Baby London September/October 2016

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BABYLONDON.CO.UK

…AND SQUEEZE! Regain control of your pelvic floor

WAYS TO SETTLE YOUR BABY

with top tips from the baby whisperers

IS YOUR BABY A GENIUS?

Sophie Ellis-Bextor TALKS MUSIC AND MOTHERHOOD

KNOW YOUR HORMONES

9 772040 855001

09

UNDERSTANDING YOUR BODY IN PREGNANCY AND BEYOND

£3.99

HEALTH & HAPPINESS SLEEP • NUTRITION • FASHION • BEAUTY

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CONTENTS SEP T/OC T 2016

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23

PHOTOGRAPHY: KEN COPSEY

FEATURES

54 THE NAME GAME Our advice on choosing the right name for your baby 56 PARTY THEMES Carole Middleton shares her top tips for throwing a themed birthday bash 59 ALL WRAPPED UP A parenting essential in those early days, we round up the very best muslins 67 TOT GEAR One mother tries the Bugaboo Bee 3, plus, get the lowdown on car seats 80 THE HORMONE BAROMETER We help you understand the emotional rollercoaster you’ll endure through pregnancy 83 DOUBLE DUTY Sharing is caring, so Bonita Turner rounds up the best beauty buys for mum and baby

77

84 BREASTFEEDING CAPTURED Photographer Polly Geal shares her current project to celebrate mothers feeding their babies 92 SECRETS FROM THE BABY WHISPERERS Top experts reveal their secrets to parenting success 99 YOUR PELVIC FLOOR EXPLAINED Kate Freud gives the lowdown on the key facts of these vital muscles 106 GET THE GLOW How to be the happiest, healthiest version of yourself during pregnancy 115 BEYOND THE BABY BLUES One opens up about her battle with postnatal depression 141 YOUR BABY, THE MATHS GENIUS We talk numbers and babies, and how they can mix, even from an early age Our new-season picks, as spotted at Bubble London

STYLE

40 SLEEP TIGHT A beautiful blend of layered cashmere, merino, super-soft cotton and the cuddliest of toys 52 SHOP THE SHOOT Create a cosy vibe with our edit of high street nursery favourites 62 SPORTS STARS Mama, be sure to stay in the fashion game with our round-up of maternity athleisure wear

SHOPPING

21

BABY LONDON LOVES It’s soon to be sweater season, so treat yourself to a supersweet number from the Miffy X Chinti and Parker collab 23 SHOP THE TRENDS Our edit of cool blue hues, rose-tinted metallics, natural wonders and the must-have monochrome pieces

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 5

Editor-in-Chief Kate Finney Managing Editor Rebecca Moore Features Editor Danielle Wilkins Editorial Assistant Annie Quinton Creative Director Chloë Collyer Designer Natalie Dourado Contributing Editors Marina Fogle, Chiara Hunt, Carole Middleton

128

Publisher Caroline Scott Finance Director Vicki Gavin Digital Media Manager James Dobson Brand Managers Chatty Dobson, Ginny Maclean, Marketing Executive Catrina Linz

77 WISHLIST What children’s trade show Bubble London brought us this season 120 MAKE THE CHANGE Changing tables for your baba’s nursery 122 PLAYFUL ROOMS Cheerful and stylish finishing touches

FOOD

124 A HEALTHY START Nutrition specialist Alice Fotheringham shares some delicious weaning recipes 128 FOURTH TRIMESTER FOOD Give your body a boost with three recipes from food writer Sophie Wright

TRAVEL

133 TRAVEL NEWS Prepare to pack your bags!

134 POSTCARD FROM JAPAN Rebecca Coppin jets off on a multi-stop adventure with baby Margot

REGULARS

13 31

BABY NEWS Keeping you in the know MY ESSENTIALS We chat with singer and mum-of-four Sophie Ellis-Bextor

120

6 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

Advertising Manager Amy Thacker Business Development Manager Anna Clarke Sales Executives Harriet Cottrell, Helena Murphy,

Inspiring m others open up about breastfeedin g on p.84

34 TIME TO RHYME Poetic reading inspiration for you and your little one 37 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Goings-on in the capital 38 FOCUS ON: KING’S ROAD The best spots to shop, learn and play 73 THE DAD DIARY Papa Pukka gives an honest account on life as a dad of one 79 HEALTH & BEAUTY NEWS What’s new in the world of wellbeing 103 THE BREASTFEEDING CAFÉ How breastfeeding aids can help you 105 DIARY OF A MUM Martha Alexander settles into mat leave...

108 MEET THE EXPERTS Advice from our healthcare professionals 111 TIME TO TALK… Marina Fogle and Dr Chiara Hunt of The Bump Class discuss sleep in pregnancy 112 THE REVIEW The best pregnancy pillows 119 INTERIOR NEWS Stylish updates and inspiring finds 137 EDUCATION NEWS The latest from classrooms and beyond 138 MEET THE HEAD The lowdown on Port Regis School 145 MINI AGENDA What’s on over the next two months 162 INSPIRE Talking business with Hollie De Cruz, founder of London Hypnobirthing

The changing tables you’ll want to buy

Managing Director Paul Dobson Deputy Managing Director Steve Ross Baby London is published by The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd, Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ Web: babylondon.co.uk Tel: 020 7349 3700 | Fax: 020 7349 3701 Email: editorial@littlemedia.co.uk

Baby London Print ISSN 2040-8552 Online ISSN 2059-982X | 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 2016 All rights reserved

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PHOTOGRAPHER: KEN COPSEY MODEL: IVY RAINE Ivy Raine wears cotton-blend top, £12, Marks & Spencer.

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As the weather begins to cool, wrap your little one up in cosy coat ‘The Bloomsbury’ £220, greatbritishbabycompany.com

Cashmere cardigan £62, lestricotsdemargot.com

EDITORS

LETTER

KATE FINNEY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

We’d love to hear what you think about our latest issue

Babylondonmagazine

@Baby_London

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Join me online…

P-TO-DAT

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18-carat rose-gold-plated bracelet £185, monicavinader.com

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Mother Organic skincare collection £35, nealsyardremedies.com

and Vicki Scott, and sleep consultations with Rachel Waddilove, and every time have been so surprised by the incredible results. Our advice from the best baby whisperers (p.92) is not to be missed, and Clare Byam-Cook is back to provide more tips on breastfeeding (p.103).

These days, there are multiple instances of celebrity mothers posting breastfeeding selfies online, and every new picture inevitably sparks a highly-charged debate. Why these images generate more of a reaction than some of the racy bikini selfies out there is beyond me. In this issue, we’re celebrating the beauty of breastfeeding with a series of portraits by photographer Polly Geal (p.84).

Our fashion shoot this issue is one of my all-time favourites (p.40) and the photographer and stylist have captured a wonderful sense of both peacefulness and playfulness. There’s something very calming about being on a shoot with sleeping babies, although the peace and quiet never lasts long!

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UK

Cotton velour bodysuit £68, mariechantal.co.uk

A healthy baby is a happy baby, so the saying goes, and a healthy, happy baby is the holy grail for every parent, whatever the age of their little one. And it’s not just the babies who need looking after! Every mother, or motherto-be, is under extra stress – both physically and emotionally – and it’s easy to forget this when everyone is wrapped up in the baby.

We’ve dedicated this issue to health, wellbeing and happiness, dealing with the biggest of issues such as coping with postnatal depression (p.114) to the smallest of luxuries that can make all the difference, in this case it’s the best pregnancy pillows (p.112).

I’m always looking for ways to improve my sleep situation! With a toddler and a baby it is only rarely that the stars align to allow for a proper stretch of sleep. And while I am thrilled to be expecting another baby at Christmas, I’ve now pretty much written off the possibility of sleep for at least another year!

The world of baby experts, consultants and pregnancy specialists can be a daunting one to navigate. I’ve been at my wits’ end with both children, and have tried breastfeeding consultations with both Clare Byam-Cook

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@babylondonmagazine

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 9

Where were you born?

Melbourne, Australia.

What’s the best thing about being a mum?

Watching our beautiful daughter grow, learn and change every day.

Where do you go to get some me-time?

For a swim usually, or this brilliant boxing class which I try to do each week – I love it! I also like to head out to one of the local cafés for a much-needed coffee.

Courtney styles our shoot on p.40

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Where were you born?

London hat’s our first food memor Sitting in a field of strawberries, covered in strawberry juice. The smell of them takes me right back to those fields. I grew up on a fruit farm in Scotland.

Best food for a health boost?

Broccoli; it’s my vitamin C boost of choice when I’m feeling run down.

Alice shares her weaning recipes on p.124

FR E

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KATE

ALICE FO

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SPECIALI ST ION RIT

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CONTRIBUTORS

Where were you born?

At Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, London, I but grew up in Petersham, Surrey.

What do you like to do to relax?

We head out of town to visit my husband Jack’s family place by the coast in Suffolk, where the children roam wild in their wellies.

What’s your favourite form of exercise?

Since having my daughter two years ago, l have become a dynamic yoga obsessive!

Kate discusses healthy pelvic floors on p.99

-TO-DATE, UP

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When you’re on the go or grabbing a coffee and have a moment to s e i in n get ou i igit fi

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BABY LONDON ONLINE N D O N.

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Head online to discover great competitions and giveaways it could be your lucky day!

From choosing a nanny to exclusive weaning recipes, we’ve got expert advice on all areas of parenting

Join in We want to see your pics of you and your little ones enjoying Baby London Be sure to stay updated with the latest news and talking points

#BLLOVES facebook.com/babylondonmagazine twitter.com/baby_london instagram.com/babylondonmagazine babylondon.co.uk

10 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

WW W. N I N E I N TH E M I RRO R. CO M 3 .1 P HILL I P L I M • AL E XAN D E R WA N G • M ARN I • M I SSO N I • VAL E N TI N O • AN D MA NY MOR E

Form and Function (looks good)

Red Dot Design Awards WINNER 2015

(good for them)

Junior Design Awards WINNER 2016

Best Design Awards WINNER 2016

HEALTHY KIDS SHOES BY DESIGN WWW.BOBUX.CO.UK

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NEWS

NEWS

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

A MAGICAL PAIRING

Cath Kidston has joined up with Disney to launch a series of charming prints featuring Winnie-the-Pooh, and Micky and Minnie Mouse. The designs feature across a large collection of kids’ fashion, homeware, bags, accessories and more, as images of the well-loved Disney characters are combined with Cath Kidston’s signature floral and polka-dot prints. Just adorable!

Available from 26 September, cathkidston.com

BUNNY STEPS After a successful capsule collection for children, high-fashion favourite Minna Parikka has announced the launch of her dedicated shoe line for kids. Based on the womenswear styles, the Mini collection is crafted from the finest leathers, and includes the iconic bunny design, all starting from a teeny size 17. Available from September, minnaparikka.com

RECORD NUMBERS OF WOMEN ARE NOW TURNING TO HYPNOBIRTHING, ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY COLCHESTER HOSPITAL UNIVERSITY. THE NUMBER OF COUPLES TAKING PART IN COURSES HAS RISEN FROM SIX PER MONTH IN 2012 TO 84 PER MONTH IN 2016. STUDIES HAVE ALSO SHOWN THAT IT CAN SHORTEN LABOUR FOR FIRST-TIME MUMS. COLCHESTERHOSPITAL.NHS.UK

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 13

NEWS

NEW TO NAPPY VALLEY

Mamas & Papas first-ever boutique-style store has opened.

Part showroom, part community space, the boutique offers a carefully curated range of Mamas & Papas’ products alongside a host of wellbeing experiences. The store is also collaborating with fitness studio Frame to offer weekly pre- and postnatal yoga, nutritional advice and workshops in its downstairs studio.

144 Northcote Road SW11 6RD, mamasandpapas.com

LET’S KICK IT! Toms has partnered with the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Programme to help end the fight against HIV and AIDS. Together they’ve designed a pair of blue canvas slip-ons, available in baby, child and adult sizes. For every pair sold, TOMS will donate £5 towards the charity. From £25.99, toms.com

A SWEET DONATION British company iCandy has teamed up with Great Ormond Street Hospital to raise funds for a new enclosed isolation recovery bay at the hospital.

With each sale of the Peach pushchair, £10 will be donated by the brand, plus a further £5 for every MiPeach toy pram sold. icandyworld.com

BABY RULES 101 It would seem that babies do come with a manual these days! The First-Time Parent: Six Months on the Outside by blogger Sophia Walker covers the basics that no-one tells you about; from placenta pills to changing a baby in a pub toilet. With plenty of digestible tips and parenting hacks, you’ll be an expert in no time. £9.45, Nielsen

A GUIDE TO HAPPY PARENTING Presenter and mother-of-three Holly Willoughby has written a book based on her parenting experiences. Truly Happy Baby: It Worked For Me includes chapters on feeding, sleeping and wellbeing, as Holly guides new mothers through that tricky first year, encouraging them to use their intuition and avoid the one-size-fits-all parenting style. £16.99, Harper Collins

A SURVEY BY BABY MEDICINE EXPERTS DENTINOX REVEALS THAT ATTITUDES TO PARENTING HAVE CHANGED, WITH ALMOST A THIRD OF NEW MOTHERS ADMITTING THAT THEY ARE NOW HAPPY TO DRESS THEIR LITTLE ONES IN BLACK. NEVERTHELESS, IT APPEARS TO BE A MORE POPULAR CHOICE FOR BOYS THAN GIRLS – 42% COMPARED TO 19%. DENTINOX.CO.UK

14 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

‘BEAUTIFULLY BRITISH’ www.lalaandbea.com @lalaandbea

More milk for your baby, more time for both of you.

The innovative double pump technology in the Medela Swing Maxi helps you pump more energy packed milk, in less time.

Proud pioneers of breastfeeding innovation since 1965.

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Pump more milk in less time, thanks to our 2-Phase Expression Technology* Journal of Human Lactation 18 (4) 2002 “Effect of Vacuum Profile on Breast Milk Expression Using an Electric Breast Pump.�

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CHILDCARE MADE EASY Bubble is the on-demand babysitting app that makes finding a trusted sitter easier than ever.

Parents can source, book and pay sitters their friends already know, as the app uses social data to connect users with people in their wider personal network. Reclaiming your social life has never been more simple. Free, joinbubble.com

ama ms elfi sh Mother pyjamas, as modelled by fellow mama blogger and midwife, Clemmie Hooper

SLEEP STYLISHLY

UNDERWEAR ON SHOW Ingenious nursing top Breastvest is being featured at the V&A’s Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear exhibition. Included within the Performance Underwear space, it is part of the 200 pieces that make up the collection, with some dating back to the 18th century.

Created almost a decade ago, the vest is designed to sit beneath your maternity bra to make any top breastfeeding-friendly. £15, breastvest.co.uk

Sleepwear and bedding essentials brand The Bright Company has collaborated with blogger Selfish Mother to launch the special edition ‘Mama Jyms’ pyjamas. The Selfish Mother ‘Mama’ slogan adorns the vest, while the cotton leggings feature a graphic monochrome print. With each pair sold, £10 will be donated to WaterAid. £48, thebrightcompany.uk

BOXES FOR BABY The latest in parenting packages

BACK TO BASICS

ULTIMATE LUXURY

The NHS has launched a trial package with The Baby Box Co in a bid to reduce UK infant mortality rates. New mothers at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital will be given the box, lined with a firm mattress, cotton sheets and education materials. It’s based on a Finnish tradition, where babies sleep in the box for up to the first eight months. Boxes can also be purchased online. babyboxco.uk

Little’un is the UK’s first baby box packed with luxury items for both baby and mama. The package contains more than 50 products, from organic cotton clothing to nappies and wipes, and the box can also be used as a crib. For every box sold, Little’un donates a life-saving birthing kit to help mothers in need around the world. Available from 1 September. £330, littleun.co.uk

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 17

NEWS

MINI MOCCASINS Created by sisters Bethany and Osyth, Bimble Shoes handmakes beautiful moccasins for babies in a range of adorable colours.

Perfect for those precious first steps, the shoes mould to baby’s feet whiles allowing room for growth. The siblings come from a family of shoemakers, and are keen to maintain traditional leatherworking techniques with their debut collection. Definitely one to watch… From £45, bimbleshoes.com

REAR-SEAT DRIVER

Multimac, the brand behind the world’s only three- or four-seater car seat, is launching a rear-facing option, as European advice states that children are safest facing the rear for as long as possible. Suitable from birth up to 12 years old, the clever Multimac allows you to seat four children in the back of a five-seater car.

Available from September, multimac.co.uk

BEST OF THE BLOGS

The internet is awash with information but these brilliant bloggers cut to the chase with honest and practical advice Check out Laura’s style posts for dail outfit ins o

THE FASHION BUG BLOG

LIFE AT THE LITTLE WOOD

THE LONDON DAD

London-based fashion blogger Laura has recently become a mother for the first time.

Her blog is packed with wardrobe inspiration – from high-end to high street – and now her daughter Mila has arrived, it includes snippets into her life as a new parent. With her impeccable taste, flair for style and epic Instagram feed, you’ll want to own just about everything in her wardrobe. thefashionbugblog.com

Emma lives in the Northern Irish countryside with her husband, three children and miniature Dachshund, Ernie. She set up her lifestyle blog, Life at the Little Wood, in 2013 as a way to document the process of building their ‘forever home’. Since then, her posts have evolved to include family life, interiors ideas, trips to enjoy together and a wardrobe wishlist. We love the beautiful photography. lifeatthelittlewood.co.uk

Not to be outdone by the many mum bloggers out there, Greg set up his blog to show readers ‘the real side of parenting’.

Dad to Etta, his posts cover a range of topics, from his thoughts on feminism to coping with a pregnant other half. He’s also the brains behind the Dads Breakfast Club, for fathers who want to meet other likeminded males. His site is a great one for mums who want to know what’s really going on in the mind of their partner. thelondondad.com

18 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

THE WHITE HOUSE P R E PA R AT O R Y S C H O O L & THE WOODENTOPS NURSERIES Open Day: Saturday, 26th November 9.30 – 11.30am THE WOODENTOPS NURSERIES Babies from 6 months SW3 | SW12

THE WHITE HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL 2.5-11 years Co-Educational SW12

www.woodentopsnurseries.com

www.whitehouseschool.com

FOR A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP DESIGNED BY MOTHERS, WITH LOVE

Sleep time guard & play time companion We have put a lot of love in creating Whisbear – The Humming Bear. The shushing device – that we prefer to call the Whisbear’s Heart – emits sound similar to what your baby remembers from safe and cosy environment of the womb. That is why Whisbear supports the transition from prenatal to postnatal life and helps babies settle and fall asleep.

The Heart is armed with CRYsensor, an innovative technology that automatically enables soothing sounds if your baby wakes up and cries, to bring peaceful sleep back.

Whisbear not only guards your baby’s sleep but is also a great playtime companion. We have

USE THE CODE AT THE CHECKOUT

used rustling elements in his ears and easy-to-grab legs along with contrasting fabrics to

LondonBear16

encourage sensory and fine motor development of your baby through exciting play!

VALID FROM 12.08.2016 TO 31.10.2016

Buy online at www.whisbear.co.uk

STYLE

LOVES

The capsule collection is also available to buy online and instore at Selfridges

Miffy X Chinti and Parker Everyone’s favourite Dutch bunny has stepped it up in the style stakes by collaborating with luxury fashion label Chinti and Parker. The 21-piece womenswear collection features Miffy as you’ve never seen her before, adorning cosy cashmere sweaters and cotton tees, complete with deep pockets, pop-art prints and floral motifs. We’ll take one of each, please…

Cashmere sweaters, £375 each, chintiandparker.com

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 21

SHOPPING

Wooden blocks (set of 12) £94, twoodie.com

Finn + Emma birch wood play gym £105, naturalbabyshower.co.uk

Ancar cotton and linen bodysuit £57, childrensalon.com Leather moccasins £45, bimbleshoes.com Jellycat large bunny soft toy £47, liberty.co.uk

NATURE’S WAY he ne se son ings ith it u o oo n c e tu es n tu te tu es n neut tones o

Wooden plate £30, abacus-kids.co.uk

Wooden spinning top £13.50, omibia.com

NoFred oak chair £145, scandiborn.co.uk

B A-Maze wooden rain rush toy £17.99, selfridges.com

Knitted jacket £30.50, boden.co.uk

Charlie Crane baby rocker £148, nubie.co.uk Fanny & Alexander wooden toy camera £34, littlegoldie.com

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 23

SHOPPING Doona car seat £299, cuddlecoshop.co.uk

Go Baby Go knee pads £8, scandiborn.co.uk

Cotton denim dungarees £39.50, dottydungarees.com

Ferm Living musical mobile £24, madeindesign.co.uk

Knitted ‘Ahoy’ sign £20, seventyseven84.co.uk

COOL BLUE Hape wooden plane toy £7.99, amazon.co.uk

From aquamarine to pastel, dive in with these key pieces and make your little one’s space a sea of blue

Life Factory glass drinking bottle £19.99, littlegreenhome.co.uk

Trainers £7, mothercare.com

Cotton romper £45, susieandtoto.com

Travel cot light £199.99, babybjorn.co.uk

Mini Melissa welly boots £60, alexandalexa.com 24 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

Rope storage baskets (set of two) £18, mothercare.com

The first step in the Nomi concept The Nomi concept, one chair that takes your child from birth to teenage years, meeting their needs at all stages.

The Nomi Baby can be used from birth and brings your baby to a convenient height, off the floor and away from the cold, dust and pets.

The Nomi chair can be used once baby can sit unaided, with accessories fitted and is a perfect height to be used at the family table. It then has life into teenage years with it's fully adjustable seat and footrest ergonomically designed for good posture.

Available in a selection of colours and wood finishes to suit your home Nomi Highchair from ÂŁ179.95

Nomi Baby 0-6 months

Nomi Highchair 24 months +

Design: Peter Opsvik

Nomi Mini 6-24 months

For more information go to: www.evomove.com

Personalised 18-carat rose-gold-plated bracelet £69, mercimamanboutique.com

SHOPPING

Handmade cushion £15, poshtottydesigns.com

Cotton-blend cardigan £22.50, boden.co.uk

Polka-dot tulle dress £198, bonpoint.com

Glitter and shearling trainers £195, minnaparikka.com

Chrome baby chair £600, bloombaby.co.uk

TIME TO SHINE

Limited edition anniversary bottle and soother set £9.99, nuk.co.uk

Add a little glimmer to baby’s style with these ose tinte et ic finishes

Cotton muslin swaddles £39, adenandanais.co.uk Leather sandals £129, vevian.co.uk Maileg hanging ornaments (set of two) £2.50, sistersguild.co.uk

Siebensachen limited edition wooden music ball £64.99, toyella.com

Breton-stripe trousers £20, molo.com Incy Interiors rose-gold cot £499, cottage-toys.co.uk

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 27

SHOPPING

Cotton T-shirt £20, nor-folk.com

Leather and suede pram shoes £20, bobux.co.uk

Budtzbendix high chair £250, oskoe.com

Cotton-blend top £29.95, molo.com

BL ACK & WHITE ‘You’ve Got This, Mama’ mug £12, scandiborn.co.uk

There are no grey areas with this trend: classic and cool monochrome is here to stay another season

Panda soft toy £25, hamleys.com

Buddy & Bear plastic plate £7, bon-tot.com

Wool pinafore dress £99, mariechantal.co.uk

‘Baba’ wipe-clean nylon pouch £16, jemandbea.com Wooden pull-along zebra toy £24, abacus-kids.co.uk 28 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

Mima Xari pushchair £1,000, cheekyrascals.co.uk

Made by Hand in Devon

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INTERVIEW

The singer models her collaboration with Seraphine to raise money for baby charity Tommy’s

Sophie developed a craving to sniff lavender with her third baby

The mother says nine-m onth-old Jesse is a ‘s miley baby ’

Sophie with husband Richard

MY ESSENTIALS

Friday night vibes

SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR

Sophie, how are you finding life as a mum of four?

It’s chaos but happy chaos! Going from three to four is definitely a tipping point. I feel like we’re now part of a ‘silly big family’ club.

I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. It’s like a little community – something is always happening.

Are Sonny, Kit and Ray enjoying having a baby brother around?

Yep, they are all slightly obsessed!

It also helps that Jesse is a very smiley baby.

The singer/songwriter and motherof-four reveals all about pregnancy, motherhood and making music Did you find it easier or more difficult being pregnant this time around?

I’d say it was one of the easier ones. The hardest was the first, when I developed quite bad pre-eclampsia.

Did you have any weird cravings in any of your pregnancies?

When I was pregnant with my four year old, Ray, I developed a craving to smell lavender.

That’s weird, isn’t it? I carried a little lavender bath oil around in my bag. Then I got diagnosed with low iron, had that sorted and the craving went away.

The human body is really quite strange sometimes!

You’ve always managed to look stylish throughout pregnancy.

Do you have any tips?

I think the options for what to wear are getting better and better. When I was 24 and pregnant with Sonny, I couldn’t find anything cool for young pregnant mums. This time, I actually enjoyed finding bits.

My advice would be to experiment with what you already have, and don’t despair because the high street has some good things to keep you feeling a bit more like yourself.

What essential items could you not live without?

Apart from just having baby things around that I actually like, like a nice changing bag, cot or buggy,

I’m actually finding that I need less and less essentials with every baby. In my experience, the less stuff you rely on, the more chilled the baby. That being said, we’re about to take Jesse on holiday and I’m so thankful for all that brilliant UV50 swim stuff and those little baby tents. I used to burn all the time when I was a kid.

So, has your approach to motherhood changed over the years?

Yes and no. I think a lot was set from what Sonny taught us but then again, each baby I’ve had has turned into a very different person, so what works on one baby doesn’t necessarily work on another! The things that are constant are my hopes to keep lines of communication open at all times, to give them boundaries but try not to shout, and the fact I try to relax – I’m not going to always get it right but my intentions are good.

UPF50+ sun shade tent £79, fieldcandy.com babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 31

INTERVIEW

The singer pictu red with her mu m, former Blue Peter prese nter, Janet Ellis

The family enjoying a “proper Sunday”

New album Familia is inspired

by Latin America and cowboys

Who has inspired you as a parent?

My own parents, for sure, and my husband’s, too. Both our folks gave us lots of support when it came to following our passions.

That’s a great gift. I also have my mum’s trait for talking things over probably more than the kids would like, and my dad’s ability to tell bad jokes.

Music is obviously important to you as a family [Sophie’s husband is The Feeling bassist, Richard Jones], do any of your children show signs of following in you or your husband’s footsteps?

I would love the kids to be fans of music. If I had to make a guess, I’d say Ray might be the one to want to make music but he’s only four, so who knows. They are all pretty creative children, but I don’t know if becoming a musician will be their ‘thing’.

32 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

You’ve kept your career going through motherhood – how do you manage the balance?

Well, I’ve had the majority of my career as a mum now. It’s quite tricky with four but there’s a lot of working mums out there. I sometimes spread myself quite

thin but I think if you love all the things you do, it’s easier to have the energy to deal with it all.

What can we expect from your new album and what’s the inspiration behind it?

It’s called Familia and it’s the

bolshy little sister to my last album, Wanderlust. It’s inspired

by Latin America, disco, cowboys and tequila!

What do you love most about living in London?

Everything. It’s the best city in the world. So much to do and so many interesting people. I’m never leaving. I know some of my friends don’t feel the same but for me it’s an ongoing love affair.

What do you do when you need a break?

Go on a date with Richard.

It’s important.

What does next year have in store? Anymore children?

I’m following the album where it takes me and as for babies, I have no idea. I’m just going to enjoy the kids I have for now and decide later. I might be done… but then again, maybe not! I’m probably mad enough.

Sophie says she’d love her children to enjoy music as much as her and Richard do

Familia is available from 2 September. The album launch show will take place on 8 September at Bush Hall, Shepherd’s Bush.

PHOTOGRAPHY: IAN WEST/PA ARCHIVE/PRESS ASSOCIATION IMAGES, ISTOCK, INSTAGRAM.COM/SOPHIEELLISBEXTOR

IN MY EXPERIENCE, THE LESS STUFF YOU RELY ON, THE MORE CHILLED THE BABY

at little

london

Sunday 23 October

Join us for an exclusive morning of extraordinary adventure. Little London will be at Hamleys o to o n un o gett e i te t

Event includes • Red carpet entrance • Hamleys Ragdoll and Toy Soldier • Face painting with celebrity artist Annie Newman • Puppet show • Treasure hunt • Balloon modelling • 10% discount* on the day • VIP goody bag not to be missed

TO REGISTER FOR YOUR TICKETS, PLEASE VISIT

LittleLondonMagazine.co.uk/Hamleys * DISCOUNT ONLY AVAILABLE FROM 12PM-1PM ON THE DAY, AND EXCLUDES CONCESSION BRANDS.

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 33

time to

rhyme

Emma O’Donovan ROU N DS U P H ER PICK OF POE TIC R E ADS

THERE’S A BEAR ON MY CHAIR

By Ross Collins

In this deliciously simple and endlessly entertaining story, a disgruntled mouse becomes increasingly frustrated by the intruder on his chair. This book is a delight to read aloud. £9.99, Nosy Crow

BOOKS

‘It’s tricky to have breakfast when there’s a mole in your bowl!’

Babies will love this simple rhyming tale

HELLO POOH, HELLO YOU!

GOODNIGHT SPACEMAN

A board book introducing babies to beloved Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. With a surprise mirror hidden under a peekaboo flap at the end, this is the perfect book to share with your own little bear at bedtime. £6.99, Egmont

By Michelle Robinson

SING ALONG WITH ME! HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE

By Lynley Dodd

By Yu-Hsuan Huang

Bright, joyful illustrations lead little ones through this muchloved poem. With a free audio and instrumental version for smartphones and clever slider mechanisms to bring the characters to life. £5.99, Nosy Crow

An interstellar story inspiring budding astronauts to imagine how amazing it would be to go into space. Written in association with the European Space Agency. £6.99, Puffin

HAIRY MACLARY FROM DONALDSON’S DAIRY A much-loved classic that will demand to be read over and over again as you join Hairy Maclary and friends on a rhyming romp. £5.99, Puffin

THE DETECTIVE DOG

By Julia Donaldson

From the author of The Gruffalo, The Detective Dog is an action-

packed celebration of the relationship between a boy and his dog. This will become a firm favourite at bedtime, or anytime! £11.99, Macmillan

CUDDLY COW

By Axel Scheffler

Cow is looking for somewhere to rest but the animals on the farm are far too noisy. With a jolly sound button, this a perfect for bath, book, bed routines. £5.99, Nosy Crow

ODD BODS

By Steven Butler An alphabetical exploration of everything that is weird, wonderful and wild. Technicolor illustrations leap from every page in this hilarious tale for tots. £6.99, Puffin

ONCE UPON A WISH

By Amy Sparkes

This magical read about a wishgranting boy weaves a dreamlike tale of dragons and midnight feasts, sure to delight even the smallest of readers. After all, who doesn’t have a wish they would like to come true? £6.99, Red Fox

THERE’S AN OWL IN MY TOWEL

By Julia Donaldson

A beautifully perceptive story exploring daily routines with lift-the-flap surprises, as a baby’s every activity is thwarted by a new animal. Concludes with a delightful song to sing together, linked with a fun, interactive game encouraging imagination play. £6.99, Macmillan

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 35

VOTE NOW!

littlelondonmagazine.co.uk/awards PLUS, BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO

WIN

A FAMILY HOLIDAY TO CYPRUS

Let children

explore wit h Scott Dun n’s renowned ki ds’ club

Almyra offers a laidback and elegant take on Mediterranean luxury that’s perfect for families. With the Explorers Kids’ Club run by Scott Dunn (for little ones aged four months and over), organic restaurants, the award-winning Almyra spa and white muslin-draped daybeds by the pool, Almyra is the perfect place to unwind by the sea in style. scottdunn.com SUPPORTED BY

TERMS & CONDITIONS: HOLIDAY IS ROOM ONLY. PRIZE INCLUDES FOUR NIGHTS FOR TWO ADULTS AND TWO CHILDREN AT ALMYRA IN AN INTERCONNECTING FAMILY ROOM, AND PRIVATE TRANSFERS FROM PAPHOS AIRPORT. SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND SELECTED BLACKOUT DATES, INCLUDING THE DURATION OF AUGUST, APPLY. FOR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS, VISIT LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK/AWARDS-COMPETITION

TO CAST YOUR VOTE, VISIT

THE CONCEPT STORE

Retail therapy

SEPTEMBER

Discover beautiful clothing, shoes and gifts for babies and parents in one glorious space, with personalised pieces from Catwalk Baby, jewellery from Merci Maman and more.

2-23 September.

340 King’s Road, SW3 5UR

1 FUNCTIONAL FEEDING

Designed to support baby-led and traditional weaning, Tum Tum’s debut range of weaning products hits the shelves today. tumtumtots.com

12

PRETTY LITTLE POP-UP If you have a penchant for paisley prints and cashmere cardigans, make your way to Olivier Baby and Kids’ pop-up store – on site for two weeks only! Sydney Street, SW3

dates for your

18 VISIT THE PORTLAND

DIARY

This is an exclusive chance for parents-to-be to tour the hospital’s extensive facilities. theportlandhospital.com

11 THE BIG PUSH Take part in the NCT’s family-friendly 5km event at Battersea Park to support those who suffer perinatal mental illness. nct.org.uk

Sippy cup £7, tumtum tots.com

Pens at the ready, we have a few suggestions to keep you and baby busy for the next two months

23 SHOW

OCTOBER

A three-day event for new and expectant parents starts today, taking place at Sandown Park in Surrey.

Expect the best deals on top brands, including iCandy, Britax and many more! babyandtoddlershow.co.uk

1 DINNER DATE

BUSINESS

30 MAKE YOUR WE’LL BE WATCHING… 16 SEPTEMBER

PHOTOGRAPHY: NBC UNIVERSAL

Bridget Jones’s Baby Everyone’s favourite singleton is back – and in need of some bigger pants. Oscar winners Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth are joined

by Patrick Dempsey for the next chapter of Bridget Jones’s life. Get ready to cry, laugh, and laugh some more as Bridget finds herself rather unexpectedly expecting.

Piccolo Courgette, Pea & Leek purée £1.10, Waitrose

VOTE COUNT

It’s your last chance to vote in our Little London Awards! Let us know your favourite pregnancy and baby essentials, and you could bag yourself a family holiday to Cyprus, courtesy of Scott Dunn. What are you waiting for? littlelondonmagazine. co.uk/awards

Attention, weaning babies!

Two brand new Piccolo purée flavours will fly into Waitrose today: Courgette, Pea & Leek, and Carrot & Sweet Potato.

8 DANCE DIVAS

Today’s the day for even the smallest of swashbucklers to get involved in the Hidden Treasues & Sea Legends under-fives rave. museumoflondon.org.uk

21

FOR BUMP, BABY AND YOU Head to Olympia to test and compare thousands of products at The Baby Show, until 23 October. thebabyshow.co.uk

31 HAPPY

HALLOWEEN!

If dressing your baby as a pumpkin is a step too far, check out Gardner and the Gang’s stylish Halloween range, exclusive to Harrods.

13 BE A WINNER

It’s your last chance to enter our comps! Visit babylondon. co.uk/competitions

Pumpkin-print sweater dress £49.95, harrods.com babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 37

RUNNING HEAD

WHERE TO SHOP Stretching through Chelsea and Fulham, King’s Road derives its name from its function as a private road for King Charles II until 1830

FOCUS ON

AMAIA KIDS

KING’S ROAD

There’s a reason Amaia has such a devoted clientele –the adorable boutique features a selection of classic and elegant designs.

14 Cale Street

Discover the best spots to eat, shop, learn and play in this desirable stretch of Chelsea OUT AND ABOUT

Purple Dragon

PURPLE DRAGON With state-of-the-art facilities, family members’ club Purple Dragon is able to offer music, dance, art, imaginative play, sport and even cooking for little ones. Check out the on-site restaurant, too. purpledragonplay.com

CUCKOO HIBOU This recently opened venue on New King’s Road is a boutique, café and workshop space rolled into one, which has been created for kids, but made for parents. cuckoohibou.com

PLAY & LEARN CLASSES From baby sensory to music, games and storytelling, Gymboree’s play-based classes for infants encourage learning and development, with classes taking place just five minutes from South Kensington tube station. gymboree-uk.com TRIYOGA If you need to dedicate some time to looking after yourself, Triyoga offers a selection of workshops and treatments for pre- and postnatal mamas. triyoga.co.uk

GRAB A BITE THE IVY CHELSEA GARDEN Offering a delicious array of British classics, we love the extensive terrace and garden. theivychelseagarden.com BLUEBIRD If the sun is shining, grab a bite here. Have a wander around the Food Store, too. bluebird-restaurant.co.uk THE PIE MAN Grab yourself a scrumptious salad, but balance it out with one of its famous sausages!

16 Cale Street

BOBO KIDS

From the sleekest changing tables to the quirkiest cuddly toys, Bobo Kids is full of style inspiration. It also offers a fabulous interior design service.

29 Elystan Street

NURSERIES AND SCHOOLS: THE HAMPSHIRE SCHOOL, 020 7352 7077, THEHAMPSHIRESCHOOLCHELSEA.CO.UK; SINCLAIR HOUSE MONTESSORI, 020 7736 9182, SINCLAIRHOUSESCHOOL.CO.UK; GARDEN HOUSE SCHOOL, 020 7730 1652, GARDENHOUSESCHOOL.CO.UK; BRIGHT HORIZONS CHELSEA DAY NURSERY & PRE-SCHOOL, 020 3780 3020, BRIGHTHORIZONS.CO.UK 38 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY: MAP DATA ©2016 GOOGLE, SHUTTERSTOCK

CLUB PETIT PIERROT Enjoy fun french lessons from as young as a eight months old. The club takes place at The Hut, Alpha Place, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and at St Luke’s Church Hall every Saturday. clubpetitpierrot.uk.com

IGLOO

With four stores across London, you’ll find a great selection of clothing from top brands such as Petit Bateau, Kissy Kissy and Mini A Ture, alongside shoes, toys and gifts.

227 King’s Road

LIFE IS A JOURNEY. START SAFELY.

When the journey of life begins, parents eagerly look ahead at what’s to come. However for a baby travelling in the car, facing rearwards is the better choice. The new BABYSAFE i-SIZE fulfills the safety standards of tomorrow and is perfectly shaped for the growing bodies of babies up to 15 months. So wherever your journey takes you, one thing is for sure: the safety of your child. www.britax.com COMING SOON

Protecting children on the road since 1966

Jonah wears cotton-blend bodysuit, £26, Aden + Anais.

Cashmere blanket, £125, Mori at Eat Sleep Love. Liberty-print name sign, from £12.50, Little Cloud.

PHOTOGR APHER : KEN COPSEY ST YLIST: COURTN EY ROBINSON

THIS PAGE Sebastian wears bamboo and cotton bodysuit, £12, Mori at Eat Sleep Love. Merino two-piece set (top not shown), from £128, Bonpoint.

Cashmere blanket, £125, Mori at Eat Sleep Love. Cotton muslins (pack of two), £27, Mori. Linen wrap, £45, Épanoui.

RIGHT PAGE Mikey wears bamboo and cotton sleepsuit, £22, Mori. Cotton hat, £6, The Little White Company. Cotton jersey blanket, £14.95, MoKee.

THIS PAGE Jonah wears merino bodysuit, £49.50, Love In Kyò at Catwalk Baby. Cashmere blanket, £125, Mori at Eat Sleep Love. Linen wrap, £45, Épanoui.

RIGHT PAGE Sebastian wears bamboo knitted top, £22, Britt at Melijoe. Merino trousers, £59, Marie-Chantal. Cotton muslins (pack of two), £27, Mori.

THIS PAGE Sebastian wears merino two-piece set (top not shown), from £128, Bonpoint. Cashmere blanket, £125, Mori at Eat Sleep Love.

RIGHT PAGE Ella Mae wears cotton cardigan, £23.50, Love in Kyò at Catwalk Baby. Bamboo and cotton bodysuit, £16.50, Mori. Wool shawl (as part of a gift hamper), £139, Harrods. Cashmere blanket, as before. Wooden moon and star mobile, £24, Little Cloud.

THIS PAGE Mikey wears cotton jersey sleepsuit, £25, The Bright Company.

Cotton bunny rattle, from £14, Nogaravin.

Cashmere blanket, £125. Mori at Eat Sleep Love. Cotton jersey blanket, £14.95, MoKee. Organic cotton blanket (just seen), £50, Joolz Essentials at Eat Sleep Love.

RIGHT PAGE Ella Mae wears cashmere romper, £49, Olivier Baby and Kids.

Cotton-blend bodysuit, £21, Patachou.

Cashmere blanket and cotton jersey blanket, both as before.

Ella Mae wears cotton cardigan, £59, Marie-Chantal. Cotton blouse, £97, Bonpoint. Bamboo and cotton yoga trousers, £15, Mori. Soft toys (from left to right): Elephant, £31, Britt at Melijoe.

Bunny rattle, from £14, Nogaravin.

Teddy bear, £26, Britt at Melijoe.

Penguin (as part of a set), £35, The Little White Company. Bunny, £16, Jellycat at John Lewis.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT AND RETOUCHER: GEORGIA SHANE. MODELS: ELLA MAE, JONAH, MIKEY, SEBASTIAN. MODEL AGENCIES: BABY GRACE, BRUCE & BROWN.

Knitted shawl £15, boots.com

Beaded hanging decorations (set of three) £10, next.co.uk

Cotton top £12.50, petit-bateau.co.uk

Knitted cotton booties £9.95, gap.co.uk

Knitted cotton-lined hat £6.99, zara.com

SHOP THE SHOOT

Make super-soft cotton, wool and pastel shades baby’s new wardrobe staples

Knitted pram blanket £20, johnlewis.com

Knitted bodysuit £19, mamasandpapas.com

Cable-knit bunny soft toy £7.95, johnlewis.com

Cotton bodysuit £8.95, gap.co.uk Knitted cotton leggings £9, johnlewis.com

Liberty-print cushions (set of two) £29, mamasandpapas.com

Knitted beaver soft toy £16, mamasandpapas.com

Wool pram blanket £35, lalaandbea.com

WITH MOR E CH OICE S ON OFFER THAN EVER BEFOR E, Louise Pyne R EVE AL S HOW TO CH OOSE TH E RIGHT NAM E FOR YOU R BABY raditional or modern? Popular or individual? There are so many factors to take into consideration when choosing a name for your newborn, and finding something that you and your partner both love can be fun, frustrating and bewildering at the same time. You might have already had an idea in mind before conceiving or chosen a name upon finding out the sex. In some cases, the eureka moment doesn’t come until you see your little one in the flesh, or you could be one of the many couples still passing names back and forth well after your child has arrived. As with any big decision, it’s often the sheer amount of choice which makes the process so utterly overwhelming.

So much significance is attributed to the name of your child, believes Mark Woods, author of Baby Names 2016. “As well as being the word we will have to answer to and hear more than any other throughout our lives, there’s evidence to suggest the type of name we have can have a big effect on how people view us, too,” he reveals. “One study showed

T

that some teachers mark the same work differently, depending on the name which sits on top of it!” And with almost two thirds of parents associating future success with their child’s name, it’s no wonder we find it difficult making up our minds.

BABY-NAME BLUES Thankfully, time is on your side as legally you have until six weeks after the birth to come up with the perfect gem, and if you have regrets down the line you can still change your baby’s name at a later date. It might not be standard practice, but according to British law you can amend your baby’s birth certificate any time before their first birthday – although the sooner you make that decision the better, as once your baby reaches seven months it’s likely they’ll be responding to their name.

Switching from a name you’ve already

ALMOST TWO THIRDS OF PARENTS ASSOCIATE FUTURE SUCCESS WITH THEIR CHILD’S NAME 54 | MAR/APR 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

NAME THAT BABY

Our round-up of best resources to help you find a name that makes the cut

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK

THE BOOK chosen might seem like a strange move but surprisingly, one in eight parents admit to having regrets about what they called their children. While most of us would agree it’s a dramatic step to take, a recent study carried out by babycenter.com revealed as many as 10% of parents in the US have considered renaming their child – a phenomenon called ‘baby remorse’. A step too far? It might be worth adopting a nickname or variation on your original choice instead.

Perhaps we should take our cue from other countries. Scour the internet and you’ll quickly discover that name-choosing is relatively straightforward in many other cultures. In Nigeria, babies are given a name depending on the day they were born, while Chinese families choose names with no more than two syllables. In Greece, parents aren’t expected to announce their newborn’s name until up to 10 days after delivery. “In Bali, parents aren’t so much overwhelmed by choice as stuck with just a handful of names,” continues Mark.

The tradition there is to have just a few name options per child, and these names depend on whether they are the first, second, third or fourth born – resulting in lots of nicknames.

With over 8,000 listings, Baby Names 2016 also offers tons of tips to help you make the right choice. £6.99, amazon.co.uk

THE APP Check for names while on the go with Babyname. Much like Tinder for names, when you and your partner get a match, it’ll be saved! Swipe away… babyname-app.com

THE HACK Here’s a trick to narrow down the shortlist inspired by David Bowie’s lyric-writing technique: “Place your favourites in a hat and see how they sound combined when you pull them out randomly,” says Mark.

THE GAME Make it you and your partner’s goal to meet two or three new people every day when you’re out and about, and you’re bound to find names that spark interest.

THE EXPERTS Still struggling? In the US, parents-to-be are willing to shell out thousands for personal advice from baby-name consultancy mynameforlife.com

babylondon.co.uk | MAR/APR 2016 | 55

PARTY TIME Party balloons (pack of eight) £1.49, partypieces.co.uk

Cloud-print party balloons (pack of 10) £3.79, partypieces.co.uk

SKY HIGH

Baby’s party will reach new limits with this aeroplane theme

FARMYARD FUN Recreate a day at the farm for little animal enthusiasts

UNDER THE SEA

Dive in and make a splash with an adorable seaside soirée

Farmhouse scene paper centrepiece £4.99, partypieces.co.uk

‘Planes’ cake (serves 45) £120, thecakestore.co.uk

Decorative paper fans £1.59 each, partypieces.co.uk

Assorted party balloons (pack of 15) £1.49, partypieces.co.uk

Paper plates (pack of eight) £1.29, partypieces.co.uk

Paper cups (pack of eight) £1.49, partypieces.co.uk

Paper napkins (pack of 18) £2.69, partypieces.co.uk

Paper treat tubs (pack of eight) £3.29, partypieces.co.uk

Jersey cotton bodysuit £20, petit-bateau.co.uk

Paper plates (pack of eight) £3.99, partypieces.co.uk

Cotton-blend cardigan £27.50, boden.co.uk Paper bags (pack of eight) £3.99, partypieces.co.uk

Wooden Duck Push-Along Toy £8, jojomamanbebe.co.uk

Green Toys aeroplane £13.99, bigjigstoys.co.uk

Knitted octopus toy £27, pebblechild.com

Cotton-blend thermal leggings £10, jojomamanbebe.com 56 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

Carrot cake (serves six) £28.95, hummingbirdbakery.com

The Miniature Knit Shop wool mermaid tail £80, lunaandcurious.com

PARTY TIME

ROLL UP, ROLL UP! Playful touches for the very best circus-inspired celebration

Marble party balloons (pack of eight) £1.99, partypieces.co.uk

Our party expert shares her tips for the best birthday celebration for your baby

Paper party hats (pack of eight) £2.29, partypieces.co.uk

Paper circus-animal centrepieces (pack of three) £4.99, partypieces.co.uk

Plastic serving trays (pack of three) £2.99, partypieces.co.uk

PARTY THEMES with Carole Middleton Put on a birthday to remember with a well-thought-out themed do

Paper cups (pack of six) £1.49, partypieces.co.uk

O

ne of the simplest ways to decide which direction your child’s party should take is to pick a theme and run with it. Once you’ve chosen that theme, it’s much easier to make decisions for the finer details, including the food, drink and décor, based on your vision. You’ll also get some great photo opportunities.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK

Frank & Fischer wooden rattle £16, shak-shuka.com

Cotton babygrow, £21.20, pigeonorganics.com

• Dressing up for a party is all part of the fun!

You may want to go all out and take on fancy dress, or choose an outfit to complement the theme. Try a cute party dress with balloons on it for Sky High style, or stripy leggings for a circus theme.

• Give guests an indication of your theme from the very beginning. Sending out invitations that Illustrate the theme of your child’s party is a great way to excite your guests from the start. Having a beach-inspired day? Get creative with your little one, sticking on shells and paper starfish.

• Tying in your food and drink will really stamp some individuality on the day, particularly for the adults attending. Try mini fish and chip newspaper cones for a beachy theme, or a sweetie bar complete with striped paper bags and crowd-pleasing snacks like popcorn and candyfloss for a carnival-inspired do. Remember to check with your guests if they have any allergies.

• Classic ideas, such as circus and farmyard themes, work particularly well for babies and toddlers as they adore animals and bright colours. Equally, more general ideas such as Sky High (pictured left) leave room for a whole mix of decorations, including hot-air balloons, kites, and aeroplanes.

• There is only a limited number of games you can play with babies, as most are just finding their feet, but try to incorporate your theme into the activities. Include a farmyard-inspired baby-proof play zone filled with soft animal toys, or a coconut shy for a circus theme.

Don’t forget the blowing bubbles, too!

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 57

17 20

G N R KI O O F BO OW N

Discover blissful baby & toddler friendly holidays

Everything that parents need for stress free getaways in luxury villas and 5* resorts

Call 0800 014 2770 or visit www.totstotravel.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT ON

MARLOE LONDON

All wrapped up

GON E AR E TH E DAYS WH EN A SWADDLE WAS SOLELY FOR SWADDLING . Kate Finney R EPORTS ON TH E SU PER SIZED TR EN D FOR MU LTI-PU R POSE MUSLIN S

efore they know it, every expectant or new parent begins to delve into the world of extra-large muslins. It’s impossible to walk down the street without seeing a buggy with a large patterned muslin draped over the hood, covering up a sleeping baby, or protecting them from the sun.

They are versatile, useful, practical and

B

now feature any number of prints and colours to suit most tastes. Whether you’re into monochrome, dip-dye pastels or cute storybook characters, you’ll find yourself stocking up before you know it.

Perfect for a multitude of tasks, these muslins are all big enough to swaddle your baby in the early days – if you choose to do

so – as well as being soft enough to use as sheets for the Moses basket or crib and as blankets for a newborn. When an everyday essential crosses into must-have accessory territory, the designs start to get more and more exciting, and designer collaborations start to pop up. In fact, if you’re not a convert already, you soon will be!

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 59

SPOTLIGHT ON

MARLOE LONDON

The simple act of swaddling will help to calm a tired, over-stimulated baby

MORI

BERTIE'S BLANKETS FAYE & LOU

MARLOE LONDON

BERTIE’S BLANKETS

These luxurious, extra-extra-large muslins are beautifully soft and sumptuous. The collection of block colours and ombre dip-dyes appeal to mothers and babies alike, and they have the added bonus of personalisation with a name, birth date and contrasting embroidery trim, making these muslins the perfect present for a newborn. The fact that these muslins can also be used as a sarong or scarf for mum means that a Marloe is not only chic, but guaranteed to be in use long after your little one has grown up. marloelondon.com

Set up by a new mother, Bertie’s Blankets swaddling muslins come beautifully presented in a gift box, and are printed with a stylish safari design in either pinky grey or blue. Made from a mix of bamboo rayon and cotton, these muslins get softer with every wash and are particularly comfortable for babies with sensitive skin. Plus, the gorgeous print gives them a longevity beyond the baby days: Bertie himself is now four years old and loves to use his blankets to build dens! bertiesblankets.com

60 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

MORI Anyone who loves Scandi style and colourways will love the beautiful muslins on offer from baby brand Mori. Incredibly soft, made from 100% pre-washed cotton, available in four neutral tones (white, dusk blue, light grey and blush pink) and featuring the subtle signature Mori print, these muslins add an element of grownup style to life with a baby.

So versatile, you’ll want one in every colour. babymori.com

FAYE & LOU Bold and bright, these zingy muslins can’t help but cheer you up. The extra-large cotton ‘Cozio’ swaddling muslins come in a whole palette of rainbow hues, and are highly absorbent and breathable. Plus, there’s zero chance of them ever fading to a dull-looking grey. For a bit of extra cushioning, the muslin blankets are made from three layers of cotton muslin – great for using as a play mat or lining the pram. fayeandlou.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT ON

MOLLY & MOO

ADEN + ANAIS

LIL’ CUBS

Fans of bold prints and primary colours will love the offerings from Lil’ Cubs LULLABÉBÉ

ADEN + ANAIS

LULLABÉBÉ

Ever since a newborn Prince George was introduced to the world wrapped in a bird-print aden + anais swaddle, the brand has shot to international stardom, with Mark Zuckerberg, Jessica Alba and Jamie Oliver being the latest celebrity fans. What started off as a small range featuring star prints, jungle animals and pretty patterns has now expanded to include collaborations with the likes of Disney and charity RED, and exciting new ranges featuring subtle metallic prints and nostalgic alphabet designs. adenandanais.co.uk

Inspired by family life in Provence, the pure cotton muslins from Lullabébé are supersized, lightweight and highly versatile with beautiful French-style colours and prints. The white muslins feature sweet blue or pink designs (including little elephants and hearts), are delicately soft and come with a matching muslin drawstring bag. They’re ideal gifts for expectant mothers, especially if you use the personalisation service to embroider the baby’s initials in beautiful French script on one corner. lullabebe.com

LIL’ CUBS Featuring a selection of vibrant prints in bold colours, these super-soft cotton muslins are suited to parents looking for unisex designs. We particularly love the rainbow chevron pattern, the juicy fruit prints and the simple yet striking lightning bolts.

Made using only eco-friendly dyes (so some subtle fading may occur over time) and bursting with personality, these muslins are both practical and fun. lilcubs.co.uk

MOLLY & MOO Minimalist designs and muted greys give these muslins from brand new company Molly & Moo an undeniably Scandinavian feel, perfect for parents who favour natural shades and a cleaner, more modern aesthetic. The generous dimensions and durable, super-soft quality means they will be a hit with baby, doubling as a comfort blanket as they grow. These muslins make a lovely essential for your changing bag. mollyandmoo.co.uk

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 61

STYLE Cotton-blend sweater £26, topshop.com

Bra top £31.99, noppies.com

SPORTS STARS

Silk top £69, cosstores.com

Mothers-to-be, don’t sweat it. Tap into the athleisure wear trend this season with these stylish and comfortable picks

‘Memobottle’ water bottle £22.99, thefowndry.com

Michael Kors leather backpack £285, harrods.com

Long-sleeve top £55, isabellaoliver.com

Fitbit Charge activity and sleep wristband £119.99, fitbit.com 62 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

STYLE T by Alexander Wang leather jacket £1,025, nineinthemirror.com

Water bottle with sport cap £16, kleankanteen.com

KEEP ON MOVING

Frame fitness founders Pip Black and Joan Murphy share their top tips for exercising during pregnancy

Seamless leggings £15, seraphine.com

Always consult your midwife or GP before starting.

If you are generally healthy and have, so far, had a healthy pregnancy, you should be fine to continue exercising, but always check with your doctor first. If in doubt, a good reference point is the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines.

Cotton-blend leggings £38.99, noppies.com

Cotton vest top £19, jojomamanbebe.co.uk

Adidas Originals matte jersey trainers £89.95, adidas.co.uk

A supportive waistband is key when it comes to shopping for leggings, but whether you prefer the band to sit above or below your bump is up to you Jersey leggings £39, isabellaoliver.com

Nike Air Max textured leather trainers £95, net-a-porter.com

Invest in a good quality sports bra.

You don’t have to spend lots of money on a whole new sportswear wardrobe, but now is the time to invest in a good quality bra for working out. Nike and Shock Absorber are our go-to brands for hold-them-in, high-impact activities. Be sure to get measured, too – try John Lewis or Marks & Spencer next time you pop in!

Don’t push yourself too hard in the first trimester.

Your energy levels are likely to be low, so it’s important to bear this in mind. If you are feeling energetic, dancing, aerobics and body conditioning are all great classes to enjoy in the first part of your pregnancy. This is also a good time to do exercises on you back (such as hip raises) which may become more uncomfortable later down the line.

Be careful when it comes to core work.

Working your arms, legs, glutes and shoulders is absolutely fine – the area

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 63

STYLE

Joseph cashmere coat £525, nineinthemirror.com

Check out the Seraphine London Bump Kit – four key mix-and-match pieces to make up the core of your maternity wardrobe Stretch-cotton vest £25, seraphine.com

Move Your Frame X Whistles cotton jumpsuit £80, whistles.com

Camo-print bag £89, jemandbea.com

Nursing bra top £29.90, cakematernity.com

Bobble water bottle £7.99, johnlewis.com

Canvas trainers £75, fitflop.co.uk 64 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

to be careful of is your abdominal muscles. Try to stay away from crunches, as you will be reducing the amount of space your baby has and increasing the chance of abdominal seperation.

Working your obliques is fine, however, and will in fact help to support your growing baby and protect your lower back.

Try to stick to a specialist prenatal class as opposed to a standard Pilates class.

You can still run during your second trimester…

In fact, you’ll probably be feeling more energised than you did in your first trimester, but keep in mind that the hormone relaxin, which is present in your joints, will mean you are slightly less stable. Think about reducing your exercise intensity at this stage and take care not to increase your body temperature too much. Doing a spin class? Keep the cadence lower and the hills less steep.

Slight sweating is fine, but make sure you are taking in extra water, too.

Try non weight-bearing exercises throughout your third trimester.

You will now be feeling heavier and less agile, so try swimming, walking or specialist pregnancy yoga and conditioning – regular yoga will become tricky by this point and certain moves will need to be modified. It is fine to continue to exercise using weights if you want to, but listen to your body – if it doesn’t feel right, then stop.

Pip and Joan are the founders of Frame, which offers a range of pre- and postnatal classes in locations around London.

For timetables and more information, visit moveyourframe.com

autumn 2016 collection

Lets be friends

Call us on 0871 423 5656 or visit our website at www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk Visit one of our London stores: Balham, Battersea, Blackheath, Chelsea Green, Chiswick, Crouch End, Dulwich, Muswell Hill, Putney, Stoke Newington, Westbourne Grove, West Hampstead & Wimbledon Free delivery to UK and Ireland. See website for full details.

REVIEWS

TOTGEAR

Faye Harris AN D H ER ON E-YE AR- OLD DAUGHTER PUT TH E BUGABOO BEE 3 TH ROUGH ITS PACE S It seems the sleek Bee 3 ticks all the boxes for both mums and dads

BUGABOO BEE 3 Cult baby brand Bugaboo launched the first model of the Bee back in 2007 and it has been a huge success, especially for city dwellers. The third generation of the inimitable buggy has been a hit with celebrities and now functions as a travel system, with a separate carrycot and adapters for a car seat, so it’s suitable from birth right up to small children.

THE LOWDOWN Until now, I’ve had a combination of an all-singing, all-dancing travel system and an umbrella stroller for quick trips, but I’ve always kept an eye out for the buggy to end all buggies. A tough call – but most of all, I was after a buggy that would suit both a new baby and a toddler, and would even allow me to cart both of them around (using a buggy board) if needs be. I never thought of myself as a ‘Bugaboo parent’, but I have to admit, it was almost love at first use.

GOOD LOOKING? The Bee is easily identified by its low-slung, pared back design which cleverly disguises it sturdiness. The minimalist look and small wheels won’t appeal to everyone, but I found this refreshing. With a myriad of colour combinations, it is easy to personalise, and the accessories on offer from Bugaboo are beautifully designed. The extendable hood deals very well with both rain and sunshade, and for cocooning a sleeping baby. The reversible seat looks good in both forwardfacing and parent-facing mode.

PRACTICALITY & DRIVEABILITY Given how lightweight the Bee is, it really does perform as well as, if not better, than a bigger travel system, with adapters for a car seat and a separate carrycot that fits on the frame for a newborn. Once you get the hang of the fold, it collapses well and takes up very little space.

The manouverability took me by surprise.

For a pushchair with such small wheels, the suspension is incredible, which is just what you need when navigating London’s curbs. It is easy

to push with one hand, and even with a buggy board added it still manouvres well.

One small annoyance is the lack of rain protection for the storage basket if your child is in parent-facing mode. But it’s not hard to cover belongings with a plastic bag or similar though, you just need to be prepared, or switch to forward-facing. The basket itself is generous for such a small-looking buggy.

COMFORT I love the extendable seat that can be easily elongated if you’re using the buggy to switch between a baby and a toddler, like I am. The adjustable seat has a good lie-flat option, but the most upright setting was still not upright enough for me and causes the baby to slump backwards unless I loosen the straps to allow her to sit up. It really depends on her mood as to which she prefers.

THE VERDICT

listened to her advice. My toddler loves using the buggy board (there’s also a handy seat that attaches to it) and my baby is remarkably happy in it, whether awake or asleep. In fact, I’m so pleased with the Bee that my wandering eye has stopped considering other pushchairs.

I feel I’ve met my perfect match.

A friend told me before I had baby number one to get a Bugaboo Bee, and I wish I’d

£539, bugaboo.com

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 67

TOT GEAR The agile Peach All-Terrain is perfect for countryside adventures

The great outdoors Whether you’re jogging in the park or navigating your way through rolling hills, don’t let your pushchair hold you back

BABYJOGGER SUMMIT X3 This lightweight pushchair allows you to lock the front wheel straight, putting you in total control, whether you’re going for a jog or taking a stroll. £429.95, johnlewis.com

BUGABOO RUNNER Specifically designed for active parents, this streamlined pushchair not only looks sleek but offers runners and walking enthusiasts the smoothest of rides. £583, bugaboo.com

ICANDY PEACH ALL-TERRAIN With soft-touch sports fabrics, this has the look and feel of an urban pushchair, but its air-filled tyres mean that it’s ready for outdoor adventures. £640, icandyworld.com

TAGA BIKE STROLLER Are you a keen cyclist? The Taga combines a stylish stroller with a bike, suitable for little ones aged six months to six years.

From £1,299, kidsandfamilycycles.co.uk

BUMBLERIDE INDIE This pushchair lives and breathes the outdoors; the lockable, air-filled, swivelling front wheel means it’s perfect for jogging. £659, babyandchildstore.com

YIPPIEYO Offering unlimited freedom, the YippieYo provides space for two children aged between one and six years. Talk about getting an opentop view! £535, yippieyo.com

68 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

TOT GEAR

GET SEAT-WISE This issue we give rotational car seats a spin, as we round up the best on the market

afet s stem

With a five-point harness, the innovative safety system combines headrest, belts and shoulder pad in one unit.

360° rotation

The design and engineering behind the 360° rotation car seat not only means you can get your child in and out of the seat with ease, but also allows rearward-facing travel position for children up to four years.

ew orn inla

A removable newborn insert will ensure your baby is in the best position for those first few months.

RECARO ZERO. 1 I-SIZE With ingenious design and safety at its forefront, this rotatable car seat has Isofix connection for an easy and secure installation, while the safety indicator signalises correct installation for peace of mind. £399, paulstride.co.uk

JOIE SPIN 360 Available in two colours, the Joie Spin has five recline positions that can be used in rearward-facing or forward-facing mode. £250, mothercare.com

70 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

sofi

ase

Intergrated Isofix bases ensures easy and safe installation for both parent and baby.

BRITAX DUALFIX With practicality in mind, the quick-remove cover means there’s no need to remove the harness when your little one makes a mess! £375, britax.co.uk

NUNA REBL With its sleek design, one-hand, seven-position headrest and airy mesh seat cover, the Nuna Rebl is a comfortable ride. £395, shopnuna.co.uk

MAXI-COSI AXISS Perfect from four months, the angled base provides additional leg room to keep baby in a rearward position for longer. £225, peppermint.co.uk

CYBEX SIRONA PLUS A one-click installation with Isofix, both in rear- and forward-facing positions, this stylish car seat is easy on the eye. £375, mamasandpapas.com

2016 is our 60th anniversary!

To celebrate we have launched two brand new Limited Edition Bottle & Soother Sets in ultra stylish metallic effect Gold or Silver finish. Both sets feature our most premium crystal clear First Choice+ 300ml (PA) plastic bottle along with our top of the range Genius Soother, both neatly contained within a stylish gift box which makes them ideal for a baby shower or as a gift for new parents.

NUK. Understanding Life.

Now available at

NUK is a registered trademark of MAPA GMBH, Germany

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Baby Bling!

BABY TALK

THE DAD DIARY

Blogger, vlogger and husband to Instagram favourite Mother Pukka, Matt Farquharson shares the good, the bad and the oh-so honest about life as a parent What made you decide to launch Papa Pukka in the first place?

My wife, Anna, started motherpukka.co.uk about a year earlier and seemed to hit on something that parents connected with – it felt very honest. She’s also very funny. I began writing for her blog to give a dad’s perspective, and try to do so once a day. I avoid, at all costs, offering guidance though. Parents have enough unsolicited advice slung their way on a daily basis, so instead I try to offer a bit of light relief. I’ve found the more open you are, the more you seem to connect with people.

There’s nothing that Papa Horsey can’t fix

Casa Pukka isn’t short of cereal – just furniture

Mae playing intern

Your daughter, Mae, is three. What has fatherhood taught you so far?

To invent bedtime stories that can be tied to the day’s events, usually with a moral at the end along the lines of, “And so the toothless elephant/illiterate badger/one-eared emu really should have brushed his teeth more/ tried harder at school/worn a helmet.”

It’s also taught me the art of patience and negotiation, and how not to lose my temper in the face of wildly changing demands. In fact, dealing with a toddler makes me fairly confident that I could resolve most global conflicts if they’d let me.

But the downsides to parenting – and there are many, from the tantrums and destruction of furniture to constant knackeredness – tend to evaporate in seconds when your small human spontaneously hugs your shin and says, “I love you”.

What kind of dad are you?

Mostly the exhausted, too-easilydistracted-by-his-phone kind (I’m also guilty of over-reliance on the iPad, especially when travelling) but I try to get that elusive balance between clown and educator.

Ella’s Kitchen chicken casserole with rice £1.40, tesco.com

The Ella’s Kitchen pouches are a great uic fi hen the ni e on t e t

The result of letting your three-year-old pick your outfit

“I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT…”

Beach frolics in Devon

Papa Pukka

On the shoulders of da

d: Matt and Mae

Where do you go when you feel like dodging dad responsibilities once in a while?

Like most modern fathers these days, I occasionally linger in the loo reading the paper on my phone.

Have you experienced any surreal or scary moments as a father?

Dadding is a daily parade of the surreal, from trotting around the local Asda pretending to be a pony so my daughter would stop crying, to aggressively competing with other dads to improvise the wittiest verse of Wheels On The Bus at a daycare open day.

What invaluable piece of advice would you give to new dads?

To remember that it all comes more naturally than you might expect. Kids are as intuitive to deal with as an iPad – just keep swiping (or feed, cuddle, change, put to bed, etc) until something works. Also, once they’re on solids, you’ll get to eat more fish fingers than you have in years.

Follow on Instagram @Papa_Pukka

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 73

ADVERTORIAL Sleep safely, feed easily and be closer to your baby with the 3-In-1 Bedside Crib

Sleeping soundly SAFE, SECU R E AN D CLOSE, DISCOVER TH E PER FEC T SLEEP SOLUTION FOR YOU R N EWBOR N RIGHT H ER E e know how it feels during those early months – the worry, the desire to be nearby. Your newborn baby is the centre of your world, but is there a safe way to keep her close while you sleep?

Not only do experts suggest that sleeping in the same room as your baby will help her to regulate her breathing, there is also evidence to suggest that sleeping in the same room can

W

help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Then there’s the added benefit of keeping baby close for mothers who have had caesarean sections – after all, it’s no fun getting out of bed and reaching down into a Moses basket, or walking through the house to the nursery to feed several times in the night, when you should be recovering.

For some, co-sleeping solves the problem.

For others, the worry associated with sharing the same bed is too much. That’s why bedside cribs, such as the SnüzPod, offer an alternative, so you can sleep next to your baby safely.

The SnüzPod 3-in-1 Bedside Crib easily attaches to your own bed, and features a unique zip-down mesh wall that allows you to access your little one during the night to

comfort and feed her. Then, simply zip back up to create a safe, four-walled sleeping space for baby. The transparent mesh allows you to see her at all times. Come morning, the lift-off bassinet allows your baby to nap away to her heart’s content in her own bed, anywhere in the house, or in comfort and familiar surroundings when you’re travelling. A third function transforms the SnüzPod into a rockable stand-alone crib for the nursery.

The SnüzPod is offered in seven different colours to suit your home décor and style; choose from Blush, Sherbet, Putty, Eco-White, Dove Grey, Espresso and Natural. Suitable from birth to six months, this bedside crib could be the safe and secure sleep solution your newborn needs. snuz.co.uk

SA

G VIN

YOU FROM

TH

E

WIND &

SHOWERS OUTSIDE INSIDE IT’S OVER TO YOU The innovative Sangenic Tec nappy disposal system from Tommee Tippee offers anti-bacterial protection from germs and odours, individually sealing each nappy away in seconds. The tub conveniently holds up to 28 nappies meaning fewer trips to the outdoor bin. The system is easy to set up, easy to use and easy to empty, meaning you can spend less time changing and more time with your little one.

Style your bump, Style your baby Fashionable Maternity Clothes | Nursing Wear | Kids Clothing | Gifts & Accessories

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Shop online at www.bloomingals.co.uk Keep in touch via:

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Set of two (withmuslin matching bag) £24.95 Our large cloth range Personalisation available on request

Set of two (with matching bag) £24.95 Personalisation available on request

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AVA I L A B L E N O W I N S E L E C T E D S T O R E S & O N L I N E AVA I L A B L E N O W I N S E L E C T E D S T O R E S & O N L I N E

BEAUTIFUL MUSLINS - INSPIRED BY PROVENCE - LOVED BY BABY

SUPPORTS

SUPPORTS

76 | SEP/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

SHOPPING

WISHLIST

Our favourite new-season buys, as spotted at children’s trade show Bubble London

Handmade lace-up shoes £70, thelittleshoemaker.com

Cotton denim dungarees £39.50, dottydungarees.com

Teething necklace £15.95, laraandollie.co.uk

Organic cotton bodysuit £14.50, pocopato.com

Bamboo baby bonnet, vest, babygrow and teddy bear gift set £80, charlotte-mathieu.com

Embroidered soft toy £19.50, noodoll.com

Cotton blankets (each) £22, mamascarf.co.uk

Organic cotton bloomers £24, annaliv.co.uk

Printed cotton romper £29.99, questioneverythinglondon.com

Tartan button wool-blend coat £119, rachelriley.co.uk

Organic cotton musical mobile £30, camcam.dk

Chambray trainers £25.99, toms.co.uk

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 77

health & beauty

NEWS TH E L ATE ST R E SE ARCH AN D DEVELOPM ENTS IN TH E WOR LD OF WELLBEING

NEW SKINCARE PURE & SIMPLE Pai Skincare has added to its range with a selection for children. Petit Pai, which is suitable from birth, uses only organic ingredients to maintain pH levels in baby’s skin.

From £18, paiskincare.com BABY BREAKTHROUGH Natura Siberica, which employs the power of Siberia’s wild flowers and herbs, has launched Little Siberica in the UK. The range has everything from bath foam to toothpaste.

From £5.37, naturasiberica.co.uk

TUMMY TROUBLES In their first year, up to four in 10 babies will develop constipation.

Docusol Paediatric Solution provides relief for little ones over the age of six months, softening stools and increasing water absorption. Dilute the liquid to ease symptoms. £7.99, available at all good pharmacies

CLEANER CLEANING GET YOUR D-A-DAY

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

Trials prove that vitamin D is absorbed into the body 50% faster when taken via an oral spray. Thankfully, BetterYou’s DLux Pregnancy spray delivers the optimal amount, as well as the recommended dose of folic acid – essential for baby’s bone growth. £9.95, betteryou.com

Loogun is a revolutionary device designed to make toilet cleaning more hygienic. Created after Calan Horsman found his niece playing with a toilet brush, the hand-held tool uses a powerful jet of water to clean the bowl, removing all stubborn marks without the need for chemicals or scrubbing. You might even say it looks rather elegant, too. £34.99, loogun.com

SENSITIVE SOULS Aveeno has created a line of products for sensitive skin. The Aveeno Baby range is made from colloidal oatmeal to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

From £6.99, aveeno.co.uk

MOTHERS-TO-BE NEED TO DOUBLE THEIR INTAKE OF IRON TO SUPPORT A GROWING BABY. SCANDINAVIAN LIQUID SUPPLEMENT BLUEIRON IS MADE WITH NORDIC BLUEBERRIES AND PACKED WITH FOLIC ACID. UNLIKE OTHER IRON SUPPLEMENTS, IT’S EASY ON THE STOMACH, TOO. £14.99, BLUEIRON.CO.UK

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 79

PREGNANCY

The hormone barometer Louise Pyne ON U N DER STAN DING TH E EMOTIONAL AN D PHYSICAL U PS AN D DOWN S OF YOU R PR EGNANC Y

regnancy is one heck of a rollercoaster ride. The fluctuating hormone levels that kick in from conception until after you give birth bring with them a whole range of physical and emotional symptoms – good and bad! Here, we discover exactly what’s going on inside your body and how to feel your best while you wait with anticipation for your little arrival.

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Understanding what is happening to your body during pregnancy will help you cope

THE FIRST TRIMESTER Rising levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are responsible for those all-important lines that show up on your pregnancy test, confirming that you’re expecting. Produced by cells in the placenta, hCG helps the embryo to grow properly and levels of this hormone rise steadily in the first trimester, often resulting in classic morning sickness symptoms. “Initially, the effects of a rising hCG level can make you feel nauseous, and you may even vomit,” says Dr Penelope Law, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at The Portland Hospital (theportlandhospital.com). It’s not all doom

TRIMESTER TIMELINE WEEK 3

WEEK 1 WEEK 2

Levels of oestrogen and progesterone are beginning to increase, causing breast tenderness and growth, and you may feel more emotional.

WEEK 7

WEEK 5 WEEK 4

Your body is awash with rising levels of hCG, meaning you may already be feeling nauseous or vomiting.

WEEK 6

WEEK 9 WEEK 8

WEEK 11 WEEK 10

WEEK 13 WEEK 12

WEEK 15 WEEK 14

You’ll be feeling more tired than usual.

Keep blood sugar levels stable with healthy snacks, such as oatcakes and nuts.

FIRST TRIMESTER 80 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

Ensure your body is getting the necessary micronutrients and fibre it needs to help you feel healthy.

WEEK 17 WEEK 16

WEEK 19 WEEK 18

WEEK 20

The risk of miscarriage has fallen, so you’ll be feeling less anxious.

Be aware your increasing bump may cause a little heartburn or indigestion, which is normal.

SECOND TRIMESTER

PREGNANCY

and gloom, however, as levels drop from weeks 10-12, helping any sickness symptoms to subside.

Along with a rise in hCG, levels of oestrogen and progesterone also increase in order to sustain a healthy placenta and foetus. “The rising oestrogen and progesterone levels may cause breast tenderness and growth, and you may feel more emotional at this time. The good news is this passes soon,” continues Dr Law. On the plus side, rising progesterone can also result in increased hair follicle production, meaning your locks will never have looked so thick and glossy!

You may also feel more tired than usual thanks to the extra cellular activity involved in creating a baby. To alleviate fatigue, make sure you eat little and often, and keep healthy snacks such as raw nuts and oatcakes in your handbag at all times.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

THE SECOND TRIMESTER You’re probably getting into the swing of pregnancy by the second trimester and becoming comfortable with your everchanging body shape. By now, your morning sickness should have passed and your energy levels should start to soar once again. “Your body is beginning to adjust to the new levels of hormones and you’re beginning to feel physically better, so now is the time to get your maternity clothes and look up pregnancy yoga and Pilates classes,” says Dr Law. The risk of miscarriage also falls from week 14. “This can ease anxiety, and this trimester is noted for women feeling that ‘bloom’ both physically and mentally,’ explains GP Dr Gill Jenkins. You still need to keep your diet healthy, with a good supply of fruit and veg for micronutrients and fibre, and stay active.

As your body begins to adjust, yoga or Pilates can help boost your mental and physical health.

WEEK 21

WEEK 23 WEEK 22

Start thinking about your birth plan now to help you feel relaxed and prepared for the arrival of your baby.

THE THIRD TRIMESTER With only a few months to go, by now you’re probably experiencing a cocktail of different emotions, from pre-labour nerves to sheer excitement. All this, coupled with the physical strain of carrying a growing baby, and the third trimester can be hard work. “As your baby grows you may become less mobile, more tired and symptoms such as indigestion, back ache and difficulty sleeping are common,” says Dr Jenkins. Oestrogen and progesterone levels are high at this time, as is prolactin, a hormone which prepares the breast tissue for milk production.

Talking to your midwife will help, and have a plan for labour. “It’s important to be open-minded about your birth plan. While a water birth or home birth may be ideals, you must consider the possibility of needing more support, from simple pain relief to more complex interventions such as episiotomy or a caesarean, or a longer stay in hospital,” continues Dr Jenkins. In the last few weeks you will need more rest and support from your partner, friends or family. Even simple things such as having someone cook for you, or give you a massage, will help.

In the run up to labour, your body is preparing for your baby’s arrival by producing oxytocin which stimulates the labour process and human bonding. Once you go into fullblown labour your ‘flight or fight’ hormones kick in. “You will be producing increasing levels

As you enter the third trimester, oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin levels are high, resulting in a whole host of emotions and tiredness.

WEEK 27

WEEK 25 WEEK 24

WITH ONLY A FEW MONTHS TO GO, YOU’LL EXPERIENCE A COCKTAIL OF DIFFERENT EMOTIONS

WEEK 26

WEEK 29 WEEK 28

POST-PREGNANCY Following delivery, hormone levels change again. “Your body will produce prolactin, which ensures that the appropriate human milk composition is produced – your body knows if your baby is born early and magically adjusts the components of your breast milk to suit the size of your baby,” continues Dr Law. Levels of oestrogen and progesterone also rapidly fall at this time. “Emotional turmoil, causing the ‘baby blues’ can in part result from the hormone changes as well as the reality of the hard work of the post-partum period.

However, for some women crashing hormone levels may trigger postnatal depression which lasts beyond the first few days and needs medical help,” explains Dr Jenkins.

Don’t fret however, as for the majority of women feeling blue, it’s simply a matter of getting rest, plenty of fluids – especially if you are breastfeeding, adequate pain relief (your midwife will advise what is safe), and taking any offer of help. “Keep your expectations of yourself and family low – let them prepare meals, and don’t feel you have to do what you previously did in regards to housework. Just enjoy your baby, or enjoy some rest while the rest of the family look after the baby for part of the day,” recommends Dr Jenkins.

Once you go into labour, your body will be producing adrenaline and noradrenaline to give you extra energy.

As the weeks become more emotionally and physically tough, support from your family or partner will help.

WEEK 31 WEEK 30

of adrenaline and noradrenaline which aid you through a long labour and the first few days following delivery,” explains Dr Law.

WEEK 33 WEEK 32

WEEK 35 WEEK 34

Your baby is growing rapidly at this stage, which means you may become less mobile and suffer backache or difficulty sleeping.

WEEK 37 WEEK 36

WEEK 39 WEEK 38

WEEK 40

Your body will begin to flood with oxytocin (or the ‘love hormone’) to stimulate labour and human bonding.

THIRD TRIMESTER babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 81

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IMPORTANT NOTICE *NANNYcare® Follow on milk is only suitable for babies from 6 months, to complement breastfeeding or the start of weaning, as part of a varied and balanced diet. It is not intended as a breast milk substitute and is not suitable for babies under 6 months. It is recommended that NANNYcare Follow on milk is used only on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian, pharmacist,or other professional responsible for maternal and child care,based on your baby’s individual needs.NANNYcare Growing up milk is for young children between 1-3 years as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Goat milk formula is not suitable for infants with a cow’s milk protein allergy unless directed by a suitably qualified healthcare professional.

SKINCARE

The baby shampoo that’s also found in many a make-up artist’s kit

WELEDA BABY CALENDULA SHAMPOO & BODY WASH No tears for baby bath time, and for us, it’s the best way to keep make-up brushes clean and soft. £7.50, weleda.co.uk SOPHIE LA GIRAFE FACE CREAM A soft treats for baby’s delicate skin – and mum’s, too. £9.95, harrods.com MIAMOO SPRITZ & WIPE Mucky hands? Spray on to cotton wool and use as you would a wipe. For mum, it makes a refreshing toner and cooling after-sun spritz. £5, miamoo.co.uk NEAL’S YARD ORGANIC BABY SOAP Baby soap ‘grown up’ enough for adults, too. £5, nealsyardremedies.com MUSTELA CLEANSING CLOTHS These wipes may be designed to clean baby’s cheeks, but they’re also perfect for removing make-up. £3.95, mustela.co.uk

Double duty

Bonita Turner ROU N DS U P TH E BE ST TIM E-SAVING BE AUT Y BUYS FOR BABY AN D MAMA This talc-free powder is great for baby changing time, and as a dry shampoo for mum

KIEHL’S BABY NURTURING OIL Make baby massage a double date with this olive fruit and apricot kernel oil. £18, johnleiws.com BONPOINT CRÈME MOUSSANTE This gentle foam will fully cleanse baby and mama, too. £28, bonpoint.com BABY COW ORGANICS BODY CREAM No other lotion comes close to the soothing properties of this cream on postpregnancy skin. £14.50, cowshedonline.com BURT’S BEES DUSTING POWDER This natural powder is perfect for baby’s bottoms, and for time-poor mums as a dry shampoo alternative. £6.99, boots.com KORRES SUNSCREEN EMULSION FOR CHILDREN SPF50 Spray this shea butter lotion on sensitive skins, young and old. £22, lookfantastic.com STORKSAK ORGANICS BABY BALM This natural beeswax nappy rash balm also works brilliantly on cuticles and rough heels. £8.95, ocado.com THIS WORKS BABY SLEEP PILLOW SPRAY The lavender scent helps settle baby and makes a relaxing treat for when you finally hit the pillow. £16, feelunique.com

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 83

84 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

INTERVIEW

breastfeeding CAPTURED PHOTOGR APH ER Polly Geal TALKS TO Kate Finney ABOUT H ER CU R R ENT PROJEC T TO CELEBR ATE MOTH ER S FEEDING TH EIR BABIE S

H

ow did the project come about?

My style of photography celebrates the nuances of family life – the real, raw, messy, everyday moments. Yet so many women I’ve photographed have asked if we can stop shooting so they can breastfeed.

They don’t think to capture it, or worse, they are ashamed to do so, despite it being such a significant part of their role as a mother.

To me, feeding is as much a part of the emotion and connection in a shoot as the cuddles and playing. I wanted to do something to celebrate the beauty in breastfeeding and show just how varied each experience is.

“I was very lucky that Juno took to breastfeeding straightaway and amongst all the unknowns of motherhood, this made me feel like I was getting something right – that we were going to be OK.” • Chloe with Juno •

What reactions have you had so far?

A few mothers wrote to me to say how they’d struggled to breastfeed and resorted to formula, and that seeing the images had stirred up a lot of emotions around their own journey and buried feelings of inadequacy.

I was inspired by their honesty but also saddened that any mother would feel shame around her path.

I never set out for the project to be some sort of ‘breast is best’ campaign, I just want to help the women who do nurse to feel confident coming out from the shadows. I’m also working on capturing a series of formulafed babies, too, to show all ways of providing nourishment are selfless and full of love.

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 85

INTERVIEW

“I faced some heartbreaking challenges with breastfeeding in the earlier weeks, but the reward of sharing such tender moments with my daughter, feelin our ond stren then and seein her ourish has been well worth every struggle.”

• Catriona with Elodie •

86 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

INTERVIEW

“Nurturing one baby is lovely, and nurturing two is beautiful, but watching my babies bond while I feed both of them is the most special gift of all.

I underestimated how strong their connection would be from tandem feeding. Originally, I kept it as a family secret because I thought it was too unconventional, but I realise now that it is a gift for all of us. It works for us, and that’s what matters.”

• Lara with Beatrice and Joseph •

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 87

INTERVIEW

“It’s been a way of connecting with my children in many beautiful and exhausting moments, as well as surrendering to letting things be. It’s about learning to sit still and connect.”

• Line with her six-month-old son •

88 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

INTERVIEW

reastfeedin has een one of the most difficult ut most rewarding things I have ever done. It didn’t come naturall to us in the e innin ut with su ort and erseverance we are now in a lace where loo forward to the moments we share while feedin • Kelly with James •

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 89

INTERVIEW “I went into this hoping I would manage six weeks, then three months, now six. There are moments when it seems overwhelming and frustrating but the moments when it does go right make it worthwhile.

That, and it appeals to my abject laziness. It makes those night feeds much easier!”

• Rachel with Annabel and Thomas •

90 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

INTERVIEW

How do the images work together?

I love the depth and variety of people, places and light. I especially love how I’ve been able to capture so many different ways of feeding – lying down, with an older child close by, in a chair, feeding two at the same time. I feel it’s the differences that make the collection rich.

During a session do you discuss feelings about breastfeeding?

Often we’ll talk about their path to feeding.

Very few of the mothers I photograph have had an easy ride, especially those breastfeeding toddlers who received negative judgement from friends. But they were driven by a desire to do what felt right, for them and their child. People often forget it is as much about comfort as it is about nourishment and as parents, one of our core instincts is to provide comfort to our little ones.

What have you found while shooting?

Despite all the different people I’ve shot breastfeeding, there is one thing that unites them; they are totally and utterly surrendered in that moment – they have given in to it, everything stops for a while, while they feed.

It can be peaceful, messy, wriggly, but there is always an intense connection between mother and child in that moment.

What are the challenges of taking breastfeeding portraits?

I learnt early on to let them settle into it before I got my camera out. I try to be quiet in the background. In that sense, it’s a little different to my usual family shoots, where there is naturally more interaction between me and my subjects.

What are you hoping to achieve?

I’d love the images to empower women to make their own choice without pressure and to know whatever that choice is, they can be proud of it.

Is this project for you about building on your previous family focus?

I’m still very much working with pregnant women, newborns and families, that is the bulk of what I do. But I hope that through the collection, I will inspire more of my clients to capture breastfeeding with me. One day it will all seem such a distant memory, it’s lovely to preserve it in film.

If you’d like to take part, you can email Polly at hello@littlekin.co.uk. littlekin.co.uk

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 91

SECRETS FROM THE

baby whisperers E XPERT ADVICE TO H ELP YOU ACE TH E FIR ST FEW WEEKS OF LIFE WITH YOU R LIT TLE ON E, COM PILED BY Louise Pyne

t’s virtually impossible to prepare for the incredible life changes and ongoing challenges that new parenthood brings. Factor in the raging postpartum hormones surging through your body and the sleep deprivation, and life with a baby can be both utterly exhilarating and completely overwhelming. To help you on your way into parenthood, our in-the-know experts reveal their top tips to perform like a pro, whatever the problem.

I

5–in–1 baby sling 0–24 months 3.6–15.9kg | 8–35lbs wemademe.com

BREASTFEEDING REALLY HURTS The secret: From engorgement to tenderness, the early days can take their toll as your breasts adapt to feeding your baby. Don’t wait for the pain to go away on its own as there are lots of different aids that can provide quick relief. “If these don’t work, you may have a bacterial infection or blocked ducts. See your GP or a breastfeeding specialist straightaway,” advises midwife Vicki Scott, founder of the New Baby Company.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK

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MY BABY GETS SICK AFTER FEEDS

MY BABY DOESN’T WANT TO NAP

The secret: Acid reflux is very common in babies and is caused by stomach acid escaping upwards into the oesophagus, causing heartburn-like pain and vomiting.

“Help your baby by feeding her in a more upright position, burping her frequently and keeping her upright for a while after feeds,” says Vicki. Raising the head of the cot for nap times and small, frequent feeds over large feeds will also help to keep the acid down.

The secret: There are several reasons babies don’t nap well. “Teach your baby from a young age – feed, swaddle, cuddle and tuck her down in her cot or pram to sleep, making sure she has a full tummy. Leave her to settle for five to 10 minutes. Often babies will make little noises, this is part of the sleep cycle, so if she has her eyes shut, don’t get her out as this breaks the cycle,” says Rachel Waddilove, author of The Baby Book.

FAMILY LIFE

EXPERT CONSULTATIONS

If you’re at your wits’ end, consider having a consultation with an expert.

Many will come to your home, talk to you at length on the phone, or even offer Skype consultations and follow-up sessions. Whether it’s about getting to grips with breastfeeding, advice on getting your baby into a routine, or weaning tips, there are lots of people who are ready to help. See overleaf for specialists in and around the capital.

CHANGING MY BABY’S NAPPY IS A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE

THE ESSENTIALS

The secret: Babies hate changing time because it can be cold for them, and as a result, they may feel unsafe because they are so used to being wrapped up and warm.

“Have all your changing essentials already in place and close to hand before starting, so the process happens quickly. Sing to your baby – sometimes just hearing an adult’s voice is reassuring for them,” says nanny Caroline Hartwell of Tinies childcare.

BATHTIME MAKES ME NERVOUS The secret: There’s an art to bathing a newborn, and it takes a little practice.

“Place a large towel just inside the baby bath so baby doesn’t slip down. Until you get used to holding her with one hand, don’t use any bath products because as soon as you do, she will become very slippery,” advises Caroline.

Always have everything you need close to hand, and remember, “bathtime is supposed to be relaxing. You could use lavender oils to aid a restful sleep, too,” adds Caroline.

I’M WORRIED ABOUT TAKING MY BABY OUT The secret: Taking your newborn out can be daunting, but being organised will ensure outings go as smoothly as possible.

“Keep your baby bag near the door and replenish it when you return home each time.

Purchase a light pram that is easy to put up and fold down, preferably with one hand,” says Caroline. Know where you’re going in advance and see what changing and feeding facilities they have to offer, to put your mind at ease.

Cotton and felt mobile £40, willaandbobbin.com

Snüzpod 3-in-1 bedside crib £169, thelittlegreensheep.co.uk

Cotton sleepsuit £24, babyacorn.co.uk

Baby Cow Organics Rich Massage Oil £12.50, cowshedonline.com 94 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

CHELSEA AND WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL

The Kensington Wing Private Maternity Unit The birth of a new baby is a very special moment for any family and the Kensington Wing at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital ensures that you will be in the hands of experienced Consultant Obstetricians and Midwives, all dedicated to ensuring you receive the best possible care.

You'll enjoy the privacy and comfort of our private en-suite bedrooms and can be reassured that you are in a dedicated private maternity wing within one of the safest hospitals in the UK.

To find out more about our services, please call us on:

020 3315 8616 Š Merino Kids 2014

FAMILY LIFE

The tried-and-tested feed, swaddle and cuddle routine will help newborns settle and sleep

I’M STRUGGLING TO FUNCTION BECAUSE I HAVEN’T SLEPT The secret: Every new mother has been there – learning to cope without sleep. It’s an inevitable part of caring for a newborn and it’s important to remember that the sleepless nights won’t last forever. “It’s a cliché, but you really should sleep when your baby sleeps,” says Vicki Scott. “Ask your partner, a friend or family member to watch your baby after a feed so you can have an uninterrupted nap.

Negotiate an early night and ask your partner to give baby her bottle (expressed milk or formula) some evenings.” Also ensure you get plenty of fresh air and light exercise, eat well and do everything you can to simplify life.

MY BABY SCREAMS EVERY TIME I PUT HER DOWN The secret: Habits can be hard to break and if you’ve been carrying your baby round the clock since day one, she’s going to expect nothing but warm cuddles in mummy’s arms, day and night. Begin by putting baby down in a bouncy chair or on a play mat for short periods while staying close so she feels safe.

Getting your baby into a routine will also help her to become more independent. “By the time baby is two or three weeks old, there is no reason why she shouldn’t be in a flexible three-hourly routine. Swaddling can help. Put her on your shoulder, stroke her head and soothe her by gently rocking, then put her in her cot and tuck her in. She will shout if she is not used to going into her cot – rub her head and tummy, leave for a few minutes and then go back and do the same again, repeating until she settles,” says Rachel Waddilove.

THE EXPERTS Stella McCartney cotton and cashmere blanket £82, childrensalon.com

Vicki Scott newbabycompany.com Rachel Waddilove rachelsbabies.com

Sleep and Snuggle Pillow Spray £12.99, loveboo.com

Caroline Hartwell tinies.com Clare Byam-Cook clarebyamcook.co.uk Cotton swaddle £15, mollyandmoo.co.uk

Vanessa Christie allaboutbabyandme.com Sarah Ockwell-Smith gentlesleeptraining.co.uk Deearna Withey deearnas-maternity-agency.co.uk

Whisbear The Humming Bear soft toy £39.50, whisbear.co.uk

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 97

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YOUR PELVIC FLOOR explained

CRUCIAL IN SO MANY WAYS, BUT OF TEN MISU N DER STOOD. Kate Freud TALKS US TH ROUGH TH E KEY FAC TS articularly after childbirth, the pelvic floor is something that most women agree weighs heavily on their conscience – it’s something we know we should be doing something about but very few of us do. And with associated problems including urinary or fecal incontinence and reduced sensitivity during sex, it’s definitely an area that deserves a little more TLC. So what is our pelvic floor, why does it get put under pressure during pregnancy and childbirth, and how can we get it back to its pre-baby best?

Well, your pelvic floor is a hammock-shaped set of muscles found between your legs that runs from your pubic bone at the front to

P

the bottom of your spine at the back. These muscles hold all of your pelvic organs in place – the vagina, uterus, bladder and bowel – and work with the bladder in a very clever way to give you control when you go to the toilet.

When your bladder tightens to pass urine, your pelvic floor muscles relax, hence why when you tighten your pelvic floor muscles you can stop your stream of urine mid-flow.

WHY IS IT AFFECTED BY PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH? During pregnancy and childbirth, and later due to ageing, the pelvic floor gets put under a tremendous amount of pressure.

These muscles are like a trampoline, but when they have had a lot of weight – such as a baby – weighing down on them for a long time, the muscles and connective tissue become overstretched and weakened, and the trampoline doesn’t bounce back in the same way any more. The physical strain of childbirth itself can also damage the pelvic floor.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF A WEAK PELVIC FLOOR? Having a weak pelvic floor can lead to a variety of problems including urinary (leaking wee when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise) and fecal incontinence because you can no

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 99

HEALTH

WHEN YOUR PELVIC FLOOR IS STRONGER, IT INCREASES SENSITIVITY DURING SEX longer squeeze the muscles and the sphincters at the bottom of your bladder. This kind of stress incontinence affects up to a third of new mums. Many women also complain of finding sex less satisfying, because of less sensitivity in the vagina.

Pilates is a good way of making ou mindful of our elvic oor

HOW TO DO KEGAL EXERCISES HELP? Though it’s recommend to do pelvic floor exercises throughout your pregnancy, it is never too late to start.

Begin by identifying the correct muscles.

You can do this by stopping urination midstream. When you have found them, you can do the exercises in any position, though many women find it easiest when lying down.

Pretend you are zipping up these muscles from your bottom through to your vagina.

Once you have tightened the muscles, hold the contraction for five seconds, and then release for five seconds. Try and do this five times in a row. With practice you will be able to work up to keeping the muscles contracted for 10 seconds at a time and relaxing them for 10 seconds in between your contractions.

Try to stay focused and breathe normally through each contraction of the muscles.

Don’t tighten your bottom, thighs or abdomen but try to isolate the pelvic floor muscles alone. Pilates is a fantastic way of starting a

good relationship with your pelvic floor as during many of the exercises you have to tighten your pelvic floor muscles, too.

Repeat these exercises three times a day, with three sets of 10 repetitions.

THE GOOD NEWS Though you will have to work on your pelvic floor strength for the rest of your life – problems can increase with hormonal

changes after the menopause – you’ll reap the benefits. When your pelvic floor is stronger, it increases blood flow and sensitivity during sex, giving you more powerful orgasms. It will also help you avoid an extremely uncomfortable vaginal prolapse later, when the bladder, bowel or uterus can sag down outside of the vagina, sometimes requiring surgery. Put simply, it’s worth factoring these simple exercises into your daily routine, starting now.

GET TECH SUPPORT

PELVIC FLOOR TONER EXERCISE TRAINER Simple yet highly effective, this affordable trainer can be popped in and used any time, anywhere. Use regularly for overall good vaginal health. £10.99, amazon.co.uk

100 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

ELVIE This award-winning toner encourages you to strengthen your pelvic floor by linking to an app, giving you personalised workouts and the ability to see your progress. £149, elvie.com

TENSCARE ELISE PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISER With four clinically proven settings, this device will also remember the last setting you used, so you can start from where you left off each time. £62.95, amazon.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK, ISTOCK

These clever kegal-training gadgets will make exercising more fun

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HEALTH

The Breastfeeding Café with CLARE BYAM-COOK

THIS ISSUE WE ASK:

“WHAT ARE BREASTFEEDING AIDS AND HOW DO I USE THEM?”

W

hen breastfeeding goes well you don’t need any equipment at all.

But many mothers struggle and suffer from problems such as sore nipples, difficulty in latching, engorged breasts or low milk supply. For these mothers, breastfeeding equipment can make all the difference, and it’s therefore important to know what is available and how to use them.

THE BREAST PUMP This can be invaluable if you are having problems and is also really useful if you want to express your milk. Breast pumps vary in price, with the more expensive ones tending to be quieter and more efficient than the cheaper brands. If in doubt, I would recommend buying an electric pump. You can use your pump for any of the following: • To express milk if your baby can’t latch on.

• To give your breasts respite if you are suffering from sore nipples.

• To allow someone else to give a feed.

• To get your baby used to taking some feeds from a bottle.

• To stimulate your breasts if you have a low milk supply or your baby is not emptying the breast efficiently.

NIPPLE SHIELDS Many believe that shields are only designed to provide protection if the mother has sore nipples, but in fact they can be used for lots of other issues: • As a temporary latching aid if the breasts become engorged when the milk comes in.

• To help the baby latch when the mother has very large breasts with flat nipples.

• To slow and regulate the flow of milk if the mother has too fast a let-down reflex.

• To help a baby feed more effectively if he does not have a good sucking action.

I would also stress that it is worth trying to find a good breastfeeding specialist in your area who might be able to show you how to resolve your problem, so you don’t need to rely on equipment long-term. clarebyamcook.co.uk

Making the right purchase

USING NIPPLE SHIELDS… Although nipple shields can be brilliant, it is important that you use them correctly to make sure your baby is getting plenty of milk. I offer a full explanation of how to use shields in my book, What to Expect When You’re Breastfeeding… And What if You Can’t? but here are some guidelines to get you going: • You must not use a shield before your milk comes in as a baby cannot extract colostrum through a shield.

• Use a shield that fits the size of your baby’s mouth rather than your nipple. Most babies need a small size.

• You can use shields for months on end providing the baby is emptying your breast efficiently.

• You must stop using shields if feeds become too long and your baby is not getting enough milk through them.

There are many issues that can make feeding directly on the e st i ficu t inc u ing tching o e s in ections o so e ni es e teste out the co ct e e ing u fin out h t e thought t on on co u Medela Swing pump £134.99, mothercare.com Silicone nipple shields £4.49, nuk.co.uk

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BABY TALK

PART

Diary of a MUM SH E MAY HAVE SAID ‘AU R EVOIR’ TO WOR K FOR NOW, JUST DON ’ T ASK Mar tha Alexander IF SH E’S GOING BACK …

I

have bought a swimsuit. I look exactly like Humpty Dumpty’s wife would, if he had one.

I bought it for my final weeks of work which were in the south of France – and yes, I had a doctor’s note so I could fly. And yes, I was worried about giving birth in a French hospital given that the only French I know is stuff like, “What time does the train to Paris leave?” and “I’d like three grapefruits, please.” And yes, on my days off I strode around on the beaches, as chic Audrey Tautou lookalikes watched on in amazement.

I was past caring: my feet ballooned to resemble raw chicken breasts oozing out of my Birkenstocks, I lost all spatial awareness and my bump would take out anything in its path – bottles of wine, computer monitors, colleague’s heads. But I did have croissants for breakfast every day and lived in a lovely apartment just a stone’s throw from the sea.

Now, I am officially WFB – that’s Waiting For Baby (also known as maternity leave). I had thought it would be a delightful sabbatical of reading all the books I have never had the time to read, long lunches with other expectant mums, non-aerobic exercise and sunbathing.

However, given I’m freelance and I work contract to contract, the ‘leave’ part is pretty literal: less a leave of absence, more an actual leaving the world of work for an indeterminate length of time with no guarantee that anyone will employ me for anything ever again.

This intrusive thought, teamed with intimidating forms for my Maternity Allowance and the inability to feel comfortable in any position at all for longer than three minutes has somewhat killed the buzz.

Like most people, my job is a huge part of my identity, and how my work is received has the ability to make or break my self-esteem. I imagine younger, better versions of myself getting ahead, while I’m changing sulphurous nappies 12 times a day and panicking that no one wants to employ mums anyway.

I know I’m being ridiculous. So many of my friends are successful working mums and yet somehow, in the wee hours when the fidgeting stranger wakes me up with her incessant wriggling, I worry about the future.

People keep asking me about my work plans. This, by the way, is another area where unsolicited advice comes thick and fast when really it should be approached with extreme caution.

“Will you go back to work?” is, I feel, an incredibly insulting thing to ask. To me, it’s akin to telling a woman that her career was just a frilly experimental phase, a project of no massive significance which filled a meaningless stretch of time. Maybe women who don’t intend to go back to work hate being asked, “When will you go back to work?”. Perhaps I am being oversensitive, but I can’t think of a tactful way for people to ask pregnant women about the future of their careers.

Of course, I’m not missing getting up at unpleasant hours, cramming myself onto train carriages or other features of the objectionable underbelly of working in London. But this sense of purpose has been the lynchpin of my life for more than 10 years. I’m not good at doing nothing.

But at the end of all the ‘doing nothing’ that characterises maternity leave, I’ll be doing something pretty major. I am now in the same month as my due date. I have also had my final appointment with Dionne, unless I need to have a membrane sweep (the less said about that, the better – but come on, this is me: I’ll be having all three sweeps and the induction).

My hospital bag is packed. It is burgeoning with tiny nappies, Tracker bars and babygrows. My husband went bonkers online, turning into the Gok Wan of the infant world, and little packages from Jojo Maman Bébé and The Little White Company started turning up.

“This is her leaving-hospital outfit,” he will say, showing me the smallest garment ever made, with a flourish. “And this is a sleepsuit for her first night’s sleep.

And this is a cotton hat that matches all outfits. And these are some muslin squares in neutral tones…”

Everything is ready, I’m just WFB. It could be weeks, but I have my swimsuit. OK, Willesden Sports Centre is hardly the Côte d’Azur, but in the water I’m light, I don’t need to wee and as yet I haven’t bumped into anyone who wants to know if I’ll ever work again. bl

Follow Martha’s lead and invest in a swimsuit. Look out for adjustable straps and a built-in bra for added support.

Halterneck maternity swimsuit, £39, Séraphine

Next time: Meet Martha’s new arrival, and find out how she’s been coping with the first few weeks of motherhood.

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 105

PREGNANCY

Get the

GLOW Louisa van den Bergh OF LU LU BABY SHAR E S H ER ADVICE ON MAINTAINING A HAPPY AN D H E ALTHY PR EGNAN C Y

hether you are constantly tired or feeling better than ever, we all do pregnant – and the various stages of pregnancy – differently. In the first session of our antenatal courses at Lulubaby, we take a little time to focus on you, on how you are feeling and how you can enhance your health in the crucial months and weeks before your baby is born. Here’s our advice:

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EAT SMART It goes without saying that what you put inside your body will have an impact on how you are feeling. For most mothers-to-be, it is common sense – having a varied diet with plenty of protein and slow-releasing carbs will make you feel more energised than a convenience diet of ready-meals and sugary snacks. Nothing new there. But did you know that eating a diet rich in oily fish (or at the very least supplementing with important omegas) can also have a positive impact on your mood?

And research has shown that, when taken with zinc, omegas can actually help reduce the chance of you developing postnatal depression. In other words, oily fish is good for your mental wellbeing as well as physical.

In addition, make sure you have enough calcium and iron in your diet. Your baby will be taking calcium from you as it grows and your blood volume will be rapidly increasing (peaking at 40% higher than normal), diluting your blood cells, which is why pregnant women are more susceptible to anaemia.

It can be tricky to maintain a balanced diet, particularly if you are still working, so consider taking a quality supplement, such as the Zita West Vital Essence pregnancy multivitamins and DHA capsules (from £15.50, zitawest.com).

106 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

KEEP ON MOVING Studies have shown that babies born to mothers who have exercised during pregnancy have babies with healthier heart rates and, naturally, being fit will help you cope during labour. It is important to listen to your body and take advice from your doctor, as there are several circumstances where exercise is inadvisable. In addition, relaxin (the hormone that helps to widen the cervix during labour) can make you more prone to injury, so be prudent! In any case, strenuous exercise is not to be recommended – you don’t want to divert blood flow from your baby to your skeletal muscles. The general guidance is that you should be able to carry on a conversation (even if a little puffed out) when exercising.

In addition, yoga and Pilates are wonderful for strengthening and relaxing the body. Try Tara Lee’s pregnancy yoga classes at The Life Centre, Notting Hill (thelifecentre.com).

WORK YOUR INNER STRENGTH This is one subject where we are happy to be bossy! We urge our mums to make time for pelvic floor exercises. These will pay off, as they help prevent both incontinence and prolapses (yep, that’s as bad as it sounds – where your internal organs collapse and eventually slide down the vagina) and they will definitely improve your sex life. (For more information about maintaining a healthy pelvic floor, check out page 99.) As for your perineum, in order to help prevent tearing and episiotomy, try massaging it with oil (from 34 weeks) or have a crack with the Epi-no (epi-no. com), an internal device which can be gently blown up in order to stretch those tissues, making them less likely to tear on the big day.

PREGNANCY

OILY FISH IS GOOD FOR YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING AS WELL AS PHYSICAL MASTER MEDITATION Alternative therapies can be a great way to encourage you to truly relax. You could try deep breathing: focus on your breath, slow it down and make every breath deep and meaningful. Another technique is visualisation; try imagining a beautiful place, whether that is a garden, beach or somewhere special to you. Imagine every detail – the sounds, smells and sights. It can really encourage peace and calm at what can be a very busy and stressful time in your life. Also consider downloading a mindfulness app or reading a book. Even just taking a few deep breaths at flashpoints during the day can make you feel a whole lot calmer.

PUT A PIN IN IT Even taking a few deep breaths throughout the day will help you feel calmer and relaxed

Many of our mums-to-be find acupuncture to be one of the most successful treatments for general wellbeing. More research needs to be done, but some studies have shown acupuncture to help alleviate morning sickness, reduce back and pelvic girdle pain, improve sleep, help to turn breech babies and even reduce the second stage of labour.

Wow. In addition, it can help de-stress and re-energise – perfect! Try pregnancy experts Justine Hankin (justinehankinacupuncture. co.uk) or Emma Cannon (emmacannon.co.uk).

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK

MANAGE CHRONIC PAIN Many pregnant women think that having a sore back is to be expected – yes, it is commonplace, but that doesn’t mean it should be endured. If you do find that your back is playing up, consider seeing an osteopath for treatment. Often back pain and pelvic girdle pain can be treated and you will receive tips on how to avoid it in the future.

Try Kane and Ross (kaneandross.co.uk) and Fulham Osteopaths (fulhamosteopaths.co.uk).

It really is worth taking time to look after yourself; whether that means uncluttering your diary, putting more thought into your diet, or booking that course of acupuncture.

Birth and new motherhood is difficult enough, but if you are healthy when entering this next chapter, you will recover and cope more easily with all that having a new little one entails. lulubaby.co.uk

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 107

meet

the

EXPERTS OU R PAN EL OF H E ALTHCAR E PROFE SSIONAL S AN SWER YOU R QU E STION S ABOUT PR EGNANC Y, BIRTH AN D BEYON D

AFTER BREASTFEEDING MY BABY, MY NIPPLES BECOME VERY SORE. WHAT’S THE CAUSE OF THIS AND WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? Sorry to hear that you’re suffering from this, but you’re not alone. There’s a few reasons as to why you might be experiencing sore nipples after feeding. It could be any of the following: • Poor latching.

• Baby sucking its lower lip in.

• Comfort sucking.

• Undiagnosed tongue-tie.

• Overly sensitive nipples.

There are a few things you can try to help.

It might be worth having your latch checked by your health visitor or a professional, but you can also try some of these practical tips: • Change positions.

• Hand-express a little milk beforehand to help the let-down release quicker.

• Offer the less sore breast first, then baby won’t be so ravenous on the sore one.

• Don’t wipe milk off the nipples, leave it on as breast milk is the best cure for sore nipples.

• Allow your nipples to air dry rather than popping your bra straight back on.

If you are still experiencing problems, do seek help from a professional, you shouldn’t suffer.

Deearna Withey, founder, deearnas-maternity-agency.co.uk

HEALTH

I’M GOING AWAY WITH MY SIX MONTH OLD. WHAT I SHOULD PACK IN MY FIRST AID KIT?

WHAT IS A TRANSVAGINAL SCAN, AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM AN ABDOMINAL SCAN? A transvaginal scan is an ultrasound scan that is done by gently inserting a narrow probe into the vagina. The probe is disinfected before use, is covered with a new and sterile condom and is lubricated with gel to make insertion into the vagina easy. You may experience minor discomfort but it is not painful and there are no risks associated with it.

You may be more familiar with the transabdominal scan approach. This requires a full bladder and a probe is pressed on the abdomen. For a transvaginal scan you are asked to empty your bladder. As the probe is close to the pelvic organs, a better view is obtained of the womb, cervix and ovaries, the pictures are much clearer and there is greater detail. A transvaginal scan is therefore used when you need to look at the organs lower down in the pelvis, while a transabdominal scan will give a clearer picture of the organs higher up in the abdomen.

Why would you need a transvaginal scan?

This scan will be done in pregnancy for the following reasons: • Vaginal bleeding or pain in early pregnancy.

• To see the heartbeat of the foetus in early pregnancy.

• To diagnose a miscarriage.

• To diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.

• To look at the cervix.

• To examine the placenta for abnormalities.

I’M DUE TO HAVE TWIN GIRLS NEXT MONTH, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR GETTING THEM INTO A GOOD SLEEP ROUTINE? Congratulations on the imminent arrival of your twins! Teaching two babies to sleep through the night might sound difficult, but generally the same principles apply as with one baby. Firstly, put your babies to bed at the same time so they develop similar sleep patterns. If you don’t do this they are likely to wake at different times, which will make you very tired. As soon as one baby cries to be fed, wake the other baby and feed her, too. There is no evidence that sharing a cot benefits twins so it is probably best to get them used to their own sleeping environment early on.

Develop a bedtime routine for both babies; this could include a bath, bedtime story and cuddles. Try to focus on settling one baby first – once one is calm, move onto the other.

It’s important to help your babies fall asleep on their own, rather than in your arms or by rocking. Put them down in their cot while they are still awake and they will learn to settle.

Cuddle and talk to your little ones all you want during the day, but when night comes, keep interaction to a minimum to ensure they fall back to sleep. When they do wake, don’t make eye contact, keep the room dimly lit and put them straight back to bed after a feed.

Katie Hilton, midwife, iCandy

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

Or it may be done postnatally: • If there is abnormal bleeding or pain.

• To check for cysts or fibroids.

• To check the placement of a coil.

• For an abnormal gynaecological examination.

Why would you need a transabdominal scan?

This type of scan will be done in pregnancy or postpartum for: • Routine scans of the baby after 9-10 weeks.

• Any unexplained abdominal pain.

• To look at your liver or kidneys.

Dr Elisabeth Peregrine, consultant obstetrician, Richmond Practice

Although this is an exciting time, unfortunately accidents and illnesses can happen anywhere.

Equipping yourself with the right kit and knowledge means you are ready for action if something happens. Here are my essentials: • Paediatric Paracetamol or Ibuprofen sachets.

These are particularly handy to have on the plane in case the air pressure hurts their ears.

• Paediatric Piriton, in case they have a mild allergic reaction to new foods or stings.

• A couple of calico triangular bandages. These versatile, non-fluffy bandages offer easy cover for head wounds, elbows, knees, mouths – pretty much anywhere – and can be folded to make a flat bandage or a sling.

• An instant ice pack. This can be activated when you need it (without a freezer). Cover, then apply to bruises to reduce swelling.

• Non-adherent dressings for grazes and micropore tape to secure them. Finger bandages and small dressings are useful, too.

• Burn gel . Use preferably after cooling a burn under running water for at least 10 minutes.

• Tough-cut scissors to cut off clothes and good quality tweezers to remove splinters.

• Plasters – for the short term covering of a wound. Remove as soon as possible, clean and then cover with an appropriate dressing.

• Sterile wipes or pods of saline to clean wounds. Saline is also useful to irrigate sand out of eyes.

• Small crepe bandages to provide support for injured limbs.

Ensure you have the number for the local emergency services – throughout Europe the emergency number is 112. It is also helpful to always have tissues, hand sanitiser, snacks and a bottle of clean water.

Emma Hammett, founder, First Aid for Life

OUR PANEL

Dr Elisabeth Peregrine

Katie Hilton

Emma Hammett

Deearna Withey

Richmond Practice

iCandy

First Aid for Life

Deearna’s Maternity Agency

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 109

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Time to Talk…

SLEEP IN PREGNANCY MARINA FOGLE & DR CHIARA HUNT

The sisters offer their advice on how to sleep well when you’re expecting e are constantly being told how important sleep is in pregnancy.

After all, pregnancy takes its toll on your body and it’s believed that your baby grows most while you’re sleeping. Considering this, it feels incredibly unjust that so many of us find sleeping a real challenge. However, the good news is that there are some really effective, simple things you can try to help break the cycle of insomnia and enable you to get the good night’s sleep you need.

PHOTOGRAPHY: HELENE SANDBERG

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Avoid caffeine and sugar for six hours before bed. Coffee and chocolate are the worst offenders but also be aware that green tea contains caffeine and some fruits contain a surprisingly high amount of sugar.

Don’t eat heavily just before bed. Try to keep your evening meal light and if necessary, have a snack before bed. Going to bed

on an empty stomach can be as counterproductive as going to bed on a very full stomach.

Drink less after 6pm. Even from the beginning of pregnancy, frequent trips to the toilet can interrupt sleep. Drink plenty during the day but cut down later on to avoid waking in the night.

Don’t nap after 3pm. Having a sleep during the day is crucial if you’re tired, but avoid a catnap on the sofa in the afternoon; even a 10-minute doze can stop you going to sleep properly.

Put the laptop away. Make your bedroom a smartphone- and computer-free zone. Not only will this be beneficial to your relationship, but evidence shows that using these devices at night has a negative impact on sleep.

Exercise promotes good sleep.

Try to include this in your day,

although not too close to bedtime as the endorphins can interfere with good sleep. People also snooze better if they’ve been exposed to fresh air and natural light during the day, so outdoor exercise is the most beneficial.

Develop a bedtime routine.

A routine will subconsciously prepare the body for sleep. Avoid doing anything stimulating – instead, have a bath, turn down the lights or do some reading.

Best of all, have sex; post-coital sleeps are often the best. Going to bed and getting up at the same time, even on weekends, will create a routine, too.

Reserve your bedroom for sleep and sex. If you’re used to working, sorting or using your phone in bed, it will become a less restful environment. Also ensure your room is the right temperature (many people sleep better in cooler environments)

with plenty of fresh air being let in, and if you find you’re being woken by light or noise, use ear plugs and an eye mask.

Try breathing exercises. If you choose to use hypnotherapy as part of your birth preparation, the relaxation techniques can also help you sleep. We love Maggie Howell’s Easy to Sleep, (natalhypnotherapy.co.uk). We’re so focused on doing the best we can for our babies while pregnant that insomnia often leads to stress. This in itself will preclude sleep. We all need different levels of sleep, so judge on how you feel rather than the amount of hours you think you’ve had.

Chiara and Marina, founders of The Bump Class, run antenatal classes in South Kensington and Parsons Green. Authors of The Bump Class; An Expert Guide to Pregnancy, £18.99. thebumpclass.com

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 111

SHOPPING

THE REVIEW

TAKE SOM E OF TH E STR AIN OUT OF PR EGNAN C Y AN D FEEDING WITH A COM FORTING CUSHION , SAYS Laura Mason Most

VERSATILE

Best for

SLEEPING

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The bolster cushions can detatch to make the pillow more portable

FEEDING

Best for

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TWINS

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THERALINE

This pillow is great for breastfeeding comfortably, and in the correct posture. The sturdy cushion is snug, doesn’t lose its shape and takes baby’s weight with ease, in turn reducing tension in the mother’s back and providing optimum positioning.

It’s also available in a range of beautiful prints. £34.99, amazon.co.uk

The Buddy has a soft, flat surface and ‘legs’ that mould around the mother’s body, making it particularly great for the later stages of pregnancy and breastfeeding. It’s also great for toddler support and as a comforter or conventional pillow for older children. I personally enjoyed using this as a support aid when feeding. £29.99, maguari.com

Suitable for use from 20 weeks, this pillow is quite literally a dream for the 96% of women whose sleep is affected during pregnancy. Supporting the back, bump and knees, the contouring allows you to find maximum comfort and the unique shape means it won’t take up the whole bed. From £47.99, dreamgenii.com

Primarily designed to aid feeding, this ingenious creation has a clever main pillow and two bolster cushions which, when attached, provide essential support to mothers juggling two babies. For antenatal care, the additional pillows also provide comfort for expanding tums. £89, thrupennybits.co.uk

This easily manipulated pillow effortlessly moulds to provide secure support to your expanding body and tender areas during pregnancy. Whether you want a restful night’s sleep, relief while at home in front of the TV or in the office, it helps take the strain. Likewise, it can can be used to support breastfeeding and beyond. £44.99, johnlewis.com

Boppy

112 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

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REAL LIFE Hannah is now managing her depression through self-care, with the support of her family

BEYOND THE

baby blues

MOTH ER- OF-T WO AN D AUTH OR OF TH E H ON E ST MUMS’ CLU B Hannah Oakland OPEN S U P ABOUT H ER BAT TLE WITH POSTNATAL DEPR E SSION babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 115

REAL LIFE

remember the first time I lied to my health visitor. My daughter was three weeks old, and there were routine checks – weight, feeding schedules, maternal mood. She asked how I was doing, whether I was getting out much. Whether I’d managed to visit any of the baby groups she’d leafleted me about on her previous visit. I looked her in the eyes, and smiled, and told her that I was busy, that we were seeing lots of friends.

In theory, that could have been true. Elvie, my daughter, was the youngest of 10 babies born within a year in my friendship group.

Something in the water, we think. I had plenty of options for socialising, for play dates, for commiserating over the sleepless nights and the endless nappies. But I wasn’t busy. And I wasn’t seeing people. Not anyone, not really.

I spent six months sitting at home, watching endless episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210, eating cake and waiting resentfully for my husband to get home from work so I could actually pee by myself. I wasn’t enjoying any of it. And I was angry, afraid and riddled with guilt.

I watched my friends with their babies.

I saw how brilliantly they were coping, how effortless it seemed. And I felt that I was failing, that I was letting my baby down. I thought, from the bottom of my heart, that she’d be better off being looked after by someone else. And so I sat at home and I cried.

And I lied. I told them all I was fine.

Elvie was our first baby. We were happily married and I had a job that I didn’t mind giving up. And she was wanted. So wanted.

Everything was stable. And yet, depression is no respecter of circumstances. In the end it was my husband and my parents who noticed.

Who told me gently, repeatedly, they thought there was a problem. It was my husband who took me to the doctors, after a terrible argument where I realised that I stood to lose everything unless I got some help.

My doctor was brilliant, despite my insistence that I did not have postnatal depression. I was referred for cognitive behavioural therapy straight away, which taught me techniques I still use daily, six years later. The clouds shifted, but the depression remained a secret. My skeleton in the closet.

Hidden away in the hope no one would ever find out because of the shame, the stigma, the fear. Fear of what my friends would say, of how they’d treat me, of the social workers who would almost certainly take my daughter away. I was afraid, so I kept it to myself.

By Elvie’s first birthday I was signed off from therapy. I had my head above the water, well into recovery. And four months later I was

I

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I WATCHED HOW BRILLIANTLY MY FRIENDS WERE COPING, HOW EFFORTLESS IT SEEMED. I WAS FAILING pregnant again. With our son, Joel, who arrived a few weeks after his sister’s second birthday.

This time we were prepared. We knew the signs, and we watched for them religiously.

Three months in, we thought we’d done it.

We might have made it, if we hadn’t bought a house, got gazumped, and eventually completed on another, moving in 10 days before Christmas, with a three-month-old baby and a potty-training two year old.

The stress took its toll, and I never fully recovered. By the time Joel was eight months, there was no denying it any longer, my black cloud was back. The numbness. The anger. The crying. The guilt. I knew I couldn’t do it again – not by myself. I went back to therapy and swallowed down two years of antidepressants, which almost certainly saved my life.

Finally, I realised that I had no choice but to tell people – my friends, wider family, the staff at the local children’s centre who had, unknowingly, brought me back from the brink so many times. I needed their help.

They were so kind, so much kinder than I had imagined. They encouraged me to tell my story, so I started writing for the first time in

years. I began a blog, where I put down all my fears and struggles, and toddler-poo related incidents, for the world to see. I put my depression down in words, to take away the power that it had over my mind. And watched, stunned, as many of the friends I had idolised put their hands up to say, “Yep, me too.”

The writing and the friendship and the tablets worked their magic, slowly but surely.

And, now my children are six and four, I’m managing my greatly-reduced symptoms through self-care. And writing. And a support group of incredible fellow sufferers armed with an endless supply of chocolate biscuits.

I don’t know that I’ll ever be ‘better’. But life is infinitely better than it was. We manage – some days we even thrive. I’m hoping for more of those days. More joy, more excitement, more hope. And definitely no more lying to the health visitors.

PANDAS Foundation runs a nationwide network of support groups for families affected by postnatal depression, visit pandasfoundation.org.uk. Hannah blogs at walkingwiththemoon.com

Don’t let your hair spoil this moment Bringing a baby into the world is one of the most exceptional and rewarding events that can change a woman’s life. However many new mums will experience another change, which may not seem related to childbirth at first.

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Give your little one the greatest welcome home gift with a luxury nursery to call their own. Izziwotnot have joyfully spent over 40 years carefully crafting nurseries for little bundles of joy. Give your nursery a serene, nature-inspired sanctuary with a warmer toned wood. Our beautiful Bailey cot bed and matching nursery furniture is available in natural oak, mahogany or elegant white and will make any nursery feel like home.

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INTERIORS

interior

NEWS

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

CHANGE OF VIEW

Bloc Blinds has revealed its debut in-house kids’ design, Baa Baa Bunny.

The whimsical print features the clever fabric changer system, with clip-on, clip-off technology, allowing you to renew the blind design as your child grows. And, in the eyes of safety, blind cords can be concealed for peace of mind. blocblinds.co.uk

A LINEN LULLABY

SAFE SNOOZING

Tielle Love Luxury has launched a linen range especially for babies and toddlers. Founded in 2015 by Tradelinens, providers of luxury linen to many five-star hotels, the new collection includes duvets, pillowcases and cot bed sheets.

Made with an anti-allergen filling, the duvets can be washed at 40˚C. From £10, tielleloveluxury.co.uk

Dragons of Walton Street has teamed up with health academy Geovital to produce an anti-radiation cot mattress. The toxin-free mattress deters harmful radiation emitted by baby monitors and mobile phones, and its removable cover is made from natural fibres, making it ideal for babies with asthma or skin problems. £650, dragonsofwaltonstreet.com

Find everything from clothing to nursery furniture online at Scandibørn

PURE & SCANDI For those who love the Nordic aesthetic, Scandibørn is the name to know. The new online retailer stocks more than 30 Scandi brands, a third of which are brand new to the UK market. Happy shopping! scandiborn.co.uk

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 119

MAKE THE CHANGE

From traditional dressers to sleek convertible designs, these changing tables will make a stylish yet practical statement in your newborn’s nursery. Clockwise from top left: this flat-front changer from Dragons of Walton Street sits snuggly on the store’s chest of drawers. Choose from a selection of bespoke artwork, too (from £495, dragonsofwaltonstreet.com); incorporate a touch of Scandi style with this Sebra of Denmark table (from £375, nubie.co.uk); we love the simplicity of this dresser with integrated changing area from East Coast Nursery (£309.99, eastcoastnursery.co.uk); this rather cool spacesaver attaches to the wall, and comes from French designer Charlie Crane (£326.82, en.smallable.com).

Our timeless, elegant little shop has been London’s well kept secret for over 31 years. From our exclusive fabrics to create your nursery, butter-soft cashmere to keep your baby snug and our well loved Moses baskets that make the perfect first bed for your little one.

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babylondon.co.uk | SEP/OCT 2016 121

RUNNING HEAD Framed name picture from £60, alphadoodles.co.uk

Maileg mouse and matchbox toy £16.50, sistersguild.co.uk

From a selection by Olli Ella at Eat Sleep Love

Wool Nest Moses basket £109.90, en.mokee.eu

Playful ROOMS

Zoobaloo range sivercrossbaby.com

Have fun decorating your child’s space with these cheerful and stylish finishing touches

Neo rocking mammoth £129.90, kidsconcept.co.uk

Moulin Roty spinning top £9.95, cuckooland.com

122 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

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babylondon.co.uk | SEP/OCT 2016 123

RUNNING HEAD

PE A , COURGET TE , LE E K & A HINT OF MINT Suitable from 6 months Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking: 10 minutes Makes 4 portions

This smooth vegetable purée is packed full of greens. This makes a fantastic vegetable side dish for grown-ups, so make double and serve with grilled salmon and baked sweet potato.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tsp olive oil • 1 medium courgette, sliced lengthways and chopped into medium crescents • 1 leek, washed, topped and chopped roughly • 50g frozen peas • 4 fresh mint leaves METHOD

Heat the oil in a saucepan and once hot add the leek and cook until it starts to soften, around 8 minutes.

Add the courgette and frozen peas to the leek and continue to cook until the peas have cooked through, around 5 minutes.

Add the mint to the greens and either serve as chunky vegetables or purée to your desired consistency.

Tip: You can add a dollop of full-fat natural yoghurt or crème fraîche to this to make it creamier.

Suitable for freezing or keep in the fridge in a sealed container for two days.

124 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

FOOD

W E A N I N G A N D B E YO N D

Throughout the weaning process, introduce your baby to a variet of avours

A healthy start Alice Fotheringham, PICCOLO’S IN FANT N UTRITION SPECIALIST, SHAR E S H ER FAVOU RITE R ECIPE S FOR YOU R BABY

ating a wide range of different foods each week is a great way to ensure that we are getting the nutrients we need as adults. But when it comes to introducing foods to your little ones, the variety is about so much more.

Encouraging your baby to smell, taste, try different textures and touch various foods is such an important part of their development in the first year.

E

Variety is key: Have a list of seasonal fruits and vegetables, or foods you’d like them to try, on your fridge. Tick them off when you have tried them, and note your baby’s response.

Remember that some foods can take a few times to be accepted by your baby, so keep trying!

Be responsive: Your baby is getting the majority of nutrients from their milk in the first year, so don’t worry if they are not interested in food some days, or only take in the smallest amount. Follow your baby’s cues, and simply offer them something another time.

Don’t spend hours cooking separate meals: Just give them the vegetables you plan on eating that evening, or simply leave out the salt and sugar from your soup, stew or sauce. The recipes here are designed to be enjoyed by all the family.

Piccolo is an organic baby food brand inspired by the Mediterranean approach to feeding. The brand is partnered with the NCT and gives 10% of its profits to food education. Available at Waitrose and Ocado. mylittlepiccolo.com

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 125

RUNNING HEAD

FRESH PEA HUMMUS

Sweet potato and beetroot makes a great base for a purée

Suitable from 6 months Preparation and cooking: 15 minutes Makes one medium pot (serves 4)

S W E E T P O TAT O , B E E T R O O T, A P P L E & P E A R Suitable from 6 months Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking: 15 minutes (or 40 minutes if baking) Makes 4 portions

The creamy base of sweet potato combines beautifully with the earthy sweetness of beetroot. Why not roast a couple of sweet potatoes and beetroots together with a little olive oil and use some for this recipe, and add the rest to make a roasted vegetable couscous salad for all the family, or serve with green beans and baked chicken sprinkled with paprika. Delicious!

INGREDIENTS

• ½ apple, peeled, cored and chopped into chunks • ½ ripe pear, peeled, cored and chopped into chunks • 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and chopped into chunks • ¼ small raw beetroot, peeled and chopped into chunks (if you can’t find a raw one, use the cooked, vacuum-packed variety but ensure it is the one that hasn’t been cooked in vinegar)

126 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

This recipe makes a fresh, vibrantly coloured dip that can be whipped up in a few moments and is delicious as a dip or spread on toast.

If giving to younger babies as a dip, use sticks of cucumber, steamed carrot or steamed mange tout.

METHOD

Steam the sweet potato and beetroot for 5 minutes, then add the apple and pear and steam for another 5 (if using pre-cooked beetroot, you do not need to cook again, just add at the end before blending).

Alternatively, you can bake the sweet potato and beetroot in their skins at 180˚C for 30 minutes until soft. 5 minutes before the potatoes are ready, steam the apple for 5 minutes until soft.

Once the sweet potato and beetroot are cooked, let them cool for a few minutes then scoop out the flesh of the potato and peel off the beetroot skins.

Once all the ingredients are cooked, simply put in a blender and blend until smooth.

Tip: Keep the potato skins and add some grated cheese to them with a little chopped tomato and spring onion and bake under the grill for 5 minutes for a great baked potato skin! This makes a super-tasty starter for parents.

Suitable for freezing or keep in the fridge in a sealed container for two days.

INGREDIENTS

• 250g frozen peas • Large handful of fresh coriander or flat-leaf parsley • 2 tbsp tahini (sesame paste) • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1 small clove crushed garlic • Pinch smoked paprika METHOD

Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the peas and cook until tender, about 4 minutes.

Drain and run under cold water.

In a food processor add the cooked peas, coriander, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and paprika, and pulse until you get the desired consistency (if your little one likes smooth dips, make sure you pulse for longer).

Tip: Use as a topping on chicken or salmon after they have been cooked with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds.

This will last two-to-three days in the fridge in an airtight container. Suitable for freezing, but much better served fresh.

NUTRITION

A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is key to helping you get back to feeling like you again

FOURTH TRIMESTER FOOD FOOD WRITER Sophie Wright COOKS U P TH R EE DELICIOUS R ECIPE S TO GIVE YOU R POSTPR EGNAN C Y BODY A BOOST

128 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

NUTRITION

Keeping up your calcium

GREEK YOGHURT, COCONUT AND PEACH LOLLIES MAKES 12 LOLLIES

Stocking up on the good calories

QUINOA , GR ATED APPLE AND SEEDED PORRIDGE PREP TIME 5 MINUTES • COOK TIME 15 MINUTES • MAKES 2-3 PORTIONS Most breastfeeding women need to increase not only their calorie intake, but all the nutrients that make up their diet in order to satisfy the additional requirements of milk synthesis, though for some women the increase will be minimal. If your diet is balanced and varied, the increase in calories will automatically be accompanied by an increase in all the other nutrients. Hence why a well-balanced diet is essential to maintain a healthy body weight and help you lose the weight you gained during pregnancy without dreaded dieting.

While nursing, be sure to take care of yourself, eat around 300-500 additional nourishing calories per day and drink plenty of water. This will help with milk production and help guard against dehydration.

This porridge is a great way to start the day.

It’s full of protein which will help you stay full and boost energy levels after a night of feeding. The nuts and seeds bring not only great flavour and texture, but also muchneeded nutrients, including magnesium, potassium and essential fatty acids, while

the apples contain vitamin C, which will help with the body’s absorption of iron and bring additional fibre into your diet.

INGRE DIE NTS

100g quinoa (white, red, black or mixed is fine) 500ml coconut, almond, soya or cow’s milk 2 small sweet eating apples, grated 1 tsp cinnamon 1-2 tbsp honey 2 tbsp mixed seeds (sunflower, sesame, pumpkin, flax, chia, poppy) METHOD

• Pour the quinoa into a saucepan, add the cinnamon and pour on the milk of your choice. Slowly bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 15 minutes until tender.

• Once tender, stir through the grated apple, reserving a little to top the porridge at the end, and the runny honey. Do this to taste.

• Serve the quinoa porridge, top with a handful of the leftover apple and a tablespoon of the mixed seeds. Drizzle with a little more honey if you require.

Breastfeeding decreases calcium levels in mothers, and studies have shown that women often lose three to five per cent of their bone mass during breastfeeding, although they recover it rapidly after weaning. This loss may be caused by the growing baby’s increased need for calcium, which is drawn from the mother’s bones.

The suggested daily intake of calcium for breastfeeding mothers is 1,300mg per day. To give you a guide, one cup of milk or yoghurt is roughly 300mg of calcium. The best sources are milk, yoghurt and hard cheeses, and calcium-fortified orange juice and tofu.

On that note, here is my recipe for homemade ice lollies that the whole family will love. They’re also perfect to eat onehanded if you have a feeding babe in the other, and great for perking up energy levels.

INGRE DIE NTS

300ml Greek yoghurt 200ml full-fat coconut cream 400g tinned peaches in juice, drained 1 large, ripe banana 3 tbsp honey Juice of ½ lemon or lime 100ml mango purée (pre-packaged is fine) METHOD

• Pour the mango purée into the base of each lolly mould, about 1cm up.

• Pour all the other ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and slightly aerated.

• Pour this mixture onto the mango purée until each mould is full. Mix slightly using a chopstick to create a rippled effect.

• Place in the lolly sticks or lolly tops and put into the freezer. Freeze for 4-6 hours.

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 129

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NUTRITION Sophie’s lamb meatballs are great served with a dollop of Greek yoghurt on the side

FOR THE BROWN RICE SAL AD

220g steamed brown rice (microwave pouches work just as well) 100g cucumber, diced 100g cherry tomatoes, chopped 10g chopped parsley or coriander 100g feta cheese, crumbled Juice of 1 lemon 50ml extra-virgin olive oil or rapeseed oil METHOD

Up your iron intake

L AMB, SULTANA AND ALMOND MEATBALLS WITH TOMATO AND AUBERGINE SAUCE AND BROWN RICE SAL AD

ADDITIONAL RECIPE RESEARCH BY ROMILLY TOLLEMACHE. PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK, SOPHIE WRIGHT

PREP TIME 20 MINUTES • COOK TIME 30 MINUTES • SERVES 4 Iron is an essential nutrient for your body.

Being anaemic or having low iron levels after the birth of your baby is not uncommon and it can increase your chance of developing postnatal depression, reduce your ability to fight infection, cause feelings of stress and anxiety, cause fatigue and exhaustion, and can even reduce the quality of your milk.

Suffering from any of the above can be draining, making it even harder to care for your baby. A balanced diet is essential throughout the whole of your life, but it’s of even greater importance when you are carrying, nursing and caring for a baby.

This recipe is a great one that the whole family, including toddlers, can enjoy together.

The lamb is rich in iron, protein and vitamin B, which is essential for the formation of healthy red blood cells. Spinach and all dark green leafy vegetable are iron- and folate-rich, and the tomatoes will help with the body’s absorption of iron due to their high levels of vitamin C. Dried fruit and nuts are also great sources of iron.

INGRE DIE NTS FOR THE ME ATBALLS

600g lamb mince, organic or grass fed 75g sultanas, roughly chopped 75g blanched almonds, toasted and roughly chopped 15g flat-leaf parsley, chopped 1 egg yolk 3 tsp ground cumin ½ tsp ground cinnamon Pinch dried chilli flakes 1 tbsp milled flaxseed Salt and pepper FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE

4 tbsp rapeseed oil 1 aubergine, finely diced 1 large red onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 tsp ground cumin Pinch dried chilli flakes 500ml tomato passata 200ml chicken stock 200g baby leaf spinach, washed

• Start by making your tomato sauce. Place a saucepan on the stove and add 2 tbsp of rapeseed oil. When it is nice hot, add in the onions and sweat for 3-4 minutes before adding the aubergine, garlic, ground cumin and the chilli flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook on a low heat for a further 3-4 minutes. Now add the tomato passata and chicken stock. Simmer on a low heat for 15 minutes while you make your meatballs.

• Place all the ingredients for your meatballs into a food processor and blend until smooth and well combined. Make sure you season the mix with salt and pepper.

• Divide the mix into 16-18 meatballs and work into little balls in the palm of your hands.

They should be just smaller than a golf ball.

• Now add the remaining 2 tbsp of rapeseed oil to a frying pan and turn the heat up high.

When hot, add in the meatballs and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown all over. Transfer the meatballs to your tomato sauce and simmer for 15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through. Once cooked, add the washed baby leaf spinach and allow to wilt into the sauce.

• While the meatballs are cooking, heat the rice as instructed on the packet. Combine the cooked rice with the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta, lemon juice, oil and herbs.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

• You are now ready to serve your dish. It’s delicious with a tablespoon of full-fat Greek yoghurt on the side.

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 131

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Hand-picked family holidays that are perfect for children and their parents too!

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travel

NEWS

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

HIDE & SLEEP

Boutique hotel booking service Mr & Mrs Smith has expanded its portfolio with a selection of luxury villas. Featuring 100 privately-owned properties in Ibiza and Mallorca, each one has been tried and tested by a team member to ensure its quality. And from the moment the plane touches down, you’ll have access to an on-island consultant, ready to cater to your every need. Luxury, indeed. Seven nights from £3,473, mrandmrssmith.com

BEAUTY TO GO

The travel kit from Bonpoint: proving good things do come in small packages

Travelling with baby may require a whole case of lotions and potions, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your own regime. Bonpoint’s travel kit for mothers contains five miniatures from its skincare line, all in a handy pouch. £42, bonpoint.com

EXPRESS YOURSELF You never know when you might need to express your milk on the go, so make it easy with the NUK Luna electric breast pump. It can be mains or battery operated, making it convenient for when you’re out and about, and includes a global adaptor for your travels. £69.99, nuk.co.uk

PACKING MADE EASY Make travelling a breeze with Storksak’s clever new packing system. Each bag from the five-piece collection comes with its own block packing system; simply put your belongings in each compartment, ready to lift out and hang up once you arrive. The cabin and shoulder bag will be available at Marks & Spencer. From £35, storksak.com

PLANNING A SKIING HOLIDAY WITH LITTLE ONES? TOTS TO TRAVEL OFFERS A RANGE OF TRIPS TO CHILDFRIENDLY RESORTS, AND WILL SORT EVERYTHING FOR YOU, FROM LESSONS TO PASSES. THE CHALETS ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITH ESSENTIALS, SUCH AS ALL-TERRAIN BUGGIES. TOTSTOTRAVEL.CO.UK

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 133

The locals loved little Margot

ª Postcard from…

JAPAN

Rebecca Coppin’S MU LTI-STOP ADVENTU R E WITH H ER FAMILY WAS A FE AST FOR TH E SEN SE S

W

You’ll find the tastiest sushi in some of the world’s smallest over-the-counter restaurants

Enjoying the world-famous crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo

brother of a family friend. Nobuhiro spoke very little English but was charming and generous, and it was fascinating to see this beautiful city through the eyes of someone who had lived through its troubled past.

He and Margot adored each other!

From Hiroshima we took the bullet train to vibrant Osaka where we stayed at our favourite hotel, the St Regis. Its butler service meant we could leave a tray of Margot’s bottles in our room and when we returned hours later, they had been sterilised!

Back on the bullet train and to our final destination, the elegant city of Kyoto. We were too early for the cherry blossom, but were lucky enough to spot the first of the plum blossom, along with a blink-andyou’ll-miss-it sighting of a geisha. We took a taxi out to Kinkaku-ji (or the Golden Pavilion) where our blue-eyed girl proved to be as much of a photo opportunity as the UNESCO World Heritage Site itself. For foodies like us, the street food at the nearby Nishiki food market was a dream.

We returned to Tokyo for one final night, and on our last day we woke early to visit the world-famous Fish Market, followed by breakfast of melt-in-the-mouth sushi served at a tiny counter restaurant with Margot asleep on my chest. It’s amazing how portable a baby can be, and with patience and good organisation, we realised it really is possible to get out there and experience the world.

Geisha-spotting in Kyoto

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

e booked to go to Japan while I was pregnant with Margot, clearly in a state of denial about the event that was about change our lives. Yet we were determined not to let having a baby stop us from doing things we loved.

We chose the well-trodden route of Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, staying a few days in each city.

After a surprisingly painless 12-hour flight, during which our five month old mostly slept and fed the entire way, we arrived, instantly hit with that thrilling feeling that we were a long, long way from home. Our hotel overlooked Tokyo harbour, with stunning views of the bay and the twinkling lights of the city. Our first stop was the trendy shopping district of Ginza, where we had our first taste of Japan – a delicious bowl of steaming ramen – in a tiny restaurant in the subway. As strange as it sounds, you’ll find some of the best food in Japan in the subway stations, including the three-Michelin-starred Jiro.

Next stop in Tokyo was Shibuya, and the pedestrian crossing made famous in Lost in Translation. We put Margot in the BabyBjörn, and you could tell by her flapping legs that she was thrilled by all the new sights and sounds. The Japanese are an incredibly friendly nation who love babies, and blue-eyed, fair-haired ones in particular are a bit of a novelty.

We flew to Hiroshima, and spent three days being shown around by the

WE ARE FAMILY Have fun with your nearest and dearest, yet still have some grown-up time for yourselves.

We offer our guests an unstuffy mix of elegant yet comfortable interiors, fantastic seasonal food, pampering spa treatments, extensive gardens and even a complimentary crèche. Bliss!

0844 482 2152 LUXURYFAMILYHOTELS.CO.UK

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The Ickworth Suffolk | Fowey Hall Cornwall | Moonfleet Manor Dorset | Polurrian Bay Cornwall Woolley Grange Wiltshire | The Elms Worcestershire | New Park Manor Hampshire

N PE O

St Benedict’s, Ealing

Y DA

Independent Catholic Day School Teaching a way of living

Co-education from 3 years through to 18

MONTESSORI NURSERY

FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 9.30am – 11.00am

Preparatory School 59 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JJ Montessori Nursery 196 Munster Road, London SW6 6AU T 020 7736 9182 E info@sinclairhouseschool.co.uk www.sinclairhouseschool.co.uk

SATURDAY OPEN MORNING: 1 October NURSERY OPEN MORNINGS: 3 & 24 November One of the ten best value private schools in the UK The Telegraph (August 2015)

SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES IN THE SENIOR SCHOOL To book a place at an Open Event or for more information please contact:

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T: 020 8862 2254 E: enquiries@stbenedicts.org.uk W: www.stbenedicts.org.uk

FOR BOYS & GIRLS AGED 2-13

We respect the dignity of all and welcome children of other faiths.

A co-educational, day and boarding school from 3 -13

‘If anyone is going to bring out what your child is good at, Port Regis will.’

GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

t. 01747 857914 | www.portregis.com | e. admissions@portregis.com |

136 | SEP/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

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education

PREPARING FOR THE NEXT STEP

Researching schools

EDUCATION

NEWS

EVERY THING YOU N EED TO KN OW IN AN D OUT OF TH E CL ASSROOM Introduce your baby to the joy of music

If you want to know more about schooling and are keen to plan for the future, then check out our sister title. Published twice a year, The Guide to Independent Schools is essential reading for parents looking to continue their child’s educational journey within the independent school sector. The Guide covers each stage of the school career, from nursery to sixth form, and includes a comprehensive directory of independent schools across the United Kingdom as well as expert advice to help you make the right educational decisions for your child’s future.

ORDER THE LATEST ISSUE NOW! Visit chelseamagazines. com/independent-schoolparent or call 020 7349 3700.

The Guide to Independent Schools is also available for just £5.95 in selected supermarkets and all good newsagents.

MINI MUSICIANS

The Little London Music School has launched a third location in Fulham. Its classes are broken into three different age groups, from six months to five years old, each accompanied by a classical instrumentalist. There’s a mix of songs and nursery rhymes every week, which little ones will love singing along to. £240 for a 12-week program, thelittlelondonmusicschool.com

STORIES – NOT SCREENS When it comes to bedtime reading, 93% of parents shun the iPad in favour of physical storybooks. The research, conducted by children’s bookcase company Tidy Books, comes as sales soar; the childrens book sector was up six per cent in 2015. tidy-books.co.uk

STATE OF PLAY Outdoor play is in decline, with kids today spending only five hours a week outside – six hours fewer than their parents’ generation.

Shockingly, the research by Sudocrem has also revealed that six-and-a-half hours every day is now spent in front of a screen. This comes as the brand launches its national campaign, Play More, to encourage little ones to get outside. sudocrem.co.uk

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 137

EDUCATION

MEET THE HEAD How long have you been working at Port Regis?

I’ve just come to the end of my first year. Previously, I was headmaster at Milbourne Lodge in Surrey for five years.

Tell us a bit about the school’s history…

Port Regis was founded in 1881 in London. A few years later it moved to Folkestone, and in 1921 to Kingsgate, Kent, in the grounds of which stood an ancient arch, built to commemorate a chance landing by Charles II in 1683. This provided the name Port Regis, ‘Gate of the King’. In 1947, the school moved to Motcombe Park, near Shaftsbury in Dorset, where it has been ever since.

What do you see as the main strengths of Port Regis?

I feel very privileged to be the headmaster – the school has a phenomenal reputation as one of the great prep schools in the country, a reputation achieved due to outstanding teaching and results, superb pastoral care and facilities. Yet for all the school’s successes, what strikes me most

138 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

STEPHEN ILETT Port Regis School

We chat to the head of the day and boarding prep in Shaftsbury, Dorset is what a friendly place this is. It’s this warmth that turns a good school into an exceptional one.

Port Regis is also a school where the range of opportunities on offer combine to create an environment where children can excel in so many ways. Every year, our leavers go on to the finest senior schools and we pride ourselves on securing Port Regis’ boys and girls scholarship and common entrance places at a wide variety of schools.

While these achievements are important, we recognise that success comes in all shapes and sizes. We aim to develop confident individuals who understand the importance of respect for others at all times.

We are also a forward-thinking, school that responds to the needs of today’s pupils and parents.

How do you ensure every pupil achieves his or her full potential?

By setting the bar high and encouraging children to have a go at everything, not just the things they enjoy or think that they are good at. Our early years pupils enjoy all the facilities and staffing resources that the older children benefit from. We aim to instil in them from an early age not only academic skills but also a love of music, literature, drama and sport.

Do you offer any activity programmes for younger pupils?

All pupils in every year group are encouraged to take part in activities outside the classroom with the Port Regis Hobby programme. Hobbies for our younger pupils include art, crafts and cookery to outdoor activities and board games, plus, the much-enjoyed ‘Film Friday’! In addition, we are extremely proud of our Forest School. Children have the freedom to master new skills through carefully planned outdoor activities, all under expert supervision. They are encouraged to explore and challenge their limitations, while also having a huge amount of fun!

How do you see Port Regis progressing in the future?

My aim is to build on the school’s success, and I am always looking to implement new ideas. Learning is an ongoing process and it is so important to ensure pupils have the stimulating education that will prepare them for the next stage of their schooling and beyond. portregis.com

Hawkesdown House School

For boys aged 3 to 8 years Endeavour Courage Truth

27 Edge Street, Kensington, London W8 7PN Telephone: 0207 727 9090 Email: admin@hawkesdown.co.uk www.hawkesdown.co.uk

Claremont Fan Court School An independent co-educational school for pupils aged 2½ to 18 years

Pre-Preparatory and Nursery School Children join the Pre-Nursery class in the term they turn three.

Please come and visit us.

To arrange an appointment telephone 01372 463695 or email preprepschool@claremont.surrey.sch.uk

Claremont Fan Court School Claremont Drive Esher Surrey KT10 9LY

www.claremont-school.co.uk

babylondon.co.uk | SEP/OCT 2016 139

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140 | SEP/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

Bramley, Surrey GU5 0DF StCatherine’s 01483 899665 prepadmissions@stcatherines.info Bramley www.stcatherinines.info

Wednesday 14th September Thursday 6th October Friday 4th November 17/05/2016 16:14:38

EDUCATION

Your baby, the

MAÊHS GENIUS! IT’S N EVER TOO E AR LY TO INTRODUCE YOU R LIT TLE ON E TO N UM BER S, ADVISE S Emma Smith

athematics is an essential skill to master, particularly in our increasingly digital environment.

Adults need to use these skills every day, and yet, one in five adults have numeracy skills at a level expected of five to nine year olds.

Is it possible to change this for the next generation? If so, how?

Firstly, you have to believe that numeracy is an area of your baby’s development that is worth investing your time in. There are so many different classes and activities that you and your baby will be exposed to in the first couple of formative years. How do you decide which ones are important? Perhaps

M

understanding that your baby is already a maths genius will help to persuade you.

Your baby, at just a few hours old, will begin to categorise. They use their innate skills to identify faces, firstly, and then further subcategorise these into mummy and daddy or strangers.

While parents feel confident introducing their baby to letters, reading stories and singing nursery rhymes, mathematics can seem a little more abstract and daunting. Wouldn’t it be better to leave it to the professionals and let school do the teaching?

Research has found that children vary widely in their mathematical knowledge

N U M B E R T A L K

ame what you see. Make it visual and give the word context. ndivided attention. Turn off your phone, make eye contact. ake it simple. Speak clearly and emphasise the number word. ooks. Lovely pictures and textures will make number words interesting. njoy. Have fun with the words and encourage your baby to love maths. epetition. The more your baby hears a word, the better. ake turns. Give your baby time to coo and gurgle while you ‘chat’. ctions. Lift your baby high when saying “up”, and use gestures. a la la! Sing nursery rhymes and catchy number songs. eep praising. Let baby know you’re proud and they will try even harder.

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 141

EDUCATION

You might be surprised by how easy it is to introduce your baby to numbers

MATHS MILESTONES Newborn

Babies are born with an innate number sense. They can link the number of syllables spoken to the number of shapes shown.

3 months

Babies can recognise the approximate difference between two numbers.

5 months

by the time they enter preschool and this variation predicts levels of achievement in later school tests. Therefore, it is up to you to make sure that your baby is the one with the head start.

To investigate what might cause the difference in mathematical knowledge at such a young age, psychologist Susan Levine, a professor at the University of Chicago, monitored children interacting at home with a parent and counted the ‘number words’ used during normal play.

The team recorded all uses and mentions of the numbers one to 10 and found that the quantity of number words used varied hugely.

Some parents used as few as four number words in seven-and-a-half hours of interaction, others used as many as 257.

Levine used this study to ascertain whether the differences in ability at the start of preschool could be attributed to the exposure to ‘number talk’ in the home environment.

It turns out that the more number words a parent uses during early childhood, the better the child’s understanding of numbers when tested at four years old. The message from this study is clear – talk to your baby as often as possible about numbers.

To be in line with parents who use the most number talk, you would need to use about 250 number words each day. If this sounds

142 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

challenging, just remember that if you take your baby up and down the stairs five times a day and count the steps each time, then you might have already clocked up more than 100!

TALKING IS EASY Any one-to-one communication or interaction with your baby is good. Any time that you can actively engage with your baby, you will be helping with learning and development.

So, why not allocate 10 minutes each day to number talk with your little one?

You might be surprised by how easy it is to introduce your baby to numbers. There are lots of rhymes, stories and opportunities that arise throughout the day – count the number of ducks in the pond, or describe what you are doing when dressing your baby, “Let’s put your socks on; one, two”.

Spending 10 minutes each day ‘teaching’ your baby maths is a good investment. If in doubt, just remember, the numeracy gap develops in infancy at the point of critical cognitive and neurological development and the evidence shows that its impact on future outcomes is not easily reversed.

The finest schools, access to first-class teachers, impressive new technology – none of these hold the power that you have as an informed and invested parent.

6 months

Babies are able to demonstrate their understanding of spoken words by directing their gaze to the corresponding picture.

7 months

Babies understand physics and gravity.

8 months

Babies understand probabilities.

9 months

Babies are sensitive to ‘more than’ or ‘less than’ relations across the number and size of objects.

10 months

Babies have a grasp of relative size and the fact that size makes a difference.

11 months

Babies understand the idea that numbers can be arranged in order of magnitude and can tell the difference between increasing and decreasing sequences.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK

WHILE PARENTS FEEL CONFIDENT READING STORIES, MATHS CAN SEEM MORE ABSTRACT AND DAUNTING

Babies can understand addition and subtraction.

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Join us for

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12th-16th September With Busy Bees, you never miss a WOW moment!

We go further to keep you connected to your child’s learning.

Everyone is welcome to come along and join in our activities to learn more.

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The Little London Music School Introducing your child to the joy of music

Comprehensive, structured & stimulating music classes for children 6 months – 5 years. £10 off your first term with the code BABYLDN

Our classically based curriculum is taught by opera singers, accompanied by orchestral instruments and tailored to each stage of your child’s development.

www.thelittlelondonmusicschool.com Telephone: 07530 459 468 info@thelittlelondonmusicschool.com NOTTING HILL • FULHAM • KNIGHTSBRIDGE

144 | SEP/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

OUT AND ABOUT

mini

AGENDA

Lianne Kolirin ROU N DS U P TH E CAPITAL’S BE ST EVENTS OnBlackHeath Festival

OnBlackHeath Festival

Baby Café at Zest

BLACKHEATH London SE3 0UA 0333 321 9999 onblackheath.com

JW3 341-351 Finchley Road, London NW3 6ET 020 7433 8988 jw3.org.uk

London’s popular music, food and family festival returns this year featuring, for the first time, the wonderful Puffin World of Stories. Highlights include a storytelling stage, talking maze and village green sports day. Children can meet the likes of Spot the Dog, Peter Rabbit, The Clangers and more.

Admission: Adults, from £52.50; under-12s go free.

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September.

Pop along to the pram-friendly Zest café in Hampstead’s JW3 for a chance to hang out with other parents and their little ones. As well as a delicious range of hot drinks, cakes and pastries available to purchase, there are plenty of toys and soft mats for under-twos to play with.

Admission: Free.

Every Wednesday morning, from 9am.

Little Feet: Explore Lost Cities

Countryside Live

THE BRITISH MUSUEM Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org

WALTHAMSTOW & LEYTON MARSHES Lea Bridge Road, London E10 7QL visitleevalley.org.uk

Under-fives and their grownups are invited to this craft session, run in conjunction with the museum’s Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds exhibition.

Tots can play games and listen to sounds as they explore the world of an underwater diver and discover an ancient city beneath the waves.

Admission: Free.

Thursday 29 September, 10.30am to 12pm.

Head to Countryside Live for arena displays, falconry, sheep dogs and even ferret racing!

You can also try your hand at willow weaving and wood turning. There will be animals galore, and family activities include apple pressing, planting tree seeds and identifying bugs.

Admission: Adults, from £5; under-16s go free.

Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September, 10am to 5pm.

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 145

Brick or Treat

Discover Gnomes

The Big Draw

Totally Thames

Brick or Treat

Finding Dory

Baby & Toddler Show

The Big Draw

LEGOLAND WINDSOR Winkfield Road, Windsor SL4 4AY legoland.co.uk

SEA LIFE LONDON AQUARIUM Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB visitsealife.com/london

SANDOWN PARK Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 9AJ babyandtoddlershow.co.uk

VARIOUS LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE thebigdraw.org

Expect a mix of fun fancy dress, themed activities and entertainment, plus plenty of Lego building and surprises.

There will also be spectacular firework displays on Saturday and Sunday evenings during this Halloween holiday period.

Admission: From £37 when booked online in advance; under-threes go free.

Monday 17 October to Saturday 5 November.

Pixar’s newest movie star, a cantankerous octopus called Hank, will lead you on an interactive trail through the attraction, revealing amazing fishy facts and collectible ‘letters’ which will need unscrambling at the end of the journey to earn a reward.

Admission: Adults, from £17.95; children, from £13.25.

Until Sunday September 11.

Chamber Tots: On Safari

Big Fish Little Fish Rave

WIGMORE HALL 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP wigmore-hall.org.uk

ACKLAM VILLAGE MARKET 4-8 Acklam Road, London W10 5TY bigfishlittlefishevents.co.uk

These interactive, hour-long music sessions for one and two year olds feature songs and percussion playing. Presented

by Wigmore Hall’s experienced Chamber Tots music leaders, alongside emerging musicians.

Admission: Adults, £3; children, £5.

Tuesday 11 and Friday 21 October, 10.15am and 11.45am.

The ‘2-4 hour party people’, as they are known, throw their first party of the autumn on a multi-sensory dancefloor with glitter cannons, bubbles and balloons. Activities also include a Playdoh table and ball pool.

Admission: Adults, £9; children £6; babies to walking go free.

Sunday September 11, 2pm to 4.30pm.

146 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

The bump- and baby-friendly show returns to the south east this autumn, promising easy access and free facilities, including baby changing and feeding areas. There’s plenty of shopping opportunities, too, and a chance to chat to experts in everything from birth and feeding to sleeping and finance.

Admission: Adults, from £12.

Under-16s go free.

Friday 23 to Sunday 25 September, from 10am.

Totally Thames VARIOUS VENUES ALONG LONDON’S RIVER THAMES totallythames.org This September sees the Thames come to life, with plenty for kids to do across London. The 30-day spectacular will include arts, music, colourful regattas, river races, environmental and educational activities and more.

Admission: Free.

Throughout September, see website for full event details.

Children big and small are encouraged to get arty with this month-long festival of drawing activities. The theme this year is The STEAM Powered Big Draw Festival, as part of a campaign to give arts subjects parity with science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Admission: Many events are free, but see website for specific details.

Throughout October, see website for full event details.

Halloween Crafts & Pumpkin Parade FULHAM PALACE Bishop’s Park, Fulham, London SW6 6EA 020 7736 3233 fulhampalace.org Enjoy Halloween-themed crafts and face painting this October.

Bring a pre-carved pumpkin and any musical instruments with you, so little ones can make noise to scare away the ghouls on a pumpkin parade at 4pm.

Admission: Free.

Sunday 30 October, from 2pm.

OUT AND ABOUT

Family Travel Show

Eukanuba Discover Dogs 2016

Saw & Sand Festival

Africa on the Square

Family Travel Show OLYMPIA LONDON Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UX 0844 209 7360 familytravelshow.com This is the ideal launch pad for exploring new holiday ideas, as specialist tour operators are brought together under one roof. Choose from family villas and ski trips to rainforest retreats and all-inclusive luxury.

Admission: Adults, £8 in advance; under-12s go free.

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October, from 10am.

Birthday Party

PHOTOGRAPHY: MARGARET KELLY

OTTIE AND THE BEA 12 Old Dover Road, Blackheath, London SE3 7BT 020 8465 5318 ottieandthebea.com Ottie and the Bea is more than a toy shop, stocking everything from art materials to colourful books and clothes. The shop hosts regular events and its upcoming birthday is one worth catching! Expect a photo booth, face painting and more.

Admission: Free.

Saturday 17 September, 1pm to 5pm.

Jazz for Kids: New Orleans Jazz!

ROYAL ALBERT HALL Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP royalalberthall.com Perfect for introducing little ears to the world of jazz, these concerts are aimed at children and their families. This hourlong concert is inspired by the music of New Orleans.

Admission: Adults, £12.50; children, £6.50.

Tuesday 25 October, 10.30am and 1.30pm.

Africa on the Square TRAFALGAR SQUARE London WC2N 5DN london.gov.uk/events Celebrate African arts and culture with a fantastic day of entertainment, food stalls, fashion and loads for kids to take part in. The festival returns to London for the third time, with live African music, DJs, dancing and a talent show.

Admission: Free.

Saturday 15 October, 12pm to 6pm.

Saw & Sand Festival

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

CHISWICK HOUSE & GARDENS London W4 2QN 020 8742 3905 sawandsand.co.uk

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, London SE1 2HZ 020 7645 0560 unicorntheatre.com

The Saw & Sand Festival is a new, all-day immersive arts and cultural event. Enjoy live sand sculpting and wood carving on a huge scale, alongside timbersports, traditional rides, street food, music and, of course, a sandpit for little ones.

Admission: Adults, from £12; children, from £9.

Friday 9 to Sunday 11 September.

Enjoy the tale of Plop, the baby barn owl who is still learning to fly. He is very curious, almost always hungry, and he’s afraid of the dark! So his mother sends him on several missions to find out more about night.

Admission: Adults, £16; children, £10.

Tuesday 13 September to Sunday 20 November.

Performance times vary.

Eukanuba Discover Dogs 2016 EXCEL LONDON 1 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL discoverdogs.org.uk A fun family event packed with doggie displays and competitions. There’s a Young Kennel Club area for kids over six to learn new tricks. Or, if you’re looking for a pet, find out about which breeds will suit your family.

Admission: Adults, £14.30; under-12s go free.

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October, 10am to 5pm.

Discover Gnomes HAMPTON COURT PALACE East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU 020 3166 6000 hrp.org.uk As part of the celebration of its world-famous gardens, 15 very special gnomes will be popping up around the Hampton Court estate, revealing secrets to the explorers who can find them.

Admission: Standard admission applies; under-fives go free.

Until Sunday 2 October.

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 147

OUT AND ABOUT

The Baby Show

ONE YEAR FOR JUST £16

THE STYLISH MAGAZINE FOR PARENTS IN THE CAPITAL LYRIC HAMMERSMITH Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0QL lyric.co.uk The guinea pigs of Dandeville love munching dandelion leaves so much that slowly but surely dandelions are disappearing from all over town. With just one dandelion left will this plucky little guinea pig have the flower power to save the day?

Event includes book signing.

Admission: £8 each; babies under 18 months go free.

Saturday 10 September, 11am and 1pm.

Pepper The Monkey & The Extraordinary Rainbow Circus STRATFORD CIRCUS ARTS CENTRE Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15 1BX stratford-circus.com

Lark in the Park

OLYMPIA LONDON Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UX thebabyshow.co.uk

WATERLOW PARK Dartmouth Park Hill, London N19 5JF 020 7974 5633 waterlowpark.org.uk

148 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

SPECIAL OFFER SUBSCRIBE TO LITTLE LONDON

Join Pepper the mischievous monkey on a musical journey to the Rainbow Circus. With music by Schumann from the Aurora Orchestra.

Admission: From £8 each.

Specially adapted early years concerts: Friday 30 October, 10.30am and 11.30am, and Saturday 1 October, 10.30am.

The Baby Show

Listen to expert speakers, watch demos and even do a spot of shopping at this leading pregnancy and parenting event.

The show offers parents and parents-to-be everything from pushchairs to nursery ideas, maternity fashion to healthcare.

Admission: Adults, from £11.50 in advance; under-12s go free.

Friday 21 to Sunday 23 October.

Little London guides you through the next stage of the adventure that is childhood – from nursery, first trips away from home and the most exciting activities and events in and around the capital, to the hottest holidays, coolest kidswear and interiors ideas. PLUS expert advice on your child’s health and education.

Celebrate the park’s 125th anniversary with a village fête. HIghlights include a brass band and tombola, as well as Victorian children’s games from the opening era. Be sure to bring a family picnic!

Admission: Free.

Saturday 17 September, 12pm to 5pm.

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A SELEC TION OF

LOCAL AC TIVITIE S FOR YOU AN D YOU R LIT TLE ON E

Groups & Classes

ACTIVITIES

150 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

THE LITTLE THINGS MAKE A DIFFERENCE Classes across London Unfortunately, it only takes a split second for accidents to happen and knowing what to do in those first few minutes can make all the difference. A short course in first aid can make you feel more confident to manage life’s little emergencies.

Little Aid specialises in practical first aid courses in the comfort of your home. Courses can be held at any time, including evenings and weekends. The most popular course is the three-hour Child & Baby First Aid Class which covers CPR, choking and the recovery position, along with serious illness. Little Aid also offers a shorter CPR & Choking course. info@littleaid.co.uk littleaid.co.uk

FOR LITTLE LEARNERS From babies to 11 years Check out the Little Discovery classes for ages six months to 24 months old.

These allow babies to explore their senses with music, colours and shapes.

Little Maths Rhythm & Shapes and Little Science are two after-school workshops that nurture curiosity while making a child’s first steps into the world of numbers and science that much easier. The Little Maths workshops, for two to four year-olds, builds their confidence with numbers.

While the Little Science workshop, for ages three to 11 years, introduces new scientific concepts through discussions and experiments. Visit the website for a timetable of Holiday Workshops throughout the summer.

0800 092 1062 littlehouseofscience.com

AS SOON AS YOU CAN WALK, YOU CAN PLAY FOOTBALL

FUN FRENCH LESSONS FOR CHILDREN

Classes across London Offering the very best football coaching for children aged from 18 months to 10 years, Kiddikicks involves the whole family by encouraging parent participation. Join up and see your child score a hat-trick of football, fitness and fun with Kiddikicks football classes. There are also sporty birthday parties with a variety of themes for children aged three and up, private and holiday classes, and nursery and after-school sessions.

Sign up to receive your mini player’s free kit (registration fees apply).

Plus, quote ‘Baby London’ when you sign up to receive an extra 5% off!

020 7937 7965 info@kiddikicks.co.uk kiddikicks.co.uk

Chelsea, Putney, Notting Hill and St John’s Wood/Maida Vale Club Petit Pierrot, London’s premier French club since 1993, offers innovative, stimulating immersion programmes for children from eight months old. Led by a team of passionate and qualified native teachers, children will flourish and learn French effortlessly while having fun with a wide range of activities, including contemporary music from the company’s educational CD. Language experts agree that learning a second language early in life enhances overall cognitive skills and improves brain development.

020 7385 5565 admincpp@btconnect.com clubpetitpierrot.co.uk

ACTIVITIES

PRIVATE, BESPOKE ANTENATAL CLASSES

COULD YOU HELP A CHOKING CHILD?

AWARD-WINNING AND INTERACTIVE CLASSES

Classes across London Pregnancy is both an exciting and anxious period for every couple embarking on this journey. To help relieve the anxiety, Eileithyia Ltd has the class for you. Eileithyia is a midwife-led company offering women and their partners one-to-one antenatal classes in the comfort of their own home. There is a range of personalised and interactive classes from early pregnancy through to labour and birth, and finally caring for your newborn. Also available is private breastfeeding support and assistance in the first few days after labour to enable you to feel confident right from the beginning. eileithyia.info@gmail.com eileithyia.co.uk

Classes across London Every year, thousands of parents choose First Aid for Life to empower them with the skills to help their child in an emergency. Join a course in the company’s training room, or book a bespoke course at a time and place to suit you. The medical professionals run informative, reassuring, hand-on training. Learn CPR, how to help if your baby chokes and first aid for common injuries. Everyone receives comprehensive first aid manuals, CPR flow charts and certificates, and the paedriatic courses fulfil Ofsted requirements for child carers. Quote ‘Baby London’ to receive a free preschool first aid kit with your booking.

020 8675 4036 firstaidforlife.org.uk

LEARN TO SWIM

NURTURE A LIFETIME OF MUSIC

Gymboree’s commitment to quality is unsurpassed, and every day thousands of parents and carers across the UK choose Gymboree because they want the best for their little ones.

The team has a simple goal: to provide the best Play & Learn, Art and Music classes for newborns to five year olds in the world! With more than 30 years of experience behind the brand, the classes and activities are based on a blend of early childhood development theories and years of hands-on experience.

Gymboree’s tried-and-tested formula of physical, social, sensory and imaginary elements make for 45 minutes of fun. Enjoy challenging and age-appropriate activities which will help your little one through the crucial early stages. Themes, props and set-ups change frequently.

Members also get exclusive access to Open Gym free-play sessions on site. Little ones can bring an adult along with them to play in a clean, colourful and safe environment with purpose-built equipment. Art classes are for children from 18 months and allow them be the artists. Selfexpression and creativity are inspired by painting, drawing, printing and more. Music classes run for ages six months plus, using a global mix of language and genres.

Sensory Baby Play classes are suitable for newborns onwards, and feature physical stimulation from a varied mix of props. Little ones become attentive and interested in their growing understanding of the world with songs, tactile play, physical games and more.

Free trial classes are available at Bayswater and Notting Hill, Bromley, Chiswick, Docklands, Ealing, East Dulwich, Hampstead, Harrow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Putney, Wandsworth and Wimbledon. gymboree-uk.com

Chelsea, Knightsbridge, South Kensington Swimming Rocks has established itself as London’s most exclusive swim school with a reputation for exceptional service. Its dedicated teaching team are well known for their outstanding knowledge.

Providing swimming lessons in luxury locations, courses are available for babies, children and adults either on a private or shared basis, or in a small group for babies and toddlers. And Swimming Rocks’ creative teaching pathway will ensure every child develops their individual swimming style. Lessons are available every day during term time as well as intensive crash courses in the holidays.

07557 051 904 info@swimmingrocks.co.uk swimmingrocks.co.uk

Classes across London Monkey Music offers award-winning music classes for children aged three months to four years. The company has 20 years’ experience of providing classes that captivate children and adults with a combination of songs, activities, instruments and props.

Monkey Music’s progressive curriculum encourages children to grow in confidence, improve listening, communication and concentration skills, and make new friends. Classes are offered in Putney, Barnes, Parsons Green, Fulham, Chelsea, Gloucester Road, Belgravia, Kensington, Notting Hill, Primrose Hill and Hampstead.

Visit the website for a timetable and to book your complimentary session. monkeymusic.com

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 151

COMPETITIONS

CHANCE TO WIN

Exclusive competitions and offers for Baby London readers

WIN A CUDDLEDRY BABY BATH TOWEL WITH METANIUM Nappy rash treatment brand Metanium is giving away five Cuddledry baby bath towels (RRP £30 each) and a Metanium Everyday Easy Spray Barrier Lotion with each one. The Cuddledry is worn like an apron, keeping you dry and leaving both hands free to lift your baby from the tub. Metanium Everyday Easy Spray moisturises your little one’s skin to help prevent nappy rash, and is ideal to keep in your changing bag. Two sprays are enough to form a thin protective layer. Pat around the area to maximise coverage – no need to rub in. metanium.co.uk

BAG A FAMILY TICKET TO THE ZOO!

WORTH £63

There’s nothing quite like a trip to the zoo for a fun day out, and thanks to our friends down at Marwell Zoo you could win a family ticket for two adults and two children. Situated near Winchester, Hampshire, Marwell Zoo is the perfect place to get up close to the wonders of the natural world.

From ring-tailed coatis to majestic giraffes, endangered tigers to giant anteaters, curious meerkats to pygmy hippos, its 140-acre park is home to an incredible range of species, in beautiful landscaped surroundings. marwell.org.uk

WIN TWO MONTHS’ SUPPLY OF PICCOLO POUCHES

Finding the time to create a balanced range of smooth, organic fruit and vegetable purées is a tough chore. Piccolo pouches, made with only natural ingredients, ensure your little one gets a varied diet, full of exciting new flavours.

To celebrate the launch of Piccolo’s new flavours, we’re giving away two months’ supply of pouches, alongside a gorgeous tote back and a notebook for your weaning recipes and notes, worth a total of £85! mylittlepiccolo.com

ENTER ONLINE AT BABYLONDON.CO.UK/COMPETITIONS 152 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

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This voucher is valid until 30th September 2016.

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01/08/2016 09:57

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babylondon.co.uk | SEP/OCT 2016 153

SHOPPING

London

Boutiques

FOR TH E FIN E ST SELEC TION OF HAN D -PICKED LON DON BOUTIQU E S, H ER E’S OU R SH OPPING GUIDE

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 155

JOJO MAMAN BÉBÉ

With its vast and competitively priced collections, Jo Maman Bébé has everything you could possibly need for young family life, from maternity, baby and childrenswear to toys, home décor and everything in between. Whether you’re hunting down a pair of mini snow boots for a family skiing holiday or practical toy storage solutions, you’ll find them here. With Drawing Areas to keep your little ones occupied, shopping will be enjoyable for all the family.

STORES ACROSS LONDON jojomamanbebe.co.uk

OLIVE LOVES ALFIE

Blazing the style trail in the world of baby and children’s retail since 2006, Olive Loves Alfie offers a hand-picked selection of inspiring and imaginative clothing, interiors and toys for stylish little ones up to 14 years. We’re talking fun, Scandinavian-style clothing with quirky prints from a mix of lesser-known brands such as Rukka, Modéerska Huset and Little Titans. Olive Loves Alfie’s founder, Ashlyn Gibson, also designs her own pieces.

84 STOKE NEWINGTON CHURCH STREET, LONDON N16 0AP olivelovesalfie.co.uk

SERAPHINE

The Seraphine story began back in 2002, with the opening of its flagship boutique on Kensington High Street. Offering stylish, high quality maternity fashion for mothers-to-be, the label has dressed everyone from A-listers to royalty. As well as the company’s main line, Seraphine Luxe provides women with a wider choice of maternity occasionwear, plus, a bespoke design services for exclusive international clientele.

179 KENSINGTON HIGH STREET, LONDON W8 6SH seraphine.com

THE LITTLE WHITE COMPANY

The Little White Company’s immaculate stores are a favourite with stylish mamas looking for luxury clothes, bedding and toys that are still practical and affordable. From gorgeous cashmere jumpers to the cutest pom-pom ballet slippers and pure cotton sleepwear, everything at The Little White Company maintains the simple, elegant aims of the adult collection but with a touch of fairytale magic.

STORES ACROSS LONDON thewhitecompany.com

RACHEL RILEY

Rachel Riley’s traditionally-inspired pieces for girls, boys, infants and mamas are beautifully crafted and feature hand-embroidery and vintage prints. And we’re spoilt in London, with two charming Rachel Riley boutiques to choose from. These authentic stores are the perfect place to head if you’re looking for something that little bit special.

82 MARYLEBONE HIGH STREET, LONDON W1U 4QW 14 PONT STREET, LONDON SW1X 9EN rachelriley.co.uk

BLUE ALMONDS

Blue Almonds is a leading boutique for baby and children’s furniture, luxury clothing and accessories. It’s a haven for mothers-to-be, offering bespoke pieces for nurseries and children’s rooms, ranging from cots, beds, Moses baskets and cribs to changers, wardrobes, desks, and a selection of handmade blankets and bedding. Blue Almonds also offers a cashmere collection for babies, designed in conjunction with Madeleine Thompson.

164 WALTON STREET, LONDON SW3 2JL bluealmonds.co.uk

156 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

SHOPPING

GENTLY ELEPHANT

ON LIN E

From shoes to clothing, books to home décor and toys and gifts, Gently Elephant in south-east London’s Brockley provides a wealth of style ideas for babies and children. Standout brands include Bob & Blossom, Maileg, Kid O and Tobias & the Bear, and with a mantra of “Everything we sell, we sell because we know they are brilliant”, we challenge you to leave this cool store empty handed. Visit online for even more choice, too.

169 BROCKLEY ROAD, LONDON SE4 2RS gentlyelephant.co.uk

SCARLET RIBBON MERINO

As the weather begins to cool down, wrap up your little ones in nature’s best! Scarlet Ribbon Merino makes knitted daywear for babies aged up to 18 months from the finest merino wool.

Combining luxurious quality with everyday practicality, Scarlet Ribbon’s knitwear is versatile and long-lasting; something to treasure and pass down to younger siblings. The company also handmakes leather baby shoes in two adorable styles. scarletribbonmerino.com

ON LIN E

FANCY KIDS The people at Fancy Kids believe there need not be a trade off between eco-friendliness and style; packed with characterful fashion, toys and lifestyle accessories, everything here is organically produced and of the highest quality. You can shop from a wide range of worldwide independent designers for children up to 10 years old, and every product is just as ethical as it is beautiful, so you can indulge your little ones without an ounce of guilt. fancykids.com

ON LIN E

IZZIWOTNOT

STOCKISTS

PHOTOGRAPHY: KEN COPSEY

Welcome home your bundle of joy with a luxury nursery set from Izziwotnot. Timeless and elegant, it’s furniture that will grow with your family. As a boutique dedicated to great British design, the prestigious Bailey Sleigh cot bed and the bestselling wicker moses baskets are firm favourites amongst London mums. izziwotnot.com

STOCKIST INFORMATION Aden + Anais Bonpoint Catwalk Baby Eat Sleep Love Épanoui Harrods John Lewis Joolz Little Cloud Marie-Chantal Melijoe MoKee Mori Nogaravin Olivier Baby and Kids Patachou Seraphine The Bright Company The Little White Company

adenandanais.co.uk bonpoint.com catwalkbaby.com eatsleeplove.co.uk epanoui.co.uk harrods.com johnlewis.com my-joolz.co.uk little-cloud.co.uk mariechantal.co.uk melijoe.com en.mokee.eu babymori.com nogaravin.com olivierbaby.com patachou.com seraphine.com thebrightcompany.uk thewhitecompany.com

babylondon.co.uk | SEPT/OCT 2016 | 157

YOUR SHOPPING

emporium THE FINE COTTON COMPANY Soft to the touch, kind on your conscience

Personalised Garlands Personalised children’s clocks Only £2.00 letter made in per Britain plus p+p

Organic bedding & accessories for children & babies

www.littletimbers.co.uk

www.thefinecottoncompany.com

tel: 01234 589383 web: www.littletimbers.co.uk

richmond practice 35,9$7( '2&7256µ 6(59,&(

The family doctor.

Artistic. Relaxed. Timeless.

Redefined.

Horkesley Joinery Ltd Bespoke Wooden • Stair Gates • Fire Guards • Stair Refurbs 01206 271 509 horkesleyjoinery@hotmail.co.uk www.horkesleyjoinery.co.uk 158 | SEP/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

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160 | SEP/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

With you every step of the way The postnatal and breast-feeding period is a time when you are adjusting to the demands of becoming a new mum and providing the very best care for your newborn baby. With a new member of the family, and the inevitable tiredness and fatigue1, it’s also a time when you must not forget to look after yourself.

UK Health Departments recommend mothers take a supplement containing 10mcg vitamin D during breast-feeding, and a healthy diet rich in calcium. Trust Pregnacare® for the most important time of your life.

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Includes 10mcg vitamin D and 700mg calcium. Plus 300mg DHA which contributes to normal brain and eye development in breast-fed infants.3

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AFTER PREGNANCY

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BUSINESS

Hollie has added to her range of YesMum cards with sets for children and mothers-to-be

YesMum Mini affirmation cards for children, £10.50

INSPIRE You left your job to launch London Hypnobirthing six years ago. What inspired you?

Before having my son, I worked in a male-dominated environment at a corporate design agency.

I worked long hours and lived for the weekend. My pregnancy was completely unplanned and I found it all quite frightening. Then I stumbled upon the concept of hypnobirthing and it became a real game changer for me.

Oscar’s birth was such a positive experience that I knew I wanted to be involved in spreading the word of such an empowering movement for women.

How did the YesMum cards come about?

In hypnobirthing, we use positive affirmations as a way of ditching the embedded fear we have around giving birth. When we change the way we think, the way we experience things changes, and I see this every day in my work. The women I work with know I am there to nurture them through their pregnancies. But then it’s a bit like I just disappear once they’ve had their babies. I wanted to create a tool that they

162 | SEPT/OCT 2016 | babylondon.co.uk

HOLLIE DE CRUZ

We catch up with the mother-of-one, and founder of London Hypnobirthing and the innovative YesMum cards could take with them through to motherhood. And that’s where the idea of YesMum cards came from. I thought I’d just make 50 packs and see if any of my clients wanted to buy them. They were well-received more than I ever imagined, and it just goes to show how much we need this kind of positive reinforcement in our lives. When I put them on Instagram, people began tagging their friends, saying, “We need these!" It took off from there.

Describe a typical day for you.

My five-year-old son Oscar wakes up around 7.30am and I’ll get up and make him some breakfast while I have a cup of tea and a look at my diary. My husband takes him to school and that’s when I’ll squeeze in a bit of exercise and turn over my morning YesMum card. I’ll get ready and head to my office. My husband and I share school pickups, so I’ll either finish for the day at 3pm or work through to 6pm.

Oscar goes to bed at 7.30pm, when I’ll make myself some food.

How do you juggle the business with family life?

The work-life balance is tricky to enforce without the boundaries of a boss. I often found myself feeling guilty for not doing things, so stopping the evening work (as hard as it is) was a big deal for me.

Nowadays, I’m a businesswoman during the day and a wife and mother on evenings and weekends. Inevitably, there will be overlap but I think setting the intention and enjoying the positive changes it brings will help to sustain it.

What advice would you give to other mothers who are looking to start their own company?

There’s a real movement of women starting their own businesses right now and it’s exciting to see all these incredible ideas and voices. I think we risk falling into a place where we glorify the idea of being busy at all times, though, and I worry that women who chose to be at-home mothers feel like being a mother isn’t enough. It is enough! If you want to start a business, do it because you’re passionate about it. Speak to other entrepreneurs to get a sense of what it involves.

Read around the subject, too, there are some great books out there – Start Something that Matters by Blake Mycoskie is my personal favourite. londonhypnobirthing.co.uk

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