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The Must Have Slimming World Sweet Syn Cones

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This article is a review on the amazing Yummy, Mummy and Me – Ashlie perfectly packages slimming world sweet syn cones in line with your ideal syn value. To purchase your slimming world sweet cone click here.

Slimming World Sweet Syn Cones

Being on a diet seems to be a way of life for me these days, I so wish I was that person who could eat whatever I wanted and stay slim – It’s the dream isn’t it!! When it comes to diets, I must admit that I have tried them all -believe me I have done EVERY.SINGLE.ONE. I have to say Slimming World is one of the better diets I have attempted, it is practical, easy to stick to and it actually works when done properly.

Briefly, the Slimming World diet involves dieters choosing food from a list of low-fat foods they call Free Foods, such as fruit, vegetables, pasta, potatoes, rice, lean meat, fish and eggs. These foods can be eaten in unlimited quantities..(yes really!!)  Whilst no foods are off limits, some of the less healthy treat foods, known as Syn foods, have values attached. Syns also include foods found in the Healthy Extras (like cheese and bread), allowing you to eat bigger portions of these foods if you want them.

Slimming World Treats and Syns

One of the best things about Slimming World (besides the fact you can still eat cheese and carbs every day, honest they encourage it) is that you can still have treats in the form of syns. So what are syn I hear you ask? Well the long and short of It means that you have a certain number of syns per day to use on treats, or extra savoury items. As long as you stick to the diet and healthy extras for your meals and remain reasonably good you are allowed yes allowed CHOCOLATE and SWEEEEETS and CRISPS every day.

If you are like me when I started Slimming World I got ridiculously excited by this but also a little silly as I kind of forgot to add up my syns…  I would end up going over to the treat jar, uttering the words ‘sod it!’ and eating a whole packet or two of something naughty and then I would spend the evening convincing myself it would be within my 15 syns… even though deep down I knew I had messed up.

For me my will power and my inner sweet toothed demon are constantly at war! There’s just something about holding a bag of sweets in your hand and finishing that bag that satisfies that inner demon.

If you have the same issue…. I have wonderful news for you….

There is a wonderful business out there who has taken the idea of a syns and managing what you can have one step further.

Have you ever got to the end of the day with so many syns left, but don’t know what to have?

Yummy Mummy and Me has created the perfect answer to this problem and has made syn cones, and they have only gone and added up the syn value for you so all you have to do is… open the bag and stick your face in to it (don’t forget to chew)!!!

Not only that but She has managed to create sweet cones that range in syn value including all of your favourite treats so you have the option of choosing or just save your full syn allowance and go for that 15 syn bag every night. The contents always vary too, so a new surprise every night. Yay!

Her prices are absolutely insane at 1 for only £1.50, 3 for £4.00 or 5 for £6 you just cannot go wrong and you can have one every single day if you save your syns for them. My sweet tooth is actually bowing down to this absolute goddess who founded this amazing company.

The good news is if you are located in Lytham St Anne’s you can simply collect your goodies from the business directly and the great news for the rest of you is that she can post them to your door to ensure the wheels never come off your diet again!!

They really are amazing and you feel like you are being indulgent but because Yummy Mummy and Me ensures each cone never go over your required syns you really are not. You need to check out her Instagram page and Facebook page but WARNING!!! It’s not all Slimming World so try not to get distracted.

She also caters for all occasions including weddings, birthdays, hen parties and christenings. Anything we can celebrate she can cater for. How great is that. All of her products are perfectly packaged and presented perfectly we are all like children when it comes to sweet treats the better they look the more tempted we are and because they look so good, for me the whole family enjoy them. My little one now asks for my treat cone from Yummy Mummy and Me, and I have to say I don’t feel too bad every now and then letting him have one because I know the treats within it do not contain anywhere near the sugar value a normal treat bag would.

Hurrah for Yummy Mummy and Me for taking the time to work out my syn values and giving me a great big bag of goodies to eat with no guilt.

 

We have awarded this amazing business with our recommended on MyBump2Baby badge.

 

Slimming World Sweet Syn Cones

Images of Life by Deana – Newborn Photographer Hertfordshire

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We love review businesses that are a little unique and today we share our review on the amazing Images of Life by Deana, Deana is a newborn photographer in Hertfordshire who has her 2nd newborn Safety Certification which means your babies safety is her upmost priority. Read on to find out why we think the service she provides is  truly exceptional.

Images of Life by Deana – Newborn Photographer Hertfordshire

Newborn Photographer Hertfordshire Review

Now, we all know that having a baby is the most magical experience of a parent’s life … Ok Ok…perhaps not all the blood, sweat and tears… but the rest of it is just beautiful. So of course, as parents it is only logical that when your little ones are born you would want to document every precious moment of their lives.  I certainly do, every ounce of gorgeous mayhem in my son’s life. Obviously I am no professional photographer, so a quick snap on my phone is enough for me and I manage to capture the beautiful everyday moments in my none-professional way. This is all fine but there are times when I just want his beautiful face captured when its food stain free with sparkling eyes and that’s where newborn and infant photographers are just the best.

When he was squidgy tiny we had a gorgeous newborn photoshoot. I loved it and still cherish the photographs now. I could never have captured those moments or managed to get him in the beautiful positions they managed without an explosive poo or any major freak outs. Newborn and infant photographers just have a way… a magical way. That’s why at MyBump2Baby we are so excited to find the best of the best and guide them in your direction and boy have we discovered an incredible photographer for you!!!!

Deana Louise, Images of Life in Hertfordshire is one of these absolutely incredible photographers

You only have to take one glance at her website to an array of beautiful images to showcase her talent. Dreamy poses and beautiful memories made in her own unique signature style, Deana’s photographs are taken in the comfort of her own studio where your comfort and your enjoyment are of the upmost importance.  With the highest quality props to ensure your baby and child are super comfy and relaxed. Her stunning products ensure your images are displayed to perfection.

Deana has been awarded her 2nd newborn Safety Certification, meaning that your baby’s safety is her main priority. This may just be me, but when you are looking for photographers you obviously just take this for granted I mean I definitely didn’t seek out this certification I’ll be honest I didn’t even know it existed but it does and it absolutely should!  Your baby is the most important thing in your life and the best should be expected. Deana is only one of a few in the U.K with this accreditation. I am sure all newborn photographers whether they have this or not will take absolute care of your precious newborn but by having this certification it means Deana will never take risks, and will  support and pose your baby with the greatest of care as she has been specially trained to do so. I definitely feel better knowing that and when/if I have another baby this is a certification I will look for.

In Deana’s own words “there is nothing better than looking at photographs to evoke memories and feelings.” I love looking back on pictures of my son and recalling the moment, the day, the time, the place. Our children just aren’t squidgy and tiny for long enough are they? Deana’s photographs capture not only those newborn days, but the cheeky smiles and innocent faces of childhood. Mobile phones just can’t capture a moment the way a photographer can.

Images of Life by Deana – Newborn Photographer Hertfordshire

Attending many newborn seminars and courses to be trained in the beautiful art of newborn portraiture. Training every year to ensure you receive the best possible experience, from images, to the time in the studio, to the product choice. Deana makes sure you have the highest quality experience. Being a fully qualified Associate member of The Master Photographers Association and winning many awards for her work, including Cherubs Baby photographer of the year 2016/17. There really isn’t a better choice for parent’s in the Hertfordshire area.

 

I personally feel what sets Photographers like Deana apart from the masses is the time spent into her qualifications and training. Making that extra time for comfort, which as a parent is exactly what you need whether it be in those first hazy newborn baby days where sleep is prize to be won and your life revolves around feeds, burps and poo, or the early childhood days where peace and relaxation is a craving we don’t always get. Deana has the skills to entertain and care for your child whilst capturing those special moments that will make you laugh, cry and remember fondly as you look back.  So all parents and families in Hertfordshire go and check out her website and five star reviews for yourselves and book in. MyBump2Baby certainly recognises and recommends her talents.

Deana is a 5 star review holder on Facebook based on 38 opinions.

Here are just some of the fantastic reviews;

“Absolutely amazing! I’d recommend Deana to anyone wanting perfect photos! I’m so overwhelmed and happy with how they’ve all turned out, not only was she amazing on the day she’s put a lot of time and work in to make the photos absolutely stunning. So happy and grateful!”

“Although trying to do anything productive with a newborn can be a challenge, I have to say getting photos done with Deana was totally worth it. The session itself was relaxed and I knew we would come away with some amazing photos. Nearly 4 months on and I love the photos even more- she’s changed so much already so getting the newborn photos really is a once in a lifetime opportunity xxx thankyou for such beautiful memories x”

“My baby arrived 5 weeks early and I was very neurotic about keeping him safe. Because he was soooooo teeny I was a bit apprehensive about the photoshoot that I had previously desperately wanted. However there was absolutely no reason to have been apprehensive at all. Deana was amaaaaazing with him, she was brilliant and handling him, making me and him feel at ease and was like a real life baby whisperer. I expected to go to a photographer but did not expect that she would be so brilliant with him. I would 100% recommend this photographer and will definitely use her again in the future.”

You can see more of Deana’s work here

and you can follow her Facebook page here.

Potty Training Essentials | Recommended Items for Potty Training

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If you have stumbled across this post it must be nearly time for the BIG task of potty training!!! You are probably in a good routine and it is scary thinking about changing that – I mean let’s face it, getting out the house is not an easy task with nappies let alone without.

From the day your little one is born nappies very quickly become part of your daily life. As parents, we can tend to put potty training off for a while as the task can be a little daunting. There is a lot to think about when you start thinking about potty training. We have created a list of potty training essentials to support you through your journey.

Once you feel your little one is ready to make the change the next thing you need to do is thinking about what you need to begin your potty training journey.

Here is our list of our Recommended Potty Training items for 2019;

Potty Training Pants | Bamino Mio Training Pants

We were keen to get out of nappies altogether during the day but we also didn’t want to be secluded to the 4 walls in our house so we decided to switch to a trusted brand. After plenty of research and trawling through lots of reviews we decided to make the switch to the fantastic Bambino-Mio pull up cloth pants which we would highly recommend.

There are 13 beautiful designs to choose from which encourages your little one to wear them. My son is dinosaur obsessed so it made it very easy for us to switch over. There is a concealed water resistant layer inner pad, it allows toddlers to feel the wetness whilst minimising clothing changes which means your life doesn’t have to change too drastically during the changeover. The Bambino-Mio are machine washable and can be tumble dried and are very soft against your child’s skin. These training pants are reusable and a great way to be kinder to the environment.

We would highly recommend the Bambino-Mio Potty training pants. You can purchase them by visiting their website or via Amazon.

Potty Training Essentials Must have potty training items

 

Summer Infant My Size Potty, £29.99

There are lots of different kinds of potties to choose from and it can be a very difficult choice. We do love the Summer Infant my size potty.  This looks and acts like a real toilet which makes it an easier transition to the real thing. The Summer Infant my size potty features a realistic flushing sound. The clip-on splash guard and flip-up lid helps boys in the potty training process, and the built in wipe dispenser is perfect for promoting good hygiene. You can purchase this in white or pink by clicking here

Reviews from MyBump2Baby Readers

“I loved this potty, it made the transition to the big toilet very easy” Amanda, Liverpool

“I loved the potty had the training wipes in the pack to help teach my little one the importance of hygiene too” Gemma, Croydon.

must have potty training essentials

 

A Potty Training Book

In the lead up to your little one starting potty training, I recommend purchasing a couple of books around potty training. It is a great time to make it a little more fun instead of a chore. We read a couple of books around this including; No more Nappies and Pirates Pete’s Potty.

Trousers with a stretchy waistband

Definitely avoid any pants with drawstrings or zippers as that is where accidents can happen.  Initially there will be a small time between needing to go and going so you don’t want to waste any time. We recommend purchasing some elastic trousers to make things a little easier, you can purchase some here.

 

Progress Chart

Although it is easy to get frustrated when there are accidents we must remember how important it is to reward your little one when they do well. Rewards are an absolute must. We used a progress chart with George and at the end of each week he got a prize. There are lots of different progress charts you can purchase but here is the one we used. You can purchase it here.

 

Protective Mattress Cover

The protective mattress covers are great for protecting your little ones mattress. We got a couple of these, we haven’t cracked the night time potty training yet so these are great for extra protection whilst you practice and afterwards. This particular option is Eco friendly and has raving reviews. You can purchase one here.

Extra Bedsheets

There is nothing worse than being greeted with a wet bed at the wrong time with no extra sheets. I recommend having a change of bedsheets at the ready so that the bed can be changed within a couple of minutes. There are so many to choose from, you can purchase some here.

 

 

 

Creating a Timeless Memory Quilt with Baby Clothing

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“Treasure every moment, it goes too quickly” are words you hear often as a parent, they tend to be shouted as you are half way through a major kick off in your local Aldi …. but either way, I am sure you will agree that this is something we have all heard during our first few years of parenting. Initially, I just thought it was just something people said to make you feel better but… 2 years in to motherhood and I now know exactly what they meant. George seems to be growing by the day, his vocabulary is better than mine and his maturity level is already higher than his dads.

When I see pictures of George as a baby I can’t help but feel a little teary as it is so easy to forget just how small he was, remembering his cute toothy little smile in his Spanish rompers, cute cardigans and long socks makes me feel all mushy inside – there is not a chance he will wear that kind of stuff anymore.

When it comes to baby clothing they very quickly become memories. Think back to all the items your little one has had all its firsts in, the blanket that swaddled your baby on the way home from the hospital, the first baby grow that hugged their tiny body, the first bib that collected food the first food they tasted, that flannel sleep suit they first rolled over in, the outfit that cushioned them on their first crawling adventure and the outfit they took their first steps in…. Many of these items are often in a loft somewhere never to be seen again.

Why not order a carefully designed timeless memory quilt that you can keep forever? Something that is sure to become a family heirloom?

We all have the precious items that we just can’t bear to part with, the items so stained you couldn’t give it away. Part of us really can’t bear to part with these items and then they end up gathering dust in a box in the attic. Why not create something beautiful with your very own memory quilt?

Creating a Timeless Memory Blanket with Baby Clothing

With jaw dropping testimonials and raving reviews, Shomsa Creations proves to offer a fantastic service that all parents and parents to be should know about. The beautiful designs are proof that Shomsa Creations really is THE place to go when it comes to memory quilts, play mats, blankets and creations.

Fiona – a self-made seamstress and the founder of the amazing Shomsa Creations, began her journey by making clothes for her daughter and she has never looked back since. Fiona created her first memory blanket for her friend that sadly suffered the heartbreak of a still born baby. With a nursery fully furnished and a wardrobe full of clothes, Fiona created a memory quilt by using the clothes her friend’s child never got to wear, Fiona also incorporated the memory quilt with the African print, “An-ka-ra” – which is a great symbol of strength. This memory quilt was her friends comfort, the memory of the child and something the she as a mother can treasure forever more.

Creating a Timeless Memory Quilt with Baby Clothing

Shomsa creations memory quilts are so much more than just a memory quilt as Shomsa creations uses vibrant African fabrics to create these timeless blankets and they come in various sizes to suit our requirements.

The memory blankets are available in 3 sizes

  • Small 28×28 £45.00
  • Medium 35×42 £70.00
  • Large 50×69 £150.00

The memory blankets can be personalised with name and additional pieces like bibs can be stitched over the top for an additional cost.

You can purchase your own memory quilt here

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Shomsa Creations has a massive 5 star reviews on Facebook and here are just some of her fantastic testimonials;

“I absolutely adore the beautiful memory quilt crafted by Fiona. It is just exquisitely made and we couldn’t be happier. She was also a pleasure to deal with and we’d highly recommend her work! Thank you so much once again! Xx”

“Fee created an unique and special quilt out of my children’s baby clothes. She managed to get the colours to work beautifully together and it’s already one of the most treasured items in our home! Thank you so much xxx”

 We have proudly awarded Shomsa Creations with our “Recommended on MyBump2Baby” badge

How to teach your children how to behave round dogs!

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We teach our children how to behave around babies, other children and adults but do you teach your children how to behave around dogs? Teaching our children how to behave around dogs can sometimes be forgotten, especially if your child doesn’t mix with dogs…. and then if they don’t mix with dogs how do you teach your children to behave round dogs? Can you see my dilemma?

I am not going to lie, mixing with dogs doesn’t come naturally to George, sure … he says loves them and yes, he talks about them…. A LOT…. But, when it comes to interacting with dogs, George gets a little scared and when a dog is arond he can be found cutting off the circulation round my legs with his eyes tightly shut!! I love animals, especially dogs so it is really important to me that George isn’t scared of dogs and it is also important to me that George understands animals and how to treat them nicely. A question I have often asked myself was “if we don’t have a dog and we rarely come in to contact with dogs how do we teach him to behave around dogs?”

Thankfully, I have discovered a beautiful book series created for this very thing, it is part of the Zara DogDog club series and it is a truly lovely read for a night time story.  

how to teach your children to behave around dogs

 

What is the Zara DogDog Club

Anna, the founder of Zara DogDog Club was inspired to create this fantastic series based on her own dog – Zara. Anna noticed that when she was out walking her dog, people were often unsure how to behave around her dog. The Zara DogDog Club is designed to help children develop positive relationships with dogs by understanding why dogs behave in certain ways whilst encouraging them to behave safely around dogs. The first book in the Zara DogDog Club book series is called “Zara DogDog on the school run” and I am excited to share our reading experience with you.

 

Zara DogDog book review

The book is beautifully illustrated by the talented Siobhan Barlow and written by the equally as talented Anna Crichton.

In the front of the book you will meet Zara’s family, there is mum, dad, Isaac, Amelia and of course Zara DogDog.

This beautifully illustrated, educational yet straightforward story begins with the alarm going off and Zara DogDog is waking up in the morning ready for her walk. Zara DogDog is initially enjoying her walk until it was cut short as she arrived at Isaac and Amelia’s school. The school was noisy and Zara was scared and began behaving differently.

This book explains very simply signs to look out for when a dog is uncomfortable or scared and it emphasises that you shouldn’t go and stroke a dog without asking first.

The book is aimed at 3 years plus but George understood it and we followed the 3 action steps printed in the back of the book to make it more interactive.

Before we started the books I asked George how he felt about dogs and he said he loves them, I asked him why he is scared when he is around them and he said because they bite, I explained that he doesn’t need to be scared of dogs but he should always ask the owner before stroking the dog.

George loved all the pictures in the book and when Zara DogDog become a little uncomfortable the pictures were clear and easy to understand, they illustrated 3 steps to look out for if a dog is feeling uncomfortable.

Afterwards, I spoke to George about how he felt about dogs now and what he needs to do before he strokes a dog and he said “ask the owner”.

 

I will continue to read this book each week as George really enjoyed the story and we both look forward to reading

more of Zara DogDogs adventures.

How to teach your children to behave around dogs 1

 

This fabulous book is only £7.99 and can be bought by clicking here.

 

We have awarded Zara DogDog Club with our Recommended on Badge as we absolutely love the book and the whole concept.

 

 

You can purchase your book here

Follow Zara DogDogs adventures by visiting the website

You can also follow her on

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Boogie Beat Music and Movement Review

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As a parent, I am sure you will agree it can be a little difficult to choose the right baby and toddler group to suit your needs. In this day and age, we are truly blessed when it comes to baby and toddler groups and selecting the right one for you can be a little.. how do you put it… overwhelming. Many of us have only have limited time available to spend with the little ones in our lives and we want to ensure that in between daily tasks, chores and general day to day lives, that when we finally get out of the house for an hour (sometimes we don’t), the class we attend has been enjoyable for all involved.

Today, we are really excited to share our own personal Boogie Beat Music and Movement experience with you. Rachael, the owner of the Preston and Fylde franchise invited us to come to a local class and write up a Boogie Beat Music and Movement Review – and, of course we jumped at the opportunity.

Obviously, before I attended the class I looked in to Boogie Beat Music and Movement a little further and I was delighted to find that our local classes were free of charge for everyone, so whether you are a grandparent, friend, relative, carer or childminder – you can attend these classes for FREE!!!!

The venues are currently;

Wednesday 1pm (45 mins) at Water’s Edge, Lytham St Anne’s

Thursday 11am (45 mins) Plum Tree Farm, Blackpool

More to be confirmed very soon.

 

I was also delighted to find out that Boogie Beat Music and Movement also support the local community by holding intergeneration workshops which I absolutely adore about this franchise… in fact, I would go as far to say it actually melts my heart.

Boogie Beat Review

 

Boogie Beat was founded in May 2000, the groups are aimed to help babies and children learn to express themselves whilst developing their coordination, social skills and confidence whilst having fun.

 

Boogie Beat Music & Movement Review

After a few tantrums and slaps to the face (me.. not George), George was finally ready to get out of bed. He was very excited at the idea of attending a class and we headed to Plum tree farm in Blackpool at 11am on Thursday for our first session at Boogie Beat Music and Movement. We met Emily the class teacher who was extremely friendly and we instantly felt welcomed and included.

I was delighted to see such a wide age range in children, there were babies right the way up to 4 year olds and it was clear to see that the families at the class were big fans of the franchise, the excitement on the children’s faces was infectious and George was shaking with excitement (he does that a lot when he is excited)

The theme of the classes changes every 2 weeks to keep the suspense alive and the theme today was “The Snowman” which seemed very fitting as it was absolutely freezing that morning. The songs, stories, dances and games were all snowman themed… cleverly blended with the traditional timeless classic nurseries and fairytales that we all know and love.

The class began by saying hello to Giggles the monkey and singing the welcome song. The music and songs in the class were easy to sing along and the movement side of the class was very easy to follow. Throughout the class there were laughs, dancing, music and stories and the way all the children expressed themselves was beautiful. As well as being educational for the toddlers the class also had a sensory feel to it which was great for the little babies. The class finished with the goodbye song and George decided he wanted to stay and play in the kids area afterwards.

I am definitely taking George to this fabulous class again. These classes are suitable from birth right up to school. They offer parties and school and nursery workshops, if you would like your children to benefit from this fabulous class please speak to your nursery or school or email Rachael directly rachael@boogiebeat.co.uk or send her a message on Facebook

 

Intergenerational class at a local carehome

I was also invited to come to the intergenerational class at one of my local care homes. There are so many benefits when it comes to these types of groups and I was keen to see one for myself. I got there a little earlier and spoke to the guests who were very excited about the music class and little visitors. We had a chat about their day as we eagerly waited for the children to arrive. The guests were looking out the window and when the children started arriving their eyes lit up and I felt a shudder of excitement for them myself. The class started and the theme today was the Gingerbread Man so everyone could join in. Watching the two generations connect on this level was beautiful and if you saw my video on Facebook you will know that I did feel very emotional to be a part of it.

The local paper was also at the carehome and you can read the article here

 

We have awarded Boogie Beat Music and Movement with our “Recommended on MyBump2Baby” badge.

You can find Rachael’s classes on our directory or her website.

You can follow her pages for the latest news and updates below

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Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums Magazine

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Tell me… what is one thing you do for yourself each day? Just one thing for one hour a day? Perhaps it is taking an exercise class each day or maybe you opt for a relaxing bath? Or sit in the Jacuzzi at your local spa? What do you do for your self-care and positive wellness? Ah… Ah… Ah…. Social media with a coffee doesn’t count as that isn’t taking time for you!

Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums

Time for Self-Care and Positive Wellness

I don’t think people realise how important self-care and positive wellness is … especially when it comes to new mums. As a mum it is so hard to prioritize taking a bath when you have a bucket load of washing literally suffocating your personal space (story of my life) and a screaming baby.

You may not realise but self-care and positive wellness are both very important when it comes to beating stress. It has been proven that when you are too tired, eating a poor diet and generally run down you will be more reactive to stresses in your life, your poor reactions may even create more issues by not responding from a place of inner calmness and strength.

It could be that you have to take your hour of self-care and wellness in stages during the day, 5 minutes here and 5 minutes there and that is ok too but however you use your hour make sure it is built in to your day and you treat it as none negotiable. It is time to take care of you!!

What if I was to tell you that there is a magazine out there that focuses on you, your self-care and positive wellbeing? “Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums” has been created by the incredible Isabella and Us.

Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums 1

The graceful yet tranquil brand that is otherwise known as Isabella and Us promotes positive wellbeing in parents whilst raising awareness about important issues like mental health.

Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums Magazine

As a fellow parent, I am sure you will agree that your time for self-care and positive wellness each day is either none existent or can be occasionally broken down in to slots and this beautiful magazine promotes numerous self-care and positive wellness ideas of how you can focus more on you. Packed with a mixture of real life short articles, humorous stories, interviews and advice this beautifully designed magazine ensures that even if you only get that 5 minute break you can read something from this fabulous magazine

The Positive Wellbeing Zine for mums is a calm and tranquil timeless book of positivity and includes plenty of information about positive self-care ideas and habits.

The beautifully illustrated magazine is A5 which means it slots perfectly in to your handbag, desk drawer and even your glove compartment in the car – why do babies always fall asleep in the car by the way?

As well as supporting mums, The Positive Wellbeing Zine supports small independent businesses that also offer support and services to parents, their children and their families. If you would like to advertise click here.

We love the fact that that Emma the Founder of Isabella and Us has collaborated with a great deal of inspiring mums and mums in business to bring you this uplifting and encouraging publication. This magazine is a fantastic resource to uplift your mood when times get a little tough as a mum and helps change your mind set for the better.

This particular magazine includes a range of topics from Mindfulness, Top Tips for Self-Care, Mama Boss Feature, a Self-Care Planner, beautiful illustrations plus much more. You can purchase this magazine for as little as £4.50 – that’s less than a large cup of coffee!!!  Click here to purchase.

I have always been open when it comes to speaking about my personal struggles with postnatal depression, anxiety and PTSD. Looking back, I didn’t take regular time for myself and as soon as George came along the gym stopped, the relaxing baths turned in to a rushed shower whilst I had 2 minutes and I no longer felt like I had time to read books especially when any spare time I had was working on my new business launch. Looking back, it is no wonder I suffered with mental health issues, I put far too much pressure on myself. I no longer had time to love myself, my body and my positive wellness. I only wish I had access to this publication when I was suffering with my mental health.

If you are thinking of buying a new mum a little something that they can enjoy or perhaps you want to treat yourself. I highly recommend purchasing this beautifully designed magazine. As a mum myself, I wish I had something like this to turn to especially on my darker days.

Click here to take your first step in to self care and positive wellness.

Have a look at Isabella and Us on their beautiful website

 

You can follow Isabella and Us on social media

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Brum Baby – The “Must Have” Soothing aid for Babies and Toddlers

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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.

 

BrumBaby Portable Soothing Aid

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 portable soothing aid

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.

brumbaby portable soothing aid

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.

 

You will not be disappointed!!!!

BrumBaby Portable Soothing Aid
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The Perfect gift for a baby – My Sensory Box Review

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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.

 

First Impressions of My Sensory Bumper box

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.

 

Overall Review of My Sensory Box

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**

 

Where can I purchase My Sensory Box?

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.

My Sensory Box Review

Moonlite Story Book Projector Review

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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 Story reel projector review

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;

  1. 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.

Our Moonlite 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!

Moonlite Story reel projector review

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.