Natural Nursery Blog

reusable nappy

You’ve decided that wearing a reusable nappy will be better for your baby. Congratulations on your choice. Now comes the next question, how many cloth nappies do I need to buy?

There is no hard and fast rule, the answer will depend on a few factors:

• How old is your baby? Newborns need to be changed 8 to10 times a day so choosing quick washing nappies like terry or muslin nappies will save you time and money. Breastfed babies can be prone to liquid poo so you might want to plan a couple of extra waterproof wraps.

• Will you be using a reusable nappy for every change or part of the time?

• How often are you planning to wash your nappies? Every 1 to 3 days is the average. Will you wash the nappies separately or add them to your regular laundry?

• How will you dry the nappies? Tumble drying is quick but more expensive.

• What type of nappies will you be using? Flat nappies are quick to wash and dry but all-in-one take longer.

How many reusable nappies do I need to buy? The answer depends on the type of reusable nappy, on your child, and how you will be washing them. To allow for washing and drying time plus a few cloth nappies in stock, you can use these numbers as a guide:

• 20-25 nappies for a newborn
• 15-20 for a baby 6 months+
• plus around 5 waterproof covers as they do not need to be changed every time.

Choosing a combination of slow drying and quick drying nappies can help you save money. It seems a lot but remember, switching to reusable nappy can save you £500 on average for a first child.

Using an electric breast pump allowed me to go back to work

My son was born in March. Breastfeeding was a little difficult at first. He had a good latch and a great suckle reflex but his position wasn’t right. As he breastfed frequently, my nipples became sore. I used plenty of lanolin cream (a life saver) and my own breast milk to heal the nipples which only took a day!

We saw the lactation consultant early on and she was able to help me position my baby. After that moment, everything was perfect! I love nursing him. He always put his hands in his mouth right before we tried to nurse. So I tried swaddling him which really helped.

I had to go back to work at 6 weeks. I bought a double electric breastpump. (best purchase ever!) I got used to expressing breast milk four times a day: first thing in the morning when it was the easiest and three times while at work. It was quite easy because I had a private office to express milk. I became very consistent about expressing breast milk and breastfeeding. My milk supply increased. Using an electric breastpump allowed to express so much breast milk that we bought a separate freezer for storing breast milk. I even had enough breast milk to donate some to a new mum with pre-term twins.

real nappy

This simple guide to the real nappy will help choose the best real nappy for your baby. You might prefer to buy all the same nappies or mix and match.

• Flat nappies, also called terry nappies. Made of a square of cotton terry towelling. They are affordable, easy to wash, quick to dry and durable. Flat nappies are versatile: the small terry nappies can be used as booster for toddlers and the large ones can be used as hand towels. They require a bit more practice for folding. Use a nippa to close the flat nappies and a waterproof wrap.

• Shaped nappies. A shaped real nappy is sewn in and pre-formed to be used just like a disposable nappy. The big advantage of shaped nappies is their ease of use and versatility: they adapt to babies of different sizes and body shapes. Some are sized (i.e. available in multiple sizes) or one-sized (the same nappy can be used for a newborn or toddler). You will need a waterproof wrap.

• All in one nappies: An all-in-one real nappy is the closest thing to a disposable nappy. The absorbent nappy, the waterproof wrap and often a soft lining are sewn together so they are very easy to use. Ideal for quick nappy changes and for carers who might not be used to nappies. The drawbacks are that they can take longer to dry, can be quite expensive and less durable.

• Pocket nappies are composed of a waterproof wrap and a soft fleece layer sewn in together. The flat adsorbent part of the nappy is stuffed in between those two layers and removed for washing and quick drying. Easy to use and wash, it can be more expensive than shaped nappies.

baby sling

You have received your babysling and are about to try it for the first time. Take a few minutes to read our top tips for using a babysling for the first time.

• Be patient. It takes time to learn a new skill, especially if this new skill involves a new baby who may not cooperate when you need him to. Welcome to the world of parenting! Take your time, it will be worthwhile.

• Relax. If you’re tense, your baby will pick up on your nervousness. On the contrary, if you relax, he or she will relax too.

• Choose a moment when your baby is content. A babysling does soothe crying babies but it’s best to learn when he is calm, fed, and changed.

• Familiarise yourself with the instructions. Your babysling will come with an instruction booklet or a DVD. Choose the carry that seems the easiest, usually the manufacturer will recommend one nd read that one, paying attention to the photos. Don’t try to learn all the carrying positions at once.

• Some videos might help. You can easily find babywearing videos on the internet showing you the carrying positions you can use with your babysling. Watching them will no doubt be useful.

• Practice with a doll. You practice putting on your babysling with a doll or a soft toy, sometimes even a pillow will do.

• Take a look in the mirror and compare with the manufacturer’s photos. Does it look the same? If your baby as high? Is the fabric spread out as on the photos or is it bunched up? Are the straps on your shoulders or riding up on your neck.

• Does it feel right? Most parents’ first reaction when they put their baby in a babysling is: Wow I can’t feel her weight. Is it how it feels? Does it feel comfortable and secure?

• Walk outside. Taking a brisk walk outside will remind your baby of your walking movement when he was in the womb. Many babies settle more easily that way than bouncing around the room.

Take your time and be gentle with yourself. You didn’t learn to drive in one day. With a little bit of patience, you will soon enjoy carrying your baby comfortably for years on.

breastfeeding in public

“Excuse me madam, were you about to nurse your baby?” asked the waiter.
“Oh no, here we are!” I thought

I was in a restaurant with our families and my 2-month old son. Friends had told me stories of how nursing mothers had been harassed when they were breastfeeding in public and asked to leave or cover up. I was fully expecting a negative comment when the waiter continued:

“Would you like a more comfortable chair?” the waiter continued.
“Oh!….yes, thank-you”, I was dumbfounded.

After changing my chair, he brought me a complimentary decaffeinated coffee and some chocolates. Talk about VIP treatment!

Fay sent us this story when her little boy was 7 months old and still happily breastfed.

Breastfeeding a baby is hard work, it takes determination, patience and perseverance so such warm welcome and recognition of their commitment to their children is always very much appreciated. Every time someone smiled to me or offered me a seat while I was breastfeeding my babies, it warmed my heart and left me smiling for the rest of the day, no matter how tired I was.

So if you come across a breastfeeding mother, don’t sigh and turn your head straight away. Look at her in the eyes, smile then turn your head! She is not doing anything illegal, she is feeding her child the way nature intended, the way that guarantees the best start in life for her baby. What would you prefer in the bus? A screaming baby? Or a contented baby snuggled up against his mum? Most likely you’ve come across dozens of nursing mothers before and never noticed them.

In the name of my fellow nursing mothers, we thank you for your support.

Medela

Before choosing the products to sell in Natural Nursery, we review dozens and dozens of products. We ask breastfeeding mums what they think of the products. Quality, easy of use, design, every aspect is carefully considered.

For breastfeeding mums, we have chosen to carry the Medela breastfeeding products. Medela has been a pioneer in supporting breastfeeding and serving mothers and babies since 1961. Medela actively promotes breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for babies and young infants.

Breast milk provides baby with all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps them to grow into healthy children. No other milk, food, drink or even water is required. The WHO recommends that children be breastfed at least until 2 year old.

Medela’s products are designed to support a mother’s desire to breastfeed her baby as she wishes. This means helping a mother maintain her milk supply when she is away from her baby either at birth or when she returns to work.

Their research has led to the development of breastfeeding aids that are physiologically correct and are easy to use, reliable and of a consistently high quality.

Extensive research on electric breastpump (University of Western Australia) has developed the 2-Phase Expression® technology (stimulation & expression), the only research-based breastpump that imitates the baby’s natural sucking rhythm, resulting in faster let-down, increased milk flow and reduced pumping time.

Medela is also the only manufacturer who continuously invests a significant share of its profits into medical research on breastfeeding.

The Medela breastfeeding pledge: “We pledge our dedication to breastfeeding as the best nutrition for babies and families. We further pledge that our breastfeeding accessory products and literature shall never be used to influence mothers to switch from breastfeeding to infant formula feeding or to promote artificial baby milk in any way.”

Organic baby clothing

Frugi organic baby clothing is among our favourite, and our best sellers too. The high quality organic cotton makes the Frugi fair trade clothes incredibly soft and strong. Along with the unisex design, it means that you can start shopping before your baby is born and can pass their clothes to younger siblings.
All Frugi fair trade clothes are cut a little bigger for reusable nappies and extra wiggle room.

Frugi has introduced the new Seafari sleepsuit, a playful twist on the old safari print favourite. The cute designs and cheerful colours make it a favourite with the children too. “My little boy learnt to say animal names by pointing at his sleepsuit in the morning”, says Laura.

Why choose Frugi organic baby clothing:

• Frugi is renowed for high quality organic cotton
• Unisex designs hard to find on the high street
• Nickle free poppers to crotch and legs for safety
• Comfortable Ribbed neck and cuffs
• Generous cut
• Organic baby clothing lasts and lasts and lasts
• Available from newborn to 24 months.

All Frugi/Cut4Cloth fair trade clothes are:

• Ethically manufactured.
• Made using 100% organic cotton hand picked in rural India in a government declared Bio-Zone and will soon carry Soil Association certification.
• Help support the environment via donations to efforts that protect and restore our natural environment.
• Unbleached or coloured using environmentally responsible dyes.
• Wash and wear fantastically due to its superb quality.

Warning, this blog post is ever so slightly biased! We have been working with Frugi (and Cut4Cloth) for years and have always been very impressed with the the quality of the clothes and the ethics of the company.

We’re excited to bring you these gorgeous new lambskins. You actually have to touch them to realise how silky soft and luxurious they are. They are much softer than sheepskins therefore most suitable for a baby’s soft skin. The fluffy and natural softness of the pile make these lambskins the perfect addition to a baby’s nursery or as a new baby gift.

You will be able to use your Gabe & Grace lambskin in the pram, in the car seat, as a playmat. Many children become attached to their lambskin. Give your little one a scent from home by taking it to the childminder or grand parents. The Gabe & Grace lambskins won a Sliver Award in the Practical Preschool awards and were featured in The Daily Mail as one of “10 best child soothers”.

Why choose a sheepskin for your baby?

• Helps regulate baby’s temperature all year around and when they’re ill
• Soft for baby’s delicate skin
• Naturally anti-bacterial
• Cleaned and sterilised for children use
• FREE from pesticides, formaldehyde and chrome
• Lovely natural colour
• Easy to wash
• Generous size (approx 55cm wide x 95 cm long)

The sheepskins and lambskins meet the guidelines of the International Association Natural Textile Industry (IVN) for safe tanning process and meets UK fire regulations.

Soft materials are generally not recommended as bedding for babies under one year old. If used as part of bedding we recommend that children under the age of one are positioned on their backs and that the sheepskin is covered with a cotton sheet.

As a new mother, washing your baby’s hair can feel a bit daunting. Some babies don’t like being naked. It involves holding them with one hand, and you might be worried about shampoo stinging their eyes.

Here are a few tips to make washing your baby’s hair easier.

• Choose baby natural shampoo. Baby natural shampoo should be paraben free and SLS free. It will soft on your baby’s skin and won’t sting her eyes should a little bit of lather get in.

• If you’re unsure, you can ask your midwife to show you how to wash your baby’s hair.

• Make sure you have everything handy (baby natural shampoo, flannels, towel, warm water, baby thermometer) and that the room is warm and cosy.

• It is just as easy to bathe a newborn in the sink or a baby bath. Cradle your baby into your arm, supporting her firmly. With the other hand, wet your baby’s hair with a soft flannel and gently rub a little bit of baby natural shampoo on the scalp. Be very gentle but there’s no need to avoid the soft spots. Use another clean flannel to rinse her hair. Rub her scalp gently to make sure there is no lather appearing.

• Once she’s dry, use a soft-bristled brush to brush your baby’s hair.

Remember, you don’t have to wash your child’s hair every day. Most health professionals agree that two to three times a week is sufficient.

Next week, we’ll look at tips for washing toddlers’ hair.

Motherease Mother ease

When it comes to nappies, quality is essential. You want to be able to use, wash, dry the nappies day in and day out for years on. They can be used with a first child, then passed on to a younger sibling or sold on.

Motherease nappies fit the bill: quality, convenience and durability. The Motherease nappies are among the most popular nappies, and rightly so. You will need a nappy and an outer waterproof wrap, both available from Motherease.

Advantages of the Mother ease nappies:

• One size from birth to potty (8-35lbs / 3.5-16kgs)
• Reasonably priced
• Excellent resistance to washing and drying
• Very good resale value
• Soft stretchy fabric available in standard cotton, bamboo or organic cotton
• The organic Mother ease nappy has been voted best new organic non-food product by the Soil Association.
• Snap-in a liner for extra absorbency at night

Disadvantages:

• One size nappies can look a bit bulky on newborns
• and can be outgrown by very big toddlers before potty training

To make nappy changes easier, you can add a flushable nappy liner. Mother ease offers an all-in-one nappy, ideal for quick nappy changes, to make the life of the child-minder easier or convince a reluctant partner that reusable nappies are just as easy as disposable nappies. For added comfort, the Mother ease ‘Dry’ nappy has polyester inner layer that allows urine through to keep baby’s skin dry.

You can’t go wrong with the Mother ease reusable nappies!

Do you use Mother ease nappies, let us know what you think of them. If you have some photos of your baby wearing Motherease reusable nappies, we’d love to feature them on the blog.