Mums magazine autumn 16

Mums AUTUMN 2016

work/life: balanced The key to working from home with kids

Thoroughly

MODERN MUMMY The 21st century motherhood remodelling

Onwards & upwards Help growing babies find their feet

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Food, glorious food The truth behind 10 common weaning myths

Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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FIRST FOR UNIQUE, HANDEMBROIDERED CHILDREN’S WEAR

AURORA ROYAL specialise in timeless, classic. hand smocked & hand embroidered. children’s clothes that are perfect for any occasion formal, party or leisure 2

Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

www.auroraroyal.co.uk

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

W

4. Nappy rash

elcome to the autumn issue of Mums Magazine. This

issue we’re talking modern motherhood - what it means to

Natural ways to treat nappy rash

6. Super teds

be a 21st century parent juggling it all in these increasingly demanding times (page 7). For many of us, this will mean

The timeless reign of the teddy bear

7.16 signs you’re a modern mum

managing work and childcare, which is a challenge not without it’s obstacles (page 20) - or solutions! With autumn

Has your parenting style moved with the times?

being a popular time to move home, you may also be contemplating or in the process of upping sticks, the logistics of which are often enough to leave even the most organised of mummys stumped. For some handy hints on smoothing the process, turn to page 16. In the meantime, why not embrace the change of season and get outdoors for some rainy day fun with your little ones (page 18) . Whatever age your children are at, there is always a challenge to be faced head on. Whether it is weaning (page 14) or potty training (page 23), we hope this edition gives you some useful tips and information so you and your child can happily and easily adapt to each new stage.

8. Life skills

Help kids embrace these important skills

9. Bubble trouble

Create blissful bathrimes

10. Teen health

The matters affecting modern teens

12. Baby sleep special

Help your little one sleep like a baby

Enjoy the issue!

14. Food, glorious food

Caroline Seekings

Common weaning myths

16. New baby, new home

Editor

The logistics of moving with a little one

18. Rainy play days

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10

Dress them for the occasion

20. Work/life: Balanced

How to juggle work and childcare

22. Blue Polyester spaghetti

Our Mummy columnist comes across the last remaining scraps of her teenage son’s baby blanket

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23. Going potty

Smooth the transition out of nappies

24. Onwards and upwards Essentials for babies finding their feet

26. The bookshelf

Our pick of the best parenting reads

Mums SUMMER 2016

work/life: balanced The key to working from home with kids

Thoroughly

MODERN MUMMY The 21st century motherhood remodelling

Onwards & upwards www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Help growing babies find their feet

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Food, glorious food The Truth behind 10 Common Weaning Myths

Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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mums magazine publication @mums_magazine

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Information in Mums Magazine is not intended as a substitute for diagnosis, prescription and/or treatment by a Medical Professional.

Opinions expressed in Mums Magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher, and the magazine is in no way liable for any such opinions. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the content of this publication is accurate, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. No advertisement, article or image may be reproduced without the written permission of the publishers.

The Team: Editor Caroline Seekings caroline@lifestyle-magazines.co.uk Tel: 07834 233346

Produced by:

Photography Richard Jones Photography www.richardjones-photography.com

LIFESTYLE

MAGAZINES

Get in touch: T: 07834 233346 E: caroline@lifestyle-magazines.co.uk www.lifestyle-magazines.co.uk

Features Editor Chrissy Hayes chrissy@lifestyle-magazines.co.uk

Imagery www.istockphoto.com

Kim IT support

Caroline Editor

Chrissy Features Editor

Amy Column ist

Richard her Photograp

Meet the team Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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Nappy days

Many babies suffer from nappy rash at some time in their first 18 months. Nappy rash can be caused by prolonged contact with urine or stools, although having sensitive skin does increase propensity towards the condition. In addition, certain soaps, detergents, wipes and also chafing can be contributing factors. Nappy rash is characterised by red patches on your baby’s bottom, or the whole area may be red.

The skin may look sore and feel hot to touch, and there may be spots, pimples or blisters.

Natural solutions to preventing and treating nappy rash in babies

There are certain trigger times1 when your baby may be more prone to nappy rash Weaning

Any change in diet can lead to looser stools and a greater likelihood of nappy rash affecting your baby.

Common Cold

The best approach to treating nappy rash is prevention, and changing wet or soiled nappies as soon as possible can help to lessen the risk of irritation. Young babies need changing as many as 10 or 12 times a day, and older babies at least six to eight times. Be sure to clean the whole nappy area thoroughly, wiping from front to back and use plain water or baby wipes. It also helps to leave the nappy off for as long and as often as you can in order to let fresh air get to the skin. Barrier creams, such as zinc and castor oil may also help.

When a baby has a cold, stools are often looser, meaning that nappy rash is more likely to occur.

If your baby does get nappy rash, you can treat it with a nappy rash cream, although if the rash doesn’t go away or becomes bright red with white or red pimples, they may have a thrush infection. In this case, you’ll need to use an anti-fungal cream, available either from the pharmacist or on prescription from your GP. Ask your pharmacist or health visitor for advice.

Change in diet

Teething

A runny nose, lots of saliva and diarrhoea are often the signs of teething. It’s also a time when nappy rash can strike.

Antibiotics

Nappy rash is often linked to antibiotic use. Antibiotics may mildly upset the digestive system leading to diarrhoea and nappy rash.

First sleep through the night

Sleeping through the night means that nappy changing may be delayed, making nappy rash more likely to develop.

Such as moving on from breast milk may lead to more frequent and watery stools, potentially leading to nappy rash.

Diarrhoea

Nappy rash usually starts when the baby’s delicate skin is in prolonged contact with urine and faeces in the nappy. It’s much more difficult to prevent this if your baby has diarrhoea.

is here to help!

1.Morris H, The bottom line on nappy rash, British Journal of Midwifery, September 2012, Vol 20, No 9, pages 540-543

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Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

is here to help!

We all know how unpredictable babies can be!

Even if you follow a regular routine, no two days are the same, and there are certain trigger times1 when your baby may be more prone to nappy rash 1.Morris H, The bottom line on nappy rash, British Journal of Midwifery, September 2012, Vol 20, No 9, pages 540-543

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we an ing

Treatment

for Nappy Rash For occasions when it does strike, Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment can be used to treat nappy rash, relieving the irritation and redness.

Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment is a medicine. Always read the label.

www.metanium.co.uk www.mums-magazine.co.uk 8236 Mums Mag Aut

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com mon cold

3 teething

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antibiotic s

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fi rst sle ep throug h the nig ht

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change in di et

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diar rhoe a

Protection

from Nappy Rash For daily protection, use Metanium Everyday Barrier Ointment or Easy Spray Barrier Lotion at every nappy change to help protect against the irritants that can cause nappy rash.

we

babies’ bums

Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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r e p u S teds

Teddys are more than just soft toys to most children. They are veritable companions, with their own ever growing identity, as these new products and findings go to prove...

HALF OF BRITS WILL RETURN A CHILD’S LOST TEDDY BEAR Exactly half of Brits will return a child’s lost teddy bear, according to a social experiment recently conducted in towns and cities throughout the UK.500 teddy bears were intentionally lost in 25 major towns and cities, each in a different location, such as a café, gym or park bench, between May to June this year. All had nametags with a child’s name and contact number, to see which places and type of person were most likely to return a lost bear.

Soft toys capture the hearts of many children (and adults) the world over. From those endearing eyes to those wonderfully tactile tummies, teddies are something we simply cannot resist, no matter what our age.

The importance of a furry companion for children has long been reputed. Growing up, there is inevitably some comfort not only in the sensory aspect of a bear, but also the familiarity.

It is no surprise, therefore, that soft toys have gained their very own retail market, ranging from clothes, to accessories, right through to their very own passports.

We love...

these beautifully-designed finger puppets, which are perfect for enhancing imaginative play.

Whether you’re entertaining your children, teaching babies and toddlers bodily movements and expressions or using sign puppets for educational, nursery rhyme or fairy tale storytelling, there is something in this huge puppet selection for everyone. www.puppetsbypost.com

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Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

The bear accessories...

Passport This is a replica United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland passport complete with identity pages, visa pages and notes for your bears travels.

This is a fun accessory for your Merrythought bear, particularly for one that likes to travel. £4.50 from www.merrythought.co.uk Uniform “Cuddly Bear Wear” offer a fantastic range of cuddly toys, teddy bear clothes and accessories for all types of occasions.

https://www.cuddlybearwear.co.uk/

Residents in York were the most caring - with 75 percent of the bears lost in the city being returned. Witney, a small town in Oxfordshire, was close behind - 14 out of a possible 20 bears were returned. Teddy bears lost in Manchester were third most likely to be returned, as 13 people came forward from the city to reunite the bears with their owners. The cities least likely to return a lost teddy bear were Bristol, Wolverhampton and Oxford.

The research commissioned by My Nametags, a British manufacturer of nametags, found that 68 percent of the bears returned were given back by members of the public within 24 hours of being lost. Items that were lost for more than four days had a less than 1 percent chance of being reunited with their owner.

Richard Wiseman, a Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “The research shows that people carry out acts of kindness when they feel some kind of empathy for others.

When people see a lost bear they are likely to think that it may be have been dropped by a child, who is now frantically searching for the bear. This effect is applied by the bear having a nametag - It is no longer just a bear - now it has an identity and is even more likely to produce feelings of empathy.’ www.mums-magazine.co.uk

1. You rush everywhere and consider your mum friends as your back-up team. If you’ve forgotten to pack a spoon / toys / baby’s lunch (i’ve actually done that) one of your amazing mama friends is bound to have extra.

Who said community was dead?

2. You’re considering giving your one year-old the old smartphone upstairs in the drawer, just so you can prise her (surprisingly strong) little fingers from your phone long enough to check your messages.

3. You’ve got pushing the pram one-handed down to an art (you’re checking your phone with the other hand obvs).

4. You’re less bothered by your appearance than you care to remember. Looking like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards is par for the course when you’re a mum, isn’t it?

5. Weekday playtime consists of you waving the odd toy in the direction of baby and trying to sing Baa Baa Black Sheep on automatic while bashing out an email to your boss / talking to your biggest client/ calling John Lewis to find out where that sofa delivery is.

6. You feel really bad when your little one starts developing a tan and worry constantly they haven’t got enough sun cream on or a

‘Weekday playtime consists of you waving the odd toy in the direction of baby and trying to sing Baa Baa Black Sheep on automatic while bashing out an email to your boss’

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

wide enough hat.

7. When that long-scheduled night out with your girlfriends finally comes round, you go a bit crazy. Cocktails, wine, hell perhaps even some shots - it’s like you’ve escaped from an asylum!! You immediately regret it in the morning and swear off alcohol again. At least that pledge is easier to uphold these days.

8. You look through your phone’s photo gallery and there are literally no pictures of ANYTHING else other than your baby. You and your partner make the odd appearance.

9. Your granny frequently laments you don’t even know you’re born. Back in her day there was no such thing as disposable nappies, breast pumps or, y’know, electricity and running water and stuff. It was the dark ages after all. Us mums have never had it so easy.

Hmmm, doesn’t feel like that…

10. Home-cooked food is a treat rather than a staple - for both you and the little ‘un. Well Ella’s Kitchen is just so convenient and baby seems to like it, so….

11. Amazon Prime is your best friend.

Previously, people had to actually go to individual shops and track down the items on their shopping list, which if anything like mine would range from nappy rash cream and cat food to a paddling pool. Like some less

exciting version of Pokemon Go. Who has time for that?

12. You worry that you’ve only enrolled into one mother/baby group rather than four.

Should you be doing the swimming and the baby signing too?

13. Your body hasn’t quite pinged back to what it was pre-baby yet - you consider sacrificing baby time or even sleep to get down the gym more. Perhaps it’s time for a personal trainer?

14. You practically know all the names of the regulars on Mumsnet going back to 2009.

15.You regard me-time as a right not a luxury.

Our mothers and grandmothers may have done all the child-rearing practically singlehandedly, but us millennial mums see time off - be it once a week, or once a day - as a necessity.

16. You worry ALL the time. Are you giving baby enough quality time? Should you go back to work? Should you have breastfed for longer? Does she need more socialisation?

What will the carers and the other babies at nursery do to your sweet little child..?! Are the toys age-specific enough? Is he building a strong relationship with his grandparents and cousins..? The list is never-ending - and I have a feeling it’s not going to go away…

16 signs

modern mum you’re a

by Lucy Todd

Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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MONEY

Life skills

As children have become accustomed to more and more in the way of material possessions (smart phones, laptops and ipads), many are failing to learn the concept of money and the importance of saving when they are grown up. It can be difficult to help teach children the concept of money, but the Reward Box is a good starting point. It is an award-winning fun take on the traditional reward chart. It is beautifully crafted from wood and comes in two designs Fairy House and Pirate Chest. The Reward Box comes beautifully presented in a gift box and also contains an organza bag of 20 silver wooden star tokens. £35 from www.therewardbox.co.uk

From finances to fitness, help your children to

embrace some important life skills this autumn DIGITAL SKILLS The ‘Digital Kids Show’ is set to bring to life the exciting world of the Internet in a fun, friendly and engaging format suitable for the whole family. The first of its kind, the Digital Kids Show will feature six zones including Gaming and Retro Tech where parents and kids can play their favourite games old and new together, Appletics and Kids Food Zone showcasing the best apps for getting healthy, learning skills and eating well, Safe Tech Zone helps to inform parents about best practice for keeping children safe online with advice on dealing with cyber bullies, avoiding predators and staying protected from hackers and viruses. The Digital, Stem and Coding Skills Zone provides children with skills for the future mixing education and fun.The Children’s Media Zone will be a great space to meet children’s TV favourites as well as vloggers and bloggers and learn tips. Finally the Exceptional Angels Zone showcases the best inclusive and gender specific tech goodies. www.digitalkidsshow.co.uk

COOKING

FITNESS Exercise is something that many children develop an aversion to, yet it remains crucial to their overall health and wellbeing.Todder Children’s Books’ Ready, Steady, Mo! is a picture book inspired by British double Olympic champion and national sporting hero Mo Farah.The book is written in funny, rhyming text with vibrant illustrations, encouraging children to exercise and families to read together.

Cooking is an essential skill for children to acquire as they grow up and can help to stand them in good stead nutritionally in later life.

Cookery classes can help them to become comfortable in the kitchen and pick up essential cooking techniques. Matthews Kitchen run courses in the comfort of your own home, or at Sadgrove Farm in Bucklebury, Berkshire. Courses are on a one day basis, from 9am to 3pm and cost around £100 a head. www.matthewskitchen.co.uk 8

Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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Bubble trouble Create blissful bathtimes this autumn with these baby essentials

Bathtime is an important part of a baby’s daily routine, and particularly in autumn, a wam soak can not only help little ones to get warm and cosy before bed, but also keep their skin protected against the elements.

To help you and your baby get the most out of bathtime, here is our list of essentials:

Hands free towel

The Cuddledry hands free towel (pictured right) addresses one of the most difficult tasks a new parent faces - how to stop baby getting cold after bathtime. With the launch of the new grey stars design, now babies can be stylish as well as cosy at bath time.The Cuddledry towel is available to buy for £29.99 from Mothercare, John Lewis, Boots, JoJoMamanBebe and Kiddicare as well as the Cuddledry website www.cuddledry.com.

The bath seat

The Babymoov Aquaseat (£29.99 RRP) ensures that babies continue to be kept safe and comfortable whilst bathing. This stylish bath seat, designed for babies aged 7-16 months (6-14kg), offers extra wide openings to ensure it’s easy to manoeuvre baby in and out, whilst keeping him/her upright and secure. The smooth, sculpted design ensures there are no sharp edges, and provides plenty of freedom to move, splash and play. A soft, silicone lined base and arches provide maximum comfort, and four suction pads work to keep the Aquaseat firmly in place. www.babymoov.co.uk

Natural suds

by Emma Arkell, Owner of www.magic-cream.co.uk Bathtime is a lovely moment of the day for your child, especially when bubbles are involved. Many parents wrongly believe that if their child has skin problems (such as eczema), they shouldn’t use any products in the bath and GPs often advise this. I found myself in this situation in 2001 when my one year old developed severe cracked and bleeding eczema. Calling on my Aromatherapy knowledge, I decided to create a bubble bath for babies and children that would also help skin problems. I called it “Little People’s Bathtime Fun” and used a simple formula of Organic Wild Lavender and Organic German Chamomile.

These two essential oils have extraordinary healing powers and are entirely safe when used correctly. Between them, they relieve itching and irritation, soothe and heal the skin, encourage it to regrow and also have antiseptic properties for skin that has become angry and inflamed through scratching. As an added bonus, they have sedative properties which calm your child, ready for a good night’s sleep. For best results, let your child have a really good play in the bath for at least 10-15 minutes without using any other products.

Natural remedies for the skin and body including Eczema, Psoriasis, Chicken Pox, Nappy Rash, Teenage Spots, Acne, Nits and much more...

For further advice and information: please contact emma@magic-cream.co.uk 01962 776918 / 07702 309688 www.magic-cream.co.uk

For further advice or information, please contact Emma on 07702 309688, email emma@magic-cream.co.uk or go to www.magic-cream.co.uk.

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Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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TEEN HEALTH A round up of the latest health and wellness matters affecting children and teens

Teen nutrition concerns A recent BBC news article reports how teens are trialling a new school start of 1pm to increase concentration levels.

The issue of lagging energy levels for teens is a concerning one, but one that can be overcome with the right foods, according to nutritionist Dr. Sarah Schenker.

A recent survey has found a quarter of teens don’t have the energy for after-school clubs and 30% of 16 year olds go more than six hours without food between lunch and dinner. A quarter of teens would choose pre-packaged snacks if they needed energy. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-34763366>

Website of the month Totally Tween is an exciting new online platform for 8 to 12 year old girls. It features discussions, news and videos on fashion, films and music, with reviews, howtos and games to help keep young minds busy. ww.totallytween.co.uk

Dreaming big When it comes to career ambitions, today’s British youngsters are most likely to want to work in a caring profession according to John Lewis Home Insurance. Research of 500 6-12 year-olds found they mostly dream of being teachers (14%), vets (13%) or doctors (11%).(1) The survey also revealed that 6% of children in the UK aspire to become a dancer and 5% of children wish to become an astronaut, with 5% of young people wanting to become musicians and 4% aiming to be a chef. Margaret Burke, Head of Marketing, Financial Services at John Lewis, said: “It is great to harbour aspirations as you grow up because you never know where they might take you.

To find out more about John Lewis Home Insurance please visit www.johnlewis-insurance.com or by calling 0330 102 2742.

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Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

‘14% of children in the UK aspire to become a teacher’

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Happy or ‘Hangry’ – diet and teen mood swings Being a teenager can be a rollercoaster of emotions. New hormones develop in the body which lead to sexual development and physical growth.

These chemical changes can make teen life seem overwhelming which can cause sadness, mood swings and in some cases, depression.

Diet can play a major role in moods and regularly consuming fast food, sweets and crisps (all things they seem to favour!) can cause teen dispositions to take a turn for the worse. Simon Bandy, General Manager of Veganicity, offers some top diet tips to help your teen stay happy and healthy: Being ‘hangry’:This term for becoming angry when hungry rings true. Our bodies need fuel to work and if you become overly hungry, it is likely that your mood will diminish. While you won’t be able to control everything your teen eats, try to encourage them to opt for healthy snacks and make nutritious meals for them where possible. Sugar-rich snacks may give them a quick boost but will result in a blood sugar crash, making them

feel worse in the long term.

Eating fresh: With food and our bodies, the saying ‘rubbish in, rubbish out’ is pretty accurate. Our bodies need nutrients and the best way to gain them is through fresh, whole foods such as vegetables, wholemeal carbohydrates and fruit. Processed food such as microwave meals, crisps, chocolate and takeaways can contain unhealthy amounts of fat, sugar and preserving chemicals. Keep these as a treat.

Chemical balance: Sex hormones, oestrogen and testosterone, are thought to play a huge role in teen mood swings, anxiety and even depression. The chemicals alter the brain’s emotional processing areas at a time when young adults are trying to figure out their place in the world. On top of this, poor diet and erratic sleep patterns can also affect brain chemistry. Encourage your teen to eat and sleep well and educate them as to why. Veganicity’s 5-HTP tablets (£12.95/30 tabs) are a natural precursor to serotonin (the happy chemical) which may help to balance moods and minimise anxiety. Always see a doctor if at all worried about your teen.

MUST READS Teenage Girls is must-read book for teens and parents which includes diet & nutrition, stress management, self-esteem, relationships, mom/daughter communication, career planning, positive attitude development, and more! http://tinyurl.com/z4tu4qs

STRESSED OUT FOR TEENS shows teenagers ow to be calm, confident and focused through principles and skills that help them discover their higher potential £11.95.

All parents want their daughters to become confident, happy, self-sufficient women, but the turbulent years of early adolescence can be difficult to navigate. From Tweens to Teens invites parents to rethink how they prepare their daughters to face these difficult developmental

A question of nutrients A ground-breaking clinical trial, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, has shown for the first time that a specific vitamin, mineral and omega-3 fatty acid supplement (WellTeen tablets, Vitabiotics London) may affect the behaviours of UK teenagers.The study was conducted by the University of Oxford, with 196 healthy children aged 13 – 16 years old attending the Robert Clack secondary school in East London. The children were enrolled into the 12 week double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial and split into two groups. One group was given the nutritional supplements while the other group was given placebos.Blood samples were taken to measure the change in vitamin, mineral and omega-3 levels during the study. These were found to be low at the start of the study and significantly improved in the treatment group receiving the nutrient supplements over the 12 weeks.Behaviour change was measured using the Conner’s scale and school disciplinary records. Using the disruptive behaviour scale, the results showed that the behaviour in the students receiving the supplements improved, while the behaviour of the pupils receiving the placebo worsened. Professor John Stein, Emeritus Professor of Physiology, Dept. Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, who led the research said, “Nutrient deficiencies have been implicated in antisocial behaviour, hence correcting them may improve sociability. When assessed using validated and standardised tests, supplementary nutrition may have a protective effect against worsening behaviour.”Dr Jonathan Tammam, principal researcher on the study, said “Our research adds to the growing body of evidence that nutrition can impact the cognitive health and behaviour of children. These findings have implications for public health policy and the aim of understanding how improvements in dietary intake can benefit the health and lives of individuals and society.” www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Confidence crisis Girls as young as eight are contacting ChildLine because the pressures of modern society have left them with crippling fears about the way they look, the NSPCC has revealed. Mounting pressures to ‘look good’ resulted in the NSPCC’s ChildLine service receiving 1,596 contacts from girls worried about body image last year (2015/16), a 17% increase on the previous year. Girls are 8 times more likely to contact ChildLine with body image worries than boys. The majority of girls who called ChildLine about body image are aged between 12 and 15, however the service received 77 calls from girls aged 11 and under. Some who contacted the service said they struggled to cope with the intense pressure to look like the women they saw in the media, stating they felt ‘fat’, ‘ugly’ and ‘disgusting’ in comparison. Worryingly, some girls said they searched for images of ‘skinny’ women to inspire them to stop eating.

Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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Baby sleep special

Did you know?

It’s a little-known fact that chemical fire-retardant sprays are used on many baby mattresses. That’s why The Little Green Sheep have dedicated their time to creating the best quality baby mattresses, which are naturally fireproof. A typical mattress from The Little Green Sheep contains four simple ingredients. These include breathable cotton yarn, the fibres of organic coconut husks, which form a supportive core, natural latex from the Hevea Tree, which binds the coconut fibres and acts as a comfy, supportive layer. And finally, organic sheep’s wool – hypo-allergenic and temperature-regulating, which is a naturally fire-proofing material and removes the need for chemical fire retardant sprays. www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk

Rock a bye baby Parents can wave goodbye to aching arms and tired legs, having rocked their little one into a slumber, thanks to Sleepybobo – the first, handsfree, portable rocker, with universal adaptability!

Sleepybobo aka ‘Gerry the Giraffe’ has been designed by parents to help soothe, settle and relax baby with a gentle, automated, rocking motion. The universal design means Sleepybobo is capable of rocking everything from car seats and bouncers, through to cribs and Moses baskets, up to 11kg in weight. With a 30-min timer, it can calm the most fractious and colicky baby, whilst allowing parents the freedom to carry on with other tasks, or simply to take a much needed rest!   Being lightweight and portable, Sleepybobo can be easily relocated around the home and packed away in the car for holidays and visits to friends and family. The child-friendly giraffe design with soft, tactile features provides Sleepybobo with plenty of ‘cute appeal’, and helps add a level of familiarity to any environment – at home or away.

Priced at £85 RRP, Sleepybobo is available to purchase from: www.innbp.co.uk

Don’t forget the bedtime story Home from home Staying away from home can wreak havoc with baby’s sleep routine, so it pays to have a portable baby bed that can help increase their chances of a good night’s rest. The BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light is not only safe and secure, it also features a generous and comfortable mattress that can be used from newborn to approx. 3 years. It is easy to take with you, weighing just 13 lb/6 kg including the carrying case. It is also user friendly and can be set up with one simple movement, and folded away just as easily.

RRP: £119.99 www.babybjorn.co.uk

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Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

Research has revealed it’s still the simple pleasures in life that make our children smile. Forget technology - reading stories (28%) remains one of the best and simplest ways of putting a smile on a child's face, said the survey of 1,000 parents and children.

We love Tales from Acorn Wood, Postman Bear www.amazon.co.uk

The research commissioned by Wrigley's Extra®, spoke to children and their parents about what makes them smile to mark the launch of its own storybook, The Lost Smile. Joseph Coelho, author of The Lost Smile said: "It’s so exciting to hear from the research that a simple bedtime story is still so meaningful to children. Children give smiles so easily and yet as grown-ups, the pressures of modern life can stop the smiles from happening.This book is a simple nudge to parents to smile. You smile and the world smiles back.”

The book is available for £3.99 RRP and all funds raised through its sale will go towards supporting the work of Action for Children and the Oral Health Foundation. www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Sleeping like a

baby

(Not)

Baby not sleeping throught the night.

You’re not alone... and there MAY be a solution

by Caroline Seekings, Editor

Getting a baby to sleep through the night is the ultimate parenting goal, and the one that we channel a significant proportion of our motherly efforts (and often money) into achieving.

And why? Because sleep, from any angle, is the most important comodity, for mum and baby. All of the other challenges of being a parent are made more manageable, to some extent, by the simple measure of 8 (or even 5) hours sleep.

As the mum of a 9 month old baby boy who is yet to settle into a regular and substantial sleep pattern, the pursuit of sleep is an all too familiar endeavour. Having scoured the internet and poured over article upon article on baby sleep, I can safely say I have tried and tested each and every approach, ranging from making sure baby goes down awake, right through to the popular ‘crying it out’ approach. Briefly speaking, I have documented my findings as follows: Crying it out This is a popular method of getting a baby to sleep through, but one which my personal opinion has always veered me against.

Having read one book which affirmed my original thoughts (that responding to cries during the day, but not in the daunting dark of night, could bring considerable stress to a baby) made me all the more certain that this approach was not for me. During one particularly restless night, my partner and I trialed it for 2 minutes (at most) and the cries were so painful and unrelenting that we quickly reverted to offering some comfort to our clearly distressed child.

This is not to presume that the approach does not work per se, since we have many friends with similar aged children for whom 3 nights of crying it out had the result of breaking their baby’s night waking habit. www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Hit the sac The usefulness of these baby sleep bags is open to debate. Certainly in the months before my baby was able to roll and stand up, they were invaluable, eliminating the worry of whether or not he was going to pull the blanket up over his head in his sleep. They also took away the problem of baby kicking the blankets off and getting chilly in the night. 9 months in, however, a problem occured. After observing how my baby would wriggle, roll over, and re-settle in the cat stretch position during his naps, I concluded that a sleep sac at night may be inhibiting his natural movements and thus contributing to the regular wake ups.

We reverted to a blanket, only for the usual kicking off action to resume, and then fortunately discovered a sleep sac with legs, which enabled much easier rolling/shuffling and had all the same thermal benefits of the original bag design. This rule may not apply to every baby, but could be worth a try if you are battling with a regular waker.

Wonderful water Night feeds can certainly wear a little thin by the time you hit month 9, and in fact some schools of thought say that by this age, they are unnecessary nutritionally.

While some nights will see me revert back to feeding (mainly during teething periods) the in-between times when baby is generally content will see him satisfied and back to sleep after a few sips of water from a beaker.

All those months I sat up breastfeeding I wish I had known a quick swig of H20 was all that was needed. Admittedly it doesn’t work every time, but for the few times it does take the pressure of, it is worth a shot as a precursor to breastmilk.

can seem like an awake baby in distress could be a bad dream, in which case picking baby up will do nothing but wake him up and put him (and then you) in a bad mood.

To sing or not to sing Rocking and singing may be well meaning, but sometimes it can be more stimulating/ irritating to a baby than calming. Some days, my baby loves my dulcit tones and is asleep just as This Old Man is about to play four, and other days he writhes and screams in disgust. Play it by ear, and read the signs.

Sometimes, silence really is golden.

When all else fails...

By

If you can’t find the solution for your child’s sleep issues in books, on the internet or from your health visitor or friends, or if you simply want advice from an external person with experience and understanding of baby, toddler and children’s sleep, eating and behaviour, The Sleep Fairy could help you.

Dee Booth, Sarah Quick and Liz Ferris are a team of parenting advisors who know that all children are different, so they will help find the solution that is suitable for you and your child. www.sleepfairyparentrescue.co.uk

Hold back The temptation to rush in at the first grumble can be overwhelming, but waiting for 20 seconds (at least) could be the difference between your baby re-settling himself, or being up for the next hour.What Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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Food, glorious food

The Truth behind 10 Common Weaning Myths

JOIN THE TABLE

The danchair by BabyDan is the perfect wooden high chair for feeding baby at meal times.

This new and updated version meets all the latest high chair safety standards and comes with a new quick release brace and strap. The strap, brace and safety harness keep baby securely in place while in use. £70 from www.johnlewis.com

Babymoov’s nutritionist and weaning expert, Julia Wolman, dispels 10 common myths associated with weaning as part of the #stresslessweaning campaign to help banish the anxieties expressed by parents when they start to wean their baby.   MYTH 1: ‘Babies can't eat lumps without teeth’ - They can.

A baby’s gums are strong enough to deal with soft lumps from about 6-7 months!

MYTH 2: ‘Babies shouldn't play with their food’ – Whilst the clean-up effort may prove a chore, it’s really important to allow baby to play with their food.

It’s a part of the learning process.

Mealtimes are more than merely eating food, for baby it’s also a time for tactile stimulation and sensory input. Not only do they learn about the colours, textures and tastes of food but they also begin learning how to self-feed - and when they throw food on the floor they are learning about gravity! #messisbest!

MYTH 3: ‘Weaning will help babies sleep through the night’ – The idea that solids will help your baby sleep is an old wives’ 14

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tale that has been disproven by medical studies. For young infants in particular, food and sleep should be viewed separately as there is no direct correlation between the two.

MYTH 4: ‘You should introduce a new food every 3 days’ – You can introduce a new food every day. Try mixing new foods with flavors your baby has already sampled.

MYTH 5: ‘It's up to mum to decide how much the baby should eat’ - Wrong! Babies have terrific built-in systems for gauging when they need food and when they’ve had enough.

If you let your child follow the cues of his/her natural appetite, they’ll eat what they need to fuel their growth and development without overdoing it. Look out for cues from your baby, such as, closing the mouth and refusing to open it, turning the head away, slowing the pace of feeding, pushing food away, and shaking head. Some babies may cry when they've had enough too.

MYTH 6: ‘Babies are ready for weaning when they chew their fists’ - Not necessarily, this may be because baby has recently discovered their fists (around 4-months), or it could be a result

of teething.

MYTH 7: ‘Babies need bland / added flavor’ – Preference is a function of exposure. Babies will grow accustomed to what they’re fed; if exclusively served bland foods, they’ll learn to love bland, just as they would adapt and learn to love sweet and bitter tastes if they’re fed these all the time. Variety is the key.

It’s good to introduce as many tastes and textures early on to prevent food fussiness at a later stage.

MYTH 8: ‘Baby must be precisely six months old before weaning’ – Until the age of six months (26 weeks) babies get all the nutrition they need from their milk.

Weaning should therefore be started at or around this time. This is however a guideline age and not a hard-andfast rule! Every baby is different and so too is the pace at which s/he develops. You can often take cues from your baby; curiosity and interest in food, good handto-mouth coordination, chewing motions made with the mouth.

MYTH 9: ‘Food is just for fun until they’re one’ – This is not entirely accurate, the weaning experience should of course be fun but once you’ve reduced

the breastmilk/formula intake, solids will form a supplement to baby’s nutrient and vitamin intake. From about six months of age, the iron stores that babies are born with, begin to deplete, so getting iron from the diet becomes an important part of weaning in the first year. At 9-11 months of age, for example, the proportion of the Recommended Nutrient Intake that needs to be supplemented by complementary foods is 97% for iron, 86% for zinc, 81% for phosphorus, 76% for magnesium, 73% for sodium and 72% for calcium.

MYTH 10: ‘If you’re taking a baby-led weaning approach, you can’t spoon feed purees’ – This is not true. You don’t need to adopt an exclusive approach to the means and method by which you feed your baby. Finger foods can - and should - be introduced alongside spoon-fed purees, just as spoon-fed purees can be introduced alongside finger foods. Taking a mixed approach can help with the introduction of different textures, as well as nutritional content. It’s also a useful means by which to introduce cutlery. www.babymoov.co.uk www.mums-magazine.co.uk

We love

Bite size

Our pick of the best baby placemats

Stay put dippy face place £9 http://www.tumtumtots.com

Placemat £28 from www.nibbling.co.uk

Weaning the

Italian way

Baby at the Table by Michela Chiappa s 3 step guide to weaning the Italian way. Michela Chiappa is the face of the weaning section of Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube channel and was voted one of the UK’s top 10 parenting vloggers in 2015. In Baby at the Table¸ mother-of-two Michela Chiappa offers practical, healthy solutions for the busy parent. Using minimal ingredients, taking minimal time and making minimal mess, Michela creates inexpensive and nutritious meals for all the family. From no cook purees to picky eater treats and five minute meals, this book is ideal for parents with babies starting on solids, tricky toddlers and anyone working towards that (often elusive) evening meal which can be enjoyed by the whole family.

The juice debate

Around the World with the Ingreedies is a beautifully illustrated and original new picture book that will get kids excited about the food they eat and where it comes from.With a mix of crazy characters, trivia, maps and recipes the whole family can cook and enjoy together, this is a great book for parents who need some help to make mealtimes fun again! This is a book that both parents and children will absolutely love, and great fans of Richard Scarry and Tintin.

Supersized issue

Could cutting out juice be doing more harm than good?

Why UK parents are overfeeding

New research shows that squeezing out juice from kids’ diets may do more harm than good. Experts are worried that confusion around sugar consumption is similar to the anti-fat message which during the 70s and 80s saw all fats – even those considered today as ‘good fats’ - banished from diets. Could sugar be the barrier to the 91% of children failing to meet the 5 A DAY target?

According to research by The Infant and Toddler Forum, one in ten parents regularly give pre-school children meals close to the size of adult portions, and parents are unaware of the health consequences of feeding too much too often. The #rethinktoddlerportionsizes campaign sheds light on this matter and encourages parents to rethink the popular notion of how much food toddlers need. The findings also highlighted the emotional complexities of feeding toddlers: 73% are more concerned that their child does not eat enough - twice as likely as they are to be concerned that their child eats too much. There was also a tendency for parents to use food or drink between meals as a pacifier, with 36% of parents using this method to calm children down when they are upset. Experts warn that using food or drink as a reward, to comfort and/or distract encourages young children to rely on food to deal with emotions, teaching them to continue this behaviour in later life.

With 91% of children currently failing to meet the 5 A Day target, new analysis of data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) has shown that children who drink pure fruit juice are 42% more likely to meet their 5 A DAY. Celebrity nutritionist, Dr Sarah Schenker said: “Sugar has become public enemy no.1. Whilst overall I advocate a reduction in sugar consumption, removing pure fruit juice completely from a child’s diet overlooks the essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, folate and potassium that it provides.

It seems ill-judged to me that parents may be reluctant to give their children pure fruit juice when the 5 A DAY target is so widely missed.

I would encourage people to enjoy a sensible amount (150ml) of 100% fruit juice on a regular basis. It is an easy and tasty way to get one of your 5 A Day, especially for fussy eaters, and it can also help children become used to the taste of fruit and vegetables, helping lead to long-term positive food choices.” www.mums-magazine.co.uk

The Infant & Toddler Forum have developed a user-friendly guide to the recommended portion size ranges for children aged 1-4 to help parents take the guesswork out of how much is enough. www.infantandtoddlerforum.org/portionsizes *research by The Infant & Toddler Forum (ITF).

Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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Simple steps to help you move house with a baby

By Lucy Todd

So a few months after having a baby, I felt it just wasn’t quite enough. If only there were some way I could make my life that little bit more complicated and stressful. Got it… how about having a baby THEN moving house shortly afterwards. Yessss!! *claps hands in glee.

But seriously - no, it wasn’t that after just four and a half months mumming had become a doddle and I’d decided to look for a new challenge. The house move had actually been going on since just after we found out I was pregnant. We sold our old two-bed flat almost instantly and managed to find our ideal des res within a few months. There was no chain and everything was looking favourable for a quick sale. Alas, it was not to be. The idea of getting into the new place and making it all cosy and babyfriendly before the Little One arrived didn’t pan out quite as we envisaged.

Seven and a half months later we finally got the keys. The two of us.

And a four and a half month old.

But fear not, it is totally do-able and not quite the sum of all fears that we’d imagined whilst i was pregnant.

So find below my top tips for moving house with baby. One thing i would say is that if you can’t move before the arrival of your little one, then try to leave it til they are at least three months old. By that stage they are able to go just a little bit longer between feeds, and there is at least a small chance you may have a rough idea of when they’ll be hungry/tired etc. If you have two or more kids, enlist someone to take the older ones off your hands for the duration if possible. You know kids LOVE sleepovers, right..?

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www.mums-magazine.co.uk

AHEAD OF THE MOVE 1. When you’re getting things ready for the move realise that it will take you days to do something that it might have taken you just a morning to do pre-baby. Sorting out drawers for example. Filing unopened bank statements.

2. with Number 1 in mind, start decluttering early doors - you don’t want to spend time and money moving stuff that you ultimately have no use for. They say, as a rule of thumb, it takes about twice as long as you think. And then i reckon about four times longer than that when you have a baby.

3. Start informing banks, utility companies, your internet service provider, magazine subscriptions etc of your new address around 3-4 weeks ahead of the move if you can.

There are free websites you can sign up to that do it all for you when you input the relevant information.

4. If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, express some extra for a week or two preceding the move so someone else will be able to do a baby feed.

DURING THE MOVE 5. Get professional movers in and consider opting for an enhanced packing / unpacking service if you can afford it. Be aware that they can cost a lot more though and it’s worth shopping around. At the very least, get your movers to rebuild any furniture that’s had to be dismantled during the move, like beds or tables.

6. Forget any kind of imposed routine. Let baby sleep as long as they like and feed them when their yelps become too persistent to ignore any more.

7. Enlist help. Someone to watch baby for even a few hours is really useful. Call on family members, friends, neighbours or anyone who you trust to look after your little one for a bit.

8. Make sure the baby bouncer / playmat is to hand for when you do have baby. Make a room, or a corner of a room, their little space and make sure you have plenty of toys to keep them occupied. Have their carrycot / travel cot nearby for nap times.

9. After a hard day’s unpacking in your new home, decamp to www.mums-magazine.co.uk

someone else’s house or even to a hotel, if you must. This might sound like crazy talk what with being finally in your new pad and all excited and stuff, but trust me. Having a safe haven in which to do baby bath time and the evening feed is a godsend.

Somewhere clean and clutter-free where you can sit on the sofa and watch an hour’s telly before falling exhausted into bed is honestly the best thing you can do for yourselves.

We stayed at my mum’s for three nights!

10. Don’t even think of cooking that first night. Perfect time to test out your new local takeout, i’d have thought?

AFTER THE MOVE 11. Make sure you and your partner have cleared your diaries the few days following moving day to try to get things as sorted as possible.

Once the main furniture is in place, take your time with the rest. You need time to live in your new house in order to figure out the best homes for your stuff anyway.

12. Ditto any major house renovations. Live in your new home for six months before getting plans drawn up for building work. You need to get a feel for the house and the ways in which you’ll use it.

You might be surprised at how your priorities change.

LIVING DOLL Homebase recently unveiled the world’s first ever Doll’s Home to reflect modern day living. The Home brings to life the Top 10 Fundamental Pillars to a more Harmonious Home curated by Homebase Design and Well-being expert, Oliver Heath.

This comes as new research proves that despite two thirds of families (67%) spending more time in the home than ever before, less time is being spent together with the average household socialising less than one hour per day (58 minutes). Another insight is that 3.7 million UK parents confess that their one retreat for peace and quiet is the bathroom.

Try to relax and not stress too much. It’ll all work out in the end, you’ll see.

Happy homes Parenting can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences – but it can also be one of the toughest. There are times where you are having to deal with conflict, behavioural issues, discipline that seems to go nowhere, and heightened stress. So, how do you keep your relationship with your kids on track?

In his new book Parenting for a Happier Home renowned psychologist Stuart Passmore has written a research-driven parenting guide to ensure your family unit stays harmonious. It shows readers how to develop a stronger relationship with your child,recognise the four parenting styles and where you sit, enhance your child’s emotional development and understand the important role of parental modelling. It also helps you to implement discipline systems that actually work and repair damaged relationships and develop greater respect.

Parenting for a Happier Home By Stuart Passmore £12.95 | Exisle Publishing Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

17

Rainy play days

It’s not game over for kids today, as gadgets lose out to the great outdoors.

Still loving the great outdoors Global family toy brand, smarTrike has shown that little ones are just as excited by nature and the great outdoors today than ever before with its #smartDiscoveries campaign. In a survey commissioned by the much-loved brand involving 1,086 parents, mums and dads across the UK were asked to rank the discoveries that have most excited their children:. With a strong lead, seeing ducks at the park was a clear winner, followed by dogs walking past, with touching the flowers and birds flying in the sky a close 3rd and 4th. www.smartrike.com

Don’t let the rain put a dampener on outdoor play time this autumn

Playing pooh sticks, building dens and exploring the forest are still more popular with kids than TV, gaming and tablets, according to a new survey – proving the digital revolution is still no match for the lure of the great outdoors.

A survey by Forestry Commission England – to coincide with the launch of the Stick Man Games – has challenged any fears about the gadget loving generation being permanently attached to their electronic devices, as 84 per cent of 1,300 parents said their children (under 10s) prefer to play outdoors than use their computers, games consoles or watch TV. Contrary to popular belief, an overwhelming 92 per cent of children shun their gadgets while exploring the forest and prefer to play with the natural items they come across on their woodland walk.

The Stick Man Games take place throughout September, alongside the popular activity trails organised by Forestry Commission England in conjunction with Magic Light Pictures. Based on the much-loved book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the Stick Man Games give families the chance to take part in a range of fun forest sporting activities with their favourite book character.

This September guests will have the chance to meet Stick Man at selected sites and will have the opportunity to take part in an action packed sports day. Visitors will enjoy everything from a twig baton relay race, to a fantaSTICK obstacle course!

A free Stick Man Games activity pack can be downloaded from the Forestry Commission website, which gives families everything they need to host their own Stick Man Games this summer.

The pack is full of fun stick-themed games and activities, plus warm up exercises, bib template, scoresheet, and cut-out medals and certificates for the champions.

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WRAP UP WARM

FASHION ESSENTIALS TO KEEP LITTLE ONES TOASTY

Wonder socks!

Carrying an unbeatable TOG rating of 2.34, Heat Holders Socks are the ideal choice for keeping smaller feet warm on those chilly days. The intensely brushed inners are super-soft against sensitive skin, and are fully machine washable, perfect for busy family life! www.heatholders.com

Little snuggle fleece ÂŁ32 www.frugi.com

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Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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work/life: balanced The key to working from home with kids by Kristen Harding from Tinies (www.tinies.com)

It’s 1pm; Johnny’s had his nap, both children are fed, you’ve picked at their leftovers - time to put your feet up. Or not, if you’ve opted to work from home!

This may be your regular working pattern, or you may have negotiated flexible working terms for the summer holidays as many people are being granted permission to work from home, allowing them more flexibility and a solution to the ever growing costs of childcare.

Working from home while watching the children, works well for some people; however, it’s not ideal for all.

Everyone needs to try it for themselves and decide if: a) They work well from home – not everyone does! b) The ages and dispositions of their children are conducive to working from home - not all of them are! c) They are productive – again, not everyone is productive away from their desk, but others are more so!

For many employers, the notion of working a strict 9 to 5 has changed, and they are looking for output volumes rather than ‘face time’ - not the iPhone app; rather, the amount of time you spend in front of your employer. You may find that your employer is happy to accommodate an altered working pattern over the summer rather than have you off for long periods of time.

There will be stages in your child’s development that allow you more time to focus on the tasks at hand, and other stages that they need much more of your time and attention. The summer months can prove difficult, especially if the weather is nice and the kids want to be outside. In the long run, you will have to decide if combining work and childcare works for you and then find a way to implement it.

From our experience working with mums and dads who combine work with childcare, we have a few suggestions: Schedule your time: Remember you are doing two jobs, so schedule things accordingly. Just as you have set hours in the office, designate set hours in the day that you are going to dedicate to 20

Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

work, give yourself built in breaks depending on the age and needs of your child.

Finding childcare Use your parent networks and if you don’t have one, it’s time to start building!

Trading children for a few hours is a brilliant way of having an afternoon of quiet time to focus on the task at hand. Even if you have family who can step in in an emergency, have a back-up plan in place for when you have a last minute meeting, or an outstanding deadline. Things don’t always run smoothly but if you prepare for worst case scenarios, then every day is a lot less bumpy! Have Emergencychildcare.co.uk in your SOS contact list.

Be Honest Be honest with yourself and those you work with. If you’ve scheduled a call and your child wakes up, don’t try to pretend you’re in the office – tell them you’re working from home and Johnny has woken up early. Try to carry on with the call – however, if the situation becomes too much, ask to re arrange the call. It will be more productive for everyone.

When your child is old enough, explain to them that Mummy is working, or that mummy needs to make a telephone call. Give them a task and explain that you’ll engage with them once the call is over. Don’t forget your conversations at home, be honest about how you are feeling. Are you coping, or do you need help? What would help lighten the load? Remember only you know how you’re managing - don’t expect others to be able to read your mind.

Remove the roadblocks Make sure you have an area of your home that you can set up as an office – as your children get older, it will be easier to explain that Mummy is working if they associate you working with a particular location – even if it is a corner of the sitting room.

Entertaining your children while you’re working Every child is different and you’ll need to find things that are of interest to your child.

When finding activities that your child can do self-sufficiently, think about the amount of

supervision they need. Activities like painting are not ideal when you don’t have a watchful eye on the artist! Generally you want to think about activities that take a longer period of time, so that you can focus for longer.

And you want to get them focused on one activity at a time – if you put all their toys in front of them at the same time, they will be bored in no time; if you slowly introduce toys or activities as the day progresses, you’ll hold their attention for longer. If you have older children who are internet-savvy, set them challenges and get them to help you where they can. You might set them a task that helps you – e.g. counting columns on a spreadsheet, or adding numbers – you may have to double check, but feeling like they’re your helper will keep them busy! Don’t be afraid to turn to the TV as a treat when you need a solid period of quiet. Be careful not to fall into the trap of using the TV as your babysitter.

Flexible Working Boosts Productivity

According to a survey conducted

by Powwownow, over 82% of respondents feel more productive when working from home.When given the option employees prefer flexible hours to a flexible location. 44% of workers said that being able to get work done with no distractions was the biggest appeal to flexible working, however, less traffic was a close second with over 40% citing that reason.Women tend to ask for flexible working more than men, as they would like to spend more time with children.

In terms of childcare, over 60% of employers say that they are more likely to allow flexible working due to child care commitments.

19.1% of employees say that the appeal of flexible working would be because it lessens the costs associated with childcare, with over 22% of women and over 15% of men saying this.

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Kids and the City According to recent research, 26% of young women say they think if they remain in their organisation it will take up too much of their life or they can’t see how it could work if they have children. This same study found that 86% of young women think being a mother is a hindrance. However, just 5% believe being a father is a hindrance to career. Although the newly launched legislation surrounding shared parental leave is an attractive option for twothirds (63%) of young women the overwhelming majority (94%) see barriers to achieving this. 46% of young women think that returning to work after children will result in fewer opportunities being offered to them and 60% of young women think colleagues will assume they are less serious about their career if they have a young child.

The study – Women and the City – is available to download from https:// executive-coaching.co.uk/newsviews/research-articles/

Become a Mumpreneur Forever Living are a 35 year-old company originally founded in the USA. Last year they had sales of over $2.6 billion in over 150 countries, and £50 million In the UK in the UK alone off the back of the booming health & nutrition marketplace.

The Forever Living range includes skin care products, cosmetics and supplements for weight management, sports perfomance and animal care. Aloe is the first ingredient (‘aloe-with’ not ‘withaloe’) and due to the patented stabilisation process, their products are more effective than many other Aloe based products.You can also be assured that all of their products are endorsed and recommended by an eminent advisory board of doctors, vets and nutritionists.

Last minute care A typical working parent in the UK will have a childcare breakdown 9 times a year and one in five sick days are due to childcare problems at home, according a recent survey by IT software provider, Timeware.

Cited as the most common reason for British workers calling in sick, the research proves that parents across the UK need options and advice for when their childcare solutions fall through.

Emergency Childcare (www. emergencychildcare.co.uk/) is a membership service that allows parents to plan ahead, put a backup plan in place and book last minute childcare anywhere in the UK with as little as 2 hours notice. Whether you need a backup nanny, emergency nursery or last minute childminder, there's help on hand.

www.mums-magazine.co.uk

Please contact Louise Fenna, an independent Distributer based in Maidenhead for more details : tel 07809 438074 or email louise.sprackling@googlemail.com

MORE FLEXIBLE WORKING A joint report by Digital Mums and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) reports that a lack of flexible work is costing the economy up to £62.5 billion in wasted mum talent.

Commenting on the report released today by Digital Mums and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), Miranda Banks, NCT Head of Communications and Campaigns, mother of two and flexible worker, said: “It’s time for UK businesses to get themselves out of the dark age and start valuing performance over the ability to clock in from 9 to 5.Too often new mums reentering the workplace face a triple whammy of biases: gender, age, and perceived skills gap. They’re written off as unambitious, having ‘chosen’ to be mothers or carers rather than scale the corporate ladder.

“By offering flexibility we have the opportunity to create more adaptable and sustainable workplaces. And that’s good for society, the economy and the working world as a whole.” www.nct.org.uk

Successful Driven People Required International health & beauty company expanding in UK & Europe If you want to earn extra income without compromising your current career / business call Louise Fenna now on 07809 438074 Independent Distributor of Forever Living Products Aloe vera drinking gels, supplements, skincare, personal care & cosmetics Forever Living Products, Longbridge Manor, Warwick, CW34 6RB, members of the Direct Selling Association Hoap0121 www.louisefenna.myforever.biz

Mums Magazine Autumn 2016

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Blue polyester spaghetti

Ali S comes across the last remaining scraps of her teenage son’s baby blanket

Last week I found a box of childhood knick-knacks that my 14 year-old son discarded several years ago because they were too ‘babyish’. I looked through the collection with a pang of nostalgia and pulled out the remnants of the baby blanket I bought before he was born.

I remember waddling into Mothercare like a bulbous penguin – hot, huffy and in a hurry to find comfort for the baby who had yet to draw his first breath. I remember taking the blanket home and washing it. I dried it, sniffed it and folded it up in gleeful anticipation. I dreamt of wrapping it around the soft little body that was kicking and wriggling and growing inside me, as I waited and waited and waited.

Eventually the baby came out and so did the blanket. At first it gave him warmth; later it gave him much more.

Security. Friendship. Somewhere to hide his face and cry.

A plaything to wrestle with in his cot, he held the blanket up and gazed at the sunlight through the woven holes.

He twisted it, hugged it and wrapped it around his feet.

He learnt to walk so then he could drag it, swing it and take it outside.

Eventually the blanket got torn, but he didn’t mind because then he had two! Oops then it got torn again, but where did the other piece go? The baby got bigger and tougher, his blanket got smaller and shabbier. No longer needed, all that’s left of it now is a tattered scrap – a tired, tiny tangle of blue polyester spaghetti.

I had to use scissors to get what was left of the blanket out of the box because some of the more wayward threads had wrapped themselves like ivy around the other ‘special stuff’ from my son’s younger years: a carnival whistle, a sports day medal, a Mr Funny bookmark, glassless glasses and a cornucopia of other bits and bobs with cherished memories attached.

Handwoven Baby Blankets, created using non-itchy British Wool & non-toxic dyes Traditional design & choose your own colours for an inclusive price Made to last, be used & treasured Website: www.justwooltextiles@gmail.com Email: justwooltextiles@gmail.com Telephone/Text: 07739 844 090

My teenage boy is growing up fast, but what is left of his blue baby blanket will never be thrown away. I showed it to him when I found it and we laughed like fellow conspirators, remembering the bygone milky days with a knowing chuckle. We felt ever so grown up.

Ali S blogs at www.PostcardsFromHenley.com 22

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Going

POTTY! Potty training can seem like a daunting task, but there are ways to smooth the transition out of nappies.

Starting early Getting your child used to the feel of a potty early on can be useful preparation for when you do decide to put your training programme into practice. Simply sitting your child on his or her potty around the time that they would usually wee or poo (eg. after breakfast) means that the action will become more familiar to them over time.

Simple steps to help smooth the transition out of nappies teaching, whether they are at home or out and about. http://www.mycarrypotty.com/ potty-range www.cheekyrascals.co.uk)

Getting started

Make it fun There are many books that aim to introduce children to the concept of potty training, and reading these as part of their everyday routine is a gentle way of easing them into this impending period of change.

EDITOR’S PICK

Out and about When you do decide to start potty training, having a portable potty can certainly help to up your chances of success. With a portable potty such as the My Carry Potty below, parents can offer consistency in

It’s Potty Time is a story of little Bear, who is learning to use the potty. It shows how it’s sometimes quite tricky, but mummy knows what will help.

The ‘My Potty Training Pack’ contains everything you will ever need to successfully potty train in one box.This includes a ‘George & Hollie and the Magic Potties’ DVD, story book, reward Chart, stickers and box. A training programme and badge and a recognition Certificate, as well as access to useful online forums. http://pottytrainingacademy.co.uk/shop/pottytraining-pack/

www.marksandspencer.co.uk

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Onwards upwards

The top must-haves for growing babies finding their feet

Once your baby starts to move around and crawl, parenting with never be the same again. Gone are the days of putting your feet up (during their waking hours at least) as a baby who is finding his feet puts all your senses on high alert.Taking certain measures to ‘baby proof’ your home can relieve some of the pressure, and likewise there are certain toys and games that can help your little one channel their new found energy safely. These include: Toys The perfect solution to helping your baby find their feet is a walker such as this one (below) from Vtech. It has textured wheels and an easy grip handle and gives all the support they need to take their first steps.

It also has a fun-filled activity panel which introduces little ones to numbers, shapes, animals and colours.

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(£32.99 www.vtech.co.uk.) To help develop balance, strength and coordination, a rocking horse such as this one by Hape (below) can be invaluable. Suitable for children from 10 months, it is a fun and traditional addition to any playroom that children will love once they are up and about. (£64.99 from www.hapetoys.com)

A play pen Once your baby is on the move, getting on with household chores can be tricky. For this reason it helps to have a ‘safe zone’ where baby can play whilst you cook dinner or put the washing on. The Dreambaby® Royale Converta® 3 in 1 Play-Pen Gate (below) is a versatile and convenient way to keep

your child safe in any room of the house, and to provide a large, sturdy play area for them anywhere around the home. Easy to install and made from durable metal, this is a fantastic addition to any home. www.dreambaby. co.uk Your home isn’t the only area where changes are due as your baby speeds towards the 1 year mark. Their wardrobe also needs to adapt, as all that crawling, bouncing and walking can be tough on their delicate knees and toes. Some useful antidotes to sore knees are: Joggers and crawlers These provide coverage to help stop carpet burn and splinters when crawling on carpet or wood flooring. We love Frugi’s Kneepatch crawlers £18 https://www.welovefrugi. com, the Pirate Leggings (£10 from www. bladeandrose.co.uk) and these cactus Joggers RRP £39.50 https://www. threebearsthreads.com www.mums-magazine.co.uk

‘Once your baby is

the move, on with

on

getting

household

chores can be tricky.

For this reason it helps to have a

‘safe zone’

where baby can play whilst you cook dinner or put the washing on’

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the bookshelf

A Masters in Motherhood is written from the hilarious and humbling experiences of Gill Arthey, It takes readers on a real-world adventure with the author as she brings up triplets among the countryside, ponies and a fierce sense of patience.

The story is certainly an eye-opener for those who thought twins are too much to handle.

Spilt Milk Yoga is a companion to the inner journey of motherhood.

Approaching motherhood as a path to greater self-knowledge, author and artist Cathryn Monro combines personal experience, honesty and humour to ask such questions as ‘will motherhood ruin my life?’, ‘what happened to my body, and my career?’ and ‘Am I doing it right?’.

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Growing Up Happy by Alexia Barrable and Dr Jenny Barnett is a parenting book with a difference. It doesn't aim to teach you how to be a 'perfect' parent (its authors, who are best friends and parents themselves, know how under-pressure parents can feel to be perfect, and know how dangerous that pressure is) and its message is simple: there are a few key habits that happy people tend to have. Alexia and Jenny have defined ten of these aspects of happiness that, adopted and used regularly, should boost parents' (and children's) daily well-being.

Truly Happy Baby… It Worked for Me is the debut parenting guide from Holly Willoughby. In it, Holly shares everything she wishes she’d known when looking after her newborns. She may not be your archetypal ‘baby expert’ but having had three very different babies and experiences of parenthood herself, Holly knows more than most that one size parenting definitely doesn’t fit all. With chapters on everything from feeding, sleeping to looking after yourself, Truly Happy Baby…

It Worked for Me, aims to equip new mothers with all the know-how needed to get through the sleepless nights and concerns, to the magical first moments.

Margot Sunderland's famous bestseller, What Every Parent Needs to Know, remains the greatest work on what science can teach us about parenting. Substantially updated, redesigned, and with an important new chapter on the relationship between parent and child, she traces the direct effect of different parenting practices on children's developing brains, to show a gentle approach is most successful.

Angela Hanscom is a paediatric occupational therapist and the founder of a groundbreaking naturebased camp aimed at getting children active and engaged with nature. Her book - Balanced and Barefoot argues that outdoor play is vital for children's development and growth; yet is increasingly absent from their routines as modern lifestyle shifts towards encouraging children to learn and play through video games, TV and computers.

What Great Parents Do is an everything-you-need-to-know roadmap for parenting that you will consult again and again.

Psychologist Erica Reischer draws on research in child development and cognitive science to distil the best information about parenting today into bite-sized pieces with real examples, useful tips, and tools and techniques that parents can apply right away.

Read more at https://www. penguin.co.uk/books/1112665/ what-great-parentsdo/#YqrEDhxS2XGKhCWh.99

Author Louise Deane took parenting classes and realized she was doing too much, juggling all her responsibilities and causing stress in her life.

In attempting to balance her children and work, she stepped back and accepted that some tasks can wait and not everything must be done every day. “A 1/3 of the Time” (published by AuthorHouse UK) explores the lessons Deane learned in dealing with her own life and promotes changing feelings of not being good enough into thoughts of accepting all the wonderful things one does and relaxing in that mindset.

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Take control of your thyroid health with a comprehensive test you can trust

Thyroid disorders are thought to affect 1 in 20 of us, causing a range of problems including fatigue, weight issues, anxiety, hair loss and dry skin. At Medichecks we offer the widest possible range of tests, allowing you to take control of your own health. What’s more, our online results tracker allows you to follow your health journey over time.

Order your thyroid test www.mums-magazine.co.uk at mythyroidchecks.com

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is here to help!

We all know how unpredictable babies can be!

Even if you follow a regular routine, no two days are the same, and there are certain trigger times1 when your baby may be more prone to nappy rash 1.Morris H, The bottom line on nappy rash, British Journal of Midwifery, September 2012, Vol 20, No 9, pages 540-543

1

we an ing

2

com mon cold

Treatment

for Nappy Rash For occasions when it does strike, Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment can be used to treat nappy rash, relieving the irritation and redness.

3 teething

4 antib iotics

5

fi rst slee p through the nig ht

6

chan ge in di et

7

di ar rhoe a

Protection

from Nappy Rash For daily protection, use Metanium Everyday Barrier Ointment or Easy Spray Barrier Lotion at every nappy change to help prevent nappy rash.

Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment is a medicine. Always read the label.

www.metanium.co.uk

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