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Cute, contemporary and cuddly. The Qatch ‘My Travel Toy’ is the ideal bedtime buddy for travelling tots!
Contemporary, Cute and Cuddly. Luno the Owl is one of six characters featured in the ‘My Travel Toy’ collection from Qatch. Each Qatch travel toy has a character on the front and a plain side made from velvet soft velour for cozy, comfort whilst sleeping.
Mums Baby Magazine put the Qatch ‘Luno the Owl’ My Travel Toy to the test, we found that was he was an instant hit with our toddler. Firstly, the size of this toy/ pillow is ideal for travel (36cm x 22cm x 12cm). Secondly, the pillow itself is made from soft bamboo and organic cotton velour which has natural hypoallergenic properties and therefore is suitable for little children’s soft skin.
The My Travel Toy isn’t just cute and cuddly, it’s also vibrantly colourful, Luno wears a lime green jumper made from 100% cotton, upon the jumper there are three felt applique shapes, each one varying in colour and shape. Luno the owl is certainly a night time buddy, owl’s are notorious for their night time activities and Luno’s shapes (a flower, a star and a moon) represent the night time.
We were impressed with the design and quality of this toy. The material mainly used to create this product (bamboo velour) is anti-static, anti-fungal and antibacterial. This particular material tends to keep little ones cool when the temperature is raised and warm when the temperature is cooler, thus this item is suitable to be used in any climate.
The My Travel Toy can be washed on a 40 degree Celsius cycle and should be dried naturally. The material (bamboo velour) retains it’s unique hypoallergenic properties even after washing.
Mums Baby Magazine were greatly impressed by the My Travel Toy, we were that impressed that have even added this product to our online shop! One particular element which we like is the decorative stitching around the facial features and shapes upon the jumpers of these toys. The design for the My Travel 
Toy collection is contemporary and unique, these toys/ pillows are characters which we think children and parents alike will love!
Mums Baby Magazine give the Qatch ‘My Travel Toy’ 10/10. Suitable from twelve months onwards, the Qatch ‘My Travel Toys’ are the perfect gift for young children. Each toy/ pillow is beautifully packaged and are currently on sale (down from £22 to £18!) at www.4littletots.co.uk
Monkey Foot Designs The Ideal Wet Bag For Multipurpose Use.
Monkey Foot Designs design and create a variety of wet bags and nursing covers in a range of unique materials.
Mums Baby Magazine put the Monkey Foot Extra Large Double Pocket Wet Bag to the test for a day out to the swimming baths with a toddler who uses cloth nappies. This bag is ideal for carrying spare and wet clothing as there are two pockets, both of which can be used to store wet items. However, we used one pocket in which to store clean clothes and one pocket in which to store the wet clothing, towels and nappies.
We found that that this bag kept all moisture and odour tightly zipped into the pockets and we were impressed with the size of the bag and the space within the pockets. The Monkey Foot Designs Extra Large Double Pocket Wet Bag features two large zip pockets with a waterproof lining made from Procare, the seams are sealed to eliminate odour and moisture from wet clothing/ nappies/ towels from escaping the bag. The larger main zip pocket measures 16” wide by 22” tall with a 6” gusset, the smaller pocket measures 16” wide and 20” tall.
The Monkey Foot Designs Extra Large Double Pocket Wet Bag also features an adjustable shoulder strap which can be removed quickly and easily using two ring and clip clasps.
We managed to fit the following items into this bag:
- 2 x large towels
- 1 x swimming costume
- 2 x swimming nappies
- 1 x All in one soap/ shampoo wash
- 2 x spare bamboo cloth nappies
- 1 x spare wrap
- 1 x pack of wipes
- 1 x wallet
The Monkey Foot Extra Large Double Pocket Wet bag is ideal for using as a swimming bag, beach bag, sandwich bag, drinks/ snack bag, sports bag, cloth nappy wet bag, short stay hospital bag, or it can also make a useful cool bag. These bags are that good that they are even used by NASA’s astronauts on the space station!
Mums Baby Magazine were really impressed with the Monkey Foot Designs Wet Bag and have therefore given it 9/10. We love the material and the design, the quality of the bag shows excellent workmanship and the multifunctional possibilities for this bag make it the ideal bag for travel.
Monkey Foot Designs wet bags are available in a wide range of sizes and designs from http://monkeyfootdesigns.com.
Stylish and Spacious, The Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) truly is a Miracle!
It’s a wonder how a Mother manages to fit everything that she and her baby will need throughout the day into one bag. The reality is that many Mums are forced to sacrifice taking some items out with them due to the lack of space that most changing bags offer. Going out with a little one even if it’s only to the shops can feel like your packing for an expedition! Rather than getting stressed with being unable to fit everything into one bag without busting a zip, swap your changing bag for the latest ‘miracle’ in the changing bag market.
The Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) is the ideal solution for parents with little ones. Firstly it is easily cleaned as it is wipe able (with having a patent finish) and secondly, it has enough space inside to fit two times what the average changing bag carries without appearing to be the size of a baby elephant. 
This bag could easily be mistaken for Mary Poppins luggage as it is indeed ‘deceptive’.
The Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) features two small pockets both on the front and back of the bag which are ideal for storing keys, a mobile phone, a small purse, ladies toiletries and other small items. At the side of the bag there is a large, elasticated bottle pocket ideal for fitting wider bottles (such as Tommee Tippee bottles) into.
The main section of the bag is split into two sections, one side of the bag for Mum and the other side for Baby. These large main sections offer plentiful space in which to store a whole range of items! It is literally as if the Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) is actually two changing bags separated by a zip. Each of the two main sections includes a small side 
zipping pocket ideal for cameras, mobile phones, keys, personal care products and other wallet sized items.
The Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) has an adjustable shoulder strap which can be removed easily with key ring style clips making it easy to put over the back of a pram/ stroller. The Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) also has two padded carry handles which seem sturdy and are wide enough to allow ‘over the shoulder’ use.
The interior of each bag available within the Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) features a red, floral interior design and matching changing mat which is also easy to wipe clean.
Mums Baby Magazine put the Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) to the test by planning a trip out to the swimming baths for Mother and Baby. Usually such a trip requires one or two large, heavy duty re-useable shopping carriers. However, we achieved a Miracle… we fit all that we needed into just one bag, The Miracle Changing Bag (City Range).
Here is a list of just some of the items that we managed to fit into the bag…
- 1 Large towel
- 1 Child’s towel
- 1 Adults swimming costume
- 1 Child’s swimming costume
- 2 Children’s swim nappies
- 1 bottle of shampoo
- 1 bottle of conditioner
- 1 bottle of baby wash
- 1 deodorant
- 2 cloth nappies
- 2 cloth inserts
- 1 nappy wrap
- 1 bag of spare clothes (including socks, baby legs, 1 x trousers, 1 x tee-shirt and a vest)
- 1 child’s cardigan
- A range of snacks
- 1 small bottle pop
- 1 bottle water
- 1 hair comb
- Ladies toiletries including perfumes, makeup etc
- 1 nappy bag/ waterproof bag for wet clothes
- 1 tub of sudocrem
- 1 mobile phone
- 1 set of keys
- 1 large ladies purse
It seems like a lot of things for one bag to carry but nevertheless we still had space in the Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) in which to fit lots more items, even once we had put all of the above list of items into it!
We deem the Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) to be the ideal bag for general travel with a toddler, long days out with little ones, holidays/ trips, hospital stays, family swimming sessions, baby massage sessions, shopping with a little one in tow, overnight stays, or simply general day to day use.
The Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) eliminates the need to pack an ‘extra bag’ for in the car or to stick things underneath the pram. This bag enables a Mother and Child to leave the house with all of the 
essentials that they require and the non essential items too! Mums Baby Magazine give the Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) 9/10 for space and style.
The Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) is available in a wide range of colours, designs and finishes. Made from 100% Cotton (which is laminated) and measuring a generous W:44cm D:24cm H26cm, the Miracle Changing Bag (City Range) currently retails at £39.95 from www.themiraclebox.co.uk.
‘A Simple Way To Teach Your Baby To Love The Water’, Little Dippers ‘Water Babies’ DVD brings water safety home.
Introducing your child to water can be a daunting experience for both parents and child, there are now a variety of swimming programmes designed for parents and babies to attend. ‘Little Dippers’ was founded by Lauren Heston and is now available in a range of locations throughout the UK.
Many parents find it difficult to attend sessions at the pool with their little ones for a number of reasons such as:
- day/ time unsuitable due to work/ family commitments
- no transport
- no lessons available locally
- high prices of sessions
- worry/ anxiety over introducing little ones to water
- worry/ anxiety over taking little one to pool alone
With many parents and children planning vacations this summer, it is worth considering building life saving, water based skills with your little one now before introducing them to water in an unfamiliar location. Almost one third of drowning incidents occur after victims slim or fall from land or structures (built over water). The majority of accidents in water occur at inland locations. A common reason for drowning incidents is the panic response. If little ones are able to learn to relax in water they are less likely to drown.
The Waterbabies DVD enables parents to watch lesson guides from the comfort of their own living room. Filmed by the award-winning ‘Waterbabies’ film team, ‘Waterbabies’ is a step by step guide on how to introduce your little one to water. Featuring Lauren Heston ‘Waterbabies’ uses a fortnightly lesson guide on how to develop your little ones confidence and skills in the water. Although this DVD is designed to last twenty one weeks, it will more than likely take much longer than this depending upon your child’s response and development during the training course.
The DVD begins with a rolling screen of safety information which is hard to take in due to the speed of the text roll, all the safety information is now clearly printed inside the DVD case. It is important to read and follow this information before beginning the Waterbabies course.
- Never leave your little one unsupervised by/ in water.
- Warm up before sessions by using revision and exercises from previous sessions.
- If your child is ill go back a few weeks to rebuild their strength and confidence.
- Ensure that your child is well enough to take part in sessions.
- Stop if your little one is ever displaying signs of stress or fatigue.
- Your child should never be submerged more than eight times.
- Never spend more than thirty minutes in the pool.
The Waterbabies ‘Little Dippers’ course builds ‘Self Rescue’ life saving skills such as
- Building confidence with the sensation of being in water.
- Back Floating
- Holding onto the side of the pool/ a bar
- Turning under water
- Swimming unaided
- How to deal with submergence
- Relaxing in water.
The Waterbabies Course uses ‘Word Association’ as the key stimulus and prompt for learning. Parents are encouraged to adopt a firm and positive voice, throughout the DVD parents are reminded to remain positive, responding to their little ones with reassurance, cuddles and praise.
Throughout the course your little one is aiming to build the four key ‘Self Rescue Skills’ which are:
- Landing in water
- Turning in water
- Coming to the surface and taking a breath
- Holding onto the side
Spending time in the water helps to build children’s lung capacity and increase the strength of their heart. Water based activities are therapeutic for little ones and can also help to improve coordination, confidence and self esteem.
The Waterbabies DVD encourages parents and little ones to have fun in the water together, spending time together in the water is an excellent way in which to bond. Many parents (both Mums and Dads) are featured on the DVD sharing their feelings and thoughts upon the Little Dippers course as they progress. Also featured on this DVD is an interview with Lauren Heston (the founder of Little Dippers), coverage of how the DVD was made and a photo gallery.
Waterbabies is a ‘shared adventure’ which with patience and a positive approach is fun for all involved. It’s never too early to introduce your little one to the water, this DVD offers parents a clear and concise programme which they can then use with their child to develop critical life saving skills.
Available for £18.99 from www.littledippersfilms.co.uk, the Waterbabies DVD teaches you how to turn your little one into a ‘waterbaby’! Alternatively this series is available to download from http://www.littledippersfilms.co.uk/order.php
Slap it on for the Sunshine! Protect your little ones skin from the sun without the fuss, mess or grease with Naturally Cool Kids ‘Sunshine Armour’ Sun Cream.
Naturally Cool Kids ‘Sunshine Armour’ Sun Cream range is free from chemicals and is naturally made from organic ingredients.Made in the UK, The Naturally Cool Kids lotions are designed to be less greasy than typical children’s sun cream which is often coloured and can stain clothes and tends to make skin feel greasy thus keeping ‘tight hold’ of little hands can be difficult on busy beaches and when out and about in the sunshine.
Mums Baby Magazine put the Naturally Cool Kids SPF 25 (150ml) to the test whilst out on a beautiful, sunny day at the beach with the kids. As instructed we applied the sun tan lotion thirty minutes before exposure to the sun, upon applying the cream we found that it felt quite ‘clarty’ and thick, the cream smoothed out evenly onto the skin and left no marks on any clothing and no smears or white areas upon the skin. The flip top bottle made it easier to open and close the lotion, whilst reducing the typical grit and sand that often get into bottle tops. The smell of the cream seemed quite different, the natural coconut scent was pleasant whilst not overpowering.
We ensured that we re-applied the lotion regularly and accessorised the children with essential protective accessories such as sun hats and sun glasses. Whilst Naturally Cool Kids ‘Sunshine Armour’ protects skin from the sun, it isn’t a complete sun block and it is advised that parents should keep their little ones shaded during the hottest times of the day (11am- 3pm). Naturally Cool Kids Factor 25 isn’t waterproof and therefore needs reapplying after your little one has been in the water and has been towel dried.
Our little tikes enjoyed many hours playing in the sunshine whilst wearing the Naturally Cool Kids SPF 25, their skin felt soft and moisturised during and after this session in the sun, hours later there was no sign of any tanning or burning and clothing was free from ‘sun tan lotion tide marking’. As the label says there was no mess and no fuss, just lots of fun!
When out and about in the sunshine remember the following:
- Spend time in the shade between the hours of 11am and 3pm
- Make sure that you do not burn.
- Try to cover up by wearing a tee-shirt, hat and sunglasses
- Remember to take extra care with little ones
- Ensure that you use a sunscreen (sun cream) with a factor of at least SPF 15 or higher.
- Sun tan lotion is NOT a sun block!
The Naturally Cool Kids ‘Sunshine Armour’ is suitable from ages 6 months upwards and is the ideal medium level sun protection for day to day skin protection. Natural Cool Kids Sunshine Armour is available from www.naturalcoolkids.com for £15.95, as well as a wide range of other naturally made, organic holiday items.
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