Natural Nursery Blog

When all your friends and relatives start having babies at the same time, finding ideas for a lovely new baby gift within your budget can be a stretch.

We’re giving you a hand with 10 ideas under £10:

1. The Noo-Noo comforter is an adorable new baby gift. It is made of 100% ultra soft felted lamb wool. The baby will enjoy rubbing his fingers through the tactile embroidery, appliqué, loops and booble. It comes in a pretty white gift box. £7.19
2. A new baby gift doesn’t have to just for the newborn stage. Your friends will be happy to take it out when their baby has reached the stage. Toddlers love the Orchard Toys in particular the puzzles. The bright colours and cheerful designs catch the children’s attention. The pieces are chunky enough for toddlers to handle easily. From £4.80
3. A Powell Craft toy bag is another pretty new baby gift. It is available in various shapes. Decorated with an adorable little teddy, it will make a delightful addition to a baby’s nursery. From £4.99
4. A dazzle wooden toy rattle will keep baby entertain for hours on the play mat or in the buggy. When baby is teething he will be able to chew on the wooden toy. £9.95
5. A soft toy box will also be a hit with a baby boy. The soft case contains a hammer, a wrench and a screwdriver. The Legler company supports the work of MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES who help people in need, regardless of their creed, colour or political conviction. £5.86
6. The Baby Shapes book set has been developed by The Children’s Project, dedicated to supporting the family and improved outcomes for children. These simple books are specially developed to interest a baby from birth. Baby Shapes 1 & 2, use very simple (through to more complex) bold graphic shapes. £6.99
7. You can also find ideas for a new new baby gift at budget prices in our sale area. We have selected for example this adorable newborn baby girl organic dress. At ££4.99, it would make an adorable present.
8. The Organic Cotton Farm Print Trouser Shirt Set is another ultra cute outfit which would be a lovely new baby gift. £8.99
9. The babysense Lala CD is a thoughtful idea: the slow rhythmical lilt of traditional lullabies is soothing, helping babies to fall asleep with greater ease. £9.75
10. Taggies start from the simple idea that babies are often more interested in the toy’s tag that the actual toy. The soft toy has little tags, loops and rings on which baby can pull, chew or bite. £8.80

Here are our 10 ideas for a new baby gift under £10. Many of them would be equally suitable for baby boy or a baby girl so you can order them in advance and save even more.

Just like cloth nappies, switching to reusable baby wipes can save you a lot of money, especially the early months.

Reusable baby wipes are just as easy to use as flushable baby wipes. You can use water to clean your baby’s bottom or make your own natural cleaning solution. Once your baby’s nappy is changed, you can pop the wipes in your laundry. They are made especially to wash and dry easily.

If you decide to make your own baby wipes, the first thing will be to choose a suitable fabric.

The fabric should be ultra soft so that it doesn’t irritate your baby’s skin. It should let the baby’s poo slide of the fabric easily and wash and dry easily. You may find it convenient to use several types of fabric for your baby wipes. An ultra soft micro fleece for example will clean your baby’s bottom easily after a messy nappy. A soft flannel or cotton jersey will allow you to dry the skin afterwards.

Your baby’s skin is delicate, avoid rubbing the skin to dry it. It is best to pat it gently. You can test that your baby wipes are soft enough by using them to clean your face for example. Save even more money by using them instead of make up remover cotton pads.

Cut your fabric in squares or rectangles. Roughly the size of your hands is a convenient size. Fleece will not fray so you don’t need to hem it. Jersey, flannel and cotton baby wipes will be more durable if you overlock or hem them. Depending on the fabric, using pricking shears will also stop them from fraying.

Double-sided baby wipes are made with a different fabric on each side: a fleece side to wipe your baby’s bottom and a cotton side to clean it your baby’s skin.

You will find that you can use reusable baby wipes everywhere around the house, to clean kitchen counters, wipe finger marks off the walls, clean the dining table, and even dust surfaces…

When it comes to nappy changing time, only the softest baby care products can be used. Any rough cloth or harsh chemicals would make your baby uncomfortable. A baby’s skin is so delicate.

Beaming Baby wipes offer a natural and organic alternative to standard baby wipes.

The Beaming Baby wipes are by far our best selling baby wipes. They are flushable, hypoallergenic and soft. The Beaming Baby wipes are 100% biodegradable and chlorine free with contain over 95% organic ingredients. The certified organic plant ingredients are grown without using chemical fertilisers or pesticides. They have achieved the highest possible grade during Consultant dermatologist repeat patch tests: 100% zero sensitivity. They are also free from alcohol, parabens and SLS. The company only uses Soil Association approved preservatives to keep your purchase in pristine condition. The convenient pop-up pack allows you to pick up the baby wipes easily while keeping the moisture in.

The Beaming Baby wipes are made with organic aloe vera, which has natural hydrating properties and natural orange blossom to gently nourish sensitive skin. The wipes material is made from wood pulp from sustainable forests.

It is not surprising that they beat the big boys to the industry’s most prestigious award. They won the Mother & Baby Award for Best Skincare Product 2008/9.

The Beaming Baby wipes are just suitable for bottoms, they are perfect for faces and fingers too! For babies, toddlers and their parents too!

Choose baby wipes that are kind to your baby’s skin and gentler for the environment

A cellular blanket is a classic new baby gift. Generations of babies have been wrapped and cuddled in these soft loosely knitted blankets. Although they may look similar to one you might have seen in the family house’s attic or in the hospital, modern baby blankets are softer than ever. A cellular blanket is made to be light, durable and buttery soft.Here are a few things to look for in a baby cellular blanket:

• The special knit is either a loose knit, or designed to include little squares or holes. It allows the blanket to be slightly stretchy, wrapping gently around your baby. Baby can still wiggle without kicking the blanket and getting cold.

• A cellular blanket should be 100% cotton. The natural properties of natural cotton will help your baby regulate his temperature, cooling him down in summer and keeping him warm in winter.

• Baby blankets are now available in 100% organic cotton. With organic cotton bedding , you have the guarantee that no harmful chemicals have been used to produce the cotton. This is essential to protect your baby’s delicate skin.

• You might be buying your baby’s cellular blanket while pregnant and before you know whether you’re having a boy or a girl. In that case, the natural cotton (pictured) is a delightful option. The Disana cellular blanket is also available in blue and pink.

• The size of the blanket should be generous enough to use on the floor, in the pram, in the cot, or in the car seat. It is also useful to wrap over your baby while breastfeeding.

Shopping for a new baby gift is fun and exciting. It is a chance to think about the new parents, to celebrate this new life and show our friendship and affection.

Here are our top picks to help you choose a new baby gift:

At the top of the list is Sophie the Giraffe. Let us introduce Sophie: it’s cute, squishy and indestructible. Sophie can be chewed, grabbed, squeezed, pulled by little hands for years to come. It makes a laughing squeak when its tummy is squeezed. Sophie has been a traditional new baby gift for generations of French children. It is now available in the UK. It is made from soft, flexible natural rubber from the Hevea tree.

The new collection of Sea Life soft toys by Under the Nile is simply adorable. They are available individually or as a set of three. They are the perfect size and shape for little hands to grab. The organic cotton is extremely soft. When your children grow, it is a chance to teach them about sea life and the importance of preserving its beauty.

A practical new baby gift can be really special. The new parent can use it every day to wrap their baby in a beautiful product. The baby hooded towel and the cellular blanket from Green Baby are examples of thoughtful gifts. They are made of 100% organic and are incredibly soft. They are so durable that they can be passed down to younger siblings. Giving a baby carrier like the Wilkinet is giving the gift of freedom. Having the possibility of keeping your baby close to you while doing things around the house, playing with older siblings or going out with friends makes life with a new baby so much easier.

Choosing a new baby gift is also a time for luxuries. The sheepskins or lambskins especially designed for babies are sure to be appreciated for years to come. The sheepskin can be used as a play mat to keep baby comfortable, on the floor, in a bed, or the pram.

Don’t forget that the new baby gift doesn’t necessarily have to be for the baby, it can be for his or her mum. A mum with a new baby needs pampered. Going to the spa or the beautician is not be easy when you have a little one in toe. What better present that a Natalia pampering gift set to make the new mum will gorgeous and special?

That’s our top tips, we would love to hear from you. What was the favourite gift you receive when your baby was born?

A baby cellular blanket is a timeless new gift but it’s often not used just as a blanket. There are so many more uses for a cellular blanket:

1. A play mat either at home or on the go. A cotton cellular blanket is easy to wash so if the floor your child is playing on isn’t exactly spotless, that’s no problem. Just pop the blanket in the washing machine when you get home. It is a good idea to buy a couple of blankets. You can use one while the other is being washed.
2. A breastfeeding shawl. The blanket is light and slightly stretchy. It will stay in place nicely if you wrap it over your shoulder while you are breastfeeding your baby. Whether you are looking for comfort or privacy, the blanket will prove lovely.
3. Promote skin to skin. Many midwives and health visitors recommend skin to skin contact between baby and mummy. Skin to skin helps parents bond with the baby, it helps baby regulate his body temperature. It can also encourage breastfeeding and help baby settle more easily. If you’re worried about baby getting cold, wrap the blanket over you two (making sure his face isn’t covered).
4. A swaddling blanket. Swaddling is back “in fashion”. Swaddling is proven to reduce crying for some babies. It probably reminds them of the tight space in the womb. It gives a sense of comfort and familiarity. The special knit of a cotton cellular blanket is ideal for swaddling. The natural properties of cotton will help regulate the baby’s body temperature.
5. A pic nic blanket for baby. When you’re out and about and having a picnic in a park, pop the blanket on the grass. Your child will love the scent of his familiar blanket. It will protect him from the cold too.
6. A protection from the sun on the buggy. You can also pop the blanket over the buggy’s hood to protect your baby from the sun. I don’t know if your buggy sun protection is anything like ours but it kept slipping, the blanket stayed in place!
7. A super hero cape for a toddler. When tiny baby grows into busy toddler, don’t just pack the cellular blanket away.  It is great to play with and will turn into many costumes.
8. A blanket for dolly (or teddy or Mr. Dinosaur)
9. A curtain for a make shift playhouse
10. and 10… what do you suggest for 10? How will you use your cellular blanket? Let us know…

As a new parent, bathing your baby can feel intimidating. We are worried about baby getting cold, slipping, not letting water run in his eyes while supporting his head adequately. Take your time and read these four simple steps to make bath time a very special time for you and your baby. It’s a good idea to talk to your baby as your bathing him. Explain what you’re about to do so he learns to recognise the sounds and isn’t surprised.

1 – Prepare everything you need

You will feel more relaxed if you have everything in hand. Keep a dry warm baby hooded towel handy, a few reusable wipes, the baby natural toiletries and finally his clothing.

2 – Undress your baby

Before undressing your baby, make sure the room is warm. If you’re worried about him getting cold, you can keep the rest of his body wrapped up in the baby hooded towel while you wash his face and his hair.

3 – Gently lower your baby in the bath

Hold your baby firmly by keeping one hand under his neck and head to provide good head support. Use the other hand to support his bottom and legs.

4 – Wash your baby

Keep supporting your baby with one arm while gently rubbing a little bit of natural baby wash over his body. Using a cloth wipe is an easy way to rinse his delicate skin.

5 – Get your baby dressed

Lift your baby out of the bath as you lowered him. Wrap him gently in one of the warm baby hooded towel. Pat him dry gently, paying attention to the skin folds. Be careful not to rub as his skin is so delicate. You can get him dressed or take a few moments to massage him.

With these simple steps, your baby will soon enjoy bath time very much. It won’t be long before he starts splashing about.

For many breastfeeding mothers, not having to buy any baby feeding equipment is a decisive factor in deciding to breastfeed their baby. Exclusive breastfeeding saves money, time and effort.

However there are many times when you may have to be away from your baby. You can continue to breastfeed by expressing breast milk with or without a breast pump and having someone feed your baby breast milk when you’re away. This will allow you to maintain your milk supply, breastfeed your baby as long as you wish and your baby will benefit from having milk exactly tailored to his needs and developmental stage.

Choosing the right breast pump is essential. The most important criteria will be how often you need to use your breast pump:

• When you’re planning to express only every now and then. Even if you’re not planning to be away from your baby, being able to express can help relieve engorged breasts. It can also be useful to feed your baby in long car journeys when baby needs a drink more often than you can stop. If you’re not planning to express more than a few times, then learning to express breast milk by hand is very handy. Contact you local breastfeeding support group.

• For infrequent uses, you might be more comfortable with a manual breast pump. A manual breast pump is easy to use and affordable. It is a good idea to keep one handy should you need to express.

• If you are planning to express more often, an electric breast pump is a wise investment. You will be able to express breast milk more comfortable and more efficiently. Breastfeeding mothers who wish to continue breastfeeding their baby when they return to work often choose a double electric breast pump like the Lansinoh breast pump or the Medela double electric breast pump. These pumps are designed to express both sides at one time. The Medela pump is nice and compact, a handy choice if you’re having to take your pump to work every day. The Lansinoh pump can also be used as a single pump.

Expressing breast milk can feel daunting at first. Choosing the right breast pump is essential for your comfort. You will be able to continue a successful breastfeeding relationship with your baby. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

The Wilkinet is one of the most loved baby carriers. Parents of young babies, parents using a baby sling for the first time are all amazed by the comfort and the ’snug’ feeling when they use a Wilkinet for the first time. It is when you carry your baby for prolonged periods of time that you realise just how comfortable it is. When your Wilkinet is well adjusted, your shoulders or your back don’t hurt. Your baby remains well supported in the baby baby carrier.

Let’s look at some of the reasons that makes the Wilkinet one of the best baby carriers.

• Baby is held close against your body. The Wilkinet keeps the centre of gravity within your body. You don’t need to lean forward or backwards to compensate for your baby’s weight. Your baby is not pulling away from you nor is he dangling from side to side while you walk.

• The Wilkinet is as comfortable as a baby wrap but the streamlined shoulder straps can be easier to use. The straps of the Wilkinet are designed to stay firmly in place, they don’t ride up your back or towards your neck. This would cause pain across parent’s upper back and neck. When the shoulder straps of a baby carrier don’t stay in place, you will often see the parent support the baby’s weight to relieve some of the discomfort.

• The Wilkinet combines some gently padded shoulder straps with a unique method of wrapping the straps. This method distributes the weight evenly without putting causing pressure points.

• The Wilkinet provides gentle support for your baby. The head, back and leg support are all cushioned for his comfort. This padding allows you to snuggle your baby and provide the support he needs for a healthy development, especially for young babies. It supports the baby’s weight under its bottom and thighs, and providing support for his/her back and head as if being held in your arms.

• No rings, zips, clips or buckles. The Wilkinet is purely a tie-on baby carrier. This means you can adjust the baby carrier exactly to your body shape and preferences.