Project Baby March/April 2023

Win a MELOTOTE CHANGING BAG WITH METANIUM

Win a Stylish Melotote Changing Bag with Metanium. Metanium is giving away two MELOBABY Luxe Noir Twill Melotote Changing Bags (RRP £75) plus a Metanium Everyday Easy Spray Barrier Lotion (ideal to keep in your changing bag to use when you’re away from home). This super stylish bag is extremely practical as well as good looking. It hangs neatly on any stroller or pushchair, it’s easy access design makes it simple to find everything you need quickly. It comes with an insulated bottle holder and a luxurious super-soft fleece changing mat in its own wipe clean case, so you can keep all your changing essentials to hand.

www.metanium.co.uk www.melobaby.com

Open to UK residents only

To be in with a chance of winning simply email us at: lesley@project-baby.co.uk with your little ones D.O.B and name.

8. TOP 10 BABY SHOW BUYS

The Baby Show best buys

10. PRODUCTS WE LOVE

Everything you will need from pregnancy to parenthood

MARCH/APRIL 2023 Page 30

14. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MATERNITY LEAVE

Take some time for you.

18. BABY SHOWER

A quick etiquette guide to baby celebrations.

20. WHAT TO PACK

Only pack what you need with our expert guide.

22. BATHTIME

A splashing good time.

26. 4 PREGNANCY MYTHS

Written by the experts

28. TOY ROTATION

What is it? and why is it so good?

62. RECIPES

Get those taste buds watering.

58. TOP 5 TRAVEL SYSTEMS

When only the best will do.

65. VOUCHERS & OFFERS

The products you love at the price you’ll love.

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!

Here comes spring… welcome to the ‘spring edition’, you might have picked me up in-store or maybe at The Baby Show and you got us in your spectacular goody bag. However, you found us, welcome.

This edition is filled to the brim with great articles, ranging from how to make the most of your maternity leave to fashion for kids.

Ideally, you’d have half an idea what to expect when attending any appointments but especially antenatal appointments, it allows you to anticipate, and prepare any questions you need answered. I suggest you write these down, it’s ridiculously easy to forget in the moment in amongst all of the other maternal pressures you are preparing for. All of our advice, beautifully crafted by our resident Midwife Louise Broadbridge ‘The Honest Midwife’ - the expert in this field - we’ve sorted you right out! Page 38.

Ever heard of ‘toy rotation’? Me neither. Toy rotation can be a misleading concept, so (if like myself when I first heard) you are confused by the term, fear not and turn to page 28.

It’s our turn!! Put those overworked feet up, and enjoy this Mother’s Day. (DADS!!) check out our mini guide on page 35 of some top gifts for Mum. Since Quincy started writing and drawing I’m drawn to the Merci Maman personalised necklaces, if it’s their first piece of writing or that special drawing these make the perfect keepsake, capturing those special moments.

Everyone’s favourite: Molly Mae was recently spotted showcasing the new ‘iCandy 7 Biscotti’ we have put together our Top 5 travel systems making picking that perfect pushchair that bit easier. Page 58.

At a time when every penny counts, we managed to wangle some exclusive discounts just for you. Page 63.

We hope you enjoy this edition and don’t forget to pick up your May edition in WHSmith, Waitrose or over 300 independent newsagents nationwide. Don’t forget to join us on Instagram @projectbabymagazine for weekly competitions.

Happy Reading

Natasha

Natasha Hewett, Editor natasha@project-baby.co.uk

Natasha Hewett Editor-in-chief

Henry Day Copy Writer

Emma Smith Sales

Lesley Mcdiarmid Awards Director

Paul Palmer Webmaster

Gavin Bridle Art Direction

Advertising with us: Email: natasha@project-baby.co.uk

Tel: 075957 294 061

General Enquiries: Email: Lesley@project-baby.co.uk

With many thanks to our contributors:

The Baby Show, Katie Hilton, Natasha Wiening Photography, CarShades, Kathryn Mewes, Annabel Karmel, Dr Goldstein & all our advertisers.

No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, without the express permission of the editor. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.

The opinions expressed within Project Baby magazine are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.

Project Baby is printed by Manson Group

www.project-baby.co.uk

The Self-Sterilising Bottle from MAM!

MAM’s Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle

Breast milk is best for babies. However, when mums want to be a bit more flexible there’s the MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic bottle. The Easy Start is the ideal choice for switching between breast and bottle thanks to the symmetrical SkinSoft™ silicone teat, which feels familiar and allows a latch that is just like mum. This is confirmed by babies, with 94%* accepting the MAM SkinSoft™ teat.

Not only a great choice for combining with breastfeeding, the MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic bottle also takes care of little tummies. With MAM’s unique vented base, babies can feed undisturbed and in comfort as the pressure in the bottle remains even. This allows babies to swallow less air and helps reduce 80%** of colic symptoms.

To top it off, this clever bottle can self-sterilise in the microwave in as little as 3 minutes, just add water! With no need for a separate steriliser, the Easy Start bottle helps make everyday baby life that little bit easier.

(*Market research 2009-2022, tested with 1,643 babies).

(**Field study, Austria 2011, tested with 73 mothers of babies with colic /Market research, USA 2010, tested with 35 mothers of babies with colic).

Self-sterilising in 3 easy steps:

1. Fill with 20ml of water

2. Put the bottle parts together

3. Heat in the microwave for 3 minutes

OUR SELF-STERILISING FUNCTION SAVES UP TO 48% OF ENERGY & CO2.

10 Top BABY SHOW

Buys

KERI KIT

JOY XL Your life. Your Kit. Your way. KeriKit produce beautiful and practical designs that empower women and mothers to feel confident, effortlessly organised and ready to take on the world in style.

www.kerikit.com

ICANDY CORE

Available in five stunning colourways; Black, Dark Grey, Light Grey, Atlantis Blue and Light Moss, the exquisite new design showcases striking styling, luxuriously developed fabric and cutting-edge features such as the multi-mode wheelbase and pioneering LED visibility hub light. www.icandyworld.com

MAXI-COSI KORI BABY ROCKER

No matter where you are in the house, you can always have your baby rocking comfortably by your side. So you can both enjoy some laid-back time.

MAM ORIGINAL PURE SOOTHER

Soothes & comforts baby, Made from bio-renewable material Skin-friendly thanks to large air holes and the unique MAM dimples on the inside. Supplied in a practical sterilizing and carry box for convenient and time-saving sterilising in the microwave.

www.mambaby.com

For babies who rock.

www.mamasandpapas.com

CHILD’S FARM

Childs Farm Baby Bundle is the perfect way to try a selction of our favourite baby products

www.childsfarm.com

DOME VITAMINS

Dome Vitamins‘ chocolate vitamins are rich in flavour. They’re perfect for those who suffer with low iron or bad periods, and they’re ideal for pregnancy, too.

www.domevitamins.com

MAM FEEL GOOD GLASS FEEDING BOTTLE

High temperature resistant glass. Can be heated and cooled quickly, cleaned in the dishwasher and sterilized at high temperatures. Flat, soft teat - like mum’s breast when breastfeeding. 94% of babies accept this bottle.

www.mambaby.com

JASPAR THE DREAMY ELEPHANT

Jaspar is the UK’s first sleep aid - to help develop the bond between you and your baby... Nothing strengthens the natural bond between you and your baby like the sound of your voice.

www.thedreamyelephantcompany.com

SNUZPOD4

Sleep well, feed easily and be closer to your baby with SnuzPod. Now even more breathable thanks to its innovative NEW ComfortAir system, with unique air-flow vents, machine washable mesh liner, and improved base ventilation, helping to regulate your baby’s temperature for a good night’s sleep.

www.snuz.co.uk

We Love

LATCHED POSTNATAL

Designed to adapt and flex with your changing body, these highwaisted gym leggings will take you from the earliest stages of your pregnancy right through to postnatal life – you’ll get years of wear out of them!

www.latched.uk

BABY MAMA NOURISHING BATH OIL BY MY LITTLE COCO

A luxurious treat for any mum-to-be. The kind to skin formula is enriched with nourishing organic coconut and rosehip oil to care for gorgeous growing bumps.

Price: £8.99

www.boots.com

Products for

MAMA MIO BLOOMIN LOVELY PREGNANCY

GIFT

SET

THE ULTIMATE PAMPER PACK FOR A MAMA-TO-BE

A carefully curated pamper pack for that special mama-to-be, whether she be a friend, partner, daughter… or quite simply, you!

Price: £50.00

www.boots.com

BUMP

JORGEN HOUSE LOUNGE BRA

Zip front crop bra designed with a softly textured waffle rib knit. Made from an organic cotton, targeted compression zones and a seamless knit provide support without the need for underwires or irritating seams. The adaptive knit allows for fluctuating cup sizes with a zip closure for breastfeeding access or for style. We encourage women to feel at home, wherever they are.

www.jorgenhouse.com

MILESTONABLE

Capture your pregnancy in bespoke artwork. Celebrate your pregnancy, Cherish a pregnancy memory that you will actually place in your home. Know you will appreciate your body and bump even more after birth, Want to show your little one the bump – they can feel their first home! Celebrate you!

Price: £497.00

www.milestonable.com

MOTHER’S DAY Perfect For THE DUCHESS NECKLACE

One of our best-selling personalised engraved necklaces, our duchess necklace was worn by Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, to celebrate the birth of Prince George. The perfect hand-engraved gift to celebrate a new baby, choose a boy or a girl charm to sit alongside our signature disc and mini heart charms.

Price: £139.00

www.mercimamanboutique.com

Love

ELVIE TRAINER

With 1 in every 3 women experiencing pelvic floor problems during their lifetime, our award-winning Elvie Trainer is a fun and effective tool for building strength, so you get to the core of the problem. Elvie Trainer helps you visualize a hidden set of muscles that support everything from core stability to bladder control, postnatal recovery, and intimate wellbeing

Price: £169.00 www.elvie.com

Products for MUM

HARVEY NICHOLS BEAUTY AND THE BABY HAMPER

This very chic black wicker basket includes a baby-pink collection of perfect postpartum presents, including Slip’s pure silk face mask for those midday naps, and Hatch’s postbirth belly oil to smooth stretch marks.

www.harveynichols.com

WeHATCH MAMA STRENGTH + SHINE FORTIFYING HAIR OIL

Postpartum hair thinning can be confidence-knocking, but this fortifying hair oil is here to condition and encourage new growth. It’s nutrientrich, and free from fragrance as well as common allergens.

Price: £38.00 www.harveynichols.com

THIS WORKS DEEP SLEEP PILLOW SPRAY

The lavender-steeped scent of this slumber-inducing pillow spray is nothing short of magic. Any eternally shattered new mum will cherish it.

Price: £19.50 www.lookfantastic.com

BABYZEN YOYO 2

The YOYO 2 0+ newborn version folds and unfolds with one hand, in a blink of an eye, and can be folded in one piece and taken on board a plane as hand luggage thanks to its compact size.

www.stokke.com

We Love

VTECH MY SLEEPY SLOTH

The Perfect Bedtime Buddy

My Sleepy Sloth plays soothing sing-along songs, peaceful melodies, relaxing bedtime story lullabies, calming phrases and gentle sounds. This helps ease little one when it’s time to go to sleep.

www.smythstoys.com

MAMAS & PAPAS TEMPO ROCKER BOUNCER

When you want to free your hands and need somewhere safe to put baby, the Tempo Rocker Bouncer provides a solution. From newborn until around 6 months, Tempo’s a secure place to seat baby before they can sit upright; a comfy alternative to holding them; somewhere they can be soothed or entertained.

www.mamasandpapas.com

BABY Products for

Stimulating Baby

NALA’S BABY ADVENTURE BUNDLE

Nala’s Baby features 99 per cent naturally derived ingredients such as oats, coconut, aloe, lavender and more. Nala’s Baby Adventure Bundle combines the full skin and hair care range including body wash & shampoo, body lotion and body butter in a 100 per cent cotton drawstring bag to keep everything together.

www.nalasbaby.co.uk

ETTA LOVES

This iconic design helps to calm babies, as well as excite and stimulate them. Use them as burping cloths, muslins or as a simple blanket or comforter. They’re also great on a car window for shade and visual stimulus. Clever huh!.

www.ettaloves.com

HAPE PANDA HOUSE

Enter the world of the Green Planet Explorers! This wonderful panda family cares about the natural world and invites you to share their experience.

www.smallable.com

TWIST & EXPLORE CATERPILLAR

Sensory caterpillar encourages tactile stimulation and motor skills with phrases, sounds, songs and multiple textures from rubbery antennae to chunky rings and ribbons. www.vtech.co.uk

TODDLER

THE PLAYSHELF

Bring the benefits of a Montessori play experience to your home with The Playshelf by Lovevery. The 2-in-1 storage shelf makes toy rotation and storage simple in a modern, 100% birchwood design. Display the optimal number of playthings at a time for deeper learning at your child’s pace, and keep out-of-rotation toys out of sight for a calm, clutter-free playspace. www.lovevery.co.uk

Best 3

FOR LITTLE LEARNERS of the

NUMBERBLOCKS

The fun-loving Numberblocks friends are now available in a MathLink Cubes Numberblocks Activity Set.

Price: £27.99 www.amazon.co.uk

SPIKE THE FINE MOTOR HEDGEHOG

This early years play set builds fine motor skills in small hands and also encourages early maths learning. The set includes Spike the Hedgehog, 12 coloured pegs and a multilingual activity guide.

Price: £12.99 www.very.co.uk

SMARTMAX

My first safari animals are colourful and safe magnetic construction toys for young children to build and ideal for stimulating group playing, colour recognition, spatial awareness as they can build in 2D & 3D, creativity, role play and logical thinking.

Price: £18.99 www.craftyarts.co.uk

Learning to enjoy maternity leave isn’t easy for everyone. We’ve narrowed down some tips and tricks from the pros about how to make your time off count. There’s more to maternity leave than changing nappies and watching Jeremy Kyle. Make it a special time for you and your baby.

SUPER WAYS TO Enjoy Your Maternity Leave

Prearrange at Least Three Days of Help Line up your help, and play to each person’s strengths. For example, your mother might be great at grocery shopping and cooking, but virtually useless when it comes to waking up at night for a feeding. Your friend might be great at entertaining you with “Sex and the City” DVDs and keeping you company when you get lonely, but be hopeless at diaper changes. Getting help early makes it a lot more likely that you’ll feel energized and ready to have fun later on.

ACCEPT THE FIRST WEEKS WILL BE HARD

Those first few weeks with a newborn are a shock to everyone’s system. You’re getting used to being a sleep-deprived, milk-leaking mom; your baby is adjusting to living outside the warm comfort of your womb; and your husband is adjusting to being a dad.

This is not the time to pressure yourself into running around being social or productive. Simply walking around the block can feel like a major accomplishment. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t make plans; just make sure the fun is on your terms and works for you. That cute little bistro where you and your best buddy used to brunch may be too cramped for a stroller.

MAKE MUMMY FRIENDS

Brand-new parenthood can be lonely, especially after your help has departed and you’re facing time alone with a helpless baby. So if you see another pregnant woman at Starbucks every day, strike up a conversation.

WILL YOU GO TO WORK OR STAY HOME?

Another vital issue when it comes to choosing new mommy friends is whether you’re planning to go back to work or stay home. Here’s the problem: If you’re going to stay at home, no matter how much you bond with the working types, you’re not going to see each other much once leave is over.

So it’s best to find a mix of both mums you’ll see at the playground every day, and mums you can walk with on weekends. Working mums can really benefit from friendships with other working mums because they often have the same schedule and experience similar issues.

TEST GEAR

I lived in fear of the BabyBjorn. Never mind that it’s hands down the most convenient way to carry a newborn.

There are so many straps and buckles, I was afraid I was going to hang myself or that the baby would slip out through a leg hole onto the road.

The lesson: Try out the gear you fear before you have the baby so you’ll have the hang of using it by the time he’s arrived. Return any stuff you don’t like before you break it or baby spits up on it, whichever comes first.

ME TIME

Allow yourself some ‘me’ time!

Try to give yourself some down time between leaving work and the baby’s arrival. Ideally, you’ll have finished your baby shopping and can concentrate on the important things like sleeping, reading and watching Mad Men – those simple pleasures that are soon to become precious luxuries. Oh and triple checking you’ve packed your hospital bag.

Make the most of your baby nap gap. Forget Facebook and Homes Under The Hammer – use your baby’s nap times to do something constructive. Whether it’s writing that novel, researching youramazing business idea or teaching yourself how to knit, maternity leave is the perfect time to let your creative juices flow.

Spend the day in your PJs Why? Because a) you can and b) you deserve it!

Mums-to-be Bucket List

1. Eat the entire confectionery contents of a corner shop.

2. Go to the cinema, loads.

3. Get a completely useless, expensive beauty treatment.

4. Treat yourself to a beautiful, very small, impractical bag.

5. Take a day trip ALONE.

WORK OR A FAMILY? OR BOTH?

This is a question Beth Follini from Ticktock Coaching gets a lot. She’s a life coach who helps women decide whether or not they want children. “If work is your passion and you don’t have a strong desire to have a child, do you have to give up your life’s work for motherhood? My job is to show people their choices –it might be difficult but they can make it work.”

Follini asks clients to identify senior female role models in their industry and analyse how they manage career and children. She also cautions against caring too much about what everyone else says or does. Since becoming a mother I know I’ve been guilty of urging friends wavering on the issue of parenthood to go for it – I love it, so they will, right? But doing it before you are ready could cause resentment towards your new lifestyle, partner and baby. “I would never tell people to just do it,” says Follini. “Women can feel overwhelmed by everyone else’s opinion. Listen to your own voice and feel confident in it.”

Joolz re-introduce

A NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION OF ITS ALREADY MUCH-LOVED AER BUGGY

I had no inkling as to how much becoming a mother would change my life. Four years ago, I had a glamorous senior job on a fashion magazine in London, I travelled extensively, I went to parties with the A-list, I wore Louboutins. Now I have two small children, I work freelance three days a week, and you’re more likely to find me on a bouncy castle in my Converse. My life in 2012 is not better or worse than my life in 2008, it’s just different. You find a way to make motherhood work for you; you get on with it. I didn’t ever get the corner office in New York, but I still visit on work trips. I’m toying with Glastonbury sans enfants next summer, just like the good old days (but I’ll have to go to bed earlier).

My advice? Ditch the pre-baby bucket list. Don’t do it unless you feel ready but don’t ever expect to feel completely ready. And if that thin blue line comes out of the blue?

If you find out, unexpectedly, that you’re pregnant? Take a deep breath, take 100 deep breaths if you need to, and don’t panic. I promise that you’ll make it work, if you want to, like you always do. Your life will change, but you won’t.

Joolz, the stroller brand putting parents in control and the planet first, is thrilled to unveil the evolved Aer+. Adapted to further support the modern family whether popping to town or travelling on their first family holiday, the elevated and eco-conscious new design offers the ultimate ride for adventures near or far. Light as a feather (weighing just 6 kilos) with the ability to fold (and unfold) in just one second, one handed. Made from 100% recycled fabrics and now with a number of exciting updates, Joolz is continuing to take strides to ensure the Aer+ is the buggy for families today, and the future.

The evolved design of the Aer+ includes all the features the predecessor is known and loved for, but now features further innovations to make families lives even easier.

Some new and improved features

• Bigger ventilating SPF50 sun hood to provide even more protection

• With a swift adjustment, the ergonomic seat can be brought into a full lie flat position.

• New wheels with LED light* for safety

• Bigger basket (17L)

• Peek-a-boo window on the Aer+ cot

• Improved folding button.

• Unique one-piece fold design enables parents to pack away the pushchair without having to remove the cot - genius!

• More spacious seat

• More advanced harness for well-being and safety.

• Seat liner and backrest will offer more support for upright sitting.

Still fits perfectly in an overhead locker so is ideal for family adventures and city trips, without having to compromise on comfort.. In addition, as the buggy weighs only 6 kilos, it can be easily carried with its very handy buggy strap.

What is truly unique about the Joolz Aer+ is that every element of the design has been created with sustainability in mind. From the fabric of the buggy that is made from recycled PET bottles, the recyclable and reusable packaging and the new and unique 10-year transferable warranty (which means it can be passed to another family in the future), right through to the brand’s promise to plant a tree for every pushchair sold, this is a brand that is helping to build a better world for the next generation to inherit. Every step (and stroll) counts!

Joolz | Aer+ Stoller | £429 | www.joolz.com/uk/en/home

R Rocks any stroller, so you don't have to

Doesyourlittleonewakeupassoonasthebuggystops moving? TheRockitwillkeeprockingsoyoudon’thaveto! Createdtohelpparentsonthego,thishandymust-have accessorykeepsbabiesmovingandsnoozing.Simply attachtoyourpramorstroller,pushthebuttonandadjust thespeedtogentlyrockyourbaby,justlikeyouwould. What’smore,it’snowrechargeable!

AtRockitwe'vedesignedotheraward-winningproductsto helpbabiessleep.There’s‘Zed’,anastronautshapedsleep aidthatsendssoothingvibrationsthroughanymattress.We alsohaveWooshh,theminiaturesoundsootherwhichhas8 calmingsounds,4volumelevelsandisUSBrechargeable.It evenincludesarealspacesound!(Usedwithkind permissionofNASA).

Get 10% off by entering PROJECT10 at checkout

Shower

WHO SHOULD HOST? WHO TO INVITE? ARE MEN ALLOWED?

Baby showers and baby-welcoming ceremonies are filled with joy -- and fraught with expectations. To ensure a good time will be had by all, here are some guidelines for hosts, guests, and parents-to-be.

Baby showers are a relatively recent phenomenon -- they became common only after World War II, during the baby boom of the 1940s and ‘50s. Still, they’ve developed their own traditions and etiquette.

WHO SHOULD HOST A BABY SHOWER?

Tradition states that a shower should not be hosted by a close family member of the parents-to-be, but instead by a friend or more distant relative, such as a cousin or an aunt. This rule was meant to avoid the appearance that the family was simply on a mission to collect gifts. However, like many traditions, this rule isn’t strictly observed these days. In fact, it’s usually considered perfectly acceptable for a sister, motherin-law, or even the guest of honor’s mother to host or co-host a shower. It’s still unusual for a mother-to-be to host her own shower, though.

WHO SHOULD BE INVITED?

Close friends are a natural for the guest list, as are family members. Beyond that, when you’re thinking of adding someone to the list, consider whether it would be appropriate to ask that person to buy a

gift for the guest of honor, since that’s what’s expected of a shower guest. You should certainly consult with the guest of honor on the list and let her invite whomever she wants (keeping in mind any limitations on space, of course).

WHAT ABOUT THE DAD-TO-BEAND MALE GUESTS?

It’s becoming more and more common to include men -- friends, spouses, relatives -- on the guest list. But it does change the chemistry of the party. You need to decide whether you want that traditional “female-bonding ritual,” with lots of oohing and aahing over adorable baby clothes and exchanging of labor tales, or whether you’re looking for a more coed experience. Also, consider the personality of the dadto-be; some may relish sharing in every aspect of the pregnancy, while others may be uncomfortable with the idea of being a guest of honor at a baby shower. The mom-to-be should be able to give you a good reading on this. Even at a “girl power” party, the expectant dad often makes an appearance toward the end of the shower to thank everyone for the gifts. And if you opt to include male guests, take a look at some of our coed-friendly shower ideas.

SECOND BABY SHOWER? WHEN TO SHOWER? THEME NEEDED?

Can a shower be given to celebrate a second baby -- or one even further down in the birth order?

Every pregnancy deserves to be toasted and cheered. But, since the true purpose of a baby shower is to help new parents acquire the gear and supplies they’ll need, it’s probably not necessary to give a traditional baby shower for parents who have a basement full of baby clothes and equipment. Instead, consider throwing a shower designed to make their lives easier when they’ve got a newborn and another child or two to juggle: a “stock the freezer” shower, for example, or a “Mum and Dad” shower, with gifts like their favorite movies on video or DVD or promises for baby-sitting services.

WHEN SHOULD THE SHOWER BE HELD?

Showers are typically given four to six weeks before the baby’s due date -- late enough so that the pregnancy is well along, but early enough so that the baby is unlikely to arrive before the party day does. Sometimes, for religious, cultural or other reasons, parents-to-be prefer not to receive gifts until after the baby is born (in certain traditions, it’s considered bad luck to acquire baby items beforehand). In that case, you could begin some preliminary planning, but wait until after the baby is born to set a shower date. For parents adopting a child, you might set a date once the child has arrived in their home.

DOES IT NEED TO HAVE A THEME, AND MUST THERE BE GAMES PLAYED?

No. The hosts should take their cues from the style and tastes of the expectant parent. There’s no rule stating that games must be played, or that the color scheme must be pastel. The shower should be designed for the delight the guest of honor. (On the other hand, the guest of honor should maintain a sense of graciousness and good humor if she finds herself at the center of a party that’s not precisely her style).

ARE INVITEES WHO CAN’T ATTEND THE SHOWER OBLIGED TO GIVE GIFTS?

No. If they wish, they may send a package to the home of the host, who can have it on hand to be opened at the shower. But they certainly aren’t obliged to do so -- a shower invitation is an invitation to a party, not a demand for a gift. It would be perfectly fine for the invitee who can’t make the party to wait until the baby is born, and then send a gift.

BABY SHOWER GIFTS of the Best 3

PURER MAMA

Price: £35.00

www.purermama.co.uk

BOO

BUMBLES AND

GIFT HAMPERS

Price: £22.50

www.bumblesandboo.com

MATCHSTICK MONKEY

Price: £18.00

www.boots.com

Best Products for your hospital bag

Don’t leave home without

MY EXPERT MIDWIFE

Bringing together our NEW Spritz for Labour and Labour Rollerball, our award winning; Spritz for Bits for instant post birth relief for the perineum, Soak for Bits for those first few postpartum baths, both developed to relieve soreness and aid recovery. Spritz for Clean Hands which kills 99.9% bacteria, protecting hands without drying them out. Delivered in a My Expert Midwife highly durable clear toiletries bag, making it easy to find what you need, when you need it.

SERAPHINE POST NATAL LEGGINGS

Unlike others, this pair fits high at the waist and remains securely in place all day to ensure a silhouette that’s 100% smooth and streamlined. The soft, breathable fabric fits like a second skin and is never hot or uncomfortable. 360° of medium compression not only helps to slim your tummy, but also to gently realign your uterus after giving birth. It’s a much more comfortable option than the postpartum belly wrap, which tends to pinch and add unsightly bulk under your clothes.

ELVIE CATCH

Elvie Catch is a set of two milk collection cups with slip-proof security to help keep you leak-free. Even if you experience heavy leakage, you can be confident that Elvie Catch will collect every drop of milk discreetly inside your bra.

SHEEPERS EYE MASK

Black and white – it has a classic and timeless appeal, whatever the item. When it comes in the form of a sleep mask, then it’s the ultimate in night-time chic. And with the clear benefit in helping with a good night’s sleep, it’s a must in any bedtime routine.

STORKSAK CABIN BAG

No need to carry multiple heavy bags into the hospital with you. With our Cabin Carry-On you can just wheel your all you essentials in with you. You can also slip one of the changing bags from our Storksak Travel range onto the adjustable telescopic handle, helping to take the strain off tired backs and shoulders.

Post hospital this bag is the perfect solution for short trips away as a family and overnight stays with the grandparents.

FOR LABOUR

• Your birth plan

• Dressing gown

• An old nightdress or T-shirt to wear in labour

• Slippers & Socks

• Massage oils or lotions

• Lip balm

• Something to read or watch

• A hair band. If you have long hair, you might want it tied up

• Pillows

• Toiletries

• Music to listen to

FOR YOUR BABY

Infant car seat. One outfit for the trip home. All-in-one stretchy outfits are best.

Packing yourhospital bag

WHAT TO TAKE

FOR THE BIRTH PARTNER

• Water spray to cool down and refresh the mum-to-be while she’s in labour

• Comfortable shoes - you might be pacing the corridors!

• A change of clothes, toothbrush and deodorant

• Watch with a second hand to time contractions

• Swimwear, if you want to join the mum-to-be in the birth pool

• Your phone, camera or camcorder

• Snacks and drinks

Baby blanket (a warm one if weather is cold).

Nappies. One pair of socks or booties.

AFTER BABY IS BORN

• Going home outfit

• Towels, hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste

• Breast-feeding bras

• Breast/Maternity pads

• Nightdress or pyjamas

• Toiletries

• Old knickers/cheap knickers/ disposable knickers

• Ear plugs (in case you end up on a noisy ward)

• Arnica tablets (may help with bruising)

Hat.

Jacket or snowsuit for winter babies.

Muslin squares.

Getting ReadyFor Bathtime

Bathing your new baby may be about much more than just cleanliness. Giving your baby a bath can be a lovely way to strengthen your bond with each other. Some babies enjoy being in warm water right from the start, while others need a little time to get used to these new sensations on their skin. Whatever’s right for you and your baby, we have plenty of tips for keeping them clean and contented.

WHEN CAN MY NEWBORN HAVE THEIR FIRST BATH?

If they’re full-term and healthy, you can give your newborn their first bath as early as two hours after the birth. Keep the first bath short, no more than five minutes to 10 minutes.

You don’t need to wait for your baby’s umbilical cord stump to dry up and fall off, or for it to heal. A bath won’t make an infection in the stump more likely, and it won’t slow down the healing process. Make sure you allow it to dry off properly afterwards, though.

It can be a bit scary the first few times you bath your newborn. Try to stay calm and keep a firm hold of your baby when moving them in and out of the bath. You may like to have someone with you the first few times to support you and fetch anything you’ve forgotten. Until you get into a routine, you’ll probably find this happens often!

Handling a wriggling, wet and slippery baby takes practice and confidence, but rest assured you and your baby will get used to bathtime and enjoy it. Most babies are soothed by warm water and a bath may help a fussy baby to relax and calm down.

You don’t need to wait for your baby’s umbilical cord stump to dry up and fall off, or for it to heal. A bath won’t make an infection in the stump more likely, and it won’t slow down the healing process. Make sure you allow it to dry off properly afterwards, though.

A bath twice a week or three times a week is enough to keep your newborn clean. Between baths, wash your baby’s face regularly, clean their genitals and bottom after each nappy change, and wipe any grime off their skin. If you enjoy giving them a bath every day, that’s fine, too.

If you live in a hard water area, bear in mind that too much tap water during the first month or so may dry out and damage your baby’s skin. You could add a little mild, liquid baby cleanser or bath emollient to the water to protect your baby’s skin. Though be aware that the emollient will make your baby slippery to handle.

When your baby is a newborn, you’ll probably find it easier to bath them during the day. After a couple of months you could start to make a bath part of their bedtime routine.

WHERE SHOULD I BATH MY NEWBORN

In the first few weeks, it may be easier to bath your baby in the kitchen sink or in a small, plastic baby bath.

You could use your big bath, but it can be awkward as you’ll need to kneel or lean over the side. When you’ve just had a baby, you need to be careful you don’t hurt your back.

If you do use your big bath, a bath support for your baby may help. Remember that while bath supports are helpful, never leave your baby alone in one, not even for a second. Babies can drown silently in as little as 5cm (2in) of water.

HOW DO I GIVE MY NEWBORN A BATH?

Choose a time of day when you’re not expecting any interruptions and have time to devote to your baby. It’s best if your baby is alert, contented, and between feeds, so they’re not tired, hungry or full.

GET EVERYTHING READY IN ADVANCE

You need to keep your newborn warm at bathtime as babies can lose heat from their bodies quickly. Make sure the room and water are warm, and close any doors and windows to avoid draughts.

Wash your hands, and then gather all the bath supplies that you’re going to need. These may include a top-and-tail bowl, cotton pads, a sponge or flannel, a mild baby cleanser, at least one clean towel, and at least one set of clean clothes and nappies. Newborns can wee and poo unexpectedly, so it’s best to be prepared.

Put cold water in the bath first, and then add the hot water, so the bath water is comfortably warm and less likely to scald your baby. If you’re going to use a sink or a bowl for hairwashing, have the water ready in these, too.

Fill the bath with about 8cm to 10cm (3in to 4in) of water.

If you have a bath thermometer, use it to check that the water is about 37 degrees C to 38 degrees C. If you don’t have a thermometer, gauge the water temperature with your elbow rather than your hand. The water should feel neither hot nor cold.

Undress your baby down to their nappy, and then wrap them in a towel. Keep their head uncovered so you can wash their face and hair before you put them in the bath. This way, you can give them a quick dip in the bath if they aren’t enjoying it or a bit longer if they love it.

Wash your baby’s eyes, ears, face, and neck with cotton pads and warm water, as you would for topping and tailing.

Hold your baby so that their head is over the bath water and, using your hand or a flannel,

massage their scalp with water.

If you don’t want shampoo getting in their bath water, use a sink or a bowl for this bit. Rinse their hair carefully and dry it. Washing their hair just once a week or twice a week is enough to keep them clean.

If your baby has cradle cap, you may want to wash their hair more frequently with a mild baby cradle cap shampoo.

Gradually slip your baby into the bath feetfirst, using one hand to support their neck and head. The water should be covering their shoulders so they don’t get cold. Never leave your baby alone in the bath, not even for a few seconds.

Wash your baby with water, or use a gentle liquid baby cleanser to protect their skin.

If your baby’s skin is dry or tender, you could add a little baby bath emollient to the water. Bear in mind that the emollient will make them slippery to handle.

If you prefer to bath your baby in just water, it’s still best to use a mild liquid baby cleanser or sensitive, unperfumed baby wipes to wash their nappy area. Using water alone makes it harder to wash the fatty poo off your baby’s bottom.

Use your hand, a flannel or a sponge to clean your baby from top to bottom, front and back. Avoid scrubbing your baby’s skin. Leave any creamy vernix in their creases, as it helps their skin barrier to develop.

Rinse your baby thoroughly, and then lift them out of the bath and straight on to a dry hooded towel. Lift them with one hand supporting their neck and head, and your other hand under their bottom, with your thumb and forefinger around one thigh.

DRY YOUR BABY OFF AND KEEP THEM WARM

Wrap your baby in the towel, pat them dry straight away, and then put their nappy on.

If your baby’s skin tends to be dry, you could smooth on a mild, unperfumed moisturising lotion, or cream.

Now dress your baby in clean clothes. Newborns lose heat rapidly so, depending on how cold it is, you may want to wrap them in a dry, warm blanket, too.

MUST HAVE FOR Bathtime...

BATHTIME PRODUCTS of the

ANGELCARE SOFT TOUCH

Price: £27.99

SAFETY TAP COVERS

Tap covers fit over taps, protecting against bumped heads and preventing curious babies and toddlers from playing with the hot water tap. Many models are inflatable, which makes them easy to use. They also often have fun and colourful designs to brighten up your baby’s bathtime.

BATH MATS

Bath mats prevent slips in the bath. You can now buy extra-long bath mats, which are ideal for bathing more than one child at once.

Being machine washable means this extra-long bath mat is a really practical option as you can throw it in the wash to avoid the buildup of mould often found with bath toys or accessories. It has suction cups to fix to the bottom of your bath and is available in a range of colours, including white, black and aqua blue.

BATH TOY BAGS

Bath toys can soon clutter up a bathroom. Bath toy bags attach to bathroom tiles and keep all your baby’s toys safely in one place.

BABY BATH TOWELS

Baby bath towels often have hoods that are handy to keep your baby’s head warm when he comes out of the bath. They look very cute and are a nice gift for young babies, but to save money you could use adult towels instead.

BATH TOWEL APRONS

These towel aprons allow you to cuddle your baby dry while keeping him warm and snug. They are especially handy if your baby is a wriggly one! If you want to keep yourself dry during all that splashing, this towel apron may be the accessory for you. You can lift your baby out of the bath and scoop them up into the apron while drying them too.

TIDDLERS & NIPPERS

Price: £13.9

CUDDLEDRY

Price: £39.99

AWARDS 2021

SILVER

4

PREGNANCY MYTHS

We are all learning a whole new life lesson as we become mothers. And that’s a good thing!

However, along with our new maternal insights is – let’s face it - a tonne of information we were never taught. To add to this confusion are the myriad of myths and fables surrounding pregnancy and parenthood. Many of these myths are based on old wives tales and can be damaging to mum-to-be’s positive perception of her pregnancy, labour and birth plans. It’s time to take back our power, sweep away the myths and have a real look at what really goes on in the nine months leading up to when we meet our babies...

Myth

Karli Büchling, Pregnancy Safe Sleep Advocate

Founder of Natal Comfort and inventor of the Anna Pregnancy Pillow.

The clever marketing phrase, “left is best” was derived from a medical observation made on the male physiology. No actual scientific research has gone into it. But men don’t have uterus compatible bodies! A study in 2017 involved 1,000 women showed that there is no significant difference between sleeping on your left, right or stomach throughout your pregnancy.

For achy sides, ensure your hips, knees and ankles are all in a straight line when you lie on your side.

The spine twists and that adds pressure on your pelvis otherwise. The best option is a massive square pillow that you can lodge from your tights to your ankles, the IKEA 90x90cm pillow is perfect for this. Then, popping a soft toy under your bump as to bring it in line with your spine will ensure no rotation occurs as this could also be the reason for those achy hips & sides. Pushing your bump too far into the opposite direction can have the same affect.

Turn on your bump if you need an alternative position. Sleeping on your stomach is safe for you and your baby. Even beneficial, improving placenta performance and creating more space for baby to wiggle into the optimal foetal position. We love the Anna pregnancy pillow if you find it is too uncomfortable and want to continue sleeping on your stomach. For back sleepers, avoid going to sleep on your back. But if this is the most comfortable for you, then all you need to do is ensure you are not lying flat on your back, and at an incline of 25 degrees at least as to avoid placing pressure on important arteries.

Myth

“EXERCISE CAN CAUSE DIASTASIS RECTI”

Aimee Victoria Long, Pre-and Post-Natal Exercise Specialist.

London based Celebrity Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor & Barre Specialist, and due her first baby March ’23

Diastasis Recti occurs when the rectus abdominis muscles (six-pack ab muscles) separate during pregnancy from being stretched. The separation can make a persons belly stick out or bulge months or years postpartum. 60% of women and birthing people are affected by diastasis recti.

There is a common myth that exercise during pregnancy can cause diastasis recti. But here is what happens: there is a build-up in pressure in your core, which can create a separation. A certain amount of diastasis recti is natural during pregnancy, and essential to allow baby room to grow.

“LEFT IS BEST” WHEN IT COMES TO SAFE SLEEP DURING PREGNANCY.

However, it is important to avoid activities and behaviours that could further elevate IAP, beyond that caused by the growing belly, as this could make diastasis recti become problematic. The same goes when you enter the postnatal period. In this case, we need to work on bringing that separation back together and not perform exercises that make the separation worse.

We are all unique and if you get diastasis recti, it isn’t your fault, you’ve not done something wrong.

This is the way your body responds to pregnancy.

MythJUST BREATHE THROUGH YOUR PELVIC GIRDLE PAIN

Clare Bourne, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

With nearly a decade of extensive NHS experience, she now runs her own business in London.

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) is the umbrella term for any pain in the pelvis, whether that be at the front or back, and though it impacts around 1 in 5 women during pregnancy, it isn’t just part of pregnancy that we have to accept and struggle on with.

There IS help and treatment available. There are so many things that can often be labelled as ‘just part of pregnancy’, often said with a slight sigh and tilt of the head to one side in a sympathetic way, but let’s ensure that PGP does not continue to be one of those things. PGP can occur at any point in pregnancy and the cause is often different from woman to woman. What we do know is that the hormone relaxin is not all to blame, as we used to think and is still often communicated. If it was, then yes it would be correct to think there is no help as we can’t remove the hormone relaxin and it’s increased levels during pregnancy.

Seeking assessment or treatment from a trained professional, like a pelvic health physiotherapist will allow personalised advice to help you. In the meantime, try not to stay in one position for too long, variety is the spice of life. Think about what you are sitting on, and your desk set up for work, as this can have a huge impact on your back and pelvis. Movement or exercise that are little and often can make a huge difference. Sometimes moving away from longer workouts to little movement snacks throughout the day is just what your body needs. There is no one size fits all treatment approach, but not fearing movement and knowing your body is strong and stable are fundamental to recovery, alongside professional support that might include hands on treatment.

Myth “CERTAIN PRESSURE POINTS CAN TRIGGER LABOUR”

Claire Cannie, Pre-natal specialist in Advanced Massage Theraphy Dispelling the myths around pregnancy massage & encouraging women to take back their maternal power

If acupressure points were so effective in bringing on labour, wouldn’t all midwives be going around poking these points to induce women instead of the invasive methods that are currently on offer?

Acupressure points are an ancient form of Chinese medicine, they are points that lie along meridians of the body, that are pressed to promote relaxation and treat illness. During pregnancy some of these points are believed to be labour inducing. That is only the case if the body is

ready and therefore the activation of these points will help to support the body into that process. During other stages of pregnancy However, these points could be used to help relieve physical / emotional stress and tension and should not be dismissed because of a myth that they could induce labour. Massage incorporating acupressure points is a safe and highly beneficial treatment that should be encouraged in the Western world as it is in Eastern traditions.

CONCLUSION

As a your body changes throughout your pregnancy, so does your mindset, and the likelihood of you experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety grows, too. It’s up to us to educate ourselves to ensure that we approach pregnancy with an open mind, knowing as much as we can, and falling pregnant doesn’t have to be scary. By debunking these myths and simply educating ourselves on how our own bodies work, we can start to enjoy this exciting process.

Pregnancy is a journey of transformation, untested waters, new beginnings, and an experience like no other.

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.

calcium and vitamin D which contribute to the maintenance of normal bones, plus a high-purity Omega-3 capsule that provides 300mg DHA. Maternal intake of DHA contributes to the normal brain and eye development of breast-fed infants* Pregnacare. With you every step of the way.

*A beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 200mg DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids for adults.

For more information visit www.pregnacare.com. Follow @pregnacareofficial on Instagram

Vitabiotics Pregnacare is the UK’s No.1 pregnancy supplement brand, providing special nutritional care for before, throughout and after pregnancy.

The range includes Pregnacare Conception, specially formulated for women who are trying for a baby which includes zinc which contributes to normal fertility and reproduction. Pregnacare Original, Gummies, Liquid, Plus and Max are formulated for throughout pregnancy. The comprehensive formulations provide important vitamins and minerals to safeguard a mother’s diet during pregnancy, including 400µg folic acid which contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy, as well as 10µg vitamin D, the levels advised by the UK Department of Health, for expectant mums. Pregnacare Max offers mums-to-be the maximum nutritional support in the Pregnacare range, it contains L-methylfolate, an advanced form of folic acid, calcium to help maintain normal bones and teeth, plus an Omega-3 DHA capsule which provides DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid). Maternal intake of DHA supports normal foetal brain and eye development*.

Pregnacare Breast-feeding and New Mum provide nutritional support for postnatal health. Pregnacare Breast-feeding includes 700mg

iCandy’s NEW Peach 7 Colourways are Tailored to Perfection

Available from Spring 2023: Biscotti, Cookie, Cobalt and Blush

The luxury iCandy Peach, now in its seventh generation, has firmly established itself as one of the world’s leading pushchairs, consistently setting the standard for both functionality and style. Loved and trusted by parents around the world, iCandy continues to lead the way by launching four fashion-forward new Peach 7 colourways this Spring – Biscotti, Cookie, Cobalt and Blush.

Starting with a luxurious and sophisticated nearly-nude, Biscotti is an on-trend, elegant new colourway, complemented by a carefully curated stylish Blonde chassis. Subtle metallic gold tones with beautiful black detailing, Biscotti is the ultimate choice for fashionconscious parents. The muchanticipated launch of the Biscotti will be followed by the remaining gorgeous three shades later in the Spring.

As the definitive single to double pushchair, the iCandy Peach 7 is the ultimate choice for first time parents and perfect for growing families. Famous for its effortless one-handed fold, the Peach 7 boasts an adjustable head hugger and pop-up harness, even larger seat unit with room to grow, ingenious integrated Ride-on Board and puncture proof PU tyres for the ultimate ultra-smooth ride and effortless manoeuvrability on all terrains.

The complete travel system is suitable from birth, due to the spacious carrycot, which can also be used for permanent overnight sleeping. The pushchair boasts soft, modern, premium knitted jersey fabrics, tailored to perfection.

Biscotti – A chic, neutral shade, Biscotti is a gorgeously refined nearlynude with black finishing touches, accompanied by the eye-catching new Blonde chassis.

Cookie – Gentle, calm and warming – just like cookies! This jaw-dropping colour is coupled with the iconic Jet chassis.

Blush – Sweet like iCandy, this enchanting pastel pink on a Phantom chassis is elegantly subtle to suit every taste and style.

Cobalt – For trendsetting parents looking to add a vibrant pop of colour, the Cobalt is beautifully presented with a Phantom chassis.

Pre-order here: icandyworld.com/peach-7-biscotti

RRP: £1,099.00

RRP: £1,199.00 (Bundle)

iCandy Peach 7 is also available in these colourways:

MAM’s First carbon neutral soother!

We know parents want the best for their babies and the planet they grow up on, and here at MAM, we do too. That’s why, after years of research, we’ve developed the MAM Original Pure, our first carbon neutral soother. Launching at The Baby Show, Excel London, the MAM Original Pure Soother is made from bio-renewable materials. The soother button, shield, and steriliser box of the MAM Original Pure are all made from ISCC PLUS certified Circular PP, a more sustainable alternative to current fossil-based soother plastics. Circular PP guarantees the safety and superior product quality you would expect from a MAM product, whilst being kinder to the environment.

The MAM Original Pure Soother has all the same great features as the much-loved MAM Original Soother - including the SkinSoft™ Silicone teat which is easily accepted by 94%* of babies, and the flat, symmetrical shape developed with dentists to support healthy dental development. Available in a range of nature inspired matt colours and designs, the MAM Original Pure Soothers help to provide parents with an easy sustainable switch.

We have taken steps to reduce the CO emissions of the MAM Original Pure. With the help of sustainability consultants Denkstatt GmbH, we calculated the CO₂ emissions from cradle-to-customer and all the way to the

end-of-life of the product. Next, we reduced as much CO₂ as possible by taking actions to cut carbon emissions across the whole supply chain from switching to a new bio-renewable material, to implementing numerous energyefficiency measures during production, and coming up with clever ways to help parents cut down on their own CO during usage. Finally, we have compensated for the unavoidable CO emissions, by supporting gold standard climate protection projects.

At MAM we have also pledged to reduce our carbon footprint for all consumer packaging by 40% by 2025, with almost all packaging being recyclable, and the cardboard and paper contents being FSC certified. To further cut down on wasteful packaging, MAM soothers come packed in a handy self-sterilising box. Allowing the soothers to be sterilised in as little as 3 minutes in the microwave, without the need of a separate steriliser. Just add 25mls of water, and heat in the microwave for 3 minutes – it’s that easy! Using this selfsterilising method can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 77%** compared to other sterilising methods.

Our MAM Original Pure Soothers are also available as a night version. The button on these soothers’ glows in the dark, helping parents to locate them at night time, without disturbing their little one.

• 0-2 months

• 2-6 months

• 6+ months

• 16+ months

For more information on the MAM Original Pure Soothers, or any other MAM products, visit www.mambaby.com

Scan the QR code and sign up to the MAM Club to receive 20% off your first

The MAM Pure Soother range is available across 4 different age groups:

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 plant-based 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.

Best Places for afternoon tea Mothers Day

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.

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.

Mums Gift guide

Perfect for Mother’s Day

CATH KIDSTON WONDERFUL WOMEN PRINT

Everyone deserves a really comfortable dressing gown they can snuggle up in. From Cath Kidston, featuring their Wonderful Women print, this robe is the perfect gift – guaranteed to make her smile every time she wears it!

Available at www.moonpig.com

STELLATO AMETHYST AND DIAMOND HEART NECKLACE

This is a romantic and luxurious gift necklace. It displays a sparkling violet amethyst gemstone carved into a heart shape and encircled by a halo of shimmering diamonds

www.thediamondstore.co.uk

We Love

MERCI MAMAN DRAWN BY YOU

Whether it’s a meaningful note written by your little one or a special drawing you want to remember forever, have it engraved on the front and a hand-engraved message on the reverse.

Available at www.mercimamanboutique.com

TONIES CREATIVE SWEETHEART

Creative-Tonies are just like Tonies

- hand-painted, pretty tough... but with the space to fill them with 90 minutes of whatever you like. Just upload...

Why not get your little one to tell their own story and Mum can listen to it with them at bedtime.

Available at www.naturalbabyshower.co.uk

LATCHED MATERNITY & NURSING SPORTS BRA

Featuring a monochrome marble print and solid-black trims, this non-wired sports bra will support you to stay active and feel confident through pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond. It can be even more difficult if you want to continue exercising – but you need a comfortable, bounce-minimising fit now more than ever.

Available at www.latched.uk

BRAIN HEALTH FOR YOUR BABY

Promoting baby’s brain health in pregnancy and after birth is essential for their overall wellbeing. The brain is the most vital organ in your baby. During pregnancy and in early childhood, there is rapid growth of the brain which produces up to 250,000 nerve cells per minute.

The most rapid growth occurs during the third trimester and in the first year of life. Babies are born with more than 100 billion nerve cells which regenerate and reform as the baby learns new things. At birth the average baby’s brain is a quarter of an adult size and doubles in size in the first year. It is 90% grown by the age of 5.

There are many things you can do to help your baby to build great nerve networks from positive memories, interactions and diet. These all contribute to building healthy pathways for creating thoughts, processing abilities and social interactions. These are described as cognitive skills which include

1. Memory processing speeds

2. Attention

3. Emotional control

4. Language

5. Q

6. Creativity

7. Social skills

8. Non verbal communication.

So cognitive development is not just about achieving at school but also happiness and creativity.

So what nutrition is important for brain health?

FOLIC ACID

This is also known as vitamin B9. This has been shown to halve the risk of autism through a protective mechanism against environmental and detoxification effects. It is also well known to reduce the chance of spinal defects such as spina bifida. Around 400mcg is needed per day in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

CHOLINE

This is another B vitamin which is critical for brain growth and health. It is vital for preventing birth defects and acts like folate in detoxification reactions. A deficiency of either choline or folate will compromise the other.

It has another critical action in providing the building blocks for new brain cells. A new baby thus needs a constant supply. In fact babies have up to a 7 times higher levels than adults when they are born. Unfortunately between 55-75% of western populations have been found to be deficient and it is thus recommended to have a supplement of at least 450 mg per day by health authorities. The minimum recommended in breastfeeding is 550 mg per day. Unfortunately many prenatal do not contain the required amount so you may consider taking a stand alone supplement of choline.

OMEGA 3

Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are important for brain development and function. During pregnancy, omega-3 fatty acids can have several potential benefits for the developing baby’s brain. Here are some of the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for brain health in pregnancy:

Improved cognitive development: Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are critical for the development of the brain and nervous system. Several studies have found that maternal consumption of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy is associated with improved cognitive development in infants and young children. For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials published in the journal Paediatrics in 2018 found that prenatal supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids was associated with improved cognitive outcomes in children up to four years of age.

We have devised a fantastic range of supplements to meet all these needs. Designed by doctors including a paediatrician to optimise the brain health of your baby. For more advice and tips please follow us on Instagram or Facebook. Or check our our blog at www.purermama.co.uk

Photography by natashawiening.com

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR ANTENATAL APPOINTMENTS

& Expert Led Live & Interactive Online Antenatal Classes

All of your pregnancy, labour and birth questions answered directly & live by The Honest Midwife, the UKs leading online antenatal coach. letstalkbirthandbaby.co.uk

You’ve done a pregnancy test, got a positive result and now you’re wondering what happens next. You might expect to attend a flurry of medical appointments and while there will be plenty over the course of your pregnancy, it can seem a little slow to get started in the first few weeks. Once you have tested positive with a home pregnancy test, contact your GP practice to let them know you are pregnant and find out what the procedure is in your area.

Sometimes your GP will want to see you but in many cases, you may simply be given the details of a community midwife so you can arrange your first appointment, which will take place between 8 and 12 weeks of pregnancy. While you’re waiting for this first appointment, start taking folic acid supplements if you aren’t already. You can take folic acid on its own or as part of a multivitamin designed for pregnancy and it will help your baby’s neural tube develop properly, reducing the risk of serious birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT MY FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH THE MIDWIFE?

Your first appointment with your midwife is known as your booking appointment. It usually takes place between 8 and 12 weeks and you should allow at least an hour for it. There’s a lot of ground to cover in this first appointment and your midwife will ask you a lot of questions about you and your partner and your medical histories. This will help your midwife make sure you and your baby get the right care and that any potential risk factors are identified.

Your midwife will also give you lots of useful information to help you during your pregnancy and tell you what she thinks your estimated due date is based on the date of your last period. This will include information about your baby’s development, exercise and nutrition during pregnancy, where you can choose to give birth and what to expect from your antenatal appointments. You will also be given information about antenatal classes in your area and breastfeeding and formula feeding so you can make an informed choice. The first appointment can seem overwhelming but remember you don’t have to make any decisions right away and there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions at future appointments. You may also be given handheld maternity notes (if your hospital has not switched over to electronic notes) – keep these safe and take them with you to all your appointments and if you go away.

As well as asking questions and giving you information, your midwife will carry out some tests and checks and ask how you are feeling both physically and emotionally. This will include taking samples of your blood to check your blood group and screen for any issues,

Midwife

checking your pulse and blood pressure and measuring your height, weight and BMI. You will also be asked to provide a urine sample to check for any infection or protein. Your midwife will talk you through all the screening tests available during pregnancy and book in your first ultrasound appointment – your dating scan – which should be carried out by the end of your 13th week of pregnancy.

WHEN WILL I HAVE MY ANTENATAL APPOINTMENTS?

13 weeks - After your booking appointment, you will attend your dating scan by the end of your 13 th week, unless you didn’t find out you were pregnant until further into your pregnancy, in which case it will be carried out as soon as possible.

During your ultrasound scan, you will get your first glimpse of your baby. This is a chance for the sonographer to check for a heartbeat and that everything looks as if it is progressing normally. It may also be the time you find out whether there is one baby or more in there.

The dating scan will give you a more accurate estimated due date and this will be the date that will be usedNby health professionals from this point. Screening for chromosomal abnormalities including Down’s Syndrome will also be offered during this scan.

16 weeks – Your next midwife appointment will be shorter than the first one. Your blood pressure, urine and pulse will be checked and you will be given the results of your blood tests. You will also be given details of your next ultrasound scan.

Between 18 and 20 weeks – This scan will look at your baby in detail and how they are developing. The sonographer will check all sorts of things including their heart, brain, bones and spinal cord so they can identify if there are any potential problems.

This will be a great chance to take a good look at your little one and you can ask if the sonographer can tell the sex of your baby if you want to find out. This won’t always be possible, depending on the position of your baby.

Having the scan also means you have made it to the halfway point of your pregnancy. This is a great time to start booking your antenatal classes, www.letstalkbirthandbaby.co.uk

25 weeks - If this is your first baby, you will have a midwife appointment at 25 weeks to check how you are. Your midwife will ask about your emotional wellbeing, take your pulse, test your urine and check your blood pressure.

28 weeks- All pregnant women will have a midwife appointment at 28 weeks to check their iron levels. Low iron can cause anaemia, which is very common during pregnancy and can make you feel really tired and run down. Don’t worry if your iron levels are low as you will be prescribed iron tablets to help you feel better.

During this appointment, your midwife will measure your bump and start plotting the growth on a chart. This helps them check how your baby is growing. If there are any concerns about the rate of growth, you will usually be referred for a growth scan – an extra ultrasound to measure your baby and see what is going on.

31 weeks – First-time mums will get an extra midwife appointment at 31 weeks to do the usual checks and tests, including measuring your bump. The results of any blood tests will also be reviewed.

34 weeks – All pregnant women will see their midwife at this point for a checkup. Your urine will be tested and your blood pressure checked to look out for signs of preeclampsia, a condition which can be dangerous and needs careful monitoring.

36 weeks – This midwife appointment will give you the opportunity to discuss your birth plan and talk about where you would like to give birth. You can find out more about what your options are when it comes to pain relief and discuss your plans for feeding your baby. Your midwife will give you some information on things like caring for your newborn, the newborn screening programme and the vitamin K injection which is offered at birth.

38 weeks – Your pregnancy is now full-term so it is safe for your baby to arrive at this point. Your 38-week appointment will involve all the usual checks – blood pressure, urine, pulse and bump – and your midwife will talk to you about what to do when your labour starts and what your options are if you go past your due date.

40 weeks – If your baby hasn’t arrived by their official due date, you will see your midwife again and discuss your options. You may be offered a membrane sweep – an internal vaginal examination which can help get labour started. This is completely optional.

41 weeks – In addition to the usual checks, you will be offered a membrane sweep. Your midwife will also discuss having labour induced and if you agree to an induction, she will arrange booking you in with the hospital.

42 weeks – If you have not given birth at this point and you have chosen not to be induced, you will have an appointment to check on your and your baby’s wellbeing. The usual checks and tests will be carried out and you may also be offered a cardiotocograph (CTG) to monitor the baby’s heart rate.

Buying for Baby

PROJECT BABY'S ESSENTIAL CHECKLIST

If you're expecting your first baby, you're probably feeling overwhelmed by all the amazing products you can buy. We've put together a list of all the things we think you'll need for when baby arrives. Why not visit a Baby Show, The Baby show coming to exCeL, Manchester & Birmingham is the ideal one-stop-shop to get those much needed items ticked off your list!

MUST HAVES

Cot/moses baskets

Pushchair, buggy, stroller, or travel system

Car seat

Baby monitor

Nappies

6 sleep suits

6 body suits/vests

2 cardigans

Pram suit

Hat & mittens

Bottles

Breast pump

Steriliser

Nursing bra and breast

pads

Towels

Muslin squares

Cotton wool

Blankets

NICE-TO-HAVE ITEMS

Baby bath

Sling

Rocker/bouncy chair

Changing bag

Bath thermometer

Nappy bin

In our daughter Rowan’s first year, my husband and I repeated this scenario more times than I’d like to admit: Rowan would skip her nap during an exciting visit with Grandma and Grandpa, and we would leave shortly after dinner, smugly confident that we’d all have an early bedtime. Then, barely out of the driveway, I would sense quiet-too quiet-and turn around to see her napping away in the car seat. I’d gasp, my husband would curse softly, and we’d hotly argue over what to do next: Wake her up to endure a howling baby for nearly two hours while we drove home, or let her nap now, only to have a refreshed and playful baby who might stay up all night when we got home?

YES!

WHEN YOUR BABY HASN’T EATEN IN A COUPLE OF HOURS

You should wake up your newborn to ensure she’s feeding every few hours, says Tracey Bridger, a paediatric endocrinologist in St. John’s. Regular feedings are important, at least until your baby has regained her birth weight. According to paediatric sleep specialist and University of Toronto associate professor Robyn Stremler, waking a newborn from long stretches in the daytime to feed also signals to them to be more active in the day, which in turn helps shift those long stretches of sleep to nighttime.

But once your baby is a healthy weight and is feeding, peeing and pooping regularlygenerally after the first couple of weeks-you can rest assured she can get that sleep and wake up to eat later, say Bridger. Because newborns have no concept of day or night, they can often sleep for long periods at all times of the day. This can be unsettling for some parents who worry about good sleep habits early on, but Victoria-based sleep consultant Donna McLachlan says there’s no need for a schedule in the first four weeks. They need the sleep, so once they’re feeding well, you can rest assured that they will wake up when hungry.

WHEN YOUR BABY IS ON A NAP SCHEDULE AND HE HAS SLEPT PAST IT.

By about four or five months, when your baby has established a fairly regular nap cycle, McLachlan says it becomes possible for her to oversleep and throw off a healthy routine. “I tell parents when they have jetlag, they feel awful because they’re overtired and off their rhythm, and that’s how babies feel when they’re ‘off schedule,’ she explains. To keep babies on the right eat-play-sleep pattern during the day-which helps them sleep better at night-McLachlan recommends roughly sticking to a daytime schedule and waking them up if needed. In other words, don’t sweat an extra 20 minutes, but be prepared to wake them before they’ve clocked an additional hour or more of sleep during the day.

The one time when it’s a good idea to let your baby get some extra shut-eye at naptime? When she’s sick. Bridger says we all need a little extra sleep when we’re fighting off an illness-just make sure your baby is feeding enough to be nourished and stay hydrated. And ensure she’s not running a rectal temperature of 38C or higher.

Every parent has heard the cautions about waking a sleeping baby, but is it ever better to cut a snooze short? We asked the experts about the following scenarios.

You struggle so much to get your baby to sleep, but it turns out there are some cases where it’s best to wake them.

SOMETIMES IT’S OK TO WAKE A BABY FROM A NAP

boori.com/uk

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.

NAME: Elizabeth Lodge-Knowles

AGE: 33

SON: Barney

OCCUPATION: Respiratory WardSisterwith10years experience in NHS Respiratory

Bluebell

MONITOR

Elizabeth Lodge-Knowles, Respiratory Nurse: “It offered all the peace of mind I needed, providing breathing and temperature alerts as well as room temperature monitoring. It really was the best product I had found on the market”

My respiratory background meant that I was probably more anxious than most new parents about their baby’s well being. However, added complications when my son Barney arrived made my anxiety even worse. As soon as Barney was born we were both hospitalised with sepsis, further adding to my parental worries, so to say the early days were difficult is an understatement.

Once we returned home, I was unable to relax, I worried constantly about Barney who at this stage was also underweight. Bedtimes were particularly difficult as I could not rest or sleep peacefully because I felt so anxious.

It was at this point that I heard about Bluebell. It offered all the peace of mind I needed, providing breathing and temperature alerts as well as room temperature monitoring. It really was the best product I had found on the market, offering all in one monitoring. The moment we set up the Bluebell I felt myself relax, I was able to get the rest I needed knowing I would be alerted if Barney had any problems.

After his first set of injections at 8 weeks, I received an alert in the night that his temperature was going up. After investigating we took Barney to A&E where he became unresponsive due to his high temperature. If it were not for the early notification of his temperature going up from our Bluebell, we would not have been able to react as quickly as we did.

Aside from the alert functionality, we found being able to record Barney’s routine and sleep tracking to share with the health visitor and sleep consultant extremely useful.

It is so flexible that we have switched off some of the features we no longer need and still use the monitor now that he is older.

Fabulous baby monitor! A must for any new parent.

Forpregnant, breastfeeding& PostnatalMums

Comfortable

Supportive

Stylish

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

BLUEBELL

Bluebell is the ultimate baby monitor, monitoring more so you worry less. Parents say it’s like having an extra pair of ears and eyes monitoring baby’s breathing, temperature, crying and rolling onto their tummy, with a simple clip-on sensor supplying real-time alerts to the Bluebell app and smart wristband that works inside the house and outside too.

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

The new HD camera keeps your baby in sight 24/7 and it’s easy to track routines and monitor sleep patterns with the Bluebell app. Further practical features include a nightlight, lullabies and white noise to soothe your baby to sleep.

Price: £349.00 www.bluebellbabymonitor.com

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

We Love Best BABY Monitor

BEST FITNESS EXERCISES

for Postpartumn

Congratulations on your new little one! We all know what it means for your sleep, but what does it mean for your postpartum fitness?

For some women, exercise is the last thing on their mind during the first month postpartum.

In fact, many obstetricians and midwives suggest waiting four to six weeks after you give birth before beginning to exercise.

1. START POSTPARTUM WORKOUTS SLOWLY

Swimming is incredibly effective in working your heart and lungs without putting too much pressure on your joints.

For postnatal women, swimming or an aqua aerobics class are effective in adding muscle tone, while providing a gentle exercise that won’t strain your body too much after birth. However, it is advisable to stay clear of

2. PRENATAL YOGA

Many postnatal women find yoga beneficial, as it encourages relaxation in the post-birth whirlwind while helping to strengthen core muscles and prevent back pain.

Jill Simpson, founder of MINDBODY studio Ebb&Flow explains: “Postnatal yoga is a great way to get strong again in specific areas, such as your core muscles. It’s also a time to focus on you, connect with other mums whilst boosting your energy.”

There are even yoga classes you can bring your baby to.

3. POSTPARTUMN PILATES

Pilates is one of the most effective pre- and postnatal exercises as it targets the muscles that generally weaken during pregnancy.

Erica Foulds, master trainer at MINDBODY studio Ten Health & Fitness explains: “As Pilates is non-impact, compared to other forms of exercise, the risk of injury is reduced, so not only is it physically beneficial and advisable, but knowing you’re exercising safely can also help to reduce anxiety and provide reassurance during classes.

“There are also mental and emotional benefits, as Pilates is a highly immersive and focused form of exercise; the focus and concentration required make a great ‘time-out’ from everyday pressures.”

the swimming pool until any postnatal bleeding has stopped and scarring has healed if you had a caesarean.

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!

RUNNING PRAMS of the Best 3

CYBEX ZENO

The Cybex Zeno Frame gives you the revolutionary freedom to exercise in the way you’ve been waiting for - naturally and with no limits.

Price: £499.99 www.beautifulbambino.co.uk

THULE GLIDE 2 STROLLER

A high-performance jogging stroller with a lightweight, aerodynamic design that lets you and your child get the most out of your run.

Price: £650.00

www.thule.com

THULE CHARIOT CROSS

The all-round trailer, jogger, and stroller, offering comfort and flexibility for families with an active lifestyle.

Price: £854.00 www.thule.com

Meet

Snoo

Happiest Baby is a brand dedicated to little ones across the world; its bestselling SNOO Smart Sleeper baby cot has become a favourite with parents for its scientific approach to sleep. Developed as a sanctuary for tired-eyed tots, this innovative design is responsive to their needs, offering gentle white noise and soothing rhythmic rocking that mimic the safety of the womb.

You start by swaddling your baby in one of three included SNOO Sacks (small, medium, or large) made of organic cotton and breathable mesh that the company says reduces overheating. The clip-in wings prevent risky rolling in the bassinet and keeps your newborn on his or her back all night— the best way to reduce the risk of SIDS, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Then, the magic happens:

The bed rocks your baby and plays white noise to help with falling asleep and staying asleep — just like your body naturally did in the womb. If your baby starts crying, the bassinet knows to speed up the motion and increase the soothing sounds to help even the fussiest babies relax. If that’s not impressive enough, Happiest Baby says the SNOO can calm most babies in under a minute.

There’s also a built-in app that lets you customize your baby’s settings. You can change the starting levels to be faster and louder, and the sensitivity to be more or less responsive to your baby’s cries. The app also tracks sleep so you can see the total amount your baby gets each day, the longest stretch per night, and weekly and monthly patterns like how much your baby sleeps during the day vs. night.

Needless to say, new parents are obsessed. Hundreds of reviews on the Happiest Baby website sing the bassinet’s praises and countless mommy bloggers have called it a “game-changer.” I felt alarmingly sleep-deprived with my firstborn, so I was dying to know if the machine was as magical as people said when I was expecting baby #2. Six months after using the bassinet, I’ll confidently join hundreds of parents in saying it’s worth the investment. Here’s why:

TECH SPECS

• SNOO Smart Sleeper

• 3 white SNOO Sacks (S, M, L) made with organic cotton

• 100% organic cotton fitted sheet

• Mattress and water resistant-cover

• Unlimited 24/7 access to sleep consultants

• 1-year limited warranty

YOU AND YOUR BABY WILL GET MORE SLEEP.

The SNOO doesn’t change the fact that you’ll still wake up for midnight feedings. It does, however, prevent non-hungry wakings and it cuts down the time it takes to get your child back to sleep once feedings are done. Instead of having to get your little one back to sleep yourself, you can let the SNOO do the rocking for you. Not to mention, overtired parents sometimes fall asleep by accident, leaving their babies in dangerous situations. In fact, about 3,500 babies die each year from sleep-related incidents in the U.S. (yes, really!). Most of these occur in a parent’s bed where the baby can accidentally fall out or get smothered. Happiest Baby’s goal is to get more newborns into the SNOO and out of unsafe sleeping conditions.

THERE’S BUILT-IN SLEEP TRAINING

Most parents can agree that the ultimate goal is for children to learn to fall asleep on their own, but it can be a process to get to that point — one that can, at times, require letting your baby cry.

The SNOO’s technology helps soothe your baby when they wake up in the middle of the night so that they can learn to fall back asleep without your help.

Thanks to the bassinet, my second daughter started sleeping for long stretches on her own and easily made the switch to a crib when she turned six months old.

THE SNOO’S CUSTOMER SERVICE IS UNMATCHED.

With the purchase of your SNOO, you get access to customer care reps seven days a week to help you make the bassinet successful in soothing your baby.

Case in point: My little “Houdini” was escaping her swaddle, and they were able to teach me a trick to keep her arms in place.

She also went through a phase where the only time she was calm was in her swing and would have a meltdown any time I placed her in the bassinet. They said it was because most babies don’t like being flat on their backs and suggested keeping her legs elevated in the SNOO. Both tips worked right away.

THE REVIEWS ARE IN :-

Sarah from Brighton says:

He’s been sleeping in it since day 5 and it’s been amazing. I mean having a newborn is tough with a snoo or not but we truly believe that it has helped him have regular good night sleeps. From week 5 he was only waking up twice a night thanks to it and then from week 6/7 only once a night. In the morning to get an extra 30min I just ask the snoo to soothe him and I get an extra sleep.

Amy from Sheffield says:

I was unsure about this product, but genuinely it is superb. It definitely buys you an extra hour or so and that is worth every penny! but most importantly, our little girl seems to get on very well with it and soothes her much more than the standard crib.

David from London says:

I love a gadget and this didnt disappoint, Game changer.

Project Baby Rating:

THE BOTTOM LINE

I’ll be the first to admit that the SNOO can’t do a better job of soothing a baby than an actual parent or caregiver, plus you’ll likely find yourself feeling tired: After all, raising a baby isn’t easy. But for me, those 1-2 hours a night that I got back by not having to stay up holding my baby after overnight feeds were what made the difference.

If you’re on the fence about the price, look at this way: The SNOO comes out to just over £6 a day if you use it for six months and the 30-day guarantee means you can return your bassinet for any reason before the month is up and get a full refund.

Considering the peace of mind (and extra “set of hands”) the SNOO offered, I encourage new parents to give it a try.

LOLA BLACK

Price: £125.00

www.beyondnine.co.uk

STYLISH PREGNANT Just Glow in style

DENIM FRILL STRAP BLACK PINAFORE MINI DRESS

Price: From £11.00 per week

www.forthecreators.co

BLUE MIDI WRAP MATERNITY DRESS

Price: £65.00 www.seraphine.com

RAFFA CHAMBRAY MATERNITY SHIRT WITH TENCEL

Price: £79.00

www.uk.isabellaoliver.com

GOLDEN GOOSE

FAE PONTE MATERNITY PANT WITH LENZING

Price: £65.00

www.uk.isabellaoliver.com

NOTTING HILL BACKPACK

Price: £89.00 www.london-olivia.com

Price: £365.00

www.mythreasa.com

DENIM PINAFORE MATERNITY TO NURSING DRESS BLUE

Price: £59.00

www.seraphine.com

ELMER APPLIQUÉ T-SHIRT

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

MARVEL SUPERHEROES SWEATSHIRT

Price: £17.99 www.zara.co.uk

BLADE & ROSE

WEATHER LEGGINGS

Price: £10.00

www.bladeandrose.co.uk

YELLOW DUCK WATERPROOF ALL-IN-ONE

Price: £46.00

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

FRUGI WATERMELON/ WOLF ADVENTURE APPLIQUE TOP

Price: £24.00 www.babipur.co.uk

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

2-PIECE T-SHIRT SET

Price: £23.00

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

We

PYJAMAS CHESTNUT PRINT

Price: £35.00

www.lindex.com

ANKLE WELLIES

Price: £19.00

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

PUZZLE ROSE GOLD

Price: £42.00 www.startriteshoes.com

BUNNY CARDIGAN

Price: £34.99

www.kitandkin.com

John Bell & Croyden

John Bell & Croyden is a pharmacy located on Wigmore Street, London. The company dates from 1798 and has been based on its current premises since 1912. We have teamed up with John Bell & Croyden to introduce you to the best luxury Mother & Baby pieces.

Visit us instore 50-54 Wigmore St, London W1U 2AU

www.johnbellcroyden.co.uk

Shamsin Eau De Parfum

Luxurious and voluptuous, Atelier Flou’s Shamsin EDP evokes a gleaming desert with unseen breezes blowing across the blank canvas of land, golden specks of sand against the azure skies. Traditional Moorish architecture springs to mind, with mashrabiya screens fending off the sun’s fiery gaze, and the mysterious exotic scents of the East swirling through the streets.

Price: £220.00 100ml ATELIER FLOU

Soak for bits

Post partum bath soak to clean and soothe the perineum. This midwife developed bath soak is ideal for that first bath, and to use as a soak for the first few weeks after childbirth, to help aid recovery.

Price: £29.00

MY EXPERT MIDWIFE

BEAUTY

Little Butterfly London Face Cream

Delivering exceptional dermal protection, our organiccertified face cream combines scientifically validated bio-actives, plant oils and extracts, to deeply nurture and calm.

Price: £27.00 LITTLE BUTTERFLY LONDON

Babies & Toddler’s Blend Probiotics

The specific strains used in Babies & Toddler’s Blend have been specially chosen for their value to infant health and have been formulated to the viable count appropriate for infants. For Infants 0-5 years old.

Price: £25.00 UDO’S CHOICE

No Harm Bum Balm

Nappy Rash Cream For Babies. This nappy ointment is a must-have for all baby changing bags, and for packing in your hospital bag. Use it to prevent nappy rash or to soothe soreness on your baby’s delicate skin.

Price: £12.50 MY EXPERT MIDWIFE

Baby Pure Castile 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 (though not tear-free!).

Dr. Bronner’s soap is concentrated, biodegradable, versatile and effective.

Price: £21.00 DR BRONNER’S

Scent Of Seas Toning Body Serum

This high-performance, organic-certified body serum assists in restoring elasticity and returns bounce to over-stretched or slack skin, whilst leaving a feeling of instant lightness.

Price: £35.00 LITTLE BUTTERFLY LONDON

Creating Your Dream NURSERY

We Love

DOCKATOT DELUXE+ DOCK

The DockATot Deluxe+ Dock is the ultimate accessory for your baby and can be used until they are around 9 months old. As one of the most popular products amongst parents worldwide, the Deluxe pod is a great multi-tasker and offers a safe environment for your little one to sleep, rest and play.

www.dockatot.co.uk

MONTE DESIGN ROCKWELL BASSINET

The Rockwell bassinet is synonymous with ultimate modern luxury. Handcrafted and sustainably made in Canada to the highest quality, it is the perfect combination of beautiful materials and a soothing rock for your little one.

Price: £605.00

www.huggle.co.uk

SEBRA CROCHET PULLALONG TOY - DEER

The hand-crocheted deer on wheels is a Sebra classic and a big hit with the little ones, especially when they start walking. Mounted on a natural varnished wooden board with large cute eyes, children will love taking this deer for a walk.

Price: £58.00

www.notonthehighstreet.co.uk

NOAHS ARK

Everyone aboard. Play the story of Noahs Ark with this beautiful play set.

Price: £34.00 www.smallkins.com

NATTY COT/DRAWERS

Designed to grow with your child, the Natty Cot Bed will start life as your favourite white and oak cot bed, before later transforming into a toddler bed with two guarded sides, using parts from the cot end panels. And the best bit? No additional purchase is required.

Price: £339.00/£389.00 www.boori.com

STEIFF LEO RIDING LION

Steiff Leo Riding Lion is made from high quality woven fur in golden blond. Just look at his magnificent mane and a face full of character. Gentle hand airbrushing around his face together with big black eyes - whiskers - a long tail with a bob of hair at the end - all go to make this piece of Steiff very special indeed.

Price: £475.00

www.steiffteddybears.co.uk

5 Top Travel Systems

Becoming a parent can be daunting enough without the task of choosing a pushchair and car seat for your little one. That’s why many parents opt for a travel system which makes the decision that bit easier. Travel systems are great options for those who are on the go and frequently in and out of the car. Here’s our round up of the top 5 travel systems out there:

WHAT EXACTLY IS A TRAVEL SYSTEM?

For parents wanting the ideal travel solution for their baby, a pushchair and car seat are two of the most essential items. That’s why many parents opt for a travel system, which is a pushchair (chassis and seat unit) that comes with a car seat that can be clicked straight onto the chassis. This means that if you drive to the shops with your baby, there’s no need to wake them when you get there, as you can simply put the car seat onto the pushchair wheels.

BUNDLE OR NOT?

It’s well worth looking for special offers from retailers, which often include additional extras that you may find useful. Many pushchairs

offer the addition of a carrycot that you can use for your baby’s first few months; some can even be used for overnight sleeping, which is ideal for travelling or if you don’t want to buy an extra crib. If your model doesn’t offer a carrycot, make sure the pushchair seat lies completely flat for newborns. You might also want the security of an ISOFIX car seat base, so look for a bundle that includes this useful item. Other extras include car seat adaptors, changing bags, raincovers, sunshades, cup holder and footmuffs.in to an unplanned direction.

CAR SEAT SAFETY

It’s a very confusing market, with two different types of car seat laws in play but, put simply, for a Travel System you’ll need either a Group 0+ car seat, which holds babies from birth to 13kg, or an i-Size version, which can be used until your baby is 83cm tall. Look for lie-flat car seats, which help your baby’s breathing and make sure that newborns are not in car seats for longer than two hours according to advice from The Lullaby Trust. They are not a place for your baby to sleep; they are for safe travel.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR?

Try to see the items in person if you can and get the retailer to demonstrate how to fold and unfold, how to attach the seat and carrycot and how the car seat fits. Make sure it’s not too heavy for you to lift, that you can fold it and that it fits in your car - and home!

NUNA TRIV

Every parent needs a trusty travel companion to enjoy those everyday adventures. The TRIV™ next pushchair is a natural city dweller that quickly converts to a travel system, packs up easily and stands on its own when folded, becoming the perfect sidekick to your everyday adventures.

Key Features

Lightweight compact one-hand fold

Pull-down Dream drape™

One-touch braking system

All-season seat

CYBEX PRIAM

The CYBEX Priam’s new 4-in-1 Deep Black on Chrome Brown frame travel system makes it a flexible and comfortable travel companion. The frame allows the use of different attachments that provide the right solution. In addition to the new Lux Carry Cot and Lite Cot, these also include the award-winning Cybex car seats. For older children, the Priam can be used as a sophisticated stroller, with a seating unit that can be adjusted to be either forward-facing or rear-facing.

Key Features

• XXL sun canopy

• Two wheel mode

• One hand folding

• Seat at table height

• Reversible seat unit

• All wheel suspension

• Chassis weight: 12.6kg

• 4 in 1 travel system options

• Extra large shopping basket

VISTA V2

The VISTA’s intuitive design allows for multiple configurations, making transporting a second and third child a breeze — all while strolling like a single.

Key Features

• Perforated Carrycot mattress pad, vented base and canopy for added breathability

• Extendable, pop out UPF 50+ sunshade

• One-handed release from stroller

• Depth and ventilation provide an overnight sleep solution

• Zip out, water-repellent inner liner and boot cover are easy to remove and clean

COSATTO WOW

You’re busy. You need a helping hand. Wow is the from-birth hug on wheels for your baby- with all the extras. You asked. We delivered your dream machine with features to fit your life.

Key Features

• Compact, easy-fold lightweight aluminium chassis

• Parent and world facing

• Rubber skin all-terrain wheels

• UPF50+ protection sunshade hood

• Super sized basket with handy compartments

• One-handed top recline button

• Removable bumper bar with padded cover

ICANDY PEACH 7

The ultimate pushchair for first time parents, the world’s definitive, luxury single to double pushchair beautifully engineered, designed to fit perfectly around you and your baby. Suitable from birth due to the spacious carrycot which can also be used for permanent overnight sleeping.

Key Features

• Suitable from birth (with carrycot) up to 25kg (15kg on elevators)

• Carrycot with luxury fleece lining, suitable for permanent overnight sleeping

• Converts from single to double / twin pushchair

• Converts to full travel system with included car seat adaptors

• 5 Year warranty included

Photos by www.kimberlyallanphotography.co.uk

Dippy Eggs with Crumpet Fingers

METHOD:

1.Put the British Lion eggs into a small saucepan.

2.Cover with cold water. Bring up to the boil and cook for 4 minutes.

3.Place in egg cups. Preheat the grill to the high. Spread a little cream cheese on the crumpets.

4.Top with the cheese and grill for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese has melted.

5.Slice into fingers.

6.Remove the top of the eggs. Dip the crumpet fingers into the eggs!

Cooking 10 Minutes Preperation 5 Minutes Makes 2 Portions

INGREDIENTS:

2 large British Lion eggs

2 crumpets

1 tbsp cream cheese

40g Cheddar cheese, grated

Sole with Squash, Kale & Peas

METHOD:

1.Put the squash and potatoes into a saucepan.

2.Add 300ml water. Cover with a lid, then simmer for 10 minutes until nearly tender.

3.Add the kale, peas and lemon sole. Cover again with the lid and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes until all of the vegetables and the fish are cooked.

4.Add the milk and cheese then blend until smooth or until you reach the desired consistency for your baby using a hand blender. Finally add the squeeze of lemon juice.

Cooking 20 Minutes Preperation 5 Minutes Suitable for Freezing

INGREDIENTS:

150g butternut squash

200g potatoes, peeled and diced

150g frozen peas

75g kale, chopped

325g lemon sole, skinned and diced

3 tbsp milk

30g Parmesan cheese, grated

Squeeze of lemon juice

Bunny Paw Biscuits

METHOD:

1.Cream together the butter and sugar in a large bowl, then add the egg and a few drops of vanilla extract and mix well.

2.Add the flour and stir until the dough starts to come together then tip out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead gently until it forms a smooth ball of dough.

3.Wrap in clingfilm and chill for 30 mins.

4.Divide the chilled dough into 20 pieces (each weighing about 25g). You will need 2 pieces of dough per biscuit.

5.Roll the first piece into a smooth ball. Split the second piece into 3 and roll each into a small ball.

6.Line a baking tray with baking paper for the finished biscuits, then place another piece of baking paper on the work surface to shape them on (so that they don’t stick).

7.Press down with the palm of your hand over all 4 balls to flatten them slightly – the overall biscuit should be about ½cm thick.

8.Make indents for the icing in the middle of the paw and within each ‘toe’ using your thumb or forefinger. The biscuits will puff up quite a lot in the oven so make sure the indentations are quite firm – if the dough cracks, use a little water to help smooth it back into shape.

9.Transfer the shaped biscuit to the lined baking tray and repeat with the remaining dough. Cover the tray with clingfilm and place in the fridge to chill for another 30 mins.

10.Meanwhile, preheat the oven to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C. Bake the chilled biscuits for 30-35 mins until golden, then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

11.To make the icing, place the egg white in a bowl and whisk gently until frothy (reserve the egg yolk for another recipe, see tip below). Whisk in the icing sugar gradually until fully incorporated and continue whisking for 5 mins or until the icing holds soft peaks. If using the food colour, stir through a few dots of the gel to reach your desired colour.

12.Use a teaspoon (or small piping bag) to carefully fill each indent in the cooled biscuits with the icing. You may want to tip or jiggle the biscuits to help the icing flow into the holes evenly. Leave the icing to set before serving.cakes.

Decorate with mini candy eggs, broken flakes, chocolate bunnies and edible flowers.

INGREDIENTS:

100g butter, softened 100g light soft brown sugar

1 large egg, beaten vanilla extract

275g plain flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting

ICING

1 large egg, separated 125g icing sugar, sifted pink food colour gel (optional)

Cooking 30 Minutes

Preperation 30 Minutes Makes 12 Portions

HotTea Mama is an award-winning women’s wellness and pregnancy tea company, making teas to support better periods, pregnancy, motherhood and menopause.

15% OFF

ENTER CODE: HOTTEA15

hotteamama.com l @hotteamama l T&C Apply

Offers

Created to help parents on the go, this handy must-have accessory keeps babies moving and snoozing. Simply attach to a pram or stroller, push the button and adjust the speed to gently rock baby.

10%

ENTER CODE: Project10 OFF

rockitrocker.com l @rockitrocker l T&C Apply

Rent your baby’s clothes with Bundlee. Helping you save money, whilst protecting the planet for their future. Visit our website to learn how it works!

60% OFF

ENTER CODE: PROJECTBABY60

bundlee.co.uk l @bundleebaby l T&C Apply

Protect your baby from harmful UV rays and make naps on the go happen with SnoozeShade - The UKs favourite baby sun and sleep shade for prams, strollers and travels cots.

15%

ENTER CODE: PROJECTBABY OFF

Welcome to our baby boutique for the stylish parent, where you will find all manner of beautiful baby essentials, from our award-winning Moses basket sheets to our muslin sets and baby clothing in an array of eye-catching prints and chic, understated tones. sueandsamuel.com l @sueandsamuel T&C Apply

10% off the handsfree towel with code PROJECTCUDDLE

Code must be entered at checkout at cuddledry.com and can be used with choosing personalisation and/ or gift wrap too. Applies to eco packaging and box packaging.

ENTER CODE: BABY23 10% OFF 10% OFF

SnoozeShade.com l @SnoozeShade l T&C Apply

ENTER CODE: PROJECTCUDDLE

cuddledry.com l @cuddledry T&C Apply

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

MABEL AND FOX

THE GILDED BIRD

ISLA AND FRASER

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

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

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

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.

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. www.startriteshoes.com

www.kura-organics.com

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.babyuma.com