Baby Magazine October 2019

baby SWEETEST LOOKS FOR THE NEW SEASON

NEW PARENT SLEEP SURVIVAL GUIDE HOW TO CATCH MORE zzZ’S

DOUBLE ACT

THE BEST MOTHER AND BABY EXERCISES

Model fatherhood

David GANDY the sleep issue

! ed INcot b W

OCTOBER 2019 • BABY-MAGAZINE.CO.UK

PA R E N TI N G M AGA Z I N E

y ur ux al

T H E LUXU RY P R EG N A N C Y &

CELEBRATE!

CAROLE MIDDLETON

on how to throw a baby shower

PAIN RELIEF MARINA FOGLE AND

DR CHIARA HUNT

GIVE THE LOWDOWN ON EPIDURALS

Sweet dreams little one

To the land of nod

£4.40

BUYING THE RIGHT COT

Who knew it took 143 years to make a babygrow?

Silver Cross Clothing

Available at:

silvercrossbaby.com

CONTENTS OC TOBER 2019

FEATURES

48 A MODEL PARENT British style icon David Gandy opens up about first-time fatherhood, sleep, and bringing up a baby in the spotlight 55 PARTY TIME: BABY SHOWERS Carole Middleton offers her tips on throwing a personal celebration 56 BEHIND THE BRAND: SCANDIBØRN Kate Freud meets the founder of the Scandi-inspired online lifestyle store 63 AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

Ready to revamp that post-baby beauty cabinet? We round up 25 hero products you’ll simply love 66 SLEEP TIGHT Why sleep is just as important for parents as it is for little ones 69 THE BIG SLEEP Sleep expert Lucy Wolfe offers her tips for nailing baby’s bedtime routine 70 ON THE MOVE We reveal five ways you can keep fit with baby in tow 82 LAND OF NOD Shopping for your litle one’s cot?

Here’s what you need to consider

38

Marley wears blouse, £19, Mamas & Papas.

Bloomers, £39, Caramel.

STYLE

38 LITTLE LULLABIES Soft autumnal staples and luxuriant layers to wrap baby in this season 46 AHEAD OF THE CURVE Antonia O’Brien shares her favourite maternity fashion finds

Will David Gandy’s da ughter Mat become a ne ilda w British st yle icon? (p .4 8)

PHOTOGRAPHY: JONATHAN MALPASS

SHOPPING

23 BABY LOVES Why you should add Aristot’s uber-luxe baby bassinet to your shopping list 25 SHOP THE THEMES Say hello to autumn with this season’s latest offerings

FOOD & TRAVEL

85 FOOD NEWS All the latest and greatest edible treats for babies, toddlers and parents to try this month

86 HOME COMFORTS Alice Fotheringham shares a few seasonal dishes for baby 91 TRAVEL NEWS The hottest new escapes and products for young families 92 POSTCARD FROM BRADFORD-ON-AVON Antonia O’Brien enjoys a break with her husband and baby in tow Be inspired by our pick of new-season baby buys on p.25

REGULARS

15

BABY NEWS Keeping you in the know with all things great and small 19 WIN! A BOORI COT BED Enhance baby’s sleep space with this beautiful cot from Boori, worth £599 20 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Pens at the ready – we have a few suggestions to keep you busy this month

baby-magazine.co.uk | 5

81 EDITORIAL Editorial Director Maxine Briggs Editor-at-Large Kate Freud Editor Rebecca Moore Sub Editor Natalie Keeler Freelance Sub Editor Sally Jones Editorial Assistant Henrietta Easton Digital Content Producer Ruby Norris

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Clare Byam-Cook, Emma Cannon, Georgina Cohen, Marina Fogle, Chiara Hunt, Carole Middleton, Jade Parfitt, Natalie Pinkham, Kate Silverton, Zita West

DESIGN Creative Director Chloë Collyer Senior Designer Natalie Dourado Freelance Designer Matt Bookman

PUBLISHING Chairman Paul Dobson Chief Operating Officer Kevin Petley Chief Financial Officer Vicki Gavin Director of Media James Dobson EA to Chairman Sarah Porter

ADVERTISING Sales Director Cameron Hay Head of Market Julie Price Senior Sales Executive Miranda Gyamfi Ma Sales Executive Emma Cain

MY ESSENTIALS We chat to BBC presenter and former British Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott about exercising while pregnant, podcasting and baby products 36 AND SO TO BED Looking for fresh reading material?

Emma O’Donovan rounds up the best bedtime books for baby 45 LEO’S LITTLE LUXURIES Leonora Bamford shares her favourite things this month 51 TOT GEAR NEWS What’s new in baby kit, plus mother-of-two Charlotte Veale puts the BabaBing! Raffi to the test 61 HEALTH & BEAUTY NEWS From skincare to baby tech, these are the latest products and innovations in the world of wellbeing 73 Q&A WITH ZITA WEST Struggling to get enough shut-eye?

The fertility expert advises on sleep problems during pregnancy

CHELSEA CREATE

33

86

Managing Director Steve Ross Partnerships Director Lyndal Beeton Baby is published by The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ Web: baby-magazine.co.uk Tel: 020 7349 3700 Email: baby@chelseamagazines.com

Chemmy Alcott gives us a snea k-peek of the upcomin g series of her podcast (p.33)

75 THE BREASTFEEDING CAFÉ Professor Amy Brown offers advice on coping with a newborn 76 TIME TO TALK Marina Fogle and Dr Chiara Hunt address the questions around epidurals 78 THE REVIEW Keep baby close during those first few months; Laura Mason rounds up the best Moses baskets on the market 81 INTERIOR NEWS From Scandi-style teepees to enchanting wallpaper designs, these are the stylish nursery updates we’re coveting this month 94 NURSERY NEWS What’s going on in early years and beyond, from pre-school initiatives to the latest educational toys 96 BOUTIQUES Our pick of the most beautiful baby boutiques nationwide 98 INSPIRE We meet Gillian Taylor, director of luxury baby shawl brand G.H. Hurt & Son, to talk royal babies, family history and achieving a work-life balance

BABY (print) ISSN 2516-5178 BABY (online) ISSN 2517-813X | Distributed by Seymour Distribution Ltd. 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT | Tel: 020 7429 4000 Fax: 020 7429 4001 | Production All Points Media Printed in England by William Gibbons ©The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2019 All rights reserved

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PHOTOGRAPHY: JONATHAN MALPASS Maisie wears dress, £66, Paz Rodriquez at Childrensalon. Bonnet, £20, Numero 74 at Molly Mog.

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A SIMPLY TIMELESS MEGA GROUP SAFETY SYSTEM THAT GROWS FROM INFANT TO INFINITY.

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joiebaby.com/signature Available from Argos, Boots, Mothercare, Very and all good independent nursery retailers

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Moonlight light up every step • Sleep friendly nightlight • Temperature sensing dock • Parent & child modes • Portable & rechargeable

Light up every step with Shnuggle Moonlight, the sleep friendly portable nightlight. With dual parent and child modes, a room temperature sensing dock and unique design, Moonlight is a must have for all new parents.

shnuggle.com

Knitted two-piece £29, mamasandpapas.com Snug as a bug! As the season turns, wrap baby up in the cosiest cottons Cotton blanket £59.95, adenandanais.co.uk

EDITORS

LETTER

REBECCA MOORE, EDITOR

@baby_mag_insta

VISIT •

@BabyMagazineUK

E,

@BabyMagazineUK

AG

M

Cotton-wool blanket £91, stellamccartney.com

#babymagishere

P-TO-DAT

K

• B A B Y-

We’d love to see pics of you and your bump, or baby, with our current issue

PU

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Natural soy wax candle £18, cocochi.co

A Z I N E .C

O

Deluxe+ pod £192, sleepyheadofsweden.com

BBC presenter, Chemmy Alcott. She shares her top parenting essentials, gives exercise advice and shares the trials and tribulations of parenthood. Check it out on page 33.

This issue I’m also thrilled to reveal our inaugural Beauty Awards. Here at Baby HQ we’ve joined forces with some brilliant mums and beauty bloggers and have been testing out the very best products that deserve pride of place in your post-baby beauty cabinet. Take a look at the 25 hero products we’re coveting on page 63.

We couldn’t do a sleep issue without putting the nursery in the spotlight. We’re here to help make your cot purchase the right one with our buying guide on page 82, plus Laura Mason reviews the very best Moses baskets on page 78.

And lastly, flick to page 19 where you could bag yourself a Boori cot bed. Little ones need to sleep in style, after all.

Happy snoozing everyone!

KEE

Moses basket £89.95, shnuggle.com

Sleep. Sometimes it feels like we spend more time talking about kip than actually getting the good stuff. And no truer than when you enter parenthood. Whether your little one has just started sleeping through the night, or you’ve just gone on maternity leave and you’re lapping up the zzzs while you can, as the nights get shorter, what better theme for our October issue than sleep?

If you happen to be expecting, then you may be experiencing newfound sleep disturbance. You can blame the hormones for that, says Zita West on page 73. The rise in progesterone levels in the first trimester can be responsible for tiredness, while other changes can affect muscles, often resulting in increased snoring and night-time dashes to the loo – who said pregnancy isn’t sexy?

Speaking of sexy, Stylist Antonia O’Brien brings night time into the day as she shares her top tips for nailing the pyjama dressing trend, which is keeping bump or breastfeeding bodies stylish while adding a touch of retro glamour, and keeping comfort firmly on the cards; see page 46.

Someone who knows a thing or two about sleep deprivation is mum of two and

@baby_magazine_uk

Cotton shortie £14, newbiestore.com baby-magazine.co.uk | 9

Where were you born?

Born in London before moving up to Scotland.

Favourite thing about autumn?

Cooler weather, opaque tights and, of course, apple crumble.

Any tips for a good night’s sleep?

Ideally, setting up the bedroom to be cool, dark and quiet, but in London I settle with an eye mask, earplugs, a spray of lavender pillow spray and turning off the WiFi. Check out Alice’s weaning recipes on p.86

IE T

NF A

E TA

N, ASTO EDITO R

H EN R

ALICE FO

NEEV

HAM, I

RITIONI ST NUT

Where were you born?

I was born in Royal Berkshire Hospital, which is in Reading.

Favourite thing about autumn?

The beautiful trees and the change in the colours.

Any tips for a good night’s sleep?

For me, I do weekly acupuncture and make sure I have no screen time past 9pm.

Read Neev’s latest column where she talks about the arrival of her second baby on p.61

NG ERI H T

SSISTANT LA IA

R ADIO DJ ER , C N

NT

SP E

CONTRIBUTORS

Where were you born?

I was born in Munich, Germany – a mountain baby.

Favourite thing about autumn?

Blackberry picking at home in Sussex, and obviously all the good TV – I’m a big Strictly Come Dancing fan!

Any tips for a good night’s sleep?

Set your phone to do not disturb an hour before you go to sleep and have a glass of milk – yum.

When you’re on the go or grabbing a coffee with a moment

-DATE, VI S -TO

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• BA

O .U K

IT •

KEEP U P

BABY O NL INE

B

YM A G A ZI N

We talk all things pregnancy and beyond

Go online to check out all the latest travel inspiration

Top reviews to keep you in the know

N U F T N A W E W IN T HE SUN

developed to our sun care range is specially A and UVB rays.

UV om fr in sk e’s on e tl lit ur protect yo suitable For it’s so moisturising, it’s even ople who sensitive skin AND safe for pe may be prone to eczema. ch ilds farm .com

O F TH E MO NTH

Max

PHOTOGRAPHED BY CLAIRE GRAHAM

happier than when he’s rolling around on his playmat with his nappy off!

WANT TO SEE YOUR BABY HERE? UPLOAD YOUR FAVOURITE SNAP AT BABY-MAGAZINE.CO.UK/BABY-OF-THE-MONTH Entries close at 11:59pm on 22 August 2019.

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D L I M E B O BORN T

H E RE ’S A W IL D ID E A.

at ’s packed fu ll th R SE RI U ST OI M a t How abou gr ed ie nts an d in d ve ri de ly al ur at of n to care fo r sp ec ially deve lo ped es? n ew bo rn s an d babi se n siti ve skin AN D r fo le ab it su en ev it ’s BE PRON E TO ecze m a.

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KEEP U P

B • BA

NEWS

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baby

NEWS

YM A G A ZI N

U PDATING YOU ON ALL THINGS GR E AT AN D SMALL

SLEEP TIGHT

The babymoov Doomoo Organic Cotton Cocoon is the baby sleep product for an easy transition from womb to cot. The cosy sleep cocoon is soft, kind to newborn skin, eco-friendly, and extendable for use with babies up to eight months old. Choose from the exclusive UK prints in scandi flowers or origami boats! £89.99, babymoov.co.uk

ONE IN FIVE WOMEN EXPERIENCE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY. NATIONAL CHARITY TOMMY’S HAS LAUNCHED A DIGITAL TOOL, ‘YOUR BABY’S MUM: A WELLBEING PLAN FOR PREGNANCY AND POST-BIRTH’, ENCOURAGING SELF-CARE AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IN PREPARATION FOR THE POST-BIRTH PERIOD. TOMMYS.ORG

baby-magazine.co.uk | 15

NEWS

PARISIEN CHIC

Swedish fashion brand Elodie Details is launching its autumn collection, Le Petit Parisien. Live la vie en rose in this collection inspired by the classic and timeless French style, combining the casual with the dressy and the conscious with the care-free. This beautifully made collection of berets and bonnets will ensure your little one is the most stylish baby around. From £7, elodiedetails.com

What’s the buzz?

CARRY ON BABY

Looking for a stylish and practical baby carrier? Cheeky Rascals has launched a limited-edition range of Izmi baby carriers, in collaboration with baby designers Jacq and Rose, that fit the bill. The Scandi-inspired, kaleidoscope and triangle designs are on trend, and the soft, machine-washable fabric is comfortable and supportive for both parent and baby. £85, izmibaby.co.uk

There’s a buzz around the organic cotton brand Frugi as it announces the arrival of its baby gift set, in its iconic Buzzy Bee print!

Available in one size for newborns up to three months, the set includes a long-sleeved babygrow, a short-sleeved bodysuit and a soft hat, all presented in a drawstring bag. £20, frugi.com

ONE IN 10 PARENTS HAVE ADMITTED TO THROWING AWAY USED NAPPIES WITH THEIR RECYCLING, CONTAMINATING LORRY LOADS OF RECYCLABLE MATERIAL. THE #BINYOURNAPPY CAMPAIGN IS REMINDING PARENTS THAT BIO-DEGRADABLE NAPPIES MUST GO IN THE HOUSEHOLD WASTE INSTEAD. WISEUPTOWASTE.ORG.UK

WIN A STYLISH MELOTOTE

CHANGING BAG WITH METANIUM

When you’re out with your little one, you need all your nappy-changing essentials in one bag, so you can just pick it up and go. Metanium is giving away two MELOBABY Luxe Noir Twill Melotote Changing Bags (RRP £75), plus a Double Action Metanium Everyday Easy Spray Barrier Lotion, to protect and moisturise the skin, helping to prevent nappy rash.

If nappy rash does strike, Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment is licensed specifically to treat it. Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment is a medicine; always read the label. metanium.co.uk

Enter online at baby-magazine.co.uk/competitions 16 | baby-magazine.co.uk

READY STEADY COOK

Baby care company Béaba understands the struggles of feeding an ever-growing baby and how daunting it can be to cook baby food at home. With this in mind, its has created two weaning starter kits, full of practical products that are safe for baby to use. The Weaning Essentials Kit and the Baby Accessories Kit include recipe books, silicone serving bowls, spoons and trays, and jars for storing. From £40, beaba.com

NEWS

SWEET DREAMS

For an interior update for your nursery, Mamas & Papas’ new Lilybelle collection encompasses traditional nursery style with a dreamlike touch. With delicate florals, plush rosy colours, soft cottons and hand-embroidered toadstools and bunny rabbit motifs, the collection inspires a calming feel that will ensure night after night of sleep for baby. Lampshades, sheets, curtains and more are included.

From £29, mamasandpapas.com

WIN BABY’S FIRST BOOKS

WITH CAMPBELL BOOKS Introduce a world of fun with Pan Macmillan’s super-sweet competition to win your baby’s very first books from Campbell Books. Full of bright colours and textures, they are perfect for bed and bathtime. This bundle includes: two super-soft and cuddly cloth books, Bedtime Baby and Playtime Baby; two bath books perfect for making a splash, Squirty Duck and Squirty Fish; and two first-word books, First Jungle and First Farm. Good luck!

Enter online at baby-magazine.co.uk/competitions

BEST FOOT FORWARD Award-winning baby shoe brand Pico Nido has come out with a collection of luxurious shoes for your little one’s first steps. Designed in the UK and handmade in Europe, Poco Nido uses only ecoconscious, chrome-free leather, providing an easy-to-wipe clean surface, and suede soles that offer a good grip for exploring.

Available in four colours, in a desert boot or T-Bar design. £36, poconido.com

Harriet reports on all the fun she has with her children, Reuben, Edith and Tobias

BEST OF THE BLOGS

The internet is awash with information but these brilliant bloggers cut to the chase with honest and practical advice

TOBY AND ROO Avid hide-and-seek player and coffee-obsessed Harriet is mum to sons, Tobias and Reuben, and daughter, Edith. She loves to bake and read, and is an expert on children’s products, having worked at a children’s merchandise retailer for a number of years. Her knowledge of car-seat safety, pushchairs, feeding and nursing bras helps her readers to make parenting that little bit easier.

Her blog also covers her Disney obsession, food, fashion and relationship tips. tobyandroo.com

LAID BACK MAMA Blogger Catherine lives in Kent with her husband and baby boy, affectionately known as Pickle. She is a mental health nurse, public health practitioner and trainee hypnobirthing teacher. Catherine believes in mums taking care of themselves so that they can take care of the ones they love.

She encourages self-care and positivity in mums and mums-to-be, reducing stress and anxiety and improving mental wellbeing. Her blog also includes health tips, fitness and travel. laidbackmama.net

MAMA MIA Written by mum Sue, from both her perspective and her daughter Mia’s, Mama Mia is in an engaging and heart-warming blog, with a alternative writing style. Sue started it as a way to combat the loneliness she was experiencing in early parenting and hopes to help other parents coping with the same problem. She covers issues such as Mia’s feeding story and speech therapy. It’s an honest window into the wins and woes of parenting. mamamiablog.co.uk

baby-magazine.co.uk | 17

NEWS

Sleeping has never been so comfortable as Marks & Spencer and DreamSkin bring you baby bodysuits made from soothing fabrics. Prices from £9, marksandspencer.com

ab e s u u KATE FREUD Editor-at-large

I

f you’ve ever had a baby with tricky skin, you’ll do anything to find something to help. So how brilliant that high-street favourite Marks & Spencer has joined forces with DreamSkin to launch a range of products for children that are made using innovative polymer technology, which is medically proven to soothe and protect the skin. There’s bodysuits for baby and pyjamas and underwear for older children.

LOVE IT AGAIN

Did you know that of the 80 billion pieces of clothing produced worldwide, an estimated 75 per cent will end up in landfill each year? So what better time for the launch of Kidswear Collective, created to reduce waste in the fashion industry by selling pre-loved clothes to style-savvy parents.

Available for newborns to 14 year olds – you will find everything from Chloé to Burberry and Baby Dior – at up to 80 per cent off their original retail price.

The hand-block printed designs on super-soft cotton make Sarah K’s baby quilts an extra-special gift. £42, sarahk.co.uk

TASTY TOOTSIES

How adorable are these handmade, Fairtrade leather pram shoes from the super-cool dutch brand Donsje? Part of a range that features everything from killer whales to pineapples, these delicious strawberry shoes are the perfect style for baby, offering the comfortable freedom they need for their feet to develop safely in preparation for those long-awaited first steps.

Get your fashion fix and do your bit for the planet with the brilliant pre-loved website, Kidswear Collective. kidswearcollective.com

Treat baby’s tiny tootsies right with these beautifully handmade shoes from Donsje. £53, organic-zoo.com

PRINT THIS

Homewares designer Sarah K is known for her beautiful block printed designs, and now she’s turned her hand to creating a range for baby. I particularly love these small square quilts, featuring a block printed bunny and star design on one side and green chevron stripes on the other. Made of very soft cotton, they make perfect play mats, too.

LET’S GET SOCIAL… There are plenty of ways to get the lowdown on all things Baby

ONLINE

baby-magazine.co.uk

18 | baby-magazine.co.uk

FACEBOOK

@babymagazineuk

INSTA

@baby_mag_insta

TWITTER

@BabyMagazineUK

PINTEREST

@baby_magazine_uk

COMPETITION

WIN!

A BOORI COT BED Don’t miss your chance to win this beautiful wooden cot bed

WORTH £599

T&C’S: COMPETITION CLOSES AT 11.59PM ON 10 SEPTEMBER 2019.

T

here’s such an air of excitement when you’re in the throes of designing baby’s nursery, and along with the artsy wall prints, height charts and personalised bunting, there is – of course – the most important part of the puzzle: the cot.

Finding the perfect sleep space for your tot is no easy task, but thanks to Boori’s beautiful range of designs, the choice is made so much easier. That’s why we’re absolutely thrilled to be offering one lucky reader a gorgeous Eton Expandable Cot Bed in a stunning Pebble shade, the perfect focal point for any nursery.

Treated with innovative technology that guarantees a longer lifespan, this sustainable solid wood cot easily converts into a toddler bed. And when the time is right, the Eton Expandable also transforms into a single-sized bed, using the easy-to-store conversion kit

provided – meaning it can be used from birth up until around 12 years old. The dropside is safe and sturdy, too, while the adjustable base height allows parents easy access.

Available in three beautiful colours – Barley White, Pebble, and Mocha – the cot bed is so gracefully minimal, effortlessly blending the traditional and the modern, while allowing you to seamlessly coordinate its cool, Scandi-style shades with your nursery.

What makes the Eton Expandable a truly cherished nursery essential is its sustainable Australian timber frame, carefully finished with Boori’s unique Eco-Blend Bio-Paint,

which is made with renewable non-toxic plant extracts. As well as enhancing the natural beauty of the wood, this one-of-a-kind coating also ensures baby’s environment is kept clean, safe and free from nasty chemicals.

Now that’s sleeping in style! boori.com

To enter, visit baby-magazine.co.uk/competitions baby-magazine.co.uk | 19

RUNNING HEAD

4 OCTOBER

Baby bookworms

FInd pumpkins at Tulleys Farm

Take your little ones to meet their favourite authors at this year’s Cheltenham Literary Festival. Francesca Simon, Malorie Blackman, Dermot O’Leary and Cressida Cowell will all be in attendance at the event, which kicks off today until 13 October. There’ll be a host of fun free activities, too. cheltenhamfestivals.com

OCTOBER

1 I LOVE CHEW

Baby accessory brand Nibbling, has announced that for the whole of October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), it will be donating £1 for every sale of its heart teething bangle to Breast Cancer Care. Who knew soothed gums and good deeds went so well together?

dates for your

3 PAGE TURNER

Heart teething bangle £9.50, nibbling.co.uk

12 HARVEST FUN Don’t forget to stop by Tulleys Farm in West Sussex today, where families are invited to explore its 12 acres of land in search of a perfect

27 OCTOBER

Like clockwork

Say hello to shorter days and colder nights… yes, summer’s officially over and the clocks are will go back an hour this evening. Worried about how the change will affect baby’s sleeping routine? Head to our website for advice on how to cope, especially if your tot is an early riser. baby-magazine.co.uk

20 | baby-magazine.co.uk

DIARY

Pens at the ready – we have a few suggestions to keep you and baby busy this month pumpkin. Whether you want to carve a ghoulish face or whip up a delicious soup, there’s loads to choose from. pumpkinfarm.co.uk

17

AND THE WINNER IS… Back for its fifth year, The Baby Awards will be taking place this evening!

Head to our social media channels (see p.18) or follow our hashtag #BabyAwards2019 to find out whether your favourite brands have picked up any of the coveted prizes.

18 SHOW TIME

Over 200 exhibitors will be making an appearance at The Baby Show at Kensington Olympia this weekend, including big-name brands such as The Gro Company,

Stokke, Cybex and iCandy.

There’ll also be talks from a range of parenting experts, such as Clare Byam-Cook on breastfeeding and weaning guru Annabel Karmel. From £14.70, thebabyshow.co.uk

20

MONSTER MASH It may not be Halloween yet, but that shouldn’t stop you from throwing a few of your most spooktacular moves at Raver Tots Manchester Halloween Party this afternoon. Hosted from 2pm, look out for face painting, balloons, confetti blasts and parachute fun. Babes in arms are free of charge, too. ravertots. co.uk

25 TODDLE TIME

Bring your toddlers along to The Lowry in Salford this morning for Under 5’s First Steps. This week’s session is a Dear Zoo special, and will see little ones wriggle, jiggle and jump as they explore their favourite parts of the story. thelowry.com

26 SHOP UP

Browse a range of nearlynew childrenswear at the Mum2Mum Market at Derby Arena today. For sale will be baby’s clothing, maternity wear, cots, prams, and toys all at a fraction of the highstreet price. mum2mum market.co.uk

Roald Dahl’s Little Library £4.99, waterstones.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

Introduce your tot to the wonderful world of Roald Dahl with a new compendium of stories.

Roald Dahl’s Little Library comprises imaginative tales aimed specifically at toddlers, paired with illustrations from the legendary Quentin Blake. £4.99, Puffin.

FR EE Y ER IV EL D M to ai dU an nl !

K

Crafted with sustainable solid wood and finished in our environmentally-friendly Eco-Blend Bio-Paint.

Compact Cots from

ÂŁ139 Follow us @booricollections

Find out more by visiting our website: boori.com/uk

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LOVE S

Aristot’s timeless design will see you way past the baby days

BEAUT Y SLE E P

Swedish design genius Lisa Furuland’s juvenile furniture brand Aristot has really raised the bar in luxury nursery design, and its lovingly European-hand-crafted baby bassinet oozes refinement, style, beauty and innovation. Made from the finest, hand-picked materials, the bassinet is finished in opulently tufted and sumptuously soft velvet-style upholstery.

Designed as a keepsake for future generations, the versatile bassinet effortlessly transforms into a piece of elegant adult furniture once the baby days are over.

From ÂŁ1,200, exclusively at harrods.com

baby-magazine.co.uk | 23

INTRODUCING APTAMIL SENSAVIA FOLLOW ON MILK WITH MILK PROTEIN BROKEN INTO SMALLER PIECES *Contains Vitamin D which contributes to the normal function of the immune system IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is best for your baby. Follow On Milk should only be used as part of a mixed diet and not as a breastmilk substitute before 6 months.

Use on the advice of a healthcare professional. Do not use if your baby has been diagnosed with cow’s milk allergy.

SHOPPING

ART Y

I HE

OU From a selection at molo.com Cotton dress £32, cathkidston.com

Musy mate £19.95, adenandanais.co.uk

DREAM TEAM

Pura toddler bottle £18, kidly.co.uk

Pick clothes and accessories adorned with magical motifs to create a winning wardrobe for your little one

Cotton all-in-one £24, bobandblossom.co.uk

Cord dress £19, mamasandpapas.com

Meri Meri velvet cushion £39, trouva.com

Cotton socks (pack of two) £14, molo.com

Knitted pullover £112, oeufnyc.com

Babyzen Yoyo+ complete stroller £579, naturalbabyshower.co.uk

TOMS espadrilles £28, kidly.co.uk

Knitted legging £48, tocotovintage.com

LED light £18, uk.sunnylife.com

baby-magazine.co.uk | 25

SHOPPING

A Little Lovely Company light £39.95, hurnandhurn.com

Cotton sweater £40, emileetida.com

Sebra cot bed £699, cuckooland.com

Denim culottes £27, cosstores.com

A baby sleep aid will help have your little one in a sweet slumber in no time

Knitted romper £18, riverisland.com

Cotton throw £29.95, babymori.com

From a selection at snuz.co.uk

ABOV

E UP

Cotton playsuit £16, mamasandpapas.com

Steps bouncer £149, stokke.com

26 | baby-magazine.co.uk

Cotton dress £29, smallstories.co.uk

Moccasins £25, moccis.co.uk

Play tent £89.95, snuz.co.uk

Cotton-mix blouse £67, raspberryplum.com

Little drops... big impact!

Care Co-Lactase Infant drops Feed milk immediately after adding Co-lactase

Sufficient for 60 feeds

Reduces the lactose content in milk

Can be used from birth onwards

Feed y instantl

Does not contain Sugar, preservative or flavours

Available at:

The No 1 brand sold through UK pharmacy * Find out more by visiting www.allthecareyouneed.co.uk

*For verification please write to Thornton & Ross Ltd, HD7 5QH

Care + and the lozenge device are trademarks of Thornton & Ross ltd.

SHOPPING

Original baby carrier £99.90, ergobaby.co.uk

Cotton tee £35, anywarekids.com

Swaddles (pack of three) £42, adenandanais.co.uk

Babe & Tess cotton shirt £50, eliasandgrace.com

STAR RY NI

GHT Knitted cotton socks £17, louislouise.com

Cotton trousers £9.99, zara.com

Cotton sleepsuit £17, jojomamanbebe.co.uk

Joie highchair £48, johnlewis.co.uk

Beautiful and breathable, silk sheets are perfect for baby’s senstive skin

Cotton-poplin romper £29, cosstores.com

How to Catch a Star £6.99, waterstones.com

Eco-silk sheet silkytots.co.uk

Easy Peasy leather booties £38, smallable.com

Cam Cam Copenhagen cushion £23.50, thebabyroom.co.uk

baby-magazine.co.uk | 29

SHOPPING

Make bathtime fun and cosy by letting your little ones cuddle up in bear towels

Knitted hat £66, ilgufo.com

Numero 74 natural Moses basket £103, smallable.com

Hooded towels, £26.95 each thelittlegreensheep.co.uk

Fake-fur vest £16, sergent-major.com

Plush bib £5.99, bibetta.com

Bobux pre-walker leather shoes £22, childrensalon.com

Wool coat £75.50, arseneetlespipelettes.com

Liewood gift set £22.50, scandiborn.co.uk

Velour suit £65, mariechantal.co.uk

Cotton overall £50, miniature.com

Plush toy £17.50, jellycat.com

Baby pants £45, emileetida.com

R ESS

S

ENTIAL

BEA Joolz Day 3 £849, naturalbabyshower.co.uk

30 | baby-magazine.co.uk

INTERVIEW

This super-soft cotton romper with a ‘Superpower’ button on the sleeve is a favourite Baby romper £30, scampanddude.com

Say cheese! It’s all smiles for Chemmy and her hu sband Doug ie with their two sons

With Locki: “I will always have your back, little man,” says Chemmy

Cute and cuddly Locki loves his little brother

MY ESSENTIALS How has life been since Cooper, your six month old, was born?

Crazy, but amazing. Cooper is a ray of sunshine, and the most chilled-out, happy baby. He has two facial expressions – he’s either got these huge wide eyes and he’s looking at the world in total wonder, or he’s laughing.

And he smiles at everyone!

How did Locki, your two year old, react to getting a brother?

Locki has become much more interested in Cooper. I made the mistake of telling him that I was making him a ‘friend’ when I was pregnant, because I thought it would encourage him to be more responsible for the baby. But then when we brought him home, Locki asked if he and Cooper could go and play football!

CHEMMY ALCOTT

The BBC presenter and former British Olympic skier talks exercising while pregnant, podcasting and baby products instead of lifting weights, and that prepared me for the birth. I didn’t lose my baby weight very quickly, as I found after having Cooper that I just needed to indulge for a bit. Then, once I came back from

How did you find getting back into exercise after your second pregnancy?

It was much easier than the first time. I did loads of Pilates

the ski season in May, I started doing a training programme with my friend, Sarah Lindsay, who runs Roar Fitness, and she wrote a nutrition plan for me. The first nine days when I couldn’t have any sugar were brutal, but now I’m absolutely fine.

Any advice for new mums who aren’t motivated to exercise?

Exercise with your baby. I’m really lucky as I have a Mountain Buggy, which I love, and with that I can go out for a run. Even when I couldn’t run in the beginning, I used to walk and do some lunges or jumps every time I passed a bench. I just try to fit exercise into our lives, and I don’t feel guilty because I know Cooper is getting something out of it as well.

You’ve faced controversy over exercising while pregnant.

Can you tell us about that?

There’s not a lot of education out there about it. I was fine training during my pregnancy, but then I know other people wouldn’t be, so you just have to listen to your body and know your limits. It’s not even about the physical strength you get from it; it’s the mental strength and the fact you’re still doing something for you. And it can be really good for your baby, too.

+one buggy £699, mountainbuggy.com baby-magazine.co.uk | 33

This beautiful Mee-Go cot is in Locki and Cooper’s bedrooms Bed cot £450, mee-go.co.uk

Happy days for daddy

With podcast pals Sarah Lindsay, Heidi Range and Kate Thornton

Any exciting guests lined up?

My second series is going live next month, and I’ve just recorded the first episode with Heidi Range, who’s a good friend of mine, as well as Kate Thornton.

I also want to do an episode on miscarriages – thankfully, I haven’t suffered one myself, but many of my friends have, and I think the more we talk about it, the more people don’t feel alone.

34 | baby-magazine.co.uk

What other essentials have helped you through motherhood so far?

We got some support with sleep training for Locki from Baby Daze.

My friend, Georgie, runs it, and she told me that most children get out of bed around 40 times per night at Locki’s age, and Locki managed 105 times on the first night, before falling asleep face down on the carpet! It’s been

brutal, but it’s phenomenal for my husband, Dougie, and me to get time together in the evenings.

Is storytime a big thing in your household?

Definitely – Locki goes through so many fads and phases. We have a new one called I Am Bat, which is simple and funny. Another staple at storytime is a Julia Donaldson book. Right now, we’re rereading The Highway Rat and Tiddler.

What do you like to do when you have time to yourself?

I’ve only just started to have ‘me-time’ again! I love paddle boarding, exercising and yoga.

I’d say watching TV, but only after I’ve done everything else.

What else are you up to in 2019?

I’m doing some more sports coverage for the BBC, including Ski Sunday and the women’s races. Next year, I’m also cycling across Rwanda for the charity Right To Play, so I should probably start getting ready for that!

INTERVIEW: NATALIE KEELER. PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK; .INSTAGRAM.COM/CHEMMYSKI

Where do you What like to shop inspired for your babies? you to start Sainsbury’s, for its your podcast, Tu clothing, or Polarn Motherhood: Bib £3.50, tuclothing. sainsburys.co.uk O Pyret, which does Mayhem, Madness good thermal wear & Meaningfulness? and ski stuff, for when we’re in I started the podcast because the mountains. Frugi is great, too, just before Cooper was born, and the clothes are so soft. For I wanted to refresh myself on the boys’ bedrooms, they have what I was about to go through, Mee-Go cots, which I love. but I found there was nobody out there talking about the Next year, Chemmy is cycling nitty-gritty of parenting, or what across Rwanda for charity their fears or struggles were.

The podcast is supposed to be entertaining and educational.

And so to bed Emma O’Donovan ROU N DS U P TH E BE ST BEDTIM E R E ADS

10,9,8…OWLS UP LATE!

By Georgiana Deutsch and Ekaterina Trukhan

There are 10 noisy owls sitting in the tree and not one of them wants to go to bed.

Will Mummy Owl be able to persuade them? A great fun alternative to counting sheep. £7.99, Little Tiger Press

BOOKS

ILLUSTRATION: ARTWORK TAKEN FROM 10, 9, 8 . . . OWLS UP LATE! COPYRIGHT © EKATERINA TRUKHAN 2017

Add wonderment to your little one’s bedtime with a book that really sparkles

THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT TOO

By Karl Newson and Kate Hindley

A story promoting, friendship, acceptance and empathy to be shared during cherished moments with your little snuggle bug. £6.99, Nosy Crow

MY DAY

By Rilla Alexander This chic TouchWords book is ideal for talking about the day and putting routines in place with your little one. £11.99, Chronicle Books

THE TWINKLY, TWINKLY BEDTIME BOOK

By Sam Taplin and Jennifer A Bell

Time for a stroll in the woods with father bear. The twinkly stars in the sky look so inviting, and in this book, they really do shine. £12.99, Usborne

be switched off, an inquisitive mind starts fizzing with questions that must be answered. £12.99, Walker Books

THE SLEEPY PEBBLE AND OTHER STORIES

TINY AND TEENY

I’M NOT SLEEPY

Endorsed by Dr Amanda Gummer

A collection of short stories specially written by a sleep specialist, to help soothe restless minds into a deep slumber. £12.99, Flying Eye Books

By Chris Judge

Enter an immersive miniature world where kindness rules.

Tiny has a lot of love to share, but when her house is hit by a meteor, it is up to her pals to save the day. A technicolour delight from start to finish. £12.99, Walker Books

JUST BECAUSE

By Mac Barnett and Isabelle Arsenault Parents will love this familiar tale.

As the bedside light is about to

A must-have for those looking to introduce a fun bedtime. Packed with interactive page features, this book will be requested at bedtime many times over. £6.99, Campbell Books

WHO’S GOING TO BED?

By Abie Longstaff and Eve Coy The perfect read-aloud bedtime story about a cheeky little baby who has no desire to go to bed. Beautifully illustrated. £6.99, Puffin

By Professor Alice Gregory, Christy Kirkpatrick and Eleanor Hardiman

WHAT IS THE MOON?

By Katie Daynes and Marta Alvarez Miguens

A non-fiction book about the moon, the night sky and outer space. It can be used to answer those tricky questions with bite-sized facts cleverly hidden on each page just waiting to be discovered. £7.99, Usborne

baby-magazine.co.uk | 37

THIS PAGE: Maisie wears knitted cardigan and trousers (part of a box set, including a hat), £70, The White Company. Blouse, ¤59, Louis Louise. Cotton throw, £29.95, Baby Mori. Merino wool blanket, £69, Mabli. Velvet cushion, from £22, Numero 74 at Molly Meg. Musical wall decorations (part of a set), £42.95, Cam Cam Copenhagen at Scandibørn.

RIGHT PAGE: Tula Rae wears cotton-wool cardigan, £63, Stella McCartney. Cotton-mix bodysuit, £25, The Natty.

little lullabies

As the season changes, what better excuse to wrap baby up in cosy, luxuriant layers. Let your little dreamers while away the hours in the softest autumnal staples PHOTOGR APHY: JONATHAN MALPASS

ST YLING: Y VADN EY DAVIS

THIS PAGE: Marley wears cotton jumper, £20.30, Selana at Luna & Curious. Tulle skirt, £53, Stella McCartney. Quilt, £115, The White Company.

RIGHT PAGE: Joseph wears cotton blouse, £33, Arsène at les Pipelettes. Wool sweater, £40, Emile et Ida at Smallable. Merino wool blanket, £69, Mabli. Cushions, from £29, Meri Meri.

THIS PAGE: Ralphie wears cotton shirt, £16, Mamas & Papas. Knitted romper, from ¤79, Louis Louise.

RIGHT PAGE: Joseph wears cotton shirt, £65, Caramel. Cotton trousers, £49, Emile et Ida at Smallable. Leather shoes, £22, Bobux X Bonnie Mob at The Bonnie Mob. Cotton bonnet, £28, Pepa & Co. Cotton blanket, £50, Meri Meri.

SPECIAL THANKS TO LOCATION: THE ROSEWOOD HOTEL , ROSEWOODHOTELS.COM MODELS: JOSEPH, MAISIE, MARLEY, RALPHIE, TULA RAE. MODEL AGENCIES: ALPHABET KIDS, BRUCE & BROWN, LACARA, TINY ANGELS, URBAN ANGELS. ART DIRECTOR: CHLOË COLLYER. STYLIST’S AGENCY: ROXY & JACK REPRESENTS

e Rocking Horse Shop FANGFOSS, YORK, YO41 5JH Tel: 01759 368737 Designers, Makers & Restorers Since 1976

Handmade in Yorkshire by us .... for you.

We have over 40 years of experience with a tradition of outstanding workmanship and first class customer service. We make all our products in our Yorkshire workshops, with a wide range of horses made to order and stock items in our showroom, including our latest horse ‘Hero’ the race horse.

www.rockinghorse.co.uk

BABY TALK

W

ith the clocks going back at the end of this month (make sure this is in your diary for Sunday 27 October), evenings will be getting darker and for me it means my baba seems to fall asleep easier and sometimes even sleep in! One of my children’s favourite books about this time of year is How to Catch a Falling Star by Heidi Howarth; it’s a lovely read about friendship and is perfect before bed.

PHOTOGRAPHY: HELENE SANDBERG; OSTERLEY PARK AND HOUSE, LONDON © NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES/CHRIS LACEY

With sleep in mind, I was given this Baby Shusher when my son was born and I thought it looked ridiculous. Now I buy it for all my friends with babies.

The rhythmic shush makes the baby think it’s still in the womb, and can put anyone to sleep within a minute! Baby Shusher, £28.95, onbuy.com

Leo’s

WHERE TO GO

Even though it’s getting colder, I like to wrap the little ones up and take them for long walks. I find the fresh air makes for a better night’s sleep and it’s one of my favourite times of the year to look at nature. If you’re looking for inspiration for a walk or trail, The National Trust has a website filled with ideas. nationaltrust.org.uk

LITTLE LUXURIES OU R COLUM NIST Leonora Bamford SHAR E S H ER FAVOU RITE THINGS THIS MONTH

Something I couldn’t live without this time around is the Sleepyhead. It’s like a modern day Moses basket and is so light, it can be taken from room to room with great ease. Such a simple idea, but I love it. They often do different patterns.

Sleepyhead Deluxe, £130, jojomamanbebe.co.uk

My last trick for a good night’s sleep is a baby massage; if you need some tips, we have plenty on mybaba.com. I love the Neal’s Yard Massage Oil, I’ve always given my kids a massage after bathtime as it’s a nice relaxing end to the day. Organic Baby Massage Oil, £7.50, nealsyardremedies.com

baby-magazine.co.uk | 45

FASHION

AH E AD OF TH E C U RVE ST YLIST AN D PR E SENTER Antonia O’Brien SHAR E S H ER PR E AN D POSTNATAL WAR DROBE LUST-HAVE S

Olivia Von Halle silk pyjamas £420, oliviavonhalle.com

ALEXA CHUNG

The kimono robe is a great investment because it skims the bump, breasts and figure; belt it for an evening look or drape it over an all-black outfit for daytime drama

Wear Olivia von Halle’s signature stripes with a blazer and trainers for easy-cool dressing

Iris & Ink blazer £160, theoutnet.com

PYJAMA DRESSING

What could be better than a fashion trend that is as stylish as it is comfortable? The pyjama trend will keep your bump or breastfeeding body chic in luxurious fabrics, prints and a touch of retro glamour.

Leather bag £625, mansurgavriel.com

Meng silk-satin robe £990, net-a-porter.com Suede and leather slippers £259, penelopechilvers.com

46 | baby-magazine.co.uk

Oscar de la Renta earrings £225, theoutnet.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK

Take slippers out of the bedroom; perfect paired with cropped flares

Gilda & Pearl silk kimono £875, harrods.com

FASHION

Full-on Florals CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM RIGHT: Dress blazer, £99.99, zara.com; Gucci canvas slippers, £530, net-a-porter.com; Prada cotton-poplin shirt, £735, net-a-porter.com; Ganni wide-leg pants, £68, theoutnet.com; Earrings, £17.99, mango.com; Contrast scarf, £59, uterque.com

Look for prints in jewel-tones: ruby, emerald and sapphire – great to wake up a tired complexion (hello, Mamas!)

PRADA

A bold silk scarf can be styled in countless ways (folded, knotted) and will instantly excite an outfit with colour and print

Wear a bold standout trench coat open or cinched over the bump – this needs nothing more than jeans and a tee

# TR EN DING

@MONICAVINADER

@ANNELISEMICHELSON

@TILLYSVEAAS

@MISSOMA

The simple chain is having something of a moment; it’s less about embellishment and more about the links. From chunky to angular and industrial, make a quietly cool statement.

baby-magazine.co.uk | 47

INTERVIEW From sexy model to dotting dad, Gandy is adjusting well to the demands of being a parent

48 | baby-magazine.co.uk

INTERVIEW

• TA L K I N G W I T H D A V I D G A N D Y •

A MODEL PARENT he world of fashion rarely stands still – not in the finesse, fabrics and fluttering eyelashes of its catwalk queens (and kings); nor, it seems, in terms of the private lives of those we all know, respect and aspire to look like. And no better is that evident than in the case of David Gandy. For so long the UK’s most eligible bachelor, a lionheart of shimmering, sumptuous style, who possesses a sometimes fresh, sometimes chiselled, sometimes rugged yet always confident demeanour.

His is a visage versatility that means the Essex-born model can comfortably pass for a man a decade or so younger, or older… which is handy, given that the early days of parenthood require those involved to embody a fair temeritous range of personalities and temperaments.

Still many months away from his 40th birthday, it seems Gandy is now ready to temporarily suspend an aura of effortless grace given off in fashion shoots, be they for Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana or Versace, now he has a delightful daughter to look after.

That’s because, at the start of December, Gandy and junior barrister girlfriend Stephanie Mendoros announced the arrival of their first child, a baby daughter named Matilda – it is believed she was born in the last week in November.

The style icon immediately shared on Instagram the dawning realisation that he was outnumbered in his own home – the couple also have a female dog named Dora – but was thrilled to be in such exclusive company, of course, feeling bowled over by his new addition.

Clearly Gandy had found himself enveloped in the rush of new-parent excitement that grips, prods and turns most of us into gushing, guffawing idiots. “We’re both thrilled. Absolutely delighted.

It’s our first. It’s all very new to us. We’re taking every day and week as it comes. It should be fun.” He added: “I think we’re going to need a bigger car.”

Gandy and partner Stephanie have been dating since 2016 and live in leafy Fulham. They have already been seen out and about with Matilda, and while a level of privacy is deserved for any new parents at what is a huge time of readjustment, he admits a life in the spotlight doesn’t always come with an on/off switch.

“I wouldn’t want to bring a child up in that glare of publicity – I’m not that kind of person. But is it nice that people show an interest, and would I want to show

WORDS: VIOLET WILDER. PHOTOGRAPHY: REX IMAGES/PIERS ALLARDYCE/SHUTTERSTOCK; INSTAGRAM.COM/DAVIDGUNDY_OFFICIAL

T

my pride at this incredible thing I have created? Of course.”

And it seems the model has quickly acclimatised to the demands of parenthood. Brought up in an industry that places luxury over practicality, Gandy is having to quickly shift to a different way of thinking. “The readjustment is fine – every day is an adventure and that’s a wonderful thing.”

While Gandy moves in salubrious circles, his path to the top was anything but. Graduating from the University of Gloucestershire with a degree in multimedia computing and marketing, it was only when his flatmate entered him into a model competition on ITV’s This Morning that his subsequent climb to the top began in earnest.

He secured a contract with Select Model Management, and very quickly found himself hitting the high life, sporting designs from Dolce & Gabbana, being photographed by Mario Testino, and hanging out with celebrity royalty in the form of David Beckham, Kate Moss and Amir Khan.

Yet, it is those rather humbler beginnings that, ultimately, make Gandy the perfect father figure. “As a kid, I went through a few things at school that I know will come back and be valuable as the years progress,” he says. “I encountered some bullying – nothing too serious but enough to make me recoil into my shell at times.

“Those experiences certainly shaped the person I became, and, as a parent, I know I’ll always tell my children to stand up to conflict and criticism. I’m not saying the approach I took was wrong, but given the chance again, I wouldn’t let others dictate or determine the way I feel.

I want my children to be proud of who they are, no matter what they look like, regardless of whether they have puppy fat. They need to be proud of the person they become.

“I am still very self-critical and I think people confuse what they see on camera for the actual person – a lot of it is just a filter; it’s not real. But if I can pass on a sense of humility, no matter what the camera suggests, then that is surely a good quality.”

Gandy’s parenting credentials are certainly further aided by an inability to sleep. “I’ve always been a dreadful sleeper,” he admits, “from the year dot. I have too many things going on in my head too much of the time, and the result is me being awake at strange hours. That makes parenting much easier than it probably would be, but the day after can be rough!”

Outnumbere d! Daughte r Matilda no it three fem w makes ales in the G andy househ old

baby-magazine.co.uk | 49

WELCOME HOME Introducing the all new Maxi-Cosi Home range Designed with our expertise in comfort and safety, discover the first three products in the new range: the Kori rocker, Iora bedside sleeper and Minla highchair. Trusted quality and premium design, perfect for your home.

Find out more at maxi-cosi.co.uk

TOT GEAR

MAKE TRAXS

Introducing Joie’s newest member to its award-winning trax family, say hello to the Versatrax. The most versatile of the Joie pushchairs, blending form with function, it’s an ideal from-birth travel system solution. Plus, folding and storing away is a doddle, thanks to a handy quick release – and all with just one hand. £300, uk.joiebaby.com

tot gear

NEWS COOL AN D CLEVER BABY KIT FOR N EW FAMILY LIFE

STEP TO IT Wanting to freshen up the kitchen table? Look no further. Stokke has introduced a range of colours and cushions to its multifunctional Stokke Steps chair. With new shades for the seat and legs, baby seat, tray and cushions – why not go down the mix-and-match route? There’s more than 100 combinations to choose from. From £178, stokke.com

Car-seat giant Maxi-Cosi introduces the Pebble Pro i-Size, its latest model in infant carrier car seats. Combining top-level safety standards with comfort and style, the Pebble Pro i-Size meets EU i-Size (R129) regulation as standard and offers newborns a better t an l ing osition ith its inno ati e ‘baby-hugg’ inlay. As baby grows, the headrest may be removed. £199, maxi-cosi.co.uk

RIDE THE WAVE The hugely popular Silver Cross Wave has seen an update, boasting all the same great features of the original, but now offering 30 configurations for one baby, siblings or twins – or combine with the Wave Ride-On Board to carry up to three little passengers. It’s lighter, too, making it even easier to handle.

Plus, we’re seriously coveting the new Slate colourway! £1,200, silvercrossbaby.com

WE’RE LOVING MAMAS & PAPAS’ BLACK & COPPER SIGNATURE EDITION FLIP XT3, WHICH SEES THE POPULAR PUSHCHAIR ENRICHED WITH STRIKING METALLIC AND MATTE FABRICS. PERFECT FOR CITY LIVING, IT CAN BE BOUGHT INDIVIDUALLY OR IN A FOUR-, SIX- OR EIGHT-PIECE BUNDLE. FROM £699, MAMASANDPAPAS.COM

baby-magazine.co.uk | 51

REVIEW

THE REVIEW MOTH ER OF T WO Charlot te Veale PUTS TH E BABABING R AFFI TH ROUGH ITS PACE S

W

ith the arrival of our second daughter we wanted a pushchair that could handle a mix of terrains and offer us all of the mod-cons without the huge price tag. We chose the newly-released Raffi by BabaBing, and we’re so happy with our choice!

BabaBing’s Raffi pushchair looks good and is easy to move

THE LOWDOWN The Raffi is the pushchair debut for BabaBing, a brand best known for its changing bags and rockers. A British company, the Raffi, which came out late 2018, has also been designed in Britain and offers parents a stylish and clean pushchair with no exposed rivets, smart fabrics, and available in two colourways.

Elsie sleeps well in the comfy carrycot

GOOD LOOKING? The pushchair looks good; it’s ultra-modern and I love the colour and fabrics – we went for the grey, which is a cross between grey and blue. The leatherette handlebar looks refined, too, adding a touch of luxury.

PRACTICALITY AND DRIVABILITY We love the ease of this product; it moves freely, is light to push and folds and unfolds with one hand. I also like that it collapses with the seat attached and is a good size for the car boot. It’s easy to adjust the height of the handlebar, and the brake is simple to use.

I also love that it comes with adaptors that There’s no problem pushing the Raffi with one hand

are compatible with all the major car seat brands and that you don’t have to buy them separately; I have a BeSafe iZi car seat and it’s invaluable to be able to attach the car seat and use as a travel system, especially during the early days. They also provide rain covers, too, which can neatly be stored away in the pockets in the shopping basket – which is a good size and easy to access.

A well thought out pushchair that’s good value for money

COMFORT The carrycot is super-comfy and padded and the mattress is great quality and breathable. Elsie seems very happy in there.

There is also a wonderful reflux adjustment, so if baby suffers with wind, you can raise the head end slightly – this has been a really useful feature with Elsie. My toddler had plenty of room in the seat; her feet rested well on the footrest and the recline for sleeping is brilliant. The hood provides both protection and sleep-inducing darkness.

VERDICT I love the Raffi! For the price point and value for money, it’s excellent. A really well thought out pushchair with some great features that some other brands simply don’t have. It’s a fine all-rounder – from newborn to toddler to small child. I am one very happy mum! £599.95, bababing.com

baby-magazine.co.uk | 52

ADVERTORIAL

Help is at hand THOSE FIR ST FEW MONTH S WITH YOU R BABY AR E BOTH SPECIAL AN D CHALLENGING , BUT COLIEF CAN H ELP YOU FROM TH E START…

Colief Infant Drops can help ease the symptoms of colic so your baby sleeps peacefully

hen your newborn cries constantly and seems distressed, it can be very upsetting for you, not to mention tiring with all the sleepless nights. Although it is a worrying time, colic is common in babies and in a small number it may be caused by temporary lactose intolerance as their digestive system develops – this is where Colief Infant Drops can help. An effective dietary supplement that is added to infant milk, Colief has been tried and trusted by parents for 20 years. The active ingredient in it is lactase, a safe, naturally-occurring enzyme produced within the small intestine. In fact, it’s the only lactase enzyme with clinical studies supporting its efficacy. That’s why it’s the most commonly prescribed treatment for colicky symptoms.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

W

WHAT IS COLIC? Colic is defined as repeated episodes of excessive and inconsolable crying in a newborn baby who otherwise appears to be perfectly healthy. The condition can affect up to one

in five babies, so you’re not alone.

Infant colic can have many causes. In some cases it is believed to be caused by temporary lactose intolerance. This is because in the first months of life, some babies are unable to fully break down lactose, a complex sugar in breast and formula milk. It can produce wind, bloating and cause discomfort, and one of the main symptoms is inconsolable crying.

As any parent with a distressed, crying baby knows, colic affects a whole household, and can be very frustrating and upsetting for all involved. Let Colief bring you peace of mind so you can enjoy those first precious months with your happy and healthy baby.

Colief Infant Drops are available at Boots, Superdrug, supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide: £11.99 (7ml), £15.99 (15ml).

For more information, visit colief.com or facebook.com/ColiefCare

COLIC: TIPS AND TRICKS If you suspect your baby has colic, it can help to do the following: • Keep a cry diary • Try a one-week trial of Colief Infant Drops to help diagnose whether temporary lactose intolerance could be the cause Colief Infant Drops can help ease the symptoms of colic by breaking down the lactose in your baby’s milk, resulting in less discomfort. Add a few drops to the milk each time you breastfeed or use formula.

WHAT ARE COLIEF INFANT DROPS? It’s a natural product that is added to infant milk and used to treat temporary lactose intolerance in babies suffering from colic; the active ingredient in the drops is lactase, a safe, naturallyoccurring enzyme produced within the small intestine.

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PARTIES Practical gifts will be super-handy for those early days with a newborn

1 2

ON THE DAY

PARTIES

Set the scene with these showstoppers

with Carole Middleton

Confetti £3.49 partypieces.co.uk

Pass the parcel game £8.99, partypieces.co.uk

BABY SHOWERS Make this wonderful occasion an afternoon to remember with plenty of personalised details

3

Satin dress £89.99, zara.com

4 Advice cards £4.49, partypieces.co.uk

5 Eisberg alcohol-free sparkling wine £3.99, waitrose.com

6 1. Cotton-bamboo bodysuit £25, babymori.com 2. Baby essentials gift set £10, childsfarm.com 3. Eco nappies (pack of 40) £8, kitandkin.com 4. Pregnancy pillow £138, bbhugme.com 5. First photo cards £12, jellycat.com 6. Muslin swaddle set (pack of three) £15.95, camcamcopenhagen.com

A

s you wait the arrival of your little one, a baby shower is a great opportunity to get together with your closest friends and family, share advice and revel in all things miniature! The baby shower trend certainly shows no signs of abating, so why not celebrate this special moment? Make sure you take lots of pictures, too, to treasure for years to come.

Start by picking a theme or colour scheme, as this will help guide your décor choices. Whether you are hosting indoors or outdoors, set the scene with beautiful floral tablecentres. Want to stick with either pink or blue? Some of my favourite pink blooms include lisianthus, ranunculus and roses, while posies of hydrangea, sweet peas, delphiniums or forget-me-nots work for a blue palette.

Get your guests involved in some fun games! Ask them to write their own pearls of wisdom or baby name ideas and drop them into a box. Or why not hand out the fabric pens and get them to decorate their own babygrows?

Keep the nibbles easy by sticking to pre-prepared canapés and finger foods and arranging them buffet-style.

Or, for a fun twist on a sweet buffet, how about a retro-themed Ready to Pop! popcorn station, complete with toppings.

Finally, the bubbly may be flowing for your guests, but don’t forget yourself! There are some fabulous non-alcoholic alternatives to champagne, or perhaps try a delicious mocktail recipe?

Confetti balloons (pack of five) £3.99, partypieces.co.uk Baby shower biscuit tin £35, biscuiteers.com

Paper plates (pack of eight) £3.99, partypieces.co.uk baby-magazine.co.uk | 55

BEHIND THE BRAND

SCANDIBØRN K ATE FR EU D M EE TS Grace Tindall, TH E FOU N DER OF TH E SCAN DI-IN SPIR ED ON LIN E LIFE ST YLE STOR E

Grace and and husband James have created a stylish, playful home for their children

Being a mother threw RUNNING HEAD Grace into a world of babies and business

Add star transfers to a bedroom wall for a touch of magic like these from Pom Le Bonhomme

F

For Grace Tindall , founder of the online lifestyle store Scandibørn, maternity leave proved to be a life-changing experience in more ways than one. Not only was she thrown into new motherhood with her son Harry, now three, but she also finally found the headspace to really consider what she wanted to do next.

“It was the first time I could think about the life we wanted to build post-kids, and I was able to formulate the business plan I had for a Scandinavian living and interiors website,” Grace explains. “I had thought about it so much throughout my pregnancy.”

As fate would have it, her husband James was made redundant at the same time so Grace says, “Against the advice of pretty much everyone, we decided to invest the very small

Grace loves the Scandi look, like this timeless MiniCamp teepee

redundancy pay out, take a leap of faith and go for it.” She left her role as a management consultant for a US-based IT firm, they launched Scandibørn and the pair bravely ventured into a world they knew little about.

What they did have was a clear vision from the start. The idea for Scandibørn took hold when the pair found their beautiful home under threat from all the stuff that comes with having a new baby. They shared a keen aesthetic eye and just couldn’t get over the plastic eyesores they came across and the uninspiring nursery interiors they found themselves faced with. “We felt there was a gap in the market for people like us who wanted to create beautiful, playful and stylish spaces for their children that fitted with their modern homes,” Grace says. “Harry still has plastic toys, but they are just stowed away in stylish storage bags!” she says.

“Not only did we love the Scandi look, but we have always loved the ethos that surrounds their interiors – great value is placed on buying timeless products that will last for years and fulfil different needs as our lives change,” Grace explains.

While it was a steep learning curve for the pair, James and Grace feel their lack of experience in retail proved an advantage. “I had to go with my instinct,” Grace says. “And I used the skills I’d already gained in my previous career, like project management and never accepting ‘no’ as an answer, to my benefit.”

These days the pair has it all seamlessly figured out. Grace looks after buying,

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PROFILE

WE WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL INSPIRED WHEN SHOPPING WITH US customer service and social media while James takes care of the content, goods and marketing. They then have the different teams – warehouse, customer service, PR and digital marketing – who report into one of them depending on the area.

Today, Scandibørn offers parents a curated selection of Scandi-inspired interiors, fashion, accessories and gifts with over 100 brands from across the world (like Ferm Living, BabyBjorn, Toddlekind and Plan Toys). The site is all about catering for the journey from pregnancy into parenthood. “We think carefully about every product we bring into our store – we always ask two questions: first, would we Grace’s three ye ar old, Harr y, is buy it? Second, does it fit loving his Scandi toys an d furniture the Scandi brief? We reviewing overnight want people to feel orders and checking inspired when shopping with us and in with the warehouse. that starts with knowing who we are and We then check stock levels and have meetings staying true to that,” Grace says. with suppliers (existing and new). A couple Having their own business means there’s of times a year we visit the trade fairs in often little let up for the pair, with Grace Europe, which is when we discover new comparing Scandibørn to having another child, brands,” Grace says. as well as Harry, they also have a daughter, Mia, So what does she feel is the secret to seven months. “The day starts early at 6.30am, Scandibørn’s success? “I’d say anyone can I do nursery drop off, then it’s back to our launch a website and offer different brands, garden office for 8am,” says Grace. “On a daily but it’s how you curate that offering and basis, we’re dealing with customer queries, the customer experience that set you apart from your competitors,” Grace explains.

Scandibørn stock products “It’s a challenge to stand out online and from all over the world, it’s only getting more competitive – but at including Danish-based Scandibørn, we only sell pieces that work interiors brand Sebra together and adhere to the Scandi aesthetic.”

With everyone from Khloé Kardashian to Pippa Middleton proving big fans of the brand, it seems Scandibørn is continuing to go from strength to strength. And there are big plans afoot. “We’re continuing to grow our US and EU markets, and I’d love to have our own showroom or even a real store to style. Never say never!” she laughs. “But the truth is, I’m so lucky to do what I do. The old adage ‘Do what you love and you’ll never work again’ couldn’t be more true.”

Create stunning nurseries with the help of Cam Cam Copenhagen’s interiors range

I want

Scandi…

Multi plate £16.95, Liewood

Sleeping bag £49.95, Cam Cam Copenhagen

A practical playing tool, beautifully hand-crafted in wood Food mixer set £49.95, Kids Concept

Wooden doll’s pram £119.94, Sebra

scandiborn.co.uk

58 | baby-magazine.co.uk

Baobab Toy Bag £42.95, Nobodinoz

RUNNING HEAD

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ALL THINGS MOTHERHOOD

MOTHER CARE

Ecocobox, a bi-monthly beauty subscription service, was started by mum of two and self-proclaimed ‘supporter of mums’, Emma Witten. Having been through the stress, the emotion and the downright difficulties of motherhood, Emma wanted to give fellow mums a pampering. Ecocobox will send a tailored box of natural, eco-beauty products and accessories straight through your letterbox. From £13.75 a month, eococobox.com

with NEEV SPENCER

S

o my baby girl is here! Vivienne safely arrived at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital last month and the first few weeks have been wonderful. I saw a consultant at 34 weeks and the mutual decision was made to go for another elective caesarean due to a back injury. The choice had been made by the universe. The main thing is safety and sometimes, no matter how hard we try to control things, it’s best to go with the flow that’s intended.

Last month, I’d been focusing on the lead up; I went to see phycologist Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos to discuss some of my anxieties ahead of the birth. He helped me understand more about myself and what I needed to do to stay positive. As I’m a believer in holistic treatments, I followed Chinese medicine ahead of my c-section, and have been working with acupuncturist Maureen Cromley. We’ve been balancing chi to help the body heal quicker and strengthen the blood ahead of surgery and for recovery.

Genevieve seems to have lost interest in the idea of a sibling, although reading her ‘big sister’ books are helping, and I ordered lots of gifts for her third birthday from Plum Play to keep her busy in these first few weeks; the biggest present of all was from her new baby sister, which scored Vivienne some points.

I also spent checked in at Shavata Beauty having my gel nails removed for surgery, plus a brilliant medical pedicure and bikini wax. It’s so hard to find the time once baby is here, so it’s a great idea to get prepared ahead of time.

Check out baby-magazine.co.uk and @neevofficial for more from me

I’M LOVING...

Before the birth, I put in some pamper time and enjoyed a dreamy pregnancy massage and facial at Espa Life Spa Corinthia Hotel. I’ve been using some of the products the beautician recommended, especially Opitmal Skin ProSerum, a nourishing serum that strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier. £51, espaskincare.com

health & beauty

NEWS

TH E L ATE ST PRODUC TS AN D IN NOVATION S IN TH E WOR LD OF WELLBEING MILKY BUSINESS Medela’s new Swing Flex pump makes breast pumping the personal and loving experience it should be. The cleverly designed Flex technology features an oval-shaped breast shield that can be rotated 360°, adapting to every mum’s unique natural breast shape. The Medela pump is more comfortable and designed with real breasts in mind, clinically proven to get 11 per cent more milk than other pumps. Visit baby-magazine.co.uk/competitions to win a Medela pump of your own! £139.99, medela.co.uk

SUPERDRUG IS TO OFFER A WHOOPING COUGH VACCINATION SERVICE FOR ALL PREGNANT WOMEN. THE INITIATIVE WILL MAKE PROECTION INCREASINGLY ACCESSIBLE, AFTER RESEARCH SHOWED THAT ONLY 70% OF PREGNANT WOMEN ARE CURRENTLY RECEIVING THE VACCINE. £85, HEALTHCLINICS.SUPERDRUG.COM

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smallsmerino.co.uk

“As a doctor with a special interest in skin, I would recommend Smalls to anyone whose children suffer from eczema” – Dr Amy Hughes

BEAUTY AWARDS

2019 BEAUTY AWARDS

HERO PRODUCT

And the award goes to…

OU R TE AM OF BE AUT Y E XPERTS HAVE BEEN BUSY SWATCHING , BLEN DING AN D E XFOLIATING TO BRING YOU OU R 25 H ERO PRODUC TS TO R EVAM P POST-BABY BE AUT Y CABIN E T DECLÉOR PARIS CICA-BOTANIC OIL A natural oil that promises to banish stretch marks sounds too good to be true, but this green bottle lives up to its claims. The light oil absorbs into the skin quickly, lightening stretch marks in great speed. £37, decleor.co.uk LISA FRANKLIN PRO-EFFECT MICELLAR WATER Features Writer Natalie Keeler: “I’ve never found a micellar water that’s as good as face wipes, until this. It’s brilliant at removing make-up while still being gentle on my skin.” £29, lisafranklin.london

BEAUTY AWARDS COMPILED BY LARISSA DUBROWSKY-RYAN

KORRES WILD ROSE BRIGHTENING FACE OIL With a subtle refreshing fragrance, this oil offers a light boost to the skin. You can do your makeup straight away, which is a true selling point to any time-poor mum. £32, lookfantastic.com POLISHED ALOEWHITE MOUTHWASH This mouthwash is the perfect match for those suffering with coffee-stained teeth.

The peppermint taste leaves your mouth feeling clean. Plus, it’s safe for pregnancy. £8.99, polishedwhitening.com TAMAAR SKINCARE REJUVENATE Blogger Sofia ouveia of @ rssofiagouveia: “If you don’t like to wear heavy make-up, then you need to find skincare that really works, and Tamaar Rejuvenate is that. It sinks instantaneously into the skin giving you a healthy look while fighting ageing.” £47, tamaarskincare.com

CHARLOTTE TILBURY MAGIC EYE RESCUE Tired under eyes will lap up the nourishing botanical extracts and retinol of this luxe cream overnight, making dark shadows a thing of the past. £40, charlottetilbury.com PMD CLEAN PRO Editor Rebecca Moore: “The PMD Clean Pro is like booking in for a deep clean. After day one, my forehead felt and looked clearer; plus it only adds two extra minutes to your beauty regime!” £126, uk.pmdbeauty.com NOURISHED LONDON RELAX CALMING MOISTURISER The lavender scent makes this the ideal night cream to send you into a peaceful slumber.

The moisturiser has a light consistency, so it absorbs into the skin instantly, making it great for day wear, too. £22, nourishskinrange.com NU SKIN AP24 SMILE POP LIP GLOSS Blogger Louise Beukes of @blove blog: “I loved the minty flavour of this gloss! I’m not usually a big fan of lip gloss, but worn over my favourite lippy, this one really did make my lips pop.” £18.26, nuskin.com NEOM REAL LUXURY MAGNESIUM BODY BUTTER This moisturiser is the perfect addition to a night routine. The scent relaxes you before bed and leaves your skin feeling soft. Plus, the magnesium is a treat for sore muscles. £36, neomorganics.com

CHARLOTTE TILBURY MAGIC FOUNDATION Editor Rebecca Moore: “Once this product is on, it stays on; even if you’re prone to an unfavourably sweaty face. The ‘magic’ lies with the collagen-boosting formula, a make-up staple that looks good and does good.” £32, charlottetilbury.com baby-magazine.co.uk | 63

BEAUTY AWARDS

BEA SKIN CARE PEPTIDE SKIN BOOSTER This bottle packs a punch! The gel sinks into the skin wonderfully and helps even imperfections.

Normally, retinol-based products are too harsh, but the natural ingredients makes this product a winner. £110, bea-skincare.com FENTY BEAUTY PRO FILT’R INSTANT RETOUCH PRIMER It’s true, Rihanna can do no wrong.

This primer from her make-up range makes for even make-up application, and keeps oils at bay all day. £24, boots.com CHARLOTTE TILBURY HOLLYWOOD FLAWLESS FILTER You can wear this product by itself, blended with foundation or as a highlighter. If you’ve not seen the sun for a while, go a shade darker to give that post-holiday glow. £30, charlottetilbury.com HOURGLASS CATION EXTREME LASH MASCARA Creative Director, Chloë Collyer: “The brush is small enough to get to the little lashes on the inner corners, but big enough to easily coat the rest. It thickens the lashes without any clumping.

I think I’ve found ‘the one’.” £25, hourglasscosmetics.com DR. BRONNER’S 18-IN-1 HEMP BABY-MILD PURE-CASTILLE SOAP This miracle product has 18 uses.

As a gentle body wash, soap and shampoo for both mother and baby, it’s a real bathtime treat. £7.69, drbronner.co.uk UMBERTO GIANNINI GROW LONG SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER The shampoo removes toxins from city living and is kind to my sensitive scalp, while the creamy conditioner replenishes moisture, leaves hair feeling volumised, revitalised and smelling sweet. £8 each, umbertogiannini.com

ARBONNE SMOOTHED OVER LIPSTICK IN MAGNOLIA Blogger Sarah @ThisMamaLife: “What I liked the most about this lipstick was how moisturising it was!

It had amazing staying power and I loved the colour. It’s perfect for everyday wear.” £23, arbonne.com REVITALASH ADVANCED The difference that this product has on the look and shape of lashes makes it revolutionary! This is an absolute must-buy product for anyone in need of some lash TLC. £74, revitalash.co.uk IRENE FORTE SKINCARE PISTACHIO FACE MASK After only a couple of applications, the benefits of the vitamin-packed cream becomes apparent. Making skin brighter, plumper and softer. £109, ireneforteskincare.com INSTITUT ESTHEDERM LIFT & REPAIR EYE CONTOUR PATCHES These innovative moisture-packed strips are a treat for tired eyes.

Try putting the sachet in the fridge 30 minutes before you apply for an ultra-soothing treat. £53, lookfantastic.com ARBONNE BLUSH IN BLOSSOM Blogger Sarah @ThisMamaLife: “I found this blush really accentuated my cheekbones with its lovely colour. It seems to be pretty long-wearing, which is great news for a lengthy day of work or parenting!” £24, arbonne.com

LA PRAIRIE SUPREME BALM CLEANSER Editorial Director Maxine Briggs: “Once you try this incredible cleanser, there’s no going back. It transforms from a nourishing balm, to a silky oil and, lastly, to milk, leaving my skin clean, soft and plump.” £117, Selfridges 64 | baby-magazine.co.uk

EYEKO EYE BOOST SERUM Neev Spencer at @neevofficial: “As a new mum, bags under the eyes are something I know all too well. I found this product easy to apply and quick working.

My under eyes feel tighter and look brighter!” £40, lookfantastic.com

UMBERTO GIANNINI FLOWEROLOGY BERGAMOT + LEMON OIL SUPER SERUM Beauty Blogger Julia Ferrari of @freshbeautyfix: “This vegan and cruelty-free serum gives my coloured hair some muchneeded TLC. I apply eight drops to the ends of my hair postwash and blow-dry to achieve smooth results in minutes.” £5.40, umbertogiannini.com

HEALTH

Sleep tight Becky Dickinson E XPLOR E S WHY SLEEP IS JUST AS IM PORTANT FOR PAR ENTS AS IT IS FOR BABIE S – AN D LOOKS AT WAYS TO GE T MOR E OF IT he world is at last waking up to the fundamental importance of sleep.

And for good reason: sleep is the single best thing we can do for our physical and mental wellbeing. In the quiet of the night, sleep strengthens the immune system and allows the mind to sort through memories, emotions and experiences so that we wake up feeling refreshed and recharged.

But getting enough sleep doesn’t just make us feel better, it’s fundamental to our health, too. Sleep helps to protect against numerous conditions, including: diabetes, cancer, obesity, Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease, as well as depression and other mood disorders.

Yet a massive 67 per cent of us don’t get the recommended seven to eight hours a night – and for new parents, that figure is even higher.

Research suggests that the average parent loses more than a full month’s sleep in the first year of having a baby.

And of course, the added irony is that you’ve never been more tired!

Newborns sleep for around 17 hours a day (although not necessarily when you’d like them to!). For the first 48 hours of life, many babies barely even wake up. Lucy Shrimpton, founder of The Sleep Nanny and Sleep Expert at The Baby Show, says: “If I’d have known that nature gifts mothers with a post-birth rest period, I’d have made the most of it!” She advises others not to miss out, adding: “Be sure to rest and recover and indulge in some deep sleep during this time. Don’t have lots of visitors until you’ve both had this recovery. It will stand you in good stead for the weeks ahead.”

Unfortunately, babies arrive in the world with very little concept of day and night,

T

which can leave you feeling like you’ve got a persistent case of jet lag. “Getting your baby into a basic bedtime routine as early as two to three weeks is a great idea,” says Lucy. “Simple steps like a wash, change clothes, milk feed, cuddle, song or poem and then down to sleep.

When done in the same order at the same time every evening, this creates rhythmicity for a baby and cues that sleep time is coming.”

However, just as babies need a ‘bedtime’ routine, so, too, do parents. This means winding down in the evening, rather than catching up on all the things you feel you should be doing. Turn off screens and phones at least an hour before going to bed as the blue light emitted from electronic devices suppresses melatonin production – the

For some parents, it’s not just the disrupted sleep pattern that can make sleep hard to come by, but anxiety as well. But if you often feel too fraught to drift off, there are lots of things that can help – from breathing exercises and mindfulness apps like Headspace, to natural remedies. Even traditional sleep aids, like lavender, can be surprisingly effective. Dr Chris Etheridge, a chemist, medical herbalist and adviser to Puressentiel says: “Scent is incredibly potent because it is the only sense which is linked directly to the limbic system – the part of our brain that activates our most fundamental behavioural and emotional responses.” So when we inhale the aromatic molecules contained within essential oils, this activates chemical messengers, like serotonin and endorphins, that help to relieve stress and promote better sleep.

In addition, you might want to up your magnesium intake. Known as ‘nature’s tranquilliser’, magnesium is renowned for its soothing effect on the nervous system. As well as being found in almonds, leafy greens, avocados and dark chocolate, it’s also available in supplement form. Or you could have a soak in the bath with some magnesium-rich Epsom salt, as it’s also absorbed through the skin.

If, however, you find yourself trapped in a cycle of anxiety and exhaustion, or you find yourself constantly checking that your baby is breathing while they’re asleep, rather than trying to get to sleep yourself, then it’s worth speaking to your GP or health visitor.

And remember – although it can be hard to believe when you’re struggling to remember what day of the week it is – the gruelling nights do come to an end.

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hormone that makes us feel sleepy. And while the demands of parenthood can leave you in need of a pick-me-up, step away from the kettle! Caffeine has a half-life of around five hours, which is the length of time it takes the body to get rid of half the original amount.

So if you have a cuppa in the evening, it will still be swirling around your system when you need to sleep.

While some postnatal sleep deprivation is inevitable, it’s essential to make self-care a priority during this time. So forget the housework and put your feet up when you can, or even meditate for five minutes to help avoid burn-out. Remember, your baby needs you at your best.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

YOUR BABY NEEDS YOU AT YOUR BEST, SO MAKE SELF-CARE A PRIORITY

DEVELOPMENT

Don’t miss out on getting some deep sleep in the 48 hours after you’ve given birth

SLEEP SAVIOURS FOR GROWN-UPS Puressentiel Rest & Relax range From £7.99, Amazon, Boots, Whole Foods and some independent pharmacies (seek advice if pregnant or breastfeeding)

Together Health OceanPure™ Magnesium £6.99 for 30 capsules, togetherhealth.co.uk, Planet Organic, Revital and Whole Foods

The Kally Pillow, a multifunctional pillow that adapts to your body shape £49.99, kallysleep.com, Mothercare, John Lewis and JojoMamanBebe

Dr Organic Sleep Therapy Pillow Spray £7.99, Holland & Barrett

Red dates, also known as jujube fruits. This healthy snack is said to have adaptogenic properties to aid relaxation from £1.49 per bag, abakusfoods.com, Ocado, Grape Tree, Planet Organic, Revital and Whole Foods

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Premium, sustainable interior design for little loved ones. www.camcamcopenhagen.com Available at: Scandiborn.co.uk - House of Fraser - Camcamcopenhagen.com

HEALTH Be patient when it comes to getting your child off to sleep – it does get easier

The big sleep NAILING BABY ’S BEDTIM E ROUTIN E IS NO E ASY TASK , SO WE ASKED SLEEP CON SU LTANT Lucy Wolfe FOR H ER TOP TIPS aving sleep troubles? You’re not alone. Creating the right environment for your little one is crucial for fuss-free bedtimes, advises paediatric sleep consultant and Baby Elegance ambassador Lucy Wolfe, who is also author of bestselling book The Baby Sleep Solution.

H

DON’T OVERDO IT

bedtime. Introduce low-impact activities, such as reading and softly singing, in a dimly-lit environment, with plenty of physical and eye contact to help her feel more relaxed.

NAIL YOUR TIMINGS Most children sleep better when they’re in bed between 6pm and 8pm. If your child is under eight months, they respond better to a wakeful period not exceeding two-and-ahalf hours before bedtime. Between eight and 17 months, four hours works well before bedtime, and for 18 months onwards, five hours of wakefulness can significantly improve her quality of sleep.

SOUND WORKS WONDERS White noise or lullaby music can be an effective way to calm a fussy or crying baby, and it can help her stay asleep for longer.

Bear in mind that whatever her brain hears as she falls asleep, it will need to hear for the duration of that sleep period, otherwise sleep can be cut short. Ensure baby’s head is far away from any white noise-emitting devices, and that the volume isn’t too loud.

ESTABLISH A ROUTINE CREATE A CALM AMBIENCE

The essential kit to help your little one sleep soundly

Make sure baby’s environment is sleepfriendly: tech-free, dark, cool, quiet and comfortable. Pulling the blinds and curtains shut around your house, as well as the

BEDTIME BUDDIES

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

Avoid allowing your baby to become overtired. The main signs are eye rubbing, excessive yawning, clenched fists, stretched limbs, becoming vocal, whiney, fussy or hyper.

It’s important to attempt sleep before these symptoms get extreme.

bedroom, should create a dim atmosphere, which in turn enhances sleep and relaxing hormones melatonin and oxytocin.

Get your child involved in bedtime by making it an enjoyable, predictable process. Speak to her about your plans to wind her down ahead of sleep, specifically in her nursery, to help ingrain positive associations with Baby bedtime bubbles £4, childsfarm.com

Pillow mist £22, aureliaskincare. com

GET HER READY FOR THE DAY Wake your baby no later than 7.30am. Even if you’ve had little sleep overnight, getting your child to start the day at this time can have a regulating impact on her biological clock.

SORT YOUR OWN SLEEP ROUTINE Try to go to bed earlier. Parenting is challenging enough without having to get through the day on a fractured night’s sleep.

ASK FOR HELP Cotton pyjamas £9.99, zara.com

Liewood octopus teddy £16.95, scandiborn.com

Where possible, don’t be afraid to share the load with friends and family. Having a friend over for a few hours while you take a nap can make the world of difference.

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FITNESS

On the move

A Sling Swing class in action

Had your six-week postnatal check-up and raring to go? No sweat; here are

BEST FOR YOUR PELVIC FLOOR

BEST FOR GETTING OUTDOORS There’s nothing a bit of fresh air can’t fix, and a buggy workout – like those hosted by Buggyfit (nationwide) and Buggy Workout UK in Winchester – is a wonderful way to get your heart racing while meeting fellow mums. Fitness regimes vary from up-tempo hill walks to lunges, squats and stretches, while

Thanks to today’s running buggies, you and your baby can go out for a run together

little ones enjoy their surroundings from the comfort of their stroller. Want something a little more low-impact? Nordic Walking is ideal for strengthening leg, arm and abdominal muscles; simply bring baby with you in a sling or carrier. Check out the London-based Nordic Fitness UK and Try Nordic, or classes nationwide with British Nordic Walking.

BEST FOR A FUN WORKOUT Have you got rhythm? A baby-wearing dance class is a great way to let loose (within reason), improve your mood, posture and confidence, and bond with your little one. Tots are sure to love the sounds and movements that come with this kind of activity, and sessions like those at Latino Bambino in London should see baby shaking maracas and kicking her feet to lively Latin beats. Joimove (London, Blackpool and Scotland) also offers a mix of ballet, belly, salsa and cha cha, while at Sling Swing – available nationwide – there’s the chance to try pop, hip hop, disco, ballroom and musical theatre.

BEST FOR HOME

Ballet barre work with baby

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If getting out with your baby is a bit of a struggle, why not get your blood pumping in the comfort of your own home? Jessica Ennis-Hill’s new app, Jennis, offers safe pre and postnatal workouts to try wherever you like,

while Pilates By Georgia focuses on restoring your core and strengthening muscles. For a more tailored journey, MumHood is an online programme that eases you through your post-labour recovery, with different workouts for various stages. Or, for a more intimate experience with your little one, babywearing workout brand CARiFit offers a brilliant six-month programme, plus nutrition guides and online support.

BEST FOR TAILORED WORKOUTS Your postnatal recovery is an individual experience, so it stands to reason that your exercise routine is too, right? Whether you want to work on your pelvic floor, tummy separation or body strength, MumFit in Cheshire offers specialised personal training for new mums on a one-to-one or group basis, with supervision for babies provided.

Bumps & Burpees in London is a similar concept, and trainers even offer to bottle feed, burp, cuddle and nappy change your baby while you work out. Busylizzy, available across the south east, also offers a wealth of services, with options to train in your local park or at home.

WORDS: NATALIE KEELER. PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

Keen to take back control? Yoga and Pilates are both proven to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles, which help to prevent embarrassing leaks. Tone overstretched areas and grasp your balance at Triyoga’s Mummy + Me in London, where babies from 40 days old are welcome. Or for a blend of Pilates and ballet, try exercising with your little one strapped to you at Xtend Barre in Marylebone. There’s lots of opportunities for postnatal bonding at Yoga Spirits’ sessions in Manchester, plus classes nationwide with Lush Tums.

Get social @Beaba_uk

Daytime Comfort for Baby

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RUNNING HEAD

Q&A with fertility expert

Zita West

I’m in my second trimester and have been struggling to sleep. Any advice?

O

ne of the reasons for sleep problems during pregnancy is changing hormone levels. Rising progesterone levels in the first trimester of pregnancy, for example, may partly explain excessive daytime sleepiness, while hormonal changes may also have an inhibitory effect on muscles, which can result in an increase in snoring and may be partly responsible for the frequent trips to the bathroom during the night.

Considering the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy and the prevalence of sleep disorders among pregnant women, it’s no wonder that expectant mothers become so tired. However, there are easy remedies that may help you to establish good sleep patterns during your pregnancy.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

NUTRITION The right nutrition is one of the most important factors to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. Insomnia can be caused by a vitamin-B deficiency, so it is important that you eat more foods such as bananas, chickpeas, egg yolks, nuts, pulses, sesame seeds, wholegrains and yeast extract.

In addition, calcium can also help

to calm your nerves, so increase your intake of almonds, yoghurt, soya products, dried apricots and milk – all also contain tryptophan, which is an amino acid that helps you to sleep.

to match your symptoms can also have a positive impact on sleep during pregnancy.

While it is a challenge to sleep well when you’re pregnant, it’s not impossible.

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES

FIVE SELF-HELP TIPS • Take time to unwind before going to

It is important that you consult your doctor before you try any complementary therapies, and make sure all practitioners you choose are fully qualified and accredited.

Research has shown that acupuncture can stimulate the production of serotonin, which can be deficient in people who suffer from insomnia. An acupuncturist will need details of your sleep patterns and will treat the appropriate meridian.

Aromatherapy can also be used to help solve sleep disorders during pregnancy. Try combining a few drops of lavender oil with some carrier oil (such as sweet almond or grapeseed oil) and adding it to ed a warm bath. You could also Recommend try burning some sweet product mandarin oil (which is reputed for its calming qualities) in a vaporiser.

Homeopathy remedies prescribed to you by a Lavender bath therapy £12.76, zitawest.com professional homeopath

bed. Try to get to bed early in order to give yourself plenty of time to relax and gradually drift off to sleep.

• Avoid caffeine and stimulants and try to get some fresh air and exercise each day (such as walking or swimming). It will help you to feel physically tired and reduce your stress levels, too.

• Make sure that your bed is cosy, but not too hot. Your body temperature will be higher than normal, so you may want to opt for a cotton sheet and layers of soft, light blankets that you can throw off, or add, if necessary.

• Try putting soft pillows or cushions under your bump and between your legs (to support your hips) and wear a soft sleep bra to make sure your breasts are supported.

• Ask your partner to give you a gentle massage – but don’t lie on your bump or flat on your back, and try sleeping on your left side, as it will relieve pressure on your major blood vessels.

Zita West is the founder of the Zita West Fertility Clinic which specialises in a holistic approach to IVF. Instagram:@zitawestpregnancy

baby-magazine.co.uk | 73

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Choose your colour pink or blue

BREASTFEEDING

The Breastfeeding Café with

PROFESSOR AMY BROWN

THIS ISSUE WE ASK:

I’M OVERWHELMED BY HOW MUCH MY BABY NEEDS ME. WHAT CAN I DO?

T

here’s no denying it. Babies are hard work. We often don’t talk enough about this aspect of mothering, but I can guarantee, despite what acquaintances might post on social media, underneath it we all have days when it feels like it is just too much. It’s normal to feel utterly overwhelmed, miss your ‘old life’ and to even have feelings of regret. It’s not because you don’t love your baby, but if any other job expected us to be on call 24/7 and to deal with the continual needs of someone who could only communicate by crying, the salary would need to be phenomenal.

And we were never really meant to care for babies alone. How many of us now live away from family and find we are having babies at different times to our friends?

Mothering is hard work, but spending most of your time without the company of another adult is even harder. In years gone by, we would have been part of communities where lots of other people around us had babies at the same time and shared the care – just like many cultures still do.

We are also told by the media that it is possible to train your baby to feed in a routine, sleep all night, and generally be

Liewood comforter £16.50, scandiborn.co.uk Cotton shawl £45, ghhurt.com

happy and smiley all the time. These babies might exist, but most babies naturally have very frequent needs. They have small tummies that need to be filled frequently, they need help getting back to sleep if they wake at night and feel comforted being close to you.

Trying to work out what is normal versus when there might be a problem can be difficult, but there are people to help you.

If you are worried about how often your baby is feeding, talk to your health professional or call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212.

If your baby is struggling to sleep and it is becoming an issue for you, have a look at the Holistic Sleep Coaching website (holisticsleepcoaching.com). It has articles about how to help your baby to settle in a way that continues to support breastfeeding.

There are also trained practitioners who can help emotionally and practically.

If your baby cries all the time, make an appointment to talk to your GP, or call the Cry-sis helpline on 0845 122 8669.

Professor Amy Brown is the author of The Positive Breastfeeding Book (£14.99, Pinter & Martin Ltd), which is available now

COPING WITH YOUR BABY

• Feelings are normal. Don’t be hard on yourself because you sometimes feel frustrated at your baby’s needs.

• Other mums can reassure you how normal this is. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, contact a local doula. Doulas can be an emotional and practical support through the early years.

• Carve out some time for yourself. If your baby will feed from a bottle, express so your partner can take them, even just for a few hours.

• Mothering is about the bigger picture, not one day.

It’s okay to put your baby down somewhere safe and walk away for a few minutes.

It will give you a chance to collect your thoughts.

• Feeling really anxious?

Contact your health visitor; you might be experiencing postnatal depression.

• It might seem like forever now, but one day your baby will feed less, sleep more and their needs will be less constant.

Cotton-bamboo sleepsuit £32.50, babymori.com

SnuzPod3 crib £199.95, snuz.co.uk Laura Mercier Honey Bath £37, spacenk.com baby-magazine.co.uk | 75

HEALTH

Mums Marina and Chiara have two children each of their own; Ludo and Iona, and Otto and Ivy

76 | baby-magazine.co.uk

HEALTH

TIME TO TALK with MARINA FOGLE & DR CHIARA HUNT

EPIDURALS

This issue the Bump Class founders talk about a heavily discussed pain relief n epidural is considered the gold standard of pain relief, the only method to totally take away the pain of labour. It is an injection of a combination of local anaesthetic and painkiller into the lower back that makes all the pain of labour go away.

People have mixed feelings around epidurals – some are scared that an injection near the spinal cord is dangerous and could cause paralysis, while others feel that only those with a low pain threshold “succumb” to an epidural and that as a result, labour is less of a rite of passage.

The trouble is, until you are in labour, you’re not going to know what it feels like and are therefore unable to tell whether you need an epidural. So on The Bump Class, we recommend that all women know what an epidural involves, understand how it’s carried out and what the risks and side effects are so that, if they need one, they can make an informed decision about whether it’s appropriate for them.

A

then you have been “midwife-led”, you will now be reviewed regularly by the doctors. You can’t have an epidural on a birth centre and would have to transfer to a labour ward where they will monitor you and your baby more closely. They’ll use continuous monitoring, where they attach two disks to your tummy to monitor your contractions and the baby’s heart rate. You’ll probably have a canula in your arm through which they can give you fluids if your blood pressure drops, plus a blood pressure monitor. Because the nerves in the lower part of the body are numbed, they will usually put a catheter in your bladder.

A lot of women hate the idea of this, but it’s only put in once the epidural is working, so you can’t feel it – in fact, it’s often a relief not to be peeing constantly!

The side effects of the medication are pretty minimal – some women get itchy legs, some get a bit shaky, both of which are much easier to tolerate than contractions!

ARE YOU ABLE TO MOVE?

PHOTOGRAPHY: HELENE SANDBERG

HOW IS IT DONE? An epidural is always performed by an anaesthetist whose job it is to administer this type of pain relief every day; because of this, they are very good at their jobs. The mother is asked to sit or lie down, bending forward to make space between the bones in her spine.

The anaesthetist will first inject a little local anaesthetic into the skin in the back. This is a sharp prick, no more painful than an injection.

After this, no pain should be felt. Once the local anaesthetic is in, the anaesthetist inserts a needle into a specific space, and once this is in, they’ll insert a tiny plastic tube through the needle. Once the tube is in place, they remove the epidural needle, so you are just left with a soft, flexible tube, taped to your back, that can be topped up with the medication as required. Women are usually pain-free within a few minutes.

WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVES? Probably the biggest downside is that having an epidural medicalises your labour. If until

Epidurals have improved a lot in the last generation and nowadays it’s usually possible to continuously measure and adjust the balance of the dose so that the mother is pain-free but able to move. This is known as a mobile epidural. This slightly depends on how she, as an individual, reacts to the drugs – some women, especially those who go to sleep or remain immobile, are less able to walk, but for most women, pretty good mobility is standard.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS? An epidural is a very safe procedure, but as with all medical intervention, it carries some risks. First, in spite of what you might read online, the risk of paralysis is virtually negligible, as the epidural is inserted well away from the spinal cord. The spinal cord ends about halfway down a mother’s back and from there the nerves hang loose, a bit like a horse’s tail, floating in spinal fluid. The epidural is inserted right at the base of her back, well away from the spinal cord.

The more common risk is when the needle punctures the dura which drops the pressure in the fluid around the brain and spinal cord, resulting in a postural headache – a nasty headache that is only there when she stands up, but goes when she lies down. This happens in about one per cent of epidurals. This will usually heal by itself but takes a few weeks.

It can, however, be fixed. The anaesthetist can do a blood patch, where they take a bit of the patient’s blood and make a little patch over the puncture, fixing it. It’s not pleasant but it is an uncomplicated, outpatient procedure and usually resolves the headache swiftly. The other risk is the epidural only working on one side, because the medicine can trickle down one side of the spine. If this happens, they simply repeat the procedure.

IS IT EVER TOO LATE FOR AN EPIDURAL? Unless by the time the epidural is in and working, your baby is born, it is never too late to have an epidural.

WHY DOESN’T EVERYONE HAVE AN EPIDURAL? Because, in spite of what the media tells you, many women simply don’t need one.

The majority of women in the UK give birth without an epidural, not because they don’t have access to one, but because they don’t need it. And no one should have pain relief unless they need it. But whether or not you have an epidural has no bearing on how healthy your child will be or how good a mother you will be. It’s safe for the baby and for the mother, so our advice to The Bump Class is to embrace labour with an open mind, confident in the knowledge that effective pain relief, if you need it, is available.

Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle are the founders of The Bump Class, which provides antenatal classes in South West London. Their podcast The Parent Hood, is free to download on iTunes and Acast.

Visit thebumpclass.com

baby-magazine.co.uk | 77

SHOPPING

THE REVIEW

FOR TH OSE FIR ST FEW MONTH S, N OTHING BE ATS HAVING YOU R BABY CLOSE. Laura Mason R EVIEWS TH E BE ST MOSE S BASKE TS Best for

EASY CLEAN

Best for

ORGANIC

Best for

PRICE

Sturdy handles make it easy to carry the basket from room to room

Best for MULTIFUNCTIONAL

Best for

INTERIORS

LITTLE GREEN SHEEP

ANGEL

MAMAS & PAPAS

CLAIR DE LUNE

SHNUGGLE

This basket is completely organic, making it ideal for eco-conscious parents who want to do their bit for the environment. The exterior is crafted from a woven palm leaf, the liner is a breathable cable knit and the stand (sold separately) is natural pine.

It’s one of the lightest baskets tested, yet it’s strong and durable. £79.95, jojomamanbebe. co.uk

Inspired by the concept of the Finnish baby box, a full starter kit for new parents, this basket is a brand-new idea for the UK. Having been through rigorous testing, the compact Moses basket is not only a secure sleep pod, but it also opens up as a play mat and can be used for nappy changes.

Once outgrown, it can be used as a beautiful memory box. £206, angel-babybox.com

If you’re after a coordinated nursery, then the charming Cloud basket from Mamas & Papas unisex Dream Upon a Cloud collection is your go-to option. The basket retains its depth, which is ideal for larger babies, and includes all accessorised bedding made of a plush linen and cotton fabric mix for a cosy night’s sleep. £59, mamasandpapas.com

With so much cost to outlay for the arrival of your new baby, your Moses basket doesn’t need to be one of them.

This traditional basket is a great-value option that doesn’t compromise on style or functionality. It comes with adjustable hood, padded liner and includes mattress and bedding, ensuring you’re all set and good to go! £41.99, amazon.co.uk

Moses baskets, the Dreami is made from a polypropylene (similar to a light flexible plastic) with a practical and very modern design. The benefit of the material means it is incredibly easy to wipe clean, taking the stress away from any accidents.

The secure stand doubles up as a low-level rocker, a handy feature for daytime napping. £134.95, shnuggle.com

Knitted Moses Basket

78 | baby-magazine.co.uk

BabyBox

Cloud Moses Basket

Starburst Palm Dreami Moses Basket Unlike traditional wicker

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80 | baby-magazine.co.uk

INTERIORS

PAPER TRAIL

In the throes of decorating baby’s nursery?

This month, we’re seriously coveting Bear & Beau’s enchanting wallpaper designs, which are ideal for brightening up your little one’s bedroom. Illustrated by artist Corinne CaddyTownshend, each versatile print is hand-drawn with bamboo pens, black ink and splashes of watercolour; choose from a little bunny design or an adorable robin. There’s cushions and wall prints to match, too. bearandbeau.com

interior

PLAY STATION Luxury homeware brand Hurn & Hurn has unleashed its latest range of nursery necessities, with everything from comforting night lights to stylish storage boxes. With a freestanding arch that adjusts as your little one grows, our favourite piece in the collection is the Done By Deer Baby Activity & Play Gym, complete with two squeezable toys and a hanging mirror. hurnandhurn.com

NEWS

ST YLISH U PDATE S AN D IN SPIRING FIN DS TO MAKE YOU R HOUSE A H OM E UNDER COVER

Fans of the now iconic Mokee Mini Cot will be thrilled to learn the brand has launche a st lish cot changer that ts neatly on top. Designed for ultimate comfort and safety, the wedge-shaped Cloud Mat has four legs that screw securely into the top of the cot, providing reassurance that your baby won’t roll off mid-nappy change. There’s two beautiful designs to choose from, and the changer’s soft surface is super easy to clean, too. £34.95, mokee.eu

Let their imaginations run wild with The Little Green Sheep’s new teepee, designed with a scalloped edge and soft cotton canvas. Whether they’re reading, enjoying an indoor camp-out, or playing kings and queens of their very own castle, this sturdy five-pole wooden frame has plenty of stability and room for hours of fun. £89.95, thelittlegreensheep.co.uk

INTERIORS Air Complete Sleep System £359, shnuggle.com

Land of nod

OVERWH ELM ED BY COT CH OICE S? H ER E’S WHAT TO CON SIDER WH EN SHOPPING FOR THIS N U R SERY E SSENTIAL

I

t’s a known fact that for the first two years of a baby’s life, they’ll spend more time sleeping than not, so finding the right cot is crucial. The safest place for your baby to sleep is on their own surface, in the same room as you, for the first six months. Many parents choose to use a small crib or Moses basket for the first four to six months, before moving baby into a cot.

In the UK, all cots must meet European Safety Standards. This means the cot needs to be deep enough to be safe, the bars must be the correct distance (no more than 6.5cm) apart, and the cot shouldn’t have any potentially harmful cut-outs.

Obviously, space has an influence. If your home’s on the bijou side, it may be best to buy a cot, as the dimensions are often smaller than those of a cot bed.

If you have space, cot beds are a better investment, as they grow with the child. Style’s high up on the list, too.

Scandi-look design is a big trend, but there are also heritage brands offering more traditional options.

Finally, don’t leave it to the last minute! Delivery times for cots can alter depending on the company, with some taking more than four weeks to arrive.

TIP: Natural fibre mattresses provide better breathability than foam mattresses, helping to regulate baby’s body temperature.

Sleigh Urbane cot bed £349, boori.com

Kidsmill Nikki cot bed £709, nubie.co.uk

Turin compact cot £169, boori.com

This modern cot comes in a variety of colours and converts to a toddler and junior bed 82 | baby-magazine.co.uk

SnuzKot Scandi cot bed £349, snuz.com

INTERIORS

TIP: Adjustable base heights and drop-sides are useful in those early days, particularly if you’ve had a c-section.

KEEP IT COSY

The best baby bedding to keep your little one warm and comfortable

Westport cot bed £425, silvercrossbaby.com

THINGS TO CONSIDER • How much space do you have?

• How close do you want baby to be to you at night?

• Would you prefer to use the cot past the baby stage?

• Does it come with a mattress or do you want to buy a separate one?

Obaby Stamford mini sleigh cot bed £249.99, adorabletots.co.uk

GLOSSARY Co-sleeping cots attach to the side of an adult bed, keeping the baby close to you but in her own little space.

Cot beds are transitional pieces that grow with your child. They’re longer and wider than standard cots.

A Moses basket or bassinet is a standalone crib, which is a good bed for the early days.

A drop-side – as the name suggests – means that one of the sides drops down.However, this isn’t usually an option with cot beds.

Adjustable base height changes the height of the mattress. Start with the base high, so you can easily take her in and out. As she grows, lower the base so the mattress is further from the top.

A teething rail protects the cot as many toddlers make a habit of chewing on it! Some cots come with one fitted, or you can buy them separately from cot manufacturers.

TIP: In the UK, all cots must carry the British Standards Institution (BSI) number BS EN 716:2008.

Leander cot with mattress £979, smallable.com

Princess Marie-Chantal wool-cashmere blanket £150, silvercrossbaby.com Swaddle bag £23.99, ergopouch.co.uk Leander cotton cot sheet (pack of two) £32, naturalmat.co.uk Cotton bedding set (pack of three) £34.95, snuz.com Grobag £31.49, gro-store.com Bamboo-cotton blanket £21, babymori.com

baby-magazine.co.uk | 83

FOOD

AN ITALIAN JOB

Organic baby food company Piccolo Foods is excited to announce the launch of its Complete Meals campaign. Provide your baby with a delicious homecooked dinner inspired by traditional Italian family recipes such as bolognaise and risotto in a fraction of the time. These supper-time saviours are sold in an easily holdable pouch that can be heated in the microwave, and have no added sugar, only goodness. £2.30, mylittlepiccolo.com

food

TEE-TOTALLY DELICIOUS Looking for a non-alcohol alternative to a glass of rosé? Healthy drinks company Purearth is launching its sparkling Grapefruit Kefir, a water-based drink with the zestiest grapefruit fragrance.

Free from sugar and dairy, full of gut-loving bacteria and proven to help digestion and reduce sugar cravings, this is the perfect drink for expectant mothers who don’t want to miss out on all the fun! £9.95, purearth.co.uk

The spill-proof, lip-activated valve on the o ee i ee asiflo cu a es it the easiest cu e er or little ones to rin from and for parents to clean. After research re eale that a uarter o arents on t trust their i s to rin ro an o en cu , this one as esigne to sto s ills in their trac s £5.99, tommeetippee.co.uk

NEWS TH E L ATE ST AN D GR E ATE ST TR E ATS FOR BABIE S, CHILDR EN AN D PAR ENTS GRUFFALO GRUB To celebrate the 20th birthday of the nation’s favourite monster, little ones can now have lunch with a Gruffalo, as healthy food company Organix launches its Cocoa & Vanilla Gruffalo Biscuits. Shaped like either the Gruffalo or his mouse friend, they have no added salt, artificial colours or flavours.

Take little explorers on an adventure in the woods with these scrummy snacks.

From, £2.49, organix.com

A NEW STUDY SHOWED THAT PREGNANT WOMEN WHO FOLLOWED A MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE DIET, INCLUDING A DAILY PORTION OF WALNUTS AND EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, WERE 35% LESS LIKELY TO DEVELOP GESTATIONAL DIABETES AND GAINED AN AVERAGE OF 1.25KG LESS THAN OTHER WOMEN. WALNUTS.ORG

baby-magazine.co.uk | 85

FOOD

MINESTRONE SOUP Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking: 25 minutes Serves 4 Suitable from 10 months

• 250g frozen mixed vegetables • 75g wholemeal pasta • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • Parmesan cheese, to serve METHOD

This soup is quick and easy to prepare and you can add all sorts of vegetables, depending on what you have in your fridge or freezer.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 red onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 2 rashers higher welfare streaky bacon, chopped (optional) • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped • ½ tsp fresh or dried oregano • 400g can chopped tomatoes • 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock • 400g can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add the chopped garlic and bacon (if using), and fry for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the chopped carrot and fry for a further few minutes before adding the oregano, tomatoes and stock. Bring to the boil.

Once boiling, add the beans and frozen vegetables and bring back to the boil If using spaghetti, break into short pieces, otherwise stir the pasta into the pan. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Simmer for 15 minutes.

Spoon into warm serving bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.

HOME comforts IN FANT N UTRITIONAL TH ER APIST Alice Fotheringham IS H ER E TO H ELP YOU ON YOU R WE ANING JOU R N EY AN D BEYON D

86 | baby-magazine.co.uk

FOOD

Little ones won’t be able to resist a bowl of hot minestrone soup when it’s cold outside

SUGAR- FR E E BANANA , WA L N U T & C O C O N U T RICE PUDDING Preparation: 5 minutes Cooking: 30 minutes Serves 4 Suitable from 6 months Suitable for freezing

Banana is rich in magnesium, and walnuts help with the production of serotonin. Walnuts can be introduced from six months if ground.

Whole nuts should not be given until your child is around five years old.

INGREDIENTS

• 60g pudding rice • 300ml full-fat milk or plant milk • 200ml coconut milk • A pinch of dried ginger • 1 banana, mashed • 3 walnuts, ground METHOD

Place the pudding rice, milk, coconut milk and ginger in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.

Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer.

Cover with a lid and allow the rice to simmer for 30 minutes, or until all the milk has been absorbed and the rice is soft, stirring every few minutes.

Mix in the mashed banana and ground walnuts and serve. You can top with additional fruit or fruit compote.

TIP

You can also do this with ready-cooked packet rice, just half the liquid and cooking time.

baby-magazine.co.uk | 87

FOOD

Baked oats are a healthy choice and a great way to get your child’s day off to a good start

B A K E D OAT S Preparation: 5 minutes Cooking: 45 minutes Makes 12 fingers Suitable from 7 months (without the maple syrup) Suitable for freezing

• 1 egg • 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted (or vegetable oil) • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 70g frozen blueberries • 1 banana, mashed OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

This baked oat recipe is great for breakfast with yoghurt and fresh berries or even as a snack or pudding with some chopped banana and yoghurt.

• 1 tbsp ground flax seeds • 2 tbsp desiccated coconut • 1 tbsp ground nuts and seeds • 1 tbsp sugar-free nut butter

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

• 275g rolled oats • 1 tsp cinnamon • 1 tsp baking powder • 300ml whole milk or plant-based milk • 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Lightly grease a 20cm/8in baking tray.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon and baking powder. In a smaller mixing bowl, combine the milk, maple syrup (if

using), egg, the melted coconut (or vegetable) oil, and vanilla. Whisk until blended.

Reserve a handful of berries for the topping, then arrange the remaining berries evenly over the bottom of the baking dish (no need to defrost frozen fruit first), along with the banana. Cover the fruit with the dry oat mixture, then drizzle the wet ingredients over the oats. Wiggle the baking dish to make sure the milk moves down through the oats, then gently pat down any dry oats resting on top.

Scatter the remaining berries across the top.

Bake for 42-45 minutes, until the top is golden.

Remove your baked oatmeal from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before either serving as it is or cutting into fingers.

You can serve the fingers warm or straight from the fridge. These baked oats keep well covered and in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Alice Fotheringham is co-founder and infant nutritional therapist at Piccolo baby food. Piccolo make a range of 100 per cent organic baby meals, snacks and cooking ingredients to inspire your family to start a lifetime of food adventures. 10% of Piccolo’s profits go to charities that support local families. Visit mylittlepiccolo.com or follow Piccolo on Instagram @mylittlepiccolo

88 | baby-magazine.co.uk

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The ONLY vitamin company to twice receive The Queen’s Award For Innovation

1. For more information on this research, please visit www.pregnacare.com/mostrecommended. 2. Based on a survey of 1000 midwives. 3. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol.18, No.5, 487-489 (1999).

4. A beneficial effect can be obtained from a maternal daily intake of 200mg DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake of 250mg DHA / EPA for adults – Annex of Commission Regulations (EU) No. 440/2011. *UK’s No.1 pregnancy supplement brand. Source: Nielsen GB ScanTrack Total Coverage Value and Unit Retail Sales 52 w/e 18 May 2019.To verify please contact no1support@vitabiotics.com

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IN THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF

We put interiors in the spotlight to showcase how to create the most insta-worthy nursery Actress Kirsten Dunst on taking on the role of a mother Safety first! We advise how to make sure your home is baby ready Sitting pretty? We put the best highchairs to the test Three wholesome recipes to see you through weaning and beyond

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PHOTOGRAPHY: JONATHAN MALPASS

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

Ralphie wears velour cardigan set, £225, Marie-Chantal. Shorts (from a set), £93, Paz Rodriguez at Childrensalon. Socks, £6, Pepa & Co. Cotton blanket, £59.95, Aden & Anais. Cushions, from £29, Meri Meri.

TRAVEL

travel

THIS MONTH W E V I S IT…

Four Seasons Park Lane, London

NEWS

WH ER EVER YOU R DE STINATION , TR AVEL IN ST YLE WITH BABY IN TOW

Editor REBECCA MOORE heads to one of London’s most desirable postcodes

I

f you’re craving the glamour and pampering that came with pre-baby life, then call off the search. For me, Four Seasons has become like an old friend, dependable, trustworthy and so very well-appointed – setting the bar high in every department.

Set to be a Sunday of champions, I stopped by to see what the group’s most established hotel had in store. First stop: The Spa. Recently partnering up with two leading beauty brands, Linda Meredith and The Organic Pharmacy, it now provides three key treatments as part of its new signature menu. All treatments are set in penthouse-level spa rooms on the 10th floor literally taking you to new relaxation heights as you’re surrounded by impressive city views.

I opted for the Organic Pharmacy Herbal Pouch Massage; 90 minutes of top-to-toe attention.

Created to relieve aching joints and muscles with a hot pouch infused with organic herbs and oils of ginger and arnica, this massage struck the perfect balance between restoration and relaxation. The spa itself is a heavenly cocoon. I fully embraced the rejuvenating vitality pool, thermal suites and even caught 40 winks in the super-plush private sleep-pods. If you happen to be carrying precious cargo during your visit, be sure to indulge in The Organic Pharmacy Pre and Postnatal Treatment, designed to ease any niggles. Or for those seeking something more energetic, sweat it out at the Barrecore pop-up in the spa rooftop space TEN. Back down on the ground floor it was time to treat the palate. The hotel’s Amaranto Restaurant has launched a Sunday brunch, showcasing the finest British fare. Producing a real food-to-fork experience, starting with baked St Eve’s Farm egg shakshouka, followed by meatballs with roasted tomato sauce, not to forget free-flowing champagne. As I sank into my sumptuous arm chair, I thought, yes, I could get used to this.

Sunday brunch, from £49 per person; Herbal Pouch Massage, from £175, fourseasons.com

PARADISE FOUND

We have a feeling your little ones won’t want to leave the new Rixy Kids Club at Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel; this treasure trove of waterslides, culinary workshops, craft activities and musical games is what every kid dreams of, and there’ll be plenty to keep them occupied. For younger tots, there’s colourful activity rooms, nap rooms and professional nannies on site. thepalmdubai.rixos.com

LITTLE TRAVELLERS Located on the Emboodhoo Lagoon, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives is set to open its doors for the first time this September. The hotel, which is part of CROSSROADS Maldives – the Indian Ocean’s largest integrated resort – is perfectly suited to families; expect a kids’ clubs, musical stage shows, and a mini circus. Better yet, baby monitors, cots and bottle sterilisers are available to borrow throughout your stay. hardrockhotels.com

SANDS RESORT HOTEL IN NEWQUAY IS OFFERING A BABY & TODDLER PACKAGE FOR FAMILIES WITH LITTLE ONES; PRICES START FROM £333 FROM 2 SEPTEMBER TO 16 OCTOBER, AND FROM £294 FROM 3 NOVEMBER TO 24 NOVEMBER. BABY GEAR COMES FREE OF CHARGE! SANDSRESORT.CO.UK

baby-magazine.co.uk | 91

RUNNING HEAD

Swimming outside you get to take in some fabulous views

Woolley Grange is a beautiful Jacobean manor house

BRADFORDON-AVON

Antonia O’Brien ENJOYS A BR E AK WITH H USBAN D AN D BABY IN TOW t’s easy to get carried away with what you think life will be like before you have a baby; we made ambitious plans to travel long-haul in our baby’s first year, then reality overtook romance and we realised Bradford-on-Avon was a better idea.

After a lot of online research for a babyfriendly hotel, I found Woolley Grange and its Baby First Stay Away package: two nights bed and breakfast in a beautiful countryside manor where new (and exhausted) parents can enjoy not just dinner with baby-listening facilities, but also an on-site Ofsted registered crèche!

I know, it sounds to good to be true.

The outstanding service started a week before our arrival with a call to confirm our booking and specific requirements: will you be needing a bottle warmer?

Would you prefer a synthetic or feather duvet? We didn’t need to take any of the bulky items (think travel cot, bottle warmer, steriliser), which made life easier, since packing for a weekend now feels more like moving house. On arrival, we were welcomed with a baby hamper that had everything I’d forgotten: baby wash, a swimming nappy and bib. There was no request too big or small, from elevenses in our room to warm milk for Grayson at 3am; the staff were so friendly and genuinely cared to make our stay as relaxed as possible. As a breakfast person, I wasn’t disappointed; from cereal to cooked, and all the

I

Little Grayson got to have afternoon tea with his dad

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alternatives should you have any specific requirements, they also provide bottles, cutlery and crockery for whatever stage of weaning your child is at (they even provide a bottle sterilising service!). In the evening, we had an excellent dinner where everything was either locallysourced or grown in their walled garden.

The hotel offers baby listening, which is essentially a baby monitor manned by the staff who will then let you know if there’s a problem; this meant we had a proper date, undisturbed.

On Tuesday, Grayson and I went for a Puddle Ducks swimming lesson and both enjoyed splashing and making bubbles; it was invaluable to learn how to handle him safely so he feels confident in the water. With Grayson back with my husband, I took my tired body for a massage with Elemis that was dreamy, unknotting my shoulders and back after months of slouching while feeding.

On Wednesday morning – now this was the icing on the cake – one of the lovely ladies from the Woolley Bears Den came to collect Grayson at 8am, allowing us to have a lie-in and breakfast in bed.

Knowing he was with professionals and in a safe space gave me peace of mind. With the spa, indoor and outdoor pools and garden dotted with games for children, you never need to leave the manor!

Prices from £369 for a two-night break; woolleygrangehotel.co.uk

The on-site crèche is a godsend

UPDATES

GET MOVING

With news that 10 per cent of boys and nine per cent of girls are joining primary school obese, Micro Scooters has launched its Play for Life initiative to help pre-schoolers get the best start. The campaign, which is focused on movement challenges rather than how many minutes are spent exercising, is offering parents advice on how to encourage a healthy lifestyle, with tips on assisting your child’s development. micro-scooters.co.uk

nursery

NEWS

H ER E YOU ’LL FIN D TH E L ATE ST E AR LY YE AR S U PDATE S

Great for tots aged nine months to three years, Infantino’s 4 in 1 Grow With Me Playland is a stimulating, multifunctional toy that helps to develop hand-eye coordination. Loaded with bright colours, engaging characters, flashing lights and funny tunes, the play centre features six different games. The best bit?

It folds away easily! £39.99, uk.infantino.com

ON BOARD How cool would it be for baby to have a toy that’s perfectly suited to her development?

Well, that’s what Muro is; the world’s one and only modular busy board that encourages key skills through play. Parents can choose from over 30 ageappropriate toys to add to their child’s board, including a bead maze, with the option to add and remove items as she grows. £189, mymuro.com

FRAME OF MIND Nurture a positive mindset from an early age with these adorable wall prints from Fearless Flamingo. Created by illustrator and founder Charlie Loxley, these typographic and enamel prints feature thoughtful messaging, happy emotions and cute animal characters, and get little ones to engage with their feelings. It also adds colour to their bedroom or play space. fearlessflamingo.com

WITH A DUE DATE OF NEXT SPRING, KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR A BRAND-NEW ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND IN REGENT’S PARK. BUILDING WORKS FOR THE SPACE HAVE JUST BEGUN AND WILL SEE THE ADDITION OF CLIMBING EQUIPMENT, A ZIP LINE AND WILLOW DEN, PLUS SWINGS, A SLIDE AND ROUNDABOUT.

94 | baby-magazine.co.uk

Open Mornings Wednesday 25th September Thursday 17th October

Reception Taster Afternoon Friday 4th October

grabease Available at

St Catherine’s Prep, Bramley GSA Day & Boarding School since 1885 | 4 - 18 years Guildford GU5 0DF | www.stcatherines.info

baby01 June 2019.indd 1

27/06/2019 17:18:35

Co-ed 2-4 years, Boys ages 4-13 years

Built on Tradition – Embracing the Future

Open Morning dates • 27 September 2019 • 7 February 2020 • 15 May 2020 Book now to reserve your place: www.parkside-school.co.uk/open-mornings Tel: 01932 869974 www.parkside-school.co.uk

twitter.com/parksideprep

facebook.com/parksideprep

baby-magazine.co.uk | 95

Boutiques NATURAL BABY SHOWER, SURREY

When her son Dylan was born, Victoria Hampson noticed a lack of ethical baby products on the market and was inspired to set up Natural Baby Shower. Nowadays, her established store offers high quality, natural and meticulously-researched parenting products, from baby carriers to buggies and skincare solutions to sleep suits. Much of the product range is from small, family-run businesses, and all items are offered at the best prices.

WINDLEBROOK HOUSE, 55 GUILDFORD ROAD, BAGSHOT, SURREY GU19 5NG naturalbabyshower.co.uk

MAMAS & PAPAS, NATIONWIDE

From cots to clothing, pushchairs to playtime accessories, Mamas & Papas is your go-to store for everything you need for baby. Founded in 1981, the business was born out of a desire to better meet the needs of new parents, debuting with a range of coloured prams. Now, 35 years on, and with branches and stockists across the world, we challenge you to leave its boutiques empty-handed.

STORES ACROSS THE UK mamasandpapas.com

MARSHES & FLINT, NORFOLK

Based at Creake Abbey in north Norfolk, Marshes & Flint is a lifestyle store showcasing some of the best independent children’s brands around. From local names to global labels, shop clothing and accessories, toys and homewares for all ages, with a mix of traditional and modern designs for every taste. The store, which opened earlier this year, has proved wildly popular and little ones love the mud kitchen outside.

CREAKE ABBEY, NORTH CREAKE, NORFOLK NR21 9LF marshesandflint.co.uk

MILK & HONEY, NORTH YORKSHIRE

Situated in the spa town of Harrogate, Milk & Honey stocks a range of clothes, accessories and toys for all ages. There’s more than 40 renowned labels to browse, from sweet baby clothing to fashion-conscious pieces for your teen, and their friendly team is always happy to make your experience as pleasurable and stress-free as possible. They’ll even gift-wrap your purchase should you request it. Brands include Ralph Lauren, Levi’s and Pepe Jeans.

14-16 CHELTENHAM PARADE, HARROGATE, NORTH YORKSHIRE HG1 1DB milkandhoneykids.co.uk

SISTERS GUILD, SOMERSET

LUCY & BELLE

After being inspired to set up her own online boutique after the arrival of her twin daughters, Clara Bentata founded Lucy & Belle as a shopping destination for discerning parents. The site prides itself on delivering the best customer experience with an extensive selection of products, from baby clothing and changing bags, to outdoor pieces and accessories.

Top brands include Pasito a Pasito, Cam Cam Copenhagen and Babidu. lucyandbelle.com

96 | baby-magazine.co.uk

ON LIN E

As the name suggests, Sisters Guild is run by siblings Carla and Bekka in the picturesque town of Frome. Set on a pretty, cobbled hill, the shop truly is a treat for the eyes, with a plethora of beautiful design-led products available to purchase, from kids’ clothing to bits for mum, décor and nursery furniture. Brands stocked include well-known names such as Meri Meri and Oeuf NYC, as well as newer labels like Sleepy Doe. 30 CATHERINE HILL, FROME, SOMERSET BA11 1BY sistersguild.co.uk

+

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BUSINESS

Packing a shawl is a delicate business

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose this shawl for Princess Charlotte Pure wool baby shawl £99, ghhurt.com

One of the designs featured on the shawls is a Baby Elephant

INSPIRE Tell us a bit about the brand.

When did you get involved?

G.H. Hurt & Son was founded by my great-grandfather in 1912, and back then, all our knitting was produced on hand-frame knitting machines. I joined my father in 1983, and I’m so proud to be the fourth generation of my family to work for the business. Even though we’re constantly creating new designs, we always remain inspired by our heritage.

GILLIAN TAYLOR The director of luxury baby shawl brand G.H. Hurt & Son talks family heritage, work-life balance and royal babies What inspires you?

Anything from botanical gardens to architecture, but I always try to include elements of our heritage.

comes naturally to me. When I’m away from work, I love being around my family. My favourite hobbies are baking, gardening, and walking our dog, Mason.

How do you manage a good Describe a typical Do you have a favourite product? work-life balance? work day for you.

Our Elegant Soft Wool Baby It isn’t easy! But I’m so I open our factory Shawl, which was chosen by the passionate about the at 7am, coffee Duke and Duchess of Cambridge business, so it just in hand. My Cashmere hat and mittens for Princess Charlotte first hour is £75, ghhurt.com Being creative is the best in May 2015. It’s knitted often my most part of Gillian’s job with fine merino wool, productive and and is just beautiful. creative period, which I guess makes What’s been me a morning person! your proudest Once the day’s production business moment? is underway, I can spend It was amazing to see a quiet hour at my desk the brand reach its catching up on paperwork. I centenary in 2012, and work across the whole business, it was an honour to so I’m usually meeting new see the royal babies clients, speaking to suppliers, wearing our shawls, planning production and too; Prince George, checking the machines.

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Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Baby Archie have all been seen wrapped in our shawls.

It’s wonderful to see the royals supporting a heritage brand.

What are the brand’s values?

A mix of traditional and modern, and quality, good old-fashioned service is very importance to us.

We’re also very much a family firm, which extends to the staff who work here, too. All our products are finished in the same traditional way as they were back in 1912, so our craft is preserved for future generations.

What’s next for G.H. Hurt & Son? As with all businesses, there’s always something new to strive for, and we’re continuing to learn new skills and adapt to changes.

We want to continue producing classic, timeless and high-quality pieces, but to ensure we innovate and move the brand forward, too.

There’s lots of new ideas in the pipeline to extend our collection of knitted baby items, and we’re also developing our brand into new markets overseas. ghhurt.com