Mummy's Little Monkey/Reviews

The Fabulous Flexibath

2010-08-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

Raising a family in London has many challenges - negotiating the tube station stairs with a pram, finding a genuinely kid-friendly cafe, avoiding the bountiful street crazies, and - hardest of all - finding a spacious, affordable family home.

I know all too well about the last one, as the Monkey Family are currently crammed into a two-bedroom second floor flat. So far we've managed, but with baby number two about to arrive (and all the accoutrements that go with them) the seams really are ready to burst. I've had to be extra inventive with space saving. Every cupboard is crammed, and every nook and cranny filled.

With my eldest we would use the full-sized bath, as we simply didn't have space to store a bulky baby version. I always felt nervous bathing her in it, because she was so tiny. Also, I'd had a c-section, and found it really awkward to lean over the edge to lift her in and out.

So when I heard about the Flexibath, I was really intrigued. There's no complicated construction, just a hard plastic frame criss-crossed with flexible rubber joints that allow the bath to collapse quickly and easily when not in use. It folds flat, and clips together, freeing up valuable space. Genius!

It's PVA and phthalate-free, has a non-slip bottom for added safety, and comes in a range of funky colours. Once you're finished, you just remove the rubber plug, and drain it out. It's also perfect for travelling with little ones, as you can literally fold it up and pack it in your suitcase.

Now I'm looking forward to trying it out with the new arrival - if I can get it away from Lucia, that is! She immediately took a shine to it, climbing inside and pretending it was a toy boat. At 66.5 cms long, it's big enough to comfortably fit her sitting up (as she demonstrates above), and would be perfect for camping trips, or visiting friends who only have shower rooms.

The Flexibath is available online and costs £29.95 (delivery in the UK is free).
*The product was supplied free of charge, for the purpose of this review

Parasol Kids One-Application Sun Care

2010-08-03T14:19:00.000-07:00

Growing up in 'Noooo Zeelund' under a stonking great hole in the ozone layer, we had the Sun Safety message constantly hammered home. So it's second nature to be uber-careful with my little one. When we recently visited St Lucia I kept her dressed in UV clothing, and was constantly coating her with Green People Organic Children's Sun Lotion. It did a fab job, and she didn't get a single patch of sunburn (unlike Mummy and Daddy, who both got caught out!!!) but it was just a bit awkward reapplying every two hours, or every time Lucia went swimming. As anyone with a toddlers knows, it's not easy getting them to keep still!

So I was really interested to hear from a fellow holiday maker about Parasol Sun Protection Lotion for Kids (aged 2+). I liked that the lotion filtered both UVA and UVB rays, offering 25 times the body's natural protection. I've found that many people don't fully understand what this means, so if you're confused too, here is the simplified version. If the official Burn Time (the length of time you can stay in the sun before you start to burn) is 10 minutes, after an application of SPF 25 sunscreen you can stay out for 250 minutes before burning. The idea is that you can still get a nice tan, but without frying.

But whereas you would have to continually reapply with regular sunscreens to maintain this level of protection, Parasol only needs to be applied once, half an hour before sun exposure. Its special silicone base means it's waterproof, perspiration resistant, and also an insect repellant.
What I immediately liked about Parasol was that it was like a light, smooth oil, rather than a thick, gunky lotion, and was quickly and easily absorbed. A little bit went a long way.

I was still nervous about only applying it only once during the whole day. To be extra safe, I reapplied the Parasol halfway through, which was still a lot easier than continuously having to slather it on. At the end of the day Lucia was completely unscathed by the sun - though it had been a scorcher. It was a real relief to put it on, then just relax, knowing that she was protected.

Based on those results, I'd be really happy to use Parasol on Lucia as added sun protection, in addition to using UV suits, and hats, and keeping her out of direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day.

Parasol 25+ Kids 100ml bottle: £14.95, 200ml bottle: £23.95. www.irishbodycare.com

* Product was supplied for the purpose of this review

Foiling Flat Head

2010-07-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant with my first daughter, my partner and I became aware of a growing problem called Plagiocephaly, or Flat Head Syndrome.

These days we're told we must place babies on their backs to sleep, to greatly lessen the danger of cot death. But because their young bones are still so soft, the skull can flatten due to constant pressure on the same spot, leading to an obvious deformity.

We forked out £75 on a fancy mattress to lessen the effects of Flat Head Syndrome, and it really did work, but this time we just can't afford to buy another one AND a brand new cot mattress as well.

Which is why I was keen to try out the Theraline Baby Pillow, which costs just £19.90, and promises to achieve pretty much the same thing.

The anatomically designed pillow has a special hollow which supports your baby's head in the right position, and distributes the weight evenly, so there's no excess pressure on just one point of the skull.

The pillow is made from a porous fabric which regulates the temperature around the baby's head. Even if your baby happens to turn in the night - my biggest concern - they'll still be able to breathe freely.

The birth of my little one is still 11 weeks away, so I tried this out with my baby nephew. He seemed really relaxed, and his neck and head were softly cushioned in the hollow, rather than pressed against the flat mattress. I'll definitely be using the Theraline Pillow with confidence once the new bubs arrives.

* The Theraline Pillow was supplied this review. Visit Theraline for more details.

Summer Holiday Essentials

2010-07-01T17:09:00.000-07:00

The school holidays are looming, and while all that remains of my Summer holiday is a pile of photos and a fading tan, the rest of you are probably just starting to look forward to your annual beach break.

So, out of the kindness of my heart, I've decided to pass on a few of my holiday must haves. These are sure to come in handy, whether you're jetting off abroad, or indulging in a UK Staycation.

The Maclaren Volo stroller

The uber-lightweight stroller took us straight to the boarding gate. Weighing a teeny 4kgs, it folds up really small, and the handy shoulder strap that makes it simple to carry around - especially if you have other suitcases to lug around too. In fact I found it so handy I’ve actually been using it since we returned from holiday, instead of our regular pushchair. It only has one seat back position, but that doesn’t seem to bother my little one. It also comes with a hood and rain cover for the inevitable English Summer weather.

The Morrck Splasha Beach Wrap

Lucia absolutely fell in love with this! Made from thick, soft towelling, it’s like a wrap-around robe the fastens on the shoulder. We used the Splasha every day to throw on her after swimming in the pool, or in the ocean. It not only dried her off, but protected her from the intense Caribbean sun as well. Once it was on, it was almost impossible to get it off again - I swear she would have slept in it, if I’d let her!

A Portable DVD player

This was an absolute lifesaver on the plane rides to and from St Lucia. Popping on In The Night Garden, or Roary the Racing Car also gave me and Danny some much needed downtime from a toddler who was bouncing off the walls with excitement from the moment she woke up, until the second she went to bed.

Green People Soothing Baby Salve

Lucia escaped without a square inch of sunburn - her Daddy and I were not so lucky! I’d brought the salve in case her eczema flared up again, but we ended up using it instead on our parched, red skin. Although marketed mainly as a nappy rash salve, I find this stuff works a treat on everything from eczema, to abrasions, to sunburn. I always keep a tube at home.

Baby Gap Jelly Shoes

Lucia just adored these, and they were the first shoes she learned to put on by herself (albeit always on the wrong feet). They only cost me £7 (currently down to £5 in the Gap sale) and she wore them every day on holiday. They were soft, and comfy, and easy to wear both inside, and out on the beach. Because they’re made of soft clear rubber, I only needed to rinse them off at the end of the day, and they were good to go again!

Finally, an obvious one - I couldn’t have done without my digital camera, and camcorder to preserve all those lovely holiday memories.

No More Nasties - Alma Win Organic Products

2010-07-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

If you've been reading Mummy's Little Monkey, you'll know that I often get on my soapbox about kids' products that contain harsh sulfates. My little one has incredibly sensitive skin, and these chemicals (which are found in a shockingly wide range of baby products) give her horrific eczema. It took us several months to figure out that it was our washing powder, and a well-known brand of baby soap that was affecting her - by which time she'd literally scratched herself raw, leaving scars that still remain to this day.

That's why I was interested when Gina from the Writing Boutique contacted me to ask if I'd like to try some of the Alma Win range of organic, eco-friendly house cleaning products.

As she rightly points out, you'd never let your kids play with bottles of chemicals, so why do you wipe down their playing surfaces, and wash their clothes in them?? Gina informed me that the Alma Win range carries the 'ECO Garantie' certificate. They're not tested on animals, and are the only cleaning products which have been dermatologically tested, and scientifically proven not to cause skin irritation.

They use natural ingredients and bleaches, such as sodium percarbonate, rather than optical brighteners, chlorine and petrochemicals.

A few days later a box arrived with a box of the Heavy Duty Washing Powder Concentrate, the Orange Oil Cleaner Concentrate, and the lemon fragranced Natural Laundry Scent.

We've got our flat on the market at the moment, so I'm constantly cleaning up to keep it 'Showroom Tidy'. First I tried the Orange Oil Cleaner Concentrate diluted on the worktops, and our stainless steel sink. Not only did it cut easily through all the grime and lime scale, but it had a lovely citrus orange smell. So I used it to wipe down our kitchen bin, and it quickly got rid of the stinky rubbish smell. Apparently you can use it undiluted to remove stains such as wax, ball-point pen, and grease stains, which will undoubtably come in handy!

I've been using the washing powder for a few weeks now, and Lucia's skin has remained clear. The clothes always come out smelling and looking clean, and the whites have stayed bright. Perhaps my only niggle is that the natural essential oil fragrance of the powder and laundry scent isn't as perfumed as the soap powder I usually buy, but that's a very small price to pay for the dermatological benefits.

The price is little more expensive than regular supermarket brands (£7.95 for the Heavy Duty Washing Powder, and £8.47 for the Orange Oil Cleaner) but you're using much less because it's so concentrated.

I'll definitely be trying more of the Alma Win range.

See their website: www.almawin.co.uk for the full product range and prices.

Baby Bath Time Toys, by Brother Max

2010-06-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

My little one loves bath time, but had grown bored with all her toys. So it was great timing when Ashley from Brother Max got in touch to see if Lucia would like to try out their new range of interactive bath toys.

I immediately loved the fact that they were all BPA, Phthalate and PVC-free. And I also liked that the orange bumps on each toy turn yellow if the water is too hot. They may look a little different from your average toys, as each has been specially designed to stimulate young minds, and get them used to washing themselves, while encouraging interactive play.

They're probably more ideally suited to a slightly younger age range, but two-year-old Lucia still had great fun playing with them. Her favourites were the sprinkler cup, and the sponge stamper. I found that the fabric on the toys got a bit grubby after a few baths, but the twister flannel can be machine washed, while the stamper and ring rattle can both be hand washed.
Brother Max 5 Bath Toys, RRP: £16.99; www.brothermax.com

Keeping Bubs in the Bed, with Hello Baby

2010-06-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

It only seems like weeks ago I was bringing my daughter home from the hospital, and marvelling at how teeny she looked in her cot. Now, with number two arriving in a few months, it's time to think ahead to switching her to the 'big girl' single bed.

I didn't want to suddenly evict her from her cot when bubs arrived, and risk that dreaded sibling resentment, so I decided to start breaking her in slowly. She spins like a top at night, and I'm always finding various limbs sticking through the cot rails, so my biggest concern was how to stop her tumbling out of bed.

Then, in a stroke of perfect timing, Trevor from Hello Baby got in touch to tell me about their great range of baby and children's products. So with a bit of arm twisting I convinced him to let me review the Summer Infant Safe and Secure Single Bed Rail.

After figuring out how to put it together (it wasn't nearly as complicated as it looked at first glance and only took 10 minutes) I fitted the rail to the bed. I was immediately impressed by how sturdy it was, especially since my daughter immediately started swinging off it like a monkey.

My first attempt was afternoon nap time. She got really excited about the idea of sleeping on the big bed, although she insisted that I lie down next to her. I planned to let her drop off, and sneak away, but ended up falling asleep myself!! Which turned out to be an interesting test of the bed rail, since we now had me, my baby bump, and a stretched out toddler all squished on the single bed. Which is where we all stayed, thanks to the Summer Infant bed rail keeping us safely tucked in.

I also felt reassured by the fact that the fabric is made from a breathable mesh, so there was no danger if my daughter rolled up against the bed rail.

I haven't managed to convince her to spend the whole night in the single bed yet, but I'm sure she'll be ready by the time the baby arrives. And when she does I'll be able to relax, knowing that she's safe and secure.

The Summer Infant Safe & Secure Single Bed Rail is available through the Hello Baby website. RRP: £19.99 for a single rail, and £34.95 for a double set.

Stop Sneezing - Naturally

2010-06-22T10:59:00.001-07:00

You're probably already aware that today is 'Hay Day' - the peak of the grass pollen season... Or maybe not...

I've never really suffered from hayfever in the past, but for some reason I was hit hard this year. Maybe it's because I'm preggers - my immune system seems to have taken real battering this time round and I'm catching every bug in existence. Now I see why people go on about hayfever, because this is awful.

Every time I venture outside, I start sneezing and the back of my nose tickles like crazy. But it's my eyes that drive me completely mad - they get so itchy that I want to pull my eyeballs out to scratch them.

But I can't hide inside all day, and being pregnant, I can't take antihistamines or steroids either. So I've just been suffering - and not particularly quietly!!

So I was interested in trying out the Care Allergy Defence. It's a completely natural remedy that works by forming a barrier inside your nasal passages to block out pollen and airborne allergens. It's also been clinically proven to reduce the effects of pet and dust mite allergies.

You simply squirt the nasal powder three times into each nostril, and you're ready to brave the pollen. I wasn't sure how well it would work, since my hayfever symptoms seemed so severe, but the four times I've used Care Allergy Defence, I haven't had any itchiness in my eyes or nose at all. Finally, I can go outside again.

Care Allergy Defence, RRP £6.99, can be bought from Morrison's Pharmacy, Boots, and Sainsbury's.

Clippasafe Finger Alert - safety strips for door hinges

2010-06-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

As soon as my daughter started walking, she started running. One minute she'd in the next room, and a split second later she'd be under my feet. My cousin had lost her finger tips in a nasty run-in with a door hinge. I was terrified that Lucia would jam her teeny fingers following me in and out of the kitchen. But then I discovered Clippasafe Finger Alert.

I gave the company a call, and they kindly agreed to let me test them out, and report back. They're basically long, flexible plastic strips that bridge the gap between the door and the frame, so your little one can't wedge their fingers into the hinges. The strips are moulded to bend and flex without restricting the movement of the door. It's a simple idea, but completely effective, as the hinge area is totally covered. The strips are simple to fix, and the clear plastic means they're barely noticeable.

It's one less safety issue to have to worry about - now, if I can just stop Lucia from climbing up on the kitchen tops... Clippasafe Finger Alert: 180cm - £22.50; 120 cm - £14.95.
Product supplied for purpose of this review

Bump Support for your Growing Belly

2010-06-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

With my belly rapidly expanding, those familiar aches and pains are really starting to settle in now. My back feels permanently strained, and if I move too quickly, the ligaments and muscles in the front of my stomach twinge painfully. It was definitely time to break out the Cantaloop Pregnancy Support Belt I was sent from Lesley at PJP PR.
The elasticated belt is affordable, at £9.99, and totally seamless, so you don't have any annoying ridges digging into your sensitive skin. It sits over the bump, giving extra support under your belly, and around your back, yet it's light enough to be worn under your clothes, without feeling bulky. It makes a subtle, but noticeable difference - I felt a welcome relief from the growing weight of my bump, and the strain on my back definitely lessened. It also had the added benefit of covering my stomach, preventing accidental belly flashing.
The Cantaloop Pregnancy Support Belt is available from larger Boots stores. Their maternity lingerie range also includes an ultra-comfy selection of bras, underwear, and tank tops for pregnancy and nursing. Find out more about the range from: www.cantaloop.com.
(Product was supplied for the purpose of this review)

Dreamgenii Breastfeeding Pillow

2010-05-14T04:29:00.000-07:00

Just before my little girl was born a friend gave me a breastfeeding pillow, and it was easily the most indispensable baby product I used in the following months. It was the traditional ‘triangle’ shape, that fitted around my body. It supported my baby well - my only complaint was that it rested on my lap, so my back would ache from having to lean forward slightly, and I’d often have to prop one end up so my daughter was lying at the best angle and height for feeding. This was particularly uncomfortable for me, as I’d had an emergency caesarean section. So, as I’m preparing for the arrival of baby number two, I was keen to try out the new Dreamgenii Breastfeeding Pillow & Baby Nest.
This pillow actually goes one step further, by wrapping right around my body and tying on one side, supporting both the baby, and my lower back. I also loved the way it sloped upwards, keeping baby tilted, meaning no more hunching over, and straining my back. It comes with a funky geometric print cover (that conveniently matches my decor!) and the inside pillow is water resistant, and can be wiped down. The pillow can also double as a baby nest. The Dreamgenii Breastfeeding PIllow & Baby Nest retails for £37.99. www.dreamgenii.com
(Product was supplied for the purpose of this review)

Teeny-Tiny Chefs

2010-05-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

Like most toddlers, my little one is insatiably nosy. She follows me everywhere, demanding to know what I’m doing - particularly when I’m trying to get dinner sorted. She loves to watch as I prepare the meal, but if you’ve ever tried to cook while carrying a 21-month-old, then you’ll know that’s pretty much impossible! Which is why the Little Helper FunPod is brilliant. It’s such a simple concept - it’s like an enclosed stool that your child stands in, so they are safely elevated, and can see exactly what you’re doing. You can even buy a Little Helper FunPack accessories kit, which includes a mini apron, whisk, and rolling pin, so your budding chef can help you to cook. It keeps your kids entertained, in your sight, and out from under your feet. The FunPod fits just under your kitchen worktop. As your child grows, you simply lower the floor piece, so the top always remains at their chest height. At a RRP of £99 - £109 it’s not cheap, but it can be used as soon as your child can stand unaided, until around 5 years of age. So you’ve got plenty of time to get your money’s worth out of it. It comes in a flatpack, but don’t be put off, as it’s really simple to put together (if I can do it - anyone can!) Also, be warned that the assembled FunPod weighs 15.5 kg. Due to the success of the first product, a FunPod highchair has now been released, which retails for £159.99. You can buy the FunPod products online, or check for stockists at: www.littlehelper.co.uk

The Gro Anywhere Travel Blind

2010-05-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

With our holiday looming (yay!) my thoughts have now turned to practical issues - like restoring some semblence of my daughter's usual routine, once we've settled into our lovely villa in St Lucia. She's usually pretty good at taking her afternoon nap (after a bit of grumbling) but that's in a familiar room, with all her toys around her, and a blackout blind.
I knew that if the room at the villa wasn't nice and dark, there'd be no chance of her nodding off - which equals a very grumpy girl, come late afternoon!
Thank goodness for The Gro Company, who came to our rescue with the Gro Anywhere Travel Blind. Made from blackout fabric, the adjustable blind is attached to any window, measuring up to 135 x 200cms, with a series of suction cups. Our Gro Anywhere blind arrived in its handy travel bag - and
just in the nick of time too! Our bedroom blind had just given up the ghost, and the replacement hadn't arrived, so we actually put it up in our room for the week. The suction cups were a little tricky at first, but then I discovered a twisting technique that secured them nicely. The material blocked out the light completely, leaving the room darker than the regular blind ever did.
We'll definitely take it with us on holiday, to ensure nap time is as painless as possible!
The Gro Anywhere Travel Blind, £29.99; www.bumpto3.com.
(The travel blind was supplied for the purpose of this review)

Prince Lionheart Baby Wipes Warmer

2010-05-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

When I first saw the Prince Lionheart Warmies Wipe Warmer, I wasn't convinced about how useful it would be. I could definitely see the benefits with night-time nappy changes – the reusable bamboo cloth wipes are kept constantly moist and warm (the Ultimate Wipes Warmer is designed for regular disposable wipes). Bacteria is kept safely kept at bay, and you’re not traumatising your baby by swiping their warm backside with a freezing cold baby wipe! Then I discovered it had many more useful applications. My little one is now 21-months-old, and feeding herself with great enthusiasm. I keep the wipe warmer nearby, and use a couple of cloths to clean her hands and face when she's done, before she has a chance to transfer the mess. They’re gentle on young faces, and runny noses, and a friend also pointed out that they’re great for taking off makeup too. So while it’s not an absolute essential, the Prince Lionheart Wipe Warmer has turned out to be a very handy addition to my household.

Prince Lionheart Ultimate Wipes Warmer £24.99; Warmies Wipe Warmer: £29.99
www.princelionheart.com

(I was sent the wipes warmer for the purpose of this review)

Hamster pannier buggy bags

2010-04-27T01:47:00.000-07:00

I’m one of those people who always goes to the shop for a lettuce, and comes back with three bags of groceries. Then I spend the entire walk home trying to maneouvre the pushchair, and stop it flying backwards from the weight of the shopping bags I’ve hung off the handles (yes, yes, I know I’m not supposed to do that...)
Then I arrive back at our flat and kick myself when I remember I’ve still got two flights of stairs to navigate, a growing baby bump, and a tired toddler to carry!!
So when I read about the Hamster pannier bags, I got quite excited. They’re the invention of Mum & Dad team Philip and Lara, who experienced the same problems with their daughter’s buggy, and set out to do something about it. They made their first prototype out of cloth, string and staples, then found a designer to help them develop the product further.
The Hamster was born! The genius about these bags is that they clip on to the side of your buggy frame, so when you fill them up the weight is distributed evenly on each side and actually helps stabilise the buggy downwards, rather than pulling on the back, and causing it to become unbalanced.
When you get home the bags simply unclip, and you carry them inside.
I couldn’t wait to try them out, and I was really impressed. As promised, they eliminated the need to hang bags off the back handles. They were roomy enough to hold quite a few items - as well as spare nappies, wipes and a few favourite toys. They didn’t get in the way when I folded the buggy down. Of course the weight of the buggy increased, depending on how much I filled the Hamster bags, and the maneouvrability was slightly affected, but much less so than if I’d had bags swinging off the handles.
The Philippe Lara Hamster pannier bags come in blue/grey and green/grey, and cost £29.00 for two (free postage). Order online at: www.philippelara.co.uk

Swing Your Little One To Sleep - the Fisher Price SpaceSaver Swing & Seat

2010-04-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

When my daughter was born she made it quite clear that she wasn’t interested in the fancy bouncer I’d bought her - which meant a lot of long, tiring days walking around with her constantly in my arms. I eventually worked out that - like a lot of small babies - she hated lying still, and preferred to be constantly moving about. So I swore that the next time round I’d spend a bit more, and invest in a baby swing instead. I’m now expecting number two, and at the top of my ‘must have’ list is the swing! Luckily for me, Vicki from Fisher Price very kindly offered to send me the Precious Planet SpaceSaver Swing & Seat to try out.
When I first took the self-assembly swing out of the box, it looked a little daunting, but it was actually really simple to assemble. It has a deep, comfy seat, with a five-point safety harness. The open top design, and swing-away toy bar makes it easy to lift your little one in and out. My toddler took an instant liking to it, and kept trying to climb in it herself. Unfortunately for her, it takes babies weighing up to 9kgs (20lbs), but not boisterous 21-month-olds.
I really liked the fact that the swinging motion was smooth, and almost hypnotic. When I tested it out on my brand-new nephew, he settled instantly, and was asleep in minutes. It can be used as a gently swaying swing, with five different speeds, and six calming songs. Or, you can convert it into a standard baby chair, which has an adjustable recline, and can even be set to vibrate.
This particular model also suits me perfectly, as it’s a space saving design, and only takes up slightly more floor space than a traditional bouncer.
Now I can’t wait for my new arrival, who I’m sure will love it just as much as I do!
The Fisher Price SpaceSaver Swing & Seat retails for around £80. www.fisher-price.co.uk
(The swing was supplied for the purpose of this review)

Get Smiley with the Miley

2010-04-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

An unpronounceable Icelandic volcano may have stopped Miley Cyrus from appearing at the premiere of her latest film, The Last Song, but you and your kids can still hang out with the Hannah Montana actress... well... kinda...
Madame Tussauds London are offering a 50% discount offer until April 30th. So you can get up close and personal with Miley's lifelike wax figure, which you'll find in the A-List Party area. In some ways it's even better than the real thing, as you can get as close as you like without her bodyguards getting all twitchy, or being slapped with a restraining order.
There are a limited number of half-price tickets available each day, so get in quick on: http://www.madametussauds.com/halfprice.

Best Buds - the Billy Winky children's pillow

2010-04-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

My daughter has a new best friend called Billy. Just the sight of him in the morning makes her laugh out loud with excitement. They go everywhere together, and when Lucia isn't snuggling up to him on the couch, she's dragging him around the flat, and giving him cuddles.
I should point out now that Billy Winky isn't actually a person - he's a pillow. But he's not just any old pillow. Made from lovely soft fleece, with cute lamb's head at one end, and fluffy tail comforter at the other, Billy Winky cleverly merges toddler pillow with cuddly toy. It's great for taking on holiday, or overnight trips, as your little one always has a familiar companion with them. Lucia fell in love with Billy the moment she clapped eyes on him. 'Baaaa Baaaa!' she squealed, before grabbing him, and running around in excited circles. Since then she's practically been glued to Billy. She carries him around during the day, and cuddles up to him at night when she has her evening cup of milk. The cover is machine washable, so I don't have to worry about spills or stains. She doesn't actually use a pillow to sleep at night on yet, but once she does she and Billy will truly be inseparable!

The Billy Winky children's pillow is the latest product from the makers of the Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support Pillow, and retails for £25.50. Also available is the Billy Winky bed warmer, £19.99. Filled with lavender-scented flax seeds, you simply warm it in the microwave, then place it in your little one's bed to keep it nice and toasty. www.www.dreamgenii.com.
(NB: I was sent the Billy Winky children's pillow for the purpose of this review)

The Dirt Devil - making quick work of daily spills

2010-04-16T14:50:00.000-07:00

Children make lots of mess. Fact. Which is why I feared for the life of my lovely new lounge rug - until I was sent the Dirt Devil Easy Handheld vacuum cleaner to try out.
It’s perfect for those everyday little spills and messes that you wouldn’t bother dragging the big vacuum out for (such as sticky little fingers dropping biscuit crumbs everywhere... )
I loved the fact it was cordless, and lightweight. It comes with a wall mounted charger, so it’s ready to go the moment your little one spills their box of raisins, or stomps across the carpet with their grubby shoes. To be honest, because of its compact size, I didn’t actually expect it to work as well as it did, but the Dirt Devil was powerful enough to get my rug impressively clean - evidenced by the all the fluff and crumbs caught in the bagless dust canister afterwards. It’s easy enough to use every day (or several times, if necessary!) I also felt assured by the fact is has built-in antibacterial protection. It comes with different handy attachments including a motorised turbo brush, great for thick rugs and picking up pet hair, a crevice nozzle for those awkward-to-reach places, and a furniture brush. Perhaps my new rug will survive after all...

The Dirt Devil Easy Handheld DRC001, RRP: £54.99. Available at Argos and other good retailers. For more information visit www.dirtdevil.co.uk (under construction) or call 0800 525 089.
NB: I was sent the Dirt Devil Easy Handheld for the purpose of this review

The Brother Max 3-in-1 Thermometer

2010-04-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

If you’ve ever tried to take the temperature of a squirming, sick baby, you’ll know that it’s pretty much impossible! I had a nightmare over Christmas, when my little one had a soaring temperature, but I couldn’t keep her still long enough to get a proper reading. With all the Swine Flu horror stories floating about, I wasn’t sure whether to keep a close eye on her at home, or rush her to the doctor. I wish I'd had the Brother Max 3-in1 thermometer then - you simply hold the thermometer’s probe either on your child’s forehead, or in their ear, push the button, wait for just one second, and you have an accurate digital reading. It has a dust cover to protect the measuring probe. It also comes with a handy plastic mount, so you can use it to continuously monitor the room temperature, and a travel case, for trips away. When I tried it out on my daughter I was able to quickly take her temperature, without any fuss or worry. The backlit display made it simple to read, and perfect for carrying out readings during the night.

Brother Max 3-in-1 Thermometer; RRP: £34.99; www.brothermax.com

*NB: I was sent the Brother Max 3-in-1 Thermometer for the purpose of this review.

Get Busy with the Fizzy - SodaStreams are back!!

2010-04-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help smiling with nostalgia at the familiar burp. No, it's not what you think - I was testing my new Soda Stream drinksmaker!

I was 11 when our family got our Soda Stream - so we're talking somewhere in the dark annals of the early 1980s. That was back when fizzy drinks still came in glass bottles, with those nasty metal caps that would shred the flesh off your palms, if you weren't careful. Fantasy Island and the Dukes of Hazzard were on the telly, and Americana was taking over the world (well, New Zealand, at least). Just thinking about Soda Stream makes me recall hot summer days, barbecues, and outdoor swimming pools. But then the Coca Cola/Pepsi war began to reach its fevered pitch, and the two companies tried to outdo each other with cheaper products, and slick, celebrity-backed advertisements. The humble Soda Stream just couldn't compete, and got pushed to the back of the cupboard, never to be seen again.
But now it's back, and it's better than before!!
Alistair from Frank PR sent me over one of the new generation machines to try out. It's had a sleek new redesign, and is ready to take on the bigwigs. As a bit of a fizzy drink fanatic, I love the convenience of having soda whenever I want it. The advantages are clear: you can convert regular tap water to soda in just moments, saving you time, and money. The reusable bottles mean you eliminate plastic bottle waste, and they've got a range of flavours to suit everyone - from classic Cola, to Apple & Cranberry. There's a good selection of sugar-free varieties too. All drinksmakers, flavours, and refill cylinders can be ordered from the on-line store, and delivered to your door.

SodaStream drinksmakers range from £54.95-£149.95, and are available from Comet, Lakeland , Argos , independent retailers and TescoDirect.com. For more information visit www.SodaStream.co.uk or look them up on Twitter @sodastreamuk.

Lullabies for your little one

2010-04-05T04:15:00.000-07:00

If you find it hard to wind your little one down at night, this could be your lifesaver!

Snoozetunes is a CD of soothing piano music, written and recorded by pianist and composer Chris Gardner.

After being made redundant he found himself with time on his hands. He started by composing some night-time tunes for his nieces and god-daughters, but they proved so popular he decided to make them available to other sleep-deprived Mums and Dads. Chris wanted to provide an alternative to the tinny, electronic music that often spews forth from kid's toys and mobiles. Some tracks are completely original, while others weave popular children's lullabies into the melodies. The Snoozetunes CD features nine tracks, and is currently available directly from Chris, for £9.99. You can listen to samples of his tracks by visiting: myspace.com/snoozetunes, or contact Chris by emailing: ChiptunesUK@aol.com

National Trust Easter Treats

2010-04-01T03:51:00.000-07:00

Easter trails and treats with the National Trust

Spring has sprung so why not get all the family together and enjoy some fun this Easter?

Across England, Northern Ireland and Wales we’ll be throwing ourselves into Easter celebrations; from Easter egg decorating and egg rolling to making bird boxes, there’s so much going on that no matter where you visit we promise it’ll be time well spent.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Over 200 properties will also be running Easter trails and egg hunts, and thanks to Cadbury, who have donated all the pr iz es, there’ll be tasty chocolate treats just waiting to be won.

Here just a selection of what’s on offer this Easter:

Attingham Park, Shropshire

Cadbury Easter egg trails 2-5 April 10am - 4pm

Join us for family fun. Hunt for clues and chocolate around the estate, have your face painted, draw on our colouring wall and lots more.

Easter egg trails kindly supported by Cadbury.

Normal admission charges apply plus £2.50 event charge.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01743 708123.

Mount Stewart House, Garden & Temple of the Winds, Co. Down

Golden Egg trail 2-9 April 11am -4pm

Fun for all the family. Follow the trail around magical garden to find Mount Stewart 's golden eggs. Easter prizes for everyone.

Normal admission charges apply plus egg trail £1 per child.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 028 4278 8387.

Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Cheshire

Easter fun around the Mill 2-5 April 12pm - 4pm

Easter-themed trail with a Cadbury Egghead prize suitable for children of all ages.

Easter egg trails kindly supported by Cadbury.

Normal admission charges apply plus £1.50 event charge for each trail.

Booking is not needed for this event.

For more information please call 01625 527468.

Wallington, Northumberland

Easter Eggstravaganza 2 – 5 April 11am – 4pm

Enjoy Easter fun at Wallington with a fantastic children’s trail, craft activities, games and races. Krafty Kidz will also be here on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 April, giving you the chance to make lovely Easter items.

Easter egg trails kindly supported by Cadbury.

Normal admission charges apply £2 per trail (including chocolate prize) and small charge for items made.

For more information please call 01670 773967.

Anglesey Abbey, Gardens & Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire

Eggtastic Easter 3-4 April 11am - 4pm

A family favourite - join in the hunt for clues around the stunning garden. Solve the puzzle and then claim a chocolate prize. Activities include a face painter, story telling and craft activities.

Easter egg trails kindly supported by Cadbury.

Normal admission charges apply plus child £1.50.

Booking is not needed for this event.

For more information please call 01223 810080.

Devil's Dyke, West Sussex

Easter egg rolling competition 5 April 10.45am – 12pm

Bring your own hand decorated hard boiled egg and try your luck at this Easter custom - the egg that gets furthest down the Dyke valley wins. We will also judge the ‘Best Decorated Egg’; there’ll be prizes for all.

All tickets £1.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01273 857712.

Hatchlands Park , Surrey

Llama trekking 7 and 14 April 11am - 3pm

Come and find out all about llamas and lead them on a mini trek around the parkland. Weather permitting; please phone to confirm event is taking place.

Normal admission prices apply plus charge for trek, £10 per family group / per llama.

Booking is not needed for this event.

For more information please call 01483 222482.

Castle Drogo, Devon

Holiday activities: create a cookie! 7 April 11am - 4pm

Now that all the Easter chocolate is finished, why not have fun decorating your own biscuit? It’s up to you whether you save it for later or eat it straight away.

Sessions from 11am-1pm and 2-4pm.

Normal admission charges apply plus £2 event charge per child.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01647 433306.

Brownsea Island , Dorset

Outdoor activity day 7 April 11am - 4pm

Join our Outdoor Activity Centre Team for an action packed island adventure. You will take part in instructor led activities and can choose from archery, low ropes and den building.

Suitable for aged six years and over.

Normal admission charges apply plus £7.50 event charge per adult and child (aged 6 and up).

Booking is essential for this event please call 01202 707744.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden , North Yorkshire

It’s a monk's life 7-9 and 14-16 April

Join us at this World Heritage Site for a family tour of the Abbey. Dress in authentic monks' robes and learn all about their daily life.

Normal admission charges apply plus £1.50 event charge per child.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01765 608888.

Newtown Old Town Hall , Isle of Wight

Wildzone: for children: Easter lambs and eggs 7 April 10am

Wildzone is a fun-packed programme of activities and events suitable for children aged 5 -13 and introduces them to different aspects of wildlife and nature. Have fun meeting the sheep and seeing if the gulls have laid eggs at Newtown . Plus why not make an Easter lamb, with real wool from a National Trust sheep?

Activities last two hours and all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Booking essential please call 01983 741020.

Normal admission charges apply plus £3 event charge per child aged five and over.

Lydford Gorge, Devon

Children's bird and nest day 8 April 1pm - 4pm

Join us for a day all about birds; construct a giant nest, build a bird box, make masks and finger puppets and bird feeders.

Normal admission charges apply plus £2 event charge and £4 for box materials per child (suitable for ages 4-12 years).

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01822 820320.

Erddig, Wrexham

Wear your wellies day 11 April 11am - 4pm

Discover the joys of wellie wangling, gumboot dancing and take part in a glamorous wellie parade. There’s also a woodland trail, tree trail talks, seed planting and worm charming all to take part in too.

Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional charges.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01978 355314.

Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire

Twilight woodland walk 14 April 6pm - 8pm

Discover what comes out at night in the woods as the light fades and darkness falls. Enjoy a fascinating family-friendly evening walk in conjunction with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park , led by community ranger Kiri Howells.

Hot drink and biscuits included.

Wear clothes suitable for the weather conditions and bring insect repellent and wear stout footwear or wellies.

Adult £3.50 and children £2.

Booking is essential for this event please call 01834 811885.

Dunster Castle , Somerset

1940s Games with Heuristics 13-14 April 11am - 4pm

Come and join Heuristics on the Castle's Green Court for a day of WW2 and 1940s games plus escape and evasion themed activities.

Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional charges.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01643 821314.

Easter Fun on the Isle of Wight

2010-04-01T02:38:00.000-07:00

With lots of family-fun events and accommodation going cheap, why not hatch a plan and egg-scape to the Isle of Wight this Easter?

Chessell, which lies in the heart of the beautiful, unspoilt West Wight countryside, has just been awarded the ‘Best Island Cream Tea’ from the Wight Good Food Guide – so treat the family to an ‘Ultimate Island Cream Tea’ with delicious home baked scones, locally made preserves and real clotted cream from Calbourne Classics farm which is just along the road from the pottery (www.chessellpotterybarns.co.uk).

At Chessell Pottery, you can decorate your own ceramic egg cup and amuse the kids while you create a lasting Easter gift. During Easter Weekend only (2-5 April) ceramic egg cups will be just £5 including glazing and firing, which is a saving of £5.90 off the normal price – you can’t beat that!

Quay Arts in Newport Harbour is hosting an Easter Art Week for Kids. Activities include a selection of craft workshops - The Shadow Puppet’s Apprentice(12 April/£15), Garden Squares (13 April/£15), Jewellery Workshop (15/16 April/£35) and Eggheads where children can make and decorate eggs inspired by nature’s patterns and folk decoration (14 April/£15). Places are limited and must be booked in advance. Box Office tel. 01983 822490, www.quayarts.org

Dinosaur Isle on Culver Parade in Sandown is open 10am to 6pm (from April) and over Easter is hosting a Dressing up as Dinosaurs Day (Friday 2 April) at which children will also be able to paint, draw and colour using the museum’s geological exhibits to fire their imagination. Younger children can play with the museum’s soft toys and use the illuminated sandtray There will also be three guided fossil walks on 2, 3 and 5 April searching for dinosaur bones! Details of prices and booking arrangements are available from the website www.dinosaurisle.com, or telephone 01983 404344.

Families looking to get outdoors and celebrate Easter in the fresh air, in a traditional and magical style can take part in a number of egg hunts, including theCadbury Easter Trails at Isle of Wight National Trust properties - Mottistone Manor Garden (Easter Sunday, 4 April) and The Needles Old Battery (Easter Monday, 5 April). Just follow a trail map around the properties visiting trail points and collecting clues. Special eco-packaged, ‘Egghead’ Easter eggs will be handed out to every child who completes the trail. Normal admission prices apply (National Trust members free) plus £1.50 for each trail sheet/participating child. (www.nationalturst.org.uk).

All participants will also get to take part in the ‘Face on your Egg’ competition: the hunt for talented youngsters to help design the next generation of Eggheads. The winner could see their face on an egg in-store in 2010, as well as receiving an all expenses paid trip to Cadbury World.

The multi-award winning Seaview Wildlife Encounter will be holding their annual Great Mystery Wildlife Quiz Trail over the Easter weekend (2-5 April). This is the park's biggest event of the year and is hugely popular with children and adults. Visitors can collect their free entry form at the entrance reception and hunt for all the fun, educational wildlife clues hidden around the park whilst still following the popular hands-on programme of exciting events with informative keeper presentations. Each child receives a delicious creamy Easter egg if they have found all the answers. Normal admission prices apply: adults £8, children £6 and seniors £7. Tel: 01983 612261, www.seaviewwildlife.com

Any child under 12 years can ‘stay for free’ when sharing a room with its parents at the Cliff Hall Hotel in Shanklin over Easter (subject to availability, minimum booking 3 nights). Perched high on the cliffs above Shanklin beach and esplanade, the Cliff Hall Hotel is just a short walk from Shanklin Old Village with its shops, pubs and restaurants. The hotel has an outdoor heated swimming pool and a games room. This offer runs from 5-11 April and is based on 2 adults sharing. B&B starts at £36 per person per night. Children 4-13 yrs old are normally charged at half-price when sharing with an adult. Visit wwwcliffhallhotel.co.uk for more information.

Whatever you do and wherever you stay, there is plenty on the Isle of Wight to keep the whole family happy this Easter. www.islandbreaks.co.uk (pics courtesy of the Isle of Wight Tourism Services)

Tippitoes Boost Trike

2010-03-20T05:19:00.000-07:00

I don't who was more excited when the Tippitoes boost trike arrived - me or Lucia, who shouted 'Oooooooh yeeeeah!' as I opened the box. I was a little concerned when I realised I actually had to assemble it myself, but it was either really simple to figure out, or I'm an engineering genius (I'm leaning towards towards the former...) Once constructed, it looked great - all gleaming pink plastic with silver grey trim. It even had a little storage basket at the bag, for all those essential toys and teddies. Lucia couldn't wait to clamber on board, and we spent the next exhausting 30 minutes zooming up and down the hallway. I liked the fact it had a removable arms to keep younger kids safely inside, and a stationary footrest they could use until they were old enough to pedal for themselves. Next it was time to put the trike to the test on a trip to the shops. Lucia had a blast, cruising down the footpath, swivelling around to take in all the sights. The push bar allowed me to steer and turn the trike, and I found that if tipped the trike back slightly on the the rear wheels, it was more maneuverable for tight corners. When she's old enough the push bar can be removed, and she can rely on her own pedal power.
*NB: Lucia's Tippitoes Boost Trike was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this review
Tippitoes Boost Trike (www.tippitoes.com) retails for £59.99 and is suitable for kids aged 18 months - 3 years.

Gambado Soft Play Centre

2010-03-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

The moment we entered Gambado Chelsea, Lucia's face lit up. We'd visited other soft play centres before, but this was the biggest and brightest. I really liked was the fact there was a separate area for 0-2 year olds, so you could relax knowing your little one wasn't about to be mowed down by a speeding six-year-old.
There's a cafe, serving sandwiches, drinks, and healthy snacks, so my friend and I sat down for a cuppa and a catchup, and could still easily watch over the kids inside the secure fenced-off play area. Lucia had a blast playing on the slide, clambering over the soft foam bricks, and interacting with the other kids.
Then something else caught her eye - a brightly coloured kids' carousel. The rides are included in the cost of entry, so all Lucia had to do was line up, decide between the pony and the steam train (the pony won) and we were off! We checked out the dodgem cars, although we decided to leave them for the older kids - for this visit, at least.
I let Lucia have a play on the main climbing frame - which was just enormous. It had loads of fun activities, including roundabouts, slides, ball pits, and climbing ropes. Lucia went mad racing around climbing and sliding and playing, and I could see her confidence and coordination improving as she navigated her way around, following the lead of the older kids.
If you have older kids, who don't need constant supervision, there's a chill out area for grown ups, where you can read the papers, and use the free wifi. There's even a telly, so Dad (or Mum!) can keep an eye on the footie score while the kids play. As well as the soft play sessions, you can sign up for a range of classes, from crafts to kid's rugby. There are also Gambado soft play centres in Beckenham, and Watford. Entrance prices vary at each, so it's best to check their website for details. At Chelsea you'll pay a maximum of £7.45 for children aged 1-2, and £9.45 for kids aged 3-10, while each adult costs £2.50, but when you register you'll often receive special offers and discounted entry prices. You can also buy yearly passes: unlimited visits for one adult and one child will cost you £120, or £240 for two adults and up to three children. If you get in quick, there is currently a 20% discount.
* Our trial visit was offered compliments of Gambado Chelsea
www.gambado.com

Disaster-free Dining

2010-02-23T14:23:00.000-08:00

Eating out became a distant memory pretty much the moment my daughter was born. When she was really young I would occasionally cross my fingers and chance it - strapping her into her pushchair in the hope she'd sit quietly or go to sleep - but toddlerhood put a quick end to even that rare occurrence.
Then I heard about the Spur chain of family-friendly restaurants. Conveniently, there was a Mohawk Spur just a few minutes from where we lived, so I gratefully accepted their kind offer to bring the family along to for a complimentary meal.
What I immediately loved about the restaurant was that it was full of kids of all ages, so there was no worrying about whether Lucia would make too much noise, or start running around the tables. And the staff genuinely seem to like children, which is a nice change from constantly having to apologise to snooty waiters. There is a constant supply of balloons, (which Lucia made the most of) and best of all, a children's soft play jungle gym, so your little one can run wild while you polish off your meal. The menu is classic steakhouse fare - burgers, ribs, steaks, chicken and salads. With good-sized mains, ranging from £8.65 to £18.95, there's a meal to suit most pockets. Lucia had a great time, and we all managed to sit down and enjoy our first proper family meal out. The only downside of the night was Daddy popping Lucia's prized balloon on the way home! www.www.ukspur.co.uk

Trustworthy Childcare - just a click away

2010-02-21T15:45:00.000-08:00

One of the major downsides to having my family on the other side of the world is the distinct lack of babysitters when Danny and I fancy a night out. Which is why we've only managed a wedding and a couple of dinners since Lucia was born a year and a half ago. So I jumped at the chance to try out the Sitters childcare agency.
I've looked at a few on-line babysitting organisations in the past, but none of them have really impressed me enough to consider using them. But I was immediately reassured by the professionalism of their site, which was clear, and informative, and easy to navigate.
I loved that the service was founded by parents Lucie and Stephen Allen, after they spotted a gap in the market for quality, reliable evening childcare. They began interviewing and compiling a pool of experienced and professional child minders. Today they have access to thousands of babysitters all over the UK.
After registering with the service on line I simply typed in the day and date and time that I needed childcare. The next day I got a call to let me know that Samantha, one of the agency's most experienced sitters, was available. All the details, including the hourly rate, were confirmed by text, and I got another reminder early on the day. Samantha also gave me a quick call an hour before, to reassure me that she was on her way. We arranged for her to arrive just before Lucia's bed time, so that they could meet each other. Lucia's a good sleeper, but I wanted her to recognise Samantha, just in case she did wake up.
This was the first time we'd left her with a sitter, but I wasn't nervous at all. I was really able to relax and enjoy myself, knowing Lucia was in safe hands. I oved the fact that they even can provide professional sitters to your hotel, if you need a night off from the kids while on holiday.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the service, or use it again. Our social life is finally a reality again! www.sitters.co.uk.
• The service is free to join - after completing your first booking your membership will be automatically renewed at a cost of £12.75 every three months, until you cancel. Each booking attracts a fee of around £4. The sitter's hourly rate ranges beteween £5.80 and £6.85 (for a minimum of four hours) depending on the day and location - though you should expect to pay more for special dates, like New Year's Eve, or short notice bookings.

The Breastvest - feeding without flashing!

2010-02-15T12:08:00.000-08:00

I breastfed my little girl, and plan to do the same when I have more children. But there are definitely a few things I'd do differently next time round - and the first is to stock up on Breastvests. Feeding in public can be a bit uncomfortable at the best of times, without having to worry about exposing your wobbly post-baby belly to the world. I used a feeding shawl to protect my modesty last time, but that still didn't prevent the odd bare belly flash as I made sure my daughter was properly latched on. The Breastvest is ingeniously simple - it's a snug fitting stretchy singlet top with adjustable shoulder straps, cut to sit just below the bustline. So you have simple, easy access to your nursing bra, and no fumbling about with layers. But, best of all, your tummy is always covered, so no one sees more of you than they should! Leslie from PJP PR sent me one to try out, and I was really impressed by the fit and cut. It was really comfy, and made from good quality fabric. At just £15 each, they're a great price too. www.breastvest.co.uk

Classy Arts and Crafts

2010-02-11T15:32:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for ways to keep your kids entertained this half term, then check out this great new website CultureLabel.com. Basically it's a portal site that allows visitors to buys gifts, art and souvenirs from a wide variety of UK galleries, museums, and designers. When Culture Label's Pippa Irvin suggested I try out some of their products, it was really hard to pick from their quirky and original children's range, which included everything from origami sets, to remote controlled dinosaurs, to wallpaper you can actually colour in (how cool is that?). Finally I narrowed it down to three items:

The Finger Printing Art Set is a simple, but adorable concept. You use the different coloured ink pads to make your fingerprint, them turn them into cute creatures by using the stamps and coloured pencils to draw in faces.

The Crystal Growing Tree is an old classic - just soak the cardboard trees in the provided solution, and by the next day the branches have sprouted bunches of spiky, frosty crystals. It's like a mini-science lesson in a box.

The 3-D Doodle Kit was a big hit with my partner. (I'm fairly sure that if these had been around when he was a kid, he'd never have finished school). You fit the blue and the red pencils into a special compass, which enables you to draw your picture in duplicate. Put on the supplied 3-D glasses, and your doodle suddenly pops out.

There are loads of great items to pick from, and they start from just £3.99, so there's something to suit every pocket.
Finger Printing Kit - http://www.culturelabel.com/Products.mvc/Details/2565/finger-printing-art-set
Crystal Growing Tree - http://www.culturelabel.com/Products.mvc/Details/2223/crystal-growing-tree
3D Doodle Kit - http://www.culturelabel.com/Products.mvc/Details/2564/incredible-3d-doodle-kit

Fisher Price 3rd and Bird talking toy

2010-02-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

Move over Iggle Piggle - there's a new fictional kids' character in town! My daughter's latest fascination is with the feathered characters of the animated BBC pre-school series, 3rd and Bird. So when I presented her with Fisher Price's Muffin Talking Friend toy for her to try out (thanks to Vicki at Fisher Price!) she let out an audible gasp of delight. When I pressed her left foot, Muffin started to sing, flap her wings and shake her little pink tail feather. Lucia let out a long 'Ooooooooooooooooh!' then started dancing around the room with her. Since then it's been non-stop Muffin madness in our home. Luckily she's adorable, rather than annoying (unlike some other kids' toys I have to listen to all day, every day... ), and Lucia's picking up some pretty nifty dances moves too!
The Fisher Price Muffin Talking Friend toy is priced around £30, and is available from all good toy stores.

Snuggly Sleeping Bag - Bambino Merino

2010-01-29T05:03:00.000-08:00

With this winter's extreme cold snap came a very welcome, and timely offer to test out the newest addition to the Bambino Merino range - the toddler sleeping bag. Made from a cotton outer layer, and a 100% pure merino wool lining, the bag actually creates a snuggly microclimate around your little one, keeping them just the right temperature in winter and summer. In colder weather you can dress them in a full sleepsuit as well, and in summer you can zip them in with just a nappy. One of the things I loved about the Bambino Merino was that it had loads of extra length for my daughter to grow into. Unlike other sleeping bags we've used in the past, it was spacious and soft, with lots of room for her to move about during the night, without getting all twisted up. It had an envelope opening, simple to put over a squirming toddler's head, and zipped up easily and simply on one side.
In fact she looked so snuggly and comfortable in the sleeping bag that I wanted to squeeze in there with her. Apparently, I'm not the only one to feel this way, as the company often get requests for adult versions of the bag. Unfortunately, they're not available - yet!
I was a bit worried about washing the sleeping bag for the first time, in case I shrunk it, or ruined the shape. But I just popped in the washing machine, on the 40 degree wool setting, with a bit of wool detergent, then flat dried it, and it was as good as new.
Bambino Merino toddler sleeping bag (2-4 years): £59.95; the original baby sleeping bag (3-24 months): £49.95, or two for £89.90; www.bambinomerino.com.

Breville Hot Cup - the 40 second kettle

2010-01-22T13:16:00.000-08:00

I'm in love - with a kettle! Well, it's not just a kettle - it's the new Breville Hot Cup. I love gadgets, and I love my morning latte, so I jumped at the chance to try this out when Vanessa from Brazen PR contacted me. But when I first read that the Hot Cup boiled water in just 40 seconds, I found it hard to believe. I'd stood by enough kettles over the years to know that couldn't possibly be true. Could it?? So I filled up the Hot Cup, pressed the button, and moments later I could already see the water beginning to steam. Sure enough, after just 40 seconds it was bubbling merrily away. I selected from the small or large cup settings on the top, placed my mug under the nozzle, and the Hot Cup even dispensed the boiling water for me! Lucia was breastfed, but I kept thinking how brilliant this would be for parents who were bottle feeding. No more standing by the jug at some ungodly hour of the night, impatiently waiting for it to boil. And it's eco-friendly, because it uses less electricity. If I could just get the Hot Cup to fetch me a piece of toast too, it'd be perfect...
The new Breville Hot Cup, RRP: £59.99, is available from Argo, and all good retailers.

Clevamama Oven Door Guard

2010-01-20T15:44:00.000-08:00

My daughter loves helping me out in the kitchen, banging about with the pots and pans while I make dinner. I prefer to have her where I can see her (especially since, when left to her own devices, she has taken to putting everything down the toilet - including my digital camera, and my Blackberry). But our cooker is not the newest or the fanciest, and the oven door gets piping hot. I used to panic that Lucia would accidentally brush up against it, and burn herself.

So I did a bit of searching, and was excited to find the Clevamama Oven Door Guard. Developed by mums Suzanne Browne and Martina Delaney, the guard is made from heat-resistant polycarbonate plastic. Specially designed suction pads secure it to the front of your cooker, providing a barrier between your child, and the baking hot door. I made a quick call to Suzanne, and she kindly agreed to send me out a sample to try. The promotional blurb says that heat is reduced by up to 50%, but I've been using the guard for nearly a year now, and it has never gone past luke-warm. It's one of the most useful, and effective safety products I've ever reviewed, and I have absolutely no hesitation recommending it to anyone with similar safety concerns.

The guard fits standard sized cooker doors, and is transparent, so you can keep your little ones safe, and still keep a close eye on dinner.

The Clevamama Oven Door Guard, RRP: £23.99, can be ordered from Boots.com

Ladybird Starlight nursery night lamp

2010-01-20T14:36:00.000-08:00

My daughter is obsessed with those light up musical projector toys. The one I've fixed to the side of her cot is constantly beaming little teddies on to her ceiling - she even wakes up in the middle of the night to turn it on! So when Grant from Fire PR offered to send Lucia a Starlight night lamp, from The Torch Shop, to try out, I just knew she'd love it. Shaped like a lady bird, the Starlight is battery operated, eliminating messy cables. One tap on the top, and a coloured light beams through dozens of tiny star-shaped holes, projecting a galaxy of stars onto the ceiling. As expected, Lucia gave an excited gasp, then kept pointing around the room. 'Wassa?' she kept whispering (which translates to 'What's That?' in English).You can opt for orange, green, blue, or a changing combination of the three, and the darker the room, the more dramatic the effect. (The photo gives you some idea, but doesn't really do it justice). It's like creating your own Milky Way - which then conveniently switches off after 45 minutes to preserve the batteries. It not only looks magical, it keeps Lucia calm and content, until she falls asleep under her very own blanket of stars.
Starlight night lamp: £18.32 (free UK delivery).

Toby Tiger Wellies

2010-01-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

The one good thing about all this wet, muddy winter weather is that I get to break out my daughter’s Toby Tiger wellies. After asking very nicely to try them out, I was sent a pair by the lovely Leslie at PJP PR. These are not your boring, bog standard black or yellow boots, they come in a range of funky prints and colours, including flowers and stars. Lucia's pair are brown, emblazoned with turquoise dinosaurs, and she just loves them! In fact she keeps dragging them out of her bedroom, insisting I put them on her, and stomping around the house. We spent Xmas on her great-grandad’s bullock farm, so they were put to the test in his muddy fields. I loved the fact I could just rinse them off afterwards, and they were as good as new! They also came with a handy plastic carrier bag, so I could store them cleanly away. They have adorable matching raincoats too. Regular prices are £15.00 for boots, and £23.99 for raincoats, but if you get in quickly, they’re currently offering 10% off their wet weather range (offer correct and available at time of this review). Toby Tiger: www.tobytiger.co.uk.

Organic Baby Wipes

2010-01-15T16:58:00.000-08:00

After seeing me post about my daughter's eczema, and ultra-sensitive skin, Leslie from PJP PR offered to send me some Jackson Reece herbal natural baby wipes to try out.
The wipes were invented by a couple whose son, Jackson, also suffered badly from eczema. When they couldn't find a product gentle and natural enough to soothe his irritated skin, they developed their own.
Since discovering that Lucia's skin is severely aggravated by standard ingredients used in many bestselling babies products - particularly sulfates, alcohol, and parabens - I've tried to keep her skin and hair care products as chemical-free as possible. I was confident that these wipes wouldn't irritate her, as they simply contain aloe vera, tea tree oil, lavender essential oil, and purified water.
Not only did her skin stay blemish free, the biodegradable wipes were sturdy, soft, and smelled lovely too. Although they're an organic product, I was pleased to find out they were around the same price as the high street versions I'd previously used. They also have a range of flushable wipes coming out soon that completely degrade in water within 8 days. Great for the environment, and your baby's skin.
Natural Herbal Baby Wibes 72 wipes per pack RRP £1.99; pack of 10 flushable wipes RRP 99p. www.jacksonreece.com.