Posts tagged baby
What A Difference A Night Makes
2 months ago
Anybody who follows me on twitter will be all to aware of the nightmare bedtime and nights we’ve had with MasterB over the last two years. 2 Years! I can’t believe he is 2 now and you know what *whispers* I think we might have finally cracked it 
You wouldn’t think that this rather angelic looking toddler would be responsible for such trouble would you? But seriously… The little darling turned into a complete devil at bedtime, up until very recently I couldn’t leave his room before he fell asleep otherwise he went crazy. This is one kamikaze kid, without a thought for safety he would throw himself out of his cot or scream the house down if he even sensed you had left the room. For a child with vision and hearing problems, it still amazes me how he just “knew” when you left and would wake up instantly from his sleep and start crying. Bedtime usually took at least an hour of sitting on his bedroom floor!
Just a few months back we were still at the point where we couldn’t even put him in his cot and I would have to wait for him to fall asleep on me downstairs before carefully carrying him upstairs and placing him in his cot. The lovely Fi from Childcare Is Fun helped me immensely through this nightmare and we did finally get him to sleep in his cot but it’s probably taken another 4 months to be able to leave his room.
Tonight (as we have done for a WHOLE WEEK now), I placed MasterB in his cot, said goodnight and walked out of his room. Then I got into bed with MissB for 15 minutes to chat before she goes to sleep. Within minutes MasterB was asleep, no crying…just a bit of chatting to himself before falling asleep. What’s even more amazing is that he has even slept from 7pm – 6:30am most nights without us having to get up to him in the night!
I cannot begin to describe how it feels to have a week of unbroken sleep after 2 years of disturbed nights! I feel like I’m on a permanent sugar high at the moment I don’t know what has finally changed but maybe he really has finally just learnt to sleep at last. Whatever it is – I am one very very grateful mummy
Win 2 x £50 vouchers for BigGreenSmile.Com
6 months ago
I have another fantastic competition for you today from the lovely people at BigGreenSmile.Com
I recently reviewed a Faith in Nature gift set from BigGreenSmile.Com which was lovely, they sell some fabulous products and have a huge range of vegan and veggie friendly products for my fellow animal lovers They sell natural beauty products, organic baby products and natural cleaning products. What I love about them is that they include detailed information about each product, what it contains and where it comes from so you can make an informed decision about the products you are buying and be reassured that they are good for you and the planet
I could seriously spend all day browsing their store, they have so much to choose from. You can get a large range of Dr Hauschka Products and Eco Friendly Nappies, of course there is also a huge range of giftsets available. From my previous experience with BigGreenSmile.Com, I can only say how fast they were to react to my feedback and comments which I found to be an excellent representation of the company and I would most certainly shop with them again.
The extremely lovely people from BigGreenSmile.Com have offered two of my readers a £50 voucher to spend at their online store. Now, I think this is an AMAZING prize and definitely one worth entering All you need to do is complete the rafflecopter form below, there is one mandatory entry and the others are all entirely optional. The competition is open until 30th November 2012 so you’ll have time to spend your prize before Christmas So what are you waiting for….
Pabobo Lumilove Penguin Review
6 months ago
We’ve been having lots of sleep issues with MasterB and I had become convinced that part of his issue was that he doesn’t like the dark. Maybe this is related to his poor vision problems or maybe it’s just one of his quirks but when Pabobo sent us a Lumilove Penguin to review, it was an extremely welcome product!
“Lumilove Penguin is a fun little animal buddy that kids can take everywhere, all the time! During the day, it can be hugged, told stories, played with and when night falls, the cute Penguin gently shines and plays music for 15 minutes.
Since it doesn’t heat up, it can slide under the covers safely: perfect – especially right after a little scare or a sad time!
To recharge it, all you have to do is place the Penguin on its base… smart! With 11 hours of operation, it’s ready for lots of well-lit hugs.
Lumilove Penguin even turns on automatically soon as you remove it from its base, or if the power goes out!”
Since the moment they saw it both MasterB and MissB have been obsessed with the lumilove penguin. They think the penguin is magic as he lights up when you take him off his base and they love his “singing”. At night I have been putting it in MasterB’s bed (much to the disgust of MissB who wants it for her own bed) and he seems to find it really settling. He will lie playing with it until he falls asleep. He has mastered how to turn it on and off by pressing the button on the bottom which he finds fascinating
From a parent’s point of view, I love that it is so simple to use – you simply pop him back on his base in a morning and then by bedtime he is ready to light up again. It really doesn’t generate any heat and I feel completely happy leaving it in MasterB’s cot overnight. The lullaby that it plays is quiet and soothing and really does help MasterB wind down to sleep. I really think it’s a fab product and suspect I will end up buying one for MissB for Christmas just so that we don’t have anymore arguements over who penguin is sleeping with at night 
I particularly like the look of Lumilove BabraPapa as I remember them fondly from my childhood days
You can buy Lumilove nightlights in various places, I’ve included links to them on Amazon below The price is a little more than I’d usually expect to pay for a nightlight but seeing how much my children enjoy playing with theirs makes me think it’s worth it. It would definitely make a great christmas present for your little ones
Sleep, The Final Frontier
7 months ago
Sleep, such a simple thing but oh my goodness it’s amazing what an impact it has on your life if you don’t get enough. I love sleep, it’s probably my favourite past time, we have an amazing bed and I could quite happily spend half of my life in it
I thought I had this parenting lark cracked when MissB was only 6 weeks old and started sleeping through the nights, she still sleeps solidly for 12 hours a night. She must take after me as that girl loves her sleep!
Can you imagine what a shock to the system it was when MasterB the worst sleeper in the history of children arrived on the scene? OK so the first 16 nights were fantastic, although this was due to him being in NICU and me being at home. Don’t get me wrong, I’d have loved for him to be home too but it was lovely to have a few decent nights sleep before the mayhem began
So here we are almost 20 months later, yes you read that right TWENTY months later and we still haven’t cracked sleeping. I don’t know exactly where it all went wrong, we didn’t do anything differently than we did with MissB, he just doesn’t sleep.
It all starts at bedtime, he is a nightmare to get to sleep in the first place. We’ve tried everything going and you can’t leave him crying for long as he has previously thrown himself out of his cot in a rage. At present I’m having to wait until he is sleepy then take him upstairs, place him in his cot and stand watching until he falls asleep. If I so much as take a step outside of his room he is on his feet and screaming. When I say screaming I mean really, really screaming.
Once he has gone to sleep, the waiting then begins. He will usually manage until 2am before he wakes and screams the house down. All I need to do is get him up, take him downstairs and cuddle him and he will go back to sleep quite quickly, but having to get up pretty much every night is killing me! Every night I go to sleep expecting to be woken up within a few hours, I’ve forgotten what it feels like to just be able to go to sleep knowing that you don’t have to get up until morning!
I’ve tried different types of blanket, different lighting, different pillows, different toys and nothing seems to make a difference. I wish he could just tell me what it is that causes him to wake screaming every night. It can’t be hunger, thirst, too hot, too cold, being poorly etc as we’ve ruled so much out. We do get some good nights from him but I’d say he still wakes up 4-5 times a week 
It’s been such a difficult journey with MasterB to date but we are gradually getting there, we are working on his eyes, we think we’ve got his asthma under control at last and hopefully his hernia will be resolved shortly. But sleep – well I guess it really is the final frontier we need to crack. I think I’ve always wondered whether his inability to sleep is due to his other health problems and as we are gradually fixing all of those, hopefully the sleep will fix itself!
Anywayup Cup Review
10 months ago
by DawnieBrown
in Reviews
When MissB was little we found the perfect drinking cup for her to use, it was called the Anywayup Cup and we loved them! However they vanished into thin air when I was looking to buy them for MasterB and so we’ve been making do with our two-year old ones for the last few months They were still great but had started to leak a little after two years of constant use. However I tracked down Anywayup Cup on twitter who explained that they had found a new manufacturer and the fabulous Anywayup Cup would be back on our shelves soon
In the meantime we’ve been sent a couple to review which was a huge relief! Both MasterB and MissB love their Anywayup Cups and so were very happy to get a new one each The fab thing about Anywayup Cups is that they don’t leak but both kids find them easy to drink from. I always put one with a little water in it, in their beds at night and don’t have to worry about it leaking over the bedding and they can then have a drink if they wake up thirsty without hopefully needing to wake me up
MasterB loves nothing more than tipping his cups upside down and putting them in his dinner (see above) so to us an Anywayup Cup is a godsend. I’ve been recommending them to people ever since I first had them with MissB and now they are soon to be back on the market again I can get back to recommending them again
The new website launches on 1st August so keep an eye out to see where you’ll be able to stock up on them very soon! You can also follow them on Facebook to keep up with their latest news and stockists
Smart Trike Zoo Review
10 months ago
We were very kindly sent a Smart Trike Zoo to review a few weeks ago, unfortunately ever since it arrived it has done nothing but rain up here in Durham which has been incredibly frustrating as we are desperate to take it out to the park. Luckily our kitchen makes an excellent racing track and so we’ve managed to do an initial review for you based on it’s indoor adventures. If the weather ever picks up then you’ll no doubt hear more about our outdoor Smart Trike adventures in the hopefully not to distant future
As you can see below MissB is fully equipped for the weather with her sunglasses and wellies at the ready. She likes to take her teddies and her bag of shopping with her (please note the back bucket is not suitable for trying to get your little brother to sit in MissB – she tried!). MissB has discovered the drinks holder on the front actually makes a great sunglasses holder.
The Smart Trike Zoo 3 in 1 is suitable from 10 months to approximately 3 years. Seeing as I have a 16 month old and a 2.5 year old it fits the bill perfectly for this household (although we are having a few sharing issues ). MissB uses the trike in the third mode without the handle and she has mastered the pedals, she zooms around our kitchen on it with her toys in the back. MissB absolutely loves it and I’m desperate to take it out to the park to give her some space to really play with it (Oh weather gods are you listening?). As any busy diva knows it’s essential to have your phone handy to make those important calls! (The crown by the way was her creation at nursery for the jubilee celebrations).
MasterB has been using the trike in the 2nd mode with the handle still attached so I can keep control. He has only just started walking and his steering really isn’t very good yet (well either that or he is intentionally trying to run over his big sister all the time…hmmm). The fab thing about the trike is that it’s so easy to adjust from one mode to another. MissB knows how to put down MasterB’s footrest when it’s his turn, all I need to do is attach the handle and it’s ready for him. MasterB just giggles and giggles as he is being driven around. You will have to excuse the blurry photo but as soon as I stop moving he starts crying bless him, at least it keeps me fit though
From a mummy’s point of view, I love that the trike feels sturdy and secure and that there is a very handy little bag attached to the handle, if we ever do make it to the park this will be ideal for me to pop my purse in and a spare nappy. I like that the handle is adjustable so that it is high enough for me and that I can steer the trike with it easily. It really is fun for me to use as well, much more interesting than a boring pushchair! I like how easy it is to change it so it’s suitable for MasterB and MissB and I love that my children both absolutely love it. At the moment it’s definitely their favourite toy we own!
The Smart Trike Zoo sells for around the £99 mark, which to be honest I did think was a little expensive but having now had one and tried it I can see that the price is reasonable, especially as it can be used from 10 months all the way through to around 3 years, it’s a product that will grow with your child and if you buy it early enough you really will get your money’s worth from it. The fact that it’s built so well also means it will last and I imagine it will quite easily then be passed on down to the next child.
We were sent the Smart Trike Zoo Cow version but it is also available in Butterfly, Frog, Dolphin and LadyBug. In the first mode it can be used with the matching UV canopy to keep the sun off your little one and with the padded seat, full harness and safety bar. We didn’t get round to testing it in this mode as MasterB was ready for the second mode which was a shame as I like the look of the sunshade
Mini-Ultransonic Humidifier Review
11 months ago
by DawnieBrown
in Reviews
Anyone who follows me on twitter or who regular reads this blog, will know about the problems I’ve had with MasterB’s breathing. He has always been snotty, gunky, wheezy and generally a bit of a sickly child bless him. We ended up in hospital twice with him over the winter and regularly need to use inhalers to control his breathing when he gets bad. Everytime he picks up a bug it ends up on his chest and we worry it’s going to mean another hospital trip.
We’ve been sent a Mini-Ultrasonic Humidifier as recommended by Vicks to try out to see if it helps at all. I’ve heard a lot about these and have had them recommended before so I was eager to see if it made a difference to MasterB.
What They Say
This latest generation cool mist humidifier will help to reduce the survival of flu viruses and ease conditions such as a dry nose, throat, eyes and skin discomfort.
“Part of the reason for increased respiratory illnesses during this time is because humidity levels in the air reach a yearly low,” said Ricardo Novella, Brand Manager Healthcare at Kaz Europe SA, manufacturer of Vicks humidifiers under a license to the Vicks trademark. Studies show that keeping indoor air at a relative humidity level of 40-60% reduces the survival of flu viruses on surfaces and in the air.
“One of the first things doctors recommend when a child comes down with a cold is to use a humidifier, as this can help loosen congestion and soothe a sore throat. Proper humidification is especially important for children since their smaller nostrils get bunged up more easily,” said Ricardo Novella.
The Vicks VH5000 Cool Mist Mini-Ultrasonic Humidifier is compact, ultra quiet, makes the room feel warmer and demonstrates efficiency through visible mist which can be directed with a 360° nozzle. The VH5000 runs for up to eight hours per filling and is suitable for a child’s room due to its silent technology and as cool mist avoids risk of burns. The humidifier can be used with Vicks menthol scent VapoPads, a soothing smell that helps relieve congestion and cold symptoms. Demineralization cartridges can also be used to soften the water and avoid white dust and can also be used with Antibacterial cartridges to kill bacteria and viruses because of its active carbon properties.”
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What We Think
We’ve been using the humidifer in MasterB’s room now for a couple of weeks and overall I’m impressed. MasterB’s room is only small but it always feels very dry, especially over the winter when we have the central heating on pretty much constantly. The first thing I like about the humidifier is that you can adjust the direction of the flow of mist so I can aim it in the direction of his cot, I also love that you can adjust the flow. I’ve read reviews of other products which say that they release too much humidity into the air and damage the walls etc but with this one I can keep it on a low setting so that it introduces enough humidity into the room but not so much that it damages anything.
The humidifier does make a low humming sound, (as do most electronic appliances) but it isn’t loud enough to affect MasterB’s sleep and to be honest I think he finds it quite soothing. I do have to make sure it is out of his reach though as now he is big enough to reach over the cot, anything within grasping distance is dragged into the cot with him!
The first thing I noticed when I walked into his room after having had the humidifier on for a while is the freshness. It’s hard to put into words but you know that lovely fresh feeling you get when there has been a storm after a long dry spell and everything just feels fresh? Well it felt like that! MasterB hasn’t had as many colds/breathing problems recently, of course I can’t guarantee that it’s directly related to using the humidifier but I like to think it’s helping!
We were supplied with some Vicks Vapour Pads to use in the humidifer. I don’t use them all the time as most of the time I feel the mist by itself is adding enough to the air quality in his room but when MasterB does seem a bit more bunged up or wheezy than usual then I pop one of the pads into the humidifer and it diffuses it into the air. Now I do find them a bit strong personally but they definitely help and MasterB wakes up with a much clearer nose and chest than when I put him down. I tend to leave his nursery door open when I use the vapour pads though as they do get strong when used in such a small nursery like his.
Would I recommend the Mini-Ultrasonic Humidifier? Yes I would, I like to think it’s made a difference with MasterB, it hasn’t completely stopped him being poorly but it’s certainly not been as bad these last couple of weeks since the humidifier has been in his room
The VH5000 Cool Mist Mini-Ultrasonic humidifier has a two year warranty and is available from many retailers at the recommended price of £49.99. I found it on Amazon for around £37 which I think is good value for something that helps MasterB
156/366
11 months ago
We had a lovely day out at Bluereef Aquarium in Tynemouth today. It’s a year since we were last there and this time it was lovely to see them both interested in all the fish
And We’re Off! (At Last)
11 months ago
It’s been a long time coming and I’ve been trying so so hard not to get impatient. So many other friends babies have been up and walking for what seems like months now. I think we are finally there with MasterB now, at least now he has his glasses he can see the floor in front of him which may be what has actually finally given him the confidence to get moving He is now 15.5 months old so about a month behind when MissB started walking so I guess he isn’t really late walking at all I have a feeling life is about to get a thousand times for chaotic in the Brown household!
Two Weeks In, An Update on MasterB
11 months ago
Well it’s been two weeks now since I picked MasterB’s glasses up from the opticians and we had that horrific first hour of constant screaming that I thought was going to be the start of a nightmare.
Two whole weeks and it’s been a lovely two weeks. We haven’t even broken a pair of glasses yet! In fact I have to say MasterB seems to love his glasses, he never ever tries to take them off and when I have to take them off him for bedtime etc, he goes mad at me. If I knew it was going to be this easy I’d have been so less worried Its like he has learnt that his world is better when the glasses are on and that’s all there is to it
There have been some really positive changes in MasterB’s behaviour since wearing glasses. Even his carers at nursery have commented on how he has changed. He seems so much happier since getting glasses, it’s not that he was ever unhappy before but looking back he often seemed placid and content to sit on the sidelines. Since having his glasses he is so much more interested in everything that is going on around him and wants to be involved. He will spend ages staring at things and examining them intently.
Even his eating seems to have improved, he makes so much less mess and seems able to pick up food and eat it so much more easily. Before it was just scooping up handfuls of whatever was in front of him but now he examines his plate and then carefully picks up individual pieces. He still hasn’t had the confidence to take more than a couple of steps yet but I don’t think it will be long until he is chasing his sister around everywhere
One thing I was worried about was whether he’d still be my little baby, it sounds strange but I worried I would lose my MasterB behind his glasses but now when I look at photos of him I see MY MasterB looking back at me, looking interested in the world and looking happy. He’s still my little baby just a happier one We have a follow up appointment with a consultant at Sunderland Eye Infirmary in June so it will be interesting to see what they say.
Erin
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1 month ago
