The nappy changing bag is a vital piece of equipment that will enable you to carry everything that your baby needs with you when you are out and about, but just how much do you need to carry around with you?  

Many of us think the bigger the better when choosing our changing bag but then end up lugging around a huge weighty bag full of things that we never use but take…just in case! 

Nappy changing bags come in all sorts of styles, shapes and sizes. Many prams and buggies come with matching nappy changing bags which can make it easy when deciding on the bag for you. My top tip is always go for a style or colour that your partner will be happy carrying and not something that is too girly or feminine. 

What do you really need to carry around with you? 

• Obviously nappies, nappy cream and the all essential wipes and many bags have a small removable changing pad which is very useful.
• Bottles of milk if you are bottle feeding and equipment you will need for your feeds, such as bibs etc
• Spare clothing but not the whole wardrobe!
• Dummies (if you use them), many bags have great little compartments where you can store all sorts of little items that you don’t want to get lost at the bottom of your bag.
• Lots of the bags now realise that mums no longer carry hand bags as well as a changing bag and they include pockets for your mobile phone and purse.

When you choose your bag, try it for size. Does it have adjustable straps, will you be carrying it over your shoulder, across your body or on your back? Does it fit comfortably on your buggy or pram? Is it the right size for you? Remember the bigger the bag the more junk you can carry around..hurray!

Part-2 which furniture do I need?

Many mums-to-be want to have a lovely nursery for their baby and this can involve getting it kitted out with various items of furniture.

Try to remember in all the excitement that your baby will soon outgrow it and if you are on a tight budget it’s not the end of the world. You may spend a small fortune on the gorgeous brown bear wall paper, matching bedding and all the matching baby furniture but in a few short years they may be begging for dinosaurs, ballerinas or whatever cartoon character is in fashion.

Some pieces you can buy will prove to be really handy and make your life so much easier.

Changing mat versus the changing station

·         You don’t need to spend a fortune on an expensive changing station a changing mat will do the job at a fraction of the price.

·         A changing mat is simple to wipe clean.

·         They are foam filled so it will be light to move around from room to room and has a raised edge to stop your baby rolling off.

·         As you use them on the floor you will not have the same worry of your baby rolling off.

However many mums find a changing station easier and more comfortable.

·         They are designed to bring your baby up to waist height so you won’t need to bend over or kneel on the floor. A great aid if you suffer from a bad back as a newborn can have over 10 nappy changes a day!( you may need to check out a few different tables to find the correct height for you).

·         Many also have plenty of storage space so you can keep everything you need for changing their nappy in one place.

·         You can buy them with wheels, which makes it great for moving around and they are normally fixable for safety.

·         They have a harness for safety as you will be changing your baby at waist height.

A nursing chair

A nursing chair is a great piece of furniture to put in your nursery (if you have the space). You could even check out second hand shops for a comfy chair which you can paint, varnish or cover to match your baby’s nursery theme. A rocking chair is a fabulous option for you both to sit, relax, feed and rock them to sleep. You may even get a few extra naps yourself!

Are cruise ships as child-friendly as they claim to be?

With her 13 years old daughter’s help, Jane Archer pits a casual three-star line against a five -star one.

Here, they sail with family-friendly Ocean Village.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/family/1901756/Child-friendly-cruises-Ocean-Village.html

 Author: Lisa Smith 

How many times do you grab a good book, pull your child or children into your lap or snuggle on the couch and read to them?  So many of us are guilty of never finding the time, when reading is such an important skill for children to learn. As a parent we have the greatest influence over whether or not they begin to learn or choose to learn to read.  We can encourage them to learn to read by making books and reading an important part of their life from day one.   

·        

Author: Richard Smart 

 Pregnancy is a time of preparation, wonder and eager anticipation. It is also a time of nausea, vomiting and constipation, tiredness, swollen ankles, cranky moods and sleepless nights. Add to this the worries that invade an expectant mother’s thinking. Some are rational and based on facts and some not so rational and most likely based on overactive hormone levels. Thinking about these, you will quickly understand while for many a mother-to-be pregnancy is a bit of a mixed bag. 

Nausea, vomiting, constipation and to a lesser extent also hormonal imbalances, can all be linked back to nutritional choices the expectant mother makes. While it is easy to assume that a pregnant woman will of course always choose the healthiest foods possible, the reality dictates that many women still have other children to take care. In addition, they might still be working full time, run their household and volunteer in the community. Thus, the somewhat idealistic notion of the expectant mother resting with feet propped up on the sofa snacking on carrots and lightly toasted almonds is rarely seen. 

Yet even the busiest mom-to-be does not need to despair! Healthy nutritional choices are easier than you think:

 ·         First and foremost, do not skip meals. Even a small meal consisting of little more than a few carrots and a handful of Cheerio’s is better than nothing. The goal is to keep your blood sugar levels even and therefore your hormones in balance.   ·         Iron supplements which are contained in your prenatal vitamins will lead to constipation. Counteract the constipating affect of the iron by snacking on high fibre crackers and prunes. At this point in time, individually wrapped prunes are commercially available and travel great in your purse or backpack.

 Part one – Cots and Moses baskets 

Getting your baby’s nursery ready can be a fun and exciting time.  

One of the most important things you will buy is a cot or Moses basket for your baby to sleep in. Most of us have our babies sleeping in our room for the first six months as advised by health professionals (many of us have them in with us for the first year or more!)    

• Many mums like the Moses basket as the first bed for their baby as it is smaller and more portable than a cot.
• It’s easily moved around from room to room, it will fit it in the car for visits to family and it will probably fit comfortably right next to your bed so your baby is close to you at night.
• If you buy a Moses basket you will still need to purchase a cot as most babies will have outgrown their Moses basket by around six-nine months.
• When you purchase your cot you may find you can get a second hand one for half the price and in good condition or a friend or relative may offer you their’s that they no longer need.
• No matter how well you know them it is always important to buy a new mattress to avoid cot death.

 Cot death 

Studies have shown that when a baby lies on a mattress inevitably the baby’s secretions fall onto the mattress through saliva, vomit and coughs and sneezes. This allows the growth of a fungus and this fungus attacks fire retardants in a way that it releases gases. These gases are heavier than air so they concentrate in the mattress. Babies are much more susceptible to these poisons and it is thought this is what causes cot death. Always buy a new mattress for every newborn baby as the fungus will not have had time to develop, never use a second hand mattress even if it looks like new. 

Mums-to-be need to take good care of their skin throughout pregnancy as skin cell reproduction is accelerated making it important to keep it moisturised and nourished. 

Huge changes are brought on due to pregnancy hormones so therefore to keep a pregnant body in tip top condition some changes or adjustments may be needed. 

Some simple tips for pregnant skincare 

• It’s really important to take a look at all your normal products just to check that they are suitable for use during pregnancy. Many vitamins and creams will state that you must check with your G.P if you are pregnant or lactating before use. If you are concerned switch to products which clearly state they are suitable for use throughout pregnancy
• Try to use moisturising body creams, washes and a good moisturiser. This will keep your skin supple and will help in the areas where the skin could get stretch marks.
• Although a long soak in the bath may relieve aches and give you time to relax, avoid having the water too hot and don’t spend too long in there, as the water will dehydrate the skin.
• Always use a rich nourishing moisturiser to smother over your skin once you have had your daily shower or bath. Make it part of your daily routine and pay extra attention to your bump. There are lots of organic and homeopathic oils and creams designed especially for pregnancy which may be worth trying out. Although a simple non perfumed moisturiser massaged onto your tummy in large circular motions in a clockwise direction will not only moisturise but to help avoid or aid pregnant constipation.
• Never use soap to wash with as this will strip your body of it’s natural oils, use a moisturising body wash in it’s place. 

Skin can alter greatly throughout your pregnancy so it’s important to find a skincare routine that’s right for you. Pick up lots of testers and try them out until you find what suits you and your pregnant skin.