babyreview.com.au

My baby has very sensitive skin and I’m always interested in natural ways of cleansing my baby’s skin during bath time. It was by chance that I found out about DermaVeen bath treatment – made from natural colloidal oatmeal.

Colloidal oatmeal is simply oats ground into a fine powder. When added to bathwater, it disperses making the water appear milky and this prevents the oatmeal from settling. So the oatmeal stays in the water and doesn’t sink to the bottom of the bath. The colloidal oatmeal coats, moisturises, relieves, softens, and protects my baby’s precious skin.

DermaVeen bath treatment is Australian made. The bath treatment can be used to relieve the symptoms of dry, irritated and itchy skin associated with a range of skin conditions, including; eczema and nappy rash.

The bath treatment is pH balanced, preservative free and contains no paragons, dyes or fragrances.

It’s perfect for sensitive skin and so easy to use in baby’s bath. I just sprinkle one tablespoon in her baby bath and avoid using any soap. The next day her sensitive skin has settled and she looks radiantly beautiful.

For more information on the bath treatment and full range of DermaVeen products visit the DermaVeen website

Conscious that I have a family history of asthma, I began researching how avoiding common causes of allergies, may be one way to delay the development of allergic diseases (such as asthma, eczema or hay fever) in my children.

Infant bedding has long been associated with the development of allergy or asthma, as it provides the perfect environment for allergens. With little ones spending a large amount of time in bed, this may increase their risk of becoming allergic. In an effort to reduce the amount of allergens in my child’s bed, I have been using the SLEEPComfort mattress protector form The Allergy Shop which is a product selected by the National Asthma Council Australia.

The SLEEPComfort mattress protector provides effective protection against dust mites, a major trigger for asthma and allergy sufferers. The mattress protector is made from Permitex, a combination of densely knitted cotton towelling bonded to a breathable membrane. This membrane creates a barrier for dust mites, a major irritant for allergies and asthma. This thick absorbent cotton towelling with it’s waterproof membrane, also protects the mattress against spills and any accidents.

With a fully fitted stretch skirt it is easy to fit on my child’s mattress. The mattress protector is soft and comfortable for my toddler. The SLEEPComfort Mattress Protector can be washed up to 70 degrees celsius, which is above the temperature recommended by the National Asthma Council Australia to kill dust mites and their allergens. The Permitex will stand up to regular laundering and can be tumble dried. The product comes with a 5 year warranty. The SLEEPComfort Mattress Protector can be purchased from The Allergy Shop website. The Allergy Shop has a full range of Allergy Bedding for Kids and Adults, including mattress protectors for Bassinet & Pram, Cradle & Portacot, Cots, Single Beds, King Singles, Doubles, Queens and King sizes.

The Allergy Shop is an online one-stop shop caring for people with allergies. The Allergy Shop offers products to provide relief from allergies, such as Asthma, Eczema, Hay Fever, Dust Mites and more. It raised my awareness of the products available to assist family members with allergies, with a comprehensive range of products from Allergy Friendly Toys to Personal Care.

The Baby Safe Nail Clippers from BOCAS Australia are a product I discovered on The Allergy Shop website. I have found the Baby Safe Nail Clippers great for cutting long finger nails on both my toddler and newborn. To cut finger nails with the Baby Safe Nail Clippers, swivel the nail clippers from the closed position to the open position. Place Baby’s finger on the safety finger saddle and gently position the finger nail in the protective cutting hole. Press the clippers together and the finger nail is cut in an arch shape. There is a catcher to collect the cut nails too. The clippers are designed with an ergonomic grip for adults and are suitable from birth to 5 years of age. This product is another great find on The Allergy Shop website.

There is so much information out there to raise awareness on caring for those with allergies or asthma. Here are the websites I have found most useful; The Allergy Shop website: www.allergyshop.com.au The Asthma Australia website: www.asthmaaustralia.org.au National Asthma Council Australia website: www.NationalAsthma.org.au and Australasian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy website: www.allergy.org.au

At 20 months old, Baby is becoming more interested in toilet training, nappy options and more confident in voicing her opinion on both!

In the evening she insists on a quick stint on her potty before her bath. Following her evening bath when she is fresh and clean she wears a nappy to bed. In the morning she will enthusiastically call out from her cot, in her loudest voice, to wear her “nappy pants”.

I’ve recently discovered Bambo Nature Eco Disposable Nappies which are comfortable, well fitting, highly absorbent and wonderful for overnight. The Bambo Nature disposable nappy features a breathable fabric feel top layer with a double leakage barrier, to keep Baby dry and a really absorbent core. The tabs on the nappy are velcro-style, and re-sealable. In addition, Bambo Nature nappies are made in Denmark and feature a biodegradable core, which is 75% biodegradable as opposed to 35% in standard nappies. The raw materials used to produce the nappy are certified free from harmful chemicals, are 100% free from chlorine, TBT, PVC and latex too!

Given Bambo Nature’s green credentials, I’m not surprised that Baby loves wearing a Bambo Nature nappy to bed and hasn’t experienced nappy rash since we’ve made the switch.

Bambo Nature Nappies are available for Babies to Toddlers in the following sizes:

• Premature – from birth to around 3kg
• Newborn – from birth to around 4kg
• Mini – from approx 3.5kg to around 5kg
• Midi – from 5kg to just under 9kg
• Maxi – from around 8.5kg to around 13kg
• Maxi Plus – from around 13kg
• Junior and XL Plus – from around 15kg

After a comfortable nights sleep in her Bambo Nature Nappy (with no leakage) Baby springs into action in the morning and asks for “Ma Ma” first and her “Nappy Pants” second. It’s the Bambo Eco Disposable Training Pants she is calling out for when she requests her “Nappy Pants”. The Bambo Training Pants have been ideal for her transition from nappies to toilet training. To put on the Bambo training pants, I help Baby step into them and she pulls the training pants up all by herself. The training pants allow Baby to practice using the potty during the day without too much assistance from me.

The Bambo Eco Disposable Training Pants feature a highly absorbent core, stretchy feel for a good fit and cute styling with a picture of a seal in an aquatic scene. The Bambo Training Pants are very spacious back and front – perfect for both boys and girls. To take the nappy pants off, you simply tear each side and roll them up. There is no need to lie Baby down on a change table to take the pants off or even to put them on. They are simply amazing!

Keeping with the best eco-intentions in mind for Baby, I have adopted Jackson Reece Biodegradable Organic Baby Wipes. These wipes are thick, strong and are available in scented and unscented. I must admit I like the fresh smell of the Jackson Reece Biodegradable Scented Wipes. The scented wipes are infused with a blend of Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera and the aromatherapy of Lavender for soothing Baby’s precious bottom.Both the Jackson Reece Biodegradable Unscented Wipes and Scented Wipes have purified water as a key ingredient to prevent nappy rash. Both wipes are free from nasties, such as alcohol and chlorine. The wipes are made in the UK and specifically designed for children with sensitive skin. Jackson Reece make Flushable Biodegradable Organic Baby Wipes too. Which I’m sure we’ll use once we make our foray to the toilet!

To find out more on the range of eco-friendly Bambo Nature Nappies, Bambo Training Pants and Jackson Reece Baby Wipes visit www.ethman.com.au

I have just finished bathing Baby, she looks relaxed and smells scrumptious. I attribute her calm disposition to the Baby Organics products I have used in her bath. Baby knows it’s the start of her bath time ritual, when I put the plug in the bottom of the bath tub and start running the water. She excitedly tugs on her clothing to the sound of the gushing water and passes me her Organic Baby Bath Wash, indicating it’s time for me to undress her and add her favourite bath wash to her bath. I do both and place a rather excited Baby in her bath.

Baby Organics Baby Bath Wash is made from beautiful ingredients, including organic lavender essential oil, organic evening primrose oil and organic lemon myrtle oil. Organic lavender essential oil is an ingredient in many products in the Baby Organics range. Not only does organic lavender oil have a sweet floral fragrance, it can assist with a wide range of children’s complaints when in a bath wash, including nappy rash, teething pain and restlessness. It is a wonderful element and when combined with the organic evening primrose oil, creates a relaxing blissful bath for Baby.

So after sufficient soaking time, Baby gestures to the Baby Organics Baby Shampoo. This is my favourite product in the Baby Organics range. The Baby Organics Baby Shampoo is 81% certified organic and I’ve used this shampoo to clear up cradle cap in it’s early stages. This shampoo is simply magical! It’s soap and sulphate free, it is specifically designed to gently clean Baby’s hair and scalp without irritation. It leaves Baby’s hair hydrated and it smells devine. I’ve used this product since Baby was a newborn as my Baby has always had lots of hair and I know I will continue to use it into her toddler years.

When it’s time to leave the bath, I wrap Baby in her hooded towel and take her to her bedroom. I apply the Baby Organics Baby Moisturiser. It is mild enough to use everyday to moisturise and protect Baby’s skin. One of the ingredients in the moisturiser is a botanical blend of aloe vera. I can feel the subtle texture of the aloe vera as I gently moisturise Baby’s skin. She lies so still when I’m moisturising and really enjoys the pampering.

To complete her ‘Baby Day Spa’ experience, I give Baby a relaxing massage with Baby Organics Baby Massage Oil. The massage oil is mineral free and is non-greasy making it ideal for Baby Massage. It contains organic chamomile essential oil which is soothing and relaxing. I start with circular motions massaging her feet, her legs, her chest, her arms and her hands with small amounts of the Baby Massage Oil. She gives out little giggles when she is ticklish, then Baby appears rather drowsy and it is definitely bedtime.

The Baby Organics ‘Baby Travel Gift Pack’ contains 50ml travel sizes of the Baby Bath Wash, Baby Shampoo, Baby Moisturiser and Baby Nappy Lotion to try out the Baby Organics products with baby. With Christmas around the corner this gift pack would be a lovely gift for friends and family members with a baby.

Another product I would recommend is the Organic Top to Toe Baby Wash and I’ve found it wonderful for traveling with Baby. It’s an all in one convenient cleanser which can be used on baby’s skin, hair and scalp in one easy step. It is 98% certifies organic and contains organic lemon myrtle essential oil which gives it a refreshing citrus fragrance. It is available in a convenient 125ml size.

To find out more information on all the products in the Baby Organics range and the sizes available visit the Organic Formulations website.

Baby is a winter baby, born at the beginning of winter last year. Like her mother, Baby simply adores shoes! This time last year, it was knitted booties in a broad spectrum of colours which adorned her tiny feet. This year given her increased mobility, need for warmth, comfort and of course style – she is wearing the SKEANIE UGG!

Made from soft leather, with a furry lining and dark suede sole, the SKEANIE UGG is perfect for indoors and outdoors. It is well stitched and assembled, with an elasticised collar which allows the boots to be gently stretched and put on Baby’s feet. It is reassuring to know SKEANIE is a preferred provider of the Australian Podiatry Association (NSW).

SKEANIE UGGs are not only warm and comfortable for this cool winter weather, they are super stylish. Given it is birthday party season for Baby and her friends, she has been sporting her SKEANIE UGGs to many of her friends parties and even wore them to her own birthday party. She’s had lots of compliments on her new boots.

Baby is the biggest fan of her new boots. When I am dressing her, Baby squirms and points to her UGGs. She picks them up and even trys to put them on her feet herself! Once the boots are on, she leaps up and walks around – it seems these SKEANIE boots were made for walking and that’s just what she’ll do!

SKEANIE UGGs are available in a wide range of fashion colours, I couldn’t resist choosing red for Baby. To complete her stylish look, Baby has a red skirtle with white stars and red socks with white stars – all from SKEANIE.

You may be asking yourself – What is a skirtle? It is defined on the SKEANIE website as a garment hanging from the waist with a snug stretchable garment covering the legs from the waist down. Simply put it is an all-in-one ruffled knit skirt and footless tight combo. As you can see from the picture, Baby looks gorgeous in her SKEANIE skirtle, matching socks and SKEANIE UGGs.

The SKEANIE UGG is available in sizes Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large. The SKEANIE website cleverly includes a chart with Baby Shoe Sizes which I printed out check the size of Baby’s feet. I put Baby’s foot against the piece of paper and determined she was a Medium. I found the SKEANIE website easy to navigate and Baby’s UGGs arrived a couple of days after I placed the order online. To see the full range of SKEANIE Shoes, Skirtles and Socks, visit the SKEANIE website.

I’ve recently shifted back to Australia from the UK in preparation for my first child. Figured family and friends could come in handy. So in addition to expecting Baby Number One in the frighteningly near future, I’m also reacquainting myself with a country that looks the same but feels different (or it could be me), and all the jargon, tricks, products and advice about ‘shopping for baby’.

What makes it even more fun are the exasperated eye rolls you get if you don’t know about something and the assumption that – because you’re a woman – you should. I’d be forgiven for finding a cave to hide in for the next year. Like many new Mums, I haven’t got a clue. It’s all new and daunting.

I quite like my creature comforts, so I’ve opted out of the cave solution and instead went in search of help. I found it at Baby Kingdom at Bankstown in Sydney where I learned more in one hour with their sales team than I thought I would ever know.

For a start, I have to say this store is designed with sanity in mind. Actually, that’s a fib. It’s designed with insanity in mind: particularly the confused, sleep deprived and nervous insanity of new parents who don’t have the headspace to cope with a poorly disorganised store. Here you will find a neatly organised, one-floor space that tenderly guides you to what you need for feeding, getting your baby on the move, dressing and protecting your baby from the elements, and sorting your nursery space.

Babies have to eat

We started in the feeding and care section – right near the entrance. Here we found the breast pumps, the dummies, the bottles, the formula, the sterilisers and the countless other items I’m preparing myself to term as ‘necessities’ in the coming months. You can sleepwalk in, grab, pay, go.

I’m toying with the notion of a breast pump, but don’t know if I’ll need one yet so holding out – but the advice on electric versus manual was straightforward, human and honest. Basically, I’m not going to be in the mood for manual labour and some nifty person far better at maths than I has taken the time to sort an electric option. I say that’s a winner in my book. So I took notes. At the moment the Avent Electric is looking like an option, but we’ll see. I’ll keep you posted in late April.

Getting baby around: Prams, buggies, strollers etc…

Then there was The Buggy. Or Pram. Or Stroller. Or Integrated Travel System. Or Hydrogen Fuelled Infant Rocket. Honestly, my head was spinning on the Big Buggy Dilemma. In any case, I was eased into this with an explanation on a few key factors that I found helpful as criteria for this monster purchasing decision.

There are a few options on baby carriers and slings as well. I’m eyeing up the Baby Bjorn Active myself.

A place for baby to sleep

Then it’s time for the nursery – a whole other story. But it should be said that there isn’t just the cot to consider: linen, mattress protectors, night lights – it’s all there.

Babywear and grooming

You also have accessories, baby grows, grooming and skincare to consider. So there are the lotions, bathing, clothes and of course, nappies and associated products for taking care of a key preoccupation in early life.

Oh my, and then there are the toys. Which is a whole other adventure.

For the minute, I’m enjoying the fact that I actually understand all this a little better and had it explained to me by friendly, helpful and thorough people. They didn’t stare at me aghast that I don’t have the magic microchip that allegedly equips every female with immediate encyclopedic knowledge about baby kit. They have an online checklist too.

If I wasn’t eight months up the duff, I would have invited my newfound best friends out for a glass of wine in thanks.

During my last ultrasound the technician commented that we should expect a baby with lots of hair.

We weren’t disappointed when Baby arrived with a full head of dark spikey hair, earning her the nickname of “Punky” during our hospital stay. After comments about Baby’s abundant hair, the nurses often asked if I experienced reflux during my pregnancy and in fact I hadn’t.

I think I was the only mother who had a baby grooming kit in her hospital bag. The baby grooming kit is made by Safety 1st and includes a comb, hairbrush, scissors, emery boards, nail clippers and a toothbrush, all in a neat clear little bag.

I used the comb and hairbrush from Day 1! The scissors have been used for baby’s numerous haircuts – five in as many months. And I prefer using the emery boards for filing baby’s nails than using the nail clippers. Too many stories of parents accidentally missing the nail – ouch.

I am yet to use the toothbrush, although my Punky is displaying signs of teething – so I’ll keep you informed of her progress!