Category Archives: General Advice

General Advice

Reasons why cooking with your little one is worthwhile

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Here are six reasons why you should invite your pint-size mini-me’s into the kitchen the next time you fix a meal:

1.      It gives them a sense of accomplishment.

When your child can serve the family a meal that he helped to make he’s going to do so with a sense of pride. Little kids love to showcase the different things they are able to do, especially things that are normally left to the grownups, and cooking is no exception.

2.      It prepares them for when they’re out on their own.

Cooking is a life skill that everyone should learn at some point, and the sooner that kids learn how to do it, the better. This will save them from the terror of moving out of the house and realizing that they don’t know how to cook even the most basic of meals, like hard-boiled eggs or spaghetti.

3.      They are more likely to try different foods.

By letting your kids to take part in the cooking process they are much more likely to be open to trying different foods they may have otherwise been opposed to. Since they’re the ones who prepared it, they’re much more likely to eat it.

4.      It allows you to teach them about healthy options.

Teaching kids how to cook meals that are packed with flavor but not with calories can play a role in whether they approach food with a healthy mindset or they opt for unhealthier options. This is a great time to teach them about a healthy diet while still eating great food.

5.      It gives you quality time together.

Time spent preparing meals in the kitchen together gives you and your child a unique time to bond. It will also help craft memories that will stick with them for a lifetime, and you can pass on treasured family recipes to them or create some of your own.

6.      It teaches them basic educational skills.

While learning to measure out different items and cook or bake different meals may not seem like math or science, both skills will come in useful in the classroom as well as the kitchen. Learning basic fractions when you’re measuring and basic science through the different reactions that occur through different cooking methods easily translate back to the classroom.

Above all else, cooking with your child is fun for the both of you. Kids love to look up to and mimic their parents, and cooking together combines this passion with learning. Let your kids become your kitchen helpers and you’ll both reap the benefits of the time together in the kitchen.

Baby Shower Hints, Tips & Advice, Baby Showers, General Advice

Summer party drinks

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During the warmer months, it is important to keep your guests refreshed with plenty of quenching drinks, whatever their ages. We offer a few tips for sprucing up your summer party drinks. Just don’t forget the ice…

1. Glorious garnishes

Adorn guests’ cups with fun sparklers, straws and umbrellas, giving them a carnival feel. As well as these, edible decorations and garnishes, such as small skewers of fruit; apple, orange, pineapple and grapes, give them something good on the side. Try dipping glass rims into coloured fruit purees and sugar for a frosted look (you can try dipping them in drinking chocolate powder for milkshakes). Slice lots of citrus fruit to sprinkle into punch bowls and add cucumber strands and mint sprigs to serving jugs of plain tap water, which will add subtle flavour as well as colour.

2. Stay ice-cool

Stocking up your freezer drawer with filled ice trays will ensure you keep your drinks cold – it is all too easy to forget. If you are hosting a large crowd and you don’t have room for everything in your fridge, buy a cooler bucket or use a plastic bin filled with ice and cold water to ensure that the supply doesn’t dry up. You can buy fun reusable ice cubes which light up, as well as colourful plastic ones which won’t dilute your drinks and cocktails. Freeze mint leaves into your ice trays for pretty additions to cordials and Pimm’s.

3. Summer serving

If you are outside, it is worth investing in a few colourful plastic jugs for punches and squashes which hold a lot of liquid and save trips back and forth for refills. Plastic containers with taps work well for serving favourites such as homemade lemonade for a crowd, as even the smallest can help themselves. If you are theming the party, such as Alice in Wonderland, you could serve the kids their drinks from teapots to add to the fun. Another idea is to use a hollowed-out watermelon as a punchbowl if it is a tropical party theme.

4. Think outside the jug

Use your favourite drinks flavours in other ways. For example, many drinks and juices make fantastic jellies, from sparkling wine and fruit, fizzy Pimm’s and lemonade, to elderflower cordial and orange juice. You can add spirits, such as Campari, to flavour grown-up sorbets and granitas, and drizzle fruit or coffee liqueurs over vanilla ice-cream for an after-dinner treat. For kids, freezing a tropical fruit juice or punch and letting it thaw slightly for an hour or two before drinking will make a great slushy treat on a hot day. Otherwise, pour fruit juice into individual lolly moulds.

5. T’s & C’s

Tea and coffee aren’t just warmers for cold grey days – iced, they make wonderfully refreshing summer drinks too. To make iced tea, steep teabags and sugar in boiling water for 7-10 minutes, remove the teabags and allow to cool. Then add mint and fruit garnishes, and fruit juices such as orange and lemon if you like a milder taste. Serve over ice. Spruce up an iced coffee with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.

General Advice, New Baby, Tell Us Your Stories

Best flight tips for babies

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When is it safe to take my baby on a plane?
The thought of facing an airport and a flight soon after giving birth may fill you with horror. But there’s actually no standard minimum age restriction for babies to take to the skies.

Each airline sets its own minimum age and this can range from two days old to 14 days old. For a premature baby, this is usually counted from the due date, not the day they were born.

Some airlines may insist a newborn baby, and mum, have a GP’s note to say they are fit to fly before they will allow them on board. So do check with the airline before booking your tickets.

If you’re travelling abroad, your baby will need her own passport. This can take a few weeks, so it’s best not to book that exotic trip away before the paperwork is organised.

The main worry for you is your baby sharing the plane with other passengers and their coughs, colds and germs. Keep any bugs at bay by being extra scrupulous with hygiene, perhaps adding a travel size antibacterial hand gel to your hand luggage.
Will my baby need a separate ticket?
Your baby may not have her own seat, but she will still need a ticket. Different airlines do have different rules, but they like to know if you’ll be turning up with a baby in tow.

Very often, particularly if you’re booking your trip before your baby is born, you may not be able to arrange your baby’s ticket and seat online. You’ll need to do this on the phone to the airline, and confirm nearer to the date, too.

Sometimes children younger than two do fly for free, but not always. Most airlines charge a percentage of the adult fare if your baby is sitting on an adult’s lap for the flight. It’s usually more if your baby is having her own seat.

You may not be able to travel alone if you have two or more babies younger than six months. Most airlines insist there is one adult with each baby.

Double check too if your baby gets a baggage allowance. Most airlines realise a baby doesn’t travel light, but some don’t so you may have to pack your baby’s things in your suitcase. Unless you’re happy to bring another suitcase and pay for extra luggage allowance!
What facilities do airlines have for babies?
Feeding and changing your baby can be a challenge when you’re away from home, even if you’re just out shopping. But many airlines do try to make life as easy as possible for mums and dads.

Most will have changing tables in the toilets. It may be rather cramped in there, but other passengers may not appreciate you changing your baby’s bottom on the seat next to them.

You may get a bulkhead seat, which is a row without seats in front. But obviously there aren’t many of these and most parents with a baby will want one.

Some airlines will have special carrycots so your baby can sleep on board, perfect for long haul flights. And there are often on-board baby seats that attach to the carrycot spots. However, these are usually given on a first come first served basis. Request a spot when you book your seats and try to confirm your seats before flying. Confirm the reservation again at check-in.

If you have booked your baby her own seat, most airlines will be happy for her to use her car seat on the plane. It has to face forwards, and not overlap the seat. Some airlines offer a specially designed baby seat. Check with your airline when you are booking your baby’s seat to find out what your options are.
What supplies should I take on the plane?
Lots of nappies and lots of spare clothes! Also bring clothes for you in case you spill her drink in a spot of turbulence, or in case air travel increases the amount she dribbles.

Baby food and meals for young children are usually available on the flight. Also take along something you know your baby likes, and remember baby spoons too. If you are formula feeding, take your usual brand of milk.

Cabin crew are usually happy to warm food and bottles, or boil water for formula milk.

Passengers are not usually allowed in the galley, so don’t expect to treat the plane kitchen like your own. Cruising at 30,000 feet is not the place to start trying to boil and puree carrots!

Airlines sometimes say they offer nappies and wipes but it would be risky to rely on that. Even if they do have nappies, there’s no guarantee they’ll have the right size. Much better to take your own.

While there are restrictions on the liquids you can take on a plane, they don’t apply to food or milk for your baby. That means you can take what you need for the journey in your hand baggage. This includes:

-expressed breastmilk, formula, or cow’s milk
-boiled water to make a feed (must be in a baby bottle)
-baby food, including finger foods

Do take extra for delays too. You may be asked to taste any milk or food you want to bring on board in the security checks at the airport. So you may prefer to breastfeed on board rather than taking expressed breastmilk in a bottle.

Some airports now have a reserve-and-collect service for formula milk. This means you can book your chosen brand of formula with your airline and collect it in the departure lounge.

The hand baggage restrictions do apply to nappy creams, so only take a small container, under 100ml, on board.

Pushchairs are not usually counted as part of your luggage. Make sure a luggage tag is put on the pushchair at check in, and you’ve attached your contact details. You should be able to let your baby ride in her pushchair right to the plane door. Then hand it to the cabin crew and collect it when you land.

The pushchair will have to be security screened, and that means your baby has to be taken out of it when you go through security.

Do ensure your carry-on bag also includes:

individual nappy packs that include wipes so you don’t have to haul your entire hand luggage to the loo
your baby’s sheet and blanket as the smell will be comforting
a couple of favourite toys, and a new one too
enough formula milk and food for the journey
a book for you, as your baby may fall asleep

How can I keep my baby calm during the flight?
You may find the hum of the engine makes baby drop off as soon as you take off and she’s happy to snooze the whole way.

You may be worried about your baby creating noise and havoc for hours. As you know, if you’re calm, baby is more likely to be calm. So try to make it as easy as possible for yourself.

When you book, tell the airline you’ll be travelling with a baby, and opt for all the extras available. Note down any reference numbers given and double check with a phone call, and email, at least 24 hours before you leave.

If your baby is mobile, encourage her to wear herself out before you get on the plane. The airport may have a play area, but if this is busy find a quiet corner of the departure lounge where she can crawl about.

Once on board, get yourself settled with everything within reach.

Also try these tips to keep your baby calm and settled during the flight:

Breast or bottle feed your baby on take off and landing. The swallowing will help prevent that uncomfortable ear popping.

Remember your baby’s dummy, if she uses one.

If your baby is awake, take her for a walk up and down the plane so she get’s a chance to look about and relax. If later she becomes distressed, a walk about may completely change her mood.

Night flights are good for long-haul journeys. Look for flights that won’t upset your baby’s routine.

If baby is wide awake, try to see the journey as a chance for playtime uninterrupted by chores. You may feel daft playing pat a cake, peek-a-boo and singing in front of other people, but she’ll love it. A happy giggling baby is a far more pleasant passenger than an embarrassed mum with a bored and soon to be grizzling baby.

Your baby’s routine may be turned upside down, so she may be hungry when you’d expect her to nap.

Ask for help from your partner, cabin crew or other passengers when you need it.

Walking up and down the aisle with your baby may help if she is unsettled. But it may disturb other passengers if she is inconsolable!

Let your baby look out of the window.

If you have to change planes, ask for a courtesy cart between gates.

If the flight isn’t full, see if you can move to a spare row of seats.

General Advice

First Birthday Party Tips

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The first birthday party is undoubtedly more special to you than to your baby. In fact, your 12-month-old will probably view the celebration as an unnecessary interruption of playtime. So the key to creating a wonderful event is to make it memorable – for you!

Everything – from food to decorations – should be kept as simple as possible. Your job is to take footage and marvel at how your baby’s becoming a toddler – not to be running around the kitchen washing dishes or adding oregano to homemade soup.

While keeping things simple for this first birthday, don’t forget to limit the number of guests. Most babies this age are experiencing a double whammy of stranger and separation anxiety. A guest list of 10 may be overwhelming to your guest of honour. Your best bet is to invite only close friends and family.
To theme or not to theme?

Themes are often a great way to structure a birthday party. However, although themes can help you plan decorations, invitations and food, any activities or games should be kept to a minimum.

A one-year-old simply doesn’t have the attention span or skills needed to participate in the fun. Don’t forget you will have your hands full entertaining guests while trying to monitor your cruising birthday babe!

Your baby is turning one. This is the most momentous birthday ever, short of 100. But beware: parents often make the mistake of taking a great theme like Winnie the Pooh, and turning it into Pooh Bear birthday overload.

Keep the celebration short – many babies simply can’t handle the sensory overload. Limit your party to two hours or risk birthday-baby meltdown.

Go ahead and plaster Baby Roo on the walls, serve treats on Eeyore plates, and Pigletize your birthday cake. Then sit back and let the party take its course. This is the one event that is more for you than for your child. If you run around organising events, you’ll miss the party.
Invitations

Make your invitations a creative hit. Decorate them with quotes, graphics or stickers, relating to your chosen theme.

Use clip art: Find images of (for example) Winnie the Pooh, Teletubbies or Thomas the Tank Engine within a clip art program and print them out on your invitations. Think visually: After printing out invitations, cut them into a fun shape – like Pooh, Dipsy or Thomas – around the border. Make it easy: Many shops stock pre-printed themed birthday invitations. Review the books: Spice up your invitations by using several quotes from children’s books.
Activities and games

Incorporating one activity into the party is fine, but don’t go overboard. Expecting a one-year-old to appreciate several structured activities is a set-up for failure.

In fact, most one year olds find more enjoyment in ruining planned events than in taking part in them.

Party bag fillers can include colouring books and crayons or pocket-money toys. Stickers and stamps also make great party bag fillers.
Gifts

See Exacty How Long to Go Until Your Precious Joy Enters the World. Makes a Wonderful Gift For Any Mother & Family. An ideal baby shower gift too.

Simply set the timer with baby’s due date and watch it countdown to the happy day.

First Birthday, General Advice, New Baby

Baby Tips

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Baby teeth tips

Top 5 things to think about when it comes to your baby’s teeth:

1. Start from birth

Looking after your baby’s teeth starts from birth. Ensure that they are given a range of both sweet and savoury foods so that they are given a selection of tastes from an early age.

2. Cleaning first teeth

Baby teeth begin to erupt at around 6-12 months.  As soon as they appear a cotton bud with water can be used to clean these teeth at the front of the mouth. This introduces the baby to the concept of cleaning teeth and is best done with the baby sitting on the mum or dad’s lap. Once the baby is able to wriggle then you may need help from another person – but making teeth cleaning into a fun game can certainly help the process.

3. Use children’s toothpaste

When very young it is best to use a children’s toothpaste in a very small quantity initially until they get to like the taste. A pea sized amount should be used for children under seven and they should always be supervised when brushing to minimize the chances of swallowing.

4. First trip to the dentist

Two to three years is the best time to take your child to the dentist for the first time as most baby teeth have erupted by that age. The first trip to the dentist can be a tricky time so I recommend playing the ‘dentist looking in the mouth’ game beforehand to help them get used to people looking in their mouth. Initially the child may feel better being on the parent’s lap and over a couple of visits they will graduate to sitting on the chair. Highlight the fun element of the moving chair as it is moved into a working position!

All children are different, and some won’t be in the least fazed by the surgery, where others won’t  be ready until they are four or five.  Parents shouldn’t worry too much about this – providing they are cleaning teeth at home with a fluoride toothpaste and have a low sugar diet then they should have healthy teeth.

5. The right toothpaste

Oral hygiene is so important at this young age so you should start with a baby toothbrush and progress to a child’s size as they get older. The toothpaste you use must contain Fluoride as the daily application of fluoride in the paste helps to strengthen the enamel surface and resist the acid attacks from food. Make sure your child has a healthy diet; avoid fizzy drinks and food with high sugar levels. If you do give them sweets as a treat, it’s best for their teeth to have them after a meal.