Blow, wind, blow, we've got a Mum & Baby Rescue Balm

The winter has been comparatively mild, we haven't had any snow where we live, but the combination of the damp air and harsh winds outside as well as the heating inside could do a lot of damage to a delicate skin. At 2, my little man is not a baby anymore, but the skin on his cheeks and hands gets dry and rough if we go out for long walks without any protection from the elements. We have been using Organic Babies Mum & Baby Rescue Balm for a few weeks, and I have noticed the difference it makes.

As my older son's skin is prone to eczema, I am trying to do my best to prevent the same with Eddie. I have heard of Mum & Baby Rescue Cream before, as it was launched over a year ago.

What does the official Green People site say about its product?

"Organic shea butter, hemp, beeswax and calendula
New scent-free rescue balm, gentle enough for mum and baby to share.
- Organic Calendula and vit. E soothe sore cracked nipples before and after breastfeeding.
- Rich in Organic Shea Butter to reduce skin's dryness for mum and baby.
- Organic Sunflower, Sweet Almond and Hemp seed oil softens the perineum region before birth.
- Fragrance free and gentle for frequent use - use as often as required.

Also suitable for those who may be prone to eczema and psorias.
Organic Babies Mum & Baby Rescue Balm is made without Parabens, Lanolin, phthalates, artificial perfumes, petrochemicals and colourants to bring you the purest rescue salve that nature can offer"

What did we think of this product?
First of all, it is great to have a product that is multi-tasking, i.e. it treats so many skin irritations which occur in pregnancy, during breastfeeding and is also suitable for babies and young children. It has all the right ingredients like calendula and Vitamin E, sweet almond and Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids that are essential for the healthy-looking skin.

It is scent-free. It soothes rough patches. I have used it on my own face and even tried a little bit on my lips. It is similar in consistency to some of the nipple creams that I used in the past, especially after Eddie was born and my breasts were really sore, but at the same time it is less sticky like those creams, and is of a less dense consistency, making it easier to spread on the skin if you are uisng it as a barrier cream when going outdoors with your baby or tot.

It lasts quite a long time, as you only need a very small amount to apply. It is now part of our going out routine, when I dress up Eddie, he comments: Shoes, scarf, hat, coat and Keem (that's how he pronounces the word cream).

Verdict: it delivers what it promises.

And here are winter tips for babies (as advised by Green People):

ü  "Be careful not to let baby over-heat, this can make them sweat, which can irritate the skin.  As there is a greater difference between inside and outside temperatures during the winter months the best way to maintain baby’s temperature is through layering their clothes.

ü  Avoid the use of chemical loaded toiletries, certain ingredients commonly found in many mainstream products can dry the skin and cause irritation. SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) added to achieve the bubbles that little ones love and found in most products in your bathroom cabinet is also used as an engine de-greaser! Instead choose organic and natural products which contain skin nourishing ingredients and plant proteins but still ‘bring on the bubbles’. We recommend you try our Scent Free Baby Wash & Shampoo, a super mild wash which is gentle on the skin and is suitable for those prone to eczema and skin allergies.

ü  After bath (and in the morning for those with really dry skin) massage baby with a gentle organic moisturiser, this is the best time to treat skin to a moisture boost as the cream will absorb whilst baby sleeps. Our recommendation is our Dry Skin Baby Lotion, a non-greasy, nutrient packed lotion which protects sensitive skin and soothes those prone to eczema.

ü  When out and about enjoying the winter snow, or for general winter skin protection for little faces try a rich, organic, water-resistant formula. We recommend our Mum & Baby Rescue Balm which is packed with organic goodness including Vitamin E to soothe skin and Shea Butter to tackle dryness. Its super-rich protective consistency blocks wind and cold weather whilst soothing and calming any irritation.

ü  Try to dress baby in natural fabrics rather than synthetic options, they let baby’s skin ‘breathe’. Avoid putting wool next to your baby’s skin as this can cause irritation and can worsen eczema. "

 

 

A boy in Dear Zoo PJs

As soon as I have seen these PJs in Sainsbury's, I knew I had to buy them for Eddie. We are big fans of Rod Campbell's Dear Zoo. It has given us so much pleasure to lift the flaps and find the animals that were sent by mistake.

A boy sends a letter to the Zoo, asking to send him a pet, and all sorts of wrong animals arrive in parcels until finally a perfect pet is delivered. A true classic. It was written in 1982 and stood the test of time. The story is simple and endearing, and it is so much fun to read it with a little one who loves to guess what animal is hiding on the next page.

It used to be Sasha's favourite book for quite a long time. Now it amuses Eddie. I think we are on our third copy, as the previous two were read so many times, and chewed and torn off (those flap bits are very tempting for little fingers) that they were not readable anymore.

 Rod Campbell's illustrations are well known, he has a unique recognisable original style.

So, I was delighted to see that our favourite book has made it into the outfit.

The pyjamas look very cute. The best bit is a pocket at the front, which you lower down to find a fierce lion.

Eddie loves clothes. He has a nickname in the family - Gok Wan. He loves putting my scarves around his shoulders or my hats on his head, and is very proud of his achievements. From a son who is very indifferent to what he is wearing in Sasha's case to someone who loves dressing up in Eddie's, I have two opposites. It is curious to observe how different they are on many levels.

I only wish they had an adult version too. Why should adult PJs be either boring or sexy? I want the Dear Zoo PJs too! :)

I'll wean when I'm ready (Lactivist t-shirt)

Eddie has a hearty appetite and would eat anything on offer. But he also loves his Mummy milk. Now that he is 14 months old, many people keep asking me if he is weaned and whether I still breastfeed him. I don't see why I should stop breastfeeding him, if it gives him nutrition and comfort.

We have been fans of Lactivist shirts with fab b/f slogans since Eddie was born. The tshirt "I'll wean when I'm ready is the third one in our collection. I have posted a photo of Eddie in a fab little T back in January.
Lactivist was created by Lisa Cole back in 2003 after she was criticized for breastfeeding in public. Lisa designed a t-shirt for her son which promoted breastfeeding and helped to stop negative comments. The rest is history. Lactivist sells a range of baby&adult clothes with pro-breastfeeding slogans. They make great conversation pieces that arouse a lot of interest and bring in comments and smiles.

I love my porridge, my porridge loves me

Eddie has a hearty appetite and loves his food. I started weaning him on solids, when he was five months old, and now that he is reaching a ripe old age of 1, he has tried many lovely foods. (And he still loves his Mummy milk. :))
Remembering unpleasant baby rice and constipation issues with our older son when he was a baby, I decided to avoid baby rice altogether and start with veg purees and baby porridge. We have tried all the major brands of baby porridge, and to my disappointment they tasted like shredded cardboard, absolutely unappetising (I won't name them but they are sold everywhere).
That is, until we found Plum.
Plum makes baby porridges and muesli in a variety of flavours.
Plum baby Four Grain Muesli is a combination of four healthy grains. It has a nice texture and a lovely delicate taste. Finally, a baby food that tastes good.
It has the following ingredients:
Organic oat flakes (76%) Organic banana flakes (8%) Organic whole rice flour (5%) Organic popped amaranth (4%) Organic strawberry flakes (4%) Organic quinoa flour (3%) Thiamin (Vitamin B1)
Another favourite is Plum Baby four grain super porridge in a combination of wholegrains. It is creamy, smooth and easy to prepare.
I usually use a mix of Plum muesli and porridge (50/50), prepared with hot milk.
As you can see, Eddie enjoys his porridge.

Happy dribbling (aden + anais Mod About Baby Muslin Burpy Bib review)

Can one get excited about the bib? Yes, if it is from Aden + Anais.
A perfect size to cover Mum's shoulder which is regularly used by a baby for wiping his mucky face. It also provides a maximum coverage for the messy baby. Very practical, super absorbent, this dual burping cloth and bib is versatile. It's made of 100% pure cotton muslin and comes in different colours and with stylish prints. I washed our bibs a few times, and they wash very well and dry quickly. At £15.95 for a pack of two bibs, it is a bit on the pricey side, but as these bibs are so versatile and easy to clean, they are worth every penny.
To buy go to www.adenandanais.co.uk

Moo-vellous shoes (Cow shoes from Baba+Boo/review)

As it happened, cow shoes from Baba+Boo are my baby's first shoes. He only recently started cruising along his crib, and practises his walking technique every waking moment. These soft sole leather shoes are made to mimic bare feet, and are perfect for small feet that are not yet used to walking.


Eddie was much taken with his new shoes, he looked at them, he touched them, he even bent down to taste them.


They look and feel soft and snug.
A beautiful funky design and a fab presentation, as the shoes arrive in a cute little bag.
Doesn't Eddie look stylish in his new shoes?

Teething with Nuby

Now that Eddie sprouted two bottom front teeth, he wants to try them on anything and everything. He is very proud of his teeth and loves playing with teething toys.
I was delighted when Nuby sent us some lovely toys to test. When I unpacked the big envelope, Eddie immediately grabbed a Wiggle Worm teether.

1. Teether Tugz Toy Elephant and Wiggle Worm Teether

My own personal favourite toy is a Teether Tugz Elephant (am I allowed to have a favourite?!). It has an extra-cuteness factor. Big ears are good for munching and chewing, as each ear has a little teething pad with textures that give comfort for sore gums. This toy is also available in two other varieties - a butterfly and a rabbit. We have a butterfly, this was the first Nuby toy I bought for Eddie, and it has been chewed and dribbled on so many times that it might be called a teething war veteran. You can wipe it after each use.

Eddie loves his Wiggle Worm Teether. It is very cute and has multiple textured surfaces. Little nubs massage baby's gums, and it is very handy to hold. All the rings twist and turn and offer different nubs.

2. Flip Flop Teether Book and Icy Bite Teether

Flip Flop Teether book is an interactive book, very bright annd colourful, as you can see. The flaps offer different textures and make crinkle-crinkle sounds, which amuse baby and stimulate his senses. I remember reading a review of the Flip Flap book on one of Mummy blogs, where the reviewer was slightly critical of the poetic side of the book. Well, yes, it is not Shakespeare, but it is age-appropriate, and I don't think my 7-months-old Eddie would appreciate the finer points of stanza or meter. He is happy with rhymes that accompany bright images.

Icy Bite Teether is another innovative toy. Three keys come in different colours and are dual surfaced. Teething Nubs massage and stimulate baby's gums. When your baby's gums are particularly sore, you might try putting the keys in the fridge for cooling (obviously away from any food to prevent contamination). Then a cooled set of keys works as a soother. They don't stay cold for long though. Icy Bite Teether contains nontoxic purICE Gel, which helps the toy to stay colder longer than water filled soothers.

3. Eddie plays with his Nuby toys


4. A happy boy

Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads (review)

Instead of leaking and crying "Oh,
drat!", go and get some Lansinoh
Nursing pads that are leak-proofed -
Your milking days will be improved.

As a big fan of the Lactivist site, I was pleased to read that Lansinoh were looking for breastfeeding Mums who would like to apply to test nursing pads.
Quote from the official Lansinoh blurb:
"Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads have an ultra-thin but super-absorbent contour for a natural fit that won't show under clothing."
All true, though it slightly enhances your bosom in a nice way, which might be a bonus for many, unless you are Katie Price and don't need any more enhancement.
"The soft, stay-dry lining draws milk away from the skin and into the core of the pad where it is absorbed by a special polymer to prevent leakage."
I was very impressed with the quality of the pads. The level of absorbency is excellent. No complaints at all, a superior pad.
I have been using other brands of nursing pads in the past, and I must say Lansinoh stays put in the bra, unlike the other brands which tend to fall out every time I open the bra to feed my baby. Each pad comes with two non-slip adhesive tapes that hold a pad in place all day if necessary. Even during a longer trip, when the pad might get wet, it still keeps its shape.
Each pad comes wrapped individually for hygienic purposes, again this is different from some other brands where all the pads are stashed in a box in a mish mash confused manner. For the same reason they are very convenient to carry in your bag.
And if your bag is like mine, reminding a bit of Mary Poppins's bag which contained all sorts of things, then you might be reassured that the wrapped pad will stay clean.
Each box contains sixty pads.

All in all 10 out of 10 for this product. I am a convert.