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Mother & Baby November 2019 (Digital)

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November 2019

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53 Articles

Hello! Do you remember how you felt when you first fell in love? The way your heart flipped, the butterflies danced in your stomach, and you felt like you were walking on air? That’s the feeling of the wonderful bonding chemical oxytocin streaming through your veins, and you can get ready to enjoy it all over again. No, we’re not showcasing lots of eye candy this issue (although that is an idea...); instead, we’ve packed it full of ways to strengthen your bond with your baby. Yes, it’s getting cold outside, but we’ll have you feeling all warm and snuggly in no time. If you’re looking for ways to get in touch with your bump and create memories to treasure forever, turn to page 34, and if you want to…

Calm nausea ‘If you’re struggling with pregnancy sickness, you’re not alone. But there’s plenty you can do to ease the effects,’ says Caitlin Dean of Pregnancy Sickness Support, on page 22. Curb colds ‘Winter’s on the way – the season of sneezes and snuffles! Discover the super-supplements your tot needs to stay fighting fit,’ says paediatric dietitian Lucy Upton, on page 64. Stay social ‘Use it as a source of support, and it’s perfectly possible to have a positive relationship with social media,’ says psychiatrist Dr Kathryn Hollins, on page 96.…

Pumpkin party Trick or treating has become bigger than ever in the UK, but it can throw up a few questions when you’ve got a little baby. Is it OK to take her out even though she’s too young to eat the sweets? Is an evening out wandering around in the cold really a good idea? So, how about starting a new tradition of visiting your local pumpkin patch instead? Not only will an afternoon there be a lot warmer than venturing out after dark, but letting your tot get hands on with the picking is a lovely way to get her involved in the celebrations, and she’ll be as proud as punch of her own personal pumpkin. Don’t forget to take some seriously cute snaps! M&B LOVES Pssstt... If…

Louise Pentland Where do I start?

Do you ever look back at photos of your pre-baby body and think, ‘Wow! I still had flat bits/pert bits’? My eldest is eight and my youngest is one, and I’ve spent years looking at those pre-pregnancy pics thinking how amazing I looked and, subsequently, how un-amazing I look now. Thanks to that, I’ve held myself back in myriad ways. I’ve avoided family swims to hide my jelly belly, put a stop to strappy dresses because my boobs are lower now, and worn leggings with smocks because I have varicose veins behind my knee – and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worn a cardigan just to cover the tops of my arms. Whether it’s just for a short period or as a daily niggle, a lot of…

Louise Pentland
Where do I start?

This month we’re loving… TREES

FUN FOR ALL Keep your toddler occupied for hours with the Manhattan Toy Tree Top Adventure. With 360 degrees of fun for all-round play, the tree is packed full of exciting features for your child to explore, such as bead runs and animal-themed gliders. There’s also plenty of space for little friends to join in, too. £110, jojomamanbebe.co.uk Little builder With seven pieces to build, this gorgeous Stacking Fir Tree, made from planet-friendly sustainable rubberwood, will help your toddler develop his hand-eye co-ordination. Suitable from 18 months. £14.95, littlegoat gruff.co.uk Sensory stimulation Your baby is curious about everything, so she’ll love squishing the stimulating Wee Gallery Organic Crinkle Toy. Suitable from birth. £14.95, acornandpip.com FASHION FOCUS…

This month we’re loving… TREES

Meet Emma, and her beautiful baby, Olivia, five months. Emma is such an amazing mum, and I want her to know what a brilliant job she is doing in raising Olivia, who, with her mummy’s love and affection, is the happiest and most gorgeous baby. MICHELLE MARRIOTT, PETERBOROUGH (PROUD STEP-MUM AND GRAN) Here’s our seven-month-old, Leo, rocking his new hat from his great aunt and uncle. Our little man is so happy all the time! Gillian Risbridger, Wick Brrrm brrrm! Meet Bethany – she’s 20 months and the most exuberant little girl! Here she is having her first haircut. Your magazine has been so helpful over the last two years – I’ll be reading it until Bethany goes to school! KATY PURSGLOVE, NORTH SHIELDS Kisses! This is baby Elsie, four…

Over the rainbow

My husband and I started trying for a baby back in July 2012. In January 2015 we finally got those longed-for double lines but, very sadly, we miscarried a week later. After a few more years of trying, we were able to go for IVF. We were eagerly waiting our first appointment in August last year, when I started to feel poorly. I jokingly said to my husband, Martyn, that I might be pregnant and we laughed, as the idea just seemed ridiculous – but I couldn’t get it out of my head. Sure enough, I was pregnant with our rainbow baby! Our beautiful Oskar is five months old now, and perfect in every way. YASMIN JONES, CAMBRIDGESHIRE Yasmin wins a bundle of essentials, worth £150, from Infantino, including the…

This is my 20-week-old, Ella, and me. Sometimes the sling is the best place to be – well away from big sister Lucy’s reach! AMANDA MCSHANE, BEDFORD Here’s my gorgeous little boy, Oliver, and me. He’s six months old and just perfect, and loves posing to have his photo taken! CLAIRE JACKSON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE I adore this selfie of my baby boy Jack, 19 weeks, my boyfriend Leigh and me, enjoying a day out. I love that I managed to capture us all smiling and giggling! Sarah Revelle, Bristol Here’s me and my eight-month-old son, Noah, on his first trip to a farm. He loved seeing the pigs, and giggled every time he heard them ‘oink’! NIOMIE PERERA, ESSEX SEND US YOUR SELFIES! Wed love to see your pics of you…

NOW YOU’RE PREGNANT you may have started talking or singing to your bump, but if you’ve been feeling a bit shy, don’t worry – you and your baby are already communicating through your cells! Throughout pregnancy there is constant communication between maternal and foetal cells using sacs filled with chemicals called exosomes. Your baby’s exosomes will signal when his organs have fully matured, which triggers labour. Now researchers* are using this communication system to look into new ways to monitor baby’s development – with the potential that drugs can be enclosed in exosomes to reach baby and prevent foetal inflammation, a major cause of premature birth. And, in the meantime, just enjoy knowing that you’re constantly connecting to your baby!…

3 of the best… PREGNANCY OR MATERNITY PRODUCTS

1 Bringing relief to mums for 35 years, Lansinoh HPA Lanolin soothes sore and cracked nipples and is safe for baby, too, having been approved by the British Allergy Foundation. £9.99, lansinoh.co.uk 2 The Cake Maternity Cotton Candy Seamless Sleep/Yoga Maternity & Nursing Bra has a T-back for support, and can be opened from the side for easy feeding. £32.90, cakematernity.com 3 Green People Organic Babies Soothing Nipple Balm contains calming calendula, nourishing shea butter and protective beeswax, to soothe and protect. £10.50, green people.co.uk…

3 of the best…

PREGNANCY OR MATERNITY PRODUCTS

When your baby first arrives, no doubt the first thing you’ll want to do is enjoy a skin-to-skin cuddle. This closeness not only promotes bonding but soothes your baby, relieves anxiety and releases your happy hormone oxytocin. But once you’re out of hospital and ‘normal’ life resumes, getting enough skin-to-skin can be a challenge. Try Seraphine’s new Skin to Skin range of tops, which make it so much easier – the gentle soft cotton stretches around you and your baby, and has a wrap tie to secure. There’s plenty of room to allow easy breastfeeding but the top is also discreet, meaning you can still enjoy cosy cuddles while the family pops round for tea. From £39, available in blue, black and grey, seraphine.com.…

Ease PREGNANCY SICKNESS

Your first trimester is an incredibly exciting time but, for some of us, it can also be marked by waves of nausea and mad dashes to the loo to be sick. Rest assured, though, if you’re struggling with pregnancy sickness, you’re definitely not alone. ‘Around 70 to 80 per cent of women will get some form of vomiting and nausea during pregnancy,’ says Caitlin Dean from Pregnancy Sickness Support. ‘That means 20 to 30 per cent of women won’t get any sickness – and that’s nothing to worry about either. For normal pregnancy sickness (I avoid calling it morning sickness because for so many women the sickness isn’t in the morning!), it usually starts around six to eight weeks, and eases off around 12-14 weeks. For more severe cases, it…

Ease

PREGNANCY SICKNESS

Dry skin SORTED!

INCREASE MOISTURE Boost the moisture in your house with a humidifier. It will keep moisture circulating in the room by vaporising water to produce a cool, dry mist, helping your skin to stay hydrated. Vicks Mini CoolMist Humidifier, £54.99, boots.com TURN DOWN THE HEAT You might dream of wallowing in a long, hot bath, but hot water can strip your skin’s natural oils, so turn down the heat and try warm water instead. Cut your time in there, too, or add a bath oil to restore moisture. MOISTURISE Straight after washing your body or face, apply moisturiser to seal in the water before it has a chance to escape from your skin. Reapply frequently throughout the day, and then again before bed. Opt for unscented products, as your skin may…

Dry skin
SORTED!

Even now, I still remember the moment when, on discovering I was pregnant for the first time, I stood looking at my reflection in the bathroom mirror and felt one, huge, overriding emotion: fear. It just didn’t seem possible that my tiny body could grow something as big as a baby inside of it, and then, somehow, get it out! I knew I had to do it though, and I was terrified. Fear usually has a fight-or-flight effect on us – we either stand frozen like a rabbit in the headlights, or we leg it. When it comes to having a baby, though, neither of these are a great plan. Instead, the best thing you can do is take time to learn what your options and choices are, and what…

LOVE YOUR pregnancy

The big countdown. D-Day. The bun being out of the oven. Whatever you call it, you probably can’t wait for the long longed-for day when you will finally come face to face with your baby. But there’s a whole exciting chapter of your baby’s life happening right now – and you should be celebrating it! ‘It’s common to be preoccupied with the birth of your baby, but what’s happening in your womb right now is amazing,’ says clinical psychologist Dr Kerry Taylor. ‘Did you know that as early as 12 weeks, your baby’s fingers may start to move and she can make a sucking motion with her mouth? Or that by 14 weeks she can pull faces and suck her thumb? And at 15 weeks she starts to hear you!…

LOVE YOUR pregnancy

‘My waters broke in M&S!’

JEN LIU-JONES, 37, A STAY-AT-HOME MUM, LIVES IN SURREY WITH HUSBAND PAUL AND CHILDREN ELORA, FOUR, KOA, TWO, AND MARILIA, 11 MONTHS After a busy morning shopping, my daughter Elora and I sat down for lunch. We were in our local Marks & Spencer café. I was 39 weeks pregnant and convinced I was still days away from giving birth. Little did I know what was about to happen! Leaning forward to feed Elora a spoonful of potato, I felt a pop inside me. It was exactly as if a balloon had burst in my bump. After a split second, I felt a warm gush of water between my legs. ‘OK, this is it,’ I told myself. Slowly, I stood up in the hope the leak would stop. But it…

‘My waters broke in M&S!’

Sharing is caring…

WHEN YOU’RE ENJOYING a play date with your mum-mates, you might be left feeling red-faced if your tot isn’t great at sharing his toys just yet. But, don’t worry, a new study* has found that most children simply don’t understand the act of sharing until they are between 18 and 24 months. So, if your one-year-old is all ‘me, me, me’, rest assured it’s completely natural – when he gets that little bit older he will be able to recognise the give-and-take required in sharing, and will begin to copy it himself. If you want to encourage him, why not have a tea party and share the milk and biscuits? No doubt he’ll soon be giving you all sorts of treats to enjoy!…

Sharing is caring…

3 of the best… VALUE DISPOSABLE NAPPIES

1 Lidl Lupilu Junior Nappies Plus, Size 5+, are leak resistant even on the most active toddlers. They’re super-soft, and will keep her comfortable and dry. £2.89, lidl.co.uk 2 Stockpile Lidl Lupilu Maxi Nappies Box, Size 4, which come in super-cute designs, are easy to put on, and are really absorbent. £4.39, lidl.co.uk 3 Morrisons Nutmeg Ultra Dry Nappies fit well and stay put, so your baby can play freely and you don’t need to worry about leaks. £3.50, morrisons.com…

3 of the best…

VALUE DISPOSABLE NAPPIES

Bond WITH YOUR BABY

The moment you first bond with your baby is unforgettable – whether it’s during pregnancy, the first time that you hold her, or months later when you’ve got to know each other a little better. ‘Even in the womb, as your baby’s senses develop – with touch beginning at eight weeks, taste at 14 weeks, and hearing at 16 weeks – physical sensations start to build a connection between you,’ says Dr Vanessa Lapointe, a psychologist. This bond can be boosted during labour, when your brain releases massive amounts of the ‘love hormone’, oxytocin, which acts like a natural ‘bonding agent’. But, whenever you first feel that bond, these early ties can be strengthened at any age. Here’s how to create a secure attachment that will last a lifetime… 0–3…

Bond

WITH YOUR BABY

SLEEP regressions SORTED

Baby sleep is a constantly shifting thing. You’re just starting to think you’ve got it all sussed when – pow! – something comes along and knocks it sideways. It might be a cold or teething, or it might be that your baby is going through a completely normal sleep regression. ‘This is the name that’s given to a period of time – anything from seven days to six weeks – when your baby hits a key developmental milestone, such as learning to walk,’ says baby sleep consultant Lucy Wolfe. ‘He’s figuring out a new skill and he wants to practise. But that messes with his snooze time.’ You’re most likely to experience sleep regressions at certain milestones, and the key to coping with them is understanding what’s going on. FIRST…

SLEEP regressions SORTED

WHAT TO DO WHEN A SLEEP REGRESSION HITS

1 Understand what’s going on with your little one, so that you don’t get stressed. 2 Work out the skill that your baby is developing, and give him lots of time to practise it during the day. 3 Do whatever you can to stop your baby from getting overtired. ‘A sleep regression may only last for a week but, if your baby becomes overtired, his sleeping patterns can be disrupted for much longer,’ says Lucy. ‘You don’t want to go back to rocking or feeding your baby to sleep during a sleep regression because that will cause problems further down the road. But if your baby is struggling to sleep, you could try driving him around in the car, pushing him in the buggy, or carrying him in a sling.…

YOUR SLEEP REGRESSION TROUBLESHOOTER

Q My nine-month-old has started waking up at night, wanting to feed. Is this a growth spurt or a sleep regression? ‘It’s typical to have a growth spurt around nine months, but growth spurts usually make babies sleep more, not less,’ says Lucy. ‘This sounds more like a form of separation anxiety: your baby wants more time with you, so he’s asking for it during the night. This often happens when parents go back to work. You can help to adjust the balance by giving your baby a longer bedtime routine with lots of cuddles – try 30 minutes instead of 20 minutes.’ Q My 10-month-old started to crawl six weeks ago, but his sleep is still out of whack. Why is it taking so long to adjust? ‘Your baby…

YOUR SLEEP REGRESSION TROUBLESHOOTER

Boost her SUPER POWER

With winter approaching, you’re probably already bracing yourself for the season of sneezes and snuffles. But making sure your child gets the nutrition she needs now is one way of helping her body defend itself against germs once the weather gets colder. And vitamin supplements, alongside a healthy diet and active lifestyle, can give your child an extra layer of protection, so her body can stay fighting fit. So which supplements should you be giving your baby? Research by Boots Kids Vitamins found that 43 per cent of parents weren’t sure which vitamins their tot should be having. If you’re one of them, read on to discover exactly what your child needs, and when best to give it to her… Why does my child need to take supplements? The Department…

Boost her
SUPER POWER

It’s a very old-fashioned term for a very current problem – but what exactly is colic? While for years it’s been dismissed as a baby being ‘fussy’, colic is now defined as frequent, excessive bouts of crying in an otherwise healthy baby. It’s most common in babies under four months, with up to one in four babies thought to show symptoms. The jury’s still out on what causes it, although indigestion, trapped wind, and gut sensitivity to proteins and sugars in milk are all possible causes. But research suggests that the one thing that all colicky babies have in common is that they struggle to stop crying once they’ve started. So while your baby may not actually cry more frequently than a baby without colic, she may cry for longer.…

SENSORY SQUISHING For mess-free sensory play, pour shower gel or bubble bath (preferably a bright colour!) into a strong Ziploc bag and add in glitter and googly eyes before sealing shut. Secure it to your baby’s highchair tray with tape to prevent her from dropping it. SPOOKY SPAGHETTI Cook spaghetti according to the directions on the packet, then strain and rinse with cold water. Coat the spaghetti with a couple of drops of olive oil. Divide between Ziploc bags, adding drops of different food colourings to each bag and mixing around. Let the spaghetti sit for a few minutes before pouring it out into a bowl for your little monster to play with. PUMPKIN STAMP Cut an apple in half, drying with kitchen towel. Squirt orange paint onto one paper…

Join our #mum tribe

Here at M&B, we’ve been getting tired of seeing all those too-good-to-be-true family photos on social, so we thought we’d do something about it! # mumtribe is where real mums like you and us get together to share what life is really like as a mum. Which we reckon will help us all feel like we’re doing a fab job, rather than wondering why our lives seem so chaotic next to everyone else’s! # mumtribe is the perfect place to share a photo of a parenting moment. It might be a mini mum-win – like that little bit of carpet you can still see beneath all the toys. Or it could be one of those blow-your-mind moments, like the look your tot gives you because you’re the very centre of…

Join our #mum tribe

THE BIG QUESTION

THE BIG QUESTION SARAH OCKWELL-SMITH is a parenting expert and author of The Second Baby Book (£14.99, Piatkus) PREGNANCY HANNAH O’SULLIVAN is a midwife and runs hypnobirthing company The Calm Birth School; thecalmbirth school.com EATING DR RANA CONWAY is a registered nutritionist and author of Weaning Made Easy (£10.99, White Ladder Press) DEVELOPMENT ANNA TAYLOR is a child development expert at Fundamentally Children; fundamentally children.com HEALTH DR TAMARA BUGEMBE is a consultant paediatrician; drtamarab.com Q My daughter is 18 months, and I’m now pregnant again. How do I prepare her for becoming a big sister? ROSSLYN PEARSON, GRANTHAM Most parents try to prepare siblings to be emotionally ready for a baby by talking to them about the new arrival, and reading books on the subject. However, this preparation can only…

THE BIG QUESTION

Q I’ve found out I’m having a boy and I can’t help feeling a little disappointed. What do I do? NIKKI MCCONVILLE, PAISLEY Don't beat yourself up – recognising how you feel doesn’t mean you will love your baby any less. Take time to process the news. If you have any friends or family with young sons, speak to them, or spend time together to see how much fun you are going to have with your own little boy! Once you have taken some time to get used to the idea that your baby is a boy, start to look for clothes and think of names you like, so that you can start feeling positive about having a son. HO Q I’m now in my third trimester and feel an…

Q How can I encourage my two-year-old to try some new foods? He is very specific about what he will have, and won’t even eat his sandwich unless it is cut into triangles! TAMZIN HAGUE, WINCHESTER Two-year-olds are notoriously fussy, so you may just need to ride out this storm. When we were cavemen, sticking to familiar foods was a valuable survival technique when you became more mobile and started wandering away from your mum. However, as you are not giving him poisonous berries, your son’s caution is probably very frustrating! That said, I’d keep the range of foods he eats as wide as possible, even if it’s just different pasta shapes. If he tries something and spits it out, don’t make a fuss. Instead, praise him for tasting it,…

Q I’ve read lots about the importance of tummy time, but my seven-week old screams when I attempt it. Do you have any ideas we could try? JODY HIGGINBOTTOM, MANCHESTER Many babies aren’t keen on tummy time to begin with, but it needn’t remain that way. When you’re having a cuddle, lie on your back and have your baby on your chest – as you talk or make funny faces, your baby will lift her head – this helps her develop her neck muscles, the key reason for tummy time. If your baby objects, start at a slight incline so the demand on the muscles is not as strong. Starting off with just a few minutes at a time will help your baby get used to it. When you come…

My 18-month-old hates wearing a coat or hat. How important is it to wrap up? CHANTELLE JONES, SAFFRON WALDEN Don’t worry too much. At 18 months old, your son should have adequate fat and the ability to regulate his temperature in cold weather. What he can’t do, however, is independently remove clothes when he feels hot, and put them on when he feels cold. This is why a lot of tots resist having to wear coats. Check in regularly to see if he’s comfortable. Once he feels confident he won’t be trapped in a sweltering outfit, he may be more happy to wear a coat or hat. Although some children do not like wearing lots of layers, other babies hate the itchy feel of jumpers on bare skin and need…

CHILDS FARM BABY 3 IN 1 SWIM

Baby 3 in 1 swim cleverly combines a baby shampoo, conditioner and body wash into one hassle-free product, which is mild enough to use on even the tiniest of heads. Perfect to throw in your handbag, it makes swimming with your little one an easy task, containing everything you need in one bottle. Ideal as a head-to-toe after-swim solution, and using organic tangerine oil, it washes away chlorine, leaving your baby’s hair and skin clean and shiny.…

CHILDS FARM BABY 3 IN 1 SWIM

WHETHER IT’S BABY-TALK or a surprisingly high-pitched voice, you probably have a distinct way of communicating with your baby, but the predictability of this exchange makes more difference than you might realise. As part of study by the University of Turku and the University of California-Irvine, researchers analysed interactions between parents and their child. The results found that if you acted how your baby expected you to, she was more likely to control her actions and emotions. So, the more constant and reliable you are, the more relaxed and predictable she’s likely to be. Keep doing what you’re doing, Mama!…

3 of the best… RIDE-ON TOYS

1 Your toddler will adore bouncing around the house on his My First Jumpy Rabbit. Ideal for helping develop his motor skills and balance, and for burning off energy, it’ll be hard to resist having a bounce yourself! £25, kidly.co.uk 2 Keep your baby busy for hours with the Vilac Wooden 3-in-1 Multi Activity Ride On, where he can ride, push, honk and play with the oodles of features, including an array of colourful wooden shapes to sort. £75, john lewis.com 3 With unlimited directional movement so your little rider can go where he pleases, this Wheelybug has a padded layer of sponge to keep your tot comfy, and can be easily wiped clean. £74.95, hippychick.com…

3 of the best…
RIDE-ON TOYS

BROCCOLI & CHEESE SCONE BITE

Sneak some veg into your tot’s diet with these tasty little bites from The Organix Baby & Toddler Cookbook (£12.99, Ebury Press). Preheat the oven to 180°C/400˚F/gas mark 6. Steam or boil half a medium head of broccoli, cut into small florets, for 5–6 minutes until just soft. Drain and rinse under cold water, then finely chop. Tip 350g self-raising flour into a bowl, add 150g cold unsalted butter, diced, and rub into the flour until you have a crumbly texture (or use the pulse setting on a food processor). Add a bunch of basil, finely chopped, 100g cheddar cheese, grated, 50g Parmesan cheese, grated, and the chopped broccoli to the mixture, and combine with your fingers or a food processor, being careful not to over-mix. Add 60ml of milk,…

BROCCOLI & CHEESE SCONE BITE

Baby massage isn’t just a lovely chance to bond with your baby – it’s an opportunity to relax him before bedtime. The Alteya Organic Calming Massage Oil is made of cold-pressed oils including jojoba and calendula, and rich in essential nutrients to keep your baby’s skin soft and hydrated. Simply rub a few drops between your palms to warm the oil, before gently massaging your baby’s skin. The gentle aromas of rose and chamomile will soothe him ready for the sweetest of dreams. Suitable for all skin types. £12.70, lovelula.com…

Let’s pretend

‘He adores the attention’ Watching my little boy on stage, babbling excitedly into the microphone, I beamed with pride. He’d been called ‘the cutest dalek ever’, and the compere was praising his mini Doctor Who costume. Although Hayden couldn’t yet talk in sentences, it was clear how much he was enjoying the experience. And when he posed for family photos next to me (dressed as a tardis!), he was in his element. We go to a comic-book convention about once a month, travelling all over the country dressed up as various weird and wonderful characters. Our costumes are handmade by my fiancé Shawn, who has to work hard to keep up with Hayden’s growth! In our time we’ve portrayed characters from 101 Dalmatians , Ratatouille , and, my favourite, Pinocchio…

3 ways to live in the moment

Nothing lasts forever Make this your mama mantra, on good days and bad. Up six times a night with your hungry baby? Not forever. Enjoying midnight, post-feed cuddles, and seeing that adorable good-morning grin – also not forever. By remembering that this is all so fleeting, you’ll be able to work through the tough days, and really soak up all the lovely bits. Change the routine Did you just dress your baby, feed him, and change him, all without even thinking about it? Routine is what gets you through each day, so we aren’t suggesting you start switching up nap times, and chucking order out the window – but by making really small changes to your routine, you can take your mind off autopilot. It could be as simple as…

3 ways to live in the moment

PEAK perfection

Broaden your little one’s horizons with this mountain-range mural – it’s so easy to create. To begin, give the wall a base paint of pale grey. Once completely dry, use masking tape to add one or two giant triangles from the base of the wall to two-thirds of the way up. Paint the triangles white. Leave to dry, then mask off a zigzag across the top of each triangle and paint the space beneath dark grey. Allow to dry completely before carefully peeling away the masking tape. Now mask off another triangle partially overlapping your mountain, and paint in blue. Ta-da! See? We told you it was easy! If you’re still daunted by the task, you can cheat the same look using wall stickers – search for ‘mountain wall decal’…

PEAK perfection

SOCIAL Butterfly

It’s 3am and you’re trying to stay awake while feeding your baby. You reach for your phone, automatically tapping on your favourite social-media app for a scroll. Sound familiar? It’s likely that you used social media long before you became a mum, but now you have a little one, the way you feel about those little glowing icons on your phone might have changed a bit. Almost half of us increase our social-media use once we become parents, but one in five also admit that it makes them feel inadequate. ‘Seeing other people supposedly sailing through parenthood on social media doesn’t necessarily give us hope that we can too,’ says family psychiatrist Dr Kathryn Hollins. ‘When you become a mum, you can feel like you’re on a real roller-coaster, and…

SOCIAL Butterfly

FOUR WAYS TO HAVE A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH SOCIAL

1 CURATE YOUR FEED Treat your social-media feed as if it is your own personal magazine or newspaper. Scrolling through should be a purely enjoyable experience, so curate it so this is always the case by having a social-media spring clean. This might mean unfollowing certain people whose content doesn’t inspire you or that you find makes you feel unhappy. Don’t feel bad for removing people – they won’t notice, and your needs come first. 2 SET A SCHEDULE As with everything in life, balance is important with social media. Where possible, set aside specific time to use it, perhaps when your baby is having a nap or you’re having your morning coffee. Turning off notifications in your settings can help, too, as this will mean that it’s your choice…

Scary pumpkin monster pie SUITABLE FROM 9 MONTHS Prep: 30 minutes Cook: 1 hour 30 minutes Makes: 5 portions INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 large onion, chopped • ½ large red pepper, diced • 1 carrot, peeled and diced • 500g minced beef • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 2 tbsp plain flour • 2 tbsp tomato purée • 400g tin chopped tomatoes • 250ml beef stock • Pinch of sugar • 50g cheddar cheese, grated • 500g block puff pastry • 1 egg, beaten Directions 1 Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion, pepper and carrot, and fry for 5 minutes. Add the minced beef and brown along with the vegetables. Add the garlic and fry for 30 seconds. 2 Add the flour…

4 of the best… TODDLER TOYS

One Dog, Ten Frogs is a giant floor activity, counting and memory game, with super-size cars and a variety of fun characters to pair and count up to 15. £10.25, orchard toys.com There are two colourful jigsaws inside Look and Find… Number, which will help your toddler with counting, matching and hand-eye co-ordination. £8.25, orchardtoys.com Your baby will love pulling along the Winnie the Pooh Puzzle Train, which features all our favourite inhabitants of Hundred Acre Wood. £29.99, orangetree toys.com The LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart will help your toddler with colours and numbers, and develop her memory and matching skills. £55.99, leapfrog.com…

4 of the best…

TODDLER TOYS

We love a multipurpose product, and the innovative Shnuggle Moonlight is the ideal companion for you and your baby. In Parent Mode, choose from three soft glows as you feed, comfort and change your baby at night. Then, as your child grows, simply switch to Child Mode for a soothing bedside light. Portable and lightweight, Moonlight features a handy strap for easy carrying, and the clever temperature-sensing dock helps to ensure the ideal temperature for your baby’s room. For both settings, the light will glow at full brightness for 20 minutes before fading to simulate sunset, and providing a soft glow through the night. The low blue-light levels help to promote sleep and reduce light stimulation, too, helping your youngster to have a more restful night’s sleep. £29.95, shnuggle.com…

Still waiting for your letter from Hogwarts? Perhaps it’s time to introduce your little muggle to the magical world of Happy Potter, with aden + anais’s latest collection. The spellbinding designs feature nostalgic imagery from Hogwarts, which your little witch or wizard will grow to adore just as much as you do. Available across super-soft blankets, muslins, sleeping bags and more, you’ll need to move lightning fast for this limited-edition collection! From £21.95, adenandanais.co.uk…

A baby monitor is a brilliant way to put your mind at rest so you can focus on something other than your baby while he snoozes! Current NHS advice is to keep your baby in the same room as you until he is six months old, particularly when sleeping, but a monitor can be helpful for when you need to pop to the loo or head into the kitchen to make dinner. To find the best monitor for every budget, we’ve tested several types, from ones that transmit only sound, to video monitors with movement sensor pads. Do you need one? If you live in a flat or small house, you might feel that you don’t need a baby monitor. But lots of parents like the peace of mind that…

THIS MONTH’S TESTERS

RACHEL BELL 36, from Torquay, is mum to Roman, five weeks ‘I need a monitor with a long battery life, decent range and a temperature gauge, too, if possible.’ HENRIETTA KNELL 31, from Epsom, is mum to Jonty, seven months, and Sammy, two years ‘I’d like a monitor that can link to two cameras, for each of my children.’ AILEEN FARRELL 43, from Ballycastle, is mum to Isla, 11 months, and Abigail, three years ‘I’m looking for a video baby monitor with talk-back and a camera that pans.’…

THIS MONTH’S TESTERS

20% OFF AT ISABELLA OLIVER

Pregnancy, plus a new season, equals the perfect excuse for a new wardrobe! And, this month, we’ve teamed up with luxury maternity brand Isabella Oliver to offer Mother&Baby readers an exclusive 20 per cent discount. With its focus on effortless and environmentally sustainable designs to wear throughout pregnancy, nursing and motherhood, Isabella Oliver’s collections are defined by quality fabrics that fit, flatter and grow as your body does. The brand has proudly dressed more than one million women around the world – and it puts them at the heart of everything it does. It’s committed to being ethically and socially conscious, too, planting a tree on behalf of each order, and offering customers the chance to recycle old maternitywear. Isabella Oliver’s autumn/winter collection is elegant and timeless. Building upon its…

20% OFF AT ISABELLA OLIVER

TWO PEPPA PIG BUNDLES Little Peppa Pig fans will be in heaven with this brilliant bundle from Asda. Meet Peppa and friends at the renowned Peppa Pig World, with a two-day pass for a family of five. There are lots of fun rides and activities to enjoy; hop aboard a boat at Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club, ride around Windy Castle, discover Pirate Island and, of course, jump in muddy puddles! To complement this exciting trip are a whole lot of Peppa Pig goodies… learning to ride a bike will be easy with the Peppa Pig Balance Bike – your little one’s confidence and stability will grow, preparing them for their first pedal bike. Also included is a set of cosy Peppa pyjamas and a dressing gown, a Peppa Pig Big…

SIX WAYS TO... Encourage friendship

1 INFANTINO 4-IN-1 GROW WITH ME PLAYLAND This action-packed activity centre has plenty to keep little playmates occupied, boasting four stages of play, plus four melodies and 15 sound effects. It’s suitable from birth, so it’s ideal for siblings to enjoy together. £40, ARGOS.CO.UK 2 LE TOY VAN DOCTOR’S SET Boost their imagination as well as their friendship with this classic wooden doctor’s set. It includes a toy stethoscope, thermometer, syringe and blood-pressure gauge, among other things, so there’s lots of scope for sharing. £39.95, LETOYVAN.COM 3 PERSONALISED LONDON BUS WOODEN TOY Little ones will love taking it in turns to be the driver with this classic wooden toy. Based on the iconic London bus, it comes with five moveable passengers and a bus driver, and can be personalised. £45,…

SIX WAYS TO... Encourage friendship

IF YOU’RE A PUSHY MUM If you never leave home without the pushchair, why not stash all your essentials in it with this stroller organiser? With multiple pockets and a removable insulated bottle sleeve, this will fit most stroller bars and handles. StrollerOrganiser, £39, storksak.com IF YOU’RE A SUPER-STYLISH MUM Love a designer handbag? Then this is the changing bag of your dreams. It oozes elegance, yet it’s packed with practical extras including a wipeable changing mat, a thermal bottle holder and an exclusive Hello Mama pouch. Heather Baby Changing Bag, £137, bowandrattle.com IF YOU’RE A HANDS-FREE MUM You can carry this versatile changing bag as a tote, wear it as a rucksack, or attach it to your buggy, leaving your hands free to tend to your tot. It includes…

SUPERMARKET buys

Time out When you spend most of your time looking after someone else, it’s important to care for yourself too – unwind with Sainsbury’s new wellbeing fragrance range. With three scents to choose from, the range is designed to relax, restore and energise you. We love the Restorative collection, which blends geranium, orange and uplifting eucalyptus, and is available in a candle, diffuser and hand cream. From £8, sainsburys.co.uk BIG IT UP! Most babies just can’t get enough of yoghurt, but if the teeny tiny pots don’t quite hit the mark for your hungry toddler, look out for the new super-sized versions from organic dairy brand Yeo Valley. Available in Strawberry flavour and Natural, 340g Little Yeos Big Pots offer enough for several servings – just spoon it out and…

SUPERMARKET buys

Now I’m a mum, I KNOW…

…IT ISN’T ALWAYS EASY The first three months after I had Shay were the hardest. He had reflux and would cry every time he fed – I didn’t know what to do. I felt like I was causing it, and I wasn’t doing a good job. It seemed as if everyone else was in this dream bubble, but we were missing out on that lovely newborn time together. …THE POWER OF MATERNAL LOVE The experience of unconditional love has been the biggest change in my life since becoming a mum; just understanding and witnessing the incredible love that takes over your body and your emotions. Your baby becomes the centre of the universe, and the thing you think about more than anything else! …PREGNANCY CAN BE A MIXED BAG I…

Now I’m a mum,
I KNOW…

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