Pura Baby Wipes and Nappy Review

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Catherine Balavage

There is a lot of guilt when it comes to parenting but thankfully, I can stop worrying about baby wipes thanks to Pura. They also do eco nappies. Yes and yes! We reviewed them both so read on.

Pura make the most environmentally-friendly nappy possible, without compromising on nappy performance. I love the feel of the nappies and they do not have that chemical smell a lot of brands do. They do not leak and look comfortable (if only babies could talk). I was impressed with the nappies in all areas: look, feel and performance. Pura nappies contain no nasty chemicals, perfumes or allergens. The materials they are made from include soft sustainable organic cotton for baby’s comfort and a super absorbent core made with certified natural plant fibres.

This is what Pura say: “Our nappies are created with 100% green electricity and no production waste, and our super absorbent core is made with certified natural plant fibres. Wrapped in recyclable packaging, our nappies have been awarded the coveted EU Ecolabel.

Every day, in the UK, 8 million disposable nappies are thrown away. Going the extra (greener) mile, we’re working with the UK’s only nappy recycling company NappiCycle to keep these nappies out of landfill and repurpose the material for use in affordable housing and in notice boards for nurseries, schools and businesses. So, relax and use these nappies knowing you’re striking the best possible balance between a happy planet and a happy baby.

As for the perfect nappy? We’re working on it.”

Pura baby wipes have changed my life. I can now wipe bottoms, or anything else, without plastic and guilt. They do not smell and they can even be flushed down the loo. Pura baby wipes are 100% plastic-free, 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable, made from sustainable plant fibres
· Each Pura wipe contains 99% water and organic aloe vera and no perfume, alcohol or chlorine
· Pura baby wipes are available in flushable, with the Fine to Flush accreditation, and non-flushable options. The baby wipes are suitable for sensitive and eczema-prone skin, certified vegan and are accredited by the British Skin Foundation, Allergy UK, the FSC and the Soil Association
· Pura is the most accredited baby care brand on the market, with a unique, simple labelling system listing the product’s eco-credentials for parents
· The first baby wipes in the UK with a Fine to Flush stamp of approval, and an ambition to be the first Carbon Neutral baby care brand
· The only baby brand to be teaming up with the Woodland Trust to help support the sustainability of the UK’s natural environment
· Pura’s baby wipes are approved by midwives and are dermatologically and clinically tested

We at Frost applaud this and cannot recommend them enough. Frost loves.

Go to my pura to get yours.

Pre-school educational games to boost months of lost learning.

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Catherine Balavage

This year has been a tough year for our children’s education. Thankfully help is at hand, here is toysandbears.com’s pick of the best pre-school educational games.

My First Words Game £12.99 Self-correcting puzzles allow children to learn as they play. Encourages reading and learning letters, logical thinking, fine motor skills and independence

Numbers and Sums £12.99 Learn to count with the animals of the Savannah. Helps with numbers, early maths, logic, shapes, colours, fine motor skills and independent play

Writing School £19.99 Help pre-schoolers learn to read, write and draw with this progressive learning program of 16 worksheets to develop hand-eye coordination and improve manual dexterity

Montessori My First Desk £29.99 Fun, colourful desk packed full of Montessori method activities. Stimulates sensory development, reading, writing and independence

Funny Labyrinths £14.99 Practise pre-writing skills. Improve fine motor skills, develop hand-eye coordination, and help children to prepare for writing.

Educational Games Collection – Pirates £17.99 3D pirate ship game. Four brightly coloured educational games in one. Improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, curiosity and observation skills

Also available in “Farm” with a 3D farmhouse scene

Carotina Baby Memory Game – Animals £5.99 Self-correcting memory game made from thick cardboard tiles.

Carotina Baby 9 Progressive Puzzle Puppies £8.99, 9 self-correcting animal puzzles.

Carotina Baby Plus My First Feelings, £7.99 Puzzle to match feelings to the scenes, teach children to acknowledge feelings

REVIEW: Pinocchio, Chichester Festival Theatre

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Vicky Edwards

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

That any live theatre has gone ahead this December is a Christmas miracle in itself. In Chichester’s annual Youth Theatre production, however, there is a double dose of wonder; against all the virus-related odds the show has not only gone on, but it’s an absolute belter.

Usually boasting a cast of almost one-hundred, in order to manage social distancing this year’s CFYT offering is presented by two smaller teams of twenty-three, with Team Fox and Team Cat splitting the performances. (On Press Night Team Fox were performing, but I am reliably informed that Team Cat are every bit as accomplished.) Directing a full-scale production to meet the pandemic’s stringent safety measures, on and off the stage, is an extraordinary feat of choreography, and one that all those involved in achieving must be congratulated.

Hope, redemption and realising that our differences can be strengths rather than weaknesses are themes that run through this abridged version of Carlo Collodi’s original tale, which has been superbly adapted by Anna Ledwich. Managing to be gloriously heart-warming without straying into sentimentality, Director Dale Rooks has infused Pinocchio with emotions and moments that truly resonate. One such instance is when Pinocchio and Geppetto ‘hug’. Standing apart, they wrap their arms around their own bodies, bringing a lump to the throat and an ache to the heart – oh to hug again!

On stage there’s not a single below par performance. Archie Elliot (Lewis Renninson) in the title role plays the headstrong little puppet with absolute conviction. Pinocchio may be made from wood but he has guts, heart and spirit, ensuring that we are rooting for him all the way. Alfie Ayling (Jack Campbell) as Geppetto is warm and wistful, playing the lonely carpenter with a maturity beyond his years.

There is excellent work too from Meg Bewley (Molly Berry) as the Fairy and Annalise Bradbury (Olivia Dickens) as Cricket, her exasperated sidekick. Marvellous cameo gems include Alex Webb (Noah Peirson) as a chatty French poodle – très magnifique!

The ensemble work is extraordinary. Matching talent with energy, it is ultimately in the production’s togetherness that its success lies. A masterclass in how a completely cohesive company can create something magical, the story flows perfectly, the singing and dancing are stunning and the set, simple but oh-so clever, is breath taking.

The overall effect is wonderfully uplifting. Moreover, there is a sense of the fantastic; a promise of enchantment. And it delivers. With Christmas bells on.

Vicky Edwards

Love and Comfort with the Baby Carrier Move.

Posted on December 3, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

Both of my children spent much of the first years of their lives in a BabyBjörn. I cannot recommend BabyBjörn enough. They are the Rolls-Royce of baby carriers. The Baby Carrier Move is the latest carrier and it has the same high-end engineering as its predecessors. It is made from an airy 3D mesh fabric that I love, it also dries quickly after washing.

The Baby Carrier Move is stylish and easy to get off and on, it is also easy to manoeuvre. Another reason I love baby carriers is because I find it easy to breastfeed in them. I put a light breastfeeding scarf over the carrier. You can even do it while you are walking. Freedom for mama. Frost loves.

BabyBjörn is promoting love and comfort with the ergonomic Baby Carrier Move, a carrier designed for simplicity in the home or out and about, for use from day one, all the way to 15 months. The superior back support and an ergonomic waist belt makes the Baby Carrier Move super comfortable for parents, and as with all BabyBjorn Baby Carriers, little ones love being carried, being close to their parent’s heart as they grow and can explore the world together.

The baby carrier’s thin and flexible 3D mesh fabric ensures that a newborn baby is sitting in a perfect position and the size of the baby carrier can be adjusted as the baby grows. The soft fabric hugs the baby’s back, legs and hips, and provides good support. For the first five months, the baby is carried facing inwards and then parents have the option of carrying their baby facing outwards. The baby carrier is fully adjustable.

Thirty million babies have been carried in a BabyBjörn Baby Carrier since the very first one – Close to Heart – was launched in 1973. The company, which was founded in 1961, continually develops and simplifies its baby carriers to be able to offer parents babywearing equipment that suits their family. It’s important that a baby carrier adapts easily to the baby’s size and the family’s lifestyle.

“We have tested Baby Carrier Move with a large number of test families in their home environments and on long walks over a long period in order to make sure that it’s comfortable for both parents and babies.” says BabyBjörn’s Josefin Kleremo, project manager for Baby Carrier Move.

Baby Carrier Move is acknowledged as hip-healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI). https://bit.ly/2IH41b1

The baby carrier is made of an airy 3D mesh fabric that breathes well and dries quickly after washing. The fabric has been specially developed for BabyBjörn’s baby carriers and meets the requirements of OEKO-TEX 100 Class 1 for safe textiles for babies and toddlers.

Baby Carrier Move is available from www.babybjorn.co.uk in the colours Light Grey, Navy, Anthracite and Sage green. Recommended Retail Price: £119.99

Free Virtual ‘weaning workshop’ how to stop your baby becoming a fussy eater

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

Charlotte Stirling-Reed (the nutritionist on Joe Wicks’ weaning book), a leading expert in Infant and toddler nutrition will be running a free webinar on ‘Getting Started with Solids/Veg Led Weaning’ on December 8th at 8pm.

Stokke are going virtual with the iconic Tripp Trapp® for an exclusive talk on how to get started with solids and vegetable led weaning, with STOKKE TRIPP TRAPP TOUR @ HOME. The session will cover the basics when it comes to introducing your little one to solid food and will start with some of the science around feeding infants – what does the research say about the very first foods – and then go on to talk about introducing your baby to allergens (something lots of parents are anxious about), as well as how to move on to “family foods” and more composite meals. When: Stokke Zoom 8th December at 8pm.

Few things are more important than nutrition when it comes to raising your children so I will definitely be tuning in.

Tripp Trapp® chair Baby Set Soft Mint, Beech Wood, with Classic Cushion Honeycomb Happy

The iconic Tripp Trapp® highchair was launched in 1972 and has since sold more than 12 million worldwide. It is Mumsnet approved and super stylish.

Scooting back to school, a new way of life in COVID-19. Scootasoot Review

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

Every now and then someone comes along with a very clever parenting hack. Scootasoot is said clever parenting invention. An all-in-one reflective scooting suit for children. It is waterproof and looks fab. Cleverly, the hood fits over a helmet. It has ears though, so it still looks fun. I could not love, nor recommend these fab suits more. They keep kids safe and dry on their way home or to the park, what more could you want?
It could be said that some parents may be in a panic about getting their kids to school safely without the use of public transport during the new school term, following the British government’s travel guidance.

Ensuring children get to school on time with a bicycle, scooter or walking may place fear in parents who want to keep their children snug, visible and comfortable as they travel. An all-in-one Scootasoot for your child may aid in keeping them warm and safe this Autumn.

A colourfully reflective waterproof suit to make little ones more visible in the darker winter months to come. Scootasoot keeps kids dry when the rain season kicks in, don’t worry about them overheating due to its breathable material.

Perfect for scootering or other forms of outdoor activities with a hood that works to fit a helmet, which is necessary due to the dangers of head injuries from slipping on wet roads. Ear and tail accessories in three animals are a better way for children to choose a fun option for their suit instead of just colours.

This animal outdoor suit was made for children that like to explore and imagine. Due to travel restrictions, why don’t you make the most of exploring your environment with them? Let kids feel the fresh air and play to wake and excite them before they arrive at school.

The fit is snug for teeny weeny hands and feet, so rest assured no uniform will be destroyed in the school run. The beauty of having a magnetic opening can calm anxieties on practicality. It’s on and off within seconds, chucked into your child’s bag at the school gates and weighs less than your purse and keys!

Getting a Scootasoot gives parents some peace of mind knowing their children will be warm and safe following The Department of Transport’s guidelines “Where travel is necessary, consider whether children could walk, scooter or cycle, accompanied by a responsible adult or carer.”

Whilst this can be a necessity, why not consider that it betters a child’s development by ensuring they get some exercise before the school day. Dr Danae Lund from Sanford Health says “Kids that spend more time outdoors are more likely to be inventive, explore and learn about the world around them. It improves their communication and reduces stress levels.”

Not only are children becoming happier, they’re expanding their minds before they even get to the classroom. And to put it frankly “This is England, there is good reason why we are all obsessed with the weather- we never know what we are going to get!” Quoted from the creator of Scootasoot, Lotty reinforces the importance of being prepared this Autumn. If you’re travelling with your children, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

To find out more visit https://www.scootasoot.co.uk/basket/ or check out their social media handles @Scootasoot

Scootasoots are available online in the UK with Worldwide shipping, RRP £24.99

Introducing Little Hoppa, the award-winning range for children.

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

The Little Hoppa ® 3-in-1 is the ultimate baby toy and smartest investment you will ever make as a new par- ent. The adventures are endless!

Made completely from sustainable, non-toxic and planet-friendly materials, this multi-functional toy transforms from a wooden baby gym to a baby bounc- er, to a children’s activity table. It’s innovative design grows with your child, keeping them entertained from birth to 4 years.

Each stage is filled with new discoveries that spark the imagination, whilst developing dexterity and strength. Plus, it’s award-winning good looks mean you’ll never need to store it away.

The Little Hoppa story

It started with a list on a scrap of paper…..

A tired new Mum with a passion for interiors sat surrounded by plastic baby products that were functional but oh so lacking in style.

A tired new Mum searched high and low for products that were fun for her baby, kinder to the planet AND would complement the contemporary home she had so lovingly designed.

A tired new Mum could not find the products she so desperately wanted, and so, whilst feeding her new baby, on a scrap of paper she set about writing a list of all the things that she could only dare to dream existed.

And in that moment the Little Hoppa was born.

Designed by Mum of two and successful interior stylist Sofie Hepworth, the Little Hoppa addresses a serious gap in the children’s market for plastic alternative, multi-functional, children’s toys that are fun for kids, kinder to the planet AND stylish too!

https://bysofieofficial.com/product/little-hoppa-3-in-1

Looking For Things To Do in Lockdown? Little Cooks Co is here to help.

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

Some of the happiest memories of my childhood are of baking with my parents. We were taught to bake and cook at a young age. There are few things more bonding than baking with your children. A lack of time can make things hard I find. Enter Little Cooks Co, a subscription box recipe kit for children. Subscriptions boxes are huge now and this is one of the best.

The recipe is easy to make and there are activities in the box to do as well. I like how all of the ingredients are organic and everything is as healthy as possible. My kids loved making their rocky road. This a subscription box that will make lots of memories, and nothing is more important than that.

Little Cooks Co is a monthly subscription based recipe kit that’s posted through the letterbox, direct to kids, in a neat 100% recyclable box with compostable packaging. The box is packed with all the natural and healthy dry ingredients of that month’s delicious and nutritious recipe for kids to bake in the home.

So if you’re at home, or it’s a rainy summer day then Little Cooks Co is the perfect activity guaranteed to bring excitement to any child and parent / carer, promising to teach children to love cooking (an important life skill), the importance of healthy eating and to create happy family memories along the way.

Little Cooks Co Subscription

Month by month (cancel anytime) £12.99 incl postage

3 months (renews after 3 months, cancel anytime) £35.99 incl postage

6 months (renews after 6 months, cancel anytime) £59.99 incl postage

12 months (renews after 12 months, cancel anytime) £99.99 incl postage

Kits come complete with all of the dry, organic ingredients perfectly measured to make each recipe and also include a small activity or craft for children to enjoy while making their yummy bake.

Each recipe is fun and easy to make and has been designed by a registered nutritionist, so is free from all refined sugar and processed ingredients.

The recipes are designed to keep interest at heart, and take no longer than an hour to make from start to finish, so whether it’s Mum, Dad, Granny or Grandpa or favourite Uncle or Auntie – it’s a perfect monthly activity to break up a rainy day or simply to spend quality time with the little one you love.

Give and feel good

What’s more Little Cooks Co is a business with purpose. Every box bought pays for a vulnerable school child in the UK to receive a healthy breakfast through its partnership with the charity Magic Breakfast.

Little Cooks Co won an award for Children’s Gift of the Year 2019 by the Giftware Association and Best Kids Subscription Box 2019.

For more information visit www.littlecooksco.co.uk.

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