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Chicco Today Travel System – Part One

Editor | January 28, 2013 | Comments Off

We recently purchased the Chicco Today Travel System, in preparation for the birth of our baby. Here is a photo of me with my baby bump, plus the baby’s older sister Sapphire and her teddy ‘Mrs Easter’ taking the stroller for a test drive !

The Chicco Travel System comprises of a stroller with a carry cot, car seat, cosy toes and rain cover. We really liked the cheery, red colour (I think it also comes in grey too), and the soft padding (which looks as if it will be wipeable for all those baby spills) on the back and arm rests. The stroller is also very lightweight which is good if you have a bad back like me!

Also, I like the little tray by the handle, which has a cubby hole to keep little bits and bobs in, plus a drink holder for my latte (and later baby’s bottle). Now I’m not sure if this is down to user error or not, but the whole thing was a bit tricky to put together… The wheels went on fine, and the carry cot and car seat were fairly self explanatory, but it took ages to work out how to unfold and refold the stroller. Oddly the instruction booklet didn’t seem to match up to the various handles, buttons and catches we could see on the stroller. Ironically it was Sapphire who managed to work it out in the end!

Once we had got to grips with the folding and unfolding business, we realised that the handle actually folds down further, which was great as it meant the stroller could fit in the boot of my miniscule Vauxhall Agila car. This was great news, as I remember having to buy a bigger car when Sapphire was born, just to accommodate her pram!

Part 2 to follow soon and I’ll tell you how I’m getting on with the buggy and baby together!

Buy from Kiddisave

This blog has been written by one of TheBabyWebsite members ‘Jerushah‘.

Category: Baby Things | Tags: baby, baby bump, Chicco Today Travel System, foot muff, stroller

Getting the Nursery Ready for Baby

Editor | January 14, 2013 | Comments Off

baby in bed Bringing a new baby home to his or her special room is one of the most precious moments that any new parents can experience. Designing and decorating the nursery in preparation for baby’s arrival is exciting and by keeping a few practical tips in mind it is easy to pull together a comfortable and safe environment for baby and family.

Basic nursery elements

Naturally, the most important item in a nursery will be the cot. Some new parents choose to use a Moses basket or bassinet for the first few weeks, but many opt to move straight to the cot. Many different types of cot are available, from standard cots to mini cots to convertible cots that transform into toddler beds or daybeds when the time comes. With a variety of styles and finishes available, the only requirement for a cot is that it meets current safety standards.

Another necessary piece of furniture (if there’s room) is a comfortable chair of some kind, whether a rocking chair or recliner. New parents will spend a lot of time in the nursery with baby, feeding and soothing their little one, so being comfortable and able to relax is paramount. A daybed is another good choice, offering a place for a quick nap, a comfortable spot for a guest, or a convenient place to fold baby clothes.

baby under blanket A safe changing table, preferably with a low rail or strap-restraint system, is the final element that every nursery should have. Storage in and around the changing table is also key, so adding some low shelves and a storage rack will keep items close and accessible.

Advice and tips for decorating a nursery

When choosing paint or wallpaper for the nursery, bear in mind that a newborn can only see in black, white and grey. Their sight eventually develops, with red becoming recognisable first and then cooler tones such as blue and green. Painting techniques, such as painting the walls with oversized stripes, are a great way to add colour that can easily be changed, with the individual stripes being swapped for a different colour as desired.

Though a nursery is the domain of the baby, this does not mean that it cannot reflect the sophistication and creativity of the parents. Adding classic touches, such as large monogrammed initials on the wall, framed engravings and pictures from old children’s books, custom window shutters or fabric window treatments, or colourful patterned wallpaper, are great ways to add elegant touches while maintaining a mum and baby simple and comfortable air.

Things are bound to get dirty in a nursery, so finding a way to keep up with the cleaning while minimising stress is ideal. A hardwood or tiled floor is one of the easiest floor surfaces to keep clean and dust-free. A few washable throw rugs or a soft area rug can be added to help muffle sound, prolong the durability and life of the floor or carpet, and add colour and texture to the room’s design.

Plentiful lighting that can be controlled as needed is important in the nursery. A dimmer switch can be added to central overhead lighting, helping to save on the electric bill while making the lighting completely adjustable.

Category: Baby Things | Tags: baby, decorating, nursery

Taking Care of New Mums after Giving Birth

Editor | November 23, 2012 | Comments Off

Having a baby is the most wonderful time in a young woman’s life, a time of joy, and love and new beginnings. That’s what every young girl is told anyway; the constant tiredness, the aches and pains and the endless poo are not mentioned at all!

Anyone dealing with a new mums can do a lot to help them at this stressful and, yes, magical time.

First of all it must be accepted that there is a major change in the home dynamic; a couple has become a family and this can cause ripples throughout the infrastructure of the home. Even the most timid and reticent of us may well become vociferous defending our child’s well-being. Couples-time falls away in favour of the many activities that go into keeping a baby happy, healthy and well-fed, and this can cause a strain on even the strongest partnership if it is allowed to. For at least the first six weeks, and possibly longer, a partner should not even hint at the resumption of a sex life – apart from the extreme tiredness and stress of being responsible for a brand new life, physically intercourse will be too uncomfortable to contemplate for a while for most new mums, but many supportive hugs will be gratefully received. Partners should also be prepared for changes when play does resume – babies do leave their mark on the –ahem – exit! To help with this the new mum should be encouraged to resume gentle exercise as soon as she feels able. Pelvic floor exercises can help everything ease back into place smoothly, and taking up a gentle routine will encourage the flow of endorphins which will counteract mood swings, as well as providing the obvious health benefits of an exercise regime.

New mums should always be treated with respect. Even if there are mood swings, tears and slammed doors never blame it on her hormones, or treat her as though she is dim-witted. Mothers-in-law and older sisters or even friends who already have babies just love to give advice. While absolutely fine in its place (it can occasionally be very useful, indeed) sometimes the flow of information washing over a young mother can overload her; especially if it conflicts with thoughts and customs that she holds dear. Circumcision, baptism, even something as trivial as the correct way to wrap baby for a feed, all of these can become points of contention if so permitted. All third parties must realise that decisions to be made about the babies health, future and upbringing will be made by the baby’s parents and no-one else. In-laws especially must take a step back, and allow their children to make the best decisions for the grandchildren without interference.

All mums will become acquainted with ‘baby brain’ – the slowness of thought, almost dull-wittedness common to all new mums. While completely normal this can knock a woman’s confidence quite badly and she may need plenty of reassurance that she is still beautiful and attractive, even though her libido has gone on holiday for the duration.

Worrying about her appearance is not something a new mum should be doing. Very few women can look after a brand new baby and maintain perfectly made-up faces and well-styled outfits. Mums should be encouraged to not worry about looking perfect, or even about regaining their pre-baby figure too quickly. Assuming that life will snap back into its pre-baby order too quickly is a perfect recipe for depression. Maternity leave, at least six months, should be spent getting to know the baby, not catching up on chores and renovations. Mums should sleep when baby sleeps – she may not get 8 hours in a convenient block, but as long as she naps when the little one does she is likely to clock up a decent number of sleep hours over 24 hours, which will come in handy for getting up for those 3:00am feeds.

New mums need to remember that the bad times (sleepless nights, alarming , smelly nappies, and endless tiredness etc) all pass and that Mum and child will come through it all, knowing each other and ready to enjoy the rest of their lives together. The most important way to support and help a new mum, bearing, as she does, the brunt of this new relationship, is to give her plenty of praise for what she does for the new baby and to stand-by ready to help when she needs it.

About this article: This article has been written by Mary Murphy, the communications manager for Irish based website eumom.ie – Ireland’s largest online community website for mothers with over 100,000 members. The website publishes regular pregnancy advice and guides for mums. Feel free to visit the website and join our happy community!

Category: Baby Things, Mum Stuff

British Red Cross – First Aid For Baby and Child

Sianny M | November 19, 2012 | Comments Off

I’ve recently been looking around for first aid courses to attend as my first aid knowledge was a bit rusty and having three young children made me question my ability to act in an emergency.

Accidents & incidents happen when you least expect them and I thought I needed to be more prepared so I decided on the British Red Cross – First Aid for Baby and Child course, as among other things, this first aid course is fully certificated. Secondly, I would have struggled to take this on a week day, but the option of a Saturday course meant I had child care, as I would one of the evening courses. This course would suit any expectant couples and baby & child carers (parents, grand parents, foster parents, baby sitters etc) 18 years+.

When I was booking this course I had a letter & email detailing the course date, time and venue with good written directions & a map. It also mentioned wearing loose fitting clothes and flat shoes which was ideal when doing practical role plays.

I arrived early not to get refused entry as the course details were very clear that late entrants would not be accepted. The facilities were easy to find, parking was easy, and the facilities were very clean. We were also offered complimentary hot & cold drinks throughout the day during our regular breaks.

The teacher was very friendly and approachable which put me at ease when asking questions, and as there were nine of us on the course (including three expectant Mums) there was a good atmosphere.

The course itself was mainly on the big screen but we covered many practical situations which definitely helped as we were able to put into practice what we’ve learnt. We covered many common & important topics from raised temperatures, choking, burns, bleeding & allergic reactions to unconscious babies and children (to name but a few). I was most interested in the CPR and was really glad I did the course as it had changed since the last time I covered it! I know first aid is updated regularly and quite often changes so I think I’ll do an update this time next year to keep me up to date on all practices.

I would highly recommend this First Aid Course to anyone caring for babies & children. For a cost of approximately £37.50, it is a small price to pay when you find yourself needing this knowledge at home, in the playground or anywhere with your children or others.

Category: Baby Things, Health, Sian's Blogs, The Kids

Bright Ideas for Decorating Baby’s Room

Editor | October 26, 2012 | Comments Off

A new baby’s nursery needs to be fun and practical!

There are many things to consider when decorating baby’s room, from choosing a colour scheme to picking and placing the necessary furniture. Planning is essential; taking time to imagine the finished room can help obtain the right mix of cosy warmth for bedtime and restful nights and a bright, interesting atmosphere for fun and development by day.

Colour

If the gender of the baby isn’t known parents could choose a neutral colour palette such as purples, yellows or greens. Soft colours and pastels create an inviting, warm space and adding splashes of brighter colours, whites or creams can bring a room to life.

Think about ways colours can be combined to make the best of the space available and to define the area for a specific purpose. Dim corners can be painted in bright or pale colours to reflect the light and make the space seem bigger, or softer colours can be used to create a tranquil area for feeding or comforting baby.

Colour schemes for boys and girls can be exciting and imaginative – no need to stick to pink for girls and blue for boys; hot pinks and sky blues liven up a pale scheme for babies of either gender, especially when coupled with specialist paints, such as glow-in-the-dark or glittery textured paints. Try using luminous paint to craft a ceiling full of stars to bring some magic to bedtime, or blackboard paint on a wall to encourage creativity.

Furniture and furnishings:

Other senses can be stimulated by the use of textures and shapes; cushions, rugs, pictures, mobiles and hangings all help to create an exciting place to explore touch and sound as well as sight.

It is best to avoid over-cluttering a nursery room with unnecessary furniture. Choose items that meet the needs of parents and baby – practical storage such as changing tables with built-in cupboards for nappy-changing equipment, and comfortable seating for feeding and play; leather sofas are easy-clean and practical and can be the ideal place for parents to rest or relax with their new arrival.

If the budget is tight, reclaimed furniture can be cleaned, sanded and painted in colours to match or complement the theme. Adding transfers or stickers and novelty handles is an inexpensive way of making a statement and providing an interesting environment for a growing baby. As baby develops, painting numbers, letters, words and family members’ names onto surfaces can be a fun way of starting babies on the path to learning.

Safety first:

Above all, a baby’s room should be a safe place for all the family:

Lamps and other electrical items must be safely installed to avoid exposure to wires and sockets.
Paints should be non-toxic, hardwearing and, preferably, washable – a sensible way to keep the nursery clean and hygienic.
Cords and strings from electrical goods, curtains and blinds should be kept out of the reach of babies and young children.
Avoid clutter – parents need to be safe when using the room in dim light.

Category: Baby Things | Tags: baby, decorating, ideas, nursery

Stylish Themes for a Memorable Baby Shower

Editor | October 24, 2012 | Comments Off

Baby showers are a really lovely tradition that has hopped over the pond from America in recent years.

These great parties are traditionally held by friends or relatives of a mum-to-be so that they can ‘shower’ her with gifts and love before her big date rolls round.

Adding a theme to a baby shower is an Americanism that a lot of UK mothers in fact aren’t keen on. In a poll of 2000 women conducted by Ragdoll, it was found that only 3% of guests thought a fun theme was important for their shower.

To shower mummy in style without going overboard, try some of these subtle but chic theme ideas for your party:

‘Spa’ Baby Shower

After baby is born, Mum won’t have much time to pamper herself so why don’t you indulge her with healthy spa food and treatments?
Homemade facemasks and relaxing therapies will leave her feeling happy and healthy in preparation for her big day.

‘White’ Baby Shower

White is a symbol of innocence and purity, ideal for a baby shower. It’s stylish, simple and can be really easily implemented. Think white balloons, white dinner plates and porcelain, white flowers, ribbons and invitations. You can even ask your guests to wrap their gifts in white paper. It’s an elegant theme with loads of potential.

‘English Tea Party’ Baby Shower

Adorn vintage cake stands with scones, mini sandwiches and cakes and get your hands on a really beautiful tea service to celebrate in traditional English style.
Decorate with bunting and delicate country garden flowers for a relaxed and stylish party.

Don’t forget:
Mum hasn’t touched certain foods or drinks for the past nine months. Remember to remind your guests to leave their vino at home and opt to bring non-alcoholic pressés and soft drinks to your soiree instead.

This post was provided by Shower My Baby, the UKs number 1 baby themed party site. Visit the website for even more great party ideas and beautiful baby shower gifts.

Category: Baby Things, Mum Stuff | Tags: baby shower, baby shower gifts, themes

A Wheelybug for Christmas

Sianny M | October 12, 2012 | Comments Off

Wheelybug Family

Invest in a Wheelybug this Christmas and help a terminally ill child realise their dreams too!

A great idea for a present this Christmas is the adorable Wheelybug. This is a great robust, yet lightweight ride on toy, and a quality gift that has kept our little one entertained for hours and hours. The range of toys are bright in colour with a luxuriously padded body allowing a comfy ride & a padded handle to hold onto. We chose the Ladybird as our youngest has a real affinity with Gaston from “Ben and Holly” and she gets so excited every time she sees it! Having four multi directional castors allows it to move easily & effortlessly in all directions on both our carpets and hard floors. The Wheelybug comes in two sizes, Small suitable for 1-3 years & Large suitable for 2.5 – 5 years. These ride on toys retail at £59.95 – £69.95.

There are six different Wheelybug design so plenty of choice for your little ones – Ladybird, Bee, Cow, Tiger, Mouse and Piglet. I guarantee this toy will become more than a ride on, more like a pet….

Also, for every Wheelybug that is sold this Christmas, a percentage of the profits will go to the children’s charity, Make-A-Wish Foundation uk.

Buy a Wheelybug from Amazon

Category: Baby Things, Children's Toys & Games, Christmas Blogs, Sian's Blogs, The Kids

Competition Smiles

Editor | July 6, 2012 | Comments Off

As we all know having a baby can be an expensive time!

During pregnancy you are spending money on decorating the nursery or buying a pram, then when the baby arrives there are clothes, toys and nappies, and the costs keep mounting as your child gets older. So why not try and make things a little easier and enter some competitions to win some of the things you will need.
At Competition Hunter, their members are constantly listing new competitions that are perfect for pregnant women or families with a new born (you can find them all in the Mother and Baby competitions section).

One of the easiest ways to win a competition is to use your baby’s face! You know your baby is cute so now is the time to show the rest of the world, and enter photo competitions. These are competitions people tend to avoid as they think they are too complicated or fussy to enter, but really they can be simple.

Here are some general tips for taking winning photos.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on an expensive camera – even mobile phones have decent digital cameras nowadays.
Get down to your babies level – you want the whole of your babies face so try and get eye contact.
Try and get some emotion from your baby, there is nothing cuter than a laughing baby.
Use natural light; even if you are indoors avoid using your flash, as they can wash out your child’s face.
Don’t make the shoot too complicated; avoid a fussy background or too many props. The focus should be all about your baby.
Try to avoid shoots including other people, as we mentioned it should be all about your baby.

Remember to have fun; even if you don’t win you will have some great photos of your baby.

Category: Baby Things, Competitions & Giveaways | Tags: babies, competitions, photos

Win a Fab Union Jack Skibz

Kathryn | May 4, 2012 | 28 comments

It’s unlikely to have escaped your notice that 2012 is the year of the Diamond Jubilee and The UK Olympics. There are Union-Jacks absolutely everywhere. I even noticed flags on wrapping paper and gift bags when I was looking to buy some yesterday for my daughter’s birthday.

Anyway, Skibz, who make fab & funky dribble bibs, have just brought out a new limited edition Union Jack Skibz! As Gok would say, the bibs are ‘bang on trend‘ and we’re fairly sure that if your little one was to be seen wearing one, then everyone would be asking where you bought it.

Skibz are as effective as they are stylish and work like a super-absorbent bib. In a nutshell, they have a unique double layer backing system that draws moisture from the skin, preventing delicate skin from chaffing.

Union Jack Skibz

They kind of look just like a scarf & are really trendy-looking. Skibz also have a new cupcake design ready for the Queen’s Jubilee so even little ones can go to street parties suitably attired.

The limited edition Skibz comes all wrapped up in a lovely gift box and if you’d like to Win a Fab Union Jack Skibz, then just follow @TheBabyWebsite on Twitter, RT and comment below saying how old your baby is and what he or she is called. Don’t forget to tell us your Twitter Name too.

In your Tweet you need to say “RT, follow @TheBabyWebsite & comment here to Win a Fab Union Jack Skibz http://www.thebabywebsite.com/blog/win-a-fab-union-jack-skibz“

Category: Baby Things | Tags: bib, dribble bib, Jubilee, Skibz, Union Jack

Babies growing far too fast

fiffes | March 13, 2012 | Comments Off

Well that’s the twins almost a year old!

They are wild Both are crawling about the house – and think it hilarious to climb onto marble fireplace and sit like one of my mum’s ornaments. Another favourite activity for them both is to crawl under her coffee table , or under the table and sit there grinning at us, Turn your back for a minute, and either of the girls have disappeared into the kitchen, found trying to climb into the washing machine.

They fight all the time – even if the other has the same toy, they want what the other has. Mum and toddlers is great fun nowadays – one disappears in one direction, and the other heads off in the opposite direction. The only thing that guarantees to bring them back, is food.

I honestly do not remember Ella being like this. They eat all the time – often eat more between them in 1 meal, than I eat throughout most of the day And still can eat my dinner. People must think I starve my kids watching how much they eat.

Category: Baby Things | Tags: crawling, mum, toddlers, Twins

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