My Breastfeeding Essentials with Medela

So it's finally official. I've gone boob mad. Today my health visitor told me she'd booked me on to the breastfeeding peer supporters course and I'M FRICKIN' OVER THE MOON. I have been pestering her for months to run a course in our area and finally all that nagging has paid off. Come summer I will 'officially' be able to offer support and guidance to other Mama's; anything from sore cracked nipples, poor latch or how to wean your baba's off the boob. I would love to offer support online too, my online sisterhood have been invaluable during the last (almost) year and I would love to give something back.

Recently I've seen a wave of new Mamas struggling during the early days and if I'm totally honest I had forgotten all about those painful hourly feeds, the cramp in your arm from the weight of their floppy head and of course the cracked bleeding nipples. I have spoken honestly about my struggles in the early days and if you're struggling right now, you can find them here and here.

Casting my mind back got me thinking. I wouldn't have made it this far if it hadn't been for a little helping hand so here are just a few essentials I found invaluable in the early days and still find myself drawn to, even after all this time.

a good nipple cream 

Everyone will tell you to buy Lanolin cream. "Buy as much as you can fit into your hospital bag, you're going to need it!" They cried. So that's what I did. And I slathered it on for eight long weeks until I realised I had an allergy and that's what had been causing me so much difficultly. So I googled lanolin alternatives and stumbled across Earth Mama Angel Baby. They do lotions and potions for every aspect of motherhood and it's the most luxurious nipple butter I've ever used. Safe to use and no need to wash off before feeding it's a little treat for your nips. Another great tip if you can't get hold of this is to use coconut oil. We're obsessed with Kokoso in our house. We use it for absolutely everything.

reusable breast pads and a heat pack

Mamas, you're going to leak. This is inevitable in the early days. There's is simply no controlling it. Baby sleeps a little bit longer than usual, leak. You hear a baby crying on Eastenders, leak. You're feeding your baby on one boob and the other one feels left out, leak. So you need to make sure you invest in some hardwearing reusable breastpads. I got mine from Little Lamb (the same brand I use for Hedd's bedtime nappies) because they're SUPER DUPER absorbent and always stay nice and fluffy.

massage oil

No ladies this is not for your husband/partner to rub your achy back or feet after a long day Mamming, this is indeed for your boobicles too. A new Mum will feed between 8 - 12 times on average a day for the first few months so give them a little treat. Even get your fella involved. If you can squeeze it in that is. I jest, I jest. Giving them a good rub will improve your milk supply and get everything flowing in the right direction. You really don't want to get blocked ducts, blebs or mastitis. They really are as bad as they sound.

dark chocolate & oats

Now for the enjoyable bit. Food glorious food. During the first few months you will want to eat the world during those long hourly night feeds. Did you know you burn roughly 500 calories a day just feeding! So it's important to replace those calories with high energy foods. Oats are a great milk supply booster and you don't just have porridge for breakfast. If you can find the time you could make a batch of lactation cookies. Throw in handfuls of tasty dried fruit or scrum my chocolate chips. Dark chocolate is another one that improves your supply so go on, you know you want to. If i'd been organised and knew what i know now. I would have made batches of cookie dough and frozen in before Baby Belle arrived. I almost bought shares in McVities the amount of HobNobs I consumed!

Thank you Medela for asking me to do this post. I had begun to take the time I have whilst feeding for granted, not appreciating the connection and precious time we have together. This afternoon, before Hedd's nap, I stared into my sons eyes and he smiled sleepily. He fed for a whole twenty minutes. I'm lucky to get three minutes these days.

What were your breastfeeding essentials? Let me know in the comments below.

Laurie Rose 

5 easy ways to make your bathroom child friendly

My nerves are shot now Hedd in on the move. I follow him around the house like a lost puppy and he still manages to fall over, bump his head or find every single thing he's not suppose to have. We have spent the last few weeks at my Mum and we're finally getting back into the swing of things here at home. I usually use a bath seat but it's still at my Mums so last night I decided just to have a bath with Hedd. It's so much easier than trying to wrestle Bambi in the bath. And it got me thinking about how I'm going to need to bath proof my life, especially the bathroom.

Baby-led Weaning | Five ways to survive messy mealtimes

I am by no means a tidy person. My house is most definitely lived in, I would almost say I was a bit of a hoarder I love being surrounded by all the lovely knick knacks I've gathered over the years, but when we first started weaning I became so OCD about mess, especially the mess Hedd was making. I was shocked by the amount of wasted food that ended up smattered across my living room floor. I was instantly put off Baby-led Weaning and decided to start off with purees, I even convinced myself that Hedd preferred it!

Then, one afternoon Hedd swiped a slice of toast off my plate and I decided to just see what happened. He ate the whole slice without struggling. That's where our journey began.

one

For the next six months, food is meant to be fun. Your baby is using this time to explore new flavours and textures and is learning along the way. They will soon be deciding which foods they like and which ones they don't. Don't be disheartened if they pull a funny face (get the camera ready, there hilarious) and spit out everything you give them at first, just keep trying. They're just learning. 

two

To begin with, you won't need to worry about buying bowls, plates or cutlery etc you simply lay the food on the highchair tray table. I looked everywhere to find the perfect highchair, then a friend of mine offered me her grandsons old one and I fell in love with it. It's the cheap as chips Antilop highchair from IKEA and I know the majority of my friends rave about it too. Most of the time I use old vests during mealtimes, it can be a bit of a pain getting him undressed every time he eats but it allows me to relax so he can make as much mess as he likes. I have a tiled floor in the dining area so I don't need to worry about bits dropping on the floor but I have known some Mums use a shower curtain to protect their carpet. For those days when we are out or in a hurry I have bibs with sleeves, which Hedd HATES wearing but they're great for protecting his clothes.

three 

At first, I couldn't imagine myself letting my baby eat a stick of cucumber or a bread stick. I constantly worried he would choke and although I kind of know what to do in an emergency situation I didn't want to put myself in that sort of situation. That was until I read the Baby-led Weaning Handbook. It explains everything I need to know about how your baby uses her gag reflex to naturally learn to chew food before she learns to swallow. I highly recommend you give it a read before you start on your weaning journey. 

four

Let your little one enjoy the mess, make it fun and do not disciple. The most important part of mealtimes is having fun and I encourage the mess now, we laugh and smush things together. Wait until you see you baby handling jelly, it's hilarious. 

five

Have fun and encourage your baby to enjoy food together. I love that we eat the same meals and enjoy them as a family at the table. Over the last few months my diet has improved because now I'm conscious about the things I put in my body. I have found a love for cooking and enjoy planning our meals. 

Here's Hedd enjoying some homemade green pea hummus and breadsticks. I find he'll pretty much eat anything, apart from cheese. However I managed to disguise it in some rather scrummy savoury muffins last week. Why not give them a go, you can find the recipe here. It's true that babies who are given a choice are less likely to become fussy eaters and they are able to control the amount they eat, which helps regulate calorie intake. I don't know what I was worried about. We're having a blast learning and exploring together.

Did you struggle with the mess? Do you have any tips or tricks on making life easier? Do you have any minimal mess meal ideas? Let me know in the comments below.

Laurie Rose 

Eat your greens | Cheese and Spinach Muffin Recipe #blw

One thing I love almost as much as my son is cheese. So it was a huge disappointment to discover he simply cannot stand it. The first time I offered him a pinch of grated mild cheddar he wretched and gagged for a good ten minutes - slightly over dramatic if you ask me. The next day I attempted to give it to him covertly, this time in the form of a rather tasty homemade quiche. Again, we had ten minutes of screwed up faces and over the top gagging. I started to wonder if he was my child at all.

After a disastrous attempt at banana muffins last week, I'd almost given up on baking entirely. Then I stumbled across this recipe in the Baby Led Weaning Cookbook and decided to give it a whirl and I was hoping - as the saying goes - third time lucky.

Three things you need to know about this recipe. Number one, it's super easy. Number two, it literally take 10 minutes (about the length of an episode of the Twirlywoos) and number three, you're giving your little one green goodness without them even knowing.

I adapted the recipe slightly, using Lucy Bee Coconut Oil for frying and greasing instead of butter, making it a little bit healthier. I also didn't add as much cheese just to ease him in gently - I fear the next gagging episode will well and truly earn him an Oscar nomination.

Cheese and Spinach Muffins
160c/323F/Gas Mark 3 15 - 20 mins
Makes 6 large muffins
Coconut oil for frying, plus extra for greasing
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
175g (6oz) plain flour
1 1/2 tsb baking powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 organic egg
110ml (4fl oz) organic whole milk
125g (41/2oz) organic grated cheese
60-75g (2-2 1/2oz) organic baby spinach leaves, torn

Finely chop the red onion and fry in a small amount of coconut oil until soft. Sift the flour, baking powder and cayenne pepper into a large mixing bowl. Beat the egg in a jug or bowl and add the milk. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and whisk in the egg and milk. To that, add the onion, cheese and spinach and combine until evenly mixed. Grease the muffin tin with some coconut oil to prevent the mixture from sticking and spoon the it in equally. Pop them into a preheated oven for around 15 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and springy. Leave to cool for a few minters before turning out onto a baking rack. They are super delicious delicious straight from the oven but can also be made in batches and frozen.

Hedd absolutely loved them and ate pretty much a whole muffin all to himself - greedy guts. He just shoved handfuls of torn up muffin and raw spinach into his mouth, he hardly came up for air. The cayenne pepper gives the muffins a little kick but they're not too spicy, just the right amount of heat. Hedd hasn't had anything with spices yet so I spread a tiny bit of organic cream cheese on to the torn up pieces, just in case. But if I'm honest he really didn't seem bothered at all.

I wasn't expecting him to like them and had in fact already mentally eaten the whole batch. They'd be really good to take on a picnic or in a packed lunch. You could even make a batch and freeze them. I can't wait to try out different variations, on the covert menu next, carrots!

Are there any foods your baby won't eat? Did you try and disguise them? Let me know in the comments below.

Laurie Rose 

Going Green in 2015 | A is for Amber

I'm always on the look out for natural alternatives to relive pain, not only for myself but for my son too. When I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia two years ago I trawled the internet for alternative methods and one study I stumbled across talked about the healing powers of Amber.

Bracelets made from this natural resin are believed to lessen the pain of Arthritis, Rheumatism and joint pain - perfect for my Fibro symptoms. I've been wearing a bracelet now for a few months and I've already seen a noticeable improvement in my hands and wrists especially. So when Hedd started showing signs of teething I knew we would be trying out an amber necklace.

To ensure you're getting the maximum health benefits from the Amber it's important to make sure the beads are first genuine Baltic Amber and that the jewellery is in constant contact with the skin. Over time your body heat helps release Succinic Acid from the beads which is then penetrated into the skin offering a natural pain reliever. The longer you wear it the more health benefits you can expect from it.

At first I was apprehensive about putting a necklace on my baby, but as soon as Hedd could support his own head I felt a lot happier. I never leave Hedd unattended with it on and I always remove it when he has a nap or before bed. The necklace is knotted after each bead making it extra safe incase it does break and each necklace is fitted with a screw clasp which makes it impossible for your baby to remove. It will also break under pressure so if your baby got it caught the fastening is designed to snap.

Amber necklaces are very on trend at the moment, you can't move for them at the mother and baby groups, but even before the second world war children in Germany have been given Amber beads to wear and it's believed to help them grow stronger and make teething less painful.

At almost seven months, Hedd still hasn't got a tooth but he's been been showing signs for months now. Constant dribbling, chewing on everything and rosy cheeks but still nothing. Hedd's been wearing this necklace for a few weeks now and things seem to have improved. It'll be interesting to see how it fares when his first toothy peg comes through, I'll keep you posted.

Laurie Rose 

Medela Swing Electric Breast Pump Review

This week marks our seven month boobiversary. If someone had told me back then we would still be breastfeeding - and enjoying it - I would have laughed in their face. Today we introduced a new lady into our breastfeeding fold. I could see the panic and desperation in her eyes, the same feeling I had, when I was first greeted by six strange, but friendly faces. I was struggling through a pretty bad bout of mastitis and I needed reassurance. I needed to know this pain wouldn't last forever. That day was also the first time I fed Hedd in public and when I got back in the car, I remember giving myself a mental high five.

It hasn't been a easy journey and somedays I still struggle latching him on to my right breast, the trauma from the mastitis has left my nipple a little bit deformed, almost like a chunk is missing (TMI) and it can be quite sensitive. The left one more than makes up for it and there's something quite nice about having one enormous boob.

Having a disability played a huge part in which breast pump I chose. I knew I would have to invest in an electric one. I can barley make a fist most days and struggle with my grip so when I researched pumps the Medela Swing came out on top.

I was offered help expressing in the hospital before I was discharged but my local hospital used a different pump. When I arrived home I was apprehensive to try expressing alone with a pump I'd never used before. 

Hedd wasn't even a week old and my breasts were so full I was struggling with my latch. I scrolled the internet for advice and one Mum suggested I express some milk off before giving him a feed and that way my breast wouldn't be as full and it'd be easier to latch him on. 

After hours of feeding Hedd was finally asleep. I grabbed the box and without even looking at the instructions, I plugged it in and started pumping. It really was that simple. I managed to express 100mls, I was amazed!

Since then my Medela Swing pump has been invaluable. For about eight weeks I really struggled, I was miserable and with each feed I would cry in pain. Each morning I would express a bottle to give myself a break and during the night would also pump in-between feeds to keep my supply up. This gave my cracked, bleeding nipples a well earned break. 

I kept going, but the pain didn't seem to be getting any better so I booked an appointment with the doctor who diagnosed a rare condition called Vasospasm that affects the blood vessels in the nipples, usually caused by a poor latch. My nipples were that sore the doctor actually advised me to stop feeing completely to allow them to heal fully, otherwise I could cause permanent damage and might be unable to feed in the future. I was devastated. Even through the pain and the tears I knew breastfeeding was for us. For ten long days I exclusively expressed (hats off to you Mamas who exclusively express, it's bloody hard work) and allowed them to heal. 

If it wasn't for the Medela pump I would have given up there and then, but the pump made it so easy.

The Medela Swing comes in three parts and assembly is fool proof. You simply attach the valve to the pump and screw it on to the bottle, that is then attached to the pump via an air tube which acts as a suction to help express the milk. You can use the pump via a socket or with batteries so it's versatile - especially if you're using it to express at work or on the go. 

Although this isn't hands free, there are a few hacks to make life a little easier. I used an old nursing bra and made a cut to the middle of the cup, now I can express and write a blog post all at the same time.

Now seven months in we are exclusively breastfeeding and I hadn't really used the pump for a while, but since we started weaning I have been finding half an hour each day to express a bottle to use for Hedd's breakfast.

I think if you're going to breastfeed, a breastpump is essential and I would highly recommend the Medela Swing. It might seem like an extravagant purchase but honestly, imagine how much money you'll save on buying formula.

Keeping up to date with breastfeeding news via the Medela Facebook page, it really helps during those lonley night feeds. Plus they offer a drop in session every Tuesday for advice and guidance and believe me I've used it A LOT.

I'm planning a breastfeeding video so if you have any questions about my journey or general breastfeeding tips please leave your questions below, I would love to hear from you.

Laurie Rose 

Totsbots PeeNut Review

I've been exclusively cloth bumming now since Hedd was about two months old. To begin with I used my local nappy library, just to see if it would work for us. It's a great way of using them full time while you're building up your stash.

I'm was so excited to apart of this brand new launch. I received my PeeNut packages a few weeks ago and we're already smitten. For all you cloth nappy enthusiasts this is definitely one to have in your stash. I liken it to the Gnappies only it has a better fit and you can actually pop in the inserts, so they stay firmly in place.

I found the new system really worked for us, the slimmer fit meant Hedd could moved around a bit easier and his clothes had a better fit. As for washing they fitted into my routine pretty well. I don't soak my nappies I just throw everything into a bucket with a mesh liner and pop on the lid. When it's full I put everything into the machine, I do a cold wash first (this helps eliminate any bad smells) then I pop in some powder and it goes on a 60 degree wash. I found the inserts take a little bit longer to dry than the V3 and V4 but they are much more absorbent. 

When changing the inserts I used a cheeky wipe soaked in chamomile tea to wipe the inside of the wrap, I then give it a few minutes to dry (Hedd loves being naked) then I pop in the clean insert and away we go. It's easier to have one already snapped in when you're on the go as Hedd is a wriggler and I really haven't got a second to let things dry before he's trying to roll over or kicking his legs against the hard plastic changing unit.

Why not check out my very first YouTube review? I talk a little bit more in-depth about the nappy itself and show you exactly how it works, please be kind and give the video a big thumbs up. I was very nervous and I think it shows. 

For your chance to win your very own PeeNut simply enter below.

Laurie Rose

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Just So Festival with Weleda

It's hard to believe that this time last year I was in the early stages of my pregnancy. Still unsure about our future and forever questioning if I'd be a good mother or not. I wasn't sure I'd cope and I know deep down others thought the same. I worried that my new little bean wouldn't fit into my hectic festival-filled life. At times - if I'm honest - I wasn't entirely sure I was ready to give up my mad weekends rolling around in muddy fields.

With each passing week the life I knew was slowly falling away. I was relaxing, learning and growing up. During the winter months I longed for the dewy grass between my bare toes, the smell of camp fires lingering in my hair but I accepted that from now on it would be me and my little man. Now I could experience the festival life from another angle and it was an exciting adventure to look forward to.

Hedd's first festival was a little, generally unheard of gathering in the Ceredigion countryside. Filled with conscious likeminded folk who enjoy a bit of flat foot dancing and local ales. He was only 11 weeks old and I was worried we wouldn't manage it, but he loved the great outdoors just like his mama and for the first (and only time) slept straight through the night.

At the very last minute, I stumbled across Just So Festival, apparently I had been following their page on Facebook, for how long I'm not entirely sure but had somehow over looked it. When I saw that Weleda were the main sponsors of the baby tent, I just knew I had to go. Set in the grounds of Rode Hall estate in Cheshire, Just So is the perfect weekend for families. I decided to drive over each day as we are only an hour away and because things were so last minute I didn't have time to sort out a tent, plus the weather forecast didn't look great and the damp really plays havoc with my Fibromyalgia.

I was mesmerised by the colourful characters and it was refreshing to see children, being children. They were dressed up, covered in glitter and that was just the parents. It's a perfect, safe way of letting your kids open up their minds and allow their imagination to go wild.

Hedd's still a little bit young to appreciate all the effort the organisers had gone to to make the festival so beautiful but me on the other hand felt like a ruddy big kid.

Most of our time was spent in and around the Peakaboo area, where you'd find everything you need for your little ones. There were stalls with a great selection of slings and carriers and cloth nappies and even a baby bathtime tent. But the best place to be had to be the Weleda tent, where you could come and enjoy a complimentary hand massage or come and shelter from the rain.

There were plenty of things for the little ones to do, so we decided to sign up for Baby Yoga and Baby Massage - both something we'd never really tried before. It was really lovely to connect with Hedd on a different level. We learnt some great moves to help with colic and reflux, how to relax and how to work on our breathing. The yoga class featured a lot of baby sensory from colourful scarfs to bubbles and Hedd really enjoyed it, I've already booked us on to the next baby sensory course in our area. I used to practice yoga a lot a few years back and I'd forgotten how much I actually enjoyed it, I thought it would be impossible to do it with a little one in tow but it's fun for both of us and just means even more bonding.

Then we stripped off for a bit of baby massage, here's Hedd showing off his snazzy cloth bum. Using the Weleda Calendula Body Oil we worked on the legs, tummy, chest and arms and the instructor offered us some handy tips and tricks to help with sleep (something we're desperate for right now) colic and even teething.

The festival itself was truly magical, we explored the woods and joined in with lots of the activities but Hedd is still a bit young, but seeing his little face light up as soon as we arrived made me so happy. He just loves being outside and I can't wait until next year when his little bare bum will be running around and rolling in the mud.

Thank you so much Weleda for bringing us together in more ways than one.

I'm running a little giveaway over on my Twitter to win some lovely Weleda baby products, head over to find out more.

Laurie Rose

Breastvest Review

My biggest achievement to date, after giving birth of course has to be tackling breastfeeding. We are now almost five months in and still going strong. Throughout the months we have overcome a number of obstacles; including mastitis, thrush and we are currently battling the hourly night feeds.
I've always envied those mamas with lovely little boobs who can discreetly pull their blouse to one side and feed away, allowing them to wear pretty much whatever they like. Unfortunately I'm not so lucky. Before getting pregnant I had an ample bosom, even when I was a lot slimmer, basically forever. And although I'd dreamt of breastfeeding for years, I hadn't actually figured out the logistics. I had envisaged whipping, my now H cups out almost anywhere. I thought I'd be able to lift up my top and away we go, but it's not that simple.

Over the years I had always preferred dresses and up until recently never owned a pair of jeans. Sacré Bleu! So having to get used to being more casual has been a real challenge. I miss my floaty florals and slimming midi's. Now I'm lucky to migrate from my pjs into a pair of yoga pants - pretty much the same thing, only slightly more socially acceptable amongst the yuppies in my local village.

The last thing I wanted to do was waste my hand earned cash on actual breastfeeding wear. They are really expensive and not that nice truth be told. Having said that I have managed to grab a few bargain on eBay. The only problem is so many people are bidding on them, you may as well buy them new for the winning price. 

Then I discovered the Breastvest. And as if by magic the gates of Heaven opened and shone a miracle upon me. The Breastvest is a really simple concept, it allows mamas the freedom to feed but still wear their pre pregnancy wardrobe. Not so great for me as the majority of mine are dresses but I do have the odd long top suitable to wear with leggings. I instantly felt a sense of relief. No longer did I have to trawl eBay during the night feeds. 

 I'll let you into a little secret. I've always been a fan of the vest ever since I was a child. It's a standing joke in my family. Even on a scorching summers day, you'll always find me adorning a little cami. The vest itself sits just under your bust and you wear the spaghetti straps as normal. The silky soft material has plenty of give so would work well with your changing shape. It is also great as a cover up if you;re still a bit self conscious about your tum. You can get the Breastvest in either black and white and they currently have a limited edition range of new colours, perfect under any top this summer. I really would recommend this to anyone as a breastfeeding essential. I wish I'd found out about it a lot sooner, I would have saved myself a few bob.

If you're expecting or you've already started on your breasfeeding journey and sick of spending money on 'nursing' tops, I'm running a little giveaway so just enter below. Good Luck! 

Laurie Rose 

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Baby Essentials the Early Days

Having a baby can be overwhelming at the best of times and if you stock up on everything they say you need, you will either be bankrupt or have a house full of stuff you're never going to use. There are only a few essentials you actually need for the early days so don't get bogged down on over stocking up. For example your babies skin is that sensitive that for the first four weeks they only recommend you only use water.

Having said that you're going to want to make sure your baby has a nappy on and smelling even more baby-lovely when you get inundated with visitors so here's my top tips.

I don't go mad when it comes to products but I will only use natural. Forget your no-more-tears-baby-powder-animal-testing Johnson's & Johnson's my boys bottom deserves the best and so far he's never suffered from eczema, cradle cap, nappy rash or any other nasty complaint. Your baby's skin can be ten times more sensitive than yours, so maybe I've just been lucky but I believe in plant power and if I'm not using nasty chemicals on my skin, why would I use them on my son's?

Nappies - Your newborn can go through as many as 12 nappies a day in the first few months so making a decision on which ones are best for you is huge. I knew from the start that I wanted to use reusables and spent most of my pregnancy researching  which ones would be best for us. When you think that the inner part of a disposable nappy (the bit that touches your baby's skin) contains polypropylene a chemical component used to harden plastic it was an easy choice to make the switch. For the first few weeks and when we've been away I've used the Naty disposables which are made from corn starch and are biodegradable. Not only am I helping the environment I'm saving tonnes of money in the long run. I have bought a lot of mine preloved and whilst I was building up my stash I used my local nappy library. Our favourite type has to be the pocket nappies. They work well for us and we always get a great fit. The best day to day nappies have to be by Totsbots, they have so many designs and they dry super quick, which means you don't need to have loads to use them full time.

Wipes - I then decided as I was putting on a extra load every few days that I would go the whole hog and change to reusable wipes too. "You must be mad." I hear you cry, well actually no, I'm not. It's so easy and I'm currently using the Cheeky Wipes! kit. It's super simple and I just brew up some camomile tea, pop in in a tub and have it next to the changing unit. Hedd only poos once or twice a week so it really is only for wees mainly so it's no bother.

Coconut Oil - Now that the gross stuff is out of the way we can talk about the little extras that make time with your baby more fun. I researched baby massage when Hedd was struggling with bad wind at night and since then we've added into our evening routine. After his bath, he gets a full body massage - lucky little thing - and lately I've been using the Kokoso Baby 100% Natural and Organic Coconut Oil. I just take a little bit into the palm of my hands, warm it up and away we go. I follow a simple technique and I'm not even sure it helps him sleep but it certainly is a fun way of keeping his super soft skin even softer and giving us some bonding time together before bed. I even use this on my legs after a shower/bath.

Keeping things clean - Another handy thing to have in your changing bag is some sterilising wipes. Hedd is exclusively breastfed and although we have a steriliser he only really needs it for his dummy's, which he's beginning to refuse. So when you're out and about it's a great way of making sure his dummy's nice and clean, you can also use it on their toys. The ones I use are by Aleva Naturals and have no taste or scent and come in a little pouch and are super easy to throw into your bag. I also recently took them along to the festival we attended. Camping with a baby was fun but if he'd picked up a nasty bug I would never have forgiven myself so these wipes were perfect.

'You smell all soooapy.' (little IN joke, between my Mum and I) - I'm a huge fan of Jurlique and after taking part in their 12 Days of Glow back in December, they sent me some lovely baby products to try. I love a baby wash that is also a shampoo because Hedd has so much hair. And with this hot weather I have to make sure I wash it every couple of days or he starts to look a bit greasy. The Gentle Shampoo & Body Wash by Jurlique is kind and gentle and a little goes a long way so it last forever. It lathers up well so it's great for using in the morning when I top and tail him or as a bubble bath at night. The bottle is snazzy too, it has a handy little button system which you can pop open with one hand. This feature should be on everything! Learning to use everything with one hand hasn't been easy but this really is pretty groovy.

Protect - As I said earlier Hedd has never suffered from any skin complaints but I've used Nappy Change Cream by Weleda religiously since he was a few days old. I only tend to apply it twice a day after I've given him a wash. But this thick, luxurious cream acts as a barrier to soothe and protect against nappy rash. I recently read that when babies start teething they can suddenly get sore so I'm keeping everything crossed this keeps the redness at bay. I love calendula as it has anti-inflammatory and vulnerary properties which helps soothe and heal wounds.

What are your baby essentials? Do you use cloth? Which ones are your favourite? Let me know in the comments below.

Laurie Rose

How to safely co-sleep with Snüzpod

During my pregnancy I began to model myself on the perfect Earth Mother. I started looking at the products I was using and how my lifestyle was now affecting my unborn child. I hoped to breastfeed and regardless of opinions I was going to be cloth bumming. I was a big believer in the positives on babywearing and co-sleeping was a must. I spent my whole pregnancy researching the best nappies and building a stash. I read everything there was to read about breastfeeding and tried out all the slings and carriers on the market. But working out the logistics of sharing a bed with my baby scared me and I became almost obsessed with the prospect of possibly rolling over and suffocating my child that I decided to Google co-sleeping baby beds.

I knew I was going to be breastfeeding however difficult it may be and needed my baby to be close. As a first time Mum I was sure there would be plenty of sleepless night ahead but having him right there would help reassure me he was okay. The one that came out on top was the Snüzpod and some of the key features meant I would be able to soothe, settle and feed my baby without having to leave my own bed - perfect for a first-time single Mum living with a disability.

The concept of co-sleeping is an ancient practice and some parents still believe it's the best option for them and their baby and I must admit there have been times when Hedd has been in with me. He is yet to sleep through the night and will often wake up every two hours for a feed. To say I'm exhausted is an understatement and without the Snüzpod there is a chance I would have given up breastfeeding a long time ago.

The national recommendation is that your baby stay in with you until they're six months old so when it came to making up my mind on whether to buy a moses basket or a co-sleeper it was a no brainer. The Snüzpod is bigger and suitable for babies up to the age of six months, whereas the average moses basket only last about four. Hedd had a moses basket for downstairs and grew out before he was even three months old.

The 3 in 1 function means it can be used to suit all needs. I mainly use it as an extension of my own bed, with the mesh side down. I would always go to bed when Hedd feel asleep which meant he was never left alone but now he's that bit bigger and sometimes sleeps longer I use it as a stand alone crib. The bassinet also lifts off with ease and it was perfect for Hedd's first camping trip.
 Not only do I love the design but it's so easy to use. From assembly to moving it around the house you really don't need to be a rocket scientist to work it out. So if a heavily pregnant single mum who doesn't even own a screwdriver can put it together then so can you.

The Snüzpod will fit almost any bed and comes with straps to attach it to a divan or a standard frame bed like mine. There are a number of height options so don't worry, your baby will always be at eye level which means I get to wake up every morning to that beautiful smiley face - at least one of us is well rested!

The fabric pod is breathable and hand washable. You can also opt for a chemical free mattress which of course I went for and all of Hedd's bedding is organic cotton and luxuriously soft. Everything is from The Little Green Sheep website and I even have the Organic Wool Cot mattress ready for when we make the move.

I will be sad when we have to start transitioning into his big boy bed because I'm so used to having him near. I think we'll start with having the cot in my room for a while. Thank you Snüzpod for helping me in my breastfeeding journey and also giving me the option to co-sleep safely.

Did you use a co-sleeper? Did you find it beneficial? Did you find it helped with your breastfeeding journey? Let me know in the comments below.

Laurie Rose

*The Snuzpod was gifted by The Little Green Sheep  however all opinions are my own.

Stokke Xplory Review

Before I had Hedd I was adamant I wasn't going to have a pram. I envisaged myself walking around with my little munchkin bundled up tightly next to my body. We've all heard how great baby wearing is, but being a new mama with a disability it would have been impossible for me to sustain, especially as Hedd got bigger. I'd seen plenty of mama's trying desperately to assemble their prams in car parks over the years and it just seemed such a faff. So I needed something easy, something light, something that wasn't going to take up much room and something that was easy to manoeuvre. Also I wanted it to look good.

When it arrived, I wasn't quite sure what to do with it! It'd been a long time since I'd been anywhere near a pram. It was so compact, so stylish, not at all like I remember from when I was younger. I got it out of the box and was surprised at how easy it was to put together - click and it was done, just like that. I wheeled it around the living room and instantly loved how it moved. I soon found myself rocking it back and forth, I was 38 weeks pregnant, standing in my living room in my pjs rocking a pram backwards and forwards with a little baby grow in place of the baby - I'd definitely lost it. It all started to feel so really.

The Xplory comes as a whole package travel system. You get the base, a carrycot, pram, rain covers, mosquito net and clip on shopping bag. Not only that but you can get the carseat and isofix base to match. We would never go very far in the pram so until recently that's what we've been using, it was so much easier to clip the carseat on. But now he's getting a bit bigger he wants to see the world and he was getting a bit naggy being all scrunched up, especially in this weather.

So at the weekend we took him for a test run down the lane. I didn't want to go too far just incase Hedd screamed and hated it. But as soon as we were on the move his little eyes were everywhere. For the first time he could see what was going on and we both enjoyed having him more at my eye level. We were laughing and joking and he enjoyed every minute. After a while I could tell he was getting a little tired so I reclined the seat back, and within no time he'd nodded off. A combination of the afternoon sun and the smooth motion I think. I live in the countryside and although I don't think this pram would last a hike it did manage over some rough patches and felt safe and secure. It glides effortlessly and the front wheels have a great 360 swivel so you can pretty much get round even the tightest spaces. Mama's don't you find shop displays really close together?

The best thing for me has to be the colour coding. If something is white then it has a function. So no need to carry the instruction manual around with you - who even reads them anyway. I especially like the extendable handle. I tend to have it as high as it'll go which is great for my back so I'm not stooping over and the oval shape makes it easy to push even on bad days when I can't grip very well.

Each day I keep finding new features, like the reflective logo on the back, comfortable five point harness and the stylish shopping bag. The seat has a number of settings so Hedd can be upright when he's wide awake and fully reclined when he's tired and in need of some well earned rest - it's hard being a baby you know. You can buy a tonne of extra's and on my wish list is the parasol and cup holder. One is essential but the other just makes life a little easier.

As you can see Hedd absolutely loves his new view of the world. No tears like when he's in the car seat and he enjoys the breeze through his toes.

The Xplory gets top marks from us and we love the Stokke brand. They have some great products with innovative design. I have my eye on the Tripp Trapp highchair/chair and I don't think it'll be long before Hedd is sitting up and ready to join us at the dinner table.

Did you find it hard to chose the perfect pram? Which one did you go for? Do you have an Xplory? Let me know in the comments below.

Laurie Rose