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  • 6 Great Sleepyhead Alternative Baby Pods That Won’t Break The Bank

    You don’t need to hear about how much Sleepyheads pods are amazing. It’s everywhere. But with that comes a high price tag. Is it really worth it or can you find a Sleepyhead alternative for half the price?

    We’re looking at other suitable baby sleeping pods and comparing them to the well known Sleepyhead pod. We review the feature, material, design and price…

    Best cheaper Sleepyhead alternatives:

    Cheaper Version of Sleepyhead under £80

    While the Sleepyhead is a great product, it may be a bit pricey for new parents who are already having to spend hard earned cash on diapers, wipes, formula, etc. There are products that offer some of the same benefits as the Sleepyhead without emptying your wallet.

    Purflo Nest vs. Sleepyhead

    Babymoov Cocoon vs Sleepyhead

    CleverMama vs Sleepyhead

    Tiny star pod vs Sleepyhead

    Sleepyhead alternative under £40

    Babymoov Cosydream vs. Sleepyhead

    The babymoov cosydream is another much cheaper version of the Sleepyhead.

    Luchild Nest vs Sleepyhead

    Poddle Pod vs. Sleepyhead

    One cheaper version of the Sleepyhead is the Poddle pod. The breathable Poddle pod is a fraction of the price for a Sleepyhead and is also available online for purchase. The concept is similar though the shape is just slightly different.  The contour, rather than an oval, is a rounded off square.

    This shape allows for a little more room for play time on the Poddle pod than on the more expensive option. However this also means a little more room for rolling if the baby is a newborn or very tiny. Still, this version is equipped with elevated side bumpers to keep your baby from rolling out of it. The Poddle pod is designed for 0-36 month babies. Unfortunately it’s out of stock in the UK. We’ll update you as soon as it comes back in stock!

    Should you go for a cheaper baby pod or stick with Sleepyhead?

    If you’re reading this article it’s probably because like a lot of parents you like the idea of a baby pod but you find the price of the Sleepyhead a bit steep. And I agree with that. 

    The big question however is : is the Sleepyhead that much better than the other pods introduced above?

    There is no cut answer however there are a few things we can go through to help you make the decision to invest in the expensive sleepyhead or to buy a more affordable baby pod.

    Why is the Sleepyhead baby pod so expensive?

    It’s not a secret the Sleepyhead is expensive, and not just a little bit. It is 6 times dearer than some of the options introduced above. 

    It’s a bit crazy when you think about it, a little pod made of cotton and foam is more expensive than an electric breast pump or a car seat. Surely the material and technology of the pod is not worth that much!

    My personal opinion on that is that, while the pod itself is not that expensive to produce, when you buy a Sleepyhead, you don’t just buy any pod, you buy in the brand.

    I bet you never heard any of the names of the alternatives like Babymov or Luchild… But you’ve heard of Sleepyhead. Everyone knows the brand. 

    It’s like the Mulberry of bags or the LandRover of cars. You could get something similar for much cheaper but it wouldn’t be the same unbranded.

    Building such a strong brand and recognisable name takes a long time and requires a lot of money, hence the price.

    Is the Sleepyhead still a good choice?

    I can understand that at this point you’re thinking “I don’t want to over pay just because they have a big marketing strategy”. But it’s not all about marketing. 

    One of the most important things for a big brand such as Sleepyhead is their reputation. They will work really hard to keep it top notch. So you can count on them to control the quality of their products and offer excellent customer service.

    Their pod is comfortable, very well designed with a feel of luxury and durable. For all these reasons the Sleepyhead is still a great choice.

    Should you invest in a second hand Sleepyhead or a cheaper alternative

    You can find a lot of cheaper Sleepyhead sold online on eBay or Facebook. Buying it second hand sounds like a great deal: lower price saving up to £100, same quality, you’d just need to thoroughly wash the cover or buy a new one.

    However I would warn you that it may not be a great idea.  The Lullaby Trust advises against using second-hand mattresses. Research has brought to light that there might be a link between higher rates of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and second hand mattresses. Depending on how it was used and stored some mattress may contain some mold, dust mites and bacteria, which presents a big risk for your baby. The risk is slim but still there so why risk it when there are other great alternatives that will fit your budget better?

    The best pod at the end of the day is the pod that is in your budget. If you can afford the Sleepyhead, then go ahead it’s an excellent choice. But if your budget is tight then one of the alternatives above will do just fine.

    Wrapping up

    The decision you have to make is deciding which one fits your needs. There are several options to choose from ranging in color choices, accessories available, and the price that is in your range.

    If you’re still not convinced by the alternatives then maybe the Sleepyhead pods are for you. Head over here to read our complete review of the Sleepyhead pods.

  • Must-read pregnancy books

    Pregnancy and birth. There are many billions of words to be read about these life-changing subjects.  Blogs, forums, websites, magazines and pregnancy books are all full of advice, fact and a fair bit of subjective nonsense. It is very easy to be utterly confused and bamboozled by it all. 

    So, what and who to believe? As a newly pregnant woman or dad-to-be, you will soon come to realise that EVERYONE is an expert in carrying, birthing and bringing up baby. 

    Here are our top 5 pregnancy books to read when you’re expecting, with all the answers to your questions or worries.

    Our recommended pregnancy books

    How to choose the best pregnancy books to read

    The blue lines on the pregnancy test signal the start of a million questions for first-time mums. Where should you find the answers to the worries that occur at 3am? My go-to tome of knowledge would be a good pregnancy book. The best pregnancy books should be full of the following elements: 

    • Facts from midwives, doctors, health visitors and scientists 
    • Objective useful advice from people who’ve experienced the rollercoaster of new parenthood
    • A sense of humour 
    • The attitude that every mother, father and baby is different and there should be flexibility  
    • Honesty
    • An acknowledgement that baby books for dads should be ‘a thing’ too. 

    Your life will soon become ALL about pregnancy and birth and babies. You will have random moments of panic, sudden urges to check on what your baby looks like in this week of your pregnancy (a pregnancy day-by-day book is perfect for this!) and the need to check that your baby shopping list has all that it should upon it. 

    Good pregnancy books should have all the information you need in one place. Here are some of the other reasons why I would pick books about pregnancy over digital media.

    • A well-thumbed, much loved and trusted book in your handbag will help you feel calm and in control (Even when you’re not!)
    • It’s a keepsake to cherish. ESPECIALLY if it has suspicious stains from the very early days of parenthood
    • You’ll refer to your baby guidebook for the next child. By the time you’re on baby number two, it’s you who’s the expert but a little backup and fact checking won’t hurt
    • Reading your phone or iPad in the bath or before going to sleep doesn’t have the same comforting feel. Or maybe I’m just old fashioned!?

  • Top 5 best travel cots & bassinets

    Best versatiles travel cots that are also travel bassinets

    Best travel cots for toddlers

    Best travel cribs for newborns

    The best portable cots are easy to put up and fold away, don’t weigh the same as a baby elephant and give your baby (and you!) a good night’s sleep.

    Happily, there are plenty of well-designed and useful travel cots available to buy and we’re going to help you choose the best one for your family. 

    Our top picks

    The best travel cots that are also travel cribs

    As ever, we’re here to take the graft out of finding the best baby cot to travel with and we’ve put together a list of the best compact cots out there. You’re welcome!

    Best travel cots for toddlers

    The recommendations above are amazing choices for toddlers. However if you’re looking to save some pennies and don’t need the bassinet function, here are our recommended travel cot that double as playpen for toddlers

    Best travel bassinets and cribs

    Looking for a bassinet to travel with? Here are a few options that makes travelling with a newborn much easier

    Why do I need a travel cot? 

    You will be visiting family and friends, EVERYONE will want to meet the gorgeous new addition to your family. Sadly, not everyone will be able to travel to you…or maybe that’s a good thing?! Whichever, you will need a travel cot from birth if you have relatives to visit regularly. 

    Planning a holiday? Yes, I know that a trip away from home feels like an impossible task right now. So much stuff you’d need to take! A potentially disastrous change of routine! Ugh. 

    Well at some point in the years that your child will need a crib or portable cot to sleep in, you’re going to want to go away. A family wedding, Christmas at the in-laws or a weekend break to the seaside. The brave and adventurous amongst you might even go abroad, if you do, a lightweight travel cot for flying will be needed. 

    A portable cot can be used as a secure playpen for older babies who can crawl at what feels like 100 miles an hour. When my daughter was tiny, she could go from kicking her little legs happily in the air on the floor to wedged underneath the coffee table in seconds. Don’t judge, she was chasing the cat and I’d had the audacity to take my eyes off her to close a window. 

    Travel cot accessories you might need

    • A compact cot mattress is essential. Most baby travel cots will come with a mattress, but they aren’t often particularly comfy. A luxury travel cot might have a mattress with a softer feel, but many will have a polyester texture that ‘rustles’ as the child moves around. In my experience, that noise, right next to their tiny ears, wakes them up, not good!
    • A travel cot with changing table is a great idea, especially if it will be used often. Having somewhere to change your baby and/or store changing bits and pieces is so useful and it will save your back aching from leaning over. 
    • A travelling cot that comes with a travel cot bassinet is the perfect choice for parents of newborn babies. Imagine leaning deep into a travel cot to lift your precious bundle, it would be awkward and not at all good for your back. 

    A bassinet travel cot will be slightly less portable (they tend not to ‘fold in’ with the rest of the travelling cot) but it will be worth it for the comfort and convenience for both you and baby. 

    • Planning on using your travel cot bed as a playpen for an older baby or toddler? Maybe you simply need a safe space to put your baby down while you get some life admin done? Yep, us too! A travel cot mobile is a fun way to entertain your child. 
    • Bedding. A soft fitted sheet in travel cot size is essential. Most travel cot beds will be too wide even for standard cot bed sheets. 

    Potential safety issues 

    • A travel cot, when it is used within its guidelines is safe from birth to the age at which your child becomes able to climb out of the cot or reaches the weight limit of that model of cot. 
    • A travel cot with adjustable height. Make sure you are following the guidelines and lower the level of the cot as your child grows, becomes able to sit, reaches the standing stage and (horror!) the climbing out and waking the parents at 5am stage. 
    • A travel carry cot or portable baby cot should NOT be moved with the child in it. 
    • Follow sleep safety guidelines. Choose bedding of the appropriate size and season. 

    Can it be used as a playpen too? 

    • Travel cots make great playpens for older babies and young toddlers. They offer a safe, comfortable space which they can happily play in and you know that they can’t escape from. 
    • Choose an extra-large travel cot for maximum longevity. The travel cot size you choose will ideally still be large enough for a 2-3-year old to play in. 
    • A travel cot and playpen combined must be cleared of all toys before being used as a sleeping space.

    Hope this article helped you find the perfect travel system for your little one. Talking about travelling, you might be interested in reading more about travel gear:

  • Monthly must reads for parents – August Edition

    The children going back to school after a fun summer is always a significant moment in the year. 

    Parents are both relieved and a little sad. Teeny tiny new starters are excited and nervous. Existing pupils are grumpy about work and routine but are happy to be seeing their friends. 

    Organisation and shopping are key features of the end of August and early September. New ‘trendy’ shoes, bags with a million pockets, an unbelievable amount of school uniform and fluffy pencil cases. It’s stressful, busy, everything is out of stock and tempers can fray. 

    August’s must-read list will ease your family’s back-to-school angst and remind you that you’re not the only parent feeling overwhelmed. 

    10 ways to prepare yourself for your kid starting school on Brummy Mummy of 2
    ‘Brummy Mummy of 2’ has treated us to a beautifully emotive and funny article on preparing your little ones for school. It will make you laugh, cry a little and is full of great advice. 

    10 tips to simplify your family’s morning on The Chatter Block
    ‘The Chatter Block’ is based in San Francisco but is a fantastic blog for U.K parents to follow. Their articles are no-nonsense, practical but still full of empathy and warmth. I love this guide to creating a morning routine for your family. Follow this advice to ensure a calm, organised start to every weekday. 

    Peanut butter breakfast bars recipe on Mum in the Madhouse
    On the lookout for quick and nutritious breakfast or snack ideas? ‘Mum in the Madhouse’ shared the perfect recipe this month. Her Peanut Butter Flapjacks are divine and great for school run mornings and lunch boxes.

    The back to school guide for introvert on Mother Distracted
    ‘Mother Distracted’ has been my favourite blogger this August. The very lovely Linda and her family are fun and relatable. There’s a guide for parents who struggle with shyness at the school gates, some awesome lunch box ideas and a laugh out loud article on the joy of sending your kids back to school after six long (but amazing!) weeks. 

  • Monitor your ovulation with the best ovulation tests and trackers

    Deciding to start a family is one of life’s momentous moments and is both exciting and terrifying. Hopefully, the joyful news will arrive after a few months of happily ‘trying’ and all will be well. 

    Frustratingly, it’s not that simple or easy for many couples and a little outside help is needed in the form of ovulation tracking, monitoring and testing. 

    What is ovulation? 

    Ovulation is when one of your eggs is released from an ovary and travels through your fallopian tubes to your womb. 

    An egg only survives for 24 hours so for you to get pregnant it needs to be fertilised within that time. Sperm can live inside you for around a week so conception can occur on just a few days a month. This is your ‘fertility window’. 

    What are the signs of ovulation? 

    The signs of ovulation are usually clear if a woman is looking out for them. Many hopeful couples wonder ‘Can ovulation tests be wrong?’ and use these indicators as another way to know when the best time to test for ovulation is. 

    A positive OPK test and a few of these indicators below are perfect signs that you and your partner should increase your ‘efforts’.

    • Temperature changes
    • Hormonal changes 
    • Breast pain or soreness 
    • Changes in vaginal mucus/discharge 
    • Light spotting
    • Pain in one side of the pelvis
    • Heightened sex drive

    The best ovulation tests

    An ovulation detector will work by tracking either your temperature, luteinising hormone levels and/or oestrogen levels. 

    Getting pregnant can be unbelievably complicated and confusing. Here’s a quick guide to each method along with our recommendations for products which do consistently well in fertility monitor reviews. 

    Ovulation calculator apps 

    An ovulation test kit can be an expensive purchase and a menstrual cycle app used in tandem with ovulation test strips is a good alternative. 

    An accurate ovulation calendar developed over a few months is a powerful tool in your quest to get pregnant. 

    Tracking ovulation for an increased chance of pregnancy 

    You can increase your chances of conception by tracking when you’re ovulating with a fertility kit. This monitoring of either temperature or hormone changes will give you a good idea of when to take an ovulation test. 

    Are ovulation tests accurate? The best ovulation kit options usually have over 90% accuracy in tests so a false positive ovulation test is rare. 

    Ovulation strips have always been a good, cheap option for women who are keen to get pregnant. How do ovulation strips work? A positive ovulation strip will show you whether you are ovulating after testing your urine. 

    Without fertility tracking, you could go through dozens of strips a month with little chance for planning. Thankfully, there are now, with the help of technology, much more accurate methods of working out when you are ovulating. 

    A digital fertility monitor or ovulation kit with tell you when to do an ovulation test and that positive ovulation test result means it’s time to get busy!

    The best ovulation kit will also give you the information to plan for the next month. The more sex you have in your fertility window the more chance you have of making a baby. 

  • The best travel systems for babies & toddlers in 2020

    Proudly taking my two-day old baby out for a walk in her pram is one of my favourite memories. Most women, and men too, have practised for this lovely moment since they were toddlers playing with dolls and toy pushchairs. 

    On that momentous first outing, myself and my Mum took my daughter to the local fish and chip restaurant in a travel system that was as big and heavy as a tank. There was nowhere to park it without getting in the way. When I look at the glorious array of baby travel systems available to parents today, I’m very jealous! 

    So, what is a travel system? 

    It’s a 3-in-1 travel system, baby pram and pushchair with car seat combo! That’s a wordy description but as baby travel system reviews will reveal, it can be a complicated piece of kit. 

    There are three elements to consider: 

    • A newborn carrycot (included or bought separately) on wheels or a pushchair that is suitable from birth. 
    • A car seat option (included or bought separately) 
    • A pushchair or buggy element that is suitable for older babies and toddlers. 

    The best travel system for babies will very much depend on your lifestyle, car and home. Here’s a list of the features and benefits that I would be searching for if I were expecting. 

    The Best Travel Systems

    After reading travel system reviews and testing them out these are our choices for best travel system strollers in the UK.

    The lightest travel system

    The best travel system for versatility

    Another versatile option for smaller budgets would be the iSafe Marvel travel system at £300. 

    Best baby travel system for twins

    Best baby travel system for all terrains

    Choices to make when shopping for travel systems

    Car seat compatibility

    A pram and car seat combo would be a fantastic choice if you regularly travel by car. Imagine the joy of easily placing a car seat with an undisturbed sleeping baby snuggled up inside onto a set of wheels and wandering happily into town for shopping or lunch. 

    Forward or parent facing?

    The best pushchair travel systems come with a seat that can be converted into both forward facing and parent facing. Some only come with one option and the suitability of that depends on the individual parent and baby. 

    Carry cot or not

    A newborn travel system usually comes with a carry cot available to purchase extra or as part of the package. The Kinderkraft Moov travel system is a which is available in the UK is a great example of a 3-in-1 that comes with all you would need. 

    Positives: the best travel system option for baby in the first weeks as it will be suitable from birth, some carry cots can be used as a day bed, cosy, great for winter, a traditional look.

    Negatives: usually obsolete after four months, heavy, difficult to store in both house and car. A pushchair travel system with a seat that is suitable from birth is an alternative option. 

    Weight

    In each of these scenarios, you will be eternally grateful for a lightweight travel system. 

    • Going up kerbs
    • Carrying it up stairs 
    • Lifting it into the car 
    • Turning with one hand while holding toddler reins 
    • Struggling after a C-section.

    Storage 

    If you live in a mansion and have a car with a massive boot then lucky you! Storage of your pram with car seat and carrycot won’t be an issue. 

    For the rest of us, a compact travel system or a small travel system might make life a lot easier. Travel system pushchairs will eventually become the only piece of the bundle you use. Having that fold-down small pram will be useful on trains, buses, planes and in a car full of holiday suitcases. 

    Foldability

    Baby travel systems reviews in the UK are full of parents who have been left frustrated and enraged by a pushchair that won’t fold up easily. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY and take your partner. When I worked in a well-known retailer what was an easy fold for one person was impossible for another, so don’t rely solely on the reviews of others. The best of what is the best travel system to fold is very subjective. 

    Versatility

    The best newborn travel system will allow your tiny bundle to lie flat and cosy. It should ideally eventually convert into a great all-in-one pushchair for a boisterous toddler who wants to see the world. When deciding which baby travel system to buy, think about all the stages it will be used at. 

    Safety 

    Car seat 

    Comfort and compatibility with a base and/or your car are the main decisions to make. Ask an expert to check the car seat in your car, with and without a base and ask them for a comprehensive demonstration of how to fit the equipment yourself. In the UK John Lewis, Mothercare and Halfords all offer this service. 

    Car seat bases 

    Do you think you may want a car seat base? These are the types available;

    • ISOFIX
    • i-Size
    • ClickFit 
    • Belted 

    Research this piece of equipment thoroughly and check your car’s suitability for each type. 

    Choose a travel system that works with Isofix base compatible car seats if that’s what you have decided on. Make sure your pram car seat combo and base work efficiently together. 

    Harnesses 

    Look for a sturdy, padded five-point harness on your all-in-one travel system’s pushchair and car seat. It should be easy to fasten without trapping your fingers or any part of your baby. 

    A good brake system 

    Make sure the brake is robust and easy to take off and on. Some travel systems come with a wrist strap on the handle too. If you have an unpredictable toddler (is there any other type?), a dog that pulls or if you live in a hilly location, the brake is an important feature. 

    Hope this article helped you find the perfect travel system for your little one. Talking about travelling, you might be interested in reading more about travel gear:

  • Ultimate guide to expressing your milk like a pro

    A premature baby or they are not able to suck, you want to go back to work or simply need to take a break … a breast pump can be a valuable ally for any mother who wants to continue breastfeeding their baby.

    Follow these tips to achieve and maintain optimal milk production.

    Table of Contents

    When can you start expressing your milk?

    From day one. I’m not going to lie the first three / four days after birth are complicated, the extraction of colostrum with a breast pump is not done well. It is necessary to wait for the rise of milk.

    The breast pump can then be useful for babies born before term or low weights that do not always have the energy to suck. With a breast pump, you’ll be able to stimulate lactation so that your baby makes less effort to suck the milk out, and reduce the duration of their breastfeeding sessions, at least the first two weeks.

    Which breast pump to choose?

    Electric pumps, manual pumps, double pumps…There are many models of breast pumps, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. 

    Electric breast pumps are the most used as they are the most efficient in terms of lactation. The latest generation of breast pumps even offer a double or simple pumping, they are at once small, silent and painless.

    As for manual breast pumps, they can be a little tedious, because you have to pump the milk by hand, but they have the merit of being quiet, light and compact.

    In any case, the most important thing is to find the pump that best suits your needs, your living environment, your milk production, the needs of your infant and your budget. Our guide on the best breast pumps should allow you to choose the one that suits you best.

    Could my baby end up preferring the bottle to my boob?

    It can be a thought that scares you if you intend to keep breastfeeding directly from the source.

    Long story short, it’s highly unlikely. 

    On the contrary when your baby grows they might start refusing the bottle. They won’t want to take the bottle and not the boob, while he is in contact with your breasts still full of milk.

    If it’s the case and you want to give him a bottle, it is then preferable that the bottle is given by someone else than yourself, even more efficient if it’s a third person external to your household.

    Our advice to get to an optimal milk production?

    Drawing milk frequently sends a strong signal to the body so that it produces more milk … The more often you empty your breasts, the more milk they will produce.

    From birth to the fourth day

    If you can, draw milk within 6 hours after delivery. Use a hospital breast pump at the beginning to produce a lot of milk. You’ll produce a little colostrum at the beginning

    As soon as possible, pull 8 to 10 times every day. This is the number of times your baby would be breastfeeding each day. In any case, the more you shoot each day, the more milk you will produce. The opposite is also true, the less you shoot and the less milk you produce.

    If you can, use a double pump. It will save you time and boost production faster.

    Pull your milk for at least 10 to 20 minutes then finish by massaging your breasts by hand. Use the cushion to harvest the milk that will come out thanks to the manual massage.

    To increase milk production, try to draw your milk at least twice between 1am and 6am. In the early hours of the morning, the level of hormones that produce milk increases!

    From day 4 to maximum production

    At the end of the 4th day, you should almost reach an optimal level by making the following changes:

    Draw your milk longer, try keep pumping 2 minutes after the last drop of milk or until your breasts feel completely empty.

    Focus on the total number of pumping each day (8 to 10 times every 24 hours) rather than the time between each draw (every 2 to 3 hours). However you should not let more than 5 hours go by without drawing your milk for the first two weeks of your baby’s life.

    Maintain an optimal level

    When you reach the 750 ml to 1L daily level, you’ve reached your goal! Most mums can now draw less times while maintaining this volume of production. 

    My advice for this phase:

    1. Keep a rhythm that gives 750 ml to 1L of milk per day
    2. To maintain your maximum production level, you must try to sleep more. The majority of mothers draw milk before going to bed and then in the morning when they wake up … Try to do the same and analyze if it does not cause clogging or if it does not diminish your milk production
    3. Draw your milk for a shorter time. Generally, 10 to 15 minutes are enough.
    4. Once a week, total the milk you have shot in the last 24 hours. Write it down and compare weekly to see if your level is holding up or not.

    How to avoid being out of stock?

    Nothing will ever replace your baby sucking, it’s always more effective than a breast pump. To fill a bottle of 200 ml, it is necessary to pump at least two or three times.

    So it becomes a question of organization. If you’re going to rely more heavily on bootle feeding, you should start to freeze your milk. Just freeze it in small amounts (60/70 ml), making sure to record the date, the milk can be kept for four months in the freezer and 48 hours in the refrigerator.

    If you do it regularly, you’re sure to always have some milk available for the days you can’t breastfeed. 

    Increase milk supply

    If you need to increase milk production, the faster you work, the sooner you will have results. Here are some things to try:

    1. Pull your milk more often, 8 to 12 times every 24 hours
    2. Pull your milk longer, wait a few minutes after the last drop of milk has flowed
    3. Make sure the cushion for your nipple still fits, the size may change over time
    4. Massage your breasts before and during pumping
    5. Finish drawing your milk by hand

    Stop expressing milk

    When you have decided to quit drawing milk, it is important to remember to go step by step. Follow these tips for a safe stop:

    1. Skip an expressing session and leave 2 to 3 days for your body to adapt and skip an extra session. In the end, you should only keep the first and last pumping of the day before stopping completely.
    2. Keep the same number of prints, but draw less milk. For example, if each draw gave you 120 mL of milk, stop now at 90 mL. Allow two or three days for your body to adjust and then lower again. After a while, you will not feel the need to draw your milk.

    Remember that in the “weaning” phase, if your breasts are too full, just pull what you need to make you feel good again. Leaving your breasts too full can expose you to pain and infection.

    I can not get my milk, who can help me?

    Don’t get too hard on yourself. There’s got to be a solution.

    Try to pump your other breast while breastfeeding. If you need to express your milk without breastfeeding, try looking at baby pictures while doing it.

    If none of it works, ask your GP for advice. You can also find a lactation consultant here.

    Finally there are also some women that sell their milk online. It’s kind of a last resort solution but it could solve your problem.

    If you need to talk we’re here. Message us, comment here and we’ll try to help you and share our experience as best as we can.

  • Monthly must reads for parents – July Edition

    The summer holidays are all about making memories. Sticky faces from seaside candy floss, tired little legs from a day at the zoo and the echoes of laughter from the slip and slide in a sunny garden.

    We’ve collated a few of our favourite articles from July which sum up a glorious English summer.

    Best days out in Yorkshire with kids on Toby and Roo
    Harriet from popular parenting blog ‘Toby and Roo’ tells parenting like it is. Here’s her guide to the best days out to be enjoyed in her beloved county of Yorkshire. It’s a comprehensive, information packed list and whether you’re local to Yorkshire or are planning a holiday there this is a must read!

    Parental guide for summer on Potato Pirates
    Term time is looming, but this awesome article from ‘Potato Pirates’ is still a great guide to school holidays. If you have struggled to survive the long break without copious amounts of evening gin, then bookmark this article for half term and the Christmas break.

    Recipe: dark chocolate dipped strawberry yogurt lollies on Slummy Single Mummy
    This is a FABULOUS blog featuring a recipe that both you and your little ones will love. I’ve tried it and these fruity, chocolatey treats are delicious. A healthy treat, the perfect way to get fruit into a fussy eaters diet and super easy to make. They’ll become a summer favourite and ‘Slummy Single Mummy’ is worth checking regularly for more family friendly recipes.

    Water safety tips for families on Dad Blog UK
    ‘Dad Blog UK’ isn’t just a fab read for Dads. He is full of practical advice for all parents and care givers. This is a sobering but essential read. When it’s hot, families head towards the cooling relief of water. Paddling pools in the garden, the local water park and the sea are all sources of fun and joy. However, water can be dangerous and needs to be treated with respect. Take a good look at this guide for how to keep your children safe around water in summer and for the rest of the year.

  • 5 Early development activities for 0-6 month babies

    Most mums will tell you they just want a healthy and happy baby. Of course, this is completely true.  But secretly, we also hope our little bundle of joy grows up to be as smart as a whip too. Many of us go as far to play Mozart to our belly during pregnancy and decorate the nursery with stimulating shapes and colours. It is natural to want an intelligent child and to do what you can to help them grow, mentally.  But there are much easier ways to make sure your baby is learning and increase your odds of raising a smart baby.

    Before your baby is even born, he already has all the brain cells that he will ever need through his life. That’s around 10,000 billion, if you can even imagine that number. The first few months of your little one’s life are an amazing time for learning. Your baby likely cannot speak, walk, or even play very well during this time, though their brain cells are making new connections at a tremendous rate during the first 6 months of life.

    While babies develop at their own pace, there are ways you can encourage that growth. The more stimulation your baby receives on his senses, the more connections are created among brain cells. This helps build the infant’s brain early, leading to increased chances of having a smarter child. I can’t promise you’ll have a tiny genius after trying these tips, but any small task to support your baby’s brain development is beneficial.

    Despite your baby being so young you can definitely put them ahead and encourage their development. I want to share with you a few tips to that will help you raise a smart baby.

    Early Development Activities

    Building your baby’s brain starts when you are still pregnant.  Because you are part of their brain development, it is important to avoid any harmful substances while they are still wiggling around in your tummy. Once the little miracle is born, they will more easily build brain strength in situations where they feel safe and secure.  Showing love and care through activities you enjoy to do with your child like talking, playing, cuddling, singing enhance their brain development.

    Play with your baby in a way that will stimulate her brain and senses. Some of the best activities you could partake in with your baby to improve brain development are listed below.

    Happy-time play

    Dopamine is a chemical released by the brain to make us feel happy. If you want your child to be an enthusiastic learner, help them develop peak levels of dopamine in their brain. You’re probably asking how you could possibly help chemicals form in your child’s brain. It isn’t as scientific as it sounds; no worries. There are two important tips to remember when trying to stimulate dopamine formation. They include:

    • Have lots of play-time at the child’s level (playing down on the floor or on the bed)
    • Use energetic commentary when communicating during play.

    If your child is bouncing around in their jumping gym you could say, “Wow! You’re jumping so high! That’s amazing!” If you remained silent, with no positive feedback, the baby’s dopamine would very quickly drop and they’d probably eventually give up. Children who have gained ideal dopamine levels are less likely to suffer from depression later in life.

    Horseplay (sensibly)

    Physical movement is important for raising a smart baby, so don’t leave out the silly roughhousing. While we used to label our peers as nerds or jock, it was assumed you could either have the brains or the brawn. But in order to do physical play, you have to be able to think your way through it. It, in fact, takes brains! Physical play develops cognitive functioning.  It helps strengthen the frontal lobes for concentration and attention. It develops new progress in the memory system of the brain.

    But how do you roughhouse or horseplay safely with a baby? There are many safe options that can be used including:

    • Lap or rocking games
    • Songs that have claps and movements to them
    • Face-to-face games like peekaboo
    • Hand games like patty cake
    • Flying your little one airplane-style above your head

    Explore in tandem

    Let’s admit it; sometimes it is easier to just sit your little one on a mat with their Montessori toys or in their bouncy chair with attachable toys. While these are great brain-building activities, it is important to get some one-on-one play as well.

    Choose activities that you can play together rather than traditional toys you hand off to the baby for solo play.

    Sensory, stimulating items such as a discovery box filled with feathers is a simple way to play together as they explore new things. Even filling a bucket with water and soap before eagerly popping bubbles together would help your baby develop new skills.  Babies do learn best from one-on-one interaction because they can model that you do then learn to self-explore.

    Daily Storytime

    We have all heard that reading to your child from infancy will make them smart. But there is more than raising a reader. You will help them develop a multitude of skills, including emotional vocabulary and empathy. Reading together is a great way to bond with your child, reducing aggression and anxiety.

    When reading together, try labelling the characters’ emotions. Your child will learn to see things from another person’s perspective. A good strategy is to mimic the characters as you read. If a person or animal in a picture book looks happy, mention it, and then smile at your baby. If they are sad, say so, then frown at them. They will likely laugh or be intrigued by your stimulating storytelling.

    Dancing and Singing

    Listening to music encourages interest in music and strengthens the bond with their parents who they are sharing the music with. This is an important part of emotional development.  Try putting on one of your favorite songs. While holding your baby securely to your chest, gently move around together in a dancing motion to the music.

    If your little one is throwing a tantrum or resisting a nap, sing them a lullaby in a soothing voice. Even if you don’t know the words to a lullaby, sing your favorite rock song in a slow soothing tone. They won’t know it was the Ramones who sang that soothing tune until they are much older.

    Avoid Screens

    Intelligence at this age is indeed sensory and motor rather than conceptual or pictorial. 

    The development of a young child goes through motor skills and the ability to interact with the objects he encounters. Observing, touching objects, playing are essential for the good development of your little one.

    Before 3 years old, babies are fascinated by screen, the images, shapes, sounds… Unfortunately it’s impossible for them to understand what is happening in front of them, making this time in front of the screen useless for your child development. If anything it deprived toddlers of this exploration of the world in 3D fundamental for its development at this age.

    It’s not always easy to resist the temptation to busy your little one with a TV or an iPad, but many parents  managed to redirect their attention to real life activities. Helen, mum of the little Charlie, shares her experience and best tips on the matter in her blog.

    Summing it up

    One final expert tip for you before you go: take a break from all these stimulating games and toys once in a while. Sometimes sitting quietly with a few toys in a playpen is good rest for the brain. Not to mention it gives mum some time to relax a bit. Try adding a few of these activities to your infant’s day. Keep the most stimulating play during the day and the soothing activities at night. Sleep is still the most important thing for that sweet baby’s brain.

  • A complete guide of the best baby & toddler highchairs

    My Dad bought our highchair as a gift. It was the biggest, comfiest, fanciest creation in the shop, we thought he was bonkers for spending so much! 

    We were SO wrong, it is a fantastic piece of kit and has worn beautifully through both our children from tiny baby stage to now (my 14-year-old can still fit in the toddler chair!) The most similar one on the market now is the Chicco Polly highchair. 

    You can srawl through a hundred highchair reviews but in the end, the best baby highchair is the one that suits your family and your home. That’s why we’ve compiled you a complete guide on what’s important in a highchairs and what are according to us the best highchairs you can purchase in the UK.

    Table of Contents

    Our pick of the Top 5 High chairs 

    BabyDan makes a similar design to the Tripp Trapp and is worth a look if you love this style of highchair. 

    The Graco Contempo is a similar design to this. It’s a comfortable, height adjustable Graco highchair which we also recommend. 

    If you like the design of the Mima Moon highchair you’ll love the Bloom Fresco highchair. Similar egg design chair, a bit pricier but it offers many more colour options.

    High chair features to look out for

    Design

    It’s basic but a great highchair will be one that you enjoy looking at, even when it is covered in mashed carrot! 

    There are a huge amount of shapes, styles and pattern to choose from. A baby boy highchair might be a brightly coloured Winnie The Pooh highchair design. Disney fans who have a daughter would love a bright red Minnie Mouse highchair. 

    The Bloom Fresco highchair is simply stunning. This egg-shaped highchair is straight out of a 1960’s Sci-Fi movie and achingly cool and retro. The bloom highchair range is also one of the few that offers a black highchair, perfect for blending into a sleek, minimalist kitchen. 

    A wooden baby highchair in natural shades or a white highchair are classic style choices that would fit in with the décor of most homes. 

    Buying a padded highchair seat and matching highchair floor mat is a great idea to brighten up a neutral background colour and turn a Hauck beta wooden highchair into bright and happy elephant highchair design. 

    So, the Bloom Fresco is space age, BabyDan produce timeless wooden designs and the budget end of the market, Joie and Argos, offer Disney, animals and rainbow colours. What else could there be? Retro/Scandi!

    The Oxo highchair range is gorgeous. The Oxo Tot Sprout highchair is available in warm taupe, creams and browns with wooden legs and a simple shape. A plain highchair splash mat or tablecloth underneath will complete the look. 

    Material

    The material that your new highchair is made from is a key choice. Comfort, ease of cleaning and removability and the opportunity to buy a highchair replacement cover are all factors to consider. 

    A plastic highchair will be easy to clean but won’t be very comfortable for your baby to sit in. 

    A padded seat such as the one on the Joie owl highchair will be much softer but has creases and crevices for bits of food to go icky in if you don’t clean it properly. 

    Most modern highchair cushions will have an antibacterial treatment on them which helps but the Ingenuity highchair with SmartClean is a fabulous option if you’re a bit of a clean freak but want your baby to have a soft seat. 

    The Ingenuity has a smart foam pad which is comfy, wipes clean instantly and is even dishwasher safe. The 3-in-1 style of this chair also means that it can turn easily into a booster highchair seat. 

    Removable covers and straps will make your life a lot easier and the highchair much more hygienic. The Phil and Teds highchair is another design to investigate if cleanliness is your priority. 

    Size

    A compact highchair is usually also a foldable highchair. These are both super useful features if you have limited space in your home or the highchair needs to be put away between each use.

    A space saver highchair is also a good idea for keeping at grandparents’ homes. They will be much more eager to babysit once they have all the kit ready and waiting to be used. 

    Our childminder had a Fisher-Price foldaway highchair that had been in use for over 15 years. It was immaculate with no rips or damage and is probably still being used. 

    The Fisher-Price space saver highchair is a great example of how the brand is still determined to come up with practical solutions for parents. This chair is padded, supportive and has a removable tray. The genius is in its lack of legs and the space that saves. It simply sits strapped securely to a spare dining room chair.  

    Quality

    Your budget is an important consideration and the prices of a baby high chair can range from the Aldi Mamia highchair at £19.99 to a mid-range Fisher-Price highchair at £80.00 and on to the Peg Perego highchair at £278. 

    I was a parent on a strict budget and understand that expensive purchases must be justified. However, when it comes to the nursery kit that needs to do a great job, day-in, day-out and last through more than one child, I believe it’s worth investing in quality and buying the best highchair you can afford. 

    Adaptability 

    Adaptability is a fantastic feature in a high chair. Useful things to look out for are:

    • A 360-degree highchair that turns to face in any direction you need it to. 
    • A removable tray so that your little one can sit right up to the table with the rest of the family. 
    • A 4-in-1 highchair will last forever. A design that transforms from a reclining baby seat to a booster highchair seat for a toddler will give you great value for money. The Stokke Tripp Trapp highchair which has an accessory which will cradle a new baby and will eventually become a chair they can sit on as an adult.
    • An adjustable height highchair will sit at any height of table and can also be used low down as a toddler play chair, with or without the tray. 

    Portability

    A portable highchair that can be easily moved from room to room is usually lightweight and easy to fold and store. 

    Folding highchairs like the ‘Snacker’ from the Joie highchair range are worth a look if you need a robust, comfy seat that can be stashed in the car and driven to Grandma’s. 

    A small highchair such as the Red Kite highchair from their Feed Me range is one of the thinnest and lightest you can buy. It can easily be stored inside a tall cupboard or behind a door. 

    For the ultimate in portability buy a highchair that attaches to a table. The Chicco travel highchair is awesome! I’d have used it all the time when my children were little as it would have eased the stress of wondering if there were going to be any highchairs in the pub, café or restaurant and whether if there were if they would be too grim to use. Ugh!

    Highchair Safety

    • If you suspect your highchair may have been damaged or broken stop using it. 
    • Keep everyone’s fingers (and toes! It hurts, believe me!) away from the folding hinges and mechanisms on a height adjustable highchair and fastening buckles.
    • If you’re using a travel highchair or a clip-on table highchair then check the weight limits and read the instructions carefully.
    • Ensure highchair straps are securely attached and always fasten them when your child is in the chair. 
    • Older babies will start to try and climb out of their chair and may fall. Never leave them unattended.
    • The Keter Smart Seat Highchair has three stages so it can be turned into a low highchair or toddler seat. If you choose a height adjustable model like the Keter highchair pay attention to the guidance on weight limits for each stage.

    Useful and fun accessories 

    Here’s a shopping list of the accessories: 

    Highchair toys

    ELC still sell the red and blue spinning toy my kids played within their highchair. It was meant to stick on with a suction cup, but it never quite worked, they still loved it. For older babies or toddlers, a 3- or 4-in-1 highchair tray is the BEST place to play with Play-Doh, glitter and paint ESPECIALLY when there is a huge waterproof mat underneath to protect the carpet. 

    A highchair cover

    If you’re planning to leave your highchair out on display, a cover is a great idea to protect it from dust, unwelcome pests such as flies and wasps and your pets. 

    A highchair mat

    Protect your floor from the mess of a weaning baby who thinks it is hilarious to through mashed banana on the floor. (Be warned, that stuff stains!) 

    A highchair insert

    These are perfect for adding colour and comfort to a wooden highchair. 

    A high chair cushion

    Turn plain plastic into a Hello Kitty highchair (or whichever other pattern you fancy!) and add extra cushioning and height to the seat unit. 

    Plastic plates and bowls

    Oxo Tot does a great range of plates and bowls cleverly designed to stick to the surface of a highchair tray. Your little cherub will still throw food but at least it won’t be an entire plateful! 

    Final advice: weaning your baby

    Your first thoughts of which highchair to buy will start when weaning starts being mentioned. Introducing your baby to the joys of delicious food is exciting and health visitors recommend you begin at around six months. 

    Follow this link to a comprehensive guide to when, how and with what foods to wean your baby: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/solid-foods-weaning/

    In the early stages of weaning, when it’s really fun and messy, you will appreciate the convenience of having an easy to clean highchair and a large waterproof mat for under it. 

    Try not to worry about the process. If broccoli gets violently rejected that’s ok, it doesn’t mean you have a fussy eater, just move calmly onto the next titbit. Remember that at six months, babies are still getting their essential nourishment from milk so baby won’t go hungry. 

    To help you prepare food for your toddler we’ve selected the best baby food blenders you can buy in the UK.