Yummy Mummy Magazine April/May 2019

Yummy Mummy magazine yummymummymagazine.co.uk

APRIL/maY 19 issue 27

British luxury accessories from designer Sophia Webster

Yummy Mummy magazine

The luxury parenting publication for discerning mothers living in London

FROM THE

B

EDITOR

ritish luxury accessories designer Sophia Webster founded her eponymous label in 2012, and has become internationally renowned for combining feminine design with a sophisticated approach. A graduate from the distinguished Cordwainers College and The Royal College of Art, she debuted her first collection for Spring/Summer 2013.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has embarked on its most ambitious design project in recent years, with the creation of a giant new Children’s Garden.

Fertility Fest is the world’s first arts festival dedicated to making babies, modern families and reproductive science. 2019 is the event’s 3rd year and is presented in association with the Barbican as part of the 2019 season, Life Rewired, exploring what it means to be human when technology is changing everything.

To celebrate Bugatti’s 110th anniversary, the be able to order in a range of alternative colours. luxury car manufacturer are introducing the smallest member of the Bugatti family: The Baby II. The car that brought Automobiles Ettore Bugatti to fame in the 1920s, the Bugatti Type 35 is generally acknowledged as the most successful racing car of all time. During its long career it won around 2,000 professional and amateur races, averaging more than fourteen per week at its peak.

Even before she officially became part of the royal family, the Duchess of Sussex had achieved bona fide style-icon status. Every outfit was pored over, and her high-street choices would usually sell out in a matter of hours. So when it was announced in October that Meghan was expecting her first child with Prince Harry, royal watchers were eager to see how she would adapt her style during pregnancy.

Alex Lux Editor

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Editor Alex Lux ••••• Editorial Assistant Katie Miller ••••• Design & Production Lisa Wade ••••• senior business ACCOUNT manager Vanessa Lane ••••• ACCOUNT MANAGERS Nicola Drew Lisa Westerman ••••• Directors Rory Smith Patrick Smith

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Kids and adults hats and accessories Instagram: @pop_noggins Facebook: Pop noggins www.pop-noggins.com.au

A curated collection of chic, Mediterranean-inspired swimwear. www.pluunge.co.uk

CONTENTS JUST FOR MUM

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PREGNANCY, BIRTH & BABIES

77

The best ‘me-time’ events, and ways to keep mum looking and feeling her best Keeping you and baby happy and healthy throughout pregnancy and birth

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Kew to open giant new Children’s Garden On 18 May 2019

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he Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has embarked on its most ambitious design project in recent years, with the creation of a giant new Children’s Garden. Aimed primarily at children aged 2-12 it covers 10,000m² - the size of nearly 40 tennis courts. It has been designed by Kew garden designers around the elements that plants need to grow: earth, air, sun and water. Children will be able to play and explore as they wind their way through a landscape filled with over 100 mature trees, discovering hidden treasures and adventure, and developing their love of nature, plants and the outdoors along the way.

Children will enter the Garden through a tunnel of scented Star jasmine plants before arriving first at a 200-year-old English Oak tree, surrounded by an aerial walkway 4m above the ground. Here, the journey of discovering what plants need to grow begins! The first element to explore is the Earth Garden, a giant sand pit with a quirky play hut village surrounded by Bamboo plants, tunnel slides for muddy adventures and a totem pole with unique carvings showing the germination process of an acorn.

Next along the trail is the Air Garden, with winding paths, giant windmill flowers, colourful pollen spheres, hammocks, swings and trampolines. A mini amphitheatre nestled under shade of some of Kew’s largest Eucalyptus trees can be used for storytelling, or for parents to sit and keep an eye on their little explorers.

The Sun Garden is next; a large open space

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where children can let their imagination run wild beside a ring of sunflowers, cherry trees and pink candy floss grass. Intricate pergolas festooned with colourful climbing plants and apple trees trained along a tunnel of hoops will take children on a sensory adventure.

Lastly, the Water Garden, (sponsored

by Thames Water) is filled with water pumps for kids to control the flow of the water into a splash pool.

Waterlily shaped stepping stones will encourage children to hop along the different streams and engage them in the importance of the water cycle to plants.

For those slightly older and more adventurous kids, a giant log scramble sits among the pine trees, waiting to be climbed. The challenge is to get across to the leaning tower without touching the ground!

Suzie Jewell, Children’s Garden Designer, RBG Kew said: “With the Children’s Garden we really hoped to design and create a unique space for children to play in, that would not only be fun and stimulate their imagination, but also give them a different perspective on how the plants grow and why they are so important. Part of what makes this space so special is that we had existing trees on site around which to map the paths and play areas - it became a play area among the trees – something different in London. I hope that this will lead to a deeper connection with nature and a lifelong love of plants.”

For more details visit www.kew.org. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB

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Made with Love T

he team at Little Folks Furniture are passionate about design; to produce great beds and to create inspirational bedrooms for children to grow up in. Despite being a small team of experts they’re always busy sketching out a new idea for a bed or developing new concepts to meet the challenges of a modern child’s life.

They design all the products from scratch and spend lots of time working out the best way to make it and from what. They brainstorm right through to how it will look in a bedroom, constantly looking at trends and refreshing the look. The team at Little Folks Furniture have been doing this for more than 25 years – so they’ve got quite a lot of experience under their belt. They have a reputation for expertise especially around safety standards and even have their own “test house” to “bish bash bosh” furniture again and again to make sure it works whatever is thrown at it. But it is also because they understand and “do” manufacturing that elevates the designs; it’s not just about the look of the product but everything about how it performs, how safe it is and that it lasts. As an eco-conscious brand they use carefully selected solid hardwoods so their beds are rock solid and long lasting; and because you get much

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more durable – and beautiful - paint finishes on hardwood timbers.

The challenge is to get comfortable, great looking beds that also offer lots of solutions. Even a traditional single bed can be transformed with a storage trundle underneath (and which can double up as a sleepover bed). If you raise the bed frame a little (so-called Mid-Sleeper) useful furniture can be added underneath. Simple chests, bookcases and desks all mounted on pivotal castors can easily be moved around to suit or moved away when the children create the perfect den underneath the bed (or if a quick clean its required!).

For slightly older children raise the bed more for the Loft Bed concept. By using solid hardwood frames and proper mortice & tenon jointing the elevated bed platform more than delivers on durability and security. Underneath they offer a whole plethora of “smart” furniture – from desks, storage bookcases, futon chairbeds and luxurious sofabeds (and no foam blocks in their product!).

The team at Little Folks Furniture believe we have taken the stress out of choosing inspirational and safe beds for children – combining our years of expertise for guaranteed performance and quality – and hopefully a little love. www.littlefolksfurniture.co.uk

“They design all the products from scratch and spend lots of time working out the best way to make it and from what”

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Bugatti Baby Reborn: A 110th Surprise Birthday Present T he B ugatti B aby for a ne w generation To celebrate Bugatti’s 110th anniversary, the luxury car manufacturer are introducing the smallest member of the Bugatti family: the Baby II.

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he car that brought Automobiles Ettore Bugatti to fame in the 1920s, the Bugatti Type 35 is generally acknowledged as the most successful racing car of all time. During its long career it won around 2,000 professional and amateur races, averaging more than fourteen per week at its peak.

In 1926 Ettore and his son Jean decided to build a half-scale Type 35 for Ettore’s youngest son, Roland, on the occasion of his fourth birthday.

Now, on the occasion of the company’s 110th birthday, Bugatti and Junior Classics are reviving the idea of the Bugatti ‘Baby’, presenting the first 3D-printed design model on the Bugatti stand at Geneva International Motor Show.

A contemporary tribute to Ettore’s masterpiece, the Baby II will be a strictly limited run, just like the original: only 500 cars will be built. Unlike the original, which was only suitable for the youngest drivers, the Baby II is a three-quarters-size replica of the Bugatti Type 35 so it can be driven by both adults and children. The Baby II will allow automobile enthusiasts from across generations to share the love of driving and of the classic marque of Bugatti.

Launching almost a century after its predecessor, the Baby II has been created using the latest technology, but with the utmost respect for Bugatti’s automotive heritage. Hand-built, the car was designed with the aid of a precise digital scan of an original Type 35, built for the 1924 French Grand Prix in Lyon.

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Digital technology for an analogue masterpiece Just like the original Baby, the Baby II has a rearwheel-drive battery-powered electric powertrain.

Unlike its predecessor, the Baby II features removable lithium-ion battery packs, a limited slip differential and even regenerative braking.

The junior car will come with two selectable power modes for drivers of different statures: a 1kW ‘child mode’ with the top speed limited to

20 km/h, and a 4kW ‘adult mode’ with the top speed limited to 45 km/h. In addition, for those enthusiasts who crave even more pace, an optional ‘Speed Key’ upgrade is available (just like the Speed Key for its big brother, the Chiron!), which allows power of up to 10kW and disengages the speed limiter.

The cockpit of the Baby II features Bugatti’s signature turned aluminium dashboard, a leather seat, a scale recreation of the Type 35’s distinctive four-spoke steering wheel and custom Bugatti instruments. The exterior of the car is painted in traditional French Racing Blue, although buyers will be able to order in a range of alternative colours.

“Despite being the smallest member of the Bugatti family, the Baby II has a lot in common with its bigger brothers”

The signature eight-spoke aluminium alloy wheels are scale replicas of Ettore Bugatti’s groundbreaking 1924 design, and house modern brakes on each wheel. Finally, powerful headlights light the way ahead for drivers young and old, whether you’re exploring new landscapes or lapping the local karting track.

Despite being the smallest member of the Bugatti family, the Baby II has a lot in common with its bigger brothers. Proudly displayed on the nose of the car is Bugatti’s famous ‘Macaron’ badge, made of 50g of solid silver, just like the Chiron. Each car comes with a limited-edition numbered plaque and cars ordered in 2019 will also incorporate a badge to commemorate Bugatti’s 110th anniversary.

Prices start at 30,000 euros (plus taxes and delivery) and production starts in Autumn 2019.

Join the exclusive club of Baby owners and help write the next chapter in the prestigious history of Bugatti.

Reservations for build slots are open via: contact@bugattibaby.com. The build slots will be allocated on a ‘first-come, first-serve basis’, so please do reserve your slot as soon as possible. Please note, final specifications to be confirmed before production commences. www.bugattibaby.com

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FERTILITY FEST

2019

Barbican, London, Tuesday 23 April – Saturday 18 May 2019

F

ertility Fest is the world’s first arts festival dedicated to making babies, modern families and reproductive science. 2019 is the event’s 3rd year and is presented in association with the Barbican as part of the 2019 season, Life Rewired, exploring what it means to be human when technology is changing everything.

Fertility and infertility take centre stage in an international programme of theatre, film, visual arts, literature, workshop and debate bringing together leading artists, specialists, patients and audiences to explore what it means to make (and sometimes not make) babies in the 21st century.

It was founded by author and adventure activist Jessica Hepburn and theatre producer Gabby Vautier, who present two very different stories of IVF: Jessica went through 11 rounds of unsuccessful treatment; Gabby is the mother of 4-year-old IVF twin girls

Programme Highlights include…

Pregnancy after IVF - Friday 26 April Exploring pregnancy and parenting after successful IVF will be actress Lesley Cook joined by fertility expert Katie Eaves. In To The Moon and Back, mother and daughter Anna Furse and Nina Klaff present an extraordinary dialogic performance reflecting on the experience of IVF from their respective perspective in conversation with Victoria Macdonald, Health and Social Correspondent at Channel 4 and record-breaking polar explorer Ann Daniels and mum of IVF triplets The Big Fertility Questions - Wednesday 1 May CNN News Anchor Hannah Vaughan Jones asks the ‘Big Fertility Questions’ to an expert panel of fertility specialists, artists and public figures. Expect fertility treatment add-ons; the postcode lottery; and the business of fertility to come under scrutiny.

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“Fertility and infertility take centre stage in an international programme of theatre, film, visual arts, literature, workshop and debate” Big Fat Festival Day – Friday 3 May Fertility Fest’s signature day will put IVF under a creative spotlight with performances, screenings, talks and panel discussions, opened by actress, author and Celebrity MasterChef Winner Lisa Faulkner discussing the meaning of modern family with bestselling author and wife of McFly’s Harry Izzy Judd and Sophie Sulheria, BBC journalist and creator of BBC Radio 4’sThe Long Road To Baby alongside Dr James Nicopoullos, Consultant Gynaecologist at Lister Fertility.

Fertility Fight Club will close the Big Fat Festival Day with a series of provocative talks by artists and experts that will tackle the underlying issues and emotions regarding fertility, infertility, reproductive science and modern families including Sally Cheshire, Chair of the HFEA, the Government’s Regulator of fertility treatment and Michael Johnson Ellis, Founder of ‘Two Daddies’ the support network for gay fathers through donation and surrogacy.

For full programme information and to purchase tickets please visit: www.fertilityfest.com. @fertilityfest. #fertilityfest

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Boost your Child’s Immunity I

f your little ones have started school, the last thing you want is for them to arrive with coughs and sneezes. With over 58% of all cases of children missing school due to illness, according to the Department of Education. But there are healthy habits you can adopt that will give your child’s immune system a boost…

Boost immunity through their tummy Try to get your kids to eat a variety of vegetables and fruits. Doing so will give them exposure to the widest range of different vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, as well as ‘train their taste buds’ to appreciate healthy foods, and help boost their immune system. Children often like fruit and can be willing to try new types. However, veggies can be more of a challenge. Make sure you give their vegetables plenty of flavour, with bright coloured vegetables that look a bit more inviting.

Probiotics help keep the gut healthy, which in turn assists the immune system

Get enough snoozing time Poor sleep can affect the immune system so it’s crucial that your bundle of joy is getting enough.

Magnesium is known as ‘nature’s tranquiliser’ and is needed to relax our muscles and nerves, so it’s important to make sure your children are getting enough magnesium to help them fall into a peaceful sleep. It has been scientifically proven that magnesium can help not only initially get to sleep, but to stay asleep as it can improve the hormonal and neurotransmitters balance in the brain.

To ensure your children are getting enough magnesium try and include plenty of magnesiumrich foods in their diet. Think: pumpkin and sunflower seeds, fish and leafy green vegetables.

To help your children get their daily dose of magnesium it is worth looking at Natures Plus Animal Parade MagKidz (£13.95, www.naturesplus. co.uk), which provides a natural source of this essential nutrient, in a delicious cherry flavoured mix drink.

Guard against germ spread Fighting germs doesn’t technically boost immunity, but it’s a great way to reduce stress on your child’s immune system. Make sure your kids wash their hands often -- and with soap. You should pay particular attention to their hygiene before and after each meal and after playing outside, handling pets, blowing their nose, using the bathroom etc.

When you’re out, carry disposable wipes with you for quick clean-ups. To help kids get into the hand-washing habit at home, let them pick out their own brightly coloured hand towels and soap in fun shapes, colours, and scents.

Up the good bacteria Probiotics help keep the gut healthy, which in turn assists the immune system in functioning correctly.

Give the kids vital nutrients every day before school 1 4 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9

to help keep the lurgy at bay. Pro-Ven Probiotics Fit for School Stick Pads (Boots, £7.75) has been proven to half the days of illness. It gives them the vitamin C they try their best to avoid in fruit and veg. Most importantly for flu season, it provides billions of Lab4 friendly bacteria that help their immune system.

Give your children the sunshine they need We rely on the action of the sun on our skin for our main source of vitamin D, so our levels can go down when the days get shorter and darker. Even when outdoors with some skin exposed, very little vitamin D is produced due to the angle of the sun during these months. Most of us associate vitamin D with ensuring adequate absorption of calcium for our bones (which is one of its many important functions especially when our children are growing), but it also plays a crucial role in the normal functioning of the immune system.

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B

ritish luxury accessories designer Sophia Webster founded her eponymous label in 2012, and has become internationally renowned for combining feminine design with a sophisticated approach. A graduate from the distinguished Cordwainers College and The Royal College of Art, she debuted her first collection for Spring/Summer 2013. Today, with a growing and devoted global customer base her products can be found in leading department stores and speciality retailers worldwide.

Sophia was awarded the Conde Nast Footwear Emerging Designer of the Year 2012, the British Fashion Award for Emerging Accessories Designer 2013 and the British Fashion Council’s New Gen Award for her first 3 consecutive seasons. She also won the coveted BFC Vogue Fashion Fund in 2016, becoming the second shoe designer in history to receive this prestigious prize. Immediately following her graduation from the Royal College of Art, Sophia was appointed as Assistant Designer to Nicholas Kirkwood.

With a background in Fine Art, her designs are all hand-drawn and conceptualised within the company headquarters in East London. She proves her commercial viability through the diverse selection of styles on offer; heels are offered in a range of heights, and flats, espadrilles and sneakers are available as an alternative for a more casual style.

Her instantly recognisable design aesthetic has now

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expanded to include Children, Bridal and Handbag ranges.

The Sophia Webster flagship retail store was opened in 2016, on Mayfair’s Mount Street. A unique retail design space that translates her signature brand codes into a bricks and mortar reality, the interior boasts bespoke furniture in Sophia’s chosen colour palette and cleverly combines details from her cult footwear collections.

The store complements the already established but expanding Ecommerce business, which alongside a loyal global social media following of over 1m, works in unison to provide a seamless customer experience.

The award-winning shoe designer launched her kids collection after the birth of her first daughter Bibi Blossom. Inspired by the mainline collections, the super-sweet ‘mini me’ styles come in sandals, sneakers, slides, pumps and boots. Following the success of Sophia’s debut mini collection, she has expanded and updated the range for Spring/ Summer 2019 for the most fashionable juniors.

“It seemed like a natural progression to design a collection of children’s shoes” she says. “When I was looking for shoes for Bibi, I couldn’t find any that were really fun, I wanted to bring my colourful aesthetic to the kids’ market.”

A mini shoe for little fashionistas who want to look and copy mummy’s style. www.sophiawebster.com

THE DETAILS Sophia Webster’s Mini Collection is available to purchase at their London stores at: 86 Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, SW3 3DZ 124 Mount Street, Mount Street Mews, London W1K 3N London stockists: Harrods Selfridges UK Stockists: Selfridges Manchester Selfridges Childrensalon Alex and Alexa Childs Play

Chiara Sandal Mini, Silver & Multi Metallic, £140 Chiara Baby, Silver & Multi Metallic, £115 Chiara Mini, Silver & Multi Metallic, £150

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Chiara Sandal, Baby Blue & Multi, £595 Chiara Sandal mini, Baby blue & Multi, £175 Chiara Baby Mini, Baby blue & Multi, £175

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Chiara Sandal Mini, Black & Rainbow, £175 Chiara D’Orsay, Black & Rainbow, £595 Flossy Butterfly Pouchette, Black & Rainbow, £325

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Left: Evangeline Sandal, White & Rose Gold, £425 Evangeline Mini, White & Rose Gold, £150 Above: Evangeline Baby Mini, Black & Rose Gold, £115 Evangeline Sandal, Black & Rose Gold, £425

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Above: Riko Low Top mini, White & Pastel, £150 Right: Evangeline Mini, White & Rose Gold, £150 Evangeline Sandal, White & Rose Gold, £425 Evangeline Baby Mini, White & Rose Gold, £115

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Left: Evangeline Baby Mini, Black & Rose Gold, £115 Above: Chiara Sandal Mini, Silver & Multi Metallic, £140 Chiara mini, Silver & Multi Metallic, £150

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Left: Karina Boot Mini, Black & Pewter, £175 Above: Evangeline Sandal, Black & Rose Gold, £425 Evangeline Mini, Black & Rose Gold, £150

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YUMMY MUMMY

Top tips for a gender-neutral nursery words: Grace Tindall, founder

of Scandibørn

• Keep your base neutral - The first rule of Scandi styling, keep it simple. Use white or light wood and a colour palette of muted pastels, neutrals or monochromes as the base. Using these neutral tones means you can add more colourful or graphic accessories in the form of cushions, wall stickers, storage, rugs, mobiles and artwork – items that can easily be changed when the child grows up.

Using simple fabrics for a nursery means you can customise the look as often you like.

• Design the nursery with longevity in mind - If parents are planning on having more than one child, it’s useful to know that the things they buy now will be used again. Gender neutral decoration can be the most practical way to design a nursery. Invest in classic pieces for the nursery like the changing table and cot and opt for timeless pieces that won’t date and can work for either gender. Think about furniture that is built to last and can be passed on to future generations. Just landed at Scandibørn is the beautiful bamboo handmade crib, which you will want to hold onto forever!

• Think about how you want it to feel - This gives you a great starting point for designing your nursery – do you want it to feel bright, fun, magical, calm or cosy. You can then start to choose your colours, textures and décor items that fit with that theme.

• Be brave with colour - gender neutral doesn’t have to mean everything is white, grey or beige.

Add colourful accessories as accents or statement pieces. Mustard and warm yellow tones are fantastic happy non-binary colours and teamed with the right hues can work for either gender. Rainbows and constellations also work for both. Our Rainbow Wall hanging and star prints canopies have been flying off the shelves for both girls or boys.

• A canopy - a canopy can add a beautiful touch over a cot or in the corner of the room as a cosy nook to read or for the baby to play. At a Scandibørn, we have multiple canopy designs in almost every colour you can think of. My personal favourites are the star print designs in navy or ivory, both adorned with gold stars.

• Storage should be plentiful but pretty - Toys, bedding, baby equipment, books and numerous 2 8 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9

knick knacks which come part and parcel of every nursery need a home which isn’t on the floor. We love woven or fabric baskets which can house all manner of items again textures and designs that work for both. The Play & Go drawstring bags can tidy up small toys in an instant.

• Add personal touches to make your nursery unique - Accessorise your wall with graphic prints which can work for both genders. We love the monochrome posters from Wonder & Rah and Mini Learners all available at Scandibørn.

• Strategically placed lighting A dimmer switch and a couple of lamps around the room mean you can always control the level of lighting according to the need and during the bedtime routine. If baby wakes during the night, little night lights which are not too bright can easily help you find your way round – we love little nightlights perfect for a bedside table as well as our animal lighting which works for either gender.

• Make shelving a feature - A set of shelves in the nursery is not only practical but can easily be transformed into a focal point with a few carefully chosen items. Add photos, books and a few wooden toys and décor items. Rose in April, String Shelves or leather strap shelves, are all timeless in design and gender-free.

• Fit for purpose flooring - I’d always recommend a hardwood or laminate floor in a nursery, inevitable spillages are much easier and less stressful to handle, especially in the middle of the night! However a rug is a must, it makes it feel more cosy and can also provide a place to play, our playmats and adventure rugs fit the bill for most nurseries, if you want something more simple, then we love the neutral tones of our new Lorena Canals collection - all machine washable too!

• Work with the space you have - Sounds simple but it’s so tempting to get carried away with filling the nursery with ‘stuff ’. If you have a small nursery use light colours and try to limit the amount floor space taken up. Add three tiered shelving, wall hooks which you can hang an outfit from or a storage bag. www.scandiborn.co.uk

YUMMY MUMMY

The ‘Must-Have’ Book to Help Your Child with Their Emotions

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s a new wave of emotional wellbeing books for children hits the market, meet Clare Shaw, an author of therapeutic stories covering tricky subjects such as bereavement.

“All too often I find myself reading another article around child mental health and the ‘crisis’ we now find ourselves in. Reports that one in eight children in England have a mental health disorder.

Yet, only a third receive the treatment they need.

These figures make for upsetting reading.

My greatest fear is that every child has worries and emotions that they often can’t understand or control. These feelings could turn into something bigger and more troublesome as the child grows, but in the right way, at the right time, could so simply be relieved while still young. I wanted to find a way that could help and writing appears to be my way.”

Having lost her brother when she was just 11, leading to years of mental health problems, her titles Love Will Never Die: Helping children through bereavement and At Times I Get These Feelings: Helping children with emotions, are written from the heart. Clare’s empathy and understanding can be felt on every page.

Emotional Literacy Her latest title, At Times I Get These Feelings, published in November 2018, has been written to support children with their emotional wellbeing.

Quite naturally, children can struggle to identify and deal with strong emotions and this can lead to behavioural outbursts that can manifest themselves as long term mental health issues. The book allows children to understand that being different is acceptable, gives pointers on being kind and offers ideas on how to stay calm when angered.

At Times I Get These Feelings is packed full of activities designed to improve a child’s selfesteem, help when they’re feeling worried or give advice when they may be lonely. Each page is so thoughtfully put together with bold, colourful 3 0 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9

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images; using colours that correlate with the mood on that page.

This book helps to get children talking at a young age. It is already being used by a high number of schools around the country and is being hailed as a “must have” when it comes to helping youngsters with their feelings.

Bereavement As Clare first started to research child bereavement for Love Will Never Die, she discovered that around 112 children are bereaved of a parent in the UK every day. It is a staggering figure! Even more so when you consider it does not include any other family members in the child’s life who may have died.

With so many children experiencing death, Clare felt her own experience of grief at a young age could be put to good use. Clare was told that the majority of books written for children on the subject are metaphorical, often leading children to miss the point. Something was needed that addressed the subject directly but in a way children can understand. Clare has managed to do this with absolute perfection.

Two major UK child bereavement charities use this book with the families they support. As do schools and funeral directors around the country.

All Clare’s books have pages of activities, and areas where the child can express themselves freely, making them truly personal journals that the child can keep forever. All the techniques used within the books came from school ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants), teachers and Educational Psychologists, and are tried and tested methods.

All of Clare’s books are available on her website.

We are offering all readers of Yummy Mummy an additional discount of 15%, on top of the already discounted prices! Just use the code YUMMY at checkout.

If you want to find out more about us, please visit www.cskidsbooks.com or email amy@cskidsbooks.com.

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Lime - Made in Italy B

Beautiful baby products handcrafted in Tuscany

aby bed sheets, soft cotton terry bath sets and cute embroidered bibs are just some of the products that the recent italian brand “Lime - Made in Italy” offers on its online home and newborn linen store, handcrafted in Tuscany.

It’s products are the results of a long process: the idea that arises and becomes a design, entirely handmade. This is only the first chapter.

Tests on top of tests are the basics to choose style, colours and textiles laying the foundations for creating articles one by one.

The punched drawings, imprinted on the fabric with a perfect handcrafted technique go through the hands of the embroiderers who start to give them life, with great embroidery threads.

Finally tailors, carefully go through to the final details, and they can start to see the final product, ready to be ironed with care and nicety.

At the end everything that was just a thought, it becomes real, just as an artwork.

That’s what Lime does every time that creates one of its products, adapting them perfectly to any liking and home style. The touch of freshness combined to the high quality of its products are the strength of the Made in Italy.

To view the baby collection visit our store online at www.lime-italy.com or follow their social profiles @limeitaly.

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FUN TIMES THIS SPRING AT BOCKETTS FARM

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njoy a great family day out this Spring, as the lambing season gets into full swing!

With over 500 gorgeous newborn lambs due through April, there will be plenty of opportunity to meet the lambs and even watch one being born! Children will also love to get up close to the baby chicks, ducklings and bunnies in the Small Animal Village, in addition to goat milking, tractor rides, pony rides and pig racing. With plenty of play indoors and out, you can be sure of a great day out whatever the weather! Don’t miss the brand new ‘Animal Discovery Barn’ set to open at the end of May. It’ll provide an amazing opportunity to meet, feed and learn all about our friendly farm animals. www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

BABY CLOTHES WITH ZIPS

www.zippyup.com

@zippy.up

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YUMMY MUMMY

FAMILY HOLIDAYS: Are we there yet?

If you are stuck for ideas on where to take the kids on holiday this summer then we have some destinations which could tick all the boxes for you and your family!

As is the case every year, 2019 is showing a number of trends when it comes to popular child-friendly holidays around the world - there are some old favourites in this list and a few surprises!

So without further ado, here is a quick overview of some top family holiday destinations for 2019.

Florida The sunshine state really is in every respect a living, breathing dream come true for kids. In places like Orlando, their wildest fantasies are brought to life right before their eyes each and every day, adding up to a fortnight, week or even just a long weekend they’ll never forget. And it’s a blast for the adults too! Disney World and Universal Studios tickets might not come cheap, but living costs in general across Florida are surprisingly low.

Canary Islands You can pretty much take your pick of any of the Canary islands and you won’t go far wrong, though over recent years Gran Canaria has really come into its own for families. Compared to the likes of Lanzarote and Fuertaventura, Gran Canaria is quieter, more laid back and has a certain special tranquility about it.

Thailand Seriously? With kids? Absolutely - the thing to remember here is that there is much more to Thailand than the infamous streets of Bangkok.

Head out to a smaller, quieter island like Koh Chang and enjoy an unspoilt paradise where deserted beaches, elephant safaris and some of the most wonderful people in the world are just waiting to look after you. Best of all, once you’re there it’s almost impossible to spend the money in your pocket !

Boston/New York If you’ve been thinking of giving the kids their first taste of the USA, consider a two-leg trip taking in Boston and New York City. Start out in Boston and soak up the history of America’s oldest city, while 3 4 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9

taking the time to soak up the sun at Revere Beach and generally live in the lap of luxury. After a few days, take the quick bus ride to New York City and be sure to take a camera to capture the kids’ faces when they first lay eyes on Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and pretty much the whole place.

Croatia Off the tourist map until recently but fast becoming a global hot-spot for the world’s jet-setting elite, Croatia brings together everything that’s wonderful about family travel all in one sun-soaked paradise.

Explore hidden villages time seems to have forgotten, find your own deserted island or just lap it up in any of the world class resorts on offer by the barrel-load!

Spain There really couldn’t be a list like this without giving a nod to mainland Spain - the UK’s most treasured family holiday destination for generations. From the Costa Blanca to the streets of Barcelona and right down to the unique cultural experience that is Gibraltar, kids simply revel in the Spanish way of life that never fails to capture their heart, soul and mind.

UK Last but not least, the new classic that is the ‘staycation’ is once again tipped to be big business for families in 2019 - more specifically those not entirely perturbed by the constant threat of a shower or two. In terms of where to head, the usual haunts like the Lake District, Devon and Cornwall are all topping the bill, though Scotland’s cultural highlights like Edinburgh are also mounting a fightback.

Relax in tranquil rural locations close to the award winning North Cornish resort Bude and its beautiful beaches.

Our range of adult, toddler and child-friendly, self-catering accommodation offers everything you’ll need during your stay.

We’re a small welcoming site, treating our guests as friends and extended family while giving you the space to enjoy your holiday. www.courtfarm-holidays.co.uk 01288 361494

YUMMY MUMMY

Best Beach Houses with Babes

If a UK staycation is on your wish list this year, be sure to check out www.BabyFriendlyBoltholes.co.uk

Lambs Knees, Sussex Poughill Cottage, Cornwal

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best-kept secret of many a parent, Baby-Friendly Boltholes is crammed full of stylish yet exceptionally baby and toddler friendly cottages and villas.

We’ve handpicked some of our favourite UK beach houses for babes below: ‘Tregea’ in Cornwall is a luxurious New England-style home set just a short stroll from the sands at Harlyn Bay and a few minutes’ drive from Padstow. There’s play kit from boogie boards to football nets and enough baby and toddler gear to run a small nursery, ensuring all grown-ups need to worry about is who’s first in the hot tub! Sleeps 12 in 5 bedrooms from £1850 for 3 nights.

Cutely named ‘Lambs Knees’ in Sussex is the ideal quick escape from London and comes with an enchanting attic play-room stuffed with toys.

Being in the heart of increasingly trendy Old Seaford, it is easily reachable by train and boasts a lovely selection of shops, bistros and a strollerfriendly seafront promenade. Plus Drusilla’s Zoo and Country Park is just a short cab drive away.

Sleeps 6 plus cots from £298 for a 2 night break.

Another Sussex gem is the cool and contemporary Pear Trees Cottage, set on the private coastal estate of East Preston, an easy 3 6 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9

Pear Trees Cottage, Sussex

stroller-stroll from Littlehampton. It is just steps from the pebble and sand beach and is equipped with tonnes of nursery and play gear. Sleeps 6-7 in 3-bedrooms from £750 for a 2nt short break.

‘The Georgian House’ is a great group getaway, just a short walk from the beach in North Devon’s Coombe Martin but nestled amongst the greenery of the elegant Coulscott Estate. The house boasts its own hot tub but also has access to a lovely communal swimming pool, soft play barn, games room and playground. Sleeps 9+cots in 5-bedrooms from £980 based on a 2 night rental.

Poughill Cottage’s romantic stone cottage exterior hides a stylish, modern interior crammed with funky bright colours mini guests will love, along with the location a little walk from a typically Cornish village beach and a little longer from surfer chic Bude with its great eateries and toddlerfriendly tide pool. Grown-ups will love the claw foot bath, log burner and luxury toiletries, whilst mini guests will enjoy discovering toys and books.

Sleeps 4 in 2-bedroom from £450 for a 3nt short break.

All of the above and many more stylish seaside escapes can be found at www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk

The Georgian House, Devon

“The house boasts its own hot tub but also has access to a lovely communal swimming pool, soft play barn, games room and playground”

YUMMY MUMMY

Luxury Lodge Holidays in the Derbyshire Peak District

There is no better place than the Derbyshire Peak District to enjoy a short break or a family holiday

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he Peak District is ideally located in the Heart of England just 2 hours from London and is bursting with majestic landscapes, stunning views, stately homes and unique family attractions.

Award winning Landal Darwin Forest is situated between Matlock and Bakewell and combines luxury self-catering lodges with fantastic onsite facilities. Whether you want peace and tranquillity on a romantic break, action packed adventures or fantastic local attractions for entertaining friends and family, our lodges provide the perfect base from which to explore.

The luxury lodges at Landal Darwin Forest are nestled within a 47 acre woodland paradise. The parks 135 lodges are sympathetically interwoven into the forest, which enables you to get back to nature and enjoy the picturesque environment. We have created a holiday park where children can explore, and young and old will feel carefree and relaxed.

There are several types of accommodation options to choose from which will keep the whole family happy. Most popular are our spa lodges that include a private hot tub on the veranda and really enable you to appreciate the serenity of our forest setting. We also have a number of pet friendly lodges.

At Landal Darwin Forest we have created the perfect setting for you to relax, enjoy your holiday and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life far behind.

Landal Darwin Forest is the perfect destination to enjoy a family holiday. Our fantastic onsite facilities include Evolution Health & Fitness, which

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has a swimming pool, spa, gym and beauty rooms.

For the younger members of your family, Little Monkeys indoor play centre will provide hours of fun and entertainment. The Activity Den is perfect for older children with pool tables and a games room to keep them entertained.

We also offer a range of fun activities onsite that are suitable for children and adults. Let our qualified instructors train you in the art of archery or the skills of fencing. The more adventurous could experience the thrills of bodyzorbing, waterwalkerz or snorkelling! For all the family to enjoy, we have a tennis court, mini golf and an abundance of footpaths and cycling trails.

If you want to give yourself a break from cooking you can enjoy a coffee and lite bite at the Explorers cafe or you can visit the Foresters bar and restaurant which has an extensive menu serving fresh, locally sourced produce.

Many families enjoy celebrating Christmas or New Year at the park, or gathering the family together for a birthday or anniversary. No matter what the time of year, we are confident your friends and family will have a fantastic break. www.darwinforest.co.uk

“Let our qualified instructors train you in the art of archery or the skills of fencing. The more adventurous could experience the thrills of bodyzorbing, waterwalkerz or snorkelling!�

YUMMY MUMMY

WHEN TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S RASH Notice a rash on your little one? These skin rashes can appear almost out of nowhere. Dr Alya Abdul-Wahab a Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist at Parkside Hospital, gives advice on different rashes in children and when to be concerned.

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r Alya AbdulWahab completed her training and fellowship at the world renowned St John’s Institute of Dermatology in London and is a member of the British Association of Dermatology, British Society of Paediatric Dermatology, Royal College of Physicians and the Royal Society of Medicine.

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My child has woken up with a rash – should I call my doctor?

Both in my role as a paediatric dermatologist and a mother of two small children, I see rashes in children on a regular basis. Children get all types of rashes and the majority of times these are harmless and transient, however the most important factor is whether your child is well or unwell. This is generally very easy to work out and I would advocate trusting your mother’s instinct on this one. If your child is out of sorts, pale, sleepy or feverish do not delay in getting a medical opinion – call the 24 hour NHS service 111 if you are worried or arrange an urgent GP consultation on the day. The most worrying rash that we all know about is a purplish rash that does not blanch when rolling a glass over it – a sign of purpura – which is a feature of potential Meningococcal Septicaemia. However don’t ignore any other rashes in the context of a child who is not themselves, feverish and drowsy. Trust your gut instinct!

My child has woken up with a rash – they look otherwise fine, what could it be?

The most common cause for an acute rash in a child would tend to be a brewing viral infection. These are “exanthems” in medical terms and tend to look like a spotty, blanching red rash starting around the chest area and spreading downwards. These rashes would blanch on pressure and tend not to cause much in the way of symptoms. Your child may also have a low grade temperature and a runny nose or sore throat and this type of rash would usually fade over a few days.

Other acute rashes which bring parents to my clinic would be rashes called urticaria also known as “hives”. This type of rash is very common, and is one of the few rashes that can come and go within 24 hours without leaving a mark on the skin. The skin would appear red, swollen and with a characteristic pallor around the edge. This can be itchy and your child may complain of burning.

These rashes can occur after a viral infection or may be a sign of an allergic reaction. If your child also has any facial or lip swelling, or difficulty breathing,

this may be a severe type of allergic reaction or anaphylaxis which requires urgent medical attention.

For urticarial rashes occurring on their own in a well child it would be reasonable to try some non-sedating antihistamines, such as Cetirizine which are available over the counter.

In general I would advise for you to seek a medical opinion if any rashes are not resolving within a few days. For rashes that are transient and come and go, it is always helpful to take and store photographs on your phone to show your doctor.

My child’s rash has been going on for ages and is very itchy – is this eczema? Do I need to take them to a doctor?

The majority of rashes that are persistent and itchy in childhood tend to be edematous rashes. Eczema or atopic dermatitis (the terms are interchangeable) affects more than 20% of children in the UK and is characterised by a persistent, itchy rash usually in the skin folds. In babies eczema tends to favour the cheeks, legs and arms rather than the skin creases.

The rash would feel rough if you were to run your fingers over it and the main symptom is itching – if it’s not itchy it’s not eczema! Eczema is a manageable condition and I would strongly advise for you to obtain a medical opinion both for diagnosis and support.

The severity of your child’s eczema is graded not only by how red and itchy the skin is, but also as to whether it is affecting your child’s sleep. An early opinion and treatment plan would save countless sleepless nights not only for your child but for your whole family.

How can you tell whether the rash is related to a food allergy?

This is by the far the most common concern amongst parents of young children with eczema and skin conditions. In general, food allergies tend to be more common in children under 5 years of age.

Food allergies would usually appear like “hives” or itchy rashes occurring within a short period of time, usually a half an hour after eating that particular food and would be very obvious. Delayed reactions can be more difficult to work out, and whilst waiting for your consultation it’s always valuable to keep a food diary to track your child’s foods in relation to symptoms to show your doctor and avoid excluding foods unnecessarily.

For an appointment call: 020 8971 8026 or Email: info@parksidehospital.co.uk www.parkside-hospital.co.uk

YUMMY MUMMY

Dietary advice for babies and younger children Dairy products

WORDS: Maya Aboukhater, Senior

Specialist Dietitian at Bupa Cromwell Hospital After you’ve weaned your baby, it’s important to give them a healthy diet that contains a range of foods and nutrients.

But there are some foods that it’s best to avoid until they’re older.

Here are some examples of these foods and advice on managing other foodrelated risks.

Dairy products are a great source of protein and calcium. They also play an important role in developing healthy bones. But you’ll need to tailor these to your child’s development.

• Only breast milk and formula milk are suitable for babies under one. Cow’s milk isn’t a suitable drink until after this age, but you can use it in cooking after they’re six months old.

• Hold off on goat and sheep’s milk for under-ones.

They don’t contain the right balance of nutrients for growth and development. Also, if your child is not able to tolerate cow’s milk, they are at high risk of having an allergic reaction to other animal milks.

• Wait until your child is two before giving them semi-skimmed milk, and wait until they’re five to give them skimmed milk.

• If you’re looking to substitute cow’s milk with dairy-free alternatives, such as oat or almond milk, wait until your child is two. Although fortified versions meet calcium requirements, most of them are too low in fat. But you can give them to your child occasionally from one year onwards. Rice drinks aren’t suitable for children under five because of the levels of arsenic they contain.

Stay clear of sugar Avoiding sugary snacks and drinks will help prevent tooth decay. This will also prevent them

from having a sweet tooth once they get older.

Try swapping biscuits and cakes for tooth-friendly snacks like sticks of hard cheese and plain yogurt.

Fizzy drinks contain a whopping amount of sugar! It’s best to avoid them as regularly consuming this amount of sugar can lead to tooth decay and obesity. Encourage your infant to drink water as this really is the best choice. Milk is a great alternative too.

Limit salt There’s plenty of hidden salt in processed foods these days. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of checking food labels, and out of the habit of adding salt to your food.

Try flavouring your food with alternatives to salt, such as herbs and spices. Stock cubes are often high in salt so avoid adding these to your baby’s food.

Foods intended for adults, i.e. low-fat, low-sugar or artificially sweetened foods, are not suitable for children, as they need more fat and less fibre than adults.

“Try flavouring your food with alternatives to salt, such as herbs and spices. Stock cubes are often high in salt so avoid adding these to your baby’s food” Choose the right types of fish Fish like shark, swordfish or marlin can contain mercury, which can affect your child’s nervous system. So, it’s best not to give these types of fish to babies, toddlers and children up until the age of 16.

Younger children can eat other types of fish, such as oily fish like salmon, mackerel, trout and sardines. These contain long chain omega 3s, essential fatty acids that will play a role in their brain development.

Be mindful of portion sizes Try to avoid feeding your child oversized portions.

A good rule of thumb is to start meals with small servings and let your child ask for more if they’re still hungry.

Try not to make your child finish everything on the plate or eat more than they want to. And avoid using adult-size plates for younger children as it encourages them to eat oversized portions.

Eating together is the best way for children to learn to eat and enjoy new foods, by copying you.

For more information, visit bupacromwellhospital.com/skyline 4 2 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9

YUMMY MUMMY

Focus on…

FATIGUE Dr Angela Rai from The London General Practice discusses fatigue

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atigue is an extremely common symptom seen in General Practice. Feeling tired is a normal part of life, but it can also be a symptom of illness. There are numerous causes of tiredness including poor sleep, dehydration and stress as well as medical causes.

The symptoms of ‘tired all the time’ (TATT), can be difficult to manage, however seeing your doctor can help rule out more serious conditions. Here are a few common conditions seen in General Practice that are known to cause tiredness or fatigue.

Anaemia- one of the most common reasons for feeling constantly run down is iron deficiency anaemia. Women with heavy periods are prone to anaemia, this can be easily confirmed on a blood test and treated with iron tablets. Anaemia may also occur in pregnancy. Anaemia in men or postmenopausal women is more likely to be caused by other disorders such as intestinal bleeding due to stomach ulcers, colitis or possibly bowel cancer.

Hypothyroidism- an underactive thyroid is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone (thyroxine) and this slows down metabolism, leading to tiredness, weight gain, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation and many other symptoms. A blood test can diagnose an underactive thyroid.

“A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnoea is snoring, awakening abruptly gasping or choking” Diabetes- is a metabolic disorder where there is a high level of sugar in the blood for prolonged periods of time. This can lead to tiredness, excessive thirst and frequent urination. There is a risk of complications with diabetes especially if left untreated, such as cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.

Glandular Fever- is a common viral condition that usually affects teenagers and young adults.

Symptoms include fever, sore throat and swollen glands. A blood test for Epstein- Barr virus can be performed to diagnose glandular fever. Most people recover in 2-3 weeks, but the tiredness symptoms may linger for several weeks or months.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)- is a breathing problem that occurs whilst asleep. The throat 4 4 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9

muscles intermittently relax and the throat narrows interrupting normal breathing. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnoea is snoring, awakening abruptly gasping or choking, observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep and daytime sleepiness. OSA can have a significant impact on quality of life as well increasing the risk of problems such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Depression and Anxiety- mood disorders can make you feel sad and anxious as well as disrupting sleep, causing difficulty in falling asleep and early morning wakening. Feeling drained of energy and tiredness are common symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Vitamin B12 and Folate deficiency- these vitamins help perform important functions in the body including keeping the nervous system healthy.

Deficiency can lead to symptoms such as extreme tiredness, sore tongue, mouth ulcers and pins and needles. It is important for these deficiencies to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible if left untreated.

THE DETAILS

The London General Practice 114a Harley Street, London W1G 7JL (Entrance on Devonshire Street; between Harley Street and Portland Place) Tel: 0207 935 1000

OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK

Private GP services www.thelondongeneralpractice.com Occupational Health and Corporate Health Services www.londonocchealth.com

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Andre Van Nierop, Urgent Care Centre Clinical Lead In Casualty First

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ndre van Nierop, Clinical Lead, in the walk-in urgent care centre Casualty First ensures that patients and families receive first class care 7 days a week, from 8am-8pm.

Andre, and the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth set up Casualty First 5 years ago, he comments, “The urgent care centre is truly unique in that our team of A+E Doctors provide care for adults and children from the age of one year, we see patients instantly and provide diagnosis and treatment on the same day.

I’m proud to say that our average waiting time in now only 8 minutes!”

diagnosed serious conditions and been able to refer next or same day treatment, which in some cases has potentially been life saving due to early diagnosis. It is so rewarding to see the difference that it makes.”

“A large amount of the patients we see are children, we provide treatment from the age of one and our child friendly waiting area and consulting rooms disperse any anxiety the kids might have from seeing a doctor. I see worried and concerned parents come in to see us who within minutes are able to see a doctor and the children, and their parents, are smiling and laughing again.”

Putting patients needs first

Visit Casualty First

Casualty First provides an ease of access to treatment that is essential when you are juggling a busy schedule, Andre explains “The urgent care centre is a fantastic facility for people to access our first class care, with no waiting time and the option to receive treatment on the same day or at a convenient time. We often refer patients to see a specialist Consultant or receive imaging and diagnostics on site, in the state of the art hospital facilities” “We have seen patients come in with minor complaints, where after our investigation we have

Located at the entrance of the world famous Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth in London, Casualty First is a self pay service with treatment available for all the family, including children from the age of one year. The experienced A&E doctors treat all minor accidents, injuries and illnesses.

If you think you are having a heart attack, stroke or have serious head injuries please phone 999 or go to A&E. www.casualtyfirst.co.uk; 0207 432 8300; Open 8am – 8pm everyday; 60 Grove End Road, London, NW8 9NH

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“We see patients instantly and provide diagnosis and treatment on the same day. I’m proud to say that our average waiting time in now only 8 minutes!”

YUMMY MUMMY

Presenting the Harlequin Furniture Collection

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anish interiors brand, Cam Cam Copenhagen adds to its award-winning Harlequin furniture collection for Spring/Summer ‘19.

Cam Cam Copenhagen’s signature Harlequin furniture series includes a wide range of exclusive furniture for babies and children offering an elegant universe of classic references and harmonic silhouettes.

From the prominent wardrobe and the beautiful cot bed with a unique automatic locking system, to the elegant changing table that can easily be transformed into a cupboard. Not to mention the sophisticated selection of matching children’s and dolls’ furniture, the Harlequin series offers a complete interior where everyone can find their favourite item or go for the full universe.

For 2019, Cam Cam Copenhagen has introduced even more furniture to complement the Harlequin furniture series. A smaller cabinet and a shelf with sides.

The Cabinet is available for wall mounting and is an ideal size suitable for clothing for the smallest ones or for books and toys for older children.

The Harlequin shelf also for wall-mounting with sides, that apart from making it decorative also makes it a functional solution to display books and toys.

The name Harlequin refers to the iconic rhombus shaped pattern, known from the Pierrot la Lune ballet, enchanting children and adults throughout centuries.

“We always aim to create contemporary products with a reference to classical design. Our designs are

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all unique and original, but they hold a degree of familiarity, likely to remind you of a beloved item from your own childhood.

The familiarity arises through classical references, like the Harlequin pattern, because you have seen it in other constellations, maybe on a piece of fabric, maybe painted on an old dresser from your grandmother’s attic.

We also create classical references in the detailing of the furniture, featuring a level of craftsmanship seldom found in modern furniture.” Sara Giese Camre, founder and creative designer.

It is Sara Giese Camre and her husband, both architects, who design the collections together with their team. The architectural background is always present in Cam Cam Copenhagen’s design approach, fostering an understanding of the essential importance of the surroundings to every individual’s development and well-being from the very beginning. Creating designs that encourage a peaceful ambience and coherent aesthetic with soft colours, clean lines, poetic prints and a tactile design approach when it comes to baby toys. The architect’s mindset is appreciable as well in the brand’s innate balance between form and function, proposing simultaneously beautiful and useful products that contribute to making everyday life with children as simple and harmonious as possible.

Cam Cam Copenhagen’s furniture is available in a variety of colours and are made in Europe in a timeless design to be used and cherished by generations to come. www.camcamcopenhagen.com

YUMMY MUMMY

[ S H O P P IN G ]

BABIES & KIDS a roaring success PaperBoy launches lovely new colours so you can match your dinosaur to your decor. This year they are adding three soft new hues to fit into even more design schemes. ‘Confetti’ – if only pink will do, ‘Warm grey’ glows with subtle colour while still being in the neutral range and ‘Bone china blue’ is more cool-toned without ever being flat or dull. www.paperboywallpaper.co.uk

DIGITAL DETOX Looking for ways to get the kids away from a screen? Then why not explore three of our pen ranges and get creative with some fun spring activity ideas to try with kids? From customised clothes to serious sketching, you can get kids of all ages, from toddler to teen, to engage in some creative escape. www.uniball.co.uk

LIGHT UP YOUR WORLD Lights4fun have launched their first ever Children’s Range. The brand new range features an exclusive selection of night lights, neons & fairy lights. Through the 3 collections, Sundae, Woodland & NightSky you will find a product for every child’s room, to broaden imaginations, inspire adventures, and ultimately lead to a safe and sound night’s sleep. Each image has been carefully thought out to offer an array of different styles, compositions and colours. www.lights4fun.co.uk

ETHICAL TOYS If you’re looking for soft toys which do good look no further. These Sleepy animals are not just adorable they make a real difference in the lives of their makers. Hand crocheted by a women’s collective Cambodia Knits, these cuddle toys provide fair employment for single mothers and each purchase supports an education fund for the children of the knitters. www.lolaandmawu.com

time to explore From dinosaur digging to crystal creations, the Natural History Museum online shop has a range of toys and games perfect for making playtime fun and adventurous for little explorers. www.nhmshop.co.uk 5 0 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9

Born in Sydney, Australia in 2017 by husband and wife duo Adam and Pim. Peach and Pumpkins are a small family owned online store that aims to be a one-stop shop for parents looking for unique baby gifts and accessories. From humble beginnings, we have teamed up with exclusive manufacturers to provide you with affordable and the best baby products we hope you love. All our products are imported directly to your door from our exclusive partners overseas.

Inspired by our own children, from how they play, how they move, their smiles, laughs, stumbles and falls - we want to share with everyone the experience of what it is to be a lovable parent. www.peachandpumpkins.com

Folk Inspired Animal Pattern in a Gentle Colour Palette Create a beautiful Nursery Interior with coordinating items

Mix & Match

Textiles - Wallcoverings - Accessories wildfolk.uk.com

Eadiechops is an independent, family-run business that specialise in retro organic headwear. Each piece is individually designed and handcrafted to order. With a range of unique colours, patterns, and designs to choose from, we will create an exclusively tailored item just for you. Our baby turbans also come with pretty interchangeable bows for multiple fashion combinations. We can even make matching mummy items for ultimate twinning. To order your very own, visit www.eadiechops.com or search @eadiechops on Instagram for more information.

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A little white lie…

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From getting children to finish their dinner to bribing them to be good, it seems there are lots of reasons parents tell little porkies, as Lisa Salmon reveals

any parents have told their child a white lie or two, usually with the best of intentions.

Research suggests 45% of parents tell their children a white lie at least once a week, and a fifth (20%) tell them well-meaning untruths daily to satisfy their curious minds.

And a lot of parents don’t feel at all guilty about occasionally being less than truthful with their little ones - in fact, the survey by online card and gift retailer Moonpig.com found 58% of mums think answering their child’s tricky questions by telling little white lies is a great part of being a parent.

So what porkies are parents telling their kids?

Here are the 12 most common ones, according to Moonpig’s survey...

1. Eating carrots will help you see in the dark (43% - although, to be fair, there is some truth to this, actually!)

2. Santa has a naughty list, so you have to be on your best behaviour (38%) 3. Yes, we are nearly there (38%) 4. If you don’t go to sleep soon, the tooth fairy won’t come (28%) 5. Santa is watching you at all times (28%) 6. If you watch TV all day, your eyes will swell up/ go square (25%) 7. You won’t like it (21%) 8. The ice cream van playing a tune means they’ve run out of ice cream (11%) 9. Cutting your hair makes it grow quicker (9%) 10. We can’t play this game as the computer/iPad is broken (8%) 11. If you don’t finish your dinner, Santa won’t visit this year (7%) 12. If you eat any fruit seeds, the fruit will start growing in your body (7%) Are white lies harmless?

Clinical psychologist Linda Blair, author of books including The Happy Child, says there’s no one simple answer as to whether white lies are harmless or not.

“Each parent has to parent the way they think best, but my advice is you need to look at the intent of a lie. If the intent is to share and make some events more fun and exciting, for example Father Christmas or the Easter Bunny, then I don’t see any harm in that. But if the intent is that you can’t be bothered to tell your child the right answer to a question they’ve asked, then I don’t think that’s good.

“In the long-run, they’ll know less and they’ll also not want to come to you when they want to learn something, and that’s going to be terrible when they’re teenagers and you really need them to communicate,” she adds.

Blair believes that even with questions about Father Christmas and the Easter Bunny, if your child asks you if it’s really true, parents should tell

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the truth. However, there are thoughtful ways of doing it - for example, you may just ask the child: ‘What do you think?’

“They need to know they can trust their parents,” says Blair. “Your first aim is to educate your child as much as possible, to make sure they’re as good a human being as they can possibly be when they go out into the wide world.

“The second aim is to make sure they know they can always come to you and you’ll do your best to talk to them and to listen to them, and the third aim is for them to know they can trust you.”

Blair points out, however, that care needs to be taken when parents tell a white lie - the one about fruit seeds growing inside children’s bodies if they eat them, for example, could scare them and be construed as bullying.

“A lot of people will say they were just teasing when they tell a white lie, but there’s a very, very thin line between teasing and bullying, and you have to be awfully careful where you are on that,” she explains. “If you have the remotest doubt, then don’t say it at all, because you might be too close to bullying. Bullying produces more bullies, and you don’t want your child to be a bully.”

Parents lie to stop questions Parents don’t just tell white lies to tease or for fun: 39% admit they sometimes simply tell little porkies to stop their children asking incessant questions. But although some children’s questions can be annoying, particularly if they’re constantly repeated, parents might be well advised to appreciate being asked while it lasts. The survey suggests youngsters are increasingly turning to tech to find answers to their questions, rather than to mum or dad, with 71% of parents anticipating their children will use tech devices more and more to help find answers.

The top 10 most common questions kids ask 1. Are we nearly there yet?

2. Will you read me a story?

3. Why do I have to go to bed?

4. How come they’re allowed that and I’m not?

5. What’s the time?

6. Why do I have to go to school?

7. Why can’t I stay up as late as you do?

8. Can I play on the phone/tablet?

9. Why do I need to eat my vegetables?

10. Where do babies come from?

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Foster Care Fortnight

2019

From 13 - 26 May 2019

F

oster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. The annual campaign raises the profile of fostering and to show how foster care transforms lives. It is also the UK’s biggest foster carer recruitment campaign. Over 8,000 new foster families are needed in the next 12 months alone to care for a range of children, with the greatest need being for foster carers for older children, sibling groups and disabled children.

The campaign showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers. Foster Care Fortnight is a good time to remind ourselves that there are 55,000 foster families across the UK who are giving over 64,000 children a chance of a childhood in which they can thrive.

Children can live with a family in their local area wherever possible - local authorities have the ultimate responsibility to look after children and young people in care as their corporate parent and directly recruit foster carers to care for them.

Fostering brings emotional rewards that are unmatched, and is one of the most varied, challenging and rewarding jobs you can do. Foster carers say it gives them a real sense of purpose and a tangible way to make a difference to other people’s lives and their own.

There are many famous faces who in their childhood, found themselves part of the social care system. They were loved and nurtured and moved on to achieve great things in their careers.

By taking a look at just some of these celebrities, you can begin to understand what a difference

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you can make. Giving a foster child the stability and encouragement that they need can help them accomplish anything…..Nelson Mandela, Coco Chanel, Pierce Brosnan, Fatima Whitbread, Patricia Cornwell, Catherine Cookson, Damien Hirst, Debbie Harry, John Lennon and Kriss Akabusi.

Jacqueline Wilson, best-selling children’s author and long term supporter of Foster Care Fortnight says: “ I am proud to support Foster Care Fortnight and hope that this year it will encourage more people than ever to become foster carers. I have met so many inspiring foster carers and heard from their fostered children about the great work they do. To be able to provide such love and support to a child in such a vulnerable position as one coming in to care is a very special skill indeed. There is an increasing number of children entering care every year in the UK and new foster carers needed to open their hearts and their homes to them. If you think you can improve a child’s life through foster care, speak to your local fostering service today.’

For more information and advice visit www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk

“Foster Care Fortnight is a good time to remind ourselves that there are 55,000 foster families across the UK who are giving over 64,000 children a chance of a childhood in which they can thrive”

Exquisite handcrafted Nursery Mobiles, Name Signs, Garlands, Wall Hangings and Home Accessories for your Little Stars!

Fill your loved ones with delight by giving them a unique gift that has been handmade with love and care.

Each character has a personality and story behind it, the perfect gift for your child’s developing imagination.

www.etsy.com/shop/morrowlandcreations For more details contact: morrowlandcreations@gmail.com Tel: 07486 876805 Follow on

Made from Toy safe paints, Eco friendly Wood and 100% natural Wool felts.

All items available in a range of customisable colours.

Bringing cute and quirky into your life and dreams!

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ASK THE EXPERT: PROTECTING CHILDREN ONLINE

IS IT NORMAL THAT MY DAUGHTER IS IN A RELATIONSHIP THAT’S CONDUCTED ENTIRELY ONLINE? A psychologist explains that online relationships can be the norm for younger generations - so long as social isolation isn’t an issue.

“If you find this becomes a trend, where you daughter only feels comfortable communicating online, then that’s something that needs to be addressed”

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M

y 13-year-old daughter has a boyfriend she’s never met - they just communicates online. It seems weird to me - is this normal these days?

Pyschologist and Internet Matters (internetmatters.org) ambassador, Dr Linda Papadopoulos, says: “For younger teens, communicating with a boy/girlfriend online may feel safer or more familiar. It’s important that we don’t forget they’re used to communicating with their friends through social media, and as such, the familiarity will be comforting, and also not having to meet up might help socially anxious kids avoid something they fear.

“One of the best things about communicating online is that children who are physically isolated due to living too far away, or who have limited transport or curfews, are still engaging socially - and that is incredibly important.

“They can get support from their peers online and connect about their idiosyncratic interests, whatever that may be, from stamp-collecting to reading. Parents need to be careful not to minimalise that relationship, as they’ll get something from it and they’re comfortable with it.

“I don’t think you should worry at this point.

However, if you find this becomes a trend, where you daughter only feels comfortable communicating online, then that’s something that needs to be addressed, by increasing social interaction skills and addressing social anxiety.

“You can do this by increasing the amount of time your child spends interacting face-to-face, not only with friends but with other people in different contexts. For example, if she were to join a sports team, volunteer and spend time with people of different ages, as age-segregation can amplify social anxiety.

“Encourage her to call a relative - a grandparent or an aunt or uncle, anything to ensure she’s speaking to someone of a different age. Do something that allows your child to get out of their comfort zone, such as volunteering at their local charity shop where they have to talk to strangers.

It means they’re going to feel much more able to interact socially.”

Keeping teenagers safe on Social Media WORDS: Lisa Salmon

HOW CAN I PUT PARENTAL CONTROLS ON THEIR DEVICES?

WORDS: Lisa Salmon

D

on’t know where to start when it comes to protecting your kids online? An NSPCC online safety expert explains how to go about it.

My eight-year-old son got a tablet for Christmas, but I haven’t put any parental controls on it and I don’t know where to start. What should I do?

Stephanie McNamee, O2 NSPCC helpline agent, says: “Along with talking to your child regularly, using parental controls is one of the best ways to help keep children safe online.

“There are different options available depending on the tablet being used. On an iPad, you can tap ‘settings’. then ‘general’, then ‘restrictions’ - and then set up a passcode and apply restrictions to apps, features and content. These restrictions allow you to change privacy settings, prevent in-app purchases and much more.

“On an Android tablet, you can limit the content available through the Google Play Store, so that the available apps and content are age-appropriate. Another option is to download extra parental control services with third party applications available through the Google Play Store.

“Most tablets connect to the internet through Wi-Fi, so you may want to consider adding parental controls to your home broadband service. Some tablets also support the use of a SIM card so that internet access is available through the mobile network, just like on a mobile phone. In most cases you can apply content restrictions to the SIM card through your mobile provider.

“On the O2 NSPCC Helpline, we can help you explore the safety features for all of your children’s devices, apps, games and services. If you don’t know where to start, we can talk you through steps over the phone: just give us a call on 0800 800 5002.”

My 14-year-old daughter is obsessed with social media, How can I best ‘police’ her activity on there, and keep her as safe as possible?”

Carmen Greco, co-founder with her 12-year-old son Jenk Oz of the online lifestyle magazine for eight to 15-year-olds iCoolKid, says: “Social media is an integral part of the social fabric for today’s kids.

“As parents we must assume that it’s so deeply entrenched in our children’s daily routines that taking it away from them isn’t the solution, and could lead to them feeling like a social outcast.

“Speak to your daughter about the negative nuances surrounding social media, so she gains a deeper understanding of how it all works.

“Kids want positive interactions with friends, but they also crave ‘likes’ and followers, leading them to often allow strangers to follow their profiles.

There’s a lack of understanding about how high engagement doesn’t necessarily result in only receiving positive comments. Therefore, it’s essential you have open, nonjudgemental discussions to explain why this is and understand why your daughter has a strong desire to be ‘liked’ - focusing on confidence levels and any peer pressure she may be experiencing.

“As social media continues to evolve, so should the conversations with your daughter, to make sure you’re both educated, open, and aware of the positives and negatives.

“To reinforce this, try to stay on top of social innovations so you understand what your daughter’s talking about. In turn, she’ll feel more inclined to discuss issues with you. Actively encouraging positive, open conversations will allow you to drive a negative instance into a positive resolution.

“Here are my tips: 1. Encourage your daughter to limit her social circle to its intended users - they’re real friends - and cull negative followers on a regular basis, even if it means her number of followers will dip. 2.“Help her understand the tone and message certain types of photos and posts send out to followers by scrolling through her timeline and discussing or reflecting on what’s posted. 3. “Supervise the photos she posts and the language she uses, as it may be encouraging unwanted feedback from followers and baiting bad behaviour. 4. “Follow her on social media across all platforms until she’s 16 to keep up that visibility. 5. “Enforce that all profiles should be private.

6. “And educate her to avoid posting photos which show her home address or location, personal information in the background, or features expensive items.”

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YUMMY MUMMY

Keeping Children Safe Online – Cybersecurity 101 W ith technology now so central to our modern lives, it can be difficult knowing how to keep ourselves safe online, let alone keeping our children (who seem to know more about it than we do) safe too! We caught up with Tech Camp, who have been providing high-impact technology focused Summer Camps since 2008, to find out a bit more about their new cybersecurity course, ‘Cyberspy Academy’.

Teaching Cybersecurity to 9 year olds – isn’t it far too difficult for younger children to understand?

Not at all – whilst Cybersecurity can be a very complex topic, some basic understanding and a few simple steps can do a huge amount to keep you safe online. One of the quickest ways for these cyber criminals to gain access to your online identity is through insecure passwords – having good passwords is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself, and something that children should be taught from an early age. Be sure to use at least 12 characters, with a variety of capitals, numbers and symbols, and not to share your passwords with anyone else or write them down. At our camps, students learn all about passwords best practice, the history of encryption, and even try their hand at some code breaking!

What about scams and suspicious emails? They can sometimes be very difficult to spot!

Phishing is a very common scam – this is where someone will send an email claiming to be something it isn’t, usually involving you giving them money first in exchange for something else that you never get. These emails can take any form from the classic long-lost family member’s fortune, to a message that looks like it has come from a courier asking you to pay customs duties on a package. It can be hard not to get taken in – check for things 5 8 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9

like the email address the message has come from – is it really from the company they claim to be? Is it addressed to you personally or is it just Sir/Madam?

Are you being asked to update a subscription you don’t actually have? If in doubt, always call the company directly using the phone number from their website to check.

On our courses, students run a mock ‘investigation’ into some alleged spies and must spot clues in real examples of phishing emails to find the culprit. We strongly believe that practical learning is the key to both getting the most out of an activity and having a good time whilst doing it!

“On our courses, students run a mock ‘investigation’ into some alleged spies and must spot clues in real examples of phishing emails”

Summer Camps should be a fun experience – how do you combine this important learning with having an enjoyable week away from home?

Here at Tech Camp, our mission is ‘Inspiring Tomorrow’s Inventors’ – not just teaching them!

Cyberspy Academy has a host of fun activities all relating to cybersecurity, including learning the basics of coding by making laser tripwires and alarms, lockpicking, invisible ink, secret messages and more. We also have a residential option, which includes a host of other evening activities such as laser tag, live science shows, gaming nights and more, at several venues around the South of England and London.

Find out more at www.techcamp.org.uk.

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BARNES CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ITS 5TH BIRTHDAY! Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th May 2019

‘….delightful, imaginative, innovative – and beautifully organised.’

– Dame Jacqueline Wilson

L

ondon’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival returns on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May 2019, attracting some of the UK’s best authors and illustrators for a fun-filled weekend for children of all ages.

Led by UK Laureate Lauren Child and master story tellers Judith Kerr, Michael Rosen, David Almond, Frank Cottrell Boyce and Francesca Simon, this year’s programme looks better than ever. with more than eighty fun events and numerous free activities for young book fans and their families.

Confirmed authors and illustrators include Judith Kerr, David Almond, Lauren Child, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Francesca Simon, Costa winner Hilary McKay, Holly Smale, Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, Candy Gourlay, Sam Usher, Jessie Burton, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Emma Carroll, Robin Stevens, Matthew Syed and many more. Ever-popular characters, Paddington and Elmer the Elephant will delight children too with storytelling shows.

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This year’s highlights include the London premieres of the outdoor theatre performance of The Lost Words: Seek Find Speak, based on the acclaimed illustrated book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris and a hilarious new interactive show from the Roald Dahl Estate. Other firsts for Barnes this year include their unique programme for babies from six months to two years old featuring a first festival appearance from the West End performers Baby Broadway and an event based on the bestselling, This is Not My…..books which will delight babies and their parents.

Barnes also provides dedicated programming for families with children with special and extra needs including inclusive storytelling with Rose Robbins and Vanessa Woolf and yoga-telling sessions.

Aardman Animations will return with its popular hands-on model making workshops and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is back with its all-singing, all dancing Matilda Musical Theatre workshops. There will also be The Greatest Showman singing sessions for musically minded youngsters and The Moomins craft workshops.

The Festival is centred around Barnes Green beside the much-loved duck pond, that lends it’s ‘village fair’ feel. Unlike other top tier festivals, Barnes is entirely organised and delivered by more than 130 volunteers, including founder and director Amanda Brettargh who describes the Festival as ‘literacy lovingly wrapped in community.’

THE DETAILS The full programme and more information can be found at www.barneskidslitfest.org Buy tickets at www.barneskidslitfest.org/whats-on

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OPTIMUS LAUDUM With ‘Felices Erimus’ as its motto, happiness is at the heart of the philosophy at St John’s Wood Pre-Preparatory School and it works

E

ducating 3-7 year-old boys and girls in a friendly and caring environment for over 35 years is its strength.

Principal & Proprietor Adrian Ellis believes that the excellent ratio of staff to pupils allows each child to reach their full potential. “Of course, together with parents, we look to recognise each child’s unique qualities and particular talents and aim to develop them as fully as possible,” says Mr Ellis. “We want our children to move on to the right schools for them. As a result, St John’s Wood Pre-Preparatory has been since 1982 a ‘feeder’ to many of London’s top preparatory schools, including St Paul’s Juniors, Highgate, South Hampstead High School, University College School and Westminster Under School.

“The sense of a whole-school community is evident in this small school, we become an extension of home and family” adds Mr Ellis. Size matters to St John’s Wood Pre-Prep. By limiting

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its numbers, most children know the rest of their fellow pupils throughout the school – an important element in building confidence and developing social skills.”

There is never a time when prospective parents aren’t welcome and there are frequent tours bookable via the website.

Latest Leavers List: The Year 2 class of 11 pupils joined the following schools in September 2018: 2 girls to City of London School for Girls and 1 girl to South Hampstead High School, 2 Boys to St Paul’s Juniors; 2 boys to Westminster Under School; 4 boys to University College School For more details visit www.sjwpre-prep.org.uk Tel 020 7722 7149 or email info@sjwpre-prep.org.uk. St John’s Hall, Lord’s Roundabout, London, NW8 7NE

“We want our children to move on to the right schools for them. As a result, St John’s Wood Pre-Preparatory has been since 1982 a ‘feeder’ to many of London’s top preparatory schools”

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Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School announces its opening in September 2020

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estled in the heart of Kensington, a stone’s throw from some of London’s most acclaimed institutions, Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School for children 3-11, is due to open its doors in September 2020.

Jill Walker, Headmistress, told Life Magazines about their exciting plans to renovate four Georgian townhouses at 10-13 Prince’s Gardens.

State-of-the-art science laboratories, music and art studios and an amazing ‘maker space’ are some of the innovative redevelopments underway for the project; highlighting the school’s commitment to academic excellence and character development.

The school will also have direct access to both a wonderful garden space to the rear and Hyde Park, surrounded by inspirational Exhibition Road.

It demonstrates the emphasis of the school’s teachers for nurturing a global perspective in their pupils and preparing them for the exciting challenges that life can offer through a myriad of activities.

Jill Walker said: “This is such a tremendous opportunity, which places the school firmly in the academic hub of London. We want our pupils to relish all that school life has to offer so that they leave us confident and excited about their future.”

The rigorous and wide-ranging curriculum draws on the school’s access to London’s museums and outdoor spaces which serve as fantastic stimuli for collaborative learning projects and creating the next generation of independent, curious children.

Due to the scope of the project and building renovations over the forthcoming months, Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School will open its doors in September 2020.

Details about the plans will be held at a launch event on Thursday 27th June at 7pm at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA. See the school website here:princesgardensprep.co.uk/London

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“State-of-the-art science laboratories, music and art studios and an amazing ‘maker space’”

just for

mum

– Ways to keep mum looking and feeling her best – i mage : M E G H A N ’ S M AT E R NITY F A S H I O N S E C R E T S

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Meghan’s maternity fashion secrets

Talk about bloomin’ chic, says Katie Wright.

Meghan has made mum-to-be style look easy

E

ven before she officially became part of the royal family, the Duchess of Sussex had achieved bona fide style-icon status.

Every outfit was pored over, and her high-street choices would usually sell out in a matter of hours.

So when it was announced in October that Meghan was expecting her first child with Prince Harry, royal watchers were eager to see how she would adapt her style during pregnancy.

Now, with the 37-year-old seemingly due to give birth in a matter of weeks, it’s safe to say she’s really knocked it out of the park when it comes to maternity fashion.

Throughout months of royal visits, red carpets and trips to Australia, Morocco and more, she has always looked fabulous - whether in a designer gown, bespoke coat or casual ensemble.

In fact, even if you haven’t got a royal budget available, perusing the Duchess’ maternity fashion choices offers some excellent inspiration for styling a growing bump.

Here are some style lessons to take home from Meghan’s maternity wardrobe...

Stick with the staples you love Meghan’s most frequently worn item during the latter stages of her pregnancy? It’s got to be stretchy 6 8 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9

wool and jersey dresses in block colours, often with a high neck. It’s wise to invest in a few wellmade staples that make you feel great, and will fit your bump as it grows. That way, you can simply alternate your jewellery and accessories to create new outfits.

Seraphine Black Maternity Shift Dress, £45 (shoes, stylist’s own); JoJo Maman Bebe Knitted Maternity Tube Dress, £39

Keep it classic From Breton tops and crisp white shirts, to black skinny jeans and tailored blazers, Meghan has made a point of avoiding anything that’s massively on-trend during her pregnancy. It’s a smart move, because it makes it easy to mix-and-match different pieces, and if there’s a chance you’ll be wearing your maternity clothes again in the future, they won’t date quickly.

Dorothy Perkins Maternity Monochrome Stripe Manipulated Top, currently reduced to £9 from £18; Isabella Oliver Ava Tailored Blazer, currently reduced to £114 from £229 (other items, stylist’s own)

Find your favourite combos Unlike the Duchess of Cambridge, who wore lots of bright colours and A-line frock coats while she was expecting, Meghan has favoured shift or straight-cut dresses and trench coats in black, white

and cream shades. If you’re pregnant during winter, one good coat in a neutral hue is a must, but if you’re expecting a summer baby, adjustable wrap or shirt dresses are so useful - as shown by Meghan while visiting Tonga.

Seraphine Wool Camel Maternity Coat, £195; Cropped Black Maternity Trousers, £69 (boots, stylist’s own)

Add a bit of shimmer In contrast to her usual subdued colour palette and lack of surface embellishment, Meghan has shown off a few more glitzy looks while pregnant. We’ve seen a gold brocade shift dress, a Safiyaa sequinned top, and a sparkling navy Roland Mouret gown. It’s great to see that she’s having fun with her maternity fashion and not always shying away from glamorous outfits.

Topshop Maternity Jacquard Knot Midi Dress, £49

favourite stiletto courts well into her third trimester.

We were particularly impressed when she delved into her pre-royal wardrobe (as proven by an old Instagram snap) and brought out a pair of very cool perspex and cow-print heels.

Dune London Bellevue Cappuccino Suede Scalloped Court Shoe, £78

You can’t go wrong with black Pregnant during party season? So was Meghan, during which time she debuted a variety of LBDs - that’s ‘long black dresses’, on this occasion - and maxi skirts, proving that noir never goes out of style. Black is an easy way to look instantly sophisticated - and there’s nothing wrong with playing it safe and going classic.

Isabella Oliver Belmont Maternity Maxi, £149

Borrow from the boys In one of the most adorable pictures from the royal tour of New Zealand, Meghan was pictured wearing a puffer jacket that belonged to Prince Harry. It makes sense to borrow a roomy jacket from your other half if you want to keep your bump warm without having to splash out on a cosy coat that won’t fit for very long. Alternatively, buy a size up and wear it with the sleeves pushed up like Meghan.

Laura Ashley Navy Down Puffa Jacket, currently reduced to £56 from £80

You can still wear high heels If you want to, of course. Obviously, it’s totally up to you if you only feel like wearing flats for nine months, but Meghan has continued to wear her A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9 6 9

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Support your Bump M

edical experts recommend that all pregnant women should aim for 150 minutes exercise every week to benefit their health and the health of their

baby.

So what’s stopping you? A recent survey of pregnant women and new mums revealed that nearly a third of them gave up exercise during pregnancy because their fitnesswear didn’t fit any more.

Unsurprisingly, Mammas-to-be simply don’t feel good turning up to the gym or yoga studio wearing leggings that fall down when you bend down, elastic that cuts into your bump and tops that ride up when you stretch up - especially if you’re already struggling with your changing body shape.

Fortunately, maternity fitness experts FittaMamma have solved your gym wardrobe dilemma.

They’ve designed a range of gymwear that doesn’t just look fantastic, it’s also the most supportive clothing available for pregnant women.

Recent independent testing (conducted by specialists at the University of Portsmouth) of FittaMamma’s Ultimate maternity fitnesswear demonstrated a massive 48% reduction in bump bounce compared to standard maternity vests and

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leggings. That’s almost 50% more support for your baby bump!

The range is technically designed to lift and hold where you need it, easing the pressure on your pelvic floor and helping alleviate the back ache often associated with pregnancy. With your bump supported any activity becomes more comfortable, from running or gym workouts to yoga, barre fitness or even walking.

Supporting your bump for exercise could make the difference between staying active or giving up – this stylish and supportive fitnesswear is a maternity wardrobe essential!

Shop online at www.fittamamma.com

“Maternity fitness experts FittaMamma have solved this gym wardrobe dilemma”

YUMMY MUMMY

INTRODUCING

SOPHROLOGY: Keeping stress free

According to proponents of the therapy, sophrology can soothe tension, ease anxiety and help prevent burnout.

Liz Connor finds out more

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visualisation techniques that allow for what Antiglio calls a “true mind-body connection”.

“With Sophrology, you can deal with life’s challenges and create more balance and happiness in doing so,” she adds.

So, what is sophrology?

Sophrology is best described as a stress management system, that uses a combination of different exercises and techniques to achieve an alert mind in a relaxed body.

“It’s an evolution of meditation and mindfulness, that blends Eastern philosophies and Western science to tap into your resilience and strength,” explains Antiglio.

The practice uses a combination of breathing, relaxation, gentle body movement, meditation and

How does it differ from other forms of mindfulness meditation?

While both practices are essentially about being in the present, sophrology is often described as “the next step on” from traditional mindfulness.

As Antiglio explains: “Sophrology engages both the mind and body to bring you into a state of dynamic relaxation - where the body is so calm that your heart rate lowers, but your mind is clear and fully alert.”

She believes that the mind-body connection in sophrology allows you to enter this state of full relaxation more quickly and easily than other practices she’s tried.

“Your brain switches to an alpha brainwave state when you practice sophrology, which has been proven to be a deeply healing state for body and mind,” she notes.

Watching someone drill through sophrology exercises looks sort of like a cross between Tai Chi and meditation, with lots of slow body movements mixed in with moments of sitting down with your eyes closed.

ith so many of us battling with the effects of stress, it’s no surprise that we’re increasingly turning to mindfulness-based therapies as a way to switch off.

When life gets overwhelming, you might have tried yoga, meditation and deep-breathing exercises to help matters - but have you tried sophrology?

The wellbeing trend has actually been around since the 1960s and is already popular in countries like France and Germany, but it’s only now that it’s starting to catch on over here.

Here, Dominique Antiglio, founder of BeSophro (be-sophro.co.uk) and author of The Life-Changing Power Of Sophrology (£14.99; Hodder & Stoughton), tells us more about the healing practice, and how it might just change your life...

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“Sophrology engages both the mind and body to bring you into a state of dynamic relaxation where the body is so calm that your heart rate lowers, but your mind is clear and fully alert”

YUMMY MUMMY

In both mindfulness meditation and sophrology, you’re taught to focus on the present - but with latter, you can also learn to change the narrative of how you feel, to affect your perspective of the future.

“One of the principles in sophrology states that we can decide how we are going to experience certain events, even when we can’t change them,” Antigillo explains. “This makes us responsible for our experience and how we respond to situations, which can be very appealing for people who are solutions orientated.”

What are the benefits?

Sophrology is said to be beneficial for those who feel the need to relax, recharge and re-centre. “It helps to improve the quality of your sleep, increase energy levels, sharpen focus, helps you let go of anxieties and decreases stress levels,” says Antigillo.

“It is also a great tool to help you prepare for important events, like presentations and interviews, where you are nervous or lack confidence.”

Antiglio first began practising sophrology when she was just 15 and living in Switzerland. “I noticed a change in the way I was thinking after just one session, and I immediately felt more positive and energised,” she recalls.

She began a career as an osteopath - but a growing belief that many of her clients’ pains and tensions were linked to stresses in their daily lives eventually led her to train as a sophrologist.

“I became more and more interested in the power of the mind-body connection, and how we can use it to positively impact our physical selves and our lives,” she says. “It has become an important and everyday part of my life.”

How can people practice it at home?

“Sophrology is very easy to incorporate into daily life,” says Antiglio. “In fact, I practice it in between meetings and even on a train and in taxis - if I feel tense, just five minutes of simple breathing and relaxation techniques is enough to relax me.”

For beginners, guided sessions are the best way to grasp the basic techniques (Antiglio’s book comes with guided audio downloads to help get you started).

“You just need a quiet space and a comfy chair, and 10 minutes is enough to make an immediate difference,” she advises. “A guided practice is the easiest way to begin, and after a few sessions, you’ll be able to practice it yourself unguided at any time you need it.”

Two techniques you can try at home The Pump “Standing tall, let your arms fall straight alongside your body and clench your fists.

“Now exhale through your mouth, then inhale through your nose and hold the breath.

“As you hold the breath, ‘pump’ both your shoulders up and down until you need to exhale again.

“As you exhale vigorously, relax your arms and hands completely, allowing all tension and tightness to drain simultaneously through the arms and hands.

“Repeat until you notice you feel calm once more.”

The Tratac “Hold one arm straight in front of you and focus your gaze on your thumbnail.

“Inhale through your nose and hold your breath, while very slowing drawing your thumb towards the space between your eyebrows (your eyes will naturally cross).

“Then close your eyes and exhale through the mouth. Then repeat.

“This technique, which engages your brain and body, increases your ability to focus on a single task.

“Repeat three times or until you feel focused and fully engaged.”

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PREGNANCY

BIRTH & BABIES

– Keeping you and baby happy and healthy throughout pregnancy and birth – i mage : R UNNIN G DU R IN G P R E G N A NCY

YUMMY MUMMY

ASK THE EXPERT:

IS IT SAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN TO GO RUNNING?

A professor from the baby charity Tommy’s discusses new research which confirms running in pregnancy won’t harm unborn babies. words: Lisa Salmon

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rofessor Andrew Shennan, clinical director at the pregnancy and baby charity Tommy’s Preterm Surveillance Clinic, says: “It’s perfectly reasonable to continue running while pregnant, if you wish; indeed we would recommend continuing accustomed exercise.

“We now know running has no detrimental effect on the size of the baby or when labour occurs.

Nearly 1,300 regular runners around the world from the parkrun community were investigated in the biggest study of running in pregnancy to date, and it found that frequent and intense running was also safe.

“It’s important to be fit for birth, and exercise in pregnancy is known to be beneficial, including reducing backache, swelling and improving circulation (and veins), as well as being associated with better mental health and feelings of wellbeing.

“However, listen to your body, and don’t overdo it, as your body will not be the same and it isn’t a time to start doing new strenuous exercise. As long as you feel comfortable and your joints are fine, it’s safe to continue running until the end of pregnancy or birth.

“Even intense or frequent exercise is OK to continue, as long as you’re used to it - although long distance running (for hours) in early pregnancy should be avoided as the body temperature goes up and this may affect the baby’s early development (first 12 weeks).

“Some women are concerned about their pelvic floor, but exercise, including running will reduce problems related to the pelvic floor (e.g. prolapse).

National recommendations suggest 20 minutes of exercise a day in pregnancy but avoid contact sports or scuba diving.

It’s alright to do more if you’re used to it, but if you start exercise for the first time in pregnancy, build up gradually.”

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YUMMY MUMMY

Ultrasound scans

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or many women, ultrasound scans are the highlight of pregnancy. It’s very exciting to “see” your baby in the womb, often moving his or her hands and legs. Having a scan in pregnancy is usually a happy event, but be aware that ultrasound scans may detect some serious abnormalities, so you should be prepared for that information.

Ultrasound scans use sound waves to build a picture of the baby in the womb. The scans are completely painless, have no known side effects on mothers or babies, and can be carried out at any stage of pregnancy. Talk to your midwife, GP or obstetrician about any concerns you have.

What will happen in the scan room?

Most scans are carried out by specially trained staff called sonographers. The procedure is carried out in a dimly lit room so the sonographer is able to get good images of your baby. You will first be asked to lie on a couch.

The sonographer will put ultrasound gel on your tummy and tuck tissue paper around your clothing to protect it from the gel. The gel makes sure there is good contact between the machine and your skin.

The sonographer passes a handheld device called a probe over your skin. It is this probe that sends out ultrasound waves and picks them up when they bounce back.

A black and white picture of the baby will appear on the ultrasound screen. During the examination, sonographers need to keep the screen in a position that gives them a good view of the baby – either directly facing them or at an angle.

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The sonographer will carefully examine your baby’s body. Having the scan does not hurt, but the sonographer may need to apply slight pressure to get the best views of the baby.

How long will a scan take?

A scan usually takes around 20 minutes. However, the sonographer may not be able to get good views if your baby is lying in an awkward position or moving around a lot.

If you are overweight or your body tissue is dense, sometimes this can reduce the quality of the image because there is more tissue for the ultrasound waves to get through before they reach the baby. If it is difficult to get a good image, the scan may take longer or have to be repeated at another time.

Can an ultrasound scan harm me or my baby?

There are no known risks to the baby or the mother from having an ultrasound scan, but it is important that you consider carefully whether to have the scan or not. The scan can provide information that may mean you have to make further important decisions.

For example, you may be offered further tests that have a risk of miscarriage.

When will scans be offered?

Hospitals offer all pregnant women at least two ultrasound scans during their pregnancy: • At 8 to 14 weeks, and • Between 18 and 21 weeks

“A black and white picture of the baby will appear on the ultrasound screen. During the examination, sonographers need to keep the screen in a position that gives them a good view of the baby”

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The first scan is sometimes called the dating scan. The sonographer estimates when your baby is due (the estimated date of delivery, or EDD) based on the baby’s measurements. The dating scan can include a nuchal translucency (NT) scan, which is part of the combined screening test for Down’s syndrome.

The second scan offered to all pregnant women is called the anomaly scan, or mid-pregnancy scan, and usually takes place between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy. This scan checks for structural abnormalities (anomalies) in the baby.

Some women may be offered more than two scans, depending on their health and their pregnancy.

Do I have to have ultrasound scans?

No, not if you don’t want to. Some people want to find out if their baby has problems, while others don’t. The dating scan and anomaly scan are offered to all women, but you don’t have to accept them. Your choice will be respected if you decide not to have the scans, and your antenatal care will continue as normal. You’ll be given the chance to discuss it with your maternity team before making your decision.

What can an ultrasound scan be used for?

An ultrasound scan can be used to: • Check your baby’s size – at the dating scan, this gives a better idea of how many weeks pregnant you are; your due date, which is originally calculated from the first day of your last period, will be adjusted according to the ultrasound measurements • Check whether you’re having more than one baby • Detect some abnormalities • Show the position of your baby and the placenta – for example, when the placenta is low down in late pregnancy, a caesarean section may be advised • Check that the baby is growing normally – this is particularly important if you’re carrying twins, or you have had problems in this pregnancy or a previous pregnancy

Can I bring family or friends with me when I have the scan?

Yes. Ultrasound scans can sometimes find problems with the baby. You may like someone to come with you to the scan appointment. Most hospitals do not allow children to attend scans as childcare is not usually available. Please ask you hospital about this before your appointment. Remember, an ultrasound scan is an important medical examination and it is treated in the same way as any other hospital investigation.

If everything appears normal, what happens next?

Most scans show that the baby is developing 8 2 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9

normally and no problems are found. This is because most babies are healthy and do not have abnormalities.

If the scan finds there might be a problem, what happens next?

If a problem is found or suspected, the sonographer may ask for a second opinion from another member of staff. You might be offered another test to find out for certain if there is a problem. If you are offered further tests, you will be given more information about them so you can decide whether or not you want to have them. You will be able to discuss this with your midwife or consultant.

If necessary, you will be referred to a specialist, possibly in another hospital.

Is it a girl or a boy?

Finding out the sex of your baby is not offered as part of the national screening programme, but this depends on the policy of your hospital.

If you want to find out the sex of your baby, you can usually do so during the mid-pregnancy scan. Tell the sonographer at the start of the scan that you’d like to know your baby’s sex. Be aware, though, that it’s not always possible for the sonographer to be 100% certain about your baby’s sex. For example, if your baby is lying in an awkward position, it may be difficult or impossible to tell.

Some hospitals have a policy of not telling patients the sex of their baby. Speak to your sonographer or midwife to find out more.

Can I have a picture of my baby?

You will need to check if your hospital provides this service. If they do, there may be a charge.

“If you want to find out the sex of your baby, you can usually do so during the mid-pregnancy scan.

Tell the sonographer at the start of the scan that you’d like to know your baby’s sex”