TOP TIPS EDITION
“ A grand adventure is about to begin - Winnie the Poo
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WELCOME TO THE TOP 100 BABY PRODUCTS FROM THE FOUNDERS ZAC & LETICIA
As parents of two young children close in age we were overwhelmed when introduced to the world of baby products, a sea of choices and disparate sources of informaJon meant our wide-‐eyed selves made many silly (and at best, humorous) purchases. The Top 100 Baby Products is a FREE one-‐stop guide and rich online content plaSorm for insight into the early years parenJng experience. EnJrely determined by parents sharing valuable knowledge and experience, it is not just for parents, but grandparents, friends and care providers -‐ because we don’t make these decisions alone! We are a collecJve of industry experts, writers, researchers, photographers, foodies, illustrators, teachers and of course -‐ every day parents! To learn about the Top 100 baby Products please visit top100babyproducts.com. In this special TOP TIPS ediJon we present you with everything you’ll need to know along with some inspiraJon on this wonderful journey you have embarked on.
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How it works
The Top 100 Baby Products is a vote-‐driven guide. Our research team reaches out to parents throughout the UK to share their knowledge and experiences. This is done via focus groups, birth centres, baby shows, health centres, nurseries, online parenJng networks and social media. With no pre-‐selected list of products to choose from, any product can be voted for. Votes are submi^ed primarily with our online form however Twi^er and Instagram is also at hand for the social media savvy -‐ #top100babyproducts. This informaJon is pooled together, collated and shortlisted based on 5 key criteria:
VALUE FOR MONEY FUNCTIONALITY LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT SAFETY STYLE
PUSHCHAIRS
iCANDY Peach BUGABOO Cameleon CYBEX Priam MACLAREN Quest STOKKE Xplory BABY JOGGER City Mini GT PHIL & TEDS Navigator MOUNTAIN BUGGY Duet JOOLZ Day Quadro COSATTO Giggle
BABY NURSERY
CAR SEATS & TRAVEL
MAXI-‐COSI CabrioFix BABY BJORN Miracle Carrier LITTLE LIFE Ranger Carrier NUNA Sena Travel Cot RECARO Monza Nova ORBIT BABY G3 ERGO BABY 360 Carrier Dusty SIGG Kids Bo^les TRUNKI Travel Luggage BESAFE iZi Go
HIGHCHAIRS
BABY TOYS
JELLYCAT Bashful Bunny RED CASTLE Cocoonababy BABY BJORN AppeJte VTECH First Steps Baby Walker CHIICCO Next2Me BROTHER MAX Scoop GREAT LITTLE TRADING CO Noah’s Ark MY BOORI Eton Cotbed MAMAS & PAPAS Prima Papa MANHATTAN TOY Skwish ADEN + ANAIS Classic Swaddles MOUNTAIN BUGGY Pod Portable TOMY Hide ‘n’ Squeak Eggs MOBA Moses Basket STOKKE Tripp Trapp LEAPFROG Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket SWEET DREAMERS Ewan the dream sheep COSATTO Noodle Supa FISHER PRICE Baby’s First Blocks FISHER PRICE Rainforest Jumperoo MOTHERCARE Valencia ORANGE TREE TOYS Puzzles TINY LOVE Gymini Bouncer BABIES R US Baby Hi-‐Lo GUMMEE GLOVE Gummee Glove JOHN LEWIS Spring cot ma^ress KNUMA Connect 4-‐in-‐1 SASSY Ring O’ Links THE GRO COMPANY Grobag IKEA AnJlop
FEEDING
MAM AnJ Colic Bo^le PHILIPS AVENT Natural Baby Bo^le MEDELA Swing EssenJals Pack DR BROWNS Natural Flow Starter Pack YOOMI Self Warming Bo^le TOMMEE TIPPEE Perfect Prep Machine BÉABA Babycook BABYMOOV Food Processor VITAL BABY Weaning Spoon NUBY Sippy Cup
BABY FOOD
NANNYCARE Follow on milk APTAMIL Follow on Milk COW & GATE Follow on Milk ELLA’S KITCHEN First Tastes ORGANIX Finger Foods HIPP ORGANIC LITTLE DISH Toddler Food COLLECTIVE DAIRY Suckies ANNABEL KARMEL INNOCENT Kids Smoothies
BATHING & BABY CARE
BABY SAFETY
LINDAM Home Safety Kit BINATONE MOTOROLA MBP36S BT Digital Baby Monitor 350 Lightshow ANGELCARE AC1100 Monitor BABYMOOV Premium Care Baby Monitor BROTHER MAX 3 in 1 Touch Thermometer BABY DAN True Pressure Baby Gate CLIPPASAFE Safety Starter Pack SAFETY 1st Portable Bedrail Philips AVENT Bath & Room Baby Thermometer
PRE-SCHOOL TOYS
MUSTELA Shampoo LEGO Duplo BABY BJORN Smart Po^y LE TOY VAN Sophie’s House CUDDLEDRY The Original Cuddledry MICRO-‐SCOOTERS Mini Scooter BRUSH BABY Chewable Toothbrush ORCHARD TOYS Puzzles GREEN PEOPLE Organic Babies Nappy Baby Balm LITTLE TIKES Cozy Coupe ANGELCARE Soi Touch Bath Support LEAPFROG LeapReader TOTS BOTS Bamboozle Stretch ELC Happyland lii off rocket PAMPERS Baby Dry Nappies INDIGO JAMM BriJsh Classics TOMMEE TIPPEE Healthcare Kit HASBRO Play-‐doh WATER WIPES Water Wipes BRIO Train Sets
TOP TIPS
PUSHCHAIRS Daily Routine
If you are out and about a lot then think about a lightweight, compact pushchair for the busy spaces you might find yourself in. Unfortunately someJmes people can be impaJent with you so bear in mind what your movements are likely to be. ___
Try before you buy
Take the pushchair for a ride with all your belongings, although the pushchair may be light at the beginning once you have your handbag and other items on it you'll get a clearer idea of what the pushchair will feel like. You can always scout around online for the best deal later when at home. ___
Think about your partner too
Can it be adequately adjusted for more comfort if he or she is significantly taller or shorter than you? Remember, they will also be pushing it from Jme to Jme. ___
Storage areas
If you carry a lot with you or do a lot of shopping then consider the size of the basket area and how you can get clever with the areas of the pushchair to store things. ___
Public transport
If you use public transport then having a compact pushchair is key, otherwise you may find your self unable to hitch a ride at all. ___
Bringing it home
Consider your home set up, if you’re on the top floor without a lii then there are obvious challenges but also check your front door size and where you plan on leaving the pushchair. ___
Don’t forget about your car
Think about the space the pushchair takes once placed in the car, will there be enough room for shopping or other items if you are outbound on a road trip? ___
TOP TIPS
CAR SEATS Don't buy second hand
Of all the things you might consider buying second hand, this is definitely not one of them. It's a bit like not buying a cycle helmet second hand -‐ you just don't do it! ___
Buy according to your child’s weight ___
Check that the fitting along with the harness is firm
Watch out for the space between the car head rest and car seat, you might need to remove the head rest to ensure it's a snug fit. You should be able to get only two fingers between the straps and your child's chest. They will undoubtedly protest over the Jghtness as they grow older but it'll be your job to distract them whilst this is done! ___
Let them ride it out
You don’t need to change your car seat as soon as you think plus it risks more severe neck and brain injuries in a crash. Car seats that let you keep your child rear-‐facing unJl the age of four are becoming more common. ___
Get the most out of the Retailer
Please speak to your retailer who will be able to equip you on all the things you need to know about car seats. Take a pen and paper and make notes and consider all your opJons. In most cases, they should be able to fit the car seat into the car for you too. ___
TOP TIPS
BABY NURSERY Create a mood board
Have a brainstorm exploring themes and products. Pinterest is great for this and you can very quickly collect a dozen images which will excite you and sJr the emoJons in preparaJon for the li^le one. ___
Plan
Whichever furniture pieces you choose will mainly depend on the size of your nursery. Consider all your pracJcal challenges along with any limitaJons on budget and space. Think about the long term plans for the room as well, which will impact on how adaptable you want the room to be. Take measurements and create a floor plan to take with you on any trips to retailers. ___
Key pieces
You might like the idea of coordinaJng all your furniture, or choosing two or three key pieces such as drawers, a wardrobe and a changing unit. ConcentraJng on key pieces first is a good idea as there will be opJons and flexibility with other things such as paints and wallpaper for example. ___
Space to move around
Seems like an obvious point but make sure you have enough space in the nursery to walk around otherwise you will be constantly bumping into things and sneaking into the room quietly won't be as easy as you would like. ___
Storage is key
You’ll be surprised how many things are needed at the beginning, and with constant changing of clothes, you will want to have everything stashed away nicely to give you easy access on demand. ___
Think about safety
It is best to posiJon the cot around a safe zone, away from windows, heaters, wall decoraJons, cords and lamps. Once your baby discovers their inner adventurer, the climbing and clambering will begin, make sure the cot is away from surrounding furniture. ___
TOP TIPS
BATHING & BABY CARE Consider your space
If you choose to get a bathtub remember they do take up a lot of space. There is always the opJon of having a baby bath seat, which doesn’t take up much space and the baby feels comfortable as well as secure. ___
Warm room and water
Make the bathroom or room nice and warm, newborn and babies can get very easily cold. Make the water warm before you put them in, and don't let the water run whilst the baby is in the tub. ____
Pay attention
Never leave your baby unsupervised, even for a moment. Gather all you need such as a towel, clean nappy, clean clothes and anything else you may need in advance. Keep at least one hand on your baby while they are in the water. If the phone rings it can wait, otherwise if its important grab your baby in a towel and take him with you. ___
Be playful
Bath Jme is a great Jme to interact with your baby, so choose toys to keep them busy as it may be that your baby doesn't enjoy the water at first, but don't worry they will soon grow out of that. ___
Post bath relaxation
Choose a lovely massage oil for aier the bath, it will relax the baby and also act as a great way of taking out any extra gas in case they have some colic irritaJon. Rub gently and bring their legs towards their tummy. ___
Be patient and stick to routine
As with most things with parenJng, rouJne is key – it makes for a calmer baby and calmer parent. It may seem as though your efforts are in vain but soon enough they will begin expecJng and respond wonderfully to the sense of comfort the end result offers. ___
Let the skin breath
Puung the nappy on too Jght can stop the skin from breathing and restricts air circulaJon. Leung baby go nappy free is someJmes a good idea, it’s not only fun to watch but is good for their skin. ___
TOP TIPS
FEEDING PRODUCTS Keep baby bottles clean
Baby bo^les and teats should be sterilised every Jme you use them. Newborns are parJcularly vulnerable to bacteria. Some bo^les offer self-‐sterilisaJon. ___
Anti-colic bottles
It would be a good idea to consider these if your baby is suffering from colic (uncontrollable crying). These bo^les are designed to reduce the amount of air a baby takes in whilst feeding. ___
BPA
BPA (Bisphenol-‐A) is a chemical that is found in some plasJcs. It is believed that BPA can leach out of Polycarbonate plasJc bo^les into baby’s milk and cause problems such as diabetes, breast cancer and hyperacJvity in the baby’s adult life. Its best to chose products that are cerJfied BPA free. ___
Sippy cups
A great way to encourage independence. As they grow they want to become more like us so why not encourage them to drink by themselves from their own cup. Some children may take a while before taking to a sippy cup but introducing different types and styles may do the trick. ___
Gadgets
It is important to give baby and you a comfortable, uninterrupted moment together to get the most of out feeding. Think about Jme and energy saving gadgets like breast pumps, bo^le prep machines and food processors for later down the line. Such gadgets can make life a lot easier. ___
The appliance for steaming, mixing and heating tasty, healthy meals for baby in no time at all.
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TOP TIPS
HIGHCHAIRS Lifestyle
There is a style and design that matches all tastes however consider your home seung and whether you would want a seamless addiJon of a highchair to the table seung. ___
Space
If space is Jght, you will need to consider how wide the legs spray out and whether the highchair can be folded. Some high chairs require the tray to be removed before folding, which is somewhat cumbersome if you're having to do this several Jmes a day. ___
Features
Think about all the adjustments and extras – it can make mealJmes a lot easier and simpler; this includes the seat height and tray. ___
Ease of use
Experiment with the tray and seat height and other funcJons, making all the adjustments. You’ll be repeaJng these acJons regularly with a wriggly child so best to get an idea early on. ___
Easy to clean
Mess is an inevitable reality of feeding Jme so it’s best to ensure the highchair is easy to clean. Food geung trapped in li^le areas may result is an una^racJve and unwelcoming highchair. PlasJc parts and a removable seat cover are things to think about. ___
Think ahead
If you are spending a li^le more on a highchair consider a converJble, designed to grow with your baby, many of which can be used up unJl three years plus. Some brands have mastered this and allow you to convert the highchair into a snazzy piece of dining furniture. ___
Safety
The base should be wide enough for stability and never placed on slippery surfaces. Make sure your child is properly strapped in and supervised at all Jmes, prevenJng them from standing or slipping out of their high chair seat. ___
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TOP TIPS
BABY FOOD The Stages
0-‐6 months your baby only needs breast milk or formula, aier 6 months your baby’s first foods can include mashed or soi cooked fruit and vegetables (like patato, carrot, apple or pear) all cooled before eaJng. From 12 months your baby will be eaJng more regularly with 3 meals a day so by this point you’ll have more structure in place and can have your child get excited by the meals.
Formula
Avoid overdoing it with the formula powder as it can cause consJpaJon with your baby and never warm up infant formula in a microwave as it can heat the feed unevenly and may burn your baby’s mouth. ___
Spoon to finger foods
When your baby begins grabbing the spoon as you try to feed them, it is a sure sign they are ready to get some cutlery of their own. Let them explore this as you get a break from fighJng with them and seeing food land on the floor. ___
Start on solid foods (weaning)
An important step in your baby’s development and great fun to explore new flavours and textures together. Start slow, worrying less about how much they eat and more about geung them used to the idea of eaJng. ___
Present choices
Empowering your child with choices over food, plates, cutlery, bibs etc – this enables them to feel more involved in the process and results in them being more helpful and less resistant. ___
Don’t worry about the mess
It is fuJle. The more you try the messier things will get and the more you’ll have a nervous li^le one. It’s be^er for them to be playful with food, understanding texture along with taste, flavour and smells. Just keep some Jssues or baby wipes to hand. ___
Go at their pace
Let them take their Jme, and if they are not eaJng as much as you would like or have started to play at the table then mealJme is over. Don’t get stressed over it, if they are hungry they’ll eat! ___
Eat as a family
If possible try to encourage this as much as possible, having the whole family on the table encourages social skills to be developed. It’s also a good chance to show the li^le ones how to eat. ___
TOP TIPS
BABY TOYS Age appropriate
Always select toys (and check they are playing with toys) that are designed for their age group. Pay a^enJon to any safety noJces that may apply. ___
Stimulate the senses
The more senses they can use when playing with a toy the be^er. Don’t forget texture along with music – both of which can help sooth and se^le your baby. ___
‘What’s in your mouth?!’
Most toys do tend to end up in your babies mouth, so do look for toys that are washable or include non-‐ toxic informaJon on the label. ___
Hand to eye coordination
When babies start to sit up they begin developing their hand-‐eye coordinaJon and gross motor skills. Anything that can withstand some banging is a good idea and think about toys that encourage your baby to stretch and reach out for things. ___
Make a safe environment
Consider the surroundings and ensure a safe play area is created. Inspect it for any sharp objects and edges, you want them to crawl and explore safely. ___
Think small and large
Mix up the toys to include both small and large ones, the variety is good for them and helps with their development. ___
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“ Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. - Picasso
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TOP TIPS
PRE-SCHOOL TOYS Creativity
This stage of a child’s growth is when creaJvity begins to blossom. Art, building, crai and musical toys are all great for this. It is worth invesJng in such toys as they are very long lasJng and you will get lots of use out of it. ___
Problem solving and motor skills
Pre-‐schoolers are curious li^le problem solvers, and they are great at using their hands to figure things out. Puzzles are great for this along with building blocks. ___
Encourage pretend play
Giving toys characters and talking to them, acJng and dressing up are all very imaginaJve forms of play and enhance creaJvity. Feelings can be explored along with the development of language skills. ___
Get them moving
Anything that gets the energy released in Jme for bed will be of great value to your much needed down Jme. Along with sports equipment try out a bike or scooter, they will spend hours in the park chasing you and their friends. ___
Teach mindfulness
Teach older children to keep their toys that may have removable small parts, sharp points or toys run on electricity out of reach of younger siblings. Young children are very curious and may invesJgate toys that aren’t appropriate for them. ___
Tidy up time
Teach children early to put toys away when they are finished playing with them. This will not only allow them to begin showing care for their precious things but ensure the toys last longer. and of course prevent accidents. ___
Get involved
At this stage geung involved is easy and there is a lot of fun to be had. Building train sets, playing football in the park and compleJng puzzles are a great way of bonding whilst ensuring all the necessary skills are being developed. You will have some very precious memories doing this! ___
TOP TIPS
BABY SAFETY
Cupboard latches
Once your baby begins to crawl all they will want to do is explore, including all your cupboards and drawers so buying clips is essenJal. If not locked away, organize and clear the contents of your cabinets so that it’s contents are at the highest point, out of reach. ___
Electrical Plugs
Cover all your electrical plugs, as babies begin to touch and explore they will like to put their Jny li^le fingers in these very dangerous areas. ___
Mind the steps
Safety gates are a must; make sure you use one at the top and bo^om of your stairs. You may also like to use them in areas where you wouldn’t like baby to go, such as the kitchen. ___
Give them a cupboard
If you choose not to put latches on the cupboards, replace the heavy saucepans and kitchen utensils with plasJc cups and plates -‐ you will be surprised how long they will spend playing around the cupboard and having fun. It is useful to remember that this is an area your kids see you accessing frequently and thus, of natural interest to them. ___
Curtains and blinds
Loose string and cords represent a suffocaJon hazard to your baby. A baby can easily get these tangled around the neck while exploring your home. Tie them up at a height that is out of your baby’s reach. ___
Portable bed rail
If you are travelling with your kids to a lovely country retreat and they don’t have a cot you may want to invest in a portable bed rail, these can be easily added onto a normal bed where your child will be kept safe unJl he is ready to move onto a bed. ___
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IF IF you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubJng too; If you can wait and not be Jred by waiJng, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to haJng, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream -‐ and not make dreams your master; If you can think -‐ and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-‐out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-‐and-‐toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long aier they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!' If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, ' Or walk with Kings -‐ nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And -‐ which is more -‐ you'll be a Man, my son! -‐ Rudyard Kipling
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