TOP 100 BABY PRODUCTS - Top Tips Edition
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TOP TIPS EDIT ION
5
“A grand adventure is about to begin
- Winnie the Poo
”
WELCOME TO THE TOP 100 BABY PRODUCTS
FROM THE FOUNDERS ZAC & LETICIA
As parents of two young children close in age we were overwhelmed when introduced to the world of baby products, a sea of choices and disparate sources of informaJon meant our wide-‐eyed selves made many silly (and at best, humorous) purchases. The Top 100 Baby Products is a FREE one-‐stop guide and rich online content plaSorm for insight into the early years parenJng experience. EnJrely determined by parents sharing valuable knowledge and experience, it is not just for parents, but grandparents, friends and care providers -‐ because we don’t make these decisions alone! We are a collecJve of industry experts, writers, researchers, photographers, foodies, illustrators, teachers and of course -‐ every day parents! To learn about the Top 100 baby Products please visit top100babyproducts.com. In this special TOP TIPS ediJon we present you with everything you’ll need to know along with some inspiraJon on this wonderful journey you have embarked on.
DIGITAL EDITON -‐ COMING SOON -‐
Subscribe for your FREE copy, along with the latest on top baby products, offers, expert insight, tips and musings from our contributors and guest bloggers
TOP100BABYPRODUCTS.COM
GET TO KNOW US
How it works The Top 100 Baby Products is a vote-‐driven guide. Our research team reaches out to parents throughout the UK to share their knowledge and experiences. This is done via focus groups, birth centres, baby shows, health centres, nurseries, online parenJng networks and social media. With no pre-‐selected list of products to choose from, any product can be voted for. Votes are submi^ed primarily with our online form however Twi^er and Instagram is also at hand for the social media savvy -‐ #top100babyproducts. This informaJon is pooled together, collated and shortlisted based on 5 key criteria:
VALUE FOR MONEY
FUNCTIONALITY
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
SAFETY
STYLE
PUSHCHAIRS iCANDY Peach
BUGABOO Cameleon CYBEX Priam
MACLAREN Quest STOKKE Xplory
BABY JOGGER City Mini GT PHIL & TEDS Navigator MOUNTAIN BUGGY Duet
JOOLZ Day Quadro COSATTO Giggle
CAR SEATS & TRAVEL MAXI-‐COSI CabrioFix
BABY BJORN Miracle Carrier LITTLE LIFE Ranger Carrier NUNA Sena Travel Cot RECARO Monza Nova
ORBIT BABY G3 ERGO BABY 360 Carrier Dusty
SIGG Kids Bo^les TRUNKI Travel Luggage
BESAFE iZi Go
BABY NURSERY RED CASTLE Cocoonababy
CHIICCO Next2Me MY BOORI Eton Cotbed
ADEN + ANAIS Classic Swaddles MOBA Moses Basket
SWEET DREAMERS Ewan the dream sheep FISHER PRICE Rainforest Jumperoo
TINY LOVE Gymini Bouncer JOHN LEWIS Spring cot ma^ress THE GRO COMPANY Grobag
BATHING & BABY CARE MUSTELA Shampoo
BABY BJORN Smart Po^y CUDDLEDRY The Original Cuddledry BRUSH BABY Chewable Toothbrush
GREEN PEOPLE Organic Babies Nappy Baby Balm ANGELCARE Soi Touch Bath Support
TOTS BOTS Bamboozle Stretch PAMPERS Baby Dry Nappies
TOMMEE TIPPEE Healthcare Kit WATER WIPES Water Wipes
HIGHCHAIRS BABY BJORN AppeJte BROTHER MAX Scoop
MAMAS & PAPAS Prima Papa MOUNTAIN BUGGY Pod Portable
STOKKE Tripp Trapp COSATTO Noodle Supa MOTHERCARE Valencia BABIES R US Baby Hi-‐Lo KNUMA Connect 4-‐in-‐1
IKEA AnJlop
BABY TOYS JELLYCAT Bashful Bunny
VTECH First Steps Baby Walker GREAT LITTLE TRADING CO Noah’s Ark
MANHATTAN TOY Skwish TOMY Hide ‘n’ Squeak Eggs
LEAPFROG Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket FISHER PRICE Baby’s First Blocks ORANGE TREE TOYS Puzzles
GUMMEE GLOVE Gummee Glove SASSY Ring O’ Links
BABY SAFETY
LINDAM Home Safety Kit BINATONE MOTOROLA MBP36S
BT Digital Baby Monitor 350 Lightshow ANGELCARE AC1100 Monitor
BABYMOOV Premium Care Baby Monitor BROTHER MAX 3 in 1 Touch Thermometer
BABY DAN True Pressure Baby Gate CLIPPASAFE Safety Starter Pack SAFETY 1st Portable Bedrail
Philips AVENT Bath & Room Baby Thermometer
PRE-SCHOOL TOYS LEGO Duplo
LE TOY VAN Sophie’s House MICRO-‐SCOOTERS Mini Scooter
ORCHARD TOYS Puzzles LITTLE TIKES Cozy Coupe LEAPFROG LeapReader
ELC Happyland lii off rocket INDIGO JAMM BriJsh Classics
HASBRO Play-‐doh BRIO Train Sets
FEEDING MAM AnJ Colic Bo^le
PHILIPS AVENT Natural Baby Bo^le MEDELA Swing EssenJals Pack
DR BROWNS Natural Flow Starter Pack YOOMI Self Warming Bo^le
TOMMEE TIPPEE Perfect Prep Machine BÉABA Babycook
BABYMOOV Food Processor VITAL BABY Weaning Spoon
NUBY Sippy Cup
BABY FOOD NANNYCARE Follow on milk APTAMIL Follow on Milk
COW & GATE Follow on Milk ELLA’S KITCHEN First Tastes ORGANIX Finger Foods
HIPP ORGANIC LITTLE DISH Toddler Food COLLECTIVE DAIRY Suckies
ANNABEL KARMEL INNOCENT Kids Smoothies
Daily Routine If you are out and about a lot then think about a lightweight, compact pushchair for the busy
spaces you might find yourself in. Unfortunately someJmes people can be impaJent with you so bear in mind what your movements are likely to be.
___
Try before you buy Take the pushchair for a ride with all your belongings, although the pushchair may be light at the beginning once you have your handbag and other items on it you'll get a clearer idea of what the pushchair will feel like. You can always scout around online for the best deal later when at home.
___
Think about your partner too Can it be adequately adjusted for more comfort if he or she is significantly taller or shorter than
you? Remember, they will also be pushing it from Jme to Jme. ___
Storage areas If you carry a lot with you or do a lot of shopping then consider the size of the basket area and
how you can get clever with the areas of the pushchair to store things. ___
Public transport If you use public transport then having a compact pushchair is key, otherwise you may find your
self unable to hitch a ride at all. ___
Bringing it home Consider your home set up, if you’re on the top floor without a lii then there are obvious challenges but also check your front door size and where you plan on leaving the pushchair.
___
Don’t forget about your car Think about the space the pushchair takes once placed in the car, will there be enough room for
shopping or other items if you are outbound on a road trip? ___
TOP TIPS
PUSHCHAIRS
Don't buy second hand Of all the things you might consider buying second hand, this is definitely not one of them. It's a bit like
not buying a cycle helmet second hand -‐ you just don't do it! ___
Buy according to your child’s weight
___
Check that the fitting along with the harness is firm Watch out for the space between the car head rest and car seat, you might need to remove the head rest to ensure it's a snug fit. You should be able to get only two fingers between the straps and your child's chest. They will undoubtedly protest over the Jghtness as they grow older but it'll be your job to distract
them whilst this is done! ___
Let them ride it out
You don’t need to change your car seat as soon as you think plus it risks more severe neck and brain injuries in a crash. Car seats that let you keep your child rear-‐facing unJl the age of four are becoming
more common. ___
Get the most out of the Retailer
Please speak to your retailer who will be able to equip you on all the things you need to know about car seats. Take a pen and paper and make notes and consider all your opJons. In most cases, they should be
able to fit the car seat into the car for you too. ___
TOP TIPS
CAR SEATS
Create a mood board Have a brainstorm exploring themes and products. Pinterest is great for this and you can very quickly collect a dozen images which will excite you and sJr the emoJons in preparaJon for the li^le one.
___
Plan Whichever furniture pieces you choose will mainly depend on the size of your nursery. Consider all your pracJcal challenges along with any limitaJons on budget and space. Think about the long term
plans for the room as well, which will impact on how adaptable you want the room to be. Take measurements and create a floor plan to take with you on any trips to retailers.
___
Key pieces You might like the idea of coordinaJng all your furniture, or choosing two or three key pieces such as drawers, a wardrobe and a changing unit. ConcentraJng on key pieces first is a good idea as there will
be opJons and flexibility with other things such as paints and wallpaper for example. ___
Space to move around Seems like an obvious point but make sure you have enough space in the nursery to walk
around otherwise you will be constantly bumping into things and sneaking into the room quietly won't be as easy as you would like.
___
Storage is key You’ll be surprised how many things are needed at the beginning, and with constant changing of clothes, you will want to have everything stashed away nicely to give you easy access on demand.
___
Think about safety It is best to posiJon the cot around a safe zone, away from windows, heaters, wall decoraJons, cords and lamps. Once your baby discovers their inner adventurer, the climbing and clambering will begin,
make sure the cot is away from surrounding furniture. ___
TOP TIPS
BABY NURSERY
Consider your space If you choose to get a bathtub remember they do take up a lot of space. There is always the opJon of having
a baby bath seat, which doesn’t take up much space and the baby feels comfortable as well as secure. ___
Warm room and water Make the bathroom or room nice and warm, newborn and babies can get very easily cold. Make the water
warm before you put them in, and don't let the water run whilst the baby is in the tub. ____
Pay attention Never leave your baby unsupervised, even for a moment. Gather all you need such as a towel, clean
nappy, clean clothes and anything else you may need in advance. Keep at least one hand on your baby while they are in the water. If the phone rings it can wait, otherwise if its important grab your baby in a towel and
take him with you. ___
Be playful Bath Jme is a great Jme to interact with your baby, so choose toys to keep them busy as it may be that your
baby doesn't enjoy the water at first, but don't worry they will soon grow out of that. ___
Post bath relaxation Choose a lovely massage oil for aier the bath, it will relax the baby and also act as a great way of taking out any extra gas in case they have some colic irritaJon. Rub gently and bring their legs towards their tummy.
___
Be patient and stick to routine As with most things with parenJng, rouJne is key – it makes for a calmer baby and calmer parent. It may seem as though your efforts are in vain but soon enough they will begin expecJng and respond wonderfully
to the sense of comfort the end result offers. ___
Let the skin breath Puung the nappy on too Jght can stop the skin from breathing and restricts air circulaJon. Leung baby go
nappy free is someJmes a good idea, it’s not only fun to watch but is good for their skin. ___
TOP TIPS
BATHING & BABY CARE
Keep baby bottles clean Baby bo^les and teats should be sterilised every Jme you use them. Newborns are parJcularly vulnerable
to bacteria. Some bo^les offer self-‐sterilisaJon. ___
Anti-colic bottles It would be a good idea to consider these if your baby is suffering from colic (uncontrollable crying). These
bo^les are designed to reduce the amount of air a baby takes in whilst feeding. ___
BPA BPA (Bisphenol-‐A) is a chemical that is found in some plasJcs. It is believed that BPA can leach out of Polycarbonate plasJc bo^les into baby’s milk and cause problems such as diabetes, breast cancer and
hyperacJvity in the baby’s adult life. Its best to chose products that are cerJfied BPA free. ___
Sippy cups A great way to encourage independence. As they grow they want to become more like us so why not
encourage them to drink by themselves from their own cup. Some children may take a while before taking to a sippy cup but introducing different types and styles may do the trick.
___
Gadgets It is important to give baby and you a comfortable, uninterrupted moment together to get the most of out feeding. Think about Jme and energy saving gadgets like breast pumps, bo^le prep machines and food
processors for later down the line. Such gadgets can make life a lot easier. ___
TOP TIPS
FEEDING PRODUCTS
The BabyfoodMaker that wantsthe best for youBABYCOOK®
The appliance for steaming, mixing and heating tasty, healthy meals for baby in no time at all.
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Lifestyle There is a style and design that matches all tastes however consider your home seung and whether you
would want a seamless addiJon of a highchair to the table seung. ___
Space If space is Jght, you will need to consider how wide the legs spray out and whether the highchair can be folded. Some high chairs require the tray to be removed before folding, which is somewhat cumbersome
if you're having to do this several Jmes a day. ___
Features Think about all the adjustments and extras – it can make mealJmes a lot easier and simpler; this includes
the seat height and tray. ___
Ease of use Experiment with the tray and seat height and other funcJons, making all the adjustments. You’ll be
repeaJng these acJons regularly with a wriggly child so best to get an idea early on. ___
Easy to clean Mess is an inevitable reality of feeding Jme so it’s best to ensure the highchair is easy to clean. Food
geung trapped in li^le areas may result is an una^racJve and unwelcoming highchair. PlasJc parts and a removable seat cover are things to think about.
___
Think ahead If you are spending a li^le more on a highchair consider a converJble, designed to grow with your baby, many of which can be used up unJl three years plus. Some brands have mastered this and allow you to
convert the highchair into a snazzy piece of dining furniture. ___
Safety The base should be wide enough for stability and never placed on slippery surfaces. Make sure your child is properly strapped in and supervised at all Jmes, prevenJng them from standing or slipping out of their
high chair seat. ___
TOP TIPS
HIGHCHAIRS
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The Stages 0-‐6 months your baby only needs breast milk or formula, aier 6 months your baby’s first foods can include mashed or soi cooked fruit and vegetables (like patato, carrot, apple or pear) all cooled before eaJng. From 12 months your baby will be eaJng more regularly with 3 meals a day so by this point you’ll have more structure in place and can have your
child get excited by the meals.
Formula Avoid overdoing it with the formula powder as it can cause consJpaJon with your baby and never warm up infant
formula in a microwave as it can heat the feed unevenly and may burn your baby’s mouth. ___
Spoon to finger foods When your baby begins grabbing the spoon as you try to feed them, it is a sure sign they are ready to get some cutlery of
their own. Let them explore this as you get a break from fighJng with them and seeing food land on the floor. ___
Start on solid foods (weaning) An important step in your baby’s development and great fun to explore new flavours and textures together. Start slow,
worrying less about how much they eat and more about geung them used to the idea of eaJng. ___
Present choices Empowering your child with choices over food, plates, cutlery, bibs etc – this enables them to feel more involved in the
process and results in them being more helpful and less resistant. ___
Don’t worry about the mess It is fuJle. The more you try the messier things will get and the more you’ll have a nervous li^le one. It’s be^er for them to be playful with food, understanding texture along with taste, flavour and smells. Just keep some Jssues or baby wipes
to hand. ___
Go at their pace Let them take their Jme, and if they are not eaJng as much as you would like or have started to play at the table then
mealJme is over. Don’t get stressed over it, if they are hungry they’ll eat! ___
Eat as a family If possible try to encourage this as much as possible, having the whole family on the table encourages social skills to be
developed. It’s also a good chance to show the li^le ones how to eat. ___
TOP TIPS
BABY FOOD
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Age appropriate Always select toys (and check they are playing with toys) that are designed for their age group. Pay
a^enJon to any safety noJces that may apply. ___
Stimulate the senses The more senses they can use when playing with a toy the be^er. Don’t forget texture along with music –
both of which can help sooth and se^le your baby. ___
‘What’s in your mouth?!’ Most toys do tend to end up in your babies mouth, so do look for toys that are washable or include non-‐
toxic informaJon on the label. ___
Hand to eye coordination When babies start to sit up they begin developing their hand-‐eye coordinaJon and gross motor skills.
Anything that can withstand some banging is a good idea and think about toys that encourage your baby to stretch and reach out for things.
___
Make a safe environment Consider the surroundings and ensure a safe play area is created. Inspect it for any sharp objects and
edges, you want them to crawl and explore safely. ___
Think small and large Mix up the toys to include both small and large ones, the variety is good for them and helps with their
development. ___
TOP TIPS
BABY TOYS
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to
remain an artist once he grows up.
- Picasso
”
Creativity This stage of a child’s growth is when creaJvity begins to blossom. Art, building, crai and musical toys are all great for this. It is worth invesJng in such toys as they are very long lasJng and you will get lots of use out of it.
___
Problem solving and motor skills Pre-‐schoolers are curious li^le problem solvers, and they are great at using their hands to figure things out.
Puzzles are great for this along with building blocks. ___
Encourage pretend play Giving toys characters and talking to them, acJng and dressing up are all very imaginaJve forms of play and
enhance creaJvity. Feelings can be explored along with the development of language skills. ___
Get them moving Anything that gets the energy released in Jme for bed will be of great value to your much needed down Jme. Along with sports equipment try out a bike or scooter, they will spend hours in the park chasing you and their
friends. ___
Teach mindfulness Teach older children to keep their toys that may have removable small parts, sharp points or toys run on
electricity out of reach of younger siblings. Young children are very curious and may invesJgate toys that aren’t appropriate for them.
___
Tidy up time Teach children early to put toys away when they are finished playing with them. This will not only allow them to begin showing care for their precious things but ensure the toys last longer. and of course prevent accidents.
___
Get involved At this stage geung involved is easy and there is a lot of fun to be had. Building train sets, playing football in the park and compleJng puzzles are a great way of bonding whilst ensuring all the necessary skills are being
developed. You will have some very precious memories doing this! ___
TOP TIPS
PRE-SCHOOL TOYS
Cupboard latches Once your baby begins to crawl all they will want to do is explore, including all your cupboards and drawers so
buying clips is essenJal. If not locked away, organize and clear the contents of your cabinets so that it’s contents are at the highest point, out of reach.
___
Electrical Plugs Cover all your electrical plugs, as babies begin to touch and explore they will like to put their Jny li^le fingers in
these very dangerous areas. ___
Mind the steps Safety gates are a must; make sure you use one at the top and bo^om of your stairs. You may also like to use
them in areas where you wouldn’t like baby to go, such as the kitchen. ___
Give them a cupboard If you choose not to put latches on the cupboards, replace the heavy saucepans and kitchen utensils with plasJc cups and plates -‐ you will be surprised how long they will spend playing around the cupboard and having fun. It is useful to remember that this is an area your kids see you accessing frequently and thus, of
natural interest to them. ___
Curtains and blinds Loose string and cords represent a suffocaJon hazard to your baby. A baby can easily get these tangled around
the neck while exploring your home. Tie them up at a height that is out of your baby’s reach. ___
Portable bed rail If you are travelling with your kids to a lovely country retreat and they don’t have a cot you may want to invest in a portable bed rail, these can be easily added onto a normal bed where your child will be kept safe unJl he is
ready to move onto a bed. ___
TOP TIPS
BABY SAFETY
BEST OF BRITISH
COMING SOON…
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IF IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubJng too; If you can wait and not be Jred by waiJng,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to haJng,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream -‐ and not make dreams your master; If you can think -‐ and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-‐out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-‐and-‐toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long aier they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, ' Or walk with Kings -‐ nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And -‐ which is more -‐ you'll be a Man, my son!
-‐ Rudyard Kipling
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