We all know how vital it is to take Folic Acid during pregnancy – but have you heard about Vitamin D?  Taking supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding keeps a little one’s bones strong and healthy.

If a mum is severely lacking in Vitamin D, which our bodies synthesize when we are in the sun, her [...]]]>

We all know how vital it is to take Folic Acid during pregnancy – but have you heard about Vitamin D?  Taking supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding keeps a little one’s bones strong and healthy.

If a mum is severely lacking in Vitamin D, which our bodies synthesize when we are in the sun, her baby can develop rickets. This leaves his bones brittle and vulnerable to injury. More about Vitamin D at the bottom of the page.

For a couple of years there have been low level rumblings about the return of rickets, which was once believe to be eradicated in the West by improved nutrition.

But a terribly sad story recently made the news bringing home the importance of this little discussed vitamin.

On Good Friday 2012, a young couple were finally reunited with their 17-month-old daughter who had been removed from them at birth.

Rewind three years to July 22nd 2009 when the parents, Rohan Wray and Chana Al-Alas, rush their four month old son, Jayden, to hospital convinced there is something terribly wrong with him.

Concerns

X-Rays show that bones throughout his body and skull are broken, he displays the classic symptoms of shaken baby – doctors and social workers under pressure, and with the tragic Baby P case ringing in their minds, contact police.

The young couple are arrested in the middle of the night at their son’s hospital bed. They are refused access to him, he dies days later – they never see him alive again.

Accused of murder, both parents are imprisoned awaiting their trial. Chana is seven months pregnant, her baby is taken from her at birth.

On-Trial

The murder trial commences. After six months paediatric pathologist, Dr Irene Scheimberg, is called to give evidence.

She conducts a post-mortem on Jayden’s body and finds ‘obvious sign of rickets,’ including weak bones and a weak skull.

The couple are aquited, and only after another court case could their 17-month old daughter return home on Good Friday 2012.

NHS Guidelines 

Thankfully, rickets is easily preventable with a regular dose of Vitamin D for pregnant and breastfeeding mums.  The NHS guidelines say:

“You need Vitamin D to keep your bones healthy and to provide your baby with enough Vitamin D for the first few months of its life. You should take a supplement of 10 micrograms of Vitamin D each day. Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, and these are needed to help keep bones and teeth healthy. Not enough vitamin D can cause children’s bones to soften and can lead to rickets (a disease that affects bone development in children).

Only a few foods contain Vitamin D, such as oily fish, fortified margarines, some breakfast cereals and taramasalata. The best source of Vitamin D is summer sunlight on your skin. The amount of time you need in the sun to make enough vitamin D is different for every person, and depends on things like skin type, the time of day and time of year. But you don’t need to sunbathe: the amount of sun you need to make enough vitamin D is less than the amount that causes tanning or burning. If you have dark skin or always cover your skin, you may be at particular risk of vitamin D deficiency. Talk to your midwife or doctor if you’re worried about this.”

This extract came from the NHS site. Click here for more info.

Woman’s Hour featured an interesting discussion recently on how the NHS should tackle the Rickets problem and why some women are more at risk than others. Click here>>

So for what heinous crime have we been accused this time? Failing to potty-train on time.

“Scandal of Britain’s lazy parents: How children are starting school in nappies and some can’t even put on their coats”  screams The Mail.

“Almost two-thirds of [...]]]> Looks like us parents are on the naughty step again.

So for what heinous crime have we been accused this time? Failing to potty-train on time.

“Scandal of Britain’s lazy parents: How children are starting school in nappies and some can’t even put on their coats”  screams The Mail.

“Almost two-thirds of 850 primary school staff polled by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) said they had seen an increase over the past five years in the number of pupils wetting or soiling themselves.

The figure rose to 71 per cent among teachers working with three to five-year-olds, and some schools have been forced to put on parent workshops to help with toilet training,” says the article.

One teachers was quoted: ‘I currently have three incontinent children in my reception class. Sometimes an adult changes children up to nine times daily. This means the education of other children suffers.”

Cloth Nappies to the Rescue!

If the government and national media are really concerned by leaky bottoms disturbing our kids’ education they could lay off the parents and promote washable nappies instead! A tax-break should do it.  VAT-free nappies – let’s start a campaign.

This is less ridiculous than it sounds, one of the surveyed teachers even claimed that “nappies have been designed to absorb large quantities of liquid. Children do not feel wet or notice any discomfort and this seems to delay their urge to be free of nappies.”

Too much pressure?

Interestingly though on the very same day that it published the parents failing at potty training story, The Telegraph was sent a letter by a group of highly influential childcare experts including Baroness Greenfield, the Oxford Univerity neuroscientist, and childcare expert Dr Penelope Leach.

Sleep – if you have never truly appreciated it before, you will in those early months and years of parenthood.  In my experience, a good night’s sleep trumps a scarce evening out every time!

If you want a decent stretch of shut-eye – that is, more than two hours [...]]]>  

Sleep – if you have never truly appreciated it before, you will in those early months and years of parenthood.  In my experience, a good night’s sleep trumps a scarce evening out every time!

If you want a decent stretch of shut-eye – that is, more than two hours at a time – you need to have a good long think about your newborn’s needs.  If you meet them, then she should sleep for longer (Although predicting a newborn’s sleep pattern is a bit like forecasting weather: easy to misjudge and subject to complex mathematical equations, chaos theory I think they call it).

That said, there are some choices you can make around how and where your little one sleeps, which may lead to longer sleep stints.  Just bear in mind that night-waking in newborns and beyond is completely normal behaviour, in fact this article by renowned infant sleep expert Dr William Sears MD suggests night-waking may guard against SIDS.

Some questions to ask yourself:

• Where will they sleep: in the nursery or in your room?
• What should they sleep in: a traditional cot, a Moses basket, a versatile hammock, or in bed with you?

Then you have to choose a suitable mattress and bedding.

• Do you go for conventional sheets and blankets or a baby sleeping bag?
• What are the advantages and safety aspects associated with each  option and why is natural fibre bedding considered so beneficial?

There has never been so much choice and sadly no product can guarantee an uninterrupted night of sleep.  Your priority is finding the best products for the safety and comfort of your child.

Sounds complicated?  Take heart, we’ve gathered together some great posts on safe sleep practices and more to help you make informed choices.

- Safe Sleep for Babies

- What do Myleene Klass and Nick Clegg have in common?  Different approaches to infant sleep

- What is preventing your baby from sleeping through the night?

- Newborn babies and sleep

- The Swaddling Debate

- Keep an Eye on Your Baby’s Room Temperature

- Natural Fibre Baby Mattresses: A good night, naturally…

- Merino: The perfect bedwear

- Wonderful Sounds for Sleep

Building a gingerbread house! Tots Bots FlexiWrap – Every Nappy Tells A Story: Hansel and Gretel

Bottoms at the ready! Welcome to Real Nappy Week… and what better way to celebrate the annual celebration of cloth diaperdom than by looking at some exciting new releases from Tots Bots. [...]]]>  

Building a gingerbread house! Tots Bots FlexiWrap – Every Nappy Tells A Story: Hansel and Gretel

Bottoms at the ready! Welcome to Real Nappy Week… and what better way to celebrate the annual celebration of cloth diaperdom than by looking at some exciting new releases from Tots Bots. Don’t forget we’ve got a 10% disount on cloth nappies at the moment. Click for more info >>

Tots Bots: Every Nappy Tells A Story

Nappy changing time:  let’s be honest it can be a bit of a challenge.  But a little story telling goes a long way!  Based on the well-loved fairy tales: Chicken Licken, Hansel and Gretel, The Enormous Turnip, Jack and The Beanstalk, and The Three Little Pigs, Tots Bots new cloth nappies brim with storytelling, game-playing possibility.

If she’s old enough, let your little choose choose her favourite story nappy. Three Little Pigs? Nothing like some piggy snorting, with a touch of wolfy huffing puffing.

I spy Foxy Loxy! TotsBots FlexiWraps – Every Nappy Tells a Story: Chicken Licken

These nappies also encourage literacy – you could even start reading each story after nappy change. Reading to your little one, from a very early age, is a really important form of stimulation.

It’s also a great way to calm a situation (and let’s be honest nappy changing can cause friction especially with wriggly toddlers).  It also introduces concepts such as stories, numbers, letters, colors, and shapes in a fun way. It builds listening, memory, and vocabulary skills and it gives babies information about the world around them. Quite a few benefits then!

Time to climb an imaginary bean pole…  TotsBots EasyFitsV3- Every Nappy Tells a Story: Jack and the Beanpole

The Tots Bots Every Nappy Tells a Story prints are available from NBS in Easyfit and FlexiWrap.

Ah yes, we’ve all been there. It’s five in the afternoon, you’re only half way down the shopping list and your toddler’s on the floor in fits.

It seems inevitable. But yesterday, my toddler lady surprised me. I took her clothes and shoe shopping all afternoon – something I’ve studiously avoided [...]]]>  

Ah yes, we’ve all been there. It’s five in the afternoon, you’re only half way down the shopping list and your toddler’s on the floor in fits.

It seems inevitable. But yesterday, my toddler lady surprised me. I took her clothes and shoe shopping all afternoon – something I’ve studiously avoided since she started crawling.

But after over a year-and-a-half with no new clothes, mummy resembled Worzel Gummidge (def: crazy, scarecrow-like creature last seen on kid’s TV in the mid-eighties).

Desperate times call for desperate measures: I packed the snacks and braved the shops.

And miracle of miracles, she was calm, she was reasonable and she was a joy to be with!  I’d like to share a couple of my strategies with you:

1/ Shopping is a sensory experience: let your little one experience it.

We pushed around John Lewis marvelling at the sparkly dresses, in M&S we touched the shiny swimwear and talked about how it felt ‘cold’ and a little bit ‘slimy’. In Warehouse we admired at the brightly coloured butterflies on a tunic top.

2/ It’s more fun when you can choose for yourself: let your little one have ‘some’ say.

True, it’s best not let them choose your whole wardrobe – Peppa Pig Magazine is not the best source of S/S2012 trends. BUT let them make some choice. We were also shopping for Daddy yesterday, and my little one loved choosing between two shirts I liked the look of.  I asked her opinion alot, and lo and behold her opinion was good, who would have thought a two-year-old would make such a useful shopping companion!

3/ Playing dress-ups with mum rocks: let your little one pick and try on some clothes.

I could feel the grizzle coming on when I was trying on shoes so I handed her an eye-popping pair of glittery silver platforms. I thought she’d want to touch and play with them, but no she wanted to try them on!  Although the verdict was that they ‘not fit’.

Now be warned, this strategy may get a few disapproving frowns if  you’ve popped into Prada, but the Warehouse staff cooed and ahhed when my daughter tried on the sapphire blue tunic she picked out herself, styled with mum’s heels of course!

It was great dressing practice as well, then to round things off we had an impromptu Toddler Rhymetime session by dancing to Beyonce in the changing room.

Things did get hairy when she stripped off completely and ran around the shop – that’s when I whipped out a naughty treat (left over Easter Egg) which I dished out once she was safely strapped into her buggy, bib-on and AWAY from clothes!

4/ It’s OK to ask for help: give yourself a break!

Pushing a buggy round a shopping mall is a heinous experience – struggling to find a lift, waiting for a lift, squeezing the buggy into a lift. Maneuvering through aisles without knocking every item of clothing from the rail, especially at the end of the day when you’re laden with clothes.

So when you realise that the very last item on your list, a belt for example, is on the opposite end of the floor below – ask for help!

I did, and the nice M&S lady ran around the shop for me so I could get things done in double speed before grizzle-o-clock really set in. (OK, I admit it, by this point I was also using bribery – another small piece of chocolate after we’d left the shop in return for calm).

5/ BE prepared: use chocolate if you must (and bring the wipes!)

This is such a classic in the parenting tricks of the trade, that I hardly need to mention it. But of course, bring snacks, snacks and more snacks.

I spent most of the afternoon administering raisons, apples, bananas and a wee bit of chocolate. Bring a bottle of milk if necessary too, and make sure you all have a decent meal before the shopping trip  to keep the energy levels up – yours too!

Have an idea in mind of what you can do realistically and prioritise – department stores are good, lots of clothes in one space and the changing rooms tend to be a bit bigger, more space for a buggy!  If you’re ultra organised you could have a browse online the night before to check the shops you’re planning to visit stock the clothes you’re looking for.

And finally and most importantly – if either of you are tired or cranky, don’t even bother.

Anything to add to this? We’d love to hear from you.. tips or heinous experiences, let us know

First up, Swedish childrenswear designer, Eva Fadeel, whose organic DYNO range is crammed with attitude and personality.  A renaissance woman if [...]]]> A Life in A Day is our new series taking a sneaky peek behind the scenes of our lovely suppliers: How they juggle family and business? What inspires them? Tips, truths and confessions. Read on…

Eva, Norton and Leo

First up, Swedish childrenswear designer, Eva Fadeel, whose organic DYNO range is crammed with attitude and personality.  A renaissance woman if ever there was one, Eva not only runs her own company, but she also plays bass guitar in the rock band Rebels AND she played hockey for Sweden. Read on:

“I felt honored when I was asked if I wanted to write for ‘A Life in A Day’. Of course I wanted to, so here is my story…

First, I would like to present my family. Me, Eva (turning 40 this summer argh …) my husband Ulf and our three children: Dylan, five, Norton, four and Leo, one. We live on Gotland, a small island in the Baltic Sea, in an old house with a nice big garden.

What inspired me to start my business? I got pregnant

We only used cloth diapers, for one example, and we wanted to buy organic clothes but had a hard time finding them. We also wanted to buy cool stuff, but had a hard time finding that. And the combination of cool and organic was almost impossible to find. So I started to think maybe I could do something…

Another reason that I started my company was that I wanted to support different charity organizations aiming to improve the environment and a give a better quality of live to vulnerable children. I didn’t know then how hard it is to give money to big organizations. But that is another story …

I started to look for factories that could make organic clothes to a high quality and according to my designs. Not an easy job, but after 1 ½ almost 2 years I finally found a good factory. All the clothes are GOTS-certified. You can find out more about that here>>

Eva's son Dylan wearing her Jimi-print long-sleeved T

In 2008 I registered my company. The same year Norton was born and I came up with the name for my brand – DYNO a combination of my two oldest children’s names.

In March 2011, a month after my third child Leo was born, the first collection of DYNO entered the stores.

No day is like the other here. Usually the kids wake up between 05.00 -06.00 in the morning. Most of the time my husband gets up and gives them breakfast.

Leo eats his porridge and the others eat sour milk. At around 6.45, Ulf leaves for work and I take over. The first thing I do is check my emails on my iPhone and drink some tea. Between 07.00 and 09.00, it is mostly about getting the kids ready for kindergarten. The two oldest go there 15 hours a week and Leo is still at home full-time.

This means that Dylan and Norton go there 3 days a week from 09.00-14.00. They have one day each home with me and Leo. This is their special day and they get to choose what to do during that day. They also have one day each with their grandmother.

If it’s a day with only me and Leo at home (generally Fridays) I get a lot of work done while Leo takes his day nap.

At 14.00, I pick up the kid who has been to kindergarten (the other has to tag along) and the four of us spend the afternoon together.

Around 17.00, I make dinner. We try to stay away from fast food. The kids like to help in the kitchen and they also like to bake, so we do that together. We live in a house and are lucky enough to have a big garden. We plant tomatoes, potatos, and other things that we use when we cook.

After dinner we watch some TV and the kids play on the computer or iPad.

19.00-19.30. It’s nearly time for the kids to go to bed. Both Ulf and I help out with the evening “routines” taking turns to read to them and so on.

When the children are asleep I work for a couple of hours and then I crash into bed after a long day. During the day if the kids play, I try to get smaller things done like writing emails or packing the clothes that will be shipped to customers and shops.

I always carry around a little black book where I keep my sketches and write down ideas on how the clothes should look, things like that.

Once a week, I leave the kids and chaos and rehearse with my band Rebels (I play bass). That is my night off. I used to play field hockey for Sweden, I was goalkeeper, but there’s no time for sport these days. I hope to change that and do some type of exercise.

Two days a week I work at the Swedish National Heritage Board as a public relations officer. Before Leo was born I worked there full-time. When I work, Ulf stays home with the children.

Leo, Eva's one-year-old

For now, I do everything from drawing the designs to marketing and sales. The best reward is to hear when people say that they love my clothes and I also hope that I can inspire other women to start their own company. It takes a lot of work. But it is possible.

An extra plus is that every time someone buys a DYNO garment another child gets a chance for a better life. So far we have supported the Swedish Church and the Red Cross. I hope and believe it will be more in the future.

My goal is to keep making high-quality, organic clothes and to have satisfied, happy customers. I have my office at home and some of the stock as well so it is easy to work whenever I have time. In the future, I hope to have an office/studio/showroom so people can come and visit, drink some coffee and talk about the latest designs.

Take care!

Eva

xoxo

In response to recent concerns and publicity about an increase of “flat heads” in infants who sleep on their backs, First Candle/SIDS Alliance provides the following information:

Also known as “positional plagiocephaly,” experts agree that “flat head” is rarely a serious condition and can be avoided if parents make a conscious [...]]]>  

In response to recent concerns and publicity about an increase of “flat heads” in infants who sleep on their backs, First Candle/SIDS Alliance provides the following information:

Also known as “positional plagiocephaly,” experts agree that “flat head” is rarely a serious condition and can be avoided if parents make a conscious effort to change the direction the infant’s head faces when they are on their backs.

In the vast majority of cases when a baby develops a flattened head, the problem usually resolves with time (by 6 months to one year) as the baby spends more time awake and begins to roll to different positions by themselves.  The use of helmets (usually costing in the range of $2,000) or surgery to correct this problem is rarely needed.

First Candle/SIDS Alliance reiterates the importance of placing infants on their backs for sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS.  However, in an effort to allow parents and caregivers to be more proactive in regard to flattening of the head, we offer the following simple recommendations:

• Alternate the direction you place the baby to sleep in the crib;
• Move the mobile, mirror or other object of interest to the opposite side of the sleep and/or play area;
• Switch the arm with which you hold the baby, especially during feeding times;
• Place the car seat on opposite sides of the car;
• Provide the baby with lots of supervised “tummy time” during the day when they’re awake.

This will not only enhance the shape of the head, but will strengthen the upper body muscles that are not used as much when babies sleep on their backs.  It also allows for quality “exercise” or “play” time between you and your baby!

First Candle/SIDS Alliance recommends that parents consult with their physician if they are concerned about a more abnormal flattening of the head to eliminate the possibility of a more serious condition such as torticollis (a tightening of the muscles of one side of the neck) or craniosynostosis (a very rare premature closing of the sutures of the skull).

Information taken from www.firstcandle.org

At NBS, we’ve got some great products to help prevent Flat Head Syndrome:

• The ClevaFoam Baby Pillow

The Clevamama™ ClevaFoam™ Baby Pillow is the only pillow that has been scientifically proven, by world renowned university Trinity College Dublin, to protect the round shape of your baby’s soft head and helps reduce the effects of Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly).

• The ClevaTummy Play Mat

The ClevaFoam™ used in this play mat is scientifically proven to reduce the pressure on your baby’s head by 50% and increase support by 80% and aid in the prevention of Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome).

• The Miyo Baby Cradle

The Miyo Baby Hammock is the most natural bed you can give your baby and it encompasses their every sleeping need for at least the first 5 months. Amongst other benefits, it prevents flathead.

Where should I put my baby’s cot?

The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first six months is in a cot in your bedroom. Babies should never [...]]]>

Adapted advice from the FSID site (The Foundation for the Study of Infant Death) with Italicised additions from NBS.

Where should I put my baby’s cot?

The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first six months is in a cot in your bedroom. Babies should never sleep next to a radiator, heater or in direct sunlight. Keep an eye on the temperature by buying a simple room thermometer. Make sure your baby cannot reach cords on curtains or window blinds.

Can I use a duvet, quilt or pillow for my baby?

If your baby is under one year, do not use a duvets, quilt or pillow. Don’t use electric blankets or hot water bottles. Instead, use one or more layers of light blankets and clothing.

What kind of mattress should I use?

It is very important that your baby’s mattress is kept clean and dry. Ideally you should buy a new mattress for each new baby (Natural mattresses, from coir, latex or lambswool are the ideal because they breath preventing baby from overheating: NBS) . If you are not able to do this, use the one you have as long as it was made with a completely waterproof cover (e.g. PVC) and has no tears, cracks or holes. Clean it thoroughly and dry it. Check that the mattress is in good condition; is firm, not soft; fits the cot without any gaps; and doesn’t sag. ‘Ventilated’ mattresses (with holes) are not recommended as it is not possible to keep the inside clean. Never sleep your baby on a pillow, cushion, bean bag or waterbed. Never sleep together with your baby on a sofa.

Can my baby share my bed?

Bedsharing can be safe as long as you rigidly follow these guidelines, NBS. There is a proven risk in bedsharing if you or your partner smoke (even if you never smoke in bed or in your home), have been drinking alcohol, take drugs or medication that makes you drowsy, have had little sleep or if your baby was born premature with a low birth weight.

If your baby does come into your bed make sure any gaps between the mattress and bedframe and the mattress and wall are blocked, remove duvets and pillows from the bed and use lightweight blankets  hooked under the mother’s arm and keep the baby’s head uncovered. Babies should only sleep next to their breastfeeding mum (bedsharing and bottle feeding is not recommended) not inbetween mum and dad. Dr Sears’ site is a good resource for information on safe bedsharing.

Can I use a sheepskin for my baby?

Research has shown that sheepskins are not risky if your baby sleeps on their back. As your baby starts trying to roll over onto their front, do not use the sheepskin.

My baby won’t settle on the back. What shall I do?

Babies settle easier on their backs if they have been placed to sleep that way from the beginning. If your baby won’t settle, take them out for a cuddle and try again.

My baby keeps rolling onto the front. What should I do?

If your baby is less than six months old and you find him sleeping on his tummy, gently turn him onto his back. Don’t feel you need to keep getting up all night to check on this. After six months, babies can usually roll onto their backs themselves, so leave him to find his own position. Whatever your babies age, always place them to sleep on the back.

Can I use a cot bumper for my baby?

In the past, there were concerns that bumpers might make babies too hot, increasing the risk of cot death. However, recent research has shown that they have neither good nor bad effects. Take it out when your baby can get up on hands and knees so they can’t climb out.

Is it ok to swaddle my baby?

People swaddle in different ways, using different weight materials. If you swaddle your baby, don’t cover the head and only use thin materials. More on swaddling here>>

Can my baby use a sleeping bag/sack?

If you use a sleeping bag, it needs to be without a hood, very lightweight and the right size around the neck so your baby won’t slip down inside the bag. Never use with a duvet. To make sure your baby doesn’t become too hot choose a lightweight bag.

Can I use a Moses Basket?

There is no research evidence on Moses Baskets. If using a Moses Basket, it should have only a thin lining.

How can I prevent my baby’s head from getting covered?

It can be dangerous if your baby’s head gets covered when she sleeps. Place her with her feet to the foot of the cot, with bedclothes firmly touched in and no higher than the shoulders, so she can’t wriggle down under the covers. If she wriggles up and gets uncovered, don’t worry.

Do movement (breathing) monitors prevent cot death?

Despite their widespread use there is no research evidence that monitors, also known as apnoea or breathing monitors, prevent cot death. Babies can and do die whilst on a monitor. They are designed to sound an alarm after 20 seconds if they can’t detect a baby’s breathing movement. They may use sensor pads on the tummy, an elastic belt, a pressure pad under the baby or an ultrasound beam. They do not monitor air flow and therefore cannot detect a blocked airway until breathing movements stop.

Is it safe for my baby to play on their front?

Babies should have plenty of opportunity to play on their front, so their muscles develop properly and to avoid misshapen heads. Keep an eye on them at all times.

Should I breastfeed my baby?

Yes, if possible. It’s natural and best way to feed your baby and increases resistance to infection.

Is it okay to take my baby on an aeroplane?

There is no evidence that flying is unsafe for healthy babies. If you fly with your baby on either long or short flights, you should follow these guidelines: place your baby on the back to sleep, keep your baby cool, sit away from the smoking area on the plane and in the airport terminal, and make sure your baby takes appropriate feeds and doesn’t become dehydrated. If you have specific questions about your baby, e.g. if your baby is unwell or has a cold, speak to your doctor before travelling.

Is there anything I can do to reduce the risk of cot death?

• Cut smoking in pregnancy – fathers too!
• Do not let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
• Place your baby on the back to sleep
• Do not let your baby get too hot
• Keep baby’s head uncovered – place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot, to prevent wriggling down under the covers
• If your baby is unwell, seek medical advice
• It is dangerous for your baby to sleep in your bed if:
• you or your partner are smokers (even if you never smoke in bed or
  in the home)
• have been drinking alcohol
• take medication or drugs that make you drowsy
• have had little sleep
• if your baby was born premature (born before 37 weeks)
• low weight (less than 2.5kg or 51/2lb)
• It’s very dangerous to sleep together with a baby on a sofa, armchair or settee, and it is also risky to sleep a baby alone in an adult bed.

Information from http://www.fsid.org.uk/

The NBS Pick

At NBS we have a great range of cots, hammocks and cradles with natural, non-toxic mattresses that fit every family’s situation. Including…

• The Miyo Baby Cradle

• Nature’s Purest Moses Basket

• The Bednest Co-Sleeping Crib

It’s heartening to read Frugi’s Kurt Jewson write about the organic brand’s journey.  Starting as a glimmer in his nursing wife’s sleep-deprived eye, it is now the UK’s third bestselling childrenswear brand as voted  by readers of CWB Magazine (Children’s Wear Buyer is the trade magazine for the childrenswear industry).

Over the [...]]]>

It’s heartening to read Frugi’s Kurt Jewson write about the organic brand’s journey.  Starting as a glimmer in his nursing wife’s sleep-deprived eye, it is now the UK’s third bestselling childrenswear brand as voted  by readers of CWB Magazine (Children’s Wear Buyer is the trade magazine for the childrenswear industry).

Over the past decade buyer and customer awareness of organic, ethical products has increased. The fact that many larger supermarkets now include organics in their own-brand range reflects this.

Even last year as the economy contracted, organic food generated a staggering £2billion in 2010-2011 (according to IbisWorld). Couple this with Frugi’s recent success and you have a clear indication of how important organic products – from food to cotton – are to consumers and buyers.

But the old perception of organic cotton childrenswear being the preserve of uber-rich yummy mummies and celebs lingers on. Victoria Hampson, Natural Baby Shower’s founder, encountered this attitude recently in a BBC interview when the presenter queried how relevant organic clothing was to mainstream customers.

Of course, it’s a wonderful thing when people with financial resource choose organic; but as the stats show consumers with average bank-balances are also opting for organic in their droves, driven by their ethics as much as their fashion sense.

So lest we forget that the moniker ‘organic’ is more than another marketing terms, here a just a few reasons why buying and stocking organic rocks –

It’s Good For the Environment:

-       To convert to organic status cotton farmers worldwide are re-learning historical farming methods. They work gently with the land using compost and other natural products which leave the soil rich and fertile as opposed to conventional farming which uses fertilisers and toxic sprays leaching the soil of all its goodness and polluting rivers – often the main source of a community’s drinking water.

It’s Good for the Farmers:

-       The very nature of organic farming avoids toxic chemicals.  The chemical paraphernalia that farmers need to grow non-organic cotton: fertilizer, pesticides and so on, sees your average grower descend deeper and deeper into debt with large multi-nationals. In developing countries where many are illiterate or cannot read English to interpret pesticide safety labels, poisoning and injury is also common.   These are all contributory factors to India’s notorious suicide belt >>

It’s Better for the Wearer:

Whether toxins remain on the surface of conventional cotton or not is a contentious issue. But it should be noted that worldwide conventional cotton farming uses a staggering one quarter of the world’s insecticides. These substances are packed full of carcinogenic chemicals and other poisons like Aldicarb, which can kill a man when just one drop is absorbed through the skin.

(All information from http://www.ota.com/organic/environment/cotton_environment.html  Have a read for lots more details).

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So how do I know if it’s definitely organic?

There are a number of different labels, but the leading processing standard for organic textiles is The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). It guarantees a high level of environmental standards across the entire supply chain and also looks at working conditions.  The Soil Association  is one of the highly respected organisations which certifies to GOTS.

For more information on organic labelling, or anything involving the supply chain for ethical clothing, visit the London-based Ethical Fashion Forum. It’s also a great way to connect with ethical producers.

A Note to Buyers:

Understandably with the economic downturn, buyers are ever more cautious about the clothes they source. But organic cotton childrenswear has huge market appeal to the ever growing number of ethical consumers.

Stocking organic increases marketing scope as well. Not only can you talk to consumers about price and quality, you can also discuss ethics and engage customers with the stories of those involved throughout the organic product’s supply chain: the growers; the processors; the seamstresses and the beneficial effect on all their children.

‘Transparent supply chain’ is a buzz term amongst the ethical fashion industry and many organic manufacturers post information about cotton farmers on their sites.

Info taken from the FSID website (The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths)

Babies who get too hot are at an increased risk of cot death.  They can overheat because the room temperature is too high or becasue they have too much bedding or clothing.  The ideal room tempearture is [...]]]>

Info taken from the FSID website (The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths)

Babies who get too hot are at an increased risk of cot death.  They can overheat because the room temperature is too high or becasue they have too much bedding or clothing.  The ideal room tempearture is 16-20C.

Follow the guidelines below and buy a simple room thermometer to help you protect your baby.

1. Babies do not need hot rooms, all night heating is rarely necessary.  Keep the room at a temperature between 16-20C.  18C (65oF) is just right.
2. Adults find it difficult to judge the temperature in the room, so use a room thermometer in the rooms where your baby sleeps and plays.
3. When you check your baby, if they are sweating or their tummy feels hot to the touch, take off some of the bedding.  Don’t worry if hands or feet feel cool, this is normal.
4. Use lightweight blankets.  If your baby feels too warm, reduce the number of layers.  Do not use a duvet, quilt or pillow for babies under 12 months.
5. Even in winter, babies who are unwell and feverish need fewer clothes and bedclothes.
6. Babies need to lose excess heat from their heads.  Make sure their head cannot be covered by the bedclothes by sleeping them ‘feet to foot’ (with their feet to the foot of the cot) so they don’t wriggle down under the covers. Merino sleeping bags are a great way to ensure a baby’s head is never covered.
7. Babies should never sleep with a hot water bottle or electric blanket, or next to a radiator, heater or fire, or in direct sunshine.
8. When it’s warm, you can cool the room where your baby sleeps by closing the curtains and opening the windows during the day.  Offer your baby plenty to drink (Note from NBS breastmilk counts towards this) and in very hot weather, sponge them down regularly with tepid water.  Use a fan but do not place it directly onto your baby.
9. Remove hats and extra clothing as soon as you come indoors or enter a warm bus, train or shop, even if it means waking your baby.
10. A car can become very hot in the summer. Avoid direct sunlight on your baby.  In winter, keep the heating low, and remove baby’s outdoor clothing.  A thermometer may be helpful.

Merino

Merino is a fine wool which feels silky against baby’s skin. It is a wonder fabric which regulates your baby’s temperature – cooling if she’s too hot, warming if she’s too cold.  To find out more click here>>

Natural Baby Shower specialises in merino and we’re offering an extra 15% off all Merino* at the moment, use code BSM15 in your basket.
(Orders over £25 in March – not valid on multi-buy offers.)

Click here to have a look at our range>>

Here are our top pick of the range:

Bambino Merino’s Ruby Sleeping Bag

Bambino Merino Long Sleeve Vest Top

 Bambino Merino Long Sleeved Body