This day I love.......: tommee tippee

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The first month with Thing 3 is almost here and with it we have discovered some must have items. These are things we probably would not have thought about buying or things that have made our lives a little easier this past month.

Perfect Prep - Tommee Tippee

I tried to breastfeed baby at birth but for whatever reason baby could not or would not take. Instead when given a bottle they drank most of it. The decision to formula feed was therefore made by baby and we are happy and comfortable with it.

Having never bottle fed before I was worried about making up feeds and how to do it, but the perfect prep machine from Tommee Tippee has taken all this away. It is so quick and simple to use, that is has been an absolute life saver.

Simply keep the unit topped with cold water and press a button when you need a bottle making up. The water is controlled so it comes out at the right temperature and the initial hot shot kills any bacteria that could be living in the powder. It works with any bottle and any formula which is even better. We even take the Perfect Prep upstairs at night for the night feeds.

Thing 3 has learnt the beeps that the machine makes when the milk is ready and starts to root looking for their bottle. If you plan on using formula milk than you really need a Perfect Prep.

Shnuggle

The first time we bathed Thing 3 resulted in the following

I think Thing 3 felt exposed and got a little scared in the bath. I think that's part of the problem with traditional baby baths, the baby gets a little lost in them. I was struggling too, as the bath was too heavy for me to lift to empty.

The Shnuggle is amazing and a must have baby bath. It is smaller than a traditional bath and when full has 2 litres of water, take care to fill to the max line. There is a little bum bump inside to support baby and stop them slipping. The back has an ergonomic shape and non slip foam colour back.

Thing 3 is much more relaxed in this bath and feels much more secure. It makes bath time much more enjoyable and a fun experience. I can also lift the bath afterwards to empty it. I love that even at this newborn stage I only need one hand to support Thing 3 and that the Shnuggle will last them for 12 months.

We also have the stand for our shnuggle. This means I can bath baby standing up and is perfect for those times when my back really hurts. The stand also is a great place to store the shnuggle when not in use.

Ewan the dream sheep

We have written lots of post about Ewan. We bought my eldest one before she was born, and another for my youngest. Baby now has my eldest Ewan. Ewan is a cuddly sheep who plays four different sounds and pink noise. He is simply fantastic at calming babies and helping them to settle. We would not be without Ewan and you can read more here.

Snugglebundl

I am a firm believer that car seats should stay in the car and that when a journey ends baby should be taken out of the car seat. The Snugglebundl is a blanket which can be used to transport baby. Thing 3 is wrapped in the blanket and transported to the car. The harness goes over Thing 3 and the blanket over the harness. When we arrive at our destination we can use the handles on the Snugglebundl to pick up Thing 3 without disturbing them.

The Snugglebundl has proved perfect for me. As I tore my abdominal muscles during pregnancy lifting anything can be painful. The Snugglebundl had made lifting thing 3 really easy and I can see how it would help someone who is recovering from a C section.

The Snugglebundl can also be used in the pushchair. We had to attend a hospital appointment for Thing 3 and could not take the pushchair, rather than disturb thing 3 we simply lifted the Snugglebundl and carried them inside. Thing 3 stayed lovely and warm even with the snow that was falling outside.

We absolutely love the Snugglebundl it makes transporting and moving a baby so much easier.

Some items in this post we have bought and others have been sent to us, however all words are my own personal opinion

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In the final few weeks [or days] before Thing 3 arrives, I am feeling really lucky to be able to work with some amazing brands. This week Thing 3 has received some wonderful things, and I am getting more excited for their arrival.

Snüz Pod

Both my girls were terrible sleepers as babies. My eldest wanted a hand on her cheek in order to sleep and my youngest liked a hand on her tummy or to be laid on my chest. Both proved difficult to do in a standard crib and I would be sat upright most of the night until they eventually fell back asleep. Whilst I would have loved to have co slept with the girls, in all honesty I was too scared to in case I squashed them in my sleep.

When I saw Snüz Pod I knew that it would have made such a difference when the girls were babies. The mesh side allowing me to watch them whilst they are asleep, zip down side to allow co sleeping without my fear of squashing and a way for me to lie down and comfort the girls as they wanted.

Imagine my excitement when I found out I would be lucky enough to be sent a Snüz Pod to review for Thing 3. To say I am over the moon is an understatement, I really feel lucky. Along with the Snüz Pod I have been sent some absolutely gorgeous bedding, which I cannot wait to put Thing 3 in.

I have a feeling my Dad is also excited, a when he saw the box he wanted to put the Snüz Pod together.

I am going to be sharing a first impression post of the Snüz Pod, which will include how we found assembly, on the blog soon.

I simply cannot stop looking at the Snüz Pod as it sits at the side of my bed in waiting ready for Thing 3!

Colours colours

Colours Colours everywhere is written by Libby Walden and illustrated by Samantha Meredith. The black base for the book really helps to accent the colours and show off their brightness I personally love this as it helps the little ones with the colours. Some sections of the book are raised which helps little hands explore the book and engage with the story. I really love the simple story which flows beautifully through the book. The illustrations are really child friendly and help little ones want to engage with the book. This will be a gorgeous book to introduce Thing 3 to colours.

Peekaboo 1 2 3 and Peekaboo A B C

We have a huge passion for reading in our house and we are all secretly hoping that Thing 3 loves to read too. Peekaboo 123 and Peekaboo ABC by Gareth Lucas are gorgeous hard back books with large lift up flaps. The books have made a stunning addition to Thing 3 growing book collection. They are the perfect size to hold and share with a little one. The text in both books is humorous and accompanied with bright colourful illustrations. They are both great books and I think Thing 3 is going to love them. Peekaboo 123 and Peekaboo ABC are published by Little Tiger press and priced at £9.99 each. They will be available from the 10th March.

Tomme Tippee Ultra

Tommee Tippee have launched a baby bottle like no other. It has 85% of Mums saying that it is the best baby bottle they have ever used. The Tommee Tippee Ultra offers:

- An extra wide teat to give a more breast-like shape for baby to latch on to, making it easier to combination feed

- A contour zone has been built in to the Ultra teat which gives a secure seal to help reduce air ingestion and comfort. It also reduces the amount of air dribbles

- The angled teat on the Ultra ensures milk flows down the bottle even to the end of the feed, giving a more natural feeding position.

I cannot wait to give the Ultra a try with Thing 3.

Deep Freeze

Not strictly for Thing 3, but this week I received some Deep Freeze patches. I have tried to be as active as possible in this pregnancy but the problems I have encountered with hip displacement and torn abdominal muscles have not helped.

As Thing 3 has got bigger I have been experiencing back pain and Deep Freeze Cold Patch ensures a consistent, long-lasting cold analgesia at the point of pain but without the mess and fuss of an ice pack.

The Deep Freeze Cold Patch contains menthol, aloe vera and water in a hydrogel layer which slowly evaporates to produce prolonged cooling relief without a hint of drips or dampness. The slim profile and flexibility of the adhesive patch means it can easily be hidden under clothing and is suitable for use on any joint. The adhesive patch can also be worn without restricting movement or needing to be replaced frequently to maintain the cooling effect. Once in place it will work for up to three hours.

They are easy to apply and really help with pregnancy aches and pains.

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It has been a busy week this week for Thing 3. Last week the paint from Farrow and Ball arrived for the nursery and we are hoping to paint before Christmas. I ordered some flooring from Factory direct flooring and was really surprised when I had a phone call saying it was in stock and I could have it delivered the next day! We haven't yet unboxed the flooring as I cannot lift the boxes but as soon as we have painted we will be putting the flooring down. Things are slowly taking shape in the nursery. All we need in there now is a rug, which I am on the look out for. After Christmas I will be making a video room tour of the finished nursery which I am really looking forward to sharing.

Perfect Prep - Tommee tippee

The perfect prep from tommee tippee offers convenience for making formula milk. A hot shot kills any bacteria, followed by cooler water to make the perfect bottle in under 2minutes. I can see the perfect prep to be a life saver for those night time feeds. I attended the launch of the perfect prep a few years ago and was really impressed with it then. I remember at the time that it would be on the top of my wish list should we ever have another baby. I am really looking forward to putting the perfect prep to the test when Thing 3 arrives.

Mama Baby Bliss

Mama Baby Bliss offer nurturing and pamper products for Mums to be and their babies. They have a full range of classes including baby massage and baby yoga and also offer pamper parties. I received a sample of their 100% natural skin products to help soothe and relax.

At the moment I am in a great deal of pain and so sleeping is a huge issue. The Mama Baby Bliss products have been a little bit of a life saver for me. I can have a nice relax to help ease some of the pain I am in, which helps me to unwind. Whilst I am not a sleep those few minutes to myself are really helping.

The Ooooh Bath soak is really relaxing and it contains essential oils which will help after birth too. There is a wide range of products available both for antenatal and postnatal and some can be used on baby too.

Thank you Mama Baby Bliss for helping to relieve some of the pain I have been feeling recently.

Others

Finally this week I want to say a big thank you to my friends! My best friend has kindly given me a Moses basket and stand, changing mat and some clothes. This is amazing as now Thing 3 has somewhere to sleep when they arrive. One of my other friends kindly donated a play mat and another a baby chair. I feel really lucky to have such amazing friends and feel things are slowly coming together for Thing 3.

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I decided to combine this weeks update and things for Thing 3 post as it all seems to fit together. This week has been an emotional week as I was advised by physio to stop running. I saw the physio at 23+1 for the pain I have had in my abdomen. The extreme pain when walking has been getting worse and physio was in many ways needed.

My physio has diagnosed a 3.5cm distasis recti and hip displacement. On top of this I have also torn and done damage to my lower abdominal muscles. This week has been focusing on doing my exercises in order to prevent and further damage and try to make every day tasks like walking less painful.

I am not allowed to lift anything. Lifting s bowl of cereal hurts. I cannot do the ironing or vacuuming and some simple tasks like putting on shoes really hurts. However I am determined to keep going and am doing everything my physio had advised. My husband has been great at helping with housework and my Mum has been a superstar too. I do feel really frustrated and guilty because they are such simple tasks and pregnancy should not be an illness or an excuse to not do things. Unfortunately for me the damage to my muscles is saying otherwise.

Thing 3 gave me a scare mid way through the week after having a very quiet day, but soon made up for it with some strong kicks. I am loving all the wiggles and kicks and they seem to be getting stronger every day. I am looking forward to hearing Thing 3 heart heart at the 24 week appointment with the midwife.

One of my friends has very kindly given me some baby clothes for Thing 3 which I am incredibly grateful for as I had given away all of the girls things. This week also saw the paint arrive for the nursery. I have gone for neutral colours as I do not know the gender and also chosen paint from Farrow and Ball. I wanted good quality paint that I knew would withstand daily life with a baby and farrow and ball met this criteria. I shall be writing up nursery ideas in a few weeks and sharing with you the finished nursery. I am currently looking at flooring and blinds and then it is a case of putting it all together.

As the pregnancy progress I am also making decisions towards birthing plans and how I will feed Thing 3. I am hoping to share my decision as soon as I have made one. Whatever I decide I know that Tommee Tippee have a range of products to help me and my work with then as a mumbasador helpfully will continue with Thing 3.

To celebrate my partnership with Tommee Tippee I am giving away a box of 20 breast milk storage pouches. The pouches fit most brands of pumps so you can express directly into them, meaning no more spilt milk. A single pouch can be used to express, warm the ouch directly and then feed direct from the pouch. All you need to do to be in with a chance is follow the instructions on the widget this also shows full terms and conditions. Giveaway closes midnight GMT on 18th December 2015.

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Apologies my update for the things that have arrived for Thing 3 is a little late. Thing 3 has had a wonderful week and has received a lot of amazing items

SnuggleBundl

If you haven't seen SnuggleBundl you really need to go and take a look. They offer a great solution for transporting a sleeping baby from a car seat into the house or even the pushchair. Meaning the car seat can stay in the car. This is great because there is no lifting a heavy seat or disturbing a sleeping child, not only this but it means a baby can sleep in the lie flat position. Perfect for any parent but particularly those who have had C sections. I cannot wait to use SnuggleBundl with Thing 3. The girls have already been practising with their babies

Cloth Nappies

This week I have ordered some cloth nappies from some pre loved cloth sites and they have arrived. I am going to do as I did with the girls and use cloth nappies when at home and where possible out and about. Although I tend to use disposable when out because I had a habit of forgetting the used nappy in the bag and then not washing it soon enough [you get the picture]. At home however I loved cloth nappies because I just put them straight in the wash. The combination approach worked well for us. I have been amazed though at just how much choice there is, as there was very little when my eldest was born.

Tommee Tippee

I am really lucky to be working with Tommee Tippee and will be doing a more in depth review when baby arrives. This week Thing 3 received some Tommee Tippee milk feeding bibs. I loved these bibs with the girls. They have a larger part round the neck which stops the milk dribbling down babies neck keeping it dry. The soft material is also perfect for wiping away any spills. They are so much more absorbent than other bibs and are on the top of my must have list for any baby.

We also received some closer to nature advanced comfort bottles. These bottles feature a special vent which helps to reduce colic. I was very lucky that neither of my girls suffered with colic and I wanted to do everything I can to help Thing 3. The bottles come in a pack of 4 and I am looking forward to seeing how Thing 3 gets on with them.

As Thing 3 is a very lovely surprise, it also means that I am starting from scratch with everything. The Tommee Tippee Closer to nature complete starter kit has everything in it I need to feed baby.

Electric Steam Steriliser

Travel Steriliser

Electric Bottle and Food Warmer

3 x 150ml Closer to Nature Easi-Vent Bottles with Slow Flow Teats

5 x 260ml Closer to Nature Easi-Vent Bottles with Slow Flow Teats

2 x Medium Flow Teats - 3-6m

2 x Fast Flow Teats - 6m+

4 x Milk Storage Lids

6 x Milk Powder Dispensers - 0m+

2 x Insulated Bottle Bags

1 x Bottle and Teat Brush

Thing 3 is feeling really loved and I feel we are almost getting there for their arrival.

Dreamgenii

Ok I won't lie this is not strictly for Thing 3, but it would not be here without Thing 3! With my girls I struggled to get comfy during the later stages of trimester 2 and trimester 3 and would fidget in bed trying to find the best sleeping position. I can slowly see this creeping up on me again, as I begin to wake in the night to get comfy with Thing 3.

The Dreamgenii is multi award winning and Patent pending. As I am now 20 weeks I cannot wait to start using it. From 20 weeks the Dreamgenii can help encourage optimal foetal positioning which can lead to a shorted and less painful labour. I really like the sound of this, along with the fact it supports back, bump and knees it sounds fantastic. I shall let you know how I get on soon

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For the past 5 years [perhaps 6] I have attended the Baby show. I have visited every venue Birmingham, London NEC and Olympia. I always get excited by each show, but for different reasons. The past year or so it has been to catch up with my friends in the nursery industry and to see the latest developments and baby must haves. This year I will be attending with my daughters and with 'Thing 3' who I am excited and proud to talk about.

As part of my partnership with Tommee Tippee I shall of course be visiting their stand to have a look at their new Express and Go feeding system. I breast fed both my girls and whilst I am still making up my mind with 'Thing 3' I want to go and have a look at the new range that was launched in August this year. I know it would have made my life easier with the girls and perhaps it maybe something I look into for Thing 3.

As with any Baby Show there are a huge range of offers and discounts available. I can remember buying our travel system from there in 2009 with over 60% off! I am on the hunt for a new pushchair and car seat for Thing 3, as I currently do not have one, and am going to be looking at the show offers.

Tommee Tippee also have huge offers and discounts available

Perfect Prep machine both white and special edition black at a show price of £70 (normal RRP £120)

Digital video and sound monitor will be on sale at £100 (RRP £199.99)

Digital Sound and Movement Monitor will be available at a show price of £65 (normal price £99.99)

Sangenic Tec Nappy Disposal System will also be available in a new colour range at a show price of £10 for the (normal price £24.99)

I will be heading there to grab myself a bargain. I am also keen to visit the Instaprinta in the Feeding area which is there on Saturday and Sunday. Post a picture with #ParentOn to Instagram and tag @tommeetippee_uk and they will be printed out for you. Want a great way to remember your #Parenton moment!

If you are going on Sunday do let me know, it would be great to say hello!

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From the moment our children arrive we are filled with a mix of emotions and a mix of advice. A mind field of information to what is a new and testing time for any parent.

We bring home this new bundle, tiny and fragile and it becomes our world. The worry and guilt can become over riding, how many times should we bath them?what temperature should the water be?should we have a set routine?have they been in the bath too long?not enough?should they cry this much?

Information continued to pour in regarding sleep, in the same room, not in the same bed or in the same bed? In a cot, a crib a Moses basket?on their backs or on their fronts? Temperature of the room? Lighting in the room?blankets or sleeping bags?pillow or no pillow?cot bumpers or no cot bumpers?baby will only sleep when held, won't nap or will only sleep when driving up the motorway for half hour periods. Sleeping through the night? How much sleep do they need?cry it out?self soothe? Dummy or comforter?

Everyone suddenly becomes interested in feeding your baby, breast or bottle?add water?add juice?cup or bottle?weaning is boggling baby led or purée?what age?chocolate, sweets, finger foods?sugar content? How much, how often and when?allergies?

Not forgetting of course the baby groups with the constant need to brag about all babies achievements or at least listen to others brag about theirs. The comparisons between slings and pushchairs. The debate over car seats and every other thing you had never thought about suddenly is presented to you.

Before long it is time to potty train and once again a wealth of advice and opinions are thrown at you, from using cloth and nappies to the age and signs of readiness.

If we let it we can become so stressed and worried that we forget to enjoy the little things. It is these little things that matter

A first smile

First steps

First hair cut

First experience of snow

To the moments that make you laugh out loud (and occasionally cry a little inside too)

Every day your child will be one day older, one day wiser and you can never have that moment back again. Forget about the house work, take advice with a pinch of salt because at the end of the day the person who has known your baby the longest is you. You felt the first kick, had those midnight chats with the bump and knew that baby just needed that extra piece of cake. Trust in your Motherly instinct, trust in your parenting skills they were born the second your baby was and babies survived long before the first baby manual was ever published.

Parenting is a roller-coaster, a journey and one which at times can feel like the hardest thing ever. These times won't last forever and in the blink of an eye they start school ready for the next chapter in their lives. Make the most of every cuddle, every moment and #parenton. You got this.