Category: Baby Blog

1. Amoralia Maternity Nightwear : Review

   Posted on 12:12pm Wednesday 7th Aug 2013

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   Maternity nightwear review from our gorgeous pregnant blogger ......

   At 36 weeks pregnant and my maternity leave approaching, I started to think beyond my growing bump and cute nursery decorations and onto the more practical elements of the arrival, such as packing my hospital bag and how I was going to feed my baby.

   With that in mind I was delighted when I was asked to review a maternity cami and brief set by Amoralia, designed for both maternity and nursing mums.

   The package arrived tied with pretty ribbon and I could immediately tell how my night attire was going to be a little more glamorous going forwards compared with the baggy t-shirts that I had been ‘borrowing’ from my husband as the only thing that fitted over the bump!

   The cute briefs are cut to sit under bump and the top flatters by skimming over and completely covering so no chance of flashing any midriff. Like many new mothers I am hoping to breast feed my baby and conveniently there is a hidden support that lifts for easy nursing, although personally I think it may be easier to drop the strap and access that way.

   

   
   

   Amoralia Maternity Nightwear : Review by littlelilypadco featuring amoralia

   The fit was perfect for my size (I ordered a medium and normally wear a size 10, although with the pregnancy/chocolate weight piled on I’m probably more of a 12 right now!) and the material is seriously soft on the skin. Whilst the style is feminine and flirty with a lace trim, it isn’t too ‘sexy’ that it would put you off wearing it unless you wanted your other half to assume you had something on your mind!

   I will definitely be checking out the rest of the Amoralia collection for their nursing tops and bra’s as although they may be a little more expensive than some of the high street brands, you can tell that the quality and design have been thought through. One thing is definitely certain; I won’t be putting this cami set into my hospital bag as it’s far too gorgeous and comfortable to risk it getting ruined through labour!

   Thanks Amoralia for making me feel a little bit more ‘me’ through the last part of my pregnancy.

   If you would like to be in with a chance to win a gorgeous Amoralia camisole worth £39.00, you can enter below:

   a Rafflecopter giveaway

2. To Baby Moon or not to Baby Moon?

   Posted on 10:18am Wednesday 7th Aug 2013

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   The constant press coverage and updates about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the new baby prince appears to have waned a little over the past week and it has been suggested that they are taking some time to have a "baby moon" . The Queen spent 30 minutes with her new great-grandson two days after he was born but we are sure that she is one of the first in a steady stream of visitors and dignatories that will want to welcome the little one into the world.

    

   Eight years ago, when I had my first child, I genuinely dont recall anyone having a "baby moon" then. I am not saying it's not a FANTASTIC concept but do times really change that fast? It totally makes sense to have some time on your own after the arrival of your newborn, a bit like the "time alone" newly married couples get on their honeymoon but dont you run the risk of offending so many friends and family?

    

   I recall a steady stream of visitors for the first 3-4 weeks at least but having some time to enjoy your newborn baby sounds nothing short of bliss.  I know everyone loves a tiny baby but sometimes you do feel like ringing some of the agents in Scotland and eloping to a new country, just for some quiet time. Although to be fair, the Royals could just nip up to Balmoral!!

    

   Are we creating a selfish society or is this purely time to nuture and cement a family bond with your partner and children? A new baby is a gift, should we be taking more time to enjoy it?

    

   What did you do?

    

   

    

3. Planning for a Baby : How to baby proof your finances : Featured Post

   Posted on 9:17pm Sunday 4th Aug 2013

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   Featured Post.

   I vividly remember a friend once saying that if you waited till you could afford to have a baby, then you would probably never have one but there are things you can do to make your family budget go a little further. So here are our top tips for baby proofing your finances.

   For the first few months, the baby won't need alot aisde from milk, nappies, love and a few bits of clothing. If you can help it (and we know it is difficult), don't spend the entire 9 months of your pregnancy buying cute outfits, or little shoes or even an adorable rain mac (yes seriously) and if good friends and family offer you things for free - take them! 

   If you do need to buy expensive items such as the cot or travel system, use money saving websites like MyFamilyClub, and forums to find the best price before you buy and then it might be a good idea to use a credit card with rewards.

   

   Whilst you are pregnant, it is also worthwhile checking your household expenses. It is easy to continue paying the same service provider for your phone, electricity and gas, so use a comparison site and if you have credit cards, it is probably worthwhile taking time to compare credit cards to make sure you are getting the best rewards and benefits.

   If you have countless subscriptions to Sky or the gym, it maybe a good time to look at what you actually watch / use. For the first few months you may possibly be too exhausted to watch any one of your 135 channels and as for the gym, pushing a travel system and lifting it in and out of the car will be more than enough exercise for you!

   Now those of you that don't have any children yet, I would like to share with you that they poo. Alot. So take advantage of the special baby events at supermarkets where they discount bulk buys on items like nappies and wipes; you’ll be sure to use them, no matter how much bulk you buy!

   Now when baby arrives, there will be a time once the baby fuelled conversations die down and you want to get back out as a couple. Unfortunately paying out for a babysitter is an added cost to a night out but you will also find many firnds will be in the same position as you, so why not start a babysitting circle? You can then take it in turns to babysit and it leaves you to go out on your own, with a normal sized handbag and smelling of something other than baby milk.

   Having a baby is amazing, exhausting, empowering but it doesn't have to break the bank.

   Would you add anything to the list?

   Image credit : Freedigitalphotos.net

4. WIN a Magic Mitten : Baby Calming Aid

   Posted on 10:28pm Thursday 1st Aug 2013

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   On the Lilypad, we love unique and unusual gifts and every once in a while a truly revolutionary product hits the market and the incredible Magic Mitten is one such example. This ingenious product is set to help parents across the world instantly settle distressed babies and regain precious sleep!

   The patented Magic Mitten is the first ever handheld baby calming aid that plays settling white noise sounds that only your baby can hear. The specially designed sounds have a swiftly calming effect that will soothe your baby whenever it’s distressed. Even babies with colic are gently soothed into a calm state, removing a stressful burden from sleep deprived mums and dads.
   

   The clever design allows you to securely and easily hold your baby while holding the Magic Mitten to your baby’s ear so it can be used by anyone, at anytime, at home or out and about. Simply pop it in your baby bag wherever you and baby go.

   Features:

   •   Fixed volume providing safe decibel level               
   •   Automatically switches off after 10 minutes use for safety & prolonged battery                                                                              
   •   Three sound options, including mother's heartbeat, ocean waves and rain on a tin roof
   •   Triple layered comfort pad for cushioning and sound diffusion
   •   Removable comfort pad for easy cleaning
   •   Rechargeable via AC/DC charger or USB connection included 

   

    

   The Magic Mitten is set to hit the UK this month and will be available for £39.99 from www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk as well as a number of carefully selected retailers. 

   The Magic Mitten Story

   The Magic Mitten was created in New Zealand by father Mark Hubble to help soothe his new daughter Lily. When Lily got herself in a state she was very difficult to settle and Mark and his wife exasperated themselves trying all kinds of things to calm her; dummies, pacing, rocking, singing, driving around in the car...the list goes on. Mark believed there must be a better way. So he began researching the calming effects of white noise and vowed to create a product that brought together the perfect sounds at the perfect pitch.
   
   Mark began designing an effective, safe and portable settling aid, that could be operated while holding a baby, and that didn’t drive everyone in the vicinity crazy. Mark's initial prototype was so successful at calming his daughter Lily that he knew he was onto something. The results were like magic!
   
   Together with friends Simon and Dean, Mark developed, patented and began selling the Magic Mitten, which is now being distributed all over the world.
   
   To find out more about Magic Mitten you can visit www.magicmitten.com but to be in with a chance to win one, you can enter below!

   

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    This competition is also listed on Prize Finder