MumsTheWord - for mums-to-be and new mums

Do you want your man to make you feel special?

2011-06-21T10:58:00.000+01:00

This is definitely one for the boys, so go and get him, sit him down in front of the PC and tell him to read, or alternatively, print this out and leave it somewhere where he won't miss it - taped to the TV remote control for example.......read more

It's Breastfeeding Awareness Week

2011-06-20T15:13:00.000+01:00

There's a lot of pressure today on a new mother to breast rather than bottle feed their new baby, and unlike many ‘nanny knows best’ instructions this one is actually good advice – if you are able to breastfeed your newborn baby, then do so, it is good for you and good for your baby.
But why is “breast best”?........read full article

Sweet Dreams

2011-06-17T14:54:00.000+01:00

You know the feeling, you're tired, you want to go to sleep but you can't get comfortable. Your growing bump gets in the way - because you always used to lie on your stomach; you keep on having to get up to go to the toilet, you have heartburn or indegestion, and worst of all, the body in the bed next to you is lying fast asleep without a care in the world.
But don't worry, according to one survey, 97% of women said that they had difficulties in either getting to sleep or staying asleep.......read full article

Do you know what a "Dadelor" party is?

2011-06-16T09:48:00.000+01:00

No neither did we, but acccording to the Huffington Post it's the latest craze in the USA. In essence it's a bachelor party for expectant dads, or as one participant put it "Let's have one more night where responsible decisions don’t matter."
General guidelines are that the dad-to-be doesn't pay for the drinks all day, and that there is at least a one month gap before the baby's arrival, because "You don’t want to have the dad be on a bar crawl when the wife goes into labor."
So will it catch on over here?
Do you want it to catch on over here?
Would you organise a dadelor party for a friend?
..................read the full article

Can we have a boy/girl please. (select as required)

2011-06-15T13:20:00.000+01:00

There are any number of old wives tales about how to increase your chances of having a boy rather than a girl or vice versa.
For example, if you want a girl then you should seduce your partner and have sex during the afternoon during the time of a full moon. But if you would rather have a boy, eat red meat and salty snacks, wait for him to make the first move, but keep him at bay until bed time............read full article

Are you using enough sun lotion?

2011-06-14T11:42:00.000+01:00

A recent study showed that if you only apply 50% of the recommended amount of sun lotion, the level of protection drops dramatically.
For example applying half he amount of SPF25 will only give you protection of SPF5, and half the amount of SPF50 will only give SPF7 protection.
As a rough guide, an adult will need 25-30g of sun lotion (about a shot glass full) to give the claimed protection over the whole body.
Soit is even more important when putting sunscreen on babies or children, with their more delicate skin, to make sure it is applied thoroughly - no matter how much they wriggle!

Olive OIl may not be good for new babies' skin

2011-06-13T16:29:00.000+01:00

Studies carried out at Sheffield University have shown that olive oil which for many years has been recommended as a natural 'home-made' product for baby massage could instead be damaging the top layer of a new baby's skin and thereby encouraging eczema and allergic skin conditions.
The research has demonstrated that the high level of oleic acid found in olive oil can weaken the delicate top layer of the skin, which can lead to an increased susceptibility to dry skin and eczema.
It appears that this damage is most likely to affect babies in the first three months before their skin has developed fully.
As a general rule, edible or plant-based oils are the best to use - preferably unscented, so something like cold-pressed sunflower oil would be better to use. But whatever you use, try a small sectio of skin only at first to make sure that there are no allergic reactions.

EverEarth Toys

2011-06-10T16:24:00.000+01:00

We've been selling EverEarth toys for about a year now, pretty much since they started in the UK, and we really like the toys that they make as well as the company's ethos - they take being a "green organisation" very seriously. It's not just lip service to the concept of sustainability, it's fundamental to their way of doing business.
Their mission statement is "Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
An impressive statement, but they back it up with actions:

They hold the following international certifications for their factory:
ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gas Calculations
ISO 14001 Environmental Management
OHSAS 18001 Health & Safety Management
Rubber wood and bamboo are used in all their manufacture of wooden toys
They are developing a sustainable forest in line with FSC recommendations within 50km of their factory
They only use water-based paint
They use soy bean ink on printing
They are designing new products with sustainability in mind
They're currently designing products that educate children about saving the environment.

But none of this would mean very much if the toys they make weren't good as well as green - and they are! They make traditional role playing wooden toys such as a workbench, a dolls house, stables plus a range of wooden activity centres for the under 1's.

and just brought out is their brand new Bamboo Balance Bike - a fabulous addition to the range

Take a look at the full range of EverEarth toys that we stock you'll be impressed with them

Pregnancy Freebies

2011-06-09T10:23:00.000+01:00

We all know that having a baby is expensive, so if some companies are prepared to give you "something for nothing" then what's holding you back?
This list isn't comprehensive, but will give you a few ideas about what's out there.
Huggies Baby Club - have a look at the Pregnancy Calendar as well
Bounty Packs - why would you say no?
Tesco Baby & Toddler Club - love them or loathe them, Tesco have come up with a great all-round mix.
Babies "R" Us Mother & Baby Club - great range but only valid in store
Cow and Gate - really good social aspects to this one + lots of special offers
Boots Parenting Club - really good, especially if you have an Advantage Card
Bookstart - a free way to get your child to start loving books

Pregnancy Swimsuits

2011-06-08T12:28:00.000+01:00

If the thought of any swimsuit sends shivers down your spine, then the thought of a pregnancy swimsuit will be enough to give you the "screaming habdabs", so here are a few tips to help you keep your cool in the sun and look great as well.
When are you due? - depending on when you're due, you might not need a new swim suit - unless you want to treat yourself.
Bare Belly - bikini sytles are popular even if you're pregnant, as belly baring is in fashion - so consider buying a regular bikini rather than a maternity one - just make sure you get the sizing right given your change in shape in pregnancy.
Skirts - a great way to hide a bulging belly in late pregnancy. You could either buy a decorative one or a style that comes down to mid-thigh
Try a tankini - if you're not into complete belly baring (at least until it has a light tan) then this could be the best option - you can decide on the exact amount of belly baring that you're comfortable with.
Maternity/Nursing - you can get swim suits that convert from a maternity suit into a nursing swimsuit - may be handy if you're due in early summer but going on holiday later in the season.
To see the swimsuit options available online, try looking at this site for ideas.

Swimming in Pregnancy

2011-06-07T15:45:00.000+01:00

You're off on holiday in a few weeks, but can you still play in the pool while you're pregnant?
Absolutely! Swimming is a great exercise in pregnancy, plus the larger your bump the more buoyant you'll feel in the water - so whether you're a water baby or a "I'll just dip my toe in" sort of girl - get splashing!!
Just remember to stay well hydrated and wear a high factor sunscreen. But don't swim if your water has broken - it's a swimming pool not a birthing pool!

Note for dads - what not to do in the delivery room

2011-06-02T11:14:00.000+01:00

Don't make the doctor or midwife have to sidestep around you to get to the most important person in the room - move out of the way.
Don't use Twitter, Facebook, texts etc. to keep everybody you know updated as to what's happening every minute - the mum-to-be may not want every little detail shared.
Don't pop out for something to eat and then come back smelling of curry/chilli/stinking bishop cheese or anything else that smells strongly unless you're ready to deal with a sudden case of nausea
Don't watch the monitor like a hawk while giving feedback "That contraction wasn't a really big one" etc..... you might find a bedpan flying at your head. Your job is to support not compare & contrast!
Let mum determine the amount of chat going on in the delivery room - well-meaning jokes might be taken in the spirit they were meant, so tread carefully.
Before you take any photo's make sure the mum knows that you are doing so. She will not thank you if what you think is a "funny picture" turns up on your Facebook page

Pregnancy Forgetfullness Quiz.

2011-06-01T10:25:00.000+01:00

At any time in the last couple of weeks, have you:

lot your keys
forgotten a meeting or appointment
forgotten your name
stopped halfway through a conversation because you've forgotten what you were saying
not felt quite 'on the ball'
got lost driving home from the supermarket

If so you could be suffering from what is affectionately known as "Placenta Brain". There are lots of theories as to why this happens during pregnancy, including hormonal changes, the fact that the brain shrinks by 3-5% during pregnancy or due to the fact that pregnant women tend to be inwardly reflective thinking about future changes and new problems that need to be solved. However, nobody is exactly sure for the reason, but the phenomena is only temporary and your brain will quickly get back up to full speed

Sympathetic Pregnancy Symptoms in Dads

2011-05-25T12:21:00.000+01:00

Has your appetite changed? Do you feel queasy at certain times of the day? Are you putting on weight as your partner's bump gets bigger?
If so you could be having sympathetic pregnancy symptons otherwise known as Couvade Syndrome.
It's not imaginary and you're not the only person who has ever suffered from these symptoms, but unfortunately there's only one known cure - and that's birth.

How to get on with your midwife

2011-05-20T15:44:00.000+01:00

When you arrive at hospital certain that "nows the time" your midwife becomes the most important person in your universe. Hopefully you will have met her before and formed a good relationship, but if this is the first time that you've met then you need to bond quickly.
So first up, tell her everything about your medical history - it will really help her to get up to speed quickly. Next, if you need something specific, tell her - it will take the guesswork away - she can only help you if she knows what you want.
Make sure she knows who's who in your support team - your mum, your partner, your doula, your sister.........
If in the worst case scenario you just aren't getting along with the midwife, don't suffer in silence, see if there's an alternative midwife who can look after you - the last thing you need to be during labour is tense or upset.
Finally, don't forget to thank her for helping you.

Would you go to antenatal classes for a second child?

2011-05-19T13:01:00.000+01:00

Pretty much everybody accepts that going to antenatal classes for a first child is a really good idea, but what about for a second child?
Do we think "been there, done that, got the T-shirt" or "I wish I'd asked that question first time around"?
While I don't have a strong feeling one way or the other, I think that on balance I would go; partly because the instructor will be diffferent and have a different approach; the group of parents-to-be will be different - have different interests, views and experiences and finally I would have different views from those I held before I became a parent for the first time.
But perhaps most importantly, the birth of every child is special so wouldn't you prepare just as thoroughly for this birth as you did for previous ones?

Fun Pregnancy Announcements

2011-05-16T15:55:00.000+01:00

When you want to tell all your friends that you're pregnant, how will you do it?
By telephone? At Starbucks? By suddenly becoming a teetotaller? A text message?
The modern twist is to use Facebook to make the announcement - tell just a couple of your best friends and see how long it takes 'till everybody you know knows! Or just make the news available on your home page and seeing how long it takes to go viral on its own.
Is that something you'd be happy to do or are you still an old-fashioned tell 'em face-to-face girl?

Choosing baby names - a nightmare!?!

2011-05-12T15:55:00.000+01:00

Why is it so difficult to choose the "right" name for your new baby, after all there are books and websites galore full of names from the popular to the obsure, not forgetting all those helpful relatives who can give you lists of "family names" that no new baby could possibly do without.
And this is before we embark on the list of celebrity names - do you choose the name or deliberately ignore it just because it's the name of an actor/actress on your favourite soap.
Kylie was virtually unknown in the UK until the advent of Neighbours although it had always been a popular name in Australia. Has anybody else named their baby Apple, since Gwneth Paltrow and Chris Martin plucked it out of the air? Will Finn become more popular because of one of the lead characters in Glee or will it slump in the next year's baby name listings?
Are you trying to find a "different" name for your baby just because it is, well, different? Has your brother/sister "stolen" your favourite names?
Problems, problems, problems......and our solution?
Before you finally make up your mind, imagine yourself shouting the name across the local park and if you can do that without going red, then you've chosen the perfect name for you and your baby.

"Are you feeling tired, dear?"

2011-05-11T16:09:00.000+01:00

Do men have any concept of what the word ‘tired’ means when you’ve just had a baby?

Different positions for labour and birth

2011-05-10T13:14:00.000+01:00

Contrary to what you might see on TV, there's more than one comfortable position for you during labour and for giving birth. These are not the only ones, but they may give you some ideas for talking about at your ante-natal classes:

Walking in labour is a great way to help speed up labour and make you more comfortable.
Sitting in a chair allows you to be fully upright and allows gravity to help labour progress
Sitting backwards on a chair has all the benefits of above, plus leaning forwards against the chair back can help take some pressure off your back
Sitting cross-legged on the floor is a good upright position, allows gravity to help and is very relaxing
Lying on your side is a great way to slow labour or birth down and can help take the pressure off the perineum during birth
Squatting is a great position once the baby's head is engaged in your pelvis, but make sure that you have support close at hand.
Hands & Knees is a great position for taking a break from the intensity of contractions. You can also use this position for giving birth.

Stress in pregnancy "makes child unruly"

2011-05-09T10:15:00.000+01:00

Researchers at Kings College, London say that stresssed mums-to-be are more likely to have unruly, hot-tempered children, as they have discovered a strong link between mental pressures on the mother in early pregnancy and the child's behaviour when they start going to school.
For example they found the incidence of a child being "mixed-handed" (i.e. using one hand for writing and the other for throwing a ball) was twice as high where the mothers were stressed in pregnancy or had suffered a relationship breakdown or bereavement.
Children exposed to stress in the womb were also more likely to suffer from ADHD and have other emotional problems, such as hot tempers, and found it more difficult to get along with other children.
Lead researcher Dr Alina Rodriguez from Kings' Institute of Psychiatry, urged pregnant women not to be alarmed by the risk, saying "It is really important to put it into perspective and to go about your business and try to relax, get support from different people, and do things that make you feel good"
Easier said than done in today's frantic world, I think

Nutrition during Pregnancy - an overview

2011-05-05T10:45:00.000+01:00

Healthy eating advice during pregnancy is very similar to healthy eating advice for the general population - only with a few more specific requirements. Charlotte Stirling-Reed (Director of SR Nutrition) outlines the important elements, because the food that you eat will provide the nutrients your baby needs.........read the full article

Take advantage of our summer clothes discounts

2011-05-03T15:09:00.000+01:00

I don't often use the blog to advertise promotions on the MumsTheWord site, but this one is too good not to shout about.
We have got some of the best children's clothes ranges around with selections from manufacturers such as Bonnie Baby, Cakewalk, Darcy Brown, Jottum, S&D Le Chic, Organics for Kids, Little Shrimp and Lily + Sid.
They are some of the best contemporary designers around and our summer selections cover your baby summer clothes needs from newborn up to 4 years old.
But to top it off, our summer clothes promotion reduces the RRP by 20% so you can get great designer clothes at great prices too!
Come to MumsTheWord to see for yourself.

Celebrity maternity range designers - good idea or not?

2011-04-28T14:46:00.000+01:00

I've just read that Kelly Brook, currently five months pregnant with her first baby, is the latest celebrity to design her own maternity fashion range, following on from Nicole Richie, Holly Willoughby, Myleene Klaas and Denise van Outen - to name just a few.
My question is not about denying these celebrities the ability to make some money from having an involvement in the maternity fashion business, but rather whether a pregnant woman is at all swayed by the fact that a particular dress in a store is endorsed by a celebrity?
Would you say no to a dress that you liked just because it was designed by a celebrity you disliked or vice versa?
I don't think so.
I just think that in many cases celebrity endorsement is a convenient peg for a company marketing department that can't come up with an original idea to promote their clothing brand - or am I being too cynical?

Did your view of your partner change once you became pregnant?

2011-04-27T13:10:00.000+01:00

Did you have that "lightning strike" moment when the man slumped in front of the TV, complete with remote control dangling over the armrest, changed from that "lovely guy I married" to "OMG that's the father of my child!!!"
When you're trying to sort out the bills to pay from the pile stuffed in a drawer, (which he has promised to organise every month for the past year), are you convinced that because he's so disorganised you're one step from financial ruin.
Does the sight of him laying on the settee, drinking beer and eating crisps whilst watching the football, make you despair of him being a positive role model for your child?
And when he walks out of the house with his shirt untucked, tie under one ear and a piece of toast clamped in his jaws do you ever wonder "what was I thinking?!"
And when he asks why you look so panic-striken do you say a small prayer (even if you're not religious)..... for the baby.
Well you're not alone.....just ask your mother.

Finding sleeping difficult while you're pregnant?

2011-04-26T16:25:00.001+01:00

The reasons why you might find difficulty sleeping can change during your pregnancy, but these tips will help, no matter what stage you're at:

Take reguler exercise - but not close to bed time
Avoid late meals, particularly if you suffer from heartburn
Use plenty of pillows - either ordinary ones or one of the specialised pregnancy pillows such as Dream Genii
Catnap whenever you can
Sleep in or go to bed early
Try using relaxation techniques before bed - perhaps having a warm bath.
If you wake up in the middle of the night or are having problems dropping off, don't just lie there - get up and read a book in a comfy chair
Avoid leg cramps at night by stretching before you go to bed
Doing pelvic tilts before laying down will allow you a few extra minutes between bathroom breaks at night

Name a business where the number of managers has increased by 82% in 10 years?

2011-04-21T10:58:00.000+01:00

Yes, you're right it's my old friend the NHS.
Between 1999 and 2009 the number of managers and senior managers working in the NHS increased from 23,378 to 42,509.
Now in the current year, the budget of the NHS has increased by approx. £4 billion and the government is looking for efficiency savings of between £15-20 billion over the next 4 years. But remember that these efficiency savings are ring-fenced within the NHS and are to be re-directed towards frontline services.
Admirable objectives you would think, reduce admin. costs and reinvest those savings in patient care.
Instead a number of NHS Trusts have targeted frontline services as a means of making the efficiency savings and then blaming the government for these "cuts in services that have been forced on us".
So why cut frontline rather than admin costs?
Because according to those trusts, you need the extra managers to manage the efficiency savings.
It all goes to show that no matter how desirable the objective, you'll never get a turkey to vote for Christmas.

Choosing a baby carrier

2011-04-20T16:34:00.000+01:00

Most parents find a baby carrier to be an invaluable aid during their baby's first year, but how do you choose the best one for you from the seemingly hundreds of varieties available?
Elizabeth Pantley, a parenting expert from greatvine.com gives you the low-down on the different styles and types available..........read the full article

New Website Live!!

2011-04-18T14:52:00.000+01:00

Finally the new website is live in all its glory!
We have better images so you can see the products in greater detail, and a much shorter checkout process to make things simpler and quicker for you. There's also a "My Account" function so you can track exactly what and when you have bought from us.
Another new addition is the customer review system which we have installed and which is managed by Ekomi. Every customer has the opportunity to comment on the service (or products) that they receive from us, and these reviews are then published directly on our home page by Ekomi.
Have a look att he site and tell us what you think - all feedback welcome!

UK Charity says that UK's record of 11 stillbirths per day is a national scandal

2011-04-15T09:47:00.000+01:00

Well you have to agree with Neal Long the chief executive of Sands, the stillbirth & neonatal death charity, don't you.
More than 4,000 British babies are stillborn each year, a figure which has remained unaltered for the past 10 years. This puts the UK in 32nd place in the world league table, alongside Belarus and Estonia; the country with the lowest stillbirth rate being Finland.
Common causes of stillbirth include maternal medical problems, congenital malformations as well as birth complications and infections according to the research published in The Lancet.
The study authors estimate that 1.1 million stillbirths worldwide could be prevented with a range of specific intervention measures.
A good place to start would be the East Midlands which has the highest stillbirth rate in the UK

Eating fish during pregnancy could cut the odds of baby blues

2011-04-14T16:29:00.000+01:00

According to research by the University of Connecticut, omega-3 fatty acids which are plentiful in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, may help protect against post-natal depression.
Stocks of omega-3 built up during pregnancy appear to give mental health a boost months later.
But before you go on an oily fish "binge" during pregnancy, there are concerns that fish rich in omega-3 also contain higher levels of toxic pollutants and so pregnant women are advised to ration their intake.
Post-natal depression affects up to 13% of new mums, and in severe cases can last up to 12 months

New Website Update

2011-04-13T12:02:00.001+01:00

All finished and ready to go now - launch will be Monday morning - the new site looks so much better than the current one - a real quantum leap forward!

How do you keep well during pregnancy?

2011-04-12T12:03:00.002+01:00

Pregnancy involves huge physical, emotional and social changes, which is exciting but can also be a little overwhelming.
Midwife Denise Tiran from greatvine.co.uk explains how to maintain a positive approach and prepare yourself for the birth of your baby........ Read full article

New Website Update

2011-04-12T11:53:00.000+01:00

Spoke too soon about going live today, but I'm not going to press the "go" button until everything is working how I want it to.

New Website Update

2011-04-11T15:20:00.000+01:00

Now the launch is getting really close.
Final testing is taking place today, and if no problems are found, then it will go live during tomorrow.
Fingers crossed.....

Stress - What's that?

2011-04-07T15:35:00.001+01:00

Unfortunately we all know about stress, but what can we do about it?
Well at the risk of showing my age, my stress-busting image comes from Richard Dreyfuss in a film called ‘The Goodbye Girl’ with Marsha Mason (it works for me!). But here are 9 stress busting tips which may help........read more

How do you choose the right toys for babies?

2011-04-06T15:39:00.001+01:00

How many toys should your baby have? What sort should they be? Whatever choices you make, there's bound to be conflicting advice, so here are a few pointers from parenting expert Elizabeth Pantley from Greatvine.co.uk
A baby learns from the things that she plays with, and the more things she has access to...............read the full article

Website update

2011-04-05T16:46:00.000+01:00

The developers have 4 people working on the new site today, so hoping that by the end of the day pretty much everything should be completed.
So then all that will remain is checking it again to find the mistakes that we missed the first time around!
They've had a few problems with the checkout but these seem to be resolved now and the whole site is very quick and the quality of the images is so much better
................launch date is getting closer.................

When did you tell family & friends you were pregnant?

2011-04-04T15:42:00.000+01:00

The pregnancy test is positive, you've just sat down quickly, taken a deep breath - now who do you tell and when do you tell them?
Unless he's standing there next to you watching the pregnancy test, your partner will be the first one that you tell, followed by family, close friends, acquaintances and finally anybody who will listen. So that's "who" settled, it's the "when" that is more difficult to decide.
For some, the right thing to do is to start telling family and friends almost before the pregnancy stick test hits the bin. For others, the choice may be to keep quiet until the end of the first trimester before telling anybody at all or waiting until their expanding belly shouts the news for them.
There is no one single right answer, what works for your family is the right way for you to share the good news.
How long did you wait before telling family and friends?

New Website Update

2011-04-01T11:17:00.000+01:00

Getting across the finishing line - the live launch of our new website - is a bit like trying to undo the gordian knot without Alexander the Great's sword and with our eyes closed.
Just when you think you have resolved all the bugs that you always expect to find in a project like this, you suddenly find that another bunch have surfaced!
Upshot is that a Monday "going live" is now looking doubtful.

Can the right nutrition help conception?

2011-03-31T09:46:00.000+01:00

Everyone knows that a healthy diet is crucial for a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby, but good nutrition starts much earlier and what you eat may actually affect your ability to conceive.
So to give yourself the best chance of conceiving, you should eat:

plenty of fruit and vegetables
complex carbohydrates - whole grains rather than processed, so brown rice rather than white, oats and wholemeal bread
oily foods such as nuts, seeds and fish
reduce your intake of saturated fats
eat more fibre
avoid additives, preservatives & chemicals such as artificial sweeteners
avoid sugar, both on its own and hidden in food
organic foods where possible

Nutrition During Pregnancy: Your Questions Answered

2011-03-30T16:07:00.001+01:00

In the third of our blog posts about pregnancy and healthy eating, we've included an article by Yvonne Wake who is a qualified public health nutritionist, university lecturer and panel member on http://www.greatvine.com/.
In her article, she deals with 3 common questions:

Which foods are high in iron? I don't want to take a supplement as I've heard they can cause constipation
I don't eat meat or fish - how can I make sure I get enough protein during pregnancy?
Why is it so important to take folic acid when pregnant?

To read her full article, click on Pregnancy Nutrition

Things You Can Eat During Pregnancy

2011-03-29T10:58:00.000+01:00

After yesterday's blog post about what you can't eat during pregnancy, I thought I should redress the balance today, so I've been looking for some pregnancy-friendly recipes you can try.
Just follow one of these links for some great recipe ideas.
+ BBC Food BBC's Pregnancy Friendly Food
+ All Food UK - Pregnant or Nursing Mum Recipes
+ Fit Pregnancy - Recipe Finder
+ Parents Connect - Pregnancy Recipes

Try some of the recipes out and let us know which ones you like the best or which were complete disasters!

What foods should you avoid during pregnancy?

2011-03-28T16:40:00.000+01:00

You'ld be forgiven for believing that the list of "foods to avoid" was endless, but in reality it can be summed up quite concisely.
1. Don't eat raw meat, it can infect you with salmonella or toxoplasmosis. So avoid sushi, steak tartare or any meat that is cooked "rare" or "bleu"
2. Raw eggs can give you salmonella poisoning, so no more sticking your finger in that raw cake mixture. Home made mayonnaise is also out, along with home made ice cream and any sauces in which the egg is not cooked through properly.
3. Soft cheese can contain harmful bacteria from the way it is made, so it's safer to stay with a good hard piece of cheddar or parmesan. If the cheese is soft or has blue veins it is best avoided
4. Fish - avoid exotic fish such as shark or swordfish (high mercury levels) and reduce intake of fish which may contain PCBs (trout, salmon etc.) to 2 servings per week. Only eat fish that is commercially caught i.e. don't pop down to the nearest fishing lake and catch your own!
5. Finally, liver should be off the menu (too much vitamin A) and any meat that you buy from a deli counter (such as hot dogs) should be properly reheated to 165C.

Do you give feedback?

2011-03-25T15:16:00.000Z

When you buy something from a web site, do you wish you had the opportunity to let them know about the service that they have given you and the products that you have bought? And if you're not happy with the service and your problems haven't been addressed will the issue just be brushed under the carpet and nothing done about them.

On our new website (to be launched very soon) we are implementing a totally transparent customer feedback and review system which is administered by ekomi.co.uk. Every customer will have the opportunity to comment on the service that they have received from MumsTheWord and these reviews (unedited or amended or suppressed by MumstheWord) will be published on our home page, together with our response to them.

We certainly think this will be a benefit to both ourselves and our customers. It will help us understand what particular concerns customers have in the way that we deal with them and how we can then amend our systems to meet those concerns. For our customers we hope that they will fully engage with the feedback process - it can only be beneficial.

Common Ailments During Pregnancy

2011-03-22T12:51:00.001Z

In the latest in our series of articles from the family experts at http://www.greatvine.com/, qualified Active Birth and NCT teacher Ruth Armes addresses your questions about a range of pregnancy ailments:

How do I cope with pregnancy sickness?
What can I do about heartburn
I'm 7 months pregnant and keep getting tummy aches - is it serious?
What should I do about my swollen feet/ankles?
How can I treat constipation when I'm 5 months pregnant

For full information about these ailments, click to see her article
If you want more information about Ruth Armes or to speak directly to her, click on
Ruth Armes profile

Do you need a doula?

2011-03-21T12:15:00.000Z

A doula is someone (usually a woman) who provides non-medical support to other women and their families during labour, childbirth and the postpartum period.

A doula is not just for a mum who wants an unmedicated or natural birth, as they can also have a role to play in whatever birthing experience you choose.

For example, a doula may be hired to increase the mum's support team, or as someone to "look after" the rest of the family while a high risk mum is receiving the best in high technological care from her clinical staff. Or it may be that you're a single mum who is lacking in support from her family or partner.

Research also shows that employing a doula can also have significant benefits in reducing the need for surgical or medical intervention during labour and may actually lead to a shorter labour.

Doulas are not there to replace dads, but can take the pressure off them to remember everything that they were taught in the antenatal classes and allow them to do what they do best - love their partner.

More information about doulas and the services they offer can be found on the following websites:- http://www.doula.org.uk/ ; http://www.britishdoulas.co.uk/ ; http://www.douladirectory.co.uk/

Website Update

2011-03-18T16:09:00.000Z

OMG! just started testing the new website and it is so, so much better than the current one - the guys at Iocea have done a really good job with it.
It looks cleaner, the images are better, it's laid out better, it's quicker and the functionality has improved.
Can't wait for the bug-testing to be completed and we can get the site up and running.
It has definately been worth waiting for

Millhouse - a fabulous range of children's wooden toys and furniture

2011-03-16T09:50:00.001Z

We've just started to sell the Millhouse range of quality children's wooden toys and furniture, that's designed and made in the UK. They're all made from sustainable resources and the company is committed to sustainability in all its operations, from using waste wood to heat its factory to designing & making its own environmentally friendly packaging.

The range includes ride on toys, desks, chairs, toy boxes and some of the best looking creative and role play toys we've seen.
For us, pride of place goes to the Healthy Eating Kitchen & Market Stall which comes with its own "healthy veg growing kit" complete with pots, compost blocks, plant labels, seed sachets, growing instructions, drip tray and pot holder.
Check out the whole range on our site

How to relax during late pregnancy

2011-03-15T11:45:00.001Z

As your pregnancy comes towards its end, the worries inevitably start to come to the surface, whether they’re about labour and actually giving birth, or how on earth you’re going to manage to look after this new baby and what changes it is going to bring to your life.

The antidote to worry is relaxation and here are some ideas to help you relax during the later stages of your pregnancy.

Five tips for relieving backache in pregnancy

2011-03-15T11:45:00.000Z

Watch your posture. Walk tall and put a cushion in the small of your back when you sit down
Don't bend forward to lift anything - either bend your knees and squat or ask somebody to get it for you
A maternity support band or belt can give you extra support
For instant relief, nothing beats a hot water bottle or a cold compress on your lower back
Go for a massage or see an osteopath or chiropractor, making sure they know that you are pregnant

Can you trust what you read online?

2011-03-15T10:32:00.002Z

There's a lot of information online, but it rarely reflects your own situation and it's difficult to know what or who to trust.
We've teamed up with the nice people at Greatvine to help you with a series of articles written by experts in their field, the first of which is about using ginger during pregnancy by midwife Denise Tiran
Read it today and let us know what you think.
So who are Greatvine?
Greatvine lets you talk on the phone to the country's best experts, whenever you need. They've hand-picked the leading specialists in over 150 topics - from breastfeeding and baby sleep to anxiety and depression, diet and nutrition, creative writing and even starting a business.
Speak immediately, or schedule a call when it suits you.
For more details, go to http://www.greatvine.com/

Website Update

2011-03-15T09:27:00.001Z

It's been quite on the website update front for a few weeks while the developers get to do their thing with source code and stuff, BUT this week should see us start to test the new site - and we can't wait!
Now we get to find out if the site lives up to all our expectations before we let our customers loose on it.

Do I need to buy a breast pump?

2011-03-11T10:02:00.002Z

There is general agreement that breastfeeding your baby for the first six months gives them the best possible start in life and also has some positive benefits for mum as well.
However, there are times when it is just not possible for mum to physically breastfeed her baby – she may need to sleep through the night for once, or she may be back at work. In these cases there needs to be a method for mum to be able to express her milk and store it, and this is where the breast pump comes in.
Here are a few pointers for buying a breast pump

Do I really need to buy a nursing bra?

2011-03-10T09:28:00.002Z

The short answer is yes, especially if you are planning to breastfeed for several months, and yes, the days of "boulder-holders" are over - you can buy pretty, sexy nursing bras to wear.
See our tips on what you need to know about buying a nursing bra

Sex Education in Primary Schools

2011-03-09T10:47:00.001Z

Am I totally out of touch or just hopelessly old fashioned in believing that some of the latest sex education resources aimed at primary school children are just plain wrong?
Perhaps I shouldn't believe everything that I read in newspapers and I accept that we have moved some way from stories about storks and gooseberry bushes but do we really need this?
Can't children retain their innocence for just a few years?
The government says that it doesn't recommend any particular resources to schools, county council education departments say it is up to individual schools what they use, but who thought this was a good idea in the first place? Who is going to take responsibility for saying this resource is wrong and/or not appropriate?
Or are public sector educationalists too scared to appear illiberal or conservative (with a small 'c') when dealing with contentious issues?
In a small straw poll conducted in our offices this morning, not one person was in favour of these resources being used with small children - enough said.

Are you in favour of these resources?
Or if presented with them by your child's primary school would you opt-out as is your right?
If you have a view let us and your child's head teacher and school governers know.

It's Pancake Day!

2011-03-08T15:47:00.001Z

When it comes to pancakes, there's only one recipe to use and that's Delia's - first class results every time - Delia's Pancake Recipe

How to soothe your baby by massaging your bump

2011-03-07T07:28:00.001Z

If you massaage your bump, your calmed nervous system will help to soothe your baby, so how to start.......
Firstly make sure you choose a time when you're not totally stressed out already, and sit down in warm room with Norah Jones or Katie Melua on the ipod.
Use natural or organic oils and warm your oiled hands before touching your bump, and avoid almond oil, fragranced essential oils and any aromatherapy oils that are not suitable for use in pregnancy.
Focusing on the baby inside your bump, use soft but firm strokes and if baby starts kicking, stop massaging until he stops kicking and then start again.

What does a birthing partner actually do?

2011-03-04T07:19:00.001Z

Nowadays, every woman is encouraged to write her own birthing plan, which includes the name of her preferred birthing partner, be that her husband/partner, a close friend of either sex, a doula, your mum or your sister or even more than one if the maternity unit allows it!

But what are they there for and what do they do? This is not an all-inclusive list, but it does cover the most important aspects.

Your birthing partner:

How to help relieve lower back pain

2011-03-03T10:01:00.001Z

Lean forward towards a wall, with your palms against the wall at shoulder height.
Slowly walk backwards away from the wall while sliding your hands down the wall until your arms are straight and your back is parallel to the floor, (if you back starts to round place your hands higher up the wall)
Keep your feet hip width (or slightly more) apart, and try and keep your legs straight without pushing back on your knees.
Hold this position for 1-2 mins and then gently "walk back up the wall" until you're standing upright

Not great on exercise but you know you ought to

2011-03-02T15:15:00.001Z

Exercise helps build stamina, and regular exercise during pregnancy is thought to lead to shorter labours. But not everyone is a gym-bunny, so for those of you whose previous idea of exercise was rasing a wine glass, here are some exercise routines which may help.
+ Gentle walking helps to improve circulation & reduces the risk of varicose veins
+ Yoga will teach you ways to use breathing to aid relaxation
+ Aqua-natal classes are great exercise as well as a good way to meet other mums-to-be
+ Pilates exercises can be useful, as they target the tummy and pelvic floor muscles
+ Dancing makes you feel good, and you can always do it at home behind drawn curtains!

Finding getting to sleep difficult?

2011-03-01T08:50:00.002Z

Even the best of sleepers can find dropping off to sleep whilst they are pregnant difficult at times. It may be that you just can’t find a comfortable position with your growing bump, or you’re too hot because of the pregnancy hormones rushing through yor bloodstream or you’re stressed out by the imminent prospect of giving birth and having a new baby to care for.

Whatever it is you may find one of these sleeping tips helpful

Why go to an antenatal class?

2011-02-28T10:06:00.001Z

Because you get information on the process of labour and giving birth from experts, rather than your friends' horror stories
You'll receive advice on relaxation techniques and various coping strategies
It's an opportunity to talk non-stop about birth and babies!
It's reassuring to find that there are lots of other mums-to-be that share the same concerns that you do
You may well find some new friends amongst the women who attend your class which makes for a great support group for when you're all looking after your new babies

Everything You Need To Know About Stretch Marks

2011-02-25T10:45:00.002Z

Stretch marks are one of the the things that every pregnant woman wants to avoid, but unfortunately up to 90% of them will get them during their pregnancy. And even if you avoid them with your first pregnancy, that's no guarantee that they won't appear in a subsequent pregnancy.
So to find out all you need to know about stretch marks follow the link, but don't forget that whatever the product packaging says, there are no guarantees.

The rise of the older mother

2011-02-23T23:05:00.001Z

The number of women delaying motherhood until their 30's has risen by over 55% since the 1990's ansd now stands at 356,300 (2009), and for women over 40 the rate has doubled as well. While at the other end of the scale pregnancy rates among teenagers has dropped to its lowest level for 30 years.
The most common reason given for this delay in motherhood is that women now have a far greater involvement in the labour force, and the underlying financial need for two incomes in a family unit.

Has the National Childbirth Trust got the balance wrong?

2011-02-21T09:52:00.001Z

The NCT's mission statement is "NCT wants all parents to have an experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood that enriches their lives and gives them confidence in being a parent."
Totally laudable and a statement that everyone can buy into, but is the NCT in danger of alienating those women who, for whatever reason, choose to have a caesarean? TV presenter and mother of two, Kirstie Allsopp certainly thinks so, as she criticised the NCT for being "reckless" in not providing enough information about c-sections in its antenatal classes.

Is she correct in believing that many passionate advocates for "natural births" view a c-section as a cop-out and that "if they had been in that position they would have managed somehow, despite all the medical advice, to give birth naturally"?
If so, is Kirstie Allsopp more in tune with what most women believe when she says "I suspect giving birth naturally is one of the most life-enhancing experiences you can have if it goes well. That's the dream, but for a quarter of women it is not the reality, and we need to make sure they don't feel like a failure."

Unless the National Childbirth Trust is changing its name to the Natural Childbirth Trust then it needs to readdress the balance in the way in which some of its supporters are promoting its cause

Beautiful little girls' dresses from Cakewalk

2011-02-17T12:14:00.003Z

Cakewalk is a real "girly girl" designer brand from Holland, and their latest Summer collection is full of bright patterns and stand-out designs that are just perfect for little girls from 3 months to 4 years.

Cakewalk's White Ditsy Flower Dress is a pretty white cotton jersey dress for the summer, with pink spots and a ditsy floral frill at the hem, and is perfect for a baby, while the Pink Butterfly Crossover Dress with its beautiful butterfly design is one that little girls aged 2 - 4 will love.

View the complete Cakewalk Summer Collection

Morrisons acquire Kiddicare

2011-02-15T22:32:00.001Z

So why does the UK's 4th largest supermarket chain spend £70 million acquiring baby products retailer Kiddicare? It seems that Morrisons believe that Kiddicare's web technology platform is the ideal launch pad for their own online offering to be launched in 2012. 80% of Kiddicare's £37.5 million sales now come from their online vehicle http://www.kiddicare.com/.
So will this have any effect on the baby products market? Probably not in the short term, but it won't be long before Morrision's supermarket buying clout is brought to bear on the nursery trade suppliers. Or to put it another way, retail prices are unlikely to rise as a result of this takeover.

Hypnobirthing on the NHS

2011-02-14T16:00:00.001Z

NHS Hospitals in Lancashire are conducting trials to assess the effectiveness of hypnobirthing pain management techniques for women in labour compared to traditional pain management methods such as 'gas n' air' or epidurals.
If proved to be successful, the techniques are likely to be rolled-out across the NHS, especially if they can be shown to reduce costs as well as improving a woman's birthing experience

Breastfeeding - what do you think about it?

2011-02-10T17:09:00.001Z

Research seems pretty conclusive that breastfeeding is good for a baby. But if that is the case, why do the UK's breastfeeding rates remain so stubbornly low?
Does the problem lies with the way in which the "breastfeeding is best" message is put across in hospitals etc.?
Does it come across as "we know what's best for you, so do what we say," rather than winning the hearts and minds battle.
What's your experience been?

Website Update

2011-02-09T13:07:00.001Z

Have you found that when your web developers need something from you then they are all over you like a rash about getting an answer to their question?
But when things are not going quite so well (or to time) in the development process at their end that they forget how to use the telephone or email?

Junk food can damage a toddler's IQ according to research

2011-02-08T15:36:00.002Z

Researchers at Bristol University working on the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children have found that good nutrition is crucial in the first three years of life when the brain grows at its fastest, and that feeding toddlers too much junk food can have a long term effect on the child's IQ.
The findings suggest that under 3's with a diet containing too much sugar, fats and processed foods don't eat enough vitamins and nutrients so their brains cannot grow to their full potential. It's not that a small child should never eat "junk food" but as it all things moderation is the key, and in the early years it should be reduced to a minimum.

OiOi 2011 Baby Changing Bags now on the shelf!

2011-02-07T09:44:00.001Z

Hot on the heels of PInk Lining's new bags, come the 2011 baby changing bags from leading fashion brand OiOi.
There's a great new bag shape, the "Hobo Slouch" which comes in three different colourways and three more "Tote Slouch" bags in a variety of materials and colours. The trend this year seems to be moving towards a more flexible bag shape rather than the more rigid "box" styles seen previously.

New Pink Lining Bags now in stock!

2011-02-03T15:57:00.001Z

Arrived yesterday, the new season's designs of the iconic "Yummy Mummy" bag - Grey Doves, Peace Blossom and Love Birds Oatmeal + the whole range of Pink Lining bag styles including the brand new Queensdale Tote Bag and Mama on the Run bag.
Great fresh designs perfect for this summer - one of the best collections we have had from Charlotte Pearl and the Pink Lining team.

New Research Finding - Sex in Pregnancy is OK

2011-02-01T22:21:00.001Z

Yet more "ground-breaking research" telling us something that we already know. Doctors, midwives even agony aunts have been telling us for years that it is OK to have sex during pregnancy and it will not harm your baby.
So why has a university wasted time and resources on a new piece of research that adds next to nothing to the pool of knowledge already known?

So how was Bubble the Children's Clothes Trade Fair?

2011-01-31T09:57:00.002Z

Apart from the fact it was a Sunday - very good!
Bonnie Babies' under 2's range was as good as ever, while Darcy Brown's range of occasion wear for girls and boys up to 5 was the best yet with some fab party dresses for girls and on-trend cardigans for boys amongst lots of other jumpers, trousers and shirts.
We've also placed some orders with a variety of new suppliers to make our clothes offering bigger and better - more details to follow

Yet another trade show

2011-01-30T06:26:00.001Z

On our way up to London to go to "Bubble London" a trade show for children's clothes. Looking at clothes for the 2011 Autumn/Winter season, and yes it is a Sunday!

UK Toy Fair

2011-01-28T10:11:00.001Z

Spent yesterday at the UK Toy Fair at Olympia. Bigger than last year's, but still so much smaller than it was in its heyday in the 1970's when it took over both floors of Earls Court 1.
Saw a number of our existing suppliers such as Brio and EverEarth - both have some good new products for 2011 an d made a couple of new contacts which will help build up the role play section of our toy stocks.
Only downside - the cost of buying refreshments - a license to print money!

Business on the up?

2011-01-25T23:05:00.003Z

After a couple of quietish weeks, this week's sales have really stepped up a notch, and what is even more pleasing for us is the range of products that customers are buying.
Thank you and keep it up!!

How to upset me quickly as a supplier

2011-01-25T17:10:00.001Z

Dear Suppliers
Without images of a good enough quality it is impossible to sell your products on our web site. If you don't have the images (preferably 300dpi and 800px square) ready and immediately available to send to me, then please don't waste my time and yours by trying to sell the product to me.
And if the product comes in four colours, then I will need an image of each of those colours, I promise of "we're updating images in a couple of weeks" cuts no ice with me.
No image = no sale

New 2011 OiOi Baby Changing Bags

2011-01-24T15:23:00.001Z

The Spring 2011 Baby Changing Bags from fashion brand OiOi will be available for sale at the end of this week. There are new colours for many current bags, and some brand new bags styles as well

Website Update

2011-01-24T15:20:00.001Z

Quiet day so far, having agreed all the design elements - shapes and colours, the developers are now working on the functionality - how it works.
Regular visitors to our current site will notice a lot of changes in the way the new site operates - more features including a "My Account" area - and fewer pages in the checkout.
We are also making it much clearer if a particular product size is out of stock to make shopping more visible.

Do Celebrities Influence What You Do?

2011-01-20T11:59:00.001Z

According to the papers this morning, the fact that Orlando Bloom's wife was pictured breastfeeding their new baby will have a positive impact on breastfeeding rates in the UK.
The arguement seeming to be "if a celebrity can do it, then I should be doing it to".
Am I just wrong or just naive to think that women do what they believe is best for them and their baby without needing a celebrity endorsement?

Website Update

2011-01-20T11:50:00.001Z

Finally got my way regarding the layout of the product pages, so if it all goes pear-shaped looks like I'm in the firing line!
Web developers now starting to design the functionality of the home page

Darcy Brown Clothes now arriving

2011-01-19T11:55:00.001Z

Just received our first shipment of Darcy Brown children's clothes for 2011. Absolutely stunning and perfect for those days when you need/want your little ones to look cute and smart. They'll be up on the web site in a few days

Website Update

2011-01-19T11:49:00.001Z

Revisited the product pages and they just have to be changed. Just sent our designer a couple of alternative versions based on sites which get high ratings for ease of use - just waiting for the feedback

Has somebody got it in for pregnant women?

2011-01-18T10:19:00.001Z

So far this week we've had
- 547 days 'till you feel attractive again after having a baby
- new maternity/paternity rights will cripple the economy
- change of advice regarding weaning your baby
- maternity wards are in chaos/short staffed
and it's only Wednesday morning.
Being pregnant and having a new baby is stressful enough without all of this!

New Website Update

2011-01-18T10:16:00.001Z

Finally signed off on all the wireframes for the site so we now know what ii's going to look like!
Simple response to the design - it looks great - a real step change up from the old site design.
Now all we have to do is to get the functionality working properly......................

Top Drawer Trade Fair

2011-01-16T17:25:00.001Z

Spent the morning (yes it is a Sunday) at Top Drawer an upmarket gift + fashion products show at Earls Court.
As always at trade shows it was a case of "same old, same old" for a lot of stands, but here and there were a couple of brand new gems that we will be adding to the web site over the next few weeks plus a couple of old well-establishged brands that we shall add as well.
My only complaint - why don't people look where they are going at trade fairs? So many are so busy looking sideways at the stands they forget to look where their feet are going!

So the experts have changed their minds yet again

2011-01-14T16:53:00.001Z

It was written in tablets of stone by the W.H.O. that "Thou shalt not start weaning thy baby until they are at least six months old", but now research from another group of experts says that weaning is fine from 4 months and that six months is too late to start. The breastfeeding lobby then pile in with "breastmilk is best until six months".
Which just goes to show that experts are fallable and that in the end mums know what's best for their babies - or as we might put it MumsTheWord

New Website Update

2011-01-14T16:46:00.001Z

Having agreed the design of the home page two days ago, we 've now changed the visual look of it at least 3 times today. The problem is, the more time you spend looking at something the longer you have to say "I wonder if ....."

Invidual product pages are still not right, has anybody got some sites that they can recommend that have great product pages?

Pink Lining Bags - Spring 2011 Collection

2011-01-13T16:12:00.001Z

Just got these new baby changing bags uploaded to the site. Stock won't be in until the end of the month, but we are taking orders now.
If past performance is anything to go by, these bags rocket off the site.
New designs are called Grey Doves, Peace Blossom and Love Birds and are available in 5 different bag styles so one is gojng to be perfect for you!
Take a look and let us know what you think

Website Update

2011-01-13T16:05:00.001Z

Colour scheme for the Home page is now finalised, along with most of the other types of pages on the site, with the exception of the individual product pages.
These are difficult to sort out because of the wide variety of products that we sell, so one page has to be able to deal with multiple functions if we are to avoid having different wire frames for different types of products - designer is working hard!

547 days to feel attractive again

2011-01-12T17:35:00.001Z

Did you see the survey in the newspapers this morning? According to fashion website A Beautiful Mummy it takes a new mum 547 days after giving birth before she starts feeling as attractive as she did before becoming pregnant.
Do you agree with that?
Did it take you 18 months after having your baby before you felt attractive?
So for all new mums who have given birth today (congrats on your new baby!) it could be 12 July 2012 before you feel at your best again - just in time for the Olympics

New Website Update

2011-01-12T17:25:00.001Z

Now working on colour scheme for the home page plus wire frames for all the other site pages. At first glance there are a lot of changes that need to be made - but that's tomorrow's job

Quiet Tuesday

2011-01-11T11:36:00.001Z

Spending time today on creating an ad to go into Baby London's next issue, highlighting all the stunning new Spring/Summer children's clothes that we have coming into stock early next month

New Website

2011-01-11T09:17:00.003Z

Decision made - new home page design now agreed - now what colours do we want??

Monday morning chaos

2011-01-10T11:57:00.001Z

As always, Monday is the busiest day of the week, with three days' worth of orders to pack and get out the door. More than the normal number of baby changing bags sold over the weekend as well as a good number of wooden toys.

New Website

2011-01-10T11:54:00.001Z

More options to look at for the home page - need to nail this down today - decision time!

New Website

2011-01-08T18:10:00.001Z

Now have 6 home page design options from the designer and we've just added 4 more!
Getting the right home page design is harder than finding a needle in a haystack!