for easy manoeuvrability on muddy walks. Smaller, solid wheels make light work of city pavements and shiny shop floors. If you’re likely to switch between different types of terrain, go for lockable, swivel wheels.
BRAKE
The brake should be comfortably positioned and easy to operate, without risk of applying it by accident or scuffing your shoes. Check that it’s reliable and easy – although not too easy – to release. FABRIC
The double pushchair should be easy to wipe clean since it will have to cope with everything from milk to a toddler’s sticky snacks.
Familidoo Air, £280, cheekyrascals.co.uk
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 1 0 3
Best for travel use
Best for value for money
under Joie Aire Twin
£150
£140 uk.joiebaby.com
Rapid under Hauck 3R Duo
£220
£219.99 hauckuk.com
WE SAY: WE SAY: This lightweight, side-by-side stroller is perfect for holidays and travel as it has a UPF 50+ sun canopy with viewing window. The seats are independently adjustable and recline for comfy naps on the go. It’s easy to fold, even with your baby in your arms, and it’s free-standing when folded, so storage is a doddle. The adjustable calf ti t f ti d littl l
WEIGHS
11.8KG
This pushchair is narrow enough to fit through most doors. Large, all-terrain wheels mean it handles shop floors as easily as muddy walks, and comes with adaptors for carrycots or car seats (sold separately). It’s easy to fold and will fit into a small car boot. GINA: It's a bit fiddly to assemble – the pin you have to push in kept slipping out and pinging across the room! I knew the weight was going to be an issue as soon as I lifted it out of the box. I live on a hill, and pushing this home is a proper workout. However, it’s very robust, and easily tackled the rough terrain of our local park.
HANNAH: This feels heavy and I struggled steering it and getting it up curbs, as the handle height doesn’t adjust. The carrycot is great for babies as it keeps them really sheltered, and my baby had plenty of room. The hoods extend well, with an extra panel that unzips. The basket is a good size and easily accessible.
st for portability
under Familidoo Air
£300
WEIGHS
SUITABLE FOR BIRTH –15KG
10.2KG
GINA: This is lightweight and easy to assemble. It’s too wide to fit through my doorway, so it’s not my first choice for daily use, but it’s a great pushchair for holidays. It fits easily into the boot of the car, and the one-hand fold is a huge plus when you have your hands full at the airport. It’s a great pushchair for the price. HANNAH: This is so quick to assemble. It’s easy to manoeuvre, and feels sturdy. However, the handle is high and isn’t adjustable, which makes mounting curbs tricky. It doesn’t fit through my front door, so I have to fold it every time – luckily, that’s easy. I do love how big and accessible the basket is.
£280 cheekyrascals.co.uk
MICHELLE: Brilliant value for money – a practical pushchair for use around town. It handles well and, even though it’s fairly wide, still fits through most doorways, and the basket is huge. Getting the boys in and out of the seats is very easy. It’s super simple to fold, and light enough to lift in and out of the car easily.
1 0 4 | Apr il 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
SUITABLE FOR BIRTH –15KG
Shop! Best for country living BLE RTH G
Ed’s pick!
’N’ About under Out Nipper Double
£550
£549.95 outnabout.com
WE SAY: The lockable swivel front wheels, rear-wheel suspension and air-filled tyres make this side-by-side pushchair a brilliant choice if you’re a fan of the great outdoors. It’s narrow enough to fit through standard doorways and shop aisles, and the lie-flat seats recline independently, so one child can nap while the other enjoys the view. You can replace the seat unit with a carry cot (sold separately).
WEIGHS
16.9KG
SUITABLE FOR NEWBORN –4YRS
MICHELLE: A nice looking pushchair which feels really good quality. The price surprised me – I expected it to be much more expensive. It’s pretty heavy though – I needed help lifting it out of the box, and in and out of the car. I was very impressed with the sturdy sun shades. The baskets are a good size, although quite shallow – we almost lost a few toys while on our travels!
WE SAY: This side-by-side buggy is impressively light and compact, and easy to fold in a single movement. It has front and rear-wheel suspension and a generously-sized shopping basket, so it’s ideal for city slickers. We like the extendable sun canopy – handy for extra protection for your little one from the elements – and we love the fact that it comes with its own carrying bag. GINA: This pushchair is light and easy to manoeuvre, and it folds with one movement. However, the seat is small, so my toddler leans back awkwardly in it. The baskets are also small. I wouldn’t choose it for daily use, but it’s ideal for travel being so compact. HANNAH: This is great for popping in the car, as it’s so lightweight and folds easily. It handles really well for a lightweight stroller but sadly, it doesn’t have lockable wheels, which would be useful for rougher terrain, and the seats aren’t very upright, which frustrated my three-year-old. I love the extendable hoods and the large basket.
MICHELLE: I’m always sceptical when you read that a pushchair can be folded with one hand, but this really can! It's ideal for use on public transport as it’s lightweight and so compact, taking up minimal space. It’s nippy around town and the width is perfect – no more taking the long route when thwarted by narrow shop aisles!
WEIGHS
12.8KG GINA: This is the only side-by-side pushchair that fits through my narrow front door! It has multiple handy pockets instead of a storage basket, which I found really convenient. Isla slept as soon as I put her in the cosy insert. I love how light and bouncy this feels – kerbs are no trouble, and I was able to carry it upstairs in a coffee shop easily. HANNAH: It’s incredibly light. It steers well and handles rough terrain, thanks to the lockable front wheel. Both my children looked comfortable, and napped happily. I love that it takes up to 22kg in each seat, so it can be used for older toddlers. A bigger basket would be nice, but overall this pushchair suits our outdoorsy lifestyle.
MICHELLE: My favourite! It handled both town and country effortlessly. It’s so easy to push, and with a foot in height difference between me and my husband, the adjustable handle is great. It’s so compact – I didn’t feel like I had to squeeze through awkward gaps. I can push this with one hand, even when both boys are in it.
m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 1 0 5
FOR FLEXIBILTY
Best for craftsmanship
under Quinny Hubb Duo
£650
Sil
C
W
£629 quinny.com
SUITABLE FOR BIRTH25KG
WE SAY: We love the flexibility of this tandem-style pushchair. It has a modular design, which lets yo carry two children of different ages in varying seat combinations. It’s narrow enough to manoeuvre easily around shops and busy streets, and the large basket is easy to access. The one-hand fold makes popping it in the car easy, and the automatic fold lock keeps it in place during storage MORE REVIEWS ONLINE Visit our shop read more rea mums’ review motherandbab co.uk/shop
WEIGHS
16.4KG WEIGHS
4.3KG WE SAY: This cleverly-designed pushchair converts from a single travel system to a versatile pushchair for twins or siblings. Yo can add one or two carrycots or car seats (sold separately) to create 30 different posible configurations. A ride-on board is also available, and the ventilated carrycot can be used for overnight sleeping. It has a fully extending UPF 50+ hood, plus a hard-shell shopping basket.
SUITABLE FOR BIRTH15KG y combinations than other tandem-style pushchairs, but still works well with the carrycot at the back and the seat at the front. It’s simple to assemble, and relatively light and easy to manoeuvre. I love the option to add the hop-on board – this will be so handy when my eldest is old enough to walk everywhere. HANNAH: The carrycot is spacious, and the pushchair seat seems wider than others, so there’s plenty of room for an older child. The hoods offer good protection. The basket is large but shallow. I love the idea of the hop-on board, but you can’t use it with the carrycot or with the seat reclined, so it’s not practical for us.
MICHELLE: I was pleasantly surprised by this pushchair. As it’s so slim, I was worried the seats would be small – far from it! Both children can see out too, which is unusual with tandems. The material is hard-wearing and wipeclean – bonus! It’s easy to push with both boys in, and didn’t feel heavy or too long.
1 0 6 | Apr il 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
NA: I love the quality of this pushchair – it feels high-end. Both kids were comfy in the padded, luxurious seats. Assembly was simple, it’s easy to push and manoeuvre, and the basket is a good size. I love that it’s narrow enough to fit through shop doorways easily. However, it’s heavier than other pushchairs, and only just fits into our small car. HANNAH: This feels very luxurious. The frame is heavy yet comfortable to push. It’ll grow with our needs and suit us through many stages of family life. Toby loves the buggy board, which clips on and off so easily. I love how easy it is to adjust the straps – a great advantage with a strong-willed toddler who wants to swap seats!
MICHELLE: This looks and feels fabulous, and has everything you need in the box – and I mean everything! Rain cover, seat liner, foot muff, mosquito net, cup holder, and adaptors to change it into a double. George looked comfortable and warm, and it was easy to adjust the straps and buckle him in. It’s easy to clean, too.
Oasis kangaroo pocket dungarees, £38, vegetable print T-shirt, £22
Red patch pocket dungarees, £38, stripe print T-shirt, £22
Exclusi 20% o
rd patch pocket rees, £38, pastel angaroo pocket rees, £38
20% OFF AT J UJ U N I
Ocean print T-shirt, £22, JuJuni print T-shirt, £22
Big savings on super-stylish, ethically sourced fashion If you’re looking for organic, hardwearing togs for your little tyke, you’ll love new ethical brand JuJuni. Each pair of its gorgeous dungarees has been designed with sustainability and eco-conscious living in mind, with adjustable button-up straps and generous turn ups, so they can be part of your little explorer’s wardrobe for as long as possible. The dungarees are
also designed to fit over cloth nappies, so there’s nothing stopping you doing your bit for the environment. Made with hard-wearing GOTScertified cotton, these practical and durable dungarees are built to last and to be handed down. And every aspect is sustainable – right down to the corozo buttons, made from the tagua nut that comes from a tropical palm.
JuJuni also has a range of organic cotton T-shirts, featuring woodland pals, fishy friends and fruit and veg prints, to team with the dungarees for a super-cute and comfy combo. This month, Mother&Baby readers can enjoy an exclusive 20 per cent off at jujuni.co.uk. Simply enter motherandbaby20 at the checkout. The offer closes on 17 March 2020.
Terms and conditions 20 per cent off full-price items from 19 February to 17 March 2020
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | April 2020 | 107
April
SHOWERS
Splash about in style on those rainy spring days!
£27, johnlewis.com
£11, asda.com Jacket, £39, wellies, £18, jojomaman bebe.co.uk
£24.99, lindex.com
JACKETS
£29.50, marksandspencer.com
£22.99, zara.com 1 0 8 | Apri l 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
£22.50, vertbaudet.co.uk
Shop!
£22.50, vertbaudet.co.uk
£14, mandco.com
£39, welovefrugi.com
£11, asda.com
£34.95, gap.co.uk
£26, next.co.uk
£18, riverisland.com
£40, polarnopyret.co.uk
£16, next.co.uk m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 1 0 9
£10, argos.co.uk
£15, johnlewis.com
£11, marksandspencer.com
SUITS & ACCESSORIES
£12, gooutdoors.co.uk
£14, sainsburys.co.uk
£29.99, mountainwarehouse.com
Shop!
£18.7 blacks.co.
£18, gooutdoors.co.uk
£18, matalan.co.uk
£12, asda.com
£29.99, mountainwarehouse.com
£20, marksandspencer.com
£14, sainsburys.co.uk m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 1 1 1
Shop! B & M oves L
Pushchair toys IF HE
Someti to settle could b lightwe sounds waterfa help yo £29.9
HE’S TEETHING… your teething tot distracted with ibbling Pram Mobile. Made of of non-toxic, BPA-free silicone wooden beads that are safe for o gnaw on to his heart’s content, ’ l bl ttl i
and the Skip Hop Ban Buddies will be your new best friend. Cho from cute characters as a monkey, a fox or each with patterns, te and sounds to explor £15.99, amazon.co.
WORDS EM LY THORPE
IF HE LIKES B He might not be ab just yet, but if your t to turn pages, he’ll r straight for the Baby Einstein Magic High Contrast Hanging T Incorporating black and white patterns, well as bold colours attract his attention bookworm will love the stimulating text £6.99, johnlewis.com
icks the toys. The flexible arch attaches easily o most strollers, and includes instrumental toys ke monkey maracas and a pineapple cymbal. £32, amazon.co.uk m o t h e ra n d b a b y . c o. u k | April 2 0 2 0 | 1 1 3
Win all this! TWO
Worth more than £2,552! MEDELA FREESTYLE FLEX BUNDLES
The new Medela Freestyle Flex will help you make your breastfeeding journey easier. It’s lighter and quieter than most other pumps, and with the clever Easy Expression Bustier you can seamlessly fit pumping into your normal routine. The compact design means you can pop the pump in your bag for pumping on the go, and the double action halves the time you need to spend expressing, plus you collect more milk than if you pump each breast in turn. The two-phase let-down mimics your baby’s sucking rhythm, first stimulating the flow and then slowing for a more comfortable, natural feel. You can even pair your pump with the MyMedela app, which records how much milk you’ve expressed and notifies you when the battery is running low. To make your pumping experience even easier, you’ll also receive Milk S B Q i k Cl i b P l la £
WORDS BETHANY MACKMAN
ENTER (it’s free!) at winit.moth andbaby.co.u 17 March, 20 see website for terms an conditions
1
SEVEN SNÜZPOUCH
Snüz has an all-new collection of its award-winning sleeping bags, featuring bright rainbows, monochrome polka dots and star prints, all including the handy nappy-change zip for sneaky night-time changes. £29.95, snuz.co.uk
ONE
CHAMPNEY’S SPA DAY FOR TW Every mummy deserves a spa day this Mother’s and Champney’s will fit the bill nicely. Enjoy a day rejuvenation in the health and wellbeing spa with friend, plus a three-course buffet lunch. £258, bu a ift.co.uk
charms telling the classic tale to remind you of reading stories together. £215, licensedtocharm.com
ONE
LIEWOOD BUNDLE Entertain and soothe your baby the natural way with this lovely Liewood bundle, featuring an activity mat, 100 pe organic cotton cuddle muslins, and a play gy from natural wood.
THREE
£200, sorenshouse. co.uk
SKIP HOP NURSERY STYLE NAPPY PAILS Keep nasty odours away with this space-saving, odour-resistan nappy bin. The dual air-lock disposal system traps smells inside the steel container, keeping the nursery smelling fresh and reducing trips out to the wheelie bin. £75, skiphop.co.uk
THREE VTECH BUNDLES
This fun bundle from Vtech includes the Play and Learn Activity table, with fun role-playing features and sing-along melodies, plus you’ll receive the Shake & Sounds Caterpillar and Colourful Cuddles Unicorn. £67, vtech.co.uk
D SAFETY DLE Ke Fred, the first safety range in the UK to be fully compliant with new EU standards. Alongside a Home Safety Starter Pack, you will receive the stylish Clear Acrylic Fred Safety Gate. The twoway magnetic locking system and FastMount installation makes it quick to fit and easy to use. £205, fredsafety. co.uk
Book, £5.99, amazon.co.u
Mobile, £18, merimeri.co.uk
Out of this Slippers, £9.49, dottyfish.co.uk
Print, £17.95, Ro The Bean at not highstreet.com Pyjamas (set of three) £17.99, hm.com
Get ready for take off with these space-inspired buys...
Rucksack, £18, johnlewis.com
Baby carrier, £199.95, Cybex at naturalbaby Sleep suit, £7, next.co.uk
Wooden toy, £15, idly.co.uk £34.95, rugseller.co.uk
Bottoms, £7.99, hm.com Wellies, £9, asda.com
Meet the new members of our team, making bath-time fun and clean
SAVE 20% On Pureana Voucher code: PURE20 www.anawiz.com 0800 1114800
Dermatologically Tested
Shop!
buys
Supermarket Our edit of what’s new and exciting to add to your shopping list this month
! m u M s Thankaby can’t buy the perfect),
Nostalgic fashion
e to! ou r b We know y prezzie (even i f h e’d lik why y o Mot her’s Da rve a little spo iling – s t her’s b u t y ou dese rself? Sainsb ury’s Mo nd not treat y ou includes slo gan mugs a as a Da y range a g essentials, as wel l b stylish hand ng range, with prices gardeni st £2. st arting at ju
If you’re a fan of Roald Dahl’s stories, you’ll love Marks & Spencer’s new kidswear collection in partnership with Roald Dahl and the Natural History Museum. Made up of essentials like T-shirts and joggers, the collection features some of the author’s best-loved animal characters, alongside facts inspired by the Museum’s collection. Suitable from two years. From £9, marksand spencer.com
Speedy supper When you’re a busy mum, dinner time can whizz round! Thankfully, baby-food expert Annabel Karmel’s healthy ready meals can be cooked straight from the freezer. Low in salt and with up to two of your tot’s five-a-day, there are four tasty new recipes to choose from, including Yummy Beef Lasagne. From £1.75, tesco.com
WORDS EMILY THORPE
Grab it qui
£13, asda.com
£10, marksandspencer.com
118 April 2020 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
£11, sainsburys.co.uk
£9, asda.com
£12, sainsburys.co.uk
r u o n i Jo Want to have some fun? Come on in! Tired of seeing all those too-good-to-be-true family photos on social? #mumtribe is a closed Facebook group where real mums like you and us get together to share what life is really like as a mum, with perfectly imperfect
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IN NEXT MONTH’S What do your pregnancy cravings really mean? Discover the way the child experts parent their own babies!
Boost your little one’s brainpower, with fun games to help you unlock his potential
Help your newborn develop good sleep habits from the start – including lots of cuddles! Clever new ways to create a secure bond with your baby – forever!
Could a home birth be right for you? We give you the lowdown
win! Prizes worth PHOTOGRAPHY SHUTTERSTOCK
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M U M ’ S T H E WO R D
Now I’m a mum,
WORDS EMILY THORPE
I KNOW…
GEMMA ATKINSON IS A PRESENTER FOR HITS RADIO, AND MUM TO MIA, EIGHT MONTHS
on the Pill, my periods weren’t …OUR BOND regular, so I didn’t notice WAS INSTANT anything amiss. But then When I first saw Mia, my mum I thought ‘Ooh… Sore instantly came into my mind. boobs, feeling sickly… I thought ‘Gosh, now I know how my maybe I should do a mum feels about me and my sister.’ pregnancy test.’ And I just understood it straightaway – this is we found out that I was half of me and half of the person I’m in five weeks pregnant! love with, and we made her. I know it’s not the case for all new …BIRTH CAN mums but for me it was instant. BE EVENTFUL As soon as I saw her, it was Mia was due the 12th like, oh wow, she’s of July and my waters actually mine. broke on the 4th. There was no progression for 24 hours so they induced me, but still she wouldn’t budge. I was put on a drip, which made the contractions come quite thick and fast, but with each one Mia’s heartbeat dropped, so they whipped me through for an emergency c-section. Mia was born weighing just 4lb 10oz, but everything was fine until a couple of hours later, when I had a haemorrhage and had to be whisked away. It was under the NHS at Bolton Hospital and they were amazing. Four days later, they sent us home, and we looked at each other and Mia and said: ‘What do we do now!?’
…BABIES CHANGE O QUICKLY
eeing Mia thrive is my vourite thing. It sounds …I JUST NEEDED TO FIND ‘THE ONE’ wful but, for me, the first I’ve never been one of those people who have onth was like watering life milestones all set out – I’ve always just gone plant because all she with the flow. It wasn’t until I met my partner, d was sleep and eat! Gorka, that I could picture myself having a t now she’ll react to family. When we moved in together we had name and, as soon a discussion as to whether we both wanted FOCUS MY … as she sees you, she smiles. Watching her children, which we did, but we agreed MY FAMILY IS progress after the start she had makes there was no rush and that when we is Mia and now priority My me so happy. Every day she changes, were ready we’d see what happened. out went I OK. she’s sure making like this morning she had a new tuft A year or so later we just stopped drove, I and yesterday party a to of hair and I said to her ‘Gosh, your being careful – and within three to me telling were friends my but hair’s grown in the night!’ She looked months I was pregnant with Mia! stay as Mia was with my sister. In the at me as if to say ‘What!?’ but swayed, been have would I past …PREGNANCY WAS A SHOCK last night it was a case of ‘No, I’m I had a Saturday night out for my ● Listen to Gemma Atkinson leaving because I want to birthday in November, and I still felt to with Wes Butters on Hits want I put Mia to bed. ill by the Wednesday! It was about Radio Drive, every weekday be there when she a week after that when I noticed my goes to sleep.’ boobs were quite sore. Because I’d been from 4pm. Visit hitsradio.co.uk 1 2 2 | A pri l 2 0 2 0 | m o t h e r a n d b a b y . c o . u k
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Chosen by real mums just like you!
Hello
Whether you’ve just discovered you’re having your first baby or you’re further along your motherhood journey, knowing just what to buy to keep your little bub safe and to make your life easier and happier can be tough. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! We’ve gathered an army of mums – and their gorgeous babes – to put the products to the test, and have created this super-handy Mother&Baby Best Baby Buys in 2020 mini-mag so you can find the best ones for you. Each and every product on these pages has been put through its paces by real mums, and judged on value for money as well as design, quality and usability, so you can trust them to perform in the real world. Now get out there and enjoy your shopping!
Sally Saunders
Mother&Baby Editor (and mum to Dan and Matt!)
WHAT ARE THE MOTHER&BABY AWARDS?
Now in its 26th year, the M&B Awards celebrate the very best parenting products, tested by real mums. PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 3
Innovation
r
WINNER Maxi-Cosi Jade with 3wayFix Base £428 (inc base), maxi-cosi.co. ‘I’ve never seen anything like this before – the b can lie completely flat in the car. This is excelle newborns or premature babies, as I was worrie my baby slipping down and restricting her airw
Owlet Smart Sock £269, owletbabycare.co.uk ‘I was anxious when it was time to sleep, and forever checking on my baby, but with ● BABY FORMULA PREP KETTLE WITH BUILT-IN the Smart Sock I can rest easy THERMOSTAT, knowing the base station ÜNEEQBABY
Shortlisted
● BT SMART VIDEO BABY MONITOR WITH 5-INCH SCREEN ● NURTURE PRO UV STERILISER & DRYER, VITAL BABY ● THE SHNUGGLE AIR BEDSIDE CRIB AND SHNUGGLE AIR COT, SHNUGGLE ● UV DUMMY STERILISER, NUBY
£6.99, amazon.co.uk ‘This is the only cup that I have seen that has this type of suction, and it is good to see an open cup that offers a way of drinking safely and cleanly.’
Reader-voted winners In addition to the many amazing baby essentials that our army of mums have put to the test for the 2020 M&B Awards, we also asked our readers to vote for their favourite brands and shops. The following special awards go out to those big-name shops and companies that, as mums, we simply couldn’t do without – these are the brands that make our lives easier as parents.
Retailer of the year
Supermarket of the year
amazon.co.uk
asda.com
Amazon
asda
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 5
spins with ease 360 degrees
i-Spin 360™ An i-Size certified, 360° pivoting protector usable rearward from birth to 19 kg, and forward facing from 15 months. Simple Swivel™ for one-hand smooth spins, auto-engaging Guard Surround Safety™ side impact protection and Smart Ride™ lock-off ensure the utmost safety and the easiest of function.
Share the joy at joiebaby.com Available at Argos, Boots, Halfords, John Lewis, Mamas & Papas, Smyths, Very and all good independent nursery retailers.
hchair WINNER Mamas and Papas Ocarro 799, mamasandpapas.com ‘This made journeys so much easier – the fold is awesome! For a full-size pushchair, with the seat attached, it folds compactly into once piece – it’s so easy, I could do it with one hand. It’s a great choice if you use public transport regularly. I found the hood was perfect on a sunny day; just the right angle to keep bright rays out of my baby’s eyes.’
Quinny Hubb £639, quinny.com ‘I loved the generous basket space and how low the handlebar can go, meaning that parents of all heights – even very small ones – can use this product! I was impressed by its easy foldability and that you can convert it to a double It’s future proof so that means it’s great vestment.’
MaxI-Cosi Adorra
£399.99, maxi-cosi.co.UK ‘I love this! It’s very easy to put up and down, and I like that the handle you use to do this becomes a carry handle – brilliant! The brake was clear and easy to use – an important feature for obvious reasons. It ●● DISCOVERY MAX, manoeuvred smoothly ICKLE BUBBA and effortlessly, which ● JOURNEY EDIT, MOTHERCARE was refreshing, as some ●● LITETRAX 4, JOIE BABY ●● MIXX, NUNA pushchairs and prams ●● OYSTER3, BABYSTYLE can feel heavy to turn.’
Shortlisted
Best travel system WINNER Infababy ULTIMO 3-in-1 Travel Syst
infababy.com ‘This is the perfect travel system It’s easy to put together and dismantle, and a joy to push. Th three wheels make it very easy navigate – this pushchair is so much more nimble then mine! It fits in my boot very easily, which is something I’ve always struggled with as I have a smal car. And it looks quite designer despite a very reasonable pric
Uppababy VISTA Travel System (inc MESA i-Size Car Seat)
£1,349.95, naturalbaby show .uk very y car han l. It’s and teer ded ed.’
cbx Leotie Lux
£379.95, amazon.co.uk ‘For value for money it’s second to none. The design is well-thought through – it’s practical to use, without fancy unnecessary extra I bl bl l d it fold issues and t featu and u but d super
hortlisted
●● HUBB WITH HUX CARRYCOT AND
MAXI-COSI PEBBLE PLUS, QUINNY ●● TRIO BEST FRIEND, CHICCO ●● YPSI COMBO SYSTEM (INC PRIMO VIAGGIO I-SIZE CAR SEAT), PEG PEREGO
WINNER Ergobaby Metro 9.90, ergobaby.co.uk ‘This pram is absolutely ideal for holidays. It’s lightweight and takes up little space in the car. Even better, it fits into a bag and can be worn on your back, which makes travelling so much easier. Some lightweight prams lack quality due to being compact, but this is still really sturdy.’
Micralite ProFold £225, amazon.co.uk ‘This pushchair is so compact and simple to use that it makes lf h l l h easier. ith baby nts’, and nvenient and out t doesn’t oo much om in the t, either.’
Infababy Ezeego Stroller Infababy.com ‘I think this stroller is a bargain and hard to beat. Having the five-position recline is great, and I would be happy that mybaby is safe itwhile out and as itcan lie flat. sturdy and is re easyto push – t userfriendly.’
Shortlisted ●● EEZY S, CYBEX ●● ETU PLUS, CBX
GLOBE MAX, ICKLE BUBBA ●● PEPP NEXT, NUNA ●● TOURIST, JOIE BABY
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 9
Best multiple, twin or tandem pus WINNER Silver Cross Coast £950, silvercrossbaby.com ‘This pushchair is really stylish and comes equipped with all the modern features. The recline positions for both baby’s body and feet are effortless, and adjust by the pull of a small handle at the rear of the seat. The material is supersoft and padded, and my daughter was so cosy. This is by far the most comfortable, stylish and easiest-to-use pushchair I’ve tried.’
Mamas and Papas Armadillo Twin
Out ’n’ About Nipper Double
£449, mamasandpapas.com
£549.95, outnabout.com
‘Stylish, sturdy, and comfy for babies and toddlers. The seats are well padded, and the material is easily cleaned. It fits effortlessly in my car boot and could be wheeled straight onto a bus. It’s easy to fold with one hand, and isn’t too heavy.’
‘I prefer my children to sit side by side, so this is ideal. It comes with two padded seat liners, raincovers and a bumper bar, so you only need to buy a carrycot, should you wish to use one. You can get much more than you’d expect in the storage, and it fits through most doors.’
Shortlisted
●● DUELLETTE BS COMBI,
KIDS KARGO
10 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
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Best rear facing car seat WINNER Joie Baby i-Spin 360 £279.99, argos.com ‘Hooray! No more struggling to tighten straps at an angle to ensure my baby is safe and secure, and no more lifting and back-twisting to place her in her car seat in the first place. This means that I can get my little girl in the car more quickly, and with less strain on my back, which I appreciate enormously, particularly as she’s growing and getting more hefty! It means we can get on our way and on with our day.’
Silver Cross Motion
Axkid Minikid
£350, silvercrossbaby.com
£350, incarsafety centre.co.uk
‘I would definitely recommend this product because it feels so secure in my car: once installed, it is solid as a rock. The auto-tightening tethers, and the harness and headrest adjustment also make it very easy to use. It will allow the average child to rear-face in the car until they are ●● CLOUD Z I-SIZE, CYBEX ●● I-LEVEL, JOIE BABY around seven or eight, ●● RECARO ZERO.1 ELITE, RECARO which is great. It fits well in ●● ROCK WITH 3WAYFIX, MAXI-COSI all the vehicles I tried it out ●● SLIMFIT, GRACO UK in, including a motorhome!’
‘Everything from the way this looks to how easy it works is amazing. Installation was a five-minute job, and we didn’t need the instructions. The material is soft, and the seat seems so comfy that I wish I was small enough to try it! My girl is cosy and secure in it, and seems really happy, even on longer journeys.’
Shortlisted
12 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Best forward facing car seat WINNER Apramo Ostara Fix group 2/3 Seat £119, uberkids.com ‘This car seat was simple to use, and quick and easy to fit. The recline is a brilliant idea, especially for longer journeys where your child can sleep and be comfortable. As a mum with family living 200 miles away, this was really handy! And with the Isofix it meant it was easy to use in both the family car and other vehicles.’
RECARO Young Sport HERO group 1/2/3 £179, amazon.co.uk ‘My son is very comfortable in this and really enjoys using it. The seat is extra padded and made from a lovely thick material. It’s really lightweight, easy to install, and feels very secure.’
Nuna MYTI £275, shopnuna.co.uk ‘The fabrics and padding, particularly the insert for smaller children, is of the highest quality, and the design is that bit more special than some car seats. My daughter looks very safe and she enjoyed sitting in it, which is a bonus! ‘
Shortlisted
● BALANCE, SILVER CROSS ● BRITAX RÖMER ADVANSAFIX
IV R, BRITAX RÖMER
● BRITAX RÖMER KIDFIX2 S,
BRITAX RÖMER
● EVERY STAGE FX, JOIE BABY ● KORE PRO I-SIZE, MAXI-COSI
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 13
Best travel product over £30 WINNER Nuna SENA aire £199, amazon.co.uk ‘This is a superb bit of kit and, most importantly, it’s easy and straightforward to both assemble and pack away. You could spring it up in a matter of minutes. My children both seem content to be in it, and go to sleep easily with minimal fuss – which is a thing of fairy tales!’
Muddy Puddles Puddlepac Lined All-in-One
Joie Baby Kubbie Sleep £97.99, johnlewis.com
£32.95, amazon.co.uk ‘This is an ideal product to keep in a changing bag, and means I don’t need to carry extra clothing in case of the weather changing. And I don’t need to worry if I put my son in his as its lightw and he won overheat.’
‘This has many functions – it can be used as a traditional travel cot, a next-to-me crib, and as a playpen. It’s easy to put together and take apart, and it’s compact when put up. The mattress is thick fo
Shortlisted
● ALL-NEW FIRE 7 KIDS EDITION (+3 YRS), AMAZO ● CAR SHADES – REAR DO SET, CAR SHADES ● FLOSSI THE FLAMING TRUNKI, TRUNKI ● HIPPYCHICK WATERPRO MEMORY FOAM TRAVE PILLOW, HIPPYCHICK ● POD TRAVEL CRIB, BIZZI GROWIN
14 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Best travel product under £30 WINNER Splash About UV Sun & Sea Wetsuit £24.99, splashabout.com ‘The wetsuit is great for our classic British summer, providing warmth in cold water and UV protection on hot days, massively reducing sun-exposed areas on my tot. It’s also easy to put on and, due to the fabric panels down the side, was easier to take off than a full wetsuit, as it had more flexibility. It dried quickly, too!’
Cover Me Multi-Use Cover £29.99, covermebaby.co.uk ‘This is such a useful, multifunctional product – it makes life easier as you don’t have to carry lots of different products at once. I used it for breastfeeding, covering a highchair, and even putting on the shopping-trolley seat to make it more hygienic.’
ASDA Little Angels 5 Microwave Sterilising Bags £5, asda.com
‘Ideal for days out and holidays when you don’t want to take a big, bulky steriliser. These are so easy to use, with full instructions printed on them to remind you every time you use them, and ● BABY UMA BUGGY CLIPS (2 PACK) they fit easily ● CAPTAIN STEEL ACTIVE CUP, NUBY into a changing bag. It ● GO SPLASH SWIM VEST, seems there’s always SPLASH ABOUT ● INSULATED STAINLESS STEEL something to sterilise – FOOD JAR, NUBY from dummies to toys – and ● SNOOZESHADE ORIGINAL, these make it so simple.’ SNOOZESHADE
Shortlisted
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 15
Best new mum or maternity skincare WINNER Lansinoh HPA Lanolin £9.99, amazon.co.uk ‘This was the only cream to heal my sore, cracked nipples. It’s great because it’s safe for babies to ingest, so you don’t need to wipe it off before a
Medela Purelan 100 Lanolin Cream £6.99, amazon.co.uk ‘I was near to giving up breastfeed but this product really saved the da
CicaLux – Energized Scar Care for C-Sections £69, cicalux.com ‘This aided the healing of my c-section scar and helped me get on with life.’
Shortlisted ● FANTASTIC SKIN ELASTIC, MY EXPERT MIDWIFE ● MAGIC FOO MIST, HOLISTIC KITCHEN ● MAGNESIUM SLEEP BODY LOTION, BETTERYOU ● NO HARM NIPPLE BALM, MY EXPERT MIDWIFE
My Expert Midwife Spritz for Bits £19.50, amazon.co.uk ‘This helped ease the pain after having a little tear, so I could get back to normal much quicker.’
Best pregnancy or maternity product WINNER Organyc Maternity Pads £6.99, organyc.uk ‘Having had stitches, I needed something comfortable and effective. These were ideal. I didn’t leak once, they were easy to apply, very soft , and they didn’t irritate my stitches. I wish I had used them after my first two deliveries!’ 16 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Lansinoh HPA Lanoli £9.99, amazon.co.uk ‘Absolutely essential for the first few weeks of breastfeeding. It was really effective at easing the pain of sore, cracked nipples.’
Nuvita DreamWiza £39.99, amazon.co ‘This product is just a dream! I am able to get a much more relaxed sleep.’
Sho
● BOTANICO VIDA OMEGA
OIL, BOTANICO VIDA ● MUM TO BE MOISTURISING BUMP BUTTER, NSPA ● NO HARM NIPPLE BALM,
MY EXPERT MIDWIFE
● SPATONE APPLE WITH
VITAMIN C LIQUID IRON ● SPRITZ FOR BITS, MY EXPERT MIDWIFE
Buggy Clips... The Extra Pair of Hands Every Parent Needs Over 1,500 Amazon Reviews From Happy Parents
SHORTLIST
Best Travel Product Under £30
lovedbyparentscom TM
LBP
LBP LOVEDBYPARENTS
LBP LOVEDBYPARENTS
LOVEDBYPARENTS
RECOMMENDED
tried & tested 2019 lovedbyparents.com
WINNER
WINNER
Best Pushchair/Buggy Accessory
Best Travel Accessory
2019 lovedbyparents.com
2019 lovedbyparents.com
Best product for a newborn (0–4 months) WINNER Pop-in Newborn Nappy from Close £47.99 for newborn nappy box, closeparent.com ‘I would highly recommend this to parents with small babies. I can achieve a good fit on my 6lb baby with no leaks, and the shaping lets them fit small legs. The insert is easy to use, and I like being able to use the wrap again if it isn’t dirty, which means you use fewer.’
Magnet Mouse The Original Magnetic Onesie
Childs Farm baby moisturiser, mildly fragranced
£24.95, magnetmouse.co.uk
£4.50, childsfarm.com
‘Changing my baby’s nappy is so easy with this onesie, and much quicker. It’s become our go to – I wish I had a cupboard
‘This is a lifesaver when your little one’s got dry skin or eczema patches. The gentle fragrance is soothing, and the texture light and easy to absorb, unlike some products. It’s widely available and, at just £4.50 for ● BABY BATH, NUBY GROSNUG, THE GRO COMPANY 250ml, you PREMIUM PROTECTION NAPPIES can’t go (SIZES 0, 1 AND 2), PAMPERS wrong!’ ● PRIMI PESI, NUVITA
Shortlisted
● SANSA ROCKER, JOIE BABY
18 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
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Best cot, crib or Moses basket joint WINNERs Clair de Lune Bedside Crib £199.99, clair-de-lune.co. ‘I can easily access my baby without having to get out of bed, and can use t crib in different rooms as it adjusts so w
Obaby Stamford Mini sleigh Cot Bed £249.95, obaby.co.uk ‘This is more compact than other cot beds. I love the drawer underneath, and that it’s light and easy to move for hoovering under.’
SnüzPod 3 Bedside Crib £199.95, snuz.co.uk
The Little Green Sheep Natural Knitted Moses Basket & Mattress
‘This has been a lifesaver! The reflux arm is so useful due to my baby suffering from silent reflux and a lot of mucus. The two viewing windows mean it can go either side of the bed, so myself and my partner can alternate nights, and allow me to feel less anxious as I can see her so easily.’
£79.95, thelittlegreen sheep.co.uk ‘The basket is clearly of great quality, plus it’s breathable and organic. My daughter sleeps well ● CHICCO NEXT2ME, CHICCO ● CHICCO NEXT2ME MAGIC, in it, and I can easily keep CHICCO an eye on her. It looks ● FRANKLIN COT & TODDLER BED beautiful and fits well into 3-IN-1 - GREY, MAMAS & PAPAS ● SLEEP & GO, MICRALITE any decor, plus it’s easy to clean, too.’
Shortlisted
20 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Best sleep product WINNER MAM Night Soother 0+
‘We absolutely love these soothers. They glow in the dark, which is very helpful when I’m trying to find it in the middle of the night without waking my little one. The shape is perfect for my baby’s mouth – she
likes it so much she w not accept any other design! I’m happy kno that they are approve dentists, and that usin them will not cause any harm to my daughter’s teeth or jaw.’
Babymoov Doomoo Cocoon £89.99, babymoov.co.uk
Naturalmat Quilted Spring Mattress
‘The soft cotton makes it feel luxurious, and my baby finds it very comfortable to relax in. The fact that it has a removable cover and is easily washable is great, and I love that it comes in different designs. The breathable aspect is also a selling point for me’
£240, naturalmat.co.uk ‘I thought that my current cot mattress was a good one until I put this one next to it. The quality is evident just from looking at it. I love that it provides my child with the support she needs and that, with it ● COMFI-LOVE SIGNATURE, C having different sides, ● DAKOTA TODDLER BED, EA Ican tailor it to suit her NURSERY asshe grows. Plus it’s ● KUBBIE SLEEP PLUS DAYDREAM breathable, so I’m happy ● LILY & MORTIMER ORGANIC C MUSLIN SWADDLES, LILY & M that her temperature ● MOON AND STARS COTBED FITTED SHEET, will be regulated during GEORGE HOME hot weather.’
Shortliste
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 21
LEAVE YOUR CHILD UNATTENDED WHEN USING THIS PRODUCT
£6.39 for two, mamonlineshop.com
Best safety product WINNER Airflow Pocket-Sprung Mattress by Relyon ‘My daughter sleeps so well on this mattress – up to 12 hours a night! It provides her with plenty of support, which is so important at this early stage in her life. It’s a quality product and is really breathable.’ ●● Former Mothercare product, no longer available
Slumberland Luxury Pocket-Sprung Mattress £93.95, preciouslittleone.com
Jackloc Key lockable window restrictor £17.07, amazon.co.uk ‘Now that my daughter is more mobile, safety around the house is a priority, and this product has been a big help. It’s simple to install on all types of windows. The design is fantastic and looks like it will be long-lasting, so once you’ve bought it, you won’t need to replace it any time soon.’ 22 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
‘This mattress is specially designed to be breathable and to prevent little ones from overheating, which is a priority for many parents, as it can be a contributory factor to SIDS. The first day I used this mattress was the hottest day of the year and I was impressed by how cool it felt to touch. It’s made from excellent quality materials, and also features a non-chemical anti-allergy treatment, which is especially important for little ones with sensitive skin.’
Shortlisted
● COSIENOSIE NASAL ASPIRATOR, MUNCHKIN ● EASY FIT PLUS DELUXE SAFETY GATE, LINDAM ● FLAT STEP GATE, SAFETY 1ST ● GROEGG2, THE GRO COMPANY ● UV FLOATSUIT, SPLASH ABOUT
babymonitorsdirect
Best baby monitor WINNER VTech VM5261 Safe & Sound 5in Pan/Tilt/ Zoom Video Monitor £129.99, argos.co.uk ‘I cannot rate the VTech Safe & Sound monitor highly enough, and would definitely recommend it to all of my mummy friends. The picture is soooo clear and the zoom function is helpful to check if baby is still sleeping soundly. The built-in temperature sensor is very accurate, ensuring baby sleeps safely, and the beautiful lullabies and nature sounds are perfect for helping little ones drift off to sleep.’
Babymoov YOO Moov
Owlet Smart Sock
£179.99, babymoov.co.uk
£269, owletbabycare.co.uk
‘This is the best monitor I’ve had with all four of my children! I love being able to see him sleep, and the screen is so clear I can easily see his chest moving with each breath. I can see him from any room in the house as if I was in the bedroom with him I definitely recommend it.’
‘This offers peace of mind and a good night’s sleep, particularly for anxious mums or mums of premature babies. Now that my baby is six months I find it most useful for when she is unwell, as I can monitor her heart rate and oxygen saturation, and be aware of when she may need medical attention.’
Shortlisted
● AC327 BABY MOVEMENT
MONITOR WITH VIDEO, ANGELCARE ● AC527 BABY MOVEMENT MONITOR WITH VIDEO, ANGELCARE ● BABY PIXEL, SUMMER INFANT BLUEBELL SMART MONITORING SYSTEM, BLUEBELL BT SMART VIDEO BABY MONITOR WITH 5-INCH SCREEN, BT
24 | m o t h e ra n d b a b y. c o. u k
Best swimming product WINNER Happy Nappy New Splash About Nappy om £10.99, splashabout.com ‘This is a great, reusable item, which reduces waste and saves money, too. It takes up very little space in my suitcase compared to a pack of swim nappies, and also appears more comfortable than a regular disposable swim nappy. It offers UPF 50+ sun protection, which is an added bonus and makes it perfect for the beach. It dries really quickly just with a towel, so can be reused soon after.’
bambino Mio swim nappy and rash top £29.99, bambinomio.co.uk ‘As an environmentally conscious mum, I’m always looking for ways to reduce waste, and this ticks all the boxes! The nappy is easy to slip on and off, with no fiddly tabs, and the rash top is so comfortable for my tot. At the end of the swim I can just pop it in our kit bag and into the washing machine once I get home!’
ASDA Little Angels Swim Range £2, asda.com
‘These are easy to use, comfy, and affordable – win! The packaging is sturdy but simple to ● 3 IN 1 SWIM, STRAWBERRY & open, and ORGANIC MINT, CHILDS FARM offers lots of information ● PAMPERS SPLASHERS SWIM NAPPY about the size needed. The ● POP-IN BEACH ALL-IN-ONE, CLOSE nappies themselves ● SUSTAINABLE BABY ALL-IN-ONE SUN PROTECTION SWIMSUIT, feature cute designs, are NOMA SWIMWEAR soft and stretchy, and ● WATER BABIES BUBBA labelled front and back.’ SWIM FLOAT
Shortlisted
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 25
Best bathtime product WINNER Brush Baby First FlossBrush
£1.99, brushbaby.co.uk ‘The size and shape of this brush is different to all other toothbrush products I have seen on the market, but I quite like it. I find it easy to manoeuvre in my daughter’s mouth and she likes the knobbly surface of the handle to hold or chew on. The toothpaste indicator is a good idea, especially for new mums, when you’re not 100 per cent sure about the amount of toothpaste to use for your child.’
The Shnuggle Bath £24.95, shnuggle.com
‘This is much easier than using a regular bath and trying to lean in to keep hold of my baby. I feel she is safe, secure and comfortable in it. The shape helped her to feel more relaxed than in a full-size tub, and I loved the back and bum support. I prefer using this to the normal bath and have used it ever since getting it.’
Gro Company, Grotowel
£25, amazon.co.uk ‘My children have been very happy using this – I had to buy a second one, as they fought over it! The design is super-cute and the fabric is so soft that the children love the feel of it against their sensitive skin. It dries them quickly and, even after a wash and line-dry, it was as soft as when it was new.’
hortlisted
BY BEDTIME BUBBLES GANIC TANGERINE, CHILDS FARM BOO APRON BABY BATH WEL, CLEVAMAMA E ANGELS VAPOUR BATH, TLE ANGELS, ASDA MER ULTRA SOFT BABY GE, RAMER SPONGES OAK BATH TUB, MUNCHKIN
26 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Best baby skincare range or product WINNER Childs farm Baby Range From £2, childsfarm.com ‘These products are really good value and quality. The baby oil is a favourite of ours, the smell is utterly divine, and it leaves my daughter’s skin soft and well hydrated all day. I also love the variety of bottle sizes – the small ones are so handy to throw in the changing bag.’
Bloom and Blossom x The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Bath, Book & Bedtime Range
Childs Farm Core Child Range
£18, bloomand blossom.com ‘This is beautifully packaged, with easy-to-use bottles which are a good size to hold. The smell is lovely and helps my baby relax before bedtime. It would make a lovely gift.’
From £2.50, childsfarm.com
Shortlisted
● ADVENTURE BUNDLE,
TODDLE
● BABY KINGDOM LUXURY
BABY COLLECTION
● GOOD BUBBLE BABY HAIR &
BODY WASH WITH CUCUMBER & ALOE VERA, GOOD BUBBLE ● LITTLE B, BRAMLEY ● SUN RANGE, CHILDS FARM
‘This range is excellent. The hair and body wash in particular is lovely; it smells good, feels nice, lathers almost instantly, makes it easy to wash hair, and rinses out well, too. It’s by far the nicest baby wash product we’ve used. Everything is quite fragranced, but as it is all natural, cruelty free and specifically designed for sensitive skin, I don’t mind. We will switch to this now.’ mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 27
Best baby carrier, sling or back carrier winner FreeRider Eucalyptus Baby Carrier Wrap £69.99, freeriderco.com ‘It allows me to be so close to mybaby and have even more cuddles, which I love. And being able to carry her and have two hands free is a breath of fresh air!’
babyBJÖRN Carrier Mini £79.99, babybjorn.co.uk ‘This carrier is so easy to use. The instructions are very clear and I loved the fact that it is only made up of two parts, so putting it together and securing baby was quick.’
Beco Baby The Beco 8 £125, becobaby carrier.co.uk ‘I like that it has so many adjustments to personalise it to your baby. You can use it at so many stages of age and develop because I also lik can be u differen and eve storage
Shortlisted
●● BOBA X BUCKLE CARRIER, ●● CABOO +ORGANIC
HERRINGBONE, CLOSE ●● CUDL, NUNA ●● EXPLORE, TULA ●● OMNI 360, ERGOBABY
28 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Best baby wipe WINNER
Little Gubbins Reusable baby wipes
Mamia Sensitive Baby Wipes 64pk
£12.99, littlegubbins.com ‘I used to use loads of wipes at dinner, but now I only need one or two to clean up entirely, and the job is over quicker, too!’
49 P , in store in Aldi ‘These are the perfect everyday wipe. They’re great value, don’t tear when you use them, and are such a good size. I really like how they’re 99.5 per cent natural and have limited added ingredients. This is the reassurance you need for a newborn and as your little ones grow.’
Aqua Wipes £2.70, boots.com ‘These are very wet, so cleaning mybaby was much quicker and his bottom wasn’t sore from rubbing.’
Shortlisted
● AQUA PURE WIPES, PAMPERS
● BABY WIPES NEW BORN, LUPILU, LIDL ● CHEEKY WIPES REUSABLE CLOTH BABY WIPES
ALL-IN-ONE KIT, CHEEKY WIPES
● FRAGRANCED, ULTRA SOFT LIKE FLUFFY WHITE
CLOUDS, FRED & FLO, TESCO
● WATERWIPES WITH SOAPBERRY, WATERWIPES
Best reusable nappy WINNER Bambino Mio Miosolo all-in-one £15.99, bambinomio.co.uk ‘This is by far the best reusable we have used. It’s durable, and kept my baby dry with no leaking, smells or nappy rash. The nappy itself is easy to clean and dries quickly. As it’s all in one, it’s easy to pack and I felt very confident in it.’
Totsbots Easyfit £17.99, totsbots.com ‘I found the concept of reusables daunting, but once you get the hang of it, it’s easy – especially as this is a two-in-one. Thanks to the soft fleece liners, my baby hasn’t had any nappy rash.’
Totsbots Bamboozle Stretch From £12.99, totsbots.com ‘This nappy has great absorbency and containment, even for my wrig little one. I was frequently having to change and wash my daughter’s sleeping bag and bedsheets when using traditional disposable nappi but with the Bamboozle Stretch sh remains dry throughout the night.’ mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 29
Best performance disposable nappy WINNER Bamaboo EcoFriendly Natural Bamboo Nappies £32 for 4 packs, amazon.co.uk ‘These nappies are soft, comfy, and easy to use. We didn’t experience any leaks or nappy rash. They’re easy to dispose of, and it’s lovely to know they’re biodegradable – it makes you feel b b i di bl ’
Pampers Pure Protection Nappies £9, ocado.co.uk ‘We haven’t had any leaks, which means less washing. The wetness indicator is great for peace of mind.
Pampers Baby Dry Nappies and Nappy Pants £5, ocado.co.uk ‘These hold a lot, fit well, and wick away moisture, so they’re kind to my baby’s skin.’
Shortlisted
● FRED & FLO NEWBORN
NAPPIES, TESCO ● LITTLE ANGELS COMFORT & PROTECT NAPPY PANTS – PEPPA PIG RANGE, ASDA
● MAMIANAPPYRANGE,ALDI ● NEWBORN NAPPIES SIZE 1,
LUPILU, LIDL
● PAMPERS PREMIUM
PROTECTION NAPPIES
Best value disposable nappy WINNER Lupilu Extra Large Nappies Size 6 £2.04, in store in Lidl ‘We like the design and fit, and my baby seems comfortable while wearing these. They’re quick and easy to put on, which is a bonus.’
Lupilu Nappies Size 1 89 P in store in Lidl ‘These perform as well as the premium brand I usually use, for a fraction of the price. They have not leaked at all .’
Mamia Nappy Range From 79 P , in store in Aldi ‘These are very absorbent, fit well, and we’ve not had any nappy rash.’
Shortlisted
●● FRED & FLO NEWBORN NAPPIES, TESCO ●● JUNIOR NAPPIES SIZE 5, LUPILU, LIDL
●● LITTLE ANGELS COMFORT & PROTECT NAPPY PANTS, ASDA ●● MIDI NAPPIES SIZE 3, LUPILU, LIDL
30 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Best teething product WINNER Matchstick Monkey teething toy £9.99, matchstick monkey.com ‘The design makes it easy for my six-month-old to hold and use Thenobbly on the mon head is go putting teething gel on, and you can also put it in the fridg which help tosoothe.’
Rooba Boo the Bunny £8.95, rooba.co.uk ‘This is so lightweight, with a perfect texture for sore gums. Its eco-friendliness makes me feel better about using it.’
Matchstick monkey ludo Lion Teether 9.99, matchstickmonkey. his keeps my little one entertained n the go. I can attach it to the ushchair so it stays with us.’
Shortlisted
●● SILICONE TEETHER, BO
●● CHEWABLE TOOTHBRUSH, BRUSH-BABY ●● NANA & CORN TEETHERS, NUBY ●● SOPHIE LA GIRAFE - IL ÉTAIT UNE FOIS
(ONCE UPON A TIME) GIFT BOX, VULLI ●● YOGIS TEETHER, NUBY
Best potty training product WINNER My Carry Potty £26.99, mycarry potty.c ‘This potty is durable and easy to transport. My husband “tested” it with water before we started using it, and there were no leaks. It’s easy to wipe clean after each use.’
Nuby My Real Potty £30, nuby-uk.com ‘My daughter had occasionally used our old potty but uses this one all the time, which has really helped with potty training.’
Summer Infant My Size Potty Train & Transition £29.99, amazon.co.uk ‘My son h taken to p training b he has hi own toile making it much eas
Shortlisted
● BAGIT DISPOSABLE NAPPY BIN, MUNCHKIN ● PAW PATROL & PEPPA PIG STEADY POTTY, SOLUTION EU ● TRON DISPOSABLE TRAVEL POTTY, HIPPYCHICK
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 31
Best changing bag WINNER Mia Tui Jennie Travel Changing Bag £55, miatui.com ‘The best thing about this bag is the thought that has gone into its design. There are two insulated bottle holders; a changing mat kit with a lightly padded mat perfect to use on public changing tables or for an al fresco change; pockets for creams and wipes; and room in the pouch for nappies, too. It’s easy to grab when out and about, and although you can fit everything in, you can also find anything really easily.’
LÄssig Green Label Goldie Diaper Backpack, Bouclé
Bambino Mio baby and beyond change bag
£114.06, amazon.co.uk
‘The multiple straps and connectivity make this really easy to use. I love how much you can fit into it and that you can still access the lower parts of the bag via the side pockets. The guide on how to pack it makes it easier to find things, and it’s easy to clean as the surface is very durable.’
‘I absolutely love this: it’s the perfect mix of style, strength, practicality and quality. What I like most is that the main section opens up, giving a really clear view of what you have. Packing for the day is easier as things don’t get packed twice due to the fact I couldn’t see it, and everything has a home. Love, love, love it!’ 32 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
£79.99, bambinomio.co.uk
Shortlisted
● GREEN LABEL TYVE DIAPER
BACKPACK, LÄSSIG
● GREENWICH CONVERTIBLE
BACKPACK, SKIP HOP
● LE SANCY EXPANDABLE
BACKPACK, BABYMOOV
● MAMA QUCHA NAPPY
BACKPACK, MAMA QUCHA
100% Biodegradable, Plastic Free Wipes
3XULî¿¡ HG :DWHU 100% Biodegradable Plastic Free Wipes NHS Approved
Paediatrician Tested Fragrance, SLS & Paraben Free Contains Organic Aloe Vera Suitable from Birth
Available from Boots, Superdrug, Ocado, Lloyds Pharmacy & Amazon
Best product for bottle feedin WINNER Milton Baby Bottle Cleaner £3.19, boots.com
‘This product is so simple and effective to use. The quality of the wash and the finish it gives to baby bottles is fantastic. It’s also easy to transport if you’re going away, and can be used anywhere, which is a massive bonus. It’s biodegradable, which is a huge plus for me, and is made for sensitive skin – which is a huge plus for just about everyone!’
Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Day & Night £129.99, tommeetippee.com
‘This machine saves so much time in my day, and makes preparing a bottle much faster. I really don’t know how I ever coped without it! There’s no need to boil water, wait for it to cool and put it into flasks ready to use throughout the day. You’ll never be caught short with a hungry baby again!’
MAM Easy Start Bottle Set
£35, mamonlineshop.com
Shortlisted
● 25 BREAST MILK STORAGE
BAGS, ASDA MATERNITY
● CLOSER TO NATURE BOTTLE,
TOMMEE TIPPEE
● COMOTOMO BABY BOTTLE
● COW & GATE FOLLOW-ON MILK ● NEWBORN NATURAL
STARTER SET, PHILIPS
34 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
‘The bottles in this set are such high quality, and my baby no longer suffers from colic thanks to them. The self-sterilising feature is so useful when travelling – simple yet quick, and I have full confidence that the bottles are sterilised to a good standard.’
Best product for breastfeeding WINNER Lansinoh HPA Lanoli £9.99, amazon.co.uk ‘Sore, cracked nipples are one of the least fun parts about being a new mum, but this cream definitely helps! It’s hard to anticipate whether you’ll run into problems when attempting breastfeeding, but this cream eases sore nipples really quickly. When going through the hours of cluster feeding, you can slather some on and get some much-needed relief.’
Juno Jack’s Breastfeeding Twinning Sets
Vital Baby NURTURE easy pour breast milk storage bags
£34.98, junojacks.co.uk
£6.99, johnlewis.com
‘This top makes breastfeeding in public fast and discreet, particularly if your baby is easily distracted and turns away from the breast a lot! The zip makes it totally fuss free. I haven’t seen anything else like this on the market – it made the whole process easier.’
‘These are amazing. The design works wonderfully and the pour is beautifully balanced. The width of the mouth of the bag fits perfectly over the lip of my pump bottle, meaning I can simply flip the bottle and not lose a single d milk. Genius!’
Shortlisted
● BSHIRT LIFT THE FLAP, THE BSHIRT ● NANOBÉBÉ STARTER SET, NANOBÉBÉ
● NO HARM NIPPLE BALM, MY EXPERT MIDWIFE ● POP-IN BREAST PADS, CLOSE ● WASHABLE NURSING PADS, LANSINOH
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 35
Best breast pump WINNER Elvie Pump £249, elvie.com ‘This pump is amazing. As a busy mum of two I rarely had time to sit down and pump before, as someone always needed me, but with the Elvie I can pump and get on with doing mum things at the same time. The other day I made dinner while pumping! Not being restrained by leads and tubing has revolutionised my routine.’
Vital Baby NURTURE flexcone electric and manual pump
Medela Swing Maxi Flex £239.99, AMAZON.CO.UK ‘I love this because it’s intuitive and easy to use. It makes a tiresome job much quicker. It can also be adapted into a double pump, and is simple to disassemble, sterilise, and then reassemble.’
£99.99, vitalbaby.com ‘This is so comfortable. I’d bought another pump and found it really hurt my nipples, eventually leading me to stop. This is very different, partly due to the silicone pads and partly because the pumping action is less aggressive. This is small and compact, so easy to take ● BABY BLISS BREAST PUM travelling and to clean.’ BREAST SHELLS COMBI-PAC
Shortlisted BABY BLISS
● MAM 2 IN 1 SINGLE BREAS
PUMP, MAM UK
● SINGLE ELECTRIC BREAS
PUMP, PHILIPS
● ULTIMATE DOUBLE BREA
PUMP, NUBY
● SWING FLEX PREMIUM, MED
36 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Best highchair WINNER Chicco Polly Magic Relax £139.99, amazon.co.uk ‘This is a large, comfortable, easy-to-clean highchair, which is easily folded down, making it perfect if you have limited space for storage. It’s also on wheels, so you can move it around easily, which is great for the summer months – it’s simple to move outside and enjoy dinner al fresco. The chair also has several toys and is incredibly sturdy and well built.’
Childhome EVOLU ONE.80° £192.95, childhome.com ‘It’s a beautiful design, which also comes in grey – a very trendy colour at the moment that will match a lot of people’s interiors. It’s very well built, great quality, and super-practical. The five-point harness makes it safe for any age, with no fear of the child fallingout.’
Joie Baby multiply 6in1 £129.99, argos.co.uk ‘I love how this grows with my child. It means I don’t have to buy a booster chair once my child gets older, or a little table and chairs, because this chair covers all of those stages. It’s really easy to go from one stage to the next as well – it all just clicks together.’
Shortlisted
● CLASSIC 2-IN-1 HIGHCHAIR,
BEBE STYLE
● UP & DOWN HIGH CHAIR, BEABA
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 37
Best feeding product for weaning WINNER Munchkin Colour Me Hungry £19.99, amazon.co.uk ‘Since using this, I have seen a huge improvement in my son’s self-feeding habits, so this has become our go-to set. The bowl is deep enough that he can try scooping food onto his spoon without it falling out. All the pieces are thick and sturdy, so I don’t have to worry about dropping plates.’
Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup
Vital Baby NOURISH weaning and feeding range
£8.49, amazon.co.uk ‘This product is fabulous. In terms of making my life easier, it’s really simple to clean compared to other cups we’ve tried. The cup dismantles into three pieces, which are all dishwasher safe, saving me lots of time and giving me confidence that it’s hygienic for my baby.’
From £2.49, amazon.co.uk
Shortlisted
● BABYCUP FIRST CUPS ● EASYMAT MINI, EASYTOTS ● ICE LOLLY MOULDS 4 PACK,
FRED AND FLO FROM TESCO ● MAM TRAINER 2 IN 1, MAM UK ● NUTRIBABY(+) XL, BABYMOOV
38 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
‘The materials are really good quality, and there’s no sign of staining or scratching yet. It’s clear it has been designed by people with experience of feeding and weaning babies.’
Best baby food range or product WINNER Kiddyum Cheesy Peasy Pasta £2, sainsburys.co.uk ‘This fantastic product will make the lives of mums so much easier. It’s so easy and quick to prepare, and I particularly love the fact that it uses all-natural ingredients and is made in the UK, plus the packaging can be recycled. I feel very happy to use this when I’m unable to cook from scratch.’
Mamia Breakfast Pouch Range 59 P , in store in Aldi
Lupilu Organic Baby Fruit Pouches Stage 1 Strawberry & Apple 49 P , in store in Lidl
‘This product makes breakfast time less of a stress, and takes away the dilemma of what to feed my fussy eater. If she’s refusing food, I can give her a pouch of this (which she likes) and then I know she has had a nutritious breakfast, making me feel more calm.’
‘I’ve never tried “own brand” before and have stuck to the well-known (and expensive) names. But this works just as well, and makes life so much easier: on the move, nothing compares!’
Shortlisted
● BEAR PAWS PURE FRUIT & VEG SHAPES, BEAR ● LITTLE ANGELS SNACKING PUFFS RANGE, ASDA ● MAMIA FOOD POUCHES RANGE, ALDI ● MINI MEAL ADVENTURES, TESCO ● STAGE 2 HIGH IN PROTEIN MEALS, LITTLE FREDDIE
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 39
Best baby toy WINNER Sweet Dreamers Ewan Deluxe £39.99, sweetdreamers.co.uk ‘This has been an amazing addition to our baby’s room. Since using it, he falls asleep quicker and easier. The new “shush” noise is our favourite. From the moment he hears it, he instantly calms down, and relates this to sleep. The glowing light also creates a calm and tranquil atmosphere in his room.’
Matchstick Monkey Antimicrobial Monkey Teether
Playgro Clip Clop Activity Rattle £6.99, smythstoys.com ‘It’s so colourful and soft, with lots of different activities and features such as beads and a rattle. It’s great for babies to chew on, cuddle and play with. It has a hoop that’s easy to grip, too. It’s a great product – I would definitely buy this.’
£9.99, amazon.co.uk ‘I’ve always been a fan of a certain giraffe, but having now tried this, we’ll be switching. The monkey seems stronger, doesn’t fade in the steriliser, is easier for my baby to hold, and has antimicrobial technology.’
Shortlisted
● FIRST STEPS BABY WALKER,
VTECH ELECTRONICS
● GROFRIENDS LIGHT AND SOUND
SLEEP AID, THE GRO COMPANY ● MINI MONKEY TEETHER, MATCHSTICK MONKEY ● SPROUT WARE STACKING CUPS MADE FROM PLANTS, GREEN SPROUTS ● THE TINY AND VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR ACTIVITY TOY, RAINBOW DESIGNS
40 | mothera ndbaby.co.uk
Best toddler toy WINNER Lego Duplo My First Animal Brick Box £24.99, lego.com ‘This product keeps my little one entertained due to all the different aspects of the toy. I love how easily cleanable the bricks are, and the included box makes it easy to tidy at the end of playing – my little one helps, encouraging new skills. I love how sturdy this product is, meaning a long shelf life – it can be passed down to younger children when my child gets too old for it.’
Orchard Toys Number Street
SmartMax My First Totem £14.99, rideontoys4u.co.uk ‘My little boy loves this toy. It helps him develop his co-ordination and encourages him to create new totems each time he plays, meaning his imagination grows, too. The magnetic idea is great – my son finds it hilarious when the parts stick together.’
£11, orchard toys.com ‘This puzzle is well designed for the age group – the colours, numbers and animals used enable it to be a puzzle that can be put together on its own, or it can be a great way to sit with your child and talk about the different elements, to aid their development and learning.’
Shortlisted
● FISHER-PRICE BOUNCE AND SPIN
PUPPY, FISHER-PRICE
● GIRAFFES IN SCARVES,
ORCHARD TOYS ● LEARNING FRIENDS 100 WORDS BOOK, LEAPFROG TOYS ● TOOT-TOOT FRIENDS KINGDOM PIRATE SHIP, VTECH ELECTRONICS ● TRANQUIL TURTLE, CLOUD B
mothera ndbaby.co.uk | 41
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