Not all Nappies are Rubbish, Cloth Nappies go on and on

To celebrate Real Nappy Week, if you are fast you can catch the ‘Not all Nappies are Rubbish, Cloth Nappies go on and on’ t-shirt at www.lactivist.co.uk for a very silly £3. Usually it is £9.99 so get it quick before they change their mind about making a loss on them!

Tots Bots New Prints......sneak preview...sssshhhhhh!!!!

Tots Bots new prints have been very hush, hush and we really aren't supposed to be sharing them with you until the official launch, but we've managed to get hold of a picture of a pile of the new EasyFit nappies, which show snippets of all the new prints that will be used for the TeenyFit, the EasyFit and their new print wraps. Feast your eyes on this, but don't tell everyone...it is supposed to be a secret!

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Real Nappy Week Deals

The Real Nappy Week deals at Friendly Baby this year are astounding. Up to 50% off many items, and at least 20% off all Tots Bots products. Real Nappy Week isn't supposed to start until Monday, and many items have already sold out (the sale went live overnight last night), so don't miss out on a bargain and buy now!

Tots Bots TeenyFit and EasyFit

We're so excited...not long now until Tots Bots unveil their mysterious new nappies. We've had a sneak preview of their fantastic new designs and oh how teeny tiny itty bitty the new TeenyFit is; I thought it must be a doll's nappy the first time I saw it, I really can't remember a time when either of my babies were that teeny! Anyway, we just can't wait to let you in on a few things, so here are a few pointers to whet your tastebuds.

If you love the convenience of the all in one Tots Bots EasyFit, but prefer a more compact nappy for your newborn baby the Tots Bots TeenyFit is the perfect solution. The Tots Bots TeenyFit has all the same features of the newly redesigned EasyFit, but has been especially created for newborns and smaller babies weighing approximately 5-12lbs. Made with the same soft and stretchy bamboo as the Bamboozle STRETCH, so there is a fast absorbing fabric next to baby's delicate skin, and with a hidden microfibre terry core for both increased volume and faster drying capabilities this is a really impressive design. In fact the microfibre terry core can hold so much liquid that Tots Bots have done away with the snap-in booster resulting in a slimmer fitting nappy too. With a softer PUL outer than the original version of the EasyFit that is visibly waterproof (try pouring liquid down the soft front of the nappy and you'll be amazed to watch it run off) there are improvements all around with this version of the EasyFit / TeenyFit.

Unlike with the original stars and spots prints of EasyFits we aren't so sure that you would want one of each design as some may be more girl biased and others more boy biased, so instead of offering a day pack of 5 nappies we will be offering you a 5% discount when you purchase any 5 TeenyFits / new EasyFits at the same time, or 10% discount when you purchase any 10 or more TeenyFits / new EasyFits.

We know the designs are very important to you, but we really aren't supposed to show you them yet...though I'm sure we'll get away with a few spoilers - you can't even begin to imagine how funky these prints are from their names, but it is a good start: Flower Power, Mushroom Magic, Cherrylicious, Tuttifruiti, Starburst and Cosmic (and White for good measure!).

We have the original Tots Bots EasyFit on special offer while stocks last and as soon as the launch date for the new version is announced we'll be taking pre-orders for them then.

I can't wait to let you see the new nappies. They are so unbelievably funky!

Closure of UK Airspace

Please be aware that due to the air traffic restrictions, our courier, Parcel Force have informed us that speed of delivery to Northern Ireland will be impacted. Other Parcel Force UK deliveries should not be impacted as this is usually sent by lorry. We generally use Parcel Force for all parcels over 1kg in weight or greater than £75 in value except those to the Highlands and Islands, and Northern Ireland, so do not expect any delay to any orders dispatched by Parcel Force.

Standard delivery orders weighing under 1kg or with a value of less than £75 are sent by Royal Mail First Class post. The closure of UK airspace and airspace in parts of Europe since the morning of Thursday 15th April has affected the Royal Mail's distribution of mail by air. This has impacted on some UK domestic mail, which travels by air at night. There are contingency plans in place to keep as much mail moving as possible, using alternative road and rail networks to replace air services. However, despite these contingency arrangements, there may be a small delay to mail being delivered in some areas, for as long as this situation lasts.

Royal Mail are continuing to accept and prioritise Special Delivery items (Express delivery orders weighing under 1kg) and are confident that the vast majority of Special Delivery items will arrive on time. However, they use the air network to transport a proportion of mail around the UK and because it has not been available they cannot guarantee every Special Delivery item will be delivered on time, in all areas. Given that Special Delivery is usually guaranteed by 1pm, we would hope that they will usually manage delivery on the correct day if not by the specified time.

We're really sorry for any unavoidable inconvenience this causes, and will update this page as we find out any new information. If you have any specific questions about how your order will be sent please contact us (customerservice@friendlybaby.co.uk) with details of the items you would like to order and your post code.

New Delivery Options

Here at Friendly Baby we recognise that customers don't always want to, or couldn't even if you wanted to, stay at home and wait for parcels. Now, as well as the option of choosing an alternative delivery address to your billing address we have an even wider range of delivery options. We have chosen to continue using Parcelforce for our heavier and more valuable deliveries as we have had a 100% success rate with them. Now for a relatively small extra cost, as well as a 48 hour service, a 24 hour service or a Saturday delivery service, you can specify an AM or PM delivery, or even a by 10am delivery!

What else are Parcel Force doing that Friendly Baby and our customers like?

Parcelforce take their environmental and community responsibilities very seriously. They have a comprehensive programme of activities to reduce their impact on the environment and to invest in third party environmental initiatives.

Services

Parcelforce were the first UK parcel carrier to launch a Woodland Carbon option, allowing customers to donate towards the protection and expansion of forests and woodland, effectively reducing carbon. They'll be expanding this scheme soon to include other carbon reduction projects and initiatives.

Their unique range of delivery and redelivery options were designed to support what is the best first time delivery performance within the UK express industry. The amount of parcels that require a second delivery attempt has been significantly reduced, therefore reducing fuel consumption.

Vehicles

This year Parcelforce take delivery of 1100 eco-start delivery vans (in fact the one that is used to collect your parcel is an eco-start delivery van!). Using the latest stop-start technology, the vans engine cuts out when stationary eg at traffic lights, lowering carbon emissions.

They've comprehensively trialled electric and hybrid vehicles and aerodynamic trailers and they'll continue to review environmentally friendly commercial vehicles to ensure they lead the way as a responsible express carrier.

They've also switched UK parcels from air to road distribution, contributing to a significant reduction in the overall carbon generated.

Buildings

Parcelforce have installed smart gas and electricity meters at all of their buildings so they can monitor usage, identify areas for improvement and track the success of energy reduction initiatives. They are in the process of installing the latest lighting technology in their largest sites to reduce electricity usage. They've also installed new heating systems in key sites that can efficiently control heating at different levels in specific areas of the building.

Training, recycling and waste management

Parcelforce are testing the effect of additional driving training throughout the fleet to support MPG improvement targets and will be deploying new MPG performance monitoring methods to support this.

They recycle wherever possible with training and recycling containers and are working hard to ensure they reduce to an absolute minimum the amount of waste sent to landfill.


So, when you receive your parcel in a reused cardboard box, possibly with reused packaging materials inside it, or a 100% degradable mailer from Friendly Baby you can be sure that we are taking our environmental responsibilites seriously and our courier is doing the same.

Save on Rainbow Print Tots Bots Wraps and EasyFits

Now that the sun is finally shining and we are in a happy colourful mood here at Friendly Baby we've decided to share the colourful sunshiny mood by offering you even more discount than usual on our range of Tots Bots Rainbow Wraps and Tots Bots EasyFit All In One Nappies. For a limited time only and while stocks last, save an extra 10% off all Tots Bots Rainbow Wraps and 15% off Tots Bots EasyFit nappies.

Bristol is Best for Breastfeeding!

Here at Friendly Baby we are bursting with pride that the Baby Friendly Award has been presented to Bristol's NHS Trust. This is a copy of an article from the Evening Post.

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BRISTOL has become the first city in the UK to be recognised for its support of breastfeeding mothers.

Unicef has awarded NHS Bristol their Baby Friendly Award for the work they are doing to promote breastfeeding.

Rates of breastfeeding in the UK are among the lowest in the developed world, despite evidence that it protects mums and babies against many illnesses.

Bristol's maternity units have already been given the Unicef Baby Friendly status but with the new award work in community is also being highlighted.

NHS Bristol has been working closely with health visitors, the council, hospitals and voluntary organisations to support breastfeeding mums.

There is a network of volunteer peer supporters to help mums, support groups, and a scheme where cafes and restaurants have signed up to show they welcome breastfeeding. New projects are also due to start in the summer to promote breastfeeding to teenage mums and to target women in the areas where breastfeeding rates are the lowest. Dr Hugh Annett, Bristol's director of public health, said: "This is fantastic news for Bristol.

"It demonstrates the hard work going on in the NHS and with other agencies in the city to promote breast feeding. We decided to join forces with Unicef UK's Baby Friendly Initiative to increase breastfeeding rates and to improve care for all mothers.

"Breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy, as well as allergies, diabetes and obesity in childhood.

"We also know that breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of some cancers, as well as being cheaper and often easier than bottle-feeding."

Sue Ashmore, Unicef UK Baby Friendly director, said the award was momentous for mothers and babies in the city. She said: "Consistently good care around infant feeding from the beginning of pregnancy onwards should be something every woman can expect. Unfortunately this is often not the case.

"But at last Bristol has shown it can be done. NHS Bristol has become the first primary care trust in the country to gain Baby Friendly accreditation, and joins both city hospital maternity units, at St Michael's Hospital and Southmead Hospital, in implementing evidence based best practice around infant feeding.

"Bristol has worked incredibly hard to achieve this award ensuring that mothers and babies will be getting the care they deserve throughout the city, antenatally and postnatally."

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Well done Bristol! If only more areas in the country would take their responsibility seriously to help Mum's who want to breastfeed. Friendly Baby, based in Bristol, have a range of breastfeeding products to help you. Available to order wherever in the UK you are!

Mamascarf has a New Baby!

We are very pleased to announce that the Mum of the fabulous Mamascarf, Keira O'Mara has a new baby - Lily Maria born on Easter Sunday (4th April) weighing a healthy 7lbs. Congratulations Keira and family! We expect to see you out and about and demonstrating how to use the Mamascarf very soon.

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Update: Here is a picture of Keira using the fabby Mamascarf with little baby Lily, and can I just say that I am very jealous Keira manages to look this good so soon after having a baby!