My top tips for travelling with a toddler…

July 20, 2018Leave a comment

Preparing for a holiday with a baby is one thing. Travelling with a toddler is a whole other ball game I’ve recently found out for myself.

On our recently holiday to Spain, just before Henry’s 18 month birthday, I referred back to my posts Flying With A Baby For The First Time and What To Pack for a Holiday With a Baby posts for help and to view my checklist.

Most of it was still relevant, but I wanted to share a few new and updated points to consider when travelling with an early stage toddler…

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Mother’s Day gift ideas from Neal’s Yard Remedies

February 21, 2018February 17, 2018Leave a comment

How lovely is it to celebrate Mothers and all the influential Mother-like figures in our lives – whether that’s your own Mum, your children’s Key Worker at nursery, a grandparent, a Godmother, a carer, even a friend who’s expecting, or recently become a Mummy herself.

Whoever are the Mother-figures in your world, I’ve selected some wonderful Mother’s Day gift ideas from Neal’s Yard Remedies – starting at just £5!

The brand thrives on its ethical credentials, with its fabulous offering of kind and organic ingredients, eco-friendly production, charitable projects, recyclable packaging and being all round environmentally friendly. The products also look luxurious on display too. With a holistic approach to skincare and lifestyle, Neal’s Yard Remedies products are like spas in a bottle! The products not only work but they use essential oils that benefit the skin, smell amazing and have many properties beyond just beautiful skin.

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12 MONTHS POSTPARTUM AND HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY HENRY

December 31, 20171 Comment

Now, I know this sounds cliché, but I literally feel as though 2017 went by in a blink. 2017 for me has been one of those years that doesn’t quite feel like it really happened.

Did I really grow a human and experience childbirth? Did I really (and successfully) reproduce! Did I endure many interrupted and sleepless nights? I’m too tired to recall. 😉 Did I really find enough inner bravery to take an almost 5 month old on a transatlantic holiday to New York?! Did I really move back to my home roots, by the seaside in Leigh-on-Sea? YOU BET I DID! Did I unnecessarily obsess over every single aspect on the things that didn’t matter? Yes. Did I obsess enough over things that did matter? Nope. Did I lose that last stone of baby weight which I’ve been holding on to ever since I gave birth? Nope.

Henry is 1. One! Uno! The big ONE! How did that happen? Here’s the final instalment of my postpartum updates…

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15 Gifts for under £15 from Neal’s Yard Remedies

December 4, 2017December 4, 2017Leave a comment

What I love about Neal’s Yard Remedies (beyond their ethical and organic credentials) is that it’s affordable luxury, and even more because a little goes a long way. No fillers are included meaning there is no need to use an excess amount – whether that’s skin care, body products or their essential oils.

The products look glamorous, but for good reason – the packaging is recyclable, the blue glass preserves the product for longer and prevents UV rays causing damage to them – tick tick tick!

I’ve chosen 15 gift ideas, all for under £15 – whether it’s for a loved one, a Secret Santa idea or as a stocking filler.

Beyond skincare, Neal’s Yard Remedies is a lifestyle brand. With products for the body, mother/pregnancy and baby, hands and feet, essential oils, health products, teas, supplements, aromatherapy remedies, mens products, hair care – the list is long and there really is something for everybody.

If you’re stuck for gift ideas, then hopefully there will be some inspiration here for you…

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My recent love for organic #FeedYourHappy

September 22, 2017September 26, 2017Leave a comment

Food makes us happy, right? Well it makes me VERY happy! I turn to food when I want a treat or a dose of happiness, as do so many of you I’m sure. But in recent years, part with thanks to various medical blips and hurdles I’ve jumped (or fallen!) through, I’ve become more aware and savvy about what I’m consuming.

This isn’t a healthy eating blog post by any means – I say, currently dunking a digestive in my cup of tea whilst I’m proof reading this post. Becoming a parent has made my eyes open to the food choices I make for me and my family, especially now I have a baby son eating solid foods. I’m responsible for his wellbeing and what he eats, and I have learned so much about how important it is to ensure I provide him with a nutritional yet safe diet.

This is featured post, working with the Organic Trade Board, to help their celebrity campaigner DJ Sara Cox spread the organic love this September with their “Feed Your Happy” campaign, designed to promote the awareness of organic food throughout Organic September and why it makes us happy. I’m joining in, as I want to share my views on organic food, and why it makes me happy – albeit only recently. #FeedYourHappy…

Celebrity campaigner, Sara Cox

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Why you should consider baby massage

August 14, 2017August 14, 2017Leave a comment

Before I was pregnant, I was hearing of all these groups and activities new parents got involved in – clubs, classes, coffee mornings, courses etc – Baby Sensory, Baby Massage, Baby Yoga, Water Babies, Baby Ballet, Aqua Tots, Tumble Tots, Baby this and Baby that!

It all seems a little overwhelming, as I wanted to throw myself in to motherhood and select a few weekly commitments – not only for Henry’s development and social interaction, but to keep me sane with some kind of routine and “lifestyle” and to embrace being a mummy. Getting out of the house alone in those first few weeks feels rewarding and although it’s nerve wracking, it’s actually really nice to meet other new parents, all in the same hormonal, tired and occasional “baby-won’t-stop-crying” boat.

Henry suffered with reflux during his first few weeks. He didn’t often cry in pain, but he did struggle to keep milk down. I actually became paranoid and self conscious in front of others because I felt embarrassed when he’d bring up a little or a lot of milk in front of them – especially in front of those who were a little grossed out by it which made me feel sorry for Henry and pretty low myself that I was struggling to keep his reflux under control having tried different feeding techniques and even different formulas – considering the fact I was still in early days of motherhood and thus very tired and emotional.

Having a reflux baby can make those early weeks harder than the “norm” (I don’t believe there is actually a “norm”!) and I’m sure those who experienced (or still are experiencing) the same or other issues, such as colic, would agree.

Someone told me baby massage was beneficial for many reasons, reflux being one of them, so I looked in to it and found a local lady who performs 4-week long baby massage courses in Essex.

Now a friend of mine (this mummy networking provides a feel-good factor as well as confidence and a sense of community), Cat Chamberlain of Retreat Petite Baby Massage in Essex tells me why she got in to teaching baby massage, the benefits and what to expect from her classes .