Project Baby March

£4.99

From the EDITOR

If your reading this then you may well be pregnant ... Or maybe your baby is already here... Either way, congratulations and welcome to parenthood!

Welcome to the Spring edition of Project Baby! In this edition, we have a wide range of articles that will surely captivate your interest.

Starting off, Kendamil shares some intriguing newborn facts page 16 who knew baby’s didn’t have kneecaps. We would love to hear from you about how many new facts you discovered! Flip through the pages, and you’ll discover the latest fashion trends for mums-to-be.

We know that navigating the world of baby gear can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing between a buggy or a stroller, or even understanding the differences between all terrains and travel prams. But fret not! We’ve got you covered, providing all the information on page 52, you need to make the right decision.

On page 54, Pippeta enlightens us about the purpose of silver cups. You’ll be surprised to learn what they are actually used for! Prepare yourself for an abundance of fantastic products in this edition.

We hope you enjoy this edition and don’t forget to pick up your May edition in WHSmith.

Reading

MARCH/APRIL 2024

6. PRODUCTS WE LOVE

Everything you will need from pregnancy to parenthood.

20. RECPIES

To get your taste buds tingling

16. NEWBORN FACTS

Kendmil - Newborn facts

22. NEW PARENTS Top Tips

26. LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

Edx Education tells us how

30. 10 WAYS

To improve your toddlers vocabulary

32. LOOKING GOOD

Dress that bump

50. BABY SOS

My Expert Midwife - Gives expert advice on your babys skin this winter

10 Things WE LOVE

TFK MONO2

The stroller that grows with your child Suitable from 0-36 months

The combination stroller from tfk that accompanies your child safely and comfortably into life from the very beginning. www.tfk-buggy.com

OH MAMMA NEW MUM BOX

Oh, Mumma is the award-winning box subscription that makes self-care simple for the modern mum, available at JoJo as a one-off purchase. Say hello to ‘me-time’ moments every mum deserves with the Mother & Baby Box, containing an edit of luxe beauty and lifestyle products picked to make little moments of self-care super easy, plus some new baby essentials to keep the new arrival content as can be. www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

AVERY KNIT

Avery will keep you super comfortable whilst still feeling put together. There is, of course, enough room for baby bumps, food babies and everyday bloat. www.beyondnine.co.uk

FINNSØN INGE ECO BACKPACK

Designed to grab and go, the Inge Eco changing backpack adapts from shoulder to stroller in a few clicks. www.johnlewis.com

MAXI-COSI SEE BABY PRO BABY MONITOR

See Pro Baby Monitor features advanced CryAssist technology powered by Zoundream, which not only detects your baby’s cries and notifies you, it also automatically translates their cries and helps you understand if they’re: Sleepy, Fussy, Hungry, Gassy or Agitated.

www.boots.com

PIPPETA COMPACT HANDS-FREE BREAST PUMP

Being small and lightweight, this compact pump can be comfortably worn inside your nursing bra, with no tubes or wires so it’s truly hands-free. It’s designed with a soft silicone cup that fits snugly around your breast, with 4 modes and a range of pumping levels.

www.pippeta.com

BABYBJÖRN BABY CARRIER HARMONY

easy-to-use, ergonomic and comfortable baby carrier for babies up to approximately 3 years. It is quick and easy to put on and take off and has four carrying positions, making it perfect for walks with your baby this new year, and getting around hands-free.

www.babybjorn.co.uk

We Love

DONE BY DEER

Get them raring to be put on the floor with Done By Deer’s typically cool Croco. He has just so much to offer: a teether and rings to soothe itchy gums, tactile textures, a mirror, tags, crinkle sounds and a jittering crocodile www.babymori.com

DREAMGENII FEEDING PILLOW

Whether you’re bottle or breastfeeding, a feeding pillow can offer the support you need while feeding or cuddling your little one.

www.babycentral.co.uk

THULE AIR PURIFIER CANOPY

The Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy in Blue creates a gentle flow of purified air around your baby. The air purifier canopy for babies uses technology developed by medical experts to renew the air several times a minute to provide clean air for every breath. In essence, you bring the purified air with you, wherever you go.

www.thule.com

PREGNANCY ROUTINE

During pregnancy, your skin shouldn’t be yet another thing to worry about. Our personalised routine combats pregnancy-triggered changes including hypersensitivity, stretch marks, dryness and dullness.

Price: £115.50 www.uk.typology.com

NOBODY TELLS YOU

With over 100 contributors (including names you will recognise such as Megan Rose Lane, Clemmie Telford and Anna Mathur) we explore absolutely everything you can think of from trying to conceive right through to going back to work after having a baby.

Price: £11.99 www.amazon.co.uk

MY BABY JOURNAL

Packaged in a luxury keepsake box with magnetic and ribbon closure and wrapped in beautiful,branded tissue.

Price:From £35.00 www.cheekylittlesmiles.com

Products for BUMP

THE BRIEF KIT

MAMA MIO

BLOOMIN LOVELY PREGNANCY

A carefully curated pamper pack for that special mama-to-be, whether she be a friend, partner, daughter… or quite simply, you! Take some much-deserved time out, put your feet up and pamper yourself from top to toe.

Price: £38.00 www.boots.com

PREGNANCY PILLOW

Founded by 3 Norwegian chiropractors and mothers. When they couldn’t find a good enough solution to help their pregnant clients sleep, they created the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow. Bbhugme has since grown to be a trusted brand creating concepts for sleep, pregnancy, and nursing.

Adjustable Firmness: Adjust the length and firmness of the pillow to fit your body as your bump grows, ensuring soft or firm support throughout your pregnancy.

Multi-Use Design: Use it as a body pillow to improve pregnancy sleep and relieve tension, or as a nursing pillow for added support with baby.

Price: £153.00

www.uk.bbhugme.com

These new pieces, like the current Secret Saviours range of bump bands and briefs, feature patented Derma Dot™ pad technology by scientists at University College London Hospitals. These pads hold the skin in place, dispersing the pressure as the skin stretches. Subsequently, this blocks the path of stretch marks as they try to rip downwards through the dermis.

Price: £90.00 www.secretsaviours.com

Editors Choice

FINNSØN - FRIDA

Frida is our natural born organiser and makes the perfect companion for a busy lifestyle. With a comfortable crossbody strap and universal Osten stroller clips included, that fit any stroller. The Frida stroller organiser is a compact changing bag, ideal for keeping the essentials close at all times.

Price: £69.00 www.finnson.co.uk

MY EXPERT MIDWIFE PERI PREP YOUR BITS

Peri Prep Your Bits is a midwife developed, mum approved perineal massage oil that is safe to use in pregnancy to prepare for your baby’s birth and is ideal for encouraging the skin around your perineum to stretch more easily during childbirth.

Price: £15.00 www.well.co.uk

Products for

MUM

FRINGED TWEED MATERNITY JACKET

Beautifully woven & cut for an elegant Parisian-style silhouette, our Fringed Tweed Maternity Jacket is designed to elevate any outfit. Cut short, with an internal drawstring channel to cinch the waist, it offers a flattering fit through every stage of pregnancy & afterwards too. Smart fringed details and pockets at the front complete the look - perfect for teaming with sleek bodycon dresses at the office, or for smartening up your denim.

Price: £119.00 www.seraphine.com

Baby Shower Gift

PAMPER TIME

MOTHER & BABY HAMPER

The Mother & Baby Hamper is designed with new and expectant mothers in mind.

It features nine products, including our nourishing Mother Bath & Shower Gel, Baby Bubble Bath, Baby Milky Body Lotion, Mother Leg & Foot Treatment, and more skincare and body care to offer spa-level goodness at home, through pregnancy and beyond.

Mother Bath & Shower Gel 300ml

Baby Bubble Bath 300ml

Baby Milky Body Lotion 200ml

Mother Leg & Foot Treatment 265g

Cowshed Reusable Cotton Pads * May be substituted with Baby Frothy Hair & Body Wash 200ml

Price: £110.00 www.cowshed.com

PIPPETA WEARABLE HANDS FREE

Every mamma wants her hands free for extra cuddles. Being small and lightweight this pump can be worn inside your nursing bra, with no tubes or wires - it’s truly hands free!

Price: £59.00

www.pippeta.com

“ Babies are in fact born without any kneecaps – they have a structure made of cartilage that resembles a kneecap, but they don’t fully develop until around 6 months of age.”

SWEET DREAMERS EWAN THE DREAM SHEEP

Multi award-winning, super cute cuddly ewan the sheep mimics the comfort of the womb with a selection of ‘pink and white noise’ soothing sounds, including actual recordings of womb and heartbeat, combined with a warm pink calming glow, to lull your new-born or toddler into a peaceful slumber.

ewan Deluxe features an intelligent MoonMode smartCRY sensor, which is cleverly designed to automatically activate when baby stirs in the night, helping to resettle them, meaning ewan can effortlessly work his magic and ensure the entire family can get a great night’s sleep!

Price: £39.99

www.sandrasnurserycorner.com

LITTLE BUTTERFLY LONDON

When mother and baby receive countless presents, we think something you can never have too much of is the way to go. This hamper from Little Butterfly London ensures they’re both stocked up for those early few months.

Price from: From £249.00

www.littlebutterflylondon.com

VITAL BABY NURTURE ADVANCED PRO UV STERILISER AND DRYER

NURTURE™ Advanced Pro UV steriliser & dryer is here, and it’s better than ever. UV sterilisation is proven to be an effective way to kill 99.99% of bacteria, mould and viruses without the fuss of conventional sterilisers that use chemicals, water or heat.

Price: £129.99

www.johnlewis.com

Editors Choice BABY Products for

Soothing Baby

NUNA LEAF GROW SWING WITH TOY BAR

From newborn. To toddler. To big kid. They keep on growing. One thing that is constant? Their need for comfort and a space to call their own.

A gentle nudge from you sways LEAF™ grow from side-to-side. Just like being rocked in your arms.

Down and up they go with an adjustable recline that grows with them. Your child will adore it. No matter how old they are.

Price: £250.00

www.pramworld.co.uk

ROCK STEPPER PLAY MAT

Enjoy captivating alphabet and numbers accompanied by an app for endless creativity and healthy habits. Plus, the soft memory foam cushions your child’s wrists and knees when they learn to sit, walk and crawl.

Experience the perfect mat for babies and parents alike - the Rock Stepper! This waterproof, wipeable, foam-padded innovation offers support for early learning and development.

Price: £199.00 www.trotters.co.uk

Products for your

TODDLER

TONIES

KIDFIX I-SIZE

The new generation KIDFIX i-SIZE has been developed in partnership with leading car manufacturers, to give the ultimate car travel safety to your child. It’s equipped with the proven technologies of XP-PAD and SecureGuard for frontal impact protection, whilst the new design SICT protects your child from side collisions. Carefully placed air ventilation holes aid air circulation to keep your child comfortable for longer.

Price: £224.00 www.britax-romer.co.uk

Musical storybox designed for little hands and big imaginations. Little listeners just pop a Tonie on top and they’re all set for hours of songs and stories from all of their favourite characters. It’s robust, squishy and totally tumble-proof. But that’s not all! It’s also super easy for children to use independently with intuitive play controls – they just tap and tilt to navigate their way through the songs and stories. And with seven hours of battery life they’ll never be bored, whether they’re on-the-go or hanging out at home.

Price: £79.99 www.tonies.co.uk

MY 1ST YEARS

A blue personalised mini backpack by My 1st Years, made in durable canvas. It has a colourful safari animal design, with your child’s name embroidered in white so that their bag is easily identified. The spacious main compartment and front pocket securely fasten with zips. This bag can be hung up using the top handle and has adjustable shoulder straps for easy carrying.

Price: £29.00 www.my1styears.com

Fun 3

TODDLER FACTS

They can hear things we can’t

Toddlers have extremely sensitive hearing, and pick up higher frequencies than adults. (That’s not to say they will actually listen, of course!)

The average two year old manages to add 5 words a day to their vocabulary every day!

On average, a 4-yearold child asks 437 questions a day.

Source conservamome.com

NANIT

The Nanit Pro Camera & Wall Mount mounts to your wall overhead, so you can see & hear baby with 1080p HD video and two-way audio. Plus, with sleep tracking, breathing motion monitoring, and auto-memory capture included, you’ll never miss a thing.

Get your baby’s sleep stats each morning, plus a timelapse highlight reel so you can rewatch their entire night in seconds. Get personalized, science-backed sleep guidance from the world’s leading pediatric sleep experts, right in your app. Breathing: With Breathing Wear, your Nanit can “see” your baby’s chest as they breathe. Get real-time alerts if they need you, and feel more confident leaving them in the crib for the night. Price: £349.00 www.nanituk.co.uk

KODAK CHERISH C525P

The KODAK CHERISH C525P Baby Monitor helps you stay connected to your little ones at home or on the road. With WiFi connectivity, the CHERISH C525P camera provides tilt, pan and zoom options so you can capture even more of the quiet moments. With a KODAK baby camera and the KODAK Smart Home App, you can cherish all the beautiful moments of your baby’s development without disturbing their sleep.

Price: £149.99 www.kodaksmarthome.co.uk

OWLET MONITOR DUO PLUS BUNDLE V3

The Owlet Monitor Duo PLUS is the first baby monitor system to track your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels while streaming video and audio to your phone. Keep informed of your little ones needs with handy heart rate and oxygen level notifications. Parents can see live readings using Owlet’s app, but can also use the information to understand their baby’s overall wellness.

Price: £449.00 www.owletbabycare.co.uk

CUBO AI PLUS SMART BABY MONITOR

Includes Cubo Ai Plus camera and wall mount (requires drilling). Provides a bird’s-eye view at a sturdier setup and keep camera out of baby’s hands. The best AI baby monitor to safeguard your baby’s safety from 0-5+ years. AI detection for covered face, danger zone, cry detection, auto photo capture, and lots more.

Price: FROM £159.00 www.uk.getcubo.com

Best Baby MONITORS

Fascinating

NEWBORN FACTS

As you are likely learning as a parent, your little one is full of surprises – and there’s plenty more in store!

We asked Kendamil Feeding Expert Katie Hilton to share her most fascinating newborn facts, so read on to learn more!

1. THEY HAVE NO KNEECAPS

Yes, you heard me right! Babies are in fact born without any kneecaps – they have a structure made of cartilage that resembles a kneecap, but they don’t fully develop until around 6 months of age.

2. BABIES BORN IN MAY ARE THE HEAVIEST

Most people assume that babies born in January will be the heaviest because of all the feasting over Christmas and New Year. But research has shown that babies during the month of May are the heaviest, weighing around 200g more than babies born in any other month of the year.

3. NEWBORN BABIES HAVE NO TEARS

Whilst your baby will howl and scream to get what they want or need, they won’t theoretically cry. Newborn babies are unable to produce tears until around three weeks of age – this is because their tear ducts are not fully developed at birth. They will always produce moisture to keep the eyes well lubricated and healthy, but there will be no proper tears shed at least for the first 3-4 weeks. Phew!

4. BABIES ARE BORN WITH 300 BONES

Babies are born with almost 50% more bones than that of adults. The reason? A number of these bones fuse together during the first several years, bringing the total bones down to 206. For example, the skull of a newborn baby has several bones which overlap, creating what are known as fontanelles (or soft spots), which fuse together over the first 18 months of life. This overlapping of bones also helps the baby pass easier through the pelvis during birth. Thanks, Mother Nature!

5. MOST BABIES HAVE A BIRTH MARK

Most people consider a birth mark is an abnormality, but they’re totally normal – in fact, about 80% of babies are born with some sort of birth mark, with the most common types being a ‘stork bite’ or ‘port wine stain’. Most birth marks are caused by tiny blood

vessels under the skin becoming dilated during labour and usually disappear after a few years.

6. BABIES’ HAIR FALLS OUT

Don’t become too attached to that thick head of hair your baby was born with! Newborns tend to lose the hair they are born with during the first few weeks of birth. While it will gradually grow back over the first year, there’s no guarantee it will be the same as before.

7. BABIES HAVE IMPRESSIVE REFLEXES

A newborn baby is born with around 70 reflexes. For example, if you hold your baby upright with his feet on a flat surface, his legs will do a stepping motion. Of course, your baby can’t walk right now, but the knowledge of how to walk is born as a primitive reflex in your baby. Have you noticed that your baby jumps a lot? This is a reflex known as a ‘moro’, or startle reflex, which is a natural response all babies have to a loud noise. When this reflex occurs, you will see your baby startle and put his arms up and out, whilst bringing up his knees. A lot of these reflexes will either develop or become more integrated as your little one develops and grows.

8. BABIES ARE ALWAYS SLEEPY

You might have noticed that your baby is either always sleeping or looks sleepy. During the first few years of life, your baby will only be alert for around three minutes in each hour during the day (and even less during the night). A baby’s brain which is absorbing so much information in these first few years will use up most of the glucose supplies in the body, which explains why your baby needs so much sleep!

9. TIME TO SMILE

Your baby will start to smile somewhere between 6-8 weeks of age. When you hit this age you can try to make your baby smile with funny faces or voices. 

10. YOUR BABY KNOWS YOUR TASTE IN MUSIC

Research has demonstrated that your baby recognises your taste in music. From around four months into your pregnancy, your baby is able to hear sounds and music, so you might

find that music you played frequently during your pregnancy helps to calm your baby after delivery.

11. LOTS OF TASTE BUDS

A baby has three times the amount of taste buds us adults have; to be exact they have around 10,000! Babies start to develop taste buds all around the mouth during the last trimester of pregnancy. Some researchers suggest eating a range of different foods during the third trimester to help pass these varied tastes onto your baby (which in turn, could lead to less fussy infants when starting the weaning process).

12. LOTS OF LAUGHS

Did you know your baby laughs around 300 times each day? Compare that to the 60 times we laugh each day as adults and it’s easy to see why they’re so happy!

13.

BABIES HAVE ACCENTS

That’s right, your baby has an accent! Research has shown that babies pick up their mother’s accent during the third trimester of pregnancy and this accent is even reflected in how a baby cries after birth!

14. BABY GIRLS HAVE PERIODS

During pregnancy a baby shares their mother’s hormones. Following birth, some of these hormones will still remain in their body. Because of this baby girls shed their uterine lining which can result in a miniperiod. Both baby girls and baby boys can also lactate a little.

15. BABIES CAN SWALLOW AND BREATHE AT THE SAME TIME

Have you ever noticed when feeding your baby that he can drink his bottle without stopping? This is because your baby has the unique ability to swallow and breathe at the same time until around 7 months of age. If your baby gets a cold or a blocked nose they lose this unique ability, which is why they can get so miserable and refuse to feed during this period.

16. CHANGING EYE COLOUR

All babies are born with vivid blue eyes, which comes from a part of the eye located behind the iris and is not well developed at birth. Your baby’s true eye colour will be evident from around 6 months of age.

17. BABIES ARE OUT OF PROPORTION

Have you noticed how out of proportion your baby’s body appears? This is because at birth, your baby’s head makes up around a quarter of its total length and the brain actually makes up 10% of its total body weight. Don’t worry though, the rest of his body will quickly grow to catch up!

18. QUICKLY GROWING

Your little one is going to be doing a lot of growing during the first few years of life, in fact he or she will quadruple in size, while in just the first 6 months they will double in weight. After the first 2 years the speed of growth will start to slow down – after all, we wouldn’t want your baby continuing to grow at this speed!

TOP 3 BENEFITS OF PRENATAL YOGA YOGA

Prenatal yoga is a wonderful way for pregnant women to care for themselves and their changing bodies.

1. BODY & MIND

CONNECTION: IMPROVE YOUR EMOTIONAL STATE

Taking stock of your current mental health is important when travelling through the trimesters of pregnancy. It helps you to understand what areas of your life are overwhelmed and when you might need support.

Prenatal yoga brings about a mind-body connection as it includes working the physical body alongside the mental and emotional being. The deep breathing and mindfulness exercises used in prenatal yoga promote calmness and ease the emotional ups and downs pregnancy brings.

Prenatal yoga helps to release ‘feel good’ endorphins that lifts our mood and energy levels. This improves your state of mind during these uncertain times.

2. PHYSICAL FITNESS AND STRENGTH

Prenatal yoga can not only enhance the mind-body connection but also supports your changing body. You learn how to listen to your body, work within your body limitations, and trust your body.

During pregnancy, changes in your body can happen quickly and your body can need help adjusting and accommodating. Prenatal yoga offers pregnant women optimal ways to stretch and strengthen their muscles to support their growing belly, improve circulation and flexibility.

3. BREATHING TECHNIQUES

Prenatal yoga improves muscle tone and leads you to understand where tension is held in your body. Prenatal yoga teaches you to practice simple breathing techniques to release and let go of tension, especially on days when the current situation seems overwhelming.

Learning and practicing breathing techniques can help assist with reduced lung capacity during pregnancy and in lowering blood pressure.

Breathing techniques practiced during prenatal yoga can be carried through to birth. When in labour, focusing upon your breath cycle and using practiced techniques allow for a smoother and more positive birth experience.

DON’T FORGET!

Any mother will be very familiar with pelvic floor exercises. These exercises are incredibly important, as they help to strengthen the muscles that come into great strain in pregnancy and childbirth. “Begin by sitting, standing or laying down in a comfortable position and squeeze and lift your pelvic floor muscles (these are the ones you use when you’re trying to hold in a pee). Hold this contraction for up to ten seconds, then relax. Repeat ten times and aim to do three or four sets each day!

1. GET YOUR DOC’S OK.

It’s important to get the green light from your doctor before hitting the gym, especially if you have a medical condition

2. WARM UP.

The type of warm-up you do depends on what you’re doing,

3. DRINK ENOUGH WATER.

Staying hydrated is important especially during pregnancy and even more so when you’re exercising.

4. PUT SOME SPORTS ON THE BACKBURNER.

You shouldn’t do any activity that could cause a sudden fall or involve contact with your belly.

5. MONITOR YOUR HEART RATE USE THE TALK TEST:

if you can have a conversation, you’re at the right intensity. “If you’re absolutely breathless, you’re probably working too hard,” Keller said.

6. YOU CAN STEP IT UP.

If you walked pre-pregnancy, you wouldn’t want to do a marathon, but you could definitely add more miles or start out with an easy jog

7. LEAVE TIME TO COOL DOWN.

After your workout, a cool-down is just as important as a warm-up because it gradually decreases your heart rate.

8. KNOW WHEN TO STOP.

If you’re feeling drained, fatigued or slightly off, cool down and stop for the day. You should feel invigorated, not exhausted.

These carrot and oat mini muffins are the perfect size for school lunch boxes and afternoon snacks. You might need to modify this recipe if anyone in your family has special dietary requirements like food allergies or intolerances.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup plus 1 heaped tablespoon (160 gm) wholemeal self-raising flour

1⅔ cups (150 gm) plain rolled oats

2 medium carrots, grated

2½ tablespoons (70 gm) honey or ¼ cup (65 gm) firmly packed brown sugar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 eggs

5 tablespoons (100 ml) extra virgin olive oil

METHOD

1.Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Lightly oil a 24-hole mini muffin tin with olive oil spray, or fill with mini cupcake cases. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, grated carrot, honey or brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix to combine.

2.In a separate bowl, lightly whisk eggs. Add oil and mix.

3.Pour into carrot mixture and mix until just combined (don’t overmix).

4.Spoon evenly into the muffin tin. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

5.Allow to rest in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out and cooling on a wire rack.

Carrot and Oat Mini Muffins

Makes 24

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Weaning Recipe: Easy Baby Pasta Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

Approx 12 medium-sized tomatoes, quartered

1 red pepper, stalk removed, deseeded and roughly chopped

3-4 garlic cloves, peeled

1 large (or 2 smaller) courgettes, topped and tailed and thickly sliced

1 red onion, peeled and cut into 1/8ths

3 carrots, peeled and grated

1 tbsp dried basil

1 tbsp dried oregano

1 tbsp and 1 tsp olive oil

Cooking 20 Minutes Preperation 5 Minutes

METHOD:

1. Set the oven to 180 (fan assisted). Place the tomatoes, red pepper, courgette and red onion in a deep baking tray. Sprinkle over the herbs and add the tablespoon of olive oil and mix well. Cook for around 20 minutes.

2.Meanwhile heat the remaining olive oil in a pan and gently fry the carrots on a medium heat for 5-6 minutes then set aside.

3. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth-ish

4. Stir into cooked pasta (fusilli works best as the sauce clings so well to it).

5.Any leftover can be frozen (try freezing in ice cube trays for perfect baby-sized portions).

New Parent SURVIVAL TIPS

By Kendmil

Transitioning to a new arrival is both exciting, daunting and exhausting for pretty much every new parent, but there are a few tips to help make this easier on yourself. Kendamil Feeding Expert KatieHilton shares her top parent survival tips and advice!

ASK FOR HELP

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Both friends and family will be more than happy to offer a helping hand, especially if it means they get lots of baby cuddles! People often won’t know how to help you, or what you need doing so instead get yourself a chalkboard and write a list of things they can help you with – this way, when they visit you can show them the list and they can pick off what they can do to help you both. Also don’t forget to reach out to professionals – your Midwife and Health Visitor are there to help, so give them a ring if you’re struggling or pop along to a baby clinic.

BUILD A ROUTINE

Babies love routines and they like to show you what they need and when – so pay attention to your baby’s cues and cries and start to build that routine early.

It can help to know what to expect and when; although this routine might change slightly from time to time!

Some parents like to follow the eat, play, sleep routine or maybe you’ll create your own. You could also use an app to keep track of your baby’s activities where you might start to see a pattern emerge.

DO EVERYDAY THINGS

Finding just an hour each day to do everyday things such as going for a walk, taking a shower, checking your email or grabbing a coffee will help you to feel like yourself and not just a ‘parent’.

Of course, you can spend this time however you like, but always try to plan in at least a 10-minute walk to get outside of the house.

MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES

You might find everything is upside down when your baby arrives –your moods may be erratic, and you often won’t be feeling or looking like your pre-baby self immediately.

It’s tempting when you’re feeling like this (particularly if you’re also exhausted) to just eat whatever you want. But you’ll feel so much better if you eat healthy, nutritious foods.

Stock up on snacks you can eat with one hand such as almonds, sticks of carrots, fruit and cereal bars.

WEAR YOUR BABY

This won’t be for everyone but wearing your newborn baby in a sling or baby carrier is a great new-parent hack.

It helps promote bonding through skin-to-skin contact, keeps baby cosy and is particularly useful if your baby is fussy.

It’s also a guaranteed way to get your baby to sleep, whilst giving you the time and freedom to do anything you need to do around the house!

DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF

You may find there will be friends due to have babies or with newborns around the same time you have your baby.

You’ll have likely compared notes during pregnancy and you’ll naturally do the same thing once your babies arrive. But sometimes comparing yourself and your baby against others can create stress.

Like if your baby doesn’t gain weight as quickly, or your baby isn’t sleeping as long at night.

It’s important to remember that every baby is different and each will hit those milestones at a different time. Every family’s journey is different, so just concentrate on what’s working for your family!

EVERY STAGE IS TEMPORARY

It’s easy to get hung up on each stage of parenting, but your baby will not be a bobble-headed eating machine who eats every two hours forever – and you won’t be a moody Mum or Dad who can’t get out the house for the rest of your life!

Keep reminding yourself that every stage will pass eventually, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and you will get through each stage.

Did you know`?

On average, a baby will need about 4,000 nappy changes before they’re fully potty trained

REST

The old clichéd suggestion of ‘sleeping while the baby sleeps’ might sound unrealistic to mums getting frustrated they can’t sleep despite exhaustion. If this is you, at least rest and relax when your baby sleeps.

Put your favourite TV show on, soak in a bath or curl up in bed with a book. That way you’ll feel a lot more ready to tackle the next part when the baby wakes. Talk to your health visitor or GP if you think you might be getting depressed.

INSPIRING a Love of Learning Through Play!

Heather Welch, General Manager UK at Edx Education, parent and early years teacher, looks at ‘learning through play’ as a simple and fun way to enhance your child’s development, with great advice on age-appropriate play activities, and what to look out for when choosing developmental toys for the 0 to 6 year old age range.

Playtime in the early years is lots of fun, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to enhance your child’s development and help them learn lots of valuable educational, social and life skills! The first six years of life are a child’s most informative years, where knowledge is gathered at a rate unmatched in later life. A positive experience of learning during these years has a direct impact on future educational and career outcomes, so how can we support this journey and encourage a lifetime passion for learning in our children? It really is as simple as play!

In the UK and much of the world, learning through play has been adopted in nursery and primary schools as a key teaching method. Years of research have shown that young children absorb knowledge far better when it is presented in a play setting, compared to a directinstruction approach.

The benefits of play are profound. Not only is it fun and engaging, but it encourages cognitive growth, hones gross and fine motor skills, is a great stress reliever and teaches our children how to monitor their emotional and behavioural responses. It encourages creative and imaginative thinking, improves literacy and maths skills, and is the perfect way to introduce early science and engineering concepts. Playing together as a family is a wonderful bonding experience too. It teaches key social skills, such negotiation, compromise and perseverance through trial and error experimentation.

It is also a great way to develop communication skills, through discussion and debate, analysing play scenarios and exploring the meaning and context of words through the general chitchat of play. This form of organic learning allows children to learn autonomously or as part of a group.

It can happen anywhere, whether in the classroom, at home, or out and about. Indeed, every experience can become a learning experience, whether it’s a spontaneous game of Eye Spy on the school run (sounding out letters, whilst encouraging observations skills) or a pre-planned play experience at home, such as making homemade play dough (science and maths learning) and then cutting out different shapes to construct a 3D picture (art, physics and fine motor skill development!).

As parents, we can support our child’s journey as they grow with ‘learning through play’ toys appropriate to their stage of development. So, what attributes make a good educational toy for your child’s age?

Educational toys for infants and toddlers

Sensory: Sensory play is all-important for infants and toddlers as it builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, enabling them to complete more complex learning tasks in the future, so look for toys that stimulate the senses of touch, sight and sound. Sand and Water Play Trays and Eco-Friendly Tactile Shells are great for sensory play!

Gross motor skills: Look for toys that encourage your baby or toddler to move around and help develop balance and coordination. For babies, playmobiles and activity gyms are great for strengthening back, stomach and neck muscles which help with learning to crawl and walk.

Fine motor skills: Fine motor skills are essential for learning to write and draw, and even for baby-led weaning! Toys that encourage the development of fine motor movements are also wonderful for helping with hand-eye coordination. Stackable Rainbow Pebbles are great from age 18m, and as they grow, construction toys such as GeoStix and Maths Linking Cubes help train fine motor movements.

Colour recognition: We can start teaching our children about colours from the age of 18m. Try grouping Rainbow Pebbles in colour groups and point to other things around the home that match. For toddlers, it can be really fun to bring this activity outdoors – let’s look for things that are green, blue or red!

Educational toys and games for 3-4 year olds

Imaginative Play: Imaginative play is a great way for children to make sense of the world around them, and helps with social, emotional and language development. Children learn to negotiate, problem-solve and develop confidence in being independent through imaginative play. One of the best aspects of imaginative play is that children can create a world simply from things around the home. They can have fun dressing up in mum or dad’s clothes, create a ‘shop’ from items in the kitchen cupboards, recreate a school environment with teddies or dolls, or even make a ‘fort’ from cushions off the sofa!

Creative Play: Creative play is wonderful on so many levels. It’s perfect for honing fine motor skills but also helps with lateral thinking and problem solving, imagination and creativity, and can even be great for communication as children discuss their thought processes while creating their masterpieces! Children can get creative with construction toys such as GeoStix, FunPlay Construction Cubes and Pattern Blocks (which are also great for learning maths too!), or with art materials such as paint, coloured pencils and crayons, plasticine or papiermâché!

Literacy: Once children are able to read a whole new world of understanding opens up for them, so choose toys that will help with letter recognition and formation, along with stocking up with lots of fun and colourful books too, of course! The GeoStix Letter Construction Set is a fun way to teach letter construction, or try creating words with Letter Stampers or Transparent Letters.

Active Play: Active play is great for developing gross motor skills and hand/eye coordination, keeping fit and healthy, relieving stress and tension, developing social skills and so much more! We can build obstacle courses in the home or garden using Step-A-Stones or by simply using items from around the house. Perhaps you can take the fun outdoors and have relay races using beanbags, play ball games, hopscotch or take your bikes down to the local park?!

Early Maths: Developing an early love for maths has a lasting effect on our future relationship with the subject, so why not help your child get ahead at school with ‘learning through play’ maths toys? For children aged 3-4 years, you can start with simple subtraction and addition, or patterning and sequencing activities using colourful Aquatic, Bug, Monster, Dinosaur or Vegetable Counters. The FunPlay ranges are another great way to make maths learning fun and engaging, with seven different sets to choose from there are hours of activities to keep young minds engaged.

Educational toys and Games for 5-6 year olds

Science Concepts: Now is a great time to get children excited about science! There are so many fantastic science-based educational toys to choose from, so follow your child’s interests as a starting point when buying toys. Do they like to learn about nature? Are they interested in dinosaurs or space, perhaps? You can bring science learning into everyday life, whether creating meals in the kitchen, playing in the garden or visiting the park, there are great examples of physics, chemistry and biology

happening around us all time!

Moving on in Maths: As our child’s confidence grows in maths basics, we can start to introduce more complicated concepts such as geometry, measurement and fractions into home learning.

The Early Math101 To Go ranges start at ages 3-4, up to ages 4-5 and 5-6 years, and include lots of hands-on activities to bring maths alive. They have been designed in line with the National Curriculum, so are a perfect tool to bring classroom learning into the home.

Play-based learning is a powerful educational approach that recognises the intrinsic value of play in a child’s development. By embracing play as a vehicle for learning, children in the early years can experience holistic growth across cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and linguistic domains. Educators, parents, and policymakers must recognise the significance of play-based learning and provide ample opportunities for children to engage in purposeful play. By doing so, we can unleash the full potential of our children, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success!

For more free learning through play ideas and advice, visit: www.edxeducation. com, or shop for home learning toys at: www.shopedx.co.uk

NHS Vaccinations

and when to have them

Vaccines

8 weeks

6-in-1 vaccine

Rotavirus vaccine

MenB vaccine

12 weeks

6-in-1 vaccine (2nd dose)

Pneumococcal vaccine

Rotavirus vaccine (2nd dose)

16 weeks

6-in-1 vaccine (3rd dose)

MenB vaccine (2nd dose)

1 year

Hib/MenC vaccine (1st dose)

MMR vaccine (1st dose)

Pneumococcal vaccine (2nd dose)

MenB vaccine (3rd dose)

2 to 15 years

Children’s flu vaccine (every year until children finish Year 11 of secondary school)

3 years and 4 months

MMR vaccine (2nd dose)

4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine

What to expect after the appointment

Your baby or child may cry for a little while after a vaccination, but they should feel better after a cuddle.

Sometimes the area where the needle goes in can be sore and red for 2 to 3 days. This should go away on its own.

Some children may feel irritable and unwell and some may develop a high temperature (fever).

How to treat a high temperature after vaccination

If your child develops a high temperature:

Make sure they’re not wearing too many layers of clothes or blankets

Give them plenty to drink

Give them liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen for children to bring their temperature down

It’s recommended that you give your baby liquid paracetamol after the MenB vaccine to reduce the risk of a high temperature. This vaccine is given at 8 weeks, 16 weeks and 1 year old.

Make sure you follow the instructions that come with the medicine. If you’re unsure, ask a pharmacist for advice.

Do

• Remember to take your personal child health record (PCHR) –in England this is usually known as the “red book”

• Let the practice or clinic know if someone else is taking your child for vaccinations

• Dress your baby in clothes that are easy to remove – babies under 12 months have injections in the thigh

• Dress toddlers and older children in loose or short sleeves –they’ll have their injections in the arm

• Try to stay calm during the vaccination – it’s natural to worry but it might make your child anxious and restless

• Let your child know what’s going to happen in simple language – for example, “you may feel a sharp scratch that will go away very fast”

• Hold your child on your knee during the injection – if you’re worried about seeing injections you could ask a nurse or another member of staff to hold them for you

Don’t

• Do not rush to get to your appointment – giving yourself plenty of time can help you and your child avoid feeling stressed and anxious

• Do not be worried about speaking to the nurse or doctor –they can answer any questions you have about vaccination

10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR Toddlers

Vocabulary

The younger the child, the easier it is to build their vocabulary, as their brain is still developing and a bsorbing as much information as possible. Parents of most toddlers are unaware of how fast the vocabulary of a child can improve if they had a little assistance. In fact, there are some easy to ways to develop the vocabulary of an 18 month old or older child. A quick look at the vocabulary list of a 28 to 30 months old or even younger toddler can help them gauge their little one’s knowledge of words. Use the methods mentioned below in the article to help boost your little one’s vocabulary.

Children need guidance and a little push from their parents to learn the right things. To encour age speech development in toddlers a little effort is required from your side. Here is what you can do for your toddler’s vocabulary development.

1. READ TOGETHER

This is one of the most recommended activities to enhance the vocabulary of a toddler. Start off with board books and picture books with repetitive words. Point out different pictures and spell out their names loud and clear. Encourage your child to repeat the words that you speak while

explaining those pictures. Engage in this activity every day. You can also do role play with your kids. Take scenes from a book and act them out; involve your toddler too. Soon your toddler will be speaking new words he has learned from the book.

2. TALK WITH YOUR CHILD

There is nothing that works better than the first-hand experience of holding a conversation. So, go ahead and engage your toddler in conversation. Talk to him about what you are doing and point out different things to him when you take him out for a walk. Ask him questions and wait for him to reply. Applaud him when he keeps up with the conversation. This would encourage your child to take a keen interest in what you are saying, thereby improving his vocabulary.

3. SING SONGS

Some toddlers are more enamored by songs than with stories and conversations. There are a lot of songs that help in teaching new words to toddlers. Try out songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” and “Old McDonald Had a Farm”. Don’t forget to use appropriate actions as this would keep up his interest and also help your little one understand the meaning of the song.

4. TRY POINTING GAME

Point out different things to your toddler in his books or around the house. Once he is acquainted with most of the things, point out to something and ask him what it is. Though he might seem a bit confused initially, he would soon be able to name the things.

5. TEACH HIM SENSORY WORDS

Engage your child in sensory activities. Like, go outside in the garden after the first rain of the year and ask him what he smells. Take him to different places and ask him to describe what he sees, smells, hears, and feels. You can also allow him to play in the sand and he will tell you what sand feels like inn his hand. Soon, he will have a stock of vocabulary to talk about a variety of things.

6. EXPLORE YOUR SURROUNDINGS

Nature is a wonderful teacher. What we don’t learn in a school classroom or at home, we learn by exploring nature. Toddlers love to go out and learn about new things to feed their curiosity. So, use this opportunity to enhance his vocabulary. Take him to an amusement park or zoo. He will come across new things, both living and non-living—a variety of trees, animals, birds, wooden benches, fountains and what not—he will have a fresh set of vocabulary to take home.

7. LET HIM PLAY WITH OLDER CHILDREN

When your toddler mingles with children who are older to him, he will learn many things. Not only his vocabulary will improve, he will also observe their way of talking, their behaviour, and how they act in different situations. It will make him socially active, thereby improve his confidence.

8. ONE WORD PER DAY

Teaching too many words a day can confuse your little one. Instead, pick one word every day and teach your child what it means. Then

encourage your tot to use this word at least five times during the day. Applauding him when he does this correctly would get him more interested in the game and within no time your tot would have an impeccable vocabulary.

9. WATCHING INTERESTING SHOWS

No, this doesn’t include the generic cartoons that children watch. Allott time every week to watch an interesting and informative show with your child. This could range from an easy-to-understand documentary or even a movie suitable for their age. This will help them listen to more words and even use it in their daily speech.

10. USING MORE DESCRIPTIVE WORDS

The more your child listens to words, the more they will use them as well. Make sure you use descriptive words while speaking to family members around the house.

You can use adjectives to describe certain things. If it may be out of your toddler’s understanding, try and make it easier for them to understand.

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HUXLEY DUSTY PINK FLEECE JERSEY TROUSERS

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FLEECE

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CABLE KNIT DUNGAREES

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INITIAL CORD BACKPACK

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PLUMA KNIT TODDLERS

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Silk Cleanser

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MINI BLOOM

PureCastile Liquid Soap

With no added fragrance and double the olive oil, our Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap is good for sensitive skin & babies too.

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MANUKA HONEY

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SPOTLIGHT

Baby Shower THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE BEST GIFTS

The arrival of a new baby is an exciting time, and one of the best ways to show your support for new parents is by bringing a thoughtful and useful baby shower present. However, with so many baby products to choose from, it can be overwhelming to pick the best one. Even before purchasing a gift, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

CONSIDER THE PARENTS’ NEEDS AND PREFERENCES.

When choosing a baby shower gift, it’s important to consider the needs and preferences of the parents. Are they first-time parents who are starting from scratch or do they already have a lot of toys and clothes saved from their baby’s older siblings? Do they have a specific theme or colour scheme for the nursery? Are they eco-conscious or prefer organic products? These factors can help guide your gift selection and ensure that it’s not only useful but also appreciated by the parents.

Choose practical gifts that will be useful for the baby.

When it comes to baby shower gifts, practicality is key. New parents will appreciate gifts that they can use on a daily basis, such as nappies, wipes, baby clothes, and feeding supplies. Consider purchasing items in larger sizes, as babies grow quickly and may outgrow smaller sizes within a few weeks.

HERE ARE SOME DONT’S FOR BABY SHOWER GIFTS

While choosing a gift for a baby shower, it is important to keep in mind some don’ts that can help you avoid any awkwardness or disappointment. Firstly, avoid gifting any items that are potentially harmful to the baby’s health, such as sharp or small toys, choking hazards, or items that contain harmful chemicals. Also, avoid gifting any items that could potentially trigger allergies or skin irritations, such as scented lotions, perfumes, or clothing made from synthetic materials.

Secondly, avoid gifting any items that may not fit with the parents’ preferences or lifestyle choices. For instance, gifting plastic toys to those who prefer products made from natural materials may not be well-received.

Lastly, avoid gifting any items that may be too extravagant or expensive, as this can put unnecessary pressure on the other guests to match up. A baby shower is about celebrating the arrival of a new life and showing support and love for the parents.

Now, with that out of the way, here is our ultimate list of the best gifts to give for a baby shower:

BABY SKINCARE PRODUCTS

Every parent wants to ensure their baby’s delicate skin is well taken care of, making baby skincare products a perfect baby shower gift. When choosing skincare products, it’s important to opt for those that are fragrance-free, and gentle on baby’s skin. Look out for brands that cater to sensitive skin or cruelty-free products. Some popular options include Child’s Farm, Burt’s Bees Baby, and Mini Mio

BABY BOOKS

Reading to babies is essential for their cognitive and language development. Gifting a selection of baby books is a thoughtful present that will encourage parents to read to their little ones. Some popular books include “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle, and “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney. Look for board book versions which are more durable for when baby starts teething - they love to chomp on a good book.

BABY TOYS

Baby toys are not only fun for babies but also aid in their physical and cognitive development. When choosing baby toys, opt for those that are safe, age-appropriate, and encourage sensory exploration. Some popular options include baby play mats, bath toys, musical toys and pram toys.

BABY CARRIER

A baby carrier is a practical and versatile gift that allows parents to have their hands free while keeping their baby close. When choosing a baby carrier, it’s important to consider comfort, ease of use, safety and the baby’s age and weight. Ergobaby and Baby Bjorn are popular brands, and their carriers are designed to distribute the baby’s weight evenly, reducing strain on the parent’s back.

BABY SLEEPING AIDS

A well-rested baby makes for a happy baby and parents. Baby sleeping aids, such as sound machines or swaddle blankets, can help soothe babies to sleep. Look for products that are made from soft and breathable materials, such as organic cotton, and are easy to use. Some popular options include the Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets and the Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine.

CHANGING BAGS

A good quality changing bag is essential for parents who are always on the go. When choosing a changing bag, consider the size, number of compartments, and the material. Look for bags that are made from durable and easy-to-clean materials, such as nylon or polyester. The London Olivia range is a great option for something that is more stylish but yet has multiple compartments and pockets.

Here’s some of our favourites.

1. Carrier - Babybjorn, 2. sleep aid - Ewan The sheep,

3. Books - beatrix potter, 4. Towel - Cuddledry, 5. Changing Bag - Finnson, 6. Woosh - Rockit, 7. Muslin cloths - Etta Loves, 8. Play toy - Dingle Dangle

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LITTLE DUTCH TEA SET

This tea set is a classic role play toy, promoting the development of language and communication.

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BIGJIGS TOYS WOODEN NUMBER BLOCKS

Learning to count is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Introduce young children to numbers with our bright assortment.

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TOY PEDAL CAR

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We Love

WOODEN PIRATE SHIP

This high quality Wooden Pirate Ship will help develop physical skills and ignite the imagination through role-play. Your child will be able to create different scenarios and have the best adventures whilst finding the hidden treasure.

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PLAY POD DEN

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We Love

NOAHS ARK

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KIDS CONCEPT PUZZLE

This wonderful wooden alphabet puzzle from our Swedish brand, Kids Concept, is from their 2018 Neo collection. From A to Z with different colours too, it can be used for playing, learning numbers and colours.

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Meet our top model of the house-frame cot bed. At night, Meli will provide your child with a safe place to sleep and, during the day, it will become a place to play and relax

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LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME ROCKING DONKEY

Norbert the Rocking Donkey from Little Bird Told Me is an adorable rocking donkey with a super soft tufted coat and sticky-up ears. Featuring a soft scrunchy velour mane and tail, he stands on sturdy wooden rocking rails.

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Baby SOS:

PROTECTING YOUR BABY’S PRECIOUS SKIN MICROBIOME THE WINTER

As the temperature drops outside and we switch on the central heating it can play havoc with an adult’s skin. So, for a second, imagine what it must be like for a baby.

Whilst your little one’s skin may be super soft most of the time, we know that, like an adult, it needs more protection in the winter. Baby skin is more permeable, prone to dryness and vulnerable to being damaged particularly in the first few months of life as it adapts to life in the outside world.

The skin of a full term healthy newborn baby is 30% thinner than that of an adult, whilst premature and unwell babies are at even greater risk of skin damage as it can be even thinner. Babies skin also loses water faster than an adult too.

Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) is the normal, organic loss of water vapor from the skin, not to be confused with sweating. The rate of TEWL is an accurate indication of the integrity of a skin barrier, and the health of that individual’s skin and its ability to retain moisture.

Studies show the differences between newborn and adult skin when it comes to TEWL. The average rates of TEWL were 3-5 times higher in babies than adults which highlights the importance of using baby specific skin care products that contain no harsh chemicals.

The first few months of a newborn’s life shows the highest rate of TEWL, so a good skincare practice that’s implemented as part of your daily routine can help reduce dryness, support skin development and better protect baby’s skin in the future.

SO HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR BABY’S SKIN THIS WINTER?

The winter air is tough on everyone’s skin, but babies are extra susceptible. A few simple steps can help to prevent dry skin, chapped cheeks and other winter skin discomforts.

1. KEEP BATHS LUKEWARM

Despite our research showing that 36% of new parents* believe they need to bathe their baby every day this isn’t true and three times a week is usually plenty. Keeping baths lukewarm will help to ensure baby’s skin doesn’t dry out. Aim to do some skin-to-skin contact after bathing your baby to help build their microbiome back up and you can breathe in that newborn natural baby smell.

My Expert Midwife’s Mega Mild Cleansing Wash - midwife-developed, paediatrician approved and dermatologically tested is gentle and naturally derived, leaving baby’s skin feeling clean and soft. Containing soothing calendula, marshmallow, and oat kernel it can be used from your baby’s first wash and is suitable for even eczema prone skin.

2. DON’T OVERHEAT THE HOUSE

Whilst it can be tempting to crank up the heating in the winter months, overheated air can actually dry out skin even more. Keep the house at a comfortable heat but cool enough that you can layer baby up for a sleep. The optimal temperature for a baby’s room is 16-20 degrees Centigrade. Putting a humidifier in baby’s room can also help combat the drying effect of forced heat.

3. USE THE RIGHT MOISTURISER

Moisturiser can be extremely helpful in preventing and treating a baby’s dry skin but make sure you choose one that is as natural as possible and free from harsh chemicals. The Mega Mild Moisture Milk from My Expert Midwife contains hydrating and softening grape, argan and rosehip oils and soothing oat kernel to help keep your baby’s skin soft and soothed. Safe to use from newborn onwards plus dermatologically tested and paediatrician approved for ultimate reassurance.

For extra sensitive, irritable skin try the 100% naturally derived Super Charged Skin Salve. 100% naturally derived, this gentle formula targets and sooths dry, sore and inflamed skin and contains protecting and anti-inflammatory lanolin and calendula and soothing oat kernel oil.

A wealth of supporting information on caring for baby’s skin, the microbiome, when and how to bath a baby and common baby skin problems and solutions is available at www.myexpertmidwife.com. The full baby range helping you care for your newborn - from the moment you prepare your birth plan throughout your baby’s first year – is available via their website and at leading retailers including ASDA, Boots & Superdrug.

*research carried out by One Poll for My Expert Midwife in September 2023

Tips when shopping for a pram 6

Choosing the ideal pram is no simple task. With a wide range of options available, from travel systems designed for all terrains to lightweight travel prams, it can feel like navigating a minefield.

SO, WHERE SHOULD YOU BEGIN?

The best starting point is to ask yourself a few key questions:

1. Who will be using the pram the most? Consider who will be doing the majority of the pushing and handling of the pram.

2. Where do you plan on using the pram? Think about the terrain and environment in which you will be using the pram. Will you be mainly walking on city pavements, navigating through parks and trails, or using public transportation?

3. How long do you plan on using the pram? Consider if you need a pram that can accommodate your child as they grow, or if you prefer a lightweight option for shorter-term use.

4. Do you need a pram that can convert into a double? If you have plans to expand your family or if you already have multiple children, a pram that can convert into a double may be a practical choice.

5. What additional features are important to you? Consider features such as adjustable handles, easy folding mechanisms, storage space, maneuverability, and comfort for your child.

6. What is your budget? Determine your budget range before starting your search to narrow down the options that fit within your financial constraints.

By asking yourself these questions, you can better understand your needs and preferences, making it easier to choose the ideal pram for you and your child.

PRAM, VS PUSHCHAIR, VS STROLLER - WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

A pram is designed to be used from birth and is generally made up of a carrycot, chassis & seat unit – Usually, you can add adaptors & a car seat to create a travel system.

Pushchairs are usually geared towards older babies and feature a seat unit (sometimes suitable from birth with a full lie-flat recline) that can be used until approx. 4 years.

A stroller tends to feature a world-facing seat unit only with a lightweight compact frame. Some, like the Babyzen YOYO2, are even cabin approved & can be taken on board an aeroplane.

DOUBLES

iCandy Peach 7, egg2, Mee-Go Allegra, Silvercross Wave, Bugaboo Donkey 5, Cosatto WOW XL, TFK Duo 2

LIGHT WEIGHT PRAMS

iCandy - Core

Uppa Baby Minu V2

Joolz Aer+

Bugaboo Butterfly

Leclercbaby XL

TRAVEL BUGGIES

Cybex - Coya

Joolz Aer+

BABYZEN YOYO+

Bugaboo Butterfly

Leclercbaby

Didofy aster

Mamas and Papas Airo

TRAVEL SYSTEMS

Didofy Stargazer

Cosatto Wow

iCandy Peach 7

Joolz Geo

egg 2

BabyStyle

Nuna Triv

ALL TERRAIN

TFK Mono iCandy Peach7 Thule Bugaboo Donkey

We love tits.

Lets talk with Pippeta on all things breastfeeding and breast pumping.

Pippeta (IBCLC) International Board Certified

How do I know that I make enough milk?

When it comes to milk supply there are always endless questions and insecurities. So let me reassure you, knowing that your baby is getting enough milk is based on a simple equation:

Whatever goes in has to either stay with baby (weight they gain), or gets disposed of as urine or poop (waste). We want to see steady weight gain in combination with regular wet and poopy nappies.

Baby behaviours will change often, like feeding more or less, waking up more or less, doing a cluster feeding session, and/ or comfort feeding. They can all leave you questioning how much milk baby is getting. However, when you do question yourself remember “weight and waste”

Why don’t I see an output when I start pumping?

Pumping can bring with it a lot of insecurities, especially if you have started pumping after you have already fed on the breast. However, let’s talk about some important details that will help you gain confidence.

First of all pumping takes practice, because a pump is a device that’s designed to mimic motion and behaviours on the breast. But it is still a device. So when a baby goes to the breast and they have the correct latch, a warm mouth, they may fiddle with your breast, their body is warm and cosy and you look at them nursing, all the hormones and physicalities align. However, when we think about pumping we have to create a similar feeling but for a plastic device.

Don’t get me wrong pumps like Pippeta have really made incredible differences in how easy pumping is and how comfortable it can be to pump on the go, as well as at home. But even then you may need a little practice. First off we need to create the correct latch - with a pump this would be the fit and size of the flange, as well as the settings.

The second things is to create a cosy and comfortable environment, by using warm compressions, massage, and breast compressions. You can also create a fun pumping environment by doing something that makes you happy, like watching your favourite tv show, listening to music, going for a walk, or watching baby videos.

Pumping takes a bit of practice and the most important thing to remember is that...

“The amount you pump is what you can pump at this moment in time, not what you produce overall as supply“

This should help you understand that not seeing an output is just a matter of practice. You’re ultimately tricking your body to release milk to a pump, but this is not a representation of your ability to pump overall, neither is this a reflection of what you express when baby is latched onto breast.

Silver Nipple Cups, what are they?

Establishing breastfeeding can be a steep learning curve and sometimes this can lead to damaged, sore or even cracked nipples.

Whenever you experience soreness or damage it is key to find out what has caused this first and foremost. Once this has been established we then need to find a way to heal the damage. One of the most effective ways to do so is utilising the concept of wet wound healing. This can be done with the Silver Nip Cups from Pippeta.

They are mini cups made out of silver. The silver acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps

Is the latch correct?

There are plenty of ways to determine if a latch is correct and if things are going well, but the most important one is to ask the mother how it feels.

No latch checklist in the world will ever cover the right steps if the mum is still uncomfortable. So the first part is to determine how do you feel? Do you have pain? Do you feel sore? Do you have any discoloured, cracked, damaged or sore nipples? If so, when and how does this occur.

the healing process. Simply add some of your breastmilk to the inside of the cup, and wear them between feeds. This makes sure your nipples are soaked in your breastmilk to heal, and combined with the healing qualities of the silver, can effectively fix any broken or cracked skin.

They come in a couple of sizes and are a great tool to wear to give your nipple healing space, as well as not reopening wounds when they are removed (many breast pads that have been used in combination with nipple creams can lead to dry up and crust up and as you remove them they rip the wound right

“Paving

back open). Silver cups do not do that, in fact they shield the nipple in shape and size. The advantages speak for themselves.

Pippeta Silver Nipple Cups

Made in Italy

Starting from £25.99

the way for affordable Award Winning Breast Pumps”

Starting

Establishing this is the key to working on better positioning and attachment.

We don’t want to gloat, however... Pippeta’s awards are stacking up, and we don’t want it to stop, so sign up to our online newsletter or follow us on our socials for the latest news, products, offers, tips and advice!

hello@pippeta.co.uk

from £69.99

Pippeta Pump’s

“Use a soft weaning spoonthey’re nice and small so you can try little teeny spoonfuls at first.”

Top Tip Top Tip Happy Eating

“Keep trying - if your little one rejects a new food, offer it again in a few days’ time. If they still say no, try again in a few weeks’ time”

A survey, launched by leading baby food brand Organix, reveals that one of the biggest barriers to introducing new foods during weaning is baby’s facial expression in response to new tastes.

It can be challenging to introduce new foods during weaning and the faces babies pull can be interpreted by parents as disgust or dislike at what they are trying, which can make it all the harder.

The Organix weaning survey reveals:

• More than half (55%) of mums say a baby’s facial expression puts them off trying to encourage their baby to like a new taste and flavour.

• 49% say it’s a struggle to keep babies interested in food.

• 42% say they find it hard to get babies to try new foods during weaning.

From sweet carrot to sour lemon and bitter broccoli, weaning is the beginning of a taste adventure, the first opportunity for your baby to explore and experience taste sensations. Evidence shows that it can take between 10 and 15 times to introduce a new food or flavour and that learning about food is all about familiarity and repetition. So by understanding more about their babies’ facial expressions, parents are likely to feel more confident about introducing new foods.

Baby faces and understanding what they mean … But what is the meaning of that face your baby pulls as they try a new food for the first time? What’s your baby really trying to tell you?

“For example, what mums and dads might interpret as a look of shock or disgust, doesn’t necessarily translate as not liking the taste, what’s more likely is that baby is puzzled by the intensity of a new flavour. A surprised expression could be curiosity about the depth of flavour, the chances are they think the flavour is good but it’s very different to what they’ve eaten before – it’s all part of them experiencing and learning new tastes on their weaning journey.”

It can be challenging to keep offering new foods and coming up with new and inspiring ideas to tempt little ones, but it’s important as those first tastes during weaning help define a child’s future relationship with food.

Weaning is an exciting time for everyone so for lots more weaning advice, weaning recipes - from purées to finger foods - and to download your free copy of the Organix Little Book of Weaning please visit www.organix.com or follow #realfoodface

The Difference BETWEEN GAGGING AND CHOCOKING

GAGGING

Your baby may gag when you introduce solid foods. This is because they’re learning to regulate the amount of food they can chew and swallow at one time. If your baby is gagging, this is what may happen:

• Your baby’s eyes may water

• They might push their tongue forward (or out of their mouth)

• To bring the food forward in their mouth —they might make a retching movement, or they may vomit

CHOKING

Choking can happen with hard foods, bones and small round foods that can easily get stuck in the throat. Remember, you should:

• Cut small round foods, like grapes and cherry tomatoes, into small pieces, peel the skin off fruit, vegetables and sausages (though remember that sausages can be high in salt).

• Remove hard pips or stones from fruit, remove bones from meat or fish.

• Avoid hard foods like raw carrot, apple, whole nuts and peanuts.

• Never give them raw jelly cubes, they can get stuck in the throat.

WHAT TO DO IF MY BABY IS CHOKING

If you think your child is choking and cannot breathe properly:

• Shout for help.

• Get them out of the high chair.

• Support their chest and chin with one hand and with the heel of your hand - give five sharp blows between the shoulder blades.

If this doesn’t dislodge the object Call 999

First aid courses available from: www.bumpsandbashes.com

STORING AND REHEATING FOOD

Storing

If you’re batch cooking, cool the food down (ideally within one to two hours) and then freeze or refrigerate. If you’re keeping it in the fridge – use it within 2 days. With rice, make sure it cools within an hour and then goes straight in the fridge or freezer. Rice kept in the fridge should be eaten within 24 hours – never reheat it more than once.

Defrosting

Defrost frozen food thoroughly before reheating. The safest way to do this is in the fridge overnight, or by defrosting it in the microwave (using the defrost setting).

Reheating

When reheating food, make sure it’s steaming hot all the way through, then let it cool before giving it to your baby. If you’re using a microwave, give it a good stir to get rid of any hot air pockets –always check the temperature before feeding your baby. Any cooked food should only be reheated once.

TOP TIP

If you need to cool food down quickly, put it in an airtight container and run cold water over it. Keep stirring so it cools throughout.

FOODS TO AVOID

It’s important to know which foods are safe for your little one. Here’s a list of which ones to avoid and why:

• Sugary snacks – sugar can cause tooth decay. You don’t need to add sugar to your baby’s food either.

• Honey – avoid honey until your baby is 12 months old – it contains bacteria that can lead to infant botulism, a serious illness that can make your baby very unwell.

• Salty foods – like bacon, sausages, chips with extra salt, crackers, crisps, ready-meals, takeaways, gravy and meals made with stock cubes. Babies shouldn’t eat salty foods as it isn’t good for their kidneys, there’s no need to add salt to their food either.

• Soft cheeses — can contain a bacteria called listeria, these include:mouldripened soft cheese, such as brie or camembertripened goats’ milk cheese, such as chevre, soft blue veined cheese, such as Roquefort.

• Unpasteurised cheeses – due to the risk of listeria. Check the labels to make sure you’re buying cheese made from pasteurised milkraw shellfish – this can increase the risk of food poisoning. Children should only eat shellfish that has been thoroughly cooked.

• Shark, swordfish or marlin – high levels of mercury in these fish can affect your baby’s growing nervous system.

DRINKS TO AVOID

• Fruit juice or smoothies – avoid before 12 months as babies don’t need them.

• Squash, fizzy drinks, flavoured milk – even when diluted, for older babies and toddlers, these drinks can fill your child up so they’re not hungry for healthier food. Instead, offer sips of water from a cup with meals.

• Cows’ milk – cows’ milk does not have the right balance of nutrients for babies, so should not be given as a drink before 12 months (however, small amounts can be used in cooking)

• Follow-on formula, growing up milks and goodnight milks are not suitable for babies under 6 months.

HOT NEWS

Drive in Style and Safety: Axkid and Cosatto Unveil

Playful Car Seat Prints!

Elevate Your Child’s Travel Experience with the Perfect Fusion of Fun and Safety.

Axkid, the leading Swedish brand for child car seat safety, is excited to announce a thrilling collaboration with Cosatto, the renowned name in fun designs that babies love. This exciting partnership brings a burst of joy to car seat safety, introducing vibrant and playful prints for the Axkid One 2 and Axkid Minikid 4 car seats. Cosatto’s lively patterns seamlessly combine with Axkid’s top-notch safety and security, creating the perfect car seat that is both stylish and secure for your little one. Find

The new icon is here

Thule Urban Glide 3 all-terrain stroller, coming early spring

THE FRANKLIN LONDON

From delectable crab buns and miniature beetroot pitas stuffed with burrata to a chocolate brownie hat, The Franklin’s latest afternoon tea is a touch mad. Inspired by the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser

FARMACY

Farmacy offers up a plantbased High Tea, which is “free from dairy, refined sugars, additives and chemicals”. But that’s not the only difference. The vegan hot spot is the first London restaurant to serve CBD – infused in a welcome cocktail and home-made chocolates, and accompanied by a pot of hemp leaf tea.

exhibition at the nearby Victoria & Albert Museum, it includes a red velvet sponge cake, fennel cheesecake and a fun take on a caramel cupcake. But no afternoon tea would be complete without fresh scones, clotted cream and jam, right? One thing’s for sure, it’s always tea time at The Franklin.

Best Places for afternoon tea

Mothers Day

BROWN’S

Try to nab a table by the fire to enjoy your salt beef, horseradish mayonnaise and pickled cucumber sandwiches while enjoying one of their many types of teas on offer. As for sweet treats? Try their hazelnut, caramel and vanilla tart and mango and rum baba, among other tantalising morsels.

THE RITZ

When only a classic option will do then The Ritz – where afternoon tea has been served since it opened in 1906 – is the dream. Served in the hotel’s show-stopping Palm Court, the ornate surroundings complement the traditional menu (if it ain’t broke, as the saying goes), which attracts guests from far and wide.

THE LANGHAM

There’s a good reason why The Langham has been serving afternoon tea since 1865: it’s a truly memorable experience. Surrounded by opulent furnishings in a tranquil setting, the famous hotel’s Palm Court Afternoon Tea has undergone a British-inspired change.

bAbY’s first YeAr for baby gum & tooth wipes

Proper gum care sets the foundation for healthy teeth & gums. Use a Baby Gum and Tooth Wipe to safely clean baby's gums after a feed.

Contains only water & xylitol.

nAtUrAl bAbY teething gel

Use a small pea-size amount on a Baby Gum & Tooth Wipe or your finger. Teething gel can help alleviate symptoms of teething. Gentle & soothing formula with chamomile & calendula. Gently spread over the affected area up to 4 times a day.

Mild natural vanilla flavour.

silicone range

Parents begin to brush baby's teeth when they appear. Our food grade silicone toothbrushes are gentle on gums & little teeth

Stage 1 finger brush for cleaning gums & first teeth

Stage 2 training brush with safety shield

Stage 3 cleans top & bottom teeth at the same time

nAtUrAl certified toothpAste

Kids will swallow! Choose a toothpaste that is safe if swallowed.

8 Natural Certified flavours & Flavour Free High in xylitol (40%) with silica for gentle removal of plaque.

tickle tooth sonic toothbrUsh

The first electric toothbrush safe from birth! Baby's first tooth usually appears around six months. Choose a soft-bristled brush with a small head. With a fun light timer for inspection of teeth & gums. 30 second pulse reminder to teach moving the brush!

SMARTMAX

Brand new from SmartMax’s bestselling ‘My First’ range, an engaging range that teaches children aged 1+ all about the world of magnetism, is My First Stacking Rings. Experience stacking and balancing like never before with My First Stacking Rings. This new take on the classic toy sparks boundless creativity. Watch as magnetic rings split in half and connect in quirky ways, bringing funny figures to life. www.amazon.co.uk

PETER RABBIT™ VEG PATCH LOTTO

Fill your wheelbarrow in this fun matching and memory game. Join Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle and Benjamin Bunny in this fun lotto game

www.orchardtoys.com

JELLY CATS

This velvety brown bear has soft fur that is very strokable. He has a very squishy tummy that is perfect for snuggling up with. He is dressed in adorable cream coloured dressing grown, complete with bunny ears!

www.temptationgifts.com

BEST Easter Gifts

SMART GAMES

SmartGames is the worldwide leader in multi-level logic games. The award winning games have multi-level challenges from the very easy to the very ...difficult.

www.amazon.co.uk

PETER RABBIT™ FISH AND COUNT

Have fun learning to count with Peter Rabbit and friends

Catch the most fish and put your counting skills to the test

But watch out for the stickle back who will steal your catch!

www.orchardtoys.com

MAGIC CARROT

The first player to remove one carrot too many and cause the rabbit to fall to the bottom of the burrow, loses the game.

www.amazon.co.uk

Bring Your Life

Project Baby recently visited Thule’s headquarters in the forests of Sweden, deep in the Scandinavian countryside. As expected, everyone I met has aged suspiciously well, appears to be of inhuman athletic ability and sporting about 2% body fat. Aside from apparently harbouring the true fountain of youth, Hillerstorp is also home to outdoors lifestyle brand, Thule.

It’s a small industrial town in rural Sweden, and the only place where Thule’s roof racks are manufactured. They also make tools and components for bike racks - and the factory is home to their global research and development centre. In total, Thule have nine production facilities across Europe and Americas.

Thule’s HQ is as much a tool manufacturing facility as it is a part and product one. The theory behind creating their own tools is that it reduces supply chain issues, allowing them to better serve their customers. They have over 800 tools in their factory, allowing them to create 3000 different components. In many instances, there is only one tool in the world that can make replacement Thule compo-

nents, and it’s on the shelf right there in tiny Hillerstorp.

While staring around at the room full of 50 robots and even more humans quality checking, the investment in machinery and automation is clear. For quality assurance, they use scale technology. Each item has a recorded weight and is hand placed into its barcoded tray. If anything on the production line is off, missing or incorrect, the belt will not advance. At each station, the belt is attended by an actual human - further reducing the possibility of errors. I learned that these machines each are designed with a lifespan of over 20 years, and some run 24 hours a day.

75 years of designing and making strollers

Thule’s ethos is “bring your life”. Their goal is to apply their core values of quality, safety and great design to each product. However their customers choose to be active outside, they want to make that easier and better by creating products that last a lifetime. Consumer value is their priority - they don’t create or test products just for the sake of it. They also aren’t afraid to walk away from products or projects that cannot uphold their values during the manufacturing and industrialisation process.

Whether it’s exploring the spectacular nature of the great outdoors or traveling the world with family and friends, we all have a passion for enjoying an active life.

At Thule, they share your desire to spend more time enjoying our passions – which means less time worrying about how to bring all the stuff we need. For more than 75 years, Thule has been creating solutions to simplify life’s adventures. We are committed to developing smart, stylish products that are environmentally sound, high quality, safe, and easy to use.

Thule test far beyond the regulatory requirements in Europe - which in themselves are lightyears ahead of North American testing standards - until they are happy to put their name on a product.

Thule opened a new crash testing centre - an investment upwards of 8 million dollars - was also opened in April of 2022, providing another exciting opportunity for Thule’s product testing team. This is where they have tested their new carseat range making sure that it goes above and beyond all revelvant safety testing to set them above competitors.

What’s next for Thule? Since their newly released Epos rack, Thule have just announced an expansion into dog products with the brand-new Thule Bexey dog bike trailer. Thule also showcased a complete refresh of the award-winning Thule Chariot bike trailers, as well as the recently launched Paramount bike commuter bags and aforementioned Epos rack. In the juvenile section Thule are developing their carseat range and have already launched their innotivative stroller systems with the Thule Shine Air Purifier Canopy, but lets dig deeper into the carseats.

WE WANTED TO KNOW HOW THULE ARE GOING TO STAND OUT IN THE CARSEAT INDUSTRY HERES WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY: We have some key features thats going to put Thule one step ahead when it comes to safety its our top priority.

* CLEVER SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

As a parent you want to know you have installed the carseat at every ride correctly and with the clever sensor technology and the green light indicators parents can rest assure their newborn is safe and secure.

* LOCKS

We have locked the roation to prevent babies being roated before 15 months.

* CARSEAT POSITIONS

Three in total 2 in the car and one for your stroller, meaning baby can transfer from car to stroller safely without the worry of how long your baby has been in his/her carseat with the clever layflat position.

*SAFETY

Thule have their own inpact system making sure side impact is surrounding the whole carseats and can’t accidently be removed. Building the optimin protection for the babies head and neck.

* ACCESSORIES

The Canopy on the carseat is both UV and water repellent

*MODULAR SYSTEM

Use the same base for both carseats

*REARFACE LONGER

Can rearface till 4 years

Available from Summer 24 in 3 colours.

THE INGLESINA APTICA TRAVEL SYSTEM - STYLE AND GLAMOUR MEETS PRACTICALITY AND USABILITY

For those parents who love Italian style and a touch of glamour, Inglesina’s Aptica, the Glam crossover, boasts effortless style and practicality specially designed to benefit baby’s wellness and comfort.

With gold or platinum detailing and vegan leather handle on the chassis, it folds with ease using just one hand with or without the seat unit. Lightweight, it is easy to store and transport. The large padded stroller seat has a double breathable mesh layer to enable air circulation in the summer, and also comes set up with a padded Comfort Cover to protect against the cold in the winter. The Aptica features Inglesina’s signature spacious carrycot and unique Welcome Pad mattress, which offers maximum comfort for your baby.

Thanks to the polyurethane tyres, the Aptica easily handles all terrains, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride for your child. With vegan leather and premium fabric the Aptica travel system has luxury appeal and offers incredible comfort for little ones.

For over 60 years Inglesina has been dedicated to innovation and baby wellness with its collection of prams, strollers, car seats and accessories. This is reflected in the Aptica’s key features, which include:

GLAM CHASSIS. With gold or platinum detailing and vegan leather handle, it folds with effortless ease using just one hand.

COMPACT AND LIGHTWEIGHT. The frame design is light, making it easier to store and transport. It folds with and without the seat unit.

ALL SEASON SEAT. The large padded seat has a double breathable mesh layer to enable air circulation in the summer, and also comes set up with a padded Comfort Cover to protect against the cold in the winter.

SPACIOUS CARRYCOT WITH STAND. The large carrycot comes with a unique Welcome Pad® mattress, which offers maximum comfort for your baby. Designed in conjunction with neonatal doctors, it features a breathable, hypoallergenic and antibacterial bamboo fibre lining to help regulate the baby’s temperature, and to help support the optimum sleeping position. Ventilation around the carrycot allows increased air flow. The base can be inclined so baby is propped up, helping ease congestion and the symptoms of reflux. It can be used for overnight sleeping, and comes with a carrycot stand to convert it into a crib.

CROSSOVER SPIRIT. Thanks to the new polyurethane tyres, the new Aptica easily handles all terrains, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride for your child.

QUALITY MATERIALS. Vegan leather and Jacquard fabric give the pram its luxury appeal and offer incredible comfort for little ones. Plus, the new design of the Aptica has reduced its environmental impact by 20%.

The Aptica travel system comes as standard with a matching Darwin Infant Recline car seat and rotating isofix base.

The brand new i-Size Darwin Infant Recline car seat with Darwin 360 base includes an innovative mechanism that lowers the backrest and extends the leg rest, allowing your baby to safely recline in a perfectly aligned position.

Key features of the Darwin Infant Recline car seat include:

VENTILATION. The seat is equipped with 149 holes that are evenly distributed to allow for air circulation, to aid baby’s comfort.

ROTATION. Thanks to its small size, the seat can rotate on the base even when fully reclined, so baby’s sleep isn’t disturbed. The base can be used for both the Darwin Infant Recline and the Darwin next stage seat.

BABY WELLNESS. Sleeping fully reclined is best for your baby in the early months, and the addition of a bamboo fibre reducer and head hugger keeps them comfortable during travel.

SAFETY AND COMFORT. The Darwin Recline comes with an Integrated Shock Absorber (ISA) which distributes the energy transmitted in the event of an impact, and high level Side Impact Protection (SIP) technol

The complete Aptica travel system is available in Velvet Grey, Pashmina Beige and Resort Blue and includes the chassis, carrycot, Welcome Pad mattress, all-season seat, cup holder, rain covers, Stand Up, recline car seat and rotating base. RRP £1,595. Available in stores nationwide

For more information on the Inglesina Aptica Travel System, visit: www.inglesina.uk

For stockists please go to www.inglesina.uk/store-locator

Or find us at www.facebook.com/inglesinauk

Instagram - @inglesinauk www.inglesina.uk

REVOLUTIONISE PARENTHOOD WITH ICANDY’S LATEST LAUNCH:

The iCandy Orange 4

This Spring, brace yourselves for the launch of iCandy’s latest showstopper – the most versatile companion for a growing family, the iCandy Orange 4 promises to redefine the way you experience early parenthood!

Picture this: a single-to-double ready pushchair that bursts onto the scene with the energy and vibrancy that parenthood demands. The iCandy Orange 4 is not just a pushchair; it’s a masterpiece of convenience, style and fun for both rookie parents and those who are levelling up their family game. Evolves Seamlessly with Your Family:

Straight out of the box, the iCandy Orange 4 is ready when you are, adapting effortlessly to your growing family’s needs. Enhanced functionality, softer-than-a-cloud suspension, and impressive manoeuvrability ensure that this pushchair is your family’s trusty sidekick on every adventure. Style That Turns Heads:

Who said parenting can’t be chic? The iCandy Orange 4 laughs in the face of ordinary with its sophisticated aesthetic. The water repellent breathable canopy, complete with mesh ventilation, is available in five trend-led colours – Pistachio, Fossil, Latte, Rose, and the oh-sosleek Black Edition on a Jet Black chassis.

KEY FEATURES:

• Single-to-Double Ready: A versatile design that grows with your family.

• Enhanced Functionality: It’s not just a convenient ride; it’s a smooth journey with state-of-theart suspension upgrades and enhanced manoeuvrability.

• Sophisticated Aesthetic: Because your pushchair should be as stylish as you are. Personalise your pushchair by switching up the ColourSplash Canopy according to your mood, the season or your baby’s personality!

• Fashion-Forward Canopy: Water repellent, with mesh ventilation, in five trend-led colours.

• Integrated Ride-on Board: A stroke of genius for added convenience.

• Lightweight and Streamlined Chassis: Manoeuvrability with a touch of finesse.

• Super Spacious Basket: Because life with kids requires a lot of stuff.

Ready, Set, iCandy Orange 4:

Whether you’re entering the parenting arena for the first time or expanding your brood, the iCandy Orange 4 is the sturdy superhero every family deserves. Boasting an integrated Ride-on Board, a lightweight and streamlined chassis and a basket spacious enough to rival Mary Poppins, this pushchair is not just a statement – it’s a lifestyle.

iCandy is ready to revolutionise the parenting journey with the iCandy Orange 4 – where style meets functionality, and fun is non-negotiable!

Available for pre-order now: Pistachio, Fossil, Latte, Rose and Black Edition

Orange 4 Bundle: £1,099.00

Orange 4 Car Seat Bundle: £1,399.00

TOY ROTATION, WHAT IS IT & WHY IS IT SO GOOD.

WHAT IS A TOY ROTATION?

A toy rotation is simply having a set amount of toys out on display for your child to play with and then storing away other toys that you can rotate in and out.

Toy rotations are actually something we do with our two Golden Retrievers dogs. Every time we pull out toys from storage the dogs act like it’s a new fun toy they’ve never seen before with kids its very similar.

When you bring out “new” toys (even if they’ve played with them before) it is exciting for them and will often lead to them engaging with those activities more.

It also allows you to reduce the number of toys you have set out in the playroom, which can be a great way to promote focus and let them master individual skills (and can make keeping the area tidy easier too)!

Experts from early childhood brand, Lovevery share the benefits of toy rotation on child development and independence, and provide tips for practicing toy rotation at home.

Our culture pushes abundance, but fewer is actually better when it comes to toys. The typical home has more toys that a child really needs, and research shows that too many toys can actually be overwhelming for children.

Having fewer toys out at any particular time benefits the child by allowing them to get deep into longer stretches of play, which enhances their learning. It’s also great for parents as independent play is more likely to happen when children are given a more minimalist environment with fewer choices.

Toy rotation is a classic Montessori technique where only a few toys are kept out at a time,

arranged on open, low shelves with the others put away out of sight. This can help your child follow their natural interests and build independence. With fewer options in reach, a child will engage more meaningfully with each toy, playing in a deeper way and spending more time exploring each item.

In designing our first piece of standalone furniture with The Playshelf, we wanted to make toy rotation simple. We considered what a child is hungry to learn and how they interact with their environment at each stage as they grow. Working with expert advisors, we paired that with safety for the child and convenience for the parent to ensure that we can actually create an optimal living and learning environment.

You don’t have to get rid of any toys, you just put some away and bring others out—though this can provide an opportunity to do a little purging and donating. Rotating the toys you do have keeps them fresh and interesting for your toddler.

Our Montessori experts we work with at Lovevery have offered the following suggestions for how to rotate toys:

• Arrange around 9 to 12 different items on a low shelf so the child can pick a toy to focus on.

• Over the next few weeks or so, pay attention to the objects that attract your child the most and how they like to play with them.

• Rotate toys when it feels right—no more than once a week and potentially every few weeks.

• Try to do the rotation when your child is not around, keeping favorites in the same place so the change doesn’t feel sudden.

Montessori environments encourage independence by empowering children to care for themselves and their space. Seeing that each item has a place on The Playshelf for example, can help encourage children to clean up after themselves in a way that welcomes order.

Lovevery Play Kits are backed by research and inspired by Montessori providing play that engages a child’s natural interests, builds real-life skills, and connects your child to the world around them. Their newest release, The Playshelf, is a modern, parent-approved solution to organization and toy clutter.

Best Family Festivals

Summer Vibes for the whole family

DEVA FEST 8-11TH AUGUST

Deva Fest is now in its third year and is going to be bigger and better than ever in 2024, with the three-day festival featuring headliners such as Will Young, Fleur East, Starsailor, and Morcheeba. There’s top-notch family entertainment such as a fairground, a superhero day, a comedy tent and water sports unrivalled.

CAMP BESTIVAL

Camp Bestival, the UK’s best-loved and most successful festivals combining action-packed festival adventures with a fantastic family camping holiday.Celebrating 16 years of family fun festivals.

CARFEST 23-25TH AUGUST

This year’s festival weekend promises to bring us all together, to admire the fastest cars, enjoy performances from some of the UK’s best artists, bands and DJ’s, get involved in incredible food demonstrations and meet a host of the UK’s TV, theatre, music and sports legends.

CAMP BESTIVAL DORSET

25-28TH JULY

Calling all astronauts, aliens and cosmic explorers! The UK’s favourite family festival is landing back in Lulworth Castle, Dorset (25 – 28 July 2024) with a totally out of this world lineup featuring a galaxy-bending UK festival exclusive headline performance from PETE TONG IBIZA CLASSICS – Jules Buckley & The Essential Orchestra, pop Queen Paloma Faith and everyone’s favourite McFly. James Arthur will appear as a Special Guest.

CAMP BESTIVAL SHROPSHIRE 15-18TH AUGUST

For the attention of all time travellers! Prepare to dust off those dancing shoes and get ready for another epic year of family fun as the stellar sister show to the UK’s favourite family festival is returning for its third year to Weston Park, Shropshire (15 – 18 August 2024). Headliners include Faithless, pop Queen Paloma Faith and 80s, 90s AND 00s hero Rick Astley. Time travel pioneers but with no Marty… McFly will also perform as well as dance music heroes Families can also explore a world of new activities for 2024 with their festival tickets.

WHAT TO PACK

BASICS

• Tent

• Bundle Bed / Sheets

• Buggy or Wonderfold wagon

• Folding camping chairs

• Pillows

• Clothes & Spares

• Rain Mac

• Wellies

• Sandle

• Cool Box

• Phone Bank - Charged ready to go

• Wet wipes

• Top To Toe Wipes

• Your phone, camera or camcorder

• Snacks and drinks

• First Aid Kit

• Towels, hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste

• ID bracelet for your little one.

• Air Tags to attach to pop in your little ones pocket.

• Ear Defenders

• Suncream

• Baby Carier

• Sun Hats

WONDERFOLD

Music and mud are always a good combination when it comes to blowing off steam with the family – but only when you’re properly prepared. If you’ve ever been to a festival and forgotten the wet wipes, you’ll know what we’re talking about. So, if you’re planning a weekend of fun, music and nature, this festival packing list will help you make sure you have all the essentials.

Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

What can you do to solve your sleep problems during pregnancy? Here are some tried-and-true suggestions

• Avoid caffeine (in all its forms, so put that chocolate bar down) after noon.

• Get your eight glasses of water (or other fluids), but taper off at night.

• Drink if you’re thirsty, but don’t down a 16-ounce water bottle right before bedtime.

• Exercise regularly - during the day or early evening. A daily workout will help you sleep better, but if it comes too close to bedtime, it could actually sabotage sleep (exercise) is energising)

• Take a warm bath just before bed. The soothing and relaxing effects of the bath should help you summon the sandman sooner.

• Make love, if you’re in the mood. Or at least ask your man for a massage - both of which can relax you.

• Have a light snack before hitting the hay to stave off midnight hunger pangs. Include protein and a complex carb (think cheese and a whole-grain muffin), as well as some warm milk (it really works!) or decaffeinated tea. Besides the duh (avoid caffeine, again in all its

forms - sorry, no chocolate with the warm milk), stay away from sugar, which will give you an energy boost when you least want one, and then leave your blood sugar levels wobbly during the night (yet another strike against chocolate).

• Crack a window - as long as the weather’s comfortable (which for a pregnant woman means anything from 65 degrees on down-way down). The fresh air can be soporific. If the weather’s not cooperative, keep the room comfortably (for you, not your spouse) chilled. Remember, your heat’s up, the thermostat’s should be down.

• Try some relaxation exercises - visualisation, deep breathing, meditation, or even yoga or chanting before hitting the sack. And actually, counting sheep can work the same way - the monotony of watching those little guys jump over the fence can be truly relaxing (unless you associate them with insomnia).

• Leave a night-light on in the bathroom - switching on the overhead is way too much of a wakeup call and will make it much harder to fall back asleep.

To appear in our Boutique section contact us at: natasha@project-baby.co.uk

MABEL AND FOX

We’ve taken the traditional baby changing mat & combined it with some utterly gorgeous prints, based around interior trends so that they fit seamlessly into your home. Not only do they set the tone for a nursery space & inspire themes, they make incredible photo backdrops - our customers absolutely love taking pictures of their babies on our mats! We have designed the collection to ensure we offer a variety of size & mat styles to not only cater for different changing requirements but also to help make our product attainable for the mass.

www.mabelandfox.com

KURA ORGANICS

The award-winning and safety crash tested Kura Organic Baby Wrap has been cleverly designed to pull through car seat or pushchair straps and makes getting out and about with baby so much easier.

www.kura-organics.com

THE GILDED BIRD

Stunning Designs and High Quality Changing Mats for Your Nursery. Made in the UK. Subscribe To Emails. Unique Designs. Shop Online. High Quality Foam.

Products: Blue Mountains Flat Mat, Blue Balloon Festival Anti Roll Wedge Mat, Green Tree Flat Mat.

www.thegildedbird.co.uk

START-RITE

Protect precious little feet with children’s footwear expert, Start-Rite’s pre-walkers and first walking shoes. With ultra soft leathers, cushioned insoles and lightweight soles, Start-Rite shoes are carefully crafted to ensure maximum flexibility and sensory feedback as babies take their first steps.

ISLA AND FRASER

Beautiful Blankets , the blanket arrives charmingly presented in a satin ribbon with a gift tag that explains to the receiver all about the key features and details. A beautifully considered and thoughtful gift that will become a cherished family keepsake.

www.islaandfraser.com

BABY UMA

These luxurious buggy hooks attach easily to any buggy or stroller. They provide handy extra storage for shopping bags, changing bags and more, offering practicality and the equivalent of a much needed extra pair of hands. We’ve tested these buggy hooks on all the major high street brands, and the top 10 stroller, pram and pushchair lists. If your buggy has a handle, these clips will fit. Either on the foam handle or directly on the frame.

www.startriteshoes.com

www.babyuma.com

Our award winning, self-warming eye masks will relieve epic mum-level tiredness.

PUDDLE DUCKS

The swimming and life-saving skills your little one is taught on the Puddle Ducks programme will stay with them… for life!

Skills for Life means that at Puddle Ducks, every child is taught to swim using a tailored programme that is unique to them, and their levels of ability and confidence, within our structured framework – we keep it fun and we know that it works!

www.puddleducks.com

TOTSTARS

Stagecoach Theatre Arts is a highly regarded network of performing arts schools with a proven record of delivering quality dance, drama and singing lessons to youngsters worldwide.

Over the years Stagecoach has provided a springboard for some of the UK’s leading young talent and has had the privilege of watching thousands of kids grow in confidence and ability.

They offer brilliant kids’ parties, children’s holiday activities involving musical theatre and drama workshops.

www.stagecoach.co.uk

YOGA BELLIES

YogaBellies offer authentic classes, therapies and workshops for women and children at every stage of their lives including pregnancy and birth; for post-partum mum and baby and now also, yoga for children. We offer yoga for women from mentruation to post menopausal. We even have a revolutionary new Birth Preparation course called Birth ROCKS for mums and their birth partners.

The sessions incorporate a range of authentic yogic and holistic techniques.

www.yogabellies.co.uk

BABY BALLET

An award-winning baby ballet Song and Dance Academy with an exciting educational movement to music programme.

Designed to encourage babies and young children to enjoy the joys of song and dance, baby ballet has built up a fantastic reputation for providing children with the opportunity to express themselves within a fun, safe and caring environment.

www.babyballet.co.uk

LITTLE KICKERS

With a network of 1,500 coaches and 210 franchises in 16 countries, we’re Little Kickers are now the world’s biggest and most successful pre-school football academy and there’s plenty more to come. They are constantly enhancing their classes with the help of their experts.

www.littlekickers.co.uk

LA JOLIE RONDE

La Jolie Ronde is a leading provider of language learning through extracurricular language classes and the supply of language teaching resources. Hundreds of thousands of children learn French and Spanish each week either in the classroom or in one of our after-school or lunchtime classes.

La Jolie Ronde provides a proven method with a solid underlying structure that enables children, aged between 3 & 11 years old, to progress year after year in French and Spanish.

www.lajolieronde.co.uk

To appear in our Clubs & Classes section contact us at: natasha@project-baby.co.uk

KIDDY COOK

Fun Cooking Classes for Kids

Aged 4 – 11yrs.

During each session the children have fun with hands-on gastronomic experiments and recipes and they are encouraged to learn about ‘good’ food and to explore new flavours in an educational and fun way.

Each workshop encourages the students to discover the excitement that food can bring. Children get involved in the whole cooking process from reading the recipes to weighing and measuring the ingredients.

www.kiddycook.co.uk

WATER BABIES

Water Babies is the UK’s leading baby swim school, teaching a core skill to hundreds of babies & children every week. The courses are very different to traditional swimming lessons. For a start, because they only use warm water pools, babies can join them from birth. And while the emphasis is on having fun, their course is carefully structured, with progressive lesson plans for each week.

www.waterbabies.co.uk

HARTBEEPS

At Hartbeeps they put your child at the heart of their magical, musical adventures. They offer original and super fun, developmental baby classes, toddler classes and pre-school classes, as well as educational sessions, pregnancy classes, stay & play with baby discos, and fabulous children’s parties.

All of our classes are set to a soundtrack of original songs, remixed nursery rhymes and lullabies. We take you and your little one on a sound journey and bring the story to life.

www.hartbeeps.com

DIDDI DANCE

At Diddi Dance they realise and encourage endless enthusiasm and energy in an action packed, full of fun 45 minute dance class. Using various dancing games and exercises, bells, hoops and dance ribbons to their own funky pop songs so your little one not only improves their rhythm and co-ordination but also their social and gross motor skills.

Classes are ideally suited for both boys and girls between 2-4 years old, however they have had children as young as 16 months.

www.diddidance.com

MONKEY MUSIC

Monkey Music has an award winning reputation for innovative, beautifully presented music classes for each stage of your little one’s development, from 3 months to 4 years. Amazing puppets, hand crafted props, specialist percussion instruments, movement, bubbles and lots more. Guaranteed giggles and learning, great for making friends too!

www.monkeymusic.co.uk

RUGBYTOTS

Rugbytots is the first of its kind; a specifically designed play programme using the multiple skills of Rugby to create a fun and enjoyable environment whilst developing basic core motor skills.

All Rugbytots lead coaches are paediatric first aiders, Rugby qualified coaches, CRB checked and trained to a very high standard to ensure your children enjoy their time at Rugbytots in a safe and organised environment.

www.rugbytots.co.uk