The Gallery White

The theme for this week's Gallery courtesy of the wonderful Sticky Fingers Blog is white.  Here is my youngest looking a bit of all white when he was a few hours old. I was desperate for a home birth and went to all the home birth classes.  But my instinct told me to have him at hospital after Aspie Boy was born lifeless and in need of revival ten years earlier after only an hour's labour.  Dizzy finally came out thirty six hours after my waters broke and with three midwives yanking my feet up behind my ears to avoid shoulder dysctocia.  At 9lb 3, he was a big boy, too big for five foot nothing me.  He had an infection due to labour taking so long and we spent a further seven days at hospital so he could receive antibiotics through an IV in his little hand.  None of the clothes I had brought with me fitted him, so he spent the night in a vest and wrapped in towels and blankets like little baby Cheeses.

It couldn't have all been further from the homebirth I wanted, but the whiteness of those towels highlights the purity and freshness of a newborn life making a much anticipated arrival into the world.    

Guest post | The pros and cons of reusable nappies by Aqeela

I am delighted to have enlisted some other blogging parents from British Mummy Bloggers (take a look - Dads are welcome too) today is the turn of Aqeela a 26 year old housewife and Mum to a one year old little boy, she has aspired to live the green life since before it became "fashionable." 

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BY AQEELA FOR HER BLOG: http://aqeelas-house.blogspot.com

on TUESDAY, 11 AUGUST 2009

The pros and cons of reusable nappies.

Ever since I found out that I was pregnant I felt determined to use re-usable nappies. For me, the main bonus was the lack of waste involved. We live in a very disposable society, we are so wealthy that we struggle to find the justification for being frugal (unless it comes into fashion as it is doing now… but that’s a whole other blog post!). So the fact that a household with one baby can fill their rubbish bin half full each week with just nappies alone horrifies me.

As well as saving on waste (and 50 million disposable nappies are dumped each year in my city alone), I knew that buying re-useables would also save us money in the long term. Of course in the short term we needed to find a lump sum to buy a whole load of nappies (that’s where our very generous family stepped in Alhamdulillah) but over all the cost would be far less, even more so if we go on to use them for our next child or children insha’Allah. But in all honesty, cost wasn’t really a motivation for taking the re-useables route.

Disposable nappies are made of a combination of paper, super-absorbent chemicals and plastic. It could take hundreds of years for the plastic in disposable nappies to decompose, not to mention all of the methane and toxic gases which are being produced by those piles of used nappies as we speak. I don’t want to dump my problem on to the next generation, and the next, and the next. And as i don't use any chemicals on my own skin, i wouldn't want the chemicals in a disposable nappy rubbing against my baby's pure little bottom either.

My husband was much less enthusiastic about all of this; he was concerned about the extra stress of washing all those nappies every day, and then trying to get them dry in our tiny and sheltered garden. But I persisted, did a lot of research, and brought him round to my way of thinking. Go Aqeela!!!

I wasn’t concerned about the extra amount of work involved in taking the ‘green option’. Pah, another load of washing in the machine every day, I'll have bags of time! Id much rather put all those future generations before myself!! (Currently rolling eyes at my naivety in my perception of how much free time I'd have – or rather not have - with a baby in tow).

So I went to a local 'Re-usable nappy specialist' to find out more. It was great to have a real person to speak to and to be able to ask questions about the nappies and the benefits, the down sides, the different styles and types, and the different brands. Much easier than spending hours trawling through websites. (In the UK, if you go to your local council website they should be able to give you information on this). After this, I went home to hubby to speak really fast in excitement and show him a million Google images and websites. I was 100% convinced that this was the way forward for us.

After much research and discussion we went for the Tots Bots brand and bought the ‘birth to potty EasyFit’ bamboo nappies. We chose bamboo rather than cotton as the bamboo towelling is a natural material which is more absorbent and faster drying than conventional cotton towelling. If it’s faster drying we’ll take it!

So, what’s the verdict I hear you ask?! Ok, for online reviews of Totsbots nappies look here… Tots Bots Review. For my opinion, read on.

Tots Bots Nappy Day Pack (Stage 1, Aplix Fastening, White Cotton) £42

What nappies did you use?Tots Bots birth to potty EasyFit’ bamboo nappys.

How much were they and where did you buy them from?
£232 for 20 nappies, a roll of nappy liners and a potty. I bought them from Natural Baby Shower.co.uk - They were the cheapest I found, even cheaper than the Tots Bots site, and the service was great – I think the nappies arrived in 2-3 days.

First impressions?
Nice looking and well made nappies (Extra bonus – they are made in the UK). Fun colours (I was worried that the lilac was a little girly for Dave but they look just fine when they are on).

Are they easy to use?
It took me a few weeks to really get used to them; however that’s much more to do with me being a first time parent who had never changed a nappy pre Dave. You simply put the booster pad in a sock like pocket which tucks inside the nappy, then place under baby’s bum and use the Velcro to fasten. There are 3 sets of poppers on this nappy so that it will fit from age newborn up to 3 years when your child will probably be potty trained.

Will they really go all the way from birth to potty?
I believe in terms of manufacture that yes, they will last for a few years, long enough for a couple of children or more id say. In terms of size, they were a little big on Dave (born relatively big at 8lb 1 oz) until he was 5 weeks old. Then they were more snug. When he reached about 10 weeks old we moved onto the middle set of poppers. I have a friend who had her 2 and a half year old in them and they fit fine on the maximum size setting.

Have they ever given your baby nappy rash?
Never!

Do re-usable nappies leak?
I’m afraid they do! Not all the time, probably once every 3 days to be honest. However, I do find that my sons vest is slightly damp around the edges between his legs, where the dampness has spread from nappy to vest. This has happened nearly every time ive come to change his nappy.

As for night-times – don’t have your baby in these nappies over night. They leak, big time! Almost every morning my son would be lying in a damp patch. My friend who used these nappies with 10 month old twin boys also had the exact same problem. Instead, i now use these nappies at bedtimes – they are disposable, but are biodegradable and chemical free. Even the packaging is 100% biodegradable. They are available worldwide. And I give them 5 out of 5 for everything, they are great!

How often do you need to wash them?
I have 1 child, 20 nappies, and wash them every other day.

How long do they take to dry?

The same amount of time as any other washing.

Do they smell?
They don’t smell when your baby is wearing them, or while they are waiting (in my case 48hours) to be washed. They do smell when you have to open them all up and unfold the booster pad as you are loading your washing machine! Its slightly annoying that you have to unfold these dirty nappies, it takes about 5 mins just to load the machine and its a bit of a dirty job. Id much prefer to be able to just chuck them in the machine and go.

What do you wash them with?
I wash them on 60 degrees using bicarbonate of soda. I fill the fabric softener department of the washing machine with distilled white vinegar and about 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (usually eucalyptus) which freshens them in the final rinse.

Do you have to soak re-usable nappy's?
I don’t soak the nappies before hand, unless it was a pretty explosive poo! (In which case I wash under the tap, and leave the wet nappy with all the other dirty ones ready to be washed later.)

Do they come clean?
They do. On the odd occasion that they stain, the sun will bleach the stain right out while they dry on the washing line.

Overall, how many stars would you give the Tots Bots birth to potty EasyFit’ bamboo nappies?
3/5

Whats your verdict on re-uables per se?

Go for it - the positives outshine the negatives. Im so glad ive done it this way.

There are definitely lots of reasons for and against using washable nappies.  Let's hope Aqeela has helped shed some light on the subject.  Thank you Aqeela!

The ancient art of Babywearing - Affordable Baby Wrap Slings For Sale in Southsea and Portsmouth

The ancient art of Babywearing is having a revival in the UK and it's all down to some wonderfully green and enthusiastic parents spreading the word. 

Also known as the art of attachment parenting, baby wearing has a history in almost all cultures. Tribal cultures such as  my own family in Borneo have been enjoying the benefits of baby wearing for centuries. There are no Bugaboos in the jungle don't you know!  A simple sarong or piece of cloth makes for the perfect baby carrier, this in turn functions like a transitional womb which is the perfect way to carry your baby in an ideal world.


I wish I was the kind of virtuous mother who only uses washable nappies, uses rags and water instead of wet wipes, educates  my children at home, carries the baby in a sling everywhere, cooks everything from scratch and brings the children up to have a halcyon childhood, but alas I am not like that.  I know some amazing mothers who can tick all the above boxes, but I, like most people am just doing the best I can.  But when I do use a baby sling, I use my Sa Be Baby Carrier of course.

We sell Sa Be Baby Carriers at Rare Designer Must-Haves, they are a wonderful baby wrap and are so affordable starting at just £21.95 with free shipping.  So everyone can afford to give it a try.  Read on to find out more....

"What are the benefits of using the Sa Be Baby Carrier Sling?

First of all, there's that lovely feeling of carrying your baby close to you, feeling them settled and contented as you go about your daily routine; be it shopping, housework or caring for your older children. Your baby will be part of your daily life from day one, and will benefit hugely from this. Having spent 9 months in the security of the womb, feeling the constant movement and warmth, they can now feel secure and relaxed in a similar environment, feeling familiar movements and hearing the wearer's heart beating. They are exactly where they feel the most safe and secure, and can enjoy looking at the world around them in an upright position. Instead of being over stimulated by the activities around them, they spend more time in the quiet alert state of mind, an ideal state of mind in which to learn.

As well as these emotional benefits, there are huge physical benefits as well. Our carrier is extremely comfortable for both the wearer and the baby. There are no pressure points on your baby's spine or hips like there are on some of the other styles of baby carrier available on the market today. For the younger baby, our recommended front facing in carrying position ensures that your baby is held in the optimum position for the crucial spinal development of the early months. Using this position ensures that your baby's spine is not put in a weight-bearing position too early, as the legs are tucked up inside the carrier instead of dangling down, distributing the weight over hips and legs instead of putting all the weight on the crotch. When your baby is older you may choose to leave the baby's legs out of the carrier, but this position is still infinitely more beneficial for your baby than the uncomfortable parachute harness position of some of the other carriers available today, as the baby's knees will be held level with their crotch instead of dangling straight down. This is the same position used to treat hip dysplasia in young children, as it is the best for hip development and alignment.

The design of our carrier is very comfortable for you, the wearer, as your baby's weight is distributed evenly over your entire back, shoulders and hips. The baby is carried high at your centre of gravity, which is good for your posture too. It doesnt feel lopsided and you dont twist your back to compensate for the extra weight you are carrying.

Sa-Be carriers are a long tube of jersey cotton. There is more support in this design and therefore it is much more unlikely to go baggy and need to be re-tied. They are also not as wide as other wraps which means that you dont feel as if you are swaddled in fabric. 

They are very convenient. Just tie the carrier on before you go out in the car, move the knot to the side slightly (so you dont have a knot digging into your back while you are sitting in the car), and when you reach your destination you'll be able to pop your baby in and out as many times as you like without having to tie and untie the carrier. 

Whilst the carrier is tied to you without the baby in, our funky range of fabrics will make a fashion statement whilst also providing the perfect breastfeeding cover-up. They are also cheap enough and small enough to keep one a spare one in the car, you never know when you might need one. It is much better than having a pushchair take up useful boot space!

When carrying the baby in the front carry, there is room to carry a backpack on your back for your baby essentials and shopping. Please note that it is wise to keep your hands free when carrying your baby, as your arms help you to balance when walking.)

It is perfect for those small trips to the shops as it is much easier than trying to push a pram/pushchair through small, tight shopping aisles. 

If your baby falls asleep, either shoulder strap can be pulled free a little to make space to tuck babies head in. 

• Carried babies are less prone to Flat Head Syndrome (caused when babies spend long periods of time on their backs). Carrying a baby takes the pressure off their head. Soft carriers in particular are great for babies head shaping
• The baby is carried up high, away from exhaust fumes etc.
• You will naturally interact with your baby much more when you are carrying them than if they were sitting in a pushchair.
• Carried babies cry less, they feel happy, secure and loved.
• It is a great bonding opportunity for both baby and wearer.
• Carried babies are less likely to suffer from wind, and the upright position & constant movement can help to ease acid reflux and colic.
• They are able to see more. This is much better for learning as they are up high and see what you see.
• Carried babies are happier all round, as carrying your baby in a baby carrier reduces her level of stress hormones
• Carried babies are less likely to be over stimulated by the world around them and more likely to be in their quiet alert state which is optimum for learning.
• Carried babies are often calmer, as when you are close to your baby and can quickly respond to all of his needs, there is no reason to cry."

Buy one now, free shipping and the cheapest on the internet!

The Importance of the In-Arms Phase

Read More......

To find out more about Baby Wearing in Portsmouth and to attend the next Sling Meet read more here: 

http://pompeybabywearer.blogspot.com/

For a comprehensive guide to different types of sling other than the Sa Be Baby Sling, then take a look here: 

http://www.slingguide.co.uk/index.php

No to Biofuel with Lush Portsmouth - Headhuntress's Best Shopping In Southsea and Portsmouth

I never paid much attention to Lush before as I have a highly tuned commercial filter - and I just presumed that their lovely candy colours and richly scented shops were all the product of canny marketing along with lots of fake perfume and what I supposed was unnatural bath bombs!

So, it wasn't until recently after avoiding the new shiny Lush shop in Cascades like the plague last year, that I discovered just how amazing they really are.  My husband and I were searching for companies in December that do not test on animals.  We were shocked to discover that most of the major cosmetic giants cannot categorically state that they are against animal testing - not even Boots can guarantee that none of their components have been tested on animals!  And we all know that poor Anita Roddick, God rest her, sold her soul when she was bought out by by evil bunny torturers - L'Oreal.  No, I'm not worth it..... And yes, boycott Bodyshop, they might not test on animals - but their owners - where all the money is going - very much do!

To my surprise on the list of cruelty free peeps was Lush.  So, I paid them a visit and was delighted to discover that they had moved on from the familiar bath bombs and squidgy soap and were dealing in lotions and potions for the face and hair now too.  I was an immediate convert, spurred on by the enthusiastic vibrant staff in our local store.




On my first visit I was told by one of the lovely sales assistants that the owner of Lush doesn't even drive a car and is a vegan.  That was me sold.  What great marketing.  Ahem. Filter?  What filter?  Anyways, as I as saying.  I have been a convert ever since and love putting the old "Gorgeous" moisturiser on packed with skin treats such as orange blossom and good oils, safe in the knowledge that no rabbit has had to lose his eye balls for my vanity.

The "Biofuel isn't the answer" campaign is just another in the list of relevant and important issues that  Lush and Lush Portsmouth are bringing to the attention of the public.  It is of course partly great marketing but there are serious issues which can be dealt with with the help of consumers.  Look at Stella, Paul and Linda McCartney's "Meat Free Monday" campaign, where just giving up meat for one day a week can have a huge impact on the planets resources.  What I want to bring to your attention now though is that using palm oil for fuel, glue, cornflakes, chocolate, biscuits or anything is seriously bad news.  It's a cheap resource but it will cost us the Earth if more rain forest is cut down in order to supply the demanding Western world and money making fat cats like Nestle (boycott them too!)

Look in to my eyes....

I am particularly fond of the rain forest in Borneo, it's where my indigenous tribe Bidayuh family live and my ancestors are from  - hell maybe there's a little bit more orangutan in my DNA then most people's and because of that, this issue is very close to my heart.  I am privileged enough to have met rescued orangutans face to face as well as seeing them in the wild and believe me, when you meet them, they have a look of all knowing wisdom, catch their eye and it's like someone is staring right down in to the belly of your soul.  It's a humbling experience. They don't deserve to die so that we can run a few more cars cheaply and buy a pack of digestives for 39p instead of paying more.

 Not only is it cruel and unfair for these endangered animals amongst many other species some maybe not even discovered and named yet to lose their habitat. But the rain forest are like the very lungs of our planet.  Without it we cannot breathe.  The rain forest around the World including the great Amazon churns out life giving oxygen and are responsible for more than 40% of the oxygen in the atmosphere. It is also estimated that if we carry on chopping the rain forest down at the rate that we are doing, then in just 40 years time it will all be gone.  I don't know about you but I quite like breathing.

Watch the video above based at our Lush Portsmouth to see what you can do to help.

Veggie Bubba, vegetarian babies

Bringing up baby to be vegetarian can seem daunting but it really needn't be. Our little one is far from little. I was vegan when he was conceived and only staryed eating dairy again when I was about 14 weeks pregnant. I'm 5 foot nothing and had quite a neat bump compared to when I was carrying bubba 1 and bubba 2. I gained 4 stone with each of their pregnancies and only 28 pounds with the latest babe. So he should have been a little dot, but alas no. He was a whopping 9 pounds 2 ozs and on time. He was exclusively breastfed my vegetarian milk for 6 months and has remained a whopper ever since.

So what do you feed baby once he is passed the fruit and veggie early tasters? It's still important to make sure they are having some protein, but the best diet for babies is high fat and low fibre for some reason, the opposite to us. I give our baby plenty of yoghurt and I mix cheese in with his veggies sometimes. Beans and lentils are great for protein, but one of the best sources is quinoa flakes. It's so easy to add to baby food. Just soak in hot water then add to normal cooking. It's like a grain but high in protein, wonderful stuff and if you stick to the flakes, much more blendable for those early purees.

Be mindful when you are cooking the family dinner, don't add extra salt to your veggies and make extra so that you can blend them up for baby. Courgettes, sweet potato, broccoli and butternut squash whizz up a treat. When baby is older he will really enjoy the family bolognese made with Quorn mince mixed with the spaghetti pasta. Our 7 month old is over 20 pounds, bigger than many one year olds. He is also strong as an ox and has chosen the more difficult army style crawl to regular crawling. He's going to have arms like Wolverine and will probably be taller than me by the time he starts Infant School at this rate!.