Tag Archives: babies

Jacqueline Waggett PacaPod Founder Interview

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We interviewed Jacqueline Waggett, founder of the amazing PacaPod changing bags. A must for all parents.

PacaPodfounder sketch

How did you come up with idea of the PacaPod?

I never even had a baby bag, I created a mock-up first PacaPod with different bags inside and thought this was a really good solution to getting out the house quickly when you had a precious window of opportunity between feeds, sleep, changes!

 

What makes it different?

PacaPod bags contain a unique ‘baby organisation system’ with two detachable pods to store feeding and changing items which keeps them hygienically apart and organised so there’s no panic rummaging for lost wipes or dummy. All three elements can be used on their own, clip onto a buggy and great for sharing with a partner, travelling or dropping at nursery – it’s very versatile and more than a bag it’s a toolkit for parents.

 

Was it hard getting the design right?

I held “focus groups” – basically having a bunch on my new found NCT friends around for a coffee and asking them to bring their changing bags with them and tell me what they loved and hated about them. The passion these ladies had about their bags just blew me away and I realised that everyone had the same frustrations as me and that I was really onto something. My background as an outdoor clothing designer for high profile brands meant that I had the tools to and knowledge to bring a product to market, so from those early discussions I designed a bag that would incorporate all the requirements necessary for the perfect baby bag – basically the PacaPod 3 in 1’ baby organising system’  was born.  Using my previous experience and contacts I sourced some factories to make bags, made samples, and held more focus groups, field tested and amended the bag again and again until the feedback from parents was just right.

pacapod

Do you have a favourite bag?

I use a PacaPod everyday even though my children are not in need of a baby bag as it makes a great work bag. I use the parent section for paperwork and laptop, the feeder pod for my lunch and the changer pod for all my odds and ends, make up and so on. So it depends when you ask me – right now I love the Sydney leather messenger.

 

How hard was it getting the business off the ground?

When I spoke to nursery retailers about the concept to gain industry feedback and I was told there were too many bags out there already!  But my gut feeling and the response from other mums told me it would work – so I took the plunge and booked a stand at the Harrogate nursery trade show in 2008, ordered the goods, set up a website and started selling! From the first idea to the launch at Harrogate it took just one year. Looking back it’s hard to believe I achieved so much, especially as I had a one year old and I was pregnant with my second child at the time.

 

What was the biggest challenge?

The early days and the legalities of launching a brand and protecting the copyright, patents, trademarks and testing standards required for the nursery industry on such an unusual product was a real education because there was nothing like it before in the market! Just to give you an idea the lining in the feeder pod alone is tested to the same degree as a dummy. It has taken years and a good deal of financial investment to ensure the product is protected worldwide and when you are self-funded re-mortgaging your house twice with two small children certainly takes its toll on the nerves.

 

When did you realise you had gotten it right?

Probably at that first trade show when we had such amazing feedback and great orders!

 

What is the high point so far?

When I see the bags out and about and people take the time to let us know how they love their bag.

 

For me it’s about people and places, helping people with babies to go places!

 

Our PacaPod review will be up soon. They are available from johnlewis.com and mummyandlittleme.co.uk

 

How To Find The Right Egg Donor

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babyChoosing to build a family using egg donation requires careful consideration.

Egg donation can be a wonderful option, but you will need to take the time to explore the many complex issues and feelings involved in selecting a donor. The characteristics you desire in a donor will be unique to you and based on your personal preferences, and while there is no right or wrong way to go about the selection process, you may wish to keep the following factors in mind.

Anonymous Vs Known donors

The first decision you will need to consider is whether you want your egg to come from an anonymous or known donor.

An anonymous egg donor is a donor found through an egg donor database. Such a donor will have chosen not to reveal their identity to you. Using an anonymous donor will enable you to clearly define your relationship with the donor and will grant you the chance to source a donated egg in confidence.

However, if you choose to tell your child that they were the product of an egg donation, they will be able to use the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) register to find out identifying information such as the donor’s name, address and date of birth once they turn 16.

A known egg donor, on the other hand, is a donor who has chosen to reveal their identity to you. For example, she may be a friend or relative, or someone you have found through an online connection service. You may prefer to use a known donor because you will provide your child with the opportunity to form a relationship your egg donor. However, you may find it difficult to define the donor’s role in your child’s life.



Physical Characteristics

One of the most important considerations to make when choosing a donor is whether your chosen donor’s physical appearance is similar to your own. If you and your partner have brown eyes and dark hair, then finding those qualities in an egg donor may be of the utmost importance to you. This is why in many cases couple’s will contact a family member so that the child will have genetic qualities of the woman.



Medical History

When reviewing your shortlisted egg donor profiles, it is essential to evaluate their past and present history of physical and mental illnesses.

You will also need to consider whether you wish to match the blood type of your donor with your own. If you chose a donor with the same blood type, you will be able to donate blood to your child should the need ever arise.

Personality



In addition to providing you with information on donors’ physical traits and medical histories, fertility clinics can also help you to gain an insight into donors’ personalities and backgrounds.

Whilst you should read this information with care and choose a donor based on the traits and characteristics that are important to you, it is essential to remember that the way in which you bring up your child may have a greater influence on their personality than the genes they have inherited from your chosen donor.

Of course, if you use a known donor you have a chance to meet them personally and get a feel for their characteristics up close.



Location



Once you have narrowed down your search for a donor, location may become an important consideration. If you intend to involve the donor in your child’s life, you may wish to choose a donor from your locality for ease of travelling to meet with the donor. This will also help throughout the process of trying to get pregnant if your donor is nearby.



Where To Look For The Right Donor

Egg donations are available on the NHS and through private clinics. The Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority (HFEA), which licenses clinics, recommends that you take into account location and success rates when choosing a suitable clinic.

It is important to realise, however, that the waiting lists for egg donation vary widely, and many opt to use online connection services to meet and get to know an egg donor before beginning the IVF process.

Choosing the right donor is a big decision that requires careful thought and consideration. Whilst it is perfectly acceptable to prioritise the characteristics that are important to you, it is important to trust your intuition, too. Your maternal instincts should play a key role in the process and they will help you to find a donor who will provide you with the child you have always wanted.

Author bio:

This post was written by Franz SOF, Founder at CoParents.co.uk – a service which aims to connect men, women and couples who are looking to have a child through co-parenting, sperm donation and surrogacy.

 

 

Nearly Half of Working Mums Would Consider Sharing Parental Leave

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keeping children entertained on car journeysSome 44% of working mums would consider sharing their maternity leave with their partner, according to Workingmums.co.uk annual survey.

The number of women who would consider sharing their leave when the new shared parenting legislation comes in next year has risen by 3% since last year and may in part be due to a rising number of women who are the main breadwinners in their families – over 17% of women who were living with a partner say they are the main breadwinner and only in a small number of cases is this because their partner has been made redundant or had to reduce their hours.

The survey of over 2,390 working parents, sponsored by McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd, covers a wide variety of issues, from childcare and flexible working to finances, discrimination and self employment.

It shows that, despite the rise in women breadwinners, the number of women who claim to split childcare and housework equally with their partners is just 21%, down from 27% last year. Some 17% say their partners work flexibly with 4% of partners working part time.

Many women said the economic situation was affecting how long they took for maternity leave. Some 46% had returned to work early due to the recession or cost of living. Some 10% only took between one and three months’ maternity leave. The majority, however, took between seven and 12 months. Although 70% said they went back to work because they needed the money, 60% said they would work even if money was not an issue.

Other findings from the survey include:

– 56% of women say they earn less pro-rata than they did before having children.

– 49% say employers discriminate more against women in the current climate

– 60% think they have to work harder than men due to unconscious bias

– the number of parents using grandparents for childcare has risen. 56% make use of grandparents to reduce their childcare costs, 18% use tax credits, 25% have childcare vouchers; 23% use friends; 8% get older siblings to help and 18% get help from other relatives [many use a combination of options]

– 41% [up 11% on last year] spent nothing on childcare while 20% pay over £500 per month

– 32% say homeworking is their most favoured type of flexible working and homeworking is the most likely thing to encourage more women to work full time.

– 53% said that more flexible working would aid them in their career development

– Most women got the flexible working they requested, but 23% did not with 11% feeling their employer did not even consider their request at all

– Only 13% who had taken a career break found a job fairly easily afterwards

– Most women [53%] want part-time work and 15% of part timers work at least 6-8 hours extra a week

– Just 4% do a job share

– 74% of working mums are logging on to emails outside of their working hours, with 48% doing so regularly.

– 14% of respondents were on a zero hours contract or variable shifts – of these 54% prefer it as it offers flexibility, but 17% find it difficult to arrange all the childcare they need. 28% like it for the flexibility but also find it a challenge with childcare.

Gillian Nissim, founder of Workingmums.co.uk, said: “Our annual survey always throws up a wealth of information on the way women are working or would like to work and what the hurdles many face when attempting to reach their potential. It is interesting to note the appetite for shared parenting in the light of expectations that initial take-up will not be significant. This perhaps reflects a growing awareness among couples of the link between equality in the workplace and at home. It is vital that policy supports parents in having greater choice over how they balance work and family life.”

 

Why Mothers Stop Breastfeeding

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GentleIt’s not your imagination– all babies go through a difficult period around the same age. Research by Dr. Frans Plooij Ph.D. and Dr. Hetty van de Rijt Ph.D., authors of The Wonder Weeks: How to Stimulate Your Baby’s Mental Development and Help Him Turn His 10 Predictable, Great, Fussy Phases Into Magical, has shown that babies make 10 major, predictable, age-linked changes – or leaps – during their first 20 months of their lives taking place around weeks 5, 8, 12, 19, 26, 37, 46, 55, 64 and 75. During this time, they will learn more than in any other time. With each leap comes a drastic change in your baby’s mental development, which not only affects his mood, his health, sleeping patterns and the “three C’s” (crying, clinging and crankiness) but also… babies drinking and comfort seeking habits. Unfortunately these Wonder Weeks are often a reason for moms who do not know about these wonder weeks, to stop breast-feeding their child.

With every new wonder week a baby gets a totally new perception of the world. Every Wonder Week is like waking up on a strange planet. A baby did not ask for this, did not see it coming, but suddenly this whole new world was there. What would you do? You would retreat to a well-known and safe place. For a baby that is mom. How would you do that? By literally clinging to your mom. Being one with her, holding on tight and the best way to do that would be via literally sucking yourself to your mom. This is where breast-feeding and Wonder Weeks meet. Whilst on the one hand Wonder weeks are in fact something good and signal progress in development, on the other hand, when the Wonder Weeks are misunderstood, they are often the reason moms give up breastfeeding.

“My daughter was crying so much that I was afraid something was terribly wrong. She wanted to breastfeed constantly. I took her to see the pediatrician, but he couldn’t find anything wrong with her. He said he just needed to get used to my milk and that many infants went through a similar crying phase at 5 weeks. I thought that is was a strange thing to say, because she hadn’t had any problems with my milk until then. Her cousin, who was the same age, kept crying, too, but he was being bottle-fed. When I told the doctor that, he pretended he hadn’t heard, I didn’t push the subject though. I found out about wonder weeks later on, but I keep on wondering why nobody told me about these wonder weeks earlier.” – Julitte’s mom, 5th week

Wonder Weeks and the milk doubting moms:

Wonder Weeks: One of the reasons mothers stop breastfeeding? As the baby gets more Clingy, Cries more and is more Cranky during a wonder week, many mothers start doubting themselves. Are they doing something wrong? If a baby wants to drink so often, does this mean they do not have enough milk? Or is their milk not good enough? Moms who know their baby is in a wonder week, don’t doubt themselves or their milk.

“Around the third wonder week my daughter suddenly started nursing less. After 5 minutes, she would start playing around with my nipple. After that had gone on for two weeks, I decided to start supplementing my milk with formula, but she wouldn’t have any of that either. This phase lasted 4 weeks. During that time I worried she would suffer from some kind of nutrition deficiency, especially when I saw my milk supply starting to diminish. But now she is drinking like she used to again, and my milk supply is as plentiful as ever. Now I know this is normal behavior during a wonder week. I never doubted my milk again since I know when these wonder weeks are.”
– Hannah’s mom, 19 th week.

Wonder Weeks and the exhausted moms:
Even the moms not doubting their milk sometimes give up breastfeeding. Simply because the impact of the leap on the behavior of their child is wearing them out. The moms that know about Wonder Weeks tend to be less exhausted as they know what is happening and that Wonder Weeks are actually a good thing.

Wonder Weeks and the mom of a six month old:
One of the most difficult leaps is the one of relationships, around six months after due date. The exact same time breast milk alone is not enough anymore and most parents start to give solid food as well. Mom is exhausted from the leap, doesn’t sleep or sleeps very poorly, while at the same time her child needs food. Just days after giving the first ‘meals’, the baby is in a much better mood. Often moms explain this whole sequence of events wrongly and seem to think their child was in need of other milk than theirs. While in fact the child just went through another leap and finished the leap when he turned six months.

Wonder Weeks and nipple cracks or abrasions:
Pain is, logically, one of the reasons moms want to stop feeding their child. When a child is in a Wonder Week he wants to drink many times more often than is normally the case. As this is one of the only times a baby is quiet, a mom doesn’t really pay as much attention to the feeding process as she normally would. Often resulting in wrong feeding positions, resulting in i.e. cracked nipples.

Making parents aware of Wonder weeks will enable parents to understand their baby’s behavior much better and will help many moms to continue feeding their child and to make sure these Wonder Weeks are not a reason to give up.

Dr. Frans Plooij Ph.D. and Dr. Hetty van de Rijt Ph.D. discovered the leap phenomenon while studying chimpanzee mother infant relationships in the Gombe National Park, Tanzania, East-Africa together with Jane Goodall. They are the authors of the book The Wonder Weeks: How to Stimulate Your Baby’s Mental Development and Help Him Turn His 10 Predictable, Great, Fussy Phases Into Magical

Dr. Frans Plooij Ph.D. is always willing to educate professionals about these Wonder weeks, or answer questions via Skype or email. He regularly has Skype sessions with moms around the world.

 

 

Do You Need To Neuter Your Pet?

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Tortoiseshell_she-catSpring is here the season of new life, as we all know many animals have babies at this time of year. However, this is not always planned or well received. Many pet owners find themselves responsible for litters of kittens and rabbits unexpectedly. As a result, rescue centres across the UK are struggling to cope with the number of animals in rescue.

67,000 rabbits go into rescue care in the UK each year. Recent figures from the RSPCA revealed that more than 37,000 animals were dumped across England and Wales last year, a rise of 34%, from the previous year*. Burns Pet Nutrition is urging pet owners to ensure they don’t fuel the crisis.

As a nation we need to be responsible for neutering our pets and develop a better understanding of how to manage breeding. Fiona Firth, Head Nutritionist at Burns Pet Nutrition has advice for pet owners on how to take care of their pets and prevent unwanted pregnancies this spring.

Cats

One cat can breed 20,000 descendants in just five years*. Cats Protection neuters 175,000 cats a year but there are still thousands without homes. Your pet cat and any kittens can become pregnant from as young as four months.

The cat breeding season is usually between February and August. If your pet isn’t neutered be aware she will have regular heat cycles when she seeks to attract a mate. Indicative behaviours include, restlessness, an increase in appetite and loud meowing.

Be aware this is her attempt to attract a mate. You may also observe her crouching, pressed
downwards but extending her back. If your cat hasn’t been neutered it may be an idea to keep her indoors to protect her from pregnancy and even diseases from stray Tom cats.

Cats usually experience puberty at around five to eight months but it can happen even earlier depending on the breed of cat. You can neuter both male and female cats from an early age. The vet responsible will advise when they recommend carrying out the neutering operation – usually at around four months of age.

Rabbits

Accidental breeding is one of the main contributing factors to the 67,000 rabbits in rescue. In the first instance, if you are buying two rabbits, be extremely cautious that you have the same sex rabbits. This is a common mistake easy to make.

Like cats, rabbits can breed from a surprisingly young age and can reach sexual maturity between five and eight months of age. A female rabbit can be impregnated again, just hours after giving birth!

This can result in another litter of baby bunnies before the first has even been weaned. A potentially overwhelming situation for your rabbit and you!

Neutering prevents or stops this cycle. This is important to your rabbit’s wellbeing and helps prevent the development of diseases. Spaying is important for your female rabbit in particular, as it reduces the risk of her developing cancer of the womb. Up to 80% of un-neutered female rabbits can develop cancer of the uterus.

Spaying can also assist with your female rabbit’s behaviour as when in heat she may show signs of aggression. Female rabbits can be spayed at around four months of age but again your vet will advise on when to perform the neutering.

Rabbits do like company, beware two rabbits of the same sex (two males) or (two females) will fight if not neutered once their hormones kick in. The best combination for companionship is a male and female pair with both neutered.

For anyone needing assistance, there are friendly pet nutrition advisors who can help select the best diet for their pet contactable via the free-phone number 0800 083 6696.

Christine Bleakley Talks Marriage & Babies

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Christina BleakleyCHRISTINE BLEAKLEY FIGHTS ACCUSATIONS OF A CAREER CRISIS AND FINALLY REVEALS HER WEDDING DATE

In an exclusive interview and photoshoot with The Sun’s Fabulous Magazine on Sunday October 27, Christine, 34, sets the record straight on a whole host of rumours.

Dismissing claims that her long-awaited wedding to footballer fiancé Frank Lampard is never going to happen, the Northern Irish presenter reveals exactly when she’s going to tie the knot. And talking about her very public departure from the doomed Daybreak she says: “I don’t think I was ever as down as people thought I was.”

Derry-born Christine, whose new travel show starts on ITV1 next week, also hints at her future baby plans.

She says: “Children would be a complete and utter blessing. I just know I’m not 18 any more, so I’m always wary about talking about it too much because I don’t want to tempt fate. It would be a lovely thing.”

Fabulous magazine is available free in The Sun every Sunday.

Lisa Snowdon Talks Boyfriends, Marriage And Babies

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In an exclusive interview and photoshoot with Fabulous magazine on Sunday September 8, Capital FM presenter, Lisa Snowdon, opened up about the future and reveals that she’s not that fussed about the whole ‘marriage and babies thing’.

The 41-year-old breakfast show host and former model says: “I’m definitely not planning to have a baby. I have so much respect for mummies, but you have to give everything to your children and I guess I’m not that kind of girl. Your hips stretch out and I see friends with their nipples falling off.”

Lisa Snowden on babies, marriage and boyfriends, george clooney

She says, though, that she’s not ruling out marriage in the future: “I want the amazing party at the end of it. But that’s probably the wrong reason… I’ve never been that close to sharing my life with someone.”

Fabulous magazine is available free in The Sun every Sunday.

Bonkers for Babies: ShopStyle Expert Picks the Best of the Net for Baby Showers

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royalbabyshower, duchess of cambridge, kate middleton, baby shower, alison jackson, picture, Everyone has gone bonkers for babies thanks to the impending royal birth and with a national baby boom occurring, according to the Office of National Statistics, expect a few more Baby Shower invitations in your inbox.

 

To lessen the stress of present-buying, Caroline Green from ShopStyle, the UK’s largest style search engine, has been tracking the best and least expected online retailers for imminent arrivals and new mums. Here are her Best of the Net:

 

1)      Great Little Trading Company

Their beautifully curated collection of toys, accessories, furniture and bedding is always on trend. We love their selection of garden games!

2)      Mamas & Papas

Their selection of nursery interiors is gorgeous! Check out the moses baskets – practical and pretty.

3)      AlexandAlexa

They have an incredible array of kids’ designer labels. From Ralph Lauren to Catimini to Belle and Boo, there is something for everyone. Look out for the Mini Melissa Watermelon sandals – they’re so cute!

4)      Mothercare

Shopping for a first-time parent? Mothercare offers a great selection of baby gifts – from tiny newborn hats and socks to crib mobiles and bottle warmers, it’s where new parents go to stock up on the basics.

5)      Harrods

Where else will you get a cashmere teddy bear?

 

From high end to unique and quirky gifts, everyone is catered for, so there is no need to go gaga!