Pregnancy and New Mum Skin Care
Silver Award: Lansinoh Lanolin for Breastfeeding Mothers
"What we love
Instant pain relief is hard to beat, as well as the fact that you don't have to wipe this product off before breastfeeding. My baby didn't seem to notice it at all, even though it made feeding much easier for me.
In the early weeks of breastfeeding - when you feel like you're doing nothing else but nursing - your nipples get a real workout. This product is really soothing when you're not sure you can face another feed, even when you are both more practiced at feeding. Immediate pain relief is an obvious draw card, but mums with seriously cracked nipples will be pleased to know that the healing starts almost as quickly.
There are no bells and whistles, it just works! I also found it really good for cracked lips and dry cuticles.
What to watch out for
The thick texture means the product can be hard to apply if it's stored in a cold bathroom - it's also hard to get off your fingers and your baby can get a sticky face! It can also leave greasy stains on clothing - make sure you use breast pads or stock up on stain remover. It’s expensive, but a little goes a long way and a tube lasts for ages.
Who is Lansinoh Lanolin best for?
New mums battling with sore nipples… and chapped lips, nappy rash, itchy stretch marks and dry skin!"
Best New Product
Silver Award: Lansinoh Latch Assist
LatchAssist gently draws out inverted or flattened nipples to allow mums to carry on breastfeeding.
Nursery product
Finalist: Original Cuddledry Baby Apron Bath Towel
The Cuddledry towel attaches round the parent's neck so you can scoop baby from the bath, wrap her against you and quickly release the towel to lay her on the bed, ensuring she stays snug and dry.
Nursery product
Gold Award: Hippychick mattress protector
"If you know Hippychick, you’ll know they produce natural but practical products, and the Hippychick Mattress Protector is no exception. Soft, breathable, absorbent and waterproof, the Hippychick Mattress Protector is a great alternative to sticky, sweaty, plastic mattress protectors.
The Hippychick Mattress Protectors were developed to put an end to those hot, sweaty plastic covers, and the lovely soft cotton top sheet does just that. Once the mattress protector is on the bed, you wouldn’t know it was anything other than a nice, soft sheet. But it does its waterproofing job well. In situ, it easily absorbed a small spill, and in a rigorous testing (in which I poured a substantial wee’s worth of water on it, it still stood the test).
What we love
I tested the fitted version, which stayed well on the bed and didn’t slip or slide. For anyone who has children with sensitive skin, it may be worth paying the extra for the high-end Tencel versions, which are made from 100% biodegradable wood pulp cellulose (also perfect for the eco family as it carries the European Programme for the endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) quality seal and the International Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards label.)
The Hippychick Mattress Protector looks just like an ordinary sheet (avoiding any questions from curious pre-schoolers who may be suspicious about why they have to have a ‘special’ sheet). It’s soft and comfortable, washes well and can be tumble dried. It comes in sizes from cot to King Size, so if you really like it (or you have a toddler who seems to think your bed is nicer than yours – ahem) you can get one for yourself.
What to watch out for
The only downside to the Hippychick mattress Protector is that because it is sheet and protector in one, should there be a nighttime accident, sleepy mum has to strip the bed, and have a new one to put on.
Who is Hippychick Mattress Protector best for?
Mums who want a mattress protector that looks and feels like an ordinary sheet; anyone with sensitive skin, or who prefers to buy eco-friendly products."
Baby-friendly detergent
Bronze Award: TotsBots Potion
Initially developed to allow parents to wash reusable nappies at lower temperatures, Potion is a unique detergent with exceptional cleaning power.
Reusable nappy range
Finalist: Onelife
It has adjustable poppers, making the nappies suitable from birth to potty. Made from super soft cotton.
Reusable nappy range
Silver Award: Tots Bots Easyfit
"Tots Bots are made in its UK factory so not only are they easy to fit and usable from birth to potty, they help the local economy and reduce the carbon impact that importing from further afield would cause.
Convenient and eco-minded, Tots Bots Easyfits are as easy to use as a disposable. You can adjust the height of the nappies, too, so they're suitable from birth to potty training.
Tots Bots Easyfits are as easy to use as a disposable, with no need for a separate cover, and are even grandma-proof! The nappies come in two varieties: fluffle, which has a quick-drying core, and a bamboozle version, which has a longer drying time but is more absorbent, and is suggested for night-time use. Basically, you stuff a ‘pocket’ inside the nappy for absorbency, and they’re ready to go.
What we love
The bright rainbow-colour designs look fantastic, and you can also get the nappies in plain white if you prefer a simpler look. These nappies really are incredibly easy to use: just pre-stuff them with the booster and they’re all ready to go, with a quick Velcro fastening. They have rows of poppers down the front so that you can adjust the ‘rise’ or height of the nappy, making it suitable for babies from birth right up to potty training, so you don’t have to keep buying new sizes as your baby grows.
What to watch out for
They’re quite narrow between the legs, which is great for a neat fit but may not be enough to cope with a really heavy wetter. Make sure you lay the insert out flat to dry, otherwise the fabric layers can bunch up and make it lumpy.
Who are Tots Bots Easyfits best for?
Mums after a quick and simple nappy change."
Sling/carrier
Finalist: Hippychick Hipseat
"Handy multi-purpose carrier for babies and toddlers aged 6 to 36 months, this is a Godsend for busy mums as it stops you having to stick your hip out for the balancing act.
I was given a Hippychick Hipseat for my third child, Martha, now 22 months, and immediately regretted not having had one for the previous two. It’s a really useful multi-purpose carrier for babies and toddlers aged 6 to 36 months.
Essentially, it’s a belt with a padded seat for the child to sit on. You wear it round your hips, and it’s very quick to take on and off – it fastens with Velcro and a buckle. The idea is that it stops you having to stick your hip out to balance a child on, which twists your spine in the process. It leaves you fairly hands-free, but you can’t completely let go, especially with a younger baby, as there’s nothing actually holding the child onto the seat. It comes in four colours that are all suitable for a boy or girl, and it’s stylish in a functional kind of way.
The Hipseat is the only one of its kind and was developed by a mum who spotted a gap in the market. Hipseats first went on sale 10 years ago, and since then Hippychick has sold over 100,000 of them.
What we love
It’s great for small babies and toddlers who either can’t walk at all or can’t walk far. My daughter Martha much preferred it to a traditional style baby carrier – she seemed to feel more comfortable on it.
I found it was most useful when she had just started toddling. She would walk for a bit, and then I could scoop her up and put her back on the Hipseat when she got tired. It’s great for nipping out to the shops or visits to places where a buggy would be awkward, or for travelling on aeroplanes or public transport.
If Martha’s having a day when she wants to be carried a lot, I can put her on the seat while I’m doing the chores, such as the washing-up. She loves it because she’s up at my level and we can chat and she feels involved in what’s going on.
What to watch out for
My main issue with the seat is that it’s quite expensive. On the other hand, it is extremely well made and will last for several children. Second-hand Hipseats have a good re-sale value, too, so I’m hoping to get some of my money back by selling it on when I have finished with it!
Some mums say that the seat is uncomfortable to wear and makes them sweaty. I haven’t had that problem, but Martha is really heavy and I can only carry her for short distances, even on the Hipseat. I certainly couldn’t tackle a long country walk. I can also imagine that if your baby is a real wriggler it might be difficult to hold them on.
Who is the Hippychick Hipseat best for?
Mums who travel or use public transport often."
Manual breast pumps
Finalist: Lansinoh Manual
"Easy to use, this pump is quick to assemble. The ergonomic handle means there’s no strain on the wrist and thanks to its compact size, it’s easy to transport.
If the breast pump is a new mum's ticket to a restful night, this Lansinoh number is a VIP pass. The well-designed, reliable Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump is a favourite of DJ Edith Bowman, and it's easy to see why.
First things first: expressing breast milk is one of the most tedious and least glamorous things a mum can do. And sometimes it can be a bit painful. But the Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump makes it really easy.
To make sure baby gets all milk and no chemical, the pump is made from 100% polypropylene, a plastic suitable for breast milk storage. Two extra valves and a spare diaphragm are provided, along with a cleaning brush, two bottles and a couple of milk storage bags. All parts are dishwasher safe.
What we love
I bought the Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump in a panic because another pump broke when I was about to express milk to leave my baby for my first big night out. I thought it was a little bit pricey for an emergency buy, but it really was money well spent.
It's the little touches that can make all the difference in the boring business of expressing milk - and the first thing I noticed was that it looks good and the handle was easier to pump and a better shape than any other I've tried.
The pump itself is easy to assemble, which means there's no fussing with it going in and out of the steriliser every day. It's lightweight but durable. I express daily, and haven't worn it out yet, but the extra valves and a spare diaphragm are handy as these are the parts most likely to give way on a manual pump.
I found it pain-free, even though the suction is strong enough to get the milk flowing quickly.
One vital feature of the Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump is a bottle stand to make it more stable. If you've ever spent half an hour pumping away, only to have your baby kick over the bottle of precious milk with one flick of a tiny toe, you'll know how useful that is!
It's silent, except for the odd squeak - but nothing loud enough to put a baby off if she happens to be feeding on the other breast as you pump. And it's small (and stylish) enough to easily fit into your handbag for those unexpected moments when you just have to pump.
What to watch out for
The speed. A manual pump is never going to give you the expressing power of an electric one. Prepare for very tired hands if you use it a lot, but it does work really well if you pump firmly and slowly, rather than rushing.
Also, the bottles that fit the pump are narrow-necked and don't come with teats, so you'll either need to pour the milk into a feeding bottle or use an adaptor if you want to pump directly into one.
Who is the Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump best for?
Mums on the run who need a reliable manual pump."
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