Oct 23 2014

Chicco Mamma Lullaby Night Light from Baby Thingz

Posted on October 23, 2014 by admin

Unsettled Baby = Exhausted Mummy

(…. And don’t we all know it!)

I’ve been relatively lucky with Heidi and it’s usually easy to pinpoint the reasons for a meltdown; she’s ready for her next bottle, there’s something uncomfortable laying between nappy and bum, or you’ve laid her down in her cot for a slumber. Of all of these times, the last is definitely the hardest to remedy, and most heartbreaking to hear as a parent.

She’s been in her own room for a month now. She’ll usually sleep through and seems plenty warm and peaceful enough when those eyes are closed, but until they are we’re treated to uncontrollable tantrums. Nightly she’ll question the audacity of Mummy & Daddy for leaving her in a room alone.

When Baby Thingz offered to send her a night light, I jumped at the chance. Although I secretly had doubts it would do anything to placate my little diva, anything was worth a shot. Cunningly, I chose the Chicco Mamma Lullaby Night Light which plays 15 minutes of uninterrupted lullaby in a cheeky attempt to drown out Heidi’s protestations.

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Yep we now have this audacious looking thing hanging off a cot rail to keep munchkin happy. With plenty for little little hands to explore, including spinning ball wheel (this plays a cheerful tune when spun), squeakers, mirror and little bird slider, Heidi now has something far more exciting than Mummy and Daddy to paw at. In theory.

Unfortunately Heidi seems unimpressed by her new bedfellow and would rather headbutt the guard rails instead. Thankfully the night light is easy to attach to her cot (and fully adjustable) so we can put it up high where she can’t hurt herself.

Chicco

The real winner here is the mood music. She has a choice of Classical, New Age or Gentle Nature sounds. These can be manually operated by selecting one of each of the musical notes on the front interface. The big chunky buttons are ideal for mum and dad when the lights are low and vision is impaired. Parents can also choose to have the sound on medium or high volume (the settings slider is located on the side of the night light so can’t be tampered with by Mini DJs). You can also silence the night light without scrambling for the off button by pressing a chunky button on the side.

When the music plays, you have the option of a static nightlight or multicoloured light show. The light show is brilliant, incredibly soft and subdued with each colour change purposefully slow so as not to distract Heidi from the task at hand.

Heidi

You can also record up to 40 secs of your voice to playback to baby and you’ll be surprised just how far 40 secs can go! Simply press the REC button on the side of the night light and project your voice at the front of the light. The big chunky heart shape on the front interface will then playback your voice. Heidi will sometimes unwittingly press this with a flailing appendage in her sleep and the whole house will be treated to a pre-recorded rendition of In the Night Garden by Mummy…. Lucky them, hey?

Usually priced at £34.99, it’s currently £16.99 from BabyThingz.com. To check out the rest of their baby products, including car seats, pushchairs, furniture and toys head to the website or say hello on Facebook or Twitter.

Oct 23 2014

Introducing Slim Sip #OpBabyWeight

Posted on October 23, 2014 by admin

Here’s my little secret weapon for accelerating my weight loss during #OpBabyWeight. Aside from using the power of aromatherapy to suppress my hunger, Diet Chef to limit my calorie intake, and Nutribullet for bursts of energy (I’ll be flying solo with the juices after my 4 week Diet Chef trial), I’ll be downing sachets of Slim Sip 3x a day.

So, just what is Slim Sip?

It’s a scientifically proven, clinically proven (no I haven’t gone mad; these are two completely different things), EFSA approved weight loss solution.

This can be used in conjunction with most diet plans to give your weight loss a little extra push. It states it can help suppress hunger and help sort the good fats from the bad ones so you’re getting the most out of the food you eat (and stop those fatty ones from being absorbed into your body:

Eat Less – Slim Sip has only 9 calories per serving and when mixed with water it gently expands in your stomach to help promote the feeling of fullness.

Digestive Support & Cholesterol maintenance - Glucomannan is a Soluble Fibre which aids digestions and helps trap fats and oils (Calories) from entering your blood stream.

Like most people, I’m always skeptical of such claims. There are soooo many different products on the market now that boast such fabulous results. Typing ‘weight loss’ into Twitter there are hundreds upon hundreds of dramatic before and after pics designed to prey on the desperate. Slim Sip are certainly responsible of perpetuating this by using a image of a fit, toned and heavily airbrushed model on their website.

But having done my research, Slim Sip’s claims do appear to have some scientific validity.For science bods, here’s what wikipedia has to say about their active ingredient Glucomannan:

Study lasting 16 weeks: 200 overweight and obese subjects were given a mixture of seed husks and glucomannan (1g) twice daily, the same mixture 3 times daily, or a placebo. The glucomannan groups lost, on average, 9.96 lbs and 10.14 lbs respectively compared to 1.75 lbs by the control group. The glucomannan group had increased satiety compared to the control group and LDL cholesterol was significantly reduced during the study period.

Slim Sip also states it can trap some of the oils and fats from entering your body, break them down quickly, and presumably re-root them out of your body via your stools. There have been some studies that support the use of glucomannan in the treatment of constipation, so there *might* be some truth in this - I’ll let you know!

Its worth pointing out however that this isn’t to be confused with diet aid heavy-weight Alli - a brand that burst its way onto the dieting scene some ten years ago. I used this back in 2007 and found it almost unbearable (those of you that have tried it can no doubt empathise). As the fats are excreted out of your body, the results can border on disturbing! Yet Slim Sip appears to be a much gentler solution and doesn’t contain any of Alli’s scary active ingredients.

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Having used this for a week now, I can confirm that it does give you a sense of fullness. I can’t quite work out if this is physiological or not, but I’m definitely not finishing a meal and feeling dissatisfied. I’m hoping this will therefore make those small Diet Chef portions a little more bearable! It’s a pleasant orangey taste and incredibly every to use (just dissolve one sachet in plenty of water and drink 30mins before a meal).

I’ll report back with more on this throughout #OpBabyWeight.

To find out more or purchase for yourself, head to New Image Health. Do NOT be tempted to buy these from unlicensed sellers. A 30 day supply will set you back £19.99, or 90 days is currently on offer for £39.98.

Oct 22 2014

For Mum & Baby: Thea Skincare Baby Naturals Review

Posted on October 22, 2014 by admin

I take my family’s skincare regime seriously and love reviewing nutrient-rich organic skincare for my Superbabies. Yet my quest continues for something truly amazing for Dex. His skin doesn’t require the same level of care as his baby sister’s (hers is prone to hypersensitivity and eczema), yet it is still some way from structural maturity. Like all toddlers, at age 2 he has a high turnover rate of skin cells compared to adult skin, and the ability to shed and renew dead skin cells quickly. His skin is also two-thirds thinner than ours leaving it susceptible to allergens, UV and other unwanted external influences.

I’m looking for something really nourishing and crammed full of nutrients that will simulate the role of collagen in mature skin. In other words, something that will keep him hydrated, even oily to touch, and act as an buffer whilst his skin is building up a resistance to the world.

So when Thea Skincare asked if I wanted to review a selection of their products, I did my research. I regularly turn down reviews when they don’t offer something new, and skincare is something I’m traditionally very fussy with. But I was intrigued by the fact Thea are 2 time winners of The Green Parent Beauty Awards and also have a Skinmatters Gold Award in their trophy cabinet. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about.

Who are they?

Thea Skincare is the eponymous range of natural and organic skincare products created by Althea Giscombe. Science graduate and former Avon Cosmetics Manager she had something of an epiphany when traveling in Africa in 2008. Whilst visiting a village on the Lake Malawi, she observed the locals using the natural resources around them as part of their beauty regime; using grains of salt that lined the banks to exfoliate their skin, and the rocks and stones to remove hard skin off of their feet.

A passion for ‘hard performing natural ingredients’ grew and at age 50, Althea funneled all her pension into creating and developing her range. Launched in 2011 it’s quickly gained momentum and a cult following of beauty pundits.

In order to reflect her core values all Thea products are free from sulphates, parabens, artificial fragrances, are cruelty-free and suitable for vegans.

What did I receive?

I received four samples in a dinky hessian travel bag (an early hint as to their eco credentials); Aloe & Rosehip 2 in 1 Calming Bath & Baby Wash, Jojoba & Chamomile 2 in 1 Baby Shampoo, Coconut and Lavender Soothing Top to Toe Baby Lotion and a treat for mummy, the rather blandly named Cellulite Body Butter. There was also a letter from Thea outlining the history of the brand and Thea’s charitable aspirations. It’s difficult not to fall in love with a brand with such demonstrable values and certainly makes you feel less guilty when you whip out the credit card.

What did I make of it?

Coconut and Lavender Soothing Top to Toe Baby Lotion (200mls / £8.95)

Immediately you’re struck by the lavender scent making it perfect for bedtime massages (especially if bath times are part of your little ones night time ritual). The scent lasts for a good hour too so will promote a restful and prolonged sleep.

In fact, massage is the key here. The trick to using a lotion (as opposed to a cream; heavier and will give deeper hydration over an extended period) is to apply liberally whilst the skin is still wet, then quickly dress baby to lock in the moisture. Don’t be tempted to wait for the lotion to dry before dressing. This little lotion packs a punch - having used this for over a week now, Dexter’s skin is still moist in the morning. Perfect.

Part of it’s staying power lies in its viscosity - once warmed this baby lotion takes on the consistency of massage oil making it easy to apply and enabling it to deliver more intensive moisturisation.

I would definitely buy this for Dexie, but would be hesitant to use it on Heidi, or any other newborn. At 78% organic and heavily scented (albeit naturally), I would more inclined opt for a fragrance-free lotion for tiny ones.

Aloe & Rosehip 2 in 1 Calming Bath & Baby Wash (200mls /£8.95)

The calming tag is spot on. The rosehip and essential oils really shine through especially with the natural steam from the bath water. If your child has been hit hard this cold and flu season, this will help unblock their airways and give them some respite.

Meanwhile nutrients are delivered to baby’s skin via Vitamins B5 & E. It feels like you’re giving a wet massage when you rub it in; very oily so a little goes a long way. It does lather although takes some working up in your hands, but foaming action is overrated in my opinion; I’d much rather his skin gets a thorough cleanse yet isn’t stripped of its natural oil & sebum.

This also works fabulously as a bath oil and leaves your baby’s skin nice and hydrated post-bath. Dexter smelt divine after his bath and ready for a relaxing massage with the accompanying lotion.

Jojoba & Chamomile 2 in 1 Baby Shampoo (200mls / £8.95)

This lathers up surprisingly well and Dexter’s hair still smells heavenly the next day. It’s tough enough to wash away all the tomato sauce, gravy, melted chocolate and other unpleasantness your toddler has taken it upon himself to ‘save for later’, yet mild enough not to cause itching. Dexter sweats a great deal in the night as he suffers from night terrors so I needed a shampoo that is gentle enough to deal with excess sebum without causing greasiness- this definitely fits the bill.

I can’t comment as to it’s efficiency of soothing away cradle cap as Dexie is a fully fledged toddler now, but once again, I’d be cautious about popping anything too heavily scented on early skin.

Once again, this definitely passes the sniff test too - there’s still a pleasant lavender scent from the blend of essentials oils making it a great product for night time bathing.

Cellulite Body Butter (200mls / £8.95)

I was always going to struggle to review this one as I’ve already found the best stretchmark butter on the planet. However I should flag up that this is one of the best firming creams I’ve used in a long time. It sinks in immediately and your skin feels visibly tighter after just one application.

Perfect for hips, bums, arms and breasts, this has slotted neatly into my beauty regime given I’m currently losing weight. The essential oils blend of Neroli, Rose, Jasmine, Geranium, Sandalwood, Chamomile, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Lemon, Lavender & Frankincense Essential Oils invigorate and increase circulation, and elasticity is improved via a combination of 4 rich butters (Organic Shea, Cocoa, Kokum & Mango Butter).

The scent of this one is far more subtle with the butters drowning out the essential oils. As it sinks in so quickly it’s perfect for a nighttime treat before diving under the covers.

The consistency of typical of body butters and you end up prodding it without actually getting any on your fingers. Best advice is to delves in as £24.95 is a bargain for 200mls.

Additional thoughts…

Don’t expect to be seduced by the packaging. Whilst mine are samples, the full sized bottles are no sexier. But then looks aren’t everything, for all we know Brad Pitt could be a real pain to live with.

Whilst reading other reviews I was a little taken aback to see so many people balking at the prices. I pay anywhere between £8 and £25 for Dexter & Heidi’s basic essentials (shampoo, body wash and body lotion) so at £8.95 for a healthy 200mls, these products seem bang on the money.

Finally, I suspect Thea Skincare will be jostling for position among the big boys in organic baby skincare (Lasinoh’s Earth Friendly Babies, The Green People’s Organic Babies, Burt’s Bees, … and newbies Cowshed’s Cow Baby, Lulu & Boo, Odylique, and Miamoo… I could go on). Yet parents have really embraced organic skincare for their little people and there is plenty of room for everyone (and plenty of space left on my bathroom shelf!). I’ll be watching this brand with interest to see where they go next.

To check out this fab range for yourself (including their brightening and anti-aging formulations), head to TheaSkincare.com. You can also stay in touch via Twitter and Facebook.