DEC 2015 £2.99
0 634158 491092 >
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s e o d Howyour es at
car grow?
Our ADVANSAFIX is cleverly designed to grow with your child. Offering the reassurance of 5-point harness protection prolonged until 25 kg. With secure seat belt protection for older children until 36 kg. No need to constantly upgrade your seat. And no need to compromise. Just the high safety standards you expect from Britax, in a seat that will take you from toddler to pre teen. So you can concentrate on watching them grow. Find your freedom at britax.com
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be free
PROVING THAT PREGNANCY IS NO OBSTACLE TO GREAT STYLE
W W W. N I N E I N T H E M I R R O R . CO M 3.1 PHILLIP LIM • EMILIA WICKSTEAD • JOSEPH • MARNI • MISSONI • VALENTINO • AND MANY MORE project-baby.co.uk
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star mums
Icandy Peach 3 Dan Osborne and Jacquline Jossa with baby Ella. Price: from £850 www.icandyworld.co.uk
Baby Jogger City Mini Single Stroller Matt Damon has a Baby Jogger City Mini for his daughter Stella.
Maclaren Techno XT Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, out walking with her baby in th Techno XT.
celeb watch Price: £269.99 www.babyjogger.co.uk
Stokke xplory
Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis out in NYC with son Otis Stokke Xplory Black Melange with Maxi cosi Prezi carseat Price: £799.00 www.cybexbyjeremyscott.com
Babybjorn Baby Carrier Miracle Out-and-about in Central Park, Beyonce carried Blue Ivy in her BabyBjorn baby during an effortless afternoon stroll yesterday. prices:£84.99 www.babybjorn.co.uk/
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Price: £200.00 www.mothercare.com
contents
Welcome
DEC/JAN 2015/16
48
28
8. products we love
21. christmas advent calendar
Everything you will need from pregnancy to parenthood.
Win a prize every day throughout December.
62
22. Womb transplants First 10 woman given the go ahead.
28. Postnatal depression, know the signs Katie Hilton tells us the signs
30. Top 9 Fitness Trends 16. are you ready for a baby Is there ever a right time to have a baby? Examining the biggest decision you’ll ever make.
Find the fitness trend that best suits you. Good luck..
36. Sleep I miss you Clever ways to get the sleep you need
38. Bumpalicious Coats Beautiful coats to suit every bump.
40. Cocoon luxury Wrap up in style
32. Staying fit with Mum
46. project baby’s beautiful boutique
Everything you need to know about staying fit during pregnancy.
A selection of Winter clothing for all children.
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Welcome
roject
roject
Natasha Hewett
From the editor With the long lazy days of summer behind us, Christmas around the corner and the end of the year fast approaching, it’s time to wrap up warm, grab a nice hot Gingerbread Latte and enjoy a delicious mince pie. Thank you for choosing to pick up our Christmas edition of Project Baby, hopefully you will enjoy reading it as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. As ever, we’ve got a jammed packed edition for you with lots of lovely winter warmers, great ideas for places to visit over the festive season and as always plenty of informative and interesting articles all written by our experts. Let’s start with “10 things We Love” (p. 8), we think you will love them too! In “Postnatal Depression, Know the Signs” (p. 28) our expert Katie gives out her professional advice and answers your questions to help put your mind at ease. If you are trying to get fit after having your baby then you may be interested in our “Top 9 Fitness Trends for 2016” (p. 30), and if you are baby health conscious then you will enjoy our article entitled “How to Help a Chocking Baby” (p. 48). We also have some great gift ideas for the whole family in various gift guide sections throughout the magazine, as well as our “All things Fashion” feature (p. 38). which includes a beautiful selection of cape coats from Cocoon. It would be lovely to hear your thoughts on our articles and features. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for weekly competitions, or to sign up for our weekly newsletter just visit our website. Enjoy a well earned break and cup of tea. Happy Reading.
Natasha
Natasha Hewett, Editor natasha@project-baby.co.uk
Page
21
win a prize every day in our christmas advent calender
Editor-in-chief
Rebecca Harding Assistant Editor
Emma Pailing Copywriter
Emma Reily-James Sales Consultant
Paul Palmer Webmaster
Gavin Bridle Art Direction
Advertising with us: Email: natasha@project-baby.co.uk Tel: 07514 852 648
General Enquiries: Email: natasha@project-baby.co.uk
With many thanks to our contributors: iCandy, Katie Hilton, Natasha Wiening Photography, Zita West, Emma Hammett, Rebecca Oliver, Kathryn Mewes, Annabel Karmel, Sarah Rose, La Chouette School & 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 Wyndeham Group.
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Welcome
77
16
30
40
contents MORE
48. How to help a choking child
62. creating your dream nursery
Something every parent must learn.
Where dreams can come true.
52. Christmas Markets
66. OUR GIFT GUIDE FOR ALL AGES
Who doesn’t loves mulled wine and twinkly lights.
Something for everyone, including dad..
54. Family ski Hitting the slopes with the whole family in tow.
56. beautiful buys for beautiful mums Our top 10 gifts for new mums..
58. jewellery box Something beautiful for everyone, including a perfect selection for expecting mum’s.
60. Read to me daddy And with the voices please.
71. don’t forget to brush your teeth Remember the catchy Christmas Jingle “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth”
74. Late Bloomers When baby’s speech is slow going.
77. Eat yourself pregnant More essential recipes to help boost your fertility naturally with Zita West.
84. Clubs & Classes Find a club or class near you.
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Bloom Fresco Chrome Giro High Chair The Giro collection has given the ever
10
popular Bloom Fresco Chrome an injection of colour. The Black and Orange Giro High Chair is sure to make a statement in any room, with it’s beautiful modern design and contrasting colours. www.lullabuy.co.uk
Things
we love 8 l dEC/JAN 2015/16 l
Hearts and Bows Alator Belt Wrap Coat
Panthère de Cartier necklace The Maison’s emblematic panther, first leaped into the world of Cartier jewelry in 1914. Louis Cartier was a pioneer in taming the legendary creature and his associate Jeanne Toussaint went on to make magnificent use of the icon. www.cartier.com
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Hearts and Bows present the Alabator wrap coat in khaki green. This super stylish essential is perfect for Winter and features a tailored style collar and tonal waist tie fastening. www.ark.co.uk
Dodo Bassinet White Edition Sleeping in a soft, protective cloud. Dodo White Edition is one of the creations we feel more proud of. Its delicate and minimalist design meant a true revelation for the baby care universe. www.suommo.com
lifestyle
Luxurious lilac hand knit socks Knitted using special high quality
Bugaboo Cameleon 3 - Diesel Edition Bugaboo and Diesel have joined forces to bring you an elite edition of the iconic Cameleon3, complete with rugged camouflage fabrics, anodized khaki chassis and leather-look detailing.
sock yarns. Regia or ONline, made in Europe. They are soft, warm and also durable.
www.bugaboo.com
www.etsy.com
Bloom Coco Baby Lounger Stylewood The Bloom Coco Baby Lounger Stylewood is a contemporary baby rocker that you will love to display in your home www.lullabuy.co.uk
PAUL ANDREW Purple Shoe Boots Printed leather, no appliquĂŠs, solid colour, buckle, narrow toeline, leather sole, stiletto heel, handmade. Soft Leather. www.lyst.co.uk
Taupe Rabbit Fur Bobble Hat
Dolce & Gabbana Velvet Rose
Stave off the cold weather with this ultra feminine rabbit fur pom pom beanie hat. In a chunky stretch rib knit pure merino wool it is exceptionally comfortable and easy to wear.
It is one of the hottest floral fragrances that are especially created for women. It is composed of a mixture of breathtaking notes including may rose, Egyptian pelargonium, lily, citruses, musk, Moroccan rose and Bulgarian rose.
www.black.co.uk
www.dolcegabbana.com
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RECARO CITYLIFE The new travel system
The lightweight Citylife is the perfect pushchair for families on the go. The smart one-hand fold, height adjustable handle and full suspension wheels ensure the Citylife meets the highest standards in terms of comfort, quality and mobility. Suitable for use from birth when using the carrycot or infant carrier. www.recaro-cs.com project-baby.co.uk
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lifestyle
Premier Plus 4 Channel TENS Machine The Premier Plus 4 Channel is the Ultimate in pain relief management and muscle re-education and stimulation, 4 Independent channels allows for up to 8 electrodes to be placed on the body for pain relief or muscle stimulation ideal for treating lower back and sciatica in one session.
Bloom and Blossom Mother To Be Trio Set This gorgeous gift set is the perfect way to congratulate a new or expectant mum. The beautiful presentation box includes Anti Stretch Mark Cream, Indulgence Bath Oil and Revitalising Leg and Foot Spray, all tied up with a beautiful silk ribbon tie Price: £45.00 www.johnlewis.com
Price: £107.70 www.tensmachineuk.com
Cowshed Udderly Gorgeous Bath Salts This relaxing bath soak contains essentials oils that are safe for pregnancy and contains sea buckthorn - a fruit packed with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids to nourish and protect your skin. Price: £24.00 www.cowshedonline.com
Products for
bump Stay Comfy
Baby Feeding Pillow Designed to help you enjoy a restful night’s sleep throughout the later stages of pregnancy, it also doubles up as a comfortable and supportive feeding pillow once your baby has arrived. Price: £44.95 www.theraline.co.uk
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Pai Pomegranate & Pumpkin Seed Stretch Mark System Suitable for all skin types, this is a two-step system to help keep stretch marks at bay 24 hours a day. There’s a hydrating cream for you to rub on your bump in the morning, then an intensive oil for night. It really works – take that, stretch marks! Suitable for all skin types, this is a twostep system to help keep stretch marks at bay 24 hours a day. There’s a hydrating cream for you to rub on your bump in the morning, then an intensive oil for night. It really works – take that, stretch marks! Price: £45.00 www.paiskincare.com
lifestyle
3 of the Best
Editors Choice
nursing bras
Ergobaby 360 Bundle of Joy - Carrier + Insert The Ergobaby 360 Bundle of Joy (baby carrier + matching insert) in Black/Camel is a revolutionary carrier which offers parents convenience of four handy carrying positions. Ergobaby Original Carrier which has evolved to make it more comfortable than ever. Made of durable cotton with high-density padding and straps that adjust for the perfect mutual fit. It is available in a variety of popular colours and as with all Ergobaby carriers, it keeps baby safe, close, and comfortable while providing you freedom of movement.
The Confetti Nursing Bra The Confetti Nursing Bra featuring a fun Swiss Dot pattern, lightweight, stretchy, wire-free and super comfy! Price: £26.00 www.bravadodesigns.com
Price: £139.90 www.ergobaby.co.uk
Products for
mum Mothers Bath Oil
fast food bra/striped
A delightfully fragranced organic bath oil with a natural dispersant for use during pregnancy and afterwards to keep skin in top condition and encourage a sense of well-being and tranquillity.
Hello Baby! Hello Mum!
The enforced section under and around the breasts offers extra support. Flexibility in the bra accommodates changing breast size, common during nursing.
Price: £15.00 www.nealsyardremedies.com
Price: £64.75 www.notonthehighstreet.com
Price: £40.00 www.boobdesign.com
YUYU Hot Water Bottle 100% Cashmere cover with Mother of Pearl buttons. Supplied with an ivory natural rubber bottle. Presented in a luxury gift box. YUYU Bottle is the most special and beautiful NEW Gift for Her or Him. A unique and wonderful innovation on the traditional hot water bottle, YUYU Bottle is the world’s first luxury LONG hot water bottle. Price: £159.00 www.yuyubottle.com
Bravado Bliss Nursing Bra The Bravado Bliss nursing bra is perfect for new mums who want a mix of an elegant shape and exceptional fit. Featuring Bravado’s Flexi-Fit support technology, it includes moulded foam cups and a low neckline. Price: £34.00 www.johnlewis.com
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lifestyle
Editors Choice Uppababy Vista The Uppababy Vista2 is a pram and pushchair combination which can be converted to a travel system with the addition of an appropriate infant carrier. This pushchair will keep your little one comfortable for the duration of their journey. The seat has five recline positions, can face you or the outside world and has an adjustable footrest so they can find their most comfy position. The suspension throughout ensures a smooth they have a smooth ride and won’t be bothered by bumpy roads. The swivel wheels can be locked in place, ideal for long stretches of road.
Cybex SIRONA The Cybex Sirona car seat can be used in rear facing position from birth, and allows them to travel in the rear facing position for longer - until your child reaches 18kg (approx 4 years old. It can also be used in a forward facing position if preferred from 9 (approx 9 month) -18kg depending on your child’s height and size.
Price: £699.99 www.uppababy.co.uk
Price: £375.00 www.cybex-online.com
baby
Products for
Add a Touch of Stately-home Grandeur Orpheus Round Cot
Evomove Nomi The futuristic-looking Evomove Nomi high chair is designed by the same person behind the well-loved Stokke Tripp Trapp. It’s a modular system that can be used from birth with the bouncer accessory, as a high chair when your baby is six months, and then as a child’s seat up to the teenage years. Price: £205.00 www.evomove.com
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Add a touch of stately-home grandeur to your nursery with the Orpheus cot. With all the elegance and sophistication of a four-poster bed, the Orpheus cot blends superb design with unbeatable safety features. Whether it’s looking stylish in the corner of the nursery or used as a dramatic centre-piece, this circular cot has all the makings of a future design classic. Price: £2,870.00 www.custardand crumble.co.uk
lifestyle
3-in1 Digital Thermo meter
Baby Jogger city mini Running errands and getting around with your child has never been easier, thanks to the city mini®. This stroller is the essence of urban mobility: lightweight, compact and nimble. Its sleek and practical design makes it the perfect choice for traversing the urban jungle. The city mini® is not intended for jogging.
3 of the Best
Toddler toys
Measuring forehead and room temperature in just one second, the thermometer gives parents the option to act will immediacy, if need be. Price: £37.99 www.brother max.com
Price: £269.99 www.babyjogger.co.uk
Products for Your
toddler
John Lewis Mini Kitchen This high-quality wooden kitchen is great for children who love pretending. Children can bake pretend cakes and cook up imaginary feasts all by themselves! Price: £50.00 www.johnlewis.com
Sleepy Whale Toddler Bed This low to the ground toddler bed and is a safe and exciting place for your child to sleep away those precious hours. The super friendly whale wants to be your buddy and float you off to an underwater dream world! Price: £675.00 www.notonthehighstreet.com
Happy Lunching
Buzzing Brains Wooden Castle Encouraging imaginative and interactive play this medieval themed set will entertain young minds for hours. Price: £49.99 www.kiddicare.com
Tidlo Workbench Munchkin Toddler Lunch Bag Perfect for taking a packed lunch to school, nursery or a fun day out, this cute little owl will keep food and drinks nice and cool thanks to the insulated lining. Pack all your little ones favourite food, drinks and snacks inside the Munchkin lunch bags and add a napkin, cutlery or ice pack into the mesh pocket and then keep everything safely inside using the zip fastening. Price: £9.49 www.mothercare.com
This fantastic new wooden workbench from Tidlo is sturdy, colourful and perfect for all budding young carpenters! The tool bench comes complete with 43 accessories and tools including construction pieces, nuts and bolts, a saw, hammer, vice, screwdriver and spanner. Price: £59.99 www.brightminds.co.uk
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real life
Are you Ready for a Baby? Career, life goals, holiday plans… is there ever a right time to have a baby? Kerry Potter examines the biggest decision you’ll ever make. When a woman takes a pregnancy test in a film and sees a thin blue line, one of two things happen: she whoops with joy or her world falls apart. She either wants a baby or she doesn’t – it’s black and white. Real life, however, is more complicated. I remember sitting in my bathroom looking at my very own thin blue line with mixed emotions. I was mainly thrilled – I was 32 and married, we owned a house, this was our plan – a plan discussed and dissected with a large number of my friends at that time (to the point where four of my five university friends got pregnant within six months of each other). But even so, I was also slightly scared. I couldn’t even keep my plants adequately fed and watered, how would I cope with a real live baby? And there was a third thing too – had I done everything I wanted to do with my life yet? Should I have got another promotion under my belt? Should I have tried harder to fulfill my ambition of working in New York? Should I have gone to Glastonbury one last time? Had I completed enough of Project Life to begin Project Baby? Difficult stuff to ponder on a normal day – let alone one when you’re
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so pumped with hormones, the breakfast news makes you cry and you’ve got such bad morning sickness you vomit when you brush your teeth. Like most women my age, since turning 30, I have had many, many conversations with female friends about when to start trying for a baby; all of us increasingly spooked by the ‘fertility time-bomb’ headlines, accusing professional young women like us of putting our careers before motherhood. A GP friend was busy saving up to cover future maternity leave. A party-girl friend who had just got married described how her clubbing crew begged her to do another summer in Ibiza before she had babies. Another was experiencing the choice between IVF or continuing to try and conceive naturally after two unsuccessful years of trying.
A survey of 3,000 women by Centrum last year showed that some women take up to five years to plan motherhood, with a third aiming for certain career goals, a quarter saving £5,000 and 58% aiming to own a property. Meanwhile, the bucket list – once restricted to things to do before you die – now pops up on parenting websites, in the guise of ‘things to do before you get pregnant’, on the premise that there won’t be a lot of bungee jumping going on once you’ve given birth.
There is a sense that we need to get our (metaphorical and literal) houses in order – and live a little – before we take the plunge. The career sabbatical for the gap year you didn’t have at 18, finally running a marathon, writing that novel, going on holiday on your own, travelling to three continents – all things you want to tick off before you settle down to a life of designer pushchairs and Ofsted ratings.
real life
perfect timing So when is best to have a baby? And can we really plan and control this aspect of our lives? Statistics show that we’re leaving it later, sometimes to our cost. The average age of women giving birth now is a year older than it was a decade ago; 29.5 in 2010 compared with 28.5 in 2000, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The Department of Health research shows the abortion rate for women aged 30-34 increased by 10% between 2009 and 2011 too, indicating more women choosing to delay motherhood until their late 30s.
There’s no getting away from the fact that the biological reality is stark. “The aim should be to have a baby before 35, certainly by 37,” says Dr Magdy Asaad of London Fertility Centre. “It becomes much more difficult after 35. The number and quality of your eggs are reduced. It’s difficult for women because life expectancy is increasing – it’s now 80-85 years – so a 40-year-old still feels young. But it’s a different story with your ovaries. If circumstances allow, you should be considering babies in your late 20s or early 30s.” Ah, yes, “if circumstances allow” – and that’s the crux. When do any of us feel the timing is 100% right? There is no completely perfect time to become a mum. And, of course, it’s not always a simple weighing up of whether your job, relationship and experiences are where you’d like them, there’s also the very real possibility that pregnancy won’t come when you want it. On average, 84% of women will fall pregnant within the first year of trying and one in seven couples have fertility struggles, adding yet another dimension to the “when is the right time” question.
a certain amount of experience and credibility, so you know how to juggle and delegate, and your firm trusts you to work flexibly.” Then there is your relationship to consider. It sounds obvious, but you need to make sure your partner definitely wants a baby too – one US study showed 100% of couples who’d had a baby when the husband wasn’t initially keen had divorced within six years. “If you can’t talk about it and decide when a good time is, how on earth are you going to raise a child?” says psychology consultant Dr Sandra Wheatley. “It’s about coming to a joint decision that’ll make you both happy.” It helps if you’re married too – ONS statistics showed that 80% of married couples in 1991 were still together a decade on, compared to 60% of cohabiting couples.
“Women can feel overwhelmed by everyone else’s opinion. Listen to your own voice and feel confident in it” The cost of having a baby is also on the rise – so can you afford to pay for childcare? If you’re working in London and need a full-time nanny, it could cost you £24,000 per year (which means you’d need to earn almost £30,000 gross to break even). According to Daycare Trust figures, a part-time nursery place (25 hours a week) in London costs on average £6,340 per year, but the most expensive ones go up to £15,000. It’s a bit cheaper in Manchester at £4,592 for 25 hours
care but in Edinburgh it rises again to £5,178. Wherever you live, and whatever you earn, it will be a significant financial factor in your life. A house with your name on the title deeds and a spare room is also a prime concern for potential mums. But the average age of the UK first-time buyer was 29 years old in 2012, rising to 32 in London. Given the average age of a woman giving birth is 29.5, the figures don’t really add up. This may be a case of just having to change your mindset – in the current financial climate, renting a family home is perfectly normal – a new study from Shelter says by 2025, 27% of households will be renting UK-wide. But do the maths first – experts say you shouldn’t be spending more than 35% of the family income on rent to be on an even keel financially. You might not think you have to worry about your friendships, but it can be lonely when you’re the first among your peers to have a baby. A CLIC Sargent survey showed that 40% of expectant mothers worried about being socially isolated after giving birth. So if at least two or three friends are already mums, you’ll have advice and support on tap. You’ll also make new friends – mothers in your NCT group or antenatal class – to help you through those first few years. All in order? Congratulations! You are ready to have a child. But not everything in life fits neatly on a spreadsheet. We are a generation used to being in full control of our destiny, but pregnancy and motherhood simply aren’t like that – they’re unpredictable, wonderful and frustrating in equal measure.
“I don’t think there is a ‘right’ time,” says Nifa McLaughlin, editor of parenting website gurgle.com. “There will always be something else going on: an amazing career opportunity, your house isn’t big enough, you have that holiday planned. I don’t think you should be ruled too much by life itself, you should just go on your instincts.”
The best starting place is to work out which barriers are surmountable, practically and emotionally, in your current situation. First up for many women comes career. “Maternity packages differ but usually you need to be in your job for 18-24 months to reap the full benefits,” says Kirstie Burn from recruitment firm PSD Group. Burn believes the best time to have a baby is seven to eight years into your career. “You should be at a certain level of seniority so that when you come back you won’t have to start all over again. You’ll have
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real life
The right choice It’s something Beth Follini from Ticktock Coaching sees 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.”
Top Amazing facts
9
about your
newborn
Being adorable isn’t the only thing your newborn has going for him. He’s also got a pretty impressive set of skills and qualities on his baby CV fact: His smell is addictive.
fact: Your voice is critical…
For you, anyway. A study looked at the brains of 15 new mums and found the smell of a newborn brought out the same pleasure and sense of craving that food does when we’re hungry
For his language development. A study found a sleeping newborn recognises his mum’s voice from just one syllable, and it activates an area of his brain associated with language processing.
fact: That hair may fall out. Your little one may have a shock of black hair now – but it won’t necessarily stay that way. It can fall out altogether in the first few weeks, then grow back over the next year, or go from straight to curly in months
fact: Labour = birthmarks. 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.
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Birthmarks are common and come in a range of shapes, sizes and colours. These occur when the tiny blood vessels under the skin are dilated during labour. Certain types may not appear for several days or weeks after birth, but most go away in the first few years.
fact: He is seriously sleepy In fact, at first he’ll only really be alert for around three minutes in every hour during the day, and even less at night
fact: He’s out of proportion.
Your baby’s head makes up a quarter of his total body length right now, and his brain takes up 10 per cent of his total body weight. The rest of him is growing to catch up.
fact: But there are no actual tears. Despite the wailing, you may notice your newborn doesn’t produce actual tears. His tear ducts aren’t fully developed and while they produce enough moisture to keep his eyes healthy, they won’t give proper tears for several weeks.
fact: He’s very boob curious A research team discovered that if a newborn is left on his mother’s chest after birth, he’ll eventually crawl up and find her breast to feed, guided by her smell. Incredible, right?
One for luck
fact: He wants to put everything in his mouth
your keys OK, he may be a bit too young to chew on n’t want does he n mea n’t or the cat’s tail, but that does with born are nts to. New French research suggests infa a of part an instinct to put things in their mouth as they’re fed survival-of-the-fittest mentality to make sure
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lifestyle
Products We Love
8
Top
Parental
2
1
Myfitnesspal
Dream Genii Pregnancy Support Pillow Designed to provide support in the second and third trimester of your pregnancy, and can help you get a comfortable night’s sleep by offering support for your back, tummy and knees. Price: £39.99 www.nctshop.co.uk
Myfitnesspal, a simple and easy to-use calorie counter, recognises thousands of foods and drinks enabling you to keep on top of your calorie intake.
3
Price: £69.95 www.nctshop.co.uk
4
Available on iPhone and Android, free This app suggests dinner recipes from a range of quick meals. Select by the type of dish you require or ingredients.
The Bump
Available on iPhone and Android, FREE Baby. We got this. Every week, The Bump, the award-winning site that helps you navigate and celebrate the joys of parenthood.
Ovia Pregnancy tracker Available on iPhone, Android, Windows Phone 7
Womama Organic Birthing Wrap Every pregnant woman deserves a little black dress to birth in! The Womama Birthing Wrap is the only clothing designed specifically for labour and birth, allowing you to feel comfortable and feminine on your special day. Price: £55.00 www.nctshop.co.uk
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Available on Windows phone, free
Dinner Spinner
Elle TENS Machine The Ultimate Digital Obstetric TENS uses the latest Opti-Max technology. This easy-to-use TENS offers maximum pain relief during labour and beyond.
10-Minute Workouts
Expecting? Ovia is a personalised approach to tracking your pregnancy and baby’s development..
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With this app, you have access to several beginner, intermediate and advanced 10-minute programs that require nothing more than the most basic home equipment. With detail exercise descriptions and accompanying images, the best part of 10Minute Workouts is that it’s simple to use.
Pregnancy for Men
The Baby Center
Available on iPhone and Android, free
This app enables you to track your pregnancy on its calendar and provides advice for each stage.
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Available on iPhone and Android, free
Pregnancy for Men is a frank, factual and funny journey charting what men need to know, need to do, and need to avoid like the absolute plague when their partners are pregnant.
What to Expect Available on iPad, FREE From the world’s most trusted pregnancy brand “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” our universal pregnancy and baby app for iPhone and iPad guides you through pregnancy day-by-day and week-by-week.
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Competition
competition
Christmas Advent Calendar Giveaway Throughout the month of December we will give a prize away every day, helping you count down to Christmas. We have teamed up with some exciting brands to bring you the most exciting advent calendar ever and it certainly isn’t a tiny piece of Chocolate on offer. We have got prizes from Little Tikes and Wow Toys, Lindt, Hippy Chick and so many more. All you need to do is tune into our Twitter and Instagram pages to find out how to win each days prize.
Twitter: Projectbabymag Instagram: Rascalsoflondon
For daily updates on prizes just visit www.project-baby.co.uk #ProjectBabyAdventGiveaway
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pregnancy
Womb Transplants:
first 10 women given go-ahead
Photograph: Ben Jary/AP
Ethical approval given for operations as part of local clinical trial following procedure’s success in Sweden. By The Guardian
The UK’s first womb transplant is set to take place next year as part of a clinical trial in which 10 women will get the chance to carry their own babies.
braindead but who has been kept alive.
Following the birth of a baby boy last year after a successful procedure in Sweden, the Health Research Authority has granted ethical approval for 10 transplants. The first British baby born from a transplanted womb could arrive as soon as late 2017 or 2018.
“Donor retrieval is a bigger operation than transplanting the uterus into the recipient,” the surgeon said. “We don’t want to subject a live donor to that operation.”
More than 100 women have been identified as potential recipients of transplants for a team of surgeons to be led by Dr Richard Smith. About one in 5,000 women – or 50,000 of childbearing age in the UK – were born without a womb, while some cancer sufferers have had theirs removed.
Smith said using deceased donors reflected the complexities of the operation.
Organ donor coordinators have suggested that about five wombs annually could be made available. After 12 months on immunosuppressant drugs and close monitoring, each woman will be implanted with one of her embryos, with the hope of achieving a successful pregnancy. A baby would be delivered by caesarean section to prevent the donor womb suffering the trauma of labour.
Smith said the technique would offer hope to women who could only have children through adoption or surrogacy. The consultant gynaecologist at the Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea hospital, who has been working on the project for almost 20 years, said he was “really, really pleased” to obtain ethical approval for the transplants.
Six months after giving birth, each woman can try for another child, or the womb will be removed. That would minimise the risk of keeping women on immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of their lives. However, the trial needs to raise £500,000 before any operations can take place. “I’ve always been an enormous optimist,” Smith said. “The project has run with no money from the start. Somehow or other, somebody has always turned up and given us enough money to keep it going.” Just over £40,000 has been donated to the Womb Transplant UK project and contributions can be made here.
“For many couples, childlessness is a disaster. Infertility is a difficult thing to treat for these women,” he said. “Surrogacy is an option but it does not answer the deep desire that women have to carry their own baby. For a woman to carry her own baby – that has to be a wonderful thing.” To take part in the trial a woman must be aged between 25 and 38, have functioning ovaries and their own eggs, a long-term partner and be a healthy weight. Only a third of the 300 women who approached the Womb Transplant UK team met the criteria. Before the trial starts, embryos will be created and frozen using each woman’s eggs and sperm from her partner. They will then undergo a six-hour operation to receive a womb from a donor who is classed as
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A 36-year-old Swedish woman gave birth to a baby boy in September 2014 after receiving a donor womb from a 61-year-old family friend who had given birth to two sons. She and her partner - both competitive athletes - named the baby Vincent, which means “to win” in Latin. “As soon as I felt this perfect baby boy on my chest, I had tears of happiness and enormous relief,” the mother said. She had been told at the age of 15 that she did not have a womb.
Wayfarer
Any way you want it Wayfarer is the contemporary three-in-one lightweight travel system that’s designed for ultimate flexibility and all-out fun. It includes a carrycot, and adapts from lie flat pram to easyfold pushchair, with vibrant mix and match fabrics and ingenious accessories. Personalise it to suit you – whichever way you style it, it’s an instant classic.
silvercrossbaby.com project-baby.co.uk
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Health
Zita West and Leonora Bamford Team Up to Launch Range of Children’s Supplements Fertility and pregnancy expert, Zita West and MyBaba parenting website founder, Leonora Bamford address a gap in the market for high quality vitamins for children. 28 April 2015. Long-term friends, Zita West and Leonora Bamford, have teamed up to bring out a range of supplements, specially created for children, which will be available 21 May 2015. The range will launch with a multivitamin and probiotic which comes in the form of a delicious berry flavoured powder, which can be added to drinks or sprinkled on top of cereal or yoghurt for a nutritious start to the day. Zita and Leonora identified a gap in the market when it comes to choosing nutritional supplements for children, especially in order to nourish children to help build healthier bodies. Leonora, a mum of two, found the nutritional supplement market confusing and overwhelming, with so many different products to choose from. She found it challenging to find a combined formula tailored to the age of her children with the quality of key ingredients developed using scientific research that she was looking for. Leonora says, “Through my website and from having two young children of my own, I hear from many parents wanting advice as to whether their children should take supplements. Their children are suffering with everything from skin conditions to bowel problems and seem to have everlasting colds and sniffles. I’m frequently asked about vitamins, but parents are always, understandably, cautious about what to give their children. I wanted to team up with Zita, who I knew I could trust to find the perfect solution!” Zita West’s interest has been in health and supplements for fertility and pregnancy. “I see many of the women that I look after before they are pregnant and then during their pregnancies, however, I don’t tend to see them again until they are ready to try for their second,” comments Zita. “Many of these mums are asking me questions about what they should be giving their children, so it was a natural progression for me to expand into the toddler market.” The multivitamin and probiotic powder aimed at children aged 12 months to four years. This age group has been identified as the most in need of a nutritional boost. With busy schedules, fussy eaters and processed foods, children
often do not meet all of their recommended daily value of nutrients. In fact, figures from the latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey shows that on average from food sources alone, toddlers are only achieving one quarter of recommended levels of vitamin D. This has a significant role in the regulation of the immune system and can reduce the risk of certain bacterial and viral infections. However, any supplement is only as good as a child’s willingness to take it and parents know that children can be finicky about the taste no matter how nutritious. This is why the multi-biotic formula in this brand new product range comes in a delicious powder form and contains a mix of vitamins, minerals and probiotics. The multivitamin and probiotic will retail at £29.95 for a three-month supply and will be available to purchase online at www.mybaba.com and at www.zitawest.com. Additions to the range will include supplements for children aimed at supporting key stages of development from birth onwards. The formulation contains 100% or more of the recommended NRV (Nutritional Reference Value) of 14 essential vitamins along with a high level (12.5 billion) of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium based friendly microflora. Along with Vitamin D, which is also needed for the normal development of children’s bones and teeth, it also contains Iron to help with their normal cognitive development, and Vitamins C and A plus Zinc and Selenium to help support their immune system. There’s a clever combination of B vitamins too, including B1, B2 and Panto thenic Acid to help with the release of energy from foods.
For more information, contact Shosh at Fuse Communications: shosh@fusecommunications.co.uk
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advertorial
Some products are made
Some products are born
The Egg Stroller
advert The egg® stroller has been designed in the UK with the style conscious parent in mind. Soft touch fabrics create smooth curves and continuous lines to give the egg® a luxurious, stylish look. Outstanding engineering creates the perfect ride for baby and ultimate ease of use for parents. The egg® has been fitted with Tru-Ride Technology® tyres which have been engineered for comfort, superior handling and added durability. The one-hand fold chassis is compact and freestanding when folded and the three position recline, parent and forward facing seat unit is spacious and comfortable.
The egg® stroller comes in three chassis colours – Gotham Black, Mirror and Gun Metal Grey. The seat has a choice of 3 luxurious seat fabrics; Arctic White, Storm Grey or Gotham Black. The chassis comes complete with seat unit in the colour combinations listed. egg® Stroller RRP £699
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lifestyle
5 Book Picks FOR MUM
The Marble Collector The poignant new bestseller from Cecelia Ahern. The Marble Collector tells the story of a woman who discovers a collection of marbles in her father’s belongings.
Myth
Pregnant Women should Avoid Exercise REALITY: Actually, when a pregnant woman exercises, her fetus gets a beneficial workout, too. Research shows that the fetuses of pregnant women who are physically active have heart rates that are slower and more variable; both signs of cardiovascular health. The babies of exercisers have lower birth weights, and may even become more intelligent adults because of their bigger brains.
Fact v Fiction
Sex During Pregnancy
The two biggest misconceptions about sex during pregnancy are that sex is not safe and that women lose the desire to have sex. Here is what you need to know: • Sex is typically safe during all stages of a normal pregnancy. If you have a history of miscarriages, however, your doctor may advise you to avoid intercourse during the first three months. • Your baby is well protected inside the womb and is not harmed by sexual intercourse. • Although many women may feel less interested in sex, a woman’s desire for sex during pregnancy may actually increase during the second trimester. • Sex can continue late into pregnancy with some adjustments and precautions.
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Bridget Jones Mad about the Boy - Helen Fielding With her hotly anticipated third installment, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Fielding introduces us to a whole new enticing phase of Bridget’s life set in contemporary London, including the challenges of maintaining sex appeal as the years roll by.
Sense and Sensibility - Joanna Trollope Joanna Trollope’s much-anticipated contemporary reworking of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility launches The Austen Project and is already one of the most talked about books of the year.
How (Not) to Murder Your Mother - Stephanie Calman A witty, humorous and poignant take on the mother-daughter relationship by bestselling author Stephanie Calman. On her fractious relationship with her mother.
How Not to be a Perfect Mother - Libby Purves A Project Baby favourite, this is the perfect present for any first-time mother in need of a survival guide to navigate the baby years. Purves shamelessly describes how to cut corners and the book is filled with down-to-earth tips and hilarious anecdotes.
Lifestyle
Cable Knit Blanket
Safari Nursery Art
Price: 80.00 www.etsy.com
Price: 54.48 www.etsy.com
Gift Guide
Little Butterly London Gift Set
Speech Bubble Shelf Price: 59.99 www.mrshelfiedesign.bigcartel.com
Price: 35.50 www.littlebutterflyorganic.com
RUNE the fox Price: 25.91 www.etsy.com
Love sign Price: 35.50 www.etsy.com
Teepee set Price: 99.96 www.etsy.com
Swan Felt Head .Just call me Fox Price: 16.00 www.tobiasandthebear.com
Price: 70.00 www.aspace.co.uk
Moover Dolls Pram Price: 69.99 www.hippychick.com project-baby.co.uk
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pregnancy
Postnatal Depression:
know the signs iCandy’s expert midwife & health visitor, Katie Hilton Recent research has demonstrated that three quarters of new mothers experience undiagnosed postnatal depression, the main reason being because these women are ashamed to speak about how they are feeling. Postnatal depression is an easily treatable and common condition. To help you understand postnatal depression we have detailed the signs and symptoms and explained how both your friends and family can support you and the treatments available.
Spotting the Signs of Postnatal Depression
T
The signs of postnatal depression are very similar to those you would see with general depression. They can develop anywhere from weeks to months after the birth of your baby. The three most common symptoms exhibited include feelings of unhappiness, loss of appetite and libido, feelings of low self-esteem and insomnia. Some women may also experience feelings of anxiety, guilt, loss of interest in day-to-day activities, inability to concentrate, memory loss and either over concern or lack of concern for the baby. If you experience any of these feelings for longer than a couple of weeks it will be important to contact your Health Visitor for advice and support.
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How to Help Yourself The most important step will be talking to someone about how you are feeling. This could be your partner, a family member or friend or your GP or Health Visitor. You will need to feel comfortable opening up to this person. If you choose to initially disclose your feelings to a family member or friend it will then be important to also approach your Health Visitor or GP.
You may want to have a support person with you for your first meeting. A Midwife will visit all new mothers immediately after birth; the Health Visitor will take over at 10 days postpartum and be on hand for advice and support. You will also visit your GP at 6 weeks postpartum. These appointments and visits are designed to ensure everything is okay with both you and your baby. You will be asked about your general mood and how you are feeling. This is an ideal time to discuss any concerns you may be experiencing. Many Health Visitors and GP’s will most likely pick up the early signs of postnatal depression. However, if they don’t then you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable about disclosing how you feel. Treating postnatal depression earlier rather than later is better for both you and your baby.
pregnancy
How Can Friends and Family Offer Support? If you believe a friend or family member is experiencing postnatal depression, there are a number of ways you can help. One of the best ways to offer support is to be a listening ear in a nonjudgemental way. Be there when she needs to talk, but respect her privacy when she wants to be alone. Give her a break by taking the baby for a walk, watching the baby whilst she takes a bath or visits the hairdresser. Getting out and about can also be beneficial, ask her is she would like you to accompany her on a walk or go for coffee. If you notice your friend or family member looking unhappy or displaying feelings of guilt or low self-esteem she won’t admit to, it may be useful to gently ask if she would like to talk or if she would like you to accompany her to the Health Visitor or GP. Try not to criticise, a new mother with postnatal depression will likely be experiencing overwhelming feelings of guilt and should not be made to feel worse. She will most probably not feel up to socialising or seeking out support groups, so you could perhaps do this for her.
Why Should Postnatal Depression be Treated? Research has demonstrated that postnatal depression if left untreated can have a detrimental impact on the long-term relationship between you and your baby. Your baby is in tune with your emotions and may react accordingly. If a mother is suffering from postnatal depression, the baby may start to refuse the breast
and can be more difficult to soothe. This in turn can lead to the baby becoming withdrawn. Studies have also shown that boys in particular can be affected by postnatal depression, which could possibly lead to depression during the early years and adolescence.
How is Postnatal Depression Treated? Any mother believing she has postnatal depression should seek advice and support from either their Health Visitor or GP as soon as possible. Postnatal depression can be cured within 6 months. Studies have shown that the most effective form of treatment is a combination of anti-depressant medication (these can be taken safely if breastfeeding) and talking therapies or counselling. Many Health Visitors will offer listening visits on a weekly basis to enable you to discuss your feelings. If not your GP can refer you to a counsellor who specialises in this area. The aim of the talking therapy is to challenge negative thought patterns and enable you to recognise when you are anxious and how to manage these feelings. Talking therapies are very effective and can speed up recovery; it is particularly useful for new mothers and will help you to develop lifelong coping skills. Your Health Visitor and GP will also advice consuming a healthy diet, which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, protein and wholegrains to ensure your body and immune system is kept healthy. Try to avoid following a strict diet or going without food for long periods as this can make your mood worse.
Myths about Postnatal Depression Myth 1: My baby might be taken away from me Why? Many mums have a real fear that if they admit they are not coping then they will be seen as a bad mother and their baby will be taken away from them. Reality: This is not the case at all. Having PND does not mean that you don’t love or care for your baby and your doctor and health visitor will understand this. A mum who asks for help and support is a responsible parent who is showing they want to get better in order to look after their child and your doctor is there to support you and help you find the right treatment to get better. Even if your depression is so severe that you need to get treatment at a mental health clinic there are specialist mother and bay clinics so your baby can be with you.
Myth 2: Everyone will think I’m failing as a mum and will judge me Why? There is a real pressure on mums to be ‘perfect’. Often we are our own harshest critics and find it hard not to compare ourselves to other mums who all seem to be doing a brilliant job and finding motherhood to be a breeze. Reality: There is no such thing as a ‘perfect mum’. We’re all just doing the best we can. Having post natal depression or anxiety does not make you a bad mother. It is not your fault and you are not a ‘failure’.
Myth 3: No-one else feels suicidal Why? You hear the odd horrific story about a new mum who has felt so overwhelmed they’ve committed suicide but you rarely hear or read about regular mums feeling suicidal. If you’re feeling this way it is very easy to feel alone. Reality: Our surveys show that 1 in 5 mums have felt suicidal and many more have had thoughts about harming their baby. Thoughts like these do not mean you are a bad mother and it is very rare for either mother or baby to be harmed. It is vital that you get some support and help so that you can get better.
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health & fitness
Top9
fitness trends
for 2016 30 l dEC/JAN 2015/16 l
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What top fitness fads will the new year flaunt So what fitness favorites will 2016 flaunt? The top nine calorie-burning, total body conditioning crazes for the new year work with hectic lifestyles, promote safe training and encourage fun while working out.
health & fitness
body weight training
exercise and weight loss
If you’ve put down the hand weights and you’re practicing pushups and squats, you’re already on board to be a trendsetter in the training world. ACSM ranks body weight training in the top fitness trend spot.
Nutrition will never fade out when it comes to total fitness, and in 2015, the focus will be on exercise and weight loss. • Regular physical activity on a consistent schedule (exercise for one hour per day)
• Minimal to zero equipment used • Based on your body’s own resistance • Builds and maintains muscle • Exercises: Pushups, pull-ups, planks, ab rollouts, glute bridge
• Monitored, moderate calorie restriction regulates weight (take in 1,050 - 1,200 calories a day) • Keeping logs of diet and exercise helps you reach results, maintain motivation • Weight loss diet wonders: Vegetables, egg whites, poultry, soy products, fresh fish and loads of water
HIIT HIIT (high intensity interval training) was a trend in 2014, and it’s here to stay for 2015. Short bursts of exercise mixed with brief recovery periods allow you to fully workout in less than 30 minutes - an ideal training regimen for our jam-packed schedules.
• Drills of high intensity helps you reach your maximum training zone
yoga If you practice power yoga, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Kripalu, Kundalini and many other forms of yoga, you’re right on track (and following your breath) with a top 2015 fitness trend. • Reduce stress, risk of chronic disease and conditions like depression, pain, anxiety and insomnia • Improve balance, flexibility, strength, posture, focus
• Burn calories in a short amount of time
• Prevents breakdown of cartilage, joints, bones, immune system
• Skip the hour-long treadmill run
• “One of the most amazing benefits of yoga is the awareness you gain of your body and mind,” Cincinnati yoga instructor Tonya Butler says. “From this, you learn to make better decisions and promote a healthier and happier lifestyle.”
• Exercises: Jump lunge, box jumps, burpees, mountain climbers, plyometric pushups
strength training Your complete exercise program in 2015 will include more emphasis on strength training - a sure bet to get wicked strong and make your muscles work their hardest.
functional fitness Much like fitness programs for older adults, functional fitness continues to trend for 2015. • Use strength building techniques to improve balance, coordination, force, power, endurance ACSM says
• With proper technique, safely increase the weight you lift
• Doing real-life activities in real-life positions to better your body
• Use free weights, machines and body weight to burn fat rather than cardio, as your metabolism elevates after the exercise
• Teaching muscles to work together rather than isolating them
• Work your muscles to fatigue or failure with each set
• Exercises: Medicine ball squats, overhead lifts, stair climbing, lunges, supine bridge
• Exercises: Squats, deadlifts, bench presses, lateral pulldowns, curls with hand weights
personal trainer
personal training ACSM says colleges and universities are seeing more students majoring in kinesiology, meaning there’s an increased interest in allied health fields like personal training for 2015.
Round up a couple fitness fanatic friends, dress in your matching gym garb, hire the same personal trainer to lead you as a group and be the trendsters for 2015 fitness. • Friends, siblings, spouses, colleagues share their workout time • Semi-private attention for a good deal on a personal training investment
• One-on-one attention during sessions that meet your schedule’s needs
• Benefits extend to clients, trainers, business owners (efficiency, cost, retention rate, revenue)
• Added jobs and increased incomes make paying for pricey personal training easier
• Three - five clients add fun and competition to sessions of supersets and circuits
• Workouts guided by educated, properly credentialed fitness professionals
kids fitness
And ‘one to grow on’ - kids fitness will find popularity in the 2015 fitness scene.
• P.E. programs are being cut and “sports programs have a high attrition rate due to competitiveness. • Early enrollment into a fitness program can help kids stay active as they grow up.
• Children can practice yoga, exercise on a trampoline, take swimming lessons, take strength and performance classes, take up a sport.
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health & fitness
StayMum Fit Everything you need to know about staying fit during your pregnancy.
A
s your body changes, so does your wardrobe – but it’s not just about wearing clothes to accommodate your burgeoning bump and blooming boobs!
If you’re planning to keep fit during your pregnancy you’ll want clothes that make you feel good about exercising – there’s nothing more likely to keep you out of the gym or the yoga studio than drawstring trousers that fall down when you bend down or a baggy t-shirt that rides up when you stretch up! And if you’re hoping to keep on running, choose clothes that stop your bump from jiggling when you jog.
as compressing the lumbar spine. If your upper back curves over in a bit of a slouch your pelvis can tilt back too far – resulting in your baby lying towards your back and putting pressure on your lower back.
It’s hardly surprising that so many pregnant women tend to hold their backs, or their bump - or both! Whilst exercise, flat shoes and getting someone else to carry the shopping will help, if you’d like to ease the strain on a day to day basis,wearing a supportive top that cradles your bump and gently takes some of the weight onto your back without putting strain on your spine is a real boon.
For maximum mamma-to-be comfort and support, clothes that not only look good but make you feel good as well will encourage you to enjoy your pregnancy and stay active too. The FittaMamma range has been designed for exercise but the level of support they provide for your bump makes the clothes a ‘wardrobe essential’ for all expectant mums, regardless of how active they are!
Need some good reasons to keep on keeping fit? Regular exercise can help ease many of those pregnancy niggles such as backache and tiredness as well as building up your strength in preparation for labour and helping you recover more speedily afterwards. Pregnant mammas who exercise regularly are likely to sleep better whilst the natural endorphins will raise your mood levels, helping to combat the baby blues as well. The latest NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) recommends at least 30 minutes per day of moderate intensity activity for all pregnant women, stating that women who exercised before pregnancy should be able to continue with no adverse effects. And the governments Change4Life campaign encourages pregnant women to exercise too – suggesting mums-to-be should aim to walk for at least 30 minutes every day. And of course, mammas-to-be who exercise regularly find it easier to maintain a healthy weight gain, recover faster after the birth and shed any extra baby pounds more quickly.
How’s your back? Lots of women suffer from niggling back ache during pregnancy, often combined with pain around your hips and pelvis as your joints soften. Lower back pain is often caused by the pelvis tilting forward as the weight of the baby increases, straining the abdominal muscles as well
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The FittaMamma ‘High Support’ top works like a sports bra for the bump, perfect for women who want to continue with high impact exercise (such as running or gym workouts) during pregnancy and but also ideal to ease the strain if you’re suffering from back ache or SPD. Constructed to hold your bump securely the top has high elastane content with a firm, stretchy back panel designed to help with body posture and to lift the extra baby weight onto your upper back and shoulders where you’re naturally stronger. The wide waistband sits under your bump and around your hips and pelvis, providing extra comfort as your joints loosen. Best of all, the top looks good too! Available in flattering jet black, raspberry pink or dove grey it smoothes your curves and will look fantastic throughout your pregnancy, regaining its shape to help support the inevitable ‘mummy tummy’ after the birth.
health & fitness
Tired legs? For extra support and everyday comfort FittaMamma leggings have a unique waist panel that can either be rolled under your bump or pulled up snug right over the top to hold where you need it most. Whilst the leggings are perfect for exercise and give you a stylish look for the gym they look just as good under a jumper and tucked into boots – you can even wear them under skirts or dresses to get the benefit of the support whatever your day to day style. Described by a national newspaper testing panel as ‘the most comfortable maternity leggings ever’ they look just as good after your baby is born!
Stretch out! Yoga and Pilates are recommended during pregnancy as an ideal way to exercise. You’ll enjoy a gentle workout, help alleviate stress and stretch out your body in preparation for the birth of your baby.
But there’s nothing worse than your bottoms falling down when you do your downward facing dog or your top riding up when you do tree pose! The FittaMamma Gentle Support top has a longer length to accommodate your bump and will stretch when you stretch out. Available in lovely soft colours it looks good with jeans too! ‘We want women to look and feel good during their pregnancy,’ say FittaMamma. ‘Wearing clothes that support the bump encourages a feeling of security to make any activity more comfortable. Looking good helps you to feel positive about your body - and the extra support really helps with so many pregnancy niggles such as backache and tired legs.
Check out www.fittamamma.com - in addition to their full range of FittaMamma supportive exercise and leisurewear, the website is full of useful information about safe exercise in pregnancy, easy workouts, yoga poses and postpregnancy exercises too. Or call them on 01444 876900.
Keeping your core muscles strong will do much to ease back ache during pregnancy. These simple exercise will work your core, strengthen your back and are good for your pelvic floor too.
Abdominal hollowing on all-fours On your hands and knees, using a mat, make sure your hands are beneath your shoulders, your knees are hip-width apart and your back and neck are straight. Breathe in deeply and let your chest expand. As you exhale, draw your belly button in, sucking in your abs all the way around your middle, pulling up your pelvic floor and raising your back towards the ceiling. Allow your head to relax gently forward. Hold for a couple of seconds, then release. Make sure you don’t hollow your back as you return to the original position, it should remain in straight and firm. Repeat 15–20 times and do two sets.
Squeeze your Abs! You should avoid exercises that involve you lying on your back after 12 weeks but there’s no reason not to continue with a standing ab-squeezes as your pregnancy progresses – don’t worry squeezing your abs won’t affect your baby! Keeping your core strong will help will help alleviate back ache and lessen the risk of diastasis too.
Pregnancy yoga to help back pain The child’s pose is one of our favourites as it takes the weight of the baby off your spine completely, releasing your spinal muscles and increasing the mobility of your pelvic joints. At the same time it releases tension in the hip joints and groin and can help circulation to the pelvic area. It’s also very comfortable and relaxing!
Stand upright with your shoulders back. Breathe in deeply and let your chest expand, then as you exhale draw your belly button in.
Start by kneeling on a folded blanket with your knees as wide apart as possible, feet turned inwards and following the curves of your buttocks.
Have your hands by your sides or resting on your belly. The rest of your body should be still. Hold for a couple of seconds, then breathe in as you release. Repeat 15–20 times and do two sets.
Circle your shoulders loosely, relax your arms and let your chin drop down slightly to relax your neck.
When doing any activity when pregnant make sure you listen to your body and stop if you feel uncomfortable. Always consult your doctor or midwife if you have any concerns.
Come forward slowly, moving from the hips, lengthening your back without bending your spine. Place your palms on the floor with your arms straight and focus on lengthening your spine from the back of your neck towards your coccyx. Go as far forward as you feel comfortable, stretching your arms out in front of you and, if you can do so without any strain, place your forehead on the floor. If you don’t feel comfortable going right to the floor, lean over a cushion or a bean bag. For more exercises in pregnancy, yoga poses to help aches and pain and recipes and nutrition guidance as well visit www.fittamamma.com or email Deborah Hazeldean at: Deborah@fittamamma.com project-baby.co.uk
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health & fitness
Pregnant? Stop oral infections from being transferred to your baby with these dental do´s
Take Care Hormonal changes increase your sensitivity to plaque, so reduce the buildup that can lead to gingivitis - the most common oral disease for expecting women - by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day.
Visit Go to your dentist every three months while you´re pregnant for a cleaning and make an appointment if your gums are red, swollen, bleeding, or uncomfortable, or if you notice any other changes in your mouth.
Rinse Swish your mouth with water after vomiting if you´re prone to morning sickness. It´ll help flush away the acids that can erode teeth.
Everyday Fitness It can be hard juggling your many tasks as a mum, but staying fit should never be a task that is put on the back burner. Use the following tips to make staying fit easier to work into your busy lifestyle.
1. Walk It Out -
While driving may be the quicker option in most situations, walking is the healthier option. If you’re running a quick errand, try to walk or even bike there instead of driving. Not only can you feel great about getting exercise, you are helping the environment at the same time.
2. Exercise with the Kids -
Find ways to include your children in your workouts. This is a great way to show your children that exercising is fun.
3. Sweep That Fat Away -
Cleaning is something that you will always have to do and is often an excuse busy mums use to get out of exercising. However, you can turn your daily chores into a workout. Do your chores with more energy or turn on your favorite music and dance while you clean.
4. Canned Goods For Weight Lifting - No need to spend a ton of money buying weights, just use everyday household items. When you’re making cereal for your children do a few curls with that gallon of milk. 5. Get Fit in the Office - Workdays are full of opportunities to get active. Try taking the stairs instead of the lift, stretching at your desk and go outdoors for lunch. Not only are you taking the proper steps to live a healthier lifestyle, you are also giving yourself a much needed stress reliever while at work. Make those 8 hours count! 34 l dEC/JAN 2015/16 l
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Q
A
&
If I’m pregnant, can a yeast infection hurt my developing baby?
No, though you do need to see your health care professional for treatment. Also, some treatments currently on the market, such as Fluconazole (Diflucan), are not recommended during pregnancy. Be sure your health care professional and pharmacist are both aware that you are or may be pregnant.
My health care professional has prescribed antibiotics to treat an unrelated illness. What precautions should I take to avoid getting a yeast infection? Use a preventive dose of yeast medication and eat yogurt.
health & fitness
5 Fitness Accessories FOR MUM & dad
The hottest trend to hit the UK is barre workouts. The latest, Bootybarre, has just arrived from LA.
Karrimor Roller 61cm Price: £29.99 www.sportsdirect.com
Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2 2015 - Road Bike Price: £1,899.00 www.tredz.co.uk
USA Pro Yoga Ball Price: £6.99 www.sportsdirect.com
Eliza Stuart trained with Tracey Mallett, the founder of Bootybarre, and was hooked ever since. “I started ballet when I was 3 years old and always knew I would be a dancer, so I was excited to discover a workout where I could incorporate and share those skills. “Eliza has performed at the Royal Opera House and in the West End, and has always had a keen interest in fitness, also enjoying a career as a personal trainer. “After having 2 children I have a great sentimental touch when placing my hand back on that barre. My body was ok but I have a high expectation and I wanted the best! Bootybarre toned, sculpted and lifted parts I never knew I had. I have seen improvements in all my clients too, and It thrills me so much when I see their flexibility and posture improve and the definition in their upper and lower body.
What I love is that Bootybarre brings all the excitement of dance, ballet and uplifting music and takes away the boredom of your regular Pilates/yoga workouts. It moves through the body targeting on one area at a time with a variety of exercises interspersed with highs of dynamic cardio burst. Posture and core all blend to carry me through the class with that dancers deportment. The fluidity moves the class and time flies. Feeling sexy and strong this workout works for all ages and walks of life. You can’t help but leave the class with your head held high!
asics GELNIMBUS 16 Price: 130.00 www.asics.co.uk
Suunto M2 Watch Price: £64.99 www.sportsdirect.com
Start running with these high-tech cushioned trainer.
To find out more visit: www.thebootybarre.com project-baby.co.uk
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real life
Sleep, I miss you
Clever ways to get the sleep you need
Oh baby! Motherhood is a little different from what you had in mind. Of course, you love your baby more than you could have ever imagined. But you haven’t had a good night’s sleep in weeks -- maybe months. And this sleep deprivation isn’t likely to let up anytime soon!
I
t’s not easy caring for your baby - not to mention the rest of your family - when you are sleep deprived. It’s also dangerous. Drowsy driving, such as driving your infant to the pediatrician when you have had little or no sleep, is responsible for thousands of crashes each year. And sleep loss can also increase a new mum’s risk of postpartum mood problems.
Sleep when your baby sleeps
Follow these expert tips for improving your sleep while bringing up baby.
Any experienced baby nurse will tell you that the key to staving off postpartum sleep deprivation is to sleep when your baby sleeps. If your baby takes a nap, put everything aside and take a nap too, everything can wait - except the baby.”
Talk about your sleep needs Do it early, before you bring baby home. Once you become pregnant, discuss your ability to handle sleep deprivation with your partner.
Just say no to added responsibility If you feel guilty about spending less time with your oldest child, you may want to volunteer to go on a trip with his class or take him for a special excursion to the museum. Think twice. Do not take on any extra responsibilities when you have a newborn at home.
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It is very tempting to try and do chores, wash dishes, do laundry and clean floors when your baby is asleep. But accept that your house is dirty and messy and go to sleep because once baby is up, you have to be up too. Do not use this time to make phone calls or catch up on episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, 24, or other favorite shows that you have been recording. I don’t care if you have piles of laundry all over the house - if you are too tired to drive your child to the pediatrician, you have a problem on your hands.
real life
Sleep Help Say yes to help Accept any help that you can get, many people are resistant, but whether it is a family member, friend, or babysitter, accept help, so you can get a few hours of sleep. People think of sleep as a luxury, but it is a medical requirement. When you do get to nap, avoid television, radio, and looking at your clock so you don’t focus on how much time you have left, a cool, dark environment is also optimal for napping.
Don’t worry that you won’t hear your baby cry A baby is a natural alarm clock and mothers tend to be attuned to their baby’s crying. If you are concerned that you won’t hear your baby or if the nursery is far away from your bedroom, buy a monitor and keep it near you. Remember that your baby is safe, and if he cries for a few minutes before you hear him, he will be OK
Use a co-sleeper
russell the dream sheepdog Our adorable cuddly Russell® with sofly changing warm glow, gently lights up the room with a calming green and blue ‘colour therapy’ display. Price: £34.99 www.sweetdreamers.co.uk
Keeping the baby close at hand throughout the night means that you can feed her without having to get out of bed. Keep baby in a bassinet or co-sleeper in your bedroom, right next to the bed, when baby is hungry, bring her into your bed. Breastfeed while lying on your side, and place baby back into the bassinet when you are finished - you don’t have to get up so you don’t fully awaken.
Separate rooms On the nights that I really want undisturbed slumber, my husband and son sleep in a separate room so I don’t hear them get up for feeding and changing. We also take turns sleeping in on the weekend.
Outsource tasks If your baby takes a bottle, ask your partner to take on some of the feedings. If you’re breastfeeding, consider pumping and giving someone else a turn to feed. Try to divide up all your household responsibilities as best you can.
snuzpod Nothing compares with being close to your baby. The award-winning SnüzPod Bedside Crib™ allows you to easily comfort, settle and feed your baby without having to leave your bed. Price: £169.00 www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk
Keep your eye on the prize One day, maybe tomorrow, maybe when your infant is 8 months she will sleep through the night. And so will you. Some babies sleep through the night earlier than others. If your baby is crying all night, talk to your pediatrician as there may be a medical reason, such as acid reflux or too much gas - that can be treated.
Don’t ignore the baby blues Sleep loss can lead to mood changes, and new moms are at risk for baby blues or the more serious postpartum depression. If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, talk to your doctor to address them. Mood changes may be made worse by sleep deprivation.
Rule out underlying sleep disorders Short naps should revive you somewhat, but if you don’t feel like they do, see a professional as there may be an underlying sleep disorder that can be treated. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea, pauses in breathing while you sleep, are very common among people who gain weight, and may develop due to the weight gain of pregnancy. A sleep study, in which you are monitored while asleep, can identify sleep apnea. Treatments are available.
ewan the dream sheep Ewan the dream sheep® emits soothing sounds at a low base frequency and a calming pink warm glow, helping settle babies and toddlers into a peaceful sleep. Price: £29.99 www.sweetdreamers.co.uk
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style
Maternity Coats
for hot mums
Emilia Wickstead
isabella oliver Alma maternity coat Price: £259.00 www.isabellaoliver.com
JoJo Maman Bébé Maternity Short Check Coat
helena aqua boucle coat Price: £1600.00
Price: £65.00 www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk
Lined in pale aqua silk, Emilia Wickstead’s collarless coat is cut from alpaca, mohair and wool bouclé. The A-line silhouette and below-the-knee length make this an elegant cover-up for expecting. Style it over a printed mini-dress for a playful contrast.
Tikka Carry Me Maternity Coat Price: £150.00 www.yummymummymaternity.co.uk
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www.nineinthemirror.com
EXCLUSIVE Boucle Coat Price: £1,080
PRODUCTS
for bump
We Love All Things A sultry style with snap, team Ted’s opulently printed heels with an understated dress to let their eyecatching floral pattern really pop. Price: £110.00 www.tedbaker.com
Rock-a-Bye Rosie Pearl embellishment sunray pleated dress Chiffon sunray pleated swing dress with smoked pearl & dazzling gem neck embellishment. Price: £95.00 www.debenhams.com
J by Jasper Conran Black leather faux fur cuff gloves These luxury edition leather gloves will bring sophisticated style to those chilly days. Practical and versatile, they feature a warm brushed lining and super-soft faux fur cuffs in a gorgeous leopard print. Price: £28.00 .00 www.debenhams.com
Rock-a-Bye Rosie Nude sunray pleated skirt dress Jewel encrusted light weight crepe tier with feminine sunray pleated skirt. Fully Lined. Price: £95.00 www.debenhams.com
Bibi Leon Hand Painted Stork Clutch
fashion
NEEVOD leather court shoes
Featuring a hand-painted figure of this superstitious bird, Bibi Leon’s marupa-wood clutch is a playful wink at the age-old omen. A beaded tassel lends an added touch of glamour. Price: £325.00 www.nineinthemirror.com project-baby.co.uk
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style
Barley Corn Harris Tweed Collared Cape Price: £265.00 www.cocoonluxe.com
Navy Grace Harris Tweed Collared Cape Price: £220.00 www.cocoonluxe.com
We Love
Navy Grace Hooded Harris Tweed Hooded Cape Price: £225.00 www.cocoonluxe.com
Birkin Dusk Collared Cape Price: £220.00 www.cocoonluxe.com
WRAP Sienna Mix Harris Tweed Collared Cape Price: £220.00 www.cocoonluxe.com
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UP IN
STYLE
Sienna Mix Hooded Harris Tweed Hooded Cape Price: £225.00 www.cocoonluxe.com
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Advertorial style
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advertorial
Surrey baby brand celebrates multiple awards and national listing with Marks & Spencer Connecta Baby Carrier is celebrating several successes with a string of awards recognizing its quality and design plus a significant listing with Marks & Spencer plc.
2015 has been a year of significant awards for the entrepreneurial start-up: Mummii UK 2015 Awards - Baby wearing category GOLD Award & Consumer Choice Award Little London 2015 Awards - Baby Carriers category Silver Award Prima Baby 2015 Gold Award
The debut Connecta collection for Marks & Spencer launched in October in 14 stores and through M&S online, the first wave of stock sold out and it continues to sell rapidly. Connecta at M&S features the classic Tana Lawn cotton of Liberty of London, the handwoven luxury of Harris Tweed and beautifully breathable organic cotton. Founded in 2006, Connecta embarked on designing a carrier
that genuinely fits in with parents’ lifestyle. Designed by parents for parents it allows for carrying in comfort and style. The business has grown from its initial base in the cupboard under the stairs to an internationally renowned business shipping to retailers and consumers worldwide. Managing Director Sarah Sadler explains, “Our baby carrier is designed for both parent and baby, providing optimum comfort for baby and the wearer. The Connecta offers parents the unique opportunity to carry their
baby from newborn through toddlerhood with one carrier. “The benefits of babywearing are well documented – physiological, emotional and beyond. Our carrier allows baby and parent to feel connected through shared experience. It allows them the freedom to go places, and, do things together. Carrying your baby is a beautiful thing.” Connecta Baby prides itself on its consumer-led philosophy where socialmedia conversations and connections with customers are an essential part of business operations. The company’s blog ‘Connecta Lives’ features real-life parents sharing their own unique experiences of babywearing with their Connecta. Fuss-free and easy to use, the Connecta is loved by parents, babywearing consultants and health professionals the world over. Sustainable trading is of paramount importance and Connecta carriers are tailored in the EU in a ‘Fair for Life’ certified factory and packaged in England. The company’s links to quintessentially British brands Liberty of London and Harris Tweed have enabled the creation of truly exceptional luxury products.
www. connecta babycarrier. com project-baby.co.uk
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The BabaSling Superstar limited edition the versatile hammoc-style sling can be worn 5 different positions. Price: £44.00 www.wemademe.com
luna leaf curv The beautiful swaying seat that makes a statement - thanks to its updated posh design with a twist (or should we say swirl) the LEAF CURV. Price: £170.00 www.nuna.eu
Baby Carrier Original Small, easy-to-use and perfect for your newborn. A few buckles and some simple adjustments allow you to carry your baby comfortably and securely. Price: £51.99 www.babybjorn.co.uk
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the unique 3 in 1 Babymule changing bag
babasling Superstar
Price: £84.00 www.babymule.co.uk
lifestyle
advertorial
meet every stage The ultimate transporter designed and engineered to make growing up easy from birth to 12 years. Adjustments grow every which way for every which stage.
Four Seats In One An every group child seat with added features to hold, hug, adapt, and protect little ones as a group 0+ seat from birth-18kg, and as a group 1/2/3 seat from 9-36kg
Transforms To Fit Grows up and out simultaneously so as the headrest adjusts up the AutoAdjust™ side wings expand to custom fit growing little ones all the way up to the tallest of 12 year olds.
Powerful Protector Multi position Guard Surround Safety™ side impact protection panels provide added layers of security upon impact and can be individually activated for extra room in vehicle
www.joiebaby.com
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style
IcANDY bLANKETS Price from: £40.00 each www.icandyworld.com
Bobbl, Interchangeable Fur Bobble Hat Price: £94.95 www.harrods.com
JUST CALL ME FOX SWEATSHIRT
Editors Picks
Price: £21.00 www.tobiasandthebear.com
mamas and papas Eric Knit Playsuit Teal Price: £49.00 www.mamasandpapas.com
Aden & Anais Cozy Sleeping Bag - Whiz Kid Price: £42.00 uk.adenandanais.com
BORIS THE BADGER LEGGINGS
4.
Price: £16.00 www.tobiasandthebear.com
6.
Aden & Anais Swaddle Baby Blankets, Jungle Jam Price: £44.95 uk.adenandanais.com
My 1st Year Fair Isle Baby Onesie Price: £25.00 www.my1styears.com
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With Love from Natasha
style
Winter Warmers mini rodini
www.roomseven.com
Neon Rose Pyjamas Price: £46.00
Melissa Heart Tights Price: £15.00
taxi scarf Price: £23.00
Cama Pico Baby Overall Green Price: £60.00
Toby Red Stripe Dress Price: £49.00
Snow Leopard Onesie Yellow Price: £50.00
Penguin Long sleeve Body Price: £26.00
blue kiss skirt Price: £38.00
www.minirodini.com project-baby.co.uk
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First-aid
CHOKING
How to Help a Choking Child Recently 2 year old Jacob Jenkins died after choking on a grape at Pizza Hut. This incredibly sad story has highlighted the need for more people to learn First Aid. Choking is frightening and difficult to know how best to help. If the child is coughing, give them a second or two to see if they can cough the obstruction up themselves. If they are struggling to breath and unable to make a sound –their airway is blocked and they need assistance fast! To prevent choking: keep small objects out of reach, cut up food into very small pieces and supervise children while they’re eating, especially if they are under five years old.
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Prompt and appropriate First Aid saves lives.
First-Aid
For a baby under 1 year • First check in the baby’s mouth and if there is something obvious, remove it with finger tips. DO NOT put your fingers down a baby or child’s throat, or finger sweep the mouth, as this can make matters worse by pushing the obstruction further down or by causing swelling. • Lay the baby downwards on your forearm, across your legs, supporting them under their chin and using the flat of your hand, give a firm back blow between the shoulder blades. • Give up to five back blows and check between each blow to see if the blockage has cleared. If the obstruction has not come out – get an ambulance on the way. • If the obstruction hasn’t cleared, lay the baby on their back, place two fingers in the centre of the chest just below the nipple line and give up to five chest thrusts. (the same place as you push when doing chest compressions on a baby) • Check to see if the blockage has cleared between each chest thrust.
• Give up to 5 back blows checking each time if the blockage has cleared If the back blows haven’t helped get an ambulance on the way • If the blockage hasn’t cleared after five blows, the next stage is an abdominal thrust/Heimlich manoeuvre: • Stand behind the child and place one hand in a fist under their rib cage. Use the other hand to pull up and under in a J shaped motion to dislodge the obstruction. Perform abdominal thrusts up to 5 times, checking each time to see if the obstruction has cleared. Anyone who has received abdominal thrusts must be seen by a doctor.
Warning: Never do an abdominal thrusts on a baby under a year as you could cause damage – chest thrusts for a baby.
• If the child is still choking, call 999 (or 112) and alternate five back blows and five abdominal thrusts until emergency help arrives. If at any point the child becomes unconscious, commence CPR. Once the obstruction comes out: If they are unconscious and breathing – put in the recovery position If they are unconscious and not breathing start CPR If they seem absolutely fine – ensure that they don’t have problems swallowing, check there is no pain or bleeding – it is always advisable to have them checked out by a medical professional. If it is not your child, ensure that you have contacted their parents. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.
Please visit www.firstaidforlife.org.uk or email emma@firstaidforlife.org.uk or tel 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses. First Aid for life provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information.
• If baby is still choking, call 999/112 and continue alternate five back blows and five chest thrusts until emergency help arrives. • If at any point baby becomes unconscious, commence CPR.
Signs of choking: Unable to speak or cry, clutching their throat, struggling to breath
How to help a choking child over 1 year • If a child shows signs of choking, stay calm and encourage them to cough to help remove the object themselves. If unable to cough: Bend the child forward, supporting their chest with one hand • With the other hand; give a firm back blow between the shoulder blades.
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lifestyle
10 Reasons Age Three is More Terrible Than Two
4
Toys We Love
fOR YOUR SLIGHTLY OLDER CHILD
Maileg Circus Tent with Podium and Cutting Sheet Price: £74.99 www.finenordic.co.uk
Written by Amy Simmons
1. At two, they can barely talk. At three, they literally never shut up.
The Good Dinosaur Animated Arlo with Spot
2. At two, they cry. At three, they throw temper tantrums so epic, you become convinced that they are possessed by the devil.
Price: £20.95 www.disneystore.co.uk
3. At two, they’re happy to eat anything you present to them. At three, they eat only three foods (usually consisting of a starch and processed cheese.) 4. At two, baths are a ten minute event, the result of which is a clean child. At three, baths take over an hour, and result in a drenched bathroom, sopping wet mummy and 16 used towels. 5. At two, they wear nappies that can be changed on your watch. At three, they’re potty trained and the world revolves around their bladders and bowels.
Super Space Rocket Price: ££99.99 www.plumplay.co.uk
6. At two, they are distracted by a box of Gerber Puffs at the grocery store. At three, they want to dictate your entire food list.
Live Butterfly Garden Kit
7. At two, they let you dress them, looking innocent and adorable. At three, they insist on picking out their clothes, looking like pint sized versions of mental institution inhabitants.
Price: £15.99 www.mulberrybush.co.uk
8. At two, they don’t like to get dirty. At three, they thrive on it. 9. At two, you can do things for them, saving infinite amounts of time. At three, they must do everything by themselves, taking FOR-EVER. 10. At two, manipulation is the last thing on their minds. At three, they own you. And they know it. 50 l dEC/JAN 2015/16 l
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Moover Prairie Wagon Price: £109.00 www.hippychick.com
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world class doctors and midwives and all the reassurance of the extensive facilities of the best NHS Trust in London.
You can reach us via email at FitzroviaSuite@uclh.nhs.uk If you would like to or call: 020 3447 8353 discuss your particular
needs with us directly prior to booking, arrange a tour of the Suite, or book your private Caesarean Section, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be delighted to hear from you. 09/10/2012 15:56
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travel
Christmas
Markets Time to get festive
The Victorian Festival of Christmas Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Find your way to festive fun in our new-for-this-year Magical Christmas Maze and find some hidden treats along the way for the annual Victorian Festival of Christmas at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. And right in the heart of it is someone very special indeed. Our very own Victorian Father Christmas, dressed in green, will be stopping by to meet all well-behaved children. Visitors can explore the snow-covered Dickensian streets in the awe-inspiring setting of the dockyard, which is home to the new Mary Rose Museum, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, HMS M.33, National Museum of the Royal Navy and Action Stations. Our popular Christmas Market, with its wide range of unique stalls, returns, and there will be plenty of merrymaking at Fagin’s Real Ale Tavern, as well as more Victorian characters and entertainment.
www.christmasfestival.co.uk
Winter Wonderland
Staffordshire Winter Wonderland Ryecroft, Newcastleunder-Lyme
Nottingham Winter Wonderland Old Market Square
Hyde Park London Get into the festive spirit as family favourite Winter Wonderland returns to London’s Hyde Park. This free-to-enter event includes a host of Christmas-themed fun and activities, including big top shows, an observation wheel and a huge Christmas market. Winter Wonderland provides fun, laughter and excitement for both adults and children. Skate around the stunning ice rink which circles the Victorian bandstand, enter the Magical Ice Kingdom with its ‘ice forest’ of frozen sculptures and gleaming ice castle, and enjoy the acrobatic wonders of shows at Zippos Circus. Enjoy perusing the Christmas markets full of arts and crafts trinkets, jewellery and decorations that make perfect presents for friends and family. Explore the Angels and Yuletide market, where charming wooden chalets are overflowing with festive goods.
www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
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Winter Wonderland will include Christmas Craft Market, Santa grotto, festive choirs, magic show, fireworks display. . Step inside Santa’s boots when you visit his house with it’s huge Christmas tree and don’t forget to write Santa a letter to drop in his personal post box... it’s what dreams are made of!
www.enjoystaffordshire.com
This “Old England” themed event features a stunning ice rink, Christmas market trader cabins, two themed winter bars, a bandstand, rides, timber decked walkways, nativity scene, You will find over 50 attractive Victorian style cabins selling a wide range of quality crafts, gifts and food.
www.nottinghamwinter wonderland.co.uk
travel
German Christmas Market
Skate at Somerset House
Birmingham City Centre
Strand London WC2R 1LA
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market and Craft Market, now having run for over a decade, has become a massive favourite with both residents and visitors to the city from all over the UK and Europe.
Cardiff Christmas Market Cardiff City Centre
With over 180 stalls, we claim it as the largest outdoor Christmas Market in the Britain, Feeling peckish then Pretzels, schnitzels, bratwursts, and knoblauchbrot will tempt your tastebuds, all of which can be washed down with gluhwein or tasty hot chocolate.
Christmas shopping experience in our capital city. With over 190 exhibitors joining us over 42 days, visitors to the market will be certain to find original and unusual gifts made by our talented makers; bespoke silver jewellery, wooden turned gifts, original artwork across all mediums, handmade quilts and textiles, traditional pewter gifts and slate products to name just a few combined with a variety of seasonal food and drink to create a vibrant Christmas atmosphere
www.birmingham.gov.uk
www.cardiffchristmasmarket.com
Bath Christmas Market Abbey Chambers, Abbey Churchyard, Bath, Looking for a truly fantastic festive shopping experience? Look no further than the award winning, beautiful Bath Christmas Market. Each year the centre of Bath is transformed into a magical Christmas shopper’s paradise, as over 170 chalets packed full of gorgeous Christmas gifts line the streets surrounding the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. Soak up the sights, smells and sounds as you wander around the market; we guarantee the aroma of warming mulled wine and freshly baked mince pies, enjoyed with a generous sprinkling of cheering carols will get even the biggest of humbugs into the Christmas spirit!
www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk
With an unrivalled Central London location moments away from Covent Garden and the West End, yet sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the city, skating at Somerset House has become one of London’s favourite winter experiences. Offering an array of activities both on and off the ice, Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason is the perfect place for a romantic date, a fun family day out or evening celebrations with friends. On the ice, revellers can skate ‘til late at Club Nights, which will see DJs from the best international festivals, clubs and record labels take over the rink-side decks. Partygoers will have the chance to dance after dark to House and Hip Hop, Reggae and R&B, Disco and Funk from the likes of Bestival’s Rob da Bank, Ministry of Sound, Island Records, and The South London Soul Train. www.somersethouse.org.uk
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travel
La Tania, France The charming little village is a modest, family-friendly gem of the Three Valleys. With excellent access to the world’s biggest linked ski area and beautiful views from attractive tree-lined runs leading into this laid-back settlement. www.sno.co.uk
Family Ski Top Pick
Courchevel, France
Courchevel - stylish, chic, the place to be. This upmarket resort is an ideal family ski resort for younger children. The chalet hotel Dahu puts you in the middle of it all. 100 metres from the Croisette lift station and right on top of the shops, bars and restaurants, the location couldn’t be better. The ski school is a couple of minutes walk away and the Forum Centre, with a bowling alley, skating rink, climbing wall, more shops and even more restaurants. www.sno.co.uk
Ylläs, Finland If you’re looking for an alternative to the tried and tested Alpine holiday, head to Ylläs in Finland. The gentle Arctic landscape is ideal for beginners, and the alternative activities, such as husky-sledding, reindeer sleigh rides and snowshoeing, will enchant young children. www.igluski.com g in the Chalet Nicole - Plagne 1800, Catered Chalet.
The car-free village of Saas-Fee in Valais is a perfect choice for young children and families - it’s a rural haven perfect for just strolling around and relaxing in. Saas Fee is also a great destination for those with older kids - it has two terrain parks, one, a truly world-class set up, with a huge half pipe and interesting features like a gondola roof job; the other, aimed at beginners with entry level jumps, rails and lines, near the nursery slopes. www.skisolutions.com
La Plagne, France A vast expanse of intermediate cruising runs spread out above the 10 villages that together make La Plagne, and the different characters of the bases make it an ideal destination for all types of families and children, from young tots to energetic teens. Most Brits stay in Belle Plagne (good for youngsters with a children’s playground for tots to learn in). Each village has good ski schools and its own nursery run or two, then there are endless intermediate slopes (225km of them) plus five terrain parks or boardercross courses to keep the more adventurous children and big kids entertained. www.skifamille.co.uk
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travel
Winter Travel Accessories
2
NO 01 W 5/ ON 1 SA 6 LE
Expedition Svalbard Baby Boot Padded baby boot with faux leather penguin patch. No taped seams, fleece lining, adjustable strap and elastic at top of shaft. Price: £17.50 www.minirodini.com
Columbia Snuggly Bunny Bunting The down insulation is perfect for keeping your littlest ones snuggly warm throughout Winter and the water resistant fabric makes it ideal for skiing holidays.
Price: £45.00 www.littleskiers.co.uk
Barts Baby Nylon Mittens Lovely warm, well insulated mittens that will keep little hands toasty warm. Very easy to get on (and stay on) tiny hands. Price: £13.99 www.littleskiers.co.uk
SAVE UP TO £810 PER FAMILY
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Price: £44.99 www.trunki.co.uk
Big savings and fun extras for Babies and Toddlers on our BAT Weeks!
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Call 01483 791 900 visit espritski.com project-baby.co.uk
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health & beauty
Top 10
Beautiful Buys
for new mums Sweetie 18ct Rolled Gold Bracelet This rolled gold bracelet (hallmarked silver) is a tactile and fun alternative to the Silver Sweetie charm bracelet with an expandable diameter to fit most sizes.
Price: £1,500.00 www.linksoflondon.com
Small Teal Iphis Leather Zip Around Wallet Slot this Iphis leather wallet into your handbag and bring a touch of subtle print to your every day.
Price: £250.00 www.liberty.co.uk
Oxblood Iphis Leather Regent Weekend Bag Complete your weekend away with this Iphis leather carry all bag - it’s the only way to travel. Iphis is a modern re-working with a fresh Art Nouveau-style finish. Price: £950.00 www.liberty.co.uk
Blue Liberty London Argyll Bucket Bag This coated canvas bucket bag will put a contemporary spin on any collection. The laid back silhouette will bring a designer touch to sporty, slouchy looks, while the Iphis print exterior gives the design a heritage, collectable twist. Price: £495.00 www.liberty.co.uk
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health & beauty
Fornasetti’s Flora ortensia large scented candle Featuring Italian artist Fornasetti’s iconic design of the mythical fertility goddess ‘Flora’, this luxurious large scented candle is an essential addition to any artful and stylish home. Fill your home with the beautifully luxurious Flora aroma, an elegant white floral bouquet inspired by the luscious hydrangeas.
Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge eau de parfum
Price: £380.00 www.selfridges.com
This decorative floral suitcase will bring heritage-style charm to any space. Ideal for storing keepsakes and photographs, it will also work as a vanity case.
Voluptuous. Sensuous. Audacious. Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge is a voluptuous, saturated, spiced floral. An unexpected blend of precious sambac jasmine sepals absolute, an ingredient never used before in perfumery with dusky clary sage and rich spices, it unveils a new facet of jasmine’s erotic decadence. Jasmin Rouge is as audacious as lacquered red lips. Its deep red bottle evokes lush and hedonistic glamour
Price: £65.00 www.liberty.co.uk
Price: £330.00 www.selfridges.com
Theodora Liberty Print Mini Suitcase
Post Pregnancy Care
Bootcamp Boobs
Bootcamp Butts
www.beautybridge.com
Price: 45.00 www.fishpond.co.uk
Boob Tube Bust & Neck Firmer helps lift & firm boobs skin while reshaping the muscles beneath in only 4 minutes a day intensifying pecs & defining cleavage.
4 Minutes-a-day Exercise System to Reshape Your Butt Tighten Lift & Boost Muscles. Ideal both for personal use & as a gift.
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box
beauty
jewellery
Rose Gold Plated Intertwined Necklace This feminine necklace can be engraved with names, words of love or the romantic message of your choice to create a truly unique gift. Price From: £89.00 www.mercimamanboutique.com
Stay Healthy in Style Leaf by Bellabeat The LEAF brings a new level of quality to your life. A beautifully designed health tracker that helps you monitor your activity, sleep quality, stress levels, and understands your menstrual cycle. It helps you improve specific aspects of your daily routine so you can feel your absolute best. Price: £29.50 www.bellabeat.com .
Monica Vinader pendants Wear alone or mix and match your favourite pendants to create a uniquely beautiful necklace. Add complimentary engraving for that personal finishing touch. www.monicavinader.com
His & Hers Radley Ladies’ Watch It Watch A stunning ladies This stunning ladies Radley Watch It watch has a plastic/resin case and is powered by a quartz movement. It fastens a purple rubber strap and has a red dial. Price: £50.00 www.watchshop.com
Michael Kors Men’s Lexington Chronograph Watch A striking Mens Michael Kors watch design made from stainless steel. This smart and classic style watch has a blue dial which is set with bold silver baton hour markers, silver hands and date function. This model includes chronograph and is powered by a quality quartz movement. Price: £160.00 www.watchshop.com
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The Stylish Breastfeeding Scarf
Provides versatile discretion without sacrificing style. Can be used when tandem feeding. 100% cotton jersey. Made in the UK. www.snoob.co.uk www.facebook.com/snoobscarf www.twitter.com/snoobscarf snoobsales@gmail.com
We sell original, beautifully crafted toys and amazing prints for babies and children from ethical and sustainable sources, that you will not typically find on the high street. Take a peek and shop with confidence on our secure website
www.roobubandcustard.co.uk To keep up to date with our latest news and offers, why not become a friend on Facebook /RoobubandCustard and Twitter @RoobubCustard
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Reading
daddy 75% of fathers don’t read to their children. They don’t know what they’re missing, says Charlie Swinbourne.
Every family has a bedtime routine, and we are no different. At around 6.15pm every night, it begins. Our daughters have their bath, brush their teeth, get their pyjamas on, and then, usually after a number of protests and appeals, they finally agree to settle into bed ready for my wife and I to read them their stories. Reading with them is really important to us. Our daughters are four and two years old, and because they’re both into different books, we swap who we read to every night. Martha, four, is currently into Horrid Henry tales. Meanwhile, Edie, two, loves The Tiger Who Came To Tea. Our evenings have been like this for nearly three years so, until recently, I thought reading to my girls every night was perfectly normal – that all dads do it. But it turns out I am in the minority, because according to Booktrust, only one in eight fathers reads with his children. Its statistics show that in 25 per cent of cases, this is because fathers work late, and I must confess, the fact that I work from home makes my nightly commitment to telling tales a lot easier. But what about the other 75 per cent? Interviews showed that one of the main reasons some fathers don’t read with their kids is because they see reading as a female – the mother’s – domain. These findings are worrying, because fathers reading with their children has been proven to boost academic success, and leads to improved social and emotional wellbeing. Booktrust is running a campaign called Get Dads Reading as a result. So what do I see as the benefits of reading with my kids? First, after all the playful chaos
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of the day, I find reading with my girls a special, calm time. Because I read with them one-to-one, it’s a rare occasion when they have my full focus, and I have theirs, without any of life’s distractions. Stories also give my girls their first stepping stones to understanding the world outside our home. We learn about the human condition through stories, and it’s no less true for children. By stealth, stories place them in other people’s shoes, and help them empathise with others – even it’s just a frightened mouse trying to survive the attentions of the Gruffalo! As well as teaching them about the wider world, reading to my children has taught them about me, and me about them. Through our nightly routine, I know what my girls find funny or sad. I find out what they don’t know and get the chance to explain words and concepts to them as we go along. You could say reading to them helps me see things through their eyes.
Because I’ve read with them, I find I can explain other areas of life more easily. When I told them recently about a relative who is moving house to get more room, I only had to reference Julia Donaldson’s book A Squash And A Squeeze to help them understand. There are so many good reasons for fathers to read with their children. For me, the biggest of all is that it’s made us closer. That’s something that can’t be bought – it comes from the time we spend day in, day out, travelling to magical worlds together.
reading
5 Book Picks
FOR your toddler Baby’s Very First Play Book Animal Words By Usborne Publishing
Baby’s Very First Play Book Animal Words is a brightly coloured, high-contrast, touchy-feely book that will enchant and delight babies and toddlers. There are animals on a farm, under the sea, in a garden and in the woods on every page, and new animal words from deer to dolphin, turtle to tiger. A joy to share together and for little ones to explore on their own. Books are vital to children’s education, and introducing them at the first possible opportunity helps babies to understand how books work and to love interacting with them. Price: £4.49 www.bookstart.org.uk
Dear Santa By Rod Campbell Lift the flaps to unwrap a Christmas present on every page of Dear Santa, a festive book by Rod Campbell, creator of the preschool classic Dear Zoo. Toddlers will love lifting the flaps to discover what Father Christmas has sent, and finding the perfect present at the end. Price: £4.99
Mr.Men The Christmas Party By Adam Hargreaves Little Miss Shy is the shyest person in the world, so when she gets an invite to Mr Happy’s Christmas Party, just the thought of going makes her blush. The other Mr Men are very excited. ... Price: £4.49 www.amazon.co.uk
The Jolly Christmas Postman By Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg It’s Christmas Eve and the JOLLY POSTMAN is delivering greetings to various fairy-tale characters - there’s a card for Baby Bear, a game appropriately called ‘Beware’ for Red Riding Hood from Mr Wolf.
CozyGlo are the fun new, multifunctional nightlights for kids and babies. Features include: • Thermometer • Stopwatch • Free standing and mains powered • Countdown light timer • Clock • Dimmer • Light alarm
www.cozyglo.co.uk
Price: £8.99 www.whsmith.co.uk
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interiors
Adventure Rug
Chaise Longue This glamorous chaise longue will have them beaming with pride (and perhaps playing at ‘Princess’ a little more often!) Price: £233.00 www.aspace.co.uk
COCO CRIB The Coco crib is bright and spirited with its functional bars transformed into a decorative pattern design. The rounded curves are playful and inviting while the white base accentuates the organic grain of the wood. Coco is home to sweet dreams and the delicate geometry of nature while blending seamlessly into its environment. Price: On Request www.bunnyandclyde.co.za
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Introducing the OYOY Adventure rug, made from 100% cotton which has been woven and then hand printed so that it is soft for your little ones to lean and lie on. This rug features long winding roads for the longest of adventures, where your little ones can venture into the mountains, meet native Indians and encounter wild bears. L 180 x W 70 cm. Price: £39.00 www.lullabuy.co.uk
interiors
jaffy house bunk bed
Creating Your Dream
A truly unique bunk bed. Made from high quality woods, the Jaffy bunk bed will provide hours of play while creating fond childhood memories. The detail to attention cannot be missed in the play inspired bunk bed. Price: £5,280.00 www.punkinpatch.co.uk
NURSERY
Orpheus Round Cot This Orpheus round cot has all the elegance and sophistication of a four-poster bed and blends superb design with unbeatable safety features. A stunning centrepiece in any nursery Price: £2,870.00 www.custardandcrumble.co.uk
Play And Eat Saddle Seat Beautiful horse shaped children’s high chair. Sure to keep your child entertained and happy at the table! From 6 months until adult seat size. Price: £399 www.notonthehighstreet.com
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interiors
ROSALINE ROCKER The Rosaline Rocker is the ideal finishing touch to compliment either the Coco or Harrison nursery set. This modern classic is not only beautiful but also a wonderful snuggle spot for you and baby. Price: £3,400.00 www.bunnyandclyde.co.za
Anne-Claire Petit Mama Teddy This charming series of crocheted soft-toys is designed by AnneClaire Petit whose interest in handicrafts and love of traditional craftsmanship has grown over years. Most of the detailed work is hand-crocheted by women living in countryside villages of Northern China.. Price: £141.00 www.amara.com
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Joseph princess carriage Bed Young girls will feel like a real Princess going to sleep in this delightful Princess Carriage Bed by Joseph. In pretty pastel pink and lilac with a beautiful carriage design. The large wheels raising the bed give you a more authentic design. Your daughter will feel like a Royalty climbing through the carriage door via the cute little ladder. Price: £299.00 www.expressbedz.co.uk
advertorial
Step out in style on your next adventure The ABC Design Zoom Tandem is designed and engineered in Germany. The Zoom Tandem includes a robust aluminium chassis and two high quality seat units suitable from 6 months. If you want to make your system suitable from birth, add your choice of one or two Carrycots. Whether you have the two seat units or the carrycots and car seats added to your chassis, the Zoom offers parents with a growing family endless combinations with parent or forward facing options, meaning they can bespoke their Tandem to suit their mood or that of their children. ABC Design give you a wide choice of colour options to secure their place at the forefront of creative pushchair design as well as providing products with technical innovation to keep you and your child looking and feeling your very best. When adding two ABC Design Carrycots, which are suitable for overnight sleeping, to the Zoom’s cleverly engineered frame, families can carry two newborns on the same system, high above the ground and tucked safely away from any hazards. Then, as children grow, either can be replaced in favour of the Zoom’s stylish seat units, which can be adjusted to either parent or forward facing, offering a further range of choices. The option of the Risus 0+ Infant car seats also converts this magnificent pushchair into one of the smartest travel systems on the market, and can also be mixed and matched with any of the seat units or carrycots to suit your family. With all these combinations, many would imagine that the
Zoom Tandem would become cumbersome or unmanageable, but ABC Design has used their unique engineering expertise to ensure that the Zoom’s movement and manoeuvrability has not been compromised. The pushchair is easy and comfortable to steer and the front wheels swivel and lock to suit your chosen level of locomotion. The handle is fully adjustable to accommodate every parent and the chassis also features a remarkable compact fold for easy storage and transportation. The Zoom’s seat units are suitable from 6 months, and recline in 3 different positions with carefully designed backrests to provide the perfect angle to support your children’s back and spine. The presence of well padded and luxurious changeable seat liners, cushions to support the heads of your little ones, shoulder pads and crotch pads and 5 point safety harness’ means ultimate comfort and safety for both your babies. The units also feature retractable and removable hoods, including parent viewing windows which incorporate UPF 50 + sun protection and also sturdy, padded bumper bars for extra security. Also, let yourself be inspired and add a splash of colour to your life with the wide range of coloured fabrics now available for the Zoom, adding yet another level of personalisation to your tandem!
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Christmas Gift Guide
Harry Copeter’s Animal Rescue Use Harry’s trigger to activate the propellers so he can take off and start his search for injured animals in the jungle.
Price: £12.99 www.sophielagirafe.co.uk
WOW Toys
My Pocket Friends Fairytale Containing a range of 6 cute figures in total ranging from knights to fairies with a secret figure in each pack. Price: £1.99 www.argos.co.uk
Motorbike Max
My Pocket Friends Rescue
Go on a journey through WOW Town with Motorbike Max, the motorised motorbike and sidecar from WOW Toys. The only figure pack for pre-schoolers from Push Max on his way to a fun-filled adventure with this 1-5 years contains a range of 6 cute figures in family and dog figures. Watch as his motorised engine total ranging from the police service to the fire whizzes him around WOW Town and listen as his service with a secret figure in each pack. realistic engine noises sound as he drives by.
Price: £12.99 www.argos.co.uk
Price: £1.99 www.argos.co.uk
Robins Medical Rescue
No need for nasty batteries with award winning Fred, your super friendly recycling truck.
Neeenaw neeenaw Robin to the rescue! Robin is a speedy ambulance ready for any emergency with a powerful friction motor and realistic engine sounds. Open his clicking side door and remove a comfy stretcher, the perfect fit to make any injured figures all better again!
Price: £24.99 www.argos.co.uk
Price: £22.49 www.argos.co.uk
Casey Camper Van Load Casey with her suitcases and doggy accessories before setting off on an adventure! When she’s arrived, use the figure’s hand to press the magic WOW button to release the back door.
Flip ‘n’ Tip Fred
Price: £24.99 www.argos.co.uk
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Christmas Gift Guide
4
Toys We Love
for your one year old
4
Toys We Love
for your Toddler
Pound n Tap Bench with Xylophone Price: £24.95 www.wicked uncle.co.uk
Dream Town Rose Petal Cottage and Cooker Playset Price: £99.99 www.argos.co.uk
Little Tikes Dunk ‘n Juggle Seal
Princess and Pony - Pretend and Play
Price: £19.99 www.littletikes.co.uk
Price: £19.95 www.wicked uncle.co.uk
Walkalong Wooden Puppy - Walks & Sits! Price: £19.95 www.wickeduncle.co.uk
Mi Peach By iCandy Price: £180.00 www.justkiddingonline.co.uk
Baby Darcy Bear Price: £16.00 www.wickeduncle.co.uk
Warm Worm By YUYU bottle Price: £33.00 www.yuyubottle.com
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Christmas Gift Guide
tea for mum in a matchbox
Stokke WinteR Kit
Price: £4.99 www.notonthehighstreet.com
Price: £225.0 www.pramworld.co.uk
cath kidston posy zip changing bag Price: £75.00 www.cathkidston.com
bloom & wild flower delivery subscription
For Mum
jacquard camouflage court shoes Price: £435.00 5. www.shoescribe.com
Family Tree By illuminated canvas Price: £55.95 www.illuminatedcanvas.co.uk
Price: £13.95 www.bloomandwild.com
yuyu hot water bottle Price: 159.00 www.yuyubottle.com
8.
lavazza mio saeco coffee machine Price: 125.00 www.lavazza.com
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Christmas Gift Guide
For Dad john lewis & santiago leather holdall Price: £199.00 www.johnlewis.com
The Whisky Advent Calendar
2.
Price: £149.95 www.masterofmalt.com
ugg scuff sheepskin mule slippers, chestnut Price: £70.00 www.johnlewis.com
PHILIPS Viva HR1863/01 Juicer
Editors Pick
Price: £89.00 www.Currys.co.uk
robot vacuum cleaner advanced Price: £159.99 www.paramountzone.com
giant defy advanced pro 2 Price: £1899.00 www.tredz.co.uk
garmin approach s3 gps watch Price: £199.00 www.onlinegolf.co.uk
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Review
iCandy PEACH 3 STROLLER
This stylish iCandy Peach 3 stroller is perfect for growing families, which can be converted into a luxuriously spacious tandem stroller, it’s super easy to go from single to blossom. Can also be used in twin mode. The iCandy Peach 3 Pram & Pushchair enables you to use your stroller from birth. Great for adding extra luxury and comfort for your little one, the iCandy Peach 3 carrycot comes with a mattress and makes it easy to transport your baby from A to B without disturbing them. Designed with feet, the carrycot prevents the base from touching a cold surface, while providing better ventilation. The carrycot also comes complete with a raincover to protect your little one from the elements when out and about. For use from 6 months, the stylish iCandy Peach 3 stroller features both parent-facing and forward-facing seat options, with different recline positions for comfort. The Peach 3 features a super compact free-standing fold and is easily folded with one hand for extra convience.
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Our favourite features, Elevators, these allow you to raise the seat unit, giving your little one a better view. Basket, even in blossom mode you still have a reasonable basket space. Fold, Folding with one hand is a must this is easily dismantled and folded with one hand even in blossom mode.
This pram really is beautiful and a real peice of Eye-Candy you’re sure to turn heads at the Mother and Baby classes. Price from: £670.00 www.mothercare.com
Health
Don t forget about your Children's Teeth this Chris tma s By My Dentist - Helping the Nation Smile
Remember the catchy Christmas jingle ‘All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth’? As your children dig into selection boxes and festive treats, perhaps there’s a message in this old song that we should be heeding.
W
hilst you might be expecting Santa to visit this month, the tooth fairy could well stop by instead if parents continue to let their children develop bad habits. A recent study revealed that 41% of parents don’t make sure that their children brush their teeth twice a day. At a time when we’re all guilty of letting the diet slip, it’s children who are tempted the most by selection boxes, chocolate coins and advent calendars. Of course, nobody wants to be a Christmas Grinch, but nevertheless you should be making sure their teeth are well protected from the onslaught of sugar.
Christmas Treats Terry’s Chocolate Orange - 525 calories, 59.5g sugars Lindt Chocolate Santa - 550 calories, 55g sugars Chocolate Coins - 525 calories, 61.2g sugars Cadbury Snowbites - 480 calories, 68g sugars Mint Matchmakers - 467 calories, 57.5g sugars All figures are based on 100g servings
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Health
As November and December roll by in a rush, you may find that your child’s oral health isn’t high on your agenda. In fact, fitting in a trip to the dentist at any time of the year is a big enough struggle for parents. Add Christmas gift shopping and family visits into the mixture and unfortunately you may think you haven’t any time left to take your little ones to the dentist.
More than 41% of parents admitted to us that they would take their child to the dentist more often if they had more time. But, what can you do to stop your hectic Christmas preparations from getting in the way of a vital trip to the dentist?
Children will be children and you can’t always stop them from eating sweet treats. At such an exciting time of year, you don’t want to put a dampener on celebrations with a sweet ban. So how do you protect them? • Ensure they brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. This can be a tricky one to enforce but they’ll get it sooner or later. The good habits you instil now will follow them later in life too. Unfortunately two out of five parents we asked don’t do this. This could cause serious damage as plaque builds up along their teeth and gums. • If they eat sweets, make sure it’s with a meal and never before bed as they’ll sleep with sugar on their teeth. • Do try to limit their sugar intake where possible during the festive season. If you know they’re going to visit family who may treat them, avoid chocolate earlier on in the day. Sharon Letters, clinical director at mydentist says:“Remember to brush your child’s teeth
with a fluoride toothpaste, supervise your children and encourage them to spit the toothpaste out and not rinse. How about asking Santa to deliver a nice new toothbrush to help? It’s also an ideal time to schedule a check-up during the Christmas holidays. New Year is a time for resolutions – a great opportunity to make sure your child’s dental health is looked after in 2016.”
Christmas certainly is a time for goodwill and celebrations, and we don’t expect you to police your child’s fun. However, you should be ensuring that they are properly protected from the Christmas treats we all indulge in at this time of year. To learn more about your child’s dental hygiene visit our Kids club page for a detailed guide on dental health for all ages.
Toothbrush Fun Giraffe & Dinosaur Toothbrush Holders Brighten up the bathroom and make teethcleaning fun for your kids with our Giraffe & Dinosaur Toothbrush Holders. With Diego the Dinosaur, Grace the Giraffe, and Bella the Flamingo, teeth-cleaning is fun, colourful and full of character! Inspired by safari animals, these are original, cool and most definitely a product for kids who need to get their teeth stuck into bathroom tasks! Price: £7.99 www.lullabuy.co.uk
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real life
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Late
development
bloomers! When Baby’s Speech is Slow Going
Written by Marianne Brown, speech and language therapist and owner of the Children’s Therapies practice in Putney.
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As a parent it’s often difficult to know when a child’s development falls within the ‘normal’ range and when there is cause for concern. Just like learning to walk, children develop the ability to communicate at different speeds, and some will encounter difficulties along the way.
development
What is the difference between speech and language? Speech is how we produce or articulate the sounds that form words. Language refers to the way we receive, understand and express information through all forms of communication - verbal and non-verbal. Although speech problems and language problems are different, they often overlap. A child with a language problem for example, may be good at pronouncing words but be unable to join more than two words together. A child whose speech may be difficult to understand may still use words and phrases to express ideas. And another child may speak clearly but have difficulty understanding instructions.
Early signs of social When to seek help communication Parents are correct in thinking that some problems and children do naturally grow out of some of autistic spectrum these speech or language difficulties, but unfortunately it is impossible to predict disorders We also meet many parents whose children are facing more serious difficulties. At as early as 12 months children can be observed for symptoms of autism or social communication problems. Possible signs can include (but this list is by no means exhaustive): • A lack of early babbling • Limited copying of speech sounds • Limited copying of actions such as clapping hands • Not pointing to ask for things or to get someone’s attention
Speech delay
• Lack of other gestures such as waving
As a very rough guide, and remembering that each child is different, your toddler should have an expressive vocabulary of around 50 words by the time they are 2 years old, and you should be able to understand about half of what they say. If your little one only uses certain sounds or words repeatedly, and is unable to use spoken language to communicate more than their immediate needs by this age, he or she might have speech or language problems, or a combination of both.
• Rack of shared enjoyment and rarely smiling or laughing when playing
which ones. What we do know is that the earlier parents seek help, the more successful therapy is likely to be. We also know that children entering school with a speech or language delay are much more likely to have difficulties accessing the school curriculum. If you have any concerns about your child’s communication development, contact your GP, or a speech and language therapist directly. They will either be able to reassure you that everything is fine, or assess your child and work with you on strategies and techniques to help your child’s communication.
• Repetitive actions or movements
• Poor eye contact • Limited play with toys Some parents of young children with social communication issues initially wonder if their child is hearing properly as the child does not respond to their name being called. Children with delayed language should have a hearing test to rule out a hearing problem.
Children’s Therapies have clinicsin Putney and Clapham South, telephone 020 8673 7930 or visit www.childrenstherapies. co.uk A Hanen ‘More than Words’ course for parents will commence in June, please call Children’s Therapies on 020 8673 7930 for further details.
However children with an
Stammering and lisps autistic spectrum disorder Stammers and lisps are two common speech difficulties that we see here at Children’s Therapies. To help a child with a lisp, a therapist will demonstrate the correct production of the ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds, highlighting to the child how the tongue is hiding behind the teeth. The child is given lots of opportunities to listen to the production of the correct sounds, and then helped to produce ‘s’ and ‘z’ correctly from a sound to use in conversation. For children who stammer, the therapist will try to establish any factors that may be contributing to the problem, and work with the parent on strategies to help the child to talk more easily, including overcoming fear and anxiety.
or social communication difficulties may have problems with paying attention and understanding language, so they do not respond when their name is called even though their hearing is fine. There are many successful communication programmes which therapists can offer children with these type of difficulties, even before they have received a confirmed diagnosis. One we recommend is the Hanen ‘More than Words’ parent course. This was designed especially for parents of children aged 5 years and under and teaches parents how to help their child reach their full communication potential.
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development
Babbling Babies Top tips to get your little one talking
There are many ways of “tempting” your child to speak. Here are 8 Communicative Temptations you may find helpful. After getting the idea of how this works, I’m sure you will be able to come up with some“temptations” of your own. If you do and they seem to work for you, please share them with us.
1.
Eat something your child loves in their presence with out offering them any. When your child indicates that they would like some, model a more advanced way for them to make the request, whether it is using a sign, a word or a simple phrase. For example, if your child points and grunts to cake, model the sign for cake then wait and see if your child will imitate the cake sign. If your child simply keeps pointing and grunting take his/ her hand and help them make the sign for cake then reward him/her with the cake.
2.
Play with something your child loves but don’t offer to share. For instance if your child loves playing with playdough and wants to participate in the fun, you could model the /p/ sound for “please” or “play,” or you could model the signs for please or play. If your child can already say one word model a two word phrase for him/her to imitate like, “play please.”
3.
At meal time and snack time give your child bite size portions, rather than dishing up a whole serving for them, then wait for them to request more. If no attempt is made model the sign “more,” help them make the sign, or model the /m/ sound for them to imitate.
4.
Limit your child’s access to things like the t.v., toys, food, or going outside. Set it up so they have to make a request or
ask for help to access these things. You may accomplish this by putting favourite things up high or locked up.
5.
Play turn-taking games such as rolling the ball back and forth, or pushing a car back and forth. Once your child expects another turn hold the car or ball and wait. Look at him/her expectantly if no sign or verbal request is made, model an appropriate request such as the sign for “ball,” the /b/ sound, the word “ball” or “ball please”…
6.
Use tight containers to store things in. When your child indicates he/she wants a biscuit you might hand him/her the biscuit jar (tightly sealed of course), when he/she can’t open it and hands it back to you make him/her sign open or help.
7.
Use wind up toys or other toys that are difficult for kids to operate on their own. Wind up a wind-up toy your child gets a kick out of then hand it to them when they want a turn, wait for them to request help by using the sign or the word to operate the toy.
8.
Blow bubbles then screw the lid on tightly and hand it back to your child for their turn. Wait for them to request help with a sign or a word. Model the sign or word if necessary.
Using these little tricks that require your child to communicate will teach your child the power of communication. They will learn very quickly that when they sign or say “out” they can go outside but if they simply cry by the door nothing happens. It is important to be quick with your reinforcement so your child will make the connection easily, for example if you are teaching your child to request “more cake” be sure to have that cake ready to put in their darling little hands right away. When your child points and grunts, or tantrums pay no attention at all, or be sure to explain that you don’t understand what they want even when you do. Then model an appropriate way to make the request. Little tricks like these have help get most non-verbal children to start communicating. And of course these things need to be done in patience and love. When your child sees that he/she can communicate their wants/needs effectively, it will give them added confidence that will help them in the continuing process of language development.
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Just Sayin
The what and when of typical tot talks:
12 to 15 months
Listen closely for that first word (dog, cup, mama)
15 to 18 months
You may now hear inflection, such as a raised tone when asking a question
18 months
He may speak just a few words but likely knows 50 (and is learning more daily)
18 to 24 months Your child says 50 to 70 words and understands more than 200
25 to 36 months Your child knows 300 words, and he´s getting the hang of pronouns
food & drink
Eat Yourself Pregnant with Zita West
Essential Recipes for Boosting Your Fertility Naturally More and more couples these days are interested in natural ways to improve their fertility. And having the best possible diet is one of the most important ways in which you can help make a big difference. In this fabulous new full-colour cook-book Zita shows you 80 tasty and easy to prepare recipes that are packed full of all the most important nutrients your body needs to prepare for a successful pregnancy.
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food & drink
Lemon Blueberry Muesli Muffins These sensational low-sugar muffins, full of nuts and seeds, are perfect as a healthy option for breakfast, but equally delicious as a healthy snack. They are made with xylitol – a sweetener that raises blood sugar levels less than regular sugar – and wholemeal flour, which is a slow releasing carbohydrate that helps to balance blood sugar. Whole grains are also rich in soluble fibre and contain plenty of B-vitamins, which are important for producing healthy eggs and sperm. Using frozen blueberries creates a colder batter but fresh blueberries can also be used.
Makes: 8 muffins Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes
4 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing 150g/5½oz/1 cup wholemeal self-raising flour 2 tsp baking powder a pinch of sea salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon 115g/4oz/scant 1 cup low-sugar muesli 1 tbsp ground flaxseed 75g/2½oz/heaped ⅓ cup xylitol 3 eggs zest of 1 lemon 1 tbsp lemon juice 125ml/4fl oz/½ cup semi-skimmed milk or milk alternative 115g/4oz/¾ cup frozen blueberries
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4 and line eight holes of a muffin tin with paper cases.
into the flour mixture and beat well to form a thick batter, then gently stir in the blueberries.
2. Put the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and muesli in a large mixing bowl.
4. Spoon the mixture evenly into the paper cases and bake for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and firm on top. Leave to cool in the tins for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Put the remaining ingredients, except the blueberries, into a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Pour
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food & drink
Flaked Trout with Rocket, Lychees & Sweet Lime Dressing In this Fertility boosting recipe from my book ‘Eat Yourself Pregnant’ the oily richness of trout contrasts beautifully with the sweet lychees and peppery rocket leaves. Hot-smoked trout requires no preparation, making this a speedy, healthy lunch or evening meal. Trout is an oily fish and a useful source of omega-3 fats. It’s also rich in protein and B-vitamins, including niacin, B12 and B6, which are important for ovulation.
Serves: 2 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 2 minutes
60g/2¼oz/heaped ⅓ cup cashew nuts 150g/5½oz mangetout 2 large handfuls of rocket leaves ½ cucumber, halved lengthways, deseeded and sliced 10 lychees, peeled, halved and pitted 1 handful of basil leaves, roughly
chopped 1 handful of mint leaves, roughly chopped 1 handful of coriander leaves, roughly chopped 1 red chilli, deseeded and diced ½ red onion, diced
1. Lightly toast the cashews in a dry frying pan over a medium heat for about 1 minute, stirring. 2. Blanch the mangetout in a saucepan of boiling water for 30 seconds, then drain and refresh under cold water. 3. Put the mangetout in a serving bowl with the rocket,
225g/8oz hot-smoked trout Sweet Lime Dressing Juice of 2 limes 2 tsp xylitol 1–2 tbsp fish sauce, to taste
cucumber, lychees, herbs, chilli and onion and toss together. Break up the trout and scatter over the top of the salad, then sprinkle with the toasted cashews. 4. To make the dressing, mix together the lime juice, xylitol and fish sauce in a non-reactive bowl. Drizzle over the salad and serve.
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food & drink
Fertility Pizza Who says you can’t have a healthy pizza recipe? This version is packed with an array of fertility-boosting foods on a delicious spelt base – perfect for when you want a carb fix. Spelt is an ancient grain with a deep nutty flavour. It is rich in soluble fibre, manganese and magnesium, and protein, making it an ideal energizing grain.
Serves: 2 Preparation time: 20 minutes, plus 1 hour proving Cooking time: 20 minutes
Pizza Base
Tomato Sauce
Topping
100ml/3½fl oz/⅓ cup plus 2 tbsp warm milk 7g/¼oz dried fast-acting yeast 200g/7oz/1⅔ cups spelt flour 1 tsp sea salt 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing polenta, for dusting
200ml/7fl oz/scant 1 cup passata 4 sundried tomatoes a pinch of dried chilli flakes 1 garlic clove, crushed a pinch of xylitol (optional) 2 tbsp chopped basil leaves sea salt and ground black pepper
2 cooked artichoke hearts, thinly sliced 150g/5½oz buffalo mozzarella cheese, sliced 4 slices of prosciutto or Parma ham, ripped up into bite-sized pieces 2 figs, quartered a drizzle of olive oil 1 handful of basil leaves, to serve
1. Pour the milk into a jug and sprinkle over the yeast. Leave to stand for 5 minutes. Put the flour, salt and oil in a large bowl and add the milk mixture. Stir well to form a dough. Knead well for 5 minutes. Alternatively, use a mixer and process for 5 minutes. 2. Coat the inside of a bowl with a little olive oil, put the dough in the bowl and cover with cling film. Leave it to rise in a warm place for 1 hour. 3. Make the tomato sauce by putting all the ingredients in a food processor and blending until smooth.
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4. Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7. Sprinkle a baking sheet with a little polenta. Turn the dough out onto the baking sheet and roll out the dough to form a rectangle or round. 5. Spread the tomato sauce over the dough base, leaving a 2.5cm/1in border. Top with the artichokes, mozzarella, prosciutto and figs. Drizzle the pizza with oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the bread is crisp and golden brown and the cheese has melted. Scatter basil over the top of the pizza and serve.
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The Beaba Bib Expresso makes a bottle in just 30 seconds, and the direct water control makes sure the milk is always prepared to the right temperature. Price: £79.99 www.beaba.com
butterfly mini biscuit collection Our beautiful biscuits were inspired by long summer evenings in blooming gardens. They come beautifully packaged in our hand-illustrated gift tins and can be delivered to your door.
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Clubs & Classes puddle ducks
The swimming and life-saving skills your little one is taught on the Puddle Ducks programme will stay with them… for life! Skills for Life means that at Puddle Ducks, every child is taught to swim using a tailored programme that is unique to them, and their levels of ability and confidence, within our structured framework – we keep it fun and we know that it works!
yoga bellies
YogaBellies offer authentic classes, therapies and workshops for women and children at every stage of their lives including pregnancy and birth; for post-partum mum and baby and now also, yoga for children. We offer yoga for women from mentruation to post menopausal. We even have a revolutionary new Birth Preparation course called Birth ROCKS for mums and their birth partners. The sessions incorporate a range of authentic yogic and holistic techniques.
Little Kickers
With a network of 1,500 coaches and 210 franchises in 16 countries, we’re Little Kickers are now the world’s biggest and most successful pre-school football academy and there’s plenty more to come. They are constantly enhancing their classes with the help of their experts.
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Totstars
Baby Ballet
La jolie ronde
Stagecoach Theatre Arts is a highly regarded network of performing arts schools with a proven record of delivering quality dance, drama and singing lessons to youngsters worldwide.
An award-winning baby ballet Song and Dance Academy with an exciting educational movement to music programme.
Over the years Stagecoach has provided a springboard for some of the UK’s leading young talent and has had the privilege of watching thousands of kids grow in confidence and ability. They offer brilliant kids’ parties, children’s holiday activities involving musical theatre and drama workshops. www.stagecoach.co.uk
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Designed to encourage babies and young children to enjoy the joys of song and dance, baby ballet has built up a fantastic reputation for providing children with the opportunity to express themselves within a fun, safe and caring environment. www.babyballet.co.uk
La Jolie Ronde is a leading provider of language learning through extracurricular language classes and the supply of language teaching resources. Hundreds of thousands of children learn French and Spanish each week either in the classroom or in one of our after-school or lunchtime classes. La Jolie Ronde provides a proven method with a solid underlying structure that enables children, aged between 3 & 11 years old, to progress year after year in French and Spanish. www.lajolieronde.co.uk
To appear in our Clubs & Classes section contact us at: natasha@project-baby.co.uk
kiddy cook
Fun Cooking Classes for Kids Aged 4 – 11yrs. During each session the children have fun with hands-on gastronomic experiments and recipes and they are encouraged to learn about ‘good’ food and to explore new flavours in an educational and fun way. Each workshop encourages the students to discover the excitement that food can bring. Children get involved in the whole cooking process from reading the recipes to weighing and measuring the ingredients. www.kiddycook.co.uk
Water Babies
Hartbeeps
At Hartbeeps they put your child at the heart of their magical, musical adventures. They offer original and super fun, developmental baby classes, toddler classes and pre-school classes, as well as educational sessions, pregnancy classes, stay & play with baby discos, and fabulous children’s parties.
Clubs & Classes Monkey Music
All of our classes are set to a soundtrack of original songs, remixed nursery rhymes and lullabies. We take you and your little one on a sound journey and bring the story to life.
Monkey Music has an award winning reputation for innovative, beautifully presented music classes for each stage of your little one’s development, from 3 months to 4 years. Amazing puppets, hand crafted props, specialist percussion instruments, movement, bubbles and lots more. Guaranteed giggles and learning, great for making friends too!
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www.monkeymusic.co.uk
Diddi Dance
rugbytots Rugbytots is the first of its kind; a specifically designed play programme using the multiple skills of Rugby to create a fun and enjoyable environment whilst developing basic core motor skills.
Water Babies is the UK’s leading baby swim school, teaching a core skill to hundreds of babies & children every week. The courses are very different to traditional swimming lessons. For a start, because they only use warm water pools, babies can join them from birth. And while the emphasis is on having fun, their course is carefully structured, with progressive lesson plans for each week. www.waterbabies.co.uk
At Diddi Dance they realise and encourage endless enthusiasm and energy in an action packed, full of fun 45 minute dance class. Using various dancing games and exercises, bells, hoops and dance ribbons to their own funky pop songs so your little one not only improves their rhythm and co-ordination but also their social and gross motor skills. Classes are ideally suited for both boys and girls between 2-4 years old, however they have had children as young as 16 months.
All Rugbytots lead coaches are paediatric first aiders, Rugby qualified coaches, CRB checked and trained to a very high standard to ensure your children enjoy their time at Rugbytots in a safe and organised environment.
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Project BabyEmporium
Clare Breheny Photography www.clarebrehenyphotography.com clare@clarebrehenyphotography.com +44 (0)7973 753626
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Project BabyEmporium
The sky is not the limit...
Look good and feel good in FittaMamma activewear styled to support and flatter you throughout pregnancy and beyond. FittaWear fits as your baby grows, stretches when you stretch, holds where you need it and offers a choice of support levels for all your exercise and everyday needs.
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It’s like a gorgeous, comfortable bra for your bump! Available online
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Project BabyEmporium ‘Coolest moses basket on Earth’ allbabyadvice.com
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