MyBump2Baby is often described as “The one stop shop for all your pregnancy to pre-school needs” and I must admit that one of our favourite parts of being the one stop shop is finding out about the newest “must-have” products on the market. We love it when we find a product that is simply created to make families lives easier and let’s face it, we need all the help we can when it comes to balancing work, family life, never-ending housework and rest.
Now of course, we all know how important it is that babies and toddlers get their much needed sleep, not only to help them grow and develop but also so us parents can actually have some time to themselves to either rest or get on with the endless list of jobs we have to do.
From the day our son George came home from hospital, I began playing him lullabies from my phone to help soothe and settle him down when he was a little restless. It often worked well but the odd time my phone would ring just as he was nodding off which was a little frustrating to say the least. As George got older his temper when he was tired got a little worse (that is putting it kindly) which resulted in plenty of trips to the local phone shop to repair my smashed screen and as much as I “googled” the terms “soothing aids for babies and toddlers” – I couldn’t find anything suitable. I wanted something easy to use on the move.
Now, imagine having a portable soothing aid that you can clip on your key ring, to your bag, to your pushchair or a portable soothing aid that you could even simply slide it neatly in to your purse so you know this amazing product is always accessible even at the most awkward times. This product is designed so it can be used at home or on the go. A soothing aid that’s whole purpose is to simply Sooth your child – nothing more and nothing less.
I have some exciting news for all the new and existing parents out there – THIS PRODUCT EXISTS!!!!
BrumBaby is the must-have soothing aid for babies and toddlers. Lightweight, simple to use and affordable – we believe this product is something that EVERY new parent should add to their “must have” list. With a simple click of the button, gentle soothing rendition of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” begins to play, you can then watch your child drift off in to a peaceful sleep.
It is clear to see that a lot of research has been made prior to creating this product. The BrumBaby portable soothing aid has been designed to ensure it reaches all parents needs with its sleek design, a simple on/off button and a charging cable to ensure you know you won’t run out of battery on the go.
Brum Baby portable soothing aid has recently received a lot of media attention and has been praised by the likes of Fearne Mccann, Malin Anderson plus many more celebrities with little ones and I can see why.
At only £14.99, I am sure you will agree that the price for this Portable soothing aid is incredible. The benefits it brings both parents and young children are priceless. I mean, come on – who doesn’t want more sleep?
The great news is you can buy this product with an amazing 20% discount using the code “mybump2baby” when purchasing this product via the website.
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/brumbaby-portable-soothing-aid3.png200200Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2018-12-12 12:59:212018-12-12 21:40:14Brum Baby – The "Must Have" Soothing aid for Babies and Toddlers
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a family trip to a pantomime around Christmas and if I did, well…. I would probably be questioning our relationship right now!
Pantomimes around Christmas are a tradition for most families, a tradition that has often been passed on from generation to generation. Pantomimes are often based around kid’s stories combining the perfect balance of magic, audience interaction and music peppered with witty humour creating an everlasting memory for all the family – whatever the age.
We reviewed the fantastic Mooky Doolitte Christmas pantomime this time last year and of course, we jumped at the chance when we got invited to this years “Aladdin Christmas Pantomime” at Blackpool Circus. I personally love the added edge that a circus panto brings above the usual pantomimes. Last year our son George was 18 months old and he really enjoyed the Mooky Doolittle Pantomime so I was really excited for us all to go again this Christmas.
You can read our Aladdin Christmas Pantomime, Blackpool Circus overall review below.
Parking
We parked in the Houndshill shopping centre car park in Blackpool, you can pay via card or cash when you return to your car. The walk from Houndshill shopping centre car park to Blackpool tower takes around 5 minutes. The postcode for the houndshill car park is FY1 4NY.
I would suggest leaving the pram in the car as they cannot be taken in to the circus and must be left in the buggy park downstairs.
Ticket Prices
The Blackpool Tower Winter Pantomime now! Season runs between 24/11/2018 – 20/01/2018
Save money if you can by booking online by clicking here
You can upgrade to VIP or second row seating by calling 0871 222 9929 or via the link above.
Adult (15+)
£16.50 walk up price
£14.00
Booked online
Child (3-14 years)
£13.50 walk up price
£11.50
Booked online
Toddler (Under 3)
£5.95 walk up price
£5.95
Booked online
Group of 4*
£54.00 walk up price
£46.00
Booked online
Safety
You will struggle to get telephone signal in the circus and it can get a little confusing when looking for your seat especially as it is dark during the show. I strongly suggest that you have a meeting point should anyone get lost.
Recommendations for babies and toddlers
2 hours is a long time to keep a baby or young toddler happy and interested – George can’t even colour in felt tips on our walls for that long so I knew he would probably get a little stressed sat in the same seat for 2 hours. I would suggest bringing milk and some snacks if you can. We brought a couple of emergency sweets that George could eat and we also treated him to an ice lolly and juice in the interval which kept him quiet.
The Refreshment kiosk had;
Alcohol (always handy if your child is giving you a hard time) Crisps Tea Coffee Fizzy drinks Popcorn Ben and Jerrys ice cream Ice lollies
The Aladdin Pantomime, Blackpool Tower Circus 2018
The Aladdin Pantomine at Blackpool tower circus is the perfect combination of theatre, music, dance, jokes, audience participation, and mild yet hilarious innuendos. We laughed from start to finish. The first half displayed the most beautiful rendition of “A whole new world” and once the circus ring filled with water, Aladdin and Jasmin sat on the magic carpet and made their way around waving at the audience – a tear actually fell down my cheek (ok, ok I may have had a few too many vinos the night before but it really was a beautiful moment)
By the second half it was clear to see that Blackpool circus had really upped their game since last year, the jaw dropping acts that were totally different to last year which was refreshing and showed how dedicated and hardworking the performers must be.
If you are looking for a pantomime with an extra sprinkle of edge from daredevil performers to keep you gasping throughout then look no further Aladdin Pantomime at Blackpool Circus is for you.
If you are a regular follower of my blogs, Instagram stories and other social media updates you will know that Peppa Pig and I have a kind of love/hate relationship – I mean COME ON… you have to agree that when you are forced to listen to anything on repeat it does begin to get somewhat torturous.
Initially, I must admit, I was filled with pure happiness when George finally got bored of Baby TV as the songs on Baby TV often made me question my sanity. When George first started watching Peppa Pig it was fun and I didn’t mind the pink little pig but as George’s obsession with Peppa grew so did my headache.
But, although the love George has for Peppa Pig is extremely intense – it is very real and I felt it was only fair to let him run riot in his version of heaven at the fabulous Peppa Pig World at Paulton Park. I am really excited to share with you my Peppa Pig World, Paulton Park Review so here goes;
MyBump2Baby’s Peppa Pig World Review, Paulton Park
Parking
I was impressed to see that parking was completely free of charge – big thumbs up for me!
Opening times
Opening times were 10:30am – 4:30pm. Please note that we headed here in November and these times can change depending on the day or time of year so make sure you check the website in advance.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices were FREE for children under 1 meter and £25 for anyone over 1 meter on the day. If you booked in advance online the price was £23. These were winter prices and I felt that these were extremely reasonable compared to other theme parks we had been to. Remember to check the ticket prices as they do adjust depending on the time of year.
First Impressions
Our bags were not checked upon entry in to the park.
Peppa Pig World is just one part of Paulton Park, we thought it was great how Paulton park appeals to ALL family members from excitable young toddlers right the way through to thrill seeking adults.
The place was clean and extremely pram friendly which is always good to see.
Changing Facilities
There are plenty of changing facilities to use and all were extremely clean and well kept, there was plenty of room and also a room if you wanted to breastfeed privately too which I thought was a great idea. The changing rooms also had a microwave to heat babies milk/food. George is potty training and I did notice that there was no foot stool so George couldn’t get on and off the toilet easily like he can at home.
Lost Child Stickers
We filled in a lost child sticker and stuck our contact details to Georges back in case we lost him – you know how toddlers like to run off.
Strollers
You can hire a stroller a single or double stroller for the day from £8.00, the stroller is suitable for children up to the age of 6 years, it has a sun canopy for additional shade and has plenty of room to carry picnics. We brought our pram so didn’t need to use one.
Peppa Pig World Rides
Peppa Pig world was truly magical and it felt like we were actually in the cartoon. There were 9 rides in total and George could go on them all. Even with no queue times we didn’t manage to ride all 9 rides in the time we were there. There was more than enough for children to do which is the way it should be and we left Peppa Pig world wanting to come back for more fun.
Peppa Pigs Balloon Ride
This was the first ride we went on, there were 6 of us and the kids absolutely loved it. This ride is great for looking over the whole park and planning your next ride.
Miss Rabbits Helicopter Flight
This ride was suitable for 4 people and George really enjoyed it. He did get a little frustrated when he couldn’t reach the control unit but once the ride started he soon got over it and we had plenty of laughs and screams.
Windy Castle Ride
This ride reminded me of a big wheel. Another great ride for having a good look over the park. This carried a family of 4.
The Queen’s Flying Coach Ride
The Queen’s Flying Coach was good fun Each carriage carries up to 4 adults and 2 children.
Grampy Rabbits Sailing Club
George loved sailing away with Grampy Rabbit, we were greeted with some great surprises including Peppa Pig and her pals. This ride fits 4 people on.
George’s Dinosaur Adventure
Our George absolutely loves dinosaur so this ride was something he was really keen to go on with his daddy. This ride is suitable for children under 1 metre and children under 8 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. This ride can fit 2 people on.
Daddy Pig Ride
We all know how much daddy pig loves his car, this ride gives you a chance to take a ride in daddy pigs car with your family and have a tour of the peppa pig village.
Grandpa Pigs Little Train Ride
This lovely little train ride is the perfect ride for all the family, a lovely circuit on Grandpa pigs train.
Grandpa Pigs Boat Trip
This boat ride is great fun for all the family, this would be a great ride in Summer.
Meet and Greet with Peppa Pig
Let’s face it, we came to Peppa Pig world because George is a huge fan of Peppa Pig so of course, when the opportunity arose to meet the famous pig and her little brother George we jumped at the chance. We queued for around 10 minutes and just as we got to the front of the queue and stood before Peppa Pig, George’s personality changed and as we posed for our picture the biggest tantrum you have ever seen began (typical). You may have seen my Instagram post.
We decided after the 36 minutes of pure hell we would take him back to see Peppa Pig and thank goodness we finally managed to get our picture. I loved that we were allowed to take pictures on our own phone.
Georges Spaceship Playzone
It began raining around 12pm so we decided to get our lunch but if it wasn’t lunch time we would have used this fantastic playzone. Initially, we headed in to this area for food but all the tables were taken so we went to the Café at the front.
I was really happy to see a play area as some of the parks I have previously reviewed don’t have an indoor play area which I feel is important on hot summer days and rainy days too.
Socks must be worn at all times in the play area.
Wild Forest Family Restaurant
The Wild Forest family restaurant was clean and affordable and I was impressed with the menu and the waitress service. You head to the till to order and pay but the staff members bring your food out once it is ready. You can have a look at the menu here
I also noticed that there was a charging point for phones in the resturant too which was handy.
Other food options are;
Base Camp which was a great place for a break, there isn’t much choice of food but you can see the menu here
Railroad Diner offering fish and chips.
The Ice-cream Kiosk
My husband and George enjoyed some sweet treats from the kiosk, I had stupidly started a diet the day before so sadly missed out but the prices were extremely reasonable.
What was Peppa Pig World missing?
I think Peppa Pig had it all covered in terms of indoor and outdoor activities. There were plenty of places to go including Peppa Pigs classroom and her house too. There were plenty of play areas too.
Peppa Pig world, Paulton Park overall review
I thought Peppa Pig World was extremely well priced in comparison to other theme parks we have previously visited. I really feel that Peppa Pig did think of everything for toddlers. There are plenty of play areas and distractions to keep queues to a minimum.
The Paultons Park app was also very useful and I do recommend you download it to plan your day effectively.
Our MyBump2Baby Peppa Pig World, Paulton Park overall Review
Those of you who regularly follow my Instagram stories and blogs you will know that I absolutely love supporting mums in business and when we were given the opportunity to review a new sensory brand we were very excited.
When it comes to babies, we remember the bottles, cots, bouncers, video monitors and clothes, but we can sometimes forget about the importance of stimulating our little one’s senses. Sensory play helps with development, it improves hand eye co-ordination and can promote early language development.
Now, I am certainly no expert in this field, nor do I claim to be but this is why MyBump2Baby loves to work with the experts like Natalie, The Founder of My Sensory Box.
My Sensory Box is the perfect gift/purchase for expecting and new parents. The box is filled with magnificent, colourful props that will help stimulate your babies’ senses whilst creating memories that will last a lifetime.
My Sensory box currently has a unique family of 3, The Fidget Sensory Box, The Original Sensory Box and finally The Bumper Box which is the one we are reviewing today.
I love how much effort went in to the packaging of the box, it came wrapped in cellophane with a neat ribbon on the right hand corner which showed it was ideal for a baby shower or as a gift when a new baby has been born. It is also ideal for someone last minute like me who often gets gifts on the way to the event
Upon opening the box, it was beautifully wrapped in green tissue paper. I was impressed with the amount of items in the box it was literally full to the brim of goodies.
Contents of the Bumper Box
An LED Bulb
3 Balls
Glow Sticks
Egg Shaker and Maraca
Scarf
Ribbons
Foil
Black and White Picture Cards
Feathers
Bubbles
Balloons
Now, you could be like I was and wonder “what the hell do I do with these items?”…. FEAR NOT, I can reassure you that Natalie, the founder of My Sensory box has literally thought of everything. Inside the box comes a fabulous little card with all the features and benefits of each prop so you know exactly what to do with each item.
What are the Benefits of the props inside My Sensory Box?
The Led Bulb provides your little ones with visual stimulation and helps with relaxation. The bulb can fit in to a main ceiling light or a table light and babies can enjoy the beautiful shapes and colours. George is 2 and a half and loved this, he is always asking for the magic light.
The Glow sticks are a great way to add fun to bath time, George and I used them and turned the lights down and put the shark song on he absolutely loved it.
The Egg Shaker and Maraca are great exploring sound; they can use whilst singing nursery rhymes.
What baby doesn’t love a game of peekaboo? The scarfs come in some stunning colours to drape of your babies face to stimulate touch.
The ribbons are a fantastic way to encourage movement and they are excellent for hand eye co-ordination.
What it is about foil and babies? Foil was Georges favourite items whenever we went to any sensory places, he still loves it now.
Did you know that Black and white is the first colours your baby sees? I didn’t until I read the information inside the box, the different black and white picture cards can be placed anywhere and help maximise early visual stimulation
Feathers are included to stoke over your little ones face, arms and legs.
2 lots of bubbles are included in the box and we all love bubbles
Balloons in line with first colours and includes and led light
The 3 balls are a great way to end the session with a gentle massage.
We love The Bumper Box from My Sensory Box. I can’t believe how much thought goes in to each box, it is clearly something that the founder Natalie is very passionate about. I feel that the price of £25.00 is very reasonable considering the amount of props in each box.
Although the box is aimed at babies, George really enjoys playing with the items from this box too.
I would purchase this box for a friend or family member and even myself if I was to have another baby. I love how compact the box is and the way that everything fits back in to the box neatly and can be stored away ready for the next play session.
**Please do not leave baby unattended with any of the items in the box. Must always be used under supervision of an adult**
The website is currently being built but in the meantime if you want to purchase this item you can click here
At MyBump2Baby we recognise how important sensory is and we have hundreds of local classes listing throughout the UK, you can find your nearest class here.
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/My-Sensory-Box-Review-.jpg12171217Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2018-11-15 10:03:102018-11-15 10:34:45The Perfect gift for a baby - My Sensory Box Review
I am really excited to be sharing our Moonlite Story Book Projector Review with you. I must admit, bedtime can be a bit of a battle at times and I often hand over the IPad like it is a God given right, so I was really excited when I was asked to review the Moonlite Story book projector.
If I said my son wasn’t slightly addicted to his IPad, I would be lying. Running a business from home means that a lot of my time in the evening is spent on MyBump2Baby and what started as a perfect distraction now causes numerous issues in our house especially at bedtime. You see, Georges first word when he wakes up is IPad and the last words before he goes to sleep is IPad which is not ideal for a 2-year-old and I can’t help but feel a bit guilty about it but it is the only way I have time to do everything.
I have been thinking about different ways that I can put some magic back in to bed time without relying on Mr. Tumble, Peppa Pig or Waffle Doggy. I want to stimulate George’s mind at bedtime and calm him down so he gets the sleep he needs after a long day, I also want to embrace the fact that he is still finds me fun, as sad as it is, I am sure it is only a matter of time before I am locked out of his room whilst he plays his Xbox or Playstation.
The clocks are going back next weekend and with the evenings getting darker earlier – I am hoping this will be the start of a healthier bedtime routine for George. Moonlite has come up with an alternative way to read books, ideal for special occasions or when trying to wean your little one from IPad back to books. I am really excited to introduce the Moonlite Story Book Projector to George.
Moonlite has a unique, wonderful way to bring story books to life. Moonlite uses a story book Projector which makes for a more exciting bedtime. The Moonlite projector is created by simply using the app on your smart phone. Creating a truly magical, immersive storytelling experience that fuels your child’s imagination like no other.
The projector is a small device that simply clips onto a smartphone and uses the torch to project timeless classics on to the wall, whilst projecting the images, the Moonlite app plays harmonic sound effects. Moonlite cleverly bridges the gap between traditional and digital books, offering a unique and memorable experience for both parent and child. Building story time, in whatever form it takes, into a bedtime routine is essential
Here are some of the incredible stories launching in the UK;
The Moonlite Starter Pack (SRP £19.99) featuring Eric Carle’s popular “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “The Very Busy Spider”
The Moonlite Gift Pack (SRP £39.99) featuring Mr Men and Fairy Tales
The Moonlite Story Reels (SRP £7.99 each) featuring Spot the Dog and Beatrix Potter The Tale of Jemima PuddleDuck, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
We received the Fairy Tale Gift Pack and Spot the Dog story reel. Fairy tales were always my first choice at bedtime when I was a little girl so I was really looking forward to sharing some “all time classic magical stories with George.
Moonlite enhances that experience and makes children excited for bedtime, while promoting early literacy.
So How Does Moonlite work?
Moonlite is very quick and easy to use, you can follow the instructions below;
Simply download Moonlite from the App Store or Google Play Store – it’s free! 2. Pop one of the story reels into the Moonlite projector 3. Attach Moonlite to your phone 4. Open the app, unlock the story with the included activation code and start reading
The app goes through each step, showing you the steps to set it up.
OurMoonlite Story Book Projector Review
George was asking for his IPad initially and then as soon as we set up the projector and he could see the pictures, he was speechless. The music that plays alongside the story is magical and we all really enjoyed the whole experience.
I must admit that turning the story reel was a little difficult on my phone – a galaxy S8 which is a little slippy to the hand (my phone has more cracks than my foundation these days). It could be better for me if there was a device attached which you could click and it would turn the reel but I do think the issue is down to my phone and it didn’t take away from the fun we had.
We read 3 books in total that night including; Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Goldilocks and the three bears and George has asked for the Moonlite story projector every night since so it was a definite hit in our house. I plan to buy plenty more story reels for the big C!
I must stress that I am a huge book lover and I am in no way saying that these should be used as a book but perhaps as an alternative to books when you fancy a bit of a change.
Available From
The product is available at all good retailers including The Entertainer, Smyths Toys and Amazon.
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Moonlite-Story-reel-projector-review--e1540390447307.jpg40323024Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2018-10-24 14:16:342018-10-24 14:16:34Moonlite Story Book Projector Review
Trying to keep my shit together as a mother, wife and business owner is a hard task, it’s no wonder that my blog has been none existent recently which I must add is bloody annoying and I must apologise. Social media, mini blogs have become a little more prominent in my life as they are literally all I have time for.
Writing things down is my therapy and a massive hobby of mine so I have decided that a monthly update on life in general is an absolute must, I weirdly enjoy people laughing at my expense.
So the month so far – how has it been?
If you have been watching my Instagram Stories you may already know how my month is going but if I had to sum up the month of October in one word, I would definately opt for the word “shitty” not cause of any other reason other than the fact I am potty training George.
Now, the whole concept of “potty training” sounded cute and easy initially I must admit… I mean, I have taught numerous animals to poo and wee in a box or outside without too much trouble so how hard can a toddler be..? Man… I was so naive I am actually looking back in time at myself and saying “awwwww”
Turns out George finds it funny to pee on mummy… It almost became a game…
I have been pissed on obscene amounts of times, I have had more splash backs from pouring poop down the toilet than I have ever had from a frying pan and I have spewed on my own mouth at least dozen times.
Poo in a potty is very different to poo in a nappy.. I’m not sure why but it is no longer coming from a “cute baby” and I am finding it increasingly difficult to be happy when he just leaves a dump in the potty. I try my very best to fist pump the air and get excited for him when he curls one out but it’s hard when you know you are going to have to drop that “mountain of crap” into the toilet and no matter how fast you try to do the “drop and run” you will be splashed… The “drop and run” is something that I am sadly not getting any better at.
You see… the issue is that the consistency is always different… So you can’t really time it effectively.. some falls harder, some falls quicker, some falls messier and some doesn’t want to fall at all. I can’t help but wonder if the term “log flume” was invented by a poo drenched mum – it just seems so fitting!!
On a seperate note, George is now weirdly potty trained in the house if he has no pants on… but if he has pants on he just pees in them.. I have no idea how to transition as he can’t have his bare bum out forever? Then I start freaking out… what if he never does it? What if he ends up being a 30 year old man in nappies? What if our house stinks of wee and I am now just immune and no one tells me… what if we are nicknamed “the wee family“… Oh my …I couldn’t cope… but then I guess I wouldn’t know.. Would I?
Anyway enough about excrement for now… I promise I will be back soon, unless I drown in splash back – ahhh imagine!!!!
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/shitty-october-potty-training-my-story-so-far.jpg960720Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2018-10-12 17:31:082018-10-12 17:31:31The Shitty October
Becoming a parent can be a little what’s the word overwhelming, daunting, scary ….I could go on…. I mean honestly how much is there to think about? I for one, spent most of my pregnancy worrying and I began seriously worrying when my pregnancy app sent me an update announcing that my 12 week bump was now the size of a Grapefruit!!! Anyway, he is here now and all is well with the world so don’t worry about that part!!
As you make your way through pregnancy you will see that there are so many products and magazines out there that lure you and state “you need this, you need that” but in reality you don’t need everything they are throwing at you!!!
In todays blog I am going to be sharing with you my personal top 10 newborn baby essentials, the top 10 things that I personally bought, found really useful and would use again and I will also be sharing our comparison tables with each mini review so that we can ensure you find the best price across hundreds of retailers (this is updated automatically).
The Tommee Tippee Prep Machine
When you are pregnant, do you find that people keep telling you how hard it is being a parent? I did and I was like HELLLOOOO he is clearly inside me now, perhaps you should have told me before I had sex… unprotected, anyway that is another story!! I would constantly get told about how difficult night feeds are and how you have to make up a bottle and then wait for it to cool down all whilst the baby is screaming. I was truly terrified!!! Then like an angel my friend stood before me and whispered the sweetest words I have ever heard “Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Machine”.
Tommee Tippee is a well-known brand for baby feeding accessories and it is one of the most loved and trusted brands in the baby world. “So, what is this Machine” you ask? Basically this amazing machine makes up a ready-to-drink bottle in literally 2 minutes. Can you believe it…? “Impossible” you say??? I thought the same but ITS TRUEEEEEEE.
This is a great buy for any parent who want to make up baby’s bottles quickly and accurately. It is aimed at parents who are ready to make the move to formula milk.
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Electric Steam Sterliser
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Electric Steam Sterliser is very quick and extremely easy to use. All you need to do is add 80ml of water to the bottom of the steriliser (there is an 80ml line marked on Tommee Tippee bottles) you then close the lid and then push the button on the front. The button glows orange when the steriliser is switched on and goes off automatically when the cycle is finished five minutes later. You must allow an additional 3 minutes cooling time before lifting the lid. The bottles then stay sterile for a full 24 hours as long as the lid remains closed – so you could turn it on before bed, and have clean bottles at the ready in the morning.
The Shnuggle bath is a multi-award winning bath designed to grow with your baby and has been carefully created to be a safe and secure place to bathe your baby. This bath is very light and is easily transported it is very comfortable for baby.
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Chicco Next To Me Crib, Chick to Chick
This crib from Chicco is amazing and promotes side-sleeping and allows you to sleep close to your child without being in the same bed. This was really handy for me as I had a C-section and found it difficult to sit up and look in to George’s moses basket at first and then we saw the dropside which means I could keep an eye on George without having to move. A lot of the mums we have spoken to also loved this item for breastfeeding.
I kept this crib in my bedroom and used the moses basket for downstairs and to take out of the house, it was much easier for me to have both but you really don’t need both.
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Baby Elegance Bath Changing Unit – Grey Star
I absolutely loved The Baby Elegance Bath unit as it had plenty of room for Storage. I would but all of George’s changing bits in one place and it was really handy. It stood in the corner of George’s bedroom, we used this for changing nappies, getting him dressed and getting him ready for bed after his bath.
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Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottles
If you are going to be using other tommee tippee products like the Closer to Nature steam sterliser or the tomee tippee perect prep machine I would recommend getting these bottles especially to begin with. The sterliser fits the bottles in perfectly and they all work hand in hand really.
George still uses Tommee Tippee bottles and he is nearly 2 and half (oops) they have always been good for us, he did have a bout of Colic and we switched to Dr Browns for a short time but after that he was back on the Tommee Tippees.
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The Video Monitor – Motorola MPB36S
The MPB36S baby monitor is amazing and does everything you would need. The great news is you can take it away with you or if your little one is sleeping at the grandparents one evening they will be able to set it up easily too. There are tons fantastic features including lullabies. The image and sound quality is brilliant. The monitor also has built in infrared night vision, and the video remote, tilts and zooms to ensure you can see and hear your baby even if they have wriggled out of view.
Bright Starts 5-in-1 Your Way Ball Play, Play Mat & Activity Gym
Yes, we all love newborn baby snuggles but once hubby goes back to work and the visitors have died down you have no choice but to snap back in to housework and jobs mode (I know its horrible) but the 5-in-1 Your Way Ball Play Activity Gym from Bright Starts is amazing with walls that can be adjusted up or down to stop your little one travelling too far. The 35 balls means that this gym isn’t just for newborns and can be used during the toddler years too as a ball pit! Engaging toys include an electronic toucan that entertains baby with lots of lovely tunes. Your little one will love this and so will you!!!
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Pram – Bugaboo camelion 3
I could talk about this pram for ages, from the moment I saw it I fell in love with it. I am not going to lie the price was a little out of my budget at the time at £1300 from Mothecare but since then the price has dropped. The maxi- cosi pebble car seat was used with this pram for the first few weeks which was ideal (I just had to buy the adapters) and then we enjoyed long walks in this pram over the summer and Autumn months. I never had any issues with this pram and would 100% buy it again.
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Maxi Cosi Pebble Plus Car Seat
When it comes to safety, Maxi Cosi is definitely one of the most reputable brands parents can depend on. A few years ago, they introduced the widely popular Maxi Cosi Pebble car seat. With the desire to improve features and design, they revamped the Pebble car seat and introduced the Maxi Cosi Pebble Plus. This infant car seat carrier is light, easy to install, and comfortable. The new baby-hugg newborn inlay is certainly more comfortable than the previous model’s newborn insert.
Maxi Cosi Pebble Plus is part of the 2wayFix family, which meets the new i-Size regulations. This means that your child can continue to be in the car seat facing rearwards while using the same base for a longer time, which is approximately up to 4 years old. This certainly simplifies the transition from one car seat to another, as your child grows. Not to mention, a little less heavy on the wallet.
So there you have it, my 10 absolute must-haves for new parents!!!
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/11-newborn-essentials-for-new-parents.jpg6861030Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2018-09-06 07:40:452018-09-19 14:42:28Top 10 List of our Newborn Essentials for Parents
As you can imagine our email inbox is full of brands wanting to work with us to find out our honest feedback on products with a view to share them with parents using MyBump2Baby. Our time is very limited so we have to pick products and brands to review that we feel will be most beneficial to our readers.
Initially when I was first contacted by BabyLed Spreads, I thought it was a fantastic idea and I thought the BabyLed spreads were just for babies but after liaising with the owner he informed me they are also a perfect healthy food for fussy toddlers which was ideal for us and a lot of mums I have spoken to recently.
BabyLed Spreads Review – Healthy Food for a Fussy Toddler
I am one of those mothers that often suffers with massive mummy guilt when it comes to meal times. George is not a “veg lover” which means a lot of my time is spent disguising vegetables by hiding them in the middle of mash or just giving him what he asks for which isn’t ideal as it is usually fish fingers, chips and beans. I was really excited to try these spreads and see if they made our lives any easier and healthier.
My Review of Baby Led Spreads based on a Fussy Toddler
I love the fact that the baby led spreads are simply ordered online and they come straight to your door making it a completely simple and painless process. You can order either 18 jars for £12.00 (67p per jar) or 9 jars for £6.50 (72p each) You also have the option for dairy free jars which is fantastic if your little one has an intolerance.
At MyBump2Baby we are huge supporters of the Charity Bliss and seeing that BabyLed Spreads also supports the charity made me very happy! For every 9 jars sold, BabyLed spreads donates 30p to Bliss and for every 18 jars sold 60p is donated.
There are 6 flavours;
Ricotta & bean
Avocado, red pepper and tomato
Spicy pumpkin and chickpea
Red lentil and sweet potato
Green pea, rocket and dill
Carrot, Apple and Hummus
The great news about these jars is that they are small enough to shove in your handbag and there are literally no rules with them, they can be eaten warm, cold, mixed in with pasta, spread on toast, as a dip or whatever you fancy. These spreads can be as versatile as you need them to be and they can just become part of your everyday life without changing your routine, if anything these BabyLed spreads have only made my life easier.
Mealtimes with BabyLed Spreads with a Fussy Toddler
I wanted to make sure the week I reviewed the BabyLed Spreads was just a normal busy week in our household so I could see if they fitted in to our busy lives without spending time in the kitchen trying to make different recipes with them.
The owner of baby led spreads has kindly added recipes to our Baby weaning recipe section for you to have a look at and I will be making these once I get my next batch ordered but it was important to me that the BabyLed spreads are quick and easy as well as being healthy.
So what did I use the BabyLed Spreads for;
The week I used BabyLed spreads, I found meal times and ideas a lot easier and quicker. George had the BabyLed spreads mixed with pasta, spread on toast, as dips with carrot and cucumber and even with some crisps when he just fancied a snack in the afternoon.
Would I purchase BabyLed Spreads again for my Fussy Toddler?
100% yes, these spreads have taken the pressure off me trying to cook and hide veg within George’s dinners and George really enjoys them. There wasn’t one he didn’t like (or I didn’t like) and I am really looking forward to using them more.
Who do I think they would work well for?
I think these should be in every parent’s cupboards, you can use them as a go to when you are just wanting to whip something up quickly and the long life on them means that you can just use them to suit your needs.
I think these would be great to take on holiday too as they are small and compact and offer you that support with food should you need it. The pots work great on the go too which means you can stick some in your changing back and use them when you need to.
Order your BabyLed Spreads
If you want to order some of these fantastic BabyLed Spreads, visit their website by clicking here.
I would love to hear your feedback on this product and I will add it to this review.
BabyLed Spread Recipes
If you want to check out some simple recipes using these fantastic BabyLed spreads click here.
Baby Weaning
I used the Bumbo Multi-seat for baby weaning, you can read my review here
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Babyled-spread-review-healthy-food-for-a-fussy-toddler.jpg600600Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2018-08-20 17:45:152018-09-27 21:46:02BabyLed Spreads Review – Healthy Food for a Fussy Toddler
Becoming a Love Island addict again this summer made me realise how old I actually look, so I was on the hunt to find the best foods to slow down aging. The contents of this yummy vegan friendly smoothie recipe have been referred to as “anti-aging friendly foods” so I thought “I am having some of that“!!! And I have mixed them all together and created the ultimate concoction with the hope I look like a 20 year old again!!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of unsweetened Almond milk
1 cup fresh spinach (I get the frozen balls from Morrisons)
½ ripe avocado, pitted
1 medium ripe banana, peeled
2 cups frozen blueberries
1 tablespoon of whole almonds
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Carla’s Method
Place the spinach and almond milk in the blender first, blend until smooth, then add the almonds, blend again then add the rest ingredients in to your blender. Blend until smooth.
*** FOR BEST RESULTS ADD A FROZEN ITEM TO MAKE ICE COLD***
Ok, ok ….I hold my hands up, perhaps I was a bad mum for Googling “how soon can my baby go in a Jumperoo?” obscene amounts of times per day for the first 6 months of George’s existence but let’s face it we all have busy lives, meals to prepare, chores to do. Sure, being a new mum is great – it is… but when are we meant to get jobs done? I mean, Seriously?
I bought George’s Fisher Price Jumperoo and set it up well before he could hold his head up and yes I couldn’t wait for him to sit in it so I could get some jobs done (there I said it). Now of course the child inside of me was also just dying to watch him bounce … I felt giddy just thinking about it – I wanted to be the mum cheering from the side-lines (the couch) “HIGHER HIGHER”
The Fisher Price baby bouncer Jumperoo was a real life saver in our house and allowed me so much more time to do things that needed to be done and George absolutely loved it, there are so many different features that George never got bored. He played in happily it until he was 13 months old and he would have stayed in it longer but I was keen to see it go after an influx of presents from George’s birthday.
I decided to share our honest Fisher-Price Jumperoo Baby Bouncer review with you so you can decide if this item is worth buying or not.
Fisher-Price Jumperoo Baby Bouncer review
I was delighted when I got my hands on the Fisher-Price Jumperoo and even though George wasn’t ready to go in it right away I made sure we set it up ready for the BIG DAY! I asked my husband to put it all together and it was very straight forward.
When the big day arrived we sat George in the Jumperoo and he was a little nervous at first, I mean wouldn’t you be? look at it!!! George stayed in the jumperoo a little longer each time as he discovered new sounds and lights and got very excited when he could turn himself around.
George often tired himself out in the Jumperoo, jumping up and down like a kangaroo and was always very excited when I put him in it. I moved the jumperoo from room to room so I could get on with my jobs whilst keeping an eye on my crazy child.
What does the Jumperoo do?
The Fisher Price Jumperoo allows your little one to turn 360 degrees, play music, watch lights and lay with different toys. The jumperoo is the perfect play apparatus for a full sensory play within one product.
Age restrictions and Safety
The Jumperoo play gym is designed for babies from 6-15 months (max weight of 11.3kg and height of 85cm).
I felt like George was completely safe in the Jumperoo and there were never any accidents (apart from some poo accidents of course…. HIM not me, just so we are clear), I rarely left him unattended at first but as I got more confident in the product I did occasionally leave him whilst I made myself a cup of tea.
Style and comfort
This fabulous play gym is full of different stimulating features which ultimately means that the item is bulky and take up a lot of room, however the new design enables you to collapse it easily which means it doesn’t take up too much room.
The seat did seem really comfortable for George, although his time spent in the Jumperoo increased with age, I made sure I would take him out for a bit every 20 minutes but more often than not he would scream to go back in.
Cleaning the product
The item is easy to wipe down when necessary, we did have a few exploding nappies in the seat and the material can be removed and washed.
I would 100% get another Fisher price Jumperoo again, I felt that it gave me the chance to get things done in the house and actually made me feel like I had some normality back in my life again.
I felt that George became stronger and more alert from using the jumperoo
Time spent in Jumperoo
In the beginning George spent around 5 minutes in the Jumperoo here and there but as he became more confident he would often spend 20 minutes at a time in the Jumperoo which was great for me because those 20 minutes allowed me 20 minutes for jobs (you would be surprised how much you can do in 20 minutes).
Is it easy to clean?
The removable seat fabric is machine washable and safe to use in the dryer.
_______________________________________________________________Overall Review from MyBump2Baby
Yes, the product is a little bulky and a little on the expensive side, for me personally, the Fisher Price Jumperoo saved my sanity (to a certain extent) I could move it around the house and get on with my jobs and for the use George got out of this product made me feel the price is definately worth it
Reviews from our MyBump2Baby mummies
At MyBump2Baby we love hearing honest feedback from parents on products, here are some MyBump2Baby mums who wanted to leave honest reviews on the Bumbo multi-seat
“This was a life saver in our house, I have 5 children so as you can imagine I spend all my time doing jobs the Fisher Price Jumperoo was a God send” – Amy from Withenshaw
“I used my baby shower vouchers on this and I am so thankful as I had no idea how useful it would be” Keely from Manchester
“The Fisher price Jumperoo was brilliant for us, Sophie still uses it now and is 1 years old” – Jacky from Grimsby
“The only problem with this item is it is not easy to transport, I love it and I honestly don’t know what I would do without it, Hattie was so needy as a baby and wanted attention all the time, the jumperoo slowly broke the neediness and in the end she liked being in that more than cuddles with me haha” Angela from Kendal
