Baby Blog

Baby Products For Christmas

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 03:13:43 +0000

Whether you have time to sit and browse our entire catalogue of gorgeous baby gifts...
or you are in a rush because a newborn baby has arrived earlier than expected...
our shop has been divided into easy to use categories just for you.

The perfect present that grows from comforter to toy and is suitable not just as a new baby gift, but Christening, Birthday & Christmas gifts too!

Check out our baby comforter hand-made from the UK blankets. It's the perfect gift for that little someone special.

Raggy-Tag is a high end UK brand that uses the finest materials and individually hand makes each and every Raggy-Tag.

Snugglebundl Fever...

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 02:38:40 +0000

Review of Snuggle Bundl – The World’s First Baby Lifting Blanket! Great for parents with a bad back or to use after having a Caesarean or Complicated Birth.

Snuggle Bundl – Baby Lifting Blanket

The Snuggle Bundl is the World’s First Baby Lifting Blanket and it was invented by David Solomons. It is a redesigned baby blanket with reinforced handles and a padded head area with soft peaked hood that is said to help support your baby’s head and neck when you lift them up. It has only just been launched and it won the Southern Region Barclays Bank new business awards 2011.

The Snuggle Bundl is a simple idea but one that makes sense! I can remember all too well that relieved feeling I had when I had just managed to get my newborn off to sleep but I can also remember that sinking feeling I had when she woke up screaming the moment I laid her down in her cot! I can’t say I could really blame her though. After all she was all warm and snuggly in my arms and then there was me trying to lay her down in her not so cosy bed!

Snuggle Bundl - Baby Lifting Blanket

There is a hope that the Snuggle Bundl could have helped me with this problem as the idea is that you get your little one all cuddled up in it, you fasten the ties so that they feel all snug and secure in the blanket and then when they finally give in and fall asleep you use the handles on the blanket to slowly lower them into their bed. They remain snuggled inside the Snuggle Bundl the whole time, hopefully with no idea that you are moving them from your arms into their cot. Genius idea! Once they are in the cot you can let them sleep the night inside the Snuggle Bundl but it is advised that you untie the blanket and leave it out flat if your child is sleeping in it within their cot, moses basket, etc.
They say that by using the Baby lifting blanket it could possibly help eliminate excessive back pain which can occur when you are constantly stooping down to pick up and lay down your baby. By using the handles on the blanket it means you don’t need to bend down to lay your baby in their cot, pram, car seat etc. This is said to be very useful for mums who have had a caesarean section or complicated birth as once they have had the procedure they can find it very hard to lift and lay down their new baby. They also recommend it to parents, carers and grandparents who suffer with a bad back.

On the website there is a few videos for you to watch that are all about the Snuggle Bundl and it’s journey to market. When I watched this video in particular I loved it when David explained that the first Snuggle Bundl was designed out of necessity to help him and his wife carry and lay down their new born daughter. He explains that he started to lay his little girl on a blanket and bunch it up all around her so he could pick her up in a form of a papoose so he didn’t have to stoop down. His Eureka moment then came when he thought…why don’t I invent this…a blanket with handles! . The best bit of the video is to see the excitement on David and Mike’s faces when they talk about their new product…and I LOVE it when Mike says that he hopes in the future there will be ‘Bundles of Bundls’ everywhere. They should use that as one of their slogans. It’s very catchy.

Snuggle Bundl - Baby Lifting Blanket

I have watched all the Snuggle Bundl videos on the website and I personally think it would have been much better if in the video ‘The World’s First Baby Lifting Blanket’ they had used a real baby to demonstrate the product instead of a doll. I also don’t think it was such a good idea to show them swinging the 44kg girl in the Snuggle Bundl to demonstrate the strength of the handles. I agree it proves the point of how strong the handles are but I felt uncomfortable watching the little girl swinging in it with such a nervous look on her face. It would have been much better to demonstrate it with weights or even bags of potatoes. By showing the older child in the Snuggle Bundl I feel it just gives people ideas that it might be okay to try and lift an older child in it…even though they do not recommend it.

In the video they say that if your child falls asleep in the Bundl you should fasten the ties and fold back the hood from your baby’s head. However in the accompanying leaflet it says you should unfasten the ties if your child sleeps in it and it is not mentioned about folding back the hood. This differing information could potentially could cause some confusion for parents. I am presuming that if your child is asleep in your arms it is safe to fasten the ties and leave them snuggled in the Bundl as you are watching them and constantly checking their temperature but when they are sleeping in it over night then for safety reasons you should unfasten the ties and fold back the hood as they could possibly overheat while they are asleep and you are not there to constantly check them. These are just my presumptions but if you would like to find out exactly what is okay and what isn’t then don’t hesitate to contact Dave and Mike on info@snugglebundl.co.uk. They are very helpful and will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Snuggle Bundl - Baby Lifting Blanket

Now to get down to the review….

I was sent a baby blue Snuggle Bundl to give to one of my friends who had just had a baby by c-section. I offered her the product when he was 3 weeks old but she wasn’t keen on the idea of lifting him up in a blanket with handles. We did try laying him in the blanket and to be absolutely honest it did swamp him a little bit which made us a bit apprehensive about attempting to lift him up in it. She didn’t want to be the one to try lifting him up in it so the task landed to moi. He felt a little bit heavy to lift up and it was an unusual feeling to be lifting him up suspended in the bottom of a blanket.

I think it is the idea of it that put my friend off the most. It’s a bit like baby wearing…some people like the idea and feel comfortable doing it and some people are not so keen on carrying around their child attached to their chest by just a length of fabric. I am one of those people that used a baby carrier from day one and I didn’t stop until my daughter was just over a year and a half. I am also one of those people who would most definitely consider using a Snuggle Bundl. Had it been my own baby I was trying to lift in the bundl then I would have probably not thought anything of trying out the product but as it was my friend’s child I was very wary in case I dropped him!

Snuggle Bundl - Baby Lifting Blanket

I am very impressed with the quality of the Snuggle Bundl. It has been made to a high standard from a lovely soft lambskin fleece fabric with a 100% brushed cotton lining. It will definitely keep your child warm and cosy, especially in these upcoming winter months. I do think if you use this in the summer you would need to keep a good eye on your child’s temperature to check they do not overheat though. It’d be a great idea if they made some made from a just cotton fabric especially for summer.

The Snuggle Bundl is very roomy and the handles do seem to be very extremely well made. Having now been able to see the product with my own eyes I can say that I don’t personally think there is any chance of them breaking, which is one of the first things I had been apprehensive of when I saw the Snuggle Bundl advertised.

As my friend didn’t road-test the product I could have returned the Snuggle Bundl and not written this review…but I’ll admit I do have an ulterior motive! I just don’t want to give it back!! If I do have another child in the future then I may well be very grateful for this product so I shall be carefully packing it away with all of my daughter’s other baby items and I will get it out again if I ever need it. If it actually allowed me to lay my baby down to sleep without waking it really would be priceless!

Also I want to add that my mum thinks the Snuggle Bundl is a fantastic product and she says that she WISHES there had been something like that around when she’d had me. She said it would have made her life so much easier.

It’s a very simple idea but one that will hopefully help a lot of new mums and dads all around the world. Well done to all of you at Team Snuggle Bundl….I wish you lots of success! :-)

At What Age Should I Introduce My Toddler to Sports?

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 14:30:57 +0000

It is amazing how many football, t-ball leagues, dancing classes for toddlers are popping up all over the world. These leagues are designed to introduce your toddler to sports, as well as give them some of the preliminary skills they will need to be successful. There are many parents on the fence in regard to deciding whether or not their toddler is ready for a sports program. Ultimately, only you can make that choice, but keep in mind that leading your child to healthy and useful activities at a young age may spark enough interest and curiosity to keep them going in the activity for a long time. When you look at your 3 year old, it is obvious that they probably do not have the large motor skills to consistently make a basket, hit a ball, score a goal, or become an All-Star MVP. But what they do have is the desire to have fun. Some toddlers may not be as social as others and will feel intimidated by playing a team sport at this age. Others may love to play with kids their age and feel totally at home running on a field with a bunch of other toddlers. For this reason, it is important to choose wisely. There is no need to push a toddler into sports if they are not interested. For those kids that do want to be involved in sports, keep a very open mind. The object of any sports function for this age group is to help them develop key social skills like sharing, taking turns, and sportsmanship. They are also learning to follow directions, although you will find that most may, at any moment, run the wrong way or score a goal for the opposite team. No matter how they perform, as long as they are enjoying themselves and feeling like a small part of a larger whole, the sports endeavor is successful. So which sport to choose? One of the best toddler sports is soccer. Toddlers are able to expel a lot of energy running and since they are constantly moving, they rarely get bored. In t-ball, for instance, there is a lot of waiting and unless a ball is hit, the players can remain stagnant, which is not good for a toddler. Basketball and football also require a lot of movement and shyer kids can have the opportunity to become more assertive as they vie for the ball. Cheerleading and gymnastics are also excellent choices for toddlers. Both of these sports allow them to be active, expel energy, develop control of motor skills, and help them feel like they are part of a team. Another way to choose a sport is to use your toddler as a guide. Some are naturally excited to try one sport over another. At this age, no sport should be competitive. If there is a competitive nature amongst the parents involved, you may want to choose another league or area to play in. During the toddler years, the essence of sport is learning new skills, enhancing communication, promoting self-confidence, and developing of social skills. Most important though, is the sport should be fun and participation for the toddler should be voluntary. If they are tired one night and don't want to go, there is no need to force them. When choosing a sport for your toddler, keep in mind that their interests will change drastically over the years. It may be a good idea to expose them to all sorts of sporting venues and eventually they will probably choose one they like the best. As your toddler takes the field or shakes their first pom-pom, be sure to have the camera and recorder ready, as you are certain to have some hilarious outtakes and stories they will love to hear about when they are older.

What's in Your Nappy Bag?

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:51:12 +0000

Having a baby means having a lot of stuff, and most of it you really need at one time or another. Be sure you're prepared when you take baby out of the house by packing your nappy bag ahead of time.

You won't need everything stuffed in your bag, but you will need a few essential items. Find a nappy bag that has compartments so that you can organize your supplies, and of course, a stylish bag is a must for any mum. Be sure your bag includes the following baby necessities:

2-3 diapers

small tube of diaper creme

baby wipes

a onesie

a lightweight sweater for your baby

a hat for baby

a rattle

a pacifier

a small baby board book

a small first-aid kit

gas drops

a bottle (with baby formula ready to go)

a bib for baby

a plastic bag for dirty diapers

your camera

What is Colic?

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:16:01 +0000

Colic is something new parents hear a lot about, but unless you've experienced it first-hand, it can be difficult to understand. About 25 percent of infants experience colic at some point in the first few months of life. And because it can be difficult to differentiate colic from everyday fussiness, parents can't always be sure whether or not their child is suffering from colic.

To help determine if colic is making your baby unhappy, consider the tips below.

Most babies cry everyday, for one reason or another. However, when a baby is experiencing colic, crying bouts may last longer and be more intense than regular fussiness.

Colic is usually described as frequent and persistent bouts of crying, lasting more than three hours a day and continuing for more than three weeks at a time. During a crying bout, your baby may clench his fists, arch his back or tense his muscles. He will be inconsolable.

Colic can be predictable. Some infants experience the symptoms of colic at about the same time everyday, and for the same amount of time.

Colic will usually appear a few weeks after birth and most babies grow out of it by 6 months of age.

If you think your baby has colic, a visit to your child's doctor is in order. In addition, there are numerous products and even medications that can help your child. Be patient and understanding and consider soothing techniques to help your baby. Try swaddling, singing or infant massage to help your infant get through his bout. Also, switching to vented bottles that reduce air bubbles can also help.

Make Reading Fun for Baby

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 11:39:01 +0000

Reading to your baby is a treasured experience, and it's one that helps your baby discover the world around him. Be sure you take time everyday to pick up a book and help your baby expand his world and engage his imagination.

Reading to a baby doesn't come naturally to everyone. But practice will help you become comfortable reading aloud, and before you know it, you'll enjoy it as much as your baby does.

Other tips to consider when reading aloud to a baby:

Children learn to listen by practicing. Be patient with your child and remember that his attention span is short.

Set aside time every day to read, and try to make it a habit. Read before bed or before a nap, or read every evening after dinner.

Use plenty of expression, and change your voice with the characters.

Children sometime respond to whispers more than anything. Whisper certain parts of the story and see if that catches your child's attention.

Encourage your baby to help you turn the pages of the book.

Let your baby point to pictures and you help him identify what they are.

Don't force baby to read with you when he's had enough. You'll know when it's time to put the book down and move on.

Board books are ideal for a baby and they stand up to wear and tear. Stock your child's library with plenty of board books that he can access easily.

Have fun. Reading to your child is something you should look forward to, and before you know it, your child will be reading to you.

Making Baby's Bath Time Fun

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:09:48 +0000

Bath time can be a fun part of any baby's day, and with the proper safety precautions and a few toys, it can also be a learning experience for your little one.

Be sure you test the bath water temperature before giving baby a bath. Keeping a bath thermometer on hand is a good idea, and some baby baths even come with a separate thermometer, as well as a few toys.

Never leave baby alone in his bath, not even for a few seconds, and make sure you place the bath in a stable position where there's no chance of baby falling or getting injured.

Singing to baby while he's taking his bath can be relaxing and soothing to your child. Or, if baby is in a playful mood, break out a few of his bath toys and join in the fun.

Bath toys should be colorful, and offer a variety of textures for baby to feel. Keep in mind that any baby toy will likely end up in baby's mouth.

Keep bath time short so that baby doesn't get cold, or bored, and make sure bath time is a happy event, so that baby will enjoy it each and every time.

Martin Daubney's bumpy ride as a pregnant woman

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:37:29 +0000

Encouraged by my masochistic missus, I decided to give pregnancy a go, too.

I strapped on “The Bump” for a day. It looks real and, at 27lb, weighs as much as a full-term pregnancy. Here is my diary:

I decide to take a bus and waddle towards a bus stop.

Suddenly one flies round the bend and I instinctively start to run.

But my extra two stones of ballast means I’m wading through treacle, and the bus flies past.

One bump or two ... Martin Daubney relaxes with a cuppa

Dan Jones

Women are often pressurised into feeling they ought to exercise during pregnancy but with this extra weight on board, is it possible?

To find out, I go to Fitness First, where personal trainer Marvin gives me a tailored pregnancy workout plan.

“How far gone are you?” he asks, politely. “Nearly full term,” I smile, stroking my bump.

“Well, I’d recommend a gentle walk and upper-body exercises to strengthen your back for the birth.”

While I huff along on the treadmill, a group of sturdy blokes look on, slack-jawed.

Treadmill for two ... Martin works up a sweat

Dan Jones

As I have a cuppa afterwards, the weight of the bump feels like a small child standing on my bladder. By the time I have a second, I’ve been to the loo three times. I head home. The bus is packed and there are no seats. Five hours into my charade, I’m convinced I’m actually pregnant and expect to be offered a seat. But it doesn’t happen.

I stagger home exhausted, back and legs aching. But any chance of a good night’s sleep is annihilated as I can’t get comfy.

Expecting ... Chantelle Houghton and Alex Reid

Next morning, I’m as grumpy as hell when my toddler wakes at 5am and I hurl The Bump to the floor.

After 17 hours, I realise childbirth might be the greatest show on earth but us blokes should thank our lucky stars we’re just spectators.