Our Water Babies Experience

I think that instilling water confidence in young children is an essential life skill.

Growing up each of my boys have had a short course of swimming lessons which I have then continued myself at weekends and holidays etc.

Both Alfie and Jacob are confident in the water so I hoped that Benjamin would inherit his brothers confidence and I was right; he loves the water. So much so that we have to constantly keep him entertained whilst in the water or he would be constantly climbing up onto the side and jumping in!!



Even though Ben has confidence in the water I started to research swimming lessons for toddlers in our area to help him learnt he building blocks to be able to swim on his own.

I found Water Babies - East Dorset and liked their ethos on lessons.



Water Babies classes run all around the country and you`ll be very unfortunate to not be able to find a class near you!!

My local franchise is run by the lovely Jo and her husband Steve Tolley. In 2005 Jo trained as a swimming instructor and hasn't looked back, Water Babies East Dorset has gone from strength to strength, now offering classes all over East Dorset.

When I took Benjamin for his first lesson he had just started to all of a sudden hate the water, I have since been told that its a normal phase which is sometimes called the `water wobble`!!! He clung onto me the entire lesson and typically only came out of his shell just as the lesson finished, but now we are on our 5th lesson and he loves it!

During each lesson we go through structured welcome song to Jo and the other babies. Ben loves this part as he gets to high 5 everyone, his favourite greeting.

Different songs and swimming methods are used in conjunction with each other to help create `triggers` in the child's mind so they know what's about to happen and help them learn to hold their breath for the underwater swimming. We say `Benjamin, ready, go` and then either trickle water over their face or push them under the water to swim independently up to the surface.

Sadly we are not supposed to take photos of us in the pool during lessons as we are in a public swimming pool so haven't got many to show you guys. But I managed to get a few of us getting ready for the lesson in the changing room but they are a tad blurred as Ben was so eager to get in the pool he wouldnt pose. My naughty sister did manage to grab one of us in the water at the start of the lesson this week....naughty, naughty!!!!

I apologise for having to see me in a swimming costume!!

One of the main rules of the lessons is that the children have to be `double` nappie`d. So basically they have to wear a normal disposable swim nappy underneath a neoprene outer tight nappy, this is to prevent any unwanted accidents leaking out during the lesson!

I have to say that going to these lessons have been great for both me and Benjamin; obviously for him to learn essential life skills but for also for me as I have been interacting with other mums and Jo is so friendly. Anyone in Dorset needs to give these guys a try, well worth it.

We have been lucky enough to of booked a place onto Water Babies well reknown and popular underwater photo shoot at the end of the month, check back soon to see how it goes!!!!!

A course of lessons was provided free of charge by Water Babies in exchange for a fair and truthful review.

Giveaway #7 The White Company #PMBirthdayBonanza

Recently I reviewed a car seat for the new parenting advise website Bella Kidz and to help celebrate my blogs first birthday they have kindly given me a £5 gift voucher to use a The White Company.


I had heard of the White Company before but never actually looked at their website. This was the perfect time to have a nose and oh my, I wish I had`nt, my bank balance isn't going to appreciate it!! The products that they provide are gorgeous and I am totally in love with the kids range -  The Little White Company, now I know that white isn't always practical with kids but they look so smart in white.

My favourite item by far has to be the textured pixie bootie, I just need to find an excuse to get them for Benjamin!!!

To be in with the chance of winning a £5 gift voucher please fill in the rafflecopter widget below.

To Enter:

• Open to UK residents only
• Fill in the Rafflecopter widget below to verify your entries
• Entries can be by Facebook and Twitter etc
• Please read the rules below
• Closing Date: 30th September 2014
• If there is no form hit refresh (F5) and it should appear
• If still not working please check that your computer is running Javascript
• You need to complete the mandatory entries first.
• Rafflecopter will tweet, like and follow on your behalf making it really easy to enter
• Really want to win the prize? Come back every day for bonus entries via twitter
• Terms and Conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter form below

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Giveaway #5 Organyc Baby Products #PMBirthdayBonanza

Since taking part in Real Nappy Week earlier this year I have been intrigued as to what else is available on the market which is nicer to the environment.

Whilst trawling the internet I came across Organyc.


Organyc supply 100% organic cotton feminine care products; from Sanitary and Maternity wear to Beauty and Baby Care. Made with organic cotton wool that gives softness, comfort and breathable products the range is huge.

The generous guys at Organyc are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a packet of Organic Baby Wipes and super soft Organic cotton squares.

The cotton baby wipes are infused with soothing extracts of organic chamomile and calendula, making them the kindest and gentlest way to cleanse baby`s delicate skin and nappy area. Being free of pesticides, parabens and synthetic fragrances the baby wipes are specially formulated to help reduce skin irritations whilst effectively protecting and moisturising your baby`s sensitive skin, face and hands every time you use them.


The cotton squares are made from only 100% organic cotton, are super soft, thick and durable. They can be used with bay oil or water to efficiently and effectively cleanse baby`s skin.Each square is embossed for gentle, yet deep cleansing, which means they are also perfect for mums to use in their daily beauty regimes.

To be in with a chance of winning the wipes and cotton squares just fill in the rafflecopter widget below.



To Enter:

• Open to UK residents only
• Fill in the Rafflecopter widget below to verify your entries
• Entries can be by Facebook and Twitter etc
• Please read the rules below
• Closing Date: 30th September 2014
• If there is no form hit refresh (F5) and it should appear
• If still not working please check that your computer is running Javascript
• You need to complete the mandatory entries first.
• Rafflecopter will tweet, like and follow on your behalf making it really easy to enter
• Really want to win the prize? Come back every day for bonus entries via twitter
• Terms and Conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter form below

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Giveaway #3 Little Grippers #PMBirthdayBonanza

Back at the start of the year I reviewed a set of baby socks from a company called Little Grippers.



Ben was continuously loosing socks when we were out and about and I was fed up of having to buy new pairs all the time.


Little Gripper changed all that!!






Using a unique stay-on technology, the 100% natural adhesive silicone is robotically applied to each sock cuff ensuring that they will stay on no matter how wriggly your little one is!!

And they work...no more lost socks!!

The stay-on technology is not just limited to infant socks, football and school socks are available too.

Check out the varied range here.







The guys at Little Grippers are kindly offering one lucky reader the chance to win a gift box containing 3 pairs of socks in your choice of size - newborn, 0-6 mths, 6-12 mths, or 12-24 mths, in either their Jungle mix or Ballerina mix designs. RRP £12.

To be in with a chance of winning a lovely little set of socks just fill out the rafflecopter widget below.

To Enter:

• Fill in the Rafflecopter widget below to verify your entries
• Entries can be by comment, Facebook, twitter etc
• Please read the rules below
• Closing Date: 30th September 2014
• If there is no form hit refresh (F5) and it should appear
• If still not working please check that your computer is running Javascript
• You need to complete the mandatory entries first.
• Rafflecopter will tweet, like and follow on your behalf making it really easy to enter
• Really want to win the prize? Come back every day for bonus entries via twitter
• Terms and Conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter form below

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Giveaway #1 Gumigem Jewellery #PMBirthdayBonanza

Hands up who is fed up with their teeth baby or toddler constantly grabbing, tugging and sucking their necklaces??

I know I am!!! * virtual hand up in the air*

Benjamin loves to grab my name necklace and chew on the ends and I was worried about him injuring his gums on the sharp edges rather than helping his teeth break through.

This worry spurred me on to do some research on the internet and found a lovely family run company called Gumigem.


Gumigem produce silicone jewellery designed to provide all carers, not just mum`s!!, with a stylish accessory that will keep little hands and mouths busy for hours. The range available is huge so no matter what your taste in clothes is you are sure to find a product to match your outfit and personality.



Recently they have increased their range from just necklaces to bangles and the adorable Bubba Bag; a neoprene play bag with silicone toys.

Unlike many other nursing necklaces which are made from hard beads each piece of Gumigem jewellery is made from the same silicone that dummies are made of, so is soft but flexible and strong. The silicone is PVC, BPA, Lead, Latex and Phthalate free so should be suitable for even the most sensitive babies.

I personally love these necklaces and am excited to say that I have a necklace in the Maisie Moo design to offer one of my readers. The Maisie Moo RRP £12.95 is a classic heart shape design, with a nice point for getting to those sore gums. A polished finished gives it a lovely purple shimmer and it comes on a soft silky cord and break away clasp for safety and comfort.

To be in with a chance of winning this stunning necklace just fill in the rafflecopter widget below.

To Enter:

• Fill in the Rafflecopter widget below to verify your entries
• Entries can be by Facebook, twitter etc
• Please read the rules below
• Closing Date: 30th September 2014
• If there is no form hit refresh (F5) and it should appear
• If still not working please check that your computer is running Javascript
• You need to complete the mandatory entries first.
• Rafflecopter will tweet, like and follow on your behalf making it really easy to enter
• Really want to win the prize? Come back every day for bonus entries via twitter
• Terms and Conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter form below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Heinz Breakfast Range Review

The lovely peeps at Heinz foods were kind enough to send me some more of their range to try; this time a selection of their breakfast range.

Heinz sent us 3 flavours of their breakfast pots which come in 2 x 100gm packs RRP £1.19, a pack of Breakfast Biscotti 32 x 5gm biscuits RRP £1.99 and Creamy Oat Porridge RRP £2.15.

Benjamin loved the last range of pouches that were sent to us so I was sure that he would like them and sure enough he couldn`t get enough of them!!

I love the idea of having breakfasts ready to made to hand as getting 3 kids out the door on time in the morning can sometimes be a challenge!! 

The porridge pots are a brilliant idea. They have a great consistency as I sometimes find porridge too claggy, it was of a perfect consistency to feed on the go.....not too solid and just runny enough to feed on the move without running off the spoon.

An added benefit of the pots is that they provide one of your baby`s 5 a day and come with Heinz`s "Goodness Locked In" promise.

Ben loved the variety of the flavours but wasn`t overly keen on the Very Berry pot, I tried a few mouthfuls and have to admit that it had a very sharp taste to it.

Now to me the crowning glory for the Heinz Breakfast range is the Biscotti`s......an amazing amount of biscuits, 32, for an amazing price, £1.99. We used them not just for breakfast but for snacks during the day too. Ben couldn`t get enough of them and kept him amused too. They are now on my weekly shopping list.

I like my Biscotti`s!!!

I have to say that I will be definitely be buying from the breakfast range again.

Heinz, you have done good!!

***This review is of my personal opinion and all products were sent to me free of charge***

Munchkin - Easy Squeezy Spoon Review

I recently won a little competition on Twitter being held by the lovely Liz, or you may know her as The One Handed Cook, the competition was for the Munchkin Easy Squeezy Spoon.

It was perfect timing as I had just started to wean my youngest, Benjamin.

The Product Blurb

• A baby spoon for no-mess, one handed feeding at home or on the go - feeding with a simple squeeze makes meal times a breeze!!

• Holds 4oz of baby food

• Made of silicone

• BPA free

• Suitable for 4 months onwards

• Available in blue, green or pink

My view

The spoon I received was pink but that didn't bother me, nor Benjamin!!! 

On first inspection of the product it seemed really easy to operate, you unscrew the lid an either spoon in the food from the jar or directly in from a pouch.

The spoon has an open and closed setting to lock and seal the main food compartment so the food cannot escape whilst in transit in your bag, and a clear solid lid covering the whole spoon.

When you need to feed baby just turn to open setting, squeeze food into spoon and your off!!!

The blurb says for best results use with stage one or most stage two baby foods.

Ben eating his
porridge

I found that the spoon didn't cope very well with the stage 2 mashed food due to the small opening on the spoon, so wouldn't advise to use this in the later stages of weaning, unless you want to be unblocking the spoon all the time.

Another problem I found was that it is really hard to try and prevent any air bubbles mixing in with the food as if mid squeeze a bubble is found the food in front of it rockets out over baby and highchair!!

The concept of this spoon is good but I`m not 100% there is a need for it as the pouches and pouch spoons that are available on the market do the same job with less fuss and mess.

Saying that Benjamin did seem to enjoy being fed from this spoon but unfortunately due to it blocking up and being tricking preventing the air bubble explosions I didn`t use it as often as I should of done :-(

Best Baby Buy??

The list could be endless when it comes to things that you buy in preparation for your baby`s arrival.

What has been your best buy that you couldn`t live without??

For me its two things; both I have found to be essential in my day to day life.

I have found that it goes to show you dont have to spend the earth on baby equipment as both my best buys were bargains.

First and most important to me is my nursing chair; I bought this in preparation for baby number 1 in March 2007 and am glad to say it is still going strong now 6 1/2 years on and nursing number 3!!!

It has got me through many a unsettled night with the boys and is so comfy I have to admit that I fall asleep in it far too often....I blame it on the reclining option and plush cushions!!

When we got it I was worried that it would not last very long as due to our small budget it was from the lower end of the value scale at £99. When researching the chairs I found some to be hundreds and hundreds of pounds. My £99 bargain has done us proud and I`m sure if I didn`t have one I would be alot more sleep deprived than I am now!!!!

My second essential is from Munchkin UK, their Deluxe Drying Rack has been a godsend to me.
Its only a few pieces of plastic but it saves so much time and space in the kitchen.

My mum got it for me when #3 was a few days old, I was still breastfeeding him at the time so didn`t think I`d find use for it.

How wrong was I??

I don`t know what I would do if it broke on me as my mum got it from Asda in the clearance section and got it for £1 and we haven`t seen it anywhere since except for online.

So then what is your live-without baby essential?? Will be interesting to see what everyone`s is xx