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Cloth nappies, and natural and eco baby products. Free Delivery when you spend £50. friendlybaby.co.uk

Friendly Baby News by www.friendlybaby.co.uk includes the latest on real nappies, and natural and eco baby products. Web site and product updates are also included.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

30% Discount on Ladybird Wheelybugs


Hippychick Wheelybug - Ladybird

Friendly Baby are delighted to be able to offer you the incredibly popular Hippychick Wheelybug Ladybird with a massive 30% discount on size small (suitable for ages 1-3 years) while stocks last.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Baby Sense Sling: The Facts

This information is in response to the recent safety warning from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) about baby slings, and the ensuing product recall on one specific style.

Risks
One design of sling has now been highlighted as posing a potential risk - the ‘bag-style’ sling. The reasons are:-
  • Deep pouch puts the baby in C like position, restricting airflow.

  • Is worn low around hip area – similar to carrying typical bag.

  • Some have a flat base preventing fabric conforming to baby’s body – danger baby will roll on to its side therefore restricting airflow.

  • Excess fabric with an elasticised edge may cover baby’s face and inhibit breathing.

  • May cause baby’s face to turn in toward the wearer’s body – smothering hazard.

  • The deep pocket can close around baby’s face.

  • Obstructs baby from wearer’s view, due to the high and gathered side panels.


Important Differentiators
Pouch and ring slings are NOT the same as bag slings. We currently have one Sling in our range - Baby Sense Sling. The differences are:
  • It is a RING sling.

  • Has no elastic.

  • Not as deep.

  • Baby is held in an almost vertical position or at a diagonal angle – like if held in arms - NOT slung low in the hip area.

  • Designed so that baby is held higher on the wearer.

  • Can easily see baby’s face.

  • Made from a 100% cotton breathable fabric.


Using a Sling Safely
The advice provided by the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers is to follow these basic principles:
Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget
the T.I.C.K.S.
  • Tight

  • In view at all times

  • Close enough to kiss

  • Keep chin off the chest

  • Supported straight back

Monday, March 22, 2010

Tots Bots Bamboozle STRETCH now with FREE Deluxe Accessory Kit!


Tots Bots Bamboozle STRETCH Offer

Given the popularity of both the new Tots Bots Bamboozle STRETCH nappy and the Tots Bots Deluxe Accessory Kit we just know this offer is going to be very popular.

With each and every Tots Bots Bamboozle STRETCH Multipack you can now have a FREE Deluxe Tots Bots Nappy Accessory Kit comprising Tots Bots 16L Nappy Bucket, Tots Bots Twin Pack Laundry Mesh, Tots Bots Potion Nappy Wash 1kg, Tots Bots Spunlace Liners (2 rolls) and a Tots Bots Wet Nappy Bag. When bought separately this is worth £38.40!*

However, if you've already got your nappy accessories feel free to choose ANY items from the entire site worth up to £29 and we'll substitute your preferred items in place of the Accessory Kit. Just type your preference in the comments box. Please note that if you ask for more than £29 worth of freebies we will select which items we don't include!

*The Deluxe Tots Bots Nappy Accessory Kit can be purchased separately at the special price of £29.00

Friday, March 12, 2010

Practical Parenting Awards

We are very pleased that so many of the fantastic products that we know and love here at Friendly Baby have also been selected by the judges in the Practical Parenting Awards too. Here is a brief rundown of how the awards went.

Pregnancy and New Mum Skin Care

Silver Award: Lansinoh Lanolin for Breastfeeding Mothers

Lansinoh Lanolin

"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

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

Cuddledry Baby 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

Hippychick Fitted 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

Tots Bots Potion Nappy Wash

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

Onelife Cotton Nappy

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 EasyFit All In One Nappy

"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

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

Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump

"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."

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Payment Problems

PayPal, our payment processor, did some essential maintenance to their site last night and unfortunately it seems that something must have gone amiss as their site and their payment system is not working at the moment. We have no news as to when it will be up and running again, however we are able to take payment by telephone so please place your order online in the usual way and choose the option to pay by telephone and we will happily call you to take payment.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

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UPDATE: You should be able to make payment by card through the site, though paying by PayPal is still not working. We will update this page as we hear of any changes.



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UPDATE: PayPal is now working properly again. If you are still experiencing problems logging in to PayPal you will need to clear any PayPal cookies from your browser.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Jackson Reece Wins Best Buy Award


Jackson Reece Herbal Natural Baby Wipes

Mother & Baby Magazine have awarded the fantastic Jackson Reece Herbal Natural Baby Wipes their Best Buy Award in the March 2010 issue of the magazine.

"These wipes are made with lavender, tea tree oil and aloe vera, so they smell fabulous and are gentle on your baby's skin. Thick and luxurious they come in packaging that stays closed far more efficiently than most other brands, so they won't dry out before you've finished the pack. Reasonably priced too."

Friday, March 05, 2010

Night time toilet training


Hippychick Duvet Protector

Everyone knows that waterproof mattress protectors are readily available, though in our opinion the Hippychick Deluxe Tencel Fitted Mattress Protector is by far the best (Tencel is made from natural wood pulp fibres) that doesn't give you that crinkly lying on a crisp packet feeling.

One thing we have regularly been asked for, and having been through night time toilet training with one of our kids too we also know the need for a duvet protector.

The Hippychick Duvet Protectors are discreet, breathable and 100% waterproof. Made from high quality Jersey fabric, which is both lightweight and soft to the touch making it lovely and comfortable. Again as with the Hippychick Mattress Protector they are waterproof without feeling like a crisp packet!

Available for both cot beds and single beds and with an introductory discount of 10% RRP at Friendly Baby.

Learning to Swim


Splash About Float Jacket

The Splash About Float Jacket has warmth, buoyancy, and protection from the sun. Made of soft and flexible 3mm neoprene, with 16 easy-to-use removable floats, you can tailor the level of buoyancy to the needs of the wearer. Fully bound, tough nylon coated, and with a YKK zip – it has everything you would expect from a product made to last, perform and look great!

Friendly Baby have the Splash About Float Jacket at a special introductory price of 10% off RRP.

Splash About Nappy Wrap


Splash About Nappy Wrap

The Splash About Happy Nappy is the most popular swim nappy around. Most UK swim schools insist on it, and we can confirm from personal experience that it really does work.

One thing we are often asked is what should be used inside the Happy Nappy. The simple answer is nothing, but for those of you who prefer to make life easier in the event that your little one does decide to do a poo while swimming we usually suggest simply using a nappy liner will make things a whole lot easier.

Now Splash About can ease your burdens even more with the introduction of the Splash About Nappy Wrap. This is not a nappy wrap in the conventional sense for those of you who are familiar with cloth nappies. This wrap goes on the inside of the Happy Nappy swim nappy. Fastening with velcro just like a disposable nappy this is a doddle to use, and as it is made from cotton you can be assured that it is safe for baby and environmentally friendly too. If you really want to make life a doddle, use a nappy liner inside the Splash About Nappy Wrap!

Friendly Baby have the Splash About Nappy Wrap available at a special introductory price of 10% off RRP.

Baby Sense Sling on Eastenders


Baby Sense Sling

The Baby Sense Sling made its TV debut on Eastenders last Wednesday when Zainab brought her newborn baby home, cosily snuggled up in it.

Save 10% now on this fantastic snuggly baby sling at Friendly Baby.

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