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!

Sale at Born with 50% off most items in sale!

Final Reductions at Born! Many products online and in store are now 50% off, so grab a bargain while you can! 

The 50% sale includes selected items from Boob, Hotmilk, Frugi, Tots Bots, Petunia Picklebottom, Janod and more.

If you can get to one of our stores in Bristol or London, there are some exclusive sale items including the gorgeous Sense Organics Baby Clothes and Toiletries.

Grab a bargain and tick those items off your Christmas list!

Visit the Born Sale online

Try Before You Buy! The Avon & Bristol Baby Sling Library at Born

Thinking of buying a baby sling or carrier? Try before you buy, get fitted for a carrier, sling or wrap by experts and find out how to carry your baby or toddler safely and securely. The Avon & Bristol Sling Library is now meeting each month at Born in Bristol.  Have a free one-to-one sling and safety demonstration where you can ask qualified and insured sling consultants questions about wraps, slings and carriers and find out which might be the best for you and your baby.

The sling library is run in conjunction with Carry Me Slings and has a great range of slings and carriers that you can hire for a minimal cost. The sling libraries are run on a voluntary basis and the library is not for profit. The small hire fee covers the cost of purchasing new slings, laundry, training and expenses. The library operates on a community level and their aims are to support all parents with the choice of infant carrying, explaining the benefits and safety.

The Boba 4G Organic Carrier at Born

Details of the Sling Library:

Where: 
Born, Bristol
64 Gloucester Road
Bishopston
Bristol
BS7 8BH
Tel: 0117 924 5080


When:
The first Monday of every month, 9.30am - 11.30am, by appointment only. Next session is on Monday 1st December 2014.


Hire Costs:
Hire costs are £6.00 for a fortnight. We also ask for a cheque deposit of the value of the carrier, which is held until safe return of the carrier and not banked. So please remember to bring your cheque book (or a cash/paypal deposit which can be refunded).

Please phone Born (0117 924 5080) or contact Carry Me Slings (tel: 07846 280720 or email: hello@carrymeslings.co.uk) to book a free appointment or to find out more.  

The ERGObaby 360 Carrier at Born

The Moby Wrap at Born

Aigle Wellies - Just What Puddles Are Made For!

Autumn is upon us and Winter is almost here, so it's time to celebrate! Why? Because with wind and rain come puddles and puddles make us happy! Splashing through the rain and puddles with your little ones is the best feeling in the world, but beware - puddling can be a dangerous sport if you're not well prepared!

Every self-respecting puddler knows that the most important bits of kit are your boots. Successful splashing depends on having the flexibility to stomp with force, safe in the knowledge that the water will land where it should - outside the boot and well away from toasty toes and little feet!

Toddlers and children won't put up with wet socks and cold feet for long, which is why Aigle are our best selling wellies - tried and tested over generations, and capable of winning a battle with the muddiest of puddles!

Aigle's wellington boots have been handmade in France for the last 160 years, and the same level of craftsmanship and attention to detail continues today. The natural rubber (a portion of which is recycled) produces boots that are supple and flexible, but still sturdy enough to give support and durable enough to last for generations - one pair of boots can see their way through 4 or 5 children!

Making the Aigle Boots in France

Natural rubber has significant advantages over PVC or plastic wellies:

• Natural rubber gives the boots a high resistance to wear, tearing and to the development of cracks or leaks.  

• The rubber retains it's elasticity, even in extreme cold.

• Natural rubber is more comfortable and is shock-absorbing (vital for extra high stomping!)

Aigle wellies are lined with soft cotton, further enhancing the comfort for little feet.  They've even got a reflective strip on the heel, so your child can be seen more easily if you like to indulge in a bit of night-puddling!








These premium quality handmade wellington boots are all that your little one will need for keeping out the rain, the mud and the snow - so come on, puddles - do your worst!

Aigle Lolly Pop Wellington Boots are available for £25 per pair, from Born stores and Borndirect.com

‘This Too Shall Pass’ – and other Mantras for Parenting

By Guest Blogger Anna from The Gentle Touch in Bristol

Parenting can be extremely rewarding, but also very difficult; the lack of sleep, adapting to a new baby (or new addition to an existing family), working, juggling friends and family, and trying to find time for yourself within this can be exhausting. Your baby may sleep well, but there is still a raft of information to absorb and adapting to a whole new life style.

So what do you do when it all gets too much?

Each family and each individual has their own path to becoming a parent, and it’s a life long journey because your children are always developing. When life feels overwhelming for you, introducing breathing techniques and positive mantras can really help. Some people use mantras to help clear their mind during meditation, or yoga practice, but this simple technique can be incorporated into your everyday parenting as well. It has been shown to be more effective to repeat phrases to yourself, than read them or hear them again and again. It’s like you’re learning a new way of thinking; replacing the negative messages with positive phrases that you will come to believe.

We run on auto-pilot sometimes, and that often means running through the ‘to do’ list without thinking. Closing your eyes and breathing for five minutes (of whatever you can manage) in your day can bring your awareness back to your body, and you start to notice tense shoulders, shallow breathing, or perhaps anxiety in your stomach.

You can take deep breaths anywhere - at the checkout, waiting for the kettle to boil, or in the car at the traffic lights.

You can try the following mantras when you feel you need to change to a more positive outlook:

• This too shall pass – every stage of your baby’s development is temporary, something always changes after a short time. Each day will only come once, tomorrow is a new day. Very important mantra for all parents! 

• I am calm, my baby is calm – Try thinking this to yourself as you hum ‘OM’ in a single note, repeated 5 times. As you physically relax your baby will pick up on changes in your posture and breathing, and babies tend to relax at the sound of their mothers voice. 

• I am enough – accepting your baby, and accepting how you are is critical to being able to take a step back from the emotions you may feel. 

• Me and my baby are growing together – Parenting is an intricate process of each of you getting to know the other. Your baby has to get to know everything about you, and you watch her grow physically, emotionally and mentally. You learn to respect and trust each other. 

• I am the perfect parent for my baby – bringing awareness back to your relationship can help you realize how well you’re doing. Everyone has tough days, you’re a great parent! 

• I am doing my best – Parents push themselves for their children, getting out of bed during the night when you think you can’t do it anymore, and yet you do. Your love for your baby will mean you do the best for where you are in your life right now. 

Relaxation techniques help you cope with less sleep. In our Baby Yoga classes you will learn simple breathing and relaxation techniques to use at home. Our yoga postures are adapted so that you can do them with your baby.

Baby Massage has gained popularity in the UK in the last five years, but Baby Yoga is a fairly new practice. It’s based on the traditional yoga postures and breathing, but includes lots of songs and rhymes to keep your baby engaged. You don’t need any experience of yoga yourself to come to one of our classes, all movements are very gentle and clear instruction is given.

During our classes we use gentle poses that move your spine and shoulders to help release tension from physical demands of feeding and carrying a baby. We use simple stretches, breathing techniques and restful balances to release tension throughout the body.

We will also give you tools to bring back playfulness to a fussy baby with our co-ordination sequence. The gentle stretches engage and then relax your baby’s muscles leaving them relaxed and calm, as well as supporting their physical and cognitive development.

Our Baby Massage and Baby Yoga classes in Bristol give you an opportunity to meet other parents locally where you can share the parenting experience.

Try the mantras when you feel you need to change your mindset, and let us know how you get on!

About The Gentle Touch

Anna and Emma run classes in Southville, Fishponds, Bishopston and also offer courses in your home with a group of friends on request. Email info@the-gentle-touch.com or see our website www.the-gentle-touch.com for more details.


Born also hosts Baby Massage Classes and Baby Yoga for Dads in our Stoke Newington Store in London. Please visit our Events page for more details.

What Essentials Do I Need for a Newborn? - The Born Guide for New Parents

It can often be overwhelming trying to select the gear you need for a new baby, especially when your little one hasn’t arrived yet! However, lots of “baby equipment” is surplus to requirements and is not at all necessary - so we want to recommend things that are useful and make a positive difference to your parenting experience, leaving you with more money to spend on the things you do need or love. 

Here are our recommendations for the essential items that you need for a new baby…

Clothing & Covers

For a newborn baby, you will need:

• Vests/baby bodies
• Baby grows or sleep gowns
• Baby hats
• Blankets or baby shawls

Other baby clothing items you may want to consider are:

• Scratch mits
• Booties
• Bibs

The number you have will depend on your washing and drying facilities, but we'd recommend at least 5 vests and 5 baby grows/sleep gowns. Baby vests with poppers down the side (kimono style) are useful so you don't have to pull on over their heads. Socks are very sweet but often get kicked off and lost, so it is easier to buy babygrows with ‘feet'. You’ll also need a couple of hats and two or three blankets for wrapping or swaddling your baby.

'Outdoor' clothing such as trousers, t-shirts, jumpers and footwear aren't usually worn until baby is a few weeks old. It's easier if newborns live in baby grows or sleep gowns, as in the first few weeks you will want to keep clothing changes and washing as quick and simple as possible. Sleep gowns in particular are very useful for night-time changes where you may need to change a sleepy baby without waking them up too much!

Don't forget the Muslins!

Our customers on Facebook all placed muslin squares as one of the top baby essentials. You will quickly find that you'll keep muslin squares within reach at all time! As well as general mopping up, they can be used for:

• Burp and Sick Cloths
• Breastfeeding Covers
• Stroller Covers
• Portable Crib Sheets
• Stroller and Car Seat Liners
• Changing Table Covers
• Tummy Time Blankets
• Comforters

Buy as many as you can afford - you will always find a use for them, no matter how old your children are!
 

 

Breastfeeding

You will spend an awful lot of your time in the first few weeks and months feeding your baby, so make sure you get comfortable! Make sure you have firm pillows for support - many of our parents on Facebook recommended using a breastfeeding pillow which gives great support for you and your baby. Equally, opt for 2 or 3 good nursing bras (we recommend Bravado) and you may want to invest in a tube of lansinoh nipple cream, especially for the early days of feeding - it’s 100% lanolin, so safe for your baby and beautifully soothing and healing for you.

Nappies

Babies get through between 6-10 nappies in a 24 hour period when newborn and often poo every time they feed, so you will need to have plenty of nappies on hand. We recommend using washable nappies - they are kinder to your baby’s bottom, better for the environment and easier on the purse!

There are 3 basic parts to a washable nappy, the absorbent (cloth) part, the outer waterproof part and the optional but really handy liner (usually paper and flushable). Some nappies come with the absorbent and waterproof part as one unit, others need separate covers.

There are two things that will make your life easier:

• Having enough nappies - we recommend at least 18 nappies for full time use; if you have 24, washing and drying will be a breeze.

• Having great waterproof covers - As we only sell nappies and covers that have been tested by mums and their babies, you won't have a problem with leaking unless they are the wrong size or have deteriorated with wear and tear. This often happens with the larger sizes of wraps where the child wears them out rather than grows out of them like they do with the smaller sizes.

Please contact us for advice on what you need, or Click Here to download the Real Nappy Guide, written by Born’s Co-Founder, Eva Fernandes.

Carrying

A baby carrier or wrap came top of our essentials poll on Facebook. A decent carrier is a must with a newborn, but it is really important to get one that works for you AND your baby. Many parents end up carrying their baby in over-engineered carriers that are difficult to put on, do not adequately support the baby's head, neck, spine and pelvic floor, and do not support the parents back. Unless a sling is supportive for both baby and parent and can be put on easily, we will not sell it.

For a newborn, our fabric slings and wraps are perfect - they allow you to be hands free, have your baby in a variety of positions (including breastfeeding) and are very easy to use once you have mastered the simple tying techniques. There are many fantastic benefits to baby wearing for you and for your baby - read our Guide to Baby Carriers to find out more.

In our shops we are happy for you to come and have a demonstration and try the sling for yourself, with your baby or with our weighted demonstration dolls. Our Bristol store also runs a sling library where you can hire carriers or try before you buy. We have staff who are trained in helping to select and fit the right sling for you and your baby.

 

Toiletries & Healthcare

To begin with your baby will only need washing with water. Soaps and washes are not necessary for the first few months and perfumed washing products mask the natural scent of your baby which is a very important part of the bonding process.

As they grow, you may choose to use a very mild baby wash or shampoo. Choosing what toiletries to use on your baby is simple if you follow our rule 'If you wouldn't let your baby eat it, don't put it on their skin!'. Your skin is the bodies largest organ and it is estimated that up to 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into the bloodstream.

For this reason, if you choose to use baby wipes for nappy changes rather than cotton wool or fabric cloths, consider the natural and organic wipes, to be sure that your baby is not coming into contact with any strong chemicals.

Furniture

Babies don't necessarily need furniture! You can even do without a cot if you are choosing to have your baby in bed with you.  If you choose to have cots and changing tables, you might like to consider what it is made from (FSC wood), where it is made (ethical manufacturers), whether it is fit for purpose and the longevity of the product. It also needs to look great - it is a piece of furniture, after all!

At Born, we especially favour furniture that grows with your child or has a secondary use such as the Stokke Sleepi Cot that expands into a junior bed and then can eventually end up as two chairs. The Stokke Care changing table also has long term usage as it can convert into a desk.

Pushchairs & Prams

Most parents will look for a pushchair before they have their baby, although many find that a good carrier is just as essential especially for the first few months.

If you decide that a pushchair is right for you, it’s one of the biggest purchases you will make so it pays to make the right choice. Think carefully about the job it will need to do - a compact urban buggy is perfect for town and city living but may let you down if you want to go walking through muddy woods! Consider future use, too - if you are planning on a larger family, can you adapt the pushchair to accommodate a sibling?

Research brands and read customer reviews...

Be careful when buying pushchairs on the Internet from suppliers that promise immediate delivery and all sorts of added extras. Do some research on the company first; mumsnet.com has reviews of the 'pile it high sell it cheap' web sites that should definitely be avoided. Shop for quality brands from respected retailers even if the lead-times are a little longer or the price a little higher - this is a big purchase and you need the confidence of solid reputation and customer service.

Born only stocks brands that make pushchairs of the highest quality in factories that are strictly monitored for their working conditions with good customer service. (We were one of the first retailers in the UK to sell Bugaboo). Our shops offer full demonstrations and any queries or issues get sorted quickly and efficiently!

Car Seats

One item that most people will need is a car seat. There are loads of brands of car seats to choose from, but we recommend Maxi Cosi because it consistently comes top of safety tests. It is no surprise that all big brand pushchair manufacturers have created adaptors to use the Maxi-Cosi car seats on their pushchairs.

Other Equipment

It is amazing how much 'stuff' a baby can have. It's really easy to get carried away and think you need to have lots of gadgets but you really don't. Think carefully before investing in things like wipe warmers, bottle warmers and nappy squashers - you may find that boiling a kettle to warm a bottle or putting the nappy directly into a bin works perfectly well!  Save your money and wait until your baby arrives to find out if you really need it! 

For this and other Born Guides, giving information and advice about pregnancy, birth, baby and parenting products, visit our Born Guides.