We have all seen the baby must have lists or the top 10 items for Baby but what are your “worst buys”?
- Did you buy something that you never used?
- Did you buy an expensive item and end up using a bargain buy instead ?
We were reading a recent report from Which about your least useful baby items and were surprised at some of the findings. They think you could save up to £250 by not buying them all. You can read more here..
What do you think ? We give our opinion below….
 1.Fabric sling.
We sell the really useful Baby Sense sling at More4mums so we are not really going to agree with this one, are we? Well maybe; a sling does not suit everyone, and not every baby likes a sling so it may be an expensive item to buy before the birth. You may be better waiting and trying to borrow one first. Find out if it is for you before spending your money.
2. Nappy stacker
We do agree with this one. It seems fiddly and time consuming to take the nappies out of the bag or box and into a nappy stacker before use. We would suggest you give this a miss unless you decide later you can’t live without one !
3. Baby washing (top and tail) bowls
They’re not particularly expensive – costing around £3-£10 – but parents told us that two cheap plastic bowls will do the job just as well. I liked my top and tail bowl as it is just easier to buy one bowl than two and they were a nice size so you don’t use too much water.
4. Nappy disposal bin
We definitely agree with this one, they take up lots of space, start to smell and then you have to empty them. Not a great buy unless you live in a flat or your bin is far from the house.
 5. Bumbo seat
This is another love or hate purchase. The Bumbo seat, a plastic seat which helps your baby to sit upright, was popular with some parents. 26% of those who bought or were given one said it was one of their most useful products – but 18% said they didn’t need it at all. One parent said: ‘I regret buying a Bumbo – expensive, and both kids hated it’, and the key factor for most of the parents who didn’t get on with the Bumbo seat was that their child didn’t like it or take to it.
6. Door baby bouncer
Another product which several parents told us their child just didn’t get on with was the door baby bouncer.
7. Baby carrier
Baby carriers can cost anything from £20 to £100 and it’s important that you choose one which is comfortable for you and your child. In the survey 23% of parents who bought or were given a baby carrier said they were one of the most useful products they bought, but 16% didn’t end up using theirs. The main reasons for this were that they felt the baby carrier was more hassle than it was worth (36%) and the child didn’t like or take to it (29%).
 8. Ride-on toddler board for buggy/pushchair
I was surprised at this as many mums I know swear by their buggy board. If you have a toddler and a new baby they can be a godsend.
9. Night light
Night lights can cost anything from £3 to £20, and it might be worth seeing how your child reacts to a cheap one before splashing out on something more expensive. And, bear in mind that some baby monitors come with an in-built night light. I never used a night light as both our babies never needed a light at night so I would wait and see on this one.
10. Baby reins
Baby reins typically cost around £5-£15 and can help you keep your child close once they’ve started walking, but not all parents find them useful. Personally I never liked the idea of tying my children up and taught them to hold my hand or the buggy from a young age but they can be useful for very strong willed toddlers!
let us know your worst buys below !!
The tenth national food promotion, British Food Fortnight, takes place from 17 September to 2 October 2011 during Harvest Festival, the traditional time for celebrating our food.
The event will celebrate the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces with promotions and tastings in shops, all-British menus in pubs and restaurants, food and cookery lessons in schools and glorious food festivals. Whether you are shopping in supermarkets or local shops, eating in pubs or restaurants or looking for fun activities to do at the weekend, you will be able to enjoy the best of British food during the Fortnight.
You can find out what is happening in your area over at theLove British Food Website which has lots of information.
We decided to contribute with our take on a healthy dish based on Great British Food. As we are Scottish we thought that Scottish venison and Blackberries would be perfect for a dish based on the best of British Foods. This would make a lovely dinner for you and your partner and has the added benefit of being quick and easy to cook as well as healthy! If you have never tried Venison before you should try it out – it is not too strong and tastes delicious.
 The following recipe is from the Good Food Website
Pan Fried Venison with Blackberry Sauce
- Heat the oil in a frying pan, cook the venison for 5 mins, then turn over and cook for 3-5 mins more, depending on how rare you like it and the thickness of the meat (cook for 5-6 mins on each side for well done). Lift the meat from the pan and set aside to rest.
- Add the balsamic vinegar to the pan, then pour in the stock, redcurrant jelly and garlic. Stir over quite a high heat to blend everything together, then add the blackberries and carry on cooking until they soften. Serve with the venison, celeriac mash (see below) and broccoli.
Why not try served with celeriac mash Thickly peel and chop a small celeriac, then boil with 3 small potatoes. Drain when tender and mash with butter and plenty of seasoning.
Healthy benefits
Venison, an excellent source of protein, is low in calories. It also supplies an easily absorbed form of iron, so is ideal for pregnant and menstruating women. Venison contains good levels of the energising B vitamins – a standard portion provides 60 per cent of our daily B12 requirement. If you are pregnant please ensure you cook thoroughly.
- Are you one of the many people that have to wear tights to work?
- Are you finding it a nightmare now you are pregnant?
- Don’t worry we have some answers for you !!
I know how you all feel, when I was pregnant a few years ago I worked in the hotel industry and they were very strict about wearing tights or stockings for work. I did try to escape on “health” grounds but it did not work !
It was suggested to me that I should buy a bigger size of tights and wear them back to front so that the bum was over my bump !! Well, to be honest this did work, sort of, but getting the right tights can be tricky ! Some were too long in the leg and others kept falling down so you definitely need a bit of trial and error.
 If you want to try out Maternity Tights they are not really too expensive. It may be a good idea to try out a thicker denier if you can as they tend to last longer. I know it is boring but if you handwash your tights they really will last longer, failing that try and put them in a special bag for washing on a delicate cycle.
The Emma Jane 60 Denier Maternity tights come in black, chocolate and a nice diamond design. You can add a bit of style to your Maternity Work wardrobe or for casual wear.
If your legs are tired or you stand all day you may want to try out our 40 denier light support tights. These are perfect for giving your legs a lift however they are not too restrictive and there is no support over the bump to protect baby.
 When I got an email last week about the new Carriwell Seamless Cami, I immediately thought that it would be a great addition to the website. They arrived in stock on Friday and they are now available to buy online.
They are worn on their own instead of a Nursing Bra and would be great for wearing under another top for Breastfeeding when out and about as it covers your tummy. They would also make a good vest top to wear around the house.
I am really pleased with them and think they will be a bestseller – what do you think ??
Based on the multiple award winning Carriwell nursing bra, the light, breathable fabric gently shapes and supports your midriff for a slim, confident feel. The easy one-handed nursing clips make for the ultimate nursing cami.
- Stylish Cami with breastfeeding function/drop cup
- Keeps your belly warm while you breastfeed
- Adjustable straps
- Easy to open when you’re breastfeeding
- Integrated support for your breasts.
Available in Black and White to co-ordinate with your wardrobe.
In sizes Small, Medium, Large and Xlarge, there is a size chart on the website to help you select the correct size.
You can buy the Seamless Nursing Cami online now >>>
When I first started breastfeeding I was very unsure what to expect as no one in my family had ever done so. Neither my Mother or Mother in law breastfed and they were both a little dubious about it all. I found that it was difficult to get started but after the first few weeks it all slotted into place. I had two big babies at 8lb15 and 9lb12 and I was scared they would be hungry. I learnt over time that, as they were bigger, they had bigger tummies and could drink more at each feed, so no problem! Both my girl’s happily breastfed until about 8 months and were happy and contented babies – most of the time !!
Breastfeeding is a learnt art and should not hurt, although some mothers describe the initial sucks in the early days as tender, as the baby stretches the breast tissue. If you experience nipple soreness beyond a slight tenderness when your baby latches on you may need to make some adjustments so you can be comfortable and enjoy breastfeeding your baby.
Uncomfortable positioning and attachment is the most frequent cause of sore nipples. Many mothers find that by holding their baby on his side, wrapping him around their body and waiting for him to open his mouth wide to take a large mouthful of breast, the nipple is safely protected at the back of the baby’s mouth.
Some nursing mothers find these tips useful:
● Support your baby on her side on your lap, coming to the breast slightly from underneath. To feed on the left breast, for example, with your baby facing you, hold her bottom to you with your right elbow, your right hand on her shoulder blades, your finger and thumb either side of her neck.
● Allow your breast to rest naturally, i.e. not held up to your baby. If you wish to support your breast, keep your fingers well back from the nipple.
● The baby’s chin is held to the breast about 3 cm from the nipple (nose to nipple).
● Your baby will tilt his head back a bit, open his mouth wide with his tongue down and take a big mouthful of breast tissue along the tongue, while you bring your baby onto the breast.
● When the baby is sucking strongly, the mother will often bring her left arm around the baby so the baby’s head is along this arm, and then the right arm can relax.
● Your baby should come off the breast when she has had enough. You can then offer the other breast, mirroring the above.
● Other mothers prefer the rugby or clutch position, with their baby’s feet out behind them, or the cradle hold (across the lap), or lying down. In each position it is important to enable your baby to take a large mouthful of breast so that your nipple is protected. This should immediately be more comfortable for you. If the pain persists beyond the first few ‘stretching’ sucks after a day or two whilst healing is happening, help from a breastfeeding specialist is advisable, as there could be other causes.
If you are finding it difficult or having any problems there are lots of people who can help. Contact your local health visitor for details of any groups in your area or you can call the helplines below.
Helpful Organisations
National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Breastfeeding Line: 0300 330 0771
La Leche League: 0845 120 2918
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 08444 122 949
 Buying well-made, well-fitting maternity bras is key to ensuring support and comfort for your breasts at a time when the tissue is at its most delicate. Follow our top tips below to find the right bra for you.
If you are looking for a nursing bra please read our article here – Nursing Bra Size and Buying Guide.
More 4 Mums offer a great selection of Affordable Maternity Support Bras.
Why do I need a Maternity Bra?
You’ll probably start looking for a maternity bra 3 or so months into your pregnancy as you notice your breasts becoming more tender, growing in size and your rib cage expanding; your bra size might go up from 2 sizes larger to as much as 4 sizes. The increase in weight and size of the breast will also cause the skin to stretch and the breast to drop, which is why it is important to be fitted for a new bra regularly. A good fitting, specifically designed maternity bra can prevent and minimise stretch marks and discomfort, keep you cool and absorb any leaking fluid.
How Many Maternity Bras Do I Need?
You’ll probably need two maternity bras for washing however depending on how much your bust size changes you may need to increase the bra size later in pregnancy.
 Sizing
To work out your band size (the number part) take a tape measure and place it around your body so that it lies flat just under your bust. Take this measurement in inches, rounding up if the circumference comes out as an uneven number (i.e. if the actual measurement is 37″ your correct band size would be ’38′). You now have your band size.
To work out your cup size you should take the tape measure and place it around the widest part of your bust whilst wearing a well fitted, unpadded bra. Again, take this measurement in inches. You will then need to work out the difference between this measurement and your band size to find out your cup size. Every inch of difference between these two measurements is equivalent to an increase of one cup size.
e.g. Say your band size is 36 inches and your bust measurement is 39 inches, the difference between the two is 3 inches. Using the table below you can see that this is equivalent to a C cup size, so your overall bra size would be 36C.
| Bust measurement |
Cup Size |
| 1″ – 2″ |
A |
| 2″ – 2 1/2″ |
B |
| 2 1/2″ – 3 1/2″ |
C |
| 3 1/2″ – 4 1/2″ |
D |
| 4 1/2″ – 5″ |
E |
| 5″ – 6″ |
F |
| 6″ – 7″ |
G |
Fitting
Ensure the maternity bra is fitted firmly on its tightest fitting so that there is space to grow into as the rib cage expands. Choose a soft-cup bra rather than one with a wire – with the body and breasts constantly changing, a wired bra may fit well when bought, but may not fit in a couple of weeks time.
You should try and gather together everything you think you will need in hospital and pack your bag about six weeks before your due date. That way you won’t be running around the shops at the last minute and you will be ready if baby decides to arrive early.
Some of these items are little luxuries for you and some are essentials. You should also check what the hospital provides with regard to maternity pads, towels for showers etc
 For You
- Your hospital notes and birth plan.
- A TENS machine if you have decided to use one.
- Magazines, a book and MP3 player.
- An old nighshirt or t-shirt for labour – Make sure its long enough for you to feel comfortable walking around in when in labour.
- Facial spray, lip balm, tissues and hairbands.
- Change for the phone and hospital shop.
- A camera and charged batteries or spares.
- Important phone numbers.
- A dressing gown(not too warm), socks and slippers.
- 2 Nursing Bras and breast pads. (Even if you are not going to be breast feeding you still will need breast pads)
- Two towels, toiletries and make up.
- Disposable or old pants.
- 2 packs of Maternity pads.
- A front opening nightdress or pyjamas for breast feeding.
- Antibacterial wipes.
For Baby
- 3 Sleepsuits plus bodysuits.
- A shawl/blanket
- Newborn nappies
- Cotton wool and nappy cream
- Socks/hat/coat for going home – will depend on the time of the year you may need a sun hat!
You may want to have another bag ready for Dad to take to hospital with a change of clothes for you to go home in but remember you will probably still need maternity clothes as you bump gets smaller.
Remember to fit your car seat before your due date so dad is not panicking with instructions at the last minute.
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Visit More 4 Mums for fabulous bargains on Affordable Maternity and Nursing Bras, Tops and Sleepwear.
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