Bathtime fun

Bath time can either be a source of fun or stress, depending on the mood of your baby! Initially baby J didn't like being bathed at all, and I dreaded the screams that would accompany it. After the first couple of weeks he started enjoying himself though, and bath time became a fun part of his evening routine. There were (and still are) a few things that made it easier for both of us, so here's a few recommendations:

Tippitoes Mini Bath - we used this for over 6 months, so it was really good value for money at £13.99. The support seat and foam headrest ensured baby J was comfortable, and made it easy for me to wash him while he splashed about.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0037ZTT2A/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B0037ZTT2A&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwfabmamabuy-21

Safety 1st Swivel Bath Seat - when baby J was around 6 months old, we moved him into the big bath with the use of this seat. As I often bath him on my own, this handy seat has helped me feel confident about keeping him upright and still having both hands free to wash him. He can splash around and play with his toys but without slipping over. The suction pads attach the seat securely to the bath, while it swivels for easy access to wash your baby. Around £8.95 from Amazon or John Lewis.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004U4KRQE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B004U4KRQE&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwfabmamabuy-21

Bath thermometer - an essential for bath time, as a lot of new parents worry about getting the water just right! We found a cheap option as good as anything else around, a Duck Thermometer Card for around £4. Just dip it into the water and the liquid crystal display tells you with a minus sign, tick or plus sign whether the temperature is too cold, just right, or too hot.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008MLRVYM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B008MLRVYM&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwfabmamabuy-21

Cussons Mum & Me products - obviously there are loads of baby products out there to choose from, but I really like this range. The products have always been great for baby J's skin, and I would recommend their baby bath and baby shampoo. These are frequently on offer in various supermarkets for half price, so if you wait until a baby event then you can stock up! I also like Asda Little Angels and Sainsburys Little Ones ranges, which again often have money off.

http://www.mumandme.com/category/baby/8

Baby towels - a soft towel is an essential to keep your baby dry and snuggly when they come out of the bath. You can obviously use any towel, but I like the hooded ones that Ikea do. They are a decent size, as some baby towels are so small that you only get a couple of months use out of them! The designs are cute and they are affordable at £7 each.

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10124731/

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30194836/

Bath toys - it wouldn't be as much fun without toys at bath time! When your baby is young, a few
simple toys usually do the trick. We have stacking cups, boats and ducks, which baby J loves playing with (and is usually still clutching one when he comes out of the bath!). I find that the supermarkets usually have a good range of these, and a brand called Munchkin has a wide range.

http://www.mothercare.com/Bath-Stacking-Cups/525251,default,pd.html#avtc=73b5e76567b8791a232a7fda5a905045&q=Bath%20toys 

http://www.tesco.com/direct/munchkin-5-sea-squirts/213-6512.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=213-6512

Happy bathing!

x

Bargain summer toys

Just a quick post for anyone getting excited by the warmer weather and the prospect of their babies finally playing outside!

Asda have an offer on some of their toys at the moment, with 2 for £10 on selected items. A friend alerted me to it and I thought this ball pit and play tunnel were a bargain:

http://direct.asda.com/ASDA-Ball-Pit/000707213,default,pd.html

http://direct.asda.com/ASDA-Play-Tunnel/000714990,default,pd.html

The balls are £4 for 100.

Delivery to store is free, can't wait to collect mine next week so fingers crossed the weather stays nice!

x

A capsule toy collection

It can be very tempting to get carried away with buying cute toys for your new baby - I developed a severe Lamaze habit after baby J was born that I've just about managed to kick. Buying too many toys can be dangerous for your bank balance, and there's no need when your baby is too young to exercise pester power in shops!

It's an old adage but the simple toys really are the best, and can be picked up inexpensively (or you can drop a few hints to those who want to buy presents!). Here's a few recommendations that we get out of the toy box every day, all priced under £10:

Stacking cups - babies love to watch you stack these up so they can knock them down, and as they get older will have lots of fun doing this themselves. We got a good set from Ikea, but you can get them from any large supermarket or baby store, usually for less than £5.

http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplay0_10751_-1_145559_10001#pdpTabs

Rainmaker rattle - babies are fascinated by the movement and sound of these toys. I discovered at about 12 weeks old that baby J stopped crying if I started shaking it, so that's got to make it worth buying! Can't vouch for this working for everyone, but he now enjoys shaking it himself. Again, you can pick one up from the above mentioned places for under £5.

http://direct.asda.com/Little-Tikes-Rainmaker-Rattle/000703895,default,pd.html

Jingle ball - this has a bell inside, so it is nice and noisy to entertain babies, and encourages tummy time if you roll it in front of them. When they are older it is easy for them to grasp and shake. The Bright Starts flexi ball is around £3.50 from Amazon or Asda.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0030BEW8C/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B0030BEW8C&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwfabmamabuy-21

Links - sets of plastic links are great for your baby to chew on and the bright colours stimulate their vision. Handy to keep in your changing bag as an emergency toy! You can also use them to attach toys to a playgym or pushchair. These are easy to find in most supermarkets - we have the Bright Starts ones but these East Coast ones also come recommended. Expect to pay around £5 for a set.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002L3T9YM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B002L3T9YM&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwfabmamabuy-21

Tomy Hide'n'Squeak Eggs - baby J was given these for his first Christmas, and a couple of months after that became fascinated with them. He likes chucking them out of the box and playing with each egg individually - they make cheeping noises when they are pressed which he likes! As your baby gets older they can sort the eggs according to shape and colour. A bargain at around £4.50 from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00068Q7LC/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B00068Q7LC&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwfabmamabuy-21

Shape sorter - there are lots of these around, whether you want plastic or prefer wooden toys for your baby. These help with hand/eye co-ordination and fine motor skills. I really like the Ikea shape sorter which is a wooden house, and at £7 it is competitively priced.

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/80163229/

Stacking rings - as with the shape sorters, you can buy lots of variations on this toy. Again this is good for co-ordination and also colour recognition. A friend has a lovely wooden magnetic version made by Tidlo, which is a classic that will be used for years and is a bargain at £9.99:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004NSUGJA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B004NSUGJA&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwfabmamabuy-21

Lamaze toys - I couldn't finish without mentioning these, and nearly every mum I know has at least one! These are great for taking out and about, as they have a link that attaches them to a car seat handle or pushchair bumper bar. They are also great for customising your playgym. Lamaze toys all have bright contrasting colours and patterns, along with different sounds and textures to stimulate your baby's senses. Baby J's favourite has always been Captain Calamari! Around £7.50 from Amazon or baby shops like Mothercare or Kiddicare.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002VWZU7S/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B002VWZU7S&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwfabmamabuy-21

Happy shopping! x

Feeding time at the zoo

So you've survived the first 6 months and settled into some kind of routine with your baby...then weaning time arrives. I was surprised how quickly this came round, but it's always nice to be prepared when it does. I had been given advice by my health visitor on how to start the weaning process, but not what to buy! Here are a few products that I have found helpful over the last few months...

Brother Max Travel Bowl - this has been great for taking out and about with us. It has 2 sections for separating foods, a secure lid, and a flap in the lid to store a spoon in (2 small spoons are provided). Costs around £6 from Amazon or Superdrug.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brother-Max-Travel-Weaning-Suction/dp/B001DDXS6Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365435191&sr=8-1&keywords=Brother+max+travel+bowl

Tommee Tippee Explora Heat Sensitive Spoons - before I bought these I thought that 'heat sensing' spoons were a bit of a gimmick! But these spoons are a good shape and size, and it is helpful that they change colour if food is too hot to remind you not to put it straight in your baby's mouth :-) You can get these for about £3.99 from supermarkets.

http://www.tommeetippee.co.uk/product/heat-sensing-spoons/

Tommee Tippee Roll n Go Bib - these bibs are made of rubber so don't stain or add to your pile of washing. The crumb/mess catcher is useful and they roll up easily for travelling (the clue is in the name!). Most supermarkets sell these for around £3.50, but they are often on offer when baby events take place.

http://www.tommeetippee.co.uk/product/roll-n-go-bib/

Doidy Cup - when we first starting weaning, baby J would reject water from all beakers. I tried about 4 different brands and had no joy with any. Then I bought an open cup called a Doidy cup, and surprisingly he took to it straight away. If you don't mind getting a bit wet then I would recommend them! They cost around £3.75 from Amazon. The Tommee Tippee First Cup is also a nice simple beaker for when your baby starts drinking water with meals. It has a free flow spout as recommended by health professionals, and costs about £1.50 from various supermarkets.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bickiepegs-D-Red-Doidy-Cup/dp/B000RBE6Q6/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1365435748&sr=1-1&keywords=Doidy+cup

http://www.tommeetippee.co.uk/product/first-cup/

Oxo Tot Snack Disc - this is a useful little pot for carrying snacks like rice cakes around with you. The lid is secure so no mess in your changing bag, and the pot is slim so it doesn't take up too much room. Around £4 from John Lewis or Amazon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/OXO-Tot-Snack-Disk-Aqua/dp/B003AM8CJQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365435687&sr=8-2&keywords=oxo+tot+snack

Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner - I fancied making most of baby J's food myself, and this book has been excellent from starting weaning. Obviously you don't have to follow it precisely, but it gives ideas of which foods to start off with and how to build up to more adventurous meals week by week. I have tried quite a few of the recipes and they have all been well received by baby J!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Annabel-Karmels-Complete-Toddler-Planner/dp/0091924855/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365435581&sr=1-1&keywords=annabel+karmel

Beaba Multi Portion Silicone Freezing Trays - these have been invaluable when cooking batches of food for baby J. They are just the right size for the first few months of weaning, and once you have frozen the food the portions pop out really easily. They are not the cheapest at around £7.50 but they are worth it - a lot of trays are hard plastic which makes it impossible to get food out once it has been frozen. Once your baby is eating bigger portions you can just use two cubes per meal instead of one.

http://www.johnlewis.com/beaba-multi-portion-silicone-freezing-tray/p174064?colour=Green

Happy weaning! x

Celebs and their pushchairs

A blog post to be taken with a pinch of salt as it is a shallow one! Being a bit of a celeb gossip lover, I always notice what pushchairs the celebrities are pushing now I'm a mum. If you've got the inclination and budget then here's the latest models and their celebrity fans:

4moms Origami £929 - Jennifer Garner's little boy Samuel looks comfy in this high-tech pushchair. It boasts an LCD dashboard, phone charger, and lights, whilst opening and closing itself at the touch of a button!

http://www.johnlewis.com/4moms-origami-pushchair-silver/p231857478

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2204357/Jennifer-Garners-son-Samuel-stays-snuggled-stroller-mother-sisters-buys-plants-nursery.html

Bugaboo Cameleon Sahara Special Edition £929- this new limited edition from Bugaboo was snapped up by Fearne Cotton for her new baby Rex. I think if money was no object I might have one of these for baby J! In addition to the standard Cameleon features, it has a leather handle and soft quilted lining, and comes with a soft cable knit blanket.

http://www.johnlewis.com/bugaboo-cameleon3-pushchair-sahara-special-edition/p231838275

http://www.madeformums.com/celebs/fearne-cotton-and-jesse-wood-take-baby-son-rex-out-for-a-stroll/26384.html

Orbit Baby G2 £940 plus hood £59.95 - popular with US celebrities like Jessica Alba and Kourtney Kardashian, you either love or hate the Orbit's futuristic design (I'm not a fan!). It allows you to rotate your baby 360 degrees and has a one handed fold.

http://www.johnlewis.com/orbit-baby-g2-newborn-pushchair-set/p359771

http://celebbabylaundry.com/category/haven-garner-alba-cash/page/4/

Bugaboo Bee £439 plus hood £39 - a favourite of the London and New York based celebrities, this is a great lightweight city pushchair. Sienna Miller has the All Black Special Edition Bee, while Victoria Beckham has the same model with yellow and pink hoods for her daughter.

http://www.johnlewis.com/bugaboo-bee-stroller-and-base/p231441557

http://www.growingyourbaby.com/2012/10/07/sienna-miller-dotes-over-her-daughter/

Uppababy Vista £629.95 - again this is very popular in the US, with Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Jessica Parker choosing it for their offspring. It has a massive basket for any shopaholics out there...

http://www.johnlewis.com/uppababy-vista-pushchair-mica-silver/p231579630

http://www.totsnob.com/2012/11/uppababy-vista-the-newest-it-stroller.html

icandy Peach £595 - if it's good enough for Harper Beckham...although icandy made one exclusively in lilac for her that isn't available to the rest of us!

http://www.icandyworld.com/uk/en/products/peach_pushchair

http://www.celebritybabyscoop.com/2012/04/17/harper

Nuna Pepp £200 - seeing Miranda Kerr's gorgeous baby Flynn in one of these made me want one! Shame her supermodel figure doesn't come with it though...

http://www.johnlewis.com/nuna-pepp-pushchair-night/p231585187

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2241612/Miranda-Kerr-steps-second-day-running-carrying-floral-Prada-bag--baby-Flynn.html

Mima Kobi £950 - the sleek, modern pushchairs from Mima are relatively new to the market, but we will probably be seeing a lot more of them as various celebrities snap them up! Lily Allen is rumoured to have chosen this for her new baby Marnie.

http://www.thinkbaby.co.uk/buggy-showroom/new-rival-to-icandy-and-bugaboo-get-a-first-look-at-the-mima-buggies/4523.html

Stokke Xplory £829 - another celebrity favourite due to it's stylish design, the USP of this pushchair is the high seat, which keeps your baby closer to you. Chantelle Houghton has one of these for her baby Dolly (don't let that put you off!) but action man Bruce Willis has also been seen pushing his daughter Mabel in one.

http://www.mamasandpapas.com/product-stokke-xplory-beige/210204200/type-i/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2197342/Bruce-Willis-57-gets-baby-stroller-daughter-Mabel.html

Happy shopping!

x

Activity time

After a few weeks getting to know each other, I felt that baby J and I should get on the baby social scene. This isn't unlike the dating scene - you have to put yourself out there and if you find someone who is on your wavelength then ask them out for a coffee! Classes are a great way to make new friends and give a bit of structure to your week. There are a variety of different classes out there, so it is just a case of finding something that both you and your baby enjoy. You can often trial a class before signing up to the full number of sessions, which is a good idea as you can see if you like it before spending any money. I have tried quite a few different classes which vary in cost and content so hopefully some of my experiences will help you decide which is right for you...

Baby massage - this was the first class we did, from when baby J was a few weeks old. It was a great way of bonding and even though baby J was a bit unsure at first, once he got into it he seemed to enjoy himself! It is also nice to add this to their bedtime routine as massage seems to relax a lot of babies, especially if they have colic. We did a private class as a group of four at a friend's house, and a lady from a company called Blossom and Berry came to teach us for a four week course. Baby massage is a popular activity and so there are lots of different classes running at various venues, wherever you live. Ours cost £40 each but prices obviously vary depending on the length of the course and the location. If your baby has colic or any other issues, you can sometimes get a referral from your health visitor to free massage classes.

Buggybabies - we started Buggybabies classes when baby J was about 12 weeks old. I felt this was a good way for both of us to get some fresh air and for me to get some exercise! There is a lot of gorgeous countryside in the area where we live, and a group of us were put through our paces walking through fields and along footpaths, stopping along the way to do resistance exercises. Our class was run by a very experienced instructor called Jo, who ensured that the exercises were tailored to each individual where necessary, and that all were safe for ladies who had not long given birth! I also attended Jo's Fit4birth Pilates classes when pregnant, and these were also fab. The friends I made through these classes and Buggybabies are all lovely, and we socialise together with and without the babies. Buggy fitness classes are run in most areas and if you are a member of a gym it is worth checking to see if they have any that would be included in your membership. The classes I did are based in the Loughborough area, www.zest4lifeuk.com

Baby swimming - we tried a couple of baby swimming courses and enjoyed both of them. I have to say I preferred the one we did at a lovely hotel as the changing rooms were warm and spacious, as opposed to the first course in a freezing cold primary school! The content of the classes were very similar each week as obviously there is a limited amount you can do with young babies, but included singing, playing and different holds which all got the babies accustomed to the water. Prices are extremely varied on swimming classes - in my area it ranges from about £3.50 per class at the local leisure centre to £13 with a well known franchise.

Baby Sensory - I found these classes lovely for babies, as they are very well thought out with activities that stimulate every sense. Baby J always has a nice long sleep after his baby sensory class which is very welcome! Each class has a different theme so even if you sign up for a year, you shouldn't have the same one repeated. This is a franchise so covers a lot of the UK. The website explains classes in detail, www.babysensory.com.

Surestart Centre classes - if you have a Surestart Centre near you then it is worth checking their timetable to see if they are running any baby groups that are aimed at your baby's age. These are usually free which is a bonus when you are on statutory maternity pay! We used to go to a group called Chatterbabies, aimed at 0-18 months where we sang and a did different activity each week such as hand painting or crafts. This class has now been cancelled and replaced with a similar group called Cherubs. I made some great friends at Chatterbabies and the babies always really enjoyed themselves.

Library groups - check at your local library to see if they offer any sessions for children, as many run story time or singing/playing groups. The class at my library is a mixture of singing and playing (with age appropriate toys, as the children range from approximately 6 months to 4 years). These classes are also free so worth trying out!

Playgroups - worth asking round for recommendations on the best playgroups in your town/village, as this kind of activity tends to rely on word of mouth. I found a lovely playgroup in my village which only costs 50p and includes a cup of tea bought to you - invaluable for mums! It's a nice way of catching up with friends while the babies play.

I found it hard to find anywhere that provided advice on baby activities in my local area, and discovered a lot of information from chatting to other mums. As I have mentioned, Surestart centres are a good place to start, and sometimes notice boards in your doctors surgery may have posters up. Your health visitor might also have suggestions of activities in your area, and www.netmums.com can also be useful.

x

Goodbye handbag, hello changing bag...

One of the things that comes with being a mum is often the loss of your lovely fashionable handbags! They are stashed away and out comes a huge changing bag containing everything your baby could ever need. So it's always a good idea to find yourself a changing bag which fits in with your usual style as much as possible. There are loads out there but watch out, a lot of them are not that cheap. You will probably be using this bag every day for the best part of a year though, so think of it as an investment. I've put together a few ideas below on changing bags and what you should put in them!

Changing bags - the brands I would recommend are Pacapod, Oioi, Storksak and Yummy Mummy. These brands produce practical bags which include changing mats and insulated bottle holders but still provide a touch of style. Depending on your personal taste, you can get simple prints in grey or beige, or cute floral and cupcake prints. These brands can all be bought at John Lewis or good baby boutiques. I also found it helpful to keep an eye out on a website called Achica.com, which has discounts on designer brands. I got a Pacapod and an Oioi bag and paid around half of the usual RRP for each of them.

Changing station or nappy wallet - these are smaller bags that you can take with you if you're popping out quickly, or keep within your changing bag to have everything to hand for a nappy change. Good brands for these are Skip Hop, Yummy Mummy and JJ Cole. Some of them have the changing mat as part of the bag, so you just unfold it and you've got your changing mat there and pockets for your nappies and wipes.

Mini packs of baby wipes - these are a lot less bulky than carrying round the full size packs so take up less room in your bag. Asda do these small travel size packs for around 50p.

Snooze shade - I keep one of these in my changing bag so if baby J wants a sleep while we are out, I can put the shade over his pushchair to ensure it is dark and he doesn't get distracted and grumpy when he is actually just tired! On a recent holiday to Norfolk this worked really well and we managed to have a few lunches out while he slept. Ideal if your baby is nosy or needs darkness to sleep well.

Small toys - it's always a good idea to keep a couple of toys in your changing bag and when your baby gets bored you can whip one of them out. I like the mini Lamaze toys and Nuby toys (which you can pick up from supermarkets and are often on offer). Colourful links will often entertain babies for a while and can be bought for less than £5.

These are just a few of the things that I would always keep in my bag - I haven't mentioned the obvious like a change of clothes, muslins etc! If I have missed your 'must have' let me know...