Tag Archives: mum to be

Review: HippyChick Hipster Seat

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Hippychick Hipseat

 

Product Name: HippyChick Hipster Seat
Price:  £25 – £39.95
Available from: Hippychick, Amazon and other baby goods suppliers
Main Claim: has been developed to allow adults to carry their children naturally on their hip without the usual strains on the back (as per Hippychick)
Age Range: 6 months and up (as per Hippychick)
Size: Suitable for a waist size of up to 48 inches or 120cm, extension available. (as per Hippychick)
Available in 7 different colours.

Overall Score: 10/10
Recommended? Yes.

My Length of testing: 6 years +

 

Overview of Product

Length:  Approx. 115cm
Width:  Approx.  13cm
Height of Seat Back: Approx 17cm
Height of Seat Front:  Approx 12cm
Width of Seat (at widest point): Approx. 20cm
Length of Seat (at longest point): Approx. 13cm.
Length of Strap:  Approx. 63cm.  (Extension strap is sold separately)

Carrying a toddler on your hip for extended periods is a strain on the body, uncomfortable for you and for the toddler.  Hippychick claim that this product has been designed to alleviate this problem; to allow you to hold a toddler on your hip for an extended period without strain on your back and in comfort for your toddler.

This product was recommended to me when I had my first baby 7 years ago.  I used it well into both my two boys second year and will use it again for babygirl.  Hippychick recommends that it is used for babies 6 months and up (they are then old enough to sit astride and hold up their heads,  but with my second baby I have used it as a support for my arm when holding my newborn. Now that he is over 6 months I have it on permanently at home and also when I am out and about and he wants to be carried.

Hippychick claim that the seat enables you to carry a baby/toddler without putting strain on your back and I agree with this 100%, however, I will say that I do suffer from ‘arm fatigue’ from holding him against me if I carry him for an extended period. It is important to note that the seat does allow you to carry them for extended periods, because you are not holding them ‘up and on’ your hip tightly, rather you are cradling them to stop them tipping backwards (or forwards if they are facing out) from the seat/shelf.

Another plus is that baby is sitting higher than if they were on your hip and is more easily able to see your face, and you theirs, and whats going on around them.

My views on Hippychick claims for the Hipster Seat

‘Suitable for a waist size of up to 48 inches or 120cm, extension available.’  I would agree with this, I have not used the extension however.

‘Strong, hardwearing fabric.’   Made of  canvas , I have found the product to be extremely hard wearing.  I have also not noticed any fading of the fabric.  See my photos below for condition of mine,  which I have had for 4 years+.

‘Super light.’  It weighs 356 grams, so yes, it is very light.

‘Simple, practical and easy to use.’  I agree with this.

‘Inward facing pockets for safe keeping passports, cash, credit cards, car keys etc.’  It does have an inward facing pocket, but when the foam seat is in place you can’t get much in there.

‘Machine washable.’  I have washed it following the instructions with no problems.  I have only washed it once in the 2+ years I have used it.  I have found no need to wash it more often.

‘When the child is older you can remove the seat and use it as a bum bag/money belt or simply as a straightforward back support.’  As a bum/bag money belt it would be very durable and easily hold the items Hippychick claims above.  However its pretty big and noticeable.  Good back support as it is wide and strong.

To sum up, this is a product I have owned for over four years and has now had a good two and a half years use with my babies.  I recommend it, and would go as far as saying that it is a must have product.  The product is so well wearing and durable that I would have no hesitation in putting it on eBay when my babies are too big for it.  Check out the Hippychick web site for the full range of colours.

MamaSim @ How To Parent Today.

Hippychick seat in action

Hippychick seat in action

Care Label. Wash @30degrees, Do not Iron or Tumble Dry

Care Label. Wash @30degrees, Do not Iron or Tumble Dry

Close up of material

Close up of material

Seat Pocket for Foam Insert

Seat Pocket for Foam Insert

Left Hand Strap

Left Hand Strap

Right Hand Strap

Right Hand Strap

Without Foam Insert

Without Foam Insert

Foam Seat Insert

Foam Seat Insert

Foam Seat Insert View 2

Foam Seat Insert View 2

Foam Seat Insert View 3

Foam Seat Insert View 3

*Any information in this review that is directly quoted from the company I will note (as per…..)

Mamasimx

Don’t forget to enjoy your day.

Review of Bebe au Lait Breastfeeding Covers

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Bebe au Lait breastfeeding cover

Bebe au Lait breastfeeding cover

Having made the decision to breastfeed my baby I wanted a nursing or breastfeeding cover to use when out and about in public.  I ‘googled’, found several results for nursing covers and decided to go with the Bebe au Lait Nursing Covers.  They had some good features I thought and I loved the available colours and designs.  I purchased the ‘Yoko’ design pictured opposite.

This was seven years and three babies ago and the breastfeeding cover has stood the test of time.  In fact it is still going strong after all these years and all these washes.  The RigiFlex(TM) neckline is still rigid and the metal rings on the ‘tie’ have not tarnished at all.  A good investment.

Another one of my top 20 things I have found most useful after having my three babies, my opinion only, for what it’s worth! But I think it is confusing and stressful enough when expecting your first baby.  Its nice to know of things that other Mums have found useful and would recommend.  It would also make a great gift for a baby shower, new mom to be or gift for baby.

I just love these stylish breastfeeding covers.  And as I stated above I have been using mine for over 7 years now.  They are useful not just for covering baby and you while feeding, but as a sunshade; sunshade over the pram and as a light blanket.  Fantastic must have.

The Bebe au Lait website offers the following as features of the cover:

  • Patented RigiFlex™ Neckline allows for optimal viewing of baby and ventilation
  • Neckline Safety Technology promotes product longevity by preventing fabric wear and tear.
  • 100% breathable Cotton – single layered for cool comfort, soft as can be as it delicately shelters baby while nursing. Tuck top corner under arm for full coverage
  • Internal Terrycloth Pocket: Perfect for quick cleanups and stashing pads and pacifiers.
  • Adjustable d-ring neck strap with branded hardware for authenticity. Adjust it once and done.
  • Generously sized 26” X 36” to allow baby to remain focused, not distracted during nursing
  • Compact covers roll up to take wherever you go.
  • Multi-use: use as a changing mat, sunshade, and light blanket.
  • 2011 Creative Child Magazine Top Choice Winner
  • Machine washable
  • Imported
  • Please note some fabric dye lots and pattern sizing may vary.

The RigiFlex™ is a band that keeps the material standing away from you at the neckline, creating a space so you can look down and watch your baby while feeding.  It’s the most handy feature of all.

There is also a triangle of towelling sewn on the inner side of one corner that you can use to wipe up any extra milk etc.  Very handy.

The covers cost £27.50 or $35 and are available from:

US:  From the Bebe au Lait website.

UK:  From Mothercare (and other retailers such as John Lewis).

Mamasimx

Don’t forget to enjoy your day.

©Simone Woods 2013

Review: The Dunstan Baby Language System

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Dunstan Baby Language System

Dunstan Baby Language System

Product Name:           The Dunstan Baby Language System
Price:                           £23.00 GBP or $36.00 USD approx.
Available from:          http://www.dunstanbaby.com. various retailers and Amazon.
Main Claim:               The Dunstan Baby Language teaches you to hear exactly what your baby is communicating. As a parent, you will be able to interpret your infant’s sounds and cries – and respond to their needs quickly and effectively. (as per Dunstan Baby Language)
Age Range:                Birth to 3 months (as per Dunstan Baby Language)
Overall Score:           10/10
Recommended?:       Yes.
Length of testing:    Over 1 year. System used for 6 months with my first baby,  8-9 months with second baby and now 7 months and counting on my third little one.

Overview of Product
  • 2 DVD’s    (English with Spanish and French Subtitles Available.)
  • 1 Wall Chart
  • 1 Booklet
  • Case
  • Slip Cover

My Mum sent me a link to an article about this system when I was expecting baby number one 5 years ago.  I was a little sceptical of the claims at first, but after reading the comments I decided to purchase the DVD and investigate further.  I was intrigued and reassured by the background information given about the systems creator, Priscilla Dunstan, on the Dunstan Baby Language website. Following is an excerpt.

‘From the age of five, Priscilla demonstrated an unusual connection with sound. Already an exceptional violinist, she could hear a piece by Mozart once, then play it back in its entirety. Her father, Director of the Educational Testing Centre at the University of New South Wales, found that his young daughter had an eidetic memory – a photographic memory for sound.

During her teenage years Priscilla toured throughout Europe and Australia as an accomplished concert violinist. Priscilla then spent more than 10 years exploring the world of opera, where her talent as a mezzo-soprano deepened her understanding of sound produced by the body.

It was years later, when Priscilla gave birth to her son Tomas, the true significance of her gift emerged. Her instincts as a mother and her connection to sound led her to believe that a baby’s cries had to be something more than just random sounds. Noting combinations of sounds in a journal, Priscilla explored various settling techniques and observed Tom’s reactions. Eventually she was able to recognize patterns, and identify how specific cries had a distinct need attached to them.

After her own experience with Tom, her theory was tested with over a thousand babies of 30+ nationalities. 9 years of observation and intervention research then led to 3 independent international studies, confirming the existence of a universal baby language – the Dunstan Baby Language.’

In her DVD, Pricilla explains that every newborn communicates from birth to 3 months using 5 distinct sounds that signal hunger, tiredness, need to burp, lower wind/gas and discomfort.  This is regardless of the language their parents speak.  It is not a learned language she explains.  Rather, it is a natural way for every baby to express their physical needs.

Disc 1 contains Lesson 1 with the following chapters:

  1. Priscillas’ Story
  2. Welcome
  3. Word 1
  4. Word 2
  5. Word 3
  6. Helpful Advice
  7. Solutions
  8. What Parents Have To Say
Disc 2 contains Lesson 2 with the following chapters:
  1. Welcome
  2. Word 4
  3. Word 5
  4. Solutions
  5. Thank you
  6. Priscilla, Mother and Babies
  7. What Parents Have To Say

Prior to my first babies birth, I watched the DVD several times; taking note of the five sounds and repeating them to myself through-out the day so that they became familiar.

I also hung the small sound chart that comes with the DVD in the nursery so that I could easily refer to it if required.

When baby arrived there was the usual shock to overcome (!), but I found that I could easily remember the sounds, especially with the help of the chart, and I began to really listen to my little one to try to distinguish his cries.  It took about 1- 2 days for my ear to attune to my babies cries and for me to begin to tell when he was making each sound.  What a feeling the first time I heard the hungry cry!  I was elated!  My little one most often made the tired, hungry or burping sounds, but also made the wind and uncomfortable sounds.  My husband and I felt confidence and reassurance knowing that we could, most of the time, attempt to understand what it was that our little son was trying to tell us.  The system states that it is best used for the first 3 months of babies life as from 3 months on, baby will begin to use learned sounds, rather than the physical/instinctual sounds Priscilla describes.  However, my husband and I heard both are boys making the sounds for much longer than this.

Priscilla Dunstan comes across as genuine, down to earth and very approachable in her DVD.  (Like all good Aussies!)  The DVD’s are watchable and easy to digest.  Most helpfully she gives lots of examples of different babies making each sound, so you get a real feel for the sounds themselves.  She also gives advice and techniques for dealing with each of the problems babies cries are signalling.  Very helpful for a first time Mum and Dad.  I recommend this product.  The DVD would make a great Baby Warming Gift as it is best to be able to study it before baby arrives.

Such a relief when you are all at sea with your first baby.

Booklet Pages

Booklet Pages

 

DVD Cover

DVD Cover

 

Mamasimx.

Don’t forget to enjoy your day.

 

© 2012 Simone L Woods