Category Archives: Parenting

Piccolo Baby Food Review

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piccolobabyfoodreview stage 1and 2

Baby food is big business, and pouches even bigger still. Convenient and healthy, most – if not all- parents will give their little ones baby food pouches. They are great for eating out, keeping in a bag for an emergency, or just for a meal indoors. They are also great for when parents are too tired to cook. Piccolo are an Italian brand bringing Mediterranean goodness to the market.

Piccolo Pure – is their first single fruits range, for which they have handpicked and blended the tastiest fruit varieties including Stanley Plum, Fairtrade Banana, Fairtrade Mango and Williams Pear: each chosen because their delicious and distinctive tastes, making them perfect for little ones as their taste buds begin to explore first flavours. My son loved all of these. He devoured them in minutes.

Their Pure Banana and Pure Mango blends are the only baby food pouches to hold Fairtrade accreditation, as they continue their commitment to give back through ethical and sustainable sourcing and by donating 10% profits to charity.

 

They have also launched variety baskets of Piccolo recipes crammed full of delicious fruit and veg to excite little ones’ taste buds.  And with a pouch to get parents through Monday to Friday, there won’t be any need for that last-minute empty cupboard panic when their baby is hungry. I think this is a brilliant idea. It takes some of the pressure of parenting. Something which is always much needed.

 

Finally, they have new recipes launching this summer, using nutritious, organic ingredients and distinctive flavours including coconut, cinnamon, sage and rosemary.  They are launching a delicious Lamb Ratatouille (with a hint of rosemary), perfect for recreating the end of summer Mediterranean feeling, our first fish based pouch with Salmon Fish Pie (with a pinch of parsley, basil and thyme) and a very English Roast Pork, Parsnip and Apple recipe.

My little one tried the ones in bold and loved them all. Particular favourites were the Lamb Ratatouille with a hint of rosemary and Squash, Mac & Cheese with a hint of sage. 

 

Stage 1

  • Blushing Berries, Pear & Banana
  • Banana, Coconut & Baby Brown Rice with a pinch of cinnamon
  • Pear, Strawberry & Yoghurt with wholegrain Oats

Veg Only

  • Sun-ripened Tomato and Red Pepper with a dash of olive oil
  • Parsnip Carrot & Leek with a hint of thyme

Stage 2

  • Lamb Ratatouille with a hint of rosemary
  • Tomato, Lentil & Angel Pasta with a dash of olive oil
  • Squash, Mac & Cheese with a hint of sage
  • Roast Pork, Parsnip & Apple with a hint of rosemary
  • Salmon Fish Pie with a pinch of parsley, basil and thyme

 

As you can see from the list, the recipes are exciting and different. They make some other baby food pouches look very boring indeed. We are a fan of Piccolo, the brand is a great way to feed your child in a healthy and sustainable way. Frost loves.

 

The Modern Day Pregnancy Hospital Bag | Then And Now

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giving birth, birth, childbirth, the truth about giving birthWith over two decades of experience of pregnancy and birth, and more than 650,000 users every month, Emma’s Diary, the essential pregnancy support resource has been able to look back at key trends to compare the contents of the modern day hospital bag compared with that of 20 years ago and the contrasts are remarkable.

No need to carry a camera

One of the big differences is that we no longer need to carry a camera in our hospital bag today, providing we have our phone and charger, most cameras on mobile phones are so good today that we don’t need both.  Equally, the convenience of reading a book on our Kindle or tablet eliminates the need for a physical book and doubles up as a way to communicate with family and friends online.

Clean eating trend

The trend for clean eating has also seen the choice of snacks and drinks change dramatically over the years, with high-energy drinks, fresh smoothies and snacks such as vegetable crisps and protein bars being popular in 2017.

CDs replaced with streaming music on our devices

The devices we use to listen to music (a popular past time for women in labour) have also changed beyond all recognition as we have moved from portable CD players (and the need to carry CDs in our hospital bags) to streaming music on our mobile phones and tablets.  Although our tastes in music may have evolved, using music to help soothe and relax us during labour is still an important element.

Some things never change

We still need disposable pants and they still look as ghastly as they always did!  Baby clothes, mitts, maternity pads, nursing bras, slippers, toiletries, tissues and baby wipes are still very much part of the modern day hospital bag.

According to Emma’s Diary – here are its top 15 contents for mums to be hospital bags from 2017 and 1997 (20 years ago).

 

2017 Mum’s Hospital Bag Contents:

  1. Mobile 4G smartphone/iPhone
  2. iPad/tablet
  3. Music downloaded to your phone and earphones (Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You, Bruno Mars’ That’s What I Like and The Weekend’s Starboy have been chart toppers this year)
  4. Lip balm (such as Burt’s Bees)
  5. Snacks and drinks (water, smoothie, isotonic drink, vegetable crisps)
  6. Kindle (Into the Water and Caravel are popular books this year)
  7. Baby wipes
  8. Birth ball
  9. TENS machine
  10. Slippers, socks, nightwear
  11. Maternity Pads
  12. Baby clothes and nappies
  13. Nursing bras
  14. Disposable pants
  15. Toiletries and hair brush/clips

 

1997 Mum’s Hospital Bag Contents:

  1. Portable CD player (or the minidisc player launched in 1992 for those gadget lovers!)
  2. CDs/Mini discs – (Blur’s Beetlebum, No Doubt’s Don’t Speak and Spice Girls’ Spice up your Life were all chart toppers this year!)
  3. Paperback book (Cold Mountain and Harry Potter were popular
  4. Mobile phone (probably a Nokia 6110 or similar)
  5. Camera (film, polaroid or first digital if you were into gadgets)
  6. Snacks and drinks (water, Orbitz drink, bag of Doritos 3D)
  7. Lip balm (such as Nivia)
  8. Tissues/cotton wool balls
  9. Slippers, socks, nightwear
  10. Maternity pads
  11. Baby clothes and nappies
  12. Nursing bras
  13. Disposable pants
  14. Toiletries and hair brush/clips
  15. Address book (with contact numbers)

 

Mum of two and Marketing Director at Emma’s Diary, Faye Mingo commented: “It’s been great fun looking back at the change in contents of the hospital back of 1997 compared with today.  So much has changed and yet so much is still relevant today.  What is probably the most astonishing is the change in the way we communicate and connect with others and how that has had a direct impact on what we now take into hospital, whether that’s related to the music we listen to, the books we read or how we converse with others – times change!”

 

www.emmasdiary.co.uk

 

 

Hape Discovery Spaceship Review

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Hape’s Discovery Spaceship review Hape’s Discovery SpaceshipMy son has far too many toys so I try to resist doing reviews. Unfortunately I am a soft touch and when I see something amazing that I know he will love I cannot help myself. Which is how we came to review the Hape Discovery Spaceship. First of all, it has everything you expect from Hape: it is beautifully crafted from birch wood, is environmentally friendly, and it is high quality. It is not only hours of fun, but develops hand-eye coordination at the same time.

The spaceship has great detail, and lots of it. It has four different stages of creative play, as well as a lift-off rocket for endless, imaginative fun.

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The spaceship also comes with lots of great figures and objects. There is 2 astronauts, an alien, a working treadmill, a bed, and a flag among other details. Everything is crafted with excellence.

This is a brilliant and educational toy that will fire up any imagination. It gives hours of fun play. Both my son and I are huge fans. We love it.

 

Minimal assembly is needed to build this masterpiece, it contain only 3 upright panels, 4 shelves and 1 rocket module to build. It is not hard at all, but lots of fun. Designed just like a real space shuttle children can prepare, launch and arrive at any destination.

This otherworldly set even includes characters to play along and share the experience with. Your child can engage with a robot, make friends with an alien or explore alongside the 2 astronaut figures. With a range of friendly characters, your child’s fun will never end. To make the Discovery Spaceship even more realistic, Hape have paid attention to detail, adding elements such as a: treadmill, bed, working elevator, flag and multiple pieces of laboratory equipment. There’s even a fold out solar panel to play on, alongside a moon crater and vehicle carrying oxygen tanks, elevating your child’s imagination.

This 37-piece set is a must have for any aspiring astronaut or adventurer. Children 3 years upwards can enjoy the Discovery Spaceship while parents can be assured it complies with international safety and quality standards, making sure your children have only the best.

Prepare your child for blast off and introduce them to the Discovery Spaceship, for endless out of this world play.

The Hape Discovery Spaceship measures 74 x 47.8 x 47.8cm and is £86.99 from Argos.

 

Explore the Artic with Hape

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Yes, I know we are still waiting for the warm weather but while we do why not treat the children (or yourself) to one of these beautiful wooden puzzles from George Luck at Hape. 

The puzzle comes on a wooden base with two pictures that fit neatly, one on top of the other. It’s so lovely to take off one layer to reveal another picture underneath. Tiny fingers will love the feel of the smooth wooden shapes.

Jigsaw puzzles have long been recognised for helping develop a child’s dexterity skills and shape recognition, as well as the important co-ordination of hands and eyes.

George Luck has created an Artic Animals adventure to be enjoyed from 5 years upwards.

This two-layer puzzle introduces your child to a range of animals from the frozen North. Make friends with the furry Polar Bears, friendly Walrus or even the amazing Whale!  Gather together all 36 pieces and embark on an adventure.

Have fun with your child finding the animals, snow, water and sky to build a truly magical winter wonderland. Watch as the big Polar Bear looks through a hole in the ice, ready to catch its dinner!

This puzzle, as with all Hape Toys, teaches your child a range of valuable skills such as: developing special awareness, hand-eye co-ordination and problem solving skills.

Best of all, George Luck puzzles are created using non-toxic finishes, water based paints, and only the highest quality child safe materials.

Hape’s Artic Animals for ages 5+ is available online from Debenhams for £13.00.

Screening programme reduced life-threatening infection in newborn babies by over 80%

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breastfeeding, benefits of breastfeeding, mum, baby, what age to stop breastfeedingA leading London hospital dramatically reduced the rates of a life-threatening infection in newborn babies thanks to a simple screening test.

New research published today from a pilot study[1] at Northwick Park Hospital reports that screening pregnant women for group B Strep (GBS) reduced the rate of these potentially deadly infections in their newborn babies by 83%.

The results, published in the prestigious BMJ Open come just days after the National Screening Committee said there was “insufficient evidence” to introduce GBS screening for mums-to-be in the UK.

Yet in countries that have introduced antenatal GBS screening – recognised internationally as best practice – rates of these infections have fallen by significantly, by 70-90%.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS or Strep B) is the UK’s most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies, causing sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis, and claims the life of one baby a week.

Previously Northwick Park Hospital had one of the highest rates of group B Strep infection in newborn babies in the country, almost three times the national average, despite following national guidelines.

To combat this worrying figure, Dr Gopal Rao, Consultant Microbiologist at Northwick Park Hospital, decided to set up the screening programme in his busy UK multi-ethnic community to see whether this would help reduce the rate of group B Strep infection in newborn babies.

Over 6,000 pregnant women chose to have the test. This involved taking two simple swabs (which the majority of women chose to do themselves at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy) – after being given information about GBS.

 

[1] Outcome of a screening programme for the prevention of neonatal invasive early-onset group B Streptococcus infection in a UK maternity unit: an observational study. Rao GG, Nartey G, McAree T, O’Reilly A, Hiles S, Lee T, Wallace S, Batura R, Khanna P, Abbas H, Tilsed C, Nicholl R, Lamagni T, Bassett P. BMJ Open 2017;7:e014634. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014634.

 

 

Humanitas Announces A New Season Of Diddy Rascals Fun

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Humanitas Announces A New Season Of Diddy Rascals FunThe Family Friendly Raves Return To Raise the Roof AND Raise Money for Family, Healthcare and Education

 

Big beats for tiny feet are back, as a new season of Diddy Rascals events are launched for 2017, with the exciting addition of Diddy Rascals Movies, and a festival.

Launched in 2016 by former Ministry of Sound alumni and now part of the charity Humanitas all Diddy Rascals events are not for profit, helping Humanitas provide long-term, professional support to individuals in areas of devastating poverty around the world.  Three basic human rights are family, healthcare and education and this small but mighty charity has been on the ground providing real relief since its inception in 2001.

Diddy Rascals Raves:  live DJs play a soundtrack of classic house pitched perfectly to both parents and kids, while inflatables, face painting, horns and glow sticks give it an authentically ‘old-skool’, playful vibe.   A chill-out room gives younger kids the chance to hang out in the ball pool, enjoy the lights and soak up the ambience.  Ideal for 2 to 8 year old mini-ravers, younger or older siblings are welcome.

 

EVENT LISTINGS

Saturday 20th May, 1-3pm, Half Moon, Putney, London

Sunday 28th May, 2-4pm, Harpenden Halls, Harpenden, Herts

Sunday 11th June, 1-3pm  Hitchin Town Hall, Hitchin, Herts

Saturday 1st July, 1-3pm Half Moon, Putney, London

Sunday 30th July: 2-4pm Harpenden Halls – Harpenden, Herts

 

Diddy Rascals Movies

A rolling programme of enjoyable movies for mums and dads, screened in an entertaining, safe environment that allows mini wanderers the chance to roam and play without fear of being ‘shushed’.   Kicking off with a screening of la La Land on 16th May.

 

MOVIE LISTINGS

Tuesday 16th May Harpenden Halls – La La land (12A, 2016)

Tuesday 20th June: Harpenden Halls – Clueless (12, 1995)

Tuesday 18th July: Harpenden Halls – Pitch Perfect (12A, 2012)

Tuesday 6th May: Hitchin Town Hall – La La land (12A, 2016)

Diddy Festival

Lets pump it up and get raving in our special inflatable fun factory out in a field. Expect all the wild antics from our raves but in our inflatable room, plus face painting, messy play and much more family fun.

 

FESTIVAL LISITNGS

Sunday 16th July, 12-6pm, The Priory, Hitchin, Herts

 

Prices

  • £5 Entrance fee / under 18 months go free.

 

Diddy Rascals Dates & Venues – check website for latest updates

 

Tickets available at www.diddy-rascals.com

www.facebook.com/diddyrascal

https://twitter.com/familyraves

https://www.instagram.com/diddyrascalsevents/

 

 

 

Funding Initiative aims to Provide all UK Neonatal Units With Personalised Video

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neonatalmonitoringPersonalised video specialists, vCreate, today announce a new funding initiative aimed at ensuring that all 200 UK neonatal networks are equipped with personalised video by 2018. According to Bliss, the UK’s special care baby charity; over 90,000 babies are admitted to neonatal care in the UK because they have either been born prematurely, or full term but sick.
 
The decision to look for corporate sponsors to fund the provision of secure video within neonatal units will make technology, that would have previously been out of reach due to unavailable budget, accessible for the wider neonatal community. 
 
Ben Moore, founder of vCreate, explains why he believes this innovative approach to funding will make all the difference: “It’s clear from our discussions with medics that digital technology such as this has huge potential to transform the way services are delivered across the NHS. Delays or lack of central funding can leave the people who deliver the care hamstrung; there’s a proven case for a solution, a need for change, but budget for such initiatives isn’t readily available.”
 
The team at vCreate is in search of corporate sponsors to fund instances of vCreate by neonatal region. With vCreate, staff are able to send short videos of babies to parents when they are away from this hospital. Ben added: “We’ve already seen how secure video is enhancing patient care following the successful pilot programme at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, and there’s been widespread media and public interest in the project.”
 
Royal Glasgow Hospital for Children is the first in the UK to trial vCreate in their neonatal unit.
 
Neil Patel, Consultant Neonatologist, explains how vCreate is supporting mums and dads through what can be an extremely stressful time: “The idea originally came from a parent of one of our patients. He uses personalised video in his work to connect with clients and asked if we could send him video updates of his own baby. We then asked more families who all told us there is nothing more reassuring than actually seeing their baby. It’s a personalised video platform that makes it quick and simple to create a video which can then be securely accessed by the baby’s parents on any device at any time.”
 
vCreate believes that the funding proposition delivers for both the public and private sectors. The public sector gains innovative video technology when they need it, and private sector sponsors have the opportunity to support families of premature babies. 
 
As part of the sponsorship package, corporate sponsors can expect to see their company logo across the vCreate application which would be seen by the parents logging in to watch the videos; plus media coverage across multiple channels, and positive brand and CSR association. 
 
For corporate sponsorship enquires in relation to vCreate, get in touch on 0333 121 8422 or via email at theteam@vcreate.tv.

Carol Smillie & The Underwear Changing Women’s Lives

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Carol Smillie & The Underwear Changing Women's LivesIt is not easy being a woman. First there are periods, then possible post maternity leakage (do this pelvic exercises now!) or other bladder issues. But help is at hand at last: DiaryDoll are a range of protective underwear with a concealed waterproof layer which offers girls and women that extra peace of mind and comfort.

DiaryDoll is a pioneering range of pretty clever pants and the brainchild of TV presenter Carol Smillie. With teenage daughters dealing with their monthly cycle, Carol originally developed the range for young women who might be worried about heavy periods whilst at school, playing sport and sleepovers. They definitely serve a great purpose for this but also stress incontinence (which an estimated 1 in 3 women suffer with), during / post-maternity and SUI, commonly known as  ‘sensitive bladder’, or ‘pelvic floor weakness’ (which is believed to affect approx 9 million women in the UK).

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Just like any other pants in the drawer, they are soft, comfortable and machine washable. They are available in black, white, pink and blue online and in 122 Boots stores across the UK. They sold over 400 pairs in 8 minutes on QVC.co.uk and are available in Debenhams.com, JohnLewis.com and pharmacies across the world.

When Kate Winslet openly admitted ‘by third sneeze, it’s game over’ on Graham Norton’s chat show, sales rocketed.

Carol comments, ‘Sales have really taken off, over 35,000 in fact, but not without a little resistance. We underestimated the level of taboo that still surrounds this whole topic. The launch into Boots is a huge deal for us – it’s a big step towards getting this sensitive but very common problem out in the open and getting more people talking about it.’

Knowing Frost is popular with mothers, and women in general of course, we decided to ask to see the underwear. Was it comfortable and discreet? Well yes and yes. The underwear looks good and is comfortable. We were worried there would be rustling but the pants are luckily noise free when you walk. If I was not pregnant I would definitely wear these pants when I had my period. Although be advised that they are to be worn with sanitary protection. The pants are machine washable, very soft and streamline. I would say order a size bigger than you are. They fit small. I always buy underwear bigger than my actual size and I found the 12 I was sent to be a bit snug.

Diary Doll underwear is available here.

www.diarydoll.co.uk