Learning to walk – age 3
August 4, 2011 at 8:31 pm | Posted in Baby Care & Health, Baby Development, Daily Life | 3 CommentsTags: ankles, Baby Development, physio, Talipes
When our little boy was born, he had non-fixed or positional talipes in one ankle. I’m such a rubbish mother (the type that recorded special milestones for about the first month and then forgot to keep it up), that I can’t remember which ankle it was – left I think.
A few seconds after I gave birth I saw that his foot was bent back double against his shin. It looked more like a flipper than a foot and it was terrifying.
We saw a specialist in hospital who explained what it was. It promptly went in one ear and out of the other. I’d gone into labour a month early, was absolutely and definitely not ready to become a mum yet and hadn’t slept for 24 hours. It was still a flipper even if it wasn’t life threatening as far as I was concerned.
Looking back I should have been grateful that I’d even managed to fall pregnant, carry a baby to term and deliver a healthy and happy 6lb 7 and 3/4 oz baby. Knowing what I know now I needn’t have worried in the grand scheme of things.
A few weeks after he was born he was referred for scans and other hospital appointments, all of which put our fears at bay and confirmed that with simple physio, which we could do at home, the matter would rectify itself.
When bear started to walk at 13 months we noticed just how much he walked in on his ankles. Sometimes he looked like he would topple inwards. We got the physio back to examine him. He’s fine she said after various tiptoe tests.
About a year later we still weren’t happy and got her back again – this time she had an accomplice, determined to allay our concerns and not be summoned ever again. He’s fine she said with supportive nods from her chum. They even left us with internet print outs of strengthening exercises we could do for his ankles – just to keep us happy.
Now, bear has just turned three and really walks in on his ankles still. So what do we do?! Get the physio back again? Seek alternative help? Get him fitted with a set of wheels and just be done with it?
Like I said before, we’re extremely lucky to have a happy and healthy little boy. But he’s a very active boy and I’d never forgive myself if on the momentous occasion of his first sports day he fell at the starting line for the egg and spoon race because we didn’t get his feet looked at soon enough. God sports day brings back some bad memories….I had my plimsolls on the wrong feet, that’s my excuse. And I’m sticking to it.
The Sunday Review: Dribblebuster
March 28, 2010 at 6:18 pm | Posted in Baby Care & Health, Reviews | Leave a commentTags: Dribblebuster, teething aids, teething bibs
Happy Sunday evening ladies. Hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend; so nice that the weather is finally looking up. We walked into town yesterday morning for croissants, then put the slide up (much cursing and frustration from husband but eventual success), and today we went to a friends 60th birthday party – the bear did his usual public display, making us proud and others compliment!
Anyway, it’s Sunday, and review day.
We’ve been lucky enough to road test a very cute bib from Dribblebuster. When I saw this one with the little boat design I could just picture it on the bear. He’s quite preppy; well my shopping choices have been, but it suits him I think. There is a matching vest in this design too.
So he had it on today as the teething related drooling continues. When my mum said they teeth constantly until they’re two I didn’t believe her, but now I know it’s one round of bibs and Nelson’s crystals after another.
The bibs are £6.50 each or £16.99 for three. The reason I like this one is because it’s thin t-shirt material. Some ride up under the bears neck and look uncomfortable, but this one is soft and doesn’t get in the way.
The bibs are available from Dribblebuster and come in a range of lovely designs. Perfect gifts for a baby shower, or little life savers if you have teething toddlers.
Enjoy the rest of your evening ladies, been eating buffet food all day, husband just shrieked at the prospect of eating again – I’m hungry!!
Its bath time!
February 24, 2010 at 7:04 pm | Posted in Baby Care & Health, New Born | Leave a commentTags: baby bath, FlexiBath, Newborn bath
A review from guest blogger Lisa.
Bathing baby is another new task I have had to master recently and I think I get it now. You see it’s not as easy as it seems, in fact like most baby care chores including breastfeeding its more a skill. My mother in law warned me that once baby is scared of the water it becomes harder to convince them to get into the bath when they get a bit older – bathtime has to be an enjoyable experience for them right from birth.
Armed with a few high pitched “la la las” I run my fingers into the FlexiBath and try and sound fantastically enthusiastic – hmmm Romeo doesn’t look too convinced but gently I lower him in.
Surprisingly the little sausage takes to the water like a duckling – it’s a real learning experience for them and I can’t help but think that it may bring about a few memories of floating around in my tummy. He loves it and of course the only trouble is the part where you have to get him out, dry him and get his nappy and clothes on! So inevitably the crying begins and the dummy comes out to save the day!
The FlexiBath is just about right for 7 week old Romeo. Whilst it is small and compact, which means it can fold into a neat little rectangular shape taking up hardly any space in my already overcrowded bathroom – it is on the tiny side. With Romeo being born 54cm he is growing fast which means it may not be very long before Romeo outgrows the portable bathtub but in the meantime it serves as a clever foldaway bath which we can take to grandmas or even abroad.
RRP £34.95
The FlexiBath was kindly given to us to review by Flexibath. We stick to the bloggers with integrity code to only promote products that we truly, truly love.
Product Review – Sophie the Giraffe
January 30, 2010 at 8:44 pm | Posted in Baby Care & Health, Baby Development, New Born | 2 CommentsTags: 1 Two Kids, Sophie the Giraffe, teething toys
We’ve been lucky enough to be given the gorgeously iconic Sophie the Giraffe by 1 Two Kids Limited to test out as the ultimate teething toy.
Sophie is just adorable, I love her and was particularly excited about this. I’m a sucker for the cutesie style of the original Disney movies like Bambi and this is what she reminds me of.
I felt the urge to force Sophie onto the bear and make him attached to her. We’ve wondered in the past if his attachment to his muslin was down to us as we always put him to bed with one as a newborn, way before he was capable of forming attachments to toys (or grubby pieces of cloth).
However I needn’t of, as he was quite smitten from day one. She now resides in the ELC shopping trolley which is the home of most favouritest toys including the squeeking eggs and the cobra from the natural history museum.
The one thing I would say is don’t be tempted to let Sophie venture into the bath, she’s not a water creature. It took me quite some time to empty her long limbs of soapy water.
Sophie is designed as a teething toy and is French in origin. She may just look life a giraffe but her body is designed for all manner of different purposes – her ears and horns to sooth sore gums, her long legs to get to those hard to reach molars, she squeaks to stimulate small babies, and the spots provide visual stimulation too.
She’s been around for years apparently and is a hugely popular teething toy, and in my opinion a stayer. She’s lovely and I’m secretly chuffed that the bear likes her too.
Last bonus – easy to wipe clean, wish all toys were, the Christmas parrot puppet has rather a lot of muesli embedded in its fur.
The nursery saga – emotional rollercoaster
January 24, 2010 at 8:56 pm | Posted in Baby Care & Health, Daily Life, Work & Life | 4 CommentsTags: Choosing a nursery, day care, nursery care, nursery staff
Just a quick update on the nursery situation as it develops! This is an update from events of last Friday – and a huge thank you to all the lovely ladies on Twitter for their advice and support, you really are a lovely lot!
For a quick update on the nursery move background, here’s the original post.
So, we’d decided to move the bear and although a hard decision, decided it was right for the whole family. On Monday I went with the bear for his first of two one hour long settling in sessions. I came home in floods of tears. They weren’t expecting us, couldn’t find the all about me pack I’d completed, they were short staffed, didn’t really seem interested, a young staff member looked bored and had to keep asking another staff member what to do.
I left wondering what on earth we had been thinking in moving our precious boy from his safe comfortable nursery to somewhere new.
We had the second visit on Friday and it was horrifying. There’s no other word for it. For a second time I left sobbing, trying to make sense of what we’d just experienced. Husband came with me this time, so he could see for himself and we could share our opinions.
Now, this could turn into a pretty long rant, so I’ll try and keep it brief. I’m quite glad to be writing this now rather than on Friday as it would have been a really emotional outpour!
We arrived at the lunchtime switch over, with 14 children in the room with two staff members. One little boy remained in a dirty nappy for most of our hour long visit. I wanted to pick him up and tell someone to change him.
Again staff looked bored and disinterested. I feel really strongly that anyone working with children should have a Mary Poppins like nature and should see their job as a career, their calling, not just something that pays the bills. The bears keyworker who I’d met on Monday strolled past and barely said hello.
A young girl returned from her break stinking of cigarette smoke.
Another staff member encouraged the bear to do some colouring and presented some chewed old crayons. She asked if we wanted to leave him – I replied, as politely as possible that I didn’t feel comfortable.
They grouped for a sing song and stumbled through a few nursery rhymes not knowing all of the words. One verse of heads, shoulders (whilst seated) concluded the 5 minute session.
One little boy was continually being told to move, stop what he was doing, or come over here. He retreated to the play kitchen area and hid inside the washing machine. My heart broke and I couldn’t stay any longer. I bundled the bear into his coat and we left, with false parting words that we would see them on 2nd February, ‘the start date’ – not without being handed an invoice.
As soon as we were outside the relief of taking my beautiful baby out of the place rushed over me. I cried all the way home, and then some. I cried as I called our existing nursery, asking for our son to be able to stay there after all.
This sounds like an overdramatic, over protective mummy statement, but it was more like an orphanage than a nursery. Children ambled around like zombies with no interaction or stimulation. I wondered how any parent could feel happy about their child being there.
It’s made us realise why we pay the fees we do for our nursery – the staff are trained, loving and passionate about the children they look after.
This is the best bit – I emailed the nursery to tell them we wouldn’t be taking a place, they didn’t even ask why, just stated that we would need to be 8 weeks of fees under their terms and conditions! They’ll have a fight on their hands for that I can tell you – I’m tempted to report them for the things we experienced. No child deserves to spend time there.
All parents are protective over their children, but this just made me realise how vulnerable they are – and the worry that lies ahead of us for the next 18 years! We’re so lucky to have children and it’s made me realise too, not to take one single day for granted.
I never knew that about raisins.
November 19, 2009 at 4:36 pm | Posted in Baby Care & Health, Baby Development | 2 CommentsTags: baby nutrition experts, Helen Heap Nutritional Therapist Viveka, Laura Williams wellbeing expert Pampers VIllage Parenting Panel, Pampers, Viveka
Now that the bear is nearly 18 months, it’s time to get a little more adventurous with his diet. Adventurous may not be the word as he already likes a lot of varierty including spicy food – tapas on holiday in Spain this year stained all of his nice summer outfits but never mind, they grow out of them in a month anyway.
So, wanting to align the bear with our eating habits and move from the cooking and freezing of batches of baby meals, I asked for some expert advice….
1) How much salt is too much for a toddler?
From Helen Heap, Nutritional Therapist at Viveka
Try not to use any salt in cooking because it is best to get children used to food without needing this condiment. Herbs and spices are fine.
From Laura Williams, Wellbeing Expert for the Pampers Village Parenting Panel.
When you’re buying foods and need to check the labels, opt for products that contain less than 0.1g sodium per 100g. Avoid salty foods such as ready cooked meats, pizza, tinned veg, cheese, bacon and crisps. Small amounts of these occasionally are okay but try not to let your toddler eat lots of salty food regularly.
The bear eats so much cheese! Will have to wean my little mouse off it a little bit, eek!
2) If our son eats mainly what we do, a little salt, a little chilli, garlic, and other seasoning, is that ok?
From Laura Williams, Wellbeing Expert for the Pampers Village Parenting Panel.
Seasoning such as garlic is fine; go easy on the chilli (you’ll soon find out if something’s too hot for your toddler) and try not to add much – if any – extra salt (see above). It’s good to encourage your toddler to try new foods and tastes though.
Thinking the fact that he likes Thai green curry confirms the like of spice…!
3) Now that he has teeth and is eating solids with us, how many times a day should we brush his teeth? He hates the toothbrush, and although he never has sweets, cakes, chocolate or fizzy drinks, we’re worried about looking after his teeth.
From Laura Williams, Wellbeing Expert for the Pampers Village Parenting Panel.
Your toddler should brush his/her teeth twice a day – first thing in the morning and very last thing at night. He/she should brush in small circular movements, not from side-to-side. Eating sweet things quickly in one go is best for your child’s teeth; slowly sucking on a lollipop or sipping a fruit drink all day is much worse for a toddler’s teeth than one small (quick) piece of cake.
From Helen Heap, Nutritional Therapist at Viveka
Maybe try to make it fun so he doesn’t mind having his teeth brushed!
Because the bear is too young to brush his own teeth, I need to come up with a cunning way to make it fun….suggestions on a postcard please!
4) Is there such a thing as too much natural sugar? In things like fruit for example?
From Laura Williams, Wellbeing Expert for the Pampers Village Parenting Panel.
Fruit is highly acidic and isn’t great for the teeth; the sugar in dried fruit such as raisins is particularly bad as it clings to the teeth staying there. Try and stick to fresh fruit if you can. 2-3 servings a day of non-acidic fruit such as apples, pears and bananas is ideal.
OMG I never knew that about raisins!! The bear is mad about raisins!! I need to introduce some new non teeth destroying alternatives!!
5) In the toddler years, are there still foods you should avoid such as shellfish?
When your child’s still a toddler, avoid raw food such as raw eggs and shellfish as these can easily cause food poisoning. Make sure all eggs are cooked thoroughly. Fish that contains high levels of mercury (shark, marlin and swordfish and excessive amounts of tuna), which can damage the nervous system, should be avoided. Also, the government recommends that whole nuts shouldn’t be given to children under five for fear of choking.
From Helen Heap, Nutritional Therapist at Viveka
Some experts say that introducing these more ‘allergenic’ foods earlier may reduce their sensitivities.
I must admit I rarely call on my health visitor with questions, but having asked these experts for advice on diet and nutrition, it’s made me realise how much help there is out there with the little questions I ponder on a daily basis!
If you have any questions email them to catherine@babygenie.co.uk and we’ll get one of our experts on it!
Did someone say swine flu?! You’ve come to the right place
November 17, 2009 at 10:27 pm | Posted in Baby Care & Health, General Advice | Leave a commentTags: Bird Flu, childhood illness, Sainsbury's, Swine flu, tamiflu, Tesco
Isn’t it funny how when faced with a drama or crisis we develop super human strength? New energy. Renewed drive.
For the past two nights the bear literally hasn’t slept, so after a quick power nap at 6am I woke feeling shattered. Absolutely and miserably dog tired.
Then husband called from his early shift at work with the news. ‘Babe a few other people are off with swine flu, I think that’s why I feel so rotten, and probably why the bear is miserable too’.
I literally sprang out of bed. My heavy eyelids vanished. My aching bones subsided and suddenly this spritely person I didn’t recognise appeared. Why is it that when we’re needed we go into overdrive?
I don’t like a crisis. It’s not that. It’s just that I think women in particular thrive when someone is depending on them. Especially in the case of a husband and baby struck down with swine flu.
So I energetically picked up the phone to the national pandemic helpline service. Help really is not the right word – when I said I didn’t know if Mr Dad was urinating more often she said ‘does he need to pee a lot’ and I had to explain that I understood the question, it was just that he was at work and I wasn’t sure.
After a long series of yes and no answers they were both diagnosed with swine flu and I was given a reference number for each of them in order to get Tamiflu. I think these are actually more like secret codes, as she read them out including the papa uniform echo bits and I felt more like a spy than a caring mother.
I whisked the bear off to the GP on their recommendation, just to get him checked out, tweeting my updates as I went. I stealthily crept into the ‘little waiting room’ at the back on doctors orders so as not to spread the disease. Mission accomplished.
All clear there and on to the next town to collect the drugs. Unfortunately I arrived without required ID for all sick parties. After being asked twice by the pharmacist if I wanted to do my shopping while she checked if I could take the tablets and tried to be polite and explain that I had a sick family (I managed not to say dying, although I felt I needed some extra clout at this point) and no I didn’t want to do any shopping.
Drug pick up refused, I set back on the 15 minute journey home, collected passports to try again once more. I returned, determined to complete my mission – and get the phrase ‘I doubt you’ll be getting employee of the year’ into my departure this time. After another ‘kind’ offer to do some shopping I finally got the prescriptions, and left (not without picking up a complaint form from customer services…yet to decide if I actually have anything to complain about ….really, but I felt short changed for my added travel time, and the customer service lady even adopted my mission like tactics and covertly ran out to the car and gave me the pharmacists name!).
In my hast I forgot the shopping I did need. I didn’t NEED shopping, just some cocodamol at Mr Dads request. So I went to another supermarket not wanting to undo my theatrical exit, which after bundling my germ ridden son into another trolley appeared not to have a pharmacy. Last time I go to the next town I tell you that.
Back to the car, and the third supermarket fortunuately had all supplies needed. Ready to return home. Thank god. On exiting third supermarket, beardy man on RSPB stand says brightly ‘do you like wildlife madam?’. Not today I shrilled loudly back at him.
I’m really sorry nice bird man, please don’t take it personally, I was busy on operation trotter. It’s not your fault, it’s not as though my family have bird flu after all…
A chance for little ones to star in a Winnie the Pooh book
November 9, 2009 at 10:31 pm | Posted in Baby Care & Health, General Advice | Leave a commentTags: children's competitions, Disney, huggies, nappies, Winnie the Pooh
Had to give this a quick mention for being such a cool prize.
Huggies are offering the chance for your little one to feature in a special Winnie the Pooh book. All you have to do is submit a caption, video or picture on the theme of every day discoveries.
Off to get my little explorer kitted up for some jungle back garden action…
Trying to eek out a snail from its hiding place this morning (out in the garden at 9am, why are they more full of beans after a late night?!)
Maxi Cosi Axiss Car Seat Review
October 25, 2009 at 8:05 pm | Posted in Baby Care & Health, Baby Development, Days Out, General Advice, Reviews | 2 CommentsTags: Argos, baby travel, car seat, maxi cosi axiss
A review by panel mum Vicki……………
So after a few weeks of Molly looking far to big for her old car seat, I decided to set out on a search for a new one. Partly sad that she had outgrown her seat we had for her since birth, and partly excited that it was now compulsory for me to go shopping for a new gadget. It didnt take me too long to settle on the Maxi Cosi Axiss, once I was informed that the seat swivels round so no more stretching and heaving not so little Molly out of the car I was sold. (much to the relief of my neighbours, who I am sure after 10 months, have seen enough of my pants to last them a lifetime).
The new car seat has now been in use for about a week and I am so so pleased. Just to give you a but of info about the seat, it is suitable from 9kg to 20kg (approx 9 months to 4 years), the seat has 8 reclining positions, has a colour coded locking system for safety and has a fully washable cover. Molly loves her new forward facing seat, as she is very much like her Mum who loves to people watch and generally be nosy. I was worried she wouldn’t fall asleep because she has so much to look at but the reclinable positions mean she has been able to sleep easily.
I may advise to get someone else to fit it, I didnt have a clue. It is so solid that it is not a seat that you could easily transfer from car to car. Its not the cheapest car seat with prices ranging from £178 to £210. Argos have them at the cheaper price at the moment. They come in a few colours and we opted for tango red. In my opinion, this is a really good car seat and Molly loves it too.
Travel booster seat high chair with SteriTouch……
October 25, 2009 at 8:01 pm | Posted in Baby Care & Health, Baby Development, Family Holidays, Reviews | Leave a commentTags: baby travel, booster seat, high chair, steritouch
A review by panel mum Vicki………………….
Well, well well ladies and gents! This has to be my best buy of the year so far. We bought this as we were going to a wedding where highchairs were limited, and we wanted one that was easy to carry but practical. I must say that as is quite usual since having Molly, we bought this as a rush decision, 30 minutes before we were due to leave for the wedding.
When we arrived, wedding over, we were quite looking forward to seeing our new gadget in action. As per usual, I left the construction of said gadget to my husband. It attached easily to the chair, and was stable, despite Molly rocking back and forth excitedly waiting for her lunch. She was quite happy sat in the chair while we all ate. Perfect!
So after the wedding we decided to have this as our main high chair for Molly and we have not looked back. Our house lacks some space in the kitchen for baby things so it has been the ideal addition. We no longer have to skip round Molly’s rather bulky high chair, instead the booster seat is attached to one of our dining chairs. Brilliant. It is easy to clean, has the Steri touch which reduces the liklihood of harmful bacteria growing. It has 4 height positions, a 5 point harness (great for little ones that try and escape the highchair, like Molly) and a huge bonus is that it fold up easily into a bag which you can carry round with you. Suitable from 6 months.
As you can gather I am a huge fan and would recommend this to anyone. Available from Mothercare for £26.99
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