Family First Aid For Babies And Children

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Frostie

By Tracey Taylor, first aid spokesperson for the British Red Cross who will be speaking at The Baby Show taking place from the 23^rd-25^th October at Kensington, Olympia

Being a parent means you never quite know what’s around the corner. Children are naturally inquisitive which means lots of exploring and discovering is normal. Of course with that comes the inevitable little bumps, bangs, trips and tumbles. While most of the time that quivering bottom lip can be vanquished with a hug and appearance of their favourite cuddly toy, it’s always important to have a little first aid know-how. That way, if you were faced with a more serious emergency situation, you’d have the skills and confidence to be able to help. Here are my top first aid tips for families:

1. Firstly learn first aid in whichever way suits you best! Anyone can learn it, it’s easy to recall and the confidence it will give you is invaluable.

2. Go on a baby and child first aid course such as the British Red Cross baby and child first aid course. Take your family and friends along and you’ll all leave with miles more confidence and with the skills to be able to take action in an emergency situation. Plus it’s really easy to learn and you’ll have an experienced trainer there to support you throughout.

3. You don’t need a first aid kit. There are lots of everyday items that you can use in an emergency; cold milk is great to cool a burn if you don’t have access to cold running water, or frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel is ideal to sooth a bump to the head.

4. Burns and scalds are common in toddlers as the little explorers don’t always know what is safe to touch or not – at times we need eyes in the back of our heads! If your baby or child burns themselves, cool the burn under cold running water for at least ten minutes. Whilst cooling get someone to call 999 for an ambulance if necessary. Once the burn has been completely cooled, cover it loosely with cling film or a clean plastic bag and ensure you get your child checked out.

5. Febrile seizures can happen in younger children and babies when they become too hot – which can happen as a result of a fever. If your baby or child is red-faced and hot to touch and they arch their back, stiffen their body and have clenched fists, this may be a febrile seizure. The key thing you need to remember is to protect them from injury and reduce their temperature. While this would be a scary situation for you to deal with it’s worth remembering that it normally appears worse than it is and most children make a full recovery once they have cooled down.

6. Bumps to the head are common for little ones and are normally nothing to worry about. A blow to the head may result in the baby or child having pain or a headache. There may be a bump on their head and they may look pale. Firstly, get the baby or child to rest and apply something cold to the injury (e.g. frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel). If you are concerned that it may be more serious, if they become drowsy or vomit or their condition deteriorates, call 999.

7. Meningitis is a common concern for parents and one we get asked about frequently. Signs to look out for if your baby or child is unwell are; flu-like symptoms, a headache and a high temperature. They may also complain of a stiff neck and be sensitive to light. If you suspect meningitis call 999 – trust your instincts!

8. Bee stings are common in the warmer months and, while they are not harmful, can be scary for little ones. When an insect sting is visible on the skin, a credit card can be used to scrape it away. Using the edge of the credit card, drag it across the skin. This will remove the sting. Using a credit card or your fingernail is preferable to using a pair of tweezers as they can squeeze the sting and actually inject more position into the casualty.

9. Always make sure you keep harmful substances like alcohol, drugs (prescription or non-prescription) and chemicals (including household cleaning products) out of children’s reach. If they do swallow something harmful establish what they have taken, when and how much. Then call 999 right away.

10. Download the baby and child first aid app. Packed with useful information, animations and tips, it’s first aid at your fingertips.

Top 5 Money Saving Pregnancy Tricks

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Frostie

By Layla Anna-Lee, English TV Presenter and soon to be mum.

Don’t buy a baby changing unit! A baby changing unit is literally a chest of drawers with a baby changing section on top and an extra zero added to the price. Proper padded anti-roll baby changing mats add the same amount of height to the sides of a mat that any changing unit would have. You must never leave your child alone on a changing unit or mat regardless. So don’t feel obliged to purchase overpriced units when your current chest of draws with a safety mat could be just fine! (Just make sure the chest of drawers is the right width for the mat and is strong enough to take the weight of a baby.) I bought mine from www.safetots.co.uk

Eco nappies. In two years of a child’s life the average spend on disposable nappies is £1,800. The same stretch of time in reusable nappies is around £350 and if you are planning on having another child you can use them again saving yourself much, much more. Modern day Eco nappies are incredibly well designed, there’s no need for old fashioned soaking and can be washed at 30 degrees. Of course washing adds some expenditure but even then it’s less than all the bin liners and nappy sacs you’ll be needing for those disposables. Not to mention the cost on your conscience that disposable nappies are the largest single household contributor to landfill sites. I bought mine from www.totsbots.com

The Baby Show! Get your ticket, get there early and don’t leave! This was my favourite shopping spot of all. So easy to compare a huge range of baby products all under one roof and so many incredible discounts. I had purchased my buggy before attending the show then saw the exact same one at the show with over £200 off – That’s a pretty impressive discount and at The Baby Show discounts like that are everywhere. There are a variety of invaluable talks to attend, such as first aid and breast feeding talks are included in the ticket price. If you’re a savvy haggler stay right until the end and you might get even more taken off the price tag as exhibitors don’t want to pack up all the stock to travel home. The next show is taking place at Kensington, Olympia from the 23^rd-25^th October: www.thebabyshow.co.uk

You don’t need a cot straight away. When looking to save money sometimes timing is the answer and when choosing your cot you have time to get it right. A baby can sleep in a Moses basket up until around 3 months or until the baby can sit up or roll. This means there’s no rush, you can wait for a sale, a hand me down from a close friend or indeed simply take your time to make sure you’re making an educated purchase. Mine is from www.mobauk.com

Don’t be afraid to ask for things you actually need. Everyone loves buying presents for a new baby. Whether it be an excited mother in law or if you’re throwing a baby shower. It’s important to be honest because your friends really do want to get you something you will actually use. If you don’t need 45 hats and another plush bunny rabbit then just say so! Make a little list of what you need and let your loved ones help you, it truly makes the world of difference.

Communication And Safety Tips For Parents

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Frostie

As a parent, you already understand that good communication is a necessary skill whether you are talking to a toddler or a teen. If your children are little, you can use communication as a way to teach them how to be safe around cars. This is an invaluable lesson you can teach them when they are out in the garden or when they are with you on the street.

You may also want to teach them that not all strangers are to be trusted. This is particularly useful when they first go to school. If your child is older, then good communication with your child will be instrumental in building up a sense of self-esteem and develop a feeling of mutual respect.

10 Tips to Build Rapport

1. If your child wants to play, let your child know that you are interested in the things that interest them. Agree to help them with their game if they need it.

2. If your child has something they feel important, let him or her know that they are more interesting to you than some form of media entertainment. For instance, if your child is talking to you while you are watching television, pause to. If they have something that they urgently want to say, then turn off the television and give them your full attention

3. If your child is chatting with you when they are sharing something with you, let him or her know that they are more important than a casual telephone call. Rather than excuse yourself when your friend calls, let the answering machine pick up the message.

4. If you get to spend some personal time with your child, let your child know how much you enjoy your private chats with them.

5. If your child does something foolish when you have company, don’t rebuke them in front of everyone. Scolding them in front of others can be embarrassing for them. Public humiliation only leads to a feeling of resentment.

6. If your child has to constantly look up to talk to you, occasionally drop down to their level when you talk.

7. If you are really angry about your child’s behavior, give yourself time to cool down so that you can have an objective talk.

8. If your child is telling a story, don’t correct their grammar or how they narrate the story. Instead, show an interest in the story rather than how it could have been told better.

9. If you get a negative report about your child from another parent or a teacher, don’t simply launch into a tirade. First, listen to your child’s side of the story. They may have behaved badly because they misunderstood the situation and did not know that their behavior would upset others.

10. Be open and receptive to your child’s attempts to communicate and explain their point of view. Encourage your child to communicate by asking leading questions.

5 Ways to Make the House Safe for Kids

While safety in the home can be improved through communicating about dangerous things—like not jumping on the bed, climbing on the pipes, or touching hot plates—safety can also be ensured by taking proactive measures.

Here are some common household dangers that you should either warn your child about or use safety measures to protect them.

1. The danger of scalding when turning on a tap. Teach your child the difference between the hot and cold taps.

2. The danger of falling out of an upper story window. One solution is to install window guards.

3. The danger of falling down stairs. This can happen if your child is learning to crawl or it can happen if your child is rushing around the house. It’s only too easy for a child to roll down a flight of stairs.

4. The danger of leaving your house unprotected. One ADT security company discusses the need for extra precautions for your family. “The list of potential threats that could affect their safety includes burglary, fire, carbon monoxide and flooding.”

5. The danger of medications or poisons. Your curious toddler likes to taste all sorts of things. Make sure that you don’t leave your medications lying around and that you have locked all detergents and garden supplies in a safe place.

From our contributor Jenna.

SmartSun Wristband Review | Parenting

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Frostie

We reviewed the SmartSun Wristband. An ingenious way of keeping safe in the sun for children and adults. They are very easy to use and they work well. The bands are single use and come in a pack of 5. These bands can be used by all ages to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Especially useful given the rising skin cancer figures.

Fresh air and warm weather are healthy for children and, and small doses of Vitamin D from the sun’s rays are good for baby’s skin. Children have delicate and sensitive skin however, so it is important to make sure their SPF is topped up at all times when outside in the sun.

It is easy to forget about reapplying sun cream when you are out having fun, but the SmartSun wristband provides an easy to read indicator of how much UV radiation they have been exposed too. It works by measuring the amount of UV radiation, and lets you know when to reapply sun cream and when they have had too much sun.

With two colour changes – one to tell you when your children’s sun cream needs reapplying, and one to tell you when to avoid the sun, you can enjoy the time spent outside by using the Smartsun wristband to accurately time the next sun cream application. The band is discreet and comfortable to wear for either adults or children and can be used in and out of both pool and sea water.

Available from www.smartsunuk.co.uk priced at £4.99 for a pack of 5.

Little Angels Re-launches Range With a Mumsnet Stamp of Approval

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Frostie

Frost has been reviewing the Little Angels range at Asda. It comes with the Mumsnet stamp of approval so we had high expectations. Thankfully we were not let down. The Sensitive Cotton Soft Baby Wipes are fragrance free and suitable to use from day one, even on eczema prone skin. The Head to Toe Wash is just as great and gentle. It has a no tears formula and is paediatrician approved. Little Angels Baby Powder soaks up excess moisture and prevents chapping and the Comfort Dry Nappies are super soft and delicate. The nappies give up to 12 hours of dryness. We were impressed with the entire range. The products are just as good as any leading brand but are not as expensive. Mums and dads, head to Asda.com.

Mums looking for the very best for their little angels need look no further than Asda’s Little Angels own brand baby range, which now comes complete with a seal of approval from the very best judges of all: other real-life mums.

That’s right: over 100 products in the Little Angels range have been tested and endorsed by users of Mumsnet – the UK’s largest network for parents.

The highly-praised range spans everything needed for a baby’s routine, including nappies, wipes, toiletries and snacks and features exciting new products, formulas and packaging.

And now, having partnered with Mumsnet, mums can rest assured that every product they buy with the ‘Quality Approved by Mumsnet’ logo has gone through a vigorous testing process from a panel of mums just like them, before hitting the shelves.

The hugely popular Little Angels nappy range, the best selling own-label nappy brand in the UK, has seen a major revamp to become the only baby brand to offer mums a complete nappy journey for their baby from newborn to potty training. The super soft and absorbent Newborn, Comfort Dry and Supreme Protection nappies have all received the Mumsnet seal of approval and now, Little Angels have also added Swim Pants (£3) and Potty Training Pants (£4.50)to its already extensive offering.

All economy packs are available in the popular 3 for £12 offer and what’s more, the Comfort Dry, Supreme Protection and Newborn ranges feature a unique size guide on the back of the pack to help mums understand when to move up a size, so you can wave goodbye to leaky nappies! And the colour coded size guide makes it easier for mums to pick out the right size on the shelf.

A new innovation for the Little Angels Newborn range is DreamSkin® technology (£4.50) – new to the market and available at Asda. The unique DreamSkin® technology is designed to help soothe and protect even the most delicate skin, making it perfect for those little ones prone to eczema.

The extensive range of Little Angels wipes now contain thicker yet softer embossed towels, designed to help mum cleanse baby with ease. The premium Extra Care, Extra Protect and Extra Sensitive Wipes (all £1 each or 4 for £3)provide the very best protection against nappy rash by working with the skin naturals defenses, leaving delicate skin silky soft and protected.

All of the Little Angels toiletries, from nappy change and bath time right through to bedtime have secured a big thumbs up from Mumsnet users, and new to the range is the Vapour Bath (£1 or 3 for £2.50), featuring a eucalyptus and menthol fragrance to help sooth baby and comfort little noses. As part of the re-design, the popular Baby Powder(£1.35) now features a newly-improved ergonomic bottle design, making it easier to handle whilst still featuring the same great formulation and value for money.

When it comes to feeding, the Little Angels nutritious and organic snack food range, from Organic Puffs (67p) to Oaty Bars (£1.99), has also been ‘Quality Approved by Mumsnet’, including a brand new Baby Biscotti (£1.19)product suitable from seven months. Available in three flavours – plain, apple and banana – the biscotti are completely organic, with ‘no nasties’ and added calcium and vitamin B1.

Lauren Venters, Category Planner for Baby at Asda comments: “The world of babies can be a daunting place with a variety of brands, hundreds of products to choose from and, quite often, conflicting advice. We know that mums really value the opinions, recommendations and first-hand experiences given to them from other mums and we’re so confident in our Little Angels range that we decided to put it to the test with the harshest critics of all – a panel of Mumsnet mums – and we’re thrilled they passed the test! Having that stamp of approval across the range, should hopefully give mums peace of mind that they’ve made the right choice, leaving more time to enjoy motherhood.”

Justine Roberts, Founder & Chief Executive at Mumsnet comments: “Mumsnet users have really put the LittleAngels range through its paces, testing the products in busy, real-life family homes up and down the UK. Our users value each other’s recommendations highly and place a lot of trust in them, so we’re pleased to have the opportunity to extend this special mark of approval to some products in the Little Angels range, and hope that the wisdom of the Mumsnet crowd will benefit other parents”

Five Simple Steps To Beat Baby Blues Naturally

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Frostie

It comes from nowhere and catches you off guard. Those feelings of being vulnerable, emotional, sad, tearful and sensitive may make it difficult to believe that it is supposed to be the happiest time of every woman’s life.

Don’t worry, you are not alone! Postnatal anxiety, also known as ‘baby blues’, affects 85% of women and may occur on the day of the birth, the day after or not at all. Despite those overwhelming feelings, remember it is a normal reaction after having a baby.

‘Crying and confusion are experienced by most women and are partly due to the hormone changes experienced during the labour and can also be connected to when the milk comes through. But for some 15% of women, this despair and tearfulness continues and develops into post-natal depression’, explains Dr Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading nutritionist and an author of The Nutritional Health Handbook For Women.

Before you start worrying, follow these five simple steps to beat baby blues naturally and start enjoying motherhood!

Take a break

Make sure you find time to rest. Permanent sleep deprivation is the biggest cause of anxiety and low mood. Instead of catching up on all those chores that have piled up, try to coordinate your rest periods with your baby.

‘You may need to ask for help with the housework and other chores so that you can have time to rest, sleep, eat properly and also spend time getting to know your baby. It is a good idea to get out the house on your own; it can feel quite overwhelming to suddenly have someone depending on you twenty-four hours a day. Giving birth may bring up unresolved emotional issues from the past that needs to be dealt with. Counselling may be very helpful if this has happened’, Dr Glenville suggests.

Keep your sugar levels at bay

It is important that you make sure that you are eating little and often. Keeping your blood sugar in balance is crucial for helping you through this time as it directly affects mood and energy. ‘Aim to eat complex and unrefined carbohydrates as part of your main meals – this means choosing brown instead of white (wholewheat bread, brown rice and wholemeal flour). Don’t forget about breakfast, porridge and oatmeal is a good choice. Do reduce and preferably avoid stimulants including tea, coffee, chocolate, smoking and canned drinks with caffeine’, explains Dr Glenville.

Too much copper is no good news

Mineral imbalances or deficiencies can also contribute to ‘baby blues’. One of the most important nutrients during this difficult time is zinc.

Zinc and copper are antagonists, which means that high levels of copper reduce zinc and vitamin B6. Once you are pregnant, copper levels in the blood tend to rise dramatically and remain high for up to a month after giving birth as it stimulates the uterus.* This can cause what feels like depression: extreme fears, anxiety, sleep problems, paranoia and even hallucinations. ‘High levels of copper that decrease zinc can be dangerous, especially for a new mum, as she may be already low in this mineral after giving birth. Zinc deficiency can cause stretch marks, white spots on fingernails, decreased wound healing, loss of appetite and low mood. Make sure you are taking good multivitamins and minerals, the ones you took during pregnancy are fine but add some extra zinc’ (recommended daily intake is 50mg of zinc a day), advises Dr Glenville. Try Nature’s Plus Zinc (www.nutricentre.com, £8.59).

Fatty acids

During pregnancy, women are constantly being deprived of fatty acids because of the physical demands of growing fetus. ‘Omega 3 fatty acids are proved to increase levels of serotonin so they are essential in fighting depression and anxiety. Try to include salmon, avocado and nuts in your daily diet. If you don’t like fish, choose a good quality omega-3 supplement such as Omega 3 by Quest Vitamins (www.revital.co.uk, £6.19).’ recommends Shona Wilkinson, Head Nutritionist at www.nutricentre.com.

Balance your hormones

‘Try to take milk thistle every day to support the liver and gall bladder. This powerful herb can help the liver to deal with toxins and process excess hormones from the body. In addition, it is an excellent promoter of milk production, so will help with breast-feeding as well’, says Shona.

*http://metabolichealing.com/zinc-copper-imbalances-immense-biochemical-implications/

Comotomo Baby Bottle Review

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Frostie

This Comotomo Baby Bottle caught our eye immediately due to its great design. It really is a beautiful bottle. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, it is also made with 100% safe materials. It is BPA, PVC and Phthalate free. We love the feel of it, it has a squeezable silicone base, something we have never seen before. It is naturally shaped and has a soft, silicone teat which is ideal for breastfeed babies. Babies will love holding onto the skin like, soft and squeezable body. This bottle is perfect for babies which find it hard to switch between breast and bottle. It really does feel lovely.

The bottle also has a wide neck design which makes it easy to clean. The bottle has innovative vents that prevent colic and stops any leaks. This bottle is durable and had a great “let-down” effect.

Can be used in the microwave, boiling water, dishwashers and sterilisers. This bottle is fun and beautiful, it gives baby a breastfeeding experience in a bottle. Great innovative technology and worth trying if your baby finds it hard to take the bottle. Very impressed.

Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle is available here.

37⁰ Thermoband Maguari Review | New Children’s Safety Product

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Frostie

The 37°Thermoband is a new handy gadget that takes the guessing out of milk temperature. Whether you bottle feed or express your breast milk. This is a clever flexible silicon band which will let you know when your baby’s bottle is the perfect temperature for feeding. It changes colour when the safe temperature is reached. very handy indeed.

It fits most glass and plastic bottles and the band can be personalised using a ball point pen. You could put your child’s name and any health or allergy information. Information can be removed during cleaning, or made permanent by simply placing the band in boiling water for five minutes. Smart technology indeed. We were impressed. A time-saving gadget that makes a parents life a little bit easier.

Dishwasher, microwave and steriliser safe, 37° Thermobands are BPA free, FDA approved and EN tested.

RRP of £13.00 from maguari.com or jojomamanbebe.co.uk

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