Weaning your little one can be an overwhelming, if not a downright stressful experience.  With so much conflicting advice out there, we wanted to cut through the noise to bring you a simple, stress-free guide that aims to make those first tastes a positive experience for you and your little eaters.  Read on for some top tips and tried and tested recipes that aim to make mini mealtimes a breeze.

Hi there. We’re Elise (paediatric dietitian) and Claire (registered nutritionist mBANT and mama), founders of Mini Tummies - a new early years nutrition platform here to help you win at weaning and beyond.

We started Mini Tummies to help you navigate through the nutrition nonsense and share only the latest, most trusted science-backed information and resources parents need to nourish their little ones. Those early years are so important for building healthy relationships with food for life and we want to empower you not only to embrace mealtimes, but to enjoy them too!

Starting solids can be a nerve-wracking time and, let’s face it, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. But it doesn’t need to be complicated. At Mini Tummies, we’ve created a safe space for early years nutrition education from qualified experts. We aim to take the anxiety  away so you can say bye bye to Google and feel confident in raising happy, healthy eaters.

If you’re about to start weaning, you’ve probably heard the debate between “baby-led” vs. “spoon-fed” weaning. But the truth is, there is no single *correct* way to wean your baby - and both of these feeding methods can be part of a great weaning journey. Our approach takes what the scientific evidence says and combines it with the reality of parenting to make it practical, helpful and achievable. 

It’s recommended that complementary foods (alongside their breastmilk or formula) are ideally introduced when your baby is around 6 months old - and not before 4 months. The exact time will be unique to your little one and very much depends on when they’re developmentally ready.

The good news is that they’ll show you when they’re ready! Here are the key signs to look out for:

• They can sit up with minimal support and steady head control.
• They can coordinate their hands and eyes, picking up objects and bringing them to their mouths.
• They show interest when there’s food around, intently watching you eat, leaning forward and opening their mouths.
• Their tongue thrust reflex is no longer present, so they don’t instinctively push food back out with their tongue.

Your baby might show all these signs a little before or after they hit 6 months of age.

You don’t need to splash out on a whole bunch of unusual baby food-making machines or high-tech equipment. Our selection of core essentials will get you fully prepped and feeling ready, without breaking the bank.

When you’re on the hunt for a highchair, there are four key components we recommend looking out for:

• A fully upright seat (not reclined)
• A footrest (not too low, letting their feet sit flat)
• A tray they can easily reach (not too high)
• A 5-point harness (to strap them in, help their posture and keep them safe)

A removable tray and adjustable height can be great features to have too, so the chair grows with them and they can join you at the table for a family meal.

A highchair that has all of these features will help to make sure your baby is in a position that’s correct and safe for chewing and swallowing, supporting them to sit upright properly, be grounded on their feet and reach for the food easily.

Take a look at Scandiborn’s curation of stunning highchairs and accessories, ergonomically designed and sustainably sourced–these parenting heroes are designed to grow with your child.

Not all bibs are created equal. Take a fabric or cloth bib for example: these work well for milk and dribble, but when it comes to starting solids, you’ll want to go for something a bit more substantial and effective.

Our top pick is a pelican bib that has a catch-all front pocket for the inevitable messy mealtimes while they’re learning to self-feed (although food on the floor is still to be expected!). An adjustable neck makes sure they’re comfortable and quick to fasten before they dig in.

Silicone bibs are a good option, as they’re practical, food-safe, waterproof, sustainable and super easy to clean. Simply toss them in the dishwasher and they’ll stay stain-free. Silicone pockets are food safe, and they easily fold up in your bag for meals on the go.

If your baby doesn’t like wearing a bib, a waterproof long sleeve coverall can be the way to go. Go for one with a fun design and they might even enjoy wearing them too, reducing the “bib tug-of-war” at mealtimes!

Those clever folk over at Liewood have nailed the bib game with their collection of pretty and practical cover ups in cute Scandi inspired designs, perfect for guaranteed mess-free mealtimes.

A silicone tableware set with a plate, bowl, open cup and spoon is very handy and the material means they’re BPA free, dishwasher safe and won’t be broken by little flailing arms!

Plates and bowls with suction bottoms can also help your baby to develop their self-feeding skills by providing stable sides for them to push their cutlery or hands against. Sticking it firmly to the highchair tray can help to prevent spills and reduce the amount of food that ends up on the floor too.

You’ll often see a variety of plates with fun shapes and different compartments too. Novelty designs can make food more appealing and enjoyable for your little one, but there are some pros and cons of using divided plates that are good to be aware of.

Snap up one of these gorgeous sets that tick all the boxes for fuss free feeding time.

Divided plate pros:

• Allows you to serve the full meal together without differentiating “main meal” or “dessert”
• Gives your baby more freedom to explore and follow their preferences
• More edges for baby to push food up against and help self-feeding
• For a toddler who seems to struggle with certain foods touching, this can be helpful

Divided plate cons:

• Foods touching may become unfamiliar and unsettling
• Older children and adults don’t tend to eat from segmented plates, so it can be helpful to get them used to a more traditional style plate early on

Our advice: mix it up! Use plates with and without separate sections, so they don’t get *too* used to one or the other. You can also go for one with a removable divider that you can take off as and when you like. The more they’re exposed to a variety of different plates and bowls, the more familiar and less reliant they’ll be on a single type.

Go for non-metal spoons that are gentle on your baby’s gums and don’t become too hot when in contact with food. A set of soft silicone spoons is our top choice as they’re durable, unbreakable and dishwasher safe to boot.

Cutlery with a fork or spoon on both ends are a space-saving option (and means it’s OK for them to inevitably chew the ‘wrong end’ while they get to grips with feeding themselves!)

For babies just starting out, going for cutlery with a wider handle can be helpful to prevent them pushing it too far back in their mouth.

As they start solids, now’s the time to start slowly introducing them to an open cup too. Transitioning from a bottle to a cup can feel a little daunting. Oh, the spills! But you may be surprised to see how quickly your baby can learn how to drink from a cup. Opt for an open cup as this will be used for life (unlike a sippy cup, which will only be used in their early years) and offer small sips with meals.

A small silicone cup is ideal, as it can easily be held in their little hand and won’t break when they drop it. This will teach them the skill of sipping, rather than sucking. Getting them familiar with an open cup from 6 months of age gives them plenty of time to develop their skills before stopping formula bottles or breastfeeding.

Prep once, eat several times. Batch cooking family meals your baby can enjoy too is a win-win, so pick up some small baby portion-sized containers you can store in the fridge. Silicone ice cube trays are a great way to store purées in the freezer and will let you simply pop out one cube at a time when you need it.

A stainless steel lunchbox is a great option for keeping their food fresh on-the-go, while being durable and easy to clean - without absorbing stains or smells from the food.

At Mini Tummies, we’re all about keeping things practical, helpful and reducing the mental load of mealtimes, so you can focus on family time. 

Here are three things you can implement now for mealtime success and to help them develop a life-long healthy relationship with food:

Eating together lets you role model how to eat the food, fosters their learning and shows them it’s safe to tuck in. Making “mmm” and “yumm” noises as you eat is a great way for them to see that food is tasty and something to enjoy. They’re also much more likely to try unfamiliar food when you’re eating that same food along with them. Even if having your own dinner with them isn’t possible, try having just a tiny portion of whatever they’re having.

One of the most important messages within our Mini Tummies Method is to *feed responsively*. Babies are brilliant at following their appetite and hunger cues, which is something that as adults, many of us can struggle with after being told to “finish your plate”.

Responsive feeding means they choose what and how much they eat from what’s on offer, and we (as parents) recognise and respect their hunger and fullness levels. So, take the pressure off and avoid pushing or bribing them to eat. By the time they reach toddlerhood, this becomes even more important. So, practicing our *Play It Cool Rule* now will help you handle any periods of food fussiness later on!

Messy mealtimes are actually a good thing for your baby! Accepting that your little one will get a little (or very!) messy during weaning not only helps them get used to lots of different textures, but can also support their learning as they explore by themselves with all their senses.

Stay away from the baby face wipes while they're eating and hold the clean up until they're done. Don't worry, in time they'll learn from your role modelling to keep the food on their plate and into their mouths. Like any skill, it takes practice.

MINI TUMMIES FREE GUIDE: If you’re feeling overwhelmed about starting solids and want to make sure you’re getting their eating journey off to a great start, grab our free Weaning Cheat Sheet that’ll guide you through the key nutrients for weaning.

These recipes are quick, simple, nutritious - you can nourish those mini tums without spending hours in the kitchen.

This is a great one-pan dish the whole family can enjoy. The beans add a hit of iron, while the vitamin C in the tomatoes helps to increase iron absorption. It’s a perfect recipe for a pressure cooker when you’re short on time. Plus, it’s great for lunchbox leftovers the next day.

For younger babies, mash well with a fork or blitz a little in a blender, while leaving some texture. For older toddlers and children, you can leave chunkier. Serve with quinoa and mashed avocado for a tasty balanced meal.

For 2 adults and 2 children, you’ll need:

1 400g can of black beans

2 courgettes

2 carrots

1 onion

1 can of chopped tomatoes

2 garlic cloves

1 cup of water

½ tsp paprika

½ tsp cumin powder

Olive oil for sautéing

Additional for adults at the end: chilli powder and salt

1. Finely chop all the vegetables and garlic.
2. Heat the olive oil in a pan or pressure cooker, then sauté the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the carrots and courgettes, then sauté for a further 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in the spices for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add the black beans, tomatoes and water, and mix well.
5. If you’re using a pressure cooker, secure the lid and pressure cook for around 7 minutes. For cooking in a saucepan, cover and reduce the heat then let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
6. Once cooked, remove from the heat, allow to cool a little then serve. For adults: season to taste. 

This is a light, creamy and chocolatey dessert - without any added sugar, salt or cocoa. Trust us on the cauliflower in this. It’s so simple and delicious for little ones, as well as for adults.

Carob is a great caffeine-free alternative to cocoa powder with extra fibre and a naturally sweet taste. If you can't find it in your local shop, it's easy to get online. And there's no "hiding" the cauliflower here. Tell them what's in there and let them see it going in! They'll soon realise they love cauliflower.

*Suitable for little ones from when they start solids, just make sure you’ve introduced the ingredients separately first and have checked allergens (almonds, peanuts, milk)*

For 6-8 puddings, you'll need:

1 cup (125g) cauliflower florets

1 ripe banana

1/4 cup (60ml) unsweetened almond milk (or any milk)

1/4 cup (60g) peanut butter (or any smooth nut butter)

1/4 cup unsweetened carob powder

1/2 cup Greek yoghurt (or any thick yoghurt)

1 tsp vanilla extract (alcohol-free)

1. Steam the cauliflower for about 10-15 mins until soft, then let it cool for a few mins
2. Blend all the ingredients until smooth and creamy: cauliflower, banana, milk, nut butter, carob powder, yoghurt and vanilla extract
3. Pour the mixture into small cups and pop in the fridge for a couple of hours until set, then enjoy.

Note: This post has been created for information purposes with typical babies and children in mind. It is not personal nutrition advice, every baby is different and may have other needs beyond what is covered here. Always speak to your healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s feeding plan.

  

Sound Asleep  

Here at Little Dreams Consulting, we work closely with families to give them the right tools to make sleep easier for everyone.  

It’s vital that as parents, we create a calm and comfortable environment for our baby or child to sleep in. And, that when we bring them into their bedroom, they understand that this is where sleep should come easily and naturally to them.

Read on for our quick guide to making your space a positive place to induce sweet dreams.  

1. Safety first

We work closely with the Lullaby Trust who recommend that there should be nothing in your baby’s cot for the first 12 months, other than a firm waterproof mattress. Try to avoid loose bedding too where possible. Using a size/age-appropriate sleeping bag can keep little ones warm enough but also ensure they are safe. 

After 12 months, one of the biggest mistakes we find parents make when it comes to their children’s bedroom is that they make it too exciting and stimulating. Once children get a little older It can be really tempting to have tents, mobiles, stuffed animals and bright murals on the wall but, when it comes to bedrooms, less is more. 

If you have any of these things near where your little one sleeps, you may want to remove these or store them away when bedtime approaches;  

• Mobiles over the cot at sleep times 
• Glow in the dark stars or over-exciting bedroom wall designs 
• More than 1-2 special stuffed toys 
• Pillows 
• Anything that could be stimulating and not encourage sleep 

2. Keep it dark

Contrary to what a lot of people believe, babies are not afraid of the dark. In fact, fear of the dark is a learned fear, and most babies would much prefer a completely dark sleep environment.  

Once little ones have learned independent sleep skills, we find one of the main reasons babies wake up too early is because they are so sensitive to the slightest change in light levels. Even though we are coming into winter it would still be a good idea to consider blackout blinds and blackout curtains. 

3. Keep it quiet (but not too quiet)

Although children’s rooms should be completely dark, they can be a little too quiet. It can be easier for little ones to fall asleep when noise is kept to a minimum, but you could get your little one used to a bit of background noise for example conversation etc., so they’ll be able to sleep that through busy family life when they’re in bed. 

If you have noisy neighbours/siblings, live on a busy road etc. a white or pink noise machine can work wonders. Ensure this is pure white/pink noise (rather than rainforest/washing machine etc.) and ensure it is on all night and for naptimes too.  

4. Keep it cool

We often find little ones can be overdressed for bed, especially when they are little. The recommended temperature for a baby’s room is between 16 to 20°. In fact, a 0.5% change in temperature can really impact our sleep. Make sure you check your little one’s temperature by feeling their back or chest and not relying on the temperature of their hands. 

A sleeping bag can work well to maintain the best body temperature (link) but be aware that 4am is generally when our bodies (and our houses) are the coolest, so we want to try and avoid our little ones waking up because they are cold. 

5. Have a calming bedtime routine

Although this is not strictly about bedroom environment, having a good, calm bedtime routine can really help. An hour or so before bedtime, try to ensure that everything is quiet and calm. You could use this time to have a quiet play and a ‘sleepy snack’ but you want to try and set the tone for the night. By not engaging in active play the hour before bedtime, your little one will understand that fun time is over and that, whilst you can, of course, have cuddles, singing, laughter and storytelling, this will be nice and calm. 

Often tweaks to a child’s bedroom can really help them sleep but if you’re the parent of a baby or child who isn’t sleeping well, chances are there is a little bit more work that needs to be done. 

If you feel like you need a little extra help with your little one’s sleep, you can book a free 15-minute no obligation call with Jenna or a member of the team [email protected] they would love to help. They are also a franchise, so it is likely there is a sleep consultant in your area (or perhaps even an exciting new career opportunity available to you.) 

Browse our stunning Sleeptime Collection for little dreamers. Explore Scandinavian inspired nursery furniture, the softest organic sleeping bags, beautiful bedding sets and much more. 

Be sure to sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop with the latest news, offers and all our favourite things for birth, baby, parenting and home.  

Come and say hi over on Instagram @scandiborn and don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest too. 

For more expert sleep advice, be sure to have a read of our other sleep related blog posts, How to Manage the Springtime Clock Change with Little Ones and Top Sleep Tips for Little Travellers.  

About Jenna and Little Dreams Consulting 

Jenna Wilson set up the multi award winning Little Dreams Consulting 7 years ago, following ten years working in Childcare Law. She has trained with Sleep Sense™ and The Sleep Charity (UK) and has attended a multitude of courses with the NSPCC and The Lullaby Trust. 

The little Dreams Consulting family is growing and is looking for franchisees across the UK to join their successful team of sleep experts. To find out more, pop them an email at  [email protected] for a (no obligation) chat. 

We’re back once again with those lovely folk over at Little Dreams Consulting. An award winning organisation who work with babies from 4 months to 10 years old, to help with all aspects of their sleep. 

This time they are kindly sharing some top tips to promote better sleep for little ones. So if you are struggling with sleep, thanks largely to the newest member of your family, don’t despair. Read on for some tried and tested advice that will hopefully help you all enjoy a more restful night ahead. 

One of the most popular questions we get asked at Little Dreams Consulting is “How can I get my baby to sleep better?"

Sleep, though a necessity, is very much a learned behaviour. If you have a little one whose sleep pattern is working for you as a family, then there really is no need to change anything, even if you feel it’s not what you ‘should do’ in the context of books or expert opinions. 

However, if you are finding lack of sleep unsustainable, then we really hope these tips will help you. 

To understand how to help your little ones sleep for longer, we need to understand a little about how sleep works.

Newborns are very different to everyone else, in relation to sleep. They spend roughly half their time in deep sleep and roughly half in dream (‘REM’) sleep, so these tips won’t work for them. 

We often find parents start to have issues once their little one has developed sleep cycles, around 12-16 weeks…commonly referred to as the ‘4-month sleep regression’. At this time, we develop sleep cycles that last roughly 45-60 minutes and consist of light/deep stages plus dream sleep. Take a look at the chart below for a visual representation of this. 

The difference between babies who sleep well and those who don’t, is that generally the little ones who don’t sleep well need help to get back to sleep every time they come to the edge of sleep. What happens is when little ones have relied upon something to go to sleep, they come to the edge of their sleep cycle and, if things are different (e.g. they aren’t being fed/rocked etc) they are confused and need that help (the feeding or rocking etc) to get back to sleep.

 It would be just  like you falling asleep in your bed with your pillow and duvet, but coming to the edge of sleep on the kitchen floor. Some little ones will, of course, need a feed or two to get through the night, but when their sleep is very disturbed it can impact their growth, development and your sleep too.

As highlighted in the chart, nobody actually sleeps through the entire night, and these ‘mini wakings’ are very normal. But, if your little one is fully waking each time they come to the edge of sleep, then take a look at our handy tips. 

Try to pop your little one down without them being reliant upon something. If your child depends on a “prop” to fall asleep like feeding, dummies, patting or rocking, then they will find it difficult to get back to sleep without their “prop.” If they rely on something external to fall asleep – something beyond their control – this will increase their anxiety and make it even harder for them to fall asleep by themselves. It will also mean they will probably wake regularly in the night for help to get back to sleep. Again, if this is working for you then there is no need to change anything, but if it’s becoming unsustainable this is something to consider. 

However you choose to guide your little one toward their independent sleep skills, remember, consistency is vital.  Children thrive on boundaries and if those boundaries move every night, you’ll create a confusing message for them. 

Make a mental note on their awake windows and ensure you use the correct ones, so they don’t become overtired. Some children will only show sleep cues once they’re overtired, so be mindful of them but don’t rely on them totally, unless you know their sleep needs really well. 

Have a bedtime routine which is the same every night and takes no longer than 20-30 minutes. Again, children  thrive on routine no matter their age, and you may find that if it’s longer than 30 minutes, they may find their second wind and be very difficult to settle to sleep.

Don’t skip naps! Often parents think that by skipping naps or making their little one very tired by keeping them awake too long will help them sleep at night – but this is not the case. Children under 2½-3 years of age need naps to be well rested and not overtired at bedtime. Good naps mean a better night’s sleep too.

We hope this helps you and your family to achieve a better night's rest. Let us know how you are getting on and we wish you ‘sweet dreams’.

If you feel like you need a little extra help with your little one’s sleep, you can book in a free 15-minute no obligation call ( or an appointment) with Jenna or a member of her team by calling her on  07572 309404 or email [email protected].

Don’t forget to shop our stunning Sleeptime Collection for little dreamers. Explore Scandinavian inspired nursery furniture, beautiful bedding sets,  the softest organic baby sleeping bags, cot mobiles,  accessories and much more.

Be sure to sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop on the latest news, offers and all of our favourite things.

Come and say hi over on Instagram @scandiborn and don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest too.

For more expert sleep advice,  be sure to have a read of our other sleep related blog posts, How to Manage the Springtime Clock Change with Little Ones and Top Sleep Tips for Little Travellers. 

About Jenna and Little Dreams Consulting

Jenna Wilson set up the multi award winning Little Dreams Consulting 6 years ago, following ten years working in Childcare Law. She has trained with Sleep Sense™ and The Sleep Charity (UK) and has attended a multitude of courses with the NSPCC and The Lullaby Trust.

The little Dreams Consulting family is growing and is looking for franchisees across the UK to join their successful team of sleep experts. To find out more, pop them an email at  [email protected] for a (no obligation) chat.

Today on the blog, we’re talking all things hypnobirthing. You may have already experienced a hypnobirth or, are simply curious to find out more. 

We sat down for a lovely little natter with the rather wonderful people over at The Positive Birth Company (PBC). As seen on Dragons' Den, PBC is on a mission to support people as they embark on the most exciting journey of their lives: parenthood. 

Read on for a bit of myth busting as they share their essential birthing tips, an enlightening birth story and their top, must-have items for baby, birth and beyond. 

Hypnobirthing - The Basics

So, let’s get down to facts. Hypnobirthing is, simply put, an evidence based program of antenatal education. The techniques you'll learn can be used during labour, however you choose to bring your baby into this world. It uses a series of learned techniques and practices to help empower people to create a calm and positive birth experience. Think of it as a science lesson and mindfulness practice all in one!

Of course, everybody’s birth journey is different and unique to them and everyone has their own ideas and preferences to consider. 

To help prepare for a positive and confident birth, PBC have shared with us their top 5  inspirational tips and take-ways. 

 5 Tips for a Positive Birth

1: Breathing

Learning a breathing technique to use during labour is so important and really will make the biggest difference. We teach two breathing techniques in hypnobirthing at PBC - up breathing and down breathing. Up breathing is used for the up stage of labour, when the uterus muscles are drawing up and the cervix is dilating. Down breathing is used for the down stage of labour, where the muscles are pushing down and you are birthing your baby.

2: Environment

Don’t underestimate how important your birthing environment is! Whether you’re giving birth at home, at a birth centre or on a labour ward, make sure you’ve planned how you’ll make that space calm and relaxing. Things like a birth playlist, battery operated tealights and a nice room spray can instantly set the mood, transform your space and help you feel much more relaxed.

3: Birth partner

Having someone you trust as your birth partner to advocate for you whilst you labour is so important. Make sure they know what your birth preferences are so they can ensure your wishes are respected. One of our favourite affirmations is ‘My birth partner is by my side, and on my side’ and it’s just so true. They are the keeper of the cave and they’ve got your back!

4: Positive Reinforcement

A lot of what we teach in hypnobirthing at PBC is removing the fear around birth, because you want to be relaxed. The more relaxed you are, the easier your birth will be. The best way of doing this is through positive reinforcement. Practice using positive affirmations, such as ‘My surges cannot be stronger than me, because they are me’ and ‘My baby will be born calmly, gently and safely’. Watch positive birth videos and read positive birth stories. It’s super empowering stuff and will absolutely help you think of birth as a positive and wonderful experience.

5: Be informed

Be in a position where you can make informed decisions that are right for you and your baby. Know your choices and options! You can have a positive and empowering experience no matter how your birth pans out, if you can feel like you were in control.

In hypnobirthing we teach the BRAIN decision making framework to help you make these important decisions. This stands for Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Instinct, Nothing. Ask yourself and your caregiver; What are the BENEFITS of this decision? What are the RISKS? Are there any ALTERNATIVES? What does your INSTINCT tell you? What happens if you do NOTHING for (X) amount of time?

For more free hypnobirthing tips, visit The Positive Birth Company’s YouTube Channel

https://www.northsidesermons.com/c/thepositivebirthcompany

Amy’s Birth story

If you’re considering Hypnobirthing, then this story is for you.  Warning, you may need some tissues to hand - births and babies always make us feel emotional.

“I can’t believe it’s my turn to add my story to this magic corner of the internet. I work for PBC, so have enjoyed reading many stories and wondered if my birth would really be as magical as everyone else’s. I’m happy to confirm that it was!

I had a good pregnancy but suffered terrible pelvic pain which meant I wasn’t so active from 20 weeks+. I found this frustrating but other than that I was in awe of my body and enjoyed the changes to it.

I had planned a home birth from the get go as I really wanted to have my baby at home with my partner, son and my family a few minutes away by car. However this idea all went out of the window when we bought a house, which we ended up completing on, just two days after my EDD. Naturally our new house didn’t feel calm and neither did I. It was all last minute and rather stressful. The house needed redecorating, new carpets and cleaning from top to bottom. As I was now overdue, my partner got to work with the house whilst I attempted to relax.

My friend and colleague, PBC Founder Siobhan kept telling me that the baby would arrive when the house was feeling more together, that they were waiting for us to finish the paint… she kept saying ‘babies know’. By that point I just wanted the baby to make an appearance.

The midwife booked me in for induction at 41+5. The house was as finished as it could be and induction day loomed. My phone pinged constantly asking ‘if I’d had that baby yet’ I literally wanted to throw it out the window!

Like most people, I was nervous about induction. We arrived at the ward at 11am - unexpectedly greeted by my colleague and friend, PBC resident midwife Hannah who was on shift that day. I was nervous about the induction but I felt calmer greeted by her smiling face. After being shown to our side room I had a cuppa and was hooked up for monitoring, the baby was all good and happy.

At 12:20 midwife Debbie examined me and popped the pessary in, this was stage 1 of induction. After a quick examination I was only 2cm. At this point I had the choice to go home and return tomorrow if nothing was happening or I went into labour. I decided to stay - after all, I’d packed my gel nail kit and iPad and was looking forward to having dinner served to me in front of netflix. My partner Pete said I must have been the happiest patient in the hospital as I settled down for the evening ahead. I knew I’d have more oxytocin flowing having a hospital ‘mini break’ rather than returning home where I may be tempted to continue unpacking boxes and feeling anxious about whether labour would begin. 

Morning came and I was feeling more tightenings, stronger and closer together. By 6am I turned to my Freya app just to check their frequency and the app told me I was in established labour. 

At around 8:45am I was bent over the bed contracting and doing my upbreathing. I asked for 2 paracetamol from Midwife Nikki on the drugs round.

Hannah returned on shift at 8:50am and came straight in to see me. I was relieved to see her, as Pete had not yet arrived and at this point I was in deep concentration and breathing to Freya with each contraction. Freya helped me so much and I soon learnt that after the first two repetition of counts that by the third, the pain would ease off. 

I realised that I hadn’t given anyone my birth preferences. I’d always wanted to birth in water, so Hannah popped upstairs to see if the pool was available. It was!

My partner Pete arrived and as soon as he walked in I had a little cry, I think because I felt a little overwhelmed and also proud of myself by that point for working through it so well alone. Pete admitted that he thought I’d be in bed watching the news having light contractions. Instead he walked into established labour and we were soon to be on our way to delivery.

Midwife Nikki returned to examine me and to everyone's surprise I was 6cm. At that point it was all systems go to get me upstairs to the birthing suite. Pete got out the lavender spray, we joked at this point that we had passed that stage and we wouldn’t be using any spray or candles!  We now had the task of making it upstairs to the delivery suite. I had to keep stopping with Freya in my hand and contracting all the way through the ward, twice in the lift and all the way along delivery suite corridors.

By 10am we reached the room with the pool. I got in and began my upbreathing. I was still able to laugh and joke between contractions, Pete was gobsmacked that I was able to act totally normally between each one. I quickly moved into the transition stage, where I noticed I began to panic as the adrenaline kicked in. I asked Pete to remind me to drop my shoulders and relax my jaw in order to remain calm as I felt the urge to push. I was adamant to breathe my baby out and didn’t want to lose control. The midwife at this point had done very little, as requested. She then prompted me to breathe and push my baby down.

I felt him coming down but then he felt static or as if he was going back up. After a few breaths  the midwife asked if I could feel the head with my hand, I had a feel and sure enough I could feel a wrinkly little crown of his head. The midwife told me with the next breath that his head should come out, she was right.

Then she said with the next one, his body would be out and I could pull him out. I gave it my all and concentrated and sure enough, with my next breath I birthed my baby, grabbed him up and pulled him up to my chest. At 11:07am, 2 hours after Pete had arrived and 24 after the pessary, I lay back in the pool staring at my little boy. He had the fullest head of beautiful dark hair and at that moment I felt like the most powerful person on earth.

Otis’ birth was honestly the best day of our lives. It was such a magical experience and whilst my first birth was exactly the same on paper, I had no clue what I was doing and felt quite out of control. This time I felt totally IN control and on cloud nine”.

If you feel inspired byAmy’s birth story, visit The Positive Birth Company to find out more about their 121 coaching sessions, group classes and online courses in hypnobirthing. You can also learn more about the Freya hypnobirthing app, as mentioned in Jasmine’s story. This revolutionary contraction timer and virtual birthing partner will help coach you all the way through labour. 

Oh Baby!

 And of course, we couldn’t let them go without asking those lovely folk at PBC for their top new parenting picks from Scandiborn:

• - Your babe will be fascinated by the beautiful patterns on these soft muslins, making them not only useful for cleaning up those messes, but for entertaining your little one too.

• Because everyone needs a changing bag! This backpack is a great option - hands free and plenty of room for *all* of your things.

• These bodysuits turn practical to cute! Milk themed vests and a milk bottle teether will look great on any babe. 

That’s all for now. We hope you enjoyed this little read and wish you well on your parenting journey. 

Grab yourself a (decaf) cuppa, pop your feet up and shop the full range of products for baby, parenting, home and lifestyle over at Scandiborn. And, if you're in need of some nursery inspiration, why not have a read at our Neutral Nursery, Space or Animal Safari themed interiors blogs.  Plus, you can shop the whole look from our full collection of themed interiors online too.

Come and say hi over on Instagram @scandiborn and don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest too.

For more reads on all things parenting and home be sure to visit Journal, our curated lifestyle blog.   And don't forget to sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop on the latest news, offers and all of our favourite things. 

About The Positive Birth Company

Founded by hypnobirthing expert Siobhan Miller in 2016, we are committed to empowering women, birthing people and birth partners around the world to create positive experiences from conception through to birth and the postpartum period with our unique, accessible and fully comprehensive approach to prenatal, antenatal and postnatal education.

Read the full story.

Planning on taking the plunge and visiting warmer climbs with your brood this summer season? Worried about how the heat or change of routine may impact on your little dreamers sleep?  Fear not. Our sleep expert Jenna Wilson of Little Dreams Consulting shares her top sleep tips when travelling abroad with little ones, to make it a holiday to remember (for all the right reasons).

Top Sleep Tips for Tiny Travellers 

Pre-Travel

1. An easy win is to try and book flights around nap/bedtimes so that your little one/s will hopefully be asleep on the plane. Or, if that's not possible, plan your trip to the airport around their nap time,  even if it means arriving a little earlier than you usually would.
2. Have plenty of snacks at the ready - just in case the queues to check in are long and where possible try and check in at home online.

During the Flight

1. Have everything prepared and easily accessible for the flight. Some things to consider are: nightwear, your child's regular comforter (plus a spare if you can - just in case it gets lost during the journey/holiday!)blankets, snacks/food/milk, entertainment for little ones according to their age (stickers, books, magnets, colouring, downloaded programmes etc), something to suck/drink for landing and take-off.

Whilst Away (Daytime)

1. Try not to over-plan your days – this can lead to tired and emotional little ones, which isn’t fun for anyone. 
2. Naps on the go are totally fine. Try and have as many naps in the cot as possible in the cot where possible as well. Using something like a snoozeshade over the pram or pushchair can be helpful for daytime naps. It will help keep out the heat and ensure that the surroundings are less stimulating for little ones.
3. If you are flying long haul and worried about jet lag, then try and get out in the daylight as soon as possible after you arrive, since this is the best way to regulate your body clocks.

Whilst Away (Bedtime)

1. Try and make your little one's sleep environment as close to it is at home as you can. For example, don’t forget to pack your white noise machine, a portable black out blind is a must have, any regular comforter/soft toys, blanket etc. 
2. If they are still struggling in their new environment, do exactly what you would do at home plus offer a little extra reassurance/comfort where needed and they will soon be back to settling well.
3. If you don’t bed share with your baby or toddler at home, and do not plan to, try not to do it whilst travelling. Even if it is only for a few nights, if your little one decides this is their new preferred location, you could find yourself starting all over again when you get home. Most hotels have a cot you can use, so make sure you check in advance or take your own if necessary.
4. If they sleep in a separate room at home and this isn’t possible on holiday, try and create some space between them and yourself with a divider or curtain, so that if they do wake up, they aren’t too excited by seeing you!
5. If children are sharing, bear in mind that there may be a few extra shenanigans the first couple of nights, after all this is all new and exciting for them.  Remain consistent and maybe think of some rewards for good bedtime behaviour and they will be back to settling well in no time!
6. Don’t beat yourself up if rules are relaxed a little and they stay up later than usual - you are on holiday after all!

Back home:

1. If some of the ‘rules’ were relaxed during the holiday, once you are back home, go back to your normal sleep routine and stay consistent for a few days so little ones know nothing has changed at home.

The best advice of course is to enjoy your holiday! Create family memories and most importantly, relax. You deserve it. Parenting is a privilege but it’s certainly no walk in the park.

If you feel like you need a little extra help with your little one’s sleep once you are back home, you can book in a free 15-minute no obligation call ( or an appointment) with Jenna or a member of her team by calling her on  07572 309404 or email [email protected].

For all those holiday must-haves, be sure to check out our travel essentials for little nomads. From the best backpacks to stylish swimwear to be seen in, and all those beachy favourites to keep little water babies happy and entertained all summer long. 

About Jenna and Little Dreams Consulting

Jenna Wilson set up the multi award winning Little Dreams Consulting 5 years ago, following ten years working in Childcare Law. She has trained with Sleep Sense™ and The Sleep Charity (UK) and has attended a multitude of courses with the NSPCC and The Lullaby Trust.

The little Dreams Consulting family is growing and is looking for franchisees across the UK to join their successful team of sleep experts. To find out more, pop them an email at  [email protected] for a (no obligation) chat.

Expecting a new arrival? Congratulations from us! 

As the end of your pregnancy draws close, we want you to truly embrace this incredible milestone. A time that marks the end of one journey and the start of a whole new, and very exciting, chapter in your life.

Packing your hospital bag is likely to be one of the last things you do as you prepare to meet your precious little one. So where to begin? With a plethora of information and so many products available to expectant new parents, it's important not to get overwhelmed, or indeed, carried away. 

This read is by no means a definitive list, but we do hope that it helps to ease any unnecessary worries and stress that you may be feeling. Giving you more time to plan for the main event. 

We’ve highlighted some of our tried and tested favourites below, as well as a handy checklist to help take the hard work out of choosing.  

For Mama

A good bag is an ideal place to start. Searching for one that meets all your needs can be a bit of a minefield. It has to tick several boxes. Compact yet roomy, versatile but practical and of course, it needs to look good too. Choose from our collection of favourites, handpicked to fulfil all your parenting needs. 

For versatility we adore the coveted quilted Paris Change Bag from sustainable brand Nobodinoz, perfect for the hospital, birth and beyond. Or how about their gorgeous Gala Changing Bag, another stylish option, complete with a practical waterproof outer.  And, for sheer luxe appeal then the Saunton Backpack from PacaPod has our heart.  This leather beauty really is the ultimate change bag - seeing you through from the delivery ward right through to the toddler years. Have a browse at our full range. 

You may wish to have a bag for you and a separate one for baby’s items, which can help make things easier to find. 

Packing your bag a good month before your due date is also a good tip. That way, you are prepared and can relax and enjoy those last few weeks.

Next up, a good toiletries bag is a must have for storing all those skincare essentials in one handy place. Be sure to read our checklist above for all those beauty basics that we just can’t leave home without. 

These pretty organic cotton  toiletry bags from Nobodinoz fulfil all our needs - sustainable, stylish and fully lined, with a waterproof coating to prevent any unwanted spillages. And, these sweet wash pouches from Avery Row are perfectly sized and include clever elasticated inner pockets, ensuring all of those essentials are within easy reach. The Baby and Me Organiser Bag from Cuddledry is a nifty, well thought out space saver, with two separate zippered sections, one for mama and one for baby. Genius. 

Don’t forget to add these earth friendly staples too.  Wild and Stone are a beautiful sustainable brand who produce bamboo toothbrushes and travel cases, reusable razors and make-up remover pads. All plastic free and recyclable too. Plus, these super absorbent, reusable bamboo breast pads from Mama Designs are totally washable,  making them a great money saver whilst doing their bit for the environment too. 

Top of our wish list for mama are these stunning dressing gowns from Malabar Baby. These lightweight robes are made from luxurious Indian cotton voile with hand stitched detailing. With a belted tie, they are nursing friendly and make a perfect cover up for trips to the shower or for walking around when on the hospital ward. Pick your favourite print. Be sure to check out their beautiful baby towels in coordinating designs too. 

If you take one thing, make it the BBHugme pregnancy and nursing pillow. Ok, admittedly it’s not the most compact item, but we promise you will thank us. This ingenious piece of kit is a best seller and multi award winner, and it’s easy to see why. It ties easily around your waist to provide optimum support for your neck and shoulders as well as added comfort for your little one. Super lightweight, it comes with a handy travel bag for easy transportation too. 

For Baby 

A coming home outfit has to be one of the most exciting purchases you will make. Comfort is key here of course as well choosing something that looks and feels suitably special.  We stock a wide range of carefully selected wares for newborns, all crafted from natural, organic materials, perfect for the most sensitive of newborn skin.

Discover the sweetest ready made sets from beautiful independent brands including these stunning luxury hand crafted pieces from Marie Chantal. Bearing their iconic angel wing design, they are truly one of a kind. Shop the full curation of bonnets, sleepsuits, knitted cardigans, booties and more. 

Incidentally, Rosie Meringue crafts the most adorable handmade wooden announcement plaques and signs,  perfect for that first photoshoot . Check out their full  selection of wording and designs that will really tug at those heartstrings and make a wonderful keepsake. 

The unsung hero of any hospital bag has to be the humble muslin cloth. These little baby essentials are a real parenting saviour that you really won’t be able to live without. Just the ticket for mopping up spills, using as a nursing cover up, bib, blanket, lightweight towel - you name it, it can do it! Our advice is to invest in the best quality that you can afford, preferably organic cotton like these gems from Liewood. The Lewis comes in a handy pack of two, with an array of sweet Scandi inspired colourways and prints to suit your personal style. Plus they get softer with each wash too. Browse our extensive collection of muslin cloths available at Scandiborn.co.uk

If sustainability is high on your agenda, then look no further than these wonderful reusable diapers from eco brand Roam Nappies. The clever design means that they fit babies from birth, right up to toilet training. With built in tech to prevent leakages, the inserts are made from natural bamboo terry cloth with built in antibacterial properties. Be sure to snap up a matching wet bag for storing dirty or clean nappies whilst out and about. 

A hooded towel is a real winner for your tot’s first dip. A perfect little wrap to snuggle them up in and help prevent any tiny tears. Take a look at these super soft organic hooded favourites from Liewood with their adorable animal faces. Or these award winners from Cuddledry with their unique apron design. 

Another staple, a baby blanket, is something you will reach for over and over again. For us, a blanket must be soft, lightweight and breathable. Plus ideally, it needs to stand the test of time.  There’s something so special about passing on a treasured heirloom, ready for future family generations to enjoy. This soft cotton knitted stunner from Emily Rollings fits the bill, with its neutral colourway and classic design.  As are Avery Row’s oh so dreamy collection of knitted beauties, complete with nostalgic scallop detailing. 

And last, but most certainly not least, a car seat is vital for the trip home from the hospital, as well as an investment piece that you will use for the months and years to come. 

Check out Doona, the car seat of dreams. The first ever fully integrated travel system, it truly is the perfect car seat and stroller combo. Go from baby carrier to newborn car seat and stroller in just one click of a button. Prepare to be wowed. 

Full of clever tech and cutting edge design, these ultra chic wheels are safe, compact and stylish - made for busy parents on the go.

That’s all for now. We hope you enjoyed this little read and wish you well on your parenting journey. 

Grab yourself a (decaf) cuppa, pop your feet up and shop the full range of products for baby, parenting, home and lifestyle over at Scandiborn. And, if you're in need of some nursery inspiration, why not have a read at our Neutral Nursery, Space or Animal Safari themed interiors blogs.  Plus, you can shop the whole look from our full collection of themed interiors online too.

Come and say hi over on Instagram @scandiborn and don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest too.

The change in seasons as Spring approaches is often a welcome respite from those dark wintery days. However, the prospect of the clocks going forward for daylight saving can be a tricky one for those with babies and youngsters who still take a nap during the day. 

Never fear. Those lovely folk over at Little Dreams Consulting have put together some wonderful advice so that we can all breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to longer days.  Read on for Jenna’s guide. 

Sweet dreams. 

Dream a little dream

Twice a year when the clocks change, we are inundated with questions from parents asking what they can do to prevent sleep disruption. Here’s a quick guide to managing  the Spring clock change,  depending on the age of your little-one(s).

The good news is that If your child is naturally an early riser, then you probably don’t have to change anything, as the clocks will do everything for you.

However, if you feel the clock change could interfere with your little dreamer's sleep routine, in that you might have to wake them an hour earlier for nursery, school etc, then here are some handy tips that you may want to follow. 

Infants

For babies over 4 months old you can make a simple, gradual adjustment to their internal clock. For example, if their bedtime is usually 7pm, simply move bedtime 15 minutes earlier each night until you reach their normal time. So, on Sunday night (when the clocks go forward) you would put them down at 7.45pm, the next night at 7.30pm and so on. By the fourth night you should be back to their ‘normal’ time of 7pm. 

Newborns

If your little one’s bedtime is a tad unpredictable (which is totally normal for those aged 0 to 4 months) simply jump to the new time on Sunday night as the clocks alter, as if you were travelling to a new time zone. It may take them a little longer to fall asleep, which is expected, as they might not be as tired to start off with. But, eventually they will get used to this new routine as their bodies adjust.

Toddlers (over 1 and older)

On Sunday (when the clocks go forward) put little sleepyheads down for their first nap 30 minutes later than normal. For example, if they usually nap at 9.30am you would put them down at 10am instead. Do the same for the afternoon nap too, if they have one. Remember, they might become a little grumpy and require a little more entertaining than usual during this transition period whilst they are ‘pushed’ to their new nap time. Then, at bedtime, if you usually put them down at 7pm, move this forward by half an hour and put them down at 7.30pm instead. Do this for the next 3 nights after the time changes.  Then, on the 4th night put them to bed at the ‘normal’ time of 7pm and on the 5th day move nap times back to ‘normal’ time as well. 

Older children

Our best advice here is to ‘split the difference’ between the old time and the new time. Start on Sunday night (first night of the time change) for children who no longer nap. So, if their normal bedtime is 7pm then you would put them to bed at 7.30pm instead. Do this for 3 nights and then on the 4th night put them to bed at the normal time of 7pm. 

General advice for all children

No matter what age, one thing that will make a difference at bedtime is how light it is outside. With this in mind, we recommend that you make your child’s bedroom as dark as possible to limit any sunlight coming into their room which could make it difficult for them to fall/stay asleep. 

Using something like a blackout blind or even blackout card/material over the window can be really helpful to block out any residual light. 

Overall, it can take about a week for children and babies to completely adjust to a new time and for some children it may take up to a month. Be patient and remain consistent and it will happen.

A final thought

Daylight is one of the best regulators of our body clock (‘circadian rhythms’) so going outside really helps little ones’ burn off energy and can also help set a little body clock that is suffering from jet lag too. So, get ready to embrace this glorious new season and head outside with your little adventurers. 

If you are having trouble with any aspect of your child’s sleep, you can book a free 15-minute consultation (or an appointment), by calling her on  07572 309404 or email [email protected].

Don’t forget to  shop our stunning sleep time collection for little dreamers. Explore Scandinavian inspired nursery furniture, beautiful bedding sets,  the softest organic baby sleeping bags, cot mobiles,  accessories and much more.

About Jenna and  Little Dreams Consulting

Jenna Wilson set up the multi award winning Little Dreams Consulting 5 years ago, following ten years working in Childcare Law. She has trained with Sleep Sense™ and The Sleep Charity (UK) and has attended a multitude of courses with the NSPCC and The Lullaby Trust.