Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
DAILY BLOG COMP: #WIN Bundle of Munchkin Bathtime Goodies *DAY 13*
Today's amazing prize is a wonderful bath time bundle from the lovely people over at Munchkin - manufacturer of clever products designed to make parents’ lives easier and more exciting. Munchkin know it’s the little things that make the biggest difference which is why their products have made such an impact on parents and resulted in many industry awards.
Founded in 1991, Munchkin's big idea was to rid the world of tired and mundane products by developing clever, innovative solutions that excite and delight families - making parenting safer, easier and more fun. We've been a fan since Little E was born so we are so excited to offer such a lovely prize!
We have a Munchkin bath bundle up for grabs today... To enter, just use the rafflecopter entry form below...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, 28 February 2011
Review: Sleepyhead
A couple of months ago I was at my wits end, Little E just wasn't sleeping well on a regular mattress. During the day I would let her fall asleep on a pillow but I was conscious that I couldn't let her lie on a pillow at night because of the risks of suffocation. I scoured the Internet and eventually came across the Sleepyhead pillow. So impressed by it's claims and feeling that it would be the perfect solution to our problems I did emailed Sleepyhead to find out more and to ask if they would be willing to let me review this product here on the blog.
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| Little E meets Sleepyhead - DAY 1 |
Obviously Little E is now 6 months old but ideally you would want to use the Sleepyhead from birth....luckily Little E took to it straight away. Day or night, home or away, Little E always sleeps in the comfort of her Sleepyhead.It's great if you travel a lot because it's light enough to take with you and it comes in a zip case so you can keep it nice and clean. Whether you're heading to Grandma's house or even on your holidays you can be safe in the knowledge that your baby won't be disturbed by unfamiliar surroundings because she'll be sleeping in her Sleepyhead.
The great thing is - not only can it be used as a baby bed - it's also ideal for tummy time play too. You just put baby on the Sleepyhead with the rounded bumper under your baby’s chest and armpits with her arms in front and you're ready to go!
The Verdict...
I'm so upset that I have only just found the magical Sleepyhead! It would have been ideal for both Mister A and Little E from birth. Unfortunately I only discovered Sleepyhead when Little E was 20 weeks old but she absolutely loves it and it fits perfectly in to her swinging crib. We are just about to move her in to her 'big cot' but the Sleepyhead will be moving with her so we know that there won't be any problems. I can not recommend this highly enough - in fact I love it so much that I may even start a campaign for some UK suppliers to stock the Sleepyhead.
About the Sleepyhead...
MANY NEEDS, ONE PRODUCT
Versatility and quality are other keywords when it comes to the Sleepyhead®. As
parents, we’re swamped with accessories and gadgets, all claiming to be
the solution to a potential problem of ours. However, most of these are
normally the solution to one problem only. Versatility and quality
equals sustainability and longevity, and the Sleepyhead® is truly
multifunctional. It’s equally great for sleeping, resting and waking,
as it can be used as a play pod as well as a tummy time aid. Supervised
tummy time is essential from day one. The benefits of tummy time are
many and crucial: the baby’s development of motor control and planning,
sensory integration, environmental awareness, and postural strength.
But far from all babies enjoy tummy time. Many babies seem miserable in
this position and may cry or even refuse to lift up their head.
Parents
find that giving their baby a new perspective - by propping him on a
Sleepyhead® - makes all the difference. Simply place him with the
rounded bumper under his chest and arms with his arms in front of it.
This position also allows for play!
SLEEPING, ALONE OR TOGETHER
The
Sleepyhead® and its protective sides facilitate correct physiological
back positioning whilst preventing the baby from rolling out of bed,
hitting his head against the headboard, getting caught between the bed
and the wall, or wriggling down under the covers.The sides
also prevent the parents from rolling on top of the baby. Yet, the
sides are comfy enough for the parent to have his/her arm over the side
to pat and reassure.
The firm Sleepyhead mattress reduces the risk of suffocation, unlike soft adult mattresses. Placement at adult head level reduces overheating from adult bedding and body heat. Most
cots and cribs are not snug enough for the newborn. By slipping the
Sleepyhead® in as an insert, the baby sleeps snug and safe. And when
it’s time to move from the parents’ bed or the bassinet to a big cot,
the transition is easy with the Sleepyhead as you bring it along.
Again, a familiar surrounding for the baby, with a smell and feel he
recognizes.
And when bringing the Sleepyhead with you
on trips, you do not have to worry about the condition of the cots and
mattresses provided by the hotel.
THE CLIMATE ASPECT, NEAR AND FAR
Lastly,
the climate in the world is important, but equally important is the
micro climate surrounding your baby. A lot of research has been put
into selecting the optimal breathable materials for babies. The
Sleepyhead® has anti-dustmite, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
properties, whilst being machine washable.
The Sleepyhead is not yet available in the UK but you can order it direct from the manufacturer. To find out more information or to purchase the amazing Sleepyhead for yourself you can visit the Sleepyhead website or join the Sleepyhead Facebook page.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Does My Baby Have Meningitis? Our Worst Week
This time last week I was preparing for a second night in hospital with Little E. You may have noticed I haven't been around much. We had an absolute nightmare of a week last week with our poor little baby. After she had her first trial day at the nursery over 2 weeks ago, Little E had suffered with a gunky eye which I had assumed was conjunctivitis.
I took her to the GP the very next day and he took a look, he said it was fine and nothing to worry about so we left without treatment. A couple of days later she developed a cough and was struggling to sleep because of her blocked nose so I took her to the Health Centre - just for peace of mind. He just said it was viral and we should just treat her with Calpol and Ibuprofen. She remained the same for over a week and I returned to work last Monday. She was well in herself, just bunged up. On Tuesday however, whilst I was at work I was told that she had slept for most of the day and when I got her home she was not herself at all. Here's how it all unfolded...
Tuesday
It's 8.00pm and Little E has been really sleepy today. She's been snuffly for a couple of weeks and she's had runny eyes but the GP had told us it was just a virus and nothing to worry about. Since I got back from work though she's been drowsy, I can wake her but she's not herself and she goes straight off to sleep. I go online at consult NHS Direct and submit a form filling out Little E's details including her date of birth and a nurse calls me back 5 minutes later. She asks lots of questions - does she have a rash? are her lips blue? and then she says she will have a doctor call me back. 5 minutes later our local out of hours GP calls me and he suggests I bring her to the Health Centre in 20 minutes. Mister A is in bed so Chris stays home with him and I call my mum to ask her to come with me.
8.40pm We arrive at the health centre and the GP calls us straight through. He asks me to undress Little E and after examining her says he 'doesn't like the look of her' and wants to send her to paediatrics immediately. I start to panic - our local doctors usually just send you off with a tissue so I fear that there is something seriously wrong. She's now developed a rash on her tummy but it does disappear when touched. The health centre is based at the local hospital so we get sent round to Children's A&E. We are greeted by a nurse who asks me to undress Little E fully so that she can be weighed. She's 15lb 5oz she whimpers as I re-dress her and begins to cough. Her temperature is over 40 degrees. We are asked to return to the busy waiting room where other sick and injured children sit patiently.
9.30pm Little E's name is called and we are not taken to the usual cubicles, instead we are taken straight through to an assessment ward. We sit there waiting and we are asked to collect a urine sample. After taking her nappy off we have to hold the sample pot underneath her - nothing will make her go - we tickle her, blow on her tummy, try to make her giggle... no wee. Eventually after over an hour I decide to 'fashion' a nappy out of some paper towels and she immediately wees all over my hand. It was the first time I had laughed since I arrived home and I feel guilty for making light of a terrible situation.The sample is then taken off for testing.
10.45pm We see an F2 who examines Little E. She suspects it's something viral but bleeps the Senior paediatrician for his opinion. When he arrives at around 11.30pm, he examines her and says that the assessment ward closes at midnight. He's not sure what is wrong with her but as she is having trouble maintaining her own temperature he decides to admit her. He sees that I'm worried and tries to put my mind at ease - "Don't worry, if you had brought her in earlier then she would have been able to go home - we just need to monitor her for a bit longer so it's just easier to admit her and check on her through the night." I feel better knowing that it's just a precautionary measure.
Wednesday
10.45pm We see an F2 who examines Little E. She suspects it's something viral but bleeps the Senior paediatrician for his opinion. When he arrives at around 11.30pm, he examines her and says that the assessment ward closes at midnight. He's not sure what is wrong with her but as she is having trouble maintaining her own temperature he decides to admit her. He sees that I'm worried and tries to put my mind at ease - "Don't worry, if you had brought her in earlier then she would have been able to go home - we just need to monitor her for a bit longer so it's just easier to admit her and check on her through the night." I feel better knowing that it's just a precautionary measure.
Wednesday
12.30am My Dad arrives to take my mum home and brings 'supplies' - in the panic though he picks up size 1 nappies! Bless him. I open up the fold up bed but I know I won't be getting much sleep - Little E is really clingy now and won't settle.
1.00am The nurse comes to check her obs and warns me that the doctor is on her way in to take some bloods. When the doctor arrives I have just managed to settle Little E but that all goes out the window once they use one of those punch things to prick her heel and start to squeeze 2 vials of blood out of her.
I spend the next couple of hours trying to get Little E off to sleep, she won't settle so the nurse brings a massive old Silver Cross coach built pram and I try to rock her to sleep in that. Every time I think she's in a deep sleep she wakes when I try and climb in to my bed.
3.50am I manage about 10 minutes sleep before the 2 doctors and a nurse burst in to the room.and turn the lights on. I can hardly focus on what's being said as my eyes try to re-adjust under the fluorescent lighting. "We need to do a lumbar puncture immediately and get a canular in her now." They explain that the blood results have come back and they are showing bacteria in Little E's bloodstream which could mean she has meningitis. They recommend that I wait in the room whilst they do the procedure as usually parents find it too distressing to watch. In the panic I agree and soon I am sat alone with tears streaming down my face. I try to call Chris but he must be in a deep sleep so I call my mum.which makes me worse. I haven't even asked if there could be complications. The clock slowly ticks over and I can hear my baby screaming down the corridor.
4.20am Little E is brought back to the room with her arm bandaged. The canular is in and she's had her first dose of IV antibiotics but because she is so upset they ask me to try and settle her before they do the lumbar puncture. Nothing will calm her down and even when I try to breastfeed she only wants to cry. Eventually she calms down, only to be whisked away again to have the fluid taken from her spine. I try Chris again and this time he answers, he sobs as I tell him what's going on. We are both scared and fear the worst, although we know that she is in good hands.
4.45am My baby is finally returned to me, the lumbar puncture has been done but she's been screaming so much that her little voice has started to break. The nurse says I have to keep her flat for the next 5 hours otherwise Little E will suffer from an awful headache. How are you supposed to calm a baby down if you have to keep them flat? I'm allowed to hold her in my arms but I can't rock her like I normally would. and she still wont settle. I have now gone 23 hours without sleep and I can feel my own body starting to shut down. As I try to soothe my daughter I start to feel dizzy and fall back on to the bed. I buzz the nurse. She insists on taking Little E out of the room in the pram so that I can rest. I feel so guilty but I know I need to sleep to be strong for my baby.
6.30am The nurse brings Little E back to me, she's managed some sleep too but she's hungry now. I lie her next to me on the fold up bed and feed her. After half an hour she finally drifts off in to a deep sleep and I move her in to her bed before closing my own eyes and drifting off.
9.30am We are awoken by the doctors returning to the room. I'm still dizzy from lack of sleep and having slept in my contact lenses I can hardly see. They explain that the results of the lumbar puncture have come back and Little E does not have Meningitis. I feel like a weight has been lifted, I'm so relieved. The doctors explain that they are still unclear about what is causing Little E to be so ill and they are now growing cultures on the spinal fluid, the blood and eye swabs to see what grows. In the meantime they will continue to pump the IV antibiotics in to her to try and cure whatever it is that's wrong. I call everyone to let them know but then start to wonder what exactly is happening to my baby maybe the chest X-Ray will tell us more.
12.30pm We head to the X-Ray department for Little E's chest X-Ray where we have a 40 minute wait before we are called in. I have to put on a massive heavy pinafore to keep me safe whilst I hold Little E still. She's still not herself and she cries as I hold her in place.
2.00pm Little E is still unable to control her own temperature. She remains only in her nappy and is given Calpol and Ibuprofen alternately every few hours. Her nose is still streaming and she keeps wiping her nose on the bandages on her arm that cover her canular. She's tugging at her arm too.
5.00pm Finally Little E smiles and I start to relax - she seems a lot more settled now the antibiotics have started to kick in. We have visits from Mister A and Daddy and Grandma and Grandad and the play lady comes in with some bits to keep us entertained. The chest X-Ray has also come back clear so the doctors still don't know what's going on. We prepare for our second night in hospital.
Thursday
5.00am The nurse comes in with her torch to administered another dose of antibiotics. Little E has been up and down through the night and I have had to feed her at least 5 times. Her nose is still blocked so she can't take a full feed.
9.00am Another nurse and more antibiotics. When this nurse checks the canular though - it's not good news - Little E has somehow managed to pull the canular completely out of her arm. Luckily it was noticed straight away or it could have bled out. We are now faced with another canular insertion and I decide that this time I will go with her.
12.00pm We've been waiting for hours for the doctors to come and collect us. I'd rather get it out of the way and get the antibiotics back in to her as soon as possible. Eventually they arrive and we are lead in to a side room where 2 doctors, 3 nurses and a play member are waiting. I lie her down on the bed and she seems content until they start gripping her wrist. They struggle to find her veins. They can't put it back in the left hand so they try her right. I watch as the needle goes in to her hand and she screams in pain but then the doctor says it's not in her vein and takes it straight back out. He struggles to locate a new site and then decides on her left foot - the same foot that they took blood from on our first night. Eventually it's complete and I cuddle her in my arms to settle her. Her leg is now in a splint to stop this one from coming out and it's bandaged quite heavily.
5.00pm I start to get grumpy because I've not been eating properly - the canteen sandwiches leave a lot to be desired - and I force my mum to bring me in a McDonalds when the nurse confirms we are staying another night. Luckily Little E seems a lot brighter. We're told the culture results should be back in the morning and depending on the outcome I can take my baby home. It will be nice to get things back to normal. The past few days have seemed unreal.
Friday
10.00pm The Doctor comes to reveal the results. The cultures were clear. I feel guilty now for allowing the lumbar puncture when it was un-necessary but I know it had to be done. They explain that it was probably a combination of septic tonsillitis, flu and an eye infection (all missed by the first doctors at our surgery). The infections took over her body and caused the massive rise in temperature. We will be allowed to go home later today.
3.00pm We are finally discharged with oral antibiotics and eye drops. Little E looks so much better already and the doctors have told me to send her to nursery to get her back in to her normal routine. I'm so glad the nightmare is over and we are excited to be home again with the boys.
It's been over a week now and Little E still can't shake her snuffles but she's a million times better and she's happy. The nightmare week has gone but won't ever be forgotten and I hope that we never ever have to go through anything like that ever again.
For more information on Meningitis please see the NHS website.
Monday, 7 February 2011
Back To Work After Baby
As you read this I'll be sat at my new desk at work. I'll have been up since 6.00am to ensure that I can be showered and dressed before I wake the children. I'd laid their clothes out ready to avoid the usual 'why are there only odd socks?' panic. The baby bag is packed, the bottles sterilised and ready to go.
The nursery opens at 8.00am so I'll have left at 7.40 to make sure I get there as the door opens - otherwise I won't make it to work on time through the heavy traffic. I'll probably have shed a tear as I left through the big heavy door of the nursery as I embarked on my first journey to work since Little E was born.
It's only been 6 months but it feels like a lifetime since I was sat at my computer all day. Saying that though, it doesn't feel like I've actually been off for six months either - my mind must be playing tricks again. The time has passed far too quickly, I only wish that I could have taken a full year out but we're just not in a position to do that.
So I'm back to work, already, it's all gone too fast. I'm having to start a new job too so I'm going to be like the new girl at school. It's 10 o'clock now so I'm probably still struggling to connect to the network - that's if I've even managed to login. The day will be a blur . I know that my heart will be breaking thinking about my babies at the nursery but I'll cope, of course I will... I'm a mum and that's just what mums do... but it doesn't stop the sadness that I'm feeling inside.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Tried & Tested: Great Toys for Babies...
Infantino Jungle Buddies Explore & Store Travel Gym
Super-soft travel activity gym with bold animal patterns and hanging toys to stimulate baby’s senses and keep them entertained. Suitable from birth.
Little E loves to lie on her back and watch hit her hand against the arch to watch the animals wobble. She can't actually reach the animals to play with them as they are just a touch to high so we sometimes add additional toys on to the arch that she can reach. This is a great travel toy - it folds in to a plastic carry case and we tend to leave it in the car boot when it's not in use so that wherever we might end up Little E always has something to play with.
Lindam Bounce About Plus Door Bouncer
(Amazon.co.uk £23.95)Designed to give children the freedom and independence to stand upright whilst being fully supported, they provide a new sensation and perspective of the world for babies. Suitable for babies old enough to support their head, until they can walk.
What did we think?
Little E loves this. It took a bit of getting used to at first and she wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but once she figured out that she was in control she was bouncing away. I think she enjoyed being upright and not being held by someone. She didn't even get fed up or bored like she does with other toys and of course Mister A thought it was hilarious so then he wanted a go. Try explaining to a 3 year old that his sister can have fun with something but he can't! A great buy, a good price and it can be handed down as your family grows.
Blossom Farm Deluxe Sit Me Up Cosy
(£45.00 ELC.co.uk)
As well as being a clever two-in-one supportive play nest and prop to help your growing baby sit up, this deluxe sit-me-up has a removable play arch and tummy-time pillow to give your baby even more options to learn, move, play and develop. Use one cushion or stack the two cushions together for greater upright support for older babies.
What did we think?
This is a great play toy that will last from birth and beyond. When your baby is young it can be used as shown in the picture - with the 'flower shaped mat' nestled in the inflatable ring (which is actually in two separate parts.) As your baby gets older you can lay your baby on the mat with the mini pillow for some tummy time and then when your baby is old enough to start trying to sit you stack the to parts of the inflatable ring on top of each other as a support. Great baby toy and although quite costly it will last.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Victoria is Pregnant! Will It Be A Girl for the Beckhams?
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| Picture sourced from DailyMail.co.uk |
Another celeb pregnancy has been announced! David & Victoria have announced that they are expecting their 4th child in the Summer.
Congratulations to them! They already have 3 boys Brooklyn (11) Romeo (8) and Cruz, (5) and it is reported that they are crossing their fingers for that longed for baby girl.
The Beckham's have said they're excited about a baby brother or sister for the boys but it has got me thinking about a programme I watched several months ago. It was about women that are so desperate to have a baby of a certain sex. There was a woman that had 6 boys and she was pregnant with her 7th child. We saw her lie down and await the results of her scan, when it was revealed that the lady was carrying yet another boy the woman cried her heart out. She was so upset and so desperate to have a girl.
I'm told that I'm lucky that I now have 'one of each' and I guess it's impossible to know how I'd feel if I was in a similar situation but is having one of each sex really the perfect outcome? Surely having children of the same sex makes the financial burden less - siblings can share clothes and toys and maybe even have a greater bond. In my heart I believe I am lucky to have such beautiful children but I really don't think I'd mind whether they were boys or girls.
What do you think? How has your family panned out so far? Are you longing for a baby of the opposite sex?
Congratulations to them! They already have 3 boys Brooklyn (11) Romeo (8) and Cruz, (5) and it is reported that they are crossing their fingers for that longed for baby girl.
The Beckham's have said they're excited about a baby brother or sister for the boys but it has got me thinking about a programme I watched several months ago. It was about women that are so desperate to have a baby of a certain sex. There was a woman that had 6 boys and she was pregnant with her 7th child. We saw her lie down and await the results of her scan, when it was revealed that the lady was carrying yet another boy the woman cried her heart out. She was so upset and so desperate to have a girl.
I'm told that I'm lucky that I now have 'one of each' and I guess it's impossible to know how I'd feel if I was in a similar situation but is having one of each sex really the perfect outcome? Surely having children of the same sex makes the financial burden less - siblings can share clothes and toys and maybe even have a greater bond. In my heart I believe I am lucky to have such beautiful children but I really don't think I'd mind whether they were boys or girls.
What do you think? How has your family panned out so far? Are you longing for a baby of the opposite sex?
Thursday, 9 December 2010
What To Do If Your Baby Has A Cold
Steam
One of the easiest things to do for your baby is sit with them in a steamy room. Run yourself a hot bath and sit with your little one in the bathroom for quarter of an hour and let her inhale the moist air. It should help
loosen any congestion and may help if she has sore throat. Proper humidification is
important for children since because they have smaller nostrils and therefore they get bunged up more easily.
If that all sounds too much like hard work then you can actually buy a humidifier like this one from Vicks.
They can help to
reduce the survival of flu viruses and ease conditions such as a dry nose,
throat, eyes and skin discomfort.
Use Saline Nose Drops I discovered Saline nose drops when Mister A was a baby. It's about the only thing that your doctor can give you to help with the snuffles. Now that the NHS Minor Ailments scheme is in place you can just pop to your local participating chemist and pick these up from them. We're always nipping in to our local chemist for Calpol and the likes - it's free - and you don't have to waste time trying to book an appointment with the doctor.
Rest
Make sure your little one gets plenty of rest - don't over exert them and let them sleep for longer if necessary. If your baby is drowsy and un-alert though, then seek medical help immediately. Always make sure that your baby is at a comfortable temperature. It can be tempting to add an extra blanket when they are unwell but that can do more harm than good.
Prop Up The Mattress
Mister A was forever getting a cold when he was a baby and we found that putting a couple of towels under the head of his mattress really helped him with his little nose during the night.
Hydration
Make sure your baby gets plenty of fluid - for young babies that's just breast milk or formula but once you baby gets to 4 months you can give them a little cooled boiled water if needed.
Cuddles
As usual the best medicine for making your little one feel better is plenty of cuddles and TLC and hopefully your little one will be back to her normal self in a matter of days. x
Thursday, 2 December 2010
How cute does Little E look in this dress!
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| Little E in her Next Outfit |
A couple of weeks ago I was hunting around for a dress for Little E to wear to her Grandpa's 60th birthday party. There were lots of dresses out there but non that really caught my eye. Eventually I stopped by the Next website where I found this little beauty - the Pink Party Dress. Isn't it just adorable! Perfect for Christmas too and at only £22 for the shrug and the dress it's a complete bargain. They even have little pram shoes to match.
Monday, 22 November 2010
New Mums Working Wardrobes: Persil Colour Survey Results
A study has revealed more than half of working mums feel intimidated by fashion forward younger work colleagues, and a quarter of mums also say they are frequently overlooked in favour of more fashionable work mates.
Shockingly 44 per cent of working mothers even said they had been overlooked for promotion because of the way they looked.
A self-conscious 26 per cent said they would be more confident in their approach to their work if they looked better.
The poll by Persil Colour also revealed that 44 per cent of women admitted to feeling very self-conscious in the clothes they wear to the office and feel completely stuck in a rut when it comes to fashion.
Over a third of working mums said they were really envious of their single colleagues who are often more stylish and get further in their careers as a result.
For 54 per cent of working mums the main reason for feeling insecure was being over-weight. Followed by 49 per cent saying they just don’t feel trendy.
However, award winning personal stylist Lisa Talbot, claims that it doesn’t have to be this way; ‘Despite the pressures of time and money, working mums should not feel that they don’t have the confidence to experiment with different looks and accessories.
‘’My advice would be to invest a little and create a simple capsule ‘working wardrobe’ of basics, suitable for helping you dress the part in any kind of workplace.’’
The Persil Colour poll also discovered that one in five working women said that fashion was a main topic of conversation in the office.
And as a consequence a whopping 60 per cent of the 2000 working mums polled said that a roomful of women created lots of competition when it comes to working wardrobes.
Dani Ross Brand Manager for Persil said: ‘Working mums have a lot on their plates and sometimes keeping up with the latest trends is the last thing on their minds.
‘’Persil small and mighty Colour enables busy mums to keep their capsule wardrobe items looking brighter and better for longer, meaning they can invest in key basic items and remain confident that their favourite pieces will last all season”.
The working mum ‘uniform’ was found to be smart trousers with a v-neck top, worn by 59% of respondents on most days.
An honest 23 per cent of women said they never get their figure back after having children which has impacted on the clothes they wear to work.
And over a quarter (26 per cent) reckon despite every attempt to avoid being frumpy after pregnancy it can tend to creep up on you after having children.
It’s no wonder working mothers are feeling left behind in the fashion stakes when 29 per cent of them never have the chance to go clothes shopping on their own.
Nearly half (48 per cent) of mums who work full-time said it takes too much time and effort to go clothes shopping and they are usually too exhausted to attempt it.
Most (28 per cent) of the 2000 working mums who took part in the poll only managed to go shopping for new gear four times a year.
Two thirds of stressed out mums said they would never attempt to go clothes shopping with their children in tow.
And it’s got so extreme that 37 per cent of career mums have turned down an invitation to a work do because they felt they had nothing to wear.
So there you have it. It seems us new mums are all in the same boat!
What are your thoughts on going back to work after baby?
For more information and some top fashion advice for working mums from award winning personal stylist, Lisa Talbot, head to www.lisatalbot.co.uk. For more advice and tips on how to maintain your capsule wardrobe and help your clothes stay bright visit www.persil.com.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Tried & Tested: Christmas Gifts for Babies and Children
Fisher Price
Precious Planet Projection Mobile (RRP £49.99)
This enchanting cot-attaching mobile entertains baby with a charming music and light show projected onto the ceiling. Ideal for keeping baby entertained, or for soothing baby to sleep.
What our reviewer said...
"Little E is 3 months old and she absolutely loves staring at the projection and listening to the music while the animals rotate. She kicks her legs in excitement! When we want her to go off to sleep we press the heartbeat sound and that 'usually' sends her off. It is quite heavy though so if you're using it on a swinging crib then make sure it's locked in to place!"
Chicco
Super Rocking Rings (RRP £9.99)
These six coloured rings provide endless stacking and knocking down fun for babies nine months and older, helping to promote motor skills and hand/eye coordination.
What our reviewer said...
"L is 10 months old and can get bored easily but he loves playing with these stacking rings. He pushes them and they rock back and forth making him giggle. He hasn't quite got the hang of stacking the rings in the right order yet but he claps when we help him and the green ball goes on top. A great gift at a good price."
Klappar Elefant - Set of 2 (RRP £12.99)
Everyone loves soft toys and this Klappar Elefant Set is just adorable. For every soft toy sold from their store, IKEA donates €1 to UNICEF and Save the Children, who are ensuring more children around the world can go to school. That's enough to buy writing materials for a child to last a whole month. (see site for more details). So why not help another child when you're buying for your own?
What our reviewer said...
"This is THE cutest soft toy set I have ever seen. We're not usually a fan of soft toys in our house, they tend to just sit on shelves and clutter the place up, but these are just too soft and cuddly to be put away. My 3 year old loves them and has been using the big elephant as a snuggle pillow. Even better they can be machine washed and they are safe for children from birth meaning these little elephants can become friends for life."
VTech
Splash and Sing Submarine (Amazon.co.uk £24.99)
The Splash and Sing Submarine is a fun interactive bath toy featuring fun sea characters. Watch the water squirt from the funnels in time with the music. Press the buttons to learn numbers 1-2-3, colours and sea animals through fun phrases, melodies and a sing-song song. Built-in motion sensor activates melodies and sounds when the submarine is taken out of the water.
What our reviewer said...
"This is, by far, the best bath toy I have ever encountered. I was amazed that a battery operated toy could even go in the bath to be honest but it worked brilliantly. My kids absolutely loved the water spurting out of the top and it made bath time even more of a giggle-fest than usual. It sings, it sprays and it teaches them too - they love it, I love it - except for the fact that I got sprayed in the eye! Pricey for a bath toy but well worth every penny."
OXO
Whale Pail (Amazon.co.uk £20.00)
Designed to make life easy for Mum and Dad and enjoyable for the little ones, the Whale features a wide mouth that easily scoops up bath time toys in one go and stores them ready for the next round of fun in the tub. The soft, non-slip handle means the kids can help with the cleaning up - learning that a tidy bathroom is a happy bathroom!
What our reviewer said...
"Before we were sent this to review the kids had seen the picture and assumed that the whale pail came with the letters so they had gotten quite excited . When it arrived it was just the whale pail on it's own. Cue tears! Anyway it was still fun in the bath - well at least for one of them - James decided he was using the whale to eat up all Jess's bath toys! I'd say it's more of a gift for mums to make tidying up easier than a gift for the kids and therefore I'd say it's quite pricey at £20.00. But I must say it did a very good job of staying on the wall - usually things like that drop off easily!"
For the Kids...
EZ Fort
(RRP £34.99)
The EZ-Fort 54 piece kit is a framework building system that uses spheres and tubes that connect together to create anything imaginable. Building with EZ-Fort is easy and fun. Just push the colour coded lengths of tube into the connecting spheres to create a den, boat, plane or whatever you can imagine. Drape over asheet or beach towel (not included) and anything is possible.
What our reviewer said..."We were so excited when this arrived and we quickly got to work unwrapping the tubes and 'balls'. We made the 'house' from the front of the box and through a sheet over the top. The children loved it. It was a little wobbly but it did stay up. Daddy loved it because it teaches them 'the rules of building structures! It's quite small though so we're going to buy another set and build a big 'un!"
What our reviewer said...
"Mister A is always trying to use our camera so when this arrived we were sooo happy. It's great for his little fingers and he's been using it almost everyday since he arrived. Poor Little E is so used to the camera that she smiles on tap! You can also play games on it and alter the videos and images too - like adding a moustache to daddy's face! Available in pink or blue - this would make a great Christmas gift but don't be put off by the RRP - there are lots of offers on this at the moment so check on the web before you buy!"
Trunki
Freddie the Fire Engine (Amazon.co.uk £32.95)
Another great product from Trunki, the children's luggage company – Freddie the Fire Engine! With the unflappable Freddie at his side your little hero can calm any crisis. Complete with helmet and axe, no adventure will be too big or too small!
"We have never had the pleasure of owning a Trunki before although Mister A has had a go at one in a shop before and cried because we wouldn't buy it for him! He was so excited when he saw it - he's really in to Fireman Sam at the moment so this was like a dream come true - it even comes with a fireman's helmet and an axe ( not a real one obviously!) It was smaller than I imagined which is a good thing considering I've been pulling Mister A around the house on it ever since it arrived! It's great, sturdy and lots of fun - a little pricey but your kids will love it!"
Postman Pat
Triple DVD Box Set (RRP £14.99)
With his new and demanding job as Head of the Special Delivery Service, it’s Postman Pat as you’ve never seen him before. This well-deserved promotion means that Postman Pat will now be called on by the SDS to deliver anything, anytime, anywhere! With his faithful companion Jess the Cat, Pat proves that he can be relied on to deliver… on time, every time!
What our reviewer said...
"Postman Pat has come along way since I watched it back in the 80s but it was great sitting down to watch it with the boys. Although it's different from the original series, the essence of the programme remains the same as do my favourite characters! I know I'm supposed to reviewing for the children but I love Postman Pat too! We giggled through all 18 episodes (on 3 DVDs) - and would definitely recommend this as a gift for children and adults!"
Salter Kids In The Kitchen Baking Set
The Salter Kids In The Kitchen Baking Set offers children a great way to learn how to bake, whilst having plenty of fun. Its comes complete with vibrant equipment to appeal to all children. This baking set comes equipped with a mixing bowl, a sieve, a rolling pin and cutters.
"We love to cook in our house but we always just use my old baking equipment. Sara just loved having her very own set - it's encouraged her to want to bake more and more and we've made some great biscuits and cakes since this arrived. It's a lovely set, a great size for kids little hands but still big enough to do the job in hand - I just wish they we're self cleaning!"
Walltastic
Wall Art (RRP from £34.99)
Walltastic’s unique, colourful and highly detailed wallpaper murals are loved by children of all ages and give any wall the “wow” factor- the perfect Christmas gift and an ideal family DIY project for any bedroom, playroom or nursery! The range includes characters such as Roary the Racing Car, Fifi, Spider Man, Peppa Pig, Ben10 as well as fabulous scenes like Space Adventures and Magical Fairies.
What our reviewer said...
"When this arrived I was dreading the immense task of putting up, what is essentially, wall-paper. I'm certainly no decorator but I soldiered on for the sake of the kids and I am proud to say that I did a fantastic job. I would never have thought to buy something like this as a gift but seeing how much the kids loved the excitement of it all I'd certainly recommend it. You just lay out the sheets on the floor (they're all numbered) and then put them up in order. It's easy to do but you will need to buy your own paste. Well worth the money."
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Vote for me please - Zippy Snow Suit Invention
I've named it the 'Zippy Snowsuit'.
It's a baby snow suit that has a zip around the edges rather that at the front. You just lay your baby on it and zip it round her (like a baby sleeping bag). It would save me soooo much time.
If you think it's a good idea then please, please please, click here and 'like' my invention.
Thanks Peeps!
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
10 Year Old Girl Gives Birth
10 years old.. I can not begin to imagine what will happen to this girl, or her baby for that matter. I thought I was young giving birth at 24!
This poor girl, a child herself, has had to go through such a traumatic experience before she has even fully developed in to a woman herself. A child giving birth to a child is wrong on so many levels.
Her mother is apparently delighted by the birth of her Grandchild, even claiming that her daughter was living with her boyfriend back in their home country.
I'd never even kissed a boy when I was 10, never mind been shacked up and impregnanted. I find the whole story disgusting and I can not believe that a parent could allow this to happen. The girls 'boyfriend' is reported to be a minor himself so clearly they were living together with parental permission.
I can not find any other words at this time. I just wish the poor girl well and hope that her life can be as normal as possible given the circumstances.
Friday, 29 October 2010
A Spooky Prediction!
I'd booked myself in to see one of the visiting psychics that come in to work as part of the frivolity.
I'm always a bit dubious about things like that but it was all in the name of fun!
I sat down and shuffled the cards and then one by one they were turned over and the predictions began. Soon I was giggling away until...
"Are you trying to get pregnant at the moment?"
"Erm.. not really!"
"Well you'll be pregnant by Christmas and you'll have a baby girl in the Summer."
Cue hysterical laughing... "I'd better tell my boss then that she needs to get some maternity cover sorted then!"
At the end of the reading, I went back to work laughing it off with all of my friends. Another friend had been told that she would leave work, open up a fancy dress shop and then emigrate with a Dolph Lundgren look-a-like! Needless to say none of us imagined that any of this stuff would come true. But then after feeling a little 'under the weather' I decided to do a pregnancy test on 17th December and it was positive!
And the rest, as they say, is history - my beautiful little girl was born this Summer.
Now all I need to worry about is the prediction that I'd have 3 children by 2011 - wish me luck!!
Have you ever visited a psychic? Did any of the predictions come true?
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
What to Expect at Baby's 6 Week Check (by a Grumpy Ranting Mummy)
Yesterday Little E finally got her 6 week check (even though she was 7 weeks and 2 days old).
I just thought I'd tell you how it went and what exactly they do so other mums know what to expect. I must warn you that this post contains mild rants
So here you go...
Little E and I were running 10 minutes late (new mum style) - her feed went on longer than expected and then I couldn't scrabble together the change I needed for the car park - if I could pay with fluff and sweet wrappers I could park for life!
Anyway, we arrived at the surgery and checked in and I was handed a registration form to fill out for Little E, since it was her first visit.
First page wasn't a problem; name, address, date of birth (which I wrote as my own - natch - and then had to correct).
Page 2 - Medical History - erm she was born, now she's come to be checked. End of. Then sign to confirm page 1 details are correct. Fair enough.
Page 3 - How many cigarettes to you smoke on average per week? She's 7 weeks old - what kind of mother do you think I am? Units of alcohol consumed on average per week? - none just boob milk for Little E obviously. I decided to ignore page 3 for obvious reasons: she's a god damn baby you idiot - not a crack smoking, manic depressive junkie!
I handed the form back to the receptionist and told her I'd only filled out the first page and signed the back - she looked at me like I was the stupid one. I sat down.
We were soon called in to see the health visitor. "Just pop her on the bed and take her clothes off." - Errr, a hello would have been nice!
1. The weigh in
Little E was born 7lb 14oz, by 10 days she was 8lb 3oz. She is, to be fair, drinking boob milk like there's no tomorrow so I was expecting her to have gained a few ounces. Imagine my surprise when the scales reveal that she's now 11lb 4!! It actually made me feel proud - my booby milk is obviously doing good stuff. The Health Vistior is amazed and therefore questions if I'm 'topping up' - No I certainly am not - how very dare you!
2. Length measurement
Little E is now completely starkers after having been weighed, but apparently there's no point putting her nappy on yet because we're nearly done - cue massive wee on to the measuring sheet. I lift her up and the HV just folds over the tissue paper and says "let's try again" - How's about we just wait til the area is dry first, rather than lying her on a wee riddled piece of tissue?
I have to hold E's head to stop her wriggling and the measurement comes out at 56cm which I'm told is quite long - we may have the next Elle McPherson on our hands.
3. Head circumference
The tape measure is wrapped around Little E's head and I try and hold her cheeks to keep her still but the tape measure keeps slipping. Eventually we get it right on the 3rd attempt and we see that E's head measures 39cm.
That was it for the health visitor, so I put E's nappy back on. I attempt to get her dressed but I'm told she needs to stay in just her nappy for now. Luckily, I have a blanket with me and I'm ushered back to the waiting room with my car seat, my bag and a half naked baby. Not impressed. I end up giving people dirty looks as they come in to the surgery because they are letting the cold in. In return they look at me like I'm a mad woman that's brought her child out without having dressed her first.
Soon we are called through to see the doctor. "Any problems?" Well yes actually you dopes, you all seem completely unaware that this is a newborn baby - she doesn't have any previous alcohol problems and she certainly doesn't like sitting naked in a cold waiting room. "No, doctor, everything is fine - although she does have a cold at the moment."
4. Eyes
The doctor checks Little E's eyes closely with a light and also makes sure that she can follow it.
5. Baby Soft Spots (fontanelles)
In case you don't know - the fontanelles are the two soft spots on your baby's skull. They allowed your baby to pass through the birth canal. There are 2 soft spots, one at the back of the head which usually closes by about six weeks and one at the front which can take up to 18 months to close fully. (I sounded quite clever then - don't you think?) The doctor just does a quick check to make sure that Little E's are developing and hardening correctly.
6. Breathing
Out came the old stethoscope to check that Little E's heart has a normal rhythm and make sure that she's breathing normally. Everything is ok - she doesn't have a heart murmur like her mummy.
7. Tummy
Next, the doctor checked Little E's tummy for irregularities. This just involved her gently feeling that everything was where it should be.
8. Hips
Doctor then uses a couple of little manoeuvres of Little E's legs to make sure she doesn't have what is known as 'clicky hips'. (Don't try these manoeuvres at home by the way, they're just for babies and Ive since pulled a muscle trying to see if I have a clicky hip!)
9. The 'down below' bits
A quick check by the doctor to make sure everything looks as it should. If you have a little boy then they will check for undescended baby balls (sorry I didn't want to have to say testes!).
10. Skin
The doctor then just has a look at Little E's skin to make sure it's a healthy colour and texture and she looks for any rashes or birthmarks or signs of skin sensitivities but everything is fine.
11. Spine
Finally, I pick Little E up and the doctor checks her spine formation. Everything looks good.
My mood picks up and I can finally get her dressed. She was such a good girl and didn't get upset, despite the prodding, poking and nakedness!
So there you have it. The 6 week check. I've put together some top tips to make sure your baby's 6 week check runs a little smoother than mine...
Tips
- Feed baby before you leave the house. That way she'll be content and happy for her examination.
- Be sure to pack change for the car park, your baby's Health Record book (ours is a little red book) and a blanket to avoid 'naked baby in the waiting area' between seeing the Health Visitor and the Doctor .
- Plan to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment - that way you should arrive there just about on time and avoid the wrath of the evil receptionist!
- Don't expect to be seen on time though - we all know that the other mums will have arrived late for their appointments, therefore your appointment will never be at the time you were given.
- Write down any questions you have about your baby beforehand (feeding etc) - that way you won't forget when you get there - we all know about the trauma that is 'baby brain'!
- Make sure baby is wearing clothes that are easy to remove - the last thing you need when you're rushed is to have loads of buttons to undo.
- Make sure you have a spare nappy and wipes with you so you can change baby once the doctor has finished.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Kids Character Fashion with Tesco *WIN £30 TO SPEND ON TESCO FASHION*
At the moment Mister A is all about character fashion - whether it be Toy Story 3, Thomas the Tank Engine or the likes - if it hasn't got the latest character on it then he won't wear it.
That's why, when Tesco offered me £30 to 'kit out the kids', I knew exactly what I was looking for - I just wasn't sure I could do it with only 30 quid!
I decided to have a look at the site and just select what I thought was nice without worrying about the price - I didn't want to just select items because they were cheap - that would defeat the object.
For Mr A I knew that anything Ben 10 would go down a storm! So when I showed him this long sleeved top he got really excited.
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| Ben 10 Printed Top £6.00 |
Then I had to choose some pants. I decided to go for jeans because I find they last longer when Mister A is playing outside at the park or at nursery. I didn't go for the cheapest pair (Tescos have jeans available from £4.00), instead I went for these Cherokee Belted Jeans and Mister A loves them because they're just like Daddies.
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| Cherokee Belted Jeans £8.00 |
When it came to Little E there was plenty to choose from - after all she wont refuse to put something on because its got the wrong character on it...yet!
As soon as I saw this cute Minnie Mouse hooded jacket it went straight in to the basket...
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| Disney Hooded Top £6.00 |
and I teamed it with this gorgeous Piglet 2 piece Pinafore Set...
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| Disney 2 Piece Pinafore Set £10.00 |
Little E looks so cute in her outfit and Mister A is happy because he approves of all Disney characters!
So that all comes to £30 but as I actually ordered during the sale I managed to grab a couple of things at slightly reduced prices which left me with enough to buy these cute little tights.
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| Cherokee Tights £4.00 |
For your chance to win £30 to spend on Tesco Fashion just comment below and tell me what you'd buy if you won. Alternatively you can email your answer to secondtimemum@live.co.uk.
Good luck!
Competition closes 21st October 2010. The winner will be randomly selected.
Find more prizes at ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Ladybird Books - A Gurgle Girls Review
He ripped off the packaging to a jute bag filled with goodies....
For Mister A...
Emergency! Ladybird BIG NOISY Book
As you can imagine this was A's favourite book from the bag.
It's a big board book with detailed pictures of each emergency vehicle. Mister A loves pressing the sound effect buttons as we read through. The pictures of the vehicles are quite detailed so we play a game of "spot" where he has to try and find, for instance, the ladder on the fire engine. Great fun!Even if I can't read this book to him, A will happily sit and make up his own version!
I liked it because it rhymes - all mums love a rhyming book don't they!
It's another board book which is great because A is at that age where he accidentally bends the pages and I have book OCD - I can't bear a folded page or a torn corner!
Spot's Bumper Collection - DVD
We sometimes sit down and watch this to unwind in the evening before Mister A goes off to bed. It's a 1.5 hour DVD with all the best episodes of Spot on one disc to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Spot the Dog.
I can't believe that Spot is 2 years older than me!!
For Little Miss E...
Baby Touch: First Focus Cot Book
It's specially designed to stimulate your new babies eyesight. Research has shown that babies respond best to bold and high contract colours.
It's double sided and folds down in to a square and the best bit about it is that even with the mirror - it's fully hand washable! Hooray!
Baby Touch: Tickly Tiger Rattle Book
MisterA likes to sit read this to Little E when she's in her chair and make up his own story. He'll help her to touch the different textures of the book too!
There's 'something to touch' on each page so it's great for toddlers too!
My lovely children would like to say a big thank you to Ladybird Books and Gurgle for such a lovely goody bag which also included this cute little Spot the Dog toy, a little cuddly Ladybird, a camera and a sticker! And Mummy would like to say thank you for her new Ladybird shopping bag!
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| E's new cot book and Spot toy |
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