[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":9988},["ShallowReactive",2],{"category-parenting":3},[4,282,416,526,670,754,835,928,1053,1126,1203,1323,1378,1569,1699,1788,1870,1969,2072,2110,2166,2213,2284,2338,2407,2576,2632,2724,2807,2874,2919,3059,3137,3186,3270,3320,3390,3446,3503,3560,3630,3713,3788,3877,3936,4018,4069,4179,4257,4372,4433,4506,4618,4675,4751,4842,4942,5081,5221,5282,5413,5540,5685,5787,5947,6016,6078,6171,6244,6321,6415,6527,6620,6715,6782,6980,7123,7202,7272,7349,7429,7548,7613,7690,7772,7876,7940,8023,8085,8113,8252,8486,8570,8610,8661,8749,8900,8961,9062,9223,9260,9312,9411,9498,9560,9604,9666,9776,9883,9931],{"id":5,"title":6,"author":7,"body":8,"category":266,"cover":268,"date":269,"description":14,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":268,"legacy_id":270,"meta":272,"meta_description":273,"meta_title":274,"navigation":275,"path":276,"seo":277,"sponsored":278,"status":279,"stem":280,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":281},"posts/let-ai-decide-whats-for-dinner-tonight.md","Let AI decide what's for dinner tonight: a busy parent's lifesaver","Lisa Collette",{"type":9,"value":10,"toc":253},"minimark",[11,15,18,23,26,30,33,37,44,47,50,63,67,70,73,120,123,127,130,169,173,176,179,193,197,200,203,206,209,213,233,237,245,248],[12,13,14],"p",{},"It's 5pm. The kids are hungry, you're tired, and you're staring into the fridge hoping dinner will magically assemble itself. Sound familiar? I've been there more times than I'd like to admit, and honestly, \"dinner decision fatigue\" might just be the most underrated stressor of parenting.",[12,16,17],{},"The good news? You can now outsource that mental load to AI. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot can look at a photo of your fridge and tell you exactly what to cook. No meal planning, no recipe scrolling, no 6pm panic. Here's how to do it in under five minutes.",[19,20,22],"h2",{"id":21},"why-this-actually-works","Why this actually works",[12,24,25],{},"Modern AI chatbots can \"see\" images. That means you don't have to type out a list of every sad carrot and half-used jar of pesto lurking in your fridge. You snap a photo, upload it, and let the AI do the reading. Then it suggests a meal built around what you already own, which saves money, cuts waste, and means no emergency trip to the shop.",[19,27,29],{"id":28},"step-1-pick-your-ai-tool","Step 1: Pick your AI tool",[12,31,32],{},"Any of the major free chatbots will work. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot all accept image uploads on their free tiers. Download the app on your phone, or open it in your browser, whichever is easier when you've got a toddler clinging to your leg.",[19,34,36],{"id":35},"step-2-take-a-good-photo-or-two","Step 2: Take a good photo (or two)",[12,38,39],{},[40,41],"img",{"alt":42,"src":43},"Taking a photo of the fridge contents to share with an AI chatbot","/images/2026/04/taking_picture_for_ai_dinner.png",[12,45,46],{},"Open the fridge, pull out any drawers where things are hiding, and take a clear, well-lit photo. If your fridge is stuffed, take a couple of pictures from different angles so nothing important gets missed. Do the same for your pantry or cupboard if you want the AI to factor in pasta, tinned tomatoes, rice, and so on. Don't forget the freezer if there's something in there worth using up.",[12,48,49],{},"A few quick photo tips:",[51,52,53,57,60],"ul",{},[54,55,56],"li",{},"Good lighting matters. Turn the kitchen light on.",[54,58,59],{},"Move things around so labels are visible where possible.",[54,61,62],{},"If something is in an opaque container, mention it in your message (e.g. \"there's also leftover roast chicken in the blue tub\").",[19,64,66],{"id":65},"step-3-write-a-prompt-that-actually-tells-the-ai-about-your-family","Step 3: Write a prompt that actually tells the AI about your family",[12,68,69],{},"This is where the magic happens, and it's the step most people skip. The AI is only as helpful as the information you give it. Don't just say \"what should I make?\". Tell it about the humans you're feeding.",[12,71,72],{},"Here's a template you can copy and adapt:",[74,75,76,79,82,117],"blockquote",{},[12,77,78],{},"Here's a photo of what's in my fridge and pantry. Please suggest a dinner I can make tonight using mostly what you can see.",[12,80,81],{},"A few things to know:",[51,83,84,95,101,104,107,114],{},[54,85,86,87,91,92],{},"I'm cooking for ",[88,89,90],"span",{},"number"," people: ",[88,93,94],{},"list them, e.g. 2 adults, a 7-year-old, and a 3-year-old",[54,96,97,100],{},[88,98,99],{},"Child's name"," doesn't like chicken, so if you suggest chicken please give me a quick alternative for them",[54,102,103],{},"Nobody in the house will eat mushrooms or olives",[54,105,106],{},"My youngest prefers plain food, nothing too spicy",[54,108,109,110,113],{},"I've got about ",[88,111,112],{},"30/45/60"," minutes and I'm knackered, so nothing too fiddly",[54,115,116],{},"We try to include a veg where we can",[12,118,119],{},"Please give me one main suggestion, plus a plan B in case I'm missing something you couldn't see in the photo.",[12,121,122],{},"That's it. The more specific you are about likes, dislikes, allergies, and time, the better the suggestion will be.",[19,124,126],{"id":125},"step-4-add-the-details-that-change-everything","Step 4: Add the details that change everything",[12,128,129],{},"Little bits of context make a huge difference to the quality of what the AI gives you back. Think about mentioning:",[51,131,132,139,145,151,157,163],{},[54,133,134,138],{},[135,136,137],"strong",{},"Fussy eaters."," \"My 5-year-old doesn't like chicken but everyone else does\" means the AI can suggest a meal where his portion gets swapped for something simple like fish fingers or a cheese toastie, while the rest of you eat the same dish.",[54,140,141,144],{},[135,142,143],{},"Vegetables specifically."," Kids are notoriously particular. \"She'll eat carrots and peas but not peppers or courgette\" is genuinely useful information.",[54,146,147,150],{},[135,148,149],{},"Allergies and intolerances."," Always flag these clearly at the top of your message. Don't rely on the AI to remember from a previous chat.",[54,152,153,156],{},[135,154,155],{},"Your energy levels."," Seriously, tell it you're tired. AI will happily suggest a one-pan traybake instead of a three-component meal if you ask for \"low effort.\"",[54,158,159,162],{},[135,160,161],{},"Equipment."," If you want to use the air fryer or slow cooker, say so.",[54,164,165,168],{},[135,166,167],{},"What you're trying to use up."," \"The spinach needs using today\" will push the AI to build the meal around it.",[19,170,172],{"id":171},"step-5-chat-back-and-forth","Step 5: Chat back and forth",[12,174,175],{},"You don't have to accept the first suggestion. Treat it like a conversation with a friend who happens to be a chef. If the AI suggests pasta bake and you had pasta last night, just say \"we had pasta yesterday, give me something else.\" If it suggests a curry and you're missing coconut milk, say so, and it'll pivot.",[12,177,178],{},"Some useful follow-ups:",[51,180,181,184,187,190],{},[54,182,183],{},"\"Can you give me the recipe with exact quantities for four?\"",[54,185,186],{},"\"Make it 20 minutes faster.\"",[54,188,189],{},"\"What can I swap the chicken for, for my daughter?\"",[54,191,192],{},"\"What's a quick pudding I could do with what's left?\"",[19,194,196],{"id":195},"a-real-example","A real example",[12,198,199],{},"Let's say your fridge photo shows: half a pack of mince, a red pepper, a bag of salad, some cheddar, a tub of Greek yoghurt, a lemon, and a few sad spring onions. Your pantry has rice, tinned tomatoes, and taco seasoning.",[12,201,202],{},"You tell the AI: two adults, two kids (6 and 4), the 4-year-old won't eat peppers, 30 minutes max, nothing spicy for the little one.",[12,204,205],{},"Back comes: easy beef tacos with rice on the side. Cook the mince with the tinned tomatoes and taco seasoning, keep a plain portion aside for the 4-year-old before adding the spice, chop the pepper into the adults' portions only, shred the lettuce from the salad bag, grate the cheese, dollop of yoghurt instead of sour cream, squeeze of lemon.",[12,207,208],{},"Dinner sorted. You haven't thought about it once.",[19,210,212],{"id":211},"a-few-honest-caveats","A few honest caveats",[51,214,215,221,227],{},[54,216,217,220],{},[135,218,219],{},"Always sense-check the recipe."," AI occasionally gets cooking times or temperatures slightly off. If something sounds wrong, trust your instincts.",[54,222,223,226],{},[135,224,225],{},"Double-check allergens."," Never rely on AI alone if someone in your house has a serious allergy. Read ingredient labels yourself.",[54,228,229,232],{},[135,230,231],{},"It won't always spot hidden things."," If half your fridge is in Tupperware, the AI can't see inside. Tell it what's in there.",[19,234,236],{"id":235},"the-real-win","The real win",[12,238,239,240,244],{},"The point of this isn't really the recipe. It's that you don't have to ",[241,242,243],"em",{},"decide",". For busy parents, the hardest part of dinner isn't the cooking, it's the thinking. Letting AI take that mental load, even a few nights a week, frees up a surprising amount of brain space for the stuff that actually matters.",[12,246,247],{},"Give it a go tonight. Snap the fridge, tell it about your lot, and see what it comes up with. Worst case, you ignore the suggestion. Best case? Dinner is handled, and you didn't have to think about it once.",[12,249,250],{},[241,251,252],{},"If you try this, I'd love to hear how you got on, so let me know over on the leeleeloves.co.uk socials.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":256},"",2,[257,258,259,260,261,262,263,264,265],{"id":21,"depth":255,"text":22},{"id":28,"depth":255,"text":29},{"id":35,"depth":255,"text":36},{"id":65,"depth":255,"text":66},{"id":125,"depth":255,"text":126},{"id":171,"depth":255,"text":172},{"id":195,"depth":255,"text":196},{"id":211,"depth":255,"text":212},{"id":235,"depth":255,"text":236},[267],"parenting","/images/2026/04/cooking_dinner_ai_happy.png","2026-04-27T14:30:00Z",null,"md",{},"A quick, honest guide for busy parents on using ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini to plan dinner from a photo of your fridge, in under five minutes.","Let AI decide what's for dinner tonight | LeeLee Loves",true,"/let-ai-decide-whats-for-dinner-tonight",{"title":6,"description":14},false,"published","let-ai-decide-whats-for-dinner-tonight","zqluxL50H06jKAgkE-0RoxFbWNWClmtr92YzgAhVO4g",{"id":283,"title":284,"author":7,"body":285,"category":406,"cover":298,"date":407,"description":289,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":408,"legacy_id":270,"meta":409,"meta_description":410,"meta_title":411,"navigation":275,"path":412,"seo":413,"sponsored":278,"status":279,"stem":414,"subtitle":270,"__hash__":415},"posts/getting-back-to-routine-easing-children-into-the-new-term-after-the-christmas-holidays.md","Getting Back to Routine: Easing Children Into the New Term After the Christmas Holidays",{"type":9,"value":286,"toc":397},[287,290,293,299,303,306,309,313,316,319,323,326,329,335,339,342,345,349,352,355,359,362,365,369,372,375,378],[12,288,289],{},"The festive period is wonderful, but let's be honest – getting back into the swing of school routines after Christmas can be tough for the whole family. Late nights, lazy mornings, and days filled with excitement suddenly give way to early alarms, packed lunches, and homework. The shock of those cold, dark January mornings is real for both children and parents alike.",[12,291,292],{},"As a mum of three, I know firsthand how challenging this transition can be. Here are some practical ways to ease your children back into routine now that the holidays are over and we're facing those early wake-ups and dark evenings again.",[12,294,295],{},[40,296],{"alt":297,"src":298},"bedtime routine","/winter_bedtime_routine.png",[19,300,302],{"id":301},"start-the-wind-down-early","Start the Wind-Down Early",[12,304,305],{},"If you can, begin adjusting bedtimes a few days before school starts. Move bedtime forward by 15-20 minutes each night so the first day back isn't such a shock to their system. The same goes for wake-up times – resist the urge to let them sleep in right up until the last day of the holidays.",[12,307,308],{},"During the holidays, screen time rules often go out the window, and that's fine for a special break. But as you approach the new term, start reintroducing boundaries around devices, particularly in the hour before bed. The blue light from screens can interfere with sleep, making those early mornings even harder.",[19,310,312],{"id":311},"get-organised-the-night-before","Get Organised the Night Before",[12,314,315],{},"Those frantic morning searches for school shoes or PE kits add unnecessary stress when you're already fighting against the clock. Make life easier by getting everything ready the night before: uniforms laid out, bags packed, and lunch boxes prepared where possible.",[12,317,318],{},"I find it helpful to create a simple checklist with the children so they can take ownership of getting themselves organised. Even younger children can tick off items like \"reading book in bag\" or \"water bottle filled\" which builds their independence and takes some pressure off you.",[19,320,322],{"id":321},"reintroduce-structure-gradually","Reintroduce Structure Gradually",[12,324,325],{},"Children thrive on routine, but jumping straight from the relaxed holiday schedule to rigid school-day structure can feel jarring. In the last few days of the holidays, start reintroducing elements of your normal routine: regular meal times, quiet reading time, or even just sitting down together for breakfast rather than grazing throughout the morning.",[12,327,328],{},"This doesn't mean you can't still enjoy some quality family time – just add a bit more structure around it so the complete freedom of the holidays doesn't end abruptly on the first day of term.",[12,330,331],{},[40,332],{"alt":333,"src":334},"baking_after_school","/back_to_school_routine.png",[19,336,338],{"id":337},"embrace-the-cosiness-of-dark-evenings","Embrace the Cosiness of Dark Evenings",[12,340,341],{},"Rather than fighting against those dark January evenings, lean into them. Make after-school time cosy and comforting with warm lighting, hot chocolate, and perhaps some quiet activities like reading, drawing, or board games. Creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere at home helps children decompress after their day and makes the dark evenings feel less gloomy.",[12,343,344],{},"Consider introducing \"cosy time\" as part of your evening routine – half an hour where everyone winds down together with a book or gentle activity before moving into the homework and bedtime routine.",[19,346,348],{"id":347},"keep-some-holiday-magic-alive","Keep Some Holiday Magic Alive",[12,350,351],{},"Just because Christmas is over doesn't mean all the fun has to stop. Keep some of that holiday joy going by planning things to look forward to: a special weekend activity, a movie night, or even just making Saturday morning pancakes a regular treat. Having something to anticipate helps children stay positive about the routine.",[12,353,354],{},"You could also look ahead to half-term or plan some winter walks and family days out. Here in the North West, we're lucky to have plenty of beautiful places to explore even in winter, and getting outdoors at weekends helps everyone stay energised.",[19,356,358],{"id":357},"be-patient-and-understanding","Be Patient and Understanding",[12,360,361],{},"Remember that you're all adjusting. Some children bounce back into routine quickly, while others take a bit longer. There might be tears, tantrums, or tiredness in those first few days, and that's completely normal. Don't expect perfection from yourself or your children.",[12,363,364],{},"Keep communication open – ask your children how they're feeling about going back, what they're looking forward to, and what they're worried about. Sometimes just acknowledging that the transition is hard can help everyone feel better about it.",[19,366,368],{"id":367},"look-after-yourself-too","Look After Yourself Too",[12,370,371],{},"Finally, don't forget that this adjustment period is tough on parents as well. Those early mornings are hard for us too, especially when we've also enjoyed the slower pace of the holidays. Make sure you're getting enough rest, and don't be too hard on yourself if everything doesn't run perfectly smoothly straight away.",[12,373,374],{},"Before you know it, you'll all be back in the swing of things, and the routine will start to feel normal again. Until then, take it day by day, support each other through the adjustment, and remember – we're all in this together.",[376,377],"hr",{},[12,379,380,396],{},[241,381,382,383,390,391,396],{},"How are you finding the back-to-school transition? I'd love to hear your tips for easing children back into routine after the holidays. Connect with me on ",[384,385,389],"a",{"href":386,"rel":387},"https://instagram.com/leeleeloves",[388],"nofollow","Instagram"," or ",[384,392,395],{"href":393,"rel":394},"https://twitter.com/leeleeloves",[388],"X",".",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":398},[399,400,401,402,403,404,405],{"id":301,"depth":255,"text":302},{"id":311,"depth":255,"text":312},{"id":321,"depth":255,"text":322},{"id":337,"depth":255,"text":338},{"id":347,"depth":255,"text":348},{"id":357,"depth":255,"text":358},{"id":367,"depth":255,"text":368},[267],"2026-01-08T20:33:00Z","winter_bedtime_routine.png",{},"Practical tips for getting children back into school routines after the Christmas holidays. From bedtime schedules to morning prep, ease the whole family back in.","Getting Children Back to Routine After Christmas","/getting-back-to-routine-easing-children-into-the-new-term-after-the-christmas-holidays",{"title":284,"description":289},"getting-back-to-routine-easing-children-into-the-new-term-after-the-christmas-holidays","YQHUfyu_W60Sv8RtXNF0vNOasB_95YekfejMxeO7Fjo",{"id":417,"title":418,"author":7,"body":419,"category":516,"cover":517,"date":518,"description":423,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":519,"meta":520,"meta_description":521,"meta_title":418,"navigation":275,"path":522,"seo":523,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":524,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":525},"posts/get-kids-good-sleep-routine.md","How to get your kids into a good sleep routine",{"type":9,"value":420,"toc":514},[421,424,429,437,454,457,462,471,476,481,490,495,498,503,508,511],[12,422,423],{},"Every parent knows the struggle of getting their children to wind down for bed at the end of the day. They’re still hyper and eager to stay up, so you’ll be looking for a quick and reliable routine that works a treat in getting your kids to go to sleep on time every night.",[12,425,426],{},[40,427],{"alt":254,"src":428},"/images/2016/02/snuz_deisgnz_bedding_cot_sleeping_baby.jpg",[12,430,431,436],{},[384,432,435],{"href":433,"rel":434},"https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sleep.html#:~:text=toddlers%2520(1%25E2%2580%25932%2520years)%253A,years",[388],"The average amount of sleep that children need can range anywhere from 8 to 14 hours","%253A%25208%25E2%2580%259310%2520hours) depending on their age. This sleeps is important to their alertness the following day and general cognitive development too. Children that don’t get enough sleep may have the following symptoms:",[51,438,439,442,445,448,451],{},[54,440,441],{},"Can’t pay attention",[54,443,444],{},"Low energy",[54,446,447],{},"Bad moods",[54,449,450],{},"Reduced social skills",[54,452,453],{},"Falling asleep at the wrong times the next day",[12,455,456],{},"With so many negatives of children not sleeping properly, you’ll be looking to avoid it completely. To help, we’ve prepared the ultimate sleep routine that will keep your kids falling asleep at the right time every night, so that they’re ready for the following day.",[12,458,459],{},[135,460,461],{},"Exercise during the day",[12,463,464,465,470],{},"Make sure that they are active during the day so that they are tired come evening, even just for a 30-minute daily walk. The NHS also recommends that ",[384,466,469],{"href":467,"rel":468},"https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-guidelines/physical-activity-guidelines-children-and-young-people/",[388],"every child should do a certain amount of exercise every day"," to keep their bodies healthy too.",[12,472,473],{},[40,474],{"alt":254,"src":475},"/images/2015/11/bubbaroo_sleeping_cot_cute_reading_joey_Swag.jpg",[12,477,478],{},[135,479,480],{},"Relax before bedtime",[12,482,483,484,489],{},"Creating a relaxing environment for them can also help them to feel more sleepy at night. ",[384,485,488],{"href":486,"rel":487},"https://hmv.com/store/music/cd?page=1",[388],"We recommend you put on a CD with some soothing music"," or read them a book in a slow and calm voice.",[12,491,492],{},[135,493,494],{},"Check the light in their bedroom",[12,496,497],{},"Make sure it’s as dark as possible to encourage them to sleep but keep a lamp or nightlight nearby in case they need it. Encourage them to avoid their phone and other devices too close to bedtime as the blue light emitted will disrupt sleep and keep them awake for longer.",[12,499,500],{},[40,501],{"alt":254,"src":502},"/images/2015/04/brother_max_bear_lamp_3.jpg",[12,504,505],{},[135,506,507],{},"Stick to specific times",[12,509,510],{},"By encouraging them to go to bed at the same time every night, they’re more likely to get into a familiar routine and keep their body clock regular. This will also help them to get up on time the next day too.",[12,512,513],{},"These changes are by no way majorly different to what you’re probably already doing. However, when you ensure that these practices are being done ever",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":515},[],[267],"/images/2016/01/Bubbaroo_baby_sleep_diary_blanet_review_01.jpg","2023-01-27T00:09:00Z","11948",{},"Get kids into a good sleep routine. Daily exercise, relaxation techniques, bedroom lighting tips, and consistent bedtimes. Essential parenting sleep advice.","/get-kids-good-sleep-routine",{"title":418,"description":423},"get-kids-good-sleep-routine","k50Nk0AV8NgjQ1lajLjmUhuc4AFan1OexRly8jmtZXI",{"id":527,"title":528,"author":7,"body":529,"category":660,"cover":537,"date":662,"description":254,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":663,"meta":664,"meta_description":665,"meta_title":528,"navigation":275,"path":666,"seo":667,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":668,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":669},"posts/little-joys-christmas-gift-guide-boots.md","Little Joys Christmas Gift Guide with Boots",{"type":9,"value":530,"toc":658},[531,538,543,546,549,552,555,558,561,566,569,572,575,580,583,592,595,598,603,618,632,641,649,652,655],[12,532,533],{},[241,534,535],{},[40,536],{"alt":254,"src":537},"/images/2022/12/Boots_little_joys_christmas_gifts2.jpg",[12,539,540],{},[241,541,542],{},"**Advertisement Feature in collaboration with Boots**",[12,544,545],{},"Christmas is my absolute favourite time of year!",[12,547,548],{},"I love almost everything about the festive season.",[12,550,551],{},"All but one.",[12,553,554],{},"The shopping!",[12,556,557],{},"The stresses of choosing items for everyone in the family. Trying to stick to budgets while hoping you’ve found something they’ll love… Who needs that kind of pressure and stress at the happiest time of year? None of us. We need to be curled up on the sofa. Watching Jude Law as Mr Napkin head, with a mulled wine. That’s what we should be doing.",[12,559,560],{},"Of course, I do enjoy the festive atmosphere. Roaming the beautifully decorated shops with hot chocolate and festive songs playing everywhere I go.",[12,562,563],{},[40,564],{"alt":254,"src":565},"/images/2022/12/Boots_little_joys_christmas_gifts4.jpg",[12,567,568],{},"Taking the current cost of living into consideration I, like many, will be budgeting this festive period. We can still give gifts that people will love without breaking the bank. It’s the thought that counts, no matter how big or small.",[12,570,571],{},"Don’t forget presence over presents people!",[12,573,574],{},"I’ve had more than my fair share of family loss. Getting to be with those you love is a gift in itself, trust me. Even if you like to bicker with siblings or a festive fight often breaks out. These are the memories you’ll look back on and laugh about.",[12,576,577],{},[40,578],{"alt":254,"src":579},"/images/2022/12/Boots_little_joys_christmas_gifts3.jpg",[12,581,582],{},"I’ve teamed up with boots this year to show their amazing range of Christmas gifts for the whole family. Shopping boots 3 for 2 is a core part of Christmas shopping for me. I’ve been gifting from their range since I was 15 and buying gifts for my siblings. As one of 3 children, I always got one for myself too 😅",[12,584,585,586,591],{},"Boots have a gift for everyone whether it be friends and family or the ",[384,587,590],{"href":588,"rel":589},"https://www.boots.com/christmas/secret%20santa",[388],"Secret Santa Gifts"," for Bob and Sue who sit across from you in the office. Sue obviously loves a Yankee Candle, and Bob would be happy with a Costa Coffee gift set. Both of which you can find at Boots!",[12,593,594],{},"Boots really do have you covered when it comes to Christmas this year, all at affordable prices too.",[12,596,597],{},"Many of the gifts I’ve found were under £10 AND included in the Boots 3 for 2 offers, making them even cheaper again. Ensuring you can gift all of the “Little Joys” this Christmas, without breaking the bank.",[12,599,600],{},[40,601],{"alt":254,"src":602},"/images/2022/12/Boots_little_joys_christmas_gifts6.jpg",[12,604,605,606,611,612,617],{},"With an extensive range of gifts for children from ",[384,607,610],{"href":608,"rel":609},"https://www.boots.com/gift/advent%20calendars",[388],"Advent Calendars"," to the perfect ",[384,613,616],{"href":614,"rel":615},"https://www.boots.com/christmas/stocking%20fillers",[388],"Stocking Fillers"," , I’ve grabbed some great bath products as well as cosy Pyjamas which will make a great addition to our Christmas eve box and stockings.",[12,619,620,623,626,627,396],{},[40,621],{"alt":254,"src":622},"/images/2022/12/Boots_little_joys_christmas_gifts7.jpg",[624,625],"br",{},"\nThere is no shortage of gifts for the ladies at Boots, many of us shop there year-round as well as 3 for 2 gifts theirs always an endless array of beauty and perfumes available at boots when looking for ",[384,628,631],{"href":629,"rel":630},"https://www.boots.com/christmas/gifts%20for%20her",[388],"Christmas Gifts for her",[12,633,634,635,640],{},"Having said that they also have after-shaves, skincare, and electrical items for the men in your life. Making finding ",[384,636,639],{"href":637,"rel":638},"https://www.boots.com/christmas/gifts-for-him",[388],"Christmas gifts for him"," simple too!",[12,642,643,646,648],{},[40,644],{"alt":254,"src":645},"/images/2022/12/Boots_little_joys_christmas_gifts5.jpg",[624,647],{},"\nYou can shop Boots’ full range of Christmas gifts online and in-store.",[12,650,651],{},"Have you spotted anything you love?!",[12,653,654],{},"I hope this helps you find some beautiful gifts without breaking the bank this Christmas.",[12,656,657],{},"Wishing you a beautiful festive season friends!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":659},[],[661,267],"lifestyle","2022-12-12T12:28:00Z","11894",{},"Boots Christmas gift guide. Little Joys collection featuring 3 for 2 offers, stocking fillers, beauty sets and secret Santa gifts. Budget-friendly.","/little-joys-christmas-gift-guide-boots",{"title":528,"description":254},"little-joys-christmas-gift-guide-boots","xap3L9Gzcbq3J9-ZNiKeNMYcFV4OKFuB1XkaW3uj4Ms",{"id":671,"title":672,"author":7,"body":673,"category":744,"cover":745,"date":746,"description":254,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":747,"meta":748,"meta_description":749,"meta_title":672,"navigation":275,"path":750,"seo":751,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":752,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":753},"posts/what-all-parents-should-know.md","Three key things all parents should know",{"type":9,"value":674,"toc":742},[675,680,683,688,691,700,705,710,713,722,727,730,739],[12,676,677],{},[40,678],{"alt":254,"src":679},"/images/2018/06/uppababy_vista_03_.jpg",[12,681,682],{},"As a parent, there are many things that you will learn. Whether you are having your first child or completing your own personal 5-a-side football team, each child will teach you something new. However, there are some things that parents should make sure that they know. Regardless of how old your children are, and how many you have, you need to make sure you can support them with all the right knowledge, no matter what it might be.",[12,684,685],{},[135,686,687],{},"Term Dates",[12,689,690],{},"Nice and simply, do you know when term dates are? It can be hard enough when your children are all in the same school, but things can become a lot more complicated when you have children in different schools who might start or finish on the same day.",[12,692,693,694,699],{},"Who needs to be up early and packed off ",[384,695,698],{"href":696,"rel":697},"https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/school-lunch-recipes",[388],"with a nutritious lunch","? Who will be home late because their after-school club is starting up again? Does anyone need new school uniform? When are the inset days? These are all vital questions that you need to know – especially as you don’t want your children to either miss a day of school or to turn up to an empty playground when they should still be at home.",[12,701,702],{},[40,703],{"alt":254,"src":704},"/images/2019/09/productivity_planner_emily_norris.jpg",[12,706,707],{},[135,708,709],{},"Parental Rights",[12,711,712],{},"No one wants to think about what would happen if they were to split up with their partner, but it is something that should be thought about and discussed. There is no guarantee that you will be together forever, and you need to know what your rights are individually as parents. This will help you move forward and create an amicable co-parenting agreement with your partner that will only benefit your children.",[12,714,715,716,721],{},"For example, it is vital that both of you know and understand the ",[384,717,720],{"href":718,"rel":719},"https://cordellcordell.co.uk/practice-areas/paternity-rights/what-rights-do-fathers-have-in-the-uk/",[388],"rights of fathers post-divorce in the UK",", in addition to those of mothers. Understanding the position and rights that both of you hold could make things much easier for you to come to a reasonable agreement about what is best for your children and your future as co-parents.",[12,723,724],{},[135,725,726],{},"There is No Right Way to Do Things",[12,728,729],{},"When parenting, it can be really easy to compare yourself to your friends and the parents of your children’s friends. However, what might work for them will not necessarily work for you and your parents. Some households can thrive when their children are being ferried from one activity to the next and are always on the move. That does not mean that this is something you should emulate for your own children – they could quickly become overworked and over-stimulated.",[12,731,732,733,738],{},"You need to work with your children as a family unit to come up with a weekly schedule that works for them. With ",[384,734,737],{"href":735,"rel":736},"https://www.tts-group.co.uk/blog/2017/07/11/after-school-club-ideas.html",[388],"the right activities",", your children should flourish and be happy to pick up new skills. However, if they seem reluctant to go to some of the clubs, it might be time to move on and find something new that will spark interest in them once more.",[12,740,741],{},"Though there are many books and resources out there, there is – unfortunately – no exact all-in-one guide to being a parent. Instead, you need to make sure that you are listening to your children and your partner to ensure that you can forge the best possible life for all of you. Do so, and you should be able to create a family life that is as happy as can be regardless of the challenges that you might face. This is ultimately all you can do as a parent. Though you might make mistakes as you go, knowing how to recover from them will be key.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":743},[],[267],"/images/2018/06/uppababy_vista_01.jpg","2022-05-09T11:36:00Z","11835",{},"Three essential things all parents should know. Term dates, parental rights after divorce, and trusting your own parenting style. Essential UK parenting advice.","/what-all-parents-should-know",{"title":672,"description":254},"what-all-parents-should-know","nPwEjet1i0NH_S1ycZus_fPjfveyu0xxGGzHpvGWkhA",{"id":755,"title":756,"author":7,"body":757,"category":824,"cover":825,"date":826,"description":827,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":828,"meta":829,"meta_description":830,"meta_title":756,"navigation":275,"path":831,"seo":832,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":833,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":834},"posts/protect-childs-financial-future-simple-steps.md","Protect your child’s financial future with these simple steps",{"type":9,"value":758,"toc":822},[759,767,770,775,784,788,796,800,809,813,816,819],[12,760,761,762,766],{},"As a parent you want your child to have the very best start in ",[384,763,765],{"href":764},"/welcome-world","life",". We work hard and sacrifice so much to ensure they have the things they need, spend every waking moment thinking of them, and we love them unconditionally. But as they grow into responsible adults and embark on their own lives, although we’re proud and happy for them, it’s difficult to take a step back!",[12,768,769],{},"When you take steps to protect your child’s financial future, you’re not only setting them up with a potentially life-affirming amount of money, but you’re also giving them the financial knowledge they need to make better monetary choices and to reach their financial goals. Here we’ll take a look at how you can protect your child’s financial future with these simple steps.",[771,772,774],"h4",{"id":773},"open-a-junior-isa","Open a Junior ISA",[12,776,777,778,783],{},"Your child might already have a savings account in their name, however opening a Junior ISA for them doesn’t just provide them with another monetary fund, it gives them the opportunity to reach their financial goals. With a Junior ISA, you can save up to £9000 a year for each of your children, and any money you place in the ISA works for you allowing it to grow in a tax-efficient way – ",[384,779,782],{"href":780,"rel":781},"https://www.wealthify.com/junior-isa",[388],"click here"," to find out more about Junior ISAs. The money in the ISA account belongs to your child, and they’ll have access to it when they turn 18, giving you plenty of time to build on their savings and secure their financial future.",[771,785,787],{"id":786},"give-them-an-allowance","Give them an allowance",[12,789,790,791,795],{},"Giving your children pocket money is something that brings up many differences of opinion. However, if you want to show your ",[384,792,794],{"href":793},"/keeping-clean-modern-home-tidy-books-sorting-box","children"," the value of money and help them to secure their financial future, then helping them understand the importance of money is a step in the right direction. One approach is to pay your child an allowance for any chores they have completed, this shows them that money isn’t simply given to people for no reason, they have to work hard to earn it.",[771,797,799],{"id":798},"talk","Talk!",[12,801,802,803,808],{},"Talking to your primary school-aged child about mortgages and interest rates doesn’t exactly scream excitement. However, ",[384,804,807],{"href":805,"rel":806},"https://www.360financialliteracy.org/Topics/Spending-Saving/The-Basics/Talking-to-Your-Kids-about-Money",[388],"talking about money"," and bringing it up in everyday situations can help broaden their understanding. Whether you’re chatting about how you’re paying for your family car with a PIP scheme, or you’re discussing your budget so you can save money to go on holiday, bring your children into the discussion and even value their input on how you can save money or find cheap activities to do.",[771,810,812],{"id":811},"have-a-life-insurance-policy-in-place","Have a life insurance policy in place",[12,814,815],{},"No one likes to think about the worst-case scenario but having a life insurance policy in place could secure the future you always wanted your child/ren to have. There are plenty of policies out there to suit your requirements, so no matter what happens, you know your children are financially protected.",[12,817,818],{},"Final thoughts…",[12,820,821],{},"Preparing your child for adulthood isn’t only talking about relationships, education and their career, it’s about giving them the tools they need to have the very best start to their adult lives. Follow the steps above to get started.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":823},[],[267],"/images/2016/08/huggies_wipes_bonding_feet.jpg","2021-04-21T13:17:00Z","As a parent you want your child to have the very best start in life. We work hard and sacrifice so much to ensure they have the things they need, spend every waking moment thinking of them, and we love them unconditionally. But as they grow into responsible adults and embark on their own lives, although we’re proud and happy for them, it’s difficult to take a step back!","11770",{},"Protect your child's financial future. Junior ISAs, pocket money lessons, money conversations, and life insurance. Essential steps for securing their future.","/protect-childs-financial-future-simple-steps",{"title":756,"description":827},"protect-childs-financial-future-simple-steps","gI-kbP6C-JgPlq2jRpBRuJh3xAHA5MAHFGg1uw8hZ7U",{"id":836,"title":837,"author":7,"body":838,"category":919,"cover":847,"date":920,"description":842,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":921,"meta":922,"meta_description":923,"meta_title":837,"navigation":275,"path":924,"seo":925,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":926,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":927},"posts/safer-sleep-babies-bounty-lullaby-trust.md","Safer Sleep for Babies with Bounty and the Lullaby Trust",{"type":9,"value":839,"toc":917},[840,843,848,851,860,863,871,879,884,889,892,912],[12,841,842],{},"Whether you’re a first-time parent or about to have your fifth baby. Parenting, babies and all of the recommended guidelines (that change year by year) are an absolute minefield.",[12,844,845],{},[40,846],{"alt":254,"src":847},"/images/2019/07/summer_infant_panoram_video_baby_monitor_04.jpg",[12,849,850],{},"I still recall that feeling of fear as the imminent arrival drew closer.",[12,852,853,854,859],{},"Bounty helps families in the transition to parenthood, through each key life stage. From pregnancy to birth to pre-school. ",[384,855,858],{"href":856,"rel":857},"http://www.bounty.com/",[388],"Bounty"," helps provide 45,000 mums a week with timely advice and expert knowledge, introducing carefully chosen products and services to mums is invaluable at this precious time.",[12,861,862],{},"I received my first Bounty pack when pregnant with my now 5-year-old. I was given it by my midwife at my first appointment. It was full of expert advice, money off vouchers, a mini sudocrem pot, stretch mark creams, pampers nappies, wipes, ect.",[12,864,865,868,870],{},[40,866],{"alt":254,"src":867},"/images/2016/04/gifted_baby_genius_weight.jpg",[624,869],{},"\nBounty have teamed up with Safe Sleep charity the Lullaby Trust to give expectant parents to low down on safe sleep for their new arrivals within the pack.",[12,872,873,874,878],{},"The Bounty website also has a safer sleep section produced in association with the Lullaby Trust (",[384,875,876],{"href":876,"rel":877},"http://www.bounty.com/pregnancy-and-birth/safer-sleep",[388],") which offers advice on all aspects of safer sleep for babies.",[12,880,881],{},[40,882],{"alt":254,"src":883},"/images/2018/05/DSC_0690.jpg",[12,885,886],{},[135,887,888],{},"Here are just a few of the Safe Sleep for Babies Guidelines –",[12,890,891],{},"See the bounty website for the full low-down on safe sleep for your little ones.",[51,893,894,897,900,903,906,909],{},[54,895,896],{},"You should always place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side (unless your doctor has advised you of a medical reason to do so)",[54,898,899],{},"The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first 6 months is in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you",[54,901,902],{},"The chance of SIDS is lower when babies sleep in a separate cot in the same room as their parents",[54,904,905],{},"The safest place for your baby to sleep is on their own sleep surface, in the same room as you, for at least the first six months.",[54,907,908],{},"A room temperature of 16-20°C, with light bedding or a lightweight well-fitting baby sleep bag that is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies.",[54,910,911],{},"Smoking both during pregnancy and after your baby is born greatly increases the chance of SIDS, and your baby can be affected by either you or your partner smoking.",[12,913,914],{},[135,915,916],{},"If you haven’t received yours from your midwife, make sure you ask next time you see her, alternatively, you can contact them directly via the Bounty App. You can also collect you other packs from Tesco, Boots and Asda.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":918},[],[267],"2019-12-03T13:49:00Z","11536",{},"Safer sleep for babies guide with Bounty and Lullaby Trust. Essential safe sleep guidelines including back sleeping, room temperature, and avoiding SIDS risks.","/safer-sleep-babies-bounty-lullaby-trust",{"title":837,"description":842},"safer-sleep-babies-bounty-lullaby-trust","1PY6uwy_PEYD-HqJC4ENoEqArnvWRb4Qre50xsa28dA",{"id":929,"title":930,"author":7,"body":931,"category":1042,"cover":1043,"date":1044,"description":1045,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":1046,"meta":1047,"meta_description":1048,"meta_title":930,"navigation":275,"path":1049,"seo":1050,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":1051,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":1052},"posts/making-time-milestones-emmas-diary.md","Making time for Milestones with Emmas Diary",{"type":9,"value":932,"toc":1040},[933,942,945,953,956,959,970,973,976,979,987,990,993,996,999,1004,1007,1016,1024,1027],[12,934,935,936,941],{},"At 21 months old Harriet has hit pretty all of those ",[384,937,940],{"href":938,"rel":939},"https://www.emmasdiary.co.uk/baby/month-by-month-baby-development",[388],"‘Baby Milestones’"," that new mothers love to keep track of.",[12,943,944],{},"I attempted to keep track of those all-important moments with both of my babies, admittedly I was better at documenting them the first time around.",[12,946,947],{},[384,948,950],{"href":938,"rel":949},[388],[40,951],{"alt":254,"src":952},"/images/2019/01/tots_bots_newborn_01.jpg",[12,954,955],{},"I wrote monthly blog posts documenting Taylor as he grew. I took photos, in their thousands. With Harriet, it all had to fit in around nursery runs, swimming lessons and helping a toddler build lego whilst breastfeeding a baby.",[12,957,958],{},"So as you can imagine, she didn’t get the blog posts, and her photos aren’t in their thousands. But I still captured these moments, not for social media, but for myself. And for her.",[12,960,961,967,969],{},[384,962,964],{"href":938,"rel":963},[388],[40,965],{"alt":254,"src":966},"/images/2018/08/bravado_nursing_bra_02.jpg",[624,968],{},"\nIt’s easy to get caught up in the day to day life, especially the second, or third, time around.",[12,971,972],{},"I might not know which date each tooth came in, but I know when she rolled, walked, talked and giggled. I didn’t write a blog post about it, I was rife with anxiety after having a small sickly baby. I didn’t have it in me to share it all. But I knew I wanted these moments to look back on with her as she grows.",[12,974,975],{},"I didn’t do anything special with Harriet, I simply made a note, on my phone with the date and the milestone. I took some photos with her milestone cards and that was that. Now I can say I put in the effort and when she’s older we can look at them together.",[12,977,978],{},"One day I’ll take the time to transfer the info into her baby book. Hopefully, before she’s 20!",[12,980,981],{},[384,982,984],{"href":938,"rel":983},[388],[40,985],{"alt":254,"src":986},"/images/2018/05/dolly_01.jpg",[12,988,989],{},"Harriet hit all of her milestones pretty much on time for her age. She’s now walking, talking and causing mischief!",[12,991,992],{},"Our final milestone is sleep, and I think we’ve cracked it. She’s always been a good sleeper, but this week we’ve finally managed to leave her to go to sleep by herself.",[12,994,995],{},"Which is great and makes the evenings easier… I should be happy, right?",[12,997,998],{},"But I can’t deny I miss sitting and having those extra long cuddles as she drifts off in my arms. Or watching her little chest rise and fall as she sleeps.",[12,1000,1001,1003],{},[40,1002],{"alt":254,"src":883},"The one thing I never did is compare my babies to others. I loved getting my monthly emails and reading Emmas Diary to see what I could expect from my baby that month, but each baby develops at their own pace.",[12,1005,1006],{},"So make sure you take the time to capture each moment, write a note and document the day. Even if it’s just on your phone. Because we know it’s not always easy to find time for baby books…",[771,1008,1010,1011,1015],{"id":1009},"emmas-diary-website-has-lots-of-information-about-your-babys-milestones-as-well-as-creating-this-great-infographic-below","Emma’s Diary website has lots of information about ",[384,1012,1014],{"href":938,"rel":1013},[388],"your baby’s milestones"," – as well as creating this great infographic below:",[12,1017,1018],{},[384,1019,1021],{"href":938,"rel":1020},[388],[40,1022],{"alt":254,"src":1023},"/images/2019/10/Baby_development_milestones_logo.jpg",[12,1025,1026],{},"All babies are unique and grow at different rates. Don’t worry if your little one doesn’t match this pattern exactly. They might be a few weeks ahead on some things and slightly behind on others. It usually evens out over time. However, if you’re concerned that your child has missed one or more important milestones, speak to your health visitor or GP",[12,1028,1029],{},[135,1030,1031],{},[241,1032,1033,1034,1039],{},"#AD – This post is written in collaboration with ",[384,1035,1038],{"href":1036,"rel":1037},"https://www.emmasdiary.co.uk/",[388],"Emma’s Diary",". All views and opinions expressed in this post are my own.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":1041},[],[267],"/images/2018/05/4_mobth_old_baby.jpg","2019-10-07T10:24:00Z","At 21 months old Harriet has hit pretty all of those ‘Baby Milestones’ that new mothers love to keep track of.","11484",{},"Tracking baby milestones with Emma's Diary. Simple ways to document rolling, walking, talking and sleeping. Tips for busy second-time parents.","/making-time-milestones-emmas-diary",{"title":930,"description":1045},"making-time-milestones-emmas-diary","9M6XCvFMIVOuI_gZtt_GmRby6fT_uXiQogrm3nPaEjU",{"id":1054,"title":1055,"author":7,"body":1056,"category":1117,"cover":1095,"date":1118,"description":1060,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":1119,"meta":1120,"meta_description":1121,"meta_title":1055,"navigation":275,"path":1122,"seo":1123,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":1124,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":1125},"posts/weaning-confidence-ft-cognikids.md","Weaning with confidence  ft. Cognikids",{"type":9,"value":1057,"toc":1115},[1058,1061,1067,1070,1073,1076,1082,1085,1091,1097,1103],[12,1059,1060],{},"Weaning; The first ‘big’ milestone in a newborns life. As parents, we countdown the days until exactly 6 months before busting out the baby rice. From here onwards we begin shovelling food into the mouths of our little ones. Watching as they experience new tastes and textures.",[12,1062,1063,1066],{},[40,1064],{"alt":254,"src":1065},"/images/2019/05/cogni_kids_01.jpg","Is it too soon to watch them suck on a Lemon? Let’s film them pulling faces every time they try new food. Let’s buy all of the fruits and vegetables the supermarket has to offer.",[12,1068,1069],{},"It’s all so exciting!",[12,1071,1072],{},"It’s not until they become toddlers and start to grab everything within arms reach that we realise they want to be more independent. They want to hold the spoon and feed themselves. They want to hold a cup and try to do everything on their own.",[12,1074,1075],{},"With Harriet, we did baby-led weaning from the beginning. So her level of independence when it comes to food is pretty high. That’s not to say she doesn’t make a mess, she does. A lot of it.",[12,1077,1078,1081],{},[40,1079],{"alt":254,"src":1080},"/images/2019/05/cogni_kids_03.jpg","What she can’t do is use a spoon without dropping food everywhere. She’s got the right idea, but the food falls off before reaching its destination. To encourage her independence with self-feeding we started using COGNIKIDS® Dip, Sip and Grip.",[12,1083,1084],{},"COGNIKIDS® believe that every baby has a right to grip, grasp, hold, throw, chew, suck, creep, crawl, shake, dance, kick, flail about and sometimes even fall down. All of these actions are the building blocks upon which your baby will build their future skills.",[12,1086,1087,1090],{},[40,1088],{"alt":254,"src":1089},"/images/2019/05/cogni_kids_05.jpg","TheCOGNIKIDS® Dip is a great way to introduce cutlery to little ones. It’s soft, safe and ergonomic for them to get to grips with. The motor skills and hand-eye coordination to take a spoon to your mouth is easy, right? We don’t even think about it. It’s actually a skill that takes a lot of practice. The motion of getting it there means food falls off of your generic spoon. The dip has silicone holes that soft foods can sit within, and little ones can suck the food off. Harriet has managed to self-feed with yoghurts, mashed potatoes and soups using dip. Of course, she still likes to get her hands in there, but she is learning. And I’ve seen a great improvement since we introduced dip into our meal times!",[12,1092,1093,1096],{},[40,1094],{"alt":254,"src":1095},"/images/2019/05/cogni_kids_02.jpg","The sip cups also come in a 2 pack, they’re soft and flexible and rounded at the bottom to help prevent it from tipping over. The inside cup has measurements which is a nice feature if you are trying to measure how much your baby/toddler is drinking. This cup is from 6 months but needs supervision. It is an open top cup, after all, they will tip it. I put small amounts in, a sip, as the name suggests. So it’s mess-free but we’re still learning how to use an open-ended cup.",[12,1098,1099,1102],{},[40,1100],{"alt":254,"src":1101},"/images/2019/05/cogni_kids_06.jpg","Alongside Dip and Sip, we’ve also tried the Cogni Kids Grip. A clever cover for babies bottle to held them hold it themselves. Although Harriet is 1 and can hold a bottle by herself I love how Grip stops it from slipping and being dropped. Not to mention, it makes her bottles look great and even attracted comments from strangers on a recent train journey at how clever it was.",[12,1104,1105,1108,1109,1114],{},[40,1106],{"alt":254,"src":1107},"/images/2019/05/cogni_kids_04.jpg","We’ve foundCOGNIKIDS® to be a great addition to weaning and encouraging little ones to be independent. Harriets skills are improving by the day! To find out more about the COGNIKIDS® range and order some for your little learner head over to ",[384,1110,1113],{"href":1111,"rel":1112},"https://www.preciouslittleone.com/cognikids/",[388],"PreciousLittleOne"," where you can see their full weaning range in a great selection of colours 🙂",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":1116},[],[267],"2019-04-28T14:27:00Z","11322",{},"Cognikids weaning products review. Dip spoons, Sip cups, and Grip bottle covers to encourage independent feeding. Perfect for baby-led weaning from 6 months.","/weaning-confidence-ft-cognikids",{"title":1055,"description":1060},"weaning-confidence-ft-cognikids","XheaH_vR8XYqDkTTcZ28Y00rZ4tujx5pmmy4wquBfko",{"id":1127,"title":1128,"author":7,"body":1129,"category":1192,"cover":1194,"date":1195,"description":1133,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":1196,"meta":1197,"meta_description":1198,"meta_title":1128,"navigation":275,"path":1199,"seo":1200,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":1201,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":1202},"posts/common-health-conditions-pregnancy-treat.md","Common health conditions during pregnancy, and how to treat them!",{"type":9,"value":1130,"toc":1188},[1131,1134,1140,1143,1146,1152,1155,1164,1167,1172,1175,1183],[12,1132,1133],{},"During pregnancy, women can experience various health conditions. From Anemia to Pre-Eclampsia. Some conditions are more common than others, and some are easily treatable.",[12,1135,1136,1137,1139],{},"Something I experienced during both of my pregnancies was low blood pressure and anaemia.",[624,1138],{},"\nMany health conditions during pregnancy are treatable although the worst for me was low blood pressure, also known as hypotension. Which my health visitor and GP could do nothing for.",[12,1141,1142],{},"Imagine being in the supermarket or at the park with your 3 old, you’re 6 months pregnant and suddenly you feel faint, everything starts to go black… This happened to me multiple times during my second pregnancy. My GP advised if I felt light-headed or like I might pass out to sit with my head between my knees or lay down. That’s easily said, but if you’re in the middle of a supermarket with a 3-year-old you’re not going to just lie down, are you?",[12,1144,1145],{},"I found keeping a bottle of cold water with me really helped. I also had to remind myself to slow down! The simplest of things, such as standing up too quickly, could cause me to feel faint and subsequently blackout.",[12,1147,1148,1149,1151],{},"Suddenly my 3-year-olds slow walking wasn’t an issue for me, I wanted to keep at his pace, and it helped. Until he’d decide to run off and I’d have to run after him.",[624,1150],{},"\nThankfully the Anemia was easily treated with Iron supplements and boosted my energy levels throughout my pregnancy. I had to continue taking them for a few months after and found them to be really helpful!",[12,1153,1154],{},"Pregnancy also really spurred me on to look at my body health and what I was was putting into my body. Were the things I was eating really good for me?",[12,1156,1157,1158,1163],{},"During pregnancy i’ve always been put off meat and ",[384,1159,1162],{"href":1160,"rel":1161},"https://www.healthlabs.com/vitamin-nutritional-health-testing",[388],"nutritional testing"," shows we don’t need to eat meat to be healthy and look after our bodies. Quite the opposite, we recently watched a documentary on this and blood tested after consuming meat is cloudy and fatty compared to that of somebody on a vegan diet.",[12,1165,1166],{},"That’s not to say I’d go vegan but I have been focusing on and enjoy a vegetarian diet just like I did during pregnancy and felt good for it!.",[1168,1169,1171],"h3",{"id":1170},"what-to-do-if-you-experience-health-conditions-during-pregnancy","What to do if you experience health conditions during pregnancy –",[12,1173,1174],{},"If you’re experiencing any health issues pre 0r postpartum whether it be physical or mental, speak to your Health Visitor or GP as they may be able to help. Just because you’re pregnant or had a baby recently doesn’t mean it’s normal to feel run down or in pain all of the time. There could be an underlying issue.",[12,1176,1177,1178,1182],{},"To find out more about the various health conditions you may experience during pregnancy head to ",[384,1179,1038],{"href":1180,"rel":1181},"https://www.emmasdiary.co.uk/pregnancy-and-birth/pregnancy-health/pregnancy-complications",[388],"!",[12,1184,1185],{},[40,1186],{"alt":254,"src":1187},"/images/2019/03/ED-infographic-1-rev3.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":1189},[1190],{"id":1170,"depth":1191,"text":1171},3,[1193,267],"pregnancy","/images/2014/12/week_39_bump_1.jpg","2019-03-28T21:05:00Z","11307",{},"Common pregnancy health conditions including anaemia, low blood pressure and pre-eclampsia. Personal experience with hypotension and iron supplements.","/common-health-conditions-pregnancy-treat",{"title":1128,"description":1133},"common-health-conditions-pregnancy-treat","f2G1_0TXnjrEsTOjDH34PsppjPwHebpWIy8_-jDMqLk",{"id":1204,"title":1205,"author":7,"body":1206,"category":1314,"cover":952,"date":1315,"description":1210,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":1316,"meta":1317,"meta_description":1318,"meta_title":1205,"navigation":275,"path":1319,"seo":1320,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":1321,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":1322},"posts/cloth-nappies-newborns-tots-bots.md","Cloth nappies and newborns ft. Tots Bots and Baba + Boo",{"type":9,"value":1207,"toc":1311},[1208,1211,1217,1221,1224,1237,1243,1246,1251,1254,1257,1263,1266,1269,1275,1286,1289,1292,1306],[12,1209,1210],{},"Whilst I was pregnant with Harriet I knew I wanted to introduce the use of cloth nappies. Unpacking all of Taylors old cloth and bringing it out ready for use had me excited!",[12,1212,1213,1216],{},[40,1214],{"alt":254,"src":1215},"/images/2019/01/tots_bots_newborn_04.jpg","Just think, all those nappies we saved from landfill with our first baby. And now we would use the exact same ones for our second. With no extra cost involved, amazing!",[1168,1218,1220],{"id":1219},"using-one-cloth-nappy-a-day-stops-900single-usee-nappies-going-to-landfill","Using one cloth nappy a day stops 900single-usee nappies going to landfill.",[12,1222,1223],{},"Of course, I knew she would have to wait a few months before we could begin. As the BTP (Birth to Potty) nappies would be too big, to begin with. Weighing in at 5lb5oz I wasn’t wrong.",[12,1225,1226,1227,1231,1232,1236],{},"Arriving home from the hospital with our tiny bundle. I was excited to find both ",[384,1228,1230],{"href":1229},"/giving-cloth-a-go-totsbots-cloth-nappies","TotsBots"," and ",[384,1233,1235],{"href":1234},"/preparing-to-use-cloth-nappies-with-baba-boo","Baba + Boo"," had sent our tiny girl a bundle of their Teeny Fit and Newborn nappies. Specifically for newborns, we were now able to go cloth from the get go!",[12,1238,1239,1242],{},[40,1240],{"alt":254,"src":1241},"/images/2019/01/baba_and_boo_newborn.jpg","I was apprehensive about trying cloth with a newborn. Taylor was around 8 months old when we first started our cloth journey. We’d only ever done ‘part-time’ cloth with him. So this was new to us!",[12,1244,1245],{},"What I hadn’t realised is how easy it would be. Newborn poo, especially the breastfed variety, isn’t solid. There isn’t really any ‘solid’ to dispose of before washing. Making them easy to work with.",[12,1247,1248,1250],{},[40,1249],{"alt":254,"src":952},"The teeny fit nappies fit Harriet well and the prints, of course, they’re gorgeous!",[12,1252,1253],{},"In her first few weeks, we’d used disposables thinking it was more convenient. What we hadn’t anticipated was what would occur in the following weeks. A rash so sore she had what resembled burns in her nappy area. Would this have happened if we’d used cloth from day 1? Unlikely.",[12,1255,1256],{},"Cloth nappies aren’t just great for the environment, they’re better for sensitive baby skin.",[12,1258,1259,1262],{},[40,1260],{"alt":254,"src":1261},"/images/2019/01/tots_bots_teeny.jpg","### Did you know, the manufacture of one month’s worth of disposables for one child uses 6100 litres water? So if you thought you’d be wasting water with all of that washing, think again.",[12,1264,1265],{},"A well known disposable nappy brand is made in our nearest city. And to think so much water goes into making them. My 2 wash loads a week is nothing in comparison.",[12,1267,1268],{},"We’re not perfect though, I do use disposables at night. I don’t have enough nighttime cloth nappies for wearing and washing. But if every parent used just 1 cloth nappy a day, that’s 1 less going to landfill, and that matters.",[12,1270,1271,1274],{},[40,1272],{"alt":254,"src":1273},"/images/2019/01/tots_bots_newborn_05.jpg","Totsbots now have a ‘mini kit’ consisting of 2 nappies and liners as an introduction to cloth. They say “One for the bum and one for the wash, a nappy a day keeps the landfill away. Our reusable nappy mini kit is the perfect bundle to get you started using cloth. It doesn’t take a lot to make a big difference.” And I couldn’t agree more.",[12,1276,1277,1280,1282,1283],{},[40,1278],{"alt":254,"src":1279},"/images/2019/01/baba_and_boo_newborn_02-copy.jpg",[624,1281],{},"\nAlthough my favourite part about cloth isn’t just an environmental impact. It’s the look and feel. First of all, the prints are gorgeous. If you know a cloth bum mum, you’ll know that collecting prints can be addictive. We need them all! And the soft fabric against those little bottoms, when compared to the chemical-filled alternative? It’s a no brainer. We never struggle with any nappy rash when using cloth. ",[40,1284],{"alt":254,"src":1285},"/images/2019/01/tots_bots_teenyfit.jpg",[12,1287,1288],{},"I found using cloth with a newborn easier than it was with a toddler. Our Teeny Fit nappies from Tots Bots fit Harriet until she was around 9 months old. They’re recommended for up to 12lb as a guide. And our Baba + Boo Newborn nappies, which are recommended for up to 18lb/6 months as a guide, went on to a whopping 11 months! I loved them. 💕",[12,1290,1291],{},"We’re now using our BTP (Birth to Potty) nappies and loving our cloth journey! We’re about to embark on using cloth wipes from Tots Bots Cheeky Wipes too, then maybe we’ll look at using cloth in the night too. 😳",[12,1293,1294,1295,1231,1300,1305],{},"Have you tried cloth nappies? If you have any questions pop them below, or head to ",[384,1296,1299],{"href":1297,"rel":1298},"https://www.babaandboo.com",[388],"www.babaandboo.com",[384,1301,1304],{"href":1302,"rel":1303},"https://www.totsbots.com/",[388],"www.totsbots.com"," to begin your cloth journey!",[12,1307,1308],{},[40,1309],{"alt":254,"src":1310},"/images/2019/01/baba_and_boo_newborn_03.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":1312},[1313],{"id":1219,"depth":1191,"text":1220},[267],"2019-01-31T16:09:00Z","11204",{},"Cloth nappies for newborns review featuring Tots Bots Teeny Fit and Baba + Boo. Better for sensitive skin, the environment and easier than you think.","/cloth-nappies-newborns-tots-bots",{"title":1205,"description":1210},"cloth-nappies-newborns-tots-bots","kvW1iHCySquFx-2gSKC-bwsyvVYs45TWOQHiaaMpQwY",{"id":1324,"title":1325,"author":7,"body":1326,"category":1368,"cover":1369,"date":1370,"description":1330,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":1371,"meta":1372,"meta_description":1373,"meta_title":1325,"navigation":275,"path":1374,"seo":1375,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":1376,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":1377},"posts/finding-time-not-just-mummy.md","Finding time to be ‘me’ and not just mummy!",{"type":9,"value":1327,"toc":1366},[1328,1331,1336,1339,1348,1354,1357,1360,1363],[12,1329,1330],{},"Being a parent can be the most rewarding job in the world, it can also be the most stressful. Two years into the parent life I’ve found it’s easy to lose yourself, and your identity. It feels like you’ve lost who you were pre-parenthood.",[12,1332,1333,1335],{},[40,1334],{"alt":254,"src":966},"It’s not easy to find time to be yourself, not with children in the mix. But I’ve realised it’s important at least to try!",[12,1337,1338],{},"I’m making it my mission to make time for me. Which will probably start with the little things.",[12,1340,1341,1342,1347],{},"I’d love nothing more than getting together with friends and booking in some much-needed pampering for ourselves. Think spa day or girls holiday… I’ve never done either of these things but the thought alone is relaxing! Maybe when the children are older I can ",[384,1343,1346],{"href":1344,"rel":1345},"https://www.mottramhall.com/spa-and-health-club",[388],"look at spa days in Cheshire",". Until then, it’s the water parks for me!",[12,1349,1350,1353],{},[40,1351],{"alt":254,"src":1352},"/images/2018/11/Konfidence_alton_towers49.jpg","With two little ones, I doubt embarking on a journey of self-discovery is practical, but I can try.",[12,1355,1356],{},"Starting small I’m challenging myself to make time to read again. That’s right, just the simple task of reading a good book. Something I did frequently pre-parenthood. I was a book blogger, I used to read 8 books in a month. I loved it. Over the last two years, I haven’t scratched that! It might only be 10 minutes before bed but it’s 10 minutes more than I’ve been reading up to now! It’s easy to pass time scrolling through social networks, but I’d get more enjoyment out of a good book.",[12,1358,1359],{},"Baths are another thing I think about but never do, that does not say I’m a smelly Nelly! I do shower each day. I just don’t indulge in the luxury of a soak in a tub full of bubbles or a luxury face mask. Maybe I should? I’ve had some Lush bath bombs in a drawer for months, I’ve waited so long Little Fox has started using them! I’ve also been eyeing up Origins masks and moisturiser for a while now. Thanks, beauty vloggers, that social influencer lark we do for a living sure does work! I may pop them on my Christmas list.",[12,1361,1362],{},"Admittedly these are little things, but ultimately that gives me more chance of succeeding. Taking just 10 minutes here or there to be me. A small moment out of a busy day has to be beneficial compared to nothing!",[12,1364,1365],{},"What do you to take time out for yourself? I’d love to know and see if I’m missing out on anything.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":1367},[],[267],"/images/2017/09/not_just_a_mummy.jpg","2019-01-29T09:00:00Z","10340",{},"Finding time for self-care as a mum. Simple ways to reclaim your identity through reading, pampering and taking small moments for yourself as a parent.","/finding-time-not-just-mummy",{"title":1325,"description":1330},"finding-time-not-just-mummy","KBfWX_MBXSOTw1HAcshiNgB2FBN9HVepgoB8A2CmtE4",{"id":1379,"title":1380,"author":7,"body":1381,"category":1559,"cover":1387,"date":1560,"description":1388,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":1561,"meta":1562,"meta_description":1563,"meta_title":1564,"navigation":275,"path":1565,"seo":1566,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":1567,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":1568},"posts/best-newborn-baby-gift-ideas.md","Newborn Giftguide!",{"type":9,"value":1382,"toc":1556},[1383,1392,1400,1403,1414,1417,1427,1430,1440,1443,1453,1456,1468,1471,1481,1484,1494,1497,1507,1510,1520,1523,1533,1536],[12,1384,1385,1388,1389],{},[40,1386],{"alt":254,"src":1387},"/images/2018/12/newborn_giftguide2.jpg","As we prepare for the arrival of baby #2, and it’s the season of giving, I’ve put together a newborn gift guide of some of my favourite baby products! From newborn essentials such a changing pad to adorable outfits. And the great thing about this selection is they aren’t seasonal . or limited to Christmas, they’re perfect gifts for any newborn all year round! ",[40,1390],{"alt":254,"src":1391},"/images/2017/12/skip_hop_owl.jpg",[1168,1393,1395],{"id":1394},"_1-skip-hop-moonlight-and-melodies-nightlight-soother-owl",[384,1396,1399],{"href":1397,"rel":1398},"https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skip-Hop-Moonlight-Nightlight-Projector/dp/B01LZPBKV7/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1513304538&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=skip+hop+meldodies",[388],"1. Skip Hop Moonlight and Melodies Nightlight Soother – Owl ",[12,1401,1402],{},"This adorable night light from Skip Hop features 4 soothing nature sounds and melodies that play from within its wings! It also projects moon and stars onto baby’s ceiling and has a soft glowing nightlight tummy. I can’t wait to use this in the baby’s room, it will go nicely next to the nursing chair for those long night feeds!",[12,1404,1405,1408,1409],{},[40,1406],{"alt":254,"src":1407},"/images/2017/12/my_frist_frugi.jpg","### ",[384,1410,1413],{"href":1411,"rel":1412},"https://www.welovefrugi.com/baby_toddler_clothes/view_all_baby_toddler/my-first-frugi-range",[388],"2. My First Frugi",[12,1415,1416],{},"If you know us, you’ll know we adore Frugi! Little Fox never had Frugi until he was around 1 but their new ‘My First Frugi’ range has arrived at the perfect time. With gender specific and gender neutral items, I love it all. The range oozes those cute newborn vibes.",[12,1418,1419,1408,1422],{},[40,1420],{"alt":254,"src":1421},"/images/2017/12/busy_b_baby_milestone_cards.jpg",[384,1423,1426],{"href":1424,"rel":1425},"https://busyb.co.uk/baby-milestone-cards.html",[388],"3. Busy B Baby Milestone Cards",[12,1428,1429],{},"I loved milestone cars with Little Fox and this baby will be no exception. The designs and options have come a long way in the 3 years since we last had ours. These beautifully designed cards from Busy B are adorable and I can’t wait to start sharing our milestones with them!",[12,1431,1432,1408,1435],{},[40,1433],{"alt":254,"src":1434},"/images/2017/12/lamb_and_bear.jpg",[384,1436,1439],{"href":1437,"rel":1438},"https://www.lambandbear.co.uk/shop/",[388],"4. Lamb & Bear Zip up sleepsuit",[12,1441,1442],{},"Lamb & Bear produce beautiful leggings and sleepsuits for toddlers and babies. This sleepsuit features their signature Lamb & Bear print and has one of my favourite features in a sleepsuit, a zip! 100% cotton, soft and cute. A perfect gift for any newborn bundle to wear.",[12,1444,1445,1408,1448],{},[40,1446],{"alt":254,"src":1447},"/images/2017/12/ollie_the_owl_gro_company.jpg",[384,1449,1452],{"href":1450,"rel":1451},"http://gro.co.uk/product/ollie-the-owl/",[388],"5. Ollie The Owl light and sound sleep aid",[12,1454,1455],{},"We love the Gro Company. From their sleeping bags to the Gro-Egg that got us through the newborn haze the first time around. Their latest family member is Ollie the owl and he looks adorable! Playing 4 soothing sounds to help little ones sleep. With adjustable volume and 3 sensory light levels, he also features a cry sensor. This allows him to kick into action and sooth little ones when they wake.",[12,1457,1458,1461],{},[40,1459],{"alt":254,"src":1460},"/images/2017/12/rockit_stroller_rocker.jpg",[384,1462,1465],{"href":1463,"rel":1464},"https://rockitrocker.com/",[388],[135,1466,1467],{},"6. Rockit Stroller Rocker",[12,1469,1470],{},"The Rockitt Rocker is new to the market and looks like my kind of new parent gadget! A handy device that clips onto your pushchair to mimic the sensation of you rocking it. Now you can rock baby hands-free, and enjoy a hot cup of tea. If I get this for Christmas I’ll be drinking all of the tea.",[12,1472,1473,1408,1476],{},[40,1474],{"alt":254,"src":1475},"/images/2017/12/baby_shoes.jpg",[384,1477,1480],{"href":1478,"rel":1479},"https://www.lovethesales.com/converse-sale",[388],"7. Baby Converse",[12,1482,1483],{},"These cute little converse from Love the Sales are adorable and a great first pair of shoes for any tiny tot. Little Fox didn’t wear shoes until he was fully walking but these soft booties would be cute for those chilly days when baby wearing!",[12,1485,1486,1408,1489],{},[40,1487],{"alt":254,"src":1488},"/images/2017/12/sleepyhead_deluxe.jpg",[384,1490,1493],{"href":1491,"rel":1492},"http://www.sleepyheadwebshop.com/en/",[388],"8. The Sleepyhead Deluxe",[12,1495,1496],{},"When Little Fox moved from his Snüzpod to his cot we transitioned him using the sleepyhead grande, he looked so tiny and lost in there otherwise. What I wish we he’d had prior to this is the Sleepyhead Deluxe! He hated having too much space around him and loved feeling secure. The Sleepyhead does just this, it’s also approved for safe overnight sleep. It’s perfect for daytime naps and travel too.",[12,1498,1499,1408,1502],{},[40,1500],{"alt":254,"src":1501},"/images/2017/12/cuddledry_grey.jpg",[384,1503,1506],{"href":1504,"rel":1505},"https://www.cuddledry.com/products/109/the-original-cuddledry-baby-bath-towel-grey-stars-white",[388],"9. The original Cuddledry",[12,1508,1509],{},"Cuddledry towels are brilliant hands free accessory to bath time with newborns. The ability to wear the towel to keep yourself dry and scoop baby up into it makes bath time less daunting.",[12,1511,1512,1408,1515],{},[40,1513],{"alt":254,"src":1514},"/images/2017/12/sophie_la_giraffe.jpg",[384,1516,1519],{"href":1517,"rel":1518},"https://sophielagirafecosmetics.com/sophie-la-girafe-baby-is-here/",[388],"10. Sophie la giraffe cosmetics",[12,1521,1522],{},"Newborns have such sensitive skin that I prefer to use natural products on it. Having spent the last 3 years continuously keeping Little Foxes eczema under control I know how important it is to care for their skin. I’ll be trying these natural organic bath products from Sophie la giraffe with the new baby. They look and smell amazing!",[12,1524,1525,1408,1528],{},[40,1526],{"alt":254,"src":1527},"/images/2017/12/peter-rabbit-flip-1.jpg",[384,1529,1532],{"href":1530,"rel":1531},"https://www.royalmint.com/gifts/coin-gifts/",[388],"10.Peter Rabbit Royal Mint Silver Coin & Book Set",[12,1534,1535],{},"This last gift a keepsake and one to hang onto for years to come, perfect for lovers of Peter Rabbit and a real treasure for a First Birthday/Christmas or Christening.",[51,1537,1538,1541,1544,1547,1550,1553],{},[54,1539,1540],{},"The only way to own the Peter Rabbit™ 2018 UK 50p Silver Proof Coin – individual coin now 100% reserved",[54,1542,1543],{},"Coin & Book Gift Set includes:",[54,1545,1546],{},"The Peter Rabbit™ 2018 UK 50p Silver Proof Coin",[54,1548,1549],{},"Struck in sterling silver and finished to Proof standard",[54,1551,1552],{},"Enhanced by colour printing",[54,1554,1555],{},"The Tale of Peter Rabbit book",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":1557},[1558],{"id":1394,"depth":1191,"text":1399},[267],"2018-12-15T02:50:00Z","10591",{},"Newborn gift guide featuring essential baby products. Skip Hop nightlights, Frugi clothing, Sleepyhead Deluxe and Cuddledry towels. Perfect year-round.","Best Newborn Gift Ideas: Essential Baby Products Guide","/best-newborn-baby-gift-ideas",{"title":1380,"description":1388},"best-newborn-baby-gift-ideas","GxH237ijkdikgwYQRWc3tD_I_pSGaI498EOOlmzy23c",{"id":1570,"title":1571,"author":7,"body":1572,"category":1688,"cover":1600,"date":1690,"description":1691,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":1692,"meta":1693,"meta_description":1694,"meta_title":1571,"navigation":275,"path":1695,"seo":1696,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":1697,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":1698},"posts/summer-infant-panorma-duo-baby-monitor-review.md","Summer Infant Panorma Duo Baby Monitor Review",{"type":9,"value":1573,"toc":1686},[1574,1580,1584,1587,1590,1596,1602,1605,1611,1643,1649,1666,1672],[12,1575,1576,1577,1579],{},"Amongst the never-ending list of baby ‘essentials’ we have thrust upon us as new parents, I found a good baby monitor was essential to us.",[624,1578],{},"\nI wanted something that would allow me to see my baby as she slept, whilst also checking my toddler was disturbing her.",[12,1581,1582],{},[40,1583],{"alt":254,"src":847},[12,1585,1586],{},"We were sent the Summer Infant Panorama to test as part of the Mumsnet awards and out of over 10 monitors we tested it was a form favourite. Especially with baby number 2. It allowed me to put her down for a nap and entertain her brother. Look around their rooms remotely and know they’re safe.",[12,1588,1589],{},"The Panorama comes with 1 camera but offers the option of adding a second as we did.",[12,1591,1592,1595],{},[40,1593],{"alt":254,"src":1594},"/images/2019/07/summer_infant_panoram_video_baby_monitor_02.jpg","Quite simply, the Summer Infant Panorama 2.0 ticks all the boxes. With an infrared night vision camera, an intuitive display unit (including temperature sensor), colourful night light and high-resolution two-way talkback.",[12,1597,1598,1601],{},[40,1599],{"alt":254,"src":1600},"/images/2019/07/summer_infant_panoram_video_baby_monitor_01.jpg","It comes with a large 12.7cm touchscreen that displays quality video while giving you a great view of your baby at the same time. I love how easy it is to pan, tilt and zoom the camera, and switch between multiple cameras in different rooms.",[12,1603,1604],{},"You can see our full video review with Mumsnet below 🙂",[771,1606,1608],{"id":1607},"pros",[135,1609,1610],{},"Pros",[51,1612,1613,1616,1619,1622,1625,1628,1631,1634,1637,1640],{},[54,1614,1615],{},"High-resolution colour LCD video screen with infrared night vision camera",[54,1617,1618],{},"Pan, tilt, and zoom monitoring camera function to offer panoramic views",[54,1620,1621],{},"12.7cm screen display",[54,1623,1624],{},"Add extra cameras to monitor multiple children",[54,1626,1627],{},"Two-way talkback",[54,1629,1630],{},"Sound activated LED lights",[54,1632,1633],{},"Red and blue soft glow night lights (red to help baby get to sleep and blue to soothe)",[54,1635,1636],{},"Temperature sensor and display",[54,1638,1639],{},"240-metre range",[54,1641,1642],{},"Low battery and out-of-range alert",[771,1644,1646],{"id":1645},"cons",[135,1647,1648],{},"Cons",[51,1650,1651,1654,1657,1660,1663],{},[54,1652,1653],{},"Expensive",[54,1655,1656],{},"Audio can be a little fuzzy at times",[54,1658,1659],{},"Screen power-saving mode can’t be overridden",[54,1661,1662],{},"Battery life only six to nine hours (will need to be on charge when using overnight)",[54,1664,1665],{},"No Voice Activated Alert (VOX)",[12,1667,1668,1671],{},[40,1669],{"alt":254,"src":1670},"/images/2019/07/summer_infant_panoram_video_baby_monitor_03.jpg","Overall I love this monitor and have continued to use it, becoming an true baby ‘essential’ in our home to ensure I know the little ones are safe.",[12,1673,1674,1675,1680,1681],{},"You can purchase the Summer Infant Panorama on ",[384,1676,1679],{"href":1677,"rel":1678},"https://www.amazon.co.uk/Summer-Infant-Number-Digital-Monitor/dp/B07253FYPT/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=reviewsyoutube-21&linkId=1f9096ad80e8d926e8730c913019b16f&language=en_GB",[388],"amazon"," and direct from ",[384,1682,1685],{"href":1683,"rel":1684},"https://summerinfant.co.uk/",[388],"Summer Infant",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":1687},[],[267,1689],"reviews","2018-10-31T10:14:00Z","Amongst the never-ending list of baby ‘essentials’ we have thrust upon us as new parents, I found a good baby monitor was essential to us.\nI wanted something that would allow me to see my baby as she slept, whilst also checking my toddler was disturbing her.","11401",{},"Summer Infant Panorama 2.0 baby monitor review. Features 12.7cm touchscreen, pan/tilt/zoom camera, night vision, two-way talkback, and dual camera support.","/summer-infant-panorma-duo-baby-monitor-review",{"title":1571,"description":1691},"summer-infant-panorma-duo-baby-monitor-review","dve0HFBvd4EQEkMYpBniDoOZxRzBQC0IxYdMjz4wKV0",{"id":1700,"title":1701,"author":7,"body":1702,"category":1778,"cover":1779,"date":1780,"description":1706,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":1781,"meta":1782,"meta_description":1783,"meta_title":1701,"navigation":275,"path":1784,"seo":1785,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":1786,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":1787},"posts/making-a-bum-job-better-aqua-wipes-review.md","Making a bum job better with Aqua Wipes",{"type":9,"value":1703,"toc":1776},[1704,1707,1713,1716,1728,1731,1741,1744,1750,1753,1759,1769],[12,1705,1706],{},"Taking care of babies skin is something that’s important to me. I’m that mum who spent the first three months of her firstborns life with a bowl of warm water and a bag of cotton wool.",[12,1708,1709,1712],{},[40,1710],{"alt":254,"src":1711},"/images/2018/06/Aqua_wipes_baby_03.jpg","I look back and laugh. Especially with our second, because who has the time or energy to wash and fill the bowl with warm water at 3am before getting up with a toddler at 6am? Not me!",[12,1714,1715],{},"Although I still like to make sure what I use on my babies skin is natural, harmless and the best possible quality for her delicate skin. Little Fox has eczema so when we moved on from cotton wool with him we used a water based wipe.",[12,1717,1718,1721,1722,1727],{},[40,1719],{"alt":254,"src":1720},"/images/2018/06/Aqua_wipes_baby_01.jpg","We’ve been using wipes on Dolly from day 1 and I have no regrets! We’re using ",[384,1723,1726],{"href":1724,"rel":1725},"http://www.aquawipes.co.uk/",[388],"Aqua Wipes"," and they’re made from 99% purified water with organic Aloe Vera. And what’s best is they’re also vegan-friendly and biodegradable!",[12,1729,1730],{},"We’ve come across a few water-based wipes in the last 3 years. And as parents who often use cloth nappies we’ve never found ones that are also biodegradable. This is a huge plus for the environment. If only all baby wipes were this earth-friendly.",[12,1732,1733,1736,1740],{},[40,1734],{"alt":254,"src":1735},"/images/2018/06/Aqua_wipes_baby_02.jpg",[384,1737,1726],{"href":1738,"rel":1739},"https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carton-AQW64F-Biodegradable-Purified-APPROVED/dp/B01N23E64S/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=leeleeloves-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=146d93f77bf55ee60836a64c925d4422&creativeASIN=B01N23E64S",[388]," aren’t flushable, but it’s good to know they’re not going to be clogging up the planet for eternity like others.",[12,1742,1743],{},"This year there were talks in the media of wet wipe elimination in the UK within the next 25 years. Really? How would parents get on without the trusty wet wipe? They’re our go-to for so many sticky, or smelly, situations!",[12,1745,1746,1749],{},[40,1747],{"alt":254,"src":1748},"/images/2018/06/Aqua_wipes_baby_04.jpg","I’m really pleased that we’ve found a wipe that’s both friendly to the baby and the environment! Although Aqua Wipes are biodegradable they’re still strong and durable. So you’re not going to find your fingers breaking through them at change time. They don’t tear, and they don’t dry out easily.",[12,1751,1752],{},"Dolly likes to grabs the wipes at change time. She’s started to interact with things around her and tries picking things up. Giving her a wipe to hold keeps her happy whilst being changed, and the natural ingredients mean I’m not worrying when she decides she’s going to suck the life out of it.",[12,1754,1755,1758],{},[40,1756],{"alt":254,"src":1757},"/images/2018/06/Aqua_wipes_baby_05.jpg","We use the wipes on both children from nappy changes to wiping mucky faces, sticking fingers and. There aren’t many scenarios where I can’t find a use for a wet wipe! The man also keeps a travel pack in his work bag. They became a favourite in our house quite fast, making a bum job better for involved!",[12,1760,1761,1764,1765],{},[40,1762],{"alt":254,"src":1763},"/images/2018/06/Aqua_wipes_baby_06.jpg","#### ",[384,1766,1768],{"href":1738,"rel":1767},[388],"Where to buy?",[12,1770,1771,1772,396],{},"Aqua Wipes come in a variety of pack options to suit your lifestyle. From a value box containing 12 packs of 64 wipes, a value bag containing 4 packs or a singular pack. Each singular pack contains 64 biodegradable wipes. They also come in handy little travel packs of 12 wipes. With prices starting from £14.99 and are available to buy on ",[384,1773,1775],{"href":1738,"rel":1774},[388],"Amazon",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":1777},[],[267,1689],"/images/2018/06/aqua_wipes_cover.jpg","2018-06-18T09:41:00Z","10817",{},"Aqua Wipes review. 99% purified water with organic Aloe Vera. Biodegradable, vegan-friendly baby wipes that are gentle on skin and the environment.","/making-a-bum-job-better-aqua-wipes-review",{"title":1701,"description":1706},"making-a-bum-job-better-aqua-wipes-review","9YSMURd_PKU7NhcsOeUhec-1p6HFDGeFmU6sRBu1_Rw",{"id":1789,"title":1790,"author":7,"body":1791,"category":1861,"cover":1043,"date":1862,"description":1798,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":1863,"meta":1864,"meta_description":1865,"meta_title":1790,"navigation":275,"path":1866,"seo":1867,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":1868,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":1869},"posts/four-months-thriving-baby-h-update.md","Four months and thriving! –  A baby H update",{"type":9,"value":1792,"toc":1859},[1793,1799,1802,1810,1813,1819,1822,1828,1833,1844,1847,1850,1853,1856],[12,1794,1795,1798],{},[40,1796],{"alt":254,"src":1797},"/images/2018/05/fox_and_dolly_02.jpg","The days are long but the years are short. And this couldn’t be truer when it comes to babies.",[12,1800,1801],{},"In the midst of that newborn haze it’s easy to get lost in a sea of dirty nappies, spit up and screams. The days can feel long, yet you find yourself questioning what you actually did with that day. Before you know it your tiny newborn is 4 months old. Their hands and feet have almost doubled in size. Their face is fuller. They’ve lost that wide eyed wrinkley newborn look. Where did the time go?",[12,1803,1804,1807,1809],{},[40,1805],{"alt":254,"src":1806},"/images/2018/05/dolly_02.jpg",[40,1808],{"alt":254,"src":883},"Our baby girl is fast asleep next to me as I write this and I’m finding it hard to believe she’s 4 months old already. I feel guilty for letting these months pass us by without taking the time to do things the same way I did with her brother.",[12,1811,1812],{},"When Fox was born I wrote weekly updates on his development and took tens of thousands of pictures. This time I find myself so consumed by simple daily tasks of running a house with 2 children and taking pictures hasn’t been a priority.",[12,1814,1815,1818],{},[40,1816],{"alt":254,"src":1817},"/images/2018/05/fox_and_dolly_03.jpg","The first 6 weeks of Dollys life I spent adjusting after an unexpected cesarian. Trying to stop Fox from being too rough with her and making sure he wasn’t feeling left out. But now we’re in a much better place, we have some form of routine going and a lot to share. So let us begin…",[12,1820,1821],{},"At four months old Dolly weighs 11lb 7oz. She’s done incredibly well considering her 5lb starting point. In this time we’ve packed away her tiny baby and up to 5lb clothes. We’re about to put up to 1 month and a few newborn items away too. We’re almost in 0-3 month sleepsuits.",[12,1823,1824,1827],{},[40,1825],{"alt":254,"src":1826},"/images/2018/05/fox_and_dolly_01.jpg","In these 4 months we’ve had 3 hospital admissions. Looking back this could heavily contribute to my inability to document everything from these first few months. It hasn’t been the easiest of starts. Being away from home and worrying about her constantly. Up until Harriet arrived I’d never been away from Fox overnight, not once in 3 years. Now I’ve had recurring hospital stays with his sister and it hasn’t been easy.",[12,1829,1830,1832],{},[40,1831],{"alt":254,"src":986},"Having fought off jaundice, bronchiolitis, a URTI Infection and meningitis It’s safe to say she is one tough cookie.",[12,1834,1835,1838,1841,1843],{},[40,1836],{"alt":254,"src":1837},"/images/2018/05/harriet_meningitis_baby.jpg",[40,1839],{"alt":254,"src":1840},"/images/2018/05/fox_and_dolly_04.jpg",[624,1842],{},"\nMeningitis wasn’t something I ever imagined I would hear in regards to my children. It’s safe to say these 4 months have really tested us as parents and as a family. But we’ve taken it all in our stride and she’s worth it all.",[12,1845,1846],{},"Four Months of Harriet.",[12,1848,1849],{},"Four months of magic.",[12,1851,1852],{},"Four months of change.",[12,1854,1855],{},"Four months of emotion.",[12,1857,1858],{},"Four months of love.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":1860},[],[267],"2018-05-18T10:40:00Z","10765",{},"Baby Harriet 4-month update. From 5lb to 11lb 7oz, overcoming bronchiolitis, meningitis, and hospital admissions. A tough start but thriving now.","/four-months-thriving-baby-h-update",{"title":1790,"description":1798},"four-months-thriving-baby-h-update","Ps_z_-w3bk9j85eT_uLiQMvdT_Zwc4nMeEB5ba1ZLB0",{"id":1871,"title":1872,"author":7,"body":1873,"category":1958,"cover":1959,"date":1960,"description":1877,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":1961,"meta":1962,"meta_description":1963,"meta_title":1964,"navigation":275,"path":1965,"seo":1966,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":1967,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":1968},"posts/four-things-ovarian-reserve-tests-let-know-fertility.md","Four things Ovarian Reserve Tests let you know about your fertility",{"type":9,"value":1874,"toc":1956},[1875,1878,1881,1884,1893,1896,1899,1908,1911,1914,1923,1926,1929,1932,1935,1938,1941,1944,1953],[12,1876,1877],{},"Have you been trying to conceive for a while without success? There could be an issue with your fertility that you are unware of.",[12,1879,1880],{},"Experts say that the average woman’s fertility peaks in her early 20s, and while this isn’t a proven fact, it is known that as women begin to age, the ability of their ovaries start to decline, and the quality of eggs can deteriorate.",[12,1882,1883],{},"In order to get a full picture of your fertility, a great place to start is an ovarian reserve test. Through a series of examinations, including ultrasound scans and blood tests, a doctor can assess the performance of the ovaries. This fertility test can highlight a number of reproductive issues which may be a barrier to getting pregnant.",[12,1885,1886,1887,1892],{},"Here are four things that an ",[384,1888,1891],{"href":1889,"rel":1890},"http://www.reproductivehealthgroup.co.uk/fertility-and-assisted-conception/ovarian-reserve-testing/",[388],"ovarian reserve test"," can tell you about your fertility:",[12,1894,1895],{},"If you have a low number of Antral Follicles",[12,1897,1898],{},"Antral follicles are contained within the ovary. Each one is full of fluid and contains an immature egg, known as an oocyte. While the number of antral follicles can’t give 100% accuracy on your total egg store, it can give a good indication of how many eggs you have left.",[12,1900,1901,1902,1907],{},"Remembering that ovarian reserves decline with age, an antral follicle count ",[384,1903,1906],{"href":1904,"rel":1905},"https://www.verywellfamily.com/follicle-female-reproductive-system-1960072",[388],"between three and six is considered low",". Through a transvaginal ultrasound, the ovarian reserve test determines the number of follicles present in each ovary. However, finding out you have low ovarian reserves does not mean that you won’t conceive.",[12,1909,1910],{},"If you’re nearing menopause",[12,1912,1913],{},"Undertaking an ovarian reserve test can help your doctor to diagnose early menopause – when a woman’s periods stop. For most women, menopause begins between the ages of 45 and 55, but for a select few, oestrogen levels can decline earlier than usual, causing their ovaries to stop working. However, you should be aware that this can also happen due to cancer treatment.",[12,1915,1916,1917,1922],{},"The fertility test examines the levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, or FSH, in the blood or urine. FSH is the hormone which ",[384,1918,1921],{"href":1919,"rel":1920},"http://fertility.ca/eggs/whats-my-ovarian-reserve-and-what-do-all-those-tests-mean-fsh-afc-amh/",[388],"drives the growth of your antral follicles",". If you’re experiencing symptoms such at hot flushes and a lack of periods, an elevated level of FSH in your blood could indicate early menopause.",[12,1924,1925],{},"Hormone production",[12,1927,1928],{},"Another hormone which is crucial to fertility levels is Anti Mullerian Hormone, or AMH. This hormone is produced by your antral follicles, and therefore the levels of AMH in your blood are considered a good indication of your remaining egg supply.",[12,1930,1931],{},"While FSH tests must be conducted on a certain day for complete accuracy, AMH tests can be done on any day of the menstrual cycle and won’t be affected using any contraceptive pill.",[12,1933,1934],{},"Carrying out this fertility test can be extremely beneficial if you’re considering undertaking IVF, or any other form of fertility treatment, as AMH helps to determine your chances of success.",[12,1936,1937],{},"If you could be suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome",[12,1939,1940],{},"Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, affects around one in five UK women, and more than half of those diagnosed displayed no symptoms.",[12,1942,1943],{},"Where women without PCOS produce antral follicles containing immature eggs, those suffering with PCOS have follicles which are under-developed, and so unable to release the potential egg.",[12,1945,1946,1947,1952],{},"Symptoms include irregular or missing periods, difficulty getting pregnant, oily skin or acne, and excessive hair growth. ",[384,1948,1951],{"href":1949,"rel":1950},"https://www.webmd.boots.com/women/guide/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos",[388],"Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS",", however there are fertility treatments which can support women suffering with the condition to conceive.",[12,1954,1955],{},"If you’re concerned about your fertility levels, and are looking for a way to put your mind at ease, an ovarian reserve test can help to determine any issues which might be stopping you from starting a family. It’s always advised that before undertaking any fertility test or treatment, you should consult your doctor for advice.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":1957},[],[267],"/images/2018/05/ovulation_cover.jpg","2018-05-17T10:04:00Z","10783",{},"Ovarian reserve tests explained. Learn about antral follicles, FSH, AMH hormone levels, early menopause, and PCOS diagnosis. Essential fertility information.","Ovarian Reserve Tests: 4 Things About Your Fertility","/four-things-ovarian-reserve-tests-let-know-fertility",{"title":1872,"description":1877},"four-things-ovarian-reserve-tests-let-know-fertility","8MddjM56sAobVZbNW66DAyyYAbkRaw682MYXTtF-cq8",{"id":1970,"title":1971,"author":7,"body":1972,"category":2062,"cover":2063,"date":2064,"description":1976,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2065,"meta":2066,"meta_description":2067,"meta_title":1971,"navigation":275,"path":2068,"seo":2069,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2070,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2071},"posts/my-pre-and-post-pregnancy-skincare-routine-with-unity-beauty.md","My pre+ post pregnancy skincare routine with UNITY Beauty!",{"type":9,"value":1973,"toc":2060},[1974,1977,1983,1986,1989,1995,2004,2007,2019,2022,2025,2036,2039,2045,2051],[12,1975,1976],{},"Having gone through the skin stretching of pregnancy once before I knew I needed to be taking care of my skin from the moment I fell pregnant.",[12,1978,1979,1982],{},[40,1980],{"alt":254,"src":1981},"/images/2018/03/unity_pregnancy_maternity-0762.jpg","I wasn’t expecting to come out the other side unscathed, I was still expecting the odd few stretch marks. Unlike last time. During my first pregnancy, I thought my skincare routine meant I’d been one of the lucky ones…",[12,1984,1985],{},"I believed I was stretch-mark free.",[12,1987,1988],{},"I was one those ladies without any physical signs of having produced a mini-human imprinted on them for life.",[12,1990,1991,1994],{},[40,1992],{"alt":254,"src":1993},"/images/2018/03/unity_beauty.jpg","You can imagine how surprised I was when they appeared AFTER having the baby. That’s right. There weren’t many but they were there! Those fine lines around my belly button and hips from having carried our first born for 9 months.",[12,1996,1997,1998,2003],{},"Throughout my pregnancy with Harriet, I used ",[384,1999,2002],{"href":2000,"rel":2001},"https://www.unitybeautyessentials.com",[388],"UNITY Beauty Essentials",". This time around I was more concerned with keeping my skin hydrated.",[12,2005,2006],{},"I was entering into this already sporting stretch marks and they weren’t going anywhere. Both during and after my pregnancy with Taylor I experienced dry skin around my tummy and upper arms. It never felt nice, it was itchy. Pregnant tummies feel stretched and itchy without being dry, so I wanted to keep my skin as hydrated as possible.",[12,2008,2009,2012,2013,2018],{},[40,2010],{"alt":254,"src":2011},"/images/2018/03/unity_pregnancy_maternity-0759.jpg","I used the ",[384,2014,2017],{"href":2015,"rel":2016},"https://www.unitybeautyessentials.com/product/daily-body-hydrator/",[388],"UNITY Daily Body Hydrator"," which prevents skin dehydration that occurs during and post-pregnancy. It’s a lightweight serum that cools and refreshes the skin. As it’s non-greasy I even applied it my face, it left me feeling refreshed and energised and my skin felt amazing and wasn’t dry. Baring in mind I’ve had yet another winter baby, I would usually have dry skin on my face this time of year regardless of being pregnant. I loved that I could quickly apply this to my face before rushing out to toddler group with Taylor.",[12,2020,2021],{},"Having a 3-year-old to chase after means you don’t have much time to dedicate to skincare.",[12,2023,2024],{},"The UNITY Beauty Essentials range is like a tall glass of water for your skin. And almost 3 months post-partum I’m still using them, breastfeeding can really dehydrate your skin, and I’m still turning to UNITY to keep my skin feeling it’s best.",[12,2026,2027,2030,2031,2035],{},[40,2028],{"alt":254,"src":2029},"/images/2018/03/unity_pregnancy_maternity-0766.jpg","For my night routine, I used ",[384,2032,2034],{"href":2015,"rel":2033},[388],"UNITY Intensive Body Nourisher",". A Rich, buttery cream that can be massaged into the skin. Made from Indian Gooseberry extract, mango seed butter, shea butter and sweet almond oil.",[12,2037,2038],{},"I applied UNITY Intensive Body Nourisher to my bump each night before bed. It took away that irritating itch leaving me to concentrate on sleeping rather than how uncomfortable I was feeling!",[12,2040,2041,2042,2044],{},"Now our little one is here I’m using the Intensive Body Nourisher on my upper arms. Breastfeeding seems to have affected this area and the rich hydrating consistency of this cream has helped restore my skin.",[624,2043],{},"\nWith prices starting from £25 UNITY is a high-end luxury range compared to other bump creams, but it works. I’ve never had healthier more hydrated skin. I also love that they’re free from mineral oil, petrolatum, parabens, phthalates, sulphates, DEA, Phenoxyethanol, retinol/retinoids, BHA/BHT and gluten.",[12,2046,2047,2050],{},[40,2048],{"alt":254,"src":2049},"/images/2018/03/unity_pregnancy_maternity-0756.jpg","They’re also Vegan-friendly and not tested on animals. This means they’re perfect for pretty much everyone! A great gift for those expectant mums in your life, or a luxury treat for yourself. Because you and your bump deserve the best!",[12,2052,2053,2054,2059],{},"For further details visit the website ",[384,2055,2058],{"href":2056,"rel":2057},"http://www.unitybeautyessentials.com",[388],"www.unitybeautyessentials.com"," – there is a special offer providing 10% OFF purchases when using this Coupon Code: UNITY14.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2061},[],[267,1193],"/images/2018/03/unity.jpg","2018-03-15T08:03:00Z","10662",{},"UNITY Beauty pregnancy skincare routine. Daily Body Hydrator and Intensive Body Nourisher review. Preventing stretch marks and dry skin during pregnancy.","/my-pre-and-post-pregnancy-skincare-routine-with-unity-beauty",{"title":1971,"description":1976},"my-pre-and-post-pregnancy-skincare-routine-with-unity-beauty","NnWPbpOqxO-oXjF_Q9IjG9qVyiQBAJWpgR8Yu4a9LqA",{"id":2073,"title":2074,"author":7,"body":2075,"category":2100,"cover":2101,"date":2102,"description":2079,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2103,"meta":2104,"meta_description":2105,"meta_title":2106,"navigation":275,"path":764,"seo":2107,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2108,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2109},"posts/welcome-world.md","Welcome to the world 💕",{"type":9,"value":2076,"toc":2098},[2077,2080,2086,2092],[12,2078,2079],{},"My goodness, it’s been quiet around here. But rightly so. On December 21st at 4:47pm, three weeks early, we welcomed our beautiful baby girl into the world. – Harriet Willow Clarence – Weighing 5lb 5oz. Delivered via cesarean section, the most surreal experience of my life, which I’ll write about in more detail and try to do it justice.",[12,2081,2082,2085],{},[40,2083],{"alt":254,"src":2084},"/images/2018/01/harriet_announcement-0074.jpg","I could have jumped straight onto the blog to share our news and write her birth story, but I’ll be honest. It’s been nice to just enjoy being with my family and taking a step back!",[12,2087,2088,2091],{},[40,2089],{"alt":254,"src":2090},"/images/2018/01/harriet_announcement-0052.jpg","We’ve had three weeks of drinking her in, taking it easy and adjusting to life as a family of four. There have been tears, tantrums, lack of sleep, feelings of guilt. An all-around emotional rollercoaster but more than anything a whole lot of love.",[12,2093,2094,2097],{},[40,2095],{"alt":254,"src":2096},"/images/2018/01/harriet_announcement-0077.jpg","And just like that, we became a family of four! 💕",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2099},[],[267],"/images/2018/01/harriet_cover.jpg","2018-01-17T01:59:00Z","10635",{},"Baby girl birth announcement. Harriet Willow Clarence born 21st December, 5lb 5oz via c-section. Our family of four journey begins. Welcome to the world!","Baby Girl Birth Announcement: Welcome Harriet Willow",{"title":2074,"description":2079},"welcome-world","GEeERSg4r8s-iGP8KnKLFoANwf6HbN8O_9-4HCTb_gg",{"id":2111,"title":2112,"author":7,"body":2113,"category":2156,"cover":2157,"date":2158,"description":2120,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2159,"meta":2160,"meta_description":2161,"meta_title":2112,"navigation":275,"path":2162,"seo":2163,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2164,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2165},"posts/the-consultant-says-a-36-week-pregnancy-update.md","The Consultant says… A 36 Week Pregnancy Update",{"type":9,"value":2114,"toc":2154},[2115,2121,2124,2127,2130,2133,2136,2139,2142,2145,2148,2151],[12,2116,2117,2120],{},[40,2118],{"alt":254,"src":2119},"/images/2017/12/consultant_pregnancy_36_weeks.jpg","A Romaine Lettuce. That’s approximately the size our little bundle of a baby should be right about now. But at 36 weeks the baby is still measuring small. Below the 10th centile and not progressing as the doctors would like. She’s still got little to no fluid to dance in and is officially set to be making an early appearance!",[12,2122,2123],{},"Thursday saw us reach the 36-week mark and the consultant has now written a plan. A plan in which our baby is here within the next week…",[12,2125,2126],{},"As the end of this pregnancy draws closer It’s suddenly starting to feel real… Not that I haven’t spent the last 8 months being pregnant. But it hasn’t been all-consuming like it was with Little Fox. And you can’t get more real than being told baby is actually coming.",[12,2128,2129],{},"Baby is still breech at this point so we decided attempting an ECV for a vaginal birth would be my best option. Otherwise, we’re looking at a cesarean section. Which as I said in our last update, I would like to avoid. I’ve never had surgery in my life and recovering from one with a toddler won’t be easy.",[12,2131,2132],{},"My weekly appointments take place at our local village hospital. It has the facilities for an ultrasound but no long stay maternity ward. Anything further generally takes place at a larger hospital nearby.",[12,2134,2135],{},"During this weeks check the consultant spoke to 3 people at the main hospital about giving me an ECV at 36+4 to turn our baby. But found they most likely won’t do this on a small baby. The hospital called back the next day to make arrangements and I have been left in limbo since.",[12,2137,2138],{},"The weekend was met with 2 rounds of steroid injections, which I was nervous about. I made the mistake of googling, but I needn’t have worried. It was like any other injection, it stung for a moment. But that was all. Phew!",[12,2140,2141],{},"I’ve been booked in for a scan on Wednesday morning (tomorrow!) at the main hospital which will then determine if I get an ECV or not. This will then decide if we get an induction or a cesarean.",[12,2143,2144],{},"I’ve had people telling me an ECV is extremely painful, that they’re only successful 40% of the time and that they won’t even attempt it on me with low fluid. So I guess tomorrow shall reveal all.",[12,2146,2147],{},"My consultant wanted this doing on Monday, but nobody was available. So is it likely we’ll have our baby and be home all before Christmas? Or will it be after Christmas? I just don’t know. Place your bets now!",[12,2149,2150],{},"What I do know is the Snuzpod is finally built, the pram has arrived and we’re almost prepared!",[12,2152,2153],{},"It doesn’t sound so bad if I forget we’re hosting Christmas dinner for 10 people. I haven’t wrapped a single thing and Little Fox turns 3 the week after… No, not bad at all.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2155},[],[267,1193],"/images/2017/12/consultant_36_weeks_cover.jpg","2017-12-20T03:17:00Z","10625",{},"36 week pregnancy update. Baby still breech and measuring small. ECV procedure planned, steroid injections given. Will baby arrive before Christmas?","/the-consultant-says-a-36-week-pregnancy-update",{"title":2112,"description":2120},"the-consultant-says-a-36-week-pregnancy-update","Q6lqtcH7V1hh_ku1sxcPaZbi4Z93ld2_lvCMyYZNOhQ",{"id":2167,"title":2168,"author":7,"body":2169,"category":2203,"cover":2204,"date":2205,"description":2173,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2206,"meta":2207,"meta_description":2208,"meta_title":2168,"navigation":275,"path":2209,"seo":2210,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2211,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2212},"posts/ready-or-not-here-i-come-a-34-week-pregnancy-update.md","Ready or not, here I come – A 34 week pregnancy update",{"type":9,"value":2170,"toc":2201},[2171,2174,2177,2180,2183,2186,2189,2192,2195,2198],[12,2172,2173],{},"A cantaloupe melon. That’s approximately the size our little bundle of a baby should be right about now. At 34 weeks the baby is a fully fledged baby human whose simply piling on the fat ready for the big day. Listening in on all our conversations, dancing and waving from within the womb.",[12,2175,2176],{},"But our baby is measuring small. She’s a few weeks behind what she should be. She’s got little to no fluid to dance in and is set to be making an early appearance!",[12,2178,2179],{},"My pregnancy with little fox was so straightforward and so textbook that this has felt rather surreal. We had two standard scans with him, one at 12 weeks and another at 20 weeks. I went into spontaneous labour on his EDD and the rest is history.",[12,2181,2182],{},"So far in my 34 weeks of pregnancy with his little fox cub sibling, I’ve had 11 scans. A constant reduction in fluid around the baby and felt far less pregnant than I ever did with him.",[12,2184,2185],{},"After a two week break from scans and feeling like I’ve suddenly ballooned to the size of a house. I was expecting this weeks scan to be positive. To find good growth and maybe an increase in fluid. To hear that baby is finally head down and we’re going to ride this out the natural way.",[12,2187,2188],{},"Instead, baby’s growth has dropped further below the 10th centile. Fluid is becoming less, which naturally occurs the closer to full term you get. And baby is still breech. The consultant has booked another scan and literally told me to make childcare plans for little fox and pack my bags. Yikes!",[12,2190,2191],{},"With that being said. What we were expecting to be another new year baby could well be here before Christmas. And It’s looking more likely with each passing week.",[12,2193,2194],{},"Our journey home involved a detour via boots to stock up on lanolin, travel size shampoo, lip balm and various other hospital essentials. Can you tell I’m not ready?",[12,2196,2197],{},"I’m hoping nothing happens before our 36-week scan. Nothing aside from baby finding the gusto to flip themselves around allowing us a natural birth. Having never had surgery in my life the thought of a c section actually terrifies me. The idea of a longer recovery and being away from Little Fox, who has never spent a night away from me, doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence.",[12,2199,2200],{},"The baby’s room looks like an explosion has gone off. The Snuzpod hasn’t been sniffed at in two and a half years and nothing, aside from a few sleepsuits, is ready!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2202},[],[267,1193],"/images/2017/11/34_2week_pregnancy_update.jpg","2017-11-30T01:26:00Z","10552",{},"34 week pregnancy update. Baby measuring small, low fluid, breech position, and possible early arrival. Preparing for c-section and Christmas baby arrival.","/ready-or-not-here-i-come-a-34-week-pregnancy-update",{"title":2168,"description":2173},"ready-or-not-here-i-come-a-34-week-pregnancy-update","2uP_HL7bc5vIOgX5Ol4RDnMJoLHdLlTM7DA1HAxOm7E",{"id":2214,"title":2215,"author":7,"body":2216,"category":2274,"cover":2275,"date":2276,"description":2220,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2277,"meta":2278,"meta_description":2279,"meta_title":2215,"navigation":275,"path":2280,"seo":2281,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2282,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2283},"posts/why-nhs-is-worth-the-wait.md","Why our NHS is worth the wait!",{"type":9,"value":2217,"toc":2272},[2218,2221,2224,2227,2230,2233,2236,2245,2248,2251,2254,2257,2260,2263,2266,2269],[12,2219,2220],{},"Trying to stay calm. As the blue flashing lights pulled up outside and the paramedics came in to tend to our baby. What would we have done without them?",[12,2222,2223],{},"Nobody else was home, nobody who could drive anyway. What if they hadn’t sent an ambulance or they didn’t get here so fast. What if he’d had a seizure? What if?",[12,2225,2226],{},"His skin mottled, burning up and shaking, vomiting. What was happening? An hour ago he was playing. Happy. Giggling. Not sick.",[12,2228,2229],{},"In they came. Calm, collected, and ready to help. Heroes. At that moment in time, they were my heroes. This was a positive experience for us when it comes to the NHS and their level of care.",[12,2231,2232],{},"Two calm and caring paramedics who not only made sure our baby was OK but made sure I was too. A level of care we might not always receive from our overworked and exhausted NHS. But a level of care that does exist and for me far outweighs many of the bad experiences we may come across.",[12,2234,2235],{},"Fortunately, on this occasion, it was a simple infection that caused Little Fox to turn so quickly. Nothing antibiotics couldn’t fix. But at the time it was scary. Any mother would agree, seeing your baby in distress is enough to scare you for life.",[12,2237,2238,2239,2244],{},"I’ve had mixed experiences with the NHS. From this one to the birth of Little Fox. It’s no wonder so many people take action and claim ",[384,2240,2243],{"href":2241,"rel":2242},"https://www.yourlegalfriend.com/types-of-claim/medical-negligence/nhs-compensation-claims/",[388],"NHS compensation"," because it isn’t always perfect.",[12,2246,2247],{},"I still look back on his birth and can’t believe the midwife who had been with us for the last 3 hours changed shift 15 minutes before he arrived. 15 minutes. Couldn’t she hang around? What was the reason? I’ll never know.",[12,2249,2250],{},"Mid-push, as they handed one another over. I was too busy to care at the time. I was a little busy. But I do care.",[12,2252,2253],{},"Looking back I felt abandoned. This lady had helped me through everything. For the last 3 hours she was guiding us.I’d never done this before. She was going to help us bring our baby into the world. We couldn’t do it without her.",[12,2255,2256],{},"And just like that. With the strike of a clock, she was gone. Replaced. Somebody else was there. Who was she? Did she know what was going on?",[12,2258,2259],{},"A simple shift change and a shortage of staff on New Year’s eve meant multiple shift changes. And many hours of waiting.",[12,2261,2262],{},"Being left for 4 hours waiting to be stitched up. Sat in a hospital bed bleeding under the sheets whilst your father and relatives arrive to see the new baby. Still waiting.",[12,2264,2265],{},"Little Fox was born at 14:39 pm on New Years Day. And we didn’t get a bed on a ward until 2:00 am the next morning. Waiting. So many hours waiting. Waiting for stitches, waiting for a bed. Waiting to be cared for.",[12,2267,2268],{},"Knowing we have the NHS gives me confidence every day that should something ever go wrong, somebody is there to help and we won’t be slapped with a hefty bill we cannot afford at the end of it.",[12,2270,2271],{},"What would we do without the NHS? Imagine if we didn’t have this service available to us? It may be imperfect at times, we may be left waiting for hours. It could be better. But what would we do without it?",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2273},[],[267],"/images/2017/11/nhs_cover.jpg","2017-11-08T18:17:00Z","10508",{},"Why our NHS is worth the wait. Sharing our experiences with paramedics, birth care, and the importance of our National Health Service. Mixed but grateful.","/why-nhs-is-worth-the-wait",{"title":2215,"description":2220},"why-nhs-is-worth-the-wait","KVsG-AcYyavmTW1EvBD0TgqL5FobBy81E6RvPEBoOQI",{"id":2285,"title":2286,"author":7,"body":2287,"category":2328,"cover":2329,"date":2330,"description":2291,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2331,"meta":2332,"meta_description":2333,"meta_title":2286,"navigation":275,"path":2334,"seo":2335,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2336,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2337},"posts/potty-training-update-huggies-pull-ups.md","A Potty Training Update with Huggies® Pull-Ups®",{"type":9,"value":2288,"toc":2326},[2289,2292,2295,2299,2302,2305,2308,2311,2314,2317],[12,2290,2291],{},"It’s time for a potty training update! Since we announced we were taking on the challenge to potty train Little Fox, I know it won’t have been at the forefront of your mind – but it certainly has been for me.",[12,2293,2294],{},"I can’t avoid the toddler with a poo down his trouser leg at 6am. Thankfully, unless you’re also embarking on this journey, you can!",[771,2296,2298],{"id":2297},"its-been-almost-two-months-now-so-how-have-we-got-on","It’s been almost two months now, so how have we got on?",[12,2300,2301],{},"We did take a small break from potty training whilst away on holiday. Despite this, Taylor openly chose to use the toilet in the hotel anyway.",[12,2303,2304],{},"Upon returning from our holiday, I found he took to it far better than he had before, demonstrating the progress we had already made by using HUGGIES® Pull-Ups®. Thanks to HUGGIES® 6 Steps to Potty Success®, we had lots of useful tips that have really helped us as we resumed our potty training journey.",[12,2306,2307],{},"Initially, we were having more accidents than I had anticipated. Whilst Little Fox has been happy to go out of the house in his Huggies® Pull-Ups,® he still needs prompting to visit the loo. The unique learning layer in the day- time Huggies® Pull-Ups® briefly mimics wetness when he has an accident so we know he’s learning while we’re out and about but we don’t have to worry about any mess. As well as this, the wetness indicator fades when wet, visually signalling wet from dry allowing Taylor to see when he’s had an accident.",[12,2309,2310],{},"As he is going to become a big brother in January, I’m hoping we’ll have 100% cracked it long before then!",[12,2312,2313],{},"If we’re at home, he’d rather wear nothing and has mastered using the potty throughout the day. Now we just need him to remember when he needs to go whilst out and about! However, as child psychologist Dr Heather Wittenberg explains, using HUGGIES® Pull-Ups® on journeys ensures your little one is protected from accidents, but are still learning and feeling independent. We’ve been making great progress and hope to continue this over the coming weeks.",[12,2315,2316],{},"As HUGGIES® Potty Training ambassadors, we’ll be sharing our potty training journey with you as we use the 6 Steps to Potty Training Success®. Come back soon to see how we’re doing on our journey and see how we’re teaching Little Fox to use the potty!",[12,2318,2319,2320,2325],{},"For more tips on how you can start your potty training journey, click the link to visit the ",[384,2321,2324],{"href":2322,"rel":2323},"http://bit.ly/2sw7rTw",[388],"Potty Training"," website!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2327},[],[267],"/images/2017/10/potty_training_update_huggies.jpg","2017-10-30T10:44:00Z","10462",{},"Potty training update with Huggies Pull-Ups. Two months in, sharing progress, challenges, and how the 6 Steps to Potty Training Success have helped us.","/potty-training-update-huggies-pull-ups",{"title":2286,"description":2291},"potty-training-update-huggies-pull-ups","7-uDYVfkhmh1fQO8NGRgjrpFrEvVw1GkbQbY-x_9j_g",{"id":2339,"title":2340,"author":7,"body":2341,"category":2396,"cover":2397,"date":2398,"description":2345,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2399,"meta":2400,"meta_description":2401,"meta_title":2402,"navigation":275,"path":2403,"seo":2404,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2405,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2406},"posts/perils-pregnancy-inability-sleep-ft-pregnancy-pillows.md","The perils of pregnancy and the inability to sleep! ft Pregnancy Pillows",{"type":9,"value":2342,"toc":2394},[2343,2346,2352,2358,2364,2367,2370,2376,2379,2382,2391],[12,2344,2345],{},"It’s happening. If you’ve been pregnant before you’ll know what I’m talking about. That transition your body starts to make during the final months of pregnancy to prepare you for what’s to come. Sleep. And the inability to get any.",[12,2347,2348,2351],{},[40,2349],{"alt":254,"src":2350},"/images/2017/10/prenancy_pillow_snuggleup_pregpillows-0333.jpg","Waking throughout the night to go to the loo, only to find you didn’t need it. Shaking off those restless legs and just generally being wide awake. Against your will. I’ve told myself these hours could be productive ones. Countless times I’ve taken my laptop to bed in anticipation of using it at 2am. But when 2am rolls around I find myself scrolling aimlessly through social media and wishing I were asleep. Which I then, of course, regret the next day. But doing something productive in the early hours feels like I’m accepting that I won’t be sleeping anytime soon. And I’m in denial. I’d rather cuddle into my pregnancy pillow for as long as possible and pray for sleep.",[12,2353,2354,2357],{},[40,2355],{"alt":254,"src":2356},"/images/2017/10/prenancy_pillow_snuggleup_pregpillows-0336.jpg","I have this amazing pregnancy pillow which without I probably wouldn’t sleep at all. In order to get comfortable enough to sleep, I need to be able to keep my knees apart, whilst being on my side and supporting my bump simultaneously. Which seemed impossible until I realised this is what L shaped maternity pillows were for.",[12,2359,2360,2363],{},[40,2361],{"alt":254,"src":2362},"/images/2017/10/prenancy_pillow_snuggleup_pregpillows-0358.jpg","Thanks to pregnancypillows.net the little sleep I do get is comfortable! I may have become slightly attached to it though. Think Jennifer Lopez in The Back-Up Plan. She loved that pillow! And now I know why.",[12,2365,2366],{},"It’s like cuddling into a soft fluffy cloud. My pillow is an L shape pregnancy pillow which I was kindly sent to try. Unlike most I’ve seen, it’s really firm and provides ample support. Made from a baby soft outer and stuffed with Sensifil™ Filling an Anti-Allergenic, Anti-Asthmatic material it’s the most comfortable pillow I’ve had. Starting from £25 I’m really impressed with the quality.",[12,2368,2369],{},"I’m not sure I’ll be willing to give it up once the little one arrives! You’d have to fight me for it. It does take up ample space in the bed though and I fear the other half is probably hanging off the bed.",[12,2371,2372,2375],{},[40,2373],{"alt":254,"src":2374},"/images/2017/10/prenancy_pillow_snuggleup_pregpillows-0300.jpg","Little Fox can often be found lounging in it with his books and always looks ridiculously cosy too. I didn’t mind the lack of sleep so much when I was pregnant with him. I had evenings and weekends to relax and sleep to my heart’s content. But it’s different when you have a toddler to keep up with. I need my sleep!",[12,2377,2378],{},"There are no naps with him and with low blood pressure, I’ve found myself blacking out frequently throughout the day. Relaxing with a 2-year-old is impossible. Although I didn’t have a magical pillow when pregnant with him. If only a pillow could get him to sleep too!",[12,2380,2381],{},"I’m yet to try any special lotions or sprays to help me sleep but maybe I should start looking at more ways to relax and wind down once he’s in bed?",[12,2383,2384,2385,2390],{},"You can get your own maternity pillow starting from only £25 at ",[384,2386,2389],{"href":2387,"rel":2388},"http://www.pregnancypillows.net",[388],"www.pregnancypillows.net",", they also have a great range of nursing pillows which I used with Little Fox.",[12,2392,2393],{},"What’s your ultimate must-have for getting some much-needed sleep whilst pregnant? I’d be willing to try anything, within reason of course!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2395},[],[267,1193],"/images/2017/10/pregnancy_pillow_cover.jpg","2017-10-23T15:25:00Z","10447",{},"Pregnancy sleep struggles and L-shaped maternity pillow review. How pregnancy pillows helped my third trimester insomnia and restless nights with comfort.","Pregnancy Pillows Review | Better Sleep When Pregnant","/perils-pregnancy-inability-sleep-ft-pregnancy-pillows",{"title":2340,"description":2345},"perils-pregnancy-inability-sleep-ft-pregnancy-pillows","Aufnssqu0yWrl2uJns08zsvZz3_nj-UvJN4UpP8BnC4",{"id":2408,"title":2409,"author":7,"body":2410,"category":2567,"cover":2416,"date":2568,"description":2417,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2569,"meta":2570,"meta_description":2571,"meta_title":2409,"navigation":275,"path":2572,"seo":2573,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2574,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2575},"posts/nice-newborn-baby-wishlist.md","A nice-to-have newborn baby wishlist",{"type":9,"value":2411,"toc":2565},[2412,2418,2421,2424,2427,2438,2441,2446,2456,2465,2470,2480,2483,2488,2498,2501,2506,2515,2518,2523,2533,2536,2541,2551,2554,2559,2562],[12,2413,2414,2417],{},[40,2415],{"alt":254,"src":2416},"/images/2017/10/newborn_wish_list_essentials.jpg","Although I’m not new to this, having a baby is still a pretty big deal. And for many of you, it may be your first time. You’ll be bombarded with what you do and don’t need.",[12,2419,2420],{},"So taking that into consideration and honing in on my experience of having had one child already I’ve been compiling a newborn wishlist.",[12,2422,2423],{},"Not your typical bare minimum essentials, no. Although I will get to that in the coming weeks! But the things that are nice to have. The things that make life that little bit easier if you’re willing to invest in them.",[12,2425,2426],{},"Some may say, “you don’t need that” and in some instances, they’re probably right. But it doesn’t mean you can’t want them right? These are the type of baby products that have longevity too. They hold their value and will last for multiple babies and best of all they actually serve a purpose that is essential. So if this is your first and you plan to have more it’s the best time to invest.",[12,2428,2429],{},[135,2430,2431,2432,2437],{},"1. ",[384,2433,2436],{"href":2434,"rel":2435},"http://www.snuz.co.uk/snuz/snuzpod2-bedside-crib-3-in-1-dove-grey/",[388],"Snuzpod £199.95"," –",[12,2439,2440],{},"At number one I have the Snuzpod, this is something we did invest in with baby #1. It’s tucked away in our garage awaiting baby’s arrival.Our Snuzpod is the original white one bought in 2014 so I imagine it will need some TLC once unpacked. They now have a whole array of beautiful colours to choose from too. See, longevity. The Snuzpod was by far my favourite baby purchase, It made settling in at home easier and it lasted Little Fox until he was 10 months old.",[12,2442,2443],{},[40,2444],{"alt":254,"src":2445},"/images/2017/10/snuzpod.jpg",[12,2447,2448],{},[135,2449,2450,2451,2437],{},"2. ",[384,2452,2455],{"href":2453,"rel":2454},"http://www.kiddies-kingdom.com",[388],"Joie Dreamer £59",[12,2457,2458,2459,2464],{},"The Joie dreamer is a lightweight compact bouncer with lullaby and vibration functions. We had a rather bulky and heavy bouncer with Little Fox that didn’t do much for him. We already have this bouncer from ",[384,2460,2463],{"href":2461,"rel":2462},"http://www.kiddies-kingdom.com/197_joie",[388],"Kiddies Kingdom"," awaiting baby’s arrival and I cannot wait to test it out with a tiny human inside! This bouncer will be easy for us to pop into the car when going to visit family for the day. It also looks clean and modern with its grey melange textiles and neutral star print so it will fit in with our decor perfectly. A great place to pop baby down whilst entertaining their big brother!",[12,2466,2467],{},[40,2468],{"alt":254,"src":2469},"/images/2017/10/joie_dreamer.jpg",[12,2471,2472],{},[135,2473,2474,2475,2437],{},"3. ",[384,2476,2479],{"href":2477,"rel":2478},"https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/baby/car-seats-and-bases/group-0%7C-birth-15-months-approx-/cuddleco-doona-group-0%2B-car-seat-storm-grey/p/140501",[388],"Doona £279.99",[12,2481,2482],{},"The Doona Group 0+ infant car seat is a car seat like no other. It has wheels! Giving you the ability to pop the handle and stroll without moving your precious newborn from their car seat or having to set up your pushchair chassis. This would make quick outings with a newborn and toddler a fuss free dream!",[12,2484,2485],{},[40,2486],{"alt":254,"src":2487},"/images/2017/10/doona.jpg",[12,2489,2490],{},[135,2491,2492,2493,2437],{},"4. ",[384,2494,2497],{"href":2495,"rel":2496},"https://www.stokke.com/GBR/en-gb/accessories/1871.html",[388],"Stokke Tripp Trapp Newborn set £75",[12,2499,2500],{},"We love the Stokke Tripp Trapp, Little Fox still uses his. We never had one when he was a baby though he was already in the midst of toddlerdom. The newborn set allows you to use your tripp trapp and keep your newborn up high at the table during family mealtimes. Or whilst you’re pottering about in the kitchen. Probably ideal for stopping the toddler from disturbing them too.",[12,2502,2503],{},[40,2504],{"alt":254,"src":2505},"/images/2017/10/stokke_newborn_set.jpg",[12,2507,2508],{},[135,2509,2510,2511,2437],{},"5. ",[384,2512,2514],{"href":1491,"rel":2513},[388],"Sleepyhead Deluxe £135",[12,2516,2517],{},"I love the sleepyhead, it may not be the cheapest of baby nest out there but it’s one of few that approved for overnight sleeping. Little Fox got the Sleepyhead Grand when he moved into his full size cot at 9 months old and he still uses it now at almost 3 years old. We’ve never purchased a bed guard. If the deluxe is anything like the grand then baby #2 will be sleeping soundly in their snuzpod with this addition.",[12,2519,2520],{},[40,2521],{"alt":254,"src":2522},"/images/2017/10/sleepyhead_deluxe.jpg",[12,2524,2525],{},[135,2526,2527,2528,2437],{},"6. ",[384,2529,2532],{"href":2530,"rel":2531},"https://kerikit.com/",[388],"Kerikit Joy XL leather changing bag £295",[12,2534,2535],{},"The Joy Xl is a luxury leather changing bag with room for all of your daily essentials. It’s also perfect for that transition from changing bag to office! It doesn’t scream mummy and looks luxurious.",[12,2537,2538],{},[40,2539],{"alt":254,"src":2540},"/images/2017/10/joy_xl_kerikit.jpg",[12,2542,2543],{},[135,2544,2545,2546,2437],{},"7. ",[384,2547,2550],{"href":2548,"rel":2549},"https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rorocare-Lulla-Doll-Sleep-Companion/dp/B01683Q8EY/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=leeleeloves-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=562f4c42030a88adb60da01da88ae3e5&creativeASIN=B01683Q8EY",[388],"Lulla Doll £49.99",[12,2552,2553],{},"Lulla Doll is a revolutionary baby sleep aid that mimics the sound of a mother heartbeat. Unlike many sleep aids Lulla will play continuously for 8 hours soothing your little one and hopefully fooling them into thinking you’re still closeby! It imitates closeness to a caregiver at rest with its soft feel of natural cotton and soothing sounds of real-life breathing and heartbeat.",[12,2555,2556],{},[40,2557],{"alt":254,"src":2558},"/images/2017/10/lulla_doll.jpg",[12,2560,2561],{},"I could go on and add endless products to this list but they wouldn’t sit as high as this selection, from my experience of what makes a great product whether it be high end or not.",[12,2563,2564],{},"These products all serve a purpose whilst being that little bit different and setting them apart from the rest, whether that be in terms of usability, adding a touch of luxury of simply their ability to fit into your home with their clean and subtle designs.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2566},[],[267],"2017-10-20T11:21:00Z","10415",{},"Nice-to-have newborn baby wishlist. Snuzpod, Joie Dreamer bouncer, Doona car seat, Stokke Tripp Trapp, Sleepyhead, and luxury changing bags. Investment pieces.","/nice-newborn-baby-wishlist",{"title":2409,"description":2417},"nice-newborn-baby-wishlist","mYIFQ4KXf6TPp2nG5hHa18Z6jrIjCD3CcTeTJUB-4iA",{"id":2577,"title":2578,"author":7,"body":2579,"category":2622,"cover":2623,"date":2624,"description":2583,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2625,"meta":2626,"meta_description":2627,"meta_title":2578,"navigation":275,"path":2628,"seo":2629,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2630,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2631},"posts/surviving-long-car-journey-toddler-netflix.md","Surviving a long car journey with a toddler, and Netflix",{"type":9,"value":2580,"toc":2620},[2581,2584,2593,2596,2599,2602,2605,2608,2611,2614,2617],[12,2582,2583],{},"Embarking on a long car journey pre-children meant running safety checks before hitting the road. Testing your tyre pressure, oil, water and fuel. Ensuring you had enough snacks and creating the perfect soundtrack to get you there. It wasn’t all bad.",[12,2585,2586,2587,2592],{},"Throw children into the mix and it’s an entirely different story. Although you still have to run the essential pre-road trip safety checks. Making sure you have the correct type of tyres, which can be done using handy sites such as ",[384,2588,2591],{"href":2589,"rel":2590},"https://www.tyreplus.co.uk/",[388],"tyreplus",". You also have to figure out how you’ll make it through the next 6 hours without wanting to stick pins in your eyes.",[12,2594,2595],{},"As we prepared to take a 6-hour drive with Little Fox I was anxious, would be screaming by the time we got there? Two-year-olds do not like to sit still. And I’m sure it’s not just ours…",[12,2597,2598],{},"They certainly don’t like being strapped down for long periods of time either.",[12,2600,2601],{},"So how did we manage 6 hours of scream free, relatively relaxed driving? I can’t lie it involved technology and food. Of course, it did.",[12,2603,2604],{},"Last year we did the exact same journey from our home to Butlins at Minehead and Little Fox slept for the majority of it. He also didn’t know what an iPad was. Now, at almost 3 years old he’s far more interested in other things and needs entertaining. We took his favourite toy cars, colouring books, and plenty of snacks. Oh, and the trusty iPad.",[12,2606,2607],{},"Obviously, I’m not against toddlers having some screen time or using a tablet. But I wouldn’t condone sitting them down with one for 6 hours straight, as much as it could keep the peace. But if it saves your sanity…",[12,2609,2610],{},"To my surprise, Little Fox was quite reserved with his iPad usage. We used the Netflix app to download his favourite TV shows for offline use and let him choose what to watch. He used it intermittently for around 30-40 minutes then passed it back whilst he played with his cars for an hour or so. I was impressed!",[12,2612,2613],{},"Netflix combined with a what remained of our Heavenly tasty toddler snacks saw us through 6 hours of driving. We did stop at services to stretch his little legs and refuel ourselves with a substantial meal but overall it was a total success.",[12,2615,2616],{},"We didn’t lose out sanity, we didn’t scream or yell, pins were not prodded into one’s eyes and we didn’t turn to drinking, not that I could have if I wanted to. Having driven for 6 hours with a 2 year old and arriving at our destination still sane. Dare I say, it was alright!",[12,2618,2619],{},"What are your top travel tips when taking children on long journeys?",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2621},[],[267],"/images/2017/10/LONG_CAR_JOURNEY_TODDLER.jpg","2017-10-18T09:29:00Z","10410",{},"Surviving a long car journey with a toddler. Tips for 6-hour drives including Netflix downloads, snacks, toys, and service station stops. Stay sane!","/surviving-long-car-journey-toddler-netflix",{"title":2578,"description":2583},"surviving-long-car-journey-toddler-netflix","121wFhwbPqChOuiM4rXcARIjeih5aH8N3ajtbA2apqw",{"id":2633,"title":2634,"author":7,"body":2635,"category":2714,"cover":2715,"date":2716,"description":2639,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2717,"meta":2718,"meta_description":2719,"meta_title":2634,"navigation":275,"path":2720,"seo":2721,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2722,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2723},"posts/not-sure-give-birth-choice-mybirthplan.md","Not sure where to give birth? It’s your choice…",{"type":9,"value":2636,"toc":2712},[2637,2640,2643,2647,2656,2659,2662,2669,2672,2675,2678,2681,2684,2690,2694,2697,2707],[12,2638,2639],{},"Did you know that you can choose to have your baby in a hospital, a birthing centre or at home? Wherever you choose to give birth, your experience should be a positive one. CQC publishes reports to help you make the best choice for you.",[12,2641,2642],{},"As the arrival of our second baby looms closer it’s time to start thinking about my birth plan. Not the pain relief or what I’ll wear…. Although important, not as important as where I’ll give birth.",[771,2644,2646],{"id":2645},"did-you-know-you-can-choose","Did you know you can choose?",[12,2648,2649,2650,2655],{},"New research commissioned by the ",[384,2651,2654],{"href":2652,"rel":2653},"http://www.cqc.org.uk/yourbirthplan",[388],"Care Quality Commission"," (CQC) has found that more women must be made aware of their right to choose their birth hospital.",[12,2657,2658],{},"Although midwives are advocates of home births for low risk pregnancies, as great an option as any, many of those who choose a birth centre or local hospital aren’t aware they can choose which one they use.",[12,2660,2661],{},"You aren’t obligated to use your nearest hospital or birth centre. You actually have a choice. If your local hospital doesn’t appeal to you there is nothing stopping you from choosing another. As long as it’s realistic for you to get there when the time comes and they have the capacity to cater for you it shouldn’t be an issue.",[12,2663,2664,2665,2668],{},"The CQC ask five key questions when inspecting a service – ",[241,2666,2667],{},"Is the service safe? Is it effective? Are the staff caring and responsive to people’s needs and is the service well led?"," You too should be asking these things when making the decision in your birth plan.",[12,2670,2671],{},"Do your research, visit them all and make an informed decision for yourself.",[12,2673,2674],{},"It’s been almost three years since Little Fox graced us with his presence, and three years since I found out things don’t always go to plan. I had opted for our local birth centre, but due to reduced movements, I found myself on the maternity ward strapped to a monitor.",[12,2676,2677],{},"Although things may not always go as planned, it’s nice to feel prepared and to have an idea of what you want. The medical staff will usually try their best to meet your wishes.",[12,2679,2680],{},"Choosing how and where you’ll give birth isn’t something to be taken lightly. But many expectant mothers aren’t aware of their options.",[12,2682,2683],{},"The research also found a third (34%) of mums spent less than an hour choosing the type of birth they want and making a birth plan, and 15% didn’t do this at all.",[12,2685,2686,2687,2689],{},"We moved house mid-pregnancy with Little Fox and I opted to stay with the midwives and hospital in our previous county. A lot of pregnant friends were surprised I could do this. It was only an extra 20 minutes away and I liked their facilities more. I felt more comfortable with the staff and wouldn’t have wanted to change my plans so far into my pregnancy.",[624,2688],{},"\nCQC research which surveyed over 1,000 women who had given birth in England in the last three years, found that 40% either weren’t aware or didn’t feel they had a choice about their birth hospital.",[771,2691,2693],{"id":2692},"making-a-decision","Making a decision",[12,2695,2696],{},"Thankfully I’m aware of my options, which means this time around I know I can choose. I’ll be visiting two local hospitals which have integrated birth centres and weighing up my options. This doesn’t affect the care I’ll receive but allows me to see the facilities and staff to make an informed decision on the care I’d like to receive. Let’s not rule out the option of a home birth either!",[12,2698,2699,2700,2706],{},"Take a look at the CQC Infographic below or visit ",[384,2701,2703],{"href":2652,"rel":2702},[388],[135,2704,2705],{},"www.cqc.org.uk/yourbirthplan"," to learn more about your right to choose and what you should take into consideration.",[12,2708,2709],{},[40,2710],{"alt":254,"src":2711},"/images/2017/10/201709_maternity_infographic.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2713},[],[267,1193],"/images/2017/10/birth_options2.jpg","2017-10-11T15:46:00Z","10370",{},"Your guide to choosing where to give birth. Explore options including hospital, birthing centre, or home birth, and learn about your right to choose.","/not-sure-give-birth-choice-mybirthplan",{"title":2634,"description":2639},"not-sure-give-birth-choice-mybirthplan","eKF_CavEZ2wLK7-Yay2bSvT4WAgR6VedmzsKSJoFu80",{"id":2725,"title":2726,"author":7,"body":2727,"category":2797,"cover":2798,"date":2799,"description":2731,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2800,"meta":2801,"meta_description":2802,"meta_title":2726,"navigation":275,"path":2803,"seo":2804,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2805,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2806},"posts/ways-save-money-baby-essentials.md","Ways to save money on baby essentials",{"type":9,"value":2728,"toc":2795},[2729,2732,2741,2745,2751,2757,2763,2769,2786,2792],[12,2730,2731],{},"Having a baby can be expensive, especially if it’s your first. Or if you decided not to hang onto everything from previous babies.",[12,2733,2734,2735,2740],{},"Babies don’t need huge amounts, a lot of them are ‘nice to have’ but not essential. Of course, you could always take out a ",[384,2736,2739],{"href":2737,"rel":2738},"https://www.cashlady.com/quick-loans/",[388],"quick loan"," in times of need and indulge in those nice to have items you’ve been lusting over… But as a long-term solution, it’s best to plan ahead and save where possible. Here are 5 ways you can save money whilst preparing for your new arrival.",[771,2742,2744],{"id":2743},"how-can-i-save","How can I save?",[12,2746,2747,2750],{},[135,2748,2749],{},"Buy in bulk –"," This may seem like you’re spending more but the overall savings are greater. Buying those newborn nappies in wipes in bulk will save money overall. Just make sure you don’t overbuy in one size as they do grow quickly!",[12,2752,2753,2756],{},[135,2754,2755],{},"Utilise second-hand shops and nearly new sales –"," Visiting a local nearly new sale often held by NCT is a great way to find essentials. Not just clothes but toys, furniture and most baby essentials in fantastic condition for great prices.",[12,2758,2759,2762],{},[135,2760,2761],{},"Cloth nappies –"," Although the initial outlay can be steep cloth nappies can save you a fortune over the average course of around 3 years that your little one will be wearing them. They’re not a yucky as people imagine and are actually quite addictive. You’ll find yourself lusting over all of the latest prints! We tried various styles and brand before sticking to TotsBots which who provided the right ease of use and fit for us.",[12,2764,2765,2768],{},[135,2766,2767],{},"Libraries / Try before you buy –"," Before heading out to spend a fortune on your first set of cloth nappies or a sling look for your local library. You can often try a few types/brands at a nappy library before shelling out the cost on your own. Sling libraries are also fantastic, slings and carriers can cost upwards of £100 so it’s best to find one that you’re happy with first.",[12,2770,2771,2774,2775,1231,2780,2785],{},[135,2772,2773],{},"Shop the sale –"," Baby events are held by supermarkets at intervals throughout the year. They often sell everything from clothing and nappies to bottles at a reduced cost. Your newborn won’t need a lot but saving on the things you do need will make a difference. Also look out for voucher codes and online savings using websites such as ",[384,2776,2779],{"href":2777,"rel":2778},"http://dealsqueen.co.uk/",[388],"Dealsqueen",[384,2781,2784],{"href":2782,"rel":2783},"http://www.dealsplanet.co.uk/",[388],"deals planet",", looking for the right codes before committing to an online purchase can often mean big savings.",[12,2787,2788,2791],{},[135,2789,2790],{},"Be practical –"," Think long term. If your changing table is nothing but that, maybe it’s worth getting one that combines as a chest of drawers? You’ll get more long time use out of this. The same goes for cots and cot beds. We found multi-purpose furniture is more useful in the long term. Shop around for bargains on sets or even pick a pre-owned set!",[12,2793,2794],{},"These are just a few ways you can save on baby essentials. Be practical, don’t let your judgment be clouded and you’re sure to pick up some bargains before your little one arrives.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2796},[],[267],"/images/2017/10/saving_money_baby_essential.jpg","2017-10-02T08:12:00Z","10366",{},"Practical ways to save money on baby essentials. From buying in bulk to cloth nappies and nearly new sales, discover how to prepare without overspending.","/ways-save-money-baby-essentials",{"title":2726,"description":2731},"ways-save-money-baby-essentials","XdejeHyRxsDmxmLY7eWaGc7Hux8a0so0McnTNyy3U-4",{"id":2808,"title":2809,"author":7,"body":2810,"category":2864,"cover":2865,"date":2866,"description":2814,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2867,"meta":2868,"meta_description":2869,"meta_title":2809,"navigation":275,"path":2870,"seo":2871,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2872,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2873},"posts/5-things-might-differently-second-pregnancy.md","5 things you might do differently in a second pregnancy",{"type":9,"value":2811,"toc":2862},[2812,2815,2819,2822,2826,2841,2845,2848,2852,2855,2859],[12,2813,2814],{},"Did you do anything differently the second time around? Find yourself worrying less or notice time passing you by? It’s so strange, everything was focussed on the pregnancy the first time. Here are 5 things I’ve noticed that make a second pregnancy different to the first.",[771,2816,2818],{"id":2817},"_1-forgetting-youre-pregnant","1. Forgetting you’re pregnant… –",[12,2820,2821],{},"I know, this sounds terrible! But it’s true. I have had moments where I’ve had to stop and remember I’m pregnant. In those early weeks with no movement and nausea free moments, you forget. Unlike my first pregnancy, my mind isn’t constantly focused on the cute little bundle of cells growing inside of me. I’m too busy answering to the demands of a 2-year-old to focus solely on what’s to come.",[771,2823,2825],{"id":2824},"_2-worry-less-about-the-labour","2. Worry less about the labour –",[12,2827,2828,2829,2834,2835,2840],{},"I haven’t found myself googling 5000 questions about child birth, yet. Because I’ve already experienced it. That doesn’t mean I’m not still scared though. It’s not a trip to Disney Land that’s for sure. This time I’m hoping to get the water birth I missed out on with Little Fox. I’ve also been looking into things like placenta encapsulation. I’ve also been reading about cord blood from ",[384,2830,2833],{"href":2831,"rel":2832},"https://www.news-medical.net/news/20170717/Infographic-displays-facts-and-information-about-stem-cells-cord-blood.aspx",[388],"this infographic"," by ",[384,2836,2839],{"href":2837,"rel":2838},"https://www.smartcells.com/baby/",[388],"smart cells"," on stem cell collection at birth to later be used in the event of illness.",[771,2842,2844],{"id":2843},"_3-no-napping","3. No napping –",[12,2846,2847],{},"With my first pregnancy I would come home from work, put my feet up and relax if it was a weekend I could even take a nap. Amazing! With a 2-year-old to care for, one who doesn’t nap, means there are no naps happening over here. We have probably watched more TV than recommended for a toddler though, just so I can sit and not do anything for a little while.",[771,2849,2851],{"id":2850},"_4-overdoing-it","4. Overdoing it –",[12,2853,2854],{},"In line with forgetting you’re pregnant and having not napped, you may find after pushing your lump of a toddler uphill for 20 minutes you’ll be exhausted. So that’s what they mean by over doing it? I’m sure I never felt this exhausted the last time I was pregnant. Maybe that was because of the naps. Anyway, you’ll do things you wouldn’t have dared do in your first pregnancy. Like haul yourself into the ball pit at soft play to retrieve your child and find their toy car.",[771,2856,2858],{"id":2857},"_5-feeling-more-prepared","5. Feeling more prepared –",[12,2860,2861],{},"I’ve found myself feeling more relaxed about being ‘prepared’ for our arrival. This may be because we kept EVERYTHING from last time. Our garage could be a baby outlet. Aside from possibly needing some more clothes depending on gender, we’re all set! Being the pushchair addict I am though I will be saving for a new one. I’m thinking Buggaboo or iCandy. Maybe a Doona too. That’s the trouble, baby products are addictive!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2863},[],[267,1193],"/images/2015/05/f3d86ffc91d147618cd240356f49ea55.jpg","2017-08-17T11:26:00Z","10255",{},"How second pregnancies differ from the first. From forgetting you're pregnant to worrying less about labour, discover what changes second time around.","/5-things-might-differently-second-pregnancy",{"title":2809,"description":2814},"5-things-might-differently-second-pregnancy","p0nys4Mssk2qDvZBiWkqYaC3pivcbK7fWmY7_x0iyiE",{"id":2875,"title":2876,"author":7,"body":2877,"category":2908,"cover":2909,"date":2910,"description":2881,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":2911,"meta":2912,"meta_description":2913,"meta_title":2914,"navigation":275,"path":2915,"seo":2916,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":2917,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":2918},"posts/were-having-a-baby.md","We’re having a baby!",{"type":9,"value":2878,"toc":2906},[2879,2882,2888,2894,2897,2903],[12,2880,2881],{},"If you follow our social channels then you’ll already be aware, we’re having a baby. Little Fox is being promoted to big brother!",[12,2883,2884,2887],{},[40,2885],{"alt":254,"src":2886},"/images/2017/08/taylor_big_bro_01_.jpg","I thought it’s about time we put this out there via the blog, Considering we’re already half way there. It seems to go so much faster when you already have a child to run around after.",[12,2889,2890,2893],{},[40,2891],{"alt":254,"src":2892},"/images/2017/08/taylor_big_bro_03.jpg","I’ll be sharing more about our scan and how the pregnancy’s going in further posts but for now, our little one is due in early January. 10 day’s after Little Foxes birthday. Ooops, we didn’t plan that well.",[12,2895,2896],{},"Little Fox has been asking for a baby for a while now so we hope he understands what he’s been asking for, he could be in for a shock!",[12,2898,2899,2902],{},[40,2900],{"alt":254,"src":2901},"/images/2017/08/taylor_big_bro_02.jpg","He can be very sweet one moment, asking to cuddle my tummy or to kiss the baby goodnight. But he also forgets easily and jumps on me. We’ve been asking him questions and he seems to understand what’s going to happen, but that doesn’t stop me worrying. He’s still my baby!",[12,2904,2905],{},"So that’s it, the baby is out of the bag! But not the belly. We’re keeping it there. And we can’t wait to share more of our journey with you.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":2907},[],[267,1193],"/images/2017/08/having_a_baby_big_brother_cover.jpg","2017-08-17T10:29:00Z","10244",{},"Second baby announcement! Little Fox is being promoted to big brother. Due January, sharing our pregnancy journey and preparing for a new baby arrival.","Second Baby Announcement: Big Brother Promotion Time!","/were-having-a-baby",{"title":2876,"description":2881},"were-having-a-baby","68bRSPC0cj7h--ArlLzi0yiVzH_URVqgt-XZ0dYRREU",{"id":2920,"title":2921,"author":7,"body":2922,"category":3048,"cover":2940,"date":3049,"description":3050,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3051,"meta":3052,"meta_description":3053,"meta_title":3054,"navigation":275,"path":3055,"seo":3056,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3057,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3058},"posts/summer-ready-ticking-off-bucket-spade-list-frugi.md","We’re summer ready – Ticking off our Bucket & Spade List with Frugi!",{"type":9,"value":2923,"toc":3045},[2924,2936,2942,2948,2969,2975,2981,2987,2991,3018,3024,3027,3033,3039,3042],[12,2925,2926,2930,2931,2935],{},[40,2927],{"alt":2928,"src":2929},"Frugi","/images/2017/06/Bucket-and-Spade-blog.jpeg","Summer is finally here. As those longer days and lighter evenings set in we intend to make the most of it while we can! The lovely team at ",[384,2932,2928],{"href":2933,"rel":2934},"https://www.welovefrugi.com",[388]," know all about summer fun and have asked us to write our very own Bucket & Spade List and start ticking them off.",[12,2937,2938,2941],{},[40,2939],{"alt":254,"src":2940},"/images/2017/06/bucket_and_spade_frugi_01-0314.jpg","##### ✓ Eating Ice-cream in the sun!",[12,2943,2944,2947],{},[40,2945],{"alt":254,"src":2946},"/images/2017/06/bucket_and_spade_frugi_010-0624.jpg","##### ✓ Staying up late to watch a movie!",[12,2949,2950,2951,2956,2957,2962,2963,2968],{},"To help us along in the warm weather Little Fox received the SS17 ",[384,2952,2955],{"href":2953,"rel":2954},"https://www.welovefrugi.com/baby_toddler_clothes/girls_0-4_years/dungarees/durgan_dungaree_chambray_bee.htm",[388],"Frugi Durgan bumble bee dungarees"," (£24) and the ",[384,2958,2961],{"href":2959,"rel":2960},"https://www.welovefrugi.com/baby_toddler_clothes/boys_0-4_years/pyjamas/little_long_john_pjs_2_happy_days.htm",[388],"Little Long Johns Pyjamas"," (£23). He also wore the ",[384,2964,2967],{"href":2965,"rel":2966},"https://www.welovefrugi.com/baby_toddler_clothes/boys_0-4_years/dungarees/tintagel_dungaree_sail_blue_check.htm",[388],"Tintagel Dungaree"," (£24) and other various items we had previously purchased. As a self-confessed Frugi addict, he was all set for our summer of adventure.",[12,2970,2971,2974],{},[40,2972],{"alt":254,"src":2973},"/images/2017/06/bucket_and_spade_frugi_03-0531.jpg","##### ✗ Looking for Ducks to feed (There weren’t any today, maybe next time!)",[12,2976,2977,2980],{},[40,2978],{"alt":254,"src":2979},"/images/2017/06/image002.png","Having read Frugi’s Bucket & Spade List suggestions we were ready to start planning our own. We wanted to choose things that didn’t always mean going far from home but could still be fun. Note they’re also things you can do for FREE! It doesn’t cost money to have fun when you’re small, the simple things in life are both free and fun!",[12,2982,2983,2986],{},[40,2984],{"alt":254,"src":2985},"/images/2017/06/bucket_and_spade_frugi_08-0591.jpg","##### ✓ Washing Daddy’s car",[1168,2988,2990],{"id":2989},"little-foxes-bucket-spade-list","Little Foxes Bucket & Spade List;",[12,2992,2993,2994,2996,2997,2999,3000,3002,3003,3005,3006,3008,3009,3011,3012,3014,3015,3017],{},"1. Eat Ice-cream – A must when the sun is shining! ✓",[624,2995],{},"\n2. Have a picnic ✓",[624,2998],{},"\n3. Go on an aeroplane for the first time!",[624,3001],{},"\n4. Watch my first village carnival parade ✓",[624,3004],{},"\n5. Pick flowers ✓",[624,3007],{},"\n6. Feed the ducks",[624,3010],{},"\n7. Stay up late and watch a movie ✓",[624,3013],{},"\n8. Wash Daddy’s car ✓",[624,3016],{},"\n9. Go to the beach and build a sandcastle",[12,3019,3020,3023],{},[40,3021],{"alt":254,"src":3022},"/images/2017/06/bucket_and_spade_frugi_07-0556.jpg","##### ✓ Enjoying a picnic in the garden",[12,3025,3026],{},"As Little Fox is only 2 there are many things he has yet to do in life. The list doesn’t have to be big exotic things, it can be as simple as picking flowers or eating ice-cream. It’s all fun when you’re young.",[12,3028,3029,3032],{},[40,3030],{"alt":254,"src":3031},"/images/2017/06/bucket_and_spade_frugi_12-0220.jpg","##### ✓ First village carnival! – It was so exciting a nap was needed.",[12,3034,3035,3038],{},[40,3036],{"alt":254,"src":3037},"/images/2017/06/bucket_and_spade_frugi_13-0228.jpg","As you can see, we’ve already ticked off many of our list. Soon we’ll be going on that aeroplane, taking our Frugi threads with us, and compiling a whole new list of summer fun!",[12,3040,3041],{},"We can’t wait to continue our summer of fun. Having new experiences and introducing Little Fox to all things Summer.",[12,3043,3044],{},"You can find Little Foxes gorgeous outfits, and more, at the Frugi website. Why not print out their Bucket & Spade list and start ticking off your own adventures? We’d love to hear what you get up to!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3046},[3047],{"id":2989,"depth":1191,"text":2990},[267],"2017-06-21T13:19:00Z","Summer is finally here. As those longer days and lighter evenings set in we intend to make the most of it while we can! The lovely team at Frugi know all about summer fun and have asked us to write our very own Bucket & Spade List and start ticking them off.","10120",{},"Summer bucket and spade list with Frugi. Fun activities for toddlers including ice cream, picnics, carnival, beach trips, and washing Dad's car!","Summer Bucket & Spade List with Frugi Kids Clothes","/summer-ready-ticking-off-bucket-spade-list-frugi",{"title":2921,"description":3050},"summer-ready-ticking-off-bucket-spade-list-frugi","r4ocLT9shWiVrsYRLeSQ9Yj8egC4ATnb8utNsuPNjic",{"id":3060,"title":3061,"author":7,"body":3062,"category":3128,"cover":3074,"date":3129,"description":3066,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3130,"meta":3131,"meta_description":3132,"meta_title":3061,"navigation":275,"path":3133,"seo":3134,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3135,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3136},"posts/going-potty-train-huggies-pull-ups.md","Going on a potty train with Huggies Pull-Ups!",{"type":9,"value":3063,"toc":3126},[3064,3067,3075,3083,3086,3089,3097,3100,3103,3106,3109,3117,3120],[12,3065,3066],{},"The time has come. And I’m not sure I’m ready, but Little Fox is. I don’t think any parent will ever say they’re ready for the moment they need to start Potty Training. But it can’t be avoided. It’s time to make a start.",[12,3068,3069],{},[384,3070,3072],{"href":2322,"rel":3071},[388],[40,3073],{"alt":254,"src":3074},"/images/2017/05/huggies_pull_ups_01.jpg",[12,3076,3077,3078,3082],{},"With the help of Huggies® we’ll be following the 6 steps to potty training success which can be seen at ",[384,3079,3081],{"href":2322,"rel":3080},[388],"PottyTraining.co.uk"," Having shown showing signs for a while now it’s time we encouraged Little Fox to use the potty.",[12,3084,3085],{},"Although having talked about Potty Training he still thinks he’s going on a train.",[12,3087,3088],{},"Hopefully, he’ll get the idea once the nappies are off!",[12,3090,3091],{},[384,3092,3094],{"href":2322,"rel":3093},[388],[40,3095],{"alt":254,"src":3096},"/images/2017/05/huggies_pull_ups_02.jpg",[12,3098,3099],{},"We’ll be using Huggies® Pull-Ups® and teaching Little Fox ‘I feel, I do, I see’ to encourage his independence.",[12,3101,3102],{},"• Feeling of wetness – ‘I feel’ the unique learning layer briefly mimics the feeling of real wet underwear helping tots recognise that they have had an accident",[12,3104,3105],{},"• Super stretchy sides – ‘I do’ Super soft and stretchy sides let little hands practise pulling pants up and down",[12,3107,3108],{},"• Steering wheel/wetness indicator – ‘I see’ wetness indicator fades when wet encouraging tots to stay dry",[12,3110,3111],{},[384,3112,3114],{"href":2322,"rel":3113},[388],[40,3115],{"alt":254,"src":3116},"/images/2017/05/huggies_pull_ups_03.jpg",[12,3118,3119],{},"As official ambassadors, we’ll be sharing our potty training journey with you as we use the 6 Steps to Potty Training Sucess. Come back soon to see how we’re doing on our journey and see how we’re teaching Little Fox to use the potty!",[12,3121,3122,3123,2325],{},"For more tips on how you can start your potty training journey click the link to visit the ",[384,3124,2324],{"href":2322,"rel":3125},[388],{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3127},[],[267],"2017-06-13T09:00:00Z","10081",{},"Potty training journey with Huggies Pull-Ups. 6 steps to success with learning layers and wetness indicators. Tips for starting potty training.","/going-potty-train-huggies-pull-ups",{"title":3061,"description":3066},"going-potty-train-huggies-pull-ups","yDTgXHFiCa2NlhGdnz8EhIE0D9fkZ7r9Hy3313sZuzM",{"id":3138,"title":3139,"author":7,"body":3140,"category":3177,"cover":3149,"date":3178,"description":3144,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3179,"meta":3180,"meta_description":3181,"meta_title":3139,"navigation":275,"path":3182,"seo":3183,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3184,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3185},"posts/documenting-days-easy-way-skwibble.md","Documenting our days the easy way, with Skwibble",{"type":9,"value":3141,"toc":3175},[3142,3145,3151,3154,3160,3163,3169,3172],[12,3143,3144],{},"Let me introduce you to Skwibble. An app that lets you log those daily moments and store memories of your little one at your fingertips. Having been that first-time mummy who bought more than one baby record book, and failed to complete even one, I know it’s not easy to keep up.",[12,3146,3147,3150],{},[40,3148],{"alt":254,"src":3149},"/images/2017/05/skwibble_1.jpg","We start with the best of intentions, saving cute pieces of memorabilia from hospital bands to the first curl. I even kept the little plastic thing they use for the heel prick test, really. I kept it all. I’m pretty sure there is a crusty cord clamp somewhere too. Was I meant to wash that?",[12,3152,3153],{},"What I didn’t do was documenting, not properly. Finding the time once the baby becomes more demanding isn’t easy. Because we all know the first 3 months when they’re pretty chilled you’re watching Netflix or listening to podcasts. Not writing in baby books. No, you’re not. I wasn’t anyway. I watched Gossip Girl, all of it. Time well spent.",[12,3155,3156,3159],{},[40,3157],{"alt":254,"src":3158},"/images/2017/05/skwibble_2.jpg","Anyway. Skwibble allows you to jot down a few words and upload a picture in seconds. I’ve found myself making note of more things than ever, from us baking a cake to Little Fox having a hair cut. It’s all there and I’m able to do this within minutes. Before I go to sleep,I’ll pause for a moment and think, what did Little Fox do today? Aside from having 55 tantrums, what did we do? And make a little note of it. Sorted.",[12,3161,3162],{},"The advantage of a digital memory book is that it can be shared. I’m able to invite others to use the app by creating ‘playpens’. This allows grandparents and friends to view our daily ventures. Or I can add people such as his Daddy to contribute to our photo journal keeping everything in one place. I haven’t gotten around to this yet, but I’ll try it out eventually.",[12,3164,3165,3168],{},[40,3166],{"alt":254,"src":3167},"/images/2017/05/skwibble_3.jpg","Once you’ve added enough content, you can turn your memories into a personalised Story book.",[12,3170,3171],{},"I’m now able to look back on our little memories with ease. And can stop beating myself up about the stack of incomplete baby books I spent a small fortune on. Will I ever finish them now that I have Skwibble in my palm? Probably not.",[12,3173,3174],{},"For all of you new parents out there, put down the washi-tape and rainbow pens, stop stressing. Just search for Skwibble in the app store on ios or android and try it out for yourself. It’s free! And then you can resume spending maternity leave with Netflix and not feel guilty about it.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3176},[],[267],"2017-05-24T14:23:00Z","10069",{},"Skwibble app review. Digital baby memory book for logging daily moments, photos and milestones. Free iOS and Android app with shareable storybooks.","/documenting-days-easy-way-skwibble",{"title":3139,"description":3144},"documenting-days-easy-way-skwibble","bnLEKS0yneXDosCYGBp3xCA7-dfUQTqzneNJjWE64EE",{"id":3187,"title":3188,"author":7,"body":3189,"category":3261,"cover":3216,"date":3262,"description":3193,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3263,"meta":3264,"meta_description":3265,"meta_title":3188,"navigation":275,"path":3266,"seo":3267,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3268,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3269},"posts/yes-son-plays-dolls-rubens-barn-story.md","Yes, my son plays with dolls – Our Rubens Barn Story",{"type":9,"value":3190,"toc":3258},[3191,3194,3197,3203,3206,3212,3218,3224,3233,3239,3248,3251,3255],[12,3192,3193],{},"“No, you don’t want the dolly… ”",[12,3195,3196],{},"Hang on. Why wouldn’t he want the dolly and why does another mother feel it’s appropriate to tell my son otherwise? Because he’s a boy? Surely not. It’s 2017, where it’s natural to see and support stay at home dads, same-sex couples and gender equality is actually a thing! I wouldn’t want my son to see the world in any other way.",[12,3198,3199,3202],{},[40,3200],{"alt":254,"src":3201},"/images/2017/05/rubens_barn_03-1-of-1.jpg","Of course, not everyone has this outlook towards gender stereotyping, thank goodness. But sometimes I just want to scream, wake up! These children are the future and it’s our duty to raise them to be kind hearted, caring, open-minded human beings.",[12,3204,3205],{},"Little Fox loves nothing more than pushing a pink pushchair around the church hall at toddler group. Sometimes he places a baby in there, other times he chooses to push around cars or trains. And it isn’t uncommon for another mum to try and take it from him for their little girl. Would they do the same if he was a girl? Because being female gives them the right to have that particular toy? I think not.",[12,3207,3208,3211],{},[40,3209],{"alt":254,"src":3210},"/images/2017/05/rubens_barn_05-1-of-1.jpg","Encouraging Little Fox to explore and have the freedom to make his own decisions we decided to give him his own baby. I want him to feel he can play with dolls whenever and wherever he likes. Not just at nursery or playgroup where they happen to have them. Sorry girls, you’ll have to start sharing those dolls. But in his own home, without other parents judging and questioning our choices.",[12,3213,3214,3217],{},[40,3215],{"alt":254,"src":3216},"/images/2017/05/rubens_barn_06-1-of-1.jpg","I’m all about letting toys be toys because if my son wants to play with a doll there is nothing wrong with that. He has a play kitchen and serves me tea and cake on a daily basis which I love. And if his female friends want to visit and play diggers, football or trains then they’re welcome!",[12,3219,3220,3223],{},[40,3221],{"alt":254,"src":3222},"/images/2017/05/rubens_barn_01-1-of-1.jpg","Little Fox’s doll is a Rubens Barn Baby, handmade in Sweden it’s a beautiful introduction to dolls. As we’re considering adding to our family I think it’s important he learns more about babies and playing dolls is a great way to do this.",[12,3225,3226,3227,3232],{},"Our Rubens Baby is Erik on the ",[384,3228,3231],{"href":3229,"rel":3230},"https://www.rubensbarn.com/",[388],"Rubens Barn"," website. Little Fox has decided to rename him Cruise, I have no idea why, but again, it’s his decision. Upon opening the doll he was really excited, shouting “My dolly!” and their friendship has only become stronger since. From bedtime cuddles, to feeding time and pushing his baby around the house our Rubens Baby is a welcome addition to the family.",[12,3234,3235,3238],{},[40,3236],{"alt":254,"src":3237},"/images/2017/05/rubens_barn_04-1-of-1.jpg","I particularly love the dolls for their attention to detail and quality. The Baby dolls are anatomically correct, that’s right, our doll has all the features of a real baby. He even has a tongue! But as they’re a soft fabric and not hard plastic like most dolls he’s also super soft and cuddly. Teaching children to care and allowing gender equality is what Rubens Barn are all about and we love them for it.",[12,3240,3241],{},[384,3242,3245],{"href":3243,"rel":3244},"https://www.facebook.com/RubensBarn/",[388],[40,3246],{"alt":254,"src":3247},"/images/2017/05/17880478_1306886772737931_7211400997098495130_o.jpg",[12,3249,3250],{},"Rubens Barn are currently hosting a series of competitions from now until the 2nd of June for new and existing fans to win their own Rubens dolls. If you love Rubens Barn or want the chance to experience their dolls too, make sure you head over to their Facebook and Instagram to take part.",[19,3252,3254],{"id":3253},"rubensbarnstory","#RUBENSBARNSTORY",[12,3256,3257],{},"Check back soon for more on the adventures of Little Fox and his Rubens Baby!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3259},[3260],{"id":3253,"depth":255,"text":3254},[267],"2017-05-03T07:00:00Z","10013",{},"Boys playing with dolls and breaking gender stereotypes. Rubens Barn Baby review. Handmade Swedish dolls promoting nurturing play for all children.","/yes-son-plays-dolls-rubens-barn-story",{"title":3188,"description":3193},"yes-son-plays-dolls-rubens-barn-story","jU3ZaHqSrxJ1FiA-LKlp_RzaXAMtj88gxK-tVIZSb9w",{"id":3271,"title":3272,"author":7,"body":3273,"category":3310,"cover":825,"date":3311,"description":3312,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3313,"meta":3314,"meta_description":3315,"meta_title":3272,"navigation":275,"path":3316,"seo":3317,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3318,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3319},"posts/5-things-they-didnt-tell-me-about-post-pregnancy.md","5 things they didn’t tell me about post pregnancy",{"type":9,"value":3274,"toc":3308},[3275,3281,3284,3287,3305],[12,3276,3277,3278,3280],{},"ol li { margin-bottom: 1.5em; }",[624,3279],{},"Aside from sleepless nights, cluster feeding and the avoidable poonami there are some things nobody told me would happen after I had my baby. It wasn’t in the books, and I wasn’t prepared for some of the surprises!",[12,3282,3283],{},"I’d no longer be a pregnant whale waddling everywhere. Instead, I’d be rocking a jelly belly and dark circles.",[12,3285,3286],{},"Here are 5 of the things I wish I’d known before;",[3288,3289,3290,3293,3296,3299,3302],"ol",{},[54,3291,3292],{},"Stretch marks – I naively thought I’d made it through 9 months of pregnancy unscathed and stretch mark free. It turns out they can appear postpartum. I only had a few but it was more than I’d prepared myself for.",[54,3294,3295],{},"It’s not like the movies – Guests weren’t banging down our door with home cooked meals and offerings of help. Some came to visit but I still felt I had to scrub the house first and pop the kettle on to be a good host. When in reality I’d have preferred to stay in my PJs and go back to bed.",[54,3297,3298],{},"Blood clots – The morning after giving birth I thought I’d lost an organ! It turns out passing blood clots, some really flippin’ huge ones, is totally normal. Had I of known this I might have panicked less thinking my liver was in my knickers. Maybe they should tell us about this in advance?",[54,3300,3301],{},"The first poo – It’s so scary you feel like you’re going to give birth all over again. Try to relax, that means don’t take any children with you if it can be avoided. Take a warm bath first.",[54,3303,3304],{},"Postpartum hair loss – Post pregnancy hair loss is normal, but nobody told me!",[12,3306,3307],{},"Did you have any postpartum surprises you wish somebody had told you about? We’d love to know, share them in the comments below!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3309},[],[267,1193],"2017-03-21T14:18:00Z","ol li { margin-bottom: 1.5em; }Aside from sleepless nights, cluster feeding and the avoidable poonami there are some things nobody told me would happen after I had my baby. It wasn’t in the books, and I wasn’t prepared for some of the surprises!","9919",{},"5 postpartum surprises nobody tells you about. Honest advice on stretch marks, blood clots, first bowel movement, hair loss, and postnatal reality checks.","/5-things-they-didnt-tell-me-about-post-pregnancy",{"title":3272,"description":3312},"5-things-they-didnt-tell-me-about-post-pregnancy","2Tut3xCYaV_FPIp0KTSIIcwVd_T71MDmZ8LCBDsFiqc",{"id":3321,"title":3322,"author":7,"body":3323,"category":3380,"cover":3381,"date":3382,"description":3329,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3383,"meta":3384,"meta_description":3385,"meta_title":3322,"navigation":275,"path":3386,"seo":3387,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3388,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3389},"posts/extraordinary-moments-den-building-cow-gate.md","Our extraordinary moments; Den building with Cow & Gate",{"type":9,"value":3324,"toc":3378},[3325,3330,3333,3338,3341,3352,3359,3362,3365,3368],[12,3326,3327],{},[241,3328,3329],{},"This is an advertorial post in collaboration with Cow & Gate Growing Up Milk.",[12,3331,3332],{},"Toddlers see the world in completely different light to us. It’s filled with adventure, excitement and fun. Although each day comes with its challenges. I like to make every day activities an adventure, because every day is an adventure when you’re a one year old.",[12,3334,3335],{},[40,3336],{"alt":254,"src":3337},"/images/2017/03/danone_cow_and_gate_adventure_02.jpg",[12,3339,3340],{},"A favourite activity of ours is building secret dens. Taylor loves to hide under blankets. Whether he’s playing peek-a-boo or simply refusing to get dressed for nursery. These every day moments can be turned around with a little creativity. However difficult it may be to dress a toddler with your head buried under a duvet. It’s also a great way to keep little ones entertained and spend quality time together. Best of all it’s the perfect indoor activity for rainy days. Taylor loves hiding out in a makeshift den, pretending we’re on an adventure.",[12,3342,3343,3344,3351],{},"Using the Cow & Gate Growing Up Milk ",[135,3345,3346],{},[384,3347,3350],{"href":3348,"rel":3349},"https://moments.cowandgate.co.uk/",[388],"ExtraordinaryMoments website",", we’ve been able to create a personalised story book so we can relive our adventures every day. It’s simple to use and creates a beautiful keepsake story that we can look back on to remember the days our boy wanted to hide under a duvet with us. As we all know these days don’t last forever.",[12,3353,3354],{},[241,3355,3356],{},[40,3357],{"alt":254,"src":3358},"/images/2017/03/danone_cow_and_gate_adventure_01.jpg",[12,3360,3361],{},"Have you ever spent the afternoon looking for wild animals from the comfort of your own home? Camping in the rainforest or keeping shelter whilst in the North Pole? It’s more fun than you might think. Put on your comfiest clothes, grab a large blanket, and a torch. That’s it, you’re all set for an extraordinary indoor adventure. You could even have a picnic, this goes down a treat when you have a cosy den to sit inside. Just make sure those pesky wild animals don’t sneak in and pinch any!",[12,3363,3364],{},"Magical den adventures are also perfect at bed time. A nice way to wind down and relax together. Using our torch as the moonlight we can cuddle up under the blanket and read a story. We also create shadow puppets on the wall which always make us giggle. Animals are our favourite, especially when you have to create the sounds too.",[12,3366,3367],{},"A lovely way to end the day.",[12,3369,3370,3371,3377],{},"Why not create your own magical adventures using the Cow & Gate Growing Up Milk ",[135,3372,3373],{},[384,3374,3376],{"href":3348,"rel":3375},[388],"Extraordinary Moments story builder","? From sailing the seven seas to a mission on the moon, you can do it all with a little imagination!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3379},[],[267],"/images/2017/03/danone_cow_and_gate_adventure_04.jpg","2017-03-16T14:19:00Z","9847",{},"Indoor den building with toddlers: Creating extraordinary moments and personalised storybooks with Cow & Gate. Imaginative rainy day play.","/extraordinary-moments-den-building-cow-gate",{"title":3322,"description":3329},"extraordinary-moments-den-building-cow-gate","9C97a8nVivNFQ3KKM0jfDQLUVrV_5USfM7LfPt91R4k",{"id":3391,"title":3392,"author":7,"body":3393,"category":3436,"cover":3437,"date":3438,"description":3397,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3439,"meta":3440,"meta_description":3441,"meta_title":3392,"navigation":275,"path":3442,"seo":3443,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3444,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3445},"posts/antibiotic-resistance-opting-pharmacy.md","Antibiotic resistance and opting for the pharmacy",{"type":9,"value":3394,"toc":3434},[3395,3398,3401,3404,3407,3410,3419,3422,3425],[12,3396,3397],{},"From being a few months old our little one has suffered from multiple ear infections. Something that has always been treated with antibiotics. At 2 years old he’s already had 4 rounds of antibiotics for various infections. This seems like a lot for someone so young, I’m always reluctant to take antibiotics unless it’s truly necessary.",[12,3399,3400],{},"Research shows that over the years antibiotics have become less effective as we become immune to them. Inappropriate use of antibiotics is causing a global epidemic of antibiotic resistance, one in four people in the north west haven’t heard of antibiotic resistance.",[12,3402,3403],{},"If someone takes antibiotics unnecessarily they are less likely to work when needed. They can also pass on antibiotic resistant bacteria to loved ones.",[12,3405,3406],{},"Having found that antibiotic resistance is on the rise, and the ongoing struggle the NHS is having to accommodate everyone, we’ve been taking on board NHS advice. By being more aware as to when a GP visit is actually needed we’re reducing the strain on the national health service.",[12,3408,3409],{},"If a GP visit isn’t necessary you can always speak to your Pharmacist to seek advice. This is something we have started to do more often. Although you must take into account the patients age. We opted to visit the pharmacist when Taylor had conjunctivitis and they couldn’t prescribe him the eye drops as he was under 2 years old.",[12,3411,3412,3413,3418],{},"Or, if more convenient, online at places such as ",[384,3414,3417],{"href":3415,"rel":3416},"https://www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/conditions",[388],"The Independent Pharmacy",". You can speak to a pharmacist or look up specific conditions and find the best solution to your problem online as well as purchase medication just as you would in store.",[12,3420,3421],{},"Taking into account that not all illnesses need prescription medication, and that some prescriptions can be given by a pharmacist, using valuable time at the GP can often be overkill.",[12,3423,3424],{},"We’re making an effort as a family to be more conscious of when a prescription is needed and refusing antibiotics where necessary. Because it turns out taking them too often or for unnecessary reasons actually does us more harm than it does good!",[12,3426,3427,3428,3433],{},"For further information on antibiotic resistance please visit ",[384,3429,3432],{"href":3430,"rel":3431},"http://www.nhs.uk/antibiotics2017",[388],"nhs.uk/keepantibioticsworking"," or search NHS Antibiotics online.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3435},[],[267],"/images/2016/04/pacifi_dummy_thermometer_01.jpg","2017-03-06T19:35:00Z","9807",{},"Antibiotic resistance and using pharmacies instead of GPs. Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in children. NHS advice on when antibiotics are truly necessary.","/antibiotic-resistance-opting-pharmacy",{"title":3392,"description":3397},"antibiotic-resistance-opting-pharmacy","AXwYnJVAVrYqg16bTz0IfBhhxO8gShq37IOz1pKipq0",{"id":3447,"title":3448,"author":7,"body":3449,"category":3493,"cover":3494,"date":3495,"description":3453,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3496,"meta":3497,"meta_description":3498,"meta_title":3448,"navigation":275,"path":3499,"seo":3500,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3501,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3502},"posts/whats-parenting-super-power.md","What’s your parenting super power?",{"type":9,"value":3450,"toc":3491},[3451,3454,3457,3460,3463,3466,3469,3472,3480],[12,3452,3453],{},"I’m a tower building, nursery rhyme singing full time working mum, what’s your super power?",[12,3455,3456],{},"Superheroes are known to wear a disguise. But what about your every day superheroes? Those who have amazing talents but don’t realise just how good they are?",[12,3458,3459],{},"I like to think we all have a special power. Whether that be the ability to wrangle a multitude of children each day or simply keep on top of the laundry! You may find that some things come easier to you than they do others.",[12,3461,3462],{},"I’m able to write a magazine column one handed whilst breastfeeding a toddler and drinking a cup of tea. If I had a superhero name it would probably be something ridiculous. Like the ‘Milk maid’ I feel as though I’m constantly trying to juggle 2 jobs and the house around a Milk obsessed 2 year old. Who also wants to play trains, stickers and paint all day long.",[12,3464,3465],{},"You’d think it would be exhausting but it’s started to become our ‘normal’ it’s a natural part of our day. I multitask the sh*t out of our daily routine, because I wouldn’t get anything done if I didn’t!",[12,3467,3468],{},"npower have sent Peter and Emily Andre off around the country to seek out unique individuals who are parenting with amazing superpowers – people with upbeat, interesting and engaging stories related to caring for babies and/or young children.",[12,3470,3471],{},"From the parents of quadruplets and twins who can handle several bedtimes at once, to a nursery owner and parent who has perfected the tricky skill of getting young children to eat their greens, these heart-warming and inspiring stories will work as a springboard to celebrate the amazing superpowers that all parents possess – and hopefully help them hone a few more!",[12,3473,3474,3475],{},"Now you’ve heard all about my Parenting Super Powers. Check out the nation’s other super powered parents and families at ",[384,3476,3479],{"href":3477,"rel":3478},"http://www.familysuperpowers.com",[388],"www.familysuperpowers.com",[12,3481,3482],{},[241,3483,3484,3485,3490],{},"I am a member of the ",[384,3486,3489],{"href":3487,"rel":3488},"http://www.mumsnet.com/bloggers-network",[388],"Mumsnet Bloggers Panel",", a group of parent bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for Mumsnet. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity. I have received a voucher as a token of thanks for this post.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3492},[],[267],"/images/2017/03/super_power_npower_cover.jpg","2017-03-02T10:53:00Z","9803",{},"What's your parenting super power? Celebrating everyday parent superheroes. From multitasking mums to quadruplet wranglers. npower campaign.","/whats-parenting-super-power",{"title":3448,"description":3453},"whats-parenting-super-power","adOhcx3iriUP_c82r7uDsye3GIHJOEuo7KnKqalv1H8",{"id":3504,"title":3505,"author":7,"body":3506,"category":3549,"cover":3550,"date":3551,"description":3510,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3552,"meta":3553,"meta_description":3554,"meta_title":3555,"navigation":275,"path":3556,"seo":3557,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3558,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3559},"posts/calmer-approach-parenting-experience-huggies-wipes-ambassadors.md","A calmer approach to parenting – Our experience as Huggies Wipes Ambassadors",{"type":9,"value":3507,"toc":3547},[3508,3511,3514,3522,3527,3530,3533,3536,3544],[12,3509,3510],{},"I’ve always been prepared to take on anything life throws at me. I see myself as level headed and able to take on a challenge, but parenting. Parenting is hard.",[12,3512,3513],{},"Becoming a mum is a truly amazing experience. It’s hard work, but worth every second. What’s harder is not having your own mum there to guide you. Somebody to help you along the way and teach you the things she did with you as a baby. Nobody to pick up the phone and answer those vital questions when they won’t stop screaming or to simply tell you how well you’re doing. To tell you you’ve got this and things will get better. That’s hard.",[12,3515,3516,3517,3521],{},"As you may know for the past 6 months Taylor and I have been ",[384,3518,3520],{"href":3519},"/expert-advice-huggies-wipes-baby-bonding-expert","ambassadors"," for Huggies Wipes. We’ve also had access to a variety of industry professionals throughout our ambassadorship. Having the opportunity to ask experts Natalie Lee (midwife) and Gayle Berry (baby bonding expert) our questions has been of great benefit to us.",[12,3523,3524,3526],{},[40,3525],{"alt":254,"src":825},"I’ve learn’t how to make change time a fun experience with Taylor. Something which used to be a daily struggle for us is now a simple task. Tickling tiny toes and hearing your baby roar with laughter at a time that was once full of tears and tantrums. I would say it’s a delight but you know their isn’t much delight in a dirty nappy!",[12,3528,3529],{},"Our ambassadorship has been an incredible experience. It’s given me an immeasurable amount of confidence when it comes to maintaining a strong bond with my Taylor. It’s given me the confidence to pick up my camera and vlog instead of always hiding behind a keyboard. The ability to stay strong and tackle everything motherhood has to throw at me.",[12,3531,3532],{},"Seeing how far Taylor and I have come throughout our ambassadorship amazes me. I feel I’ve become a lot more relaxed and started to take a calmer approach to parenting.",[12,3534,3535],{},"Thank you to Huggies for helping us on our journey to better bonding. Next stop, Potty Training! Aaaaaaah.",[12,3537,3538,3539],{},"You can find our more about Huggies wipes at ",[384,3540,3543],{"href":3541,"rel":3542},"https://www.huggieswipes.co.uk/",[388],"HuggiesWipes.co.uk",[12,3545,3546],{},"*This post is in collaboration with Huggies as part of our ambassadorship, all views and opinions are our own.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3548},[],[267],"/images/2016/08/huggies_wipes_bonding_cover.jpg","2017-01-05T22:33:00Z","9662",{},"A calmer approach to parenting. Our experience as Huggies Wipes ambassadors with expert advice on baby bonding, nappy changes, and building confidence.","A Calmer Approach to Parenting | Huggies Wipes Review","/calmer-approach-parenting-experience-huggies-wipes-ambassadors",{"title":3505,"description":3510},"calmer-approach-parenting-experience-huggies-wipes-ambassadors","fViGHNLxrSAeaGODnJtkrGYysNLCcXT6rbo4_CW39wU",{"id":3561,"title":3562,"author":7,"body":3563,"category":3619,"cover":3620,"date":3621,"description":3622,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3623,"meta":3624,"meta_description":3625,"meta_title":3562,"navigation":275,"path":3626,"seo":3627,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3628,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3629},"posts/5-flexible-work-home-jobs-mums.md","5 Flexible Work-from-Home Jobs for Mums",{"type":9,"value":3564,"toc":3617},[3565,3576,3579,3585,3591,3597,3603],[12,3566,3567,3568,3575],{},"Working from home is now a very popular way for moms to be able to stay at home while earning at the same time. It provides the possibility to take care of the family and maintain an income without having to leave the home. Making use of the Internet and mobile technology, moms who are interested to work from home can do so comfortably. To find the perfect work from home job, you can start searching on Google or even through networking to find some good deals and even create new contacts. Furthermore, you can find ",[135,3569,3570],{},[384,3571,3574],{"href":3572,"rel":3573},"http://uk.jobrapido.com/",[388],"a lot of new job vacancies on sites like Jobrapido"," that provides you many offers from freelance to part – time jobs that you can do remotely and on your own time.",[12,3577,3578],{},"Now here are some of the most flexible work-from-home jobs for moms are the following:",[12,3580,3581,3584],{},[135,3582,3583],{},"1. Freelance Writing"," – If you have good writing and research skills, this job is ideal. You can accept projects that range from blog writing, article or news writing, press releases or even copywriting. You can schedule your writing tasks according to your available time. You neither have to leave your house to do this job. Pay is usually per word or per article. Some companies pay a really good sum for great writing skills.",[12,3586,3587,3590],{},[135,3588,3589],{},"2. Teaching or Tutoring"," – If you have a teaching background, you can easily do this through the use of Skype, for instance. You can teach anything from language, music, or other school subjects that you might be good at. There is good income in this kind of job. As an example, you can gain enough money for teaching an hour of English to, say, Chinese or Japanese school children. You can do this part-time or depending on your availability.",[12,3592,3593,3596],{},[135,3594,3595],{},"3. Mystery Shopping"," – Also known as secret shopping, this kind of job requires a person to experience a service or a brand by making phone calls, visiting the shop or doing online assessments. You will then be required to complete an online survey to give a detailed information of your experience as a customer. This is usually undercover work but can also be done openly. Jobs can be found with individual retail outlets, restaurants, banks, and even mobile companies.",[12,3598,3599,3602],{},[135,3600,3601],{},"4. Homebased Office Work"," – This usually involves office skills such as data entry, virtual assistant, computer work, Photoshop and other tasks that are usually done in an office. Many companies hire remote workers who can help them complete tasks. Usually, these jobs are outsourced overseas to allow for lower prices. However, these skills are always handy and many employers are always on the lookout for people who have the necessary skills or training.",[12,3604,3605,3608,3609,3616],{},[135,3606,3607],{},"5. Social Media Evaluator"," – If you are active on social media sites such as ",[135,3610,3611],{},[384,3612,3615],{"href":3613,"rel":3614},"https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/pinterest-or-instagram-for-business",[388],"Instagram and Pinterest",", then you can gain from this. You can be a social media evaluator with the task of improving the relevancy of the newsfeed of a global social media client. This kind of work usually requires one to four hours a day. Moms with strong communication skills and a high-speed Internet connection will find this a perfect job to do at home.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3618},[],[267],"/images/2016/12/work-from-home.jpg","2016-12-29T09:52:00Z","Working from home is now a very popular way for moms to be able to stay at home while earning at the same time. It provides the possibility to take care of the family and maintain an income without having to leave the home. Making use of the Internet and mobile technology, moms who are interested to work from home can do so comfortably. To find the perfect work from home job, you can start searching on Google or even through networking to find some good deals and even create new contacts. Furthermore, you can find a lot of new job vacancies on sites like Jobrapido that provides you many offers from freelance to part – time jobs that you can do remotely and on your own time.","9655",{},"5 flexible work-from-home jobs for mums: Freelance writing, tutoring, mystery shopping, virtual assistant, and social media evaluator roles.","/5-flexible-work-home-jobs-mums",{"title":3562,"description":3622},"5-flexible-work-home-jobs-mums","Q7Y0pcDbgSgHE07EW5pGPnicScJnUpq_ylRTzBVbTkU",{"id":3631,"title":3632,"author":7,"body":3633,"category":3702,"cover":3703,"date":3704,"description":3705,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3706,"meta":3707,"meta_description":3708,"meta_title":3632,"navigation":275,"path":3709,"seo":3710,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3711,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3712},"posts/pushchairs-prosecco-stokke-back-action.md","Pushchairs and Prosecco with Stokke at Back in Action",{"type":9,"value":3634,"toc":3700},[3635,3646,3649,3652,3659,3662,3665,3672,3679,3682,3689,3692],[12,3636,3637,3638,3645],{},"Last week saw me day tripping to London for various reasons. One of which was to pop in and see our lovely friends at ",[135,3639,3640],{},[384,3641,3644],{"href":3642,"rel":3643},"https://www.stokke.com/GBR/en-gb/home",[388],"Stokke",". It also involved prosecco, canapés and macarons. It was as amazing as it sounds.",[12,3647,3648],{},"Stopping by London’s Back in Action branch; Stokke’s flagship London store. I was able to see all things Stokke under one roof. Now that’s a thing of beauty.",[12,3650,3651],{},"Stokke fast became a favourite of ours the moment their Tripp Trapp Chair entered our home. It brought with it elegance, style and most importantly, functionality. We have since been testing out the Stokke Trailz all-terrain stroller; Which I will tell you all about next week!",[12,3653,3654,3658],{},[40,3655],{"alt":3656,"src":3657},"stokke_back_in_action_event_02","/images/2016/10/stokke_back_in_action_event_02.jpg","The event gave me the chance to have a closer look at what the brand has to offer. From the Scoot stroller, which comes in a gorgeous racing print. Which had me dreaming of New York. To the infamous Stokke Xplory. Their isn’t a Stokke stroller that I don’t like!",[12,3660,3661],{},"I’ve always been in two minds about the Stokke Xplory, Is it for me? I didn’t think so. Having demonstrated it’s many features with David at Back in Action, I’ve found myself lusting after it. I also love the Scoot as it still feels robust but is more portable! Plus that yellow is stunning; Wouldn’t you agree?",[12,3663,3664],{},"I’m now contemplating investing in a Xplory chassis or a Scoot. That’s another great benefit to the Stokke stroller range. The seat unit fits onto the chassis of multiple strollers; excluding the Scoot. You could have one seat and two chassis’ and alternate – That’s If you’d only ever use one at a time.",[12,3666,3667,3671],{},[40,3668],{"alt":3669,"src":3670},"stokke_back_in_action_event_04","/images/2016/10/stokke_back_in_action_event_04.jpg","The Stokke store has an entire section dedicated to accessories too, this was my favourite. You can find everything from Tripp Trapp Cushions to Foot muffs and cup holders. I styled my Stokke in minutes. – A stunning sheepskin liner, grey melange Foot Muff, and a gorgeous grey melange changing bag to match. I hope Father Christmas knows where the Stokke store is!",[12,3673,3674,3678],{},[40,3675],{"alt":3676,"src":3677},"stokke_back_in_action_event_03","/images/2016/10/stokke_back_in_action_event_03.jpg","I recently wrote an article about pushchairs and how I might be turning into one of those mums who is pushchair obsessed. I might actually have Stokke-Syndrome. It’s a real thing. You Stokke Lovers knows what I’m talking about.",[12,3680,3681],{},"Had Taylor of been with me at the event I’m sure he’d have been testing everything out. Earlier this year we took him to see Stokke at the baby show where he became rather attached to the Stokke Home bed. Who can blame him? It’s a tent bed! They also have these in the London store, another favourite of ours.",[12,3683,3684,3688],{},[40,3685],{"alt":3686,"src":3687},"stokke_back_in_action_event_05","/images/2016/10/stokke_back_in_action_event_05.jpg","When we were first introduced to Stokke as a brand I found we had to visit different retailers in order to see their vast collection of products. Having the ability to see it all in one store is fantastic.",[12,3690,3691],{},"If you’re looking for that perfect pushchair. A high chair that can be used from birth through to adult hood. Or nursery furniture that grows with your child. I’d recommend paying them a visit.",[12,3693,3694,3695,396],{},"Back in Action Marylebone is Stokke’s flagship London store. Find out more at ",[384,3696,3699],{"href":3697,"rel":3698},"http://www.backinaction.co.uk/",[388],"www.backinaction.co.uk",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3701},[],[267],"/images/2016/10/stokke_back_in_action_event_01.jpg","2016-10-02T22:55:00Z","Last week saw me day tripping to London for various reasons. One of which was to pop in and see our lovely friends at Stokke. It also involved prosecco, canapés and macarons. It was as amazing as it sounds.","9388",{},"Stokke event at Back in Action Marylebone, London flagship store. Exploring Xplory, Scoot, and Trailz pushchairs plus accessories. Stokke collection showcase.","/pushchairs-prosecco-stokke-back-action",{"title":3632,"description":3705},"pushchairs-prosecco-stokke-back-action","5QzwcShuOul_j9j3hVZqFhZWa-Z5clHxQXWtWZIGT0c",{"id":3714,"title":3715,"author":7,"body":3716,"category":3778,"cover":3779,"date":3780,"description":3722,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3781,"meta":3782,"meta_description":3783,"meta_title":3715,"navigation":275,"path":3784,"seo":3785,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3786,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3787},"posts/win-bundle-huggies-pure-wipes.md","Win a Bundle of HUGGIES Pure Wipes for you and baby!",{"type":9,"value":3717,"toc":3776},[3718,3723,3726,3731,3734,3737,3740,3747,3752,3759,3768,3773],[12,3719,3720],{},[135,3721,3722],{},"HUGGIES Wipes play a large role in our daily life, from wiping up spills and meal time mess to nappy changes they’re an everyday essential. In recent weeks Taylor’s level of independence has grown so much. As soon as he needs his nappy changing he will bring his mat and wipes to you announcing “I need” – His way of saying he needs to be changed – before setting himself up on the mat and handing you a wipe. It’s very cute; And I think the new year is going to see us taking the path to Potty Training.",[12,3724,3725],{},"Unlike other wipes, HUGGIES are made with gentle natural fibres. They’re kind and soft on baby’s delicate skin, and absorb more messes with less effort.",[12,3727,3728],{},[40,3729],{"alt":3730,"src":825},"huggies_wipes_bonding_feet",[12,3732,3733],{},"Made with 99% pure water and are free from nasties such as alcohol, phenoxyethanol and parabens. They are Hypoallergenic and clinically tested, safe for even the most delicate skin.",[12,3735,3736],{},"HUGGIES Pure Wipes help to ensure your baby’s skin is left feeling naturally clean and healthy, transforming baby change-time into a special moment to bond with your baby.",[12,3738,3739],{},"HUGGIES Wipes are teaming up with Leelee Loves to offer one lucky winner a prize bundle of HUGGIES Wipes to keep you and your little one stocked up for any little accidents that need gently cleaned away.",[12,3741,3742,3746],{},[40,3743],{"alt":3744,"src":3745},"huggies_pure_wipes","/images/2016/09/huggies_pure_wipes.png","To enter simply comment below with your answer to the following question, don’t forget to enter via the below gleam box too!",[3288,3748,3749],{},[54,3750,3751],{},"What is the most important thing to you when it comes to a wipe?",[12,3753,3754],{},[384,3755,3758],{"href":3756,"rel":3757},"https://gleam.io/ABBi7/win-a-bundle-of-huggies-wipes",[388],"Win a bundle of HUGGIES® Wipes",[12,3760,3761,3762,3767],{},"Visit ",[384,3763,3766],{"href":3764,"rel":3765},"http://www.huggieswipes.co.uk",[388],"www.huggieswipes.co.uk"," to find the full range of HUGGIES Wipes.",[12,3769,3770],{},[135,3771,3772],{},"Terms and conditions:",[12,3774,3775],{},"This prize is non-transferable, cannot be exchanged and no cash alternative will be offered",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3777},[],[267],"/images/2016/08/huggies_wipes_bonding_cover-3.jpg","2016-09-30T13:54:00Z","9378",{},"Win a bundle of Huggies Pure Wipes. Made with 99% pure water, natural fibres, alcohol-free, paraben-free. Hypoallergenic and gentle on delicate baby skin.","/win-bundle-huggies-pure-wipes",{"title":3715,"description":3722},"win-bundle-huggies-pure-wipes","CtQh8VkywNB7LvVmuK93KC1sPbq6NJTSrx-S4N5J8LY",{"id":3789,"title":3790,"author":7,"body":3791,"category":3867,"cover":3868,"date":3869,"description":3795,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3870,"meta":3871,"meta_description":3872,"meta_title":3790,"navigation":275,"path":3873,"seo":3874,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3875,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3876},"posts/healthy-nutritional-weaning-piccolo.md","Healthy nutritional weaning and snacking on the go with Piccolo",{"type":9,"value":3792,"toc":3865},[3793,3796,3803,3810,3817,3824,3836,3839,3842,3845,3852,3855,3858],[12,3794,3795],{},"Piccolo is an organic Mediterranean brand of baby food pouches. Encouraging a way of eating which is naturally full of superfoods, crammed with vegetables, pulses, dairy, whole grains, fish & good, mono-unsaturated fats like olive oil.",[12,3797,3798,3802],{},[40,3799],{"alt":3800,"src":3801},"my_little_piccolo_pouch_3","/images/2016/09/my_little_piccolo_pouch_3.jpg","Piccolo, which is italian for Little, was started by Cat who believes in good nutritional food for children. All children, which is why she also began The Food Education Foundation providing advise and guidance to parents. 10% of profits from Piccolo pouches goes to food education charities to teach parents about healthy eating.",[12,3804,3805,3809],{},[40,3806],{"alt":3807,"src":3808},"piccolo_04","/images/2016/09/piccolo_04.jpg","Unlike other baby food brands Piccolo aren’t afraid to be bold in the flavours they offer. With flavours such as Squash, Red Pepper & Chickpea to Spring Greens with a hint of Mint for main meals they aren’t your average baby meals. I’ve tasted these pouches myself and they’re delicious. Some baby foods would make you grimace . I like to think if I wouldn’t eat it, then why should they?",[12,3811,3812,3816],{},[40,3813],{"alt":3814,"src":3815},"piccolo_02","/images/2016/09/piccolo_02.jpg","They also offer a selection of tasty fruit pouches including Bannana Blueberry and Apple and our favourite Cherry & Yoghurt, amongst others, for after dinner or snacking on the go. Your little Piccolo won’t get bored anytime soon.",[12,3818,3819,3823],{},[40,3820],{"alt":3821,"src":3822},"my_little_piccolo_pouch_2","/images/2016/09/my_little_piccolo_pouch_2.jpg","It’s not just about the flavours though, another thing I love is the fact these meals come in pouches. Many baby meals come in pouches these days and they’re not only convenient but they offer multiple ways of serving meals.",[12,3825,3826,3830,3833,3835],{},[40,3827],{"alt":3828,"src":3829},"piccolo_01","/images/2016/09/piccolo_01.jpg",[135,3831,3832],{},"Our favourite ways to use Piccolo pouches –",[624,3834],{},"\n• On the go – Straight from the pouch, suck it like a straw.",[12,3837,3838],{},"• In a dish, shaped like a fish (no, really. His dish is fish shaped)",[12,3840,3841],{},"• Spooning – Directly from the pouch these are perfect for squeezing onto a spoon in the early stages of weaning and perfect for eating out.",[12,3843,3844],{},"• From frozen – Pop a fruit pouch directly in the freezer and smush it into a slush or serve it as an ice lolly, either from the pouch or in a lolly mould. Perfect for teething!",[12,3846,3847,3851],{},[40,3848],{"alt":3849,"src":3850},"my_little_piccolo_pouch_1","/images/2016/09/my_little_piccolo_pouch_1.jpg","So far Taylor loves Piccolo pouches, and so do I. They’re our go to for popping into the changing bag whenever we’re heading out somewhere and a perfect nutritional snack for on the go.",[12,3853,3854],{},"I’m very particular about the foods I give to Taylor, I was one of those home made purée mums for the first few months of weaning, before returning to work sucked up all of my time. Had Piccolo been available to us then I’d have been happy to have them as a part of our weaning journey.",[12,3856,3857],{},"If you want to get your hand on tasty piccolo pouches to try yourself you can find them at the following stockists –",[12,3859,3860,3864],{},[40,3861],{"alt":3862,"src":3863},"piccolo_stockists","/images/2016/09/piccolo_stockists.png","Let us know which flavour you love the most!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3866},[],[267],"/images/2016/09/piccolo_header_2.gif","2016-09-20T21:59:00Z","9280",{},"Piccolo organic baby food review: Mediterranean-inspired pouches with vegetables, pulses, and olive oil. Bold weaning flavours. 10% to charity.","/healthy-nutritional-weaning-piccolo",{"title":3790,"description":3795},"healthy-nutritional-weaning-piccolo","lNH90PSxikOwk73hLAUV_6X2-V5BPe2cO3H1c6yEMUg",{"id":3878,"title":3879,"author":7,"body":3880,"category":3926,"cover":3927,"date":3928,"description":3884,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":3929,"meta":3930,"meta_description":3931,"meta_title":3879,"navigation":275,"path":3932,"seo":3933,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":3934,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":3935},"posts/value-world-zurich.md","Life Insurance for New Parents: Zurich Value Your World Tool",{"type":9,"value":3881,"toc":3924},[3882,3885,3900,3903,3910,3917],[12,3883,3884],{},"Upon finding out you’re going to be parents their are so many things that run through your mind. From the self doubt that you’re parent material to the enormous list of baby things you’ll need to buy. For us one of the most important things was insurance. You read that correctly, insurance. Life insurance was something I personally hadn’t thought about but it was high on the agenda for Phillip. If something were to happen to one of us we needed cover, even more so when we’ve added a child into the equation.",[12,3886,3887,3891,3892,3899],{},[40,3888],{"alt":3889,"src":3890},"value_your_world_zurich_01","/images/2016/09/value_your_world_zurich_01.png","Zurich have launched the ",[135,3893,3894],{},[384,3895,3898],{"href":3896,"rel":3897},"https://futureyou.zurich.co.uk/value-your-world/how-much/1?WT.mc_id=referral_mumsnet_futureyou_blog-article_select",[388],"Value Your World Tool",". A handy web application that takes all of your details in a few simple steps, add’s up the value of your world, and tells you what insurance rate you could get.",[12,3901,3902],{},"Using the application is simple, it asks you what you’re worth, in a literal sense. Your home, yourdebts, your children’s education, how much you’d like to leave behind as a legacy. It’s not a happy subject but one that cannot be ignored.",[12,3904,3905,3909],{},[40,3906],{"alt":3907,"src":3908},"value_your_world_zurich_04","/images/2016/09/value_your_world_zurich_04.png","After giving key information the applications told me how much I would need to cover within my lifetime. That’s to pay off my mortgage, pay for Taylor to grow up, support Phillip if I were gone and allow them to be comfortable.",[12,3911,3912,3916],{},[40,3913],{"alt":3914,"src":3915},"value_your_world_zurich_05","/images/2016/09/value_your_world_zurich_05.png","The Application is able to take thi information and give a quote on life insurance based on key information and what matters to you. Our biggest ticket item is the house, we’re about to take out our first mortgage so I included the full value of our home. As we’re about to make this big change in our lives it might also be a good idea for us to revaluate our insurance and make sure we’re cover.",[12,3918,3919,3923],{},[40,3920],{"alt":3921,"src":3922},"value_your_world_zurich_06","/images/2016/09/value_your_world_zurich_06.png","Although Phillip was the one who decided we needed to take out insurance when we became parents the job to find it and take out a plan was left to me. I spent weeks, literally weeks looking online at insurance, what’s critical illness cover? Do I need? Will it cover my mortgage if something were to happen to one of us? Do we take out joint insurance or singular? It was a minefield. Had the Zurich Value Your World tool been around at the time I would have found the entire process to be far easier.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":3925},[],[267],"/images/2015/10/Taylor_mummy_daddy_9_months.jpg","2016-09-20T14:05:00Z","9326",{},"Why life insurance matters for new parents. Review of Zurich Value Your World tool for calculating life insurance needs and getting quick quotes.","/value-world-zurich",{"title":3879,"description":3884},"value-world-zurich","4ZoO0KEAkFYW-Eh40uKI-33NHHFJiZL6IKSLCCgGroA",{"id":3937,"title":3938,"author":7,"body":3939,"category":4008,"cover":4009,"date":4010,"description":3943,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4011,"meta":4012,"meta_description":4013,"meta_title":3938,"navigation":275,"path":4014,"seo":4015,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4016,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4017},"posts/sound-asleep-first-duvet-frugi-frugifamily.md","Sound asleep with my first duvet from Frugi #FrugiFamily",{"type":9,"value":3940,"toc":4006},[3941,3944,3951,3958,3965,3972,3979,4000,4003],[12,3942,3943],{},"Of all the milestones Taylor has achieved over the last 19 months, I never thought giving him a duvet would seem so big. Or that I would see it as a milestone in the first place. It’s not as monumental as taking those first steps or saying his first word but it feels like a big moment. Having always used sleeping bags and lay him down to sleep in an empty cot a duvet seemed scary. He’s so small and a duvet looks so big!",[12,3945,3946,3950],{},[40,3947],{"alt":3948,"src":3949},"frugi_toddler_cot_bedding_7","/images/2016/08/frugi_toddler_cot_bedding_7.jpg","It recently became clear that Taylor was attempting to scale the side of his cot. He hasn’t made it over yet but it’s only a matter of time. I thought his sleeping bag would prevent this, then realised it seemed to enhance the danger. If he were to go over he’d be trapped in his sleeping bag, surely that would make the fall worse?",[12,3952,3953,3957],{},[40,3954],{"alt":3955,"src":3956},"frugi_toddler_cot_bedding_6","/images/2016/08/frugi_toddler_cot_bedding_6.jpg","Before being a parent a duvet was a duvet, now it’s another thing to terrify me. Duvets are safe from 1 year so it’s perfectly fine for him to have one, I just worry way too much.",[12,3959,3960,3964],{},[40,3961],{"alt":3962,"src":3963},"frugi_toddler_cot_bedding_8","/images/2016/08/frugi_toddler_cot_bedding_8.jpg","When we were sent a lovely bedding set to try from Frugi, I still hadn’t decided if the time was right to try a duvet with him. I decided to wait a couple more months and see how I felt about it. The Frugi print may have swayed me because two months later it’s in his cot and he loves it. For the few hours he decides to stay asleep in his own room at least. Taylor is now 20 months old and a duvet isn’t a threat to him, it’s a cosy snuggly blanket that helps him to sleep better. Guidelines suggest a toddler duvet and pillow is safe for sleep from around 1 year onwards but it’s entirely up to you if you wait, just like I did.",[12,3966,3967,3971],{},[40,3968],{"alt":3969,"src":3970},"frugi_toddler_cot_bedding_5","/images/2016/08/frugi_toddler_cot_bedding_5-e1472043485957.jpg","The bright bold Sunny Days print from Frugi looks great in Taylors bedroom. It’s grown up when compared to his ‘baby’ themed nursery but still fun. It’s bright, bold, and colourful. You can’t beat clouds or rainbows… I imagine it’s going to look even better once we convert his cot into an adorable little bed.",[12,3973,3974,3978],{},[40,3975],{"alt":3976,"src":3977},"frugi_toddler_cot_bedding11","/images/2016/08/frugi_toddler_cot_bedding11.jpg","The Frugi toddler cot bedding set also comes with a pillow case. Although as I was so nervous about a duvet I haven’t yet taken the plunge to give him a pillow too. Overall the set looks and feels like it’s good quality, just like all the other Frugi we own. It’s made from organic cotton with easy to fasten buttons on the opening, it’s easy to put on and washes well. We’re yet to find a Frugi product we don’t like.Frugi are a brand we love and trust, I may have become a little obsessed with collecting their gorgeous prints, from clouds to ducks and dinosaurs who can blame me?",[12,3980,3981,3990,3991,396],{},[241,3982,3983],{},[135,3984,3985],{},[384,3986,3989],{"href":3987,"rel":3988},"https://www.welovefrugi.com/bedding/uk_cot_bed_set_3_sunny_days.htm",[388],"The Frugi Cot Bedding"," sets retail at RRP£49, made from chemical free organic cotton and they’re reversible too! You can see a range of prints and bedding sizes on their website ",[241,3992,3993],{},[135,3994,3995],{},[384,3996,3999],{"href":3997,"rel":3998},"https://www.welovefrugi.com/bedding",[388],"here",[12,4001,4002],{},"Taylor has taken to having a duvet really well. He loves to snuggle up in it, play peepo with it and best of all, sleep with it!",[12,4004,4005],{},"How old were your little one when they got their first duvet? Did you feel like it was a big deal or weren’t you bothered by it?",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4007},[],[267],"/images/2016/09/frugi_cover_gif.gif","2016-09-13T08:59:00Z","9239",{},"Frugi organic cotton cot bedding review. Sunny Days print toddler duvet set. First duvet milestone at 19 months. Chemical-free, reversible. £49 from Frugi.","/sound-asleep-first-duvet-frugi-frugifamily",{"title":3938,"description":3943},"sound-asleep-first-duvet-frugi-frugifamily","Q-RetkPSxQO-lY2dyLhSkRC--ZsC78Cg8druAiCLKCU",{"id":4019,"title":4020,"author":7,"body":4021,"category":4058,"cover":4059,"date":4060,"description":4025,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4061,"meta":4062,"meta_description":4063,"meta_title":4064,"navigation":275,"path":4065,"seo":4066,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4067,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4068},"posts/reading-newborns-body-language-dealing-case-windy-pops.md","Reading your newborns body language and dealing with a case of ‘The Windy Pops’",{"type":9,"value":4022,"toc":4056},[4023,4026,4029,4040,4043,4050,4053],[12,4024,4025],{},"Newborn babies and their ways of communication are an absolute minefield when you’re a new parent. It’s always difficult to decipher what they’re trying to tell you, especially when their only form of communication is crying in various pitches.",[12,4027,4028],{},"When Taylor was a newborn we would find ourselves struggling to figure out what was wrong with him, thankfully we have gotten better at this over time. It also helps that he can now say a few words, his favourite is no, even when he actually means yes. It still isn’t easy.",[12,4030,4031,4032,4039],{},"When we found ourselves in the middle of a 2am scream-fest we would start checking off the obvious. He’s fed, he’s dry, he’s had plenty of snuggles, what else could it be? But on the relentless crying would go. More often than not it would turn out to be a case of what we called ‘The Windy Pops’, that’s ",[135,4033,4034],{},[384,4035,4038],{"href":4036,"rel":4037},"http://www.infacol.co.uk/baby-troubles/wind",[388],"baby wind"," to you and me.",[12,4041,4042],{},"You could find us sat up at 2am doing ‘The bicycle” in a bid to bring up wind. Where you rotate your newborns legs so it looks like they’re pedalling a bicycling to push up wind. Or laying him on his tummy and giving him a massage, you can’t beat a 2am massage surely?",[12,4044,4045,4049],{},[40,4046],{"alt":4047,"src":4048},"cute_baby_tummy_time_nursing_pillow","/images/2015/09/cute_baby_tummy_time_nursing_pillow.jpg","Wind can sometimes get trapped which can cause discomfort. If you’ve been doing the bicycle and all else fails then Infacol can gently help to bring up wind. It helps the little trapped gas bubbles join into bigger bubbles which your baby can easily bring up as wind. – helping to relieve the pain.",[12,4051,4052],{},"Infacol is safe to use from birth. Unlike alternative products to relieve infant wind such as gripe water. It became a go to product for us when dealing with a bad case of trapped wind and we found it worked alongside other techniques. On most occasions some dedicated bicycle time or rotating in circles would do the trick but from time to time we’d need the extra help. Trapped wind in infants is often caused from taking in too much air when feeding, whether it be by bottle or breast. It didn’t matter which way Taylor had been fed, we did both as I sometimes expressed, he could still get trapped wind.",[12,4054,4055],{},"Telling what you baby wants or needs can be difficult although they do tend to give off signs alongside crying. Taylor would usually bring his knees up to his chest when he had trapped wind. He would also pull a face that made him look like a shocked gold fish. Whereas his I’m hungry face and his I need a nappy change face were completely different. It’s not always about the way they cry. Watching your baby’s body language can help you learn a lot about their wants and needs. Particularly in the early days when communication is most difficult.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4057},[],[267],"/images/2015/09/baby_drinking_water_nursing_pillow.jpg","2016-09-06T22:36:00Z","9255",{},"Reading newborn body language and dealing with trapped wind. Tips for recognising baby wind signs and techniques to help relieve discomfort naturally.","Newborn Body Language & Dealing with Wind","/reading-newborns-body-language-dealing-case-windy-pops",{"title":4020,"description":4025},"reading-newborns-body-language-dealing-case-windy-pops","4-ZGGsofi3X2BSuo-Fe6Ej4e3y_2662JCjetl3zTO1k",{"id":4070,"title":4071,"author":7,"body":4072,"category":4171,"cover":3779,"date":4172,"description":4076,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4173,"meta":4174,"meta_description":4175,"meta_title":4071,"navigation":275,"path":3519,"seo":4176,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4177,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4178},"posts/expert-advice-huggies-wipes-baby-bonding-expert.md","Expert advice with HUGGIES Wipes baby bonding expert",{"type":9,"value":4073,"toc":4169},[4074,4077,4080,4083,4088,4091,4098,4103,4106,4113,4118,4127,4130,4135,4142,4147,4150,4157,4162],[12,4075,4076],{},"Bonding with your baby is something that for many, comes naturally. I found Taylor and I had a great bond from the start. I’ve always thought this was partly because he breastfed and spent all his time with me. This meant it took Phill longer to have the same level of closeness to him but that didn’t stop them. He was always better at burping him too so he still got involved at feeding time. There are many things you can do to bond with your baby. From skin-to-skin, sharing feeds and baby massage. We found bonding with our new born to be simple but not without it’s challenges. Keeping that bond once they become cheeky, inquisitive toddlers is another story!",[12,4078,4079],{},"As Huggies Wipes Ambassadors we’ve been working with HUGGIES Wipes baby bonding expert, Gayle Berry. Gayle has been sharing her expert tips on how we can maintain our bond, tackle tantrums, and help our toddler relax in a natural way.",[12,4081,4082],{},"We asked Gayle the following –",[12,4084,4085],{},[135,4086,4087],{},"What can I do to calm and relax my 18 month old at change time?",[12,4089,4090],{},"– Taylor is happy to bring his mat and wipes to you when he needs changing. Then will run away and isn’t happy once changing begins. –",[12,4092,4093,4097],{},[40,4094],{"alt":4095,"src":4096},"huggies_wipes_bonding_05","/images/2016/08/huggies_wipes_bonding_05.jpg","Toddlers love playing games so this is his way of engaging you in play even if that is not your intention! it is important to talk to him and explain what you are doing so he knows what is coming up and what you are expecting him to do. Getting into a little routine to nappy change is important so associating nappy changing with a little rhyme song or story that he enjoys. This creates a positive association with nappy changing rather than a battle of wills. When children become aware of their own identity they often want to apply their will to influence situations and to assert control. let any expectations of behaviour fall and create a fun environment for nappy changing instead. Foot massage at nappy changing can also help create a little ritual which he will enjoy.",[12,4099,4100],{},[135,4101,4102],{},"How can we avoid tantrums with toddlers?",[12,4104,4105],{},"– We usually experience tantrums at being placed in the high-chair for meals, around bed time or if he is told ‘no’ –",[12,4107,4108,4112],{},[40,4109],{"alt":4110,"src":4111},"huggies_wipes_bonding_04","/images/2016/08/huggies_wipes_bonding_04.jpg","So tantrums are a normal stage of development for children as they become aware of their own identity and sense of self. They seem hard to deal with as adults as we are experiencing a battle of wills with our children. This can be hard to deal with. in most of our adult relationships we can use reason and patience to communicate and listen. toddlers are a different matter! Its very important to be calm and talk in a positive way to your toddler. repetition of the key message is very important. Getting stressed or shouting creates anger, conflict and negatively which teachers your child that adults communicate in that way. repetition of the behaviour you want to see is vital to convey the lesson you are trying to teach. If your child is having a tantrum make sure they are in a safe place where they cannot hurt themselves. Offer some form of positive touch contact so they know you are there and if possible cuddle or hold them without judgment or saying anything until they calm down. Lots of patience is required.",[12,4114,4115],{},[135,4116,4117],{},"Are their any alternatives to this to relax before bed?",[12,4119,4120,4121,4123],{},"– As a newborn taylor loved baby massage, we would take a moment to wind down and relax before bed time and it was great. Now he’s an active toddler he isn’t interested in staying still or having massage time. –",[624,4122],{},[40,4124],{"alt":4125,"src":4126},"huggies_wipes_bonding_02","/images/2016/08/huggies_wipes_bonding_02.jpg",[12,4128,4129],{},"Yes you can combine massage with stories, songs, rhymes. You can show him how tomassage his teddy or doll. use bath time as a chance to do some massage. A little bit of foot massage as you are reading a story gets all the feel good hormones flowing. who would not want a daily foot massage? Again you need to always ask permission to massage and make sure the timing is right. Timing and managing expectations is key with children. If he does not want a massage, respect that and try another time.",[12,4131,4132],{},[135,4133,4134],{},"Breastfeeding has always been a great bonding moment for us, how else can we bond once this journey comes to an end, also how can dad’s bond with their baby?",[12,4136,4137,4141],{},[40,4138],{"alt":4139,"src":4140},"huggies_wipes_bonding_01","/images/2016/08/huggies_wipes_bonding_01.jpg","Bonding and investing in your relationship with your child is so important. The most important thing you can give your child is time, love and attention. Bonding happens when you make eye contact, have physical touch, talk to your child and he is close to you. These things help to produce happy hormones and oxytocin, the love hormone which chemically attracts you to your child. Studies have shown that couples and families with regular physical touch are closer and this is largely due to the regularly production of oxytocin and a sense of belonging. Massage offers the perfect way to bond with your child at any time. it can be done over clothes at any time in the day and help create a moment of connection. Anyone can do it; mums and dads and carers.",[12,4143,4144],{},[135,4145,4146],{},"What can I do to maintain our bond when I’m at work a lot?",[12,4148,4149],{},"– After spending a year on maternity leave with Taylor I feel we have a strong bond. I have since returned to work. –",[12,4151,4152,4156],{},[40,4153],{"alt":4154,"src":4155},"huggies_wipes_bonding_03","/images/2016/08/huggies_wipes_bonding_03.jpg","Lots of physical contact, hugs, cuddles, eye contact, talking and most of all creating a special time everyday for just the two of you where you can reconnect and tell each other about your day. Make sure you look after yourself too. keep your vibes happy and positive. Leave work stress at the door and celebrate your beautiful relationship everyday.",[12,4158,4159,4161],{},[40,4160],{"alt":3730,"src":825},"We’ve been taking Gayles tips on board and started by making change time more fun, Taylor loves to go and collect his Huggies wipes and nappy at change time which is a job for him – With an added touch of nature, HUGGIES Pure Wipes help to ensure that baby change-time is a special moment to bond with baby while effectively soothing and cleaning away any messes Huggies natural wipes are made with natural fibres, contain no nasties such as alcohol, phenoxyethanol or parabens and are gentle as cotton wool and water. – His new job is taking them out of the packet and holding onto one whilst he is changed and I tickle his toes to make him laugh, we also play with puppets, this avoids a tantrum and see’s change time filled with smiles. It seems to be working out so far, next we’ll be taking on those tea time tantrums.",[12,4163,4164,4165],{},"– To find more tips and advice from the HUGGIES Wipes experts visit ",[384,4166,3766],{"href":4167,"rel":4168},"http://www.huggieswipes.co.uk/",[388],{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4170},[],[267],"2016-08-15T08:58:00Z","9210",{},"Baby bonding expert Gayle Berry shares tips on toddler tantrums, nappy change routines, massage techniques, and maintaining parent-child bonds.",{"title":4071,"description":4076},"expert-advice-huggies-wipes-baby-bonding-expert","OsKYQFgNe4ztIBW7DObpyoQzf7r8PIbBkp2iQgHwThU",{"id":4180,"title":4181,"author":7,"body":4182,"category":4247,"cover":4248,"date":4249,"description":4186,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4250,"meta":4251,"meta_description":4252,"meta_title":4181,"navigation":275,"path":4253,"seo":4254,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4255,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4256},"posts/today-18-months-old.md","18 Month Baby Milestone: A Letter to My Toddler",{"type":9,"value":4183,"toc":4245},[4184,4187,4190,4196,4199,4206,4209,4216,4219,4226,4229,4232,4239,4242],[12,4185,4186],{},"Dear Taylor,",[12,4188,4189],{},"Today you are 18 months old.",[12,4191,4192,4193,4195],{},"It feels like weeks since your first birthday. Not months.",[624,4194],{},"\nA lot has changed in the last 6 months in all aspects of our lives.",[12,4197,4198],{},"You learnt to walk shortly after your birthday, and mummy returned to work full-time. Taking a year off still doesn’t mean I got to see all those ‘firsts’. You took your first steps on the day I returned to work. You couldn’t have waited until I got home? Low blow.",[12,4200,4201,4205],{},[40,4202],{"alt":4203,"src":4204},"taylor_18_month_update_running","/images/2016/07/taylor_18_month_update_running.jpg","Grandma was there and told us all about it. I’m still not sure if I’d have preffered people to just pretend it didn’t happen until I saw it first. But you did it, that’s what matters.",[12,4207,4208],{},"You wobbled around for weeks like a little drunk penguin. Now you’re like lightening, running, jumping, climbing. You don’t pitter patter, you run and stomp, everywhere. You’re full-on, a non-stop ball of energy and smiles. You’re perfect.",[12,4210,4211,4215],{},[40,4212],{"alt":4213,"src":4214},"taylor_seaside_cuddledry_swim_04","/images/2016/06/taylor_seaside_cuddledry_swim_04.jpg","We finally made it onto the property ladder and are set to move into our new home in September. It feels great knowing you’re going to grow up in a house that is ours. A real home where we can make memories. We’ll carve your height into door frames and hang your picture on the walls, it’s going to be perfect.",[12,4217,4218],{},"You currently spend week days with Grandma, who you have since named Nin-Nin. The pair of you are crazy together. It’s nice to see you grow up with family around you. It will be hard for you both when we move house and you start nursery.",[12,4220,4221,4225],{},[40,4222],{"alt":4223,"src":4224},"taylor_18_month_update_walking","/images/2016/07/taylor_18_month_update_walking.jpg","Since we moved to Grandma and Grandads your bed time routine has gone out the window. You don’t like your bedroom here, I get home late and you often end up in with us. It’s fine though, we actually like having you cuddled up with us. I write this as both you and Daddy are snoring away next to me. The cutest.",[12,4227,4228],{},"Your speech has come on tremendously in the last few weeks. You went from saying mama, dada, baba to saying ball and with that new words came each day. You attempt to repeat everything we say and will be speaking in sentences before we know it.",[12,4230,4231],{},"Some of the words you’re rocking at 18 months – • Mummy • Mama • Daddy • Dada • Ball •Baba • Dog • Baby • Me • Grandma • Nin-nin • Grandad • Car • Good- boy • Tea • Eat • Teeth • Raa-Raa • Bing • There • No • Yes • Yuk",[12,4233,4234,4238],{},[40,4235],{"alt":4236,"src":4237},"taylor_18_month_update_farm","/images/2016/07/taylor_18_month_update_farm.jpg","You attended your first festival last month, Geronimo festival, which had all your favourite CBeebies characters. You saw Mr Bloom and Andy! We also visited the local farm park, where you stuck your finger in a pigs nose and fed baby goats. You had your first trip to the seaside with your cousin Riley where you paddled in the sea and built sandcastles. You’ve also been helping Granddad with his garden, throwing dirt, eating dirt and watering the plants.",[12,4240,4241],{},"I still haven’t left you overnight. I still hate leaving you each morning as I leave for work. I still watch you sleep. You’re still my baby.",[12,4243,4244],{},"Today You are 18 months old.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4246},[],[267],"/images/2016/07/taylor_18_month_update_geronimo_festival.jpg","2016-07-01T20:48:00Z","9152",{},"18-month baby milestone update. Walking, talking, first festival, seaside trip, moving house plans. #DearTaylor letter documenting toddler development.","/today-18-months-old",{"title":4181,"description":4186},"today-18-months-old","CqVmyuu0OeP02jbJ9EAWuBdzGOwBcSyqsZntp_DvCdE",{"id":4258,"title":4259,"author":7,"body":4260,"category":4362,"cover":4363,"date":4364,"description":4264,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4365,"meta":4366,"meta_description":4367,"meta_title":4259,"navigation":275,"path":4368,"seo":4369,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4370,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4371},"posts/ask-toddler-quiz-answers.md","Ask your toddler, a quiz of few answers.",{"type":9,"value":4261,"toc":4360},[4262,4265,4268,4271,4274,4280,4285,4291,4297,4303,4309,4315,4321,4327,4333,4339,4345,4351,4357],[12,4263,4264],{},"Social media is awash with quizzes and numerous Q&A style statuses, a popular one right now is ‘Ask your toddler’ – I’ve seen numerous posts of the cute and funny answers my friends little ones have given such as mummy being 5 years old or them wanting to drive a Tram when they grow up.",[12,4266,4267],{},"So, I’ve decided since I have a toddler I’d see what he thinks. Granted he’s 17 months old and his vocabulary consists of approximately 10-15 words. None of which can form a legitimate sentence, he also likes to scream.",[12,4269,4270],{},"This is what happened when I asked my toddler…",[12,4272,4273],{},"Ask your toddler without prompting.",[12,4275,4276,4279],{},[135,4277,4278],{},"What’s your name?"," Me",[12,4281,4282,4279],{},[135,4283,4284],{},"How old are you?",[12,4286,4287,4290],{},[135,4288,4289],{},"When’s your birthday?"," Ahahaha (Evil laugh)",[12,4292,4293,4296],{},[135,4294,4295],{},"How old is mummy?"," There",[12,4298,4299,4302],{},[135,4300,4301],{},"What’s your favorite colour?"," Gogog (Dog)",[12,4304,4305,4308],{},[135,4306,4307],{},"What’s mummy’s favorite colour?"," Ball",[12,4310,4311,4314],{},[135,4312,4313],{},"What’s your favorite food?"," B-Ball",[12,4316,4317,4320],{},[135,4318,4319],{},"Who’s your best friend?"," *Shakes head*",[12,4322,4323,4326],{},[135,4324,4325],{},"What’s your favorite song?"," Mummy",[12,4328,4329,4332],{},[135,4330,4331],{},"What’s your favorite animal?"," All-Gone!",[12,4334,4335,4338],{},[135,4336,4337],{},"What are you afraid of?"," *Screams*",[12,4340,4341,4344],{},[135,4342,4343],{},"What makes you happy?"," Daddy",[12,4346,4347,4350],{},[135,4348,4349],{},"Where’s your favorite place to go?"," Whore (Horse)",[12,4352,4353,4356],{},[135,4354,4355],{},"What do you want to be when you grow up?"," Raa-Raa",[12,4358,4359],{},"These are Taylor’s genuine answers, as you can see he took the question very seriously. I’m amazed he said more than one word. I was half expecting him to say ‘ball’ in response to every question. He does get distracted easily though so as soon as he saw a ball or a horse that was it.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4361},[],[267],"/images/2016/06/DSC_0517.jpg","2016-06-29T07:46:00Z","9041",{},"Ask your toddler quiz with 17-month-old Taylor. Hilarious answers including wanting to be Raa-Raa when he grows up. Limited vocabulary, maximum entertainment.","/ask-toddler-quiz-answers",{"title":4259,"description":4264},"ask-toddler-quiz-answers","X5q7l17NTty8eXI_koQ8higukKiSprRBSab3iKZoze8",{"id":4373,"title":4374,"author":7,"body":4375,"category":4422,"cover":4423,"date":4424,"description":4379,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4425,"meta":4426,"meta_description":4427,"meta_title":4428,"navigation":275,"path":4429,"seo":4430,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4431,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4432},"posts/first-time-buyers-saving-family-home.md","The Year of The House",{"type":9,"value":4376,"toc":4420},[4377,4380,4383,4386,4389,4392,4395,4404,4410,4413],[12,4378,4379],{},"This year saw us make a huge decision. One that was going to change our lives for the better, but not before it got just a little bit worse.",[12,4381,4382],{},"After a horrendous winter with no heating or hot water for eight weeks, a useless letting agent and a cold baby. We decided to move out. Putting most of our possessions and furniture into storage we went to stay with family. And we’re still there.",[12,4384,4385],{},"That’s right, we took ourselves and our baby to stay with relatives, that’s the bad bit. After having your own space as a family it’s hard to adapt to such a big change. Living with no heating and water wasn’t an option. The lack of care provided by our useless letting agent, L4A Residential Lettings if you’re interested, wasn’t acceptable.",[12,4387,4388],{},"Also, our lovely neighbour 2 doors down, Mark Taylor, a chatty man with guinea pigs and a tendency to shout at himself in the street. Well, it turns out he was our Landlord. For over two years. Who knew? Not us. Did he fix our heating? No.",[12,4390,4391],{},"So, we’re making the best of a bad situation. We’ve taken this as an opportunity to get together our deposit to buy a house and plan for our family’s future. This is ‘The Year of The House’ our chance to buy a family home for Tails to grow up in.",[12,4393,4394],{},"A house we can make a home. Finally the opportunity to make our mark on a place. Paint the walls in Laura Ashley, put a smeg fridge in the kitchen, lay fluffy carpets and make memories.",[12,4396,4397,4398,4403],{},"The chance to give Taylor the perfect bedroom. Hang pictures, buy a fitted black out blind from ",[384,4399,4402],{"href":4400,"rel":4401},"http://www.veluxblindsdirect.co.uk/",[388],"VELUX",", he is sleeping so badly right now with the day light, and we can create a play room!",[12,4405,4406,4407,4409],{},"We’re looking to buy a new build house and are currently waiting for plots to become available. When this happens we have our money ready to reserve our first family home. I’m becoming impatient waiting but know it will all be worth it in the end.",[624,4408],{},"\nWhen we reserve our house I’ll be sharing each step right here, from choosing our tiles to moving in day. I can’t wait!",[12,4411,4412],{},"If you’ve ever purchased a new build house I’d love to hear your stories, good & bad! Xx",[4414,4415,4417],"h6",{"id":4416},"this-post-is-in-collaboration-with-velux-blinds-all-thoughts-and-opinions-are-our-own",[241,4418,4419],{},"This post is in collaboration with VELUX Blinds, all thoughts and opinions are our own.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4421},[],[267],"/images/2016/04/152547.jpg","2016-04-20T07:50:00Z","8849",{},"First-time buyer journey saving for a family home. From renting nightmare to buying our first house - sharing our experience becoming homeowners.","First Time Buyers Journey: Saving for Our Family Home","/first-time-buyers-saving-family-home",{"title":4374,"description":4379},"first-time-buyers-saving-family-home","DrQ_apM4ZxrqOvlWQiDew7MKRCTDjI6bpxrv9XRoWqo",{"id":4434,"title":4435,"author":7,"body":4436,"category":4496,"cover":4497,"date":4498,"description":4440,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4499,"meta":4500,"meta_description":4501,"meta_title":4435,"navigation":275,"path":4502,"seo":4503,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4504,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4505},"posts/ten-signs-baby-is-gifted.md","10 Signs your baby is ‘gifted’",{"type":9,"value":4437,"toc":4494},[4438,4441,4444,4447,4450,4453,4460,4463,4466,4473,4476,4479,4482,4485,4488,4491],[12,4439,4440],{},"Not a day goes by without their being a tabloid or another pushy parent to indirectly, tell me where I’m going wrong as a parent. How intelligent my child is, or isn’t. If they’re set to become the next Einstein or class clown.",[12,4442,4443],{},"Here are 10 signs on what I think constitutes a ‘gifted’ baby, the future generation of Einsteins who are currently under 12 months old.",[12,4445,4446],{},"1. Your baby can sit up unaided, and they’re 3 minutes old.",[12,4448,4449],{},"2. Your baby doesn’t sit unaided until they’re 6 months old.",[12,4451,4452],{},"3. Your baby is eating solids with silverware, it’s their first day of weaning.",[12,4454,4455,4459],{},[40,4456],{"alt":4457,"src":4458},"gifter_baby_genius_weaning","/images/2016/04/gifter_baby_genius_weaning-660x440.jpg","4. Your baby would rather lick the carpet or the cat than show any interest in weaning.",[12,4461,4462],{},"5. Your baby weighs more than a small horse.",[12,4464,4465],{},"6. Your baby is so small they could fit into your pocket.",[12,4467,4468,4472],{},[40,4469],{"alt":4470,"src":4471},"gifted_baby_genius_weight","/images/2016/04/gifted_baby_genius_weight-657x440.jpg","7. Your baby NEVER watches television, you wouldn’t want to warp their innocent little mind.",[12,4474,4475],{},"8. Your baby knows the theme to ‘Something Special’ and enjoys television, in moderation.",[12,4477,4478],{},"9. Your baby is walking and talking at 4 months.",[12,4480,4481],{},"10. Your baby is content sucking their own toes and gurgling at 4 months.",[12,4483,4484],{},"I think we can all agree that based on this all of our children are gifted little pooping genius’. They’re all going to change the world in their own way. whether it be big accomplishments or small we need to stop labeling and judging the development of babies! Little Bob next door might be walking at 9 months when Sue doesn’t move until she’s 14 months, big deal?",[12,4486,4487],{},"Each child learns at their own individual pace, a pace that is right for them and makes them more comfortable when achieving these milestones.",[12,4489,4490],{},"Taylor’s friend sat and stood before him, but he walked before her. She said her first word before him and now he says more words than her. Next week she might recite the dictionary. It doesn’t mean either of them is ‘smarter’ than the other. They’re just babes.",[12,4492,4493],{},"Don’t wish your baby away.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4495},[],[267],"/images/2016/04/nomination_harry_potter_baby.jpg","2016-04-06T07:47:00Z","8652",{},"10 signs your baby is \"gifted\" - a humorous take on pushy parenting culture. Stop judging baby development. All children learn at their own pace.","/ten-signs-baby-is-gifted",{"title":4435,"description":4440},"ten-signs-baby-is-gifted","eLaGAQeXaMDJ4nfUyxYfw7JcrugPvo_gB_E8v8L2_pI",{"id":4507,"title":4508,"author":7,"body":4509,"category":4607,"cover":4608,"date":4609,"description":4513,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4610,"meta":4611,"meta_description":4612,"meta_title":4613,"navigation":275,"path":4614,"seo":4615,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4616,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4617},"posts/taylors-nursery-tour-decor.md","Taylor’s Nursery Decor",{"type":9,"value":4510,"toc":4605},[4511,4514,4531,4534,4542,4547,4556,4563,4568,4577,4584,4589,4592,4602],[12,4512,4513],{},"Before Taylor was born I did what most pregnant women do, I spent months deciding on a theme for his nursery. Between the nesting and nausea I was a woman on a mission to create the perfect space for our precious first born.",[12,4515,4516,4520,4521,4530],{},[40,4517],{"alt":4518,"src":4519},"taylors_nursery_mamas_and_papas_baby_02","/images/2016/03/taylors_nursery_mamas_and_papas_baby_02-660x440.jpg","I may be a designer but interiors has never been my forte. The internet is awash with ",[241,4522,4523],{},[135,4524,4525],{},[384,4526,4529],{"href":4527,"rel":4528},"https://www.homify.co.uk/rooms/nursery-kid-s-room",[388],"Nursery Ideas"," and current trends from monochrome to multicolour.",[12,4532,4533],{},"Deciding on a theme was difficult and we opted for a popular packaged nursery set. Although if I were to do it all again I think I’d try for a more personal approach and piece together my own.",[12,4535,4536],{},[135,4537,4538],{},[40,4539],{"alt":4540,"src":4541},"taylors_nursery_mamas_and_papas_baby_01","/images/2016/03/taylors_nursery_mamas_and_papas_baby_05-660x440.jpg",[12,4543,4544],{},[135,4545,4546],{},"Furniture",[12,4548,4549,4550,4555],{},"Taylor’s furniture set is the ",[384,4551,4554],{"href":4552,"rel":4553},"http://www.mamasandpapas.com/product-hayworth-3-piece-set-ivory/raha02700/type-i/",[388],"Hayworth"," 3-piece-set from mamas & papas in walnut. Consisting of cot bed, wardrobe and changing table. Many people told us tobuy a full size wardrobe and not a toddler one, which makes sense. But his tiny wardrobe is so cute I fell into the trap. Do I regret it? No. It’s the cutest. People also advised us not to bother with a changing table. OK, maybe we haven’t used ours as often as we could have but it’s definitely nice to have. More so for the convenience of it also being a chest of drawers. I wouldn’t have invested one that only serves as a changing table.",[12,4557,4558],{},[135,4559,4560],{},[40,4561],{"alt":4540,"src":4562},"/images/2016/03/taylors_nursery_mamas_and_papas_baby_04-660x440.jpg",[12,4564,4565],{},[135,4566,4567],{},"Bedding & Accessories",[12,4569,4570,4571,4576],{},"We chose the ",[384,4572,4575],{"href":4573,"rel":4574},"http://www.mamasandpapas.com/search/?query=timbuktales",[388],"Timbuktales"," range from mamas & papas to theme Taylor’s nursery. After comparing many alternatives we found their designs and quality were better than others. This particular set is bright and colourful without being too babyish. We purchased the matching curtains which I love as they’re subtle but bring the room together. At whopping £300+ for the various items it’s not a cheap range to shop from but we love it.",[12,4578,4579],{},[135,4580,4581],{},[40,4582],{"alt":4540,"src":4583},"/images/2016/03/taylors_nursery_mamas_and_papas_baby_03-660x440.jpg",[12,4585,4586],{},[135,4587,4588],{},"Decoration",[12,4590,4591],{},"Bringing everything together in the room is the feature wall, decorated with Timbuktales wallpaper. You can find everything to match this range! It may have been difficult to hang but it looks great. We also applied the Patternology tree to one of the walls and matching bunting.",[12,4593,4594,4595,4597,4598,4601],{},"I love Taylor’s nursery, it was the perfect space to bring him home to. Granted he never slept in there until he was 8 months old as we used a Snuzpod in our room. We still spent nap time, play time and tummy time in there each day to familiarise him with the space. And he was happy to sleep there when the time came.",[624,4596],{},"\nLooking for nursery inspiration can be daunting. I found the best way to collate ",[241,4599,4600],{},"nursery ideas"," was to pin them, I can still go back now 14 months on and see my inspiration board.",[12,4603,4604],{},"Do you have a set theme or board of inspiration for yours?",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4606},[],[267],"/images/2016/03/taylors_nursery_mamas_and_papas_baby_01.jpg","2016-03-17T22:15:00Z","8562",{},"Baby nursery room tour. Colourful Timbuktales themed nursery featuring Mamas & Papas Hayworth furniture, wallpaper, and coordinating accessories.","Baby Boy Nursery Ideas: Our Timbuktales Themed Room Tour","/taylors-nursery-tour-decor",{"title":4508,"description":4513},"taylors-nursery-tour-decor","dcfrW2ey2LXDJiVGHs5RS-6ilZuzPDIYdMpn7BiUlIo",{"id":4619,"title":4620,"author":7,"body":4621,"category":4664,"cover":4665,"date":4666,"description":4625,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4667,"meta":4668,"meta_description":4669,"meta_title":4670,"navigation":275,"path":4671,"seo":4672,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4673,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4674},"posts/mothers-day-without-mum.md","Mothers Day Without Mum",{"type":9,"value":4622,"toc":4662},[4623,4626,4629,4632,4635,4638,4641,4644,4647,4650,4653,4656,4659],[12,4624,4625],{},"This year is the sixth year I haven’t purchased a Mothers Day card or gift for my mum.",[12,4627,4628],{},"Until I became a mother myself I would spend each year on the approach to Mothers Day avoiding the subject. Not because I don’t want to talk about it, but because it felt awkward. When the hot topic in the office is what you’re doing for Mothers Day or what you’re going to buy I’d swiftly need to make a cup of tea or nip to the loo.",[12,4630,4631],{},"When colleagues who were old enough to be my mum were still able to take their own mothers out for a nice meal on Mothers day I’d find myself feeling deflated and jealous. It might sound silly but my inner child wanted to stamp her feet and shout “It’s not fair!”",[12,4633,4634],{},"In July 2010 at 47 years old my mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer. On the 7th August 2010 which also happens to be my partner’s birthday, she never did things by halves, she passed away in my Dads arms. I was on my way to work when I got the news, their is no right or wrong place to be given such news, nothing can prepare you for something like that.",[12,4636,4637],{},"When You hear about cancer you think of treatments, final family holidays, survival stories and people who spend many more years with their loved ones.",[12,4639,4640],{},"Six years ago on what was a seemingly normal summers day Cancer came into our lives and swallowed it whole. I remember it like it was yesterday, sitting in my parent’s garden during the 2010 Fifa World Cup as it played on the radio whilst Dad stood over the barbecue cooking sausages. It was the summer before my final year at University.",[12,4642,4643],{},"Many people think their mum is amazing, and why shouldn’t they? My mum however was a cut above the rest, to me at least. She always managed to make me feel better no matter what was happening around me. She put everybody else first and never ceased to amaze us all with the the silly things she would say and do.",[12,4645,4646],{},"From raising three children whilst being an Army wife, moving up and down the country, leaving her family when Dad got posted to Germany and generally being the strongest woman I ever knew, she was the best.",[12,4648,4649],{},"On Mothers Day 2010 I gave my mum a bottle of her favourite perfume, Estee Lauder Youth-Dew, to this day I can’t smell it without having a flood of memories and emotions rush over me.",[12,4651,4652],{},"Since becoming a mother myself I no longer think of Mothers Day as a day to hide from what’s going on around me but choose to embrace it, because I am a mum. It’s only right I spend the day basking in the glory of the tiny human I created whilst enjoying some cheeky chocolates.",[12,4654,4655],{},"If my mum were here today I know she’d be immensely proud of all 3 of her children and her husband.",[12,4657,4658],{},"My Dad is absolutely amazing and although Taylor won’t ever meet my mum I’m so thankful he has my Dad who absolutely adores him and his cousins.",[12,4660,4661],{},"Being a mum without a mum here to guide me is hard, but knowing she’ll never meet my baby boy is the hardest.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4663},[],[267],"/images/2016/03/Photo-13-01-2016-21-28-36-1.jpg","2016-03-06T21:41:00Z","8513",{},"Mother's Day without mum. A personal reflection on grief, loss, and embracing motherhood after losing my mother to bowel cancer in 2010.","Mother's Day Without Mum - Coping & Remembering","/mothers-day-without-mum",{"title":4620,"description":4625},"mothers-day-without-mum","gY2bLANYlZRx7utIjLb1BdK5DvG7M82q-WEVYeMONLM",{"id":4676,"title":4677,"author":7,"body":4678,"category":4741,"cover":4742,"date":4743,"description":4682,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4744,"meta":4745,"meta_description":4746,"meta_title":4677,"navigation":275,"path":4747,"seo":4748,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4749,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4750},"posts/the-original-nursing-pillow-from-pregnancy-pillows.md","The Original Nursing Pillow from Pregnancy Pillows",{"type":9,"value":4679,"toc":4739},[4680,4683,4686,4693,4696,4710,4713,4720,4727,4734],[12,4681,4682],{},"When Taylor was a newborn I never used any form of nursing pillow to rest him against, he was so small and light it was easy to cradle him in one arm whilst sitting up in bed or on the sofa.",[12,4684,4685],{},"At the time of taking these pictures and beginning our testing we had been breastfeeding for 10 and a half months, now 13 months, the bigger he gets the harder I find it to sit with him against me for prolonged periods of time.",[12,4687,4688,4692],{},[40,4689],{"alt":4690,"src":4691},"breastfeeding_baby_without_nursing_pillow","/images/2015/11/breastfeeding_baby_without_nursing_pillow-660x440.jpg","We were sent the Original Nursing Pillow from PregnancyPillows.net, I couldn’t wait to see if this would make a difference to the position and comfort when breastfeeding.",[12,4694,4695],{},"The key points of having a nursing Pillow are the following –",[51,4697,4698,4701,4704,4707],{},[54,4699,4700],{},"Supports the baby correctly during feeding time",[54,4702,4703],{},"Can be used all the way from the very early stages of pregnancy right through to the crawling period",[54,4705,4706],{},"Eases the back pressure during the latter stages of pregnancy",[54,4708,4709],{},"Relieves pressure on your arms while feeding",[12,4711,4712],{},"This pillow does exactly what it claims to do, the cover is also lined with a lavender aroma which is lovely, it’s easy to remove and pop into the wash too.",[12,4714,4715,4719],{},[40,4716],{"alt":4717,"src":4718},"cute_baby_playing_nursing_pillow","/images/2015/09/cute_baby_playing_nursing_pillow-660x440.jpg","I used this pillow every day when feeding Taylor and it helped my back and stomach so much! It’s also perfect to use for tummy time, learning to sit and using a bottle when feeding expressed milk.",[12,4721,4722,4726],{},[40,4723],{"alt":4724,"src":4725},"cute_baby_tummy_time_nursing_pillow_","/images/2015/09/cute_baby_tummy_time_nursing_pillow_-660x440.jpg","It is not advised that you use nursing pillows to prop babies up for sleeping especially newborns who cannot support their own head. Once they’re able to sit unsupported and jump all over you though, well then it’s fine, but you’ll struggle to keep them still long enough 😉",[12,4728,4729,4733],{},[40,4730],{"alt":4731,"src":4732},"baby_drinking_water_nursing_pillow","/images/2015/09/baby_drinking_water_nursing_pillow-660x440.jpg","Overall I love this pillow, it’s become one of those items I wish I’d had from the start, then maybe I wouldn’t have spent weeks in pain from supporting him. We still use it now whilst he crawls around on our bed or the floor. It’s also great for mums & dads whilst sitting up reading/blogging in bed!",[12,4735,4736],{},[241,4737,4738],{},"The Original Nursing Pillow can be purchased from PregnancyPillows.net for the RRP of £20.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4740},[],[267,1689],"/images/2015/09/breastfeeding_baby_using_nursing_pillow.jpg","2016-02-11T08:18:00Z","7280",{},"Original Nursing Pillow review from PregnancyPillows.net. Supports baby during feeding, relieves back pressure, lavender-scented washable cover. £20.","/the-original-nursing-pillow-from-pregnancy-pillows",{"title":4677,"description":4682},"the-original-nursing-pillow-from-pregnancy-pillows","CV5oQXNMqQqjRj9eU6X3sqLXvODuaiQ77G4FyV5rF1Y",{"id":4752,"title":4753,"author":7,"body":4754,"category":4831,"cover":4832,"date":4833,"description":4758,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4834,"meta":4835,"meta_description":4836,"meta_title":4837,"navigation":275,"path":4838,"seo":4839,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4840,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4841},"posts/returning-to-work-with-the-medela-swing-maxi-double-electric-breast-pump.md","Returning to Work With the Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breast Pump",{"type":9,"value":4755,"toc":4829},[4756,4759,4762,4770,4777,4780,4793,4796,4803,4806,4813,4816,4819],[12,4757,4758],{},"As my return to work crept closer I began to worry about our breastfeeding journey. We’d been going strong for 9 months at the time, Taylor hadn’t had anything but breast milk for 8 months and was still in the early stages of weaning. Was it time to stop?",[12,4760,4761],{},"I didn’t want to stop but from what I’d read it would seem that many mums choose this as the right time to end their breastfeeding journey. I didn’t want to end it just yet, not if I didn’t have to anyway! I didn’t overcome sore boobs, mastitis, biting, and sporting odd sized boobs to let this stop me.",[12,4763,4764,4765,4769],{},"Having planned to take 10 ‘Keep In Touch’ days spread out over two months, I needed to express. From previous experience of pumping non-stop with my ",[384,4766,4768],{"href":4767},"/medela-swing-harmony-breastpump","Medela Swing"," when leaving Taylor for a day I knew I was going to be clocking up some serious pumping time.",[12,4771,4772,4776],{},[40,4773],{"alt":4774,"src":4775},"medela_swing_maxi_breastpump_03","/images/2016/01/medela_swing_maxi_breastpump_03-660x440.jpg","In four months you can easily rack up approximately 240 hours of pumping time by putting in between 1 – 2 hours a day. At this point you really need the right tools for the job. The single pump was perfect for my needs of occasional pumping but It wasn’t going to be enough for full time pumping. That’s when I was introduced to the Medela Swing Maxi. As a Medela Mum I’ve been very fortunate to be accompanied by their amazing products throughout our journey and my goodness have they helped!",[12,4778,4779],{},"The Medela Swing Maxi works very much the same as the Medela Swing, a 2-Phase Electric Breast pump, which mimics the two phases babies are known to nurse in. The stimulation phase, where they suckle fast and light to stimulate milk flow, and the feeding phase where they suck slower and deeper to get the maximum amount of milk most effectively.",[12,4781,4782,4786,4787,4792],{},[40,4783],{"alt":4784,"src":4785},"medela_swing_maxi_breastpump_05","/images/2016/01/medela_swing_maxi_breastpump_05-660x440.jpg","The Swing Maxi is fitted with a more powerful motor as it is made for double pumping. You’re benefiting from double the power, double efficiency and double the juggling… (I’d recommend an",[384,4788,4791],{"href":4789,"rel":4790},"https://www.medela.co.uk/breastfeeding/products/breast-pumps/easy-expression-bustier",[388]," easy expression bustier"," for double pumping) Trust me, you can’t sip a cup of tea and hold two bottles at once 😉",[12,4794,4795],{},"Some would believe you also get double the amount of milk, frankly some days any drops of liquid gold you express are shy of a miracle. This all depends on your supply, your let down and your body in general. Compared to single pumping, double pumping can cut expression time in half and remove 18% more milk so you’re still winning. Especially compared to when I was using my single pump and getting 3 ounces in 70 minutes. I have had the odd occasion where I’ve expressed up to 9 ounces in one sitting of 40 minutes with the Maxi, AMAZING!",[12,4797,4798,4802],{},[40,4799],{"alt":4800,"src":4801},"medela_swing_maxi_breastpump_07","/images/2016/01/medela_swing_maxi_breastpump_07-660x440.jpg","The Medela Swing Maxi got me through my ‘Keep In Touch Days’ by reducing pumping time and giving me more milk, there are no cons to this outcome I was winning all round. Taylor was at home having my milk whilst I was getting back into the world of work.",[12,4804,4805],{},"Now I’m back in work full time and Taylor is eating more solids I have been expressing less. I’m still using the swing every other day not only to replenish our frozen milk stock but to keep my supply going. We’ve now been breastfeeding for 391 days. I’m still nursing Taylor each morning and evening and am so pleased that my supply hasn’t dried up whilst being away from him for 12 hours day. I’ve also been keeping the Medela Harmony Manual Pump in my drawer at work. I don’t feel the need to express every day but on occasion, usually when Taylor hasn’t fed for long and I’ve been rushing out to work, I’ll have to express a little for comfort.",[12,4807,4808,4812],{},[40,4809],{"alt":4810,"src":4811},"medela_swing_maxi_breastpump_04.jpg","/images/2016/01/medela_swing_maxi_breastpump_04-660x440.jpg","Otherwise I’ve found returning to work full time and breastfeeding to be far more manageable than I had imagined, using the Swing Maxi to stock up on milk benefited me tremendously. Had I of tried to express the same amount with the single pump I imagine I’d have been panic pumping every evening before work to get that little bit more. If you’ve got any experience of expressing you’ll know how easy it is to cry over spilt milk or cry over lack of milk. I cried at a nappy advert, I have definitely cried over milk.",[12,4814,4815],{},"I’m still getting used to being back at work and missing my baby terribly, but I’m also fist bumping the air at our achievements. 391 days of breastfeeding, this time last year I was 26 days away from my EDD and wondering if I’d manage it at all, now look at us!",[12,4817,4818],{},"Thanks Medela for making this milestone and the transition into working mum less stressful!",[12,4820,4821],{},[241,4822,4823,4824],{},"The Medela Swing Maxi retails at £239.99, currently available on offer for £214.99 ",[384,4825,4828],{"href":4826,"rel":4827},"http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009P2D6O6?creativeASIN=B009P2D6O6&linkCode=w00&linkId=&ref_=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til&tag=leeleeloves-21",[388],"on Amazon UK",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4830},[],[267],"/images/2016/01/medela_swing_maxi_breastpump_06.jpg","2016-01-26T08:31:00Z","8306",{},"Medela Swing Maxi double electric breast pump review for working mums. How I continued breastfeeding whilst working full-time with efficient double pumping.","Medela Swing Maxi Breast Pump Review for Working Mums","/returning-to-work-with-the-medela-swing-maxi-double-electric-breast-pump",{"title":4753,"description":4758},"returning-to-work-with-the-medela-swing-maxi-double-electric-breast-pump","RvNeLw3i42j7bgF5hJcXYz8wujHHXbHj2UU1VO5rmjI",{"id":4843,"title":4844,"author":7,"body":4845,"category":4932,"cover":4933,"date":4934,"description":4186,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":4935,"meta":4936,"meta_description":4937,"meta_title":4844,"navigation":275,"path":4938,"seo":4939,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":4940,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":4941},"posts/milestone-12-months-christmas-modelling-and-more.md","Milestone: 12 months – Modelling & More",{"type":9,"value":4846,"toc":4930},[4847,4849,4852,4861,4884,4893,4919,4922,4925],[12,4848,4186],{},[12,4850,4851],{},"December was a busy month for us, especially in the run up to the most magical time of year, Christmas. I wanted nothing more than to make your first Christmas a special one and aside from a few hiccups, broken boiler, moving house, spending boxing day in A&E, I think we still managed to achieve that.",[12,4853,4854,4855,4860],{},"This month you graduated from ",[384,4856,4859],{"href":4857,"rel":4858},"http://www.babysensory.com/en/ClassDetails/tameside",[388],"Baby Sensory"," with your friends, the troublesome trio is no more. I think we’re both going to miss our weekly outing of fun and singing ‘Hello to the sun’ whilst mummy signs all of the wrong signs. It’s been a big part of our time together during my maternity leave. It’s been 12 months of fun and I’m so glad we plucked up the courage to go. I made my first mummy friend, who we didn’t already know before you born, there. I’ve also loved seeing you interact with your little friends A & W each week, socialising and learning new things with Sarah, the most lovely and fun Baby Sensory leader we could have asked for!",[12,4862,4863,4867,4868,4873,4874,4879,4880,396],{},[40,4864],{"alt":4865,"src":4866},"12_month_update_christmas","/images/2016/01/12_month_update_christmas-1232x880.jpg","December was a busy month for us all and as you can see it saw you on the other side of a camera that wasn’t mine for a change! You tried your hand at modelling for a local romper boutique, ",[384,4869,4872],{"href":4870,"rel":4871},"https://www.facebook.com/groups/1684632845089928/?fref=ts",[388],"Rocks & Rompers",", posed as an elf at the Baby Sensory Christmas party and had a photo shoot in a tiny bathtub! The lovely Kate at ",[384,4875,4878],{"href":4876,"rel":4877},"http://www.strawberryangels.co.uk/",[388],"Strawberry Angels Studio"," was brilliant and I couldn’t resist purchasing a copy of you in a tiny bath. My goodness, I think this is now my favourite picture of you, it might even top the picture of you with a c",[384,4881,4883],{"href":4882},"/lil-ocean-explorers-adventure-with-little-tikes","ucumber in your pocket",[12,4885,4886,4890],{},[40,4887],{"alt":4888,"src":4889},"12_month_update_modelling","/images/2016/01/12_month_update_modelling-660x440.jpg",[135,4891,4892],{},"So this month (December) you –",[12,4894,4895,4896,4898,4899,4901,4902,4904,4905,4907,4908,4912,4913,4915,4916,4918],{},"☆ Are 12 months old.",[624,4897],{},"\n☆ Can now say Hi, Hiya, Bye – It’s adorable!",[624,4900],{},"\n☆ Are still wearing 6-9 month clothes – Shorty",[624,4903],{},"\n☆ Graduated from Baby Sensory *sob*",[624,4906],{},"\n☆ Have been self soothing to sleep thanks to ",[384,4909,4911],{"href":4910},"/the-bubbaroo-joey-swag-baby-sleeping-bag","Bubbaroo"," – Wahooo",[624,4914],{},"\n☆ Have 6 teeth and have taken to biting – Ouch!",[624,4917],{},"\n☆ Tried modelling – Of course, to me, you looked cute. 😉",[12,4920,4921],{},"Overall we may have had a busy month with lots of activities and your first Christmas. But January is set to be just as busy kicking off with your 1st Birthday on January 1st, moving house and mummy returning to work full time. Blimey!",[12,4923,4924],{},"I don’t know how we’ll have time for anything else next month with my maternity leave coming to a close but as always I’m sure you’re going to have another fun filled month with Mummy and Daddy. x",[4926,4927,4929],"h1",{"id":4928},"deartaylor","#DearTaylor",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":4931},[],[267],"/images/2016/01/12_month_update_photoshoot.jpg","2016-01-19T08:12:00Z","8172",{},"Taylor at 12 months milestone update. First Christmas, Baby Sensory graduation, modelling debut, self-soothing sleep, and 6 teeth. #DearTaylor monthly update.","/milestone-12-months-christmas-modelling-and-more",{"title":4844,"description":4186},"milestone-12-months-christmas-modelling-and-more","3KlfH4yF150btseLr_K8MeRFRZWRz_MGP4X9FX7R-Ag",{"id":4943,"title":4944,"author":7,"body":4945,"category":5071,"cover":5072,"date":5073,"description":4949,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":5074,"meta":5075,"meta_description":5076,"meta_title":4944,"navigation":275,"path":5077,"seo":5078,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":5079,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":5080},"posts/journey-better-bed-time-bubbaroo.md","A journey to a better bed time with Bubbaroo",{"type":9,"value":4946,"toc":5069},[4947,4950,4953,4956,4968,4971,4974,4987,4990,4999,5009,5015,5025,5031,5041,5047,5057,5063],[12,4948,4949],{},"Since we joined forces with Bubbaroo and the Infant Sleep Consultants four weeks ago, taking on the challenge of changing Taylor’s sleep habits, we have seen some drastic changes. Taylor’s sleep has improved tenfold and as our journey comes to close I’m thrilled to say, we did it!",[12,4951,4952],{},"If somebody had told me four weeks ago that Taylor would not only be sleeping through most nights but also self settling I’d have laughed. Had they then told me he would be going to sleep independently, without being breastfed, allowing somebody other than myself to put him to to bed. Well, that’s just crazy talk. Isn’t it? Apparently not.",[12,4954,4955],{},"Our main goal was to get Taylor used to going to sleep without being breastfed. Having gone from a routine where he would be breastfed to sleep, waking a minimum of twice a night, to going to sleep by himself from 7:00pm – 6:00am most nights is just shy of a miracle.",[12,4957,4958,4962,4963,4967],{},[40,4959],{"alt":4960,"src":4961},"bubbaroo_sleeping_cot_joey_Swag","/images/2015/11/bubbaroo_sleeping_cot_joey_Swag-660x440.jpg","Taylor is still going to sleep in his 2.5tog ",[384,4964,4911],{"href":4965,"rel":4966},"https://www.bubbaroo.co.uk/",[388]," baby Joey Swag bag each night and using his lovely blanket and we love them, even more so since we currently have a broken boiler and very chilly house, but that’s a story for another day!",[12,4969,4970],{},"Since implementing our new routine we’ve tried our best to stick to it where possible. I still can’t believe I had an evening out and came to home to Taylor asleep in his cot where he stayed until morning, we’ve achieved so much in such a small space of time simply by adjusting our routine and the way in which we deal with the situation when he does wake.",[12,4972,4973],{},"We’ve gone from being up and down all night feeding and settling to having our evenings completely free. Honestly, gaining 3 hours an evening is amazing. You wouldn’t believe what can be done with 3 hours!",[12,4975,4976,4977,4980,4981,4986],{},"We would like to thank ",[384,4978,4911],{"href":4965,"rel":4979},[388]," and Katie from The ",[384,4982,4985],{"href":4983,"rel":4984},"http://www.infantsleepconsultant.co.uk/",[388],"Infant Sleep Consultants"," for their help and support on our journey to a better nights sleep. Without them I’d most likely still be breastfeeding numerous times throughout the evening and operating on very little sleep.",[12,4988,4989],{},"We’ve really enjoyed implementing the new routine and learning new techniques to benefit us as family, overall it’s been a great experience that’s helped us so much!",[4991,4992,4994],"h5",{"id":4993},"if-youve-missed-our-weekly-updates-you-can-catch-via-the-links-the-below",[241,4995,4996],{},[135,4997,4998],{},"If you’ve missed our weekly updates you can catch via the links the below!",[12,5000,5001],{},[384,5002,5006],{"href":5003,"rel":5004,"title":5005},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=890423&c=161896",[388],"Bubbaroo Intro",[40,5007],{"alt":254,"src":5008},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20151215/50806/100/1450185304.87.jpg",[12,5010,5011],{},[384,5012,5014],{"href":5003,"rel":5013,"title":5005},[388],"Bubbaroo Intro  ",[12,5016,5017],{},[384,5018,5022],{"href":5019,"rel":5020,"title":5021},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=890424&c=161896",[388],"Sleep Diary Week #1",[40,5023],{"alt":254,"src":5024},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20151215/50806/100/1450185369.47.jpg",[12,5026,5027],{},[384,5028,5030],{"href":5019,"rel":5029,"title":5021},[388],"Sleep Diary Week #1  ",[12,5032,5033],{},[384,5034,5038],{"href":5035,"rel":5036,"title":5037},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=890425&c=161896",[388],"Sleep Diary Week #2",[40,5039],{"alt":254,"src":5040},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20151215/50806/100/1450185431.32.jpg",[12,5042,5043],{},[384,5044,5046],{"href":5035,"rel":5045,"title":5037},[388],"Sleep Diary Week #2  ",[12,5048,5049],{},[384,5050,5054],{"href":5051,"rel":5052,"title":5053},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=890426&c=161896",[388],"Sleep Diary Week #3",[40,5055],{"alt":254,"src":5056},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20151215/50806/100/1450185530.35.jpg",[12,5058,5059],{},[384,5060,5062],{"href":5051,"rel":5061,"title":5053},[388],"Sleep Diary Week #3  ",[12,5064,5065],{},[40,5066],{"alt":5067,"src":5068},"taylor_tries_stamp_wide","/images/2015/12/taylor_tries_stamp_wide-660x145.png",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":5070},[],[267],"/images/2015/11/Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_shhh.jpg","2015-12-15T13:28:00Z","8049",{},"Bubbaroo sleep journey final update. From breastfeeding-to-sleep to self-settling and sleeping through. 4-week transformation complete. Success!","/journey-better-bed-time-bubbaroo",{"title":4944,"description":4949},"journey-better-bed-time-bubbaroo","jFJ0DOpHpKUve3TJxPkkv5IvHRTi-NMgFt5uFpgWl7E",{"id":5082,"title":5083,"author":7,"body":5084,"category":5211,"cover":5212,"date":5213,"description":5088,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":5214,"meta":5215,"meta_description":5216,"meta_title":5083,"navigation":275,"path":5217,"seo":5218,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":5219,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":5220},"posts/bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-4.md","Bubbaroo Baby Sleep Diary Week #4",{"type":9,"value":5085,"toc":5209},[5086,5089,5095,5113,5119,5133,5139,5149,5158,5168,5199,5206],[12,5087,5088],{},"Another week has passed us by on our journey to a sound sleep. This week has seen a few set backs involving numerous wake ups and a baby in our bed! It also saw the first time Taylor was put to bed by somebody who wasn’t me so it isn’t all bad. We’re still not feeding Taylor to sleep which was my main goal and I’m so pleased to have accomplished this.",[12,5090,5091,5094],{},[135,5092,5093],{},"Night #1 –"," This evening saw me leave Taylor with somebody else putting him to bed for the first time in the elven months since he was born. I was convinced he would be asleep downstairs when I got home. It was a real shock to receive a message from his Grandma at 7:30 to say Taylor was fast asleep in his bed after a bottle of milk. He woke around 8:30pm and was rocked back to sleep by Daddy. He did however wake at 4:30am but went back to sleep swiftly after seeing me. Overall what a success! I couldn’t imagine allowing somebody else to put him to bed before now so this is a big achievement for us both.",[74,5096,5097,5105],{},[12,5098,5099,5100],{},"First wake up of the night, not bad considering I wasn’t home when he went to bed. ",[384,5101,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5103},"https://twitter.com/hashtag/BubbarooBabySleepDiary?src=hash",[388],"#BubbarooBabySleepDiary",[12,5106,5107,5108],{},"— Lisa LeeLeeLovesBlog (@LeeLee_Loves) ",[384,5109,5112],{"href":5110,"rel":5111},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/670432662411153408",[388],"November 28, 2015",[12,5114,5115,5118],{},[135,5116,5117],{},"Night #2 –"," Another night of self settling, I was hot on my heels to tweet to the worlds how wonderfully our precious boy had nodded off, only to be sat in his room 30 minutes later just as I was about to eat. He did however go back to sleep after this without being fed which is the goal! He also slept through.",[74,5120,5121],{},[12,5122,5123,5124,5127,5128],{},"I take that back, he’s awake. I picked up my dinner plate of course. 😂 ",[384,5125,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5126},[388]," — Lisa LeeLeeLovesBlog (@LeeLee_Loves) ",[384,5129,5132],{"href":5130,"rel":5131},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/671417752482091008",[388],"November 30, 2015",[12,5134,5135,5138],{},[135,5136,5137],{},"Night #3 –"," Taylor woke up at 12:30am, considering most of his wake ups have been prior to 09:00pm I felt like a zombie heading downstairs to his room, it’s like he knew I had work that day!",[12,5140,5141,5145,5146],{},[40,5142],{"alt":5143,"src":5144},"Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_december_through_bars","/images/2015/12/Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_december_through_bars-660x440.jpg","> That’s one baby back to sleep, now mummy needs to sleep ready for work in the morning. 😩",[384,5147,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5148},[388],[74,5150,5151],{},[12,5152,5107,5153],{},[384,5154,5157],{"href":5155,"rel":5156},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/672215767367204865",[388],"December 3, 2015",[12,5159,5160,5163,5164,5167],{},[135,5161,5162],{},"Night #4 –"," What an awful night, the first evening following me being back in work two days in row. Having only seen me for one hour in the evening to simply feed him and put him to bed I can only assume he may have been missing me. It’s a big change. He woke 5 times in the night, I was too tired to even take to twitter and moan about it. Breaking every rule in the baby sleep word at 4:00am I took him into out bedroom. I was full of cold and had hardly any sleep with work in the morning. ",[135,5165,5166],{},"Night #5 –"," After a very clingy day at home with mummy Taylor slept better than previous nights, he napped in the day but still woke before 9:00pm.",[74,5169,5170],{},[12,5171,5172,5173,5178,5179,5178,5184,5189,5190,5127,5194],{},"Their’s nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby. 😍 bubbaroobaby ",[384,5174,5177],{"href":5175,"rel":5176},"https://twitter.com/hashtag/bubbaroobabysleepdiary?src=hash",[388],"#bubbaroobabysleepdiary"," ",[384,5180,5183],{"href":5181,"rel":5182},"https://twitter.com/hashtag/sleep?src=hash",[388],"#sleep",[384,5185,5188],{"href":5186,"rel":5187},"https://twitter.com/hashtag/baby?src=hash",[388],"#baby","… ",[384,5191,5192],{"href":5192,"rel":5193},"https://t.co/YF7502KpZz",[388],[384,5195,5198],{"href":5196,"rel":5197},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/673603526665379840",[388],"December 6, 2015",[12,5200,5201,5205],{},[40,5202],{"alt":5203,"src":5204},"Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_december_sleeping","/images/2015/12/Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_december_sleeping-660x440.jpg","Having had three weeks of really good progress I’ve found our fourth week to be the most challenging with the introduction of me being away from Taylor longer than I have been previously. If we’re able to stick to the routine from here then hopefully the goals I set with Infant Sleep Consultants will be effective upon my returning to work full time in January.",[12,5207,5208],{},"Our experience so far has been fantastic, the number one thing I wanted to fix before I return to work is Taylor being breastfed to sleep and we ended last week with him not only having a bottle before bed but being put to bed by his grandparents whilst I was out!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":5210},[],[267],"/images/2015/12/Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_december_sleeping_close.jpg","2015-12-07T06:00:00Z","7867",{},"Bubbaroo Baby Sleep Diary Week 4. First bedtime by someone else achieved, but setbacks from work return. Adjusting to new routine challenges.","/bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-4",{"title":5083,"description":5088},"bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-4","6yitfjoECfAKzqvs_IOiVpTtn_trFUOP-fDVzUpSwv8",{"id":5222,"title":5223,"author":7,"body":5224,"category":5272,"cover":5273,"date":5274,"description":5228,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":5275,"meta":5276,"meta_description":5277,"meta_title":5223,"navigation":275,"path":5278,"seo":5279,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":5280,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":5281},"posts/is-traditional-living-a-thing-of-the-future.md","Is traditional living a thing of the future?",{"type":9,"value":5225,"toc":5270},[5226,5229,5238,5245,5248,5261,5264],[12,5227,5228],{},"I’m sure I’m not alone when I say series’ such a GBBO and Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas have influenced me into wanting to be a more hands on mum baking cakes and crafting. It’s certainly a lifestyle I’d love to follow if I had more hours in the day. I do however try my best with the time I do have.",[12,5230,5231,5232,5237],{},"A recent servey by ",[384,5233,5236],{"href":5234,"rel":5235},"http://www.baytree-interiors.co.uk/",[388],"Baytree Interiors"," asked a series of questions to 1,000 UK residents about learning new skills as well as their interior style preferences. They found that a traditional way of living was becoming popular, with participants stating that they had recently learnt or planned to learn some classic skills such as baking, sewing and knitting. The survey also found that people wanted to move away from modern interiors, instead opting for traditional, country or rustic furniture and interior design.",[12,5239,5240,5244],{},[40,5241],{"alt":5242,"src":5243},"baba_and_boo_prep_05","/images/2015/07/baba_and_boo_prep_05-660x440.jpg","From reusable nappies, to expressing breast milk and crafting hand made thank you cards I am most certainly one of those people. I’ve been learning new skills that would appear to have been popular centuries ago and not necessarily the norm today with so many more convenient ways of doing things. Yet more of us are choosing these traditional methods over modern alternatives.",[12,5246,5247],{},"This includes our home decor. I would rather have a country kitchen adorned in floral prints and pastels to while away the hours baking cupcakes and a gingham arm chair to read books in, as apposed to a sleek black or white high gloss kitchen and leather furniture in my home to watch a 60″ flat screen TV.",[12,5249,5250,5254,5255,5260],{},[40,5251],{"alt":5252,"src":5253},"Thank_You_Cards_6","/images/2015/02/Thank_You_Cards_6.jpg","I try making home made meals as often as I can as well as baby toys and crocheting. I would certainly have been comfortable living in the past! Becoming a mum has really brought out my ",[384,5256,5259],{"href":5257,"rel":5258},"http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/2015/11/traditional-home-making-skills.html",[388],"crafty"," side.",[12,5262,5263],{},"What do you think, is traditional living really becoming the norm, are you a traditionalist or do you prefer the modern life?",[4414,5265,5267],{"id":5266},"this-post-is-sponsored-however-all-views-are-my-own",[241,5268,5269],{},"This post is sponsored- However all views are my own",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":5271},[],[267],"/images/2015/06/baking_cookies_04.jpg","2015-11-30T16:24:00Z","7821",{},"Traditional living revival inspired by GBBO and Kirstie's Handmade Christmas. Baking, sewing, crafting, and country interiors making a comeback.","/is-traditional-living-a-thing-of-the-future",{"title":5223,"description":5228},"is-traditional-living-a-thing-of-the-future","TG45FhBZe5z4YLvD8bdCO18mV_j46d0sbRddLnRzRfk",{"id":5283,"title":5284,"author":7,"body":5285,"category":5403,"cover":5404,"date":5405,"description":5289,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":5406,"meta":5407,"meta_description":5408,"meta_title":5284,"navigation":275,"path":5409,"seo":5410,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":5411,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":5412},"posts/bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-3.md","Bubbaroo Baby Sleep Diary Week #3",{"type":9,"value":5286,"toc":5401},[5287,5290,5297,5308,5323,5332,5362,5368,5375,5393,5398],[12,5288,5289],{},"Since our last update Taylor’s sleeping habits have been moving from strength to strength and our routine is really starting to take shape. Aside from the odd evening of waking once or twice and a few disturbances I think it’s been a good week. Our baby is sleeping through the night, every night, and he’s not being breastfed to sleep!",[12,5291,5292,5296],{},[135,5293,5294],{},[135,5295,5093],{}," Tonight Taylor has gone to bed brilliantly, he self settled within minutes leaving me to enjoy a film night with Daddy. I thought he was going to wake when a loud cry came through the monitor but he didn’t actually wake up. Perfect.",[12,5298,5299,5303,5307],{},[40,5300],{"alt":5301,"src":5302},"bubbaroo_sleeping_cot_cute_reading_joey_Swag","/images/2015/11/bubbaroo_sleeping_cot_cute_reading_joey_Swag-660x440.jpg",[135,5304,5305],{},[135,5306,5117],{}," Tonight we had the in-laws around for dinner, they didn’t arrive until mid-way though our bedtime routine. I was upstairs with Taylor winding down before taking him to his room for a feed when Grandma appeared our of nowhere. This of course caused some confusion for Taylor meaning whilst everyone sat down to eat I was up and down trying to settle him. It’s safe to say I wasn’t best pleased but did eventually get him to settle. He woke again at 3:00am and was fed before waking for the day at 6:45am.",[74,5309,5310,5316],{},[12,5311,5312,5313],{},"When Grandma arrives in the middle of your bedtime routine… Taylor isn’t going to sleep easy this evening! ",[384,5314,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5315},[388],[12,5317,5107,5318],{},[384,5319,5322],{"href":5320,"rel":5321},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/668506450629689344",[388],"November 22, 2015",[12,5324,5325,5327,5331],{},[40,5326],{"alt":4960,"src":4961},[135,5328,5329],{},[135,5330,5137],{}," Tonight has been another successful one, we had TWO day time naps and undisturbed night time sleep. I’m beginning to really enjoy having extra time in the evenings to do the things I want and feeling refreshed throughout the day.",[74,5333,5334,5355],{},[12,5335,5336,5337,5178,5342,5178,5345,5178,5348,5178,5351],{},"In the time it took me to put my shoes on he’s nodded off! ☺️ ",[384,5338,5341],{"href":5339,"rel":5340},"https://twitter.com/hashtag/cute?src=hash",[388],"#cute",[384,5343,5188],{"href":5186,"rel":5344},[388],[384,5346,5183],{"href":5181,"rel":5347},[388],[384,5349,5177],{"href":5175,"rel":5350},[388],[384,5352,5353],{"href":5353,"rel":5354},"https://t.co/pcu9HPwzhE",[388],[12,5356,5107,5357],{},[384,5358,5361],{"href":5359,"rel":5360},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/669848028140969985",[388],"November 26, 2015",[12,5363,5364],{},[40,5365],{"alt":5366,"src":5367},"bubbaroo_sleeping_cot_joey_Swag_bag","/images/2015/11/bubbaroo_sleeping_cot_joey_Swag_bag-660x440.jpg",[12,5369,5370,5374],{},[135,5371,5372],{},[135,5373,5162],{}," Tonight I was a bad mummy and broke all rules of the routine we’ve worked so hard to achieve. On Wednesdays I have work as I ease back in preparation for my full time return. Saying goodbye to Taylor at 7:30am and not seeing him until 6:00pm makes it difficult to come home give him his dinner then put him to bed. It feels like I don’t see him! Moments into his pre-bed time feed he was fast asleep, we’re not breastfeeding to sleep anymore but he must have been tired. I then continued to hold him. I should have put him in his cot and left the room but I stayed there for 30 minutes just holding him before placing him in his cot already asleep. He woke an hour later! Hopefully this won’t disturb our routine. I won’t lie though, I enjoyed every minute of those sleepy baby cuddles.",[74,5376,5377],{},[12,5378,5379,5380,5178,5383,5127,5388],{},"Oh dear first wake up of the evening! ",[384,5381,5177],{"href":5175,"rel":5382},[388],[384,5384,5387],{"href":5385,"rel":5386},"https://twitter.com/Bubbaroo",[388],"@Bubbaroo",[384,5389,5392],{"href":5390,"rel":5391},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/669612441706356737",[388],"November 25, 2015",[12,5394,5395,5397],{},[135,5396,5166],{}," This evening Taylor went to sleep without any trouble and was placed in his cot awake at 7:10pm after having a short feed. He did start to cry 30 minutes later having not yet been to sleep properly. I proceeded to enter his room, gave him a cuddle and put him back. He’s not stirred since and it’s now 23:13. Fingers crossed we have another good night.",[12,5399,5400],{},"When we entered into this and I set my main priority to be the issue of breastfeeding to sleep I had no idea how relieved I would feel when things started to change. Knowing that their is the possibility Taylor might be able to have somebody else put him to bed is truly amazing. The biggest test of all will be when he isn’t having any breastfeeding at all before bed and tonight Grandma will be with him at bed time as I won’t be here. I’ll be leaving a bed time bottle of expressed milk instead. I’m both nervous and excited to see how it goes for them.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":5402},[],[267],"/images/2015/11/bubbaroo_sleeping_cot_cute_joey_Swag.jpg","2015-11-27T07:45:00Z","7808",{},"Bubbaroo Baby Sleep Diary Week 3. Sleeping through consistently, daytime naps improving, routine solidifying. Preparing for others to do bedtime.","/bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-3",{"title":5284,"description":5289},"bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-3","2JqyDSB7BfcgoJHZ1mpGFt5mgF081bKnsSqVtBgR2Ec",{"id":5414,"title":5415,"author":7,"body":5416,"category":5530,"cover":5531,"date":5532,"description":5420,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":5533,"meta":5534,"meta_description":5535,"meta_title":5415,"navigation":275,"path":5536,"seo":5537,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":5538,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":5539},"posts/why-breast-isnt-always-best-for-mummy.md","Why breast isn’t always best for mummy!",{"type":9,"value":5417,"toc":5526},[5418,5421,5424,5427,5433,5459,5465,5495,5502,5505,5508,5511,5520,5523],[12,5419,5420],{},"We recently reached our 10 month breastfeeding milestone and as a Medela mum I wanted to take some time to write about the subject. I made the decision to breastfeed early in my pregnancy we all hear over & over again, breast is best and I believe at least trying to give this to your baby is important.",[12,5422,5423],{},"This got me thinking of all the things that make breastfeeding one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, not the physical act of breastfeeding but everything that comes with it. Their really is no right or wrong to how you feed your baby but theirs always going to be somebody to judge you, somebody to call you out on every decision you make as a parent and someone to tell you that your choices are wrong.",[12,5425,5426],{},"With that in mind I’m going to share what I personally have found to be the pros and cons to my decision. My choice to breastfeed and the numerous moments when I’ve thought life would be so much easier if I used formula and also the moments when I’ve thought it would be harder if I had. Because with anything related to parenting no matter what choice you make theirs always going to be bad times!",[19,5428,5430],{"id":5429},"pro-boob",[135,5431,5432],{},"Pro Boob",[51,5434,5435,5438,5441,5444,5447,5450,5453,5456],{},[54,5436,5437],{},"No prep work required, latch & go baby! I LOVE how easy it is to feed my baby when he starts to scream his head off.",[54,5439,5440],{},"No sterilising bottles (unless expressing, so we do have some sterilising to do, just not as much)",[54,5442,5443],{},"No warming bottles or waiting for them to cool, Mummy milk is always the perfect temperature.",[54,5445,5446],{},"A very intimate bond every time you feed your baby, that’s not to say you can’t achieve this whilst giving a bottle but I do feel extra close to T when I feed him.",[54,5448,5449],{},"Great nutrition for your little bundle.",[54,5451,5452],{},"Burning extra calories, you would not believe how much cake and chocolate I have consumed in the last 10 months. SO MUCH CAKE!",[54,5454,5455],{},"Not having to get out of bed for night feeds. Pair breastfeeding with the Snüz bedside crib and you’ve got a match made in new-mum heaven.",[54,5457,5458],{},"No Periods… none, zero, ziltch. I’ve forgotten what at tampon looks like.",[19,5460,5462],{"id":5461},"no-boob",[135,5463,5464],{},"No Boob!",[51,5466,5467,5470,5473,5480,5483,5486,5492],{},[54,5468,5469],{},"One boob bigger than the other! – Before having a baby I was admittedly small chested, now I don’t know what I am because it changes with every feed.",[54,5471,5472],{},"Not being able to share the night feeds, I spent the first two weeks of T’s life awake from 10pm-6am alone whilst he cluster fed… Dark times saved only by Netflix and Dr Pepper!",[54,5474,5475,5476,5479],{},"In order to have a night off you must stay home for days (feels like years) expressing like a human cow. Moooo. However I’m fortunate enough to have the use of my fab ",[384,5477,5478],{"href":4767},"Medela electric pump"," making it a million times easier!",[54,5481,5482],{},"You must hope your baby will take a bottle to allow this evening off to take place, but you can’t introduce it too early or this may cause nipple confusion! See, so many things to consider…",[54,5484,5485],{},"You might have a small human with new razor sharp teeth bite you, it will hurt and you’ll have to stop yourself from shouting all sorts of profanities!",[54,5487,5488,5489,5491],{},"If you’re sick you still have to be the one feeding and caring for",[624,5490],{},"\nthe baby, unless you planned said sick day and expressed in advance.",[54,5493,5494],{},"Having to open to the door to the postman with a newborn human attached to you, yes that really happened. I was mortified.",[12,5496,5497,5501],{},[40,5498],{"alt":5499,"src":5500},"medel_prep_night_out_pump","/images/2015/08/medel_prep_night_out_pump-1320x876.jpg","My breastest friend! – I honestly love this device, it’s allowed me to do so many things. Including my return to work which I’ll write about soon!I could go on and on with more pros an cons to my chosen method of feeding and what’s worked for us so far, these are just a few of the reasons why it can be both a rewarding and strenuous journey.",[12,5503,5504],{},"To the lady who told me how lucky I am because breastfeeding had worked for me, whilst you went on a date night with your partner at the drop of a hat I stayed home for 3 days expressing so I could attend a funeral without having to take my baby. To the Lady who stared at me whilst I fed my baby in a café, my baby needs to eat too and I ALWAYS cover up, would you rather I let him scream or stay home incase he too is hungry? And to anyone who thinks breastfeeding is easy, it’s not. It can be both restricting and isolating and I’ve had multiple occasions where I’ve questioned my decision to breastfeed.",[12,5506,5507],{},"The debate of breastfed versus bottle fed babies is ongoing, and it shouldn’t be. I like to think that a baby who has a full tummy and a smile on their face is what’s best, a baby who is cared for and loved is what matters. I’ve said it many times, breastfeeding isn’t easy and it’s not something everyone can do for numerous reasons and not always by choice, it may have been relatively easy for myself, aside from the initial pain and the odd time I’ve been bitten, bad times. But before having my baby I had no idea how our journey would go. I was more than prepared to have to come and start making up bottles. We do what we can, and that’s what’s matters.",[12,5509,5510],{},"I spent more time worried about breastfeeding than I did the thought of labour, surely theirs something wrong there?",[12,5512,5513,5514,5519],{},"If you’re planning to breastfeed or having any troubles on your journey make sure you pop along to the ",[384,5515,5518],{"href":5516,"rel":5517},"https://www.facebook.com/medela.uk/?fref=ts",[388],"Medela UK Facebook"," page where they hold a weekly Q&A with their lactation consultant, this has been so helpful for me!",[12,5521,5522],{},"It might have been hard and their may have been times I felt restricted having to fit everything around feeding, but once weaning began and the feeds became less frequent I actually started to miss it all! The day Taylor chooses to stop breastfeeding is probably going to be harder for me than the challenges of having done it in the first place.",[12,5524,5525],{},"I’m so thankful Taylor and I have come this far and damn proud, 10 months on and we’re like pro’s. What was I worried about?",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":5527},[5528,5529],{"id":5429,"depth":255,"text":5432},{"id":5461,"depth":255,"text":5464},[267],"/images/2015/11/breastfeeding_baby_without_nursing_pillow.jpg","2015-11-20T10:31:00Z","6415",{},"Honest breastfeeding experience at 10 months. Pros and cons of nursing including challenges, rewards, and why fed is best. Medela mum perspective.","/why-breast-isnt-always-best-for-mummy",{"title":5415,"description":5420},"why-breast-isnt-always-best-for-mummy","V5UBht1N0O2Fh2LGAm9gU9UCVPaiIcIgVF16MJRCl88",{"id":5541,"title":5542,"author":7,"body":5543,"category":5674,"cover":5675,"date":5676,"description":5677,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":5678,"meta":5679,"meta_description":5680,"meta_title":5542,"navigation":275,"path":5681,"seo":5682,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":5683,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":5684},"posts/bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-2.md","Bubbaroo Baby Sleep Diary Week #2",{"type":9,"value":5544,"toc":5672},[5545,5555,5561,5576,5592,5612,5618,5633,5639,5646,5654,5663,5666,5669],[12,5546,5547,5548,1231,5551,5554],{},"Since last week when Taylor moved onto self settling we’ve had some brilliant nights of sleep. I went to work yesterday feeling so good! Their have been a few nights where he has been unsettled or woke a few times but that’s to be expected, babies do wake up from time to time! It’s like ",[384,5549,4911],{"href":4965,"rel":5550},[388],[384,5552,4985],{"href":4983,"rel":5553},[388]," have cast a magic spell over bed time!",[12,5556,5557,5560],{},[135,5558,5559],{},"Night #1"," Our existing routine of playing after dinner wasn’t helping in the process of winding down before bed. I decided to try a new routine and see how it helped. We put Taylor in his sleepsuit and Joey Swag Sleeping Bag straight after Dinner at 6:15pm then took him into our bedroom to watch a children’s programme in the dark and read a story. He was then breastfed and placed in his cot at 6:50pm and slept through!!",[74,5562,5563,5569],{},[12,5564,5565,5566],{},"Taylor went to sleep really well last night, we’ve changed his routine to settle him earlier, it’s working a treat! ",[384,5567,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5568},[388],[12,5570,5107,5571],{},[384,5572,5575],{"href":5573,"rel":5574},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/664421983082385410",[388],"November 11, 2015",[12,5577,5578,5178,5584,5587,5588,5591],{},[135,5579,5580],{},[40,5581],{"alt":5582,"src":5583},"Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_morning_cute","/images/2015/11/Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_morning_cute-660x440.jpg",[135,5585,5586],{},"Night #2"," I repeated last nights routine and Taylor went to sleep without any trouble. This is the 3rd night he has gone in his cot completely awake without kicking up a storm when breastfeeding has stopped. I’m certainly seeing results from the changes we’ve been putting into place and hoping it continues. ",[135,5589,5590],{},"Night #3"," Another night of being in bed and asleep by 7:00pm, I’ve gained two hours a night of baby-free time! We had one wake up around 2:00am where I was too tired to think about tweeting but he went back to sleep quite quickly.",[74,5593,5594],{},[12,5595,5596,5597,5178,5600,5178,5603,5127,5607],{},"Taylor has been asleep since 7:00pm again, so proud! ",[384,5598,5387],{"href":5385,"rel":5599},[388],[384,5601,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5602},[388],[384,5604,5605],{"href":5605,"rel":5606},"https://t.co/L5HbUZh5oY",[388],[384,5608,5611],{"href":5609,"rel":5610},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/664888934388924417",[388],"November 12, 2015",[12,5613,5614,5617],{},[135,5615,5616],{},"Night #4"," No wake up’s tonight! Taylor woke up really happy, I love going into his room of a morning to his cheeky smile… and weird moments like this!",[12,5619,5620,5624,5625,5127,5628],{},[40,5621],{"alt":5622,"src":5623},"Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_morning_funny","/images/2015/11/Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_morning_funny-660x440.jpg","> Taylor keeps crying out loud in his sleep, I’m waking to check on him and he’s actually asleep. Maybe he’s dreaming? ",[384,5626,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5627},[388],[384,5629,5632],{"href":5630,"rel":5631},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/667155847122968576",[388],"November 19, 2015",[12,5634,5635,5638],{},[135,5636,5637],{},"Night #5"," Taylor went to bed a little later last night and our routine was disturbed for numerous reasons. I definitely saw the knock on effect of this! He cried out a lot in his sleep and woke at 4:50, I was able to settle him back to sleep but then he woke for the day at 6:45am. We have a busy day ahead and after a week of relatively good sleep I’m feeling the effects of last night!",[12,5640,5641],{},[241,5642,5643],{},[135,5644,5645],{},"BREAKING NEWS – We’ve also had day time naps in the cot! I had a hot drink and time to work!",[12,5647,5648,5649,5653],{},"I took to ",[384,5650,389],{"href":5651,"rel":5652},"https://www.instagram.com/p/-BijiUsQn7/?taken-by=leeleeloves",[388]," to shout about the news – “This is a first, Taylor’s having a nap in his cot! I’m in the office writing with a scorching cup of tea. 😍”",[12,5655,5656],{},[384,5657,5659],{"href":5651,"rel":5658},[388],[40,5660],{"alt":5661,"src":5662},"Bubbaroo_baby_sleep_diary_day_nap","/images/2015/11/Bubbaroo_baby_sleep_diary_day_nap-1173x880.jpg",[12,5664,5665],{},"Overall I think we’ve had a fantastic week, I’ve learnt to avoid straying from the routine at all costs, even a small change can disturb a routine we’ve worked so hard to implement.",[12,5667,5668],{},"Taylor is getting really good at self settling, it’s strange placing him in his cot awake and leaving the room. I miss those extra cuddles but feel such immense pride when I watch him on the monitor drifting off by himself.",[12,5670,5671],{},"Have you got any magic tricks you use to settle your little ones at bed time? I would love to hear about them! x",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":5673},[],[267],"/images/2015/11/Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_morning_sleepy.jpg","2015-11-19T11:26:00Z","Since last week when Taylor moved onto self settling we’ve had some brilliant nights of sleep. I went to work yesterday feeling so good! Their have been a few nights where he has been unsettled or woke a few times but that’s to be expected, babies do wake up from time to time! It’s like Bubbaroo and Infant Sleep Consultants have cast a magic spell over bed time!","7708",{},"Bubbaroo Baby Sleep Diary Week 2. Self-settling success continues, new earlier routine, sleeping through nights, and first daytime cot naps achieved.","/bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-2",{"title":5542,"description":5677},"bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-2","PrDG6R2xO4rH9Zf2LkvQ1qa8gS087mQVxBvXOh7yztk",{"id":5686,"title":5687,"author":7,"body":5688,"category":5776,"cover":5777,"date":5778,"description":5692,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":5779,"meta":5780,"meta_description":5781,"meta_title":5782,"navigation":275,"path":5783,"seo":5784,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":5785,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":5786},"posts/our-weaning-adventure-with-vital-baby-weaning-essentials-weaningwarriors.md","Our weaning adventure with Vital Baby Weaning Essentials #WeaningWarriors",{"type":9,"value":5689,"toc":5774},[5690,5693,5700,5713,5726,5733,5746,5749,5756,5763],[12,5691,5692],{},"Taylor has been weaning for a few months now and it’s safe to say my baby loves food! We decided to approach weaning with a combination of Babyled weaning and spoon feeding Purée giving Taylor the opportunity to experience all types of tastes and textures.",[12,5694,5695,5699],{},[40,5696],{"alt":5697,"src":5698},"vital_baby_weaning_warriors_baby_weaning_pasta","/images/2015/11/vital_baby_weaning_warriors_baby_weaning_pasta-660x440.jpg","So far their haven’t been many foods Taylor hasn’t enjoyed, however I still find he doesn’t eat much when feeding himself solid foods. I’ll give him a light lunch of finger foods he can enjoy himself alongside being breastfed but evening meals we’re giving him puréed meals to ensure he goes to bed with a happy full tummy. This also helps to ensure he sleeps well.",[12,5701,5702,5706,5707,5712],{},[40,5703],{"alt":5704,"src":5705},"vital_baby_weaning_warriors_baby_weaning_fruit_pot","/images/2015/11/vital_baby_weaning_warriors_baby_weaning_fruit_pot-631x440.jpg","We kick start each day with a bowl of baby porridge, Strawberry is his favourite, this keeps Taylor satisfied for a few hours and gives him plenty of energy to play. I’ll let him have a small snack such as fruit between breakfast and lunch to keep him going. The ",[384,5708,5711],{"href":5709,"rel":5710},"http://www.vitalbaby.co.uk/types/bowls/4-food-pots.html",[388],"Vital Baby Food Pots"," are the perfect size for a serving of porridge or portion of fruit and come with lids in the event of any left-overs.",[12,5714,5715,5719,5720,5725],{},[40,5716],{"alt":5717,"src":5718},"vital_baby_weaning_warriors_food_pot","/images/2015/11/vital_baby_weaning_warriors_food_pot-660x440.jpg","Lunch can be anything from steamed veggies such as carrots and broccoli to pieces of chicken, pancakes, or toast. I always include a portion of fruit for after. Taylor’s current favourite is raspberries which he loves to squish in his hands before eating. So far the only food he has completely refused to eat is Salmon which I myself am not a fan of so I don’t blame him! I use the ",[384,5721,5724],{"href":5722,"rel":5723},"http://www.vitalbaby.co.uk/types/bowls/weaning-set.html",[388],"Vital Baby Weaning Set"," bowl for lunch and dinner as it holds more than the food pots, it’s also really useful if you need to have lunch on the go as it has a lid and holds a spoon.",[12,5727,5728,5732],{},[40,5729],{"alt":5730,"src":5731},"vital_baby_weaning_warriors_baby_weaning_veggie_fingers_babyled","/images/2015/11/vital_baby_weaning_warriors_baby_weaning_veggie_fingers_babyled-660x440.jpg","The Vital Baby spoons are our favourite so far as they have soft tips and are easy for both mummy and baby to hold. Taylor is yet to master getting it to his mouth by himself, but you’ve got to love a trier with a pea covered face!",[12,5734,5735,5739,5740,5745],{},[40,5736],{"alt":5737,"src":5738},"vital_baby_weaning_warriors_baby_weaning_spoon","/images/2015/11/vital_baby_weaning_warriors_baby_weaning_spoon-660x440.jpg","We’ve taken to making our own baby purée and I like knowing what’s in the food we give to Taylor, the idea seemed rather daunting at first but once you get going it’s so simple! Especially with the ",[384,5741,5744],{"href":5742,"rel":5743},"http://www.vitalbaby.co.uk/types/bowls/8-mini-press-n-poptm-freezer-pots.html",[388],"Vital Baby Press ‘n’ Pop Freezer Pots"," to store a batch in the freezer, they’re perfect!",[12,5747,5748],{},"I also use them for yoghurts if we’re going out. One Press ‘n’ Pop Freezer pot fits a small fromage freis perfectly and I don’t have to worry about bursting yoghurt in the changing bag.",[12,5750,5751,5755],{},[40,5752],{"alt":5753,"src":5754},"vital_baby_weaning_warriors_freezer_pots_puree","/images/2015/11/vital_baby_weaning_warriors_freezer_pots_puree-660x440.jpg","One of our favourite recipes is Potato, Carrot and Sweetcorn purée, I’ll be sharing a post with the recipe we use for anyone wanting to give it a try. It’s a really tasty one and I have to stop myself from eating it whilst feeding Taylor!",[12,5757,5758,5762],{},[40,5759],{"alt":5760,"src":5761},"vital_baby_weaning_warriors_baby_weaning_cup","/images/2015/11/vital_baby_weaning_warriors_baby_weaning_cup-660x440.jpg","Overall I think Taylor is doing really well with weaning, I don’t pressure him into eating if he doesn’t want to as he is still having multiple breastfeeds a day. I’m all the for the saying food is just for fun before one, he’s still gaining weight and developing perfectly so we have no worries. Just one very happy little boy learning to love food.",[12,5764,5765],{},[241,5766,5767,5768,5773],{},"We’ve been using The Vital Baby",[384,5769,5772],{"href":5770,"rel":5771},"http://www.vitalbaby.co.uk/types/bowls/8-piece-start-weaning-kit.html",[388]," Weaning Essentials bundle"," a great set especially for new parents like myself who haven’t done anything like this before, it contains everything you need to get started on your weaning journey for £9.99, we’ve found each item to be of use and loved having everything in one kit. You can also purchase each product separately in multiples.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":5775},[],[267],"/images/2015/11/vital_baby_weaning_warriors_baby_weaning_green_beans.jpg","2015-11-13T20:46:00Z","7596",{},"Vital Baby weaning essentials review. Combined baby-led weaning and purée feeding approach with freezer pots, soft spoons, and practical feeding bowls.","Vital Baby Weaning Essentials Review","/our-weaning-adventure-with-vital-baby-weaning-essentials-weaningwarriors",{"title":5687,"description":5692},"our-weaning-adventure-with-vital-baby-weaning-essentials-weaningwarriors","l5T9Zi4EjpVAL0SZe6Utdmz69YHt3NHjADzKQm8dhKQ",{"id":5788,"title":5789,"author":7,"body":5790,"category":5936,"cover":5937,"date":5938,"description":5939,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":5940,"meta":5941,"meta_description":5942,"meta_title":5789,"navigation":275,"path":5943,"seo":5944,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":5945,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":5946},"posts/bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-1.md","Bubbaroo Baby Sleep Diary Week #1",{"type":9,"value":5791,"toc":5934},[5792,5800,5803,5822,5827,5846,5851,5864,5869,5881,5886,5899,5908,5911,5925,5928,5931],[12,5793,5794,5795,5799],{},"After our ",[384,5796,5798],{"href":5797},"/introducing-a-new-bedtime-routine-with-bubbaroo-baby","initial consultation"," with Katie at The Sleep Experts it was time to put our new routine into practice and see how Taylor would react. Phase #1 involves teaching Taylor to fall asleep after he’s been fed and not during, this means he’ll still be breastfed at bed time but taken off before he falls asleep to then be rocked to sleep.",[12,5801,5802],{},"If he wakes in the night before 1.30am he isn’t to be fed. Any wake up before then I can give him a few minutes to settle and if he is getting upset go in and rock him back to sleep",[12,5804,5805,5806,5811,5812,5817,5818,5821],{},"If all goes to plan after 3 nights we can move onto phase #2 of our new routine which is to hold him after feeding and cease rocking. We’ll be using the ",[384,5807,5810],{"href":5808,"rel":5809},"https://www.bubbaroo.co.uk/shop/sleeping-bags-for-kids",[388],"Joey Swag Sleeping Bag ","and ",[384,5813,5816],{"href":5814,"rel":5815},"https://www.bubbaroo.co.uk/baby-blanket/#511=22&76=58&612=78",[388],"Blanket"," from ",[384,5819,4911],{"href":4965,"rel":5820},[388]," to help Taylor settle and sleep well during this transition.",[12,5823,5824,5826],{},[135,5825,5093],{}," Taylor only napped for 30 minutes through the day so I was concerned he might be over tired and kick up a fuss at bed time. After a lovely dinner of lasagne and an hour of play time I took him to bed where he fell swiftly asleep being rocked for 5 minutes after being breastfed. The next time he woke was 5:00am and we were up for the day.",[74,5828,5829,5839],{},[12,5830,5831,5832,5178,5835],{},"Night #1 of our new routine and I’ve managed to stop him from falling asleep breastfeeding! ",[384,5833,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5834},[388],[384,5836,5837],{"href":5837,"rel":5838},"https://t.co/fHp0ejeJDY",[388],[12,5840,5107,5841],{},[384,5842,5845],{"href":5843,"rel":5844},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/662375123534667777",[388],"November 5, 2015",[12,5847,5848,5850],{},[135,5849,5117],{}," Today we managed two hours of nap time. I took Taylor to his bedroom at 7:30pm as normal, he wasn’t too pleased to begin with but after 45 minutes of fussing he finally went to sleep in my arms. An hour later cue screams when Taylor is awake, he would not go to sleep just being held and wanted feeding but I have to persevere and not give in! Between teething, being given anbesol and cuddling it was 11:30pm before he went to sleep and stayed asleep.",[74,5852,5853],{},[12,5854,5855,5856,5127,5859],{},"Only one wake up last night although he wasn’t happy about not having a feed. ",[384,5857,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5858},[388],[384,5860,5863],{"href":5861,"rel":5862},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/662897008810835968",[388],"November 7, 2015",[12,5865,5866,5868],{},[135,5867,5137],{}," This evening went smoothly, I think he’s getting used to being rocked and not fed, we only had one wake up during the night. It was before 1:20am so I wasn’t allowed to feed him. The endless fireworks going off haven’t helped in getting him back to sleep but an hour later we had success. I’ve spoken to The Sleep Experts who have suggested I introduce phase #2 already which is to simply hold him still after feeding, no rocking. Well see how he reacts to that.",[74,5870,5871,5876],{},[12,5872,5855,5873],{},[384,5874,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5875},[388],[12,5877,5107,5878],{},[384,5879,5863],{"href":5861,"rel":5880},[388],[12,5882,5883,5885],{},[135,5884,5162],{}," Introducing Phase #2! This evening felt impossible to get Taylor to sleep, he wouldn’t go to sleep being held and was very fussy, I thought maybe it was too soon for phase #2 maybe I should rock again? I’d try anything but I can’t feed him to sleep, that would spoil everything we’ve achieved so far. He woke up twice in the night, once before 1:30am and once around 3:00am where he fed back to sleep.",[74,5887,5888],{},[12,5889,5890,5891,5127,5894],{},"Tonight Taylor stopped feeding to kick up a fuss, he then wouldn’t be held or rocked to sleep! ",[384,5892,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5893},[388],[384,5895,5898],{"href":5896,"rel":5897},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/663452390113320960",[388],"November 8, 2015",[12,5900,5901,5905,5907],{},[40,5902],{"alt":5903,"src":5904},"Bubbaroo_baby_sleep_diary_week_1_monitor","/images/2015/11/Bubbaroo_baby_sleep_diary_week_1_monitor-660x440.jpg",[135,5906,5166],{}," Another evening of being fussy, he doesn’t like to just be held. He’s okay with rocking but still wants a feed which he can’t keep having. Tonight I switched on the baby monitor before starting his feed. Our monitor has a feature that can project stars/planets onto babies ceiling and also play lullabies or classical music. Having switched this on beforehand he fed for only 5 minutes then was trying to turn around to look at the projection and got fussy. I decided to lay him in his cot whilst I popped out to grab my book. I could see a long evening ahead of me.",[12,5909,5910],{},"I expected him to start screaming the moment I put him down or left the room, to my surprise it was silent… So much so I got my book and chose not to re-enter his room.",[74,5912,5913,5919],{},[12,5914,5915,5916],{},"He’s asleep, that’s self settling right? 😁 *Mummy Dance* ",[384,5917,5104],{"href":5102,"rel":5918},[388],[12,5920,5107,5921],{},[384,5922,5898],{"href":5923,"rel":5924},"https://twitter.com/LeeLee_Loves/status/663458245407866881",[388],[12,5926,5927],{},"I watched in amazement on the monitor as he lay contently listening to Canon in D Major, who knew he was a fan? Ten minutes later he was asleep and I was stunned…. What happened to phase #2?",[12,5929,5930],{},"I entered into this feeling apprehensive and a little sceptical but I’m starting to see amazing results from such small changes we are on our way to having a baby who can go to sleep independently, it feels so good.",[12,5932,5933],{},"Taylor has shown that he is capable of going to sleep by himself, he can self settle and he doesn’t need to be fed through the night. Who knows we might be back to rocking or holding tomorrow night, it’s early days. For now I am one very proud mummy.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":5935},[],[267],"/images/2015/11/Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_week_1.jpg","2015-11-13T11:31:00Z","After our initial consultation with Katie at The Sleep Experts it was time to put our new routine into practice and see how Taylor would react. Phase #1 involves teaching Taylor to fall asleep after he’s been fed and not during, this means he’ll still be breastfed at bed time but taken off before he falls asleep to then be rocked to sleep.","7582",{},"Bubbaroo Baby Sleep Diary Week 1. Breaking breastfeeding-to-sleep with Bubbaroo Joey Swag. Self-settling success by night 5. #BubbarooBabySleepDiary","/bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-1",{"title":5789,"description":5939},"bubbaroo-baby-sleep-diary-week-1","Yq_DSPlHb-U_qaNOsxaBYq0YA-WLN0KouGfvXOIf6hA",{"id":5948,"title":5949,"author":7,"body":5950,"category":6006,"cover":6007,"date":6008,"description":5954,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":6009,"meta":6010,"meta_description":6011,"meta_title":5949,"navigation":275,"path":6012,"seo":6013,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":6014,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":6015},"posts/the-realisation-that-im-returning-to-work.md","The realisation that I’m returning to work",{"type":9,"value":5951,"toc":6004},[5952,5955,5958,5961,5964,5971,5974,5977,5980,5983,5986,5989],[12,5953,5954],{},"It’s 11:00am on the 28th October, what would appear to be your average Wednesday morning. Taylor is having his nap and I’ve got my first hot cup of tea. We’ve spent the morning playing, laughing and enjoying one another’s company. He is truly the most fun to be around, there isn’t time to feel sad about anything around such a smiley happy baby who laughs at everything you do, who looks up to you for approval with everything he does and smiles every time he sees you.",[12,5956,5957],{},"This Wednesday however is different to any other Wednesday we’ve had in the last 10 months of our time together and I do feel sad, why? Because this Wednesday is the last one we’ll spend the day together. The longest I’ve been away from my baby was 6 hours, and that was to attend a funeral.",[12,5959,5960],{},"Next Wednesday will see me returning to work.",[12,5962,5963],{},"Albeit one day a week in November, and two days a week through December to ease myself back into the work place before I return full time in January.",[12,5965,5966,5970],{},[40,5967],{"alt":5968,"src":5969},"taylor_cute_baby_stitch_halloween_disney","/images/2015/11/taylor_cute_baby_stitch_halloween_disney-660x440.jpg","There are so many things I’ve had to take into consideration in the lead up to this, not just in terms of childcare but how this might affect our morning and evening routines, how it might affect my decision to continue breastfeeding and how it could have an impact on both Taylor and myself emotionally.",[12,5972,5973],{},"I’d love to confidently say I’m looking forward to returning to work, but I’m not. Having adult conversations and tasks that require using my skills again may be refreshing, I didn’t spend 5 years in higher education for nothing, but I just know I’m going to be thinking about Taylor the entire time I’m there. I worry about him whilst he sleeps in his bedroom meters away so being in a completely different location is going to take some getting used to.",[12,5975,5976],{},"In January Taylor will be going to Nursery full time, 40+ hours a week whilst I’m at work.",[12,5978,5979],{},"Regardless of the benefits he may receive I’m going to worry, as is his Dad. He might have been working all this time but he’s been able to go to work knowing Taylor is at home having fun with mummy! It’s going to take some getting used to for all of us.",[12,5981,5982],{},"It’s strange knowing that after spending an entire year, for which I’m very fortunate, with this amazing little boy by my side somebody else will be spending their day with my precious baby sharing smiles and giggles that I won’t see or hear.",[12,5984,5985],{},"Smiles and giggles that should only be for mummy and daddy.",[12,5987,5988],{},"Maybe I’m just not ready to share our baby with the rest of the world.",[12,5990,5991,5995],{},[40,5992],{"alt":5993,"src":5994},"taylor_baby_cute","/images/2015/11/taylor_baby_cute-660x440.jpg",[384,5996,6000],{"href":5997,"rel":5998,"title":5999},"http://helloarchie.blue/category/marvellous-mondays",[388],"Hello Archie - UK Parenting and Lifestyle Blog",[40,6001],{"alt":6002,"src":6003},"Marvellous Mondays badge by Hello Archie","http://www.kaye.at/img/marvmondays-badge.png",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":6005},[],[267],"/images/2015/11/preapring_to_return_to_work.jpg","2015-11-07T17:31:00Z","7533",{},"Returning to work after maternity leave. Mixed emotions about leaving Taylor aged 10 months for nursery. Last Wednesday together before work return.","/the-realisation-that-im-returning-to-work",{"title":5949,"description":5954},"the-realisation-that-im-returning-to-work","6sn4ftiKoheeT5gse1LFxIyvE-B1elTrTx2OM6n9ThM",{"id":6017,"title":6018,"author":7,"body":6019,"category":6067,"cover":6068,"date":6069,"description":6070,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":6071,"meta":6072,"meta_description":6073,"meta_title":6018,"navigation":275,"path":6074,"seo":6075,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":6076,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":6077},"posts/becoming-cloth-bum-bababoo-cloth-nappies.md","Becoming a cloth bum with Baba+Boo Cloth Nappies",{"type":9,"value":6020,"toc":6065},[6021,6030,6033,6036,6043,6046,6059,6062],[12,6022,6023,6024,6029],{},"Since preparing our ",[384,6025,6028],{"href":6026,"rel":6027},"http://www.babaandboo.com/",[388],"Baba+Boo"," Cloth Nappies to use we’ve had a mixed experience. Which I think you can expect from such a big change.",[12,6031,6032],{},"Following advice from the fantastic team at Baba+Boo we decided to start slow and work with one nappy at a time. Just one cloth nappy a day to ease us in.",[12,6034,6035],{},"A few months on I’ve got used to the ‘messy’ and practical sides of using cloth, it’s not as bad as I had anticipated!",[12,6037,6038,6042],{},[40,6039],{"alt":6040,"src":6041},"baba_and_boo_cloth_nappies_01","/images/2015/11/baba_and_boo_cloth_nappies_01-660x440.jpg","We still aren’t full time users for many reasons. We don’t have enough nappies for that just yet, and need to build a ‘stash’. That’s what the cloth bum mums call their collections. Also, not everyone has adapted to the change as as I have. It’s not something you can convince other care-givers to take on if they don’t want to.",[12,6044,6045],{},"I’ve found Baba+Boo easy enough to use so far, there are a lot of poppers to work your way around. Which can be daunting at first glance. Once you know the best fit for your baby you just sort of remember which poppers your setting yourself up on and do it. A bit like riding a bicycle, it becomes automatic.",[12,6047,6048,6052,6053,6055,6056,6058],{},[40,6049],{"alt":6050,"src":6051},"baba_and_boo_cloth_nappies_03","/images/2015/11/baba_and_boo_cloth_nappies_03-660x440.jpg","We had a few leaks and advised to ‘boost’. Which means using both of the microfiber inserts, instead of just the one. This made the nappies a lot chunkier but far more absorbent and saw us experience less leaks. Taylor’s legs are skinny so unless the fit is spot on, you can expect the odd trickle down his leg.",[624,6054],{},"\nI’m also using the disposable liners to catch the ‘mess’ which I think is a huge help. I can’t imagine scooping it myself. I’ve yet to be brave enough to venture outside using cloth, maybe that’s a confidence thing. There haven’t been many leaks and it would most likely go well. Heck, I’ve had some extreme public poonami’s in disposables as it is, what am I scared of?",[624,6057],{},"\nOverall I’ve been enjoying the experience, I’m not ready to be a full time cloth bum mum just yet. But it is something I’d like to achieve.",[12,6060,6061],{},"Next mission – Going cloth outdoors!…",[12,6063,6064],{},"Do you use cloth nappies, if so tell us what you love about them and share any tips!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":6066},[],[267],"/images/2015/11/baba_and_boo_cloth_nappies_02.jpg","2015-11-07T08:17:00Z","Since preparing our Baba+Boo Cloth Nappies to use we’ve had a mixed experience. Which I think you can expect from such a big change.","8786",{},"Baba+Boo cloth nappies journey update. Starting slowly with one nappy per day, managing leaks with boosting, and building confidence. Tips shared.","/becoming-cloth-bum-bababoo-cloth-nappies",{"title":6018,"description":6070},"becoming-cloth-bum-bababoo-cloth-nappies","zQf-OsVGMCKMiroo1a8Zhz4yxeBiAQzVzTUX8btdqd0",{"id":6079,"title":6080,"author":7,"body":6081,"category":6162,"cover":5072,"date":6163,"description":6164,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":6165,"meta":6166,"meta_description":6167,"meta_title":6080,"navigation":275,"path":5797,"seo":6168,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":6169,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":6170},"posts/introducing-a-new-bedtime-routine-with-bubbaroo-baby.md","Introducing a new bedtime routine with Bubbaroo",{"type":9,"value":6082,"toc":6159},[6083,6090,6093,6103,6110,6113,6116,6124,6130,6133,6138,6141,6143,6146,6149,6156],[12,6084,6085,6086,6089],{},"When the lovely folks at ",[384,6087,4911],{"href":4965,"rel":6088},[388]," heard of our bedtime woes and asked if we would like to work with them on a sleep related project, including access to professional baby sleep experts, I didn’t need to think twice. This is exactly what we needed!",[12,6091,6092],{},"Over the next few weeks we’re going to be trying a new bedtime routine with Taylor, our overall aim is to try and reduce how much he relies on breastfeeding. And stop him from using me to fall asleep before I return to work full time in January.",[12,6094,6095,6096,6099,6100,6102],{},"This week I had my telephone consultation with ",[384,6097,4985],{"href":4983,"rel":6098},[388]," to discuss how we could achieve this which was more helpful than I had anticipated.",[624,6101],{},"\nIn order for Katie at The Baby Sleep Experts to understand what our situation was I had to give a breakdown of Taylors eating and sleeping habits.",[12,6104,6105,6109],{},[40,6106],{"alt":6107,"src":6108},"Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_rubbing_eyes","/images/2015/11/Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_rubbing_eyes-660x440.jpg","By documenting Taylors eating and sleeping habits for four days prior to the consultation we were able to see that he only has one short nap a day, Katie has suggested he needs to have more sleep throughout the day than he is currently getting, this will prevent him from becoming overtired and cranky by bed time. Also giving me more time to drink hot cups of tea and write, I’m certainly willing to try this.",[12,6111,6112],{},"My main focus was to discuss feeding, Taylor goes to bed each night by being breastfed to sleep. My concern has always been what happens when he’s no longer being breastfed? We need to nip this in the bud sooner rather than later!",[12,6114,6115],{},"The other issue we’ve been having aside from the odd couple of night time wakeups, namely due to teething, is him waking each night between going to bed at 8:00pm and 12:00am, and again, my breastfeeding him back to sleep each time.",[12,6117,6118],{},[135,6119,6120],{},[40,6121],{"alt":6122,"src":6123},"Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary","/images/2015/11/Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary-1173x880.jpg",[1168,6125,6127],{"id":6126},"so-whats-the-plan",[135,6128,6129],{},"So, what’s the plan?",[12,6131,6132],{},"I’ve opted to ease into the change rather than the option of placing him in his cot sans-feed and going in to say ‘shhh’ every two minutes and hoping he learns it’s sleep time. I personally don’t think I could handle it!",[12,6134,6135],{},[135,6136,6137],{},"Phase one 1 – Rock, don’t feed",[12,6139,6140],{},"To start with we’re going to try and teach Taylor to fall asleep after he’s been fed and not during, this means he’ll still be breastfed at bed time but taken off before he falls asleep to then be rocked to sleep.",[12,6142,5802],{},[12,6144,6145],{},"I’ll be writing a blog post about phase one after one week to let you all know how we get on, all being well we shall then move onto phase 2 and gradually work way up to a better bed time routine.",[12,6147,6148],{},"Last night was our first night and he took it really well. So exciting!",[12,6150,6151,6155],{},[40,6152],{"alt":6153,"src":6154},"Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_asleep","/images/2015/11/Bubbaroo_Joey_Swag_baby_sleep_diary_asleep-660x440.jpg","I’ll also be sharing tweets / Instagram posts of our journey using the tag #BubbarooBabySleepDiary be sure to follow our progress, you never know some of the techniques might help you.",[12,6157,6158],{},"Having breastfed Taylor to sleep for 10 months it’s going to be hard but I can’t wait to take on the challenge, have you found yourself to be in a similar situation, how did you handle it?",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":6160},[6161],{"id":6126,"depth":1191,"text":6129},[267],"2015-11-06T12:04:00Z","When the lovely folks at Bubbaroo heard of our bedtime woes and asked if we would like to work with them on a sleep related project, including access to professional baby sleep experts, I didn’t need to think twice. This is exactly what we needed!","7483",{},"New bedtime routine with Bubbaroo and Infant Sleep Consultants. Breaking breastfeeding-to-sleep association at 10 months. #BubbarooBabySleepDiary",{"title":6080,"description":6164},"introducing-a-new-bedtime-routine-with-bubbaroo-baby","97Hq7welL2rvdxPptGP8B-CjrmNmsHyadq_1TVyLhlc",{"id":6172,"title":6173,"author":7,"body":6174,"category":6233,"cover":6234,"date":6235,"description":6236,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":6237,"meta":6238,"meta_description":6239,"meta_title":6173,"navigation":275,"path":6240,"seo":6241,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":6242,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":6243},"posts/the-mombella-octopus-doo-baby-teether.md","The Mombella Octopus Doo Baby Teether",{"type":9,"value":6175,"toc":6231},[6176,6184,6187,6194,6197,6204,6211,6214,6227],[12,6177,6178,6183],{},[384,6179,6182],{"href":6180,"rel":6181},"http://www.mombella.com/en/",[388],"The Mombella Octopus Doo"," is a BPA free, silicone teether designed to ease the pain of teething in young babies.",[12,6185,6186],{},"We all know how awful tooth ache can be so imagine having your teeth push their way out and cutting through the gum. Thankfully most of us don’t have any memory of it!",[12,6188,6189,6193],{},[40,6190],{"alt":6191,"src":6192},"mombella__cute_baby_teething_toy01","/images/2015/09/mombella__cute_baby_teething_toy01.jpg","As a parent I can only imagine the pain my baby feels when cutting a new tooth and now at 8 months old he has four. Along the way we’ve had a lot of sleepless nights with flushed red cheeks, tonnes of dribble and might as well have bought shares in Anbesol liquid.",[12,6195,6196],{},"I’ve tried numerous teethers from gel filled to frozen but Taylor usually opts for the hard rubber ones that he can really chew on and not the soft silicone ones. I was surprised when he took to the Mombella Octopus, he especially loves chewing on the bumpy tentacles.",[12,6198,6199,6203],{},[40,6200],{"alt":6201,"src":6202},"cute_teething_baby_sitting_chewing_mombella_06","/images/2015/09/cute_teething_baby_sitting_chewing_mombella_06.jpg","With eight tentacles to choose from Taylor is spoilt for choice. The top of each tentacle has hard nobbly bits whilst the underneath has softer rounded bobbles which gives a choice of textures to chew on. We also liked how his little coloured hat is also textured and makes another great spot for chewing on.",[12,6205,6206,6210],{},[40,6207],{"alt":6208,"src":6209},"cute_teething_baby_sitting_chewing_mombella_04","/images/2015/09/cute_teething_baby_sitting_chewing_mombella_04.jpg","The Octopus Doo can also be frozen, sterilised and sanitised easily. Made from food graded silicone technology the small size and ergonomic design means Taylor has no problem gripping the teether and can handle it by himself easily. It is also reassuring that the tentacles are a good size to reduce the risk of choking with one in his mouth.",[12,6212,6213],{},"Overall Taylor and I love this teether! It has helped Taylor to cut two of his four teeth, it has eased his pain and saved my sanity. The Octopus Doo has earned itself a place amongst my teething essentials!",[12,6215,6216,6220,6221,6226],{},[40,6217],{"alt":6218,"src":6219},"cute_teething_baby_sitting_chewing_mombella_02","/images/2015/09/cute_teething_baby_sitting_chewing_mombella_02.jpg","The Mombella Octopus Doo can be purchased for ",[384,6222,6225],{"href":6223,"rel":6224},"http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mombelle%C2%AE-FDA-Certified-Silicone-Brush-Teether/dp/B00Z9NLWP0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442815737&sr=8-1&keywords=mombella",[388],"£10.80 on Amazon",". What are your essential items when it comes to teething? For me it has to be a good teething toy and antiseptic numbing agent. Keep the conversation going and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.",[4926,6228,6230],{"id":6229},"taylortries","#TaylorTries",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":6232},[],[267,1689],"/images/2015/09/cute_teething_baby_sitting_chewing_mombella_01.jpg","2015-09-21T07:14:00Z","The Mombella Octopus Doo is a BPA free, silicone teether designed to ease the pain of teething in young babies.","7249",{},"Mombella Octopus Doo teether review. BPA-free silicone with 8 textured tentacles, freezable, easy grip design. £10.80 on Amazon. #TaylorTries","/the-mombella-octopus-doo-baby-teether",{"title":6173,"description":6236},"the-mombella-octopus-doo-baby-teether","VGZu2OZ9jOF70ZQhyP2oWIu_3B8V-0SC_Dqr_aKWEpk",{"id":6245,"title":6246,"author":7,"body":6247,"category":6309,"cover":6310,"date":6311,"description":6312,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":6313,"meta":6314,"meta_description":6315,"meta_title":6316,"navigation":275,"path":6317,"seo":6318,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":6319,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":6320},"posts/breastfeeding-with-breastvest.md","Breastfeeding with Breastvest",{"type":9,"value":6248,"toc":6307},[6249,6257,6260,6267,6270,6277,6284,6287,6300],[12,6250,6251,6252,6256],{},"One thing I found to be difficult whilst pregnant was clothing. What do you wear when you have a huge bump that none of your clothes will stretch over? Let’s face it, pregnancy fashion isn’t always the best. I did however find ",[384,6253,6255],{"href":6254},"/bibee-maternity-dresses","Bibee"," – and they were great! During my pregnancy I found myself longing for the day when I could not only be snuggling up to our precious bundle but also be able to wear my favourite clothes again.",[12,6258,6259],{},"So what if you decide to breastfeed?… Surely it’s not possible to wear your favourite clothes? Well no, especially if you intend on feeding without flashing your bits & bobs.",[12,6261,6262,6266],{},[40,6263],{"alt":6264,"src":6265},"breastvest_packaging","/images/2015/09/breastvest_packaging-660x440.jpg","In my case, I was conscious about my wobbly stretched torso, and if I were comfortable, then sure I could flash the flesh but most of us want to keep it to ourselves and feel as though nobody should have to see that.",[12,6268,6269],{},"After having Taylor, I found that most nursing tops just weren’t me. Both in shape and style. Many were not something I would choose to wear yet I was not willing to give up on the idea of breastfeeding simply because I disliked the clothing.",[12,6271,6272,6276],{},[40,6273],{"alt":6274,"src":6275},"breastvest","/images/2015/09/breastvest.jpg","Like many women, I took to wearing cheap stretchy vests under my normal clothes. It works to a point, you pull your top up whilst pulling the vest down and voila DIY nursing tops. However, after a while the top of these vests becomes stretched and saggy, plus trying to roll down a nursing bra under the vest isn’t easy either. Not to mention the cheap material being ridiculously warm!",[12,6278,6279,6283],{},[40,6280],{"alt":6281,"src":6282},"breastvest_joint","/images/2015/09/breastvest_joint.jpg","Thanks to the BreastVest my troubles are behind me and I’ve not looked back since the day I started using them. The adeptly named BreastVest is simply a vest that has been repurposed specifically for nursing. The top of vest stops just below the breast where your bra sits – giving you full access to your nursing bra without having to pull down any layers or show any skin.",[12,6285,6286],{},"I found BreastVest to be the perfect solution for wearing my favourite clothes whilst nursing, however you do look a little funny when wearing the vest alone. It does mean one less layer to contend with whilst dealing with a hungry baby though. The result is a stylish looking mummy and no more stretched vests. Perfect right!?",[12,6288,6289,6293,6294,6299],{},[40,6290],{"alt":6291,"src":6292},"breastvest_coverage","/images/2015/09/breastvest_coverage.jpg","BreastVest are currently retailing from £10.00 – £15.00 at ",[384,6295,6298],{"href":6296,"rel":6297},"http://www.breastvest.co.uk",[388],"www.breastvest.co.uk"," and are available in a selection of colours. If you would like the chance to win a BreastVest, simply complete the form below, good luck!",[12,6301,6302],{},[384,6303,6306],{"href":6304,"rel":6305},"https://gleam.io/BcDHP/win-breastvest",[388],"Win Breastvest",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":6308},[],[267,1689],"/images/2015/09/baby_feeding_with_breastvest.jpg","2015-09-15T09:13:00Z","One thing I found to be difficult whilst pregnant was clothing. What do you wear when you have a huge bump that none of your clothes will stretch over? Let’s face it, pregnancy fashion isn’t always the best. I did however find Bibee – and they were great! During my pregnancy I found myself longing for the day when I could not only be snuggling up to our precious bundle but also be able to wear my favourite clothes again.","7231",{},"Breastvest review. Discreet breastfeeding vest solution allowing mums to wear favourite clothes whilst nursing without showing skin or dealing with layers.","Breastvest Review - Discreet Breastfeeding Clothing","/breastfeeding-with-breastvest",{"title":6246,"description":6312},"breastfeeding-with-breastvest","lAbMyuCy88ujV7zQFCCEf_9XwbenUvAYXGLPZZHADm0",{"id":6322,"title":6323,"author":7,"body":6324,"category":6404,"cover":6405,"date":6406,"description":6407,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":6408,"meta":6409,"meta_description":6410,"meta_title":6323,"navigation":275,"path":6411,"seo":6412,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":6413,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":6414},"posts/medela-swing-single-electric-breast-pump-giveaway.md","Medela Swing Single Electric Breast Pump Giveaway",{"type":9,"value":6325,"toc":6402},[6326,6342,6345,6356,6359,6365,6375,6384,6393],[12,6327,6328,6329,6335,6336,396],{},"The most personal journey we have shared with our readers isn’t that of becoming first time parents, but choosing to share our breastfeeding journey. For those of you who followed our pregnancy journey, you may have seen my posts about the ",[241,6330,6331],{},[384,6332,6334],{"href":6333},"/hopes-fears-and-expectations-for-breastfeeding","Hopes Fears and Expectations of Breastfeeding"," or the initial thoughts on ",[241,6337,6338],{},[384,6339,6341],{"href":6340},"/nursing-a-newborn-the-early-days-with-medela-breastfeeding","Nursing a Newborn",[12,6343,6344],{},"Fortunately for Taylor and I, we took to breastfeeding really well. Granted, it wasn’t a breeze but it also wasn’t so intense that I would give up. After seven months, it is now the most natural thing in world! So natural that I barely need to think about what I’m doing.",[12,6346,6347,6348,6355],{},"One product that has really helped us on our journey, aside from a supportive partner and Taylors cooperation, is the ",[241,6349,6350],{},[384,6351,6354],{"href":6352,"rel":6353},"http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000LPZTQY?creativeASIN=B000LPZTQY&linkCode=w00&linkId=&ref_=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til&tag=leeleeloves-21",[388],"Medela Swing Single Electric Breast Pump",". This superb product has allowed me to express milk so that we are able to leave Taylor for a couple of hours with his Grandparents whilst I focus on my driving lessons and even enjoy a date night or two – which is amazing!",[12,6357,6358],{},"To help celebrate and support breastfeeding mums out there, we’re excited to be able to give you the chance to WIN one for yourself. To enter, following the instructions provided in the contest box below.",[12,6360,6361],{},[384,6362,4768],{"href":6363,"rel":6364},"https://gleam.io/HOmQc/medela-swing",[388],[12,6366,6367,6368,6374],{},"This is truly an amazing prize for any new mum, as ",[241,6369,6370],{},[384,6371,6373],{"href":6352,"rel":6372},[388],"the Medela Swing"," Single Electric Breast Pump currently retails for £134.99 and is an essential purchase for any parent considering breastfeeding.",[12,6376,6377],{},[384,6378,6380],{"href":6379},"/images/2015/04/medela_swing_pump_review_2.jpg",[40,6381],{"alt":6382,"src":6383},"medela_swing_pump_review_2","/images/2015/04/medela_swing_pump_review_2-660x440.jpg",[12,6385,6386,6387,6392],{},"If you’d like to know more about the pump, you can ",[241,6388,6389],{},[384,6390,6391],{"href":4767},"read our full review",". Please share our latest competition with any new or expectant parents you might know and best of luck! Xx",[12,6394,6395,6396],{},"To shop the full range of Medela products including the Swing single pump and the Swing Maxi Double Pump, we recommend Amazon UK, where the single pump is currently on offer for £109.99. ",[241,6397,6398],{},[384,6399,6401],{"href":6352,"rel":6400},[388],"Buy Medela products on Amazon UK.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":6403},[],[267],"/images/2015/04/medela_swing_pump_review_1.jpg","2015-08-26T08:14:00Z","The most personal journey we have shared with our readers isn’t that of becoming first time parents, but choosing to share our breastfeeding journey. For those of you who followed our pregnancy journey, you may have seen my posts about the Hopes Fears and Expectations of Breastfeeding or the initial thoughts on Nursing a Newborn.","7160",{},"Win a Medela Swing single electric breast pump worth £134.99. Giveaway for breastfeeding mums. Essential expressing tool for date nights and freedom.","/medela-swing-single-electric-breast-pump-giveaway",{"title":6323,"description":6407},"medela-swing-single-electric-breast-pump-giveaway","og0LusS0w1LQRXDWyLe-uc4dlVGtmRWKgxxMmtTOByk",{"id":6416,"title":6417,"author":7,"body":6418,"category":6517,"cover":6518,"date":6519,"description":6422,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":6520,"meta":6521,"meta_description":6522,"meta_title":6417,"navigation":275,"path":6523,"seo":6524,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":6525,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":6526},"posts/milestone-taylors-mobile-at-7-months.md","Milestone: So Taylor’s Mobile at 7 Months",{"type":9,"value":6419,"toc":6515},[6420,6423,6432,6459,6466,6473,6486,6489,6492,6495,6497],[12,6421,6422],{},"Today you are seven months old 01/08/2015 – You’re a lot more mobile than you were last month, you can now commando crawl the length of the room in seconds dragging your legs and pushing yourself forward with such determination, it’s great to watch and you won’t let anything stop you getting to where you want to be.",[12,6424,6425,5178,6429],{},[40,6426],{"alt":6427,"src":6428},"Taylor_7_month_update_01","/images/2015/08/Taylor_7_month_update_01.jpg",[135,6430,6431],{},"This month you –",[12,6433,6434,6435,6437,6438,6440,6441,6443,6444,6446,6447,6449,6450,6452,6453,6455,6456,6458],{},"☆ Weigh 14lb 12oz",[624,6436],{},"\n☆ Still have TWO teeth and I finally have pictures showing them, adorable",[624,6439],{},"\n☆ Still wearing your 3-6 month clothes",[624,6442],{},"\n☆ Tried roast chicken, strawberry, banana, one big chip.",[624,6445],{},"\n☆ Are wearing cloth nappies more and have moved into size 3 disposables",[624,6448],{},"\n☆ Learnt how to make the B sound, Baa A ababababa you don’t stop",[624,6451],{},"\n☆ Make fish faces alongside the B sounds, definitely my favourite so far",[624,6454],{},"\n☆ Love chasing the cats",[624,6457],{},"\n☆ Have a high chair and love shouting whilst hitting the tray!",[12,6460,6461,6465],{},[40,6462],{"alt":6463,"src":6464},"Taylor_7_month_update_05","/images/2015/08/Taylor_7_month_update_05.jpg","Over the last week since you’ve learnt make the B sound we have had a lot of fun watching you pull faces as you shout Ba and Abababa whilst pulling a funny fish face, the expression on your face is hard to describe but I’m keeping the camera close to try and capture it next time.",[12,6467,6468,6472],{},[40,6469],{"alt":6470,"src":6471},"Taylor_7_month_update_07","/images/2015/08/Taylor_7_month_update_07.jpg","You’ve finished swimming lessons until September so we’ve been going to the local pool on Sunday mornings, Daddy swims in the big pool before joining us to play. It’s not as warm or deep as the pool where you have your lessons but it’s keeping you in the routine of swimming each weekend, and you still love to splash.",[12,6474,6475,6479,6481,6482],{},[40,6476],{"alt":6477,"src":6478},"Taylor_7_month_update_02","/images/2015/08/Taylor_7_month_update_02.jpg",[624,6480],{},"\nYou’ve also taken more of an interest in watching things, you sat and watched the animated movie Home from start to finish with Daddy and I, you may have fallen asleep (so did Daddy!) but I was still surprised. ",[40,6483],{"alt":6484,"src":6485},"Taylor_7_month_update_04","/images/2015/08/Taylor_7_month_update_04.jpg",[12,6487,6488],{},"We’ve been on two trips this month, a day trip York with Grandma & Granddad and a night in Barford visiting Aunt Katie, Uncle Stephen and your cousins. You had a great time with Zak & Riley who wouldn’t leave you alone, it was adorable. I think you’ll grow up loving your big cousins!",[12,6490,6491],{},"Love & squishes, Mummy & Daddy Xx",[12,6493,6494],{},"ps: How cute are those little teeth! I’m so glad we finally captured them.",[4926,6496,4929],{"id":4928},[12,6498,6499,6503,6507,6511],{},[40,6500],{"alt":6501,"src":6502},"Taylor_7_month_update_03","/images/2015/08/Taylor_7_month_update_03.jpg",[40,6504],{"alt":6505,"src":6506},"Taylor_7_month_update_08","/images/2015/08/Taylor_7_month_update_08.jpg",[40,6508],{"alt":6509,"src":6510},"Taylor_7_month_update_09","/images/2015/08/Taylor_7_month_update_09.jpg",[40,6512],{"alt":6513,"src":6514},"Taylor_7_month_update_10","/images/2015/08/Taylor_7_month_update_10.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":6516},[],[267,661],"/images/2015/08/Taylor_7_month_update_cover.jpg","2015-08-06T22:00:00Z","6395",{},"Taylor at 7 months old. Commando crawling, two teeth showing, making fish faces, chasing cats, and loving his new high chair. #DearTaylor milestone update.","/milestone-taylors-mobile-at-7-months",{"title":6417,"description":6422},"milestone-taylors-mobile-at-7-months","vWdw840Vit8tytX57iZ7JBn_Rb6UWIXtob65ZBiBiNM",{"id":6528,"title":6529,"author":7,"body":6530,"category":6610,"cover":6611,"date":6612,"description":6534,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":6613,"meta":6614,"meta_description":6615,"meta_title":6529,"navigation":275,"path":6616,"seo":6617,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":6618,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":6619},"posts/milestone-happy-half-a-year-taylor-is-6-months-old.md","Milestone: Happy Half a Year! – Taylor is 6 Months Old",{"type":9,"value":6531,"toc":6608},[6532,6535,6542,6550,6577,6584,6587,6594,6597,6603,6606],[12,6533,6534],{},"Today you are six months old 01/07/2015, halfway through your first year and six months away from your first Birthday, how is that even possible? I say this every month but time really is passing us by so fast, people love to tell parents of newborns to cherish every minute and they’re right.",[12,6536,6537,6541],{},[40,6538],{"alt":6539,"src":6540},"Taylor_six_months_05","/images/2015/07/Taylor_six_months_05.jpg","Watching you flourish into your own little person is truly magical. You’re personality has started to show more over the last month, you’re very cheeky and as always, smiley. Daddy and I can sit blowing raspberries with you and laughing at your for hours.",[12,6543,6544,5178,6548],{},[40,6545],{"alt":6546,"src":6547},"Taylor_six_months_06","/images/2015/07/Taylor_six_months_06.jpg",[135,6549,6431],{},[12,6551,6552,6553,6555,6556,6558,6559,6561,6562,6564,6565,6567,6568,6570,6571,6573,6574,6576],{},"☆ Weigh 14lb",[624,6554],{},"\n☆ Have TWO teeth!",[624,6557],{},"\n☆ Have outgrown some of your 0-3 month clothing and now fit some 3-6 month!",[624,6560],{},"\n☆ After 6 months of being exclusively breastfed we have started weaning",[624,6563],{},"\n☆ Started to wear cloth nappies! Yay us",[624,6566],{},"\n☆ Learnt how to blow raspberries, and won’t stop 😛",[624,6569],{},"\n☆ You have started splashing all the way through your swimming lessons",[624,6572],{},"\n☆ Sitting up better, but prefer to roll and turn on your arms",[624,6575],{},"\n☆ You’re trying really hard to crawl!",[12,6578,6579,6583],{},[40,6580],{"alt":6581,"src":6582},"Taylor_six_months_02","/images/2015/07/Taylor_six_months_02.jpg","We’ve been having lots of fun at our weekly Baby sensory classes and you’ve become so sociable, you love engaging with other babies, even if that means trying to pull their ears off and kiss them.",[12,6585,6586],{},"Swimming has been going great and you really do love making a splash! We’ve finished for summer now so we plan to take you to the local pool ourselves until lessons start again in September.",[12,6588,6589,6593],{},[40,6590],{"alt":6591,"src":6592},"Taylor_six_months_01","/images/2015/07/Taylor_six_months_01.jpg","You’re trying very hard to crawl at the moment, albeit with your head on the carpet, ouch! You’ve also learnt to blow raspberries properly and won’t stop showering us in your dribble, it’s ridiculously cute though so we’ll let you off. You have TWO teeth now, your lower central incisors. My goodness it hurts when you bite down with those peggies!",[12,6595,6596],{},"So far I feel like we’re making the most of our time off together, we’re also trying to do more on Daddy’s days off as a family and it’s lovely, even if it’s just a trip to shops as a family.",[12,6598,6599,6600,6602],{},"I intend to spend the next 6 months doing as much as we can before I return to work full time and you head out on your own big adventures at nursery. It’s both sad and scary just thinking of whats to come so let’s make these 6 months really count!",[624,6601],{},"\nLove & squishes, Mummy & Daddy Xx",[12,6604,6605],{},"ps: How cute do you look in your little Buzz Lightyear onesie!",[4926,6607,4929],{"id":4928},{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":6609},[],[267,661],"/images/2015/07/taylor_6_month_update_cover.jpg","2015-07-22T12:39:00Z","6331",{},"Taylor turns 6 months old. Milestones include two teeth, weaning, cloth nappies, swimming, blowing raspberries, and attempting to crawl. #DearTaylor","/milestone-happy-half-a-year-taylor-is-6-months-old",{"title":6529,"description":6534},"milestone-happy-half-a-year-taylor-is-6-months-old","ZDtGodMOEN3xOJj-lr26CQPVJaoIzrMAQNRYQxCJkrU",{"id":6621,"title":6622,"author":7,"body":6623,"category":6705,"cover":6706,"date":6707,"description":6627,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":6708,"meta":6709,"meta_description":6710,"meta_title":6622,"navigation":275,"path":6711,"seo":6712,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":6713,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":6714},"posts/preparing-to-wean-with-vital-baby-top-tips.md","Preparing to Wean With Vital Baby  + Top Tips!",{"type":9,"value":6624,"toc":6703},[6625,6628,6634,6637,6644,6651,6658,6661,6670,6676,6679,6682,6685,6688,6691,6700],[12,6626,6627],{},"As Taylor approached the six month mark I knew we needed to start preparing for the big W, WEANING! As a first time mum I really was clueless and unlike other mums I know, our HV hasn’t contacted us at all about weaning, thankfully the team at Vital Baby did and wanted to help guide us.",[12,6629,6630],{},[40,6631],{"alt":6632,"src":6633},"Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_07","/images/2015/07/Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_07.jpg",[12,6635,6636],{},"I read a lot about my two main choices, puree and baby-led, before Taylor was born our lovely friends gifted us with a food processor and the very popular Annabel Karmel book as a Christmas present, seriously the most thoughtful and useful baby gift!",[12,6638,6639,6643],{},[40,6640],{"alt":6641,"src":6642},"Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_09","/images/2015/07/Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_09.jpg","I knew that I also wanted to try baby-led so decided I would do a combination of both, spoon feeding, whilst still giving Taylor the opportunity to get his hands dirty and try some soft but still solid foods on his own. It’s all about discovery!",[12,6645,6646,6650],{},[40,6647],{"alt":6648,"src":6649},"Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_03","/images/2015/07/Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_03.jpg","We have tried a few foods and I will admit the soft foods and puree have my favourites so far, every time I try something more solid I am terrified he might choke! He’s been fine so far but I am most certainly a paranoid first time mum, although I’ve taken on board the advise we received and have become a little more adventurous.",[12,6652,6653,6657],{},[40,6654],{"alt":6655,"src":6656},"Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_06","/images/2015/07/Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_06.jpg","We recently took part in live chat with Vital Baby’s in-house Weaning Expert and found that we could give T dairy!",[12,6659,6660],{},"I was under the impressions that dairy + cows milk were a no no until 1 year+, I didn’t realise this only applies as a replacement for their main feed/drink of breastmilk or formula. They can have dairy in food from 6 months, so that was it, hello yoghurt! (He loved it!)",[12,6662,6663,6667,6669],{},[40,6664],{"alt":6665,"src":6666},"Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_05","/images/2015/07/Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_05.jpg",[624,6668],{},"\nVital Baby’s in-house Weaning Expert Dr Rana Conway has also shared these other weaning top tips with us.",[12,6671,6672],{},[40,6673],{"alt":6674,"src":6675},"Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_08","/images/2015/07/Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_08.jpg",[12,6677,6678],{},"♥ Offer your baby a wide range of foods so she gets used to different flavours and textures. Babies naturally like sweet foods to start with, but offer slightly bitter foods too such as spinach, broccoli and green beans. Don’t be surprised ifthese are rejected at first. Every time you try, the chances of success increase.",[12,6680,6681],{},"♥ Let your baby set the pace. ‘Responsive feeding’ is key, so if your baby shows signs that he’s had enough don’t keep trying for one more spoonful. Teething and colds can put a baby off their food and pressure to eat will just cause food battles.",[12,6683,6684],{},"♥ Don’t give too much milk, as this is one of the main reasons for babies not taking to solids. Babies under 12 months need 3-4 breast feeds or 500-600ml of formula a day and giving more than this can make them too full for meals.",[12,6686,6687],{},"♥ Give your baby plenty of opportunities to handle food. Whether you’re starting with spoon-feeding or baby-led weaning, give some finger foods every day. Steamed vegetables such as carrot sticks or pieces of broccoli and soft fruit like bananas and pears are ideal.",[12,6689,6690],{},"♥ Make meal times enjoyable by sitting and eating together whenever possible. If you relax and take your time it will help your baby develop a healthy relationship with food.",[12,6692,6693,6697,6699],{},[40,6694],{"alt":6695,"src":6696},"Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_11","/images/2015/07/Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_11.jpg",[624,6698],{},"\nI hope you might find the above tips as useful on your weaning journey as I have, check back soon to see how we’ve been getting on an see what foods we’ve been enjoying.",[12,6701,6702],{},"If you’re about to embark on your own weaning journey or have done it all before I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":6704},[],[267,661],"/images/2015/07/Taylor_weaning_vital_baby_cover.jpg","2015-07-20T07:30:00Z","6305",{},"Preparing to wean with Vital Baby expert tips. First-time mum guide to baby-led weaning, purées, and introducing solid foods at 6 months.","/preparing-to-wean-with-vital-baby-top-tips",{"title":6622,"description":6627},"preparing-to-wean-with-vital-baby-top-tips","S89iFrqAyIM1NdWdSYYs2gHNnOd3Qj7aWtRXPWcA3CE",{"id":6716,"title":6717,"author":7,"body":6718,"category":6772,"cover":6773,"date":6774,"description":6722,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":6775,"meta":6776,"meta_description":6777,"meta_title":6717,"navigation":275,"path":6778,"seo":6779,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":6780,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":6781},"posts/my-breastfeeding-cafe-with-medela.md","My Breastfeeding Café with Medela",{"type":9,"value":6719,"toc":6770},[6720,6723,6726,6729,6732,6735,6744,6747,6750,6753,6756,6759,6765],[12,6721,6722],{},"Last month saw me host my first Breastfeeding Café, as a Medela Mum and Café ambassador for my city I’ll be hosting one of these each month through to October. It’s a great way for local mums or my fellow breastfeeding friends to get together, eat cake (that’s important) Drink tea and talk.",[12,6724,6725],{},"As with most things attending a planned event when you have children doesn’t always go to plan, this saw my group of feeding friends all drop out one-by-one the day before my planned Café.",[12,6727,6728],{},"My cousin went ahead and gave birth that day so we’ll let her off, it’s a good job she didn’t come along! 😉",[12,6730,6731],{},"I was however determined to go ahead and get out for the afternoon, so I put a very last-minute post up on Mummy Social the night before inviting any breastfeeding mummies to come and meet me in the city centre.",[12,6733,6734],{},"At this point I was fairly certain I would be sitting alone in the coffee shop, which is why I’d chosen such an open public place, if nobody came nobody would know. I’m just a mummy enjoying a tea break with her baby. To my amazement two lovely Mums came with their babies and I had a great time!",[12,6736,6737,6741],{},[40,6738],{"alt":6739,"src":6740},"breastfeeding_cafe_medela_02","/images/2015/07/breastfeeding_cafe_medela_02.jpg",[241,6742,6743],{},"– Amazing cake –",[12,6745,6746],{},"Having never spent time with any breastfeeding mothers before it was nice to be able to discuss things that my other friends don’t understand or can’t help with, being able to say “What do you do when….” and having another lady give you her thoughts really helps!",[12,6748,6749],{},"We spoke about why we had chosen to breastfeed and if it was a choice we made during pregnancy or after, it seemed we all had the same mentality towards it, choosing whilst pregnant. If we could, we would, we would try. But it’s not always easy for everyone and we all agreed how those first few weeks can be hard.",[12,6751,6752],{},"As well as discussing how our journeys had been so far we shared tips and tricked we’d learnt so far, who knew that feeding baby upside down is meant to help relieve mastitis, and for these mums it worked! You really do learn something new every day.",[12,6754,6755],{},"Meeting other breastfeeding mums was brilliant I cannot wait to do it again, I left my first café feeling not only like I had met two wonderful ladies but that I had also learnt a few things, what more could I ask for?",[12,6757,6758],{},"Do you attend any breastfeeding groups or events in your area or have any nifty tips to share? Don’t keep them to yourself, let us know! 😉",[12,6760,6761],{},[40,6762],{"alt":6763,"src":6764},"breastfeeding_cafe_medela_03","/images/2015/07/breastfeeding_cafe_medela_03.jpg",[12,6766,6767],{},[241,6768,6769],{},"– Tails on his way to talk about his favourite thing, mummy milk! –",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":6771},[],[267],"/images/2015/07/breastfeeding_cafe_medela_Cover.jpg","2015-07-15T11:21:00Z","6288",{},"Hosting my first Breastfeeding Café as Medela Mum ambassador. Local mums gathering for support, tips, cake, and conversation about feeding journeys.","/my-breastfeeding-cafe-with-medela",{"title":6717,"description":6722},"my-breastfeeding-cafe-with-medela","TwePf4xrDgJN_p_KQayRqZZhcbGSRfMlwqCZbXBstos",{"id":6783,"title":6784,"author":7,"body":6785,"category":6970,"cover":6971,"date":6972,"description":6789,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":6973,"meta":6974,"meta_description":6975,"meta_title":6784,"navigation":275,"path":6976,"seo":6977,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":6978,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":6979},"posts/its-in-the-bag-baby-my-daily-essentials.md","It’s in the Bag Baby – Everything But the Kitchen Sink!",{"type":9,"value":6786,"toc":6968},[6787,6790,6797,6802,6805,6811,6814,6823,6826,6829,6832,6841,6844,6847,6850,6853,6859,6864,6867,6870,6873,6876,6884,6889,6892,6898,6907,6910,6913,6916,6923,6929,6934,6937,6940,6943,6946,6949,6952,6963],[12,6788,6789],{},"Before I became a mum I carried around an array of colourful satchels in varying sizes, you’d usually find my iPad mini for reading and my pink beats headphones for the daily commute, a cadburys twirl, lip balm and a tonne of hand sanitiser. Simple! Now I precision pack a large bag with everything from nappies to nasal sprays.",[12,6791,6792,6793],{},"The first weeks of having my mummy bag took some getting used to and everything was sort of thrown in like a fifteen year olds school bag, it was impossible to go into the bag and instantly retrieve what you went in for, as someone who loves organisation it was horrible, It was like Hermione Granger’s magic handbag after falling from a broomstick, messy!",[40,6794],{"alt":6795,"src":6796},"its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_08","/images/2015/06/its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_08.jpg",[12,6798,6799],{},[135,6800,6801],{},"Jump ahead six months and I’ve mastered it!",[12,6803,6804],{},"To finally put an end to this chaos I structured my bag using a set of clear makeup/travel bags, now everything lives in its own specified location and works perfectly for me.",[12,6806,6807],{},[40,6808],{"alt":6809,"src":6810},"its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_01","/images/2015/06/its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_01.jpg",[12,6812,6813],{},"My current essentials (essentials being almost everything in the bag, because it really is essential!) consists of the following –",[12,6815,6816,6820],{},[40,6817],{"alt":6818,"src":6819},"its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_07","/images/2015/06/its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_07.jpg",[135,6821,6822],{},"Changing –",[12,6824,6825],{},"♥ Nappies",[12,6827,6828],{},"♥ Waterwipes – Which I keep in a funkybox, I love these!",[12,6830,6831],{},"♥ Burts Bees 2 in 1 nappy cream",[12,6833,6834,6838],{},[40,6835],{"alt":6836,"src":6837},"its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_05","/images/2015/06/its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_05.jpg",[135,6839,6840],{},"Medicines –",[12,6842,6843],{},"♥ Anbesol liquid – A teething godsend, a friend recommended this to us and I don’t leave the house without it.",[12,6845,6846],{},"♥ Sugar & Colour Free Calpol – incase of fever or particularly bad teething days.",[12,6848,6849],{},"♥ Snufflebabe saline spray – Tiny is so congested at the moment, this helps him to latch properly for feeds.",[12,6851,6852],{},"♥ Dentinox eye wipes – T often gets very goopy eyes so I carry these to keep them clear.",[12,6854,6855],{},[40,6856],{"alt":6857,"src":6858},"its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_06","/images/2015/06/its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_06.jpg",[12,6860,6861],{},[135,6862,6863],{},"Clothing –",[12,6865,6866],{},"After a few explosive nightmares whilst out and about – aren’t they always while you’re out? – I now pack more than 1 change of clothing. Usually just sleep suits as an easy go to if his cute outfit of the day is a complete write-off.",[12,6868,6869],{},"♥ 2 x sleep suits",[12,6871,6872],{},"♥ 2 x vests",[12,6874,6875],{},"♥ 3 x bibs",[12,6877,6878],{},[135,6879,6880],{},[40,6881],{"alt":6882,"src":6883},"its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_02","/images/2015/06/its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_02.jpg",[12,6885,6886],{},[135,6887,6888],{},"Keeping it Sterile –",[12,6890,6891],{},"Two of my most essential items",[12,6893,6894,6895,6897],{},"♥ Hand sanitiser – I hate the thought of germs and handles on public transport and such. Yuk!",[624,6896],{},"\n♥ Portable Milton soother steriliser – Probably one of the coolest things ever!",[12,6899,6900,6904],{},[40,6901],{"alt":6902,"src":6903},"its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_03","/images/2015/06/its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_03.jpg",[135,6905,6906],{},"Mummy supplies –",[12,6908,6909],{},"My supplies have dwindled further over the months but my key essentials are always in the bag.",[12,6911,6912],{},"♥ Purse – Can’t leave the house without this!",[12,6914,6915],{},"♥ Water – I always pack a bottle of water as nursing makes you so thirsty!",[12,6917,6918,6922],{},[40,6919],{"alt":6920,"src":6921},"its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_04","/images/2015/06/its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_04.jpg","♥ Lansinoh – We still need this on occasion",[12,6924,6925,6928],{},[135,6926,6927],{},"♥"," Prevalin spray – The only hayfever item pharmacists will give me as I am breastfeeding.",[12,6930,6931,6933],{},[135,6932,6927],{}," Benebalm – My favourite tinted lip balm",[12,6935,6936],{},"♥ Power Bar – Because days out drain my phone battery, the EE power bar is great!",[12,6938,6939],{},"♥ Pherous Sulphate – Iron tablets I’m still taking since losing a lot of blood during labour.",[12,6941,6942],{},"I pack a lot in my bag, I know some people have very minimal items in their bag but on some occasions we can be out of the house for up to 6 hours, and I like to cover every eventuality.",[12,6944,6945],{},"I also like to take Taylor’s red book as it’s best to always have this with you. I don’t pack toys in the bag as he usually keeps Sophie attached to his pram clips (Isn’t that giraffe AMAZING?!) and a toy in his pram, although he prefers to spend his time pulling cute faces at me anyway.",[12,6947,6948],{},"So there you have it, my daily essentials required to leave the house on any given day with tiny T!",[12,6950,6951],{},"I’ll have arms of steel before you know it carrying this lot 😉",[12,6953,6954],{},[241,6955,6956,6957,6962],{},"This is my entry into the ",[384,6958,6961],{"href":6959,"rel":6960},"http://pinklining.com/uk",[388],"Pink Lining ","Ambassador Search #ItsInTheBagBaby",[12,6964,6965],{},[241,6966,6967],{},"*No babies were harmed in the taking of these pictures, one bag however may have been chewed and drooled on! 😉",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":6969},[],[267],"/images/2015/06/its_in_the_bag_pink_lining_cover-copy.jpg","2015-06-30T14:25:00Z","6230",{},"What's in my changing bag? Daily essentials for days out with baby. Nappies, medicines, spare clothes, and mummy supplies. Organisation tips included.","/its-in-the-bag-baby-my-daily-essentials",{"title":6784,"description":6789},"its-in-the-bag-baby-my-daily-essentials","OzgEBbtLEG1vEtw49PfvFy448qzZbq7Bo8QPBz4M5c8",{"id":6981,"title":6982,"author":7,"body":6983,"category":7112,"cover":7113,"date":7114,"description":6987,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":7115,"meta":7116,"meta_description":7117,"meta_title":7118,"navigation":275,"path":7119,"seo":7120,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":7121,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":7122},"posts/keep-calm-and-hypnobirth.md","Keep Calm and Hypnobirth",{"type":9,"value":6984,"toc":7110},[6985,6988,6997,7000,7003,7009,7012,7015,7022,7025,7028,7031,7038,7041,7044,7051,7054,7061,7064,7071,7074,7077,7082,7090,7095,7098,7101,7104],[12,6986,6987],{},"A positive, forward thinking programme designed to help you get the most out of your birth experience.",[12,6989,6990],{},[135,6991,6992],{},[384,6993,6996],{"href":6994,"rel":6995},"http://www.thecalmbirthschool.co.uk/",[388],"www.thecalmbirthschool.co.uk",[12,6998,6999],{},"Taylor is now five months old and I still haven’t managed to put into words his entire birth story, it’s something so close to me and personal that finding the best way to share this part of me isn’t easy. It wasn’t horrid, far from it. It also wasn’t the birth I had hoped for, I spent it strapped to a monitor on a bed, instead of in a pool with twinkling lights overhead.",[12,7001,7002],{},"I did however have the many hypnobirthing techniques I had learnt from The Calm Birth School and am still able to look back on the day as one of pure happiness, so I’d like to share with you my favourite techniques and what I loved most about hypnoborthing.",[12,7004,7005],{},[40,7006],{"alt":7007,"src":7008},"taylor_being_weighed","/images/2015/01/taylor_being_weighed.jpg",[12,7010,7011],{},"The Calm Birth School is very much centred around preparing for a positive labour, I wasn’t hypnotising myself and prancing around with flowers in my hair or humming a mantra. Instead I was mentally preparing myself during the lead up to the birth. This really helped me to feel confident for what I was about to go through.",[12,7013,7014],{},"I started the course quite close to my EDD so I didn’t have chance to absorb and learn everything, especially considering Taylor decided to arrive on his EDD of January 1st. But what I did learn was priceless!",[12,7016,7017],{},[241,7018,7019],{},[135,7020,7021],{},"Relaxation –",[12,7023,7024],{},"One of the most important lessons was to RELAX! Even after a stressful day at the office I would pop on my mp3s, lye back, and take a moment to wind down.",[12,7026,7027],{},"The MP3s provided by the school really do help take your mind off of other things and concentrate, I used them for relaxation whilst pregnant and they were great.",[12,7029,7030],{},"However during the birth I wanted nothing but pure silence in the room, we didn’t have music and I didn’t like people talking around me. Oops!",[12,7032,7033],{},[241,7034,7035],{},[135,7036,7037],{},"Calm –",[12,7039,7040],{},"The classes taught me that if I were to go into labour that I should stay as calm as possible, it’s a natural event and nothing to be scared of!",[12,7042,7043],{},"I found it was really important to learn to relax before so I was able to channel my thoughts to help me stay calm on the big day.",[12,7045,7046],{},[241,7047,7048],{},[135,7049,7050],{},"Surges / Waves –",[12,7052,7053],{},"One of my favourite things has to be how Hollie and Suzy refer to contractions as surges and waves, that feeling of dread you get as a pregnant lady when people say ‘contractions’ always made me feel uneasy, referring to them as ‘surges’ and ‘waves’ made it seem less daunting, as if it was something that was going to be, well, calm!",[12,7055,7056],{},[241,7057,7058],{},[135,7059,7060],{},"Birth Breathing –",[12,7062,7063],{},"Practicing breathing was one of the most important things I took from the classes alongside the relaxation techniques. Breathing through every stage of labour whilst thinking of positive affirmations really helped me to listen to my body.",[12,7065,7066],{},[241,7067,7068],{},[135,7069,7070],{},"Did it work for me?",[12,7072,7073],{},"Using the techniques from TCBS I found myself taking on the birth of Taylor Grayson a lot calmer than I had ever imagined.",[12,7075,7076],{},"I used Gas and Air during the labour to ease the pain, although I was restricted by a monitor on a bed, I was eventually able to move onto a stool and position myself better. Rocking back and forth when I was unable to stay mobile also really helped me to focus.",[12,7078,7079],{},[40,7080],{"alt":254,"src":7081},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Bibee_dresses_feeding_8.jpg",[12,7083,7084,7085,7089],{},"Before Taylor was born I wrote about enrolling with ",[384,7086,7088],{"href":7087},"/the-calm-birth-school","The Calm Birth School"," and said",[74,7091,7092],{},[12,7093,7094],{},"“The female body is designed to birth babies, its what it does! So if we take what our body wants to do and go with it, we should be in for a more pleasant experience than if we were to fight our bodies natural reactions.”",[12,7096,7097],{},"I still stand by this after my own calm birth experience, listening to my body was the best thing I could have done.",[12,7099,7100],{},"The Calm Birth School saw me take on childbirth with such an air of calmness and confidence I never knew I had in me, I was calm and trusted my body whilst being able to focus and stay in control throughout. My partner still tells me to this day he was amazed at how well I did and I had the midwife laughing at me when I announced I’d do it all again moments after having just given birth.",[12,7102,7103],{},"Thank you Suzy and Hollie for keeping me calm !",[12,7105,7106],{},[40,7107],{"alt":7108,"src":7109},"mad_blog_awards_thank_you","/images/2015/06/mad_blog_awards_thank_you.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":7111},[],[267,1689,1193],"/images/2014/12/calm_birth_School_cover.jpg","2015-06-22T08:42:00Z","6173",{},"Hypnobirthing experience with The Calm Birth School. Positive birth story sharing relaxation techniques, breathing methods, and staying calm during labour.","Hypnobirthing Experience - The Calm Birth School Review","/keep-calm-and-hypnobirth",{"title":6982,"description":6987},"keep-calm-and-hypnobirth","lCKB8aEGB6xzjb1fNKvRYEzUMpBQWoP35c0Rlc8ozpk",{"id":7124,"title":7125,"author":7,"body":7126,"category":7192,"cover":7193,"date":7194,"description":7130,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":7195,"meta":7196,"meta_description":7197,"meta_title":7125,"navigation":275,"path":7198,"seo":7199,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":7200,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":7201},"posts/were-finalists-the-mad-blog-awards.md","We’re Finalists! – The MAD Blog Awards",{"type":9,"value":7127,"toc":7190},[7128,7131,7134,7137,7147,7150,7162,7165,7170,7173,7181],[12,7129,7130],{},"I cannot describe how shocked I was to see that my little piece of the internet has found itself in the finals of The MAD Blog Awards, this has truly brightened up a rather difficult week and we wouldn’t be here without you, the readers!",[12,7132,7133],{},"We’re in the finals for the Pregnancy category, if you nominated us thank you so much, I’m still shocked and stunned that we’re listed amongst so many great blogs, many of which I myself read for guidance during my pregnancy.",[12,7135,7136],{},"When I found out I was pregnant my little book blog soon transpired into a place to document everything relating to my pregnancy, from announcing the news, sharing the gender, packing my bags and discussing my fears. It all went here. I loved being able to sit down each evening resting the laptop on my little bump and sharing the journey with the world.",[12,7138,7139],{},[384,7140,7143],{"href":7141,"rel":7142},"http://www.tots100.co.uk/vote/",[388],[40,7144],{"alt":7145,"src":7146},"week_39_bump_header","/images/2014/12/week_39_bump_header.jpg",[12,7148,7149],{},"I remember taking my 39 week update pictures and feeling so nervous about what was to come, as a first time mum I had no idea what to expect, so I like to think my journey was easy for other first time mums-to-be to relate to. I had nothing to compare it to, I was winging it. And now that little bump is five months old! Where has the time gone?",[12,7151,7152,7156,7157,7161],{},[40,7153],{"alt":7154,"src":7155},"week_39_bump3","/images/2014/12/week_39_bump3.jpg","We spent New Years Eve watching fireworks from our bedroom window at midnight as I breathed through contractions, I didn’t get the birth I had planned, instead I spent it strapped to a monitor on a bed, instead of in a pool with twinkling lights overhead. I did however have the many Hypnobirthing techniques I had learnt from ",[384,7158,7088],{"href":7159,"rel":7160},"http://www.thecalmbirthschool.com/",[388]," and am still able to look back on the day as one of pure happiness.",[12,7163,7164],{},"I’d like to think having shared our journey and experiences to date may have helped others just as reading parenting blogs has done for me.",[12,7166,7167,7169],{},[40,7168],{"alt":7108,"src":7109},"Being a finalists in The MAD Blog Awards is amazing, I hadn’t for one moment thought I would be in the top 6 of any category so to come this far is a brilliant achievement within itself and means a lot, thank you to all those who nominated us.",[12,7171,7172],{},"If you enjoyed following our journey from bump and beyond we would really appreciate your vote",[12,7174,7175],{},[384,7176,7178],{"href":7141,"rel":7177},[388],[135,7179,7180],{},"Please click here to vote for LeeLee Loves as Best Pregnancy Blogger in the MAD blog awards.",[12,7182,7183],{},[384,7184,7186],{"href":7141,"rel":7185},[388],[40,7187],{"alt":7188,"src":7189},"MADS-VOTE-NOW","/images/2015/06/MADS-VOTE-NOW1.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":7191},[],[267],"/images/2015/06/mad_blog_awards_cover.jpg","2015-06-13T15:50:00Z","6059",{},"LeeLee Loves announced as MAD Blog Awards finalist in the Pregnancy category. Thank you to readers and nominators for this amazing achievement.","/were-finalists-the-mad-blog-awards",{"title":7125,"description":7130},"were-finalists-the-mad-blog-awards","sfCYOWQA5kWDeAkRA5fAvfjezzaaNpGj0KOhtvV01RY",{"id":7203,"title":7204,"author":7,"body":7205,"category":7262,"cover":7263,"date":7264,"description":7209,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":7265,"meta":7266,"meta_description":7267,"meta_title":7204,"navigation":275,"path":7268,"seo":7269,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":7270,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":7271},"posts/tales-of-teething-taylor-cuts-a-tooth.md","Tales of Teething: Taylor Cuts a Tooth!",{"type":9,"value":7206,"toc":7260},[7207,7210,7213,7220,7223,7232,7235,7241,7244,7247,7250,7254],[12,7208,7209],{},"This week saw Taylor cut his first tooth, after months of dribble and flushed cheeks his left central incisor has completely cut through the gum!",[12,7211,7212],{},"I’ve tried on numerous occasions to get a picture of it coming through but it’s really not happening, every time I try he chews or sucks my hand instead.",[12,7214,7215,7219],{},[40,7216],{"alt":7217,"src":7218},"first_tooth_milestone_02","/images/2015/06/first_tooth_milestone_02.jpg","If Taylor could speak and give a speech in regards to this particular milestone I think he would like to say thanks to his best friend Sophie! She hasn’t left his side and has helped him through this difficult time, even when he has literally tried to bite her head off on numerous occasions, she’s still been there for him.",[12,7221,7222],{},"Oh Sophie, you’re the best friend a teething child could ask for!",[12,7224,7225,7229,7231],{},[40,7226],{"alt":7227,"src":7228},"first_tooth_milestone_04","/images/2015/06/first_tooth_milestone_04.jpg",[624,7230],{},"\nI’m not sure when most people count it as getting a a first tooth, from cutting through or being completely up and on show? Do let me know. Either way It’s there and it’s blooming sharp! Granddad learnt this the hard way on Thursday, he also told me they usually come in twos and now (Sunday) his right central incisor is half through.",[12,7233,7234],{},"I can’t believe my tiny 5 month old will soon have two pearly whites, he’s still a tiny newborn in my eyes.",[12,7236,7237],{},[40,7238],{"alt":7239,"src":7240},"first_tooth_milestone_05","/images/2015/06/first_tooth_milestone_05.jpg",[12,7242,7243],{},"From around 3 weeks old T has had his top left lateral incisor laying in wait so I really thought, although unconventional to the natural order, that this would come through first.",[12,7245,7246],{},"Overall he’s handled teething really well so far, we’ve had the odd night requiring Calpol and some use of teething gel but he’s not letting it get him down.",[12,7248,7249],{},"We’re looking forward to many toothy grins once these bottom teeth completely sprout up.",[4926,7251,7253],{"id":7252},"talesofteething","#TalesofTeething",[4926,7255,7256],{"id":254},[40,7257],{"alt":7258,"src":7259},"first_tooth_milestone","/images/2015/06/first_tooth_milestone.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":7261},[],[267,661],"/images/2015/06/first_tooth_milestone_cover.jpg","2015-06-09T06:57:00Z","6064",{},"Taylor cuts his first tooth at 5 months old. Tales of teething with dribble, flushed cheeks, and Sophie the Giraffe. Parenting milestone memories.","/tales-of-teething-taylor-cuts-a-tooth",{"title":7204,"description":7209},"tales-of-teething-taylor-cuts-a-tooth","bAVGKXjbkXm0z3nVrSkz0rcj624PNgYmZsIiNFk8rlw",{"id":7273,"title":7274,"author":7,"body":7275,"category":7339,"cover":7340,"date":7341,"description":7279,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":7342,"meta":7343,"meta_description":7344,"meta_title":7274,"navigation":275,"path":7345,"seo":7346,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":7347,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":7348},"posts/milestone-on-a-roll-taylor-is-4-months-old.md","Milestone: We’re on a Roll – Taylor Turns 4 Months",{"type":9,"value":7276,"toc":7337},[7277,7280,7283,7287,7308,7315,7318,7321,7324,7327,7330,7333,7335],[12,7278,7279],{},"Today you are four months old 01/05/2015, where has the time gone? It feels like only yesterday we said our first hello and already you have grown from a tiny fragile newborn into this bright bubbly little boy.",[12,7281,7282],{},"That’s not to say you don’t have your grumpy moments, boy can you scream, you also appear to have discovered a new emotion, anger. If Craven-Mum doesn’t feed you instantly you sure let me know about it.",[12,7284,7285],{},[135,7286,6431],{},[12,7288,7289,7290,7292,7293,7295,7296,7298,7299,7301,7302,7304,7305,7307],{},"☆ Weigh 11lb 4oz and",[624,7291],{},"\n☆ Are still wearing your 0-3 month clothing",[624,7294],{},"\n☆ Started rolling over on Easter Sunday!",[624,7297],{},"\n☆ Love kicking your legs, you must burn more calories than you consume",[624,7300],{},"\n☆ Have been making us laugh with your shouting and endless smiles",[624,7303],{},"\n☆ Enjoy being sat up, although can’t support yourself just yet",[624,7306],{},"\n☆ Love making bubbles and gurgling your spit. It’s very cute but also very messy!",[12,7309,7310,7314],{},[40,7311],{"alt":7312,"src":7313},"Taylor_4_month_milestone_01","/images/2015/05/Taylor_4_month_milestone_01.jpg","Today is also National Batman day so naturally you wore your Batman robe for this months picture! You also enjoy chewing the milestone cards!",[12,7316,7317],{},"You would rather suck your thumb than take a dummy, everything goes in your mouth!",[12,7319,7320],{},"You’ve developed a funny little shiver you do when being changed, and it makes me laugh every time! You’re personality is becoming stronger with each passing day.",[12,7322,7323],{},"You always smile when Daddy comes home from work and enjoy sitting with him the evenings, he’ll have you writing code in no time.",[12,7325,7326],{},"Until now the longest I’d been apart from you was 10 minutes while I showered, and you were in the next room with Daddy. This week I continued my driving lessons which meant leaving you for two whole hours with Grandma. Of course you were fine, I came back to find you snoozing after having lots of fun with Grandma but I still worried.",[12,7328,7329],{},"Tomorrow you start swimming lessons with Daddy, I’ve never been a strong swimmer so I think it’s important that you start at a young age. I really hope you enjoy spending the extra time with Daddy and have fun together.",[12,7331,7332],{},"We’re looking forward what the month of May holds for us all and what cheeky things you’ll surprise us with next.",[12,7334,6491],{},[4926,7336,4929],{"id":4928},{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":7338},[],[267,661],"/images/2015/05/Taylor_4_month_milestone_cover.jpg","2015-05-01T09:39:00Z","5884",{},"Taylor at 4 months old - rolling over milestone, weighs 11lb 4oz, loves leg kicking, gurgling, and discovering new emotions. First swimming lesson starts.","/milestone-on-a-roll-taylor-is-4-months-old",{"title":7274,"description":7279},"milestone-on-a-roll-taylor-is-4-months-old","EkzcQVc4MMFyW-fpQeNxpwSCh2aq2tz-IBFKVEbZhCk",{"id":7350,"title":7351,"author":7,"body":7352,"category":7419,"cover":7420,"date":7421,"description":7356,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":7422,"meta":7423,"meta_description":7424,"meta_title":7351,"navigation":275,"path":7425,"seo":7426,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":7427,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":7428},"posts/my-must-have-accessories-for-expressing-milk.md","Review: Must Have Accessories for Expressing with Medela",{"type":9,"value":7353,"toc":7417},[7354,7357,7363,7366,7376,7386,7396,7414],[12,7355,7356],{},"Since our feeding journey began, almost four months ago, their are a few items that have been essential to me for both nursing and bottle feeding with expressed milk. The following items are my current essentials that have helped us on our way.",[12,7358,7359,7362],{},[135,7360,7361],{},"Calma Teat"," – One of my favourite products to use alongside the Medela Swing pump is Calma, this has been perfect for introducing bottles to Taylor. The Calma teat means your baby still has to work for his food as they must suck the milk through a very small hole, this stops breastfed babies becoming lazy when it comes to feeding and refusing the breast as regular bottles flow much faster than the breast. It also has bobbles around the teat to give a similar feel to the breast.",[12,7364,7365],{},"It seems to be working really well for us! The Calma fits onto the expression bottles so you can feed directly after expressing without transferring your milk to another bottle.",[12,7367,7368,7372,7375],{},[40,7369],{"alt":7370,"src":7371},"medela_pump_calma_1","/images/2015/04/medela_pump_calma_1.jpg",[135,7373,7374],{},"Pump and Save Bags –"," The Pump and Save bags simply hook onto your pump using a sticky tab so you can express directly into a storage bag, zip lock it and freeze it. They’re fantastic! My only qualm is that it is harder to gage the amount you have expressed than when using the bottles.",[12,7377,7378,7382,7385],{},[40,7379],{"alt":7380,"src":7381},"medela_pump_save_bag_1","/images/2015/04/medela_pump_save_bag_1.jpg",[135,7383,7384],{},"Microwave Quick Clean Bags"," – These bags are brilliant if you’re exclusively breastfeeding and don’t require a steriliser. The bags are reusable for up to 20 uses and have a nifty tick chart so you can mark off each time you use it. Simply pop the parts in the bag after washing and rinsing, add water, then then zap them for the required time depending on your microwave. It’s as simple as that!",[12,7387,7388,7392,7395],{},[40,7389],{"alt":7390,"src":7391},"medela_pump_quick_clean_bag_1","/images/2015/04/medela_pump_quick_clean_bag_1.jpg",[135,7393,7394],{},"Purelan 100 –"," Medela Purelan 100 is a pure lanolin cream to repair the skin and has been a staple throughout our feeding journey, especially in the early days. If you’re new to nursing like myself you’re going to want a tube of this! One tube lasts such a long time, I’m 4 months in and still using my first tube.",[12,7397,7398,7402,7403,7406,7407,7410,7411],{},[40,7399],{"alt":7400,"src":7401},"medela_pump_review_2","/images/2015/04/medela_pump_review_2.jpg","For more on our breastfeeding experience so far see our previous posts ‘",[384,7404,7405],{"href":6333},"Hopes, Fears and Expectations of Breastfeeding","‘ and ‘",[384,7408,7409],{"href":6340},"Nursing a Newborn – The Early Days","‘ ",[384,7412,7413],{"href":4767},"‘Our thoughts on the Medela Swing and Harmony Breastpumps’",[12,7415,7416],{},"If you have any questions regarding our feeding journey or the products mentioned in this post just ask in the comments below.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":7418},[],[267,1689],"/images/2015/04/medela_pump_accessories_cover_1.jpg","2015-04-29T14:59:00Z","5694",{},"Must-have Medela breastfeeding accessories review. Calma teat, Pump & Save bags, microwave sterilising bags, and Purelan 100 lanolin cream for expressing.","/my-must-have-accessories-for-expressing-milk",{"title":7351,"description":7356},"my-must-have-accessories-for-expressing-milk","92y8S18-RxFitEAF4tQpu0ZoPmH6c8GZLseoUSo99yA",{"id":7430,"title":7431,"author":7,"body":7432,"category":7539,"cover":7540,"date":7541,"description":7436,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":7542,"meta":7543,"meta_description":7544,"meta_title":7431,"navigation":275,"path":4767,"seo":7545,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":7546,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":7547},"posts/medela-swing-harmony-breastpump.md","Review: The Medela Swing and Harmony Breastpumps",{"type":9,"value":7433,"toc":7537},[7434,7437,7440,7446,7454,7465,7472,7475,7478,7486,7491,7510,7513,7520,7527,7534],[12,7435,7436],{},"Since before Taylor was born I knew that, if I could, I wanted to breastfeed. With the help and support of Medela we’ve been doing great. Taylor is now 14 weeks old and exclusively breastfed, I always look at him in wonderment when he feeds at the sheer joy I feel knowing he has grown, developed and thrived solely through me.",[12,7438,7439],{},"I’ve been using the Medela Swing Electric and Harmony Manual breastpump to start stock-piling my milk, I’m due to continue my driving lessons so I need to prepare for spending time away from Tails. I’m yet to leave him for any amount of time, so it’s going to be hard, but I’ll be safe in the knowledge that he has enough Milk to see him through!",[12,7441,7442],{},[135,7443,7444],{},[135,7445,4768],{},[12,7447,7448,7449,7453],{},"The ",[384,7450,4768],{"href":7451,"rel":7452},"http://www.medela.com/UK/en/breastfeeding/products/pumping/swing.html",[388]," is a 2-Phase Electric Breastpump, this mimics the two phases babies are known to nurse in. The stimulation phase, where they suckle fast and light to stimulate milk flow, and the feeding (expression phase when pumping) phase where they suck slower and deeper to get the maximum amount of milk most effectively.",[12,7455,7456,7458,7459,7464],{},[40,7457],{"alt":6382,"src":6379},"Costing approx £135 depending on the retailer, it comes with everything from breast pads to Purelan 100 lanolin cream in the box! The Swing is really easy to navigate, it can be used whilst plugged in at the mains or using 4 AA batteries, it’s light and portable so you can use it anywhere. You also have control over the vacuum levels so it’s comfortable for you to use. I usually prop the bottle or bag on a pillow and try balance it, investing in an ",[384,7460,7463],{"href":7461,"rel":7462},"http://www.medela.com/UK/en/breastfeeding/products/pumping/easy-expression.html",[388],"Easy Expression Bustier"," might be a good idea then you can truly go hand’s free!",[12,7466,7467,7471],{},[40,7468],{"alt":7469,"src":7470},"medela_pump_review_4","/images/2015/04/medela_pump_review_4.jpg","I’ve found the Medela Swing to be extremely effective when expressing and get an average of 3 ounces each time I pump, it’s also very comfortable to use, I usually express in the morning from one side whilst feeding from the other. I find my pumping to be most effective when done this way and it also means Taylor is settled at the same time.",[12,7473,7474],{},"I’d consider using a double pump when returning to work and would be pumping more regularly but for my current needs the Swing is perfect.",[12,7476,7477],{},"I’ve used the Swing to start collecting a supply ready for when I’ll be leaving Taylor a few times a week, I’m now confident that he will always have plenty available to him whilst I’m not there which is one less thing to worry about. It’s simple to use, easy to clean and I really love it!",[12,7479,7480],{},[135,7481,7482],{},[40,7483],{"alt":7484,"src":7485},"medela_breastpump_review_1","/images/2015/04/medela_pump_review_1.jpg",[12,7487,7488],{},[135,7489,7490],{},"Medela Harmony Manual Pump",[12,7492,7493,7497,7499,7500,7505,7506],{},[40,7494],{"alt":7495,"src":7496},"medela_harmony_pump_review_1","/images/2015/04/medela_harmony_pump_review_11.jpg",[624,7498],{},"\nThe ",[384,7501,7504],{"href":7502,"rel":7503},"http://www.medela.com/UK/en/breastfeeding/products/pumping/harmony.html",[388],"Medela Harmony"," Manual Breastpump usually retails at around £40 and also uses the 2-phase expression like the swing, it comes with less accesories and the biggest difference of course is that it’s manual, you have to do all of the hard work. I found it took longer to express using the Harmony and you can’t be hands-free, it is however just as effective as it’s electric counter-part if you aren’t going to be pumping frequently. ",[40,7507],{"alt":7508,"src":7509},"medela_harmony_pump_review_2","/images/2015/04/medela_harmony_pump_review_2.jpg",[12,7511,7512],{},"The Harmony is a good pump to have if you’re only going to use it on the odd occasion, I find I get tired of pumping quickly and it becomes less effective. However, since Taylor dropped his night feeds around 3 weeks old I was waking up engorged and very uncomfortable, when this happens Taylor can’t latch properly then everyone is grumpy at 5am! I’ve been using the Harmony during the night to prevent this from happening as it’s silent and perfect to relieve the pressure if Taylor won’t dream feed.",[12,7514,7515,7519],{},[40,7516],{"alt":7517,"src":7518},"medela_pump_review_3","/images/2015/04/medela_pump_review_3.jpg","Overall I do prefer to use the electric breastpump as it’s more effective and works best for me, some women may find they express more with a manual than an electric or vise versa, this can vary for everyone.",[12,7521,7522,7526],{},[40,7523],{"alt":7524,"src":7525},"medela_pump_accessories_review_1","/images/2015/04/medela_pump_accessories_review_1.jpg","Check back next week for my must-have breastfeeding accessories including why we love Calma, also if you’re embarking on your own breastfeeding journey check out the Medela Facebook page for their great brestfeeeding Cafè events online and off-line.",[12,7528,7402,7529,7406,7531,7533],{},[384,7530,7405],{"href":6333},[384,7532,7409],{"href":6340},"‘",[12,7535,7536],{},"If you have any questions regarding feeding or the pumps mentioned in this post just ask in the comments below and I’ll help in any way that I can 😀",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":7538},[],[267,1689],"/images/2015/04/medela_pump_review_cover.jpg","2015-04-21T08:34:00Z","5680",{},"Medela Swing electric and Harmony manual breast pump review. 2-phase expression technology for effective milk collection at 14 weeks postpartum.",{"title":7431,"description":7436},"medela-swing-harmony-breastpump","ifqg8rYWVtFE-C8PMfDe8j6PzNfjlMpCcqXjNtYnwgo",{"id":7549,"title":7550,"author":7,"body":7551,"category":7603,"cover":7604,"date":7605,"description":7555,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":7606,"meta":7607,"meta_description":7608,"meta_title":7550,"navigation":275,"path":7609,"seo":7610,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":7611,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":7612},"posts/win-a-brother-max-bear-carry-hang-nightlight.md","Win: A Brother Max Bear Carry & Hang Nightlight",{"type":9,"value":7552,"toc":7601},[7553,7556,7562,7565,7568,7571,7577,7580,7588,7591,7598],[12,7554,7555],{},"This week I’ve teamed up with the lovely folks at Brother Max to give you the opportunity to win one of their Bear Carry and Hang Nightlight’s, Brother Max are a brand that I personally love for their sleek, modern designs that are both practical and oozing with style!",[12,7557,7558],{},[40,7559],{"alt":7560,"src":7561},"brother_max_bear_lamp_2","/images/2015/04/brother_max_bear_lamp_2.jpg",[12,7563,7564],{},"As a designer by profession I can’t deny that I judge every book by its cover, and the majority of the items I purchase are based on the way they look as well as their functionality.",[12,7566,7567],{},"When I was a child I was terrified of the dark, I’d have loved a night light like this growing up. A friendly sleek looking bear with colour changing LEDs, the ability to hang from any door handle or hook and my favourite feature is its portability. This cute little bear can sit on a shelf or bedside table and should your child wake in the night for the loo they simply pick him up from the base and take him with them. The base acts as a charging dock and lasts for up to 12 hours!",[12,7569,7570],{},"So not only is this lamp pleasing to the eye, it’s also very practical with a multitude of brilliant features.",[12,7572,7573,7576],{},[40,7574],{"alt":7575,"src":502},"brother_max_bear_lamp_3","Now we have Taylor I need to be able to see a little during the night, tackling night feeds and bottom changes in the dark isn’t advised, trust me, it gets messy!",[12,7578,7579],{},"We’ve resorted to moving my bedside lamp to floor level behind a door, we have also draped a muslin over the shade so the light isn’t so harsh that we can’t sleep. This lamp gives a lovely glow that isn’t harsh. The Carry and Hang Nightlight is practical and grows with your child.",[12,7581,7582,7583,396],{},"The Bear Carry and Hang NIghtlight retails for £24.99 and can be purchased from retailers listed on the ",[384,7584,7587],{"href":7585,"rel":7586},"http://brothermax.com/product-details/30131/Bear-carry-and-hang-nightlight.htm",[388],"Brother Max website",[12,7589,7590],{},"For your chance to win your very own adorable Carry and Hang Nightlight simply enter below!",[12,7592,7593],{},[384,7594,7597],{"href":7595,"rel":7596},"https://gleam.io/9YNGC/win-a-brother-max-bear-carry-hang-nightlight",[388],"Win a Brother Max Bear Carry & Hang Nightlight",[12,7599,7600],{},"Good Luck!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":7602},[],[267,1689],"/images/2015/04/brother_max_bear_lamp_cover.jpg","2015-04-20T13:20:00Z","5558",{},"Win a Brother Max Bear Carry & Hang Nightlight. Portable LED nightlight with colour-changing feature, 12-hour battery, and charging dock. RRP £24.99.","/win-a-brother-max-bear-carry-hang-nightlight",{"title":7550,"description":7555},"win-a-brother-max-bear-carry-hang-nightlight","wEc3O3-rYiNMlKxhz4XwRC04pniZtxOiPjnMJK8rjRI",{"id":7614,"title":7615,"author":7,"body":7616,"category":7680,"cover":7681,"date":7682,"description":7620,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":7683,"meta":7684,"meta_description":7685,"meta_title":7615,"navigation":275,"path":7686,"seo":7687,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":7688,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":7689},"posts/milestone-getting-the-giggles-taylor-is-8-weeks-old.md","Milestone: Getting the Giggles – Taylor is 8 Weeks Old",{"type":9,"value":7617,"toc":7678},[7618,7624,7628,7646,7649,7652,7655,7658,7661],[12,7619,7620,7621],{},"Taylor turned 8 weeks old last Thursday, I can’t believe how fast time is passing us by. I thought being at home all day with a baby would be filled with long stressful days but it’s the complete opposite, T is spending a lot more time awake during the day now which is fun for both of us even if our day does begin at 5am, he spends much of his time smiling at me and shouting. Of course he isn’t perfect, I do get screamed at for half of the day, and pooped at. It’s all part of the adventure!",[40,7622],{"alt":254,"src":7623},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Taylor_8weeks_1_small.jpg",[12,7625,7626],{},[135,7627,6431],{},[12,7629,7630,7631,7633,7634,7636,7637,7639,7640,7642,7643,7645],{},"☆ Weigh 9lb 4oz",[624,7632],{},"\n☆ Had vaccinations and screamed! 🙁",[624,7635],{},"\n☆ Got cradlecap, it’s almost gone now",[624,7638],{},"\n☆ Started to outgrow newborn clothes",[624,7641],{},"\n☆ Learnt to gurgle and shout",[624,7644],{},"\n☆ Love laughing at Daddy!",[12,7647,7648],{},"I definitely don’t get to read as much as before, let alone find the concentration or time for an in-depth book review, I am working on it, I have a few half written blabbering night-feed written reviews to sort through and fix. I’m sure those who know me for my book addiction and blogging are getting sick of my baby blabbering but hey, I have a baby now and it’s amazing!",[12,7650,7651],{},"T has changed so much in the last four weeks, he is finally starting to fill out his newborn babygrows and will be moving into bigger ones. He now weighs over 9lb 40z’s, still a little small for 9 weeks so I hope he gains some weight before his next checkup although he does feed non-stop.",[12,7653,7654],{},"He wore a m&p 0-3 babygrow yesterday and it wasn’t that big on him, however compared to 0-3 from other brands it came up small. His others are huge! It’s hard to imagine he’s ever going to be that big.",[12,7656,7657],{},"Today T had his vaccinations, I know this one of those marmite subjects but I made the choice for him to have them just as I did when I was a baby. He took the oral without a problem however the injections weren’t received so well. I felt awful, but I know its for a good reason.",[12,7659,7660],{},"My tiny T is growing so fast.",[12,7662,7663,7666,7669,7672,7675],{},[40,7664],{"alt":254,"src":7665},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Taylor_8weeks_8_small.jpg",[40,7667],{"alt":254,"src":7668},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Taylor_8weeks_4_small.jpg",[40,7670],{"alt":254,"src":7671},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Taylor_8weeks_6_small.jpg",[40,7673],{"alt":254,"src":7674},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Taylor_8weeks_7_small.jpg",[40,7676],{"alt":254,"src":7677},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Taylor_8weeks_2_small.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":7679},[],[267,661],"/images/2015/03/taylor_8_week_cover.jpg","2015-03-09T21:24:00Z","5235",{},"Taylor at 8 weeks old with first giggles and smiles. Weighs 9lb 4oz, had vaccinations, outgrowing newborn clothes, and learning to laugh at Daddy.","/milestone-getting-the-giggles-taylor-is-8-weeks-old",{"title":7615,"description":7620},"milestone-getting-the-giggles-taylor-is-8-weeks-old","mM0arMtMjohezz0u9fIqJH6_u7sTG6YaOMUhsMLpWg8",{"id":7691,"title":7692,"author":7,"body":7693,"category":7761,"cover":7762,"date":7763,"description":7697,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":7764,"meta":7765,"meta_description":7766,"meta_title":7767,"navigation":275,"path":7768,"seo":7769,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":7770,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":7771},"posts/personalised-thank-you-cards.md","Personalised Thank You Cards",{"type":9,"value":7694,"toc":7759},[7695,7698,7707,7714,7722,7725,7728,7737,7740,7747,7756],[12,7696,7697],{},"This week I’ve finally taken the time to start making thank you cards for the lovely gifts Taylor has received since his arrival. Before he was born I bought some cute die-cut thank you cards in the sales, I think they’re intended for weddings but they seemed too cute to pass up.",[12,7699,7700,7701,7706],{},"I also used the Kirstie Allsopp stamp & stationary kit from the *",[384,7702,7705],{"href":7703,"rel":7704},"http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/gifts",[388],"Hobby Craft Gift selection"," which I thought would be perfect for the cards.",[12,7708,7709,7713],{},[40,7710],{"alt":7711,"src":7712},"Thank_You_Cards_1","/images/2015/02/Thank_You_Cards_1.jpg","I chose two of my favourite pictures of Taylor to put on the front of the cards and printed a few sheets for the project.",[12,7715,7716],{},[384,7717,7719],{"href":7718},"/images/2015/02/Thank_You_Cards_3.jpg",[40,7720],{"alt":7721,"src":7718},"Thank_You_Cards_3",[12,7723,7724],{},"I attached the the owl cut out and photograph onto the front of a plain white card which I cut to size, I think these would also look great over coloured card.",[12,7726,7727],{},"Using the stamps I decorated the envelopes and the inside of the cards to give them more of a personal hand-made touch. The stamps read ‘Just a note’ and ‘Thank You’ leaving plenty of space for me to write a message from Taylor. I’m also going to attempt to put his handprint inside the cards on the left.",[12,7729,7730],{},[384,7731,7733,7736],{"href":7732},"/images/2015/02/Thank_You_Cards_5.jpg",[40,7734],{"alt":7735,"src":7732},"Thank_You_Cards_5","  ",[12,7738,7739],{},"Overall I think the cards are cuter and more personal than a store bought card or having one printed. As a graphic designer I could have easily designed a card to print but who could pass up the chance to get crafty and give back something personal to loved ones?",[12,7741,7742,7746],{},[40,7743],{"alt":7744,"src":7745},"Thank_You_Cards_4","/images/2015/02/Thank_You_Cards_4.jpg","I absolutely love receiving cards and letters from children, I received a great card with glittery hand prints from a friends little girl and it’s the personal element that makes them so special, I’ll certainly be making sure Taylor gets creative when thanking people once he’s big enough to get involved.",[12,7748,7749,7750,7752],{},"Did you send thank you’s after having your baby or do you have your little ones write/draw cards to thank people for Birthday and Christmas gifts?",[624,7751],{},[40,7753],{"alt":7754,"src":7755},"signature","/images/2012/10/signature.jpg",[12,7757,7758],{},"*This post is in Collaboration with Hobbycraft",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":7760},[],[267],"/images/2015/02/Thank_You_Cards_Cover.jpg","2015-02-09T09:38:00Z","5090",{},"DIY baby thank you cards tutorial. Create personalised handmade photo cards using die-cut designs, stamps, and photos for a special personal touch.","DIY Baby Thank You Cards: Handmade Photo Card Ideas","/personalised-thank-you-cards",{"title":7692,"description":7697},"personalised-thank-you-cards","csfN15blwWS2BSI4H4wIlChAdLTP9OnDpTlYqIw_HFw",{"id":7773,"title":7774,"author":7,"body":7775,"category":7866,"cover":7867,"date":7868,"description":7779,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":7869,"meta":7870,"meta_description":7871,"meta_title":7774,"navigation":275,"path":7872,"seo":7873,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":7874,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":7875},"posts/house-of-fraser-childrenswear.md","Review: House of Fraser Childrenswear",{"type":9,"value":7776,"toc":7864},[7777,7780,7783,7786,7802,7805,7814,7820,7823,7832,7838,7841,7850,7853,7856,7859],[12,7778,7779],{},"As a first time mum I’ve found that my outlook on things such as shopping has completely changed, before I became pregnant I would treat myself on a monthly basis from my favourite department stores whether it be going to a makeup concession or my favourite brand of clothing, I would shop! Since being pregnant and becoming a mum I’ve had a few shopping trips and each time I have failed to buy anything for myself, not because I can’t buy for myself anymore but because I just don’t want anything! However I always find things for baby T.",[12,7781,7782],{},"When House of Fraser got in touch and asked if we would like to review their childrenswear I got a little excited, more baby clothes to browse!",[12,7784,7785],{},"I chose three items for Baby T from their range of 0-3 month clothing, he is already starting to fill out his newborn clothing and I couldn’t find an in between size. Upon receiving the items it would seem he also has a long way to go until he can start filling 0-3 but it happens fast from what I’ve been told.",[12,7787,7788,7796,7798],{},[384,7789,7792],{"href":7790,"rel":7791},"http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Pumpkin+Patch/BRAND_PUMPKIN%20PATCH,default,sc.html?fromBrand=Pumpkin%20Patch",[388],[40,7793],{"alt":7794,"src":7795},"House_of_Fraser_1","/images/2015/01/House_of_Fraser_1.jpg",[624,7797],{},[384,7799,7801],{"href":7790,"rel":7800},[388],"Pumpkin Patch boys hiking check jacket £10 in sale RRP £25",[12,7803,7804],{},"The first item I chose is this lovely check jacket by Pumpkin Patch, T hasn’t got any coats or jackets yet as he spends his days bundled up in his carrycot with blankets if we venture outside, a nice jacket for when he’s a bit bigger was perfect. The material and quality of the product is superb and feels like something that would last a long time, that is if babies didn’t grow so fast!",[12,7806,7807],{},[384,7808,7810],{"href":7790,"rel":7809},[388],[40,7811],{"alt":7812,"src":7813},"House_of_Fraser_2","/images/2015/01/House_of_Fraser_2.jpg",[12,7815,7816],{},[384,7817,7819],{"href":7790,"rel":7818},[388],"Pumpkin Patch Raccoon Dungarees £9.99 in sale RRP £22",[12,7821,7822],{},"These Raccoon print dungarees also by Pumpkin Patch were too cute to pass up, theirs only so many years when even a child can pull off Dungarees so lets make the most of it!",[12,7824,7825],{},[384,7826,7828],{"href":7790,"rel":7827},[388],[40,7829],{"alt":7830,"src":7831},"House_of_Fraser_4","/images/2015/01/House_of_Fraser_4.jpg",[12,7833,7834],{},[384,7835,7837],{"href":7790,"rel":7836},[388],"Kite stripy cardigan £9.99 in sale RRP £25",[12,7839,7840],{},"This rainbow stripe knit by Kite is a really nice soft material with cute little elbow patches, how handsome is tiny T going to look in this?",[12,7842,7843,7847,7849],{},[40,7844],{"alt":7845,"src":7846},"house_of_fraser_5","/images/2015/01/house_of_fraser_5.png",[624,7848],{},"\n“Mum do I really need this much room to grow?”",[12,7851,7852],{},"Stores such as House of Fraser to me mean makeup concessions and pretty dresses, high-end designer goods, not babies. When we were asked to choose some items from their children’s range to the value of £30 I was amazed at what they had and what I could get with our budget. The items I selected were in sale at the time but even at their full RRP they didn’t differ to prices found in any other store and were really affordable.",[12,7854,7855],{},"Although T clearly has some growing to do the items we chose will soon fit him, both the quality and style of the items are brilliant. House of Fraser had never sprung to mind when thinking of children’s clothing until now, they’re certainly somewhere that I will look for future purchases as we have years of dressing this little man to come.",[12,7857,7858],{},"Have you ever shopped at House of Fraser for your little ones or have one specific store that you rely on for all of your children’s purchases? I’d love to hear about your hidden baby buying gems!",[12,7860,7861],{},[241,7862,7863],{},"– We received the items of clothing in exchange for an honest review – all opinions are my own –",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":7865},[],[267,1689,661],"/images/2015/01/house_of_fraser_cover.jpg","2015-01-30T15:47:00Z","4890",{},"House of Fraser childrenswear review. Pumpkin Patch and Kite baby clothing haul with check jacket, raccoon dungarees, and stripy cardigan.","/house-of-fraser-childrenswear",{"title":7774,"description":7779},"house-of-fraser-childrenswear","ssjWONb9QqzxnLi6eXKRkollo2i1F-1Zdzec4HKIesg",{"id":7877,"title":7878,"author":7,"body":7879,"category":7930,"cover":7931,"date":7932,"description":7883,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":7933,"meta":7934,"meta_description":7935,"meta_title":7878,"navigation":275,"path":7936,"seo":7937,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":7938,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":7939},"posts/taylor-grayson-2-weeks.md","Milestone: Taylor is 2 Weeks Old – Daddy Returns to Work",{"type":9,"value":7880,"toc":7928},[7881,7884,7887,7893,7896,7903,7906,7912,7920],[12,7882,7883],{},"Baby T is already two weeks old and he has changed so much since he was born, It’s amazing how fast they grow.",[12,7885,7886],{},"This week Phillip went back to work, I was a little nervous about my first day alone with T but it wasn’t bad at all. He is so laid back and relaxed most of the time, although I must admit It’s nice when Phillip comes home in the evening to have another adult to talk to. Taylor and I have some very one sided conversations during the day.",[12,7888,7889,7890,7892],{},"We had more visits from family this week which has been nice, so we haven’t been completely on our own all week. Thankfully nobody has turned up before 12:00pm as I’m still not getting any sleep until around 8:00am.",[624,7891],{},"\nThe midwife came this week and weighed baby T to see if he was back up to his birth weight I was amazed to find he had gone from his birth weight 6lb14oz to 7lb01z, this confirmed for me that my boy was feeding and we were doing okay.",[12,7894,7895],{},"– Cue my silent cheers of success after knowing I was doing something right and my baby was thriving because of me! –",[12,7897,7898,7899,7902],{},"It’s impossible to tell how much they’re taking when you breastfeed as you can’t read how many oz’s they’re taking at each feed. You can read more about our feeding story so far in the following post – ",[384,7900,7901],{"href":6340},"Nursing a newborn"," – The midwife also did his heel prick test during the visit, I felt so mean holding him while this was done but he wasn’t bothered at all and went back to sleep afterwards.",[12,7904,7905],{},"I’ve spent most of my week simply watching him, he sleeps a lot during the day and I can’t help sitting and staring at all of the funny little faces he pulls. Who needs a television when you’ve got a newborn bundle of cute to watch?",[12,7907,7908],{},[40,7909],{"alt":7910,"src":7911},"Taylor_2_weeks_1","/images/2015/01/Taylor_2_weeks_1.jpg",[12,7913,7914],{},[384,7915,7917],{"href":7916},"/images/2015/01/Taylor_2_weeks_2.jpg",[40,7918],{"alt":7919,"src":7916},"Taylor_2_weeks_2",[12,7921,7922],{},[384,7923,7925],{"href":7924},"/images/2015/01/Taylor_2_weeks_3.jpg",[40,7926],{"alt":7927,"src":7924},"Taylor_2_weeks_3",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":7929},[],[267,661],"/images/2015/01/Taylor_2_week_cover.jpg","2015-01-14T03:53:00Z","4927",{},"Taylor at 2 weeks old. Daddy returns to work, first day alone with baby, midwife visit, heel prick test, and excellent weight gain from breastfeeding.","/taylor-grayson-2-weeks",{"title":7878,"description":7883},"taylor-grayson-2-weeks","djQMpK6T22Zm_MjO7r46LAGHrGPNgkCOIuSG9JlQlaQ",{"id":7941,"title":7942,"author":7,"body":7943,"category":8014,"cover":8015,"date":8016,"description":7947,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":8017,"meta":8018,"meta_description":8019,"meta_title":7942,"navigation":275,"path":6340,"seo":8020,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":8021,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":8022},"posts/nursing-a-newborn-the-early-days-with-medela-breastfeeding.md","Nursing a Newborn – The Early Days, with Medela",{"type":9,"value":7944,"toc":8012},[7945,7948,7951,7958,7961,7964,7971,7974,7977,7980,7983,7986,7993,7996,7998,8004],[12,7946,7947],{},"It’s been 20 days since I officially became a mother and with that a member of what seems to be an elite club of people who spend their nights staring down into the eyes of tiny people who feed at all hours. In those moments sitting in the dimly lit night whilst your partner snores away next to you, when those big eyes are staring back at you and you feel nothing but love, you forget that you haven’t slept for three nights, you’re middle of the night snacks are just out of arms reach, baby is already feeding and you need the loo!",[12,7949,7950],{},"Having opted to breastfeed the new addition to our family I entered this new chapter of our lives not knowing what I was doing, I had no idea what it would be like and from what I’d heard it was going to be hard. Everyone has an opinion on your choices as a parent and I lost count of the amount of times I was told breastfeeding was going to be hard, that if you only manage the first few days then switch to formula it’s okay, at least you tried. I was told it would hurt, it’s so painful that I’d spend days crying over the pain until I got used to it.",[12,7952,7953,7957],{},[40,7954],{"alt":7955,"src":7956},"fist_feed_breastfeeding","/images/2015/01/fist_feed.jpg","Overall everyone I spoke to about breastfeeding had something negative to say. It was worse than the birth horror stories people love sharing with pregnant ladies, I’d heard so much I even warned my partner of what was to come “I’m probably going to cry, it’s going to be painful and you’ll need to support me if I’m going to do this”",[12,7959,7960],{},"So what has it actually been like? Am I a crying mess? Have we switched to formula already? Do I have 10 Savoy cabbages clogging up my fridge already? NO!",[12,7962,7963],{},"When the midwife handed me this small soft bundle who was going to be dependant on me for everything they encouraged me to try feeding him. I chose not to take anything feeding related in my hospital bag to ensure I didn’t give up too easily. Of course my head was still filled will the breastfeeding horror stories I’d been told for the last nine months, all of that went out of the window in the moment my baby latched and fed from me.",[12,7965,7966,7970],{},[40,7967],{"alt":7968,"src":7969},"after_feeding__breastfeeding","/images/2015/01/after_feeding_1.jpg","It wasn’t painful, I didn’t cry, it was perfect.",[12,7972,7973],{},"Yes we fumbled around like two confused apes initially as we were both learning what to do, but once we got past the initial learning curve we were fine. This isn’t the case for everyone and for some people the stories are true, I’m just thankful that so far our journey has been great.",[12,7975,7976],{},"Day 1 – I could only get him to latch if we were skin to skin and both lying down in the reclining position, but he was feeding and thats all that mattered. The midwives were happy and so was I.",[12,7978,7979],{},"Day 2 – We managed to master the cross-over hold meaning I could feed him while sitting up, this made things much easier.",[12,7981,7982],{},"Day 3 – The cradle hold",[12,7984,7985],{},"After four days my milk really started to come in and as somebody who has never been very busty it felt like I was sporting footballs, not only were they huge they were sore. After a feed they went down but were still aching a little, this is where I’ve found the Medela Hydrogel pads to be a miracle worker, they cool and soothe giving you instant relief, they can be reused over a 24 hour period and so far work brilliantly.",[12,7987,7988,7992],{},[40,7989],{"alt":7990,"src":7991},"hyrogel","/images/2015/01/hyrogel.jpg","It’s not all been 100% perfect of course, their have been evenings where we’ve struggled to get the perfect latch and it takes a few attempts, but if you don’t get it right that’s when it hurts, it isn’t supposed to hurt so I take him off and we try again. The last three nights baby has been very congested and this hasn’t helped him to latch at all, he’s finding it hard to suck when he can’t breath easily through his nose. We’ve managed to get past this by using saline drops in his nose before night time feeds making it much easier for him to breath. Those few nights of him being unable to latch easily led to me having rather sore nipples which wasn’t great but also nothing that couldn’t be fixed with Purelan nipple cream, certainly an essential to keep handy while your nipples adjust to their new life.",[12,7994,7995],{},"When it came to baby T being weighed to see if he had regained the weight that newborns tend to lose in their first few days I was amazed to find he had gone from 6lb 14oz to 7lb 10z and this confirmed for me that my boy was feeding and we were doing okay.",[12,7997,7895],{},[12,7999,8000,8001,8003],{},"So far we have been feeding every 3 hours although the first few nights he did cluster feed all night long which was exhausting, thankfully a couple of weeks in we are past that and starting to establish a routine that works for us.",[624,8002],{},"\nWe’re going to be waiting until baby T is around 8 weeks old and we’ve fully established feeding before we try him with some bottles of expressed milk, this will mean dad can spend some time feeding the little man and he can still feed if we were to need to leave him with anybody in future. I’m looking forward to putting our Medela pump and calma bottle to the test!",[12,8005,8006,8008],{},[40,8007],{"alt":7754,"src":7755},[40,8009],{"alt":8010,"src":8011},"medela_mum","/images/2015/01/Blog-badge-2-caps.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":8013},[],[267],"/images/2015/01/medela_nursing_cover.jpg","2015-01-07T15:47:00Z","4772",{},"Breastfeeding newborn in the early days with Medela. Honest account of latching, feeding positions, hydrogel pads, and weight gain success.",{"title":7942,"description":7947},"nursing-a-newborn-the-early-days-with-medela-breastfeeding","a9229MJpxAz5zQc_neN-1gCtCRO2WFLkA5st4uonU8s",{"id":8024,"title":8025,"author":7,"body":8026,"category":8075,"cover":8076,"date":8077,"description":8030,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":8078,"meta":8079,"meta_description":8080,"meta_title":8025,"navigation":275,"path":8081,"seo":8082,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":8083,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":8084},"posts/milestone-taylors-first-week-in-the-world.md","Milestone: Taylor’s First Week in The World",{"type":9,"value":8027,"toc":8073},[8028,8031,8034,8037,8040,8043,8046,8052,8055,8061,8064],[12,8029,8030],{},"I’ve been a mum for an entire week and it has been the most surreal yet amazing week of my life. How has a week with this amazing tiny person passed us by so quickly? Should we have a cake to celebrate?",[12,8032,8033],{},"We brought Taylor home on Saturday the 3rd of January at 9:00pm after spending two nights in hospital, this was because I’d lost a lot of blood and could barely stand without blacking out, otherwise we would have been home sooner.",[12,8035,8036],{},"The midwife came on Sunday morning after another night of zero sleep and weighed him, he hasn’t lost too much of his birth weight and is down to 6lb07oz from 6lb14oz. He will be weighed again in one week to check this has come back up and he is feeding enough, It feels like he is constantly feeding so hopefully this won’t be a problem.",[12,8038,8039],{},"So far T doesn’t like being put down in his own bed at night and prefers to be held, this means he sleeps while I sit awake all night as I am terrified by the idea of co-sleeping in our bed. This is why we have the Snüzpod, so he can be close without it being dangerous. Apparently 8am is the perfect time to sleep in his own bed, this Is when I’ve been sleeping, I hope once he gets day and night figured out we can both sleep at night.",[12,8041,8042],{},"Since bringing him home Dexter and Luna (The cats) seem very confused, I don’t think they understand what he is yet. They will get close enough to smell him but if he moves it startles them. They’re also making strange noises. I’m sure they’ll be best friends soon enough.",[12,8044,8045],{},"We’re still adjusting to our new life, getting used to one another and enjoying every second as a family of three (five with the furries!)",[12,8047,8048],{},[40,8049],{"alt":8050,"src":8051},"060115_1","/images/2015/01/060115_1.jpg",[12,8053,8054],{},"Tired of having my picture taken!",[12,8056,8057],{},[40,8058],{"alt":8059,"src":8060},"030115_2","/images/2015/01/030115_2.jpg",[12,8062,8063],{},"Dexter investigating the new bald kitten.",[12,8065,8066,8070,8072],{},[40,8067],{"alt":8068,"src":8069},"030115_1","/images/2015/01/030115_1.jpg",[624,8071],{},"\nCuddles with Daddy when we came home.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":8074},[],[267,661],"/images/2015/01/taylor_1_week_cover.jpg","2015-01-07T04:02:00Z","4929",{},"Taylor's first week as a newborn. Hospital recovery, coming home, sleepless nights, feeding updates, and introducing baby to the cats.","/milestone-taylors-first-week-in-the-world",{"title":8025,"description":8030},"milestone-taylors-first-week-in-the-world","Uq_RTibFHp411BaZqGq50Fd2ci_TnzjgSekOux-q7lI",{"id":8086,"title":8087,"author":7,"body":8088,"category":8103,"cover":8104,"date":8105,"description":8092,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":8106,"meta":8107,"meta_description":8108,"meta_title":8087,"navigation":275,"path":8109,"seo":8110,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":8111,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":8112},"posts/and-then-there-were-3.md","Birth Announcement: And Then There Were 3",{"type":9,"value":8089,"toc":8101},[8090,8093,8096],[12,8091,8092],{},"I’m very excited and proud to announce that on the 1st of January 2015 our son came into the world! – Taylor Grayson Clarence – He is perfect in every way and we’re completely in love!",[12,8094,8095],{},"New years eve was spent watching the midnight fireworks from our bedroom window whilst breathing through contractions, I doubt we’ll ever experience a new year quiet like this again, but now we’ll always have a reason to celebrate, I am loving being a mummy and having my own little family! Xx",[12,8097,8098],{},[40,8099],{"alt":254,"src":8100},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Taylor_Announcement_2.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":8102},[],[267,661],"/images/2015/01/taylor_cover_image.jpg","2015-01-05T18:10:00Z","4695",{},"Birth announcement: Taylor Grayson Clarence born 1st January 2015. New Year's Eve labour and celebrating our new family of three.","/and-then-there-were-3",{"title":8087,"description":8092},"and-then-there-were-3","L5y8184bP0g9sfIPjffXQ_UaBm6YxDimR_cc_m8XXyA",{"id":8114,"title":8115,"author":7,"body":8116,"category":8243,"cover":8244,"date":8245,"description":8120,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":8246,"meta":8247,"meta_description":8248,"meta_title":8115,"navigation":275,"path":6333,"seo":8249,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":8250,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":8251},"posts/hopes-fears-and-expectations-for-breastfeeding.md","Hopes, Fears and Expectations for Breastfeeding",{"type":9,"value":8117,"toc":8241},[8118,8121,8124,8127,8130,8133,8136,8139,8145,8150,8174,8179,8194,8199,8220,8227,8235],[12,8119,8120],{},"One subject that is always rife in the media is breastfeeding, in fact it gets a lot of negative press when I really feel it shouldn’t. It’s 100% natural. That being said as somebody preparing to embark on the journey of motherhood it sounds like bloomin hard work! Not only that but it sounds painful. So the big question is, do I intend to breastfeed? Yes!",[12,8122,8123],{},"I’ll give my best shot and hope to be persistent until we get it right. Some people can do it, others cannot but we can all try and I intend on doing just that.",[12,8125,8126],{},"Not only am I going to try but I’m going to share the progress with you.",[12,8128,8129],{},"I am very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work with leading breast feeding brand Medela on this particular part of our journey into parenthood. Its both exciting and rather scary, hopefully myself and our little one can do this, its not the end of the world if we can’t but I’ve kept the bottles & steriliser sealed at the back of a cupboard for now in hope we won’t be needing them. My biggest fear is that neither of us can get the hang of it and we fail, i’d really like breast feeding to work for us as a family and expect it to be rather challenging.",[12,8131,8132],{},"Medela make high-end quality pumps along with everything else required to make expressing and feeding easier for mums. You’ll find most hospitals in the UK provide mums with Medela pumps to use during their stay.",[12,8134,8135],{},"As I intend to return to work eventually and also sometimes leave my baby with his daddy expressing is something we’ll also need to be familiar with and now we have everything we need ready to take on the challenge!",[12,8137,8138],{},"Throughout our journey we’ll be trying the Medela Swing single electric pump and the harmony manual pump along with accessories such as the Calma for when Dad can bottle feed the expressed milk.",[12,8140,8141,8142,8144],{},"Thanks to Medela I’ve been able to put three of my biggest questions to their own breastfeeding professional Sioned.",[624,8143],{},"\nI hope both my questions and Sioned’s in-depth answers can be of as much help to you as they have been for myself.",[12,8146,8147],{},[135,8148,8149],{},"1. As a first time mum who is new to breastfeeding how will I know if my baby is feeding enough, or that I am producing enough milk for him?",[12,8151,8152,8153,8155,8156,8158,8159,8161,8162,8164,8165,8167,8168,8170,8171,8173],{},"After your baby is born your baby usually has an energy store to support the few days after birth. The colostrum is small in volume in the first day but full of antibodies and energy that is easily absorbed by his gut.",[624,8154],{},"\nOne of the ways you can reassure yourself that you are producing milk is by seeing what’s going on in his nappies. The amount of urine in his nappy will be on day 1 is small but concentrated but the more you practice feeding his first poo (meconium) will start to pass. Colostrum acts as a natural laxative so the more you feed the quicker you will see change in the stools.",[624,8157],{},"\nOver 2-3 days the volume of colostrum increases and again his stools will start to change from a thick black tar like stool ( meconium ) to a changing stool – more brown and as milk comes to volume and is more plentiful the stools change from a brown –yellow to a yellow mustard coloured stool.",[624,8160],{},"\nThe more often you nurse your baby the quicker the changes in stool pattern. In the first 6 weeks you often find that your baby has an over -supply of milk available and you will find that you should have lots of dirty nappies with soft mustard coloured poo after this time you and your baby fine tune the supply and demand and it is normal for a breastfed baby not to have a soiled dirty nappy for 7-10 days if he is well.",[624,8163],{},"\nLooking at baby – if you are feeding ok, baby will have a good latch, comfortable to feed and you can see and hear the milk being swallowed in burst of active sucking. In the early days it is normal to spend a bit of time at feeding times to get the latch and position right for both of you with lots of tweaking. Within a few weeks you will be more relaxed and feeds will take less time as you both",[624,8166],{},"\nIf it doesn’t feel comfortable, you are sore, or baby not staying latched on then seek advice from your midwife or pop down to a local breastfeeding group for a friendly chat.",[624,8169],{},"\nAfter birth a breast fed baby should be feeding at least every 2-3 hrs as colostrum and mature milk are easily digested and absorbed by the baby’s gut. It is normal to have lots of night feeds and alarm bells would be ringing if a breastfed baby slept through in the first few days – weeks after birth if they were exclusively breast fed.",[624,8172],{},"\nIf baby is happy and alert between feeds, weight and growth are good; you are comfortable and feel that feeding is going well then have the confidence that feeding is established.",[12,8175,8176],{},[135,8177,8178],{},"2. I plan to return to work full time after 9 months but would most likely still want to breastfeed, is it possible to express enough milk to keep this up or would my supply start to change if the regularity of feeding/pumping has altered?",[12,8180,8181,8182,8184,8185,8187,8188,8190,8191,8193],{},"Yes anything is possible. Many mums choose to start an expressing routine after breast feeding is established so that their breasts become conditioned to a mechanical pump as well as their baby feeding for a good trigger of the milk let-down reflex.",[624,8183],{},"\nYour baby feeding will change as you go through the first year with growth spurts, teething and weaning. By the time you are ready to go back to work your baby will be having 3 or 4 meals a day and may be feeding on the breast less during the times that you are apart.",[624,8186],{},"\nIf you are feeding a lot during the day at 9 months you will have to support the time you are apart by expressing at a similar frequency that you are breastfeeding.",[624,8189],{},"\nYour breast do adapt over the breastfeeding journey to be in tune with your baby’s needs, if you feed less often then your milk supply will adapt and may drop overtime, so keeping a feed diary is useful so that you can look at your patterns – you may find lo feeds more in the evening when you come home too.",[624,8192],{},"\nIf you are looking at building a supply up, breastmilk can be stored in the freezer for 6 months and many mums start thinking about introducing the occasional bottle of expressed milk (with a Medela Calma teat) so that when you are ready to go back to work they will take a feed from the bottle and also you are reassured that the teat supports the sucking action associated with breastfeeding too.",[12,8195,8196],{},[135,8197,8198],{},"3. Aside from alcohol are their any other foods or drinks that should be avoided whilst nursing?",[12,8200,8201,8202,8204,8205,8207,8208,8210,8211,8213,8214,8216,8217,8219],{},"Initially there are no foods that should be avoided for a nursing mum other than those you were advised to avoid during pregnancy. It is important than mum eats a healthy varied diet and eats small and often.",[624,8203],{},"\nCaffeine should be cautiously taken in nursing mothers, as this may lead to babies being restless, agitated and colicky. 3-4 cups of coffee or tea a day may result in babies being ok but if baby is sensitive then cutting down on the tea coffee and caffeine soft drinks is advisable. De-caff is always an option!",[624,8206],{},"\nThere is ample evidence to support babies who are breastfed are more successful at weaning and trying different food because mums milk does change in taste and smell depending on what she has eaten.",[624,8209],{},"\nThere are some foods that can have an impact upon the baby’s digestive system if they are eaten by mum. Foods such as cauliflower, sprouts, cabbages, onions and garlic gives flavour and a source of iron, vitamins and micronutrients but can cause gassiness and symptoms of colic in the baby, some diet drinks can also do this as well as dairy. Spicy foods may also be a trigger.",[624,8212],{},"\nIf baby is showing signs of colic and fussiness it can be related to mums maternal diet and keeping a food diary can help to identify if something is a trigger. If baby is showing colic it sometimes can be improved by checking the latch and feeding position first and if you know the Sunday dinner results in the baby being fussy the next day then you can either prepare your day for lots of cuddles time or choose not to eat the ‘suspected food’.",[624,8215],{},"\nMake sure that you are having a healthy diet and breastfeeding mums are advised to take vitamin D -10mcg micrograms daily supplement, if you are also a vegetarian it is also recommended that you take Vitamin B12 supplements",[624,8218],{},"\nA common sense approach with all foods is advisable, making sure chicken and shellfish is cooked properly; avoid some soft cheese and unpasteurised dairy as you would do if you were pregnant.",[12,8221,8222,8223],{},"Sioned also hosts the Medela breastfeeding Cafe on their Facebook page every Tuesday and I’ve found reading these to be really helpful. Make sure you check them out if you have any questions and submit your own – look out for the below image on their page when the clinic opens on Tuesdays! ",[384,8224,8225],{"href":8225,"rel":8226},"https://m.facebook.com/medela.uk",[388],[12,8228,8229],{},[384,8230,8232],{"href":8225,"rel":8231},[388],[40,8233],{"alt":254,"src":8234},"https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10891491_764021366999762_1798878876211511786_n.jpg?oh=5b8b4c75032ec6e33d3b738e78fe0a8a&oe=54FB191D&__gda__=1430039415_c43a4964afcf9ec340a7806d6ddcdad5",[12,8236,8237,8239],{},[40,8238],{"alt":7754,"src":7755},[40,8240],{"alt":8010,"src":8011},{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":8242},[],[267,1193],"/images/2014/12/medela_breastfeeding_cover.jpg","2015-01-01T03:10:00Z","4653",{},"Breastfeeding hopes and fears for first-time mum. Expert advice from Medela on milk supply, returning to work, and foods to avoid whilst nursing.",{"title":8115,"description":8120},"hopes-fears-and-expectations-for-breastfeeding","Ils5pTZ3skJ-aKDy7jXGRCq1PDbml4ONGrny3dr7rxI",{"id":8253,"title":8254,"author":7,"body":8255,"category":8475,"cover":8476,"date":8477,"description":8259,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":8478,"meta":8479,"meta_description":8480,"meta_title":8481,"navigation":275,"path":8482,"seo":8483,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":8484,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":8485},"posts/whats-in-my-birth-bag.md","What’s in my birth bag?",{"type":9,"value":8256,"toc":8471},[8257,8260,8263,8266,8270,8297,8342,8345,8363,8367,8370,8383,8401,8419,8428,8434,8439,8445,8451,8456,8459,8465,8468],[12,8258,8259],{},"As we have less than one week until we reach our EDD (January 2nd) I thought It was about time I shared which essentials are in my birth bag, because if I leave it any longer it could be too late… Although I have a feeling that we’ll be going over our due date.",[12,8261,8262],{},"The bags have been packed and waiting by our door since week 28 alongside the car seat, now we just need this little minion to make his grand appearance!",[12,8264,8265],{},"I may have over packed but you can’t predict if you’ll be going home the same day, staying over night, or maybe even longer. So I felt it’s best to be prepared. We’ll be going to our local birth centre which is inside the hospital and close enough for any items we may have missed but I think I’ve covered it all?",[1168,8267,8269],{"id":8268},"inside-mummys-bag","Inside Mummy’s bag:",[12,8271,8272,8276,8278,8281,8282,8284,8285,8287,8288,8290,8291,8293,8294,8296],{},[40,8273],{"alt":8274,"src":8275},"hospital_bag_1","/images/2014/12/hospital_bag_1.jpg",[624,8277],{},[135,8279,8280],{},"Clothing","1 – Slippers – from Next",[624,8283],{},"\n2 – Night wear:",[624,8286],{},"\nOne loose cotton sleep shirt for the birth – from Next",[624,8289],{},"\nTwo pairs of pyjamas for after the birth, button down tops for feeding – from Primark and Next",[624,8292],{},"\n3 – Nursing sleep bras – from Blooming Marvellous",[624,8295],{},"\n4 – Comfortable underwear – from Next",[12,8298,8299,8303,8305,8308,8309,8311,8312,8314,8315,8317,8318,8320,8321,8323,8324,8326,8327,8329,8330,8332,8333,8335,8336,8338,8339,8341],{},[40,8300],{"alt":8301,"src":8302},"hospital_bag_2","/images/2014/12/hospital_bag_2.jpg",[624,8304],{},[135,8306,8307],{},"Toiletries","1 – Washbag",[624,8310],{},"\n2 – Face cloth",[624,8313],{},"\n3 – Mirror",[624,8316],{},"\n4 – Dry Shampoo",[624,8319],{},"\n5 – Toothbrush",[624,8322],{},"\n6 – Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash",[624,8325],{},"\n7 – Lip balm",[624,8328],{},"\n8 – Bathroom wipes",[624,8331],{},"\n9 – Deodorant",[624,8334],{},"\n10 – Hand lotion",[624,8337],{},"\n11 – Toothpaste",[624,8340],{},"\n12 – Mouthwash",[12,8343,8344],{},"(I also have 2 packs of maternity pads which I missed in the picture and a bath towel!)",[12,8346,8347,8351,8353,8356,8357,8359,8360,8362],{},[40,8348],{"alt":8349,"src":8350},"hospital_bag_4","/images/2014/12/hospital_bag_4.jpg",[624,8352],{},[135,8354,8355],{},"Feeding","1 – Medela breast pads",[624,8358],{},"\n2 – Medela Purelan 100 cream",[624,8361],{},"\n3 – Medela Hydrogel Pads",[1168,8364,8366],{"id":8365},"inside-babies-bag","Inside Babies bag:",[12,8368,8369],{},"I’ve packed all of babies things into his changing bag – the Donna Wilson fox leaf print from mamas & papas. Surprisingly it holds a lot!",[12,8371,8372,8378,8380],{},[384,8373,8375],{"href":8374},"/images/2014/12/hospital_bag_3.jpg",[40,8376],{"alt":8377,"src":8374},"hospital_bag_3",[624,8379],{},[135,8381,8382],{},"Essentials",[12,8384,8385,8386,8388,8389,8391,8392,8394,8395,8397,8398,8400],{},"1 – Muslins x 3 – from boots",[624,8387],{},"\n2 – Babygrows x 4 – from mamas & papas",[624,8390],{},"\n3 – Vests x 4 – from boots",[624,8393],{},"\n4 – Blanket – from mamas & papas",[624,8396],{},"\n5 – Selection of hats – from mamas & papas & next",[624,8399],{},"\n6 – Tiny size Babygrows x 3 – from Next. I bought these in sale just incase he is small, and if they aren’t needed we can gift them to the hospital for other tiny arrivals!",[12,8402,8403,8407,8409,8410,8412,8413,8415,8416,8418],{},[40,8404],{"alt":8405,"src":8406},"hospital_bag_5","/images/2014/12/hospital_bag_5.jpg",[624,8408],{},"\n**First outfit – for visiting hours!**1 – Babygrow – from mamas & papas welcome to the world range.",[624,8411],{},"\n2 – Socks – from h&m",[624,8414],{},"\n3 – Scratch mitts – from h&m",[624,8417],{},"\n4 – Hat – from h&m",[12,8420,8421,8425,8427],{},[40,8422],{"alt":8423,"src":8424},"hospital_bag_6","/images/2014/12/hospital_bag_6.jpg",[624,8426],{},"\n**Going home outfit!**Fox onesie – from boots",[12,8429,8430],{},[40,8431],{"alt":8432,"src":8433},"hospital_bag_7","/images/2014/12/hospital_bag_7.jpg",[12,8435,8436],{},[135,8437,8438],{},"Other items",[12,8440,8441,8442,8444],{},"1 – Nappies – Pampers newborn",[624,8443],{},"\n2 – Soothers – from MAM – Not sure we’ll use them but have them just incase!",[12,8446,8447],{},[40,8448],{"alt":8449,"src":8450},"car_seat_cybex_aton_q","/images/2014/12/car_seat_cybex_aton_q.jpg",[12,8452,8453],{},[135,8454,8455],{},"Car seat for going home",[12,8457,8458],{},"Cyber Aton Q",[12,8460,8461,8462,8464],{},"Alongside all of mine & babies thing I’ve also packed a clean t-shirt for my partner and a couple sets of his daily wear contact lenses incase we have a long labour! w",[624,8463],{},"\nWe will also be taking our camera phone charger and change for hospital parking.",[12,8466,8467],{},"I’ve also been informed that its a good idea to pack essential oils for massage, and olive oil to put on babies bum for that first nappy (it stops that first meconium poo from sticking!) clever. Oh and champagne to celebrate!",[12,8469,8470],{},"Are their any items you found to be must haves in your hospital bag that I may have missed? I’d love to know!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":8472},[8473,8474],{"id":8268,"depth":1191,"text":8269},{"id":8365,"depth":1191,"text":8366},[267,1193],"/images/2014/12/hospital_bags_cover.jpg","2014-12-30T09:18:00Z","4414",{},"Hospital bag essentials for labour and baby. Complete packing list including clothing, toiletries, feeding supplies, and baby outfits for birth and going home.","Hospital Bag Essentials: What to Pack for Labour and Baby","/whats-in-my-birth-bag",{"title":8254,"description":8259},"whats-in-my-birth-bag","-O3OXQ58kRfhjkm4W0eha8Vh31GO8uRZa-m66Ra9uKc",{"id":8487,"title":8488,"author":7,"body":8489,"category":8562,"cover":7113,"date":8563,"description":6987,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":8564,"meta":8565,"meta_description":8566,"meta_title":8488,"navigation":275,"path":7087,"seo":8567,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":8568,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":8569},"posts/the-calm-birth-school.md","The Calm Birth School Review: Online Hypnobirthing Course",{"type":9,"value":8490,"toc":8560},[8491,8493,8500,8503,8506,8509,8512,8515,8524,8527,8536,8539,8542,8545,8553,8556],[12,8492,6987],{},[12,8494,8495],{},[135,8496,8497],{},[384,8498,6996],{"href":6994,"rel":8499},[388],[12,8501,8502],{},"The Calm Birth School are helping mums achieve a positive birthing experience through a number of different techniques and I’ve taken on the task of giving it a go for myself!",[12,8504,8505],{},"Suzy & Hollie of TCBS are now offering an online tuition in hypnobirthing, you don’t even need to leave home to learn the techniques!",[12,8507,8508],{},"This is a course built up of video modules, handbooks, mp3s, 1+1 guidance and a great private support network of other like minded ladies who all want the best experience from their birth.",[12,8510,8511],{},"Each week I have received a series of module videos via email alongside a digital handbook and mp3’s, each video takes you over a new birth related topic or technique and teaches you the best ways to overcome your fears of birth and best practices for a birth that suits you.",[12,8513,8514],{},"Everything you need each week can be found in the members area over a series of four week intervals for you to refer back to as many times as you need.",[12,8516,8517],{},[384,8518,8520],{"href":6994,"rel":8519},[388],[40,8521],{"alt":8522,"src":8523},"members_area_videos","/images/2014/12/members_area_videos.jpg",[12,8525,8526],{},"Within the modules you’ll also have access to a series of MP3’s which are perfect for practicing the techniques to and preparing you for your calm birth experience.",[12,8528,8529],{},[384,8530,8532],{"href":6994,"rel":8531},[388],[40,8533],{"alt":8534,"src":8535},"mp3_calm_birth","/images/2014/12/mp3_calm_birth.jpg",[12,8537,8538],{},"Of course it isn’t magic, their are no guarantees and everybody is different. I may go into labour and have a terrible time (hopefully not) but I know for sure I am entering the journey so far feeling both relaxed and positive which is what hypnobirthing aims to do. The female body is designed to birth babies, its what it does! So if we take what our body wants to do and go with it, we should be in for a more pleasant experience than if we were to fight our bodies natural reactions.",[12,8540,8541],{},"So far I’m finding the classes to be really helpful in getting myself mentally geared up for the big day, whether or not I crumble on the day is another matter but I feel having a positive attitude to the experience and trying to stay relaxed can only help!",[12,8543,8544],{},"I’m hoping to feel positive and confident to use the techniques I’ve learnt from the course when our big day comes and will share my experience and thoughts on the techniques used.",[12,8546,8547,8548,8552],{},"You can try the CBS classes free for one week by signing up ",[384,8549,8551],{"href":6994,"rel":8550},[388],"here ","or book the entire course including 1+1 tuition, video calls and a private support group.",[12,8554,8555],{},"Stay tuned to find out how I found the techniques worked for me during my calm birth!",[12,8557,8558],{},[40,8559],{"alt":7754,"src":7755},{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":8561},[],[267,1689],"2014-12-30T03:34:00Z","4657",{},"The Calm Birth School online hypnobirthing course review. Video modules, handbooks, MP3s, and support network for a positive birth experience.",{"title":8488,"description":6987},"the-calm-birth-school","lXcwoan-EUri_fKwgCixN5Lnx4nR0pMPDsuRPe8dQeo",{"id":8571,"title":8572,"author":7,"body":8573,"category":8601,"cover":7146,"date":8602,"description":8577,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":8603,"meta":8604,"meta_description":8605,"meta_title":8572,"navigation":275,"path":8606,"seo":8607,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":8608,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":8609},"posts/week-39-almost-there.md","Pregnancy update: Week 39 – Almost there…",{"type":9,"value":8574,"toc":8599},[8575,8578,8584,8590,8593],[12,8576,8577],{},"It’s the final week before our EDD and I can’t believe this tiny person has been growing inside of me for nine months! It has literally flown by and I’m more than ready to meet our little bundle, theirs a good chance we could go over by a week or two especially with this being my first. However, this has been such a simple text book pregnancy so far that I don’t mind waiting. I actually think I’m going to miss this jiggly little bump of mine.",[12,8579,8580,8581,8583],{},"Baby C is now as big as a small watermelon, and his Dad’s jokes about me eating too many watermelons are fitting to my size!",[624,8582],{},"\nHe is a fully developed tiny person just waiting for his opportunity to come and say hello. Last night (Christmas night) was met with a very restless nights sleep and plenty of Braxton hicks. Today we’ve had feet sticking out of my sides and a few back pains so hopefully it won’t be too long until the main event.",[12,8585,8586,8589],{},[40,8587],{"alt":8588,"src":1194},"week_39_bump_1","This week I’ve been chomping on ice cubes and ice lollies again like I was in the first trimester, except this time it isn’t accompanied by nausea. I can also eat a lot more food now our little one has dropped freeing up some space which was perfect timing for Christmas dinner, now we wait!",[12,8591,8592],{},"I’ll be back next week with our 40 week update after what may be our final midwife appointment, that is of course unless we have our hands full before then, who knows?!",[12,8594,8595],{},[40,8596],{"alt":8597,"src":8598},"week_39_bump2","/images/2014/12/week_39_bump2.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":8600},[],[267,1193],"2014-12-26T20:03:00Z","4611",{},"Week 39 pregnancy update, final week before due date. Braxton Hicks, baby dropping, and waiting for labour to begin after textbook pregnancy.","/week-39-almost-there",{"title":8572,"description":8577},"week-39-almost-there","x9wosKzKy0gJEUQTsB8dSalCSIXXvkJCwRmYn4e9RYk",{"id":8611,"title":8612,"author":7,"body":8613,"category":8651,"cover":8652,"date":8653,"description":8617,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":8654,"meta":8655,"meta_description":8656,"meta_title":8612,"navigation":275,"path":8657,"seo":8658,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":8659,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":8660},"posts/in-case-of-emergency.md","Sponsored Post: In Case of Emergency",{"type":9,"value":8614,"toc":8649},[8615,8618,8621,8624,8627,8630,8633,8636,8641],[12,8616,8617],{},"As the due date of our little one is creeping closer we’ve been preparing for what’s to come, not just in terms of having a tiny human whom shall rely upon us for absolutely everything, but also for the 9 months that we will essentially become a one income family. Before taking the big step of planning for a family we made sure we were more than financially stable, debt free, and ready. But we also needed to reassure ourselves that we had every eventuality covered.",[12,8619,8620],{},"So I finally did it, I took out my first ever credit card! It felt like a very ‘grown-up’ thing at the time, maybe not as much as knowing I’m going to be a mother but it was up there, my first ever form of credit – Not including my student loan which I always forget about –",[12,8622,8623],{},"What if the car were to break down? Or the washing machine? These are things I wouldn’t want to be withdrawing from our savings for but could be costly with one less full time salary.",[12,8625,8626],{},"I’ve never had reason to purchase anything on credit before and thankfully still don’t, but theirs something about that new shiny card that makes you want things, things you really don’t need! I’ll be keeping it in a safe place for if and when an emergency is to rear its ugly head but what do people deem to be an emergency these days?",[12,8628,8629],{},"For me it’s repairing items that truly have an impact on the running of your day to day life, but I know for some it’s things such as ridiculously overpriced designer shoes or luxury handbags. Are these purchases worthy of flashing the plastic, and does the cost of happiness trump domestic repairs?",[12,8631,8632],{},"Would you use a credit card to indulge in some not so necessary treats for yourself or is it strictly for those times when you have no other option?",[12,8634,8635],{},"I say mine is for when a real emergency may occur but only time shall tell… Oh look at all the pretty things I could buy!",[12,8637,8638],{},[241,8639,8640],{},"This post is sponsored by Santander who provide a range of credit cards and loans, perfect for that emergency –",[12,8642,8643],{},[241,8644,8645],{},[384,8646,8647],{"href":8647,"rel":8648},"http://www.santander.co.uk/uk/credit-cards",[388],{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":8650},[],[267],"/images/2014/12/emergency_cover.jpg","2014-12-23T23:29:00Z","4596",{},"Taking out my first credit card before maternity leave. Planning for emergencies and financial stability as a one-income family with baby on the way.","/in-case-of-emergency",{"title":8612,"description":8617},"in-case-of-emergency","lbfKo1_IVKfheCCmV_SwhWPgsPg7RzzNaTCTEgHl5Fc",{"id":8662,"title":8663,"author":7,"body":8664,"category":8738,"cover":8739,"date":8740,"description":8741,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":8742,"meta":8743,"meta_description":8744,"meta_title":8663,"navigation":275,"path":8745,"seo":8746,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":8747,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":8748},"posts/you-know-youre-nesting-when.md","Pregnancy Nesting: Signs You Are Nesting Before Baby Arrives",{"type":9,"value":8665,"toc":8736},[8666,8673,8676,8679,8686,8692,8701,8704,8714],[12,8667,8668,8669,8672],{},"All of sudden ",[135,8670,8671],{},"everything"," in your house is just wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong!",[12,8674,8675],{},"The flour jar in your kitchen isn’t labelled, the bathroom soap dispenser just isn’t suitable and the pet bed is clearly in need of being replaced. Or is it? Of course it because all of sudden no matter what it may be, from the way the tins line up in your pantry to the disorganised mess in the cupboard of your guest room it must be organised.",[12,8677,8678],{},"Has this happened to you? In the weeks leading up to my maternity leave I was itching to clear out the entire house and once the day finally arrived that was it the decluttering commenced.",[12,8680,8681,8682,8685],{},"The problem is I was 8 months pregnant by this point which means everything happened ",[135,8683,8684],{},"very"," slowly. Cleaning the en-suite with the steamer took an entire day even though it wasn’t actually grubby to begin with and clearing out that guest room cupboard is taking days rather than hours.",[12,8687,8688,8691],{},[40,8689],{"alt":254,"src":8690},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/bathroom_nesting.jpg","We clearly needed that new soap dispenser, and to paint the window ledgeNow we’re two weeks away from our EDD the bump is very heavy yet my nesting brain is still there, my plans to read christmas themed novellas and drink gingerbread lattes all day like a lady of leisure is yet to surface. Instead I’m obsessed with buying tiny baskets to sit things in. If its in a basket then surely it’ more organised?",[12,8693,8694,8697,8698,8700],{},[40,8695],{"alt":254,"src":8696},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/kitchen_nesting.jpg","Storage baskets + shelves to double cupboard space!Everything must have a place or purpose, if not why do we have it?",[624,8699],{},"\nFor instance those skinny jeans I’ve had in a storage box since I was 18, if they were ever going to fit again I might actually want to buy a new pair as a reward. I’m finding items in our house that we’re clinging onto for no reason whatsoever and its time to be ruthless.",[12,8702,8703],{},"This is also the perfect opportunity to give things to charity, if it hasn’t been worn in the last 6 months their is a reason, so its going. I may regret some of these decisions months from now when I decide I actually really loved that Dr Pepper branded tshirt but I’m sure I’ll get over it and for now the house is starting to look very organised.",[12,8705,8706,8709,8710,8713],{},[40,8707],{"alt":254,"src":8708},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/baby_nesting.jpg","Use dividers when organising drawers in the nursery!",[40,8711],{"alt":254,"src":8712},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/nesting_cats.jpg","Buy the cats a new bed, whether they wanted it or notSince my nesting began I’ve started to follow these simple rules seen on the infographic below, if its not needed its going. My trash really could be somebody else’s gold. Do you have any great space saving or decluttering tips that you swear by?",[12,8715,8716,8723],{},[384,8717,8720],{"href":8718,"rel":8719},"http://www.ecomovers.co.uk/man-and-van",[388],[40,8721],{"alt":254,"src":8722},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/09MAY-Howtodeclutteryourhouse.jpg",[241,8724,8725,8726,8730,8731,8735],{},"* Infographic source – ",[384,8727,8729],{"href":8718,"rel":8728},[388],"Eco-Movers"," the ",[384,8732,8734],{"href":8718,"rel":8733},[388],"Man and Van"," service",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":8737},[],[267,1193],"/images/2014/12/nesting_cover.jpg","2014-12-17T15:14:00Z","All of sudden everything in your house is just wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong!","4569",{},"Hilarious signs of pregnancy nesting. From obsessive organizing to buying storage baskets, here are the telltale symptoms before baby arrives.","/you-know-youre-nesting-when",{"title":8663,"description":8741},"you-know-youre-nesting-when","c6X8BzPFRyQLmLM2xPgEgoMJXUQdZV026lpitcpsRjw",{"id":8750,"title":8751,"author":7,"body":8752,"category":8890,"cover":8891,"date":8892,"description":254,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":8893,"meta":8894,"meta_description":8895,"meta_title":8751,"navigation":275,"path":8896,"seo":8897,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":8898,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":8899},"posts/styling-the-bibee-tunic.md","Review: Styling the Bibee Tunic",{"type":9,"value":8753,"toc":8888},[8754,8764,8770,8780,8786,8796,8802,8809,8814,8817,8824,8827,8833,8836,8839,8845,8848,8854,8857,8863,8866,8875,8878],[12,8755,8756],{},[384,8757,8761],{"href":8758,"rel":8759,"title":8760},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=729372&c=130140",[388],"Bibee Maternity Dresses",[40,8762],{"alt":254,"src":8763},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20150202/50806/100/1422916699.38.jpg",[12,8765,8766],{},[384,8767,8769],{"href":8758,"rel":8768,"title":8760},[388],"Bibee Maternity Dresses  ",[12,8771,8772],{},[384,8773,8777],{"href":8774,"rel":8775,"title":8776},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=729368&c=130140",[388],"Styling the Bibee Tunic",[40,8778],{"alt":254,"src":8779},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20150202/50806/100/1422916633.4.jpg",[12,8781,8782],{},[384,8783,8785],{"href":8774,"rel":8784,"title":8776},[388],"Styling the Bibee Tunic  ",[12,8787,8788],{},[384,8789,8793],{"href":8790,"rel":8791,"title":8792},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=729377&c=130140",[388],"Breastfeeding with Bibee",[40,8794],{"alt":254,"src":8795},"http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20150202/50806/100/1422916898.98.jpg",[12,8797,8798],{},[384,8799,8801],{"href":8790,"rel":8800,"title":8792},[388],"Breastfeeding with Bibee  ",[12,8803,8804,8805,8808],{},"Last month I shared with you my initial thoughts on ",[384,8806,8807],{"href":6254},"Bibee maternity & nursing dresses",", my favourite thing about these dresses and tunics is not only that they can be used both during and after pregnancy but how versatile they are. With Bibee you have the ability to transform one key piece into an endless array of different looks!",[12,8810,8811],{},[135,8812,8813],{},"Save a whopping 40% on Bibee Dresses this winter using the code ‘lee lee’ in conjunction with their 25% off Christmas offer!",[12,8815,8816],{},"I’ve absolutely loved transforming my Bibee tunic into as many different styles and outfits as I possibly can, I’ve paired it with jeans, leggings and tights, I’ve worn it with a Bibee front and without, you can take this one Tunic from day to night in a flash and its fab!",[12,8818,8819,8823],{},[40,8820],{"alt":8821,"src":8822},"Bibee_Tunic_Bib1","http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Bibee_Tunic_Bib1.jpg","Look one – Black Tunic + Black V-Neck Front",[12,8825,8826],{},"My favourite look so far has to be the tunic combined with the black v-neck Bibee front, this combo gives the tunic a perfect finish and looks great in the evenings when paired with coloured leggings and ankle boots.",[12,8828,8829,8832],{},[40,8830],{"alt":8821,"src":8831},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Bibee_Tunic_No_Bib_1.jpg","Look two – Black Tunic + vest",[12,8834,8835],{},"I’ve been wearing my tunic over various coloured vests throughout my pregnancy for a more casual look paired with grey skinny jeans.",[12,8837,8838],{},"The tunics and dresses don’t always require a Bibee front unless you’re wearing them for the breast feeding element of their functionality.",[12,8840,8841,8844],{},[40,8842],{"alt":8821,"src":8843},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Bibee_Tunic_Bib2.jpg","Look three – Black Tunic + Geo-Print Cowl-Neck Front",[12,8846,8847],{},"Initially I wasn’t sure how the Geo Print fronts would look with the black tunic, I selected them to go with the Geometric Print Dress. However it seems with Bibee anything goes because they still look great! Adding a pop of colour to the tunic and a really nice neckline which has been lovely in the cold weather.",[12,8849,8850,8853],{},[40,8851],{"alt":8821,"src":8852},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/Bibee_Tunic_Bib3.jpg","Look four – Black Tunic + Geo-Print Round-Neck Front",[12,8855,8856],{},"Another of my looks is pairing the tunic with the Geo Print round neck front, it still works really well with the tunic giving a fourth alternative outfit to one garment!",[12,8858,8859,8862],{},[40,8860],{"alt":254,"src":8861},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/bottoms.jpg","I’ve been pairing my tunic with the above crochet leggings, maternity jeans and maternity leggings to take my outfits from day to night. These dresses and tunics have been designed by a mummy with other mummies in mind and so far they tick all of the boxes. I’ve yet to come across another maternity product like the Bibee dress.",[12,8864,8865],{},"As I enter my 38th week of pregnancy I’m really looking forward to seeing how to Bibee fairs when it comes to breast feeding and sharing my views with you.",[12,8867,8868,8869,8874],{},"You can purchase your own Bibee Dresses at ",[384,8870,8873],{"href":8871,"rel":8872},"http://www.bibeedresses.co.uk",[388],"www.bibeedresses.co.uk"," or by clicking on any of the images within this post.",[12,8876,8877],{},"As a Bibee ambassador I’m pleased to offer all of my readers 15% off of Bibee dresses! Just use the code ‘lee lee’ at the checkout to receive your discount + free p&p!",[12,8879,8880],{},[384,8881,8884],{"href":8882,"rel":8883},"http://bibeedresses.co.uk",[388],[40,8885],{"alt":8886,"src":8887},"Bibee_dresses_discount","/images/2014/11/Bibee_dresses_discount.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":8889},[],[267,1689,1193],"/images/2014/12/bibee_dresses_styling_cover.jpg","2014-12-15T11:22:00Z","4485",{},"Styling the Bibee tunic review. Four versatile looks with interchangeable fronts for maternity and nursing wear. Save 40% with discount code.","/styling-the-bibee-tunic",{"title":8751,"description":254},"styling-the-bibee-tunic","NYfUrK7ptC6MU2h0uN6a6CjmAUk2drDY7HsPUtVm7a0",{"id":8901,"title":8902,"author":7,"body":8903,"category":8951,"cover":8952,"date":8953,"description":8907,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":8954,"meta":8955,"meta_description":8956,"meta_title":8902,"navigation":275,"path":8957,"seo":8958,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":8959,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":8960},"posts/water-baby-pregnancy-drinks.md","WaterBaby Pregnancy Drinks Review: Folic Acid & Hydration",{"type":9,"value":8904,"toc":8949},[8905,8908,8916,8923,8926,8943,8946],[12,8906,8907],{},"I wanted to share with you one of the things that has been a must for me so far throughout my pregnancy and an absolute god send when trying to keep down folic acid pills as you tackle morning sickness. This is something I came across when searching for different forms of folic acid as I was worried the baby wouldn’t be benefitting enough while I was experiencing a bout of morning sickness, its worked so well that I’ve continued to drink it through the rest of the pregnancy.",[12,8909,8910,8915],{},[384,8911,8914],{"href":8912,"rel":8913},"http://www.waterbaby.co/",[388],"WaterBaby"," is a low calorie hydrating pregnancy drink designed to provide you with 100% of your daily intake of Folic Acid, it also contains a blend of vitamins including zinc, calcium and b vitamins.",[12,8917,8918,8922],{},[40,8919],{"alt":8920,"src":8921},"water_baby","/images/2014/11/water_baby.jpg","I’ve been loving WaterBaby as its easy to grab a bottle on the go in the morning without remembering to take pills and also giving you the added element of hydration, when experiencing a few weeks of morning sickness and prenatal vitamins wouldn’t stay down this was the perfect solution and its also really refreshing.",[12,8924,8925],{},"The drinks are available in 3 flavours named Bloom (Cranberry) Care (Citrus) and Calm (Ginger & Lemon), my favourites have been Bloom and Care so far, the citrus is definitely the most refreshing of the three and helped me through my sickness.",[12,8927,8928,8929,8932,8933,8937,8938,8942],{},"You can purchase ",[384,8930,8914],{"href":8912,"rel":8931},[388]," on ",[384,8934,1679],{"href":8935,"rel":8936},"http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=bl_sr_grocery?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=WaterBaby+Pregnancy+Care+Drink&index=grocery&search-type=ss",[388]," in packs of 12 from ",[384,8939,8941],{"href":8935,"rel":8940},[388],"£14.67  ","I also came across some bottles in Poundland, surprising priced at £1 per bottle but not all flavours were available. 😉",[12,8944,8945],{},"It’s definitely a great sickness companion between nibbling on those ginger biscuits.",[12,8947,8948],{},"Have you tried anything different to help while experiencing morning all day sickness?",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":8950},[],[267,1689,1193],"/images/2014/11/water_baby_cover.jpg","2014-11-21T12:56:00Z","4322",{},"WaterBaby pregnancy drinks review. Low-calorie hydration with 100% daily folic acid, vitamins, and minerals. Perfect alternative during morning sickness.","/water-baby-pregnancy-drinks",{"title":8902,"description":8907},"water-baby-pregnancy-drinks","ZihPn03VTRQjN-Iie7OiEkZ0bFaqB4O5wER63KoHpQg",{"id":8962,"title":8963,"author":7,"body":8964,"category":9053,"cover":9054,"date":9055,"description":254,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9056,"meta":9057,"meta_description":9058,"meta_title":8963,"navigation":275,"path":6254,"seo":9059,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9060,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9061},"posts/bibee-maternity-dresses.md","Why I Love Bibee Maternity & Nursing Dresses",{"type":9,"value":8965,"toc":9051},[8966,8973,8978,8985,8990,8997,9002,9005,9008,9011,9018,9026,9033,9040,9043,9046],[12,8967,8968],{},[384,8969,8971],{"href":8758,"rel":8970,"title":8760},[388],[40,8972],{"alt":254,"src":8763},[12,8974,8975],{},[384,8976,8769],{"href":8758,"rel":8977,"title":8760},[388],[12,8979,8980],{},[384,8981,8983],{"href":8774,"rel":8982,"title":8776},[388],[40,8984],{"alt":254,"src":8779},[12,8986,8987],{},[384,8988,8785],{"href":8774,"rel":8989,"title":8776},[388],[12,8991,8992],{},[384,8993,8995],{"href":8790,"rel":8994,"title":8792},[388],[40,8996],{"alt":254,"src":8795},[12,8998,8999],{},[384,9000,8801],{"href":8790,"rel":9001,"title":8792},[388],[12,9003,9004],{},"One thing I have been reluctant to do throughout my pregnancy is clothes shopping, which is unusual. Given the opportunity to go shopping I would usually have no trouble parting with my money but when pregnant I’ve found it can be very difficult.",[12,9006,9007],{},"I’ve been avoiding spending a lot on items that would be of no use to me once our baby is here and have struggled to find items that have suited my style without looking too mumsy or frumpy.",[12,9009,9010],{},"When asked if I would like to try Bibee Dresses I was intrigued by what their products had to offer, most importantly because they aren’t just a range of maternity wear, Bibee Dresses have been designed with two purposes in mind as they are also intended for nursing. Therefore it’s not something that would be obsolete and slung in the back of the wardrobe after having given birth, they are actually very practical multipurpose dresses!",[12,9012,9013,9017],{},[40,9014],{"alt":9015,"src":9016},"bibee_dresses_2","/images/2014/11/bibee_dresses_2.jpg","The above dress is the Geometric print Bibee Dress which retails at £65The dresses are designed to fit your ever changing body throughout pregnancy and I’ve found them to be the most comfortable items I’ve had so far, the best part is I don’t have to worry about them being of no use in 6 weeks time. This is perfect for myself as I do plan to breastfeed but hadn’t actually thought about the practicality of my clothing until now. This is where the Bibee itself comes in, a interchangeable dress front that buttons onto the dress giving you both the option of creating many different styles with the dress but also for easy access when breastfeeding. Of course I haven’t tested the breastfeeding element of the dresses yet but I can’t wait to see how practical they really are.",[12,9019,9020],{},[384,9021,9023],{"href":8882,"rel":9022},[388],[40,9024],{"alt":254,"src":9025},"http://bibeedresses.co.uk/bibeedresses/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/bibeedresses-making-fun-logo.jpg",[12,9027,9028,9032],{},[40,9029],{"alt":9030,"src":9031},"bibee_dresses_5","/images/2014/11/bibee_dresses_5.jpg","The above dress is the Geometric print Bibee Dress which retails at £65I took the Geometric print Bibee Dress on my travels over the weekend and found it to be very comfortable when spending 6 hours hopping from train to train with my 8-month bump! The quality of the product is fantastic and very versatile whilst not costing the earth, the fabric, in particular, feels like good quality thick material that is made to last. Considering these items will take me from my pregnancy through to breastfeeding and beyond I wish I’d known about them sooner. I also loved choosing which combination to wear for the day!",[12,9034,9035,8868,9037,8874],{},[40,9036],{"alt":8886,"src":8887},[384,9038,8873],{"href":8871,"rel":9039},[388],[12,9041,9042],{},"As a Bibee ambassador, I’m pleased to offer all of my readers 15% off of Bibee dresses! Just use the code ‘lee lee’ at the checkout to receive your discount + free p&p!",[12,9044,9045],{},"Stay tuned for my next post to see the different ways I’ve been styling my Bibee dress & tunic using 3 Bibees attachments.",[12,9047,9048],{},[241,9049,9050],{},"Disclaimer: For the purpose of this review, I received the Bibee dress & tunic free of charge however all opinions are 100% my own and honest",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9052},[],[267,1689,1193],"/images/2014/11/bibee_dresses_cover_2.jpg","2014-11-20T09:01:00Z","4344",{},"Bibee maternity and nursing dresses review. Comfortable, versatile designs with interchangeable fronts for pregnancy and breastfeeding. 15% discount code.",{"title":8963,"description":254},"bibee-maternity-dresses","7sWcg9xUQ9iVfNRF0MkMk9FssKqXQNx07Wg211JugTo",{"id":9063,"title":9064,"author":7,"body":9065,"category":9212,"cover":9213,"date":9214,"description":9069,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9215,"meta":9216,"meta_description":9217,"meta_title":9218,"navigation":275,"path":9219,"seo":9220,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9221,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9222},"posts/our-thoughts-on-sassy-bloom.md","Review: Sassy Bloom",{"type":9,"value":9066,"toc":9210},[9067,9070,9073,9076,9083,9093,9096,9101,9114,9127,9140,9143,9156,9159,9174,9189,9192,9195,9207],[12,9068,9069],{},"We were given the opportunity to try Sassy Bloom and when our first our first box arrived I couldn’t wait to find out what was inside!",[12,9071,9072],{},"Sassy Bloom is a subscription box aimed at women during their third trimester of Pregnancy up until your child is two, each box is tailored to your child based on their age and gender, their are also personalised items that include their name! We don’t have a name yet, but the idea of future boxes with such items is exciting.",[12,9074,9075],{},"A single monthly box is charged at £29, so you can buy a one-off gift or one box just to try for yourself. However if you subscribe to one of the packages from between 3 and 12 months you can get them for as little as £22.15 per month, each box will always contain over £40 worth of goodies suited to your needs. I was amazed when ours came to an overall value of £48.99. Some of the items were absolutely perfect for us!",[12,9077,9078,9079,9082],{},"You can get your own Sassy Bloom box with £10 off using the code ",[135,9080,9081],{},"BLG-LEE"," and the link below!",[12,9084,9085,9088,9092],{},[135,9086,9087],{},"Here’s what we thought of our box –",[40,9089],{"alt":9090,"src":9091},"Sassy_Bloom_Box","/images/2014/11/Sassy_Bloom_Box.jpg","Firstly our box came addressed to the baby, which was adorable. The box itself is presented beautifully and comes wrapped in an organza bow, also handy for any crafty folk to keep and reuse, that’s what I’ll be doing!",[12,9094,9095],{},"Under the fold of the box is this very sweet message ‘hand picked happiness’ showing that a lot of thought has gone into the process of packaging the Sassy Bloom boxes, even down to the design of the box itself. Everything inside comes wrapped in a fresh white tissue paper with a SB sticker giving it that luxury feel.",[12,9097,9098],{},[135,9099,9100],{},"What’s in our box?",[12,9102,9103,9107,9108,9113],{},[40,9104],{"alt":9105,"src":9106},"Sassy_Bloom_Kaloo","/images/2014/11/Sassy_Bloom_Kaloo.jpg","Kaloo Sweet Life DouDou Patchwork Bear – RRP £18.00 – ",[384,9109,9112],{"href":9110,"rel":9111},"http://www.kaloo.comThis",[388],"www.kaloo.comThis"," cute patchwork bear came in its own fancy little box and is covered in bold bright colours and varying textures. I think Baby C is going to love this! I know I do and it’s something I probably wouldn’t have thought to purchase, also a brand I hadn’t heard of before.",[12,9115,9116,9120,9121,9126],{},[40,9117],{"alt":9118,"src":9119},"Sassy_Bloom_little_bird_car","/images/2014/11/Sassy_Bloom_little_bird_car.jpg","Little Bird Told Me Baby Car Sign – RRP 6.00 – ",[384,9122,9125],{"href":9123,"rel":9124},"http://www.littlebirdtoldme.co.ukThis",[388],"www.littlebirdtoldme.co.ukThis"," has to be one of my favourite items from our Sassy Bloom box, It was the same day our box arrived that I had mentioned how we would need to buy a little hanger for the car window and now we have one! He’s a very cute snail and will do the job perfectly. This led to me looking at further products from the brand, where I discovered you can get a sit-on rocking snail, I really think I love him.",[12,9128,9129,9133,9134,9139],{},[40,9130],{"alt":9131,"src":9132},"Sassy_Bloom_Sock_Ons","/images/2014/11/Sassy_Bloom_Sock_Ons1.jpg","Sock Ons White 0-6 Months RRP £6.00 – ",[384,9135,9138],{"href":9136,"rel":9137},"http://www.sockons.co.ukSock",[388],"www.sockons.co.ukSock"," Ons are a nifty little invention designed to be worn over baby socks to stop them falling off, apparently baby socks come off a lot. This must be why I always see babies out and about with one sock on their foot and one in their mouth!",[12,9141,9142],{},"I’ll be trying these out on Baby C and making sure we don’t lose any of those tiny socks I’ve been obsessing over for months.",[12,9144,9145,9149,9150,9155],{},[40,9146],{"alt":9147,"src":9148},"Sassy_Bloom_Beaba_Bubble","/images/2014/11/Sassy_Bloom_Beaba_Bubble.jpg","Beaba Scissors – RRP £3.99 – ",[384,9151,9154],{"href":9152,"rel":9153},"http://www.beaba.com/enOne",[388],"www.beaba.com/enOne"," item I hadn’t yet thought of buying for Baby C is grooming essentials, our Sassy box just so happened to include these brilliant Beaba Bubble Nail Scissors.",[12,9157,9158],{},"They come with a case and also a protective guard so you can safely trim those tiny but very sharp & scratchy baby nails. I imagine it’s going to be a very fiddly job, much like trimming the cats claws but potentially less dangerous, so this is yet another item in the box that will be of great use to us.",[12,9160,9161,9167,9168,9173],{},[384,9162,9164],{"href":9163},"/images/2014/11/Sassy_Bloom_Oil.jpg",[40,9165],{"alt":9166,"src":9163},"Sassy_Bloom_Oil","Bloom Bump & Baby Stretch Mark Defense Body Oil – RRP £14.00 – ",[384,9169,9172],{"href":9170,"rel":9171},"http://www.bloombumpandbaby.co.uThe",[388],"www.bloombumpandbaby.co.uThe"," Bloom Bump Oil smells lovely and sinks into your skin really well, I found it perfect for massaging my bump. It’s really relaxing too. As for the benefits of reducing / preventing stretch marks I don’t have any yet but have been using products religiously so we’ll see how that goes. I’ve been told they can creep up at the very last second or even after birth! Blimey.",[12,9175,9176,9182,9183,9188],{},[384,9177,9179],{"href":9178},"/images/2014/11/Sassy_Bloom_Spa_Tone.jpg",[40,9180],{"alt":9181,"src":9178},"Sassy_Bloom_Spa_Tone","Spatone Liquid Iron Supplement – RRP £1.00 – ",[384,9184,9187],{"href":9185,"rel":9186},"http://www.nelsonsnaturalworld.comThe",[388],"www.nelsonsnaturalworld.comThe"," last item in our box was a sachet of Spatone liquid iron supplement, I’ve got a whopping big box of these that I’ve been taking but they’re not apple, so I’ve had to mix them in with fruit juice as the packaging recommends, otherwise it’s a lot like sucking on two-pence pieces! Ew.",[12,9190,9191],{},"With the flavoured version there is no need for this making it easier to take when out and about. I’ll definitely be looking for the flavoured version next time after trying this.",[12,9193,9194],{},"Overall I found the Sassy Bloom box to be of great value and filled with items I might not normally choose to purchase but also wouldn’t have heard of otherwise, all of the products in our box are suited to us and I was surprised to find we actually have a use/need for each of them. I think Baby C definitely approved as the kicks and wiggles were paramount whilst we waded through the goodies. I’d recommend the boxes to any mums as receiving a box full of fun every month for you and your little one is the perfect treat, I think we’ll be enjoying more boxes in the future once Baby is here to share the surprise too!",[12,9196,9197,9198,9200,9201,9206],{},"Baby C and I are excited to offer you the opportunity to get £10 off of your first box using the code ",[135,9199,9081],{}," over at ",[384,9202,9205],{"href":9203,"rel":9204},"http://www.sassybloom.com",[388],"www.sassybloom.com"," so you too can see what the excitement is all about.",[12,9208,9209],{},"Have you tried any of the products that were in my box? Let me know what you think!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9211},[],[267,1689,1193],"/images/2014/11/Sassy_Bloom_Cover.jpg","2014-11-05T12:12:00Z","4274",{},"Sassy Bloom subscription box review. Tailored baby and pregnancy boxes from third trimester to age two, filled with personalised items worth over £40.","Sassy Bloom Subscription Box Review: Baby & Pregnancy","/our-thoughts-on-sassy-bloom",{"title":9064,"description":9069},"our-thoughts-on-sassy-bloom","mWuNEbOULwJq-XDJ1mIXuERrB036ki73s9jZhj8_joU",{"id":9224,"title":9225,"author":7,"body":9226,"category":9250,"cover":9251,"date":9252,"description":9230,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9253,"meta":9254,"meta_description":9255,"meta_title":9225,"navigation":275,"path":9256,"seo":9257,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9258,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9259},"posts/let-the-cramp-commence.md","Pregnancy Update: Week 31- Let the Cramp Commence",{"type":9,"value":9227,"toc":9248},[9228,9231,9234,9241],[12,9229,9230],{},"This week Baby C is as big a Romain lettuce and weighs as much as a coconut. I’m definitely noticing a difference this week as he has spent much of it digging into my ribs all day long, he’s very active and likes to squirm lots!",[12,9232,9233],{},"We’re still stretch-mark free which is great but since getting bigger I’ve had to buy a couple of new stretchy tops – This fab cat print top was 25% off at Sainsbury’s and amazingly a regular size 8, like I said, stretchy! This means it will still be of use when I no longer have a bump which is brilliant as I’ve been put off spending too much money on clothing especially if it won’t be of use for very long after.",[12,9235,9236,9240],{},[40,9237],{"alt":9238,"src":9239},"week_31_bump","/images/2014/10/week_31_bump.jpg","On Tuesday we had a midwife appointment and everything measured correctly so that good to hear, I also heard the heartbeat on the doppler which is always nice. The midwife had to take my blood again as the batch they took 2 weeks prior got lost inside the shoot at the hospital… Madness! My blood is now floating around the delivery tube system of the hospital somewhere.",[12,9242,9243,9247],{},[40,9244],{"alt":9245,"src":9246},"week_31","/images/2014/10/week_311.jpg","This week I’ve been experiencing horrible cramp in my legs during the night which is keeping me awake, hence why I now look like a beady eyed zombie! This just adds to the 5 times a night I now wake up to pee, it’s getting more glamorous by the week. I’ve been using this time to catch up on my reading at 3am when I can’t get back to sleep, it’s like I’m being trained for whats to come and as somebody who could sleep for days I think I need it.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9249},[],[267,1193],"/images/2014/10/week_31_cover.jpg","2014-10-31T19:01:00Z","4253",{},"Week 31 pregnancy update with painful leg cramps, baby digging into ribs, midwife appointment, and sleepless nights with frequent toilet trips.","/let-the-cramp-commence",{"title":9225,"description":9230},"let-the-cramp-commence","svl0j0WNB15HFQyJjNS-mR0lfokRAbfGerYBHRr66zk",{"id":9261,"title":9262,"author":7,"body":9263,"category":9302,"cover":9303,"date":9304,"description":9267,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9305,"meta":9306,"meta_description":9307,"meta_title":9262,"navigation":275,"path":9308,"seo":9309,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9310,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9311},"posts/being-stroked-from-the-inside-week-30.md","Pregnancy Update: Week 30 – Being Stroked From the Inside!",{"type":9,"value":9264,"toc":9300},[9265,9268,9271,9278,9281,9293,9296],[12,9266,9267],{},"This week Baby C is as big a Hawaiian pineapple and weighs as much as a cabbage. I’d say they aren’t as prickly as a pineapple but with the prods I’ve been getting who knows? My bump still doesn’t seem to have gotten much bigger but it has changed a little since last week.",[12,9269,9270],{},"Although I can’t see the difference in my bump I can certainly feel it. We’ve officially lost the ability to bend, I have now mastered squatting for everything. So glamorous!",[12,9272,9273,9277],{},[40,9274],{"alt":9275,"src":9276},"3_Bigger_Bump","/images/2014/10/3_Bigger_Bump.jpg","The strangest thing to happen this week has to be the moment I was lying on my side at 4am (after my 5th toilet trip of the night, pregnancy make you pee!) when I felt baby move all along my side. Unlike the usual prods it was like somebody was stroking my bump, from the inside. Oooooh spoooky.",[12,9279,9280],{},"To say it felt strange would be an understatement it was actually a little eery and prompted me to move onto my other side, I can only guess that I was putting pressure on baby and they weren’t having any of it. I’m just glad baby likes to move a lot now which puts my mind at ease.",[12,9282,9283,9287,9288,9292],{},[40,9284],{"alt":9285,"src":9286},"1_3D_Baby","/images/2014/10/1_3D_Baby.jpg","We also had our rescan at Lollipop 4D Baby Scans and you can ",[384,9289,9291],{"href":9290},"/lollipop-4d-baby-scans","read all about it here ","where you’ll see more pictures of Baby C in all his 3D glory!",[12,9294,9295],{},"I personally think he looks rather cute, but I would think that wouldn’t I? If anything I think seeing baby in so much detail has gotten me more excited to meet him. With only 10 weeks left to go, which I hear are the slowest weeks, it shouldn’t be THAT long until we get to give this baby a big squish!",[12,9297,9298],{},[40,9299],{"alt":7754,"src":7755},{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9301},[],[267,1193],"/images/2014/10/week_30_cover.jpg","2014-10-23T16:00:00Z","4149",{},"Week 30 pregnancy update with strange stroking sensation from inside, 3D scan photos, and only 10 weeks until baby arrives. Growing bump challenges.","/being-stroked-from-the-inside-week-30",{"title":9262,"description":9267},"being-stroked-from-the-inside-week-30","qpKqJZ8e62obWWpVUd5jUDquUfiOyLRgu-lSmLoNzrU",{"id":9313,"title":9314,"author":7,"body":9315,"category":9401,"cover":9402,"date":9403,"description":9404,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9405,"meta":9406,"meta_description":9407,"meta_title":9314,"navigation":275,"path":9290,"seo":9408,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9409,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9410},"posts/lollipop-4d-baby-scans.md","Review: Lollipop 4D Baby Scans",{"type":9,"value":9316,"toc":9399},[9317,9326,9334,9341,9344,9347,9353,9360,9379,9389,9394],[12,9318,9319,9320,9325],{},"This week we went to ",[384,9321,9324],{"href":9322,"rel":9323},"http://www.lollipop4dbabyscans.co.uk/",[388],"Lollipop 4D Baby Scans"," in the heart of manchester city centre, this was our second visit as the week before baby was in an awkward position and didn’t want to show us much of anything.",[12,9327,9328,9329,9333],{},"After speaking to Liam who is co-owner of ",[384,9330,9332],{"href":9322,"rel":9331},[388],"Lollipop"," with his wife Anna I was able to get my rescan booked in for the following Sunday (October 12th) which was fantastic. It wasn’t until somebody at work pointed it out that I realised this was my birthday! I forgot my own birthday… is this a sign of growing old? I may be 25 but I’m still getting ALL of the dirty looks from people since being pregnant, it must be that youthful face. Hey-ho!",[12,9335,9336,9340],{},[40,9337],{"alt":9338,"src":9339},"lollipop_scan_day","/images/2014/10/lollipop_scan_day.jpg","This was the first time we’ve seen the baby awake and it was amazing, the sheer detail of the 4D scan is astounding and you have to remind yourself that what you’re seeing is actually taking place inside you at that moment in time. Baby spent some time rubbing their nose and opening their mouth which was fascinating to see.",[12,9342,9343],{},"The scan went perfectly and Elizabeth who is the sonographer makes you feel so comfortable, she is very friendly and overall just a really lovely person as was the lady on reception. We were able to finally confirm Baby C’s gender which was a relief, and have a look at them in detail. After the previous week of being cross legged and smushed up this week baby spent a lot of time covering their face, typical! (Is this baby playing games with us?)",[12,9345,9346],{},"But look at that little face! I can’t wait to see it again and give baby a big squish!",[12,9348,9349,9352],{},[40,9350],{"alt":254,"src":9351},"https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1975190_10204037929002567_6591677476005901051_n.jpg?oh=ab52fbfdf98fbc9030ec40eab385dd9f&oe=54AF8009&__gda__=1421055075_74f703b4784be6a7ade446c5fd6630d1","Just to add to how perfect our afternoon was they knew it was my birthday (I’m guessing this was via twitter where I had mentioned going for my scan on my birthday) and had some lovely millies cookies for me, seriously how amazing is that?! I felt well and truly spoilt!",[12,9354,9355,9359],{},[40,9356],{"alt":9357,"src":9358},"lollipop_4d_scan_2","/images/2014/10/lollipop_4d_scan_2.jpg","If you’re looking for somewhere in central Manchester for a 3D/4D scan I can’t recommend Lollipop enough, it’s value for money and the service is brilliant. A very friendly and professional team. Thanks for a truly great experience Lollipop!",[12,9361,9362,9363,9367,9368,1231,9373,9378],{},"You can book your own scan via their website at ",[384,9364,9366],{"href":9322,"rel":9365},[388],"www.lollipop4dbabyscans.co.uk"," and catch them over on twitter ",[384,9369,9372],{"href":9370,"rel":9371},"https://twitter.com/Lollipop4dscans",[388],"@Lollipop4dscans",[384,9374,9377],{"href":9375,"rel":9376},"https://www.facebook.com/lollipop4dbabyscans?ref=ts&fref=ts",[388],"Facebook"," if you have any questions!",[12,9380,9381,9383,9386],{},[40,9382],{"alt":7754,"src":7755},[40,9384],{"alt":254,"src":9385},"https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10447853_10204037929482579_1927518896237243485_n.jpg?oh=2e4c04f861e4b1972ebda576ff577efb&oe=54ACF204&__gda__=1420531835_fd90222df54d49073dc701b7c5eefd90",[40,9387],{"alt":254,"src":9388},"https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10613052_10204037928922565_3240864424694152972_n.jpg?oh=b3f3a28642e969c88f3fa1c123634efe&oe=54B3DB1A&__gda__=1425033207_96b2744c5a26170f99d1129e9f2e8d2c",[12,9390,9391],{},[40,9392],{"alt":254,"src":9393},"https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10509577_10204037928962566_2537693279808529833_n.jpg?oh=acb70e6d580019fd9ac913381ed5bf2c&oe=54ED0239&__gda__=1424695404_0de2844f1b96c56e5a73182917fd05f6",[12,9395,9396],{},[40,9397],{"alt":254,"src":9398},"https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1471315_10204037929962591_1796941151126351664_n.jpg?oh=b4b47393e1a1f21ac8804032fef5113c&oe=54B503A9",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9400},[],[267,1689,1193],"/images/2014/10/lollipop_4d_scan_cover.jpg","2014-10-20T20:22:00Z","This week we went to Lollipop 4D Baby Scans in the heart of manchester city centre, this was our second visit as the week before baby was in an awkward position and didn’t want to show us much of anything.","4119",{},"Lollipop 4D Baby Scans Manchester review. Birthday scan experience with friendly team, detailed photos, and unforgettable glimpse of baby.",{"title":9314,"description":9404},"lollipop-4d-baby-scans","gjYZIzBMeVZCzJ11jqXPCGPBai5qLm1meN_A21pBxFo",{"id":9412,"title":9413,"author":7,"body":9414,"category":9488,"cover":9489,"date":9490,"description":9418,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9491,"meta":9492,"meta_description":9493,"meta_title":9413,"navigation":275,"path":9494,"seo":9495,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9496,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9497},"posts/the-baby-and-toddler-show-2014.md","The Baby and Toddler Show 2014",{"type":9,"value":9415,"toc":9486},[9416,9419,9426,9433,9440,9443,9446,9457,9464,9471,9474,9477,9480],[12,9417,9418],{},"September 28th saw us make our way down to our local exhibition centre at Event City in Manchester for the Baby and Toddler Show, I’d been waiting for weeks in anticipation of this particular weekend as we planned to buy many of the items on our list there. Unfortunately I failed to take any pictures while at the show as I was in full on mum-to-be mode taking in everything around me and not blogger mode!",[12,9420,9421,9425],{},[40,9422],{"alt":9423,"src":9424},"Baby and Toddler Show Emmas Diary","http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/DSC_3000.jpg","Upon arrival we received a token for a our free gift bag, every mum and mum to be who bought a ticket to the show receives one of these. The pack is actually the Emmas Diary Mum to be pack and contains a selection of items such as Johnson’s wipes & lotions and breast pads. Another of the many things I’ve been staring at in shops and avoiding buying just yet, haha.",[12,9427,9428,9432],{},[40,9429],{"alt":9430,"src":9431},"MAM anti-colic bottle ","http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/DSC_3018.jpg","Their were also free anti colic bottles on the MAM stand for those who signed up online prior to the event and downloaded a voucher, this was limited to the first 300 people on each day and surprisingly we managed to get one! It’s very cute and has little bunnies on it. These bottles are from MAMs range of very clever self sterilising bottles, you can fill them with water and pop them into the microwave to sterilise without being contained within a sterilising unit. The MAM stand was one of the more professional looking at the show and appeared to be very popular.",[12,9434,9435,9439],{},[40,9436],{"alt":9437,"src":9438},"mamas & papas timbuk tales ","http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/DSC_2939.jpg","When we arrived at the show it didn’t take long for me to spot the large ‘mamas & papas’ signs gracing the back of the room where Baby Planet were exhibiting – this is where I intended to buy many of the items I needed and managed to do so with 20% off the RRP – Super!",[12,9441,9442],{},"We have chosen the kit out Baby C’s nursery in the Timbuktales range from m&p after we spent a day trailing all of the baby shops in Manchester to compare quality and design on the current ranges available, typical of me this had to be the most expensive range I came across but the quality and design far outweighed that when compared to others we had seen. So waiting for that extra 20% off was a brilliant idea.",[12,9444,9445],{},"We purchased the cot bumper (although I know their is a lot of controversy around these, we have one!) the nappy stacker and the snuggle blanket.",[12,9447,9448,9452,9456],{},[40,9449],{"alt":9450,"src":9451},"mamas & papas timbuktales ","http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/DSC_2954.jpg",[40,9453],{"alt":9454,"src":9455},"mamas & papas timbuktales changing mat","http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/DSC_3030.jpg","We also purchased the Timbuktales sheets, cot mobile, changing mat and curtains, I can’t wait to open them all and set up the nursery.",[12,9458,9459,9463],{},[40,9460],{"alt":9461,"src":9462},"mamas & papas donna wilson changing bag","http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/DSC_2958.jpg","Also from the m&p stand we purchased the Donna Wilson Fox Leaf print changing, this came with 25% off and retails at £99. We’ve chosen the Donna Wilson edition Urbo 2 as Baby C’s pram so we couldn’t leave without the bag 😉",[12,9465,9466,9470],{},[40,9467],{"alt":9468,"src":9469},"poddle pod","http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/DSC_3079.jpg","Another item on my list that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on is the Poddle Pod, I’ve heard so much about these and everyone is singing their praises! We chose the Poddle Pod bundle with a star print cover and fleece green bottom, it looks very snug. After last nights lack of sleep can we get a preggo pod?!",[12,9472,9473],{},"Overall the show was smaller than I had expected and was missing a few brand favourites that I had hoped to come across. Their wasn’t any Gro Bag or Little Green Sheep, I also failed to find Sophie the Giraffe and Ewan the Dream Sheep who were on our list. I’d also hoped to see Medela and learn more about their pumps. I think many of these brands can be seen at The Baby Show in London which is a completely different event all together but a little too far.",[12,9475,9476],{},"We did however manage to meet many other fab brands. Cosatto were there with a huge range of their products which really stood out from the crowd, Lollipop 4D Baby Scans were also there, we had already booked a scan via them prior to the show but their stand looked great. Pampers Pull-Ups had a bus inside the conference centre which looked brilliant and their were also fantastic baby first-aid courses taking place which we stopped by to watch for a little while.",[12,9478,9479],{},"The m&p stand had to be my favourite in terms of practicality as the majority of what I needed was there, the staff were brilliant and even carried our purchases over to the pay point for us. Our choice of pram for baby C also comes from m&p and we were given a great demonstration along with the chance for Phillip to race around the room turning doughnuts with it to pass the dad-to-be test!",[12,9481,9482,9483,9485],{},"I think the show is definitely worth going to if you intend to buy a lot of the larger items, these are where the best savings can be had. Not so much on smaller items or clothing.",[624,9484],{},"\nWe paid £12 for two tickets by using a discount code sent out a few days before the event, for this price and the savings we made it was more than worth it and made a really enjoyable morning out for us parents-to-be.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9487},[],[267,1689],"/images/2014/10/the-baby-and-toddler-show-cover.jpg","2014-10-14T12:23:00Z","4089",{},"Baby and Toddler Show 2014 review at Event City Manchester. Shopping haul including Mamas & Papas Timbuktales nursery range with 20% discount.","/the-baby-and-toddler-show-2014",{"title":9413,"description":9418},"the-baby-and-toddler-show-2014","5lU-KIz1kzpjyfDzXvHb3ywaswyXo1eVGvxm29CsotM",{"id":9499,"title":9500,"author":7,"body":9501,"category":9550,"cover":9551,"date":9552,"description":9505,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9553,"meta":9554,"meta_description":9555,"meta_title":9500,"navigation":275,"path":9556,"seo":9557,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9558,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9559},"posts/week-28-breakdancing-baby.md","Pregnancy Update: Week 28 – Breakdancing Baby",{"type":9,"value":9502,"toc":9548},[9503,9506,9518,9525,9534,9537,9545],[12,9504,9505],{},"This week Baby C is as big as a Coconut and weighs as much as an Aubergine, that’s pretty big compared to the poppy seed they started out to be at around 4 weeks. Baby is still piling on the fat and getting bigger although the size of my bump doesn’t seem to have changed much this week it does feel tighter, I imagine the coconut looks something like this floating around in there! They do say babies are hairy all over too.",[12,9507,9508,9512,9513,9517],{},[40,9509],{"alt":9510,"src":9511},"week_28_coconut","/images/2014/10/week_28_coconut1.jpg","On Saturday we had our 3D scan booked where we hoped to get some confirmation on the little ones gender. This came about after the sonographer at our 20 week scan wasn’t 100% certain but told us enough to imply what baby might me, as I mentioned in a ",[384,9514,9516],{"href":9515},"/weeks-20-25","previous post"," we had decided if they could see then we wanted to find out, but if baby wasn’t up to showing then we would wait for a surprise. Well the 3D scan didn’t reveal anything either and we have to go back this weekend. Baby refused to move!",[12,9519,9520,9521,9524],{},"We had our scan at ",[384,9522,9324],{"href":9322,"rel":9523},[388]," in Manchester city centre and I’ll share an in-depth review of our experience after our re-scan this weekend.",[12,9526,9527],{},[384,9528,9530],{"href":9322,"rel":9529},[388],[40,9531],{"alt":9532,"src":9533},"lollipop_4d_scans","/images/2014/10/lollipop_4d_scans.jpg",[12,9535,9536],{},"Things sure have changed a lot since last weeks scare of the baby that didn’t kick and wouldn’t move, of course they waited until after the scan to get a wiggle on but it has been non-stop! They must be starting to fill out in there and it now feels like baby is breakdancing all day long, which is great when compared to feeling nothing at all. Keep dancin’ baby!",[12,9538,9539],{},[384,9540,9542],{"href":9541},"/images/2014/10/Cot_shopping-e1412940967296.jpg",[40,9543],{"alt":9544,"src":9541},"Cot_shopping",[12,9546,9547],{},"This week I’ve also started to sort things out in the soon to be nursery, the furniture is built and our masses of shopping have started to pile up inside the empty cot. I’ll do a post all about it when it’s finished but until then this is the only sneak peek you’re having 😉",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9549},[],[267,1193],"/images/2014/10/week_28_cover.jpg","2014-10-10T16:39:00Z","4063",{},"Week 28 pregnancy update with 3D scan at Lollipop 4D Manchester. Baby won't reveal gender, constant movement, and nursery preparation begins.","/week-28-breakdancing-baby",{"title":9500,"description":9505},"week-28-breakdancing-baby","docMltPo5kLEndhd_JP4h02AW2H1B9VoeN342Zhk_C4",{"id":9561,"title":9562,"author":7,"body":9563,"category":9594,"cover":9595,"date":9596,"description":9567,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9597,"meta":9598,"meta_description":9599,"meta_title":9562,"navigation":275,"path":9600,"seo":9601,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9602,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9603},"posts/week-27-the-third-trimester.md","Pregnancy Update: Week 27 – The Third Trimester",{"type":9,"value":9564,"toc":9592},[9565,9568,9575,9582],[12,9566,9567],{},"Wow week 27 already, the THIRD trimester, to think I’ve been carrying this tiny miracle since April is amazing. This week my bump has grown even more (I imagine this is going to be a weekly occurrence? haha) I actually look pregnant now and people aren’t holding back on telling me, but it feels good!",[12,9569,9570,9574],{},[40,9571],{"alt":9572,"src":9573},"week_27_bepanthen_cream","/images/2014/10/week_27_bepanthen_cream.jpg","This week Baby C is as big as a bunch of Bananas according to one app and as heavy as a head of Cauliflower according to another. He’s gradually getting bigger and starting to put on fat now he is a fully fledged tiny human, I feel like I’ve been eating more but I haven’t gained any weight myself.",[12,9576,9577,9581],{},[40,9578],{"alt":9579,"src":9580},"week_27_bump","/images/2014/10/week_27_bump.jpg","The weekend saw us take a day trip to the Baby and Toddler show where we spent a small fortune on all of the bits and bobs we have been waiting to buy for the nursery, it was worth waiting as we got an extra 20% off the range we wanted and picked up a few of the other items off our list. You can read more about that in my post about the show next week.",[12,9583,9584,9588,9589,9591],{},[40,9585],{"alt":9586,"src":9587},"week_27_shopping","/images/2014/10/week_27_shopping.jpg","We had a small scare this week when I stopped feeling any movement. Although I have an anterior placenta I have had a pattern of movement that I have felt daily, after waiting around 35 hours I decided to call the Community Midwives numbers 58 times, literally 58, I ended up calling 111 and a lady put me through to the hospital. So yesterday saw us heading off to hospital to get checked out, they strapped me up to a machine which I now believe is a CGT (Thanks to my sister for telling me that one) We were told that next time we shouldn’t leave it so long! Everything turned out to be fine though and a strong heartbeat and movements were found, thank goodness. Lets just say I had an amazing relaxed sleep after spending the week worrying.",[624,9590],{},"\nLets see what next week brings!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9593},[],[267,1193],"/images/2014/10/Week_27_cover.jpg","2014-10-03T18:59:00Z","4043",{},"Week 27 pregnancy update - entering the third trimester. Growing bump, baby shopping, and a hospital scare with reduced movement. All is well.","/week-27-the-third-trimester",{"title":9562,"description":9567},"week-27-the-third-trimester","uUEX-bwWaxj5rnT0cdNQf6ddX5IIbL4SK7tBEIYROq8",{"id":9605,"title":9606,"author":7,"body":9607,"category":9656,"cover":9657,"date":9658,"description":9611,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9659,"meta":9660,"meta_description":9661,"meta_title":9606,"navigation":275,"path":9662,"seo":9663,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9664,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9665},"posts/pregnancy-update-gender-reveal-week-20.md","Pregnancy Update: Team Pink or Team Blue? – Weeks 20 +",{"type":9,"value":9608,"toc":9654},[9609,9612,9615,9618,9626,9629,9632,9645,9648],[12,9610,9611],{},"The last few weeks have flown by! It feels like we only just told everyone our news yet here we are already creeping up to 25 weeks. I’ll be looking to start weekly updates now that more is happening in terms of physical changes and pregnancy experiences.",[12,9613,9614],{},"Since my last update I’ve definitely seen my tummy start to ‘pop’ and I really do have a bump! It’s been gradually getting bigger since week 20 and hasn’t stopped, this is surprising as on top of my growing belly and my new instinct to eat like a horse I haven’t actually gained much weight. I thought I’d have been piling on the pounds by now but I am still only 2lbs up on my pre-pregnancy weight.",[12,9616,9617],{},"The most exciting news this month has to be that The Man has finally felt baby kick, only once, but it was very exciting. I think moments like these are what make the entire experience more real for the Dad-to-be as their are only so many ways they can feel involved.",[12,9619,9620],{},[384,9621,9623],{"href":9622},"/images/2014/08/week_20_baby_bump.jpg",[40,9624],{"alt":9625,"src":9622},"week_20_baby_bump",[12,9627,9628],{},"We also had that all important 20 week anomaly scan where they check that your little minion has all of its limbs and organs in place, this is also when they can take a peek at their privates and tell you what you’re having!",[12,9630,9631],{},"We decided if they could see then we wanted to find out, but if baby wasn’t up to showing then we would wait for a surprise. Our little one happened to spend most of the scan with it’s legs crossed, its back to us and hands in front of their face, the sonographer did however say she was fairly certain our tiny person was a BOY! She said this more than once but she wasn’t overly convincing. We are set on the idea that our baby is a boy though. The Man comes from a family of all boys, who also have boys. Their mum has been longing for a girl in the family but it just hasn’t happened, maybe next time!",[12,9633,9634,9635,9640,9641,396],{},"Although we had decided against splashing out on things such a 3D scans we couldn’t turn down a bargain when ",[384,9636,9639],{"href":9637,"rel":9638},"http://www.lollipop4dbabyscans.co.uk",[388],"Lollipop Scans"," appeared on groupon offering a 3D scan for £49! In addition to this super saving when It came to checking out I got a groupon discount of £10. They still have an offer available and you can check that out ",[384,9642,3999],{"href":9643,"rel":9644},"http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/manchester/lollipop-baby-scans-4/45538469",[388],[12,9646,9647],{},"We’re going take the opportunity if possible to confirm our tiny man does indeed have tiny man parts, the buying has already begun so I hope he does. We’ve kept receipts to everything just incase.",[12,9649,9650],{},[40,9651],{"alt":9652,"src":9653},"20_weeks_scan","/images/2014/09/20_weeks_scan1.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9655},[],[267,1193],"/images/2014/09/20_weeks_cover.jpg","2014-09-23T09:19:00Z","4020",{},"Pregnancy update weeks 20-25: gender reveal at anomaly scan, growing bump, feeling baby kick, and planning a 3D scan. Team Pink or Team Blue?","/pregnancy-update-gender-reveal-week-20",{"title":9606,"description":9611},"pregnancy-update-gender-reveal-week-20","HMOsscP58U6fyQ1aeIh3DFVzWEgVZsADvv5giE7xVWU",{"id":9667,"title":9668,"author":7,"body":9669,"category":9764,"cover":9765,"date":9766,"description":9767,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9768,"meta":9769,"meta_description":9770,"meta_title":9771,"navigation":275,"path":9772,"seo":9773,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9774,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9775},"posts/bepanthen-bump-to-baby-blogs.md","Bepanthen Bump to Baby Blogs",{"type":9,"value":9670,"toc":9762},[9671,9680,9690,9720,9723,9726,9729,9736,9739,9742,9748,9756,9759],[12,9672,9673,9674,9679],{},"When the lovely people at ",[384,9675,9678],{"href":9676,"rel":9677},"http://www.immediate.co.uk/",[388],"Immediate Media"," asked if I would like to attend a pamper evening for pregnant ladies and take part in their Bepanthen blogger campaign, why of course I said yes!",[12,9681,9682],{},[384,9683,9686],{"href":9684,"rel":9685},"http://www.madeformums.com/advertorial/bepanthen-blog-lisa/31612.html",[388],[40,9687],{"alt":9688,"src":9689},"View Lisa's Bepanthen Blog","/images/2014/09/Screen-Shot-2014-09-20-at-19.56.02.png",[12,9691,9692,9693,9698,9699,9698,9704,9698,9709,9714,9715,9719],{},"Immediate run the likes of ",[384,9694,9697],{"href":9695,"rel":9696},"http://www.madeformums.com/",[388],"Made for mums",", ",[384,9700,9703],{"href":9701,"rel":9702},"http://www.babyexpert.com/",[388],"Baby Expert",[384,9705,9708],{"href":9706,"rel":9707},"http://www.juniormagazine.co.uk/",[388],"Junior",[384,9710,9713],{"href":9711,"rel":9712},"http://www.thinkbaby.co.uk/",[388],"Think baby"," and many many more, the list is literally endless. Once i had all of the details and booked a last-minute afternoon off work I took myself and my tiny bump down to London for the evening. My second solo London trip since that ",[384,9716,9718],{"href":9717},"/lucy-robinson-launch-party-the-unfinished-symphony-of-you-and-me","Opera-tastic book launch"," I attended, I must say I’m super impressed with my navigation skills considering I took the overground twice in order to reach my destination and all went smoothly. Seriously, go me!",[12,9721,9722],{},"Overall the event was brilliant, of course I was initially a nervous-wreck inside.I was going to spend my evening with 9 other pregnant ladies I’d never met and discuss all things pregnancy with them, while approximately 15 other people watch along with a camera-crew. Whats their to be worried about, I’m not camera shy, am I?! Maybe just a little…",[12,9724,9725],{},"I was greeted by the loveliest people from Immediate. I had some lovely non-alcoholic cocktails, tiny burgers and yummy cupcakes with the other ladies before we got to business. (I wish I had taken pictures of them but I was far too busy eating, ooops!)",[12,9727,9728],{},"The initial group chat which was filmed was fine as we had spent some time getting to know one another prior and just relaxed into conversation, brilliant. The most nerve-wracking part for myself was the solo videos, which you can see on my Bepanthen blogger profile. Answering questions on the spot while being film is pretty damn hard. Once filming was out of the way we had the opportunity to indulge in massage and manicures, sadly this lady had to hop back on the overground and make her way back to the north of England ready for work the next day. From what I heard the other ladies loved the pampering side of the evening, I may have been a teeny bit jealous. Sob sob sob.",[12,9730,9731,9735],{},[384,9732],{"href":9733,"rel":9734},"http://www.madeformums.com/advertorial/from-bump-to-baby-pregnancy-blogs-with-bepanthen/31533.html",[388],"–Enjoying my copy of Prima Baby & Pregnancy which came in my goody bag from the evening, along with a very coincidental can of Diet Coke!-",[12,9737,9738],{},"While at the event I felt it all went well, its not until I actually saw my video live on the site that I maybe died a little inside. I know most people dislike the sound of themselves on film but wow, I really didn’t like it. This is why I’ll never be a Vlogger, although i’d love to waffle on about everything and anything to you via youtube I probably couldn’t bare to look at or listen to myself. I am however getting used to it. Slowly.",[12,9740,9741],{},"The blogging itself is fantastic and I am loving sharing my monthly bump updates for my Bepanthen blog as well as smothering myself in their luxurious stretch-mark cream every morning and night. It just feels and smells so nice.",[12,9743,9744,9747],{},[384,9745],{"href":9733,"rel":9746},[388],"-Excited to begin our journey with Bepanthen and @madeformums #Bepanthen #Blogger #Pregnant-",[12,9749,9750],{},[384,9751,9753],{"href":9733,"rel":9752},[388],[40,9754],{"alt":254,"src":9755},"http://www.madeformums.com/news/images/Advertorial/Bepanthen/MFM_Bepanthen_Desktop_Advertorial_2.0_24.png",[12,9757,9758],{},"You can see my blog along with the other nine lovely ladies here or by clicking various (non-instagram) images in this post.",[12,9760,9761],{},"Make sure you keep watch as new blogs are added monthly, some of the ladies are due to pop any day now while some have a long-way to go so their is somebody to follow for each stage of pregnancy. From how we are caring for our bumps, bonding, body image and to how we are feeling in overall. I’m finding the blogs to be really useful myself and you may too.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9763},[],[267,1193],"/images/2014/09/blogging_with_bepanthen_thumb.jpg","2014-09-22T07:11:00Z","When the lovely people at Immediate Media asked if I would like to attend a pamper evening for pregnant ladies and take part in their Bepanthen blogger campaign, why of course I said yes!","3933",{},"Bepanthen Bump to Baby blogger event experience. A pamper evening for pregnant ladies in London with filming, cocktails, and sharing pregnancy journeys.","Bepanthen Bump to Baby Blogger Event Experience","/bepanthen-bump-to-baby-blogs",{"title":9668,"description":9767},"bepanthen-bump-to-baby-blogs","CjXrWKJ0XxbfypOMuB2xMjUXK86CytGIpI-SPb1YxKc",{"id":9777,"title":9778,"author":7,"body":9779,"category":9873,"cover":9874,"date":9875,"description":9783,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9876,"meta":9877,"meta_description":9878,"meta_title":9778,"navigation":275,"path":9879,"seo":9880,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9881,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9882},"posts/baskets-cribs-co-sleepers.md","Baskets, Cribs & Co-Sleepers – Where Will My Baby Sleep?",{"type":9,"value":9780,"toc":9871},[9781,9784,9787,9790,9793,9796,9799,9802,9813,9820,9825,9832,9837,9846,9849,9854,9862,9865,9868],[12,9782,9783],{},"We recently took a trip to all of the local known brand baby stores to look at the products we’ve spent the last five months looking at in a misty haze online, specifically bedside sleeping for those first 6 months.",[12,9785,9786],{},"Its hard to tell from pictures on the internet if something is going to feel sturdy or safe. Will the build quality be what you expected for the price. Do you want your baby to sleep in a basket like moses or a swinging crib? How am I supposed to know?",[12,9788,9789],{},"The first items we looked at were the moses baskets and we left every store with the same feeling, we don’t want to use one. Many of them felt very flimsy, I know billions of people use them and we’re probably just over analysing things as first time parents but some of them just didn’t seem safe at all! I’ve also read that some larger babies grow out of baskets very quickly and they don’t last up to 6 months, to top it off I have a feeling that our cats might think of a large wicker basket as being a rather handy scratching place. Not an ideal situation, although they won’t be allowed in a room with baby sleeping anyway. I’ve also been reading a lot about SIDS which I’m sure all parents worry about, so whatever we choose to put our baby in I’d like it to be as safe as possible.",[12,9791,9792],{},"So, if moses baskets are a no then surely we must want a bed side crib?",[12,9794,9795],{},"A swinging crib, a gliding crib, a stationary crib? What about a co-sleeper? Their are so many options and when you’ve never done this before how are you supposed to know which one is best?",[12,9797,9798],{},"I’ve spent the last two months constantly looking up bedside sleeping places marking them off based on quality, ease of use and budget, reading copious amounts of reviews and I still don’t know which one we need.",[12,9800,9801],{},"Here are my top choices of the available options and what I think of them, of course I haven’t used any of them so my views and opinions are based solely on reading reviews and having been to look at the products in stores. Have you used one of the below products, are you using it now? I’d love to know what you think!",[12,9803,9804,9807,9809],{},[135,9805,9806],{},"Swinging Crib",[624,9808],{},[40,9810],{"alt":9811,"src":9812},"lu2665_2","/images/2014/08/lu2665_2.jpeg",[12,9814,9815,9816],{},"The swinging cribs I’ve seen all seem to look and feel safe, nice solid wood. However the pin used to stop the swinging motion seems very weak and isn’t a snug fit on any I’ve looked at. The crib still wobbles side to side even when the stopper pin is inserted, is this normal? Is it safe? Overall they look cute and averaging from £60-£80 they fit nicely in our budget, their are also lots of pre-owned ones around from £30! – The one I looked at was £68 from mothercare",[384,9817,5178],{"href":9818,"rel":9819},"http://www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Swinging-Crib---Natural/477109,default,pd.html#q=swinging%20crib",[388],[12,9821,9822],{},[135,9823,9824],{},"Gliding Crib",[12,9826,9827,9831],{},[40,9828],{"alt":9829,"src":9830},"lu2667_2","/images/2014/08/lu2667_2.jpeg","Gliding cribs look and feel very much the same as the swinging cribs except the mechanism and motion for the movement is different, it feels safer and not as clunky when compared to the swingers, they do however cost more and average from around £100. – I looked at this particular model in mothercare for £99.99",[12,9833,9834],{},[135,9835,9836],{},"Snuzpod Co-Sleeper",[12,9838,9839],{},[384,9840,9842],{"href":9841},"/images/2014/08/SnuzPod-3-in-1-Bedside-Crib-Dove-Grey-initialZoom.jpg",[40,9843],{"alt":9844,"src":9845},"SnuzPod-3-in-1-Bedside-Crib-Dove-Grey-initialZoom","/images/2014/08/SnuzPod-3-in-1-Bedside-Crib-Dove-Grey-initialZoom-1024x1024.jpg",[12,9847,9848],{},"I love the idea of co-sleepers as they mean baby can be kept as close to you as possible without you being in danger of rolling onto them or smothering them. I’ve also read that they’re also best for breastfeeding which I hope to be doing, it gives you to ability to just scoop baby over to you and feed without getting up and lifting them. The Snuzpod is a high-end product. It’s a very sturdy solid item and when rocked the motion was very subtle. The side of the pod drops down so you can have it right up to your bed for co-sleeping or you can leave it up for independent sleeping. The top also comes off of the stand as a separate bassinet ideal for moving to other rooms throughout the day, the height is also adjustable. Their is also the Chicco next to me crib which works like the Snuzpod but looks more like a travel bed when compared to a Snuzpod, however we didn’t see one of these in store. – Snuzpod retails at around £199 and comes in 4 colours to match the tone of wood furniture in your home! You can purchase these from Mamas & Papas where I looked at them, or direct from The Littlegreensheep who make them.",[12,9850,9851],{},[135,9852,9853],{},"Static Crib –",[12,9855,9856],{},[384,9857,9859],{"href":9858},"/images/2014/08/8852458831902.jpg",[40,9860],{"alt":9861,"src":9858},"8852458831902",[12,9863,9864],{},"The static crib is like a miniature version of your standard cot, it doesn’t have a drop side or any soothing motions for baby. It’s very much no thrills with a fixed height so you’ll have to bend over it to retrieve baby but for a mere £39.99 it felt like a nice sturdy little crib.I looked at this model in Babies R Us",[12,9866,9867],{},"Have you used any of the above for your little one? I’d love to know your thoughts on them if you have – Help a clueless mother-to-be out!",[12,9869,9870],{},"Hopefully once we make a decision then come the beginning of January when we start using whatever it may be, I can let you all know what I think of our choice!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9872},[],[267],"/images/2014/09/bayb_sleep_cover.jpg","2014-09-20T19:27:00Z","3810",{},"Comparing Moses baskets, cribs, and co-sleepers for newborn sleep. First-time parent reviews of swinging cribs, Snuzpod, and bedside options.","/baskets-cribs-co-sleepers",{"title":9778,"description":9783},"baskets-cribs-co-sleepers","VrRi77tq-HxkxScH6wgyw7IXi-7QVn_b58dkzSvTck0",{"id":9884,"title":9885,"author":7,"body":9886,"category":9921,"cover":9922,"date":9923,"description":9893,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9924,"meta":9925,"meta_description":9926,"meta_title":9885,"navigation":275,"path":9927,"seo":9928,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9929,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9930},"posts/from-test-to-12-weeks-2.md","Pregnancy Update: From Test to 12 Weeks+",{"type":9,"value":9887,"toc":9919},[9888,9894,9897,9900,9906,9909],[12,9889,9890,9893],{},[40,9891],{"alt":254,"src":9892},"http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u515/leeleeloves89/test.jpg","On the 28th April we took a test to find I was already 2-3 weeks pregnant and that’s when our three month secret began, we didn’t tell anyone. Not a soul. We wanted to wait until the 12 week scan to make sure things we’re going okay before we shared our news, from scare stories to close family members having had experiences with miscarriage I didn’t want to risk anything. Which of course means I spent three months being completely paranoid and worried constantly.",[12,9895,9896],{},"I was so nervous prior to the scan that I spent the morning hidden in the loos at work, being sick! I hadn’t had any morning sickness until this point so it was definitely due to nerves.",[12,9898,9899],{},"The scan went well and off we went to tell the grandparents-to-be! I wanted a fun way to tell our families, we prepared a gift ready to share the news in the form of a babygrow with ‘ I Love Grandma’ or ‘ I Love Grandad’ written on them, their reactions were brilliant and everyone was as happy as we had hoped.",[12,9901,9902],{},[40,9903],{"alt":9904,"src":9905},"grandparents","/images/2014/09/grandparents.jpg",[12,9907,9908],{},"Once the cat was out of the bag it all started to feel more real, although I still took another 7 tests to keep telling me it actually was happening! If that wasn’t enough to make it feel real the following six weeks of morning all day sickness and nausea was. The only food that appealed to me for weeks was cheese pizza, I’m pretty sure if Dominos had a loyalty scheme we would have done well from it. The man was amazing and ordered the pizza in order to make me eat. He’s been very helpful throughout so far and thankfully all sickness has now subsided. We’re still really excited, I must say I was surprised by how fast it happened for us. Is it January yet?",[12,9910,9911,9915],{},[40,9912],{"alt":9913,"src":9914},"week_15_baby_bump","/images/2014/08/week_15_baby_bump.jpg",[40,9916],{"alt":9917,"src":9918},"12 week scan","/images/2014/09/12-week-scan.jpg",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9920},[],[267,1193],"/images/2014/09/test_to_12_weeks_cover.jpg","2014-09-09T20:13:00Z","3900",{},"Our pregnancy journey from positive test to 12-week scan. Keeping the secret, telling the grandparents, and surviving morning sickness.","/from-test-to-12-weeks-2",{"title":9885,"description":9893},"from-test-to-12-weeks-2","5VyEEwxjq9G7C0UDTzzVmN0L0WOUskSOwZM0DVs3IRM",{"id":9932,"title":9933,"author":7,"body":9934,"category":9978,"cover":9979,"date":9980,"description":9938,"excerpt":270,"extension":271,"featured_image":270,"legacy_id":9981,"meta":9982,"meta_description":9983,"meta_title":9933,"navigation":275,"path":9984,"seo":9985,"sponsored":275,"status":279,"stem":9986,"subtitle":254,"__hash__":9987},"posts/im-going-to-be-a-what.md","Pregnancy Announcement: I’m Going to Be a What?…",{"type":9,"value":9935,"toc":9976},[9936,9939,9942,9949,9973],[12,9937,9938],{},"Those of you who know me or follow via social media will have more than likely heard the big news already – We’re having a baby! That’s right I’m going to be a MOTHER!",[12,9940,9941],{},"I think we managed to surprise everyone with our news as nobody knew we had planned to start our own little family, and yes it was planned. Oh my, you would be amazed by how many people have asked that question by now but we are so excited!",[12,9943,9944,9948],{},[40,9945],{"alt":9946,"src":9947},"The_man_and_I","/images/2014/08/The_man_and_I.jpg","This new chapter in our lives is also opening up a new chapter here on my blog, I want to be able to share the journey with you whilst also creating an account to look back on in the future. From becoming a (lovely) big pregnant whale, to sharing time with our soon to be bundle of joy. As first time parents I’m sure its going to be one massive learning curve for us both. I’ve found that reading other peoples blogs has certainly helped me so far and maybe one day mine can do the same for others!",[12,9950,9951,9953,9954,1231,9957,9961,9962,9967,9968,9972],{},[40,9952],{"alt":9917,"src":9918},"I’m already working on a project in partnership with ",[384,9955,9703],{"href":9701,"rel":9956},[388],[384,9958,9960],{"href":9695,"rel":9959},[388],"Made For Mums"," for ",[384,9963,9966],{"href":9964,"rel":9965},"http://www.bepanthen.co.uk/",[388],"Bepanthen"," and cannot wait to share it with you all! Hopefully its the start of many more exciting projects to come, I’ve also been enjoying the world of ",[384,9969,9971],{"href":3487,"rel":9970},[388],"mumsnet"," blogging which also incorporates my love of books and book blogging, mums love books!",[12,9974,9975],{},"I’ll be sharing weekly updates and thoughts on all things baby related as we experience the most exciting yet mind boggling journey of our lives!",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":9977},[],[267,1193],"/images/2014/09/baby_cover.jpg","2014-09-09T14:46:00Z","3795",{},"Big pregnancy announcement! We're having a baby. Join me on this exciting journey to motherhood with weekly updates and parenting adventures.","/im-going-to-be-a-what",{"title":9933,"description":9938},"im-going-to-be-a-what","e4_r3HCAbmzI402zutPBPWCVW6QoU3o7IBr1vXr1R_s",1777287792619]