Babies

Babies are very cuddly, lovable and adored by all. It is exciting and wonderful news when a new baby is expected. There are all sorts of decisions to make and these pages below are here to help. Obviously everyone has their own ideas, thoughts and experiences to help them make all the correct decisions for them. Every mother is an individual, each baby is unique and special so I hope that these pages will help new mums and dads conquer any fears that they might have and help them enjoy both the pregnancy and the safe arrival of their newborn.

Every baby is special and these pages explain the changes that are taking place and give new parents some guidance as to what they might expect in the future as their baby grows.

At the end of the page you will find reviews of some useful baby products.

Baby

I am having a baby - what should I eat?

What you may need for a new baby

The growth of my baby

Your baby’s nutritional needs change as they grow so at each stage of their development they need the right balance of nutrients and energy to support healthy growth. 

Feeding baby

A balanced diet

The growth of my child

Playing and toys

Immunisation for babies

Toilet training

Making your home safe for children

The Little Green Sheep Organic Baby Wash and Nappy Balm

If you want to be sure that you are only using pure natural products for your baby, then products from The Little Green Sheep are ideal for you. I was sent the baby wash and nappy balm to test. The Baby Wash is a gentle cleanser and I like the fact it comes in a pump dispenser - anything that makes bathtime easier with a slippery little body is great! The proudct is ideal for babies with sensitive skin, as it is completely natural so can be used from the earliest age. The product is quite thick, so you only need a little - this makes it economical and long-lasting. The inclusion of lavender should help to make bathtime a relaxing experience. It costs £4.95 for 200ml. The Nappy Balm glides on easily  without being at all greasy and has a delicate natural fragrance. It's ideal for any dry, flaky skin, not just the nappy area and because it rubs in well and you only need a little, it does not stain. Like the baby wash, a little goes a long way, making the price of £6.95 for 50g compare well with other organic products. Products are made in the UK, so that's an added ecological benefit.

Leapfrog Scout and Friends Baby Walker

 Encourage those all-important first steps with this colourful interactive baby walker from Leapfrog Toys. Packed with activities, your baby will have hours of fun exploring the different options. Flip the 'book' in the middle to change from music mode to learning mode. The various features on the toy react differently depending which mode the walker is in - this alone will intrigue baby, as he will see and hear different effects each time. Colourful flashing lights light up the abcd letters as the music plays and this captures the attention brilliantly - there are lots of different tunes, so parents won't get too tired of hearing the same ones over and over again! This is a great way for babies to learn to relate cause and effect  as they press buttons, flip the rattle, move the dog in and out and more. Lots of learning opportunities - counting, alphabet and colours as well as plenty of opportunities to hone those fine motor skills.The play section can be detached and used on the floor. The walker is easy to set up and fold down again - just pull out the legs - and compact and light enough to take out. The braking mechanism on the back wheels is excellent - no more frustration when the walker runs away in the middle of a game! It also means, as in the case of my young tester who isn't quite ready to walk, that he can lean on the walker and play with it. The toy phone was a great success - take it off and it talks to you! A really well thought-out walker, sturdy and stable to encourage baby's confidence. It will give your baby many hours of entertainment from the ages of around 6 months to about 2 years.

Gumigem Teething Necklace

I was delighted to be sent a Gumigem teething necklace for review. Babies are always attracted to mummy's necklaces and this is a lovely way to be able to continue wearing necklaces while your baby keeps grabbing them. Not only that, but the necklaces are made of baby safe silicone, just like many other teething products, so they can be used as a teether. When worn with our five month old tester, it went immediately in his mouth and he had a lovely time chewing on it. The really clever thing is the way these really look like a real stone. We were sent the Pearl Storm disc pendant (shown left) and it appears beautifully faceted with fascinating variations of shade which catch the light. The necklace is long, and there is a breakaway clasp so you don't get strangled - something that concerned us with a strong baby!!  The range available is great, both in shape and design - a necklace to match every outfit and at £12.50 for the pendants, the price is comparable to conventional jewellery. These would make a great gift for new mums - or grandmothers! An innovative, practical and attractive product.  Visit the Gumigem website to see the full range.Now, is there an answer to wearing earrings with baby around?

 Theraline Animal Neck Pillow

Babies and young children can look so uncomfortable when their heads flop to the side when they are sleeping in car seats, pushchairs etc, so this colourful neck pillow is a great idea. Far more than just a pillow though - these are also cuddly toys, ideal to take with you when travelling. Then, when you arrive your child has his very own pillow. Available in large and small and in three colourful designs - sheep, dragon and sun. As with all Theraline products, they are subject to stringent safety checks so you can be sure the pillow is totally safe for your little one. We were sent the dragon to review - it is made of lovely soft plushy material and the fine sand-like micro beads make it flexible and comfortable. As you can see from the picture on the right, it is VERY relaxing!! Buy yours here. You can see all the Theraline products on their website.

Dr Miriam Stoppard Pregnancy App

Initially, I wondered if best use had been made of the interactivity of apps, as it took me a while to get to the really interesting bits, but as I got further in I appreciated all there was on offer. The factual information is comprehensive. I didn’t find Miriam’s videos particularly riveting – a little more action from her would have lifted them, rather than just her face. I do think the videos would be reassuring to first-time mums, though. I did like the fact that mums can keep a record of their pregnancy – with the slight reservation that, as technology changes so quickly, will this still be available to them in 10 years time, as a written record would? It was very easy to navigate and the screens are clear and uncluttered. The personalisation is a great feature and I like the fact that pictures can be added easily. It is fascinating to hear how sounds are heard by the baby and this is an excellent use of the technology. The whole thing is a great way to get dads involved throughout – where they may not want to be seen reading a pregnancy book, they will be more than happy to play around with this! Excellent value too. Download it from http://bit.ly/lvrrWL

Raindrops - Outdoor Clothing from Scandinavia

Raindrops approached us to ask if we would review some of the products from their wide range.

Swedish Moccasins 

Their Swedish children’s moccasins are available in a wide range of colours and patterns for boys and girls from six months up to 6 years. Partway between shoe and sock, they are machine washable and hand-stitched and are really high quality. I was sent a pair in cream for a 3 month old boy. They fitted excellently and remain in place despite lots of wriggling about.This makes them ideal for crawling and those first steps and they will be perfect in winter. I think the bright colours would be better suited to boys. From Raindrops website: 'Nowali moccasins use a cotton, wool and lycra mix for a soft and natural feel against your child’s skin. The double elastic around the ankle makes sure that the moccasins stay on and don’t wriggle off like socks! The soft leather soles allow the foot to move freely so that the muscles develop naturally. The non-slip soles are perfect for young walkers – especially useful if areas of your home have stone, tiled or wooden floors. They make fabulous gifts too for friends and relatives.'

Car and Stripe Design Socks

I was really impressed with the quality of these socks. The double waeve makes them thick yet soft. They stayed on brilliantly, on a baby who is very wriggly and whose socks generally fall down - this is due to the soft elasticated cuff. The car design was very popular with his parents. It is hard to get socks that stay on tiny feet, so it is good to know these are available from premature (in white only) to 6 months. Good value at £3.50 for two pairs.

 Classic Waterproof Dungarees

These dungarees are such a practical idea. In our climate, it is so useful to be able to take young children outside, whatever the weather. In a range of 4 bright colours, they are 100% waterproof but with none of the stiffness traditionally associated with waterproof clothing. The soft, comfortable feel will mean children are very happy to wear them. Easy to get on and off - another important consideration, especially if you are using these with a group of little children - and they would be an excellent addition to nursery and reception classes to ensure outside play is always on the timetable. The stirrup starps to hold wellies in place are a neat idea. Available from 1 year olds up to 9 years (with room for growth) - machine washable too.

Theraline Baby Pillow

The manufacturer says: "This is the only Baby Pillow available that is safe to use with a newborn baby. Due to the clever manufacture and materials used it allows for air to pass through the pillow and will not cause breathing problems if the baby pushes their face against it. The Theraline Baby Pillow has been designed to help preserve the natural shape of your baby's head, while at the same time providing optimum comfort and safety." I gave it to my daughter to try with her new-born, After her initial concern about using a pillow for a baby, she was delighted. She immediately put it to her face and was amazed at the easy flow of air. The pillow is small and easy to carry around; it has an indentation to keep the baby's head secure and there are no chemicals used. It can be washed at 30^o. The baby, who is reluctant to sleep on his back, appeared to find it very comfortable and settled quickly. We also spoke to a cranial osteopath, who agreed it was a good idea. I like the idea that it should prevent that hair loss at the back from which babies suffer, but too soon to tell yet. I will update on this later. Certainly worth a try for very young babies who are not yet moving much and suitable up to 12 months. This product is reviewed in good faith but please check with the professionals that it is suitable for your baby.

http://www.facebook.com/ParentsinTouch#!/pages/Theraline-UK/142579815784934

Theraline Original Maternity and Nursing Pillow

This is a really attractive product and one I think has a use far beyond pregnancy and maternity. The attractive cover means you will be quite happy to have it around the house and the range of covers mean it will suit any decor. My pregnant daughter found it really supportive and has used this for sleeping and the fact it stretches out in length makes it a boon compared with the standard v shaped pillow. It is a little large to fit in her nursing chair - she is very small and feels it may be a little large for her for feeding.I think it would have been absolutely perfect when I was breast-feeding twins (many years ago!). It will be perfect for lying on the floor with baby, to support both mother and baby. The beads are far smaller than I expected and give a very smooth yet flexible feel. We wondered if it could be slightly fuller but I understand you can buy additional beads. It is very light and seems to take on any shape required - and it is quiet too!

 http://www.facebook.com/l/3e0f8F0XJy9BsBR5RVpu-u6RU4w/www.theraline.co.uk