Bedtime stories

A friend sent me a link to a story about scannable pyjamas for kids that allow you to download bedtime stories onto your smart phone and my immediate reaction was…”what?!”

Personally, I think this is technology gone crazy. Yes, kids love gadgets but the nice thing about bedtime (in our house anyway) is that we read a good old fashioned book. There is enough technology for them in life without having to use it for the bedtime story as well. Also I find with any devices, we have to limit their time on them as they get transfixed and then are really grumpy when they have to come off them (especially my toddler). You can see the pj’s for yourself here.

IPOTTY

So when I read about the iPotty, a potty with a docking station for an iPad, I thought again, technology gone mad. I pity the parents that buy it and then their child will never go on the potty without an iPad. I’m all for a little bribery, our potty training involved treats and stickers but I think that this is probably one step too far! What do you think about these gadgets? I’d love to hear your thoughts…

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I thought that this free white noise app from our lovely friends at Safe Dreams might be of use to some of you with tiny babies or bumps. Newborn babies are often soothed by white noise at it is similar to the sounds they heard in the womb. The different sounds are an air conditioner, a jet cabin, the womb and pure white noise.

You can download the free app here.  Sweet dreams! x

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Yesterday I received a call from the BBC, to ask if I could post about their TV programme on my blog, as they are looking for people to star in the show Don’t Just Stand There…I’m Having Your Baby

They are  looking for couples who are expecting their first baby between August and October.

They are looking for Dads-to-be who, under the guidance of midwives, would be willing to roll up their sleeves and be trained up during the pregnancy to assist the delivery team at the birth of their baby. Having watched the programme, I have to say it is pretty impressive what they teach these dad’s to be and the role that they then go on to play.

Do you like the sound of your partner helping midwives to deliver your baby?

This could  be your partner’s chance to get more involved in the pregnancy and birth process – and get much closer to you and your baby?

Contact Allyson now on 07938 350876 or email pregnant@bbc.co.uk

http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/beonashow/having_your_baby

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Well it’s all systems go here as I crazily prepare for the  Baby Show at the NEC this Friday-Sunday. I am delighted that we received some amazing coverage in the Birmingham Mail regarding the show, front cover of the weekend supplement and almost a full double page spread inside!

We love exhibiting at the Baby Show and I particularly love being at the NEC show, as I get to stay at home and still see my little people over the weekend, which is so much nicer than being in a hotel. It is lovely to meet so many new mums and mums to be, some excitedly preparing for the birth of their new babies.

Anyway, in my rush to arrange everything I realised that I still have two pairs of tickets to give away. So if you want to win a pair, simply write in the comments below what is your favourite Mama Designs product and why. For an extra entry you can tweet it (be sure to include @MamaDesignsLtd on the tweet) and follow @Mamascarf on Facebook. Be sure to mention in the comments below that you have tweeted and your Twitter handle or if you have followed on FB.

At 7pm today (14th May) the random number generator will pick two winners. Good luck! We are on stand F38 and we have Mamascarves, Babasacs and Snoodies as well as some gorgeous nursery or party bunting in Babasac prints. We will be doing lots of demonstrations, letting you try before you buy and answering any questions.

Hope to see you there! x

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Pourty potty

So I recently guest blogged for Sonia at This Mummy Loves.  We were attempting to potty train our very stubborn just 3 year old who is not v interested. Unlike her older brother who was potty trained not long after turning 2, I really struggled this time. We bought a potty book, a Pourty potty, Princess Polly’s Potty, which she loves and has read to her  about 5 times a day. We bought some new big girl’s pants, which she also loves and even some treats  and stickers to bribe her with but it is was very slow and painful (for me!)  She was regularly holding  a wee all day long, which concerned me. At the childminders she would wear her new pants all day long and stay dry and then had a pull up on for the journey home, which she promptly filled to bursting.

I tried giving her extra drinks (this just resulted in accidents). About 6 months ago she went through a stage of telling us she needed a wee, so we started to try the potty then but it didn’t work, she flat out refused so we left it for a while but now she doesn’t even seem to be able to tell us before she needs a wee (she does for a poo). Our childminder is amazing and says she had never failed in potty training, apart from Lily! I was asking for advice several weeks ago on this and it was starting to send us potty but now we seem to have had a breakthrough and (touch wood!) she has been dry for 7 days!  The Pourty potty has been fab, I am loving the non drip design. Now my thoughts turn to getting her on the toilet itself as we are off on hols in 4 weeks and I don’t want to have to drag a potty around with me. Wish me luck with that!

Keira x

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Sam in the bassinet

Tips for flying with babies or children.

I must be mad but I convinced my husband to go abroad again after the flight(s) from hell we experienced last year with my 2 year old.  She was very tired, we had two connecting  flights and she did not want to sit on her own seat, let alone be strapped in. She screamed and screamed  and screamed.  So this year, she is just 3 and hopefully a little less prone to screaming tantrums (she says very hopefully!)  Anyway, this year I am prepared and I have a plan. I will let you know if it works but as well as an ipad (great entertainment but can’t be used during the problem period of taking off and landing!) I am going to take lots of little presents, ie things that will entertain her (stickers, mini pot of play dough, colouring book, lollipop etc) and I am going to wrap them all up as presents and put them in a gift bag and she can only have them when the special seat belt light goes on! She loves presents and I am crossing everything that this will work. I will also put a selection of nice snacks in there.  For airport entertainment Trunki’s are great but not so great when they decide they want a carry and you end up carrying a Trunki, your hand luggage and your toddler!

So that’s the toddler sorted (I hope!) What about babies? We have flown with ours short and long haul aged from 7 weeks upwards. In all honesty at 7 weeks, she was great. All I needed to do was think about feeds and changing and make sure I fed her during takeoff and landing so her ears didn’t pop.  So tips for travelling with babies, take several changes of clothes. Sam once pooed and it went through his trousers and onto my jeans (he was on my lap) just as the seat belt sign went on. I had to sit like that for 15 mins and although I had a change of clothes for him, of course I didn’t have one for me!

If you are flying long haul, you should definitely book the bassinet for your baby (see pic above). It also means you get the front seats with extra legroom! I have also been reliably informed that you can book the bulk head se. ats and have a baby seat fitted at no extra cost (there are only 2 on each plane though) Be prepared with everything you might need and pack your bag carefully so you can find things easily. Feed yourself before the flight. Don’t be too hard on yourself if your baby does cry, most parents have been there and know how it feels.  As soon as you are able if you have a crying baby, spread the love.  I’m not joking, walking up and down the plane rocking your little one might help them to go off to sleep or settle them.  This has worked for us numerous times and my husband is a champion rocker to sleeper.

Did you see the article in the news about the parents who brought along little bags with earplugs, sweets and a little message in for their neighbouring passengers as their baby twins were flying for the first time? I’m not suggesting that you need to go to these lengths but I have found that saying sorry to your neighbours goes a long way and people tend to be more accommodating and less likely to tut or sigh loudly when they know that you are struggling. If they have their own children they have probably been there themselves at some point.

One to make you laugh from my friend Gill ” Pre-book the seats online. Pick 3 together and one at the other end of plane. Send husband on plane with kids while you take ages getting the pram flat at the steps to the plane. Board plane to find husband sitting with kids and only seat left is the one at the other end of plane. Sit down, order wine and chill.”  and another that made me laugh, a tip for keeping a toddler entertained was to make them clean the inside of the plane with baby wipes! Emily said that it has never failed her. Passengers don’t seem to mind and you get a quiet child. Hmmm not convinced Lily would go for that!

Other tips include wine (for the parents), a blanket or Bundle Bean to go over the bassinet, extra milk, extra wipes, extra everything, plenty of entertainment (new stuff they haven’t seen before) and lots of patience!  Good luck! For the full list or to join the conversation head over to our Facebook page…

Happy flying!

Keira x

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I recently read some interesting survey results about the increase in baby showers, which have been popular in the US for a long time. I personally did not have one, although have attended a friends, so thought that I would ask my lovely Facebook fans for their baby shower ideas, plans and thoughts. In a nutshell, a baby shower seems to be all about tea and cake, girlie gossip and fun ahead of the babies arrival. What’s not to like?

I have put together a Pinterest board of ideas for those of you planning a baby shower. You can see it here…

Baby Shower Cakes- cakes were an overwhelming theme for every baby shower. There are some amazing creations, some with babies faces on, rattles, dummies etc and lots of blue and pink.  Cupcakes are pretty easy to make (says she who is not a master baker by any means) and if you wanted to go for something simple, you could easily ice blue and pink cupcakes with a simple sprinkling of something nice on top. Mmmm…

Baby Shower Food- You don’t need to have food, tea and cake is good enough but lots of people seem to go with the tea party/afternoon tea type theme and have little sandwiches and various cakes. Tea is a popular drink, although some had had alcohol free cocktails or a glass of fizz (not for the mama to be though!)

Baby Shower Location- It seems that most baby showers take place at home or in the garden if it is sunny, although a few people have hired a hall or had afternoon tea at a hotel.

Baby Shower Decorations- you can have balloons, flowers, bunting, tiny babygro’s on a washing line, the list is endless.  A nice idea is to have fabric bunting that can then be used again either as a nursery decoration or for future birthday parties. I have just had some gorgeous fabric bunting made in my Babasac prints, hearts, stars and apples. I had planned to take it to Baby Shows rather than have it on the website but email me if you would like details. I may offer it as a package with one of the bundles (Mamascarf, Babasac and Snoodie) as it would be perfect for baby showers. There was also a mention of nappy cakes as decorations, this doubles up as a gift too. I thought that the little pink and blue pine cones looked really cute as table decorations.

Baby Shower Gifts- Gifts ranged from practical and small to big and extravagant.  I guess it depends upon the individual but assuming that it is for a first baby, the opportunities are endless.  I liked the story about the husband who passed on a list of everything they needed for the new baby and friends and family bought the entire list! I bet she was one happy mama! There is also a question of whether to give a present at the birth and the baby shower. I did for the one I attended but not everyone likes to, or opts for a small gift for the shower and a bigger one for the birth.  I have also heard stories of friends clubbing together to buy one big item.

Baby Shower Games-Now games aren’t for everybody but here are some of the ones that were mentioned…Guess the sex/weight/date of the baby, pin the safety pin on the babies nappy, Pass the parcel (each layer had a sweet in it with a card and a pen and we had to write little messages of wisdom/promises to babysit etc for the new parents). Not for the faint hearted one lady had a spot the sperm game (I did not ask any more!), pass the dummy using only a straw, guess the poop -which consisted of nappies smeared with different chocolate.  If games aren’t your thing, how about a good gossip and some advice sharing or funny baby stories.

Other nice ideas…each bringing a book for the baby and writing a message in each one. A notebook where each guest writes a message to the new mum to be.  A book filled with personalised baby advice from the guests.  Take a camera so you can get some nice photographs of all of the guests. Thank you gifts or favours for the guests.

I’d love to hear your experiences or your baby shower plans, please feel free to comment below.

Keira x

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Today the charity FSID are changing their name to The Lullaby Trust. They hope that this new gentler, warmer name will encourage more families to access their support and information. My wonderful friend Jennie who blogs  at Edspire has asked me to write about bedtimes to mark this and in honour of her beautiful baby girl Matilda Mae, who tragically died from cot death earlier this year.

Bedtime in our house consists of bath and then Sam (age nearly 6) reading to either me or Dan and then Lily (age 3) has a story in her new big girls bed. She loves her new bed and going to bed is not an issue at all. She still has a lullaby musical star which both her and Sam had from when they were tiny babies. I used to think that it was tacky with its cutesy bears and music but she loves it, it signals sleep time for her and it’s small enough to easily take when we go on holiday. Sam woke up the other night after a bad dream and I put the lullaby star on for him and he went straight off to sleep.

Keira x

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We started establishing a bedtime routine for our babies at around 12 weeks although, some people prefer to start this earlier. There is no right or wrong here.  A bedtime routine is good for your baby as they know that it is the end of the day and it calms them ready for bed.  Lots of the mums I have spoken to about  baby sleep  have all recommended a good bedtime routine as having a positive impact on their baby and on their own sanity.

Bath- bathing your baby is also good for tiring them out when they are little as well as being part of their bedtime routine.

Baby Massage- after  the bath it is nice to massage your baby, this can have a lovely calming effect on your little one.

Cuddle – there is nothing better than a cuddle with your sleepy, clean, sweet smelling baby.

Baby Sleeping Bag- we used a baby sleeping bag for both babies from about 12 weeks (we swaddled with a cellular blanket prior to this) and found that the familiarity is great when we are away from home as well as it being the safest way for your baby to sleep.  Sleeping bags are tog rated for warmth. Babasac is a multi tog baby sleeping bag with removable inner layers so that it can be used all year round.

Feed- I would always feed in a semi darkened room, although not too dark as they might fall asleep before you have finished the feed. Although I tried to put them down awake, this rarely happened and I would often feed them to sleep. This can create problems later on though, as your baby cannot get back to sleep themself when they wake during the night.

Sleep cue -eg mobile, singing a song.  We used a musical star light show for both of our little ones and still use it now with Lily. It was recommended by a friend and it has been wonderful, they know the second that it goes on that it means sleep time now and it reassures them when we are away from home.

I’d love to hear what you do for your bedtime routine, please feel free to add your comments below.

Sweet dreams! x

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