Troublesome Teething...

Rosy cheeks, chewing everything in sight (particularly their own fists), pools of dribble and spontaneous crying fits can only mean one thing - terrible teething. I'm sure not everyone thinks of it as terrible, as some babies glide through getting their teeth without so much as a tear - but not us. The normally cool, calm and collected Little T is a bundle of teething fury.

Our survival kit consists of:

The Neckerchew - this fabulous product is both a dribble bib and a teether to help soothe teething pain. It comes in a number of stylish prints and we have a dinosaur print and a print by Joules too. It's become a welcome addition to nearly every outfit of Little T's recently... 

Unfortunately, one teether is never enough... 

Sophie la girafe (of course) - this 'must have' teether is one of Little T's faves. Anyone would think she was his best friend. Great to chew on and better than his own fists!

Anbesol - this is a liquid form of pain relief that can be rubbed directly onto teething babies' gums and it seems to work for us short term... as well as calpol when things really won't settle down! 

A crazy number of cuddles and tears (from Little T, and occasionally me) is what teething has brought us, but thanks to the above, we are navigating our way through this slightly tricky time! 

What shall we do today?

Now Little T is soaking up his surroundings and is really interested in the world around him, I thought it was about time that we started going to some baby classes...

Where to start?! I've seen various adverts out and about for different groups, but there is almost so much choice in North London that I was almost overwhelmed with all the information and couldn't remember where and what time all the different classes were...

One of my Bump and Baby friends suggested I check out the website ollyolly.co.uk which is a daily guide to baby and toddler activities in London.  It's great, as all you have to do is type in your postcode and enter a date and it lists a timetable of groups and activities on in your area that day.  Once you see an activity you like the look of, the website provides handy information such as cost, if they recommend booking and a map of where to go - it really couldn't be simpler.

Having all this information in one place has been really useful and provides me and Little T with lots of exciting ideas for what to do next! I will let you all know once we have tried out a few of the activities!

Ollyolly currently covers most of North London and is slowly creeping into other London boroughs - check them out for your next dose of fun with your little one!

Making friends...

It sounds crazy to think that as an adult you need help making friends.  You have already chosen and whittled down your friendship group as the years have gone by so you are happy with the friends that you have, thank you very much!

However, when I found myself pregnant and realised that none of my existing friends were, I thought I'd better fix that pronto!  A large number of women join a group called 'NCT' (The National Childbirth Trust) and the idea being that when you are pregnant you meet people having babies at the same time as you and you attend some classes to figure out what happens when you give birth and beyond...  Although I do not have vast experience with NCT,  the experience I did have gave me the impression that doing everything naturally was best and shame on you for doing anything different. Maybe I'm wrong and this isn't what NCT project at all, but having a planned c-section in the diary, we didn't seem a great fit.  I did a bit of online research and came across Bump & Baby Club (bumpandbabyclub.com), who run London antenatal classes and are the number one alternative to NCT.  I was interested in this class as they claimed to not preach, take a modern approach to teaching and you could go no matter what birth you planned on having.

Daddy H and I booked onto a course with other expectant parents having babies in November and December in our local area. The course consisted of two Saturdays (including first aid training) and an afternoon tea and reunion at a later date.  The course itself offered a great opportunity to ask silly questions, learn about first aid and feel more confident about becoming a parent.  This was all great, but I have nieces and nephews and I didn't learn loads of new stuff, but that was never the point.  My group set up a whatsapp thread and as the days went by and the babies started arriving, it was filled night and day with chatter, questions and arranging plans to meet up!  I still see my Bump and Baby friends a few times a week, we whatsapp daily, the mums meet up for dinner regularly and we are even going for a night away with our babies!  Don't get me wrong, my pre-baby friends are totally awesome and still a massive part of my life, but with them at work all week and probably less that interested in how many nappy changes I've done, or how much milk Little T has drunk, Bump & Baby has been a lifesaver!

Sit up straight!

Now Little T is a bit more sturdy and can support his head, we are starting to help him start sitting up straight! As he's not quite ready to sit up on his own in a high chair, we thought we would try the 'Bumbo'... 

It's a seat (suitable from 3 months), which moulds around the baby's body to help them sit up straight and not climb out.  Some versions of the Bumbo come with straps and trays, which are useful for placing my toys on or when feeding! 

The Bumbo has been a popular choice with Little T...

It retails for around £30, but we were able to pick one up cheaply second hand. I've already found it super helpful at meal times, but do think it will only last a month or so, as it moulds to a baby's body it is made pretty tight and could get small very quickly! Our Little T is a slim jim,  so I hope it will last another month or two. 

I would recommend it, as Little T seems to really enjoy sitting, but even better if you can pick it up second hand! 

Little T's first taste of food... part two...

With my Annabel Karmel book in hand, I was excited to try some simple fresh fruit and vegetable purees for Little T.  I decided to start with both carrots and pear, so that Little T could get used to two new flavours.     

                                    

 For stage one weaning, it's handy to have:
- a steamer;
- a food processor/hand blender- I bought an inexpensive small food processor so that it wouldn't be too much hassle to clean regularly;
- plastic (bpa free) pots to store batches of puree in the fridge or freezer.  I went for some from Jojo Maman bebe (see link), which come with handy labels;
-  bowls and spoons - I bought some very clever 'heat sensing' tommee tippee spoons, which change colour if the food is too hot;
- plenty of bibs

Little T isn't yet in his highchair, so we are feeding him in our arms or sat upright in his bouncer.

I separately steamed carrots and pears, ensuring there was no carrot peel or skin/core in the pear until they were soft.  I used my mini food processor to create a smooth puree.  If the puree is still too thick, you can add water or formula/breast milk when feeding your baby.  Alternatively, you can also add baby rice to any puree to thicken it up.

 I made a handy batch of fresh purees, which I labelled and put in the freezer.  As the pear had been freshly steamed, you can see above that the heat sensing spoon picked up that it was too hot at first!

We offered Little T a spoon or two of pear and although he looked surprised, he swallowed and appeared to enjoy his first experience of fruit!

We also offered Little T a drink of cool boiled water in a sippy cup, which although he liked holding, did not get drunk!

It's really important to be positive and encouraging when your baby is trying new things and they can 
sense if you are calm or tense.  If Little T wasn't interested in food, I would wait a day or two before trying again.  As his main diet is still made up of milk, it's great that he can take his time trying new flavours... now... what to make next?!

Little T's first taste of food... part 1...

Now Little T is over 17 weeks old, he is able to have some actual food! I know, I can't believe it either...

Official guidance advises that you wean babies around 6 months old, and although T is a little early to be eating, he has been showing lots of the signs that he is ready for food.

We bought him a special Peter Rabbit bowl and spoon for the occasion and some organic baby rice from Boots.

We mixed a couple of spoons of baby rice together with some formula milk to give Little T to try...

We sat Little T on Daddy H's knee... half a spoonful later and although he didn't look too impressed, it went pretty well!

Baby rice seems pretty bland, so we are hoping to move onto pureed vegetables in the next few days.  We have got lots of handy tips and recipes from Annabel Karmel's 'New Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner'.

Part 2 will focus on the 'must buys' for weaning and some handy tips on encouraging good eating habits at baby meal times.

Let's hope Little T looks a little more impressed with his next meal than he does below at his first try!

Let me entertain you...

Now Little T is four months old, he is definitely starting to get more engaged with his toys and surroundings. To keep him entertained and allow me to get on with some day-to-day activities, the following three items have been lifesavers:

The playmat: Although this is something I can't imagine us using much past Little T is six months old,  his Skip Hop Alphabet Zoo Activity Gym is not only nicer to look at than your average baby accessory, but has adorable animals that rattle and play music that have become Little T's friends.  We put Little T on the mat from when he was very little and although he would just stare blankly at the hanging toys, he can now grab and play with them. The mat is great for tummy time and as we have used it since Little T was a newborn, he is happy to be left to play for short periods, whilst I get on with some household jobs.









The bouncer: Although this is another product which I'm sure has a limited life span, Little T really enjoys going in his Fisher Price bouncer.  I think that babies, particularly as they get a little bigger, really enjoy being able to sit up and see what's going on and what you are getting up to.  As I can strap Little T into the bouncer, I know that he is safe if I need to turn my back for a moment!








The playnest: As Little T is getting a bit older, it's great to have another place for him to safely play and this Galt Farm Playnest does the job perfectly.  As it is an inflatable ring, it is super comfy for Little T and easy to store once deflated.

Outfit of the week...

It feels as if summer is almost upon us, but while there is still a slight chill in the air, I dressed little T in trousers and a light cotton jumper from the White Company.

Top & trousers (White Company), socks (Trumpette)

For our family weekend fun, I opted for a staple uniform of Converse, J Brand khakis and a sheer white top from Hobbs.  I completed my look with rose gold jewellery and a classic red lip.

Roll on summer!

Easter egg banana bread...

If, like me, you have a left over easter egg or two, this recipe is a great, healthy(ish) and delicious way to make the most of your leftovers!

Ingredients 

250g wholemeal flour
3 eggs
4 overripe bananas (mashed)
4 tbsp agave syrup
180g low fat natural yoghurt
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 left over easter egg


Step One
Turn your oven to 180 degrees (fan) and grease and line a loaf tin.
For this recipe, I greased my tin with a low calorie oil spray.

Step Two
Mix together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder in a large bowl.



Step Three

In a separate bowl, mix together the mashed bananas, agave syrup, eggs and yoghurt.

Step Four
Carefully fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, taking care not to beat all the air out of the mixture.

Step Five
Break up your easter egg into bitesize chocolate chunks and gently fold the chocolate into the mixture.










Step Six
Pour the mixture into your lined loaf tin and bake for 1 hour.

Step Seven
Leave to cool on a wire rack and enjoy!

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The new WOW hair product?

As someone who gets my roots coloured religiously every six weeks, when I heard of a product that claims to 'camouflage roots instantly', I decided I had to give it a try!

£28.50 from Space NK

Color Wow root cover up is pretty quick and easy to apply - it's the texture of eye shadow and you simply press the powder into the visible roots of dry hair with the end of the brush.  I  imagine the powder will last a pretty long time, as you don't use that much with a single application.


The idea is that you can stretch out the time between trips to the hairdressers and give your hair a bit of a boost in between colours, which is great for busy mummies!

It's available in 5 shades to suit a number of hair colours... I went for platinum!








<---                    --->
Before             After















Although not a perfect solution, I definitely noticed that my hair looked lighter overall and it did give my colour a boost.  I would recommend it, as I think it's a quick and easy solution for a hair pick-me-up, which I will definitely use when I can't get to a salon!

Nursery essentials I didn't know I needed...

Before I had Little T, all I knew I needed for his nursery was a cot and chest of drawers. In the four months since he's arrived, I've realised that there are some simple solutions and innovative products that make Little T's nursery really work for us:

1. Blackout blind/curtains - these are invaluable for daytime naps and in the summer when the sun rises before you want your little angel to!

2. Night light/room temperature indicator - often these two are functions are incorporated into products such as the Aden and Anais serenity star which is in Little T's room.

Serenity Star

It is strongly recommended that you keep a baby's room temperature between 16-20 degrees, and this handy gadget's light glows blue if the room falls below this temperature, or red if the room is too warm.  Other features include an electronic feeding diary and sound machine.

If you are after something a little simpler and less expensive, we have also found the Philips Avent bath and room thermometer incredibly handy, as well as the Lindam Automatic Safety Sensor Night Light, which   is great not only in the nursery, but also in a hallway so that you can see where you are going in the middle of the night!





3. Storage Bags - I've found these great storage bags from JoJo Maman Bebe hard-wearing, reasonably priced and in fun patterns, which fit perfectly under Little T's cot.  They are ideal for storing spare bedding and popping in clothes which he has grown out of already!

4. Cot mobile - not only pretty to look at, Little T's mobile acts as a sleep trigger to help him drift off at bedtime...

5. Nappy bin - the Tommee Tippee nappy bin is very useful to keep by the changing table, as it is an effective way of quickly binning nappies and it eliminates odour and has to be emptied only when full (it holds approximately 20 nappies).


6. Somewhere to sit - in the early days during the middle of the night feeds, it's great to have somewhere you can perch in your baby's nursery, so that you keep in a calm and quiet environment whilst you feed your little one.

7. Invest in a dimmer switch - a simple but effective tool for the nursery.  We turn down the dimmer and feed Little T in his room just before bedtime, and it really helps to provide the right atmosphere for sleep.

I'm sure there are lots more discoveries yet to be made, but the above have made our nursery a happier place!

Juice o'clock

I am of the view that there is no bad time for a delicious fresh juice, but this morning, as my NutriBullet juicer sat on the counter from weeks *coughs* months of neglect, I decided to whip up this burst of energy:  

Ingredients:

- one apple (cored and quartered)

- handful of grapes

- four seedless mandarins

- a cup of water

It's simply a case of  roughly chopping up the fruit and adding a cup of water up to the 'MAX' line and the Nutribullet does the rest in 20 seconds!

The NutriBullet is great as it creates minimal mess and as you can add fruit with skins and seeds, it aims to provide you with as many of the nutrients as possible.

It's quick and easy to clean, but before I think about that, I'm going to enjoy the fruits of my labour...

Spring is here!

Travelling with Little T: How to love long haul...

Okay, well maybe not LOVE a long haul flight with a baby,  but having recently returned from a trip to Dubai with Little T, the following 5 items were lifesavers on the journey:

1. Baby Bjorn baby carrier (or equivalent baby sling).  As you have to handover your buggy at the gate, this is a must for hand luggage so that you can be hands free getting onto the plane and if it's a night flight, your baby can keep sleeping whilst you get on the plane.

2. Baby sleeping bag. We travelled on a night flight and found it super handy to put Little T down in the bassinet in the sleeping bag, as it meant he was sleeping in something familiar, but it also kept him warm and we didn't need to put blankets in the bassinet (which you might want to use as an alternative).

The snooze shade in action on an evening out!

3. Snooze shade. This blackout shade was really helpful on holiday generally, as we put it over the buggy when we went out to dinner.  It was great on the plane, as we draped it over the bassinet, and it meant that Little T slept the whole flight!

4. Vital baby - Aquaint Sanitising water. This 100% natural sanitising water can be used on any surface, including bottles and soothers and is great to use when you're on the go.

5. Favourite toy.  It's very useful to have a toy as a distraction method, especially during take off and landing, when your baby has to be on your knee.








It goes without saying, but making sure you have plenty of milk, muslins and medicine (Calpol in particular) in case your baby does not react well to the changes in air pressure.

Hopefully the above will help you have a happier and less stressful journey.

Happy Holidays!

Outfit of the week...

I am not ashamed to say that one of my favourite things to do is dress Little T in whatever I fancy, as I know it won't be too long until he has some say in the matter...

Little T's outfit was inspired by Easter and all things Spring...

Yellow pigeon top (Mini Boden), Lambs cardi (John Lewis)

I opted for a classic navy dress from Cos, which has a fun pop of colour on the back.  As the weather wasn't quite as nice as we'd hoped, I paired the dress with black tights and studded black ankle boots from Office.










We enjoyed a family day and both Mummy and Daddy H ate far too many Easter eggs!