Why we love a SnuzPod Crib!

Special offer now at Born! Buy the Natural or White Snuzpod and mattress together for £179.95, saving £40 off the cost of buying them separately! Offer runs from 26th Dec 14 to 18th Jan 2015.

Why do we love a SnuzPod?

1. It's a bedside crib that attaches to your bed to become an extension to your mattress - the mesh side unzips so it's tight against your bed - perfect for safe co-sleeping.

2. It's a stand-alone crib for the nursery with a clean, modern design that will fit with any decor.

3. It's a cradle too! The removable rocking carrycot can be used as a moses basket around the home so your little one can sleep peacefully while you put your feet up! (remember putting your feet up?!)

4. You can safely settle and feed your baby without having to leave your bed - massively beneficial for mums who have had C-sections and absolute bliss for those midnight feeds!

5. Do you find that you sleep restlessly, always listening out for your baby? The Snuzpod means you can see and hear your baby breathing so you can rest peacefully, just opening an eye for a quick check if you wake.

6. It comes with an organic Coir mattress to give safe, perfect support for your little one.

We're not the only ones who love it! Here's what other Born customers thought...

"I am very happy with this purchase. My son is 4.5months old and is very happy sleeping in his Snuzpod. We co-slept for the first 6weeks and I used the Snuzpod for changing him in the early weeks which was very convenient. We then had a smooth transition into the Snuzpod. He has just started rolling so I zip up the side panel but he prefers it left open so I often just use a long pillow instead. I am still using it as bedside cot & I use a moses basket when he naps during the day downstairs." (Nov 2014)

“when the kid arrives we want it as close to us but aren't too sure about co-sleeping. The snuzpod seemed like the best of both options and the espresso colour will go with our bedroom furniture as well :-)”

“I love the idea of co-sleeping and this gives us piece of mind that we are doing it in a safe way.”

“I like the idea of its portability and it looks sturdy. I think it will be better than moses basket and an excellent crib without the hefty price tag like some other brand. Its organic too!!”

“I was comparing the SnuzPod with Bednest and the Chicco Next2Me co sleepers. I found this to be the most functional. Chicco Next2Me can't zip up while coupled to the bed, making it difficult because you can't leave the baby sleeping unattended. Bednest, although similar to the SnuzPod, the hard bridge that folds down is uncomfortable for some moms (on reviews). I also think the SnuzPod's bassinet is much lighter than the Bednest so that I can actually pick it up and move it around the house. Oh, and the rocking feature on both the stand and the actually bassinet is such a great design feature!”

“I really really wanted a SnuzPod due to their excellent reviews, then I discovered they came in espresso and i just had to have it! (I blame the pregnancy hormones)”


But don't just take our word for it - try it yourself! The Snuzpod in White and in Natural are on offer from 26th Dec 14 to 18th Jan 2015 for £179.95, saving £40 off the cost of buying them separately!

Order now at Born and enjoy a peaceful sleep!

Top tips for keeping your baby cosy in Winter

These days, the cold and wet weather seems to arrive in January and February, and as many new parents worry about keeping their baby warm enough, it's worth getting prepared!

Daytime:

Try to stick to natural fibres such as silk, cotton, muslin and wool as these are more breathable than synthetics and will, in the case of wool, regulate your baby’s temperature somewhat too. For the same reason, natural lambskins make great liners for cots, carrycots and buggies as they keep your little one cosy through the cold weather and help keep them cool in summer.

For little babies, a close-fitting soft hat to keep their heads warm is a good idea as babies lose most of their body heat through their heads. You won't need to put them to bed in these, though - they should be warm enough.

Slings
You will want to keep babies feet covered with either socks, slippers or booties especially if you are carrying them in a sling. Baby leg warmers are a great idea for sling users too, so they have an extra layer over their feet and knees but are not too padded up to bend their legs.

When carrying in a sling, be careful of wrapping your baby too much - keep your baby's extremities warm and then tuck them in under your own jacket - they will benefit from your own body heat and will be nice and warm without overheating. A few thin layers are better than one thick padded layer, and don't forget, the sling counts as at least one layer too.

This year, we've introduced a Winter Baby Sling Package which includes an Ergobaby carrier, Fleece winter cover for the carrier, Huggalug leggings and Padraig Baby Slippers. It's proving to be very popular!

The Born Winter Baby Sling Package

Buggies:

When you are out and about, a good coverall or pram suit is a fantastic choice, as you can simply remove it when you’re back inside and not have to worry about your baby being overdressed. Make sure it fit's your little one properly, as babies (especially very young ones) can end up slipping down inside it and getting too hot and bundled up.

Frugi Organic Pram Suit with fleece lining

If you're in a car, the current advice is to take the coat or pram suit off your child before strapping them in the car seat. Find out more from consumer reports.org.

Remove hats, mittens and coats as soon as you get inside to avoid overheating and use your own clothing as a guideline for dressing your baby – if you are wearing several layers, then your baby will need roughly the same number themselves. 

Older babies and toddlers, especially once they are mobile, need layers that allow them to move without feeling too bulky.

Night time:

At night, you may worry about your baby’s room getting colder and how to keep them snuggly without overheating. If you want to check if your baby is warm enough, feel their tummies; often their hands and feet will feel colder and this is completely normal.

A room thermometer may give you added peace of mind at night. It should feel about right for a lightly clothed adult.  Make sure they aren't positioned in a draught or near heat sources like radiators. If you are using a sleeping bag, don’t use a blanket as well. Sleeping bags are a great way to keep your baby warm at night and avoid them kicking off the covers.

Aden & Anais 2.5 TOG Cosy Plus Sleeping Bag

Christmassy Activities to do with the Kids!

The last few days before Christmas are often the best bit because there's plenty of anticipation! We've put together a few activities to do with your little ones to help 'channel' that excitement and make you all feel extra Christmassy!


Magic In A Jar

If you're looking for an activity to do with your little ones then how about making fairies (or reindeer magic) in a jar?! It's simple and fun for children of all ages!

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut a glow stick and shake the contents into a jar.

2. Add sparkly glitter

3. Seal the top with a lid.

4. Shake!

The Handprint Tree

A gorgeous keepsake that not only looks Christmassy but captures the handprints of the family to keep!

DIRECTIONS:

1. Get messy with paint and hands! Don't forget the yellow prints for a star.

2. Dry, then cut round each print.

3. Stick the prints to a triangle of strong card, with the fingers pointing downwards

4. Add jewels or glitter and the handprint star for the finishing touch!

Christmas Doors

A perfect activity with a toddler, because all the pieces are really big! Try snowmen, chimneys, elves or presents!

DIRECTIONS:

1. Choose your door

2. Choose your Christmas character

3. Cut out pieces of coloured card or paper for the face and features

4. Help your little one position with blue tack

How to Survive a Car Journey with Babies and Toddlers

Ready for Christmas? Presents bought and wrapped? Stockings hung? Large amounts of alcohol ready to be consumed? Or are you one of the thousands across the UK who are facing one of the biggest challenges that the festive period can offer... a long car journey with excitable children.  Accepting the invitation for Christmas dinner with Aunty Vera in Inverness no longer seems like such a great idea, does it?

There's nothing for it but to approach the whole terrifying task like a military campaign. No, no weapons - we mean planning and lots of it.


Firstly, know where you are going. Toddlers are very clever and are pretty sure that you've reached your destination 5 minutes after setting off. And they will let you know. When you hear their battle cry ("Are we nearly there yet?"), be armed with the right response - "We have 2 hours to go, which is a sleep, a snack and 6 rounds of Wheels on the Bus" will be received much more favourably than "erm, I think we should've turned left 3 hours ago".  Check traffic reports before you set off and have an alternative route ready - driving 30 miles out of your way via Little Uppingsnoot is still better than sitting stationary on the motorway for endless painful hours.

Schedule the attack. The best course of action is to drive at night. Leave just after their bedtime, when they are in comfy pyjamas (make sure the car is pre-warmed) and ready for sleep.  Make sure they've had a wee.  Have the car speakers set up to only play in the front - you don't want your sleeping beauty to be woken by the dulcet tones of Iron Maiden banging out in the back of the car.

If you can't drive at night, try to schedule the drive to fit in with their routine, if they have one. Have a rough idea of when the toddler may need a wee or a snack or when your baby might need a feed and plan to stop regularly. Even if you're not the driver, don't try to breastfeed as you zoom down the motorway - it's not comfortable trying to hoik a breast over the baby's car seat, it's not restful for your baby and it gives the lorry drivers an eyeful.

Bring wipes. Lots of wipes. Babies, like their older siblings, are a cunning breed - and if they get a whiff of a forthcoming trip, have been known to store up a super-sized poo, ready to release as soon as you've hit the M25.  Equally, your toddler, through no fault of their own, may decide that car travel is not for them and that organic carrot and hummus lunch that you so lovingly prepared will be regurgitated all over the central console and footwell.  Remember to keep spare clothes and wipes in the car - if they are in the boot, packed deep in the suitcase under the present for Aunty Vera's dog, they will be no good to you. And have more wipes than you think you need. You will need them.

Avoid situations of torture. We're talking CD's here. Be truthful with yourself. Just how many times can you realistically sing along to Wind the Bobbin Up, before you go stark staring mad and attempt to eat your own bellybutton? Twice, we think.  Before the trip, go to the library and copy go to the shops and buy some CD's that will be new for your toddler and that you won't mind listening to. Audio stories are great - look at it as an opportunity to revisit your childhood. Or switch the car speakers, so they only play in the back.

The Art of Distraction. Toddlers get very very bored, very very quickly. You will need to work your way through your entire repertoire of car games (I-spy does not work and should not be attempted ever. When your child announces 'something beginning with M', they will mean a dragon they think they saw two weeks ago). Keep lots of small toys to hand for your baby, too. They will throw them on the floor at three minute intervals, so if you're organised you can get a nice little conveyor system going.

If in doubt, feed them. When games and toys have been exhausted, snacks will hold their interest, give them something to think about and hopefully fill their little tummies with the slight chance of making them sleepy.  But plan your snacks - light finger food is perfect although give them anything sticky and you may live to regret it. And if you are giving them bananas, keep the peel unless you want to be wondering what that slight rotting smell is, coming from under the seat 3 weeks later.

Keep Smiling. Ultimately, the best way to survive the car journey is to relax and enjoy it! Tension and grumpiness (yours or your children's) will make the journey feel ten times longer and actually, long journeys can be a great opportunity to spend some real quality time with your little ones. Take the time to unwind and re-energise - because let's face it, you're going to need all your patience and strength for coping with Aunty Vera.

Visit Born to find products to make your journey easier - including Children's CD's, Wipes and Nappy Bags, snack containers, small toys and kids luggage!

Save over £100 on the phil&teds Smart Lux Stroller with Car Seat!

Save a fantastic £114 when you buy the phil&teds Smart Lux Stroller with the phil&teds Alpha Infant Car Seat & adapters - you can turn your stroller into a complete travel system, perfect for families on the go!


It may be almost Christmas but babies still need strollers, no matter what the time of year!  This fantastically sleek lightweight Smart Lux stroller from phil&teds is perfect for city living and offers 21 riding options, from lying flat in a carrycot (perfect for your newborn) to upright forward or rear facing, with multiple recline positions in between. It converts easily to a travel system and with plush fabrics, air-filled tyres and large sun canopy, your little one will be riding in luxurious comfort!

Read our review of the Smart Lux Stroller from earlier this year...

The Alpha Infant Car Seat is a safe and lightweight baby car seat with 3 installation options including Isofix. With the adapters included as part of the package, the Alpha car seat fits securely to the Smart Lux Stroller, so you can lift your little one from the car to buggy and back again without disturbing their sleep!

The Smart Lux with Alpha Car Seat Package is now available to order at Born for a very special price of £399, saving a massive £114 off the cost of buying the separate items.  Order now and it will be delivered to you in the New Year, hopefully in time for your own little delivery! 

Born becomes PayPal-Friendly!

Exciting News! We now have PayPal on our website, so you can use PayPal for any of your Born online purchases!

PayPal is a quick and secure way of paying. It means you don't need to fill in payment details or hunt around for your credit card - you can pay for your Christmas shopping with just a few clicks. And you don't need to worry about keeping money in your PayPal account. Link a card or bank account to your PayPal account, and you can pay for your online shopping instantly!

PayPal also offers Buyer Protection, so if a delivery gets lost or arrives not as described (and we hope it won't!), you'll get reimbursed for the full amount - no quibbling!

So come and browse, fill your basket and find out how quick and easy it is to get your Christmas shopping done!

Why we love Pigeon!

For once, we're not talking about Christmas dinner! Pigeon (or Organics For Kids as they were once known) have been a firm favourite with Born customers for many years. Here's why we (and you!) love them so much...

Unique designs and colours

From acorns and hedgehogs to frogs and dogs, the beautifully unique designs from Pigeon are eye-catching for all the right reasons. Pigeon offers a choice of bold bright colours or soft pastels including simple neutrals for a completely natural look.

Beautifully soft and comfortable to wear

The organic cotton fabric used by Pigeon is beautifully gentle against delicate skin and is so soft that the clothes and blankets quickly become must-have favourites, perfect for snuggling up!

100% Organic from field to finished product! 

Pigeon are rightly proud of the fact that their entire supply chain is completely organic, from the fields in Turkey where the cotton is grown through to the factory where the fabric is processed and the clothes are made. Neither the cotton nor the dyes contain any harmful substances, so they are perfectly safe for the most delicate skin and are especially good for little ones with eczema or dry skin.

Social Responsibility 

All of Pigeon's processors and manufacturers meet the minimum social criteria of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), covering employment practices, working conditions, pay, collective bargaining, and the banning of child labour, so you can be sure that the clothes are made for children, not by children.

Last week, Born founder Eva Fernandes talked to Jane Shepherd about what makes Pigeon so special... Watch the video or discover more at www.borndirect.com/pigeon.

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Eva Fernandes talks to Jane Shepherd from Pigeon

Festive Alternatives for the Christmas Season

Looking for a change this Christmas? Not feeling filled with the joys of tinsel? Or perhaps you want to start some new family traditions now that you have a child, which don’t just centre around toys and food. Although there’s nothing wrong with toys and food. Especially food. Super-especially roast potatoes…

Why not look into the following, for something that can give your Christmas – or someone else’s – a little bit of extra cheer.


Reserve a Place at Christmas for a Homeless Person
http://community.crisis.org.uk/christmas-appeal-2014

£21.62 pays for a homeless person to have a better Christmas this year. This includes access to support as three hot meals. We can’t think of a better way to spread the joy and love this time of the year.


Make a Cool Alternative Christmas Tree
http://www.digsdigs.com/23-cool-christmas-tree-alternatives

For inspiration, check out the link above or Pinterest. Making something that can be re-used, and added to can become part of your family’s traditions. Children love making memories like this with their families.

Donate to a Food Bank
http://www.trusselltrust.org/donate

Many local supermarkets have special collection boxes at this time of the year as well, so please look out for these and donate as much as you can.


Donate a Rucksack to the Rucksack Project
http://rucksackproject.org

A fabulous project which supplies essentials to homeless people, especially important during colder weather.

Help Kids Company host the UK's biggest children's community Christmas dinner ever!

http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/give-the-gift-of-christmas

Choose a pledge and help support a great charity who provide practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children.


Whatever you and your family decide to do this Christmas, we all hope you have a wonderful time together!


Love,
The Born Family

Tea for Pregnancy & Nursing - Amanda Rayment from Welcome World Teas talks to Born

This article has been moved to http://www.borndirect.com/G147/article-herbal-teas-for-pregnancy+nursing

Welcome World Raspberry Leaf Tea

Welcome World Nursing Tea

Our Top 10 Christmas Traditions for Children and Families

The one thing we all love about Christmas is repeating the traditions that we remember from our own childhood - opening an advent calendar, hanging up a stocking, prodding the presents under the tree to see whose is the biggest... (maybe one not to be repeated!).

Having your own family is a great excuse to revive those traditions and maybe add a few new ones, so we've questioned our customers and searched the web to come up with 10 great Christmas Tradition ideas for you to try...


1. The Active Advent Calendar
Decorate 24 little boxes or pouches. Write a Christmassy activity on 24 little pieces of card and pop one in each box.  Throughout December, your children can open a box each day and you can do the Christmas activity together.  There are lots of ideas for activities - a woodland walk, watch a Christmas film, bake some Christmas gingerbread, make paper chains... the list is endless!


2. Elf on a Shelf
If you're not familiar with this growing holiday tradition, the Elf on the Shelf, in the form of an elf doll, is dispatched from the North Pole at the start of Advent to keep a watchful eye on the children and make sure they belong on Santa's "nice" list.

Children are not allowed to touch the elf or she will lose her magic and the elf must never move or speak when people are home or awake, but can "move" from place to place when no one is around. Each morning, the children rush from their beds to see what sort of mischievous pranks the elf has got up to while they've been asleep.

You may like to also consider the alternative "Thoughtful Pixie", who does a good deed every day rather than creating havoc!

Pebble Pixie Doll Rattle at Born

3. Santa Portable North Pole
This gorgeous magical website is a direct line to Santa! Just fill in a few details about your child (first name, how old they are, an exciting event that happened this year etc) and upload a few photos and let the magic happen! Santa sends an amazing personal video (via email) to your little one that will leave them in no doubt that Santa and his elves are on his way to visit them very soon! The video is free although you can upgrade to more premium paid packages.

Santa's PNP (Portable North Pole) Video message

One word of advice - when you specify whether you think your child should be on the good or naughty list, always opt for the safe option unless you want tears through December!
www.portablenorthpole.com/home/personalize-videos-from-santa



4. Baby Hand and Footprints
Paint your little one's hand or foot and make a print each Christmas. Cut it out, laminate it and turn it into an ornament that you can hang on the Christmas tree. Every year, your tree will fill up with these little prints - a lovely record of how your children are growing!

If you'd like something more permanent, consider using a company like Smallprint Jewellery who can turn your baby's finger prints into a piece of jewellery or a keepsake.

Smallprint Jewellery Events at Born

5. Biscuits for Santa
A lovely thing to do with your children on Christmas Eve is to bake Biscuits for Santa.  Whether you think Santa would prefer traditional gingerbread or double chic-chip cookies is totally up to you, but letting the kids bake the biscuits they're going to leave for Santa that night is a great tradition and they can really go to town on the decorating!


6. Snowman Soup
Take an empty jar or a cellophane cone and fill it 1/4 full of hot chocolate powder.  Add a layer of sweets (smarties, chocolate buttons etc) and a layer of mini marshmallows, then tie with a ribbon and add a candy cane.  The finishing touch (if you're feeling really festive) is to add a little card with a poem about the "Snowman Soup" - if you're not creative, don't worry - there are plenty on the internet!

Lovely to have on Christmas Eve and they make great little gifts too!

Snowman soup!

7. Norad Santa Tracker
Many people log into the Norad Santa Tracking website on December 24th.  Set up for children, it tracks Santa and the reindeer as they make their way from country to country, delivering gifts as they go.
www.noradsanta.org


8. The Night Before Christmas
A growing tradition involves turning Christmas Eve into an extra special occasion with a few early gifts or even a Christmas Eve hamper, specifically to make your little ones feel cosy and snug before bed! Many children find new pyjamas and bubble bath or a Christmas DVD to all watch together.  We love the idea of snuggling up to read "The Night before Christmas", for that ultimate festive feeling!

Earth Friendly Baby Organic Bubble Bath at Born

9. Looking after the Reindeer
Obviously, we need to remember to leave food for Rudolph and friends on Christmas Eve, but do you sprinkle the magic reindeer food outside your house to encourage them to land?  Mix porridge oats and glitter and tie up in a little bag with some ribbon, ready for your little ones to scatter before they go to bed.


10. Father Christmas Footprints
We can tell when Father Christmas has been, thanks to the half-eaten biscuit that's left (the wine nearly always gets finished).  Sometimes, though, he leaves footprints (icing sugar and glitter) from the chimney to the tree or up the stairs...

Father Christmas has been!

Child's Play - Your Guide to Buying Toys for Babies & Children

With Christmas fast approaching, if you’re thinking of a gift for a baby or child, toys are the obvious choice. However, working your way through the maze of toy products can be very confusing. Many on the market are loud, with flashing lights and bright plastic parts. They look like great fun but can sometimes be too much (for adults as well as little ones!). Babies love toys that stimulate their senses, but don’t overwhelm them.

Pixie Doll Rattle by Pebble at Born, £9.50

Toys are a gateway to a child’s imagination and we should allow them to create and explore a new world, one that isn’t always obvious to us as parents. So a dumper truck becomes the cornerstone in a building site game where houses, tower blocks, schools and hospitals are created from wooden play bricks. A wooden rainbow become a see-saw and a hilly road for a car. A faceless cloth doll becomes a best friend for life.

If you are not sure about which toy to buy, have a look at our toy range on our website or contact one of our stores – we will be more than happy to offer help and advice.  If you are buying the toy as a gift, we can enclose a gift card and wrap the gift free of charge, before posting it on its way! And if you already have some perfect toys in mind, you can send link suggestions to family and friends, to be delivered or collected from the store.

Recycled plastic blocks by Green Toys at Born, £22

What is Learning through Play?

For most children, play is natural and spontaneous. It is a major part of their development as it is through play that that children explore and discover their immediate world. It is here they learn new skills, experience emotions and practise new ideas. They take risks, develop creativity and imagination and solve problems on their own or with others. The toys you choose need support their learning and should inspire play, not dominate it.

A great example of this is a Steiner doll which follows the concept that  expressionless toys allow the child to project their own emotions onto the toy, choosing how they feel that day and leading to more flexible and creative play.




So which toy is right for my child's developmental stage?

Ultimately, your child will choose the toys they want by selecting which they play with and which they ignore! So how do you get that joyful face as they open their presents on Christmas morning and avoid that pile of discarded mistakes at the bottom of the toy box?!

Be led by your child. Choose toys that support their current developmental stage and that will inspire and stimulate without being overly challenging. It is always tempting to buy them something that will help them ‘advance to the next stage’ – try to resist – your child will do that when they are naturally ready and will let you know about it. Equally, age appropriate suggestions are useful, especially for safety, but if your child isn’t there yet, don’t buy it. Use your child as your main guide.

Finally, keep some toys that you think they have moved on from. Children sometimes need the comfort and reassurance or to consolidate their development. And it’s always nice to revisit old friends!


Here are some age appropriate toy ideas:

Zmooz Organic Rattle, £10

For a newborn

Your newborn will find endless pleasure in just gazing at you, hearing and feeling your presence. They are exploring the world with their senses, but do not yet have control over their motor skills. This is a great time for a cot mobile, with bright colours which they can watch but not reach. Also consider cloth comforters – these can be really effective if you sleep with it before your little one is born – it will have your smell and help give them a sense of security and well-being.

Sardine by Blabla, £38

My baby can reach and grab

At this stage, babies love textured toys that they can put in their mouths. This is also the time to introduce soft toys and maybe spark the beginnings of a beautiful friendship between a teddy and your child. Soft rattles are great too – they encourage movement, your baby can make an impact and it won’t hurt if their aim is slightly off!

Alphabet Zoo Playmat, £47

Tummy time:

It is important for your baby to spend time on their tummy – it helps strengthen neck and upper back muscles and gives them a different view of their world. Baby gyms and cloth mats are perfect for encouraging tummy time, giving them lots to reach for and explore.

Skip Hop Stack & Stick, £17

My baby is sitting up:

Welcome to a whole new phase! When babies sit up, they are also mastering hand-eye co-ordination and gross motor skills and they are keen to get practicing! Toys with cause and effect are perfect at this stage, so give them push and pull toys, nesting and stacking toys, squeaky toys, shape sorters, activity cubes and simple instruments that they can bang and bash. Activity toys and repetition are key for your little one at this stage.

Sophie the Giraffe Teething Ring, £9

My baby is teething:

Babies love to put everything in their mouths and chew when they are cutting teeth. It can be a hard time for babies and parents, but choose toys that can soothe or distract as well as being gnawed.

Brio Racing Car, £7

My baby can crawl:

Whether you have a crawler, bottom shuffler, roller or something completely unique, when your child is on the move, they love toys that move too. Push-along toys are great for this stage as they can move their truck or elephant on wheels along with them as they crawl around the room. Consider soft balls to chase after, or blocks to collect and stack.

Wheely Bug Ride-on, from £60

My child is walking:

Toddlers love to be up and about and want to show what their bodies can do! Pull-along toys are ideal at this stage as your child will get rewarded with little quacks, bouncing bodies or flapping wings as the toy gets pulled along! When they are really steady on their feet, they might like a ride-on toy which will encourage them to explore and get them around the house at even faster speed!

Toy Submarine by Green Toys, £12

My child is discovering their world:

When your child is eager to explore, choose toys that will enable discovery, but not dictate it. Think of props to inspire role play, such as tea sets or pirate ships. Consider toys that encourage problem solving, such as stacking toys, puzzles or sorting toys. Toys that can be played with outside or in the bath, so that your child can experiment with soil, mud and water. And don’t forget spontaneous toys – nothing beats a good old cardboard box!

Why buy toys from Born?

The right toy can take children into a world of imagination, giving them the space to explore, experiment and experience.

But it’s not just the end user, the child, that we think about when sourcing toys. What they are made from and how they are made is also important. So no toys for children made by children. No toys made from plastics that don't decompose. No toys that contain chemicals that could harm your child or the planet. So you can rest assured that your gift will be safe, ethical and most importantly, give your child hours of fun and the freedom to play.

Why is exercising in water good for you through pregnancy?

by Guest Blogger, WaterBumps.

Exercise in water is particularly good in pregnancy as this supportive, buoyant environment enables you to exercise safely by reducing the stress on weight-bearing joints, bones and muscles, while also providing the correct support for your growing bump. It can also help improve circulation, increase muscle tone and build stamina. And you’ll love the feeling of weightlessness you get in water as your pregnancy progresses!

Along with the physical benefits, exercise has emotional and physiological benefits too. It boosts the release of endorphins, giving you a stronger sense of well-being, better sleep patterns and higher energy levels – all of which will help you to relax and cope with the changes that pregnancy brings.

If you’ve been a regular swimmer before your pregnancy then you should be able to continue with your usual weekly swims. However, even if you have not previously swum much, swimming is a great – and safe - way to start exercising and staying fit. Begin slowly and build up the length of your swims gradually, making sure you warm up and cool down and that each session lasts no longer than 30 minutes. If your preferred stroke is breaststroke, you’ll need to make a few changes to ensure any pelvic pain or instability isn’t aggravated – so focus more on lengthening the glide and not kicking with your legs.

Water-based exercise classes designed specifically for pregnant women are popular as they also teach breathing techniques and skills that can prepare your body for each stage of pregnancy - and eventually labour and birth. The teachers will have undergone specialist training and will be able to adapt the class each week as your needs change. These classes are also a great way to meet other mums-to-be and help start to build an invaluable support network that could carry on after your little one’s been born. 

About WaterBumps

WaterBumps offers blissful, pool-based, pre and post natal classes using gentle toning and strengthening exercises, as well as times of relaxation, helping you to cope better with the demands of pregnancy. At WaterBumps we offer a free taster class to anybody new enquiring about classes.

Where and when

Penny Porter Physiotherapy Centre, Henbury, near Bristol:

• Monday 6.30pm & 7.15pm 
• Wednesday 6.30pm 

Private house, Wraxall, near Bristol:

• Thursday 7.30pm 

Please phone WaterBumps on 07527 424 072 or email: metime@waterbumps.co.uk to book your free taster class. To find out more visit: www.waterbumps.co.uk 

Don't forget to check out Aqua Yoga for Pregnancy by Francoise Freedman - available in store at Born.

Leander - Amazing Furniture to Inspire the Imagination!

When children sit or lay down, they don't stop moving, wriggling, playing and exploring! Movement stimulates their senses and inspires their development - something that Leander not only accommodates but positively encourages!  Throughout the design of every piece of child's furniture, Stig Leander always looks to combine clean, soft lines with the playful element, looking to spark imaginations and creativity.


Leander Cot Bed

The Leander Cot Bed is a piece of furniture that is both functional and beautiful. It grows with your child from birth through to junior, with all the parts needed to transform it along the way included. Five different steps allow your child to gradually transition at their own pace from the comfort and safety of the cot through to the independence of their own bed. The elegant yet simple design will sit well in any bedroom, with soft rounded edges and a gentle egg-like shape that appeals to children and adults alike.

Stig Leander says of the Leander Cot Bed,

"By observing children’s lives it became clear to me that the bed had to change with the child – and be part of the child’s universe.

The Leander bed follows the child so he or she does not experience those changes in the environment that can seem insecure in the world of a little child. The bed is constantly the same and can be adapted to the child’s stage in life.

I have retained the soft, oval expression and have deliberately designed the elements so they are not an angular system of blocks. I have tried to combine the simple, the functional and the aesthetic – and the materials had to be friendly and solid. I wanted to create a piece of furniture that delights and raises the quality of life.

The special shape also means that the bed is a natural and, not least, recognisable entity at all stages of development. Even though the bed changes and develops, it is still the same. Just like your child.”




Leander Stool Set

Extending the focus of movement and play, Stig Leander has worked with designer and Occupational Therapist Tina Smidt to bring out a gorgeous Stool Set comprising of a table and two stools, perfect for little wrigglers!

As children sit on the stools, the slightly pivoting seat is pressed forward, giving an ergonomically correct natural sitting position and allowing movement and play. The seat returns to a neutral position when the child stands.

Like the Leander Cot Bed, the Table & Stool Set are made of beech wood from sustainable forestry and surface treated with water-based lacquer to protect your child and the environment.

 

Leander Nursery Furniture

The award-winning Leander Changing Table grows with your child, making it a great investment and a perfect choice for the family who love great design and function. It is ergonomically designed to adjust in height while you use it as a changing table, avoiding backache for the parent and making it more comfortable to be close to your baby.  The changing table has a generous changing area, a spacious drawer and a good sized shelf below.  Once your child has grown, simply convert the table to a neat desk.  Sustainable, sleek design and compact! 

If you love the clean lines and gentle curves of Leander's designs,  you will love the Leander wardrobe and dresser - a perfect addition to your baby's nursery or child's bedroom. Designed with the characteristic rounded edges of Leander furniture, there are no sharp edges and the drawers have soft-close to avoid trapping little fingers. The wardrobe has a hanging rail, drawer and an adjustable shelf, whilst the dresser has four spacious drawers for clothes, nappies and soft toys, and plenty of room on top for books, a mirror or those extra special toys!

For the full range of Leander Cots, Cradles, Beds, Highchairs and Nursery Furniture, visit our website!