Win a baby teeth care kit with Jack n' Jill

We've recently started selling the lovely range of Jack n' Jill baby teeth care products in our stores and online.  We love that the range covers everything you need for the moment your baby's first tooth pops through. 

To be in with a chance to win a starter set that includes a cup, toothpaste and brush of your choice, enter the competition on our Facebook page.

Good Luck!

Sleeping on a Cloud - The AeroSleep System

When our babies are sleeping, we need to know that they are comfortable, that they are not too hot or too cold and that they are safe. Only then will we, as parents, have peace of mind so that we can relax and rest too!

When choosing a mattress and bedding for my children, I looked for ones that allowed plenty of airflow, so that my little ones were kept cool and the mattress could breathe.  The problem I had was that whilst the bedding let the air through, it also let natural moisture through, so the mattress began to smell stale.  Yet if I chose to put a waterproof protector on to protect the mattress, it stopped the circulation of air!


Belgian company AeroSleep have addressed this very issue - they've introduced a brilliant concept of a three-layered mattress topper that is 95% space! It's hygienic, totally breathable, reduces risk of overheating and protects the mattress from moisture too.

• The first layer is a honeycomb structure that ensures total air circulation and optimum ventilation.

• The second layer is a moisture absorbent intermediate layer that takes natural moisture away from your baby, so that they have a dry, fresh sleeping environment.

• The final layer is an impenetrable watertight protective film that traps the bacteria away from your baby and prevents moisture from penetrating the mattress. It also prevents contact of your baby with allergens such as dust, pollen and house dust mite from the mattress.

AeroSleep Baby Protect Topper

You can wash the mattress protector at 60°c to get rid of the bacteria, without damaging the 3-layer structure.  It also means that your baby's mattress does not need to be treated with chemicals to protect against allergens and bacteria.






To make the most of the AeroSleep concept, it is worth getting the fitted sheets too. They are made from a type of polyester that allows an extremely open weave without compromising on the softness of the fabric. This open weave enhances the airflow around your baby, ensuring that they don't get too hot and that they are breathing fresh air rather than re-circulated carbon dioxide.

AeroSleep Fitted Sheets

The system gives further peace of mind if your baby wriggles while they sleep.  You should always put your baby down to sleep on their back, but if they do roll onto their tummy while they are sleeping, the AeroSleep system means that they can still breathe freely.

The really useful thing about this system is that it's transportable! If you're going on holiday, you don't need to worry about what mattress your baby sleeps on because you can take the topper and sheet with you. A safe, hygienic sleep wherever you are, and your baby will be reassured by the familiar smell and feel of the topper.

It's also perfect for co-sleeping - if your baby sleeps with you, put the mattress protector beneath them so that they are resting in a cool, fresh, breathable environment.

AeroSleep have various sizes of protectors and sheets, as well as offering a Sleep Safe package for Moses Baskets, Cots or Cot Beds, which include a mattress, the unique Baby Protect mattress topper and an open weave fitted sheet.  Check out their AeroMoov car seat and buggy liners too! Visit the range at Borndirect, or pop into one of our stores to have a chat and find out more.

The AeroSleep Sleep Safe Pack

Just why is Green People's Organic Kids Sun Lotion so good?

Everybody loves the sunshine!  And at last, the sun has come out.  Everyone is coming in to buy sun-hats, buggy shades, parasols and sun lotion.  For the last 13 years we have sold Green People Organic Kids sun lotion.  It is fantastic stuff and we don’t think enough people realise how great it is, so we decided to find out a bit more and spoke to Emily,  Green People's Product Manager.

The most asked question we have about the Green People Organic Kids Sun Lotion is: ‘Why is it only factor 25’ ? *

When protecting children in the sun it is always tempting to go for the highest SPF. The common misconception is that an SPF50 sun lotion offers twice the protection of an SPF25 but this is NOT the case.

In fact, an SPF25 sun lotion offers 96% protection against UVB rays, while SPF50 offers 98% protection against UVB - a marginal difference. In fact, the highest SPF100 still only offers 99% protection.

For the vast majority of people, SPF15 offers adequate protection, provided that commonsense measures are taken, such as applying sufficient sun lotion, reapplying after swimming and strenuous activity, and avoiding the sun between 11:00 and 3:00 when it is as its strongest.

The use of very high SPF products can lead to a false sense of security - although the skin may not show visible signs of burning, UVA rays will still be affecting deeper lying skin cells, leading to potential long-term damage.

Under new EU Recommendations, sun products must now offer protection against UVA equal to at least 1/3 the level of their claimed UVB protection. Green People sun creams  comply with the latest EU Recommendations and which are rich in naturally protective antioxidants.

* see update at the end of this blog


It would be good to have some clarity over what the SPF relates to? We say that 1 SPF = 5 minutes of coverage so that an SPF 25 gives you about 2 hours, is that correct?

The term SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and gives a guide to the length of time you can stay in the sun without burning.

For example, if unprotected skin starts to redden after 10 minutes sun exposure, then, when properly applied, an SPF25 sun lotion will allow 25 times this before the skin starts to burn – 10 minutes x 25 = 4 hours protection before you would need to re apply.

Can you tell me what makes the sun lotion effective? What are it’s active ingredients?

Our Children’s Sun Lotions use a unique blend of ingredients. The natural filters we use are Titanium Dioxide (natural earth mineral) and Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate (a derivative from cinnamon) and Edelweiss (plant found high on the Swiss mountains known for its natural sun protection properties).

The beautiful soft feeling on the skin comes from Olive, Sunflower and Palm Oil
To promote skin health and provide antioxidants we use Aloe Vera, Avocado, Rosemary and Myrrh Oil

What’s the difference between UVA and UVB coverage?

UVA Radiation
This is potentially the most damaging form as it penetrates deep into the skin where it can cause changes to the living cells in the basal layer. It is now understood that these changes to living skin cells are the primary cause of the most serious forms of skin cancer.  UVA also damages collagen and elastin, the main cause of wrinkles and premature aging in skin that is often exposed to sunlight.

UVB Radiation UVB radiation causes the appearance of a tan after sun exposure. It does this by stimulating the formation of the pigment 'melanin' in the deeper layers of the skin. Melanin acts as a skin protector by filtering out UV light - it is in fact part of our natural defence against sun damage.  UVB is also what causes sunburn.  It plays a key role in the development of skin cancer and damages the skin's more superficial epidermal layers.  It also contributes toward skin aging.

The Organic Babies Sun Lotion costs more than many mainstream brands. Why are parents happy to pay this premium ?

The fact that it is a non-greasy, easy to apply natural sun lotion for babies and children. Which offers adequate UVA & UVB protection using only natural ingredients. Not only does it protect the skin from cell damage (using antioxidants), but also moisturises and soothes the skin.  Its scent-free formulation makes it the best choice for babies and children with sensitive skin including eczema.


UPDATE JULY 2015:

Why have Green People moved from an SPF25 to an SPF30 for their children's sun tan lotion?

Green People have made some changes to their sun lotion. These are the addition of an extra sun filter (which gives protection specifically against UVA radiation), changes in the level of the existing sun filters, and a new preservative system.  Having made these changes the products were submitted for independent SPF testing which showed that the children’s and adult SPF25 lotions were in fact offering much higher protection against both UVA and UVB rays.  This has enabled Green People to re-launch these products as SPF30.

Loving the vibe!

The phil&teds vibe is only available from independent retailers, so find out more about it at Born, or come into one of our stores to see it in action!

The new 2014 version of phil&teds vibe stroller has arrived! This sleek, lightweight three-wheeler buggy is perfect for urban living and will adapt to your family's needs, whether you have a newborn, a toddler or older siblings that need a ride!

I've got a newborn

The vibe is ideal for newborns.  A car seat adapter is available so you can use it with your infant car seat, or if you get the soft cocoon carrycot, you can lay your baby down flat, as the seat will recline to a full horizontal position.  With this new 2014 vibe, the seat is larger, so your baby can lie flat in their cocoon for longer.

phil&teds vibe stroller and cocoon - perfect for newborns

We recommend that you get the vibe Double Kit, even if you only have one baby.  This neat second seat can clip onto the stroller frame and instantly gives you a parent-facing seat within touching distance - perfect for eye contact and bonding with your baby.  Later, if your family grows, you have the second seat ready to turn the vibe into a double in-line stroller!

phil&teds vibe Double Kit set up as a rear-facing stroller seat.

Born is offering a vibe Newborn/Sibling Package for £812 which includes the vibe stroller, the Double Kit, the newborn cocoon, the double storm cover and the double sunshade - all you need to worry about is which colour to choose!

Make the most of your Double Kit seat with the phil&teds lazyted - a frame for just £16 that fits to your Double Kit seat, turning into a an infant bouncer or toddler seat.  The frame flat-packs, so pop it in the parcel tray and you've got a pushchair AND a ready made bouncer!

The phil&teds lazyted with Double Kit seat - the perfect bouncer or toddler chair!

I've got a toddler

The new vibe will see your child all the way from birth through to 6 years old! The new enlarged seat makes travelling ultra-comfy, with plenty of wriggle room! With plush lycra fabric, multi-travel positions and 4 recline options, your little one will be riding in luxury.  There's even a follow-the-sun canopy to keep your child shaded and cool!

No matter how much your toddler grows, the vibe's clever design means that manoeuvering and getting up and down pavements is light and easy. The one-touch handle brake and the ultra compact free-standing fold (even with Double Kit attached) makes travelling with a toddler a whole lot easier too!

The compact vibe folds to less than half it's own size, even with the Double Kit attached.

I've got two children

Whether you've got a baby and a toddler or two toddlers, the vibe adapts with ease, giving you plenty of travelling options to suit you and your little ones.  The Double Kit gives a second reclining seat that can be used in conjunction with a baby car seat, the cocoon carrycot or the vibe stroller seat itself. It even has it's own sun mesh for shade and privacy.

The vibe Double Kit

If your older child likes to be off and about, try the Freerider option - we love it!!  This fantastic child's scooter is perfect for the park - when it's time to head home, clip the scooter to the axle of your vibe (with a connector) and it instantly becomes a cool buggy board for tired children!

The phil&teds Freerider scooter & buggy board (with connector)

With a wealth of other accessories to make life a little more easy (or fun!), we think the phil&teds vibe is set to become a firm favourite.  The vibe is only available from independent retailers, so find out more about it at borndirect, or come into one of our stores to see it in action!

The phil&teds vibe, available in Cherry, Black and Cobalt - only from independent retailers

Helping Your Baby To Stay Cool This Summer & Win Organic Sun Lotion

Enter our Facebook competition to be in with a chance of winning a bottle of children's and adult sunlotion from Green People organic skin care.

Carry on reading for lots more tips for keeping your baby cool in the summer heat.

We all know that Britain isn't exactly renowned for it's reliable summers. If you're eager to get out with your family to enjoy the good weather, you'll need to drop everything on those days that the sun starts shining, or go abroad!  Either way, you need to be prepared!

Keeping your little one cool and comfortable can make all the difference to a day playing in the park or relaxing on the beach. An unhappy, hot, tired baby is horrible for them and horrible for you too.  Here are some ideas on helping your child stay cool and fresh and still make the most of the sun...

The Ergobaby Ventus Carrier

Lightweight Carriers

Baby carriers are ideal for when you're out sightseeing or walking in the countryside, but in the warm weather, carrying an extra little person can get both of you hot and bothered. We recommend trying a lightweight carrier like the Ergobaby Ventus Performance (£119.90) - it's high-performance outer layer makes it ideal for outdoor activities and the carrier features moisture-wicking mesh for increased breathability and comfort so both you and your baby will stay cooler on hikes and busy days out.

The Moby UV Baby Sling

Equally, if you want to take the day at a more leisurely pace, try the UV Baby Sling from Moby - at just £46, this offers all the fantastic support and comfort of a stretchy wraparound sling, with the bonus of extra protection from the sun for your baby's sensitive skin.  Suitable from birth onwards, the UV protection lasts through 30 washes and is ideal for sunny days before sunscreen is recommended for use on your baby's skin.

 

 

  

Out and About with Buggies

The Shade-a-Babe                                      The Snoozeshade

Many strollers come with sun canopies but the Shade-a-Babe (from £35) offers UPF50+ protection and blocks 99% of harmful UV rays. Great for any 3 or 4 wheeled single or double buggy, it has a central zip section for quick access to your child.

We also love the award-winning SnoozeShade - the UK’s first UPF50+ blackout blind for baby prams, buggies and pushchairs, invented by a British mother specifically to help babies get the sleep they need when they’re out and about. It will fit any stroller with a sun canopy and blocks out 94% of light as well as giving protection from 98% UV rays. At only £20, we think this is an essential!

The AeroMoov Seat Liner by AeroSleep

Sitting in a stroller can make your child hot and sweaty so don't forget to get a seat liner for your buggy. The AeroMoov Air Layer Seat Liners (£21.50) fit most strollers and have a unique honeycomb structure that wicks away moisture and allows air to circulate, helping to prevent overheating and ensuring that your little one is always sitting in a moisture-free comfy buggy. They also make seat liners for car seats too - great for travel systems and long car journeys!

The Bugaboo Universal Seat Liner

If you've got a Bugaboo, check out their Universal Seat Liner (£39.95). It's made from a breathable bamboo charcoal fabric that regulates the temperature and wicks away moisture to keep your child more comfy. It's available in loads of different colours and will fit all current Bugaboo strollers.

Nap time!

 

If you're out and your little one needs to have a sleep in their pram or pushchair or even stretch out on a picnic blanket, try to make sure they are in as much shade as possible and use a lightweight breathable cover so that air can still circulate around them.  Aden + Anais have some beautifully soft muslin or bamboo covers that allow air to flow seamlessly through so that your baby’s body temperature can adjust naturally. Try the Dream Swaddling Blanket at £44.95 or the Single Layer Muslin Cotton Sleeping Bag at £29.95.

Aden + Anais Dream Swaddling Blanket and Muslin Sleeping Bag

And don't forget to check out our range of summer hats and clothing for babies and children - a perfect way to look cool and stay cool too!

5 Reasons Why Babies Need Books (and why parents need them too!)

Hape Wooden Books for Babies - is it a toy or is it a book?

When my children were born, friends and relatives generously lavished us with new baby outfits, cute little booties and lots of lovely toys.  No-one bought books for the new baby. Not because they were opposed to books for babies, it just wasn't in their consciousness.  But giving a book to a newborn is a far greater gift than anything else you can give - the impact on a baby's development runs very deep and the inclusive nature of books reaps benefits for the whole family. So why are they so important?




1. Bonding

 'Guess How Much I Love You' by Sam McBratney

From day one, reading with your baby can make a difference. All your baby wants to do is listen to the sound of your voice and feel you close. Reading a book in a gentle tone with lots of cuddles will mean that very quickly, your baby will match reading with pleasure and comfort.  Talking to babies helps them learn to listen, and gives them the chance to respond and be listened to, helping a strong bond to develop.

Usborne Books - Faces

2. Black and White

Newborns see things best from about a foot away — or the distance from your face to your baby's while you're holding them. So try to select books with high-contrast images. Black-and-white illustrations and patterns (stripes, polka dots, checkers) are easier for newborns to focus on and can help the muscles in their eyes to become stronger. Remember - your newborn will not have any sort of attention span, so don't expect them to be alert for every page!

3. Developing Awareness

Usborne Baby's Very First Touchy Feely Book

The soft cloth books and squidgy bath books are perfect for babies who are at the stage of reaching, holding and grabbing. They love to put the books in their mouths, touch them and explore the textures. Turn the pages and point to the pictures. Babies love to observe and copy and this is an important stage of your baby becoming aware of books and basic reading concepts such as pages and pictures. Board books are great as your baby gets older, as they are easy to hold and your baby can begin to turn the pages themselves.  The corners will inevitably get chewed though - my children found them to be perfect soothers when their teeth were coming through!

Alligator Alphabet by Stella Blackstone

4. Learning is fun!

Babies are born learners and there are some brilliant books for babies that start to introduce concepts of basic learning - numbers, letters, shapes and colours - in a fun way. Babies love the repetition of these books, especially if you read them in a sing-song voice! They will soon start to link expressive sounds and words to pictures as they begin to understand that each thing has a name and each name has a 'thing' associated with it!







5. Sharing with Siblings

Hello Baby by Jenni Overend

When my daughter was born, books were fundamental in ensuring that my son did not feel pushed out.  They were especially useful when I was feeding her - my son snuggled up against me and we shared books together.  This was special time for him, yet my daughter could still listen and be soothed by our warmth and the sounds of our voices.  As she got older, they both shared books and storytime together, helping the bond between brother and sister to develop too.  Books make a brilliant gift from a new baby to a sibling too, and there are some great books for children about the arrival of a new baby that help to smooth the way!

These are all reasons why books are important for babies but it is worth remembering that baby books are important for parents too. The whole experience of reading with your baby - the ritual of getting a book, finding a peaceful place to sit and getting comfortable, free from noise, screens and other distractions can be incredibly beneficial for both parent and child - the quiet time spent together encourages bonding, communication and relaxation and allows your mind to calm, away from thinking about washing nappies or the next feed.


I still love the time I spend reading with my children and as they get older and approach teenage years, the time gets more and more valuable.  There are 3 or 4 favourite books that have been kept from when they were babies - and tellingly, we laugh when we look at them but we can all still recite every single word!

'Seriously, Just Go to Sleep' by Adam Mansbach

Visit Borndirect to see our full collection of books for babies and children.

Ergobaby 360 launch event in Bristol 19th June

See and try the new carrier before anyone else. 

The new Ergobaby 360 carrier is the new 4 position carrier that includes forward facing that sits your baby comfortably whilst supporting your back.  It's ergonomic design (yes that's why the brand is called them Ergobaby!) keeps your back upright, spreading the weight on your hips. It is a really comfortable carrier to use for hours and hours for you and for your baby too because they are seated and weight is evenly distributed from knee to knee so no dangling.

Together with Ergobaby UK we are hosting a launch event for the new 360 birth to 4 year carrier on the 19th of June at KudaCan, 7 Dongola Avenue, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 9HG.  I've seen and tried the new 360 and think it's fabulous.

At the event you will be able to try on the full range of Ergobaby carriers including the 360.  Staff from Ergobaby UK and Born will be at hand to make sure you are fitted properly and Osteopath Juliana Hounsfield from the local Family Practice Osteopaths, will also be on hand to answer any questions you have on the physiology of baby-wearing for you and your baby. Juliana and team run the popular Children's clinic every Thursday afternoon, so she'll be hot footing it back to the clinic after the event.


You can find more details about the event on our Facebook page.  Please let us know if you will be coming by adding your name to the guest list if you have a Facebook account or please email us.  There will be lovely cake from the Kudacan Cafe so I need to make sure there is enough.


Can't come but want to reserve one? 

Due to the successful US launch the UK doesn't have much stock. So if you would like to buy a 360 Carrier make sure you reserve one by calling us on 0117 924 5080.  Both stores will have demonstration slings in store very soon, but if making a trip please call to check so you won't be disappointed. Or consider booking a Sling consultation to see and try our wide range.


Why were excited about the new 360 carrier.

Ergobaby carriers are our best selling sling. I think it's because they are really easy to get on and really do feel comfortable.  Unfortunately they weren't around when my two were little but I recently got to carry my Godson in one for a few hours and I was really impressed by how easy it was to carry him and not feel his weight at all. Plus the constant cuddles were great.



Like everything at Born we don't sell it unless we've used it or know someone we trust who can vouch for it. Hence why you don't see some of the more popular baby brands in our stores.  Just because everyone has it doesn't mean it's the best. Might just mean they have huge marketing budgets or give big retailers massive discounts to get their products into the mass market.

We also love Ergobaby because it is a brand that is very closely aligned with our way of parenting, believing that keeping your baby close in the early years really does set your child up for confidence, happiness and vitality later on.

Love

Eva