Mums
2018! Let the
begin... Set your New Year plans in motion
WINTER 2018
THE NEW YEAR ISSUE
Pretty peas Veg just got tasty!
Walk the walk Turn good intentions into action
LIVING the DREAM
From bar work to business owner... a story of turning www.mums-magazine.co.uk dreams into reality
POWER MUMS The habits of
Mums successful Magazine January 2018 1 life-jugglers
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Mums Magazine January 2018
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EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to the New Year issue of Mums Magazine. For many families, January is a period of re-adjustment and of getting back into normal routines, albeit often with some long planned for tweaks to coincide with those health and wellbeing resolutions. One area that we often tend to focus on as parents is our children’s nutrition, since we all know the challenge that getting them to meet that all-important fruit and veg quota can represent. On hand to help with her top tips is Nutritionist Angelique Panagos (page 14), and we’ve also looked at some ways to give the traditional lunch box a healthy make over (page 12). And the good intentions don’t (or shouldn’t) stop at our children, since we all know the importance of self care in the family health equation. From salvaging more ‘me time’ to initiating some positive lifestyle changes, you’ll hopefully find some helpful tips on pages 17 and 15. We had great pleasure in talking to some real-life ‘power mums’ who provided some insight into the key to becoming a successful ‘life juggler’ (page 18). If you are equally inspired by their motivation and organisation, why not make this year the year of great adventures, whether it’s a change of job like our Mum on page 29, or doing more together as a family, from days out and holidays (page 28) to simply enjoying more ‘playtime’ together (page 26). Enjoy the issue!
5. HEALTH KICKS Top tips for a healthy pregnancy 12. BOX CLEVER Is it time for a lunch box make-over? 14. PRETTY PEAS Veg just got healthy 15. WALK THE WALK Turn good intentions into action 17. THE RUSH HOURS How to salvage more ‘free time’ 18. POWER MUMS The habits of successful life-jugglers
Caroline Seekings
22. SNUGGLE UP Solutions to common baby sleep problems
Editor
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24. NAPPY DAYS The ‘how to’ of preventing nappy rash 26. NATURE NURTURES Don’t stay indoors this winter 27. WINTER WARMERS Wrap your little ones up this winter!
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28. LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN Where to visit in 2018 29. LIVING THE DREAM Turning dreams into reality 30. GIN & TONER Indulgence ideas for busy mums
Mums
2018! Let the
begin... Set your New Year plans in motion
WINTER 2018
THE NEW YEAR ISSUE
Pretty peas Veg just got tasty!
Walk the walk Turn good intentions into action
LIVING the DREAM
From travelling the world to returning to education.. five www.mums-magazine.co.uk mums tell their story!
POWER MUMS The 10 habits of Mums successful Magazine January 2018 1 life-jugglers
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.
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The Team: Editor Caroline Seekings caroline@lifestyle-magazines.co.uk Tel: 07834 233346 Imagery www.istockphoto.com
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HEALTH KICKS! Fatigue in pregnancy can often make it difficult to stick to a healthy lifestyle, but with the benefits of eating well and staying active well documented, the small changes can make a big difference...
Dr Marilyn Glenville PHD shares her recommended list of top foods for expectant mothers: Complex Carbohydrates (Low GI): These are the body’s primary source of fuel and provide slow releasing energy. They are also a good source of fibre and help to prevent constipation. Examples include brown rice, oats and wholegrain bread. Calcium: Calcium is needed for healthy bone formation and for controlling bloodclotting mechanisms. If there is not enough calcium in the mother’s diet it will be taken from her bones. Mothers are believed to lose up to 7% of their calcium stores during pregnancy. Good sources include, hard cheese, soya, salmon and sardines, green vegetables, almonds, pumpkin seeds, cooked dried beans Vitamin K: Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and for healing the womb after the birth of the baby. It is normally produced by gut bacteria, but it is also available from cauliflower and all the green leafy vegetables Fibre: Fibre is important during pregnancy to maintain a healthy bowel and prevent constipation (particularly prevalent towards the end of the pregnancy). Straining can often lead to post-natal piles. Good soluble fibre can keep the stools soft and moving but
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avoid bran. Foods rich in fibre include, Whole grains, fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds. You can also soak a tablespoon of whole linseeds in a glass of water overnight and swallow with an extra glass of water to help with the bowel. Healthy Fats: These provide you with energy, help to build cell walls and are used to develop your sex and stress hormones. Polyunsaturated fats and especially the Omega 6 and Omega 3 series of fats that are found in nuts, seeds and oily fish are of benefit to you and should be included in the diet. DHA an essential fatty acid found in oily fish is very important for the development of the brain and nervous tissue of the baby .A recent Taiwanese study also discovered a correlation between low omega 3 levels and depression. The study, which was conducted in Taichung’s China Medical University, did a comparative analysis of 33 women, where it was discovered that women with pre-natal depression had a lower intake of omega. Limit your portion of oily fish Oily fish is the most common food associated with high levels of omega 3. Nutritionist, Cassandra Barns tells us, “The omega-3 fat DHA found in oily fish is critical for brain health and studies have shown that low levels of DHA in the brain is associated with learning problems and memory deficits.” Salmon and bluefish tuna in particular have high levels of omega 3, however, experts
suggest you should have no more than 2 portions of oily fish per week while you’re pregnant. Due to this, it may be wise to add an omega 3 supplement to your diet. Cut down the sugar It’s no secret that sugary foods can have a significant impact on the body. Indulging in sweet treats regularly may also make you feel worse in the long run. Keeping your blood sugar in balance is crucial for helping you through this time as it directly affects mood and energy. Cassandra tells us, “Sugar can give us symptoms ranging from energy dips, a ‘sluggish’ feeling and poor skin, to more severe health problems including obesity, diabetes, premature ageing, and many other chronic health conditions.” Ensuring you have a healthy, balanced diet helps give you more energy, which can help you feel motivated. You can always substitute sugar for other healthier options. UK’s leading Nutritionist Marilyn Glenville (www.marilynglenville.com) advises to swap sugar filled snacks with healthy alternatives such as “carrots, raisins, dates, figs or bananas, which are great natural sweeteners.” Exercise You may shudder at the word, but exercise isn’t always grueling sweatdripping work. Exercise can help promote feelings of calm and wellbeing and can help strengthen your body for labour.
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““ As the going-to-sleep position is the one held longest during the night, women should not be concerned if they wake up on their back, but should simply roll back onto their side.
CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEPING ON SIDE DURING PREGNANCY The Midlands and North of England Stillbirth Study (MiNESS) found that women who go to sleep in the supine (lying on the back) position have a 2.3-fold increased risk of late stillbirth (after 28 weeks’ gestation) compared with women who go to sleep on their side. Led by Professor Alexander Heazell, Clinical Director at the Tommy’s Stillbirth Research Centre at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, MiNESS is the largest study to examine maternal sleep and late stillbirth. Although researchers cannot say for certain why the risk is increased, there are several theories. In the third trimester, when the woman is lying on her back, the combined weight of baby and uterus (womb) puts pressure on the main blood vessels that supply the uterus, and this can restrict blood flow/oxygen to the baby. Other possible explanations include disturbed breathing during sleep, which is worse when a woman sleeps on her back and in overweight or obese women, who also have an increased risk of stillbirth. The advice to pregnant women is to go to sleep on their side for any episode of sleep
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in the third trimester, including: • going to sleep at night • returning to sleep after any night awakenings • day time naps
As the going-to-sleep position is the one held longest during the night, women should not be concerned if they wake up on their back, but should simply roll back onto their side. The MiNESS study did not find a difference in risk between sleeping on the right or left side. One of the previous studies did show that sleeping on the right increased the risk, but as this was not found in the other three studies, the Tommy’s Sleep On Side campaign recommends that women can go to sleep on either side. Tips for going to sleep on your side in the last three months of pregnancy • Put a pillow or pillows behind your back to encourage side-sleeping. • If you wake during the night, check your position and go back to sleep on your side. • Pay the same attention to sleep position during the day as you would during the night. • If you wake on your back during the night, don’t worry, just roll onto your side. www.tommys.org
Know the signs
According to the PANDAS Foundation, 1 in 15 women suffer from a mental illness while carrying a baby, 13% suffer from anxiety and 12% experience depression. Bare Biology, UK’s leading Omega 3 company, is committed to helping people with perinatal depression, but how do you know if you are depressed whilst pregnant and who do you ask for support? Working with leading psychologist Anna Kingsley, fitness expert Louisa Drake, Sarah Fretwell and The Detox Kitchen, Bare Biology have created a self-help guide for mums-to-be. Anna Kingsley comments “Prenatal depression is an illness that strikes at a vulnerable time. Pregnant women report being scared they will be judged, misunderstood or ignored if they admit to feeling glum. They’re told that pregnancy is a joyful and exciting time, so they chalk their low mood up to pregnancy hormones and plough on in silence”. Anna has created a self-help guide which will be hosted online at www.barebiology.com
Mums Magazine January 2018
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maternity COOL& COMFORTABLE
WORKOUT WEAR
Stay
active in
pregnancy If you thought pregnancy provided an excuse to hang up your trainers and avoid the January rush to the gym, read these facts and you’ll probably change your mind. • Many common complaints of pregnancy, including tiredness, varicose veins and swollen ankles, are reduced in women who exercise. • Women who are physically active in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy are around a third less likely to develop pre-eclampsia. • Active pregnant women experience less insomnia, stress, anxiety and depression. • Regular exercise during pregnancy helps avoid excessive weight gain and increased risk of gestational diabetes • Women with low activity levels during pregnancy have an increased risk of medical intervention (a C-section or forceps delivery) during labour • Babies born to women to exercise during pregnancy have improved heart rates, pumping blood more efficiently, even before birth But despite these and other benefits of staying fit for both mother AND baby, far too many women are unsure about what exercise is safe and just how much they can (and should) do, opting instead to avoid anything too strenuous during pregnancy. Maternity activewear specialists FittaMamma launched the ‘Pregnant Not Powerless’ campaign to raise awareness of just how important it is to continue to exercise. They say, ‘Our aim is to empower and motivate women to stay fit and active throughout their nine-month journey. We want to change the attitudes towards pregnant women exercising, encouraging
Top: Maternity Exercise Leggings £84 www.speedbumpactivewear.co.uk Middle Katie Piper Maternity Workout Buddy T-Shirt £14.95 www.wantthattrend.com Bottom: Maternity and Nursing Sports Bra £45.95 www.fittamamma.com
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a greater understanding that raising your heart rate and maintaining your strength during pregnancy is something to be proud of, not avoided. Medical experts recommend at least 30 minutes exercise every day for the sake of your health and the health of your baby - and our aim is to help all pregnant women to achieve this.’ Royal Ballet dancer Tara Brigitte-Bhavnani, who is expecting her second child, supports the Pregnant Not Powerless campaign saying ‘Exercise is so good for you, both physically and mentally. I would hate to feel powerless during my pregnancy. Growing a baby is such an amazing thing our bodies do, but I don’t see it as a time to sit back and relax, but a time to celebrate and enjoy: keeping fit is part of that joy. My three top tips for prenatal exercise are ‘Listen to your body; choose an activity you enjoy and wear comfortable clothing.’ The FittaMamma maternity fitnesswear range is designed to work like a sports bra for your bump, supporting where you need it most so you can work out with confidence and style throughout your pregnancy. FittaMamma.com is a fantastic resource for pregnant and postnatal women with extensive information about safe exercise, workouts and videos.
WANT MORE? You’ll find more pregnancy-related articles on the Mums Magazine blog. CLICK TO READ
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Why it pays to keep moving during pregnancy
Activewear by www.fittamamma.com
KEEPING FIT IN PREGNANCY Top Tip from Fanni Steib Assistant Manager at Matt Roberts Kensington & Chelsea club https://mattroberts.co.uk/team/fanni-steib/
“If you exercised regularly before falling pregnant, it is helpful to keep up with your training! It can and will help preparing your body to become stronger and more resistant to the physical stress ahead. A stronger pregnant body can also lead to easier child delivery. Pre-natal strength training requires very little modification, although I would highly recommend to turn to a qualified personal trainer for safe and effective routines.�
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otta G WORK IT OUT!
Many expectant celebrities have been captured in the media embracing regular exercise regimes, but the response to these videos and images - particularly on social media - has not always been positive. With Ferne McCann and Binky Felstead just a few of the names to share their third trimester workout videos online, it is both inspiring and encouraging to see such well know faces leading the way in pregancy fitness and wellbeing.
Mums Magazine January 2018
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PREGNANCY ANXIETY Barbara Woodworth, Nurse Consultant at Private Midwives gives her tips on reducing anxiety in pregnancy
What are your best tips for calming anxiety during birth? The main priority is creating a relaxing environment for the mother. This can be done simply by playing relaxing music in the birthing suite. Hypnobirthing is also an excellent technique to help reduce anxiety during birth - this technique helps to encourage a more comfortable birth. It places emphasis on controlling breathing patterns, helping mothers to focus their attention on positive aspects of their birth rather than worries and concerns. Steps can also be taken by the mother ahead of the birth to help reduce her anxiety. For instance, going to mother and baby groups and discussing any fears and worries is a great stress reliever, especially if they can speak to other mothers who have previous experience regarding these. By offering mothers the opportunity to verbalise their feelings, it will create a good support network where mothers can help each other with coping mechanisms to ease stress.
gain more understanding about the birthing journey, can help massively. However, reminding their partner to take time for themselves and relax is the most important tip I can give. Providing care and support
Partners of anxious mothers generally get forgotten about. What would your advice be for partners who are struggling to deal with their partner’s anxiety and a new born baby? An understanding of what anxiety is, is crucial in helping a partner deal effectively with any signs they may notice in their partner. In addition, getting partners involved by attending sessions together to
What steps can be taken to reduce anxiety during pregnancy? There are many ways in which pregnant women/mothers can attempt to reduce their anxiety. Gentle exercise, however simple it may seem, can be a fantastic way to deal with anxiety. Pregnancy yoga releases endorphins which assists with relaxation and the tense moments bought on by generalised anxiety. Secondly, taking time to
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“Soon-to-be mothers must try to learn how to say no to things that are going to be too demanding on their time and energy. Being selfish when they need to be and putting their comfort and enjoyment first a little bit more is imperative” to each other plus talking through any concerns can allow partners to deal with each other’s symptoms effectively. When tensions are high, it’s key for partners to not take it personally and reassure the mother. If possible midwives can always offer assistance, by communicating and agreeing on a level of involvement that both partners are comfortable with.
relax and having ‘Mummy Time’ is crucial, it’s important for mothers-tobe to look after themselves, whether taking an hour out of the day for some peace and quiet or catching up with a friend over a coffee. As well as helping them to relax it is great for mental wellbeing and especially create a better environment for the baby. Partners can help by assisting with daily chores, from providing support with other children or simply doing the dishes. Working as a team and making sure that the mum-tobe does not feel alone is essential. Another simple but effective solution for pregnant women with anxiety is focusing on connecting with their baby. This can be done by simply placing their hands on their bump for a short while each day. This helps to build those endorphins and thus aid relaxation. Finally, soon-tobe mothers must try to learn how to say no to things that are going to be too demanding on their time and energy. Being selfish when they need to be and putting their comfort and enjoyment first a little bit more is imperative. Better understanding about the positive effects this can have on mental health can make a great difference. If they are able to understand what is happening to their body and what their options and choices are, they can begin to feel comfortable in being selfish and prioritising their happiness. www.privatemidwives.com
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WRAP UP!
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Cosy maternity knits and jackets to ward off the winter chill
Main picture: Black 2-in-1 Padded Maternity Jacket £69.00 www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk Middle right: Sweatshirt JADE LS £48.99 https://www.enviedefraise.co.uk Bottom right: ANNORA MATERNITY INTARSIA KNIT Maternity and beyond £119.00 www.isabellaoliver.com
Mums Magazine January 2018
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BOX CLEVER
Worried your little one isn’t getting the right nutrients? It might be time for a packed lunch make-over 3.
Healthy treats
Try and introduce a healthy snack at home, maybe as a reward for good behaviour. This then reignites with the child as a treat and will soon take over the sweets and chocolate as their favourite part of the packed lunch. This is all down to your child’s preference, but I found the sweeter fruits such as mango and pineapple are great for treats, maybe even some sugar free jelly for the more conventional youngsters treat. 4.
As busy parents we can often fall into the trap of choosing convenience over quality, meaning we don’t always provide our children with the most nutritionally rife lunches which could prove vital to their learning. That’s why Ms Geeta Sidhu-Robb, founder of Nosh Detox, has formed this easy, time-effective guide to giving your children healthier packed lunches. Every student has the potential to do well in school. Failing to provide good nutrition puts them at risk for missing out on meeting that potential. However, taking action today to provide healthier choices in schools can help to set students up for a successful future full of possibilities. 1.
Less of the added sugar!
As much as our children might nag for the inclusion of sugary snacks in their daily lunches, added sugar provides no nutritional benefits and is actually said to contribute towards behaviour issues. The over-indulgence in sugary snacks is bound to make our children hyperactive– maybe this isn’t always the best for a classroom. The major culprits of added sugars are fizzy pop, cookies, sweetened yoghurts chocolate and sweets. Kids who eat foods high in added sugars tend to eat fewer healthy foods that are good for the brain and heart. 2.
Whole fruits and fibre
Try to feed your kids whole fruit instead of juices and sweets. The fruit is rich in fibre and the high water content helps to keep the calories low. Juices are particularly dangerous as they are silent culprits. By this I mean, the disguise themselves as fruit but are in fact pumped full of refined sugars and additives to make them taste nicer. Granted the fruit juices taste nice, but it is so easy to guzzle down too many calories from juice without even realising. Instead, opt for water, or low-calorie flavoured water. This and some ‘brain fruit’ as I like to call them (apples, bananas, grapes) are much better options.
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Sensible portions
Calories are calories. You can over-eat anything no matter how healthy it is, it will carry calories. So just because it may be healthy, doesn’t mean you should fill the lunchbox to the brim with it. 5.
Always add veg
Cherry tomatoes, sticks of carrot, cucumber, celery and peppers all count towards their 5-a-day. Adding a small pot of reduced-fat hummus or other dips may help with getting kids to eat vegetables. 6.
Keep the processed foods to a minimum
Give up eating processed food; replace your daily food with a well-balanced diet. Eating lots of fibre can be very helpful and it helps with cleansing your gut and with hormonal imbalances. Adding fruit to your daily diet is quite important for a healthy complexion as well – but these should be whole fruits not juices. Consuming less sugar is also very beneficial and so are balanced doses of Vitamin C.
GET PACKING! Smash’s range of insulated and hard lunchboxes and BPA free drink bottles are perfect for packed lunches, helping keep food fresher for longer. www.smashglobal.co.uk
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Cassandra Barns, Nutritionist, gives her top 5 brain boosting foods your child should be eating Leafy Greens Children and vegetables…a long-winded battle. However, leafy greens are vital for your child’s health. Cassandra explains, “Leafy greens are known as a source of lutein, and spinach stands out as one of the best. It's a great food for kids as it's also rich in iron to support cognitive function (thinking, learning, memory etc.) and magnesium to support energy and strong bones”. Sneaking in spinach to a berry smoothie is a great way to get your kids eating more DID YOU greens. If your little ones are known to KNOW? be fussy eaters, try Nature’s Plus Kid Greenz chewable tablets (£10.12, A recent study has found that http://naturesplus.co.uk) as they are high levels of lutein (a carotenoid a dose of green goodness with a and powerful antioxidant found tropical fruit flavour. in leafy vegetables and egg yolks) helped children in school Egg-cellent eggs perform tasks better and more “Eggs – especially the yolks – are a easily, regardless of their IQ, fantastic food for kids’ brains. Egg yolks according to Naiman Khan are a great source of lutein, as well as at The University of B vitamins and choline that are vital for Illinois. brain health”, explains Cassandra. You can incorporate them into so many different meals. Think omelettes, French toast and baked zucchini muffins, as well as your standard breakfast dishes like scrambled eggs and boiled egg toy soldiers – a favourite among the kids! Sweetcorn Cassandra tells us, “Not only is yellow sweetcorn high in lutein, it’s also a good source of vitamin B5, which is known to be essential for mental performance. It’s also a good source of fibre for kids’ digestive health.” Mixing in sweetcorn to your existing recipes that your kids enjoy, like pasta, usually does the trick: they won’t even notice it! Yoghurt Healthy gut, healthy brain. Scientists call the gut the ‘second brain’ because it is filled with neurotransmitters we usually associate with being in the brain. Our brain and gut are intimately connected and that’s why they can affect each other so much. Your gut is teeming with billions of bacteria, and under ideal circumstances they are kept in a healthy balance. In other words, the healthy bacteria keep the unhealthy bacteria in check. To support your little one’s digestion, give them yoghurt, which is one of the most popular probiotic foods, packed with good bacteria. Steer clear from the sugary, fruit flavoured options and opt for a full fat Greek yoghurt made from the milk of cows, goats or sheep. If your kids are being picky with the taste of it, introduce a probiotic as a supplement rather than a probiotic drink as many of the drinks available are loaded with added sugar. Cassandra recommends Quest Vitamins’ KidzBiotix, (from £6.60, http://www.qnutrapharma.com/product/kidzbiotix/). Blueberries “Blueberries may boost learning and memory due to the high levels of polyphenols, in particular anthyocyanins. These powerful compounds are thought to protect against oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain”, explains Cassandra. Switch cake and other sweet treats for home-made blueberry ice lollies.
NOSH DETOX’S GEETA SIDHU-ROBB’S TOP LUNCH BOX PICKS! Ants on a tree - Celery sticks with peanut butter and a layer of raisons Lentil burgers with a salsa dip Quinoa salad with chicken or tuna Hummus Pinwheels: Take a healthy wrap and put a layer of hummus and then shredded vegetables, roll up and slice into pinwheels. Hummus dip: with pitta bread and vegetable sticks Tuna and bean salad Spicy chicken and salad wrap Milk and dairy Nutrient-rich foods, such as milk and dairy, are an important part of a healthy balanced diet, especially for children and teenagers who have particularly high nutritional requirements. Milk and dairy foods contribute the most calcium to the UK diet compared to other food groups. Young children need about half to three quarters of the amount of calcium compared to adults, whereas teenagers require more than adults. Childhood is an important time of growth and development and can set the scene for adult health, however, the latest nutrition and diet survey suggests that 12% of male teens and 19% of female teens do not get enough calcium from their food. In addition to calcium, milk is high in protein and is a source of phosphorous, all of which are important for growth and development of bone. Milk and dairy are also the greatest contributor of iodine to the UK diet, a nutrient of concern for teenage girls, and are also high in vitamin B2, which helps to maintain skin, vision and nerve function. www.milk.co.uk
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Mums Magazine January 2018
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Pretty peas
Veg just got tasty!
Veg just got tasty!
Are they sitting comfortably? The BabyBjörn Booster Seat is the perfect solution to help children join the conversation and sit at the table at the correct height on a proper chair, just like mum and dad. The ergomomic and comfy booster seat fits most chairs and is ideal for restaurant visits as well as at home. RRP £34.99 www.babybjorn.co.uk
The simple way to get your kids to eat their greens by Angelique Panagos www.angeliquepanagos.com Let’s face it, as much as we love and cherish our little ones, they can often be a challenge for us mamas. Right from the moment we cradle them in our arms, feeling those tiny fingers clasp around ours, our life becomes a never-ending rollercoaster of love, exhaustion and constant curveballs – and it certainly doesn’t end when we come to the table and kitchen! Once I started weaning my baby girl, Isabella, I felt so much joy to see her reaction as she tried new and exciting foods. Yet, as our children grow older, many of them will lose their open minds when it comes to food, often refusing to eat veggies of any kind. If you have spent hours preparing a lovingly-cooked meal, only to have your toddler or child refuse to eat it, then these tips are for you. Here are my favourite
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ways to m a k e veggies tastier, and to get them into fussy mouths. Be Creative Have fun with their plates, and I guarantee that your child is more likely to try what you are offering! You could shape their vegetables and other foods into a heart or a face, or even a monster if you’re feeling extra creative! You could also get imaginative with your descriptions of foods – broccoli can be trees that are needed to be eaten by your little dinosaur, or spinach could be Hulk food. Whatever you do, think outside the box! Add Some Flavour If your kids hate the taste of veggies, then add in some flavours or ingredients that you know they love and will eat. If their favourite food is cheese, then create a delicious home-cooked cauliflower cheese dish, or add some cubes of feta to greens. If they love meat, then try frying up some parma ham and serving with broccoli or Brussels. Make Rainbow Pizzas This is one of my favourites to get little ones eating veggies! Try creating homemade pizzas (you can use a wholewheat tortilla base if you are pressed on time), and spread it with homemade marinara. Top with a rainbow of vegetables – red could be
pepper or tomatoes, yellow sweetcorn, orange carrot, and so-on! This bright and beautiful pizza can be a great way of disguising vegetables as fun and exciting. Better still, get your child to help you choose and prepare the toppings – children will often show more interest if they are involved in the cooking. Simple Pasta Sauces Pasta is a staple food for many kids, but it’s also a great way to get hidden veg into their diets. I love to create a homemade tomato sauce that’s full of goodness – spinach, carrots, tomatoes and celery. I then blend it down so that is smooth and lump-free – even the fussiest of eaters will have no idea about what’s hiding in their pasta dish! Make a Hidden Veggie Smoothie Most kids love smoothies, but many are laden with sugar or contain only fruit. If you can, try to make your own smoothies at home, adding in hidden vegetables in the process. I love to add in courgette, avocado and spinach, all of which can be undetectable and tasteless among fruit – the green colour can mean it is called ‘Hulk Juice’. Happy Snacking Try creating a platter of foods for your kids to snack on. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming, but could include things such as a few energy balls, some fruit, and some vegetable crudities with a dip – most children will eat foods when presented with a dip, such as hummus or yoghurt. You may be surprised at how likely they are to eat it when presented on a platter!
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Walk the walk
FAMILY LIFE
Turn good intentions into action
My New Year’s Resolutions by Michelle Heaton
Many of us make the vow that ‘this year I will...(insert longsought-after resolution)’, but how many of us actually follow this through? Whether it’s starting a new business, eating healthier, or simply getting more organised, we’ve got some top tips to help you make sure that 2018 is the year it actually happens. GET MORE ORGANISED We often envy those seemingly perfectly organised Mums, who seem to have everything together, all of the time. Keeping in mind the degree of facade often behind in this sterotype, it is still possible to make your day-to-day routine more productive and less stressful, with a few simple tweaks. These include: Upgrade your change bag A large amount of mum stress stems from not being able to immediately get their hands on what they need, when they need it. Whether it’s calpol, a soother, a muslin, or your mobile phone, there is nothing more likely to send a mum into a frenzy than a change bag that opens up into
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a bottomless pit of everything you could possibly need, but the thing you are after. That’s why we love this ‘Ally’ change bag in Tan from Babymel. It’s a modern and fashionable satchel which features a super handy top zipped s t o r a g e compartment for quick access and two deep front pockets to keep those essentials at h a n d . (£62 from www.babymel.com) TAKE NOTE When it comes to maximising your productivity and reducing the stress and chaos that can typically define an average day’s parenting, nothing is more effective than a list! With advancements in modern technology, we often tend not to write our thoughts and ‘to dos’ down in the traditional fashion, with the alternative digital reminders and calenders often proving less effective at jogging our memory or structuring our days (particularly if said device is burried at the bottom of an overloaded change bag consigned to the basket of an equally overloaded pushchair!). The solution? Go back to basics with a good old-fashioned pen and note pad! We love this Geo foil multi list book from Paperchase (£12).
I hate making New Year’s resolutions, because I always break them...usually within less than 24 hours... ‘I won’t drink wine in January’ ‘I won’t eat chocolate’ ‘I won’t shout at the kids, even when they are kicking off at lunch with the in-laws’ The list is endless... When I look back at the past year, I see a roller coaster of emotions. The highs of Faith getting star of the week or AJ learning to wee on the toilet without spraying every wall in there! Then there’s the lows of being a slave to the kitchen and nothing you cook ever being good enough to the demands of a 5 year old. No one said it was easy being a parent, but let’s at least start the New year with an optimistic approach and make our resolutions towards becoming a better parent. Mine this year are.... - be more patient (in general, even with Hugh) - stop the swearing (Faith is at the age she is picking up on things!) - put down my phone more often, especially when the kids ask for Mummy - play outside more, even when wet - have more ''me'' time! I know i have a great life, but I don't ever get to just sit, on my couch, in my living room and appreciate my four walls! It’s the simple things... See, making them is easy! Now repeat after me - ''I will stick to my resolutions towards becoming a better parent.'' Well, at least for more than 24 hours....
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SUZANNE SHAW
‘Planning out a weekly itinerary keeps everyone in order and prevents things being forgotten’ Dare I say this; I've had a busy working Christmas - mostly without my children - and I've enjoyed myself! BAD MUM ALERT!!!! The last few months saw me busy with Panto season and away in Birmingham a lot. It's always daunting going back into work (especially when it's so full-on) and I ALWAYS feel guilty. When you give birth, you automatically give birth to guilt. Every decision, move, breath you take, you ask yourself... is that ok? Is it ok for my kids, for my family? Then I say to myself... "you're not just away on a jolly, you're working, making money for your family, showing a good example to your kids!" So why do you feel bad? I had everything organised since October before heading off, and when I say organised, I mean every move for my family, childcare and grandparents. Anyone involved had the schedule/plan/itinerary! Yet not being there gave me anxiety and guilt. Oh, and if I say I'm ok or having fun, (without them) the anxiety and guilt goes up ten-fold! Before I went on my Panto adventure, I made sure we had lots of quality time together as a family. Trips to see friends and family, days out... we also got a few days away at Celtic Manor in Wales - such a great place for families and lots of activities for all - I even got a spa treatment in for myself! My tips for a busy working schedule and a busy family household? Preparation is key! - planning out a weekly itinerary keeps everyone in order and prevents things being forgotten. - Meal plans. When you're not able to be home to do daily meals, preparing them over the weekend relieves the stress. It also ensures kids get a balanced diet and there's food ready to warm up when us parents get home. - Constant contact. For me, regular phone calls home to make sure everything's on track and everyone is happy, gives me piece of mind. - Having as much back-up help as possible. To have this in place in case your children are too poorly to go to nursery or school gives you the safety net, needed when you're busy at work. - Vitamins, vitamins, vitamins! Important to have a healthy house! As we mums know, once a bug gets into the house it's hard to get it out. It passes from one member to another, and sometimes a few times over, so, prevention is key!
...continued from page 13 ADOPT HEALTHIER ROUTINES Eating well and keeping active are two resolutions that parents might endeavour to implement at the beginning of a New Year. And the good intentions aren’t just personal, with many Mums and Dads recognising a need for improvemet in their child’s diet and exercise routine as well as their own. Engaging in regular physical activity with your child is one way to help them maintain a healthy weight, promote optimal growth and boost their confidence. At least 60 minutes of physical activity per day is recommended for children aged five and above, and presents a wonderful opportunity for parents to bond with their children. For parents looking to completely overhaul their family’s health, a family wellness holiday could be the key, where healthy eating, regular activity and joint meaningful experiences can kickstart healthy habits and create lasting memories. Research has shown that children value family holidays more than toys and other material goods, demonstrating that parents should be saving their hard-earned cash for healthy travel experiences with their children, rather than the latest gadget. Family wellness holidays allow parents and children to enjoy extended periods of playful downtime together, away from the stresses of regular life, and can strengthen the parent-child bond. They also offer the perfect opportunity for children and adults alike to discover a new hobby or hidden sporting ability, which they can continue long after the holiday. Aside from the physical and emotional benefits outlined above, holidays are also believed to advance children’s brain development and improve concentration skills, demonstrating a clear link between holidays and educational attainment. www.healthandfitnesstravel.com
After such a busy start to the year, we've decided a family holiday is in order. We like to go away over the Easter break and tend to go somewhere we've never been before. Last time we went away over Easter, Raffi was only 6 months old. We did a trip to South East Asia, visiting Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. We had an incredible time, although I will admit, it was tricky at times! However, we plan on doing another big family adventure. We are currently toying with ideas... Possibly, Route 66 or an Italian road trip visiting the mountains and lakes! Whatever we do, I can’t wait!!
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rush HOURS THE
Many parents are familiar with the daily race against time just to keep on top of household and childcare tasks... so what is the answer to squeezing in that all important, yet elusive ‘free time’?
Are we all just too busy?
As a new study by Motorola finds that 19% of parents weren’t there to witness their toddler’s first steps, and 16.5% of didn’t get the chance to hear their baby’s first word. Missing out on these milestones could be because families today are generally leading busier lives, often with both parents working and managing a packed schedule of commitments for themselves and their children.
WHAT’S EATING YOUR FREE TIME? Becoming a parent in 2018 is one of the hardest things to do. With evolving technology and almost everyone having an opinion on your parenting style – either faceto-face, or online – the image of the ‘perfect parent’ is, quite simply, imperfect. The pressure on parents is constant as they are bombarded with (often conflicting) advice and information, as well as images on social media of gorgeous parents with their cute-as-button kids, in their spotlessly clean and tidy houses. As a backlash against this – dozens of irreverent social media accounts have rocketed in popularity as parents take the opportunity to share the true side of parenting and the funny stories that come with it, creating a community and support network for parents who can relate to ‘real’ parenting. Anna Whitehouse and Matt Farquharson are Mother and Papa Pukka and they have over 100,000 followers on social media. Following their success, have recently launched a book entitled Parenting the sh*t out of life, a unique and hilarious take on the horrors and humour of modern parenting.
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Anna (aka Mother Pukka) says: “There is no such thing as the perfect parent; we’re all just working it out for ourselves and doing the best we can. We’ve been told for years how to do things but no matter how many books or articles you read, ultimately you’re winging it for your first time round – and quite often second and third - and it’s important for parents not to put too much pressure on themselves.” But what piece of advice would new parents give to others about to join them in their parenting boat? It seems ‘Ask for help’ is the biggest piece of advice that new parents would give to expectant parents waiting for their new arrival, according to new research from The Baby Show. In a survey of 1032 parents on the show’s database, nearly one in five (19%) highlight that as their top piece of advice: after all, you won’t win a medal for doing it all on your own, so give yourself a break and draft in help when you can This was followed by sleeping while your baby sleeps (17%) and thirdly, listen to your instincts. www.thebabyshow.co.uk
PARENTS are at risk of burnout after new research reveals that almost half of British adults feel they have ‘very limited’ free time for themselves during the working week. An exhausted 1 in 10 (11%) report that their busy schedules have impacted their health despite the importance of parents taking time to recharge and unwind after a busy day at work. The survey also examined the tasks that respondents feel take up most of their time outside of work - when they could be unwinding or enjoying playtime with the children. Although many parents rush home from work to try and spend time with their offspring, depressingly, household tasks - such as cleaning, tidying and doing laundry – are most commonly (39%) eating into the ‘free’ time of individuals, outside of work. Following this, Brits admit it is the practical aspects of parenting (including bathing children, helping with homework, changing nappies and feeding) which take up most of their ‘free time’ (32%). Highlighting that understandably play has to take a back seat to those must-do’s Doing overtime outside of working hours was a common free time vacuum for more than 1 in 4 (26%) - a finding that many time poor working parents can probably sympathise with. www.ElectricTobacconist.co.uk
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Be inspired!
work
The UK’s only free, child-friendly, flexible work and business exhibition is coming to Brighton on 22nd February 2018. Mums Enterprise Roadshow, winner of the Jaqueline Gold #WOW award, is touring the UK with the aim of showcasing the very businesses, services and support available to working mums, helping them navigate the maze of opportunity available to live and work on their own terms, whatever their situation. With the Mum Economy expected to be worth in excess of £9.2 billion by 2020 the Mums Enterprise Roadshow seeks to help facilitate this upward trend and predicts that by 2020 their events will have welcomed and helped empower and change the lives of over 30,000 women on their work or business mission. Mums Enterprise has also announced its ongoing charity partner The PANDAS (Pre and Postnatal Depression Advice and Support) Foundation. The charity is a natural choice as a high percentage of attendees are expected to be new mums. The event will be helping them raise awareness, funds and providing them access to potential volunteers www.mumsenterprise.events
BACK TO THE GRIND
Why returing to your old job after maternity leave is not always best
POWER MUMS Tricks of the trade Parenting is no easy feat, but some of the world’s most successful women are mothers and their routines and rituals could teach us all a thing or two about productivity, success, and what really matters to our loved ones. An infographic titled 'The Daily Routines Of The World's Most Successful Mums’ can be seen here http://bit.ly/2ywczIJ
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By Rob Knight
An insight into the habits of successful lifejugglers
Having a baby sets a woman's career back six years, according to a study of mothers. Researchers found becoming a mum can lead to missed promotion opportunities, issues caused by staff, management or procedural changes in the workplace as well as the fact new mum's arrive back at work with different priorities. Around half of those polled said having a baby had a negative effect on their career, with 42 per cent of them believing they would be in a more senior position if they didn't have kids.It also emerged 37 per cent of working mums believe they have been DISCRIMINATED against since having a child. Commissioned by Easy Offices, the research of 1,000 mums with a child aged one to 13 also found four in 10 would advise mums-to-be to be ‘wary’ about returning to work following maternity leave. For more information visit: https://www. easyoffices.com/blog/discrimination-in-theworkplace/
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Ruth Kudzi Ruth Kudzi is a qualified Business & Success coach for aspiring and new female entrepreneurs. She is passionate about empowering women to start up new businesses, scale businesses and create a way of working that is flexible and fulfilling. She has built a successful business offering coaching, online courses, events and monthly memberships to help women in a variety of ways. What job did you do prior to starting your own business? I was a senior leader in a large secondary school, I managed a team and had lead on marketing, operations and recruitment as well as doing lots of training and coaching with my staff and the students. What triggered you to make the change? After returning from maternity leave I was close to burnout. I was working up to 12 hours a day at the school and there was no flexibility - I wasn’t even allowed to have 1 hour off to take my daughter to her first day at nursery. I had lost the passion for my job and I realised that I had the perfect opportunity to do something I loved and that I was good at which worked for my family. What was the biggest stumbling block you came across during this period, and how did you overcome it? I knew about Business but I knew less about the online world, I was juggling a full-time job, a toddler and I was pregnant so it was a case of doing what I could. My husband was a great help and very supportive (plus a digital marketing director which helps) but sometimes I felt like I would never get to where I wanted. How does your work life typically fit in with your family commitments and child care? I now work 3 full days and 2 evenings. I have some flexibility on the other 2 days if needed. My kids are in nursery Wednesday - Friday and I can take them and pick them up, they are in shorter days which is great for all of us. I work two evenings for a few hours so I can spend 4 days out of 7 with my kids.
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MEET THE
REAL-LIFE
mums
DOING IT ALL Five successful business mums tell their story I do have occasional events, training and conferences at the weekend however when this happens I know I have Monday and Tuesday with the kids so it isn’t as bad. What are the pros and cons of working for yourself whilst raising a family? You can choose your hours, this is a massive pro. They can see you building something you love rather than working in a job you don’t like that much. You can provide more opportunities for your children and have more freedom to do different things. The biggest cons are boundaries - you have to be strict about when you are working and when you aren’t and it can be lonely working on your own so it is looking at what you can do every day to still have social contact. How do you avoid the stress and burnout that might otherwise be typical of this lifestyle? I work less hours than I have ever worked and because I am flexible I am able to spend time doing things like yoga, the gym and walking which I didn’t do before. I think if you have clear boundaries and are clear about where you spend your time this can be the best job ever! What advice would you give to other mums for helping maximise the time and productivity of their days? Schedule everything in with a scheduling tool and use colour coding so that you can see where you spend your time. Don’t over commit, think about your priorities for the week and focus on them. When you are doing something get rid of distractions so you can focus on what you are doing and be more productive. Don’t forget your needs - even if you only have a coffee and a walk on your own every day this me time is so valuable and will make you more productive (and happier)
TOP TIPS ORGANISATION ‘ I look at my week every Sunday and map it out. This means I know what my priorities are and what I need to do plus it means I can see if I need support or some extra childcare’ Ruth Kudzi
WRITING IT DOWN ‘Writing in my note pad. It is like my therapy. I jot down my thoughts, ideas, plans, financial stuff, things to do..everything. I feel totally under control working in this way and love spending time using a pen and paper and not looking at a screen. Rebecca Patterson
Yoga... and being fit! Katherine Gubbins
Listen to podcasts while you’re doing chores - not only does it inspire you to always learn new things and and grow but you’re also using the time to get things done so it’s a double win. Steph Weller
‘I take a holistic view of my time – there is no real set ‘work’ and ‘life’ times. Instead, I try to do whatever it is that needs doing, whenever it needs doing’ Cathy Hayward
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REBECCA PATTERSON Designer and Founder of Zellie After a long career in PR and marketing, Rebecca helped her 12 year old son Henry, publish his story book and develop it in to the much loved brand Not Before Tea. She then went on to launch Zellie, which sells beautiful changing bags, accessories and travel pouches. Before I started my own business, I worked in PR running press campaigns for large corporates. After being in the service industry for 20 years, I longed to have a product that I could touch and feel - hence my leap over to retail. I knew I wanted to make a career change a few years beforehand, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. It seems a bit of a cliche but I think sometimes you will stumble on the next path by accident and if you are brave, you will go for it and see where it leads. I am lucky as my husband and son are involved and understand that growing the business is a massive part of my life. Henry, although he is just 13, unusually has his own brand, so he loves getting involved and coming to events and so on. I don’t structure my week as MondayFriday with a weekend off; instead I just block out certain days or hours to ride my horse and have family outings. I then work around them. I am very flexible with where I work from and will use the time sitting in my car, whiLst Henry is in after school clubs, writing marketing plans or doing our social media. In terms of the pros and cons of working for yourself whilst raising a family, I think if there are too many cons, you are in the wrong job! Most people who work for themselves have chosen to do so and therefore it is their decision how it works around their family. Zellie is pretty much my entire life right now but I would not swap it for the world. Everyday I get up so happy and look forward to the day. This makes for a happy house and I am a much better mother/wife because of it. We do the exhibitions as a family, Henry is coming to China with me next month and we all are very much involved. I chose not battle with a work/life balance. I believe it is important not to think of the two as different things. You have a life and your own business and family are all part of it. The things I get stressed about are stock being delayed, cash flow, orders getting lost, that type of thing. I try to plan everything, to avoid uncertainties but often end up have to write down my ‘worry’ and why it is so bad. Most of the time I realise it is not life or death and get over it! I also find that I de-stress loads when I ride my horse, so I try to do that as much as possible. My advice to other mums for helping maximise the time and productivity of their days is to carry a note pad around at all times and write list after list. I live by the saying ‘today is not finished until tomorrow is planned’ and before I turn the lights out each night, I jot down the 4 vital things I must do the next day. Anything else I then do that day is a bonus! I would also advise to be brave and follow your instincts. We have turned down two huge deals with retail giants, simply because it didn’t feel right. I still to this day can’t put my finger on why we did that but thank goodness we did: one has just gone bust and we have got an even bigger deal with the competitor of the other!
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STEPH WELLER Owner of Media Darling www.digitalmediadarling.com Before starting Media Darling, I was working in local government in a very creative role online in the youth sector. I was feeling frustrated at being told I would get a pay rise that never transpired, but I stayed there for the convenience because I didn't want to travel too far and be away from my 3 year old at the time. When I fell pregnant with my second child, I distinctly remember one day sitting outside having my lunch, flicking through a travel magazine and thinking, “I want to write for a magazine, I have so much I can give and want to do”, I made a decision there and then I wouldn't return after my maternity leave. Having no idea what you want to do is scary, especially in your thirties with two children to be responsible for. Luckily, after having my baby, I hired a coach and will always be grateful for her help and the world she introduced me to. You also can't sit back and rely on the money flowing in each month like when you are employed. Despite working hard and knowing the industry, you have to start from scratch. You have to be OK with getting visible and putting yourself out there and that also means selling. I happen to believe that we all create our lives and have choice and so I've always found a way to do this with work. I’m also very lucky as I have family close by who can help. I love that I can hang out with my two year old and do the school runs as this time is precious with them and goes so quickly. In time, my youngest will go to full time nursery as the business grows and as he needs more than just baby groups and hanging out with mummy! For me, the pros of this lifestlye far out weight the cons. Freedom and flexibility are important to me. I would never go back to a corporate role after what I’ve been exposed to and what I can create. I love being creative and I get to network with the most amazing people in the world whilst being mummy at the same time. The cons are you can get caught up working in the evenings and I have nocturnal children! Sometimes I have been known to walk around with the pram or go for a long drive to get my youngest to nap ‘on time’ if I have to take a client call or have to write a last minute press release. My advice for anyone looking to go it alone is to automate your content and give yourself breaks and have fun. I happen to love what I do so I could do it all day ! But you won’t find me sitting at my laptop, especially with two young children! I’m out and about most days and I’m able to network and connect on my phone, the best ideas come when I’m living life so I’m basically location free. You have to want the life so badly that there is no other alternative, otherwise it becomes an expensive hobby. Without a doubt, surround yourself with high vibe and successful people. I’m lucky that I not only get to work for an amazing team (I have a split role as I am Media Manager for a high end entrepreneur) - I get to interview people who are at the top of their game. My final piece of advice is to always invest in yourself whether that’s in coaches or mentors. Your mindset is key. Listen to podcasts while you’re doing chores - not only does it inspire you to always learn new things and and grow but you’re also using the time to get things done so it’s a double win.
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KATHERINE GUBBINS Owner of Goodness Gracious Foods Prior to launching Goodness Gracious Foods, I was a yoga teacher, specializing in pre and post natal. I had travelled a lot and was really disappointed with what was on offer for children, having been used to feeding my daughter home-made. I thought children deserved better. My food is based on Ayurveda, the Indian traditional health system and the sister therapy to yoga. It makes sense to me as it is about balance of mind body and soul. One of the main challenges I encountered when starting the business was that the Minimum Order Quantity was so huge, and I had no outside investment. It was just me, and my savings. And I had a 3 month old baby and a 2 year old so it was quite challenging. I also lived in Switzerland at the time, where the school system is very difficult for working mums. The timetable is inconsistent and can change each year. Plus up until recently, there was no canteen so children would come home for lunch. In the UK, there is much more help, so I moved here to push my business really. We distribute in 3 main countries and a few others aside and now my children are at an age where they are old enough to understand I work and can go to school all day. One drawback to juggling parenthood and business is that I feel I am a Jack of all trades and master of none. I feel guilty the whole time (but I think that is a woman thing) that I don’t concentrate enough time on my children or to my job. That said, I love the fact that my children see that I work, that I run my own thing and that as a woman, you can be your own boss. It’s hard. Nothing is ever given, you have to earn it. I think it’s important my children see the value of hard work. I think they also need to understand that life, as a parent, is a continuous compromise. I should not blame myself, of course I should not, but I do. It’s just life, as a parent. It’s a myth that we can have it all, as we can’t. We can make choices that allow us to try, and be happy with what we do have. Without my yoga and meditation, I would find life difficult, I think. I get up and practice before my children wake. It’s my time and I treasure it. I also get out for a run, and take my children for short runs, and walks and exercise a lot. In Switzerland, it is a very outdoorsy lifestyle and it is important to me that my children eat the right diet and exercise well. My one piece of advice for productivity is to write lists, and when you are doing something mentally challenging, give yourself a break after 20-30 mins and do something else and then come back to it with fresh eyes. Don’t beat yourself up about things – you can’t change the past, you can’t worry about the future, but you can change today so focus on that.
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CATHY HAYWARD
Director of Magenta Associates Before I set up Magenta, I was a journalist for 13 years writing for a variety of business magazines. At the time I was living in Islington, North London and had three young children, aged 1, 2 and 7. I had become a little stale in my job and didn’t see much of a future in journalism. Eventually I took the plunge and set up my own business, moving from London to Brighton. It was a busy few months to say the least... It took time to gain credibility for PR when I was known as a journalist, but that was overcome by undertaking a post graduate diploma in PR, and hiring PR experts in the team. As a small start-up, it was difficult to attract good talent but once we had a few good people and started to get a reputation, that improved pretty quickly. Many businesses wouldn’t deal with us until we had a track record and three years’ accounts which was a challenge and meant it took time to get those all-important bigger accounts. We’ve also had all the usual ups and downs that small businesses face: a client went into administration owing us money, and occasional cash flow issues when some of our bigger clients took ages to pay. Now my children are all at school, life is a little easier. I share custody of my children with my ex-husband and co-worker on a one-week-on, one-week-off arrangement. This then enables me to try to do the bulk of travelling, long hours and entertaining when the children are with their father. I also try to involve my children in the business and explain why I can’t always be there. My teenage son Jude, who’s doing a GCSE in Business, works for a few hours a week after school at Magenta, helping our office manager with admin tasks. I find that there is definitely more flexibility working for yourself than in being employed. I don’t have an angry boss shouting at me for being late if I’ve gone to see one of my children’s school assemblies, or taken a child to the doctor. But it’s very difficult to properly switch off when it’s your own business. I try to be disciplined at weekends, but I do find myself doing work
here and there. And the same for holidays. I just get up early and cram in a few hours work before the children wake up. There’s also the underlying stress of managing your own business that never really goes away. After six years of never taking a proper break on holiday, last autumn I went on a trip of a lifetime trekking for three weeks through the Himalayas. There was very little Wifi or phone signal, so i was a real mental break for me and I came back feeling enormously refreshed. The trip highlighted for me the real value of taking a proper break from work, and how it can actually make you more productive in the longterm. So, I’ve now promised myself and those around me that once a year when I go away, I will hand the business over to my more-thancapable deputy and actually switch off. My advice for success woud be to keep a good to-do list. I have an Excel spreadsheet with the type of task, the deadline that it needs to be done by and a description. I manage all my activities through it, from booking doctors and hair appointments to putting together client proposals and creating budgets. It’s the only way I know what I’m doing, where, and when. I set tasks for each day (colourcoded on the spreadsheet) to ensure I prioritise. When I’m doing something that requires a lot of concentration, I turn off emails, put my phone in a drawer and hide myself away so I won’t be disturbed by colleagues. And ditch the guilt. When I miss bedtime, rather than just feeling awful (which obviously I do) I try to explain why I can’t always be there and what I was doing instead. I also try to remember that in many ways, I’m just being a good role model for both my son and daughters. Demonstrating that women can do anything and everything. I take a holistic view of my time – there is no real set ‘work’ and ‘life’ times. Instead, I try to do whatever it is that needs doing, whenever it needs doing. I’m a firm believer that nothing worth achieving is ever easy. So regardless if it’s work or personal, try your best not to moan, crack on with it, and make yourself proud!
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Snuggle up!
Winter can create its fair share of sleep challenges. Here’s how to get around the most common of them...
TWIDDLE & WINKS
1. THE COLD
The cold is often what wakes little ones from a peaceful slumber, particularly in the case of older children, who are more prone to kicking their covers off. For babies and toddlers, a sleep sac is a simple solution, helping to keep them warm and toasty, no matter how much they move around in the night. We love this super cosy 3.5 tog Grobag, with intricate embroidered silver and gold stars. It's perfect for room temperatures between 12-15 degrees and is vailable in sizes 0-6 months, 6-18 months and 18-36 months. (From ÂŁ38.99 | http://www.gro-store.com)
Fitted Cot Sheets with Comforter Panels A safe new way for babies to gently self-settle and sleep. www.twiddleandwinks.com
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Planning a night away?
2. THE DARK
Many children don’t like the dark, making winter a particularly challenging time for sleep. One solution is a nightlight. The Gro Company 2-in-1 Gro-light can be switched from a night light to a regular light at the flick of a switch. Controlled by your normal light switch, it flicks easily between the adjustable LED night light and the main light bulb, with one click to turn on the night light and two clicks to turn on the main light. (£13.99 from www.johnlewis.co.uk
The new Diono Dreamliner is a brand new home from home travel basinet, providing a lightweight, compact and portable sleep solution for babies up to 6 months. Designed to be the perfect travel companion, the Dreamliner is incredibly easy to assemble. Ready to use right out of the box, it unfolds in seconds automatically clipping into place. A carry bag is included for easy transportation, and when folded, the simple travel basinet is smaller than an overnight bag, weighing less than 3kg. https://uk.diono.com/
READY FOR BED These dinosaur glow-in-the-dark pyjamas are soft, comfortable and perfect for bedtime cuddles. Available with fun dinosaur applique and glowin-the-dark elements, they’re as exciting to wear as they are practical. Rib cuffs to the bottoms prevent them from riding up, keeping little legs warm, while the gently elasticated waistband is comfy on growing waists. £16 http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk
3. THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
The often inclement British weather invariably brings storms of varying intensity during the winter months, and these can often cause babies and children to become frightened. One trick is to stay calm during a storm. Your child can sense your fear, so try and act as normal as you can. If your child does wake up, a distraction such as a story or gentle music might help. For older children, explaining how thunder and lightning are formed and playing the game of counting between the thunder and lightning to work out how far away the storm is can make the situation more fun (divide the number by 5 to get the approximate distance in miles). For babies, the MyHummy white noise device might help detract from the storm noise. With five different sounds to choose from, white noise emitted by myHummy is electronically generated (it’s not a recording) and resembles: a hairdryer, vacuum cleaner, rainfall, ocean waves and amniotic fluid with heartbeat. The sound gently fades out after 60 minutes, but a Smart Sleep Sensor detects if there is an increase in the background noise, and the
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4. EXCESS ENERGY
Toddlers and babies often receive less stimulation during the winter months, as the shorter, rainy days tend to mean more time indoors. To help them unwind, Love Boo’s award winning, all-natural Sleep and Snuggle spray is a paraben free product which has been cleverly formulated with a unique blend of ultra-relaxing and soothing oils including calming lavender oil, chamomile, lavender and patchouli to soothe little ones into a peaceful slumber. This 100% natural fragrance has been safety approved and can be sprayed in baby’s room or even directly onto the pillow to help create a restful and calming environment.
the perfect place for a natural night’s sleep • • •
£12.99 https://loveboo.com
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organic mattresses natural bedding contemporary furniture
Notting Hill Baby Boutique 99 Talbot Road London W11 2AT
www.naturalmat.co.uk/baby
0207 985 0474
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Nappy
happy Effective ways to help prevent and treat nappy rash
There are certain trigger times1 when your baby may be more prone to nappy rash 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.
Weaning
Any change in diet can lead to looser stools and a greater likelihood of nappy rash affecting your baby.
Common Cold
When a baby has a cold, stools are often looser, meaning that nappy rash is more likely to occur.
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.
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.
Antibiotics
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.
Diarrhoea
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.
Change in diet
Such as moving on from breast milk may lead to more frequent and watery stools, potentially leading to nappy rash. 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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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
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 8749 Mums Mag
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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.
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e ur t a N nurtures With more than half of children under 10 admitting that their favourite activity is playing on a smartphone, and excessive screen time linked to many adverse health effects... is it time to take ‘play time’ back to basics? Research shows that today's children are spending far too much time glued to screens and very little time outside, which is detrimental to their health and wellbeing.
GARDEN TIME How to make your garden a fun and inspiring space for children
The Children's Bird Gift Box contains all you need to get your little ones interested in feeding the birds. There is a paint your own nesting box that you can help them paint in a selection of the four colours provided, along with two packs of Boxwild’s seasonal seed blends, a bird feeder and a metal seed scoop. Children's Big Bird Gift Box £24.00 www.boxwild.com These garden ornaments are ideal for getting children interested in gardening, and all products help the work of Perennial, the charity that supports everyone working in horticulture and its associated industries in times of need. www.perennial.org.uk/ shop
According to Camping in the Forest (www. campingintheforest.co.uk), more than half of children under 10 (54%) admit their favourite activity is playing on a smartphone or tablet and watching TV. More than a third (37%) of parents say their children are far too wrapped up in technology and less than one in ten say their children regularly play outside. Detrimental health effects of too much exposure to screens for children include sleep deprivation, obesity, lack of imagination, vision problems, aches and pains, loss of social skills and aggression. Getting fresh air has actual measurable physical health benefits for children. Kids who are outside are more likely to get their daily dosage of vitamin D, which assists in bone strength and lowers risks of serious illness. Time outside has also proven to soothe children, lowering their risk of hyperactivity and depression. Leading psychotherapist Hilda Burke comments: “From a very early age children emulate their parents, so it comes as no surprise that very high digital usage in adults is also now being reflected in children. If parents adopt clear boundaries for digital devices around their kids, e.g. phones are switched off during play time and meal times, they will learn valuable lessons about how there is a time and a place to use these devices and that it’s up to us to regulate our usage. “Spending less time on their digital devices indoors and more time playing outdoors can help foster a greater sense of curiosity and imagination in children, qualities that are crucial for healthy development.”
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Winter
warmers Our pick of the cosiest knits and jackets to help keep your little ones snug outside this winter
Above: Cosy Waterproof Hat £15.00 Right: Polarfleece Cosy Neck £9.00 http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk Left: Cars & Trucks Print Baby Top £16.00 https://www.polarnopyret.co.uk
BIRDS IN THE SKY This ‘Birds in the sky’ raincoat is the easiest way to be green and to stay warm, dry and stylish all season long. 100% Eco-Friendly, 100% recycled www.leaetjojo.com
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2018! Let the begin...
Now’s the time to set your New Year family bucket list A New Year is the perfect time to start planning and looking forward to some new family adventures and experiences. In today’s busy family lifestyles, it is all too easy for the days, weeks and months to roll on without having made any significant or memorable moments, which is why planning excursions and activities in advance is so important. To help you to start filling that family calender, here’s some inspirational ideas of places to go and things to do in 2018.
WHERE TO STAY POD LODGES The Hideout House Company’s new range of ‘pod lodges’ or ‘tiny houses’ address the current gap in the market for those looking for a staycation with a difference. Already a feature in a number of holiday parks and golf courses, the pod lodge has become a huge success and make a great addition to any venue or garden. http://www.superglamp.com THE BIG GREEN BUS A mixture of upcycled furniture, bright retro splashes of colour and original bus features (tickets, please!) the Big Green Bus narrowly escaped destruction before it was rescued by owner Adam. Now enjoying a leisurely retirement in an East Sussex field - apart from a recent starring role in George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces on Channel 4 - it has oak flooring, painted walls, and a beautifully custom-made kitchen and shower room. All thoroughly modern, it sports chrome LED lights, Farrow & Ball paint, even charging sockets for your iPhone. https://www.canopyandstars.co.uk
DAYS OUT LAKE DISTRICT FAMILY ACTIVITY DAY Activus Outdoors’ family activity days are based in and around Derwent Water and include ghyll scrambling and canoeing sessions, which are especially suitable for family groups. Giving the opportunity to jump into plunge pools, traverse
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FAMILIES THAT PLAY TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER There is much research to suggest that the hectic nature of modern life means it is becoming increasingly difficult for families to spend a lot quality time with one another, and when they do you may think it’s limited to activities like watching TV, playing video games or going to the local bowling alley or cinema. There is however a growing trend of families adopting new, more inventive ways of spending time with one another through exercise. That’s according to a new study from David Lloyd Clubs which found that over a third (39%) of families claim to regularly exercise together, with more now taking part in this activity as a unit over more traditional family bonding activities – including board games (38%), reading (36%) and going to sporting events (17%). Walking tops the list of most popular forms of exercise for families (71%), followed by bike rides (42%). along rock walls, jump across boulders and climb up or abseil down waterfalls, it’s the perfect way to spend an exciting and fun family day out. http://www.activusoutdoors.co.uk/packages/family-activityday-in-the-lakes/ JURASSIC ENCOUNTER Jurassic Encounter Mini Golf is beautifully landscaped and gives players the chance to putt past cascading waterfalls, over island greens, through prehistoric caves and even meet some Jurassic friends from the past! www.jurassicencounter.com THE LIVING RAINFOREST Explore the rainforest without leaving the UK. The Living Rainforest is home to 700 species of plants and animals. Watch birds, butterflies, lizards and a two-toed sloth roam free in tropical glasshouses. https://www.livingrainforest.org SANDWORLD Sandworld is Weymouth’s first sand sculpture festival, and one of only a handful ever held in the UK. Opened in 2011 by Weymouth “Sandman” Mark Anderson, and David Hicks, an aspiring sand sculptor and good friend of Mark. SandWorld is a unique gallery with a difference, and you even get to have a go yourself, with tools and helpful staff at hand. Re-opening Easter 2018. www.sandworld.co.uk
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LIVING the DREAM
From bar work to business owner... Kirsty Henshaw tells her story of turning dreams into reality
Kirsty Henshaw, founder of Kirsty’s, naturally free from and healthy ready meal range, gained investment on Dragon’s Den in 2010 to launch a dairy-free ice cream nationwide to huge success. Seven years later Kirsty now has her ready meal range stocked in over 3,000 supermarkets nationwide, a retail turnover well in excess of £6m and exciting new products in the pipeline for 2018. What job did you do prior to starting your own business? Before I started my own business, I was working in bars whilst studying sports therapy at university. I gave birth to my son, Jacob, when I was 19 and went back to work when he was just two months old to ensure I could provide him with everything that he needed. What triggered you to make the change? Not long after Jacob was born we discovered he was severely allergic to nuts and intolerant to dairy and gluten. After the initial panic and concerns
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that his food choices were going to be dramatically reduced, I started exploring free-from food options only to discover that healthy options were few and far between. I did everything I could to make meal times as safe and exciting as possible for him and that’s when I began developing a dairy, gluten and nut free ice cream that tasted fantastic and could be enjoyed by a growing group of allergy sufferers, like Jacob or avoiders like myself. I knew from a young age that I wanted more from life, but was fully aware that I was going to have to work hard at it. When Jacob was born I was determined to provide a better future for both of us and the creation of my free-from ice cream seemed like the perfect steppingstone to a brighter future. What was the biggest stumbling block you came across during this period, and how did you overcome it? Having no funds to get the business off the ground was one of, if not the biggest stumbling block I faced during this period. I was working three jobs just to be able to provide for Jacob and myself, so I ended up investing my student loan and seeking help from my university’s design department to get my product branded. In 2010, I eventually took a leap of faith and entered Dragons’ Den where I received the full offer and backing of the two Dragons that I was really after – you may remember me as the 24-year-old who couldn’t stop crying tears of joy! How does your work life typically fit in with your family commitments and child care? It’s quite difficult to fit my work life in with my family commitments and child care, but it has become slightly easier the older Jacob gets – he is almost 12 now and started high school this year. When I was getting the brand off the ground, every day was a constant juggle with after school clubs, grandparents and friends all chipping in to help out. Unfortunately, it did mean I missed events such as sports days, class assemblies and parent’s evening. I aim to be home from work around 5 – 6pm and will then catch up on a couple of emails in the evening. It’s important to me that I spend at least an hour with Jacob before he goes to bed, whether it’s chatting about what he’s been up to in school or just watching TV together.
A big pro has to be flexibility – if a day off works for you, then take it. Working for yourself also means that there is no financial or career ceiling to hit, you can work as hard as you like in order to be as successful as you wish to be. A con with this though, is there is no one to push you. No one else is going to pay your wage if you don’t go out and earn it. The pros definitely do outweigh the cons though, there are no compulsory holidays and no term-time contracts to be had! How do you avoid the stress and burnout that might otherwise be typical of this lifestyle? It’s hard to avoid stress in a busy growing business, but I do try and exercise at least three times a week, even if it’s just an evening walk after dinner. Exercise helps to alleviate stress and combat the blues that often accompany selfemployment. What advice would you give to other mums for helping maximise the time and productivity of their days? I find I get more tasks completed in the evening as my inbox and phone aren’t constantly going off. You also need to make sure your friends are aware that just because you work for yourself, it doesn’t mean you are free for coffee every day! That being said a decent support network around you is priceless – when people offer you help, take it. What is the one ‘habit’ that you believe makes a successful ‘life juggler’? A daily or weekly to do list is absolutely crucial for both work life and home life! On Monday mornings, I will write down everything I need to do for that week and then set aside specific tasks for certain days, depending on what’s going on at home and in work. For more information on Kirsty’s range visit www.kirstys.co.uk
What are the pros and cons of working for yourself whilst raising a family?
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Beauty Just a few of the little ways Mums can reward themselves this winter...
Fragrance
Bobbi Brown’s Extra Glow Skincare Set is a trio of our cultfavourite products for glowing skin, bright eyes and soft, nourished lips. Set Includes Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm (30ml) Extra Lip Tint in Bare Pink (2.3g) Extra Eye Repair Cream (15ml) £68 www.bobbibrown.co.uk
Tiffany & Co’s new fragrance is a deliciously floral and gently musky modern scent, boasting vibrant top notes of vert de mandarin and the distinctive signature ingredient, iris flower, which adds strength and femininity. 50ml Eau de Parfum £72 www.tiffany.co.uk
After dark
Elemis’ Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser helps purify, soothe and balance even combination or problematic skin (£23.50 www.elemis.com) while their Soothing Apricot Toner calms and refreshes, toning the skin while helping to maintain the pH level, wall ithout the use of alcohol or other harsh detergents. (£40 www.elemis.com)
Ombar Coco Mylk Raw Chocolate Buttons are not ony deliciously creamy - they are also dairy and refinedsugar free. Not only this, they contain probiotics to help keep your tummy happy & healthy. £1.79 www.ocado.com
SLINGSBY RHUBARB GIN has an initial sweetness of rhubarb and raspberry followed by the bitter tang of the Pink grapefruit citrus base. Enjoy with a premium elderflower tonic, on ice and garnish with a fresh raspberries.
Elemis Maximum Moisture Day Cream adjusts to your skin's needs, provides continuous hydration & protects against environmental toxins. £40 www.elemis.com
£39.99
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love getting more? join the my mothercare reward club to get exclusive benefits and rewards • • • •
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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
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 8749 Mums Mag
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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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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 January 2018
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