Natural Nursery Blog

Free UK postage on all orders over £25 – reduced from our normal free postage on orders over £75.

Now you can buy a lovely Calin Bleu sling, or a Medela breastpump or a baby lambskin or even treat yourself to a new nursing bra, all without having to pay postage.

No codes to remember, no coupons to collect, just place your order as normal and as long as it is over £25 and you are in the UK, your order will be delivered free of charge.

Offer valid until end of September, while stocks last.

A new study conducted Wilkinet has shown that mothers who were breastfed themselves as a baby are more than twice as likely to breastfeed their own babies.

Another key influence seems to be the use of a baby carrier or baby sling: the study showed that 51% of mothers who carried their baby, breastfed exclusively.

You can read more about this study on our website – http://www.naturalnursery.co.uk/Babies-born-in-2010-can-thank-Grandma-for-being-Breastfed-16-w.asp

We would love to hear from mothers who found that using a baby sling helped them to breastfeed – you can post a comment here or email us at info@naturalnursery.co.uk.

We will pop a little thank you in the post to the most inspiring story next week.

Becoming parents has certainly slowed down our travelling. It is not just that travelling is a bit of a mission with children. Staying home with the children is never boring. From the children’s point of view, a trip to the local farm is an adventure in itself.

With many of our relatives living far away, hardly two months go by without us jetting off somewhere for the weekend.

Here are a few things we have learned over the last two years of travelling with a baby:

• Breastfeed as long as you can: Food for the little one is always ready even when the plane is delayed by a few hours. Breastfeeding babies during take-off and landing also stop their little ears hurting. Don’t worry too much about flying with small children, the white noise of the plan engine often puts them to sleep offering you a peaceful journey.
• Use a baby sling. A baby sling is one of the essential items for smooth travelling and once you have arrived to your destination. You don’t have to worry about the buggy not being delivered to the aircraft door when you land. If you are connecting planes, the buggy is often transferred straight to your second flight, living you to carry your child through the long corridors. Buggies are often damaged during transport too while you can keep your baby sling with you. I have found myself a few times walking up and down the aisle with a fractious baby in the baby wrap to put her to sleep. The baby wrap provided her with a familiar feeling which gave her the reassurance she needed to doze off. A Godsend!
• Bribes, bribes, bribes: bring plenty of biscuits. Oat biscuits are a good choice as they keep them full for longer and avoids the sugar rush which can make them over-excited. For the same reason, bring some water (within the limits allowed) and avoid sugary drinks. Fruit make easy snacks as well.
• Let them run around whenever you can. The children have to sit still for a long time while they are in the plane. While you’re waiting, give them a chance to stretch their legs. Most airports have a play area with crayons or toys.
• Keep the bare minimum hand luggage. It is easier to take care of the children if your hands aren’t full with luggage.
• Tag your tots. There is no worse feeling than turning around for a split second and not being able to spot your child. It happens so quickly. Plan ahead and get a wristband where you can write your mobile number.
• Choosing a seat by the window goes a long way to keep the toddlers entertained: seeing the plane take off and land, seeing how the plane slows down after landing, spot the colours or talk about the clouds…

We hope that you find these few tips on travelling with the children helpful. We would love to hear from you, what are you super-tips for smooth travelling?

Photo credits: Calin Bleu

The Calin Bleu is a simple baby sling. It is made of a simple piece of fabric, especially selected, dyed, cut, and hemmed to guarantee the parent and the baby’s safety and comfort. However, the Calin Bleu can come in handy in so many other ways..

1. a play mat: fold your Calin Bleu in four and it makes an instant play mat for baby. Left as it and it forms a brilliant a highway for a toddler’s cars (or is it a landing strip at the airport?)
2. a picnic blanket: the baby sling offers plenty of space for salads, sandwiches and everyone to sit on. No need to worry about stains and crumbs, it can easily be washed in the washing machine.
3. an improvised changing mat: no matter how well-prepared, there are always those dreaded occasions when one needs a changing mat when none is to be found! The Calin Bleu doubles as a convenient changing mat.
4. a burping cloth: when out and about, the Calin Bleu can be used as an emergency burping cloth, therefore avoiding walking around the rest of the day with a smelly top.
5. a make shift curtain: worried that the bright light will wake up baby from his nap? Just pop the Calin Bleu over the window.
6. a sun protection in the car or in the buggy: make sure that the baby wrap is folded over several times to offer sufficient sun protection.
7. a beach dress: since the baby wrap can be wrapped around the body to carry the baby, it can also double as an improvised beach dress or towel.
8. a blanket: when baby is cold in the buggy, the Calin Bleu can be folded several times to serve as a blanket. Do not use in a cot or in the car. Make sure that the baby does not get tangled in the fabric.
9. a doll carrier: older siblings love role playing and pretending to be mum or dad to their teddies or dollies.
10. Ten is up to you… how will you use your Calin Bleu baby sling?

ergo baby carrier

Many new parents – and mothers in particular – suffer from the lack of support they find when the baby is born. For the first few days, relatives and friends all come around to see the new baby but after a while, visits space out. In traditional societies, new mothers would be surrounded by their own mother, their sisters, aunts, and younger siblings. Everyone would help look after the new mother and the new baby.

Finding yourself at home with a newborn can feel daunting. How do you manage to put the baby to sleep, feed him, make your own meals? Even taking a shower feels like a luxury of the past.

There is one piece of baby gear that helps a new mother feel as if she had an extra pair of arms: an Ergo baby carrier.

• The Ergo baby carrier is designed to be used from birth (with the addition of the infant insert) right until toddler-hood.
• The Ergo baby carrier can be worn on the front, on the hip and on the back.
• The Ergo baby carrier suits parents of different sizes. Even if mum is tiny and dad is tall, they can share the same baby sling. The optional Ergo waist extender adapts the sling to larger parents.
• The infant insert is designed so that baby can recline in the baby sling and sleep comfortably. Once the child is older, he can sleep upright. His head will be supported by the sleep hood.
• It is dad-friendly so dads can carry their baby, put him to sleep in the sling and build a strong bond with their newborn.
• It is even easy to use for grandparents. Relatives are keen to help with the new baby but they don’t always know how. Showing them how to put on the Ergo baby carrier and go for a walk while mum catches up on some well-deserved sleep is ideal.

Have we mentioned how pretty the Ergo baby carrier is? It sounds frivolous to mention how pretty a baby sling is but it actually matters. When you wear your baby sling day in and day out for months, you want to have a carrier that you enjoy wearing, that suits your wardrobe, and makes you feel good.

Many baby carriers can be used with more or less success from birth to toddler. The Ergo baby carrier is truly adaptable to you and your baby and can be used from birth until your baby reaches 18kg (40lb).

What is the Ergo baby carrier?

The Ergo baby carrier is a soft structured baby carrier. It is composed of a body, with a belt secured by two clips around the waist. The top two straps are carried like a backpack, around the shoulders. It forms a pocket where the baby can slide in comfortably.

How do I use the Ergo baby carrier from birth?

The infant insert allows parents to use their baby carrier from birth. The shaped cushion holds the baby in an ergonomically correct position. Place the baby in the infant insert and slide him in the Ergo baby carrier.

How do I use the Ergo baby carrier for front carries?

Place the belt of the carrier around your waist and close the buckles at the back. Bring your baby snug against your chest and, holding the baby with one hand, bring the body of the carrier up with the other hand. Still holding the baby, slip one shoulder strap over your shoulder. Swap hands to do the same on the other side. Pull on the straps until your baby feels nice and snug.

Can I use it for back carries as well?

You can use your Ergo baby carrier on your back from the moment your child can sit unaided or whenever you feel confident. Many parents move to back carries when their child is about nine months old. Remember to close the chest strap.

Is the Ergo baby carrier easy to wash?

The baby carrier can be washed by hand or in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. To avoid washing the carrier frequently, the fabric can be protected by the Ergo sucking pads. The pads clip onto the top straps and baby can then chew on the straps to his heart’s content.

The Ergo baby carrier is a sturdy, easy-to-use and comfortable baby carrier. It can be used from birth well into toddlerhood. It can be worn by parents of different sizes and in several carrying positions. It is so sturdy that it can be used again for a younger sibling without showing any significant sign of wear.

Magazines upon magazines present pregnant mums with a long shopping list for the new baby. While you may not need everything on the list, choosing the new baby’s essential buys carefully can make your life much easier. So what do you truly need for a new baby?

A baby sling is in the opinion of mums who have tried one, the most essential buy for a new mum (and dad!). Newborns need to be held for the first few months of their lives and carrying them is often the most convenient to go places or get anything done around the house. A well made baby sling allows parents to carry their baby comfortably, have their hands free and provide the child with the attention he needs.

A well fitted breastfeeding bra. There may be no need to buy a maternity bra and a breastfeeding bra. Most breastfeeding bras can be worn during pregnancy. The wide straps and soft fabric provide optimum support during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. A good quality breastfeeding bra will be durable and good value. Breastfeeding bras are now available in gorgeous designs and colours.

A nursing pillow may not seem like an obvious essential buy but it provides pregnant and breastfeeding mums the support they need. A nursing pillow can be used during pregnancy to sit or sleep more comfortably. Once the baby is born, it can be used to support the baby’s weight during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. When baby is about to sit unaided, the breastfeeding pillow can be placed behind the child’s back.

It may seem trivial to mention breast pads but any new mum knows that leaky breasts can make a mum feel very self-conscious. Choosing good quality breast pads – either disposable or reusable – and buying plenty is essential.

Before baby is born, it is wise to stock up on healthy snacks. The first few weeks as a new mum are exhilarating but can also be exhausting. Healthy, hearty meals are a good way to sustain energy levels. Babies seem to have a sixth sense to need a feed right when mum was about to eat her own meal, so healthy snacks will be handy.

We’d love to hear from you. What were the essentials you used for your new baby?

Close your eyes for an instant and imagine your baby’s head snuggled up against your chest, his little body tucked up against you in the baby sling. Imagine for an instant meeting up with friends for coffee, getting on the bus without worrying if there is space for your pram. Imagine walking home without worrying that your baby will wake up when you lift him out of the car seat.

Sounds ideal and unrealistic? Well it doesn’t have to be. Using a baby sling for your baby will allow you to keep your hands free. You can keep your baby snuggled up against you and continue doing the things you like doing, inside or outside the house. The Calin Bleu is an excellent baby sling to learn to carry your baby.

The Calin Bleu is extremely soft. The fabric has been especially chosen and dyed in to preserve the fibre’s natural flexibility. The fabric moulds around your baby and your body without creating pressure.

It provides excellent support. The fabric forms wide straps over your shoulder, your back and around your hips to spread your child’s weight effectively.

The Calin Bleu is also remarkably light. At around 1lb it is one of the lightest baby carriers available. It folds neatly in your handbag when you are not using it.

The Calin Bleu offers versatile baby carrying position. Many parents use their baby wrap from birth until toddlerhood. You can carry your child on your front, preferably facing you. You can also carry facing forward for shorter periods of time. Once your baby can sit unaided, you can carry him on your hip. When you feel confident, you can also carry your baby on your back.

Although two sizes are available for convenience, the same baby wrap can be used by parents of different sizes. The parent can choose the carrying method that is the most comfortable for their size.

Your baby wrap can be washed and dried with your regular laundry. The wraps are so light that you can wash it in the evening and it will be dry and ready to use in the morning.

And last but not least, Calin Bleu wraps are extremely good value! Soft, comfortable and versatile, everything you need from your baby sling.

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.

The Wilkinet is a fairly unique baby carrier on the market. Thanks to its clever design, the Wilkinet is as easy to use as a standard baby carrier and as comfortable as a baby wrap. That is no doubt why it has been so popular for almost 30 years. The gently padded straps supports the baby’s weight and spread it evenly across the parent’s shoulders, back and hips.

Why does the Wilkinet have no buckles, clips or zips?

The advantage of buckles, clips and zips is that they allow you to put on your baby carrier quickly.When Sally Wilkins designed the Wilkinet, she experimented with buckles but could never get the same level of comfort than you can achieve with tie-on straps. The wraparound tying method allows to spread the baby’s weight evenly across the parent’s body for all parents, no matter what your size, your body shape, height. Each parent is able to adjust the baby carrier exactly as they wish. This makes a big difference when you carry a child for hours, when you already suffer from back problems, or have a chunky baby.

The Wilkinet holds the baby in the way a baby wrap would, but with more streamlined straps. With its wide gently padded shoulder straps and unique wraparound method of tying the Wilkinet ensures the baby is held snugly and firmly with its weight evenly distributed.

Click here to view the set of instructions to learn to put on your Wilkinet easily and comfortably.