As you enter Eastbourne, a sign will greet you saying 'the Sunshine Coast welcomes you' and today it really lived up to its slogan. The local climate for eastbourne is notable for its high sunshine levels, in fact eastbourne holds the record for the highest recorded hours of sunshine in a month! So it was no suprise that today we were basking in glorious sunshine!
This week both daddy and mummy have a week off, so we have been trying to fill our days with some fun activities for the little man. We decided that today would be the day that we reintroduce swimming ( we may have got a bit carried away, I am worried finny may now think he is a fish, more on this later!)
I use to take finny swimming regularly, but when he started his treatment for plagiocephaly, I stopped taking him. Not because he wasn't allowed to go, the helmet comes on and off easily, I guess I was more worried about germs (not from the pool). Having started his treatment in July it was very hot, and I was more worried that I wasn't going to dry his hair enough and the warm damp conditions would be perfect for those nasty germs and time isn't a luxury you have, with the recommendation of 23 hours a day for optimal results you can't leave it off for long to dry, so I just ended up not going and then it was winter and then I was back at work!
Anyway we decided that after an awful day yesterday with tantrums, we thought swimming might entertain him enough to get through a morning without a meltdown...and it worked! We went yo our local the sovereign centre, it doesn't always have the best reviews but we thought why not, it's just down the road. The main pool has a slow slope, separated with some funky yellow spheres. In this area are lots of water sprays and fountains. I have to say I found the pool clean and good enough for a mornings fun. As per his usual self, finny was a bit apprehensive at first but soon he was loving every minute, running, splashing and thoroughly enjoying himself, he even was bold enough to wander down the slope into deeper water ( of course fully supervised). We shall definatley be going again!!
Daddy has recently got a new bike, so while finny slept daddy had a tinker, my old bike came out for a wash and a tinker also, the plan is to purchase a front end bicycle seat for finny so we can ride through the forest and along the seafront, I am actually quite excited by this!
As the sun continued to shine, we dug out the paddling pool we purchased from tesco for £3 ( I love a bargain) finny has yet to use one, so we filled it up with water and toys ready to suprise him when he woke up (I see you can see the fish reference now). His little face was a picture, he spent all afternoon splashing about, I'm not sure the cats were impressed as there favourite sun spot was now being splashed every few seconds! The pool itself was brilliant, quick and easy to put up and gill, and just as easy to empty and is really robust for the price, I'm hoping it last the rest of summer!
So after a long day training as a water baby, finny had his bath.....haha more water, and then tucked himself into the corner of his cot and readily slipped into the land of nod, where he has been and will hopefully stay until at least 7am tomorrow - what a beautiful day we have had!
Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly & Brachycephaly) is still a term that is relatively unheard of amongst parents, which is surprising considering just over 46% of infants between 7 -12 weeks show symptoms (Mawji, 2012). That's almost 1 in 2 or to put it into context, if you have more than one child, one of those children may very well develop symptoms of Flat Head Syndrome, Shocking when it's put like that and infuriating that parents are still not given any information relating to the condition prior to or soon after birth.
I will often to be chatting to people about my blog and I am still stunned to hear the response 'oh I have never heard of that!' and I think how can that be? It basically boils down to lack of advice and guidance from our health care professionals, but can we blame them? They follow guidance from above which currently states Flat Head Syndrome as merely a cosmetic issue, that will right itself by the infants 1st birthday and therefore the NHS do not fund corrective treatment.
Where does this advise come from? There has been so little research on the condition in the UK, that as a graduate of a scientific discipline, I find it startling that this advice can be dished out, with very little evidence to back it up. You only have to google 'Flat Head Syndrome' to find many parents with infants coming close to that year mark, that still have noticeable flatness and are desperate to get some help.
So I was excited when I came across an a study carried out in the Netherlands recently and published by the BMJ on plagiocephaly treatment and the effectiveness of corrective helmets, and compared a group of infants with moderate head deformities in treated and non treated groups. I read it straight away and soon my excitement turned to disappointment not only did the report conclude there being little difference between results of the two groups, I was sure the report had major flaws and would put corrective helmet treatment in a negative light, when it is actually an extremely safe and highly effective form of treatment. Articles like this can really influence parents and I fear some may end up delaying treatment due to this conclusion. So I did a bit of digging to see if others thought the same.
Technology in motion, Finnys Helmet Provider had already responded to the article here and concluded that the problems with the report were:
unsound selection of protocols
Flawed Treatment regimes
High drop out rate of the treated Group
selective reporting of data
combining of data regarding different head shapes
averaging the data, that mask individual achievements
It was great to know that it wasn't just me that had worries about this study and I would highly recommend reading their response. I would like to say that I don't disagree with this study because it doesn't reflect the result I would like to see, rather it worries me that the flaws in the study are portraying the treatment in the incorrect light. Studies like his one are in urgent need and should be welcomed with open arms, however they should not contain flaws and biases - this is not good scientific practise and can jeopardise the treatment of any future infants due to flawed unsupervised methods. In order for this treatment to be effective and for the study to be scientifically sound the helmet must fit correctly and be worn for 23 hours a day. The groups were not monitored to ensure this happened and helmets were removed due to the babies being uncomfortable. Now when you look at the image above taken from the study, it is obvious the helmets did not fit correctly and of course were uncomfortable - How can this give correct results?
Finnys Improvement after only 2 weeks
I would like to take this opportunity as a mother of an infant who has graduated corrective helmet therapy, that we gained amazing results after only 101 days in treatment. Finnys head is visually rounder and his facial features are now aligned. This is after almost 180 days of 'natural' treatment (repositioning) having minimal effect during the time period when the infants heads are most pliable and repositioning to be at its most effective. We saw an instant reduction of 4mm within the first two weeks of treatment alone. We followed treatment methods 100% which saw Finny wearing his helmet comfortably for 23 hours a day. He showed no signs of discomfort or sores as described in the study, as the helmet fitted perfectly and was adjusted as he grew and his head changed shape. Technology in motion provide honest first class advice and treatment, only 70% of infants they see require corrective helmet treatment and they advocate repositioning as a first means of treatment. Of the 70% that do require treatment 95% go on to achieve excellent correction and I have yet to hear or meet anyone who has been anything but happy with their treatment.
Ddisclaimer: This is not a sponsored post, all views regarding TiM are based on my own personal experience.
I can't believe it was a week ago I was joining in the hustle and Bustle of Britmums Live - Time Flies (I have been especially busy putting to use all those tips I gained from the event to good use).
It was my first time a Britmums and I felt ever so nervous, a teeny bit unorganised and really not having a clue what to expect. I tried to explain to my friends and family what Brit mums was, but I couldn't really because I dint have a clue myself. Roll on a week, I still cant explain. To the non blogger it's really hard! What I can say though is its amazing, I loved it so much! I would like to say thanks to my Sponsor Purflo for letting me represent them as a brand ambassador and allowing to experience Britmums
So here goes a little snippet of my two day (you can check out more on the Britmums Linky, although I am sad to say i didn't take enough photos (lesson 1 learned!) but hopefully you can get a small idea from what I do have.
So I arrived in London slightly early to meet my sponsor and other blogger girls at the hotel. A s a seasoned traveller in London, I didn't expect to many problems getting to the hotel. I was extremely nervous, but having found everyone I shouldn't have worried. A couple of girls had a few places they needed to go, but the rest of us took a slow walk to the Brewery - that's when the fun began!! I think I must have looked like a rabbit in head lights. I never do anything like this on my own, I picked up my tag, and made my through the hall - not really knowing what to do or where to go, i was greeted by a hum and loads and loads and loads of stands, brands and bloggers - oh god please help me! That's when I bumped into Michelle from 'what mummy thinks' and we spent the next few days together being silly, stealing (by accident and then returning) props, entering competitions, destroying stalls (again by accident) and most importantly learning how to develop our blogs!
Theres so many fantastic talks to choose from and at times I found it really difficult to pick, but as a newbis(ish) beginner, my choices were based really around how to begin, so I decided to attend the following:
Writing a Pitch: How to work with brands you love
Design tips to make your blog look gorgeous
How To Be an Agent of Change: Advocacy and charity campaigns
Pinterest: How to be a power pinner
Collaboration: Working together for bigger traffic and larger impact
Beginning blogging: What every beginner and post-beginner needs to know, in simple and clear teaching
How to Instagram Better: Take gorgeous snaps, build followers, be part of the community
I spent the Friday evening with my Sponsor Stacey from Purflo and they other Brand ambassadors, we had a lovely meal together and shattered we headed back to the hotel for some much needed shut eye!! I had been so busy taking everything in that I hadn't expected how much it would wear me out (I have been quite poorly recently so it doesn't take much!)
The second day was pretty much the same as the first, talks, food, tea and being silly again. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Britmums and I am already looking forward to next year. I would say to any newbies thinking of going in 2015 don't worry, your have lots of fun, here's some of my top tips:
Wear comfy shoes - lots of walking!
If you haven't got any make some cards with your blog and contact details to hand out
Drink - I was so busy i forgot to have enough water and had a little headache
Take lots of pictures - i didn't take enough :(
Take a big bag with wheels - you get given lots of bits and bobs, my bag was too small and I ended up carrying about 3 full bags through London.
Relax - everyones friendly, your have a brilliant time!
My Favourite Moment: The Keynote Speach from Benjamin Brooks Dutton - although it brought a tear to my eye on more than one occasion, he is a true inspiration, pop over to his blog Life as a Widower to follow his story.
Well as the title says I'm going to London on Friday to "BritMums Live" a social media conference and blogging event where lifestyle bloggers and social influencers gather to meet and
socialise, network with brands, improve their skills, and fire their
creativity .
I'm very excited and Very Nervous all at the same time, This is the first time I have ever been to anything like this and I'm not the best social Butterfly so I'm really hoping my nerves don't get the better of me!
So After having a nosy I found a Britmums Introduce yourself so here goes:
Name: Heidi Brown Blog: My Little Head Twitter ID: @my_little_head Height: 5ft 2 Hair: Brown Eyes: Greeny Brown Is this your first blogging conference?
It is I'm excited and Nervous!! Are you attending both days?
Yes, although I may have to leave slightly early on Saturday depending on train times What are you most looking forward to at BritMums Live 2014?
I'm looking forward to meeting all the other bloggers and my sponsors What are you wearing?
Typically last minute, I haven't got a clue, something comfy, I will try a steer away from my usual jeans and T. What do you hope to gain from BritMums Live 2014?
I'm quite new to blogging and having been a bit absent, I'm really looking forward to gaining some good tips how to get the blog up and running properly Do you have any tips to pass on to others who may not have been before?
I've not been before so not yet!!
I also want to take this opportunity to thank my wonderful sponsors Purflo for enabling me to experience BritMums, and to congratulate them as their PurFlo SleepSac has been awarded Gold for Nursery Accessory of the year by Prima Baby & Pregnancy Awards 2014!! We have recently reviewed the sleepsac and we loved it so its no surprise why!
After a little Hiatus we are back!! I hadn't intentionally meant to ignore the blog, I've had so many ideas in my head, but since the new year I haven't been very well. I'm still unsure what I have, I'm guessing I have just had a Virus or Post Viral Fatigue. I came down with a really bad bout of Flu in January and since then I have had illness after illness after illness, I feel I have been ill every other week this year and on top of that it has left with with such little energy I want to be in bed at 8pm every night. I feel the thing is its not that obviously how unwell I've been feeling because all these things have been mild, but they knock me out for a good while and just when I recover, I come down with something else. The doctors thought it was Glandular Fever but I haven't had anything conclusive back and was told if it was there is little they can do for it, Anyway I have been feeling slightly better recently (until I caught whatever Fin had a few days ago) so I'm hoping the warm weather will help knock this on the head once and for all!
So apart from illness, so much has happened in the last few months, Finny had his 1st Birthday in February!! I think Im gonna have to get a photo log up, one per month for all the months we've been away so you can see how much he has grown!!
We have three new little friends Mila, Jasper and Lily - Mae all born in the last few months and Finnys little cousin Lexi made an appearance 2 weeks early Born on 10th June weighing 7lb 9oz - welcome to the world Lexi!!!
The beautifully soft & comfortable PufFlo SleepSac is the most anti-allergenic,anti-bacterial, sleeping bag on the market
100% Bamboo Dream lining
Environmentally friendly Bamboo fabric is 60% more absorbent than cotton & has natural anti-bacterial properties
Anti-allergenic Amicor filling, prevents build up of bacteria and dispels dust mites that are linked to Asthma and Eczema
100% cotton outer
Detachable sleeves
Integrated scratch mit to keep hands warm and protect against scratching (sizes 0-3 month & 3-9 months only)
Full zip open front for easy access night time nappy changing
Zip guard to prevent the zip scratching babies skin
Review:
As with the Koo-di products I have been reviewing, I was really really excited to also be reviewing the PurFlo Sleep Sac! The Purflo brand is one that I really truly love, creating products based upon science about how to reduce the risk of SIDS and overheating as well as using anti allergenic and breathable materials. PurFlo really do know how to help us parents worry less!
The sleep sac arrived a little later than the other items and I was peering out the window every half hour or so anticipating its arrival. We have used sleep sacs quite a lot as Finny is such a wriggler, but we have always had to go for budget options. When this arrived - wow! The quality of the materials is amazing. I'm not saying that budget options are bad options, I love some of our budget buys, but this sleep sac just feels lovely and you can tell the materials are of the highest quality. I would be happy to sleep in this if I fitted - which is probably not far of as there is so much room in this for growing little babies!!
The design of this sac is beautiful, really simple, but really lovely. The particular sac we were sent had a cute little giraffe sown onto front - Its as if they Knew that Finnys Nursery is Animal themed, with Giraffes everywhere, so it really fitted in well with us! There is also a lovely little embroidered Purflo logo on the chest which fits in nicely with the design of the sac rather than looking out of place. The colour we were given was a nice neutral beige and white. However there are lots of other designs and colours to choose from so there is bound to be something for everyone!
What I really liked about the purflo sleep sac is that it comes with removable arms, so on really cold nights they can really snuggle up all nice and warm. Our house remains quite warm, so I took the sleeves off to prevent Finny getting too hot. They are attached by Zips, and they remove really easily. I thought I better try and get them back on to see how fiddly it was, but again, the popped back on really easily. Its really nice to know that we have these in the draws if the temperature does suddenly drop - I'm sure people keep mention snow is due!!
I gave the job to Chris of getting Finny in the sleep sac, and he had no problems at all. The sac does up from the top, through the centre, down to the side and around the bottom. So you can lay the sac on the floor completely open, place your baby in it and quickly zip them up again - before they escape!! Finny looked so comfy in his cot , drinking his bedtime milk, I would highly recommend this sleep sac to anyone, and even more so if your baby has sensitive skin, brilliant design, brilliant product!
The Embroidered Sleep Sac is available on the Purflo website and comes in sizes 0 - 3, 3 - 9, 9 - 18 & 18 Months +. You have a choice or 1 or 2.5 tog and comes in various colours and designs. Priced £29.95 - £49.95 (Dependant on size, colour, tog and design).
Its been awhile since I updated anything Plagiocephaly related - so here's some interesting Flat Head Syndrome Facts for you!!
1. Babies develop Flat Heads because there skulls are soft and pliable!
2. There are 3 types of Flat Head syndrome, depending on the shape/position of flatness:
Plagiocephaly - left or right side flattening
Brachycephaly - back Flattening
Scaphocephaly - long Narrow Head
(L-R: Brachycephaly, Plagiocephaly and Scaphocephaly)
(Finnys Plagiocepahly at 4.5 Months characterises by the flattening to the back right side and the blossoming to the front right side)
3. 47% of babies now develop the condition to some degree - That's almost 1 in 2!
4. Your baby is more likely to develop Flat Head Syndrome if:
its your first baby
your baby is a boy
your baby was breech
you baby is a twin (or multiple)
your was premature
your baby has reflux
your baby has Hip Dyslapsia
5. You can decrease the risk of your baby developing Flat head syndrome with simple techniques such as:
baby wearing - slings rather than pushchairs
limit the amount of time in baby rockers
plenty of tummy time
6. Flat Head Syndrome in babies younger than 5 months can be treatable with repositioning techniques!!
If you notice your baby is developing a flatness, keep the pressure of the spot for as long as possible during the day, lots of tummy time, reduce time in bouncer and carry your baby in a sling while you do your day to day activities (they will love this!!) It can be reversed at this age in many cases!!
7. Cranial Osteopathy can really help reduce flatness in babies under 5 months!
8. Cranial Remoulding Helmets help treat babies from 5 - 14 months of age!
After 5 months of age a babies skull begins to harden, and repositioning is less responsive, Between 5 and 14 months the skull has enough growth and softness to have significant improvement with helmet treatment, after 14 months the babies skull has had its major growth and has hardened significantly that even cranial helmets will not improve the condition.
(Finny shortly after having his helmet fitted at 5 months)
9. The NHS does not fund Cranial Helmet Therapy as they deem the condition to be cosmetic only, however, there are numerous reports associating Flat head syndrome with a number of issues:
A high risk for learning
delays and developmental delay
Increased need for special
services when the child reaches school age
Orthodontic and TMJ issues
Scoliosis
Visual disturbances
including visual field defects, and astigmatism
auditory problems and
infections
Psychological/social issues
10. Treatment is available Privately at a cost of about £2000 at clinics such as:
Technology in Motion
Doc band
Steeper clinic
The Charity Headstart4babies.org can offer financial assistance to some families.
Anti slip surface and soft padding which is kind to parents knees
Hanging hook attached for storing and drying
Makes bath time a more comfortable experience
Perfect protection for your knees whilst bathing baby
Non slip to ensure it stays in place
Quick drying, mildew resistant
Made from Phthalate free EVA
Dimensions: 395 x 215x 40 mm
Review: We love Bath time in this house, and bathing Finny every evening can take its toll on my poor old knees, so I was intrigued to start testing this product out!
The mat is made from what I would describe as a similar material to that of swimming pool floats, but more squishy but still firm. The Mat again is just as vibrant and funky with its tell tale Koo-di polka dots (which we love) but it comes with two blue circles, so you know where to put your knees for maximum comfort. The size is really nice, not too big, but enough room to be able to move about if need be.
One edge is nice and straight so it fits snugly up against the bath, so you don't have to lean too far to reach in and as i said, this material really cushions when knelt on, which was pleasantly surprising. W e have Carpet in our bathroom, but I am sure this would material would be great non slip as stated in the description.
On the back is a little hook, that allows you to hang this up out of the way and to dry if need be - unfortunately we don't have anywhere to hang it, instead we prop it up against bath (which led us to find this seconds up as a rather funky floating bath tray, I'm sure Finny loved this use better!)
Overall, this is great product, but I think little Nanny will be getting more use out of this than I will, just because I like to sit awkwardly and she has poorly knees so it will really make things a lot more comfortable for her and allow her to be closer during bath times.
The Koo-di Parent Kneeling Mat is available on the Koo-di website and is priced at £12.99.
Protect your baby from scalding themselves on a hot tap
Helps prevent against bumps
Soft yet durable cover fits securely on most single taps or mixer taps
Heat spots change colour to indicate temperature
Easy to fit and use
Made from Phthalate free PVC
Mildew resistant
Dimensions: 130 x 102 x 102 mm
Review:
When the Bath Protector arrived, I thought Brilliant, what a fantastic Idea. This again is in Koo-di's Polka dot design. Its a great innovative idea that solves the problem of hot taps and bumps on the head! The item itself is a littler larger than I expected, but this isn't a problem and when I say larger its hardly that large, I think I was just expecting something smaller. It slips easily over your tap, with a star shaped flexi - grip. It also has a large hole allowing water to run through, enabling you to keep it on the taps as you run the bath.
Now, the protect has a beautiful bright red end, which I thought was like a nose (Rudolf and all that, must have had xmas heavily engrained on my mind), and really this teaches me that I should really read the packaging properly!!
This red patch is heat sensitive, Its great!!! As the water gets hotter, the red begins to fade, and the word 'HOT' appears (now as I didn't read it, I thought the colour was running off Haha I make myself laugh sometimes). I think this is perfect, especially when teaching older babies about not to touch hot things!
The only issue I had with this protector is it did not stay on my tap properly, which makes me sad. A small nudge and it would fall off. However I believe this is entirely down to the shape of my tap, which slants downwards. If your taps are straight, then do not let this put you off, this is a great little product, however if your taps have a slant to them, do air with caution as you may have similar issues to me!
Tap protector saving a bump or two!
Overall though, I love this product, the design and the heat sensitive end really is a new idea that really makes this product stand out and if like Finny, your little ones are insistent of sitting right next to the tap no matter how many times you move then - this product really could be for you! I just wish we had a different Tap - Thumbs Up!
The Tap Protector can be Purchased on the Koo-di website at £9.99.
Rating: (only 3 due to the fact it didn't stay put)
Just a quick one, I couldn't resist. Daddy had the day off to babysit
while I worked as I had to rearrange sitters this week and ended up
without one for today. Anyway Chris was very excited to have a boys day,
this is what they got up too - how cute. Love these boys!
Hx
Well its been a while since I posted an 'us' update, so here it is - I know we all like to have a nose what one another are up too!!
Well - I have returned to work Part-time, its not easy I wont lie. Fin is great, he stays with my mum and my friend at the moment and he doesn't kick up any fuss what so ever which is brilliant. Hopefully we will get Nursery arranged soon - and he can start having some learning fun!
The reason its been hard is more down to the fact that, I have so little time, and I'm always so tired - but I guess that goes with the territory. Unfortunately, I am not in the best paid Job right now, so its quite hard making ends meet - but as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I know there's a job out there for me where I can use my qualifications - perhaps it closer than I realise!! (haha sneaky sneaky laugh laugh).
I took the little Monster to get weighed Last week. First time I've actually been able to go in 3 months - I thought I may get told off, but he's a porker with his food and I was worried about anything, otherwise I would have made time.
So in true 'Heidi' Style, my nerves creep up on me (I have no idea why I get nervous waiting for Finny to be weighed, silly really). Finny decides he wants to play while we wait, I let him play. Finny then decides he doesn't want to play, but he wants to crawl under the chairs and through the peoples legs behind my seat. So we spend the next few minutes, trying to deflect this - then OMG he craws under, and as I'm pulling him out, I donk his head (Now Finny seems to donk his head most days atm, hes a boy, hes into everything, usually head first), I don't donk it hard, but he looks at him then holds his head and whimpers a sad little whimper. I start rubbing it better, apologising and look up and glance the HV looking at me. I go a darker shade of crimson and get called for the weighing - oops. Finny was fine, there wasn't even a mark, but I am left very embarrassed.
So we get him weighed and he has stayed put on his 75th Percentile and now weighs 22lb05oz!! woohoo go Finny!
Now Finny decides he doesn't want a new nappy on or does he want to get dressed, so I get hotter and hotter and more flustered and embarrassed - I must look a right state! Eventually we mange to get the nappy on wonky, and minus coat, socks and gloves - what a palaver!
The Cheeky Monster Pre Xmas!
Anyway I mentioned to the HV that on the odd occasion, Finny seems to still have a very slight lean to the right. So she has suggested to get a doctor to look at it if we are concerned as he's almost 1 now. So were see over the next few weeks, if it is still there or I am just being Paranoid. Will keep you posted!
I think are first steps are going to be just around the corner. We are doing a lot of cruising atm, and we have had several occasions where we can stand unaided, but fall when we laugh and clap our hands at being so clever - He's too cute!
We are both very excited that Sing and Sign is starting again Tomorrow. Finny loves it, I wasn't sure he was going to pick much up, but as he enjoys the songs ad interaction we booked again - then low and behold - he starts signing 'more' to me during tea the other day, now its constant 'more' 'more' 'more'!! Trust Finnys First Signs to be food related!!
On to me - I have started a 3 and Half week SlimFast Plan - not good with diets and not good drinking my water, but I vow to once and for all loose these last pesky pounds that are hanging around!!
(item code: KD036) Ideal as an extra layer of bedding, a play rug or as a pram blanket.
Made from soft & fluffy easy care polyester fabrics
Trimmed with a fun, bright polka dot print
Size: 100 x 75cm
Perfect for use in combination with the Koo-di Pop-Up Travel Cots
Machine washable at 40ºC
Review:
Here at home, we have quite a few generic blankets for fin, So i wondered at first how this blanket was going to be different to any of them, I was pleasantly surprised.
Those that have read my Koo-di Snug suit Review, will be aware how I fell in love with it because of how soft it was. Well, this blanket is made from the same stuff, so instantly it was off to a winner!
What I really liked about this blanket which stands it out from a general blanket is the fact that it has two different sides, one side is soft and fleecy and the other is soft and fluffy (Just like the Snug Suit!) - I like to think this Keeps your little one Extra warm on those chilly Trips out, and it did just that - Finny looked so cosy all wrapped up in this Blanket and when we got back in, he just felt so warm and snug, no signs of the cold, chilly winter on him!
Above: A couple of shots showing the fluffy side and fleecy side
Once again the blanket is designed neutrally, so is perfect for a little pink or blue Little One, but it still has the funky, vibrant polka Dots of the Koo-di brand to liven it up a little. This Blanket like the snug suit, is also an creamy white colour, which again is great for not instantly showing dirt up, so your Little one can have a good tug and play with it, without it instantly looking dirty!
The blanket also works well as a small play mat if your out and about (or like us have cold Laminate Flooring). It folds up really easily, so if your not using it as a blanket you can tuck it away easily in your change bag or buggy, ready to pop out if your baby wants to have a sit and play while you have a coffee somewhere!
Just woken up from Nap time, enjoying some milk, snugly wrapped up in the Koo-di Fluffy Blanket :)
Its a great size too, not too small - Big enough to cover your Baby with a little give and take, but not too big that there is excessive blanket hanging about. Its also just the right thickness to be used as an additional layer during bedtimes on those extra cold nights!
The Koo-di Fluffy Baby Blanket is available on the Koo-di Website here, priced at £23.99
Rating:
Hx
Reviews coming soon: Koo-di bath Tap Protector and Parent Kneeling Mat & Pur-Flo Sleep Sac
Baby safety is something that every parent worries about and each and everyone of us would do anything to keep our little ones safe. We buy monitors, stair gates, door clips, fireguards, non slip sleep suits, even temperature sensitive feeding spoons to name just a few products - but the list could go on and on and on with new products being designed everyday. One things for sure, parents will always want whats best for there babies and will continue the demand for ever safer products.
So, it confused me when it came to researching the next stage car seat for little Finny, that there was so little advice for parents about Rear Facing seats?!
To be totally honest, I didn't even realise rear facing was an option for older babies and toddlers until I started having a good old nose on the Internet (and it did take a while to find if you don't know what your looking for!), But what I did find sealed my choice for rear facing in an instant!
Rear facing seats are proved to be 5x safer in a collision than forward facing seats!!
I saw this video on the website Rear Facing: The way Forward showing how a collision impacts on a child's body in a forward facing seat Vs a Rear facing seat and it really shows how the forces act upon a little body, flinging the head forward so sharply, it's scary. Babies bodies are so different to adults in make-up and proportions, that their bodies respond differently to an adults in a collision. An impact can be much more devastating to a baby than an infant. This is due to the babies head being 25% larger in proportion to its body than an adults. A babies skeleton has also yet to solidify into bone, so the force can stretch and snap the babies neck easier than an adults - sad, scary but true (I am not trying to scare tactic anyone into Rear Facing, I just want Parents to know the risks fully, so they can make up there own mind). In addition the rib cage, still soft can not protect the vital organs against forces exerted from the straps which can lead to devastating damage. In a rear facing seat, the head, neck and Chest are cushioned from the impact by the seat, the head is not flung forward.
As I found more and more information, I didn't understand and still don't that with such a large number of facts and Scientific Literature proving Rear Facing is safer, the information to parents is still so so limited. We are inundated with Front facing seats on the Market, but very few Rear Facing. In fact the UK even recommend that a baby can be moved Forward Facing at 9 months - Would you not think Front Facing was safe, if this was all you knew? These Seats do go through a vigorous assortment of safety test, to which they must all pass to a high degree - but they are NOT tested on how the force of a collision will act upon a little ones neck!
I have spoken to a number of people about Rear facing and the common consensus for Forward facing seems to be:
'My baby wants to be able to see where he/she is going and enjoys seeing forward' and/or 'My babies legs are too long to sit against the back seat'
I would like to point out that a baby.... (Well anyone actually) can see more rear facing than forward facing. In a forward Facing seat, a baby can not see out of the front window, they are positioned in a way that they can see only out of the door window. At this angle objects are rushing towards them between 30 - 70mph and we all know its impossible to focus on anything like this. A baby can actually see better facing rearwards, as they can see everything that has passed. They also, depending on the model of your car can see out of the back window!! So to any Parent who is worried about there nosey baby missing out, don't be, they can see just fine!
Also the Rear facing seats have lots of leg room, the majority sit slightly further back in the seat allowing for room for little legs to dangle and as they get bigger, toddlers will naturally cross there legs in most cases anyway.
What about broken legs in accident? Well if the force is strong enough to break your child's leg during a crash Rear facing, then the force forward facing is a lot more stronger and would do a lot more damage to your little ones neck - I know what I would rather want fixed! However, there have been no reported cases of Rear Facing Infants hurting their legs in comparison to the multitude of neck injuries sustained by Forward Facing Babies -See this list of literature on Rear Facing. So again, don't worry about this, there's tonnes of room for your little one!
**UPDATE: Rear facing have written a brilliant article about leg room Here! **
On a final point, We all think we are the safest drivers on the road and we wouldn't put ourselves in harms way and I agree us parents wouldn't, but what about the hooligan driving over the speed limit on the wrong side of the road coming round the bend?? It can happen, when you least expect it - its other people you can't trust!
I guess what I would like to say in this post is I am all for personal choice, I want you to make your own decisions and that the choice currently is yours to make. However I want parents to know the risks associated with choosing Forward Facing seats. I am not a Nazi, which I have seen so many people get called, who promote Rear Facing, but I get confused when I see parents doing everything they can to keep their babies safe in every other aspect of there life, but are so quick to dismiss Rear facing. I believe this is just down to lack of knowledge. We are led to believe that forward facing is best, when really its not.
I would highly recommend that anyone looking for their next stage car seat to have a look through the Rear Facing website, there is some great information there. I think all parents should be advised of these facts before purchasing a car seat. If then you still chose to go forward facing, then that is your choice. As I have mentioned I am all for personal choice, I just want to ensure all parents know the facts before they make that choice.
One last point I would like to make is how expensive Rear Facing Car seats are in comparison to Forward Facing and it I find it such a shame that some parents may who may want their child to remain rear facing are priced out. There shouldn't be a price on a child's Safety, but it seems currently in the UK there is!
This is my first Review For Koo-di who, before xmas sent me their beautiful Polka Dot Snug Suit to review over the xmas period!
Manufacture Description:
(item code: KD033 KD034 KD035) Soft and cosy all-in-one suit to keep little ones snug :
Ideal to keep warm while out and about
Colourful non-slip pads on the bottom and feet will help baby grip more easily when seated, standing or walking
Easy to use with the harness of a pushchair, car seat or highchair
Made from soft easy care polyester fabrics
Machine washable at 40ºC
Available in three sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-12 months
Review:
I have to say from the instant I picked the suit out of the box, I was in Love and desperate to know if little Finny was going to fit in it as at 10 months old and slightly larger than average for his age he was at the top end of the age band for his size suit, 6 - 12 months. However we had nothing to worry about, there was soooooo much room in this suit it will probably fit him way past his 1st birthday, which coincides nicely with this winter season :)
Why did I fall instantly in love with this suit? Because this suit is so beautifully made and feel like silky smooth velvet against your little ones skin. I honestly wish this was could be made into an adult onsie, I would wear it!! (and this is saying something as I'm not so much a fan of Onsies). I can't stress enough how soft this suit is. In addition to this, the suit is lined in a soft fluffy material, which unlike some materials is not itchy but again soft soft soft - perfect for keeping your little one nice and snug (Calling this a snug suit was genius!) on those cold winter days!
The suit itself is neutrally designed, perfect for both Boys and Girls, but to jam it up a bit has the multi coloured Koo-di polka dots on the bottom, soles of the feet and tucked away in an extra piece of fabric at the tops of the feet - which enables your little one to still be able to flex/move their feet. The polka dots on the bum and soles are made from non slip material which allows your little one to move about without slipping while wearing the suit, especially handy if you have laminate floors like us and a baby that refuses to stay put for more than two seconds!
What I also like about this suit is the colour, its slightly off white, more of an ivory, creamy white which I think is perfect. I know a baby in pure white is special, but so so so impractical!!! That's why this colour is great, if it gets a bit dirty its not going to show up too bad (unless something inevitably gets thrown over it!).
Which moves us onto washing, the suit is Machine washable at 40c - I was reluctant to wash it at first, because I loved it so, but it had to be tested and I can say it feels just as gorgeous as it did before - do not be afraid to wash it, it comes out sparkling again!!
I was really impressed with the design of this suit, which incorporates both zip and buttons which made it really really easy to get on and off. There is a zip that zips up on one leg from the ankle to the waist and then above this there are three buttons that do up in a diagonal line. Its great!!
Clockwise from Top Left: Buttons and Zip, Non Slip Bum , Non Slip Soles with Flexi Holes and fluffy soft inside against a velvet soft outside.
One of my only worries that came with this suit, was with regards to safety in the car seat. I'm sure we have all read about the horrors of babies not been strapped into seats correctly due to oversizes coats and snowsuits. Well Koo-di, state this suit is easy to use with Harnesses on pushchairs and car seats etc. I am pleased to confirm that I did not have any issue with this. Unlike some suits, this suit is not bulky, you can fit the straps nice and snug still without having to worry there's too much 'coat' in the way and I had no worries about this once I had strapped him in and examined everything.
Finny all snug and warm enjoying a walk around the Harbour
The Koo-di Snug suit is available to buy from the Koo-di website here in sizes 0-3, 3-6 and 6 - 12 Months priced at £28.99, £30.99 and £32.99 respectively. This suit would make a beautiful edition to any babies wardrobe and comes Highly recommended by Me and Finny!!
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